Print edition for March 24, 2005

Gaming briefs for March 24, 2005: Harrah's Entertainment Inc. has appointed Gary Thompson to a new position as director of operations and communications for the World Series of Poker tournament.

Internet poker supporters attempt to salvage constitutional amendment: Curt Woodward; BISMARCK, N.D. -- A constitutional amendment to require the Legislature to license Internet poker companies got a lukewarm reception from North Dakota senators, who have already defeated a bill to regulate online card rooms.

News briefs for March 24, 2005: Susan L. Gray, a deputy attorney general who has represented the Nevada Equal Rights Commission, has been named administrator of the agency by Gov. Kenny Guinn.

Iowa regulators consider casino proposals from 10 communities: David Pitt; JOHNSTON, Iowa -- A parade of casino supporters, some with flashy computerized slide shows, made well-rehearsed pitches Wednesday to the Iowa Racing and Gaming Commission, pleading to become one of the groups granted a license to build a new casino.

Details of slot machine bill emerge from House: Jackie Hallifax; TALLAHASSEE, Fla. -- House leaders are proposing that Broward pari-mutuels be limited to a less intensive gambling machine than the traditional full-fledged slots machine in Las Vegas and Atlantic City.

Assembly hears bills concerning doctors' issues: Kirsten Searer; CARSON CITY -- Two Nevada residents fought back tears Wednesday as they remembered family members who died while undergoing routine outpatient procedures in doctor offices.

Investigators probe blaze at vacant houses downtown: The small, one-story homes located at Las Vegas Boulevard North and Stewart Avenue near Las Vegas City Hall were discovered burning about 9:15 p.m. Wednesday, according to a fire department statement.

Swift ascent: Henner Nehles, the ace of the UNLV men's tennis team, spent the year before he came to Las Vegas confirming that medicine, his father's field, would not be a career for him.

Ralph Siraco's Santa Anita selections: 1st Race -- CHEROOT -- In outside box in sprint maiden/claimer, Nakatani atop Vienna trainee. COWBOYCOMESTOTOWIN -- Training at Hollypark, Pedroza rides Hines trainee, adds blinkers. Value Play -- LOOSENMYSHOES

Death penalty decision challenged: By Matt Pordum; A lawyer representing a man who allegedly confessed to killing a transient in 1998 because he wanted to be sentenced to death is arguing to the Nevada Supreme Court that his client's death sentence should be set aside.

Editorial: Unnecessary failure: But the law hasn't been as effective as it should be. That's because Metro Police lacks funding to hire enough lab technicians to quickly analyze the ex-convicts' collected samples, so they can be compared to DNA collected at crime scenes. This forces the crime lab to devote most of its time to a higher priority -- analyzing DNA samples from suspects already in police custody.

Green doesn't mind losing home game: KAPALUA, Hawaii -- Arizona Cardinals coach Dennis Green is all for hosting a regular-season game in Mexico City, which his team will do on Oct. 2 against San Francisco.

Preps: Softball Top 10: Compiled by the Las Vegas Sun and the Sparks Tribune

Anti-war protesters, ACLU meet over Bellagio incident: Stephen Curran; Members of an anti-war group who say they were harassed by Metro Police during a Saturday protest that ended outside the Bellagio met with an ACLU lawyer Wednesday.

Columnist Susan Snyder: Idea for donations takes flight: Well, more accurately, the jackets. The Clark County Aviation Department crews are getting new uniforms, so they donated to Catholic Charities 175 winter jackets that matched their old duds.

Wynn Las Vegas licensing approved: The five-member commission unanimously approved the recommendation of the state Gaming Control Board after a 90-minute hearing that was free of any controversy.

Editorial: Of smoking and voters: Fearing that the petition could lead to a ban on smoking in casinos, bars, strip clubs and hotel rooms, and fearing a major loss of revenue from the slot areas of grocery and convenience stores, another coalition circulated a competing and less restrictive petition. This coalition included retailers, gaming companies, convenience store owners, liquor distributors and the Las Vegas Chamber of Commerce.

Officials speak out on public e-mail bill: CARSON CITY -- A host of local government officials, including Las Vegas Councilman Michael Mack, urged an Assembly committee Wednesday to allow them to withhold from the public the e-mail addresses of people and companies that communicate with them electronically.

One for the Road: Jack Kerouac's breakthrough manuscript stops in Las Vegas: By Kristen Peterson; Using both hands James Canary lifted Jack Kerouac's original manuscript for "On the Road" from its specially made box. The sacred manifesto of the Beat Generation, bought at an auction four years ago by Indiana Colts owner Jim Irsay, was tattered and delicate, transparent and covered with words.

Community briefs for March 24, 2005: Egg hunt and fair set Sunday

Podiatrist convicted in Medicare fraud involving surgeries: Jace Radke; A Las Vegas podiatrist was found guilty Wednesday of 67 counts of health care fraud after he billed Medicare for ingrown toenail surgeries that he never performed.

Dominance gives way to parity: Nick Christensen; Lindsey Callaway's 10-3 pitching record is impressive, no doubt. It puts her among the state leaders and has Palo Verde living up to the preason billing as one of the state's top programs for 2005.

