Print edition for September 21, 2006

IRS to honor agreement with tip earners: Jeff German, Las Vegas Sun; In a move that should bring relief to food and beverage workers along the Strip and throughout Nevada, U.S. Sens. Harry Reid and John Ensign won a commitment from the Internal Revenue Service on Wednesday to stop auditing participants in the tax agency's tip-reporting program.

Editorial: Truly caring for children: For years the Clark County Department of Family Services has been falling behind a little more each year as rapid population growth brought hundreds of extra cases but few extra resources.

Editorial: Tool to save lives: And that is important, the organization says in a recent Associated Press story, because the electric defibrillators that are now available in such places as the shopping mall and the school football field aren't enough to revive someone who has had a heart attack unless a person also administers cardio-pulmonary resuscitation, or CPR.

Reid rallies Hispanic voters to prevent border wall: By Timothy Pratt; Senate Minority Leader Harry Reid urged Nevada's Spanish-language media Wednesday to try to arouse Hispanic opposition to an upcoming Senate vote over building a wall along the U.S.-Mexico border.

Editorial: A computer wasteland: According to a story by the Las Vegas Sun on Wednesday, worn-out computers, televisions and other electronics typically contain such substances as lead, cadmium, chromium, arsenic and mercury.

Letter: Let's send a message this Election Day: Recently the administration was forced by the U. S. Supreme Court to reverse its policy regarding prisoners of war (or as this administration termed them, "enemy combatants").

An angry mom: Adam is a slender 10-year-old, tall for his age - and he is scared.

Letter: E. coli needs to be better understood: (1) "E. coli." This is used to designate a bacterium that is present in the fecal matter of all warm-blooded animals, including humans. The "E" is for Escherichia, the generic name which honors the German physician, Dr. Theodor Escherich. There is a protozoan in the human gut named Entamoeba coli and it too is "E. coli."

Deane: 'I'm highly intelligent, not cuckoo': By Steve Kanigher; Former Clark County Recorder Fran Deane said Wednesday that her removal from office pending felony charges meant she was held to a different standard than a convicted former county commissioner who retained her seat after being indicted.

Letter: Another listener wants oldies back: I was glad to read that there are others like me. We moved here four years ago and immediately found KQOL 93.1-FM. We were really pleased. My kitchen radio, my bedroom radio and my car radio have always just been set on 93.1.

LOOKING IN ON: MOTOR SPORTS: It's difficult to find a NASCAR Craftsman Truck Series driver who has anything negative to say about the newly reconfigured 1.5-mile Las Vegas Motor Speedway.

A Las Vegas barber sought out by NBA players: By Ron Kantowski; Not how well it played, but how good it looked. Anybody who watched the NBA millionaires launch bricks in the semifinals against Greece and fail to defend the pick-and-roll play that is more ancient than their nemesis' homeland also knows there is a difference.

FLASHPOINT for Sep 21, 2006: Talk about an offer you can't refuse. Check out this "help wanted" ad: "Are you looking to break into local or national politics? Do you want to jump-start your career? Need to develop your business skills? Positions with the Nevada Republican Party are currently available for this election cycle. A job with the Nevada Republican Party can help you develop your communications skills, hone your political acumen, and network with your future potential employers No prior experience is necessary, but a strong desire to make a difference is required. Compensation ranges from $8 to $15 per hour." There's so much ...

Crews gain on Sierra wildfire: AP; The size of the Bassetts fire in the Tahoe National Forest 15 miles east of Downieville, Calif., and 1 mile north of California 49 was increased slightly on Thursday as smoke cleared, allowing more accurate mapping. The highway was closed because of smoke and fire equipment.

Hit machine of the '70s Earth Wind & Fire, hits town: Who: Earth, Wind & Fire

Flowers preparing move back to Las Vegas: What: American Heart Association Auction and Art Show

Teens' choice: Take the call or drive: Cy Ryan and Emily Richmond; Ericka Sims, 18, has been driving for two years and has had a couple of close calls while using her cell phone.

Drivers killed in Silver Springs accident identified: AP; The Nevada Highway Patrol said the eastbound car driven by Parsons crossed the double-yellow center line Tuesday afternoon and struck the pickup driven by Howell.

Crews battle trio of wildfires burning in Sierra: AP; The largest was the Bassetts fire in the Tahoe National Forest 15 miles east of Downieville, Calif., and 1 mile north of California 49. The highway was closed between Sierra City and Sattley.