Print edition for November 16, 2004

Bass Pro Shop opens: Bass Pro Shop opens

Time sheet charges lead to CCSN firing: Commnity College of Southern Nevada President Richard Carpenter fired a part-time employee and suspended the payroll duties of the man's supervisor Monday after learning that both had been charged with felonies for allegedly falsifying time sheets.

EPA is cracking down on environmental crime: Molly Ball; A North Las Vegas furniture maker had to spend $241,000 to reduce smog emissions. A homebuilder had to spend $193,000 to restore wetlands in southwestern Las Vegas.

Metro expected to settle suit: Jen Lawson; The husband of a woman who was dragged through Palace Station last year by a Metro Police officer is expected to settle a federal lawsuit against the department for $200,000, officials said.

Monday's Sports Transactions: AP; CLEVELAND INDIANS-Activated LHP Jason Stanford, RHP Kazuhito Tadano, INF Aaron Boone and OF Jody Gerut from the 60-day DL. Named Gary Tuck major league scout and Vic Gregovits senior vice president of sales and marketing.

State police vow crackdown on bars that pay on machines: "It would be best to get them out of there," said Rick Ohnsman, an Idaho State Police spokesman. "They're tempting fate. They never know when well come and knock on their door."

Utility seeks to recover $115.9 mil.: Kevin Rademacher; Nevada Power Co. on Monday asked the state Public Utilities Commission for permission to recover $115.9 million from its customers.

Clemency granted 'show and tell' killer: By Cy Ryan; CARSON CITY -- The state Pardons Board on Monday granted clemency to Sandy Shaw, who has served 18 years in prison for being connected to the murder of 21-year-old James C. Kelly in the desert near Las Vegas.

Obituaries for November 16, 2004: Clay Barnes, 63, of North Las Vegas died Sunday in Las Vegas. He was born April 5, 1941, in Bakersfield, Calif. A resident for 31 years, he was a maintenance technician for the Las Vegas Valley Water District.

Nurse details efforts to get help for diabetic girl: Molly Ball; Cheryl Botzet knew all about juvenile diabetes; she was well acquainted with the specifics of her young daughter's condition.

Child porn suspect held: Jen Lawson; Metro Police arrested a 41-year-old man on 25 counts of possession of child pornography after the manager of a northeast Las Vegas mobile home park told police he asked several boys to take photographs of each others' genitals.

Moore carries Rebels to win: Sheena Moore's 22 points and a 22-12 rebounding advantage in the second half carried the UNLV women's basketball team to a 66-63 victory Monday night against South Carolina in the second day of the WBCA/BTI Classic at Seattle.

Anti-slots group sues county over absentee ballots: No Casinos and Heather Veleanu, a Broward voter who is managing director of an animal rights group, have sued county elections officials. The suit was filed late Friday in Tallahassee.

New effort afoot to eliminate state controller's office: CARSON CITY -- As the state Controller Kathy Augustine tries to fight off removal from office, there is a renewed effort within the Legislature to abolish her office.

Slot maker files for bankruptcy: Innovative Gaming Inc., a unit of Innovative Gaming Corp. of America, made the filing in U.S. Bankruptcy Court in Las Vegas late last month. Yvette Weinstein, who was appointed trustee in the case, will have her first meeting with creditors Dec. 6.

Settlement expected in Metro suit: Jen Lawson; The husband of a woman who was dragged through Palace Station last year by a Metro Police officer is expected to settle a federal lawsuit against the department for $200,000, officials said.

Casino suppier's loss narrows: The Las Vegas-based company and leading maker of casino chips, which changed its name from Paul-Son Gaming Corp. in September, still reported a loss of $111,000 in the third quarter. That was narrowed from a loss of $701,000 for the third quarter of last year.

Killing of ex called first-degree murder: Molly Ball; A man who admitted he shot his ex-girlfriend in the head outside a karaoke bar was convicted of first-degree murder Monday.

