Print edition for March 23, 2004

Water plan foes cite need for studies: CARSON CITY -- The federal government wants years of studies before the state allows the Southern Nevada Water Authority to pump water from rural valleys to serve the growing population of Las Vegas.

Editorial: Money well spent: The 2003 Legislature acted none too soon in setting aside $1.5 million to begin the work associated with bringing a heart-transplant facility to Southern Nevada. As approved last week by the Board of Regents, which oversees the Nevada School of Medicine, $250,000 of that appropriation will be used to fund a study that will answer basic questions. What is the need here? What can the state afford? Will private businesses step forward with donations? Can there be a partnership among the School of Medicine and private surgeons and investors?

UtopIan: Ian maintains idyllic relationship with fervent fans: She's an original troubadour whose longtime relationship with her fans is symbiotic.

Letter: Gibbons defends No Child Left Behind Act: That is why I, along with a bipartisan majority in Congress, including every member of Nevada's congressional delegation, passed these historic reforms. Now, through accountability and flexibility, we will create an education system that truly meets the needs of all children in Nevada and in the nation.

Immunization schedule for March 23, 2004: HENDERSON PUBLIC HEALTH CENTER: 129 W. Lake Mead Drive, Building A, Suite 10, 8 a.m. to 4:30 p.m., Monday through Friday.

Nevadans will be honored for the arts: The Governor's Arts Awards recognize outstanding and enduring contributions to Nevada through artistic achievement, commitment and service to the arts.

Columnist Susan Snyder: Doing the twist while on the job: At the Thomas & Mack Center.

Community briefs for March 23, 2004: The Barbara Greenspun WomensCare Center of Excellence, 100 N. Green Valley Parkway, Suite No. 330, is offering whole birth yoga classes from 1 p.m. to 2:30 p.m. Saturdays at St. Rose Dominican Hospital's Siena Campus.

Editorial: Crowd's act has grown tiresome: Even though the Legislature received a green light to pass tax increases with a simple majority, lawmakers ultimately passed a tax hike with a two-thirds vote, a situation that should have made irrelevant any legal challenge, including one to the U.S. Supreme Court. But the anti-tax, anti-everything crowd kept at it, trying to get the federal courts involved in what purely is a matter that should be handled by the state. It's been amusing watching the ideological contortions of the appellants, who always decry what they perceive to be federal judicial activism, as they sought outside federal intervention.

Casino association, foes update websites: By Liz Benston; The American Gaming Association is sharpening a well-used tool in its long-running battle with casino foes nationwide.

Three plane crash victims identified: Jace Radke and Mary Manning; Three of the five people killed last week when the Air Force plane they were flying in crashed about 125 miles northwest of Las Vegas in the Nevada Test and Training Range have been identified.

Court hears Nevada case on IDs: Suzanne Struglinski; WASHINGTON -- Oral arguments were Tuesday in the Supreme Court case examining a Nevada law that requires people to identify themselves to police who are doing an investigation, even if they have done nothing wrong.

Lady Rebels enjoy home court edge in postseason: Although they are discovering there's no place like home during the Women's National Invitation Tournament, the Lady Rebels aren't exactly sure how they got there.

Obituaries for March 23, 2004: Joseph F. Aliseo, 84, of Henderson died Sunday. He was born March 20, 1920, in Palermo, Italy. He was a retired tool and die maker, a World War II Army veteran, a member of the Veterans of Foreign Wars, American Legion Post 1323 and FAM 854.

Sports briefs for March 23, 2004: Bryant, 25, has said the two had consensual sex at a Vail-area resort where the woman worked. He faces four years to life in prison or 20 years to life on probation if convicted of felony sexual assault.

VegasBeat -- Timothy McDarrah: Fans line up at Mikels' 'Blood' letting: Timothy McDarrah; Now there's a good horror-movie line.

Letter: Sacrifices should be spread evenly: So all we have to do is be patient and all his campaign promises will come true. He is trying to instill in us a false sense of security. But we the people have to be smarter; in spite of his rhetoric, we should also sacrifice for the good of our country. If it doesn't say "Made in America by Americans," don't buy it.

