Print edition for April 15, 2005

Umeh works on taking his game to next level: Michael Umeh knows exactly the type of player he wants to become for the last half of his career at UNLV.

Voters may see changes in how elections are run: Kirsten Searer; CARSON CITY -- Elections will look a little different under a list of bills that received initial approval Thursday.

New D gates set to open today: The move adds 11 gates to the concourse, but the airport is netting only 10 new gates because of the loss of one in the B area due to construction of a baggage security facility.

Anticipated rematch highlights UFC card: Ultimate Fighting Championships stalwarts Chuck Liddell and Randy Couture will take center stage at "UFC 52" Saturday night at the MGM Grand Garden Arena, battling for dominance in the light heavyweight division.

Special Boulder City license plate approved: Last year, the Boulder City Chamber of Commerce applied to the Legislative Commission on Special License Plates to create a Hoover Dam plate.

Regents drop Rogers appointment: CARSON CITY -- The movement to cancel the national search process and appoint Interim Chancellor Jim Rogers as the university system's permanent CEO evaporated quickly Thursday afternoon after Rogers asked the Board of Regents to move forward with the search process.

Old nemesis awaits Gladiators in 'must-win': Adam Candee; 10 a.m., Wachovia Center TV: NBC (3) Radio: ESPN 920-AM

15 homeless as fire hits three houses: Nearly 50 firefighters from Las Vegas and North Las Vegas battled 30 mph winds, which helped to spread the blaze that started at 8:12 a.m., Las Vegas Fire & Rescue spokesman Tim Szymanski said.

St. Rose, SEIU ratify contract: Michelle Swafford; St. Rose Dominican Hospitals management and the Service Employees International Union Local 1107 ratified a labor contract Thursday that will provide pensions and higher pay for more than 1,400 workers.

Mother Nature cooperative in first round: Adam Candee; The notion at first seemed silly to Stephanie Louden after she played two-thirds of her first round in a fickle wind that made her ball "wiffle" on a couple of shots.

Nine face charges in identity thefts: The grand jury indicted nine people for identity theft, mail fraud, conspiracy and 13 other counts relating to alleged crimes committed between July 2003 and October 2004.

NFL sacks jersey intended to mock Vick: NFL officials have decided jerseys mocking Michael Vick's alleged alias "Ron Mexico" are crossing the border of good taste.

RTC may 'hedge' purchases of diesel gasoline for buses: Stephen Curran; The Regional Transportation Commission can expect the diesel gasoline that keeps its buses running to take a bigger chunk out of next year's budget, the agency's chief financial officer said Thursday.

Corrections: Corrections

Pilot won't face charge in drinking incident: By Matt Pordum; A former pilot for AirTran Airways who was arrested for alleged intoxication just minutes before he was to fly a passenger jet from McCarran International Airport to Atlanta will not face criminal charges.

Annual tax report is proposed: Taxpayers would get a yearly report on how their taxes were spent under a proposal by Assembly Speaker Richard Perkins, D-Henderson.

Navarro speaks Dodgers' language: Nick Christensen; Cashman Field Radio: all games on 1460-AM and 870-AM

Developers snipe at higher property taxes for businesses: Kevin Rademacher; In a discussion that focused on rising costs facing their industry, a panel of local developers took some shots at the Nevada Legislature's recent decision to saddle businesses with higher property taxes than the residential owners.

Report sends shares down: The company reported sales from continuing operations of $22.9 billion, up 3 percent from $22.2 billion in the same period in 2004.

Assembly passes smoking ban at child care, arcades: Kirsten Searer; CARSON CITY -- The Assembly voted Thursday to ban smoking in most child care facilities and in video arcades.

Recognition of tribe urged: The vote by the Senate Economic Development Committee came despite warnings by the attorney general's office and the governor that it could lead to federal recognition of the tribe.

Mayor pleads not guilty to misconduct charges: Howard's attorney, Gerald Hall, said after the hearing that the mayor repaid the money and contends he did nothing illegal.

Ralph Siraco's Santa Anita selections: 1st Race -- ALIJUENDRA -- Draws good inner post for route opener, hustling Pedroza on Bernstein trainee, goes for graduation here. RHYHANDA -- Guidry atop one-of-two Saavedra-trained "hidden entry," draws outside box in two-turn maiden/claimer, first turn trip key to diploma chance. Value Play -- MEG'S OPERATOR

Move to tackle all right with Knight: Steve Guiremand; Jesse Knight probably had the least reason to be excited about the hiring of Mike Sanford as UNLV's new head football coach than any other Rebel.

