Print edition for May 28, 1997

Conflict questioned in cop's case: Bill Gang; Chairez reluctantly decided Tuesday not to kick the district attorney's office off the case against former Officer Michael Ramirez or dismiss the indictment alleging he forced a couple to perform sex acts as he watched.

Bank building approved: Bank building approved

Media Notes: Rushing to judgment: Albert isn't convicted: Tim Graham; I don't have a Marv Albert story to tell. No fluff, no dirt. Nothing good, nothing bad.

Rebels don't fret over expectations: The top 30 teams in the nation, including No. 1-ranked UNLV, are battling for the national championship on a course that is as tough as any of the teams have played all season.

Columnist Peter Benton: Avoid skin cancer -- take precautions: Peter Benton; The irony here is that I had various cancer spots on both arms and face taken off and the more serious looking one surgically removed to be biopsied.

Two teens win t-shirt design contest: The mayor and City Council presented the winners with a city watch and a $50 savings bond in recognition of their contributions to the subcommittee and their creative design.

Subcommittee approves electricity deregulation bill: "Deregulation is on the way," said Jon Wellinghoff, director of the Citizens Energy Project, which proposes establishing a nonprofit electric cooperative for Las Vegas.

A Winner at Home, Britain's Premier Takes On Europe: Alexander MacLeod; Britain's new Prime Minister Tony Blair, with backing from President Clinton, is bidding to give his country a more influential and possibly decisive voice in the affairs of Europe.

3 members of LV family die in crash: Cathy Scott; The Rev. Paul Brooks, 49, his wife, Alisa Brooks, 32, and her 10-year-old son, Caleb Nelson, were killed early Friday when the Ford Explorer they were in went off the road and rolled several times. Stacia Nelson, 12, Alisa Brooks' daughter, survived.

People in the News for May 28, 1997: Tommy and Pam

BLM To Trade With Del Webb for Kings Canyon Property: Dwyer said Kings Canyon, part of the Toiyabe National Forest, is viewed by the Forest Service as valuable for its water shed and recreation potential.

Court reduction proposed: The Las Vegas City Council will consider a $500,000 early retirement buyout plan for Municipal Court employees.

Letter: Debbie Reynolds should be appreciated for her efforts: As an onlooker, a spectator seated in the bleachers, I have watched her efforts to promote that Hollywood Museum over these past 25 years, and I've been witness to her constant defeat in terms of finding locations that were suddenly yanked out from under her down to a lack of interest from the very people her museum applauds. I have watched her work her tail off, repaying debts that belonged to former husbands, only because she felt that was the right thing to do. She could have walked away from responsibility at any time, and no one would have faulted ...

Columnist Paula Del Giudice: Planning a camping trip? Here's what you will need: Maybe you're in the same boat. This article might help you get started so that you won't miss out on all the benefits of sleeping under the stars.

City of Las Vegas programs: MARTIAL ARTS CLASS -- Baker Park Community School offers the class for adults and children. Tae kwon do is one of the martial arts known for high kicks and defensive moves. The class cost is $27 and is designed for all ages. The class is offered on Tuesday and Thursday from 5:30-6:30 p.m. or you can sign up for the Saturday class, which is given from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. Registration is June 2-13. Call 733-6599.

Clark County sees modest decline in business activity: The department reported Tuesday that taxable sales in Clark County reached $1.478 billion, up 8.8 percent, in March. It was the second month in a row that sales have been below double-digit increases.

Casino execs hear train proposal: Amtrak West President Gil Mallery on Tuesday told a group representing casino properties, government entities and transportation-related consultants that he wants a private-public coalition to be formed and for resort properties to pre-sell the 322 seats daily on the high-tech train that would make the trip between Los Angeles and Southern Nevada in 5 1/2 hours.

Pets could get free ride home: A bill was introduced at Tuesday's City Council meeting that would allow an Animal Control officer to take a loose pet back to his owner. It would save the owner the cost of impound and boarding fees and save the city the cost of feeding, sheltering and, if necessary, destroying the animal after five days in captivity.

Israel Independence celebration scheduled: There will be a variety of kosher food, information booths, craft vendors and extensive children's activities. There will be a picnic atmosphere in the park outside the center, and participants should bring blankets and lawn chairs.

Where I Stand: Court ruling on Clinton suit stirs ugly political waters: Let me tell you why.

Las Vegans wait to see if Hong Kong will change: That's when British colonial rule ends in Hong Kong -- just after midnight on July 1 -- and Chinese sovereignty begins.

Las Vegas man arrested after hostage crisis: David Fowler, 41, became violent about 1 a.m. when his wife attempted to move herself and her children out of their home at 2579 Pine Creek Road, near Carey Avenue and Pecos Road, Metro spokesman Phil Roland said.

