Print edition for August 3, 2005

Report: EPA should update nuke levels for drinking water: Benjamin Grove; WASHINGTON -- The Environmental Protection Agency should revise its 29-year-old standard for radioactive materials in drinking water, according to a report released today that could have implications for the Nevada Test Site and the nuclear dump planned for Yucca Mountain.

Coroner rules child's death homicide: Eric Leake and David Kihara; Two-year-old Adacelli Louise Snyder died because she was malnourished and neglected, the Clark County coroner said Tuesday.

One killed in accident: The Clark County Coroner's office identified the dead man as Val Wayne Eggleston, 61. He was driving a 2003 Chevrolet pickup truck, according to Metro Police.

Porter tours Guantanamo Bay, says guards fighting terrorism: Suzanne Struglinski; WASHINGTON -- U.S. prison guards in Guantanamo Bay are helping the war on terrorism, Rep. Jon Porter, R-Nev., said after visiting the prison in Cuba.

Company shares are boosted: Including $14.1 million in costs incurred prior to the opening of the $365 million resort, Pinnacle reported a loss of $4.2 million or 10 cents per share compared with a profit of $15.7 million or 43 cents in the year-ago quarter.

Mirage hopes to tap the trendy crowd with new clubs, eateries: By Liz Benston; The Mirage isn't a place where Sean Christie likes to hang out.

County delays vote on private inspectors: Stephen Curran; The Clark County Commission delayed a vote Tuesday on a plan that could allow home builders to hire private inspectors to do work now done by the county's Building Division.

Court reinstates suit against Hard Rock: CARSON CITY -- The Nevada Supreme Court Tuesday reinstated a suit against the Hard Rock Hotel in Las Vegas by a woman who said she was injured in the parking lot during an attempted burglary.

News briefs for August 3, 2005: A motorcyclist died Friday after a collision in Red Rock Canyon.

Residents oppose Mt. Charleston resort: Lee Canyon residents have weathered a year of avalanches, loss of telephone service and the threat of forest fires. Now a Utah company is proposing what for canyon residents may be the worst of of all: a large resort development on the slopes of Mount Charleston.

Sales tax hike is OK'd: Stephen Curran; A sales tax hike designed to put more police officers on Clark County streets cleared its final hurdle on Tuesday.

Rogers switches party to nonpartisan: By Timothy Pratt; State university system Chancellor Jim Rogers, who has said in recent weeks he is thinking of running for governor in 2006, has switched his party affiliation from Republican to nonpartisan.

Reid assumes party leadership role in raising funds for PAC: Benjamin Grove; WASHINGTON -- Senate Minority Leader Harry Reid, D-Nev., is asserting his role as a party fundraiser-in-chief, criss-crossing the country to chase down dollars for his political action committee.

While shooting is probed, friends, loved ones mourn: David Kihara; "He had no business in our neighborhood with all the kids out here," said Felipe Morales Hernandez, 35, a neighbor who was close friends with the victim Sharon Jackson. "The guy thought he was in Iraq or something."

Sands' second-quarter profit dips: By Liz Benston; The owner of the Venetian resort in Las Vegas said profit fell in the second quarter compared with a year ago, when earnings were boosted by the sale of the Grand Canal Shops mall.

Nevada children not receiving medical care: Suzanne Struglinski and Timothy Pratt; WASHINGTON -- Nevada is second in the nation in the percentage of children without health insurance who don't get seen by a doctor, based on a report released Tuesday.

Columnist Jeff German: Persistence pays off for sheriff: Young was in the middle of mourning the loss of his mother and uncle, who were killed in a massive auto accident near Elko on Friday.

EPA to fine builder $80,000 for violations: The EPA had accused KB Home of clearing land and filling tributaries of the Las Vegas Wash without a permit at its Huntington subdivision site, west of Fort Apache Road in the southwest valley.

Company awarded contract to oversee care: This is of greater significance now that the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services publicly tracks the quality of care that is provided for various types of cases.

Legislative Democrats seek agreement on lottery: House and Senate Democrats, who hold a majority in the Legislature, met privately for much of the past three days -- in caucus meetings, negotiation sessions and one-on-ones between House Speaker Jim Black and Senate leader Marc Basnight.

St. Bernard Parish stops new gambling truck stops: The parish council ordered the stop Tuesday, despite two pending applications for new truck stops.

