Print edition for July 7, 2005

Simulated terrorist attack planned for Strip: Jen Lawson; The bombings of London's transportation system this morning come a few days before Clark County is scheduled to conduct a simulated terrorist attack on the Strip as part of an emergency training exercise.

Gaming board names first executive director: Ann Lacour Neeb, a lawyer and New Orleans native who has headed the Louisiana Gaming Control Board since last year, was hired pending a successful background investigation at a salary of $180,000.

Pittsburgh medical center rejects $150 million plan: Dan Kulin; The University of Pittsburgh Medical Center would not contribute $150 million toward the construction of a possible $400 million Las Vegas academic medical center, a Pittsburgh center spokeswoman said this morning.

Tourism bureaus say slogan deal unusual: The Las Vegas Convention and Visitors Authority's transfer of the rights to the popular slogan "What happens here, stays here" was a highly unusual move, representatives of other major tourism bureaus around the country said.

Organization to elect board members to open seats: The cities of Boulder City and Mesquite had previously been sharing one seat on the board with alternate terms, but under a new state law, will each have their own seat. That means Mesquite Mayor Bill Nicholes will join the board along with Boulder City Councilman Mike Pacini.

News briefs for July 7, 2005: A 51-year-old Las Vegas woman was killed Wednesday night when her compact car collided with a pickup truck, police said.

Bombings leave pub patrons wondering about relatives: Today's edition of the London Daily Mail had not arrived at the Crown & Anchor Pub on East Tropicana Road by late this morning.

Apartments may be shut down: Jen Lawson and Dan Kulin; A downtown Las Vegas apartment complex that Metro Police and city officials say has become a haven for crime and squalor is headed toward a courtroom battle that could result in the city shutting down the Monterey Villas Apartments.

Blasts came hours before RTC was to unveil double-decker bus: Stephen Curran; The Regional Transportation Commission is urging riders aboard its Citizens ' Area Transit system to report suspicious activity by calling Transit Watch at 598-3937.

Letter: One-party trends must be stemmed: Why are so many lower-court decisions so unlike what the public seems to expect?

Letter: Residents' apathy only encourages rampant graffiti: What really frustrated me on our last visit was the reaction I got from speaking to some law enforcement officials that I encountered. Their attitude was that, "Nobody cares, and it's impossible to catch the taggers." This is not true. I have been involved with law enforcement for many years and we have almost eliminated graffiti in our area by getting everyone involved.

Entertainment District: Six blocks and a dream: Right now it doesn't look like much.

Editorial: '06 could be interesting: Beers' decision to enter the race is relatively safe. He was elected just last year to a four-year term as state senator, so he still will have a seat in the Legislature even if he loses. Nevertheless, it is intriguing that Beers, who is not as well-known throughout Nevada as Gibbons is, would take on someone whose anti-government views are so similar to his. It's very possible that because of these similarities, the campaigning between Gibbons and Beers could get personal -- and negative -- as each fights to tap the same base of ultraconservatives in the Republican Party. Both, ...

Hammered and Nailed: Beauty Bar offers entertainment in the form of alcohol, manicures: "Now these are beautiful, natural nails," Ricco, aka Frankie "Da File," said while gripping her wrists. He then leaned toward her to say, "Tonight's the night, Lisa." Gonsalves ordered a shot of Jagermeister.

Payday loan company openings halted: The North Las Vegas City Council has halted the opening of any more payday loan companies while city officials consider an ordinance limiting their number in the community and distance from one another and possibly even an outright ban on new ones.

Beau Maestas may get death penalty after all: By Matt Pordum; Beau Maestas may yet get the death penalty.

Board suspends doctor's license: CARSON CITY -- The state Board of Medical Examiners has suspended the license of a Las Vegas doctor who is accused of sexual misconduct and improper prescribing of narcotics.

Company refinances debt: The change will increase revolving loan commitments to $1.35 billion and reduce certain fees and interest rates.

