Print edition for September 29, 2005

Man accused in maid's killing declared competent: Doctors at a state mental hospital have determined a man accused of killing a Boulder City hotel maid, dismembering her body and disposing of it in a local fishing pond June 2003 is competent to stand trial.

Ensign optimistic on pet rescues: Benjamin Grove; WASHINGTON -- Sen. John Ensign, R-Nev., said he is optimistic that the federal officials overseeing Hurricane Katrina relief efforts will now better coordinate pet rescues.

Judge denies ticket allegations: CARSON CITY -- Justice of the Peace Daniel Ward of Fallon has denied allegations in a 15-count complaint that he fixed traffic tickets, helped his son get out of jail and aided friends in criminal cases.

Ethics panel calls for hearing: CARSON CITY -- Clark County Commissioner Lynette Boggs McDonald may have misused her office as a Las Vegas councilwoman to save her husband's state job, a panel of the state Ethics Commission said Wednesday. Ethics Commissioners Tim Cashman and Mark Hutchison found there is "just and sufficient cause" to hold a full commission hearing to determine whether Boggs McDonald tried to obstruct Treasurer Brian Krolicki's reorganization of his office.

Bible quits AG office to join UNLV: She will be assistant general counsel to UNLV starting Oct. 10.

Business news briefs for September 29, 2005: CARSON CITY -- Car sales and big bar-and-restaurant business helped push July taxable sales in Clark County to $2.7 billion, up 11.5 percent, the 19th straight month with a double digit increase.

Casino tax breaks decried: By Liz Benston; Virginia congressman and longtime casino foe Frank Wolf sent a letter to President Bush criticizing the administration's plan to offer tax incentives to casino operators on the Gulf Coast.

Governor likely to veto tribal gaming measure: The measure drew criticism from the governor's office. Gov. Jim Doyle already has vetoed previous attempts in recent years to give the Legislature oversight of the gambling compacts he negotiates with tribes.

New panel for schools meets for first time: By Emily Richmond; Gov. Kenny Guinn on Wednesday told his nine appointees to the first-ever Commission on Educational Excellence that they have the "awesome responsibility" of determining how $78 million in state funds be awarded to schools in need.

FEMA authorizes Rita survivors' aid: The Federal Emergency Management Agency authorized Nevada and Clark County officials on Wednesday to provide assistance to Hurricane Rita survivors, the second wave of evacuees in a month, at the recovery center on Highland Drive.

Reid talks to Schneider about county seat: Dan Kulin; Looking to fill the Democratic side of next year's state and local ballots, Sen. Harry Reid recently reached out to a state senator, a Las Vegas councilman and a former attorney general candidate, asking them to run for lieutenant governor or the Clark County Commission.

Attorney says Ressa suffers from history of mental illness: David Kihara; The man charged in the deaths of three people hit by a car on a crowded sidewalk on the Strip last week is believed to have a history of mental illness going back several years, his attorney said Wednesday.

Reid secured money allegedly misspent by church: Benjamin Grove; WASHINGTON -- Senate Minority Leader Harry Reid secured the federal money that was allegedly misspent by Second Baptist Church leaders.

Two jets on Las Vegas runway experience near miss: About 100 feet separated the planes in what the Federal Aviation Administration characterized on Wednesday as a runway incursion but the airport director called a "near-miss."

Two inmates escape from Indian Springs: David Kihara; Two prisoners serving time for robbery at the minimum security Indian Springs Conservation Camp walked away from the camp on Tuesday night and were still on the loose this morning, prison authorities said.

Commissioner Maxfield cleared of ethics violation by state panel: CARSON CITY -- Clark County Commissioner Chip Maxfield has been cleared of an ethics complaint that alleged he voted against a zoning change to retaliate against an opponent in a civil suit.

Local news briefs for September 29, 2005: A man was found dead from an apparent gunshot wound in the head Wednesday morning at Terrible's hotel at Paradise and Flamingo roads, Metro Police said.

Reid Web page garners responses: Suzanne Struglinski; WASHINGTON -- More than 108 people have posted responses to Web log entries made by Senate Minority Leader Harry Reid, D-Nev., on the Web site GiveEmHellHarry.com that he unveiled Wednesday.

Barbour woos conservatives on plan for onshore casinos: Emily Wagster Pettus; JACKSON, Miss. -- Gov. Haley Barbour found himself in an unusual position Wednesday, hearing "no" from some conservative lawmakers who are normally his staunchest allies.

Gaming news briefs for September 29, 2005: A Las Vegas gaming equipment manufacturer that has missed several deadlines for filing financial statements for the 2005 fiscal year now says it will provide forms to the Securities and Exchange Commission around Nov. 3.

Defense bill includes $100 million for state: WASHINGTON -- A key Senate panel on Wednesday approved a massive Defense Department spending bill that includes more than $100 million for Nevada projects. The full Senate could vote as early as next week on the legislation.

Plan for imported prescription drugs put on hold: CARSON CITY -- Nevada's plan to allow residents to buy lower-priced prescription drugs from Canada has hit a snag that could stop the program from taking effect.

Commission: Psychiatric patients are being mistreated in emergency rooms: By Timothy Pratt; A group created by the Legislature in part to advocate for the rights of the mentally ill has sent a letter to area hospitals saying that the rights of psychiatric patients are being violated in emergency rooms.

