Print edition for June 3, 1997

Two bills to provide drug and alcohol treatment introduced in Senate: SB432 by Sen. Valerie Wiener, D-Las Vegas, would set up a major program in the state's prison system and make aftercare a condition of parole to keep ex-felons straight.

These aren't magic markers: Real men try to keep up with the valley's unyielding demand: Scott Dickensheets; As he leans against a table in the city of Las Vegas' sign shop, the past, to his immediate left, looks like this:

Stars sink to 15-year low point: Tim Graham; They come from the field. They come from the seats. They come from the front office. They come from the press box.

New 25-year-old seeks respect, pity ... something: Melissa Schorr; "It'll be like turning 21 all over again!" I promised, and incredibly enough, this convinced him.

Callister-Brown race hotly contested for some voters: Andy Holtmann; The race for Las Vegas City Council Ward 4, pitting incumbent Matthew Callister against Las Vegas Valley Water District executive Larry Brown, has bitterly voters in the northwest part of the city.

Bill to rename Lamb Park dies: "I don't mind if they change it," said the former 26-year state senator. "But it's been a hassle. Somebody's taking me over the coals ... some biddy that never did 5 cents worth of good for the state."

Bill would tighten law on pool contractors: Russ Maggio said the pool looks good but the plumbing is defective. He filed a complaint with the State Contractors Board in February but the agency has yet to start its investigation.

Affidavit: Teen confessed to girl's assault, murder: The Los Angeles girl was found raped and strangled May 25 in a women's restroom at the Primm Valley hotel-casino on the Nevada-California state line.

Committee trims Tourism Division travel budget: Its international sales manager, Brenda Hughes, has trips planned for next fiscal year to Australia, New Zealand, Korea, Mexico, Germany and twice each to Japan and London.

Stars hellish homestand: * Thursday: The Sky Sox score 10 runs in the final three innings to win 12-7.

Local high school stars wait for call from the bigs: James Yodice; Who will it be? Maybe one of the expansion teams. Perhaps a contender, like Atlanta or Baltimore. He might pitch some day to Ken Griffey Jr., or Barry Bonds.

Gary Nicklaus joins father in U.S. Open field: Nicklaus closed with a birdie and two pars in a sectional qualifier at Orlando, Fla., on Monday to join four-time winner Jack Nicklaus in the June 12-15 tournament at Congressional in Bethesda, Md.

Dodger rookie given 8-game suspension: Rookie second baseman Wilton Guerrero of the Los Angeles Dodgers tried to beat one of baseball's most sacred rules and got caught. He has been punished accordingly.

Schmidt takes Indy challenge in Texas: It will be another week of firsts for the Indy Racing League at the new Texas Motor Speedway this week.

Golf Glance: Kemper Open

Columnist Steve Carp: Looking for a league of their own: Steve Carp; Many youngsters dream of being pro athletes. They fantasize being Michael Jordan, hitting that game-winning shot. Or Jerry Rice, catching that last-second touchdown. And now, some dream of being Tiger Woods, hitting a golf ball a zillion yards and earning a zillion dollars.

North Las Vegas man guilty of cocaine sales: A jury Monday returned verdicts against Roy Dean Grace, 37, on five counts of sale of a controlled substance and one count of possession with the intent to distribute. Sentencing before District Judge Philip Pro is set for Sept. 5.

Co-defendant's ex-wife still has faith in Nichols: Cathy Scott; "I have attempted with all of my strength to comprehend this horrendous act," Lana Padilla of Las Vegas said, "and still cannot bring myself to believe that a person who presented himself as a best friend, a man I was married to and loved, could have committed such an act."

Columnist Jeff German: Lipman Brown vindicated in legislative prayer battle: Four of Brown's ex-Republican Senate colleagues -- Bill Raggio, Ray Rawson, Sue Lowden and Kathy Augustine -- have acknowledged in writing that they took things too far in accusing Brown of ducking morning prayers and the Pledge of Allegiance during the 1993 session.

Where I Stand: Forget the discount cards, lower grocery prices for all: First, I have been somewhat under the weather lately and a bit out of circulation. Even writing a column taxes what energy I have.

Metro's oldest dies at age 91: Cathy Scott; The former Metro Police employee died Thursday in Sparks in front of his typewriter while writing a recipe for one of the dishes he loved to prepare for friends and family.

County adds crisis intervention team to aid survivors: Jeff Schweers; Clark County has finally joined the ranks of Henderson and Las Vegas in sponsoring a private, nonprofit organization that sends out volunteers to help survivors deal with the aftermath of a tragedy.

Panel OKs overhaul of public records law: Similar attempts in 1993 and 1995 to make major changes in the records law failed in the Legislature. Assemblyman Peter Ernaut, R-Reno, said, "This is the first time it seems like it's going to be solved. We have a good bill here."

Assembly bill limiting growth hits snag in committee: Larry Henry; Assembly Bill 490 was delayed in committee after last-second complaints that development would come to a halt near a budding tourist attraction that straddles the boundary -- the Las Vegas Motor Speedway.

