Print edition for January 4, 2007

Letter: Bush shouldn't send over more troops: More troops in Iraq means more body bags and flag-draped coffins that Bush won't let us see as they arrive at Andrews and Dover Air Force bases.

Overhaul of management of federal land criticized: Conservationists and lawmakers are concerned that a federal plan to overhaul how the government manages its premier wild West real estate could spell trouble for the 27 million-acre system that includes the Red Rock National Conservation Area.

Driver, dead teen's mom join forces for safety: The driver of a garbage truck that tipped over and killed a teenage motorist two years ago embraced the dead girl's mother outside of North Las Vegas Justice Court on Wednesday, pledging to join her campaign to improve commercial truck safety.

Editorial: Test is a real bomb: The test explosion, called Divine Strake, is a joint project of the National Nuclear Security Administration, which manages the Test Site, and the Defense Threat Reduction Agency, which would conduct the blast. The test is part of an effort to develop a bomb capable of destroying heavy underground bunkers used to house military headquarters and weapons stockpiles.

Q+A: SHERIFF DOUG GILLESPIE: His first day as top cop and Doug Gillespie was going full tilt at the grindstone, nose first.

Letter: Homes on ridgelines ruin the scenery: I recently received a neighborhood meeting notice from the developer of a parcel of land high in the hills to the south of Horizon Ridge adjacent to my community in Henderson. It was an invitation to an informational meeting to explain why the developer is requesting waivers from the city to allow development on a sensitive ridgeline without the required 100-foot setback and to allow for 28 residential dwelling units, where 13 were previously approved.

Letter: Let's not risk the lives of more U.S. soldiers: If the president increases troop strength in Iraq, he will be following the same philosophy as the warlords and others who maintain a paid militia to enforce their views on weaker folks by force of arms. A major difference seems to be that Bush's militia is paid for with your tax dollars. Dollars which, by the way, are really coming from foreign investment in the huge U.S. deficit.

Editorial: Declaring a species extinct: White and nearly blind, the baiji was a 20 million-year-old species that most recently lived in eastern China's Yangtze River. The Chinese called it the "goddess of the Yangtze." But even honorary royalty, as it turns out, could not protect this marine mammal from habitat degradation and overfishing.

Ron Kantowski says fans who showed up to see a rejuvenated Rebels team got their money's worth: With no time showing on the clock and his team trailing by 2, Utah's Stephen Weigh had a chance to silence Dickie V., at least momentarily, by sinking three throws.

FLASHPOINT for Jan 04, 2007: I know some people think this new County Commission really won't have a union label affixed to it, although labor single-handedly elected Susan Brager and was helpful to Chris Giunchigliani - the two newcomers. With union-friendly Tom Collins and Yvonne Atkinson Gates, looks to me like the unions can count to four already. But if you don't believe the math, believe the show of union solidarity at Giunchigliani's swearing-in celebration this week at the trendy Triple George downtown. One attendee described it as "99 percent hard-core union folks - SEIU, Culinary, etc., crowing about electing one of their own ...

John Katsilometes recalls the 1974 race for attorney general of Nevada, in which Gerald Ford played a role: Or so he thought.

Editorial: Kindergarten plan fails: After being sworn in this week, Gibbons said he would not support the expansion of a pilot program for at-risk schools because he is not sure the state has the money beyond this budget cycle to support full-day kindergarten for every child in Nevada. He also said he has yet to see evidence that the program works.

CHESTER RICHARDSON (1958-2007): By Timothy Pratt; Chester Richardson broadcast the tale in a minister's voice, standing at the center of his chaotic living room.