Print edition for April 13, 2004

Design school opens: Design school opens

Columnist Jeff German: Norovirus raises its ugly head: Tests concluded that the highly contagious Norwalk virus now is knocking on the door of the Las Vegas Strip.

Group may be halfway there with petition against taxes: Dan Kulin; The group pushing for referendums on last year's $836 million tax increase and government employees serving in the state Legislature has about half of the 85,000 signatures it wants on petitions to put those questions on the November ballot, George Harris, chairman of Nevadans for Sound Government, said Monday.

Assault victim files lawsuit: A 21-year-old man who was beat up at a party last year is suing 14 alleged members of the 311 Boyz gang and their parents.

Immunization schedule for April 13, 2004: EAST LAS VEGAS PUBLIC HEALTH CENTER: 560 N. Nellis Blvd., Suite E12, 8 a.m. to 4:30 p.m., Monday through Friday.

Unity Council draws attention: Kirsten Searer; A new group looking to increase the political stature of Nevada's minorities already has attracted the attention of some political powerhouses.

Nevada Power rate hike revisited: Kevin Rademacher; The state Bureau of Consumer Protection on Monday asked the Public Utilities Commission to reconsider portions of its March ruling on Nevada Power Co.'s general rate case request for $133.5 million in additional annual revenue.

Editorial: Memo not a warning?: Yet when the White House, under considerable pressure, released some of the brief Saturday, included were the words, "FBI information ... indicates patterns of suspicious activity in this country consistent with preparations for hijackings or other types of attacks." Even considering the advantage that hindsight brings, this still sounds like a current warning, and one not directed at overseas locations. The memo also included the alarming news that the FBI was conducting "70 full-field investigations throughout the U.S. that it considers bin Ladin-related." That's a lot of investigations, enough to warrant considerable presidential attention.

News briefs for April 13, 2004: A 27-year-old man was arrested Monday after a shooting believed to be gang-related left a woman with a graze wound, Metro Police said.

Program to raise awareness of need for organ donations: Stephen Curran; Saying Nevada has a "pressing need," representatives from the state attorney general's task force on Wednesday will launch a plan to encourage residents to donate their organs and tissue when they die.

Bubba takes Big Apple by storm: Bubba Crosby heard George Steinbrenner before he saw the Yankees' owner within an hour of New York's home opener Friday night.

Bellagio plans to reopen Wednesday: By Liz Benston; The Bellagio remained closed today without power while the property installed and tested thousands of feet of power lines to replace damaged cables feeding the 3,000-room casino resort.

Judge gives couple access to what they say is evidence against Angelil: District Judge Jackie Glass gave a couple accused of extorting money from Rene Angelil, singer Celine Dion's husband, access to the items they say can prove Angelil did sexually assault the wife.

Columnist Ron Kantowski: LV Bowl boss begins working on the ADs: Because snow shovels will easily outnumber 7-irons, there's a chance it will be business as not-so-usual at the Mountain West Conference meetings in Park City, Utah, this week.

Columnist Susan Snyder: Volunteers can really make a scene: The holes were for the posts of split-rail fences outside the Red Rock Canyon National Conservation Area's visitors' center. It's a wonder we managed to sink a single pole.

Seniors complex has grand opening: Local, state and federal officials say Southern Nevada is in desperate need of affordable housing for seniors and families, but on Monday residents of the new Bonanza Pines Senior Apartments had a chance to enjoy their new low-cost "palaces."

UMC called family resource center: The designation brings UMC a grant of $150,761 to provide services to families.

Community briefs for April 13, 2004: The Henderson Parks and Recreation Department will host the second annual 3 on 3 Spring Slam Basketball Tournament Saturday at Mission Hills Park, 551 E. Mission Drive.

Obituaries for April 13, 2004: Charles B. Armstrong, 82, of Las Vegas died Saturday in a local hospital. He was born June 8, 1921, in Detroit. A resident for 30 years, he was a retired chemical plant manager and a World War II Army Air Corps veteran.

