Print edition for May 28, 2004

Change in scenery pays off for Flores: Nick Christensen; Last year's Sacramento River Cats won nearly 100 games, the PCL championship, and a place in the league's record books as one of its greatest teams ever.

Not-guilty plea entered by Hansens: CARSON CITY -- In a case that the ACLU says raises serious constitutional issues, Janine Hansen and her son pleaded not guilty in Reno Municipal Court Thursday to misdemeanor charges of trespassing while circulating an initiative petition at the bus station in a case that raises constitutional issues.

Odds are against him, but Hearn just happy for ride: By Brian Hilderbrand; Richie Hearn will start Sunday's Indianapolis 500 from the 30th starting position in a car he had never even seen until seven days ago and in which he has made only 136 laps around the historic Indianapolis Motor Speedway.

WestCare denied state funds: CARSON CITY -- WestCare, Clark County's crisis triage center that provides emergency care for alcoholics, drug addicts and the mentally ill, again came up empty in its search for more state money.

VegasBeat -- Timothy McDarrah: De Niro to embrace Queen at Paris: The Oscar-winning film star will be at Paris Las Vegas on June 27 to make the official announcement about the Queen musical, "We Will Rock You," which his Tribeca Productions is co-producing.

Columnist Susan Snyder: Judgment takes brief vacation: Natural selection.

Mesquite warehouse planned: Construction is scheduled to begin in June and the warehouse is expected to open in June 2005 and employ 65 people.

Business briefs for May 28, 2004: TURIN, Italy -- Fiat SpA Chairman Umberto Agnelli, whoonce favored selling the car company founded by his grandfather in 1899, died today of lymphatic cancer at his family home near Turin, Italy. He was 69.

Nevada 'Black Book' may grow: Brendan Riley; CARSON CITY -- The state Gaming Control Board is scheduled next week to consider recommending a "black book" listing for a computer expert and convicted slot cheat who has cost Las Vegas casinos millions of dollars.

Victims describe teen rock attack: By Matt Pordum; The first full day of the trial of alleged 311 Boyz member Scott Morse included critical testimony from two of the victims and three of his one-time codefendants.

Coalition wants to convince Hispanics Bush is their man: Kirsten Searer; Though most Hispanic voters in Nevada cast ballots for Al Gore in 2000, supporters of President Bush said Thursday they hope to convince Latino voters to vote their way in 2004.

Southwest offering buyouts to employees: David Koenig; DALLAS -- Southwest Airlines is offering employees cash and other perks if they quit to help the carrier manage overstaffing in some jobs.

Planners approve cell towers in residential neighborhoods: Dan Kulin; A proposal to change Henderson zoning laws to allow wireless communications towers in residential areas was supported by the city Planning Commission Thursday and is scheduled to go to the City Council for final approval in early July.

Editorial: Database is too limited: There is a place that the school district can turn to and get more information about a teaching candidate. The National Crime Prevention and Privacy Compact of 1998 created a database for states to share criminal records to be used in pre-employment reviews. This allows school districts to check the FBI's database to see whether a teacher that they are considering hiring has a criminal background. There is, however, a serious shortcoming to this worthy database -- only 21 states, including Nevada, belong. Some of the largest states, which also would have the largest pool of candidates, such as California ...

Hotel boss sees no reason for slaying: Jen Lawson; Steven Allmaras, slot manager at the Virgin River hotel in Mesquite, had a regular day at work Tuesday. He left about 6 p.m., then made the 80-mile drive to his home in southwest Las Vegas.

Letter: Leaders' remarks beyond bizarre: Vice President Dick "I had other priorities" Cheney followed that up by announcing that John Kerry wasn't fit to lead the nation during these perilous times. Then House Speaker Dennis "I had a bum shoulder so I couldn't serve" Hastert tops them all by giving Sen. John McCain (a longtime resident of the "Hanoi Hilton") a lecture on war and sacrifice. Please tell me who's laughing longer and louder: George Orwell or P.T. Barnum?

Vegas conference on Iraq set: The conference is being sponsored by the U.S. Army and will be held from 7 a.m. to 7 p.m. Small business owners can meet with six prime contractors that will help to rebuild Iraq and hear from Army experts about the contract-bidding process.

Blood drives: Tuesday: 8 a.m. to noon, AAA Charleston, 3312 W. Charleston Blvd.; 8 a.m. to 1 p.m., Nextel Partners, 6880 Bermuda Road; 8 a.m. to 4 p.m., Cannery Casino, 2121 E. Craig Road, North Las Vegas.

It's time to answer nagging questions: Are they coming?

Overhaul of Senior Rx plan called a good prescription: CARSON CITY -- Hoping to avoid capping enrollment, the state plans to overhaul Nevada's Senior RX program, which helps an estimated 9,000 low-income seniors pay for their prescription drugs.

