Print edition for October 6, 2003

Fashion Show mall work wrapping up: Jennifer Shubinski; With little of the fanfare that marked previous expansions of the Fashion Show mall on the Las Vegas Strip, the last phase, which includes a food court, opened last week.

Lack of sponsor may lead to LVI's demise: Adam Candee; It might look a bit like a car dealership around the TPC Summerlin course this week as the Las Vegas Invitational markets itself to potential title sponsors.

Deal moves NRC selection ahead: Suzanne Struglinski; WASHINGTON -- The White House will accept the nomination of Sen. Harry Reid's science adviser for a spot on the Nuclear Regulatory Commission in exchange for Reid allowing dozens of other Bush nominees awaiting confirmation to move through the Senate, senate aides said.

Gaming briefs for Oct. 6, 2003: Boyd Gaming Corp. said today it expects third-quarter earnings to miss analysts' expectations, primarily because of lower results at its Stardust and Par-A-Dice casinos. Its stock fell 11 percent in midday trading.

VegasBeat -- Timothy McDarrah: Dennis a menace, Sir Elton tells crowd: But Sir Elton absolutely despises Dennis Miller.

Woman still jailed in shooting: Donna Hatch is charged with attempted murder and battery with substantial bodily harm in connection with the shooting of Christian Rockwell. Her bail is set at $35,000. She has been in jail since Sept. 15.

Station bond deal delayed, analyst cites Calif. recall: Station Casinos Inc. has terminated a tender offer for $199.9 million in company bonds due in 2008. All notes that had previously been bought back will be promptly returned to holders, the Las Vegas company said Friday.

County debates indigent housing problem: By Timothy Pratt; After suffering a heart attack six months ago, Ricky Alexander said he thanked God when he got off the streets and into housing.

National title pretenders don't last long: And then there were ... what, 14?

Horn still critical after attack: By Mary Manning; Famed magician and animal trainer Roy Horn remained in critical but stable condition this morning after Friday's onstage mauling, doctors at University Medical Center said.

News briefs for Oct. 6, 2003: A 22-year-old Las Vegas man was arrested after a fatal traffic accident Sunday, North Las Vegas Police said.

Gibbons back bill on speedway taxes: Suzanne Struglinski; WASHINGTON -- Rep. Jim Gibons, R-Nev., voiced support Friday for a pending bill that would prevent tax bill increases for auto racing tracks.

Week 7 holds several important matchups across state: Adam Candee; The Sun Top 10 rattled and rolled this week as Elko stunned top-ranked McQueen and Silverado shocked Basic.

Air rule revision may aid valley hobbyists: Amateur woodworkers, welders and other home hobbyists probably haven't paid a whole lot of attention to Clark County rules requiring them to check in with local air quality management officials.

Endurance has a lasting effect in ground game: Nick Christensen; RENO -- Standing in a silent, somber hallway outside the Wolf Pack locker room, UNR defensive end Jorge Cordova was spent.

Insurance scam figure sentenced: Elam, who entered a guilty plea in the case, also was ordered by Clark County District Court Judge John McGroarty to pay $3,580 in restitution and court costs.

Circle K chain sold: The purchase of Circle K's 1,663 stations in 16 states will make Montreal-based Couche-Tard North America's fourth-biggest operator of convenience stores, up from seventh. Couche-Tard said on a conference call that buying Circle K will increase earnings by C$1.10 a share. That's equivalent to 44 percent more than it made all of last year.

Banned strip club owner is asking to return: Former Club Paradise owner Sam Cecola, banished from the strip-tease industry in 1998 following a federal tax conviction in Chicago, has filed suit in District Court to force Clark County licensing officials to allow him to return to the club in a non-managerial role.

Sports briefs for October 6, 2003: Snyder died Sunday night at Grady Hospital, the team said, six days after sustaining massive brain injuries in the wreck. He was 25.

Gazlay remains free as bail hearing postponed: Erica D. Johnson and Jace Radke; Steven Gazlay, an alleged 311 Boyz gang member who is charged in three violent incidents in northwest Las Vegas, remained free this morning after a District Court judge postponed a hearing on a requirement for $50,000 bail.

Station scouting Indian casino deals: By Liz Benston; Station Casinos Inc. has become more aggressive in pursuing management contracts with Indian tribes since opening its Thunder Valley Casino for the United Auburn Indian Community near Sacramento, a top executive said last week.

A Spot of T: Fans of casual fashion cotton to old T-shirts: Kirk Baird; Or the wannabe comic wearing an insulting "I'm with Stupid" shirt as he paraded around a mall with his friend.

Deal involving Vegas firm OK'd: The deal would add about 8,400 customers to the 1.5 million Southwest Gas already serves in Arizona, California and Nevada. Black Mountain's current service area in Phoenix is surrounded by Southwest Gas' service area, said Garth Andrews, a Phoenix spokesman for Southwest.

Roberts re-elected to head GOP: CARSON CITY -- After being re-elected as chairwoman of the Nevada Republican Party without opposition, Lia Roberts of Las Vegas said one of her top priorities is to "deliver Nevada to President Bush" in the next election.

Gibbons backs bill on speedway taxes: Suzanne Struglinski; WASHINGTON -- Rep. Jim Gibbons, R-Nev., voiced support Friday for a pending bill that would prevent tax bill increases for auto racing tracks.

Pigeon problem a mess for homeowners: Dan Kulin; If the smell doesn't get you, the pigeons might.

Siegfried & Roy are symbolic of Vegas: By Ed Koch; When they think of Las Vegas, many envision the neon-lit Strip and glowing marquee names: Elvis, Sinatra, Sammy Davis Jr., Wayne Newton, Liberace and Siegfried & Roy.

