Print edition for June 7, 2005

Editorial: Marijuana as medicine: Some advocates of medical marijuana, while disappointed by the ruling, tried to minimize its actual impact. They believe the federal government won't crack down on patients who use marijuana, noting that it is state and local officials who typically initiate such prosecutions. We hope that turns out to be the case, but we don't share their optimism that the federal Drug Enforcement Agency will look the other way if marijuana is being used, no matter how legitimate its use.

Letter: Hydrogen power should be free of nuclear energy: Unfortunately, the Bush administration has proposed a $1.1 billion experimental nuclear reactor targeted for Idaho. The hydrogen fuel generator would be built, entirely with federal taxpayer money, as a showcase for Bush's "Freedom Car Initiative," first announced in his 2003 State of the Union speech.

Galardi may be selling Jaguars: Dan Kulin; A former operator of the Club Paradise strip club near the Hard Rock Hotel is running Jaguars and is in negotiations to buy that strip club from Jack Galardi, the operator said Monday.

Teachers win excellence awards: This year's local winners are: Cheri DiMartino, Eva Wolfe Elementary School; Tina Laureano, Antonello Elementary School; and Robin Schumacher, Staton Elementary School.

Editorial: Park could be ruined: In April the City Council approved an initial plan for a transfer, one that would leave the park's 60-acre core reserved for passive uses, but leave the park's other 620 acres vulnerable to intensive uses such as ball fields. The state, however, has the power to stipulate in the transfer agreement that the whole park must remain reserved for passive use. This would be a good protection, but, unfortunately, the state and city will soon schedule a meeting to attach a specific definition to "passive use." This concerns us. In our view, Floyd Lamb has been demonstrating the meaning of ...

Mayor to seek dismissal of charges in gambling case: "Evidently, the attorneys think there is a valid reason to dismiss," Howard told the (Pekin) Daily Times after Monday's hearing.

Seuss is Wild: Super Summer Theatre celebrates 30th anniversary with a who's who of literary fame: The Whos are there, as is the Cat in the Hat, Gertrude McFuzz, Mayzie Bird and Vlad Vladikoff. Only, they've slipped off their pages, far from original context, to mingle in an equally imaginative world created by those who conceived the musical: Lynn Ahrens, Stephen Flaherty and Eric Idle.

Community briefs for June 7, 2005: The Old Las Vegas Mormon Fort State Historic Park will celebrate 150 years in Las Vegas and the completion of the new Visitors Center and Museum 9 a.m. Saturday at the, 500 E. Washington Ave.

GM plans to cut 25,000 jobs: John Porretto; WILMINGTON, Del. -- General Motors Corp. plans to eliminate 25,000 jobs in the United States by 2008 and close plants as part of a strategy to revive North American business at the world's largest automaker, its chairman said today.

Consultant: Weather, not blasting, likely cause of damage to homes: A Henderson consultant said construction blasting did not crack walls in homes at MacDonald Highlands, Crystal Ridge and Sun City MacDonald Ranch.

Not so different now: Apple to use Intel chips: Greg Sandoval and Matthew Fordahl; SAN FRANCISCO -- For two decades, Apple Computer Inc. touted its Macintosh as a superior alternative to PCs based on Intel Corp. chips and Microsoft Corp. software. In ads, it urged people to "Think Different" with machines that bucked the dominant forces of the PC industry.

Senate, Assembly pass bill to boost state workers' pay: CARSON CITY -- Outside of doctors and psychiatrists, some of the highest paid state workers will be the chairman of the Nevada Gaming Control and the chief clerk of the Nevada Supreme Court.

Letter: Hypocrisy in base closures: Yet now that George W. Bush has gotten us into a quagmire in Iraq with no way to pay for the upkeep, conservatives are trying to sell us on the notion that cutting funding for military bases (but not in Texas, of course) is just the ticket for funding the war on terrorism.

Bank of America may cut Boyd bank loan rate: Harris Rubinroit; Bank of America Corp., CIBC World Markets and Wells Fargo & Co. may cut the rates on $1.85 billion of bank loans for Boyd Gaming Corp., which co-owns the Borgata Hotel Casino & Spa in Atlantic City.

Guinn signs kids-left-in-cars bill: CARSON CITY -- Gov. Kenny Guinn signed 38 bills into law on Monday, including one that aims to prevent people from leaving children alone in vehicles when doing so would place the child in danger. Senate Bill 287 makes it a misdemeanor to leave a child 7 or younger unsupervised in a vehicle if the weather and other factors "present a significant risk to health and safety" of the youngster or if the engine is running or the keys are in the ignition.

Court: California residents can sue Nevada casinos for false advertising: Adam Goldman; LAS VEGAS -- California residents may bring suit in their own state courts against Nevada casinos for false advertising and deceptive business practices, the California Supreme Court ruled Monday.

Man gets 37 months in case: Robert O. McClung was sentenced in Pocatello, Idaho, for using two businesses incorporated in Nevada to solicit $1.7 million in investments with the promise of strong returns and minimal risk through day trading, a Justice Department statement said.

