Print edition for June 4, 2003

Norton will attend public-land auction: Interior Secretary Gale Norton will attend Thursday's sale of 1,030 acres of federal land, Interior officials said Tuesday.

Columnist Muriel Stevens: Ans bring tradition to Vegas: The An family owns Crustacean restaurants in Beverly Hills and San Francisco and Prana at Desert Passage at the Aladdin. Their original San Francisco eatery, Thanh Long, is steeped in the history of the family's move to America, when three generations of strong-willed Vietnamese women marshalled forces after the devastating loss of home and country to build a multimillion-dollar food and hospitality corporation in America. The fall of Saigon in 1975 hastened their departure.

Comfort Zone: International spa conference presents tips, products to pamper: Kirk Baird; Forget foreign affairs, global warming or the lackluster economy. Sometimes life is just about feeling good.

Editorial: Let's make it safe for bicycles and cars: Bicyclists often ride three or four abreast. This is dangerous, considering the many blind curves. And drivers often speed. This is dangerous, considering the many bicyclists. A May 25 accident demonstrated the potential for tragedy. A bicyclist on S.R. 160 was hit and killed by a motorcycle whose driver, police say, was speeding.

Community briefs for June 4, 2003: Las Vegas Department of Leisure Services will hold summer camps from 7 a.m. to 6 p.m. Monday through Aug. 1.

Letter: Jobs not being kept at home in America: The big news is in exports. The country is good at exporting American jobs overseas. Engineering, computer programming, customer service, and other jobs are going overseas by the thousands.

Restaurants holding court in valley shopping malls: Max Jacobson; Those curious as to what the typical American is eating these days need go no further than the nearest shopping mall food court. Food courts reflect what could best be termed ever-changing American tastes in eating.

Editorial: State must not renege on promise: Now Nevada is telling its graduates that many of them won't be getting a scholarship, no matter how hard they've worked the past four years to qualify. The new application form has a little box in which American citizens may place a check mark. Non-citizens must leave it blank. Any student who must leave the box blank will also be blanked on a scholarship. Four years ago the state promised all of its high-achieving students a reward. Now, without so much as an apology, the state is telling them it's changing the rules.

Columnist Elizabeth Foyt: Herrera gets royal treatment at philharmonic benefit: Elizabeth Foyt; The dinner event at the Ritz-Carlton, Lake Las Vegas, was originally planned for the picturesque Pontevecchio Bridge, but was wisely moved to the comforts of the ballroom when daily temperatures took an upward turn.

Au Bon Climat '01 Pinot Noir: He founded his vineyard in order to produce traditional Burgundian varieties such as Aligote and Chardonnay, but it is with Pinot Noir that he has achieved his great success.

Thursday's horse racing entries: Post Time 1:20 p.m.

Transient sentenced to death in LV killing: District Judge John McGroarty formally sentenced Steven Kaczmarek, 33, to death for the slaying of Pedro "Pete" Villareal in a room at the Uptown Motel, 813 Ogden Ave.

Casino giant exiting Internet gaming: By Liz Benston; After investing millions of dollars to craft the first Internet gambling site operated by a major U.S. casino company, MGM MIRAGE will discontinue the site at the end of the month. It cited concerns that the legal and political climate for regulating online gambling remains uncertain.

Voters crush request for new libraries: By Emily Richmond; Clark County voters rejected a $50.6 million bond issue that would have paid for construction of four libraries in some of the valley's fastest-growing communities.

BC mayor Ferraro wins a close one: Dan Kulin; In a race that showed how every vote counts, Boulder City Mayor Bob Ferraro celebrated an 18-vote victory Tuesday night at the golf course that had threatened his re-election campaign and may have played a part in City Councilman Bryan Nix's election-night loss.

Alt wants UNR to join MWC: Steve Guiremand; Nevada-Reno athletic director Chris Ault knew the question was coming. And he didn't flinch.

Teens stack tires over flagpole: "We get a lot of pranks this time of year ... where kids find this as a way of expressing themselves," Officer Darnell Couthen, spokesman for the district police, said.

Military heroes gather for annual reunion at Riviera: Jace Radke; Crouched low behind his .30-caliber machine gun on a beach in the middle of the Pacific Ocean, Ralph Browner thought he was going to die.

Letter: Adoptions story hits close to heart: Both of my children were adopted. My son, Paul, was 5 months old when we adopted him from Catholic Charities back East. As an infant he was raised by Catholic nuns. On the day my wife and I picked him up, the nuns stood there and cried their eyes out -- they had become so attached to him. A few years later we adopted our daughter, Susan, from the same agency. We brought Paul with us when we picked up Susan. Being held by the director, she was crying uncontrollably. As soon as she saw Paul she stopped crying.

Venetian-Bovis legal wrangling will continue: The legal wrangling between the Venetian resort and its general contractor will continue for some time in the aftermath of a Clark County District Court jury's award Tuesday of $44.2 million to the contractor.

