Print edition for July 15, 1997

Prison Threat: Gangs Grab More Power: Ann Scott Tyson; The growing influx of gangs - whose members account for 77 percent of inmates at Stateville and more than half of the 36,000 inmates in Illinois - has turned the overcrowded Illinois prison system into what one state gang prosecutor calls "a powder keg."

Woman's search for brother ends; he turns up dead in Vegas: Frank Herrera, an Albuquerque native who would have been 50 this year, was stabbed and strangled.

Obituary: Doris Thomas: Services will be 1 p.m. Wednesday in Palm Mortuary, 1325 N. Main St. Burial will follow in Palm Memorial Park.

Obituary: Nick J. Vellis: Visitation is scheduled from 5 p.m.-8 p.m. today in Bunker Mortuary, 925 Las Vegas Blvd. North. Services will be 10 a.m. Wednesday in Bunker Chapel. Burial will follow in Eden Vale Memorial Park.

Man charged with targeting elderly had lengthy criminal history: Jennings was arrested on Sunday and booked on four counts of robbery, two counts of crimes against the elderly and two counts of burglary for incidents that occurred since June 26.

Five Las Vegas killers face Pardons Board: In 1993, he appeared before the board and insisted it was an unknown man who shot and robbed Inez Malloy and her daughter, Norma Widlok. Their bodies were found in the desert in 1964 in Clark County.

Obituary: Beverly Ann (Parhamovich) Lanska: Visitation is scheduled from 1 p.m.-8 p.m. today in Palm Mortuary, 800 S. Boulder Highway, Henderson. Services will be 10 a.m. Wednesday in St. Michael's Orthodox Church, 5621 Judson Ave. Burial will follow in Boulder City Cemetery.

Obituary: Mildred J. Kreuper: Services will be 10 a.m. Wednesday in Holy Family Catholic Church. Palm Mortuary, 7600 S. Eastern Ave., is handling arrangements.

Las Vegas firm will own 100 percent of Kenner casino: Boyd, which operates the casino, will pay $115 million to acquire the 85 percent interest, said Robert Vosbein, attorney and spokesman for the Louisiana investors.

Orchestra musicians threaten to quit: The ultimatum comes after the board voted to replace orchestra founder and conductor Vahe Khochayan with Emil de Cou from the San Francisco Ballet.

Pardons Board to hear petition from 'show and tell' murderer: This week she'll try to convince the state Pardons Board that her role in the murder of 21-year-old James Cotton Kelly wasn't that of a killer, but one of a teen-ager who simply made a bad choice.

Teenager is arraigned in Primm death: Cathy Scott; Justice of the Peace Janet Smith today approved the two attorneys to represent 18-year-old Jeremy Strohmeyer of Long Beach., Calif.

Obituary: Anthony D. Jordan: Visitation is scheduled from noon-4 p.m. today in Palm Mortuary, 1325 N. Main St. Graveside services will be 9 a.m. Wednesday in Palm Memorial Park.

Obituary: Marian C. Wozniak: Visitation is scheduled from noon-7 p.m. today in Palm Mortuary, 7600 S. Eastern Ave. Mass will be celebrated at 10 a.m. Wednesday in St. Peter's Catholic Church. Burial will follow in Palm Valley View Memorial Park.

Obituary: Virdia L. Greer Coleman: Visitation is scheduled from 4 p.m.-7 p.m. Friday in Bunker Mortuary, 925 Las Vegas Blvd. North. Services will be 11 a.m. Saturday in Bunker Chapel. Burial will follow in Paradise Memorial Gardens.

Florida Net Ban Leaves Some Fishers Adrift: Warren Richey; MIAMI -- A member of the Florida Marine Patrol sits patiently in his boat, scanning the inky horizon with night-vision goggles as a helicopter whirrs overhead.

Sparks city manager gets raise: Reynolds will be paid $87,633 a year under the measure, an increase of more than $4,000.

Obituary: Vernon D. Summitt: Visitation was scheduled from 8 a.m.-9 a.m. today in Palm Mortuary, 1325 N. Main St. Graveside services followed at 10 a.m. in Southern Nevada Veterans Memorial Cemetery, Boulder City.

Donations push arts center project forward: "We originally had funding to build the shell, just the box," Robertson said. "This additional money is not enough to finish the theater, but it makes it possible for us to do structural and block work, a major portion of the interior work."

