Print edition for May 18, 2005

Sports briefs for May 18, 2005: New York Mets pitcher Pedro Martinez had a cortisone shot in his right hip Tuesday and his next scheduled start was pushed back from Friday until Sunday in this weekend's interleague series against the New York Yankees.

Feedback on resort positive, Wynn says: By Jeff Simpson; Steve Wynn said Tuesday that the public's reaction to his $2.7 billion Wynn Las Vegas has been better than at any property he's opened before.

Pressure on McCarran intensifies: Stephen Curran; If a proposed airport comes to the Ivanpah Valley, it likely won't come a day too soon, the Clark County Commission was told Tuesday.

Reid, Frist square off as Senate debate gets under way: Benjamin Grove; WASHINGTON -- Senate Minority Leader Harry Reid, D-Nev., stood nose-to-nose with Majority Leader Bill Frist, R-Tenn., today in what has been described as a historic fight over the future of the Senate.

EPA's proposal for new Yucca radiation standard is delayed: Suzanne Struglinski; WASHINGTON -- A proposal for the new radiation standard for the Yucca Mountain project may not be done until September, according to the Environmental Protection Agency.

Gaming Commission chairman urges protection for investors: The state's top gaming regulator encouraged accountants attending a conference to work with their respective companies to preserve the integrity of the gaming industry.

Silverado student wins Thompson scholarship: Racheal Curtis was awarded the Sandy Thompson Memorial Scholarship (named for the late Las Vegas Sun executive) during a banquet earlier this month. She worked as an intern at CLASS!, a nonprofit monthly publication by and for Clark County high school students.

Growth spurs possibility of third South Coast tower: By Liz Benston; The first resort to open on the "South Strip," now more than half built, could eventually have up to 2,000 rooms after a third hotel tower is built to meet future demand, Boyd Gaming Corp. executives said.

PUC OKs utility truce: Kevin Rademacher; Without comment or fanfare, the state Public Utilities Commission on Tuesday approved a deal between Nevada Power Co. and the Southern Nevada Water Authority which settles years of legal wrangling between the entities.

Monorail techs work on emergency windows: Technicians for Bombardier, the Canadian company that built and operates the $650 million system, decided the problem warranted an immediate fix.

List of winners at Academy of Country Music Awards: AP; Entertainer: Kenny Chesney.

Columnist Elizabeth Foyt: Community honors rabbi, wife for commitment: Elizabeth Foyt; "Quince De Mayo," held at the Suncoast and themed to celebrate the Goodmans' Mexican heritage, opened to a Mexican appetizer buffet and the sounds of mariachis. Cheryl Fish (MGM-Mirage Events) created the artfully designed silent auction area providing south-of-the-border atmosphere with the use of enormous cacti, chili peppers, serapes and a life-size steer made of fiberglass.

Columnist Muriel Stevens: Judgment not reserved at contest: For weeks I'd been checking the weather forecasts for Charlotte and was delighted that the daily temperatures were not yet high and that there was a considerable drop in the evenings. Of course that all changed the day of my departure -- "T" for thunderstorms was the prediction.

Horsemen push for online bets: Mark Johnson; ALBANY, N.Y. -- It may never match the excitement of seeing a field of thoroughbreds thundering to the finish live at Saratoga or Belmont, but the Internet may help give horse racing a future in New York.

Columnist Ron Kantowski: Island Girl left out of the loop for payday: As I sat waiting for Bob Arum to bring out the two-headed calf, an attractive woman, save for a slightly misshapen nose, strode up and asked who I and a media colleague were with.

Columnist Adam Candee: Pause to reflect on Tiger's greatest accomplishment: Adam Candee; We become prone to hyperbole every time Tiger Woods does something with a golf club.

Creation of Wyoming gaming commission is urged: Attorney General Pat Crank told the Legislature's Joint Travel, Recreation and Wildlife Interim Committee on Monday that it's currently up to individual counties to decide how and when to prosecute infractions of the state's gambling laws.