Court overturns judgment against Anderson Dairy: CARSON CITY -- The Nevada Supreme Court on Tuesday overturned a $321,000 judgment against Anderson Dairy, which was sued by an employee who says he was assaulted and then fired for disclosing unsanitary conditions at the Las Vegas business.

UNLV women finish with No. 34 ranking: UNLV had set a school record with a preseason ranking of 17th and remained in the top 25 for three months, peaking at No. 15 on Feb. 15 en route to its first regular-season Mountain West Conference championship.

Short ballot lures low turnout: By Timothy Pratt; With most of the Las Vegas Valley's voters casting their ballots on a single question, not candidates for office, overall turnout for Tuesday's general election was 12 percent, election officials said this morning.

Raggio says legislators need 'fresh run' at tax debate: CARSON CITY -- Senate Majority Leader Bill Raggio, R-Reno, told lobbyists Tuesday to back off in pressing their clients' interests in the tax debate and he said the issue will not be decided in a "smoke-filled room."

Letter: Reno coach upset: Despite suffering through that loss, my frustration has been increased due to a few quotes that have been attributed to me in the Las Vegas Sun that I would like to clarify. First, a quote by me was taken totally out of context and then printed in the Las Vegas Sun. The quote was taken out of an article in the Reno Gazette-Journal and put into an entirely different context in which it was intended.

LV High's Thompson viewed Open qualifying as fun test: Adam Candee; His birdie putt dropped on the first hole Monday at El Caballero Golf Course in Tarzana, Calif., and the U.S. Open seemed a lot closer than Chicago for Brad Thompson.

County offers a new spin on noisy choppers: Clark County Aviation Department officials told the County Commission Tuesday that they have two sites in mind for new heliports that could end much of the helicopter noise bothering residents in the urban area.

Ex-trader charged in power manipulation: The trader, John M. Forney, was arrested at the offices of American Electric Power in Columbus, Ohio, where he now works.

Moncrief routs McDonald: Judy Odierna; Helped by an FBI political corruption investigation that entangled incumbent Las Vegas Councilman Michael McDonald, political newcomer Janet Moncrief crushed the incumbent to win the election Tuesday.

LV high-roller receives longer prison term: TRENTON, N.J. -- Former penny stock promoter Robert Brennan, already serving a nine-year prison term for fraud and money laundering, was sentenced to three more years Tuesday for violating a judge's order freezing his assets.

Voters approve charter question: Dan Kulin; Boulder City voters have made it harder to change their City Charter in the future by approving a ballot question that requires subsequent charter changes be approved in two consecutive elections instead of one.

Homeowners fret over plans for Indian casino: Michael Rubinkam; EASTON, Pa. -- Retirees Jean and Jack Reese were getting ready to sell their home, a 19th century farmhouse on two secluded acres north of Easton, when they got the startling news: Two Indian tribes were laying claim to their land.

Quiznos gets new look: Quiznos gets new look

Former Rebel Thomas waived by the Jets: Thomas was not drafted and signed with the Jets on May 2.

Moulin Rouge fire report expected: Federal and local fire experts were expected to announce today preliminary results and the direction of their investigation into the fire that burned the historic Moulin Rouge casino and showroom down to the ground.

Obituaries for June 4, 2003: Shirley A. Balent, 61, of Las Vegas died Monday in a local hospital. A retired laborer in the automotive industry, she was born Feb. 1, 1942, in Monroe, Mich.

Maestas defense looks for link in dad's violent past: Erica D. Johnson; Lawyers defending the Maestas siblings against a murder charge are investigating whether the violent criminal history of the teens' father affected their upbringing.

Nevada ranks last as recipient of U.S. funds: Benjamin Grove; WASHINGTON -- Nevada ranked last among states in the amount of money it received per capita last year from the federal government.

Vegas-Colorado flights added: The airline will use 161-seat twin-engine MD-83 jets for the nonstop round-trip flights to Fort Collins-Loveland Airport beginning July 31. The Allegiant flights will be the only scheduled commercial jet service at that airport.

Columnist Brian Hilderbrand: IRL's Kanaan not interested in returning to F1: As an aspiring racecar driver growing up in Brazil, Tony Kanaan idolized Ayrton Senna, a three-time Formula One World Champion and fellow Brazilian.

Columnist Jeff German: McDonald era ends as it began: McDonald worked his tail off the last month of the campaign and had the power of incumbency, a team of experienced political strategists and organized labor all behind him.

Experiment pays dividends for Parraz: Adam Candee; Why not, Nick Garritano thought. Go along with the kid's request and toss a stud like Jordan Parraz into the bullpen and let him throw. Maybe his broken elbow is healed and Parraz can become the Gators' closer.

Amber Alert may have helped find tot: Mary Manning and Jen Lawson; A 16-month-old child was found safe late Tuesday night after Metro Police initiated the state's first Amber Alert in response to a man stealing a car with the child strapped inside.

