Print edition for August 17, 2005

Letter: Evolution theory proven in natural occurrences: Critics of evolution use this argument and seem to refuse to accept that the definition of theory is consistent with the use of evolution in science.

Friends, family mourn mystery death of local kickboxer Glanville: Family and friends described professional heavyweight kickboxer Tommy "Rhino" Glanville as a tenacious warrior with a gentle soul.

Fight schedule: At Panama City, Panama: (ESPN), Robert Vasquez, Panama, vs. Jose Antonio Aguirre, Mexico, 12, for Vasquez's WBA light flyweight title; Javier Tello, Panama, vs. Edwin Diaz, Panama, 10, for Tello's Panamanian light flyweight title; Ricardo Molina, Panama, vs. Anselmo Moreno, Panama, 10, for Molina's WBA Federico and Panamanian super flyweight titles; Roinet Caballero, Panama, vs. Santos Martinez, Nicaragua, 10, for Caballero's WBO Latino featherweight title.

Columnist Peter Benton: End of major season signals time for debate: Peter Benton; With the conclusion of the PGA Championship, the golf season is all but over and what we now have to look forward to are the numerous awards that will be handed out.

Council approves wastewater treatment plant: The council approval of a project in the planning stages for more than five years followed a lengthy public hearing in which several residents wanted the city to reconsider its long-standing plans for the water reclamation facility on 20.7 acres on St. Rose Parkway between Kingston Road and Manhattan Road.

Obituaries for August 17, 2005: William O. Byus, 80, of Las Vegas died Saturday in a local hospital. He was born Sept. 24, 1924, in Baltimore. A resident for 36 years, he was a retired Navy chief petty officer and World War II and Korean War veteran.

Junior League names new board: They are: Tammy Peterson, president; Bonnie Bryan, sustaining president; Kellie Guild, president-elect; Stephanie Vogel, recording secretary; Carolyn Wheeler, membership vice president; Laura Schmitt, finance vice president; Brooke Stratton, treasurer; Ann Trobough, fund development vice president; Tisha Overman, fund development member at large; Sheryl Slakey, administrative vice president; Betsy Reed, administrative member at large; Bonnie Winkleman, community vice president; Charity Johnson, community member at large; Lynn Kirsch, esq., League Attorney.

Columnist Muriel Stevens: An oasis of deals at Desert Passage: Shops in Desert Passage mall at the Aladdin are offering "something for everyone's back-to-school needs from decorating your dorm room to the latest fashion-forward styles for fall," Desert Passage Director of Marketing Wendy Albert said.

Columnist Brian Hilderbrand: Las Vegas date still in question on Champ Car schedule: Champ Car World Series officials are still trying to put together a deal with the city of Las Vegas to stage a season-ending street race here that might replace the series' race at Las Vegas Motor Speedway.

Thursday's horse racing entries: Post Time 10 a.m.

Letter: Support for troops very real: She stated, "It goes without saying that all citizens of this country support our troops ..." That statement is categorically false. Michael Moore, George Soros, MoveOn.org, People for the American Way and other fellow travelers not only do not support our U.S. military, they do not support America!

New police chief sworn in: Kerstein, 58, replaces Chief Michael Mayberry who retired in April due to health problems. He will earn $141,721 a year.

Community briefs for August 17, 2005: The Volunteer Central Live workshop will be held from 8:30 a.m. to 3 p.m. Sept. 10 at Community Lutheran Church, 3720 E. Tropicana Ave.

Columnist Jeff Haney: Handicapper: Sun Devils a good bet to win at least 8: Here are the projected Pac-10 football standings, according to local handicapper Patrick Bartucci (top five finishers to go to bowls):

Editorial: Yucca's cost is no object?: Since 2001, average costs for union and nonunion labor have mushroomed. Union labor costs are now increasing at the rate of 6 percent a year, and nonunion labor is going up even faster, according the Las Vegas chapter of the Associated General Contractors. A shortage of skilled workers, owing to all of the construction under way in Las Vegas, is pushing costs even higher for labor at Yucca Mountain, which is not the most desirable place to work given its remoteness and blotched safety record. The cost of materials, including steel, cement and petroleum products, has also been rising steadily. ...

Swingin' the Club: Spencer Patterson; First, he assembled a set list loaded with deep original cuts and rarely played covers for Tuesday's stopover at The Joint at the Hard Rock Hotel.

