Stories published May 6, 1998Las Vegas Sun

Pacific Coast League Standings through May 4, 1998: Midwest Division

Another funding transfer OK'd to help state's group health insurance: Brendan Riley; The Legislature's Interim Finance Committee approved a request by the state Committee on Benefits to transfer $19.8 million from reserve funds to help meet claims expenses.

UNLV women's basketball coach completes staff: Lisa Rathbun from Cleveland State, Michael Ensley from Louisiana Tech and Staci Shulz from Western Illinois have been named assistant coaches and former Lady Rebel assistant coach Carrie Daniels will assume director of basketball operations duties.

Sun International hedges bets on Resorts Casino Hotel: But casino industry observers said Wednesday that Sun's move made sense and was not indicative of a larger ill.

Thursday at Golden Gate: 1st race 6 fur 4YO&up Clm

University Medical Center suing Nevada over Medicaid rates: William Hale, chief executive officer of the hospital, said the challenge over the rate paid for Medicaid patients dates to 1994. After losing in an appeals process, the medical center filed its lawsuit in December in Clark County District Court.

Thursday at Aqueduct: 1st race 7 fur 3YO Mdn Clm

Police say suspect's paycheck stub found at rape scene: Police say he attacked an unarmed 20-year-old security guard Saturday as she was patrolling a business complex on the city's east side.

$20,000 reward being offered for slayer of woman bartender: Police were called after a witness reported a gray Cadillac leaving the scene with its lights off. Two people got into the vehicle before it left. The car was later found near the downtown area and police say evidence linking the car to the crime was found inside the vehicle.

Wednesday's Prep Results: Green Valley 6, Rancho 0

LVMS accused of blocking F1 efforts: Tommy Baker has been trying to bring a Formula One race to Las Vegas for the better part of three years, so having to wait another 90 days doesn't seem to bother the founder of United States Grand Prix.

U.S. World Cup Roster: Goalkeepers

Green Valley, Gorman favorites at zone tourney: Spencer Patterson; The qualifying is over and the eight surviving entries are lined up at the gate, ready to run to glory.

Promoters say Burning Man Festival will be tidy and organized: Organizers want to hold the annual Labor Day gathering on public land in the Black Rock Desert north of Reno.

Internet key to getting more visitors, officials told: Angie Wagner; Since the Las Vegas Convention and Visitors Authority's website went online in August 1997, the most popular pages have been ones listing accommodations, weather information and a calendar of events, Terry Jicinsky, marketing research and Internet manager for the LVCVA, said during a National Tourism Week luncheon at Caesars Palace.

Stars pitchers fan 16 in debut vs Sounds: The Las Vegas Stars pitching staff made their first ever contest against the Nashville Sounds a memorable one Monday night at Greer Stadium, setting a team record for most strikeouts in a game in a 15-inning, 3-1, victory.

Administration concerned, but likely will back BLM land sale: Scott Sonner; Members of Nevada's congressional delegation said they were surprised the Bureau of Land Management still had concerns about the proposal intended to help ease urban pressures on the fastest growing metropolitan area in the country. But they too were optimistic a compromise would be struck this year.

Neighbors say councilman's yard is an eyesore: The couple claims the cars, signs and personal watercraft Herndon keeps are an eyesore and a nuisance.

Plans unveiled for new Hyatt resort: Robert Macy; The 500-room resort will be surrounded by an 18-hole course designed by Nicklaus.

Columnist Dean Juipe: UNLV needs to reassure Reitz, Barto: Dean Juipe; Rather than add two women's sports to meet with Title IX requirements, NMSU deleted two men's programs instead.

City Attorney reviews dispute over councilwoman's address: She stopped renting the apartment on April 3, but rented another one late Tuesday after being told by Lynch that she needs to retain an address in her ward, the Reno Gazette-Journal reported.

UNLV begins internal probe: Steve Carp; In an attempt to get to the truth regarding allegations that UNLV athletic director Charles Cavagnaro made racist and sexist remarks about the university's student-athletes, the school has opened an internal investigation into the matter.

IHL playoffs: (Best-of-5)

Ralph Siraco's Selections For Hollywood Park: Selections made for clear racing conditions before scratches.

School District asks for $22.5 million to get computer in every class: The request stated the multi-media computers would go first to schools with socio-economic and technology needs, Jhone Ebert, technology coordinator for the district's secondary schools, said.

Bailey new Basic boss: Kurt Bailey, an assistant with Valley High School's 4A state champion boys basketball squad, has been named the new head coach at Basic. Bailey has spent the past two years working under Vikings' coach Paul Aznarez, whose Valley squad compiled a 51-12 overall record during that time. "He's going to be a welcome addition to our staff," Basic athletic administrator Carl Barbeau said. "He's got a lot of energy, and he stresses fundamentals." Bailey replaces outgoing coach Mike Dye, who resigned recently after four years at the school. Dye leaves with a 33-53 record with the Wolves.

