Evacuees from the Monte Carlo watch news coverage on monitors inside the MGM Arena on Jan. 25, the day the hotel-casino caught fire. A consultant says companies that handle catastrophes like fires with honesty and aplomb can secure loyal customers for life.
Photo by Jeremy Lyverse/Review-Journal


The burned facade and upper floors of the Monte Carlo after a fire broke out Jan. 25. The fire engulfed parts of the building's facade and roof and forced the evacuation of guests and staff. MGM Mirage had to transfer roughly 5,000 guests to other local hotels and keep them happy.
Photo by John Gurzinski


A Clark County firefighter sprays water on the southern side of Monte Carlo. MGM Mirage, which owns the hotel, offered to put guests displaced by the fire in other, sometimes upgraded, rooms.

The Times-Journal

It didnt take Peppers long to begin thinking about 2008-09. By the time Crossville returned to its locker room following the championship game, Peppers was already pondering what was ahead.Weve got a good nucleus coming back and a good group of [junior varsity] and junior high players, he said. Winning this thing is a good way to motivate the players in the offseason. Im looking forward to getting started right now.BIG SHOT: Peppers marveled at the 3-pointer Final Four MVP Thacker made to tie the championship game at 51-all with 1:33 remaining. Thacker, who made the game-winning layup with two seconds left in a state semifinal victory over Aliceville, sank the 3 from the left corner.I dont know how she did it with the girl in her face, but she got the ball off from the corner and tied the ballgame, he said.

Book Excerpt

I agreed to the match-up. What I didn't realize was that it was all part of Bryant;s own plan to desegregate his program.

Despite his popularity, he'd never been able to do it before, despite his desire to. He'd expressed to me that he'd wanted to do it for years. I can't say that I knew Bear's intentions fully at the time, but I did suspect it. It was a delicate situation and required just the right timing; but if any man understands how to do something like that, it was Bear Bryant."

"I can say with absolute certainty that Bear Bryant wanted to integrate his football program long before that game," said longtime college football broadcaster Keith Jackson.

McKay and Fertig were on their second or fourth round of drinks when Bryant arrived. A martini and history followed.