Las Vegas Sun

Archive for March 17, 2005

Obituaries for March 17, 2005: Josefa Arana, 83, of Las Vegas died Monday in a local health care center. She was born June 10, 1921, in Durango, Mexico. A resident for 25 years, she was a homemaker.; 11:19 a.m.

Early voting begins for 11 seeking to replace Mack: Dan Kulin; Troy P.Bulloch; 11:11 a.m.

Panel chairman from California backs Nevada on keeping land sales money: Suzanne Struglinski; WASHINGTON -- House Resources Committee Chairman Richard Pombo, R-Calif., will oppose the Bush administration's plan to shift 70 percent of Nevada land sale money to the general treasury, Rep. Jim Gibbons, R-Nev., announced today.; 11:09 a.m.

News briefs for March 17, 2005: Retired Army general and Democractic presidential candidate Wesley Clark will discuss current U.S. military operations in a UNLV student-government sponsored lecture tonight at 7 in Artemus Ham Concert Hall.; 11:08 a.m.

Early voting sites: March 24: Vons at the intersection of Village Center and Town Center from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m.; 11:04 a.m.

Yucca data allegedly falsified: Benjamin Grove; WASHINGTON -- Employees of the U.S. Geological Survey who were revisiting scientific study on the key issue of water flow at Yucca Mountain allegedly falsified research documents, an Energy Department review of employee e-mails revealed.; 11:04 a.m.

Qwest raises offer to acquire MCI to nearly $8.5 billion: Bruce Meyerson; NEW YORK -- Qwest Communications International Inc. today offered $8.45 billion to acquire MCI Inc., adding nearly a half-billion dollars to its bid to break up the long-distance phone company's planned merger with Verizon Communications ...; 11:02 a.m.

Iraqi contractors seek investors: By Richard N. Velotta; When Americans see their televised daily dose of misery from Iraq, it's hard to imagine that there are people who are anxious to build swimming pools in Baghdad.; 11:01 a.m.

State OKs two private nursing schools: Molly Ball and Michelle Swafford; In a move hailed for its potential to alleviate Nevada's dire nursing shortage, two Henderson private schools' plans to offer nursing degrees were approved on Wednesday.; 11:01 a.m.

Panel OKs buying of Canadian drugs on Internet: Kirsten Searer; CARSON CITY -- An Assembly panel approved a bill Wednesday that would help Nevadans purchase prescription drugs from Canada.; 11:00 a.m.

Nevada Army National Guard unit returns from deployment: David Kihara; When her husband, Sgt. Ragnar Jamieson of the Nevada Army National Guard, stepped off a bus and into her arms Wednesday, Fiona Jamieson breathed a sigh of relief that she had been holding for more ...; 10:57 a.m.

Girlfriends face jail in alleged prison escape try: By Matt Pordum; Two inmates' alleged second escape attempt could lead to their girlfriends going to prison -- again.; 10:57 a.m.

Company reports loss: Revenue for the quarter was $1.7 billion, up 11 percent over the same 2003 quarter. That surge was driven by advanced services subscriptions which include digital cable, high-speed Internet access and telephone service, the company ...; 10:54 a.m.

Legislative briefs for March 17, 2005: A bill to boost the homestead protection to $500,000 from $200,000 ran into opposition before the Senate Judiciary Committee on Wednesday.; 10:54 a.m.

MGM Grand sports book upgraded: The skyboxes, which overlook the race and sports book from a height of about 12 feet, range in size from 300 square feet to 325 square feet and are equipped with plasma screen televisions, surround-sound ...; 10:54 a.m.

Welfare division urged to get out the word on food stamps: CARSON CITY -- There are 122,000 people in Nevada drawing food stamps but the state's participation rate in the program is the second lowest in the nation, a legislative budget committee was told today.; 10:54 a.m.

Casinos big fans of NCAA tourney: By Liz Benston; Thousands of basketball fans are expected to press their luck today on the first day of the NCAA tournament in a betting bonanza that has become one of the strongest weekends of the year for ...; 10:49 a.m.

PUC approves rate hike: Kevin Rademacher; The state Public Utilities Commission on Wednesday unanimously approved a deal that will allow Nevada Power Co. to raise residential rates by less than 1 percent.; 10:48 a.m.

