Print edition for November 12, 2003

Veterans Day brings out the shoppers: Jennifer Knight; "We're just here today before the mad Christmas shopping starts," said Jennifer Fields of Kingman, Ariz., who was perusing the stores at the Galleria at Sunset.

Can't fight both crime, terrorism: Who's footing the bill for all of this? How we can ever achieve victory over foreign terrorism and the criminal mess we have in this country is way beyond me. Is there enough money in this whole country to accomplish this? Is it possible to bankrupt a whole country?

Letter: Abortion law is welcomed: VALERIE A. EGGERS

Letter: Newspapers should not make endorsements: For years the newspaper has been the medium that people tend to associate with honesty and impartiality. When the public conjures up an image of a reporter going to jail to protect his source, it is invariably an ink-stained, slightly disheveled newspaperman, not a blow-dried TV anchor.

Columnist Elizabeth Foyt: Venetian exhibit kicks off with private party: Elizabeth Foyt; Sponsored by Sheldon Adelson and his wife, Dr. Miriam Adelson, and jointly hosted by Lutece with its celebrated chef, David Feau, and new general manager, Janice Nase, the Wednesday evening event began with cocktails and delectables served on the Lutece terrace overlooking The Venetian's front canal and picturesque gondolas.

Editorial: BLM needs policies for its auctions: We side with the majority view, however, which is that the land sales are a boon to Southern Nevada because of the revenue that becomes available for badly needed infrastructure improvements. Ten percent of the proceeds automatically go toward improving the water delivery system and 5 percent go toward the needs of the Clark County School District. The rest of the money goes to other projects. Last month, for example, federal officials allocated $385 million from recent land sales. Parks, trails, forests, recreational areas such as Red Rock Canyon and Lake Mead, wildlife habitat, sensitive environmental areas and educational programs ...

Tabatha's father expresses confusion, loss at her funeral: Michael Speas, the father of 13-year-old Tabatha Speas, said he felt confusion and loss as his daughter was buried Tuesday.

Bruce Woodbury honored: "Bruce Woodbury represents everything that is good about public service. This is just a small way to honor his humble and dedicated years of service to Southern Nevada," Porter said. Woodbury said he was honored by Porter's efforts. Woodbury, a native Las Vegan, was appointed to the Clark County Commission in 1981 and has been re-elected continually since then. He and his wife Rose live in Boulder City.

Columnist Muriel Stevens: Catalogs now serve every taste: Shopping through catalogs requires a bit of strategy. Some of my favorite stores, such as Neiman Marcus and Saks, send out catalogs throughout the year. And now some of the catalog outlets have opened stores in Las Vegas. Chico's and J. Jill at Fashion Show mall are a few. What I don't like is having to return packages and pay shipping costs, sometimes both ways.

Make-A-Wish group names new officers: David L. Cacci was re-elected president of the Southern Nevada chapter. His responsibilities will include supervision of all operations and personnel and will be an ex-officio member of all communities.

Obituaries for Nov. 12, 2003: Brian Atkins, 29, of Las Vegas died Monday in a local hospital. He was born Feb. 9, 1974, in Lakeland, Fla. A resident for 14 years, he was a mechanic in the bowling industry.

Paper Trails: 'UFOlogists' focus on documents at Sunset Station conference: "We're focused on hard evidence," Ryan Wood, president of Majestic Documents, said. "We're the nuts and bolts of UFOlogy."

Community briefs for Nov. 12, 2003: The Clark County School District's Magnet Schools Project Office will hold the Magnet Schools Fair from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. Saturday at the Galleria at Sunset mall in Henderson.

Letter: Women's right to choose eroded: Isn't it funny, though, that the GOP has had some three years to give us the senior prescription drug plan they promised in 2000, not to mention the 43 million people without health insurance, and this medical bill is what they come up with.

Companies returning to door-to-door sales: Scott Reeves; NASHVILLE, Tenn. -- Now that the national do-not-call list makes it impossible to reach millions of potential customers, some marketing companies are returning to an old-fashioned alternative: door-to-door salespeople.

Boulder City honors fallen soldier: Sito Negron; There was not a peep from the audience, not even from the small children. Some held their salutes, others stood at attention.

Foes to marshal forces against Red Rock Station: People who live and work near the proposed Red Rock Station are knocking on doors, looking for support in their effort to derail the project.

Carrier's loss widens: Officials at the Atlanta-based company blamed an anticipated $140 million payout to its pilot pension plan, resulting from a significant increase in the number of pilots retiring.

Editorial: Buckle that seat belt and save money, lives: Another good reason for wearing seat belts: It's the law and fines are steep. Local police and Nevada Highway Patrol troopers will increase their seat belt- enforcement efforts from Nov. 17 through Nov. 30. We support the stepped-up enforcement because it will spread awareness. If you're not one to wear a seat belt, it may cost you some money. But if a ticket changes your habit, it just may save your life someday too.

Sunrise awards college scholarships: Hospital Corporation of America awarded $500 or more in educational assistance to Christopher Delaberta, Anna Elzeftawy, Tyler Hood, Elizabeth Jost, Molly Malloy, Reynana Nieva and Philip Roasti; all of whom will be starting various colleges in the fall.

Nevada Power provides listening centers to school: The presentation was made in celebration of a four-year partnership with the school.

Pa. slots odds called even: Vicki Smith; CHESTER, W.Va. -- Slot machine legislation has a 50-50 chance of passing in Pennsylvania this year, and any successful bill will have to allow slots at non-racetrack settings, an aide to that state's lawmakers said Tuesday.

