Print edition for August 30, 1999

Columnist Dean Juipe: Miami finds its way back to the top: Dean Juipe; Their own fans loved them.

Two dead in apparent argument-shooting: Nearly 100 officers, including all off-duty Lyon County deputies and people from the Nevada Highway Patrol, the Yerington police department and the Churchill County sheriff's office joined in the four-hour search that ended with the arrest of John Strinchfield Jr., 25, shortly after midnight Sunday.

Nobody files for Genoa town board: So it extended the filing deadline. Nothing.

Letter: BLM has earned level of distrust: There has to my knowledge been only one study done concerning the poor condition of the much-touted riparian areas. For a proposal that has as much impact as removing wild horses and burros, one study -- conducted by the agency that has everything to gain by supporting removal -- is ludicrous.

Palm Hills residents to get a break from rocky history: Valerie Miller; Palm Hills has hit another bump on its road to completion.

Tracy, Andretti bury hatchet in their longtime CART feud: It may not have been as earth-shattering as, say, Championship Auto Racing Teams (CART) and the Indy Racing League announcing a merger.

Pilot escapes serious injury in crash landing: Kim Smith; A donation account has been set up for John Trivett, who survived a plane crash that killed two Las Vegas residents Aug. 20. He was burned over 30 percent of his body. An account has been set up at U.S. Bank, 4320 E. Tropicana Ave., Las Vegas, Nev., 89121. The account number is 153750251990. Checks may be made out to Trivett and mailed to the bank, said Norman Harvey, a local chess enthusiast.

Escaped prisoner kills three family members before police shoot him: Las Vegas Metro Deputy Chief Kyle Edwards said police SWAT officers were negotiating with Blackburn when they heard a series of shots. Police broke into the apartment and found Blackburn in the process of shooting his wife to death.

Editorial: Parks will need boost in funding: The National Park Service does receive funding from Congress to purchase lands from private owners, but it is nowhere near enough to do the job. For instance, the National Park Trust noted that in 1998 just $23 million was allocated for acquiring private lands bounded by national parks -- about one-tenth of what the National Park Service had requested. The National Park Trust identified 110,000 acres of private property in and near parks that is at the greatest risk of being sold or developed commercially. The estimated value of those 110,000 acres is $70 million. And as the National Park ...

Prep Schedule: Boys Tennis

Las Vegas Motor Speedway results: Saturday's results at Las Vegas Motor Speedway:

Letter: Politicians haven't followed up on homeowner groups: I personally spoke to then Mayor-elect Oscar Goodman at Sen. Mike Schneider's subcommittee meeting about Senate Bill 451. Goodman volunteered that his mother had once lived in a homeowners association and he subsequently moved her out! He added these problems were political and therefore he was unafraid to address these problems. Has anyone heard Oscar refer to these problems since he was elected? No!

It'll take 'MAGIC' to see McCullough fight tonight: Dean Juipe; Despite being a Las Vegas resident since 1994, Wayne McCullough has fought only one time in his adopted hometown and that was five years ago.

Chess crowns Khalifman as new king: The closing ceremonies attracted nearly 100 spectators, four times the daily attendance during the final match.

Letter: California tribes getting shaft now: Of course in California the American Indian once again is getting the shaft on this issue. What else is new? They've been stepped on for years. Why should it change now. The government took everything from them long ago and still is. We can only take so long until someday it will come back to haunt us!

Columnist Ralph Siraco: The 'Kid' and the 'General' win summer classics: Ralph Siraco; The changing of the guard has occurred. The passing of the torch to the next generation has been completed. The young upstarts have taken over. The boy has turned into a man.

Low-cost commuter line sends its final flights aloft: After that, all flights will be under the name of American Airlines, which bought the struggling company in February.

Casino-mogul Gaughan buys NASCAR truck team: Michael Gaughan, chairman of Las Vegas-based Coast Resorts, has assumed another title: NASCAR Craftsman Truck Series team owner.

Eldorado, Durango pull off ambushes: Spencer Patterson; Just one week down, and already the local prep football scene has been turned on its head.

No forced smiles for 'Muse' writer/star Albert Brooks: Luaine Lee; "I like to deal with the scariest parts of what is in my mind," he says.

Editorial: State-negotiated compact best path for tribal gaming: As welcome as it is, the court's decision does not end the controversy. Slot machines continue to operate illegally in Indian casinos across the state. The federal government refuses, for now, to enforce the law and shut them down. In addition, the most aggressive of the gambling tribes are circulating a new initiative, this one a constitutional amendment they claim will overcome the Supreme Court's objections.

Work begins to restore thousands of blackened acres: "I think it's impossible to reseed the entire burned area and hope all of you can agree with that," team head Tom Gavin told about 60 ranchers and federal agency personnel Thursday night at the Elko Convention Center.

