Print edition for July 21, 2003

Columnist Ralph Siraco: Del Mar, Saratoga take center stage for summer: Ralph Siraco; Although the temperature has pushed through triple-digits with regularity recently here, most horseplayers define summer by the calendar of race meetings.

News briefs for July 21, 2003: A man was found shot to death in his car around 11:45 Sunday night on the Lone Mountain Road overpass on U.S. 95.

400 teams to tip it off: Adam Candee; Remember that old high school biology video, the one where you learn about mitosis and meiosis, how cells divide and replicate?

Obituaries for July 21, 2003: Lois Jean Brandt, 66, of Las Vegas died July 6 in Las Vegas. She was born Nov. 27, 1936, in Wisconsin. A resident for 19 years, she was a retired nurse's aide.

Parents weigh suit against lawmakers: By Emily Richmond; Clark County School Board member Larry Mason, at the request of several parents, is looking into a possible class action lawsuit against the state Legislature for failing to fund education, he said Friday.

Two killed in accidents identified: Afsha Bawany; Authorities have released the names of two people who were killed in traffic accidents last week.

School officials ready to make calls: By Emily Richmond; If the Legislature approves a budget today or Tuesday, Clark County School District officials say they'll celebrate by setting up a phone bank to call the hundreds of new teachers they want to hire for the start of the new school year just five weeks away.

Court overturns $3.6 million land condemnation award: CARSON CITY -- The Nevada Supreme Court today overturned a judgment in which Clark County was ordered to pay $3.6 million for condemning two parcels of land in downtown Las Vegas to build a jail in 1995.

Imperial Palace unveils 'Legends Pit': Imperial Palace unveils 'Legends Pit'

IAP seeks restraining order against Legislature: CARSON CITY -- Attorneys for the Independent American Party and other groups say they will ask U.S. District Judge Kent Dawson for a restraining order today to prevent the Legislature from enacting any new or increased taxes without a supermajority.

Summer business strong for Southwest Airlines: DALLAS -- Low-fare carrier Southwest Airlines Co. doubled its second-quarter earnings to log its 49th consecutive profitable quarter, exceeding Wall Street estimates.

Berkley's mother, Auslander, dies: Suzanne Struglinski; WASHINGTON -- The mother of Rep. Shelley Berkley, D-Nev., died this morning in Las Vegas after a 14-year battle with breast cancer. Berkley was at the side of Estelle Auslander, 74, when she died.

Legal showdown looms in Wal-Mart discrimination case: Chuck Bartels; LITTLE ROCK, Ark. -- Six women filed a lawsuit against Wal-Mart Stores Inc. alleging the retail giant discriminated against them in pay and promotions because of their gender. But when company lawyers walk into a San Francisco federal courtroom for an upcoming hearing, they'll be trying to keep another 1.5 million women from being added to the complaint, which would make it the largest suit of its kind, ever.

Buried body is found in Vegas back yard: Jen Lawson; Metro Police arrested a man on murder charges this morning after a human hand was found sticking out of the back yard of a home he rents in the John S. Park Historic District near downtown Las Vegas.

Details of the latest tax plans: CARSON CITY -- Here is a breakdown of tentative tax plans, subject to change, that could be voted on today by the Nevada Legislature:

Perkins says final tax plan 'in place': CARSON CITY -- Assembly Speaker Richard Perkins, D-Henderson, said this morning a compromise has been reached on the bank tax that is the only major obstacle remaining to the Nevada Legislature's alleviation of the crisis facing the state's public schools.

Report rates valley's VA care highly: Dan Kulin; During his coast-to-coast travels to about 60 Veterans Affairs hospitals and clinics, American Legion National Commander Ronald Conley learned of veterans who had to wait up to two years for a routine checkup.

Editorial: Finally, a vision for downtown: We are impressed with the drawings the task force presented last week to the City Council. The mixed-use proposal follows a plan that has worked in other cities faced with the need for major redevelopment of downtown areas. We like the variation in size of the proposed office and residential buildings -- some tall, some short, providing an interesting skyline. The anchor on the north side would be an academic medical center, which has always been the dream of Mayor Oscar Goodman. A performing arts center would anchor the south side -- a facility that would instantly improve the quality ...

Columnist Lisa Ferguson: Sun Lite for July 21, 2003: Lisa Ferguson; Independence Day came and went, yet we at Sun Lite are still brimming with patriotism. Too bad we're the only ones embracing this sense of pride. At least, that's the impression we got after learning the results of a survey conducted in June by Fodor's in honor of its new Travel Historic America series of guidebooks.

Editorial: Cutting to the bone and its consequences: As the Sun's Jen Lawson reported, 36 percent of the Nevada Highway Patrol's trooper positions in the Las Vegas Valley are vacant. One of the biggest problems the Highway Patrol faces in hiring and retaining troopers is that their salaries are much lower than those paid to officers from municipal police departments. Because government has decided to save money by spending less on salaries, these jobs go unfilled, which means public safety for motorists has been jeopardized in the state's biggest and fastest-growing metropolitan area. With fewer troopers, more people drive recklessly and exceed the speed limit, a situation that ...

Birth announcements for July 21, 2003: July 7:

Leading indicators rise for 3rd month: Brad Foss; A key measure of future economic activity increased slightly in June for the third month in a row, in line with analysts' expectations.

The evidence is in: County vault holds keys to many cases: Erica D. Johnson; Afew feet away from the plastic Rubbermaid tub Timmy "T.J." Weber used to hide his girlfriend's body lies the 12-gauge shotgun Zane Floyd used to open fire on shoppers at a local grocery store, killing four.