Rebels get first win over Arizona State in 11 years: It was the Rebels' first victory over perennial power ASU since 1987, ending an 0-21 drought against the Sun Devils. UNLV, 30-22, also reached the 30-win plateau for the 21st time.

Sierra Chemical faces big $1 million fine: Brendan Riley; Ron Swirczek, administrator of the state Division of Industrial Relations, planned to provide details on the big fine at a meeting today in Reno of the Commission on Workplace Safety and Community Protection.

Civil service refuses case of two fired Metro officers: Cathy Scott; The board voted 3-2 against hearing the cases because the officers were not eligible under current civil service rules.

Henderson muffler shop gets OK over residents' objections: Valerie Miller; The Muffler Shop was approved for a half-acre lot on Nevada Way, near the corner of Lake Mead Drive and Boulder Highway. It's one of the city's oldest neighborhoods, dating back to the 1940s. The business is now located on Navy Street in downtown.

Clark County news briefs: * JUSTICE CENTER-- The county approved an interlocal agreement Tuesday with the city of Las Vegas to share in the cost of building the Regional Justice Center downtown. The county agreed to pay $119.5 million, while the city will contribute $29 million using court construction and administrative fees. The city also agrees to cover maintenance costs for the private areas while the county will pay 75 percent of the maintenance costs for the public areas. The board approved a $244 million construction budget last fall for the justice center, expansion of the county detention center and improved juvenile justice facilities.

Police identify murder victim: The room was registered to the Bethel Park, Pa., man.

Cox isn't shy in talking about cable rate hikes: It's going to cost more -- but customers will get additional products when the rates go up, Robbins indicated.

Former substitute teacher gets life in prison: Lepley was convicted last month of having unprotected oral sex with the 16-year-old without telling him about his medical status. Nye County District Attorney Bob Beckett said Lepley befriended the boy and his friends by bringing beer and marijuana to their parties.

Las Vegas business news briefs: sgreen@lasvegassun.com; * SIERRA PROFIT, REVENUE UP -- Sierra Health Services Inc. of Las Vegas today said its profit for the quarter ended March 31 was $12.2 million, or 66 cents per share, up 25 percent from the $9.8 million, or 54 cents earned in the year-earlier quarter. Revenues increased 23 percent to $210 million. Sierra also announced a three-for-two stock split aimed at improving liquidity of the stock.

Animal rights groups protest live pigeon shoot near Reno: Sandra Chereb; The shoot, which will be held on private land in Sierra County, Calif., is legal in California, officers say, although it may be distasteful to some.

Tahoe preservationist, politician Knisley dies: He boasted that, as a four-term assemblyman from Pershing: "I made no attempt to form a voting block, did not ask for a vote or promise mine. Any influence I may have had was because of my wide experience and knowledge."

Lawmakers rethinking health plan for poor: Charlotte Crawford, director of the Department of Human Resources, said any major changes to the proposal at this late date could jeopardize the start-up date.

Correction to election filing story: * In a Tuesday story about first-day election filings, the commission districts of county commissioners Myrna Williams and Erin Kenny were inadvertently transposed. Williams is in District E, while Kenny is in District F.

Study: Yucca nuke dump will cost taxpayers: Brendan Riley; Miller, a longtime opponent of a nuclear dump in Nevada, termed the disposal project a folly and added that he hoped members of Congress would "come to their senses" and not authorize all the spending.

Rebels await recruit's NBA draft decision: Steve Carp; They're not holding their breath at the UNLV basketball office any longer. But Bill Bayno and his staff would just as soon see Sunday come and go as quickly as possible.

Sunnier days expected by weekend: Thunder, lightning and rain showers started in the Red Rock Canyon Recreational Area about 3 p.m.

Water District to protest aerojet company's water application: The water district board Tuesday approved spending $250 for filing a protest against the Aerojet rocket engine company request with State Engineer Michael Turnipseed. Aerojet filed for the ground water in July 1997.

Two honored for work in sports and classroom: Dean Juipe; One runs track and the other plays volleyball, basketball and softball.

UNLV golfers seeded first: The top-ranked UNLV golf team earned a spot in its tenth straight NCAA West Regional Championship field, the NCAA announced Tuesday. The Rebels will be the top seed at the tournament to be played at the ASU Karsten Golf Course (par 72, 7,037 yards) in Tempe, Ariz., on May 14-16. UNLV was one of nine teams from the Western Athletic Conference to qualify for a spot in one of this year's three regional fields.

