Print edition for June 24, 2005

St. Rose constructs new campus: St. Rose constructs new campus

University officials' pay hikes approved: University regents unanimously approved several pay hikes for university officials during an meetings Thursday and today at UNR.

Two regional superintendents hired: David Kihara; The Clark County School District Board of Trustees approved hiring two out-of-district candidates to serve as superintendents of the southwest and east regions Thursday.

Federal government gives Nevada $13 million to cover lost property taxes: Suzanne Struglinski; WASHINGTON -- The Interior Department will send Nevada a $13 million check today, to help make up for property taxes the state cannot collect on land owned by the federal government.

Goodman defends homeless remark: At his weekly City Hall news conference, Goodman repeated the statement, but also offered an alternate plan for the homeless, borrowing from the philosophy of Chinese Sixth Century B.C. poet Lao Tzu.

30-year mortgages drop: Mortgage giant Freddie Mac said Thursday its weekly survey showed that rates on 30-year, fixed-rate mortgages averaged 5.57 percent, down from 5.63 percent last week. It was the second-lowest level recorded this year.

Marinello named as CEO: Tony Marinello was named the top executive at the IASIS Healthcare Corp.-owned hospital in North Las Vegas.

New home sales climb to second-highest level on record: The Commerce Department said that sales of new single-family homes rose by 2.1 percent last month to a seasonally adjusted annual rate of 1.3 million homes. But the median sales price dropped 6.5 percent to a median $217,000, the point at which half the homes sold for more and half for less.

Ensign: More training needed to speed up return of troops: "We cannot set a timeline for troop withdrawal without emboldening our enemies, but if we can help Iraq defend itself we can start planning to bring our servicemen and women home," Ensign said Thursday in a prepared statement at the Armed Services Committee hearing in which Rumsfeld testified. Ensign is a member of the panel, and chairman of the subcommittee on military readiness and support.

Chevron approves Unocal talks with CNOOC: Loretta Ng; Chevron Corp. lifted a ban on negotiations between its takeover target Unocal Corp. and rival bidder CNOOC Ltd. of China, which made a higher $18.5 billion cash offer Thursday.

Mayor: No cost to taxpayers: At his weekly City Hall news conference, the mayor said he is waiting to hear Clear Channel's presentation at the July meeting of the Centennial Committee, of which he is chairman, regarding why the company wants to change its contract before he decides how he will vote.

Barrick landlord files for share of gaming: By Liz Benston; The landlord that owns Barrick Gaming Corp.'s downtown casinos has filed an application with state regulators to be allowed to get some portion of the gaming revenue generated by the four properties.

Navarro's improvement noticed: Nick Christensen; When he was called up to the Dodgers in May, Dioner Navarro didn't so much get to taste the cup of coffee as he just got to look at it.

Goodman vows to never evict a 'little old lady': Las Vegas Mayor Oscar Goodman says despite this week's Supreme Court ruling allowing local governments to take property by eminent domain for private development, he would not kick "a little old lady" out of her home.

Sports briefs for June 24, 2005: Alan Horne came back to the dugout with a brace on his knee and needing crutches to walk. That's how much the injured pitcher wanted to be part of Florida's celebration in Omaha, Neb.

Homes threatened by wildfire: MOUNTAIN SPRINGS -- Firefighters remained worried this morning that afternoon winds could push a brushfire toward 100 homes in this rural community about 31 miles southwest of Las Vegas.

Man arrested on charge of murder by child abuse: Jen Lawson; Metro Police arrested a Las Vegas man Wednesday for allegedly beating his girlfriend's 3-year-old son to death last week, the third child abuse homicide this year.

Alcoa cutting 6,500 positions: Mike Crissey; PITTSBURGH -- Alcoa Inc., the world's largest aluminum producer, will cut about 6,500 jobs globally -- or 5 percent of its work force -- in the next year, most of them in its automotive businesses, as part of a restructuring aimed at saving the company $150 million a year.

Wynn exec touts benefits of hiring ex-prisoners: Alana Roberts; Wynn Las Vegas' top human resources leader told a group of business leaders they should consider hiring nontraditional workers such as ex-prisoners and former welfare recipients.

Company could hike fares on monorail: Stephen Curran; Las Vegas Monorail officials, coming off the transportation system's second dip in ridership in as many months, could weigh a hike in fares as soon as next year, a company spokesman said Thursday.

