Print edition for July 23, 2004

Las Vegas men face charges in Internet designer drug investigation: Jace Radke; Two Las Vegas men were ordered to Baton Rouge, La., by a federal judge Thursday, after both were arrested and charged in a national investigation into alleged Internet sales of copies of popular designer drugs.

School results mixed: By Emily Richmond; Clark County Superintendent Carlos Garcia called it "the good, the bad and the ugly" Thursday.

Adidas performance center store opens: Adidas performance center store opens

Monorail strands passengers; firm says some glitches normal: Stephen Curran; The $650 million Las Vegas Monorail suffered its first setback Thursday night after its northbound car broke down, leaving would-be passengers at the Sahara station looking for another mode of transportation.

Deal nets 231 more screeners for airport: A late-night deal secured 231 more airport screeners for McCarran International Airport, Sens. John Ensign, R-Nev., and Harry Reid, D-Nev., announced this morning.

Another high-rise dispute on horizon: Seven months after activists led a successful effort to reduce the height of a planned casino tower in Summerlin, some of the same people are focusing on two equally tall towers proposed for Spring Valley.

Problems found at apartment complex: Lynn Doan and Heather Rawlyk; Clark County inspectors found trash in a brackish swimming pool, smoke detectors that didn't work, hypodermic needles next to buildings and garbage all over an apartment complex Thursday where Metro Police on Tuesday arrested a naked man on charges of breaking into a pregnant woman's apartment.

Group gets OK to devise funding plan for WestCare: By Timothy Pratt; Gov. Kenny Guinn freed up money Thursday to help make more beds available for the mentally ill and a regional planning coalition gave the go-ahead for developing a new plan to fund a treatment center, both moves in response to a recently-declared health care crisis.

Valley's ground could make quakes worse: Beth Slovic; The ground in the Las Vegas Valley could increase the power of an earthquake should the "big one" every hit, according to a new study of seismic activity in Southern Nevada.

Two casinos fined: Resorts Atlantic City casino hotel and Trump Plaza Hotel & Casino both allowed the same gambler to play, in violation of the New Jersey Casino Control Commission's self-exclusion program.

Prison inmate found dead: CARSON CITY -- A 49-year-old inmate was found dead today, prison officials said, in an apparent suicide at the High Desert State Prison north of Las Vegas, which went into lock-down last week after a fight in the prison yard that killed one prisoner.

'They don't like me too much': Steve Guiremand; Chris Kemoeatu admits he was as surprised as anybody when Utah head coach Urban Meyer asked him if he'd like to attend Thursday's Mountain West Conference football media day at the Ritz Carlton Hotel at Lake Las Vegas.

Columnist Jeff German: Parking feud still in high gear: Steve Wynn's high-priced lawyers left Wednesday's three-hour hearing unhappy about the commission's decision to allow Adelson's $1.6 billion expansion plans at the Venetian to proceed despite their concerns about inadequate parking.

Gaming briefs for July 23, 2004: Midwestern casino operator Peninsula Gaming LLC has appointed Jonathan Swain as the company's chief operating officer.

FERC to review Nevada Power's Enron contracts: Kevin Rademacher; With more than $300 million at stake for Nevada's investor-owned electric utilities, the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission on Thursday said it will revisit the contracts those companies had with disgraced power trader Enron Corp.

Ex-media execs must testify in LV firm's bankruptcy: Kevin Rademacher; Several former executives of AOL-Time Warner Inc. have been ordered to appear before attorneys for the estate of PurchasePro.com Inc., a failed Las Vegas e-commerce company.

Corrections: Because of an error by the Sun, a story in Thursday's editions incorrectly quoted Metro Police Capt. Vincent Cannito regarding the number of new residents who moved to the area. Cannito said there were "80,000 new residents coming here last year." The Sun regrets the error.

Witness says man killed by police always carried gun: Jace Radke and Heather Rawlyk; A Clark County coroner's inquest was meeting today to determine if an undercover North Las Vegas Police officer was justified in shooting a man in April while trying to serve a narcotics search warrant.

