Print edition for June 18, 2003

Sponsorship change won't affect LVMS: When wireless communications provider Nextel assumes title sponsorship of NASCAR's Winston Cup Series next season, the change will have little effect on Las Vegas Motor Speedway.

Columnist Dean Juipe: Caddie's fight with disease has gripped the nation: Dean Juipe; The cruel irony is that the disease is, in essence, named after one of the fittest men who ever lived, a man so robust that he played 2,130 consecutive games in the major leagues and genuinely earned the nickname "The Iron Horse."

Understanding ALS: Motor neurons, which reach from the brain to the spinal cord and from the spinal cord to muscles throughout the body, begin to degenerate. When motor neurons die, the ability of the brain to initiate and control muscle movement is lost. With all voluntary muscle action affected, patients in the latter stages of ALS become paralyzed. Yet through it all, for the vast majority, their minds remain whole.

Rebels-Wisconsin game picked up by ESPN2: Steve Guiremand; The folks at ESPN2 won't have to worry about a power failure stopping this year's UNLV-Wisconsin football game.

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

Columnist Brian Hilderbrand: Falling revenue may force CART to sell: Championship Auto Racing Teams (CART) has hired an investment banking firm and is exploring the possibility of selling the company -- possibly to Formula One boss Bernie Ecclestone.

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

Columnist Elizabeth Foyt: Bakery is ready to be vital part of community: Elizabeth Foyt; Panera Bread, the newly opened bakery-cafe owned by Roger Wagner, chief operating officer of the Las Vegas franchise, made opening festivities at the Galleria mall at Sunset a time for giving.

Letter: Bush should be impeached: It is becoming evident that President Bush and company did indeed manipulate and terrorize the people of the United States into a war with Iraq. No weapons of mass destruction have been found in Iraq. Saddam Hussein has not been found.

Clowning around: Nock balances life as a family man, entertainer with famed circus: Kirk Baird; But not as far as Bello Nock.

Barrett makes strides, but keeps Dad off the course: Adam Candee; A year earlier than most teenage girls do so, Katy Barrett bid farewell to her father Marty -- at least on the golf course.

Savvy wine buys: Gallo of Sonoma '00 Pinot Noir Reserve: Available at Smith's Supermarkets, $10.99, or $8.99 with a Fresh Values Card.

City Council fills positions on boards: The panels and those appointed to them:

Columnist Peter Benton: Fair-Manning team wins Spanish Trail event: Peter Benton; The pairing of Lee Fair and Lloyd Manning put it all together beautifully to win the recent Spanish Trail Country Club's Member/Guest Tournament against the teams of Jack Nethercutt/Pat Walsh plus Jim and Tim Bianco.

UNLV receives technology honor: The award will be presented at the 24th annual National Educational Computing Conference in Seattle.

Discover Card scholarships given: Gabriela Baca, Joseph A. Doucette and Ryan Gustafson will each receive $2,500 after graduation next year.The scholarships are awarded to three winners per state in the catergories of trade and technical studies, arts and humanities and business and technology.

Hearing set on transit tax: The Legislature and Gov. Kenny Guinn this month passed the authorization for the $2.7 billion funding measure for local transportation programs, a package of taxes and fees that also includes impact fees for new development.

Mogwai still 'just a rock band': Spencer Patterson; Braithwaite recently got into a debate over the issue on his label's official message board. His comments were so heated they were eventually removed by Matador Records.

Letter: Greedy handful blocks majority view on budget: I do not agree with Gibbons that obtaining a two-thirds majority -- where Republicans are in control -- is possible. Gibbons and a handful of greedy Nevadans are the only ones proud of the tax restraint initiative. The dozens of people I talk to weekly are having a lot of trouble understanding why a handful of recalcitrants can prevent our state from joining other states that pay their own way!

Editorial: Homeowners' relief through a new law: In an effort to improve the situation for the nearly 1 million people in Nevada estimated to live under homeowners associations, the Legislature has created a commission to rule on homeowners' complaints. If there is just cause, the commission can remove a homeowners association board member or an entire board. In addition, the commission can order audits. The lawmakers also beefed up the ombudsman's unit, adding six new staffers.