Columnist Ron Kantowski: Return of NHL should only help ECHL: The last time a bunch of hockey general managers convened out at Lake Las Vegas, which was about this time last year, the NHL wound up cancelling its season.

Panel: Casino marketing in future to focus on nongaming attractions: By Liz Benston; Future casinos -- from major Las Vegas properties to smaller casinos and riverboats -- will eventually be marketed as resorts with plenty of nongaming amenities such as gourmet restaurants and spas, a group of designers and casino bosses predicted at a Las Vegas conference Thursday.

Residents protest proposed rail line: Stephen Curran; If the standing-room-only crowd at Thursday's Regional Transportation Commission-sponsored discussion of a proposed light rail for the Las Vegas Valley was any indication, resentment for the plan appears to be growing.

Man sentenced in drug ring: Heriberto Buendia was arrested in July 2004 as a result of a federal, state and local drug enforcement effort dubbed Operation Ice House.

Ralph Siraco's Hollywood Park selections: 1st Race -- RENTS DUE -- Draws good outside post in small five-filly sprint opener, Martinez on co-owner Dutton trainee, bet the rent? SWISS PLEASE -- Court atop co-owner Harrington trainee, draws inner box for sophomore dash claimer, a factor throughout. Value Play -- YEAR OF LIGHT

Hatch preparing bill on Yucca alternatives: Benjamin Grove; WASHINGTON -- Sen. Orrin Hatch, R-Utah, is preparing legislation that would direct the government to oversee study of two alternatives to Yucca Mountain: leaving high-level nuclear waste stored where it is at power plants or temporarily storing it at government sites.

More than 200 campers, mostly Scouts, evacuated: Eric Leake; As he looked to the sky above Camp Potosi, Boy Scout Steven Heimark knew Thursday's fire alarm was not a drill.

Citigroup, Legg Mason plan to swap assets in $3.7 billion deal: Anne D'Innocenzio; NEW YORK -- Citigroup Inc., the world's largest financial-services firm, today said it agreed to a $3.7 billion deal in which it will swap most of its asset-management business in exchange for the broker-dealer business of Legg Mason Inc. as well as Legg Mason stock and a loan to the Baltimore financial-services firm.

Nevada ranks 26th in average teacher salaries: By Emily Richmond; When it comes to average teacher salaries, Nevada ranked 26th in the nation for a second consecutive year, according to a new report released Thursday by the National Education Association.

Culture shock: Nick Christensen; Tucson Electric Park 7 p.m. Saturday, Monday, Tuesday; 6 p.m. Sunday Radio: all games on 1460-AM

Columnist Brian Hilderbrand: Next attempt to bring F1 racing to Vegas not promising, either: Here we go again.

House votes to restore funds for public broadcasting: Benjamin Grove; WASHINGTON -- Somewhere Clifford the Big Red Dog is wagging his tail. The House on Thursday restored a $100 million proposed budget cut for public broadcasting.

Twin brother, family mourn 22-year-old: By Timothy Pratt; At the doorway to the Holy Family Catholic Church Thursday, a small photo in the upper right-hand corner of a collage of photos showed Jesse and Joel Jaime, twins, at about 5 years old, in matching white shirts and black shorts and vests, with expressions between shy and frisky, standing in the same church.

High-rise safety recommendations already in place in Clark County: By Ed Koch; Local building experts say a new national report on skyscraper safety calls for a number of changes made in Clark County a quarter of a century ago after killer fires roared through the old MGM -- now Bally's -- and Hilton hotels.

Columnist Jeff German: Hunt only one in GOP with guts: Three months after she wrote President Bush asking him to abandon the stalled Yucca Mountain Project, Hunt has heard back from the White House.

Man sentenced for injury to city worker: David Kihara; The man who hit and seriously injured a North Las Vegas city worker with his vehicle was sentenced to 10 months behind bars Thursday after pleading guilty to failing to pay attention to the road and driving without a license.

Change in Canadian law could scuttle prescription drug plan: CARSON CITY -- Democrats in the Legislature fought hard for passage of a bill to allow Nevadans to buy lower-cost drugs online from Canadian pharmacies.

Court invalidates redundant porn production convictions: The Nevada Supreme Court on Thursday upheld the conviction of Wiley G. Wilson for using a 10-year-old girl in the production of pornography and four counts of possession of pornography. The court invalidated three counts of production of pornography for which he had been convicted, however.

Advisory boards not governed by state ethics laws: CARSON CITY -- The Nevada Supreme Court on Thursday ruled that members of advisory boards are not governed by the state law regarding conflict of interests.

