Print edition for April 27, 2005

Former state senator Rawson tapped for Gaming Commission: Ray Rawson, who served in the Nevada Senate for 20 years before being defeated in a close primary election in 2004, has been appointed to the Nevada Gaming Commission.

Turnberry facing lawsuit over condominium change: Jennifer Shubinski; A change in the economy that led development company Turnberry Associates to scuttle its Madison Tower condominium plans and instead announce a bigger project under the name Turnberry Towers has prompted an original buyer to sue for breach of contract.

Two alcohol measures pass: CARSON CITY -- Two bills toughening the laws on liquor -- one applying to parents who supply alcohol to minors and the other dealing with drunken drivers -- were approved in the Senate Tuesday.

Lawmakers hope to save wild horses: Benjamin Grove; WASHINGTON -- The recent slaughter of wild horses sold by the federal government should give momentum to new legislation that would halt the killing of animals that many consider to be an icon of the American West, Sen. John Ensign, R-Nev., said.

Gaming briefs for April 27, 2005: Four more surveillance camera operators at Caesars Atlantic City Hotel Casino used the equipment to ogle women, according to a complaint filed Tuesday.

Columnist Jeff German: Dead 'Ant' helped take down mob: The 63-year-old retired FBI agent had spent a decade doing nothing but investigating Spilotro, the Chicago mob's diminutive but tough-talking rackets boss in Las Vegas.

Sports briefs for April 27, 2005: Cody Ross' three-run double in the sixth inning opened up a four-run lead for Las Vegas and enabled the 51s to earn a 5-4 win at Sacramento Tuesday.

Panel told nuke plants should be built: Suzanne Struglinski; WASHINGTON -- The lack of a final resting place for nuclear waste creates a challenge when trying to build new nuclear power plants, the Energy Department told senators Tuesday, but it does not mean new plants shouldn't be built.

High fuel prices prompt increase in taxicab rates: Rising fuel prices have resulted in an increase in taxi rates in Southern Nevada.

Another $60 million needed for Medicaid, panel told: CARSON CITY -- A pullback in federal funding and higher than expected medical costs mean Nevada's Medicaid program will need up to $60 million more, a legislative budget committee was told this morning.

LV-based airline plans Texas flights: A spokeswoman for the company said the airline is expanding its fleet to accommodate the new flights.

Victim ID'd in Palms killing: Micthell got into an argument with a group of acquaintances in the parking lot of the resort, and one member of the group pulled out a handgun and shot him, Metro Police said.

Assembly, Senate rush to get bills approved: Kirsten Searer and Cy Ryan; CARSON CITY -- During one lengthy floor speech on Tuesday, some members of the Assembly playfully waved pieces of white paper in the air to signify their surrender.

Columnist Ron Kantowski: Stokes became relevant right here: In that he played his college football at William Penn, an NAIA school in Oskaloosa, Iowa, tight end Andy Stokes may be the most irrelevant of all the Mr. Irrelevants, which is what they've been calling the last player selected in the NFL Draft for the past 30 years.

Station turns profit, plans expansions: By Liz Benston; Citing strong business growth in the Las Vegas Valley, Station Casinos Inc. said today the company expects to break ground on an expansion of its Santa Fe casino in North Las Vegas and its Fiesta Henderson casino.

Development deal on LV's 61 acres facing new delay: Dan Kulin; Instead of seeing an agreement next week on the development of Las Vegas' prized 61 acres downtown, the City Council might have to wait until July.

Hospitals unhappy about legislation: Kirsten Searer; CARSON CITY -- Hospitals are crying foul over a slate of bills passed Tuesday that Assembly Democrats say would lower patient costs.

Galardi lawyers question constitutionality of law: Stephen Curran; Lawyers for strip club mogul Jack Galardi have taken aim at what they say is an unconstitutional county ordinance that allowed commissioners to deny him a liquor license last month, according to a lawsuit expected to be filed today.

PT's Pub owner plans 'ultratavern' in Las Vegas: The company that operates the PT's Pub franchise in Southern Nevada will introduce in southwest Las Vegas its "ultratavern" concept that has been a big success in Reno.

State eyes membership in cleanup compact: Launce Rake; Nevada may soon join a multistate compact that brought together states throughout the West in an effort to control worsening air pollution at national parks in the region.

Murphy's bond motion rejected: By Matt Pordum; District Judge Joseph Bonaventure on Tuesday denied Sandy Murphy's motion to have the $250,000 bond posted for her bail returned.

