Print edition for January 14, 2005

Avalanches leave ski area hurting financially: Molly Ball; Even if the Las Vegas Ski and Snowboard Resort reopens this season, it will be crippled by the loss of one of its three chairlifts that was wiped out by a major avalanche earlier this week, the resort's manager said on Thursday.

CEO's net worth grew the most in 2004, Forbes says: EBay founder and Henderson resident Pierre Omidyar was No. 3 on the list with a $5.6 billion gain. MGM Mirage majority shareholder Kirk Kerkorian was No. 4 with a $3.1 billion gain and Steve Wynn was No. 8 with a $1 billion gain.

Columnist Muriel Stevens: Sammy's spruces up in a charitable way: On Tuesday all Sammy's locations will contribute 10 percent of gross sales to UNICEF. Twelve locations in Southern California, Nevada and Arizona will participate in the humanitarian effort.

Editorial: Innovation benefits all: With Clark County's growth leading the nation, and the detention center already overcrowded, newly elected Juvenile Judge William Voy's first thought in late 2003 was that a new facility, costing millions, would have to be built. But as Voy discussed the problem with department director Kirby Burgess, another idea was born. Burgess proposed a radical departure from past practice, which had been to detain all youths who were waiting for charges to be formally filed, or for hearings to take place or for a trial to start. "Make room for the kids who need to be there and don't detain ...

Mountain West wants no piece of Utah State: Fortunately for the Mountain West Conference, Utah State, which has slammed Brigham Young twice this season and crushed Utah, will not be joining in 2005-06.

'Set For Life' tickets recalled: The Texas Lottery Commission said it had identified two tickets with the problem.

Letter: Legislature must act promptly on property taxes: As reported by your newspaper, Mike Sloan, from the Mandaly Resort Group, said that one problem with adopting a measure akin to Proposition 13 was that, unlike California, Nevada has no personal income tax as an alternative revenue source. Right, but we do have gaming taxes.

Cooperative Extension reaches out to kids: It's noon on Thursday and University of Nevada Cooperative Extension instructor Mike Kistler is trying to remind 20-plus second graders that broccoli is actually a flower.

Killers set to perform on 'SNL' this weekend: The band, composed of vocalist/keyboardist Brandon Flowers, guitarist David Keuning, drummer Ronnie Vannucci and bassist Mark Stoermer, are scheduled to perform two songs on Saturday's broadcast (Channel 3), hosted by "That '70s Show" and "In Good Company" star Topher Grace.

Preps: Thursday's Results: Valley 81, Chaparral 65: VALY: Josh Rivers 18 pts, Justin Everett 15 pts. CHAP: Victor Rubio 14 pts, Javier Gonzalez 14 pts, Brian Manson 14 pts.

Editorial: No anointment here: Neither Heller nor Gibbons wasted time in taking swipes at each other. Heller's comment that "I don't believe in dynasties" was followed by Dawn Gibbons' retort that she doesn't have family money to finance her campaign, saying that she'll have to raise money through hard work and "shoe leather." Heller and Dawn Gibbons do have something in common, though: They haven't always been welcomed by the Republican Party's conservative wing. For instance, Dawn Gibbons voted for the 2003 Legislature's much-needed tax increase, a hike that was denounced by many diehard conservatives. (Even her husband was dismissive of the tax increase, ...

Mountain likely to remain off-limits to visitors: David Kihara and Molly Ball; Mount Charleston will likely remain closed to visitors during the Martin Luther King Jr. holiday this weekend because of the threat of avalanches in the area, a Clark County official said on Thursday.

Mob associates among those charged in gambling crackdown: The horse won the Dec. 18, 2003, race at Aqueduct Raceway in a scheme that included the cooperation of a racehorse trainer and a harness driver, federal prosecutors said in a release. Both men were among those charged.

As water recedes, teeth-rattling potholes remain: Stephen Curran; The wet weather that has blanketed the Las Vegas Valley in past weeks has taken a toll on area roads and has made getting around a little bumpier, city and county officials said.

Legislators eye first urban casino in S.F. Bay Area: Don Thompson; SACRAMENTO -- California's first casino in the midst of a major urban area would bring badly needed jobs to one of the San Francisco Bay's poorest communities, supporters said Wednesday as the Legislature began consideration of the project.

