Print edition for March 13, 1997

505687933.html: SUNDAY

Letter: Hawthorne not dying: There was no mention of the fact that Hawthorne is Nevada's All America City candidate in 1997. In the 48-year history of the National Civic League competition, no Nevada community has ever won the coveted prize. Nevada is one of only two states never to win All America City honors.

Spring Training roundup: Padres set to deal Henderson, Irabu: Or are they?

Showboat Invitational: Webb makes move in tourney: James Yodice; Born in Massachusetts, Webb has bounced around the U.S. during his 22-year profes sional bowling career.

Where I Stand: Dondero has always been a vital friend of Las Vegas: If ever the newer arrivals to our wonderful city want to meet the founding families of Las Vegas, they need only attend the annual Knight of the Gael dinners at Bishop Gorman High School. For it is there each year that the names and faces of the people who helped forge this city from the desert sands come together in the spirit of community.

John McCarron: Hal Wilber takes Orleans tourney: Other top places went to Bob McDonough (1306, $300), Derek Masek (1306, $255), Tim Schwerdfeger (1399, $150), Bob Barnowsky (1326, $100) and Rick Benard (1312, $75). John Cocchi was the Orleans Skins game winner, pocketing $120. High game went to Mark Blue with a 289.

Letter: Cartoonist has stretched credibility on concrete kid: Sharon Edmundson

Youngest Bodine proving himself again: By Ron Kantowski; But Winston Cup turned Busch Series driver Todd Bodine uses a different sports analogy to explain why he's back for a second tour of duty in the Grand National ranks.

Moorer keeps Atlas busy: Dean Juipe; Unlike most professional boxing trainers, Atlas has dual duties: Whip Michael Moorer into shape physically, and serve as something of an untrained psychologist when Moorer's mental approach to the sport goes astray.

Nuclear bill gets Senate panel's OK: The measure, approved on a 15-5 vote, now goes to the full Senate for consideration, possibly before a congressional recess later this month.

Sports Briefs: Coaches have no time for replays: Well, instant replay ultimately failed to get enough support for a return to the NFL because too many coaches didn't want to take a timeout to use it.

This Old Church Straps On Its Tool Belt: Scott Baldauf; After a windstorm, members of Dorchester Temple Baptist Church in Boston scurry around the lawn picking up roof shingles. After heavy rains, parishioners gather in the basement to pump out the inch of water that covers the linoleum.

Phone Taps Raise Ire Of Swiss Public, Media: Cathryn J. Prince; In what Mrs. Del Ponte's office says was an attempt to plug government leaks, the phones of several Swiss journalists were tapped. But rather than stop the information pipeline, the attorney general's efforts appear to have backfired.

Pollen counts take toll on Las Vegans: Christensen, too, suffers from the allergy, and he is availing himself of an even better remedy than the drugs he prescribes.

Clark is Rebels' savior: THE NUMBERS: Despite a lengthy second-half drought where it failed to make a field goal over an eight-minute span, Memphis shot 49 percent from the floor for the game. It was the best an opponent; Keon Clark is not in the prophecy business, but the 6-foot-11 center was right. He can't be expected to win games by himself.

Rumors make circuit at Las Vegas track: A source in Atlanta said one of the hot rumors making the rounds at North Carolina Motor Speedway in Rockingham, site of this past weekend's NASCAR Winston Cup race, was that a group including Petty and representatives from the Fox Network and/or Walt Disney World have been making inquiries about LVMS.

Letter: Smear campaign against Ensign turns off the voters: Legere states: "This guy (Ensign) wants all women to stay home and raise children. ..." Her statement is a falsehood. Ensign never said this. Another glaring, false statement is Legere saying, "... this guy is no different than the rest of these right-wingers." First, mature adults and professionals practice common courtesy. They do not call a congressman of the United States "this guy." I suggest this is very revealing about the character of the character assassin Legere. Second, Ensign is not a right-winer. This outrageous statement compels the forgoing of the more genteel word falsehood and the calling of Legere's ...

Probe of tape leak suggested: "It's a pretty difficult pill for anybody to swallow that the sanctity of the office of the chief law enforcement officer in the state has been breached," Assembly Minority Leader Pete Ernaut, R-Reno, said Wednesday.

Cement vandal to face April trial: Bill Gang; District Attorney Stewart Bell said Wednesday that criminal charges against the boy will be pursued despite a request from developer Richard Plaster to reconsider.

ABC warned before 'Prime Time Live' about allegations: Gaming leaders, still fearful of fallout from Wednesday night's "Prime Time Live" broadcast, were relieved today that the segment did not contain the majority of the discredited allegations leveled by convicted slot cheat Ron Harris.

Rebels go deep to win: Steve Carp; With that in mind, coach Bill Bayno made the adjustments to keep his team on the floor next week in the National Invitation Tournament. His backcourt put the clamps on Memphis' hot shooters and despite making just three field goals over the final 12 minutes, the Rebels found their stroke at the foul line to overcome a 15-point deficit and eliminate the Tigers, 66-62.

Letter: Don't give mayor power to override the council: Now it is up to our legislators in Carson City to decide if they will go along with her scheme. When this important veto bill comes up for a vote by our legislators, may God give them the wisdom to just say no.

