Print edition for August 15, 2005

Hospital profits suffer fall: CARSON CITY -- Hospital profits in Clark County nosedived in 2004 with six of the 12 major hospitals reporting losses, the state reported Friday.

Even a deal with mechanics might not keep NWA out of Chapter 11: Joshua Freed; MINNEAPOLIS -- Looming right behind the question of whether Northwest Airlines Corp. mechanics will strike this week is another: Has the airline moved too late to avoid bankruptcy?

Business Bank of Nevada begins its Arizona expansion: Kevin Rademacher; Las Vegas-based Business Bank of Nevada this morning announced that it has taken the first step toward expanding into Arizona.

British Airways resumes flights; many remain stranded: The airline said short-haul flights will be back to normal today, but that restoring long-distance services would take "a little longer."

Golf briefs for August 15, 2005: At Karuizawa, Japan, American teenager Paula Creamer shot a 4-under 68 to hold off Ai Miyazato -- Japan's most popular player -- to win the NEC Karuizawa tournament.

Columnist Ron Kantowski: UNLV might have unearthed a treasure: With its steep, majestic walls and awe-inspiring mesas, gorges, buttes and river valleys, the Grand Canyon is deserving of its reputation as one of the Seven Natural Wonders of the World.

Racing briefs for August 15, 2005: With 36 laps to go Sunday, Sebastien Bourdais was running 13 seconds behind leader Paul Tracy. But the fabulous Frenchman produced another improbable victory at the Grand Prix of Denver.

Woods praises course setup: SPRINGFIELD, N.J. -- After completing his final round with a two-under-par 68, Tiger Woods had nothing but compliments for the PGA and the way it set up the 87th PGA Championship at Baltusrol Golf Club.

Kirkland dedicated to reaching potential: Steve Guiremand; Heading into fall practice, wide receiver Tremayne Kirkland was being counted on to do big things in new UNLV head coach Mike Sanford's shotgun spread option offense.

Sports briefs for August 15, 2005: Neither Andre Agassi nor a quick hardcourt could stop Rafael Nadal.

Columnist Ralph Siraco: Powerscourt avenges himself and his backers: Ralph Siraco; It took a year to get even. And the way Powerscourt won Saturday's Arlington Million, it looked as if he also had a year of pent-up anger. His backers sure did.

Depleted Eagles, Steelers open preseason tonight: After two weeks of no-shows and sideshows, distractions and departures and wide receivers who don't show up or don't shut up, the Philadelphia Eagles and Pittsburgh Steelers finally play a game tonight that Pennsylvania preferred to see in February.

Playing for Keeps: Kirk Baird; "You can't make a living playing video games."

Obituaries for August 15, 2005: Michael Brown Jr., 90, of Las Vegas died Thursday in a local care center. He was born Jan. 7, 1915, in Little Rock, Ark. A resident for 51 years, he was a retired laborer and a World War II Army veteran.

Names in the game for August 15, 2005: The New York Knicks had considered waiving Allan Houston to save about $40 million in luxury taxes on his salary, under a one-time option provided by the new collective bargaining agreement. That provision, adopted in July, has been commonly referred to as the Allan Houston rule.

519207527.html: Neither Andre Agassi nor a quick hardcourt could stop Rafael Nadal.

Senate breaks without voting on lottery bill: The chamber passed an overdue $17.2 billion budget on Thursday -- signed into law by Gov. Mike Easley on Saturday -- then worked late into Friday night and for several hours Saturday on dozens of bills neglected during the extended debate and negotiations over the spending plan.

Oil, autos make up much of trade deficit: Just two product categories -- oil and autos -- accounted for $33.7 billion of the deficit, or 57 percent. Oil is destined to drive the deficit even higher when July and August numbers are released, because oil prices have risen sharply since June. Crude oil prices closed at a record $66.86 a barrel Friday.

Resort opens poker room: Resort opens poker room

City confronted with tough decisions surrounding casino: Washington County Casino Resort General Manager Dan Kehl wants to close a rural road on the edge of town that serves several farm houses, saying it will make the planned 18-hole golf course better.

Entrepreneur takes Thai firm to Mideast consumers: Alisa Tang; BANGKOK, Thailand -- Now that William Heinecke has successfully brought American pizza, doughnuts and ice cream to Thailand and other Asian nations, he's setting his sights on the Middle East and its oil wealth -- a tempting but risky target for many U.S. entrepreneurs.

U.S. gas prices set another record: Gary Gentile; LOS ANGELES -- Retail gas prices hit another record high over the past three weeks, mirroring a rapid increase in the cost of crude oil, according to a nationwide survey.

Station buys California land for tribal casino: By Liz Benston; Station Casinos Inc. has purchased land in Northern California for the development of a casino the company intends to build and manage for an Indian tribe.

Tribe flounders after state shutters casino: Alicia A. Caldwell; YSLETA DEL SUR PUEBLO, Texas -- Jose Lopez Jr. started working as a tribal dancer at age 9, in part to make money for his struggling family.

Letter: Bush should give thought to mess: How nice of George W. Bush to feel he deserves a monthlong vacation. While he putters around his ranch and ignores the peaceful protesters at his gate, one can only hope he finds time to give serious thought to the mess he is making of this country and to the countless American and Iraqi lives lost to his vision of democracy.

