Print edition for February 3, 1998

Columnist Scott Dickensheets: The clock is ticking ... the column is waiting: Scott Dickensheets; Nooooo! What about the time his 5-year-old tried to shave, ha ha, there ought to be a kids-do-the-darndest-things column there, right? Or a wacky riff on cleaning his garage -- wait, done that already. No charming domestic foibles, either; he curses himself for deciding not to bathe the dogs that day. And thus the scribe comes face to face with the first rule of his profession: If you can't stand the heat, get out of the column.

Test Site funding secure: David Marks, chief financial officer for the Department of Energy's Nevada Operations Office, said the only significant change will occur when a $250 million Yucca Mountain Project contract with TRW Inc. is transferred to the DOE's local office.

People in the News for February 3, 1998: Briefly

Odds to win 1998 NBA East Conference Championship: Odds to win 1998 NBA East Conference Championship

Megabucks record beckons players: The current progressive jackpot is about to crack the record $12,510,559.22 by Las Vegan Suzanne Henley who hit Megabucks last April 14 at the New York-New York hotel-casino.

Montandon backpedals on casino tax increase: Larry Henry; During taping Wednesday of "Nevada Week in Review" on KLVX Channel 10, Montandon and other panelists were asked if they'd support raising Nevada's casino tax rate.

Revenge of the Pinheads: Anne Hosier; News of pinball's demise has been greatly exaggerated.

Czar, Lenin Captivate Russians: Judith Matloff; MOSCOW -- Only an outsider could be forgiven for wondering what all the fuss is about.

New child health plan gives PPO role to UMC: Art Nadler; Following a motion by Assemblywoman Barbara Buckley, D-Las Vegas, the Legislative Committee on Health Care voted Monday to guarantee that:

Columnist Jeff German: Culinary Union looks to contract talks with LV casinos: "That's our No. 1 priority," Culinary Union Secretary-Treasurer Jim Arnold says. "We've got to get these contracts buttoned down for the members we represent. We owe it to them."

Odds to win 1998 NBA West Conference Championship: Odds to win 1998 NBA West Conference Championship

Federal moratorium hurts school's pediatric program: Art Nadler; Dr. Bernard Feldman told the Legislative Committee on Health Care Monday that it takes seven years to train a pediatrician. He said there are 52 students per class at the School of Medicine representing 23 different specialities. On average, only 10 percent go into pediatrics. There are eight pediatric residents this year.

Cop who shot teen has fatal shooting on record: It's the third shooting, one deadly, that DeBecker has been involved in during his seven years with Metro.

Jail inmate served with warrant on murder charge: Kevin Osborne was booked into Clark County Detention Center to await his pending court date regarding Gregory T. Ranstead's murder, authorities said. Osborne had been jailed in Henderson on charges from a previous arrest in Boulder City.

Soap Opera and CD Give Brazil's Landless a Boost: Jack Epstein; "I went to give them credibility in the public's eye and make it harder for the police to attack," he says. Mr. Betti thus became one of the first Brazilian celebrities to pick up the red, white, and green banner of the Landless Rural Workers Movement (MST), a grass-roots organization founded in 1984 to speed up agrarian reform by invading large holdings.

NCAA '98 Men's Basketball Tournament: Odds Current as of 2-3-98

Republican to enter race for congressional seat: The announcement is at 6:30 p.m. at the Clark County Library at 1401 E. Flamingo Road.

P.D. James: Murder, She Wrote, and Why She Did: Mel Gussow; "Murder," she said, "strips away all defenses. Everything is open. Even the victim is left with no privacy." The challenge for the writer of mystery novels is "to explore characters under the trauma of violent death," she said. That, along with the structural demands of the genre, is what draws her to writing books like her new best seller, "A Certain Justice" (Alfred A. Knopf).

South Korean labor leader studies LV unions: Baek Hun-Ki was at the International Brotherhood of Electrical Workers Local Union 357 in Las Vegas on Monday. He questioned officials and was in turn questioned by them about labor issues.

Murder suspect convicted in battery of girlfriend: Bill Gang; Prosecutors have said the Aug. 27 incident and Maureen McConaha's decision to seek a temporary protective order against him may have led to the slaying and that is why they chose to pursue the misdemeanor case.

Ski Resort Shapes Global Harmony: Paul Wood; DAVOS, SWITZERLAND -- 'Something happened here at Davos that probably only at Davos could happen," said United States Ambassador to the United Nations Bill Richardson.

Parents of kids killed in blaze released: Bill Gang; Armondo Delgadillo Sr. and Elvira Guardado made their first court appearance Monday after their Friday arrest by police as they visited their lone surviving child at University Medical Center.

State political history book available: Secretary of State Dean Heller has issued the 10th edition of the book which records election results back to the beginning of Nevada; lists all state officers; and includes sections on ethics in government, women in politics and a brief history of early Nevada.

Ensign vows action to kill nuke waste bill: Two separate versions of a bill to ship 30,000 tons of nuclear waste to the Nevada Test Site are awaiting action from a joint congressional conference committee.

