Print edition for December 15, 1998

Box score: Ice Dogs 7, Thunder 3: Second Period -- 1, Long Beach, Jutras 6 (Byce, Roach), 5:36; 2, Long Beach, Tallaire 4 (Loach, Nemecek), 7:13; 3, Las Vegas, Miller 4 (Roenick), pp, 11:25; 4, Las Vegas, Romaniuk 10 (Miller, Melson), 12:38; 5, Las Vegas, Jomphe 5 (Naumenko, Lefebvre), 13:19. Penalties: Las Vegas, Jomphe (hooking), 2:30; Long Beach, Williams (interference), 9:30; Las Vegas, Hollis (holding), 14:18.

Council will weigh Lone Mountain annexation: Erin Neff; The council's recommending committee voted Monday to send an ordinance to the City Council that would annex 451.4 acres of county land into the city limits. The council is scheduled to vote on the annexation Jan. 11.

Wednesday at Aqueduct: 1st race 6 fur 3YO Fil Clm: 1 a-Dixie Tempo (Beckner) 114; 2 Truth Value (Diego) 107; 3 Lennys Penny (Espinoza) 114; 4 Flight Deck (Diaz) 109; 5 a-Sweep The Salt (Luzzi) 114; 6 b-Yes Ma'am (Zimmerman) 109; 7 b-Rita's Smile (Zimmerman) 107; 8 Andthat'sthetruth (Gyarmati) 107; 9 Burnshire (Castillo) 114; 10 Hannah Boanna (Lopez) 114; 11 Honey Sauce (Douglas) 114.

Family Court judge's ethics challenged again: Bill Gang; A Wednesday hearing has been set before the Nevada Commission on Judicial Discipline to decide both matters.

Judicial panel files charges against Steven Jones: It is alleged that Jones violated the Nevada Code of Judicial Conduct by failing to disqualify himself from a child custody case involving Dr. Paul Stewart after accepting campaign contributions from Stewart's attorney.

Housing inches closer to families with low incomes: Erin Neff; U.S. Sen. Richard Bryan said the grants will help create 5,200 homes for low- and moderate-income homebuyers, including such 119 units costing $505,000 in Las Vegas and North Las Vegas.

Heads demanded in insurance crisis: Legislators also called for legal action against those involved in the system, which covers 55,000 state workers and their dependents.

Lane shift puts new twist in Spaghetti Bowl traffic knot: Scott Reeder; But northbound traffic on Interstate 15 functioned normally this morning as traffic lanes were temporarily reconfigured to accommodate the $115 million upgrade of the interchange.

Disabled advocate halted by audit: Martin Kuz; The Nevada Legislature has withheld $109,000 from the Nevada Disability Advocacy and Law Center since October 1997 following a dispute over a legislative audit of the private, nonprofit group. Under a contract with the state, the center investigates claims of abuse and neglect of the disabled in state hospitals, clinics and other facilities.

Box score: Thunder 6, Griffins 3: Second Period -- 4, Grand Rapids, Spiridonov 7 (Metropolit, Ashe), 11:26. Penalties: Grand Rapids, Vasilyev (tripping), 6:21.

Humboldt school trustees authorize plans for high school expansion: The district will pay for the building with proceeds of the current pay-as-you-go tax override that expires in 2000. That money is dedicated to remodeling at Lowry High School.

National Table Tennis tourney in Las Vegas: Defending rating champions Peiyuan Ren and Yu-Liang Wang are among a record 30 Nevadans in the field of nearly 700 entries this week in the 23rd USA Table Tennis National Championships Wednesday through Sunday at the Las Vegas Convention Center.

Community briefs: Sponsors of the meeting are the UNLV student government and the UNLV Multicultural Affairs Political Action Committee.

Smith, NASCAR have storied past that dates to 1940's: Bruton Smith became a major player in NASCAR long before his acquisition of Las Vegas Motor Speedway.

Bayno looking for solution to seventh man in rotation: Steve Carp; Six simply won't do. So Bill Bayno has to find a seventh person to fill out his UNLV basketball rotation, though eight would be more than enough.

