Print edition for June 25, 2003

Taxable sales increase in Clark County, Nevada: CARSON CITY -- For the 10th straight month, taxable sales in Nevada, a barometer of the economic health of the state, rose in April, increasing by 5.3 percent.

Man arrested in death of hotel maid: Jen Lawson; A 29-year-old man who allegedly killed Hacienda Hotel maid Ladonna Milam was arrested in California Tuesday.

Union members call for better deal from Sunrise: Grace Leong; More than 400 members of the Service Employees International Union Local 1107 and union supporters rallied Tuesday at Sunrise Hospital and Medical Center to spotlight the SEIU's efforts to negotiate for better wage and benefit terms in a new contract.

United to keep Vegas flight attendant base: Jennifer Shubinski; United Airlines has reversed its decision to close a Las Vegas flight-attendant base after employees appealed to lawmakers for help, a lawmaker and the airline said today.

Building materials firms to benefit from asbestos bill: Shares of Georgia-Pacific Corp., Owens-Illinois Inc. and USG Corp. surged Tuesday after U.S. senators agreed on medical criteria related to legislation that would cap claims against companies that have made products with asbestos.

Commissioners to consider raising their salaries: Steve Kanigher and Dan Kulin; Clark County commissioners could decide next week whether to give themselves pay raises.

Gaming briefs for June 25, 2003: International Game Technology has resigned from the Gaming Standards Association due to differences of opinion over revisions to the association's patent policy, the GSA said.

Students, parents, teachers continue school fund rallies: Dan Kulin; For about 10 minutes Tuesday night dozens of students and a handful of parents and teachers stood in front of the Kenny C. Guinn Middle School chanting, "Stop the madness. Save education."

Garcia, lawmaker heat up debate on education: By Emily Richmond; The war of words between Republican lawmakers and Clark County education officials escalated Tuesday, as Clark County School Superintendent Carlos Garcia said in a letter to Assemblyman Walter Andonov, R-Henderson, "you do your job so I can do mine."

Ethics panel weighs tougher rules: The Clark County Ethics Task Force agreed that rules need to be tougher on gifts that Clark County commissioners may accept and that commissioners shouldn't participate in the discussions of issues on which they plan to abstain.

Officer charged in lewdness with child: By Timothy Pratt; Kevin B. Hugins, a North Las Vegas police officer, was charged with lewdness with a child and gross lewdness Tuesday, authorities said.

Test sheds light on waste storage: Benjamin Grove; ROCKVILLE, Md. -- Scientists who loaded nuclear waste into a metal storage container in 1985 and opened it up nearly 15 years later discovered no evidence of container stress or decay, a Nuclear Regulatory Commission official said.

Democrats prepare tax bill: CARSON CITY -- Assembly Democrats planned to introduce a tax bill to raise more than $860 million in new revenue as the Nevada Legislature got off to a late start today in its second special session.

First ad-sponsored monorail car gets Vegas introduction: Kevin Rademacher; The Las Vegas Monorail's first advertiser-sponsored train was officially unveiled to a Las Vegas audience on Tuesday amid the fanfare of showgirls and confetti cannons.

News briefs for June 25, 2003: An inmate at the Southern Desert Correctional Center near Indian Springs died Tuesday of an apparent suicide, the Nevada Department of Corrections reported.

Assembly Republicans seek to reopen budget: CARSON CITY -- Earlier this year Republican Assembly members from rural Nevada pleaded for the restoration of 39 law enforcement positions that Gov. Kenny Guinn cut from the budget.

Maloof denies expansion report: By Liz Benston; The owner of the Palms casino resort in Las Vegas is denying assertions in a magazine article and by a Wall Street analyst that he has decided to build a second room tower at the property.

Audit says funds wasted in cask program: The department, which manages the Yucca Mountain project aimed at creating a national high-level nuclear waste repository, also directs research and development of waste storage and shipping containers.

Five youths arrested in 'wave of violence': By Timothy Pratt; Five youths who are suspected of unleashing what a Metro Police lieutenant called a "wave of violence" linked to gangs in the West Las Vegas area have been arrested and charged with two homicides, a carjacking and other crimes.

Harrah's in Britain deal: Harrah's Entertainment Inc. of Las Vegas today said it and Gala Group Ltd., a U.K. operator of gambling clubs, plan to invest as much as $1 billion in developing as many as eight Gala-brand casinos in Britain.

