Print edition for June 10, 2004

Letter: Pelosi speaks the truth about war: You would think that conservatives, allegedly the harshest purveyors of consequences for those in the wrong and the staunchest defenders of morality, would leap at an opportunity to defend their principles.

Letter: Nevada Power should do more to decrease rates: I don't understand where the "partnership" is in this deal. After Nevada Power mismanaged its resources and made poor business decisions, it raised my rates so high that my electric bill is as bad as another house payment. Now it's offering me helpful suggestions like these to "help me save money."

Letter: Las Vegas doing many things right: All the hand-wringing and blustering from the business community and the Sun on Sunday leads me to believe we are doing everything right.

Editorial: Time to stop candidate switcheroos: This shady practice inevitably draws cries of foul play from legitimate candidates, but nevertheless it has been generally tolerated. This election season, however, is witnessing what we hope will be a strong message to candidates tempted to play this game.

Editorial: Principal shortage: A staggering 35 percent of Clark County's principals in elementary schools have fewer than three years of experience compared to just 7 percent nationally. In secondary schools, 45 percent of Clark County's principals have fewer than three years of experience compared to the national average of 16 percent. What makes it even more difficult for principals here, especially if they don't have much experience, is that our schools typically hold many more students. For example, Clark County high schools are built for 2,700 students while the average high school nationally has 753 students.

Jamaican: Reggae loyalists hoping for an anchor in Las Vegas: Spencer Patterson; What: "Reggae in the Desert" featuring Eek-A-Mouse, Yellowman, Bonafide and GDB.

Fight schedule: At Trieste, Italy, Stefano Zoff, Italy, vs. Yuri Romanov, Russia, 12, lightweights.

CineVegas set to launch Friday at the Palms: Kirk Baird; For a complete schedule of CineVegas 2004 movies, see its Web site at:

Officials, common citizens join capital farewell to Reagan, 'a graceful and gallant man': MARK SHERMAN; Boy scouts in khaki shorts and neckerchiefs, office workers with ID tags around their necks, tourists with children in tow, an American Indian in feathered headdress, all came to pay their respects and slowly file past Reagan's casket, draped in the stars and stripes of the American flag.

Columnist Linda Frohlich: Mercury: No hard feelings: Linda Frohlich; I know everyone is wondering what happened in Phoenix and what is happening in my life right now. Well, I'm going to tell you ... without beating around the bush.

Ayala realizes win may pave way for payday: Dean Juipe; Paulie Ayala knows what people are thinking.

Columnist Dean Juipe: Abelyan set to get back in ring: Dean Juipe; It's a fight that has been postponed three times.

Beastie Boys put on a campy show in MTV2's '$2Bill' series: Spencer Patterson; Ashley Kingman showed up at the Huntridge Theatre late Tuesday, hoping to be one of the first on line for Beastie Boys tickets.

Business news briefs for June 10, 2004: Teamsters-led workers at Coca-Cola Bottling Co. of Las Vegas have ratified a proposed contract with the beverage distributor, averting a strike.

Water District key to Rhodes school site: The halt to construction at Rhodes Ranch came closer to an end Wednesday -- but the final step has not yet been taken.

Clarification of law on bikes on sidewalks sought: Dan Kulin; Area bicycle safety activists and officials decided Wednesday to ask the state attorney general to clarify whether or not bicyclists are legally allowed to ride on sidewalks and agreed they will organize a bicycle safety public- outreach campaign for April and May 2005.

VegasBeat -- Timothy McDarrah: Pitt has designs on property in Vegas: Those recurring rumors about a Brad Pitt -designed hotel in Las Vegas are at a fever pitch.

Mother makes plea deal in case of child, 2, left in car: Beth Slovic; A woman accused of leaving her 2-year-old daughter in a car outside a Henderson shopping center April 15 has agreed to plead guilty to a misdemeanor charge of contributing to the neglect of a minor rather than risk a felony conviction that could have prevented her from becoming a U.S. citizen, the woman's lawyer said.

Pitchers shine among selections: Adam Candee; Whether it is baseball or softball, everyone repeats the timeworn adage: Pitching wins games.

Huskies counted on Schoenbachler in '04: Adam Candee; One loss deflated them. One loss awoke them. Yet both defeats led to a 4A state championship for the Reno High baseball team.

