Print edition for November 14, 2003

Rhodes receives probation: Christina Littlefield and Erica D. Johnson; Former North Las Vegas Councilman John Rhodes was given probation this morning on insurance fraud charges.

Henderson, NLV residents are less likely to be fined: Thousands of businesses and residents across the metropolitan area have chafed under new water restrictions for weeks, part of a regional effort to respond to four years of drought and dwindling water supplies in Lake Mead.

Man shot dead in parking lot of Palms hotel: Jen Lawson; As the Palms was preparing for this weekend's celebrity-filled second anniversary party, a man was shot and killed in the hotel-casino's parking lot this morning.

Slimmed-down COMDEX, new cdXpo to open Monday: About 50,000 people are expected to attend COMDEX at the Las Vegas Convention Center this year, while about 7,000 people plan to attend the first-ever Computer Digital Expo (cdXpo) at the Mandalay Bay Convention Center.

RTC to look into fired bus drivers' allegations: The safety of bus drivers will get a closer look next month from the board of the region's main transportation agency.

Columnist Steve Guiremand: November the month of memories: Steve Guiremand; Former Fresno State coach Jim Sweeney once coined a phrase that would fit in very well in the Mountain West Conference this year.

Crash aftermath: Teens' deaths renew debate about licenses: By Emily Richmond; The car crash that killed three Henderson 15-year-olds Monday has renewed the debate about whether Nevada needs tougher licensing laws, as victims' parents and advocates of changes suggest the Legislature blew an opportunity earlier in the year to save lives.

Ethics panel clears Mack: Las Vegas City Councilman Michael Mack should have disclosed more about his business relationship with Mayor Oscar Goodman's son during a council meeting this summer, state ethics commissioners said Thursday.

CART targets May 16 for race in Las Vegas: Feb. 22 -- St. Petersburg, Fla.

Ruling sought on transfusion for baby of Jehovah's Witness: CARSON CITY -- The Nevada Supreme Court has been asked to decide if Valley Hospital Medical Center in Las Vegas was wrong in giving a blood transfusion to a critically ill baby against the religious beliefs of the baby's parents, who are Jehovah's Witnesses.

Monorail gets key approval: The region came a step closer to a monorail system that would stretch from the south end of the Strip to downtown Las Vegas.

Nevada probes link to loan shark: State gaming regulators are closely monitoring an international money laundering investigation being conducted by Japanese authorities to determine if any Nevada companies knowingly participated in any wrong-doing.

Open letter to the Kid: All-time series: Chiefs lead, 11-9.

State KOs Cheyenne: Adam Candee; David Peeples could not comprehend why his season had ended.

County may adopt tougher ethics rules: Dan Kulin; Clark County would move a step closer to expanded and stricter ethics rules under recommendations scheduled to go to the county commission Tuesday.

County takes steps to remove strip club licenses from Galardi: The Clark County Commission took the first steps today toward revoking strip-club owner Michael Galardi's licenses to operate two clubs, setting a Dec. 16 hearing that could shutter Jaguars and Leopard Lounge.

Columnist Jeff German: Looking for compromise on Red Rock megaresort: And things are only going to get more intense in the coming weeks unless someone is bold enough to broker a compromise.

Panel to study workers' comp system: CARSON CITY -- A legislative committee headed by Sen. Ann O'Connell, R-Las Vegas, began a study Thursday looking into conflicting views of how the privatized workers' compensation system is working since it replaced the state's program.

Columnist Ron Kantowski: Hughes, NIAA make the right call -- again: Rasheed Wallace is lucky that Jerry Hughes doesn't wear David Stern's shoes.

Las Vegas man hits Megabucks: Ed Koch and Jace Radke; Jake Latulip has been a regular at the Stardust since moving to Las Vegas in 1979, and early this morning the retired Marine's life changed at his favorite Strip haunt when he hit the $19.6 million Megabucks jackpot.

