Print edition for September 3, 1998

Dial File: Should news be meant to amuse?: Which one of these summer series burned up the water-cooler circuit?:

En Guard! with Operation Bosslift: Brian Seals; They're spending more than a week in the sun and sand of California.

Gaming Board splits in awarding license to Mirage executive: John Wilen; The Nevada Gaming Control Board Wednesday awarded a gaming license to a high-ranking Mirage Resorts executive accused of lying to a board agent in January.

Letter: Make only out-of-towners pay to see Wynn's art collection: Sue Brna

New Orleans casino advances slowly: The project's partners sought refuge in bankruptcy court in 1995 after closing their temporary gambling hall and haulting construction on the permanent site at the foot of New Orleans' Canal Street.

State Supreme Court overturns murder conviction of woman: The court said District Judge John Davis improperly allowed evidence that was "inflammatory, speculative, and utterly fantastic as to bear practically no probative value."

Bizarre second arrest made in four slayings: Karen Zekan and Bill Gang; Sgt. Ken Hefner, who was heading out to lunch when he spotted suspect Terrell Cochise Young, was cut at least once on the neck in a scuffle during the arrest.

Editorial: Court's ruling a win for children: The case came about after the Washoe County district attorney's office began notifying parents in 1994 that it was going to enforce their child support payments. But two District Court judges, relying on a prior Supreme Court decision, ruled that custodial parents and government agencies could not sue to obtain child support payments if they waited more than six years from the last payment.

LV coalition will help lure TV, movie productions: Now, a new coalition is recruiting filmmakers and their production companies to Southern Nevada by being an intermediary between Hollywood and the local business community.

Suspected meth-lab makings found in truck: Karen Zekan; The pursuit lasted fewer than three minutes late Tuesday night as the NHP trooper tailed the white 1997 Ford pickup back and forth across the highway, through neighborhoods and light traffic before ending up outside an apartment complex off Tropicana Avenue, where the male driver took off running, authorities said.

Preps: Top Tennis Teams: 1. Green Valley

Editorial: Striving to make an informed choice: One of the choicest venues for launching negative campaigning is the 30-second television ad. While people contend they want candidates to spend more time talking about issues, the sad fact is that too many voters rely on these simplistic ads when making their decisions.

Five LV auto dealers sold to Republic: Republic already owns the AutoNation USA used car dealership in Henderson. The Fort Lauderdale, Fla.-based Republic also owns the Desert Automotive Group, a Buick outlet, and is expected to close soon on the acquisition of Willden's Pride Dodge of Las Vegas.

Preps: Gorman tennis star wants team title: Spencer Patterson; There were more than enough reasons for Bishop Gorman's David DiMartino to skip the 1998 high school tennis season.

Las Vegas business briefs: sgreen@lasvegassun.com; CASINO DATA SETTLING SUIT FOR $1 MILLION-PLUS -- Casino Data Systems of Las Vegas will pay $1 million plus interest to settle four shareholder class action lawsuits stemming from a December 1996 fall in its stock price. The suits alleged various violations of Securities and Exchange Commission rules, California Corporation code rules and fraud. All four sought economic recovery on behalf of a group of shareholders allegedly damaged by the price decline. The company said the suits have no merit but that it's settling to avoid the cost of further litigation.

UNLV announces plans to upgrade athletic facilities: Steve Carp; Long before there was a Year 2000 problem across America, UNLV's athletic department looked at its own house and came to the conclusion that when the next millennium rolled around, it would be ready to compete -- regardless of which conference it was affiliated with.

Where I Stand -- Mike O'Callaghan: There's a difference between enforcing and bullying: Over in California, the Commission on Judicial Performance, a long-established group, went completely goofy when Appellate Justice J. Anthony Kline wrote a dissent that included refusal to adhere to a state Supreme Court precedent. The commission started a witch hunt to investigate Kline because he dared to disagree with a prior decision of the state's highest court. Californians asked, what's the purpose of judicial review and the independent thinking they expect from courts of appeal?

UNLV Facilities Project -- fast facts: Thomas & Mack Center -- New entry way with escalators. New scoreboard. Upholstered seats. Widened concourse with interactive "Fun Zones." Infrastructure improvements, including new sound system. Cost: $13 million.

25 Northwest employees laid off in Reno: Northwest has canceled all flights through Labor Day. In Reno, that means 31 planes won't take off.

Columnist Jeff German: Nevada becoming battleground in national ethics fight: President Clinton, burdened by the sex scandal involving former White House intern Monica Lewinsky, has given the GOP reason to take off on ethics in the general election.

