Las Vegas Sun

Archive for March 16, 2005

Trial under way in alleged extortion of Dion's husband: By Matt Pordum; In opening arguments Tuesday, a prosecutor said a man accused of demanding millions of dollars from Celine Dion's husband to silence a rape allegation had pledged to "be a thorn in his side forever" if ...; 11:17 a.m.

Reid delivers ultimatum on judicial nominations: Benjamin Grove; WASHINGTON -- Senate Minority Leader Harry Reid, D-Nev., on Tuesday issued a fiery ultimatum to Republican leaders: Abandon a threat to adopt new rules to block Democratic opposition to judicial nominees -- or risk a ...; 11:14 a.m.

Aide charged with killing quadriplegic: Jen Lawson; A certified personal care aide is charged with killing her quadriplegic ex-husband by drowning him in the bathtub, allegedly because he wanted to move into his own assisted living apartment which would have deprived her ...; 11:10 a.m.

The proposals: The plan would limit growth in government revenue to the amount of population growth plus the Consumer Price Index. In Clark County, that would be about 7 percent. For state-imposed taxes, it would be limited ...; 11:10 a.m.

Three property tax plans under review: Kirsten Searer; CARSON CITY -- Legislators finally have proposals on paper that would limit property tax increases, though leaders are not publicly leaning toward any one.; 11:10 a.m.

Gaming briefs for March 16, 2005: DETROIT -- Two powerful Detroit business families are competing for control of the MotorCity Casino, which is expected to be sold as part of the $7.9 billion merger of MGM Mirage and Mandalay Resort Group.; 11:09 a.m.

Problems arise over Henderson Justice Court costs: The commission in July 2004 approved $9.5 million for courtrooms, but city officials came back this year and said escalating construction costs would now require the county to put in at least $12.5 million -- ...; 11:08 a.m.

Cannery expands: Cannery expands; 11:05 a.m.

Split 'em: Wynn goes for two: By Liz Benston; A few months after announcing details for a second hotel tower at Wynn Las Vegas, Steve Wynn's company has already elevated the project into a freestanding resort, committing more money to a bigger project than ...; 11:05 a.m.

Business groups recommend fiscal restraints: The Las Vegas Chamber of Commerce and the Nevada Taxpayers Association today announced an initiative to address long-term fiscal policy at the local government level.; 11:04 a.m.

Bush to name Martin to lead FCC: Genaro C. Armas; WASHINGTON -- President Bush has chosen Kevin Martin, a member of the Federal Communications Commission, to head the agency that has recently gained notoriety for clamping down on indecency in broadcasting.; 11:04 a.m.

Restaurant convention mulls move to Vegas from Chicago: Chicago's second-largest convention, the National Restaurant Association's Restaurant, Hotel-Motel Show, is considering moving from the city's McCormick Place convention center and is looking at Las Vegas as a possible new home.; 11:04 a.m.

Sports briefs for March 16, 2005: Robert Sorlie won the Iditarod today, overcoming insomnia and a dwindling dog team for his second victory in only three tries.; 11:01 a.m.

Tiffany rescinds contract, claims no ethics violation: CARSON CITY -- After facing questions about a possible conflict of interest, state Sen. Sandra Tiffany said Tuesday that she is rescinding a contract she held with the state to sell used Nevada Highway Patrol ...; 10:57 a.m.

Kruger buys NIT tickets as reward for students: Steve Guiremand; UNLV basketball coach Lon Kruger says he's been very pleased with the support his team has received from the school's students this year.; 10:57 a.m.

Pedestrian safety plans discussed: David Kihara; With the number of pedestrian traffic fatalities increasing in Clark County, officials in Las Vegas and lawmakers are again considering proposing legislation that would make it a crime to accidentally kill someone during a traffic ...; 10:56 a.m.

Family, friends mourn three teens: Eric Leake and Stephen Curran; The disposable cameras Clara Guardado bought almost weekly for her two teenage daughters were taking a toll on the mother of five's budget.; 10:56 a.m.

Legislators back bill on reporting of identity theft: David Kihara; At least 10 state senators are supporting an anti-identity-theft bill that aims to ensure that credit agencies are notified that an individual's identity has been compromised and places restrictions on what kind of information that ...; 10:54 a.m.

