Print edition for December 4, 1998

Dial File: Missing life on the Flip side: "I flew balloons professionally for five years," Flip Wilson told reporters last year, explaining the Houdini act he pulled on the straightjacket of public life more than a decade ago.

Columnist Brian Hilderbrand: MaCachren ready to shake off bad luck: By Brian Hilderbrand LAS VEGAS SUN

Saturday at Golden Gate: 1st race 6 fur 3YO & up Mdn Clm: 1 My Counts A Flight (Arriaga) 120; 2 I Can't Wait (Matias) 116; 3 Bronzed (Delgadillo) 116; 4 Wyn De Sea (Meche) 116; 5 Irish Avenue (Hummel) 116; 6 Captain Crusader (Tohill) 116; 7 Trucemaster (Lopez) 116; 8 Kinsway (Schvaneveldt) 116; 9 Real Ringer (RBaze) 116.

Thursday's Prep Results -- December 4, 1998: Silverado 3, Cheyenne 0 Goals: Sil-Magill, Sutton 2.

Letter: Sun shines: I've been telling people down here in SoCal that the Sun has been indicating all along that Robinson will be the next head coach. After several "yeah, right" answers from the USC alums here, I am now getting the "Hey, that's what you were telling us along!"

Saturday at Aqueduct: 1st race 6 fur 2YO Fil Mdn: 1 Love My Neighbor (Samyn) 119; 2 Adina's Star (Castillo) 119; 3 Believeher (Rivera) 119; 4 Horse Feathers (Migliore) 119; 5 Witch's Call (Gryder) 119; 6 Lap Kitty (Zimmerman) 112; 7 Doublicious (DeCarlo) 119; 8 Dynamic Pic (Espinoza) 119; 9 Rebop Blues (Diego) 112; 10 Pleasant Island (Douglas) 119; 11 Worlsigold (Leon) 119; 12 P.F. Quill (Madrid) 119.

The Horseman Cometh: Melissa Schorr; The Nevada desert will always be a pivotal place for Monty Roberts.

Tribes get temporary reprieve on federal judge's order to remove slots: The two-paragraph ruling came down the same day the California Supreme Court agreed to block implementation of Proposition 5, the voter-approved measure designed to let the tribes run their casinos on their terms without the state approval required under current law. Two separate lawsuits challenging the new law's constitutionality are pending before the Supreme Court.

USC boosters could lend hand in Las Vegas: John Robinson took a gamble by taking over the reins of UNLV's football program, but the move is already paying off for the university.

Letter: Republicans should stick to their impeachment guns: "He humiliated us as a nation," Horizon South Senior Lindsay Halbert also said. These students had the conviction and the courage to speak their minds in a panel discussion, which was monitored by Nevada's Democratic Sen. Richard Bryan, who should also learn from the leaders of tomorrow. They have clearly sent the message that our nation should be run by laws, not the polls.

Former Sands workers suing for back pay: Brian Seals; The suit is similar to one filed in 1996 on behalf of former Sands workers, some of whom were members of the Culinary Union. That case is currently being appealed by both sides.

Juvenlie probation officer faces charges of sex with teen-ager: Each count carries a potential penalty of between one and five years in prison.

Editorial: Competition propels innovation, excellence: But open bidding is the only way to find out which ad agency has the best ideas. One of the first impressions people get of Las Vegas is through advertising, so it is crucial to reach out and see which firm can make Las Vegas stand out with the increasing competition among tourist destinations.

Two more plead guilty in big slot cheating case: Nikrasch, 57, is one of four defendants in the case, but prosecutors said they plan to bring charges against other suspects early next year.

Las Vegas news briefs: Cinergi was being run by Peter Paul Limanni, 33, who has not been seen since Nov. 6, Jack Seka, a Cinergi employee told police.

Two Spokane casinos close: The Spokesman-Review newspaper reported Spokane's Mars Casino closed Nov. 24 after eight months of operations. While the Mars was plagued by security concerns and received numerous warnings from state gaming regulators, win at the casino declined steadily from the time of its March opening, the newspaper reported.

New hotel-casino proposed near Stratosphere: Erin Neff; Oxford Technology Inc. is requesting a zoning change from high-density residential and general commercial to simply general commercial on a 2.5-acre parcel at 2310 Las Vegas Boulevard South.

