Print edition for April 30, 2004

Harrah's plots Strip strategy: Harrah's Entertainment Inc. plans to ride the new wave of Las Vegas development, affirming to shareholders Thursday that it would buy or build a new Strip resort.

Insurers report lower first-quarter results: Michelle Swafford; Two health insurers that provide benefits in Las Vegas and across the country reported lower first-quarter profit Thursday and a third also reported lower results today.

An unsolved puzzle: Ralph Siraco; Time has run out. All the prep races have been run. And won. For all of the more than 50 Kentucky Derby prep races that have been run from coast to coast since Jan. 1 through the Derby Trial last Saturday, the 130th edition of America's most famous horse race is still wide open.

VegasBeat -- Timothy McDarrah: Neil down for appearance on 'Sports Show': During a trivia segment, show host Tom Arnold went from lounge chair to lounge chair (the show is being broadcast this week from the Skin Pool Lounge at the Palms) asking occupants questions he thought they could answer.

Sports briefs for April 30, 2004: Split on two of eight charges, the jury in Jayson Williams' manslaughter trial in Somerville, N.J., today began reviewing testimony about what happened just before a limousine service driver was shot to death.

Flat-free tire patent could be cash cow: Kevin Rademacher; The phones have been ringing at Boulder City's once-anonymous Amerityre Corp. since the company announced progress in its endeavor to create a polyurethane automobile tire.

Guinn, Augustine rally party leaders to get behind Bush: RENO -- Republican Gov. Kenny Guinn planned today to call on state party members to back President Bush, who he says has not buckled under to the threat of terrorism.

GAO: Yucca Mountain quality control still suffers: Suzanne Struglinski; WASHINGTON -- The General Accounting Office stands by it's initial assessment that problems still plague the Energy Department's quality control program for the Yucca Mountain project and could cause delay.

Alleged power pirating leads to 4-alarm blaze: Heather Rawlyk And Ed Koch; Las Vegas Fire and Rescue investigators say an attempt to illegally tap into Nevada Power lines caused a fire late Thursday morning that burned two Las Vegas homes and one garage, displacing eight people.

Candidates' filing period to begin on Monday: Kirsten Searer; Voters should be prepared for a surprise or two in the coming weeks, when candidates must file their intentions to run for office.

Nevada delegation seeks FERC Enron hearing: Sandra Chereb; Nevada's three U.S. House members are pressing federal regulators to determine whether the state's utilities should be liable for $330 million in power purchased but never delivered by Enron Corp. during the 2001 energy crisis.

Columnist Dean Juipe: Tapit gives Las Vegas a Derby connection: Dean Juipe; Tapit's entry in Saturday's Kentucky Derby allows Las Vegas a chance to not only add to its racing lore, but brush up on its thoroughbred racing past.

Australia's Reed on verge of wrapping up crown: Chad Reed was set to celebrate in style last weekend.

Pitch to lure Expos almost ready: Financiers who are trying to bring the Montreal Expos to Las Vegas have a May 14 deadline to submit their final proposal to Major League Baseball's headquarters on Park Avenue in New York.

Columnist Ron Kantowski: Arsenal has ammo to make history: The three most overused words in the English language -- at least in the place where it originated -- are "massive," "brilliant" and "Beckham," as in "Bend It Like."

NCAA decision gives Kruger scholarships: Steve Guiremand; New UNLV head basketball coach Lon Kruger got a big assist in his rebuilding efforts on Thursday afternoon courtesy of the NCAA Board of Directors in Indianapolis.

Columnist Brian Hilderbrand: Kurt Busch finds second home in Calif.: FONTANA, Calif. -- Las Vegas Motor Speedway may be his hometown track, but Kurt Busch may look forward to racing at California Speedway more than any other track on the NASCAR Nextel Cup circuit other than Bristol Motor Speedway.

Columnist Barb Henderson: Forget the bees, these birds hum fine tune: Barb Henderson; Buzz, buzz.

Gladiators take aim at a win streak: Adam Candee; Indiana Firebirds (6-6) at Las Vegas Gladiators (4-7)

NLV Police withholds cop's name in shooting: Jen Lawson; The North Las Vegas Police Department is refusing to release the name of an officer who shot and killed a suspect Tuesday while attempting to serve a search warrant in connection with a narcotics investigation, and plans to try to keep the officer's identity secret during the upcoming coroner's inquest.

