Print edition for May 3, 2004

Teenager who shot sister accidentally is charged with murder: Ed Koch and Christina Littlefield; A 15-year-old boy charged with murder will plead guilty to a lesser charge in Juvenile Court while another 15-year-old boy similarly charged has begun his trek through the adult court system with the potential for similar results, officials said.

Gaughan proposes resort for Nebraska riverfront: OMAHA, Neb. -- A Las Vegas casino executive says he wants to develop a casino and hotel for Omaha's riverfront property that he believes could attract as much as 75 percent of Iowa casino patrons.

Editorial: Meter size matters: Unfortunately, Nevada Power is not basing the extra fee on actual power use. A 70-year-old retired Las Vegas woman found this out the hard way when the basic charge on her monthly electric bill shot up to $50. She lives in a 2,200-square-foot home and uses an average amount of power. When she bought her home in 1983, it was, unknown to her, equipped with a "three phase" electric meter, which simply enables the owner to increase power consumption if desired.

Gaming news briefs for May 3, 2004: INDIANAPOLIS -- Gambling regulators have cleared up a backlog of casino violations dating to 2001, ordering nine fines totaling $754,000.

Obituaries for May 3, 2004: Dexter Brengel, 95, of Las Vegas died Friday in a local hospice. He was born June 26, 1908, in New York City. A resident for 15 years, he was a retired electrical contractor, a World War II and Korean War Army veteran, a member of the American Legion and Spirit of Freedom Lodge Post 76.

Calm prevails as EOB troubles exposed: By Timothy Pratt; Two months into a series of scandals scorching the Economic Opportunity Board, the Las Vegas Valley's largest nonprofit agency -- ranging from $2.1 million in unaccounted-for state and federal funds to a 3-year-old left on a Head Start bus -- the political temperature generated by the agency's troubles is lukewarm.

Guinn: Steel shortage problem averted: CARSON CITY -- Gov. Kenny Guinn says the state has reached a deal to avoid a threatened slowdown on state construction projects due to the skyrocketing price of steel.

City putting mobile homes 'on notice': Sito Negron; The fallout from Friday's closure of Sky-Vue Mobile Park will continue this week as former residents settle into new homes, health and safety inspectors expand their inquiries into other potential problem parks and officials look into the Sky-Vue owners' business practices.

Editorial: Fake grass better than empty lake: The association decreed last week that homeowners cannot use artificial turf on any areas of their properties visible from the street. Its action was taken after a Summerlin resident swapped out his water-guzzling natural grass for the latest generation of fake grass, which is strikingly natural in appearance. The homeowner made the swap, at a personal cost of $2,000, to support Southern Nevada's efforts to conserve water. Water conservation is being pushed by the Southern Nevada Water Authority, as well as all local governments, as the best way to confront the ongoing drought. With aggressive conservation, Southern Nevada may just ...

Sports briefs for May 3, 2004: Venus Williams beat Svetlana Kuznetsova 6-1, 6-4 Sunday in the J&S Cup final in Warsaw for her second consecutive WTA tournament title and 11th consecutive victory.

Yucca may be creating rift in GOP ranks: Kirsten Searer; RENO -- Republicans downplayed talk that their party is bucking its traditional stance of opposing Yucca Mountain, but rhetoric at this weekend's state convention suggests there could be a growing divide within the party.

Supposedly sterile olive trees trying to go forth, multiply: By Emily Richmond; The Clark County School District has a horticultural mystery to solve.

Business news briefs for May 3, 2004: WASHINGTON -- Spending on construction projects around the country surged in March, registering the best month on record, new evidence that the economic recovery is building upon a solid foundation.

Five killed in traffic accidents: Heather Rawlyk; Five people, including three motorcyclists, died on Southern Nevada roads over the weekend.

Candidates line up early to file: Kirsten Searer and Cy Ryan; Candidates turned out early this morning to put their names on the ballot.

