Print edition for June 8, 2005

Agassi slots unveiled: Agassi slots unveiled

Shriver resigns his post on economic development board: Kevin Rademacher; Bob Shriver has resigned as executive director of the Nevada Commission on Economic Development, Lt. Gov. Lorraine Hunt announced this morning.

Man charged in May 4 murder, sex assault: Jen Lawson; Metro Police arrested a 31-year-old man Monday for allegedly strangling and raping a woman in an apartment on Russell Road near Boulder Highway last month.

Obituaries for June 8, 2005: Joseph Brown, 68, of Las Vegas died Saturday in a local hospital. He was born Jan. 3, 1937, in New Orleans. A resident for three years, he was a retired electroplater for a steel company.

Life support courses scheduled: The two-day course is open to individuals who have current American Heart Association Healthcare Provider cards and would like to teach BLS courses. The course is designed to teach methods needed to effectively instruct others in Basic Life Support courses such as Healthcare Provider and Heart Saver AED/CPR.

Grocery stores back food bank: Throughout the month of June, all Clark County Food 4 Less stores are offering customers and employees the opportunity to make monetary donations to help feed hungry families.

Glicken, pioneer local businessman, dies at 89: Ken Glicken, a pioneer local businessman, died Monday at a Las Vegas hospital. he was 89.

Money granted to fight Internet crimes against kids: The Juvenile Justice and Delinquency Prevention grant will go to the county and police Internet Crimes Against Children Task Force Program, or ICAC, which was created in 1998. There are 45 task forces nationwide, including the one in Clark County.

Harris, creator of Caesars decor, dies: Shirley Joan "Jo" Harris, who created the ornate interior designs for Caesars Palace, including sketching the short, sexy tunics long worn by the Strip resort's cocktail waitresses, died Saturday in Sacramento. She was 78.

Kerkorian's Tracinda boosts stake to 7.2 percent: Kerkorian had been seeking to purchase up to 28 million GM shares at $31 apiece.

Columnist Ron Kantowski: No bumps for top seeds on road to Omaha: In the long shot the NCAA is interested in saving its members a little money -- yeah, like that could happen -- it should start by reducing its baseball tournament by about 48 teams.

Closing arguments presented in Maestas penalty hearing: By Matt Pordum; A prosecutor waived the butcher knife Beau Maestas used to kill a 3-year-old girl and paralyze her 10-year-old half sister as he told a jury during closing arguments Tuesday that Maestas had "earned the death penalty."

Columnist Brian Hilderbrand: Cleared to race, Rice eager to get behind the wheel: Buddy Rice, the 2004 Indianapolis 500 winner who was unable to defend his title last month due to a practice crash, will return to the cockpit of his Rahal Letterman Racing Honda/Panoz this weekend at Texas Motor Speedway.

Rebels could add USC transfer: Steve Guiremand; USC redshirt freshman quarterback Rocky Hinds was granted his release from the two-time national champions Tuesday afternoon, opening the way for a potential transfer to UNLV.

Commissioners may revise rules for development on county land: Stephen Curran; The wounds appear to be partly reopened in the year-old controversy surrounding what Clark County commissioners said was their unknowing approval of a big-box store on Aviation Department land.

Community briefs for June 8, 2005: The UNLV Maternal Health Lab is currently recruiting participants for a study on pregnancy hormones, mood, and memory.

Study: Many professionals can't afford home here: Stephen Curran; The rising cost of housing in Clark County has made buying the average house a dream for the middle-income professionals, once considered shoo-ins for home ownership, Clark County officials said Tuesday.

Columnist Elizabeth Foyt: Dignitaries honored at annual benefit dinner: Elizabeth Foyt; The event benefits the Lili Claire Family Resource Center at UNLV, created to help those born with neurogenetic disorders.

Columnist Muriel Stevens: Sunscreens give skin a ray of hope: A recent article in the June issue of InStyle magazine included this admonition: "1 million cases of skin cancer were reported in the U.S. in 2003." And, "Fifteen percent fewer Americans under 25 wore sunscreen outdoors in 2003 than they did in 1996."

Ross barely beats Gillins following ugly campaigns: Dan Kulin; In a campaign that featured more lowlights than highlights, first-time candidate Steve Ross eked out a 128-vote victory Tuesday night to win the Ward 6 seat on the Las Vegas City Council.

Election results: Boulder City

Handcuffed man 'Tased,' dies: Jen Lawson; Late last year Metro Police adopted a policy banning officers from using Taser guns on handcuffed citizens, but Monday night an officer stunned a man in cuffs, police said. The man was pronounced dead a short time later.

Columnist Jeff German: Clear up the taxicab sound issue: The Legislature has formally taken the Nevada Taxicab Authority board to task for enacting a sloppy camera regulation that failed to impose safeguards over the use of sound recordings.

Crash jams highway for hours: David Kihara; At least 13 vehicles were involved in a massive wreck on U.S. 95 on Tuesday after a tractor-trailer ran head-on into an engine block that had likely fallen off a truck in heavy traffic, the Nevada Highway Patrol said.