Big developer enters Las Vegas market: The Dallas-based company is one of the largest developers of industrial space nationwide and has an office in Reno.

Sun columnist German wins award: German won second place for general interest columns among newspapers of less than 100,000 circulation. There were 95 entries in German's category.

Miller: Records prove Moncrief calls: Steve Miller, a supporter-turned-opponent of Las Vegas City Councilwoman Janet Moncrief, says that his cell phone records of phone calls to Moncrief during the campaign prove his involvement was more than she has admitted.

Golf course manager lays out poor numbers for council: Will Oremus; Boulder Creek Golf Club General Manager Scott Jones released a report at Tuesday's Boulder City Council meeting detailing Triad Golf Management's budget for the struggling city-owned course.

Supreme Court ruling supports UNLV standards: Jennifer Knight; The U.S. Supreme Court ruling that allowed race to be a factor in admissions reaffirmed a policy the UNLV law school has been using since it opened in 1998, officials said Tuesday.

Lender foreclosing on Las Vegas hotel-casino: Castaways owner VSS Enterprises LLC obtained a $20 million bridge loan from Vestin Mortgage of Las Vegas in March 2002.

Letter: Quality not aim of teachers union: She is correct that this has never been about kids, it is about the Nevada teachers union's goal to add as many dues-paying members as possible in order to give them more money to lobby the legislative branch for their own selfish purposes. All the Nevada State Education Association wants is more. More money, more teachers, more paid non-classroom time, more benefits, but never more professional concern for the students and their level of achievement.

Spirited Argument: Van Praagh's abilities debated as Vegas appearance approaches: Kirk Baird; Visitors can decide for themselves with Van Praagh's noon appearance Sunday in ballrooms A and B of the Las Vegas Hilton.

Vacation rental home operator found in contempt of court: Grace Leong; A local entrepreneur who was ordered by a Clark County District Court judge to stop leasing luxury homes in an upscale neighborhood and operating an unlicensed private convention operation near the Las Vegas Convention Center was found in contempt of court last week for failing to comply with that order.

Thursday's horse racing entries: Post Time 10 a.m.

Alvarez bids for spot in LA rotation: Nick Christensen; LOS ANGELES -- Sometimes, to get back on top, you have to start at the bottom.

Tax department gets $3.1 million: CARSON CITY -- No tax plan has been approved by the Nevada Legislature yet and none is in sight.

Letter: Lives would be made worse by budget cuts: The state has been living on bread and water and has been underfunded for years. Go ahead, open the budget, make more cuts. Let's see how bad we can get, let's see how many children will die because of understaffed case workers, let's see how many kids are left behind in education.

Community briefs for June 25, 2003: Applications forms for the 2004 Miss Nevada and Miss Teen Nevada USA pageants are now being accepted.

Regulators impose 'death penalty' on Enron: The Federal Energy Regulatory Commission said Enron would be able to apply to sell power once it emerges from bankruptcy proceedings.

Sports briefs for June 25, 2003: Virginia Tech coach Frank Beamer was in an Atlanta hospital today, two days after seeking medical attention for chest pains.

Cuts expected to delay Klitschko's rematch bid: Dean Juipe; Vitali Klitschko wants to fight Lennox Lewis again, but his medical condition may prevent it from happening yet this year.

Penguins' arena proposal tied to racetrack, slots deal: Joe Mandak; PITTSBURGH -- The Pittsburgh Penguins unveiled plans to pay their share of a new $278.3 million hockey arena on Tuesday with $60 million from a group planning a horse racetrack with slot machines near the city.

Editorial: Still time to avoid a tax fiasco: In the second special session that began today, however, a minority of mostly Republican legislators say differently. They want the budget reopened so they can impose their will on the majority and slash programs for students, state workers and poor people. And they want the K-12 budget separated from the tax increases, so they can boast that they support education while slashing the tax increases that are necessary to pay for it. Because it takes a two-thirds majority in both houses of the Legislature to pass tax increases, they have the power to make unreasonable demands and they are not ...

Columnist Elizabeth Foyt: Church ceremony honors Panoses' contributions: Elizabeth Foyt; Ceremonies held Saturday afternoon included the naming of the church hall, at 5300 El Camino, as Panos Hall. Previously the first Greek Church hall in downtown Las Vegas was also named for the couple.

Nevada's second special session on taxes convenes: AP; CARSON CITY, Nev.- Rhetoric continued as Nevada lawmakers gathered for the start Wednesday of their second special session on taxes, following the June 2 adjournment of the regular session that failed to produce a revenue plan to support a $5 billion state budget.