Preps: Football schedule: Saturday, Nov. 20: 1A-2A-3A Championships 1A: Pahranagat Valley vs. Wells, 12 p.m., Sam Boyd Stadium 2A: Pershing County vs. Battle Mountain, 1 p.m., Lowry HS, Winnemucca 3A: Moapa Valley vs. Truckee, 3 p.m., Sam Boyd Stadium

EPA cracks down on polluting firms: Molly Ball; A North Las Vegas furniture maker had to spend $241,000 to reduce smog emissions. A homebuilder had to spend $193,000 to restore wetlands in southwestern Las Vegas.

Columnist Brian Hilderbrand: 'Happy Hour' going the way of dinosaur: NASCAR is eliminating the traditional "Happy Hour" final practice on Saturday at many of its Nextel Cup Series races in 2005, the sanctioning body announced Monday.

U.K. gambling bill to set initial super-casinos limit: Robert Hutton; The U.K. government will set an initial limit of eight Las Vegas-style super-casinos in its new gambling bill, to reduce opposition from members of Prime Minister Tony Blair's Labour party.

Gaming Commission set to vote on Hard Rock settlement: The 10-month controversy over the Hard Rock Hotel's racy advertising campaigns is expected to come to a close this week when the Nevada Gaming Commission considers a settlement agreement hammered out last month.

General Growth completes $12.6 billion merger: The previously announced sale price was $12.6 billion in cash and debt.

Nicklaus thinks Vegas will major in golf: Adam Candee; If you really believe that the PGA Championship might one day be somewhere in the emptiness north of Las Vegas, then Jack Nicklaus has a nice big piece of desert he'd like to sell you. Seriously.

Rib injury could keep Brimmer out of season finale: Steve Guiremand; UNLV coach John Robinson said All-American safety Jamaal Brimmer is doubtful to play in Saturday night's season finale at San Diego State because of bruised ribs.

Rocket redux: A sampling of major fights in Wayne McCullough's career

Kruger's lineup will stay flexible: WHEN: Wednesday.

Wednesday's horse racing entries: Post Time 12:30 p.m.

Fellow Cubans offer support to performers: Timothy Pratt and Jerry Fink; Otto Merida, executive director of the Latin Chamber of Commerce and one of the most visible Cubans in the Las Vegas Valley, said the members of the "Havana Night Club" show have been upset with him for months.

Coach's new approach has Valley near a title: Nick Christensen; When Valley's football team upset undefeated Foothill in Friday's Sunrise Region semifinal, Vikings players were quick to credit teamwork and each other for the team's turnaround season.

Columnist Jeff German: Tabish weaves tale of denial: Tabish may have stayed in character the last couple of days, as he took his fate and the fate of his co-defendant and former lover, Sandy Murphy, into his own hands by testifying.

Venetian owner reports loss: By Liz Benston; Incentive payments to executives worth about $62 million and about $49 million in grants of executive stock options helped drive down third quarter profit at the owner of the Venetian resort in Las Vegas.

National League Most Valuable Players: AP; 2003 - Barry Bonds, San Francisco

Judge to issue ruling on witness-tampering: Jace Radke; U.S. Magistrate Peggy Leen told attorneys Monday in a federal civil rights case that she will issue a written order addressing allegations that attorneys for Courtesy Mitsubishi tampered with witnesses.

Shares decline after missing SEC deadline: The government-chartered company estimated it would have a cumulative after-tax loss of $9 billion since January 2001 on financial contracts designed to protect against swings in interest rates if the SEC determines it doesn't qualify for so-called hedge accounting.

Court rules against two gamblers: CARSON CITY -- The Nevada Supreme Court Monday rejected the claim of two gamblers that they were illegally arrested by state Gaming Control Board agents while playing cards at Caesars Palace in Las Vegas in April 2000.

Bonanza ROTC honors Marine: Stephen Curran and Jace Radke; To his friends, Nicholas Anderson was the tall, tough, battle-ready Marine seemingly born to serve his country.

Sandoval to take job on federal bench: CARSON CITY -- Attorney General Brian Sandoval said Monday he will accept a nomination to become a federal judge, calling it the "opportunity of a lifetime."

Reid named Senate Democratic leader: Benjamin Grove; WASHINGTON -- Senate Democrats today elected Sen. Harry Reid, D-Nev., to replace Sen. Tom Daschle, D-S.D., as their leader.