Rural counties get $1 million for water fight: CARSON CITY -- Nevada's rural counties will have $1 million to help "level the playing field" in a battle to preserve its water from growing Las Vegas.

Columnist Susan Snyder: A time to rage against the machine: (That would be "premenstrual syndrome," which can be associated with, but is not limited to, "pending murder syndrome.")

Deal to split investment in Emerald Casino detailed: Maura Kelly Lannan; CHICAGO -- The chairman of a suburban bank refused to testify during a license revocation hearing Monday about a deal to secretly split an investment interest in the bankrupt Emerald Casino project.

Highlights of the Nevada state budget: AP; -TOTAL SPENDING: The state's coming two-year budget includes nearly $6 billion in general fund and highway fund spending plus an additional $8.85 billion in federal money. The total budget is approximately $15 billion. That's at least 15 percent higher than the current budget.

Ex-Thunderbird Burns returning to Nellis: Maj. Brian Burns, who flew the position of right wing man, stopped flying on May 7 citing an unspecified medical condition that was affecting his ability to perform with the Thunderbirds.

Immunization schedule for June 7, 2005: HENDERSON PUBLIC HEALTH CENTER: 129 W. Lake Mead Parkway, Building A, Suite 10, 8 a.m.-4:30 p.m., through Friday.

Greenspan: low bond yields remain unsolved puzzle: An inverted yield curve historically was "a forward indicator for softening economic activity," Greenspan said in response to a question after speaking by satellite to the International Monetary Conference today in Beijing.

Perkins declares controversial neighborhood casino bill dead: CARSON CITY -- The controversial neighborhood casino bill that pitted Station Casinos and Boyd Gaming against organized labor was declared dead by Assembly Speaker Richard Perkins, D-Henderson, Monday.

Efforts to study endangered fish result in their deaths: Launce Rake and Mary Manning; Scientists' efforts last year to understand an endangered fish sheltered in one unique desert location tragically pushed the Devils Hole pupfish closer to extinction, officials said Monday.

Legislative briefs for June 7, 2005: CARSON CITY -- A bill permitting the state and local governments to create a tourist improvement district and issue bonds to finance a project won approval shortly before the end of the regular session of the Legislature Tuesday morning.

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

Man injured in youth melee: At least nine Metro Police patrol cars responded to the fight around 3 p.m., but officers did not have any suspects in custody because the youths ran when they spotted police cars, Metro spokesman Eric Roberson said.

Reid says Congress has 'accomplished nothing': Benjamin Grove; WASHINGTON -- Congress returned Monday after a weeklong recess and promptly resumed the partisan bickering that has slowed legislative business this year.

Columnist Ron Kantowski: Not hiring Karl might have saved some money: When I turned on my cell phone Sunday, there was a voice mail from a guy who sounded an awfully lot like Mike Hamrick but was actually a pal doing an impression of the UNLV athletic director, saying things such as "See, I told ya' we couldn't afford to har (hire) George Karl."

Amendment gives golf courses tax break: CARSON CITY -- A big property tax break is going to golf courses in Nevada.

Columnist Brian Hilderbrand: Earnhardt Jr. not reaching for the panic button yet: The NASCAR Nextel Cup Series is halfway through its 26-race "regular season" and Dale Earnhardt Jr. is 15th in the standings.

Company announces first-quarter income: The results were up $195,423 from the $23,306 reported in the same 2004 quarter. Revenue for the quarter was $3.3 million, up from $2.5 million a year ago.

Church, state meet to help cause of unadopted children: Stephen Curran; The Interfaith Roundtable will be rebroadcast on Clark County Television, cable Channel 4, Wednesday at 6 a.m., Thursday at 10 a.m. and 8 p.m., Friday at 7 a. m. and 5 p.m., Saturday at 8 a.m., and Sunday at midnight It can also be viewed at the following times or on the county's Web site, www.accessclarkcounty.com

Death penalty verdict is under question: By Matt Pordum; Jurors who sentenced Donte Johnson to death in May for killing four young men have received phone calls and in some cases personal visits from an investigator asking if anything improper occurred within the jury.

Marathon could pay millions: The 39-year-old Las Vegas International Marathon is history, but organizers of the New Las Vegas Marathon hope to make history at the Dec. 4 inaugural event.

Despite DOE e-mails, Yucca research deemed legitimate: PAHRUMP -- Investigations by the Energy Department so far have found that scientific research into how water flows at Yucca Mountain is solid, despite e-mails by U.S. Geological Survey workers that suggest they falsified quality assurance documents designed to support the work's validity.

Median price of LV homes reaches $300,000: Kevin Rademacher; The Las Vegas housing market reached a milestone in May as the median sales price hit $300,000.

Dutch ambassador discusses effects of global terrorism: David Kihara; The global war on terrorism and incidents within the Netherlands, such as the killing of a filmmaker by a Muslim extremist, has forced the Western European country to re-examine how it balances security and civil liberties, the Dutch ambassador to the United states said on Monday.