Defense wraps up case in Lincoln Park trial: Eric Tucker; WORCESTER, Mass. -- The defense called its final witnesses Tuesday in the federal conspiracy trial of dog track Lincoln Park and two former executives accused of plotting to pay millions of dollars in bribes to the speaker of the Rhode Island House.

School Board to assess legislative session: By Emily Richmond; The ups and downs of the 2005 legislative session and their implications for the Clark County School District will be the topic of a School Board meeting today.

End of CNOOC bid may hurt U.S.-China relations: Elaine Kurtenbach; SHANGHAI, China -- Building anti-Chinese sentiment in Washington -- the key reason cited by Chinese oil company CNOOC for withdrawing its $18.4 billion offer for Unocal -- augers poorly for future economic ties between the two powers, analysts say.

Henderson Police shoot woman who allegedly pointed gun: Regina Hunt called 911 about 11:30 p.m. and said she was going to shoot and kill her sleeping husband, police spokesman Keith Paul said. She also said she would shoot anyone who approached the house.

Henderson mom pleads guilty in child's death: By Matt Pordum; A 23-year-old Henderson mother pleaded guilty Tuesday to second-degree murder for the death of her 18-month-old daughter and multiple counts of child abuse and neglect in connection to her four other children.

Help for nurses, teachers to buy homes on the way: Teachers and nurses looking to buy homes in North Las Vegas will be eligible for extra financial assistance under revised rules the city is preparing to implement.

Redevelopment study launched: Henderson has launched a study that could lead to the creation of the city's largest redevelopment zone in a attempt to revitalize deteriorating neighborhoods, spur industrial development and restore 2,200 acres for a master-planned community.

Automakers hope to copy July sales with discount pricing plans: Dee-Ann Durbin; DETROIT -- By extending employee pricing through Labor Day, U.S. automakers hope August will be as prosperous as July, when the discounts helped them achieve near-record sales. But they acknowledge their luck could run out as discounted vehicles are sold off and new models with fewer incentives hit showrooms.

Columnist Brian Hilderbrand: Race through downtown San Jose rough but rewarding: Despite a narrow street course that allowed for virtually no passing and included a bone-jarring section over railroad tracks, the inaugural San Jose Grand Prix was a hit with most Champ Car World Series competitors.

Lottery profit sets record: It was the fourth consecutive record performance for the Virginia Lottery, topping the fiscal year 2004 profit by about $15 million, the agency announced Tuesday.

Toyota, BMW profit drops: Net income at Toyota, the world's second-biggest carmaker, fell 6.9 percent to 267 billion yen ($2.39 billion) in the quarter ended in June, the Toyota City, Japan-based company said today. Net income at BMW, the world's largest maker of luxury cars, dropped 1.2 percent to 663 million euros ($807 million), the Munich-based company said.

Another downtown property could convert to condos: A developer has applied for a permit to renovate the 604-room hotel into 388 residential units with commercial space and a health club.

30-year bond coming back: Jeannine Aversa; WASHINGTON -- The Bush administration announced today that it is bringing back the 30-year Treasury bond next year, a move that would help finance the national debt and should hold appeal for investors looking for a safe, longer-term investment option in their portfolios.

Media giant settles shareholder lawsuit: Time Warner announced today it had reached a tentative settlement with the lead group of shareholder plaintiffs, who claimed they were cheated in the merger by inflated revenue claims and improper accounting at AOL.

Sports briefs for August 3, 2005: For at least one day, Atlanta and Columbus drew the eyes of the NHL their way.

NBA ready to accept bid from Vegas: Joe Maloof tried to temper his comments about Las Vegas playing host to the 2007 NBA All-Star Game and its related festivities, whose official approval from NBA commissioner David Stern is expected Friday.

Adidas to buy rival Reebok in $3.8 billion deal: Matt Moore; FRANKFURT, Germany -- Adidas said today it will buy shoemaker Reebok for $3.8 billion, giving the company about 20 percent of the U.S. market and the potential to better challenge leader Nike Inc. on its home turf.

Longtime Henderson dentist, civic leader Marshall dies: Voters in Henderson's early days did not generally give their city council members a second chance.

Man in murder trial wrote he was 'born to do this': By Matt Pordum; A prosecutor said a jailhouse journal and a 911 call would make it clear to jurors that a 24-year-old man was acting as a hired enforcer when he killed a 19-year-old and wounded another man at "drug flop house."

