Print edition for October 30, 1998

Columnist Brian Hilderbrand: Rahal hoping to go out with a bang: In his farewell tour as a driver in the CART Fed Ex Championship Series this season, Bobby Rahal has had his share of emotional moments.

Brief: Rates to decrease slightly on Nevada gas bills: A Southwest spokesman said rates should fall by about 1.9 percent based on information filed with the Public Utilities Commission of Nevada. The end result of the $3 million rate reduction: An average Las Vegas customer with a winter bill for 77 therms would see the bill fall 99 cents, from $52.58 to $51.59.

Brief: Henderson firm posts profit: But this year's quarterly revenue of $5.2 million was up from $2.6 million in the 1997 third quarter.

Columnist Steve Guiremand: Huskies' Lambright, Trojans' Hackett feeling the heat: Steve Guiremand; UNLV head coach Jeff Horton should count his lucky blessings that he isn't coaching at the University of Washington or USC these days.

Dial File: Film stumbles over un-'Pleasant' assumptions: OK, so maybe that isn't the most critically incisive reaction to this week's top box office flick -- and rumored Oscar contender -- as well as the latest movie infatuated with the influence of television (following "The Truman Show" and "Mad City") on our culture.

Panel fines Mouliot $1,000 for anti-Sferrazza ads: Sferrazza is running for Mouliot's commission seat.

'Three issues' left in escort-service investigation: "We still have about three issues to clarify," Winget said. "We're looking at wrapping those things up and completing the investigation in the next couple of weeks."

Jones spends 70 percent of donations on TV ads: Jones' campaign report shows she has received $2,034,000 and spent $1,986,000. Major donations came from Las Vegas casinos and from organized labor.

Columnist Dean Juipe: Fans immune to pro sports' labor woes: Dean Juipe; One year it's Major League Baseball having a labor problem.

Saturday at Bay Meadows: 1st race 5-1/2 fur 3YO & up F&M: 1 One Elegant Native (Meza) 112; 2 Timely Fashion (Strauser) 115; 3 Somekindoflady (Lopez) 116; 4 Forafella (Schvaneveldt) 116; 5 Raise The Tempo (Valdez) 109; 6 Yetje (Barton) 116; 7 Look Over (Matias) 116.

Saturday at Santa Anita: 1ST RACE 1-1/2 mi 3YO & up Hdcp Stk: 1 Swiss Conviction (Valdivia) 114; 2 C'Est Lui (Gomez) 114; 3 A Shot At Fame (Flores) 112; 4 Count Con (Puglisi) 114; 5 Provide (Vergara) 119; 6 Awesome Thought (Stevens) 115.

Letter: Association board member fires back: Also, who do the buyers of these beautiful properties expect to take care of the community once the developer, the developer's hand-picked board and the sales force leave? We, the volunteers, that's who!

AD 'embarrassed' by grade snafu: Spencer Patterson; In the span of less than a month, three area schools have forfeited a total of 15 soccer matches and four football games, and three playoff-bound squads have been kept out of the postseason.

Thursday's Prep Results: Basic def. Rancho, 15-8, 15-4

Prostitutes will need more than rent receipts if they want to vote: Charles Porchia, a candidate for Storey County Sheriff and a reserve deputy commander, filed formal challenges to 195 voters listed on county rolls with residence addresses that matched those of the Mustang brothels.

State panel faults ads run by judicial candidate: The committee said Lueck placed a newspaper advertisement that Fine had been "convicted" in a case in which she was ordered removed from office. It said "convicted" implies a criminal action, which was not involved in this case. It found Lueck placed other advertisements that misrepresented the present status of Judge Fine, claiming it would be "wasting your vote" if a ballot was cast for Fine.

Guinn, Jones distinguish abortion stands: Scott Sonner; Democrat Jan Jones said requiring parental notification is a "dangerous precedent" she would fight.

Brief: CMA hosts systems seminar: The cost is $25 for CMA members, $50 for non-members. Reservations can be made with Nancy Manning at 593-5477.

Thunder goes on road: The Las Vegas Thunder hits the road for the first time this season with a pair of games in Kansas City. The Thunder plays the Blades tonight and Saturday night at 5:35 p.m. in a matchup between IHL's worst Western Conference teams.

Letter: Flo-Jo deserves an apology: Juipe went on to say that when Griffith-Joyner died in her sleep at age 38, "her penance came due."

