Print edition for June 3, 2005

Finally, state sees a healthy gain in number of doctors: WEEKEND EDITION

Columnist Lisa Ferguson: Swearing Saget surprises some 'Full House' fans: Lisa Ferguson; But not in the overindulged, drug-addled, convenience-store-robbing kind of way. Thankfully, my mug shot isn't on file anywhere.

Columnist Jon Ralston: Settling for less in Carson City: WEEKEND EDITION

Story inspires creation of warning system: Eric Leake; WEEKEND EDITION

Columnist Susan Snyder: Life isn't too serious on Sirius: WEEKEND EDITION

Gallagher, hotel differ on slapstick show: Gallagher, the comedian famous for smashing watermelons, has been 86ed from the Riverside Resort in Laughlin over a slapping incident last week.

Grounds for concern: WEEKEND EDITION

What Can He Tell You? Ever-opinionated Miller brings pointed act to MGM Grand: "OK, here's the solution we're not going to pay you. There you go, deficit problem solved."

Letter: Money for war, but not research: On May 31 you printed an Associated Press article in which President Bush expresses his thoughts about research into stem cells. He was quoted as saying "... the issue before us ... is whether or not to use taxpayers' money to destroy life. I don't believe we should."

Columnist Jeff German: Guinn pushes to undercut Gibbons: WEEKEND EDITION

Columnist Jerry Fink: At David's, Phy sets a high standard: For the past three months, on Tuesday nights, the ensemble has been perfecting its performance -- playing music created by some of the greatest jazz composers and musicians who have ever graced a nightclub.

Options abound for summertime fun for Vegas Valley children: Annie Flanzraich; WEEKEND EDITION

On Display for June 3, 2005: The Nevada Arts Council presents Robin Stark's "Nine Faces and Other Recent Works" exhibit from today to July 29 at its Las Vegas office at 821 S. Seventh St. An artist's reception will be held from 5 p.m. to 7 p.m. today. Admission is free. 486-3700.

Easy Rider: Kirk Baird; WEEKEND EDITION

Letter: Atomic museum omits some facts: The Atomic Testing Museum in Las Vegas is impressive in its scope, but it doesn't tell the whole story. Nor is there any opportunity to make suggestions.

Where I Stand -- Brian Greenspun: Keeping a secret safe: WEEKEND EDITION

Editorial: Is mother a 'parent' in this case?: June 4-5, 2005

Datebook for June 3, 2005: Talk show host Sean Hannity will speak at 7:30 p.m. today at the Orleans Arena. Tickets are $15, $30 and $45. 284-7777.

Performing Arts for June 3, 2005: 'County Concert'

Columnist Jerry Fink: Filmmaker slashing way to the top: Las Vegan Michael A. Tessiero won't be among them. He will be busy decapitating Steve Rossi.

Letter: Contempt for the rule of law, then and now: That the current president of the United States can render no opinion of Mark Felt is unbelievable and indicative of an administration that increasingly shows its contempt for the rule of law, as opposed to arbitrary "codes of honor." If the Terri Shaivo case was not enough of an illumination, this certainly is.

Editorial: Bill's add-ons slap residents: After being heavily lobbied by this threesome, the committee in mid-May added unrelated amendments about neighborhood casinos. Ostensibly, the amendments were offered to end the type of controversy that erupted last year when Station Casinos announced plans for building a 300-foot neighborhood casino at Charleston Boulevard and Interstate 215, near scenic Red Rock Canyon. Neighbors were caught unaware by the height, which was scaled back to 198 feet after a contentious fight. AB 485, as amended, would limit neighborhood casinos to master-planned communities (which is the specialty of Focus Property Group) and require that the dimensions of a planned casino ...

Editorial: Selling cancer sticks: A new study by Harvard University's School of Public Health adds to our knowledge about just how far tobacco companies went to turn people into cigarette junkies -- and it didn't stop at advertising. The Harvard research team combed through more than 7 million tobacco industry documents -- which had been made public by the 1998 settlement between the states and tobacco companies -- and found that cigarettes were altered to appeal to women's desires to be healthy and thin.

Facing 'off' switch, 'Spotlight' lacks wattage at Bourbon Street: The revue is both more and less than it should be.

Community briefs for June 3, 2005: Las Vegas Councilwoman Lois Tarkanian and the Las Vegas Department of Leisure Services invite residents to the Bike Rodeo and Traffic Safety Fair from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. Saturday at the Rotary Park, Hinson Street and Charleston Boulevard.

Blood drives: Tuesday: 2:30-6:30 p.m., Morrow Elementary School, 1070 Featherwood Ave., Henderson; 9 a.m.-noon, Cedco, 7210 Placid St.; 2-5 p.m., Cedco, 7210 W. Serene; 10 a.m.-2 p.m., Costco, 222 S. Martin Luther King Blvd.

