Print edition for December 14, 1999

Lawsuit alleges fraud in LV apartment purchase: In a lawsuit brought in Clark County District Court, former owner Robab Egtedar is asking for monetary damages from Doug DaSilva, who now owns the Fantasy Arms apartments at 1101 N. Las Vegas Blvd. Egtedar is also asking for the apartments to be placed in receivership.

Last year's Lewis Homes acquisition is paying off for Kaufman and Broad: Phil Levine; Higher interest rates and home prices can't deter Bruce Karatz from his bullish view of Las Vegas' home building market.

Big customers may drop managed care coverage: LOS ANGELES -- Two of California's largest pension funds are considering dropping the managed health care coverage for their members and contracting directly with doctors and hospitals, the Los Angeles Times reported today.

High court overturns Carson man's conviction in plot to kill wife: However, the Supreme court rejected Wood's claim that Nevada's "fast-track" criminal appeal process is unconstitutional. The system was set up to speed appeals and reduce a big backlog of court cases.

AutoNation closes doors on its Las Vegas-area superstore: Phil Levine; AutoNation Inc., America's largest auto retailer, closed its Henderson superstore Monday as part of a national effort to reduce costs and bolster stock value.

20-field soccer plan scores first goal: Erin Neff; A proposed 20-field soccer complex won a face-off with the Las Vegas City Council's Real Estate Committee on Monday and could head to negotiations with the state if its plan is approved Wednesday by the full council.

Columnist Ron Kantowski: Basketball tournament offers a real Vegas value: It's hard to beat the price of a shrimp cocktail (99 cents) at the Golden Gate downtown. And $1.15 for 20 ounces of cold draft beer at Moose McGillycuddy's during its seemingly never-ending happy hour is still a heck of a deal.

U.S. Table Tennis Championships in LV: In the men's singles, U.S. National champion David Zhuang of New Jersey will square off against 1993 U.S. Open winner Cheng Yinghua of Maryland. On the women's side, 1999 Pan Am Games singles gold medalist Gao Jun Chang is favored to capture another title.

Where I Stand -- Brian Greenspun: Honoring a man's spirit: 'TIS THE SEASON ...

Unser excited about switch: Although many staunch CART observers might disagree, Al Unser Jr. said he does not see his move to the rival Indy Racing League as a step down in class.

Columnist Dean Juipe: Allen says new team has no shot: Dean Juipe; Having coached a Las Vegas franchise in an upstart professional basketball league, Sonny Allen is all too aware of the inherent pitfalls.

Tip about missing girl goes nowhere: Jace Radke; Metro Police spent nearly two hours searching the Glass Pool Inn on the south end of the Las Vegas Strip Monday night after they got a tip that someone there might know the whereabouts of 7-year-old Karla Rodriguez, who has been missing since Oct. 20.

Monday's prep results: Las Vegas 74, Mojave 42: Tremmell Darden tallied 18 points and Jonathan Pollard added 12 points to lead the Wildcats to a home victory.

Panel seeks ban on concealed weapons: Legislative hearings can frequently become emotional and are no place for weapons, said Perkins, a Henderson Police Department captain.

Lawmakers complain about new computers going unused: CARSON CITY -- Computers purchased by the state are sitting unused in boxes for months, possibly years, state legislators complained Monday.

Wednesday at Hollywood Park: 1st race 1-1/16 mi 3YO Fil Clm: 1 Queen of Klugs (Diaz) 109; 2 Magdeleine Robin (Pedroza) 118; 3 Six Times a Lady (Nakatani) 118; 4 Sweet Ruhl (Valenzuela) 118; 5 Fleeting Wonder (Flores) 120; 6 Blond Del (Gomez) 118.

Editorial: Seniors are seeking affordable housing: The North Las Vegas City Council, though, may come to the aid of those still on the waiting list. The City Council is expected to consider today a proposal that would transfer nearly four acres of city land to the city redevelopment agency, which in turn would build a 72-unit apartment complex for low-income seniors through a partnership among Alliance Property Group, Kaufman & Broad and the Community Development Program Center of Nevada. It is hoped that this agreement sparks similar projects elsewhere in Southern Nevada.

Wednesday at Aqueduct: 1st race 1 mi & 70 yds 3YO Fil Clm: 1 Directrix (Pezua) 118; 2 Personal Fighter (Lavoy) 111; 3 Follow My Shadow (Bridgmohan) 116; 4 Love Line (Montalvo) 107; 5 Renee's Bubbles (Castillo) 116; 6 Spurred Demons (Beitia) 112; 7 Dittany (Lopez) 112; 8 Gallopin Galatea (Beasley) 111; 9 Imacheatalittlebit (Gryder) 118; 10 Rush Forever (Bravo) 116.

