Print edition for November 28, 2003

LV companies may be interested in racetrack purchase, analysts say: By Liz Benston; Gaming operators in Las Vegas and around the country are likely considering making offers to buy the U.S. gaming assets of troubled British gaming company Wembley PLC, analysts say.

Porter adapting to rigors of life as a congressman: Suzanne Struglinski; WASHINGTON -- He still prefers to be called Jon.

Vegas company in pact: The Firm will work with MS&L, which has 100 affiliates around the world, on a project-by-project basis. Solveig Thorsrud, president of The Firm, said the move gives her clients access to MS&L's worldwide network. The relationship also will give MS&L clients representation in Las Vegas.

Fire rips through apartments: Heather Rawlyk and Ed Koch; Twenty-five people were burned out of their apartments on Thanksgiving Day after a two-alarm fire swept through their complex on 28th Street near Charleston Boulevard.

Columnist Jeff German: Publicity machine surrounds Binion II: WEEKEND EDITION Nov. 29 - 30, 2003

Icahn ponders gaming growth: By Liz Benston; In addition to the possible purchase of a major Las Vegas resort, a real estate limited partnership controlled by investor Carl Icahn is making other moves in an apparent attempt to consolidate and grow its gaming investments, experts say.

Binion's Horseshoe hit with $5 million IRS lien: Kevin Rademacher; Binion's Horseshoe is behind on its payments to the Internal Revenue Service for employee payroll withholding taxes.

Firm re-initiates gaming coverage: Mark Abramson, who will now follow gaming stocks for Bear Stearns, has a top rating of "outperform" for only three of the major gaming companies -- Harrah's Entertainment Inc., Station Casinos Inc. and Aztar Corp.

Double slaying rattles LV neighborhood: "I just heard a 'pow pow' and I asked my husband if those were gunshots," Rios said while sitting in her living room this morning.

Precautions minimized risk of Bush's trip: WASHINGTON -- President Bush took a modest risk flying into Baghdad to visit U.S. troops on Thanksgiving, experts say.

Bargain hunters start early in LV: Jennifer Shubinski; Shoppers hit Las Vegas-area malls and stores in force today, many getting up before dawn to get a jump-start on the crowds and to take advantage of early-morning sales as the holiday shopping season got under way.

Nevada Power testing the waters for Enron-driven rate hike: CARSON CITY -- Nevada Power Co. has asked the state Public Utilities Commission whether it can now file an application to increase rates for customers in Clark County to recover a $235 million judgment against the utility by Enron Corp.

Cause of girl's death leaves family asking more questions: The wording of the official cause of death for 13-year-old Tabatha Speas has left her family and attorney with more questions than answers.

Stroke center for Las Vegas closer to becoming a reality: WEEKEND EDITION Nov. 29 - 30, 2003

Knight in Vegas: Spencer Patterson; WEEKEND EDITION Nov. 29 - 30, 2003

Drawing from the well of knowledge: By Mary Manning; WEEKEND EDITION Nov. 29 - 30, 2003

Elderly could revolt over costs: Gardiner Harris; WEEKEND EDITION Nov. 29 - 30, 2003

Columnist Susan Snyder: Holiday stress fits perfectly: WEEKEND EDITION Nov. 29 - 30, 2003

Obituaries for Nov. 28, 2003: Linda Joyce Bland, 51, of Las Vegas died Saturday in Las Vegas. She was born July 2, 1952, in Las Vegas. A lifelong resident, she was a kitchen worker at the Nevada Test Site for Reynolds Electrical and Engineering Company.

Community briefs for Nov. 28, 2003: The Las Vegas firefighters third annual Adopt A Bike program will be held through Dec. 19 to benefit children for the holidays.

Little-known carriers offer cheap fares: By now, most bargain-hungry passengers have heard of discount airlines such as Southwest and JetBlue. But they may not have heard of such small fry as Allegiant, Southeast or USA3000.

Where I Stand -- Mike O'Callaghan: Back to playing the game: This is also the time that basketball fans get their first taste of the 2003-04 season. Now is overlap time for those who love athletic competition. Writer Bill Plaschke of the Los Angeles Times does us all a favor when taking a close look at one of the athletes on the UCLA basketball team. What we learn from Plaschke about John Hoffart is a story that is repeated in some form or other in several sports. The heart of many teams beats the strongest in an athlete waiting for his or her opportunity to play.