Letter: Rowdy minors on messy Strip: The drunken youngsters on the Strip have increased tenfold and I would bet that half are not even legal age. This is obviously caused by an increase in nightclubs in all the casinos. The downside to this is moral decline and increased violence. Visitors such as myself are subjected to loud, drunken behavior on the Strip, on the gaming floor and even in hotel elevator lobbies. I am surprised that the hotel owners are seeking and targeting this demographic, as the hooligans are not gamblers but merely drinkers and loudmouths.

Columnist Muriel Stevens: Sometimes pepper can be a real grind: It's the restaurant chains that have me gnashing my teeth and the pepper bits stuck between them. Two experiences in one week was a bit much.

Tradition-rich Stars of Moscow State Circus stops at UNLV: This weekend it rolls into Las Vegas for two days of performances at UNLV's Cox Pavilion. With no animals, just "people entertaining people," the company calls itself the circus of the future.

The camping experience can help change a life: June 4-5, 2005

Fishing report: Windy weather makes it tough: Anglers have been landing striped bass and channel catfish when they can get their boats onto the water. They have been finding stripers from the 33 Hole to Anchor Island to the back of Las Vegas Wash.

News briefs for June 3, 2005: Las Vegas Mayor Oscar Goodman on Thursday introduced the two Las Vegas couples who will be part of an international collection of couples getting married next week at the Fremont Street Experience as part of the city's ongoing centennial celebration.

Two LV flights among most delayed in nation: Southwest Airlines' Flight 1660 from Las Vegas to Phoenix was one of the nation's most frequently delayed flights in April.

51s move into tie for first: Nick Christensen; T.J. Nall got his second consecutive win as the Las Vegas 51s eked out a 6-5 victory against Colorado Springs on Thursday at Cashman Field.

Gaming age raised to 21: The Tahlequah-based tribe raised the age limit from 18 after the five-member Cherokee Nation Enterprises board voted for the change in May. The new limit took effect Wednesday at all Cherokee Nation-owned facilities, including the flagship operation in the Tulsa suburb of Catoosa and major casinos in Roland and West Siloam Springs.

Gaming briefs for June 3, 2005: The mayor of West Virginia's largest city says the process used to award state tourism grants should be changed because the system is tilted toward big resorts and the state's four race tracks.

Golf briefs for June 3, 2005: GALLOWAY, N.J. -- Annika's back at the ShopRite LPGA Classic. That's bad news for everyone else.

Energy Department hopes to meet deadline for Yucca application: Suzanne Struglinski; WASHINGTON -- The Energy Department is clinging to hope that by early next year it could submit an application for a license for Yucca Mountain, a key step in the department's goal of opening the proposed high-level nuclear waste repository by 2012.

Stolen DMV equipment recovered: David Kihara; Authorities on Wednesday recovered the equipment stolen from a North Las Vegas branch of Department of Motor Vehicles, including a computer hard drive containing almost 9,000 residents' personal information and blank driver's licenses, officials said Thursday.

Timet expanding Henderson plant: Kevin Rademacher; Titanium Metals Corp. has announced that it will spend $38 million to expand its Henderson manufacturing plant.

Reid took lobbyist's donation: WASHINGTON -- Senate Minority Leader Harry Reid, D-Nev., received $40,500 from six Indian tribes that hired controversial lobbyist Jack Abramoff to advance their gaming interests, according to document reviews by the Washington Post.

Life support for scholarships OK'd: CARSON CITY -- Changes to the cash-strapped Millennium Scholarship program -- intended to keep it alive for future students -- now heads to the full Senate for a vote.

Company sets tentative date to close on acquisition: The companies are still awaiting approval on the deal from the Federal Trade Commission.

Payroll growth slows, but jobless rate dips: Jeannine Aversa; WASHINGTON -- Employers throttled back hiring in May, boosting jobs by just 78,000, the government reported today. The most sluggish pace of payroll expansion in nearly two years dramatized the erratic behavior of the nation's job market.

The guy to have in a pinch: Nick Christensen; Cashman Field 7:05 p.m. Saturday, Monday and Tuesday; 12:05 p.m. Sunday Radio: all 1460-AM and 870-AM

Dreary day for Rebels: Adam Candee; OWINGS MILLS, Md. -- Caves Valley Golf Course gave the UNLV men's golf team major trouble through the first two days of the NCAA championship, and that was in mostly innocuous weather.

Goodman: Decision on medical center funds 'huge setback': Dan Kulin; Las Vegas Mayor Oscar Goodman said state legislators' decision to provide $1.5 million for a proposed downtown academic medical center instead of the $25 million requested is a "huge setback," which pins the hopes of raising money in the near future on the private sector.

May sales rise 2.5 percent: June sales at U.S. stores open at least a year will rise 2 percent to 4 percent, matching the prediction for May, Bentonville, Ark.-based Wal-Mart said Thursday in a statement. Wal-Mart's monthly sales gains are averaging 2.8 percent this year.

Wynn opens strong: Analysts say investors in Wynn Resorts Ltd. should be breathing easier after the company reported that its revenue exceeded expectations for the first 34 days of operation of the $2.7 billion Wynn Las Vegas.

Guest columnist Ryan Keeney: Putting is lowlight of disappointing day: We had a quick pizza dinner, and then relaxed for a bit and watched the basketball game. It was very disappointing that Phoenix lost.

