Print edition for July 15, 2003

Tobacco shop raided in dispute over casino: Michael Mello; CHARLESTOWN, R.I. -- The chief sachem and seven other members of the Narragansett Indian Tribe were arrested Monday by state police in what onlookers described as a violent raid of the tribe's new tax-free tobacco shop.

Obituaries for July 15, 2003: Donald Leroy Blanchard, 65, of Henderson died Thursday in Henderson. A building contractor and a Korean War Army veteran, he was born Aug. 30, 1937, in Klamath Falls, Ore.

Wednesday's horse racing entries: Post Time 10 a.m.

Tax battle takes another historic turn: Will Oremus and Jace Radke; In a case filled with historic decisions, the state Legislature's budget and tax battle took another unprecedented turn Monday as a federal judge issued a temporary restraining order against the Legislature.

'Sausagegate' just one spectacle in season's 1st half: Who got the wurst of it, the Italian sausage or the hot dog? How could a Pirate be linked to such treachery? Did the $2,432 in total fines and three-day suspension assuage critics of free-swinging Randall Simon?

Victim in shooting ID'd: Ortega died about 11 a.m. at University Medical Center.

Gaming briefs for July 15, 2003: Don Marrandino, executive vice president and general manager of Wynn Las Vegas, is leaving the $2.4 billion Strip resort being built by casino executive Steve Wynn.

The federal judges: Prior to his appointment to the federal bench, Pro served as a deputy public defender, an assistant U.S. attorney, a partner in a Reno private practice and deputy attorney general of Nevada.

Federal court halts tax vote: Erin Neff; CARSON CITY -- Legislative wrangling over taxes moved back to the courts Monday when a federal judge blocked lawmakers from any consideration of the tax bill that passed the Assembly on Sunday without a two-thirds majority.

News briefs for July 15, 2003: A 55-year-old Las Vegas man was killed early Monday when his 1991 GMC pickup truck rolled over on Cold Creek Road near Indian Springs, Metro Police Detective Corey Moon said.

Homeowners protest development: An old story in Clark County is about to be repeated: Homeowners, promised that development would not encroach upon an open area outside their back yards, are mobilizing to protest a proposed development of hundreds of homes.

Garcia extends deadline for reassignment of teachers: By Emily Richmond; Today was the deadline set by Clark County Superintendent Carlos Garcia for lawmakers to approve a budget in time for him to reverse his order that 411 literacy, technology and gifted and talented education specialists be reassigned to general classrooms.

All over the line: As a maid moved from room to room inside one of the city's finer hotels last fall, she habitually turned on clock radios to KENO 1460-AM, then turned them off, on, off, on, as she made her rounds.

DA may ask court to revisit Binion decision: Clark County District Attorney David Roger said late Monday his office may ask the Nevada Supreme Court to reconsider its decision to overturn the murder convictions of Sandy Murphy and Rick Tabish.

Yucca battle closer as House panel OKs budget: Benjamin Grove; WASHINGTON -- The House Appropriations Committee today approved a bill that included a Yucca Mountain budget of $765 million, which would be the highest ever if it clears the full House and Senate.

Experts say jury likely to reconvict Tabish, Murphy: Erica D. Johnson; Prosecutors are preparing to go forward with a second trial for Rick Tabish and Sandy Murphy after the Nevada Supreme Court overturned their convictions, and some legal experts say the chance the pair will be convicted again is great.

Gambling expansion petition approved: David A. Lieb; JEFFERSON CITY, Mo. -- Supporters of the latest effort to expand casino gambling in Missouri have received state approval to begin gathering the petition signatures needed for a November 2004 vote.

UMC pediatric clinic moves: The clinic had been on the Community College of Southern Nevada's West Charleston campus. Dr. Sterling Tanner, a pediatric endocrinologist, is the director of the clinic, which treats children with diabetes and other endocrinology disorders.

Woman vows to keep her security shutters: Jen Lawson; After burglars ravaged Mae Roy's southeast Las Vegas home several years ago, she saved up her money to get security shutters installed over her back sliding glass door.

VegasBeat -- Timothy McDarrah: Newton is dialed in after USO tour: Seems he spent most of the last few weeks calling relatives of U.S. military personnel he met while on his most recent USO tour through Kuwait.

The 'butler' did it -- all: Nick Christensen; One recent day in the life of 51s clubhouse manager Rick Schweitzer:

Columnist Ron Kantowski: Snug Orleans Arena shows it's just right for sports: I've got no problem with new and improved, but as you will read, bigger is not always better.

Water conservation plans questioned: Former longtime Las Vegas Councilman Paul Christensen warned a committee Monday that unless the city plans to hire "1,000 water cops" its proposed "aggressive water conservation" ordinance might not be enforceable.

88 students affected by school's closure: Dahan officials couldn't be reached for comment on why the business closed.

New tower part of Caesars, Park Place revival strategy: By Liz Benston; Park Place Entertainment Corp. has resurrected plans to build a $350 million room tower at Caesars Palace, a company official said today.

Loral files for bankruptcy: Loral files for bankruptcy

Medicaid payments to doctors restored: CARSON CITY -- In an effort to draw pediatric physicians back to treating Medicaid patients, the state has restored rates that were cut on May 7.

Vegas-area power plant owner enters bankruptcy: ATLANTA -- Energy supplier Mirant Corp. succumbed to bankruptcy after struggling for more than a year with heavy debt and weak revenue, aggravated by questions about the company's accounting and behavior in California's energy market.

Power lines not in yet as school nears opening date: By Emily Richmond; When the Clark County School District builds a high school, the permanent power lines are usually up and running six to eight months before the first day of classes.