State bar might take up Yucca conflict: Suzanne Struglinski; WASHINGTON -- Nevada's congressional delegation wants another investigation into the alleged conflict of interest of the Energy Department's former attorneys for the Yucca Mountain project.

Park Place holding off on Britain deals: By Liz Benston; While its competitors in Las Vegas are inking deals with British casino companies to develop potential casinos in the United Kingdom, Park Place Entertainment Corp. is taking a different approach.

Goodman to get results of city audit: Sito Negron; The Las Vegas city audit of work performed by assemblymen who worked for the Neighborhood Services Department while they were in the 2001 Legislature is coming to a close. Mayor Oscar Goodman was expected to receive a copy over the weekend for a possible Monday release.

Builder D.R. Horton reports rise in profit: Jennifer Shubinski; The Las Vegas market remains one of the strongest divisions for home builder D.R. Horton Inc., which reported a profit Thursday for its fiscal fourth quarter and year.

A history of the Thunderbirds Air Force jet demonstration team: AP; - Dec. 13, 1954: Capt. George Kevil is killed during solo training at Luke.

Giants are still waiting for return on investment: The New York Giants aren't getting much of a return out of Brian Mitchell.

Sports briefs for November 14, 2003: Wheatley's impact came on a sidewalk outside the federal courthouse in San Francisco -- he hit a photographer while heading in to the building.

Local bank posts strong results: The independent bank, which has five offices in Clark County, said net income rose to $3.7 million from $2.5 million in the year-ago quarter. At quarter end, loans totaled $517 million, a 16 percent increase from a year ago. Deposits rose 38 percent to $892 million.

Judge denies 17-year-old's release from house arrest: Erica D. Johnson and Christina Littlefield; A District Court judge this morning denied a motion to allow one of the alleged 311 Boyz to be released from house arrest.

Columnist Brian Hilderbrand: Cup title is sweet, but work continues: You won't see crew chief Robbie Reiser in one of those traditional "I'm going to Disney World!" commercials after helping Matt Kenseth to the 2003 NASCAR Winston Cup championship.

Sleepless in the saddle: Longtime friend Dana Altman rang Charlie Spoonhour's office Wednesday morning to exchange opinions, and hopes, about the upcoming season. Eventually, the Creighton basketball coach asked Spoonhour his age.

NRC to review Yucca data during close-door meetings: The Nuclear Regulatory Commission is beginning a technical review of Energy Department information gathered on a proposed Yucca Mountain nuclear waste repository, but state and county officials and the public aren't invited to the review.

Columnist Adam Candee: Coronado gets nod to advance in Sunrise: Adam Candee; Amidst the rain and cold that washed through the Valley this week, we felt a comforting warm glow here next to the humming Prep Prognostication machine. That is the feeling afforded by an 8-0 record in the quarterfinal round.

Columnist Barb Henderson: Rendezvous a revival of traditions: Barb Henderson; Rendezvous, an encampment during the old West, is re-enacted today by a variety of organizations.

Fishing report: Weather puts damper on lake's fishing: NDOW creel census clerks said that fishing pressure continued to be low due to the weather front that came through the area.

Saturday's horse racing entries: Post Time 12:30 p.m.

School Board approves deal on lawsuits: By Emily Richmond; The School Board approved spending $1.1 million Thursday to settle three long-standing lawsuits brought by construction companies, a deal the Clark County School District's attorney said may have saved hundreds of thousands of dollars in continued legal costs.

Columnist Sal DeFilippo: Fool me once, twice, or all season: Sal DeFilippo; One week into the season, I remember how much I thought I knew about how the NFL was going to shape up.

Gaming briefs for Nov. 14, 2003: Moody's Investors Service has assigned a B1 rating to Station Casinos Inc.'s proposed $250 million senior secured bank debt issuance. The rating agency also assigned a B1 senior implied rating, a B2 senior unsecured issuer rating and a stable rating outlook.

Libraries change policies in face of Patriot Act: The Las Vegas-Clark County Library Board took measures Thursday to protect privacy of its patrons from the broad police powers of the Patriot Act.

