Print edition for February 13, 2004

No guarantees for St. Joe's, Stanford: The 20-2 Bulldogs have lost only to St. Joseph's and Stanford, the nation's only unbeatens, in '03-04, and both of those defeats were by single digits.

Sports briefs for February 13, 2004: The NCAA's charges will function separately from -- and potentially override -- the Pac-10's findings against Washington and former football coach Rick Neuheisel, investigations stemming from a basketball tournament betting pool scandal and other violations within the program.

TSA under fire for screening process: Suzanne Struglinski; WASHINGTON -- Airport security procedures need more flexibility as well as the staff and federal money promised to get the job done, Clark County Aviation Director Randy Walker told a House panel Thursday.

Columnist Barb Henderson: SHOT draws crowd to LV: Barb Henderson; Yikes, it's Friday the 13th.

VegasBeat -- Timothy McDarrah: VIP party can't smoke out Sir Elton: "Elton John has laryngitis," OPM club partner John Padon told a packed club about 11:30 p.m. when he got the final word that Sir Elton was not coming down from his Caesars Palace penthouse.

Conrad luxury hotel set for Strip: Details will be announced next week on a 442-room all-suite nongaming hotel on the site of the former La Concha Motel that will carry Hilton Hotels Corp.'s Conrad luxury brand.

Spoon back on familiar grounds: Charlie Spoonhour will be in very familiar territory when the chartered jet carrying the UNLV basketball team lands at Lambert-St. Louis International Airport tonight.

Correction: Correction

Gladiators find some positives in crushing loss to Colorado: Adam Candee; The answer, just about universally, is that there is no added pressure and that it is way too early in the season to get concerned after one game.

Mercury cleaned up from LV home, shipped to waste site: The cleanup of the mercury contaminated home on the 1400 block of Saylor Way has been completed at a cost of $175,000, the Environmental Protection Agency said.

Digital seen as photo world's future: Kevin Rademacher; Technology is changing Mike Gordon's life.

Columnist Brian Hilderbrand: Busch, Gaughan have different views: DAYTONA BEACH, Fla. -- One finishing position in Thursday's first 125-mile qualifying race for Sunday's Daytona 500 was the difference between elation and frustration for Las Vegas drivers Brendan Gaughan and Kurt Busch.

Chaparral DQ'd for ineligible players: Adam Candee; Hope marked the Chaparral girls' basketball team's 2003-04 season, with a talented young roster and a playoff berth to show for a decent year.

Double-OT goal propels Skyhawks: Nick Christensen; The plot was the same, but the script was a little different.

Bablitz pleased to return to the ice with Las Vegas: Nick Christensen; Blaine Bablitz was ready to play.

Motown connection: During a recent game against Brigham Young, an enthusiastic UNLV fan celebrated a Lady Rebels fastbreak basket by exclaiming "Attaway, Motown!"

Up to four years given in death of firefighter: Erica D. Johnson; In a packed courtroom Thursday dozens of family members, co-workers and friends of a Clark County firefighter who died after a bar fight remembered him as a hero to his family and the community.

Sadler enjoying role as underdog at Daytona: DAYTONA BEACH, Fla. -- If Elliott Sadler is trying to sneak up on the rest of the field for Sunday's Daytona 500, as he suggested, he's going about it the wrong way.

Regulator says tribal recognition system is flawed: By Liz Benston; A top Nevada casino regulator Thursday called for a review of the federal process by which Indian tribes are recognized and lands are approved for casino development, calling the current system "perverse" and unfair for some tribes.

Assaults on jogger, biker draw life: District Judge Joseph Bonaventure sentenced 23-year-old William Whitehead to life in prison on one count of first-degree kidnapping.

Columnist Dean Juipe: NFL joins real world: Dean Juipe; With its offices on Park Avenue and its battalion of expensive lawyers, the National Football League is perfectly able to make a case for or against any issue within its purview. It has the power, the expertise and the financial wherewithal to implement its will virtually as it sees fit or chooses.