Governor changes course, tells staff to pay for Vegas trip: Owens spokesman Dan Hopkins said no state funds or time were involved in the trip this weekend, but the governor ordered participating staffers to pay their own way to avoid the appearance of impropriety, Hopkins said.

Preps: Results and schedule: Las Vegas 7, Valley 0: W: Harper (10 K, 2 H, 1 BB). L: Benson. SB: Stack-3 (LV). RBI: Lucero (LV).

Day laborers not 'just city problem': The day laborers hanging out on street corners, vacant lots and parking lots around the Las Vegas Valley are not an immigration problem, but an economic one, a UCLA associate professor said Thursday night.

Vegas to bid on '07 game: Dan Kulin; Las Vegas may be home court for the 2007 NBA All-Star Game.

Sports briefs for April 15, 2005: UNLV men's basketball coach Lon Kruger announced the signing of his second player during the spring signing period on Thursday.

Fishing report: Open water is where the stripers are found: Boaters have had fairly good luck this week for striped bass that they are catching at around 50-60 feet with anchovies. The fish are being found between the mouth of Government Wash and Las Vegas Wash in the morning hours.

Senate approves pilot program for Internet lottery sales: The bill, sponsored by Sen. John Cullerton, D-Chicago, sets up a pilot program to try online lottery ticket sales. Cullerton said Internet sales could eventually generate as much as $100 million for the state. The measure passed 32-24 and moves to the House.

CCSN will host expo for science, business, high-tech: The open house is designed to give potential students and their parents a peak at the high-tech training CCSN offers and the career opportunities those courses bring, spokesman John Kuminecz said. CCSN is working with the Clark County School District to bus students at a select number of schools in for the exposition.

News briefs for April 15, 2005: A man in his mid-30s was shot and killed Thursday evening near the Stratosphere, Metro Police said.

Fight schedule: At Northern Quest Casino, Airway Heights, Wash. (ESPN2), Antwun Echols, Dade City, Fla., vs. Kingsley Ikeke, Los Angeles, 12, IBF middleweight elimination bout.

Columnist Ron Kantowski: Stephenson has still got it, and still gets it: Somewhere deep in my storage shed, amid the burned out Christmas bulbs and electric lawn tools that stopped working a long time ago, there is an old trunk that contains the remnants of my baseball card collection, yellow newspaper clippings chronicling past Indy 500s I have attended, and two posters -- one of Farrah Fawcett-Majors (as she was once known) in a red swimsuit, and one of Jan Stephenson taking a bath in a tub-full of Titleists.

Columnist Brian Hilderbrand: A Force on the track and in the office: John Force has had such unparalleled success as an NHRA Funny Car driver that his skills as a team owner often go unnoticed.

Industrial output rises 0.3 percent in March: The Federal Reserve said the increase in industrial production last month followed gains of 0.2 percent in February and no change in January. It was the best overall showing since a huge 0.8 percent jump in industrial production in December.

City Council denies zone change for proposed casino: Monarch Casino & Resort Inc., the parent company of the Atlantis Casino & Resort, had proposed a 201-suit hotel and casino and spa to cater to golf and mountain sport enthusiasts wanting easy access up the Mount Rose Highway.

Hearing resumed to strip casino's license: Maura Kelly Lannan; CHICAGO -- The Illinois Gaming Board's new chairman ordered Thursday that a hearing resume to strip the bankrupt Emerald Casino Inc. of its gambling license.

'Professor' teaches doubters a lesson: Thursday

51s stung by Salt Lake: SALT LAKE CITY -- Salt Lake pitchers combined to allow just two runs and strikeout nine, as the Stingers beat Las Vegas 4-2 on Thursday night.

Columnist Jeff German: With heat on, Faraci heads south: Discovery Commissioner Thomas Biggar threatened Wednesday to get a bench warrant, if necessary, to force Faraci to give a deposition in a lawsuit against the Crazy Horse Too.

