Print edition for January 2, 1998

Police say New Year's went great: "Overall, it was great," Harney said. "Things were very, very safe."

Those kicking Aussies, Men at Work, return from '80s obscurity: Shane Gammon; After reuniting for a Brazil-USA tour late last year, Men at Work will perform at 8 tonight in The Joint at the Hard Rock hotel-casino.

Harrah's in dispute with Reno councilwoman: "Gaming needs to be responsible for gaming," Pearce told the Reno Gazette-Journal. "The citizens should not have it as their top priority to make gaming healthy. That's the industry's job."

Las Vegas Showguide: LANCE BURTON -- 7:30 and 10:30 p.m., dark Sunday-Monday, Monte Carlo's Lance Burton Theater, 730-7000. Tickets: $34.95 and $39.95.

State to file notice for sewage plant release: Allen Biaggi, deputy administrator of the Environmental Protection Division, said the state has ordered the city to file a report on the Dec. 15 breakdown at the plant. The city will also be expected to outline steps to prevent future breakdowns.

City to move on growth issues in 1998: City officials have recognized that growth has been, and continues to be, the No. 1 challenge facing Southern Nevada, Jones said.

Dry and cool statewide, with no big surprises: For Reno, that meant 0.58 of an inch at the airport, just over half of the normal 0.99 of an inch. Las Vegas was really dry, with 0.07 of an inch, 0.31 of an inch below average for December.

Two die in Southern Nevada accidents: Thursday's fatality was the first of the new year for Las Vegas Metropolitan Police.

UNLV's new offensive guru leaves Cougars after defeat: Tim Graham; Buzz Preston officially became a member of UNLV's football coaching staff two seconds sooner than he would have liked.

The Movie Guys Top 10 Films of 1997: 1. "Titanic"

Stars trek to experience: Executives at the Las Vegas Hilton and Paramount Parks, developers of the attraction, have kept quiet about who will be present for the weekend opening. Packets sent to guests planning to attend a special fan preview carry a disclaimer that there are no assurances that stars from the production will be present at the event between midnight and 9 a.m. Sunday.

Lake Las Vegas symbolizes the new and wealthier Las Vegas: Kevin Bass; "We looked at places that were $800,000 and they just weren't up to snuff," said Schepps. "They were just large tract homes."

Columnist Sal DeFilippo: Divisional playoff matchups have a familiar feel: Sal DeFilippo; New England and Pittsburgh kick off the road to the NFL's final four today. Three weeks ago, these teams played in a memorable finish as Pittsburgh rallied to tie the game on a touchdown and two-point conversion in the final minute and won the game in overtime, 24-21.

Eight ballet students receive scholarships from Liberace Foundation: Liberace Foundation scholarships are awarded for tuition assistance to students who display exceptional artistic potential. Liberace Scholars this year include students of music, dance, drama, film and the visual arts.

Storm brings scattered snow to the Sierra: By Friday evening, the system was expected to drop 4-8 inches of snow below 7,000 feet elevation and a foot or more above that, according to the weather service.

Box score: Wyoming 64, Lady Rebels 50: T. Siapp 2-7 1-2 7, Glasser 4-6 0-0 8 Tomlin 4-6 4-6 12, Dulaney 5-9 1-1 11, C. Siapp 5-15 2-4 15, Russell 0-0 1-2 1, Allen 0-4 0-0 0, Lazzeri 1-3 4-6 6, Hoffman 0-3 0-0 0 Zehr 0-2 4-4 4

Starwood to meet with gaming regulators: Starwood, the nation's largest real estate investment trust, now owns or manages hotels bearing the Westin, Marriott and Doubletree names, among others.

Columnist John McCarron: Haynes wins NTBA title: John McCarron; Haynes dominated the elite field of Las Vegas keglers, averaging 224 for the 32 games with 300 perfecto during the finals. David's 7523 total was worth $2,500, and bested two-time high roller champ Paul Renteria's 7254 ($1,250).

Problem-plagued Rainbow Park to be finished this month: Denise Cardinal; "We've put it on the fast track to get it done," said Barbara Darling, manager of the city's Parks and Leisure Activities Department.

Boldly going ... and going ... and going ...: Josh Catalfo has been hooked on "Star Trek" since Capt. James T. Kirk tangled with the Gorn on Stardate 3045.6.

Columnist Dean Juipe: Rumor mill has McClain out, Bolla in: Dean Juipe; They weren't any better last season, either, which was McClain's first at UNLV. That team went 4-23.