Trial probing old mob ties to Tropicana winding down: Bill Gang; But one of the four defendants already is out of the case, having had charges against him tossed out by Senior U.S. District Judge Justin Quackenbush of Seattle because of a lack of evidence.

Health Plan of Nevada drops five drugs from its coverage: Bob Shemeligian; HPN has joined a growing number of health maintenance organizations throughout the nation that have developed "formularies," or lists of drugs covered by those organizations.

Growth is Prime Cable's trademark: The Greenspun family's cable television operation has come a long way since the late 1960s.

Box score: Stars 3, Sounds 1: Las Vegas

Store clerks ge serious about funny money: Last weekend, clerks at some area stores took a few extra seconds to look at the smaller denomination bills. Some even used anti-counterfeit detecting devices generally reserved for $50 and $100 bills.

Columnist Peter Benton: Leonard leads President's Cup list: Peter Benton; WITH HIS VICTORY in The Players Championship, Justin Leonard moved into first place on the list of eligibles for the U.S. Team's 1998 Presidents Cup Match.

Nevadan's Internet freedom at issue in Minnesota court: John Wilen; But though the case ostensibly involves the legality of gambling online, the arguments are expected to have very little to do with gambling, and very much to do with the nature of the Internet itself.

Kerkorian's strategy in gaming is to exploit the MGM brand: Gary Thompson; MGM Grand President Alex Yemenidjian said the strategy calls for:

Columnist Paula Del Giudice: Increased hunting quotas proposed: THE NEVADA Board of Wildlife Commissioners will meet Saturday in Las Vegas to establish the quotas for the 1998 big game hunting seasons.

Two Pahrump residents killed in accident: Just after 5 a.m., a 1994 Ford pickup was headed east on State Route 160 while a 1988 Oldsmobile was traveling west, Marhold said.

Letter: Unwanted filth received via 'Net: E-mail is the problem. Seems that everyone has your address, and the filth comes. In the first week, I received 30 offers for free weeks or a month of free porno pictures, films and whatever.

Trial looms for man accused of stalking Reid, Ensign: Bill Gang; Michael McCusker, whose self-proclaimed motto is "Justice or Death," had gone to the men claiming he had been victimized in a Mexican investment scam that cost him perhaps $40,000.

Developer pays disability settlement: Frey Development will have to remodel 56 first-floor condominiums at the Pueblo at Sante Fe complex so they are accessible to people with disabilities.

Landowners continue fight against NLV annexation: Bob Shemeligian; Their protests will come during a hearing that begins at 7:05 p.m. Wednesday in the City Council chambers of the North Las Vegas City Hall.

Miller: $30 billion overrun should disqualify Yucca: Miller released a $200,000 study Tuesday that says the final cost of the repository would be $53.9 billion over the life of the project, compared to an estimate of $33 billion projected by the U.S. Department of Energy in 1995.

County delays decision on golf course developer: Jeff Schweers; Deferring to the wishes of Circus Circus Enterprises, the Clark County Commission has given the three applicants vying to build a golf course at the south end of the Las Vegas Strip up to 90 days to address significant issues raised by staff.

Legislators not rushing to fund nuke office: The state office plans to compete for a chunk of the estimated $6 million that Nevada will have left to spend for unforeseen budget shortages in the last half of this year. But office director Bob Loux is certain to face tough questions from lawmakers about the audit, which accused the state of misusing federal funds.

Wednesday's College Baseball Scores: Delaware 10, Rider 8

Brunson adds page to legend: Win $93,000 one night, get robbed at gunpoint of $84,000 a few nights later and win $78,200 a week after that and your legend as a gambler only becomes larger.

Teen birth rate, youth violence grows in state: This is according to a nationwide, state-by-state breakdown of the conditions of children in America by the Annie E. Casey Foundation, a private charitable, child advocacy program, established in 1948 and based in Baltimore, Md.

Battle lines drawn as two bid to be county recorder: Jeff Schweers; Johnson, 48, filed as a Republican for the office Tuesday, one day after Vandever, a Democrat, filed.

UNLV freshman survey shows big interest in business: The largest percentage of those surveyed at the start of this school year, 38 percent to be exact, said they want business degrees.

UMC chief gets new contract from county: Jeff Schweers; At $218,416 a year, that makes Hale -- who is responsible for about 3,000 hospital staff -- the highest paid public official in the state. University Chancellor Richard Jarvis, whose salary was raised to $195,000 last December, is the next highest.

Actor Matt Damon extends tradition of celebrity players at tourney: Damon, who this year won the best original screenplay Oscar for "Good Will Hunting," in which he also starred, is playing in the 29th annual World Series at Binion's Horseshoe to promote his upcoming gambler movie "Rounders."

