Print edition for July 25, 2003

This Untouchable is throwing lots of bullets: 51s snapshot

Letter: Economic woes may doom Bush: Isn't this eerily reminiscent of the situation that existed in the early 1990s under President George H.W. Bush? That President Bush was considered so unbeatable then that there weren't any serious Democratic challengers on the horizon. I say the same is true today, even though there are several non-serious challengers out there.

Where I Stand -- Mike O'Callaghan: Blair's war on two fronts: "And because in the combination of these afflictions a new and deadly virus has emerged. The virus is terrorism whose intent to inflict destruction is unconstrained by human feeling and whose capacity to inflict it is enlarged by technology."

City to be put into Rose's hands: Dan Kulin; North Las Vegas Assistant City Manager Gregory Rose was expected to be appointed acting city manager during a special City Council meeting today.

Letter: Taxes impede business growth: Taxation on businesses raises the cost of products and services. Surely he does not believe that this tax would be absorbed by business, one way or the other. Eventually John Q. Public pays for it. In reality it becomes a taxation on the consumer.

Fishing Report: Lake Mead bass action is getting better: The top-water action for striped bass continues to improve as the fish have moved to Lake Mead's surface where they are feeding on this year's crop of threadfin shad.

Worries voiced over nuclear waste transport: \byline{Mary Manning; Urban as well as rural Nevada residents told a National Academies of Sciences panel how worried they are about plans to transport high-level nuclear waste to Yucca Mountain Thursday night.

On display for July 25, 2003: Local photographer Don Lytton exhibits images of old weathered buildings, doorways and windows beginning Thursday at Sunrise Library, 5400 Harris Ave. The exhibit runs until Sept. 28. 507-3900.

Columnist Spencer Patterson: Concertgoers facing a taxing situation: Spencer Patterson; It's no wonder out-of-towners joke that Las Vegas has no culture. Included in the state Legislature's $836 million tax package, which was signed into law this week by Gov. Kenny Guinn, is a tax on admission fees charged for live entertainment in Las Vegas.

Improv is 'Second City's' infrastructure: What: "The Second City."

Columnist Erin Neff: Legislative fiasco should give voters new resolve: Erin Neff; The 63 lawmakers this year turned in what was arguably the state government's worst performance ever. With the state in financial crisis, they cobbled together a tax plan so frought with loopholes that few believe the revenue number is attainable or that the plan will actually stabilize the economy.

With album, MMW provides cure-all 'Tonic': Spencer Patterson; You don't have to be plugged into New York City's downtown jazz scene to know that Medeski, Martin & Wood likes to plug in.

Columnist Barb Henderson: Cowboy shooters are taking dead aim: Barb Henderson; Whoa! Hold your horses, partners!

Datebook for July 25, 2003: The Southern Nevada Old Time Contra Dancers present an "Old Time Barn Dance" at 7 p.m. Saturday at the Charleston Heights Arts Center, 800 S. Brush St. $6 adults, $5 members, $3 students and active military, children 15 and under free. 229-6383.

Letter: Health care reform hampered: According to information from the watchdog group, www.politicalmoneyline.com, special interests spent $154 million a month during the last six months of 2002. That's a total of $925 million for six months, more than the $859 million they spent in the first six months of the same year. This math boggles my mind! Pharmaceutical companies were especially big spenders.

Tours de Force: Spencer Patterson; As it has grown in size and stature over the past decade, Las Vegas has become a regular stop along most of the nation's top concert tours.

Most lawmakers won't be affected by payroll tax: While there was plenty of moaning and groaning in the Nevada Legislature about the pain any new state tax would cause, most lawmakers won't be directly affected by the most controversial tax of all.

Browne's performance at Aladdin bolstered by Earle, Keb' Mo': Spencer Patterson; When: 7:30 p.m. Sunday.

Reports: Business picking up: The Commerce Department reported today that new orders for "durable" goods -- costly manufactured products expected to last at least three years -- increased by a solid 2.1 percent in June from May. That represented the biggest advance since January and marked a stronger performance than the 1.2 percent rise that economists were forecasting.

