Las Vegas Sun

Archive for May 8, 2003

Weber on sentencing: 'I am prepared to die': Erica D. Johnson; The convicted double murderer described by a judge as "the purest form of evil" wrote in court documents that he was prepared to be executed.; 11:20 a.m.

Metro adopts new use of force policy: Jen Lawson; If Metro Officer Jason Bressler had been equipped with a Taser gun on the night last month that Jon K. Fukumoto attempted to beat him with a golf club, Fukumoto might be alive today, Assistant ...; 11:19 a.m.

Watching the walkers: Traffic researchers hope devices will lower pedestrian death rate: Jennifer Knight; If you're crossing the street and happen to notice a large pair of electronic eyes looking down on you, don't be alarmed. They are there to help.; 11:18 a.m.

Panel passes on smoking amendment: Erin Neff; CARSON CITY -- An Assembly panel Wednesday snuffed out a proposed amendment to a tobacco bill that would have banned smoking in restaurants.; 11:17 a.m.

Democratic Party activist Green dies: Ed Koch and Mary Manning; Leon Green, a Henderson resident who was a longtime Democratic Party activist and campaign organizer, died Sunday at Desert Springs Hospital after a long illness. He was 74.; 11:16 a.m.

Homeless facility withdraws zoning request: Judy Odierna; God in Me Ministry is closing its doors.; 11:15 a.m.

Canadian woman's kidnapping, rape story in doubt: Jen Lawson; A city councilwoman from Canada who had been missing for three days was found wandering outside Treasure Island late Tuesday, alleging she had been kidnapped in Montana and raped, Metro Police said.; 11:15 a.m.

Do-not-call measure gutted: The Senate Commerce and Labor Committee this morning completely gutted an Assembly do-not-call bill, replacing its language with that contained in a Senate version of the proposed telemarketing registry.; 11:12 a.m.

James seeks to have land case dismissed: "We're seeking dismissal of what we view to be a frivolous and ill-conceived suit, which seeks to prevent Commissioner James from performing his duties as an elected government official," James' lawyer, Don Campbell, said this ...; 11:10 a.m.

Nevada Guard police unit arrives in Kuwait: The 110 members of the unit, which had been training at Fort Lewis, Wash., before being deployed Tuesday, have been trained to set up and operate prisoner of war camps, Mark said. Their exact assignment ...; 11:10 a.m.

Nevada corporate fraud bill amended: Assembly Bill 163, sponsored by David Goldwater, D-Las Vegas, increases penalties for companies that knowingly commit fraud.; 11:09 a.m.

Wynn buys Cezanne: The acquisition came a day after Wynn won a bid for Pierre-Auguste Renoir's "In the Roses (Madame Leon Clapisson)" for $23.5 million at Sotheby's.; 11:05 a.m.

Nevada jobless rate up: CARSON CITY -- Unemployment jumped in March in Nevada to 5.5 percent with an estimated 60,600 people out of work, the state reported today.; 11:04 a.m.

Playing field leveled for Aladdin bidders: A U.S. Bankruptcy Court judge has approved a sale procedure for the Aladdin hotel-casino, but not before reducing the amount by which the successful bidder must win.; 11:04 a.m.

SEC loses bid on Scrushy assets: U.S. District Judge Inge Johnson denied the Securities and Exchange Commission's request to continue a freeze on Scrushy's assets. She also ordered the SEC's civil suit against him halted pending the resolution of any criminal ...; 11:03 a.m.

Defects issue draws hundreds as Assembly hearing starts: Erin Neff; CARSON CITY -- Yellow-shirted ralliers on both sides of the construction defects issue packed two meeting rooms in the state capitol and another in Las Vegas this morning as a key proposal got its first ...; 11:03 a.m.

Eminent domain measure in trouble: Erin Neff; CARSON CITY -- An eminent domain measure intended to help homeowners appeared to be headed for trouble this morning at a legislative committee work session.; 10:56 a.m.

