Stories published June 10, 2005Las Vegas Sun

Baldacci veto pushes racino battle into new phase: Racino proponents are expected to push for legislative endorsement of a statewide referendum vote on the proposal. And Baldacci, emphasizing that his opposition to expanded gaming in Maine is personal, said any change in current law should be up to the people.

Pataki submits legislation to settle Mohawk land claim: But a key Republican senator said the bill has a "slim" chance of passing because it doesn't include a so-called community protection fund that would address public safety, health care, transportation and other problems that could be caused by a casino the Mohawks want to build in the Catskills.

Cellular towers decision delayed: By Emily Richmond; The Clark County School Board delayed approving plans to lease space at high schools to cellular phone companies for transmission towers Thursday after several members said they wanted more time to consider both safety issues and the how the potential revenue would be spent.

'Suspicious' briefcase in planter leads to downtown shutdown: David Kihara; Metro Police closed off downtown streets, evacuated some businesses and put the Clark County Detention Center in lockdown after a "suspicious" briefcase containing possible explosives was found across the street from the jail on Thursday.

Columnist Brian Hilderbrand: Gaughan pulls double duty, steps in for injured Bliss: Brendan Gaughan will return to the NASCAR Nextel Cup Series this weekend as a relief driver for Mike Bliss, who is recuperating from hernia surgery.

Changes to NHL rules could be passed down: Nick Christensen; Las Vegas Wranglers goaltender Marc Magliarditi has started adapting to his new career as he begins a summer job as a real estate agent.

Obituaries for June 10, 2005: Issac William Barnes, 66, of Las Vegas died Monday in Las Vegas. He was born Nov. 21, 1938, in Mississippi. A resident for 43 years, he was a hotel cook.

High court upholds conviction of man who killed ex-girlfriend's dad: CARSON CITY -- The Nevada Supreme Court has upheld the conviction of Christopher Fiegehen in the murder of his former girlfriend's father and the attempted murder of the mother.

Saturday's horse racing entries: Post Time 9 a.m.

Columnist Lisa Ferguson: Island boy: Ferrara's hometown has a Long history: Lisa Ferguson; Billy Crystal, Eddie Murphy, Lenny Bruce, Andy Kaufman, Jerry Seinfeld, Rosie O'Donnell, Ray Romano, Carol Leifer, Wendy Liebman, Jackie "The Jokeman" Martling and the late Alan King are among the famous funny folks who were either born and bred there or at some point called the suburban area home.

Supreme Court rules union member can't sue lawyer: CARSON CITY -- The Nevada Supreme Court ruled Thursday that a union member who is supplied an attorney by the union cannot bring a malpractice lawsuit against the lawyer, only against the union.

Bill to provide Mount Charleston emergency service funds advances: A congressional bill that would provide $750,000 in emergency alert services in the Mount Charleston area advanced another step on Thursday.

U.S. trade gap widens to $57 billion in April: The trade gap in goods and services followed a $53.6 billion deficit in March that was narrower than the government first reported, the Commerce Department today said in Washington. Imports rose 4.1 percent, the biggest increase since November 2002, to a record $163.4 billion. Exports also were a record.

Letter: Founders right to exclude religion: The Constitution is a collective collaboration, not a document drafted to individual beliefs. The writers chose to ignore Christianity. Religion is mentioned twice and both times in the negative.

Relief pitching improves, but hitters blanked: Nick Christensen; Then again, what else is there to do on a Tuesday night in Sacramento?

Fishing report: Wind conspires to spoil good time: LAKE MEAD: Now is the time of year when anglers should be enjoying good fishing for striped bass and channel catfish. However, a second consecutive week of strong winds has prevented anglers from taking to the water.

Prep coaches want new playoff format: Nick Christensen; State football coaches have proposed a new playoff format for the 2006-07 school year that would eliminate losing teams advancing to the state semifinals.

Bred for this: Ralph Siraco; There won't be a prince and his War Emblem entourage attending the Belmont Stakes looking for a Triple Crown as in 2002. There won't be a bus full of Funny Cide backers hoping for a Triple Crown at Belmont Park as in 2003. And, there won't be a Smarty Party waiting for the Triple Crown as in last year's third jewel in the Big Apple.