Editorial: What is going on?: The recurrence of radio thefts from district bus yards is enough to make us ask: "What the heck is going on?!" After the first theft we would have thought a foolproof security plan would have been put in place. After the second theft, surely, absolutely, we would have thought the holes in the first "foolproof" plan would have been plugged. After the third and fourth thefts, we're at a loss over what to think.

Horner, founder of Grandparents As Parents, dies at 68: Southern Nevada family rights crusader Jane Horner said in a 2002 Las Vegas Sun story that grandparents who are forced to raise their grandchildren had become "a serious child welfare issue of the 21st century."

Columnist Elizabeth Foyt: Wynn Las Vegas shines during Macau Week: Elizabeth Foyt; Marc Schorr, president of Wynn Las Vegas, was host of the elegant gathering, which featured brothers Lio Kuok-Man and Lio Kuok-Wai, both gifted pianists.

Ralph Siraco's Del Mar selections: 1st Race -- MALMAISON -- Nakatani atop Knapp trainee, on rail for 7-furlong claimer, inside box should not hamper come-from-behind style here. ROYAL MORO -- Has outside post for long one-turn tag run, go go Gomez scales Carava trainee, fits here. Value Play -- NO SOCKS DOC

Easing of building inspector workload approved: Stephen Curran; The Clark County Commission on Tuesday moved forward with a controversial plan to ease the strain on overworked county building inspectors by shifting some of their work to private companies.

Artist donates elaborate chandelier to cancer center: It's ornate, intricate and, with its wild composure, very Chihuly.

New chief executive named: The group hired Paul Hartgen, former president of the New Hampshire Lodging & Restaurant Association; Hartgen began his job Monday. Van Heffner, who also runs the state's lodging association, resigned as executive director of the group earlier this year.

Construction continues on Palms expansion: Construction continues on Palms expansion

Nuke lobbyists to spend millions on new campaign: Benjamin Grove; WASHINGTON -- The nation's top nuclear power lobby group is planning another public relations campaign to promote the industry, and possibly to advance the stalled Yucca Mountain program.

Nevada credit rating raised: CARSON CITY -- Nevada's credit rating was boosted a notch Tuesday, meaning taxpayers in the future will save millions of dollars when the state sells its bonds.

Metropolis nears completion: Metropolis nears completion

News briefs for August 17, 2005: Performance by Clark County students on the ACT college admissions exam improved slightly in 2005, a new report being released today shows.

Ambulance company adopts new name to avoid confusion: Michelle Swafford; Southwest Ambulance -- Las Vegas is changing its name to eliminate confusion with an Arizona company that it has been fighting in a trademark infringement battle.

Suspect in bank robbery indicted: Jeremy Jermain Suggs was indicted Tuesday for armed bank robbery, and possession and discharge of a firearm during a violent crime.

Columnist Ron Kantowski: Legion's Leary was tops in the morning: After recording the last out in Sierra Vista's 6-1 victory against the Kalani Falcons of Honolulu in Monday's American Legion Western Regional championship game, Lions pitcher Drew Leary clenched his fist and immediately looked for a place to lie down.

Summer, new casino boost gaming revenue in Louisiana: Alan Sayre; NEW ORLEANS -- With the summer vacation season in full swing and a new casino resort open near the Texas border, Louisiana's state-licensed casinos won $217.7 million from gamblers last month, state police reported Tuesday.

Quarry company gets first casino building contract: General contractor Lauth Construction LLC awarded Cave Quarries Inc. of Paoli the contract to move fill dirt to the construction area.

Companies to cut overhead expenses: The new airline would have 34 officer positions, compared with 52 currently at both companies, Arlington, Va.- based US Airways said Tuesday in a filing to the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission.

Wynn welcomes 'Avenue Q': Wynn welcomes 'Avenue Q'

Experts: As long as gasoline supply holds up, locals will pay the price: Despite the soaring gasoline prices in Southern Nevada, economic trends indicate that unless the actual supply of fuel becomes a problem, people will pay the price at the pump and keep their gas-guzzling vehicles, some Southern Nevada experts say.

County passes graffiti ordinance: The ordinance, approved 5-0, came on the heels of long-standing laws in Las Vegas, North Las Vegas and Henderson making spray paint and other devices illegal in the hands of those under 18. A Senate bill passed by the Legislature earlier this year gave the County Commission authority to cite retailers who sell to minors.

City officials discuss potential slot parlor sites: The report says the city could earn the most money by locating one slot parlor along the Delaware River near South Columbus Boulevard and another near the Schuylkill Expressway and U.S. Route 1, the newspaper reported today.

