Print edition for June 14, 1996

Man Says He Was Offered County Job After Shoving Incident: Bell claims he was shoved by Christensen following a confrontation at a February 1993 commission meeting. Christensen claims Bell shoved a video camera in his face.

Mondale: The grand vision of the Fulbright program: Since becoming ambassador to Japan three years ago, I have directly experienced the enormous benefits of people-to-people exchange. It is a process I now consider one of the vital tools of American international policy. My experience in Japan has elevated me from just a believer in international exchange to a true believer

Greenspan confirmation may be held up: David R. Francis; BOSTON -- Sen. Tom Harkin is considering holding up the confirmation of Alan Greenspan for a second term as Federal Reserve chairman until the New Year.

Patience is a virtue in Freemen standoff: Brad Knickerbocker; JORDAN, MONT. -- In the end, the saga of the "freemen" may finish with a whimper rather than a bang. If it does, the lesson, say government officials and experts, is that patience, quiet negotiations, and a better understanding of such groups' aberrant religious and political beliefs are more successful in resolving confrontations than the armed assaults at Waco, Texas, or Ruby Ridge, Idaho.

Rugby players duel in LV tourney: The Steinlager Las Vegas Midnight Sevens rugby tournament will be played Saturday at Sam Boyd Stadium.

Jazz drummer Montgomery dies: "The doctor says I can play this Saturday," the hulking stick man for Marv Koral's All-Stars told his wife of 37 years after his release from the facility Tuesday.

Ken McCall: Local zoo in more trouble: In addition, the privately owned Rancho Drive zoo has suffered a number of other problems:

Justices nix race-based voter lines: Robert Marquand; WASHINGTON -- In two sharply divided votes yesterday, the US Supreme Court continued a three-year trend in reducing race as a factor in creating voting districts - much-anticipated decisions that could alter federal, state, and local elections across the country.

'Utah': A heroic effort: Scott Dickensheets; Because Utah isn't Oklahoma, "Utah" isn't "Oklahoma!" -- no wind sweeping down the plains, no corn as high as an elephant's eye, no Rodgers, no Hammerstein.

60 years of Nevada Magazine: * WHERE: Clark County Heritage Museum, 1830 S. Boulder Highway, Henderson.

Columnist: Albert Belle confirms he's a ding-dong: My subsequent meetings with the Cleveland Indians slugger, however, proved our first encounter to be a fluke. They were closer to those of the fans he has beaned and chewed out, the photographer he hurt, the pitchers he has charged, the infielder he waylaid.

British TV had lock on 'Roadshow' before US debut: Christopher Andreae; GLASGOW -- The expert turns the antique music box around, inspecting it closely. "Before 1850" she suggests. "What one might call 'top of its range.' "

DMV aims for 7-minute service: Or think about getting title to a vehicle overnight instead of an eight-week wait.

'Cable Guy' plugs into questions about Jim Carrey phenomenon: David Sterritt; NEW YORK -- It's hard to think of a less glamorous subject than the guy who hooks up the TV cable in your living room. So if moviegoers flock to "The Cable Guy" this summer, as they surely will, the reason will probably be Jim Carrey in the title role.

Air Force plans 50th gala in LV: Robert Macy; Dubbed "Air Force Fifty," the five-day event will culminate with a two-day air show at Nellis Air Force Base featuring the Thunderbirds precision flight team and counterparts from eight foreign countries.

DA Drops Out of Judge Race Because of Custody Battle; Term Limits: "They have been holding up this divorce for over a year until this election," he said. "The bottom-line truth is they were using this race to hold me for ransom and I won't let them."

Fernley Woman Stabbed to Death; Grandson Injured: Sheriff's deputies said the suspect, who was wearing a ski mask, entered the apartment around 4:30 p.m.

Guzman sentenced in bar scam: Bill Gang; In six of the more than 10 incidents, Guzman made off with more than $1,500, which he admitted went for drugs.

Radio station to fill up gas tanks: KLUC 98.5-FM is calling its "Gas Blast" an alternative to the skyrocketing cost of fuel since January.

Anesthesiologists criticize contract: Art Nadler; "We could save the university $438,000 a year," one local anesthesiologist, who requested anonymity, said. "That's the advantage of competitive bidding. They (the hospital) said they would take our name and number and send us an invitation to bid. But we never got anything. We can't even get in the ball game."

Medical troubles: * CHAIR RESIGNS: Dr. Stephen Newmark, Chair of the department of internal medicine in Las Vegas, resigns effective April 1 because of a disagreement with Dean Robert Daughtery.

Hard Rock founder to pursue gaming: Peter Morton, who will continue to own and operate the $100 million Hard Rock hotel-casino in Las Vegas, sold the global franchise of the Hard Rock Cafes to The Rank Organisation Plc, a British company that already owns the rights to the Hard Rock in the eastern half of the United States and some international properties.

Gaming Control Board Chief of Enforcement Stepping Down: "All in all, it's been the best six years of my life," Asher said, adding that he will relax at a cabin in northern Nevada before seeking a casino company job early next year.

