Print edition for March 10, 2003

Supply problems still causing higher prices: The average weighted price for gas, including all grades and taxes, was about $1.75 per gallon Friday, according to the Lundberg Survey of 8,000 stations nationwide. The price is nearing $1.77, the survey's record high of May 18, 2001.

Local sports calendar: College baseball: UNLV at UC Irvine, 6 p.m.

Shrinking budgets altering state playoffs: Adam Candee; Say goodbye to Nevada prep athletics as you know them, at least for the next few years while school district budgets continue to shrink.

Group: Claim is ethnic profiling: Terry Kinney; CINCINNATI -- Members of a northeast Ohio group say their support of a Roman Catholic school in Lebanon has been wrongly linked to Middle East terrorism.

Businessman sentenced to 25 years in bingo scheme: Terry Kinney; CINCINNATI -- During a sentencing hearing for an Akron man convicted of running an illegal instant bingo operation, it was alleged that some of the money could be tied to terrorism.

VegasBeat -- Timothy McDarrah: Many VIPs asked to pony up the cash: On our regular weekend travels, VegasBeat checked out three invitation-only soirees, each full of celebrities, local dignitaries, casino personalities and media.

Gaming tribes break ground on D.C. hotel: Erica Werner; Two Southern California Indian bands in partnership with two tribes from Wisconsin broke ground last week on a $43 million hotel in Washington, D.C., the latest example of tribes reaching beyond casino gambling to diversify their business interests.

Forest Service maps off-road vehicle trails: For years, operators of four-wheel-drive vehicles have used unofficial trails throughout the mountains.

Gladiators top winless Cobras on the road: Todd Hammel was 16-of-23 for 206 yards passing and three touchdowns, and Mike Horacek had four receptions for 73 yards and a TD for the Gladiators (3-3). Frank Carter added two rushing touchdowns.

Las Vegas women honored: The awards, in conjunction with Women's History Month, were sponsored by the National Association of Women Business Owners Southern Nevada Chapter and Sprint Corp.

Casino boat faces tax troubles: The troubled company has one week to pay $42,000 in real estate and property taxes or face fines, said county spokeswoman Lisa Bourcier. But the county doesn't expect to see that money.

Couple accused in extortion case arrested: Yun Kyeong Sung and her husband, Ae Hoe Kwon surrendered themselves to police at the Clark County Detention Center after District Court Judge Gene Porter issued a warrant for their arrest.

Problem gambling issues lost in debate: Kevin O'Hanlon; LINCOLN, Neb. -- Seemingly lost in the legislative debate over whether to allow casinos in Nebraska is the concern over the social ills that might come with expanding gambling.

Men's Journal in pact with Henderson resort: The agreement will allow customers of Station's Green Valley Ranch Station Casino in Henderson to receive issues of Men's Journal as well as advertiser information and product samples.

Columnist Dean Juipe: Failure was predictable, coach says: Dean Juipe; After 90 minutes of frank discussion, George Tarkanian and I reached a common conclusion pertaining to the demise of his basketball program at the Community College of Southern Nevada.

Paiute court to decide if 14 can be reinstated with tribe: Jace Radke; Fourteen people who were kicked out of the Las Vegas Paiute tribe are awaiting a decision by a tribal appeals court that could determine if they are allowed back into the tribe.

Legislation targets school principals: By Emily Richmond; A bill that would impose tougher punishments on principals for failing to properly handle troublesome students is being considered by the Assembly Education Committee.

Nothing found in shuttle debris search: The search for space shuttle parts in southeast Nevada came up empty handed over the weekend but resumed today.

Bill would prohibit bans on cell phone use: Senate Bill 10, which goes to the floor of the Senate for a vote this week, says "any agency, board, commission or governing body of a local government shall not regulate the use of a telephonic device by a person who is operating a motor vehicle."

Centennial expects to contend for crown: Adam Candee; Here is a look into the magic 8-ball with eight questions about the prep baseball season:

Farmers seeks rate hike for auto insurance: CARSON CITY -- Car insurance costs could soon go up for 180,242 vehicle owners in Nevada, including 96,236 in Clark County.

Nevada eligible for anti-terrorism funds: CARSON CITY -- Nevada is eligible for a $6.7 million federal grant to help state and local public safety and law enforcement officials prevent and respond to terrorism.

Suspect in two killings awaiting extradition: A San Bernardino County sheriff's deputy spotted Blake's vehicle early Saturday and stopped it, Metro Police Homicide Lt. Tom Monahan said.

Merica tops LV ADDY awards: The Las Vegas advertising agency won seven of 12 Gold ADDYs including one for its poster design for All-Star Bail Bonds.

License plate proposed to raise money to help fight terrorism: Erin Neff; CARSON CITY -- Assemblywoman Vonne Chowning wants Nevadans to be able to support anti-terrorism efforts with a patriotic license plate.

Nevada reclaims water in Arizona: PHOENIX -- California and Nevada officials are trying to reclaim billions of gallons of water stashed in Arizona's aquifers to replace water lost when the Interior Department limited their access to the Colorado River.

Pair suspected in Angelil case arrested: Yun Kyeong Sung and her husband, Ae Hoe Kwon surrendered themselves to police at the Clark County Detention Center after District Judge Gene Porter issued a warrant for their arrest.

Company plans timeshare resort on south Strip: A company that operates timeshare resorts in Las Vegas and Hawaii announced plans Friday for a new timeshare development on 20 acres on Las Vegas Boulevard South.

