Print edition for April 8, 2005

Report: Condos should increase casino visitation: By Richard N. Velotta; Luxury condominiums being built throughout Las Vegas should help drive additional traffic to casinos, not slow it down as some critics contend, a new report said.

Goodman: City Hall to be built on 61 acres: Dan Kulin; Las Vegas Mayor Oscar Goodman said Thursday there is a "100 percent" chance a new City Hall will be built on the city's vacant 61 acres on the western edge of downtown.

Columnist Jeff German: Governor wimps out on Yucca: Time and time again Gov. Kenny Guinn and the Republican members of the congressional delegation -- Sen. John Ensign and Reps. Jim Gibbons and Jon Porter -- have refused to stand up to the Republican president who asked Congress to make Nevada the nation's nuclear waste dumping ground.

Raggio agrees to show education meeting under threat of protest: Emily Richmond and Kirsten Searer; Senate Majority Leader Bill Raggio abruptly reversed course Thursday after Clark County education advocates complained that he was shutting them out of a committee meeting, staving off a public protest.

Players have good month in Nevada casinos: CARSON CITY -- For the second straight month, Nevada casinos reported modest increases in the amount of money won from gamblers, posting a 3.8 percent gain over February of last year.

Ceremony brings attention to plight of foster children: David Kihara; Brittany Carter, 16, stood at the podium inside the Clark County Family Court atrium and calmly described how her mother's new husband would allegedly beat her, how she fled her home and became involved in drugs and how she eventually found her way into the county's foster care system.

Conference on homelessness held in style: By Timothy Pratt; A party of 16 in town today for a federal agency-hosted conference on ending chronic homelessness is staying at one of the Las Vegas Valley's most exclusive hotels and using a limousine shuttle to and from the conference.

Lawsuit eyed in child services: David Kihara; A California-based non-profit law firm is considering bringing legal action against the Clark County Department of Family Services for allegedly failing to provide children in foster care adequate services and allowing foster children to languish in the foster care system too long.

Man faces charges in putting boy at risk of abuse: By Matt Pordum; A 38-year-old man is facing child abuse and neglect charges because a teenager repeatedly molested a 7-year-old in his care.

Orange Appeal: By John Katsilometes; WEEKEND EDITION

Day labor dilemma: By Timothy Pratt; WEEKEND EDITION

Columnist Susan Snyder: Rhythmettes still in a united state: WEEKEND EDITION

Letter: Nothing is free in GOP's world: April 9 - 10, 2005

Editorial: DeLay & Co. run amok: April 9 - 10, 2005

Performing Arts for April 8, 2005: 'Harmony'

Highlights of February 2005 revenue report on Nevada casinos: AP; -STATEWIDE: $909.5 million win, up 3.8 percent.

Columnist Muriel Stevens: Fabulous fare at Bellagio gives us butterflies: A friend and I were headed for lunch at Sensi in the new Bellagio Spa Tower and could not resist a short stroll through the flowers. It is enchanting.

Columnist Jeff German: Regents return to their covert ways: WEEKEND EDITION

Editorial: Puttin' on the Ritz: April 9 - 10, 2005

Datebook for April 8, 2005: The Paseo Verde Library, 280 S. Green Valley Parkway, will sponsor the following events this week as part of its J.R.R. Tolkien celebration and tribute. All events are free. 492-6593:

Blood drives: Tuesday: 2:30-6:30 p.m., Hill/Weiner Elementary School, 560 E. Eldorado Lane; 2-8 p.m., Sunset South High School, 5300 E. Russell Road.

Columnist Jon Ralston: Real politics, fake science: WEEKEND EDITION

Rider of the rails: WEEKEND EDITION

Fab Four evokes high times of the Beatles in show at V Theater: Even marred by an occasional cracked voice that missed some of the high notes, "Fab Four Mania" at the Aladdin's V Theater is still a pretty fab show.

Letter: Cartoon just took fond look back at Cochran's knack: April 9 - 10, 2005

Columnist Jerry Fink: At any age, Sonny King still draws a crowd: "The big question is how old am I," he said following a birthday party last Friday at the Bootlegger Bistro. "When someone asks I say, 'Can you keep a secret?' and they say, 'Sure,' and I say, 'Well good because I've got a secret.' "

Proposed ADA rules present challenges: Alana Roberts; A newly proposed set of rules for the Americans with Disabilities Act could pose a costly challenge to small business owners, local and national small business advocates say.

Environmentalists fear 'clear skies': A bill now in Congress would erode already weakened standards for controlling mercury, a toxic pollutant, from Nevada's power plants, a report from an environmental advocacy group said.

Tribute celebrates Tolkien: Kirk Baird; The "Lord of the Rings" trilogy was a box-office smash, grossing nearly $3 billion worldwide.