Signs of aging: Museum's Boneyard picked over for 'Neon Unplugged' exhibit: Their hopes were set on the Silver Slipper, a high-heeled ladies shoe that once topped the marquee of the casino of the same name.; 10:55 a.m.

VegasBeat -- Timothy McDarrah: Alzheimer's event brings cool millions: Las Vegas builder and Rio hotel developer Tony Marnell had just won a lunch with Secretary of State Colin Powell for $200,000.; 10:42 a.m.

Commissioner of MWC nixes expansion rumor: Steve Guiremand; Commissioner Craig Thompson called published reports that the Mountain West Conference was close to expanding to nine or 10 teams "absolutely misleading."; 10:29 a.m.

NLV casino, Steele happy after debut: Dean Juipe; The setting is so unique that anyone living above the second floor of the adjacent apartment building is allowed a free look into the action.; 10:29 a.m.

Columnist Ron Kantowski: Local physician gives gift of life to White Sox owner: Lttle did Chicago White Sox vice chairman Eddie Einhorn know that when he became violently ill and went to the emergency room at Valley Hospital during Big League Weeekend in March 1993 that he would ...; 10:28 a.m.

Bounce goes Sierra Vista's way: Adam Candee; Thomas Miller crushed a two-run single to get Sierra Vista back in the game in the third inning, but he would have settled for less when he batted with the game on the line in ...; 10:21 a.m.

Final Sun Baseball Top 10: Teams ranked jointly by the Sun and Sparks Tribune. Records through Tuesday.; 10:21 a.m.

Trial begins in alleged extortion of Wynn: Erica D. Johnson; Prosecutors on Wednesday told jurors that a man who claims to be Steve Wynn's long-lost half-brother is not insane, but a career criminal who tried to cheat the casino mogul out of millions of dollars.; 10:21 a.m.

Final Sun Softball Top 10: Teams ranked jointly by the Sun and Sparks Tribune. Records through Tuesday.; 10:21 a.m.

Cimarron manufactures a victory: Adam Candee; Catcher's interference, sacrifice bunt, batter's interference, passed ball, wild pitch, walk, error.; 10:20 a.m.

Centennial stays unbeaten at 19-0: The Bulldogs cruised through the quarterfinals of the Sunset Region Tournament Wednesday at Chaparral High School, easily eliminating Clark (SW-4), 25-13, 25-12, 25-13. Centennial, the top seed from the Northwest Division, ran its record to ...; 10:20 a.m.

Gusting winds prompt warning of unhealthy dust: Officials are warning that strong winds expected in Southern Nevada this afternoon and evening could stir up unhealthy amounts of dust.; 10:19 a.m.

LV sailors serve aboard carrier Theodore Roosevelt: Dick Benoit; At least two Las Vegans are a part of the 5,500 sailors serving aboard the aircraft carrier USS Theodore Roosevelt, which is presently positioned in the Mediterranean Sea in support of Operation Iraqi Freedom.; 10:17 a.m.

Mississippi casinos watching potential competition in South: Barbara Powell; BILOXI, Miss. -- Mississippi's casinos can brag of stable revenues, but gaming industry experts say the state needs to watch competition that could sprout across the South.; 10:14 a.m.

Investors advised to pursue claims: Marcy Gordon; WASHINGTON -- Regulators who investigated abuses at big Wall Street firms acknowledge that a $387.5 million fund to compensate investors won't be nearly sufficient.; 10:13 a.m.

Telecom giants battling: Ryan Pearson; CARSON CITY -- Big phone companies clashed at an Assembly hearing Wednesday over a proposal to prohibit Nevada from regulating broadband services like high-speed Internet.; 10:13 a.m.

Council OKs plan to obtain housing funding: To receive the funding the city and county must submit the action plan to the U.S. Housing and Urban Development Department no later than May 15.; 10:11 a.m.