Universal Health Services profit drops: Michelle Swafford; Universal Health Services Inc., which owns Valley, Desert Springs, Summerlin and Spring Valley hospitals in Las Vegas, Thursday reported a decline in its second-quarter profit as a result of lower patient admissions and a higher number of unpaid patient bills, but the company still beat analysts' estimates by 9 cents per share.

VegasBeat -- Timothy McDarrah: 'Rocket Man' may blast off about Ronstadt: The obvious question: Does John plan on addressing the Linda Ronstadt situation?

Office evacuated as odor sickens some: Jen Lawson; Officials this morning were investigating a pungent-smelling stain on the second floor of an office building that may have caused dozens of people to feel sick.

Trauma center faces opposition: Dan Kulin; The Clark County Health District Board on Thursday asked its lawyer to find a way to block or overturn a state decision to give Sunrise Hospital and Medical Center permission to open a trauma center in January on a 12-month trial basis.

Moore says Ronstadt return in the works: Michael Moore has talked to Linda Ronstadt and has agreed to appear onstage with her in September at the Aladdin if new owners take over as expected, the spokesman for the filmmaker said today.

Source: Cowboys to sign George: Eddie George agreed to a contract with the Dallas Cowboys today, just two days after being released by the Tennessee Titans, according to a team source.

Review-Journal affiliate selling stake in TCA Cable: Cox, which holds the remaining 75 percent stake in TCA Cable, announced DR Partners' decision this week in filings with the Securities and Exchange Commission. The filing said DR Partners' stake had been valued at about $186 million. The final price paid to DR Partners will be determined through negotiations, the filing said.

13-year-old to stand trial as an adult: By Matt Pordum; A baby-faced 13-year-old boy will stand trial as an adult on two counts of attempted murder in connection with the May 18 shooting of two Mexican immigrant construction workers, Las Vegas Justice of the Peace Nancy Oesterle ruled on Thursday.

Legislators looking into lottery perks: Tom Sharp; NASHVILLE, Tenn. -- The perception that the Tennessee lottery is too generous with pay and benefits, especially to top managers, got a thorough airing before the Legislature's Fiscal Review Committee last week.

Learning, language difficulties had adverse effect on math test results: More than half of the high school seniors who could not pass the math proficiency exam to graduate were severely disabled special education students, home schooled students or incarcerated, Karlene McCormick-Lee, assistant superintendent of research and accountability for the district, said.

Columnist Dean Juipe: Rebels have that 7-4 look: Dean Juipe; Welcome to another exciting edition of "You Asked For It," in which sports fans from around the country are granted a treasured wish.

Nevada wants NRC to help with funds for Yucca project: Suzanne Struglinski; WASHINGTON -- Nevada wants the Nuclear Regulatory Commission to help pay for the state's work on the Yucca Mountain project because Congress and the Energy Department have not allocated enough money.

Homeowners fail to remove board: Stephen Curran; An effort by a group of Summerlin homeowners to oust its association board Thursday night proved unsuccessful.

Mortgage unit faces cuts: The company said it would close offices and cut jobs in 17 markets where it has loan offices but no retail banking presence. Nevada was not listed as a market being cut. In the Las Vegas area, Washington Mutual has 27 retail banking branches and three home loan offices.

Columnist Ron Kantowski: BCS riches come a little bit closer: If you grew up in the middle class and asked your parents for something really neat at Christmas time, there were usually three responses: the unexpected "yes," the dreaded "no," and the vague "we'll see."

New school approved for addicted students: The goal of the program is to place recovering students in an environment where they won't be tempted by drugs or alcohol, said Edward Goldman, associate superintendent of alternative education services for the district.

Sports briefs for July 23, 2004: A panel of hockey royalty -- from Mario Lemieux to Scotty Bowman -- got together Thursday in New York to discuss how to create more flow and offensive chances. Ideas were exchanged and debated as part of a process National Hockey League commissioner Gary Bettman hopes will lead to rules changes that could go into effect after a new labor agreement is reached.

Columnist Brian Hilderbrand: Crew chiefs won't alter pre-race fuel planning for NASCAR's new finish: NASCAR's new green-white-checkered finish will take effect in this weekend's Nextel Cup and Busch Series races at New Hampshire International Raceway, but Nextel Cup crew chief Chad Knaus said the new format won't change the way he prepares for a race.

