Print edition for June 25, 2004

Editorial: Pain and heartache: June 26 - 27, 2004

Letter: Reciting pledge is voluntary: If 10 percent of the population is offended by "under God," so be it. Of course, I do humbly apologize to anyone offended by the word "God" or the sight of a cross.

Three arrested in meth bust: Heather Rawlyk; Two men and one woman were arrested early Wednesday evening after a North Las Vegas Police officer found nearly 3 pounds of methamphetamine and more than $20,000 in cash in a car the three were occupying.

New sewer lining shortens traffic-tying digs: Molly Ball; A fancy, high-tech method is being used to bring the city's sewers up to date. It's a complicated process involving space-age materials and chemical reactions.

Clark County lands strong bond ratings: Clark County has received strong bond ratings from two service bureaus that rate the financial condition of local governments.

Slot stocks rise on Penn. deal: Shares of International Game Technology, WMS Industries Inc., Alliance Gaming Corp. and Penn National Gaming Inc. rose Thursday after Pennsylvania legislators and Gov. Ed Rendell reached a tentative agreement on allowing slot-machine gambling in the state.

On Display for June 25, 2004: Artist Jane Marquez exhibits her latest acrylic paintings in "Visions of the Southwest" from Tuesday to Sept. 21 at Spring Valley Library, 4280 S. Jones Blvd. A reception will be held from 5 p.m. to 7 p.m. Tuesday, June 29, at the library. Admission is free. 507-3820.

Habitat volunteers eager to move to newest homes: Caitlin Hudgins; WEEKEND EDITION

Boy wants to spend time learning about nature: June 26 - 27, 2004

Letter: 10th Amendment precludes dump: June 26 - 27, 2004

Blood drives: Tuesday: 10 a.m. to 8:30 p.m., Career-Ed Institute, 2290 Corporate Circle, Henderson; 8 a.m. to 1 p.m., Signature Lincoln Mercury, 3030 E. Sahara Ave.; 9 a.m. to 2 p.m., University of Nevada, Las Vegas.

Bo's rap: Spencer Patterson; WEEKEND EDITION

Columnist Susan Snyder: Making a case for a ward: Over here. It's us, Steve -- your fringe people. We'd like a word with you about your plans for Las Vegas Ward 2.

Letter: Conservation will be essential: June 26 - 27, 2004

Editorial: Turmoil at college is distracting: June 26 - 27, 2004

Letter: State innovating to meet mental health needs: The article referenced a recent decision by the Medical Examiner's Board to allow physicians in their third year of specialty training in family medicine to perform medical histories and physicals at Southern Nevada Mental Health Services. It was clear from reading this article that Ms. Slovic is not aware of the extensive training and supervision that physicians receive prior to entering into their third year of residency training. In addition, Ms. Slovic's article did not address the mental health care needs of our state.

Editorial: Back to the future?: The public overwhelmingly supported creating a professional, federal airport security force after 9-11, but President Bush and Republican leaders in Congress opposed a federal force because of their devotion to turning over government services to the private sector. Privatization is a cozy relationship that has worked out well for the companies that provide these services (in the form of lucrative contracts) and for those elected officials who support it (in the form large campaign contributions from the winning bidders). To get Republicans on board who support privatization, then, the final legislation in 2001 contained some sops to privatization. One of ...

Judge asked to OK late pot petitions: By Matt Pordum; A group trying to put an initiative on the Nov. 2 ballot to legalize possession of up to 1 ounce of marijuana has asked a judge to determine whether the Clark County registrar is "disenfranchising voters" by not accepting 6,000 signatures after the deadline.

Girls lobby to bring ice cream shops back to town overrun with slots: Vicki Smith; WEIRTON, W.Va. -- It was bad enough when Bruster's ice cream shop became a gambling parlor. But when both Dairy Queens closed to make way for mini-casinos, two 11-year-old girls had to act.

Nevada officials lobby against direct funding for Yucca: Suzanne Struglinski; WASHINGTON -- Rules placed on the Energy and Water spending bill debate taking place in the House today could make it hard for the Yucca Mountain project to get the money it needs.

City banking on future of 'island': Dan Kulin; Putting a price on first impressions may be difficult, but in North Las Vegas they're worth millions.

Performing Arts for June 25, 2004: Swing music

Datebook for June 25, 2004: The Cultural Affairs Division of the Las Vegas Department of Leisure Services presents the movie "Aladdin" 2 p.m. Thursday at the East Las Vegas Community/Senior Center, 250 N. Eastern Ave., as part of its "Summer Children's Film Series." Admission is free. 229-1515.

