Print edition for September 11, 2003

Trial begins in hotel-room killing: Erica D. Johnson; Jurors in District Court heard opening arguments Wednesday in the case of a Pennsylvania man charged with killing a tourist in a hotel room and leaving his body hidden under a bed.

Arrest made in eighth killing in Henderson: Henderson officers went to 91 E. Texas Ave. at 5 a.m. Wednesday after a neighbor called reporting a fight at the address, Henderson Police spokesman Shane Lewis said.

Columnist Timothy McDarrah: POW to get high honor from mayor: Timothy McDarrah; But when Hizzoner gives a key away Friday, he says it will be something special.

Where I Stand -- Mike O'Callaghan: Difficult task remains: Osama bin Laden is an accomplished professional in the business of terrorism and he hasn't been easy to apprehend. This shouldn't surprise Americans, and critics of the Bush administration can find more legitimate issues to complain about. The voices from the White House and our president should avoid pointing to possible times and dates that we can look forward to his capture or even the capture of Saddam Hussein. Very simply, we don't need any more statements from aircraft carriers about the end of major combat in Iraq or challenging the terrorists to engage our troops in that country.

Letter: America's rescue should begin with '04 election: President Bush, Vice President Dick Cheney and National Security Advisor Condoleeza Rice and many others in this un-elected administration were former executives or investors in major oil companies and their main financial interests are in oil. This, of course, includes their secondary commitment to the pharmaceutical and power companies, huge contributors to the Republican Party, and whose prices are predictably also rising out of sight.

A Dim View: Group meets monthly to share in skepticism: "Do we have any Aries here?" Dr. Mark Chambers asked the group seated before him. "Taurus? Any Taurus? How about a Gemini? Any Cancers?"

Editorial: 311 Boyz: Where were the adults?: The video holds lessons for all of us. It proves that gangs are not solely the product of low-income neighborhoods. The area where the 311 Boyz live is affluent. It proves gangs are not limited to certain racial and ethnic groups -- all nine who are facing charges are white. For schools and parents, the violent actions of this gang and all gangs ought to stimulate a lot of thought and discussion.

Editorial: Bullies are at it again: Rumsfeld did acknowledge the Bush administration "can live with a healthy debate as long as it is as elevated as possible, and as civil as possible." But for this White House, the only civil debate isn't a debate at all. If you don't agree with the administration's position it's viewed as uncivil and, even worse, can be dubbed unpatriotic. Attorney General John Ashcroft, shortly after 9-11, displayed the administration's heavy-handedness in testimony before Congress on anti-terrorism legislation, which had been criticized by civil libertarians. "To those who scare peace-loving people with phantoms of lost liberty, my message is this: Your ...

Community briefs for Sept. 11, 2003: The Old Fort State Historic Park will hold a story hour program with the Las Vegas Library at 6:30 p.m. Wednesday at the fort, 500 E. Washington Ave.

Drugged state: Afsha Bawany and Ed Koch; As a former professional football player and ex-Las Vegas casino executive, 35-year-old Jim thought he was a big shot and that nothing could happen to him.

Letters to inform parents of teachers' qualifications: By Emily Richmond; Parents of students at Title I schools may soon get letters from the Clark County School District telling them their children's teachers aren't "highly qualified," even though the deadline for meeting the new federal requirements isn't until 2006.

Worms, viruses infest county's website: Computer worms and viruses partially crippled what may be the most-visited Internet address in Nevada -- Clark County's official website -- for much of Wednesday.

Utility plans to be aired at hearing today: The event today was planned by the state Public Utilities Commission for 4 p.m. at the Las Vegas Senior Center, 451 E. Bonanza Road.

Computer sleuths solve Vegas man's mystery: Afsha Bawany; For almost two decades, Arthur Wuestwald Sr. had no idea where his eldest son was. On Sept. 3 he learned that his son's skeletal remains had been found in a remote area of northeast Utah, thanks to the work of volunteer cybersleuths.

Las Vegas visitor volume, hotel occupancy up in July: The Las Vegas Convention and Visitors Authority said Wednesday that visitor volume hit 3.1 million, up from 3 million in the same month the previous year. Convention attendance was up 70 percent to 264,738 for the month and motel and hotel occupancy was up 3.6 points to 88 percent.

Unhappy with Vegas, company moving to Mesquite: Cy Ryan and Richard N. Velotta; A company that wants to pull out of Las Vegas and build an expanded plant in Mesquite gained sales tax and personal property tax benefits for the Mesquite project from the state Economic Development Commission Wednesday.

Casino to sell notes: The notes will yield about 6 percent, and the sale may conclude today, said people familiar with the offering who declined to be named.

