Print edition for August 3, 2004

America West to fly to Mexican resorts: America West Airlines has built a sizable portion of its business bringing tourists to Las Vegas.

VegasBeat -- Timothy McDarrah: Teller Penns rave review of Jillette's book: Even better, it was written by Teller, his shorter, quieter, fellow Rio headliner.

Mikohn narrows loss in second quarter: By Liz Benston; Losses at slot machine maker Mikohn Gaming Corp. narrowed in the second quarter and executives said the company will either break even or make a profit for the first time in years this quarter.

Public transportation to Lake Mead mulled: Stephen Curran; The Regional Transportation Commission and leaders of the Lake Mead National Recreation Area have held the first in what both expect to be many closed-door meetings to possibly bring public transportation to the lake, representatives from both agencies said Monday.

Rain soaks LV Valley: The rest of Las Vegas and Henderson averaged about four-hundredths of an inch Monday, according to the National Weather Service.

Gladiators put White on coach wish list: Adam Candee; The Las Vegas Gladiators are in contact with former Arizona head coach Danny White about their head coaching vacancy.

Regents say meeting defense is an excuse: Some university regents are calling the system's defense of itself in an open-meeting law complaint nothing but excuses.

Pot adviser likely to get license: Stephen Curran; A Las Vegas resident will likely have the city's blessing this week to charge patients suffering from a variety of diseases $265 to advise them about how to score their own marijuana -- legally -- the man in charge of the city's business licenses said Monday.

Man dies after cops use Taser on him: Jen Lawson; A 47-year-old man died Monday night shortly after a Metro Police officer used a Taser on him during a struggle in a condominium near U.S. 95 and Flamingo Road.

Columnist Jeff German: Why we shouldn't feel safer: After Jerry Bussell, the state's first homeland security chief, got caught in a power play and resigned two months ago, Gov. Kenny Guinn promised big changes in the fight against terrorism.

'Needs improvement' list grows: By Emily Richmond; Mirroring results in Clark County, the number of Nevada schools labeled as "needing improvement" under the federal No Child Left Behind Act skyrocketed this year to 122 campuses, up from 26 in 2003.

Talks continue on slots as deadline for action nears: House Speaker Michael Busch, who favors a constitutional amendment that would let voters decide whether to authorize slot machines, said after the meeting that he should know in about two weeks whether it is feasible to call a special session of the Legislature to try to put an amendment on the November ballot.

Brothers are among 175 Nevadans to be deployed: Jace Radke; The families of 175 Nevada soldiers have a little more than two weeks before they have to say goodbye to loved ones heading to the Middle East for an 18-month tour of duty with the Army National Guard's 1864th Transportation Co.

Las Vegas Olympians feel secure about trip: Proud to be an American? Absolutely, say the three Valley residents who are representing their country at the Summer Games in Athens.

Neighbors at odds over removal of cottonwoods: Beth Slovic; Where shade is at a premium -- in new home developments, parking lots and office parks -- trees are a hot commodity for their cooling effect and their beauty.

Lender ordered to pay fine: Kevin Rademacher; State mortgage regulators on Monday said that Pacific Bancorp has been ordered to pay $199,000 in fines for 16 violations of state lending statutes.

Gibbons: Congress now must focus on intelligence changes: Kirsten Searer; Rep. Jim Gibbons said Monday he was encouraged by news that President Bush is calling for a retooling of the nation's intelligence operations.

Ex-principal arrested on theft charges: By Emily Richmond; The former principal of Moapa Valley High School was arrested Thursday for allegedly embezzling more than $10,000 in school funds over the course of two years, a Clark County School District Police spokesman said Monday.

Two candidates discuss high court: Only two of four Nevada Supreme Court Seat A candidates showed up for a forum Monday night at the Sahara Library, but valley citizens who turned out had plenty of questions for them.

Potential buyers list for Harrah's, Caesars properties is growing: By Liz Benston; Midsize casino companies nationwide as well as relative unknowns are expected to join a long list of potential buyers for assets that will be sold should the MGM MIRAGE-Mandalay Resort Group and Harrah's Entertainment Inc.-Caesars Entertainment Inc. mergers go through, analysts say.

