Print edition for June 26, 1997

Lone Star double murderer to get death: Bill Gang; It took a District Court jury only 2 1/2 hours of deliberations Wednesday to determine that the 23-year-old man, who admitted killing two men during a holdup at a Lone Star restaurant, should be shown no leniency.

Crash kills woman, 75: Janie Franschman of Las Vegas was attempting to turn left from the west parking lot into northbound traffic along Lamb Boulevard when the driver's side door of her 1987 Oldsmobile Cutlass was hit by a southbound vehicle.

Friday at Belmont Park: 1st race 6 fur 3YO&up F&M Mdn Clm

Reno City COuncil raising business license fees: The largest businesses - those will annual sales of $5 million or more - will pay 65 cents per $1,000 of receipts.

New garage to open at Reno Airport Monday: In addition, airport officials said construction of the airport access road is running ahead of schedule and may be open by Thanksgiving - about seven months ahead of time.

Boy dies in jet ski accident at Tahoe: The boat operator looked behind and saw the teen in the water and was able to pull him onto the boat, where he and others tried to revive him, authorities said.

SUN Camp Fund: Boy asks for the chance to go to camp: That says it all. The lad's mother works in a low-paying job while going to school to increase her working skills. Kyle and his sister help out by doing all they can to ease their mother's load at home. Kyle did some odd jobs around the neighborhood, hoping to save enough for summer camp. Kyle never talks about his dad, who just walked away one day and left the family to fend for themselves. Kyle needs financial help to go to camp and has appealed to the SUN Camp Fund.

Russian tradition finds a home on Strip: The Faberge Las Vegas Egg, the latest in a series of objets d'art that date to 1884, was unveiled Wednesday at the Sheraton Desert Inn's Monte Carlo Restaurant.

Surrendered pool license no help to homeowners: Art Nadler; The company voluntarily surrendered its pool building license to the State Contractors Board.

Man accused in girl's death faces Las Vegas hearing: Strohmeyer is charged with murder, sexual assault and kidnapping in the May 25 killing of Sherrice Iverson at the Primm Valley hotel on the Nevada-California border, southwest of Las Vegas.

Faberge Egg facts: * 1887: Resurrection Egg. Height: 3 7/8 inches. A clear rock crystal egg with pearls, rose diamonds and eight brilliant cut diamonds. Featured inside is Christ rising from his tomb flanked by two angels.

Yucca Mountain plan called political: Loux, who is leading the state's fight to prevent a nuclear waste dump in Nevada, says the viability assessment is intended to "shoehorn the White House" into supporting legislation for the temporary dump.

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

Sports history for June 26: 1959 - Ingemar Johannson knocks out Floyd Patterson in the third round at Yankee Stadium in New York to win the world heavyweight title.

Man to face murder charges: Carter, who turns 47 next week, is accused of stabbing Felsted, 63, after the victim reportedly hurled racial and obscene slurs at him.

Legislative Summary: GOVERNOR

Topless club hit with suit: Bob Shemeligian; The latest suit, filed Wednesday by Las Vegas attorney Douglas Cohen, charges that his client, 52-year-old Timothy Owen, a patron of Cheetah's, was beaten so severely in the parking lot of the nightclub Sept. 28, 1996, that he remains in a "semi-vegetative" state.

Jury deliberations: The waiting game: More deliberations were ordered for today,

Longtime LV chef, deli owner Fields dies at 73: Debra D. Bass; Fields, a World War II Navy veteran, is the former owner of Jackie's Deli, one of the first in the area, which he operated in Commercial Center on East Sahara Avenue from 1964 to 1975.

Miller, Raggio unveil school-reform package: His comment came after he and Gov. Bob Miller Wednesday announced an educational reform package to boost the achievement levels of students, make schools toe the line and pump $27.5 million into computer purchases for the classroom.

Box score: Rainiers 14, Stars 9: E--Decker, Raabe, Medina, Dascenzo. DP--Tacoma 1, Las Vegas 2. LOB--Tacoma 6, Las Vegas 4. 2B--Torres 2, Sheets, Varitek, Rohrmeier, Decker, Scarsone. 3B-Briggs. HR--Ibanez (9), Raabe (9), Zinter (16), Scarsone (4).