Error blamed for loss of funds for homeless: By Timothy Pratt; A consultant hired by a committee that consisted of Las Vegas and Clark County staff members to work on a federal grant for the homeless apparently failed to check the granting agency's website for more than four months, resulting in the region asking for $1.1 million less than it could have in an annual application.

High-rise condo project in critics' sights: A high rise is being planned to overlook the Strip -- but it is not being welcomed by nearby residents who already enjoy the view.

Another alleged 311 Boyz tape released: Erica D. Johnson; A second videotape of the 311 Boyz shows several alleged gang members swarming around a car full of teenagers after a fight in a Las Vegas parking lot, an act police say is reminiscent of a violent attack on a 17-year-old boy in a Summerlin neighborhood.

Harrah's will buy Horseshoe Gaming: By Liz Benston; Harrah's Entertainment Inc. agreed to purchase gambling riverboat operator Horseshoe Gaming Holding Corp. for $916 million in cash and $543 million in assumed debt, a $1.46 billion deal that is the largest acquisition yet for the Las Vegas gambling giant and one that is expected to create the nation's largest casino company in terms of annual cash flow.

Man who killed his wife, mother gets life in prison: Malia Spencer; The Las Vegas man who pleaded guilty to last year's killing of wife and mother was sentenced to two life sentences without the possibility of parole today.

Ruling could facilitate initiative petitions: Cy Ryan and Jace Radke; CARSON CITY -- The secretary of state's office said Wednesday it needs more time to analyze a decision from a federal appeals court that could help people circulating initiative petitions to change state laws or the Nevada Constitution.

General Motors leader sees shifting momentum: Jennifer Shubinski; Two years after the Sept. 11 terrorist attacks that shattered consumer confidence, the president of General Motors Corp. North American division said the year should end on an up note as dealer morale is high and the economy continues to show signs of recovery.

Baby's death prompts probe of sitter: Malia Spencer and Sito Negron; Authorities on Wednesday suspended the child-care license of a home where an 8-month-old boy accidentally hung himself on an electrical cord, and police are investigating to determine whether the child-care provider should be charged.

FAA approves instrument landing system for NLV: Dan Kulin; Plans to add an instrument landing system at the North Las Vegas Airport that helps pilots land in bad weather have received the green light from the Federal Aviation Administration, officials announced Wednesday.

Profit rises, outlook falls: Net income in the period ended Aug. 3 increased to $74 million, or 18 cents a share, from $55 million, or 13 cents, a year earlier, the Camden, N.J.-based company said in a statement. Campbell forecast first-quarter earnings will rise to as much as 50 cents a share, 1 cent less than analysts' average estimate according to Thomson Financial.

Columnist Brian Hilderbrand: Two SCORE drivers will pull double duty: As if driving for 315 miles on a dusty desert race course isn't difficult enough, two drivers are planning to do "double duty" in Saturday's SCORE Las Vegas Primm 300 off-road race.

LV sailor lends technical expertise to war effort: Dick Benoit; Navy Reserve Senior Chief Petty Officer Max Templeton, a senior consultant for IT Strategies of Las Vegas, is glad to be home. But he was also glad to offer his technical expertise to the Navy in support of the war on terrorism.

Ex-Rebels coach landed on feet at Wisconsin: Steve Guiremand; When UNLV takes the field Saturday morning to play Wisconsin, it will be almost five years to the day since the Rebels' last appearance at Camp Randall Stadium.

Supreme Court might get fight over Fremont St.: Sito Negron; The Las Vegas City Council on Wednesday is to consider asking the U.S. Supreme Court to uphold the city's restriction of free speech at the Fremont Street Experience.

Past vs. present: Adam Candee; Kris Cinkovich remembers the glory days of Green Valley High School football. Greg Murphy just hopes he can restore them again.

Appeals court backs LV in fight with dance club: CARSON CITY -- A federal appeals court ruled Wednesday that the constitutional rights of a Las Vegas erotic dancing club owner were not violated when the club's license was suspended for allowing liquor on the premises without a permit.

Letter: 'Natural' doesn't make sense: My letter was not an attack on homosexuality, but on the completely irrational supporting position of a previous writer, i.e. "homosexuality is natural because it exists."

Bills propose funds for new VA hospital: Suzanne Struglinski; WASHINGTON -- A new veterans hospital proposed in Southern Nevada could get $250 million for construction should legislation introduced in the House and Senate today be approved.

Prep schedule and Wednesday's results: Girls' Volleyball

Ebberts looks to dethrone Herbst: IF YOU GO

Letter: U.S. leadership at all-time low: I also learned that Bush cut his vacation short to return to work, which scares me. He alone is responsible for the chaos and at least 90 percent of all the problems we the people are now facing.

2003 Blazers playing above the net: Adam Candee; To say last year's Durango girls' volleyball team dominated might be a slight understatement.

