Print edition for November 20, 2003

Senate approvesveterans hospital funding: Suzanne Struglinski; WASHINGTON -- The Senate authorized $25 million Wednesday to help plan for the new veterans hospital in Las Vegas and approved a new population growth consideration requirement for future medical facilities.

Editorial: Secrecy sows distrust: The Nuclear Regulatory Commission is supposed to be an independent body, but such meetings further the distrust of an Energy Department project that has dismissed the dangers posed by the transportation and storage of man's deadliest waste. In 2002 Nevada officials criticized similar secret meetings held between employees of the same federal agencies. It looked bad then and it still looks bad today. If there's nothing to hide, why not invite the public to listen in?

Moratorium on tavern licenses starts: Dan Kulin; The North Las Vegas City Council instituted a temporary moratorium on new tavern licenses Wednesday, giving time to review the current license rules with an eye toward expanding or establishing distance requirements between taverns and schools, parks, churches and day-care centers.

Ralph Siraco's Hollywood Park selections: 1st Race -- DESIRAES MYHOTBABY -- Ships down from Golden Gate Fields for this, P. Val on Lage trainee, draws good spot in bottom-level claimer. HONEST GRADE -- Espinoza aboard owner Amescua trainee, draws good post for long one-turn tag sprint, Honest effort could make the winning Grade. Value Play -- TELL NO TALES

FBI probe might be turning to developers: Jace Radke; Earlier this month the FBI subpoenaed documents from local attorney Larry Davidson, apparently as part of another investigation that developed out of the political corruption investigation that resulted in indictments of one current and three former Clark County commissioners.

Letter: Art imitates life on 'Sopranos': Letter: Art imitates life on 'Sopranos'

Cheyenne game may have to wait: Adam Candee; Spurned in its latest legal effort, the Nevada Interscholastic Activities Association might just take its ball and go home until its day in court arrives.

Las Vegas news briefs for November 20, 2003: A 24-year-old woman was found dead at her central Las Vegas home, and her husband was in critical condition Wednesday night, Metro Police said.

Fans in Las Vegas show support for pop star: Jace Radke and Jen Lawson; Jenna Curry, a 19-year-old Las Vegas resident, was feeling helpless as she watched news of the charges against Michael Jackson on Wednesday.

Columnist Ruthe Deskin: No hurry to face holiday rush: Ruthe Deskin; Though there are forces abroad who keep pushing the beginning of the holiday season back, I still consider Thanksgiving as the time to proclaim the annual festivities.

Problems not found so far on crashed chopper: NTSB

Letters: BLM is working to revise auction deposit policy: As we mark the fifth anniversary of the Southern Nevada Public Land Act of 1998, I would like to commend the members of Nevada's congressional delegation, who developed the legislation, for their great vision in creating an Act that provides such extraordinary benefits to Nevada. And those who have subsequently been elected have carried that vision forward through amendments to enhance the Act.

Fight schedule: At the Orleans, Las Vegas, Armando Velardez, San Bernardino, Calif., vs. Frankie Sanchez, Aurora, Col., 8, welterweights. At Fresno, Calif., (ESPN2), Juan Valenzuela, Mexico, vs. Ernie Zavala, Burbank, Calif., 10, junior welterweights.

LV sailor leads refueling team on Navy assault ship: Dick Benoit; A 23-year-old Las Vegas sailor leads a flight deck aircraft refueling team on the Navy multi-purpose assault ship USS Boxer, which has just completed its longest ever deployment. Navy Airman Robert E. Atkinson, son of Robert Atkinson of Las Vegas, is a key member of a crew of more than 800 sailors and nearly 2000 Marines that deployed for 190 days in the global war on terrorism. It was the longest deployment in the ship's history.

Fireworks show promoters promise New Year's bash: This year's New Year's Eve fireworks extravaganza on the Strip will celebrate light, energy and life, promoters said Wednesday as they unveiled plans for the $500,000-plus rooftop show.

