Las Vegas Sun

Archive for March 5, 2004

Columnist Ron Kantowski: Cup's 'Buschwhackers' runneth into Busch Series: In that the Busch Series is considered the official developmental series of NASCAR Nextel Cup, I guess that means we can expect to see Matt Kenseth conferring with Jason Keller or Hermie Sadler in the ...; 12:20 p.m.

Sports briefs for March 5, 2004: Jeremy Bloom, the Colorado wide receiver and World Cup skier, has signed his first two endorsement deals since the 2002 Winter Olympics.; 12:07 p.m.

Victim's mother testifies police worried him: He was sweating heavily, like he had just been out in the rain, Joyce Hicks testified this morning at a Clark County coroner's inquest.; 12:06 p.m.

Energy Dept. says nuke waste transit method leans toward rail: Kirsten Searer; The Energy Department will have a better idea of how to ship spent nuclear waste to Yucca Mountain in a year or two, an administrator for the department said this morning at a hearing of ...; 12:06 p.m.

News briefs for March 5, 2004: Five cars collided and seven people were injured Thursday afternoon when a white Mitsubishi Montero ran a red light at Sunset Road and Annie Oakley Drive, police said.; 12:06 p.m.

Schaeffer defends share sales: Mandalay Resort Group President and Chief Operating Officer Glenn Schaeffer this morning answered questions about the massive share sales by the company's top two officers, saying the sales were clearly motivated by personal reasons.; 12:05 p.m.

A giant dies: Sun executive editor, former governor was 74: As Nevada's governor from 1971 through 1978, Mike O'Callaghan:; 11:57 a.m.

Commission proceeds with ethics case against recorder: A panel of the Nevada Ethics Commission on Thursday ordered a hearing for Clark County Recorder Fran Deane, ruling there was enough evidence that she violated state ethics laws.; 11:51 a.m.

Columnist Barb Henderson: Retrievers strut their stuff: Barb Henderson; OVERTON -- Despite the muddy terrain from recent rainfall, the Overton Wildlife Management Area (OWMA) was ideal last weekend for the Las Vegas Hunting Retriever Club's fifth annual North American Hunting Retriever Association field tests.; 11:45 a.m.

World Series of Poker to remain at Horseshoe: Sito Negron; The World Series of Poker will be played downtown in 2005 after Harrah's Entertainment Inc. agreed to keep the world's top poker tournament at Binion's Horseshoe for at least one extra year beyond this year's ...; 11:41 a.m.

Room rates, occupancy drive Mandalay earnings: Mandalay Resort Group continued riding high on a wave of powerful Las Vegas performances in its fiscal fourth quarter, posting better than five times the net income than in the prior year's quarter, the Strip ...; 11:41 a.m.

Harrah's named leading bidder for Illinois license: By Liz Benston; Illinois regulators today selected Harrah's Entertainment Inc. as the leading bidder for a casino license that will be sold at auction next week.; 11:40 a.m.

Firm says premium channels only available on digital: The digital shift also includes all of the cable company's pay-per-view offerings, including sporting events and movies. That change first became apparent in September 2003 when customers in Las Vegas were only able to order ...; 11:38 a.m.

Nevada jobless rate falls: Kevin Rademacher; Nevada's unemployment rate fell in January as the state continues to outpace the nation in job growth.; 11:37 a.m.

Station in fourth Calif. tribal deal: By Liz Benston; Station Casinos Inc. today said it has signed an agreement with a Central California tribe to develop and manage a $225 million hotel-casino near the city of Madera, Calif., further cementing the company's reputation as ...; 11:37 a.m.

Voters OK casino in Death Valley: By Liz Benston; Voters in the Mojave Desert city of Hesperia, Calif., approved a ballot measure this week that upholds an agreement struck with the city last year allowing an Indian tribe in Death Valley to build a ...; 11:36 a.m.

Las Vegas resorts capitalize on popularity of NASCAR: Resort marketing experts say Las Vegas' NASCAR weekend has grown to New Year's Eve and National Finals Rodeo enthusiasm levels.; 11:36 a.m.

Catholic Healthcare West announces higher profit: Michelle Swafford; San Francisco-based Catholic Healthcare West, owner of two St. Rose Dominican Hospitals in Henderson, reported excess of revenue over expenses, or margin, of $79.9 million for the second quarter of fiscal year 2004 ended Dec. ...; 11:33 a.m.

