Print edition for August 15, 1997

'Little Miss" contestants take trophies: Girls from all over the country competed in the pageant at the Sheraton World Resort.

Itatani paintings on display: The Charleston Heights Arts Center, 800 S. Brush, is open from 1-9 p.m. Monday and Thursday; 10 a.m.-9 p.m. Tuesday and Wednesday; 10 a.m.-6 p.m. Friday; 9 a.m.-5 p.m. Saturday; and 1-5 p.m. Sunday. For more information, call 229-4631.

Las Vegas cost of living up slightly: Five categories within First Security Bank's report had increases while three had fractional decreases. The bank's calculations are based on a weighted average determined by spending patterns of a typical family budget.

Dean was 'clean' at time of hire: Eddie Washington, a dean at Eldorado High School who is in charge of student discipline, is charged in Illinois with six counts of forgery, four counts of official misconduct and two counts of theft under $100,000 -- all felonies.

PCL standings: Second Half

Sale of guns links murder suspects: Cathy Scott; Metro Police have identified three suspects whom they believe worked together in three killings over four months "for the thrill of it," homicide Sgt. Ken Hefner said. In at least one case, the gunmen laughed as they fired at a victim.

Vets criticize CAT service to clinic: Andy Holtmann; Citizen's Area Transit buses make hourly stops near the intersection. For someone who misses a bus, the waiting time could reach up to two hours, a clinic official said.

Slot cheat accomplice enters guilty plea: Harris pleaded guilty to four counts of cheating and a hearing is set on his plea Sept. 23 in Washoe District Court. He's also awaiting trial on similar charges in New Jersey.

Desert Inn names new chief: Koster, who has been vice president and general manager for hotel operations at the DI, will now oversee all operations of the resort that's completing a $200 million renovation project.

Chief witness against Ted Binion in jail on outstanding warrants: Thomas Lee Woodward -- the gasoline station attendant who alleges suspended Horseshoe Club executive Ted Binion pulled a loaded shotgun on him -- knows all about that today.

1997 Las Vegas Stars Statistics through August 13th: 1997 Las Vegas Stars Statistics through August 13th

Box Score: Cannons 8, Stars 2: DP--Las Vegas 1, Calgary 3. LOB--Las Vegas 8, Calgary 11. 2B--Scarsone, D.G. Lee, Tolentino 2, Silva. 3B--Cromer. HR--Martinez (14), Cromer (7). SF--Marx. CS--Hajek.

Pollution board gives Rhodes Ranch ultimatum to pave dusty roads: The Clark County Air Pollution Control Hearing Board late Thursday gave Rhodes Ranch two weeks to stop raising dust at its construction site.

Saturday at Saratoga: 1st race 1 mi 1 fur 3YO Clm

Auto Racing leaders and standings through August 15th: The 1997 NASCAR Winston Cup stock car racing schedule, with winners in parentheses and driver point standings:

Westland Plaza to get neighbor: Denise Cardinal; The department has received at least two serious proposals for the development of land directly east of the two-year-old strip mall on West Owens Avenue that is owned by basketball legend Magic Johnson.

Video link to Las Vegas planned for Legislature: Lorne Malkiewich, Legislative Counsel Bureau director, said the new link, to be sent through broadcast lines similar to phone lines, will provide broadcast quality reception.

Changes run up school charges: Teresa Hinds; The School Board Thursday approved spending nearly $270,000 above original contracted costs at seven elementary, middle and high schools.

Sports books profit from Tyson: CARSON CITY -- When Mike Tyson bit the ear of World Boxing Association Champion Evander Holyfield, Nevada sports books got fat. The Gaming Control Board reported this week that sports books won $4.5 million on the June 28 fight, where Tyson was heavily favored. "It looks to me like they came out OK on the fight," said Control Board spokesman Russell Guindon. The $4.5 million is 506 percent higher than the winnings of a year ago, when there were no major fights in Las Vegas. The state report said the sports books won 21 percent of the money bet, up ...

Columnist Joe Delaney: Remembering the day the King died: Joe Delaney; Roberta, her son Scott (19) and our daughter Kathleen (12) were shopping while father was having a jar (pint of Guinness) in the bar of the Great Southern Hotel at the south end of Eyre Square, town center.

Little Al is stuck in big dry spell: But he was thinking about what a win would mean to him and the Penske team when his engine failed 100 yards from the final turn on Road America's four-mile road course in Elk hart Lake, Wis.