Resorts prepare for strong holiday weekend: Possibly the only thing better than a three-day holiday weekend to draw tourists to Las Vegas is a three-day holiday weekend that includes a sentimental observance such as Valentine's Day.

NASCAR won't bust Gaughan for betting: DAYTONA BEACH, Fla. -- NASCAR will not punish Nextel Cup rookie driver Brendan Gaughan over a recent article in which he was quoted as saying he placed a bet on himself in Las Vegas to win Sunday's Daytona 500.

Letter: Valley residents need a good zoo: Feb. 14 - 15, 2004

Columnist Spencer Patterson: Romantic songs cross all musical boundaries: Spencer Patterson; For some, it's a time to trade greeting cards, flowers or tiny, chalky heart candies.

Mayer: Good man: Spencer Patterson; Who: John Mayer.

Columnist Susan Snyder: Scorned wife pens cheat sheet: If by chance you are the one playing lover's roulette, beware. An author scorned has created a website devoted solely to teaching women how to spot a cheatin' heart.

Feet don't fail the cast of 'Riverdance' at Aladdin: This granddaddy of all Irish dance productions premiered Feb. 9, 1995, and it has been exciting fans ever since.

Reid adviser nominated for nuke panel: Suzanne Struglinski; WASHINGTON -- The White House formally nominated Greg Jaczko, Nevada Democratic Sen. Harry Reid's nuclear adviser, for a spot on the Nuclear Regulatory Commission Thursday.

Hand Him the Keys: John takes driver's seat at Caesars for 'The Red Piano': By Jerry Fink; All of his performances through Feb. 22 have been sold out, prompting Caesars executives to add 16 more shows to the 25 already scheduled for 2004, bringing the total to 41.

Letter: Zoo animals would be better off than homeless: Feb. 14 - 15, 2004

Letter: Bush's service story is shaky: OK, how did he make up the six months when he admits he negotiated an early release from service (eight months) to attend college?

Columnist Lisa Ferguson: Berman won't be disconnected from careers: Lisa Ferguson; Instead, at age 78, the legendary comedian finds himself in demand -- onstage, on television and in the college classroom -- and says he has no intention of dipping into his retirement fund anytime soon.

Columnist Susan Snyder: Future is for you to decide: WEEKEND EDITION

Sting, fresh from Grammy win, headed for The Joint: Spencer Patterson; After generating a resounding buzz for the past week, the Man of the Year is ready to sting Las Vegans once again this Sunday.

Volunteers show a little heart with Valentine's Day gift boxes: Heather Rawlyk; WEEKEND EDITION

Datebook for Feb. 13, 2004: Psychic Mary Occhino will sign her book, "Beyond These Four Walls," at 7 p.m. Wednesday at Barnes & Noble, 8915 W. Charleston Ave. Admission is free. 242-1987.

On Display for Feb. 13, 2004: Painters Zinda Hogue and Rick Metzler's works will be displayed from Sunday to May 15 at the Southern Nevada Museum of Fine Art, 1000 E. Sahara Ave., Suite 1. A reception will be held from 1 p.m. to 3 p.m. Sunday at the museum. Admission is free. 240-2777.

Columnist Jerry Fink: Marciel, Cole keep busy throughout Vegas: It has been serving classic, modestly priced Italian dishes for about a year.

Editorial: Plan would lessen state's health crisis: Feb. 14 - 15, 2004

Columnist Muriel Stevens: Options abound for Valentine's Day diners: And if you would rather dine at home (but don't want to cook), how about a picnic basket from Chef Georg Paulussen at Wild Truffles European Deli? Picnics can be held indoors as well as out. Order a picnic basket for two ($85), which includes deli sandwiches, salad, chocolate-covered strawberries, grapes and apples, and soft drinks, all packed in a keepsake suitcase; include a bottle of champagne and you're all set.

Performing Arts for Feb. 13, 2004: Tony Branco

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

Elton John timeline: 1962: Signs with Dick James Music, a publisher who also signed John Lennon and Paul McCartney of the Beatles.

RTC approves new bus route, upgrades: The Regional Transportation Commission approved one new route and increased service on three existing routes Wednesday.

