Las Vegas Sun

Print edition for October 22, 1998

Knife-wielding man's standoff with police ends in his death: Karen Zekan; That, or the shame and anger 51-year-old Lonnie James was probably feeling, having been accused just 12 hours earlier of molesting his wife's three young grandchildren.

Gaming issues left unfinished: John Wilen; One of the year's most prominent issues -- the debate over whether or how to ban Internet gambling -- was left unresolved. Two bills that would have definitively banned gambling online bogged down in the House and expired as Congress left Washington.

New law raises concerns for some kindergartners: "It's become a real nightmare," says Keith Rheault, deputy state superintendent of public schools. "We're trying to get it worked out."

IHL Standings -- October 22, 1998: Northeast Division

Fine plans high-court appeal of her removal from bench: She said Wednesday she intends to fly to Carson City today to file an appeal with the Nevada Supreme Court today to regain her job.

Prep football top 10 teams: Prep football top 10 teams

Proposed college computer rules criticized again by ACLU: "I believe (the proposed policy) remains a mess," Gary Peck, executive director of the Nevada American Civil Liberties Union, told board members of the UNLV Faculty Senate during their monthly meeting Tuesday.

City's former manager vents anger to council: Lisa Snedeker; That's what the former city manager told members of the North Las Vegas City Council on Wednesday night when she confronted them during the public-comment period about the police investigation into allegations of misconduct while she was in office.

Teacher shuffle: A problem for parents, students, staff: Benjamin Grove; "I was upset," Alexandra said. "I'd grown attached to my teacher. I didn't want to be in a portable. My friends had said it was hot and you didn't have much room to move around."

New committee plans to challenge Adelson ads: Adrienne Packer; Now the newly formed Committee for Common Decency has a message for Las Vegas Sands Inc. chair Sheldon Adelson: Outraged people have money, too.

Justices toss out anti-gambling appeal: Eupora housewife Elizabeth Stoner asked the justices for a writ of mandamus. Justices said she should have filed a direct appeal, in which she should have asked the high court to overturn the Aug. 11 ruling by Hinds County Circuit Court Judge EJ Russell.

Dottore testifies at Bongiovanni's new trial: Bill Gang; Once Bongiovanni's friend, he now is serving two years in prison for his crimes -- although that is only a third of what he likely would have served had he not agreed to testify against the judge whose influence he once peddled.

UNLV cop's e-mail brings hate home: Stacy J. Willis; The event was intended to educate people about prejudicially motivated crimes in the aftermath of the recent murder of a gay Wyoming college student, but panelists were forced to address intolerance closer to home: a controversial e-mail sent to about 2,000 university employees by UNLV Officer Bill Mason.

Vote Smart quizzes candidates: Scott Reeder; To pass you just have to give an answer -- any answer.

Berkley battling against power of her former boss: Martin Kuz; The name has become Shelley Berkley's cross to bear along the campaign trail. She lugs it to breakfast voter rallies, endorsement luncheons and fund-raising dinners. Wherever she goes, whatever the audience, no matter the meal, it weighs on her mind, if not her shoulders.

Dramatic fatal showdowns are often 'suicide by cop': "Roughly 10 percent of all fatal police shootings are suicide," he said, adding that Canada typically experiences about a dozen fatal officer-involved shootings annually.

Officials celebrate $2.9 million in grants to fight drugs: Erin Neff; "This is the best HUD budget in 10 years," the secretary said Wednesday via a conference call from Washington, D.C., to U.S. Sen. Harry Reid's downtown office as local officials gathered for their share of ceremonial checks on oversized pieces of blue cardboard.

Preps: Green Valley boys tennis team features three aces: Spencer Patterson; Regular season practices have been anything but ordinary for the Green Valley boys tennis team this season.

Activists say evidence withheld in Iverson case: "With the quantity and quality of our effort, we can assure folks everything was looked at. If there was anything else of evidentiary value, it would have been used," Bell said.

Columnist Dean Juipe: Lewis Holyfield bout hits a King-sized snag: Dean Juipe; Verbally, Dino Duva and Don King were seeing eye to eye.

Fields makes mark with Sun Devils: Tim Graham; TEMPE, Ariz. -- Once the game is over, Eric Fields has no problem looking at himself in the mirror.

Petterson prep football picks for Week Nine: Spencer Patterson; WEEK NINE

Editorial: Mobile classroom program grateful: I'm writing this letter to publicly recognize and thank an organization who happened to be "just visiting" Las Vegas for their BICSI convention at the Mirage. We were called to submit information on our program to the Telecommunications Association because it traditionally makes a contribution to a local charity. If we were to be selected as the local charity we could receive at least $5,000.