Double-decker buses set to arrive in May: In August the commission approved a plan to buy 20 of the European-designed coaches for $11.7 million. Those buses added to the 30 already purchased and expected to arrive this summer. That order is currently undergoing government-ordered testing in Pennsylvania, he said.

Nevada players ante up online: By Liz Benston; Every day hundreds of Las Vegas residents break the law for a shot at fame and fortune or just a bit of fun.

Connecticut tribe joins Kansas casino effort: Roxana Hegeman; WICHITA, Kan. -- The Mashantucket Pequots of Connecticut, who became rich after building one of the world's largest casinos, have been reaching out to tribes across the United States to help them develop and finance gambling ventures.

Bishop Gorman junior sims high against heroes: Adam Candee; Slowly but steadily, she crept up the leaderboard Thursday, joining the names she watches with awe most weeks on the LPGA circuit.

Henderson seeks planning role for land it wants: Kirsten Searer; CARSON CITY -- Henderson made a move Thursday to wrestle more control of land from Clark County and the federal government.

Editorial: Beers' plan spells trouble: Beers has introduced Senate Joint Resolution 5, which calls for Nevada's budget to be governed by a cold, mathematical calculation rather than be decided by representatives that the state's residents send to Carson City. Beers' bill would limit government spending to the rate of population growth, plus the rate of inflation. It would also require the state government to refund to taxpayers any surplus money that was collected. That in itself spells trouble, as it would limit the state's ability to build an adequate rainy-day fund. A built-in surplus is essential to all government budgets, so that help can be ...

Regents duel over calls for audits: CARSON CITY -- Two Northern Nevada regents verbally sparred over whether to audit UNR's parking operations during a Board of Regents audit committee hearing Thursday morning, prompting other regents to raise the issue of how and when an individual regent may request an audit.

Cirque artist writes of 'Dreams': In the 318-page "Dreams of the Solo Trapeze: Offstage with the Cirque du Soleil," Schreiber details Sidrova's circus life, their friendship and what life is like living and performing with the Montreal-based circus company, ending with a trip to Las Vegas where he helps two performers find an apartment.

Letter: Better education, high-paying jobs key to funding: April 16 - 17, 2005

Editorial: Frist joins 'holy war': April 16 - 17, 2005

Columnist Jeff German: Legislators doing an about-face on cameras: WEEKEND EDITION

Datebook for April 15, 2005: Barnes & Noble, 8915 W. Charleston Blvd., will host the following events this week:

Bill on franchise fees loses in panel: CARSON CITY -- The bill to eliminate $141 million in franchise taxes charged by local governments was defeated in the Senate Government Affairs Committee on Thursday, but its chief proponent said the issue isn't dead.

Columnist Jerry Fink: Bono plays it again, at Sam's: Taped at Sam's Town Live at 2 p.m. Thursdays and broadcast at 7 p.m. Fridays on KJUL 104.3-FM, "Las Vegas Now" draws more than 800 fans to every taping and tens of thousands of fans who listen to the program on the air.

Supreme Court sets guidelines on indigents' filing lawsuits: CARSON CITY -- The Nevada Supreme Court Thursday established guidelines to prevent indigent persons from continually filing frivolous lawsuits.

Legislative measures bother board: CARSON CITY -- Most of the legislation affecting the University and Community College System of Nevada appears to be going in a favorable direction, Dan Klaich, vice chancellor for legal affairs, told regents during a meeting at Western Nevada Community College on Thursday.

Editorial: How about us, too?: At the time we found Ridge's attempt to reassure Nevadans as being ludicrous, especially in light of the fact that sending nuclear waste to Nevada would require thousands of shipments across thousands of miles from other states. It's hard to imagine a more inviting target for terrorists. Although Utah's governor opposes Yucca Mountain, skeptics might speculate that Chertoff's review is more about politics. That's because Utah's two U.S. senators have backed the permanent burial of nuclear waste in Nevada on the condition that the Bush administration would help block any efforts by utilities to temporarily store nuclear waste on an ...

ACLU files lawsuit against police in drug case: David Kihara; The American Civil Liberties Union of Nevada filed a federal lawsuit on Thursday against the Metro Police department and several officers, claiming the police violated the civil rights of a man when they left drugs in the man's car and allowed him to be charged with drug possession.

Tesh Market: Spencer Patterson; Any idea which object in a hotel room hosts the most potentially harmful germs?

