Print edition for June 26, 1998

Letter: Pregnancy-induced marriage didn't manufacture happiness: Furthermore, you can't create a happy marriage by forcing a guy to marry you.

Where I Stand -- Brian Greenspun: End of McDougal's incarceration was long overdue: That's what independent prosecutor Kenneth Starr's office had to say about a judge's order releasing Susan McDougal from jail. What else could they say? She didn't belong there in the first place.

Obituaries for June 26, 1998: She is survived by her father, Jack F. Wade; one son, David R. DePiano; and two brothers, Tim Wade and Doug Wade.

Legislators approve funds to bolster remedial programs: The money was approved Thursday by the Legislature's Interim Finance Committee, which also made a special $2 million appropriation for class-size reduction programs in the state's 17 school districts.

Gunman sought in shooting of officer: Karen Zekan; The 36-year-old male officer, identified as a 10-year CHP veteran, was flown by helicopter to University Medical Center where he remained in serious but stable condition, authorities said.

Unfinished welfare computer system's cost hits $94 million: The system, supposed to be ready in 1995, won't be completed until August 1999.

Trash transfer station nixed: Adrienne Packer; "After meeting with County Commissioner Erin Kenny and hearing the objections of some of the residents, it became clear that this site is not going to work," said Stephen Kalish, president of Silver State.

Letter: It's not too late for Mesquite to cancel Running of the Bulls: I hope the city of Mesquite will change their minds about this. It is still not too late to cancel this inhumane event.

Arizona Charlie's future is nearly settled: John Wilen; Bruce Becker keeps Arizona Charlie's, Carl Icahn makes $10 million and Station Casinos walks away under a plan approved Thursday by U.S. Bankruptcy Court Judge Linda Riegle.

Activist badgers circus on treatment of animals: But when the former film industry animal trainer routinely appears at stops along the circus route and watches the lions and tigers and elephants -- especially the elephants -- herded off the trains and out of the trucks, her emotion is not one of excitement, but anger.

Nuclear office gets emergency funding: The Legislative Interim Finance Committee Thursday chopped the request for $1.2 million to allow the office to operate until March next year. Committee members expressed concern about the agency and some of the contracts it has awarded.

Tax panel delays action on artwork exemptions: Wynn purchased some $278 million in art to be displayed in the Bellagio hotel-casino scheduled to open Oct. 15 on the Las Vegas Strip. The 1997 Legislature approved a bill giving an exemption from personal property tax and the sales tax if the works are put on public display.

Las Vegas Bankruptcies: Mancini's of Las Vegas Inc., 2340 Dolphin Ct., Henderson, filed for Chapter 11 bankruptcy, listing assets of $980,000 and liabilities of $790,000.

Editorial: Ethics panel's fine worthy of applause: The ethics panel on Wednesday levied $5,000 fines against former candidate Brooks Compton, his mother, Shari Compton, and her ex-husband, Steve Smith. They deserved that penalty, the maximum allowed under state law, in connection with a bogus 1996 ethics complaint against then-County Commissioner Paul Christensen.

Columnist Muriel Stevens: Local chef bestowed honorary culinary degree: When awarding Ty the degree, Debi Gray, president of J&W at Norfolk, Va., where the commencement exercises took place, said, "You are everything a chef should be -- a professional, a true culinarian, a coach and a friend." That he is.

Got milk ad campaign? LV cheerleaders do: Jace Radke; The Bonanza High School varsity cheerleaders have won the chance to appear in a national ad, complete with the drippy white lines that the likes of Michael Jordan and Ron Howard have donned in the past.

Columnist Scott Dickensheets: The symphony squabble X-posed, round by round: Scott Dickensheets; The latest episode of this ongoing rivalry involves the symphony's recently canceled summer Picnic Pops series. It fell victim as both sides proved unable to negotiate a collective bargaining agreement, or even an interim one. There are many points of contention: the symphony's use of out-of-town musicians, the union's insistence on last-minute strike capability, more than $100,000 in back wages still owed the musicians.

Letter: Aren't there uninhabited places where nuclear waste could go?: In addition, our public relations department should send press releases and other promotional material to the national media, touting Nevada's opposition to nuclear waste storage in our vulnerable state.

Hajek, Arias picked for all-star team: Steve Guiremand; Dave Hajek would just as soon forget his last appearance at Harbor Park in Norfolk, Va.

