Print edition for December 6, 2005

Letter: Common-sense solution for cold, flu season: Their philosophy is to protect others from your cold or other communicable disease, or to protect you from theirs. With this in mind, especially with the flu season at hand, wouldn't it be wise and logical for a world leader, such as we are, to adopt this practice?

Columnist John Katsilometes: Couple roll into LV to tie knot: When Francis Murphy asked Margaret Nixon out for the first time, she shot him down.

Columnist Jeff Haney: Some pretty ugly results in football handicapping contests, but you shouldn't knock it: Surely some of the contestants in Las Vegas' two big football handicapping invitationals are the real McCoy.

Donors a handicap for Derby?: University Chancellor Jim Rogers is raising eyebrows among regents for contributing sizable financial donations to Regent Jill Derby's congressional campaign and making sure that others close to him, personally or professionally, do the same.

Wynn, who has an early winner, plans an Encore: By Jeff Simpson; Business at Wynn Las Vegas has been so strong that Steve Wynn says he'll begin building his next Las Vegas hotel in the spring.

Experts: Chances unlikely for spread of bird flu to Nevada: AP; "I think chances are remote. That's the word to use," said Craig Mortimore, a biologist and waterfowl expert at the Nevada Department of Wildlife.

Guest columnist Jim Gibbons: A different take on mining bill: Unfortunately, the Las Vegas Sun's Nov. 30 editorial entitled "Public lands up for grabs?" does not accurately portray the reasons for or the consequences of the mining provisions which I authored with House Committee on Resources Chairman Richard Pombo, R-Calif.

Flashpoint for Dec. 6, 2005: What an honor it must have been for the assemblyman to be named a member of the 25th Anniversary Republican Senatorial Inner Circle. "The Honoree is a Republican Leader in the Las Vegas community," the certificate reads, "a steadfast supporter of President George W. Bush and invited to be one of the one hundred in Nevada to achieve this recognition." And he "is known to represent the highest Republican ideals and principles." It is signed by National Republican Senatorial Committee boss Elizabeth Dole. The assemblyman surely was speechless -- especially because his name is John Oceguera, the assistant Democratic leader. ...

Take Five: Chris Stanley: By Rob Miech; Instead of following the usual route to a professional hockey career, Las Vegas Wranglers center Chris Stanley played four years in an amateur league and then went to school, in Halifax, Nova Scotia, for four years.

Letter: Marathon a prime example of teamwork: The group that the marathon's organizers put together could teach most bureaucracies valuable lessons. We watched from the 23-mile spot on the course and enjoyed seeing the runners up close as they headed for the home stretch. Thanks to everyone, especially the volunteers.

County officials reject Heller's new voter registration system: CARSON CITY -- A $4.6 million project by Secretary of State Dean Heller to start a statewide voter registration system has turned sour.

Uproar in Meadow Valley: A Moapa Valley rancher went into a Lincoln County stream with heavy equipment last week to take what he says is rightfully his -- water.

Later start times at high schools studied: By Emily Richmond; If Green Valley High School freshman Carrie Yakubik had her way, she would have been curled up in her warm bed at 6:30 a.m. Monday, not making her way through the biting cold to gym class.

Editorial: Railroad crossings at risk: Every single accident at a railroad crossing should be investigated by the Railroad Administration, just as the National Transportation Safety Board investigates all plane crashes. Local investigators will document the time of the crash, the extent of the damage and the number of injuries. But it takes a federal investigation to determine why the accident took place and what safety measures need to be taken to ensure against a recurrence.

Hilton deal will give Reba rest from road: When: 9 p.m. May 3-6; 8 p.m. May 7

Police cars seen in a new light: With sunroofs: Henderson's police chief and top administrators will be riding around in a little more style than your typical squad car.

Letter: Tark great, but Wooden still No. 1: However, I would not call him the greatest basketball coach, as did letter writer Bobbi Youngblood on Dec. 2. This honor, in my estimation, remains with John Wooden for what he accomplished at UCLA during the 1950s and '60s.

Columnist Jeff German: The police union's travels down the county paper trail: Let the games begin.

Editorial: Just not making the grade: The five F's are in these areas: failing to ensure that homeland security funding goes to those cities most at risk, not improving radio communication among emergency agencies, not adequately prescreening airline passengers, the continued secrecy regarding the size of America's intelligence budget and a lack of clear guidelines for detaining terrorism suspects.

Editorial: Economy skating on thin ice: The Washington Post reported last month that a Democratic takeover of either the House or Senate is not out of the question after the votes are counted 11 months from now. A loss of either one (losing both would be a long shot but it is possible) would signify widespread popular dissatisfaction with President Bush's presidency. With the stakes that high, Bush is taking the offensive.

Duly Noted: Former Las Vegas Posse quarterback Anthony Calvillo's passing completions, attempts and yards in the Grey Cup, the Canadian football equivalent of the Super Bowl. Calvillo's Montreal Alouettes lost 38-35 in overt.