Letter: Nuke route should use range land: The result -- Guinn babbled something about Yucca Mountain and not allowing nuclear materials to be transported across the range complex. What does this mean? Apparently Guinn will support a permanent withdrawal if the Air Force opposes transporting nuclear material across the range complex. How does this sit with those who oppose the permanent withdrawal of the land for the Air Force?

Brief: Chinese bistro goes public: The company has a Las Vegas restaurant. It sold 700,000 more shares than originally expected.

Kaufman and Broad executive moves on after building LV market: Brian Seals; The company sold 216 homes that first year. Five years later, as Moss prepares to leave Las Vegas, the homebuilder will deliver 1,000 new homes in Southern Nevada for 1998.

Columnist Muriel Stevens: Olives at Bellagio is a wonderful treat: Olives at Bellagio is a handsome dining room with comfortable seating, attractive appointments and a lakeside view. The Boston Olives is small, the seating is tight -- diners can't avoid becoming friends, and reservations are accepted only for parties of six or more.

Obituaries for December 4, 1998: He is survived by his wife, Gwendolyn; one son, Dereck C. Allen of San Francisco; one daughter, Donna Young of New York City; one brother, James Rogers of Pasadena, Calif.; one sister, Elizabeth Roberts of St. Louis; and one grandchild.

Columnist Joe Delaney: Retracing NFR's trail from the Midwest: Joe Delaney; Las Vegas entertainment is like Nashville West through Dec. 13 this year. ... The relatively quiet period starts Dec. 14 and ends the day before Christmas, building to a New Year's Eve weekend that may set new attendance records. ... Old-timers will remember when the only action the first three weeks in December was a series of parties for airline personnel.

Civil trial begins for woman fondled by chiropractor: Bill Gang; She got more than treatment, she told authorities. She said Donner fondled her, and when she returned a week later for a second session, the molestation escalated.

Where I Stand -- Brian Greenspun: Piling up Yucca science: That's good news for Nevada and bad news for the GOP leaders in Congress and their puppet masters in the nuclear power community. As most Nevadans know, it is one of the top priorities of Senate Majority Leader Trent Lott and his friend from Idaho, Sen. Larry Craig, to make sure Nevada is chosen as soon as possible as the temporary site for storing the radioactive garbage the rest of the country doesn't want.

Movie Guys: Get ready to unwrap holiday flicks: Whew! 'Tis the season! But, don't worry -- the Movie Guys are here to guide you through the mounds of movies coming your way this holiday. Please remember, some movies might be subjected to the Hollywood shell game -- release dates change. So, be sure to check the listings before heading out to your local theater.

Saturday at Hollywood: 1st race 1-1/16 mi 3YO Clm: 1 Wars Sleeper (Ramsammy) 114; 2 Sheen (Espinoza) 114; 3 General Jake (Delahoussaye) 120; 4 Pool Music (Garcia) 114; 5 Secret Acquisition (Solis) 114; 6 Disguys Dalinit (Smith) 105.

LV bankruptcies: Jeannie Chang, doing business as Mattress Max Inc. at 611 Stephanie St., Henderson, filed for Chapter 7 bankruptcy, listing assets of $7,138 and liabilities of $777,730.

Brief: 'Chicago' coming to Vegas: The Circus Circus Enterprises Inc. hotel-casino will also offer a one-night concert by celebrated tenor Luciano Pavarotti April 10 in its 12,000-seat entertainment and sports complex. Concert tickets cost $50 to $450.

Relax, rodeo fans: You can still lasso tickets for sold-out event: Spencer Patterson; Not so, provided you're willing to empty your billfold or roll the dice and head to the Thomas & Mack Center without a ticket in hand.

Community briefs: Nov. 10: a girl to Maile and Victor Largesse; a boy to Laura and Joseph Knight; a boy to Christine and James Briggs. Nov. 11: a girl to Alicia and Francisco Castillo. Nov. 12: a girl to Jodi and Kevin Roth. Nov. 13: a girl to Lacy Hassell. Nov. 14: a boy to Guadalupe and Ulises Rodas. Nov. 16: a to Cindy Taylor and Stephen Stowers. Nov. 19: a boy to Rebeccah and James Davis; a boy to Jane and John MacDonald;a girl to Angelyn and Michael Hoggan; a girl to Carrie and James Poniewas; a girl to Bobbi and ...