Sahara's 'Saturday Night Fever' unafraid of boogie men: What: "Saturday Night Fever."

News briefs for June 25, 2004: Keystone Academy, a Sandy Valley charter school serving high school students at risk of dropping out, will remain open.

Federal-local task force to target LV crime: Jace Radke; A federally sponsored violent crime initiative will include officers from local police departments as members of a task force designed to weed out criminals in Las Vegas over the next six months.

LV man sentenced to 10 years in Internet sex case: By Matt Pordum; A 37 year-old Las Vegas man on Thursday was sentenced to four to 10 years in prison on charges he used the Internet to lure a 16-year-old to a hotel room to have sex.

Columnist Jerry Fink: Ofria's saxophone playing is a work of art: That's kind of like saying Picasso painted.

Where I Stand -- Columnist Brian Greenspun: Advice from the enemy: WEEKEND EDITION

In live recording, Monk is 'It': Spencer Patterson; For all his first-rate studio recordings, Thelonious Monk shined most brightly onstage.

Evaluating underwater sites: Some resources ready for consideration include:

VegasBeat -- Timothy McDarrah: Gans gives 'Beautiful' tribute: WEEKEND EDITION

Door opens to new nuclear future: Molly Ball; A machine that performs nuclear physics experiments -- the most powerful device of its kind in the world -- has been moved to the Nevada Test Site and will be unveiled Monday.

Thousands of sites affected: Industry experts and the Homeland Security Department were studying the infection to determine how it spreads across Web sites and find adequate defenses against it.

Out at Home: Spencer Patterson; Thousands of tourists pour into Las Vegas every weekend for the chance to get indoors for production shows and concerts along the Strip.

Editorial: Nonprofits need better oversight: A Democratic candidate for the state Senate seat representing North Las Vegas, Horsford resigned from the Workforce board Wednesday, citing "personal and professional commitments." In our view, he should never have served on the board. Although the federal bylaws do not expressly forbid it, such an arrangement is a clear conflict.

Mack to leave after clash over strategy: Mack, co-chief executive, petitioned the Credit Suisse board in recent months to consider a merger with another financial institution to better compete in a rapidly consolidating industry, according to people close to the investment bank, Credit Suisse First Boston.

Columnist Jon Ralston: State GOP is inept on Yucca: WEEKEND EDITION

As lake recedes, relics revealed: As Lake Mead continues to drop in the midst of a drought, the National Park Service is asking the public for ideas on how to protect historical treasures emerging from the deep.

Columnist Susan Snyder: Prisoners face tough treatment: WEEKEND EDITION

Vegas seeks to secure water future: WEEKEND EDITION

Columnist Muriel Stevens: Master Sommelier Geddes teams with Rochat: Geddes was one of the youngest master sommeliers ever to earn the coveted title; he was one of only 25 Americans who earned the M.S. diploma in 1995.

Columnist Lisa Ferguson: Comedy, computers complementary for Solmssen: Lisa Ferguson; Not because he can't hack it as a stand-up comic: In fact, he performs most every night at comedy clubs, coffeehouses and other venues around Los Angeles. For several years, Solmssen also booked and hosted a weekly late-night comedy show.

No ifs, ands or ... NOW to visit LV: The women of NOW may meet the Crazy Girls of the Riviera next month.

Community briefs for June 25, 2004: The Charleston Neighborhood Preservation Association will host a question and answer session for U.S. Senate candidates from 6:30 p.m. to 8:30 p.m. Monday at the West Sahara Library, 9600 W. Sahara Ave.

Middle Ages celebrated at museum: Caitlin Hudgins; WEEKEND EDITION

UNLV outpaces UNR in fund-raising: CARSON CITY -- UNLV is far better than the University of Nevada, Reno at raising private donations for its research and public services programs, a legislative audit shows.

County to make deal on new trauma centers: Dan Kulin; The Clark County Health District board on Thursday decided to follow one of the recommendations from a citizens task force and will seek an agreement with the state to give the county power over trauma care issues here.

Lincoln land bill called unwise: An umbrella group of environmental organizations working to block the Southern Nevada Water Authority's efforts to develop groundwater resources in central Nevada today slammed a federal bill as "unwise, unnecessary and unacceptable."

Ruling sought on gag order covering judicial candidates: CARSON CITY -- The secretary of state's office is uncertain whether it has authority to make a change in the rules that would allow candidates for the judicial offices in Nevada to talk about cases and how they might rule on them.

Ruling clears up death penalty question: CARSON CITY -- The state attorney general's office said today a decision Thursday by the U.S. Supreme Court on the death penalty settled that issue for 12 condemned killers in Nevada.

