Print edition for December 1, 1999

Man convicted of casino murder seeking pardon: Wolford was sentenced to life in prison. He will make his appeal Dec. 7 before the Nevada Board of Pardons, made up of Gov. Kenny Guinn, Attorney General Frankie Sue Del Papa and the seven Nevada Supreme Court justices.

Thursday at Golden Gate: 1st race 1 mi 3YO & up Mdn Clm: 1 Noble Official (Burns) 118; 2 Fly Kinda Guy (Delgadillo) 118; 3 Junistar (Warren) 118; 4 Hot Burn (Dieguez) 118; 5 Nasa (Carr) 118; 6 Regal Bob (Miranda) 113; 7 Iveld (Perez) 120.

Wednesday's prep results: Vo-Tech 130, Shiloh Christian 17

Thursday at Aqueduct: 1st race 6 fur 3YO Fil Clm: 1 Mayicutin (Aguilar) 118; 2 Phantasy Miss (Beasley) 111; 3 Evil Deed (Blake) 109; 4 Hadette (Diego) 111; 5 Promises Inthedark (Bridgmohan) 116; 6 My First Affair (Bravo) 116; 7 Rosecat (Martin) 116; 8 Sanibel Sweetheart (Gryder) 116.

Festival of Lights: A small band of Maccabees, led by Judas Maccabeus, was fighting for religious freedom. Its temple had been taken over by the king's soldiers. The Maccabees were willing to die to regain their temple. Against all odds, the small group of rebels rousted the enemy.

Former caretaker pleads guilty to youth sex offenses: Larry Wisenbaker, 34, entered guilty pleas Tuesday, the day a jury was to be selected for his trial.

LV tops for entrepreneurs: David Strow; Las Vegas may be best known for its casinos, but it's also the king of entrepreneurial activity in the United States, researchers reported Tuesday.

Critics: DOE has changed Yucca rules: The Department of Energy offered new rules on the approval of a proposed high-level nuclear waste repository site at Yucca Mountain Tuesday -- rules that were greeted with howls by national and local critics who accused the DOE of changing the guidelines to ensure that the repository will be built.

Ex-cheat says technology has its limits: Angie Wagner; Sitting at a blackjack table with a tiny camera taped to his wrist, "Billy" was sweating profusely and spooked by the looks from casino workers.

Columnist Dean Juipe: Coach feels recruits saw potential: Dean Juipe; It was obvious who they were.

Miller rips ethics panel over new McDonald issue: Erin Neff; In filing a second request for an ethics opinion about City Councilman Michael McDonald, Steve Miller had as many harsh words for the Ethics Commission as he did for the politician.

Panel: EPA radiation limits for Yucca are too strict: A scientific panel charged by Congress to guide the proposed radiation limits for a high-level nuclear waste repository at Yucca Mountain says the Environmental Protection Agency is being unnecessarily strict in its limits on radiation that would be allowed to escape through ground water.

Casinos bring in outside experts to fight cheats: Angie Wagner; Most popular ways to cheat at casinos

Casino Data Systems switches auditors: David Strow; Casino Data Systems Inc. of Las Vegas has fired its accounting firm, but company officials and analysts said there aren't any ulterior motives behind the move.

Southern Baptists' focus on LV concerns other religious groups: Stacy J. Willis; As Las Vegas prepares to receive the attention of the nation's Southern Baptists in 2001, the city also is readying for controversy.

Letter: Millennium's end still one year away: Letter: Millennium's end still one year away

Judge orders temporary protection for historic Mapes Hotel: Scott Sonner; Washoe County District Judge James Hardesty issued the temporary restraining order blocking any significant demolition work at the Mapes Hotel until after a trial on a lawsuit aimed at saving the building.

Adult stutterers can get help from new video: In "If You Stutter: Advice for Adults," a video produced by the Stuttering Foundation of America, more than a dozen men and women discuss how stuttering has affected their everyday lives and how they've learned to deal with the problem. Experts also identify ways people who stutter can manage the problem and become more fluent speakers.

Henderson passes Reno to become Nevada's second-largest city: Henderson was 177,030 strong as of July 1, compared with Reno's 176,910, according to the official state population count released Tuesday.

Ensign in D.C. for forum: The group was holding a political forum for GOP presidential candidates to address a Jewish audience and answer questions.

