Print edition for March 19, 2003

Passenger traffic up: The airport said 2.7 million passengers flew to and from McCarran in February and the five major carriers serving Las Vegas had increases for the month.

Legislators weighing construction defects bill: CARSON CITY -- Homeowners from Southern Nevada gave conflicting testimony today to the Legislature's Senate Commerce and Labor Committee about whether contractors have been willing to fix construction defects in their homes.

Sprint hires BellSouth's No. 2 exec as new CEO: Amy Shafer; KANSAS CITY, Mo. -- Hours after receiving permission from an arbitrator, Sprint Corp. named the No. 2 executive at rival BellSouth its new chief executive.

9th Circuit rejects appeal in telemarketing case: The 9th U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals rejected the appeal of John W. Fry, who claimed his attorney was ineffective because the lawyer did not tell him he could be deported if he was convicted.

Letter: We can't sit and wait to be hit by aggressor: Mr. Hall correctly mentioned that I did not state the fact that we were (and thus far have been) the only nation to use nuclear weapons against another. True! However, the fact remains that while it did cause multiple casualties at both Hiroshima and Nagasaki, in the long run it saved many lives -- American and the enemy. Had the war dragged on for many more years -- the Japanese holding out against all odds -- who could have counted the casualties?

VegasBeat -- Timothy McDarrah: War fallout not yet on the Strip radar: Probably not.

State unemployment rate up: The state Department of Employment, Training and Rehabilitation said today that the 5 percent rate compares with 4.9 percent in December. But it's lower than the 6.6 percent posted in January 2002, when the Nevada economy was struggling after the 2001 terrorism.

Former DMV worker indicted in bribe case: Dalva Flagg, 48, of Las Vegas, was charged Tuesday by federal authorities with avoiding IRS reporting requirements, conspiracy to commit money laundering, money laundering, engaging in monetary transactions in property from specified unlawful activity, fraud and related activity in connection with identification documents, wire fraud, making and subscribing false tax returns and forfeiture.

No Vegas international flights cut: Three international carriers serving McCarran International Airport say they have no immediate plans to curtail service to Las Vegas despite plans for cutbacks at other U.S. destinations they serve in response to impending war in Iraq.

Track requests more slots: Mountaineer officials are asking the state Lottery Commission for approval to increase the number of slot machines to 3,500 at the Chester facility.

Task force eyes hospital changes: A Clark County citizens task force considering changes in the public hospital system met Tuesday and recommended funneling most uninsured patients through a few county Quick Care Centers and federal clinics.

Perkins alters language in anti-terrorism measure: Erin Neff; CARSON CITY -- Assembly Speaker Richard Perkins proposed several amendments to his anti-terrorism measure this morning to assuage concerns the bill would apply to those simply engaging in civil disobedience.

Letter: Bush maintains high approval: If you can ruin the economy, start two wars -- in spite of world opinion -- and still have an approval rating of 59 percent, you've either persuaded a lot of people to believe in you or else they were hollow shells of people just waiting for orders!

Nellis ready to help families of deployed: Jace Radke; Care packages

Columnist Brian Hilderbrand: Unser still seeks first Phoenix win: There is no question that Al Unser Jr. knows his way around Phoenix International Raceway.

Interest rates unchanged: Federal Reserve Chairman Alan Greenspan and his Federal Open Market Committee colleagues decided Tuesday to hold a key interest rate at 1.25 percent, a 41-year low, saying they would keep a close eye on economic developments surrounding the war.

UNLV rides the Waves: Scheinbaum (2-0) pitched in relief of starter Matt Wagner and gave up only one hit in two innings of work.

Mosley, De La Hoya agree to fight Sept. 13: Mosley was initially balking at accepting the fight for an offered $4.25 million, but Top Rank, HBO and De La Hoya each made financial concessions that will increase Mosley's purse. Top Rank upped its offer to $4.5 million; HBO promised an ensuing fight worth at least $5 million to Mosley if he wins (and one of at least $500,000 if he loses); and De La Hoya said he would give $500,000 of his $12 million purse to Mosley if Mosley wins.

Columnist Dean Juipe: Risky spot for Rebels vs. Hawaii: Dean Juipe; Inconceivable as it seems, this is a team that suffered a letdown on the night of its biggest game of the season. So just how inspired will UNLV be tonight when it faces Hawaii at the Thomas & Mack Center?