Cloning considered for Cigar: Barry Simon, farm manager for Ashford Stud at Versailles, Ky., said last week 16 of 36 mares bred to Cigar had been tested and none was in foal. After Paulson retired Cigar last year, the horse was sent to Ashford Stud in a deal valued at $25 million. Cigar's stud fee is $75,000.

Scientists call for action on Lake Mead pollution: During a Lake Mead Water Quality Forum meeting in Las Vegas Wednesday, suggested programs ranged from stopping wastewater from returning to the lake to restoring wetlands.

Columnist Jeff German: Mayor's legislative push for veto power stirs up politicos: The criticism has come from media mouthpieces aligned with those being kicked out the door in county government.

Speedway to dole out more than $1 million: Big money and Las Vegas have long been synonymous, so it should come as no surprise that this weekend's racing tripleheader at Las Vegas Motor Speedway is being billed as "The Million Dollar Weekend."

Letter: Hoover Dam bypass should use south route: How long are we going to let the endangered species people and their tortoises, one-eyed moths, horned frogs, or whatever, tell us what to do when we know better. It's long past overdue to do away with their organization and EPA so we can develop our property as we wish.

Satellite firm gets NTS nod: The DOE and the Nevada Test Site Development Corp. have worked together to find suitable places on the site, 65 miles northwest of Las Vegas, for Kistler Aerospace to use. The current plan has the launch area in the northwest area.

Charges dropped against lawyer involved in fatal hit-and-run: "I don't think Ms. Damonte knew she hit a human being," Tatro said. "I know it's bizarre, but there's nothing to indicate she had knowledge."

Civilian review panels gain Senate committee OK: The bill approved Wednesday would allow cities and counties to create the review boards, with subpoena power, to look into allegations of police misconduct. They would not have disciplinary power.

Snow released from hospital: Although his vision remains blurred, opthalmologist Dr. Randall Tozer told Snow and the Giants that the eye itself appears to be in good condition. There was no word on when Snow could return.

Attorney charged on 2 drug counts: Cathy Scott; Estabrook was arrested early Wednesday and booked at 5:55 a.m. as Nancy Dandy, her maiden name.

Box Score: UNLV 66, Memphis 62: 3-Point Goals: 5-10 .500 (H. Allen 2, Henderson 2, Bradford).

Letter: Most dads are far from deadbeat: I think it's about time somebody started printing the fathers' side of these easy divorces. All a woman has to do is run to a lawyer and say, "I want a divorce." Then the judges see to it that she gets everything -- including all that tax-free money called child support. They do not even have to acount to anyone where that money is being spent. It's a perfect racket.

SUN Board: Community events: Special interest

A Handshake With the President Still Inspires: Skip Thurman; At a time when access to the president (or the Lincoln bedroom) has apparently come at a hefty premium, there's one group of White House visitors who are not major campaign contributors yet have had a standing invitation to the Oval Office for nearly a century: the Boy Scouts.

Mayweathers fight, win together: Fighting together for what likely will be the only time in their professional careers, each of the Las Vegas-based Mayweathers won their boxing matches Wednesday night in their native Grand Rapids, Mich.

Lawmakers view school service center: The Assembly Education Committee met Wednesday at the district's first Area Service Center, which has been in operation at 4546 E. Charleston Blvd. since January but opened officially on Tuesday.

NIT roundup: Rainbows' zone sinks the Ducks: After falling behind by 10 points in the first half, Hawaii coach Riley Wallace installed a 2-3 zone that helped defeat Oregon 71-61 Wednesday night in a first-round National Invitation Tournament game at Honolulu.

Killer's attorney critical of judge in Supreme Court appeal: Ralph Baker said the "integrity of the judicial system will collapse" if this conduct is allowed to stand.

Lawmakers eye ways to help abused spouses avoid harm: The bill would set up a state-run program to give fictitious addresses to such victims of domestic violence. The committee decided Wednesday not to take action until technical amendments are done.

Finch levels parting shots at officials: Tim Graham; Up until the end, and even after, this was Larry Finch's basketball team.

Home inspector approval proposed: Art Nadler; Assemblyman Dario Herrera, D-Las Vegas, is co-sponsoring a bill that would require home inspectors to become certified by the state Real Estate Division before going into business.

Rushing river reduced to trickle: The reduction will begin at 8 a.m. Tuesday and will be at its lowest ebb 24 hours later. The discharge will be increased to 1,200 cfs the following Wednesday, March 26, Stone said.

Michigan players allegedly got money: A Detroit man made cash payments to current and former Michigan basketball players, the Detroit Free Press reported today.

'MADhattan' to pick talent from Big Apple: "MADhattan" is scheduled to debut at the local hotel-casino in mid-June as the Strip resort's signature production, the show's producer, Kenneth Feld, said at a Wednesday news conference in New York.

NIT box scores: MEMPHIS (16-15)

Smaller Congregation For 'Temple of Nature': Daniel Sneider; Yosemite, one of the most beautiful and popular national parks, has been closed since Jan. 2 when it was struck by the area's worst flood this century. A combination of warm rains falling on a deep snow pack in the Sierra Nevada sent water cascading into the narrow valley, severing roads, destroying sewer systems, and sweeping away cabins.

