Print edition for August 19, 1999

Feng Shui corrals life's energy: Kimberley McGee; Time to move the furniture! Bring out the paint brushes! Get thee to a plant nursery!

Berkley vows to aid Venetian creditors: Gary Thompson; Local building trades contractors owed millions for work on the Venetian met Wednesday with Rep. Shelley Berkley, D-Nev., the only public figure to show any interest in the spreading fiscal turmoil one participant described as "unprecedented in U.S. construction history."

Family affair: Steve Guiremand; UNLV head coach John Robinson said he has a deal with former USC all-conference linebacker Ed Powell.

Venetian suit against LVCVA advances: Gary Thompson; District Judge James Mahan said Wednesday he's determined to avoid delays in the scheduled Oct. 5 start of a trial over the Venetian's bid to block expansion of the Las Vegas Convention Center.

Sane drug policy in U.S. elusive: Nothing about Colombia's oppressive attitude has changed. So why is our drug czar -- retired Gen. Barry McCaffrey -- calling for a tripling of foreign aid to $1 billion per year? He says it's to enable the Colombians to fight "narco-terrorists."

Where I Stand -- Joe Neal: Gambling must ante up: IN A RECENT speech before the construction industry, Mandalay Resort Group Vice-President Mike Sloan said, "There seems to be a mindset focused only on lower costs without regard to the impact on the community. ... If we don't lift up, we're going to drag everyone else down."

Cash flow up 11.3 percent in second quarter: ATLANTIC CITY, N.J. -- Atlantic City's 12 local casinos reported an 11.3 percent gain in second-quarter cash flow to $276.5 million from the same period last year, said the Casino Control Commission.

Players International license questioned: David Strow; The license of Players International's riverboat casino in Lake Charles, La., is being called into question just days after Las Vegas-based Harrah's Entertainment Inc. announced it would buy Players for $425 million.

Nevada governor won't sign proclamation for Reno's gay pride event: BRENDAN RILEY; Guinn spokesman Jack Finn said Wednesday that the GOP governor also balked because organizers of the event, scheduled this weekend, announced he had signed the proclamation before he had finished reviewing it.

Columnist Dean Juipe: Reid's eye problems prompting concern: Dean Juipe; David Reid is a great fighter, albeit one with a potentially significant problem that does not appear to be correctable.

Columnist Spencer Patterson: Adopt open enrollment in Las Vegas: Spencer Patterson; The first day of high school is still four days away, and already the usual rumors are floating around town -- the guessing game about which top prep athletes will wind up on different rosters this year.

Silver City set to close Oct. 31: About 150 persons are employed by the casino at the Strip and Convention Center Drive, and Mandalay Resort Group has already placed about a third of them in other group resorts, Corporate Public Relations Director Sarah Ralston said.

Disclosure rules pass with changes: Erin Neff; The full disclosure required of city business partners by a recently passed resolution got a little less complete Wednesday in front of the city's Redevelopment Agency.

Corrections: * Because of an error by the Sun, the date of a Rembrandt painting was incorrectly reported in last Thursday's Business section in a story about the expansion of the Bellagio Gallery of Fine Art. The painting is dated 1633. The Sun regrets the error.

Columnist Joe Delaney: Weekend jaunt includes friends, fun at Del Mar track: Joe Delaney; Four days at Del Mar: Southwest Airlines flight 711 touched down at San Diego's airport at 12:20 p.m. last Thursday. A good friend for 40 years, Maynard Sloate was waiting and we were off to the Del Mar race track, arriving in time for the daily double. My allotted investment capital was $250 total, and I vowed not to lose $1 more during the 36 races, ending Sunday.

Transportation costs drive index higher: First Security Bank's monthly Cost of Living Report says the cost of goods and services in Las Vegas increased 0.4 percent for the month. The U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics said the cost of living was up 0.3 percent nationally and transportation costs were up 0.9 percent for the period.

Friday at Del Mar: 1st race 6 fur 3YO & up F&M Clm: 1 Kippersita (Puglisi) 119; 2 Aunt Josie (Nakatani) 119; 3 Light Up the Year (Silva) 119; 4 Sandor (Enriquez) 119; 5 Miss Traffic (Pedroza) 119; 6 Queen Gen (Ramsammy) 119; 7 Synister Move (Espinoza) 119; 8 Maui Bopper (Aguirre) 119.

County rejects proposed asthma, cerebral palsy center: The County Commission on Wednesday rejected a request to open an asthma and cerebral palsy education center west of Pecos Road in southeastern Las Vegas.

