Stories published August 13, 1999Las Vegas Sun

Highlights of FY98-99 Revenue Report on Nevada Casinos: -STATEWIDE: $8.5 billion win in fiscal 1998-99, up 7.9 percent. In June, clubs won $692.4 million, up 11 percent.

Judge rules knife collection violates man's probation: He admitted to Judge David Huff this week that he had used alcohol and kept the knives despite probation rules to the contrary.

Round 5, Game 1 results: Akopian (31, Armenia)-Movsesian (27, Czech Republic) 1/2-1/2.

Another brothel threatened with closure: Scott Sonner; RENO, Nev. - The Ely City Council has decided to study an ordinance change that would close the town's only brothel.

Bones of historic Mountain Meadows massacre victims unearthed: Paul Foy; SALT LAKE CITY - The bones of 10 men, women and children believed to have been among 120 California-bound pioneers massacred by a Mormon militia and Indian allies in 1857 have been unexpectedly unearthed at the site.

Vegas-bound Julian Lennon talks about John, Yoko and his life: Lisa Ferguson; Who: Julian Lennon.

Former California prostitute sentenced in Reno kidnapping: Scott Sonner; But Michaud, 42, of Sacramento, Calif., told a federal judge Thursday she was ready for her punishment in the kidnapping of a college student and is leaving her fate in God's hands. She faces an additional murder charge in a separate case in California and could face the death penalty.

Researcher: Ring of fire around Lake Tahoe "Not going to happen": "The risk of fire is high, as high as you can imagine. But the risk of a massive conflagration that's going to burn much of Tahoe is less than many people have feared," he said.

Little oversight for industry critics call rife with abuse: Kim Curtis; SAN FRANCISCO - Cindy Briggs got a letter a month after her father died, certifying that his ashes had been scattered five miles off the coast of Monterey Bay. He had always been superstitious about people walking over his grave.

Gibbons, Guinn seeking federal relief for wildfire victims: Guinn said he had expected to see charred mountainsides but was overwhelmed during an overflight by the "vastness" of the burned sage brush, cheat grass and pinion pine.

Man accused of murdering officer not allowed to represent self at trial: She said the case is too complex for Vanisi to represent himself. She said she suspected the request was intended to further postpone the trial, now set for Sept. 7.

Governor to meet with firefighters: He also was scheduled to visit with fire officials at the Elko County fairgrounds and with a team of scientists and specialists from the Bureau of Land Management assessing damage in the area.

Business owners, builders, totaling tornado damage: Hannah Wolfson; SALT LAKE CITY - Utah Gov. Mike Leavitt on Friday asked President Clinton for a disaster declaration to help pay for damage done by a tornado that tore through downtown.

Letter: Simple economics: You pay for what you use: Maryland officials mirror the obvious fallacious economic mistake by ignoring that if you want water use to go down, simply make people pay for the amount of water that they use. Are suggestions in favor of a free market for important supplies -- such as water -- anti-American?

Sheriff's dispatcher accused of burglary: The arrest capped a joint investigation by Storey and Washoe County sheriff's deputies, he said.

Babysitter allegedly forced child to eat vomit: Washoe County social workers initiated the investigation of the allegations of the cruel and vulgar punishments. A 2-year-old girl allegedly was forced to eat vomit.

Review of higher altitude Navy bombing runs finds no big impact: Scott Sonner; But the leader of a local watchdog group said she remains unconvinced and fears sonic booms could result from the expanded training.

Hearing postponed for man accused in fast food store shooting: Johnson is accused of shooting two people outside the fast food restaurant on South Carson Street. Several witnesses were subpoenaed to testify at a hearing scheduled Wednesday.

Administration official says tax cut could take Lake Tahoe money: Scott Sonner; Restoration efforts underway at Lake Tahoe are a good example of the kind of environmental initiatives that could be jeopardized if the Republican tax cut forces future spending cuts, Assistant Agriculture Secretary Jim Lyons said.

Polgar in trouble as chess quarterfinals begin: Polgar faces elimination if she loses or draws in Friday's game, the final of this mini-match. If she manages to tie the match, two game playoff sets will be held Saturday.

Officers confiscate marijuana plants: SLEDNET officers also arrested Clark Nagelsdorf, 22, who showed up at Maggy's home with 43 grams of marijuana.

Funeral prepayment often leaves consumers vulnerable: Kim Curtis; SAN FRANCISCO - Many people choose to prepay for their funeral in an attempt to relieve their families of the burden.