Regent attacks unequal salaries: He noted new faculty members at UNR this coming year will get $60,953, compared with $56,511 at the University of Nevada, Las Vegas.

Negotiations under way to sell publications: Co-owner Cindy Ingram said the real estate publication, the Southern Nevada Health Care Journal and the Southern Nevada Small Business Journal and their respective databases would be part of the sale.

Archivists fighting to preserve Nevada records: "If you had the choice of paying to keep the lights on in a building or building a storage facility for records, which would you choose?"

Rebels snubbed in MWC all-league selections: Steve Guiremand; The Mountain West Conference released its first all-conference team on Tuesday.

City sued for vetoing casino liquor store sign: In a Clark County District Court lawsuit, WSR accused the Mesquite City Council of arbitrarily disregarding WSR's application based on the content of its sign's advertisement, while allowing another casino, Rancho Mesquite, to install its 99-foot sign. Both signs are located in Mesquite's Gaming Enterprises Zoning District.

LV isn't No. 1 for all small businesses: Ten years ago, Hutchings invented an adapter for a power saw widely used in the construction industry. The adapter allows the saw to take a larger blade, making cutting large boards quicker and safer.

Columnist Elizabeth Foyt: Caesars welcomes 'Happy Holiday' fashion event: Elizabeth Foyt; A"Happy Holiday" luncheon at Caesars Palace, hosted by the Nevada Opera Theatre Guild, will be Sunday beginning at 11:30 a.m.

Thursday at Hollywood Park: 1st race 6-1/2 fur 3YO & up F & M Mdn Clm: 1 Numerical Order (Berrio) 118; 2 Rainbow Palace (Garcia) 118; 3 Royal Amity (Sorenson) 120; 4 She's Distinctive (Pincay) 120; 5 Sarah's Echo (Alvarado) 120; 6 Ceemenowceeyalater (Puglisi) 120; 7 Party Girl (Black) 122.

Letter: Let big boys build their own toy train: Public/private works are not a sure bet. Every fiasco in our town is paid for with sweat equity from taxpayers. Wheelers and dealers be aware. We old folks are frugal. Most of us graduated from the university of hard knocks. In 1937 I already sailed the seven seas. This was before pocket computers. We had to think for ourselves and know how to count.

Columnist Muriel Stevens: Serious shopping begins: Time now for some serious shopping. With just a few days to Hanukkah, and only 23 days for the last bit of Christmas shopping there's no time to waste.

Bryan says critics of feds should "turn down the jets": Brendan Riley; Those involved in the hassle with federal officials who control nearly 90 percent of Nevada's land should "turn down the jets," Bryan, D-Nev., added during an impromptu news conference Tuesday.

'60 Minutes 2' feature focuses on Goodman's past: Erin Neff; Las Vegas Mayor Oscar Goodman sensed last night's broadcast of an 11-minute piece about him on "60 Minutes 2" might evoke more about his past than his present.

Columnist Victoria Sun: Las Vegas' Gamez content trying to work his way back onto Tour: Victoria Sun; Golf used to be fun for Las Vegas resident Robert Gamez.

Storm brings 6 to 8 inches of snow to Sierra: The Nevada Highway Patrol was reporting icy conditions north and west of Reno.

New Year's Eve activity proposed for teenagers: Erin Neff; Two residents told the Las Vegas City Council's Recommending Committee on Tuesday that they thought some sort of alternative activity should be planned for teens squeezed out of downtown areas on New Year's Eve and New Year's Day by a proposed curfew.

Siegfried and Roy's manager lands another high-profile client in Ali: As longtime manager for the famous illusionists Siegfried and Roy, Bernie Yuman had a reference point when asked how long he deliberated about becoming Muhammad Ali's new manager.

Ralph Siraco's selections for Thursday's races at Hollywood Park: 1st Race -- Party Girl - Stalked from rail post and held 3rd off 4-month layoff in last, returns for a tag again here, gets better post, had tightener, Black back. Ceemenowceeyalater - Press pace early and weakened in last, off-the-pace for 3rd at this trip three races back at Anita, hustling Puglisi returns, a factor for diploma here. Value Play -- Sarah's Echo

Community news briefs for December 1, 1999: The brightly decorated boats will parade south off Boulder Beach to Hemenway Harbor before returning to the marina.

