Print edition for February 25, 2004

Columnist Elizabeth Foyt: Health foundation's fund-raiser a success: Elizabeth Foyt; The St. Rose Dominican Health Foundation provides a broad base of health education and preventative health programs and assists in lessening the burden of health costs for low-income patients. Money raised at Saturday's Mardi Gras event will be used throughout Southern Nevada.

Editorial: There is hope yet: The panel studied the children themselves. It studied the water, the soils, the air and dust. It studied pipelines bringing jet fuel to the local Naval base. It looked at population changes. Nothing could be found to explain the leukemia cluster.

Editorial: Privately run prisons are a big mistake: Last week, in a letter to Crawford, the corporation officially announced that it would not seek renewal of the contract. Unfortunately, Crawford's resolute response was not repeated. Keith Munro, deputy chief of staff and general counsel to Gov. Kenny Guinn, said the state will review proposals to run the prison it had received two years ago from three private companies. The proposals had been sought by the state during another of its confrontations with CCA over money. With the state willing to consider private proposals, CCA said it would consider bidding again itself -- for a "more viable contract."

Bush has little support from Nevada's delegation: Suzanne Struglinski; WASHINGTON -- Most of the members of Nevada's congressional delegation oppose gay marriage but do not necessarily support President Bush's call for a constitutional amendment banning it.

The Apprentice: Tinoco's mentors lead to successful bistros in Las Vegas: Ken Miller; Could it have anything to do with the fact that he grew up on a ranch in Mexico, where cows, goats and chickens provided fresh meat?

Energy Dept. wants to withhold nuke cleanup funds: Suzanne Struglinski; WASHINGTON -- The Energy Department wants to withhold $350 million in federal money earmarked to clean up radioactive sites unless Congress or a court grants it authority to classify radioactive waste as high-level or low-level material.

Meeting on school zoning goes unusually smoothly: By Emily Richmond; The Clark County School Board approved attendance boundaries for seven new elementary schools Tuesday in a meeting that may have broken records for both brevity and courteous atmosphere.

One Mohr time: 'Last Comic' returns to Vegas: Kirk Baird; According to comic Jay Mohr, for comedians there is no bigger or better city in which to perform than Las Vegas.

Courts weigh fate of Williams in deaths of six teens: Jace Radke; While the Nevada Supreme Court deliberates whether the woman convicted in the traffic deaths of six teenagers in a roadside work crew should be given a new trial, a federal judge is considering whether that driver should be set free and not re-tried.

Taxicab Authority rejects plan for cameras in cabs: The Taxicab Authority of Nevada on Tuesday rejected a proposal to require cameras in Southern Nevada's 2,500 taxis, instead ordering a one-year test run to study the effectiveness of cameras deterring crime.

Columnist Muriel Stevens: A product too lovely to eat: Talk about timing! With the whole country counting carbs or calories, these elegant, freshly made fruit creations are the ideal gift for any occasion.

Columnist Jeff German: Cab owners don't get the picture: On Tuesday the state Taxicab Authority Board finally had a chance to improve the safety of 4,800 Las Vegas cabbies by approving a regulation ordering the installation of digital still cameras in all taxis.

Probe of alleged BIA conflict launched: Don Thompson; SACRAMENTO -- The U.S. Interior Department's inspector general and Congress' General Accounting Office said Tuesday they are launching probes into alleged conflicts of interest involving officials of the Sacramento-based regional office of the Bureau of Indian Affairs.

Recall is official for Ferraro, Pacini: Dan Kulin; The recall is on in Boulder City.

VegasBeat -- Timothy McDarrah: Rio's adults-only show is off its rocker: Two of them -- the sex and the rock 'n' roll -- are the stars of the latest adults-only production show to hit a Las Vegas casino.

Community briefs for Feb. 25, 2004: In celebration of the seventh annual Read Across America Day commemorating the 100th birthday of Dr. Suess, the Clark County Education Association Community Foundation and Office Depot will hold a book drive to collect new or "gently used" children's books to benefit the Spread the Word: Kids to Kids program.

Whistleblower questions AG's stance in IGT case: Brendan Riley; CARSON CITY -- Whistleblower Jim McAndrews says Nevada's attorney general seems to be doing favors for International Game Technology, which has been accused by McAndrews of filing false tax returns and owing the state up to $30 million in back taxes.