Wednesday at Golden Gate: 1st race 6 fur 2YO Mdn Clm: 1 Well Tuned (Linares) 118; 2 Golden Venus (Baze) 118; 3 Wine Pack (Delgadillo) 118; 4 Ectopy (Nuesch) 118; 5 Flying Buccaneer (Tohill) 118; 6 Pam's Pistol (Meza) 118; 7 Oh Jazzy Day (Perez) 118; 8 Emerald Bay (Hummel) 118.

DOE agrees to be more open about cleanups: The DOE agreed to greater public oversight after a nine-year legal battle with 39 environmental and peace groups, including Citizen Alert, a Nevada watchdog organization.

Wednesday at Hollywood Park: 1st race 1-1/16 mi 2YO Fil Alw: 1 Holywood Picture (Vergara) 120; 2 Linda Love (Nakatani) 115; 3 Regal Fan (Valdivia) 117; 4 Blair's Hero (Valenz) 115; 5 Sweet Lulast (Desormeaux) 120.

IHL Standings -- December 15, 1998: Northeast Division

TRPA to examine livestock grazing: Grazing is believed to have significant impact on the water quality of the streams running into Lake Tahoe, mostly from additional sediment runoff and also from manure.

Disciplinary action pondered after bailiff's accidental shot: Bill Gang; District Judge Jeff Sobel, however, was not at the courthouse, and no one was injured in what was only the third incident of gunfire in the 35-year history of the courthouse.

Racing magnate Smith boasts six-track mind: By Brian Hilderbrand LAS VEGAS SUN

Water firm negotiates for ranch and water rights: Washoe County officials said the deal could benefit Reno, Sparks, and especially the county's north valleys, which are in desperate need of new water sources.

LVMS purchase a good deal, analyst says: Gary Thompson; Speedway Motorsports Inc.'s acquisition of Las Vegas Motor Speedway is a good deal for the North Carolina-based company, a leisure-industry analyst says.

School district plans to rewrite policy that conflicts with state law: Under the school district's existing policy, supervisors are authorized to loan or give out district property or services.

Hispanics, Reid kick off donation for victims of Mitch: Erin Neff; "We want Central America to know that Las Vegas, the meadows, is a place they can look to in a time of need," Reid told about 100 people gathered at Las Vegas City Hall to kick off the donation drive for Nevada Relief to Central America.

Two teens remain in detention after vandalism: Prosecutors said youths, 16 and 17, face possible charges of burglary, conspiracy, destruction of property and possession of alcohol.

Two charged in theft of Binion's silver appear in court: A justice of the peace granted the request even though Tabish was already out on bail.

District takes aim at high dropout rate: Benjamin Grove; That's 5,974 students who left without earning a diploma.

Embattled nuke office stays alive: However, it won't be able to put up much of a fight with its sparse allocation.

Agency begins plans for sale of land acquired in water rights program: But he said the agency's mandate is to turn over the real estate and put the money back into the water rights program.

Names suggested for three new high schools: District spokeswoman Mary Stanley-Larsen said the School Name Committee, which met last week, has recommended the following names be adopted:

Travel agencies eager to send tourists to Las Vegas: Angie Wagner; Travel magazines fill their pages with pictures of neon and the Fremont Street Experience light show. National newspapers run full page ads touting the nonstop flights between Japan and Las Vegas. Ads marketing the gambling mecca are even seen on subways.

Box score: Vipers 2, Thunder 1: Second Period -- 2, Las Vegas, Burridge 6 (Berens, Romaniuk), 16:51. Penalties: Detroit, Shaw (holding), 10:11.

Box score: Thunder 3, Solar Bears 1: Second Period -- 2, Las Vegas, Bannister 2 (Lefebvre), 9:10. Penalties: Orlando, Murphy, Orl (Obstruction, interference), 4:53; Las Vegas, Berens (slashing), 8:19; Orlando, Egeland (cross-checking), 8:19; Orlando, Carter (Obstruction, hooking), 10:16; Las Vegas, Helenius (roughing), 18:46.

