Print edition for January 9, 2004

Brager-Wellman heads School Board: Heather Rawlyk; Thursday night's election of the 2004 Clark County School Board president was quick and relatively smooth in comparison to last year.

Clark County reports two more flu deaths: Southern Nevada has recorded its second and third flu deaths of the winter flu season, Clark County Health District officials said today.

Columnist Barb Henderson: Lottery for turkey tags just around the corner: Barb Henderson; Calling all turkey hunters.

As Moore dials in from long distance, Lady Rebels adjust: Ms. Inside and Ms. Mostly Inside, meet Ms. Outside.

Datebook for Jan. 9, 2004: The movie "Once Upon a Time ... When We Were Colored" will be shown at 3 p.m. Saturday at the West Las Vegas Arts Center, 947 W. Lake Mead Blvd., as part of a film tribute to Martin Luther King Jr. this month. Admission is free. 229-4800.

News briefs for Jan. 9, 2004: The Nevada Supreme Court Thursday upheld the first-degree murder conviction of Anthony Hurd-Samuels, who pleaded guilty to the shotgun death of Lawrence Towers Jr. in November 1994 in Las Vegas.

Jersey, sure: This is where powder blue fleuers-de-lis get swept aside by kelly green whale tails, Avalanche sightings are frequent, and Senators and Steelheads were spotted Tuesday night, as was a Gorilla and a Gull.

Editorial: Allow Metro to keep pace with growth: Young's first attempt to add officers went the normal route. He asked the city of Las Vegas and Clark County -- which comprise the Metro Police jurisdiction and jointly fund the department's budget -- to increase his budget by $400 million so that he could hire an additional 389 officers. The governments, citing other public needs and statutory caps on taxation, granted an increase sufficient to hire only 35 more officers.

Columnist Spencer Patterson: Grammy nominations inspiring -- for a change: Spencer Patterson; From Jethro Tull's win in the inaugural year of the Best Heavy Metal Performance category in 1988 to Steely Dan's victory over Eminem for Album of the Year in 2001, Grammy voters have demonstrated an odd disregard for trends in popular music.

Editorial: Improving traffic laws: While our state is faring well, it hasn't always been easy. For example, it wasn't until 2003 that the Nevada Legislature lowered the legal blood alcohol content for drivers from 0.10 percent to 0.08 percent. That strengthening of the law was passed principally because Nevada would lose some federal highway funding if it didn't. Part of the opposition in the past came from casinos and bars, which saw it as hurting their business, and some opposition came from people who simply didn't want government restricting their drinking. Fortunately that thinking doesn't hold the same sway anymore.

Editorial: Plan should reflect area's greater risk: January 10 - 11, 2004

Bids to be taken on demonstration home: Bids will be taken through noon Tuesday.

Obituaries for Jan. 9, 2004: Mary Trini Baca, 85, of Las Vegas died Tuesday in a local hospice. She was born March 4, 1918, in Denver. A resident for 18 years, she was a retired reweaving shop owner.

Columnist Dean Juipe: Consider giving the 'dogs their due: Dean Juipe; History may not foretell the future, yet it cannot be ignored. What happened in the past deserves to be considered when evaluating the present or what may yet come.

Columnist Lisa Ferguson: Despite detours, this Ford keeps rolling: Lisa Ferguson; For starters, the Desert Inn, where in 2000 the comedian hosted "Midnight Martini Madness," is no more. The raucous show featured Ford and a rotating bunch of her comedy buddies -- including "Home Improvement" star Tim Allen, along with frequent Vegas performers Vinnie Favorito and Dom Irrera -- who typically drank cocktails and traded risque quips for late-night audiences during its short run in the Starlight Lounge.

Game has undergone significant change: They vault into our top four because of their 3-0 mark against top-30 teams in the Sagarin computer, the only team in the country that can boast of such a sterling resume.

Columnist Jon Ralston: Ailing Pollyanna eyes vultures: WEEKEND EDITION

League buzzes about parity in '04: Steve Guiremand; G -- Nick Jacobson, 6-4, Sr., Utah

Columnist Brian Hilderbrand: Park to take over Gaughan's truck ride: NASCAR Nextel Cup (NNC) and Busch Series (NBS) drivers scheduled to take part in the open test Jan. 26-29 at Las Vegas Motor Speedway:

Letter: Nuclear power should be banned: Fifty years ago the U.S. government saddled the American taxpayers with the costs for storing nuclear waste. Then the Price Anderson legislation limited the costs to the nuclear power producers in the event of catastrophe. If it's so safe, why the protection for the nuclear industry?