Nevada No. 3 in immigrant births: By Timothy Pratt; Nevada is among the top five states in the nation in the percentage of births to immigrant mothers, both legal and illegal, according to a study being released today.

Demolition work begins on Castaways property: The company hasn't yet decided what to develop on the site but has determined that the existing structures are "no longer suitable for use."

Figure in high-profile murder given work card for LV club: Dan Kulin; A man convicted of hiring a hit man to kill a Caesars Palace casino executive's wife in 1974 was given a work card by the Las Vegas City Council on Wednesday.

Prosecutor replays Malone tape in closing arguments: Elliot Spagat; SAN DIEGO -- A strip club lobbyist recruited three San Diego councilmen to accept campaign contributions in exchange for efforts to repeal a ban on customers touching dancers at nude bars, a federal prosecutor said Wednesday in closing arguments of a corruption trial.

Pahrump Assemblyman Sherer stepping down: Kirsten Searer; Two-term Assemblyman Rod Sherer, R-Pahrump, will resign from his seat on Monday to take a job in Salt Lake City.

New pro-Yucca group to lobby rural residents: Benjamin Grove; WASHINGTON -- A fledgling pro-Yucca Mountain group plans to visit Nye County later this month to try to bolster support for the repository project among rural Nevada residents.

Report: Predator had a total loss of control: The MQ-1L Predator belonged to the 15th Reconnaissance Squadron at Nellis Air Force base and was destroyed on impact. There were no injuries, fatalities or damage done to other property or equipment. The remotely piloted aircraft cost $3.5 million to build originally and will cost about the same to replace, said Patrick Murphy, an Air Combat Command spokesman.

LV housing prices flat for June: Alana Roberts; The fact that the June median sales price of a single-family home in the Las Vegas Valley remained at the $300,000 record reached in May is an indication that the housing market is stabilizing, housing market experts said.

PacifiCare, UnitedHealth to merge in $8.1 billion deal: Michelle Swafford; PacifiCare Health Systems Inc. announced Wednesday that it is merging with UnitedHealth Group Inc. in a deal valued at about $8.1 billion.

Conference highlights Net poker's popularity: By Liz Benston; Flanked by hostesses in slinky black dresses and introduced with blaring rock music, a group of marketing experts and attorneys gathered at a Las Vegas casino to advise online poker operators how to promote a business that both the state and federal government consider to be illegal.

Beers: State not in tune with its citizens: Kirsten Searer; Sen. Bob Beers is easily one of the more colorful figures in Carson City.

Local firms pay to give Manning a big sendoff: Stephen Curran; According to a list circulated inside the more than 300 invitations that were mailed, outgoing Clark County Public Works Director Marty Manning's retirement party next week was paid for with contributions from:

Defendant blames shooting at officers on ex-girlfriend: By Matt Pordum; A public defender said a 31-year-old man was not guilty of charges stemming from a high-speed chase that included multiple shootings at police officers by his then-girlfriend, but instead acting in fear of his own life "because hell hath no fury like a woman with a DPMS assault rifle."

Court to reconsider murder case: CARSON CITY -- The Nevada Supreme Court on Wednesday agreed to reconsider its decision in which it invalidated the first-degree murder conviction of David W. Crawford in the fatal shooting of his girlfriend in Las Vegas.

Investigators probe rubble at school: Las Vegas Fire & Rescue will be assisted by the National Response Team from the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives, and Clark County School Police.

Resident has change of heart over neighbor's pig: Penelope the pot-bellied pig will get to stay at her North Las Vegas home thanks to a change of heart by the man who wanted her out of the neighborhood for good.

Fight schedule: At Hampton Beach, N.H. (ESPN), Chad Brisson, Canada, vs. Johnny Walker, Fort Lauderdale, Fla., 10, light welterweights; Ray Oliveira, Fall River, Mass., vs. Emanuel Augustus, Baton Rouge, La., 10, welterweights.

