Print edition for April 18, 2005

Valley's trash system faces changes: Stephen Curran; A host of changes to the way Southern Nevadans sort and throw out their trash may be in the works, the president of the area's trash collector said.

Proposals aim to ease burden of Guardsmen: Kirsten Searer; CARSON CITY -- Under normal circumstances, Kyle Geller would have had to pay about $2,000 per semester to study criminal justice at UNLV.

Venetian club staying tame: On a recent Friday night, a customer at the Vivid nightclub -- one of the newest of the city's dazzling night spots catering to the dusk-to-dawn crowd -- climbed up on a stage and began strutting her stuff.

States in talks to end water impasse: A standoff dividing the upper and lower basin states of the Colorado River over how much water to send to Lake Mead continues, although state and federal officials hope that meetings today and later this month will end the impasse.

Panel backs ban on some massage parlors: The Henderson Planning Commission is backing the proposed ban on new stand-alone massage studios as a way to combat prostitution.

Birth announcements for April 18, 2005: April 5:

Columnist Susan Snyder: Earth Day: Start to planet: Earth Day turns 35 this year. And the state historic park situated in the middle of the Red Rock Canyon National Conservation Area is the perfect place to appreciate the environment and learn how to better protect it, Scott Egy, Spring Mountain Ranch's new interpretive ranger, said.

Williams, longtime LV mattress company owner, dies: On Veterans Day 2001, Bill Williams marched in the downtown Las Vegas parade, proudly carrying the banner of the Army's 27th Division, 165th Regiment, Third Battalion, Heavy Weapons Company M.

Obituaries for April 18, 2005: Aurelio Kobier Aburto, 17, of Las Vegas died Wednesday in Las Vegas. He was born Jan. 26, 1988, in Nevada.

Home Run: Spencer Patterson; I first saw the Killers perform in August 2003, as an opening act for England's the Libertines at the Huntridge Theatre.

Longtime LV contractor Brookman dies at 86: George Brookman prided himself on being a straight shooter.

Community briefs for April 18, 2005: Seniors age 50 and older are invited to celebrate Earth Day at 11:30 a.m. Friday at the Las Vegas Derfelt Senior Citizens Center in Lorenzi Park.

Editorial: Ordinance? Try tolerance: We also see the laborers, congregating along certain streets and on the property of various businesses, such as nurseries, where offers of manual-labor jobs are likely to come their way. But we have never viewed them as a problem, except in the rare instances where they congregate in neighborhoods, on the properties of people who are running labor-intensive businesses from their homes. In these cases, both the homeowners and the laborers are problems, as their activities, such as loading equipment onto double-parked trucks early in the morning, are not compatible with residential life. But out on the streets, and within ...

Editorial: So this is sound science?: The Environmental Protection Agency is working on a design that would meet the court's ruling, a task that we are not alone in believing is impossible. Because it's impossible, we have been expecting attempts to circumvent the court's ruling. A 132-page report by the Electric Power Research Institute is one such attempt. Its conclusion is that the 10,000-year radiation standard should be retained, and that the federal government should allow heavier leaks of radiation after that time has elapsed.

Selling of Midtown UNLV is under way: Midtown UNLV, the colossal revitalization project of Maryland Parkway between Harmon and Tropicana avenues, is years -- even decades -- away from its ultimate vision of being a "premiere cultural and social gathering in and around the community campus," UNLV President Carol Harter said.

News briefs for April 18, 2005: Metro Police are investigating a series of five robberies that happened early this morning, beginning in northwest Las Vegas and ending in the southwest.

Challenges await Garcia's successor: By Emily Richmond; Less than 24 hours after his announced his resignation, Clark County Schools Superintendent Carlos Garcia was fielding dozens of phone messages; some from well-wishers, others from media outlets seeking interviews.

Former chief LV planner Saylor dies: Saylor, who had lived in Las Vegas since 1956, retired from the city in March 1990.

Letter: Too many drugs prescribed to kids: It is very disconcerting to learn from the media about the overuse of these drugs for children. This puts the children in danger of acting out their feelings by hurting or even killing themselves and others.

Letter: Veterans' work, needs shouldn't be forgotten: Approximately 30 percent of the people in our homeless population are veterans. The sacrifices and service to America made by our homeless veterans count for little when they are forced to sleep in the desert and on the sidewalks. It doesn't matter whether Republicans or Democrats are in power -- those serving in the military today will be neglected in the future by Congress and the Veteran Affairs department.

Bill allowing councilwoman to serve on board rejected: A measure letting Sheila Simon serve on the Gaming Board and the city council got just 50 "yes" votes, far short of the 60 needed for passage. Its sponsor, Rep. Lou Lang, used a parliamentary move to bring the measure up for a later vote.

Assembly rejects old alcohol law: Assembly Bill 63 will solve a dilemma that emergency room physicians often face when they want to test a patient for substances but are afraid the patient's insurance company won't pay for the bill, said the bill's sponsor, Assemblywoman Sheila Leslie, D-Reno.

Md. leaders squabble over slot bill defeat: Tom Stuckey; ANNAPOLIS, Md. -- For two years, Gov. Robert Ehrlich and Senate President Thomas V. Mike Miller accused House Speaker Michael Busch of putting his personal feelings ahead of the will of the majority by orchestrating the defeat of slot machine legislation.

