Print edition for June 2, 1997

Police seek information in murder at Lorenzi Park: Valadez was shot multiple times with a semiautomatic pistol about 9:45 p.m. Friday after a fight broke out between a group of gang members playing soccer and another group of gang members playing basketball, police said.

Pair of postal robbers sought: The thugs, who were disguised with dark blue or black ski masks, made off with three gray canvas bags of mail on May 1 about 5:20 p.m. as a postal employee was collecting mail from the rear of the Green Valley Post Office branch.

LVMS: Late model division: Fast Time -- Sean Monroe 16.765. Trophy Dash -- 1. Mike Ray; 2. Sean Monroe; 3. Sonny Wall; 4. Dick Cobb. First Heat -- 1. Sean Monroe; 2. Sonny Wall; 3. Mike Ray; 4. Dick Cobb; 5. Ken Holt. Second Heat -- 1. Brent Bell; 2. Bobby Pangonis; 3. Ralph Thornburg; 4. Robert Furre; 5. Jerry Spilsbury. Main Event -- 1. Sean Monroe; 2. Dick Cobb; 3. Sonny Wall; 4. Brent Bell; 5. Bobby Pangonis; 6. Jerry Spilsbury; 7. Robert Furre; 8. Ralph Thornburg; 9. Mike Ray; 10. Al Lake; 11. Ken Holt.

Letter: SUN letter writers present oddball ideas: The other letter was from Jack Cook, who, I assume, is a taxi driver. In deference to the passengers, he would like the Taxi Authority to put a stop to cab drivers smoking while on duty. But then, he would encourage cigar-smoking cabbies to put "Smoking Taxi" signs on their windows to entice kindred smokers to ride with them. Such camaraderie would generate bigger tips. However well meaning Cook's suggestions, I fear they will all go up in smoke.

DA mulls charges in girl's murder: "The DA will get the bulk of our reports today, and he'll start reviewing them," homicide Sgt. Bill Keeton said.

Columnist Ken McCall: Forget the solo commute; be prepared for carpools, buses: Ken McCall; I mean, we're going to spend $433 million just to try to keep our current delightful driving conditions from getting any worse.

Columnist Bill Andrade: Tips on protection from the sun's dangerous rays: Bill Andrade; Today's article addresses the benefit of sun protection and the myths surrounding sunscreens.

Box score: Rainiers 7, Stars 0: E--Velandia, Brown. DP--Las Vegas 1. LOB--Tacoma 6, Las Vegas 6. 2B--Ibanez 2, Leach, Sheets. SF--Raabe.

Attorney general seeks help on tobacco suit: Rachael Levy; Del Papa's turn to private attorneys to help Nevada recoup about $20 million in Medicaid coverage of ill smokers is rare. The last time the attorney general turned to a private law firm was in the early 1990s when she sought about $30 million in long-term Medicaid care, her office said.

Environmental group says nuke dump's radioactive leakage increasing: "The leakage at the dump is getting worse while the USGS is putting out a 'Don't Worry, Be Happy' spin," said Jeff Ruch, PEER general counsel. "We now know that contamination has increased consistently every year and, on average, is more than ten times higher than it was just a few years ago."

TCC, Douglas County gear up for legislative showdown: Steve Watson, deputy director of the Legislative Counsel Bureau, said information on the calls will go to Assemblyman Lynn Hettrick, R-Gardnerville, who sits on the committee.

Graduation ceremonies continue through Thursday: Graduation ceremonies, which began last week, will continue through Thursday. Here is a schedule of the remaining commencement ceremonies. Unless otherwise noted, all events will be at the Thomas & Mack Center at UNLV.

Campaign finance reform bill signed into law: SB215 lowers the threshold for identifying individual contributors from $500 to $100 and also places stricter reporting rules on political parties.

Committee balks at raises for Supreme Court executive secretaries.: As part of the reorganization, she asked lawmakers for salary reclassifications that would boost pay for 21 of the court's 55 employees.

Committee boosts mental hygiene-retardation budgets by $10.6 million: With federal funds included, the total budget for mental hygiene and mental retardation programs would jump from $67.5 million in 1996 to $85.3 million in 1998 and $92.3 million in 1999.

Credit scam prompts Black Book nomination: The State Gaming Control Board will consider on Wednesday the name of John J. Conti, also known as John Conte or John Mangi, as a candidate for the list of excluded persons.