Gaming briefs for May 28, 2004: Responding to soaring gas prices in recent weeks, Harrah's Entertainment Inc. has begun a program that will offer free gas cards to members of its Total Rewards slot club loyalty program.

Tax advice firm out of business: Kevin Rademacher; Amid mounting legal battles, National Audit Defense Network has shut down -- leaving hundreds of Las Vegas employees out of work.

Sports briefs for May 28, 2004: Calling it the right thing to do, the president of the University of Colorado reinstated suspended football coach Gary Barnett and said no one will lose their jobs for one of the worst college athletics scandals in years.

Education foundation awards scholarships to 151 graduates: The scholarships varied in amounts and eligibility requirements and were provided by a cross section of community leaders, businesses, organizations and individuals.

Pre-pay gas stations eliminate theft issue: Jen Lawson; Many drivers fed up with high gasoline prices have been filling up their vehicles and speeding off without paying throughout the country, but those types of "gas runs" are rare in the Las Vegas area, police and gas station owners say.

Letter: 'Incompetent' label for Bush is justified: Could it be that she sees that the reasons that the Bush administration gave for going to war -- weapons of mass destruction, Saddam's nuclear weapons program, and his ties to al-Qaida -- have all turned out to be false?

Ralph Siraco's Hollywood Park selections: 1st Race -- MY MISS STORM CAT -- Flores aboard Baffert trainee for owner Friendly, draws inner box for short sprint opener, Miss may Storm into winners circle. MARIA'S POSADA -- Draws outside post in six-filly maiden field at dash distance, Vergara astride La Croix trainee, Posada diploma? Value Play -- WEST GREELEY

Cooler weather expected for holiday: Memorial Day weekend may be the unofficial start of summer, but weather forecasters said the Las Vegas Valley will experience cooler temperatures and gusty winds today through Saturday.

Rebels still in the swing: Normally, unless the site is Wrigley Field and the wind is blowing out toward Waveland Avenue, you wouldn't expect a team that sets a record for hits in a postseason game would go into its last at-bat even on the scoreboard.

Editorial: 'Tomorrow' is now: Nonetheless, because the movie's fictional U.S. president and vice president scoff at the dangers presented by global warming -- sound like any administration you know? -- there has been controversy over its release. Some conservatives have said the movie is a thinly veiled attack against the Bush administration, noting that the vice presidential character physically resembles Vice President Dick Cheney. Of course, the White House itself didn't help matters when, as USA Today reported, the administration initially told NASA officials they couldn't discuss the film with reporters. Once the media disclosed the gag order, a chagrined White House decided to ...

NRC might need more time on Yucca: Suzanne Struglinski; WASHINGTON -- How long the Nuclear Regulatory Commission will take to review the Energy Department's Yucca Mountain project license application largely depends on the quality of the application, the commission chairman said Thursday.

Letter: People over 50 shortchanged: People are living longer and are still active in their 60s, 70s, 80s and beyond. The aging of America, you know.

Not just fiddling around: Youths excited about ceremony: Ed Koch and Mary Manning; The members of the Boulder City Hometown Fiddlers who will be attending the World War II National Memorial Dedication Ceremony Saturday in Washington, D.C. :

Gladiators to take on familiar Columbus foes: Adam Candee; Columbus Destroyers (6-9) at Gladiators (7-8) Sunday, 3 p.m., Thomas & Mack Center Radio: ESPN 920-AM. TV: None

Columnist Lisa Ferguson: Black making the most of not-so-sudden fame: Lisa Ferguson; Less than 48 hours after his first HBO special, "Black on Broadway," aired this month, the comedian had this to say of the finished product: "I was really pleased, except for what I was wearing.

More suspects sought in credit card ring: Jace Radke; Authorities are continuing to search for four Southern Nevada residents wanted in connection with a Romanian crime ring alleged to have used purloined credit cards and fake driver's licenses to steal hundreds of thousands of dollars.

Public hearing set on Southwest Gas rate hike: The rate increase is part of a general rate case designed to raise the natural gas distribution company's annual Southern Nevada revenue by $18.9 million. In general rate cases, utilities are allowed to recover construction and maintenance costs for distribution systems.

Parallel Paths: Similarities abound for pop legends Madonna, Prince: Spencer Patterson; Dig a bit deeper, however, and you'll discover the pair have actually traveled along extraordinarily similar, parallel courses throughout their well-documented careers.

Obituaries for May 28, 2004: Gertrude Aronstein, 72, of Las Vegas died Wednesday in a local hospital. She was born Aug. 17, 1931, in the Bronx, N.Y. A resident for eight years, she was a homemaker.

Shuffle Master profit improves: On a per share basis, earnings at the Las Vegas company were 21 cents per share compared with 16 cents a year earlier.