American Legion: 15 local teams competing: James Yodice; In the dog days of summer, players go through rigorous and sometimes demanding, schedules. Sixty, 70, even 80 games in two months.

Bill to make bypass project easier passes Senate: Senate Majority Leader Bill Raggio, R-Reno, said Monday the longer financing period costs more in interest, but increases the amount of money the bonds can generate.

Sheraton parent puts Tunica casino on market: ITT Corp., Sheraton's parent, has been shedding assets not central to its main businesses to drive up its stock price and hold off Hilton.

Tax system in place for quarter-cent hike: Taxation Director Michael Pitlock says the solution doesn't involve reopening the Carson City Mint to coin quarter-cent pieces.

Company has captured niche in African-American market: Founded in 1980, the company now has a market value of more than $500 million and is the only black-owned and operated public company trading on the New York Stock Exchange.

Legislators target fraudulent pool contractors: He urged the Assembly Commerce Committee on Monday to approve AB512 that prohibits prepayments and requires pool contractors to complete work within 30 days of a written date. Homeowners can make staged payments, but only if they accept the work for the completed stage.

Profile of BET founder Robert Johnson: NAME: Robert L. Johnson

Woman wins state judgment: Attorney General Frankie Sue Del Papa said lawyers for Schmitz had asked for $500,000 in damages. She expressed confidence the judgment will further be reduced by the court by $50,000.

Legislators: State should not dictate when casinos close arcades: Assembly Majority Leader Richard Perkins, D-Henderson, added, "Are we going to penalize businesses because parents weren't paying attention to their children?"

Miller signs campaign disclosure bill into law: Andy Holtmann; In the past, such disclosure was required only for contributions of $500 or more.

Columnist Brian Hilderbrand: NCAA tourney stumble ruins UNLV's season: Shortly after the UNLV golf team won the NCAA West Regional last month, junior Bill Lunde made the bold statement that if the Rebels didn't win the national championship, all of their other accomplishments this season would be for naught.

Where You Stand for June 3, 1997: Theresa Field

Shopping booming in Nevada: The council's findings for 1996 were boosted by the presence of the Galleria at Sunset mall in Henderson, which opened in the early spring last year.

Box Score: Rainiers 18, Stars 2: E--Decker 2, Velandia 2, Encarnacion. DP--Tacoma 2, Las Vegas 1. LOB--Tacoma 6, Las Vegas 4. 2B--Raabe, Decker. HR--Raabe (7), Reimer (3), Decker (3), DL Lee (5). SF--Decker, Tatum.

Letter: People no longer have control of state politics: When a member of our so-called Legislature is actually berated for suggesting that the casinos and builders help pay for the mess they have created, it is an indication, clearly, of how the people have lost control. As a dues-paying union member for 40 years, I deeply resent the union as such endorsing the sales tax raise - I thought they were supposed to be for the people.

People in the News for June 3, 1997: Dylan OK

Fans flock for glimpse of 'Con Air' superstars: Melissa Schorr; Cue: Ominous soundtrack music.

Bill to rename county dies: Committee Chairman Doug Bache, D-Las Vegas, said, "I'm going to leave it sit there," in his desk without taking a vote unless something changes.

Columbia HCA halts insurance coverage legislation: Assembly Speaker Joe Dini, D-Yerington, told a news conference Monday he asked the company to withdraw Assembly Bill 410 and it agreed.

Ex-senator's children: No money went to lawmaker: Prosecutors contend the share was given to Rayburn's adult children by one-time video poker truck stop operator Fred Goodson of Slidell as a bribe so Rayburn would use his legislative influence to stop bills potentially harmful to video poker mini-casinos.

Incumbency a rare blessing in Tuesday's rural city elections: Tom Gardner; Except in Ely.

Trust fund established to help families of men killed in robbery: Neither had insurance, according to Sandra Williams, who started the trust fund along with Colleen Freese, a neighbor of the Spaeth family in Spring Creek, the Elko Daily Free Press reported.

Museum addition bids high, plan goes back to architect: The Northeastern Nevada Historical Society board turned over the bids to architect Craig Bybee for his recommendation.

Credit scam prompts Black Book nomination: Michael Wilson, assistant chief deputy attorney general, said Conti was convicted in federal court in Las Vegas of trying to file false credit applications at the Maxim with, unknown to him, an undercover FBI agent.

Nye County worried about student's math abilities: "Math has been weak in the last couple of years," district community relations director Marijo Rymer told the Pahrump Valley Times.

Arrestee accused of writing $10 million in fraudulent checks: The arrest ended an alleged spending spree since Hinojosa opened the Las Vegas account in mid-April with two fraudulent checks for more than $10 million, police Lt. Jack Chism said.

Almost 300 inmates graduate from high school: The 293 graduates, 197 of which received their GED's, participated in ceremonies at the Southern Nevada Correctional Center on Tuesday and ceremonies planned for Wednesday at the Southern Desert Correctional Center in Indian Springs.