Three suspects arrested in man's kidnapping at casino: Jen Lawson; Metro Police arrested three people in the investigation of the kidnapping of a man from Palace Station early Thursday.

Key names will pop up during regents probe: Jennifer Knight; Ten key people will be discussed by the state Board of Regents Monday in an investigation that began with a community college secretary's complaint of unfulfilled promises and could end in disciplinary action of top officials in the university system.

Dog, space heater give family a fiery combination: A dog knocking a blanket onto a space heater in a bedroom sparked a fire Thursday at a home in eastern Las Vegas that destroyed two rooms, damaged a car in a driveway and caused $15,000 in damage, the Clark County Fire Department said.

Education panel member gets mixed ethics ruling: The state Ethics Commission said Thursday if a proposed charter school operated by Nevada Board of Education member John Hawk has to be sponsored by the board he would have to resign from either the school or his elected post.

North Las Vegas seeks dismissal of suit by ex-city manager: Dan Kulin; North Las Vegas is asking a judge to dismiss the lawsuit filed by its former city manager, Kurt Fritsch, who is claiming the City Council violated the state open meetings law, the City Charter and his contract when they fired him in July.

Ralph Siraco's Hollywood Park selections: 2nd Race -- THIRD HALF -- P. Val atop Frankel trainee, hails from solid barn with solid rider, must overcome outside post in turf mile. PANORAMIC -- Draws middle box in sod mile, Espinoza on young Mulhall trainee, Panoramic view of graduation from winners circle. Value Play -- IL MEGLIO

Griffin resigns from tax panel: CARSON CITY -- Assemblyman Josh Griffin, R-Henderson, said today he has resigned from the legislative committee that will study the consequences of the $836 million tax increase enacted by the 2003 session.

News briefs for Nov. 14, 2003: Metro homicide detectives arrested the estranged husband of a woman found dead Wednesday in her home in the 5900 block of Glen Eagles Lane, near Jones Boulevard and Washington Avenue.

Station buys stake in Mich. casino firm: By Liz Benston; Station Casinos Inc. said today it purchased a 50 percent stake in a company that expects to develop and manage a casino for a Michigan tribe. The deal marks the company's first Indian contract outside of California, where it has relationships with two tribes.

VegasBeat -- Timothy McDarrah: Newton auction to stirrup attention: About 35 of the entertainer's prized equines, from this year's foal crop to his riding horses and breeding stallions, will be part of a Thanksgiving horse sale.

Woman who died after fleeing officer is ID'd: Rognlien, a grant writer, was eastbound on Tropicana Avenue just west of U.S. 95 when the Taxicab Authority officer saw her run a red light and pulled her over. After stopping, the woman sped off and then crashed.

Release from house arrest sought for 17-year-old: Erica D. Johnson; The attorney representing one of the alleged 311 Boyz was expected to ask a District Court judge this morning to release the teen from house arrest.

Native American Arts and Film Festival set Saturday: The five-hour film festival, which is free to the public, begins at 1 p.m. at Durango Hills Community Center YMCA, 3521 N. Durango Drive.

Spitzer criticizes SEC: "I'm not sure that I can work with the SEC given their decision-making process," said Spitzer in an appearance outside New York City.

Columnist Jerry Fink: Capozzoli's is where to hang out for a little Italy: The party, which begins around 9 p.m., is being organized by Frank Sinatra impressionist Gary Anthony and will include performances by many entertainers who have made Capozzoli's a popular hangout over the years.

Community briefs for Nov. 14, 2003: Dr. Jay Levy of the Department of Medicine, University of California, San Francisco, will discuss "The Social and Economic Threat of the AIDS Epidemic: How Does Science Face the Challenge?" at 6 p.m. Monday in the Adelson Auditorium of Sunrise Hospital and Medical Center.