Typically low turnout expected for elections: City clerks anticipate pitiful turnout for Tuesday's general elections in municipalities throughout Clark County.

Fire leaves family homeless: One of two adult occupants of the home in the 7100 block of Pine Lake Road, near Antelope Way and Alta Drive, told fire investigators that she had returned home early Sunday morning from working all night and smoked a cigarette before leaving to pick up her two small children who had stayed overnight at a baby sitter's residence.

Suspect on the loose after altercation with officer: Detectives last saw James Robert Begg, 33, on Saturday after going to a house at 1728 Monte Alban Drive where police had been told an individual might be who knew their suspect.

SUN camp fund: Girl who lost parents to crash wants to go to camp: The SUN Camp Fund will help Mary Ruth because so many people are responding to the hopes of needy children. Won't you help us bring happiness to youngsters like Mary Ruth with a donation to the SUN Camp Fund?

Piano sale benefits UNLV music program: Pauline Bell; Eighteen of the pianos, together worth about $300,000, had been on loan to the UNLV music department for one year by Yamaha as part of a nationwide program developed by the manufacturer in response to severe budget cuts at colleges nationwide.

AG seeks outside legal help in tobacco industry lawsuit: But in the fight against the tobacco industry, reliance on liability lawyers is common. The 29 other states that have sued also are relying on private counsel, said Nevada Assistant Attorney General Brooke Nielsen.

Friend likely won't be charged in casino slaying, district attorney says: Jeremy Strohmeyer, 18, is charged with the pre-dawn rape and murder of the young girl, whose father, Leroy Iverson, was gambling in the hotel's casino.

Miller 200: 1. (5) Greg Moore, Canada, Reynard Mercedes-Benz, 200, 119.597.

Letter: Civilians turn peacetime military into whipping boys: Are civilians aware that the military is the last bastion in the United States when a man or woman is responsible for the conduct of their spouse and dependent children, especially when they reside on a military base.

Extradition hearing rescheduled for teen accused of casino murder: Strohmeyer is expected to say whether or not he will fight extradition to Nevada, where a fugitive warrant has been issued for his arrest.

Las Vegan third in Miller 200: WEST ALLIS, Wis. -- Too bad Jimmy Vasser isn't a gambling man.

Golf Capsules: Memorial Tournament

50 protest using park funds for Vegas attraction: Mark Paris, president of the Fremont Street Experience, said some 20,000 to 30,000 people visit the $70 million attraction daily, and the protest was very small in comparison.

Picnickers protest private 'park': Nichole Davis; Families on blankets munched fried chicken, cold sandwiches and watermelon. Soda pop and beer were plentiful. People played catch and practiced yoga.

Eagle Scouts named: Daniel Smith, 18, of Las Vegas previously held the scouting office of senior patrol leader. The Clark High School senior is a member of varsity golf and soccer.

Screaming Eagles of 101st Airborne meet at LV convention: "The 101st (Airborne Division) ... has a rendezvous with destiny," said the North Caroline-bred direct descendant of Confederate Gen. Robert E. Lee.

Lyon County plans to nab speeders: The sheriff's office will the check license plate number of speeding vehicles with the Department of Motor Vehicles to determine the vehicle owner, who will be sent a letter about the incident.

Lee shares much with Tigers' star: Tim Graham; They both play first base. They both have chiseled physiques. They both swing freely but mightily. They both draw high praise within the baseball community as stars in the making.

Facts on John Earl Williams: OCCUPATION: Blues singer, band leader, disc jockey.

Sports history for June 1: 1946 - Assault, ridden by Warren Merhtens, wins the Belmont Stakes to become the seventh horse to win the Triple Crown.

Kingman, Arizona man dies in Las Vegas crash: Harney said Fields' car struck a truck that had stopped on the shoulder because of a flat tire.

Mental health budget increased 48 percent: "We're trying to reverse the severe cuts of the 1990s," said Assemblywoman Jan Evans, D-Reno, who headed the subcommittee examining the budget. She was referring to the budget reductions made in the early 1990s during an economic crisis.

Prosecutors rest in video poker trial: She did so, and defense lawyers resumed cross-examining FBI agent Larry Jones, the final prosecution witness who began testifying last week.

Columnist Dean Juipe: Hot pace has Griffey after Maris: Dean Juipe; Volumes will be written about it.