Agreement fails between Metro and officers' union: Jen Lawson; The union representing Metro Police's rank-and-file officers and the police department administration failed to reach an agreement in contract negotiations Wednesday, and both sides agreed to bring in a mediator to help them reach a resolution.

Columnist Brian Hilderbrand: Troxel back in NHRA with Schumacher team: Melanie Troxel is reuniting with team owner Don Schumacher and will drive Schumacher's second Top Fuel dragster in the NHRA Powerade Drag Racing Series.

Trump names James Perry as CEO for casino business: "Jim's track record is terrific," Trump said, adding that he was selected after "a large number" of people were interviewed to run the four Trump casinos.

Development OK'd despite environmentalists' concerns: The North Las Vegas City Council gave its blessing Wednesday to an agreement that will pave the way for developing nearly 2,000 acres, despite the objections of environmentalists, who said more of the land should be preserved to protect rare plants and prehistoric fossils.

Aging conference hopes to help plight of seniors: The effects of old age are something Las Vegas resident Patricia Serrano, 63, says she is just beginning to experience. But she sees what time can do to the human body every day as she cares for her aging mother.

New City Councilman Ross takes oath of office: "I am humbled by this," Ross told the audience after taking the oath of office. "I'm taking this office very seriously."

Appeal over Binion estate dismissed: CARSON CITY -- The Nevada Supreme Court on Wednesday dismissed the appeal of Sandy Murphy and Rick Tabish in the fight over the estate of gaming figure Ted Binion.

Shoshone Nation files motion in Yucca case: Last May a federal judge denied the Western Shoshone Nation's preliminary injunction request seeking to stop work at the site. In the ruling, the judge requested that the government file a motion to dismiss on jurisdictional grounds, according to Wednesday's motion.

FSU star linebacker suspended after arrest: Florida State junior linebacker Ernie Sims, a preseason candidate for the Bronko Nagurski Trophy as the nation's best defensive player, was arrested Wednesday on charges of battery and resisting an officer without violence.

Woman wins big on progressive slot machine: Brenda Preston won the jackpot Saturday afternoon at Terrible's Mark Twain Casino.

Letter: Zealots running both Iran, U.S.: It's the future, stupid!

North Carolinians debate pros, cons of offering a lottery: Steve Hartsoe; RALEIGH, N.C. -- It's a sure bet that if North Carolina becomes the final state on the East Coast to offer a lottery, supporters say, lawmakers will have hundreds of millions of new dollars to spend every year on education.

Reid says Gonzales is 'qualified' candidate: Kirsten Searer; Senate Minority Leader Harry Reid said Wednesday that Attorney General Alberto Gonzales is a "qualified" candidate for the soon-to-be-vacated seat on the U.S. Supreme Court.

Boulder City-made device earns plumbing certification: Dr. Warren Smith, an unassuming Boulder City physician, wants to help keep bottoms clean.

Tarkanian's book promises humor, inside look: Jerry Tarkanian promised Wednesday that his third book, scheduled to hit the nation's book stores on Oct. 15, will be his most entertaining effort.

L.A. law enforcement veteran calls Henderson a 'dream job': A finalist for the police chief's job in Henderson would be making a homecoming of sorts if he's selected.

Las Vegas teen to attend Girls Nation: Young women are selected from each Girls State program to attend Girls Nation 2005, which introduces them to the structure and functions of the federal government.

Rebels more committed to summer work: Steve Guiremand; UNLV football players stopping by UNLV's Lied Athletic Complex on Wednesday afternoon following a Fourth of July holiday break were greeted by a bulletin board which read, "60 More Days!"

Obituaries for July 7, 2005: Antonne "Tony" Angelo, 61, of North Las Vegas died June 25 in a local hospital. A resident for 35 years, he was born July 26, 1943, in Los Angeles.

Man convicted in slaying gets work card: Dan Kulin; A man convicted of hiring a hit man to kill a Caesars Palace casino executive's wife in 1974 was given a work card by the Las Vegas City Council on Wednesday.