Las Vegas lawyers listed on Internet: Initially launched in September as a resource in Northern Nevada, the site was revised to include Las Vegas-area information beginning today.

Mother of three kidnapped at gunpoint: Jace Radke; A history of domestic problems between the parents of three children led to a kidnapping at gunpoint at a northeast Las Vegas business on Monday, Metro Police said.

Editorial: Competition sparks oil merger concerns: The next suitor seeking the FTC's blessing is BP-Amoco, which wants to acquire Atlantic Richfield. This union would create a private oil company second in size only to the Exxon-Mobil merger. Just as it did with Exxon-Mobil, the FTC should also ensure that customers won't be put at a disadvantage as these newly formed companies capture an even larger market share that could result in consumers getting gouged at the pump.

Humana settles lawsuit with Nevadans for $28.8 million: A federal judge gave final approval Tuesday to the settlement, which was actually agreed upon in July after the U.S. Supreme Court ruled the plaintiffs could sue for triple damages under federal racketeering laws.

ACLU files suit against Nevada Ethics Commission: The suit stems from a $5,000 fine levied against self-proclaimed watchdog Sam Dehne for filing numerous complaints against Reno Mayor Jeff Griffin.

Columnist Jeff Haney: Rams, Colts make noise in Super Bowl wagering: They'll be dancing in the streets of St. Louis -- or possibly Indianapolis -- on Super Bowl Sunday, if wagering in the Caesars Palace futures book is any indication.

Utility files for license to compete in Nevada: Idaho Power spokesman Dennis Lopez said the application will allow the company to continue to serve its customers in Jackpot, Jarbidge, Mountain City and Owyhee near the Idaho border as well as keep its options open to expand into the rest of the state.

Suit hits Ethics Commission: CARSON CITY -- Political activist Sam Dehne says "citizens are being intimidated" by the law that allows the state Ethics Commission to impose fines against those who bring frivolous or false complaints against public officials.

Park receives reprieve from parking plan: The federal Bureau of Reclamation has shelved a proposal that would have turned a portion of a park in Boulder City into a parking lot for bureau employees.

Rapist gets 20 years to life in prison: Bill Gang; Todd Honeycutt didn't learn his lesson the first three times he was convicted of felonies.

Growth shooting LV home sales to record: Phil Levine; Las Vegas new home sales are on track for another record-breaking year, despite a third quarter slowdown in activity.

Former boys ranch worker pleads guilty to molestations: Bill Gang; After six Texas boys testified Monday in a closed court session about molestations they endured from Larry Wisenbaker, the burley defendant decided to call it quits.

Hawaii governor warns of dangers of having tourism-based economy: Jace Radke; Hawaii Gov. Benjamin J. Cayetano sees a lot of his island state in Las Vegas, and that may not necessarily be a good thing.

Editorial: Reaction to tragedy is rational: Unless there is 24-hour surveillance of every individual who is either on parole or probation, there is no way the state can guarantee that someone who has been released from prison won't ever again commit a crime, including murder. Division Chief Carlos Concha did acknowledge, though, that at least in two of the murders his agency could have done a better job, because they didn't make the minimum number of visits to the offenders' homes that is required. Concha deserves credit for not going into a shell -- as sometimes is the case when these tragedies occur.

Judge does not disqualify lawyers in Binion civil case: District Judge Michael Cherry rejected a request from attorneys for murder defendants Rick Tabish and Sandra Murphy to remove three attorneys working on civil proceedings in the case.

Letter: Bradley sounds like a Republican when talking health care: Either Mr. Bradley overlooked the effect eliminating Medicaid would have on seniors (it also pays Medicare premiums for poor seniors) or he just doesn't care. At any rate it shows a disdainful attitude on his part toward the elderly, especially the lower income ones. It is obvious he is trying to get yuppie and Republican support for his plan (and his campaign) by injecting more insurance involvement in health care. As if the experience with HMOs was not enough! Not even Bush has proposed this cold-hearted type plan as far as I know. Bill Bradley definitely will not get my ...

Judge orders protection for historic site: Washoe County District Judge James Hardesty issued the temporary restraining order blocking any significant demolition work at the Mapes Hotel until after a trial on a lawsuit aimed at saving the building.