Safeway removes two directors: PLEASANTON, Calif. -- Safeway Inc., the No. 3 U.S supermarket chain and owner of Vons stores in Las Vegas, today said Kohlberg Kravis Roberts & Co. founder George Roberts and KKR partner James Greene will leave its board after pension funds complained about their business ties to the grocer.

Segway scooters taken for a spin in Las Vegas: Dan Kulin; For now Larry Lambeth's Segways are corralled in front of the Fashion Show mall, but he hopes that, over time, local leaders will see that the two-wheel motorized scooter is safe and easy enough to use on Strip sidewalks.

Ousted tribal members seek casino profit: Chris T. Nguyen; RIVERSIDE, Calif. -- A county judge considering whether to dismiss a lawsuit by people ousted from an Indian tribe says that tribal laws are not above the right to due process.

Corrections: Corrections

Reid seeks benefits for CIA's secret pilots: Suzanne Struglinski; WASHINGTON -- Former employees of Air America, an airline secretly owned by the Central Intelligence Agency during the Cold War, could receive retirement and other federal benefits if a new bill works through Congress.

Letter: National sales tax would be fair: Even with those facts on the table, the liberals and socialists still believe that the "rich" should pay a larger share of the income tax. How long do they think the Golden Geese will keep laying those Golden Eggs? If the Democrats keep it up, the Golden Geese will eventually move to Belize, lock, stock and bankroll. Who will pay for the goodies and provide the jobs then?

Senate may begin talks to classify nuke waste: Suzanne Struglinski; WASHINGTON -- A Senate committee could start deciding this week whether the Energy Department has authority to classify radioactive waste as high-level or low-level waste.

VegasBeat -- Timothy McDarrah: The Greatest KOs K-1 fight crowd: What was Muhammad Ali doing at the Bellagio on Friday night, presenting a title belt in a sport we've barely heard of to the guy who used to be in the Doobie Brothers? Or was he the former Las Vegas city councilman?

Teen jobs to dry up this summer: Stephanie Armour; Teenagers are facing the worst summer job market in decades despite signs more companies are starting to hire.

Police say Binion witness not credible: Jace Radke; Clark County prosecutors shouldn't have been surprised late last week when they learned that a Nevada prison inmate had told investigators last year that he had information about how casino heir Ted Binion had been killed.

Letter: Bush just doing his job when he planned for war: Too many uneducated writers (in international dealings) seek to discredit our president for being alert and on the job. Then, when something appears to have gone wrong (like Clinton's "no share intelligence wall") they are quick to say, "You should have had a plan in place." Well, President Bush had a plan in place and no amount of false statements will make any person interested in our national security think ill of him.

Recycled water key to valley's growth: By Launce Rake; In the drought-stricken West, any source of water is precious. In Las Vegas, even treated wastewater is becoming a more valuable commodity.

Gordon, crew hit their marks: FONTANA, Calif. -- In the span of 24 hours, Jeff Gordon's view of his chance to win Sunday's Auto Club 500 at California Speedway went from dismal to optimistic.

Perfection remains part of game for Smarty Jones: Ralph Siraco; Horse racing found its sequel to Seabiscuit on Saturday in Louisville. Take note, Hollywood. It's Smarty Jones.

Gladiators cruising in high gear: Adam Candee; Gladiators quarterback Clint Dolezel and receiver Marcus Nash have played rounds of golf and battled on the PlayStation to help develop their chemistry and friendship off the field.

Columnist Lisa Ferguson: Sun Lite for May 3, 2004: Lisa Ferguson; Let's cut to the chase, people: You have just six days to locate and purchase the perfect Mother's Day gift.

Birth announcements for the week of May 3, 2004: April 18:

Columnist Susan Snyder: Shop shows fabric of a community: Sally Nelson walked into Nanci Bowen's Boulder City shop looking as if she should be walking out.