Letter: UNLV chases tailgaters away: We were watching the World Series in our tailgate spot waiting for the crowd to clear when a UNLV motorcycle officer told us to "pack it up and leave the parking lot." The officer was rude and belligerent. It was the first time UNLV has asked tailgaters to leave the stadium parking lot.

Small plane missing in western Nevada: The plane took off about 6 a.m. on Thursday from Grass Valley, Calif. It was flying near Pyramid Lake when it dropped off radar, Washoe County rescue officials said.

Prep Playoff schedule -- October 30, 1998: SOUTHERN ZONE TOURNAMENT

Five candidates chasing three school board slots: Benjamin Grove; The 46-year-old community college teacher has been trying to reach the 70,000 homes in his district one door at a time.

Brief: Southwest Gas loss narrows: Net losses during the third quarter are normal due to the seasonal nature of the natural gas business.

Sun Life Datebook events: HALLOWEEN SEANCE

Fatal crash occurs after trooper pulls off chase: The officer decided that the speed of the fleeing Jeep and its reckless operation made a chase unwise and followed procedure by backing off.

Saturday at Aqueduct: 1st race 6 fur 3YO & up Clm: 1 Valid Victor (Davis) 117; 2 Deal An Ace (Chavez) 117; 3 Silver Kipper (Bridgmohan) 117; 4 a-Resiliency (Luzzi) 117; 5 Angle Of Pursuit (Velazquez) 119; 6 Ohsay Delsay (Leon) 117; 7 a-Personal Challenge (Castillo) 113; 8 So Anyway (Diaz) 108; 9 Law Of Attraction (Migliore) 115; 10 Makhbar (Teator) 113.

Hauntings and spirits and spooks -- oh my: Kimberley McGee; Murders at an old ranch, a possible Indian massacre and a 50-foot fish.

Letter: Columnists praised for seeing through Question 17 sham: As you know, the 1997 Assembly unanimously passed Assembly Joint Resolution 15 to oppose any Con Con. They are to be commended as well.

NLV's former manager says lost check is at center of probe: Lisa Snedeker; A city employee for 19 years, Hinson is no stranger to its workings. She became assistant city manager in 1988 and was promoted to city manager in 1994.

Brief: Trump Hotels denies interest in LV land: "A press release issued by Resort Properties of America describing a possible property acquisition in Las Vegas was unauthorized and is inaccurate," said Trump Hotels and Casino Resorts in a statement Friday afternoon.

Brief: IRS meals tax rules held up: The IRS said it needs more time to consider comments it has received since announcing its proposed meal-tax regulations.

Brief: LV firm looks at acquisitions: The investors, headed by Ken Maul and Russell Roth, publishers of Las Vegas Investment Report, want to sell $1 million in stock in a new company, Las Vegas Gaming Inc. The company, founded in April, already owns the rights to Nevada Numbers, a keno-like casino game, and to B2B Roulette, a version of casino roulette which includes a progressive jackpot.

Brief: Governor fighting plan for gambling cruises: Beasley said such gambling would bring prostitution, organized crime and other unsavory elements to the area -- all of which would deter tourism.

Calif. recruit in no hurry to sign: Steve Carp; Unlike many of his colleagues in the prep basketball world who are willing to sign early just to get the recruiting process over with, Jason Kapono says, "What's the rush?"

Rain stalls UNLV tournament: After a full round of consolation singles in the morning, just more than half of the main draw singles matches were completed before the rains came. Rebel Adam Thurgood advanced to the second round of consolation play with a 6-3, 6-3 win over Mark Marlowe of Idaho State.

Chairez-Berkley debate another slugfest: Martin Kuz; The combatants in Nevada's 1st Congressional District race spent most of the hour-long debate on KNEWS 970-AM as they have much of the campaign, savaging one another's public-service records and trading charges of dirty politics.

North Lake Tahoe jolted by magnitude-5.3 quake: Brendan Riley; No injuries were reported and no major damage could be seen in this resort town on the northeast shore of the lake, which straddles the California-Nevada border, officials said.

UNLV has hopes of upending Tulsa: Steve Guiremand; If there ever is a time for UNLV's football team to finally end its losing streak, Saturday afternoon could be it.

Jurors find DeChant guilty of '96 murder: "It's been two years, three months and three weeks," said Sylvia White, Weinstein's mother. "All I want to do is go to the cemetery to see my son. We don't have him anymore, but we do have justice."

