Print edition for July 7, 2004

Lurie joins state wildlife board: CARSON CITY -- Gov. Kenny Guinn today announced the appointment of former Las Vegas Mayor Ron Lurie to the state Board of Wildlife, succeeding John Moran Jr., who resigned to become a member of the Nevada Gaming Commission.

County funds mental health facility: Clark County approved funding for the endangered WestCare Community Triage Center Tuesday, throwing a lifeline to the program that provides services to hundreds of alcoholics, drug addicts and mentally disturbed people every month.

Open-wheel cars return to LV: In a somewhat surprising turn of events, the Champ Car World Series was set to announce this morning that it would hold a race on the 1.5-mile Las Vegas Motor Speedway oval in September.

Affidavits may doom initiatives: CARSON CITY -- The legality of the initiative petition to raise the minimum wage in Nevada by $1 is in doubt and there are questions about three other initiatives to amend the Nevada Constitution, according to the secretary of state's office.

Sierra Club's motion to halt U.S. 95 widening project denied: Jace Radke; A federal judge has denied a motion by the Sierra Club to halt the widening of U.S. 95 while the environmental group appeals its failed lawsuit against the project to the 9th U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals.

Columnist Jeff Haney: Look past the favored Yankees for value in World Series futures: FUTURE BOOK: The list of odds to win an upcoming event, such as the championship game in a sport. Example: "World Series future book." Shortened form is "futures."

Indian gaming on the rise, except in Nevada: CARSON CITY -- Indian gambling expanded in every state where it was legal last year, except in Nevada.

Columnist Jeff German: Cabbies fall victim while board stalls: Hopefully, the five-member State Taxicab Authority Board, which five months ago refused to require the cameras, will get the message.

SEC probe proving costly to Vestin: Kevin Rademacher; An ongoing Securities and Exchange Commission inquiry has cost Vestin Group Inc., a Las Vegas-based commercial lender, about $1.5 million to respond to.

Obituaries for July 7, 2004: George Barragan, 65, of Las Vegas died Monday in a local hospital. A truck driver, he was born Dec. 12, 1938, in San Diego.

AG readies criminal case vs. Augustine: CARSON CITY -- Attorney General Brian Sandoval said today he is prepared to file criminal and ethics charges against state Controller Kathy Augustine for allegedly using her office staff for political campaign work.

Brothels in Nye County to stay legal: Molly Ball; TONOPAH -- Nye County's brothels will survive without being put to a popular vote, and the suggestive signs that caused a furor in Pahrump are coming down.

Court rejects restitution order in fraud case: The 9th U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals sent the case back to U.S. District Judge James Mahan of Las Vegas to determine the names of the victims and how much they were actually owed.

Gaming briefs for July 7, 2004: Las Vegas-based slot-machine maker Alliance Gaming Corp. will pay its incoming chief executive, Richard Haddrill, a base salary of $980,000 a year, according to a regulatory filing Tuesday.

FDIC: Nevada economy strong: Kevin Rademacher; Federal banking regulators this morning became the latest source of positive reinforcement for the health of the Nevada economy.

Newest member says he's thrilled to join council: Sito Negron; Steve Wolfson was sworn in as a Las Vegas city councilman during a short ceremony this morning that included praise from his family and a playful exchange with Mayor Oscar Goodman.

Analysts: IGT benefits with Pa. slots deal: International Game Technology, the largest slot machine company, will add as much as 30 cents a share to net income in 2006 because of Pennsylvania's decision to allow slot machines, J.P. Morgan analyst Harry Curtis said Tuesday. Analysts also said the law may hurt New Jersey casino owners.

Man says he'd have killed for drugs: Jen Lawson; A 36-year-old man who is scheduled to appear in court this morning on charges of robbing and beating a senior citizen and a church maintenance worker allegedly told Metro Police that if he hadn't been caught he would have committed murder to get money for drugs.

News briefs for July 7, 2004: North Las Vegas Police arrested a 66-year-old woman this morning after a 69-year-old man was shot in the stomach during a domestic dispute.