Community briefs for July 21, 2003: The Las Vegas Paradise Sertoma Club will host the seventh annual Pinjuv GolfTournament beginning with registration at 6:30 a.m. Friday at the Revere Golf Club, 2600 Hampton Road, Henderson.

Tops in Pop: List-happy cable network VH1 tackles '200 Greatest Pop Culture Icons': Kirk Baird; Yes, they educate and entertain, but their primary intent is to coerce dialogue friendly or otherwise.

Columnist Dean Juipe: Surprise winner is no surprise: Dean Juipe; The delightfulness of the British Open annually makes it the most entertaining golf tournament in the world. Perhaps the Masters has a slightly greater stature, but for sheer, widespread public appeal nothing beats "The Championship" as it has come to be called.

Construction-defect cases streamlined: Jennifer Knight; The volume of construction-defect cases waiting for trial in Las Vegas courtrooms is on the decline, and experts are attributing it to a new system designed to handle the special cases, District Court officials said Friday.

Building defect cases decline: Jennifer Knight; The volume of construction-defect cases waiting for trial in Las Vegas courtrooms is on the decline, and experts are attributing it to a new system designed to handle the special cases, District Court officials said Friday.

Business briefs for July 21, 2003: SAN FRANCISCO -- Cosmetics companies have agreed to give away $175 million worth of products to settle a price-fixing lawsuit, lawyers say.

Big Time Tournament Tuesday's schedule: 9 a.m. -- Baltimore Select/DTLR I (MD) vs Southeast Pump N Run (AL) 10:20 a.m. -- Michigan Hurricanes (MI) vs Inner City Players (OR) 11:40 a.m. -- Pump N Run All Stars (CA) vs New York Elite (NY) 1 p.m. -- Middlesex Magic (MA) vs Billy Shepherd Sports (IN) 2:20 p.m. -- Playaz Gold (NJ) vs Pump N Run Colorado (CO) 3:40 p.m. -- Gateway BBall Club 17s (MO) vs Inland I (CA) 5 p.m. -- Long Island Panthers (NY) vs Team Detroit (MI) 6:20 p.m. -- Houston Superstars (TX) vs Indiana Red (IN) 7:40 p.m. -- Playaz Red (NJ) ...

Letter: Constitution prescribes the way to change it: What's also ironic is the ignorant things citizens and legislators say in the name of education. You'd think pro-education people could at least attempt to be educated.

New law puts job cases on fast track: By Timothy Pratt; People who feel they have been discriminated against on the job may find some relief when a new law goes into effect Oct. 1.

VegasBeat -- Timothy McDarrah: Hooray for Holly -- er, Las Vegas: On Saturday we chatted with old friend and Oscar winner Adrien Brody at a private birthday party at the restaurant for Mary Parent. She is the president of production for Universal Studios and a regular on those Most Powerful Women in Hollywood lists.

Letter: Ruling is result of voting apathy: Our governor should follow right behind them so that we send a message that we have had enough political games. Those whom we elect need to understand the reason that they are in office -- to serve the will of the people, not to rule those who have entrusted them to serve.

Gideon Bibles still offered in Las Vegas: At Harrah's, the most geographically diverse casino company, the decision on whether to stock the Bibles is left up to each individual property, spokesman David Strow said.

Letter: Regretting vote for supermajority: I am sorry, kids. I had no idea that the bill could be used in the destructive manner that it has been. A handful of right-wing recalcitrants now have a legal right to destroy majority rule in our state government.

Utah man named to head state parks: Morrow succeeds Wayne Perock, who retired after 32 years with the division that oversees 24 parks and recreational areas.

Costello pulls out all stops, delivers a classic: Spencer Patterson; The way his show had progressed to that point, you'd have thought he'd go looking for an oxygen tank instead.

110-plus temperatures return today: After rain fell Friday night and early Saturday morning, the high on Saturday was 102, according to the National Weather Service. Only a trace fell at the official reporting station, McCarran International Airport, but other parts of the Las Vegas Valley got 0.4 inches, meteorologist Larry Jensen said.

Pa. House passes bills to legalize slot machines: Martha Raffaele; HARRISBURG, Pa. -- The state House of Representatives on Saturday handily approved legislation to raise $1 billion for property-tax relief by legalizing slot machines at 11 locations across Pennsylvania, but the bills face an uncertain future in the Senate.

Columnist Erin Neff: Big business continues to hit little guy: Erin Neff; Erin Neff covers politics for the Sun. She can be reached at (702) 259-4062, or by e-mail at erin@lasvegassun.com.

Gaming briefs for July 21, 2003: CEDAR RAPIDS, Iowa -- Mayor Paul Pate says he will appoint a commission to advise the city on the role it should play should gambling come to the city.

Trade winds calm in Las Vegas: Nick Christensen; So much for no offense.

Judge weighs ownership of submerged bomber: Jace Radke; The ownership of a B-29 Superfortress bomber that sits below 200 feet of water after crashing in Lake Mead in 1948 remains in question after a morning of testimony in federal court Friday.

Columnist Susan Snyder: Canyon speaks for itself: A big hole.

Columnist Jon Ralston: The irony of this Legislature: Jon Ralston hosts the news discussion program Face to Face on Las Vegas ONE and publishes the Ralston Report. He can be reached at (702) 870-7997 or at ralston@vegas.com.