Brief: Commission rules on confidentiality of documents: The PUC issued an order on confidentiality issues behind the proposed merger of Nevada Power Co. and Sierra Pacific Resources Inc. Nevada Power said it is satisfied with the outcome of the ruling and won't challenge the decision that the company must reveal details about layoffs planned when the companies merge.

Deputy shoots, kills poker-wielding man: The concern is that Benjamin Hull, who would have turned 23 on Saturday, may have believed he was protecting his new wife and grandfather against intruders.

Movie Guys: 'Vampires' brings new blood to horror films: * Starring: James Woods, Daniel Baldwin, Sheryl Lee, Thomas Ian Griffith and Maximilian Schell.

Letter: In response to military criticism: We are entitled to our opinion and the commander in chief is supposed to set an example for these young people. If his behavior is acceptable, let us reinstate Lt. Kelly Flynn with back pay and at least the rank of captain by now.

Brief: Gaming regulators implicated in probe: The Times-Picayune in New Orleans reported one of the board members refuses to step aside because to do so would be tantamount to admitting guilt.

Nevada unemployment rate at 20-year low: Carol Jackson, director of the state Department of Employment, Training and Rehabilitation, predicted Thursday that business activity should continue strong.

Halloween killings of boys remembered: Karen Zekan; It was Halloween night 1995 in North Las Vegas that 12-year-old Rupert Wright was killed by a bullet in his chest when a family friend's 9 mm semiautomatic slipped from his hands and fired.

Ex-judge called victim of overzealous feds: Two weeks of testimony closed Thursday in the case, which is federal prosecutors second attempt to convict Bongiovanni. The first effort ended when another jury failed to reach a verdict in December after three days of deliberations.

Starwood earnings flap overshadows growth projections: Gary Thompson; "Certain people in the media have an axe to grind," Starwood Vice President Daniel Gibson told investors at a Salomon Smith Barney leisure industry conference in Las Vegas.

Clinton: Reid needed to fight dump: That column expressed a belief that without Reid in the U.S. Senate -- another term would solidify his position and leadership among Senate Democrats and make him a significant player in the Senate's seniority system -- the GOP's effort to the send the nation's radioactive waste to Nevada would, finally, be successful.

Where I Stand -- Mike O'Callaghan: Let's cheer the winners: Even the Veterans in Politics organization can't be all wrong because it did endorse Robert "Bobby G" Gronauer for Las Vegas constable. "Bobby G" also came back to Las Vegas after more than a year in ground combat as a Marine Fire Team Leader in Vietnam. He also caught some hot metal and was decorated for his valor in combat. Since then, Metro Sgt. Gronauer has become an exceptional example for the young people in his district. ... Tonight, at the Orleans hotel-casino, Dr. Donald Romeo will be honored in the ring before the feature bouts of Javier Valadez vs. ...

Delays cloud Yucca radiation standards: Mark D. Preston; The NRC recently said it planned to release its proposed exposure standards for Yucca Mountain, which is being considered by the federal government as the final resting place for the nation's nuclear waste.

Alliance Gaming results will disappoint: John Wilen; Alliance Gaming Corp. said it will post a loss of 8 to 10 cents per share for the quarter ending Sept. 30. Analysts had expected break-even results, or no per-share gain or loss.

Carson to host Nevada Day celebration: Statewide political candidates have seized the opportunity to ride in the three-hour parade and then head for the University of Nevada, Reno for the homecoming football game against Boise State.

Planning Commission OKs condominiums: Valerie Miller; The Planning Commission voted 5-0 in favor of the 13.7-acre condominium project, which had been continued from the Sept. 24 meeting.

Columnist Muriel Stevens: If it's fall, it's time to eat for good causes: A dinner at Gatsby's for the Las Vegas Chapter of the International Gourmet Society, Chaine des Rotisseurs, was a hedonist's delight.

LVHS administrators covered up failing grade: Spencer Patterson; A Las Vegas High Spanish teacher told the Sun Thursday that school administrators knew a football player was academically ineligible as early as mid-September -- weeks before his failing grade was "self-reported," leading to the Wildcats' banishment from the Southern Zone football playoffs.

Small slot operators not opposed to problem gambling training: John Wilen; "I don't think it's that big a deal," said Calvin "Butch" Jensen, owner of T-Bird Lounges on East Tropicana and Eastern avenues. "I'm sure it will cost time and money, but if it has to be done, it has to be done."

