Print edition for October 7, 2003

Residents divided over plan for video terminals: Steven K. Paulson; BLACK HAWK, Colo. -- Amid banks of clanging slot machines packed onto a casino floor, Geri Wetzel plucks a $15 winning ticket from a slot machine.

VegasBeat -- Timothy McDarrah: Animation figures in Tussaud's plans: "A museum is a boring old place where you can't touch anything. We're now too cool for that," Tussaud's Melissa Horacek said. "Our new name is Madame Tussaud's Interactive Attraction."

Agency begins probe into mauling: Jean Reid Norman and Ed Koch; The U.S. Agricultural Department has begun an investigation into Friday's mauling of entertainer Roy Horn by one of his tigers.

Roy still critical; show is canceled indefinitely: By Ed Koch, Mary Manning; Blood drive The Mirage was already scheduled to hold an employee-only blood drive next Thursday, and in the wake of the tiger attack on Roy Horn, United Blood Services will extend the drive for a second day. Group spokesman Dan Pern said many people have been calling United Blood Services to find out how they can donate blood in Horn's name. Those interested should call 233-9620 to set up an appointment.

Regents to weigh UNLV fee hikes: Jennifer Knight and Heather Rawlyk; University system regents are expected to revisit a decision to raise student fees at UNLV $113 a semester to pay for a renovated student union and a new recreation center.

Cox may drop Fox Sports, ESPN from basic package: Charles Odum; ATLANTA -- Some cable TV viewers may have to decide if they are willing to pay extra for ESPN and Fox Sports.

Tuesday's California recall election by the numbers: AP; VOTERS ELIGIBLE vs. REGISTERED: 21,833,141 versus 15,380,536

Ralph Siraco's Wednesday Santa Anita selections: 1st Race -- NOMONYNOMONYNOMONY -- Flores aboard Cerin trainee, draws good post for sprint opener, backers hope to produce some Mony from victory. AGRO -- Draws good box for Cal-bred maiden/claimer, Smith scales Jackson trainee, Agro graduation for diploma? Value Play -- LIL'YIPER

Regional airline merger proposed: If successful, the unsolicited bid could help resolve United Airlines' potential loss of its partnership with Atlantic Coast at Washington's Dulles International Airport. In July, Atlantic Coast CEO Kerry Skeen said ACA would end that relationship when United emerges from bankruptcy protection.

Williams' political future subject of debate: Jennifer Knight; Assemblyman Wendell Williams' legislative colleagues and political strategists believe he has a chance to save his political career, but only if he faces his constituents soon.

Columnist Dean Juipe: Kendall strives for that elusive first win: Dean Juipe; 1984, Denis Watson, 341

Obituaries for Oct. 7, 2003: Richard D. Anderson, 76, of Las Vegas died Monday in Las Vegas. He was born Oct. 2, 1927, in Salt Lake City. A resident for eight years, he was a retired computer programmer for city government and a World War II Coast Guard veteran.

UNLV's Jackson recovering after heart 'procedure': UNLV coach John Robinson confirmed Monday night that assistant head coach John Jackson, 67, underwent a surgical "procedure" on his heart last week and is currently doing well.

Vegas tops in magazine study: The October issue of Entrepreneur magazine ranked Las Vegas as the top city for entrepreneurial activity and for job growth, compared with first and second ranks respectively last year.

Man gets four life sentences after conviction for two slayings: Johnson was sentenced Thursday in District Court for the murders of Patrick Hawkins and Adrian Williams, both of whom were found with multiple gunshot wounds in or just outside 205 W. Jackson St.

Columnist Brian Hilderbrand: Kenseth's Winston Cup lead down to 259 points: After building what seemed to be an insurmountable 436-point lead going into the race at Talladega Superspeedway two weeks ago, Matt Kenseth has had finishes of 33rd and 36th in the past two races and has seen his lead over second-place Kevin Harvick shrink to 259 points with six races remaining.