Credit downgraded: S&P last month said it was reviewing whether to lower its long-term and short-term ratings for Ford, its financing arm and rental agency Hertz Corp., but said it was highly unlikely ratings would be lowered below investment-grade status, a key qualification demanded by some large institutional investors in corporate debt.

News briefs for Nov. 12, 2003: Clark County Fire Department crews responded to a call of smoke in the cockpit of a British Airways jet that diverted to McCarran International Airport and made an emergency landing Tuesday night shortly after 10 p.m.

State trails in tobacco prevention: The report found that Nevada spends 31.9 percent of the minimum amount that the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention has recommended the state spend for tobacco prevention.

State cancels investment firm's contract: Board Chairman Charles Silvestri said it was "unfortunate" that five or six employees tainted the reputation of Putnam. But he said the board was "fiduciary for 100,000 public employees and 20,000 retires. We have to act for the best interest of the system."

Nine hospitalized after collision: Police investigators said that an 18-year-old driving without a license east on Philadelphia Avenue ran a stop sign at Arden Street at excessive speed.

Krolicki considers run against Reid: Harry Reid in the 2004 election.

Rain clouds expected to leave valley by Thursday: By Timothy Pratt; The Las Vegas Valley's skies were expected to stay gray throughout the day, bringing scattered rain over the cities and snow up on Mt. Charleston, but the precipitation will be gone by Thursday, according to the National Weather Service.

Two LV children awake to find mother dead: The woman, who was in her late 20s, was found in her home in the 5900 block of Glen Eagles Lane, near Jones Boulevard and Washington Avenue. Her son and daughter discovered they could not wake her up about 3:30 a.m today, so they went to a neighbor for help and the neighbor called 911.

DOE needs more money for Test Site compensation claims: Suzanne Stuglinski; This would be in addition to the $9.7 million added to the program in October and $16 million already approved by Congress for 2004.

VegasBeat -- Timothy McDarrah: Ducks on the bill for Maloof brothers?: The family owns the Sacramento Kings and has a majority interest in the relentlessly hip Palms.

Pokorney tribute is highlight of exhibit dedication: Frederick E. Pokorney's combat boots on a wooden plaque in the shape of the Marine Corps symbol with a replica of an M-16 holding aloft his helmet.

Medical school officer's degree probed: Jennifer Knight; Lisa Kaye Davis, the medical school's newly appointed chief financial officer, listed a master's degree in business administration from the University of Montana on her resume.

51s play waiting game for 2004: Nick Christensen; Another offseason of major transition within the Los Angeles Dodgers means that the appointment of next year's manager for the Las Vegas 51s is uncertain, according to last season's 51s manager.

County chairwoman to give up post: Mary Kincaid-Chauncey was to surrender her position as chairwoman of the Clark County Commission this morning.

No pressure coming with Coronado's wild playoff ride: Adam Candee; "We knew we were a good football team," Coronado coach Paul Berg said. "But I don't know if we thought we were No. 1 in the Southeast (Division)."

Nevada ranks low in public employees: Nevada had the equivalent of 465 full-time public employees per 10,000 people last year, compared with the national average of 554 per 10,000, the census said.

Suspension urged for guards: Jennifer Knight; Two Clark County Detention Center guards who threw firecrackers into the jail cells of inmates were recommended for suspension without pay by a citizen review board.

Sports briefs for November 12, 2003: The Lobos, ranked sixth in the nation and the defending champions of the Las Vegas event, held a 15-stroke lead going into todays final round.

Teens reflect in aftermath of deadly wreck: By Emily Richmond; The day's topic -- the consequences of drinking and driving.

Hopes, dreams of couple cut short in car crash: That's all the time Eli and Raylene Sander Espino, both 19, had together as husband and wife before a two-car head-on collision early Sunday morning killed Raylene, the couple's unborn son and their 12-year-old niece, Shizel, and left Eli hospitalized.

Columnist Jeff German: Kincaid-Chauncey sees the light: She is expected to announce today that she is stepping aside as chairwoman while she fights the federal charges.

Tenet leader: woes caused by executives, not hospitals: Gary Gentile; LOS ANGELES -- The new chief executive of Tenet Healthcare Inc. acknowledged Tuesday that "something had gone very wrong" at the company, but said Tenet's troubles were caused by its former executives, not the company's hospitals.

Lady Rebels lose exhibition opener: The Lady Rebels held a 38-29 edge at halftime, but committed 17 turnovers in the second half, which led to NWBL's comeback.

Murder suspect flees county jail: Garren, 38, escaped the detention center when several other prisoners were released, authorities said. Detention Center officials said an error by its staff was responsible. An investigation is under way, and any wrongdoing by the staff will be referred to the Metro Police Internal Affairs Section, officials said.

Columnist Peter Benton: Frost can put damper on local golf courses: Peter Benton; This is something we have come to expect at this time of year of course, and something we must all take in our stride, as there is absolutely nothing we can do about it. This is Mother Nature at work, gang, and one does not -- or should not -- mess with Mother Nature.

Columnist Dean Juipe: Political correctness puts Chief Illiniwek on chopping block: Dean Juipe; As such, I have an open mind on the need for sports to disassociate themselves from symbols of oppression and tyranny, and have often wondered just how long it would be before unanimity existed and nicknames such as Redskins, Chiefs, Indians and Braves -- and even Rebels -- became verboten by either general agreement or federal law.

Columnist Brian Hilderbrand: Manning is excited about driving for Ganassi: Manning just wishes the circumstances of his hiring were different.

Gaming briefs for Nov. 12, 2003: Harrah's Entertainment Inc., the No. 2 U.S. casino company, is developing a new Internet gambling site in Great Britain called "Lucky Me" that will let users wager online.