Dollar falls to record low: Dollar falls to record low

Plea deal made in rape, drugging case: Erica D. Johnson; The former Marine who was granted a new trial after he was convicted of drugging and raping a Las Vegas woman negotiated his case with prosecutors on Wednesday.

Nevada leads U.S. in teen pregnancy category: By Timothy Pratt; Nevada ranked highest in the nation in teens with more than one child in 2001, according to a report on teen pregnancy released this week.

Lawsuit in fatal accident targets School District: By Emily Richmond; A lawsuit filed earlier this week alleges the Clark County School District bears some responsibility for a lunchtime fatal car wreck that left two students dead and three injured.

Blood drives for Nov. 28, 2003: Tuesday: 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. University of Nevada, Las Vegas.

Pilot gets two Distinguished Flying Crosses: Capt. Scott Ulmer, an F-16 instructor pilot at the Air Force Weapons School at Nellis, was presented the awards by Air Force Chief of Staff Gen John P. Jumper.

New Spring Elko soldier named to "Old Guard": AP; The 2003 Spring Creek High School graduate and six other soldiers from his company of 209 graduates were chosen for the duty by recruiters during a reception and interview at Fort Benning, Ga., the Elko Daily Free Press reported

Letter: GOP has too much control: Most Americans have yet to awaken to the fact that the entire federal government is controlled by the Republican party, including the executive, legislative and judicial branches.

Letter: Let courts, not the media, decide: The media should stop focusing on certain sports or theatrical figures like they are icons. Lately, with so many high-profile cases ending up in court, fans always jump the gun by concluding that their idol is innocent of any crime.

Datebook for Nov. 28, 2003: A series of classes for 10- to 13-year-olds entitled "Putting the Man Back in the Hood: Manhood," continues with "The Gathering" from 1 p.m. to 3 p.m. Saturday and from 5 p.m. to 7 p.m. on Tuesday at West Las Vegas Arts Center, 947 W. Lake Mead Blvd. Registration is $5. 229-4800.

Spring Creek soldier named to "Old Guard": AP; The 2003 Spring Creek High School graduate and six other soldiers from his company of 209 graduates were chosen for the duty by recruiters during a reception and interview at Fort Benning, Ga., the Elko Daily Free Press reported

Spike celebrates games people play: Kirk Baird; Then TV and music.

Editorial: Teens have their say: President Bush's visit to Las Vegas wasn't the only significant event on Tuesday. At the Las Vegas Convention Center, 876 students from 41 high schools discussed current events and debated world, national and local issues. They were participating in the Las Vegas Sun's 48th annual Youth Forum.

Columnist Lisa Ferguson: Bizarre ready to roll credits on comedy career: Lisa Ferguson; After spending more than two decades performing stand-up comedy, the funny man is calling it quits. He plans to hang up his microphone early next year and pursue his new love -- filmmaking -- full time.

Letter: Petition process unfairly amplifies smaller counties: For example, in 2000 I circulated an initiative petition that would have given the voters of Clark County the right to break up our oversized and poorly performing school district into smaller, more responsive community-based districts. Although we obtained enough signatures overall (most of them in Clark County), because we did not gather sufficient signatures in tiny Mineral County, the citizens of Clark County were denied the right to make changes in our own school district.

Editorial: So who's to blame?: In our view, this turmoil developed from management problems that evolved over a considerable length of time. The City Council admitted that during a special meeting Tuesday when it voted to develop better policies regarding sick days, vacation time and other forms of leave. It also voted to develop a policy to handle employees who are elected officials. As City Manager Doug Selby ponders the question of whether to fire Williams and his supervisor, he should also ask if the city itself, his office included, isn't equally to blame.

Letter: Trivia trumps serious news: ROBERT H. HOLDING

Editorial: Keep focus on the core of problem: It's common for cities to confront the issue of whether their form of government should be "strong mayor" or "council-manager." The impetus for the debate is usually rooted around public dissatisfaction with the vision for the city or the city's economy or perhaps political infighting that has led to gridlock. Frustrated by the lack of accomplishment, people want change and often think a different form of government is the answer. City Council members in Las Vegas, including Mayor Oscar Goodman, are now trying to get the public debate going here. Goodman and others on the council are encouraging the notion ...

