Print edition for March 18, 2003

County: Merge child welfare or deal is off: Erin Neff; CARSON CITY -- Clark County Manager Thom Reilly this morning told state lawmakers that if integration of child welfare is further put on hold due to budgetary concerns, the county will walk away.

Fired Aladdin executive breaks his silence: Former Aladdin Chief Executive Richard Goeglein knew the $1.2 billion hotel was in trouble even before it opened. He knew that when he saw the casino floor being built 9 feet above the Las Vegas Strip sidewalk level -- a design oddity that discouraged tourists from walking in to gamble.

Lincoln County OKs water deal: CARSON CITY -- The Lincoln County Commission agreed Monday to a treaty to end its water war with Southern Nevada.

Plan to cut cities' property tax share: Judy Odierna and Dan Kulin; Local government officials are worried about a proposal by the State Senate's leader that would cut the amount of property taxes municipalities receive.

War fears alter Nevada tax debate: Erin Neff; CARSON CITY -- Many state lawmakers believe the pending war with Iraq will be disastrous for Nevada on several levels, and they are being forced to re-examine the state's budget and tax debate in that light.

Speech has sobering effect on Strip crowd: Convention delegates and vacationers raised margaritas and frosty bottles of Corona, celebrating St. Patrick's Day on the Strip Monday.

50 Nevada Guardsmen bound for southwest Asia: Jace Radke; Jimmy Armstrong has been serving a Mormon mission for the past two years, but now he will go on a mission for his country.

Columnist Jeff German: Mayor's past haunts LV's future: Goodman's acknowledgement that Joseph Cusumano -- a reputed mob associate listed in Nevada's Black Book of undesirables banned from casinos -- attended a party at his home last month is an indication that those fears were well-grounded.

Governor tries keeping gambling money home: Tom Stuckey; ANNAPOLIS, Md. -- In his relentless campaign to legalize slot machines, Gov. Robert Ehrlich often talks about the daily exodus of Marylanders headed to tracks in nearby states where they gamble away their dollars -- millions every year.

Tenet Healthcare Corp. sale plan includes NLV hospital: SANTA BARBARA, Calif. -- Tenet Healthcare Corp., the second-biggest U.S. hospital company, plans to sell or consolidate 14 hospitals and reduce expenses as it revamps pricing practices that led to a U.S. government probe.

Casino operator selling notes: The casino operator said the securities, which are convertible into stock, will be due in 2033. Mandalay may raise an additional $50 million with the exercise of an over allotment option, the company said.

Columnist Dean Juipe: WNIT berth can disguise some faults: Dean Juipe; It's generally accepted that a team can call its season a success if it qualifies for postseason play.

Defendant receives probation in killing: Erica D. Johnson; One of six men charged in the drive-by shooting that left a North Las Vegas mother of six dead was placed on probation Monday.

Nevada panel considers widespread smoking ban: AP; AB96, proposed by Clark County, also would let county boards of health implement more stringent anti-smoking requirements than those established under state law.

Rebels set to revisit WAC rivals: Steve Guiremand; NEXT UP

New tax proposal calls for $50 million cut in Guinn plan: CARSON CITY -- An alternative tax plan introduced Monday by two state senators would require Gov. Kenny Guinn to cut $50 million from his proposed budget by April 1.

Spoonhour to evaluate future at season's end: Steve Guiremand; UNLV coach Charlie Spoonhour said he will wait until after the season before making a decision on whether to return to coach the Rebels.

Buck challenged in Ward 4 race: Dan Kulin; Early voting

Local church officials express concerns over war: By Timothy Pratt; On the eve of war with Iraq, some religious leaders in the Las Vegas Valley are praying for Iraqis and oppose the invasion while others are either cheering on the president or supporting him because they believe they should.

Nevadans: Lawmakers must support decision: Benjamin Grove, Dan Kulin; Rep. Jim Gibbons, R-Nev., found himself swept up in a futile last-minute swirl of diplomacy Monday in Chile as the United States set a course for war.