'I did it myself': Victoria Sun; LOS ANGELES -- The NBA team that has committed arguably the most draft-day blunders (see Bo Kimble, Randy Woods, Joe Wolf and Danny Ferry) in history finally did something right.

Bank opening Henderson call center with 600 jobs: Phil Levine; Providian Financial Corp. said today it will open a Henderson call center employing 600 people in February.

Suspect charged in NLV homicide: Keith Paul; North Las Vegas Police charged a man Tuesday in connection with a homicide last week, but they are still trying to determine the identity of the dead man.

Vegas couple fined in Ponzi scam: Shane Vaessen, 55, and his wife Veronika, 53, were ordered to pay back $2.5 million plus interest to more than 100 elderly investors from Florida, Georgia, Indiana, Nebraska, Michigan, Tennessee and California.

Obituaries for December 1, 1999: John Adam Apfel, 50, of Las Vegas died Oct. 30 in Las Vegas. He was born Aug. 2, 1949, in New York. A resident for 30 years, he was a registered nurse and a veteran.

Murphy, Tabish are getting defensive: Three months before their murder trial, Sandy Murphy and Rick Tabish are starting to assert their defense in the death of Ted Binion.

Dental controversy: Dental Residency

Legislative committee considering raising tuition at Nevada schools: Tuition will have to rise at colleges and universities to compensate for a shortage of state funds, Acting Chancellor Tom Anderes told a legislative committee Tuesday.

Soccer complex decision delayed: Erin Neff; The lack of attendance by either member of the Las Vegas City Council's Real Estate Committee forced cancellation of Tuesday's meeting and delayed for weeks a decision on a proposed soccer complex.

Nevada lawmakers say DOE changing Yucca rules in middle of the game: Scott Sonner; Reid, D-Nev., said a DOE proposal published in the Federal Register on Tuesday would lower the standards by which the high-level radioactive storage facility could be located at Yucca Mountain northwest of Las Vegas.

Nevada has a new second-biggest city: It's official -- sort of.

Guilty: Binion's sister delivers verdict on '20/20': At the end of a 13-minute segment on Binion's death, set to air on Channel 13 at 10 p.m. Thursday, correspondent John Miller asks Behnen: "Based on what you know now, do you think Sandy Murphy killed your brother?"

Many families getting state aid facing deadline for jobs: CARSON CITY -- Nevada families receiving public assistance are taking it seriously that they had better get a job before losing their welfare payments starting Jan. 1.

Henderson college on agenda for regents: CARSON CITY -- The issue of creating a four-year state college in Henderson comes before the board of regents, meeting today and Thursday in Reno, and Richard Moore, president of the Community College of Southern Nevada, could be named founding president of the new school.

Judge gives final approval to Humana, Sunrise settlement: Kim Smith; A federal judge gave his final approval Tuesday to a multimillion-dollar settlement involving Sunrise Hospital and its former owner, Humana Health Insurance.

Cool down, Bryan says: CARSON CITY -- Sen. Richard Bryan, D-Nev., suggests "turning down the jets and cooling the rhetoric" in the escalating battle between Elko County and the U.S. Forest Service over repairing a road into the remote Jarbidge area.

Life handed down in rape of girl, 12: Bill Gang; A 38-year-old man who admitted he pushed his way into a northwest Las Vegas home and raped a 12-year-old girl has been sentenced to life in prison and won't get an opportunity for parole until he has served 40 years.

PurchasePro signs pact with Boston firm: Under terms of the agreement, PurchasePro.com will build 20 Internet-based "communities" designed to allow businesses to research, buy and sell products and services within specific industries. The sites will be integrated with the rest of PurchasePro's business-to-business network.

Big gap seen in college salaries: CARSON CITY -- Starting salaries for new faculty at UNLV and the Community College of Southern Nevada lag behind their counterparts in Northern Nevada, a new report says, adding fuel to the arguments that the schools in Clark County are being shortchanged.

Redden upbeat about superintendent job: Terry Webster; Preparations for perhaps one of the most important flights in the life of Joseph Redden, a retired U.S. Air Force lieutenant general, were under way Tuesday.

The Moving Wall arousing the emotions of veterans, loved ones: Jace Radke; A patch on the black leather jacket of a man known as White Wolf reads, "The price of freedom is written on the wall."