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

Jackson prosecution witness charged in LV restaurant theft: David Kihara; A key witness for the prosecution in the Michael Jackson molestation trial is currently sitting in a cell at the Clark County Detention Center, facing charges of armed robbery, first degree kidnapping and robbery.

Porter requests falsified papers regarding Yucca: Suzanne Struglinski; WASHINGTON -- Rep. Jon Porter, R-Nev., has asked the Energy and Interior departments to turn in all alleged falsified documents related to the Yucca Mountain project to his House subcommittee by the end of the month.

Global Cash Access plans initial offering: Kevin Rademacher; Las Vegas-based Global Cash Access Holdings Inc. set in motion a plan to conduct an initial public stock offering that could raise as much as $471.5 million.

Columnist Brian Hilderbrand: Gainesville the right spot for Kalitta to get first win: Doug Kalitta picked an opportune time to get his season into gear.

Assembly passes reorganization of Board of Regents: Kirsten Searer; CARSON CITY -- A constitutional amendment designed to reorganize the Board of Regents cleared the Assembly Wednesday, even though some legislators argued that it limits the power of voters to choose their representatives.

Departing seniors: Future looks bright for Rebels: Steve Guiremand; The Good

Lawmakers seek expanded audit of airport land sales: Jace Radke; Two state lawmakers want Clark County officials to expand their audit of McCarran International Airport land deals to include land taken by condemnation or eminent domain.

Rawson, Neal in Hall of Fame: CARSON CITY -- Former Sen. Joe Neal, the first black elected to the Senate, and former Sen. Ray Rawson, who championed the start of the dental school in Southern Nevada, were inducted Wednesday into the Senate Hall of Fame.

Corrections: Corrections

Sports briefs for March 24, 2005: New Orleans Saints coach Jim Haslett says he used steroids when he starred as a linebacker in the early 1980s, and claims the Pittsburgh Steelers' use of the drugs during Super Bowl championship seasons in the 1970s brought steroids into vogue around the NFL.

518501155.html: 1960: Sentenced to the state's juvenile facility in Elko for stabbing a man.

Letter: Airport security confusing, rude: Next we had to get through Homeland Security. The same shoes that went through security at this terminal on the way to Mexico set off alarms on the way back, and my husband's jacket had to be on or off at the whim of whoever was on the gate. Apparently any show of friendliness or courtesy during this process is grounds for dismissal. Overseeing everything from a raised chair was an apparent supervisor who was diligently flossing his teeth during the whole time we were there.

Letter: A nation where all beliefs must be tolerated: If Carroll's god has commanded him, he may follow those commands, but he cannot impose them on those who believe in other gods or no god (e.g. Buddhists, Hindus, Pagans, Agnostics, Humanists).

Obituaries for March 24, 2005: Linda A. Allen, 55, of Las Vegas died Sunday in a local hospice. She was born March 7, 1950, in McCook, Neb. A resident for one year, she was a retired bookkeeper.

Bill would kill taxes on some utilities: CARSON CITY -- Lawmakers are considering doing away with franchise taxes on utilities and telecommunications, a move that would save Clark County residents tens of millions of dollars a year.

Event links small businesses with purchasing agents: Michelle Swafford; There are lots of opportunities for small-business owners to sell to local government agencies and corporations, but they must understand the process.

New trial ordered in medical malpractice case: CARSON CITY -- The Nevada Supreme Court this morning ordered a new trial to give a man who says he is the victim of medical malpractice another chance to prove his case in Clark County.

Taxable sales up 9.4 percent in January: CARSON CITY -- Taxable sales, one indicator of economic vitality, rose 9.4 percent in Nevada in January -- ending the state's string of 12 consecutive months of double-digit increases.

Business briefs for March 24, 2005: U.S. new-home sales surged 9.4 percent in February, the biggest increase in more than four years, as job growth and the prospect of higher mortgage rates spurred buying. Prices were a record.

Rape victim reaches out to attacker: Twenty-five years ago Patrick McKenna, branded by Metro Police and others as the most dangerous man in Nevada's prison system, was sentenced to death for killing a cellmate shortly after being found guilty of raping two women.

Family narrowly avoids deportation to Russia: By Emily Richmond; A Las Vegas family of figure skaters was granted a 90-day reprieve from their scheduled deportation to Russia this morning after Rep. Jon Porter, R-Nev., intervened on their behalf.

Prices of new, resale houses take a fall: Jennifer Shubinski; New and resale house prices in Las Vegas dropped substantially in February -- the first time resale prices have declined in more than a year, a local research firm reported.

New campaign to draw tourists: By Brian Wargo; You are viewing this page incorrectly or from a search service link. You can do a local search from the SUN's home page. Files seen through the SUN's search will retain proper formatting and links.

Actions of McKay's supervisor questioned: By Emily Richmond; Larry McKay's supervisor at the Clark County School District had concerns about McKay being the district's athletic director and the manager of a private basketball tournament, but the supervisor did not share those concerns with anyone, a transcript of grand jury testimony showed.