Print edition for March 29, 2005

Questions remain on hybrid tax bill: Kirsten Searer; CARSON CITY -- A bill to curb property taxes appears to have plenty of life in the Legislature, even though it didn't follow the fast track to passage that its supporters first predicted.

Yellow Pages publisher gets new office: Yellow Pages publisher gets new office

Viewers remember Gonzalez with e-mails to Channel 8: "We loved Polly and could not believe when we heard the news my mother and I use to never miss a newscast ... Our hearts go out to the Channel 8 crew and to Pollys daughters and we will never forget her.

Columnist Brian Hilderbrand: Busch team works to improve on successful formula: Kurt Busch has won four of the past six races at Bristol Motor Speedway, but he isn't taking anything for granted going into Sunday's Food City 500 NASCAR Nextel Cup Series race.

Water panel split on rate of growth: Deep divisions over policy continue to roil an advisory committee charged with finding new sources of water to satisfy the region's continued growth.

Report: AIG's Greenberg to retire as SEC subpoenas execs: Justin Bachman; NEW YORK -- The man who built American International Group Inc. into one of the world's largest insurers, Maurice "Hank" Greenberg, is retiring as chairman, two weeks after board members ousted him as chief executive because of intensifying regulatory probes into the company's past financial transactions.

Critics say property tax plan targets commercial owners: Kevin Rademacher; Business groups are sounding off against a property tax plan that would saddle commercial property owners with a increasing share of the tax burden.

Station purchases Reno land: By Liz Benston; Station Casinos Inc., which has so far focused all of its Nevada business in Las Vegas, has purchased 96 acres of vacant land south of Reno for possible casino development.

Boarded site to get housing by 2007: By Timothy Pratt; Fifty-four Las Vegas Housing Authority apartments that have been boarded up for nearly three years will be demolished to make way for new apartments that could be ready by 2007.

Inequities reported in state's court funding: CARSON CITY -- Nevadans don't have equal access to justice through the state's judicial system because of large differences in funding various courts, a study says.

Case of drug-planting cops raises concerns: Molly Ball; The police officers testified that they found drugs in Mark Lilly's car. They neglected to mention that the drugs were put there by a police officer.

Station, MGM Mirage execs reap millions from options: By Liz Benston; Top executives at Station Casinos Inc. reaped a profit of some $130 million from the exercise of stock options last year while MGM Mirage executives exercising options made about $34 million.

News briefs for March 29, 2005: A collision on Lake Mead Boulevard over U.S. 95 sent two people to the hospital Monday afternoon.

Unions mixed on effect of new labor office in Las Vegas: Alana Roberts; Some Southern Nevada labor leaders believe a one-woman U.S. Labor Department office in Las Vegas is an example of the Bush Administration's closer scrutiny of organized labor.

Major show signs 15-year deal with Las Vegas: The show, ranked the 15th largest among the Tradeshow Week 200, has an average attendance of 105,000 people, with about 1,600 exhibitors displaying on nearly 900,000 square feet.

On-ramp lights turned on: Stephen Curran; Most motorists appeared to at least tap their brakes when they got the red light from newly installed traffic control signals at three busy U.S. 95 on-ramps.

Large kindergarten classes feared: Kirsten Searer; CARSON CITY -- A plan to create full-day kindergarten could result in large class sizes for the state's 5-year-olds, the vice chairwoman of the Assembly Ways and Means Committee said Monday.

Bill increases amount homeowners can file for from recovery fund: The change in the law also gives homeowners the ability to claim additional compensation when they have been damaged by a contractor's failure to appropriately execute a contract.

Viewers, colleagues mourn Emmy Award-winning anchor: David Kihara; KLAS Channel 8 employees and viewers were still reeling this morning from the news that Polly Gonzalez, the Emmy Award-winning anchor for KLAS Channel 8 Eyewitness News, was killed in a car accident on Monday.

Bill passed by committee would allow charges in cases such as bus stop crash: Kirsten Searer; The victims expressed frustration that drivers in Nevada can get away with routine traffic tickets even if they kill someone on the road, as was the case with the Las Vegas Valley bus stop crash earlier this month in which four people were killed.

Supreme Court halts death penalty motion: CARSON CITY -- The Nevada Supreme Court on Monday ruled the Clark County district attorney's office twice failed to present adequate facts in its notice to seek the death penalty against Armando Cortinas, accused of the murder of a Las Vegas prostitute.

CDC halts funding of fallout study: SALT LAKE CITY -- The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention has halted funding for a study on the connection between radioactive fallout and thyroid disease among people living downwind of aboveground atomic testing in Nevada during the 1950s and early 1960s.

