Print edition for April 7, 1998

FCC chief urges broadcast owners to let more minorities in: Bill Kennard, chairman of the Federal Communications Commission, asked the industry to give him ideas within 60 days for reversing the trend. It was Kennard's first address as FCC chairman to the broadcasting industry, which is meeting here.

Whittell estate deal not jeopardized by land sale proposal: The tax breaks are a key part of a pending overhaul of the Endangered Species Act.

Miller flattered, but timing wrong on Argentina ambassadorship: Miller said Monday that Clinton approached him about becoming ambassador to Argentina during a limousine ride they shared when the president was last in Las Vegas on March 18.

Agency funding passes hurdle: California lawmakers must approve $2 in agency funds for every dollar approved by the Nevada Legislature. The TRPA takes in another $1.4 million in various fees, revenues and grants.

Big rate hike proposed by Nevada Power: Commercial and other nonresidential customers would face a 7.4 percent rate increase, said Steven Rigazio, Nevada Power's chief financial officer.

Colorado rejects Nevada's Blue Cross bid: The next step would be a lawsuit, he said, adding, "We're considering our options."

Records show city workers should have known about extra hotel floors: Imperial Palace regularly filed reports with the city on details on construction on the top floors. City inspectors visited Imperial Palace regularly while the floors were under construction, according to records from the city's Building Department.

Ourtown.com: Intriguing Vegas websites: Melissa Schorr; There were just too many sites that we couldn't ignore: The earnestly informative. The overwhelmingly comprehensive. The just plain wacky good fun.

Regina Miller jumps from Western Illinois to take over Lady Rebels: Regina Miller, who guided the Western Illinois University women's basketball program for the past five years, will be named the head coach at UNLV during a press conference this afternoon, the SUN has learned.

Obituaries for April 7, 1998: She is survived by her husband, Ronald A.; and two sons, Jack Bennett of London and Brian Bennett of Las Vegas.

Letter: Right wing misleading on harassment policy: In the world of controlled ideas, if a word is not mentioned, a few can pretend that the word being referred to does not exist, either. Can it truly be that 10 percent of humanity can be whipped out simply by cold-heartedly turning our backs on them and not saying the word.

Letter: Defeating measure to improve streets hurts property values: While these people may think they are saving money, they are in fact really condemning their own properties to a future decline in market value. Why would anyone be interested in buying an older home in Section 11 for $250,000 or more when they can move into a new home in one of the many fast-growing planned communities in the valley that has all of these amenities included? Most houses in this area are at least 25 years old, using septic tanks, with no sidewalks, street lights and roads that are in pitiful condition.

Letter: 'Rescued' cattle still going to slaughterhouse: The article called it a "massive rescue." Rescue? How many "rescued" cows still went to the slaughterhouse? Dead ones to the butcher? I don't call that a rescue.

People in the news for April 7, 1998: Fess up

IMAGO to perform at Dixie Center: Triffle and Mouawad also are talented in the plastic arts. Using any and all materials, the pair create masks that defy definition, incorporating not only the face but the body as well. Additional use of music and multimedia effects combine for a truly unique theatrical experience.

Editorial: Energy secretary needs credibility: Elizabeth Moler, the deputy secretary of energy and the former chairwoman of the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission, has been mentioned as a likely successor to Pena. Whoever the president selects must be willing to stand up to the forces in Congress that want to put a temporary nuclear waste dump in Nevada; nuclear power advocates suggests it's just temporary but it's certain that a "temporary" dump will become a permanent dump soon after the first truckload of nuclear waste arrives.

Editorial: Putting a lid on assault weapons: "They were never meant for a day in the country and they are certainly not meant for a night on the streets," Clinton said at the White House, as police officers stood at his side. The president also had a direct message for those trying to skirt the ban. "You can read the fine print in our law and our regulations all you want, and you can keep making minor changes, but we're going to do our best to keep our people alive and stop you from making a dollar in the wrong way."

Where I Stand: Ruthe Deskin -- Salt-of-the-earth family struck by lack of compassion: My parents were salt of the earth.

Columnist Jeff German: More trouble for embattled taxicab industry and its regulators: There have been reports the FBI and IRS are stepping up their scrutiny of the valley's 13 taxi companies.

