Print edition for October 2, 1998

Flamingo-Strip bridges up in air: Adrienne Packer; On Tuesday the County Commission will once again consider forming a special improvement district to subsidize two overcrossings planned for Flamingo Road and Las Vegas Boulevard.

Medicaid fraud unit to meet with Sunrise officials: Art Nadler; The state's Medicaid fraud unit, in conjunction with the Federal Bureau of Investigation, seized 200 boxes of documents, computer records and other documentations from the hospital, at 3186 S. Maryland Parkway, in April.

Las Vegas Bankruptcies: Laura Travis, formerly doing business as Laurie Clydedo Scope at 3701 Polaris Ave., #7, Las Vegas, formerly doing business as Beyond Balloons at 3214 W. Desert Inn, filed for Chapter 7 bankruptcy, listing assets of $3,000 and liabilities of $114,910.

Gates challenges ethics rule in court: Adrienne Packer; Gates' attorney Daniel Polsenberg is challenging the ethics panel's August opinion, which was widely criticized after it failed to offer elected officials guidance on when to abstain from voting on issues involving friends.

SUN Life Briefs: Television star -- Robert O'Reilly, who stars as the Klingon leader Gowron on "Star Trek: Deep Space Nine," will be at the Boulevard mall from 1-3 p.m. Saturday to meet fans and sign autographs to celebrate the opening of the "Starbase 1" store. Call 893-4747 for more information.

Editorial: A libel law finally meets its demise: Nevada is no exception. Although no one had ever been prosecuted under the state's criminal libel law, it had been on the books since 1911. As the Sun's Brian Seals reported Wednesday, unlike libel laws in most other states Nevada's said that publishing the truth was not an absolute defense unless it was published "for good motive and justifiable reasons." Fortunately this terrible law met its death this week as a federal judge ruled it unconstitutional.

Teacher, pastor, community leader Parson dies: He told the men to treat their wives with honor and to raise their children with respect for authority.

Steiger a no-show, but press conference filled with his legacy: Lisa Ferguson; The legendary actor was scheduled to appear at a press conference Thursday to announce activities scheduled for the upcoming CineVegas Film Festival.

Letter: Clinton drama is not about public opinion; begin impeachment process: I voted for my congressman to govern according to the rule of law, not by the latest poll data. So I call for the impeachment proceedings to begin.

Regents OK community college sports, but won't pay for them: The decision was made in spite of a legislative ban on intercollegiate athletics at community colleges when the system first was created about 30 years ago.

What's My Line? Missed PAT can be a kick in the pants: EXTRA POINTS are supposed to be easy.

Miller's family kicks off prepaid tuition program: Jace Radke; The program, which was pushed through the Legislature by Miller and State Treasurer Bob Seale, allows Nevada parents to pay their children's college tuition in up-front installments.

Letter: Clinton has taken the heat; now let him finish his job: It's been the custom for the woman to refuse the advances, though at the same time wanting them. She is usually the one to hold the man back. Not Monica. She wanted him and he was too weak to resist.

Ralph Siraco's selections for Santa Anita: Selections made for clear racing conditions before scratches.

Hilton breakup proceeding: CARSON CITY -- Hilton Hotels Corp. gained preliminary approval from the state Thursday to take the first steps towards splitting its lodging and gaming business into two companies and to acquire three casinos in Mississippi.

Nevada Focus: Lee Vining community pulls together after fire: But if you were looking for a big heart, for a resounding resilience of the human spirit, you couldn't possibly miss Lee Vining - population 315 - because here in the shadow of the Eastern Sierra, a community has been tested and so far it looks like the grades will be high.

Second Reid-Ensign debate to be televised: The two were involved in a heated debate in Sun City on Sept. 26 in front of about 500 senior citizens.

Patterson's Prep Football picks -- Week Six: The Scoop: A battle of futility between teams desperate to break into the win column. The Vikings missed out on a prime opportunity last Friday, falling at home to Basic, but should be able to get past the offense-less Rams this week. The Pick: Valley 20, Rancho 6

Freedom of speech may take new turn at UNLV: "I'm not sure if we will need to change the policy or change the administration of the policy," said UNLV spokesman Tom Flagg.

Aladdin sues county over tunnel meeting: Brian Seals; Aladdin contends the county violated Nevada's open meetings laws in issuing notice of a hastily called meeting to approve the deal.

Patrol checks for cause of U.S. 95 crash that killed four: Ericsson was headed north on U.S. 95 when she moved into oncoming traffic in the southbound lane, causing the accident about 90 miles northeast of Las Vegas that held up traffic for several hours Wednesday afternoon.

LV man accused of beating women withdraws from gaming deal: The board voted for Lawrence Li Liang to own 100 percent of Woody's at 3101 W. Sahara Ave. Board members told Liang that his former partner John A. Mesa was not to be involved in the operation, which will have 15 slot machines.

