Print edition for August 2, 2005

Riverboat company's earnings climb: Alton, Ill.-based Argosy Gaming Co. today announced earnings of $21.7 million, 73 cents a share, on revenue of $270.9 million, compared with $18.6 million, 63 cents a share, on revenue of $254.6 million for the same quarter a year ago.

Progressive Gaming reports profitable quarter: A Las Vegas gaming-equipment manufacturer involved in a partnership to develop an automatic table game tracking system today reported its fourth consecutive profitable quarter, a first in the company's history.

News briefs for August 2, 2005: The man who was shot in the stomach in front of the Sand Dollar Blues nightclub died Monday afternoon.

Vegas firm noted for work with feds: CARSON CITY -- A Las Vegas firm is the top company in the state in doing business with the U.S. Government Printing Office.

Cashless slot machines offer casinos unexpected bonanza: Gamblers that play ticket-in, ticket-out slot machines give thousands of dollars a month back to the casinos in which they play by not cashing in their vouchers.

Wristbands aim at raising problem gambling awareness: By Liz Benston; Starting this week, customers nationwide will notice employees at several major casinos wearing orange plastic wristbands of the type that have been used to raise money for various health-related charities.

Consumer spending, factory orders rise in June: Personal incomes rose 0.5 percent, more than twice the gain in May, and spending increased 0.8 percent after no change the previous month, the Commerce Department said today in Washington. A measure of inflation in the report unexpectedly held steady. Factory orders increased 1 percent in the June, the fourth straight increase, the department said separately.

More U.S. companies thawing salary freezes: The good news: The number of employers reporting salary freezes for some or all employees has dwindled to 2 percent this year from a high of 16 percent in 2002, according to a July survey by Mercer Human Resource Consulting. More employers also are supplementing salaries with cash awards, signing bonuses and other incentives.

Columnist Brian Hilderbrand: Tracy prepared to take first spin in stock car: Las Vegas resident Paul Tracy, the 2003 Champ Car World Series champion, is scheduled to begin his NASCAR experiment today with Richard Childress Racing.

Letter: High-rise condos must be limited: There are a lot of citizens here who oppose this rapid growth. Some growth-management strategies are needed. It would help a lot, for example, if the building of high-rise residential buildings could be curtailed. This should be done before our growth gets out of control.

Air Force master sergeant pleads guilty to bank robbery: David Kihara; A Nellis Air Force Base master sergeant who was four months away from receiving his military pension pleaded guilty to eight counts of robbery in U.S. District Court, according to the U.S. Attorney's office.

Cannery owner looks to expand: By Liz Benston; The company that owns the Cannery and operates the Rampart casino has found a new equity partner and is raising additional funds to pursue an aggressive growth strategy that could include opening new locals casinos in Las Vegas as well as properties in new and mature casino markets nationwide.

White Pine County ends up $850,000 in red: CARSON CITY -- The state has confiscated all credit cards of officials in White Pine County and is examining the possibility of raising fees to get the county out of the red.

Letter: Teachers' dismal salaries impair kids' education: I'm sure they know that a recruit for Metro Police, one with a high school diploma, would start at a well-deserved $42,975. On the other hand, the board members start a teacher with a bachelor's degree at a humiliating $28,491.

Hand-held gambling devices soon to be at casino near you: Elizabeth White; CARSON CITY -- It won't be long before gamblers are shooting dice while queued up to see their favorite comedian. Or playing poker and roulette under a poolside umbrella. Even a trip to the buffet will no longer keep casino patrons from playing slots.

Community briefs for August 2, 2005: A basic bike maintenance class will be offered 7 p.m. Wednesday at Recreational Equipment Incorporated (REI), 2220 Village Walk Drive, No. 150, Henderson.

Dynasties on Display: Work of Chinese scholar artists showcased at LVAM: Their private study was their sanctuary a place to meditate, to contemplate, study or write. Nature was their muse.

North Las Vegas airport gets grant to move power lines underground: The North Las Vegas Airport, the second-busiest airport in the state, has been awarded a $4.5 million federal grant to remove elevated high-voltage power lines that potentially pose a safety hazard for take offs and landings.

