Print edition for August 26, 2005

Panel: Nellis won't get Alaska's F-16s: WASHINGTON -- Nellis Air Force Base on Thursday lost the first of several decisions affecting it when the Base Realignment and Closure Commission voted to allow 18 F-16s to remain at the Eielson Air Force Base in Alaska.

Residents speak out on RTC's light rail plan: Stephen Curran; The Regional Transportation Commission encourages members of the public to speak up during four public meetings next month. For more information, visit the 'C's fixed guideway Web site at www.rfguideway.com.

Girl in critical condition after being left in hot car: Ed Koch and Mary Manning; Just hours before his 17-month-old daughter Brianna was pulled unconscious and barely breathing from a hot parked car Thursday, Teofilo Rodriguez had been helping the toddler walk in their northeast Las Vegas front yard, neighbors said.

Columnist Nick Christensen: Schedule loads us up with quality matchups: Nick Christensen; Team (2004 Record, Last 2004 Ranking)

Testing services contract approved: By Emily Richmond; The Clark County School Board on Thursday approved spending $782,157 on assessment and testing services from CTB/McGraw-Hill to evaluate new students who arrive in the district speaking a language other than English.

Arizona prepares for legal fight over water: SAN DIEGO -- Representatives of the seven states of the Colorado River basin met Thursday amid calls for cooperation and collaboration, but even as they did one of the key players was preparing for legal combat.

Man believes neighbor poisoned his dog: Shane Forrest told Channel 8 he found his elderly white Labrador retriever "Lucky" Wednesday in the yard of his home near Boulder Highway and Equestrian Drive, unable to move.

News briefs for August 26, 2005: An inmate serving time for 12 counts of larceny, robbery and use of a deadly weapon escaped Thursday while being taken from Carson City to the prison in Lovelock.

Las Vegas a test market for new generation of Red Box kiosks: Jennifer Shubinski; REDBOX LOCATIONS

Gaming briefs for August 26, 2005: Alliance Gaming Corp. delayed the release of its fourth-quarter earnings for the second time in a month Thursday.

Silver Saddle Saloon sale OK'd: CARSON CITY -- Saeed Reza Shakeri, a professional engineer, has assured the Nevada Gaming Commission he has the ability to run the Silver Saddle Saloon in Las Vegas, a business that has been plagued with crime problems.

Nevada not acting against Par Three: Kevin Rademacher; Nevada regulators are aware of Las Vegas-based Par Three Financial Inc., which was ordered by the California Department of Corporations to stop soliciting investors in that state.

Woman run over, killed on I-15 after alleged argument with taxicab driver: A woman who slapped a cabdriver and got out of his taxi after he pulled over alongside Interstate 15 early this morning was killed when she was run over by several vehicles on the freeway, the Nevada Highway Patrol said.

Experts: Creativity needed to make housing attainable: Jennifer Shubinski; Representatives from local private and public entities joined with housing experts from other parts of the country in a series of roundtable discussions this week that focused on how to create affordable housing in Southern Nevada.

Sports briefs for August 26, 2005: The University of Cincinnati today hired Andy Kennedy as its interim basketball coach, two days after forcing Bob Huggins out of hte job.

Interstate phone-in horse race betting plan weighed: CARSON CITY -- A plan to revive the dormant horse race betting business in Nevada was outlined Thursday, a proposal that would permit the state's race books to take wagers from customers in other states.

Gated Summerlin community is shocked by armed robbery: David Kihara; With gated neighborhoods already numerous around the valley, and more going up all the time, recent developments in the posh Siena golf course community in Summerlin might serve as a reality check.

Experts say Nevada dealers make more than federal statistics show: Alana Roberts; Nevada gaming dealers make less money than any other dealers in the country, according to newly released federal statistics.

Columnist Brian Hilderbrand: Fuller's first win couldn't come at a better time: Rod Fuller picked the perfect time to win his first NHRA Top Fuel race when he defeated Tony Schumacher in the final round of the O'Reilly Mid-South Nationals on Sunday in Memphis.

Police hoping reward leads them to killer: Sheriff Bill Young and other Metro Police officials said they are tracking tips from 12 calls received after a 68-year-old woman was shot and killed during a robbery in the Suncoast parking lot Tuesday morning, but they are hoping a $50,000 reward being offered by the casino owners will spur more information from the public.

Players make last push to impress: Steve Guiremand; UNLV football coach Mike Sanford had originally intended to make his team's final full scrimmage of fall camp short and sweet and lasting only about 60 plays.

Columnist Ron Kantowski: UNLV's traditions don't quite stack up: John Lindsay of the Scripps Howard News Service wrote a piece recently about all the neat traditions that make college football so much better than pro football, at least for guys like him, me and Keith Jackson.