Columnist Jeff German: Looking for justice at courthouse: The poor morale has strained relations with the justices of the peace and hindered the overcrowded court's ability to deal effectively with the public.; 10:52 a.m.

Makeshift memorial honors four killed at LV bus stop: Jen Lawson; Sally Burgess didn't know any of the four people who were killed at a Northwest Las Vegas bus stop Monday morning, but she was moved to pen a poem about loss that she taped up ...; 10:51 a.m.

Henderson plans water system work: Water service is not expected to be disrupted.; 10:48 a.m.

Sierra Club rips county's dust policy: Clark County Air Quality and Environmental Management presented the "natural events action plan for high-wind events" to the Clark County Commission Tuesday. The commission accepted the plan, which includes a waiver for dust from high ...; 10:47 a.m.

Wranglers even score with rivals: Nick Christensen; They haven't had too much to brag about this year, but the Las Vegas Wranglers can be proud of one thing -- they've done relatively well for themselves against Bakersfield this season.; 9:55 a.m.

Ratner a man for all seasons: By Rob Miech; Raymond "Skip" Avansino Jr. first saw Marc Ratner's enthusiasm for sports, and his managerial and organizational skills, at UNR in the early 1960s.; 9:53 a.m.

Columnist Ron Kantowski: Forgive Leach for butchering Jesus' name: It probably wasn't the first time the name of a NASCAR sponsor was mispronounced, but then this was no ordinary sponsor.; 9:53 a.m.

Rural critics heat up water panel meeting: Questions about how much water Southern Nevada can take from rural parts of the state without impacting those areas sparked sharp divisions among members of a committee charged with drafting recommendations to the Southern Nevada ...; 9:52 a.m.

Accountability called key to pollution-control plans: Local environmentalists say that despite a failed program to allow businesses to pollute Las Vegas Valley air in exchange for paving roads to reduce dust, Clark County should aim at removing more pollutants for public ...; 9:51 a.m.

Victims of U.S. 95 crash identified: According to Sheriff Tony DeMeo, the crashed killed 31-year-old Steven Smith his wife, 28-year-old Amber Smith and the couple's daughter, 9-week-old Opal Smith. The family lived in Cedar City, Utah, and, according to friends who ...; 9:51 a.m.

Obituaries for March 16, 2005: Richard A. Brown, 63, of Las Vegas died Saturday in Las Vegas. A security officer at a condo, he was born April 19, 1941, in Kansas.; 9:51 a.m.

Panel OKs smaller Board of Regents: The Assembly Elections, Procedures, Ethics and Constitutional Amendments Committee unanimously passed the amendment of Assemblywoman Chris Giunchigliani, D-Las Vegas, during a workshop hearing Tuesday afternoon.; 9:50 a.m.

Cost issue raised in debate over youth prison: Kirsten Searer; SUN CAPITAL BUREAU -- Lawmakers said Tuesday that a planned prison for youthful offenders in Jean is getting expensive.; 9:50 a.m.

Former treasurers disagree over controller's office: CARSON CITY -- Two former Republican state treasurers split Tuesday on the issue of eliminating the state controller position and transferring its duties to the state treasurer.; 9:50 a.m.

Training session teaches ways to spot human trafficking: Jace Radke; Local community service providers were scheduled to meet at UNLV today for a daylong training event designed to teach them how to spot and help the victims of human trafficking.; 9:49 a.m.

County, Henderson work on deal over annexation: Henderson and Clark County officials are optimistic an agreement will be reached to allow the city to annex 3,600 acres of federal land for future development.; 9:49 a.m.

Columnist Brian Hilderbrand: Carpentier finds IRL more intense than Champ series: After one race, Patrick Carpentier said his move from the Champ Car World Series to the rival Indy Racing League has been everything he anticipated -- and more.; 9:49 a.m.

Columnist Jeff Haney: Handicapping the conferences, by the numbers: At a private meeting of sports handicappers and professional gamblers Tuesday, the group was asked which conferences were likely to perform poorly, or at least below expectations, in the NCAA basketball tournament.; 9:47 a.m.