Gaming regulators OK site of proposed St. Louis casino: Jim Suhr; ST. LOUIS -- Missouri gaming regulators have signed off on the proposed location of a new downtown St. Louis casino, ruling that the site also expected to feature a hotel is close enough to the Mississippi River to pass constitutional muster.

Split-second timing crucial for 'City' comedy troupe at Flamingo: Almost four years have passed since the legendary improv group "Second City" replaced the popular musical comedy "Forever Plaid" at the Flamingo.

City planners approve hospice for Henderson: The hospice is to be 35,700 square feet with 16 beds and is to include a 7,000-square-foot adult day center on 11 acres near the end of Nevada State Drive in the Mission Hills area.

Saturday's horse racing entries: Post Time 12:30 p.m.

Wholesale prices plunge 0.7 percent in December: The Federal Reserve said that the December jump in industrial production matched a similar 0.8 percent gain in October and was far above a modest 0.2 percent rise in November, allowing manufacturers to end the year on a solid note.

Columnist Sal DeFilippo: NFL teams: 'Fancy meeting you here': Sal DeFilippo; There's an unusual common denominator in this weekend's divisional playoff games.

Letter: Students must be taught English: My question is this: Why is the school district failing to teach these students English? While there is no legislated official language in this country, English has been the primary language of the United States for well over 200 years.

Inquest result expected today: David Higgins' roommate had called police Dec. 17 and reported that Higgins was intoxicated and "acting in a bizarre and agitated manner," police said.

Holiday closings: SAFETY: Police and fire emergency services as usual. Administrative offices closed.

Library District settles sexual harassment suit: Beth Slovic; The Las Vegas-Clark County Library District board on Thursday approved a $180,000 settlement to end an eight-year-old sexual harassment and discrimination lawsuit against the district.

Low-income seniors will find a silver lining: Beth Slovic; When Blanche Garber retired in 1998 at the age of 75, she had worked in casinos for 23 years.

Trump sues developer over Seminole Hard Rock casino: Coralie Carlson; MIAMI -- Donald Trump has sued a former associate and the developers of the Seminole Hard Rock Hotel & Casino, claiming they cheated him out of a profitable contract.

Columnist Barb Henderson: Mule deer enthusiasts gather: Barb Henderson; Sportsmen and sportswomen will be heading to Reno this weekend for the Mule Deer Foundation's Convention and Exposition at the Reno-Sparks Convention Center.

Columnist Brian Hilderbrand: Repeat after me: No driver in the NASCAR Cup Series has been able to repeat as series champion since Jeff Gordon in 1997 and 1998 -- a fact not overlooked by reigning Nextel Cup champion Kurt Busch.

Obituaries for January 14, 2005: Michael Bailey, 53, of Las Vegas died Tuesday in Las Vegas. He was born Dec. 8, 1952, in Chicago. A resident for eight years.

Performing Arts for January 14, 2005: Fundraiser

Datebook for January 14, 2005: The following films will be showcased this week at the Century Suncoast 16, located inside the Suncoast Hotel & Casino in Summerlin, as part of the 4th annual Las Vegas Celebration of Jewish Film. Tickets are $10:

Governor appoints new casino, lottery chiefs: Ernest Yelton of Brazil, a Clay County Circuit Court judge for more than 25 years, will oversee the Gaming Commission, which licenses and regulates casinos in Indiana. Esther Schneider, who has a background in advertising and public relations and was director of the state Senate Majority Campaign Committee, will lead the state lottery.

News briefs for January 14, 2005: Several roads and access areas in and around construction activities near the Hoover Dam bypass bridge have reopened.

LV-Clark County Library District adds wireless service: Beth Slovic; Laptop computer owners will be able to access the Internet for free using wireless devices at Las Vegas-Clark County Library District branches in as little as two weeks.

School Board elects Mason president: Mason thanked his colleagues for their unanimous vote of confidence and said he was looking forward to the challenges of the coming year and legislative session.