Fishing Report: * LAKE MOHAVE -- Trout and striped bass fishing have been slow at Willow Beach, despite last week's trout plants. Some stripers have been caught around the 43 mile marker.

Letter: Homeowner association seminar was a sham: And a homeowner in attendance was prohibited from videotaping this group's actions, even though its ad stated that Community Associations Institute is a "national education organization."

Telephone prefix shortage rings call for conservation: Pauline Bell; That's why the Nevada Public Service Commission is being asked this week to be the impartial third party in charge of designating the 210 remaining prefixes in the state's existing 702 area code.

Children's security at issue: Rachael Levy; UNLV Professor Bill Thompson said casino executives should view the death of Sherrice Iverson, raped and strangled in a Primm Valley hotel-casino restroom early Sunday, as a warning.

Cave Rock climbers get a boost from lawyers: "We changed it under (the Access Fund) suggestion that we modify the order to only prohibit the installation of new hardware," he added.

Grandma in custody dispute won't be prosecuted: Sandy Thompson; The state attorney general's office has decided not to prosecute a grandmother who was arrested for violation of custody laws.

Featherweights top program at Arizona Charlie's: Dean Juipe; Headlining the A.F. Promotions show is Hector Lizarraga, a 31-year-old veteran who has advanced to the No. 1 position in the International Boxing Federation rankings. He's 32-8-5 and has not lost since 1991, including a span of 16 fights.

Prosecutor relying on audio, videotaped evidence in federal drug trial: Nichole Davis; Grace, 37, is on trial this week on five counts of sale of a controlled substance, one count of possession of a controlled substance with the intent to distribute, and two counts of assault on federal officers. If convicted on all charges, Grace, who has prior drug convictions, faces life in prison without the possibility for parole.

Dean Juipe: Coach says Smith ready for the pros: Remember Warren Schutte?

Serving Your Community: POLICE VS. FIREFIGHTERS -- The fifth annual Police vs. Firefighters Charity Baseball Game will be at 7 p.m. June 6 at UNLV's Wilson Stadium. Proceeds from the event, sponsored by Bank of America, KVVU Channel 5 and KBGO 93.1-FM, will benefit Juvenile Diabetes Foundation. Tickets are $3, or two for $5. Children under 6 are free with a paying adult. Tickets are available at the JDF office, 4220 S. Maryland Parkway, and at the stadium on the day of the event. Seventh-inning stretch activities will include a raffle drawing. For more information, call 732-3795.

Courts split on enforceability of gambling debts: The conflict mirrors the statewide confusion in California appellate courts, which have issued contrary rulings on the legal status of out-of-state gambling debts. Until a definitive ruling by the state Supreme Court, which last considered the issue in 1947, or a change in state law, trial judges essentially are on their own.

Shortfall seen in school funding plan: An increase of $45 would make the state support per pupil climb to $3,725 next year. Miller recommended $3,680 per student in his budget.

Editorial: Keep curb on hospital cost hikes: After all, the law enacted in 1991 was to curb runaway costs of hospital care in Nevada, costs that were skyrocketing insurance fees and making health-care fees outrageous for the uninsured. Nevadans recognized a need to limit hospital cost increases, and, since then, the controls have worked well.

Mother sues doctors on alleged misdiagnosis: She claims doctors concluded the boy had a malignant turmor treatable only by chemotherapy.

Community service events: POLICE VS. FIREFIGHTERS -- The fifth annual Police vs. Firefighters Charity Baseball Game will be at 7 p.m. June 6 at UNLV's Wilson Stadium. Proceeds from the event, sponsored by Bank of America, KVVU Channel 5 and KBGO 93.1-FM, will benefit Juvenile Diabetes Foundation. Tickets are $3, or two for $5. Children under 6 are free with a paying adult. Tickets are available at the JDF office, 4220 S. Maryland Parkway, and at the stadium on the day of the event. Seventh-inning stretch activities will include a raffle drawing. For more information, call 732-3795.

City wants voters to decide new wards: The unanimous decision by the council at its Tuesday meeting is in contrast to Senate Bill 38, which automatically would increase by two the number of Las Vegas City Council members without the people's input.

Pennwood outreach office opens: The center will have normal business hours Monday through Friday. It will be operated by Neighborhood Services Department staffers Devin Livziey and Bob Hyde.

NCAA Championship: * WHEN/WHERE: Today through Saturday at the par-72, 7,014-yard Conway Farms Golf Club in Lake Forest, Ill.