Driver in fatal crash escapes felony charges: Jen Lawson; "I'm just so upset, and I'm sure all of Las Vegas is upset," Guardado said. "It's unbelievable."

Profit outlook raised; company plans to sell 10 hospitals: None of the for-sale properties is in Las Vegas.

MGM opens new poker room: By Sun Staff; MGM opens new poker room

Nevada Magazine struggles to bring in revenue: CARSON CITY -- Nevada Magazine, praised for its content, is nevertheless struggling financially, its editor said today.

No Kidding: Kirk Baird; Fans and detractors of Mikalah Gordon take note:

Letter: Republicans are the ones hurting state of marriage: They tell us they are for family values, and then spend an entire night passing a special law for Terri Schiavo. Please remember that Jesus said, "What therefore God has joined together, let no man separate." House Majority Leader Tom DeLay, R-Texas, Reps. Jon Porter and Jim Gibbons, both R-Nev., and Sen. John Ensign, R-Nev., have by their actions and words, separated and attacked the state of marriage under God's law.

Craig Ranch Golf Course acquired for $52 million: North Las Vegas has acquired Craig Ranch Golf Course for $52 million and is moving ahead with plans to turn it into a regional park.

Preps: Monday's Results: Centennial 13, Clark 3: W: Adam Simpson 1-0, 6K, 1 H. L: Benecia CENT: Jordan Salazar 4-4, 3B, 4RBI.

Official chosen to lead panel on education lottery bill: Rep. Bill Culpepper, chairman of the House Rules Committee, will also chair the 14-member House Select Committee on the Lottery, which will meet for the first time this afternoon.

Racetracks waiting to call for expanded gambling elections: Rainer Sabin; LITTLE ROCK, Ark. -- Owners at Arkansas' two racetracks say they're waiting until after the legislative session to make plans for special elections that would let them expand gambling to include electronic skill games at their venues.

Nevada committee passes renewable energy bill: AP; SB188 would give Sierra Pacific Power Co. of Reno and Nevada Power Co. of Las Vegas credits toward conservation obligations for every kilowatt hour saved through renewable energy measures.

Senate amends bill on table games: Lawrence Messina and Erik Schelzig; CHARLESTON, W.Va. -- The Senate earmarked additional revenue from casino-style table games for regional jails on Monday before voting 19-14 to send the House a bill that aims to allow the games at the state's four racetracks.

Judge rules family can keep emus as pets: A Henderson Municipal Court judge ruled Monday that a family will get to keep two emus as pets.

Smoking ban faces opposition: Republicans and Democratic Sen. Bob Hagedorn, D-Aurora, have lined up against the proposal from Sen. Dan Grossman, D-Denver, even though he hasn't introduced a bill yet.

Columnist Ron Kantowski: Women's game must find its own niche: If the NCAA were in the market for a presenting sponsor of its women's basketball tournament, I'd suggest the Hoover company, because this is one year the distaff side is hooping it up in a vacuum.

Columnist Susan Snyder: Spring has arrived -- in this column: We spent the weekend in Santa Fe, N.M., where "spring" was what we had to do to avoid the puddles of melting snow outside the mission at Chimayo. Still, Easter weekend is a fine time to visit the mission, which draws thousands of people who walk there in hopes of witnessing a miracle.

Letter: Our laws hardly came from God: I find it rather hard to believe that when Moses read these particular commandments that the listeners suddenly said: "Not kill or steal? What a great idea! Why didn't somebody think of that before?"

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

Letter: BLM did right thing with horses: I'd also like to congratulate the BLM for including citizens in its process of outlining a "conservation area" in the far northwest of Las Vegas. I am one of the people who are included. The conservation area will protect land known for its ancient history and fossils. We really appreciate the opportunity for our opinions to be heard.

Trump Hotels agrees to pay $17.5 million to stockholders: In addition to the cash payment, the Official Committee of Equity Security Holders -- which represents about 20,000 holders of Trump Hotels shares -- also would share in the proceeds from the sale of land that had been earmarked for Chairman Donald Trump under the company's original Chapter 11 reorganization plan.

Winds rip wires, tear down trees: Eric Leake; Winds whipped across the valley Monday, tearing down trees and lifting up kites in a late afternoon storm.

Cablevision may join auction for control of firm: If Cablevision jumps into the battle for Adelphia, it would face its longtime rival, Time Warner, which is allied with Comcast in the auction. The Time Warner-Comcast alliance in recent weeks has appeared close to reaching a final agreement for control of the company by paying more than $18 billion in stock, according to the executives.

