Print edition for April 26, 1999

St. Jude warns public about gift solicitations: Management for the ranch, which serves as a home for abused, neglected and homeless children, has learned that someone is selling subscriptions of "Jack and Jill" magazine for the ranch.

Slot route operator, slot maker posts a profit: The gaming machine maker and slot route operator reported net income of $761,000, or 8 cents per share, in the quarter, compared to a loss of $1.1 million, or 12 cents per share in the year-ago quarter.

Organizers of CES support LVCVA: In a letter to the Las Vegas Convention and Visitors Authority board of directors, International CES Vice President Robbi Lycett called the financial plan a a "win-win" for trade show organizers and the Las Vegas community.

Police, officials bribed by mob: Federal prosecutors claim millions of dollars in profits were earned from the machines and that since 1980 some of the proceeds were used to pay off police and public officials to look the other way, the Chicago Tribune reported.

Pahrump firm sues over ADA violations: Carroll "Jim" Wallace, owner of Tecopa Hot Springs Transportation Inc., filed the suit in U.S. District Court, alleging the TSA violated terms of the Americans with Disabilities Act in its communications with him.

LV bank results mixed: U.S. Bancorp, Minneapolis, earned $366.8 million or 50 cents per share, up from $328.5 million or 44 cents.

Veterans Home director gets nod: Cy Ryan Sun; But Senate Majority Leader Bill Raggio, R-Reno, said it is still to be decided whether the state or a private company will operate the facility. He said the director, to be paid $67,000 a year, will be needed, even if the home is to be run by a private firm.

Legislature news briefs: Nevada should begin collecting information about birth defects to help develop ways of identifying their causes as well as cures, a legislative panel was told.

Las Vegas news briefs: A Sunday morning car accident resulted in an elderly man and two children heading to University Medical Center with serious injuries.

Letter: Put your actions where your pen is: Iturriaga can call 799-5312 for information on this program. Citizens from every facet of the community are involved in this effort.

Letter: A novel approach to drunken driving: Letter: A novel approach to drunken driving

Letter: Legislator defends Assembly bill: AB60 is aimed only at insurance providers. You present an argument that two hospitals are "open targets" of this legislation. They aren't targets. They simply happen to be the only two hospitals that are both insurers as well as holders of a religious connection.

Letter: Don't expect Nevada to become nonsmoking state: No casino is going to give you your wants -- get real.

Obituaries for April 26, 1999: He is survived by two sons, Phillip Paulucci of Las Vegas and Eugene Paulucci of Buffalo; one daughter, Carol MacDonald, and two sisters, Jennie Peleggi and Rose O'Nell, all of Buffalo; and five grandchildren.

Softball box score: New Mexico 9, UNLV 5: Softball box score: New Mexico 9, UNLV 5

Runoff project appears ready for TRPA's OK: The proposal should more forward at this week's meeting, said Gary Midkiff, a project consultant.

Rain doesn't dampen biker fun at 17th annual Laughlin River Run: The elements kept many bikes parked instead of cruising, much to the delight of vendors and gaming operators who reported brisk business.

Editorial: Abolish unneeded legislation: Many in the Assembly believed that granting the state Ethics Commission the power to fine candidates was unnecessary and violated the constitutional right of free speech. The hunch by members of the Assembly that adding this additional responsibility to the commission's duties might do more harm than good has panned out. Some of the commission's decisions involved gray areas of language that two reasonable people could disagree whether the statement was misleading. For instance, the Ethics Commission handed out its largest fine -- $10,000 -- against North Las Vegas Constable Herb Brown for statements he made during his 1998 campaign. ...

Community briefs: A training seminar to certify adults as instructors in the Prudential Youth Leadership Institute is being offered June 3-6 at Caesars Palace.

Work starts on two health care facilities: University Medical Center has broken ground on a new adult emergency department.

Binion estate sued by coin auctioneer: Superior filed the suit in District Court. The suit says Binion contacted Superior last June about selling his collection of silver bars and coins.