A chance to shine: Homeless canines flash winning smiles, styles at Vegas fund-raiser: Heather Rawlyk; WEEKEND EDITION: May 1, 2004

Grants will help groups share in centennial: WEEKEND EDITION: May 1, 2004

News briefs for April 30, 2004: A three-time convicted felon from California was sentenced to 15 years in prison Wednesday in U.S. District Court in Las Vegas.

Letter: Price controls on energy would help workers: This is a very definite sign that the energy and oil companies have been gouging the public. It looks like it is time for a change in the government, and if necessary, to once again enact price controls like we had years ago to protect the lower- and middle-class workers from corporations like these.

On Display for April 30, 2004: Overton artist Charlotte Lang will display her watercolors during the month of May at the Lost City Museum in Overton, on State Route 169 off I-15. Admission is $3 adults, $2 adults 65 and above, free children and members. 397-2193.

Editorial: Bush's secret chat: There's a reason why the president was able to deflect, at least for now, what went on during the meeting. Under the ground rules the White House dictated to the 9-11 commission, the meeting was not taped. A single staff member of the commission was allowed to take notes, but the White House wouldn't let in a stenographer, who at least could have provided an accurate, historical account.

VegasBeat -- Timothy McDarrah: Goodman on hand for rub-out: Seems that rubbing the head of a midget is a good-luck charm for Hizzoner.

Kansas legislators reject gambling bill: Bill Draper; TOPEKA, Kan. -- By a large margin, the Senate on Thursday rejected legislation to expand gambling in Kansas.

Letter: Gravel trucks cause problems: The lame excuse that loads are covered, and the disclaimer on the backs of gravel trucks that say "Stay back 300 feet, we are not responsible for broken windshields" isn't playing very well these days.

Survey ranks Nevada most dangerous state: Molly Ball; Nevada is the most dangerous state in the country, according to a recently released annual survey of state crime rates.

Community briefs for April 30, 2004: Gov. Kenny Guinn has declared today Muslim Family Values Day, and the Islamic Society of Nevada will celebrate at 7:30 p.m. at Jamia Masjid, 4730 E. Desert Inn Road.

Political activist Armstrong dies: Leola Armstrong was a fourth-generation Nevadan whose battles for political reform should leave an impression for generations to come in the state.

Columnist Jon Ralston: Big questions as filing opens: A couple of major uncertainties have been resolved as the two-week period commences. We now know, as almost everyone foretold, that Senate Majority Leader Bill Raggio will seek another term -- though it's still unclear whether he can hold onto all of his power in Session '05. And we are all but certain that the move to repeal The Great Tax Increase of 2003 will not happen as perennially inept gadfly George Harris, posing in the Review-Journal as the messiah, has acknowledged he is, once again, a false prophet.

Obituaries for April 30, 2004: Judy Ann Blackwell, 45, of Las Vegas died Tuesday in a local hospice. A lifelong resident, she was born Oct. 12, 1958, in Las Vegas.

Afternoon water restrictions go into effect on Saturday: Starting Saturday, it is illegal to run lawn sprinklers in the Las Vegas Valley from 11 a.m. to 7 p.m.

GOP opens state convention with call for grass-roots action: Kirsten Searer; RENO -- Bush-Cheney supporters around the country held more than 5,000 "Parties for the President" Thursday to rally supporters, and a party in Reno was the largest in the nation.

Michigan Senate approves slots bill: Tim Martin; LANSING, Mich. -- Michigan's seven horse tracks would be allowed to have video lottery terminals under a bill passed Thursday by the state Senate.

Radiohead's 'Kid A' shows growth: Spencer Patterson; Few albums in rock history have been as divisive as Radiohead's fourth release, 2000's "Kid A."

Funding found for low-income child care: CARSON CITY -- The state Welfare Division says it should finally be able to whittle down its waiting list over the next couple of months after lining up funding for child care subsidies to low-income parents of up to 1,400 more youngsters in Southern Nevada.

Blood drives: Tuesday: 8 a.m. to 2:30 p.m., Boulder City High School, 1101 Fifth Ave.; 9 a.m. to 2 p.m., UNLV.

Editorial: EOB must take reform seriously: Because of the missing millions, several federal anti-poverty managers from around the country assembled as a team to investigate the EOB's organizational structure. The team's report was publicly released Wednesday. Its overall conclusion was similar to what the Sun has already reported -- that the 15-member EOB board of directors failed to provide proper oversight of the agency. When asked last month by Sun reporter Steve Kanigher about EOB's financial problems, state Sen. Joe Neal, a board member and spokesman for the agency, had said, "We (the board) don't fully know what's going on. I'm going to have to admit ...