51s' Theodorou team's lone pick for All-Star Game: Nick Christensen; Las Vegas 51s outfielder Nick Theodorou, batting .293 in his third season at Triple-A, was named to the Pacific Coast League All-Star team Thursday.

VegasBeat -- Timothy McDarrah: Sleight-of-hand Mac is King of comics: Add Harrah's headliner Mac King to the list. Well, add his cousin Bill King.

Obituaries for June 25, 2004: Welfredo Baja, 40, of Las Vegas died Tuesday in a local hospital. He was born Sept. 15, 1963, in Cebu, Philippines. A resident for one year, he worked in casino hard count.

Arena league still confident about Las Vegas: Adam Candee; Arena Football League commissioner David Baker spent plenty of time Thursday touting the success of the league's recent expansion and relocated franchises during his state of the league conference call.

Chair umpire out after bogus point: WIMBLEDON, England -- The chair umpire who awarded an extra point to Venus Williams' opponent during her second-round loss at Wimbledon won't work another match during the tournament.

Columnist Spencer Patterson: Queen's legacy at risk in musical production: Spencer Patterson; "We'd like to avoid comparisons with 'Mamma Mia!' " Taylor said, referring to the ABBA-based production at Mandalay Bay.

Coroner's jury to rule on Taser death: Officer Reggie Rader shocked William Lomax with a Taser stun gun several times while trying to restrain him, police said.

Lawmakers lobby FERC on utility's contracts: Kevin Rademacher; After failing to receive a response to two previous letters, Nevada's full congressional delegation is again lobbying the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission to review contracts the state's electric companies had with disgraced Enron Corp.

Suspect's alibi challenged in slaying of nightclub singer: Lynn Doan; A police detective testified Thursday that a 49-year-old man charged in last month's slaying of his ex-girlfriend lied to him about where he had been on the night of her death.

Ex-teacher's aide's probation threatened by contact with teen: By Matt Pordum; The attorney representing a former teacher's aide accused of violating the terms of her probation by having contact with the special education student she had sex with when he was 16 years old said "there is another side to the story."

Sports briefs for June 25, 2004: Vancouver Canucks star Todd Bertuzzi was charged Thursday with assault for a sucker-punch that broke Steve Moore's neck, an attack that prompted an outcry about hockey violence.

Columnist Barb Henderson: New facility a leap into future for Girl Scouts: Barb Henderson; Pass me s'more!

Corrections: Because of an error by the Sun, a story in Wednesday's Metro section incorrectly reported how Steven Horsford was appointed to the Southern Nevada Workforce Investment Board. Horsford was nominated by the AFL-CIO and appointed by a consortium of local elected officials, as per federal law. The Sun regrets the error.

Gaming briefs for June 25, 2004: PROVIDENCE, R.I. -- Voters would decide whether an Indian casino should be built in West Warwick under a bill approved by the Senate Thursday night.

Columnist Dean Juipe: Arum doesn't feel boxed in by hotel merger: Dean Juipe; Conventional wisdom would seem to indicate the merger of MGM Mirage and Mandalay Resort Group will lead to reduced competition when it comes to bidding on major boxing events in the city.

Audit: State computer not secure: CARSON CITY -- Security is so lax on the state's computer system that someone was able to hide pornographic and other movies on the system and then distribute them, a legislative audit says.

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

Re-signing McBains first step toward building 2004-05 roster: Nick Christensen; The re-signing of brothers Jason and Mike McBain was just the start of an intense month of putting next season's Las Vegas Wranglers together, according to coach and general manager Glen Gulutzan.

Trials ... or tribulations? Tasha has to prove herself: In theory, the U.S. gymnastics trials should serve as the final signpost on the Road to Athens.

Mason says he won't give up uniform fight: By Emily Richmond; Faced with zero support from his Clark County School Board colleagues, Vice President Larry Mason backed away Thursday from his effort to confine a pilot study of mandatory student uniforms to schools in the southeast region.

Change at top a boost for race: Dean Juipe; The Las Vegas Marathon may have been guilty of stagnating in recent years, with flat purses and declining registration.

Booming Nevada economy lifts retail sales 14.2 percent: CARSON CITY -- Nevada's economy continues to boom with merchants reporting a 14.2 percent gain in taxable sales in April.

Fishing report: In a slow week, Boulder Basin produces results: Fishing activity and success declined from the previous week with boaters reporting some success in the Boulder Basin and Overton Arm, and shore anglers continuing to have not much luck.

Emerging Mack wants to be seen: Adam Candee; In her first season of high school golf, Mackenzie Mack emerged as a star for Cimarron-Memorial. She earned medalist honors numerous times, earned a berth in the 4A state tournament and finished tied for ninth in that field of Nevada's best high school players.