Medicare cards for Nevada seniors explained: Michelle Swafford; Beginning today, people who are eligible for Medicare can begin signing up for prescription drug discount cards as part of a new benefit that takes effect in June.

Biker fails to appear again in Laughlin shootout case: One warrant remains outstanding on one of the nine motorcycle gang members indicted for murder and other charges in connection with the deadly April 2002 Laughlin River Run shootout.

Fleisher routs field in Bruno's Memorial Classic: Bruce Fleisher didn't let a delayed start or the sand slow him down at the Bruno's Memorial Classic at Hoover, Ala.

Caretaker proposed for council seat: With so many qualified candidates to fill the Las Vegas Ward 2 City Council seat vacated last month by County Commissioner Lynette Boggs McDonald, Mayor Oscar Goodman is looking into the possibility of holding a special election.

Columnist Dean Juipe: Abbreviated playoffs a big plus for AFL: Dean Juipe; It's a league that relies on tricks and quirky rules, with teams that utilize hokey marketing ploys in the name of wholesome fun.

Warrant issued for man sought in slaying: Jerry Salas was arrested March 25 and charged in connection with the slaying of Gerardo Ojeda-Garcia but was later released when witnesses did not show up at his preliminary hearing, Officer Tim Bedwell, spokesman for the department, said.

County recorder's office reduces operating hours: The Clark County recorder's office will reduce daily operating hours for the walk-in public by one hour beginning today.

Man gets prison time in fatal hit-and-run: A man who pleaded guilty to killing a pedestrian while driving under the influence of alcohol and cocaine told District Judge John McGroarty through an interpreter that it was God's will that he is still alive and the woman is dead.

Exclusive centennial license plates will be sold at auction: On May 12 plate numbers LV001 through LV100, some paired with special prize packages, will be awarded to the highest bidders during live and silent auctions between 5:30 p.m. and 7:30 p.m. at the Fremont Street Experience, Third Street Stage.

Angels consider turning to Sele: MINNEAPOLIS -- The Anaheim Angels are considering starting Aaron Sele in place of Ramon Ortiz in Thursday's game against the Tampa Bay Devil Rays.

Fuel call propels Biffle: The price for a gallon of gas is at a record high, but there are about a dozen NASCAR Busch Series drivers who would have given their right foot for a splash of fuel at the end of Saturday's Stater Bros. 300 at California Speedway.

Steve and Eydie show old magic at Stardust: It was as if there had been an entertainment drought in Las Vegas for the past four years.

New look given to nuke shipment: Suzanne Struglinski; WASHINGTON -- The Energy Department is evaluating its plan to ship nuclear waste from Ohio to the Nevada Test Site and will give the state a 45-day notice before anything gets moved, the department said Friday.

Stewart draws ire for recklessness: FONTANA, Calif. -- Tony Stewart, who angered several drivers last week at Talladega with what some said was overly aggressive driving that triggered a multi-car accident, made at least one more enemy Sunday.

Living in SPIN: Kirk Baird; The lovable lug on "Friends," played by Matt LeBlanc, is to be the star of his own sitcom, "Joey," next season on NBC.

Gibbons proposes new tax on debtors: RENO -- Rep. Jim Gibbons said he is looking into a new plan to make up for tax revenue lost to the state with the phasing out of the estate tax.

Gaughan beats heat, finishes 6th: FONTANA, Calif. -- Brendan Gaughan's most miserable day in a NASCAR Nextel Cup racecar also was his most memorable.

Indictment returned in child molestation case: A Clark County grand jury returned a 107-count indictment Friday against a Henderson man charged with molesting at least four juveniles from his trailer park and videotaping the encounters.

News briefs for May 3, 2004: Twenty homes were evacuated during a standoff in a Henderson neighborhood Sunday afternoon after a man fired shots inside his home during a domestic dispute.

Rawls is smooth and easy: Lou Rawls is the King of Cool, the Prince of Poise.

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