Big man on the scene weighing pros and cons: Nick Christensen; Exasperated and hot in a gym that was sweltering at around 100 degrees, 6-foot-6 Nova United forward James Eversley turned to his coach, shrugged, and all but waved a white flag.

News briefs for July 23, 2004: Another attempt by Clark County School Board Vice President Larry Mason to nix the mandatory uniform policy in the district's southeast region pilot program failed 5-2 Thursday night.

Year-round schools had fewer days for studying before tests: By Emily Richmond; Schools operating on year-round schedules were at a distinct disadvantage when it came to proving they had made the "adequate yearly progress" the federal No Child Left Behind Act requires.

Churches line up against casino initiatives on ballot: Courtney Lowery; OMAHA, Neb. -- The group leading efforts to defeat expanded gambling in Nebraska may have found the linchpin in its campaign Thursday, said Pat Loontjer, who leads the group Gambling with the Good Life.

Inquest to determine if officer was justified in fatal shooting: The case stems from Detective Clint Ryan shooting and killing Cipriano Lopez, 44, on April 27 after Lopez allegedly fired shots at officers as they served the warrant at the 500 block of North 15th Street near Bonanza Road and Maryland Parkway in Las Vegas.

Men face charges in Internet drug probe: Jace Radke; Two Las Vegas men were ordered to Baton Rouge, La., by a federal judge Thursday, after both were arrested and charged in a national investigation into alleged Internet sales of copies of popular designer drugs.

Obituaries for July 23, 2004: Donald J. Bayer, 77, of Las Vegas died Tuesday in Las Vegas. He was born Nov. 15, 1926, in Illinois. A resident for 14 years, he was an administrative director.

More virus cases expected: After two Nevada residents were identified as possibly suffering from West Nile virus, just three days after state officials confirmed its existence in a bird and mosquitoes in Northern Nevada, health officials fear they will find more cases.

Cop probed by FBI training to work at Test Site: Jen Lawson; A former Metro Police officer who is the subject of an FBI investigation into the fatal shooting of an unarmed man is training to work as a security guard for the Nevada Test Site, officials said.

Columnist Jon Ralston: Shape of campaign to come: WEEKEND EDITION

Where I Stand -- Brian Greenspun: Freedom at risk: WEEKEND EDITION

Nevadans don't need training to qualify for guardianship: WEEKEND EDITION

Case can be made to improve obscure but critical legal process: WEEKEND EDITION

The day of the pioneer: Caitlin Hudgins; WEEKEND EDITION

Large family would benefit from camp experience: July 24 - 25, 2004

Nevada hurt by lack of guardianship laws: WEEKEND EDITION

VegasBeat -- Timothy McDarrah: Lange dead set on Hard Rock show: WEEKEND EDITION

Columnist Susan Snyder: Bus has fares to remember: WEEKEND EDITION

All Night Lon: Spencer Patterson; WEEKEND EDITION

NLV Flotilla joins Coast Guard units on Lake Mead: Caitlin Hudgins; WEEKEND EDITION

Rebels lose one to academics in off-season: Steve Guiremand; Former Bishop Gorman star Jason Rogers, the front-runner for a starting cornerback spot at UNLV two springs ago before he suffered a knee injury, has dropped out of school.

Ralph Siraco's Del Mar selections: 1st Race -- SUSPICIOUS CAPER -- Draws good middle post for sprint opener, hustling Pedroza on Avila trainee, Caper pulls off Suspicious score. PRINCESS MALICE -- Santiago atop Becerra trainee, draws good post for dash claimer, fits this heat well. Value Play -- TENDER TEEN

Pacers' top draft pick hurt in summer league: Indiana Pacers first-round draft pick David Harrison was returning to Indianapolis today to have his left knee examined after spraining it during a summer league game in Salt Lake City.

Once-white elephant casino fuels Harrah's growth in Louisiana: Alan Sayre; NEW ORLEANS -- Just a few years ago, many doubted Harrah's New Orleans Casino would ever open. Then, it appeared that the gambling hall might not last.

