Print edition for August 25, 1999

Results of Finals, Game 3: Akopian (31, Armenia)-Khalifman (36, Russia) 1-0; match tied 1 1/2-1 1/2.

Makeup man to the stars Peter Lamas tells their beauty secrets: Kimberley McGee; "If you are going to do something, be the best you can be and learn from the best," Peter Lamas, cosmetologist to the celebrities, says. Lamas' recent work includes the blockbuster "Titanic," the Gap clothing commercials and cover models on such magazines as Glamour, Cosmopolitan and Vogue, as well as the Victoria's Secret catalogue.

Prosecutors to pursue charge against Motley Crue bassist: LAS VEGAS - Prosecutors have decided to pursue a misdemeanor charge against Motley Crue bassist Nikki Sixx.

Box score: Sidewinders 6, Stars 3: WP -- Wolff (7). Umpires--Marquez, Wolf, Higgins. Time -- 2:40. Attendance -- 3,258.

Battle over Prop 5, the sequel, may be less costly than record 1998 campaign: Michelle DeArmond; LOS ANGELES - California tribes just poured $63.2 million into a ballot battle for Indian gambling and now they have do it over, but the fight could be a lot cheaper if Nevada casinos that backed opponents with big bucks last time decide it's a bad bet.

Black WWII pilot group honors President Truman: Kiley Russell; LAS VEGAS - President Harry S. Truman's grandson accepted the Tuskegee Airmen's humanitarian award in honor of the 33rd president's executive order to desegregate the American military.

Editorial: Gaming isn't the only concern of Las Vegas: The gaming industry is important, but Hastert shouldn't assume that Las Vegans only care about the welfare of Strip casinos. More than a million people live in the metropolitan area and they also are deeply concerned about Congress' unfair efforts to place a nuclear waste repository at Yucca Mountain. And just like other Americans, Las Vegans want Congress to protect our natural resources, pass a patient's bill of rights and approve campaign finance reforms. It is hoped that Hastert's brief visit doesn't result in the one-dimensional view of Las Vegas that too many outside politicians often have when they return ...

Police union sues North Las Vegas over hirings: NORTH LAS VEGAS, Nev. - A local police union has filed a lawsuit against North Las Vegas that claims the city was negligent in hiring two men who have been outspoken critics of the union's leadership.

Columnist Muriel Stevens: Making the rounds of drugstores: There was a time in Las Vegas when drugstores were as scarce as hen's teeth. Now the number grows almost daily.

Lawmakers push for constitutional amendment on Indian casinos: Michelle Williams; A day after the California Supreme Court invalidated last year's gambling initiative, Republican Sen. James Brulte of Rancho Cucamonga and Democratic Sen. Richard Polanco of Los Angeles vowed to see through the wishes of the voters, who approved the measure by 63 percent last fall.

Community news briefs for August 25, 1999: The presentation will be on the primary elements of volcanic eruptions during prehistoric times. Admission is $5.50 for adults, $4.50 for students, military and seniors and $3 for children ages 4 to 12. Call 384-3466.

Tahoe weed could threaten lake's clarity: A study is underway by researchers from the University of California's Tahoe Research Group in an effort to determine the level of danger posed by Eurasian watermilfoil.

Evacuees allowed to return as fire burns away from homes: Sandra Chereb; RENO, Nev. - Calm winds helped firefighters take command Wednesday of a wildland blaze that blackened about 4,500 acres north of Reno and forced the evacuation of about 60 ranch homes in Antelope Valley.

Nevada sales hit $28.04 billion in fiscal 1998, up nearly 10 percent: Brendan Riley; The sales generated $566.1 million in sales taxes for state coffers, up 10.5 percent for the fiscal year ending June 30.

Obituaries for August 25, 1999: Ronald Brody, 67, of Las Vegas died Thursday in Las Vegas. He was born July 17, 1932, in Philadelphia. A longtime resident, he was a salesman and an Army veteran.

Letter: Reagan widened rich-poor rift: At the same time, the Reagan administration's profligacy (remember the "Star Wars" debacle) continued to sink the country deeper into debt.