Performing Arts for July 25, 2003: Jazz

Thursday's Big Time basketball tournament results: Atlanta Celtics (GA) 115, Northwest Cougars (MT) 79

Ralph Siraco's selections for Saturday's races at Del Mar: 1st Race -- SUAVE METEORITE -- Draws good rail post for two-turn opener, Valenzuela atop Monteleone trainee, takes shortest route to victory? JEKYLL AND HYDE -- Smith scales Truman trainee, fits the route and claiming level well, question at hand is: who shows up, Jekyll or Hyde? Value Play -- WAGON TRAIN

Federal official defends No Child Left Behind Act: By Emily Richmond; The federal No Child Left Behind Act will change the face of public education -- including Clark County schools -- for the better, Jack Martin, chief financial officer for the U.S. Education Department, said Thursday in Las Vegas.

Latest NBA-to-LV rumor quashed in a hurry: A National Basketball Association franchise for Las Vegas? Don't bet on it.

Neil Young leaving past behind for his latest tour: Spencer Patterson; Tickets for Saturday night's Neil Young concert should come with a warning label attached.

Columnist Lisa Ferguson: No flying under the radar for Willie and Lester: Lisa Ferguson; In these days of heightened airport security, the contents of Willie Tyler's carry-on luggage often raises a few eyebrows.

Koreans in Las Vegas recall images of war: Although more than 50 years have passed, the images of the Korean War remain burned in Chae Lim Burris' memory.

Letter: Loud auto stereos must be stopped: Has the Federal Communications Commission given these adult delinquents a license to broadcast their obnoxious trash on unwilling people? I suggest we sue the stereo manufacturers. Why not? The anti-gun lobbyists are constantly trying to sue the gun manufacturers -- so what's the difference?

50 years later, peace still faces threats: Mike O'Callaghan; Mike O'Callaghan, who was a combat infantryman in Korea, is the Las Vegas Sun executive editor. The following commentary originally appeared in the July 2003 issue of The American Legion.

Letter: Rural North has too much control: If Las Vegas wants to tie its hands to a two-thirds vote, we should secede from Northern Nevada at the same time -- the north doesn't need new services from the state. Here in the south, we don't need our schools and kids' futures hogtied like cattle by cowboy politicians.

Tech firm completes financing: The proceeds will be used to obtain licensing and product certifications in regulated gaming states and, ultimately, reaching profitability, said Bruce Merati, president and chief financial officer of VirtGame.

Legislative storm isn't over: Jon Ralston, a columnist for the Sun, has covered every Nevada Legislature since 1987. He hosts the news discussion program "Face to Face With Jon Ralston" on Las Vegas ONE and also publishes the Ralston Report.

Where I Stand -- Mike O'Callaghan: Heat and floods kill: DURING DRIVE TIME the 117 degrees shown on the car's thermometer didn't bother me one little bit. The air conditioning was working and the nine hours at work was in a comfortable building. So why worry about some exceptionally hot weather?

Editorial: 'Largest tax increase' label is a subterfuge: Let's put all of this into perspective. The last time state taxes were raised was in 1991. That means lawmakers, who meet in a legislative session every other year in Nevada, did not increase taxes in 1993, 1995, 1997, 1999 and 2001. It was during that boom time that Nevada's population nearly doubled, but the revenues state government received from those taxes couldn't match the demand in services created by this growth, especially the funding needed to pay for public education. And unlike the federal government, which cuts taxes without regard to its impact on the national deficit, our state ...

Editorial: No reason to relocate counselors: The center, whose counselors work with young people who have been referred by Clark County courts, opened in August 2001 after receiving zoning and business-license approvals from the city. In June 2002 former Ward 1 Councilman Michael McDonald responded to a few residents and businesses who complained that the center was inappropriate for the area. The building's previous tenant had been the Las Vegas Sun. Momentum picked up for the city to pay the balance of the center's five-year lease and relocate it, which would have cost about $1.5 million.