Manufacturer plans to end production of 717 jet: The big Chicago-based airplane manufacturer said today the charge will work out to 48 cents a share for the fourth-quarter and full-year 2004 results, scheduled to be released on Feb. 2, 2005.

Rain delays many construction projects: Crews on Thursday were still assessing whether the recent wet weather would cause any significant delays in construction projects around town, Bobby Shelton, spokesman for the Clark County Public Works Department, said.

Steelers expect field to be in good shape: The Pittsburgh Steelers expect Heinz Field's playing surface to be in its best shape in weeks for Saturday's divisional playoff game against the Jets.

Lady Rebels regroup in time for fifth consecutive win: Adam Candee; This wasn't North Carolina or Minnesota -- or even New Mexico or Utah -- which is why the Lady Rebels won Thursday night at Cox Pavilion.

Nextel Cup 2005 Schedule: Nextel Cup 2005 Schedule

Objection to bus transfer location rejected: Eric Leake; Neighbors said a bus transfer area near College and Horizon Drives is a nuisance frequented by drunk vagrants. The Regional Transportation Commission said the location is integral to the future of valley mass transit.

State reports list medical profession as the highest paid: CARSON CITY -- The medical profession is the highest paid occupation in Nevada with surgeons at the top, earning an average of $103 an hour.

Woman sentenced in extortion case involving Dion's husband: By Matt Pordum; A 49-year-old Korean woman convicted of extortion for trying to get millions of dollars from the husband of Celine Dion to quell a rape allegation was sentenced to a year in jail and 16 months to 5 years in prison on Thursday.

On Display for January 14, 2005: UNLV art professor Tom Holder's exhibit, "Mojave," will be shown from Tuesday to Feb. 12 at UNLV's Donna Beam Art Gallery, located in the Alta Ham Fine Arts Building. Admission is free.

Blood drives: Tuesday: 10 a.m.-3 p.m., Eldorado Casino, 140 Water St., Henderson; 11 a.m.-6 p.m., Albertsons, 4055 S. Durango Drive; 4-8 p.m., Blood of Lamb Holiness Church, 1103 N. Nellis Blvd.; 10 a.m.-2 p.m., Cedco, 7210 Placid St.; 7 a.m.-noon, GC Wallace, 1555 S. Rainbow Blvd.

Sun holiday auction raises record $1,600: All money raised by the auction of promotional events the Sun staff receives during the year will be turned over to the Sun Youth Summer Camp Fund.

Community briefs for January 14, 2005: Mary Barkan will speak on "Genealogy Paper" at The Jewish Genealogy Society of Southern Nevada's meeting 1 p.m. Sunday in the multi-purpose room of the Sahara West Library, 9600 W. Sahara Ave.

New mobile dentist to serve children in rural Nevada: WEEKEND EDITION

Baum: Perseverance key to 'Makeover': Kirk Baird; For 32 years Aimee Baum lived in the shadows.

A Scout's-eye view of history: Eric Leake; WEEKEND EDITION

Columnist Lisa Ferguson: Stand-up comics in Las Vegas overlooked? Shuli, you jest: Lisa Ferguson; If you're under the impression that in order to see live comedy performed in Las Vegas you must fork over big bucks and watch an established showroom headliner, or visit one of the chain comedy clubs in town, well then, you're not alone.

Letter: Inauguration is a patriotic display: January 15 - 16, 2005

Letter: Property taxes should pay for better services: January 15 - 16, 2005

Where I Stand -- Brian Greenspun: A more perfect ruling: WEEKEND EDITION

Sister Scinta: WEEKEND EDITION

Launching Plaid: Nostalgic production set for another run: Even "Forever Plaid's" producer, Richard Martini, wasn't sure what the future might hold. He lamented corporate changes, especially executives' attitudes about entertainment.

Lake Mead-area hikes offer variety: For those who yearn to hike hidden highways and byways, the National Park Service presents a variety of guided hikes through the winter in the Lake Mead National Recreation Area.

Charges remain against Mongols and Hells Angels: By Matt Pordum; The conspiracy charges against members of rival motorcycle gangs who allegedly participated in the deadly riot at the 2002 Laughlin River Run will stand, District judge Donald Mosley ruled on Thursday.