Motorcycle cop suffers broken bones in collision: Officer Mark Dabney, 34, broke his left leg, right arm and suffered a pelvic injury in Wednesday's 6:25 a.m. collision just east of Hollywood Boulevard. Jay Allen Scott, 34, of Las Vegas, who was behind the wheel of the 1980 Chevrolet Malibu that hit Dabney's motorcycle, escaped uninjured.

Money needed for softball stadium: Steve Carp; The plans are in place. The spot has been picked out. The need obviously is there.

Wednesday's Prep Results: Eldorado 15, Western 7.5

Rebels look to improve on soccer field in '98: Steve Carp; He had burst upon the scene like a soccer supernova, an explosive goal-scorer who was a threat to find the back of the net every time he touched the ball.

Columnist Dean Juipe: Williams hopes third time is a charm: Dean Juipe; He's 0-2 in world championship fights but there's a third one coming and Arthur Williams believes he'll win it.

Preps: State association changes transfer rules: Spencer Patterson; To deal with the growth of local magnet schools, the Nevada Interscholastic Activities Association (NIAA) recently created a set of new regulations to govern athletic eligibility.

UNLV catch mark ready to fall: Steve Guiremand; Open up this year's UNLV football media guide and you'll find a large section under Damon Williams' bio devoted to "The Streak."

School district wants UNLV to produce more teachers: "This is a life or death issue for us," Clark County School District Superintendent Brian Cram told members of a Board of Regents task force at its first meeting Wednesday. "If we have empty classrooms for lack of qualified teachers, we're in trouble."

Letter: Development that is too close to railroad tracks poses danger: These railroad tracks are heavily traveled daily at all hours by high-speed trains transporting all manner of hazardous, toxic and industrial materials, including concentrations of chemicals, fuels, flammables, solvents, etc. The railroad was here first and these types of cargo are well within the regular business parameters of a heavy transport industry such as a railroad.

Strohmeyer jury picked: Bill Gang; It took three days.

Preps : Boys Soccer standings -- September 3, 1998: SUNRISE DIVISION

Premiums hiked, benefits cut for state workers' health plan: "This is unfortunate but necessary," said Robert Gagnier, executive director of the Nevada Employees Association, the union of state workers.

Letter: Animals belong in a sanctuary, not as vaudeville-type performer: If Berosini really cared about them, as he claims he does, he would let them go to a sanctuary. They don't belong in anyone's home, wearing aprons and diapers and little hats. They particularly don't belong on stage in some vaudeville act being made to look silly and ridiculous.

Illegal telemarketing charged: Deputy Attorney General Grenville Pridham said Wednesday that Kevin Griffin, 42, La Puente, Calif., was arrested Monday by state agents on charges of trying to obtain money under false pretenses and unregistered telemarketing.

Preps: Football standings -- September 3, 1998: SUNRISE DIVISION

Letter: For customers' sake, bank merger should be stopped: If this merger takes place, I know many customers will leave Norwest, and that will be a shame.

Council turns down Sunset Beach proposal: Valerie Miller; The Henderson City Council voted 4-1 Tuesday night against the proposed hotel-casino because it did not meet new minimum-acreage requirements. It was proposed for nine acres at 750 West Sunset Road, on the corner of Sunset and Middlegate roads. Twenty-five acres is the new minimum for such developments.

Preps: Girls Golf standings -- September 3, 1998: SUNRISE DIVISION

Casinos fear bias by fed panel: Industry lobbyists charged the panel's staff has stacked the deck against gaming at next week's hearings in Biloxi, Miss., and New Orleans.

Preps: Girls Tennis standings -- September 3, 1998: SUNRISE DIVISION

Preps: Boys Tennis standings -- September 3, 1998: SUNRISE DIVISION

Preps: Girls Volleyball standings -- September 3, 1998: SUNRISE DIVISION

Pacific Coast League standings through September 2, 1998: Midwest Division

Obituaries for September 3, 1998: She is survived by one son, Rainier; and three grandchildren.

Letter: Republicans refuse to let nation get past scandal: To get their focus back to economic and world problems, I think we should send a bottle of Viagra to each Republican. Send two for Sen. Orrin Hatch; he looks like he's really hurting.

Seasonal viruses descend on valley: Valley health officials said the seasonal bout with intestinal viruses that spreads through homes, offices and schools like wildfire has begun.

Developer told to halt drainage of foul water: State and local environmental officials investigated the property at the edge of the Las Vegas Wash which leads to Southern Nevada's drinking water supply last week to find out if ground water carrying pesticides, herbicides and traces of radiation had reached the wash.