Jobless rate at 8-year low: The state Department of Employment, Training and Rehabilitation said this was one-tenth of a percent lower than April and it is the fourth straight month the rate has either held steady or dropped.

Racing at a Glance: WINSTON CUP

Las Vegas business news: By Mike Campbell; * CHAMBER EXCEEDS GOAL -- The Las Vegas Chamber of Commerce has a lot to celebrate: more than $500,000 in recent contributions and a new office building to show for it. The chamber's new headquarters, located at 3720 Howard Hughes Parkway, was funded through the efforts of 250 volunteers who raised $650,000, exceeding their goal in the "On Our Way to 500K" campaign. The funds also will contribute to several other chamber projects, including stepped-up government affairs efforts, a new Business Resource Center and new programs for the membership, according to Diane Dickerson Merica, chairwoman of the chamber. To raise ...

Editorial: Bill strikes balance for homeowners: The committee this week unanimously passed a measure which will provide essential safeguards to homeowners, including a provision to prevent loss of their homes.

Casino robbery suspect in Biloxi jail: Karen Zekan; Donnell Johnson is named in the paperwork Metro's robbery detail will be submitting to the district attorney's office for review. Metro is accusing Johnson of the two robberies and an attempted robbery at the Tropicana hotel-casino foiled by security guards.

Letter: Blame Koresh, not Reno, for Waco deaths: In an attempt to protect the children at the Waco compound, Janet Reno responded to reports the children were being abused. Survivors of the Waco tragedy reported the cult leader demanded sexual relations with his female followers, regardless of age. He told them such action would ensure their salvation.

Las Vegas Stars scorecard: Upcoming games

Deluge of Israeli Politics Could Swamp Peace Process: Ilene R. Prusher; JERUSALEM -- It was less than 24 hours before Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu was to face a no-confidence motion Tuesday. The vote looked more likely to topple his government than ever before.

Senators push for bill to eliminate tax deduction for losses: Wayne Mehl, a Washington, D.C. lobbyist for the Nevada Resort Association, said the proposal is the most ominous for the gaming industry since the White House proposed a 4 percent tax on gaming revenues in 1994. That proposal failed to make it to Congress.

Reid: Regulators ignoring Frontier: "What has been going on at the Frontier has not been helpful to the image of Nevada," Reid said. "Something's wrong here, and I think it's time somebody get to the bottom of it."

Georgia Adultery Debate Shows Shift in Morality: Christina Nifong; ATLANTA -- Mike Bowers built his career on being a man of his word.

The rose of St. Rose: Lisa Ferguson; Progress.

Where I Stand: Let's treat working poor with dignity they deserve: Some members of Congress think it would be a grand idea to pay the new workers trying to leave welfare less than the minimum wage. The idea of workfare is to raise them up to become contributing members of society. Now to pay them less than the minimum wage is just one more foot in their backs to hold them down.

Columnist Steve Carp: Can Tyson find the answers?: Steve Carp; If he comes up short Saturday night in his WBA heavyweight title rematch against Evander Holyfield, there will be much contemplating at Tyson's Tomiyasu Lane mansion about what the future holds.

State officials praise Supreme Court's inmate religion decision: Anne Cathcart of the attorney general's office agreed, saying convicts used the act to demand special food, private space away from other inmates, special religious ceremonies and even drugs they claimed were necessary for their own individual religious practices.

Tocco loses part of a leg: Dean Juipe; However, he said Wednesday he was in good spirits and was looking forward to his release from Valley Hospital.

Guardian bill finally on move: "This is what we have been waiting for," said the Las Vegas mother after the Assembly Judiciary Committee Wednesday approved Senate Bill 231, which prevents a change in guardianship of a teenager without the parents' knowledge.

Columnist Jeff German: Gibbons hit for misfiring in BLM attack in House speech: The freshman Republican is well aware of the sense of history that comes with being one of 435 members of the House.

Fairness only way for Ratner: Steve Carp; But if you bring up Marc Ratner's name to any of them, the bickering stops and the praise begins.

Decision to throw out Internet porn law won't deter cybercrime cops: Laurent Belsie; Not much.

Hearing set on LV Family Court judge: Frank Cremen, special prosecutor for the case, said he may not find it necessary to present witnesses, since most of the facts are undisputed.

