Print edition for January 23, 2004

State commission tweaks homeland security plan: Jace Radke; The Nevada Homeland Security Commission, at a meeting Thursday, said it has made some minor changes to the state's security goals and discussed the tardiness of hotels in complying with a new strategy.

Obituaries for Jan. 23, 2004: Tulare M. Adams, 22, of Las Vegas died Jan. 15 in Las Vegas. A resident for four years, she was born March 5, 1981, in Indiana.

Regents cancel meetings to avoid possible illegality: Steve Kanigher and Christina Littlefield; The Nevada Board of Regents pulled two closed sessions discussing system employees from next week's agenda Thursday after several "testy" letters between the regent's legal counsel and the attorney general's office warned the regents they were again running afoul of the state's open-meeting law.

Fishing report: Anglers find success for bass: Creel census clerks said that both boaters and shore anglers experienced good success throughout the Boulder Basin at Lake Mead.

Police try to link suspect with security guard's killing: Jen Lawson; Metro Police, who arrested a 22-year-old man on murder charges in a slaying last week in West Las Vegas, believe he also might be the person who killed an apartment security guard Tuesday night.

Columnist Barb Henderson: Increased license fees go to improvements: Barb Henderson; Hunting, fishing and the great outdoors -- for some, there might not be anything more enjoyable.

Public defender hires training chief: Cooper selected Terry Richmond as the office's first training director after considering more than a dozen applicants nationwide. Richmond is expected to begin in February.

Rebels look for range on Range: Steve Guiremand; It is perhaps ironic that the UNLV Rebels (9-5, 0-2) are traveling to Wyoming on Saturday to try and break their two-game Mountain West Conference losing streak.

Lady Rebels win key MWC game: Earlier in the year, the Lady Rebels were basiclaly a two-man team, as forwards RanDee Henry and Sherry McCracklin were doing the majority of the scoring and rebounding.

Amid probe, Butterbean says he's clean: Dean Juipe; Stepping forward not so much to right a wrong but to place his position in perspective, heavyweight boxer Eric "Butterbean" Esch said Thursday that he has never been involved in a fixed fight or had knowledge of being in one as a participant.

Sports briefs for January 23, 2004: A few weeks after admitting he bet on baseball, Pete Rose is going to an eastern Connecticut casino to sign his new book and dine with high-rollers.

Avoiding temptation: Nick Christensen; The bright lights of Las Vegas have taken their toll on a number of young athletes. From UNLV basketball stars to Padres and Dodgers baseball prospects, being young, talented, famous, and in Las Vegas can propel a player's profile ... or expose him to enticements for which he may be unprepared.

Columnist Dean Juipe: Petty plans to run twice in Las Vegas: Dean Juipe; Fast wheels, fast feet? That's what we're asking ourselves as we lead off this notes column with an item on NASCAR driver Kyle Petty and his participation in Sunday's Las Vegas Marathon.

Columnist Brian Hilderbrand: Kyle Busch to run tune-up at Daytona: Kyle Busch isn't leaving anything to chance heading into the NASCAR Busch Series season opener next month at Daytona International Speedway.

CCSD board member wants answers in probe: By Emily Richmond; The Clark County School District's investigation into whether former athletic director Larry McKay mishandled funds intended for the Holiday Prep basketball tournament isn't moving quickly enough for School Board member Shirley Barber.

NASCAR Test Schedule: Monday-Tuesday

Chamber leader says city needs redevelopment plan: Jennifer Shubinski; The chairman of the North Las Vegas Chamber of Commerce says the city needs to continue to diversify its economy and must face up to growth issues.

Goodman's claim of lost funds 'perplexing': Jace Radke and Suzanne Struglinski; Las Vegas Mayor Oscar Goodman was mistaken Thursday when he said on national television that Nevada had returned $600,000 in homeland security funds, state officials said.

VegasBeat -- Timothy McDarrah: With game IX days away, hotels prepare: It is a pretty big day on the party calendar, too. Every hotel and casino in town has special events scheduled.