Thursday's fights: Thursday's fights

Early results in for schools chief survey: By Emily Richmond; The next superintendent of the Clark County School District should have budgetary expertise, be a hands-on leader and a visionary planner, according to preliminary results of a survey that sought community input.

Hernandez powers Beavers past 51s: We've always wondered about Tony DeFrancesco's concealer and Mike Rouse's eyeliner.

New program aims to help young readers: By Emily Richmond; The Clark County School District's southeast region is teaming up with Henderson on a new program to help younger students become proficient readers by the third grade.

Ralph Siraco's Del Mar selections: 1st Race -- BINGO EVENT -- Draws good outside box in full field of maiden/claiming sprinters, go go Gomez scales Hendricks trainee, graduation Event--Bingo! JAKE THE CHIEF -- Desormeaux astride O'Neill trainee, has inner box for tag dash, adds blinkers for this diploma try. Value Play -- BADGETT'S BEST

Critics cite water waste at Lake Powell: SAN DIEGO -- To some, Lake Powell saved the bacon for Las Vegas' 1.7 million thirsty residents through the last five years of drought. To others, the lake is an environmental monster that wastes more water than it saves.

Obituaries for August 26, 2005: Joseph J. Bancheri, 85, of Las Vegas died Tuesday in Las Vegas. He was born May 1, 1920, in New York City. A resident for 25 years, he was a letter carrier and a World War II Navy veteran.

Resort president to apply for gaming license: Seven Springs President Scott Bender said Thursday he will apply to the Pennsylvania Gaming Control Board for a license for as many as 500 slot machines.

Victim's mom files wrongful death lawsuit: The mother of the man killed by Michael Kane says she doesn't want money or revenge -- she wants justice.

Officials say Southwest growth straining water supplies: SAN DIEGO -- Explosive population growth in the desert Southwest is straining water supplies to their limits, officials said Thursday at a meeting of water agencies here.

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

Sept. 11 factors that hurt U.S. led to economic boom in Persian Gulf: Jim Krane; DUBAI, United Arab Emirates -- In the United States, the Sept. 11, 2001, attacks are seen as the catalyst for a period of fear, war and economic worry.

Fishing report: Anglers find stripers in Overton Arm: Walt deMattos, NDOW creel census clerk, said boaters have had very good success recently for stripers at Ann Marguret Cove.

NLV union says no to opening City Hall on Fridays: A union representing nearly one-third of North Las Vegas employees has rejected holding talks on making Friday a business day at City Hall, but city officials said it's an option they will pursue in the future.

Sohn heads UNLV journalism school: By Christina Littlefield; Documenting disappearances, attacks and even the beheading of a fellow journalist has a way of changing a person.

Golf briefs for August 26, 2005: At Ardmore, Pa., Kent State senior Ryan Yip and fellow Canadians Mark Leon and J.C. Deacon each won two matches Thursday at historic Merion Golf Club to advance to the quarterfinals.

Community briefs for August 26, 2005: The Loving Your Heart Conference, a free interactive women's conference on heart disease and stroke, will be held from 9 a.m. to 3:30 p.m. Saturday at the Tuscany Suites, 255 E. Flamingo Road.

Editorial: Mass transit inevitable: August 27-28, 2005

Columnist Jerry Fink: Male revues heating up over phrase: An attorney for "Chippendales," the production at the Rio, has warned the producers of "Men of Russia," the show at Krave, to quit using the phrase "A GIRL'S NIGHT OUT!" in print advertising.

Go! Team plays for keeps on 'Thunder': Spencer Patterson; So far as I know, the six members of the Go! Team are adults, but you'd hardly know it listening to debut full-length "Thunder, Lightning, Strike."

Withdrawal of guilty plea sought in tourist slaying: One of the two men who pleaded guilty to avoid a potential death sentence for robbing two McDonald's restaurants and killing a tourist said Thursday he would like to withdraw his plea and go to trial.

Editorial: Protecting pedestrians is tough duty: His assignment was part of a three-month operation by the North Las Vegas Police Department that began in June. Assisted by a $20,000 state grant that expires next month, the police department is deploying officers wearing regular clothing at intersections -- and motorcycle officers at a discreet distance. Their instructions are to use the crosswalks and cite motorists who fail to yield the right of way. On Tuesday, at a crosswalk on Lake Mead Boulevard, Carter and the motorcycle officers could not keep up with the volume of offenders. In this typical case, the officers cite only the most blatant ...

Columnist Susan Snyder: Hawthorne still open for business: WEEKEND EDITION

White Pine County DA faces discipline: CARSON CITY -- The Nevada Supreme Court has told White Pine County District Attorney Richard Sears to clean up his act or he could face disciplinary action.