Correction: Artful Potter shop opening delayed: * Due to construction delays, today's planned opening of the Artful Potter shop, dedicated to the Make-a-Wish Foundation, has been postponed until July 24.

Berumen beats old pals at Cashman: Then again, Berumen rarely got offensive support the likes of which he received Wednesday night from his Tacoma Rainiers teammates. Berumen turned in his third solid start since the June 10 trade that sent him to Tacoma and the Rainiers pounded out 18 hits in defeating the Stars 14-9 at Cashman Field.

Kebu to Sixers: After leading UNLV in scoring and rebounding as a freshman and sophomore, the 6-8, 240-pound Stewart transferred to Cal State-Bakersfield and was the NCAA Division II Player of the Year the past two seasons.

Unjustly fined drivers to receive DMV refunds: The bill will be sent to the Assembly for agreement on a minor amendment before it goes to Gov. Bob Miller for his signature. He has pledged to sign the bill. The Assembly approved the original version of the bill 42-0.

Murder suspect back in jail after pals renege on cash: Bill Gang; As a District Court bailiff snapped her into handcuffs Wednesday, she learned that such friendships only go so far.

Billionaire eyes Stratosphere: Gary Thompson; Now, insiders say, he may be using a similar strategy to seize the reins at Stratosphere Corp., the foundering Las Vegas hotel-casino mired in Chapter 11 bankruptcy proceedings.

Nevada jobless rate dips to 4.4 percent: DETR chief Carol Jackson said Nevada's rate is well below a national rate of 4.8 percent in May, and has ranged from 4.6 percent to the current 4.4 percent for five straight months.

Columnist Steve Carp: Tyson finds himself at a crossroad: Steve Carp; If he comes up short Saturday night in his WBA heavyweight title rematch against Evander Holyfield, there will be much contemplating at Tyson's Tomiyasu Lane mansion about what the future holds.

Columnist Dean Juipe: No love lost between these women fighters: Dean Juipe; Christy Martin has fought professionally since 1989 and has lost only once.

Tyson camp wants ref thrown out: Dean Juipe; Tyson's co-managers, John Horne and Rory Holloway, presented Nevada State Athletic Commission chairman Dr. Elias Ghanem with a letter stating their official opposition to Halpern on Wednesday.

Jobless rate hits 8-year low: The state Department of Employment, Training and Rehabilitation said this was one-tenth of a percent lower than April and it is the fourth straight month the rate has either held steady or dropped.

Parolee dies after crash in stolen pickup: Karen Zekan; Inside the pickup were at least a dozen different identification cards and three women's purses, Nevada Highway Patrol Trooper Steve Harney said.

Columnist Bob Shemeligain: Fargo: You've seen the film, try the bank!: Bob Shemeligain; But what do to with all my nice white shirts and Modesto Uomo silk-patterned ties?

Commission backs choice of Halpern to referee title fight: Horne said he wasn't against Halpern personally but that Tyson didn't want the same referee for the rematch.

Letter: Peterson's criticism shows ills of education: In what can best be described as defensive, Peterson attempted to "set the record straight." In her diatribe, she exhibited all the signs commonly attributed to alcoholics and drug addicts who refuse to admit they have a problem. She chides Hanlon -- whose insights regarding the sad state of public education have been a breath of fresh air in an atmosphere of bureaucratic double-speak and union-mouthed excuses -- as being "demoralizing, inappropriate and counterproductive."

Von Tobel puts university system on notice over merit pay: In some cases, faculty members and professional staff members benefited twice from a pool of money set aside by state lawmakers to reward the best teachers and brightest researchers.

Increased levies on property will be allocated to build new schools: Larry Henry; "The state of Nevada has stepped to the plate in doing something about school construction," said Assemblywoman Chris Giunchigliani, D-Las Vegas, after Wednesday's vote.

Man regains will to live after hit by drunken driver: The last thing George remembered was seeing bright lights shining directly in his eyes and minutes later feeling Judy's lifeless body next to him.

Study: Two sport centers aid economy: Pauline Bell; That is the bottom line of a recent economic impact study of the two facilities conducted by the university's Center for Business and Economic Research and prepared by Associate Director Ricardo Gazel.