Bike map called step in the right direction: Stephen Curran; Southern Nevada planners still have a long ride ahead of them if they're going to make the region's roads friendlier to bike riders, cycling advocates say.

Colorful new $10 bill designed to discourage counterfeiters: Martin Crutsinger; WASHINGTON -- Hooray for the red, yellow and orange! Those are the colors featured on the newly redesigned $10 bill, the third currency denomination to add splashes of color to the traditional green of U.S. currency.

North Las Vegas City Council Briefs: North Las Vegas is seeking community input on the development of the Craig Ranch Regional Park.

Melendez tapped by Reid for seat on U.S. Civil Rights Commission: WASHINGTON -- Senate Minority Leader Harry Reid has tapped Nevadan Arlan Melendez for a vacant seat on the U.S. Civil Rights Commission.

City Attorney McGowan returning to private practice: North Las Vegas City Attorney Sean McGowan said Wednesday he is resigning from the city to return to private practice.

Obituaries for September 29, 2005: Lana J. Bagby, 54, of Henderson died Friday in a local hospice. She was born June 29, 1951, in Panguitch, Utah. A resident for 50 years, she was a homemaker.

Gibbons, Porter will return funds if DeLay found guilty: Suzanne Struglinski; WASHINGTON -- Nevada House Republicans Jim Gibbons and Jon Porter will return money taken from former House Majority Leader Tom DeLay -- but only if he is found guilty on charges brought against him Wednesday.

Letter: Rehnquist about to get his wish: Letter: Rehnquist about to get his wish

Letter: Robertson is full of fear and hatred: Many of us learned John 3:16 in Sunday School. Maybe if we bothered to learn John 3:17 we would know that Jesus came "not to condemn the world." I pray to a loving God, not some divine psychopath who destroys and murders because a lesbian is hosting a TV show.

Letter: Protesting war and the president aids the enemy: I thank Jesus that Saddam is caught. I pray for bin Laden to be next. I also pray for these subversive, anti-American Bush haters to quit aligning themselves with the terrorists under the name of liberty and peace. When they oppose Bush's fight against terroriism, they unknowingly are enlisted in the camp of the enemy.

Editorial: The grand illusion: The action on Wednesday came on the heels of earlier indictments against Texans for a Republican Majority, a political action committee Delay and three colleagues founded that collected $190,000 in corporate contributions for state races. Texas law prohibits corporations from donating to political candidates.

Editorial: Medicaid bill that is fair, vital: Sensitive to their plight, Sen. Charles Grassley, R-Iowa, chairman of the Senate Finance Committee, and Sen. Max Baucus, D-Mont., the committee's top Democrat, introduced legislation that would ensure the victims received health care without experiencing lengthy delays caused by confusion over how hospitals and doctors would be paid. The bill, expected to cost about $8 billion, would extend Medicaid coverage to all hurricane victims who lack the ability to pay on their own.

Steichen will sit after surgery: Steve Guiremand; Shane Steichen's heart said to continue playing quarterback for UNLV the rest of the season with a badly broken left ring finger.

Sports briefs for Sept. 29, 2005: The Arena Football League's New Orleans VooDoo won't play in 2006 because of the effects of Hurricane Katrina, including damage to the team's stadium, the New Orleans Arena.

Names in the game for Sept. 29, 2005: In the wake of the death of lightweight boxer Leavander Johnson last Thursday, Oscar De La Hoya, who promoted Johnson's fight, says he wants tougher licensing in his sport.

Fight schedule: FRIDAY

Columnist Jeff Haney: Fragmented at the top, heavyweight division comes off as a lightweight: Heavyweights James Toney and Chris Byrd, who fight in separate bouts Saturday night in Reno, both think that boxing's signature division needs to be whipped into shape.

Demoted 49ers LB takes off in a huff: Linebacker Jamie Winborn cleaned out his locker and left the San Francisco 49ers on Wednesday as the club abruptly announced plans to trade the former starter.

Just in time, Jimmie Johnson shows signs of shaking slump: Jenna Fryer; CHARLOTTE, N.C. -- Jimmie Johnson knows what it's like to lose a championship, falling just short of the Nextel Cup title last season. Now that he's back on top of the points standings, Johnson will try to rely on his past failure to prevent it from happening again.

Bidding farewell often takes more than just goodbye': Kirk Baird; That's especially true in Hollywood.

Friday's horse racing entries: Post Time 10 a.m.

Community news briefs for September 29, 2005: The Family Resource Center at University Medical Center will hold an Infant and Child CPR class from 5:30-8:30 p.m. today and from 1-4 p.m. Monday at the Resource Center, 1120 Shadow Lane.

UNLV Nevada Entertainer/Artist Hall of Fame pegs McGuire: When: 6:30 tonight.

Ukrainian immigrant soars to Army's top competition: Dick Benoit; Summerlin resident and hospital medical assistant Viktoriya Panova and her son, Karen, (pronounced Kareenia by Ukrainians) Antonyan immigrated to Las Vegas from the Ukraine in 2002.

Recipients of Carnegie Hero medals: AP; -Robert Diaz, 46, of Huffman, Texas, and Miranda A. Elkins, 22, of Gainesville, Texas, helped rescue Hedilberto Martinez Jr., 18, from the Gulf of Mexico at South Padre Island, Texas, on Aug. 20, 2004. Diaz drowned in the attempt.