Edwards appears before grand jury: He was one of several prominent figures who appeared Tuesday. Others included former Congressman Cleo Fields, Insurance Commissioner Jim Brown, penitentiary Warden Burl Cain, and two members of the Louisiana Gaming Control Board.

Girls Who Find New Roles In Mexico Also Face Danger: Howard LaFranchi; JUAREZ, MEXICO -- Ramona Morales's daughter Silvia Elena was only 2 when her family moved from their little village to this booming border town in 1979. But by the time she was 17, Silvia was helping the family dream of prosperity come true, completing high school and working part time in a Juarez shoe store.

Election results: x-winner

Ending Brain Drain at US Bomb Labs: Daniel Sneider; Set in a shallow California valley amid hills coated with golden grass, Lawrence Livermore National Laboratory for decades attracted the nation's most elite scientists to labor in pastoral secrecy over the most terrible weapons the world has ever known - thermonuclear bombs.

Texas Ready to Tax Tobacco Billboards: Robert Bryce; AUSTIN, TEXAS -- If Joe Camel and the Marlboro Man want to keep smoking on billboards in Texas, they're going to have to pay extra.

Letter: Stop wasting the money on failed drug programs: We don't have to change laws; just stop the funding and put the hundreds of millions we spend on chasing druggies into rehabs and job training for those who want it.

Columnist Bob Shemeligian: Blue-collar gift ideas in the first Bob Report: Bob Shemeligian; This is the ninth year the magazine has published its list of "distinctive items" purchased by the likes of Arnold Schwarzenegger ($38 million Gulfstream jet) and Disney honcho Michael Eisner (Lamborghini Diablo).

Letter: Theft ring will herald hard line by casinos: Logic and police intelligence say:

Editorial: Safety top consideration for casinos: The little girl was raped and murdered in the restroom of the Primm Valley hotel-casino shortly before 4 a.m. May 25, hours after she was allowed to roam the arcade alone while her father gambled upstairs. On three occasions, security guards noticed the girl was alone and then released her to her father or her 14-year-old brother. But, shortly before 4 a.m., cameras showed her alone again, entering the women's restroom.

MicroAge facts: * COMPANY: MicroAge Inc.

MGM growing beyond its plan: Sun Staff; The company today announced additions and enhancements that will increase its investment to more than $700 million for the ongoing transformation of the 114-acre, 5,000-room hotel-casino into "The City of Entertainment." The company previously had announced a $250 million expansion plan.

Hilton blasts ITT deal: Gary Thompson; But ITT said the FelCor deal is part of a "long-term, strategic alliance" that could result in some hotels currently managed by Hilton for FelCor being converted to the ITT Sheraton brand name.

MicroAge offers a voice of help on the other end of the phone line: Luckily, you have a toll-free number to call the computer company for technical support.

Sports history for June 3: 1961 - Sherluck, ridden by Braulio Baeza, wins the Belmont Stakes. Carry Back, winner of the Kentucky Derby and the Preakness, finishes seventh.

Water bond sale OK'd with some conditions: Jeff Schweers; The Debt Management Commission on Monday authorized the full amount, with the understanding that the water agency could sell up to $500 million without seeking additional permissions.

Fab T-Birds to play in the park: The opening act will be Robert Bradley's Blackwater Surprise.

Capital match-making is high-tech at Comdex: David E. Kalish; If the technology industry played the personal ads, this one could sum up the curious sideshow unfolding here this week, alongside one of the computer world's biggest trade events.

Las Vegas business briefs: By Mike Campbell; * NO TRENDS -- Growth will be lukewarm in Southern Nevada for the last half of 1997, say UNLV economists studying Southern Nevada's Index of Leading Economic Indicators. An index of 10 Clark County growth-measuring categories was gleaned from March statistics. The May report showed five components showing no changes and five showing negative changes. Gross gaming revenues was the major component pulling the index into negative territory with the $488.6 million in revenues 5.42 percent less than the previous month and 4.3 percent less than the same month a year ago. Since January, the index has shifted directions twice. ...

Ballet company hires director: Bruce Steivel has been hired as the new artistic director of the Nevada Dance Theatre, replacing Vassili Sulich, the company's founder and director for the past 25 years. Steivel will join the company in August.

Businessman unveils plan for $500 million casino project: The proposed site is in an industrial area outside the boundaries tentatively established for a casino district. The City Council has said it wanted casinos in the central downtown area and within walking distance of each other, to spur entertainment development.

City elections on tap today: Tom Gardner; George Chachas, who was recalled as mayor in 1994 and fell short in a run for the commission last November, was appointed in February, sparking the recall targeting Charlie Basso, Georgiann Timko and Dorothy Phillips.

Funeral services to be held for officer: Nevada Highway Patrol spokeswoman Janay Winkler said it may never be known why Minnie's head appeared to snap back just before his motorcycle crashed on Interstate 80 near Boomtown.

Officer sentenced on domestic violence conviction: A new federal law prohibits anyone convicted of misdemeanor domestic violence from owning or possessing a weapon.