Law enforcers urge passage of warrants bill: Erin Neff; CARSON CITY -- Law enforcement officials told an Assembly panel Wednesday that a recent Nevada Supreme Court ruling has made it more difficult to serve search warrants on suspected criminals. They asked the Assembly Judiciary ...; 10:10 a.m.

Guinn signs bill to ask voters for more police officers: CARSON CITY -- A bill allowing Metro Police to ask voters to approve an increase in the property tax to permit the hiring of additional officers has been signed by Gov. Kenny Guinn.; 10:09 a.m.

Advocates ask governments to commit funds for homeless: Jennifer Knight; A group of homeless advocates is asking the local governments to commit to spending a specific amount of money every year to help the homeless.; 10:08 a.m.

Cities urged to aid crisis center: By Timothy Pratt; A group of homeless advocates may have persuaded North Las Vegas to help keep a downtown center for homeless services open when its funding runs out June 30, an official from that city said Wednesday.; 10:07 a.m.

Capitol Police chief named: Valladon has been with the police agency since 1988. Before that he worked at the Humboldt County Sheriff's Department and the Winnemucca Police Department.; 10:07 a.m.

Columnist Brian Hilderbrand: Son assists Johnson in 90th Pro Stock victory: Warren Johnson is crediting his son, Kurt, with an assist for helping him score his 90th career NHRA Pro Stock victory last weekend in Atlanta.; 10:07 a.m.

Developer to use union labor: The deal would require Harrah's Entertainment Inc. of Las Vegas to employ mostly union construction workers from Rhode Island on the project, if it's ultimately approved.; 10:06 a.m.

Gambling expansion blocked: Not only did senators vote 34-4 against a gambling bill this week, they took an extra procedural step -- voting against reconsidering their action -- to make sure the bill remained dead.; 10:06 a.m.

Chang gets wild card to French Open: Just 17 when he won on the red clay at Roland Garros, Chang was the youngest Grand Slam champion in history. His run to the final included a stirring victory against top-ranked Ivan Lendl, in ...; 10:05 a.m.

Jail snitch says key witness made up terrorist story: DETROIT -- The credibility of the government's main witness in the terror trial of four Arab men was challenged in federal court on Wednesday by a former jailhouse neighbor.; 10:04 a.m.

Community briefs for May 8, 2003: The Junior League of Las Vegas is accepting applications for education grants.; 10:02 a.m.

Ex casino president rebuffed in bid for early return: John Curran; ATLANTIC CITY -- A former casino president banned from the business for lying about his compulsive gambling was dealt another setback Wednesday.; 10:02 a.m.

News briefs for May 8, 2003: Metro Police are investigating the homicide of a 50-year-old man who was shot and killed Tuesday night outside a convenience store at Lamb Boulevard and Alexander Road.; 9:59 a.m.

Retailers report sluggish April: As the nation's largest retailers reported their monthly sales, discounters and department stores, particularly May Department Stores Inc., again languished.; 9:57 a.m.

Legislative audit cites lax supervision of new computer system: CARSON CITY -- Secretary of State Dean Heller and his staff were lax in their supervision of the development of a $2.3 million computer system, a legislative audit says.; 9:56 a.m.

Amid talks of cuts, school police say they are busier than ever: By Emily Richmond; Two fights broke out at Valley High School Wednesday, both quickly quelled by the two school police officers assigned to the campus.; 9:43 a.m.

Zone change OK'd for Pinnacle Peaks development: An area of southwest Clark County that 40 years ago was envisioned as a potential industrial region where factories would be built alongside railroad tracks took another step Wednesday to becoming primarily residential.; 9:42 a.m.

Nevada congressmen planning fund-raisers: Ben Grove; WASHINGTON -- Eighteen months before Election Day, cash registers are ringing on the coffers of Sen. Harry Reid, D-Nev., and possible opponent Rep. Jim Gibbons, R-Nev.; 9:42 a.m.

County Commission approves adult overlay district: After several delays and much controversy, the Clark County Commission has approved an adult overlay district that covers a broad area around Industrial Road, where most of the county's porn book stores and strip joints ...; 9:42 a.m.

