Print edition for March 25, 2005

No longer under the radar: By Steve Kanigher; WEEKEND EDITION

New property tax proposal picks up steam in Legislature: Kirsten Searer; CARSON CITY -- Assembly Majority Leader Barbara Buckley, D-Las Vegas, stood on the Assembly floor Thursday night and pinched her fingers close together.

Officers suspended in phony drug case: Jace Radke; Two Metro Police officers have been suspended without pay after a Las Vegas man was charged with possessing drugs that had been left in his car by another officer during an impromptu police dog training exercise.

Las Vegas is big-time poker's tournament capital of the world: By Liz Benston; In a corridor off the main pit at the Rio, a crowd of gawking tourists has collected behind a velvet rope to watch amateurs battle seasoned professionals for a championship.

Man out on bail after car-wash death: Stephen B. Shaw, 36, faces one charge of second degree murder and one count of involuntary manslaughter in the death of 60-year-old Lawrence A. Weiss. The murder charge carries a maximum penalty of 25 years to life in prison. The involuntary manslaughter charge carries a penalty of one to six years in prison.

No movement afoot to replace McCarran statue: Cy Ryan and Benjamin Grove; CARSON CITY -- A drive to remove the statue of controversial former Nevada Sen. Pat McCarran from the U.S. Capitol has not emerged, despite renewed discussion.

Second Air Force jet in week crashes at Nellis: The single-seat aircraft was assigned to the 422 Test and Evaluation Squadron, a Nellis-based unit that tests new technologies and writes the tactics for several aircraft including the new FA-22 Raptor.

Teenager sentenced in slaying at mall: By Matt Pordum; During his sentencing of a 16-year-old boy to six to 20 years in prison for participating in last year's fatal beating of a 17-year-old at the Boulevard mall, District Judge Michael Cherry said it was the saddest case he had presided over in his seven years on the bench.

Coroner's inquest to rule in standoff shooting: Stephen Curran; A Clark County coroner's inquest jury was expected to decide today whether a Metro Police veteran's killing of a knife-wielding man earlier this year was justified.

Ralph Siraco's Santa Anita selections: 1st Race -- COUSINEAU -- Nakatani atop young Dollace trainee, draws good inner post for grass mile opener, adds blinkers PALACE ROSE -- Starts alongside top pick for two-turn turf claimer, Desormeaux on Hess trainee. Value Play -- FREE RENT

Letter: Filibuster is key tool of minority: It is well known that the present intent of restricting the use of the filibuster is to slip through the appointment of several federal and Supreme Court judges who are strongly opinionated and/or can be controlled. This action would result in one-party rule of all three branches of the United States government.

Sports briefs for March 25, 2005: Former Los Angeles Lakers great Magic Johnson says he and NASCAR chairman/CEO Brian France have held discussions concerning the purchase of an NFL team for Los Angeles.

Letter: Steroids make baseball a bad bet: Handicapping games effectively is nearly impossible when bettors have no idea who is abusing steroids or other performance enhancing drugs or who is using corked bats. Betting on baseball is folly so long as the officiating crews are held to no standards whatsoever. All of the numbers are skewed significantly for baseball -- this in a game driven by statistics.

Letter: Other energy strategies better than Arctic oil: The small amount of oil that might be available in the Arctic National Wildlife Refuge won't begin flowing to refineries for at least 10 years. When it does (or if it does) it will represent such a small amount of the world's production that it cannot hope to have an influence on world oil prices, nor can it significantly reduce our dependence on foreign oil. The only benefits likely to accrue are profits to big oil companies. Meanwhile many people will be laboring under the delusion that a new supply is on the way.

Columnist Ron Kantowski: Stars aligned for Utah athletics: If they ever do a sequel to "My Cousin Vinny" and shoot it in Salt Lake City, Brooklyn-born Joe Pesci wouldn't have to worry about the way he enunciates "the two youths" while arguing his case in front of the judge.

Saturday's horse racing entries: Post Time 12:30 p.m.

Teen to be tried as an adult: By Matt Pordum; In ruling that a 16-year-old should go to trial as an adult charged with murder, kidnapping, robbery and burglary, a justice of the peace said Thursday that the evidence indicated the teen had been "on a tear."

Rumsfeld adviser describes successes of current wars: David Kihara; Secretary of Defense Donald Rumsfeld's top policy adviser on Thursday defended the current wars in Iraq and Afghanistan, describing both conflicts as successes in spreading political development and democracy in the middle east or central Asia.