Conditions prime for more blazes in West: Steve Geissinger; Lightning, wind, 100-degree heat and low humidity are fueling fire season in the West, where beleaguered firefighters face the threat of new blazes as vacationers head to the forests for late-summer camping.

EPA orders Fallon Air Station to improve handling of hazardous chemicals: "This is more than a paperwork violation," said Lauren Volpini, EPA program manager in San Francisco. "If you don't know what your chemical inventory is, you are unable to prevent risks and the information is not available for emergency response teams.

Thursday at Del Mar: 1st race 6 fur 3YO Clm: 1 Irrelevant (Enriquez) 118; 2 Wynhurst (Black) 118; 3 Sizzling Summer (Solis) 118; 4 Musical Sweep (Flores) 118; 5 Boca Fast (Pincay) 118; 6 Lightning Saint (Sorenson) 118; 7 Sea Twister (Pedroza) 118.

Judge considers new trial request for Mustang Ranch operatives: Colletti's lawyers David Houston and Scott Freeman contend such discussions could have been prejudicial against their client.

Columnist Elizabeth Foyt: Reid's wife still recuperating from complicated operation: Elizabeth Foyt; Landra Reid, a lifelong Nevadan and wife of Nevada Sen. Harry Reid, has been released from Sunrise Hospital but remains under watchful care.

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

Man sentenced to life in prison as habitual criminal: RENO, Nev. -- A man convicted of preying upon the elderly has been sentenced to life in prison without parole for being a habitual criminal.

Akopian evens score in chess finals: This was the victor's first triumph in 10 lifetime games against his adversary. The game lasted 84 moves and nearly seven hours.

Letter: Hate neighbors? Then move away: I also remember one of my childhood Jewish friends being persecuted by another childhood friend of Irish/Hispanic Catholic decent. I did not comprehend the hate at that young age, but I sure did feel it.

Nevada may see windfall from Mars death: CARSON CITY - Nevada could get a financial windfall as a result of the death of billionaire Forrest Mars Sr.

Ely puts brothels to debate: ELY, Nev. - The future of this isolated eastern Nevada town's only operating brothel could be decided Thursday when opponents of legalized prostitution and those who prefer the status quo face off in a public debate.

Flash flood watch called for today: The National Weather Service issued a flash flood watch today until 9 p.m. for the Las Vegas Valley.

Letter: Letter carriers have concern for postal patrons: A duty that does not appear on a letter carrier's job description is his/her concern for patrons who let mail pile up in their mailboxes for no reason. Every year this concern saves hundreds of lives, especially among the elderly.

Pioneering Southern Nevada science teacher Wilkinson dies: Before Lelwin Wilkinson came to the newly opened Robert O. Gibson Junior High School in 1963 as its first science department director, there was no biology course planned for ninth graders.

Thursday at Saratoga: 1st race 7 fur 3YO Fil Clm: 1 Shebeaflyer (Gryder) 116; 2 Supernal (Lovato) 116; 3 Is a Doll (Chavez) 116; 4 Gold Passage (Velazquez) 116; 5 Shanna (DeCarlo) 112; 6 Irish Cat (Prado) 116; 7 Swiss Country (Davis) 118.

Fire forces evacuation of dozens of ranches north of Reno: Scott Sonner; The fire burned about 4,500 aces of dry sage brush and juniper pine and was 40 percent contained early today, fire spokeswoman Anna Payne said. She said Antelope Valley residents who were evacuated Tuesday night would be allowed to return to their homes around 10 a.m.

News briefs for August 25, 1999: The pilot who died in a private plane crash Friday may not have been legally qualified to fly because of an apparent failure to obtain a required medical exam, a spokesman for the Federal Aviation Authority in Oklahoma City said today.

Two battle for chess crown at Caesars as the grand game makes a move -- toward a new image: David Clayton; Alexander Khalifman planted his elbows on the table and eased his cheeks into his palms, the very picture of a man bearing up under the weight of this final round of the world chess championship and the Nimzo-Indian defense forming on the board before him.

Man, 25, sentenced in scam of elderly: CARSON CITY -- District Judge Sally Loehrer Tuesday sentenced Darin Notaro, 25, to one year in jail for his part in a Las Vegas telemarketing scheme that bilked elderly citizens across the nation out of at least $234,000.

