Print edition for December 31, 1997

'The Boxer': Seeking Hope Amid Ulster's Suffering: Janet Maslin; In his third splendid collaboration with Daniel Day-Lewis (including "My Left Foot"), Sheridan returns to the politics of Northern Ireland and takes a markedly different stance about the Troubles. Though Day-Lewis plays a man dealing with imprisonment as he did in Sheridan's "In the Name of the Father," this more reflective and mature film sees a bigger picture.

Box Score: Lady Rebels 86, LMU 60: UNLV (80)

Man arrested for ripping off sheriff's association: Mayrson, 51, of Carson-based Sterling Publications and Productions, allegedly skipped town in April. The association's annual basketball fund-raiser, pitting deputies against Oakland Raiders football players, had to be canceled.

Bartender's Jury Deliberates Weapons Charges: He said he and his brother sold a weapon to make a down payment on a pickup truck. Prosecutors allege he and two others made the weapons for intended use against the federal government.

Babbitt issues proposed Colorado River rules: The plan would have a major impact on booming southern Nevada, which currently uses about 215,000 acre-feet of its annual 300,000-acre-foot allocation from the Colorado.

A Russian Debunks The Bard: Peter Ford; But here, in the cramped apartment he shares with his wife, cat, and a great many books, Mr. Gililov has thrown himself into the world of William Shakespeare.

Letter: Rodeo a blatant display of abuse; animals take back seat: During the time the rodeo was here, the SUN had numerous pictures and articles on this atrocious event. I guess it was no surprise the TV news media had to drag it out too! When the almighty dollar comes on the scene, compassion and respect for the animals take a back seat.

Air bag switch forms ready: In addition to the form authorizing the installation of an air bag switch, the motor vehicle offices have a brochure available titled "Air Bags and On-Off Switches: Information for an Informed Decision".

Jobless rate at lowest in 19 years: The state Department of Employment, Training and Rehabilitation said November's unemployment rate, down from 4.2 in October, was also lower than the national average of 4.6 percent. The state rate is at its lowest since August 1978.

High Noon for Ireland's 'Urban Cowboys': Kevin Rafter; DUBLIN, IRELAND -- It was less a "protest march" than a "protest trot" for those who came into Dublin city center during Christmas week to show their opposition to new regulations on horse ownership in Ireland that went into effect at the end of October.

Heller files campaign report: But Heller did not identified the office he will run for in the next election. There's a place on the reporting form for the candidate to list the office he or she will seek. Most candidates have filled it in. But Heller has left it blank.

Islamist Gangs Make Pakistanis Fight For Right to Party on New Year's Eve: Farhan Bokhari; ISLAMABAD, PAKISTAN -- Tonight, Americans will head for Times Square and parties to ring in the new year. But in Islamic Pakistan, New Year's Eve can be a divisive and controversial time.

Treasurer plays waiting game: Seale, a Republican, says he won't make an announcement until the end of January or in early February. But his top aide, Brian Krolicki, reported Wednesday he has raised $47,000 in campaign contributions to seek the office himself.

IHL recaps for Dec. 30, 1997: HOUSTON--The Long Beach Ice Dogs (22-13-5) moved up a notch in the IHL Southwest Division standings with Tuesday night's 4-3 shootout win over the first-place Houston Aeros. The tiebreaker loss, in front of a Compaq Center crowd of 7,224, kept Houston in front of the pack by one point going into a two-game set against third-place Utah. Dan Lambert scored at 8:23 of the third period to send the game to the tiebreaker, then netted the first of Long Beach's three shootout goals. Goalie Kay Whitmore, who made 27 saves for the Ice Dogs in regulation, stopped three of four ...

Letter: Christ left out of Christmas concert by Mathis at Hilton: I believe that calling this a Christmas concert was misleading, and it should have been billed as a winter singsong with Mathis. The Hilton cleverly left Christ out of Christmas with the Mathis show, and I think that this was very unfair to those who left homes and hotel rooms for this program.

Letter: Does letter writer believe fur is to be worn proudly?: If there really is such a creature as a Joyce Gantz, clearly she wears something proudly but fur is not the first thing that comes to mind.

Israel's Mothers Cry: 'Bring 'Em Home': Ilene R. Prusher; METULLA, ISRAEL -- The Javors have their dream house - a beautiful ranch with mountain views, two kids, and a dog.

