Print edition for December 26, 1997

Lavin can relate to Bayno: Steve Carp; It would be understandable if Bill Bayno looked in the mirror and saw Steve Lavin. Or vice versa. The parallels are that close.

Earnhardt is committed to end his misery: Dick Brinster; Despite a career-worst 59-race losing streak, the seven-time Winston Cup champion insists he isn't about to quit, this year, next year or any time soon.

Ex-Rebels head for new heights: Steve Carp; They played together. They partied together. They roomed together.

Pamphlet being offered on high tech crime: Attorney General Frankie Sue Del Papa said Friday computer crime now costs American business up to $10 billion a year and by the year 2000 that figure could rise to as much as $200 billion.

Two unrelated fires cause $300,000 in damages: The fires caused one injury and resulted in $300,000 damage, said Steve La-Sky, spokesman for the fire department.

Man sought in Mississippi murder arrested in Reno: He initially was detained on three outstanding contempt warrants from Reno Municipal Court and on felony warrant for grand larceny and possession of stolen property.

Man charged with murder after alleged struggle leaves one dead: The name of the 18-year-old man found dead from gunshot wounds in the parking lot at that location was not released pending notification of relatives.

1998 NASCAR Winston Cup Schedule: 1998 NASCAR Winston Cup Schedule

0-9 Lady Rebels to battle UConn: "At this point in time, it's probably the worst timing in America," UNLV head coach LaDonna McClain said of the matchup with the perennial powerhouse of women's college basketball.

Work expected to start in 1998 on new library, parking garage: The 1997 Legislature approved spending $32.8 million on the library and the Lied Foundation pledged another $15 million to help build and equip the facility.

Northeastern Nevada airports getting facelifts: Jim Kikumoto, director of gaming at Cactus Petes, is urging Elko County commissioners to undertake an economic feasibility study for upgrading the Jackpot airport, the Elko Daily Free Press reported.

County falls behind in billings to curb emissions: In August, the offset-credit program for 1996 was out of balance by $1.1 million, the Las Vegas Review-Journal reported Friday.

Columnist Scott Dickensheet: Collector's item! Timeless classic! Year-end bonus!: Scott Dickensheet; SCOTT'S COLUMN, THE YEAR IN REVIEW

LV continues quest for London flights: Great Britain's Civil Aviation Authority approved British Airways' plan for non-stop daily service between London's Gatwick Airport and Denver International Airport. In choosing that bid, the agency -- the British equivalent of America's Federal Aviation Administration -- rejected Virgin Atlantic's plan to provide twice-a-week service to Las Vegas.

Commissioner unhappy with scheduled date of hearing: Jeff Schweers; Hunt, a Republican, is up for re-election to a second term on the County Commission, but has reportedly told several people she will for lieutenant governor.

Inmate civil-rights suits decrease but ACLU say problems still exist: Del Papa said this week that despite an inmate population of 8,000 prisoners -- up 11 percent from 7,183 in 1996 -- the number of suits her office defended in the last 18 months has declined by 43 percent to 258 cases.

Editorial: Insurance plan delay makes sense: Nevada Check Up was proposed by Gov. Bob Miller as a way to meet the health needs of many of the state's uninsured children.

People in the News for Dec. 26, 1997: Briefly:

Columnist Dean Juipe: Thunder trip has but three explanations: Dean Juipe; It's called the Thunder and it plays in the International Hockey League.

LV's Joe Williams an integral part of Kennedy Center Honors: Trude B. Feldman; And in the middle of all the hoopla surrounding the event was Las Vegas resident and legendary singer Joe Williams, who was the main attraction for the post-gala event, which took place on Dec. 7.

Minimum wage hike just small change: Martin Kuz; By 4:30 p.m., Sybil Meraz is sandwiched out. The rolls, the meats and cheeses, the condiments. They are all her enemy.

Columnist Sal DeFilippo: Rolling Stones tour a good sign for 49ers: Sal DeFilippo; John Elway's arm, for example. And Jimmy Johnson's hairspray. John Madden's mouth. The Rolling Stones.

Holyfield-Tyson bout most lucrative of '97: Ed Schuyler Jr; Mike Tyson, who made his mark in boxing by becoming the youngest heavyweight champion in history at age 20 in 1986, left his mark on Evander Holyfield in 1997.

Carson Valley groundwater generally safe to drink: "Using current drinking water standards as a measure of overall water quality, groundwater quality in principal aquifers in the upper basin generally is good," the USGS report said.

Authorities identify teen who was killed in shooting: Homicide detective Sgt. Kevin Manning said Metro Police will apply for a warrant today for the arrest of Danilo Legaspi, 36, on charges of murder with a deadly weapon.

Fewer inmates filing frivolous civil rights lawsuits: The number of such cases filed monthly has dropped from a high of 457 in June of 1995 to 258 in November, a 44 percent decline. During the same period, the number of inmates rose from 7,315 to about 8,500, a 16 percent increase.

Weekend Cards: Bam Promotions has former light heavyweight champ Montell Griffin in its main event tonight at The Orleans. Griffin, 28-1, will face Jesus Castaneda, 15-15. A full bout card was not made available. For those interested but unable to attend, KSHP AM 1400 will broadcast the card at 7:30 p.m.