Court rules former city attorney's benefits can't be reduced: The court said Woofter, when he decided to retire, relied on a wrong estimate by the state Public Employees Retirement System on what his monthly check would be.

Legislators to weigh curbs on casino cheaters: While language is still being written, the proposals are based on New Jersey's laws, which, for example, make it illegal to possess counterfeit chips or to use a magnet to take money from slot machines.

Mt. Charleston Water Co. to boost water rates 34 percent: The Nevada Public Utility Commission earlier this week authorized the Mt. Charleston Water Co. to boost water rates by 34 percent.

Indian colony won't hold new elections: After considering the protest, Melendez said the council determined the mistakes did not affect the outcome and were not serious enough to warrant a new election.

New Fallon park closer to opening: The park, located at the University of Nevada, Reno's Newlands Research Center near here, is a cooperative effort between UNR and the county.

New Year baby comes three weeks early: He weighed in at 7 pounds, 7 ounces, after his mother, Michal Whiting, 19, of Lemmon Valley, endured 19 hours of hard labor.

Henderson offers home-improvement aid: The Housing Rehabilitation Program will provide deferred-payment loans or low-interest loans for necessary home repairs. Depending on annual household income, residents can obtain roofing, heating and cooling system, flooring, electrical, plumbing and other home repairs through the program.

Letter: Peace in Bosnia, no matter how fragile, is better than war: It would appear that Ashe's blind hatred of our president has negated his logical processes.

Ranked teams hot in tourney: Thursday was a day for ranked teams as four top 20 teams won their opening games in the 3rd Las Vegas Junior College Invitational being played through Saturday at Durango High School.

Keon's back: Clark returns after 11 game suspension: Steve Carp; The time went by surprisingly quick. And now that the months which turned into weeks which turned into days have now turned into hours, Keon Clark is looking forward to getting his basketball life back.

Las Vegas fighter cruising for Title: Dean Juipe; They have almost identical records and they're virtually the same age.

Letter: Discipline against officer is not just about adultery: The continuing uproar over the female officer having been forced to leave the Air Force, and all this yelling about the double standard, completely misses the point. It really has nothing to do with adultery alone.

Exhibit of Ukrainian Pysanky and embroidery opens Jan. 20: Also exhibited are works of traditional Ukrainian embroidery, created by Natalie Pruc. Like pysanky, the colors and designs of the embroidery of Ukraine is rich in history, meaning and regional character. Domestic items, such as bed linens, cushions and dolls, are decorated with embroidery, as well as folk costumes.

Obituaries for Jan. 2, 1998: He was preceded in death by his first wife, Frances; and one brother, Dr. Archie F. Allison.

Letter: Minimum-wage jobs intended for teens, not family support: When I was a teenager the minimum wage was $3.35 an hour. Even then I couldn't fathom raising a family on that. More than $5 an hour is a blessing for today's youth.

Constable Nolen cleared of charges: Due to a lack of internal controls and insufficient documents at the constable's office on mileage claims, there is no way to prove or disprove whether any of the claims deputies submitted were bogus, the Attorney General's Office said.

People in the News for Jan. 2, 1998: Park bash

Deaths mar holiday: All were single-death accidents -- two occurred before sunrise and one after sundown on Thursday. Also, seven others were injured:

Noisy throngs greet new year at Reno, Stateline casino areas: Both crowds were up sharply from last year, when floods and storms kept many tourists home. Celebrants this year enjoyed dry, warmer weather.

State protests water applications for Yucca Mountain: The federal agency received temporary state permits to draw the water from the Fortymile Canyon-Jackass Flat basin in Nye County for use in the study of the nuclear repository. But these rights expire in the year 2002. The energy department has asked the state Division of Water Resources to make them permanent.

Short orders: Eatery gets spiced up: The always-popular piano bar will be mellow and feature music more appropriate to fine dining.

Three Clark County commissioners report contributions: Commissioner Lorraine Hunt, mentioned as a possible candidate for lieutenant governor, reported Friday she has raised $232,900 in campaign contributions since Oct. 1.

Columnist Paula Del Giudice: Restate commitment to outdoors in 1998: MY NEW YEAR'S resolutions don't look much different from anyone elses: lose that last 10 pounds that somehow crept up to 15 over the holidays, stress less, exercise more. One thing I hope to do more of in the new year is to spend more time outdoors. I think of the most peaceful, gratifying moments of last year and realize (aside from the time I spent in worship in church) the best memories I have of spending time with my family were the ones we enjoyed outdoors.

The show must go on, except when it doesn't: Steve Bornfeld; Forget it.