Garcia excited about proposed budget: By Emily Richmond; For the first time in his four-year tenure, Clark County Superintendent Carlos Garcia is proposing an operating budget that is more about growth and new programs than cuts.

Letter: Losing sleep over Iraq stalemate: Your main concern is the price of gasoline, your Hollywood image, your never-ending diet, your upcoming divorce, your must-have illegal drugs.

Horse racing: NTRA 3-year-old Thoroughbred poll: Others receiving votes: Rock Hard Ten 30, Lion Heart 29, Madcap Escapade 25, Pollard's Vision 18, Wimbledon 5, Ashado 3, Limehouse 3, Kaufy Mate 2, Sinister G 2, Victory U.S.A. 2, Value Plus 1.

Chen promoted to Dodgers; 51s fall again: Nick Christensen; Maybe Chin-Feng Chen won't break all those franchise records after all.

City worker charged with using funds: Charles Baringer, a former maintenance supervisor in the city's Field Operations Department, is scheduled to appear before Justice of the Peace Nancy Oesterle at 7:45 a.m., according to Justice Court records.

Letter: Campaign donor feeling cheated: That Christensen justifies reimbursing himself for everything from dry cleaning to car washes is a slap in the face to the donors who gave him their hard-earned money, and to the voters who trusted him with taxpayer money.

Columnist Brian Hilderbrand: Park confident for Virginia short-track truck race: Las Vegas-based Orleans Racing was not known for its prowess on short tracks during the past two NASCAR Craftsman Truck Series seasons.

Wynn remains skeptical of British opportunities: Las Vegas Strip casino-resort developer Steve Wynn isn't a believer in the supposed untapped power of the United Kingdom gaming market.

EOB consultants' report may recommend replacing board: By Timothy Pratt; Breaking up the board of directors and bringing back a team of consultants that reviewed the Economic Opportunity Board last week to help run the agency are two possible outcomes of that team's visit, according to two people close to the process.

Rebels' Oh earns berth in qualifier: Adam Candee; Here are the scores from Monday's qualifying tournament for the LPGA Takefuji Classic at Las Vegas Country Club. The top two players earned spots:

Sports briefs for April 13, 2004: Two Florida newspapers dropped their challenge Monday to a state law restricting access to autopsy photos that passed after the death of NASCAR driver Dale Earnhardt.

Retiring Boyd president to focus on civic affairs: Boyd Gaming Corp. President Don Snyder this morning said his planned retirement next March from his duties at the casino operator will allow him to work to fund a University of Nevada, Las Vegas capital campaign and to bring a performing arts center to the city.

Mortgage lender defends record in Nevada, other states: NovaStar Financial Inc.'s legal troubles in Nevada, where regulators said the mortgage lender's branches weren't licensed to do business, highlight concerns that the company has grown too quickly to keep up its regulatory compliance, the Wall Street Journal reported Monday.

Police: Suspect put slain wife in trash can: Jen Lawson; Craig Bingaman used speaker wires to strangle his wife, then he wrapped her body in a blanket and put her in a trash can, according to a Metro Police report.

Kruger adds two to new staff with one opening left: Steve Guiremand; Lon Kruger added two more pieces to his assistant coaching puzzle on Monday when the school announced the hiring of Lew Hill and Mike Shepherd.

General Growth in $1 billion-plus deal: Analysts say the eye-popping acquisition of The Venetian's Grand Canal Shoppes mall by the operator of Las Vegas' Boulevard and Meadows malls will put a key retail asset in the hands of a company that has succeeded in a major tourism environment.

FAST and loose: RTC sees smoother traffic flow: Ed Koch and Launce Rake; Clark County took a "major step" in addressing gridlock last week with a vote by the Regional Transportation Commission that will create a centralized traffic control center, RTC Board Chairman and Clark County Commissioner Bruce Woodbury said.