Talks dry up at water meeting, leaving Norton to decide on Lake Mead supply: Jeff Donaldson; A key decision about Southern Nevada's water supply now rests entirely in the hands of a federal official because a work group from lower and upper Colorado River basin states on Tuesday was unable to end an impasse over how much water Lake Mead should get.

Open house gathers input on Spring Mountain plans: Residents of the Spring Mountains applauded a new effort to begin addressing traffic problems created by thousands of visitors going to Mount Charleston or Lee Canyon, but they wondered if it would come soon enough.

Purchases of taxable goods still strong: CARSON CITY -- For the 14th straight month, taxable sales in Clark County produced a double-digit increase in February compared with February 2004 with strong business in sale of autos, building materials and clothing.

Sale of power plant possible: Kevin Rademacher; The Silverhawk Power Station, located about 20 miles north of Las Vegas, could be up for sale.

Durango Drive project opens: The Durango Drive improvement project, on which construction began in October, is expected to provide two travel lanes in each direction between the Las Vegas Beltway and Tropical Parkway. The one-mile portion, built by the Las Vegas Public Works Department for $4.5 million, also includes new medians, curbs, gutters, sidewalks and streetlights, department spokespeople said.

Development deal on Vegas' 61 acres is facing new delay: Dan Kulin; Instead of seeing an agreement next week on the development of Las Vegas' prized 61 acres downtown, the City Council might have to wait until July.

Panel kills Beers' spending bill: CARSON CITY -- A proposed constitutional amendment to limit government spending to inflation and population increases died in the Senate Finance Committee Tuesday.

Extra fee on traffic crashes loses: CARSON CITY -- Bills to impose a surcharge on certain traffic violations and to allow casinos greater access to criminal information were defeated in the Senate Tuesday.

Letter: Brimmer didn't deserve Kantowski's cheap shots: I don't make it a habit to write and complain about things, but I had to say something. I didn't appreciate the negative comparatives given to Jamaal and most certainly don't feel that he deserves to take a beating in his hometown newspaper just because he didn't return your phone calls. You should be reminded that this is a good kid with a good heart who comes from a good family.

Legislative briefs for April 27, 2005: Classes at high schools would not be allowed to begin before 7:35 a.m. under a bill approved by the Senate Tuesday 19-1.

Columnist Brian Hilderbrand: IRL veteran hopes to get back on track in Japan: One of Scott Sharp's two major sponsors is based in Japan and the other has large operations in the Pacific Rim, which is part of the reason Sharp is looking forward to this weekend's Indy Japan 300 at Twin Ring Motegi.

Nothing lost in the translation: Nick Christensen; Two years ago, Humberto Rodarte arrived at Desert Pines High School as a Mexican immigrant who spoke no English but knew all about America's pastime.

UNLV basketball assistant being wooed by Louisville: Steve Guiremand; UNLV assistant basketball coach Marvin Menzies spent Tuesday in Louisville interviewing with Cardinals head coach Rick Pitino for the assistant's job once held by former Rebel Reggie Theus.

Columnist Jeff Haney: Hot run by Suns could burn bookmakers: NBA playoff series

Ballot initiative on city contracts hangs in balance: North Las Vegas argued in federal court Tuesday that a group of residents wanting an initiative on the June 7 general election ballot waited too long to seek a legal solution.

Columnist Adam Candee: Time for Rebels to prove they've got more than just Moore: Adam Candee; He could shoot a left-handed, one-legged, blindfolded 59 every round from here to June - and we'd love to see it - but Ryan Moore still wouldn't win the one he wants so much.

Desert Springs Hospital CEO retires: Fitch's last day at the Universal Health Services Inc.-owned hospital was April 14 although he is on vacation and will remain on the payroll until the end of the month.

Company's income rises: The Franklin, Tenn.-based company's net income increased to $15.8 million in the second quarter from $11.9 million in the year-ago quarter.

Killer of four's family heard at new penalty phase: By Matt Pordum; A jury trying to determine if a man convicted of tying up and killing, execution-style, four young men should be eligible for the death penalty heard testimony from several of his family members on Tuesday.

Pair of Aces: Vento, Arnauld combine Italian, French heritages in Henderson restaurant: Ken Miller; Not so. Actually, it's more akin to oil and vinegar.

Obituaries for April 27, 2005: Mary Lee Anderson, 64, of Las Vegas died Monday in a local hospital. She was born Feb. 22, 1941, in Kilgore, Texas. A resident for 43 years, she was a homemaker.