Nellis unveils its war room: Jace Radke; Already the home of the highest levels of training for Air Force pilots, Nellis Air Force Base now has a high-technology center for commanders to hone their decision-making abilities while directing aircraft and airmen during war.

Neal is keeping them guessing: CARSON CITY -- Sen. Joe Neal, D-North Las Vegas, the first black elected to the state Senate, is considering not running for re-election, political sources say.

Gaming briefs for March 23, 2004: Horseshoe Gaming Holding Corp., Jack Binion's three-riverboat casino operation, reported Friday in a Securities and Exchange Commission filing that the company expects its $1.45 billion sale to Harrah's Entertainment Inc. to close by the end of June.

Letter: Slogan needs grim reminder: MARK CRONIN

Pension funds agitating for change at media giant: The investors, including the California Public Employees' Retirement System, the nation's largest pension fund, sent a letter to Disney Chairman George Mitchell on Monday requesting the meeting be scheduled immediately.

Marriage details emerge: Erica D. Johnson; Trisha Miller said Alfred "Chip" Centofanti, a successful lawyer, and his beautiful young wife, Virginia "Gina" Eisenman, appeared to have the perfect marriage in early 2000.

Store owners, discouraged by lottery hassles, quit selling tickets: Bill Poovey; MCMINNVILLE, Tenn. -- After five weeks of selling scratch-off tickets for Tennessee's new lottery, convenience store co-owners Randy and Karen Marsh decided they had had enough.

Software giant attacks proposed $615 million EU fine: With a tough ruling against Microsoft due Wednesday, trans-Atlantic tensions also began to rise as they did the last time the EU took on U.S. corporate giants and blocked the General Electric Co.'s planned deal for Honeywell International Inc.

Haege benched for his tirade: Adam Candee; Frank Haege's tantrum triathlon of headset toss, shirt slam and 25-yard sprint was a Thomas & Mack Center favorite, but Arena Football League commissioner David Baker apparently did not see much entertainment value.

Columnist Brian Hilderbrand: Lawsuit settlement near, Texas in line for 2nd Cup race: Less than six weeks after NASCAR chairman Brian France said he did not anticipate a settlement in a lawsuit filed against NASCAR by two Speedway Motorsports Inc. stockholders seeking a second Nextel Cup race for Texas Motor Speedway, it appears as if the two sides are close to settling.

Preps schedule: Baseball

No cause determined for fire that killed 12-year-old girl: The girl has been identified by the Clark County coroner's office as Abigail Click.

Details revealed on unique retail center: Jennifer Shubinski; Developers of the first mixed-use "lifestyle" retail center in the Las Vegas area unveiled a new name and an interesting tenant mix today, with some of the stores opening for the first time in Henderson and others found nowhere else in Las Vegas.

'Net gaming operator Cohen freed from prison: Internet gaming whiz Jay Cohen insisted on facing south to talk to a Sun reporter after his release Monday from the minimum-security Nellis Federal Prison Camp because, he said,"you're not supposed to look back."

Ralph Siraco's Santa Anita selections: 1st Race -- BULITA -- Hustling Pedroza on freshman filly, draws good post for 2-furlong dash, boot 'n scoot here. DOUBLE D APPEAL -- Draws good box for straight sprint, Santiago up, Double stepping graduate? Value Play -- WEYBRIDGE

Scaled-down gambling expansion plan offered: Senate Majority Leader Lana Oleen, R-Manhattan, said her proposal was an alternative to "some sloppy, greed-driven measures" that have gained legislative support this session.

Targets with depleted uranium questioned: About 7,900 radioactive uranium rounds are fired at the 2.9 million-acre range every year, and those rounds are gathered and disposed of at low-level waste facilities, Nellis officials said.

Board urges kindergarten expansion: By Emily Richmond; Expanding the state-funded kindergarten day from 120 minutes to 200 minutes of instructional time will be a top priority for the Nevada Board of Education in the 2005 legislative session, lawmakers were told Monday.