Columnist Elizabeth Foyt: Rio's new Voodoo Cafe as mysterious as it is high: Elizabeth Foyt; Our invitation to sample the Cajun and Creole cuisines during the recent festivities drew us like moths to the flame. The mood was festive, congenial, with much meeting, greeting and mingling among the guests. As we rocketed from the hotel's Masquerade Village level up to the tip top of the luxury tower, our companions were Las Vegas VIPs and honored guests, among them Somer Hollingsworth, head of the Nevada Development Authority, his wife, Peggy, and Phil and Vicki Stevenson.

Reid keeps seniors up on Social Security: About 75 seniors attended a Tuesday forum at the West Charleston Library to hear the Nevada Democrat bring them up to date on a variety of issues. The town hall meeting was one of a series the National Committee to Preserve Social Security and Medicare has hosted around the country.

Rosegreen not giving up on football dream: Steve Carp; He may or may not have a future in basketball. But for whatever reason, Warren Rosegreen can't seem to get football out of his system.

Brother feels responsible for death: Cathy Scott; "He was blaming himself," homicide Sgt. Bill Keeton said after interviewing the boy. "That's too much for a 14-year-old to put on himself."

James wants restrictions on private nude dancers, escort services: Larry Henry; James said the services, which provide personal entertainers for hotel guests and private residences, are a front for prostitution.

Assembly OKs help in building schools: Assembly Joint Resolution 9, which was approved 24-18 and sent to the Senate, would amend the Constitution to raise the debt limit from 2 percent to 3 percent of assessed property valuation, with the money being used to build and refurbish the public schools.

Budget panel balks at class-size reduction plan: And a Senate-Assembly budget subcommittee, building the spending program for education for the next two years, doesn't know which way to fall.

Proposal made for Las Vegas County: Assembly Bill 540, introduced Tuesday by the Assembly Government Affairs Committee at Collins' request, calls for changing Clark County to Las Vegas County.

Legislative summary: SENATE

Council wants vote to decide new wards: The unanimous decision by the council at its Tuesday meeting is in contrast to Senate Bill 38, which automatically would increase by two the number of Las Vegas City Council members without the people's input.

Las Vegas city briefs: * MATTER RESOLVED -- City Attorney Brad Jerbic said Tuesday the state has resolved the matter of the contamination caused by leaking tanks from a Rebel gasoline station that used to be on the northeast corner of Las Vegas Boulevard and Lewis Avenue. As a result, the city will not have to spend $100,000 on a $1 million to $2 million insurance policy, which would cover the cost of a major cleanup. Instead, the city and federal government each will contribute $50,000 to restore the area.

Mortenson not buying sales tax: Larry Henry; "If this were put to a vote of the people, I'd be for this bill," Mortenson, a Democratic assemblyman from Las Vegas, told the Senate Taxation Committee Tuesday. "If it's not put to a vote of the people, I wouldn't be for it."

Resolution urges keeping mobile home water rate: Assemblywoman Genie Ohrenschall, D-Las Vegas, told the committee that many of the more than 139 mobile home parks in Clark County have a master water meter instead of individual meters at each space.

Driver killed in Mesquite accident: The Mesquite man had pulled out of a private driveway and was making a U-turn from north to south on Mesquite Boulevard, south of Desert Road, when the accident happened about 9:25 a.m. Tuesday, said Trooper Steve Harney.

Tax windfall for Lyon County: That affects the whole formula for dealing out sales tax revenues, and it means $405,109 to Lyon County, the Mason Valley News reported.

Drug Trade's Serpentine Path: Howard LaFranchi; HERMOSILLO, MEXICO -- When a team of Mexican antidrug police and Army officers captured a prominent drug trafficker at one of his luxurious homes in Sonora in April, they were stumped over what to do with their big fish.

Peres: New Israeli Tactics Needed in 'Decisive' Year: Scott Peterson; A literary allusion to the state of the Arab-Israeli peace process seems appropriate to both the setting and speaker. The office of Shimon Peres is lined with thick tomes, and 20 more hardcover books sit on the former prime minister's desk, just to his right, ready for reading.

Defense continues grilling the FBI: The jury never saw the 3-by-5 photographs of Lynn Bankston in her bikini, which were taken to document allegations that her husband took $1,555 from Goodson as "rental" for his condominium during a week when the couple was using it.

Tighter regulations force money launderers to look south: Sam Walker; For American law-enforcement agencies, it was a bittersweet moment. The seizure is the best evidence yet that recent laws designed to prevent Mexican drug barons from laundering their profits in the US are working. But it also suggested that Mexican banks are picking up the slack.