Shustek seeks all of company's outstanding stock: In a proposal received by Vestin's board of directors, Shustek offered $2.85 a share for the stock.

On Display for March 25, 2005: ReJAVAnate Coffee Lounge, 3300 E. Flamingo Road, is hosting "Art in the Living Room at reJAVAnate," featuring the works of local artist Paul Fickett, from Monday to May 6. An artist's reception will be held from 5 p.m. to 8 p.m. Wednesday at the coffee lounge. 253-7721.

Gaming news briefs for March 25, 2005: ATLANTIC CITY, N.J. -- New Jersey casino regulators signed off Thursday on the sale of the Atlantic City Hilton, a deal forced by the pending merger of two casino giants.

Fishing report: Drifting anchovy the lure to use: LAKE MEAD: Fishing continues to be fair for boaters who are drifting with anchovies for striped bass at Las Vegas Wash, but fairly slow elsewhere on the lake.

Letter: God's blessings lay foundation: It is through God that man is blessed with a free, self-conscious, rational and moral personality, something nature could never provide.

Wynn project earns OK: Steve Wynn's historic return to the Las Vegas Strip took another step forward Thursday.

Performing Arts for March 25, 2005: 'Surviving Grace'

Letter: Shoshone lawsuit deserves support: When I called the offices of Sens. Reid and John Ensign, prior to this ill-advised legislation, I was told that the compensation would not affect other terms of the 1863 treaty in relationship to our fight against Yucca Mountain. Now there is an opportunity for our congressional delegation, led by our senators, to support the Western Shoshone nation's lawsuit, and along with it, the state of Nevada.

Grading the Gladiators: Adam Candee; With a 5-3 record and a key showdown against San Jose coming Monday at the Thomas & Mack Center, the Gladiators have reached the midway point of the season in relatively good position.

Dollar heads for big week: The Fed this week increased borrowing costs for a seventh straight time by a quarter point amid government reports showing rising consumer and wholesale prices. The yield on 10-year U.S. Treasury notes rose 0.2 percentage point this month to the highest since June, adding to the attractiveness of the nation's assets.

DNA led to arrest in sex assault case: Stephen Curran; DNA evidence provided by an out-of-state database helped lead Metro Police to a man wanted in a September 2004 robbery and sexual assault.

Columnist Spencer Patterson: Rise reaps rewards of hard work in Vegas: Spencer Patterson; The first time Rise Against came to Las Vegas, the hardcore punk outfit played the Huntridge Theatre.

Bigger expense accounts asked: CARSON CITY -- While most lawmakers are talking about putting the cap on taxes, another measure has been introduced in the Senate to fatten legislators' pocketbooks.

Domestic violence, cop connection key issues: Dan Kulin; As voters head to the polls for early voting in the crowded primary race for the Ward 6 seat on the Las Vegas City Council, candidate Steve Ross' domestic violence issues from the past are being brought to voters' doors.

Letter: Bush keeps finger on nuclear trigger: At present, the U.S. has 10,000 nuclear weapons, 6,000 of them in active readiness. Finally, this president has ignored, failed to ratify or walked away from the following: anti-ballistic missile treaty, comprehensive test ban treaty, fissile material cut-off treaty.

One of state's best coaches might leave: Nick Christensen; Coming off an undefeated regular season, Foothill's football team looked poised next year to make a run at the school's first state athletics title.

Funding sought for more security at DMV: CARSON CITY -- The unsolved break-in at the North Las Vegas office of the Department of Motor Vehicles apparently has convinced the agency's officials that they need surveillance cameras inside and outside all DMV offices.

Badu out of order, brilliant on 'Gun': Spencer Patterson; Don't bother trying to follow along to the liner notes or back-cover tracklisting while spinning Erykah Badu's second album, "Mama's Gun."

Editorial: Eliminate this cloak of secrecy: So Gerhardt has authored legislation, Assembly Bill 120, that would require doctors' offices to report to state medical regulators on the number of problems that occur during surgical procedures. Physicians groups say that this would create unnecessary paperwork, but their complaints, about what they see as red tape, miss the point. This is all about improving medical care. If there is an unusually high rate of injuries and deaths involving specific doctors and types of procedures, then the state Board of Medical Examiners and the State Board of Osteopathic Medicine should know about it. We would think that improving patient ...