Tebbs brings home state title: Nick Christensen; Riding a bus out of the central Nevada outpost of Tonopah, Green Valley's Adam Tebbs certainly didn't sound like he'd just won the state high school boys' golf championship.

Newlywed Chesney's night rings true at ACMAs: Leah Robinson; Winning an Academy of Country Music award might bring clout, respect, even some southern-fried gravitas, but can it give the winner the ability to comment on Kenny Chesney and Renee Zelwegger's recent nuptials? It better, because the question will be asked.

Montandon upset with Democrats' role in race: The state Democratic Party has become a major player in the race for North Las Vegas mayor, sparking complaints from Mayor Mike Montandon of partisan politics and negative campaigning against him.

Thursday's horse racing entries: Post Time 1:20 p.m.

City's $1.2 billion budget includes funds for additional 50 employees: Dan Kulin; The Las Vegas City Council on Tuesday unanimously approved the city's nearly $1.2 billion budget for the 2005-2006 fiscal year, which begins July 1.

County takes steps to limit spread of West Nile virus: Stephen Curran; Clark County is stepping up efforts to prevent an increase in the West Nile virus this summer, embarking on more inspections of prospective mosquito breeding grounds and strengthening its enforcement capabilities.

Columnist Jeff Haney: Handicapper recommends plays on Bucs, Bengals: NBA playoffs? Wake 'em when the Finals are set.

Tellam catches on in a big way: Mountain West Conference leaders in slugging percentage:

Bike trails contract draws concern: The Boulder City Council Tuesday adopted its 2005-2006 budget that increases spending 6 percent and maintains services and employees at their current level.

Strength on strength for volleyball title: Tim Mullin; When Las Vegas High and Bonanza square off at 6:30 p.m. today in the Coronado High School gymnasium, it will be a classic example of power against power.

Board to consider intake pipeline: The Southern Nevada Water Authority board is scheduled Thursday to consider a $650 million third intake pipeline to bring water from Lake Mead, a move that agency staffers say is needed to avoid the possibility of a catastrophic loss of access to lake water if the five-year Western drought continues.

Judge steers away from motorcycle gang cases: Matt Pordum; For those looking to escape the strict brand of justice levied by District Judge Donald Mosley, an option has possibly emerged -- hire either Dominic Gentile or Tom Pitaro.For members of the rival Hells Angels and Mongols motorcycle gangs facing charges in connection to the deadly riot at the 2002 Laughlin River Run, the choice of these attorneys has resulted in Mosley recusing himself from both cases.

Steak in their Future: For Frausto family, restaurant has become second home: Ken Miller; For starters, it's been in the same location for more than 30 years - at the Townhouse Center near the intersection of Desert Inn and Sandhill roads. Second, it used to be owned by Matt's mother, Muncha. Before that it was owned by Muncha's sister, Cunja.

Goodman's photo shoot for Playboy goes online: Dan Kulin; Las Vegas Mayor Oscar Goodman's Playboy photo shoot -- he was a guest photographer -- has hit the Playboy Web site with a story, pictures and a couple quotes delivered in his own voice.

Budget, adjusted for tax cap, trims $2.6 million: The state's new tax cap forced North Las Vegas to revamp its tentative budget to account for $2.6 million in property tax revenue the city won't be getting.

Diversion of rivers discussed: River hearings

Panel leaves CCSN professors dangling on salaries: CARSON CITY -- The Senate Finance Committee on Tuesday left unanswered whether it would boost the salaries of professors at the Community College of Southern Nevada to bring them in line with the other three community colleges in the state.

Columnist Jeff German: Sometimes you just can't win: That includes his personal life.

Editorial: Muzzling a watchdog: The media had been inquiring as to whether Tiffany and Cegavske had taken advantage of their positions as elected officials to secure contracts that benefited them financially. Both of the contracts were subsequently canceled -- Tiffany's with the state Department of Motor Vehicles and Cegavske's as a consultant for KVBC, Channel 3 -- but Jennings at the time said Tiffany's contract "could be a violation of the law" and that Cegavske and Tiffany weren't "out of the woods, yet."

