Print edition for April 6, 2005

Alliance Gaming seeks bigger market share with new games: The nation's No. 2 slot machine manufacturer will begin selling a new game platform this week in hopes of putting a dent in the dominance of market leader International Game Technology.

CCSD's mariachi program called 'La Pork-a-Racha': Suzanne Struglinski; WASHINGTON -- The Clark County School District helped Nevada earn an "Oinker Award" for the $25,000 Congress approved last year for district students to study mariachi music.

Students want to SPEED up proficiency test results: By Emily Richmond; For Las Vegas High School senior Natasha Stewart, it's the waiting that's been unbearable.

Sports briefs for April 6, 2005: Lawmakers, labor unions and professional boxers will join together today on Capitol Hill to call on the Bush administration to issue a full pardon for former heavyweight champion Jack Johnson.

Experts say LV growth means more city work: Michelle Swafford; The Las Vegas Valley's growth is not expected to slow anytime soon.

Ross, Gillins to face off on June 7: Dan Kulin; The top two fundraisers in the race for the open Ward 6 seat on the Las Vegas City Council easily topped nine others in Tuesday's primary election and will now go head-to-head in the June 7 general election.

Taser manufacturer says its weapons can be deadly: Jen Lawson; For the first time, the company that manufactures Taser stun guns, used by Metro Police and other local police departments, is now saying that the 50,000-volt weapons can be deadly.

Police-funding sales tax hike stalls: Kirsten Searer; The More Cops Initiative would only fund officers and their equipment, proponents said Tuesday. Clark County needs more officers partly because of an increase in calls for service, which Sheriff Bill Young said has led to a lag in response time. In 2004, officers in Clark County responded to:

Hyatt to manage Cosmopolitan hotel: By Liz Benston; Hyatt Hotels Corp. has signed an agreement with the planned Cosmopolitan Resort & Casino to operate the property's 2,700 hotel and hotel-condo units under the Grand Hyatt brand -- the brand's debut in Las Vegas.

Valley home sales jump in March: Jennifer Shubinski; Home sellers have hope: The Greater Las Vegas Association of Realtors reported today that the number of homes sold in March increased over February and those homes sold faster than in recent months.

Gibson wins re-election: ELECTION RESULTS

News briefs for April 6, 2005: A 44-year-old man from Salt Lake City was killed Tuesday night when he ran into the path of a pickup truck on Boulder Highway near Flamingo Road, Metro Police said.

California man run over, killed after traffic incident with teens: Robert Swafford, 37, of Pinon Hills, Calif., was driving a pickup truck, carrying a male passenger, and had gotten into some kind of dispute with several teens in a car about 11:30 p.m. in the 4500 block of East Bonanza Road.

Praises pour forth for interim chancellor: By Christina Littlefield; Interim Chancellor Jim Rogers has accumulated a large and elite fan club of federal, state and local officials backing him for the permanent position.

Hospitality workers train for competition: Hospitality workers train for competition

Report: Nuclear waste a terror threat: Suzanne Struglinski; WASHINGTON -- Pools of nuclear waste stored at nuclear power plants should be considered attractive targets for terrorists, a National Academy of Sciences report released today warns.

County weighs policy on airport land deals: Stephen Curran; Future land transactions on property once owned by McCarran International Airport would be better handled by a single Clark County agency overseeing all real estate deals in its jurisdiction, Clark County commissioners said Tuesday.

County agencies told to tighten belts: Stephen Curran; Clark County can't afford even half as many new district court judges as experts say are necessary and has many other pressing funding dilemmas as well, including the need to add more staff at the overcrowded shelter for abused, neglected and abandoned children, the county manager said Tuesday.

Transmission line could help prevent another crisis: Kevin Rademacher; Utility experts are hailing plans for a massive Western electricity transmission line as an important step in averting a repeat of the 2000-01 Western energy crisis that cost Nevada utilities and their customers millions of dollars.

Feds say valley in need of detention center: Jace Radke; Federal officials in the Las Vegas Valley say the area needs a federal detention center to ease crowding at local jails.

Founder files offer to take company private: The move, which was announced last month, would take the publicly traded company private. The filing indicated that a special committee formed by Vestin's Board of Directors recommended last week that shareholders accept Shustek's offer to buy the shares.

Officials demand new Yucca probe: Suzanne Struglinski; WASHINGTON -- An independent commission needs to investigate the Yucca Mountain project instead of federal agencies already involved with the proposed nuclear waste repository, Rep. Jon Porter, R-Nev., said Tuesday.

Office park sold for $77 million: The property was purchased from Cheyenne Investments LLC. The purchase price was $77 million, according to the deed filed last week with the Clark County Recorder. The transaction was part of an IRS 1031 exchange, in which proceeds from a recent sale of a San Francisco office building were reinvested, the company said.

Company acquires 5 radiation oncology centers: The Fort Meyers, Fla.-based company operates four radiation centers in the Las Vegas Valley under the name 21st Century Oncology Inc. It acquired five local radiation centers owned by Associated Radiation Oncologists Inc. for $26 million plus performance-based compensation.