Peace in Algeria May Get Boost From New Oil Deals With US: Scott Peterson; This is Algeria's Wild West oil town: Black smoke from fiery gas burn-offs clouds the sky, pipelines crisscross the oil-stained sand between 600 working wells, and men sweat to retrieve boiling black gold from wells thousands of yards deep.

Man killed in single-car accident: Rowe had been drinking and over corrected when his small pickup truck drifted off the road, the Nevada Highway Patrol said.

Council KOs mayor's plans to oust municipal judge: "I'm not going to put a county employee in a city position," said Councilwoman Jean Kneese. "If there is a problem with Teresa we need to have a personnel session."

Obituary: James R. Cain: Services are private. Burial will be in Memory Gardens. Bunker Mortuary, 925 Las Vegas Blvd. North, is handling arrangements.

Obituary: Barbara Cabric: Visitation is scheduled from 4 p.m.-8 p.m. Wednesday with a 6 p.m. service and from noon until 2 p.m. services Thursday in Palm Mortuary, 1600 S. Jones Blvd. Burial will follow in Palm Valley View Memorial Park.

Obituary: James S. "Pinky" Childs: Services will be 2 p.m. Thursday in Palm Mortuary, 800 S. Boulder Highway, Henderson. Burial will follow in Palm Memorial Park, Henderson.

Vegas measure would make taxpayers liable for legal bills: The measure would amend a deal between downtown casinos and the city of Las Vegas regarding the legal costs of obtaining land for the Fremont Street Experience parking garage. Under that agreement, the city agreed to pay the first $6.4 million in land-acquisition costs, with downtown casinos picking up any additional expenses.

Bowlers boost Reno economy: The tournament that began in March and ended on Monday followed a lackluster year for tourism in 1996 and floods in January that further hurt the industry.

Senior PGA Tour Schedule: Jan. 25-26 - Senior Skins Game (Raymond Floyd)

Miller accused of sleight of hand on tax hikes in state: He is also expected to sign a separate bill for school construction in Clark County that would boost room taxes, more than double the tax on real estate transactions and could prevent property taxes from rolling back to a lower rate.

Bail reduced for mother in baby's death: Bill Gang; District Judge Joseph Bonaventure lowered the bail after 20-year-old Dawn Mathiasen sobbed that "there is not a person who feels more badly than me."

LPGA Tour Schedule: Jan. 17-19 - HealthSouth Inaugural (Michelle McGann)

President scheduled to visit city for governors' conference: Nevada Gov. Bob Miller is chairman of the association this year.

Utility deregulation powerful odyssey: The bill means that Nevada Power Co. and Sierra Pacific Power Co. must prepare for a competitive marketplace for the first time since 1911 when Nevada started regulating utilities.

Flash flood season brings warnings: People need to respect urban streets that turn to raging torrents, Gale Fraser, general manager and chief engineer of the Regional Flood Control District, said Monday.

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

Better ways to suppress dust sought: Jeff Schweers; Commissioner Mary Kincaid, who sits on the health district board, said she wants to see an alternative developed to the thousands of gallons of water that are sprayed on raw land to suppress dust.

Gas rate hike request cut: The Las Vegas-based utility asked the Nevada Public Service Commission on June 2 for authorization to collect an additional $16.4 million, or a 16.2 percent increase, to offset higher prices it paid for natural gas supplies last winter.

Las Vegans Mars, Kerkorian again make the A list: The Mars family ranks ninth on the list with a worth estimated at $12 billion.

LPGA Money Leaders: LPGA Money Leaders

Maneuvers begin for next year's elections: Although the 1997 Legislature is just over, political junkies and other legislators are speculating about which lawmakers will shoot for higher office.

Legislature tinkers with gaming laws: The bill lets other gaming enterprise districts expire, but developers may proceed with projects if they've received zoning approval by the end of 1998 and gaming regulatory approval by the end of 2002, said Nevada Resort Association lobbyist Kevin Doty.

Sports history for July 15: 1923 - Amateur Bobby Jones beats Bobby Cruikshank by two strokes in a playoff to win the U.S. Open golf title.

Utah senator wants to ban gambling near schools, playgrounds: The far-reaching amendment is patterned after laws that created drug-free zones around schools.

UNLV student leader's action questioned: Debra D. Bass; Mills sent termination letters last month to the managing staff of KUNV 91.5-FM, the campus radio station housed on the third floor of the student union. He said the station was not serving the best interests of the students with its programming choices, despite that fact that student fees help fund the operation.