Low-fare carrier to split stock: "The three-for-two stock split reflects our confidence in the Company's future growth prospects," Chief Executive David Neeleman said in a statement.

Southwest considers assigned seating: NASHVILLE, Tenn. -- Southwest Airlines, the busiest commercial passenger carrier at McCarran International Airport, is considering implementing assigned seating, a departure from its first-come, first-served system it has had in place for years.

Sports briefs for October 7, 2003: The Los Angeles Dodgers have not officially eliminated Tampa Bay Buccaneers owner Malcolm Glazer as a potential buyer of the franchise, but sources said Glazer's chances are fading and that the team is seriously looking at other potential owners.

Casinos follow election closely: CARSON CITY -- Nevada gaming companies will be watching the California election tonight with more than a passing interest, and they won't all be rooting for the same candidate, gaming experts say.

Vegas branch closing: Wells Fargo is closing the branch because of a 55 percent reduction in foot traffic after Albertsons opened a store at the nearby corner of Flamingo Road and Decatur Boulevard, said Doris Charles, Wells Fargo's community banking president for Southern Nevada.

Trial starts in killing of girl, 9: Jace Radke; Opening arguments were expected to begin today in the killing of a 9-year-old girl who was playing in her front yard when a bullet meant for someone else struck her in the chest.

Gaming briefs for Oct. 7, 2003: Station Casinos Inc. has dismissed its independent auditor Deloitte & Touche and hired Ernst & Young.

Tuesday's recall election highlights: AP; SHOWDOWN - The campaign's final days were dominated by the showdown between Schwarzenegger and Davis, as at least 16 women came forward to accuse the Hollywood star of sexual misconduct. Overshadowed by the controversy were Democrat Lt. Gov. Cruz Bustamante and Republican state Sen. Tom McClintock, who trailed Schwarzenegger among replacement candidates.

Immunization schedule for Oct. 7, 2003: HENDERSON PUBLIC HEALTH CENTER: 129 W. Lake Mead Drive, Building A, Suite 10, 8 a.m. to 4:30 p.m., Monday through Friday.

Wednesday's horse racing entries: OAK TREE MEETING Post Time 1 p.m.

Prison programs: Inmates working, preparing for life outside: By Timothy Pratt; At Southern Desert Correctional Center, some inmates rake rocks from the hardpan so others can't throw them.

Columnist Ron Kantowski: Perkins' fumble becomes a laughing matter: The Rebels were ahead 16-12 and on the verge of putting a cannon ball through the Wolf Pack's heart when UNLV's Dyante Perkins fumbled the football through the end zone, nullifying an apparent touchdown and giving UNR the ball at the 20 on a touchback.

Vegas tops magazine list: The October issue of Entrepreneur magazine ranked Las Vegas as the top city for entrepreneurial activity and for job growth in its annual poll of the best cities to operate small businesses.

University system widens investigation of CCSN hiring: Jennifer Knight; A university system investigation involving the hiring of a woman who called herself Assemblyman Wendell Williams' special assistant has been broadened, system officials said today.

Show's end likely to cut profits only modestly at MGM MIRAGE: By Liz Benston; The potential permanent cancellation of the Siegfried & Roy show at the Mirage would not only mark the end of a seminal performance inextricably linked with Las Vegas but would mean millions of dollars in lost revenue for parent company MGM MIRAGE.

Student says he's unfairly punished: Dan Kulin; Boulder City High School senior Jimmy Hagan is seeing his future threatened by what he, his mother and his attorney say is an unfair and unjust punishment.

Community briefs for Oct. 7, 2003: Nevada Power, the Clark County Fire Department and Metro Police will host a neighborhood emergency preparedness workshop at 6 p.m. Thursday at the Paradise Recreation and Community Services Center, 4775 McLead Drive.

Businesses hit with $100 annual tax: CARSON CITY -- The state Tax Commission on Monday adopted an emergency regulation that imposes an annual $100 tax on an estimated 100,000 businesses in Nevada.

