Print edition for December 6, 2004

More space for homeless sought in valley churches: By Timothy Pratt; Dennis Valdez, a burly housepainter, leaned forward a bit as if to say something he wanted no one to hear.

Proposed election changes face scrutiny: Kirsten Searer; County registrars and other officials are looking to tighten up election laws, but several civil rights groups said this week they'll work to ensure the reforms don't intrude on voter rights.

CFO Bradford resigns: Former CFO John Alderfer will resume those duties following Bradford's departure.

Construction worker dies in accident: Osman Tejeda, 34, of Las Vegas, died about 2:10 a.m., according to the Clark County Coroner. Tejeda was working on a Las Vegas Public Works road project near the intersection, Sgt. Mike Nihei of the Nevada Highway Patrol said.

Prosecutor says jury should have heard case: CARSON CITY -- The impeachment allegations against Controller Kathy Augustine should have been heard by a jury in a courtroom and if they had been there probably would have been a different outcome, the prosecutor of the case said this weekend.

Sunday's Women's Basketball Scores: AP; Canisius 62, Rider 40

This Week's Top 25 Fared: AP; 2. Kansas (4-0) beat Nevada 85-52; beat Pacific 81-70.

News briefs for December 6, 2004: The manager of a Smith's grocery store on West Sahara Avenue near Fort Apache Road was shot in the shoulder Sunday night during a robbery attempt, Metro Police said.

Aladdin owners avoid battle, OK Culinary's card check: By Liz Benston; Aladdin's new owners agreed Friday to recognize the Culinary Union, more than a year after a majority of the property's 1,600 maids, porters and food-service workers signed union cards.

Road map for school funding pushed: By Emily Richmond; The state's 17 school districts have teamed up for iNVest '05: a $646 million proposal for new programs, services and incentives to improve the cause of public education in Nevada.

Board member resigns: Sartini, a former Station Casinos executive and the brother-in-law of the company's chief executive, Frank Fertitta III, and President Lorenzo Fertitta, has served on the company's board since May 1993. Sartini left Station to form Golden Gaming Inc., a private company that acquired the local PT's pub chain in 2002.

Dollar's slide may be boon for tourism: Although the slide in value of the American dollar abroad is looked upon as a sign of economic weakness, it's also a sign that it's time to roll out the global welcome mat.

Funds for Nevada homeland security slashed: Jace Radke and Benjamin Grove; Despite being mentioned as a possible terrorist target by everyone from local police to outgoing Federal Homeland Security Secretary Tom Ridge, Las Vegas will get less homeland security grant money in 2005.

Charity goals keep Agassi on his toes: On the 10th anniversary of the establishment of the Andre Agassi Charitable Foundation, the pro tennis star laments that he's not celebrating the 15th.

Preps: Weekend Results: Girls' Soccer

Teacher background checks questioned: By Emily Richmond; After revoking the licenses of four teachers who pleaded guilty to sex-related offenses, members of the State Board of Education questioned Saturday whether Nevada's hiring process digs deep enough into the background of prospective employees.

Augustine returns to office, feels 'vindicated': CARSON CITY -- Controller Kathy Augustine, the first state official ever impeached and convicted in Nevada, said she is returning to work today "vindicated" after being found guilty of misuse of government property.

Auburn is odd team out: USC, Oklahoma get Orange Bowl berths: AP; This year, though, the Trojans have no complaints.

Columnist Ron Kantowski: A red feather in Hamrick's cap: When it appeared last week that athletic director Mike Hamrick was going to have to reach deep into his playbook, back where the hook-and-ladder and fumble-rooskie gather dust, for UNLV's new football coach, I thought this was going to be my chance to act like a Jets fan at the Waldorf Astoria on draft day. You know, when the J-E-T-S Jets usually pass on somebody like Dan Marino to select somebody like Ken O'Brien.

Suspect says concerns about Satanic cult prompted standoff: Gregory Grant, 46, also thought his 33-year-old neighbor was part of the conspiracy, so he told police he decided to "apprehend" him because he thought his neighbor wanted to kill him.

Additional casinos could drain money from lottery games: Iowa Lottery President Edward Stanek wrote state legislative leaders a memo in November in which he warned that more casinos and expanded table games at racetracks would cut into the lottery's profits.