Security tightened across valley: Jace Radke; Las Vegas authorities tightened security across the valley after President Bush issued an ultimatum to Iraqi leader Saddam Hussein on Monday night.

U.S. housing starts plunge in February -- Vegas stays strong: The number of new housing projects builders broke ground on in February plunged by 11 percent nationwide, the sharpest decline in nearly a decade, as bad weather and an uncertain economic climate took its toll on the residential construction market.

Sun All-State basketball teams: Boys' honorable mentions: Ron Dunlap, F, Green Valley

Letter: Polls do not reflect truth: I think the results of the polls would be different if people would ask themselves two questions about Bush's stewardship since he moved into the White House in January of 2001: Is the world now a safer place to live? Is the world's and our nation's economy stronger?

Two bills would boost pay for legislators: CARSON CITY -- Among the 96 bills introduced in the Senate Monday were two to put more money in the pockets of state legislators.

Sun All-State basketball teams: Boys' first team: Rancho, F, 6-4, senior

Community briefs for March 18, 2003: Clark County Parks and Community Services will be accepting mail-in registration Friday for three-week resident camps for children 8-15 at Camp Lee Canyon during July.

New plan would delete gross receipts tax: CARSON CITY -- A tax plan alternative introduced Monday by two state senators would require Gov. Kenny Guinn to cut $50 million from his proposed budget by April 1.

VegasBeat -- Timothy McDarrah: Celine has become Diva Las Vegas: So be it. Her Caesars Palace show, which opens in exactly one week, promises to have a tremendous impact on Las Vegas on a variety of levels, from corporate boardrooms to casino showrooms.

Security tightened across Las Vegas Valley: Jace Radke; Las Vegas authorities tightened security across the valley after President Bush issued an ultimatum to Iraqi leader Saddam Hussein on Monday night.

Anti-tax activist files request for IRS to return property: Irwin Schiff filed the motion in federal court Monday alleging that the IRS showed a "callous disregard" for his constitutional rights. Schiff is asking that items listed on a 25-page inventory be returned, including audiotapes, faxes, Rolodexes and files.

Sun All-State basketball teams: Girls' first team: Galena, F, 5-10, senior

Columnist Brian Hilderbrand: Why take Cup race out of Darlington?: Timing is everything and Darlington picked the perfect time to stage two of the most exciting races in NASCAR history.

Robinson faces challenge in Ward 2 of North Las Vegas: Dan Kulin; Age: 43.

Wella in $5.8 billion sales pact: The maker of Crest toothpaste, Pampers diapers and Pringles chips said it would pay 3.4 billion euros ($3.6 billion) in cash to the family shareholders in Wella for 77.6 percent of the voting shares, ending weeks of speculation about a takeover.

Transient faces death penalty in theft, slaying: Erica D. Johnson; Jurors on Monday learned that a transient facing the death penalty for robbing and killing a Las Vegas man is also a convicted rapist.

Doctor: Changes could save UMC $60 million: A doctor is arguing that Clark County can correct all of the public hospital's financial problems with relatively cheap computers and a handful of new staff.

Rebels in third place at Texas tournament: The Rebels shot rounds of 289 and 284 on the par-72, 6,906-yard Austin (Texas) Country Club course. They are 17 strokes behind leader Texas.

High winds expected to continue in valley: Winds gusting over 50 mph were expected to rake the Las Vegas Valley today, and the National Weather Service has issued an advisory for people with respiratory problems and vehicles affected by wind, such as trucks and vans, to avoid the bluster.

Firm to buy Travis Jeans: Juicy Couture, of Southern California, generated sales of about $47 million in 2002. The company's upscale contemporary products are available in more than 840 specialty stores and about 280 department stores in the United States, as well as more than 300 international stores.