Inglorious end for unwanted trees: When the need for the trees has passed, one can see local lots full of the once propped up symbolic trees lying in huge piles.

Editorial: Senior issues need spotlight: Nevada, which has the fastest-growing senior population in the nation, will be the host next month for Senate Special Committee on Aging hearings.

Bus driver charged in collision with taxi: Witnesses said the cab went under the bus and caught fire, but the bus driver managed to pull away from the burning vehicle.

Bliss: Life on hold until cleared of Russian espionage charge: "I won't come up with any other goals until that happens."

Man opens fire on Sparks police, is shot to death: The incident began when Sparks Fire Department paramedics responded to a two-car accident on Monday and were confronted by the gunman, who apparently caused the wreck with a sudden U-turn.

Crisis Hits Mr. & Mrs. Korea: Cameron W. Barr; TOKYO -- While Americans predict gleefully that East Asia's economic crises will bring a post-Christmas gift bag of cheaper imports, Choi Yun Soon is faced with a far different reality.

Snowy travel possible on New Year's Day: A weather system developing over the eastern Pacific is expected to move into California early New Year's Day.

People in the News for December 31, 1997: Briefly

'Oscar and Lucinda': Visual Beauty in a Quirky Tale: Janet Maslin; As directed exquisitely by Gillian Armstrong in a headstrong spirit that recalls her debut feature, "My Brilliant Career," this elliptical tale makes up in visual beauty whatever it lacks in universal meaning.

Senator stages flyover above last year's devastation: The daylong flight with government officials, reporters and photographers scanned the briefly flooded area of a year ago from Reno south through Carson City and Minden to the Walker River area and Yerington.

Casinos stuff Guinn coffers: Larry Henry; Casinos, developers and hundreds of smaller contributors have helped Republican businessman Kenny Guinn amass more than $2.4 million in campaign contributions for the governor's race next year.

Man pleads guilty to killing MGM Grand worker: The victim had been studying film at UNLV and was working nights at the hotel's Studio Cafe.

Clinton order has little effect on Nevada Medicaid plan: Nevada is investigating ways to insure 20,000 low-income children under a "Nevada Check Up" program proposed by Gov. Bob Miller. It would be funded with $7 million in unused state Medicaid funds, matched by $13 million in federal money.

Greedy still the man at the point: Steve Carp; Just because he played only 12 minutes doesn't mean Bill Bayno has given up on playing Greedy Daniels at point guard.

Two killed in traffic accidents: Karen Zekan; The woman, whose name has been withheld until family can be notified, was crossing Charleston at 27th Street from the south curb to the north curb when she was hit at 12:17 p.m. by a 1986 Chevrolet El Camino, Metro Police said.

Ragged win helps Rebels find depth.: Steve Carp; On a night when the best shooter on the floor was Rob Brisendine, a fan who made four shots including one from midcourt to win the use of a Saturn automobile for a year, UNLV and Nevada-Reno would have been hard-pressed to win a game of H-O-R-S-E Tuesday even if you spotted them the H, the O and the R.

BLM rejects offer for Wendover land: "We were willing to buy more than 75 percent of the land involved in the exchange at double the price. I'm surprised they made such a quick response to our offer."

Holiday Closings: * SAFETY: Police and fire emergency services as usual both days. Administrative offices closed Thursday, open Friday.

Columnist Dean Juipe: UNLV fans delighted by Kambala: Dean Juipe; In retrospect, it was something of an inauspicious presentation, although appropriate perhaps in that the 6-foot-9, 250-pound freshman from the distant country of Latvia came to the Rebels with a distinct lack of fanfare. Before the team's legion of supporters could get a look at him and surmise not only his ability but his potential, he was just another rookie.

Columnist Peter Benton: Primm, Desert Pines good news for local golf fans: Peter Benton; I GUESS it is widely accepted here in the valley that we still require more public golf courses to meet the demands of our ever-increasing population.

Murder conviction in death of LV bartender overturned: The court agreed with attorneys for Silva that District Judge Sally Loehrer was in error when she permitted an alleged accomplice to testify at the trial. Silva will now get another trial.

Underdog Durango wins Prep title: Steve Cunningham; Pick an adjective, any one of these descriptions, and it could be used to portray the Durango boys' basketball team:

Goodwill eyes year-end donations: "This is an opportunity to help people with disabilities get good jobs in our community by donating gently used items you no longer need," said Steve Chartrand, Goodwill president.