51s win at home: Nick Christensen; Until Wednesday night, Chris Clapinski had yet to play two consecutive games at the same position for the 51s. But he played his second game in a row at first base and it seemed to ...; 9:41 a.m.

Columnist Dean Juipe: Lewis wary of 'dangerous' Johnson: Dean Juipe; Kirk Johnson may not have looked good in losing by 10th-round disqualification to John Ruiz in his previous title try, but that doesn't keep Lennox Lewis from having a healthy respect for his June 21 ...; 9:40 a.m.

Fight Schedule: Tonight; 9:25 a.m.

Spoonhour hires Booker as director of operations: Steve Guiremand; When he first enrolled at UNLV after starring at Cheyenne High School, Vince Booker was just hoping to get a chance to play.; 9:24 a.m.

Turner opts to leave Rebels' program: Steve Guiremand; Ernest Turner went into his meeting Tuesday with UNLV head coach Charlie Spoonhour trying to determine his starting prospects for his junior season.; 9:23 a.m.

Prep playoff results, schedules: TUESDAY; 9:23 a.m.

Ralph Siraco's selections for Friday's races at Hollywood Park: Friday's card; 9:22 a.m.

Friday's horse racing entries: Post Time 7:05 p.m.; 9:21 a.m.

Where I Stand -- Mike O'Callaghan: Good people with a plan: What is amazing is the will power of some of the people to continue the good fight. Being branded as do-gooders and some other rather unkind names isn't enough to silence them. We, as a ...; 9:08 a.m.

High court revives malpractice lawsuit: CARSON CITY -- The Nevada Supreme Court Wednesday reinstated a medical malpractice lawsuit brought by a patient who claimed her vision deteriorated after eye surgery by Dr. Roger Simon of Las Vegas.; 9:07 a.m.

Obituaries for May 8, 2003: Freddie Brown, 70, of Las Vegas died Tuesday in Las Vegas. He was born May 14, 1932, in Sondheimer, La. A resident for 48 years, he was an automobile detailer.; 9:06 a.m.

Steps taken toward water, sewer hikes: Dan Kulin; Water and sewer rate increases as well as mandatory water use restrictions may be coming to North Las Vegas.; 9:05 a.m.

Council OKs two properties for redevelopment: The council, acting as the city Redevelopment Agency, authorized the purchase of 2032 North Fifth St., which is on the corner of Lake Mead, and 1914 Stanford St., which is less than a block south ...; 9:04 a.m.

Horrocks couple plead not guilty in election case: Erica D. Johnson; A North Las Vegas couple on Wednesday began fighting voter fraud charges leveled against them in connection with the Assembly District 37 election.; 9:03 a.m.

Federal courts reducing the paperwork: Jace Radke; On a given weekday afternoon the court clerks' offices in the George Federal Building can get a little busy.; 9:01 a.m.

Letter: Most are against more tax cuts: MIKE AUPPERLE; 8:49 a.m.

Letter: Rhodes' plan for area is deceptive: Where is truth in advertising?; 8:49 a.m.

Letter: McDonald's past actions weaken his accusation: Isn't it time for McDonald to stop trying to act like a political innocent and concentrate on running his own campaign, on its merits, and allow his adversaries a chance to voice their positions on ...; 8:48 a.m.

Editorial: Legislators deserve an increase in pay: We support a boost in compensation for legislators, who make innumerable personal and financial sacrifices during the sessions. Many of them must give up the pay and benefits of their regular jobs for the duration ...; 8:47 a.m.

Editorial: Nevada Check-Up a success: One change proposed for the program is to require eligible families to pay slightly more to enroll their children, to offset some of the increasing costs of the health insurance program. Currently the average annual ...; 8:47 a.m.

Columnist Ruthe Deskin: Bucking the system not worth it: Ruthe Deskin; Remember the old saying, "A penny for your thoughts"?; 8:16 a.m.

74 stories

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