Riviera's 'Splash!' looks fine after much-needed makeover: The made-over revue's official premiere was Wednesday.

Boy's attitude has improved; camp would reinforce change: June 25-26, 2005

On Display for June 24, 2005: Images documenting the history of Las Vegas will be displayed until the end of August at Lawry's the Prime Rib, 4043 Howard Hughes Parkway. Admission is free. 893-2223.

Columnist Lisa Ferguson: With veteran comic, Riviera drops a Baum: Lisa Ferguson; "It's amazing how many people think I'm David Crosby," he says.

Editorial: Rove owes an apology: June 25-26, 2005

Columnist Jeff German: R & R is sure to get bang for its buck: By Jeff German; WEEKEND EDITION

Funding plan for UNLV parking approved: UNLV will use parking fee revenues and other nonstate sources to pay back $11 million to $13 million in bonds for 850 new parking spaces, Gerry Bomotti,vice president for finance, said. That's $13,000 to $15,000 a space.

Sisolak wants to toughen grade transfer policy: Regent Steve Sisolak is on a mission to close what he sees as a major loophole in the Nevada System of Higher Education's transfer policies.

Columnist Susan Snyder: Expedition's story worth a second look: WEEKEND EDITION

Letter: Public art is waste of money: June 25-26, 2005

Reaching Back: Spencer Patterson; WEEKEND EDITION

Judge's ruling keeps tribal casino open: U.S. District Court Judge James Payne ruled Wednesday that closing the casino would harm the immediate area and refused the state's request to lift a July 2004 temporary order issued by Cherokee County District Judge John Garrett that protects the casino from being closed for allegedly violating state gaming laws.

Farmington track sues state Racing Commission: Commission chairman David Sanchez called the move "ridiculous."

Attorneys: Choking during sex may have caused death: By Matt Pordum; The attorneys for a man charged with sexually assaulting and strangling two women to death say one of his alleged victims may have been killed accidentally as the result of consensual rough sex that included being choked.

Editorial: Rights came at high price: Michael Schwerner, James Chaney and Andrew Goodman were chased down by Klansmen that night as they drove out of town. They were shot and an earth mover was used to bury their bodies. While the killings were pivotal, spurring a civil rights movement that hastened the end of segregation and eventually ensured federal and state protections for minorities, no one was ever charged with murder in the crime. Eight men were tried on charges that they deprived the three slain men of their civil rights. Seven were convicted and served sentences of six years or less. Because the jury couldn't ...

Newsom's 'Mender' not for all tastes, but memorable: Spencer Patterson; Two years ago, while visiting my folks in Phoenix, I caught a small club show by folk-rocker Will Oldham, aka "Bonnie Prince Billy."

Columnist Jerry Fink: Osmond, Mr. Vegas, to return: By Jerry Fink; "I grew up in Vegas," Osmond said during a telephone interview from somewhere on the road as he tours the nation. "Not literally, but practically."

Rhode Island casino question to be put off at least a year: Richard C. Lewis; PROVIDENCE, R.I. -- A public vote on a proposed casino in West Warwick has been delayed until November 2006 at the earliest.

Letter: Lands act must be preserved: June 25-26, 2005

Educator lauded for contributions to the valley: By Emily Richmond; WEEKEND EDITION

Guinn says AG will handle cabbies' request for an investigation: CARSON CITY -- Gov. Kenny Guinn said Thursday he doesn't have the authority to conduct a civil or criminal investigation into the Legislature's passage of a bill that would have stopped cab drivers from accepting tips from businesses.

Where I Stand -- Brian Greenspun: Adversaries unite: WEEKEND EDITION

Stripers bite for boaters, not for shore fishermen: LAKE MEAD: Fishing is continuing its pattern of being fairly good for boaters and slow for shore anglers with occasional days when the wind has made fishing a nearly impossible endeavor.

Datebook for June 24, 2005: Las Vegas presents a "Family Movie Night" at 8 p.m. today at Gibson Community School, 3990 W. Washington Ave. Admission is $5 per family, and bring lawn chairs or blankets. 229-5096.

Letter: Learning math early essential for many endeavors: Unlike some fields of human endeavor that can be learned "on the fly," science and engineering (and related fields such as medicine) require many years of math (the language of science), training and preparation, far beyond simple calculus. Students who have not been properly taught math, or who garnered a fear of math, struggle and easily fall behind, often gaining an intellectual and emotional handicap, and lose confidence in themselves.