Preps: Monday's results -- December 14, 1998: Green Valley 86, Eldorado 67

Columnist Ron Kantowski: New Speedway owner sets record straight: Like the guy who drives a NASCAR transporter from Charlotte to Fontana, Calif., on back-to-back race weekends, Bruton Smith wants Las Vegas race fans to know one thing -- as far as his ownership of Las Vegas Motor Speedway is concerned, he's in it for the long haul.

Nevada to receive $700,000 for affordable housing: the money comes from a private-public partnership headed by the Federal Home Loan Bank of San Francisco. The agency puts up 10 percent of its annual net profit, promoting projects in Nevada, Arizona and California.

Sutton leads Gorman past Bonanza as Nebraska's Sanderford looks on: Spencer Patterson; With her future college coach watching from the stands, Bishop Gorman center Paige Sutton had a little extra pressure on her shoulders Monday night at Bonanza.

Habitat building 10 homes: Erin Neff; But for 11-year-old twins Patrick and Patrice Russum, the shovels signified the beginning of a reality to an old dream - not having to share a bedroom.

Ralph's Siraco's Selections for Hollywood park: 1ST RACE:

Henderson seeks annex of 1,380 acres: Scott Reeder; City leaders say the annexation is necessary to prevent conflicting land uses from developing along the city's edges.

Box score: Aeros 4, Thunder 3 (SO): Second Period -- 2, Las Vegas, Romaniuk 8 (Burridge, Jomphe), pp, 1:43; 3, Houston, Valicveic 10 (Wiseman, Yeo), 3:52. Penalties: Houston, Dyck (hooking), 0:32; Houston, Butenschon (hooking), 6:10; Las Vegas, Helenius (cross-checking), 9:53; Las Vegas, Lovell (Obstruction, interference), 11:28; Houston, Hughes (boarding), 18:07; Houston bench, (Bench, minor), 19:43.

Box score: Ice Dogs 5, Thunder 2: Second Period -- 3, Long Beach, Rosa 4 (Ast, Lambert), pp, 2:31; 4, Las Vegas, Berens 9 (Romaniuk, Miller), 15:31; 5, Long Beach, Roach 4 (Lambert, Convery), pp, 16:20. Penalties: Las Vegas, Ewen (high-sticking), 2:09; Long Beach, Roach (holding), 2:58; Las Vegas, Wansborough (roughing), 14:17; Long Beach, Mccambridge (roughing), 14:17; Las Vegas, Srubko (holding), 16:11; Long Beach, Ast (Obstruction, holding), 19:45.

Box score: Solar Bears 6, Thunder 0: Second Period -- 4, Orlando, Law 7 (Krygier, Mcdonough), 13:29. 5, Orlando, Sevigny 1 (Mackey, Carter), 17:48. Penalties: Orlando, Krygier (hooking), 2:01; Las Vegas, Bannister (roughing, unsportsmanlike conduct), 5:48; Orlando, Norris (deliberate injury, roughing), 5:48; Las Vegas, Helenius (fighting, major), 14:02; Orlando, Norris (fighting, major), 14:02.

LV man gets life for killing wife: Karen Zekan; Even with District Court Judge Jeffrey Sobel's decision on Monday to allow the man who killed his newlywed wife in 1996 to eventually become eligible for parole, Elliot would be 98 years old before he becomes eligible.

Murder conviction brings life sentence with possibility of parole: Family and friends of the woman launched a massive search, which ended in May 1996 when her bullet-riddled body was found in a wash near Red Rock Canyon.

Second murder trial ends as first one did: Guilty: Bill Gang; Vincent Turner was convicted for his involvement in the 1992 shooting death of Marnie Hickman during a scheme to steal cocaine that was hidden in her Las Vegas home.

Columnist Dean Juipe: Thunder shows no sign of life: Dean Juipe; Is there any doubt the Las Vegas Thunder is playing its final season, at least in the Thomas & Mack Center?

City Council takes up Hillbilly Casino project: Baer played the dimwitted Jethro Bodine on the show that aired from 1962-1971.