Top state casino official lives memorable first months: Yelton recounted the events that led up to the decision by Trump's company in March to drop its contract to build a casino in southern Indiana's French Lick during a speech Monday at the Clay County Republican Party's Lincoln Day dinner.

Ralph Siraco's Hollywood Park selections: 1st Race -- VEGAS FOLLY -- Draws good rail post for route opener, Gomez scales Carava trainee, start day on a roll. HOLLYWOODSETRIGHT -- Starts alongside top pick for two-turn claimer, Douglas atop Harrington trainee, set-right-at-Hollywood? Value Play -- MUSICAL REVIEW

Seale says combining two posts would save $1.5 million: CARSON CITY -- Eliminating the elective offices of state treasurer and controller and replacing them with a secretary of finance will save $1.5 million, Assemblyman Bob Seale, a former state treasurer, said.

Boxing results: Golden Gloves: Little Rock, Ark.

Man gets 14 years in check scam: Jeff Donaldson; A California man found guilty in January 2004 of being part of a conspiracy to pass $800,000 in counterfeit checks at the MGM Grand was sentenced to more than 14 years in prison late Monday.

Future state workers' health insurance subsidies in doubt: CARSON CITY -- Senate Democrats failed Tuesday to soften Gov. Kenny Guinn's plan to eliminate retiree subsidies for health care coverage for those state workers hired after July 2006.

Columnist Peter Benton: Child Seekers tournament accepting entries now: Peter Benton; Entries are being accepted for the Nevada Child Seekers 15th annual Bob Dickinson Memorial Golf Tournament.

Democrats yielding on plan to save program: Kirsten Searer; CARSON CITY -- Assembly Democrats yielded on a plan Tuesday that would have directed $100 million to save the cash-strapped Millennium Scholarship.

Letter: That's too much cake to waste: How nice it would have been for the city to instead have cooked 130,720 one-pound cakes in celebrating its centennial. Those cakes could have been given away after the ceremony. Just think how smart that would have been.

Black doctors claim racial bias: Molly Ball; A group of black physicians Tuesday accused Las Vegas hospitals of discrimination, saying they have been harassed and denied work because of their race.

Appeals court lifts liability limit in barge accident: U.S. District Judge Stephen Limbaugh had concluded in June 2003 that the former owner of the towboat Anne Holly and the Winterville Marine Services -- the Mississippi-based supplier of the crew -- under maritime law together were liable for no more than $2.2 million, or the court-determined value of the towboat.

News briefs for May 18, 2005: Metro Police arrested a man Tuesday morning after he fired several shots at a truck in the parking lot of Mandalay Bay, hitting one person in the leg.

95 project gets boost in Senate: Benjamin Grove; WASHINGTON -- The Senate on Tuesday approved a $295 billion highway and transit projects bill that included roughly $1.3 billion for Nevada projects over five years and would push for widening work on U.S. 95 to continue.

Community briefs for May 18, 2005: The Consumer Credit Counseling Service is offering a free class "Making Ends Meet and Dreams Come True" at 11 a.m. Tuesday in the service's Conference Room, 3650 S. Decatur Blvd., Suite 32.

Preps: Tuesday's results: At par 72 - 6,941 yard Resort at Red Hawk Lakes Course (Sparks)

Texans show interest in recently released Boulware: After ranking near the bottom of the NFL in sacks each of the past three seasons, the Texans are in desperate need of an outside pass rusher. After being released by the Baltimore Ravens last week, Peter Boulware is an outside linebacker in need of a team.

Letter: Error may stifle honest reporting: The chilling effects of the White House and Pentagon's pressure on Newsweek just add to the reluctance of the media to be anything but a propaganda organ of the government.

Dozens of firms delay filings: At least 77 companies with market capitalizations of more than $100 million recently notified the SEC they would need more time to finish their quarterly reports -- more than double the 36 companies of that size with delays in the first quarter of 2004, according to a tally by Glass Lewis & Co., a San Francisco research and proxy-advisery firm.