Local briefs for August 19, 1999: As the family of Tamara Thiros mourned the loss of the 53-year-old medical transcriber, a man police said beat her to death is behind bars.

Community news briefs for August 19, 1999: University Medical Center's Baby Steps program invites parents to attend a free lecture by Dr. Beverly Neyland entitled "Ask a Pediatrician."

Obituaries for August 19, 1999: Eugene Bennett, 58, of Las Vegas died Sunday in Las Vegas. He was born July 7, 1941, in Taylors, S.C. He was a representative for the Nevada Power Co. Lead Field Service and a Navy veteran.

McChevron approved with separating wall: Erin Neff; Would you like fries with that six pack?

Friday at Saratoga: 1st race 6 fur 3YO & up F&M Clm: 1 Roscommon Lady (Prado) 118; 2 Rainmom (Gryder) 116; 3 Big City Dream (Day) 118; 4 Minkable (Bridgmohan) 118; 5 Fair Decision (Velazquez) 114; 6 Has Beauty (Vega) 120; 7 Wollaston's Baby (Diego) 109; 8 Watchmenow (Espinoza) 114.

Fight schedule: At Chester, Maine, Israel Cordona, Hartford, vs. Paul Spadafora, Pittsburgh, 12, lightweights.

Planet Hollywood: No changes in LV: "It is one of the company's most successful locations, continues to be, and we're very committed to the area," Robert Earl said Wednesday. "It's business as usual and nothing has physically changed."

City moves to close adult bookstore: Erin Neff; The city's battle with adult bookstore Hot Stuff is blazing toward the courts again.

Columnist Ruthe Deskin: Relationship woes vex TV judges: Ruthe Deskin; TV judges, Judy and Mills Lane, seem to get a preponderance of cases involving relationships that have gone sour.

Commission OKs AIDS program: Art Nadler; The County Commission voted on Tuesday to fund an HIV/AIDS community-based education program, aimed at preventing high-risk black women from contracting the disease.

Racial bias incident results in fine: ATLANTIC CITY, N.J. -- One of Donald Trump's casinos has been fined $50,000 by the New Jersey Casino Control Commission in connection with a 1995 racial bias incident.

County imposes moratorium on adult business applications: Adrienne Packer; Just days before Clark County officials were to approve an ordinance restricting adult-oriented businesses, a popular fitness center slipped in an application to convert its gym into a cabaret.

Organization to host gaming figures: The speakers include Jackie Gaughan, who has ownership interests in the El Cortez, Plaza, Las Vegas Club and other downtown casinos; former Barbary Coast general manager Leo Lewis; Robert Maheu, former chief of Nevada operations for Howard Hughes, and trade newspaper publisher Chuck DiRocco.

Ralph Siraco's selections for Friday's races at Del Mar: 1ST RACE

Record revenues propel gaming company: The company recorded revenues of $8 million, the highest quarterly revenues in Shuffle Master's history, and up 45 percent from a year ago. Shuffle Master attributes the gains to market penetration of its new games, including "Three Card Poker" and slot game "Let's Make a Deal."

Letter: Founding ideals of nation needed more than ever: Littleton, Colo., or the recent shootings in Granada Hills, Calif., are actually no surprise, given our recent amnesia of the intent of the Declaration of Independence. Two bills introduced in the 1999 Nevada Legislature fell victim to this disorder.

City Council OKs funds to help homeless shelters: The city agreed to contract with Catholic Charities of Southern Nevada for a six-month period beginning Sept. 1 to open restrooms from 9 p.m. to 9 a.m. seven days a week at 1501 Las Vegas Blvd. North.

Doughnut maker considering selling stock: Winston-Salem, N.C.-based Krispy Kreme is considering an initial public offering of shares of its common stock, the company said.

Falcons have gained national attention, not respect: Steve Guiremand; Wyoming head coach Dana Dimel is known as a straight shooter. So his comments at last month's Mountain West Conference kickoff dinner in Colorado Springs shouldn't have been that startling.

Talented lawyer Hill dead at 33 from apparent drug overdose: Bill Gang; As a deputy district attorney Steven Hill displayed a keen legal mind and a promising courtroom flair to complement an aggressiveness honed as a boxer in his youth.

School of medicine to name dean: Greg Bortolin, the school's manager of media relations, said the selection committee is in the process of notifying its two finalists. They are: Dr. David Schapira, an oncology specialist and senior associate dean of the school's Southern Nevada campus; and Dr. Robert Miller, vice chancellor of Health Services at Tulane School of Medicine in New Orleans.

Plans for roadway upset Sahara business owners: David Strow; That roadway -- a strip of asphalt 30 feet wide and 150 feet long -- is the only connection between nine businesses and Sahara Avenue.