Columnist Jerry Fink: Oasis proves refreshing for Vegas jazz lovers: Las Vegas is awash in a sea of smooth jazz, thanks to KOAS 105.7-FM, aka The Oasis.

Father, young daughter found slashed: Jen Lawson; Deputy constables trying to serve an apartment resident with an eviction notice Thursday afternoon found the man and his daughter stabbed in what police believe was an attempted murder-suicide, authorities said.

Farmers Market finds a new home: Dan Kulin; A local farmers market is coming back to Henderson in September, but instead of returning to downtown, the weekly crafts and fresh food bazaar will be in the parking lot at the Galleria at Sunset mall.

Columnist Muriel Stevens: Count on N9NE to deliver delectable goods: N9NE restaurant at the Palms should be renamed "Ten," in celebration of the changes that have taken place over the past year.

Saturday's horse racing entries: Post Time 2 p.m.

Festival dedicated to injured choreographer: What: "Dance in the Desert Festival."

Community news briefs for July 25, 2003: The Nevada Arts Advocates awarded $500 scholarships to four Nevada graduating high school seniors for excellence in theater, dance, art and music. Their scholarships will go to each recipient's respective college.

Letter: Supreme Court's decision shows votes don't count: The Supreme Court committed a terrible injustice against Nevadans by disregarding that "we the people" twice voted for a two-thirds majority rule. Were we irresponsible when we voted for this? I don't think so.

Letter: Don't forget the soldiers: How many rich families have loved ones in the current conflict? We know President Bush's children, and the children of most of the politicians in Washington, are not involved.

Columnist Susan Snyder: No easy answers for older drivers: Should drivers older than age 70 be tested more often? Should they drive at all?

Did anybody read tax panel's plan?: Erin Neff; In about 10 years someone will probably refer to the Governor's Task Force on Tax Policy in Nevada the way current lawmakers talk about Price Waterhouse.

FBI agents show jurors rifles seized from Duarte's home: Erica D. Johnson; FBI agents on Thursday showed jurors assault rifles seized from the home of one of three men charged in a casino heist.

Report confirms terrorist from each 9-11 plane traveled through Vegas: Suzanne Struglinski; WASHINGTON -- The congressional review of the Sept. 11, 2001, terrorist attacks confirmed that one terrorist from each of the hijacked planes traveled through Las Vegas between May and August of that year, although the exact purposes of the trips are unknown.

Amos True: Spencer Patterson; Las Vegans won't see Lollapalooza 2003 in their hometown this year, but they will have a chance to catch "Lottapianos" this week.

Henderson boy wants camp experience: A sixth grade boy wants to chase a chicken this summer, he says.

Editorial: Words from 1953 ring true today: It was 50 years ago today that Army generals representing the United Nations Command led by the United States, and leaders representing North Korean and Chinese forces, signed the "temporary" armistice that brought combat to a halt in the Korean War.

Thrift aims to help kids of HIV-positive parents: Afsha Bawany; It may look like the shop around the corner, but the newly opened Just For Kids, 2401 Bonanza Road, is looking for more than just a slew of customers. It's looking for a new sign, some volunteers to mind the store and a commitment from the community to help children with parents affected by HIV or AIDS.

Editorial: Don't forget tourists in homeland security: A U.S. Senate resolution passed last week directs the Homeland Security Department to consider an area's tourist population when making grants to help police and fire departments prepare for possible terrorism attacks. This means that Nevada could get more than the $17.8 million it was originally slated to receive this summer, in addition to an earlier $6.7 million grant.

VegasBeat -- Timothy McDarrah: Carlini has entered the building: "I try not to think about it, but obviously, it is there," said Trent Carlini at a reception after the official opening of his Elvis tribute show, "The Dream King," at Las Vegas Hilton last week.

Medal winners: Medal winners

Columnist Susan Snyder: Impressionists have art of the deal: They were waiting for Elvis. Their wedding album would not be complete without a photograph of bride, groom and the King of Rock 'n' Roll.

