Print edition for June 5, 2003

Editorial: Lessons and exams cannot be separate: "What we've been teaching for the most part up to now isn't necessarily what the kids are expected to know when they sit down for the test," district Superintendent Carlos Garcia told Sun reporter Emily Richmond. And state Superintendent Jack McLaughlin said, "There's an obvious disconnect between the test and what students are being taught."

County Commission approves closing of some rural roads: Some roads in the Gilcrease Ranch area of the northwestern Las Vegas Valley soon will be off-limits to the public.

Where I Stand -- Brian Greenspun: Many have forgotten: Nevada's Gov. Kenny Guinn has called the Legislature into special session. The whole idea of such a thing is depressing. Is the world upside down?

Compromise reached on gravel pit with neighbors: A controversial gravel pit operation tucked into the middle of a residential neighborhood got a new lease on life from the Clark County Commission on Wednesday.

Binion's missing silver dollars may turn up: Local authorities may have a lead on missing silver dollars belonging to slain gambling figure Ted Binion.

Assembly, Senate still split on taxes: Erin Neff; CARSON CITY -- The Assembly and Senate are so far apart on a solution to the state budget crisis that observers believe the two houses will be unable to meet tomorrow's deadline.

Business briefs for June 5, 2003: WASHINGTON -- A bipartisan majority of an important Senate committee indicated on Wednesday that it would vote to overturn some of the media ownership rules adopted two days ago, reversing one of the most significant deregulatory steps undertaken during the Bush administration.

Nevada Power auctioning land on Flamingo Road: Kevin Rademacher; Nevada Power Co. expects to fetch about $25 million in an Aug. 12 auction of 22 acres along Flamingo Road.

State will get security grant: The grant, which is part of $19 million being made available to expand the Community Emergency Response Team program, comes from the Department of Homeland Security.

New bidder emerges for bankrupt Aladdin: A new bidder comprised of Southern California real estate developers and Asian investors has emerged to buy the bankrupt Aladdin hotel-casino on the Las Vegas Strip.

Hawaii among schools interested in joining MWC: Steve Guiremand; A day after the Mountain West Conference voted to lift its moratorium on expansion, commissioner Craig Thompson's phone was ringing off the hook.

Columnist Ron Kantowski: Talkin' baseball in Las Vegas: If this keeps up, the chamber of commerce is going to have to add "peanuts and Crackerjack" to the many things for which Las Vegas is known.

Owner to sell Henderson's Skyline casino: By Liz Benston; The owner of the Skyline Restaurant & Casino in Henderson is retiring from the casino business and intends to sell the property to a local car dealer.

Gaming briefs for June 5, 2003: Riviera Holdings Corp., which owns the Riviera hotel-casino in Las Vegas, has received an extension of time from the American Stock Exchange to regain compliance with the exchange's listing standards.

Ex-UNLV star Thomas asked Jets to release him: Steve Guiremand; At first glance it appears the New York Jets' idea of moving Jason Thomas to tight end was a big bust.

Sports briefs for June 5, 2003: Next week's U.S. Open will include a father-son duo for the first time in six years as Bill Haas shared medalist honors in the final qualifier to join his dad, Jay, next week at Olympia Fields, Ill.

CCSN looks to keep team intact for '04: The windfall of a national baseball championship will keep the Community College of Southern Nevada a powerful player in the Scenic West Athletic Conference.

El Al subsidiary plans Vegas flights: The flights would be the first nonstop service linking Las Vegas with the Middle East.

Columnist Dean Juipe: 'Historical site' for sale in downtown: Dean Juipe; When James Pollins acquired the late Johnny Tocco's Ringside Gym, he was awash in sentimentality.

Fight schedule: Tonight

Unpaid auto repair prompts lawsuit: Erica D. Johnson; A Las Vegas woman who claims a mechanic held her vehicle hostage when her insurance company refused to pay for repairs is behind a class-action lawsuit.

Columnist Brian Hilderbrand: Funny Car driver Capps gets jollies in IROC car: NHRA Funny Car driver Ron Capps spent his past three days off behind the wheel of a racecar -- and had the time of his life.

Michigan racetrack owners eager for slots: Amy F. Bailey; LANSING, Mich. -- Daniel Rakieten says he has done everything he can to save the horse racetrack in Jackson that's been in his family for 55 years.