Columnist Dean Juipe: Local fighter is latest to use bankruptcy for own benefit: Dean Juipe; Few athletes have the ability and, perhaps more important, the financial wherewithal to succeed and reach the professional level entirely by themselves. Whether it's mom and dad footing the bills for equipment, or coaches hammering home the fundamentals during daily drills, or investors supplying cash to live on and providing time for development, the typical athlete is indebted to any number of Good Samaritans.

Group releases more evidence of alleged wrongs by Head Start chief: By Timothy Pratt; A national group that represents most of the nation's 2,600 Head Start programs on Thursday released what it said is new evidence showing the alleged wrongdoing of the nation's top Head Start official.

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

Community briefs for May 28, 2004: The Cannery hotel and United Blood Services are hosting the first community blood drive at the North Las Vegas hotel from 11 a.m. to 7 p.m. Monday and from 8 a.m. to 4 p.m. Tuesday.

Controversial homes to be considered: The Planning Commission recommended against the proposed zoning changes last month.

Girl, 5, drowns in backyard pool in Spring Valley: A neighbor said she had tried to warn the family at a southwest Las Vegas home where a 5-year-old girl drowned Thursday that they needed to keep the gate around the pool closed and locked.

Feds sue in Las Vegas to bust 'Net pharmacy scam: Scammers lured consumers to a Web site with a bogus offer of pharmacy-discount cards and then tried to debit $10 million from their checking accounts, but only about 30 percent of the debits were successful, U.S. consumer-protection regulators said Thursday.

Nebraska casino opponents recruit national crusader: Scott Bauer; LINCOLN, Neb. -- Information will win out over money in the battle to legalize casinos in Nebraska, a national anti-gambling advocate said.

Reid considers bid for Indian committee seat: Nevada Sen. Harry Reid says that if Democrats win control of the Senate this November, he may try to become chairman of the Senate Committee on Indian Affairs to head off Indian gaming measures that could hurt casino companies.

Fishing report: Expect action this weekend at the lakes: Anglers who will be heading to Lake Mead for Memorial Day weekend should find big crowds and good fishing as the action for striped bass has been holding steady in the Overton Arm and is improving in the Boulder Basin.

Promoters of slots in Ohio give up: Andrew Welsh-Huggins; COLUMBUS, Ohio -- Backers of a proposal to place slot machines at racetracks gave up Thursday trying to put the issue before voters in November, saying time is short and the cost of gathering signatures is too expensive.

Columnist Muriel Stevens: Marche Bacchus a slice of French heaven: My friend, the agreeable diner, and I are accustomed to getting lost. That's how we become familiar with new areas. With directions from the restaurant we made only one false turn (which gave us a lovely picture of the lake) and arrived in time to see the spectacular view from the terrace. We chose to dine indoors.

Jail expansion left from ranking: Jace Radke; A Justice Department report on prison and jail inmates states that the Clark County Detention Center is the most overcrowded jail in the nation, but the report fails to take into account an expansion project completed in October 2002 that doubled the jail's capacity.

Columnist Barb Henderson: Take a hike ... and aid a scenic trail: Barb Henderson; Are you interested in doing some volunteer work? Well, come on, grab your gloves and head to the mountain.

Columnist Brian Hilderbrand: Coca-Cola race has local flavor: Las Vegas will be well represented in Sunday's Coca-Cola 600 NASCAR Nextel Cup race at Lowe's Motor Speedway as three native sons are set to take the green flag in the longest race on the series' schedule.

MGM Grand's 'La Femme' is an impressive body of work: The painter controls the brush. The author controls the word. The dancer controls the movement.

Columnist Jeff German: Reading the official Guinn line: Word got out this week that Gov. Kenny Guinn decided not to reappoint Gaming Commission member Augie Gurrola to a fourth term.

News briefs for May 28, 2004: Two townhouses were damaged Thursday afternoon from an apparent natural gas explosion.

2-year-old reported missing found with cocaine in system: By Matt Pordum; A 2-year-old child who was reported missing by his mother on May 22 and later found two days later being pushed in a stroller by his father was found to have cocaine in his system, according to a Metro Police arrest report.

Proposal for school uniforms is rejected: By Emily Richmond; A split vote by the Clark County School Board doomed a proposal Thursday that would have allowed campuses to set mandatory uniform policies for students.

Retired LV prosecutor Leen dies at age 62: Tom Leen, a retired Las Vegas prosecutor who put away some of the region's most high-profile killers in the 1980s, died Wednesday night at his Las Vegas home. He was 62.

Feds want Gentile off Malone case: Federal prosecutors have secretly moved to disqualify attorney Dominic Gentile from defending former County Commissioner Lance Malone in the FBI's political corruption probe involving the activities of a local topless nightclub owner.

