Print edition for January 23, 2003

State agency hits online pharmacy with fine: By Timothy Pratt; In a watershed case involving prescription drugs sold over the Internet, the state agency charged with regulating pharmacies levied its second-biggest fine ever Wednesday.

Police say man confessed to Mesquite stabbings: Jen Lawson and Judy Odierna; MESQUITE -- A 19-year-old man confessed to fatally stabbing a 3-year-old girl and seriously injuring her sister Wednesday morning in an RV park at the CasaBlanca resort, according to Mesquite Police.

School police work without contract: For 125 Clark County School District Police officers, contract negotiations have reached a dead stop, they said Wednesday.

Barbary Coast owner buys Nevada Power land: By Liz Benston; Coast Casinos Inc. has purchased for $20.7 million a small parcel next to the company's Barbary Coast casino from Nevada Power Co., one of the few land transactions to be consummated right next to the Las Vegas Strip in recent years.

School district scraps plan for CAT buses: By Emily Richmond; After encountering strong opposition from parents, Clark County School District officials are canceling a cost-saving plan to put Rancho and Valley high school students on public buses.

LV Council puts plan for pay increases on hold: Citing tough economic times, Las Vegas Mayor Oscar Goodman and the Las Vegas City Council voted unanimously Wednesday to kill plans to put an advisory question before voters to consider giving them raises.

Homeland security concerns may close public meetings: Jace Radke and Erin Neff; The Legislature will be asked to consider changing the state's open-meeting laws to keep anti-terrorism information secret.

Rapid growth topic in Montandon talk: Dan Kulin; North Las Vegas Mayor Michael Montandon was expected to highlight the rapid residential and business growth of his city during his annual State of City address today, according to an outline of his speech.

State's running of prison opposed: CARSON CITY -- Gov. Kenny Guinn's plan to reopen the Summit View juvenile detention center in North Las Vegas with the state running it has drawn opposition from Senate Majority Leader Bill Raggio.

More rate cuts not expected: A physician-owned company that is lowering prices on medical malpractice insurance premiums for some obstetricians said it did so largely because three local hospitals have been willing to share the risk of malpractice lawsuits.

Skate board parks will remain open: Saying they did not want to punish a lot of law-abiding young skateboarders because of the criminal activities of a few bad apples, Las Vegas City Council members took no action Wednesday to shut down skate parks.

Catching up with ... MEAGAN NELSON: Where she is now: Utah State

County planning briefs for Jan. 23, 2003: Consideration of a proposed 54-story, 962-unit timeshare apartment complex on the Strip was delayed Wednesday by the Clark County Commission.

Lady Rebels entertain pair of MWC rivals: The Utes (12-3, 2-0) are led by talented freshman Kim Smith of British Columbia, Canada, who leads the team in scoring (17.1 ppg) and rebounding (7.3 rpg).

Denton getting his life, career back on track: By Rob Miech; Until a month ago, Jon Denton used an alias and garnished wages while working in a Las Vegas collection agency for a year and a half. Only infrequent clients skewed a look at him, asking if he ever played quarterback at UNLV.

Columnist Ron Kantowski: College game needs fewer whistles: Exhibit A: In a recent game against Savannah State, Wyoming was sent to the free-throw line 62 times, hitting 43. I guess that's what happens when you schedule a Division II school comprised of hatchet men. No wonder why the Girl Scouts changed the name of that cookie from "Savannah" to "Peanut Butter Sandwich."

Rank in pact with tribe: Hard Rock, which licenses its name and operates themed restaurants, sells merchandise, organizes concerts and runs a record label, didn't disclose the terms of its accord with the Mississippi Band of Choctaws, the newspaper said.

Garcia gets additional year: By Emily Richmond; Superintendent Carlos Garcia was awarded an additional year on his contract Wednesday following his annual evaluation by the Clark County School Board.

Hunter's fate in hands of trainer: Steve Guiremand; If it was up to UNLV guard Demetrius Hunter, he would play in the Rebels' key Mountain West Conference road games at Air Force and New Mexico this weekend.

Robinson lands top juco safety: Steve Guiremand; UNLV continues to bolster its roster with some top-notch junior college talent as free safety Willie Tagoai of Palomar College in San Marcos, Calif., has picked the Rebels over Hawaii and Colorado.

News briefs for Jan. 23, 2003: Attorneys prosecuting the man accused of killing his wife with a baseball bat will have to share their findings with defense attorneys, a District Court judge ruled Wednesday.