Obituaries for June 18, 2003: Eric Mesa Angeles, 37, of Henderson died Sunday in a local hospital. He was born June 14, 1966, in Tamuning, Guam. A resident for 11 years, he was a warehouse forklift operator.

Community briefs for June 18, 2003: Metro Police has partnered with Spread the Word Kids to Kids to help provide books to a large number of children in the community.

Columnist Muriel Stevens: Mall is growing to extra large: During last week's fact-finding excursion to the Fashion Show, I had a grand time wandering in and out of the newest stores. There were sales in so many stores that shoppers were buying holiday gifts -- way to go, savvy shoppers.

Editorial: Slaughter this idea, not birds: In January a market on North Lamb Boulevard sought permission to slaughter and process live birds on its premises. Preliminary approval was granted in April by the Planning Commission. If the City Council concurs, perhaps as early as next month, the slaughter of poultry could occur at small markets throughout the city provided the operators obtained a permit and met certain conditions. The conditions would include slaughtering and packaging all unsold birds at the end of the day and managing the unused flesh, bones, feathers, organs and bodily fluids in such a way that they did not enter the municipal ...

Letter: Cut state budget across the board: If current projected income is 90 percent of projected expenses, then all aspects of state government -- projects, personnel, education, negotiable contracts -- must take a 10 percent cut across the board.

County appeals judgment to pay for air space: CARSON CITY -- In a case that has attracted the attention of airports, property rights advocates and local governments, Clark County is appealing a $22.1 million judgment that it must pay neighbors for the use of air space next to McCarran International Airport.

Whistle-blower claims state official took trips, favors: CARSON CITY -- A whistle-blower's complaint filed with the state Personnel Department accuses the head of the state employees health insurance program of accepting trips and favors from the private companies that have contracts with the state.

Poor take a chance on lottery at check cashers: Martin Finucane; CAMBRIDGE, Mass. -- Zeituni Onyango is out of work and doesn't have much money. But every now and then, she succumbs to temptation and buys a lottery ticket at the check-cashing store.

Cost-of-living hikes approved: Dan Kulin; The members of Henderson's police and firefighters unions, as well as nonunion city employees such as top administrators, will receive cost-of-living raises of at least 3 percent in each of the next five fiscal years beginning July 1 under agreements the City Council approved Tuesday.

City to take new tack on redevelopment: The City Council on Tuesday voted 5-0 to reject proposals for developing about 8.5 acres on two sites off Water Street, on the advice of staff and the city Redevelopment Agency Advisory Commission.

Assembly leaders disagree on status of impasse: CARSON CITY -- Assembly Speaker Richard Perkins, D-Henderson, says he has started a series of meetings with legislators in both houses and in both parties to talk about a possible compromise tax plan to release money to the state's public schools.

Developers propose casino in Delaware: Randall Chase; WILMINGTON, Del. -- A group of Delaware investors on Tuesday unveiled a plan for a riverfront casino they say could provide a big financial boost for Wilmington, the state and higher education.

Helicopter noise could last another three years: The buzzing from dozens of helicopters over residential Las Vegas neighborhoods should come to an end -- but it could take three years, a Clark County official said Tuesday.

Filipino parishioners protest against pastor, demand ouster: By Timothy Pratt; A group of mostly Filipino parishioners has begun what it says will be a series of weekly protests outside a Las Vegas church to voice grievances with the church's pastor and with how the diocese has handled the complaints in recent months.

On the fly: Insects, computer donation boost UNLV gene studies: Jennifer Knight; UNLV researchers studying cancer, obesity and human memory are getting a lot of help from the lowly fruit fly -- and a recent donation of computers worth $1.25 million.

News briefs for June 18, 2003: Metro Police homicide detectives are looking for 24-year-old Matthew Glenn Shaw in connection with the beating death of 38-year-old Robert Sacramona.

VegasBeat -- Timothy McDarrah: Competition picking up at hotel show: There are several noteworthy events taking place in Las Vegas this week in connection with the International Hotel and Restaurant Show, including Tuesday night's Epicurean Affair at Caesars Palace, appropriately called "The Decadent Bacchanalia II."

Increase in water rates to be considered: Dan Kulin; The average Henderson water customer would see the $33 monthly bill increase by almost $5 under a proposed rate hike expected to go the City Council on July 15, city Director of Utility Services Kurt Segler said Tuesday.