Arbitration ordered in veterans home dispute: CARSON CITY -- The Nevada Supreme Court Thursday ordered the state to go to arbitration in a dispute with a Las Vegas contractor who was pulled off the job during construction of the Southern Nevada Veterans Home in Boulder City.

Nevada senators praise water saving efforts: U.S. Sens. Harry Reid, D-Nev., and John Ensign, R-Nev., praised Las Vegas Valley's conservation efforts this morning in a meeting with Southern Nevada Water Authority officials and other regional leaders but said the state still needs to do more to develop its internal resources.

Battle brews over sales tax hike: Clark County Commissioner Lynette Boggs McDonald said Thursday she is likely to support a ballot initiative on a proposed sales tax increase for more police.

Airport screeners busy this weekend: Stephen Curran; A day after Homeland Security Secretary Tom Ridge asked U.S. residents to be on the lookout because of a possible terrorist threat, officials from McCarran International Airport and the Transportation Security Administration on Thursday announced a plan the agencies say will make their post-Sept. 11 safety measures more efficient.

County to begin regular checks of mobile home parks: Sito Negron; Clark County officials and utility company personnel will team up to begin systematically checking mobile home parks for problems relating to health and safety starting sometime next week, Ron Lynn, the county's business services director, said Thursday.

A welcome tribute: Local WWII veterans eager for unveiling of D.C. monument: Army Pfc. Larry Bauer was 19 years old and the second oldest man aboard an amphibious transport heading toward Omaha Beach under heavy fire at 6:40 a.m. on D-Day, June 6, 1944.

Delivery firms take big hit: Johnson, president of City-Xpress Inc., a 13-year-old business that delivers produce and beverages, has watched his fuel costs nearly double in the past four months, from $4,100 a week to $7,800.

12-year-old boy riding dirt bike killed in collision: The boy, 12-year-old Sean Parker, was riding his Honda XR 100 dirt bike near the intersection of Amigo Street and Eldorado Lane about 5:30 Thursday evening when a 1989 Chevrolet Blazer driven by 80-year-old William Billings, also of Las Vegas, crossed into his path, forcing Parker to broadside the vehicle.

Seniors forced to wait for test scores: By Emily Richmond; High school seniors waiting to find out if they passed the statewide proficiency exam required for graduation will have to be patient -- a mistake in the computerized scoring system has caused a delay, Nevada Department of Education officials said Thursday.

Columnist Susan Snyder: Bike Month had lessons for every day: WEEKEND EDITION

Groups honored for Sun Camp Fund work: May 29 - 30, 2004

Letter: Tapping U.S. oil reserves unwise: May 29 - 30, 2004

Community bands together to help child with cancer: Caitlin Hudgins; WEEKEND EDITION

Columnist Jon Ralston: City's special election is absurd: WEEKEND EDITION

Where I Stand -- Columnist Brian Greenspun: A message of hope: WEEKEND EDITION

Letter: For cheaper gas, downsize cars, drop speed limit: May 29 - 30, 2004

VegasBeat -- Timothy McDarrah: English studied at Hard Rock: WEEKEND EDITION

'Tiger Jam' set for Saturday: And pop sensation Prince will be the featured entertainer for the event.

Editorial: Honoring our fallen soldiers: May 29 - 30, 2004

World War II: The woman's view: Lynn Doan; May 31, 2004

New seat belt law aimed at keeping kids safe longer: Heather Rawlyk; WEEKEND EDITION

Riveting stories abound about homefront Rosies: Caitlin Hudgins; May 31, 2004

Columnist Spencer Patterson: 'Plea For Peace Tour' nudges young people to vote: Spencer Patterson; That's actually not the case, explained Matt Maginn, bassist for indie rock band Cursive, one of four acts on the "Plea for Peace" bill.

Performing Arts for May 28, 2004: 'Under the Stars'

Writing his Course: WEEKEND EDITION

Datebook for May 28, 2004: Author and explorer Bonita Chamberlin will discuss her experiences in Afghanistan at 7 p.m. Tuesday at the University United Methodist Church, 4412 S. Maryland Parkway. Admission is free. 876-0454.

Columnist Jerry Fink: Stars come out for Giovi's Vegas debut: The 35-year-old native of Trenton, N.J., arrived in Las Vegas a couple of months ago to pursue his musical career.

Columnist Jeff German: Infighting damages anti-terror campaign: WEEKEND EDITION

T.J. Kirk cops its own trek: Spencer Patterson; Think T.J. Kirk is a peculiar name for a jazz combo?

On Display for May 28, 2004: Reno artist Matt Theilen's photography show, "Visions of Home," hangs from Thursday to June 30 at Art @ the Funk House, 1228 S. Casino Center. Admission is free. 384-0092.

Sling Shot at Adventuredome fun -- for a quickie: Kirk Baird; As of late I've developed a habit of ordering appetizers at restaurants in lieu of a main course.

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