Guest Columnist -- Gary Peck: Is Patriot Act endangering civil liberties?: WEEKEND EDITION Nov. 15 - 16, 2003

Governor predicts approval of slots: Vicki Smith; CHESTER, W.Va. -- Pennsylvania Gov. Ed Rendell said Wednesday he believes his state will pass a bill to allow slot machines at racetracks by the end of the year.

Letter: Pledge is clearly unconstitutional: For more than 60 years the pledge was merely a simple, secular, patriotic pledge until misguided religionists, part of the McCarthy era, lobbied Congress to add the religious phrase.

Where I Stand -- Mike O'Callaghan: A tale of two cities and the veterans they honor: WEEKEND EDITION Nov. 15 - 16, 2003

Datebook for November 14, 2003: Ethel M. Chocolates will hold its 10th annual lighting of the Ethel M. Chocolates Botanical Cactus Garden from 5 p.m. to 7 p.m. Wednesday at Two Cactus Garden Drive in Henderson. Admission is free. 458-8864.

Where I Stand -- Brian Greenspun: A noble reason to unite: WEEKEND EDITION Nov. 15 - 16, 2003

Court weighing case of arrested gamblers: CARSON CITY -- An attorney for two gamblers arrested on charges of cheating at cards at Caesars Palace told the Nevada Supreme Court on Thursday that the charges were trumped up by agents of the state Gaming Control Board.

Columnist Muriel Stevens: Annual truffle auction no trifle for charities: White truffle aficionados gathered at Piero Selvaggio's Valentino restaurant at The Venetian for the fifth annual white truffle auction -- the first held in Las Vegas -- to bid on the first white truffles of the season and raise money for charity at the same time.

Letter: Flat tax good for both Iraq, U.S.: Someone must have been listening when presidential hopeful Steve Forbes touted the flat tax to replace our incomprehensible Internal Revenue Service tax code -- Iraq, with help from the United States taxpayers, is instituting a 15 percent flax tax.

Sedaka shows off musical mastery at Orleans: Sedaka vocals have remarkable range and he didn't hit a sour note in his all-but-sold-out, 90-minute performance at The Orleans' 700-seat showroom earlier this week.

Performing Arts for November 14, 2003: Piano recital

Charities seek local help to aid the needy: Local nonprofit groups that provide for the homeless are looking for help seeing to their needs during the holiday season.

Final preparation under way for air show: Aviation Nation 2003 is scheduled to run from 8 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. Saturday and Sunday, and will include performances by several aerial demonstration teams including the Thunderbirds. The FA-22 Raptor is scheduled to be among about 100 aircraft parked on the tarmac at Nellis for spectators to view.

Contrary opinion: 'Asbury Park' is Springsteen's best: Spencer Patterson; Having attending college in upstate New York, I've encountered my fair share of Springsteen diehards.

VegasBeat -- Timothy McDarrah: Tiny town tut-tuts 'Thunder': WEEKEND EDITION Nov. 15 - 16, 2003

Stars to aid teen mothers: "A Night of 1,000 Stars," featuring such luminaries as Carrot Top, Clint Holmes, Susan Anton and others, will be held at 8 p.m. at the Chameleon Club, 6340 Hinson St. General Admission is $25 in advance and $30 at the door.

Letter: Not fighting terrorism with all resources: I am disgusted with the way the military is treating Lt. Col. Allen B. West, the soldier who fired his gun to scare an Iraqi he was interrogating, to get him to reveal information that saved soldiers' lives.

Columnist Susan Snyder: Offering some new McWords: WEEKEND EDITION Nov. 15 - 16, 2003

Letter: Bush has not stonewalled 9-11 commission: Because of the extraordinarily unique nature of the Sept. 11 tragedy, the Executive Branch has provided truly unprecedented and extraordinary access to the commission, including more than 2 million pages of documents, nearly 100 briefings and more than 300 interviews. The commission has had access to many highly classified and extremely sensitive documents that have seldom, if ever, been made available outside the Executive Branch, particularly on this scale.