Nevada casinos win $8.5 billion in fiscal 1998-99: Angie Wagner; The Nevada Gaming Control Board said Thursday the opening of the Bellagio in October, Mandalay Bay in March and The Venetian in May gave casinos their best fiscal year since fiscal 1994, when winnings were up 10.4 percent. During that period, the Luxor, MGM Grand and Treasure Island opened.

Sunrise, Humana reach settlement: Also, employers who offered Humana insurance to employees were awarded $4.1 million. Humana also must pay an additional $900,000 in court costs and $11.8 million in attorneys' fees.

State bails out Lincoln County with $1 million for school: The panel was told that the county's population and tax base are declining and 75 students would be put in a risk if they remained in the existing school, built in 1905.

Judge won't release copies of Murphy's Sept. 18 videotape: District Judge Michael Cherry today refused to release a copy of a videotape of the inside of Ted Binion's home now being viewed as key evidence in his Sept. 17 murder.

Nevada warns consumers of advance fee loan scams: CARSON CITY -- Nevada joined seven other states and the federal government in warning consumers about corporations and individuals that promise loans and credit cards for an advance fee, but never deliver them.

LV Strip casinos post 'same-store' decline: Brian Egger of Donaldson, Lufkin & Jenrette said if results from Bellagio, Mandalay Bay and the Venetian were subtracted from the $322.4 million won at all Strip properties during the month, casino win actually fell 11.8 percent from June 1998.

UMC says union settlement reached: Art Nadler; University Medical Center and the union representing the hospital's employees have reached a tentative contract agreement, a hospital spokeswoman said in a written statement Thursday.

Gaming revenue soars in Illinois, Atlantic City: Hot weather and big crowds of gamblers who wanted to get out of it created a good climate for New Jersey casinos last month.

Ely City Council takes first step toward closing brothel: Scott Sonner; The council voted 4-0 Thursday night to conduct a public hearing at its next meeting August 26th on the proposal.

Sprint PCS selling wireless Internet access: Lisa Levenson; KANSAS CITY, Mo. -- Sprint Corp., the No. 3 U.S. long-distance telephone company, said it will offer World Wide Web access through its Sprint PCS wireless network, as it looks to the draw of the Internet to boost phone usage.

Supreme Court denies appeal in fatal shooting: CARSON CITY -- The Nevada Supreme Court Thursday dismissed the appeal of killer Robert Pichardo who complained the sentencing judge gave him the maximum 4-10 years in prison based on false information that he was a gang member.

Father gets 25 years in prison for shooting two men: Cumplido will be eligible for parole in 20 years.

Police: Name-calling at root of fatal shooting in Carson City: It is believed the suspects may still be in Carson City and should be considered armed and dangerous, investigators said.

'Mr. Baseball': Spencer Patterson; FAST EDI

Airport board puts new limits on public comment: Geno Menchetti announced this week that citizens no longer will be allowed to speak on items as they come up on the agenda. Menchetti also moved the board's public comment time from the end of the meeting to the beginning.

Governor likely to seek federal aid for ranchers hit by fires: Scott Sonner; Guinn intends to meet with officials from the five hardest-hit counties to fully assess the damage on Thursday, his press secretary Jack Finn said.

Las Vegas company sues, alleges software glitch: David Strow; A Las Vegas mortgage broker sued a Florida software manufacturer, claiming it was sold a software telemarketing system that caused it to run afoul of Nevada regulators.

Retaliation killings get two 25-year sentences: Judge Sally Loehrer said the two sentences would run consecutively.

Anthem plans receive commission OK: Valerie Miller; It was a night for approvals for country club communities, health clubs and clubhouses at Thursday's Henderson Planning Commission meeting.

High-density residential threat raises concerns of planners: Valerie Miller; A land company was given approval by the Henderson Planning Commission Thursday to amend zoning for future commercial development but was ordered to prepare a new plan for any residential development.

Former Rebel chasing Garcia for PGA lead: Tim Dahlberg; REBEL RISING

Body found in Lake Mead identified as Army sergeant: The cause of death originally was presumed to be drowning, but the Clark County coroner's office has not given an official ruling on how Scott died.

Nevadans add contributions to Clinton defense fund: Nevada generated mostly small donations - the largest was a $200 check from Fogarty, on top of a $200 donation he made last year.

Education board revokes two teachers' licenses: Neither man showed up for a hearing at which they could have contested the revocations. The board's action Thursday means neither man can again teach in Nevada.

Letters: Cab drivers make bad impression: Unfortunately the first thing many tourists encounter is a taxi cab and its driver.

Letter: Sun breast-feeding article informative: We are delighted about the breast-feeding exposure in the Las Vegas area.

