Print edition for July 25, 1997

Misfits outshine Megadeth: Geoff Carter; He strolls nonchalantly past leather-and-denim-clad misanthropes slurping cheap draft beer, smiles disarmingly at exotic dancers enjoying a night off and wonders what the hell is happening to his car at that particular moment. He feels as if bass drum kick-pedals are beating his spinal column. He imagines airborne mononucleosis bacteria floating over his head.

Canizales retains IBA featherweight belt: Ray Brewer; "I was tired, he was tired," Canizales said after the fight. "I dug deep inside. I knew the last three rounds were critical and I had to win them to get the decision."

Military now says flares may be cause of mysterious Arizona lights: The flares would have created quite a light show, and in an area that corresponds to the location where many people reported seeing lights in a boomerang formation.

Airport traffic up .8 percent over last year: A total of 2,511,234 passengers traveled through McCarran in June, a .1 percent increase over the same month last year. Approximately 800 daily flights arrived and departed from McCarran.

Obituary: Kathryn D. Dow: Visitation was scheduled one hour prior to 1 p.m. services today in the Trinity Life Center, 1000 E. St. Louis. Desert Memorial Cremation and Burial Society, 1111 Las Vegas Blvd. North, handled arrangements.

The Village People keep that campy "Y.M.C.A" spirit alive: Melissa Schorr; It might be if your hosts were the Village People, the campy costumed icons of the '70s, who could even make the era of disco balls, flared pants and platform shoes sound appealing.

Editorial: Stakes high for Tahoe summit: Their participation in this weekend's Nevada-California summit on the restoration of Lake Tahoe will be perhaps the most important environmental litmus test of their administration.

Columnist Joe Delaney: Magic -- and much much more: Joe Delaney; Prior to their coming to Las Vegas, the late Harry Blackstone might play the Fremont Hotel for a week or so once a year. ... There was an occasional specialty act like The Amazing Ballantine. ... Magic meant very little back then as a viable entertainment performance form.

Auto Racing standings and leaders through July 25: The 1997 NASCAR Winston Cup stock car racing schedule, with winners in parentheses and driver point standings:

Billiards players hit the Riviera: Billiards players hit the Riviera

Lawmaker won't file charges against officials who threatened him: Williams, D-Las Vegas, said his job with the city was threatened earlier this month by city spokeswoman Cathy Hanson and former City Councilman Matthew Callister.

Gambling foe to lead governors: Larry Henry; Ohio Gov. George Voinovich, who compares casino gambling to "crack cocaine" in its destructiveness, will take over as chairman from Nevada Gov. Bob Miller.

Obituary: Juan "Tony" Macias: Visitation was scheduled from 9 a.m.-noon today in Palm Mortuary, 1325 N. Main St. Graveside services were 1:30 p.m. today in Southern Nevada Veterans Memorial Cemetery, Boulder City.

'Suspicious' blaze hurts firefighter: Firefighters responded Thursday at 10 a.m. to 3751 S. Nellis Blvd., where a double-wide home in the Pueblo Del Sol Mobile Home Park was fully engulfed in flames. The home could not be saved. Flames gutted the structure, causing $25,000 in damages, said Clark County Fire Department spokesman Steve La-Sky.

Obituary: Gertrude H. McMenamin: A memorial service will be 11 a.m. Tuesday in Desert Memorial Cremation and Burial Society, 1111 Las Vegas Blvd. North.

June jobless rate in Nevada up slightly: An estimated 44,500 individuals were jobless compared with 36,200 in May when the rate was 4.4 percent, the state Department of Employment, Training and Rehabilitation said.

Board approves areas for new schools: The board voted Thursday to site four new elementary schools, one middle school and one high school.

Quiet session expected from governors: The four-day conference that begins Sunday at The Mirage hotel-casino will focus on early childhood development under the direction of Gov. Bob Miller, the association's outgoing chairman. More than 40 governors are expected.

Menhart's skid hits 5 games: Menhart allowed seven runs on 11 hits in 6 1/3 innings and has not won a game since his trade from Tacoma to Las Vegas on June 10. Menhart was 4-7 with the Rainiers.

Fed judge, attorneys help build Habitat home for single mom: Several women attorneys, including Clark County Bar Association President Marty Ashcraft, admitted that they are not so handy with tools. Nevertheless, they were more than willing to pick up shovels and move a huge mound of gravel.