Lawmakers reach deal on Millennium Scholarships: CARSON CITY -- It took a special legislative session that dragged lawmakers into the wee hours of this morning, but the Nevada Legislature managed to eke out a compromise on Millennium Scholarships for students attending state universities and community colleges.

News briefs for June 7, 2005: Metro Police are looking for the driver of a white 1-ton pickup truck with dual rear wheels they say was involved in a crash that injured a pedestrian on Decatur Boulevard on Monday.

State seeks draft copy of Yucca license application: Benjamin Grove; WASHINGTON -- Nevada lawyers have filed a petition to obtain a draft copy of the Yucca Mountain license application, which Energy Department officials have declined to make public.

Week of partying leads up to ArenaBowl: Steve Guiremand; Las Vegas has proven to be a popular destination in the past when it comes to hosting major sporting events like championship boxing matches, NASCAR and the National Finals Rodeo.

City council vote takes Rose Bowl out of the running as stadium site: The City Council voted 4-2 to drop its bid to bring an NFL team to the Rose Bowl early today after nearly seven hours of debate, leaving just two of four original cities among those vying to host a national franchise in greater Los Angeles.

Sports briefs for June 7, 2005: Thieves broke into the home of Israeli windsurfer Gal Fridman's parents today in Jerusalem and stole his Olympic gold medal from the Athens Games.

Deal struck on Millennium Scholarships: CARSON CITY -- It took a special legislative session that dragged lawmakers into the wee hours of this morning, but the Nevada Legislature managed to eke out a compromise on Millennium Scholarships for students attending state universities and community colleges.

Fire destroys house under construction: David Kihara; Fire destroyed a 5,000-square-foot house under construction in a gated community in Henderson on Monday.

Study: LV improving wireless access to Web: Kevin Rademacher; Las Vegas is coming unwired.

Session drags toward finish: CARSON CITY -- After failing to complete its business in the 120-day limit, a special session of the Nevada Legislature inched toward adjournment today as lawmakers were ready to approve bills on the Millennium Scholarship, all-day kindergarten and importing prescription drugs from Canada.

Henderson man is charged with clean air violations: Tory Mathew Stone, 42, who owns and operates All World Cycles Inc. in Anaheim, Calif., and Henderson, was named in a 13-count indictment that was returned by a federal grand jury on May 4. The indictment was unsealed Monday when Stone appeared in U.S. District Court in Santa Ana, Calif., to plead not guilty to the charges.

Maestas apologizes to families: By Matt Pordum; In a voice just above a whisper, Beau Maestas apologized Monday to the little girl he left paralyzed and to the family of her half-sister whom he killed as he addressed the jury who will decide his fate.

Attorneys, court officials mourn death of colleague: Jen Lawson; Family law attorney Matthew Manning was known for the seersucker shirts, big belt buckles and cowboy boots made of ostrich leather that he wore in court.

Senate, Assembly pass pet projects: CARSON CITY -- The Senate and Assembly took different directions in spending extra state money for their pet projects. Most of the Senate's projects were in Northern Nevada. The Senate allocated money on such things as developing white water rapids on the Truckee River in Reno, rebuilding an old railroad between Virginia City and Carson City and buying a painting of a Las Vegas ranch.

Lawmakers settle on rebates of $75-$275: CARSON CITY -- With a mere 13 minutes to spare before the end of the Nevada Legislature's 73rd regular session, lawmakers approved rebates of $75 to $275 for every Nevadan who had a registered vehicle last year or was at least 65 years old as of Jan. 1.

Company files with SEC over exchange of notes: Both the original and offered notes are due in 2015.

Driver faces charges in death: More than five months after a rollover left a young woman dead, the driver of the Republic Services garbage truck that crushed her is facing felony charges of reckless driving and involuntary manslaughter.

Casino operator seeks cut in interest rate: Boyd Gaming wants to increase its revolving credit to $1.35 billion, from $1.1 billion, and reduce the interest rate to 1.25 percentage points more than the London interbank offered rate, said Treasurer Paul Chakmak. He said the Las Vegas-based company is paying Libor plus 1.5 percentage points on the revolving credit.

Senate stubs out proposal to ban smoking in bars, eateries: Sen. Rob Marionneaux said his bill would allow bar and restaurant employees to work without having to breathe second-hand smoke and allow families to eat out without sitting next to smokers. He said Louisiana should join the other seven states that have statewide bans in bars and restaurants.

Google, Yahoo lose bid to dismiss gambling ad suit: Joel Rosenblatt; Yahoo! Inc., Google Inc., and other Internet search engines lost a bid to dismiss a lawsuit filed by two gamblers over advertisements promoting online casinos.

Columnist Jeff German: Three-horse race shaping up in GOP: That's the word from one of her top campaign aides following Sunday's column that suggested her candidacy hasn't excited the Republican she's looking to replace, Gov. Kenny Guinn.

Man dies in police custody: Department officials were still trying to determine what happened this morning and refused to release any information, Sgt. Chris Jones said.

Obituaries for June 7, 2005: Elizabeth Blinn Green, 88, of Scottsdale, Ariz., died Saturday. A former Las Vegas resident, she was born Feb. 17, 1917, in Hungary.