Letter: Traffic crackdown could fill coffers: Regarding possible additional sources of revenue, have our city and state police crack down on: trailers behind trucks, construction vehicles with no plates or outdated, out-of-state plates.

Where I Stand -- Brian Cram: Schools sprouted in '80s: * Students -- Since 1989 our enrollment has grown by an average of more than 10,000 children a year, from 111,000 students to 215,000 students.

California company withdraws offer: WellPoint Health Networks Inc., Thousand Oaks, Calif., last month offered $266 million for Denver-based Rocky Mountain Hospital & Medical Service Inc.

Officials say flood-control system worked: The July 8 storm would have caused more deaths and more damage if it weren't for flood-control efforts over the last decade, Regional Flood District staff members said Thursday.

Suit filed over obscure casino cart companies: David Strow; A California room service cart manufacturing company is suing PurchasePro.com Inc. of Las Vegas and its chief executive, Charles Johnson.

Crews mop up after police; meth labs leave toxic mess: Jace Radke; Metro Police are arresting methamphetamine producers at a record pace this year, but getting the drug producers off the streets also is leaving a record number of toxic messes to be cleaned up.

Columnist Dean Juipe: Less fanfare yet sluggers remain hot: Dean Juipe; There is incredible, widespread, undeniable public interest in the home run exploits this season of Mark McGwire and Sammy Sosa.

SCORE desert racers gear up for Primm event: Closing the gap in the hunt for the overall championship are Southern Nevada racers Bekki Freeman of Henderson, Troy Herbst of Las Vegas and Rick Ellison, Selma, Calif.

Births for August 13, 1999: July 27:

Downtown residents fear kids' long walk to school: Jace Radke; Residents in a downtown Las Vegas neighborhood don't think an added crossing guard will be enough to see their children safely to school this fall.

School Board cuts 13 shows on Channel 10: Jace Radke; Minority programming took a back seat to distance education and keeping valley children in school as the Clark County School Board voted to cut shows and jobs in response to reduced state and federal funding.

Editorial: Goodman comments create flap: Las Vegas was aware of what it was getting when it elected him in a landslide. But some valley residents expressed surprise after a story in the New Yorker magazine was published this week in which Goodman suggested he was keeping an enemies list of those who opposed his candidacy. In addition, the writer concluded her story with an evocative vignette in which Goodman describes how much he loves his job: "You know who's the only person I ever heard of who said 'I love it' as much as I love this job? ... Nicodemo Scarfo, when he was pouring ...

This week's races: Frontier at the Glen

Public employees group gives donation to fund: For the past four years the chapter has selected five worthwhile charities to receive a total of $1,500, which comes from members' dues.

LV's Keever defeated in golf tourney: LV's Keever defeated in golf tourney

Columnist Joe Delaney: Orlando has always had an 'ear' for good music: Joe Delaney; Tony Orlando was a New York City street kid who spent a lot of time up on the tenement roof at night dreaming of someday seeing his name in lights on a marquee. ... Saturday evening at 8, after being away too long, Orlando will give one of his patented party-styled performances in the Flamingo-Hilton's Sunset Ballroom.

Durango, Silverado rally for victories: Spencer Patterson; For the better part of Thursday night's American Legion Western Regional Tournament games, local squads Durango and Silverado looked like anything but the event's host teams.

LV gas prices hit $1.44, set record in Reno: The agency reports Reno gas prices now average $1.71 a gallon, a 17-cent increase in just three weeks. The previous record of $1.59 was set in April.

Ethics fines placed on hold: RENO -- The state Ethics Commission Thursday decided it wants to clear up some discrepancies before either pursuing fines or granting waivers to scores of political candidates who were late in filing their financial disclosure statements last year.

Riviera comedians tackle diverse topics: Joe Delaney; The Riviera Comedy Club is one of the most consistently funny venues for this genre. Johnny Dark, Carol Siskind and Joey Bielaska -- there through Sunday -- are very talented but completely different practitioners of the comedic arts, resulting in an entertaining, ofttimes hilarious hour and 15 minutes.

New code would require property specifics: Erin Neff; Specific descriptions of property holdings would be required of public officials and candidates for office under a proposed change in the city's municipal code.