Cocky Cunanan rubbed bar crowd wrong in LV: Karen Zekan; "There was nothing outstanding about the guy, other than his attitude," Badlands Saloon bartender Jeff Baker said Thursday. "All he could talk about was his cars, his clothes, his trips. I remember him real well, because anyone with more attitude than me bugs me."

Obituary: Ruby Richerson: Visitation is scheduled from 12:30 p.m. until a 2 p.m. service Saturday in Palm Mortuary, 7600 S. Eastern Ave. Graveside services will follow in Palm Valley View Memorial Park. Palm Mortuary, 7400 W. Cheyenne Ave., is handling arrangements.

Lander votes for wetlands: "This is a golden opportunity," said board chairman Joel Lenz. "It would be tough to turn it down."

Chaka-full of spunk: Anne Hosier; Chaka Khan has had an epiphany: She's sick of being told what she can and can't do.

Ex-cop, claiming innocence, sentenced to life in prison: Pauline Bell; "Ron Mortensen did not murder Daniel Mendoza, but I'm truly sorry for his family," the 31-year-old former patrolman said during his sentencing today in the courtroom of District Judge Joseph Pavlikowski. The former patrolman also apologized to his family for the ordeal.

People in the News for July 25, 1997: Briefly

School spending: * $232,072 to Pace Contracting Co., for change orders on construction at Keller Middle School. The seven items total $58,830 for changes due to design deficiencies; $17,879 in requests made by the school district planning and engineering department; and $155,362 in changes levied post-bid by the Clark County Department of Public Works and the Las Vegas Valley Water District.

Letter: Gamez remarks uncalled for; he's jealous of Tiger: Let's see, while Gamez has been on Mars for the past year and a half, Tiger Woods has been proving himself by becoming the top amateur player for the third time, winning six professional tournaments since turning pro, being the leading money-maker on the tour this year and leading in Ryder Cup points. If that's not proving yourself, I'm not sure what it takes.

Manley case goes to jury: Bill Gang; Deliberations began after final arguments concluded today in the two week trial that was highlighted by verbal sparring between the defendant and Deputy District Attorney Dan Seaton.

High school students to get five chances on exit exams: The test will be administered for the first time in April 1998. But juniors will take it as a "dress rehearsal" this October.

Calculators disallowed for high school proficiency test: Teresa Hinds; Board members spent the better part of Thursday listening to public testimony and debating the merits of the use of calculators on the proficiency test, the number of times the students can take it and when the new exam will be administered.

1997 Las Vegas Stars Statistics through July 23: 1997 Las Vegas Stars Statistics through July 23

Obituary: Libby Smith: Palm Mortuary, 800 S. Boulder Highway, Henderson, handled arrangements.

Sahara DMV office ready to reopen: Andy Holtmann; Customers waited in line about 1 1/2 hours before the closing last October. The remodeling, which will allow customers to remain seated until their turns, is hoped to have reduced this to around 15 minutes.

Columnist Dean Juipe: UNLV staff gets younger and younger: Dean Juipe; UNLV has hired so many young and inexperienced coaches in a row that it has to have been done intentionally, with forethought.

Sports History for July 25: 1941 - Lefty Grove of the Boston Red Sox wins his 300th and last game, beating the Cleveland Indians 10-6.

Everlys wake up little Las Vegas: Joe Delaney; Very little talk -- "We're here to sing for you," they say. This leads into "So Sad To Watch Our Love Go Bad," Roy Orbison's "Claudette," and Carole King's "When Will I Be Loved." More talk: "We're just back from England where it rained every day. We landed here and it was raining." This led into a sad songs medley followed by a blues medley, and songs taught by their dad, Ike Everly, including the country classic, "Blues Stay Away From Me."

Murders on decline in Clark County: Cathy Scott; At this time last year, 112 people had been killed. This year, there have been 82 homicides, a 27 percent decrease.

Box Score: Buzz 8, Stars 6: E--Menhart, Walker 3, Shave. DP--Salt Lake 2. LOB--Las Vegas 9, Salt Lake 6. 2B--Briggs, Poe, Ogden. 3B--Hajek, Rupp, Brede. HR--Rupp (22), Ogden (9). S--Velandia. SF--Poe, Shave.