VegasBeat -- Timothy McDarrah: Vegas weekend will have heads spinning: Tonight, funnyman Chris Rock plays MGM Grand Garden Arena. Saturday night on the same stage, making her first Vegas visit since that marriage thing, is Britney Spears. We hear that tabloid reporters are already staking ...; 11:25 a.m.

State college awaits its first grads: When the first graduating class of Nevada State College in Henderson stands up to accept diplomas in May, it won't be the usual pomp and circumstance.; 11:17 a.m.

Eye-in-the-sky RAID units watch over valley: Jace Radke; The familiar white, green and gold paint scheme of Metro Police helicopters can often be spotted during their daily patrols over the valley, but a less conspicuous group of helicopters is quietly flying hundreds of ...; 11:16 a.m.

Driver who killed landscaper only gets ticket: Jen Lawson; A woman who struck and killed a landscaper on Buffalo Drive last month will not face charges any more serious than speeding, which authorities say is further proof that Nevada needs stiffer penalties for motorists ...; 11:15 a.m.

Four jailed in slaying of teenager: Jen Lawson; Boulder City Police arrested four people Thursday in connection with the killing of a 17-year-old Silverado High School student, and one more is expected to be taken into custody soon, police said.; 11:14 a.m.

Witness collapses at hearing in death of 13-year-old: Erica D. Johnson; A preliminary hearing for two men charged with firing the shots that killed a 13-year-old North Las Vegas girl was postponed on Thursday after a key witness collapsed on the witness stand.; 11:14 a.m.

Columnist Jeff German: Lawyers, lawyers everywhere: The firm's namesakes, Randall Mainor and Richard Harris, are suing each other over the assets of the firm as a result of last summer's nasty breakup, which has been compared to a bitter divorce.; 11:12 a.m.

Gaming briefs for March 5, 2004: Illinois regulators today selected Harrah's Entertainment Inc. as the leading bidder for a 10th casino license that will be sold at auction next week.; 11:11 a.m.

School bus slams into wall: Heather Rawlyk; A Clark County School District bus crashed through a wall on the side of Mountain Vista Street on Thursday afternoon after its driver fainted behind the wheel and veered off the road.; 11:10 a.m.

Rebels set to suit up for the spring: Steve Guiremand; John Robinson begins what could be his last spring practice at UNLV on Sunday afternoon at Rebel Park.; 10:57 a.m.

Let the fun begin: 1:30 p.m. -- NASCAR Busch Series qualifying (two laps, all positions); 10:54 a.m.

Rebels face tough start: 2004 MWC Football Schedule; 10:43 a.m.

Guest Columnist Brendan Gaughan: Racing at home will be a thrill: I'm really getting pumped up for my first Nextel Cup race at Las Vegas Motor Speedway in the No.77 Kodak Dodge.; 10:35 a.m.

Martin set for another good run in Las Vegas: Nick Christensen; Last weekend, NASCAR took advantage of the leap year by giving its drivers a rare weekend off.; 10:34 a.m.

Now comes a real test for revived Gladiators: Adam Candee; Gladiators (2-2) at Georgia Force (2-2); 10:33 a.m.

Driver Appearances: Ward Burton -- 6-8 p.m., Johnny Walker RV, 3700 Boulder Highway.; 10:29 a.m.

U.S. sales surge: Chief Executive James Cantalupo is increasing sales by adding higher-price foods, such as salads, and Happy Meals with fruits and vegetables for health-conscious customers.; 10:12 a.m.

Lady Rebels stun Utes: The Lady Rebels snapped Utah's 27-game home winning streak and reached the 20-victory plateau for only the second time in 12 years.; 9:59 a.m.

Kinser works his way to front to capture preliminary event: In that it was just the first of two nights of racing, Steve Kinser's victory in Thursday night's World of Outlaws preliminary main event at Las Vegas Motor Speedway didn't count toward the pursuit of ...; 9:57 a.m.

Rebels' interim coaching staff successfully holding down fort: Spend a few decades in a certain industry or lifestyle, and an abrupt change that might otherwise produce anxiety and tension will lack those dramatic elements to those involved.; 9:56 a.m.

Racing fans geared up for big weekend: Dan Kulin; Thousands of race fans were already in top spectating form Thursday at the Las Vegas Motor Speedway, taking part in a pre-race tradition that for some is as much a part of going to a ...; 9:56 a.m.

Officials hope beltway eases traffic: Jace Radke; The Nevada Highway Patrol and officials with the Las Vegas Motor Speedway are banking on the beltway to help relieve some of the traffic for this weekend's NASCAR race, but race fans can still expect ...; 9:51 a.m.

