Print edition for October 21, 2004

Gallagher, Porter set to spar in televised debates: Kirsten Searer; And now, the debates.

Vegas-based Primaris in deal with Boeing: A Las Vegas-based startup air carrier plans to be the U.S. launch customer for Boeing Co.'s new 7E7 "Dreamliner" twin-engine jet.

Sierra Health Services raises annual outlook: Michelle Swafford; Las Vegas-based Sierra Health Services Inc., the largest Nevada insurer, Wednesday reported solid earnings for the third quarter and raised its annual financial outlook.

Caesars profit rises; firm warns of strike's effect: By Liz Benston; Caesars Entertainment Inc. earnings rose 21 percent in the third quarter as profit margins rose nationwide, though the company said it would earn less than expected in the fourth quarter.

Wranglers schedule: Fri, 22 at Fresno 7:00 p.m. Sat, 23 at Long Beach 7:00 p.m.

Congressional flu shots stir some anger: WASHINGTON -- President Bush didn't get a flu shot. Neither did Democrat John Kerry. The presidential candidates said they passed up vaccinations because of a nationwide shortage.

Friday's horse racing entries: Post Time 2:30 p.m.

Bias alleged in way state issues hunting permits: CARSON CITY -- Ninety-two percent of the big game hunting permits issued by the state Department of Wildlife went to Nevada residents this year.

Council spars over redistricting: Sito Negron; As expected, and despite some sharp comments from Councilman Gary Reese, the Las Vegas City Council unanimously decided Wednesday to postpone redrawing its ward map until 2006.

Market protections key issue in casino compact: Sebelius' office and the Kickapoo and Sac and Fox tribes outlined the compact for the Joint Committee on Tribal-State Relations. The agreement guarantees the state revenue from a $210 million casino-and-hotel complex proposed by the tribes.

News briefs for October 21, 2004: A federal trial in connection with allegations that a boxer and a promoter fixed fights, including a bout in Las Vegas, continued today with additional prosecution witnesses.

Best foot forward: Steve Guiremand; UNLV's Sergio Aguayo was among those watching on Labor Day weekend when Oregon State's Alexis Serna endured a placekicker's worst nightmare on national television.

Disclosure rules may change: U.S. companies must report in their proxy statements the compensation for the chief executive and the next four highest paid executives. The top lawyer and chief financial officer's pay only has to be disclosed when their compensation is among the top five.

Two gas pipelines to Las Vegas out of service: FONTANA, Calif. -- Two pipelines that send gasoline and jet fuel from Southern California to Las Vegas and Phoenix have been shut down after a freight train derailed atop one and the other was exposed when heavy rain washed out soil around it.

Mountains get record rainfall: Eric Leake; Light showers washed the valley Wednesday and rain poured on Mount Charleston in a storm system that had mostly passed by this morning.

State plans crackdown on rural meth lab operations: CARSON CITY -- The state attorney general's office said today it will propose tougher laws to fight methamphetamine manufacturing labs that are expanding into rural Nevada.

Columnist Susan Snyder: Voters' concerns registered: 2. We are immersed in a campaign season.

Las Vegas council briefs: Las Vegas charged the owners of the Sky-Vue mobile home park $137,055 Wednesday, the cost the city claims for providing security and tearing down the park in September.

Goldwater kicks up heat with new commission ad: In the stretch run of the 2004 contest for Clark County Commission seats, ads from the major party candidates for District F have blanketed local television.

Management of seniors mobile home park still uncertain: Eric Leake; The management future of the Las Vegas Jaycees Senior Community mobile home park remains uncertain.

Year 2: The ice is much firmer: Nick Christensen; How do you sell a minor league hockey team in a self-proclaimed major league market?

Ralph Siraco's Santa Anita selections: 1st Race -- UNDER THE SUN -- Draws good post for sprint maiden/claimer, Baze aboard Greely trainee, graduation may be Under The clouds instead of Sun? RUSTY NAIL -- Garcia atop one-of-two Cerin-trained "hidden entroes", needs prompt start and clean trip from rail post for tag dash opener, Rusty foes to Nail diploma for him here? Value Play -- MAJOR LOOK

NLV passes ban on new billboards in city: Dan Kulin; North Las Vegas said no to new billboards on Wednesday when the City Council voted 5-0 for a citywide ban that blocks any new applications.

Alliance Gaming posts loss for quarter: Slowed by the integration of its new technological assets and adjustments to hiring a new top executive, Las Vegas-based Alliance Gaming Corp. today announced a 21-cent-per-share loss in its fiscal 2005 first quarter.

