Print edition for January 21, 2003

Skaters facing lockout at city parks: Violence, drug use, curfew violations and vandalism have city officials considering a temporary lockout at some Las Vegas skate parks.

Obituaries for Jan. 21, 2003: Antonio P. Arenas Sr., 54, of Henderson died Monday in a local hospital. He was born Jan. 21, 1948, in Guadalajara, Mexico. A resident for 10 years, he was a taxicab driver.

Medicaid, mental health funding boosted: AP; -TOTAL SPENDING: Guinn would allocate $1.36 billion, or 28 percent of all state funds, for human resources. The proposed spending over the next two years is up 35 percent compared with the current budget.

Immunization schedule for Jan. 21, 2003: HENDERSON PUBLIC HEALTH CENTER: 129 W. Lake Mead Drive, Building A, Suite 10, 8 a.m. to 4:30 p.m., Monday through Friday.

Internet gaming site settles patent lawsuit: By Liz Benston; In one of few intellectual property disputes of its kind related to Internet gambling, a startup Internet enterprise has settled a patent infringement lawsuit against the operator of an Antigua-based Web casino.

Columnist Jeff German: Tax worries? Relax and enjoy game: If only Gov. Kenny Guinn could have delivered his State of the State address next Monday.

Firm expands Internet, telephone betting operations: Rank, which also owns Mecca bingo halls, said the combination of Blue Square with Rank Interactive Gaming, its online betting unit, will bring it more customers who play casino games such as roulette and blackjack through the Internet, telephone and TV.

Columnist Dean Juipe: Struggling UNLV needs to regroup: Dean Juipe; Bleak as it seems, it's time to revise and reassess the situation.

Public safety highlights in gov's budget: AP; -TRANSITIONAL FACILITY: The Department of Corrections will open a transitional facility at Casa Grande, in southern Nevada, for 200 inmates close to parole in October, 2003. The population of the facility will increase by 236 inmates a year later.

Quotes on Gov. Kenny Guinn's "state of the state" address: AP; ---

Homeowners association critics to be heard: Jace Radke; Shelley Scirone was among a group of about 175 Summerlin residents who couldn't even get in to a meeting of their homeowners' association a few months ago to argue against a ban on basketball hoops. But now she plans to be heard.

Jacobson, Jackson help jump-start Utes: Utah guard Nick Jacobson credited coach Rick Majerus and his staff for having the Utes suitably prepared late Monday night in their 66-63 victory over UNLV at the Thomas & Mack Center.

Community briefs for Jan. 21, 2003: Girl Scouts are taking pre-orders for cookies and will begin delivering them Feb. 24. Those who overlook preordering cookies this year can always purchase them during the booth sale period, Feb. 28 through March 16 at most supermarkets and some local retailers.

Strike deadline looms in five states: The union, representing the workers at Sprint local telephone operations in Oregon, Indiana, Tennessee, North Carolina and Florida, set a 1 p.m. EST deadline. It said that higher pay and a reduction in the use of contractors is being sought. The workers are covered under separate contracts.

Union protests prison conditions: Dan Kulin; Nevada's prisons are dangerously understaffed and Department of Corrections administrators are trying to break the employees' union for spotlighting the problem, hundreds of protesting union members and their supporters said Monday.

Guinn issues challenge in 'our hour of need': Erin Neff; CARSON CITY -- Gov. Kenny Guinn had no sooner finished asking for cooperation in raising $1 billion in new taxes Monday night in his State of the State address than the war of words over a future business tax proposal took center stage.

Las Vegas slot route operator forecasts 2002 revenue jump: That compares to revenues of $233.2 million in 2001 and cash flow of $35.2 million.

Letter: With Saddam out of the way, oil will flow: If Saddam is kicked out, the democracy George W. Bush promised will have to be put on hold for the sake of "stability." The Republican Guard must be retained to support the new iron-fisted dictator we select, and we will have to have a military base there to keep watch on things, but at least the oil can flow.

Lawmakers target proposed amusement, cigarette taxes: CARSON CITY -- Gov. Kenny Guinn's $1 billion tax plan has drawn some early opposition from legislators who are questioning a new amusement tax and tripling of the cigarette levy.

Seniors health care makes gains: Dan Kulin; Health care for Nevada Medicare recipients has improved in recent years, but the state still ranked in the bottom third in a nationwide study of the quality of care given to the nation's elderly and disabled, according to a report released last week.

Educators support plans: By Emily Richmond; Clark County educators and parents cheered the proposals Gov. Kenny Guinn unveiled Monday to shore up Nevada's public schools with better teacher pay, more money for supplies and an all-day kindergarten program for at-risk students.

Just playin' folk: Acoustic musicians find a home at LV Little Theatre: After all, prominent acoustic performers are noticeably absent from the city not known for coffee shops and socially conscious verse.

Gamers at odds with LV chamber: Mandalay Resort Group executive Mike Sloan said his gaming company and others are considering whether to leave the Las Vegas Chamber of Commerce in a dispute over possible new state taxes.

Forum Shops' owner's latest offer is rejected: BLOOMFIELD HILLS, Mich. -- Taubman Centers Inc. today rejected Simon Property Group Inc.'s $20-a-share offer to take over the rival mall owner, saying the company isn't for sale.

Education funding up 33 percent in proposed Guinn budget: AP; -SPENDING UP: Guinn's $2.64 billion budget for education, from elementary school to university levels, is up 33 percent over the current budget. It would account for 55 percent of all general fund spending, up from the current 52 percent of the total.

Neighborhood washes its hands of TV dishes: Jeffrey Libby; After years as the bane of nearby homeowners, three 13-foot tall, archaic satellite dishes no longer adorn a Boulder City front yard.