Columnist Ron Kantowski: One more and out for Rebels' Robinson: How's this for a compromise for all those who think UNLV football coach John Robinson should be allowed to serve out the remaining two years on his contract (me and Mrs. Robinson) and those who want to see him go (everybody in my e-mail address book as of last week's pro-Robinson column):

Community briefs for November 20, 2003: Panera Bread bakery-cafe and the Shade Tree Shelter will hold a special charity day event from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. and 5 p.m. to 8 p.m. Saturday at 5130 S. Fort Apache Road, to benefit the shelter.

City annexes 1,100 acres in northeast: Dan Kulin; North Las Vegas will grow by almost 1,100 acres after the City Council on Wednesday approved the largest city-forced annexation to date.

Shortfall cited for retirees: CARSON CITY -- Nevada's school districts need another $3.8 million to pay the health insurance premiums of their retired workers, the Legislative Interim Finance Committee was told Tuesday.

Pickets seek other water answers: About 50 mostly union pickets rallied in front of the County Government Center on Wednesday in an effort to draw attention to what they say is the biggest threat to water in the region: new homes.

Las Vegas council briefs for November 20, 2003: Las Vegas City Council on Wednesday approved a sewer rate increase along with a hike in the cost developers pay to connect to the sewer system.

Where I Stand -- Mike O'Callaghan: The latest Iraq policy: I'M NOT IM- PRESSED with the demonstrations against President George W. Bush in Great Britain. Such demonstrations are part of life in a democracy and few nations have more legitimate political demonstrations than our own country. Several nations have government-inspired demonstrations, but few have the freedom of open dissent, which is taken for granted here at home.

Editorial: Ruling sent bad message to players: Although the Cheyenne coach criticized the discipline, the Cheyenne principal declared that the school would not challenge the ruling in court. Anyone middle-aged or older may have been taken aback by the principal's remark, wondering why a court challenge would even be mentioned. But times have changed. What was once considered the type of discipline that builds character and preserves order within schools is apt now to be perceived as outdated. What about these players' chances for college football, pro careers, endorsements? This is becoming the attitude today.

Wall: Ruby a curious figure: By Jerry Fink; Breck Wall remembers sitting cross-legged beside his friend Jack Ruby, in front of a stage, staring up at presidential candidate John F. Kennedy at a political rally overflowing with fans.

Hearing to be held on public-land sales: Rep. Jim Gibbons, R-Nev., vice chairman of the House Resources Committee, will conduct a hearing about "the dispensation of funds from the Southern Nevada Public Lands Management Act" on Dec. 4.

Lieberman: Bush knuckled under on Yucca Mountain: Jace Radke; Sen. Joe Lieberman attacked the Bush administration during a fund-raising stop in Las Vegas Wednesday, saying the president has broken a promise to use sound science to determine if a national nuclear waste repository should be based at Yucca Mountain.

Goodbye, Already: Networks clinging to old prime-time favorites: Frazier Moore; NBC's sitcom "Friends," you remember, was absolutely, positively going bye-bye last season. Yet here it is, still holding down the Thursday fort in this, its absolutely, positively, we're-not-kidding-this-time final year.

Rebels' success may lie with playing some 'D': The flash point of this season's UNLV basketball team will be out in front, for all to judge.

Las Vegas decides to wait on new rules on fountains: Sito Negron; Las Vegas decided to take another two weeks to decide whether to follow the valley-wide drought guidelines that forbid fountains everywhere but the Strip.

Columnist Brian Hilderbrand: Baja 1000 attracts a star-studded field: Less than a week after completing a grueling 36-race NASCAR Winston Cup schedule, Robby Gordon is delaying a postseason vacation to drive in this weekend's 36th annual Tecate SCORE Baja 1000 off-road race in Ensenada, Mexico.

Three schools locked down briefly: Three schools near Nellis and East Lake Mead boulevards, were locked down from 12:25 to 1 p.m. while Metro Police chased a burglary suspect. Lynch Elementary School, 4850 Kell Lane, Sandy Miller Elementary School, 4851 E. Lake Mead Blvd., and Monaco Middle School, 1870 Lamont St., were affected.