Man in Henderson standoff is undergoing evaluation: Without carrying the gun, Hal Adams walked out of the home in the 2500 block of Hayesville Avenue, near Eastern Avenue and Anthem Parkway, Tuesday night and appeared to be giving himself up to Henderson ...; 9:43 a.m.

Guinn hesitant on Canada Rx bill: CARSON CITY -- Gov. Kenny Guinn said Tuesday he won't sign any bill to permit importation of cheaper drugs from Canada unless he is convinced that the importation won't violate federal law and that it ...; 9:41 a.m.

UNR students arrested; fake licenses confiscated: CARSON CITY -- Two students at UNR were arrested and up to 200 fake driver's licenses were confiscated in a raid Tuesday at a fraternity house in Reno.; 9:41 a.m.

Ensign pushes call for medical malpractice limits: Benjamin Grove; WASHINGTON -- A federal cap on medical malpractice jury awards would help stem an exodus of obstetricians from the profession, a Las Vegas doctor said Tuesday at a Capitol Hill event.; 9:39 a.m.

Man sentenced in credit card numbers theft: U.S. District Judge Philip Pro sentenced Scott Edward Whitney, 36, to serve 63 months in prison as a result of Whitney's pleading guilty in May to possessing unauthorized access devices -- Visa and Mastercard credit ...; 9:38 a.m.

Geihs named Cheyenne High principal: By Emily Richmond; Cheyenne High School has a new principal: Jeff Geihs, who served three years as the campus assistant principal before leaving last year for a central office post.; 9:37 a.m.

Commission issues priorities: The commission included its priorities in the portion of its regular agenda that calls for a consent vote, which was unanimous and made without discussion of the strategic priorities. The commission and county staff worked ...; 9:37 a.m.

Bush nominates Bilbray for base-closure committee: Suzanne Struglinski; WASHINGTON -- President Bush officially nominated former U.S. Rep. James Bilbray to sit on a nine-member commission that will oversee the next round of military base closings.; 9:35 a.m.

NCAA tournament, from A to Z: A Bob Knight-coached team is playing UCLA?; 9:35 a.m.

Thursday's horse racing entries: Post Time 1 p.m.; 9:33 a.m.

Ralph Siraco's Santa Anita selections: 1st Race -- RAZIK -- Has good post for sprint claimer, Pedroza on Blincoe trainee, good spot for action. MISTER COSMI -- British-bred draws well for dash opener, Baze aboard Mitchell trainee, you can call ...; 9:32 a.m.

Preps: Tuesday's results: Shadow Ridge 14, Bishop Gorman 10: WP: Gaskill S: Jones LP: Ingram SR: Steve Sauer 3-3, 6 RBI. HR: Sauer.; 9:30 a.m.

Columnist Peter Benton: Tips to improving your short game: Peter Benton; About a month ago, I wrote about two friends (John and Andrew) experiencing trouble with tempo.; 9:27 a.m.

Columnist Adam Candee: Tiger will never have a rival to rival Palmer-Nicklaus: Adam Candee; Is it safe to come out of the hyperbole hiding shelter yet?; 9:25 a.m.

SEC brings fraud case against former Qwest chief Nacchio: Dana Cimilluca and Otis Bilodeau; Qwest Communications International Inc.'s former Chief Executive Joseph Nacchio and six other ex-officials were accused of orchestrating a $3 billion fraud in a lawsuit by the Securities and Exchange Commission.; 9:18 a.m.

Corrections: The Sun corrects its errors. If you find a mistake, call 385-3111 to report it.; 9:17 a.m.

Letter: Mayor Goodman is a very nice man: RUTH E. JACKSON; 9:17 a.m.

Letter: Social Security's demise GOP goal: I respect the Republicans of the past, however. They at least were up front in shouting for Social Security's demise. That is more than anyone in the Bush administration is doing. Instead, they are claiming ...; 9:17 a.m.

Letter: Government's authority is from people, not God: Associate Justice Anthony Kennedy inferred that demands to remove from government property such displays as the Ten Commandments shows "hostility to religion." Perhaps there is a grain of truth in that. I become hostile when ...; 9:16 a.m.