Columnist Ron Kantowski: Is 51s their mascot or their age?: Jerry Royster, the new/old manager of the Las Vegas Triple-A baseball club, was in the midst of answering a question about the abundance of old guys on this year's 51s opening-day roster when, as if on cue, Steve Garvey walked into the manager's office in the renovated home dressing room at Cashman Field.

Shepard to speak at UNLV: Shepard's son was robbed, beaten and left to die in Laramie, Wyo., in October 1998 because of his homosexuality. His death drew national attention to issues of homophobia, and Shepard's parents founded the nonprofit Matthew Shepard Foundation to promote tolerance and understanding of gay, lesbian, bisexual and transgender issues.

Tonight's Arena Football League Matchup: Gladiators (5-5) vs. Grand Rapids Rampage (1-8): Key matchup: Gladiators QB Clint Dolezel vs. his former team. Dolezel spent three seasons with the Rampage, winning an Arena Bowl championship there in 2001. This will be his first meeting with the Rampage in Las Vegas since being traded to the Gladiators in 2004. Last season he threw for 222 yards and five touchdowns to lead the gladiators to a 51-14 victory at Grand Rapids.

Exclusive Club: Spencer Patterson; Fatboy Slim. Armin Van Buuren. Paul Oakenfold. Deep Dish.

Not out of the woods yet: Adam Candee; AUGUSTA, Ga. -- On a pace of two steps forward and one step back at Augusta National, Ryan Moore can keep believing in his chances at the waterlogged Masters.

Video slots proposal defeated: The video gambling bill was sponsored by Manchester Sen. Lou D'Allesandro who has promoted video slots as an "economic recovery package" for the state.

Panel OKs alcohol awareness measure: CARSON CITY -- A bill that requires bartenders and liquor store clerks to be trained in alcohol awareness was approved by the Assembly Judiciary Committee Thursday.

Documentary filmmaker Burns: Baseball has never been better: Nick Christensen; Ken Burns knows about perspective. So when an audience member at a lecture by the famed documentarian asked Burns about the escalating salaries, he had an easy response.

Tracy not satisfied with status quo: LONG BEACH, Calif. -- Two years ago, Paul Tracy's road to the 2003 Champ Car championship began on a 1.968-mile stretch of asphalt that winds through the downtown streets of this oceanside city.

Hospitals defend community giving: Kirsten Searer; CARSON CITY -- The Assembly Health and Human Services Committee will hold a meeting in Las Vegas Saturday to hear whether hospitals should return more money to their communities.

Ralph Siraco's Santa Anita selections: 1st Race -- IN THE CLUTCH -- Draws rail post for sprint starter allowance outing, Solis scales Mandella trainee for owner Bacharach, wins In The Clutch? MOTIVO -- Douglas atop Stute trainee, draws good middle post in dash opener, the MO-for-tivo is victory. Value Play -- HE DOES

Man suspected of killing homeless woman to stand trial next week: Jen Lawson; Mary Louise Moore was known among the homeless in downtown Las Vegas as the white-haired woman with the little white dog.

Committee OKs bill for training of bartenders, liquor store clerks: CARSON CITY -- A bill that requires bartenders and liquor store clerks to take training on alcohol awareness was approved by the Assembly Judiciary Committee Thursday.

Homelessness meeting held in style: By Timothy Pratt; A party of 16 in town today for a federal agency-hosted conference on ending chronic homelessness is staying at one of the Las Vegas Valley's most exclusive hotels and using a limousine shuttle to and from the conference.

Secrecy about chancellor post is questioned: A retired Navy admiral who is also a physician and someone currently working in one of the nation's largest university systems have both applied to be Nevada's next chancellor, regents search committee chairman Bret Whipple said Thursday.

Columnist Brian Hilderbrand: Bourdais prefers safe route to podium: LONG BEACH, Calif. -- Sebastien Bourdais started last year's Toyota Grand Prix of Long Beach on the front row, but quickly found himself in third place after eventual race winner Paul Tracy made a risky move going into Turn 1 on the first green-flag lap and assumed the lead. Bourdais remained in third for the majority of the race and finished on the podium behind Tracy and Newman/Haas Racing teammate Bruno Junqueira.

Dust advisory stays as wind continues: Clark County has extended an air quality advisory through at least Saturday as forecast high winds threaten to whip polluting dust throughout the region.

Sports briefs for April 8, 2005: John Rocker signed with the Long Island Ducks of the independent Atlantic League.

Community briefs for April 8, 2005: Project Sunshine's Art and Innocence Celebration will be 5:30 p.m. to 9:30 p.m. Saturday at the Panos Hall and Events Center, 5300 S. El Camino Road, to benefit children facing life-threatening illnesses or situations.