County seeks support on land-use changes: County planners are hoping that residents and developers in upcoming meetings will support policy changes that would protect master plans for unincorporated urban areas.

Competency hearing set for mother: Dan Kulin; The mother accused of beating her two children to death with a baseball bat is scheduled to appear in district court Thursday to determine if she is competent to stand trial.

Fans on Strip turn out for injured magician Roy: Heather Rawlyk; Blood donations Those wishing to donate blood can call United Blood Services at 228-8400.

Science pioneer, former UNLV prof Fechter dies: In the world of physics, Harry "Bob" Fechter was known for his pioneering research for the "Charge Structure of Heavy Nuclei," a thesis with Nobel Laureate Robert Hofstadter.

Challenging program launches Philharmonic season: Marilyn Larocque; Weller has always stated that broadening the musical horizons of the audience is one of his goals, as is programming a concert that incorporates the tried and true with the new.

Birth announcements for Oct. 6, 2003: Sept. 20:

Letter: Put an end to the cruelty of puppy factories: An investigator with the Humane Society of the United States visited nearly 300 of these puppy factories. He was shocked to find that most females kept for breeding spend their lives in small, dirty wire cages -- deprived of any exercise or companionship.

Zoo director, animal trainer offer insight: Las Vegas zoo director Pat Dingle called Roy Horn "peerless among animal trainers," but said that "unfortunately, reality hit the stage" Friday night.

Letter: Statehouse is no place for a novice: In my opinion that kind of comparison is not valid. Whereas I think Clark could handle the job at the White House, there is no doubt in my mind that Arnold is not qualified to be governor of California. A stumbling Gov. Gray Davis is much safer than a total novice. Arnold says he's a businessman. Not! He is strictly an investor, and a bad one at that.

Editorial: Location, location, location: This much is becoming clear as Congress moves closer to a decision on an Energy Department request that would likely affect most states and which would have an immediate affect on nuclear waste in Idaho, South Carolina and Washington. The department asked to have the sole authority over classifying the waste at former nuclear weapons plants in those three states. A classification of the waste as low level would mean it would stay on site. A classification as high level would mean the waste would ultimately be destined for Yucca Mountain, providing the government overcomes Nevada's legal fight and opens ...

Columnist Ralph Siraco: Breeders' Cup fields undergoing changes: Ralph Siraco; Just six weeks ago, this 20th anniversary edition of the World Thoroughbred Championship Breeders' Cup was shaping up to be vintage.

Flower-delivery giant sold: FTD stockholders will receive $24.85 a share, Downers Grove, Ill.-based FTD said in a statement. Green Equity expects to complete the transaction in the first quarter.

Obituaries for Oct. 6, 2003: Thelma K. Adkins, 79, of Las Vegas died Thursday in Las Vegas. She was born Sept. 5, 1924, in Maryland. A resident for 20 years, she was a homemaker.

Halftime incident inspired Rebels: Steve Guiremand; RENO --- John Robinson could have given the game ball to several well-qualified candidates following his team's fourth consecutive Fremont Cannon victory against in-state rival Nevada-Reno, 16-12, Saturday night at sold-out Mackay Stadium.

Columnist Dean Juipe: Money matters attract tour players to LVI: Dean Juipe; The men's pro golf tour slinks into Las Vegas this week with players arriving from separate tournaments -- and separate agendas -- in the Deep South.

Toney's victory opens doors for bigger fight: Dean Juipe; Everything that James Toney gained, Evander Holyfield lost.

Columnist Susan Snyder: Logandale harvests a festival: Its pale yellow flesh cradled dozens of pulp-covered seeds that shone like rubies in the late-morning sun.

Letter: Clark is needed in Oval Office: Over the years I've made a few poor choices, but never as bad as when I voted for President George W. Bush. With retired Army Gen. Wesley Clark becoming a Democratic candidate for the presidency, I believe I can rectify my previous mistake. Clark's credentials are quite impressive. He was a Rhodes Scholar, he graduated first in his class in 1966 at West Point, he headed the U.S. European Command and as Supreme Allied Commander of NATO forces he led the 1999 campaign in Kosovo.

Attorney criticizes grand juror: Erica D. Johnson; A defense attorney for one of the alleged 311 Boyz said a member of the grand jury that indicted his client had a history of unethical behavior before the vote that charged his client.

Tiger attack not unprecedented: The mauling of Siegfried & Roy animal handler Roy Horn wasn't the first such attack in Las Vegas.

Voters approve slots at New Orleans track: Alan Sayre; NEW ORLEANS -- Orleans Parish voters gave their blessing Saturday to the New Orleans Fair Grounds' plan to join Louisiana's three other horse racing tracks in having a slot machine casino.

Man burned after using gasoline to kill weeds: When firefighters responded to the Stone Canyon condominium complex in the 8000 block of West Charleston Boulevard about 6 p.m., they found the man with burns over 60 percent of his body, Szymanski said.

Interpol offers retro delights: Spencer Patterson; No, the Strokes weren't back in town Saturday night. This time, the buzz band du jour was Interpol, the latest big thing from the Big Apple.

Editorial: County has chance to become water-wise: Also, the County Commission will consider a five-year, $5.5 million plan to reduce water consumption in public parks by 25 percent. The plan calls for a combination of desert landscaping and artificial turf. The plan would do more than save water -- by year five the county would be saving $433,000 on its water bill. Today's artificial turf -- vastly improved since its introduction decades ago -- supports all of the activity that grass does, with no sprinkling required. The initial cost of the plan, in our view, is well worth the long-term benefit.