Print edition for December 30, 2004

The flu season begins: Flu season has officially arrived.

Officer fires at driver in stolen truck: Stephen Curran; The chase began about 2:20 a.m. when the motorcycle officer, whose name was not released, attempted to pull over two trucks seen racing on Jones Boulevard near Oakey Boulevard.

County grapples with rise in criminal cases: Molly Ball; An unexpected increase in the number of criminal cases being prosecuted has forced the Clark County District Court to reshuffle judges' caseloads, the court's administration said.

Obituaries for December 30, 2004: Solomon Bloom, 77, of Las Vegas died Wednesday in Las Vegas. He was born Jan. 27, 1927, in South Africa. A resident for 28 years, he was a retired theater producer and director.

Sports briefs for December 30, 2004: Olympic swimming champion Michael Phelps was sentenced Wednesday to 18 months' probation after pleading guilty in a Salisbury, Md., court to drunken driving.

'Plaid' looks to recapture Golden touch: Two months shy of four years after closing, "Forever Plaid" will return to Las Vegas.

Prime medical facility takes shape in valley: Molly Ball; The Nevada Cancer Institute is so far only a skeleton. But walking through it, you only need a little imagination to see the flesh on the bones.

Causes of crashes determined: Jace Radke; The $31.9 million F-15C Eagle crashed about 60 miles northeast of Nellis on June 18 after Maj. David Graff, was forced to eject due to a dual engine flameout. At the time Graff was a weapons school instructor pilot at Nellis.

UNLV grads receive Army commissions: Dick Benoit; Three local students received not only their degrees, but also Army commissions following UNLV's recent winter commencement.

Survey: State workers' pay is low: CARSON CITY -- Salaries of state workers are about 20.6 percent lower than salaries in Nevada's private sector and the pay of employees has not kept up with the consumer price index, a new state survey indicates.

Jobless claims fall: The Labor Department reported today that new applications filed for jobless benefits declined by a seasonally adjusted 5,000 to 326,000 for the week ending Dec. 25. That left claims at their lowest level since the week ending Dec. 11.

Singapore may set tax for high rollers lower than Vegas: Linus Chua; Singapore, proposing its first casino as part of a resort and convention center complex, is offering the company that operates it a gaming-revenue tax rate for so-called high rollers lower than that of Las Vegas.

Valley home sales surpass '03 numbers: Jennifer Shubinski; Last year's record Las Vegas homes sales made many people rub their eyes with disbelief -- but with 2004 not even over, Las Vegas has surpassed its own record before the end of the year.

Community news briefs for December 30, 2004: Israeli Ambassador Daniel Ayalon is scheduled to discuss peace prospects in the Middle East at 7:45 p.m. Jan. 18 at UNLV's Artemus Ham Concert Hall.

Columnist Sal DeFilippo: Oh, baby, what a week!: Sal DeFilippo; For the casual observer, it must appear as if Las Vegas oddsmakers have been sipping a little too much egg nog this week.

Music program for kids in need seeks donations from community: Directors will be hosting an open orientation on the program at 4 p.m. Monday at the Doolittle Community Center, 1950 N. J St., for both students and community partners.

Gaming firms again pay most property tax in Clark County: Jennifer Shubinski; Clark County's largest property taxpayers came as no surprise: The county's largest gaming companies dominated this year's list as in years past.

Ruffin plans to redevelop New Frontier without partner: Adam Goldman; Billionaire Phil Ruffin said Wednesday he intends to redevelop the New Frontier without a partner and is considering building a second massive condo tower on the property with Donald Trump.

Airline to order 10 7E7s: Boeing said the deal would be worth about $1.3 billion at list prices, although airlines typically negotiate steep discounts. The airplanes are to be delivered beginning in 2009.

Rebels get to the point against Pan American: Ricky Morgan's knee-high-socks look turned a week old Wednesday, he began wearing those long braided locks at Pontiac (Mich.) Northern High and his mother, Sandra, instilled an ultra polite demeanor in him long ago.

Domestic violence cases continue to rise: David Kihara; For the past three years, the number of domestic violence cases in Las Vegas and unincorporated Clark County has steadily increased, and the total for the first 11 months of this year was 3 percent higher than the total for the same period of last year, Metro Police report.

Gaming association holding strategy planning session: The planning session also comes after the withdrawal from the association of Beau Rivage, MGM's showplace in Mississippi and one the organization's biggest financial contributors.

Victim was preparing for life in Vegas: It was supposed to be one last adventure before settling in Las Vegas.

Top 25 Fared: AP; No. 1 Southern Cal (12-0) did not play. Next: vs. No. 2 Oklahoma, Orange Bowl, Jan. 4.

CAT to adjust to closure of Strip: Temporary bus stops are marked with neon orange signs and will be placed as needed on poles, parking signs or other permanent fixtures.

Year saw casino companies gearing up for consolidation: By Liz Benston; Other top 2004 Las Vegas business stories:

Tribes, environmentalists in Oregon clash over plan: Joseph B. Frazier; CASCADE LOCKS, Ore. -- For 12,000 years or more, Columbia River tribes gathered nearby to do business with distant tribes. Now they want to come back -- to deal blackjack and poker.

Repairs to streets, drains expected to cost thousands: Stephen Curran; Cleaning up and repairing streets and drainage systems in the wake of the rains that have rolled in at the end of the year will cost tens of thousands of dollars, officials say.