Panel OKs measure on youth drinking: CARSON CITY -- A person who provides alcohol or drugs to a minor who then injures or kills someone will be liable for a civil damages under a bill approved by the Senate Judiciary Committee on Thursday.

School Board rejects bid for charter sponsorship: By Emily Richmond; For the second time in as many weeks, the Clark County School Board voted Thursday to reject a request for charter school sponsorship on the grounds that a private, out-of-state company appeared to be the driving force behind the application.

Columnist Jon Ralston: This developer has swagger: WEEKEND EDITION

On Display for April 15, 2005: The Contemporary Arts Collective will run "In Between," featuring sculpture and drawings, from Thursday to May 21 at 101 E. Charleston Blvd. Admission is free. 382-3886.

Daft Punk's 'Discovery' is an order of shake: Spencer Patterson; I can't dance, but Daft Punk's "Discovery" CD kind of makes me wish I could.

Graduate Class: WEEKEND EDITION

Letter: U.S. was indeed misled on threat: Harrell should consider:

Letter: Bush dedicated to destroying Social Security: Your editorial made clear all of the points that have been been troubling most of us senior citizens. The problem with George W. Bush is that being wrong won't stop him. He and Vice President Dick Cheney are dedicated to destroying Social Security and Medicare and Medicaid and all of the other programs that really help people.

Columnist Jerry Fink: Versatile Denise finds Zingers to her liking: The singer, dancer, comedian, actress, producer and all-around showman has performed in such topless revues as "Naked Angels" (the Plaza) and "Splash" (the first 10 years as the lead singer).

Performing Arts for April 15, 2005: Boris Slutsky

Regents reluctantly OK Rainbow Gardens sale: It's the gift that keeps on giving.

Columnist Muriel Stevens: Schedule for UNLVino bubbling over: UNLVino was conceived by Larry Ruvo, senior managing director of Southern Wine & Spirits of Nevada. It is a splendid opportunity for wine aficionados and winemakers to share the latest releases, the best vintages and the finest varietals. The pleasures of the vine and more, all for cause of scholarships.

Community briefs for April 15, 2005: Aid for AIDS of Nevada (AFAN) will host its 15th annual AIDS Walk beginning with sign-in at 9 a.m. Sunday starting at the Lady Luck hotel on North Third Street. The event will travel through downtown Las Vegas.

Columnist Susan Snyder: Memories illuminated by light: WEEKEND EDITION

Columnist Spencer Patterson: Vegas' blues heritage celebrated at festival: Spencer Patterson; On Sunday the Southern Nevada Blues Association provides temporary relief, in the form of the Las Vegas Centennial Blues Festival.

Obituaries for April 15, 2005: Helda G. Abdou, 86, of Las Vegas died April 6 at a local hospital. She was born March 14, 1919, in Cairo, Egypt. A resident for 18 years, she was a homemaker.

Where I Stand -- Brian Greenspun: Wanted: tax solutions: WEEKEND EDITION

Ripped Russians give crowd a sweet time in 'Candyman': First the Iron Curtain came down ...

Letter: Las Vegas litter gives tourists a bad impression: April 16 - 17, 2005

Columnist Lisa Ferguson: Sherwood sure does stay busy with dual careers: Lisa Ferguson; When the Las Vegas comedian says, "A week doesn't go by when I'm not doing a show somewhere," he isn't exaggerating.

Ensign offers no tips on poker: WASHINGTON -- Sen. John Ensign, R-Nev., said he had a good time -- if not a respectable showing -- Wednesday night at a poker tournament for charity, which included 100 players -- lawmakers, their aides and lobbyists.

Blood drives: Wednesday: 10 a.m.-3 p.m., Fremont hotel; 2:30-6:30 p.m., Piggot Elementary School, 9601 Red Hills Road; 9 a.m.-2 p.m., Sprint, 330 S. Valley View Blvd.

Union merger draws praise: Alana Roberts; Powerful Democrats and labor leaders gathered Thursday in Las Vegas and praised the merger of the United Steelworkers of America (USWA) and the Paper, Allied-Industrial, Chemical and Energy Workers International Union (PACE).