Prosecutors likely to charge rocker for conduct at concert: Bill Gang; Prosecutors appear to be poised to pursue criminal charges against one member of the rock band Motley Crue and three crew members.

Widening will ease speedway access: In an attempt to ease traffic congestion during busy race weekends at Las Vegas Motor Speedway, the Nevada Department of Transportation plans to widen Las Vegas Boulevard North between Craig Road and the speedway.

Editorial: Panacea turns into nightmare: So what's happened in the intervening decade as Nevada tried to become the only state to develop such a multi-faceted computer system? As the Sun's Cy Ryan reported in a story Sunday that documented the troubled history of the program, what started out as a well-intentioned undertaking to be finished in three years has become saddled with delay upon delay. The project still isn't finished and what initially was estimated to cost $22.6 million has seen its price tag explode, costing $88.8 million so far. Ultimately as much as $100 million could be spent on the project, and some state ...

Miller, Suggs providing size, strength on the defensive line: Steve Guiremand; Ahmad Miller and Anthony Suggs came to UNLV this summer with some mighty big expectations placed upon them.

Las Vegas' booming economy drives hikes in retail sales, tax collections: CARSON CITY -- A strong economy in the last six months pushed state sales tax collections $9.3 million higher than predicted for the 1999 fiscal year, the Nevada Taxation Department reported Tuesday.

Sun City burglar suspect convicted: Bill Gang; Although Anthony Wright faced 35 felony counts alleging he was the "Sun City burglar" who broke into perhaps 100 homes over an 18-month period, a District Court jury convicted him of only six counts on Tuesday.

School Board begins superintendent search: Jace Radke; If Tuesday night's School Board meeting is any indication, the search for a new superintendent is going to test the endurance of the board with long meetings and tough issues.

Stock rises for online gaming, porn company: VANCOUVER, British Columbia -- Shares of Starnet Communications International Inc., an Internet gambling and pornography company, rose as much as 34 percent today after it said no charges were filed against the company following a police raid of its offices on Friday.

Big air tour operator moving 19 aircraft to North Las Vegas: Scenic Airlines, the nation's largest air tour operator, is moving much of its operations back to the North Las Vegas Airport.

Analyst sees higher profits at Harrah's, MGM: Curtis boosted his projections for MGM Grand's third-quarter net to 50 cents a share from 44 cents and for Harrah's year 2000 per-share net to $1.85 from $1.80. His estimates exceed the consensus projections of analysts covering the gaming industry.

AIDS treatment firm's stock still trading nationally: David Strow; The state has suspended trading of shares of Uniprime Capital Acceptance Inc. of Las Vegas because of a series of allegedly dubious press releases from the company saying it had reached a breakthrough in the treatment of AIDS.

Advertising, PR firm files for bankruptcy: Sidra Kain, doing business as Sidra Kain Advertising & Public Relations, and Aaron B. Kain filed in U.S. Bankruptcy Court in Las Vegas, listing assets of $199,216 and liabilities of $489,085.

Columnist Steve Carp: Greedy, TCU can be a good fit: Steve Carp; Part of life is getting a second chance and turning a negative situation into a positive. Sometimes, you don't get a second chance and you're left holding the bag.

Las Vegas area fishing report: LAKE MEAD: Fishing has improved during the past two weeks and anglers are now catching striped bass from the lake's surface outside of Las Vegas Bay. Drifting in deep water with anchovies is also catching fish in that part of the lake.

Former LV doctor gets four years in prison: Kim Smith; A former Las Vegas doctor was sentenced to more than four years in prison Tuesday for selling $1.5 million worth of drugs to patients who didn't need them.

Commission races getting interesting: Adrienne Packer; Clark County commissioners who are up for re-election in 2000 have more than a year to accomplish their projects, but that hasn't stopped potential challengers from taking a peek at their positions.

LV Internet company drops stock offering: David Strow; After four months of repeated delays, Internet travel reservations company Travelscape.com Inc. of Las Vegas has formally canceled its initial public offering -- but company officials say they'll try again in 2000.

LV firm tests new game: American Wagering said the Nevada Gaming Commission approved a field trial of the system that must operate for 30 consecutive days before being submitted for full approval for the distribution and sale to other casinos in Nevada.

