Las Vegas Sun

Archive for March 28, 2003

Surviving a terrorist attack: Las Vegas is not on the "A" list of target cities alongside New York and Washington, D.C., but as America's hedonistic playground, it is in the second group, authorities have said.; 11:15 a.m.

Town honors Nevada's first Iraq war casualty: Jace Radke; TONOPAH -- More than 350 people gathered this morning at the high school in this high desert town halfway between Las Vegas and Reno to remember an adopted son who was killed in Iraq.; 11:15 a.m.

Political notebook: Guinn wasn't in hurry to sign 'rainy day' funding: Erin Neff; CARSON CITY -- Gov. Kenny Guinn begged the Legislature for the immediate approval of his plan to take money from the state's "rainy day" fund.; 11:13 a.m.

Teenager avoids execution: Erica D. Johnson; Isaac Perez had big plans for his future.; 11:10 a.m.

Feuding stalls progress of courthouse project: The new downtown courthouse has become an icon of what can go wrong with a public works project.; 11:09 a.m.

Education proposals under fire: Erin Neff; CARSON CITY -- Lawmakers this morning questioned two key elements of Gov. Kenny Guinn's proposed education spending as a way to cut money from his budget.; 11:09 a.m.

Committee OKs plan to toughen doctor sanctions: CARSON CITY -- A state Senate committee today gave preliminary approval to a plan to toughen the law to discipline doctors hit with medical malpractice court judgments.; 11:01 a.m.

Sale of land to developer draws wrath of residents: The villagers of the tiny hamlet of Blue Diamond -- and their allies in a fight to keep high-density development away from Red Rock Canyon -- put a Clark County commissioner on the spot and ...; 11:00 a.m.

Panel OKs ban on death penalty for those under 18: Erin Neff; CARSON CITY -- In a surprise show of bipartisan support, the Assembly Judiciary Committee on Thursday unanimously voted to prohibit the execution of people who were younger than 18 at the time of their crime.; 11:00 a.m.

Columnist Jeff German: Iraq war brings out patriotism: That was obvious in Summerlin Wednesday night when more than 2,000 Las Vegans attended a rally to support the American troops.; 11:00 a.m.

No explanation on gasoline cost: Cy Ryan, Dan Kulin and Timothy Pratt; Nevada drivers aren't the only ones not getting the answers they want about gasoline prices. Attorney General Brian Sandova said Thursday that oil companies had not responded to his request for explanations.; 11:00 a.m.

Columnist Dean Juipe: Bloom off Rose imposter: Dean Juipe; Some men are irreplaceable. But Pete Rose is not among them.; 10:59 a.m.

Rejection of French buses urged: First it was "freedom fries," proudly served in the County Government Center. Then fine French wine ran red down the gutters.; 10:54 a.m.

Summer outlook weakens: Brad Foss; The first full week of fighting in Iraq caused sharp declines in springtime travel bookings. Now industry officials are crossing their fingers for a quick end to the war in Iraq so that the slowdown ...; 10:52 a.m.

Vegas still a top destination: By Liz Benston; While travel abroad is suffering and some tourists are holding off on domestic trips, Las Vegas appears to be holding its own as one of the country's top places to escape for a few days ...; 10:52 a.m.

Garn says feds should pay for airport security: A former U.S. senator who is starting a Las Vegas-based airline says the federal government should cover airport security expenses as a means of aiding the U.S. airline industry, an idea under consideration in the ...; 10:51 a.m.

Former coach introduces NCAA bet ban legislation: Benjamin Grove; WASHINGTON -- Rep. Tom Osborne, R-Neb., used the backdrop of the national college basketball tournament this week to re-introduce the legislation that would outlaw betting on the games in Nevada sports books.; 10:42 a.m.

VegasBeat -- Timothy McDarrah: Drai's to adopt engaging atmosphere: But a good jumping-off point would be the guest list for tonight's engagement dinner for one of Las Vegas' true power couples, Elizabeth Blau and Kim Canteenwalla.; 10:15 a.m.

Nellis runs mandatory training sessions on chemical warfare: Jace Radke; Tech. Sgt. James Lorik looked a little disheveled after pulling on his chemical-proof suit and gas masks during several drills at Nellis Air Force Base on Thursday.; 9:51 a.m.

Experts discuss war at UNLV roundtable: A physicist, a counter-terrorism expert, a political scientist and a Marine's wife were among those who weighed in on the week-old war as a tense crowd of more than 100 traded sometimes heated comments during ...; 9:51 a.m.

Nebraska legislators staying at Venetian: Kevin O'Hanlon; More than one-fourth of Nebraska's lawmakers will attend a conference in Las Vegas this weekend at the Las Vegas Strip's Venetian hotel-casino, which is lobbying to legalize casinos in Nebraska.; 9:45 a.m.