Revenue, jobs at stake following R.I. indictment: Michael Mello; PROVIDENCE, R.I. -- The stakes are high for Lincoln Park, its parent company and the state in a federal indictment of the companies' top executives on charges they were involved in a bribery scheme.

Man married in Las Vegas arrested in death of his wife: Jen Lawson; A man who allegedly killed his wife on their honeyman was arrested Tuesday outside The Mirage, police said.

Azarow, TV, movie actor dies at 69: Born July 4, 1934 in Brooklyn, N.Y., Azarow was a 13-year resident of Las Vegas.

Rules change could mean more grant money for state: Suzanne Struglinski; WASHINGTON -- Nevada could get millions of additional federal dollars for disadvantaged students because of the Senate's approval Wednesday of an amendment by Sen. John Ensign to consider newer population figures for certain education grants.

Insurer to pay SEC fine: The SEC also alleged that New York-based American International, the world's largest insurer by market value, failed to cooperate with its investigation. The SEC charged Brightpoint with accounting fraud in a scheme to conceal losses by using an AIG insurance policy.

Gators' coach expects streak to end this year: Nick Christensen; Common sense says that a prep golf coach whose team owns a winning streak of 136 dual matches does not have much to worry about.

Obituaries for Sept. 11, 2003: Lucille M. Amador, 78, of Las Vegas died Wednesday in a local hospice. She was born July 29, 1925, in Los Angeles. A resident for 15 years, she was a homemaker.

Columnist Ron Kantowski: College football becoming a mental seesaw: If nothing else, you would think that if it's possible for San Diego State, picked for next-to-last place in the Mountain West Conference preseason poll, to go into Ohio Stadium and play their Aztecs off in nearly shocking the defending national champions, it would give UNLV some hope at No. 14 Wisconsin Saturday.

R.I. woes cast cloud over Colorado gaming measure: Jason Blevins; DENVER -- The video lottery spin cycle moved into overdrive Wednesday following indictments against executives of the company pushing to allow the gaming machines at Colorado horse and dog tracks.

SCORE Las Vegas Primm 300 entries: SCORE TROPHY TRUCK (Unlimited Production Trucks) -- 6 Steve Sourapas, 45, Rancho Santa Fe, Calif., Ford F-150; 5 Marty Coyne, 47/Travis Coyne, 23, El Centro, Calif., Ford F-150; 8 Dan Smith, 39/Dave Ashley, 46, Riverside, Calif., Ford F-150; 1 Tim Herbst, 40/Ed Herbst, 42, Las Vegas, Ford F-150; 23 Gary Dircks, 41, Anthem, Ariz., Ford F-150; 3 Mark Post, 45, San Juan Capistrano, Calif./Jerry Whelchel, 43, Rancho Santa Margarita, Calif., Ford F-150; 12 Brian Collins, 40, Las Vegas, Chevy Silverado; 7 Scott Steinberger, 35, Cypress, Calif./Jesse Jones, 36, Phoenix, Ford F-150; 4 Gus Vildosola, 50, Mexicali, Mexico/Rob MacCachren, 38, Las ...

Rio ordered to release guests' names for suit: Erica D. Johnson; The Rio will be forced to turn over hotel records detailing who stayed in a suite the night before a family who claims their infant swallowed a used condom in the room.

Speed may make difference: Dean Juipe; The speed, the quickness, had commentators, writers and fans using descriptive words such as "dazzling" and "blinding" in their summations and analysis.

Columnist Dean Juipe: Cotto nabs spotlight on undercard: Dean Juipe; A glimpse of boxing's future, as well as a reminder of its past, will be part of Saturday's undercard at the MGM Grand Garden Arena.

Officials: Controls kept flood from being worse: Regional flood officials and policymakers said this morning that the Aug. 19 deluge in northwest Las Vegas could have caused much more damage without control structures in place.

DMV problem prompts waiver: Director Ginny Lewis said today that problems with the printing of the renewal forms delayed the mailing of about 30,000 forms. Some people didn't get their notices until after their registration had expired, she said. They will not be penalized, she said. And other vehicle owners who received their notices late will be given the 30 days to submit their forms.

News briefs for Sept. 11, 2003: Metro Police have released the names of the two officers who shot a 21-year-old robbery suspect Monday.

Gaming briefs for Sept. 11, 2003: International Game Technology expects to introduce 150 new slot games at next week's Global Gaming Expo in Las Vegas, including leased jackpot games with licensed themes including "Rodney Dangerfield's Reel Respect," "The Twilight Zone," "Young Frankenstein" and "American Graffiti."

Guinn: 'A new spirit has arisen': CARSON CITY -- Gov. Kenny Guinn said this morning a "new spirit has arisen" in America out of the tragedy of Sept. 11, 2001.