Sports briefs for June 10, 2004: Ray Bourque, Paul Coffey and Larry Murphy were elected to the Hockey Hall of Fame in their first year of eligibility. Former Calgary and Toronto general manager Cliff Fletcher was chosen for induction in the builders' category by the 18-member selection committee.

Columnist Brian Hilderbrand: Scelzi treading water in Funny Car race: As the NHRA Powerade Drag Racing Series this weekend begins a stretch of three races in three weeks, Gary Scelzi is viewing the swing as a critical one for his hopes of challenging for the Funny Car championship.

Trapshooting champ Childers dies at 61: Bobbie Jo Childers, a leading Nevada women's trapshooter who won the 1985 Nevada State Ladies All-Around championship and manager of the University of Nevada, Las Vegas copy center, died Saturday of cancer. She was 61.

Poll: Competing slot plans both favored: Don Thompson; SACRAMENTO -- Two competing Indian gambling initiatives on the November ballot would each increase the number of slot machines in exchange for giving the state a share of casino profit. And each would pass if the vote was today, according to a Field Poll released Wednesday.

Community news briefs for June 10, 2004: Henderson Parks and Recreation Department and the Southern Nevada Center for Independent Living are co-hosting the inaugural All Abilities Expo from 5 p.m. to 9 p.m Saturday at the Promenade at Liberty Pointe, 200 S. Green Valley Parkway.

Pysche testing ordered on man who held off cops: Jeffrey Donnelly, 38, is charged in federal court because he is an ex-felon who was allegedly in possession of firearms during the standoff. Donnelly had six handguns and two rifles when he surrendered to Henderson police April 6, said Daniel G. Bogden, U.S. attorney for Nevada.

Betting chains face new limits on use of data: LONDON -- William Hill Plc, the U.K.'s second-largest betting chain, and competitors in Greece, Sweden and Finland are violating European Union law when they use data on horse racing and other sports events without permission, an aide at Europe's highest court said.

Nevada Guardsmen questioned on prison: Ed Koch and Stephen Curran; Military investigators were in Nevada last weekend taking statements from 14 members of the Nevada National Guard regarding the alleged abuse of prisoners at Abu Ghraib prison in Iraq, Guard officials confirmed today.

Graffiti problem heats up with the weather: Numbers to call for graffiti removal:

Gazlay allowed to travel: By Matt Pordum; District Judge Michael Cherry decided today to lessen the house arrest restrictions for a 19-year-old whom authorities allege was a leader of the 311 Boyz gang.

2004 Sun All-State Softball Team: Noteworthy: From start to finish in 2004, undoubtedly the best softball player in Nevada ... after two one-run losses in 2002 and 2003 state title games, led Centennial to an improbably 4A state tournament comeback and a championship ... at the plate, batted .490 with six homers and 35 in regular season ... hit four more homers on final day of state playoffs alone ... went 22-3 as a pitcher with a 0.47 ERA and 304 strikeouts ... voted most valuable pitcher in the Sunset Region ... a three-time All-State first team choice ... "I don't see anyone in the ...

Obituaries for June 10, 2004: Hal Bales, 79, of Las Vegas died Tuesday in a local care center. He was born Oct. 12, 1924, in Waco, Texas. A resident for nine years, he was a retired owner of a printing firm and a World War II Army veteran.

Gaming news briefs for June 10, 2004: AUCKLAND, New Zealand -- Sky City Entertainment Group Ltd., New Zealand's largest casino operator, said Wednesday it will acquire cinema company Sky City Leisure Ltd. after gaining control of 95.8 percent of the company's shares.

Summer camps open to children of service members: Dick Benoit; Utah camp

Clark County schools tap teaching corps: By Christina Littlefield; The Clark County School District is partnering with the national Teach for America program to draw new teaching talent into several dozen at-risk schools this fall.

House panel slashes project funding: Suzanne Struglinski; WASHINGTON -- A House subcommittee approved $131 million for the Yucca Mountain project on Wednesday, a severe cut from the Energy Department's $880 million request.

Rainstorm, tennis balls cause trouble at NCAAs: AUSTIN, Texas -- Not only did rain and lightning spoil Texas' first day of hosting the NCAA track and field championships, the Longhorns' hopes for the women's team title took a nasty hit, too.

Hit with fine, Deane returns focus to work: Clark County Recorder Fran Deane's long journey through a maze of ethical trouble appears to be over.

