Print edition for August 14, 1998

Movie Guys: Get your indie kicks at 'Buffalo 66': * Starring: Vincent Gallo, Christina Ricci, Anjelica Huston, Ben Gazzara, Rosanna Arquette and Mickey Rourke.

Columnist Joe Delaney: Remembering three historic dates in American history: Joe Delaney; Two stations later, a man entered the car I was in and announced that President Roosevelt had died. ... There was an immediate, complete silence; a hush you could feel, almost hear. ... At 23rd Street and Eighth Avenue, my stop, midtown Manhattan was completely shut down.

Aggressive bees found in Las Vegas Valley: Division scientists confirmed the bees have been found recently at the Clark County Government Center complex and a business in Boulder City.

Weekend Update: Music, Theater, Etc.: Blast from the past -- "Sh-Boom," a free, outdoor musical-comedy revue, featuring songs of the 1950s and '60s, will be presented Saturday from 8-10 p.m. in the Fountain Courtyard at the Green Valley Town Center, 4500 E. Sunset Road. The event, sponsored by American Nevada Corp. and Henderson Parks and Recreation Department, is part of the Green Valley summer concert series.

Feds shut down Las Vegas firms marketing Elvis books: To lure investors into putting up a minimum of $10,000 apiece, the promoters also claimed their "Elvis Immortal" memorabilia package would include a compact disc featuring a previously unreleased Elvis song and that its products would be sold by the QVC cable channel and Target Stores.

The King of Country holds court for his swooning subjects: Melissa Schorr; Now, he's back for four nights at the Thomas & Mack Center, and again, fans had to wait out in the sweltering heat for hours to get tickets.

Hold the Bread with David Gates: Lisa Ferguson; More than 20 years since the 1970's pop band -- "If," "It Don't Matter To Me," "Make it With You," "Baby I'm-A Want You" -- officially disbanded, Gates, its lead singer/guitarist/songwriter, continues to tour -- these days backed by a 32-piece orchestra.

Ethics Commission clears mayor: Ed Koch and Jeff German; Following a day-long hearing, Jones said she appreciated the thorough investigation conducted by the Ethics Commission.

Pacific Coast League standings through August 13, 1998: Midwest Division

Columnist Muriel Stevens: Bellagio-bound Olives a culinary treat in Beantown: All I knew about Olives was that Todd English was a bold, creative chef, that he had a way with food that had won him numerous awards and that participants in the international Zagat restaurant guide had rated Olives as Boston's top restaurant.

'Elvis -- The Concert' resurrects the King with class: Joe Delaney; James Burton (lead guitar), Glen D. Hardin (piano), Jerry Scheff (bass guitar), and Ronnie Tutt (drums) are originals from Elvis' TCB (Taking Care of Business) Band; the current Sweet Inspirations are worthy of their predecessors, a group that included Cissy Houston, Whitney Houston's mother. The Imperials -- Sherman Andrus, Terry Blackwood, Joe Moscheo and Jim Murray -- re-united for this tour and came close to stealing the show Thursday. Soprano Millie Kirkham's association with Elvis goes back to 1957.

Columnist Scott Dickensheets: Pondering the vagaries of John Q. Vegas: Scott Dickensheets; He is, of course, a figment of my demographic whimsy, a Frankensteinian stitchwork of numbers drawn from the Las Vegas Perspective, the state demographer and similar sources. I've collaged the dominant stats into vaguely human shape representing the typical local denizen. Why? To see if he looks like me, for one, the poor sap. Also because, given the spin cycle of Las Vegas growth -- a load comes in, a load goes out -- I wondered just who the typical Las Vegan might be.

Columnist Dean Juipe: Coach happy but freshmen being abused: Dean Juipe; And those who do it say everyone else does it, as if it's a practice that has gained widespread acceptance.

Nevada State Amateur Championship -- Thursday's Results: Championship Division

American Legion -- Region 8 Tournament: Thursday's Results

American Legion -- Local box score: Gorman 000 101 217 -- 12 12 5

Elko man pleads guilty to toddler's murder: Under the plea agreement reached Tuesday, prosecutors will recommend the minimum sentence of 50 years in prison, Elko County Deputy District Attorney Rob Lowe said.

Ralph Siraco's selections for Del Mar: Selections made for clear racing conditions before scratches.

Light fine draws protest from horse advocates: Wild horses living in the 520-acre Virginia Foothills south of Reno are considered state property. It is illegal to gather or possess them without notifying the state agriculture department.

