Print edition for December 18, 1997

Chris Gizzi overcomes poor eyesight to shine: Tim Graham; Chris Gizzi never will fly off into the wild, blue yonder. He never will break the sound barrier. He never will pilot a bombing mission.

NAACP president hopes for a deal before eviction: Cathy Scott; The Rev. James Rogers, president of the local branch of the National Association for the Advancement of Colored People, said he is hopeful he can negotiate with David Phillips, attorney for Operation Life, which has been inactive as a nonprofit for at least seven years.

Area wrestlers not at risk: Steve Cunningham; Wrestling is a sport that is embraced almost fanatically by its participants, but largely ignored by the rest of the world.

Mining contractor to lay off 80: Newmont's decision was made in the wake of low gold prices, Newmont Vice President and General Manager Tom Enos said.

Discipline board wants justice to change opinion: The high court, on a 3-1 vote on Oct. 1, upheld the commission's decision removing Davis from office in 1995.

One arrested, others investigated in alleged school-shooting plot: A joint investigation by police and the Lyon County Sheriff's Office turned up shotgun and handgun ammunition in the arrested youth's backpack. No weapons were found on campus, though several, believed to belong to the boy's father, were found at his home.

Wildlife Chief Willie Molini to retire next year: Molini, 51, appointed head of the agency 17 years ago by Gov. Bob List, has not been immune to controversy during his tenure.

Parents upset over needle at school: Teresa Hinds; The boy is now undergoing inoculation shots for hepatitis B and testing for HIV.

Ralph Siraco's Selections For Hollywood Park: Selections made for clear racing conditions before scratches.

Gaming Board approves Nigro to run Maxim in Vegas -- files complaint against owner: And immediately after the meeting, the board filed a complaint against Maxim owner John Anderson, accusing him of violating state regulations by siphoning off more than $1 million in cash and stock from the resort, which is part of a tangled bankruptcy case.

Dial File: New faces a power surge to flagging networks: Blunt, perhaps, but that sums up a refreshing network trend: the pursuit of new faces. Well, new to series TV, anyway.

Nevada Focus: 13-year-old with AIDS has gift for public speaking: "Mom! Mom! I need help," she yells, summoning Patricia Broadbent to the dining room table.

People in the News for December 18, 1997: Sales pitch

Editorial: British panel shoots down direct travel: Britain's Civil Aviation Authority turned down a request Wednesday from Virgin Atlantic Airways for a London to Las Vegas flight, instead allowing rival British Airways to start a nonstop flight to from London to Denver.

Decision on Genoa Post Office site: The two opponents favored a site in the center of town, but one lot that was available there was too expensive - $300,000 - and an available building would have required extensive work to make it suitable.

Where I Stand--Brian Greenspun: Saddam's promises could turn into big problems: When Houston had a problem, it was real, understandable and, fortunately, within the capability of the United States to find and implement a solution to salvage the lives of the astronauts and the future of the NASA space program. And, just like the cavalry in olden days, the brilliant and creative minds of the U.S. space program rode to the rescue -- on national television no less.

Tahoe agency won't exempt small boat engines from phaseout: And the agency will oversee research next summer that could answer questions about the relative contribution of smaller engines on the amount of gasoline pollution caused by two-stroke engines at the lake.

SUN Board: Community events, meetings, classes: Special interest

Castaldi set to run new Channel 5 news: Steve Bornfeld; In April, after her contract with KVBC Channel 3 expires, Castaldi will leave the airwaves and go behind the scenes to become Channel 5's news director. A non-compete clause -- a standard practice in television -- in her Channel 3 contract prohibits her from appearing on a competing station for a year. It doesn't faze her.

Miller announces 22 percent SIIS rate reduction: "It's a great day for SIIS and for employers," Miller told reporters, noting the system was insolvent in 1992 with a $2.2 billion debt.

Elko School Superintendent praised by school board: Board members also noted that Bandera again has not asked for a pay raise.

Rios murder suspect returned to Nevada: Cathy Scott; Jacobsen, who also goes by John Flowers, was returned to Las Vegas Wednesday and booked into the Clark County Detention Center and charged with the murder of 20-year-old Ginger Rios, a dancer and singer, according to homicide Sgt. Kevin Manning. He was placed in protective custody at the jail where he was being held without bail, a jail spokeswoman said today.