LV bank's holding company reports net loss: Sun Community Bancorp Ltd., which is building a network of small community banks in Arizona, Nevada, California and New Mexico, reported a net loss of $401,000 compared with net income of $268,000 for the first six months of 1998, according the company's first filing with the Securities and Exchange Commission.

Stars fall to Sidewinders, 6-3: Matt O'Brien; Things change quickly in the Pacific Coast League. Players are constantly being traded and promoted, especially as the season closes.

Bacteria, chemical found in washes: Local scientists have found higher than suspected levels of a chemical and bacteria in two Las Vegas Valley washes -- levels that exceed federal clean water limits, local officials learned Tuesday.

Choices narrowed for replacement judge: The Nevada Judicial Selection Commission interviewed seven applicants Tuesday for the vacancy and narrowed the field to Parraguirre, 40, and attorneys Kenneth Cory, 55, and Allan Earl, 57.

Columnist Paula DelGiudice: Conservation effort boosts duck count: Paula DelGiudice; Now that we've turned the corner on summer, hunters are turning their thoughts toward hunting season.

State seeks 20- to 50-year sentence for Dokes: Bill Gang; Michael Dokes, the former heavyweight boxing champion who resides in Las Vegas, has had his share of losses during his roller-coaster career, but none have carried the potential punch of the most recent.

PUC staff, Bell affiliate sign settlement: If authorized by the commission, the agreement would remove another roadblock to the $57 billion merger that would form the nation's largest telephone company.

Boggs McDonald elected to League of Cities board: Erin Neff; With just over a month of political work under her belt, Las Vegas Councilwoman Lynette Boggs McDonald has become the first freshman elected official picked for the executive board of the Nevada League of Cities.

Southwest Gas Corp. merger talks remain stalled: David Strow; Arizona's top utilities regulator isn't prepared to accept a compromise proposed by Southwest Gas Corp. that will allow hearings to move forward on the Las Vegas company's merger with ONEOK Inc.

Lawyer: Binion's safe was found empty: Ted Binion's lawyer testified Tuesday there was nothing but a single dime in the middle of the gambling figure's safe when it was drilled after his Sept. 17 murder.

Columnist Brian Hilderbrand: Reno's PGA event richer than the LVI: By Brian Hilderbrand

Bad luck at tables hurts Mandalay: Gary Thompson; Mandalay Resort Group of Las Vegas reported second-quarter net income of $23.6 million, or 26 cents a share, compared with $25.3 million, or 27 cents a share, in the fiscal 1999 second quarter.

Swain joins Hard Rock: Swain worked for his father-in-law, Dennis Gomes, at the Tropicana. Gomes oversees operations of Aztar's Las Vegas and Atlantic City Tropicana's.

Hard Rock to buy $28 mil. in stock: The company will use the money for general corporate purposes and to pay off debt.

Fewer landing behind bars: For the first time in more than a decade, Nevada's prison population has leveled out with 45 fewer inmates behind bars than there were a year ago.

Las Vegas ATF office disputes researchers' data: Kim Smith; A study recently released by a data-gathering research organization gives the wrong impression about the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco and Firearms, Las Vegas officials say.

LV tops LV company's trip booking list: They are:

Group rips plan's review period: The Sierra Club is asking for more time to review and comment on the draft Carbon Monoxide State Implementation Plan to reduce pollution in the Las Vegas Valley.

Prison industries program profits fall: At the time, the state was buying about 70 percent of the goods made by Silver State Industries, the prison industries program. In particular, the state bought furniture made by inmates.

Columnist Peter Benton: Shed no tears for Woods and Duval: Peter Benton; In this space a couple of weeks ago I was somewhat critical of David Duval and Tiger Woods, who had unashamedly stated that they felt they should be compensated far more handsomely than the meager $5,000 (plus all expenses) they receive for playing in the Ryder Cup (scheduled Sept. 23-26 at The Country Club in Chestnut Hill, Ma.).

Murder defendant takes stand: Bill Gang; Las Vegas bounty hunter Dennis Kieren took the witness stand in his own defense at his murder trial to say he gunned down his roommate -- who had chewed off a chunk of his ear -- out of fear for his own life.