Las Vegas Sun

Archive for June 19, 2003

David Nelsons get airport scrutiny: Jace Radke; Even FBI agents aren't immune to a computer glitch that is causing airline passengers named David Nelson to be detained at airports nationwide.; 11:46 a.m.

More allegations made against Moncrief campaign: Former Las Vegas city councilman and longtime political gadfly Steve Miller has filed an affidavit with the secretary of state's office alleging he assisted new Las Vegas Councilwoman Janet Moncrief in questionable campaign practices.; 11:44 a.m.

TV, movie firm launched in Las Vegas: Studio Vegas -- a subsidiary of The Greenspun Corporation -- will provide financing, production, creative and distribution services for TV and movie projects in Las Vegas, said Howard Lefkowitz, president of the studio.; 11:27 a.m.

Retarded suspect won't face death penalty: Erica D. Johnson; The Las Vegas man charged with killing a prostitute and running over a state trooper during a high-speed chase won't face the death penalty after a District Court judge declared him mentally retarded.; 11:22 a.m.

New law blocks vote on Red Rock request: The Clark County Commission heard an unusual request Wednesday -- a developer pleading with the commission to deny a zoning request.; 11:22 a.m.

Suspect's gun jam may have saved officers in shootout: Jen Lawson; A gang member who was arrested early Monday after allegedly firing his assault rifle at police might have been able to shoot officers if his gun hadn't jammed, according to police records.; 11:21 a.m.

Two held in blaze at Moulin Rouge: Jen Lawson; Two Las Vegas men have been arrested on charges of setting the May 29 fire that destroyed the historic Moulin Rouge casino, a fire official said this morning.; 11:21 a.m.

Las Vegas City Council OKs soundstage, recording studio: Johnny Caswell is a showman and a salesman.; 11:18 a.m.

Judge: No fines over disclosure: CARSON CITY -- A district judge ruled today that political candidates who refused to disclose personal financial information required by the state Ethics Commission could not be fined.; 11:17 a.m.

Nevada students score poorly in reading tests: WASHINGTON -- Nevada's eighth graders ranked second to last in the nation while the state's fourth graders were fourth from the bottom in the latest National Assessment of Educational Progress, otherwise known as the nation's ...; 11:16 a.m.

Wal-Mart, union claim victory after labor rulings: BENTONVILLE, Ark. -- Wal-Mart Stores Inc., the world's largest retailer, and the United Food and Commercial Workers union both claimed victory Wednesday after an administrative law judge ruled in two cases involving union elections and ...; 11:16 a.m.

Topless club investor welcomes licensing investigation: A major partner in the newly opened Sapphire topless club said Wednesday that he welcomes a licensing investigation into the backgrounds of a half-dozen previously undisclosed investors in the Las Vegas business.; 11:16 a.m.

Casino industry outlook stable for rest of the year: By Liz Benston; Weakened performance in the first quarter and a lagging economy makes it unlikely that major casino operators will meaningfully outperform 2002 operating results this year, a major debt rating agency reported Wednesday.; 11:16 a.m.

Tropicana unveils $500 mil. proposal: The Tropicana hotel-casino formally filed plans Wednesday at the zoning meeting of the Clark County Commission for a possible huge expansion and renovation.; 11:16 a.m.

2 hikers die from exposure to heat: Hiking tips The National Park Service, the Clark County Health District and the Centers for'Disease Control and Prevention offer the following tips for those who enjoy hiking in desert heat.; 11:12 a.m.

Sports news briefs for June 19, 2003: Erik Flores of Glass Valley, Calif., carded a 7-under-par 65 for a 136 total Wednesday to lead the boys division after the second round of the Spring Junior Golf Championship at Boulder Creek Golf Club. ...; 11:09 a.m.

Nevadans will pay more at the pump: Afsha Bawany; Although the average statewide price of a gallon of regular unleaded gasoline in Nevada dropped by 4 cents this month from last month, AAA of Nevada says prices have begun to rise in some cities ...; 11:08 a.m.

Crisis may compel Garcia to sue state: By Emily Richmond; Clark County Schools Superintendent Carlos Garcia said Wednesday he hasn't ruled out the possibility of filing a lawsuit against the state if lawmakers fail to agree on an education funding plan when they resume their ...; 11:07 a.m.

Anti-terrorism conference addresses resort security risks: Kevin Rademacher and Richard N. Velotta; A high-profile resort makes for a good target, says Jerry Keller, vice president of security for Wynn Resorts Ltd.; 11:05 a.m.

Board scolds Timbers chain owner: CARSON CITY -- A group that sought a license to run the gambling at the Lady Luck casino in downtown Las Vegas was turned away by the state Gaming Control Board Wednesday because one of ...; 11:03 a.m.

Domestic travel trend aiding Vegas numbers: By Liz Benston; More tourists are continuing to travel domestically rather than take international trips, a trend that will help Las Vegas as it continues to recover from the Sept. 11 terrorist attacks as well as the smaller ...; 11:02 a.m.