Wranglers stop Fresno: Nick Christensen; Shorthanded and wary of an upcoming stretch of five games in six nights, the Las Vegas Wranglers kicked off the span with a 3-2 win against the last-place Fresno Falcons.

Hospital, doctor praised for trying to save actor's life: A son of veteran character actor Joe Viterelli praised the efforts of Valley Hospital and his father's lead physician for attempting to save his father's life during heart surgery and post care there last month.

Letter: Children must not be given death sentences: It is true that 16- and 17-year-olds have committed heinous crimes and should certainly be punished for their actions. However, these 16- and 17-year-olds are not emotionally or mentally mature enough to fully understand the implications and consequences of their actions. Juveniles do not think like adults. Our legal system recognized that fact and established a juvenile court system. However, when a teen is tried as an adult, execution as a punishment becomes a very real possibility.

Columnist Peter Benton: Kung highlights strong LPGA field in Las Vegas: Peter Benton; The $1.1 million LPGA Takefuji Classic April 12-17 at Las Vegas Country Club is shaping up to be even bigger and better than the inaugural event last year.

Reid says don't use Nevada in pilot program: Suzanne Struglinski; WASHINGTON -- Nevada should not be selected to participate in an upcoming Medicare pilot program since it may hurt coverage, Sen. Harry Reid, D-Nev., said today.

Victim's mother: Attacker should stay in Clark County: Erica D. Johnson; The mother of a 14-year-old girl stabbed by her 13-year-old classmate said Tuesday that a juvenile detention facility in Northern Nevada was not the appropriate place for the teen who stabbed her daughter.

Ralph Siraco's Santa Anita selections: 1st Race -- SHARPENED COPY -- Draws good inner post for route opener, Solis scales Headley trainee, Sharpened effort for Copy of diploma here. TITA EMERALD -- Espinoza on Parga trainee, draws good rail post for two-turn maiden/claimer, gem of a graduation for Tita? Value Play -- BARDY WOMAN

Letter: No worries about gay marriages: The mayor and the judges are right. California has one of the fairest constitutions of all the states. Discrimination for any reason is forbidden. I think it's wonderful that all those joyous lovers can finally be legally married.

Builder to settle board complaint: Jennifer Shubinski; In a rare disciplinary hearing against a national home builder, the Nevada State Contractors Board heard testimony Tuesday against D.R. Horton after a homeowner complained that her rock walls were falling down.

LV auto dealer ordered to bargain with union: The NLRB filed for a temporary injunction in October to force the Las Vegas dealership to obey the decisions of two National Labor Relations Board administrative law judges.

News briefs for Feb. 25, 2004: If the rain expected tonight tapers off by Friday, previously postponed road construction will begin Friday night to widen St. Rose Parkway between Interstate 15 and Interstate 215, Bob McKenzie, spokesman with the Nevada Department of Transportation, said this morning.

Growth, finances concern county leaders: The Clark County Commission discussed its priorities for the coming year Tuesday, and two related issues colored nearly the entire conversation: Growth and financial constraints.

Roof rats starting to scurry about the valley: If you think you have roof rats, call the Clark County Health District's Environmental Health Division at 383-1261.

State agency fines two lenders: Kevin Rademacher; The state Mortgage Lending Division has fined a pair of lenders that process home loans for Las Vegas consumers.

Venetian settles complaint over rigging of contest: Rigging a 2002 contest to make sure a losing gambler won a Mercedes-Benz and violating other state rules will cost The Venetian $1 million, as the Strip megaresort agreed to a settlement this morning with state regulators, settling a 12-count Gaming Control Board complaint.

Alleged conflict probed: The probe by the U.S. Interior Department's inspector general and Congress' General Accounting Office comes after The Associated Press reported that regional BIA officials, possibly for personal gain, opened the membership roll of the Ione Band of Miwok Indians and authorized a new leadership election.

Expansion under way at Silverton: Expansion under way at Silverton

Schulte pushed by loss in 2003 final: Adam Candee; Nate Schulte needed the wrong impression of himself to help make Palo Verde's best basketballl season into a reality.