Where I Stand -- Mike O'Callaghan: Good people in our area: Some people are born to help others and a good example is Peggy Leavitt, who has done so much for children in Southern Nevada. Until a cruel Nevada Legislature shut down the Southern Nevada Children's Home in Boulder City, she was the understanding mother for hundreds. She then took her love and skills to the Clark County Juvenile facility from which she eventually retired. Today she is, along with other former SNCH staff, planning for an April 16-17 reunion of those children she knew at the home in Boulder City. For many of these people it will be a family ...

Winters' work on display at Fashion Show mall: More than 30 of his drawings and paintings are on display at the Art de Vignettes Fine Art Gallery at Fashion Show mall -- including 16 acrylic on canvas, 20 pen-and-ink drawings and five limited-edition autographed prints.

ALS benefit set for Saturday: Since then the younger Saxe has co-sponsored the annual "All-Star Las Vegas Show" fund-raiser to fight the disease that kills thousands each year.

Editorial: Better facts can lead to better policy: The informal survey was taken this past October at the annual day-long Stand Down for the Homeless event that offers a variety of services ranging from haircuts to job counseling. Nearly 2,000 people completed the survey and the results proved interesting. For example, 74 percent were men. The median age was 45, but the youngest was 13 and the oldest was 82. Twenty-two percent never graduated from high school. Thirty-nine percent moved to Las Vegas in search of a job. Nearly one in three of the respondents were black. Unfortunately, these statistics, while worth noting, may not accurately define the ...

Detective says fatal work zone was not properly marked: The landscaping crew involved in a fatal accident Thursday morning did not have proper barriers in place warning drivers men were working in the road, a Metro Police detective said.

State offices sought for LV: CARSON CITY -- Although Carson City will remain Nevada's capital, a member of the state Public Works Board wants to see more state buildings in Southern Nevada to serve its growing population.

Obituaries for Feb. 13, 2004: Mercy Austin, 81, of Las Vegas died Tuesday in Las Vegas. She was born March 7, 1922, in Seboyela, N.M. A resident for 32 years, she was a retired printer.

Mack pushes brother's business at City Hall: Sito Negron; Councilman Michael Mack promoted his brother's SuperPawn business by sending e-mails to City Hall only weeks after he violated city policy by using his city computer to push a charity event.

GOP chief calls Nevada ground zero for election: Kirsten Searer; Republican National Committee Chairman Ed Gillespie went on the offensive in Nevada on Thursday, saying that Democrats have made it clear they plan to run one of the "dirtiest campaigns in modern politics."

News briefs for Feb. 13, 2004: A six-week investigation into car thefts in eastern Las Vegas resulted in two arrests Wednesday.

Letter: Dean was right: War did not improve security: It didn't make our troops in Iraq more secure. The casualty rate didn't decline after Saddam was captured. It increased. Saddam was never a threat to our homeland security, so how could his capture make us more secure? Tom Ridge didn't think so. The Homeland Security Department didn't lower the terrorist alert after Saddam was captured. They raised it.

Community briefs for Feb. 13, 2004: Chef Henry Haller, White House executive chef for 22 years, will make appearances at 1 p.m. Wednesday at Seville Terrace assisted living complex, 2000 N. Rampart Blvd., and at 6 p.m. Wednesday at Sutton Terrace, 3185 E. Flamingo Road, to offer cooking demonstrations, group discussions about his White House experience and a book signing.

Letter: Fliers on escorts, clubs disgusting: I've always known about the escort services and strip clubs and have accepted them as part of Las Vegas. I've always known about how to acquire these services if they were needed. Yet, knowing about these "businesses" and having them shoved in your face are two different things entirely. I say "shoved in your face" because that's what it felt like.

Keeping a healthy attitude: Heather Rawlyk; WEEKEND EDITION

Delve deeper into Creedence with 'Factory': Spencer Patterson; Sometimes a band's catalog can be undone by the success of its own greatest-hits collection.

Prominent LV attorney Austin dies at 81: In the 1960s Las Vegas attorney Robert Austin was given a seemingly impossible case to win, representing the Alpine Village restaurant on Paradise Road in a personal injury case.