Prosecutor reviewing campaign donations: Stephen Hilbert helped found the Carmel-based insurance-and-finance company, but was ousted as chief executive in April 2000 after piling up $8 billion in debt that eventually led Conseco to seek Chapter 11 bankruptcy protection in December.

Keller will go to work for Le Reve: Jen Lawson; Two months after retiring as Clark County sheriff, Jerry Keller has accepted a job as security chief of Le Reve, Wynn Resorts announced Monday.

Sun All-State basketball teams: Small-town girl comes up big for 2A titlists: Adam Candee; Lizard races vs. lounge lizards and the Loon Festival vs. a city full of them -- the 3,700-person high desert town of Hawthorne offers a striking contrast to sprawling Las Vegas.

Ralph Siraco's selections for Wednesday's races at Santa Anita: Wednesday's card

Historic district on agenda: Judy Odierna; A proposed historic district and the hiring of consultants for downtown Las Vegas development will be back before the City Council on Wednesday.

Maryland governor wants state to cash in on slots: Tom Stuckey; ANNAPOLIS, Md. -- In his relentless campaign to legalize slot machines, Gov. Robert Ehrlich often talks about the daily exodus of Marylanders headed to tracks in nearby states where they gamble away their dollars -- millions every year.

United Airlines asks judge to revoke labor contracts: Dave Carpenter; CHICAGO -- United Airlines asked a bankruptcy judge Monday to nullify its labor contracts, raising the pressure on its unions to agree to long-term cost cuts.

Dispute sours earnings: The Winston-Salem-based chain said net income for the fourth quarter fell to $5.6 million, or 9 cents a share, from $8.3 million, or 14 cents a share, a year earlier. Without the arbitration charge, earnings rose to $11.3 million, or 19 cents per share, which was an increase of 36 percent over the same quarter last year.

W.Va. track owners prepare for competition: Vicki Smith; CHARLES TOWN, W.Va. -- Ken and Lisa Butler didn't know what to expect as they piled into a car with friends one Tuesday morning in March, bound for the Charles Town Races & Slots.

One defendant given probation in killing: Erica D. Johnson; One of six men charged in the drive-by shooting that left a North Las Vegas mother of six dead was placed on probation Monday.

Assembly OKs ban on credit report use: Erin Neff; CARSON CITY -- Democrats won approval of three of their priority bills for early passage Monday, despite a partisan battle over whether insurance companies should be allowed to use credit reports to determine rates.

Sun All-State basketball teams: Cheyenne duo earns state's top accolades: Adam Candee; If the playoffs bring out the best in the state's best players, logic follows that postseason performance should be a factor in choosing Nevada's top prep basketball athletes.

Letter: Roll back limits on who can run: Typical of a bleeding heart, she fails to realize that those rules already exist. They are spelled out in a document called the Constitution of the United States.

Sun All-State basketball teams: Wade, Fuller make impact for champs: Adam Candee; Two years ago, two talented sophomore basketball players at opposite ends of the Las Vegas Valley flashed star potential and longed for the chance to become high school state champions.

Prep Schedule: TODAY

Obituaries for March 18, 2003: William Frank Barnes, 62, of Las Vegas died Saturday in Las Vegas. He was born Aug. 9, 1940, in Wilmington, Del. A resident for three years, he was a production manager for the Department of Defense and an Army veteran.

Recovery team to probe crash site of fighter plane: Jace Radke; A recovery team was expected today to make its way to a remote desert area 65 miles northeast of Las Vegas, where an F-15C Eagle military jet from Nellis Air Force Base crashed Monday morning.

Local Muslims pray for innocent people of Iraq: Zafar Ali Anjum, the imam of a Las Vegas Muslim mosque, on Monday night handed out copies of a special prayer that the Islamic prophet Mohammed recited in times of crisis.