"Quilt" debut a moving, musical display: Melissa Schorr; All you have to do, in fact, is enjoy an honest, exhilarating night of musical theater seldom seen on this city's stages.

NLV man keeps going to court for the birds: Adrienne Packer; But few of Leavitt's defendants have sparked as much interest as Marion Goodwin.

'Brother's Keeper' recalls American volunteers in Israeli cause: Mike O'Callaghan; Fifty years later, it's still the only democratic light burning in that part of the world. The shedding of blood, sweat and tears in the 1940s had to be repeated several times during the following years before Israel earned the respect and international recognition it deserves.

Metro milestone: 25 years of consolidation: Karen Zekan; They came into being as a family numbering just over 1,000 officers and administrative staff on July 1, 1973, officially at 12:01 a.m. The time was ripe for such a merger -- governments on both coasts, including Florida and California, were either contemplating or undergoing similar reforms.

Otherworldly phenomena the subject LV lecture: Diana Sahagun; The reported findings are the subject of a lecture by Guido Moosbrugger, who will be speaking at 1 p.m. Sunday at the Best Western Heritage Inn.

State, local government employees health insurance is in the hole: Officials in charge of administering the plan told the Interim Finance Committee on Thursday that cuts in benefits and increases in premiums may be needed to head off the impending deficit. But core medical and dental benefits won't be touched, acting state risk manager Randy Waterman said.

Lawmakers told prisons face worker shortages: "We are reaching a critical situation," he said Thursday. "We have probably used up the pool of workers in the local market."

Bill grows for welfare computer system: "We have shown the utmost confidence in you and your staff," Arberry, D-North Las Vegas, said as the Legislature's Interim Finance Committee discussed the funds Thursday.

Editorial: High school entry exam makes sense: Nevada in recent years has been saddled with one of the worst high school dropout rates in the nation. At least part of the reason is that many students haven't been fully prepared to handle high school-level courses. They obviously should have received better preparation in middle school before moving on to high school.

Letter: Nevadans should be willing to assist nuclear industry: I also recently learned that much of the material intended to go to Yucca Mountain is generated in the national defense and not by the nuclear power industry. Certainly Nevada has benefited along with the rest of the country by the deterrent value of nuclear weapons.

Bedtime for Rhonda Shear: Lisa Ferguson; These days, the voluptuous comedian really is staying up all night -- or at least until 3 a.m. most nights -- while she and a handful of her funny gal pals host old-fashioned slumber parties at comedy clubs in Southern California.

Valentine facing a different marathon: Denise Cardinal; As the 41-year-old reveals the blisters on her arms while describing the San Diego Marathon she ran a couple of weeks ago, she might as well be talking about her new job as Las Vegas city manager instead of the 26-mile race.

Growing need keeps food shelves bare at Family Services: Diana Sahagun; Lucille Ricards, who used to volunteer at the center, has been donating food to the shelter for the past 15 years.

Las Vegas Stars statistics through June 25, 1998: Las Vegas Stars statistics through June 25, 1998

Commission approves plans for motel: Adrienne Packer; The three-story Extended Stay America will be built on Sunset Village Circle about 300 feet from a residential area. No gaming will be offered in the motel.

School Board lightens it committee load: Jace Radke; The seven-member board currently is responsible for approximately 50 committees which is proving to be too many, according to President Susan Brager.

Las Vegas says thank you, goodbye to strong leader: Some of the more than 1,000 mourners attending the funeral found that quite fitting, noting that the image most in their minds -- other than Moran working to rid the local streets of criminals -- was of the tall and athletic law-enforcement giant walking hand-in-hand with his diminutive wife of more than half a century.

Forbes says gambling should be state, local issue: Steve Humm; Prior to speaking to the Association of American Editorial Cartoonists convention in Las Vegas, Forbes said the expansion of gaming "is something that should be decided at the local or state level."

Fears surround gasoline treatment: Art Nadler; Since 1992, California gasoline has had methyl tertiary butyl ether (MTBE) added to it to reduce toxic emissions. The additive has come under scrutiny recently as being a suspected human carcinogen.

Letter: Who should sit in judgment of candidates' campaign signs?: Who cares if it is hand-painted with whatever it takes to achieve the bright yellow wanted? After all, isn't yellow close to the color that God wanted for the things that he wanted us to notice in the heavens, such as the sun?

