Print edition for December 17, 1999

Fresno State Players to watch: * Rodney Wright, FL, 5-9, 175, Soph.: Caught 68 passes for 1,007 yards and seven touchdowns. Also an excellent kickoff return man (21.6 avg.). Ranked 30th nationally in all-purpose yardage (135.33 yards per game).

State to overhaul casino hiring program: ATLANTIC CITY, N.J. -- New Jersey casino regulators plan to overhaul an affirmative action program that monitors the hiring of women and minorities in casinos, officials said Wednesday.

Las Vegas international tourism marketing program endorsed: New international flights?

Company files for public stock offering: WINSTON-SALEM, N.C. -- Krispy Kreme, which has sold melt-in-your-mouth glazed doughnuts for more than 60 years, now hopes the company will be a hot seller on Wall Street.

Reno office closing; LV's to stay open: The office, a sales and loan processing center, currently employs four people. The loan processing function will be phased out, but a reduction in office size isn't expected, said First Union spokesman Anthony Hoppa.

N.M. racetrack suitor sued in LV: A Clark County District Court lawsuit, filed by New York-based New Plan Excel Realty Trust Inc., accused Star Entertainment Group of failure to pay $65,000 in rent on Sneakers All-American Restaurant and Bar at 2250 E. Tropicana Ave. Star guaranteed the lease signed by Sneakers of Nevada, a Phoenix-based sister company owned by Star Entertainment President Michael Britton.

Birth announcements: Dec. 9: A boy to Rebecca and Jose Calderon; a boy to Kelly and Matthew Gunier. Dec. 10: A boy to Mekel and Darrell Lester; a girl to Carlisa Williams and Christopher Theus; a girl to Leanne and Leland Lugo; a girl to Rosa and Julio Montenegro; a girl to Melanie and Richard Wright. Dec. 11: A girl to Christina and Paul Bossert. Dec. 12: A girl to Guadalupe and Martin Monarrez; a girl to Lisa Longno and Danny McGee.

Chief executive to sell 100,000 shares: A Wednesday Securities and Exchange Commission filing indicates Thompson will sell 100,000 shares of Mikohn stock valued at $518,800. The filing didn't indicate whether the shares were acquired through the exercise of stock options.

Regulators, manufacturer back state control of kid-themed slots: CARSON CITY -- A proposed regulation to ban children-themed slot machines and other gambling devices from Nevada casinos gained support Thursday from state regulators and the slot manufacturer known for saying the federal government should keep its nose out of gaming.

Gaming Commission licenses Hyatt execs: Mark Heinzelman, general manager, says employees, construction workers and some local leaders will be on hand for the ribbon cutting. But the grand opening will be Jan. 14 for the 496-room hotel that will have a 9,000-square-foot casino with 191 slots and 11 table games.

California salmon could affect LV water: The future of Las Vegas' drinking water is riding on the backs of California salmon, according to author Marc Reisner.

Thursday's prep results: Valley 40, Woodside (Calif.) 39: Jennifer Brooks scored 13 points to lead the Vikings to a home win/

Columnist Sal DeFilippo: Today's kickers lose in the name game: Sal DeFilippo; I remember the good ol' days on the NFL, when you could assess a player's performance in a game by a few simple numbers in basic categories.

Missouri turmoil rocks Station Casinos stock: Gary Thompson; Station Casinos Inc. stock rebounded slightly today after a four-day battering by investors worried about the deepening mystery over events surrounding the activities of the company's outside lawyer in Missouri.

The Movie Guys: 'Stuart Little' carries a big message: Grades: Jeff: B Dave: B-.

City of Henderson becomes newest member: The municipality, which joined at the organization's $10,000 platinum membership level, joins the City of Las Vegas and the Las Vegas Convention and Visitors Authority as government entities now affiliated with the private, nonprofit group.

Timet fined $430,000: Launce Rake and Erin Neff; The Environmental Protection Agency, the Justice Department and the U.S. Attorney's Office today announced that Titanium Metals Corp. has agreed to pay a $430,000 penalty to settle Clean Air Act violations at the firm's Henderson plant.

Salary debate baffles School Board: Terry Webster; Questions are still swirling over the salary of a Clark County School District superintendent candidate, as School Board members report feeling like they are "hanging in the wind," and being "tossed and turned by the media."

Coaches make injury report: Steve Guiremand; The good news for the Fresno State Bulldogs is that their team has no serious injuries to report for Saturday's EA Sports Las Vegas Bowl game against Utah.

UNLV faces taxing problem of how to repay IRS $500,000: When the Internal Revenue Service sent UNLV a bill for $1.5 million in back taxes on events held at the Thomas & Mack Center, university officials were at a loss as to where they were going to find the money to pay it.

Man arrested in fatal crash, charged with drunken driving: Jessie Mathiss, 68, of Sandy Valley, was arrested and troopers have updated their preliminary version of the incident, which indicated that the victim, Lee McDonald, 29, of Las Vegas, had been driving recklessly.