Roll call of Senate's votes: CARSON CITY -- Roll call on those who voted to convict state Controller Kathy Augustine of misuse of state equipment in her 2000 re-election campaign:

Palo Verde preparation pays off: Nick Christensen; Final exams in high schools don't start until January, but one came a bit early this year for the Palo Verde football team.

Next step in Moncrief recall effort set: Dan Kulin; The effort to recall Las Vegas Councilwoman Janet Moncrief continues to move forward as the Clark County Election Department planns to begin verifying signatures on the recall petition on Wednesday.

Columnist Susan Snyder: Become a tourist -- in Nevada: And Guy Rocha has just the place.

Letter: Rich athletes hurt society: Among his observations were the pampered, showboating and out-of-control athletes of today. This is a problem that has annoyed me to the point that I watch few games anymore.

Lawmakers cool to proposed session on gambling: "I simply don't think that there's time left," said House Speaker Bob Kiss, D-Raleigh.

Rebels get a lashing and a loss at UNR: Steve Guiremand; RENO -- Watching UNLV coach Lon Kruger on the sideline during a game, it sometimes is hard to figure out whether he's coaching a basketball game or getting ready to deliver the Sunday sermon.

Chargers take charge in AFC West: AP; San Diego took charge in the AFC West with a 20-17 win over Denver on Sunday that gave the Chargers a two-game lead. The victory also assured the Chargers (9-3) their first winning season since 1995 - less than a year after finishing 4-12.

Reid speaks out on 'Meet the Press': Benjamin Grove; WASHINGTON -- Incoming Senate Democratic leader Harry Reid has asked President Bush to "consult" with Democrats before announcing Supreme Court justice nominees.

Brazile keeps a steady pace: Trevor Brazile may not take as many chances as he used to at the Wrangler National Finals Rodeo, but he certainly knows how to take advantage when the opportunity presents itself.

Columnist Ralph Siraco: Most Breeders' Cup horses do poorly at end of year: Ralph Siraco; Life after the Breeders' Cup is rough. At least for those who compete in the sport's championship day and then live to fight another before year's end. Maybe fight is not a good description.

Editorial: A big help -- on paper: The McKinney-Vento Act of 1987 required federal agencies to compile quarterly lists of their surplus property, then send the lists to the Housing and Urban Development Department, where staff members would combine them into one long list and publish them each Friday in the Federal Register. Homeless organizations were to have first priority in applying for this property.

Letter: Feds do nothing to loan sharks: Lenders who fund pay-day loans or title loan operations are contributing to the rape of the poor. Exorbitant interest rates are common. This loan-sharking is unconscionable. Shame on the politicians, bankers and lenders who allow this to go on. I worked for loan companies in the 1960s and 1970s that charged nowhere near what is being charged at these unscrupulous operations, and we were called crooks. We were saints by comparison.

Cal's fall from BCS status sends UCLA to Las Vegas: Steve Guiremand; The bad news for California and the Pac-10 Conference that Texas had passed the Golden Bears in the final Bowl Championship Series standings at least made someone happy.

Letter: Less smoking would be major health care boost: I know how hard it is to quit, but I also know it can be done. I did it and if I can do it, anyone can. Less smoking in the country could go a long way toward improving health care, which seems to be the No. 1 issue for most people nowadays.

GOP hands out Assembly posts: CARSON CITY -- Freshman Assemblyman Bob Seale, the former two-term state treasurer from Henderson, has gained a place on the powerful Ways and Means Committee.

Esmeralda sheriff will be stuck with DA: CARSON CITY -- Esmeralda County District Attorney Bill Schaeffer says he will continue to do his job but expects continued tension with Sheriff Ken Elgan.

Exec Tom Coughlin to retire: Coughlin, 55, who has been with Wal-Mart for more than 25 years, will leave Jan. 24, the company said. His term on the Wal-Mart board runs through June 2005. He has been vice chairman and a board member since April 2003.

Alleged incident 12 years ago admitted into lewdness trial: By Matt Pordum; District Judge Donald Mosley has ruled that testimony of a former student of Duane Johnson about alleged incidents 12 years ago in Utah could be introduced at his June 6 trial of charges of lewdness with a minor.

Court rejects doctor's appeal: CARSON CITY -- The Nevada Supreme Court on Thursday rejected the appeal of Dr. Harriston L. Bass Jr., who had sued two Las Vegas physicians in a case involving the death of a patient in Las Vegas.