Columnist Jeff German: Sequel for Binion II set in Vegas: But the retrial -- now that will be a real media circus. Television stations would be wise to start reserving space outside the courthouse for their satellite trucks.

Firms seek roles in LV centennial: Two corporations have asked to play major roles in the Las Vegas town site centennial set for May 2005.

Marcus swipes the spotlight from LeBron: Russ Waterman; BOSTON -- The oohs and aahs were allegedly reserved for LeBron James, the NBA's No. 1 draft pick who made his debut Monday night for the Cleveland Cavaliers before a record sellout crowd of more than 2,500 at the Reebok Summer Pro League.

Ralph's Siraco's selections for Wednesday's Hollywood Park races: 1st Race -- YOGI'S -- Draws good middle box for short opening dash, Martinez astride La Croix trainee for owner Meadwbrook Farms, cagey connections. SUNSHINE ALLIE -- Valdivia on young Dollace trainee, draws good box for maiden/claimer sprint, Sunshine for backers is Allie graduation. Value Play -- TOWN ATTIRE

Lee Pete was Las Vegas radio pioneer: Lee Pete coughed heavily, and frequently, Monday night, but he didn't allow the cystic fibrosis in his lungs to keep him from repeating a message.

Community briefs for July 15, 2003: The 1,100 airmen in the Nevada Air National Guard have a new commander.

First full month of track casino fails to boost Louisiana revenue: AP; The 14 riverboat casinos, Harrah's land casino in New Orleans and the track casinos totaled $167.5 million in winnings, down slightly from $167.9 million in June 2002, state police reported Tuesday.

Gibbons: Foreign terrorists hamper U.S. effort in Iraq: Benjamin Grove; WASHINGTON -- Terrorists from outside Iraq but operating in the nation are hampering efforts to restore order and endangering the lives of U.S. soldiers, Rep. Jim Gibbons, R-Nev., said.

Columnist Susan Snyder: Weight: Another problem: Or rather, the gun that once was smoking.

Letter: Court's members must be recalled: The Democrats on the bench and in the Legislature need to start looking for new jobs, because come Election Day, they will be remembered. Better yet, maybe a recall of the entire court needs to happen now.

History of city will be seen on its walls: Dan Kulin; Downtown Henderson will soon be dressed up with one large mural, and a group of citizens is coming together to bring even more public art to walls around downtown.

Editorial: Nightmare without an end in sight: The earliest the injunction could be lifted would be Wednesday, which is when federal judges in Nevada will consider the merits of the lawsuit. The lawsuit contends that Nevadans' voting and equal protection rights would be violated unless a tax plan passes with the two-thirds majority, a requirement that became part of the Nevada Constitution when a voter referendum was approved in 1996.

UMC pediatric clinic has new home: The clinic was formerly at 6375 W. Charleston Blvd., on Community College of Southern Nevada campus.

Faux Fighting: UNLV's stage combat workshop is the land of make-believe: In front of 20 students, Paul Steger approached assistant Tiza Garland and wrapped his arm around her neck.

Council will consider future of city manager: Dan Kulin; Two days before the North Las Vegas City Council will discuss whether to keep or fire City Manager Kurt Fritsch, Mayor Michael Montandon said Monday he was aware "issues were out there" but was a little surprised those issues arose so quickly and how serious they were.

Extradition proceedings will go on for Philippines adviser: Jace Radke; Extradition proceedings for a former Philippines presidential gambling adviser accused of plundering more than $2 million from the country's tax coffers will continue through the summer.

CPR course set at Greenspun center: The Heartsaver Course combines adult, child and infant CPR with basic first aid procedures. Participants will also learn about automated external defibrillators, devices used to send electrical shocks to the heart to regulate the heart rhythm.

Where I Stand -- Mike O'Callaghan: Greatest of the greats: John McCollister, author of "The Best Baseball Games Ever Played," has written a new book. His "Tales from the Pirates Dugout" is the kind of book that should be written about every major league athletic team. Baseball fans reading his most recent work will encourage the writing of a similar book about their favorite team.

Beautifying rules could save small-lot homes: Dan Kulin; A North Las Vegas prohibition on so-called small-lot housing developments could end Wednesday if the City Council approves new regulations to improve the aesthetics of the developments.

Editorial: Drivers, not lights, are safety's best bet: Many drivers speed along the beltway as if it were finished, which it won't be for another 10 years. It was opened with many intersections at grade level, meaning there are traffic lights every few miles -- a sight highly uncommon on finished highways. The soft opening was necessary to relieve the bulging traffic on Interstate 15 and U.S. 95. Lower speed limits were posted to compensate for the stop-and-go, city-street style driving.

Immunization schedule for July 15, 2003: NORTH LAS VEGAS PUBLIC HEALTH CENTER: 1820 E. Lake Mead Blvd., Suite F, 8 a.m. to 4:30 p.m., Monday through Friday.

Letter: One philosophy can suppress will of majority: The two-thirds constitutional requirement to pass new taxes gives way too much power to one political philosophy. Jim Gibbons knew that when he spearheaded the initiative. How does it make sense to allow eight senators to overrule 13 other senators, or to allow 15 members of the Assembly to overrule 27 other members? Should all legislation require two-thirds approval or should all elected officials be required to garner two-thirds of the votes cast? It is oppressive and it is impractical.

Weekly comes out in favor of low-income housing plan: Las Vegas Councilman Lawrence Weekly on Monday became the second elected city official to speak out publicly for the old MASH Village Transitional Living Center being turned into low-income housing for homeless veterans.