NAACP encouraged in fight with city: The NAACP opposed changes made to the four council wards because it created a 44-percent minority district with a median income of $22,900.

Violence in Burundi forces Red Cross exit: Joyce Hackel; NAIROBI, KENYA -- Exiles from the crisis in Burundi now include the expatriate staff of the International Committee of the Red Cross.

Vann: The bane of better schooling: New York, like most states, wants meaningful change in its public school systems. Committees are busily writing new curricula, and the state education department is promoting new "frameworks" to refocus instruction. New and tougher statewide assessments at both elementary and secondary levels are in the pipeline, and standards for getting a high school diploma are being raised.

ADA needs sensible approach: Disabled people have the same right to enter stores and other businesses as anyone else. They should not be barred because of something they have no control over.

Where I Stand: A special day for Old Glory: Some of us believe Old Glory should be treated with respect and not be used as a door mat or burned in anger during demonstrations. The American Legion has called for an amendment to the Constitution to protect it. Others believe that to deny people the opportunity to desecrate the flag is an infringement upon the freedom of speech protected by the First Amendment. Our U.S. Supreme Court has come down on the side of the flag-burners.

Cyberspace free speech battle not over yet: Laurent Belsie; PITTSBURGH -- It's a question that won't go away: How do you protect free speech on the Internet while keeping its seamier side from children?

Crews worry parched land prime for fire: It's not even Fourth of July and already two uncontrolled fires blazed Thursday in the Spring Mountains west of Las Vegas.

Bring in that family heirloom and prepare to be surprised: Scott Baldauf; CONCORD, MASS. -- Dust off your Aunt Sadie's favorite chair - better move Aunt Sadie first. She may be sitting on a fortune.

Busch series interested in Las Vegas: It's not official yet -- in auto racing, it seems nothing ever is. But it would appear the new Las Vegas Motor Speedway is in line to host a NASCAR Busch Grand National Series event next spring.

$3 million in crime-fighting grants awarded: Art Nadler; The state was awarded $2.2 million Thursday under the Edward Byrne Memorial Formula Grant Program, which with a previous grant of $1.2 million, brings the total to $3.4 million.

One big win down, three to go for Stars: But it didn't hurt.

Report rips state fund: This disparity could lead to a legal challenge that Nevada students are not being treated equally, says a consulting team studying the state's educational system.

Federal judge bows out of lawsuit over ballot names: U.S. District Judge Lloyd George on Thursday denied the immediate relief sought by Republican congressional candidate Michael Schaefer because the Nevada Supreme Court is already examining the issue.

You oughta know: Alanis doesn't sink at Aladdin: David Renzi; * She won four Grammys (including Album of the Year).

Parched Southern Nevada Land Prime for Forest Fires: There were 66 wildfires in southern Nevada in 1995. So far this year, the Spring Mountains have had 11 blazes and firefighters have responded to 29 calls.

Then it's agreed: Germans can stop agreeing: Ruth Walker; BONN -- The tectonic plates underlying German society are shifting.

Schorr: New NATO appeases Europe, Russia, and US: Back in 1949, when we were all young, including the cold war, I watched the North Atlantic Treaty Organization being created. Its purpose, pithily summed up by the British Lord Ismay, NATO's first secretary general, was, "to keep the Russians out, the Americans in, and the Germans down."

Car sought in hit-run injuring boy: The boy was heading east across Decatur Boulevard at the Nebraska Avenue intersection about 1 p.m. Thursday when he was hit after failing to yield to southbound traffic.

Yeltsin tries to run a divided Russia with red scare: Peter Ford; MOSCOW -- The last five years of democratic reforms in Russia - changes that have transformed the world - are on the line Sunday, as voters go to the polls in presidential elections that a Communist could well win.

Juror's actions stall sentencing in tourist's killing: Bill Gang; District Judge Sally Loehrer was to decide today whether to declare a mistrial in the penalty portion of the trial over the slaying of Canadian tourist Roger Champagne.

Man Sentenced to Life in Prison with No Parole for Killing Canadian Tourist: Patrick Randle, a former Henderson resident, was convicted last week of first-degree murder with a deadly weapon for fatally shooting Roger Champagne on March 24, 1994.

FBI raid shuts down phone firm: Cathy Scott; The employees were not charged with telemarketing offenses after the raids Thursday. They were arrested on outstanding warrants for other offenses, said FBI special agent Paul Clayton.

Poems bring writer's dad into focus: Merilyn Potters; That's how Sue Hecht relates to her father, who died nine years ago.

Dole hedges stand on effort to curb affirmative action: Daniel Sneider; SAN FRANCISCO -- Two years ago, a popular ballot initiative against illegal immigration helped to boost the campaign of Republican Gov. Pete Wilson, carrying him to a second term in office. Governor Wilson hoped that an initiative measure against affirmative-action programs would work the same magic this year, drawing California voters to back the Republican nominee for president.