Downtown casino owner loses appeal: CARSON CITY -- Herbert Pastor, the owner of Mermaids and La Bayou casinos in downtown Las Vegas, has lost his appeal to the Nevada Supreme Court that his clubs should be allowed to use a loud sound system to draw customers.

Suit against care home reinstated: CARSON CITY -- The Nevada Supreme Court has reinstated a suit against owners of a Las Vegas group care home where an elderly Alzheimer's patient was taken for $453,000 by the home administrator.

Complaint planned on BC newsletter: Dan Kulin; Defeated Boulder City mayoral candidate Bill Smith plans to send a formal complaint to the secretary of state's office today, claiming the city's May newsletter violated state laws banning governments from supporting candidates.

School chiefs back off funding threats: CARSON CITY -- School superintendents are backing off their threat to sue the state for more funding for education.

Obituaries for June 5, 2003: Robert V. Afflerbach, 68, of Las Vegas died Monday in a local hospital. He was born June 12, 1934, in Suffolk County, N.Y. A resident for 48 years, he was a retired industrial thermal insulator, a Korean War Navy veteran and a charter member of the Heat and Frost Insulators and Asbestos Workers Local 135.

Cassidy claims DA is forcing wife to testify: Erica D. Johnson; The former aide to Mayor Oscar Goodman charged with raping his estranged wife and setting fire to her business accused prosecutors on Wednesday of using strong-arm tactics to ensure the woman's testimony against him.

Legislators wrestle with how to tax Nevada brothels: Erin Neff; CARSON CITY -- It depends on what your definition of "it" is.

Galardi receives target letter from FBI: Jace Radke; Topless club owner Michael Galardi has received a target letter from the FBI as part of an ongoing investigation into political corruption.

Woman ordered to move her menagerie from neighborhood: A woman who keeps wild animals in a residential neighborhood has one week to move her chimpanzees, leopards and other exotic fauna out of the area.

Heightened inspections on I-15 aimed at better safety: A tractor-trailer loaded with sheep pulled into an inspection station near Sloan on Tuesday, but when the inspector discovered a mother dog and three puppies, the trip was interrupted.

Police arrest one suspect in series of jewel robberies: Metro Police have arrested a suspect in the heists of more than $2 million worth of diamond necklaces, pendants and other gems from upscale Las Vegas shops.

Senators call for Yucca probe: Benjamin Grove; WASHINGTON -- Sens. Harry Reid, D-Nev., and John Ensign, R-Nev., are urging Attorney General John Ashcroft to launch an investigation into alleged worker intimidation at the Yucca Mountain project.

Jim, Dawn Gibbons have tax conflict: Erin Neff; CARSON CITY -- Every lengthy marriage has its share of disagreements, but rarely do they enter the public eye the way Dawn and Jim Gibbons' 17-year bond has this week.

Reid's veterans benefit bill receives support: With a voice vote Wednesday the Senate affirmed its support for Reid's legislation that would allow 20-year military veterans to simultaneously collect the full amount of both their disability and retirement pay. Federal law requires that veterans waive the amount of their retirement pay equal to the amount they receive in disability.

Ex-Rebel Banks skips draft camp: Steve Guiremand; Where's Marcus Banks?

Johnson: Rising star?: Dean Juipe; Speaking on a conference call Wednesday, heavyweight contender Kirk Johnson and his promoter used the occasion to not only predict a victory against Lennox Lewis but to belittle the referee involved in Johnson's loss to John Ruiz last year in Las Vegas.

Editorial: A fraction can mean inaction: The lawmakers in the minority have become emboldened in recent days. Less than 24 hours after Gov. Kenny Guinn called state lawmakers into a special session of the Legislature to pass a tax plan, Assembly Republicans indicated they're willing to force a second special session if they don't get their way on the budget. The Assembly Republicans want the opportunity to scale back the budget, something that the Republican governor isn't willing to do. The full Legislature, during the regular session, already approved a $4.9 billion budget for two years, so the governor sees no need to reopen it since ...

Letter: Moncrief victory sends a message: It should be a top priority for Nevada to institute an ethics bill with teeth. So many of our politicians are brought up on ethics charges, only to receive a slap on the wrist. It seems to be the norm for Las Vegas city "leaders" to be employed by the least reputable businesses in town.