Students taught respect for fire: Cathy Scott; Blackburn, 34, relayed her harrowing experience to third-graders at Bendorf Elementary School on Wednesday.

Letter: Concrete kid's mother proves that crime does pay: Who said crime doesn't pay?

Legislature schedule for Thursday, March 13: 8 a.m. - Assembly Judiciary on changes to state Parole Board. Work session on court fees, aid to crime victims, provisions for witness support, increasing judges in Las Vegas, fees for criminal history records and limiting civil liability for horse injuries.

Grand jury to get child-care death case: But while a March 28 preliminary hearing date was set for 33-year-old Alica Daneen Wegner, Deputy District Attorney Doug Herndon said the case will be presented to a Clark County grand jury on March 27.

HMO boss defends against rising criticism of industry: Larry Henry; "You in fact cannot cure everything," said Dr. Tony Marlon, chairman of Sierra Health Services, the state's largest health maintenance organization.

Angolans Join In The Battle for Zaire: Judith Matloff; As rebellion continues to unsettle Central Africa, Angolan rebel chief Jonas Savimbi and Zairean President Mobutu Sese Seko are clinging together in a desperate last stand as the war in Zaire threatens both men's futures.

Last White Rhinos in the Wild Imperiled by African Civil War: David Orr; Garamba National Park, home to the world's few remaining northern white rhinos, is now part of a vast swath of territory held by rebels of the Alliance of Democratic Forces for the Liberation of Congo-Zaire. "It's not so much that the rebels themselves pose a danger to the rhinos," says Fraser Smith of the Washington-based World Wide Fund for Nature (WWF). "But, because the patrolling and monitoring have been disrupted, we can't protect the animals from poachers.

Letter: Remove point spreads from all college sports: All of which leads us to suggest an idea that will probably not set well with bettors or books but may help to save college players from succumbing to the lure of easy money. The idea is: Take college basketball/football off the boards completely or, if that is too radical, remove the point spread.

Companies seek seniors to fill jobs: Bob Shemeligian; "I feel great, and I love my job," says Gelbart, who started as a groundskeeper 15 years ago.

L.A. accountant admits he falsified financial reports: Merle Finkel pleaded guilty Wednesday to one count of conspiring to commit securities fraud and bank fraud in connection with EMS Products International Corp., Combined Companies International Corp. and Twenty First Century Health Inc.

Data failed to show prior abuse claims: Records show that Wegner's aunt and her therapist filed complaints against the woman, raising concerns that she had beaten her 3-year-old daughter.

Damn the tornadoes, full speed ahead!: David Renzi; How we spent our summer vacation, by Phil and Kathy Henry.

Columnist Joe Delaney: Ruth Brown hotter than ever at 70: Joe Delaney; Atlantic Records, back in the 1950s, was known as "The House That Ruth (Brown) Built." ... In 1988, as part of the label's 40th anniversary celebration, it announced lump-sum payments of retroactive royalties. ... This month, Atlantic doubled the royalty rate, again retroactively.

Caesars Palace wants its airspace back: But now, signs are that, like its counterpart of antiquity, the gaming giant might be on the decline as ITT Caesars has had to fight off a hostile takeover by Hilton Hotels Corp., and now faces the very prospect of losing its airspace to another rival, Steve Wynn's Mirage Resorts.

Dragons 4, Thunder 1: Second Period -- No scoring. Penalties: San Antonio (roughing) 0:26; Bast, Las Vegas (high-sticking) 0:26; MacIntyre, San Antonio (hooking) 3:40; Lefebvre (slashing) 8:46; Bancroft, Las Vegas (hooking) 14:52; Laforge, San Antonio (hooking) 18:38; Day, Las Vegas (roughing) 19:37; Harlock, San Antonio (holding) 19:37.

Neighborhood casino ban introduced: "Let's put a stop to the proliferation" said Sen. Mark James, R-Las Vegas, the author of Senate Bill 208, which would prohibit hotel-casinos from being built within 1,500 feet of a church, school or home. If the resort is planned for 1,500 to 2,500 feet away, neighbors would have a right to vote for or against the project.

Bill encouraging caution around pedestrians and bikes stalls in Senate: "It seems the attitude of the motoring public is that pedestrians ought to look out for us," he said. "This requires that we use due caution - that it's our responsibility to watch out for pedestrians."

Dragons blow by Thunder: Between the other pipes, Dragons goaltender David Littman was a rock. He got bombarded with 37 shots and saved 36.

Where You Stand for March 12, 1997: -- Henderson

Columnist Bob Shemeligian: Bay Area up in arms over lips: Bob Shemeligian; "I don't think so," said San Francisco Examiner columnist Cynthia Robins.

Dean Juipe: Curry to battle former student: Dean Juipe; Here's an upcoming fight with an outrageous storyline, one that sells tickets by itself.

Christian Coalition head meets with White House chief: President Clinton has yet to announce his three selections for the panel, which will study the effects of gambling in America.