51s get 16 of next 20 at home: The Las Vegas 51s will return to Cashman Field to open an eight-game home stand on Thursday against the Albuquerque Isotopes, Triple-A affiliate of the Florida Marlins. Las Vegas will begin a stretch of 16 of 20 games at home from May 19-June 7.

Legislative briefs for May 18, 2005: The Assembly Judiciary Committee passed a bill Tuesday that cracks down on people who take explicit photos and try to distribute them.

College officials think big: Nevada State College President Fred Maryanski currently works in a renovated vitamin factory on the outskirts of Henderson.

City's spending increases by 9 percent in new budget: The Henderson City Council on Tuesday adopted its 2005-2006 budget, which increases spending by 9 percent and adds 86 jobs.

Letter: For tourism's sake, cab drivers must be safe: If they did, politics would be put aside and the cameras-in-cabs measure would be up and running. When a police officer is assaulted or killed while on duty, he is given a heroes' tribute. When an on-duty cabbie is robbed and murdered, people shrug and say, "Well, it's a dangerous job; he knew the risks." But where would this tourist-oriented city be without cab drivers?

Obituaries for May 18, 2005: Rhonda Lynn Basmajian, 46, of Las Vegas died Saturday in Las Vegas. A sales clerk in the grocery industry, she was born Jan. 28, 1959, in Georgia. She was a member of the Susan G. Komen Breast Cancer Foundation and Redrock Women of the Moose.

Editorial: Reid fighting the good fight: Reid's experience shows how difficult it is to achieve a dialogue with an ideologue. Frist is so arrogantly sure of his party's ideology that he is willing to undo a Senate rule in place to prevent the majority party from assuming total control over presidential judicial nominations. The rule allows the minority party to filibuster, meaning that senators can take the floor and talk ceaselessly, effectively preventing a vote from coming to the floor. This allows voters in the minority senators' districts to be represented, too. A filibuster is effective because it takes 60 votes to cut it off.

Consumer prices up 0.5 percent: The increase in the consumer price index, the government's most closely watched inflation barometer, followed a 0.6 percent advance in March, the Labor Department reported today.

United trial pushed back as contract talks intensify: Dave Carpenter; CHICAGO -- A judge ordered a two-day recess Tuesday in United Airlines' bankruptcy court trial, giving the carrier and its machinists' union more time to bargain over a new contract and eliminate the need for a ruling that could trigger an employee strike.

Judge to rule on legality of casino management courses: Chancery Judge Patricia Wise heard argument Tuesday on efforts by the University of Southern Mississippi to offer the courses.

Columnist Brian Hilderbrand: Defending champ replaced by past champ in Indy 500: Buddy Rice will not be able to defend his Indianapolis 500 championship due to injuries he suffered in a practice crash last week at the Indianapolis Motor Speedway.

Council postpones decision on new massage studios: Five days after Henderson closed down three massage establishments accused of offering prostitution, the City Council postponed enacting a ban on new stand-alone studios.

Gators' Garritano filling Fairless' footsteps just fine: Nick Christensen; He doesn't have the track record of Rodger Fairless, but Green Valley coach Nick Garritano has already exceeded his own expectations.

New rules for Yucca budget sought: Suzanne Struglinski; WASHINGTON -- Key House members are meeting to look at how they can get Congress to change budget rules for the Yucca Mountain project.

Errors disrupt proficiency test: By Emily Richmond; High school seniors taking the state's math proficiency test Tuesday were interrupted when administrators discovered errors on a sheet of common formulas handed out to help students with their answers.

Allies of pro-casino governor pull bill that lacked votes: The lack of casino revenue deprives Pawlenty of at least $200 million he was counting on to balance the state budget.

Senate panel OKs suicide prevention programs: CARSON CITY -- New state programs to combat Nevada's high rate of suicides and to tackle problem gambling were approved by the Senate Finance Committee on Tuesday.

Griego, moose have Silverado softball team feeling lucky: Tim Mullin; Many teams have their own unique quirks or superstitions before a game, but only one can claim to have a hat shaped like an antlered mammal as a good luck charm.