Couple charged in death of child: Stephen Curran; A teen mother from Southern California and her boyfriend are in the Clark County Detention Center this morning charged in connection with the death of the woman's 6-month-old daughter, Metro Police said.

Officials blast state plan to restructure county health board: Molly Ball; Members of the Clark County Board of Health expressed outrage and confusion Thursday over a legislative bill they said represents unwarranted interference with their operation.

Community news briefs for March 25, 2005: Henderson and the Nevada Chapter of the Percussive Arts Society will present DrumFest 2005 from noon to 5 p.m. April 2 at the Henderson Pavilion, 200 S. Green Valley Parkway.

RTC panel ponders plans for rail system: Eric Leake; A Regional Transportation Commission committee decided Thursday on how to plan options for a possible fixed-guideway system.

Rice to retire after more than 33 years with School District: By Emily Richmond; Associate Superintendent of Human Resources George Ann Rice will retire in July after more than 33 years with the Clark County School District.

Fire captain trading shifts to keep up with session: Assemblyman John Oceguera, a North Las Vegas fire captain, has backed down from a pledge made a year ago that he would not trade shifts with colleagues while he serves in Carson City.

Golf briefs for March 25, 2005: Thailand's Thaworn Wiratchant eagled his final hole to soar past Belgian Nicolas Colsaerts into the lead in the Indonesia Open as thunderstorms again disrupted play today in Jakarta, Indonesia.

Senate panel says no to lottery: Kirsten Searer; CARSON CITY -- A Senate committee voted not to pass a proposal Thursday that would create a statewide lottery.

Hunters group sues over Nevada licensing: Jace Radke; With big-game hunting season in Nevada a little more than four months away the Nevada Wildlife Commission is scheduled to meet this weekend to discuss licensing policies in the wake of a federal discrimination lawsuit.

Fall of ACC started with Wake Forest: The Great

Costello rides tide of raves, nominations to Las Vegas: Spencer Patterson; Can Elvis Costello deliver another five-star performance?

Schneider says gaming regulators should not be 'moral cops' on ads: CARSON CITY -- Sen. Mike Schneider says the state Gaming Control Board should not be "moral cops" who decide whether casino advertisements are too risque.

Legislative briefs for March 25, 2005: Assembly Speaker Richard Perkins introduced a proposal Thursday that would force public officers who are found guilty of three or more ethics violations to step down from their posts.

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

Columnist Brian Hilderbrand: Gaughan: New qualifying procedure will hurt NASCAR for years to come: Under NASCAR's new procedure for determining the starting fields for its races in its top three national series, Brendan Gaughan failed to qualify for last week's Craftsman Truck Series race at Atlanta Motor Speedway.

Developer of Lake Las Vegas has big plans for community: Jennifer Shubinski; Over the past 18 years R.F. Boeddeker has proved skeptics wrong by taking thousands of acres of desert land, building a 320-acre lake, and turning the barren turf into one of the area's premier resorts and master-planned communities.

Correction: The Sun regrets the error. The Sun corrects its errors. If you find a mistake, call 385-3111 to report it.

Obituaries for March 25, 2005: Helen Abrams, 76, of Las Vegas died Wednesday in a local care center. She was born April 1, 1928, in Garfield, N.J. A resident for 15 years, she was a homemaker and a Navy veteran.

Dodgers' injuries keep 51s roster in limbo: Nick Christensen; C -- Dioner Navarro, Mike Rose

Poll that shows support for tax freeze faces criticism: Kevin Rademacher; An overwhelming percentage of Nevadans polled recently by the Las Vegas Chamber of Commerce support measures to stop or slow recent jumps in property taxes, but some researchers question the chamber's survey sample.

Democrats go after Gibbons: Kirsten Searer; CARSON CITY -- Rep. Jim Gibbons, R-Nev., hasn't officially announced if he will run for governor in 2006, but the state Democratic Party has already launched a billboard campaign against him.

2 treated for smoke inhalation: Security guards evacuated customers from the store after smoke drifted through its second floor, Henderson Fire Department Battalion Chief Doug Koopman said.

Wisconsin woman dies in motorcycle crash: It was the first of two fatal crashes in two days on State Route 160. Another person died about 4 this morning in a single-vehicle rollover just past the Nye County line, Trooper Angie Chavera, an NHP spokeswoman, said. Few other details about what happened or who was involved were available this morning, as investigators were still on the scene, she said.