Alleged carjacker had violent past: Jeremy Butler served that time for stabbing his ex-girlfriend in the neck two years ago.

Study suggests incentives for quiet planes at canyon: David Strow; Offering Grand Canyon air tour operators incentives to use quieter aircraft is the only effective way to control noise over the national park, according to a new study from UNLV.

Letter: Use budget surplus to pay down debt: If you are having the same problem, try remembering "Czarist Russia" from your history books. And we know what happened there.

Theme park reports loss for second quarter: All-American said its year-ago profit was the result of a $1.64 million gain from the sale of its interest of All-America Golf in May 1998. It said this quarter's losses were the result of interest and depreciation costs, and increasing costs from a marketing program designed to increase business at its Las Vegas All-American SportPark.

Brady pleads guilty in drive-by: Kim Smith And Bill Gang; Former Metro Police officer Christopher Brady pleaded guilty this morning in the 1996 death of Daniel Mendoza -- a death for which his former partner, Ron Mortensen, is serving a life sentence without the possibility of parole.

Columnist Martin Kuz: Locals take attack on Goodman in stride: Martin Kuz; Cover your ears, boys and girls. Las Vegas Mayor Oscar Goodman has something to tell you. And it's vewy, vewy scary.

Mayhem, musicality meet during Sevendust set: Geoff Carter; Concurrently: I'd like to announce that this is the last time -- and I mean the last time, junior -- that I'm mixing with the kids on the floor at these thrash showcases. Next time seat me in the balcony, or nowhere at all. These kids -- they're kooky.

Detroit to host October meeting: General managers of Detroit's new casinos will be among the speakers at an October gaming conference in Detroit.

Nevada GOP holds slim margin over Democrats: CARSON CITY -- Republicans continue to keep a razor-thin lead over Democrats in the number of people registered to political parties, the secretary of state's office says.

Box score: Redhawks 5, Stars 4: Las Vegas

Editorial: Bus service highlights shortfall: The existing two-mile limit admittedly is arbitrary and doesn't take into account extenuating circumstances. For instance, making a two-mile trek through the master-planned communities of Summerlin and Green Valley, which have abundant sidewalks, probably is statistically safer than a child walking one mile through a high-crime area with heavy traffic that lacks sidewalks and lighted traffic controls. Although the school district does grant exemptions to this two-mile policy, they are rare. On Monday, though, the School Board voted to provide bus service for students in the downtown area who live about one mile from the Crestwood Elementary School, citing the ...

City briefs for August 19, 1999: An appointed Las Vegas zoning board now has a little less power over certain development plans and variance requests.

Guinn draws heat over denying Gay Pride proclamation: CARSON CITY -- Gov. Kenny Guinn is embroiled in a controversy with his refusal to sign a proclamation in honor of a Gay Pride celebration and parade in downtown Reno this Saturday that is expected to draw several hundred participants.

County Courthouse thrown into Dark Ages: Bill Gang; Justice of the Peace Jennifer Togliatti told a packed courtroom at the preliminary hearing on the slaying of former gaming executive Ted Binion that she was determined to continue despite a power outage that left the County Courthouse without electricity and air conditioning.

Tuskegee Airmen gather for convention in Las Vegas: A brief history of the Tuskegee Airmen as gathered from Tuskegee Airmen Inc. documents and wire reports:

Woman killed in head-on collision: A woman who was killed in a head-on collision on Blue Diamond Road after apparently falling asleep at the wheel while en route to work has been identified as Annette Clement, 25, of Pahrump.

Gardener describes unusual events: Now two days behind schedule because of a courthouse power failure, the preliminary hearing in the murder of Ted Binion was to resume today with much ground to make up before its scheduled Aug. 27 conclusion.

Wedding-day blues take on new meaning as power outage hits: By Kristen Peterson; Several couples who came to the Las Vegas to be married on Wednesday traded their wedding day jitters for wedding day blues after a small fire at the County Courthouse temporarily closed the Marriage License Bureau.

Columnist Ron Kantowski: The Las Vegas A's? Don't hold your breath: I've said it once and I'll write it this time: Any speculation about a professional sports franchise being viable in our (sometimes) fair city -- unless the sport is the NFL -- should be put in mothballs until at least about 2005, when we may have the facility and more important, the population to support one.

Editorial: Lake Mead in need of long-range plan: Now state Sen. Jon Porter, R-Boulder City, who is considering a bid for Congress, believes a similar 10-year plan should be duplicated at Lake Mead, but this effort would focus on the lake's source as drinking water for valley residents. As the Sun's Mary Manning noted in a story Wednesday, a primary concern is the water from the Las Vegas Wash that flows into Lake Mead. A plume of pollution -- consisting of insecticides, chemicals and bacteria -- has appeared in the wash where it intersects with the lake. So far the water quality hasn't been affected, but scientists are ...