More complaints filed by NADN estate: Kevin Rademacher; Complaints have been filed against three more individuals affiliated with the a failed Las Vegas company tax services company, claiming that millions of dollars were fraudulently transferred out of the company before it closed.

Sign goes up on Wynn resort: Sign goes up on Wynn resort

Crescent reports $17.5 million loss: Texas-based Cresent Real Estate Equities Co. this morning reported a second-quarter loss of $17.5 million, or 18 cents a share, wider than the $6.1 million, or 6 cents per share, net loss reported for the same 2003 quarter.

Creditors voting on reorganization plan: Creditors have until Aug. 20 to vote on the plan, which would then be brought before the bankruptcy court in Sept. 1.

Ensign concedes Kerry better for state on Yucca: Sen. John Ensign, R-Nev., said Monday that when it comes to the Yucca Mountain nuclear waste repository, Democratic presidential candidate John Kerry is better for Nevada than President Bush.

English teacher charged with sexual misconduct: Heather Rawlyk; A Chaparral High School English teacher, who was arrested Friday and charged with two felony counts of sexual misconduct with a 17-year-old student, will appear in Las Vegas Justice Court Wednesday morning.

Customer service employees voting on union: The International Brotherhood of Teamsters in June assisted in qualifying enough signatures for a representation vote at about 50 stations and three call centers the Tempe, Ariz.-based airline operates.

Wednesday's horse racing entries: Post Time 10 a.m.

Injured tight end rejoins 49ers: Eric Johnson won't let an injured right thumb hinder his comeback with the San Francisco 49ers.

Man pleads guilty in fatal shooting outside nightclub: By Matt Pordum; A 28-year-old man who claimed he shot a man in self-defense while trying to help a woman recover stolen property pleaded guilty Monday to second-degree murder and kidnapping charges for the May 4 killing.

Fire spurs Mount Charleston residents to protect homes: Last week's fire on Mount Charleston has made many of the mountain's residents more interested in taking action to protect their homes, retired Clark County firefighter and mountain resident Duffy Grismanauskas said.

Officials seek cure for Fremont stench: For 10 years, tourists, locals and business operators downtown have periodically endured an offensive odor emitting from storm drains along Fremont Street.

U.S. sprinter booted for drugs: ATHENS, Greece -- Calvin Harrison has been suspended for two years for a second doping violation, knocking the sprinter off the U.S. team for the Athens Olympics and likely forcing the United States to forfeit a relay gold medal from last year's world championships.

News briefs for August 3, 2004: Henderson fire crews this morning were still fighting a fire that occurred after an explosion ignited a Green Valley condominium today.

Obituaries for August 3, 2004: Elsie R. Atkinson, 78, of Las Vegas died Sunday in Las Vegas. She was born April 8, 1926, in Missouri. A resident for two years, she was a homemaker.

Columnist Brian Hilderbrand: With big lead, Johnson's team finds time to experiment: Jimmie Johnson left Pocono Raceway Sunday with a 232-point lead in the NASCAR Nextel Cup standings following his fourth victory of the season.

Sports briefs for August 3, 2004: Virginia Tech quarterback Marcus Vick was suspended from the university for the 2004 season because of his run-ins with the law.

It's a little more serious in the second season: Nick Christensen; In the world of high school sports, there's baseball season, and then there's baseball season.

Editorial: Time to take charge: Bush's advisers worry that placing the office in the White House could politicize intelligence gathering. But this can occur if the head of intelligence isn't in the White House, too. Even under the current system, critics have charged that the Bush White House placed pressure on U.S. intelligence agencies to provide the answers it wanted to justify a war with Iraq. (A strong president can reduce the possibility of politicizing intelligence if he doesn't tolerate such manipulation in the first place.) Most importantly, if the intelligence director is in the White House -- and provided with budget-setting authority for intelligence ...

Governor's anti-gaming group raises zero dollars: Tim Molloy; LOS ANGELES -- Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger has not received any contributions to his campaign to defeat two gambling initiatives on the November ballot, according to a fund-raising report released Monday.