Racist rhetoric placed on beltway billboards: The the racist signs covering the billboards, which were posted on Tuesday, represent the latest of several incidents involving white supremacist rhetoric in the Las Vegas Valley, officials said.

Public can watch LVMS commercial: Public can watch LVMS commercial

County GOP urges tax opposition: Erin Neff; The Clark County Republican Party has some advice for GOP lawmakers considering backing their governor on $1 billion in tax increases: Don't do it.

Henderson's own Spaghetti Bowl starts: The groundbreaking came just two days after Gov. Kenny Guinn in his State of the State address named the Henderson Spaghetti Bowl project as one of several major projects that will be funded using $524 million in state and federal funds.

Sun Prep Athletes of the Week: Garrett Schofield and Kim Etol: School: Sierra Vista

LV girls find way to get past Valley: Adam Candee; Propose the following dire circumstances to Las Vegas coach Bill Giguere and then ask him about his prospects for beating Valley:

Columnist Brian Hilderbrand: Brandon Bernstein does well in Arizona tests: When Kenny Bernstein retired at the end of last season and handed the reins of his Budweiser King Top Fuel dragster to his son Brandon, he said he expected the team to continue winning races and contending for championships.

Obituaries for Jan. 23, 2003: Josephine Carr, 83, of Las Vegas died Monday in Las Vegas. She was born March 1, 1919, in Las Vegas.

Gaming Commission fines video poker maker: Gamecraft Inc. of Huntington Beach, Calif., developer of a Windows-based gaming platform and the video poker game Heads Up Poker, was fined $20,000 on Wednesday.

Agassi rolls into final: John Pye; MELBOURNE, Australia -- Andre Agassi remained on course for his fourth Australian Open title today, beating South Africa's Wayne Ferreira 6-2, 6-2, 6-3 in the first men's semifinal.

Volunteers ease emotional burdens of victims: After a 3-year-old girl died from stab wounds at 5:26 a.m. on Wednesday in the University Medical Center's Trauma Center, her mother asked to see her daughter one last time.

Bus firm threatens outspoken drivers with firing: Three bus drivers who spoke out about safety concerns say they have been notified that they will probably be fired.

Mauler to endorse kitchens for Pulte: Gustav just signed on to endorse the General Electric kitchens for Pulte, a Michigan -based home builder and a big player in the Las Vegas home-building industry.

New, expanding Henderson businesses honored: Grace Leong; Thirty-eight awards were presented Wednesday by the City of Henderson's Economic Development Division and the Henderson Development Association to companies, developers and officials responsible for an estimated $108.5 million in new economic activity in the city last year.

Stronger master plans sought: Clark County's land-use guides, which now have little binding impact, could get substantially stronger under an ordinance introduced Wednesday.

Bank operator issues forecast: "The magnitude of the uncertainties regarding the economy, interest rates and global conditions will certainly have a bearing on income for 2003," the company said in a regulatory filing.

Summerlin retains hoop rules: Dan Kulin; After a sometimes contentious and emotional meeting Wednesday night, basketball hoops still can't be left within 40 feet of the curb in a Summerlin neighborhood, and some churches in the community are still required to pay monthly dues.

GES parent shows improvement: Phoenix-based Viad Corp. reported fourth quarter net income of $26.9 million, 31 cents a share, before accounting and restructuring charges, on revenues of $383.4 million, surpassing analysts' estimates of 26 cents a share. That compares with fourth quarter 2001 net income of $13.6 million, 15 cents a share, on revenue of $375.5 million.

Fight schedule: Friday

Prep Standings -- Girls Basketball: CLASS 4A

Humperdinck postpones shows at Las Vegas Hilton: A spokesman for the Las Vegas Hilton says the popular 66-year-old singer has had to cancel his current "Definition of Love" engagement due to illness.

Friday's horse racing entries: Post Time 1 p.m.

Columnist Sal De Filippo: High-powered offense vs. powerful defense: Almost without fail, three words inevitably define the fate of teams fighting to reach the Super Bowl.

Couple arrested in auto-theft probe: Jennifer Knight; A man and his wife were arrested Wednesday for running what police called a high-level VIN-switching operation out of their home in Henderson.

PBA Las Vegas Classic: Wednesday

Letter: Don't forget vendetta factor: However, besides G.W.'s re-election, don't forget the vendetta factor for dear old dad.

Letter: Common tax would benefit everyone in state: But why can't we raise the gaming taxes? They haven't had a raise in over 10 years. The big hotels don't mind paying much higher taxes in other states that allow gambling. (Where did the money come from to build those casinos?)