Letter: Inmate has different perspective on how to deal with criminals: Getting "tough on crime" has become a popular catch phrase for politicians who think that this is what society really wants them to do if they are elected, and the voters have fallen for it hook, line and sinker. Passing "tougher sentences" does not address the real problem.

Obituaries for October 2, 1998: He is survived by his wife, Mary; two daughters, Billie Herdter of Las Vegas and Johnnie Foster of Michigan; two sisters, Connie Martin of Ohio and Bridget Moroney of Pennsylvania; two brothers, Lou Bruno of Pennsylvania and Anthony Bruno of Florida; five grandchildren, 13 great-grandchildren and six great-great-grandchildren.

Las Vegas business briefs: sgreen@lasvegassun.com; MGM GRAND OPENS CASINO IN SOUTH AFRICA -- MGM Grand Inc. of Las Vegas announced today the opening of its temporary casino in an upscale suburb of Johannesburg, South Africa. It's in Gauteng Province, which has nearly 7 million people and is South Africa's most prosperous province. The temporary casino has 1,700 slots and 50 table games. Planning for the permanent casino in Johannesburg is under way with an anticipated 30-month construction period. The permanent resort will be designed with an Italian-Mediterranean theme incorporating a casino with approximately 2,000 slot machines and 75 table games. This is the third casino ...

Columnist Brian Hilderbrand: Bostroms make motorcycle series racing a family affair: In fact, they're planning on it.

Detective hired by Binion lawyers: Tom Dillard, a private detective who worked in Metro's homicide unit from 1983 until his retirement in 1993, confirmed Thursday he has been looking into Binion's death on behalf of the multimillion-dollar estate.

Nevada officials ponder how to move X-33 spacecraft: The X-33 is a half-scale test version of the VentureStar space craft, which is designed to eventually launch satellites into orbit.

Technicalities studied between private and public rail systems: The committee's approval Thursday of a technical memorandum of understanding between the MGM Grand-Bally's Limited Liability Co. and the Regional Transportation Commission addresses operations and maintenance, liability and "physical interfaces " -- the stations that could serve both systems.

Neal questions benefits of Nevada phone deregulation: Sen. Joe Neal, D-North Las Vegas, said based on his own experience with local telephone service, the benefits of deregulation in the telecommunications industry have passed by common people.

Justice served: Prisoner's conviction set aside: Bill Gang; The trip, according to prosecutors, degenerated into a gunfire-filled rampage that left a Nellis Air Force Base airman dead and four others with bullet wounds.

Bishop: Planned execution is an 'affront': Straling said even though Abeyta has refused to pursue additional court appeals, the execution "denies the sacredness of life which mandates that no human life can be taken away as punishment."

Movie Guys: Star-studded "Antz" marches through animated adventure: Synopsis:

Don't dwell on scandal, mayors tell Congress: Mark D. Preston; Mayors from 41 cities including Jeff Griffin of Reno -- signed the six-paragraph letter that was delivered to Republican and Democratic leaders in the House and Senate Tuesday. Most of the signers are Democrats, but a handful are Republicans.

Where I Stand -- Brian Greenspun: Cox Communications to carry on Prime Cable tradition: That was the pleasant voice I heard Thursday when I called the cable company. It is the same greeting Las Vegans will hear for many years to come. It is a good greeting. It is from a good company. It will be very good for Southern Nevada.

Rancher presses suit against federal government: The trial is expected to last two weeks, although Judge Smith may not make his decision before early next year. Before the trial, Hage estimated his legal expenses so far have been $1.2 million to $1.5 million.

State orders trash firm to revamp flood channel: David Emme, director of solid waste for NDEP, said he visited the Sunrise Mountain unlined landfill Tuesday.

Voter sign-ups wind down: Martin Kuz; During a combative debate last weekend Reid, D-Nev., criticized his Republican opponent's professional resume, arguing that as a former veterinarian and casino executive, Ensign "shouldn't be interpreting the Constitution."

LV casino fined over private party: The casino, 2839 W. Sahara Ave., agreed Thursday to a settle a complaint filed by the state Gaming Control Board that it failed to receive a special event permit for the private party and that a black man and a black woman, who were members of the general public, were stopped from playing the slots.

Casinos give horses a run for their money: Attendance at Michigan tracks peaked in 1971 with nearly 4 million fans, but dipped to 1.7 million 1995, the year after Casino Windsor opened in Ontario.

Editorial: Opening up the assassination files: Receiving pointed criticism was the Secret Service. Just two years after the board was set up, the board said the Secret Service destroyed "protective intelligence files" about "threats to President Kennedy in the Dallas area," JFK's travels shortly before the assassination and the actions of a pro-Fidel Castro group that Lee Harvey Oswald was aligned with.

Probation officer accused of having sex with teenager: KTNV reported that the officer gave the girl a pager so he could keep in contact with her. He is also accused of falsifying documents so he could be alone with the girl and spending time with her at the Del Mar Motel, the news station said.