Ex-topless dancer is elected to the bench: A former prosecutor who worked as a topless dancer at a Las Vegas strip club to help put herself through college was elected Tuesday night to the Municipal Court bench in Henderson.

Letter: Iraq war is waste of lives, money: In similar fashion, military recruitment spiked following 9/11, as Americans enlisted out of a desire to avenge the attack and defend our country. As the Iraq war grinds on and evidence accumulates that the decision to go to war was rooted in dishonesty, fewer Americans are inclined to join the military. It's not surprising that Americans aren't eager to risk death or dismemberment to prop up an Iraqi regime dominated by radical Muslims.

Columnist Adam Candee: Subpar finish doesn't mar UNLV's season: Adam Candee; Ryan Moore's suitcase from UNLV weighs a ton, but it is just a bit lighter than everyone associated with the Rebels expected.

Letter: Mistakes, lies and scandals mark Bush's tenure: First, the Bush tax cuts have helped the rich at the expense of the middle and lower classes. Also, Harrell mentioned a scandal-free administration. What hogwash! Prisoner abuse, torture, mistreatment at Abu Ghraib and Guantanamo and imprisoning innocent American citizens without cause, to name only a few examples, are far worse scandals than what occurred in past administrations. They have negatively affected our global image.

Lobbyist helped line up tribes meeting with Bush: Suzanne Gamboa; WASHINGTON -- At the behest of a lobbyist now under criminal investigation, two Indian tribes paid $25,000 each to a conservative tax-exempt group to underwrite an event that scored tribal leaders a private meeting with President Bush.

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

Letter: Rebate formula makes no sense: Why not give more money to more people? This is the most equitable solution, and makes the most sense. Of course, common sense often eludes our elected officials.

Icahn files to increase interest in company: ImClone shares jumped $1.73, or 5.7 percent, to $31.89 in after-hours activity, having closed earlier up 5 cents at $30.16 on the Nasdaq Stock Market.

Sale of New Orleans riverboat is complete: Louisiana Gaming Control Board unanimously approved a transfer of the Bally's license Tuesday.

News briefs for June 8, 2005: An 81-year-old woman returning from a doctor's appointment was beaten and robbed after she pulled into her garage about 4 p.m. Monday near West Charleston Boulevard and Campbell Drive, Metro Police said.

Yemenidjian quits MGM Mirage board to pursue gaming projects: By Liz Benston; MGM Mirage Director Alex Yemenidjian -- a longtime lieutenant of majority shareholder Kirk Kerkorian -- has resigned from the company's board and intends to strike out on his own in the gaming industry.

District approval for cell phone towers on school lands likely: By Emily Richmond; The Clark County School Board on Thursday is expected to approve renting space on School District property to cellular phone companies, a moneymaking idea that was proposed at least as far back as 1994.

Assembly almost forgets Canadian drug bill: CARSON CITY -- Nobody liked the ending of the Nevada Legislature Tuesday, but it did avoid a blooper.

Angle announces she'll run for Gibbons' seat: CARSON CITY -- Four-term Assemblywoman Sharron E. Angle, who led an unsuccessful drive for a constitutional amendment to limit property taxes, is going to run for the Republican nomination for Congress in District 2.

Interest-only mortgages raise stakes in real estate: Michael Liedtke; SAN FRANCISCO -- Once a frustrated renter, Chris Economou is now a happy homeowner, enjoying a splendid view of San Francisco and an $80,000 increase in his property's value since he bought the one-bedroom condominium for $435,000 a year ago.

Tax Commission disputes that it violated open meeting laws: Kevin Rademacher; Members of the Nevada Tax Commission on Tuesday voted unanimously to reject a finding by the Attorney General's Office that it violated the state's open meeting law.

Two incumbents re-elected; animal shelter approved: Boulder City voters on Tuesday re-elected two incumbents, approved an animal shelter and for the second time in seven months rejected a ballot measure to sell city land and pay down a $22 million in debt for building the Boulder Creek Golf Club.

Troubled storage yard sold; cleanup after blaze continues: Jeff Donaldson; Cleanup of a storage yard where squatters may have sparked a blaze on May 25 continues today, even as Clark County officials report the sale of the troubled junk lot located in the shadow of Nellis Air Force Base.

Montandon beats Democrat challenger for third term: North Las Vegas Mayor Mike Montandon faced down a challenge from an opponent backed by the state Democratic Party and easily won a third term in Tuesday's general election.

Editorial: Legislature's hits, misses: The rebate -- a miss. A healthy state budget surplus moved Gov. Kenny Guinn, before the legislative session began, to pledge a rebate to taxpayers. He threatened to veto any budget that didn't return $300 million. Much valuable time was wasted trying to decide upon an impossibility -- an equitable way to rebate the money. Legislators agreed on a plan that gives between $75 and $275 to those who had registered automobiles last year and to people aged 65 or older as of Jan. 1. The state is embarrassingly lacking when it comes to providing quality services, such as education ...