Heller asks candidates to disclose donations: The official filing period for candidates is not until May 4-18. The election is Nov. 3.

'Deadbeat dad' loses state job following non-support conviction: Mantik, who faces sentencing Jan. 26 on the felony charge, had been working at a prison medical facility, training inmates on how to become dental technicians.

IHL recaps for Dec. 17, 1997: KALAMAZOO, Mich.--Goalie Manny Fernandez made 43 saves to help the Michigan K-Wings (12-10-6) to a 3-1 win over the Orlando Solar Bears (16-10-5) Wednesday at Wings Stadium. Fernandez, making his first start since being assigned from the NHL's Dallas Stars, had a shutout going until Kevin Smyth slipped in a goal on a power play at 17:57 of the third period. Petr Buzek and John Emmons scored to wrap up the game for Michigan in the first period. Chris Tancill capped the win with a power play goal at 3:46 of the second. Orlando goalie Scott LaGrand faced 35 shots ...

Columnist Jeff German: Lee ready to challenge Sheriff Keller in 1998 race: The 61-year-old Lee, a former Metro cop and assistant chief investigator in the district attorney's office, says he'll make a formal announcement in February.

Undercover officer shot by fellow cop: Cathy Scott; A Metro Police officer was in fair condition this morning after being accidentally shot late Wednesday by a fellow officer during a planned undercover drug buy, Sgt. Jim Young said.

Nevada Wage Survey released: Or you might think about a job as an engineering manager or a veterinarian.

Celebrity fair soon will be making another run: Lisa Ferguson; At least a big part of it, as long as you owned a television during the '80s.

IHL Standings as of December 17, 1997: Northeast Division

IHL recaps for Dec. 16, 1997: Milwaukee Admirals 4, Cincinnati Cyclones 3 (SO)

Obituaries for December 18, 1997: He is survived by his wife, Arlene A.; two sons, Kenley Anderson and Glen Anderson, both of Las Vegas; and nine grandchildren.

Columnist Joe Delaney: Concert production hard work but great fun: Joe Delaney; He must have been given a good grade in class because I was given an upgrade on the room. ... Friday morning, we directed a free concert for 4,500 school children in the Civic Plaza with two youthful mariachi groups, the Ballet Folklorico de San Juan and a local folklorico group.

McCarran traffic up in November, still off for the year: Scheduled carriers reported 2.1 million passengers in November. Southwest Airlines, the largest carrier at McCarran with 30 percent of the local market, reported a 1.7 percent increase.

Color blind love: Anne Hosier; Bill and Janet Lovelace were waiting at the hospital to see the newborn daughter they were planning to adopt, when their attorney gave them what he believed to be some important news.

Buyer of LV apartments called a good operator: Because lease agreements take precedence over sales contracts, the residents of the 15,116 units Oasis controls in the Southern Nevada market should be protected in the short term, a spokeswoman for the Nevada Apartment Association said.

Disaster fund has to last, panel warns: The lawmakers said a final decision on the requests will be made by the Legislature's Interim Finance Committee when it meets Jan. 14.

Jurors mulling ex-judge's future: After listening to two hours of instructions on the law Wednesday from U.S. District Judge Lloyd George, the seven-woman, five-man jury deliberated for about five hours before being sent home for the night.

Denton feels Stubbs absence: Tim Graham; With mere days left on the 1997 calendar, Jon Denton looked forward to turning the page and putting a troubling year behind him.

Ensign: Fuel, not vehicles, cause of LV pollution problems: Larry Henry; The vehicles aren't the culprit, he says. The gas in the tank is what dirties the air.

Cocktail waitresses join pregnancy suit against Strip hotel: Jennifer Jones and Pilar Martinez, both employees of the Imperial Palace, were to file motions to intervene in a class-action suit that was filed Sept. 29 by the Equal Employment Opportunity Commission.

Demonstration of hazardous materials plan sought: Jeff Schweers; Clark County Commissioner Myrna Williams and Las Vegas Mayor Jan Laverty Jones have asked for a demonstration of the county's hazardous materials management plan.