$1.6M settlement with owner of crashed Sierra airtanker questioned: AP; Wyoming Sen. Craig Thomas wants the Department of Justice to re-evaluate its $1.6 million settlement agreement with Hawkins & Powers Aviation Inc., owner of a firefighting airtanker that crashed in the Sierra, killing all three crew members last year.

Friday's horse racing entries: Post Time 7:05 p.m.

Obituaries for November 20, 2003: Fredrick "Don" Bruton, 69, of Las Vegas died Tuesday in a local hospital. He was born Feb. 1, 1934, in Olton, Texas. A resident for eight years, he was a retired Navy personnelman, a Korean War and Vietnam War veteran and an owner-operator of a travel agency.

Nevada may receive $1.7 billion for transportation: Suzanne Struglinski; WASHINGTON -- Nevada stands to gain $1.7 billion in transportation programs in the House version of a major transportation bill unveiled Wednesday. Congress hopes to pass the bill by next March.

Letter: Opposition to tax increase is broad: It is also disingenuous to suggest, as your editorial did, that only "ultraconservatives rallied against Republican Gov. Kenny Guinn's proposal to raise taxes." This statement makes two assumptions: That Kenny Guinn is anything but a RINO (Republican in name only) and that only "ultraconservatives" oppose higher taxes.

Boxing group off to slow start: Dean Juipe; Six months into its existence, the Joint Association of Boxers has members but has not collected any dues and is continuing to be financed by the Teamsters union.

Colorado State still trying to salvage frustrating year: Steve Guiremand; It was the hot topic at the Mountain West Conference football media day last summer.

Schools receive another $1.9 million to help budget: By Emily Richmond; The Clark County School District will get an additional $1.9 million in per-pupil funding from the state this year, thanks to an extra jump in student enrollment.

Red Rock casino proposal draws opposing rallies: Rallies

Sports briefs for November 20, 2003: Raymond clinched a spot in the Fed Cup final against Russia or France by defeating Elke Clijsters 6-2, 6-1. That gave the Americans an insurmountable 3-1 edge in the best-of-five semifinal.

Partners fight to save program: Dean Juipe; The Board of Trustees at Nevada Partners will meet today in a further effort to resolve the potential financial crisis that looms for its youth boxing program at the North Las Vegas facility.

Regents might hit assemblyman with complaint: Jennifer Knight; The state Board of Regents might pursue a complaint against Assemblyman Wendell Williams, D-North Las Vegas, alleging he pressured the chancellor to settle a lawsuit, university system officials said.

Columnist Dean Juipe: Showtime fills card with a few of their rising stars: Dean Juipe; The sports executives at the Showtime cable network have said they are no longer going to sign fighters to long-term deals, yet it retains a vested interest in the fighters it has under contract and is doing its best to increase and extend their viability.

Conservation going well: Vince Alberta, spokesman for the Southern Nevada Water Authority, said the demand for water in September was down 11 percent from the same month last year. In October the demand level was up, but not much -- less than 0.5 percent.

Greenspan says 'protectionism' threatens economies: Such "clouds of emerging protectionism" are particularly harmful at a time when the U.S., the world's largest economy, is running a large current account deficit, Greenspan told a monetary conference in Washington.

Gaming briefs for Nov. 20, 2003: OTTAWA -- Canadian drug traffickers are laundering illicit cash through casinos and clandestinely shipping shady money to the Caribbean and South America, says a U.S. intelligence report.

Comdex producers introduce nightclub events for showgoers: Some have said that many of the deals struck at Comdex have occurred at poolside parties and hospitality suites well after the trade-show floor has closed.

Las Vegas gives Williams three options: Sito Negron; Las Vegas officials gave Assemblyman Wendell Williams three options this morning regarding his city job -- resign, be fired or participate in a hearing in which he could attempt to make his case.

Nightclub tax plan to cost state $4 mil.: CARSON CITY -- Nevada gambling casinos that feature trendy nightclubs may be in for a tax windfall of up to $4 million under the new live entertainment tax.

VegasBeat -- Timothy McDarrah: Vegas parties: They can't be stopped!: As if!

SEC subpoenas company: Black moved up his official departure from the publisher of London's Daily Telegraph to today rather than Friday on the advice of counsel, according to a company statement.