Letter: Obstructionists should take cue from children: Assemblyman Bob Beers, R-Las Vegas, appears to struggle with the concept of working together to meet the needs of our community family. Our kids know school is where they go to learn and work together. Beers could learn a lot from our kids. Maybe, while in Carson City, he could learn to work cooperatively in a group and stop playing to the media.

Aktion Club gives back to the community: Afsha Bawany; WEEKEND EDITION: July 26, 2003

City placed in Rose's hands: Dan Kulin; The North Las Vegas City Council this morning appointed Assistant City Manager Gregory Rose as acting city manager in a special meeting.

Teachers' unions fight try to scuttle tax-vote ruling: CARSON CITY -- Teachers' unions want the state Supreme Court to make sure that the constitutional requirement of two-thirds approval for legislative passage of new taxes never stands in the way of education funding again.

Veterans reflect on conflict's outcome: The golden anniversary of armistice for "The Forgotten War" comes at a time when North Korea is developing nuclear weapons and posturing to breach the world's most fortified border, a 155-mile long, 2.5-mile wide demilitarized zone, where more than 37,000 U.S. troops remain on alert.

Beers blasted for 'racist remark': Jennifer Knight; Assemblyman Bob Beers, R-Las Vegas, who has previously made inflammatory comments about Episcopalians and casino workers, took a shot Thursday at an AIDS awareness program aimed at the black community.

Raggio will keep them guessing: CARSON CITY -- Senate Majority Leader Bill Raggio, R-Reno, still isn't saying whether he will run for a ninth term, but some associates believe he will be back in the 2005 Legislature.

N.Y. shooting raises issue of metal detectors: Ed Koch and Erica D. Johnson; There are no plans to add metal detectors at Las Vegas City Hall, city officials said Thursday.

Brief storm forces planes to divert: Mary Manning and Afsha Bawany; A severe thunderstorm in the Las Vegas Valley forced three 737 airliners to land at Nellis Air Force Base instead of McCarran International Airport about 1 p.m. Thursday.

Executives promoted: "Michael has brought a new energy and focus to the media group," said Greenspun, who previously held the president position and is now chairman.

News briefs for July 25, 2003: Burglars stole three safes containing more than $40,000 from the La Bayou Casino early Thursday, Metro Police said.

Casino group introducing 'Mandalay Place': Over the next month or so, the company expects to reveal the names of the retailers, which will occupy an overhead walkway of about 100,000 square feet, Mandalay Bay spokesman Gordon Absher told In Business Las Vegas, a weekly newspaper that is a sister publication of the Las Vegas Sun.

Report: Terrorist from each 9-11 plane traveled through LV: Suzanne Struglinski; WASHINGTON -- The congressional review of the Sept. 11, 2001, terrorist attacks confirmed that one terrorist from each of the hijacked planes traveled through Las Vegas between May and August of that year, although the exact purposes of the trips are unknown.

Berkley fails to include amendment: Suzanne Struglinski; WASHINGTON -- An attempt by Rep. Shelley Berkley, D-Nev., to add extra money for Head Start targeted to fast-growing areas such as Las Vegas did not make the cut in the House version of the $6.8 billion Head Start reauthorization bill, approved this morning.

Conflict seen as Boggs McDonald joins Station board: Las Vegas City Councilwoman Lynette Boggs McDonald was appointed to the board of Station Casinos on Thursday, a position that gives her a conflict of interest on city matters involving gaming.

Station Indian casino deal prompting backlash: Terence Chea; SONOMA, Calif. -- In a hayfield on the northern edge of the San Francisco Bay, an Indian tribe wants to regain a parcel of land from its past -- and pave its future with profits from a big casino.

LV home market called red hot: Jennifer Shubinski; The only thing that matches Las Vegas' rising temperatures is the Valley's sizzling housing market.