Wednesday at Golden Gate: 1st race 6 fur 3YO Fil Clm: 1 Himalayan Highness (Arriaga) 116; 2 Shades of Shamrock (Castro) 116; 3 Miss Drum Rolls (Perez) 116; 4 Madam Cupcake (Baze) 116; 5 Solough (Castanon) 116; 6 Regal D Lish (Carr) 116.

Editorial: A spotlight on mental disorders: While this nation can do more, treatment today is better than it was decades ago when those with mental illnesses routinely were locked up in state institutions. In effect, they were consigned to prison-like settings for having illnesses that doctors were either unwilling to treat or didn't know how to address. In recent years this has changed, with many individuals being released who shouldn't have been institutionalized (it also should be noted, though, that mental health hospital budget cuts have forced patients to be released who clearly weren't ready to be on their own). Many of the people no longer ...

Police standoff ends peacefully in Reno: Officers approached the vehicle, but backed off when Williams pointed a gun at his own head and barricaded himself in the car.

Letter: Animals should be loved, appreciated: It's bad enough that animals in danger of becoming extinct are still being killed for skins, gall bladders, sex organs, tusks and horns.

Letter: Short trip on CAT can take forever: Well, it was not as fast as I had assumed it would be; because I waited for an hour and a half for the bus.

Letter: Health District doing its best to protect public: Keep in mind that regulations to control dust from disturbed vacant land will affect not only the developers, but public and private landowners as well. To simply "cough up" dust rules without adequate input and accurate, current information would not only be irresponsible but could lead to ineffective regulations that do nothing to promote the health of the public.

Christmas doesn't get any more wholesome than 'The Osmonds' Magical Christmas on Ice': When: 9 p.m. today through Sunday.

Final preparations being made for casino implosion: Onlookers won't have much of see. Taller buildings near the property and street closures will keep people more than 700 feet away and block most of the viewing.

Brothel foe who staged disappearance billed by sheriff's office: Sheriff's officials said Reese sent a check for $500 and indicated he would pay the remainder when he is able to do so.

Man who died in party fistfight was intoxicated: The name of the co-worker has not been released. Authorities said he has cooperated in the investigation.

Las Vegas firm discloses improper Medicaid billings: According to the state attorney general's office, Apogee disclosed the improper billings on its own initiative, thereby avoiding criminal charges.

Warrant served to suspect in Nevada killing: She vanished shortly after her indictment in the killing in 1997.

Columnist Kate Maddox: Celine Dion keeps busy schedule in Las Vegas: Kate Maddox; Celine Dion and her husband-manager, Rene Angelil, were among the guests at Saturday night's introductory gala performance of impressionist Andre-Philippe Gagnon at the Venetian. Dion, after welcoming guests, took a seat in the back of the showroom. Toward the end of the hour-and-a-half performance -- during which Gagnon impersonated celebrities including Barry White, Elvis, the Rat Pack and the Beatles -- the audience was abuzz with rumors of a live performance with Gagnon and Dion.

Community news briefs for December 14, 1999: The American Association of Retired People Nevada is looking for volunteers for its Tax-Aide program.

Health district considers inventory on sources of dust: The Clark County Health District will consider a proposal to do a full inventory of dust-emission sources at its regular meeting Thursday.

Bandits' streak extended: Tyrone Grant and Ryan Lorthridge scored 20 points apiece to lead New Jersey. Las Vegas was led by Isaac Burton with 28 points. Rocky Walls added 17 points and 13 rebounds for the Bandits.

High court rejects Las Vegas man's death row appeal: McNelton argued that his lawyers, both at his trial and on his appeal, were ineffective.

Dangerous mine openings to be closed: The Nevada Mining Association and eight other organizations plan to close seven of the most hazardous mine sites in Southern Nevada this week.

Ralph Siraco's selections for Wednesday's races at Hollywood Park: 1st Race -- Sweet Ruhl - Dueled lead and weakened to 4th in last, won on-the-pace while claimed before that, drops a level, P. Val./Mitchell combo. Blond Del - Just missed with game try when 2nd by a neck in last, runner up in prior pair of outings, won four races back, sharp right now. Value Play -- Six Times a Lady

IBL box: Las Vegas at Trenton: LAS VEGAS

Four officers claim Metro discrimination: Keith Paul; Four female Metro Police officers stood outside police headquarters Monday claiming the department fired, demoted or transferred them because of their gender.

Oil giant tries evicting LV station operator: The Clark County District Court suit by Equilon Enterprises Inc. named Roger Pascall as defendant. Pascall is the lease-holder and operator of Pascall's Texaco at 2475 S. Rancho Drive.

LV engineering firm expands with acquisition: Terms of the deal were not disclosed. The merged companies will now operate under the name Pentacore Engineering Planning Group. Pentacore President Gary Spinelink cited Engineering Planning's experience in wetlands work as a major benefit of the merger.