Fishing report: Overton Arm abundant with fish: With the arrival of warm weather, fishing has been showing signs of gradual improvement with the Lake Mead's Overton Arm being the most productive area for striped bass and channel catfish.

Columnist Susan Snyder: Month may revive passion to pedal: Paved roads.

Driver cited in hit-and-run: Traffic accident investigators issued five citations on Thursday to Ernest Harris III, who police say was chased by angry neighbors fed up with drivers speeding down their North Las Vegas street.

Datebook for April 30, 2004: To celebrate Asian Pacific American Heritage Month, the Las Vegas-Clark County Library District is holding the following events at libraries throughout the valley:

Letter: Tenet most likely to take the fall: It really isn't clear if the context of this epiphany was meant as an affirmation that, as stated, the public would buy the WMD story or that Iraq was a sure and easy victory. At this juncture, neither prospect leaves one with the feeling of an administration exuding competence.

Filing rules change: CARSON CITY -- Filing to run for office will be a little different this year, according to the secretary of state's office.

State sees record month for halting tax refunds in child support cases: Leland Sullivan, head of the child support enforcement program, said Thursday that $2.6 million in income tax refunds were diverted to the state, a 111 percent increase over March 2003.

Columnist Susan Snyder: Bifocals creating a spectacle: There was walking and talking. There was reading, writing and long division.

Columnist Spencer Patterson: Staying put works for LV band: Spencer Patterson; Promising local music acts have been singing that Clash tune for years in their attempts to get noticed by the industry's powers that be.

Program teaches golf -- and life lessons: Heather Rawlyk; WEEKEND EDITION: May 1, 2004

All Righteous: WEEKEND EDITION: May 2, 2004

Columnist Jerry Fink: Piano man Williams still at center stage: "In effect, he's why I ended up getting married and having two daughters," the 69-year-old entertainer recalled between sets at the Plaza's Center Stage lounge, where he has performed for three years.

Where I Stand -- Brian Greenspun: Legend in his own right: For all of his friends -- and the really good ones numbered in the hundreds -- that was just Dan talking because his accomplishments were legend. And they all had to do with being a friend.

Performing arts for April 30, 2004: Jazz picnic

Consumer spending rises: The Commerce Department reported today that consumers boosted their spending by 0.4 percent last month. That followed another 0.4 percent increase in February, according to revised figures. February's increase was double the 0.2 percent advance reported a month ago.

Las Vegas resident to take his shot at run in main event: By Brian Hilderbrand; Raymond Carvalho knows the odds are stacked against him, but that won't stop him from rolling his Honda 450 into Sam Boyd Stadium Saturday afternoon in an attempt to qualify for that night's THQ AMA Supercross Series 250cc main event.

Gateway cuts jobs: Gateway cuts jobs

Editorial: GOP stuck in political quagmire: In the past couple of weeks, Republicans have increased their attacks on Democratic presidential nominee John Kerry for his opposition to the Vietnam War after he returned from combat there. A number of House Republicans, who also are Vietnam veterans, have condemned Kerry's action. Last Sunday one of President Bush's closest advisers, Karen Hughes, said Kerry was being duplicitous for suggesting in the past that he had thrown away his medals in protest over the Vietnam War. Then on Monday Vice President Dick Cheney, while not directly mentioning Kerry's antiwar protests, said Kerry has "given us ample grounds to doubt ...

Families remember victims of DUI crash: Although the families packed into Silvestri Junior High School in southeast Las Vegas Thursday night ate, danced and laughed, a sober undercurrent ran through the crowd in memory of three Henderson teens killed in a drunken driving wreck.

Referendum to repeal tax initiative is failing: CARSON CITY -- A referendum to repeal the $833 million tax increase imposed by the 2003 Legislature, probably won't qualify for the election ballot.

Five of seven commission seats are up for grabs: You can tell election season is around the corner, because Clark County Commission candidates are beginning to snipe at each other.

Columnist Lisa Ferguson: It's business as usual for entrepreneur Padon: Lisa Ferguson; Trouble is, he's entirely too busy creating television programs and networks of his own -- as well as maintaining his stand-up comedy career, and co-owning a local nightclub -- to even consider starring in someone else's reality-television show.

Feds cite contractors in casino garage 'death trap': John Curran; MARLTON, N.J. -- The deadly collapse of a 10-story Atlantic City casino parking garage last fall was blamed Thursday on contractors and inspectors who didn't adequately secure floors to walls, ignored warnings about cracking concrete and failed what one official called "Engineering 101."