Plan would sign rebate checks over to schools: By Emily Richmond; As the state is preparing to distribute $300 million in rebate checks, Clark County School Board member Susan Brager-Wellman hopes some of the recipients will consider signing the money over to the school district.

Official wants LV Monorail's tax-exempt status revoked: CARSON CITY -- A Las Vegas member of the Nevada Tax Commission is challenging the tax-exempt status granted to the Las Vegas Monorail Co., saying the status should be revoked.

Progress reportedly is made on med center: Officials from the city of Las Vegas, the Nevada System of Higher Education and the University of Pittsburgh Medical Center said they met and made progress Monday toward creating an academic medical center.

Lottery differences emerge in budget negotiations: North Carolina is the only East Coast state without a numbers game, but House and Senate leaders and Gov. Mike Easley -- all Democrats -- are trying to create one before the Legislature adjourns for the year.

Letter: Bush's challenge fueled insurgents: It is sad to note that more than two years later, the death toll of American troops is approaching 1,800.

Attorney general again rejects proposed measure: In an opinion released Monday that was sent to Ormond, D-Morrilton, Beebe cited a typographical error and two ambiguities in the language submitted by Ormond, who would be named the director of the proposed commission at the outset.

James decides to join team in Japan: Like it or not, Edgerrin James will experience Tokyo.

Home builder to acquire division of Carina Corp.: Sources with both companies confirmed the deal this morning. A formal announcement of the deal was expected as early as this afternoon, and the deal is expected to close later this summer. Financial terms were not disclosed.

Casinos take steps to fight addiction: By Liz Benston; In the nearly two years since major casinos nationwide adopted a policy implementing a number of problem gambling safeguards, two industry giants say they are in some cases going above and beyond responsible gambling rules adopted by certain states.

More than half state's public schools fail to make fed grade: By Emily Richmond; For a complete list of Nevada's Adequate Yearly Progress designations by school district, go to: http://www.doe.nv.gov/accountability/ayp/ayp_ designations_2005.html

Online gaming site's earnings almost triple: Operating profit for the year ended July 31 was at least 60.5 million pounds ($107 million) compared with 20.8 million pounds in the previous year, spokesman George Hudson said. Analysts were estimating earnings of 59.6 million pounds on that basis, he said.

Bush signs trade bill: Bush's signature at a ceremony in the East Room of the White House put the final touch on the Central American Free Trade Agreement, a measure approved by Congress last week with just a two-vote margin in the House after a bruising battle over the future of U.S. trade policy.

Las Vegas Valley records its hottest July in history: Dale Galster is one valley resident sorely unhappy with the recent monsoons that have hit Southern Nevada.

Legislation would prohibit advertising of gambling: Republican Rep. Scott Wyatt said the bill would prohibit the advertising of activities that are illegal in Utah, which could range from some fireworks to prostitution. It is aimed primarily at gambling.

Columnist Jeff German: Wristbands won't cure addiction: "It's hard not to be aware," says Hunter, a psychologist who runs the Problem Gambling Center, the only nonprofit clinic of its type in the valley. "The phone doesn't stop ringing."

Columnist Susan Snyder: Car issues are open for rebate: For those immersed in high-profile issues such as terrorist bombings in London, starvation in Africa and the ongoing scandal behind ABC's "Dancing With the Stars," the Nevada Department of Motor Vehicles is going to send rebates of $75 to $275 to those who registered vehicles in Nevada last year.

Wednesday's horse racing entries: Post Time 2 p.m.

Aviation official quits under threat of being terminated: Stephen Curran; An Aviation Department official who oversaw the now-disputed appraisals of airport-owned land resigned last week amid swirling questions about the propriety of the transactions.

Emma Young, mother of Sheriff Bill Young, dies at 70: Kirsten Searer; Emma E. Young, mother of Sheriff Bill Young, loved to tell jokes, but she often hit a snag.