Christoff alleges Moncrief violated election laws: Peter "Chris" Christoff, one of the candidates who was defeated by Janet Moncrief in the Las Vegas City Council Ward 1 race, is alleging that Moncrief violated election laws by fabricating the names of groups supposedly responsible for campaign mailers and committing other infractions.

Federal grand jury hears testimony from bookkeepers for topless clubs: Jace Radke; After a federal grand jury heard testimony from two bookkeepers for topless clubs that are at the center of an FBI probe into political corruption, the attorney for topless club owner Jack Galardi said her client is not a target of the investigation.

Gibbons optimistic on Shoshone bill: Benjamin Grove; WASHINGTON -- Legislation that would compensate Nevada's Western Shoshone Indians for land taken by the federal government may have new momentum in Congress.

Housing Authority board members' jobs are safe: One day after replacing three-fifths of the Las Vegas Housing Authority board, Las Vegas Mayor Oscar Goodman said Tuesday he is no longer seeking the resignations of the other two members.

Sports briefs for June 18, 2003: A new electronic database of criminal records will allow background checks on everyone seeking passes for the 2004 Olympics, including athletes and journalists, Greece's justice minister said.

Stratosphere plans new ride: Stratosphere plans new ride

Terrorism worries may lead to casino changes: By Liz Benston; Heightened concerns about money laundering for terrorist purposes will likely lead the federal government to shift authority over federal cash reporting rules from state regulators to the U.S. Department of the Treasury, a Washington, D.C.-area attorney told a group of security and marketing officials at an anti-terrorism conference Tuesday.

Nevada counties to share $13.1 million from feds: Ben Grove; WASHINGTON -- Nevada's 17 counties will share $13.1 million from the federal government as part of the 2003 "payment in lieu of taxes" program.

Worker rescued from ditch: Jen Lawson; A construction worker digging a trench for a power line was rescued this morning after being buried waist-deep in a ditch that collapsed at a construction site near Fort Apache and Sunset roads.

Officials review plans for homeless center: By Timothy Pratt; A plan to create a new home for an embattled one-stop center for the homeless was discussed behind closed doors Tuesday afternoon.

Builders hit with defect suits: Kevin Rademacher; Three major Las Vegas-area home builders have been hit with four construction defect lawsuits in recent weeks.

Officials silent on bid qualifiers: Tuesday was the deadline for offers to compete against a "stalking horse" bid of $635 million from a group headed by Planet Hollywood co-founder Robert Earl and Starwood Hotels & Resorts, White Plains, N.Y. Earl and Starwood want to transform the Aladdin into a movie-themed Planet Hollywood hotel-casino.

Owners fighting over strip clubs: A battle for control has erupted between the owners of Sapphire, a business in Las Vegas that is billed as the world's largest topless nightclub.

Business briefs for June 18, 2003: REDWOOD SHORES, Calif. -- Oracle Corp. today raised its hostile takeover offer for rival business software maker PeopleSoft Inc. by nearly 24 percent to $6.3 billion.

Specialists: Cuts hurt students in most need: By Emily Richmond; Some Clark County School District technology and literacy specialists say the loss of their positions -- and the harm it will cause -- is being lost in the discussion about the suspension of the Clark County School District's Gifted and Talented Education program,

Major League dream: A narrow strip of shade protected Tony Shockley from a scorching sun at high noon Tuesday at Cashman Field, where he squinted at more than 10 dozen baseball players.

State taxi agency names administrator: Yvette Moore, who spent more than 10 years of her 26-year human resources management career in positions at Mikohn Gaming Corp. and the Hotel San Remo, began working in her new position last week.

Slot maker lets distribution agreement expire: "Given the enormous amount of new product we plan to launch in the near future ... we believe it to be in our best interest to focus on our core business and offerings," Chief Executive Brian Gamache said in a statement.

Parents shocked to be facing charges: Timothy Pratt and Afsha Bawany; After a restless night with his cranky 2-year-old, Won Chong ran into a Starbucks.

Las Vegas taxi rides getting more costly: The Taxicab Authority of Nevada on Tuesday approved a fare increase that would make Las Vegas the fourth most expensive city in the country to get a cab ride.