Innovations in LV school land principal national recognition: McVeigh, who was honored at a national ceremony last October in Washington D.C. said much of the recognition should go to the staff at Herr Elementary.

Harter won't reverse plans to move English teachers into trailer: Forty-two part-time instructors and graduate teaching assistants, who have been sharing space with the three-member consciousness studies team, were expected by week's end to occupy a trailer.

Pro-impeachment constituents call in to Nevada delegation: Aides to Reps. Jim Gibbons and John Ensign, both R-Nev., said the calls are going 3-1 in favor of impeachment. Clinton carried Nevada in his two presidential races.

UNLV's Robinson slated to appear on ESPN's 'Up Close': The show, which will also be repeated later that day at midnight, will be hosted by someone Robinson is very familiar with, former USC and NFL quarterback Sean Salisbury.

Tourism officials warned of opposition to the industry: Robert Macy; "Bill Bennett was right when he said those who supported gaming outside of Nevada and New Jersey were going to reap the consequences," said John Wilhelm, president of the Hotel Employees and Restaurant Employees International.

Valley hit by first quake in 14 years: A temblor measuring 2.7 on the Richter scale shook residents early Monday afternoon, seismologists from both ends of the state confirmed. It was the first earthquake recorded from a fault in the Las Vegas Valley in 14 years.

Columnist Jeff German: New study claims problem gambling not the chief cause of suicides in LV: A new study in the current issue of the Gaming Law Review concludes that gambling addictions play a small role in the high suicide rate among visitors to Las Vegas.

Land in Valley of Fire State Park accepted by committee: The property has been used for mining gypsum and special rocks in the past and its value, including minerals, is estimated at $6 million.

Editorial: Looking to the future of education: Educators sometimes bristle at new concepts or dismiss proposals that would challenge their empire. So far Harter has given the plan a chilly reception. If any new college is started, she believes, it should only be a UNLV satellite school.

Two die in shooting incidents: The dead included the woman who would have celebrated her 72nd birthday on Christmas Day and a 22-year-old man killed in a drive-by shooting while sitting at a bus stop.

Howard Hughes Corp. lays off workers, loses senior staff: Howard Hughes is the biggest developer in Las Vegas. Named for the famous billionaire, it is developing desert real estate he acquired as the Summerlin master planned community.

Editorial: A worthy program to register young voters: The overall goal is to reverse the decline in the numbers of 18- to 24-year-olds who are voting. The trend has been dismal. The number of 18-year-olds who voted in 1972, the first election they were able to do so, was 50 percent, according to First Vote Director Sandy Horwitt. In 1996, just 29 percent of 18-year-olds voted.

Where I Stand -- Brian Greenspun: Majority must be heard: I don't know how many times we had to type those words as young typing students, but I am convinced that at no time did they have any meaning to us other than what was being graded -- which was our ability to type error free. Today there is meaning to those words and I hope, unlike the clueless days of our youth, we understand it before we do something awful.

Brief: Buyout talk buoys gaming stock: The stock soared more than 13 percent in heavy volume before settling back slightly. It finally closed at $12.25, up 81.25 cents or 7.1 percent, on volume of 1.65 million shares, nearly three times the average number traded daily over the past three months.

Japan-LV flights called successful for JAL, Northwest: A travel expert addressing the Governors Conference on Travel and Tourism on Monday disclosed the plan while making the point that Japan hasn't been as damaged by the Asian economic crisis as many think.

Box Score: UNLV 72, UCLA 67: 3-Point Goals: 5-18 .278 (Keefe 2-8, Dickel 2-3, Simmons 1-2, Daniels 0-4, Marion 0-1).

Brief: Decking firm building plant: The company makes non-wood decking material that requires no sealants for protection and is used in residential and commercial decking. The company's sales have increased from $3.5 million in 1993 to $34.1 million in 1997.

Letter: Hospice care is better alternative than Kevorkian: Instead of reciting facts and figures, listen to the actual voices of real people from Clark County who have written to us about their experience with hospice.

State getting ready for computer problems: "I think there very definitely will be problems," Lockard said Monday. "An unknown something that didn't get repaired."