Ethics panel's presentation delayed: Members of the Nevada Ethics Commission won't speak to the Las Vegas City Council about disclosures and abstentions until Sept. 1 at the earliest, Las Vegas Mayor Oscar Goodman said Thursday.

Witness Faneuil avoids jail: Faneuil was the government's star witness in its case against Martha Stewart and her former Merrill Lynch & Co. broker, Peter Bacanovic. Sixteen months before taking the witness stand, Faneuil, who was Bacanovic's assistant, pleaded guilty and agreed to cooperate with prosecutors who were pursuing Stewart.

Saturday's horse racing entries: Post Time 2 p.m.

Board approves Blue Diamond project: CARSON CITY -- The state Transportation Board Thursday approved the first phase of an $84 million project for improvements on State Route 160, the Blue Diamond Road in Las Vegas.

Free trips may have been in violation of board's policies: By Timothy Pratt; Two members of a public board accepted business trips paid for by a nonprofit organization that receives money from that same board, potentially violating the board's policies.

Columnist Barb Henderson: Raft trip opens eyes to Colorado River splendor: Barb Henderson; Embark on an adventurous journey while you raft down the rapid-free waters of a scenic 12-mile stretch of the Colorado River through Black Canyon.

Remembering when Stevens was Mr. 'Tea': Spencer Patterson; All this talk about Linda Ronstadt, the Aladdin and what performers should and should not say prompted me to dig up a Cat Stevens disc this week.

It's Ho time with 'Shake, Rattle and Rock': The stage at the Westward Ho is rockin' with talent.

Letter: Hotel was wrong to punish singer: As says the editorial, the idea of mixing music and politics dates back a long ways. When a casino in the world's entertainment capital conducts itself as did the Aladdin, I think the city takes another black eye. How does it look to the world when, in a town where women are generally portrayed shamefully in huge billboard ads, a woman is forcibly escorted from a hotel for expressing a point of view?

Pastor Present: Spencer Patterson; The Rev. Al Green was trying to slip through the streets of Baltimore unnoticed when a fan recognized him last year.

Letter: Leading dissent against war is act of patriotism: July 24 - 25, 2004

Letter: Glad Ronstadt was ejected: Somehow the entertainment industry has convoluted our desire to hear their voices into "We want to hear your political views." Nothing could be further from the truth.

Fishing report: Largemouth and striped bass make waves in Overton Arm: Creel census clerks said that boaters continued to be successful catching largemouth and striped bass in Lake Mead's Overton Arm.

After ages away, Sonic Youth makes LV return: Spencer Patterson; Who: Sonic Youth with Wolf Eyes, XBXRX.

Letter: Politics should be kept out of shows: PAT PATTERSON Sugar Land, Texas

Letter: Retain the 'Roadless Rule': I just wanted to let you know that I support your stated views entirely! Thanks for getting the word out.

Letter: Southern Nevada health care needs must be assessed: As for the medical needs of Southern Nevada, why not put together an impartial, qualified group -- at no cost to the taxpayers -- to quickly and accurately assess them?

Columnist Lisa Ferguson: Many moons since 'Night,' Havey recalls talk show: Lisa Ferguson; Although Allan Havey's name never quite attained the household status enjoyed by some other comedians-turned-talk-show hosts, he garnered plenty of fans from 1989 through '92 while serving as a co-creator/producer/writer and host of "Night After Night" on the Comedy Channel (in the midst of a merger with the rival Ha! network in 1990, when it became Comedy Central).

Democrats hold edge in District 3: Kirsten Searer; Aggressive voter registration drives recently have given Democrats an advantage in Congressional District 3.

Suspect sought in murder in trailer: Heather Rawlyk; Metro Police are looking to arrest a 63-year-old Las Vegas man in connection with the killing of 48-year-old David Leal in the victim's mobile home near Nellis Air Force Base Saturday night.

Blood donors sought for LV challenge: Caitlin Hudgins; Every July and August, just when fun-lovers start participating in warm-weather, high-risk activities, blood stores hit their yearly low.