Editorial: City remiss in allowing squalid park: Responding to the situation at Sky-Vue will require far more than ordering the owners to make repairs and attending to the temporary housing needs of dislodged residents. The city needs to develop a whole new way of responding to code violations. At Sky-Vue, the city had previously issued a few citations, but had not followed up forcefully. Nor had it worked with the fire department, Health District or state Manufactured Housing Division to ensure a coordinated response to conditions that threatened the residents' lives.

Tainted goal stands; Wranglers can clinch: Nick Christensen; A mistake was made, but play on.

Man sentenced to life in prison for beating death: The family of a wheelchair-bound Las Vegas woman who was beaten to death said they wanted an "eye for an eye" when her killer was sentenced Monday morning, or at least life without the possibility of parole.

Maryland slots bill rejected again: Gretchen Parker; ANNAPOLIS, Md. -- Hours before the end of the 2004 legislative session Monday, lawmakers killed Gov. Robert Ehrlich's slot machines proposal for the second consecutive year.

National report tracks fair housing complaints: Blacks and disabled people filed almost a third of all housing discrimination complaints nationwide last year, a 2004 Fair Housing Trends Report said.

Columnist Dean Juipe: Koreans deserve a little tolerance on LPGA Tour: Dean Juipe; With a leisurely nonchalance, Aree Song was pounding balls on the driving range while keeping a running conversation with her caddie.

Schools budget struggles to keep pace with steady growth: By Emily Richmond; The Clark County School District is poised to overtake Broward County, Fla., as the nation's fifth-largest school district.

Homeland Security chief Ridge set to stop in Vegas next week: Jace Radke; Department of Homeland Security Secretary Tom Ridge is scheduled to stop in Las Vegas next week during a visit to the western United States.

New LV Web site focuses on kids: LasVegasKids.com offers a list of places that are best suited for tourist families such as hotels that don't require their guests to walk through the casino to get to the rooms and pools with children's areas.

Vegas visitor count grows: More than 2.9 million people visited Las Vegas in February, a 5.2 percent increase from the same month last year, the Las Vegas Convention and Visitors Authority reported Monday. Visitor statistics were helped by a variety of factors including the fact that this February had an extra day on the calendar for leap year, the Super Bowl was on Feb. 1 rather than in January and Strip casinos reported some February spillover business from Chinese New Year in late January.

Goodman apologizes for a 'weakness,' losing his temper: Heather Rawlyk; In his first major interview since he abruptly exited his news conference Thursday, Las Vegas Mayor Oscar Goodman apologized for losing his temper but stood by his claim that he has "done nothing wrong" in light of alleged ethics violations.

What a trip: Parsons Dance Company takes modern dance on the road: Performing Friday at UNLV's Artemus Ham Hall as part of the Best of the New York Stage Series, Parsons Dance Company will present an evening of modern dance, somewhat nasty behavior and the theatrics that garnered Parsons, a former trampolinist, worldwide acclaim.

VegasBeat -- Timothy McDarrah: Greek Isles is ahead in the 'Count': A daily, daytime game show that takes place in a Las Vegas casino.

Citigroup, Sprint among CalPERS voting targets: SACRAMENTO -- The nation's largest public pension fund Monday said it will oppose Citigroup Chairman Sanford I. Weill's membership on the company's board, saying it believes the nation's largest financial institution would be "better served" by an independent director.

Court order to fix mobile home park extended: Sito Negron; A court order to fix problems at Sky-Vue Mobile Park was extended until May 4 during a court hearing today.

Father ruled liable in son's crash that killed three friends: District Judge Stewart Bell ruled Monday that the father of a 16-year-old who pleaded guilty to drunken driving in a fatal crash that killed three childhood friends is liable in a wrongful death suit against the family.

Letter: Foreign-born people shouldn't be president: The line between politicians and show business celebrities is becoming more blurred all the time. We were spared President Sonny Bono, but who besides me suspects that a lot of people voted for California Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger because they think he's cute.

Court considers extending order against mobile park: Sito Negron; A court was to consider this morning whether to extend a temporary order forcing the operators of Sky-Vue Mobile Park to clean up conditions "injurious to the public health."