Five ex-jail inmates sue over firecracker: Jace Radke; Five former inmates at the Clark County Detention Center have filed a federal lawsuit against jail guards and Metro Police, alleging that their civil rights were violated when the guards threw a large firecracker with the explosive power of a quarter stick of dynamite at them.

Sports briefs for July 7, 2004: UNLV senior safety Jamaal Brimmer, named a preseason first team All-American by Athlon's college football magazine last month, was one of 60 players named Tuesday to the 2004 watch list for the Bronko Nagurski Trophy, which is awarded annually to the nation's top defensive college football player.

HP faces trade complaint: Gateway, in a complaint filed with the U.S. International Trade Commission in Washington, claims that Hewlett-Packard computers made in Asia and Mexico infringe three patents held by Gateway. The patents relate to audio controls, improved images and personal computer-based entertainment systems.

County names panels to write initiatives: Two advisory issues go on the ballot in the fall. One would ask the Legislature to stop passing "unfunded mandates" along to local governments in the form of responsibilities without funding. The second would, if passed, ask the Legislature to add a quarter-cent sales tax to fund 1,700 more police throughout Clark County, including almost 1,300 Metro Police.

Load of burning garbage dumped: The Republic Services driver, who did not disclose his name, said he first noticed smoke coming out of the top of his truck as he was making his rounds through Camden Summit apartments on Windmill Parkway Tuesday afternoon.

$100 million in bonds to help bypass: While Congress and the White House fight over what to allocate for projects in the federal transportation spending bill, the Hoover Dam bypass project will get $100 million in bonds to continue construction, project officials said.

Judge allows woman another chance: By Matt Pordum; District Judge Donald Mosley allowed a former teacher's aide to remain free Tuesday after she violated the terms of her probation by having contact with the special education student she had sex with when he was 16 years old.

Mich. Senate votes to hike casino tax: David Eggert; LANSING, Mich. -- A bill to raise the wagering tax on Detroit's three casinos is headed to a House-Senate conference committee after the chambers failed Tuesday to agree on how much it should be increased.

Columnist Dean Juipe: Marathon gets a shot in the arm: Dean Juipe; Notes today, leading off with an exciting one courtesy of Al Boka and Devine Racing.

Work halted on NRC data for Yucca Mountain: Suzanne Struglinski; WASHINGTON -- Work on the Nuclear Regulatory Commission's database of Yucca Mountain project documents will be halted until the commission appoints a pre-license application officer, according to a letter sent Tuesday.

Columnist Elizabeth Foyt: Private reception highlights lake concert debut: Elizabeth Foyt; Guests enjoyed the hospitality of the Ritz-Carlton, Lake Las Vegas in the resort's private Ponte Vecchio, a parklike enclave on the lakefront often chosen for weddings and elegant gatherings.

Economy on track for best growth in 20 years: Martin Crutsinger; WASHINGTON -- The economy appears headed for a banner year despite a springtime spike in energy prices and a recent increase in interest rates.

Editorial: Edwards a great choice: The political climate in Ohio is not much different from the rest of the crucial swing states, which will decide the election. After four years of economic upheaval under Bush-Cheney, people are ready to listen to the Democratic candidates. But to really listen, and to really become enthused and energized, they need a gifted speaker. John Kerry has obviously touched a chord -- the polls already show him even or a little ahead of President Bush. But Kerry must have realized that in all of the campaign appearances, speeches and debates ahead, he's going to need someone of extraordinary appeal ...

Thursday's horse racing entries: Post Time 1:20 p.m.

Correction: The Sun corrects its errors. If you find a mistake, call 385-3111 to report it.

Discrimination suit delayed by trial judge: Jury selection was scheduled to begin this morning in New York in the first government suit to accuse a Wall Street bank of gender bias. Shortly after 8 a.m., U.S. District Judge Richard Berman posted a note on his courtroom door saying he'd postponed the case "a few days" to resolve outstanding legal issues.