Plea deal in teen's killing may collapse: Erica D. Johnson; The man who pleaded guilty to lesser charges in the death of a Henderson teenager now wants to back out of his plea agreement.

Community briefs for Jan. 23, 2003: Red Rock Canyon National Conservation Area offers hikes, walks and programs free of charge. To make required reservations or for more information on the following or upcoming programs, call 363-1922:

Sun Boys Hoops Top 10: Sun Boys Hoops Top 10

Prep Standings -- Girls Soccer: SUNRISE REGION

On his way up the ladder: Dean Juipe; It's a division bunched with talent and a reigning undisputed champion, yet it's conceivable within a very short time that the best of the lot at 140 pounds will be Muhammad Abdullaev.

Short-term enlistment plan offered: Dick Benoit; A new military short-term enlistment program will begin in October. Congress authorized the National Call to Service enlistment option as part of the fiscal 2003 National Defense Authorization Act. The program allows the military services a new option to reach a group of young Americans who otherwise might not serve because of the length of a traditional enlistment.

Audit finds no problems with money: An independent audit of the city has found no apparent problems with how Las Vegas is handling its more than $1.4 billion in assets.

Strassman, ventriloquism's 'bad boy,' talks the talk at Golden Nugget: Strassman asked his son, "Do you like grandma Greta?"

Prep Standings -- Wrestling: CLASS 4A

Editorial: How can they say it's money 'well spent'?: Only now, after the final campaign finance reports were filed last week, are we realizing just how humiliating Nevada Power's defeat was. Nevada Power, according to the last report, ultimately spent $2.71 million to defeat Question 14, the referendum that supported the removal of a roadblock in Nevada state law that prevents a government agency from taking over a utility through a hostile takeover. (The referendum took on added importance once Nevada Power turned down Southern Nevada Water Authority's friendly takeover bid.) Despite the fact that supporters of Question 14 spent no money advocating its passage, Nevada Power officials still ...

Prep Standings -- Boys Basketball: CLASS 4A

Walters show relocated to Danny's II: The five-piece groove-jazz outfit is led by keyboardist Robert Walter, formerly of the Greyboy Allstars. Also on board are Chris Stillwell (bass), Coachemea Gastelum (flute, saxophone), George Sluppick (drums) and Chuck Prada (percussion).

City Council briefs for Jan. 23, 2003: The Las Vegas City Council approved Wednesday a redevelopment project for a new Internal Revenue Service office building west of downtown that the city hopes to develop into an urban village.

Sun Girls Hoops Top 10: Teams ranked jointly by the Las Vegas Sun and the Sparks Tribune. Records are through Tuesday's games.

Wednesday's prep results: BOYS BASKETBALL

Columnist Dean Juipe: With fight finally set, Ruiz ready for work: Dean Juipe; Now that the fight is official, John Ruiz can get serious about Roy Jones Jr.

Where I Stand -- Brian Greenspun: Paying for tomorrow: It was not only required but also appropriate that Gov. Kenny Guinn give his State of the State address to the Nevada Legislature and the people of this state on the day set aside to celebrate the birth and life of Dr. Martin Luther King.

Letter: Animals deserve better treatment: If only more people would adopt a stray pet from the animal shelter and provide them with a good home, it would be a better world. A dog is the best friend you'll ever have.

Cameras planned to track taggers: There is so much graffiti being scrawled across Las Vegas that officials will be installing surveillance cameras at locations where tagging is prevalent.

Neighborhood retains hoop rules: Dan Kulin; After a sometimes contentious and emotional meeting Wednesday night, basketball hoops still can't be left within 40 feet of the curb in a Summerlin neighborhood, and some churches in the community are still required to pay monthly dues.

Ralph Siraco's selections for Friday's races at Santa Anita: Friday's card

Columnist Ruthe Deskin: Commission won't call cease-fire: Ruthe Deskin; Erin Kenny and Dario Herrera both lost their seats on the commission when they opted to run for statewide offices and lost.

Editorial: Growth is served by new rules: Although such "non-conforming" proposals have created controversy for years, the issue crystalized late last year when the board dealt with several of them simultaneously. Perhaps the nadir was reached when a sharply divided County Commission approved home development underneath a departing flight path at McCarran International Airport.

Columnist Adam Candee: Foothill gets nod over GV as hoops picks debut: Adam Candee; Remember those whimsical fall days that we filled with equally whimsical predictions of the outcomes of the weekend's prep football games, complete with an educated guess at the final score?