Print edition for December 13, 2006

Editorial: Fighting violence at home: Southern Nevada's domestic violence cases increase 8 percent to 10 percent annually. According to a story Sunday by the Las Vegas Sun, law enforcement officials say the increase is partly because of population growth. However, as experts told reporter Sam Skolnik, domestic violence also is exacerbated because Nevada has high rates of gambling addiction and drug use, 24-hour drinking and a highly transient population.

Residents say plan to build school next to pig farm smells: By Mike Trask; It wouldn't be the first time someone thought that school stinks - and in this case, they might be right.

FLASHPOINT for Dec 13, 2006: Did you catch that Associated Press photo of the governor and the governor-elect sitting down for a chat this week? They both looked a little - there is no other way to put this - constipated. There they were - two guys who don't like each other but have to deal with each other. And how astonishing was it to read veteran Nevada Appeal reporter Geoff Dornan's quote from Gibbons: "I don't think you're going to see big changes made at this point in time." Or as the AP's Brendan Riley quoted Gibbons - he will be making "some small ...

Letter: Thank you, Judge Herndon: Nevadans don't want our rights lost by the attempt of people who are trying to direct personal freedoms and businesses across the state in what they can or cannot do. If people don't want to be exposed to breathing cigarette smoke, they should not patronize establishments that allow smoking. By not going to Southern Nevada bar and taverns that allow smoking, this is a sure way to express their (nonsmokers) rights to the owners. This is the democratic way.

Jon Ralston on Lois Tarkanian and the challenge she faces: She frequently has fought authority - Bill Walters, Irwin Molasky, John Moran Jr. - and lost. She consistently has been patronized by her colleagues, especially Mayor Oscar Goodman. And she has occasionally been beset by illness that has slowed her since she took over for a recalled Janet Moncrief almost two years ago.

Letter: Let market decide: Its effect is to tell private entrepreneurs how to run their business. At what point will this attitude of government knows best end? Would it not suffice to require the conspicuous placing of a notice - merely stating that, "Trans fats are used in cooking in this establishment. Eat at your own risk." - thereby allowing the customer to decide? How about this: "This establishment allows smoking. Enter at your own risk."

Southern Nevada secures water - for now: Click here for a printable graphic.

Letter: Question 5 just wasn't bold enough: Put Question 5 back out as soon as possible for a revote, but the next time include a ban on smoking in all public areas. It's time we quit playing games with the smoking issue and get past this.

Fats on Vegas' back burner: By Marshall Allen; Click here for a printable graphic.

LOOKING IN ON: EDUCATION: By Emily Richmond; The Clark County School Board will spend two days next week reviewing findings from a legislative audit, but Superintendent Walt Rulffes has already taken action on several of the auditor's key recommendations.

Letter: Gore-Obama team would be great: It is my personal opinion that Al Gore would be the best president this country ever had. Mr. Gore has eight years of experience as vice president, a military background and is an expert on environmental issues.

Three get to stay home for the holidays: Three high-profile criminal defendants who struck federal plea deals are going to get to spend at least one more holiday season at home before being punished.

Editorial: Belly up to the bar: The new owner of the 93-year-old Pioneer Saloon in Goodsprings, Las Vegas businessman Noel Sheckells, isn't going to remove the potbellied stove or the 19th-century cherry-wood bar at which Gable, in 1942, awaited news of his wife, Carole Lombard, after the actress' plane crashed into nearby Mount Potosi.

Editorial: Safe airport vs. tall obelisk: Texas developer Christopher Milam is proposing a tower somewhat resembling the Washington Monument for an area just south of the Sahara Hotel, at the site of a former water park. While the Washington Monument stands at just more than 555 feet, Milam's casino tower would stand more than three times as high, coming in at a staggering 1,888 feet.

LOOKING IN ON: WASHINGTON: WASHINGTON - Gov.-elect Jim Gibbons may have helped save the day in the nurses strike last week, but he is being criticized for missing votes during the waning days of Congress.

Jeff Haney checks out a heads-up computer game that gives poker players 'a chance to settle old scores': I've seen it in high-stakes games, as hothead Mike Matusow's opponents goad him mercilessly, waiting for the inevitable meltdown.

THE ELEVATOR: Yeah, I know. One game does not make a season. But UNLV's 58-49 victory at 20th-ranked UNR on Saturday pretty much made the preseason, or whatever you want to call these tuneup games before the start of the Mountain West Conference campaign in January. So to commemorate the Rebels' big win, here's a special edition of The Elevator, which, for one day only, is only headed up.