Columnist Jon Ralston: Garbage floats in cyberspace: Almost 16 years later, it remains my worst moment in journalism.

Woman seen with victim's card: The transaction occurred shortly after Ursem's slaying the night of Feb. 5. He answered a knock at the front door of his home in the 5700 block of Carl Street to a man who demanded his wallet at gunpoint. Ursem, 61 was shot in the head and his wallet was taken, police said.

Arrest of investigator could affect cases: Erica D. Johnson; County officials say it is unlikely that the recent arrest of an investigator with the district attorney's office will affect any convictions he helped secure, but some defense attorneys say the allegations could be grounds for future appeals.

O'Shea recalls his London days with Reginald Dwight: In the late '60s trombonist Brian O'Shea was lead singer for Plastic Penny, a rock band based in London.

Columnist Jeff German: New buzz created over hunt for Binion treasure: WEEKEND EDITION

Immunization schedule for Feb. 13, 2004: Tuesday: 1 p.m. to 7 p.m., Thomas and Mack Saturn Community, 4505 Maryland Parkway; 8 a.m. to 1 p.m., Sierra Health Rancho, 2300 W. Charleston Blvd.; 1 p.m. to 5 p.m. Smith Elementary School.

Editorial: Disregard for safety: The Energy Department acknowledged that workers may not have had the most current safety protection from 1992 to 2000. Silica, which is naturally occurring in rock, is dangerous if it's inhaled through dust. There is even concern that there is a present danger at the project, which prompted Reid's request to halt work, because dust from rock and dirt piles left from the tunneling could be blown around in windy conditions and harm the workers.

Fishing report: Worms, poppers lead to Overton success: Walter DeMattos, Nevada Department of Wildlife Creel Census Clerk said that anglers fishing the Overton Beach experienced limited success this past week.

Longtime TV, radio host Sakowicz dies at 80: Sig Sakowicz was so proud of his Polish heritage, he recorded a song naming just about every Polish-American baseball player ever to don a major league uniform.

Where I Stand -- Columnist Brian Greenspun: Service not paramount: WEEKEND EDITION

Editorial: GOP's credibility gap: Feb. 14 - 15, 2004

State says no dust problem at Yucca: CARSON CITY -- The state Division of Environmental Protection said today an investigation at Yucca Mountain Thursday showed there were no violations of blowing dust regulation.

Commercial versus residential rates considered in hearing: Kevin Rademacher; Hearings on Nevada Power Co.'s $133.5 million general rate case wrapped up on Thursday, and for the waning hours of testimony attention was largely diverted away from the Las Vegas utility.

Second tower planned: Steve Wynn plans a half-billion dollar expansion of his $2.4 billion megaresort, with construction on a second tower set to begin before Wynn Las Vegas' scheduled April 2005 opening, industry insiders say.

Disorder reigns at school meeting: By Emily Richmond; A meeting at the Andre Agassi College Preparatory Academy Thursday was supposed to quell some parents' concerns about a high rate of teacher turnover, but the meeting degenerated into near-chaos when a longtime West Las Vegas community advocate was forcibly removed, handcuffed and arrested after striking a Metro Police officer.

Business briefs for Feb. 13, 2004: ATLANTA -- Coca-Cola Co., the world's largest soft-drink maker, had its first earnings decline in almost two years because of costs to eliminate jobs and slower-than-expected growth in North American soft-drink sales.

Help for foster teens examined: By Timothy Pratt; State lawmakers were frustrated Thursday to hear that funds to help teens who leave state foster care programs aren't being spent as fast or efficiently as a 2001 bill intended.

LV planners OK mental hospital: Dan Kulin; A plan for a new state mental hospital that has been attacked by some neighbors was backed by the Las Vegas Planning Commission on Thursday and will go before the City Council next month.

Union protest planned at Vegas beer hall: The union charged Thursday that the original Hofbrauhaus was the birthplace of the Nazi Party in Munich, Germany, and that Adolf Hitler planned the Nazi movement in the building.