Company issues bonds to finance renovation: The Moody's Investors Service ratings agency has assigned a B3 rating to the notes, which will be issued by Hooters Las Vegas. Moody's also assigned a B3 senior implied rating, Caa2 long-term issuer rating and ...; 10:47 a.m.

Bonds has knee surgery; status for opener in doubt: Barry Bonds underwent a second operation on his right knee today in San Francisco, a setback that could complicate his hopes of being ready for opening day.; 10:47 a.m.

New Dallas, Atlanta flights planned: Orlando, Fla.-based AirTran, which already has two round trips a day to and from Dallas and Atlanta, will add a third flight to each city beginning May 4.; 10:46 a.m.

State champions headline all-state teams: Nick Christensen; One has come a long way and one has a long way to go, but the two local basketball phenoms selected as the Sun's All-State players of the year for 2005 both made a huge ...; 10:46 a.m.

Reid backs amendment on unintended pregnancies: Suzanne Struglinski; WASHINGTON -- Preventing unintended pregnancies that can otherwise result in abortions is the main idea behind a bill amendment, Sen. Harry Reid, D-Nev., said this morning in announcing his sponsorship of it.; 10:39 a.m.

Pride on the line: By Jeff Haney; Supporters of Manny Pacquiao in Saturday's 130-pound showdown against Erik Morales point to their man's electrifying performance in the early going of his most recent fight in Las Vegas.; 10:35 a.m.

Lawmakers consider how to tax slot machines: Any taxes on the revenue from the slots, which voters have approved for four tracks and jai-alai frontons in Broward, are supposed to be dedicated to schools statewide.; 10:20 a.m.

Governor says he won't veto, sign gambling bill: Huckabee, a Southern Baptist minister, said he would neither sign nor veto a law to let voters near Oaklawn Park in Hot Springs and Southland Greyhound Park at West Memphis decide whether to allow expanded ...; 10:19 a.m.

Mixed feelings: Steve Guiremand; It was a Turkey Day doubleheader at the home of Lon Kruger last Thanksgiving.; 10:19 a.m.

Columnist Brian Hilderbrand: Team owner works backwards to sign female drag racer: After racing a limited schedule during the past three seasons, Top Fuel driver Melanie Troxel has a new team. Now all she needs is a sponsor.; 10:17 a.m.

Sports briefs March 17, 2005: Nearing 35, Andre Agassi still has plenty of bounce in his step -- and his game.; 10:16 a.m.

Ralph Siraco's Santa Anita selections: 1st Race -- AL YAFIL -- Draws good middle post for downhill opener, Solis scales Frankel trainee. THERMOSTATIC -- John on Mullins trainee for owner Bone, draws inner box for down-the-hill claimer. Value Play -- ...; 10:15 a.m.

Friday's horse racing entries: Post Time 1 p.m.; 10:13 a.m.

Crude rises to record: Beth Gardiner; LONDON -- Crude oil futures prices soared above $57 a barrel for the first time today after OPEC's pledge to increase output failed to assure traders who were worried about tight supply.; 10:13 a.m.

Preps: Wednesday's results: Silverado 10, Desert Pines 0: W: Dan Schuster (1-1) 4 IP, 7 K. L: Kennedy SILV: Rance Roundy 2 H; Shawn Farley 2 H; Greg Hallum 2 H.; 10:13 a.m.

2004-05 Las Vegas Sun All-State Boys' Basketball: Notable: The Norths player of the year, Berry averaged 19.5 points per game as the Raiders went 27-3 ... Hit a shot from halfcourt at the buzzer to give Reed a 48-45 victory against Galena. ...; 10:10 a.m.

Bush nominates Ohio lawmaker as U.S. trade representative: Mark Drajem; U.S. Representative Robert J. Portman was nominated to be the nation's top trade negotiator, as President Bush seeks support in Congress for his agenda of using international trade to spur economic growth at home.; 10:09 a.m.

Titus pops up on 'Net: Kirsten Searer; CARSON CITY -- Sen. Dina Titus, D-Las Vegas, through a pop-up Internet ad, is plugging her idea to fix property taxes.; 10:08 a.m.