Columnist Scott Dickensheets: Clean only abrasive parts of pop culture: Scott Dickensheets; Like most of my theories it was a junk sculpture of loosely held convictions and specious notions accepted at face value, but, on the whole, I thought, fairly sound nonetheless: Let's not. Clean up pop culture too much on behalf of children, I mean. No, not too much.

Letter: Fine is excessive for selling car on vacant lot: If I had been driving (not parked), had no license, ran into a person and then through a coffee-shop window, I would have received no ticket and no fine. Where is justice when you need it?

New Medicare law sparks political debate: Art Nadler; Since Medicare began, doctors have been told by the federal government what fees must be charged if they decide to care for patients under this program.

Muriel Stevens: Fellini's gives Las Vegans a taste of Tuscany: Fellini's is located on the site of the former Trattoria del Popolo at 5555 W. Charleston. Partners Bob Harry and Jim Girard are the owners of the popular Tap House, an earthy sports bar and restaurant adjacent to Fellini's but light years away in style.

Lyon commissioners put off decision on smoking issue: She noted senior centers in Dayton and Silver Springs earlier banned smoking. Out of 50 seniors who visit the Fernley center daily, five or six have lodged complaints about smoking, she added.

Saturday at Golden Gate: 1st race 1 mi 3YO Clm

Las Vegas composer Hal Stesch, 54, dies: Stesch, who backed up such noted artists as Elvis Presley, Frank Sinatra and Sammy Davis Jr., died at his home on Dec. 23. He was 54.

LVJC participants: No. 5 Dixie College-St. George, Utah (14-0)

LVJC schedule-results: Utah Valley State 76, Yavapai College 74

Columnist Brian Hilderbrand: Henderson racer looking for support: Sam Schmidt's Indy Racing League career could be facing a black flag this spring if the Henderson resident can't secure a primary sponsor for his race car by the time the checkered flag drops on the 82nd Indianapolis 500.

Life achievements of Mary Rivers: * BORN: Mary Pasini, Feb. 12, 1915, in the Village of Brocton, N.Y.

New storm moves into the Sierra: Chains or snow tires were required on all Sierra Nevada roadways, including Interstate 80 over Donner Summit and Highway 50.

Longtime deputy recorder, Metro Police worker dies: Some more skeptical folks, thinking that a woman of such an advanced age would, at best, complete five miles, pledged far more than the standard dime or quarter per mile, thinking their donation still would be a modest gift. That was not to be the case.

Columnist Joe Delaney: The Year that was Part II: Joe Delaney; Al Jolson, considered by many to be the greatest entertainer in the first half of this century, accorded me a very special moment. ... In the 1920s, Jolson became the catalyst for "talking pictures" when he sang in the original "Jazz Singer," later remade as a vehicle for Neil Diamond. ... The mid-1940s found Jolson involuntarily retired.

Lady Rebels beaten by Cowgirls: Wyoming held a 21-11 advantage with 7:51 remaining in the first half but UNLV held the Cowgirls scoreless for the rest of the half, outscoring them 10-0 to go into halftime tied at 21-21.

Where I Stand - Lucas Grower: Many teens' opinions at Youth Forum same as adults: As I entered my room to discuss the many issues that had to deal with America as a whole, from politics to Paula Jones, it didn't take long to realize that I was in the company of 52 intelligent and well-informed teenagers, who were not attending the day's discussions for the day off school and the free fried chicken, but rather because they were concerned about many issues that affect their daily lives. As each issue was picked apart by the members of the session, it became quite obvious that a lot of the views being expressed were many of ...

Holiday custody cases clutter Family Court: Bill Gang; "Some people were being very Grinchy," she said this week, finally finding some breathing room after the holiday crush of cases subsided.

Saturday at Aqueduct: 1st race 1-1/16 mi 3YO Mdn

Editorial: Patients need answers, help for their pain: In the 1980s, a company out of Houston called Vitek Corp. manufactured TMJ implants composed of polyester fiber and Teflon. Throughout the 1980s, patients complained not only of pain in their jaws, but of immune system problems from these implants.

Daniels going home but focus clearly on game: Steve Carp; Like most freshmen, Greedy Daniels is excited about going home, especially given the circumstances.

Three casinos to pay less taxes: The Sands Regency was reassessed at $28.6 million, a reduction of $12 million.

Former press association chief joins state: Engleman succeeds Vicki Means who resigned in October. Prior to taking the job with Heller, Engleman was associate editor for the Nevada Files, a Washington D.C. business-oriented newsletter.