Tourist drowns at Lake Mead: A 37-year-old man from Mexico on vacation in Southern Nevada drowned Monday at Lake Mead in six feet of water.

Man held in shootings recently served in Army: David Kihara; After he was arrested in connection with the shooting of two people in an alley north of the Stratosphere, 20-year-old Matthew Sepi asked police, "Who did I take fire from?"

Where I Stand -- Guest columnist Myrna Kingham: Keep housing affordable: AS A LONGTIME Las Vegan who has read the Where I Stand column for years, I'm honored to share some thoughts on the local housing market with Sun readers.

Obituaries for August 2, 2005: Fernando "Fernie" Agundez, 69, of Las Vegas died Monday in Las Vegas. He was born March 12, 1936, in Brawley, Calif. A resident for 12 years, he was a retired boilermaker for a railroad and a Marine Corps veteran who participated in air ground exercises at the Atomic Energy Commission Proving Grounds at Camp Desert Rock.

National Night Out celebrations planned: Fifty-three block parties, barbecues, neighborhood walks and other events designed to bring neighbors together have been scheduled in Metro Police jurisdiction, Officer Bill Cassell said.

Wynn Resorts opens with highest room rates on the Las Vegas Strip: By Liz Benston; After opening April 28 with a blistering first five weeks, the $2.7 billion Wynn Las Vegas megaresort late Monday reported quarterly results that are more in line with what analysts have been expecting.

Crude hovers near record on Iran nervousness: The death of Saudi Arabia's King Fahd on Monday sent prices to a record close of $61.57 a barrel after they reached a new intraday high of $62.30.

Editorial: Schools need more support: Although the district has hired more than 1,100 teachers for the fall semester, as of today it is still 440 short of the need. With school opening Aug. 29, and with most teachers around the country already committed to jobs elsewhere, it is unlikely that too many more teachers will be hired. The unfilled teacher positions will include between 150 and 200 in the field of special education. Other openings will be in such vital subjects as math, science and English. The reality is that on many days and in many classes, supervision will supplant education.

Editorial: Bolton's jagged edges: Bolton's nomination unfortunately did become partisan, but this largely was of the president's making, as he nominated someone who doesn't understand the need to build relationships with other nations, a philosophy in short supply in this White House. Democrats weren't the only ones dismayed by Bush's move on Monday. "I am truly concerned that a recess appointment will only add to John Bolton's baggage and his lack of credibility with the United Nations," said Ohio Republican Sen. George Voinovich, whose opposition to Bolton was critical in delaying the nomination.

Swimming safety tips: Learn to swim. One way people can increase their safety in and around the water is to learn to swim.

CNOOC drops $18.5 billion Unocal bid amid opposition: Loretta Ng and Wing-Gar Cheng; CNOOC Ltd. abandoned its $18.5 billion bid for Unocal Corp., the largest overseas acquisition attempted by a Chinese company, because of political opposition from U.S. lawmakers. The decision leaves Chevron Corp. as the sole bidder for the U.S. oil and gas producer.

'Brain drain' hits state offices: CARSON CITY -- It's being nicknamed the "brain drain."

Sports briefs for August 2, 2005: Golfer Ryan Moore has been named the 2005 UNLV Sportsman of the Year, while softball standout Marissa Nichols won the Sportswoman of the Year award, the UNLV athletics department announced Monday.

Six LV students make dean's lists: Students recognized for this honor include: Tamara L. Lannin, Amy Y. Ley, Joshua H. Shiode, and Lauren A. Wu.

West Nile found in valley: The West Nile virus hotline is: (702) 759-1220.

IRS claims Newton has dues to pay: Suzanne Struglinski; WASHINGTON -- Wayne Newton might soon feel like singing the Las Vegas lounge standard, "They Can't Take That Away from Me."

Moran drops out of race: Moran, 58, said in a press release that he is ending his candidacy in order to spend more time with his family.

51s get relief from Neu, Mahomes in 11-10 win: Nick Christensen; It's no secret around the Pacific Coast League - without Franquelis Osoria in the bullpen, the Las Vegas 51s are very vulnerable in the late innings.