Columnist Jeff German: Cop's fall from grace has upside: Those feelings are widespread today within the district attorney's office, which is struggling to deal with the bribery arrest and resignation of one of its own, Pete Baldonado, a well-liked and highly regarded veteran investigator.

Clarification wanted on Galardi's fine: Sito Negron; District Judge Jennifer Togliatti this morning sought more information to help her decide whether the company that owns Cheetahs topless club should have to pay a $1 million fine.

United eyes converting more Las Vegas flights to Ted: United Airlines will evaluate its just-launched Ted discount subsidiary over the next few months to determine if it is feasible to transform mainline United service between Chicago and Las Vegas into Ted flights.

Defect suit ends in $8 mil. settlement: Nancy Quon, an attorney for the Pacific Legends East Condominium Associates, said the concrete slabs the units were built on were not designed to resist the soil. She said other defects at the complex included burst pipes, water intrusion and mold in the units.

Chapels prepare for holiday bliss: Heather Rawlyk; Britney Spears has inspired teen fashion, record sales and gossip columnists. Now she may be inspiring soon-to-be-wed couples.

Moncrief told she'll be target of grand jury inquiry: Cy Ryan and Jace Radke; CARSON CITY -- Investigators are seeking an indictment of Las Vegas City Councilwoman Janet Moncrief on charges that she filed false campaign reports with the state.

CES complains about Las Vegas air delays: Gary Shapiro, president and chief executive of the Consumer Electronics Association, Arlington, Va., said he received hundreds of complaints from show attendees who said they wouldn't come back because of delays that occurred Jan. 11, the last day of the show.

A decade in works, Harmon will now cut across the Strip: More than a decade after Clark County began talking in earnest about building Harmon Avenue through Las Vegas Boulevard, the county's Public Works Department says that within a matter of weeks motorists will have another east-west road to drive on.

RTC to introduce MAX line: MAX has arrived.

Regents plan to discuss fired lobbyist: Attorneys for Nevada's higher education system have informed former community college lobbyist John Cummings that he will be discussed at a special Board of Regents meeting Feb. 26 and 27 in Las Vegas.

Gaming briefs for Feb. 13, 2004: GARY, Ind. -- Harrah Entertainment Inc. of Las Vegas is starting charter flights from Gary in March, transporting its high-rollers from the area to and from its casinos in Laughlin and Reno-Tahoe, airport officials said Wednesday.

Gorbachev's Las Vegas appearance moved up: Gorbachev, who will appear with former U.S. President George H.W. Bush on behalf of the Las Vegas-based Russian Heritage Highway Foundation, also will speak at the University of Nevada, Las Vegas' Marjorie Barrick Lecture Series on March 22 at 7:30 p.m.

Probe asked of lawmaker: The complaint was filed Thursday and said, "I believe the voters of Assembly District 13 deserve a full accounting of Mr. Christensen's campaign finances."

Company won't go private: In other news, Vestin announced that Chief Financial Officer John Alderfer has left the company as part of its cost-cutting strategy. He will be replaced by Lance Bradford, who holds a similar position with the company's three lending funds.

Transfer of fuel rods 'not necessary': WASHINGTON -- The risks of storing more used radioactive fuel rods from nuclear power plants in onsite pools are less than previously thought despite the new specter of terrorism, Nuclear Regulatory Commission officials said Thursday.

School officers lament girl's death: By Emily Richmond; If Shadow Ridge High School had school police officers on duty at last week's talent show, would 16-year-old Adasha Edison still have fallen to her death while "surfing" on the roof of a friend's car in the campus parking lot?

Alcohol buyer sought in fatal crash: Earlier this week Henderson Justice Court issued a misdemeanor warrant for Pierre Goujon. Henderson Police say the man bought alcohol from an East Flamingo Road convenience store and gave it to the teen driver prior to the Nov. 10 automobile accident.

Woman hits $10 million jackpot at MGM Grand: Today, a 49-year-old woman who said she dreamed two weeks ago she would win a lot of money did not let the unlucky Friday the 13th superstition stand in the way of fulfilling her dream at a Megabucks machine at the MGM Grand hotel.

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