Labor, GOP promise battle over dues: Chuck Muth of the Nevada Republican Party, which is behind the initiative, said it plans to spend $250,000 to get the issue qualified for the November ballot.

$94,000 deadbeat dad gets probation: District Judge Mike Griffin handed down the penalty to William Mantik, 50, who owes $94,323 in back support to his three children who live in Washington.

Editorial: Battle against dump wages on: Nuclear industry advocates lamented the Department of Energy's failure to complete its task by Feb. 1, but they'll have to forgive Nevadans for not shedding any tears. From the beginning, the process has been flawed because it has been heavily politicized. Originally, a number of sites throughout the nation were to be considered for a permanent dump. But in 1987 Congress passed legislation reducing the number to be studied from three to just a single site, located at Yucca Mountain, about 90 miles northwest of Las Vegas. It shouldn't be too surprising that states with enormous political clout in our ...

Call to police backfires for pair: Cathy Scott; At 4 a.m. Monday, robbery detectives were called by the residents to the house at 3741 N. Torrey Pines Drive near Alexander Road, police said. The three victims told police that two men entered the home through a kitchen window, woke them up and robbed them. The men also threatened them with a gun and fired one shot, police said. The two male residents told police they were pistol whipped. Several thousand dollars were stolen, they told police.

FBI deals crippling blow to L.A. mob: Among the 16 defendants named in the 80-page indictment are Carmen Milano, the reputed underboss of the Los Angeles mob and suspected "capos" Vincent "Jimmy" Caci, 73, and Louis Caruso, 40, and "made members" Stephen Cino, 60, Charles Caci, 62, and Rocco Zangari, 65.

County's groundhog sees shadow, road-work delay: The Groundhog Day's declaration means widening work on the three-mile stretch of Spring Mountain Road between Rainbow and Valley View boulevards will remain dormant until late March.

Odds to win Men's Hockey Gold Medal: Odds to win Men's Hockey Gold Medal

Wild horse advocate named to advisory board: Members meet for the first time Monday in Reno to discuss problems with the wild horse adoption program. More than 6,000 wild horses remain unadopted and are being fed in pens throughout the country, including 2,000 at Palomino Valley, north of Reno.

Columnist Brian Hilderbrand: Irwin, Floyd join LV senior field: By Brian Hilderbrand

Odds to win 1998 NBA Championship: Odds to win 1998 NBA Championship

1997-98 UNLV Runnin' Rebels Statistics: 1997-98 UNLV Runnin' Rebels Statistics

Odds to win 1998 World Series: Odds to win 1998 World Series

LV Hispanic media partnership seeks business, political clout: The alliance between KBLR Channel 39, KDOL 1280-AM and El Mundo is bidding to register 10,000 Hispanic voters in an effort to influence upcoming elections.

Harveys may attract new suitors: Bruce Turner of Salomon Smith Barney noted Colony's $420 million offer is 6.2 times Harveys cash flow - about 30 percent below the multiples in the recently announced acquisitions of Showboat Inc. by Harrah's Entertainment and Station Casinos Inc. by Crescent Real Estate Equities.

Where I Stand -- Ruthe Deskin: Conditions illustrate charities need our support: Union members, who celebrated the end of the six-year, four-month, 10-day strike against the Last Frontier hotel-casino, would agree.

Letter: Double standard exists in Clinton-Starr standoff: One thing is for sure. Lewinsky lied, either on the tapes or in the deposition. I wouldn't believe her now if she swore on a 10-foot-high stack of Bibles.

Columnist Muriel Stevens: Culinary superstar Trotter visits Vegas: Anyone involved with Trotter knows better than to expect any rest on the days when the restaurant is closed. If you're part of the Trotter team, it's the norm to always be in high gear. Trotter is like a perpetual motion machine. There must be times when he tires of the frenetic pace, but there was no evidence of any letdown during the time I spent with him.

Obituaries for February 3, 1998: He is survived by his wife, Betty; three sons, Bob Whealon of Las Vegas, Frank Whealon of Thousand Oaks, Calif., and Tim of Camarillo, Calif.; one daughter, Cathy of California; one sister, Joy Whittington of Tennessee; and six grandchildren.

Letter: Don't impeach president over sexual indiscretions: If we can believe the media, Roosevelt's mistress was with him when he died. Eisenhower had a mistress during World War II. Both John and Robert Kennedy had Marilyn Monroe (among others) and Peter Lawford was involved in some way. We just took that information in stride.

Hospital offers babysitting seminar: Students must be at least 12 years old to attend. Seating is limited. For more information or to register, call 731-8188.

Odds to win 1998 N.L. Pennant: Odds to win 1998 N.L. Pennant

Odds to win 1998 NFC Championship: National Football Conference

Buyout could lead to rebuilding of the Tropicana: But the aging property is widely viewed as an underperformer in need of renovation and expansion in order to compete in the new world of gaming dominated by the likes of the MGM Grand, New York-New York and the Hilton, Mirage and Circus Circus properties.

