Print edition for April 1, 2005

Early voting wraps up today: Dan Kulin; Early voting in the Las Vegas, North Las Vegas, and Henderson ends today, the last chance to cast early ballots before the primary election on Tuesday.

Slain woman had sought police help: Jen Lawson; The 30-year-old woman who was shot to death by her estranged husband Wednesday night had told Metro Police on Sunday morning that he was stalking her, had broken into her apartment with a gun and had told her he was going to kill her.

Girl accidentally killed when mom backs car up: Eric Leake; A mother accidentally backed over her 2-year-old daughter at their apartment complex Thursday afternoon, killing the child, Metro Police said.

Developer plans condos in high-risk area near downtown: Jennifer Shubinski; A developer has plans for a condo tower north of downtown Las Vegas but the location may present some challenges, a local expert said.

Revised numbers say February Vegas home prices increased: The price of an existing house in the Las Vegas Valley in February actually increased during that month -- not decreased as previously reported by the firm.

Teachers' union posts survey on principals online: By Emily Richmond; Teachers at about half of Clark County's 301 public schools have rated their principals and the results have been posted online.

Furniture market expanding: Jennifer Shubinski; World Market Center officials today announced plans to expand the furniture market to 12 million square feet of permanent and temporary showrooms -- doubling the project's cost to $2 billion from $1 billion. The original plan consisted of 7.5 million square feet of showrooms.

Reno hotel wins judgment from IGT subsidiary: Wild Game NG, the holding company for Siena, alleged in a suit filed in November 2001 that Acres Gaming Corp. installed defective casino management software at the hotel in July 2001. The Siena acquired the software in February that year.

Ranking Nevada's universities: * No. 7 in legal writing

Teen pleads not guilty to murder, robbery: Michael Lavelle Scott allegedly attacked a group of four men at the Reid Manor Apartments along with an accomplice on Oct. 2, killing Raul Melgarejo.

Settlement to be applied to future rate cases: The state Bureau of Consumer Protection has decided that applying the $14.6 million Nevada has already collected from El Paso Corp. to future rate cases will give consumers the greatest benefit, said Marilyn Skibinski, regulator manager for the BCP.

Vendors looking for their slice of the pie: In the low-tech world of pizza delivery comes a high-tech idea to speed hot food to the doorstep.

Legislative briefs for April 1, 2005: Counties that import water from other counties would have to pay a $10 per year per acre-foot tax under a bill approved by the Senate Thursday 20-1.

City closes rooms at Ross Goodman's hotel: Dan Kulin; Some rooms had no heat or hot water, and some had mold and continuously running water. And when a team of Las Vegas inspectors first arrived Thursday morning the main fire alarm wasn't working at the downtown Boulevard Hotel, which is owned by a partnership co-managed by Mayor Oscar Goodman's son Ross.

Company sells interest in South African resort: Caesars sold its interest in Caesars Gauteng, a casino near Johannesburg, to Peermont Global Ltd., a South African luxury hotel and casino company and its partner Marang Gaming Investments. Peermont also acquired Caesars' 50 percent interest in the company that manages the resort.

UNLV graduate schools earn high rankings: U.S. News and World Report has ranked two of UNLV's graduate schools in its Top 100 listings, including a first-time appearance for the College of Education and a second listing for the Boyd School of Law.

Deal struck on tax plan: Kirsten Searer; CARSON CITY -- After hours of backroom bargaining, the Legislature struck a deal Thursday night to give tax relief to property owners in the state.

Senate kills cap on pawnshops: CARSON CITY -- The Senate voted 12-9 today to abolish the cap on interest rates that pawnshops can charge customers despite predictions that the change would open the door to "predatory lending" practices

LV Valley RV dealership sold: Kevin Rademacher; Wheeler's Las Vegas RV has a new owner.

Caesars works on new tower: Caesars works on new tower

Hospital quality now on Web site: Michelle Swafford; Starting today, patients can find out how Nevada hospitals rate when it comes to patient care for heart attacks, heart failure and pneumonia.

Trash piles up on lots across valley: David Kihara; The first thing Linda Westover sees when she steps out her front door is the piles of waste left by illegal dumpers.

Regulators to meet on President Casino: Officials said approval would avoid putting the 700 President employees temporarily out of work. The only interruption would be a 12-hour changeover on April 15.

Letter: Greed becomes primary goal for too many: Your paper recently published a most poignant column by Bob Herbert, with the headline, "Shared sacrifice an anathema to the GOP." In the column, he attacks President Bush's concept of an "Ownership Society," which concentrates on improving the environment for the wealthy while leaving the poor and the middle-class behind. In support, he cites the president's budget proposal to Congress, which cuts $26 billion dollars in entitlement programs while adding additional tax breaks for the wealthy and the corporations.