Columnist Lisa Ferguson: Leifer alone: Comedian rights online wrongs: Lisa Ferguson; The comedy veteran-turned-television writer says for years she has attempted to correct much of the erroneous information about her that is floating in cyberspace.

Overton Arm water starting to heat up with fishing action: Despite strong winds, boaters had some luck for stripers in back of Fish Island and at St. Thomas in the Overton Arm. One boater brought two largemouth bass to the fish cleaning station Saturday that weighed 3 pounds each. The fish were caught near Fish Island with crank baits.

Porter: DOE should explain why workers allowed to return: Suzanne Struglinski; WASHINGTON -- Rep. Jon Porter, R-Nev. wants detailed records from the Energy and Interior Departments that should indicate who allowed employees under investigation for falsifying Yucca Mountain project documents to continue to work on the project.

News briefs for April 8, 2005: A Las Vegas man, under contract with the state, has been arrested on charges of taking bribes for allowing a man to violate his house arrest in Southern Nevada.

On Display for April 8, 2005: The Vegas Century Exhibit, chronicling the history and role of architecture in Las Vegas, will be on display until May 21 at the Fashion Show mall, 3200 Las Vegas Blvd. South. Admission is free. 369-0704.

Judge: Company didn't deceive Kerkorian: U.S. District Judge Joseph J. Farnan Jr. in Wilmington, Delaware, said Kerkorian, once Chrysler's largest shareholder, was a "sophisticated investor" who should have known that a description of the transaction as a "merger of equals" was just a "promotional phrase" that was "too vague" to sustain a suit.

Guinn casts his first veto since '01: Assembly Bill 135, which was requested by the attorney general's office, would have increased the assessment some insurance companies pay each year to the state.

FIST of the law finds three fugitives: The strike team arrested 41-year-old Carla Baldwin, 32-year-old Kelly Mengarelli and 43-year-old Timothy Wilkerson on Thursday.

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Atkinson wants seat belts on school buses: Kirsten Searer; CARSON CITY -- Students would be safer on school buses if they had seat belts to strap them in, Assemblyman Kelvin Atkinson argued Thursday.

Columnist Jerry Fink: 'Titanic' is a hull of a time: "I am a novelist from Scituate, Mass., who has been in Europe for several weeks signing book contracts with publishers in Britain, France, Sweden, Germany and Holland for my 'Thinking Machine' series of mystery novels.

Tour of Iowa casino sites ends: David Pitt; WATERLOO, Iowa -- Three of the state's five gambling commissioners started their second day of visiting proposed casino sites Thursday with a downtown tour in a horse-drawn trolley.

Referendum sought on Singapore casino: Beth Jinks; Singapore's opposition Workers' Party called for a referendum on whether a casino should be allowed in the city-state, saying that gaming will breed fraud, money laundering and gambling addicts.

Letter: Act to ensure homeless' rights: When they see violations of the constitution, in relation to the property of homeless people, they should stop these actions, which have been going on in Las Vegas for three years now. Also, tourists -- and you and I -- can carry open alcoholic drinks in public, use bus benches, jaywalk or loiter with impunity. But if you are homeless and do these things, you will be fined or jailed.

Nevadans encouraged by education law changes: By Emily Richmond; Nevada education officials were cautiously optimistic Thursday after an announcement by Education Secretary Margaret Spellings that she would consider requests from states to loosen some of the more rigid requirements of the federal No Child Left Behind Act.

Mob figure's interview about murders to be on '60 Minutes': Jace Radke; A former underboss of a New York crime family who turned government witness is scheduled to appear on the CBS television show "60 Minutes" Sunday, where he will allegedly describe two murders that he paid former New York cops and Las Vegas residents Louis Eppolito and Stephen Caracappa to set up or commit.

Vegas teen keeps up with pros: Fishing on his home lake in his first tournament as a professional, Joshua Dix hauled the catch limit of five bass Wednesday in the start of the EverStart Series Western Division event on Lake Mead.

Preps: Thursday's results: Basic 25, Liberty 7: W: Romero. L: Godfrey. BASC: Kyle Bondurant 6-6, 5 RBI, 2 2B; Steve Hewitt 3-5, 4 RBI. LBTY: Ohye 2B, RBI. HR: Hewitt, Hash (BASC), Ohye.

Redmond replaces Fenton at Foothill: Nick Christensen; Foothill High School has hired defensive coordinator Marty Redmond as its new head football coach.

Vick will fight lawsuit: Atlanta Falcons quarterback Michael Vick will fight the allegations in a lawsuit filed against him by a woman claiming to be his former girlfriend.