Google Maps tinkerers make demographic data come alive: Greg Sandoval; SAN FRANCISCO -- Tracking sexual predators in Florida. Guiding travelers to the cheapest gas nationwide. Pinpointing $1,500 studio apartments for rent in Manhattan.

Boogie with Stu: New bio of 'The Kid' rocks: Scrawny kid from New York's Lower East Side, the son of an illiterate bookie, is blessed with enough natural card sense to attract the attention of mobsters who begin to sponsor him in high-stakes gin games. When no one will play him at gin anymore, he lights out for a new frontier: Las Vegas. Poker. Kid stuns the gambling world by winning consecutive poker championships at Binion's Horseshoe in 1980 and 1981, but blows his winnings by betting recklessly on sports and horses, and snorts the rest up his nostrils.

Columnist Ron Kantowski: Arena League gets an 'A' for effort: From the looks of things, the Arena Football League is going to throw one heck of a party in Las Vegas this weekend.

Blood drives for June 10, 2005: Tuesday: 9 a.m.-1 p.m., Community College of Southern Nevada, 6375 W. Charleston Blvd.; 2:30-6:30 p.m., Cunningham Elementary School, 4145 Jimmy Durante Blvd.; 8 a.m.-1 p.m., Nevada Federal Credit Union; 8 a.m.-1 p.m., St. Joseph Husband of Mary Catholic Church, 7260 W. Sahara Ave.

Miller's jokes, if not politics, hit mark: In interviews he describes himself as a Libertarian, but his political posturing during his comic monologues tend to put him in the camp of the more conservative wing of the Republican Party.

Officials busy verifying which students will actually graduate: By Emily Richmond; With commencement season under way, Clark County School District officials are busy verifying academic credits and proficiency exam results to determine how many members of the class of 2005 will be taking home diplomas.

Two juveniles arrested in shooting incidents: Metro is investigating whether the two shootings are related but were treating the incidents as separate, said Metro Lt. George Castro.

Graduation ceremonies: Graduation ceremonies

Editorial: Predators in our midst: Horton was arrested last Friday, police officers said, just before he was to meet a 14-year-old student for a sexual encounter at a school dance. Police officers said that Horton not only had previously exchanged sexually explicit e-mails with the 14-year-old on a Web site chat room, but that he also has admitted he had engaged in online sex chats with two other girls at Garside. And on Wednesday the Las Vegas Sun reported that the mother of another Garside student said she had warned school administrators eight months ago about Horton.

Community briefs for June 10, 2005: The Clark County Parks and Recreation Department will sponsor the state Department of Education and Health's Summer Food Service Program.

Columnist Ralph Siraco: Yet another day to play superfecta: Ralph Siraco; Again, this Triple Crown race, like the previous pair, is a great betting opportunity.

Ralph Siraco's Hollywood Park selections: 1st Race -- RICHEBOURG -- Well spotted in grass mile allowance opener, Espinoza on Drysdale trainee, gets the trip here. PASSIVE RESISTANCE -- P. Val returns on Frankel trainee for owner Juddmonte Farms, draws outside post in small five-horse two-turn turf outing, solid connections here. Value Play -- TARGET SHOOT

Cause of small fire at Test Site is unknown: Federal officials said they don't yet know exactly why a small fire flared Thursday afternoon while four Nevada Test Site workers were examining the plutonium-contaminated contents of a drum of stored nuclear waste.

With minutes to spare, killer begs off execution: CARSON CITY -- Less than an hour before his execution, killer Robert McConnell sought and received a stay at the Nevada State Prison, leaving the mother of the victim angry.

Columnist Spencer Patterson: On the drums, Monk snares his own identity: Spencer Patterson; "I went to a private prep school, and on the very first day the piano teacher said, 'You know, your father plays the piano incorrectly,' " Monk, son of jazz piano icon Thelonious Monk, said.

Board denied bid to end talks with mechanics: The National Mediation Board told both parties in a letter today that the case doesn't call "at this time" for letting them move into a cooling-off period before a possible lockout or strike. The Aircraft Mechanics Fraternal Association told the board that it opposed Northwest's proposal to end talks.