State health plan facing $11 million deficit in '99: Sen. Bob Coffin, D-Las Vegas, an insurance agent, said he has never seen anything run so far out of control in his 29 years in the field. "This is beyond belief," he said.

A Bard act to follow: For Utah Shakespearean Festival founder Fred Adams, this summer's production is not just another show opening.

State begins to invetigate appeal in Brown recall try: Adrienne Packer; "We need to talk to the registrars and talk to petitioners and witnesses to find out what's behind the appeal," Don Reis, deputy secretary of state, said Thursday.

Shimon Peres optimistic on peace in Middle East: Martin Kuz; The moment was awkward, breathtaking, and quickly became a symbol that peace in the Middle East would move, at long last, beyond rhetoric. But what everyone saw, no one heard. Just after the historic handshake, Rabin turned to Shimon Peres, his foreign minister, and whispered, "Now it's your turn."

Feds call for changes in kids insurance plan: The federal Health Care Financing Administration has refused to approve the state's proposal saying it conflicts with a congressional law.

King Clancy Trophy Winners: 1988 - Lanny McDonald, Calgary

Pacific Coast League statistics through June 25, 1998: ---

NHL Awards Winners: Hart Memorial Trophy, MVP - Dominik Hasek, Buffalo.

Frontier strike veterans inspire UAW delegates: Brian Seals; The UAW closed its constitutional convention at the Las Vegas Convention Center with words of encouragement from veterans of the 6-year Frontier hotel-casino strike.

Saturday at Belmont Park: 1st race 7 fur 3YO&up F&M Mdn

Legislative commission rejects homeopathic regulation: The commission sent the state Board of Homeopathic Examiners back to the drawing board to rewrite the regulation to limit the scope of what can be prescribed. The regulation can then be re-submitted for approval.

Hart Trophy Winners: 1924 - Frank Nighbor, Ottawa

Art Ross Trophy Winners: 1918 - Joe Malone, Montreal

Jobless rates down in May: Agency statistics show there were 924,400 people working in all industries during May, up 5,500 from April. There were 39,500 people without jobs, down from 41,600 in April.

New Nevada laws take effect July 1: Brendan Riley; However, the law banning Internet transmissions of unwanted commercial advertisements may not accomplish much. The law enables people to go to court for an injunction that, if ignored, would subject the unwelcome e-mailers to $10 fines.

Board may fine Tropicana over currency laws: According to the complaint filed Wednesday, Tropicana executives should have obtained permission of South Korean officials before issuing credit in the first place.

Magician leads neighbors to win over garbage facility: Garbage company officials finally withdrew their application this week in the wake of neighborhood protests.

Box score: Stars 6, Royals 1: Omaha

Masterton Award Winners: 1968 - Claude Provost, Montreal

Sports events in July: 1-5 - Tennis, Wimbledon, England.

Columnist Brian Hilderbrand: In-car camera keeps Schmidt on the track: Sam Schmidt has mixed emotions going into this weekend's Pep Boys Indy Racing League Pennzoil 200 at New Hampshire International Speedway.

Lady Byng Trophy Winners: 1925 - Frank Nighbor, Ottawa

Designed road course faster for stock car drivers: SONOMA, Calif. -- A new track configuration and some of the same old problems greeted Winston Cup drivers when they arrived at Sears Point Raceway to begin preparations for Sunday's Save Mart-Kragen 350-kilometer race.

Calder Trophy Winners: 1933 - Carl Voss, Detroit

DA seeks death penalty in killing: The three are accused of killing Kimberly Jean Fondy. The 33-year-old Sparks woman, who was confined to a wheelchair, was killed in her home on April 5.

Lawyer for Malone calls ethics chairwoman unfair: The attorney for Clark County Commissioner Lance Malone today accused the chairwoman of the Nevada Ethics Commission of being "unfair."

Norris Trophy Winners: 1954 - Red Kelly, Detroit

Sparks to take part in FEMA plan: Sparks is one of 50 cities chosen nationwide to take part in the program after it developed an advance plan that relies largely on volunteers.

Restoration company sues city over Mapes decision: Truckee Rivers Restoration President Lawrence Denig said his company and another firm spent $1 million in 1992 for studies and plans to restore the Mapes.

Reno PR official dies: His career included two stints in Harrah's advertising and public relations department. He also ran his own advertising company for several years.