Popular drummer, music store owner Mahoney dies at 70: Legendary trumpeter Louis Armstrong, who was cutting his first of two albums with the group, told Mahoney: "I'll walk around and play the melody and you just watch my buns."

Editorial: Gravel pit expansion a bad idea: Yes, no one would ever mistake Boulder City for Las Vegas -- and that's just the way its residents want to keep it. So it is not too surprising, then, that Boulder City residents are upset by a plan of Bonanza Materials Inc. to increase by almost five times the amount currently mined in the company's granite quarry, bringing the annual total produced to more than 3.2 million tons. As the Sun's Lisa Snedeker reported Tuesday, some fear all this extra activity will turn the Eldorado Valley into a dust bowl, prompting worries about air quality and visibility in the ...

What's My Line? Patriots-Bills took bettors to brink and beyond: When you make a bet on anything -- especially a professional football game -- you have to be ready to accept defeat. Take it from someone who has turned defeat into an art form.

Even marriage no safety net for aliens to avoid deportation: The United States government paid $3,106 for the one-way ticket -- almost four times what Goel paid for a ticket he bought earlier this year that he could not use because of a delay in processing his travel papers.

Brief: Buyers may expand restaurant chain in Las Vegas: The Los Angeles Times reported the new owners have no plans to change the restaurants' fresh, made-to-order menus or distinctive bright white and black interiors.

Letter: Shouldn't rules apply to everyone?: I don't believe that's misinterpreting the rules. Do you? Of course, I'm not a lawyer or a president.

Golf course foes submit petitions: Lisa Snedeker; At least one of the ordinances, however, also would affect the city's recently approved lease with three local businessmen to build the Red Ridge Golf Co.'s course, according to City Clerk Vicki Mayes.

Lawsuit claims Venetian defects: Jeff German and Gary Thompson; But the Venetian's owner, Las Vegas Sands Inc., and the New York company hired to oversee its construction insisted the project is in the black and ready to meet its April 21 opening date.

Bill to allow casino officials to gamble stirs controversy: The measure, which narrowly passed the Assembly last week and is now before Gov. Christie Whitman, would allow holders of so-called "key licenses" to gamble in casinos other than their own.

LaFong and Co. provide plenty of strong laughs: Joe Delaney; New York's Barbara Singer opens the show with a brief turn, then serves as an emcee. There is an East Coast stridency that would not wear well in a longer stint. Her approach is the usual comedy club style. She has a personality and good moves, but the material is weak. The personality carried her; she is likable, a strong plus.

Fear makes bull riding marquee event at the NFR: Tim Graham; They don't like to talk about it. They don't like to think about it.

CCSN: College starts with baseball, softball: An advisory committee at the Community College of Southern Nevada has endorsed men's baseball and women's softball as the school's first intercollegiate sports programs. With competitive play projected for the spring 2000 season, a search has begun for two part-time head coaches to begin work next month.

Sun Life Datebook: PHOTO EXHIBIT

Sandvick starts rodeo with a win: Ray Brewer; Still, although it's early, Sandvick is sporting a big smile.

Kambala may or may not be factor against ASU: Steve Carp; Kaspars Kambala's stay in the doghouse was a brief one, as the 6-foot-9 sophomore center will be available for UNLV when the Rebels face Arizona State Saturday in Phoenix.

A Foundation for raising funds: Stacy J. Willis; A gift of $250,000 here or $10 million there will go a long way toward helping the UNLV start new programs or expand existing ones.

Columnist Tim Graham: Cavagnaro turns it around: Tim Graham; Charlie Cavagnaro certainly could have related to Norman Dale.

Two suspects arrested in crime spree: Authorities say among the victims of the trio may be three women in Las Vegas who were robbed Nov. 23.

Video store licensing battle could reach Supreme Court: Erin Neff; City Councilman Michael McDonald held a community meeting Thursday morning for about 25 residents who wanted to know what they could do to fight against the adult video store at 5100 W. Charleston Blvd.

WAC championship game should be a classic: Steve Guiremand; Oh yeah, there's a football game in town this weekend.

Council review panel seeks public's help: Erin Neff; Members of the Council Review Committee also hinted that their final decision may include both an increase in council's size and the paychecks of that board's members.