Columnist Muriel Stevens: Young talent on display at Greenspun Junior High: The program, conceived by the students, included a piano medley from "Phantom of the Opera" played by Caitlin Hudgins; a solo by Margalit Kessler in an ensemble piece -- "America" -- from "West Side Story"; and a solo by Luke Adamo during the same number. Having seen the original "West Side Story" when it opened in New York, and the movie, I was captivated by how well the players captured the meaning and the moves of the original. Working on a small stage in the Little Theater, they danced and sang with the gusto and passion of professionals.

Sisters' mystery solved by 'Unsolved Mysteries': Annabelle Harned Stanford, whose late mother, Bebe Harned, started Bebe's Embroidery here 50 years ago, knew from an early age she had an older half-sister but didn't know how to find her.

Las Vegas ranked 27th in nation for car thefts: A survey released Monday by the National Insurance Crime Bureau found Las Vegas to be the 27th most victimized city in the nation by car thefts.

Nevadans say Pena will be missed: Paul Kane; Pena, who announced Monday his plans to step down effective June 30, was the administration's point man in opposition to the proposed short-terms storage site of high-level waste near the Nevada Test Site.

Observers doubt plan to link Medicaid, HMOs: Art Nadler; The Legislative Committee on Health Care listened intently Monday in Las Vegas, as Christopher Thompson, administrator for the state Division of Health Care Financing and Policy, outlined how the program would work.

Governor's push to insure youths draws criticism: "There's a lack of focus," said John Yacenda, executive director of the Great Basin Primary Care Association of Carson City. "It looks out of touch with the community."

Judge weighs fate of petition donations: Bill Gang; After a hearing Monday involving a group that wants to legalize the medical use of marijuana in Nevada, U.S. District Judge Philip Pro delayed his decision on a challenge of a state constitutional amendment.

Police say killing involved lovers' triangle: Patrol officers were dispatched to the 6300 block of Gunderson Boulevard, near Jones Boulevard and Flamingo Road, at 3:43 a.m. where they found Dennis Vanduser, 35, lying dead in the road from multiple gunshot wounds.

Donations help couple keep home threatened by association: Adrienne Packer; A collection of donations from Las Vegas residents contributed to the check, which paid off a year's worth of overdue homeowners association fees accrued by Harry and Lillian Hopkins.

Volunteers clear trash out of wash: Southern Nevada Water Authority, the sanitation district, Friends of the Desert Wetlands and a host of other agencies, including Silver State Disposal Service, pitched into the effort to clear away junk left near the proposed wetlands park and along remnants of a once-healthy desert marsh. Volunteers discovered plenty of empty shell casings.

Megabucks soars over $15 million: Megabucks soars over $15 million

Tony Costa, Las Vegas music conductor, dies: He led the orchestra at the original MGM Grand hotel-casino and later when it became Bally's. There he was conductor for "Hallelujah Hollywood" and "Jubilee" before taped music put him and hundreds of local musicians out of work in the early 1980s.

Cabbies in slowdown during NAB: Al Bola, president of the Las Vegas Taxi Drivers Association, said this morning that all drivers were urged to stay away from the NAB Convention from noon-1 p.m. today on the second day of a city-wide slowdown.

Center worried that burglars will use stolen letterhead: Janice Ritchie, whose father Francis Tobin owns the business, told the Pahrump Valley Times that at least one person has received a phony note on the letterhead offering to take the recipient shopping in exchange for money.

Nationally known teacher loses fight against cancer: Benjamin Grove; Oram, a 31-year teaching veteran, taught most recently at J.T. McWilliams Elementary School in Las Vegas. She had battled breast, liver and bone cancer in her leg since 1996.

Longtime SUN engineer dies at age 88: Services for the Las Vegas resident of 39 years were scheduled for this morning at Palm Mortuary on Jones Boulevard. Interment was in Memory Gardens.

Juvenile diabetes on the rise in Nevada: Dr. David Donaldson, a pediatric endocrinologist at the University of Nevada School of Medicine, said Columbia Sunrise Hospital and University Medical Center have put up resources to help pay for juvenile diabetes treatment programs.