Obituaries for October 30, 1998: She is survived by her husband, Vincent; and one brother, Fausto Gentile of Las Vegas.

Off the Strip: Music, Theater, Etc.: Theater

Secretary of state predicts 60 percent voter turnout: Heller, chief election officer for the state, predicts 58-62 percent of the 897,865 registered voters will go to the polls. "The interest is high in many of the races -- U.S. Senate, governor and the congressional race in Southern Nevada."

Reno firm fined $10,000 for destroying records: TSA commissioners voted Thursday to fine Donald Drake of Baker and Drake Inc. $10,000 for destroying invoices the agency says would have proved the company overcharged some of its customers.

Refurbished home makes a difference: Lisa Snedeker; The roof on their North Las Vegas home on East Hickey Avenue was in such disrepair that there were 17 leaks in the bedroom alone.

Columnist Joe Delaney: 'Sex' closes, Temptations carry on, jazz abounds: Joe Delaney; The Motown Story

Man gets life in prison for killing MGM worker: He admitted guilt without benefit of a plea bargain and had been planning to go before a three-judge panel. In most cases, such panels have sentenced the defendant to death.

Halloween raises concerns, joy among spiritual factions: Stacy J. Willis; For some Christians, Halloween is a time when children need to be protected from violent images and "demonic spirits," not encouraged to emulate icons of the occult.

Las Vegas Bankruptcies: Susan Brewer, formerly doing business as the Newsstand, formerly doing business as Club Rumors, doing business as Quantumedia, 8170 S. Eastern Ave., Las Vegas, filed for Chapter 7 bankruptcy, listing assets of $166,930 and liabilities of $260,732.

Foes speak out against medical marijuana: Art Nadler; Dr. Donald Vereen, deputy director of the White House Office of National Drug Control Policy, was in Las Vegas Thursday to speak out against passage of Question 9. The initiative to legalize medical use of marijuana will appear on the Nov. 3 ballot.

Superb acting in UNLV's one-act plays: Joe Delaney; Jeanette Farr's "High Octane" takes place in a rundown gas station in Nevada, perhaps near the test site, not too far from Las Vegas. Stan and Sandy, in Stan's hot new car, stop for gas and a trip to the lady's room. Roobie is the attendant and Jeb, who comes in at the midway point, is the mechanic. What ensues is basically a horror story as Stan and Sandy, on their way to be married, become Jeb's captives.

Gambling disputes are subject of ballot questions, governor's races: Gambling, once the sole province of a handful of Nevada casinos, has spread across the American landscape, from Atlantic City to the fleet of riverboats along the Mississippi to the hundreds of gambling facilities run by Indian tribes.

Editorial: Budget forecasts, pressure politics: In contrast, imagine the outcry if she had overestimated the size of the surplus. That eventually would have led to cuts in programs, something Republicans would have then blamed her for. O'Neill should be commended for standing up to the leadership's criticism and doing what she thought was right, not politically beneficial.

Ballot question would spread District Courts: She may get her wish if voters approve a proposed constitutional amendment on this election ballot to permit the Legislature to allow district courts to convene in places other than the county seat.

Editorial: Safety takes a back seat: In the first instance, the DOE wanted to stop the Environmental Protection Agency's independent monitoring that determines whether there is radiation in the air and ground water near the Nevada Test Site. The DOE eventually dropped the plan, but only after the EPA protested.

LV firm in $71 million casino merger: John Wilen; At Thursday's closing price of $11, the transaction would be worth about $71.335 million. The companies agreed to the acquisition in a non-binding letter of intent.

Utility shareholders, regulators at odds over serving 'deadbeats': Members of the Utility Shareholders Association of Nevada say PUC Chairwoman Judy Sheldrew said in a hearing last week that the proposed rules would assign customers with bad credit risks to Nevada Power Co. and Sierra Pacific Resources Inc. and good customers to competitors entering the market when the electric industry is restructured.

Members of Glenn's generation marvel at accomplishment: Art Nadler; The women, residents of The Charleston Retirement and Assisted Living Center, 2121 W. Charleston Blvd., on Thursday morning relived memories of 36 years ago, when a then-40-year-old freckled face Marine colonel climbed inside a spaceship no bigger than a Volkswagen Bug and headed into the uncharted blackness of space.