Dersch faces sentence as habitual criminal: Bill Gang; Dersch may be facing a minimum five-year prison sentence if Deputy District Attorney Bill Hehn is successful in having District Judge Donald Mosley declare the defendant a habitual criminal.

Mojave Desert Preserve funds given to water district: State Sen. Ray Rawson, R-Las Vegas, who along with Senate Majority Leader William Raggio support the preserve, presented the funds to Board President Myrna Williams in Las Vegas this week.

Hawaiian senator opposes casino tax: Larry Henry; Since then Southern Nevada has thrived, but the area's economic health could be threatened, said Inouye, a Democratic senator from Hawaii, if Congress passes a national tax on casinos.

Box score: Cyclones 4, Thunder 1: Second Period -- 2, Marrow 6 (Simon, Roberts), 5:54. Penalties:Labelle, Cincinnati (boarding), 9:03; Christian, Las Vegas (roughing), 15:38; Yerkovich, Las Vegas (roughing), 15:38; Linden, Las Vegas, (fighting), 15:38; Biggs, Cincinnati (fighting, roughing), 15:38; Labelle, Cincinnati (roughing), 15:38; Dionne, Cincinnati (slashing), 15:38; Lefebvre, Las Vegas (slashing), 16:23; Broten, Cincinnati (slashing), 16:23; Casselman, Cincinnati (roughing) 17:18; Christian Las Vegas (slashing), 19:08.

DOE stops nuke shipments to Nevada Test Site: The DOE reacted to a storm of criticism from Nevada's two senators, Harry Reid and Richard Bryan, both Democrats, and Gov. Bob Miller, who called for an immediate halt to burial operations at the Test Site and a thorough investigation of the DOE's practices.

UNLV devours overmatched Chicago State: Steve Carp; You've heard UNLV coach Bill Bayno talking about fool's gold when it comes to shooting 3-pointers.

Rout offers easy transition for duo.: THE NUMBERS: UNLV equalled its season-high with 22 assists Wednesday. The Rebels also had 22 vs. Loyola Marymount. ... The 22 turnovers committed by Chicago State was an opponent season-high and t; Nobody was expecting any miracles Wednesday, and none materialized.

Entertainment complex planned for Fremont Street: Denise Cardinal; The block in question is bordered by the Fremont Street Experience mall, Las Vegas Boulevard, Ogden Street and Fourth Street and hasn't had a tenant on its Fremont Street frontage for a year.

Reebok prep tourney tip off Friday with 22 games: Steve Cunningham; That bountiful buffet of high school basketball -- the Reebok Holiday Prep Classic -- is set to open in less than 24 hours, with its usual impressive field sure to entertain hoops junkies over the course of five days.

Woman sent to jail to await judge's sentencing decision: Bill Gang; The prison stay ordered Wednesday by District Judge Lee Gates for Veronica Venditti is to provide a better picture of the woman that the judge said had "real emotional, mental problems."

Postal worker saves Vegas man from fire: Eddie Dozier said he was delivering mail on his route at 4 p.m. Wednesday in the southeast area of the valley when he saw smoke coming from a house.

Gaels put Canadiens in deep freeze: Bishop Gorman proved to be an inhospitable host to its Canadian visitors, using 23 points from Dinard Taylor in a 90-28 whipping of Carihi.

Lady Rebels find offense, misplace defense: UNLV women's basketball coach LaDonna McClain said she is beginning to see the results of her players' hard work.

Columnist Dean Juipe: Crisis settled as Arum goes with Campas: Dean Juipe; But when the World Boxing Council welterweight champion is out of the ring, the pressure reverts to Bob Arum.

Columnist Dean Juipe: HBO leads Naseem Hamed's bandwagon: Dean Juipe; It's a plan with at least three steps.

Columnist John McCarron: A 270 in last game lifts Starks to 1st senior win: John McCarron; Other top places: third, Anthony Marine 1186, $95; fourth, Harold Allen 1158, $80; fifth, Roy Ferg 1118, $65; sixth, Nick Gampietro 1096, $45; seventh, Roy Meadows 1086, $40. The Super Senior winners were Orrie Smith and Ron Kolch, 1049, $40 each. Anthony Marine and Harold Allen (2344) took the doubles title ($90).