Regents cancel closed session after AG warning: Steve Kanigher and Christina Littlefield; The state Board of Regents removed two closed sessions discussing system employees from next week's agenda Thursday after several "testy" letters between the regent's legal counsel and the attorney general's office.

Home-invasion victims glad to be alive: Ed Koch and Jen Lawson; A Las Vegas family terrorized at gunpoint and bound with their own scarves during a home-invasion robbery late Wednesday say they were horrified during the ordeal, and also a bit puzzled.

Jack Galardi is hoping to improve his reputation: Breaking months of public silence, topless nightclub mogul Jack Galardi told the Sun this week that he was "shocked" and "devastated" when he learned that his estranged son, Michael, was targeted in an FBI political corruption probe.

Slaying suspect arrested: Jen Lawson; Metro Police, who arrested a 22-year-old man on murder charges in a slaying last week in West Las Vegas, believe he also might be the person who killed an apartment security guard Tuesday night.

Wilsons Leather closing Las Vegas warehouse: Wilsons The Leather Experts Inc., a retailer of leather clothing and accessories, plans to close as many as 100 stores and eliminate about 1,000 jobs to reduce expenses as it renegotiates agreements with lenders.

Court rules against LV justice courts: CARSON CITY -- The Nevada Supreme Court ruled today that justice courts in Las Vegas have been violating the Constitution by denying jury trial in civil cases involving less than $5,000.

Helicopter test flights muted: Dan Kulin and Launce Rake; Helicopter test flights Thursday disappointed some Henderson residents concerned about the effect new flight paths would have on their neighborhood.

Chance at pardon delayed for 'Show and Tell' killer: By Cy Ryan; CARSON CITY -- Sandy M. Shaw, convicted of a 1986 murder in Las Vegas when she was 15 years old, didn't get a chance to appear before the state Board of Pardons today.

LV broker in fund scandal sued again: Kevin Rademacher; A second class-action lawsuit is seeking damages from Las Vegas securities broker Daniel G. Calugar and his firm, Security Brokerage Inc.

Police: Man who allegedly killed dad had mental illness: Jen Lawson; The 48-year-old man who allegedly slashed his elderly father to death with a butcher knife Tuesday was undergoing treatment for schizophrenia and had stopped taking his medication, according to the police report.

Nevada Power may not get increase it's asking for: Kevin Rademacher; Based on testimony filed during the past two weeks, Nevada Power Co. could be in for a difficult chore in selling its $133.5 million rate increase request to regulators.

Princeton system has cadets' foes baffled: The Scoop -- The top two scoring defenses in the country hook up in this classic at the Academy, in ESPN's second visit to Colorado Springs in as many seasons. The Falcons lead the country, at yielding a paltry 47.4 points a game. The Utes are second, at 53.9. What tilts this one toward Air Force is its .615 field-goal shooting, which leads the nation.

Gaming briefs for Jan. 23, 2004: An 8.1 percent boost in passenger traffic in December over the previous year pushed the annual total to more than 36 million people who used McCarran International Airport in 2003, Clark County Department of Aviation officials said.

Truss collapse causes $5,000 in damage: No one was hurt when the Andersen Windows exhibit crashed to the central floor hall about 2 a.m. Friday morning, convention officials said.

Two men injured in explosion: Jen Lawson; Two men suffered severe injuries this morning when two tanks filled with an undetermined gas exploded while the men were working on a car in a northeast Las Vegas neighborhood, authorities said.

Golden Nugget buyers land four-year license: By Liz Benston; The Golden Nugget hotel-casinos in downtown Las Vegas and Laughlin opened this morning under new ownership, though customers and passerbys probably wouldn't notice any changes.

Columnist Jeff German: Claiborne was as tough as they come: There is a lot I'm going to remember about him -- his friendly smile, his storytelling abilities, his upbeat outlook on life and his incredible knowledge of the legal system.

Business briefs for Jan. 23, 2004: SEATTLE -- Microsoft Corp. reported a drop in earnings Thursday for its fiscal second quarter as the software giant took a huge charge for stock-based compensation.

Builders report rise in earnings: Jennifer Shubinski; Two home builders with interests in Las Vegas, D.R. Horton Inc. and The Ryland Group Inc., reported strong earnings results this week.