Judge halts one probe of suspended cop: U.S. District Judge Philip Pro ordered police internal affairs officers to end their investigation of an allegation that Gauthier may have violated a department policy on harassment and discrimination.

National Finals Rodeo Results - Dec. 4: Saddle bronc-1, Derek Clark, Colcord, Okla., 80 points on David Bailey's Skoal Sharkey, $13,005. 2, (tie), Todd Hipsag, Lincoln, Neb.; and Red Lemmel, Mud Butte, S.D., 78, $8,473 each. 4, (tie), Dan Mortensen, Manhattan, Mont.; Glen O'Neill, Canada; and Ty Murray, Stephenville, Texas, 77, $3,153 each.

Ensign's recount petition fails: District Judge Mike Griffin dismissed a petition filed by Ensign that challenged the way Washoe County wants to recount the votes.

Study calls for more health care professionals: Art Nadler; The Health Care Education Committee of the University and Community College System of Nevada was given copies of the health-care education study today. It was conducted at the state's two universities and four community colleges.

Baby-sitter convicted of murder: Bill Gang; Throughout the packed courtroom of District Judge Mark Gibbons, gasps and squeals emanated from the audience -- relief and satisfaction for some and despair for others. Tears flowed on both sides.

Task force set to offer ethics suggestions: Adrienne Packer; "For once Nevada is on the right track with ethics laws," Larry Spitler, chairman of the task force, said Thursday. "What we don't do right is talk about ethics unless there is a fire burning. We need to be talking about ethics on an ongoing basis."

Rebels Golf team fourth in final poll: Clemson occupies the top spot with 344 votes, Georgia is second at 321 and Houston is third at 309 and the Rebels are fourth with 297.

Residents fight plan for development: Lisa Snedeker; Mayor James Gibson and Councilwoman Amanda Cyphers along with city planners met with some 40 residents at the Black Mountain Recreation Center to discuss a proposed commercial development on the northwest corner of College and Horizon drives.

Jury settles dispute over taking of land next to McCarran: Bill Gang; Late Thursday, after deliberating less than three hours, the jury in District Judge Sally Loehrer's courtroom leaned toward the property owners more than the county, awarding the owners $7.2 million.

Energy secretary set to meet with top Nevadans: Richardson had scheduled a meeting with Gov. Bob Miller, Gov.-elect Kenny Guinn and state officials after he toured the mountain, 90 miles northwest of Las Vegas.

New national water guidelines already part of local upgrade: The valley has been growing so fast, explained officials of the Southern Nevada Water Authority, that normal repairs and upgrades have incorporated the newer filtration technology that the federal government will require.

Columnist Steve Guiremand: Las Vegas in for wild ride with Robinson: Steve Guiremand; Welcome to big-time college football, Las Vegas.

Sandvick opens NFR with bareback victory: "I didn't know much about the horse," said Sandvick, fifth in the world last year. "I heard it would circle to left and jump high. They were pretty much right, although it circled a little tighter than I thought it would."

Robinson found the timing 'perfect' for UNLV position: Steve Guiremand; Linda Robinson won $50 on a quarter slot machine Wednesday night at the Las Vegas Hilton.

Jones view for top party job: Both Las Vegas Mayor Jan Laverty Jones and Nevada Democratic Party Chairman Paul Henry are seeking the job and are looking for help from Sen. Harry Reid, D-Nev., the Senate's new minority whip.

Hearing begins for man who shot intruders outside home: Bill Gang; District Attorney Stewart Bell said today the grand jury will hear additional evidence next Thursday in the Oct. 25 incident outside the home of Thomas Gaule.

Legislator proposes special plates for drunken drivers: "If they are driving and you see the zebra plate, you are going to stay away from them," Gibbons said. "Too many people are driving drunk, and we have passed a lot of laws to deal with them that have not really worked."

Columnist Steve Carp: Cupcakes not so sweet for New Mexico's Bliss: Steve Carp; So, you think it's easy to put a college basketball schedule together?

Guinn to tighten government programs: Everything except aid to public schools will be considered for reductions to achieve a balanced $3.1 billion budget for 1999-2001. "Everything is on the table," Guinn told reporters during a briefing on the state's gloomy financial picture.