Print edition for May 13, 2004

Sierra Vista solves PV's Callaway: Adam Candee; The sun barely peeked over the mountains Wednesday evening as Lindsey Callaway entered the pitching circle for Palo Verde. Nightfall quickly followed for the Panthers' sophomore hurler against Sierra Vista, and it came well before the sun disappeared.

Fight schedule: At El Cajon, Calif., Javier Jauregui, Mexico, vs. Julio Diaz, Coachella, Calif., 12, for Jauregui's IBF lightweight title; Jhonny Gonzalez, Mexico, vs. Alejandro Montiel, Mexico, 10, flyweights.

Peter brings raw talent, perfect record to ring: Dean Juipe; Samuel Peter doesn't have much to say, unless you're listening to his fists. Then his message comes in loud and clear.

Sports briefs for May 13, 2004: UNLV's Christine Spence was the surprise leader in the heptathlon, while Devin Scoresby of BYU led in the decathlon after the first day of competition Wednesday at the 2004 Mountain West Conference Outdoor Track and Field Championships at UNLV.

Columnist Brian Hilderbrand: Ex-NBA player Hammonds once raced cars, now selling them: Tom Hammonds hasn't slowed down one bit since stepping away from the NHRA Pro Stock category last season.

Woman convicted in killing over sports bet ticket: By Matt Pordum; A jury found a woman guilty Wednesday of murdering a man over a $44,000 sports ticket.

Top seeds advance to semifinals: The tightest match involved Silverado (SE-2), which fell behind two games to one before rallying to beat Rancho (NE-3), 25-20, 25-27, 22-25, 25-13, 15-13. The Skyhawks will take on Northeast Division champion Chaparral, which survived a spirited effort from Foothill. The Cowboys dispatched the Falcons (SE-4), 20-25, 25-15, 25-23, 25-22.

High court denies appeals of two killers: CARSON CITY -- The Nevada Supreme Court on Tuesday rejected the appeals of two Las Vegas convicted murderers, and the state's high court also overturned a lower court decision that favored Sunrise Hospital and Medical Center in a dispute with a doctor.

Two Nevadans join Bush panel: County Commissioner Lynette Boggs McDonald and first lady Dema Guinn will participate in the team, which includes important Republicans such as presidential advisers Mary Matalin and Karen Hughes and Labor Secretary Elaine Chao.

51s to renew push for new stadium: Dan Kulin; When, or if, Las Vegas is eliminated from consideration for the Montreal Expos, the Las Vegas 51s will renew the club's push for a new minor league baseball stadium, 51s President and General Manager Don Logan said.

House bill would open federal land for hotel: The "unique circumstances" of 11 acres of federally owned land south of Mandalay Bay make it a good site for a future hotel even though that is not compatible with neighboring McCarran International Airport, according to a bill sponsored by Nevada's representatives in the House.

Gators one-up Coronado to secure regional crown: Nick Christensen; When Del Sagers returned as Green Valley's boys' golf coach, many thought that Coronado's two-year reign as Sunrise Region champion was about to end.

Columnist Dean Juipe: Judah makes quick turnaround between bouts: Dean Juipe; A mere 35 days after losing a major fight, Zab Judah is back in Las Vegas and back in a tough fight.

Sturtze anticipating trade to the Yankees: Nick Christensen; Before Wednesday's game at Cashman Field, Las Vegas 51s pitcher Tanyon Sturtze seemed frustrated with his situation and with being stuck in the minor leagues.

Jones aims to stay at the top: Dean Juipe; Boxing's reigning pound-for-pound champion neither cares much for the distinction nor prefers to comment on it, yet it's a factor anytime Roy Jones Jr. steps into the ring.

Lowe to President Bush: Howdy, partner: It's not very often that a rodeo cowboy will trade in his Resistol and Wranglers for a tie and sport coat. So when Will Lowe's wife suggested the world champion bareback rider update his wardrobe for a recent after-hours function, he began to grumble.