Boston, New York flights to Las Vegas planned: Song plans one round trip a day between Boston's Logan International Airport and McCarran International Airport and one round trip a day from New York's John F. Kennedy International Airport and McCarran starting Oct. 1.; 11:02 a.m.

Ethics panel OKs double payments: CARSON CITY -- A panel of the state Ethics Commission today dismissed a complaint against Gov. Kenny Guinn and former state Public Safety Director Richard Kirkland, who were accused of improper conduct of what has ...; 10:59 a.m.

VegasBeat -- Timothy McDarrah: Newton stages his own Iraqi operation: The famed Las Vegas headliner is in the Middle East this week, headlining Project Salute 2003 -- the first entertainment tour to the Persian Gulf region since Operation Iraqi Freedom was launched.; 10:43 a.m.

Guest columnist Linda Frohlich: WNBA, fun times in full swing: The WNBA season is in full swing now. Teams are starting to shape their identities in the league. Los Angeles is known for its super starting five, Phoenix for its helter-skelter style of play, and ...; 10:18 a.m.

Schwikert begins quest for third title: At a Glance; 10:15 a.m.

Lewis confident of victory: Dean Juipe; It isn't that Lennox Lewis is invincible or can't be beaten. Fact is, he has lost twice in his 14-year professional boxing career.; 10:08 a.m.

Columnist Ron Kantowski: Best things in life are semi-free: While I believe that life throws more wicked curveballs than batting-practice fastballs, every now and then a pleasant surprise drops into our laps.; 10:08 a.m.

Obituaries for June 19, 2003: Asia Guzman, 5, of Las Vegas died June 9 in a local hospital. She was born Oct. 4, 1997, in Las Vegas.; 10:05 a.m.

House group pushes for full Yucca funding: Benjamin Grove; WASHINGTON -- A bipartisan group of House lawmakers is pressuring House appropriators to give the Energy Department the full $591 million it requested for Yucca Mountain next year.; 10:05 a.m.

Columnist Dean Juipe: McPherson cancels tonight's fight card at the Cannery: Dean Juipe; A boxing card that may have been doomed from the start and was scheduled for tonight at the Cannery in North Las Vegas has been canceled.; 10:05 a.m.

Boxing rankings: 1. Lennox Lewis (WBC)40-2-1; 10:04 a.m.

Ralph Siraco's selections for Friday's races at Hollywood Park: 2nd Race -- SHOWTIME EXPRESS -- Hustling Pedroza on Ward trainee, draws good box for sprint maiden outing, Showtime diploma in Express lane? SHOPPING MARY -- Training at Santa Anita, Flores aboard Cerin trainee, Mary ...; 10:02 a.m.

Budget issue prompts bond delay: CARSON CITY -- State Treasurer Brian Krolicki said today that the sale of $200 million in state bonds for items such as parks and cultural resource will be delayed indefinitely due to the state's uncertain ...; 9:57 a.m.

Columnist Brian Hilderbrand: Accident KO's Bernstein from Top Fuel race: Brandon Bernstein's hopes of winning the NHRA Top Fuel championship ended last month when he was involved in a serious accident at the national event in Englishtown, N.J.; 9:57 a.m.

Boxing schedule: At Los Angeles, Juan Gomez Trinidad, Puerto Rico, vs. Javier Jauregui, Mexico, 12, lightweights.; 9:56 a.m.

Friday's horse racing entries: Post Time noon; 9:53 a.m.

Council delays decision on hikes for water, sewer: Dan Kulin; The North Las Vegas City Council agreed Wednesday to postpone a decision on water and sewer rate increases until August after the city manager suggested the council give a citizens advisory board more time to ...; 9:52 a.m.

Indicators point to growth: States received 13,000 fewer new applications for jobless claims in the week that ended Saturday, the Labor Department said, while still holding for an 18th week above the 400,000 mark that some economists say shows ...; 9:51 a.m.

Conn. sues to block merger: The Connecticut move came only hours after Oracle sweetened its bid for PeopleSoft by about 22 percent. Oracle, based in Redwood Shores, Calif., said it would offer shareholders $19.50 for each outstanding PeopleSoft share, boosting ...; 9:50 a.m.

Casino delayed by high-rise building moratorium: The moratorium, ordered on a 4-2 vote Tuesday by the city council, brings several projects near Keesler Air Force Base to a temporary halt, including The Portofino Towers, the Sea Breeze Condominiums and the relocation ...; 9:50 a.m.

News briefs for June 19, 2003: The North Las Vegas City Council on Wednesday adopted the city's first official billboard overlay district, which essentially reinforced existing city laws that limit new billboards to industrial zones along Interstate 15 or Rancho Drive.; 9:49 a.m.

Officials say golf course leak contained: Dan Kulin; Water leaking from a private golf course for high-rollers in Boulder City has been reduced to a relative trickle and the course should no longer be watering the desert by the end of the year, ...; 9:49 a.m.

