Print edition for August 2, 2004

Birth announcements for August 2, 2004: July 19:

Fogerty combs over classics in Vegas revival: Spencer Patterson; It's hard to imagine what Saturday night's show at The Joint at the Hard Rock Hotel might have been like had Fogerty not lifted that ban during the late 1990s.

Editorial: Mentally ill need greater assistance: The effect of this deficit in mental health beds became painfully obvious earlier this month when nearly one-third of all emergency room beds in Las Vegas' 11 hospitals were occupied by mentally ill patients -- with more waiting in ambulances while space was cleared. Clark County Manager Thom Reilly declared the situation an emergency, as the ERs needed much of that room for patients streaming in with more typical emergencies -- physical injuries and sudden sickness.

Editorial: Beware the teensy rider: We don't mean to be killjoys, but it's important to note that many of the stories, including ours, noted the safety hazards of these tiny bikes, which can reach speeds of 70 mph. We also noted that they are illegal on streets and sidewalks for that very reason -- safety. Nevertheless, we're beginning to see these "buzzing gnats," as The New York Times called them, weaving in and around pedestrians and traffic.

Tinker Toys: Options for customizing vehicles seem limitless: Kirk Baird; Then again, no other Mustang LX or car, for that matter looks like the one owned by Clint Stevenson.

Columnist Lisa Ferguson: Sun Lite for August 2, 2004: Lisa Ferguson; If you're exercising yourself into oblivion at the gym and counting so many carbs that your head hurts in an effort to gain the same flawless physique sported by Hollywood's hunkiest celebs, it may be time to rethink that plan.

Columnist Susan Snyder: Counties try to halt exodus: We wondered where these people will build homes, drive and send their children to school. We wondered how they would obtain water.

51s will come home with a very different look: Nick Christensen; When the Las Vegas 51s return home Thursday, the core of the team that comes back will look quite a bit different from the one that left for an eight-game Midwest road trip last Monday.

Legal pot petition sees ray of hope: CARSON CITY -- U.S. District Judge James Mahan issued a temporary restraining order Friday stopping the state from taking any further action on the marijuana initiative petition that is short of the necessary signatures needed to qualify for the ballot.

Uncle finds body of nephew in lake: Aspiring 22-year-old screenwriter Rickey Schlecht of Las Vegas had planned for a weekend of fun at Lake Mead after his uncle's boat had been repaired, family and friends said Sunday.

Sale of Eckerd chain completed: Chief Financial Officer Robert Cavanaugh was scheduled to discuss the sale on a conference call today with financial analysts.

Las Vegas teen Kingsland to attempt to win spot in NASCAR truck field: Casey Kingsland is confident that his second attempt at making his NASCAR Craftsman Truck Series debut will go better than his first.

Hard Rock changing prescription for ads: By Liz Benston; A resort where customers and spokesmodels show plenty of skin recently kicked off the first leg of a new advertising effort that so far marks a significant departure from the blatant sexual images that have become a staple of Las Vegas.

Despite lightning, little rain falls in valley: While lightning and thunder could be seen and heard across the Las Vegas Valley on Sunday, only fractions of an inch of rain fell on western subdivisions and the Spring Mountains west of town, the National Weather Service said.

Ordinance for city employees to be introduced at meeting: A proposed ordinance that would prohibit city employees from being paid while running for elected office or while serving at the Nevada Legislature while it is in session will be introduced at Wednesday's Las Vegas City Council meeting.

Gas masks included for U.S. athletes: Security precautions in Athens for the 531 U.S. athletes will include emergency masks in the event of tear gas, pepper spray or pollutants.

Letter: Kerry-Edwards is optimistic ticket: How can you not vote for John Kerry? His optimistic speech, sprinkled with semi-subtle jabs to express the separation of views, was brilliant. There is no place for politically motivated negativity when you're talking about keeping America strong and great, especially in a time of fear and uncertainty.

Three bank robbers face prison time: Lynn Doan; Three bank robbers, who altogether robbed almost $15,000 from seven Las Vegas banks in the last two years, were sentenced to prison Friday and ordered to pay restitution.

Trade group kicks off Responsible Gaming week: By Liz Benston; Starting today, major gaming companies nationwide will put up posters and table tents as well as distribute pamphlets and other materials as part of Responsible Gaming Awareness Week, an annual event sponsored by the American Gaming Association trade group.

Missouri education board weighs in on gambling plan: Kelly Wiese; JEFFERSON CITY, Mo. -- The state Board of Education cautioned Missouri voters last week about unanswered school funding questions arising from a proposed amendment on Tuesday's ballot to allow a casino in southwest Missouri.

Gaming companies urging employees to vote: Kirsten Searer; Still stinging from political losses during the last legislative session, several gaming companies are looking this year to strengthen their political clout.

Guinn decides against special session on taxes: CARSON CITY -- Gov. Kenny Guinn has decided against calling a special session of the Nevada Legislature to put a cap on spiraling property tax values and said Friday the issue can be dealt with at the 2005 regular session.

Uncle finds nephew's body at Lake Mead: Aspiring 22-year-old screenwriter Rickey Schlecht of Las Vegas had planned for a weekend of fun at Lake Mead after his uncle's boat had been repaired, family and friends said Sunday.

Ellis Island sues over failed Tuscany Suites merger: The merger between the Ellis Island Casino & Brewery and the Tuscany Suites and Casino Resort has been scrapped and Ellis Island's owner has filed suit in Clark County District Court over the abandonment of the deal.