Nevada Power's policies challenged: Kevin Rademacher; More critics have sounded off on Nevada Power Co.'s new rate case, claiming the company botched past purchases and that it is bungling calculation of future electric costs.

Panel OKs water pact for Wynn, D.I. Estates: Erin Neff; Lawmakers found themselves in a Wynn-win situation Friday when they compromised on a proposed utility bill, helping the state's premiere casino developer and residents of the Desert Inn Estates at the same time.

Birth announcements for March 10, 2003: Feb. 23:

Letter: Argument on use of weapons not reasoned: First, she says that no government would ever use "weapons of mass destruction on another government." Iraq has not only already used weapons of mass destruction on other countries such as Iran, it has used weapons of mass destruction on its own people. Do the research.

Crime prevention topic of meeting: Discussions will consist of ways to reduce and prevent crime in West Las Vegas, an economically depressed area near Martin Luther King Boulevard and Bonanza Road.

Letter: Restrict who can be U.S. president: If we do not take these precautions now, there may be dire problems in the future affecting the peace, prosperity and safety of our country and the rest of the world. For instance, loyal Americans may otherwise find themselves in the grip of a president and his chosen Cabinet who deliberately risk igniting a nuclear World War III simply to enhance their personal oil company portfolios. Or they may keep citizens on edge, constantly warning of a biological warfare attack in the form of a terror color chart, urging them to undergo immunization shots despite extremely risky side effects.

Letter: Death penalty alternative: KENNETH L. MCNULTY

Columnist Susan Snyder: Lost cat gives paws for thought: Belongs in Oregon.

Sun Lite for March 10, 2003: Here's a holiday you won't find highlighted on many calendars: Lips Appreciation Day. We aren't entirely sure how it's celebrated or why, for that matter but Sunday is the big day, for those of you whose day planners are lacking.

Editorial: State bill timely on Red Rock: Citizens, led by Blue Diamond residents, rose up in force to protest this proposal and succeeded in getting it blocked. The County Commission at that point appeared eager to work with citizens to ensure that such an obnoxious plan could never be proposed again. After several public hearings, the county and citizens devised a plan for an overlay zone, which would serve as an effective buffer between Red Rock and any dense development. Because development on the borders of Red Rock is still a threat -- the mine's owners, for example, have rejected sale of the land to a preservation ...

Columnist Ralph Siraco: What a wild week in racing: Ralph Siraco; Sunday's Louisiana Derby signaled the end to a week of up-and-down racing for human and equine competition. Added to the thrills of some great races were the chills of some nasty spills.

Editorial: Zap telemarketers with legislation: The federal government is also building a national do-not-call list that would work on the same principle, but that may not be available for some time. Even if it becomes available soon, people inundated with calls at home from unwanted solicitors would surely opt for double protection. Every so often bills are introduced that have an immediately recognizable benefit to citizens. Conklin's bill is in that category.

Moore wins Toyota Men's Collegiate: Moore (71-70-67--208), of Puyallup, Wash., held on to the lead on his home course, outlasting Alabama's Lars Brovold, TCU's Adam Rubinson, Clemson's D.J. Trahan and North Carolina State's Justin Walters, who finished tied for second place at 7-under par.

Doctor Phil Good: McGraw's quick-draw approach resonates with fawning public: Kirk Baird; Or fail.

News briefs for March 10, 2003: Spring has arrived, according to one area desert tortoise.

Obituaries for March 10, 2003: David Charles Alabn, 69, of Las Vegas died Dec. 31, 2002, in a local hospital. A radio disc jockey and a Navy veteran, he was born Aug. 4, 1933, in New York.

Boy, 15, indicted in fatal stabbing: Erica D. Johnson; A 15-year-old boy arrested after a deadly stabbing attack in a northwest Las Vegas neighborhood was formally indicted by a grand jury Friday.

Banks selected all-MWC: Steve Guiremand; UNLV point guard Marcus Banks led the Mountain West Conference this season in steals and assists and finished second in scoring.

Moose: Racial profiling is still a problem: Jen Lawson; As the racial profiling debate continues in the Nevada Legislature, Montgomery County, Md., Police Chief Charles Moose said officials across the country need to keep working to end racial profiling.

Heller claims Del Papa failed to file suits: CARSON CITY -- Secretary of State Dean Heller today accused former Attorney General Frankie Sue Del Papa of dropping the ball in failing to file suit against 15 errant political candidates who missed deadlines in submitting campaign reports in 2000.

Rebels hope to have SDSU's number: Steve Guiremand; UNLV has defeated San Diego State by 15 and 11 points in their two meetings this season, including a 83-72 Senior Day victory on Saturday afternoon at the Thomas & Mack Center.

Crime at complex comes to a head: Fed-up neighbors derisively refer to it as "that pink place."

Complex linked to scandal in '90s: Sierra Pointe Apartments was part of a nationwide scandal in the early 1990s that culminated with the convictions of several former U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development officials, including two former Sierra Pointe general partners who made millions of dollars off the property.

More than 50 injured as tour buses crash on I-15: Mary Manning and Eric Leake; A lack of seat belts is one reason that so many passengers suffered so many injuries in Sunday's tour bus crash near Baker, Calif., a California Highway Patrol spokesman said today.

Court proceedings may be broadcast on Internet: Dan Kulin; Point. Click. Court.

Measure would make all DUIs after first one felonies: Erin Neff; CARSON CITY -- An Assembly panel unanimously passed a measure Friday that would prevent a felony DUI defendant from having his next DUI considered a misdemeanor.