Court rules against immunity from suit over officer's firing: CARSON CITY -- A federal appeals court has ruled that Washoe County District Attorney Dick Gammick did not have absolute immunity from a suit that alleges he tried to get a police officer fired from the school district.

Commission approves plan for Indiana casino: Ryan Lenz; FRENCH LICK, Ind. -- The state Gaming Commission gave initial approval Thursday to a $250 million plan to build a casino in southern Indiana's Orange County, bringing hope of an economic revival to an area with one of the state's highest unemployment numbers.

Tribe zaps Beaver Bay casino project: Dale Little Soldier, of rural Golden Valley, told the Mercer County Commission that the tribes officially dropped out of the Beaver Bay casino project in early June.

Columnist Spencer Patterson: Latino faves Jaguares building a base in U.S.: Spencer Patterson; "We just did Los Angeles and went back home," drummer Alfonso Andre recalled during a phone interview from his home in Mexico City on Monday.

Bingo hall owner accused of gambling: City officials contend patrons sometimes are charged to play and are provided cash prizes.

Columnist Jon Ralston: Ideas languish in the chatter: WEEKEND EDITION

Chancellor's office restructured: Chancellor Jim Rogers earned regent approval on several of his plans to restructure his office in the Nevada System of Higher Education Thursday.

Performing Arts for June 24, 2005: Oakes & Garcia

Editorial: Property rights get swift kick from court: But increasingly in recent years, local governments have expanded the use of eminent domain to tear down homes and businesses to make way for private developers -- even when the homes and businesses were not in blighted areas. These local governments say that such use of eminent domain is legitimate, arguing that the creation of new jobs and more tax revenue benefits all residents, thereby constituting a "public use." Still, this broadened definition of what eminent domain could be used for seems more about enriching influential companies than about creating a "public use" for the greater good. Nevertheless, the majority ...

Getting in the swim: Eric Leake; WEEKEND EDITION

Editorial: A matter of principle: June 25-26, 2005

Heat and Humility: Blues legend and Hall of Famer Buddy Guy deflects plaudits: Spencer Patterson; "When I came here to Chicago, on September the 25th, 1957, all the blues cats were sittin' in chairs playing," Guy said. "And I said, 'Man, I can't play sittin' down in that chair. I get too happy. I'll kick that chair over or fall out of it. I need to get up and walk.' And I've been doing it all my life."

Letter: Monorail can solve traffic woes: The other paper in town does nothing but talk about the problems with the monorail, but those problems are minor compared to the experience and the long-term value of the project. I know it was built for the tourists, but if you live here and haven't taken a ride, you've missed the best show in town.

Community briefs for June 24, 2005: The Sin City 3 on 3 Fourth of July Extravaganza tournament will be held July 2 and 3 at the new Palace Station Casino Sports Center, 2730 S. Rancho Drive.

Columnist Jerry Fink: In clubs, MGM Grand has a full house: Studio 54. Teatro. Tabu.

Diversity panel revived: University regents unanimously approved resurrecting a former committee on diversity issues during an all-day meeting Thursday but but appeared hesitant about the chancellor's plan to hire a system diversity officer.

Passing the test: Title: President of UNLV

Letter: Mobile billboards needlessly pollute: June 25-26, 2005

Dolphins' safety arrested for DUI, drag racing: Miami Dolphins safety Quintin Williams was arrested on DUI and drag racing charges Thursday after he was stopped while driving 111 mph on an interstate with teammate and passenger Travares Tillman.

Blood donors sought: Monday: 9:30 a.m.-2:30 p.m., Community College of Southern Nevada, 700 College Drive, Henderson; 2-7 p.m., Lamb of God Lutheran Church, 6220 N. Jones Blvd.; 10 a.m.-8 p.m., Las Vegas College, 4100 W. Flamingo Road; 10 a.m.-3 p.m., Silver State Schools Credit Union, 4221 S. McLeod Drive.

Columnist Muriel Stevens: Sunflower offers fresh grocery experience: Sunflower Market opened its first Las Vegas store May 27. A second store is under construction at Rainbow and Flamingo. It will open in early fall. Eventually, there will be five or six Sunflower stores around the city.

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

Letters: Readers weigh in on Sun's future: June 25-26, 2005

Obituaries for June 24, 2005: Richard Arnove, 72, of Las Vegas died May 10 in a local hospital. He was born April 19, 1933, in New York. A resident for almost 30 years, he was a retired sales representative for a nationwide company and an Army veteran.