Fast facts for upcoming Mah Jongg tourney: About 80 to 100 top Mah Jongg players, including about 40 Southern Nevadans, are expected to compete for cash prizes. Locals can sign up before the first round at 9:30 a.m. Wednesday. The entry fee is $75.

Second suspect stands trial in multiple slaying: Bill Gang; The trial of the second of three teenagers charged in the execution slaying of four young men a year ago is set to begin today, and prosecutors are seeking the death penalty although he is not believed to be the shooter.

Scientists rip DOE info on radiation of water: Six scientific experts say the Department of Energy cannot predict which way radioactive contamination in the ground water from former underground nuclear weapons experiments will escape from the Nevada Test Site.

Ray wins Colorado Indy 200; LV's Hamilton settles for 2nd: Ray finished .445 seconds ahead of Hamilton and 2.166 seconds in front of Dismore, with Buddy Lazier placing fourth and Henderson's Sam Schmidt fifth on Pikes Peak International Raceway's one-mile oval.

Two paintings valued at more than $95 million added to resort collection: The Los Angeles Times reported that Wynn sent his private jet to New York Aug. 24 to pick up the painting, a still life of fruit. The painting went for $60.5 million to an anonymous bidder in a May auction at Sotheby's.

Gaming financier gains Miss. license: PDS, which finances slot machine acquisitions by casinos, said it's now licensed in seven states representing approximately 80 percent of the installed base of gaming devices in the United States.

Venetian allowed to probe LVCVA meeting procedures: Former Las Vegas Mayor Jan Laverty Jones will be asked under oath about events leading to the approval of a $150 million convention center expansion.

MDA Telethon dragged into labor dispute at LV casino: David Strow; The ongoing feud between the Santa Fe hotel-casino and the Culinary Union has now reached out to encompass the local Jerry Lewis Muscular Dystrophy Association Labor Day Telethon.

Community news briefs for August 30, 1999: The Las Vegas Sportspark will hold its first Kids All-Star Ice show today, featuring more than 70 students showcasing their figure-skating skills.

Note offer extended: IGT said holders of only $25,000, or 0.00006 percent, of its $400 million of 7.875 percent senior notes and $1 million, or 0.0017 percent, of its $600 million issue of 8.375 percent senior notes, hadn't tendered as of Friday.

Trash hauler's stock plunges: Republic said its per-share profit will be $1.17 to $1.19 this year, below the $1.25 average estimate of analysts polled by First Call Corp.

Divided court backs free-speech issue: CARSON CITY -- In a decision that solidifies free speech rights, a divided Nevada Supreme Court has ruled that individuals who publish statements from court documents are protected from defamation suits, even if they knew the allegations were false and the publication was intended to harm others.

Hall of Fame inductees named: To be inducted are Elaine Wynn, a director of Mirage Resorts Inc., who is known for her community service work; the singing duo Steve Lawrence & Eydie Gorme; and the late Jack Entratter, who was the president and entertainment director of the Sands hotel.

Local news briefs for August 30, 1999: The coroner's office is still trying to determine the exact cause of death of a 67-year-old man who was assaulted in a parking lot early Thursday.

Credibility of chief witness questioned: Defense lawyers today planned to attack the credibility of a chief prosecution witness who claims he was tortured into turning over his interests in a Jean sand pit as part of a plot to murder Ted Binion.

MicroAge signs $60 million contract: The contract to provide technical support for the company's customer service hardware and software systems will provide $20 million in annual revenues, MicroAge said.

Women pulled from blaze brutally slain: Joyce Collins, 44, suffered multiple stabs to the chest and gunshots to the face and left shoulder, and her roommate, Elizabeth Alexander, 44, suffered a gunshot to the head.

Final flights set for tonight; American Airlines takeover complete: At 9:22 p.m., one flight will head north from Reno to Portland, Ore., and another will wing south from Reno to San Diego.

Friedman receives 25 years in prison in Blitzstein killing: Kim Smith; Reading from a prepared statement, Friedman, 56, accused prosecutors of being "ethically and morally bankrupt" and interested only in adding "another notch" in their guns.

Oklahoma scandal probed in Southwest Gas merger: David Strow; Arizona's top utility regulator is expressing grave concerns over the conduct of Southwest Gas Corp. merger partner ONEOK Inc. in previous dealings with the Oklahoma Corporation Commission.

Internet gambling firm says its auditors quit: Neither of Ernst & Young's financial statements on Starnet in the past two years have contained adverse opinions or disclaimers, Starnet said in a U.S. Securities & Exchange Commission Filing. The company operates gambling and pornography sites on the Internet.

Trump's bid to buy KC casino stalled: Rick Alm; KANSAS CITY, Mo. -- The fate of Donald Trump's deal to buy the Flamingo Hilton Casino in Kansas City could be known by Wednesday, and right now things don't look good.