Where I Stand -- Mike O'Callaghan: Call them what they are: "The double blast, blamed on Taliban militants, might have been intended to lure U.S. soldiers or hit the provincial governor."

State restricts legislators with casino ties: Lawrence Messina; CHARLESTON, W.Va. -- Any legislator whose employer could benefit from casino-style table games can't sponsor a bill setting up a local election on the issue, the state Ethics Commission concluded Thursday.

On Display for Jan. 9, 2004: American expressionist painter Greg Etchison's works will be displayed until Feb. 29 at the Summerlin Library and Performing Arts Center, 1771 Inner Circle Drive. Admission is free. 395-6365.

Editorial: Inexcusable offense: January 10 - 11, 2004

Letter: Hanford waste is more urgent problem for DOE: Everybody's focused on spent-fuel rods going to Yucca Mountain, but let's consider instead vitrified tank wastes from Hanford Nuclear Reservation. Such wastes are not as dangerous as spent fuel, and many of the 293 scientific questions given to the Energy Department would not apply if the mountain were to house vitrified wastes. Perhaps that is why the agency has been in no hurry to answer the questions.

Letter: Mandate national service instead of military draft: January 10 - 11, 2004

Sports briefs for January 9, 2004: The school called a new conference for today to introduce its new coach and The Omaha World-Herald and Lincoln Journal Star both reported that Callahan had been chosen to replace Frank Solich, who was fired Nov. 29 after a 9-3 season.

Juggling Acts: Ever-changing lineup highlights 'The World's Greatest Magic Show' at Sahara Theater: His latest project is a magic fan's dream come true, a revue featuring from eight to 10 magic acts - even more if you include magicians who warm up the audience.

Performing Arts for Jan. 9, 2004: 'Envision Vocals'

Where I Stand -- Columnist Mike O'Callaghan: American mad cow saga: WEEKEND EDITION

Columnist Jeff German: Ridge's color code bleeds into confusion: WEEKEND EDITION

Columnist Muriel Stevens: Resort a treasure trove of edible delights: That decision, made long before the orange travel alert was posted, saved my traveling companion and I from having to brave long lines and having our shoes and carry-on bags inspected at each leg of a journey.

Columnist Susan Snyder: In planning, you urn your keep: So far it's been a lot like planning my wedding except it's not as expensive, the aftermath is permanent and the company promises to be a lot more congenial.

Officials face new rules, deadline for financial reports: Filing dates for financial disclosures and reports of political contribution loom for local and state officials, and some of the requirements have a few new wrinkles because of changes to state law made by the Legislature last year.

Security panelist says hospitals, health care forgotten in fed plans: Jace Radke; Health care and hospitals have been largely forgotten by the federal Department of Homeland Security, a member of the Nevada Homeland Security Commission said Thursday.

Columnist Jerry Fink: Show business lineage is Kaye's key to success: By Jerry Fink; The 50-year-old singer/songwriter is the son of Norman Kaye, of Mary Kaye Trio fame. The trio started the Las Vegas lounge entertainment tradition in 1950 when they debuted at the Last Frontier's Ramona Room.

Letter: No one should go hungry in U.S.: January 10 - 11, 2004

Community briefs for Jan. 9, 2004: United Blood Services extended the emergency shortage of blood for the third day Thursday.

'Angels' give Grand Ole Opry flavor to Gold Coast: "Honky Tonk Angels," after taking off the summer and fall months, has returned to the Gold Coast just in time for winter with a new show and new energy.

'Pocky' a good indication of Superchunk's potential: Spencer Patterson; Listening to Superchunk's second album, "No Pocky For Kitty," you get the feeling the band could have been a major-label smash.

Ralph Siraco's Santa Anita Park selections: 1st Race -- ORO DESERT -- Espinoza on Mullins trainee, draws good spot in route claimer, solid connections here. THAMES -- Pedroza atop main man Carava trainee, in outside box in seven-horse two-turn tag run, needs crafty trip here. Value Play -- UNCLE JACK

Garage bonds to pay for City Hall project: Sito Negron; Las Vegas will try to pay for a City Hall expansion by redirecting proceeds from $25 million in bonds originally meant for a downtown parking garage.

VegasBeat -- Timothy McDarrah: Acclaimed Wild Sage restaurants close: Two years later it earned another Epicurean Award for Best American Restaurant, sharing the honor with Commander's Palace in the Desert Passage mall at the Aladdin.

Herbsts look for continued success at Laughlin event: Las Vegas-based Terrible Herbst Motorsports hopes to make itself at home in Laughlin when the 2004 SCORE Desert Series kicks off its fourth decade of racing next weekend with the 10th annual Laughlin Desert Challenge.