Nevada stays atop nation in growth: Paul Kane; And it comes as no surprise that it is the booming Las Vegas region that continues to attract most of the newcomers.

Chlorine discharge kills fish in Las Vegas Wash: The NDEP is expected to issue a violation notice over the incident to the city wastewater treatment plant next week, said Allen Biaggi, the agency's deputy administrator in Carson City.

Imperial Palace Biloxi opens: It has more than 1,600 slot machines, 64 table games, three restaurants, 1,100 rooms, an antique auto collection and a movie theatre.

Teens getting education in how to keep the faith: Teresa Hinds; Now they are learning about financial hardship, at a time when they are poised to overcome all the adversity their lives have so far endured.

Low-income customers to get lower phone rates: "This is significant because in the past many low-income customers had to do without phone service simply because they couldn't afford it," Commissioner Tim Hay said Tuesday. "Now many more customers will be able to receive the basic phone services they need ..."

AutoNation taking writeoff to restructure: AutoNation USA brought something old and something new in its marriage with Southern Nevada.

Fire destroys home in Indian Springs: Amber Apodaca, 9, awoke at 5:44 a.m. to a beeping fire alarm and found the floor engulfed in flames, said Steve La-Sky, Clark County Fire Department spokesman.

Thursday at Aqueduct: 1st race 6 fur 3YO Mdn Clm

State Retirement Board loses appeal in pension dispute: Woofter, relying on the flawed Retirement Board information, had figured he'd get $67,000 a year in benefits. A proper calculation later showed his benefits should be $48,000 a year.

Obituaries for December 31, 1997: He is survived by his parents, Lawrence and Sharon Arillo, and one sister, Erika Arillo, and his grandfather, Nicholas Arillo, all of Las Vegas.

Ralph Siraco's Selections For Santa Anita: Selections made for clear racing conditions before scratches.

Sailor and his family have happier holiday this year: All four of their grown-up sons were working in different western cities, unable to make it home for the holiday.

Respiratory virus hits more kids: Teresa Hinds; Dr. Donald Kwalick, assistant health officer for the Clark County Health Department, wasn't surprised by the increase in cases recorded, which he attributed to an interruption in reporting because of the Christmas holiday and the normal infection cycle of the Respiratory Syncytial Virus, or RSV.

Two LV teens charged with attempted murder: Karen Zekan; James Greco, 18, and Marcos Pasaye, 17, are additionally facing robbery and attempted murder charges in connection with the horrific crime that began about 1:30 a.m. Tuesday.

Guilty plea entered in murder of UNLV student: Bill Gang; And gambling is something that was an entrenched part of Vinh Sinh Truong's life.

Columnist Tim Graham: New Year's wishes for some media members: Tim Graham; All the Christmas and Hanukkah presents have been unwrapped, but there still are some people out there with needs.

Where I Stand--Joshua Ybarra: Potpourri of solutions offered to handle problems of the future: On a special note, I heard from my teacher that a lady by the name of Ruthe Deskin was retiring as Youth Forum director. It is because of her and her 43-year diligence that have made the SUN Youth Forum. As a student, and speaking for all who have attended the forum, I thank you for this opportunity; its benefits reach all.

Two Rebels win baseball honor: Two Rebels win baseball honor

Lady Rebels get first taste of victory: LaDonna McClain doesn't believe in moral victories, but the UNLV women's basketball coach had to admit that a lot of good came out of the Lady Rebels' 80-47 loss to third-ranked Connecticut last Saturday.

Tyson reportedly considering appearance in wrestling event: Now, it is possible, he might also follow their path through the folly of professional wrestling.

Las Vegas news briefs: CAREER ADVICE -- Anyone interested in a law enforcement career is being encouraged by Metro Police to attend next week's First Tuesday meeting dedicated to the application and selection process for police and corrections recruits. Staff from the department's recruiting section will be at each of the department's five area commands for the open house discussing all elements involved, including the hiring process. Meetings will begin at 7 p.m. at Metro's substations located at: Northeast Area Command, 831 N. Mojave Road, between Bonanza Road and Washington Avenue; Northwest Area Command, 6208 Hargrove Ave., between Jones Boulevard and U.S. 95; Southeast ...