SCORE point leaders: TROPHY-TRUCK (Unlimited Production Trucks) -- 1. Ed & Tim Herbst, Las Vegas, Ford F-150, 186; 2. Kreg Donahue, Anaheim, Calif., Dodge Ram 1500, 160; 3. Dan Smith/Dave Ashley, Riverside, Calif., Ford F 150, 151; 4. Larry Roeseler, Hesperia, Calif., Chevrolet K1500 4X4, 124; 5. Mark Post, San Juan Capistrano, Calif., Ford F-150, 52; 6. Ivan Stewart, Alpine, Calif., Toyota Tundra, 65; 7. Jason Baldwin, Newport Beach, Calif., Ford F-150, 59; 8. Brian Collins/Dale White, Las Vegas, Chevrolet C1500, 49; 9. Lonny Helmbolt, Henderson, Ford F-150, 42.

Prisoner escape baffles officials: Cheryl Miller; Investigators were still trying to figure out today how a prisoner charged in one of the largest bank robberies in Las Vegas history was able to elude a number of security measures and escape from the North Las Vegas Detention Center Wednesday night.

Seed company in cash crunch, predicts profitability by next year: AgriBioTech Inc. says it will be profitable by its next fiscal year.

Obituaries for August 13, 1999: A.R. 'Bob' Armstrong, 86, of Las Vegas died Wednesday in Las Vegas. He was born March 11, 1913, in Wawaka, Ind. A resident for 54 years, he was a retired garage/service station owner-operator.

Online property information will speed up county business: Getting information about a property will soon be a lot easier through two new systems offered by the Clark County Division of Current Planning.

Las Vegas Motor Speedway driver points standings: IMCA Modifieds: 1.Jason Pike 335; 2. Donnie Berger 294; 3. Deane Fountain 234; 4. Mike Berger 230; 5. Allan Crumpler 215; 6. Jim Pike 195; 7. Michael Hildebrand 194; 7. Dan Fitzgerald 194; 9. Jim Perkins 192; 10. Wayne Fracis 190; 11. Harry Anderson 182; 11. Troy Ferrari 182; 13. Randy Ahrns 158; 14. Josh Davis 142; 15. David Flessati 138; 16. Phil Clendennin 128; 17. Dan Cornelison 124; 18. John Linn 121; 19. Alan Sheleheda 118; 20. Jason Lee 110.

UNLV professor turns into Thoreau: Carey Goldberg; EASTHAM, Mass. -- It is only a summer fantasy, but such an uplifting one. Transcendent; a tinge pagan; in a fancy word, Thoreauvian.

Nevada 'green power' plan seeks financing: David Strow; If it comes to life, the Nevada Green Energy Project will be a power producer of historic proportions.

Fund created for children of victim of tornado: A memorial fund has been set up for the three children of Las Vegan Allen Arvis Crandy, the lone person killed in Wednesday's tornado in Salt Lake City.

Murphy described affair to her friend: Sandy Murphy confided to a close friend that she was having a sexual affair with her co-defendant in the slaying of former Horseshoe Club executive Ted Binion, the friend told homicide detectives last month.

Racketeering suit names LV auto auctions, dealers: David Strow; An Indiana auto financing company sued 10 Las Vegas auto dealers, two Las Vegas auto auction houses and two California companies, alleging they are tied to a car fencing operation.

Darr belts 8th home run to lift Spencer, Stars past Salt Lake: Matt O'Brien; Stars fans who were worried their team had used up all its runs in Wednesday's pummeling of the Salt Lake Buzz were assured otherwise early in the final game of the homestand.

Shelf Life -- Scott Dickensheets: Dr. Seuss not up to snuff as war-era editorial cartoonist: It's unsettling to flip through these pages and see Adolf Hitler, now the universally acknowledged face of evil, rendered in the same whimsical style as Sam I Am. Geisel obviously dipped his pen in bile, but his kids-book style nonetheless cartoonizes Hitler, imparts to him an air of buffoonishness that doesn't square with our grim knowledge of his crimes. In fairness, Geisel drew most of these images early in the war, before the full horrors of Auschwitz had become clear. (His style has a similar effect on Tojo, making him look like the Grinch Who Stole the Pacific.)

Finances worsen for LV Strip restaurateur: ORLANDO, Fla. -- Planet Hollywood International's finances worsened in the second quarter with a $28.2 million or 26 cent per share loss.

Switched to fullback spot, Wofford rises to challenge: Steve Guiremand; When John Robinson was hired as UNLV's eighth football coach last December, no one had reason to be happier than UNLV running back James Wofford.

Columnist Brian Hilderbrand: Montoya not feeling heat in points race: Juan Montoya may be a rookie in the CART FedEx Championship Series, but the 23-year-old Colombian is approaching his latest setback like a true veteran.