Sale of city land OK'd for condo project: Sito Negron; The Las Vegas City Council on Wednesday approved the sale of city land for a uniquely designed condominium project that would encompass most of a downtown block.

Trop parent misses expectations: By Liz Benston; Profit at Aztar Corp. fell 22 percent in the third quarter as the company continues to recover from a construction accident last fall that has delayed the opening of a major expansion at its Tropicana resort in Atlantic City.

Performance improves in third quarter: Revenue rose 6 percent to $39.6 million and cash flow rose 7 percent to $10.5 million.

Trial begins in killing at Palms: Molly Ball; Frederic Dixon did shoot Derrick Nunley multiple times through the windows of Nunley's Mercedes in the parking lot of the Palms -- but he did it to protect himself and his brothers, Dixon's lawyer, Thomas Pitaro, told a jury Wednesday.

Grand jury probing contract: The company, also a target in New York Attorney General Eliot Spitzer's examination of incentive payments between insurers and brokers, said the investigation by a grand jury in Indiana stems from a Securities and Exchange Commission inquiry last year into a policy with phone distributor Brightpoint Inc.

Officials praise progress of dam bypass: Stephen Curran; The under-construction Hoover Dam Bypass was touted by a legion of state and federal officials on Wednesday as a "commercial lifeline" at the backbone of an international trade route.

Falcons lineman had alcohol before early-morning crash: A report obtained by the Atlanta Journal-Constitution from the Hall County (Ga.) Sheriff's Department detailed the early Saturday morning one-car accident involving Falcons defensive tackle Rod Coleman.

Two-thirds tax issue taken to U.S. Supreme Court: CARSON CITY -- A coalition of Republican Assembly members and state senators is asking the U.S. Supreme Court to determine if a bill to raise taxes can be approved with less than a two-thirds vote by the Legislature.

Letter: Columnist's view on early voting shows arrogance: So Mr. Ralston believes that half of Southern Nevada voters, those who want to make sure that they exercise their right to vote during the time prescribed by law, are either lazy or morons?

Witness: Murphy predicted drug OD: By Matt Pordum; A week before Ted Binion's death, his live-in girlfriend, Sandy Murphy, was "bubbly and upbeat" as she predicted he would die from a drug overdose in three weeks, Murphy's former manicurist testified Wednesday.

Houdini Released: Legendary escape artist's memorabilia ready for auction: Too much drama, maybe. But that is the mystique of Houdini. And last week's unpacking of Houdini's famous props (to be auctioned this month) could be deemed a historic event. Chances are the milk can next to the Chinese Water Torture Chamber, in front of the "Iron Maiden," might not be in one another's company.

Milken surprises teachers with awards: By Emily Richmond; Financier and philanthropist Michael Milken handed Parson Elementary School literacy specialist Sandra Brady a cell phone Wednesday morning and asked if there was anyone she would like to call and tell that she had just won a $25,000 award for teaching excellence.

Editorial: Height of selfishness: Most companies acted responsibly and complied -- but not everyone. The Mandalay Resort Group went ahead and gave flu shots to 440 of its employees who work at the gaming corporation's properties. Someone might suggest passing a federal law to force companies to return their vaccines to local health districts in the event of a crisis, but we're not sure such a proposal would get far in our nation's capital. This week The Washington Post reported that members of Congress and their employees were getting the flu shots, even those who were young and healthy. It's too bad scientists haven't ...

O-negative blood shortage announced: Donors are asked to call 233-9620 to make an appointment at one of the five UBS blood centers in Southern Nevada. Walk-ins are welcome.

Yakama Nation suspends tribal casino board: The suspensions came at the recommendation of the National Indian Gaming Commission, which could have temporarily shut down the casino or levied stiff fines, said Yakama Tribal Council Secretary Davis Washines.

Obituaries for October 21, 2004: Nancy L. Curry, 91, of Las Vegas died Monday in Las Vegas. She was born Jan. 8, 1913, in Pell City, Ala. A resident for five years, she was a retired grocery store owner.

Editorial: Constitution is sacrosanct: We believe that the state Constitution is a sacrosanct document that should be changed only rarely, and then only to remove archaic language or to strengthen the basic freedoms it guarantees Nevada citizens, such as the right to be free, to vote, to worship and speak freely and to petition the government.

Teacher who faked credentials skips court: Molly Ball; A man convicted of faking credentials to work as a Community College of Southern Nevada instructor failed to show up in District Court on Wednesday, prompting District Judge Sally Loehrer to issue a bench warrant.

Preps: Schedule: Boys' Tennis 4A State Semifinals - Galena vs. Basic, Palo Verde vs. Reno, at Reno Tennis Center - Plumas Courts

GOP says Nevada voter fraud charges are trumped up: Kirsten Searer; Top Republican strategists told reporters Wednesday in a national conference call that Democrats have trumped up charges of voter fraud in Nevada.