Columnist Ron Kantowski: So. Nevada Sports Hall gets malled: During my one and only trip to the Southern Nevada Sports Hall of Fame, that John Barr guy tried to sell me a Toyota.

VegasBeat -- Timothy McDarrah: Vintage Stern has The Joint jumping: A few notable moments:

Lost in the shuffle: Chroniclers scouring for rare World Series of Poker mementos: "That's Puggy Pearson," Schwartz says, referring to the poker legend. "He's an amazing character."

Man arrested in alleged attempt to meet girl: Glen Patrick Bonner remained in the Clark County Detention Center Wednesday. His bail was set at $750,000.

Editorial: No baseball team before its time: In an exclusive front-page story Wednesday, the Sun revealed that the investors behind the effort are now asking for the public to finance a "significant portion" of the stadium. Major League Baseball, in deciding which cities will be finalists in the quest to land the Expos, will look most favorably upon those applications that include public financing.

Letter: Speed limits and other traffic laws must be enforced: Fortunately, I no longer need to use the expressway system to get back and forth from my home in the southwest part of the city to Las Vegas Boulevard for work. The risks that drivers take on our surface streets, however, is just as serious as the hazards on our freeways. Hardly a day goes by when I don't witness a fellow driver run a red light. It's become somewhat of a game each day as I count the number of drivers who continue to run red lights despite the risks to others.

News briefs for May 13, 2004: The state Parole Board will decide within a month whether Conan Pope, who killed his father in January 2000, should be released from prison.

Mayor watches his plate go at auction: Heather Rawlyk; Just minutes after the closing of the first of a two-day ethics hearing Wednesday night, Mayor Oscar Goodman was on a mission: to get his hands on Las Vegas Centennial license plate LV001.

Preps results and schedules: Sunrise Region Boys' Tournament At Siena Golf Club

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

Arts project to help troops, write about experiences: Dick Benoit; The National Endowment for the Arts is offering a series of writers workshops to help troops and family members tell about their wartime experiences.

Editorial: Naysayers lose again: Many Republican legislators supported the final tax plan, but some in the party's right wing couldn't get over the fact that they lost, prompting the sour-grapes legal challenges, including one to the U.S. Supreme Court, which refused to hear the matter. It's a tough time for the anti-everything legislators. They've lost every legal case and must be embarrassed as the Nevada economy continues to get stronger after the passage of the largest tax increase in the state's history -- an increase they predicted would ruin the economy. It's time for the naysayers to get over it and move on.

U.S. legislators told DOE behind in Yucca licensing: Stephen Curran; The Energy Department is "a little behind" in its effort to complete a necessary license application for a proposed rail route to Yucca Mountain, a top agency official told a meeting of state legislators in Las Vegas on Wednesday.

Obituaries for May 13, 2004: Dennis Frank Baer, 51, of Las Vegas died May 6 in Las Vegas. He was born Nov. 2, 1952, in Texas. A resident for many years, he was a laborer in the construction industry.

Skyhawks belt Las Vegas: Adam Candee; On the mound, experience made the difference. At the plate, youth announced its arrival.

License of group home that burned is revoked: A state bureau has revoked the license of the owner of a group care home which went up in flames in March, officials said this week.

Panel picks Carpenter next president of CCSN: In a rare showing of unanimity, the 19-member community college presidential search committee voted without discussion on Wednesday to recommend Richard Carpenter as the next president of the Community College of Southern Nevada.

Letter: Wages stagnant, prices increase: I don't know what Mr. Orsmby does for a living, but I doubt he has ever turned down a wage increase because he was concerned it would cause his employer to raise prices. Many people working minimum-wage jobs are not offered raises no matter how well they do their jobs or how many additional skills they learn.

Gtech stock falls on woes in Brazil, Puerto Rico: WEST GREENWICH, R.I. -- Gtech Holdings Corp., the world's biggest supplier of online lottery systems, Wednesday said a customer in Puerto Rico won't renew its contract when the current agreement expires in March 2005. The shares fell 7.6 percent.