Odds to win 1998 A.L. Pennant: Odds to win 1998 A.L. Pennant

Letter: Paula Jones is a gold-digger who doesn't deserve to win suit: Furthermore, Jones does not have a case. Hasn't she ever heard of a statute of limitations. Of course not, she's too stupid. I think she doesn't have a leg to stand on. Clinton is popular and will prevail. The truth will come out. He's a great president. I'm confident the public will see that.

Desert Springs chief quits as hospital merges: Bob Shemeligian; Universal Health Services Inc., the parent company of Valley Hospital and Summerlin Hospital Medical Center, combined with Quorum Health Group Inc.'s Desert Springs Hospital on Sunday to create a regional health care system. Their limited partnership employs more than 2,900 people and has 850 beds.

Odds to win 1999 AFC Championship: American Football Conference

'Metamorphoses' film series at Winchester: "Farinelli" (1995), in French with English subtitles, will be shown Feb. 10. Director Gerard Corbiau's film stars Stefano Dionisis and Enrico Lo Verso. It is based on the life of Carlo "Farinelli" Broschi, the greatest castrato of all time, one of the classical singers castrated in order to preserve his pur, boyish voice. Farinelli achieved pop-idol status throughout the courts of Europe; women swooned at his voice and the composer Handel was entranced by his talent. The film examines the ways in which great popular fame was as corrosive in the 18th century as it is today. Catsoulis calls the ...

Tyson imitator tired of act: Dean Juipe; Couser, of Las Vegas, comes by it naturally. Not only is his boxing style reminiscent of Tyson, his appearance is remarkably similar and he can even alter his voice to talk like the former undisputed champion.

Odds to Win '98 Turner Cup: Odds to Win '98 Turner Cup

Columnist Dean Juipe: Coach quits yet others share blame: Dean Juipe; It showed, too, in part by the way the dozen or so witnesses to her resignation speech were conscious of giving the outgoing UNLV Lady Rebels basketball coach sufficient personal space. As they hovered near the back, she shared a front-and-center table with A.D. Charlie Cavagnaro.

Box score: Thunder 5, Dragons 4 (SO): First Period -- 1, LV, Quinney 22 (Lavinsh, Lefebvre), 5:26; 2, SA, Purves 16 (Barrie, Shank), pp, 7:18; 3, LV, Kurtz 8 (Shaw, Yerkovich), pp, 15:29; 4, San Antonio, Archibald 5 (Shank, Smith), 17:48. Penalties: Roenick, LV (interference), 6:50; Wagner, LV (roughing, 10-minute misconduct), 8:05; Smith, SA (roughing), 8:05; Reirden, SA (interference), 9:14; Barrie, SA (cross-checking, roughing), 13:29; Lavinsh, LV (roughing), 13:29; Las Vegas bench (unsportsmanlike conduct), 13:29; Shank, SA (hooking), 14:13; Day, LV (fighting), 16:54; Rumble, SA (fighting), 16:54.

UNLV Lady Rebels coach resigns: LaDonna McClain's tenure as the fifth head coach of the UNLV women's basketball program came to an end 47 games after it began when she resigned under pressure from the athletic department.

Committee demands resignation over racial slur: Cathy Scott; Joining the committee at a press conference were representatives of the local chapter of the National Association for the Advancement of Colored People, the Nevada Voters League, the Las Vegas Urban Leadership Forum, the Coalition of Concerned Citizens and the American Civil Liberties Union.

Odds to win '99 Super Bowl XXXIII: Odds current as of 2-3-98

NDOW taking the wrath for welfare reform measures: Specifically, it cracks down on people who owe child support by tracking them through recreational and professional licenses. Offenders who fail to make good on their child support obligations could have their licenses suspended until they do.

SCORE Laughlin Desert Challenge: TROPHY TRUCK -- 1. David Ashley, Riverside, Calif., and Dan Smith, Huntington Beach, Calif., 48 points; 2. Ed and Tim Herbst, Las Vegas, 43; 3. Mike Tieman, Las Vegas, 34. ALSO: 8. Lonny Helmbolt, Henderson, 19.

Thunder sign three new players: Tim Graham; The youth movement hasn't been smooth, but the Las Vegas Thunder is happy with its direction.

IHL Standings as of Feb. 3, 1998: Northeast Division

Clark looking for last year's numbers: Steve Carp; If he is to hold true to his aspirations of being a high lottery pick in the NBA draft come June, Keon Clark has a lot of work to do.

Wednesday at Gulfstream Park: 1st race 7 fur 3YO Mdn Clm

Preps: Silverado girls stay undefeated in Sunrise Division: Spencer Patterson; The Silverado girls basketball team has led the Sunrise Division from start to finish this season, and when things got tight on Monday night, the Skyhawks showed why.

Odds to win 1998 NHL Stanley Cup: Odds to win 1998 NHL Stanley Cup

New treasurer appointed to finish Aston's term: Aston, 45, resigned and pleaded guilty last month to one felony count of theft. His resignation is effective March 13.