Print edition for September 30, 2004

Editorial: Get moving on making water safer: As part of the Safe Drinking Water Act of 1976, the Environmental Protection Agency was required to establish an allowable concentration of arsenic in public drinking water. Its standard of 50 parts per billion was a continuation of the standard set by the U.S. Public Health Service in 1942. At the time, no unhealthy effects from arsenic at this level of concentration had been observed. In the 1990s, however, federal studies of arsenic levels in drinking water outside the United States convinced the EPA that the standard for safety should be no more than 10 parts per billion.

Letter: Comment was way over the line: We will vote for candidates who represent their constituencies, and for those who think before they speak -- regardless of their political affiliations.

Shortage of bilingual officers hurts local police: By Timothy Pratt; Las Vegas Valley police agencies are acutely aware of the rising Hispanic population noted in the census numbers released today that show Hispanics make up 24.4 percent of Clark County's residents.

Sprint plans to offer domestic partner benefits: David Twiddy; KANSAS CITY, Mo. -- Sprint Corp. will extend health insurance and other employee benefits to domestic partners beginning in 2005.

Season of the Phil: Season of the Phil

Obituaries for September 30, 2004: Nellie Mae Berry, 87, of Henderson died Tuesday in a local hospital. She was born Jan. 19, 1917, in Georgia. A resident for 41 years, she was disabled.

Airline, pilots close to pay-cut deal, union says: "There's every reason for us to complete our work today," Bill Pollock, chairman of the US Airways pilots union, said in an interview. An agreement to cut pay 17.5 percent and trim company pension contributions would need member approval, he said.

Reid may try to include heliport site in legislation: Suzanne Struglinski; WASHINGTON -- Clark County may have to reconsider a site near the closed Sunrise landfill as a potential new heliport location.

Community briefs for September 30, 2004: Faith-based and community organizations can learn how to compete for federal grants during a program next week organized by the Institute for Youth Development.

Rogers' new memo tries to ease tensions: Interim Chancellor Jim Rogers appears to be trying to defuse tensions between him and university regents in a memo sent Wednesday that addresses whether regents should be appointed or elected.

Soft-drink maker's net income rises 35 percent: Net income increased to $1.36 billion, or 79 cents a share, including a 13 cents tax gain, Purchase, New York-based PepsiCo said in a statement. Sales for the maker of Frito-Lay chips rose 6.3 percent to $7.26 billion, the slowest pace in more than a year.

Letter: Boggs McDonald has right view: You mentioned presidents Truman and Johnson, but failed to mention one Democratic program since the 1960s that has benefited African-Americans. You also failed to mention that both the Civil Rights Act and the Voter Rights Act would not have passed were they not supported by a majority of Republicans. And if we are going to argue ancient history, I may as well assert that it was Republicans who brought an end to slavery.

Sun's Accent section earns national honors: The Sun was honored in the Class II category, which is for newspapers with a circulation of between 25,001 and 50,000 subscribers. Placing first was the Burlington (Vt.) Free Press and placing third was the Herald News of West Paterson, N.J.

Chanderraj warned about political activity: CARSON CITY -- Gov. Kenny Guinn has cautioned Nevada Gaming Commissioner Radha Chanderraj about taking part in any further political activities.

Letter: Kerry has proven to be indecisive and pessimistic: To say we should not have invaded Iraq is like saying we should have never fought Germany because only Japan attacked Pearl Harbor. Kerry does not have sufficient grasp of military strategic issues to develop the strategy needed to win this global war against terrorism. Kerry's multiple positions on Iraq and his conflicting statements on the nature of the threat posed by Saddam Hussein demonstrate that he does not have the qualities essential to a wartime president.

Leavitt, member of pioneer Clark County family, dies at 100: Las Vegas residents of the 1950s so trusted dry cleaning delivery man Woodruff "Woody" Leavitt that they gave him duplicates of their house keys so he could get into their homes when they were out and hang the freshly-pressed apparel in their closets.

Nevadans favor Bush 47-42: Republican President George Bush leads Democratic presidential challenger John Kerry by a 47 percent to 42 percent margin in Nevada, according to a new Las Vegas Sun/KLAS TV Channel 8/KNPR Nevada Public Radio poll.