Top 25 Schedule: AP; Wednesday's Game

Monday's Women's Major College Basketball Scores: AP; FAR WEST

Teacher caught up in prostitution raid on motel: Jen Lawson; A Silverado High School teacher who was moonlighting as a manager at a motel near downtown Las Vegas was cited Saturday, and another manager was arrested after a prostitution raid.

Columnist Ron Kantowski: Princeton puzzling as ever: Just a few months after leaving Air Force via the back door, Joe Scott has Princeton back on college basketball's front porch.

Prosecutor challenges Tabish: By Matt Pordum; Prosecutors elicited an ultimatum from the testimony of Rick Tabish for the jury to consider on Monday in the retrial of Tabish and Sandy Murphy for the murder of Ted Binion: You either believe Tabish or you believe everyone else.

Yucca budget work part of 'lame duck' session: Suzanne Struglinski; WASHINGTON -- Lawmakers are expected to work on a budget for the Yucca Mountain project now that they have returned to pick up business left unfinished the election.

Not-guilty plea entered in jail embezzlement: Over more than three years as a supervisor at the jail, 48-year-old Diana Thompson allegedly siphoned the money from the accounts used by inmates to make purchases at the commissary.

Columnist Susan Snyder: Addiction, trauma focus of film: Gambling is just one type of obsession featured in Toni Verbon's "Breaking Free: Drawing the Line with the Addict in Your Life." The 45-minute film will be shown free at 7:30 p.m. Wednesday in the Summerlin Library Performing Arts Theatre, 1771 Inner Circle Drive. (That's just off the large traffic circle at the north end of Town Center Drive.)

Letter: Make it easier for retired teachers to be substitutes: Ask any parent, teacher or school staff about this issue and chances are they are deeply concerned and frustrated. This situation has steadily grown over the past few years to a point where it is repeated hundreds of times daily within our school district. Those of us working in the schools are told there are not enough substitutes available each day.

Editorial: Capping tax a sound idea: Normally, these "notice of value" cards are mailed in mid-December, but Clark County Assessor Mark Schofield sent them out early this year, knowing that his office would be flooded with calls once the final realization of a major tax increase sunk in with property owners. Early notice also gives state legislators a chance to gauge the reaction. In June, Schofield, foreseeing the consequence of thousands of property owners facing tax increases of 40 percent and above, called upon the Legislature to cap the increases at 6 percent. For the cap to affect the 2005 tax bills, the Legislature would have ...

Council to vote on rental program: Dan Kulin; The North Las Vegas City Council is scheduled to vote Wednesday on a rental inspection program that in general would charge landlords an annual fee of $50 per rental unit for yearly inspections of their rental homes that are more then 10 years old.

Community briefs for November 16, 2004: North Las Vegas is holding several public meetings this week to get community input on a 20-year plan for the city.

Editorial: Moderation needed: As Bush fills the vacancies, we'd like to see some moderates appointed to the Cabinet. But we also understand the political reality that Bush isn't likely -- no matter who comprises his Cabinet -- to reverse course on his major domestic policies now and upset the Republican conservative base that helped him get re-elected. And don't forget this is the same White House that believes that receiving 51 percent of the vote is a "mandate" for carrying out the president's agenda.

Sweet Moves: Dancer-turned-author coming to Vegas to promote holiday dessert cookbook: "I must admit too, that more than once as I bowed to an audience after a performance I was thinking about what I was going to make for dinner."

Letter: Precious rights worth the fight: So we should rewrite the laws of science so that when a sperm cell and an egg unite there is no creation of life? Just a dash of protoplasm containing no DNA structure? And let's travel back in history, and denounce the Civil War and World War II as "unwarranted wars." These wars were fought to preserve freedom.

Pedestrian killed by motor home: The victim, described as a male in his 40s, was not carrying identification, North Las Vegas Police Sgt. Dan Ewing said.

Immunization schedule for November 16, 2004: HENDERSON PUBLIC HEALTH CENTER: 129 W. Lake Mead Parkway, Building A, Suite 10, 8 a.m.-4:30 p.m., Monday through Friday.

Exchange student program in need: The candidate should enjoy fostering international friendships, be community minded, and enjoy working with teenagers. Community representatives screen potential host families, meet with local high schools, and provide support counseling for host families and students.