Change would slash $91 million from utility's rate hike: Kevin Rademacher; Public Utilities Commission member Adriana Escobar Chanos is proposing that the PUC cut Nevada Power Co.'s general rate case request from $133 million in additional annual revenue to $42 million.

L.A. rehab center seen as model for Las Vegas: Jen Lawson; With the number of child prostitution arrests rising in Las Vegas, a group of local social service officials is exploring the possibility of setting up a rehabilitation facility to help young prostitutes turn their lives around.

Man shot in robbery attempt in parking lot of Orleans: The attempted robbery occurred shortly after 12:30 a.m. today.

Obesity could crush health system: Kirsten Searer; It will take a combination of state agencies, school districts, medical professionals and private employers working together to alleviate the epidemic of obesity, legislators and experts said Monday.

News briefs for March 23, 2004: An argument between two men in a convenience store Monday night apparently continued in a vacant lot behind the building, where a gunfight left a 27-year-old man dead, North Las Vegas Police said.

Las Vegas home prices continue to soar: The median price of a new local home in February was $210,795, a 13 percent increase from February 2003's $186,581. The median new home price in January was $204,487, Home Builders Research Inc. reported.

Columnist Dean Juipe: Law students get taste of boxing dispute: Dean Juipe; Sitting in the back of the classroom Monday at UNLV, I realized I have a tendency to at least philosophically side with a manager or a promoter when he has a contractual dispute with a fighter. That manager or promoter may have treated the fighter as if he were no more than an indentured servant, yet it's the manager or promoter who is footing the financial bill and, in theory, attempting to do what's best for the fighter if for no other reason than to recoup his investment.

Columnist Jeff German: Downtown developing an attitude: But if Barrick Gaming, which takes over four struggling downtown casinos on Thursday, does half of what it says it will do with the properties, then maybe there's hope after all.

Pack in the house: As he's done for five years, Nevada-Reno coach Trent Johnson arrived in his office Monday morning at 6 and shut the door. Then Stanford coach Mike Montgomery phoned with congratulations, followed by Michigan State coach Tom Izzo.

UNLV student claims dorm eviction unjust: Constitutional rights and a zero-tolerance policy on controlled substances were placed at odds during a student hearing at the University of Nevada, Las Vegas, on Monday afternoon.

Faculty discusses qualities for CCSN chief: Heather Rawlyk; Faculty members of the Community College of Southern Nevada said Monday night they were looking for a "proactive" school president to replace Ron Remington, who was demoted to faculty by regents in November.

Group home upgrades came too late to save pair: Jen Lawson; A plumber went to an assisted living home in eastern Las Vegas to install a fire sprinkler system Saturday, but it was too late, a fire department spokesman said.

Insanity defense raised in killings: Erica D. Johnson; Alfonso "Slinkey" Blake, 33, entered the plea in the March 5, 2003, deaths of Sophear Choy, 19, and Priscilla Van Dine, 22, and the attempted murder of Kim Choy, 23.

Stock markets fluctuating as investors seek direction: NEW YORK -- Investors heartened by good earnings news sent stocks higher as they sought bargains today, one day after the Dow Jones industrial average nearly fell below the 10,000 mark.

Las Vegas company purchases land for tribe: The proposed casino would include a 15-story hotel tower with 250 rooms, a 148,500 square-foot casino with 3,000 slot machines, 90 table games and a 750-seat bingo parlor. It also will include a health club, pool, restaurants, bars and a 70,000 square-foot convention facility.

Documents show problems have dogged EOB for years: By Timothy Pratt; A review of minutes and other documents from the embattled Economic Opportunity Board suggests that there were signs of the nonprofit agency's current troubles more than a year ago.

S&P outlook optimistic on Las Vegas, gaming industry: By Liz Benston; A healthier economy, strong convention bookings and a gradual return in high-roller play are expected to boost casino performance in Las Vegas this year compared to last, a major ratings agency said.

Gorbachev says U.S. wrong to invade Iraq: Dan Kulin; Former Soviet President Mikhail Gorbachev on Monday said the United States was wrong to invade Iraq before exhausting all diplomatic efforts and without the support of much of the international community.