'Net gamblers wager on how long Saddam will last: Matt Crenson; Think Saddam Hussein's days are numbered? Care to put a little money on it?; 9:45 a.m.

Consumer spending flat: The report showing that consumers held a tight grip on spending in February was a better showing than economists had expected. They were predicting consumers would trim spending by 0.2 percent.; 9:44 a.m.

Inquiry expands to potential Medicare fraud: The investigation of possible manipulation of Medicare reimbursements represents what could be a new front in the inquiry into the accounting scandal at HealthSouth, which was set in motion last week when a company executive ...; 9:44 a.m.

Internet gambling firm to take charge: Sportingbet said it will appeal the decision. The company inherited the customer through its purchase of Number One Betting Shop in 2001, Sportingbet said in a Regulatory News Service statement. The company has 42 days ...; 9:43 a.m.

Financing set for China project: Venetian Venture Development Intermediate Ltd., under the laws of the Cayman Islands, has entered a $50 million loan facility, Venetian Casino Resort LLC and Las Vegas Sands Inc. reported Thursday.; 9:43 a.m.

News briefs for March 28, 2003: Metro Police have arrested three men suspected of forcing their way into the homes of Hispanic business owners and robbing them at gunpoint, Lt. Ted Snodgrass said.; 9:42 a.m.

Nevada gold production down, but value increases: CARSON CITY -- Gold production in Nevada dropped by 5 percent to 7.7 million ounces in 2002 compared with the previous year -- but the state remains the nation's top gold producer.; 9:41 a.m.

Federal jury rules guard not reponsible for death of inmate: Jace Radke; Metro Police will not have to pay millions of dollars to the family of a man who died in the Clark County Detention Center, a jury decided Thursday.; 9:40 a.m.

McGriff bolsters Dodgers: In a surreal moment that major league players get accustomed to quickly, new Dodgers first baseman Fred McGriff saw something he liked after Thursday night's exhibition game at Cashman Field.; 9:36 a.m.

Columnist Ron Kantowski: Cashman showing its age: By Ron Kantowski; When the Los Angeles Dodgers' Odalis Perez threw out the first pitch on Big League Weeknight at a little past 7 Thursday, it marked the 20th season of professional baseball at Cashman Field.; 9:36 a.m.

Moore named MWC golfer of month, again: Moore captured his first individual title at the Toyota Men's Collegiate Championship that included a field of 15 of the top 25, and eight of the top 10, teams in the country.; 9:31 a.m.

Lewis files suit against Klitschko: Lewis filed the suit Tuesday in Los Angeles' Superior Court and requested an injunction. The suit comes after Lewis called off the April 12 fight with Klitschko, who filed a suit against the WBC that ...; 9:31 a.m.

In wake of tragedies, club owners re-address safety concerns: Spencer Patterson; So just imagine what club owners have been going through for the past month. On Wednesday a group of nightclub owners and operators voiced some of their own concerns during a panel discussion on safety ...; 9:25 a.m.

Club and venues keeping a keen eye on safety issues: Spencer Patterson; As a performance by impressionist Andre-Philippe Gagnon let out at Paris Las Vegas' Le Theatre des Arts, a small fire broke out when radiant heat from lights set the stage curtains on fire.; 9:23 a.m.

RTC committee wants French bus order canceled: First it was "freedom fries," proudly served in the County Government Center. Then fine French wine ran red down the gutters.; 9:21 a.m.

Obituaries for March 28, 2003: Roscoe Walden Bryant of Las Vegas died Monday in Las Vegas. He was born in Savannah, Ga. A resident for three years, he was an engineer for NASA's Planning Resource Center at the Kennedy Space ...; 9:20 a.m.

Hybrid cars drawing drivers: By Timothy Pratt; As gas prices in the Las Vegas Valley hover above $2 a gallon and coalition forces struggle to protect oil wells in Iraq, many local residents are thinking of buying the so-called hybrid cars made ...; 9:19 a.m.

Mental health crisis officers paying off: Jen Lawson; In 2001, after Metro Police officers shot two mentally ill people, one fatally, then-Sheriff Jerry Keller and mental health experts began exploring ways to try to avoid those kinds of outcomes.; 9:18 a.m.

Columnist Brian Hilderbrand: Slow start frustrates usually steady Burton: Jeff Burton isn't resentful of the success his Roush Racing teammates Matt Kenseth and Kurt Busch are enjoying this year, but he admitted to being frustrated about his inability to duplicate their performance.; 9:12 a.m.