Longtime film producer Shpetner dies: Stanley Shpetner's career as a Hollywood screenwriter and producer lasted more than a quarter of a century, and he changed with the times, producing Westerns in the 1950s and '60s, thrillers during the 1970s and dramas in the 1980s.

Letter: All ideologues lack integrity: One wonders if his reaction would have been the same if the audiences were "whooping it up" over allegations that Clinton was a Chinese agent (there are books on the subject).

Columnist Brian Hilderbrand: Mishaps surround Bell's opener: Townsend Bell had an eventful debut with Panther Racing in Sunday's Indy Racing League IndyCar Series race at Kansas Speedway.

DA responds late to new evidence in old case: By Matt Pordum; A man who claims NASA technology can prove he was too tall to have been the robber of a convenience store had his day in court postponed because the district attorney's office missed a deadline to respond to the argument.

Letter: Residents can stem the tide in Summerlin: Community standards have definitely declined following the transition from Summerlin to Summerlin North. Neighbors are no longer asked to consent to major changes in properties adjacent to them. Serious deviations in color schemes and previously forbidden backyard structures are becoming the norm.

Report on LV Centennial sponsorship plan is delayed: Clear Channel Enterntainment, the company selected by the centennial committee to bring in money to pay for the year-long festivities, did not follow the deadline outlined in its contract, Councilman Gary Reese, a member of the committee said.

Henderson rejects neighbors' protest of two restaurants: Stephen Curran; Calling it an "impossible situation," the Henderson City Council on Tuesday unanimously rejected an appeal by homeowners in an upscale Green Valley neighborhood to stop a planned fast-food restaurant from opening near their homes.

Edwards has supported Yucca, college betting ban: Suzanne Struglinski; WASHINGTON -- Sen. John Edwards, presumptive Democratic presidential candidate John Kerry's pick for vice president, has voted against positions taken by Nevada officials on two of the biggest state issues considered by U.S. lawmakers.

Letter: Don't judge film without seeing it: You remember them in all the media, talking about Saddam's stockpiles of WMD, his nuclear weapons program, and his cooperation with and support of al-Qaida. Mr. Moore merely plays back those statements, which we now know were exaggerated, if not completely false, and then shows the effect the war has had on our military, and particularly on the people in his hometown of Flint, Mich.

Pro's Tip: Good shots come with correct release: Adam Candee; You exhibit great posture, a fluid takeback and a pronounced shoulder turn. All of these lead you into a smooth golf swing as you begin turning your hips and transferring your weight from your back leg through to your front side. And the ball is darting like a Fernando Valenzuela screwball into the trees.

Columnist Adam Candee: Wie's Open exemption pays off; expect to see more down the line: Adam Candee; Opening this week with a meaty item from the women's game: Michelle Wie and fellow teen phenom Paula Creamer tied for low amateur honors in 13th place at last weekend's U.S. Women's Open, both earning exemptions into next year's Open.

Above-Average Joe: Chicago native brings bit of his familys heritage to Las Vegas: Ken Miller; No name in Joe Collura's family is without significance.

Green Valley Ranch Station executive Tata dies at 33: A 33-year-old executive at Green Valley Ranch Station, who has a prominent role in the Discovery Channel reality show, "American Casino," died Tuesday, resort officials said.

Group sentencing scheduled Aug. 6 in 311 Boyz case: By Matt Pordum; Several alleged members of the 311 Boyz gang will be sentenced together to spare Stephen Tanner Hansen, his family and other victims from having to return repeatedly to court to give statements regarding the attack that left Hansen with a crushed face.

Community briefs for July 7, 2004: The Las Vegas Fire & Rescue Fire Explorers will be holding an orientation and recruitment meeting from 9 a.m. to 11 a.m. Sunday at the Las Vegas Fire Training Center, 633 N. Mojave Road.

Kruger, staff ready to rack up some frequent flier miles: Steve Guiremand; Browse a newsstand these days and you just might see new UNLV head basketball coach Lon Kruger peering back at you.

Federal grant will help immerse teachers in history: Caitlin Hudgins; In a town that has imploded many of its classic casinos, history might not seem to hold much value.