Large crowd expected for ArenaBowl XIX: Steve Guiremand; After selling out its championship game for eight consecutive years, the Arena Football League decided to gamble and move its ArenaBowl title game to Las Vegas for the next three years.

Sizing up the Belmont field: Ralph Siraco; Here is the field for the $1 million, in post position order with morning-line odds, jockey and trainer for the Grade I Belmont Stakes, third and final jewel of horse racing's Triple Crown.

Columnist Jerry Fink: Vegas gives filmmakers freedom: In 1999, Ed Dentzel, 34 at the time, was the festival coordinator. Kelly Schwarze, 27, then a film major at UNLV, was a volunteer.

Editorial: Bill deserves a veto: Nevertheless, we oppose an amendment passed in the closing hours of the Legislature that would outlaw the kickbacks. It was passed in the dead of night, as a surprise, and with no chance for anyone affected by the bill to testify. No one could ask, for example: Why does it affect taxi drivers but not limousine drivers?

U.S. Geological Suvey chief Groat resigns: Suzanne Struglinski; WASHINGTON -- The U.S. Geological Survey chief resigned Thursday, but a spokeswoman said his departure has nothing to do with the ongoing investigation into e-mails that indicate his agency's employees may have falsified data on the Yucca Mountain project.

News briefs for June 10, 2005: Metro Police this morning were investigating the apparent homicide of a 20-year-old woman found dead in an apartment complex on Decatur Blvd and Sahara Ave at about 3:40 a.m.

Coroner's jury to rule on officer shooting: Officer Robert Chamberlin killed Leopoldo Tijerina Jr. on May 15 outside the Liborio Market near Lamb Boulevard and Washington Avenue.

Court says judge wrong in granting hearing for killer: CARSON CITY -- The Nevada Supreme Court said Thursday that District Judge Michael Cherry was wrong when he granted a hearing to David Robert Riker, sentenced to death for the killing of a man in Las Vegas in 1992.

Letter: Develop some reminders about child in hot car: If you know your routine is going to change, ask a spouse, day care center worker, or someone else to call you to ensure the child was safely brought to his or her destination. There is also no harm in having someone call you each day even if your routine has not changed.

Eagles ready to go without T.O.: The Philadelphia Eagles still don't know if Terrell Owens will show up for training camp after he held out of offseason minicamps because he wants to renegotiate the seven-year deal worth almost $49 million he signed in March 2004.

Company raises sales, margin forecasts on laptop demand: Sales will rise to $9.1 billion to $9.3 billion, exceeding the $8.6 billion to $9.2 billion predicted in April, Santa Clara, California-based Intel said in a statement today. Intel raised its gross margin prediction to about 57 percent from about 56 percent, helped by lower costs and sales of more profitable chips.

Columnist Jerry Fink: Alexander's musical odyssey leads to Las Vegas: Few actually realize that dream.

Marley's legend fueled by 'Fire': Spencer Patterson; Every year when the weather turns warm, I invariably turn to the music of Bob Marley.

Oneidas release expenditures: The nation disclosed its expenditures to officials in the town of Verona, where the tribe's more-than 200 parcels have been assessed at around $400 million. The nation submitted the information as part of its grievance over the assessment, which was upheld by town officials Tuesday.

Where I Stand -- Brian Greenspun: Presidential meltdown: WEEKEND EDITION

A win for Guinn: WEEKEND EDITION

Columnist Susan Snyder: It's not time for us to say whoa, Nellie: WEEKEND EDITION

Viva Wayne Vegas: By John Katsilometes; It is Wednesday afternoon, and Casa de Shenandoah is Casa de Chaos. Wayne Newton is conducting an orchestra of animals -- penguins, ducks, geese, cranes, horses, wallabies, swans, peacocks and an umbrella cockatoo -- as he performs promos for an MTV "TRL" crew. The assorted cameramen, producers and publicists are shooting a half-dozen or so spots featuring Newton at his famous ranch with his assortment of animals as part of the "TRL: Summer On The Strip" series.

Program acts as bridge between Nevada employers, disabled workers: Annie Flanzraich; WEEKEND EDITION

Crystal Method returns to a more hip Las Vegas: Spencer Patterson; "When I was growing up there, Vegas was really geared toward old people," said Jordan, one half of electronic music duo the Crystal Method.