Preps: Thursday's results: Green Valley 16, Clark 1: W: Harrison 4 IP, 2 K, 2 H. GV: Justin Michelo 3-4 3 RBI.

State's return to a presidential primary debated: CARSON CITY -- Nevada is neglected by presidential candidates as they strive for their party's nomination, and a Democratic assemblyman wants to revive the presidential primary elections in this state.

Colorful, longtime casino executive Shendal dies at 79: David Kihara; Dean E. Shendal, a former Caesars Palace executive and well-known Las Vegas resident, died Thursday night at St. Rose Dominican Hospital. He was 79.

Ethics complaint against LV planner dismissed: CARSON CITY -- A complaint charging a conflict of interest against Richard W. Truesdell, vice chairman of the Las Vegas Planning Commission, has been dismissed by a panel of the state Ethics Commission for lack of evidence.

Ralph Siraco's Santa Anita selections: 1st Race -- PEPPER TRAIL -- Gomez scales Spawr trainee, draws inner post for sprint opener, might heat up cold barn with a win. SCOTCHWATER -- Draws good middle post for dash claimer, hustling Pedroza on Carava trainee, productive jockey-trainer team. Value Play -- FANTASTIC WAGER

Advantage: Izzo in all-Big Ten final: The Great

House panel OKs bingo-type machines: The unanimous vote by the Business Regulation Committee is the first legislative action on how to regulate and tax slots at Broward pari-mutuels -- but state lawmakers have a long way to go before they pass a law.

School Board rejects charter school sponsor: Organizers of the proposed Strict Discipline Academy, which sought to serve at-risk minority high schoolers, have 90 days to revise their application and return to the School Board for a second vote. If the application is again rejected, the school's organizers would have to ask the State Board of Education for sponsorship.

Letter: Belief in Deism is revealing: Many of the Founding Fathers were Deists, main among them Thomas Jefferson and James Madison. Deists believed God created nature based on rational laws and then created rational beings to understand those laws. He then stepped back to allow humans to figure the world out for themselves through logic and science.

Obituaries for April 1, 2005: Mike C. Baltazar, 74, of Las Vegas died Wednesday in a local hospital. He was born Sept. 29, 1930, in the Philippines. A resident for four years, he was a retired personnel manager for the airport.

Editorial: Free speech wins out: While George didn't expressly rule that the law violated the First Amendment, he did acknowledge that the law could chill constitutionally protected free speech, resulting in a person being "more likely to engage in self censorship." One of the most egregious examples of the law's out-of-control enforcement occurred in 2001, when the editor of the High Desert Advocate newspaper was the target of an Ethics Commission investigation. The journalist's offense? He wrote an editorial that criticized a candidate running for mayor in Wendover.

Developer plans urban village: Jennifer Shubinski; Carina Corp. broke ground this week on its first urban village, the Village of Centennial Springs, in northwest Las Vegas and has plans for at least two more throughout the valley.

O'Connell joins Senate Hall of Fame: CARSON CITY -- Former Sen. Ann O'Connell, who served longer than any other woman in the Legislature, was described Thursday as someone who is "strong willed and efficient and knew how to get things done."

CNBC anchor sees parallels between Vegas, Wall Street: Maria Bartiromo works every day in a place that's filled with excitement and risk-taking.

Growth panel approves final report: David Kihara; The Clark County Growth Task Force on Thursday formally approved the sustainable growth report it will present to the Clark County Commission next week, effectively completing the yearlong project to create solutions for the county's rapid growth issues.

Landlord gives Metro crime lab month to leave: Jace Radke; The landlord of the West Charleston Boulevard office park that houses the Metro Police crime lab has told the police department to move out by the end of the month.

Illinois leader: Slots can help pay for schools: Nicole Ziegler Dizon; OAK PARK, Ill. -- Gov. Rod Blagojevich, in his first public call for gambling expansion, proposed more than doubling the number of slot machines and gambling tables allowed at Illinois' nine riverboat casinos to increase funding for schools and pay for tougher graduation requirements.

Sports briefs for April 1, 2005: The same congressional committee that conducted hearings into steroids in baseball has asked NFL commissioner Paul Tagliabue for information about how football regulates the performance-enhancing substances.

Teen pleads guilty to murder, robbery: Michael Lavelle Scott allegedly attacked a group of four men at the Reid Manor Apartments along with an accomplice on Oct. 2, killing Raul Melgarejo.

Payrolls grow by just 110,000, while jobless rate dips: The new figures, released by the Labor Department today, offered another mixed picture of America's hiring climate. The job market has been the sector of the economy that has been among the slowest to recover from the last recession.