Car used in murder recovered: Shelly Lokken, 31, was bound, then shot once in the back of the head execution style, police said. Her body was found behind the bar. A motorist noticed two men get into an early model gray Cadillac and leave without the car's headlights on from the parking lot of the tavern, at Westcliff and Durango drives about 1:20 a.m. He called police, who went into the bar and found Lokken's body.

Editorial: Candidates, voters start your engines!: The candidates' advertising blitzkrieg will soon be put into overdrive, inundating voters with television ads, billboards and mailings. But voters also have a responsibility to demand more than just the candidates' spin, they should seek honest answers to tough questions. If voters don't challenge the politicians to respond with common sense solutions to difficult problems, candidates will keep hiding behind slick television spots and glossy campaign literature.

Letter: Notch Fairness Act turns into misnomer: If they put $5,000 in my hot little hand, I'll take it, but not $1,000 a year and they draw interest on the rest for four years.

Editorial: Setback for states on Indian gaming: Babbitt believes he should have the final say on this controversial issue. But the interior secretary simply shouldn't have the authority that is supposed to reside with the chief executive of a state, the governor.

Where I Stand -- Mike O'Callaghan: How laws that should protect are used to hurt citizens: The ongoing charade in the name of justice still being run by special prosecutor Kenneth W. Starr is another example of a law being used by a dangerous man running amok. Of course, we all must admit that the law creating a special prosecutor was purposefully flawed by partisan politicians during its initial writing.

No more free water at Oasis: Denise Cardinal; The largest operator of apartments in the Las Vegas Valley is now charging residents for water use, breaking with the trend of most apartments in Las Vegas not separately billing residents for water.

Stars active off the field: Off the field, however, was another story.

New water pipeline springs leak: The board learned Tuesday that the 12-foot-wide pipe started leaking around April 15. Water District General Manager Pat Mulroy declared an emergency on April 17. Without an emergency, Mulroy cannot spend more than $25,000.

State workers seek 10 percent pay hike: About 90 delegates to the annual convention of the State of Nevada Employees Association voted last weekend to seek the salary hike from the 1999 Legislature.

Letter: Notch babies deserve better from government: Green makes the statement that the majority of notch babies relying on Social Security as the only source of income receive food stamps and subsidized housing. Green is woefully wrong; in my 72 years I have never received food stamps or subsidized housing. I have worked and earned everything I have this day, and do not expect someone else to carry my burdens in this life, but I would like to get what is rightfully mine.

Brown to fill out constable's term: Jeff Schweers; Tabat resigned April 30, after 24 years as constable, leaving a vacancy until December. Elections will be held in the fall for voters to choose someone to serve in that position for the next four years.

Columnist Muriel Stevens: The lore and the knack of fortune cookies: Read and her family are fans of Chinese cuisine and especially fond of the cookies that come at the end. When she couldn't find fortune cookies in her local market (she lives in the country) she decided to make them herself. She filled the homemade cookies with original fortunes. Before long she was making them for gifts and for parties.

Auto Racing Glance: Rio 400

People in the News for May 6, 1998: Hodgepodge

Buckley files for Assembly race: Jeff Schweers; Buckley, who runs Nevada Legal Services, had discussed running for the commission so that she wouldn't have to disrupt her family life and career by going to Carson City for six months every other year.

Nevada news briefs: CARSON CITY -- Six people have been named as Nevada's representatives to the Rocky Mountain Presidential Primary Task Force to look at a common date for a presidential primary election or caucus in the West. Gov. Bob Miller Monday named the final two members as Lyndsey Jydstrup, executive director of the Assembly Democratic Caucus, and Secretary of State Dean Heller, a Republican. Previously appointed from the Legislature were Sens. Dean Rhoads, R-Tuscarora, and Valerie Wiener, D-Las Vegas, and Assemblymen Lynn Hettrick, R-Minden, and Tom Collins, D-North Las Vegas. The 1997 Legislature, at the request of Miller, agreed to join the ...

Taxi authority angered by leak of report: The four-page report, which details an aborted 1996 investigation into a ticket scam at McCarran International Airport, was written by the Taxicab Authority's chief investigator, Bob Flaven.

Two killed in murder-suicide identified: James, of Bethel Park, was registered in a 16th-floor room at the Rio hotel-casino Monday when he allegedly killed Deana Trower. Trower, 29, was a dancer in Las Vegas, homicide Lt. Wayne Petersen said.

Obituaries for May 6, 1998: He is survived by his parents, Lizette and James Agee, and one sister, Domenique Agee, all of North Las Vegas; and his grandparents, James Hartzfield, Edward and Margaret Sosa and Ada Morales, all of Las Vegas.

Police will seek governor's warrant if suspect fights extradition: Jimie Slaughter, 25, remained in a Newton, Kan., jail cell Monday awaiting a pending court appearance which police hope will end with his voluntarily waiving extradition.