EPA tightens Yucca nuke emissions: The federal Environmental Protection Agency issued strict new limits today on the amount of radiation that can escape a proposed high-level nuclear waste repository at Yucca Mountain.

Two die in accident on I-80: The vehicle behind the rig, driven by Angela Wong, 19, of Beowawe, couldn't see the truck slowing and rant into the back of it. Her car was, in turn, hit by another.

Lightning sparks a spate of range fires: About a dozen wildland fires were sparked in the Elko region, ranging from a single tree to about 2,000 acres burning in heavy grass and light trees in the Mitchell Creek area about 60 miles south of Elko.

Council approves deal offered FBI: Erin Neff; This is how the Las Vegas City Council voted Wednesday to spend taxpayer money:

Lowering tracks two-headed problem: "The homework wasn't really done here, folks," he said at a Republican Men's Club luncheon on Wednesday. "The impacts have not been disclosed to the public."

Stayner trial likely won't begin before year 2000: HARRY MOK; Judge Anthony Ishii approved a second public defender today for Stayner, since he faces the death penalty if convicted in the decapitation of Joie Ruth Armstrong.

Millennial class arrives at UNV-Reno: The anticipated 12,500 students would be a 1 percent gain and the largest in history. The freshman class is expected to grow by 16 percent, with most of the gains from Washoe County, according to Melisa Choroszy, assistant vice president for enrollment services.

Blackburn's family ties atypical of usual suspects: Martin Kuz; Alleged bank robber Timothy Lee Blackburn is a devoted family man. So devoted, in fact, that the fugitive from justice may have planned the strangest family trip imaginable -- running from the law with his wife and kids in tow.

Doctor sued by Nevada man on wrongful death allegation: CHEYENNE, Wyo. -- A Winnemucca man whose mother died while undergoing surgery for kidney problems is suing the Wyoming surgeon on grounds of medical negligence and wrongful death.

Licensing approved for Paris-Las Vegas resort: BRENDAN RILEY; The latest addition to a string of new megaresorts, opening Sept. 1, will operate under an existing license for Bally's-LasVegas, next door on the Las Vegas Strip.

Radios rule the road in NASCAR: John Kekis; Ray Evernham would be lost without one. So would Kyle Petty and Bill Stinson.

Coyote clan becoming a nuisance at airport: SOUTH LAKE TAHOE, Calif. - A clueless clan of coyotes is making a dangerous nuisance of itself at the South Lake Tahoe Airport.

Houstons are something old, something new: Dick Brinster; Andy and Marty Houston are a couple of new-wave drivers who learned plenty about racing from the old school.

High Court rejects Imperial Palace appeal in firing dispute: CARSON CITY - The state Supreme Court refused Thursday to overturn lower court rulings that favored three casino workers who were among 65 employees fired by the Imperial Palace in Las Vegas in 1997.

NASCAR Busch Grand National schedule, standings: Feb. 13 - NAPA Auto Parts 300, Daytona Beach, Fla. (Randy LaJoie)

Indy Racing League schedule, standings: Jan. 24 - Indy 200, Orlando, Fla. (Eddie Cheever)

Wallace wary of Gordon from start: The use of headset scanners that allow eavesdropping on conversations of racing teams have become commonplace among NASCAR fans.

CART schedule, standings: March 21 - Marlboro Grand Prix, Homestead, Fla. (Greg Moore)

NASCAR Craftsman Truck schedule, standings: March 20 - Florida Dodge Dealers 400, Homestead (Mike Wallace).

Nevada chosen for anti-smoking campaign: The $5 million advertising campaign, which will include radio, print and outdoor advertising, targets retailers and clerks in stores that sell cigarettes.

Underdog stays alive in chess semifinals: Nisipeanu, seeded 46 out of 100, faced elimination after either a loss or draw but pulled another major upset by besting his experienced Russian opponent.

NASCAR Winton Cup schedule, standings: Feb. 14 - Daytona 500, Daytona Beach, Fla. (Jeff Gordon)

GOP keeps razor-thin majority in Nevada: The GOP has kept a lead over Democrats of 1,000 or fewer registered voters since February.

NHRA schedule, standings: Feb. 4-8 - Chief Auto Parts Winternationals, Pomona, Calif. (TF-Mike Dunn; FC-Tony Pedregon; PS-Jeg Coughlin; PT-Randy Daniels)