Man sentenced in manslaughter case: By Matt Pordum; Lester Gamble, convicted of voluntary manslaughter for killing a man to prevent him from hitting Gamble over the head with a 40-ounce beer bottle, was sentenced to eight to 20 years in prison on Tuesday by District Judge Joseph Bonaventure.

Columnist Elizabeth Foyt: Celebrities, notables celebrate Riviera's 50th: Elizabeth Foyt; Celebrities attending the intimate dinner included Phyllis McGuire, Ruth Buzzi, Barry Corbin, Marty Allen and Bernie Kopell. They were joined by former Sen. Chic and Gail Hecht, Edward and Eleanore Doumani, former Rep. Jim and Mikey Bilbray, Dennis Bono with Lt. Gov. Lorraine Hunt, Irwin Kishner, former Sen. Richard and Bonnie Bryan, Kat Bowers, Stephen Molasky, Rossi and Mary Jo Ralenkotter, Robert and Nancy Vannucci, and Arlene Bates.

Editorial: More than just games: In the first year of the program 14 schools and 750 students participated. This year 39 schools and more than 2,000 students are involved. We support the goal set by the district and Special Olympics Nevada -- to spread the program to all 300-plus Clark County Schools and involve as many of the more than 30,000 developmentally disabled students as possible.

Preps: Baseball Top 10: Compiled by the Las Vegas Sun and the Sparks Tribune

Letter: Slaughter of horses must be stopped now: The United States hosts three foreign-owned horse slaughterhouses in the business of purchasing low-priced horses for slaughter and horsemeat export to Europe and Asia. And Belgian-owned Cavel International in DeKalb, Ill., had the privilege of slaughtering the first six mustangs (captured and sold by the Bureau of Land Management) under the new amendment to the Wild and Free-roaming Horse and Burro Act of 1971. The amendment came about via the rider Sen. Conrad Burns, R-Mont., snuck into the appropriations bill signed by President Bush. The rider removes the Act's protection of wild horses from slaughter.

Letter: Liberals get their way with judges: But let those who depend on their faith as the basis of their morality rise up in opposition to these "little kings," who apparently believe they are not on the bench to interpret the law but to make it, and liberals begin to panic. "Theocracy!" they bleat. "Separation of church and state!" they squawk.

Columnist Peter Benton: Some numbers to chew on from the Masters: Peter Benton; The 2005 Masters is now, of course, history, but to those who enjoy statistics, following are the players who led the various categories:

Community briefs for April 27, 2005: Southern Nevada firefighters and United Blood Services are inviting the community to participate in the fourth annual Firefighters Challenge Blood Drive 8 a.m.-4 p.m. Saturday at Cashman Center, 850 Las Vegas Blvd. North.

Preps: Tuesday's results: Foothill 6, Green Valley 1: W: Lamborn (6-2, 7 IP, 10 k, 4 H, ER). L: Krause (6-1, 7 IP, 7 K, 9 H, 4 ER). 2B: Kreier (FTHL), Sexton (FTHL), Soto (FTHL), Greb (GV). 3B: Heroy (GV), Mishalow (GV). RBI: Lamborn-2, Sexton-2, Dudley (FTHL).

Gators face the music: Nick Christensen; Green Valley's baseball team came into Tuesday's contest against Foothill looking to prove that last week's home loss to Silverado was just a fluke.

Offers to lease course rejected: Boulder City rejected two offers Tuesday to lease its Boulder Creek Golf Club and will aim for a June 7 ballot initiative to help repay its $22 million debt for building the course.

Wife of fugitive banker pleads guilty: In a plea agreement with the Justice Department, Yu Xuhui, 36, agreed to fully cooperate with the governments of the United States, China, Hong Kong and Canada in ongoing investigations of the immigration conspiracy and embezzlement at the Bank of China.

Packers' Green arrested: Green Bay Packers running back Ahman Green was arrested after a domestic violence incident, the Brown County sheriff's department said Tuesday.

Editorial: Thirsty days on horizon: By 2035, the water authority says, the situation will be critical. We will need twice as much water from the Colorado River as we are permitted by federal law to take. This only makes sense, as the U.S. Census Bureau last week came out with its population projections for Nevada. It reported that our population will have doubled by 2030. This is especially sobering because Census Bureau reports err on the side of caution. Our population may very well double years before 2030.