Columnist Jerry Fink: Atilla keeps live music alive at Euro Place: By Jerry Fink; It's a colorful name, one that evokes images of a warrior: a large, domineering and perhaps vicious man who leads legions of soldiers on a mission to conquer the world.

Columnist Jon Ralston: Guinn is taking easy way out: WEEKEND EDITION

Columnist Jeff German: This is the time to help gambling addicts: WEEKEND EDITION

Columnist Susan Snyder: E-mails bring home winter peril: WEEKEND EDITION

In Silver State, Social Security debate follows party lines: Benjamin Grove; WEEKEND EDITION

Editorial: A warning from nature: January 15 - 16, 2005

Editorial: Nuke power 'makeover': January 15 - 16, 2005

Mixing TV, music is Hall way: Kirk Baird; Barbara Hall's first career choice was to be a musician.

Ford must go to mental hospital: By Matt Pordum; Doctors have determined that a former NFL player accused of shooting at the home of entertainers Siegfried Fischbacher and Roy Horn is not mentally competent to stand trial.

Columnist Jerry Fink: Gallagher could be smash hit: No contract has been signed and no specific dates or ticket prices have been set, but officials say he is being considered as a strong possibility for the busy period of late winter, early spring.

Discretion in sentencing welcomed: Jace Radke; This week's U.S. Supreme Court decision freeing judges from using mandatory sentencing guidelines could lead to more appeals of sentences and allow judges more discretion in how they punish federal criminals.

Recipient of new award exemplifies principles of Scouting: Eric Leake; WEEKEND EDITION

Hearing delayed in serial rape case: By Matt Pordum; A 38-year-old man who has been in custody since August on charges he committed a series of rapes in the late 1990s in the East Flamingo Road area will have to wait another 19 days for his preliminary hearing because two police officers were out-of-town on Thursday and unable to testify.

Rebels on the rebound: Steve Guiremand; The folks who put together the Mountain West Conference basketball schedule this year didn't exactly do Lon Kruger and his UNLV Rebels any favors by having them open up at Utah on Monday night.

'Dumb Driver Law' gets little support from county officials: Jen Lawson; The billboard showed a blue sport utility vehicle halfway submerged in rushing brown water next to the message "BADIDEA" emblazoned on a faux personalized Nevada license plate.

Columnist Ron Kantowski: The boys of winter are blowing hot air: All those Big Ten coaches who think moving the start of the college baseball season back to March 1 is going to level the playing field against the warm weather schools have been spending too much time in the Hot Stove League.

Union Pacific unsure of timetable to reopen: Floodwaters from massive winter storms this week did so much damage to the train tracks running through Southern Nevada where a freight train derailed that the Union Pacific has no idea when crews will complete repairs.

LV man arrested on charges of illegal gambling: Jace Radke; A Las Vegas man alleged to be an associate of the Gambino family of La Cosa Nostra has been arrested and indicted in New York on federal charges of operating an illegal gambling business.

Hundreds line up for chance at federally funded housing: By Timothy Pratt; Refugees from West African civil wars. Single mothers recently out of their teens waiting for child support payments to arrive. Divorced grandmothers living with friends. Pregnant mothers fleeing domestic violence. Homeless men. People with Los Angeles-area addresses.

CES success spurring expansion into Sands: The International Consumer Electronics Show, fresh off a record turnout for its convention in Las Vegas last week, will expand into the Sands Expo Center when the event returns in 2006.

Sanford adds old friend to complete coaching staff: Steve Guiremand; UNLV head coach Mike Sanford is about to add the final member of his coaching staff.

Officer charged in sex case with girl, 14: Jen Lawson; A Metro Police vice detective who had arrested a 14-year-old girl for soliciting prostitution at the Bellagio was arrested himself Thursday after he went to the girl's home, allegedly hoping for a sexual encounter.

Abraham pushes more nuclear power plants: Suzanne Struglinski and Benjamin Grove; WASHINGTON -- Outgoing Energy Secretary Spencer Abraham today said his four-year tenure brought progress to the government's plan to put nuclear waste at Yucca Mountain, but Nevada's continued legal challenges could lead to additional delays.