Woman pleads guilty in soliciting murder: By Matt Pordum; The 39-year-old ex-wife of a Henderson Police sergeant has pleaded guilty to one count of solicitation to commit murder for trying to hire a hitman to kill him.

Columnist Jeff Haney: Watch pitch counts before heading to window: MARTINGALE: A betting system in which a gambler doubles his bet after each loss hoping to get even. While it may or may not have success in the short run, the martingale, like all so-called betting systems, is a long-term loser. Most systems are variations of the martingale or the anti-martingale.

Driver who left accident scene receives probation: By Matt Pordum; A 34-year-old real estate agent who authorities say caused a rock to fly through the windshield of a woman's car, killing her, was sentenced to four years' probation Tuesday despite a plea from the victim's family for prison time.

Prosecutor says murder, rape suspect's $80,000 bail is too low: By Matt Pordum; A man who had initially been held without bail on charges of murder and two rapes, now is expected to get out of jail after District Judge John McGroarty set his bail at $80,000.

County manager's raise approved: Reilly, 44, had asked commissioners to conduct his annual performance review in an open session at Tuesday's board meeting, a rare move for the normally closed-door proceedings. He asked commissioners for a 3 percent cost-of-living adjustment.

Student's mother says she complained about teacher months before his arrest: By Emily Richmond; The mother of a Garside Junior High School eighth grader said she reported one of her daughter's teachers to administrators in October after he allegedly made inappropriate remarks about the girl's physique and underwear -- eight months before the teacher was arrested on seven felony counts including attempted sexual misconduct with a student.

Plan to get brother out of Cuba backfires on LV man: By Timothy Pratt; Fidel Heredia, a stocky, well-spoken man, sees the irony in having landed a job within months of arriving on U.S. soil from communist Cuba, in a hotel built by one of the paragons of capitalism -- Steve Wynn.

Official: Dispute in bid for event is being resolved: Rossi Ralenkotter, president and chief executive of the Las Vegas Convention and Visitors Authority, said that a potential snag in the process is being negotiated and that the city's bid to the NBA is expected to be submitted within days.

Officials to tout LV on trip to China: A delegation of Nevada government officials and business people hopes to leave the impression in China that Nevada is the only place to vacation when taking a trip to the United States.

Man arrested in shooting on highway: Jen Lawson; A 25-year-old man arrested Monday in California is charged in the April killing of a woman on Interstate 15 near Charleston Boulevard, Metro Police said this morning.

Doctors oppose medical center: Molly Ball; A group of Las Vegas doctors say they will propose a competing plan to Mayor Oscar Goodman's push for a downtown academic medical center operated by an out-of-state university.

Bill seeks to prohibit discrimination based on person's sexual orientation: Eric Leake; Sexual orientation is now among those personal characteristics the state says should not deny a person a table at a restaurant or service at a store.

Man arrested in national steroid sales plan: Eric Leake; A man was arrested after police found numerous bottles of suspected steroids and other drugs ready for nationwide shipment from his Henderson home, authorities said Tuesday.

Sports briefs for June 8, 2005: Olin Browne shot a 59 to qualify for the U.S. Open on Tuesday after almost withdrawing after shooting 2-over-par 73 in Monday's first round.

Hoeffgen edges Chaney for new post: An attorney edged a child care center owner Tuesday in a race for a newly created Municipal Court in North Las Vegas.

White Sox pick two from Southern Nevada: Nick Christensen; Chris Carter got up early Tuesday morning for his high school government final, then started listening to the Major League Baseball draft during a student aide class at Sierra Vista.

Challenger claims victory in Atlantic City mayoral race: With 100 percent of the vote in, Bob Levy had 54 percent of the vote, to 46 percent for Langford.

Columnist Peter Benton: Hansen-Peterson team gets the job done at LVCC: Peter Benton; "It was most definitely unspectacular golf, but it was the sort of golf that wins tournaments -- conservative yet calculated -- but if the opportunity arose a gamble would be taken and fortunately, that gamble ... paid off," Ron Hansen said.

Group, state working to fill gap in compulsive gambling help: Between January and April, 894 Oklahomans called the national hotline seeking help with gambling addictions, said Keith Whyte, the council's executive director. Last year, the hotline took 2,431 calls from the state's area codes.

Veto of Indian racino bill readied, but talks continue: "It's very clear to me that people lose out," Baldacci said shortly before a meeting with tribal leaders at the Blaine House.

Boscarino relatives donated to Rosemont mayor after he cut ties: Maura Kelly Lannan; CHICAGO -- Relatives and a business associated with Nick Boscarino, who was sentenced to prison for a scheme to defraud suburban Rosemont, have donated more than $55,000 to political funds tied to Rosemont Mayor Donald Stephens since December 2001 -- when Stephens publicly severed ties with Boscarino, state campaign finance records show.

Yemenidjian resigns to pursue other gaming projects: In a statement, MGM Mirage Chairman and Chief Executive Terry Lanni said the company will "miss Alex's wealth of experience and wise counsel" but said the industry "will be stronger when he resumes his active involvement."