Columnist Brian Hilderbrand: Gaughan sees light at end of the tunnel: Brendan Gaughan is disappointed, but not discouraged.

Title sponsor has its plan on track: From Chris Powell's viewpoint, the transition from Winston to Nextel as the title sponsor of NASCAR's premier racing series has been seamless.

Election may have solved redistricting: Sito Negron; Las Vegas City Council may have solved two problems with this week's special election: Filling the Ward 2 seat left vacant by the appointment of Lynette Boggs McDonald to the Clark County Commission and figuring out a way to redistrict without disenfranchising voters in four precincts.

Ralph Siraco's Hollywood Park selections: 1st Race -- SEEKING THE HEART -- Solis scales Mandella trainee, draws good box for turf route opener, filly has The Heart to be Seeking the winners circle here? SUNETTE -- Draws inner post for maiden two-turn grass run, Nakatani on Dollace trainee for owner Reddam, graduation sun sets on Sunette? Value Play -- JUSTLY ROYAL

Las Vegas attorney named to state Gaming Commission: Cy Ryan and Kevin Rademacher; John T. Moran Jr., a high-profile Las Vegas lawyer and former sheriff's deputy who has already served on two state boards, today was named to the Nevada Gaming Commission that oversees the state's casino industry.

Planning for new Las Vegas veterans hospital advances: A groundbreaking for a new VA hospital in Las Vegas could occur early next year, Rep. Shelley Berkley, D-Las Vegas, said at a hearing Thursday.

Lost money in child services found: CARSON CITY -- Because of poor communications and a lack of training, a state program that provides treatment for emotionally disturbed children failed to collect millions of dollars in available federal funds to offset its cost.

American Medical Response, union trade charges over delays: Michelle Swafford; Union-supporting American Medical Response paramedics and emergency medical technicians confronted their managers Thursday morning, accusing them of failing to cooperate in negotiating a union contract over the past two years.

Henderson settles with developer: The Henderson City Council earlier this month approved a $3.35 million settlement with the Thomas & Mack Co. over the taking of land to widen Sunset Road near U.S. 95 and realign Gibson Road in 2000. The project affected a 17-acre parcel at Sunset and Gibson owned by Thomas & Mack.

Candidate criticizes purchase of SUV: By Emily Richmond; Several members of the Clark County School Board on Thursday defended the district's purchase of $29,888 sport utility vehicle for Superintendent Carlos Garcia, calling it an appropriate and reasonable expense.

B of A, Wells arrange new Harrah's credit: Bank of America Corp. and Wells Fargo & Co. are arranging a $2.5 billion revolving credit for Harrah's Entertainment Inc., the Las Vegas-based casino owner said in a statement.

Feds: Perkins in violation of Hatch Act: Dan Kulin; The U.S. Office of Special Counsel announced Thursday that it filed a complaint last week with the Merit Systems Protection Board claiming that Nevada Assembly Speaker Richard Perkins, a Henderson deputy police chief, violated the prohibition against running in a partisan election in 2002 and again this year.

Candidate Allen tossed from ballot: Kirsten Searer; The state AFL-CIO will be shopping for a new candidate in Senate District 11 now that Democrat Todd Allen has been tossed from the ballot.

Pared-down Yucca budget set for OK: Suzanne Struglinski; The House of Representatives was expected to pass a bill today that would give the Energy Department $131 million for work on Yucca Mountain next year, a fraction of what the department requested.

CCSN auto tech training program is overwhelmed: In 2003:

Columnist Jeff German: Bush plays us for state full of fools: We're being played for fools by the president of the United States.

Clerk shot to death: Heather Rawlyk; The only thing that Layla Hana knew when she arrived at the Kwiky Mini Mart on Tropicana Avenue late Thursday afternoon was that the convenience store where her nephew works had been robbed earlier that day.

Tainted milk may have reached valley: Stephen Curran; Shipments of milk found this week in California laced with minute traces of a chemical used to produce rocket fuel may have reached Southern Nevada grocery stores, the state's top dairyman said Thursday.

Pennsylvania slots drive spills into Maryland: Gretchen Parker; ANNAPOLIS, Md. -- Gov. Robert Ehrlich publicly stepped up pressure on leading Maryland lawmakers Thursday to approve expanded gambling, a day after Pennsylvania legislators tentatively agreed to legalize slot machines in their state.

FBI questions central figure in CCSN probe: Mary Manning and Christina Littlefield; A woman at the center of the controversy over lobbying and hiring practices at the Community College of Southern Nevada has been subpoenaed to testify before a federal grand jury next month.