Strong June reported: As sales figures were released today, the winners crossed all sectors, including discounters, wholesale clubs such as Costco Wholesale Corp., department stores like Nordstrom Inc. and J.C. Penney Co. Inc. and teen retailers such as Abercrombie & Fitch Co.

Hoops academy 'nicer' than expected: The Tarkanian Basketball Academy features four full-length courts on second-grade maple wood, custom wall curtains that separate each and half of the building's bleachers are permanent.

Ralph Siraco's Hollywood Park selections: 1st Race -- GOSPODIN -- Training at Santa Anita, Douglas atop Marlow trainee, hard-knocker at this level. BOLDANDAHALF -- Also training across town, P. Val aboard Mullins trainee for owner Bone, draws good rail post for route claimer, connections are always dangerous. Value Play -- GONG

Friday's horse racing entries: 1st race 1-1/16 mi 4YO & up Clm: 1 Boldandahalf (Valenzuela) 119; 2 Gospodin (Douglas) 121; 3 Cool Lava (Enriquez) 119; 4 Let's Belly Up (Cohen) 118; 5 Supervelous (Baze) 119; 6 Blushing Ciel (Court) 123; 7 Rushing Wild (John) 121; 8 Gong (Gomez) 119.

Sports briefs for July 7, 2005: At Newport, R.I., Wesley Moodie took advantage of Taylor Dent's erratic serve to extend the failures of top-seeded players in the Hall of Fame Tennis Championships and advance Wednesday to the quarterfinals.

Airman distinguishes himself in Air Force Leadership School: Dick Benoit; The son of a Las Vegas woman has distinguished himself academically as a graduate of the Airman Leadership School at F.E. Warren Air Force Base, Wyo.

Residents comment on city's future: Henderson residents don't want their city to become another Las Vegas.

Columnist Jeff Haney: McCullough vows victory in rematch: No one wants to fight Wayne McCullough twice.

Names in the game: Coach Bruce Arena knew for sure Kasey Keller wanted to play in the Gold Cup.

Shelter selected for homeless: Emergency Aid of Boulder City, was selected as a demonstration project for its services that include temporary housing and meals.

North Las Vegas briefs for July 7, 2005: The North Las Vegas City Council won't be subsidizing a proposed jazz festival in 2006 at Craig Rancho Golf Course.

Jobless claims rise but still point to improving job market: Even with the rise, the latest report on unemployment claims, released by the Labor Department today, suggested the job market continues to post improvements.

Plan hits snag over houses on Walters golf course: Dan Kulin; The Las Vegas City Council on Wednesday voted to put off a decision on whether to allow residential development to replace a golf course that was sold six years ago with a deed restriction allowing only a golf course on the land.

Military to require soldiers to pick person to handle funeral: WASHINGTON -- The Defense Department soon will require military service members to designate a person authorized to make their funeral arrangements.

Community briefs for July 7, 2005: Henderson Parks and Recreation will host a two-day, multisports camp for children ages 9 to 13.

Bill to triple gambling machines at track is OK'd: Wagering at the racetrack has been relatively flat in recent years as bettors have turned to other forms of gambling. Lobbyists said more machines are needed to entice bettors to the track, where they might take a break from the slots to try the ponies.

Chain's sales hurt by finger-in-chili hoax: The company said half of the decline for the quarter ended June 30 was because of the woman's claim that she found the finger while eating at a Wendy's in northern California in late March. Authorities have charged the woman with making up the story to extort money from Wendy's.

Revenue plan furthers rift: Martiga Lohn; ST. PAUL -- Gov. Tim Pawlenty and Senate Democrats continued to disagree over gambling revenue early this morning, as talks to end the unprecedented state government shutdown took on their most serious tone since the stoppage began seven days ago.

Gambling addiction is cited in ex-trooper's fraud case: James E. Jordan faces up to 65 years in prison and $2.25 million in fines following his pleas Tuesday. U.S. District Judge Ralph Tyson said he would set a sentencing date later.