Fishing report: Shad head for lake's deeper waters: Nevada Department of Wildlife (NDOW) creel census clerks said that threadfin shad, the main food for stripers, have moved out of Las Vegas Bay into deeper water.

Lawmakers hear public on racino bill: Francis X. Quinn; AUGUSTA, Maine -- Gov. John Baldacci's proposal to revamp gambling regulations and establish new oversight of racinos in Maine came up for public comment Wednesday at a legislative committee hearing, marking the first step on what the governor hopes will be an accelerated track to passage.

Where I Stand -- Columnist Mike O'Callaghan: Giving recognition to those fighting and dying: WEEKEND EDITION January 10 - 11, 2004

Jay's Way: WEEKEND EDITION January 10 - 11, 2004

New name reflection of group's expanded mission: Heather Rawlyk; WEEKEND EDITION January 10 - 11, 2004

Patient blames addiction on doctor: Erica D. Johnson; A Las Vegas doctor is being sued for allegedly fostering drug addictions among her patients by prescribing excessive amounts of pain pills and selling the narcotics out of her Las Vegas-area clinic.

Claim Jumper opens in Henderson: Claim Jumper, a privately owned company, operates 32 restaurants in Arizona, California, Colorado, Nevada, and Washington. The new Henderson location will employ 210 people in part-time and full-time jobs.

FCC chairman sees less regulation in the future: As technology advances, the federal government needs to step aside and let industries that are working to develop new products take the lead in dictating public policy, the chief regulator for the Federal Communications Commission said today in Las Vegas.

Key SBA lending program suspended by agency administrator: Entrepreneurs looking for government assistance could be in temporary trouble, as the Small Business Administration told lenders Wednesday that it will no longer guarantee loans under the Section 7(a) program.

School officials concerned over falling test scores: By Emily Richmond; Clark County School District officials expressed concern Thursday over results on a statewide proficiency exam that again showed scores dropping in the higher grade levels.

Gaming briefs for Jan. 9, 2004: "By the end of the year, we will have had 150 events, at least," said talk show host Pinky Kravitz, chairman of the 150th Birthday Celebration events committee.

Schools owed more than $600,000 for utilities work: By Emily Richmond; The Clark County School District is owed at least $644,000 in reimbursements for utilities work at school sites -- money that has gone unclaimed because of inadequate oversight by the district's construction department, an internal audit shows.

1,200 stand against Sloan heliport plan: Dan Kulin; After about 1,200 hands raised in opposition to a possible regional heliport in Sloan at a public meeting Thursday night, Clark County Commissioner Bruce Woodbury said the County Aviation Department will look farther south along Interstate 15 for an alternative site. The move wasn't considered earlier because the federal government owns the land.

Columnist Jeff German: Galardi gets a slap on the wrist: But in reality your City Council wasn't very hard at all on the elder Galardi for failing to keep a leash on his corrupt son and ex-partner, who has pleaded guilty to bribing elected officials in Las Vegas and San Diego.

NLRB accuses Cintas of labor violations in Nevada: Cintas Corp., the largest U.S. supplier of uniforms to airlines and hotels, was accused by the National Labor Relations Board of violating federal labor laws in four states, including Nevada, by trying to prevent employees from joining a union.

U.S. lowers threat level: Jace Radke; McCarran International Airport will remain at an elevated terrorism alert level despite the today's announcement by Homeland Security Secretary Tom Ridge that the nation's terror alert level has been lowered.

State eyes mandatory ratio of nurses to patients: CARSON CITY -- In part because statistics indicate that Nevada has the worst nursing shortage in the nation, lawmakers are considering a mandatory ratio of nurses to patients at hospitals. But hospitals are fighting the idea.

Nevada is given D in gun safety: The Brady Campaign to Prevent Gun Violence has given Nevada's gun control laws a D grade for the seventh year in a row, but local law enforcement officials, gun safety advocates and gun store owners say Nevada should get extra credit for its other preventive measures.

Business briefs for Jan. 9, 2004: NEW YORK -- The New York State attorney general and the Securities and Exchange Commission are investigating whether some banks financed improper mutual fund trades by hedge funds.

Pregnant inmate files federal suit: CARSON CITY -- Korinda Martin, the inmate who became pregnant at the women's prison in North Las Vegas, is due to deliver her baby Jan. 25 and has filed a federal lawsuit against the guard who allegedly impregnated her, the state Corrections Department, Gov. Kenny Guinn and the Correction Corp. of America that operates the prison.

Boxing promoter Top Rank investigated: Jace Radke and Ed Koch; The FBI seized records and computers from the Las Vegas offices of boxing promoter Bob Arum's Top Rank Inc. on Tuesday night, authorities said Thursday.