Man faces charges that he killed girlfriend's dog: The dog's body was then dumped on the doorstep of the home of a relative where the woman was staying on March 8.

Naval station says increase in phone rate excessive: They add that the boost, effective May 1, takes place in the middle of a fiscal year and was not budgeted for, the Lahontan Valley News and Fallon Eagle Standard reported.

Concerns raised over Colorado River delta: Once a vast area of wetlands and salt flats covering more than 3,800 square miles, the delta has continued to shrink as western states such as Nevada and California pull more water from the river upstream, EDF scientist Dan Luecke said.

Man killed as he batters woman who charged him with stalking: Sheriff Detective Mike Kolsch said White was hit twice in the upper torso, once from the front and once from the back, apparently by shots fired from a .22-caliber pistol.

Metro settles with brothers in New Year's scuffle: Cathy Scott; An offer was made and accepted this morning, during the second day of a civil trial in U.S. District Court. By court order, the amount of the settlement was ordered sealed until after the Metro Fiscal Affairs Committee meets on April 21. After that meeting, the settlement will go back to the court for final approval and the amount may be made public at that time.

BLM review process starts for Burning Man, land speed event: Brendan Riley; Ron Wenker, manager of the BLM's sprawling Winnemucca District which includes the Black Rock, said two staffers from the agency's main office in Reno will work on the Burning Man application, and a third staffer from his office in Winnemucca will work on racer Craig Breedlove's application.

High court eyes spot in planned LV justice center: Jeff Schweers; "The justice center offers an attractive option to meet the court's long-term needs at a reasonable cost at a very convenient location," Karen Kavanau, director of the administrative office of the court, said. "We feel that this alternative should at least be explored in the exercise of good judgment."

Four arrested in killing of woman who was a witness in murder case: Officers found the body of Kimberly Jean Fondy, 33, at her home around Sunday evening after dispatchers received a 911 phone call from an unidentified woman asking for police assistance.

Dorothy Raggio, Senate majority leader's wife, dies: The couple moved to the San Francisco Bay area, where Raggio attended law school, and in 1951 returned to Reno, where Raggio started a law practice and later served as district attorney. He has been in the state Senate since 1972.

Phone slamming on the rise, Bryan told: Sandra Chereb; "Public education is not enough. We need tougher laws and penalties," Dave Nichols, president of Nevada Bell, told Sen. Richard Bryan and others during a forum on the problem.

Three face trial in cab driver's death: Shawn Harte of Fallon confessed to shooting John Castro and robbing him on Oct. 26 after working out the code with 24-year-old Weston Sirex.

Big tobacco sued over casino smoke: Brian Seals; As Congress continues its debate on a settlement with the nation's tobacco companies, a class action suit was filed in Clark County District Court against the tobacco industry on behalf of non-smoking casino employees.

Boon or boondoggle? Hot debate over casinos for Detroit: The City Council is scheduled to vote on the $1.8 billion plan Friday.

Computers converge with TV at broadcasting convention: The trade show at the National Association of Broadcasters this week feels like Comdex all over again.

Huge nightclub planned for Strip hotel: Gary Thompson; Billy Bob Barnett, former owner of the Billy Bob's nightclub in Fort Worth, Texas, is a partner in the planned development. He also owns the Cat's Meow restaurant in New Orleans.

Mikohn, Alliance say they must come up with new gaming products: John Wilen; Richard Irvine, president and chief operating officer of Mikohn Gaming Corp., and Morris Goldstein, president and chief operating officer of Alliance Gaming Corp., spoke at last week's symposium.

Hammargren thinking about run for governor: "I was strongly leaning to the congressional race," Hammargren said today. But now he says there is a 50-50 chance he will run for governor.

Las Vegas 1 off to a running start: Bob Shemeligian; The 24-hour television news station Las Vegas 1 got off to a running start Monday night with three local exclusives and Southern Nevada's first televised bulletin on the death of country singer Tammy Wynette.

Homeowners fighting to keep rural lifestyle: Adrienne Packer; What he didn't know was that he would be fighting to protect that lifestyle for the next four years of his life.

Man who killed girlfriend faces at least 40 years in prison: Cross, 26, was convicted last week of killing 18-year-old Kathleen Delores Melchor by a jury that deliberated only a half hour in District Judge Donald Mosley's courtroom.