Little Keystone makes the jump to the big time: Nick Christensen; SANDY VALLEY -- As you head toward the zig-zagged row of homes that make up this desert valley, you can't miss the bright yellow sign at the first 90-degree turn on the town's main paved road.

Letter: Bush not making any real sacrifices: The message is clear: We Americans -- from the troops fighting in Iraq to those of us at home fighting to stay afloat -- must make sacrifices while Bush and his family carry on unscathed.

Health workers are frustrated over talks: Molly Ball; Workers for the Clark County Health District again expressed frustration to the county Health Board on Thursday, saying their union's contract negotiations have stalled, which is distracting them from their work.

Editorial: Depot worth saving: The news was good for the nation, as well. As the commission discovered, the Pentagon miscalculated in stating that the depot was expendable. The commission found that the depot's 147,000 acres are of high strategic value, and not just because of its work with ammunition. Among the depot's many other functions, it serves as a prime training area for Marines, Navy Seals and other troops heading for desert climes.

Coupling of Bologna, Taylor is worth hour attention: The Broadway version of Renee Taylor's and Joe Bologna's production runs about two hours, with an intermission.

California targets 39 firms in drug fraud lawsuit: Among those named were drug giants Amgen Inc., Bristol-Myers Squibb Co., GlaxoSmithKline P.L.C., Novartis AG, Sandoz Inc., Mylan Laboratories Inc. and Schering-Plough Corp.

Children under 2 won't need to buy plane tickets: The Federal Aviation Administration had considered making safety seats mandatory on planes for small children. That would require parents to buy extra plane tickets, which they don't now have to do for children under 2.

Company launching new wearable music player: The new device unveiled on Thursday includes enough storage capacity for up to 50 hours of recorded Sirius content or audio files. Unlike XM's portable device, MyFi, Sirius's product will not be able to receive satellite signals on the go and must be plugged into a docking station. The s50 will sell for $360.

Scouts learn to park it: WEEKEND EDITION

Columnist Spencer Patterson: Youth infusion boosts Adolescents' reunion: Spencer Patterson; "He's the major reason why we started playing again," said bassist Steve Soto, referring to guitarist Frank Agnew's son, Frank Jr.

Where I Stand -- Guest columnist Larry Ruvo: Defeating Alzheimer's: None of us is spared the tragedies of life. At some point each of us must deal with the sadness, frustration, helplessness and devastation with which life's deadly diseases and afflictions challenge us.

Editorial: How quickly tragedy hits: August 27-28, 2005

Growth Curve: Backstreet Boys, Destiny's Child appealing to more mature audiences: Spencer Patterson; We are talking about the same five cuddly teen icons that owned the pop charts from 1996 to 2000, largely on the strength of a young, female audience, right?

Preps: Small Schools: WHY TO WATCH: It's probably the state's most competitive league. Every team has reason to believe it will win, from Faith Lutheran's undefeated JV team last year, to the tradition of Virgin Valley, Moapa Valley and Boulder City, to the sheer numbers at Pahrump Valley.

Letter: Hospitals should support deal for medical center: August 27-28, 2005

Summer of Love: WEEKEND EDITION

UNLV's Global Dorm fosters intercultural interaction: WEEKEND EDITION

Blood drives for August 26, 2005: Wednesday: 10 a.m.-2 p.m., Epoch Assisted Living, 8720 W. Flamingo Road; noon-5 p.m., Riviera hotel; 8 a.m.-1 p.m., Stoller-Navarro, 7710 W. Cheyenne Ave.; 9 a.m.-1 p.m., Wellington Meadows, 9550 W. Sahara Ave.

Columnist Jon Ralston: Adacelli's death exposes problem: Many of us in the pundit game write about politics from a safe distance. Ensconced in our ivory towers, we preach about governments behaving badly, about politicians pandering pusillanimously, about lobbyists influencing insidiously. We lambaste, we sear and we pierce -- but we rarely holster our rhetorical swords to see the consequences of the actions we write or talk about.

Letter: War in Iraq is distraction from real 9-11 enemy: August 27-28, 2005

LV's past comes alive in quilt: Dan Kulin; Images of Las Vegas' past and a few from the present are preserved in an old-fashioned way in the city's Centennial Quilt, which was unveiled Thursday at the Sahara West Library.

Columnist Jerry Fink: Lounge scene in Vegas busier than ever: Having taken three weeks off, I feel out of the loop, lounge-wise.

Letter: Intelligent design nonsense touted by right-wingers: Intelligent design has to do with religion and philosophy based on observations. It appeals to fundamentalists who fear that if anything is not literally true in the Bible, then the whole thing is not the word of God. Intelligent design is not only a pseudo science; it is also an illogical, medieval view of religion.