Wednesday at Belmont Park: 1st race 1 mi 3YO&up F&M Turf Mdn

People in the News for July 15, 1997: Bye bye Di?

Tapia quickly casts himself as tough guy: Dean Juipe; It was, in fact, vintage Tapia: cocky and threatening.

Labor of love for 'Toughest Firefighter': Andy Holtmann; Ask him what it feel like to be a firefighter and his face brightens. He could talk for hours.

Toros 6, Stars 2: E--Menhart, Briggs, Tredaway, Gubanich, Vina. DP--Las Vegas 1, Tucson 2. LOB--Las Vegas 5, Tucson 4. 2B--Poe, Vina 2, Williamson, Gubanich, Johns. SF--Brown. SB--Tredaway (4), Briggs (9), D.L. Lee (5).

Construction update at bond meet: Also on the agenda is an update on contract negotiations for the 1996 bond program, a report on legislative action regarding school construction and possible action on new school sites.

Drug chairwoman looks at public petition on liquor tax: Dorothy North, head of the Governor's Commission on Substance Abuse, Education, Prevention, Enforcement and Treatment, said Monday she will be meeting with political consultants and other professionals about getting the issue on the 1998 election ballot.

Culinary Union loud, strong at Venetian: About 50 adults and a few children stood shoulder to shoulder Monday evening outside the green draped fence, some swinging their hips and stepping in time to the music that included Aretha Franklin's "Respect."

McDonald new mayor pro tem; part of council position shuffle: Denise Cardinal; The change was approved unanimously at Monday's council meeting, where other positions held by council members were shuffled.

Woman out on bail as more friends help: Bill Gang; Pinkston sat in a jail cell for nearly three weeks before her release this month pending her September trial on murder charges in the Father's Day 1995 shooting death of her child's father.

Five LV killers face Pardons Board: By Cy Ryan; The 69-year-old Osborn hopes to gain his freedom, even though his life terms were imposed 31 years ago "without the possibility of parole."

City Council briefs: * GOLF AGREEMENT -- The Walters Group has been granted a lease agreement with the city for land adjacent to the Water Pollution Control Facility. The 50-year lease is for an 18-hole golf course on land that is designated as a buffer between the treatment facility and nearby businesses and residents. The tenant of the course, represented by the Walters Group, is Golf Club of Illinois, and will cover about 137 acres of city-owned land in unincorporated Clark County. The tenant will pay rent starting at $25,000 a year, moving up to the greater amount between $100,000 or 1 1/4 ...

Ex-UNLV star wins tour debut: Unseeded at the NCAA's in May, Smith captured the singles title without losing a set and also grabbed the doubles title with UNLV partner Tim Blenkiron.

$5 million sports complex OK'd: Denise Cardinal; The council voted 4-1 Monday, with Councilman Larry Brown casting the lone nay vote, for the facility, which will house three softball fields, an ice rink and a roller rink at Vegas and Durango drives.

Bowler reunited with Thunder: Tim Graham; The Las Vegas Thunder was bound and lost a talented young center. Bill Bowler was confused and lost his hockey innocence.

Nevada ranked most dangerous state to live in: The rankings are compiled each year by Morgan Quitno Press, an independent research and publishing company. The results are based on each state's crime rates in six areas: murder, rape, robbery, aggravated assault, burglary and motor vehicle theft.

Venetian fighting union activity at Strip building site: Bill Gang; The problem for the union is that owner Sheldon Adelson isn't willing to sign an agreement to make the resort on the site of the old Sands casino a union property.

Columnist Brian Hilderbrand: Mount Charleston course a high-altitude precedent: When the developers of the Mount Charleston Golf Resort first broke ground on their course more than a year ago, director of golf Jeff Bruckner said he wanted to create a layout that was totally unique to Nevada.

Calls to repair air conditioners heating up in Southern Nevada: Bob Shemeligian; This week local temperatures are expected to inch up to the 110-degree mark.

Letter: New residents don't understand gaming's contributions to area: This all goes back to the philosophy that, if you don't like something and can't tax it out of existence, pass laws to make it extinct. The prohibitionists unsuccessfully tried it with alcohol, and look at the problems that created. Now, they are trying it with tobacco and gambling. Think about this: If these two become illegal, who then will provide the governmental revenue generated by gambling and tobacco's already heavy tax base? You and I, the working public. That is, if we still have jobs to go to.