Editorial: Right mix of resolve, passion: Guinn, a former superintendent of Clark County public schools, showed his commitment to public education. He proposed to increase education funding at all levels by 33 percent. The governor wants the state's per-pupil support for our public schools to increase from its current level of $3,987 to $4,291. It also was good to see Guinn advocate full-day kindergarten for "at risk" schools -- hopefully in the not too distant future this could include all public schools. The governor made another positive step in calling for the Legislature to approve $38 million in additional funds to buy new textbooks and classroom ...

Letter: Send Koreans the Experience: We can send the Korean communists the Fremont Street Experience!

Highlights of Guinn's speech: "My fellow Nevadans, it is my duty as governor to report this evening that the state of our state is fragile, and as challenging as any period in our 139-year history. For the last two years, we have been dealing with a $300 million budget shortfall. For the next two years the shortfall is projected to be even worse, over $700 million."

Utah stuffs Rebels: Steve Guiremand; 0-and-2.

Paxton still at heart of acoustic movement: Soon after, just about everybody was singing Paxton's songs Pete Seeger, Judy Collins, Peter, Paul and Mary among them.

Columnist Brian Hilderbrand: Brendan Gaughan to participate in goodwill tour: Brendan Gaughan of Las Vegas will join fellow NASCAR Craftsman Truck Series driver Rick Crawford and other NASCAR dignitaries for a goodwill tour next week in support of U.S. troops stationed overseas.

Few concerned with plan to raise sin taxes: Liquor flowed at Las Vegas bars Monday night.

IGT: Settlement is a win for cashless slots: Cashless slot machines can dispense paper vouchers in addition to coins.

News briefs for Jan. 21, 2003: A 19-year-old man was arrested by Henderson Police this morning on charges of attempted murder after his brother was shot with a shotgun at their home near Racetrack Road and Burkholder Boulevard, a spokesman said.

Three airlines proceeding with alliance: The "code-sharing agreement" among the third-, fourth- and fifth-largest airlines would enable each to sell tickets for all three airlines, allowing them to reach more destinations without flying more planes. They also could offer reciprocal benefits such as frequent flier miles.

More openness sought in sales of public land: Judy Odierna; Mesquite Mayor Charles Horne does not agree with a bill draft that would allow public-land deals to be negotiated in private.

Slain civil rights leader remembered on his day: By Timothy Pratt; A painting by a convict named Freddy Earl hangs on a wall at H&H BBQ on Martin Luther King Jr. Boulevard.

Lady Rebels' program receives $500,000 gift: Ackerman, who owns several car dealerships serving the Las Vegas and Henderson area, has been a University and athletics donor since the early 80s.

Highlights of Nevada gov's tax plan: AP; -BIZ TAX: Starting April 1, increasing the $100 per employee annual business license tax to $300. The new tax would bring in about $180 million per year.

Software maker ordered to include Java programming: U.S. District Judge J. Frederick Motz formally entered the injunction directing Microsoft to start including Java in the Windows operating system within 120 days. Motz ruled last month that the order was needed to help erase a competitive advantage Microsoft gained in illegally defending its Windows monopoly.

Philharmonic leaves fans hungry: Marilyn LaRocque; When the encore is the most enthusiastically applauded piece of an evening's concert, it's a sure bet the program hit some sour notes.

Governor outlines construction program: CARSON CITY -- Gov. Kenny Guinn wants to build a new mental hospital in Clark County, start construction on the $62 million UNLV Science, Engineering and Technology Center and speed up highway construction to relieve traffic congestion in Southern Nevada.

Super Show convention begins: The show is expected to attract 81,000 people.

Thompson Award goes to Wiggins: When juvenile probation officer Darrell Wiggins realized a brother and sister assigned to his caseload couldn't count on their drug-addicted mother to provide regular meals, he stocked their kitchen cupboards himself and taught the 15-year-old twins how to cook.

Letter: Boulevard needs traffic lights: This makes entering Las Vegas Boulevard hazardous for people living in two mobile home parks and others living along this route.

Vegas company to post higher annual revenue: Comparative data wasn't available by press time.

Where I Stand -- Mike O'Callaghan: Rangel rankles Rumsfeld: Rangel, a combat veteran wounded in Korea, sees a need to return "to the tradition of the citizen soldiers." This isn't the first time, nor will it be the last time, this idea has come up during times of conflict. It just won't fly at this time because of the success of our present volunteer military forces. Maybe it will become necessary at a later date, but right now added numbers of untrained military people isn't needed nor is it acceptable to lawmakers or voters.

Gorman puts squeeze on Hug: Adam Candee; Bishop Gorman may not be the prettiest girl at the party, but the Gaels keep being invited to dance and, for now, that will suffice.

Budget includes more for schools, health care: CARSON CITY -- The enhancements in Gov. Kenny Guinn's proposed $4.89 billion budget for the next two years include 30 percent more full-time kindergarten classes, bonuses for teachers who stay in at-risk schools and expanded low-cost health insurance programs for children and seniors.

Ford posts loss: John Porretto; DEARBORN, Mich. -- Ford Motor Co. posted a narrower loss of $130 million in the fourth quarter, primarily due to its ongoing restructuring, and said today it plans to accelerate the turnaround this year.

Rebel player chosen for Greek team: The 14 players were activated from the national pool of 23 and will represent Greece in its first international event of the year, the 2003 U.S. Cup, in Honolulu from June 17-22. The national team is the precursor for the first Greek Olympic Team, which will play at the 2004 Olympic Summer Games in Athens.

Tribal casino reopening under new management: The former Seneca-Cayuga Casino will now be known as the Grand Lake Casino, General Manager Rick Smith said.