Nevada worker comp rates dropping: The National Council on Compensation Insurance Inc. has recommended rates be reduced an average 10.1 percent for employers with adequate or good safety records starting next July when private insurance companies are permitted to write this business.

Angry Tyson lashes out: Dean Juipe; In a volatile interview that will appear in the November issue of Playboy magazine, former heavyweight boxing champion Mike Tyson talks at length about his life and predicts "I know I'm going to blow one day. My life is doomed the way it is."

Columnist Scott Dickensheets: Thompson can 'Rum' but he can't hide: Scott Dickensheets; Last year saw the release of "The Proud Highway," Volume 1 of his collected correspondence, with two more supposedly in the offing. Now comes "The Rum Diary," one of his very earliest efforts, dusted off and served up as "the long lost novel." There's a sense both of summation and drawer-cleaning about all this, as if he's controlling the release of his literary miscellanea to avoid a Hemingway-like dribble of posthumous embarrassments (and make a little money at it).

Weekend Update: Music, Theater, Etc.: Young musicians -- The Las Vegas Youth Camerata Orchestra will perform an all-Beethoven concert 2 p.m. Saturday at the Winchester Community Center, 3130 S. McLeod Dr. Pianist and Las Vegas Academy student Alexandria Le will be a featured soloist. Admission is $2.

UNLV's 'Les Liaisons Dangereuses' not so dangerous: Kimberley McGee; The dialogue is believable, although delivered somewhat stilted. La Marquise de Merteuil, played somewhat passionately by Sheilagh Polk, delivers her biting lines best when alone with Le Vicomte de Valmont, played convincingly by Jim Ballard. The two main characters, Polk and Ballard, dance around each other with words and innuendos.

Columnist Joe Delaney: Magic has firm hold of local entertainment scene: Joe Delaney; Wyrick opened with a few of his best illusions still to come. ... There was a technical mishap the night I was to review him for the Sun's "It Happened Last Night." ... I noted that the review was actually based upon a videotape of a previous performance. ... I was impressed with the young Texan, his talent and desire to succeed in Las Vegas.

Columnist Dean Juipe: Playboy piece should seal Tyson's fate: Dean Juipe; It's easy to forget how simple this could have and should have been: Tyson was eligible to be reinstated by the NSAC on July 9 and, had he applied then, approval was a sure thing.

Mayweather full of confidence for Hernandez bout: Dean Juipe; To hear Floyd Mayweather tell it, he holds all the advantages over Genaro Hernandez.

Saturday at Bay Meadows: 1st race 6 fur 3YO Fil Clm

Schools set to choose 'Mountain West' name: Steve Carp; By Steve Carp LAS VEGAS SUN

Columnist Muriel Stevens: Boulder Station to host Oktoberfest celebration: Boulder Station Executive Chef Daniel Pfieffer was born in Switzerland and raised in Germany and is a graduate of the Culinary and Business School in Villingen, Germany. He knows all about Oktoberfest.

Tyson report to become public: Tim Graham; For more than a decade, people have wondered what goes on inside the mind of Mike Tyson.

Titles on line: In the 600cc Expert Class, only three points separate leader Dan Stanley of Bellingham, Wash., and second-place rider Kenny Coolbeth Jr. of Warren, Conn. Stanley leads the division with a pair of victories. Brian Shirley of Chatham, Ill., who has two victories, leads Thomas McGrane Jr. of Gap, Penn. by 17 points in the 600cc Pro Sport Class. Gates open at 5 p.m., with racing set to start at 8 p.m.

UNLV still looking for first win as UNR comes to town: Steve Guiremand; What's the quickest way to make your fans forget about four consecutive blowout losses?

Let's find new date for UNLV-UNR games: What do USC-UCLA, Army-Navy, Cal-Stanford, Auburn-Alabama, Texas-Texas A&M and Ohio State-Michigan all have in common?

Sundevils, Gators battle for first: Spencer Patterson; For the second straight week, Eldorado High School will be home to a critical Sunrise Division battle tonight at 7 p.m.

Meth lab raided in upscale Reno neighborhood: In most cases, methamphetamine operations are set up in hotels or apartments where dealers can rent and move out quickly, police said.

Wilson signs bill to research MTBE cleanup research: "One thing we're very happy about is this bill includes the cost of investigation for reimbursement," said STPUD spokeswoman Dawn Forsythe. "The district will be eligible for reimbursement for the hundreds of thousands of dollars of investigation we've had to perform."

Wailin' with Van Halen: Lisa Ferguson; Imagine there are people around the world -- eyebrows raised, arms arrogantly folded -- just waiting for you to disappoint them.

Ex-officer sentenced for insurance fraud: El Dorado Superior Court Judge Jerald Lasarow commended District Attorney Paul Sutherland for bringing the charges. Mrs. Chapman also served in law enforcement.

Nevada lands bill wins Senate approval: Five percent would go to education programs in Nevada, and the other 85 percent would go to the Bureau of Land Management to buy environmentally sensitive land within the state.