Letter: Las Vegas needs a voice to expose Adelson: Venetian boss Sheldon Adelson is reportedly smearing County Commission candidates Erin Kenny, Dario Herrera and Myrna Williams with $2 million of malicious mudslinging in the final two weeks of the race. He's overwhelming their campaigns, spending more money than these three candidates will likely spend for the whole election.

Where I Stand -- Mike O'Callaghan: New privacy invasion: Three years ago, following the bombing of the federal building in Oklahoma City, there was a congressional rush to legislate everything possible to fight terrorism. The U.S. Senate, with a 91-8 vote, produced a bill that contained several very questionable privacy invasions. Among those invasions was the expansion of "roving wire tap" powers.

Letter: Make all schools go year-round: Every school that is now on a nine-month schedule can increase its attendance -- possibly by 25 percent. Busing costs may rise, but the educational opportunities for all of our students will be enhanced because they will not be in classes of 40 to 50 students because of the shortage of classroom space.

Tattoo You: We remember the snappy sailor's uniform, whistling corn-cob pipe and chronically closed right eye.

Friday at Santa Anita: 1ST RACE 6-1/2 fur 3 YO &up F&M Clm: 1 Sleepless Sue (Valdivia) 117; 2 Princess Efisio (Smith) 107; 3 Jerry's Tootsie (Gonzalez) 117; 4 Tuta Niche (Jimenez) 112; 5 Prized Policy (Pincay) 117; 6 Prized Peaches (Black) 117; 6 Lunar Miss (Almeida) 115; 7 Moonstones Andlace (Pedroza) 117.

Friday at Belmont Park: 1st race 6 fur 2YO Fil Mdn Clm: 1 Princess Of Attica (Castillo) 118; 2 Simply Geraldine (Velazquez) 118; 3 Covercharge (Davis) 118; 4 Kinnesbrook (Gryder) 118; 5 Assinica (Bridgmohan) 113; 6 Ripon Falls (Lopez) 118; 7 Enter (Bravo) 118; 8 Winoneforgrandpa (Samyn) 118; 9 Salty Return (Madrid) 118.

Las Vegas loses truck race finale to Penske: Less than two weeks after losing its Indy Racing League season finale to Texas, the Las Vegas Motor Speedway is about to lose its NASCAR Craftsman Truck Series season-ending date as well.

Columnist Joe Delaney: Local care facility says thanks to early supporters: Joe Delaney; Sunday, in the Flamingo Hilton's Sunset Ballroom, starting with a social hour at 6 p.m., dinner at 7, and very few speeches, Westcare honors a dozen of its early contributors.

NBA players meet in LV to ponder future: Steve Guiremand; Those expecting a quick end to the current NBA lockout may be in for quite a wait.

Prep Football standings -- October 22, 1998: SUNRISE DIVISION

Fight schedule -- October 22, 1998: At Atlantic City, (FSN), Greg Page, Las Vegas, vs. Monte Barrett, Brooklyn, 10, heavyweights; Hector Camacho Jr., Miami, vs. Fred Curiel, Patterson, N.J., 10, junior welterweights.

Prep: Gators golf team builds early lead: Led by freshman Christine Fernandez and junior Emily De'Ath -- who finished tied for the individual lead with identical 74s -- the Gators combined for a total of 385 at Sparks' Red Hawk Golf Club.

Columnist Ruthe Deskin: How can we trust these negative ads?: Ruthe Deskin; Election campaigns seem to bring out the worst, and I don't know what the answer is. Year after year we deplore "dirty" campaign tactics, yet character assassination and misleading statements continue to take precedence over discussion of issues.

Art Bell to discuss his future plans Friday: Robert Macy; Bell will "discuss his future" with his "Coast to Coast" and "Dreamland" programs, according to a statement from Premiere Radio Network of Los Angeles, the syndicator of his show.

Preps: Boys Soccer standings -- October 22, 1998: SUNRISE DIVISION

Friday at Bay Meadows: 1st race 6 fur 2YO Clm: 1 Six Seventeen (Sanchez) 115; 2 On Probation (RBaze) 117; 3 Keyshawn (Meche) 117; 4 Kalemintime (Gonzalez) 117; 5 Armory (Warren) 117.

Wednesday's Prep Results: Silverado 1, Rancho 1. Goals: Silv-Reed; Ran-Arredondo.

Columnist Tim Graham: Odd couple goes to mat for freedom: Tim Graham; Mike Tyson has at least one adviser for each of his problems.