Harrah's hires Illinois gaming board head: Megan Reichgott; CHICAGO -- The head of the Illinois Gaming Board has resigned to accept a job as an executive with Harrah's Entertainment Inc. of Las Vegas, the regulatory board announced Wednesday.; 9:48 a.m.

Employers go Above and Beyond: Dick Benoit; The Nevada Committee for Employer Support of the Guard and Reserve honored 17 business and government organizations Saturday with the Above and Beyond award for support of employees in the Reserve who are active duty.; 9:30 a.m.

Community briefs for June 19, 2003: Two local Lions Clubs are sponsoring a Thai buffet from 7 p.m. to 11 p.m. Sunday at the Ocha Restaurant, 1201 Las Vegas Blvd., to benefit the Better Vision for Children Foundation.; 9:29 a.m.

Wife to testify in Internet sex case: Erica D. Johnson; A Henderson woman charged with using the Internet to lure a teen girl to meet for sex was placed on probation Wednesday after pleading guilty to lesser charges, but her husband still faces dozens of ...; 9:28 a.m.

LV homes raided in Calif. fraud probe: CARSON CITY -- As part of a California-based investigation into a $2 million to $3 million insurance fraud case, two homes and a storage shed were raided in Las Vegas on Wednesday in a search ...; 9:27 a.m.

Federal grant will help courts: The Nevada attorney general's office has been awarded $1.28 million, and the National Council of Juvenile and Family Court Judges in Reno has been awarded $1.33 million.; 9:26 a.m.

Suspect waives hearing in fatal shooting through door: Erica D. Johnson; A North Las Vegas man accused of killing a 26-year-old woman by firing bullets through her closed apartment door will be tried on murder charges.; 9:25 a.m.

Rainbows install new state leader: More than 350 participants attended the four-day event at Alexis Park hotel. Holmen, who attends University of Nevada, Reno, will now organize the community service activities of the 232 girls in 11 Rainbow Girl assemblies.; 9:24 a.m.

Man sentenced in tax case: Bobby Lee Allen was sentenced by U.S. District Judge James Mahan on Wednesday. He was also ordered to pay $565,391 to the Internal Revenue Service.; 9:23 a.m.

Moncrief 'ready to roll up sleeves': Janet Moncrief just couldn't say no on her first day as a Las Vegas city councilwoman, though she was able to say "hold on."; 9:06 a.m.

Council holds off on designated drivers: Members of the Las Vegas City Council acknowledge that drunken driving is a major problem but are apprehensive about creating an ordinance to mandate that promoters of special events be singled out to hire designated ...; 9:06 a.m.

City Council briefs for June 19, 2003: The Las Vegas City Council on Wednesday approved an ordinance that will allow breeders of racing pigeons to keep up to 300 birds on their properties.; 9:05 a.m.

New owner of North Lake Tahoe casino gets gambling license: AP; The commission approved Roger Norman, who has put about $4.5 million into the club that until its bankruptcy two years ago had been operating as a casino since the early 1930s. The resort will have ...; 8:55 a.m.

Letter: Stewart will handle adversity: Her enemies are probably women who are too lazy to cope with their adversity and are jealous of her success.; 8:50 a.m.

Letter: States need more federal assistance: Why don't they give that money to the states that are all bankrupt and in the process of cutting basic services, including education, health care and first responders? That way all citizens, rich and poor, ...; 8:49 a.m.

Letter: Circus animals are doomed to suffer and die: Imagine how hot it gets inside these "ovens," between the outside temperature, their own body heat and little ventilation. Many of these unfortunate animals travel thousands of miles for up to 48 weeks a year ...; 8:48 a.m.

Editorial: Kids, cars: cases raise awareness: In one case, a woman left her 16-month-old son alone on June 3 while checking to see if a store was open. In the brief time she was away, her car was stolen. The car ...; 8:48 a.m.

Editorial: Bursting the bubble of hydrogen plan: Proponents of nuclear power tout it as being clean, but people know better -- especially the residents of this state. After all, Nevada's Yucca Mountain is the potential burial site for 77,000 tons of nuclear ...; 8:48 a.m.

Where I Stand -- Mike O'Callaghan: Enough Saudi nonsense: "My daughters have become victims of the endless gamesmanship between U.S. diplomats and the Saudi family princes. Ties between the U.S. and Saudi Arabia are long and deep rooted, cemented by long-standing military and economic ...; 8:18 a.m.

Columnist Ruthe Deskin: History repeated in Iraq?: Ruthe Deskin; Is history repeating itself today?; 8:10 a.m.

Polka Faces: Accordion convention at Plaza puts a squeeze on Vegas: By Kristen Peterson; Seven years later it would be refined, patented and named the accordion, then eventually depart on its journey to the New World in the arms of European immigrants.; 8:08 a.m.

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