Print edition for October 27, 2003

Robinson vows to shed his conservative ways on offense: Steve Guiremand; Frustrated with UNLV's lack of offense lately? You're not alone.

Shaffer says he's not retiring from Senate: CARSON CITY -- State Sen. Ray Shaffer of North Las Vegas says reports of his retirement are premature and that he is gearing up for a $450,000 campaign for re-election to his sixth term.

Mack resigns top post: CARSON CITY -- Luther Mack, chairman and senior member of the Nevada State Athletic Commission, said today he has resigned from the board that regulates professional boxing in Nevada to take a job with Boyd Gaming Group.

LV minorities PUSH for help with jobs, education: More than 40 black Las Vegas residents pledged Sunday to open a chapter of the Rev. Jesse Jackson's Rainbow/PUSH Coalition in Southern Nevada to help minorities and women gain jobs, health benefits and education.

Drive to ban 'double-dipping' lawmakers gains momentum: The unfolding "double-dipping" scandal surrounding state lawmakers who collected pay from their local government jobs while serving in the Legislature is bolstering a drive to bar such officials from Nevada political office, foes and supporters agree.

Police kept busy with six killings: Ed Koch and Mary Manning; Police in Las Vegas and Boulder City discovered six people dead in separate homicides over the weekend.

Columnist Susan Snyder: With Hope, you can land on the moon: Hope, I mean.

New home sales dip nationwide, rise locally: The Las Vegas Valley continued to see strong new-home sales in September, with 2,591 recorded sales, up from 2,183 in August, Home Builders Research reported.

Boyd directors named: Wilson is the former chief executive of the Aladdin hotel-casino and is now chief executive of the Blind Center of Nevada, a group offering services and programs for people with visual impairments.

Community briefs for Oct. 27, 2003: Big Brothers Big Sisters and Sen. John Ensign, R-Nev., will be honored at Big Brothers Big Sisters of Nevada's fifth annual black tie fund-raising event at 6 p.m. Saturday in Caesars Palace's Ballroom.

Birth announcements for Oct. 27, 2003: Oct. 12:

Despite UNLV, passing marks should fall: The futile efforts of UNLV notwithstanding, this season may turn out to be the most prolific passing year in NCAA history.

Testing firm agrees to penalty for error: CARSON CITY -- A national education testing company has agreed to pay a penalty for a foul-up in grading scores of tests of Nevada students -- but the state won't receive any cold hard cash.

Thousands delayed at McCarran: Maria Rodriguez sat on the carpet at McCarran International Airport on Sunday night, sipping coffee, her jacket smelling of smoke, and recalled what wildfire raging through Southern California had looked like from 30,000 feet.

Less spending equals less entertainment at casinos: Casinos managers say it's increasingly less profitable to offer up acts that won't get audiences running to buy tickets.

September new home sales dip in United States: The Commerce Department reported today that new-home sales came in at a seasonally adjusted annual rate of 1.145 million in September, representing a small, 0.2 percent dip from the previous month.

Self-service travel helps airlines raise productivity: Brad Foss; RICHMOND, Va. -- Dewey Reynolds only flies a few times each year, so it's not like he knows every corner to cut to save time and money. Still, the 64-year-old real estate broker proudly hunts for bargain fares on the Internet and avoids lines at the airport by checking himself onto flights by using electronic kiosks.

Obituaries for Oct. 27, 2003: Antinio Alvarran, 75, died Friday in Caliente. He was born June 13, 1928.

Mental triage center praised, but funds in doubt: CARSON CITY -- Gov. Kenny Guinn says that a triage center that keeps mentally ill people out of hospital emergency rooms in Las Vegas is "an excellent program" but he is unwilling to say whether he will include state money for it in his 2005 budget.

Letter: Roy, Montecore have special bond: He asked that no harm come to the big cat. There is no relationship that has as much depth as one shared between a person and the animal who allows him into its life. The level of intimacy and loyalty cannot be expressed with words. It is only felt within the bond of complete acceptance and unwavering trust.

Crosswalk sought for intersection where girl died: Heather Rawlyk; Safe Community Partnership, a branch of the Transportation Research Center at UNLV, is orchestrating an effort to construct a crosswalk along West Shinnecock Hills Street where a car struck two girls, one of whom died last week.

BLM reopens probe in hazing allegations: The Bureau of Land Management has reopened its investigation into the allegations of hazing and sexual harassment of BLM firefighters in Las Vegas, officials said.

News briefs for Oct. 27, 2003: Paramedics treated one hotel guest for minor smoke inhalation after a linen cart fire Sunday in a tower of Sunset Station, fire department officials said.

Sports briefs for October 27, 2003: Spadafora shot Nadine Russo, 20, in the chest in or near his car early Sunday at a gas station in McKees Rocks, outside Pittsburgh, police said.

Adult-themed 'Sirens of TI' takes a stand on the Strip: By Jerry Fink; Of course the crowd, estimated at more than 5,000, stood through the entire 20-minute production there is no seating.

Aladdin protest scheduled during nationally televised event: Union officials said as many as 1,000 protesters would attend the rally, which is being staged outside the resort during the nationally televised Radio Music Awards show at the property. Culinary officials said they have attempted to contact presenters, performers and award nominees scheduled to appear at the show.

Pedregon wraps up Funny Car crown: For the past decade, the irrepressible John Force has proven to be an immovable object when it comes to the NHRA Funny Car championship.