Editorial: Nurse crisis affects care: Most of the issues can be traced to a glaring shortcoming that has become common over the past decade in nearly all hospitals -- there simply are not enough nurses to meet the needs of ...; 9:15 a.m.

Firm to pay $10 million to settle NYSE allegations: Merrill, based in New York, disclosed the payment in the annual report it filed today with the Securities and Exchange Commission. Without admitting or denying the claims, Merrill said the payment also addresses failing to ...; 9:13 a.m.

Company seeking new ways to raise revenue: The new policy on returns, which goes into effect on April 4, is aimed at achieving "greater fleet flexibility and availability," according to a Hertz spokesman, Paula Stifter. It means that if customers show up ...; 9:11 a.m.

Gamblers fired up over proposed smoking ban: John Curran; ATLANTIC CITY, N.J. -- A smoking ban? In casinos?; 9:06 a.m.

Benefit changes for nuke workers explained: Labor Department town hall meetings on the Energy Employee Occupational Illness Compensation Program Act will be 2 p.m. and 6 p.m. today at Texas Station. The Resource Center is at Flamingo Executive Park, 1050 E. ...; 9:05 a.m.

Bill would give benefits to crews of Air America: Suzanne Struglinski; WASHINGTON -- Former employees of Air America, an airline secretly owned by the Central Intelligence Agency during the Cold War, could receive retirement and other federal benefits based on a bill introduced in Congress on ...; 8:57 a.m.

Ex-teacher sentenced for sex with student: By Matt Pordum; A 28-year-old former Chaparral High School teacher was sentenced Tuesday to six months in jail for having sex with a 17-year-old student.; 8:50 a.m.

Community briefs for March 16, 2005: The Southern Nevada Chapter of the American Red Cross will host its Super CPR Saturday at 8 a.m., 9:30 a.m., 11 a.m. and 12:30 p.m. Saturday at Spring Valley Hospital, 5400 S. Rainbow Blvd. Residents ...; 8:49 a.m.

Pattison's life spared in killings of his sister, grandparents: By Matt Pordum; The pleads for mercy from Dante Pattison's family and a unique ruling by District Judge Lee Gates on Tuesday may have saved Pattison's life.; 8:49 a.m.

Immunization schedule for March 16, 2005: HENDERSON PUBLIC HEALTH CENTER: 129 W. Lake Mead Parkway, Building A, Suite 10, 8 a.m.-4:30 p.m., Monday through Friday.; 8:49 a.m.

Nanny waives hearing in case of child shaking: A 24-year-old Henderson nanny accused of child abuse opted Tuesday not to make an initial challenge of the case against her.; 8:48 a.m.

Boy, 15, sentenced in death of teen in mall: By Matt Pordum; A 15-year-old boy who prosecutors said struck the fatal blow that killed a 17-year-old boy last year in the Boulevard mall food court was sentenced to six to 20 years in prison Tuesday.; 8:48 a.m.

Columnist Muriel Stevens: Holiday gives pause for reflection: Mine was covered with white flowers that closed each evening and opened each morning.; 8:16 a.m.

Closing Credits: Movie industry slow to change -- except to phase out film: Kirk Baird; Not much has changed in the theater business in the last few years.; 8:16 a.m.

Columnist Elizabeth Foyt: Guggenheim gives sneak peek at Egyptian treasures: Elizabeth Foyt; Invited guests and museum members got the first look at "The Quest for Immortality: Treasures of Ancient Egypt" on Thursday. Dan Shewman, Guggenheim Hermitage's marketing director, greeted the steady stream of attendees ushered into the ...; 8:13 a.m.

For Wynn, two new Vegas hotels better than one: AP; Mr. Wynn is expected to this week reveal plans for a second luxury mega-casino in Las Vegas. The announcement comes shortly before the April 28 debut of his company's first resort there, Wynn Las Vegas. ...; 6:03 a.m.

71 stories

: Locally owned and independent since 1950; Winner of the Pulitzer Prize for Public Service, best news website in the nation & DuPont Award for broadcast journalism

Follow us:

Las Vegas Sun 2275 Corporate Circle, Ste. 300 Henderson, NV 89074