Columnist Jeff German: Session mired in backroom dealing: WEEKEND EDITION

Girl's self-esteem would be enhanced by camp: June 11 - 12, 2005

Datebook for June 10, 2005: Las Vegas presents "Second Saturday," a day of art, history and culture, from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. Saturday at the Cultural Corridor at the intersection of Las Vegas Boulevard North and Cashman Center Drive. Admission is free. 229-2496.

Family Physician of the Year inspires colleagues: Annie Flanzraich; WEEKEND EDITION

Keeping it Reel: As CineVegas grows, so do indy opportunities: Kirk Baird; "CineVegas was pretty much one of the only outlets for independent films" in Las Vegas, he said. "I remember watching the CineVegas Film Festival at the Orleans hotel and there were about five people in the audience.

On Display for June 10, 2005: The Bellagio Gallery of Fine Art will exhibit "The Impressionist Landscape from Corot to Van Gogh" until Jan. 8, 2006. Admission is $15 and $12 students, Nevada residents and seniors 65 and over. 693-7871.

Las Vegas films highlight festival: Kirk Baird; This year marks the fourth year that Trevor Groth has served as director of programing of the CineVegas Film Festival.

Editorial: Building on success: June 11-12, 2005

Columnist Jon Ralston: Casino battle not very neighborly: WEEKEND EDITION

Letter: Car ads waste taxpayer money: June 11-12, 2005

Performing Arts for June 10, 2005: T.S. Monk Band

Nevada Opera Theatre turns comedic with 'Die Fledermaus': By Kristen Peterson; A farce set up by a vengeful friend launches a series of mistaken identities in Johann Strauss' comic operetta, "Die Fledermaus," which will be presented Saturday by Nevada Opera Theatre.

Editorial: Avoid 'us versus them': June 11-12, 2005

Letter: War is not worth the lives, money: June 11-12, 2005

Columnist Muriel Stevens: Mills takes world-famous barbecue to NYC party: Today is the day the pitmasters get the smokers going. The food will be cooked throughout the night and all weekend, creating the most sumptuous barbecue anywhere.

Funding pleases mental health advocates: Molly Ball; As the dust settles from the frantic ending of the legislative session, advocates for the mentally ill are cheering.

Murren: Yemenidjian will be tough competitor: By Liz Benston; Departing MGM Mirage board member Alex Yemenidjian won't likely partner with the company on any future gaming projects and would instead emerge as a competitor, a top MGM Mirage executive said.

Judge orders board to renew license for Emerald: Maura Kelly Lannan; CHICAGO -- A judge on Thursday ordered the Illinois Gaming Board to renew the bankrupt Emerald Casino's gambling license and allow it to relocate to suburban Rosemont, but attorneys for the board contend a hearing aimed at revoking the casino's license can continue.

Rural counties band together to keep water from LV Valley: David Kihara; Six rural counties have drafted a plan to create a centralized water authority that would control and protect the water resources in those counties against the huge needs of Southern Nevada, rural county officials said.

DOE official: Yucca plans advancing: Stephen Curran; PAHRUMP -- An Energy Department official pledged Thursday that the planned nuclear waste dump at Yucca Mountain is moving "full steam ahead," although a representative of an energy company said he was eyeing 2015 for a potential opening.

Wedding chapels to battle it out in court: By Matt Pordum; Allegations that employees of one of Las Vegas' leading wedding chapels have harassed and threatened a competitor have taken the "chapel wars" from the sidewalk outside the Clark County Courthouse into the courtroom.

Feds may not get cash from state land sales: Suzanne Struglinski; WASHINGTON -- The chance that the federal government will start getting more than half of the money earned from sales of public land in Nevada grew slimmer Thursday when the Senate Appropriations passed the Interior Department spending bill.

Unocal bid gets FTC OK: The FTC said it approved the acquisition on condition that Unocal stop enforcing patents for reformulated gasoline that antitrust enforcers said would have imposed more than $500 million each year in higher prices on California motorists.