'The Who Sell Out' still registers: Spencer Patterson; The Who's catalog is loaded with monolithic, must-have discs.

Rainy weather continues to dog tour around country: DULUTH, Ga. -- Frank Lickliter II camped on the front porch of the TPC at Sugarloaf clubhouse Thursday, resting in a rocking chair and drawing on another cigarette. The golf was lousy, thanks to thunderstorms that brought nearly three inches of rain and nasty lightning, but life was pretty good.

Mental health crisis units proposed: CARSON CITY -- To further alleviate the mental health crisis in Clark County, the state is looking at the possibility of contracting with a private company to supply a 50-bed crisis unit to try to keep mental health patients from filling the emergency wards at hospitals.

Columnist Brian Hilderbrand: Bristol speedway has grown on Kurt Busch: Bristol Motor Speedway is one of Kurt Busch's favorite tracks on the NASCAR Nextel Cup Series circuit -- but that wasn't always the case.

Datebook for April 1, 2005: Award-winning documentary filmmaker Ken Burns will present "Sharing the American Experience" at 7:30 p.m. Thursday at UNLV's Artemus Ham Hall. Admission is free, but tickets are required. Limit two per person. 895-2787.

10-year-old suit over man's death coming to trial: Molly Ball; Ten years ago Sunrise Hospital and Medical Center allegedly hustled a sick, homeless man out of its emergency room, leaving him to die on the lawn.

Gladiators face another high-powered offense: Adam Candee; Noon, Pepsi Center Radio: ESPN 920-AM

Company raises MCI bid: The fresh offer of $8.9 billion made Thursday comes two days after MCI's board tried to end the contest by accepting a $7.6 billion bid from Verizon Communications. Qwest's new bid would give MCI shareholders $27.50 a share, with $13.50 in cash and the rest in stock.

Columnist Ron Kantowski: Ladies, check your e-mail or risk losing your sport: On Wednesday, as she was finishing errands prior to leaving for Indianapolis and the Women's Final Four, I asked Lady Rebels coach Regina Miller what she thought of the U.S. Department of Education's clarification to the Title IX guideline.

Columnist Jerry Fink: Daniels riding high at Stratosphere lounge: By Jerry Fink; For the past four years, from 10 p.m. to 2 a.m. Mondays, he has hosted a standing-room-only jam session at the Stratosphere's Image Lounge. When he isn't at the Stratosphere he can be found at a number of venues around town -- as well as in Jean and Laughlin.

Potential sites for casinos eyed: An ongoing feasibility study is looking at gaming competition, tourist traffic, populations, income levels -- among other factors -- around potential casino sites.

Blood drives for April 1, 2005: Tuesday: 9 a.m.-1 p.m., Community College of Southern Nevada, 6375 W. Charleston Blvd.; noon-5 p.m., Kindred Hospital, 5110 W. Sahara Ave.

Man sentenced to 20 to 50 years in fatal shooting in trailer: By Matt Pordum; District Judge Valorie Vega on Thursday sentenced 65-year-old Joe Armstead to 20 to 50 years in prison for second-degree murder with use of a deadly weapon Thursday for killing a 48-year-old man.

Columnist Muriel Stevens: Book opens new chapter for Carnegie Deli: Among the books I was planning to read was a terrific insider's look at the Carnegie Deli.

Columnist Jerry Fink: Johnathan: Today is for amateurs: It's a day for skepticism. Believe nothing without three sources of confirmation. These are the 24 hours of the year during which pranksters are most likely to prey upon the naive and unwary.

Columnist Lisa Ferguson: The quips keep coming as comedy takes a holiday: Lisa Ferguson; Everyone is a comedian on April Fool's Day -- and that's probably not a good thing.

Editorial: Cars no place to leave kids: A father abandoned his 7-month-old boy for nearly 40 minutes while he gambled. He had covered the rear and side windows with newspapers, and the child's car seat with a blanket. Owing to a security guard, who found the sight suspicious, the boy was rescued, although he was "red-faced and warm," according to Metro Police. Two other babies, one six months old and the other 16 months, were left alone in a car while the mother spent more than a half-hour inside a clothing store. Another mother left her 2-year-old boy in a minivan while she was grocery shopping. Police ...

Community briefs for April 1, 2005: UNLV's Student Enrollment Services will offer a free Nevada residency workshop from 7 p.m. to 8:30 p.m. Thursday in the Classroom Building Complex, Room C-116 on the campus.

Property tax plan targets relief to Nevada homeowners: AP; -HOMEOWNERS: Relying on a constitutional exemption for homeowners experiencing "severe economic hardship," property tax increases are capped at 3 percent for all single-family, owner-occupied primary residences.