Detroit Fights to Stem Urban Flight: Ann Scott Tyson; With his clipped gray beard and European-cut suit, Richard Kokochak lacks that rugged, pioneering look. But in the quest to revitalize inner-city Detroit, Mr. Kokochak is a veritable Daniel Boone.

Robbery motive questioned in double murder: Shift Manager Gerald Spaeth, 35, and co-worker Elza Raymand Wire, 24, were shot several times at close range with what police believe was a semiautomatic handgun. Spaeth was shot in a rear office. Wire was gunned down in a hallway.

Coast Guard recommendation could dry-dock Empress I: But local Coast Guard officials are recommending against the substitution, saying the underwater inspection didn't provide a clear enough view of the vessel. That means the Joliet boat is likely to be out of action for two busy summer months.

Predicting Twisters: a Push for Earlier Warnings: Peter Spotts; But for survivors picking up the pieces from Tuesday's deadly tornado outbreak, 1997 will not go down as a typical year.

Names of accident victims released: The toddler was the daughter of Lisa Brooks, 29, of Carson City. Brooks and another daughter were injured.

Mayor vetoes council's plan to investigate city attorney: Rattazzi was stopped earlier this year for running a stop sign and failure to wear a seat belt. He was fined $100 in March for contempt after he failed to appear in court on the traffic charges because Olsen said he did not plan to prosecute for lack of evidence.

Seat belt law for passengers in rear of pickups derailed: De Braga said some committee members want to kill the measure and she's not sure how it will fare. Other members are worried about the impact on ranchers and miners in the rural areas. She said she favors the seat belts in town but isn't sure they should be required in other areas.

Recent murders in Japan highlight need for action: Cameron W. Barr; A note found with the boy's remains, addressed to police, asked, "Can you stop me?" The taunt raised the possibility of a connection to an unsolved March 16 attack on two elementary school girls in the same neighborhood that left one dead and the other injured.

Family sues over "uncivilized" raid on Douglas County home: It claims the "overblown, unnecessary, uncivilized and militaristic" raid violated their civil rights.

Grandmother donates to fund so more children can enjoy camp: Thanks to the following donors: Bert and Hilda Darr, Charles Pennock, Walt and Leona Brucks, Al Allen, Ronnie and Rosanne Stanley and Mr. and Mrs. Charles Armijo.

French Open, Wednesday's Results: MEN

Busing company closes: Bob Shemeligian; Following a hearing in U.S. Bankruptcy Court before Judge Clive Jones Tuesday, officials from the charter bus company said they could be insured again within a few days.

Beware of wash water: The signs warn people to stay away from the waters running from the Northshore Road bridge to the mouth of Las Vegas Bay. The warnings in English and Spanish came after high levels of bacteria were measured in the Las Vegas Wash.

Sports history for May 28: 1904 - Bryn Mawr, ridden by Eugene Hildebrand, wins the Preakness by one length over Wotan.

Thursday at Belmont Park: 1st race 1 mi Turf NY3&up Mdn

Ethics cloud hangs over JP's decision: Bill Gang; One of the allegations that played a role in the ouster of then-North Las Vegas Municipal Judge Gary Davis was that he had campaigned for a candidate in the North Las Vegas Justice of the Peace race in 1994.

Toros don't let Stars off Hook: Stars starter Marino Castillo received four runs of support in the first two innings and responded with effective pitching. He allowed two runs -- one earned -- on four hits and two walks with four strikeouts, but was lifted after five innings.

Box score: Toros 7, Stars 4: E--Keefe, Johns. LOB--Las Vegas 8, Tucson 10. 2B--Lee, Brown, Banks, Voigt. 3B--Keefe. SB--Tredaway, Stinnett.

Contract awarded for $44.6 million expansion: The 300,000-square-foot addition on the north side of the current convention center will make it the second largest convention center in the United States, at 1.6 million square feet.

Casinos consider helping fund train service: That kind of traffic problem is something Las Vegas gaming interests can't tolerate, Snyder said Tuesday.

Campaign reform heads for Miller's signature: The legislation will require political parties and party caucuses, which have been able to collect and spend money without any public disclosure, to reveal the source of the funds and where the money is funneled.

Marian Ilitch to join effort for a casino in Detroit: "Our partnership forges unique strengths on behalf of this opportunity - the pioneering efforts of Atwater in bringing this vision to action, the experience and commitment of Marian Ilitch in the creation of world-class entertainment in Detroit, and Circus's long-proven design and operation expertise in gaming," said Glenn Schaeffer, president and chief financial officer of Circus Circus.

Judge charged for delaying decisions: The state Judicial Discipline Commission Tuesday released the formal statement of charge against Marren, a judge with Family Court since its creation five years ago who recently moved to Juvenile Court.

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