Pearson Award Winners: 1971 - Phil Esposito, Boston

Vegan's bid for Vikings cloudy: Tim Graham; Shruti Misra resubmitted her proposal to purchase the NFL's Minnesota Vikings. But the chances of the deal going through are as good as finding out exactly who Misra is or where her money comes from.

Frank J. Selke Trophy Winners: 1977 - Bob Gainey, Montreal

Lawmakers propose more teacher training, higher pay: Instead of the money going to the state Board of Education, it would go straight to the districts that would create and equip the regional centers to train all teachers in Nevada.

Beatty faces buried threat: Mary Manning and Benjamin Grove; A stunning new report reveals that 47 pounds of highly radioactive plutonium have been buried at the waste dump near Beatty, which is generally thought of as exclusively for "low-level" waste.

Vezina Trophy Winners: 1927 - George Hainsworth, Montreal

New LV hotel-casino named in honor of Bugsy Siegel: John Wilen; BICT Enterprises Inc., an investment group headed by Solomon Shlomy Weingarten, is planning a $130 million, 320-suite luxury casino with a 1940s Las Vegas theme on Tropicana Ave. just off the Strip.

Detectives to bring suspected Louisiana killers home: It is not clear whether, Travis "Sugar" Johnson, 18, will try to resist being brought back to Louisiana to face first-degree murder charges, Larpenter said.

IRS to audit university system: In December 1996, state legislative auditors released a blistering 66-page report that criticized the university system for spending educational dollars on salaries for support staff members, allowing individual institutions to routinely shift money among accounts, and permitting universities and community colleges to use inconsistent reporting methods.

Movie Guys: Dr. Dolittle tries to satisfy kids and adults: * Starring: Eddie Murphy, Oliver Platt, Ossie Davis and Kristin Wilson.

TRPA considers amending rules for research groups: With strict TRPA regulations on new or expanded buildings, the current requirements make it tough for new research entities to become established here.

Health plan ills stall aid for children: "I'm dismayed. The flexibility envisioned in the legislation has been taken away," Rawson said Wednesday in discussing federal rejection of Nevada's initial plan to insure 45,000 children.

Jack Adams Award Winners: 1974 - Fred Shero, Philadelphia

Shakespeare Festival Facts: "Romeo and Juliet" (Tuesdays and Fridays, with matinees Mondays and Thursdays), "Relative Values" (Mondays and Thursdays, with matinees Wednesdays and Saturdays) and "Joseph and the Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat" (Wednesdays and Saturdays, with matinees Tuesdays and Fridays) are set for the indoor Randall L. Jones Theatre.

Complaint against counsel for ethics panel thrown out: The complainant, former Las Vegas City Councilman Steve Miller, also told the commission that Ling erred by not allowing him to testify at a closed April hearing on the Jones bank matter.

Pacific Coast League standings through June 25, 1998: Midwest Division

Prep stars try to hammer out deals: Spencer Patterson; It has been less than a month since Mike Nannini and Jason Van Meetren were selected in the Major League Baseball amateur draft. But already the two young prospects are learning that their sport is indeed a business.

Las Vegas Stars scorecard -- June 26, 1998: Upcoming games

High school entry exam proposed: Costs of such a measure, and what should be done with students too old for middle school but unqualified for high school, haven't been determined.

Bill would let SIIS sell more insurance: For more than 80 years, SIIS only has provided workers' compensation coverage for Nevada workers.

LV Bowl may play role in UNLV's new conference: Steve Carp; One of the keys to success for the new conference UNLV has agreed to be a part of will be the league's ability to align itself with as many football bowl games as possible.

Auto Racing standings and leaders through June 26, 1998: The 1998 NASCAR Winston Cup stock car racing schedule, winners in parenthesis, and driver point standings:

High court rejects appeal by dismemberment killer: Brendan Riley; The court ruled Wednesday against Patrick Cavanaugh, convicted in 1984 for the fatal shooting of Nathaniel "Buster" Wilson. After he was shot in 1980, Wilson's arms and legs were sawed off in Las Vegas. His body was found several years later in California.

Columnist Dean Juipe: Soccer simply isn't crucial to Americans: Dean Juipe; After all, there's no denying what went down in France.

Ignore his record when judging the Stars' Lomon: Steve Guiremand; The statistics say that Las Vegas Stars pitcher Kevin Lomon is having a season to be pretty proud of.