Wynn resort opens in Vegas with Sinatra restaurant

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LAS VEGAS -- Entrepreneur Steve Wynn has opened a new $2.3 billion resort and casino in Las Vegas called Encore, with an Italian restaurant themed on the late crooner Frank Sinatra.

The restaurant, which is named for the singer, has Sinatra memorabilia and photos of him on display.

Sinatra's daughter Tina said the family had rejected similar plans from 12 restaurateurs. She said they agreed to Wynn's proposal because "he was his friend, and he loves and protects us."

Wynn and Sinatra worked together and were friends in the early '80s, when Sinatra sang for Wynn at the Golden Nugget hotel-casinos in Las Vegas and Atlantic City, N.J. Details at www.encorelasvegas.com.

ST. LOUIS -- St. Louis residents for years have boarded trains from a no-frills building known locally as the ''Am-shack.''

Not anymore. After about two decades of planning and work, state and city officials opened a new, $28 million transportation hub downtown where commuters can catch the bus, light rail and Amtrak trains.

The new Gateway Transportation Center is a building where Amtrak, Greyhound, MetroLink and MetroBus converge. The new facility one block south of the Scottrade Center features 24-hour operations staff, security and food service.

VIENNA, Austria -- The Austrian city of Salzburg has blocked plans to open a hotel in a former home of the von Trapp family immortalized in "The Sound of Music" after protests by neighbors.

The "Villa Trap" had been expected to open this year in a quiet, upscale Salzburg neighborhood. Area residents had feared tourists would tie up traffic and make a nuisance of themselves.

Hotel organizers say they will appeal the decision by the urban planning committee.

AP