L.A.-Vegas casino train delayed: Gil Mallery, president of Amtrak West, said service now may not begin until late 1999 or early 2000. The reason: Union Pacific Railroad is requiring that $28 million in track improvements be completed before the Amtrak service can begin.

Letter: Beware GOP interest in Social Security: They are indeed trying to steal the issue but with a scheme that will eventually destroy the system as a guaranteed provider of retirement income by gradually turning it over to Wall Street scam artists, where most of the fund will be eaten up by brokers' commissions, fraudulent investment schemes and market "corrections" with no guarantee whatsoever. By that time it will be too late.

TRPA gets cash for lawsuits from Nevada: He told the IFC Monday that the infusion of money is needed because the total costs of the litigation are far in excess of TRPA's legal budget for this fiscal year.

Letter: Welfare abolition would be harmful: When I did work, I still didn't make much and was still eligible for benefits. Now, my cash money from unemployment goes toward rent, power bill, doctor visits, asthma medication, clothes, shoes, school supplies for them and myself (I am currently attending CCSN).

Brief: Union ballots contested at Star Trek: The Experience: The Teamsters contested seven of the ballots, alleging the people that cast them should have been considered supervisors. Management of Paramount Parks, operator of Star Trek: The Experience, challenged three ballots, questioning whether those workers had a "community of interest" sufficient to vote along with the other employees. The NLRB questioned five ballots as to whether the voters were on an eligibility list compiled before such elections.

Southwest Gas loses CEO to merger: John Wilen; Southwest Gas Corp. of Las Vegas agreed to be acquired by ONEOK Inc., a Tulsa, Okla., company that provides natural gas to about 1.4 million customers in Oklahoma and Kansas.

Brief: New management structure created: "I have extensive operations experience and a long history with the company, Colin has tremendous financial and development expertise and a keen eye for acquisitions and management of our corporate capital structure, and Gary brings unmatched leadership and imagination in marketing and service excellence." he said.

Brief: Nevada mine owners merging: Getchell owns two mines and controls a 50-square-mile area in Humboldt County in Northern Nevada around the Turquoise Ridge and Getchell gold mines.

Nevada setting up Korean tourism office: Sen. Ray Rawson, R-Las Vegas, said, "When we're down in revenue that's when you invest. It seems we're doing the right thing."

Brief: Aristocrat profit to soar 50 percent: "This reflects continued strong sales in New South Wales, Queensland and Victoria," Aristocrat Managing Director Desmond Randall. "We have seen efficiency gains in manufacturing and a greater emphasis on cost control throughout the entire organization."

Brief: LV firm in Michigan deal: Full House Resorts' partner in the deal is Dreamport Inc., the gaming and entertainment subsidiary of GTECH Corp.

Columnist Scott Dickensheets: Have yourself a contrived Christmas: Scott Dickensheets; Every bank-lobby Christmas tree that goes up the day after Thanksgiving, every store's tinselly display of cheap holiday junk (the perfect stocking stuffer!), every food-court Santa charging $10 a flashbulb pop to briefly traumatize your kid, is another reminder of just how deeply modern culture has dug its fake Claus into the holiday. This is said to be a terrible development.

Las Vegas news briefs: Tsafos had previously slashed the bond of the third defendant David Mattsen, a Binion ranch hand, to $15,000.

Letter: One woman's actions destroyed Clinton: Shame on her and all those responsible for accepting such abominable behavior.

Brief: LV to add 50,000 jobs over two years: At its 1999 economic outlook conference, the UNLV center also predicted softening hotel room occupancy rates as the city's room count grows to 121,108 by the end of 1999, up 10.2 percent from now. There should be 125,000 rooms by the end of 2000, the center said.

Obituaries for December 15, 1998: She is survived by two sons, Joe Asaro of Henderson and Billy J. Eason Jr. of Las Vegas; two daughters, Audrey Juarez and Andrea Mayorga, both of Las Vegas; her mother, Lucy Lynn, and two brothers, Ron Martin and Derrald Martin, all of Henderson; and six grandchildren.