32-team LVI begins today: Thirty-two teams, including last year's finalist Brooklyn USA, are entered. Twelves states are represented as well as Canada. Las Vegas will have seven teams participating in the 32-team field.

Columnist Muriel Stevens: Tables turned on master party planner for birthday bash: It was a strange feeling, Jon said, to show up at a party and not have anything to do, but he enjoyed every minute. He did plan the tables and the room design, but then stepped back and let others follow his splendid plan.

Insurer looks to become for-profit: Art Nadler; Blue Cross and Blue Shield of Colorado acquired the Nevada health insurance company in December. It is in the process of seeking conversion to for-profit status from the Colorado insurance commissioner.

Columnist Jeff German: Los Angeles mob showing no signs of resurgence in LV: But that hardly surprises current and former lawmen who've earned a living tracking the Mafia.

12-year-old gets thrill on coaster: Andy Holtmann; That memorable feat was even more special because he was asked to be the commemorative rider.

Law aids citizens suing companies: "This will keep the big guy from beating up on the little guy who squawks and is right," said Lewis of North Las Vegas, who's in a battle with Falcon Homes. He says the home he purchased for $110,700 in October 1993 has numerous defects.

Pregnancy prevention funding sought: Congress approved $250 million for exclusive focus on abstinence to stop out-of-wedlock pregnancy. Planned Parenthood and other groups have urged officials in some Eastern states not to apply for this money.

Columnist Steve Carp: It doesn't have to be a meat market: Steve Carp; The adidas shoe basketball guru is a staunch defender of kids. He thinks in the multimillion-dollar world of athletic gear, the athletes aren't getting jack. That is until they go pro and find themselves lavished with $12 million deals like the one Tracy McGrady got. The same Tracy McGrady who will never step foot in a college arena, unless he's going to watch one of his friends play.

Drug commission chief says voters should decide on booze taxes: North says she intends to give voters that chance by putting the issue on the ballot.

Solar power could give homeowners needed break: Part of the bill to deregulate monopoly utilities was a critical victory for renewable development in the state and sets incentives for homeowners and alternative energy companies to wean themselves off the traditional fossil fuels.

Tourney for 'Sonny's kids': Steve Carp; If helping kids is a crime, then Sonny Vaccaro admits he's guilty.

Passenger on Vegas flight sentenced to prison for assaulting flight attendants: The pilot considered landing early to remove Rutherford but continued flying after Rutherford calmed down, authorities said.

Former Star helps Toros roll past LV: Brown, who played for the Stars in 1993, singled and scored a run in the Toros' three-run first inning and added a sacrifice fly in the second as Tucson jumped out to a 4-0 lead. Brown also had an RBI single in Tucson's two-run fourth.

Editorial: Fed gaming boundaries impractical: Hatch this week reportedly plans to introduce legislation to ban gambling within nearly two miles of any school, college, university, public housing project, playground or swimming pool.

Obituary: John Bloom: Services will be 10 a.m. Saturday in Holy Family Catholic Church. Graveside services will be 11:30 a.m. Saturday in Palm Mortuary, 7600 S. Eastern Ave.

Obituary: Duke B. Bunnell: No local services are scheduled. American Burial and Cremation Services, 310 Foremaster Lane, is handling arrangements.

Senate committee approves measure breaking up 9th Circuit Court of Appeals: The Senate Appropriations Committee approved the proposal, made by Sen. Judd Gregg, R-N.H., by voice vote. The spending bill, which covers the departments of Commerce, Justice, State and the judiciary, must now go to the full Senate for consideration.

Kenya's Churches Enter Fray Against President: Ed O'Loughlin; NAIROBI, KENYA -- Students who protested again yesterday against the repressive regime of President Daniel arap Moi in Kenya picked up an important ally over the weekend: Kenya's churches.

Struggle in the Sahara: Scott Peterson; TIFARITY, WESTERN SAHARA -- The aging hardware of Western Sahara guerrillas is kept well-greased and protected from the unrelenting desert sun by woven grass and faded canvas - in case the cease-fire with Morocco breaks down.

A Desert Encounter: Serpent and Writer: Scott Peterson; TIFARITY, WESTERN SAHARA -- The sun set as it always does over the desert: bathing the earth in its molten glow, then leaving a band of orange and ruby red above the western horizon, then giving way completely to the bright point of Venus.

Swiss Banks Let World Peek Into Vaults for Victims' Money: Elizabeth Olson; GENEVA -- Switzerland's banks, famous for their secrecy, are letting the world look at their ledgers, at least in part.