Obituaries for August 14, 1998: He is survived by his wife, Peggy C.; three sons, Steve Bohanon of Las Vegas, Rick Bohanon of Washington state and Don Bohanon of Arizona; two daughters, Nancy Doherty of Ireland and Donna Dunkeson of Washington; one sister, Grace McKinney of California; and eight grandchildren.

Saturday at Saratoga: 1st race 6 fur 3YO&up Clm

Auto Racing standings, leaders, schedule through August 13, 1998: The 1998 NASCAR Winston Cup stock car racing schedule, winners in parenthesis, and driver point standings:

Box score: Buzz 14, Stars 3: Salt Lake

Editorial: Courts, Congress and HMO worries: The 9th U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals upheld a lower court decision that the federal government can't renew contracts with health care companies that refuse care to Medicare patients without giving them a reason and an opportunity to appeal. The court said that because the health care plans act as government surrogates when taking care of Medicare patients, the HMOs must abide by the constitutional guarantee of due process.

Tyson to seek OK in Nevada: Dean Juipe; Push was coming to shove and that smooth path that Mike Tyson and his adviser envisioned in New Jersey was wrought with more peril than they initially expected.

Panel OKs new information screen in state Senate: The new screen will be 10-feet high and 12-feet wide and will flash such things as schedules for committee meetings, bills that are being voted on and other announcements.

Library board ratifies Teamsters Union pact: Diana Sahagun; Under the agreement, the wages of employees will increase beginning June 27.

Planning panel approves zoning for Town Center: Jace Radke; Approximately 250 people turned out for the 7 p.m. meeting at City Hall that lasted well past 11 p.m. The 6-0 approval -- Commissioner Marilyn Moran was absent -- now moves the proposal to the City Council, which will make a ruling on the project during its Sept. 12 meeting.

WAC in war over money: Steve Carp; Forget about an amicable split of the Western Athletic Conference anytime soon.

Letter: VA Board of Appeals without compassion: Now for the sequel to my story. I have had an ongoing dispute with the VA Board of Appeals for more than 38 years. Before that time I had a 30 percent disability rating for my service incurred illness.

Calico residents battling developer: Valerie Miller; The meeting was held at the Henderson Convention Center for the purpose of working out a compromise between residents of Calico Ridge and developers who plan on putting businesses within 20 feet of some homes.

Pacific Coast League Statistics through August 13, 1998: Batting Leaders

UNLV names Martin director of its Performing Arts Center: Myron Martin brings a rare combination of artistic sensibility and business acumen to the position," Koep said. "We conducted a thorough national search lasting a year. I'm pleased that we found someone of Martin's capability. I am convinced we have found the ideal executive for the Center."

Practice ballots can save time: The sample ballot was mailed to all voters this week, and provides an easy way to review the offices, candidates and questions being voted on. The ballots also can speed up lines at polling places.

Where I Stand -- Russ Fields: Mining's solid groundwork offers bright future in Silver State: While Nevada's mining industry generated sales of $3.2 billion in 1997, with gold mining responsible for 85 percent of that, overall return on investment was the lowest it has been in several years.

Authorities taking new look at cop's actions in drive-by: Art Nadler and Bill Gang; At a time when the killing seemed destined to remain unsolved, Brady admitted he had been at the murder scene and, in fact, had driven the getaway truck. Brady named his buddy and fellow officer Ron Mortensen as the gunman but denied knowing that gunfire was going to result from what was supposed to be playful harassment of street gang members.

Letter: 'Family friendly' phase of Las Vegas needs to pass: However, a local parent who has visited the Mirage many times should know that a child young enough to ride in a stroller will get absolutely nothing out of Siegfried & Roy's Secret Garden because he is too young.

Bus riders' problems not just a lot of hot air: Adrienne Packer; David Boggs, general manager of ATC/Vancom of Nevada, which operates the county's bus system, said air conditioners installed in Las Vegas coaches were not made to operate in scorching temperatures.

Feds OK plan to provide health insurance to kids: Art Nadler; The Nevada Check-Up program, proposed by Miller 10 months ago, is scheduled to begin Oct. 1. Enrollment forms will be available statewide in September.

New schools Mojave, Palo Verde ready to embark on first varsity seasons: Spencer Patterson; The Grand Experiment finally is about to yield some results, varsity style.

Four arrested at LV telemarketing 'boiler room': Brian Seals; Two other people are being sought on the same charges -- telemarketing without registration --- and another was arrested on a charge of marijuana possession during the raid.

Man taken to hospital after being shot by officer: Karen Zekan; The suspect, whose name was withheld, was expected by medical personnel at University Medical Center to survive his injury.