Council rejects halfway house: A proposal to put a halfway house for criminals in a residential neighborhood in the heart of West Las Vegas was shot down Wednesday by the Las Vegas City Council.

North Las Vegas council briefs for June 5, 2003: Proposed increases to North Las Vegas's water and sewer rates remain on track for a June 18 public hearing and possible votes.

Letter: Spreading fear about Russian nuclear wastes: There's one thing for certain: no one wants terrorists and rogue states getting their hands on fissile nuclear materials. It is that fear that will put nuclear wastes in Yucca Mountain if we aren't careful.

Extra $15 million to be added to new budget: Las Vegas is adding about $15 million to its general fund budget for the fiscal year that begins July 1.

Plan for garage put on shelf: City staff has shelved what would have been Las Vegas' first design-build project, a $14.5 million to $16 million parking garage at Third Street between Bonneville and Garces avenues.

Von Tobel aid awarded: The $34,500 in scholarships will be distributed to students who graduated from a Clark County high school with at least a 2.3 grade point average and attended Von Tobel for three consecutive years.

Basic, Dixie teammates selected on second day: Adam Candee; Las Vegas' reputation as a baseball breeding ground received another big boost Wednesday.

Locals' daughter watches sailors' vision: Dick Benoit; With the cost of health insurance and medical care rising, concerns often surface about the quality of health care an individual can afford. The free care provided to the military eases this stress, and the staff of Sewells Point Medical Clinic at Naval Station Norfolk, Va., assures the care provided to patients is top-notch.

Local players selected in MLB draft: | Name| Pos.| School| Pro team| Round/pick|

Friday's horse racing entries: Post Time 7:05 p.m.

Community briefs for June 5, 2003: The Red Rock Canyon Interpretive Association invites the public to the Burger for a Bag of Trash picnic from 11:30 a.m. to 2 p.m. Friday for a picnic and cleanup event.

City Council briefs for June 5, 2003: The Las Vegas City Council will consider at its June 18 meeting a proposal to allow a maximum of five slot machines at restaurants classified as supper clubs.

Ripple Effect: Gondola tour could be start of something big at Lake Las Vegas: From the back of a 36-foot gondola, he looks ahead to the dusty mountains of Arizona. A Pontevecchio-inspired bridge crosses the lake behind him.

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

Columnist Ruthe Deskin: Let a cat adopt you today: Ruthe Deskin; To ease the problem, the month of June has been designated by the ASPCA as adopt-a-shelter-cat month. The ASPCA is working on the project in conjunction with Fresh Step cat litter and Pet.Finder.com.

Hola, espanol: By Emily Richmond; As the final moments of the school year ticked away Wednesday at Walker International School in Henderson, kindergarten students signed each other's yearbooks, snacked on pretzels and chattered busily in Spanish.

Rhodes suit is dismissed: Erica D. Johnson; A civil lawsuit filed by developer Jim Rhodes against County Commissioner Mark James was dismissed on Wednesday, after both sides settled the case in an undisclosed agreement.

Some of Moulin Rouge salvageable: Jen Lawson; Moulin Rouge owner Bart Maybie said Wednesday he wasn't surprised that the fire that destroyed his landmark casino was arson, but he said he was relieved that many key features of the building are structurally sound enough to incorporate into a new building.

Las Vegas pulls out of center that helps homeless: Timothy Pratt and Ed Koch; In a unanimous decision that surprised Clark County officials and homeless advocates, the Las Vegas City Council voted Wednesday to yank its funding for a one-stop center that helps the homeless.

Moncrief prepares for life at City Hall: Dan Kulin; Janet Moncrief woke up Wednesday and immediately realized one thing: No walking Ward 1 today.

Guinn to develop contingency plans for reduced government: CARSON CITY -- Gov. Kenny Guinn said today he will start developing contingency plans to run state government at a reduced level in case the Legislature doesn't come up with a tax plan by Friday.

Union says it will fight attendants' relocation: A union is fighting a plan by United Airlines to close its flight-attendant base in Las Vegas at the end of August. The shutdown would force 222 people to relocate, face long commutes or leave the company.

News briefs for June 5, 2003: North Las Vegas Police are asking for the public's help in finding a 39-year-old Down Syndrome woman, who has been missing since 2:30 a.m. today.