Print edition for April 1, 1999

Opening ceremony for Marina Park delayed: Sparks Parks and Recreation Director Stan Sherer said the park will open to the public for fishing on schedule, but no new date has been set for the opening ceremonies.

Assembly passes collective bargaining for state employees: A similar bill has passed the Assembly six times since the early 1970s, but it got all the way through only once - in 1991, only to be vetoed by then-Gov. Bob Miller.

Man killed in accident: Stepps, who was not wearing a seatbelt, was ejected and was pronounced dead at the scene.

Obituaries for April 1, 1999: He is survived by his wife, Gloria; one son, Michael of Aventora, Fla.; and one daughter, Andrea Messing of Hollywood, Fla.

Columnist Spencer Patterson: Holiday Prep Classic ushers in changes: Spencer Patterson; For the first time in 23 years, the Holiday Prep Classic will have a very different look when the prestigious boys basketball tournament rolls into town this December.

Convention Authority to expand: But a compromise was reached in which the chamber will now appoint three members -- one of whom must be a representative of the resort hotel business. That member would be added to the present three members from the Resort Association.

Baseball standings -- April 1, 1999: SUNRISE DIVISION

No quick answers expected in crash: Ben Grove and Karen Zekan; Both the mangled Coach USA bus and the rig that had been transporting strawberries were hauled up the cliff off northbound Interstate 15 near Mountain Pass, Calif., 55 miles southwest of Las Vegas, on Wednesday.

DUI bill hits some stiff resistance: Scott Reeder; Right now, people with blood alcohol levels of 0.10 or higher can be arrested for driving under the influence of alcohol.

LV bank to take new name: The bank, which has deposits of $26 million and assets of $32 million, will focus on personalized service, Robinson said.

Judicial hearing muddled by contradiction of testimony: Bill Gang; Smith was scheduled to take the witness stand in his own defense today as the Nevada Commission on Judicial Discipline concludes its hearing into allegations he abused his judicial powers.

Governor asks more freedom to reorganize his staff: "This would allow the governor some flexibility to administer his own staff," Ernaut said Wednesday.

Friday at Golden Gate: 1st race 1 mi 4YO & up F&M Clm: 1 Prove Him Wrong (Matias) 116; 2 For My Madison (Radke) 111; 3 Miss Sway (Perez) 116; 4 Cigarillo (Schvaneveldt) 118; 5 Awesome Audrey (Castro) 116; 6 Yetje (Linares) 118.

Letter: U.S. should tire of undeclared wars: President Clinton is an internationalist and a supporter of the U.N. He insisted we pay our arrears, yet he doesn't get U.N. Security Council approval to attack the republic of Yugoslavia.

Boys Golf standings -- April 1, 1999: SUNRISE DIVISION

Friday at Santa Anita: 1st race 2 fur 2YO Mdn: 1 Retossed (Enriquez) 118; 2 Always Game (Antley) 118; 3 Phony Mahoney (Garcia) 118; 4 Brite Jaz (Valdez) 113; 5 Onepowerfulbullet (Rodriguez) 118; 6 Induction Day (Mitchener) 118; 7 a-Ike And Mike (Espinoza) 118; 8 a-Signed (Steiner) 118; 9 Proudtobeahalfterm (Flores) 118.

Nevada Recycling plant suffers second fire in 10 days: On March 22 more than 100 firefighters and 24 fire-fighting units were called to the recycling plant on Range Road, where an accidentally set fire burned for 24 hours, at times sending large clouds of black smoke bellowing across Interstate 15.

Health briefs: A gym fitness program will be offered noon-1 p.m. Tuesdays April 13 through 27. The pool fitness program will be noon-1 p.m. Thursdays and Fridays April 8 through 30.

Road death toll rises sharply: The number of traffic fatalities in Nevada rose 25.7 percent between 1988 and 1997, while the number of fatal crashes decreased 11.4 percent nationwide, a report released this week by the Nevada Department of Motor Vehicles and Public Safety shows.

Mob boss tied to gambling dies: LaPietra and his co-defendants were also accused of influencing Teamsters' fund trustees to loan funds to San Diego businessman Alan Glick, who used the money to renovate and buy the Stardust, Fremont, Hacienda and Marina casinos.

Letter: Kosovo bloodshed a religious war: At one time all the people in the Balkans were Christians but under the 500-year domination and slavery tactics of the Ottoman Empire, the Albanians became Muslims to escape the yoke of the Turks. This is why the Serbs and Albanians look alike. Take away the religion and there is no difference.

Sun Baseball State Top 10 poll -- April 1, 1999: Teams ranked jointly by the Sun and the Sparks Daily Tribune.

Nevada business lobbyists skip debate on rights for gay workers: Steve Green; The Las Vegas Chamber of Commerce is the self-proclaimed "voice of business" in Clark County.