People in the News for June 26, 1997: Speed limit

Tale of the tape: ateb By The Associated Press

The Vacation Homeowner Who Swam One Lap Too Far: David Holmstrom; ASPEN, COLORADO -- Whoops.

Guatemala Peace Puts Ex-Guerrillas on the Stump: Cathleen Caron; TULUCHE, GUATEMALA -- After five years of living apart, six-year-old Maria Magdalena and her mother, "Amanda," will once again live together. In 1978, Amanda (who still uses a rebel pseudonym) joined Guatemala's guerrilla movement at 16. When she gave birth to two daughters in the middle of the civil war, she had to leave them to be raised by virtual strangers. Now that the war is over, her family will remain divided: Her oldest girl wants to stay with relatives.

Holyfield: You gotta believe: Dean Juipe; Others, only slightly less convinced, look at Evander Holyfield with a mixture of wonder and awe.

Henderson to get second St. Rose hospital: Art Nadler; Work is expected to begin on the first $55 million phase in mid-1998, with completion scheduled within a year. The second $55 million phase should be completed by 2006.

Woman run over by car murdered: Cathy Scott; "The car got stuck in the sand while someone ran over her with it," homicide Sgt. Bill Keeton said, adding that blood found on the outside of the car indicated "there was a struggle before she was run over."

United flight attendants picket: Members of the Association of Flight Attendants, AFL-CIO, say they would implement work stoppages in selected locations around United's route system if demands for better pay and benefits are not met.

Letter: Stop the constant spilling of our precious water supply: I understand the city of Las Vegas has a water watchdog team. I think it's time the water-wasters be put in their place.

Madame Pandit wins $68,420 Jim Newman Stakes: Strawberry Morn, under Gary Stevens, finished second, a head in front of Avenue of Gold, with Corey Nakatani, in the field of eight fillies and mares 3-years-old and up. Favored Southern Spring finished fourth.

He's a dead-ringer for one ring king: Dean Juipe; And the reaction is always the same.

In Colombia's Civil War, Neutrality Can Pay Off: David Aquila Lawrence; "For personal and cultural survival, we want out. This isn't our war," says Guzman Caizamo, vice president of the Indigenous Organization of Antioquia (OIA). And he may be right.

In Germany, Policing the Net Brings Troubling Legal Issues: Ruth Walker; BONN -- Around the globe, the question of policing the Internet is absorbing everyone from political leaders afraid of an informed public to parents concerned about shielding their children from pornography.

Judge makes grand jury transcripts public: Elmore had threatened to sue after the Feb. 13 grand jury presentment accused the employees of oppression under the color of office, a gross misdemeanor.

Delta flight returns to Las Vegas airport because of warning light: There was no fire, according to McCarran spokesman Adam Mayberry. The problem was blamed on a faulty switch.

Mosque denies conning Mike Tyson of $250,000: Nichole Davis; The denial came Wednesday in response to comments Tyson made Monday at a press conference in the home of boxing promoter Don King.

Tenants rights bill narrowly fails to win Assembly approval: The bill by Assemblyman David Goldwater, D-Las Vegas, requires landlords to give a reason why a tenant is being evicted and lowers the maximum up-front security deposit from three to two months rent. The owner would have to pay the tenant interest on the deposit when all or part of it is returned.

Legislators talk taxes as session nears end: AB419 allows casinos to deduct losses if a win is paid to a gambler who used promotional tokens. That means casinos would report less income, and therefore pay a smaller tax bill.

No more talk: It's up to Holyfield and Tyson: Both camps have been loudly predicting victory. Now it's time for Holyfield and Tyson to back up the boasts.

Letter: Columnist should not worry about fuzzy ideas: Content standards are defined as what we expect children to know and to be able to do in specific academic subjects. They should be common across the country. They are not. Performance standards are defined as "how good is good enough," with explicit academic performance skills identified, examples of student work which meets the performance standard described, and teacher commentary explaining why the student work meets the performance standard. The only thing common about performance standards is that they should be empirically referenced to academic content. We still do not yet have rigorous enough academic content standards nor do we ...

Perseverance on Clean Air Pays Dividends for Browner: Alexandra Marks; NEW YORK -- While still bracing for a fight in Congress, Carol Browner can breathe a lot easier today.