Questions raised over ID of murder suspect in court: By Matt Pordum; A man who witnessed the killing of his 32-year-old brother's murder identified the 16-year-old suspect in court Wednesday but also said the person who killed his brother had worn a bandana on his face.; 10:08 a.m.

Tougher condemnation rules proposed: CARSON CITY -- A bill that would give landowners more rights and make it harder for community redevelopment agencies to condemn property is headed for more discussion before a subcommittee of the Assembly Judiciary Committee.; 10:08 a.m.

Police probe 2 killings: Jen Lawson; Metro Police are investigating two unrelated homicides that occurred Wednesday evening.; 10:04 a.m.

Two men arrested in mystery killing: Albert Holguin, 23, of Henderson was arrested Tuesday and Wiljune Servando, 28, of North Las Vegas was arrested Monday in connection with the death of a 31-year-old man identified by the coroner's office as Priest ...; 10:03 a.m.

County opposes casino plan: The Goodhue County Board voted 4-1 to support a resolution expressing its opposition to the casino proposal.; 10:03 a.m.

Leading indicators rise 0.1 percent in February: The business-financed research group said its Composite Index of Leading Economic Indicators advanced to 115.6 in February from 115.5 the previous month.; 10:03 a.m.

Committee OKs early version of gambling expansion: A Senate committee approved legislation that would allow three new casinos: a publicly owned, land-based casino in Chicago and two riverboat casinos, one in Waukegan and another in Chicago's south suburbs. The measure would also ...; 10:02 a.m.

Fine rescinded in case of mistaken identity: John Curran; ATLANTIC CITY -- It was a simple case of mistaken identity, and it nearly cost a casino $25,000.; 10:02 a.m.

Regulators OK return of exec who lied about gambling habit: Gary C. DiBartolomeo, 50, the nation's highest-ranking casino employee ever to admit to a gambling problem, was granted a casino employee license by the New Jersey Casino Control Commission, which attached several strings to his ...; 10:02 a.m.

Online gaming cuts into Europe's win: Alex Duff; Portugal's 222-year-old national lottery, which last suspended business during the French army's 1807 invasion of Lisbon, faces a new threat from northern Europe: Internet sports betting.; 10:01 a.m.

2004-05 Las Vegas Sun All-State Girls' Basketball: Forward, Senior, Centennial; 9:47 a.m.

Officials hear high-rise debate: The Clark County Commission heard extended debate over proposed changes to the county's rules governing high-rise, "mixed use" developments Wednesday, but ultimately decided to postpone decisions on the potentially thorny issues until the commission's land-use ...; 9:41 a.m.

53-story hotel-condo complex approved: In a split vote, the Clark County Commission approved a 53-story, 2,700-room hotel and condominium project adjacent to the venerable Jockey Club at Las Vegas Boulevard and Harmon Avenue.; 9:40 a.m.

Cabbies demand action in slaying probe, safety issues: David Kihara; A group of cabdrivers and their supporters gathered on Wednesday to demand that authorities step up efforts to identify and arrest the killer of a local cabbie 20 months ago.; 9:40 a.m.

Dirt bike rider injured in crash with pickup truck: Max Davis, 22, was traveling north at a high rate of speed on Gagnier Boulevard near Wigwam Avenue about 6 p.m. Wednesday when he failed to stop at a stop sign and was struck by ...; 9:36 a.m.

Watson stands tall: Nick Christensen; By Nick Christensen LAS VEGAS SUN; 9:35 a.m.

Lucas is the spark: Nick Christensen; Call it the "don't blink offense."; 9:34 a.m.

Panel reiterates chances slim of volcano affecting Yucca: Benjamin Grove; WASHINGTON -- A Yucca Mountain oversight panel on Wednesday reiterated that the chances of a volcano disturbing the planned underground repository were tiny.; 9:18 a.m.

Letter: Bankruptcy bill aids Bush friends: The credit card industry and the banking community claims that it is the fault of the person using the credit. The Congress, however, has done zilch to stop the haphazard and irresponsible soliciting and issuing ...; 9:12 a.m.