Cabaret plan finds downtown home: Sito Negron; While Mayor Oscar Goodman touts Fremont Street east of Las Vegas Boulevard as the prospective place for an entertainment corridor of clubs and cafes, a smaller version might appear by December around the former Trolley Stop building.

Agencies agree on sites for wells in wildlife refuge: Molly Ball; In the first meeting open to the public since discussions began in March on monitoring wells in the Desert National Wildlife Refuge, federal and local officials on Wednesday settled on some sites where drilling could occur.

Columnist Ron Kantowski: BCS takes the Fifth on fifth game: That "cool" breeze in the air must mean football season is just around the corner.

Seevers passes on Nebraska, opts to play on the blue turf: Adam Candee; Kyle Seevers faced a simple choice at the end of his whirlwind recruiting journey: Become one of many at Nebraska or the one and only at Boise State.

Las Vegas news briefs for June 10, 2004: A 29-year-old Henderson driver who police allege struck and killed a bicyclist on Green Valley Parkway May 11 has been charged with two felonies and three misdemeanors.

National business news briefs for June 10, 2004: The U.S. Department of Commerce's Economic Development Administration has approved a $2 million capital projects grant to assist the Urban Chamber of Commerce in the building of a $3.1 million business center in West Las Vegas.

Weather getting back to normal: A low pressure system coming into Las Vegas from the Pacific Northwest Wednesday brought brief snow flurries to Mount Charleston and temperatures in the mid 70s to the valley.

Police say homicide cases solved: Jen Lawson; Metro Police say they solved two homicide cases Wednesday with the arrests of a 15-year-old boy for a double killing last month and a 19-year-old man for a slaying Monday night.

2004 Sun All-State Baseball Team: Noteworthy: The Huskies' southpaw ace dominated Nevada competition in his senior season ... All-State Player of the Year, earning his second straight selection to the first team ... coaches voted him Sierra Region pitcher of the year ... went 12-1 on the mound in 75 innings ... most impressive are his 115 strikeouts, a pace of 1.3 per inning ... allowed just 40 hits and 19 walks, and also recorded a save ... committed to play at Long Beach State, but opted to turn pro after being picked in the fifth round by Minnesota ... "Schoenbachler dominated on the mound ...

Nevada is near bottom in fed funds for students: By Emily Richmond; There was some good news and bad news for Nevada's public schools in a new report from the U.S. Census Bureau.

Friday's horse racing entries: Post Time 7:05 p.m.

UNLV's Bybee signed torture documents: WASHINGTON -- Justice Department documents that advised the White House that torturing captured al-Qaida terrorists "may be justified," were signed off by Jay Bybee, a former constitutional law professor at the University of Nevada, Las Vegas Boyd Law School, who is now a federal judge.

Some Indians switch to wealthier casino tribes: Andrew Kramer; GRAND RONDE, Ore. -- Charles Leno worked a dead-end job dealing cards at the Chinook Winds casino on the Oregon coast, earning minimum wage and not much in fringe benefits.

County, Wal-Mart battle over lease deal escalates: The fight over a planned Wal-Mart on county land has become increasingly antagonistic as county officials and the developer argue whether a legal lease exists.

Casino watchers pondering possible antitrust issues: Some casino industry watchers have begun wondering how the regulatory scrutiny of an MGM MIRAGE acquisition of Mandalay Resort Group would be affected if a Democratic administration is in power.

Wynn says 'Avenue Q' will enrich experience: By Jeff Simpson; Steve Wynn has lured the winner of the Tony Award for best musical to Las Vegas, the Strip casino-resort developer announced Wednesday.

Wynn's Macau project growing: Las Vegas casino executive Steve Wynn will build a larger resort in Macau than anticipated. On Wednesday he outlined plans for a $705 million resort with a large casino, 600 hotel rooms and retail and restaurant amenities.

Divers search for woman at lake: Divers this morning were continuing to search a portion of Lake Mead for the body of a 37-year-old Las Vegas woman.

Three shot outside Las Vegas lounge: Several Hells Angels were drinking in the bar about 2 a.m. when they got into an argument with some non-biker gang members, Officer Jose Montoya said.

Crisp finally secures coveted 4A state title: Adam Candee; Shannon Crisp fell painfully short twice as the hunter, unable to snare an elusive state championship.