Box score: UNLV 12, Texas Christian 6 -- April 26, 1999: Box score: UNLV 12, Texas Christian 6 -- April 26, 1999

Two more plead guilty in Blitzstein case: Louis Caruso and Anthony DeLulio pleaded guilty to conspiracy to participate in racketeering, mail fraud and selling and receiving stolen property in connection with a 1986 car insurance scam and the 1997 burglary of Blitzstein's home.

Adamsen man of contrasts: Erin Neff; In his mayoral campaign, Arnie Adamsen is fond of saying, "I don't believe in sound bites, just sound policy."

Alliance unit forms venture: Under the agreement, the partners will jointly develop gaming devices that deploy the Oasis technology in a Bally Gaming device.

Billionaire's career filled with highs and lows: He delivers his rags-to-riches story as if his audience were gathered around a dining room table.

Councilwoman warned to avoid polls: The voting booths for early voting in the primary election are located in the entrance of North Las Vegas City Hall. By law, candidates are not allowed to be within 100 feet of the polling areas.

Woman, 50, killed in traffic accident identified: Libby died shortly after 5 a.m. after her car and a pickup truck driven by Kenneth Kriese, 49, collided at Lake Mead Drive and Ash Street.

Midwife faces criminal charges: Art Nadler and Ed Koch; Kellie Sparkman, 39, could be bound over for trial in District Court if the evidence against her is deemed strong enough.

Miller criticizes timing of ethics decision: Erin Neff; The official opinion, handed down April 12, stems from a Sept. 17 commission ruling that found that Miller filed ethics complaints against Mayor Jan Laverty Jones to hurt her when she was running for governor.

Western primary to breathe new life: CARSON CITY -- A bill that allows Nevada to join other Western states in a regional presidential primary next year will be revived after it died earlier this month in an Assembly committee.

Increase in property tax steps closer: CARSON CITY -- A 20-year-old law that has limited the tax rate local governments can charge Nevada property owners is in jeopardy.

Metro hit with suit over death of man after his arrest: "The coroner was not told he was kicked in the head (until after the autopsy was performed) and they never X-rayed the body for broken bones," said attorney Christopher Gellnerm, who on Friday filed a civil rights lawsuit in federal court on behalf of Jones' widow, Andrea, and the couple's two children.

Las Vegas residents sue over alleged ATM scam: John Wilen; The investors made the claim in a suit filed against the company in U.S. District Court last week. The investors include Robert and Mary Jane Pool, the Pool Family Trust, Anna Mendes, Esther Bader, Irene Taub, Randall Vincent and Donald Eisenhower. All live in the Las Vegas area.

Columnist Ralph Siraco: Baffert will take shot at history in Derby: Ralph Siraco; The last Kentucky Derby of this century is less than five days away. And, like the previous 99 runnings of the 20th Century this Derby has several story lines leading to its 125th renewal.

Columnist Dean Juipe: D.C. fights prove open scoring fails: Dean Juipe; If he had it to do over, Bob Arum would probably yell just as much today as he did Friday when he tried to talk the Nevada State Athletic Commission into adopting open scoring on a trial basis for a May 8 boxing card at the Las Vegas Hilton.

Upcoming events: Starting a small business -- Workshops offered by Service Corps of Retired Executives Association and the Small Business Administration. Ongoing. 388-6104.

Roll call: UNLV's men's hoops team has taken a heavy hit: WHO'S GONE: F Kevin Simmons (used up eligibility), G Brian Keefe (graduated), G Desmond Herod (transferring to Seton Hall), G Greedy Daniels (transferring to Mississippi State) F Shawn Marion (declared for NBA draft).

Casinos told how to please slot fanatics: John Wilen; Conversely, as a casino, it's easy to get slot junkies to play your machines. You just have to give them free stuff.

Edmonton outfielder ties knot on team's road trip to Las Vegas: Steve Guiremand; Sunday was a big day for the Edmonton Trappers, who cruised to a 7-2 victory over the Las Vegas Stars at Cashman Field.