State's preservation plans for Binion's home fall through: CARSON CITY -- A plan to acquire the home of pioneer gambling figure Benny Binion and turn it into a cultural and historical center has fallen through.; 9:50 a.m.

Program targets gambling addicts: Vicki Smith; MORGANTOWN, W.Va. -- Virginia Shelhammer has taken addicted gamblers to soup kitchens and credit counselors. She's worked with utilities to keep their power turned on. And she's watched families of every socio-economic stratum collapse in ...; 9:50 a.m.

Syracuse broke mold en route to '03 title: NCAA SNAPSHOT; 9:50 a.m.

SEC probes firings: The Pentagon is investigating whether former U.S. government employee Darleen Druyun helped the company get favorable terms on a $17 billion deal to lease or sell 100 refueling tankers to the Air Force. Boeing said ...; 9:49 a.m.

Rallies staged in protest of Bush ads: Kirsten Searer; More than 100 Democrats rallied in Las Vegas and Reno Thursday to protest the new national Bush-Cheney advertising, which is getting more air time in Nevada than in most of the rest of the nation.; 9:48 a.m.

Forum looks at minority access to colleges: Improving minority access to higher education was at the forefront of discussion at a community forum on education Thursday night at the West Las Vegas Arts Center.; 9:48 a.m.

Coroner's inquest weighing cops' involvment in man's death: The cause of Daryl Hicks' death was asphyxiation with phencyclidine intoxication, or PCP, as a contributing factor, according to the coroner's office.; 9:48 a.m.

Fishing Report: Weather slows area's anglers: Stormy weather and poor fishing contributed to the low fishing pressure throughout Lake Mead. Nevada Department of Wildlife (NDOW) creel census clerks said that there was minimal activity to report in the upper basin.; 9:43 a.m.

Fox celebrities to compete in weekend race at Bullring: Lead NASCAR announcer Mike Joy, infield host Jeff Hammond, pit reporter Dick Berggren, producer Neil Goldberg and "Totally NASCAR" announcer Sean Pragano will race identically prepared Mechanix Wear Speed Trucks in a 20-lap exhibition race.; 9:34 a.m.

Columnist Brian Hilderbrand: SAFER walls to be installed at LVMS: Las Vegas Motor Speedway will install the SAFER (Steel and Foam Energy Reduction) wall system at its 1.5-mile oval in time for next year's NASCAR Nextel Cup race, Speedway Motorsports president H.A. "Humpy" Wheeler said ...; 9:28 a.m.

Obituaries for March 5, 2004: Marjorie Marie Blackmon, 83, of Las Vegas died Tuesday in Las Vegas. She was born Jan. 31, 1921, in Wisconsin. A resident for 15 years, she was a retired assembler.; 9:26 a.m.

Energy conservation in schools discussed: Sponsored by the Energy Department and the district, the "EnergySmart Schools in Action" conference will be held at the Stan Fulton International Gaming Institute on the campus of the University of Nevada, Las Vegas.; 9:26 a.m.

Letter: Judge should be arrested: Meanwhile, another judge, Alabama's Roy Moore, was fired for displaying the Ten Commandments at his courthouse.; 9:25 a.m.

Letter: 'No Jobs Left to Find' is slogan: That's the bad news for Republicans. The good news for them is that Bush has $175 million to spend in an effort to explain away that pesky fact.; 9:25 a.m.

Letter: University jobs are clearly in executive branch: The Nevada Constitution's separation-of-powers article is too clear to be ignored. It's time some of these state-employee legislators, who have sworn to uphold that constitution, start complying with their oaths of office.; 9:24 a.m.

Senate panel hears nuke power praises: Suzanne Struglinski; WASHINGTON -- Nuclear industry and government officials touted the benefits of nuclear power at a Senate panel meeting Thursday as they made their pitch for more government incentives to help expansions, but made no mention ...; 9:24 a.m.

Marlin-Jones, UNLV prof, playwright, dies: Davey Marlin-Jones, a longtime UNLV theater professor and director who advanced the careers of young playwrights nationwide, died Tuesday at his Las Vegas home of cancer. He was 71.; 9:21 a.m.

Editorial: Plan for zoo is too much of a gamble: Under the Shers' proposal, there would be an exclusive two-year negotiating period, during which they would sketch out what the zoo would look like, what kinds of animals would be there -- and how much ...; 9:21 a.m.