Electric bills could rise by about $5 a month: Kevin Rademacher; Nevada Power Co. this morning said it has asked the state Public Utilities Commission for permission to raise the so-called base tariff energy rate to cover higher costs for natural gas needed to operate power plants.

Vegas rental rates continue to rise: Kevin Rademacher; While Las Vegas' nation-leading housing appreciation rate continues to grab headlines, the increasingly congested apartment market also is getting more expensive.

Columnist Ron Kantowski: Rebels catch a break with draw of regional: When it comes to the NCAA baseball regionals, the UNLV baseball team is like Mario Mendoza: 0-for-9.

Pa. board stuck on slots supplier question: Dan Nephin; PITTSBURGH -- A dispute over whether to require slot-machine manufacturers to go through regional distributorships is holding up approval of the final licensing regulations for manufacturers and distributors.

Sports briefs for June 3, 2005: Two of the most famous Olympians are squabbling over a photograph - a sign of the tension between rival cities in the final weeks of the race for the 2012 Games.

Sewage, garbage, crime uncovered in city raid: Jen Lawson; Raw sewage, standing water and everywhere you step, garbage.

Legislative briefs for June 3, 2005: A bill that would abolish the state Transportation Services Authority and transfer its duties to the state Public Utilities Commission was approved by the Senate on Thursday.

Assembly OKs bill to hire more police officers: Cy Ryan, Ed Koch and Mary Manning; CARSON CITY -- The Assembly on Thursday gave final approval to a bill permitting the Clark County Commission to raise the sales tax by one-quarter of a percent to hire more police officers.

Columnist Brian Hilderbrand: Kyle Busch has busy weekend ahead: A week after driving in both the NASCAR Nextel Cup and Busch Series races at Lowe's Motor Speedway, Kyle Busch plans to pull triple duty this weekend at Dover International Speedway.

CCSN player picks Yankees over Aggies: The Cimarron-Memorial High graduate was a low-round draft pick by the Yankees last year and had accepted a scholarship offer to attend Texas A&M next fall.

Teen athlete shot on field is expected to recover: By Emily Richmond; A Shadow Ridge High School football player who was shot during practice Thursday is expected to make a full recovery, his coach said this morning.

Rapper killed; friend wounded: Just over a week after a Kansas City, Mo., artist was found shot to death in southwest Las Vegas, a local rapper and his friend were gunned down Thursday night outside of a Las Vegas recording studio.

Cost of living in Southern Nevada not as affordable: Kevin Rademacher; At one time, not too long ago, the affordable cost of living in Southern Nevada was a major draw for new residents.

Saturday's horse racing entries: Post Time 1:20 p.m.

Obituaries for June 3, 2005: Bernardina Barreras, 93, of Las Vegas died Wednesday in a local hospital. She was born May 20, 1912, in Cuba. A resident for 30 years, she was a homemaker.

Redskins' practice habits are under investigation: The NFL wants to know if the Washington Redskins have been playing too rough in the offseason.

Senate advances bill to allow E. Maine casino: Francis X. Quinn; AUGUSTA, Maine -- The Maine Senate, voting without a word of debate, gave all-but-final approval Thursday to a bill supported by the Passamaquoddy Indian Tribe that would allow slot machines at a harness racing facility that would be developed in eastern Maine.

Gaming executives top list of highest paid in Las Vegas: By Liz Benston; Casino bosses cashed out a large number of stock options last year, boosting their total compensation packages to historic highs and easily topping the list of highest-paid local executives in 2004.

Columnist Jeff German: Casinos flexing muscle: Powerful casino and developer interests are trying to muscle lawmakers into eliminating an appeal process that has helped residents limit the spread of neighborhood casinos in the past.

Autopsy photos may be damning for Maestas: By Matt Pordum; A picture might be worth a thousand words for some, but for Beau Maestas, it might be worth a death sentence.

Groups call for better protection of BLM lands: A national historic preservation group has teamed up with conservation groups to call for better protection of lands held by the Bureau of Land Management, including land in Clark County.

Proposal calls for average rebate of $144: CARSON CITY -- Many Nevadans are expecting a $300 check if the Legislature approves Gov. Kenny Guinn's plan for a $300 million tax rebate. Many will be disappointed.

Companies find success in promotional text messaging: Three Las Vegas companies have teamed to develop a monthlong marketing program for a slot club that principals say offers the first use of cellular telephone text messaging to reward gamblers with prizes.

Conflict avoided at NLV concert, rally: North Las Vegas allowed a mayoral candidate to hold a concert in the park Thursday even though the city had denied his permit.

Ralph Siraco's Hollywood Park selections: 1st Race -- LOWER SHORE -- Draws good post for sprint opener, Solis scales Stute trainee, high tide in winners circle? LAST CONQUEST -- Espinoza on Baffert trainee for owners Bob & Beverly Lewis, needs prompt start and clean trip from rail post in maiden/claiming dash, Last to first tags graduation Conquest. Value Play -- ROY'S LAST ROAR