State supporting Nevada Power's Enron appeal: Kevin Rademacher; The state will present a unified front when it asks federal regulators to overturn a $336 million judgment against Nevada Power Co. and its sister company Sierra Pacific Power Co. of Reno.

Proposal summary: Supporters: Support Colorado's Economy and Environment has raised $2.2 million and spent $1.7 million as of Sept. 29. Others include state Sen. Jack Taylor, R-Steamboat Springs, and state Rep. Al White, R-Winter Park; several tourism industry groups; and Club 20, a Western Slope business lobby group.

Columnist Susan Snyder: PETA tries to seize spotlight: There is bad timing.

Editorial: Condemn terrorism, not Israel: We agree with President Bush, who said he had told Israeli Prime Minister Ariel Sharon after the air attack that Israel "has a right to defend herself, that Israel must not feel constrained in terms of defending the homeland." Hopeful that peace may someday be reached, Bush also said he had told Sharon that "it's very important that any action Israel takes should avoid escalation and creating higher tensions."

Where I Stand -- Mike O'Callaghan: U.N. running from Iraq: Neither Kofi Annan nor the leaders of the nations dragging their feet are being entirely honest. The leader of any democratic nation has to pause before sending wealth or people into that mess. The political trouble both Tony Blair and George W. Bush are experiencing, because of what has happened since Saddam Hussein fell, isn't to their liking. Also, sending troops in as peacekeepers doesn't make good sense where true peace doesn't exist. Coalition troops being killed and wounded every day isn't an inviting situation.

Editorial: All our best to Roy: In some respects, such an attack shouldn't be too surprising -- the tigers are wild animals. But that Horn hadn't been injured in all these years, and how he made everything seem so effortless in his performances, masked the real dangers he faced. Unlike some performers, Roy never exploited animals. He is someone who is genuinely concerned with the welfare of animals and has brought attention to the importance of saving endangered wildlife. Another endearing part of the show is that it's something the entire family can enjoy -- the kind of show that increasingly is in short supply in ...

State demands all Yucca issues be answered: Suzanne Struglinski; WASHINGTON -- State officials called on the Nuclear Regulatory Commission to make the Energy Department answer all outstanding technical questions about Yucca Mountain before the department files its license application.

Battle Born state targeted on voter battleground list: Suzanne Struglinski; WASHINGTON -- Unregistered voters in Nevada, especially Hispanics, will be among the main targets of a $25 million voter registration campaign aimed at influencing the 2004 presidential election, the campaign organizers said Monday.

Robinson likes what he sees on defense: John Robinson won four Rose Bowls at Southern California, guided the Trojans to a school-record 28-game unbeaten streak, from 1978-80, and won national coach of the year honors in 1979.

Mother of injured youth wants assailants in prison: The mother of the 17-year-old boy whose face was crushed wants alleged 311 Boyz gang members to go to prison.

Letter: Telemarketers' ads misleading: It is a bait-and-switch ploy. You do not get $200 when you sign papers agreeing to work for them! You sign papers, instead, to get the bonus if you do 140 or more deals in your first month.

Roman Empire: Musicians have plenty to pick from in World's Largest Guitar Store': Some of the world's most well-known guitarists have been customers at Ed Roman Guitars.

Letter: Religious leaders should criticize homeless policy: In the latest outrage, on Sept. 24 outside the Salvation Army on West Owens Avenue, Metro Police officers were accompanied by bureaucrats with the city's Neighborhood Services Department. The belongings of about 20 people were loaded into a city truck and trashed. This action violated the Fourth Amendment of the U.S. Constitution, as well as the 14th Amendment.

Letter: Don't forget Beers' comments: Let's take a refresher course in some of the stupid things Beers has said in the past year. First is the remark he made about an AIDS awareness program that serves the black community. During an interview with a Sun reporter, he labeled Fighting AIDS in our Community Today (FACT) as a program "dedicated to putting condoms on gay men in the black community."