County handles pay scandal quickly: Clark County made the firing of two county employees who are assemblymen official Friday, a move that stands in contrast to relatively slow action by Las Vegas.

Death penalty sought in slaying: Erica D. Johnson; Clark County prosecutors this afternoon will begin trying to convince jurors that Pascual Lozano should be put to death for firing the shots that killed a 9-year-old girl.

Retired teachers fear loss of health coverage: By Emily Richmond; For 20 years reading specialist Ann Hoskin has paid her dues to the Clark County Education Association's Teachers Health Trust, looking ahead to the time when she would retire and need the medical coverage.

Editorial: Don't look to Iowa as a barometer: The reality for Lieberman and Clark is that because so many states are holding their presidential primaries or caucuses much earlier this election, it is impossible for a number of candidates to compete in all states given their limited financial resources. Lieberman, a political centrist, hopes he now will be able to spend more time in other states with early contests, such as Arizona, which has a larger bloc of moderate Democratic voters than can be found in Iowa. It's also refreshing to see a presidential candidate focusing on a state in the West. It's a region that often has ...

New TV channel rolls the dice on viewer interest in gambling: Lynn Elber; LOS ANGELES -- Creators of the Casino and Gaming Television network are betting that a national interest in gambling will translate into a desire to watch it on TV.

Boyd not interested in buyout: By Liz Benston; Boyd Gaming Corp.'s top executive said he's not interested in selling the casino company that his father founded nearly 30 years ago.

Kiss shows passion; Aerosmith lacks fire: Spencer Patterson; A sluggish Aerosmith was outclassed musically by a band known more for its costumes, pyrotechnics and theatrics at the first of two weekend concerts at the MGM Grand Garden Arena.

Hammargren sure he did no wrong: By Ed Koch; Longtime Las Vegas neurosurgeon Dr. Lonnie Hammargren goes about his museum-like home in southeast Las Vegas, whistling happy tunes.

BYU defense stands tough: UNLV could not run the ball and could not pass the ball during most of Saturday's 27-20 overtime loss to Brigham Young. Earvin Johnson could catch the ball, but other than one sustained drive in the fourth quarter, the Rebels could not move the ball against the Cougars.

Boulder City, resident near pact on waterfall: Dan Kulin; Boulder City's dispute with a man who built part of an 80-foot waterfall on city property may be coming to an end.

Nevada insurer buys California's WellPoint: Indianapolis-based Anthem insures about 37,000 people in Clark County.

Firefighter Crews loses long battle with cancer: The former player for the Cleveland Browns was to receive full firefighter memorial services at 1:30 p.m. today at Central Christian Church, 1001 New Beginnings Drive, near U.S. 95 and Russell Road.

Columnist Ralph Siraco: A big day for Mandella: Ralph Siraco; The World Thoroughbred Championships is a day when careers can made for the winners. Saturday's Breeders' Cup provided a career in a day for one Hall of Fame trainer who swept half of the eight-race series on a day of championship performances.

Woman who left child in car gets informal probation: Erica D. Johnson; The Las Vegas woman who left her child in a car alone when the car was stolen pleaded guilty on Friday to a misdemeanor count after negotiating her case with Clark County prosecutors.

Letter: Radio hosts have no credibility on issue of war: These rocket-scientist hosts all encourage sending our military men and women into harm's way, telling us that this is necessary for our country's safety. They especially support sending them into President Bush's "all about oil and revenge" disaster in Iraq, a country that had nothing to do with Sept. 11. They deplore solving world problems with intelligent diplomacy.

Two Pedregons may join forces for next season: Published reports have been circulating for weeks that Tony Pedregon is set to leave John Force Racing, perhaps to join his brother Cruz's team as an co-owner/driver.

LV draws tough playoff opener: Adam Candee; Kris Cinkovich, never a boastful coach, gushed about his team's ability to handle adversity after Las Vegas whipped Desert Pines, 36-8, Friday night without starting quarterback Chris Gifford.

VegasBeat -- Timothy McDarrah: Jackson not off the wall at charity event: Michael Jackson, that is.

Coroner's office IDs dead carjacker: Jace Radke and Mary Manning; The man who police said was responsible for carjacking five vehicles, including two police cars, and killing a police dog Friday morning was identified this morning as Daniel Nunez, 23.

Columnist Dean Juipe: Let 'er rip: Rebels simply look terrible: Dean Juipe; Tickets were $26 and $13 and the best thing UNLV could have done after Saturday's football game at Sam Boyd Stadium would have been to hand out a refund to each and every weary patron as they left the facility.

Editorial: What meanest city?: Each October various organizations get together and offer a day of services for the homeless. Known as the Stand Down, the event provides clothing, toiletries, haircuts, job counseling and other other services. When the Sun reported two weeks ago that there would be a shortage of coats and blankets to give away this year, the response was immediate. A business with nearly 400 employees, AAA of Southern Nevada, launched a drive to collect the items. Another drive was begun by numerous religious congregations -- 18 at last count. Individuals are also stepping forward.

Vegas TV production firm sold: Century Productions, Las Vegas, was acquired by CMX Productions and has become CMX/Century Productions. Terms were not disclosed.

Welfare rolls for state hit two-year low: The number of families receiving cash assistance from Nevada has fallen to its lowest point in nearly two years.

NBC chief doubtful on Vegas becoming major filming center: Although Southern Nevada has some features that are attractive to Hollywood filmmakers, Las Vegas probably isn't destined to become a center for the motion picture and television industry, the head of NBC says.