Columnist Ron Kantowski: Centennial celebration's biggest event: Don't say I didn't warn, er, tell you.

Columnist Brian Hilderbrand: HVM fills out Champ Car lineup with Scandinavians: The starting field for Sunday's Champ Car World Series season opener, the Toyota Grand Prix of Long Beach, gained two more drivers this week as HVM Inc. announced its driver lineup for the 2005 season.

Columnist Elizabeth Foyt: Golf tournament boosts childrens' charities: Elizabeth Foyt; The three-day event, held Thursday through Saturday at Southern Highlands Golf Club, was presided over by Southern Highlands Golf Club President Garry Goett, who stood with Gov. Kenny and first lady Dema Guinn to greet guests for opening-night festivities.

Henderson, NLV voters narrow field for judges: The nephew of Henderson Mayor Jim Gibson came up short in his bid for a judicial post, while a North Las Vegas woman who runs a child care center and owns a beauty salon is the candidate to beat for Municipal Court judge.

Mickelson makes return to glory: Adam Candee; AUGUSTA, Ga. -- Still the people's champion even without his lovable loser status, Phil Mickelson returned Tuesday to a hero's welcome at the Masters for the first time since winning it last year.

Columnist Jeff Haney: According to Doyle: Brunson deals out poker wisdom: A limited number of autographed copies of "Super System 2" are available at the Gambler's Book Shop, 630 S. 11th St., for the regular cover price of $34.95. For more information call 382-7555.

Durango lights up Cimarron: Nick Christensen; They didn't want to call it a statement game, but any 10-5 win against a ranked opponent near the end of league play is bound to bring some attention.

Mother blames son, 18 months, in child's death: By Matt Pordum; The mother of a dead 2-year-old girl said her 18-month-old son and the dead girl herself were the causes of the bruises, head trauma and brain swelling noted during her daughter's autopsy.

Letter: Helmets essential for motorcyclists: Well, I'm here to tell you that the late Gov. Mike O'Callaghan, who pushed for the law while serving in the 1970s, saved the lives of myself and my son. We were taking a camping trip on our motorcycle shortly after the law went into effect. Along the way, my son suggested we take off our helmets because it was getting pretty warm. Luckily for us, I said no.

Editorial: Bill harms the poor: We strongly urge the Assembly to reject this bill. Most customers of pawnshops are poor and in dire need of immediate cash. They bring in a personal item and the pawnshop holds it as collateral against a loan. The item is returned only after the loan is repaid, with interest.

Community briefs for April 6, 2005: "Kidney Care: Finding Your Strength," a free educational program to educate those diagnosed with or at risk for kidney disease or reduced kidney function, will be 1 p.m. to 4 p.m. April 17 at the Renaissance hotel on Paradise Road.

LV Municipal Judge Kerns wins re-election over challenger Harter: Dan Kulin; Las Vegas Municipal Judge Cedric Kerns was re-elected to a third term on Tuesday, as he received almost 60 percent of the votes, defeating frequent candidate Mat Harter.

Columnist Adam Candee: Jack plays one for son Steve, baby Jake: Adam Candee; AUGUSTA, Ga. -- Grieving, suffering, Steve Nicklaus needed to escape a tragedy of death by fleeing to a place where life always dawns in his family.

Nanny faces trial Jan. 30: A 24-year-old Henderson nanny, who pleaded not guilty to charges of child abuse on Tuesday, will face trial Jan. 30 before District Judge Donald Mosley.

State engineer to look at Yucca water well pipes: State engineer Hugh Ricci plans to investigate allegations made by two former pipe fitters who allege they were instructed to damage a water line and install a pipe to bypass a state water meter at the federal Yucca Mountain nuclear waste dumpsite.

Obituaries for April 6, 2005: Sandra Albachari, 68, of Mesquite died Monday in a local hospital. She was born Jan. 7, 1937, in Los Angeles. A resident for 35 years, she was a retired dealer.

Editorial: A tiny dent in the need for housing: There are other discouraging aspects as well to the news that was announced last week by Michael Liu, an assistant secretary of the Housing and Urban Development Department. He said 54 boarded-up apartments at 3901 E. Charleston Blvd. would be torn down and replaced with the 60 new units at a cost of $13 million. What's discouraging is the snail's pace of both the local and federal governments. The 54 apartments were locally declared unfit for habitation in 2002. Now, three years later, there's a federal plan for replacing them -- by 2007. Five years to replace a lousy 54 ...

Weber conviction should be tossed, attorney argues: CARSON CITY -- A defense attorney told the Nevada Supreme Court Tuesday it should overturn the murder conviction and death penalty for Timmy "T.J." Weber.

Greenspan: Congress must rein in mortgage giants: Jeannine Aversa; WASHINGTON -- Federal Reserve Chairman Alan Greenspan urged Congress today to limit the size of the multibillion-dollar portfolios held by mortgage giants Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac, warning that simply creating a strong regulator would not suffice.