Valley High grad returns from Afghanistan, gulf: Dick Benoit; Navy Petty Officer 3rd Class Keoni Paraz, Valley High School class of 2000 and son of Christine Paraz of Las Vegas, recently returned from a seven-month deployment to Afghanistan, the Persian Gulf and Mediterranean Sea while assigned to the 22nd Marine Expeditionary Unit, homebased at Camp Lejeune, N.C.

Hart Exhibit: 'Three Soldiers' artist's work on display at LVAM: First there was the turbulence created in 1984 when Hart's figurative bronze "Three Soldiers" was unveiled near Maya Lin's minimalist design at the Veteran's Memorial in Washington, D.C., bringing to culmination a showdown literally between Hart's classical work and modern sculpture.

August consumer spending flat: Leigh Strope; WASHINGTON -- Consumers were tightfisted with their money amid soaring gasoline costs in August and hurricane-related disruptions sent applications for jobless benefits to their highest level in seven months.

BLM assures former wilderness land will be protected: A federal Bureau of Land Management analysis that suggests the agency does not have to compensate for the loss of wilderness habitat does not mean the land will not be protected, BLM officials told a Clark County group Wednesday.

Audit rates workers' comp attorneys: CARSON CITY -- Private attorneys representing injured workers who are seeking more benefits have a better record than state lawyers, an executive audit said Wednesday.

Lawsuit alleges massive fraud in Florida slots petition drive: Jackie Hallifax; TALLAHASSEE, Fla. -- A lawsuit filed this week alleges that thousands of signatures submitted to get a gambling measure on the November ballot in Florida were forged, some with the names of dead people.

Weller takes note of upcoming LV Philharmonic season: The season opens Saturday at Artemus Ham Hall with a return guest performance by pianist Orion Weiss performing Tchaikovsky's "Concerto No. 1 in B-flat minor, op. 23" for piano and orchestra. In November it presents "Memoirs from Vienna," featuring Beethoven's "Leonore Overture No. 3," Mozart's "Sinfonia concertante, K. 297b, E-flat Major" and Brahms' "Symphony No. 4 in E minor, op. 98." The program features soloist Stephen Caplan on oboe, Janis McKay on bassoon and Bill Bernatis on horn.

Plaintiff dies but suit against Metro will go forward: Jace Radke; A Las Vegas woman suing Metro Police for $4 million because an officer dragged her through Palace Station, died earlier this month following a heart attack, her lawyer said this week.

Panel hears plan to curb pollution: Stephen Curran; A Regional Transportation Commission advisory committee on Wednesday heard the agency's plan to bring the Las Vegas Valley into compliance with federal pollution laws.

Injuries, distractions weigh on Gaels: Nick Christensen; For the first two weeks of this season, Bishop Gorman's football team could just watch and wait.

First lady: War 'agonizing' for president: Kirsten Searer; Laura Bush said she has seen her husband cry under the enormity of loss during the war in Iraq, and she said she watched him struggle through the "long build-up" to the war.

Elementary school's library shut down after mold found: By Emily Richmond; The library at Fay Herron Elementary School has been shut down for the past week after potentially hazardous mold was found growing on a small section of the wall, Clark County School District officials said Wednesday.

Further surgery for coach's wife: Steve Guiremand; UNLV coach John Robinson did not attend his team's practice on Wednesday afternoon at Rebel Park so that he could be with his wife, Linda, at the hospital.

Asner attacks Bush record, seeks support for Democrats: Hollywood star and Democrat Ed Asner urged health care and Clark County government workers to fight for what he called the most important election of his lifetime.

Sports briefs for September 30, 2004: Different teams and different coasts have done nothing to lessen the animosity between former Los Angeles Lakers teammates Shaquille O'Neal and Kobe Bryant. If anything, the feud is escalating.

Columnist Brian Hilderbrand: Anderson wins Pro Stock title earlier than anyone ever: Greg Anderson put an exclamation point on another phenomenal season last weekend when he clinched his second consecutive NHRA Pro Stock championship at the NHRA O'Reilly Nationals at the Texas Motorplex.

Preps: Schedule: Results Wednesday Boys' Tennis Foothill 24, Boulder City 21: FTHL: Devon Penman, Josh Benavidez 2-1 doubles. BC: Jared Fegert, Conrad Trinbath 3-0 doubles. The Meadows 23, Durango 22: DURA: Frederic Prandecki, Paul Olguin 3-0 double. MEAD: Kory Kaplans 3-0 singles. Moapa Valley 42, Canyon Springs 3: MOAP: David Pena, Mason Stratton, Hayden Bryant 2-0 singles. Bonanza 39, Sierra Vista 6 Palo Verde 41, Centennial 4: PV: Roni Yeghnazary, Spencer Aguiar 3-0 doubles. Emanuel Haug 3-0 singles.