Claims of voter fraud are tough to verify, experts say: Suzanne Struglinski; WASHINGTON -- Nevada's voter registration controversy illustrates larger problems with the country's voting system as a whole, some election analysts say.

Community briefs for October 21, 2004: Community College of Southern Nevada, Continuing Education Division and Friends of Nevada Wilderness present Wilderness and You, a class offered 7 p.m. to 9 p.m. Friday and 9 a.m.-5p.m. Saturday at CCSN, 6375 W. Charleston Blvd., Room C222.

State wants award cut in suit against Highway Patrol: CARSON CITY -- The Nevada Supreme Court was told Tuesday that a man who was struck and killed by a Nevada Highway Patrol vehicle in 1997 in Clark County was partly to blame for his death.

Nevada regulators approve big Sands-Venetian offering: AP; The commission's approval of the Las Vegas Sands initial public offering is subject to federal Securities and Exchange Commission approval. Marketing of the offering is planned for November.

Sports briefs for October 21, 2004: Denver Nuggets forward Carmelo Anthony faces a petty-offense charge after marijuana was found in his backpack during a search at Denver International Airport last week.

Bush's health chief says don't fear flu shot shortage: Tommy Thompson, President Bush's secretary of health and human services, told Las Vegas residents Wednesday not to worry about the nationwide flu shot shortage "All I'm telling you is just be patient, and work with us, and we'll take care of it," Thompson told more than 100 Bush supporters during a townhall-style meeting Wednesday at the Clark County Library's Jewel Box Theater on Flamingo Road.

Columnist Brian Hilderbrand: Draw party for LV races at Hard Rock: The final wild-card spot and first-round matchups for next Saturday's Budweiser Shootout at The Strip at Las Vegas Motor Speedway will be determined during a "draw party" next Thursday at The Joint inside the Hard Rock hotel-casino.

Bad reputation hurts Jersey shore brand, travel expert says: John Curran; WILDWOOD, N.J. -- Rejected by many as congested, dirty and not that friendly, the Jersey shore suffers from a Cleveland-scale image problem that stunts growth in the state's $30 billion tourism business, a travel expert told a conference Wednesday.

Letter: Need for unions is self-evident: In response to Harrah's refusal to grant their Atlantic City employees a three-year contract, the ad states management does not feel this would be "in the best interest of union members."

Postal agency sets overseas holiday mailing dates, rules: Dick Benoit; The dates for mailing items to and from overseas locations in time for the holidays are fast approaching, and officials at the Military Postal Service Agency here have suggestions for ensuring packages and letters arrive on time.

Last season's success won't satisfy Gulutzan: Nick Christensen; In their first season, the Las Vegas Wranglers went 26-9-1 at home, and didn't lose a game at the Orleans Arena until late December.

Club Cal Neva closing Reno's Virginian hotel: The closure of the 16-story tower will result only in a small number of voluntary layoffs, company officials said. The closure will not affect its main casino adjacent to the Virginian on Virginian Street or the 181-room Nevadan tower across the street.

North, south disagree over Rogers' med school plans: Interim Chancellor Jim Rogers' proposal to expand the University of Nevada School of Medicine in Las Vegas through a UNLV and UNR partnership is being met with enthusiasm in the south and skepticism in the north.

Insiders provide campaign outlook at LV convention: Dan Kulin; Former consultant to President Clinton and CNN talk show co-host James Carville said a victory by President Bush on Nov. 2 would be the most stunning political victory he's ever seen.

Sex-harassment allegations used against assemblyman: Kirsten Searer; A new flier dredges up old charges against Assemblyman Mark Manendo, D-Las Vegas, who was accused in 2003 of sexually harassing women in Carson City.

Deported NLV woman recounts long journey: By Timothy Pratt; In September 2002 Noemy Mercado Mondragon lost her 9-year-old daughter, Genesis, to a gang member's stray bullet.

Report: Waste to exceed Yucca's limit: Suzanne Struglinski; WASHINGTON -- A rise in nuclear power plant relicensing since 2002, when Congress approved a repository at Yucca Mountain, shows there will be thousands more tons of nuclear waste produced than the site can legally hold, a new report says.

Trump Hotels to seek bankruptcy in agreement with bondholders: Jeannine DeFoe; Trump Hotels & Casino Resorts Inc. reached an agreement with bondholders that will reduce the company's debt through a bankruptcy and leave Chairman Donald Trump, best known as the billionaire tycoon of NBC's "The Apprentice," in charge.