Print edition for January 12, 1998

People in the News for January 12, 1998: Kentucky woman

Forged prescriptions a growing problem: Art Nadler; Nonetheless, between 200 and 300 addicts of prescription pain killers and tranquilizers are busted every year. Fine, upstanding middle-class citizens -- medical professionals, retired senior citizens, young adults and conservatively dressed professionals -- all are breaking the law.

Hoover Dam site of Bechtel celebration: Elizabeth Dutton; A masterpiece of engineering and construction, the dam will play host on Jan. 17 to the 100th anniversary of the Bechtel Group.

Hounds show off quickness: Karen Zekan; From the speediest whippets and greyhounds who sprinted around the track to the borzoi who stopped a few steps after leaving the start line, the dozens of dogs and their owners who entered the Southern Nevada Sighthound Association's weekend races at Craigin Park all went home winners if for nothing more than good attitudes.

Woman, 78, critically injured in crash: Sophia Afetian, 78, had only 517 miles on her 1997 Mercury Tracer when tragedy struck at 11:33 a.m., said Metro Police Sgt. Phil Galvan.

Tourist's U-turn leads to fatal accident: Carl John Hoffman, 66, of Warminster, Pa., died shortly after arriving at University Medical Center. Rosemary Hoffman, 58, also of Warminster, was listed at UMC Sunday afternoon in serious condition.

Sick leave delays suspension of county worker: Jeff Schweers; County administrators had planned to suspend air conditioning mechanic Eugene Smith last week after he had pleaded no contest to stealing a $750 washer and dryer. But when Smith called in sick they could not hand him his official termination papers.

Controversial LV direct-selling company grows into trouble: Bob Shemeligian; Equinox International Corp. of Las Vegas reached the pinnacle of entrepreneurial success in 1996, topping Inc.'s list of the nation's fastest-growing companies. A short year later it's now mired in lawsuits with former distributors who claim they were misled, humiliated or drained of their personal funds.

Gaming regulators look at prostitution report: State Gaming Control Board Chairman Bill Bible said today the report in today's New York Times was the first he had heard of the alleged incident, detailed by an anonymous gaming executive at an unnamed Las Vegas resort in a report on the high-stakes competition for the world's top gamblers.

Teen shot to death at restaurant: Cathy Scott; Metro Police said the teenager, a student at Clark High School, was either caught in the crossfire or was a victim of a gang-related dispute.

Scotch 80s privatization on hold: Denise Cardinal; The Scotch 80s neighborhood, located north of Oakey Boulevard, east of Rancho Drive and south of Charleston Boulevard, asked the Las Vegas City Council in October if it could gate off and privatize its public streets.

Seale won't seek re-election as treasurer: Seale, 56, a Republican, said he would serve out his term, which ends next January, and had no firm plans for his future. He did not rule out a run for lieutenant governor, a part-time job.

Senate candidate rejects retired-millionaire label: Larry Henry; You can even call him an entrepreneur.

In the Garden of Gadgets: Lisa Ferguson; They could keep their state-of-the-art software, thumpty-thumping car stereos, do-it-all pagers and compact cell phones.

1997 UNLV Runnin' Rebels Statistics: 1997 UNLV Runnin' Rebels Statistics

Box score: Thunder 3, Rafales 2: First Period -- 1, Quebec, Daniels 6 (Mongeau), 11:53. Penalties:Linden, Las Vegas (fighting), 7:00. Maxwell, Quebec (fighting, cross-checking, game misconduct), 7:00. Linden, Las Vegas (holding the stick), 14:12.

IHL recaps for Jan. 11, 1998: Indianapolis Ice 3, Quebec Rafales 2

Box score: Moose 4, Thunder 0: First Period -- 1, Manitoba , Secord 1 (intranuovo), sh, 10:20. Penalties: Potomski, Las Vegas (elbowing), 4:56; Purdie, Manitoba (interference), 8:25; Parrot, Manitoba (holding the stick), 14:12; McCleary, Las Vegas (slashing), 15:34; Bancroft, Las Vegas (hooking), 19:49.

Churchill county school enrollment declines: The district uses a five-year average for each grade level to estimate future enrollment figures. His year's numbers show that four of five elementary school grades either remained stable or declined. All six secondary school grades went down.

Fire marshal: Deadly blast may prompt stronger regulations: "Nevada is sort of a black hole (for explosives inspections)," he told the Reno Gazette-Journal. "We may have to look at some stronger legislation so we can step up a little more enforcement."

Obituaries for January 12, 1998: He is survived by one son, Michael Sandoval; three daughters, Maria Hernandez, Evangelina Avila and Angela Godinez; his father, Michael Sandoval; his mother, Henrietta Williams; two brothers, Greg Avila and Drake Avila; and 13 grandchildren.

"Trade bait" tag doesn't bother Eric Ludwick: Eric Ludwick takes it as a compliment that he was traded twice in the span of five months last year.

Box Score: UNLV 86, Chicago State 49: Percentages: FG .327, FT .667.

Stottlemyre trio making their marks in baseball: Tim Graham; To complete the transition from the mound to the bench, he must do what his father did before him: bottle the fire that makes a Stottlemyre a Stottlemyre.