Man pleads guilty in traffic deaths: By Matt Pordum; A 24-year-old man who was fleeing from police in a stolen car until he failed to stop at a red light and collided with another car, killing a mother and daughter,, avoided going to trial Tuesday thanks to a plea bargain struck with prosecutors.

Racetrack owners say no new vote required for slots: The New Orleans City Charter requires voter approval of casinos -- except for Harrah's New Orleans Casino.

Senate approves plan to allow Las Vegas-style slots: The bill, which would allow Las Vegas-style slot machines, was approved 6-3 by the Regulated Industries Committee. Last week, a House committee approved a bill that would limit the four pari-mutuels to the kind of electronic bingo machines now at Indian-run casinos.

Sanford sees red with Estandia: Steve Guiremand; Greg Estandia calls the decision to redshirt last season because of a knee injury "one of the toughest times in my life."

MCI rejects $8.9 billion offer: In a statement early today, the MCI board said the firm was "not willing to jeopardize the certainty of its Verizon agreement for the uncertainties surrounding the Qwest proposal."

Death row inmate's appeal rejected again: CARSON CITY -- For the fourth time, the Nevada Supreme Court has rejected the appeal of death row inmate Patrick J. Cavanaugh, convicted in 1984 of the fatal shooting of a former singer for the Coasters group in Las Vegas.

Monorail enjoys busiest month: Stephen Curran; More than 1 million people boarded the Las Vegas Monorail last month, the system's most profitable month, according to ridership numbers released today.

Sides at odds over S.F. Bay Area casino: Erica Werner; WASHINGTON -- Two influential San Francisco Bay Area Democrats squared off at a Senate committee hearing Tuesday over whether an Indian tribe should be allowed to build a Nevada-style casino in an urban area near the bay.

Road to slots in Pennsylvania far from smooth: Peter Jackson; HARRISBURG, Pa. -- It seemed almost simple: Legalize slot machines, pull the lever and provide $1 billion a year in property tax relief for Pennsylvanians.

Letter: Arctic refuge part of Earth's delicate balance: I cannot count how many folks, including supposedly intelligent members of Congress, continue to use her reasoning as an excuse for drilling in this area.

Deal reached to build casino in Oregon town: Brad Cain; SALEM, Ore. -- The Confederated Tribes of Warm Springs and Gov. Ted Kulongoski have reached agreement to build a casino in a small town in the scenic Columbia River Gorge, a spokesman for the tribe said Tuesday.

Henderson objects to proposed ban on land swaps: Kirsten Searer; CARSON CITY -- Henderson officials voiced objections Tuesday to a bill that would require governments to sell property in public auctions.

Sentence delayed in 311 Boyz case: By Matt Pordum; An alleged member of the 311 Boyz gang who violated District Judge Michael Cherry's order to stay out of trouble had his sentencing postponed Tuesday but will remain jailed in the meantime.

Letter: Cochran's death was not funny: You owe a public apology to your readers of all faiths and ethnicities.

Same old story for Wranglers against Aces: Nick Christensen; Frustrated by another one-goal loss, Wranglers coach Glen Gulutzan looked at reporters after the game and asked if they could just copy quotes from a game earlier this season.

Legislative briefs for April 6, 2005: By unanimous vote, the Senate Tuesday passed and sent to the Assembly a bill to double the rebate available to low income senior citizens on their property taxes.

LV businessman indicted on tax evasion charges: Robert David Kahre is charged in two separate criminal indictments, including 20 counts of willful failure to pay taxes, two counts of tax evasion and two counts of conspiracy to attempt to evade paying taxes.

Patriots ink Brady's college target: Wide receiver David Terrell has signed with the New England Patriots, reuniting quarterback Tom Brady with a former college teammate.

Panel approves changes to NLV Council: An Assembly committee backed legislation Tuesday that would change how North Las Vegas voters elect their City Council members.

Ralph Siraco's Santa Anita selections: 1st Race -- MORE BERTRANDO -- Part of Warren-owned coupled entry with HEMET, Enriquez/Sise here, P. Val/Glatt there, double diploma threat. CROWNING CAPER -- Part of Dutton-trained and co-owned coupled entry with ALAQUA LEGACY, Pedroza here, Farina there, also two-for-one deal in dash opener. Value Play -- PONCHOFROMDERANCHO

Benefit race raises money to help orphaned family: Tony Kyriacou, track coach at VoTech High School and organizer of the benefit race, said Tuesday that donations are still coming in for the Hartwell family.

Columnist Peter Benton: Chances are Singh, Donald or Woods will win the Masters: Peter Benton; As every avid golfer is aware, the Masters, the first major PGA event of the year, is upon us, and you can guarantee that every Tom, Dick and Harry have already sorted out who he thinks will come away with the fabled green jacket.

Columnist Muriel Stevens: Dion makes splash with fragrance: It's a remarkable life, one Dion lives to the fullest. She knows how to express herself, whatever she's selling.