Ethics panel dismisses complaints against three: Complaints were also dismissed against Clark County Aviation Director Randy Walker and his predecessor, Bob Broadbent. The complaints claimed an airport contract was awarded to an unqualified company.

Two jailed in traffic accident: Paul Auzenne, 36, who has worked at City Hall since 1995, is being held on two counts of felony driving under the influence causing death, according to a Henderson Detention Center spokeswoman. His bail is set at $500,000.

Timet OK to pollute: The Air Pollution Control Hearing Board set eight conditions on the company, while workers replace a $300,000 scrubber that was lost in explosions and fire Aug. 4. The temporary permit ends on Dec. 13.

Law school gears up for first classes next week: Jace Radke; Smith, the law school's associate dean of academic and student affairs, has been working with her colleagues over the past year to make sure that Nevada would no longer be the only state in the continental United States without a law school.

Pilarowski finally makes the weight: Steve Guiremand; It took him a couple years longer than he had hoped, but former Silverado High offensive lineman Glenn Pilarowski finally finds himself wearing the Scarlet and Gray uniform of UNLV.

Letter: Veterans should not be charged for services: What is wrong with our honorable congressional representatives who voted this abominable bill into law? I'm sure it was not a veteran that initiated this legislation -- nor were his sons involved in any of those famous wars.

Nevadans talk about banning ATMs from casino floors: John Wilen; Should cash machines be allowed on casino floors? Should casinos be required to tell problem gamblers where they can go for help? If you have a gambling problem, should casinos honor your request that you not be allowed to gamble?

School Board mulls policy on chronic absences: Benjamin Grove; "Eighteen absences is a lot," said district attendance administrator Ruth Joseph. "That's one day a week you took off."

Columnist Brian Hilderbrand: Earnhardt Jr. making name for himself: When Dale Earnhardt Jr. walked through the garage area at Daytona International Speedway prior to the Daytona 500, several bystanders pointed to the 23-year-old and whispered, "There goes Dale Earnhardt's son."

Early voting for primary starts Saturday in county: Contested races include those for governor, Congress, the Nevada Legislature and Clark County Commission.

Expert sees LV industrial property prices falling: Brian Seals; That was the message Dean Willmore of GVA Industrial Property Group delivered this week to the Commercial Marketing Group.

Jones' ethics hearing begins: Boyd, chairman of Boyd Gaming, made his comments to the Nevada Ethics Commission, which was probing whether Jones committed misconduct by not disclosing possible business and political ties prior to the May 26 vote against the application for Nick's Fishmarket restaurant at Sahara Avenue and Paseo del Prado Street.

Gorman rolls to win in opener: The Gaels (46-12) scored seven runs in the top of the ninth inning to break a deadlock and post a 12-5 win over West Oahu at Apodaca Park Thursday.

Royster proud of '98 effort: Tim Graham; Jerry Royster is not a braggart by any means. But that won't quell the pride he feels when contemplating his performance as the Las Vegas Stars' manager this year.

Man sues over forced urine test for drugs: Police reported that Quinn was dancing and talking to himself while crossing the street, although Quinn denied that, according to the lawsuit filed this week.

Sheehan takes lead at Nevada Amateur: Defending champion Steve Sheehan of Northern Nevada shot a blistering 5-under-par 67 Thursday to grab the second-round lead in the championship division of the Nevada State Amateur Championship at the Las Vegas Paiute Resort.

Miller reports progress in selling Nevada to South America: Weakened by high-elevation activities in Ecuador, hours of plane rides and a persistent bug, Miller wrapped up talks with transportation and tourism officials and airline executives in Argentina and Brazil this week and was due to return to Nevada today.

Las Vegas Bankruptcies: NTI Telecom Inc., 101 Convention Center Dr., #P-125, Las Vegas, filed for Chapter 11 bankruptcy, listing no assets and no liabilities. NET Telecommunications at the same address filed for Chapter 11 bankruptcy, listing no assets and liabilities of $6,385.

Editorial: A helping hand for new teachers: Sun reporter Benjamin Grove noted in a March story that some of the 30 new teachers he interviewed said they didn't get the advice they needed from more established teachers. Several felt they weren't succeeding and were without direction.

Del Papa, election foe spar over size of fraud unit: But her Republican opponent, Scott Scherer, says the staff has grown too much, from seven to 31 employees in five years. It's time, he said, for a new attorney general to "closely examine the original mission of all the office's units, what they cost taxpayers and if the cost-benefit is truly in line."