Columnist Jon Ralston: Disdain of ethics sadly routine: WEEKEND EDITION Nov. 15 - 16, 2003

In his Palms: Turning 2, Maloof's pride and joy is a major Vegas player: It was the pre-corporate age, when most casinos were family owned or operated by individuals who were known personally by many of their customers.

Here to impress: WEEKEND EDITION Nov. 15 - 16, 2003

Editorial: A matter of fairness: From Aug. 1 to Nov. 6, the number of fines issued by the Las Vegas Valley Water District for wasting water totaled 437. The district covers Las Vegas and Clark County.

Letter: It's the drivers, not the roads: I read Susan Snyder's Nov. 7 column headlined, "Our roads are fatally flawed."

Columnist Jeff German: Knowlton dedicated to valley's security: WEEKEND EDITION Nov. 15 - 16, 2003

Editorial: So where is all this 'fat' in budgets?: This past week the U.S. Census Bureau released data that confirmed that Nevada is one of the most fiscally conservative states in the nation. The Census Bureau reported that in 2002 Nevada had the second-lowest percentage of public employees in the nation, with 465 state and local-government employees for every 10,000 people. The national average was 554 public employees for every 10,000 people. In public employment Nevada lags well behind other states in some critical areas, such as education and health care. In education, for example, there are 213 public educators for every 10,000 people compared to the national average ...

Developers pitch plans for New Mexico track: Pete Herrera; ALBUQUERQUE -- West Texans for decades have streamed to Ruidoso to gamble. It's fertile territory, loaded with bettors, that the track owners of Ruidoso Downs don't want to share.

Expectations are high for Nevada Cancer Institute: By Steve Kanigher; WEEKEND EDITION Nov. 15 - 16, 2003

Columnist Lisa Ferguson: Rhea rolls with the punches: Lisa Ferguson; Over the summer the comic-turned-actress-turned-talk-show host's year-old, syndicated gab-fest, "The Caroline Rhea Show," was given the ax.

Obituaries for Nov. 14, 2003: Amey Alesna, 76, of Las Vegas died Monday in a local care center. She was born April 17, 1927, in Honolulu. A resident for three years, she was a retired school district food manager.

Business briefs for Nov. 14, 2003: BIRMINGHAM, Ala. -- A federal judge delayed sentencing for five former HealthSouth executives Thursday after hearing widely varying estimates on how much a massive fraud cost shareholders.

Editorial: Friendly skies for Ted?: The airline industry truly was revolutionized by Southwest Airlines, with its low labor costs, short-haul flights and no-frills philosophy. This has resulted in cheap fares that passengers have come to love. Impressive corporate earnings have impressed investors as well, especially since the airline industry overall has fallen on hard times. Some of the larger, long-haul airlines have tried to mimic the success of Southwest and other low-cost carriers, such as Jet Blue, but haven't fared well.

Columnist Susan Snyder: Have faith, and be free to donate: And if you're not going to be using it anymore, please donate it to someone who needs a new one.

Where I Stand -- Mike O'Callaghan: So where is the crisis?: Now we are being told that the Democrats are creating a crisis in the federal courts by not approving enough of President George W. Bush's nominations. At first blush this made me ready to sit down and blister the Democrats for playing games that hurt our judicial branch of government.

Guest Columnist -- Mark Corallo: Law preserves freedom while fighting terrorism: WEEKEND EDITION November 14, 2003ov. 15 - 16, 2003

Hospice still easing the pain: Michelle Swafford; WEEKEND EDITION Nov. 15 - 16, 2003

Editorial: Pedestrians need driver awareness: Breen is campaigning for changes in state law that would result in tougher penalties for drivers found responsible for pedestrian deaths. She has found an ally in Bruce Nelson, a deputy district attorney who prosecutes vehicular crimes. "If you drive through a stop sign and kill someone now, it's a traffic ticket," Nelson told Sun reporters Ed Koch and Dan Kulin. "It's exactly the same as if you drive through a stop sign and don't hit anyone."