Print edition for March 8, 2005

Last day for Salvadorans to seek special status: By Timothy Pratt; Today is the last day for nearly a quarter-million Salvadorans nationwide to mail in applications to the federal government for a special status that will allow them to stay legally in the United States another 18 months.

Editorial: Preying on borrowers: Payday loan companies, which readily provide cash to customers, have become controversial because of the stratospheric interest rates they charge. As the Las Vegas Sun's Steve Kanigher reported Sunday, customers of payday loan companies can get caught in a vicious circle, ending up paying much more in finance charges than the original amount borrowed. In one instance cited by the Sun, the finance charges assessed one Las Vegas woman were equivalent to an annualized interest rate of 390 percent -- about 20 times more than that offered by credit card companies.

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

Editorial: Deaf ears toward hate: In their view, all of our neighbors, friends, relatives, co-workers and fellow Nevadans and Americans who are not white and Christian should be ... what? Persecuted? Driven from the country? Segregated on reservations? Sent to death camps? These are some of the scenarios that suggest themselves when National Alliance members pine for the days before the "swarming hordes of officially favored minorities were declared equal." The quote is from their Web site, in a blurb promoting old history books that recount only the contributions of white people.

UNLV gets new public affairs assistant: DiBella is now working in the university's office of Research and Graduate Studies publishing a new magazine and working on internal communications, said Hilarie Grey, public affairs director and special assistant to the president.

James, Gladiators hope to move on as Dolezel returns: Adam Candee; Gladiators quarterback Clint Dolezel is one procedural hurdle from coming back to the lineup and coach Ron James is eager to see him.

Eating cost of credit cards questioned: CARSON CITY -- The state will pay $5 million next year on behalf of customers of the Department of Motor Vehicles who use credit cards for driver's licenses and registration.

Columnist Ron Kantowski: Cubs bring fans out, not baseball: As he pulled into the parking lot at 8:30 a.m. Monday, Las Vegas 51s publicity chief Jim Gemma said a crowd already had formed at the Cashman Field box office.

NLV criticizes real estate firm's letter to residents: North Las Vegas has accused an investment company of misleading residents about the safety of a neighborhood and of falsely saying the city plans to use its power to seize homes.

UAW-DaimlerChrysler 400: Drivers' appearances: Tony Stewart -- 6-8 p.m., Home Depot, 9705 W. Charleston.

Bracket has potential for Lady Rebels: Adam Candee; Like a C in high school algebra or a plate of plain boiled spaghetti for dinner, the Lady Rebels have been just OK this season.

UAW-DaimlerChrysler 400: Schedule: Noon -- World of Outlaws pit gates open (Half-mile dirt track at LVMS).

Woman gets probation in traffic death: By Matt Pordum; A 19-year-old woman who had alcohol and prescription painkillers in her system when she drove through a red light and struck another vehicle, killing its 69-year-old driver, was sentenced to probation Monday.

N.J. casino imposes dress code on guests: John Curran; ATLANTIC CITY -- Once, all you needed was money in your pocket. Now one casino-hotel wants you to wear nice pants, too.

Letter: Programs a boon to many students: These two programs are not for academic enrichment per se; instead, they guide students who lack a family member who has a degree through the complicated process of getting into and then staying in college. Counselors help high school students select appropriate classes and navigate the college application process. They then steer students through the myriad procedures that keep them in college.

Major sewer rehab begins: Contractors for Clark County's sewer agency are beginning what officials are calling the largest pipeline rehabilitation effort in the agency's history this week.

Community briefs for March 8, 2005: The Labor Department's Mine Safety and Health Administration will conduct a free workshop Wednesday at the Fiesta, Henderson, to address the special hazards produced by the onset of warmer weather at the nation's mining operations.

Gambling revenue rises 30 percent to $4.8 billion: Visitors from China contributed 27 billion patacas to the economy, the Hong Kong-based, English-language newspaper said, making them the highest spending visitors.

Columnist Brian Hilderbrand: Nextel Cup drivers look for extra work this weekend in Busch Series: Saturday's NASCAR Busch Series race at Las Vegas Motor Speedway will have the look of a B-main for Sunday's NASCAR Nextel Cup race.

Letter: Goodman is wonderful role model for kids: As a concerned father raising my own children here in Las Vegas, I am well aware of the many parental obstacles I must overcome. I am, however, proud of where I live, and I accept complete and total responsibility for my parental duties. Isn't it our responsibility as parents to talk to our kids, and address the difficult issues that face us as Las Vegas parents?