Rancho expansion could aid traffic woes: Stephen Curran; A key detour around the traffic-and construction-clogged U.S. 95 may be right under area planners' noses, traffic engineers told a Regional Transportation Commission subcommittee Thursday.

Labor chief pitches Bush Social Security plan: U.S. Deputy Secretary of Labor Steven J. Law pitched President Bush's plan to strengthen Social Security Thursday morning to Henderson Chamber of Commerce members at the Wildhorse Country Club in Henderon.

Deadline set for proposal for Vegas medical center: Dan Kulin; As part of the ongoing talks between Las Vegas, Nevada's university system, and the University of Pittsburgh Medical Center about plans for an academic medical center on 61 acres downtown owned by the city, Pittsburgh representatives are expected to prepare a "bare-bones" proposal for their involvement with the project by April 11, Las Vegas Mayor Oscar Goodman said Thursday.

Transfusion enlivens 'Bite' at Stratosphere Theater of the Stars: By Jerry Fink; The topless musical "Bite" has been largely revamp-ired since it premiered at the Stratosphere in September.

Robots go head to head in regional competition: By Emily Richmond; Tad made his competitive debut Thursday at the Thomas & Mack Center, and his Rancho High School classmates said it was a strong start for the rookie robot.

Performing Arts for April 1, 2005: Paul Czuchra

51s look forward to big crowds: Nick Christensen; Season:

Maestas siblings will stand trial next year: By Matt Pordum; The trial of a brother and sister accused of murder and attempted murder in connection with stabbings that left a 3-year-old dead and her 10-year-old sister paralyzed, won't take place until next year.

ACLU adds 8-year-old to lawsuit against School District dress code: David Kihara; The Nevada American Civil Liberties Union on Thursday added an 8-year-old student to a federal suit against the Clark County School District challenging the district's dress code.

On Display for April 1, 2005: "Unfolding," featuring the works of Las Vegas artist Vicki Richardson, will be displayed from today to May 27 in the Las Vegas office of the Nevada Arts Council, 821 S. Seventh St. An artist's reception will be held from 5 p.m. to 7 p.m. today. Admission is free. 486-3700.

News briefs for April 1, 2005: Students at Ruthe Deskin Elementary School celebrated the first annual Ruthe Deskin Day today at the school, located at 4550 N. Pioneer Way.

UNLV theater department handles cancer with 'Wit': What: "Wit."

Neiman's centennial art on display downtown: The fact that Las Vegas is universally defined by its collection of gamblers, roulette tables, showgirls and neon explains in part why artist LeRoy Neiman was commissioned to create the city's commemorative centennial painting, which was unveiled today during a news conference at the Fashion Show mall.

Standard Transition: Spencer Patterson; Martin Andrew felt like the luckiest man on Earth when Rod Stewart transitioned from wild rock 'n' roller to standards crooner three years ago.

Fishing report: Wind is no fish story: LAKE MEAD: High winds that raked the lake during the past week made for difficult boating and fishing conditions. Even so, fishing appeared to be on the upswing for striped bass as shore anglers took fish from the fishing dock and Hemenway Fishing Point while boaters had success from Black Island to Las Vegas Wash.

Judge lets Harmon's sentence stand: Jace Radke; After reviewing the nearly five-year federal prison sentence given to former Assemblyman Harley L. Harmon, U.S. District Judge Philip Pro has decided not to shorten the punishment.

Columnist Spencer Patterson: New collection brings Vegas performances to life: Spencer Patterson; Maybe you're a longtime Las Vegan who would like to relive a legendary performance by Frank Sinatra or Elvis Presley.

Casino company to develop lifestyle magazine: Caesars Player, developed in conjunction with Miami Beach-based Onboard Media, will be distributed in the company's hotel rooms in Las Vegas and Atlantic City and mailed to some 100,000 of its customers. The first issue will debut in July and the magazine will publish three times per year.

Augustine drops her ethics appeal: CARSON CITY -- State Controller Kathy Augustine says she wants to "let sleeping dogs lie" and has withdrawn her appeal to the state Ethics Commission to overturn its ruling.

Ralliers at Texas Capitol decry gambling expansion: Brandi Grissom; AUSTIN -- This time, leading Republicans and Democrats agreed. They joined together at the Texas Capitol on Thursday to proclaim that they don't want more gambling in Texas.

Panel formed to help ease in gambling: The 23-person panel -- consisting of education officials, business people, labor groups and city leaders -- will try to answer who will get a gaming license, where the parlor will be located, what it should look like, and what impact gaming will have.

Yucca e-mails called damning: Suzanne Struglinski; WASHINGTON -- Rep. Jon Porter, R-Nev., called e-mails on the alleged falsified information on the proposed Yucca Mountain nuclear waste dump "damning" but would not discuss details to avoid compromising ongoing criminal investigations.