Where I Stand -- Mike O'Callaghan: Iraq is on every mind: Americans, all over the world, are thinking about those young people representing them in uniform. The volunteers in Israel have a television to watch after they finish their work. You can bet it's zeroed in ...; 9:08 a.m.

Board expected to OK revised graduation prayer policy: The regulation change raised hackles among parents and students who saw the move as one intended to limit religious expression. The American Civil Liberties Union of Nevada has filed a suit against the Clark County ...; 9:07 a.m.

Room tax doesn't rest well with hotels: Erin Neff; CARSON CITY -- Assemblyman Harry Mortenson, D-Las Vegas, opened testimony on his own tax proposal Thursday by saying his room tax bill is "less bad than the rest."; 9:07 a.m.

Editorial: Remove the penalty for exercising rights: Property owners confronted with eminent domain proceedings have rights protecting them against financial loss. The Fifth Amendment guarantees that no one shall be deprived of property without due process of law. It also forbids the ...; 9:07 a.m.

Parents protest another change in schedules at two schools: By Emily Richmond; Parents of students at Treem and Thorpe elementary schools are protesting a proposal to switch the two campuses from a modified nine-month schedule to a year-round program.; 9:06 a.m.

Letter: Our decisions affect future: Also, I read that our war protesters feel that America is pushing her weight around by promoting our "policy" agendas over world opinion. That's funny. I don't see us at war with anybody else, forcing ...; 9:06 a.m.

Letter: War protesters have legitimate arguments: There is a legitimate need to talk about the other side of the argument as the media has almost universally shown the administration side.; 9:06 a.m.

Legislative briefs for March 28, 2003: A bill that would permit local governments to mount cameras at intersections to nab errant motorists has been approved by the Senate Transportation Committee.; 9:05 a.m.

Blood drives: Tuesday: 2 p.m. to 7 p.m., Tobler Elementary School, 6510 Bucksskin Ave.; 9:05 a.m.

Editorial: Red Rock needs state protection: What's interesting is that Rhodes, a high-density developer, made his decision to buy the land under the current zoning. Rhodes' purchase also comes at a time when Senate Minority Leader Dina Titus, D-Las Vegas, has ...; 9:04 a.m.

Terror threat prompts need for preparedness: With the threat to the homefront at a high level because of the United States' war with Iraq, authorities are urging the public to be prepared for possible terrorist attacks.; 9:04 a.m.

Community briefs for March 28, 2003: A Great American Cleanup will be held at Lake Mead's Boulder Beach Saturday as part of a national effort to clean up public areas through May.; 9:03 a.m.

Struggling Gladiators still lead division race: Adam Candee; NEXT UP; 8:56 a.m.

Women ready to 'Get Wild': Lace up your hiking boots and be prepared for a weekend of hands-on classes in the great outdoors. Participants can choose from 25 activities designed to whet the appetite of anyone with a desire to ...; 8:54 a.m.

Columnist Barb Henderson: Spring turkey calls need to be purrr-fect: Barb Henderson; Hunting the "wild turkey" has been an American tradition that has been passed down from generation to generation.; 8:54 a.m.

Las Vegas Area Fishing Report: Striped bass jumping at Lake Mohave: Cottonwood Cove anglers reported that their success rate increased from the previous week at Lake Mohave.; 8:53 a.m.

Thursday's prep results: Baseball; 8:52 a.m.

Ralph Siraco's selections for Saturday's races at Santa Anita: Saturday's card; 8:52 a.m.

Columnist Jerry Fink: No ifs, ands or butts: Martinez at home in Vegas: One of the casualties in California's war on smoking and drinking is its lounge scene.; 8:43 a.m.

Columnist Muriel Stevens: Medici Cafe a satisfying dining experience: It was a balmy Saturday evening, a perfect night for a drive, when a friend and I drove to the Ritz-Carlton at Lake Las Vegas in Henderson. We wanted a change of pace and a ...; 8:43 a.m.

Performing arts for March 28, 2003: Sanskrit chanting; 8:41 a.m.

Datebook for March 28, 2003: The 25th Annual Home & Garden Show begins at 10 a.m. today through Sunday at Cashman Center, 850 Las Vegas Blvd. North. Admission is $6. 736-5958.; 8:40 a.m.

Columnist Susan Snyder: French derision fries us: Go ahead and have fries with that.; 8:40 a.m.

Scene Selections -- Geoff Carter: 'Fear and Loathing' careens to DVD: "Our trip was different. It was to be a classic affirmation of everything right and true in the national character ... a gross physical salute to the fantastic possibilities of life in this country. But ...; 8:39 a.m.

Yin/yang relationship keys John/Joel tour: Spencer Patterson; Album rock's odd couple are back at it.; 8:38 a.m.