Movie Guys: This 'Postman' doesn't even knock once: Jeff; * Starring: Kevin Costner, Olivia Williams, Will Patton and Tom Petty.

Entertainment Guide: LANCE BURTON -- 7:30 and 10:30 p.m., dark Monday-Tuesday, Monte Carlo's Lance Burton Theater, 730-7000. Tickets: $34.95 and $39.95.

GPS is a common tool and a hot Christmas seller in United States: First developed by the U.S. military, GPS was introduced to the general population nearly a decade ago. But easier-to-use systems and lower costs have spurred sales in the past few years.

Make a date with '98: Choices, choices, choices.

Preps: Girls' Soccer Notes: Steve Cunningham; Eldorado will host its second-annual Lady Devils Soccer Classic, beginning Monday morning. Twelve teams are in the field and the championship is set for Tuesday at 2 p.m. Play will be held at the school on the main soccer field, and the football and auxiliary fields.

Details scope of hearing in January: When Atkinson Gates failed to show up at her own ethics hearing in November, her lawyers argued they hadn't been given sufficient notice about the subject matter. Attorneys Kathleen England and Richard Segerblom pushed the Ethics Commission to specify the topic of her Jan. 22 ethics hearings.

32 teams begin play in hoops tournament: Steve Cunningham; Tom Farnsworth realizes the Reebok Holiday Prep Classic is a tough act to follow.

Rappin' with Rudner: Shane Gammon; Well your holiday wish is here: That "Born to be Mild" comedian, Rita Rudner, will perform in the Sahara hotel-casino's Congo Showroom at 8:30 p.m. today through Jan. 2.

Holiday stress push many to the edge: Karen Zekan; But not every home is happy. For countless souls, the holidays bring nothing but the blues.

Arum takes De La Hoya out of Caesars, moves bout to Texas: Dean Juipe; For example, promoter Bob Arum says his Feb. 28 card that features Oscar De La Hoya has been moved from Las Vegas to El Paso, Texas.

Homeowners associations may find help in ombudsman coming in July: That's when the state is supposed to fill the newly created position of ombudsman for homeowners associations.

Columnist Brian Hilderbrand: Payton sees sweet future for race team: Walter Payton is eagerly anticipating the 1998 CART season opener in much the same way he looked forward to the opening of the NFL season during his Hall of Fame career with the Chicago Bears.

Search for driver who tried to run down officer: Police say a patrol officer observed a suspicious truck and learned the license plate was reported stolen. With the assistance of a backup unit, the officer approached the vehicle on foot.

Saturday at Golden Gate: 1st race 6 fur Fil 3YO Clm

Teen murder suspect gets to spend Christmas at home: Bill Gang; In a Christmas Eve decision, District Judge Don Chairez released Chadwick without bail -- although with the requirement that he be closely watched by authorities -- until the murder case can be sorted out by a jury.

District Attorney to decide if charges warranted in death of woman: The van was driven by Jeff Weitzman, 39.

Gordon, NASCAR led way in '97: Mike Harris; Auto racing in 1997 can be summed up in a name: Jeff Gordon.

Columnist Joe Delaney: Rodney gets respect: Joe Delaney; Dangerfield is updated Henny Youngman with a rougher version of all the usual family, growing up, wife and children jokes. Like Youngman, there is always one or two new lines that we have to write down as worth saving. Rodney knows his audience, his timing is on the mark, his material below borderline good taste. In fairness to Rodney, the lady next to me laughed longer and harder than her husband did.

Saturday at Santa Anita: 1st race 6 fur 3YO Clm

Annual Census Bureau stats reflect state's growth: About 100 new topics were added for the current edition - the 117th - allowing the bureau to chart, for example, Internet use for the first time. In the spring of this year, the abstract reveals, between 5 percent and 6 percent of households with incomes under $30,000 accessed the Internet in the previous 30 days. That compared with 27 percent of households with incomes of $50,000 or more.

17-year-old was shot taking a break at fast food restaurant: Witnesses said a man approached on a bicycle and the two started arguing.

Justice Department representative tours jail: Cathy Scott; A representative with the District Attorney's office joined the lawyer, from Washington, D.C., on the tour Tuesday as the Justice Department prepared for next month's inspection of the 12-story facility on Casino Center Drive downtown.

American accused of espionage in Russia home for the holidays: Then his father, Robert, made it through the crowd to deliver a long-promised hug. Asked how that felt, the teary-eyed elder Bliss replied: "Better than I ever thought it would."

Las Vegas Prep Championship: At Las Vegas Main Gym

Business allowed to do own environmental policing: It will lead to better and faster compliance with Nevada's regulations on air and water pollution and solid waste, supporters say.

Saturday at Aqueduct: 1st race 6 fur 3YO&up F&M Mdn

Where I Stand: Dyanna Whitaker - Wide range of issues debated during Youth Forum's 'Teen Topics': The panel assembled students from all over the valley with different backgrounds and social status, allowing every side to be discussed. At times, it became rather tedious; as one student remarked, "We're just beating a dead horse. Let's move on." But everyone was anxious to add to the discussion, to share their insight with fellow peers who may or may not feel the same. It gave them the opportunity to voice their opinions about the situations affecting their lives and their surroundings.

Luxor to emerge from darkness New Year's Eve: Bob Shemeligian; At night, there was far less fanfare. That's because the 30-story black pyramid seemed to disappear into the darkness.