Columnist Susan Snyder: Midnight's the time to sale away: The chances of me staying up until midnight to hit one? Once in a blue moon.

'Axe the Tax' referendum facing early legal challenge: Kirsten Searer; The referendum on last year's $833 million tax increase has not yet qualified for the ballot, but the Nevada Taxpayers Association announced Monday that its board members want to take "Axe the Tax" to court.

Settlement reached in drug price controversy: CARSON CITY -- Nevada will receive $816,000 from a drug manufacturer that overcharged the state Medicaid program for the antihistamine drug Claritin.

Immunization schedule for August 3, 2004: HENDERSON PUBLIC HEALTH CENTER: 129 W. Lake Mead Drive, Building A, Suite 10, 8 a.m. to 4:30 p.m., Monday through Friday.

Firm settles shareholder suit: The lawsuit, filed in December 2001, claimed that the eye-care products maker overstated profits by $18 million during three quarters in 1999 and 2000.

Prisons director warns of crisis if voters repeal tax increase: CARSON CITY -- Jackie Crawford, director of the state Corrections Department, says she supports correctional officers' request for more staff and higher pay but she believes there is a bigger problem facing the prison system.

Atlantic City needs to boost nongaming options, experts say: Tom Bell; ATLANTIC CITY -- Experts told a Senate committee on Monday that Atlantic City needs to significantly boost entertainment and other nongaming options in order to limit any loss of casino business when slot machines arrive in Pennsylvania.

Editorial: Yerington site should be on priority list: Four years ago the Bureau of Land Management and the Environmental Protection Agency entered the picture. The two federal agencies cooperated with the state environmental division and ARCO on a more intensive cleanup plan. In 2001, however, area residents expressed concern that even this joint oversight was inadequate and asked the state to seek assistance through the federal Superfund program. The state rejected that idea, reasoning that the mine site posed no immediate threat and that a Superfund designation carries a negative image that could harm the area's economy.

Fifth Street School plan advances: By Ed Koch; The historic Fifth Street Grammar School took its first step Monday toward becoming a key downtown redevelopment project aimed at fostering the arts, literature and intellectual thought.

Company asks judge to stop union's pension plan suits: The union filed suits in New Jersey and Illinois protesting the company's decision to halt contributions to its employee pension plans while in bankruptcy reorganization. The union represents 27,000 bag handlers, customer-service agents and other workers at United.

Clothing's value disputed: By Matt Pordum; A woman accused of having stolen clothes from the trendy store where she worked wanted a discount on her charges.

Toss Boss: Frediani juggling his way to the top: The Fredianis trace their juggling to Francesco Frediani, a troubadour born in Florence in 1650.

Man dies after officer uses Taser in struggle: Jen Lawson; A 47-year-old man died Monday night shortly after a Metro Police officer used a Taser on him during a struggle in a condominium near U.S. 95 and Flamingo Road.

Letter: 'Fahrenheit 9/11' a real eye-opener: I am glad I saw the movie. I wanted to see how several things about Bush's presidency were covered or if, in fact, they were covered.

Letter: Expansion of trade agreements a destructive idea: As for manufacturing and high-tech employment, the drain in these professions continues. Retiring Sen. Fritz Hollings, D-S.C., recently noted that "the world power that loses its manufacturing capacity no longer is a world power."

Newest regulator must shed gambling interest: Brendan Riley; CARSON CITY -- The newest member of the Nevada Gaming Commission skipped a July meeting and will miss at least the start of an Aug. 26 session -- because he's barred from service until OK'd by the panel to sell his interest in a slot machine venture.

Supreme Court candidates questioned about legislature: Only two of four Nevada Supreme Court Seat A candidates showed up for a forum Monday night at the Sahara Library, but the Las Vegas Valley citizens who turned out had plenty of questions for them.

More than half of Nevada Guard to be mobilized: Jace Radke; More than half of Nevada's Army National Guard soldiers will be mobilized by the middle of the month, ranking Nevada as one of the states with the highest percentage of mobilized troops.

Where I Stand -- Guest Columnist Marilyn Gillespie: Community spirit: It's easy to come to our community as an outsider and see all that is wrong. In fact, many that visit fail to see that we have a community.