Columnist Jeff German: Democrats looking to bounce back in '04: WEEKEND EDITION

Letter: Cheney sets poor example: July 24 - 25, 2004

Letter: Most entertainers are ignorant of current affairs: Like people in academia, entertainers do not contribute to our country's production of hard goods and the gross national product, even though they are some of the main benefactors of our free-market, capitalistic society and its huge amounts of discretionary spending. I think this is why they are so ignorant of how and why our country works so well.

Letter: Aladdin's actions threaten freedom: The shallowness that I am observing in this city is becoming very scary. It is a threat to freedom when companies and individuals take such extreme measures as the Aladdin did with Ms. Ronstadt.

Editorial: Oasis gets reprieve: We have, from the beginning, opposed putting a large zoo at Floyd Lamb State Park. For starters, we didn't believe that ticket sales would generate enough revenue to pay for a large zoo's costs. And, if a zoo began to fail financially, we were worried the city would feel obliged to bail it out. Further, we didn't want to forever change the tranquil character of this historic and scenic park, which has natural springs and a pond where people can fish. That is why, lastly, we wish the city would give up eyeing the 2,000-acre state park and leave it ...

Music career rings true for Roger Williams: By Jerry Fink; Who: Roger Williams.

Letter: Vote Bush out to help public lands: One of those comments was from me. I take being rejected by my government a little personally, especially when it's something that hits very close to home. I spend a lot of time outside, in wilderness areas, national parks, and national forests, and I can tell you firsthand what damage can be done to pristine areas without protection. Revoking this rule would be a nightmare for what remains of our untrammeled forest.

Editorial: Keep 9/11 report free from politics: The report, 567 pages long and 20 months in the making, includes an assessment of the federal agencies that shared responsibility for protecting Americans against foreign attackers. To understand what the commission learned, think of a roof during a rainstorm -- one with numerous holes and cracks. We had been exposed to this porous system for some time: The February 1993 bombing of the World Trade Center. The downing in October 1993 of U.S. Army Black Hawk helicopters in Somalia, an attack assisted by al-Qaida that killed 18 soldiers. The 1996 truck bombing of the Khobar Towers in Saudi Arabia ...

Fourth department chief leaves within year: Dan Kulin; North Las Vegas lost another department head on Thursday.

Columnist Spencer Patterson: Lauper just wants to have freedom of speech: Spencer Patterson; "That's a very scary thing," Lauper said upon learning that Ronstadt had been escorted from the Aladdin after dedicating her encore to filmmaker Michael Moore Saturday night.

Performing Arts for July 23, 2004: 'Tin Pan Alley'

Columnist Jerry Fink: Winett finding success in Southern Nevada: It's mid-evening, the sun is setting. The weather is warm, but not stifling. A perfect day to relax in this quaint town a few minutes southeast of Las Vegas.

Datebook for July 23, 2004: John Carter, Ph.D., presents "African American Fathers: Factors That Motivate Their Commitment to Their Children," at 3 p.m. Saturday at the West Las Vegas Arts Center, 947 W. Lake Mead Blvd. Admission is free. 229-4800.

Vietnam veteran stumps for Kerry: Kirsten Searer; Jim Rassmann, the Vietnam veteran credited with helping John Kerry show a more emotional side, made a stop in Nevada Thursday to tout the Democratic presidential candidate.

High-quality Utah festival improves attendance: CEDAR CITY, Utah -- There's good news for the Utah Shakespearean Festival unfolding in Cedar City, Utah, this summer season.

Columnist Susan Snyder: Hoping trail takes right path: The Winchester neighborhood resident has been keeping track of the wash's wildlife for most of the 18 years she's lived near it.

Plays run through Sept. 4: Play schedule

State Democrats prepare for convention: Suzanne Struglinski; WASHINGTON -- Nevada Democrats are heading east this weekend for the Democratic National Convention that kicks off Monday in Boston.

Community meetings to focus on 20-year strategic plan: Those unable to attend can send comments to Vision2025@ci.north-las-vegas.nv.us.

Editorial: Price gouging redux: July 24 - 25, 2004

Community briefs for July 23, 2004: These locations will host blood drives next week for United Blood Services, 6930 W. Charleston Blvd.:

Editorial: Master plan needed for high rises: July 24 - 25, 2004

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