Columnist Spencer Patterson: Long list of jazz greats will honor Pate at UNLV: Spencer Patterson; Johnny Pate began his career as a jazz man, but it's hard to blame the legendary arranger, composer and producer for turning to R&B and soul music in the 1960s.; 8:38 a.m.

Buzz is all about the Music: Spencer Patterson; It's a rite of passage for every aspiring British rock band: Crossing the Atlantic Ocean to tour America for the first time.; 8:37 a.m.

Pure rock 'n' roll sound fertilizes Vines' growth: Spencer Patterson; Who: The Vines with the Music; 8:36 a.m.

Embers of hypnosis stoked at Bourbon Street: What: "Hypnolarious."; 8:35 a.m.

Nevada lawmakers debate education policy: AP; The legislators agreed that the state shouldn't pay for actual classrooms. Per-pupil costs for the state's K-12 schools already are covered by the state.; 8:16 a.m.

Playing politics: Internet gamblers wager on how long Saddam Hussein will last: AP; If so, tune up your Web browser to one of the many Internet gambling sites taking bets on how long America's most wanted despot will hold onto the presidency of Iraq.; 6:32 a.m.

Where I Stand -- Brian Greenspun: Try Goldwater plan: I am one of the millions of foolish Americans who believed that an American invasion of Iraq to end the regime of Saddam Hussein would be over in a matter of days with a minimum ...; 4:39 a.m.

VegasBeat -- Timothy McDarrah: Tepid reviews won't dampen 'Day': She will probably not spend the day going over the reviews from the East and West Coast papers that skewered "A New Day ... "; 4:38 a.m.

Columnist Susan Snyder: Bill should be given a green light: A woman was walking south on Maryland Parkway on Wednesday and started to cross Tropicana Boulevard in the crosswalk on a green light.; 4:37 a.m.

Letter: War opponents just don't get it: WALTER JUREK; 4:36 a.m.

Letter: By politicizing Saddam, Bush invited dissent: Had he acted presidential last fall when he became aware of the situation in Iraq, he would have met with the bipartisan leadership of the congressional committees with proper security clearance, shown them the full ...; 4:36 a.m.

Columnist Jon Ralston: Tax need finally established: Is it the Escape Responsibility Caucus -- a more monolithic group of lawmakers who think by standing for nothing except against taxes that they can ensure re-election?; 4:35 a.m.

Columnist Erin Neff: Balancing budget on backs of less fortunate: Erin Neff; On Wednesday, after months of speculation about program "enhancements" that could be cut from the governor's proposed budget, the Assembly Republicans finally came with their idea.; 4:34 a.m.

Border breaker: Kirk Baird; WEEKEND EDITION: March 30, 2003; 4:34 a.m.

Columnist Jeff German: Siller's criticism of mayor on target: Oscar Goodman was criticized in this space a couple of weeks ago for inviting Joseph Cusumano, a reputed mob associate banned from Nevada casinos, to a party at the mayor's home.; 4:32 a.m.

Columnist Benjamin Grove: War's 'shock and awe' also has a negative side: Benjamin Grove; All that stuff is a convenient distraction from the most uncomfortable reality of war: people die.; 4:32 a.m.

Editorial: County must take initiative in dispute: The Regional Justice Center being built in downtown Las Vegas was supposed to be open for business in January 2002. The courtrooms and district attorney's offices the building was designed for should have been fully ...; 4:29 a.m.

Editorial: New plan for taxes falls short: At a time when national and in-state studies repeatedly demonstrate that Nevada is seriously under-funding education and social services, Assembly Minority Leader Lynn Hettrick has come out with a plan that would cut funding for ...; 4:28 a.m.

Where I Stand -- Mike O'Callaghan: Head of Israel's IDC is a man who defines and attacks terrorism: What caught my eye was the published statement of Reichman that explains the center's goals. "In today's exploding New World of globalization and information technology, change is not an option -- it is a necessity." ...; 3:37 a.m.

Clinic filling gap in kids' dental care: Jennifer Knight; WEEKEND EDITION: March 29, 2003; 3:35 a.m.

Missing Marines based in North Carolina: AP; - Lance Cpl. Thomas A. Blair, 24, of Broken Arrow, Okla. 2nd Low Altitude Air Defense Battalion, Marine Air Control Group-28, 2nd Marine Aircraft Wing at Marine Corps Air Station Cherry Point.; 2:21 a.m.

86 stories

: Locally owned and independent since 1950; Winner of the Pulitzer Prize for Public Service, best news website in the nation & DuPont Award for broadcast journalism

Follow us:

Las Vegas Sun 2275 Corporate Circle, Ste. 300 Henderson, NV 89074