Sun All-State basketball teams: Girls' honorable mentions: Breona Gray, G/F, Bishop Gorman

High court backs sex-offender registration: CARSON CITY -- The Nevada Supreme Court ruled Monday that the requirement that sex offenders register for life with law enforcement officials is not cruel and inhumane punishment.

Sun All-State basketball teams: Boys' second team: Garrett Schofield, G, Sierra Vista

Drought panel hears warnings: A select group of citizens who may hold the future of Las Vegas' water use in their hands met for the first time Monday.

LV City Council to decide on allocation of grants: Judy Odierna; The Las Vegas City Council is to divvy up more than $8.8 million in federal grants for social service and housing programs Wednesday.

Idaho coroner rules cause of Thomas death undetermined: The sudden and puzzling death of 28-year-old David Peter Thomas, heir to a Las Vegas finance and development empire, could forever remain a mystery.

Killer to be paroled to return to his native France: Alario, 65, was sentenced to life in prison without possibility of parole in 1983 for killing a man in a drug transaction in Las Vegas. The sentence was later reduced to allow for parole. He is reportedly in poor health.

Sun All-State basketball teams: Girls' second team: Ashley Blake, G, Centennial

Regulators weigh elimination of work cards: Ryan Pearson; CARSON CITY -- Nevada regulators on Monday discussed eliminating county-issued work cards in favor of statewide registration for casino employees -- a sweeping change that would rely on casinos policing their workers.

More than 200 bills beat deadline: Erin Neff; CARSON CITY -- Lawmakers flooded the Legislature with more than 200 bills before Monday's deadline for the introduction of new measures, proposing new taxes, tax exemptions and a host of other changes to state law.

Unity focus of regents' retreat, but two won't go: Jennifer Knight; A planned two-day retreat designed to foster unity on the state Board of Regents won't be attended by all of the board's 13 members.

Editorial: Frequent transfers don't help students: It's obvious that students' academic performance isn't helped if they're constantly being shuffled from one school to the next. It's much easier for students to get lost if teachers don't know them, including their strengths and weaknesses. Nevertheless, transferring students out of overcrowded schools from high-growth areas, and placing them in schools that aren't as packed, is making the best of a bad situation. It's expected that in a valley experiencing a population explosion, such as ours, that redrawing school boundaries is inevitable. Still, the situation does point out that we're not spending enough money on education -- in this ...

Letter: Saddam must be taken out immediately: Saddam Hussein has now become George Bush's problem when this problem should have been extinguished years ago by other responsible world leaders. Granted, there are other leaders who could have handled this situation with Iraq as well as President George Bush, but none could have handled it better.

Editorial: Gas price watchdog is needed: The worst year for gas prices was 1980, when Iran and Iraq went to war against each other. The price then -- $1.25 a gallon -- was the equivalent of $2.59 a gallon in 2001 dollars, according to the Department of Energy. Anyone remembering other such years -- 1973, during the Arab oil embargo; 1978, during the Iranian revolution; 1991, during the Gulf War -- can recall sharp increases in gasoline prices. They also remember the calls from the public, demanding a trustworthy and detailed explanation for the increases.

Where I Stand -- Brian Greenspun: Chamber not being fair: That was the subject line of the latest e-mail effort by the Las Vegas Chamber of Commerce to certain of its members last week. The request was simple: encourage the writing of letters describing how a one-quarter of one percent tax of the gross revenues of Nevada businesses would affect the business world.

A look at Nevada reaction to president's speech: AP; ---

Robinson returns to work following heart attack: Steve Guiremand; Exactly two weeks to the day after having a heart attack and surgery to clear a blockage in his right artery, UNLV football coach and athletic director John Robinson was back in his office at the Lied Athletic Complex.

Columnist Ron Kantowski: UNLV's burst bubble had little to do with RPI: Maybe they should call it R.I.P. instead of RPI. Because as UNLV learned the hard way Sunday, having a solid Ratings Percentage Index doesn't guarantee that your NCAA tournament chances aren't going to wind up dead.

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