West Nile virus found in 2 more Northern Nevadans: For more information about West Nile virus, see the following Web sites:

Erickson working his way back to Dodgers: Nick Christensen; For 11 days, Scott Erickson has been on a rehabilitation assignment with the Las Vegas 51s.

Thunderstorms, flooding expected to continue today: Thunderstorms and flash floods were expected to continue over the Las Vegas Valley today, repeating Sunday's downpour, and emergency officials are hoping they don't see more incidents like Sunday's, when two teenage girls were trapped in the turbulent, fast-moving waters of a Henderson wash.

Man in car chase sentenced to prison term: By Matt Pordum; Kentro Taylor was sentenced to 14 to 40 years in prison Friday for his part in a high-speed chase through North Las Vegas during which his girlfriend fired an assault rifle at police officers.

Columnist Susan Snyder: No shortage of concrete solutions: It's like having Christmas four months early, without the Visa bill.

Veterans urge commitment from Congress: Disabled military veterans say that maybe if their health needs were pet projects of lawmakers, they would not have to struggle each year to pressure Congress to adequately fund the Veterans Administration.

Ex-Iraq soldier's case may be tossed: By Matt Pordum; A 20-year-old former U.S. Army specialist who served in Iraq may have his murder and attempted murder charges dismissed if he can be placed in an inpatient mental treatment facility.

Bortolin to join Gibson camp: CARSON CITY -- Greg Bortolin, press secretary for Gov. Kenny Guinn for four years, is resigning to become communications director for Henderson Mayor Jim Gibson, who is expected to formally announce next month for governor.

News briefs for August 15, 2005: Man killed in bed during robbery

Stolen radios cost schools $500K: By Emily Richmond; Thieves stole 181 two-radio radios from the Clark County School District's locked bus yard over the weekend, a haul worth about $90,500, officials said this morning.

Blues veteran Cray stays on track at Railhead: As ushers at Boulder Station's Railhead herded latecomers to their seats at Saturday's show by the Robert Cray Band, the night's headliner squinted toward the opened doors at the entrance of the small hall.

Editorial: A sullied reputation: Baseball's reputation itself, not just the reputations of past and current stars, is in serious jeopardy. The fact that Palmeiro served only a 10-game suspension is a joke. Major League Baseball adopted a new steroids policy in March, but it is anemic. Commissioner Bud Selig, after the Palmeiro suspension, called for the adoption of harsher penalties. Selig says the players' union should agree to suspensions of 50 games for a first offense (instead of the current policy of 10 games), 100 games for a second offense (instead of the current 30 games) and a lifetime ban for a third offense ...

Famously fractious Dinosaur Jr. returns with a bang: Spencer Patterson; Who: Dinosaur Jr.

LV case could have national impact: CARSON CITY -- In a case that has national implications, the state attorney general's office will appeal to the U.S. Supreme Court a decision overturning the conviction of a Las Vegas man found guilty of the sexual assault of a 6-year-old relative.

Medicare drug benefit pushed at Vegas rally: Michelle Swafford; Nevada's State Health Insurance Assistance Program helpline (800) 307-4444.

Editorial: Diversity on the rise: The numbers confirm that Southern Nevada is a national leader in providing opportunities for minorities. Local governments and businesses big and small here have developed work places over the years that are welcoming for people of all races and ethnic groups, which is a barometer of success for any community. The result is an urban area that is much more exciting because of its diversity. Racial and ethnic tensions, already greatly reduced from just a few decades ago, will only lessen as diversity increases. Children especially benefit from diverse schools and neighborhoods, as they will have a lifetime to spread ...

Officer justified in killing suspect: Jen Lawson; A Metro Police officer was justified in shooting and killing a murder suspect who had allegedly fired a shot at the officer's head, a coroner's inquest jury determined Friday.

Company settles suits with Calif. utilities for $445 million: The settlements with San Diego Gas & Electric, Edison International, Pacific Gas & Electric Co., and other entities calls for Reliant to pay $150 million in cash. Reliant will also waive claims to its receivables for power deliveries from Jan. 1, 2000, to June 21, 2001.

New state BLM chief seeks balance: The man pegged to be the new Nevada director for the Bureau of Land Management said last week that he recognizes the challenge in balancing the competing interests of industry, the environment and a rapidly growing urban population.

Stranger in his own land: By Timothy Pratt; Ben Brownback is lucky, but he's not.

CCSN chief Carpenter agent of change: Community College of Southern Nevada President Richard Carpenter likes to joke that he pushes change because he doesn't know how long he'll survive at the college's helm.

Nevada put in sex offender registry: CARSON CITY -- Nevada has been included in a National Sex Offender Public Registry to allow the sharing of sex offender information across the nation, Gov. Kenny Guinn said today.

Births for August 15, 2005: MountainView Hospital

Letter: Saddam should be tried, executed before U.S. leaves: Although many are irritated by President Bush's extended vacation, if you think about it, the frequent vacations may be good for the country. Since just about everything he has touched in his four-and-a-half-year presidency has gone awry, maybe cutting wood and clearing brush is his strong suit and his talent could best be used out in the pasture.