Racing awaits gaming bump: Three state tracks have applied for gaming operator licenses and the Oklahoma Horse Racing Commission is establishing infrastructure to support those operations. Remington Park in Oklahoma City, Blue Ribbon Downs in Sallisaw and Will Rogers Downs in Claremore have each applied, said the agency's executive director, Gordon Hare.

Artist may work on LV City Hall: Mayor Oscar Goodman said Thursday that Gabarron has offered to work for free so long as someone else provides the materials.

Governor to veto cabbie bill: Cy Ryan, Mary Manning and Eric Leake; Faced with a threat of a cabdriver strike that would wreak havoc on the tourism industry in Las Vegas, Gov. Kenny Guinn today will veto a bill that would have stopped cabbies from accepting tips from businesses for delivering passengers to them, Guinn's spokesman said.

Pilot error blamed in crash of Predator craft at Nellis: During a check flight, the Predator had a navigation system malfunction that resulted in the pilot (who flies the craft from a remote location) deciding to immediately land the aircraft, officials said. During the landing, the pilot failed to disengage the airspeed hold, and the Predator wasn't in proper configuration to land, the report said.

Columnist Jeff German: Finally, gamblers getting help: "I have felt guilty for years that I have this slot route business that does really well and there could be people who suffer from patronizing the machines at my locations," he says. "But I feel everything is even now. If somebody has a gambling problem, they can get treatment."

Las Vegas Sands may spend $2.75 billion on Macau projects: Jeannine DeFoe; Las Vegas Sands Corp., which opened the $265 million Sands Macau in 2004, may spend about $2.75 billion to build a casino resort and finance the development of three hotels in Macau, Chief Executive Sheldon Adelson said.

Cost, quality, access remain concerns: Michelle Swafford; Cost, quality and accessibility are the three major challenges facing health care companies and consumers.

Company's shares may rise on possible acquisition: Aztar's 34-acre site on the Strip includes enough undeveloped land to build another hotel, the magazine said, citing Gabelli Asset Management's Larry Haverty.

Hollywood Casino creditors vote to sell property: If a federal bankruptcy judge approves the ballots and a reorganization plan, the Reno-based company will be able to take over the floating casino. Plans call for the casino to be renamed Eldorado Casino-Shreveport.

Galardi points finger at LV officials: SAN DIEGO -- The former owner of a string of strip clubs in Las Vegas and San Diego took the stand in a federal corruption trial Thursday, accusing former Clark County Commissioner Lance Malone of taking thousands of dollars in regular payments while still on Southern Nevada's most powerful elected board.

Two jurors couldn't vote death for child murderer: By Matt Pordum; For two jurors, Beau Maestas' troubled childhood and drug use was enough to convince them death wasn't warranted.

Clinton addresses insurance convention: Former President Bill Clinton told a health insurance convention in Las Vegas this morning that in this "more interdependent world ... we need more friends and fewer enemies."

Vegas company is sold: MDU Resources Group Inc. -- a publicly traded firm that provides oil and natural gas production, mining and power production -- said in a release issued today that it had purchased Bombard -- a firm that installs, repairs and maintains inside electrical systems mainly for the casino and entertainment industries -- for an undisclosed amount of money. MDU said Bombard's annual revenue is about $140 million.

Sports briefs for June 10, 2005: Four post players who are all 6-foot-3 or taller -- Shamela Hampton, Latoya Hunt, Faye Muller, Samantha Stickler -- and guard Brittany Halberg have signed letters of intent to play for head coach Regina Miller's UNLV women's team.

San Francisco archdiocese settles 15 priest abuse claims for $21.2 million: AP; SAN FRANCISCO - The Archdiocese of San Francisco agreed Friday to settle 15 pending lawsuits involving allegations of sexual abuse by priests under its jurisdiction for $21.2 million, according to a statement from the church.

Shuffle Master profit rises 24 percent: The Las Vegas company earned $6.8 million or 19 cents per share in the second quarter compared with profit of $5.5 million or 14 cents per share a year ago.

Police officers involved in death are identified: Ruiz, 27, was hired by Metro in July 2000. Rodriguez, 40, has been with the department since June 1989. They are on paid leave while the incident is investigated.

Las Vegas Sun

Print edition for June 10, 2005

Today's frontpage

The Sun

RSS Feeds