Attention may increase traffic on problem gambling hotline: A small percentage of people who gamble develop serious problems, but more people across the country are being exposed to some kind of wagering, said Colleen Leonard, program director of the Louisiana Problem Gamblers Help Line. Not only have casinos sprung up across the country in recent years, but people even hours away from legalized gambling can see poker tournaments on several networks.

Dahl named judge of the year: The association, which is comprised of justices of the peace and municipal throughout the state, cited Dahl's service to the association and his involvement in the community in making the selection.

518411653.html: First Team

Former foster child sees benefits in current bill: Kirsten Searer; CARSON CITY -- Chris Brooks entered the foster care system at age 5, and by the time he left, he had gone through 35 different foster homes.

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

Critic of rural water plan offers alternatives: A longtime critic of the Southern Nevada Water Authority on Monday proposed 14 alternatives to the agency's plans to develop water sources in rural Nevada for use in Las Vegas.

Rogers takes look at Cegavske issue: Sunbelt Communications Chairman Jim Rogers says he is looking into whether or not his local television station overstepped any ethical boundaries by hiring Sen. Barbara Cegavske, R-Las Vegas, as a consultant on legislative issues.

Columnist Susan Snyder: Bike plan as odd as a $3 bill: There the Sparks Democrat was in a photo in the center of the Nevada Legislature's Web site Monday morning, sporting a red and white-striped "Cat-in-the-Hat" top hat while reading Dr. Seuss' "One Fish. Two Fish. Red Fish. Blue Fish," to his 19-month-old grandson via the Internet on Wednesday for "Read Across America Day."

State says more youngsters are having gambling problems: Chris Armentano, director of the Problem Gambling Services for the state Department of Mental Health and Addiction Services, said 11 children under the age of 18 are enrolled in the state's treatment programs for gambling problems.

State lottery bill headed to Senate: Kirsten Searer; CARSON CITY -- All but nine members of the state Assembly said yes Monday to a state lottery, which has been banned in Nevada since the state constitution was written in 1864.

Little by little, Gordon builds on success as owner/driver: If there is such a thing as a moral victory in NASCAR Nextel Cup racing, Robby Gordon earned one two weeks ago at California Speedway.

Judge delays decision on whether emus can be pets: A Henderson Municipal Court judge on Monday unexpectedly delayed for three weeks a decision on whether a woman can keep two emus as pets.

Legislative briefs for March 8, 2005: The Assembly Judiciary Committee heard Assembly Bill 121 this morning, which aims to revoke concealed weapons permits from permit holders who have been convicted of possessing a firearm while under the influence of alcohol or drugs in the past five years.

Obituaries for March 8, 2005: Dorothy Rosetta Anselmo, 76, of Henderson died Sunday in Las Vegas. She was born June 27, 1928, in San Francisco. A resident for 28 years, she was a homemaker.

Critically ill, injured wait up to six hours, techs say: By Cy Ryan; CARSON CITY -- Critically ill or injured patients must wait as long as six hours on ambulance gurneys in hospital emergency rooms in Southern Nevada before being admitted, a group of emergency medical technicians told lawmakers Monday.

Valdez indicted in death of woman: James Valdez is scheduled for arraignment before District Judge Joseph Bonaventure on March 14 on one count each of murder, attempt murder and assault all with use of a deadly weapon for the fatal stabbing of 31-year-old Teresa Tilden, whose 12-year-old son, Shiloh Edsitty, was also stabbed but survived.

Thieves hit DMV office for blank driver's licenses: David Kihara; A Nevada Department of Motor Vehicles in North Las Vegas was burglarized late Sunday in a case authorities are describing as the largest heist of blank DMV licenses in recent history.

Company considers sale of four cable operations: The proposal is one of several options being considered to reduce debt and accelerate growth, as well as to offer new products and services for remaining cable operations with about 5.4 million customers, the company said.

O'Aces dispute sent to Control Board: CARSON CITY -- The Nevada Supreme Court has issued a writ stopping two Las Vegas men from pursuing their court case against O'Aces Bar and Grill in a video slot dispute.

Las Vegas Sands profit soars in fourth quarter: By Liz Benston; Fourth-quarter profit rose more than ninefold for the owner of the Venetian resort in Las Vegas as gamblers flocked to the company's newly opened resort in Macau.