Reid to hold health hearings in Reno, Las Vegas: Both hearings will begin at 9 a.m. The Las Vegas hearing will be held at the West Charleston Library, and the Reno hearing at Washoe Medical Center's Mack Auditorium.

Beauty queen's murder still unsolved 16 years later: Carson sheriff's detective Fred Schoenfeldt said the department maintains open files on Harris' case, even when it has no new leads.

Box score: Wolves 4, Thunder 3 (SO): First Period -- 1, Las Vegas, Quinney 15 (Lefebvre, Bancroft), sh, 9:38; 2, Chicago, Gusmanov 16 (Tilley, Martins), pp, 12:37; 3, Las Vegas, Lefebvre 13 (Quinney, Bancroft), 18:14. Penalties: Pearson, Chicago (interference), :27; Byakin, Las Vegas (tripping), 7:54; Bancroft, Las Vegas (boarding), 11:28; Yerkovich, Las Vegas (holding), 15:55.

Ruffin on verge of New Frontier: Putting a six-year strike behind it, the Frontier hotel-casino will get a new name when Kansas industrialist Phil Ruffin takes over at the end of the month.

Parking goes public on Tahoe's east shore: "If people don't get involved their concerns might not be heard," says Don Lane, recreation supervisor for the U.S. Forest Service. "And then they will have to live with the results."

Titanic, L.A. Confidential rank tops with Vegas oddsmaker: The odds are for entertainment purposes only. Nevada law allows betting only on sporting events.

Box Score: UNLV 88, Air Force 77: Percentages: FG .409, FT .650.

Las Vegas mayor ties knot: "It was a very small, private and joyous ceremony," Hanson said.

Box score: Thunder 4, Griffins 2: First Period -- 1, Las Vegas, Belanger 23 (Lefebvre, Quinney), 5:11; 2, Grand Rapids, Clancy 6 (richards, Sullivan), 12:18; 3, Las Vegas, Pattison 10 (Christian, Day), 14:32; 4, Las Vegas, Belanger 24 (Lefebvre, Quinney), 17:16. Penalties: Day, Las Vegas (interference), 5:46; McCleary, Las Vegas (interference), 5:46; McCleary, Las Vegas (interference), 7:57; Ruchly, Grand Rapids (tripping), 18:08.

Council endorses candidate for judgeship: He succeeds G.L. Critchfield, who resigned in September five weeks after his appointment, saying that he had taken another job out of state, but adding that the job, which averages three cases a week, was boring.

More heavy snow headed toward the Sierra: Snow was falling over the mountains early today, and the National Weather Service it would continue most of the day, becoming heavier by afternoon.

Columnist Dean Juipe: Rebels' RPI has Bayno feeling blue: Dean Juipe; It's the Ratings Percentage Index and if it wasn't integral to the NCAA and its basketball Tournament Selection Committee it would be nothing more than a lighthearted curiosity. But the RPI -- whatever it is and whatever it represents -- has become a factor in determining which teams advance to the postseason gold mine.

NFC heavy favorite again: Tim Graham; The NFC will have no trouble winning its 14th straight Super Bowl, according to those who set the line.

Box Score: Syracuse 71, UNLV 64: Percentages: FG .426, FT .613.

Box score: Moose 6, Thunder 5 (SO): First Period -- 1, Las Vegas, Pattison (Christian, Bancroft), 1:31; 2, Las Vegas, Bancroft 10 (Kurtz, Lefebvre), pp, 8:39; 3, Las Vegas, Day 13 (Linden, Bancroft), pp, 19:59. Penalties: Lavinsh, Las Vegas (interference), 4:46; Fearns, Manitoba (Tripping), 8:27; Punchard, Manitoba (holding the stick), 10:49; Parrott, Manitoba (high-sticking), 18:30; Pankewicz, Manitoba (misconduct), 18:30; Linden Las Vegas, (roughing), 18:30; Bancroft, Las Vegas (roughing), 20:00; Bicanek, Manitoba (roughing), 20:00; Ruark, Manitoba (roughing), 20:00.

Columnist Ralph Siraco: Fans, experts mostly agree on best horses for 1997: Ralph Siraco; Although all the equine categories resulted in a sweep, there were some close votes to secure the three segment blocs needed for the award.

Reese's run: Reese's run

Homeowners association battles in-house struggle: Martin Kuz; Now, 15 months and a whole lot of infighting later, it would come as no surprise if Gonzalez and a few of her cohorts conceived a second group: Justice for the Founders of Justice for Home and Condo Owners.

New Mexico bring Rebels next WAC Challenge: Steve Carp; Whenever a big game looms on the horizon and there's a stopover on the way, Bill Bayno gets nervous.

40 point effort pleased Reese, but loss didn't: Steve Carp; It was as if an incendiary bomb had gone off inside the Thomas & Mack Center. And once Jarmica Reese caught fire, there was no extinguishing his flame.

Psychiatrist appointed to Elko school board: Murad, who recently completed a term as chief of staff at Elko General Hospital, said he applied for the post because he thought his experience working with children in his practice could be an asset and that having four children of his own persuaded him to get more interested in the schools.