Preps: Girls Volleyball standings -- October 22, 1998: SUNRISE DIVISION

Sun Devil star stands out on and off football field: Tim Graham; TEMPE, Ariz. -- It was less than three days before the big Notre Dame game, and Grey Ruegamer was at Long Wong's, perched on a bar stool.

Prep playoff schedule -- October 22, 1998: 4A STATE TOURNAMENT

Prep Football Area Leaders -- October 22, 1998: Passing

Officer found alive, barely, in Las Vegas parking lot: He apparently had a stroke and spent three months in the University of Las Vegas' hospital as a John Doe. An FBI check of his fingerprints turned up nothing. Then he changed hospitals and his condition got worse.

Homeless advocate, reverend Curry dies: Curry sued the city of Las Vegas and Clark County in 1989 after Metro Police ordered his rag-tag volunteers to stop collecting on medians and street corners -- the very spots where local firefighters had collected funds for their Muscular Dystrophy Association Boot Drive for 28 years.

Visitor count slumps 1.6 percent: Robert Macy; New figures released Thursday show the visitor count down 1.2 percent for the first eight months of the year, compared to the same period in 1997.

Candidate blasts AG over McCarran airport contracts: The state Ethics Commission ruled earlier this year that Atkinson Gates and Malone were unethical in allowing friends to acquire the airport contracts, but didn't sanction them for their behavior.

McClaskey Enterprises to retain ownership of casino junket airline: McClaskey, which owns the Red Lion Inn and Casino, earlier this year announced its intent to sell the airline so that the company could focus on its core hotel-casino business.

Gordon, Evernham want strong finish: JEFF SHAIN; While Jeff Gordon's amazing season has NASCAR observers checking the archives to see what else he can accomplish, the only goal for crew chief Ray Evernham in the final three weeks is a strong finish.

Should NASCAR limit crews at race track?: MIKE HARRIS; NASCAR is considering a limit on the size of race-day crews in a cost-cutting move that critics say won't save a penny or change the balance of power at the track.

3 constable races contested in valley: Art Nadler; Gronauer, 51, who goes by "Bobby G," is running on a platform of making the constable's office "user-friendly." He plans to make official forms and other information available on the Internet. He also wants to hire a staff and deputies who are bilingual.

Experience becomes main platform in several state races: Controller Darrel Daines is retiring after four terms, and Republican state Sen. Kathy Augustine of Las Vegas is competing against Democrat Mary Sanada of Reno for the job.

Judges' race features special circumstances: Bill Gang; But the strangest judicial race this year -- and probably the strangest race in the entire election -- will be in Department 13, which was vacated by District Judge Don Chairez when he chose to run for U.S. Congress.

Issues hiding beneath mudslinging: Martin Kuz; But the verbal punches and counterpunches aside, both of the major-party candidates vying for the seat being vacated by Rep. John Ensign, R-Nev., will offer views on a variety of issues when asked -- even managing to occupy common ground on a couple of them.

Nevada Power threatens suit to protect use of its name: In a briefing on the status of restructuring on Wednesday, Nevada Power turned up the heat on the PUC by telling a media audience where the company stands on several issues commissioners will consider in hearings over the next five weeks.

Death renews focus on use of stun guns: The weapon is a stun gun, also called a bean-bag gun or "a low-lethality" weapon, which fires a projectile commonly called a "bean bag."

Brief: Mesquite resort sued by patron: Procaccini alleges that while filing a report with the hotel-casino, he became involved in a physical altercation with a security guard. He claims that four other guards arrived, he was handcuffed and then hit in the head three times with another set of handcuffs while he was subdued.

Regents teaching while they're campaigning: Benjamin Grove; "I get a lot of people asking me, 'What is a regent?' "

Scherer challenges Del Papa for attorney general's job: Scherer, 36, has focused on changing the direction of the office -- getting it back to basics. Its consumer-protection programs are not working that well and the office staff has grown faster than most others in state government, said Scherer, associate general counsel for International Game Technology.

Close races expected for incumbents Schofield, Vandever: Adrienne Packer; Incumbent Assessor Mark Schofield will face off against Robert Beardshall for the $72,000-a-year position.

Williams faces 'E' challenge: Adrienne Packer; The ad sums up Williams' opinion of Adelson, who during the last year has focused his attack on Williams, commissioner Erin Kenny and particularly Chairwoman Yvonne Atkinson Gates.

LV building owners urged to look for defective fire sprinklers: Some 8.4 million of Central's Omega sprinklers have been recalled nationwide. Clark County is one of 68 counties to which 75 percent of the sprinklers were shipped.