Enron figure to plead guilty: Lea Fastow, Enron's former assistant treasurer, this month withdrew an earlier guilty plea to a felony tax charge after a judge rejected a proposed sentence of as little as 10 months.

Counting Curbs: Easy-riding '42nd Street'still on the road: "'42nd Street' is the antithesis of 'Rent,'" Mark Bramble said during a recent telephone interview from his office in New York. "'42nd Street' is really a fairy tale with a happy ending. It is much more an American dream story than 'Rent.' "'Rent' is a cynical piece, a cynical view of the world we live in. '42nd Street' is a valentine to life."

Augustine touts improved economy: RENO -- State Controller Kathy Augustine said today the economy of Nevada and the nation has rebounded after President Bush signed a "bold jobs and growth plan" nearly a year ago.

Letter: Photos of coffins incite enemies: The pictures don't matter to me and probably not to a lot of other Americans either. But our enemies and those terrorists, who have attacked us and are planning attacks against us and our military, are laughing at every flag-draped coffin.

Teens testify against suspects in murder case: The teen accused of shooting his friend and fellow Silverado High School student Jared Whaley in the head and stomach regularly visited Whaley's mother and grandmother after Whaley disappeared last October, a Silverado High School junior testified Thursday.

Motorist shaken after dragging hit-and-run victim with her car: Heather Rawlyk; A motorist "who hit a bump" on Durango Drive near Interstate 215 on Thursday night was horrified to discover that she had dragged a dead bicyclist under her car, police said.

Charting courses for success: By Emily Richmond; WEEKEND EDITION: May 2, 2004

Columnist Jeff German: Vegas has new crime element: Israeli mob: For years the traditional La Cosa Nostra dominated street rackets here and even managed to gain hidden interests in casinos on the Strip. We were considered an "open city" for more than two dozen of the nation's Mafia families.

Letter: Helicopters would ruin Sloan's serenity: I have hiked there myself many times, and the idea of helicopters cruising over a wilderness area at the rate of 10 to 12 an hour galls me. This area is a superb escape from Las Vegas, and it is literally right on our doorstep. In a few short years anyone with the urge to drive out there will be able to on a fine blacktop highway. It could easily become a Red Rock South. Right now the area is still somewhat hard to get to due to the nature of the ugly, bumpy road, which is probably why the ...

Columnist Muriel Stevens: Vegas gets Eastern flair delivered in eatery: I've been dining at Tokyo Japanese restaurant in Commercial Center at 953 E. Sahara Ave. for many years. The food is consistently good and the prices remain affordable. Through the years few changes in decor have been made. Not too long ago the covers on the pillows that soften the seating in the booths were changed. They're brighter and maybe a wee bit plumper.

Gaming briefs for April 30, 2004: Wynn Resorts Ltd.'s Las Vegas and Macau projects may boost the company's share price, Business Week reports in its May 10 edition's "Inside Wall Street" column.

Columnist Jeff German: Wheels of justice grind to a halt: But as she stood Thursday before Family Court Judge William Voy, her blonde hair pulled back into a bun revealing her pretty face, she knew her graduation plans could be on hold.

World's largest aircraft lands at McCarran: World's largest aircraft lands at McCarran

Goldman named to Taxi Authority: CARSON CITY -- Gov. Kenny Guinn today announced the appointment of Edward E. Goldman, an administrator in the Clark County School District, to the Taxicab Authority, which oversees the cab industry in Southern Nevada.

Families worry about deployments: Jace Radke; Justin Wiggins may be a Nevada Army Guard staff sergeant now, but he is also a former Marine.

Frank Sinatra Drive officially opens: Frank Sinatra Drive will route as many as 30,000 vehicles on a street sandwiched between Las Vegas Boulevard South and Interstate 15, Clark County officials said. The newly completed road begins at Russell Road and continues to Spring Mountain Road.

Judge upholds Sky-Vue closure: Sito Negron; By 5 p.m. this evening, Sky-Vue Mobile Park should be empty.

Murphy's lawyer asks U.S. attorney to release Binion case information: Jace Radke; A motion filed this morning in federal court demands that the FBI and federal prosecutors turn over any information that a prison inmate may have given the government that could clear Sandy Murphy of charges that she killed Ted Binion.

Panel eyes funds for Yucca study: Stephen Curran; A panel formed as a liaison among three rural Nevada counties and the Energy Department is seeking $330,000 to conduct further studies of a proposed rail line from Caliente to a planned nuclear waste dump at Yucca Mountain.