Print edition for February 4, 2004

UNR prof wins Gunnerman Award: AP; (Reno- A University of Nevada, Reno professor is being recognized for his work in advanced shock and vibration control systems.

Investors trying to bring women's hockey to town: Nick Christensen; A group of unnamed investors is in discussions to purchase a women's professional hockey team and move it to Las Vegas, the team's president confirmed Tuesday.

Editorial: Mountain of danger: The admission came after word that some former workers at Yucca Mountain may have contracted the disease while drilling tunnels. In response, the Energy Department set up a program to screen current and former workers to determine if they have the disease. In our view, the screening program, an after-the-fact response, is a testament to the danger inherent in the whole Yucca Mountain project. All along the Energy Department has been telling the world that Yucca Mountain will be a safe place to bury high-level nuclear waste for the next 100 centuries. Yet during those years Yucca Mountain hadn't even ...

Community briefs for Feb. 4, 2004: The Henderson Multi-Generational Center will host a wrist pain and carpal tunnel syndrome workshop from 6:30 p.m. to 8 p.m. Thursday at the center, 450 Green Valley Parkway.

Group targeting cyber-criminals gets a new home: Jace Radke; The Nevada Cyber Crime Task Force has a new home in its hunt for hackers and cyber criminals.

Editorial: Tackling the barriers that face children: The Nevada Board of Education is responding sensibly to the findings by creating the Center for Health and Learning. The center will work closely with parents and school districts to identify students whose physical or mental problems pose threats to their academic achievement and, in some cases, their lives. For the past 14 years, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, suicide has been the nation's third-leading cause of death among people aged 10 to 24.

Supreme Court takes up battle over new Williams trial: CARSON CITY -- The Clark County district attorney's office goes before the Nevada Supreme Court next week in an effort to stop a new trial for Jessica Williams, the driver found guilty in the deaths of six teenagers in a roadside work crew.

Letter: Nuclear dump's huge risks, costs outweigh benefits: Numerous studies done by the state of Nevada and Clark County have shown that the economic downside of Yucca Mountain has the potential to dwarf any economic benefits that might be associated with the project. Not surprisingly, the findings from state and county research were not factored into the UNLV study.

Obituaries for Feb. 4, 2004: Mauritz Otto Danielson, 94, of Boulder City died Sunday in Boulder City. He was born April 4, 1909, in Laurel, Neb. A resident for 29 years, he was an agricultural inspector for California and has been retired for 29 years.

Consultant discusses effects of scholarship program: CARSON CITY -- The state's Millennium Scholarship program probably will not do much to increase the low percentage of Nevada students who go directly from high school to college, a consultant told state lawmakers Tuesday.

DNA test: Ex-guard is dad of inmate's baby: CARSON CITY -- DNA testing has identified a former guard at the state women's prison in North Las Vegas as the father of a baby born to a female inmate, a state correctional official said Tuesday.

Rebels pick up local RB Peeples: Steve Guiremand; It's been an unusually quiet recruiting year for UNLV coach John Robinson this winter.

Party for mayor's son latest target of ethics critic: Dan Kulin; A Clark County man with a history of challenging the ethics of local politicians is taking on Las Vegas Mayor Oscar Goodman again.

Columnist Elizabeth Foyt: Monet preview raises funds for children: Elizabeth Foyt; Bobby Baldwin, president and chief executive of Mirage Resorts, and former Gov. Bob Miller served as honorary chairmen of the dinner reception, silent auction and preview tour, with Sheila and John Arnos. Dave Kirvin, Joyce Sherman, Stephen Cloobeck, Sheriff Bill Young and Tony Bonnici were among the committee members who created this shining evening that garnered $100,000 for NCMEC.

Letter: Tobacco industry is hard to fight: If legislators are smokers, it is less than likely that they can hear the message of the vast majority -- especially if they are funded by the tobacco industry that works full time in the halls of all state legislatures. When a political candidate emerges to announce his intention to end smoker abuse, political funding dries up and the candidate loses the election.

Columnist Muriel Stevens: Valentine's shopping made sweet: This anonymous bon mot appears in a small volume, "The Lover's Quotation Book: A Literary Companion" (Pushcart Press, $10.95), that I found in a bookstore many years ago. I doubt it's still in print, but it's worth looking for. Its pages are filled with more than 300 literary observations and witticisms on the "joys and sorrows of loving" by everyone from Mae West to Plato with many more in between. It's a book meant to be shared with a special someone.

Nevada delegation to concentrate on schools, transportation: Suzanne Struglinski; WASHINGTON -- Nevada's congressional delegation aims to focus on transportation and education during this session of Congress while fighting for the state's share of the $2.4 trillion budget proposed by President Bush on Monday.