Landreth picked for federal judge: Landreth, 47, is being nominated to replace Chief U.S. District Judge Lloyd George, who is taking senior status so a full-time successor can be appointed to help relieve a heavy caseload in Las Vegas.

Columnist Sal DeFilippo: Bettors faithful to all that Jazz: Sal DeFilippo; Local bettors are hoping the Utah Jazz can blow the horns off the Chicago Bulls in the NBA Finals.

Lake embankment collapses, killing 6-year-old Southern California girl: "It took four or five men to take the sand boulder off of her. She had massive head injuries. She was bleeding from the ears, nose and mouth," Patterson said.

Where I Stand: Discussing the good, bad and indifference of Nevada: This was the conclusion of the Nevada attorney general after investigating the latest of several stupid actions the Elko County Grand Jury has visited upon the good people of that area and the entire Silver State. About the only stupid thing left for that outfit to do now is to indict Deputy Attorney General C. Wayne Howle for his good research and proper conclusions.

Top Ten senior Student athletes in Southern Nevada: James Yodice; Put simply, they are the best of the best -- of the best.

Family Court testimony due: The legislative teleconference is set for 8 a.m. in Room 442 of the Sawyer State Office Building at Las Vegas Boulevard North and Washington Avenue.

Letter: Memorial Day should note barbarity of war: Yes, I am a veteran of World War II and, at age 82, do not recognize the destruction of families as a just cause for wars. Memorial Day we remember; but do we have to look ahead again for more reasons to fight and kill again? I do not wish to live with more torment and tears anymore. War is the barbaric end to civilization.

Business news briefs: Hurtado has nine years of experience in sales, working with the nation's top corporations, including AT&T and GTE. He has received numerous awards for revenue production.

Gaming pioneer, known as Mr. Frontier, dies: Karen Zekan; Saiger's family was at his bedside when he died Saturday at Columbia Sunrise Hospital and Medical Center. He died of kidney failure, which followed circulatory problems that plagued his last six months of an otherwise vibrant and healthy life.

Crime drops at record rate: Record declines of 11 percent in murders and 6 percent in aggravated assaults also highlighted the FBI's release Sunday of preliminary figures for 1996.

Screaming Eagles will drop in on Las Vegas: "The 101st (Airborne Division) ... has a rendezvous with destiny," said the North Caroline-bred direct descendant of Confederate Gen. Robert E. Lee.

Schedule for hull inspections on Illinois riverboats: March 1998 - Casino Rock Island, Harrah's Northern Star in Joliet.

Whether playing it on stage or on the air, John Earl Williams is 'buried in the blues': David Renzi; It is just sound human-interest tactics that any profile of John Earl Williams begin at one or the other, and this one begins at the radio station, where Las Vegas' ambassador of the blues hosts the weekly "Cruisin' for a Bluesin'."

Longtime Las Vegan known as Mr. Frontier dies: Saiger became known as Mr. Frontier, serving as a casino host at the local resort for a number of years.

Bus service seeks help from city: "We are asking for the $10,000 to upgrade our current system," he told council members. "Right now we are going as far as we can go. Our goal is to put a full service system in McGill."

Letter: Students to lose services in changing to 'add-on' days: Brian Flick

Flood project opens land to development: Jeff Schweers; Due for completion in 2006, the decade-long project to build a system of catch basins and channels in the Tropicana and Flamingo wash areas is opening thousands of acres to development by taking it out of a historic flood zone.

Tennis Glance: AP Sports Writer

Letter: Volunteers should cover graffiti in neighborhoods: Does anyone know what color of paint is used on the blue post office mail drops? Also, will a citizen get into any trouble if he paints over the graffiti on these mail boxes?

Scientific gathering focuses on the unusual: The 16th annual meeting of the Society for Scientific Exploration gets under way Thursday and continues through Saturday. The scientists from around the world will present papers on topics traditionally eschewed by mainstream researchers.

Congressman: don't dry dock riverboats: Weller said his goal is to ensure safety "while at the same time protecting economic concerns, the jobs of thousands of riverboat employees and, of course, the Illinois taxpayers."

Legislative Summary: GOVERNOR Measures Signed

Columnist Ralph Siraco: Silver Charm on track to joining legendary horses: Ralph Siraco; They are both photogenic and take beautiful pictures.

Styrofoam homes building steam: If the Three Little Pigs had a fourth choice of materials -- reinforced polystyrene -- with which to build their homes, the one in the brick house wouldn't have been the only victor over the Big Bad Wolf.

