Print edition for December 3, 1996

Former deputy DA to face one drug charge: Attorney General Frankie Sue Del Papa said there is sufficient evidence to support the prosecution and that any citizen, caught under similar circumstances, would face comparable charges.

Holiday DUIs: NHP arrests

The Farce is with them: Comedians bring zany Brit play to LV: David Renzi; John's a hero, and the local morning rag wants to put his picture on the front page.

Marshal: Bissell Kept Tabs on Manhunt Through Newspaper Update Line: "We believe he was monitoring the investigation that the papers were covering," said Deputy U.S. Marshal Michael Rotolo. "He had the specific extension that the update line was on."

Correction: * A story in the Nov. 19 SUN about the sentencing of 16-year-old Mario Taylor in the shooting death of Christopher Michael Beaver contained an error. Taylor won't be able to serve his time at the Southern Desert Correctional Center near Indian Springs because Beaver's uncle is serving time there.

County residents to pay $145 at Desert Pines: The good news is that Desert Pines Golf Club, the country club-like public course being built on the former site of Nature Park, is scheduled to open Dec. 26 amid promises of affordable greens fees.

Louganis dives into role as AIDS activist: Bob Shemeligian; As an AIDS activist and educator, he has barely broken the surface.

Electrical trouble ignited diner fire: Las Vegas firefighters were able to confine Sunday's 11:37 a.m. fire to a small area in the diner where three electric panel boxes are located, said Timothy Szymanski, fire department spokesman.

Heisman gone, Wyoming star concentrates on BYU: Steve Carp; Before the season, they were calling him "Heisman Marcus." But with the voting for the Heisman Trophy to conclude a week from Thursday, Marcus Harris' chances of taking home the coveted award have gone the way of balmy weather in Wyo ming.

Personal-craft riders fight for survival at Tahoe: While the meeting will not be a public hearing, interested parties may submit comments to the committee's members, who represent local and state agencies, private property owners and business interests around the basin.

Gorman graduate expelled: Sawyer, a 6-foot-7 forward who averaged 12 points, 10 rebounds and four blocked shots as a senior for the Gaels, was dismissed from UVSC after he was cited in a retail theft at the library on Nov. 19. At the time of the citation, Sawyer was on probation for allegedly stealing electronic equipment from a campus media center just weeks earlier.

Accidents numerous; one killed: Karen Zekan; Sally Lonergan, 39, of Las Vegas was headed north on Interstate 15 between Sloan and Jean near mile marker 21 when about 12:30 Monday she suddenly veered off the roadway, across the dirt median and into southbound traffic, said Nevada Highway Patrol Trooper Steve Harney.

Prep basketball season tips off: Tim Graham; The season's first full slate of high school basketball games tips off tonight at schools throughout the valley, and one game features a battle between teams figured to be giants in their respective divisions.

NFL Notes: Knocked out by Pats, Humphries doubtful: The concussion that knocked San Diego quarterback Stan Humphries out of a lopsided loss to New England is expected to keep him out of Sunday's crucial game at Pittsburgh.

Public Comment Sought on Plan For Meeting East Shore Recreation Demands: The area includes State Route 28 from Incline Village south to the intersection of U.S. 50, known as Spooner Junction, and the lands from the lake shore to the ridge east of the highway.

Transfer paves way for new LV deputy attorney: Steve Sebelius; John Redlein, a former deputy district attorney, chief deputy attorney general and in-house lawyer for the Super Pawn chain, will take over from Steed as the chief deputy civil attorney, if approved by the City Council Wednesday.

Boulevard widening work starts: The project includes widening Las Vegas Boulevard from two to four lanes, extending the storm drain, installing a new traffic signal at Windmill Lane, and providing intersection lighting.

Letter: CAT drivers negative influence on tourists: Without the millions of tourists who descend on Vegas each year, the city would be an arid desert with tumbleweed. With the burgeoning of hotel rooms in the near future, it's necessary that changes be made to the CAT system or the hotel industry should operate its own Strip route from the Stratosphere to the Hacienda. It's about time Vegas stops chomping on the hands that feed it.

Where I Stand: You can remove your address from phone program -- for a fee: Last week this column contained information about Sprint's CNA (caller name and identification) program. We had received complaints about the system that allowed people to get names and addresses of telephone subscribers. If you have a telephone number, you can call CNA and get the name and address of the owner.

Letter: Having police serve as elected officials a conflict: The lowest ranking man on the police department has more power than any CEO of the largest corporation. They have the power of life and death over us "ordinary citizens," in fact, one could say they have become judge, jury and executioner of the less fortunate among us. Separated powers have served this country well; any else is unthinkable. Let us never forsake the principles this country was founded for.

Month Wetter than Usual, about Average for Temperatures: "The eastern slopes of the Sierra got the most precipitation with over 4 inches at some sites and several inches of snow above 7,000 feet," James said on Monday. "Pioche had 3 inches and Carson City had the same amount in the west."

Former Prosecutor To Be Charged With Felony Drug Possession: Hill, who could face as many as four years in prison, will go through "drug court," a voluntary program in which charges are dropped after successful completion of a drug treatment program, said attorney Stephen Stein.

Indy-car foes still warring: Steve Herman; "Both sides gave a good effort to try for unification. We weren't successful," said Tony George, president of the Indianapolis Motor Speedway and founder of the renegade Indy Racing League.

Walker to furnish homes for needy: The company is accepting letters describing why certain families should receive the furniture. Deadline is Dec. 10. Write to: Larry Alterwitz, president, Walker Furniture, 301 S. Martin Luther King Blvd., Las Vegas, NV 89106.