Sprint settles shareholder lawsuits for $50 million: Sprint Corp., the third-largest U.S. long-distance telephone carrier and the main local phone company in Las Vegas, today agreed to pay $50 million and appoint an independent director to oversee the company's board to settle two shareholder lawsuits.

News briefs for March 19, 2003: Three filmmakers who paid homeless men and women to beat each other up before the camera, then sold videotapes of their fights over the Internet have been ordered to stand trial on misdemeanor charges.

Kirk gets a free pass to new term on council: Instead the 44-year-old councilman has a free pass to a second four-year term.

Assembly passes bill to limit telemarketers: Erin Neff; CARSON CITY -- Assembly Democrats won the biggest partisan battle of the legislative session Tuesday by getting approval for a "do not call" registry for telemarketing after Republicans learned they did not have enough votes to block the bill.

Ice cream plant, homes don't mix: Dan Kulin; Concerned about the potential for thousands of pounds of ammonia gas to escape from an ice cream plant, the Henderson City Council on Tuesday rejected a proposed residential development for property between the plant and Calico Ridge.

Obituaries for March 19, 2003: Burton D. Beauchamp, 72, of Las Vegas died Monday in Las Vegas. He was born Aug. 2, 1930, in Oklahoma City. A resident for 46 years, he was a casino host and a Navy veteran.

Firm hit with injunction: WMS had added the patent infringement claim to a 2002 lawsuit against Shuffle Master in U.S. District Court over its alleged sales of software that allowed casino operators, including WMS customers, to put a Shuffle Master game in a WMS slot machine.

Threat of war has Spoonhour concerned about security issues: Steve Guiremand; If the United States begins its war with Iraq today, tonight's NIT game between UNLV and Hawaii at the Thomas & Mack Center will go as scheduled, barring unforseen circumstances.

Las Vegas delis offer a little Italy: Max Jacobson; A growing number of wonderful Italian delis and markets make our city competitive with the best, and a widening number of products make Italian cooking, and casual dining, more attractive than ever.

Gibbons suspends fund-raising events: Benjamin Grove; WASHINGTON -- Rep. Jim Gibbons, R-Nev., a potential challenger to Sen. Harry Reid, D-Nev., in next year's election, suspended his fund-raising and campaign events pending the war with Iraq.

Woman sought in baby's death arrested: Jen Lawson; A woman who eluded authorities for more than five years after her newborn son, police allege, was drowned in a toilet at the Lady Luck hotel was arrested Tuesday night in Seattle.

Rebels hope to avoid English lesson: Steve Guiremand; NEXT UP

Governor again vetoes legislative control bill: The veto means Doyle again has preserved his power to negotiate tribal compacts, at least for now.

Columnist Jeff German: Uncertain times call for action by Legislature: A looming war with Iraq, rising oil prices, a struggling national economy and renewed threats of terrorism all are making us uneasy.

Lawsuits filed over new rules limiting billboards: Launce Rake and Erica Johnson; Thought the seemingly interminable debate over Clark County's new billboard rules was over?

County backs senator's effort to protect conservation area: The Clark County Commission gave a nod Tuesday to a state senator's efforts to restrict high-density zoning near the Red Rock Canyon National Conservation Area.

Man convicted in killing of roommate: Erica D. Johnson; A jury on Tuesday convicted a Las Vegas man in the shooting death of his elderly roommate.

UAW-DaimlerChrysler renews sponsor deal: The race will continue to be called the UAW-DaimlerChrysler 400. Terms of the agreement were not disclosed.

Internet gambling said to be 'rapidly growing social problem': Laurence Arnold; WASHINGTON -- On the eve of college sports most-wagered-on event, the National Collegiate Athletic Association urged senators Tuesday to pass legislation aimed at shutting down off-shore virtual casinos.

Bracket busters?: Television schedule

Editorial: Our troops transcend all debate: His words reflected selflessness and dedication to purpose, qualities that all of our troops are showing as they await orders from President Bush and their immediate commanders. They see defense of the United States as their mission, but also defense of the world against terrorism and despotism. As American soldiers before them, they are willing to leave their personal lives behind to help resolve a dangerous world situation. We know, too, that when they say they're ready, that they mean they're ready to fulfill their mission -- and give their lives if they have to.