Wholesale inflation jumps: The Labor Department reported that its Producer Price Index, which measures price pressures before they reach the consumer, jumped by 1 percent in July, the biggest advance since a 1.5 percent increase last October.

Tenants complain about complex's conditions: David Kihara; Trina Swain has no hot water in her apartment, but she has roaches.

First children 'eye-printed' using new system of ID: Jen Lawson; Grasping her photo ID card, 7-year-old Makynna Meegan didn't bat an eye when asked to describe what it was like to get her iris photographed.

Court rejects LV man's appeal: CARSON CITY -- A federal appeals court has rejected the appeal of a Las Vegas man who argued his prior felony convictions in Puerto Rico should not be counted in designating him as a career criminal.

3-year-old girl killed in accident: David Kihara; A two-vehicle crash at Interstate 215 and Losee Road killed a child who was just a few weeks shy of her fourth birthday and sent two men and another small child to area hospitals Tuesday night, the Nevada Highway Patrol said.

Defendants in Lincoln Park case ask for new trial: Eric Tucker; PROVIDENCE, R.I. -- The Lincoln Park dog track and two former executives who were convicted last week of conspiring to bribe a powerful former Rhode Island lawmaker have asked a federal judge for a new trial.

Rural preservation districts studied: Dan Kulin; Las Vegas planning officials will take about a month to study a proposal to create rural preservation districts, possibly leading to changes in an ordinance intended to serve as another layer of protection from unwanted development in certain neighborhoods.

Taxicab panel chief Moore quits: CARSON CITY -- Yvette Moore, administrator of the Nevada Taxicab Authority, has resigned as head of the agency that regulates the cab industry in Clark County.

Man to be tried in death of one of two slain women: By Matt Pordum; A man accused of raping and strangling two women on May 4 will stand trial for only one of the killings, Las Vegas Justice of the Peace Tony Abbatangelo ruled Tuesday.

Sports briefs for August 17, 2005: The Famous Chicken, the Phillie Phanatic and the Phoenix Suns' Gorilla are the first inductees of the Mascot Hall of Fame.

Names in the game for August 17, 2005: San Diego State baseball coach Tony Gwynn signed a three-year contract extension with his alma mater.

Steichen named starter: Steve Guiremand; Jarrod Jackson had just finished soaking his tired legs in a tub of ice water following UNLV's two-hour scrimmage on Tuesday morning at hot and steamy Rebel Park when he and fellow quarterback Shane Steichen were summoned to meet with head coach Mike Sanford and offensive coordinator Noah Brindise.

U.S. pushes for import limits on Chinese clothing, textiles: Martin Crutsinger; WASHINGTON -- Shoppers who enjoyed a sustained drop in clothing prices over the past year are likely to see markups on pants, shirts and dresses if the Bush administration gets China to agree to comprehensive limits on its clothing and textile exports.

Truck driver accused of hitting off-duty Metro officer indicted: A truck driver who is accused of hitting an off-duty Metro Police officer bicycling in Red Rock Canyon and leaving the accident scene was indicted by a federal grand jury Tuesday on a new charge of possession of guns by a felon.

World's largest online poker tournament gains popularity: By Liz Benston; One of the world's largest poker tournaments will start next month, pitting players from around the world for a total prize pool of at least $8 million.

Anti-nuke group's report: 'Congress should cancel' Yucca: Suzanne Struglinski; WASHINGTON -- An anti-nuclear group included the Yucca Mountain nuclear waste dump on a list of 10 Energy Department radioactive projects for which the group says Congress should slash or cancel funding.

Teen accused of killing baby cousin is ruled incompetent: By Matt Pordum; Doctors have determined that a 17-year-old girl accused of beating her 6-week-old cousin to death while babysitting is incompetent to stand trial and is expected to soon be sent to Lake's Crossing, the state's mental facility in Sparks.

Firm hires LV auditor: The Las Vegas firm replaces Deloitte and Touche, which resigned because of WPT's involvement in an online gambling site.

Council votes to annex land for shopping center: The Henderson City Council voted Tuesday to annex 73 acres of former industrial property, paving the way for a proposed regional shopping center city officials estimate would generate at least $1 million more a year in property tax revenue and contribute to downtown revitalization efforts.

State's crime rate drops: CARSON CITY -- On average, there was one murder in Nevada every 49 hours in 2004. And a vehicle was stolen every 23 minutes last year.

Columnist Jeff German: Inspectors' work is far from over: But they had reason to cheer as they gathered around Jane McAlevey, the executive director of the local Service Employees International Union, moments after a two-hour hearing before the County Commission.