Summit lists 'greatest hits' that solve urban problems: Meghan Cox Gurdon; ISTANBUL -- The chief innovation to come out of the United Nations "city summi" in Istanbul, which ends today, may be a kind of "greatest hits" list of urban planning.

Body found in northwest LV: Metro Police officers were sent to the 8500 block of North Buffalo Drive near Farm Road at 5:53 p.m. Thursday after a caller reported finding the corpse in the desert area.

Fired state worker to get job back: Nellie J. Marion was ordered reinstated with back pay and benefits to November 1995 as program assistant in the state Department of Occupational Safety and Health by a hearing officer who found there was insufficient evidence to justify her dismissal.

City may create new position: The request will come before the City Council at its regular meeting Wednesday.

Monkees business: David Renzi; They sat three abreast on a couch interview after interview, fielding question after question with candor and humor. It was no "see no evil, hear no evil, speak no evil" situation with these Monkees.

Panel rejects school bond: Jeff Schweers; The Debt Management Commission was two votes shy Thursday of the number needed to put the question to voters Nov. 5. The panel said it would only authorize Part A, a $643 million package.

Stars vs. Firebirds game details: E--Tredaway. DP--Las Vegas 1, Tucson 1. LOB--Las Vegas 2, Tucson 9. 2B--Tredaway, Woods. S--Soderstrom 2. CS--P.Smith.

LV isn't quite ready for Major League Soccer: Steve Carp; For now, Las Vegas will have to settle for being a place where you can bet on MLS and watch matches on television.

Man faces counts of murder, cop attack: Bill Gang; Kareem Ali Brock, 21, pleaded not guilty in that case and a second attempted murder case alleging he shot a man in a dispute over a dice game.

Former Control Board agent indicted for cheating casinos: A Washoe County grand jury indicted the suspects on a total of 23 counts this week after hearing testimony from 18 witnesses.

Trump planning casino yacht in Atlantic City: John Curran; The five-story, 430-foot yacht, which he said would be the world's biggest, would have 35,000 square feet of casino space on three levels and would be moored permanently at the Sen. Frank S. Farley State Marina, located next door to Trump Castle.

Shakespearean lovers flock to Utah for festival: Founder Fred Adams remembers all too well that first summer in 1961 when wooden crates served as balconies.

Michael Jordan gets ready for a financial slam-dunk: James L. Tyson; CHICAGO -- Even as the NBA finals rage around him, Michael Jordan has alighted from his slam-dunk heaven long enough to initiate another jaw-dropping feat.

New Caesars venue blends food, magic: Bob Shemeligian; THE classic line from the poet Ralph Waldo Emerson must have been echoing in the minds of the designers and architects behind Caesars Magical Empire, which opens Tuesday at Caesars Palace.

Dole shifts to center - will his party follow?: Linda Feldmann; WASHINGTON -- In Nixonian fashion, Bob Dole is trying to reposition himself - and the Republican Party - toward a more moderate image that will broaden GOP appeal in November.

Falcons make comeback in America's urbanm jungle: Lucian Kim; BOSTON -- The peregrine falcon, endangered since the 1960s, is making a comeback - in urban America.

PSC report targets power restructuring: The Nevada Public Service Commission approved on a 4-1 vote Thursday night its interim order and a report focusing on ways to benefit the small state's position as giant neighboring California presses to spur power sales on the open market.

LV districts may withstand high court ruling: Rachael Levy; The court, in two 5-4 decisions, ruled Thursday that race cannot be the primary factor in drawing district boundaries.

Lake Tahoe making pitch to S. Nevada: "Our research showed us that there's a great opportunity there, particularly in the summer," said Skip Sayre, executive director of the Lake Tahoe Visitors Authority.

Big Time basketball tourney coming back to LV: Bob Cloud; The tournament featuring top AAU prep basketball teams will be held July 18-23 at Durango and Cimarron-Memorial high schools. For the second consecutive year, Adidas will serve as the tournament title sponsor.

Tyrell: F-1, Las Vegas fine fit: Karl Heinz Urbat; But Ken Tyrell's appreciation for history tells him it should be Las Vegas.

Nevada Magazine makes mark: Lisa Sciortino; And done it, in recent years at least, with the help of colorful, scenic photos. However, early editions of the magazine are a far cry from the snappy, picture-laden travel publication we know today.

DUI conviction draws 8-20 years: Bill Gang; Alan Dale Spencer, 41, whose blood-alcohol level was 0.29 percent, or nearly three times the 0.10 percent level to prove drunken driving, also was injured and had to be brought into court in a wheelchair.

Phillips: What medicare reform plan?: The new Medicare Trustees' report once again brings home how out of kilter the whole system is. Rather than try to solve the problem, however, the Clinton administration would hide it by reallocating Medicare expenditures from the Hospital Insurance (HI) trust fund - which by law must be solvent to pay benefits - to Medicare's Supplementary Medical Insurance (SMI) program, where general revenues automatically plug any funding gap, no matter how large. There, presumably, the spending will vanish in the sea of other budgetary red ink.