Tentative agreement by PUC, Southwest Gas could mean rate hike: Kevin Rademacher; An agreement hammered out in a Public Utilities Commission hearing on Thursday could raise residential natural gas rates 5.5 percent in Las Vegas.

Car plunges off parking garage: Heather Rawlyk; An elderly Las Vegas couple died when their car crashed through a concrete barrier and plunged off the fourth floor of the Golden Nugget's parking garage Thursday afternoon.

Mayor talks mostly about rapid growth: Jennifer Knight; The mayor of the nation's second-fastest growing city focused on one subject during his state of the city speech Thursday: growth.

Students face likely tuition hike: The university system Board of Regents will hear a proposal next week to raise college tuition by up to 10.1 percent a year.

Where I Stand -- Columnist Brian Greenspun: The real test of a man: Hank Greenspun; WEEKEND EDITION

'Starlight Express' on wrong track at Aladdin: The characters created by Andrew Lloyd Webber in "Starlight Express," for the most part, have about as much warmth and appeal as a railroad tie.

EPA seeks all who had contact with mercury: Heather Rawlyk; Anyone with information about what contact others may have had with Coleman and the mercury should call the health district at 383-1263.

Editorial: Fun should not be this complicated: WEEKEND EDITION

Where I Stand -- Columnist Mike O'Callaghan: Little things become important for troops in combat zone: WEEKEND EDITION

Private group considering takeover of Boulder Creek: Dan Kulin; A private investment group led by men with ties to Boulder City is looking into taking over the financially troubled Boulder Creek Golf Club, which the mayor said could be a "salvation" for the city.

Columnist Lisa Ferguson: Wang prefers practicing comedy, computer basics: Lisa Ferguson; On Jan. 1, 1990, the Detroit native resolved to dive headfirst into a stand-up comedy career. The decision might not have been a monumental one, except that Wang had never even set foot in a comedy club.

Columnist Jeff German: Officials betting on bigger cut of funding: WEEKEND EDITION

McAuliffe says candidate may emerge before Nevada votes: Cy Ryan and Suzanne Struglinski; CARSON CITY -- National Democratic Chairman Terry McAuliffe says he hopes the party will have a presidential nominee by mid-March, meaning Nevada Democrats will be bringing up the rear.

Community briefs for Jan. 23, 2004: Mentoring Above and Beyond 2004, two free half-day minifairs for those in service to others, will be held from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. Thursday in the Sawyer State Office BuildingPersonnel Training Room, 555 E. Washington Ave.

Where I Stand -- Mike O'Callaghan: Pentagon's new message: Helmly not only pointed to problems but also gave what may be some solutions needed to solve them. This combination of problems and possible solutions is also not the standard fare offered on the Pentagon press conference menu.

On Display for Jan. 23, 2004: The Donna Beam Fine Art Gallery presents "Viva Las Vegas! Survival Laboratory Celebrates 25 Years," until Feb. 6 on the UNLV campus. Admission is free. 895-3893.

Columnist Jon Ralston: Some taxing questions to ask: WEEKEND EDITION

Alleged child molester arrested after standoff: Heather Rawlyk; Metro Police arrested Darrin J. Franklin, an alleged child molester who had been a youth programs volunteer at a local church, Thursday after he barricaded himself in a northwest Las Vegas apartment and trying to coax police to shoot and kill him, authorities said.

Columnist Jerry Fink: Rocker parrots Buffett success: Both love to sing. Rocker (who has a law degree) has been a professional musician since he was in high school. Buffett became rich with such songs as "Margaritaville," "Changes in Latitude" and "Cheeseburger in Paradise."

VegasBeat -- Columnist Timothy McDarrah: Wishful thinking buoys Tenney: WEEKEND EDITION

Letter: Gays deserve all the privileges of marriage: January 24 - 25, 2004

Editorial: Schools are progressing under Garcia: We share the confidence placed in Garcia by the School Board, which this week added two more years to his contract, which now expires in 2008. Garcia showed leadership when he joined with the state's other superintendents to produce a comprehensive plan for school spending. Not all of the plan survived the 2003 Legislature. But enough of it did to greatly improve the financial picture for education in Clark County and throughout the state. Funding, however, remains one of Garcia's biggest challenges. Nevada ranks 48th among the 50 states and the District of Columbia in per-pupil spending.