Wildfires rage in West: Paul Chavez; LOS ANGELES -- Fast-moving wildfires fanned by erratic winds have charred more than 200,000 acres of brush and timber from Washington to Southern California, destroying buildings and forcing thousands to evacuate.

Boy, 8, defeats grand master: Even in a game known for its prodigies it was a momentous achievement. British chess was hailing a new child star Sunday after an 8-year-old boy took on England's number five grandmaster and won.

Boggs McDonald seeking tougher ethics regulations: Erin Neff; The Las Vegas Ethics Review Board didn't see a need to change laws that require candidates disclose their investment partners, but that won't stop the City Council from imposing stricter guidelines.

Ensign to get recount refund: CARSON CITY -- In a confusing set of circumstances, former Rep. John Ensign is going to get a refund of $1,242 he overpaid for the recount of the U.S. Senate race ballots in Washoe County last year. But Ensign said he never asked for the money.

Higher roller coaster planned at casino: The coaster, originally approved by the Clark County Planning Commission last October, would load inside the Sahara, run outside the casino and head south along Las Vegas Boulevard through a 110-foot tunnel en route to a 244-foot vertical tower.

Man wounded in drive-by shooting: The incident is being investigated as possibly gang related as opposed to a random thrill shooting, North Las Vegas Police spokesman Chris Larotonda said.

Pioneer Las Vegan Warren's last child dies at 91: Ethel Boggs not only saw nearly the entire history of Las Vegas to date, she embodied its spirit.

Obituaries for August 30, 1999: Ralph John Bigelow, 75, of Las Vegas died Friday in Las Vegas. He was born Dec. 30, 1923, in Bisbee, Ariz. A resident for 10 years, he was a retired Air Force lieutenant colonel, a World War II fighter pilot who flew P47s and P51s in the South Pacific, received his bachelor of science degree from Brigham Young University and his master of business administration at Colorado University at Boulder.

Escapee chose death over jail: Kim Smith and Jace Radke; The thought of missing 15 years of his two daughters' lives was too much for escapee Timothy Blackburn to bear, defense attorney Ulrich Smith said today.

Mavens make comeback: On Aug. 20, 1998, five of Southern Nevada's top Mah Jongg players left town for a California mountain retreat to hone their skills for an upcoming major local tournament.

United cutting one of three Denver flights: United's other two Denver flights will remain, Abbey said, but will be served by 133-seat Boeing 727s instead of 188-seat 757s.

Box score: Stars 10, Grizzlies 4: Umpires -- Pasch, Wolff, Brandt. Time -- 2:42. Attendance -- 4,927.

Lawmakers already thinking about 2001 as hearings begin: The interim studies result in up to half of all bills offered in the next legislative session. Most often, the studies revisit topics that were addressed in the previous session or which are expected to take center stage the next time.

Anti-spam law may be impossible to enforce: The law allows Nevadans to go out and hire a lawyer whose job will be to find who sent the e-mail and to sue that person, even if the message may have originated in Finland. Just haul the culprit to court and collect $10 in damages for each message, along with attorney fees.

Sponsors give high marks to Reno-Tahoe Open: Backers also say they enjoyed helping an event they believe was good for the community and for tourism officials' efforts to improve the image of Reno, which many outsiders consider a dusty, tired gambling town.

Fires near Reno subside somewhat: A 45,000-acre blaze 45 miles north of Reno is fully contained and just two 20-person crews remain there for mopup.

About a quarter of all complaints against local police are true: The statistics were compiled by the three largest law enforcement agencies in the valley: the Las Vegas Metropolitan Police, North Las Vegas and Henderson police departments.

Emergency funding request one option in vaccine money shortfall: The program pays for shots for children who are on Medicaid, uninsured, underinsured or are Native American or Alaskan natives.

Alleged pimp faces federal trial: Kim Smith; Andre Taylor could have been tried in state District Court on a variety of prostitution charges. Instead he goes on trial Tuesday in federal court on money laundering charges as part of a federal effort to get violent offenders off Las Vegas streets.

Defense motion delays trial of accused cop killer: Vanisi, 29, still wants to represent himself. His attorney says Vanisi's defense plan goes too far and could border on perjury.

Lawmakers looking at school violence, taxes, university funds: Those studies result in up to half of all bill draft proposals in any given session. Invariably, the focus is on topics not sufficiently addressed in the previous Legislature or those anticipated to take center stage the next time.

Defense attacks creditability of witness in Binion murder case: Kiley Russell; A defense attorney repeatedly fired questions at Leo Casey in an attempt to color him as a shifty businessman whose word ought not to be trusted.

Lease signings delayed for downtown Reno development: The developer also wants the time to delay repayment of $2.5 million to the city for the retail block and the Riverside Hotel.

Test Site could be lab for fake quakes: The Nevada Test Site will become a life-size laboratory for simulating earthquakes over the next five years if Congress approves $50 million in funds this fall.

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