Nevada Gamblers to host tournament: Nevada Gamblers to host tournament

Ralph Siraco's selections for Del Mar: Selections made for clear racing conditions before scratches.

Former boxer Dokes held without bail: Jace Radke; Dokes, the former heavyweight boxing champion, had bail set this morning at $20,000 on a sexual assault charge and $10,000 for false imprisonment, but Justice Court Judge Nancy Oesterle would not grant bail on the attempted murder charge.

Fight schedule -- September 3, 1998: At Ledyard, Conn., (USSB), Dannell Nicholson, Chicago, vs. Mike Sedillo, Chino, Calif., 10, heavyweights; Josh Imardiyi, Brockton, Mass., vs. Tyrone Booze, Hartford, 10, heavyweights.

Hajek breaks Stars single-season hit record: Tim Graham; Dave Hajek was told a television shopping network has offered $250,000 for the home run ball that breaks Roger Maris' hallowed record.

507114527.html: Thursday, Sept 3

Another wet winter bodes well for Pyramid, Walker lakes: Fed by a mountain snowpack that mounted to nearly twice average in places, this year's runoff added 5.2 feet to Pyramid Lake and 4.1 feet to Walker Lake, the U.S. Geological Survey said on Thursday.

Columnist Steve Carp: Las Vegas is looking at a big weekend: Steve Carp; You're going to have a place to stay. You may have to pay a small vig to the airline to change your flight, but you'll still get here. And besides, you can take in a little hoops before race day.

Fire alarm, neighbor's call helps save three-month-old girl: Karen Zekan; She didn't think much of it at first. But about 20 minutes later, as smoke started filtering into her apartment, the 911 call McClelen made to emergency dispatchers ended up saving the lives of a neighbor upstairs and his 3-month-old baby girl.

Threat of federal shutdown for San Diego County gambling is all but over: The tribes reluctantly fell in line and agreed to gambling compacts modeled after one that Gov. Pete Wilson's struck solely with San Diego's Pala Indian Band in March. The tribe does not have a casino but wants to build one.

Box score: Stars 7, Sidewinders 6: Tucson

Friday at Saratoga: 1st race 7 fur 3YO&up F&M Mdn

Las Vegas Stars scorecard -- September 3, 1998: The Las Vegas Stars would not have required Dave Hajek's record-breaking, ninth-inning heroics if not for some shaky moments on the mound by starter Brian Tollberg and reliever Mike Rossiter. With the Stars ahead 5-2 in the fifth inning, Tollberg drilled Sidewinders first baseman Mike Robertson, a Las Vegas resident, in the foot to load the bases. One pitch later, Tollberg hit catcher Tom Wilson in the head to force home a run. Rossiter, who entered in the seventh inning, failed to record an out but allowed Tucson to score two runs and tie the game at 6. ... First ...

Prep football player dies: Chino High School linebacker Scott Maughan took a hit to the head at 5:40 p.m. Tuesday during tackling drills, authorities said Wednesday. He collapsed and was airlifted unconscious to Loma Linda University Medical Center.

Columnist Joe Delaney: Could changes be ahead for LV entertainment scene?: Joe Delaney; Last week's announcement that the William Morris Agency would become the Rio Hotel's exclusive entertainment consultant portends similar alliances to come. ... The Rio was off to a less-than-spectacular start, but the signing of Danny Gans and addition of the free "Masquerade In The Sky" made the Rio a major entertainment destination.

Friday at Bay Meadows: 1st race 5-1/2 fur 3YO&up F&M Clm

Two arrested for having guns at high school: Joseph Sanchez, 18, was taken into custody at lunch time Wednesday after police reported they found a loaded shotgun inside a pickup he'd driven onto the campus to give a friend a lift, authorities said. Police described the weapon as 18 inches long with a pistol grip. It was discovered during a vehicle search initiated after an officer found shotgun shells in the truck, police said.

Holiday weekend blood drive to counter expected shortage: "Every holiday weekend, the blood needs increase for a variety of reasons," said Karen Threlkeld, spokeswoman for United Blood Services.

Warrant out for former deputy DA: Bill Gang and Karen Zekan; A warrant for the arrest of the 32-year-old suspended lawyer was issued Wednesday when he failed to appear in District Court for sentencing on a 1997 drug possession charge.

Historic Commission's rejection of old LVHS renovation not last word: Cathy Scott; But that won't stop the plans from moving forward: The architect and representatives of the Clark County School District say that, if approved by the City Council, construction can begin in November with completion expected by July.