Harrah's: Rhode Island can't lose with a casino: Michael Mello; PROVIDENCE, R.I. -- Harrah's Entertainment Inc. executives on Wednesday guaranteed to lawmakers that a West Warwick casino proposal would not lead to a decrease in state gaming revenue.

Cancer Society has memorial plan: Donations can also be made in honor of someone who has made a tremendous difference in a person's life.

Drugmaker settles lawsuit: The settlement stems from a U.S. investigation of collusion among drug companies and doctors to bill government health programs for free samples given as promotions. AstraZeneca Plc and Tap Pharmaceuticals Inc. pleaded guilty to criminal charges and agreed to settlements totaling more than $1.2 billion.

Profit numbers good for Eisner: For the quarter, net income at Disney increased 71 percent, to $537 million, or 26 cents a share, compared with $314 million, or 15 cents a share, in the period a year earlier. Analysts, as well as company executives, chalked up the rise in part to a recovering domestic economy, which has buoyed many of Disney's businesses. Revenue increased 11 percent, to $7.2 billion from $6.5 billion.

Letter: Negotiating on Yucca is crazy: Are these people crazy?

Community briefs for May 13, 2004: The 12th annual Unity Festival will be held from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. Saturday at Doolittle Community Center, 1901 N. J St.

Officials warned of problem gambling perils: Michael Mello; PROVIDENCE, R.I. -- John Cipolla gambled from the time he was a teenager, but said it wasn't until he starting going to casinos that his addiction, and life, spun out of control.

Details on how to finance a new stadium remain unclear: Launce Rake and Rob Miech; Those making the pitch to move the Expos from Montreal to Las Vegas hope to be able to offer up public funds as part of the package, though coming up with the money could prove to be a challenge.

Nevadan may have tried to stop abuse: Jace Radke; A transcript of a hearing into the scandal at Abu Ghraib notes that a Nevada National Guard soldier may have tried to report prisoner abuse at the Iraq prison last year only to be reprimanded by supervisors.

DMV admits mix-up in petition flap: SUN CAPITAL BUREAU; Just minutes after the closing of the first of a two-day ethics hearing Wednesday night, Mayor Oscar Goodman was on a mission: to get his hands on Las Vegas Centennial license plate LV001.

Tearful O'Connell files to defend Senate seat: Thomas L. Hurst (L)

Group winds up pitch for baseball in LV: More than a year of toil for Mike Shapiro, the point man for financiers who are trying to buy the Montreal Expos and move them to Las Vegas, has been reduced to a thick final proposal that is due Friday in New York.

Effectiveness of nurse ratios debated in committee: Michelle Swafford; Health care professionals disagreed Wednesday on whether state-mandated nurse-to-patient ratios would improve patient care in Nevada.

Scouts pull off 'miracle' -- with a little help: Heather Rawlyk; Tyler Pinegar likes to ride his BMX bike with his buddies and to play the guitar, unremarkable pastimes for a 13-year-old kid in northwest Las Vegas.

Vestin chief exec explains Namath ads' disappearance: Kevin Rademacher; Retired football star Joe Namath was released as spokesman for Las Vegas-based Vestin Group Inc. because of an embarrassing incident last year during an nationally televised game, Michael Shustek, Vestin's chief executive, said on Wednesday.

Alcohol level of 0.20 found in bus stop crash: By Matt Pordum; A man is charged with crashing his truck into a Las Vegas bus stop May 3, killing a 4-year-old boy and injuring his mother, had a blood-alcohol level that was 2 1/2 times the limit, according to court documents.

Cisco CEO: Firms must evolve to best use technology: Kevin Rademacher; Productivity has become a key component of the U.S. economic recovery.

Receiver still looking at claims against LV firm: A motion to establish a claims procedure with U.S. District Court could be filed on Friday. If accepted by Judge Kent Dawson, investors, landlords, vendors and other creditors would have several months to make claims against assets estimated by Donell at about $10 million.