Columnist Jon Ralston: Plenty to be thankful for: WEEKEND EDITION Nov. 29 - 30, 2003

Columnist Jerry Fink: Offbeat afternoon show remains King's court: For the past three years, since his gig at the old Maxim was cut short by the hotel's bankruptcy, King has been performing his blend of magic and comedy at Harrah's Comedy Cabaret.

Columnist Susan Snyder: Charities gearing up for holidays: You're among the lucky, if you did.

For jazz enthusiasts, CD has Miles of good material: Spencer Patterson; When Miles Davis died in 1991 at age 65, the jazz giant left behind a vast legacy as both a dynamic trumpet player and a stylistically daring composer.

On the Block: Once again, it's time for the Sun Holiday Auction: 'Tis the season to be jolly, and to submit a bid on an item in the annual Sun Holiday Auction. This is the sixth year we will try to find happy homes OK, let's be honest, any home will do for the many promotional items we receive during the year but do not keep because, ethically, it just wouldn't be right.

Letter: Prisoners don't need new gym: Criminals who are already receiving free room and board from taxpayers don't need state-of-the-art exercise equipment.

Columnist Spencer Patterson: Music fans should get to know Pretty Girls: Spencer Patterson; Who can really blame him? Two weeks ago Fudesco's band, Pretty Girls Make Graves, discovered its tour van -- with all of its musical equipment inside -- had been stolen while parked outside drummer Nick Dewitt's Seattle home.

Where I Stand -- Mike O'Callaghan: Serving Turkey in Iraq: WEEKEND EDITION Nov. 29 - 30, 2003

Performing arts for Nov. 28, 2003: 'Once on This Island'

Editorial: Share Yucca facts more generously: Given this possible scenario, it seems to us that the Energy Department would be more scrupulous about sharing all of its Yucca Mountain research with Nevada and the multitude of scientists around the country who would eagerly provide peer reviews if asked. Instead, the Energy Department makes it difficult for anyone to access what it's learned so far. A case in point is information developed by the Energy Department that was recently reviewed by Nevada's Yucca Mountain experts. The information bears heavily on the safety of Yucca Mountain, but was received by our experts only after they had filed a ...

Vegas airline canceling service to Denver: Kevin Rademacher; Las Vegas-based Allegiant Air is ending its service from Las Vegas to Denver and shifting resources to nearby Colorado Springs and Fort Collins, Colo.

Columnist Dean Juipe: Death defies rationale, but can inspire others: Dean Juipe; Very few of us who have been hearing and reading about Edward Gomez knew the young man or shared in his development. He was a high school football player and supposedly a decent one for what may be the state's finest team, Las Vegas High.

League embraces another changing of the guard: All-time series -- Vikings lead, 21-14-2.

Sports briefs for November 28, 2003: The Pro Bowl QB, sidelined since breaking his right leg in preseason, practiced for the second straight day. During a two-hour workout, Vick rolled out on pass plays after working exclusively in the pocket Wednesday. He also stopped, started and took cuts.

Television betting games planned for U.K.: Sportingbet's games, currently on the Internet, include virtual horseracing and a dice game called "High Roller," according to a Regulatory News Service statement from the London- based company. Revenue from the three-year contract will be shared, the two companies said in separate RNS statements.

Columnist Brian Hilderbrand: IRL drivers not worried about Miami tire wear: Tire wear -- and failure -- was an issue for the NASCAR Winston Cup Series during its first race on the reconfigured Homestead-Miami Speedway.

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

Clarification: Clarification

Peters to return to test from Cal: Nick Christensen; So much for easing into the season.

Pharmacy hearing postponed: The Pharmacy Board was scheduled to resume the hearing in Reno Dec. 3 and Dec. 4 to determine whether Dutchess Business Services Inc. and Legend Pharmaceuticals Inc. violated Nevada laws. The companies have denied wrongdoing.