Brimmer, Claridge improve NFL draft stock at pro day: Steve Guiremand; It wasn't exactly the best of conditions for UNLV's football players to strut their stuff at the school's NFL Pro Day on Monday morning.

Editorial: Thirst for democracy: In Iraq, President Bush's decision to invade and remove dictator Saddam Hussein from power helped usher in the promise of a democratic nation, one that has taken root as the country prepares to draft a constitution. The elections in Iraq and a popular uprising in Ukraine against a fraudulent election there, mixed in with President Bush's recent call for the expansion of democracy around the globe, provided outside sustenance for the uprisings in Lebanon and Kyrgyzstan. The outcome in Kyrgyzstan still is uncertain, but Ukraine's peaceful revolution definitely provided the residents of Kyrgyzstan with the confidence to stand up against ...

Supreme Court rules against death penalty: CARSON CITY -- The Nevada Supreme Court on Monday ruled the Clark County District Attorney's Office twice failed to present adequate facts in its notice to seek the death penalty against Armando Cortinas, accused of the murder of a Las Vegas prostitute.

Woman to stand trial in slaying: By Matt Pordum; A 25-year-old Californian accused of killing a 51-year-old Las Vegas woman on Thanksgiving Day will stand trial, Las Vegas Justice of the Peace Nancy Oesterle ruled Monday.

Obituaries for March 29, 2005: Mary E. "Queen of Slots" Bellman, 81, of Las Vegas died Sunday in a local hospice. She was born Aug. 20, 1923, in Paterson, N.J. A resident for 23 years, she was a retired casino dealer.

Vacation costs on the rise: A family of two adults and two children can expect to pay an average of $286 per day in Nevada for food and lodging, the travel service said. Lodging rates will average $147 per night, up 18 percent from last year. Meals will cost $139 per day, up 4.5 percent.

Local FBI checked Saudis' identities: Jace Radke; No relatives of Osama bin Laden were on three charter flights that flew members of the Saudi Arabian royal family out of Las Vegas in the days following the Sept. 11, 2001 terrorist attacks, local FBI officials said Monday.

Sports briefs for March 29, 2005: Bryant Jackson, the only one of 13 players and fans charged with a felony in the aftermath of the Nov. 19 melee near the end of the Indiana Pacers-Detroit Pistons games, pleaded no contest today in Pontiac, Mich., to a felony assault count.

Ruling in case of ex-state worker appealed: The Henderson city attorney's office has appealed a ruling by a Municipal Court judge who dismissed a DUI charge against a former state parole and probation department administrator because the Henderson prosecutor wasn't ready to proceed with the trial.

Couple enter Alford plea in man's death: By Matt Pordum; A married couple who faced the death penalty for the 2002 killing of an elderly Las Vegas man pleaded guilty to lesser charges just minutes before jury selection was set to begin in their trial on Monday.

Legislative briefs for March 29, 2005: High school students should have to perform at least 20 hours of volunteer work to qualify for Millennium Scholarships, two Assembly members said Monday.

Editorial: Give troops more respect: At the very least, this nation's prosperous banks, landlords and credit companies can hold off on their high interest rates and foreclosure and collection activities when it comes to a service member or his family in time of war. That was the reasoning behind the law, which, among other benefits, caps interest rates incurred before enlistment at 6 percent and creates substantial legal hurdles (such as obtaining a court order) for anyone seeking foreclosures, evictions or repossessions against troops whose military duties have affected their incomes.

Court suspends four LV lawyers: CARSON CITY -- A Las Vegas lawyer, who had problems with depression, anxiety and alcohol, has been suspended by the Nevada Supreme Court for two years for misappropriating money from his client.

Federal court rules Las Vegas woman's Mercedes a lemon: CARSON CITY -- A federal appeals court Monday ruled that a $98,722 Mercedes S-500 purchased by a Las Vegas woman was a lemon.

Records for Dolezel, Nash trumped by team's mistakes: Adam Candee; They filled notebooks and tape recorders with talk of pride and resilience, the immeasurable qualities they feel brought them back from a 28-point deficit against the defending league champion.

Sanford names no starters for spring: Steve Guiremand; The Mike Sanford Era of UNLV football officially starts this afternoon when the Rebels open spring football practice at Rebel Park.

Ralph Siraco's Santa Anita selections: 1st Race -- PASSION TO EXCEED -- Draws good box for short two-fulong dash, Valdivia atop Hofmans traine. VENEDA LUCY -- Part of Warren-owned coupled entry with MOON OVER HEMET, Baze/Van Berg here, Atkinson/Wells there, double diploma threat. Value Play -- B.L.'S VINNYS GIRL