Birth announcements for December 6, 2004: Nov. 25:

Community briefs for December 6, 2004: Four tenor saxophonists will perform individually, in duos and together at the annual Tenor Madness concert 2 p.m. Sunday at Winchester Community Center, 3130 S. McLeod Drive.

Watch It: From 'Wonder Woman' to 'Waltons,' DVD releases have holiday season covered: Kirk Baird; It's especially wonderful if someone on your holiday gift list is a fan of DVDs. There are hundreds of DVD box sets available. Some, such as the "Seinfeld" Seasons 1 through 3 gift set and "Star Wars" DVD box set, are obvious. Others, such as the short-lived TV show "Home Movies," may not jump to mind, but would make a great gift all the same.

Sports briefs for December 6, 2004: In the best-of-five Davis Cup final against Spain on the slow red clay at Olympic Stadium, Andy Roddick lost both of his matches in the United States' 3-2 loss at Seville, Spain. On Sunday, Carlos Moya beat Roddick 6-2, 7-6 (1), 7-6 (5) to give Spain an insurmountable 3-1 lead.

Teamsters seek to organize 430 Indian casino workers: Carolyn Thompson; BUFFALO, N.Y. -- The Teamsters are moving to unionize 430 card dealers at the Indian-owned Seneca Niagara Casino, saying a labor board ruling earlier this year opened the door to a vote.

Panel to begin task of finding new judge: CARSON CITY -- The state Judicial Selection Commission on Dec. 27 is to start interviewing the 17 lawyers who applied to succeed District Judge Ron Parraguirre, who was elected to the Nevada Supreme Court.

Senators refute potential conflicts of interest in case: CARSON CITY -- Sen. Mark Amodei, R-Carson City, once prepared divorce papers for Controller Kathy Augustine but never filed them.

Retailers boost discounts in attempt to stimulate sales: Rachel Katz; J.C. Penney Co. offered discounts of as much as 50 percent on women's dresses this past weekend to get shoppers like Vella Moss to spend more on themselves as well as boost their gift purchases.

Editorial: Class sizes here remain way too high: Reading on even further, however, we quickly realize why 19 students sounded so good. This is a "statewide" average, of course. All the small rural areas were counted. It's a whole different set of numbers for the Clark County School District, fifth largest in the country and bursting at the seams with more than 280,000 students.

Agassi foundation has helped an estimated 184,000 youths: Of the $42 million raised by the Andre Agassi Charitable Foundation, $25.9 million has been spent or is being spent on projects that in the past 10 years have benefited an estimated 184,000 Las Vegas youths, project officials say.

Jurassic 5 shakes Shade Tree benefit: Spencer Patterson; Given the misogynous tendencies of gangsta rap, the choice of a hip-hop group to headline Friday's "Shade Tree VI: Songs for the Shelter" benefit concert likely surprised a fair portion of the well-dressed audience at the House of Blues at Mandalay Bay.

Case highlights debate over pedestrian laws: Molly Ball; A month after being hit by a truck crossing the street, Ray Lawson is still in a coma.

It was UNLV all along for Sanford: Steve Guiremand; Steve Guiremand

Off-road overall title goes to Oregon racer: Weyhrich, of Troutdale, Ore., covered the 325 miles (five laps on a 65-mile circuit) in 5 hours, 27 minutes, 43 seconds and finished more than 14 minutes ahead of Class 1500 competitor Bob Lofton of Westmorland, Calif. Class 1400 winner Gary Dircks of Phoenix was third overall in 5:48:41.

Developer has grand plans for small Mount Charleston Hotel: Jennifer Shubinski; The Mount Charleston Hotel, long ignored by tourists and passing thought to most locals, sold to a local developer with big plans for the property.

Obituaries for December 6, 2004: Ronald G. Barron, 64, of Las Vegas died Saturday in Las Vegas. He was born Oct. 7, 1940, in Pennsylvania. A resident for 18 years, he was an attorney, a judge, an Air Force veteran and a member of the Filipino Bisayan Society.

Castillo's entertaining victory sets the stage for lightweight showdown: Besides the champion himself, no one was more delighted by Jose Luis Castillo's victory Saturday night at Mandalay Bay than Diego Corrales, who holds a minor belt at 135 pounds and wants an opportunity to prove himself against the division's best.