PUC approves renewable regulations: Kevin Rademacher; The state Public Utilities Commission on Wednesday unanimously approved draft regulations for the Temporary Renewable Energy Development (TRED) program.

Authorities raid pill store in Las Vegas: Jen Lawson; Authorities raided a store in West Las Vegas on Tuesday and seized thousands of prescription narcotic pills -- such as Xanax, Lortab and Soma -- that employees were allegedly selling to anyone who asked for them.

Probation given in swindling of neighbor, 85: By Matt Pordum; Amy Green should not serve any prison time for manipulating an ailing 85-year-old neighbor into handing over her life savings, District Judge Lee Gates ruled Wednesday.

Lobbyist for tribes won't answer panel's questions: Dee-Ann Durbin; WASHINGTON -- A lobbyist who billed American Indian tribes tens of millions of dollars for work on casino issues refused Wednesday to answer questions from the Senate Indian Affairs Committee.

National study flunks UNLV students, teachers: A recent national study from the Princeton Review ranked UNLV as fourth in the nation -- for students who almost never study, that is.

Company receives approvals in New Jersey, Missouri: The Las Vegas-based company is a subsidiary of Japanese video game maker Konami Corp. and has been slowly broadening its game distribution nationwide.

Dream makers: They're quirky, they're original -- and they could make millions: Michelle Swafford; About 50 inventors from the Las Vegas Valley and around the world gathered on the Strip this week to showcase their innovative ideas to infomercial buyers and home-shopping programs, which are part of a $256 billion industry.

Sheriff expects rise in security threat: Jace Radke; The Nevada Homeland Security Commission members are:

Guinn: Augustine should resign: CARSON CITY -- Gov. Kenny Guinn today called for the resignation of state Controller Kathy Augustine, who admitted to violating ethics laws by using state workers in her re-election campaign in 2002.

Private Medicare plans offer model for traditional program: Michelle Swafford; Medicare faces many challenges in the months ahead including adding prescription drug coverage and expanding disease management benefits for seniors. But the private system offers a good model to follow, a Medicare official says.

Show to spotlight rural areas: "Nevada Passage" will feature two-person teams of athletes participating in a competition in various locations around the state.

State's Hispanic population continues growth: By Timothy Pratt; The Hispanic share of the state's population is continuing the increase that has been evident for the past several years, even as that of blacks and Asians remains flat or drops, census bureau estimates released today show.

Federal judge rules Patriot Act secret searches unconstitutional: In a blow to the Justice Department's post-Sept. 11 powers, U.S. District Judge Victor Marrero on Wednesday struck down the provision of the Patriot Act that let the FBI gather phone and Web customer records but barred service providers from ever disclosing the search took place.

Company raises dividend: The dividend is payable on October 26 to shareholders of record on October 12.

Further tests being conducted on powder that closed station: Eric Leake; Employees were able to return to the building Wednesday, officials said.

President of MGM Mirage says profit suffering from growth of tribal casinos: By Liz Benston; Competition from tribal casinos has likely cut revenue at MGM Mirage casinos by about 3 percent to 4 percent a year over the past several years as Indian-owned properties have grown in scope, according to a top MGM Mirage executive.

Skies expected to calm over weekend: September's weather has ranged from above-normal temperatures early in the month to daytime highs that may be five to eight degrees below average this week after a series of storms brushed to the north of the Las Vegas Valley.

Nevada economy expected to cool slightly: CARSON CITY -- Nevada's fast growing economy is expected to cool slightly in the coming two fiscal years, a state budget expert predicted Wednesday.

Two women testify suspect is the man who raped them: By Matt Pordum; Two women testified Wednesday that 28-year-old Ricardo Beltran kidnapped, robbed and raped them at knifepoint this summer.

The Pack is back in the air: Steve Guiremand; Class: Sophomore. Height: 6-foot-5. Weight: 218. Hometown: Reno. High school: McQueen.

Licensing craze continues; celebrities drawn to show: By Liz Benston; What do Pamela Anderson, Clint Eastwood, Drew Carey and Ann-Margret have in common?