Ralph Siraco's selections for Thursday's races at Hollywood Park: 1st Race -- LASHBURN -- Draws inner box for dash opener, Baze aboard one of two Baffert-trained entries, this one for owner McIngvale. THISGIGISOVER -- This is the other Baffert trainee, Pedroza on for owner Pegram, all-Baffert quinella here? Value Play -- BRENDON'S GOAL

More time given to fight nuke dump: CARSON CITY -- The deadline for the state Office for Nuclear Projects to spend $1 million of state money in the fight against a high level nuclear waste dump at Yucca Mountain has been extended to June 30, 2005.

VegasBeat -- Timothy McDarrah: Trump: Le Reve name couldn't Wynn: "I could have told him right away that his own name was a great brand. It certainly has worked for me," Donald Trump, proprietor of such properties as Trump Palace, Trump World Tower, Trump Grand Ocean Resort, Trump Marina, Trump Place, Trump Parc and the Trump Taj Mahal told VegasBeat by phone Tuesday from his flagship Trump Tower office overlooking New York's Central Park.

Columnist Brian Hilderbrand: Unser thinks stiff competition breeds accidents: While there seemingly has been an increase in racing accidents in the Indy Racing League's IndyCar Series this year, Al Unser Jr. said he doesn't believe it is a result of drivers being less cautious.

Savvy wine buys: Woodbridge by Mondavi '00 Cabernet Sauvignon: -- Max Jacobson

Obituaries for June 25, 2003: Forrest D. Abel, 88, of Las Vegas died Tuesday in a local hospital. He was born June 7, 1915, in Mason City, Iowa. A resident for 25 years, he was a retired Army senior master sergeant and a World War II and Korean War veteran.

Letter: Prosecute all who leave kids in cars: Now that the district attorney will not prosecute people who claim they forgot about the kid, it opens the floodgate for lying. All a parent has to do now (if they run into the post office or grab a cup of coffee) is say they had a change in their daily routine and accidentally forgot about the kid to avoid prosecution. After all it's their word against nobody's.

State to expand tests for newborns: Malia Spencer; The state Board of Health is poised to expand the number of tests given to newborns to screen for birth disorders.

Columnist Dean Juipe: Easley's dismissal puzzling, uncalled for: Dean Juipe; The e-mail gets right to the highlights of his coaching career.

Officer charged in lewdness case: North Las Vegas Police received the call regarding lewdness with a minor on June 11 from an elementrary school. The police report also said, however, that the alleged offense occured between April 4 and April 6.

Nellis reviews plan to install landing system at airport: Dan Kulin; A proposal to install a system that helps pilots land in bad weather at the North Las Vegas Airport is on hold while Nellis Air Force Base officials review how the projected increase in air traffic would affect Nellis air space.

UNLV fires veteran men's tennis coach Larry Easley: Dean Juipe; Accepting his early dismissal from UNLV, Larry Easley said Tuesday he would likely pursue a second career as a history teacher for the United States Department of Defense.

Columnist Muriel Stevens: No time to waste for Potter: Who knew that the usual week for holding books had been pared back to 48 hours? Not me.

Epicurean Affair leaves throng hungry for more: Max Jacobson; This was a gala food event complete with chocolate-covered models sitting in tubs of molten chocolate, spear-toting centurions, celebrity chefs such as Roy Yamaguchi and Richard Sandoval and enough food and drink to feed a small nation for a week. The affair is sponsored by the Nevada Restaurant Association, and the proceeds from the event go to a special scholarship fund. The ticket price, $100 in advance and $125 at the door, seems like a bargain in view of what was offered. And the organization was sharp, with a grassy area for dining at picnic tables and lots of space ...

Columnist Peter Benton: Soon-to-open Aliante should appeal to all: Peter Benton; Well, fellow golfers, we have a new course in the works, and if everything I am told is correct, it's going to be a real beauty and a definite asset to our area.

Marijuana study gets nowhere: CARSON CITY -- Two years have passed since the Legislature directed the University of Nevada Medical School to conduct a study on the effectiveness of medical marijuana, but there hasn't been any progress since the 2001 Legislature.

Motorists get tips on safety with trucks: Afsha Bawany; The driving test you took to get your license probably never asked if you knew how to drive alongside a truck or a tractor-trailer rig.