Richie Hearn has a frustrating day: Even before the green flag had dropped on Sunday's CART Miller 200 at the Milwaukee Mile, Hearn was bemoaning the performance of his Lola chassis on one-mile ovals this season.

Senator says dockside gambling might not happen for years: But Rep. Joel Brunsvold, D-Milan, was more optimistic.

Crime down nationally, Vegas homicides up 36 percent: But in Las Vegas, homicides were up 36 percent, from 118 in 1995 to 161 in 1996.

AG's motives questioned in timing of tobacco lawsuit: Larry Henry; Some think Nevada should have sued earlier, given the state's high cancer rate. As recently as 1990, Nevada led the nation in deaths by smoking.

Miller 500: 1. (13) Ricky Rudd, Chesapeake, Va., Ford, 500, $95,255.

McVeigh found guilty of blowing up fed building: McVeigh, a 29-year-old Gulf War veteran, could get the death penalty if convicted in the April 19, 1995, blast that killed 168 people - the deadliest act of terrorism on U.S. soil.

Reno crime rate falls in 1996: While the number of rapes and robberies rose in Reno, overall violent crime was down.

Girl killed in overhang collapse at lake: The child was along the shady shore at Lake Mead National Recreation Area's Turkey Cove with her 4-year-old sister and their 5-year-old brother when the tragedy happened about 2:30 p.m. Saturday.

Reid urges CCSN graduates to read: Nichole Davis; "The essence of what you think you have learned over the last few years, don't let it go to waste," he said Sunday evening at Cashman Field Center. "Never let it grow dull.

People in the news for June 2, 1997: Gushing Fawcett

Editorial: The best selections for Tuesday: Las Vegas City Council, Ward 4 -- Incumbent Councilman Matthew Callister is being challenged by water district official Larry Brown to represent residents in the northwest section of the city. Callister, despite his sometimes questionable behavior, has been a productive councilman, working hard for his constituents. Although Brown also appears to be a good choice, we see no reason to replace Callister.

Graduation day special to twins: Teresa Hinds; The recipients of scholarships and admission to prestigious universities, the twins were to graduate today from Cimarron-Memorial High School. But just a year and a half ago, adversity that few can relate to engulfed the Foster family.

Letter: 'Add-on' days to deny services to students with special needs: The same students would be without therapists or a substitute with the specialists being assigned to one track. If the district cannot fill a permanent position how will they find a sub? Is the Clark County School District really thinking about the children?

Assembly votes to ban gambling near necropolis: "This is the preserve the sanctity of the cemeteries in my district," Papan said, describing them as "fundamentally incompatible" with the drinking and gambling that would take place in card rooms.

Very warm and very, very dry: Tom Gardner; "It hasn't rained for so long things have dried out something terrible," he said. "It looks like it hasn't rained for months and months and months."

Letter: Father of murdered child deserves public compassion: This father did not kill his child, he did not rape her, he did not make the last moments of her life pain and fear. Iverson made a bad judgment call in parenting. Who hasn't, as a parent, made errors in judgment? Thank God, most of us have not had to pay the ultimate penalty; death of a child; for our mistakes in parenting.

Ex-senator settles prayer recitation suit: All four Republicans acknowledged in writing that they had misled voters in 1994 about Brown.

Committee recommends that cultural center blend with convention facility: A design by architect Ken Rose proposed linking the main convention center and east hall with a glass atrium over a lobby area. An auditorium would be built behind the east hall on an existing parking area.

Foam homes facts: * 1970S: The first stay-in-place polystyrene walls are developed in Europe. Various companies, employing plastic foam as a permanent part of a wall, come on line to further develop the technology.

Letter: People should decide size of their LV City Council: Senate Bill 38 would automatically increase our City Council by two wards and councilmen. This would be done without a public vote or input. Therefore, I strongly oppose Senate Bill 38.

Committee votes for passage of public records bill: "I hope this is the last motion we will have to make on AB289," said Assemblyman Roy Neighbors, D-Tonopah, who headed a subcommittee on the bill.

Overhang collapse kills girl at lake: Rina Reyes of Rowland Heights, Calif., was playing along the shady shore at Lake Mead National Recreation Area's Turkey Cove with her 4-year-old sister and their 5-year-old brother when the tragedy happened about 2:30 p.m. Saturday.