Assembly approves stricter rules for drivers: Assembly Bill 52 would prevent a person who is younger than 16 years old from getting a driver's license. All other new drivers must have had a permit for at least six months.

Johnson can't solve LVMS: Warren Johnson was able to end Greg Anderson's Pro Stock dominance at The Strip at Las Vegas Motor Speedway, but he wasn't able to parlay his semifinal victory in his first career win in Las Vegas.

Director is 'confident' event will continue: Adam Candee; If only everyone enjoyed the LPGA Takefuji Classic as much as Wendy Ward did, there would be no question if she is coming back next year.

Sports briefs for April 18, 2005: The 51st-ranked UNLV men's tennis team lost its final regular-season match, 5-2, to No. 60 New Mexico on Sunday at the Air Force Academy

Deal for President Casino Resort complete: The deal was closed Friday, two days after the Mississippi Gaming Commission gave its approval to Silver Slipper Casino Venture to operate the casino until Broadwater Development goes ahead with its plans to sell the gambling barge and replace it with a larger casino at the Biloxi beachfront site.

Legislative briefs for April 18, 2005: The Legislature will run out of money in about two weeks unless it gets another appropriation.

Expansion of tribal casinos to continue in Oklahoma: Oklahoma Indian tribes already operate more than 80 casinos and are planning more throughout the state to keep pace with growing demand, officials from the Cherokee, Choctaw and Osage tribes said during a panel discussion with newspaper publishers and editors at the Associated Press' AP/One Convention.

Analysts laud visitor report: The typical Las Vegas visitor not only is young and hip, but smart and wealthy -- with a bigger budget for gambling than in years past.

Columnist Ralph Siraco: Prep races produce two strong rivals to Bellamy Road: Ralph Siraco; The Kentucky Derby plot thickens.

Southern casinos luring big name performers: Kathy Hanrahan; JACKSON, Miss. -- From the gritty Southern rock of the Black Crowes to the comedy of George Carlin, casinos along the Mississippi Gulf Coast are scoring top-notch headlining acts and finding other ways to draw potential gamblers and entertainment buffs to their venues.

Group urges shift in China tie to U.S. currency: U.S. Treasury Secretary John Snow, who led the G-7's weekend gathering in Washington, said China could and should embrace a looser exchange rate immediately. Canadian counterpart Ralph Goodale said China should understand there is a "freight train coming" as the U.S. Senate and the European Union weigh tariffs or import restrictions on Chinese goods.

Liddell wins title as UFC reaches apex of popularity: Fresh off a hit with its recently concluded Spike TV reality series, the Ultimate Fighting Championship scored big again Saturday as "UFC 52" attracted 14,562 fans to the MGM Grand Garden Arena, making it the most highly attended mixed martial arts event in North America in the sport's history.

Ross emerges to ease sting of injury to Nash: Patrick Gordon; PHILADELPHIA -- When a player the magnitude of Marcus Nash goes down, everyone else has to elevate their game to make up for it.

Pataki puts land claim settlements on hold: The governor, though, remains committed to the settlements, which would allow the four tribes to each operate a Las Vegas-style casino in the Catskills, said Pataki spokesman Todd Alhart.

Preps: Weekend results: Skyhawk Invitational

Doctors, retailers disagree on contact lens sales: Michelle Swafford; A federal law that gives contact lens wearers a right to shop around for their lens continues to leave eye doctors and retailers not seeing eye to eye.

51s get Penny for now: Nick Christensen; The Colorado Springs Sky Sox and Las Vegas 51s have combined for 120 runs in six games this year, including 24 in the 51s' 13-11 win at Cashman Field on Sunday.

Prudhomme celebrates 100 himself: The celebration was more than a year in the making and lasted less than an hour.

Company introduces chip for long-range wireless Internet: The chip is designed to be built into modems, enabling them to pick up so-called WiMax transmissions, which can carry data traffic over more than 20 miles. The technology is seen as both complement and successor to Wi-Fi transmissions, which send data over shorter distances.

Columnist Ron Kantowski: A race that ended before it began: There was an old Indy 500 driver from Texas named Lloyd Ruby who, as I recall, was pretty darn fast except at the Brickyard, where he was pretty darn unlucky.

Raggio seeks sanctions under Guinn's school funding plan: CARSON CITY -- Senate Majority Leader Bill Raggio said this morning that he wants sanctions imposed on schools that don't improve under the governor's plan to bolster funding of public schools by $100 million.

Arson blamed in industrial-area blaze: Eric Leake; A massive fire burned three businesses and several nearby cars Sunday afternoon, sending up a thick column of black smoke visible throughout the valley.

Brothel, TV tax among dying bills: Kirsten Searer; CARSON CITY -- Some died, most lived.

Broadcasters attend conference in Las Vegas: Broadcasters attend conference in Las Vegas

Singapore paves way for LV firms to compete for licenses: Singapore scrapped a four-decade ban on casinos to boost tourism, clearing the way for companies including Las Vegas Sands Corp., Wynn Resorts Ltd., Harrah's Entertainment Inc. and MGM Mirage to compete for the right to build two entertainment complexes in the city.

Local music pirates paying price: David Kihara; Southern Nevada residents are among those targeted in the music industry's recently stepped-up efforts to take action against people who illegally download and share music online.

Jobless claims drop in Clark County: CARSON CITY -- Unemployment dropped in Clark County in March while the number of jobs rose by 7.7 percent from a year.