Man, 82, killed in collision: Metro Police were investigating the accident that left David Emerson McDowell of Las Vegas dead at the intersection of Hualapai Way and Alta Drive.

News briefs for June 4, 2003: Clark County air quality officials issued a pollution advisory urging children and other residents with lung problems to stay indoors today as ozone levels in the Las Vegas Valley rise with the unseasonably hot temperatures.

Another special session possible: Erin Neff; CARSON CITY -- As the special session of the Legislature geared up Tuesday, Assembly Republicans were already planning to force a second special session.

Nevada court upholds judgment against retailer: Crystal Hill and her husband Gerald Hill won the judgment. Three boxes, weighing seven pounds each, fell from a shelf 14-feet above her, causing head, shoulder and back injuries.

Technology may help solve 23-year-old case: Jen Lawson; She was found dumped alongside Arroyo Grande Boulevard in Henderson almost 23 years ago.

Funding for problem gambling treatment fails: The bill would have allocated $250,000 to the state Department of Human Resources to grant to organizations that treat problem gamblers. Nevada has been criticized by treatment advocates nationwide for being among few states that do not provide some form of government-funded help.

Letter: Lack of textbooks hinders learning: These students spend valuable classroom time copying down problem-solving equations from the blackboard instead of being taught how to reach the correct answers, and, more importantly, learning why the answers are correct.

Gregory, Silver win court races: Judy Odierna and Emily Richmond; There were no surprises in the Las Vegas Municipal Court races on Tuesday, with incumbent Toy Gregory retaining his 20-year hold on the bench and prosecutor Abbi Silver winning a vacant seat.

Conference growth is possible by 2006: Steve Guiremand; After three days of meetings in Carlsbad, Calif., the Mountain West Conference's Board of Directors apparently came to a simple conclusion:

Columnist Dean Juipe: Offering up a solution to the NSAC: Dean Juipe; Is the Nevada State Athletic Commission open to suggestion?

Station leaving Vegas chamber: Liz Benston and Richard N. Velotta; Station Casinos Inc. has pulled its membership from the Las Vegas Chamber of Commerce, claiming the chamber has refused to work with the gaming industry to come up with a tax plan to solve the state's budget crunch.

Young: FBI sorry about mix-up: Jen Lawson; While visiting Washington, D.C., last month, Sheriff Bill Young said he received a face-to-face apology from FBI director Robert Mueller for federal authorities' failure to notify Young about an alleged terrorist intent to attack Las Vegas.

Moths bug county workers: The County Government Center is full of bugs.

VegasBeat -- Timothy McDarrah: Pancake House waffles on Clinton pic: Good thing it wasn't The Original Pancake House at Green Valley Ranch Station Casino. The management -- and some of its more vocal patrons -- apparently don't like his politics.

Ralph Siraco's selections for Thursday's races at Hollywood Park: Thursday's card

Columnist Peter Benton: Bolton, Wallin team for LVCC victory: Peter Benton; Bill Bolton and Lance Wallin ham-and-egged it to perfection in winning the Las Vegas Country Club's annual Memorial Weekend Member-Member Golf Tournament. Their score of 275.5 over the three-day event won the Championship Flight.

Legislature overhauls mortgage regulation: Kevin Rademacher; A bill restructuring the regulatory environment of Nevada's mortgage lending and investment industry won approval in the waning moments of the 72nd Legislature on Monday.

Slot maker announces dividend, stock split: The split will be made by issuing three shares for every one share held by investors at the close of trading June 18, with the shares trading post-split on or about July 2, Reno-based IGT said. The dividend will be payable on July 28 to shareholders of record July 14.

Today's frontpage

< Previous | Next >

Most Read
Discussed
Most E-mailed

Complete Listing

Blogs

The Kats Report

For props, Lewis Black needs only his manic delivery and torrid material

42 minutes ago

Elsewhere

Sands China raises $2.5 billion in Hong Kong IPO

4 hours, 42 minutes ago

Marquardt v. Sonnen scheduled for UFC 109

21 hours, 42 minutes ago

Bloggity, Bloggity, Bloggity

Will a fourth consecutive title by Jimmie Johnson be good or bad for NASCAR? (2 Comments)

22 hours, 39 minutes ago

Top Chef: Las Vegas

The Jet Stream: And then there were four

22 hours, 43 minutes ago

Top Chef Episode 12: On keeping it simple

22 hours, 53 minutes ago

Miech Again

Chilly start for Chace, but Stanback says he'll warm up (1 Comment)

1 day ago

More blogs »

Live chat: Tuesday, noon PST; Chat with Krista Creelman; Problem Gambling Center executive director Krista Creelman will answer questions about gambling addiction from Las Vegas Sun readers from noon to 1 p.m. Tuesday, Nov. ... Submit question