McGuire enters plea deal in dispute with police: Bill Gang; In a deal announced today by her attorney John Moran Jr., misdemeanor charges of obstruction of justice will be dropped after McGuire donates $5,000 to the Injured Police Officer's Fund and performs 40 hours of community service.

Letter: Smut peddlers mar visitor's experience: How can millions of dollars be spent to construct a so-called paradise for the tourists when you can't even walk on the street comfortably and become prey for these people?

Clinton, Bryan, Reid and Berkley support gay rights in the workplace: Clinton has already signed an executive order barring discrimination against gays in the employment policies of federal agencies -- though "don't ask, don't tell" remains the rule in the military.

Columnist Joe Delaney: Remembering the holidays -- and departed friends: Joe Delaney; Easter Sunday morning, after sunrise services, my cousins and I would be given our individual Easter baskets and the bargaining would begin. ... Black jelly beans were my favorite and I would trade until all of my jelly beans were black. ... Then came the Easter egg hunt in the backyard.

Mayoral hopefuls offer growing-pains remedies: Erin Neff; For more ball fields, for decent commuting times to work, for good public schools, for better roads and neighborhood services, for increased crime reduction -- the answer, they say, is better management of growth.

Bonanza storms to win in Davison tourney: Ray Brewer; The weather was so unbearable Wednesday afternoon that Bonanza pitcher Christy Carrasco couldn't feel the ball leave her hand.

Henderson: City backs push for new college: Lisa Snedeker; If this session of the Legislature decides to approve funding a feasibility study for a four-year state college, the question remains: where should it be located?

Sierra Health delays elective surgeries until May: Art Nadler; The health maintenance organization, which covers 170,960 people in the county, made the decision to delay elective surgeries in April, because local hospitals have been overloaded, said Ria Marie Carlson, vice president of public relations for Sierra Health. The decision was made 10 days ago.

Noted custom motorcycle builder 'Culprit' Culley dies at 57: So, at age 14, he packed his car, put his motorcycle in tow and, despite the fact he was too young to legally operate vehicles, even ones he owned, drove to Las Vegas, where his pioneering family had settled in the 1920s.

Texan faces 30 years on charges stemming from bomb discovery: Karen Zekan; Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco and Firearms officials said the bomb found at the bus station was intended for an ATF employee.

Fight schedule -- April 1, 1999: At Worley, Idaho, (USSB), Greg Page, Las Vegas, vs. Art Pendergrass, Orlando, 10, heavyweights; David Bostice, Mesa, vs. Brian Nix, Rochester, N.Y., 10, heavyweights.

Durango pitching leads the way in Adidas Invitational victory: Spencer Patterson; A five-man pitching rotation may be a necessity in the major leagues. But at the high school level, it's an extremely unusual luxury.

High court upholds murder conviction: Pollard received consecutive life terms with the possibility of parole for the killing of James Hay at his home on Dec. 20, 1995.

Letter: Holiday novelty pets deserve a better fate: This Easter you can help prevent unnecessary cruelty by giving your children stuffed animals. After the holiday, if your family is ready for a pet, consider an adoptable dog or cat from our local shelters or the Las Vegas Valley Humane Society.

Sun Softball State Top 10 poll -- April 1, 1999: Teams ranked jointly by the Sun and the Sparks Daily Tribune.

Easter briefs: The program will include contemporary Christian music and will feature the visual artistry of Paul Janeway. Child care will be provided. Call 642-5921.

Softball standings -- April 1, 1999: SUNRISE DIVISION

NLV: Hearing planned on City Council change: Lisa Snedeker; That's when the Legislature's Assembly Government Affairs Committee will hold a hearing on Assembly Bill 590, which would revise the North Las Vegas City Charter.

Las Vegas news briefs: Jack Seka has been charged with two counts of murder and two counts of robbery in connection with the deaths of Eric Hamilton, 34, and Peter Paul Limanni, 33.

Boys Volleyball standings -- April 1, 1999: SUNRISE DIVISION

Friday at Aqueduct: 1st race 6 3YO & up fur Mdn Clm: 1 One Belongs To Me (Leon) 113; 2 Devil's Flint (Lidberg) 113; 3 Reformed (Migliore) 113; 4 Irish Medic (Winnen) 123; 5 Daily's Rainbow (Diego) 116; 6 Golden Aris (Molina) 106; 7 Ondro (Smith) 118; 8 Picardia (Espinoza) 113.

Where I Stand -- Mike O'Callaghan: Squaring the boxing ring: Arum's idea might give some fight fans some new reasons for indigestion. What affect will one judge's score have on another judge? Will it cause one of them to score slightly differently if they feel the other judge's score is out of line? How about the fighter who has a cornerman who can count and advises his man at the end of round nine he is so far ahead all he has to do is run and jab for the remainder of a championship match? How will a known score of points affect the decision of a referee or doctor ...