Columnist Muriel Stevens: New Venetian eatery offers French delights: "Bouchon" is French for "a stopper or cork." It is also the Lyonnaise name for "brasserie." Bouchon at The Venetian offers a menu of classic brasserie food: hors d'oeuvres, soups, salads and quiche ($8.50-$13.50).

Performing Arts for Jan. 23, 2004: Tish Hinojosa

Investment adviser arrested: James Paul Lewis Jr. "operated one of the largest Ponzi schemes in history," the FBI alleged Thursday in announcing the early morning arrest after a weeklong manhunt.

Buffett treats devotees to party at Flamingo: Spencer Patterson; Jimmy Buffett has taken root in Las Vegas, and Thursday night the Floridian singer/songwriter reminded fans why his act works so well on the Strip.

LV woman shows aging is a breeze: WEEKEND EDITION

Datebook for Jan. 23, 2004: Spike Lee's Oscar-nominated documentary "4 Little Girls" will be shown at 8 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. Admission is free. 229-4800.

Columnist Susan Snyder: Binion's saga a dark day for downtown: WEEKEND EDITION

Filling the Bill: WEEKEND EDITION

Hyp Replacement: Seemingly without warning, hypnotists take over Las Vegas: The venues of the hypnotists are relatively small such as the 150-seat Le Bistro Theatre at the Riviera and the 100-seat theater at Bourbon Street.

Columnist Susan Snyder: Businesses left looking like drips: But after nearly five years of trials and many errors, I finally have found some backyard plants that will survive without wasting water Southern Nevada doesn't have.

Smith's genius a cure for malaise: Spencer Patterson; Robert Smith may be considered something of a gloomy Gus, but the musician must empathize with comedian Rodney Dangerfield from time to time.

Letter: Truth, freedoms take a beating under GOP rule: President Bush spent almost half his speech defending his wars in Iraq and Afghanistan. Unlike last year, there is no mention that Iraq has weapons of mass destruction, but only items "relating to a program" for those. Days after an Afghani village was bombed by our jets, killing 11 innocents including children, he said we have brought freedom to that ravaged country. Well, Osama bin Laden is still free.

Letter: Another ploy to help big business: SYLVIA LAMPE GROSS

Blood drives: Tuesday: 2 to 7 p.m., Gold Coast, 4000 W. Flamingo Road.

Letter: Beers' stances hard to swallow: January 24 - 25, 2004

Editorial: Looking to the future: It's not uncommon for universities in major urban areas to have more than one campus, and this is part of Las Vegas' natural evolution as the city continues to grow. We're pleased to see such forward thinking and planning for the future, a move that would allow the university to continue to be a vital part of the Las Vegas Valley. Financially, the deal makes sense, too. The university system would eventually be able to buy the land for just $6,400, property that North Las Vegas Mayor Michael Montandon believes could be worth $100 million. It's hard to think of ...

Letter: Low-carb diets are dangerous: This year an estimated 700,000 Americans will suffer a heart attack. To guard against this threat, the American Heart Association recommends a diet deriving no more than 7 percent of calories from saturated fat.

Judge to decide Stallion Mountain fate: A District Court judge is scheduled to decide on Monday whether developer Billy Walters will be able to replace two golf courses at the Stallion Mountain Estates with 1,560 homes.

Chicago suburb's plan inspires Goodman at mayors' meeting in D.C.: Suzanne Struglinski; WASHINGTON -- Rules for affordable housing in a town roughly one-fifth the size of Las Vegas inspired Mayor Oscar Goodman at a the U.S. Conference of Mayors in Washington, D.C.

Calif. tribe pitches deal with state: Chris T. Nguyen; LOS ANGELES -- The Agua Caliente Band of Cahuilla Indians has extended a thorny olive branch to Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger, proposing a new ballot initiative that calls for tribes to pay as much as corporations to the state general fund.