Search warrants served at three Nevada offices: The Ft. Lauderdale, Fla.-based company today said the company was being investigated related to Medicaid billings since January 2000.

House unanimously approves big cat legislation: Suzanne Struglinski; WASHINGTON -- The House on Wednesday unanimously approved a bill that would restrict ownership and sales of tigers, lions and other big cats by unqualified people, but the legislation needs a little more work before it can go to the president.

Tabatha's dad questions instructions: Dan Kulin; The father of a 13-year-old girl who died four days after being released from University Medical Center said Wednesday that the care instructions given when his daughter was discharged were inadequate.

Jackson leaves LV to face charges: By Jeff German; Michael Jackson, following an overnight stay at Green Valley Ranch Station Casino in Henderson, apparently left Las Vegas this morning to surrender to police in Santa Barbara, Calif., on an arrest warrant for multiple counts of child molestation.

311 Boyz tape shows attack on black teens: Erica D. Johnson; Police have alleged for months that there was a racist element to the 311 Boyz gang's violence, and on Wednesday details emerged in court for the first time about an alleged attack on two black teens by the gang.

FTC sues AmeriDebt, claiming customers misled: Jennifer C. Kerr; WASHINGTON -- Federal regulators filed their first lawsuit against a credit counseling company Wednesday, charging that industry giant AmeriDebt used deceptive marketing to bilk hundreds of thousands of customers.

County may ease fountain limits: Clark County could be opening the door a tiny bit toward allowing some businesses to keep their water fountains flowing during this time of drought-related restrictions.

Greater FBI search powers move forward in Congress: Jace Radke and Suzanne Struglinski; WASHINGTON -- Congressional negotiators approved a plan Wednesday that would give the FBI greater authority to demand records from casinos and other businesses in terrorism cases.

Fiancee pleads innocent in stabbing: William Green's fiancee pleaded innocent today to charges she stabbed him at their home.

Ads on health benefits dropped: Company spokeswoman Bonnie Warschauer declined to say whether the decision was related to the complaint that the Center for Science in the Public Interest filed with federal regulators, but said KFC's ads routinely air for just three or four weeks.

Crash near Yucca raises concerns: This week's crash of a fighter jet about 40 miles from Yucca Mountain raised concerns about the proposed nuclear waste repository Wednesday.

Wranglers lose again on road: The Wranglers fell to 9-4-3 with the loss but maintained first place in the ECHL Pacific Division.

Court upholds Ohio lottery plan: Andrew Welsh-Huggins; COLUMBUS, Ohio -- Ohio can participate legally in a multistate lottery but can't take profits from the lottery away from education, the Ohio Supreme Court ruled Wednesday in a decision that largely favored the state.

Errors found in schools audit: By Emily Richmond; An audit of the Clark County School District's finances turned up numerous calculation errors made by accounting employees in various departments -- apparently a result of failing to double-check their own work, School Board members were told Wednesday.

Just one of three affected states investigating merger: By Liz Benston; Regulators in states where Harrah's Entertainment Inc. expects to buy casinos from Horseshoe Gaming Holding Corp. are taking different approaches in their examination of the pending deal.

LV bidders lose out on N.M. track, casino: Pete Herrera; ALBUQUERQUE -- The state Racing Commission on Wednesday picked Ruidoso Downs owner R.D. Hubbard and his partnership to build and operate a new horse racetrack and casino at Hobbs.

Viewing scheduled Friday for Vegas musician Trenier: There will be no services, his manager, Ken Sands said.

Nevada ranks low in quality of life: By Timothy Pratt; Nevada's quality of life is among the nation's worst, with high rates of child abuse and elderly suicide and low rates of high school completion and health insurance coverage, a study says.

New communications called key to anti-terror: Some new high-tech wireless video and audio equipment may be the key to improving communication between emergency agencies such as fire and police in case of a disaster or terrorist attack, officials said Wednesday.

Participants in homeless vigil rousted by police: Heather Rawlyk; Day two of a what is aimed to be a weeklong vigil for the homeless started off shaky, as Metro Police officers rousted the homeless from their original location and handed out warnings to participants.