Complaints put spotlight on Family Court races: Bill Gang; At its inception more than six years ago, the perception of Family Court was that it was a place where divorcing couples finally could go for their day in court and justice. But that deteriorated into an all too prevalent view that it is a place where litigants are further victimized.

Republicans hopeful in key runoffs: Rep. John Ensign, R-Nev., is in a neck-and-neck race with two-term incumbent Sen. Harry Reid, D-Nev., for Reid's District 1 seat.

Hunt, McKinney-James seek to diversify economy: Gaming has a similar impact on Nevada as oil once had on Oklahoma and automobiles have on Michigan.

Election officials hope for smooth sailing: Mark Miller; Or so they hope.

Editorial: Legislative candidates endorsed: STATE SENATE

Opposites square off in race for District G seat: Adrienne Packer; Milton Doyle grew up in a family of 14 on a tiny farm tucked in the lush green mountains of Tennessee.

Brief: Loss widens for gaming supplier: But revenues increased from $2.8 million last year to $5 million.

Obituaries for October 22, 1998: She is survived by one daughter, Fern Anderson of Kincheloe, Mich.; two sisters, Jewell Spurgin and Garnet Wolfenbarger, both of Oklahoma City; and seven grandchildren.

Columnist Jeff German: Governor, casino bosses turn around gambling commission's LV agenda: For the moment, some heavy-duty lobbying behind the scenes, primarily from Gov. Bob Miller, has brought the National Gambling Impact Study Commission back to its senses.

Three seats up for grabs on state panel: Benjamin Grove; Rocha, 51, is one of five candidates on the Nov. 3 ballot from Clark County who are seeking three open seats on the 11-member board.

Democrats hope for control of state Senate: Republicans hold a 12-9 majority and seven Republican seats are up for election compared to only four for the Democrats. If Democrats triumph, it will probably mean the leadership will come from Southern Nevada, rather than from Reno, where it now resides with the GOP in charge.

Executive's $2 million severance cuts into Rio profit: Severance pay for a former executive and merger expenses led to a drop in Rio Hotel & Casino Inc.'s third-quarter net, while Aztar Corp. reported a big jump in earnings despite a dip in table-game win at the Tropicana in Las Vegas.

Community briefs: Spring Mountain Ranch is located 15 miles west of Las Vegas, via Charleston Boulevard.

LV union fined for illegal protests: Brian Seals; Las Vegas union confrontations with construction companies are becoming violent and have spilled over into the courtroom.

Reid-Ensign race has national interest: That's because the winner of the six-year term between Democrat Reid and Republican Ensign could have a major impact in the shaping of the 106th Congress.

LV health supplement firm in complicated battle: John Wilen; At the same time, the company is orchestrating a "short squeeze" against investors who have sold the very same shares of stock short.

Togliatti, Schaefer battle to become justice of the peace: Jace Radke; Jennifer Togliatti, a deputy district attorney, is the front-runner in the race after capturing almost 43 percent of the vote in the Sept. 1 primary, but Mike Schaefer said he thinks he can overtake his opponent. Schaefer, a Las Vegas attorney, advanced from the five-candidate primary with 19 percent of the vote.

Brief: Profits up 37.7 percent for home builder: The company's Nevada Sun City properties at Summerlin, MacDonald Ranch and Anthem, which has its grand opening on Saturday, had 301 new order for the the quarter, the largest number of any Del Webb division.

Metro's K-9 detail captures trials: Metro was presented with the Top Agency trophy at the end of the three-day competition that featured dog and handler teams from Nevada, California, Utah, Arizona, the U.S. Marines, the U.S. Forest Service and the Immigration and Naturalization Service.

Brief: Man to appeal conviction, gets 65 months in prison: "We were appreciative the judge accepted some of our arguments and mitigated the sentence," he said.

Private LV growth solutions promoted: Brian Seals; That was the message Wednesday at the third-quarter home building Market Perspectives seminar sponsored by Marketing Solutions.

Brief: NLRB charges BTOP with unfair labor practices: The charges range from vandalizing vehicles and assault to throwing tools away from working employees and stepping on wet concrete. A hearing is set on the charges next May.

Guinn, Jones have similar philosophies: Scott Reeder; Jones herself acknowledges that the two are not that far removed from each other when it comes to most issues.

State voters to decide on school, water programs: In Lincoln County, rival questions are on the ballot favoring and opposing nuclear waste. In some rural counties, there are proposals to change the structures of the local governing boards.