Nothing compares 2 her: Anne Hosier; To the list of topics that should never be discussed at the dinner table -- politics, sex and religion -- one might consider adding Irish pop musician Sinead O'Connor.

UPS strike keeps delivering blows to some area firms: Bob Shemeligian; However, most of them arrived slashed and empty.

ITT rejects takeover offer: Gary Thompson; Hilton's comments came after ITT directors unanimously opposed Hilton's increased bid Thursday, calling it "inadequate and not in the best interests of ITT shareholders."

Captain Picard turns villain and loves it: Jeanne Wolf; "I think it's high time that my image got fractured a little," he says. Stewart is obviously delighted at the prospect that his appearances in the thriller "Conspiracy Theory," opposite Mel Gibson and Julia Roberts, and the upcoming, action-filled "Masterminds," may finally give him some distance from Captain Jean Luc Picard.

Pal detailed Strohmeyer's play with girl: Bill Gang; But David Cash Jr. said he initially was concerned only "to a small degree" about the safety of Sherrice Iverson, who he said he saw in Strohmeyer's grasp in a women's restroom at a Primm casino.

Columnist Dean Juipe: History says NFL bettors need a 'dog: Dean Juipe; Quick advice: Play the favorites but take at least one underdog each week. Research from the last seven years, covering about 2,000 games, indicates a player who takes only favorites will finish about +15 for the season. That sounds good yet +15 is about seven or eight wins out of the money, so the sharp player needs to select -- and hit -- an underdog every week. ... American Golf has three nice courses in town but it's not above occasional criticism from local players. The latest example is a somewhat misleading ad that has been running in both Las ...

All the King's men remember the reign of Elvis: Lisa Ferguson; Duties aside, a common thread will forever link four Las Vegas residents: They were all the King's men.

'Sunset' star to drop in on auction: The Arthritis Foundation's mission is to support research to find the cure for and prevention of arthritis and to improve the quality of life for those affected by arthritis and serves more than 155,000 people in Southern Nevada. Tickets are $20 in advance and $30 at the door. To purchase tickets or for more information, call the Arthritis Foundation, 367-1626.

Elvis' bodyguard recalls his days as protector of a legend: Lisa Ferguson; That may have been what Elvis Presley originally hired Dick Grob to do when he enlisted his services as a bodyguard and chief of his security team three decades ago.

State's health bills put on back burner: The bills, amounting to more than $15 million, are owed to doctors, hospitals, dentists and other medical providers who treat state workers, dependents and retirees covered by state insurance.

Calgary roughs up Maddux in debut: Maddux, signed by the San Diego Padres on Tuesday after being released by the Seattle Mariners, gave up six runs on nine hits, walked six (one intentionally) and struck out five in the Stars' 8-2 loss to the Cannons.

Disaster relief may become available: The report will be ready for the governor when he returns this weekend from vacation.

Titus not giving up on ring around valley: Larry Henry; After meeting with county officials, Sen. Dina Titus concedes her plan to create growth boundaries around Las Vegas is on a rickety life support system -- but she still isn't ready to pull the plug.

'Party of Five' star at Motown: "Chicken Soup for the Teenage Soul" contains personal, inspiring stories by teens across the country. Among the contributing teens are Melissa Joan Hart and Jennie Garth. Bookstar will be on hand with copies for purchase.

Rebels unveil entertaining hoops schedule: Steve Carp; UNLV's basketball schedule for 1997-98 virtually is set pending some time changes for television. There are some entertaining matchups on the docket as well as plenty of national exposure for Bill Bayno's club, which is coming off an impressive 22-10 season and a trip to the NIT quarterfinals.

Sports history for Aug. 15: 1916 - In a classic pitching duel, Babe Ruth of the Boston Red Sox beats Walter Johnson of the Washington Senators 1-0 in 13 innings at Fenway Park.

Arts Factory reception slated: "Digital Works," a group exhibition of national and regional artists, features digital photography. On display in the CAC Gallery are the works of New York artists Barbara Kasten, Kathleen Ruiz, Eva Sutton and Oliver Wasow, and Los Angeles artist Joseph Santarromana. The exhibit is continued in the second-floor Smallworks Gallery with works by Nevada artists. CAC Gallery hours are noon-4 p.m. Wednesday-Sunday and 6-8 p.m. Wednesdays and Thursdays.

Republic buys Tom Coward dealership: Republic Industries Inc. said today it has signed definitive agreements to acquire Tom Coward Lincoln-Mercury and Kenyon Dodge of Clearwater, Fla., in separate transactions valued at an approximate total of $26 million.