Editorial: Redistricting follies: Representation among the wards should be as equal as possible in order to make sure that the residents who live in high-growth areas don't have their concerns, and their influence, appreciably diluted. Ward boundaries could ...; 9:21 a.m.

Ralph Siraco's selections for Saturday's races at Santa Anita: 1st Race -- DAMN THE TORPEDOES -- Draws good post for sprint opener, Santiago atop West trainee, aim-fire-hit? EXPRESSIONIST -- Hard-knocking runner draws well for tag dash, Baze aboard Spawr trainee, back class takes this. ...; 9:20 a.m.

Quotes on the death of former Nevada Gov. Mike O'Callaghan:: AP; "Nevada lost a treasure today. I lost a friend and a role model." - GOP Gov. Kenny Guinn.; 9:15 a.m.

This Week in Motor Sports: Schedule: Today, qualifying (SPEED Channel, 3:10 p.m.); Sunday, race (Fox, noon); 9:14 a.m.

Where I Stand -- Mike O'Callaghan: Iraq takes first step: What has been approved are the bare bones of an instrument that now must be built around during coming months. Amir Taheri, writing in the New York Post, finds it hard to agree with the ...; 8:55 a.m.

Community briefs for March 5, 2004: Author Stephen Nasser will speak at 6:30 p.m. Wednesday at the North Las Vegas Library, 2300 Civic Center Drive.; 8:51 a.m.

Funds released for youths leaving foster care: By Timothy Pratt; After months of growing controversy about a legislatively mandated program's management of the funds, the state announced Thursday that it will release nearly $1.3 million to help youths when they leave foster care. The money ...; 8:50 a.m.

Appeals court reverses ruling on canine training: CARSON CITY -- A federal appeals court ruled Thursday that Carson City failed to pay a former deputy sheriff a reasonable amount of overtime for the time she spent in her off-hours caring for and ...; 8:49 a.m.

Columnist Jerry Fink: Dixie Jazz Band is kinda successful: Their lives generally consist of one-night stands, a gig that may last a few days or a few weeks, a party here, a concert there.; 8:34 a.m.

Performing Arts for March 5, 2004: Chamber concert; 8:33 a.m.

Reed right in approach to his live recordings: Spencer Patterson; Critics disagree on the merits of Lou Reed's many solo discs, but surely they would concur on one point: The man has a fondness for live recordings.; 8:33 a.m.

The Battle of Britney: Youngsters, adults at odds over Spears' influence: Spencer Patterson; "When Britney Spears took to the media with her micro-micro-mini attire and the jewel in her navel, we saw a great impact, especially in the length of the skirts worn by our student body," said ...; 8:33 a.m.

On Display for March 5, 2004: "Stanley Mouse: The Man Who Drew the Face on Rock 'n' Roll," a series of posters and lithographs, will be displayed from 6 p.m. to 10 p.m. today at S2 Art Center, 1 E. Charleston ...; 8:29 a.m.

Datebook for March 5, 2004: Celebrate Women's History Month with an afternoon of inspirational art, health, spirituality and business workshops at the 2nd annual "Find Your Sacred Space" Expo at 1 p.m. Saturday at the West Las Vegas Arts Center, ...; 8:29 a.m.

Small room doesn't cramp Wyrick's style: Perhaps the biggest surprise with Steve Wyrick, known for his grand-scale illusions, is that he successfully moved his production from a 950-seat room at the Sahara to a 420-seat room at the Aladdin.; 8:28 a.m.

Columnist Spencer Patterson: Bootlegs (fortunately) not what they used to be: Spencer Patterson; The phrase is an oxymoron, especially for those of us old enough to remember the days of unauthorized concert bootlegs, both the vinyl and CD varieties.; 8:25 a.m.

Columnist Lisa Ferguson: Poundstone comes clean with 'Autobiography': Lisa Ferguson; Count Paula Poundstone among the latter -- literally as well as figuratively.; 8:24 a.m.

Columnist Muriel Stevens: Menus with Meaning spotlights Blau, Simon: Wines were provided by Sterling Vineyards; Simon owners Elizabeth Blau and Chef Kerry Simon hosted the dinner. Simon Chef de cuisine Alan Kwan and his staff prepared a marvelous meal.; 8:24 a.m.

Columnist Susan Snyder: Fight isn't a waste of time: "One minute before they flew into the World Trade Center, they flew over the Indian River nuclear power plant 40 miles north of Manhattan," Wasserman said. "If they'd decided to drop one minute earlier, we ...; 8:23 a.m.

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