Italian Courses: For Ferraros, Flamingo Road eatery is all about family: Ken Miller; Aesthetically it's a small change, but for the Ferraro family it carries significant meaning.

Law to boost felons' voting not working: By Timothy Pratt; Seven months after becoming law, a 2003 bill meant to make it easier for certain former felons to get their right to vote restored is not achieving its goals, officials said.

Nevada superdelegates moving toward John Kerry: AP; CARSON CITY, Nev.- As Democratic presidential front-runner John Kerry scored big wins in a seven-state contest Tuesday, three of Nevada's seven Democratic superdelegates said they've changed from uncommitted to Kerry "leaners."

Letter: U.S. is a republic, not a democracy: First, if government funds are given directly to one religious group, then all religious groups can demand equal funding. How do you choose some groups to fund but not all? The government does fund private religious groups indirectly by providing deductions on our income tax for our contributions. In this way we decide who to support and not the government.

Columnist Peter Benton: Dolan wins honors at PGA section pro-am event: Peter Benton; The Spanish Trail Country Club was the site last week of the Las Vegas Chapter, Southwest Section of the PGA's ST Pro-Am, an individual low net for the professionals, and a one low net, one low gross of foursome (one pro and three amateurs,) in the team event.

Commission upbeat about challenges: Growth and its effects on Clark County's government and residents are the major challenges facing Southern Nevada, county commissioners said Tuesday in their annual State of the County report.

Last year's No. 1 eyes 2nd chance: Adam Candee; A year ago, Cornell Johnson owned this time and all of its invincibility and promise.

Harrah's profit down 34%: By Liz Benston; Harrah's Entertainment Inc. today said profit fell 34 percent in the fourth quarter as the company faced higher casino taxes in several states and costs for developing casinos.

Three plead guilty in fraud case: Kevin Rademacher; Three defendants in a Las Vegas mortgage fraud case pleaded guilty Tuesday.

Business briefs for Feb. 4, 2004: DaimlerChrysler today reported its profit for 2003 fell sharply to $564 million as the turnaround at its troubled U.S. Chrysler division and a one-time financial adjustment weighed on the bottom line.

Sports briefs for February 4, 2004: Three weeks after being named senior vice president of football operations for the Miami Dolphins, Dan Marino told owner H. Wayne Huizenga Tuesday that he had made a mistake and wanted to resign.

Political campaign signs popping up all over valley: It's going to be a long political season, especially since political signs are popping up now -- seven months before the primary.

Dog dies after being shot by Metro officer: Jen Lawson; Metro's fourth officer-involved shooting of the year occurred Tuesday, but instead of a citizen, an officer shot and killed a family's elderly dog in a fenced yard on 10th Street near Bridger Avenue.

Races for Nevada court draw increased attention: Kirsten Searer; The spotlight doesn't usually shine on Nevada Supreme Court judicial races, but the focus could be laser-sharp this election season.

Columnist Dean Juipe: Nunn touched stars in heyday: Dean Juipe; Invited to Michael Nunn's suite at the newly opened Mirage, I was greeted warmly as I arrived and was made to feel comfortable as we sat in the posh front room. We had known each other for a couple of years and we exchanged small talk before I got myself in order and began the interview process.

Feds back off on using funds for burros: The administration had proposed to use $2.3 million from the Southern Nevada Public Lands Management Act to put toward Nevada's share of it program to control wild horses and burros throughout the western states.

County selects southern site for heliport: Instead of a long-proposed but more controversial site, Clark County Commissioners on Tuesday selected an area about two miles south of Sloan as a new base for helicopters.

State fails to fund schools to meet classroom-size limits: By Emily Richmond; Most Nevada school districts have more primary students per classroom than allowed by law because the Legislature hasn't given the schools enough money to reduce class sizes.

Loyalty card will count points for food, show purchases: Glenn Schaeffer, president and chief financial officer of the company, did not give a specific time frame for the start-up of the plan when he discussed it with investment analysts attending financial presentations at the American Gaming Summit in Las Vegas on Tuesday.

Dates set for Adelson projects: Responding to a question during a financial presentation at the American Gaming Summit, William Weidner, president of Las Vegas Sands Inc., said efforts are under way to prepare the property for construction, which would include a major excavation project for an underground parking garage.

Trump's Riviera investment advances: CARSON CITY -- Real estate mogul Donald Trump gained preliminary state approval today to buy 10 percent of the Riviera hotel-casino on the Las Vegas Strip and he is eying other investments in Nevada.