Harolds Club in Reno to be demolished: RENO -- Harolds Club, a pioneer in Nevada gambling, will come tumbling down in the early morning hours Wednesday on "Casino Row" in downtown Reno.

Investor may boost stake in Aladdin: London Clubs Chairman Alan Goodenough told a British newspaper the company has opted to convert $30 million of its loan to the Sommer Trust, its joint venture partner in the Aladdin, into convertible preferred stock.

Revenue, losses up at SportPark: All-American SportPark Inc. reported a net loss of $807,785, or 27 cents per share, compared with a net loss of $697,600, or 23 cents per share, for the third quarter of 1998. The company attributed the 1999 loss to interest and depreciation expenses and continued first-year costs of marketing the sports theme park at Las Vegas Boulevard and Sunset Drive.

FBI links single robber to 14 bank holdups in Las Vegas Valley: Keith Paul; String of robberies

Firm must repay state for med claims: CARSON CITY -- An owner of a mental health clinic in Las Vegas has agreed to repay the state $455,000 to settle claims for improper Medicaid billings.

Cost of school superintendent search closes in on $90,000: Terry Webster; Costs for the new superintendent search are pushing $90,000, the Clark County School District's lead financial officer said Monday.

Death row appeal dismissed: CARSON CITY -- The Nevada Supreme Court Monday dismissed the appeal of Charles McNelton, sentenced to death for the murder of a 16-year-old girl in a territorial dispute over drug sales in Las Vegas.

Officer faces charge in killing of dog: Keith Paul; Clark County prosecutors will file a charge Wednesday against an off-duty corrections officer for last month's shooting death of a Henderson neighbor's dog in a case that has sparked outrage for weeks.

News briefs: Las Vegas Fire investigators charged a 53-year-old woman Monday with arson -- accusing her of setting fire to the apartment she was about to be evicted from.

Binion's estate wants to sell silver fortune: Ted Binion's estate wants to start selling the silver fortune the slain gambling figure once buried in an underground vault in Pahrump.

Obituaries for December 14, 1999: Launa Cheshier, 88, of Henderson died Friday in a local care center. She was born Nov. 14, 1911, in Colgate, Okla. A former Las Vegas resident for 29 years and a Henderson resident for five years, she was a homemaker.

Nevada lawmakers look for ways to collect tax on Internet sales: CARSON CITY -- Sales over the Internet are booming and that worries some state legislators who see a significant loss of tax revenue.

LV firm Burnett Haase wins Henderson project: The Las Vegas-based company will build the 100,000-square-feet complex, featuring one office and two flex buildings. Located at the intersection of Stephanie Street and Wigwam Parkway, Pacific Beltway is a 47-acre mixed-use development.

Lookout in Wynn kidnap violates parole: Kim Smith; One of three men convicted in the 1993 kidnapping of casino mogul Steve Wynn's daughter was arrested in California Monday for allegedly violating his supervised release.

Ambulance service provider sues county: Adrienne Packer; A lawsuit filed by American Medical Response (AMR) on Monday not only accused Clark County of violating its ambulance franchise code, but it sent a not-so-subtle message to the cities of Las Vegas and North Las Vegas.

Service held for captain at Nellis: Diana Sahagun; A memorial service to honor Capt. Michael D. Geragosian was scheduled for 2 p.m. today in the Nellis Air Force Base chapel.

Elderly woman slain in apparent robbery: Jace Radke and Ed Koch; By all accounts, 79-year-old widow Doris Ruth Bair kept to herself, quietly residing in a modest home at the corner of 15th Street and Bracken Avenue for 50 years.

Acting BLM chief Fry debuts on sandstone wall at Red Rock: One of the nation's top land management officials headed out to Red Rock Canyon National Conservation Area Monday and quickly reached the end of his rope.

Feds give warning for road projects: Lack of compliance with federal environmental clean air regulations could stop all new road-building and improvement projects in Clark County within 14 months, federal and regional officials warned Monday.

Nuke panel explores entombing reactors: The Nuclear Regulatory Commission was expected today to release a report that explores entombing commercial nuclear reactors on site, rather than shipping thousands of tons of contaminated metals to a proposed Yucca Mountain repository.

LV operator eyes NY casino: Park Place officials weren't available for comment today. But the Times said at least one gaming analyst was skeptical about such a development.

Restriction on documents in AG probe angers targets: A district judge's decision restricting disclosure of secret documents that may show the attorney general's office conducted an intelligence probe of gaming regulators has angered some of those reportedly targeted.

MGM Grand dividend seen as historic for gaming industry: Gary Thompson; MGM Grand Inc. directors voted Monday to split the Las Vegas company's stock and begin paying dividends, moves that not only will broaden the casino operator's shareholder base but also signal a new phase in the evolution of the gaming industry.