Commission gets chance to curtail general plan changes: Denise Cardinal; The measure, which is open for public comment at the meeting, will limit the number of times the general plan can be amended to only two special meetings a year. Under current provisions, the general plan can be modified at any City Council meeting.

Local government may be able to exercise control on land exchanges: Denise Cardinal; The Southern Nevada Strategic Planning Authority endorsed the idea of forming a public land commission made up of local mayors and two Clark County commissioners. The commission, informally referred to as the PLC, would advise the BLM on what uses would be appropriate for the land exchanged with local developers.

Trial begins in civil rights lawsuit: "This is a case of three brothers who were on their first visit to Las Vegas," attorney Robert Kossack said during his opening statement Monday.

Columnist Dean Juipe: Daly's 18 OK with officials: Dean Juipe; Last Saturday, Fulton Allem carded a 13 and Scott Verplank an 11 on the par-5 15th hole during the third round of the Freeport-McDermott Classic.

Columnist Ron Kantowski: Lady Rebels switch to backup plan: But "B" probably is too forward a letter in the alphabet when it comes to categorizing Regina Miller, who today will be named the Lady Rebels' new coach.

NHL holdout Nedved finally signs deal: Tim Graham; The courtship finally paid off.

Thunder receives double dose of offense: Tim Graham; With four games left in the regular season, the Las Vegas Thunder is like every other team in the IHL -- looking for any edge as it prepares for the playoffs.

Stars make fresh start: Steve Guiremand; The Las Vegas Stars begin their 16th season tonight at Cashman Field when they host the Edmonton Trappers.

Box score: Aeros 4, Thunder 2: First Period -- None Penalties: None

Two men to face trial in death of UNR cheerleader: The two are accused in the Feb. 8 killing of Branson Clark.

Reno City Council to review city manager's job performance: After that, council members will vote on whether he deserves and raise and a bonus.

Life sentences for shooting 16-year-old: District Judge Joseph Bonaventure Monday sentenced Rivera and Houser to life in prison with the possibility of parole. Both defendants must spend at least 35 years in custody.

Lady Luck agrees to sell Biloxi casino to Grand Casinos, officials say: Grand Casinos is expected to close the Lady Luck casino.

Casino worker files suit against tobacco companies: The lawsuit claims Christensen has worked at casinos since 1956 and has developed chronic bronchitis and respiratory ailments despite never having smoked.

Brothers fight BLM order to close gold mine near Moab: Ron and Ray Pene have appealed the BLM's March 7 exam that determined there was only $42,000 worth of valuable minerals in the Penes' claim, and it would cost more than double that amount to extract it from the scenic Colorado River canyon 40 miles northeast of Moab.

Planning committee approves growth plan: Malone called the proposal an unprecedented opportunity for local governments to have a voice in how the Bureau of Land Management disposes of more than 25,000 undeveloped acres in the Las Vegas Valley.

Prep: High-profile coaches to see hoop talent: Spencer Patterson; Local basketball enthusiasts shouldn't be surprised to bump into Georgetown coach John Thompson at a gas station or to see Kansas coach Roy Williams on the Strip this week.

Senior PGA Tour winners, schedule: Jan. 24-25 - x-Senior Skins Game (Raymond Floyd)

IHL leaders through April 5: SCORERS

LPGA money leaders through April 5: LPGA money leaders through April 5

Wednesday at Golden Gate: 1st race 6 fur 4YO&up F&M Clm

PGA Tour winners, schedule: Jan. 8-11 - Mercedes Championships (Phil Mickelson)

LPGA statistics through April 5: Scoring

LPGA Tour Winners, schedule: Jan. 21-24 - The Office Depot (Helen Alfredsson)

IHL Standings as of April 7, 1998: Northeast Division

Davis Cup, Monday's Results: First Round

Monday's College Baseball Scores: Clark U. 19, Anna Maria 17

Will you get the new digital TV signal?: Those that didn't make promises have a government timetable to meet. Forty network stations in the top 10 markets are required to start digital by May 1, 1999. But some in New York and Chicago are having trouble finding space for towers.