Bystander wounded as group subdues gunman: Jen Lawson; An alleged gang member who was randomly shooting a gun into the air as he walked down the sidewalk turned the gun on bystanders after they yelled at him to stop, Metro Police said.

Median Las Vegas home price in February stays stable: The median price of houses sold in February that were listed in the association's Multiple Listing Service (MLS) was $286,000, compared with $285,000 in January. The median price of condos and town homes sold in February for units listed in the MLS was $180,000, unchanged from January.

Malone's lawyer: Groundwork laid despite dismissal denial: Jace Radke; SAN DIEGO -- Although former Clark County Commissioner Lance Malone's motions to dismiss the conspiracy charges he is facing in San Diego were denied Monday, his attorney said that the groundwork has been laid to prove during trial that the government has bungled its case.

Agassi seeks funding for kindergarten, first grade: Kirsten Searer and Emily Richmond; CARSON CITY -- Andre Agassi's charter school asked the Legislature for $900,000 Monday so it can offer kindergarten and first grade classes, but some charter schools said they hope the school and its influential founder won't receive special treatment.

Reid, Ensign mobilize opposition to land sale proposal: Benjamin Grove; WASHINGTON -- The Senate may be poised to reject President Bush's proposal to siphon federal land sale profit away from Nevada.

Double dose of Wyoming: Steve Guiremand; First Team

Columnist Jeff German: Admitting we have a problem: That's because Nevada and its wealthy casino industry have refused to recognize that problem gambling is a problem in Nevada.

Car hits motorcycle officer on freeway: Sgt. Howard Hall, 41, suffered a sprained ankle and superficial cuts to his legs, Lt. Chris Carroll said. Hall was released from the hospital Monday night, Officer Jose Montoya, a Metro spokesman, said.

Gasoline prices soar in valley, nationwide: Eric Leake; The Washington family might have gone out to eat Monday night if not for rising gasoline prices.

Police try to solve puzzle of dead body found in home: Officers said man who lives at the home, whose name was not released by police, had been trying to fix a garage door that was broken and left open for a couple of hours while the resident of the home was running errands. When he returned home, he found a 31-year-old man, whom he said he did not know, dead in his bathroom.

Doctor backs up insanity defense: By Matt Pordum; A forensic psychiatrist testified Monday that a man accused of killing his pregnant sister and grandparents suffers from schizophrenia and meets the legal standards required for a not guilty by reason of insanity defense.

Ruling bans Fremont solicitation: Eric Leake; The Fremont Street Experience is a place for people to exercise their freedom of speech -- but not if they're doing it to make a buck, U.S. District Judge David Hagen has ruled.

Last of chefs are signed to run resort's restaurants: Richard Chen, who helped run Shanghai Terrace at The Peninsula Chicago hotel, was signed to oversee the property's upscale Asian restaurant. It will be called Wing Lei, which means Wynn in Chinese.

On the right track: Kevin Rademacher; In a semitrailer outfitted with plasma-screen displays, leather couches and a small classroom, a group of General Electric Co. employees Monday morning monitored the paths of 30 low-orbit satellites.

Resorts fight bogus bills: By Liz Benston; About two weeks ago counterfeiters attempted to pass fake $10 bills at several Las Vegas casinos by feeding them into slot machines.

Georgia traffic stop nets LV fugitive: Jen Lawson; Devi Ives was found strangled and buried in a shallow grave in the desert outside Las Vegas on Sept. 7, 1997.

Recent rain something to sneeze at: While wildflowers may be blooming from winter rains, so is everything else in the Las Vegas Valley, say experts who found tree pollen levels three times higher on Monday than they had expected.

News briefs for March 8, 2005: A Las Vegas man has pleaded guilty to three counts of income tax evasion for failing to pay $12,390 owed the government, authorities announced this morning.

Ruffin plans high-end resort to replace his New Frontier: By Jeff Simpson; Reflecting the skyrocketing value of land on the Las Vegas Strip and the high-priced neighboring resorts he'll be competing with, the owner of the New Frontier plans to spend $1.3 billion or more to build a new hotel and casino on the site.

'Annoying a minor' law struck down: CARSON CITY -- The Nevada Supreme Court on Monday struck down a state law that made it a crime to annoy or molest a minor. The law is unconstitutional because it is too vague, the state's high court ruled.

Sports briefs for March 8, 2005: The UNLV men's golf team will host the 2005 Southern Highlands Collegiate Championship this weekend, March 11-13, which features the nation's best collegiate golf teams.