Hughes may get adverse decision: Jeff Schweers; After hearing damaging testimony concerning the appraisal on which the Howard Hughes Corp. based its appeal, the Nevada Board of Equalization Thursday adjourned for a week "to come up with some guidelines" for recalculating the taxable value for the land, said Harry Schlegelmilch, the state attorney for the board.

Ralph Siraco's Selections For Del Mar: Selections made for clear racing conditions before scratches.

Seniors blame Metro for inadequate protection: Karen Zekan; About 50 seniors -- among them elderly burglary victims -- attended the coalition's monthly meeting Thursday at the Showboat hotel-casino.

Lobbyists and legislators comments on lobbyist spending: "Most of this comes from my going to receptions. I think they are valuable. They bring people together where they're not in an adversarial position. This is a people business and you have to get to know one another. ... And whatever amount is reported on me, I've always given that amount to charity. I don't make a splash about it. I just do it." - Sen. Mike Schneider, D-Las Vegas, second behind Sen. Ray Shaffer, D-North Las Vegas, with $889 in lobbyist spending on him.

Basketball clinics ready for tip-off: Ages 9-10 will meet at J.D. Smith Middle School, 1301 Tonopah Drive; Cashman Middle, 4622 W. Desert Inn Road; and Orr Middle, 1562 E. Katie Lane.

Jones a hit -- that's not unusual: Joe Delaney; Jones was backed by seven musical stalwarts: trumpet, trombone, sax, keyboards, guitar, bass guitar and drums. Three extremely talented and attractive singers were strong vocal backing. This was an almost formal Tom Jones with a black three-quarter length coat and trousers and open-neck ruffled white shirt. The opener's title escaped me. "Just Help Yourself" was more like it. A country song, "He Stopped Loving Her Today," was the first high spot.

King lives on in Vegas: Roddy Ragsdale was playing with his toys on the living room floor when word came over the television that Elvis Presley had died at age 42.

UNLV choral singers needed: The University Singers, a concert choir of 50 singers, rehearses 1:30 a.m.-12:20 p.m. Monday-Friday beginning Aug. 25, in preparation for concert, festival and tour appearances. The choir recently performed with the Boston Pops Orchestra at the MGM Grand and in New York's Carnegie Hall.

Columnist Muriel Stevens: Step right up for expert cooking lessons: Palace Court Executive Chef Laurent Tourondel will present a series of "exceptional culinary instruction classes," beginning Sept. 6. Tourondel is an energetic, personable chef with formidable skills. He will share tips and techniques while guiding the class on a culinary journey, teaching the basics of French cuisine and culture in his own personable style.

Metro canine rescuer will receive reward: Karen Zekan; A private citizen had put up the money after learning the dog was missing, and made the offer in hopes of getting Breston back home safe and sound.

Testimony begins in trial of accused double murderer: But defense lawyer Fred Pinkerton argued that authorities have no evidence that proves he killed the women.

Letter: Power company didn't cover actual loss from outage: Sad, isn't it?

Airline plans new New York-Las Vegas service: The round-trip fare, including the $25, will be $184.

Railroad worker killed: Jones, 54, worked as a switcher. His body was found pinned between the couplers of two railroad cars.

People in the News for August 15, 1997: Do the sports thing

Letter: Fremont St. contract change didn't make good sense: They said they needed this contractual change so that it would be easier for the city to settle with the property owners. After intense public pressure mounted, they scuttled their scheme.

Editorial: Veterans issues in spotlight: Not since the Vietnam War began winding down in the early 1970s have large numbers of disfigured soldiers returned home from overseas. The Persian Gulf War earlier this decade took less of a toll and therefore was less jarring to the general public.

UNLV Football begins first authentic preseason camp: Tim Graham; MESQUITE -- He saw what he reaped.

Obituaries for August 15, 1997: Margaret R. Bellman, 73, of Henderson, died Wednesday in a local hospital. She was born March 15, 1924, in Buffalo, N.Y. An 18-year resident, she was a homemaker.

Larry McKay new county Athletic Director: Larry McKay is the new athletic director of the Clark County School District.

Letter: Students are not listening when it comes to grammar: Name withheld

Letter: Tell officials to keep nuke waste out of Nevada: Guido Marzullo

Denton isn't thinking about NFL Draft -- yet: Tim Graham; MESQUITE -- Let's get it out of the way right now, before the first snap, pass or loss: Jon Denton does not want to enter the NFL Draft after the 1997 season, and he does not even think about a Heisman Trophy in his future.