County approves managers: The commission promoted fire Battalion Chief Steven Smith to head the Clark County Fire Department effective in February, and named Deputy Public Defender Elizabeth Quillin and Social Service Director Darryl Martin as assistant county managers.

Obituaries for August 3, 2005: Dios Gracio Duval, 96, of Las Vegas died Sunday in Las Vegas. He was born March 22, 1909, in Cuba. A resident for 38 years, he was a laborer for a handbag factory.

Terminally ill man's relatives 'railroaded' by woman's sentence: By Matt Pordum; The relatives of a terminally ill man who was killed by his girlfriend of 19 years in April 2004 said they felt "railroaded" by the system after the woman was sentenced to four to 12 years in prison Tuesday.

Ralph Siraco's Del Mar selections: 1st Race -- WELL DONE MY LOVE -- German-bred draws outside post in small five-horse grass mile opener, Solis scales Hendricks trainee, backers hope they can say after race, "Well Done My Love". SHARPENED COPY -- Espinoza on Headley trainee, draws alongside top pick for two-turn turf claimer, Sharpened effort leads to Copy of winners circle picture. Value Play -- GUIDEBOOK

Community briefs for August 3, 2005: Residents are invited to spend meaningful time with their kids during special barbecue events hosted by Boys and Girls Clubs of Las Vegas. In addition to food and games, Baskin-Robbins will be serving ice cream to attendees.

Columnist Elizabeth Foyt: Swayze puts on the moves at NBT event: Elizabeth Foyt; His midday appearance with his wife, Lisa Niemi, dazzled students attending summer sessions in the ballet company's Summerlin headquarters.

Reid draws from wide pool of donors: Among them, political action committees for companies and groups that included:

Editorial: Medicaid's mission is in jeopardy: Regarding Medicaid, it is disturbing that so many Americans now either can't afford private insurance or their employers don't offer coverage, forcing them to seek assistance from the government. Still, these Americans are fortunate that Medicaid exists, securing medical care for them. Medicaid was historically the health insurer for recipients of welfare, but as many of them entered the work force under President Clinton's welfare reform in the mid-1990s, it expanded to cover low-paid workers. In recent years it has also expanded to cover more children.

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

Editorial: An option to donate: We like her plan. Many people might enjoy the opportunity to donate their checks to our schools and there should be a way for them to do it. Many critics of the rebate, after all, said the money should instead go to education.

Columnist Adam Candee: Easy doesn't do it this year: Adam Candee; Notes from the golf world far and wide, starting in South Africa and slowly making our way back into and around the United States ...

Columnist Jeff Haney: Gators' bandwagon loading up with bettors: If the early betting on big-time college football is any indication, gamblers will be placing a great deal of value on the Florida Gators of the Southeastern Conference this season.

Names in the game for August 3, 2005: Asked if he believed that Baltimore Orioles first baseman Rafael Palmeiro might have accidentally taken steroids, Deion Sanders' grin vanished. He paused for a moment, then revealed a secret he had kept for nearly a year.

Ensign's PAC Battle Born collects $102,000 first six months of year: Benjamin Grove; WASHINGTON -- The political action committee of Sen. John Ensign, R-Nev., accepted $5,000 donations from each of the telecommunications giants, SBC Communications Inc. and MCI Inc. -- companies that would benefit from a new bill Ensign introduced last week to overhaul telecommunications regulation.

Letter: Lawmakers' kids should go to Iraq: I would like to suggest that all the senators and representatives who voted for this war sign up their eligible children for the military. The American people did not want this war, but they are sacrificing their children for it.

Columnist Muriel Stevens: New boxes are truly out to lunch: Office Max has a selection of cool lunch totes in a variety of styles and colors (not all Office Max stores carry the same selection) at a good range of prices ($3.99 to $9.99). Walgreens lunch totes are $7.99. Target's insulated lunch kits are $6.88.

LV to shore up historic building: While the historic downtown post office might look sturdy, experts say a major earthquake could cause huge pieces of the building to break off and tumble to the ground.

Hot, humid air is expected to linger: After 13 years of marriage, Al and Sandy Baker agree on many things, but not the weather.

Letter: School's attitude affects strength of substitutes: I graduated from Fordham University in 1990 with a degree in Comparative Literature, and after taking several education courses at Bank Street College and Fordham, I began working as a substitute teacher in New York City high schools and middle schools. Although I would take any assignment, I preferred working in the areas where I had some expertise -- English, History and French.