Two LV senators question school district's funding use: CARSON CITY -- Nevada's teachers union told the Senate Taxation Committee on Tuesday that public schools could face significant cuts unless there is a major increase in taxes.

Letter: Don't forget our heritage: Centuries ago, those coming to America to live yearned the freedom to worship the God of the Bible as they pleased. Their wishes were codified in 1791, when the Constitution's First Amendment was ratified. Its words: "Congress shall make no law respecting an establishment of religion, or prohibiting the free exercise thereof."

Henderson council briefs for March 19, 2003: Henderson's prostitution laws were wiped away by the City Council on Tuesday, but the move doesn't legalize the world's oldest profession in the city.

Flow of lava: Lafferty conveys allure of lamps: But for local artist Donna Lafferty, whose contemporary work is on display at the Summerlin Library gallery through May, the appeal is about how to convey the lamps' fluidity, light and texture onto a canvas.

Vegas rehab operator charged with fraud: HealthSouth overstated earnings since 1999 at Scrushy's insistence to meet profit targets, the SEC said. HealthSouth, a big player in the Las Vegas health industry, couldn't be reached for comment. The SEC also halted trading in the company's securities for two days because of misleading information in the marketplace.

Cyphers formidable foe in Ward 1: Dan Kulin; Steve Kirk

Residents warned of dangers of dust: Dust tips

Kirk gets free pass to second term: Instead the councilman has a free pass to a second term.

Demonstration held in support of defect bill: The bill, supported by home builders and contractors, is aimed at reducing the number of construction defect lawsuits in Las Vegas courts.

Should the Senate confirm Estrada?: Harry Reid; John Ensign, a Republican, is a U.S. senator from Nevada.

Editorial: Regents should have say on major changes: We would not like to see the Legislature initiate major program changes in higher education on its own. The Board of Regents should first have the opportunity to research proposed changes and make recommendations. Without input from the board, it's hard to see how the Legislature could make a fully informed decision.

Sheriff to examine use-of-force policy: Jen Lawson; As a Metro Police board prepares to investigate the city's most recent officer-involved shooting, Sheriff Bill Young is taking a closer look at the department's use-of-force policy with the goal of lowering the number of incidents in which a suspect is killed or injured.

Community briefs for March 19, 2003: Elementary and middle school students in grades K-8 will display their talents in art, dance, drama and music during the Fine Arts Festival from 1 p.m. to 4 p.m. Saturday at Mojave High School, 5302 Goldfield St., North Las Vegas.

Rebels finish third at Texas tournament: UNLV was 6-under for the tournament at the par-72, 6,906-yard Austin (Texas) Country Club. Oklahoma State -- at 22-under -- won the event.

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

Sheriff to examine use of force: Jen Lawson; As a Metro Police board prepares to investigate the city's most recent officer-involved shooting, Sheriff Bill Young is taking a closer look at the department's use-of-force policy with the goal of lowering the number of incidents in which a suspect is killed or injured.

Education bills pass Assembly: The Assembly passed two educational bills Tuesday designed to improve accountability in schools.

Tuesday's prep results: Baseball

DaimlerChrysler: Kerkorian company destroyed evidence: John Porretto; DETROIT -- DaimlerChrysler says billionaire Kirk Kerkorian's personal assistant destroyed crucial evidence in his multibillion-dollar lawsuit against the German-American automaker, according to a new filing in the suit over the 1998 Daimler-Benz/Chrysler merger.

Law gives tribes advantage over rival gaming interests: Sharon Theimer; WASHINGTON -- Some Indian tribes with gambling halls rivaled Las Vegas casino interests in their level of political giving in the last election -- and the nation's new campaign finance law will give them new advantages over their competitors in 2004.

Savvy wine buys: E. Guigal '99 Cotes du Rhone: The grapes are from the hillsides of the Rhone River, expertly vinified, and beautifully aged. This is a wine one can drink now, or in the years to come, with great enjoyment.

Early balloting expected to bring out most voters: Election officials are not expecting a big turnout for the upcoming elections.

Columnist Elizabeth Foyt: Lucia, Gerald Higgins earn Knight of the Gael honors: Elizabeth Foyt; An occasion to honor Lucia and Dr. Gerald Higgins, this evening included the couple's induction into the prestigious Royal Order of the Gael, an award bestowed on those who have shown exemplary support for our community's only Catholic high school.