Obituary: N. Jean Fite: Services will be 2 p.m. Saturday in Holy Spirit Lutheran Church, 6670 W. Cheyenne Ave. Affordable Cremation and Burial Service, 2457 N. Decatur Blvd., is handling arrangements.

Senate approves bill to name federal courthouse after judge: George, 67, on the federal bench since 1984, is going on senior status later this year.

Neighbors branching out: Nichole Davis; Griffith moved into her three-bedroom Milo Street home in 1962, five years before the Fouchons moved into the home behind her. She never met her neighbors in the yellow-trimmed house behind the tall, red picket fence.

Obituary: Frank Shipman: Visitation is scheduled from noon until 3 p.m. services Saturday in Palm Mortuary, 7600 S. Eastern Ave. Burial will follow in Palm Valley View Memorial Park.

All in the country family: Shane Gammon; The country-singing mother-daughter duo Sandra Lee and Brittini will be opening for Lonestar Saturday at the Texas Station hotel-casino's South Padre outdoor arena.

New school to be named after slain NLV policeman: The School Board voted Thursday to name a school in the southwest portion of the valley after Clifford J. Lawrence, who was instrumental in developing the sixth-grade center plan, a forerunner of Prime 6 schools. White students were bused into predominantly black areas in West and North Las Vegas under the sixth-grade center plan, which began desegregation in the school district.

Another chief lost by lt. gov.: CARSON CITY -- Citing differences of opinion, former Las Vegas Assemblywoman Jeannine Coward said she is quitting as chief of staff for Lt. Gov. Lonnie Hammargren.

Pop groups Spin magic; Soul is Main Ingredient: Originally formed in 1957 in Detroit, Mich. as the Domingoes, they became The Spinners when producer Harvey Fuqua discovered their talents. They started recording with Tri-Phi Records, which produced their first single "That's What Girls Are Made For."

Fast facts: * WHEN: Saturday, 8 p.m.

Reineck talks to FBI in Las Vegas: A Las Vegas gay health club owned by mystery man Torsten Reineck allowed members to engage in sexual intercourse in violation of county ordinances, a former employee charges.

Letter: Too much growth is strangling a nice city: We are sorry for those poor homeless families who come here with false hopes of jobs and homes, but we are tired of paying their way. Unless something is done to curtail the rapid building of houses and casinos and the thousands of people coming in monthly for nonexistent jobs, Las Vegas is in trouble. It is inevitable the houses will stand empty and the casinos will go down as fast as they are going up. They won't make enough money to pay the light bills and "The Little Jewel of the Desert" will lose its sparkle.

Letter: NSAC should have taken all of Tyson's purse: While I cringe at calling the loss of a small piece of flesh a "grievous" wound, I agree with your sentiment -- with three exceptions and one legal correction.

Hanlon spared disciplinary action: Teresa Hinds; At the request of several board members, the disciplinary item was pulled from the agenda of the board's Thursday meeting in Las Vegas.

College interns gains valuable work experience at local companies: Pauline Bell; Instead, the 21-year-old is gaining valuable career experience and making $10 an hour as a summer intern at Bank of America Nevada.

Lake Tahoe Fast Facts: -Lake Tahoe, at 6,220 feet elevation, straddles the Nevada-California line in the Sierra Nevada and is located about 200 miles east of San Francisco and 30 miles southwest of Reno, Nev.

VernonClark stands by unearthly fragment conclusions: He said his conclusion was - and is - "that the material appears to be of extraterrestrial origin and appears to be manufactured ... because of the non-naturally occurring isotopes we found, both the major and the trace elements."

Letter: Truckers play vital role in life in LV Valley: You want trucks off the streets? OK, how do you plan to get the stores stocked? Gas delivered? Trash picked up? I've heard people say "by train." Well, then how will it get from the train to the stores? And how will the trash get to the train? With your 1-ton pickup?

Letter: Smokers shouldn't impose their addiction on others: My mother and I ventured into the casino or, as it was in reality, one huge cigarette! In light of this problem, I would like to suggest a name change from Texas Station to Toxic Station or, if the owners don't like that, how about Asphyxiation Station? Both names depict the reality for anyone who enters the premises. To be fair, this is true of all casinos and is a great injustice to all of us who require oxygen to breathe and have made the smart choice not to smoke cigarettes.