Letter: Nonsmokers need their own clean-air casino: Obviously a nonsmoking casino needs fewer porters -- isn't saving in vogue anymore?

Results of school testing delayed: More than 30,000 students took the examination in October with the results due Dec. 15.

Modern 49ers struggle over historic Nevada trail: But Monday the Palmdale, Calif., residents had reached Dry Lake Valley in central Nevada and prepared to cross the desert flatlands for about a week.

Charge New Plan Bad For Thrift Stores: Councilman Matthew Callister, who sponsored the ordinance, said the city isn't trying to be mean-spirited. He said the council started taking a look at the thrift store issue over the summer when the Salvation Army tried to open a new thrift store in northwest Las Vegas.

Former Clark Prosecutor to Face Drug Charges: "Sufficient evidence supports the accusations ... to warrant prosecution with a felony charge under the circumstances of this case," she said. "Any citizen similarly accused with the same amount of evidence would face comparable charges."

Editorial: Handicapped need chance to succeed: This is not a feel-good program for the unfortunate. Job services can provide the handicapped with a unique opportunity to attain productive lives. The programs also give hope to families living every day with special emotional challenges.

Sports Briefs: Butch Reynolds joins OSU staff: Reynolds, 32, who set the world mark of 43.29 seconds in 1988, will focus on recruiting and work primarily with the Buckeyes' sprinters and middle-distance runners, coach Russ Rogers said.

Lawmakers Work Out Details For Showing Freshmen the Ropes: Freshmen also will learn how a bill becomes law. Already, about 900 requests for bill drafts have been filed, including proposals dealing with big-ticket issues such as school funding and revising tax distributions.

Bailed teen puts LV couple in fear: Bill Gang; James Trujillo, a 19-year-old admitted participant in the attack that nearly killed Richard Stevens and seriously injured his wife, Bonnie, has been released from jail after his family posted $100,000 bail.

New twist approved for Nevada bar exam: The Nevada Supreme Court has approved a recommendation that fledgling attorneys must now take an additional "performance test" to judge how they handle realistic situations.

Warning issued about holiday donations: Heller said Monday the solicitations increase significantly during the Christmas holidays and often people are too busy to check out who is asking for the money.

Officials aim to curb DUI fatalities: Cathy Scott; The designation, which began nine years ago after a rash of fatalities, is to remind motorists not to drive drunk. Large red ribbons are placed on snow poles at one-mile intervals from the base of Kyle Canyon Road, near U.S. 95, to the top of the mountain.

Steve Carp: Wyoming could find itself shut out: Under normal circumstances, that scenario would play itself out at campuses across America. But it may not at Wyoming, where a magical season could end up bittersweet if the Cowboys lose to Brigham Young in Saturday's Western Athletic Conference championship game at Sam Boyd Stadium.

Letter: Hacienda another chunk of history turning into rubble: Also, the LVCVA, needing room for parking, demolished the Landmark. They could have used the Landmark as convention space -- with a view! And the Circus Circus corporation. Why demolish the Hacienda now when they own a ton of undeveloped land south of it? So to Mr. Adelson, Steve Wynn, Circus Circus and the LVCVA: Go play in your rubble and leave our history alone.

Las Vegan will receive American Legion honor: The 9 a.m. ceremony at American Legion Post 8, 737 Veterans Memorial Drive, is part of a nationwide effort to honor members of the famed bomber crew.

DA to Retry DUI Charge in Accident that Killed Teen: Demerjian's blood-alcohol level of 0.066 was below the legal limit of 0.1. But Gammick argued that his driving abilities were impaired by drinking when he crashed into the Jeep driven by D.J. Benardis.

Nevadans to Get Break on December Nevada Bell Phone Bills: "Some customers will see their entire December bill wiped out," said Attorney General Frankie Sue Del Papa.

NLV mayor opposes proposed rule for council meetings: Geoff Schumacher; Today, a citizen can have a matter heard and acted on at one City Council meeting by filing a "request to appear" in writing about a week before the council session.

Consensus Sought on Personal Watercraft: While the meeting will not be a public hearing, interested parties may submit comments to the committee's members, who represent local and state agencies, private property owners and business interests around the basin.

Lawmaker Proposes Name Change for Clark County: Vegas County: If the Las Vegas County bill is introduced, it could stir up the feud that already exists between Las Vegas and Clark County officials.

FBI agent, daughter die in crash on Route 160: Cathy Scott; An FBI special agent and his daughter were killed in a head-on collision while riding his motorcycle on State Route 160.

Local Briefs: * SUSPECT IN CUSTODY -- An anonymous tipster put police on the trail of a 31-year-old man wanted on a slew of drug charges. Secret Witness received information Monday that Thomas Rodda was staying with his sister in an apartment in the 2400 block of St. George Street, near Las Vegas Boulevard North and Carey Avenue in North Las Vegas, police said. The Criminal Apprehension Team, a joint effort of local and federal law enforcement, responded and took Rodda, also known as John Martinez, into custody without incident. Rodda was booked into the Clark County Detention Center on warrants for ...

Douglas County Commission Plans Hearings Blitz on County Movement: As worded, the standing item means the board "may provide direction to staff regarding response to a proposal to create a new Lake County." That will allow the commissioners to craft policies as the proposal progresses.

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Edwards: WAC title is first: Steve Carp; LaVell Edwards won't allow himself to get caught in the trap of looking ahead. Never has. Never will.

Columnist Bob Shemeligian: Viva Vegas --- and the Velvet Elvis: Bob Shemeligian; Capece wants to expand. He's considering Denver as the location of the next Velvet Elvis, but he prefers Las Vegas.