Vegas a hotbed for controversial homeless videos: By Timothy Pratt; Nearly two years after videos of homeless people fighting in Las Vegas set off a national debate about free speech and treatment of the homeless, Las Vegas is once again set to become the epicenter of the issue.

Sun Boxing Rankings: Heavyweights (195+)

Gaming briefs for May 13, 2004: Some 3.29 million people visited Las Vegas in March, a 9 percent jump from March 2003 and the second-highest March on record, the Las Vegas Convention and Visitors Authority reported Wednesday.

Dump backers in House looking for answers: Suzanne Struglinski; WASHINGTON -- Yucca Mountain supporters in the House are trying to find ways to get full funding for the proposed high-level nuclear waste dump as well as answers about what will happen to the project's progress if money falls short.

Regulators move on phone, electric issues: Sprint, the dominant local telephone provider in Southern Nevada, made the proposal earlier this year at the urging of Laughlin businesses and residents. Under the plan, Laughlin customers will see residential rate rise $2.50 to $10.40 to match Las Vegas-area rates.

FAO Schwarz begins LV revival with search for creative talent: Jennifer Shubinski; Hiring a store full of new employees isn't usually fun and games -- except at FAO Schwarz.

Business briefs for May 13, 2004: Wal-Mart Stores Inc. and Target Corp., the two largest U.S. discount retailers, said today first-quarter profit rose as shoppers spent larger tax refunds on clothing. Gas price increases may hurt sales this year, Wal-Mart said.

Vegas air tour industry to press case at hearing: By Liz Benston; Air tour operators in the Las Vegas area are expected to argue at a local hearing next week that proposed new Federal Aviation Administration rules governing scenic flights nationwide are unneccessary and in some cases unsafe.

Stupak in boxing promotion dispute: Bob Stupak Presents LLC, which received a state license to promote boxing events in December, filed suit April 23 in Clark County District Court against Capital Promotions LC of Iowa over rights to fighter Tye Fields.

Schools' health costs for retirees double: By Emily Richmond; The Clark County School District's monthly contributions to health care costs for retired employees have more than doubled to $345,328, thanks to a new state law and changes to health care plans offered by the district's teachers' union.

Brown won't seek re-election: Kirsten Searer; Citing family commitments, Assemblyman David Brown has announced he won't run for re-election to his third term in the Legislature.

Goodman persona, job collide: Sito Negron; Las Vegas Mayor Oscar Goodman promotes the city like nobody else, creating a persona that sometimes makes it difficult for public information officials to determine where he ends and the city begins, testimony at the Commission on Ethics hearing showed Wednesday and today.

Decrease in rocket fuel chemical sales hurts earnings: The drop in sales and a charge resulted in earnings of $197,000, or 3 cents a share, compared with earnings of $2.7 million, or 37 cents a share, for the same period a year ago.

Ensign bill on foreign investors passes Senate: Suzanne Struglinski; WASHINGTON -- A newly passed Senate bill contains a provision backed by Sen. John Ensign, R-Nev., that would give American companies with foreign operations a tax break for taking money earned overseas and investing it in the U.S.

Tax hike suit hits a dead end in court: CARSON CITY -- A legal defeat in federal court has apparently ended Republican state legislators' efforts to erase last year's Nevada Supreme Court ruling that permitted taxes to be raised without a constitutionally mandated two-thirds vote by the Legislature.

County likely to get $15 million in security funds: Jace Radke; The $26.5 million in homeland security funds allocated to Nevada for fiscal year 2004 could be divided based on population if a subcommitee recommendation is approved by the Nevada Homeland Security Committee. About $4.5 million of the funds are for state use, $21.2 million for the 17 counties and about $800,000 will go toward state costs of administering the grants. The following breakdown was computed based on the subcommittee recommendation, on dividing the entire $26.5 million.

More biker gang members charged: By Matt Pordum; Three more members of the Mongols motorcycle gang and one member of the Hells Angels motorcycle gang have been charged with murder in connection with the 2002 Laughlin River Run riot.