Obituaries for Feb. 25, 2004: Hazel Anderson, 64, of Las Vegas died Friday in Las Vegas. She was born July 27, 1939, in Dearborn, Mich. A lifelong resident, she was a retired hotel PBX operator.

Evidence weighed in Moncrief case: Sito Negron; The grand jury hearing evidence regarding allegations of campaign fraud against Las Vegas Councilwoman Janet Moncrief adjourned abruptly Tuesday afternoon as prosecutors consider "additional evidence."

Uniform provider sues union for defamation: CINCINNATI -- Cintas Corp., which provides industrial and business uniforms, filed a multiple-count federal lawsuit on Tuesday against UNITE, the Union of Needletrades, Industrial & Textile Employees.

Latino theme eyed as possibility for Castaways: The Castaways would be transformed into Las Vegas' first hotel-casino marketed directly to Hispanics if a trio of small casino operators exercise an option to buy the 49-year-old property.

Letter: John shouldn't criticize Bush: Occurring at events deemed to be entertainment, these gratuitous comments were tactless, tasteless and as inappropriate as it would be if, for example, American pop singer Barry Manilow, while performing in London, engaged in similar behavior directed at Prime Minister Tony Blair.

FCC, lawmakers examine 'Net phone service: Jonathan D. Salant; WASHINGTON -- Government regulation of phone calls over the Internet could stifle an emerging industry and encourage companies to move overseas, lawmakers and the head of the Federal Communications Commission suggested Tuesday.

Activist sends out message about mayor's 'gay agenda': Kirsten Searer and Sito Negron; About 100,000 Las Vegas voters are getting calls this week from an activist who says Las Vegas Mayor Oscar Goodman is pushing a "homosexual agenda."

Gaming briefs for Feb. 25, 2004: Ratings agency Moody's Investors Service has assigned a Ba1 rating to MGM MIRAGE's $225 million senior secured debt offering due 2014.

Pension funds allege fraudulent accounting: The Pennsylvania Public School Employees' Retirement System and the Pennsylvania State Employees' Retirement System also sued the firm's investment banks -- Morgan Stanley, Citigroup Inc., Bank of America Corp. and J.P. Morgan Chase & Co. -- and its accounting firm, Ernst & Young.

Las Vegas phone company NOS wins ruling over complaint: CARSON CITY -- The Nevada Supreme Court today rejected the state Bureau of Consumer Protection's request that it issue an order against a Las Vegas communications company accused of deceptive trade practices.

Binion's denies claim in health lawsuit: Alana Roberts; Attorneys for Binion's Horseshoe have denied charges in a lawsuit filed by a former employee who alleged the now-closed casino failed to provide health insurance coverage, although he had paid the premiums.

State to compete with private companies for prison contract: CARSON CITY -- Gov. Kenny Guinn's administration is going to try to find another private company to run the state women's prison in North Las Vegas, but the state may eventually become the operator.

Columnist Brian Hilderbrand: Castroneves aims for first IRL championship: Helio Castroneves has Indianapolis 500 victories but has come out on the short end of two Indy Racing League championship battles in his first two seasons in the series.

Agents raid ITT tech schools: ITT Educational Services Inc. today said federal agents were executing a search warrant at the company's corporate offices in Indianapolis and at several ITT Technical Institutes, including one in Henderson.

Study to show effect of limiting growth: For months, the call to limit new development has gotten louder as the severity of drought-inspired water use restrictions has increased.

New school zoning approved at unusually smooth meeting: By Emily Richmond; The Clark County School Board approved attendance boundaries for seven new elementary schools Tuesday in a meeting that may have broken records for both brevity and courteous atmosphere.

Beltway may be jam buster: Jace Radke; Over the last six years, officials at the Nevada Highway Patrol have come to view the Las Vegas Motor Speedway as an hourglass that allows only so much sand, or in this case cars, to pass through at one time.

Sports briefs for February 25, 2004: Commission chairman Ron Scott Stevens would not offer details on the decision, but likely was because Spadafora is awaiting trial on charges he shot his girlfriend in October. He remains free on bond, but is charged with attempted homicide and aggravated assault.

Columnist Dean Juipe: GM's sudden departure has its merits: Dean Juipe; Notes today, leading off with a simple question: Would you quit a job as general manager of a professional football team to buy into and work for a company that distributes pharmaceuticals?