Ralph Siraco's Hollywood Park selections: 1st Race -- POINT DUME -- Draws good box for route opener, P. Val on one-of-two Mitchell-trained 'hidden entry', should get the trip here. TIZWAR -- Training at Santa Anita, draws good rail post for two-turn claimer, Flores aboard Lewis trainee, freshman fray Tiz-a-war? Value Play -- GASSAN ROCK

Columnist Steve Guiremand: Beavers fulfill LV Bowl dream: Steve Guiremand; Barring a rash of upsets this weekend, it looks like the Las Vegas Bowl will get at least half of its dream matchup for its Christmas Eve game.

Columnist Ron Kantowski: Give them Liberty ... or another bowl game: If I were Mountain West Conference commissioner Craig Thompson and were limited to one telephone call on behalf of my conference football champion, I wouldn't use it on long distance information or Memphis, Tenn.

Former cabdriver given second life sentence: District Judge Joseph Bonaventure sentenced Wagnaw "Kevin" Getahun, 38, to life in prison with the possibility of parole after five years on four kidnapping counts.

Whistle-blower claim follows regents' actions: Jennifer Knight; More fallout from the state Board of Regents' decision to remove Community College of Southern Nevada's president and one of his advisers came Wednesday in the form of two complaints to the attorney general's office, a restraining order and a whistle-blower complaint.

Cyber Sweep nets ID-theft suspects: Law enforcement authorities have charged three people in U.S. District Court in Las Vegas in connection with a new cyber-crime-fighting initiative.

Boulder Highway property re-opening: The property will feature a 1,600-square-foot dance floor, the Cowboy Up Lounge restaurant and a country and western theme. It will also feature mechanical bull rides and live country and western music most nights of the week, said Joe Sulima, a partner in the property.

Rebels vow not to pack in season: Steve Guiremand; By all rights, the UNLV Rebels have every right to pack it in for Saturday's season finale at Wyoming.

'Cats will have heavy hearts: Adam Candee; The likely prep football game of the year will arrive Saturday afternoon at 1 p.m. in an understandably subdued fashion.

Fishing report: Spot lures help land 28 stripers: NDOW creel census clerks said that the weather continued to affect fishing throughout the upper and lower basins of Lake Mead. Fishing pressure continued to be low.

Columnist Barb Henderson: Holiday season can help embrace nature: Barb Henderson; Why not make some plans to head outdoors and enjoy some of the holiday sights and sounds.

Clerks want decision on voting machines: CARSON CITY -- If Secretary of State Dean Heller doesn't hurry up and decide which brand of touch-screen voting machines Nevada should have, the purchase should be postponed until after the 2004 election, the state's county and city clerks say.

Isiah has hopes of returning: For the first time in 22 years Isiah Thomas does not have an intimate relationship with the NBA.

Supreme Court rejects appeal in coercion case: CARSON CITY -- A Las Vegas man who threatened to shoot his ex-wife to death unless she gave him $5,000 has lost his appeal to the Nevada Supreme Court on his convictions of coercion and solicitation to commit murder.

Saturday's matchup: UNLV (5-6, 1-5) at Wyoming (4-7, 2-4): UNLV run offense vs. Wyoming run defense You would think that Rebel tailbacks Larry Croom and Dominique Dorsey have had this game circled for a while. That's because both of them broke the 100-yard barrier in last year's wild 49-48 overtime victory over the Cowboys at Sam Boyd Stadium as UNLV racked up 313 yards on 47 carries. Croom had 108 yards on 13 carries while Dorsey finished with 101 yards on seven carries, including a 73-yard touchdown run. Granted, that was against a Vic Koenning coached team but the Cowboys have struggled to stop the run again this year ...

Columnist Sal DeFilippo: Late-game antics give nightmares to bettors around NFL: Sal DeFilippo; Al Michaels seldom misses a chance to sneak in a Vegas gambling reference during a broadcast, and Monday night was no exception.

Columnist Adam Candee: LV, Reno get nods to meet in 4A final: Adam Candee; We've spent our time in courtrooms and hospitals during this apparently cursed prep football playoff playoff season. Solace, in whatever form it takes, is best found between the white lines.

News briefs for Nov. 28, 2003: A 35-year-old Las Vegas man was killed when he tried to cross Nellis Boulevard near Stewart Avenue early today, Metro Police said.