Letter: Helmet law flies in face of state's rugged spirit: My wife and I both own fuel-efficient motorcycles. Many times, however, we leave the bikes at home and take the SUV, paying a ridiculous penalty for gas and pollution, rather than put that uncomfortable helmet ...; 9:11 a.m.

Hayes, granddaughter of slaves, who raised 22 children, dies at 91: Alma Hayes never won any organization's Mother of the Year award.; 9:11 a.m.

Editorial: Jab to environment: The reality is that drilling in the Alaskan refuge won't do anything to solve our energy problems today. Senators opposed to the drilling noted that the earliest this oil would be available would be 10 ...; 9:07 a.m.

Editorial: Baseball's dark hour: The House Government Reform Committee was hearing testimony today from Major League Baseball Commissioner Bud Selig, and also from players and former players who had been subpoenaed -- Mark McGwire, Jose Canseco, Sammy Sosa, Rafael ...; 9:07 a.m.

Indian Springs will host drone projects: Jace Radke; The Indian Springs Auxiliary Field will serve as the center for the coordination and tactics development for the military's unmanned aerial vehicles, military officials announced Wednesday.; 9:06 a.m.

State treasurer announces sale of refunding bonds: CARSON CITY -- State Treasurer Brian K. Krolicki said Wednesday his office has sold $246.8 million in refunding bonds, saving the state an estimated $6 million in interest costs in the next two years.; 9:06 a.m.

Program to help alcohol abusers gets endorsement: Dan Kulin; A city program to provide job training, housing and counseling for homeless alcohol abusers was given a a preliminary endorsement Wednesday by the Las Vegas City Council.; 9:03 a.m.

Salvation Army gets piece of MASH property: The council voted 6-0 to sell 3.2 acres near the intersection of Main Street and Owens Avenue to the Salvation Army for $10. The Salvation Army plans to build as many as 100 apartments for ...; 9:03 a.m.

Henderson hosting carnival, parade for St. Patrick's Day: Four days of events, including Irish music and carnival rides, are scheduled in conjunction with Saturday's 39th annual Las Vegas Sons of Erin St. Patrick's Day Parade in Henderson.; 9:03 a.m.

Cap on property assessments urged: The City Council voted 7-0 to adopt a resolution calling for legislation that would cap the growth of property assessments at not less than 6 percent for two years, include a provision for allowances in ...; 9:02 a.m.

Water management steps taken: Eric Leake; Recognizing that water is a precious resource, the North Las Vegas City Council moved forward with water conservation and system improvements during a special session Wednesday.; 9:02 a.m.

U.S. Geological Survey has history of problems at Yucca: As word came that government documents may have been falsified relating to the Yucca Mountain nuclear waste project, Nevada officials and scientists recalled similar problems plaguing the repository effort for years.; 8:42 a.m.

To Die For: 'Quest for Immortality' exhibit captures the afterlife: We huddled around Fred O'Hare, our tour guide, as he flipped through notecards and explained how the painted images on "Stele of Nebnakht and Family," an ancient limestone slab, would help ensure Nebnakht's survival in ...; 8:37 a.m.

More doors open for women: Dick Benoit; Army Sgt. 1st Class Janice Hill, Clark High School class of 1982 and daughter of Lonnie Sanders of Las Vegas, recently returned to Schofield Barracks, Wahiawa, Hawaii, after a deployment to Iraq.; 8:19 a.m.

Spinal group's books in Spanish: Single, free copies of any following pamphlets may be obtained by calling (800) 444-0120, and most may be ordered or downloaded at www.unitedspinal.org:; 8:17 a.m.

Columnist Susan Snyder: Potential victims can take action: They're the residents who heaved sighs of relief when state Department of Motor Vehicles officials announced that the only people affected by a March 7 break-in at the North Las Vegas branch were those who ...; 8:17 a.m.

Community briefs for March 17, 2005: The Henderson Civic Symphony will host its 11th annual Young Artist Concert at 2 p.m. Sunday at Valley View Recreation Center, 500 Harris St.; 8:17 a.m.

Eastern LV business fair set: The fair offers businesses to learn more about eastern Las Vegas. The business community will learn what projects are currently under way, about future develop and redevelopment opportunities and the city's vision for the Eastern ...; 8:16 a.m.

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