Tax hike fears worry gaming industry: By Liz Benston; As state legislators make more zealous attempts to raise needed tax revenue, the casino industry is facing a deepening threat of higher state gaming taxes along with the newer, more intimidating prospect of state-owned casinos, a panel of gaming experts told a group of casino insiders and investors at a conference in Las Vegas Tuesday.

Domestic fight ends in two deaths: Metro Police responded to 911 calls about gunshots being fired in front of the house about 9:30 p.m., and when officers arrived they found two bodies lying in the driveway, Sgt. Kent Hefner said.

Sisters' accident raises safety issues: Jennifer Knight; An accident that seriously injured an 11-year-old girl crossing Lake Mead Boulevard near Civic Center Drive was at least the eighth such pedestrian accident in three years in the neighborhood, safety experts say.

Investments planned at North Las Vegas hospital: IASIS finalized the sale of Lake Mead from Tenet Healthcare Corp. on Feb. 1 and announced new executives to lead the hospital Monday.

Automaker's profit off sharply: The U.S.-German company said it earned 448 million euros ($564 million) in 2003, down from 4.7 billion euros in 2002.

Gouldsmith set to do his coaching from the dugout: As much as UNLV baseball coach Buddy Gouldsmith admits that he never would have recruited a player of his size or ability, he would have liked to have heard otherwise in his younger days.

Columnist Brian Hilderbrand: Derek Daly says his F1 driving career is over: Derek Daly has no illusions of ever stepping back into a Formula One racecar -- even for a test session.

Prep stars commit to colleges: Adam Candee; In a bit of a down year for prep football prospects in Southern Nevada, the surprise winner is still UNLV.

Nevada Power profit probed in hearings: Kevin Rademacher; Financial health and shareholder return were points of contention on Tuesday as Nevada Power Co. began defending a $133.5 million annual rate hike request before the state Public Utilities Commission.

Porter knows first-hand problem of identity theft: Suzanne Struglinski; WASHINGTON -- Rep. Jon Porter, R-Nev., opened his credit card statement last year and found thousands of dollars in charges for merchandise he knew he did not buy.

News briefs for Feb. 4, 2004: Former President Bill Clinton will be in Las Vegas on May 17 for a Democratic fund-raiser, though details haven't been worked out on where and when the event will be held, said Jon Summers, communications director for the state Democratic Party.

Wranglers top Trenton in OT: Nick Christensen; The Wranglers face a two-week stretch of nine games that will likely test the endurance of goalie Marc Magliarditi:

Super Bowl produces record gaming win for Nevada books: The state Gaming Control Board reported today that $81.2 million was wagered on the game in which New England defeated Carolina 32-29. The sports books won an estimated $12.4 million or 15.3 percent of the handle.

VegasBeat -- Timothy McDarrah: 'Harassment' lawsuit may have sunk 'Punk'd': According to a suit filed in U.S. District Court in Los Angeles in April 2002, a Washington, D.C., couple, James and Laurie Ann Ryan, checked into the Hard Rock in January 2002 and found "what appeared to be a dead human body covered and surrounded by blood" on the bed.

Tauzin's resignation won't help Nevada's Yucca fight: WASHINGTON -- A leadership change in the House Energy and Commerce Committee will not make Nevada's fight against Yucca Mountain any easier, one member of Nevada's Congressional delegation said this morning.

Summit examines affordable housing situation in Las Vegas area: Jennifer Shubinski; In an attempt to grapple with what some believe is a growing problem in the Las Vegas Valley -- spiraling land costs compared to the slower growth in incomes -- the Greater Las Vegas Association of Realtors brought interested parties together Tuesday for its first Housing Needs Assessment Summit.

Local Kerry backers celebrate victories: Heather Rawlyk and Dan Kulin; Local supporters of Sen. John Kerry, D-Mass., celebrated their candidate's victories in five of the seven Democratic contests Tuesday as Kerry solidified his status as the front-runner for his party's nomination.

Columnist Jeff German: Investigators will push for indictment of Moncrief: State agents, I'm told, are winding up an investigation into the muddled 2003 campaign finances of City Councilwoman Janet Moncrief.

Boyd honored: Boyd, whose company owns the Stardust hotel-casino, Sam's Town, three downtown Las Vegas properties and two Henderson casinos,received the Lifetime Achievement Award at the gathering of casino executives.

NFL, CBS ad issue simmers: Michelle Swafford; CBS won't broadcast the Super Bowl again for at least another three years, but the NFL still intends to talk to the network about why Las Vegas ads ran on some of its affiliates during Sunday's Super Bowl.