Sound Check -- Geoff Carter: Up close and personal with Moby: Techno pioneer, deep thinker, maestro, irreverent guy with a shaved head: Moby is all of these and the proverbial bag o' chips. Touring in support of his hot new album "Play" -- a groundbreaking synthesis of current dance beats and classic black spirituals that is as uplifting as it is insanely funky -- Moby took exactly fifteen minutes off to answer a few questions about his beliefs, his unrequited lust for pizza and his killer sound, coming live to the Hard Rock Joint tonight at 8. Be there.

Teacher recruiting fills almost every position: More than 1,475 new teachers were marked present this week at more than 230 schools across the Las Vegas Valley -- the culmination of what Clark County School District officials are calling a highly successful recruiting summer.

Goodman pal registers as lobbyist: Erin Neff; Las Vegas Mayor Oscar Goodman's friend and top adviser registered as a lobbyist of city officials Thursday.

Movie Guys: 'Brokedown Palace' just simply can't be fixed: Starring: Claire Danes, Kate Beckinsale, Bill Pullman, Jacqueline Kim and Lou Diamond Phillips.

Saturday at Saratoga: 1st race 7 fur 3YO & up Clm: 1 Smoke Signal (Prado) 116; 2 Zihaam (Luzzi) 118; 3 a-Golden Tent (Gryder) 116; 4 Kane Kati (Chavez) 118; 5 Hit the Roof (Diego) 113; 6 Shrewd (Santos) 116; 7 Dynamite Flash (Bridgmohan) 114; 8 Robb (Velazquez) 118; 9 Lake Tabor (Sellers) 118; 10 Stalwart Member (Davis) 118; 11 a-Brutally Frank (Gryder) 118.

Editorial: California must do more to save Tahoe: At the federal level Sen. Harry Reid, D-Nev., and Feinstein have introduced legislation that would add $300 million in federal funds for this project. In the House, meanwhile, Rep. Jim Gibbons, R-Nev., and Rep. John Doolittle, R-Calif., have introduced a similar version. California Gov. Gray Davis says he is supporting a bond -- that will be on the ballot next year -- to pay for California's contribution. It is incumbent on Davis to energetically back the initiative's passage to help ensure that Lake Tahoe is saved for future generations.

Community briefs for August 13, 1999: The body of a man found dead near a Lake Mead marina has been identified as Sgt. Anthony Scott, 37. Scott was part of an Army unit stationed at Nellis Air Force Base

Saturday at Del Mar: 1st race 1-1/8 mi 3YO & up Turf Clm: 1 Rate Cut (Espinoza) 119; 2 High Tech Friend (McCarron) 119; 3 Middleberg (Antley) 119; 4 Innamorato (Solis) 119; 5 Montjoy (Valdivia) 119; 6 Hanuman Highway (Gomez) 119.

Dial File --Steve Bornfield: In defense of ... the networks?: "We got a runaway train, boy!" -- Al Pacino as a gleeful Satan observing over-stimulated, anything-goes America at the millennium in "The Devil's Advocate."

EPA to tighten radiation-emission standards: The Environmental Protection Agency is expected to issue strict limits early next week to protect people and the environment from radiation releases that might escape a proposed high-level nuclear waste repository at Yucca Mountain.

Box score: Stars 7, Buzz 5: Salt Lake

Venetian restaurant posts strong sales: Cheesecake Factory Chairman David Overton said weekly sales have climbed steadily since the restaurant opened in May at the $1.5 billion Strip resort.

CCSN celebrates opening of anchor on Charleston campus: A new $25 million building with a million-dollar view and bright colors that scream for attention is now open for business at the Community College of Southern Nevada.

Construction defects claimed: A District Court suit alleges the defendants made only superficial and ineffective repairs in the project's roofs, windows, concrete, framing, stucco, electrical, plumbing and mechanical systems and walls.

House to vote on compromise bombing-range bill: CARSON CITY -- A compromise bill that allows Nellis Air Force Base to continue to use 3.1 million acres in Southern Nevada for a bombing range for the next 20 years will be voted on by the House of Representatives in early September, Rep. Jim Gibbons, R-Nev., said.

Adult bookstore sues city over denial of expansion: David Strow; A Las Vegas adult bookstore and its landlord are suing the City of Las Vegas in federal court, alleging their constitutional rights were violated when the city refused to allow the store's expansion.

Datebook: The Rainbow Company will hold its annual auditions for its Student Ensemble, students ages 10-18, from noon-5 p.m. Saturday at the Reed Whipple Cultural Center, 821 Las Vegas Blvd. North. No preparation is necessary. Comfortable clothing should be worn. Call 229-6553.

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