Obituaries for August 2, 2004: Carol W. Allison, 52, of Las Vegas died Tuesday in Las Vegas. She was born July 13, 1952, in California. A resident for 12 years, she was a homemaker and a member of Animal Rescue Advocates.

Final mopup begins on Mount Charleston fire: Dan Kulin; Off-and-on thunderstorms soaked Mount Charleston Sunday, as Mother Nature put some finishing touches on the end of a week-long battle with a fire that scorched nearly 300 acres of mountainside and threatened nearby homes.

Not quite this time: The upcoming scheduled starts for the Cubs' Greg Maddux, who has 299 career victories:

Company applauds ruling: The Las Vegas company said the court ruled that the Michigan Legislature did not violate the state constitution when it approved four tribal casino compacts in 1998 by a resolution. The decision upholds a 2002 ruling by the Michigan Court of Appeals that reversed a ruling in 1999 by Ingham County Circuit Court Judge Peter Houk, the company said.

Veterans want faster service: RENO -- The Bush Administration is improving but it is still too slow in processing claims for benefits from war casualties, disabled military veterans say.

Officials say financial system normal despite attack threats: Martin Crutsinger; WASHINGTON -- Treasury Secretary John Snow, attempting to bolster confidence on Wall Street and Main Street amid a new warning about possible terrorist strikes, said today the nation's financial system continues to operate normally, a testimony to its "resiliency and strength."

Halfway house finds a new home: Molly Ball; Convicts preparing to leave the nation's prison system will soon be neighbors of the Stardust and Circus Circus, when a halfway house for federal inmates moves to a site behind the Strip in the next few months.

Columnist Ralph Siraco: Choctaw Nation, Azeri do their trainers proud: Ralph Siraco; This is a tale of two trainers, one a Hall of Famer in the twilight of an amazing career, and another in the sunrise of what is certain to be a Hall of Fame career.

Prison operator claims bad rap: CARSON CITY -- Leaders of Corrections Corporation of America, the private prison operator that built and has run the state women's prison in North Las Vegas since 1997, are complaining that the company has been the target of unjustified criticism for its treatment of female inmates.

Cable giant proposes $7.9 billion buyout: ATLANTA -- Cox Enterprises Inc. today offered $7.9 billion for the 38 percent it doesn't already own in Cox Communications Inc., a transaction that would take the fourth-largest U.S. cable-television company private.

Thirteen new campuses expected to meet deadline: By Emily Richmond; With four weeks until the first day of the 2004-05 academic year, the Clark County School District's 13 newest campuses are on track to open on time.

American, US Airways flights grounded after computer glitch: A computer company official said human error was the likely cause for the problem, which involved departure preparations, such as flight scheduling, catering services and baggage processing.

LV council to consider three bills for Legislature: The Las Vegas City Council on Wednesday will consider three proposed bills for the 2005 Nevada Legislature, including a measure to allow the city's Emergency Management Committee to shut the public out of its meetings when discussing sensitive security matters.

News briefs for August 2, 2004: Two men were killed in separate shootings in North Las Vegas this weekend, police said.

Nevada not a terrorist target, official says: Stephen Curran; Nevada homeland security officials have not received any specific information outlining threats to the state, a Nevada Public Safety Department official says.

Fitzgerald contract could be worth up to $60 million: Wide receiver Larry Fitzgerald, the third overall pick in April's National Football League draft, agreed to a six-year contract today that could be worth up to $60 million with the Arizona Cardinals.

Local teacher aims to keep students staring into space: Caitlin Hudgins; Lee Kimpton won't get to fly to the moon, but at least she got to see the "vomit comet."

VegasBeat - Timothy McDarrah: Bootlegger has Moore bang for buck: The best moment, among many, was Anthony coming up to the microphone and saying he was going to sing "Desperado" -- and that he wanted to dedicate it to Archie Moore.

Gaming briefs for August 2, 2004: BILOXI, Miss. -- The Biloxi City Council has approved the proposed construction of a man-made basin for a speculative casino venture.

Fire damages commercial building: The attic of the unoccupied building at 1859 N. Decatur Blvd. was being renovated for a church group, but the fire caused "significant damage."

Sports briefs for August 2, 2004: The New Jersey Nets, their roster torn apart in recent weeks by cost-cutting moves that led to the trades of Kenyon Martin and Kerry Kittles, took a quick step toward securing one of their few remaining star pieces.

Program helps siblings in foster homes reunite: Lynn Doan; No electricity, no running water, no food, just a half gallon of chocolate milk and some dog food -- that's all Bryan Cole says he can remember about living in his parents' apartment by Nellis Airport 10 years ago.

Letter: Property tax relief is a priority for Legislature: Residents demanded property tax relief and reform and I was assigned to help develop Los Angeles County's proposal. I debated both Howard Jarvis and Paul Gant on their proposal, which was ultimately passed as an initiative, Proposition 13.

County eyes benefits of cremation over burials: By Timothy Pratt; At least twice a day, Clark County picks up the tab when someone dies too broke to pay for a final resting place.

Man held in attempted murder: Metro Police said Carlos Hernandez was booked into the Clark County Detention Center early Sunday on charges of attempted murder and battery with a deadly weapon.

Manufacturing index rises: The Institute for Supply Management's factory index for last month rose to 62.0, as expected, from 61.1. The index has shown expansion, marked by readings higher than 50, since May 2003 and exceeded 60 since November. A measure of prices paid by manufacturers for raw materials fell.