Neal attacks director of medical school: "The gentleman we honor here today is generally responsible for that," Neal said. "I don't think, in the years I've been around, you've had seven black students graduate from your institution."

Nevada Power boss decries legislation: "It would place us in huge financial jeopardy, and it is unacceptable," Niggli added Wednesday.

Police question witness in shooting of Elko man: Kirk, an employee of Newmont Mining, died from a shot to the head from a 9mm handgun, police said.

Bill defeated in 10-11 vote: Sen. Maggie Carlton, D-Las Vegas, also argued against the bill, saying it would limit those who had several injuries over time from being eligible for disability benefits.

Elko County accident claims three: Lyon and her 14-year-old daughter Michelle Pursifull were pronounced dead at the scene, as was Bartlett.

Midway through water year, Nevada precipitation a mishmash: Tom Gardner; It's wet in the mountains and dry everywhere else, according to Climatologist John James.

Henry to quit state party job to work for Gore: "I plan to dedicate my time for the next two years to helping (Gore) win the presidency," Henry said. "I have been contacted by his campaign team and plan on playing a prominent role in his efforts to win here in Nevada."

Snow showers continue in wake of deadly storm: Tom Gardner; Three people were killed in a head-on collision on U.S. 93 about 40 miles south of Wells in an accident the Nevada Highway Patrol attributed to driving too fast for the icy conditions.

The Co-op Shop: Kimberley McGee; Jeff Simons takes the morning off from his job as a steel engineer to dole out snacks, read books and tie shoes.

Senate committee will consider prep sports bill: "There's no other school in the nation that has won state championships in a state other than its own except in Nevada," said Jeff Knutson, a football coach from Moapa Valley High, near Las Vegas. "It's not right for a Nevada school to have to go to California to win a Nevada state championship.

Key lawmaker says state can't afford lower drunken driving limits: Nevada now has a 0.10 limit for classifying someone as driving drunk.

Famed tenor doesn't know what to expect when he plays return engagement: Robert Macy; Pavarotti is scheduled to make a rare appearance in this gambling capital April 10, christening the 12,000-seat Mandalay Bay Resort & Casino Events Center. The concert will be his first here since March 1985, when he performed at the city's Thomas & Mack Center. A year earlier, he performed at the Riviera Hotel.

Case against sheriff's chain gangs to proceed to trial: Keyser-Cooper filed a lawsuit in 1996 on behalf of the former inmate, charging that chain gangs at the county jail constitute cruel and unusual punishment under the U.S. Constitution.

Artifact looters a grave concern: "Western Nevada is certainly getting hit hard by looters," said Garry Cantley, a Bureau of Indian Affairs archaeologist based in Arizona. He was in Reno for an archaeological resources protection training program last week.

Lawmakers consider raising education requirements for contractors: Jennifer Coleman; Also needed is an end to the misperception among homeowners that a building inspector can guarantee a perfect home, Senate Commerce and Labor Committee members were told.

Change of venue, suppression of confession motions on hold: Ray's attorney, Marc Picker, argued on Wednesday that his client's confession should be dismissed because the statements were not voluntary and because Ray was not properly read his Miranda rights.

Drugged drivers could face stiffer penalties: Jennifer Coleman; "He really never had a chance," Faber's mother, Carol Grant, told the Senate Judiciary Committee on Thursday.

Congressman who served in Gulf War questions U.S. interest in Kosovo: Scott Sonner; "I've never been one who has advocated the use of American ground troops in this region," said Gibbons, R-Nev., a former Air Force pilot who served in the Persian Gulf War.

First new Spaghetti Bowl ramp greets commuters: The ramp is the first milestone in the $92 million overhaul of the Spaghetti Bowl, the interchange between the city's two major freeways.

Editorial: Political brouhaha may interfere with judiciary: Since the court issued its census ruling, Congress has been locked in a partisan squabble over funding of the Census Bureau, which is included in an appropriations bill that includes the departments of Commerce, State, Justice and -- here's the kicker -- the federal judiciary.

Softball: Rebels lose doubleheader: The UNLV women's softball team lost a doubleheader Wednesday to Pacific at Stockton, Calif., 20-12 and 3-1. Outfielder Erica Vollweiler had two of the Rebels' three hits in the opener and third baseman Raven Coberg hit a home run for UNLV in the nightcap. The Rebels have a 13-17 record.

UNLV pitcher's attorney says legal options being reviewed: UNLV baseball pitcher Mike Lopez, who has accused Rebels coach Rod Soesbe of grabbing him around the neck during an early-morning incident outside of Soesbe's College Station, Texas, motel room last week, has retained an attorney.