Holiday closings: SAFETY: Police and fire emergency services as usual. Administrative offices closed.

More rain expected; cleanup continues: As Las Vegas residents detoured around water-logged roads Wednesday, the next winter storm pounced on Northern California and is expected to move into Southern Nevada tonight through Friday.

Poker champion fights off attacks at casino: The soft-spoken patent attorney from Stonington, Conn., fought off a pair of attackers Dec. 20 at the Bellagio after he had finished playing a cash game of poker, according to a police report.

Where I stand -- Anastasia Uretskaya: Serious about learning: Anastasia Uretskaya; Students from many high schools tackled such thorny issues as nutrition in schools, education reform and achievement testing, but one of the most heated topics was the controversy over schools instituting dress codes. Since the uniform issue has been such a huge focus for the past couple of months by the media and in the schools themselves, students wasted no time addressing this topic.

Judge releases opinion affirming Nevada Power ruling: By Liz Benston; A federal judge has issued an opinion reiterating an earlier bankruptcy court decision saying Nevada's two major electric utilities could have to pay a judgment in favor of Enron Corp.

High winds a concern for fireworks planners: Dan Kulin; Rain may dampen the New Year's Eve crowd, but only wind will keep the fireworks from lighting the Las Vegas sky for the first minutes of 2005.

Nursing home opens: The 190-bed home, located at 10550 Park Run Drive, is the 24th skilled-nursing home in the Las Vegas Valley. The home is run by California-based Skilled Healthcare LLC.

Letter: Letterman had genuine concern: PATRICIA DUCHARME

Double duty: Nick Christensen; It was about 2:30 Wednesday afternoon when Durango High School's assistant girls basketball coach began rounding up the team's equipment, putting away basketballs and water bottles and generally helping to herd the Lady Trailblazers out of Centennial High School's gym.

Friday's horse racing entries: Post Time 12:30 p.m.

Letter: Bush cheapens civilian honor: While there's no question that Gen. Franks had a distinguished military career, there is nothing in his civilian life that should merit such a prestigious award, other then his campaigning for Bush.

Ralph Siraco's Santa Anita selections: 1st Race -- LUCAYAN BEAUTY -- Irish-bred draws good box for mile opener, Baze aboard Becerra trainee, fits this sophomore filly field well. LITTLE FOXY BABY -- Startss alongside top pick for two-turn tag run, Valdivia atop Marlow trainee for Las Vegan owners, adds blinkers to package for this try. Value Play -- HIGHLY ARROGANT

Letter: Local motorists must show more responsibility: I read in your newspaper, however, that the death rate on the state's highways is increasing yearly. As a newcomer, I believe I can see why. I drive frequently on many streets in Las Vegas and am always surprised and upset to see so many drivers who are speeding and not using their turn signals and not paying attention to the speed-limit signs.

High court hits attorneys' pockets in probate cases: CARSON CITY -- The state Supreme Court Wednesday came down hard on a 5 percent attorney's fee that has become automatic in handling estates in Clark County.

Death sentence in Reno killing upheld: CARSON CITY -- The Nevada Supreme Court Wednesday upheld the death sentence for a man who fatally shot a Reno man who was dating the killer's ex-girlfriend.

Editorial: Hands-free security: From among 70 applicants, McCarran was one of 16 airports around the country chosen by the Transportation Security Administration to test a futuristic "portal" early next year. Passengers stepping into it won't be transported through time, but they will be cleared for conventional takeoff. The semi-closed portal directs bursts of air toward the passenger inside, then analyzes the air for traces of explosives. If none are detected during a 30-second analysis, an automated voice will tell the traveler to proceed.

Court reinstates malpractice suit against Vegas surgeon: By Cy Ryan; CARSON CITY -- The Nevada Supreme Court Wednesday reinstated a medical malpractice suit against a Las Vegas surgeon who treated a man for lower digestive tract problems.

Columnist Susan Snyder: New Year's cocktails mix us up: After all, at $2,200 each, who could afford to drink more than one?

Fishing report: Stripers running the shoreline: A shore angler said stripers have been running the shoreline in the early morning hours along Special Events Beach. He caught a 4-pound striper Friday morning by casting a silver and blue popper lure. Special Events Beach is closed to vehicles from dusk until 6 a.m.

Residents want more notice on development proposals: Dan Kulin; Although successful in blocking an unwanted high rise in their area, members of a Las Vegas neighborhood association say the handling of the proposed project shows that residents need more notice earlier in the development process.

Editorial: Watchdog gets sacked: The White House may not be talking, but it doesn't take a genius to figure out that Ervin's days were numbered once he started issuing reports about the Homeland Security Department that detailed wasteful spending and bureaucratic bungling by the agency charged with preventing terrorist attacks. The Bush administration's warped view of loyalty -- that even valid, honest criticism equates betrayal -- certainly sealed Ervin's fate, especially given his blunt assessments that catalogued a sometimes poorly run bureaucracy.

Fast-rising Killers return to Vegas for sold-out show: Spencer Patterson; A look at a few of Southern Nevada's New Year's Eve weekend concert options:

Coming Up Roses: Spencer Patterson; It seems unthinkable that a superstar rock guitarist could be overshadowed by his own head wear. Yet, night after night, the musician known as Slash draws his loudest cheers when he places his famed black top hat atop his curly, dark mane.