LV audit finds golf course lost money: Dan Kulin; A Las Vegas audit found the city's Durango Hills Golf Course lost more than $2.8 million during its fist two years open, overpaid taxes, saw more than $25,000 worth of food spoil, and had a former supervisor who used course employees and equipment for his private business.

Schools superintendent resigns: By Emily Richmond; Clark County Schools Superintendent Carlos Garcia announced his resignation Thursday, surprising members of the School Board and others in the education community.

Canyon dwellers are still without phones: More than three months after an avalanche severed the only telephone line linking Lee Canyon to the outside world, the small community on Mount Charleston remains without reliable communications.

Study shows link between casinos, bankruptcy filings: By Liz Benston; Counties nationwide that legalized casinos from 1990 to 2002 experienced lower personal bankruptcy rates during the first several years of casino operations but eventually reported higher rates than counties without casinos, according to a study released this month.

Fast-food shield bill gets panel's OK: CARSON CITY -- The Senate Judiciary Committee this morning voted 4-3 to approve a bill that will shield fast food and other restaurants from lawsuits filed by people who blame their obesity and weight gain on these businesses.

North-south power transmission line plans could be resurrected: Kevin Rademacher; Long-stalled plans for an electricity transmission line between Northern Nevada and Southern Nevada could be revived.

Senate panel rejects brothel tax proposal: By Cy Ryan; CARSON CITY -- A proposal to impose a 10 percent entertainment tax on houses of prostitution in rural Nevada is on life support today.

UNR president takes big jump in salary: CARSON CITY -- The university Board of Regents approved a new $227,500 contract for UNR President John Lilley after a closed personnel session this morning at Western Nevada Community College.

Multihand games a steady hit: Any video poker player knows that the more hands you play, the greater the chance for a winner.

Supreme Court backs Gates over recusal: The Nevada Supreme Court ruled Wednesday that District Judge Lee Gates should not be forced to recuse himself from presiding over the new penalty hearing for a man who was originally sentenced to death for the 1998 execution-style killings of four young men

Burglar alarm at DMV office proves to be false: The alarm went off at 4:11 a.m. at 8250 W. Flamingo Road. Officers discovered a door unsecured but nothing disturbed inside the building, police said. They ruled it a false alarm.

Broadcasters to wrestle with technology, indecency at NAB: Kevin Rademacher; Calls and e-mails are coming into the offices of Nevada Public Radio.

Assembly panel hears mental health bill: Kirsten Searer; CARSON CITY -- The Assembly Ways and Means Committee this morning got its first chance to hear a comprehensive bill designed to assuage the mental health crisis in Clark County.

Operation Falcon swoops down on 10,000 felons: Jen Lawson; A nationally coordinated fugitive task force that rounded up more than 10,000 wanted felons in the past week nabbed nearly 70 fugitives locally, including a 31-year-old man who was allegedly manufacturing methamphetamine at his mother's Las Vegas home day-care center, authorities said Thursday.

Bill would give Nevada a fourth bankruptcy judge: Benjamin Grove; WASHINGTON -- Nevada would get a fourth federal bankruptcy judge as part of a broader bankruptcy reform bill approved by the House of Representatives on Thursday.

Maestas trial set for June: Beau and Monique Maestas' trial, has been rescheduled several times already, at one point being moved to next year. The attack occurred in January 2003.

Bill would allow cover charge in gaming areas: The Senate Judiciary Committee has unanimously approved a bill that would allow casinos to charge admission to areas where gaming is conducted under certain circumstances.

Internet sites show poker pros the money: By Liz Benston; In the last couple of years poker professionals -- many of them Las Vegas residents -- have struck endorsement deals with Internet poker sites and regularly tout them during casino appearances.

Bills that survived or died at Nevada Legislature: AP; DEAD IN SENATE:

Monorail audit OK'd: Kirsten Searer; CARSON CITY -- An Assembly committee approved a bill Thursday that would require a legislative audit of the Las Vegas Monorail.

Found in translation: Institute introduces globe's writers to U.S.: Eric Leake; WEEKEND EDITION

Editorial: Five years of progress: April 16 - 17, 2005

Teen who killed herself had been abused by treatment center worker: Molly Ball; The teenage girl who killed herself at the Clark County Juvenile Detention Center on Monday had previously been sexually abused at a juvenile treatment center that was under contract with the state at the time, according to her family, her lawyer and court documents.