New Hampshire, Mass. weigh gambling: Massachusetts state Sen. James Jajuga has filed a bill allowing three large casinos in Hamden and Bristol counties and at Salisbury Beach. Each would have 3,000 slot machines, 120 table games and 1,000 hotel rooms along with conference, retail and entertainment amenities.

Mayweather expects easy title bout against Vargas: Dean Juipe; What may have been a difficult fight for Jeff Mayweather figures to be a relatively easy one for his nephew, Floyd.

Ex-city official must give up casino profits: Bellande's company, Gulf South Distributing, sold beverages to casinos from 1992 to 1994 -- the same period the City Council approved leases of city property to the casinos.

Las Vegas chilled by winds: Mary Manning and Jerry Fink; As cold air roared into the Las Vegas Valley, temperatures dropped 20 degrees between 2 and 4 p.m. Wednesday, leaving residents and visitors who in the morning had enjoyed balmy spring weather suddenly shivering.

Community briefs: The nonprofit community center offers free educational and social activities. Center hours are 8 a.m.-5 p.m. For more information, call 647-2536.

Assembly panel OKs Harmon measure: But an association of mortgage brokers that opposes the bill said the fight isn't over. It will carry the battle to the Senate when the bill arrives there, a spokesman said.

Seniors will have their artwork displayed in Sawyer building: Sherman Foreman won the $1,000 first prize for his metal sculpture "Trembling Hills," which signifies the past through recycling of found materials.

School bond request fuels funding debate: Adrienne Packer; Clark County School District officials asked the county's debt-management commission for permission today to issue a $100 million general obligation bond -- a fraction of a $3.5 billion school bond issue approved by voters in November.

Columnist Ron Kantowski: Departure of Gaines a loss for the Rebels: Wisconsin football coach Barry Alvarez more than once has said the key to the Badgers' recent football renaissance has been their ability to "build a fence" around the city of Chicago when it comes to recruiting.

Senate passes service permits bill for disabled: Scott Reeder; But legislation passed by the Senate Wednesday could do something about it.

Gaming developer to buy wilderness land: "If there's going to be a major development at the Broadwater such as they've proposed, then we're going to acquire Deer Island and give it to the people of Mississippi," said Secretary of State Eric Clark in Jackson.

Hotels, citizens honored as '60 desegregation in LV remembered in ceremony: The honorees were recognized last Friday at the 39th Anniversary of the Desegregation of Las Vegas Resorts ceremony at the New Town Tavern, 600 Jackson Ave.

Fannie Mae mortgage group announces Nevada project: Over the past three years the Federal National Mortgage Association, known as Fannie Mae, has provided more than $5 billion in mortgage funding for 61,000 families.

Columnist Tim Graham: Former roto hater takes the plunge: Tim Graham; I have become one of the things I despise most in life.

Sluggers like Sosa, Griffey, Thomas pack 'em in at Cashman: Steve Guiremand; How do you get people fired up for minor league baseball when they're still battling the hangover of March Madness?

Vegas' 'Little casino with big heart' closes: By Richard N. Velotta; Stunned casino workers lined up in a cold wind to pick up their last paychecks hours after being told the Hotel Continental would close its doors for good Wednesday night.

Two-year sentence in casino bribery case: The Kansas City Star reported Anderson's sentencing in U.S. District Court ended a public corruption investigation that snared several officials, including three former Kansas City council members.

Columnist Dean Juipe: Decision on Jones could give Harmon championship shot: Dean Juipe; It appears as if Las Vegas resident Derrick Harmon is in line for a crack at the WBC light heavyweight title, perhaps as early as this summer.

Ice Dogs skate past Thunder: Pavel Rosa won it with his eighth goal in five games.

Libatique becomes UNLV's first champ: Dean Juipe; At 12 years old, Manny Libatique wasn't quite ready for boxing. Nonetheless, he gave it a try.

Editorial: Babbitt puts wetlands on center stage: Interior Secretary Bruce Babbitt was in Southern Nevada this week, and one of the reasons for Babbitt's visit was to see firsthand how urban runoff over two decades has devastated the wetlands of the Las Vegas Wash. What is the connection between the health of the wetlands and safe drinking water? Quite simply, the wetlands' vegetation acts as a natural filter for the water that flows into Lake Mead. If erosion continues to destroy the wetlands, then polluted water that flows through the Las Vegas Wash enters Lake Mead, the source of drinking water for most Southern Nevadans.

Woman pursues jackpot claim against LV firm: Jack Elliott Jr; JACKSON, Miss. -- A woman fighting a Nevada company over a $1.74 million slot machine jackpot believes the Mississippi Supreme Court will side with her.

Neal charges medical school trying to keep blacks out: Scott Reeder; In a ceremony usually full of pomp and void of debate, Dean Robert Daugherty was verbally assailed by Sen. Joel Neal, D-North Las Vegas, who says the school does not want to educate black students.