Court kicks weight-limit lawsuit back to state court: The lawsuit, filed Feb. 22 by a man who had applied for a job at the casino, was originally filed in Superior Court in Ocean County but later remanded to U.S. District Court in Trenton. On Thursday U.S. District Judge Mary L. Cooper returned it.

Columnist Spencer Patterson: Outspoken Snider's career takes familiar twist: Spencer Patterson; But the Twisted Sister frontman never could have envisioned the song's many uses in the two decades since.

Official: WTO ruling on Internet gaming doesn't affect Nevada: Liz Benston and Richard N. Velotta; A Thursday ruling by a World Trade Organization appeals panel on Internet gambling won't weaken Nevada's right to regulate its own gambling industry or change the state's ban on online betting, a state official said.

Davis' 'On the Corner' is no pedestrian effort: Spencer Patterson; "Garbage."

Casper still has spirit of champion: Adam Candee; AUGUSTA, Ga. -- How easy it would be to assume that Billy Casper, an accomplished golfer suffering a horrible day, would find the fastest route from thecourse Thursday evening.

Letter: Pope John Paul II was transforming friend of Jews: The pope was a courageous individual who championed human rights and dignity for all people. He dedicated his life to creating a more harmonious world and he will be greatly missed.

Obituaries for April 8, 2005: Margie S. Antonelli, 74, of Las Vegas died Thursday in Las Vegas. She was born Aug. 5, 1930, in Texas. A resident for seven months, she was a medical receptionist.

State, tribe settle dispute over inspecting slot machines: The State Gaming Agency hadn't fully inspected machines at the Sac and Fox casino in Brown County since fall 2003, when the dispute arose over interpreting a 1995 compact between the state and tribe, permitting the tribal operation.

Editorial: Radioactive cleanup: The waste started accumulating at the site, just 750 feet from the Colorado River, during the 1950s. Moab was then home to a uranium mill, which provided the federal government with needed uranium for its weapons programs. Along with radioactive substances, the 94-foot-tall pile of waste contains toxic chemicals such as ammonia, arsenic, lead and mercury. It's no wonder that Westerners, so reliant on the Colorado River for drinking water, want to prevent the river from becoming a toxic brew.

Mother of boy who shot sister gets 1 to 10 years: By Matt Pordum; A Las Vegas woman whose 5-year-old son shot his 13-month-old sister while home alone was sentenced to one to 10 years in prison on Thursday.

Utah authorities crack down on club gaming: Travis Reed; SALT LAKE CITY -- Police and prosecutors in Utah's most populous county on Thursday said they've banded together to crack down on poker tournaments in private clubs -- which are becoming an increasingly popular marketing tool to get people to come out on weeknights.

New riverboat is part of $163 million project: A scale model of the boat and expanded casino complex now sits in Blue Chip's lobby, detailing in miniature the 65,000-square-foot boat, a new parking garage and other elements of the expansion.

Banks looking for a tax break: CARSON CITY -- Nevada bankers, feeling they have not been treated fairly, asked the Legislature Thursday for a tax break of more than $20 million a year.

Editorial: Yucca scandal getting worse: The scandal began when Nevada challenged documents that the Energy Department filed last summer with the licensing board of the Nuclear Regulatory Commission. The state claimed that the filing was incomplete because it omitted a variety of documents, including e-mails. The state's challenge was upheld, forcing the Energy Department to review internal e-mails to determine which could be released publicly. During that review, in December, the Energy Department discovered the e-mails now at the center of the scandal. The e-mails referenced a critical study on water movement within the mountain by the U.S. Geological Survey, a branch of the Interior ...

Water department employees' credit card use probed: The city launched an internal investigation March 17 when city officials said "irregularities" over purchases were discovered by the Utility Services Department. City officials are saying little about those irregularities or the monetary amount involved because the case has been turned over to the police department to determine if any criminal charges are warranted.

DMV worker jailed in fake-ID probe: A Department of Motor Vehicles employee remained in jail this morning after allegedly being caught on tape selling a fake state identification card, police said.

Goodman apologizes for comments about Sun story: Dan Kulin; During his weekly press conference Thursday, Las Vegas Mayor Oscar Goodman forcefully objected to a recent Las Vegas Sun story about the city closing most of the rooms in his son Ross Goodman's downtown hotel due to numerous code violations.

Leaders re-elected: Taylor and Geoconda Arguello-Kline, the union's president, were nominated for a second time to three-year terms during two nomination sessions on Tuesday.

Police search home of woman who says she found finger in chili: Eric Leake; Police have searched the Las Vegas home of a woman who made national news when she said she found a human finger in a bowl of chili at a Wendy's restaurant.

Nevada, Utah officials battle over water rights: An old-fashioned water fight is brewing between Nevada and Utah over a proposal by Southern Nevada officials to tap groundwater to quench the rapidly growing thirst of Las Vegas.