Editorial: Officers need training: She's referring to an incident Saturday night during a peace rally on the Strip. When she and other marchers reached the Bellagio, they were confronted by police. Several marchers were arrested. Her experience reflects a pattern. Whenever marchers go anywhere near a Strip hotel, they are blocked and dispersed by aggressive Metro officers. The American Civil Liberties Union of Nevada says a video clearly shows officers telling the marchers they needed a permit.

Fighting racism: LAS VEGAS SUN

State says feds' nuke rail plan broke laws: Suzanne Struglinski; WASHINGTON -- The Energy Department violated several federal laws when it decided to build a rail line in Nevada to move waste to the potential Yucca Mountain nuclear waste repository, Nevada's lawyers allege in court documents filed Thursday.

CCSN administrator pleads not guilty in time-sheet scandal: A Community College of Southern Nevada site administrator pleaded not guilty Thursday morning in District Court to charges that she helped an employee falsify his time sheet.

Berkley backs Canadian drugs: Kirsten Searer; CARSON CITY -- Rep. Shelley Berkley, D-Nev., encouraged legislators Thursday to pass a bill that would encourage importation of prescription drugs from Canada.

Supreme Court denies reconsidering death case: CARSON CITY -- The Nevada Supreme Court Thursday denied the petition of district attorneys in the state to reconsider a ruling made in a death penalty case involving a Reno man.

Gaming panel OKs Coast sports book settlement: LAS VEGAS SUN

NLV's council debated: CARSON CITY -- Residents who live in an older section of North Las Vegas are being shortchanged in city services, say three Democratic Assembly members from Clark County who want to change the election makeup of the City Council.

Columnist Jeff German: It's time for GOP to get a backbone: It was only a matter of time before fallout from the wounded Yucca Mountain Project reached President Bush.

Comedy by the pound: Sledge-wielding Gallagher swings into new digs at Tuscany: The watermelon-smashing Gallagher is a rogue comic with a creative mind that is always in overdrive, careening down life's highway.

Columnist Jerry Fink: May bringing the noise to hotel's new lineup: "When the people are here to dance and party, Kurtis gives them dance and party music," May, 59, said. "I'll play three or four fast ones in a row, and then a couple of slow ones -- I want people to meet people.

Columnist Jerry Fink: Sedaka not a solitary artist: By Jerry Fink; Widespread interest in the American idol from the '50s and '60s resurfaced last year when "American Idol" runner-up Clay Aiken included Sedaka's 1973 "Solitaire" on the album "The Way/Solitaire."

Columnist Lisa Ferguson: Siskind altered career path in a New York minute: Lisa Ferguson; More than two decades ago, while auditioning for an acting role in her native New York, "I met a girl who said she was a stand-up comedian, and it was like a light bulb moment for me because I was always in plays and doing that kind of thing, but I was always very funny," she recalls. "It just never occurred to me that I could do that" for a living.

Letter: Homeless in city can't be ignored: March 26 - 27, 2005

Datebook for March 25, 2005: Las Vegas' Cultural Affairs Division presents an "Old Time Barn Dance" from 7 p.m. to 10 p.m. Saturday at the Charleston Heights Arts Center ballroom, 800 S. Brush St. Admission is $6 adults, $5 members, $3 students and active military, free for children under 15. 229-6383.

Tropicana makes waves with 'Titanic': But after striking an iceberg, more than half of its 2,228 passengers plunged into the freezing North Atlantic and died.

Letter: Social Security changes could make it Bad Deal: March 26 - 27, 2005

Gallagher lets it fly during freewheeling Tuscany show: The room at the Tuscany is tiny, maybe seating 150.

True Stripes: WEEKEND EDITION

Columnist Susan Snyder: Helmet can protect -- to a point: WEEKEND EDITION

Students help legal world sit up and take notice of Boyd school: Eric Leake; WEEKEND EDITION

Columnist Jon Ralston: Folly in mad rush of bills: WEEKEND EDITION

Editorial: A breakthrough day: March 26 - 27, 2005

Where I Stand -- Brian Greenspun: Schiavo's tragic end: WEEKEND EDITION

The art of survival: Eric Leake; WEEKEND EDITION

Editorial: Raise the bar in debate on health board: March 26 - 27, 2005

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