Casino giant to pay a dividend: "This announcement reflects the tremendous financial flexibility our company possesses both to return significant amounts of money to our shareholders and to invest for growth in existing markets, new jurisdictions and through acquisitions," Harrah's Chief Executive Gary Loveman said.

Big Time adds up to big bucks: Adam Candee; No matter where in the country his basketball team is playing this summer, the mission for Dexter Williams is always clear:

Mormon Church leader Christensen dies at 73: Afsha Bawany and Malia Spencer; When Will Stoddard was first appointed a stake president in the Las Vegas area Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, he was inspired by the keynote speaker who spoke at the conferences where new leaders were trained.

Four Queens sale set to close: Caudill, owner of the Magoo's chain in Las Vegas, agreed in May to purchase the property for $20.5 million in an all-stock deal. The sale is expected to close within days.

Howland familiar with surroundings: Steve Guiremand; Ben Howland knew exactly what he was getting into when he left an up-and-coming Pitt program to become head basketball coach at UCLA last spring.

Police to use SUVs despite report: Dan Kulin; The Henderson Police Department is continuing to fill its patrol fleet with Chevy Tahoes despite a May 2001 city Finance Department report that said the sport utility vehicles should not be used for patrol because most are not designed for high-speed chases.

Planners deny request for high school near orchard: Will Oremus; The Las Vegas Planning Commission sent a stern message to planners from the Clark County School District Thursday night, unanimously denying their request to rezone an undeveloped 36-acre plot in the Lone Mountain area to accommodate a 2,700-student high school.

Parents, teachers vow to fight on: By Emily Richmond; The legislative session may finally be over, but parents and teachers said Thursday they have no plans to ease up pressure on lawmakers who they saw as standing in the way of education funding.

Columnist Brian Hilderbrand: Rudd alert: Veteran to start 700th consecutive race: Ricky Rudd already holds the title of NASCAR's "Iron Man," having established a record when he started his 656th consecutive Winston Cup race in May 2002.

Columnist Ron Kantowski: UNLV's search for an athletic director winds up in backwoods: Is it too late to apply for the UNLV athletic director's job?

Obituaries for July 25, 2003: Daisy K. Alexander, 94, of North Las Vegas died Monday in North Las Vegas. She was born Jan. 16, 1909, in Ohio. A resident for 24 years, she was a homemaker.

Authorities may prosecute producer of 'Bambi' video: The man who said his company arranged paintball "hunts" of naked women was cited Thursday night for running his video-sales business without a license, Las Vegas officials said this morning.

Columnist Jeff German: Beaten but not defeated: In the case of Michael Pellegrino, justice was slow in coming, but nevertheless welcomed this week.

Settlement made in Medicaid fraud case: CARSON CITY -- Nevada's Medicaid program will receive $169,000 as part of a nationwide settlement with a company that bilked the state-federal program out of an estimated $49 million in a kickback and fraud scheme.

Legislative trip, comment scrutinized: CARSON CITY -- Five state legislators, four of whom voted against the $836 million tax increase Monday, have signed up to attend the Council of State Governments-WEST conference next week in Hawaii.

UNLV has 5 in line for AD: Steve Guiremand; UNLV has made no secret that its goal is to join Division I football's heavweights in the lucrative Bowl Championship Series. But when it comes to picking a new athletic director, the school has decided to scour the low and mid-major ranks.

Former Maxim emerging as 'heavenly' Westin hotel: By Liz Benston; The name "casino" doesn't appear in the official name of the Westin Casuarina Hotel & Spa, Las Vegas' newest resort property.

VegasBeat -- Timothy McDarrah: This 'Ocean' sequel goes to 12: George Clooney and producer Jerry Weintraub are staying at the Hotel de Paris in Monaco's capital this weekend, where they are scouring the municipality to scout shooting locations. The original 1961 "Oceans's 11," starring Frank Sinatra, Dean Martin and the rest of the Rat Pack, was filmed in Las Vegas, as was the 2001 remake, starring Clooney, Brad Pitt, Matt Damon, Julia Roberts and Andy Garcia.

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