Columnist Jeff German: Valley faces trainload of problems: That's not good, because unattended tankers filled with toxic chemicals can be sitting ducks for terrorists.

Early penalty opens floodgates for Gulls: Nick Christensen; On Monday, the Las Vegas Wranglers lost to Fresno in the first 10 minutes. On Thursday night at the Orleans Arena, it took San Diego barely more than a minute to put away Las Vegas.

City to lobby for cameras to catch traffic scofflaws: David Kihara; A bill draft request from the city asks the Legislature to overturn an existing Nevada law that prohibits the use of cameras for such a purpose, said Kimberly McDonald, the city's chief lobbyist.

Sports briefs for January 14, 2005: A plot to fix a horse race by doping one of the animals was among crimes alleged in a crackdown on sports gambling that has resulted in charges against 17 defendants, including three reputed mobsters, authorities in New York said Thursday.

Nevada given low marks for children's quality of life: By Emily Richmond; Nevada earned dismal marks on a report card being released today by a Henderson-based watchdog group that graded the quality of life for the Silver State's children, an outcome that came as little surprise to educators, researchers and community advocates.

Recruiting weekend boasts 4 players on all-state team: Steve Guiremand; Four of the top prospects in Southern Nevada, including three first-team members of the Sun's All-State Football Team, are among 19 players who will take official recruiting visits to UNLV this weekend.

Ward 1 candidates debate issues: Dan Kulin; Las Vegas City Councilwoman Janet Moncrief and the two challengers she'll face in the coming recall election got into a testy exchange Thursday about over-attention or inattention to various neighborhoods and the incumbent's ability to represent Ward 1.

NFL Playoff Glance: AP; N.Y. Jets 20, San Diego 17, OT

Panel offers no sure answers for real estate difficulties: Jennifer Shubinski; The mayors of the valley's four municipalities and Clark County's commission chairman cheerfully bantered with one another but carefully sidestepped some questions from an audience of about 500 local developers and real estate professionals Thursday.

Overton begins huge cleanup: Stephen Curran; OVERTON -- Those who live in this small town tucked in northeast Clark County are proud of the fact few residents lock their doors, and by Thursday afternoon the property lines that once divided homes in its low-lying Stringtown neighborhood appeared almost non-existent.

Southwest announces ATA code share details: Southwest Airlines unveiled the first details of its code share agreement with ATA Airlines on Thursday, an arrangement that will result in one-stop service between Las Vegas and Boston, Washington's National Airport, New York's LaGuardia Airport, Newark, N.J., and the Florida cities of Fort Myers and St. Petersburg.

LVCVA films new commercials: LVCVA films new commercials

Guinn to recommend $100 million to boost Millennium Scholarships: CARSON CITY -- Gov. Kenny Guinn intends to propose selling a $100 million bond to rescue the financially ailing Millennium Scholarship that has provided money to more than 22,000 students at the universities and community colleges.

Las Vegas pharmacy sends drugs: Las Vegas Mayor Oscar Goodman joined employees at Medco Health Solutions Inc. Las Vegas Dispensing Pharmacy on the 6200 block of Annie Oakley Drive today to load the first pallets of the medicines.

Contractors Board warns residents against weather-related scams: The Nevada State Contractors Board is warning homeowners to take steps to protect themselves against home repair scams by unlicensed contractors after the recent rainstorms and flooding in Clark County and excessive snow in Northern Nevada.

Asian group to hold first meeting Sunday: The group is working with the National Asian American Republican Coalition and the Nevada Republican Party and will try to reach out to the Asian community to become more involved in Republican politics, said Dolly de Leon, an interim spokeswoman for the group.

Golden Gate celebrates birthday: Golden Gate celebrates birthday

Metro Police arrest pilot on suspicion of being intoxicated: Jen Lawson; Metro Police arrested a pilot for the discount airline AirTran Airways on suspicion of being intoxicated early Thursday, minutes before he was to fly a passenger jet from McCarran International Airport to Atlanta.

Ramp lights to control freeway flow: CARSON CITY -- The phrase "stop-and-go traffic" will take on a new meaning for many freeway motorists in Clark County on March 1.