Japanese visitation to LV grows, bucking worldwide trend: Carlos Tellos, director of marketing for the Las Vegas office of the Japan Travel Bureau, said while his agency hasn't hit its projected number of customers, it's still running 10 percent ahead of last year's statistics.

WestCare's supporters to be honored at dinner: Among those to be feted at the event, which begins at 6 p.m. at the Flamingo Hilton casino-hotel, are Las Vegas Sun Executive Editor Mike O'Callaghan, who was governor when WestCare was created in 1973 with a grant from the Teamsters Union.

Columnist David Broder: GOP never seems to learn from its losses: David Broder; Murray was a lead sponsor of the Clinton proposal for federal funds to hire and train thousands of new teachers. Last month, she put up an ad complaining that the plan had been defeated by the Republicans but vowing to "keep fighting" for its eventual passage.

Paying for water is valley's No. 1 question: Labor and business leaders teamed up to persuade Las Vegas residents to vote for a quarter-cent sales tax to help pay $3 billion to expand Southern Nevada's water system, telling voters tourists will help pay the bill with the tax.

No major-party challenger for House incumbent Gibbons: Martin Kuz; The District 2 congressman is up against Independent American Christopher Horne, Libertarian Louis Tomburello and the Natural Law Party's Robert Winquist. But with Democrats failing to field a challenger, Gibbons' return to Congress is virtually guaranteed.

Democrats aim to increase majority in Assembly: Clark sent 19 of the 25 Democrats to the Assembly in 1997. Only seven Republicans were elected from Southern Nevada.

Five in running for county school board: Benjamin Grove; "There's quite a bit of apathy," Moulton said. "They don't know what to ask."

Auto Racing Glance -- October 22, 1998: NASCAR

Voters to choose first new county clerk in 30 years: Adrienne Packer; Democrat Shirley Parraguire and Republican Sam Bledsoe both scored narrow victories over their opponents in the September primary election. Now the two will go after each other for the position that pays $72,000 a year.

Kenny battling Harney to keep District F seat: Adrienne Packer; He has strategies to address those problems and also has plans to help the county accommodate growth, he said.

Brief: Teamsters win at Excalibur, lose at Greyhound: Wednesday, workers at the Greyhound bus terminal voted against union representation by a 20-2 vote.

Vocal group opposes NLV senior housing plan: Jace Radke; The application, made by the Templeton Development Group, is for a 43-acre senior housing complex on Alexander Road between Allen Lane and Valley Drive.

Fun-loving Kanaan enjoying life in CART: The day Tony Kanaan clinched rookie-of-the-year honors in the CART FedEx Series, rain made the new city street course in Houston resemble an ice rink.

Anchor Gaming earnings strong, but stock falls: John Wilen; Las Vegas-based Anchor shares were off $6.88 in early trading, to $53.

Leavitt makes third bid for state Supreme Court: He has run twice for the Nevada Supreme Court, both times unsuccessfully against Bob Rose. This election he's going against Michael Powell, a Carson City attorney who has specialized in criminal appeals.

Brief: SEC orders LV company to put issue on shareholder proxy: The shareholders want Jackpot to include a resolution on its 1998 proxy which, if passed, would require the company to divulge any acquisition offers received in the past three years and management's reasons for rejecting those offers.

Brief: Readers vote to keep swimsuit girls: Of 971 respondents, 82 percent voted to keep the photo in its current location.

Brief: LV gaming company generates higher profit: Cash flows increased from $8.8 million last year to $9.2 million.

Brief: Venetian pre-booking rooms at $167 per day: Brad Stone, Venetian executive vice president, said a rise in Las Vegas-area room and food-and-beverage revenue during the 1998 first half "reinforces" the Venetian's business plan, which calls for targeting conventioneers accustomed to spending more on such amenities in other cities.

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Calendar »

6 Sun
7 Mon
8 Tue
9 Wed
10 Thu

Rock 'n' Roll Marathon

The Strip | 5:30 a.m. to 11 a.m.
George Strait and Reba McIntire at the MGM Grand Garden Arena

MGM Grand Garden Arena | 8 p.m. to 11 p.m.
Randy Travis at the Monte Carlo

Monte Carlo Resort and Casino | 9:30 p.m. to 11:59 p.m.
Lee Greenwood at The Orleans

The Orleans Showroom | 8 p.m. to 10 p.m.
The LoneStarlets at The Golden Nugget

Golden Nugget Hotel & Casino
Isaias Hiram Urrabazo in "A Sunday Afternoon with Friends"

Trinity International School | 2:30 p.m. to 5 p.m.

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