Promotions and appointments: Harrah's Entertainment Inc. appointed Marilyn Winn as senior vice president of human resources for the corporation.

New slot club card: Station sent the slot club cards to all current members of slot clubs at the four properties.

Shawn is gone, but life goes on for Rebels basketball team: Steve Carp; When news that Shawn Marion wasn't returning to UNLV for his senior season leaked out last week, the public response was as predictable as the Boston Red Sox fading from the pennant race.

Circus Detroit partners under scrutiny: It is one of three city-chartered groups seeking state approval to open casinos in Detroit. The others are the Greektown-Chippewa and MGM Grand groups.

Nevada school reform hinges on revenue projections: Educators said the projections will determine the fate of funding for a variety of reform measures, including teacher training, student testing and remedial education.

Board of Education considers allowing calculators in exam: The board has been under pressure from parents in recent weeks to ease the graduation exam requirements because so many students have failed the test.

Good things come in threes for Rebels baseball team: Spencer Patterson; Good things came in threes for UNLV's suddenly red-hot baseball team on Sunday.

Historic ranch opened to the public: The trail provides access for wildlife viewing and fishing.

Nurses to get pay raise: Washoe Med officials said the raise was legal and based on salary surveys done in November.

Milwaukee police detective charged in second robbery: He initially was booked only in a Friday robbery at the Flamingo Hilton, but now also faces charges in a Wednesday robbery at the same resort.

Business people: Susan Levi is a relationship manager at the Spring Mountain branch of First Security Bank.

Columnist Melissa Schorr: Flush with a passion for poker: Melissa Schorr; I've found myself gazing at the photos of poker champions hanging on the wall of Binion's Horseshoe card room. I'm addicted to my computerized version of Texas hold 'em. I even cheered at the end of "Rounders," when Matt Damon dumped his girlfriend and headed toward Vegas.

Rabbit rescue: Bunnies welcomed for Easter abandoned after holiday: Kimberley McGee; But after that holiday luster rubs off, many bunnies are forgotten -- their quality of life diminished, if not doomed, after being ignored by busy families.

Bomb threats disrupt classes at two area schools: All students were sent home safely but had to leave their possessions and back packs at the school while police searched the building.

UNR "Assassination Game" to be altered afterall: But Jake Wiskerchen, UNR's vice president of programming for the student body, said Monday they had changed their minds and would use the stickers instead of squirt guns to stalk and mark each other.

Southwest Gas accepts sweetened merger offer: The Southwest Gas board chose to merge with Tulsa, Okla.-based ONEOK Inc. after ONEOK raised its bid for the gas utility from $28.50 a share to $30 a share, or about $1.8 billion.

Annual Poker World Series begins: Even more money will be won or lost during side games at the tournament that annually attracts the top poker players from around the world.

Two Salt Lake City family members die in rollover: Taufa Hgatu, 74, was pronounced dead at the scene and 4-year-old Carolyn Masiva died at Elko General Hospital.

Box score: Trappers 10, Stars 1 -- April 24, 1999: Edmonton

Caesars sale may happen this week: Gary Thompson; Barry Sternlicht may bring the gavel down on the bidding for Caesars this week.

Culinary Union to demonstrate twice at Venetian opening: Glen Arnodo, the union's political director, told the Sun that sidewalk protests are planned for 11 a.m. and 5 p.m.

Internet gaming charges against Rogers dropped: John Wilen; Manhattan prosecutors last week quietly dropped a criminal complaint that accused the Las Vegas Internet gambling pioneer of violating the Federal Wire Act. Meanwhile, Rogers said he is close to a non-financial settlement of a lawsuit brought by Minnesota's attorney general.

LV company part of acquisition: AMPAM announced the completion of the acquisitions last week. Terms weren't disclosed.

R&R wins $2.4 million tourism contract: The company presented its plans for the state's millennium campaign "NV2000" and said it would be adding cyclist Greg Lemond and tennis star Andre Agassi to its "My Nevada" campaign.