Rogers offers to fill in as superintendent: Terry Webster; Media mogul James E. Rogers is offering to serve as an unpaid interim superintendent for the Clark County School District to give the School Board some extra time in its search to replace retiring Superintendent Brian Cram.

Block development is a future planning priority: Diana Sahagun; Housing in the older parts of the city should become a priority over the next five years, with rehabilitation work accomplished in large blocks rather than a house here and a house there, North Las Vegas planning staff says.

Classic boasts record 64 teams: Spencer Patterson; During its 23-year history, the Reebok Holiday Prep Classic has earned a reputation as one of the nation's premier prep basketball tournaments.

UNLV playing Cowboys for some respect: Victoria Sun; Oklahoma State dealt the UNLV basketball team an 81-69 loss last December at the Thomas & Mack Center.

Columnist Joe Delaney: Gans' success might mirror Siegfried & Roy impact: Joe Delaney; Danny Gans may be doing for fellow impressionists what Siegfried & Roy have done for other illusionists: make that performance genre a major entertainment factor in Las Vegas. ... Siegfried & Roy began here as a featured act in a production show, then had their own production show at the Frontier, before emerging as a No. 1 attraction at the Mirage.

Mayor: Betting won't hamper courting of NBA: Erin Neff; When talk first surfaced about a possible professional sports team in Las Vegas, the impact on sports betting statewide wasn't really an issue.

Utah players to watch: * John Frank, DE, 6-5, 277, Sr.: Edged BYU linebacker Rob Morris for Mountain West defensive player of the year honors. Led MWC in sacks (13) and tackles for loss (20 for 112 yards).

Columnist Ron Kantowski: LV Bowl needs recipe for success: When it comes to the Las Vegas Bowl, re-invention is the mother of necessity.

Sierra Club organizer leaving LV post: The Sierra Club's conservation organizer for Southern Nevada will soon be looking after the state's environmental issues in Washington, D.C.

Correction: Correction

Have New Year's weight-loss resolution? Call for help: The number -- (888) 397-2473 -- will be staffed by experts provided by the American Council on Exercise. Any exercise-related question will be welcomed and answered by the 40-plus experts standing by to take the calls.

Analysis: Ambulance firms waged war before: Adrienne Packer; Each time a lucrative ambulance contract expires across the country, American Medical Response and Rural/Metro Corp. are at the scene to convince governments they can resuscitate ailing service performances.

Vegas' growth tops in nation in '90s: Booming areas

All's well on water issues: Officials are confident that water will keep flowing in the Las Vegas Valley if the Y2K computer bug bites.

Man sought in six attempted abductions: Keith Paul; Metro Police are looking for a man who is apparently trying to prey on young girls in the southwest Las Vegas Valley.

Police officers will use warehouse as weekend staging area: Diana Sahagun; The North Las Vegas Police Department is preparing for the worst but hoping for the best for the New Year's Eve festivities expected to draw hundreds of thousands of people to the Las Vegas Valley.

Regulators delay action on Nevada Power issues: Two separate Nevada Power Co. electrical rate issues stalled in Public Utilities Commission sessions Thursday.

Holiday camps at Brown's: Holiday camps at Brown's

News briefs: Metro Police are searching for a 28-year-old man in connection with an October kidnapping and attempted robbery of a woman.

Former Rancho High standout takes over Grizzlies coaching job: Former Rancho High standout takes over Grizzlies coaching job

FBI searches for suspect in fraud case: Kim Smith; The FBI is asking for the public's help in locating a Las Vegas resident wanted in connection with a national telemarketing scam.

Lady Luck chief executive set for $74 million payday after merger: David Strow; Lady Luck Gaming Corp.

Former Equinox representatives join suit against Las Vegas multilevel marketer: David Strow; A federal judge has allowed a group of former Equinox International Corp. representatives to join a Nevada action against the Las Vegas network marketing company, in a move that could expand the case into a class-action lawsuit.

Singing impressionist Anderson displays vocal freedom: Joe Delaney; As a singing impressionist, Bob Anderson, appearing in the Desert Inn's Starlight Lounge, is nearly peerless. He captures the sound, the attitude and the essence of the great nightclub and saloon singers and also performs as his multitalented self. The result is the most relaxed and thoroughly enjoyable 80 minutes in town currently. The price is right as well with free admission and a two-drink minimum.

Silver Bandits end streak: Burton had a game-high 25 points and six assists while Henderson poured in 24 points and pulled down 10 rebounds. Rocky Walls had a double- double, scoring 15 points to go along with 12 rebounds. DeeAndre Hulett and Jeff Martin also scored in double figures with 15 and 12 respectively.

Henderson: Senior housing loses once again: Valerie Miller; If at first you don't succeed -- you try your luck before the city again. For a low-income senior housing complex, though, the answer was still no.

Grace period ends for motor vehicle registrations: The state Department of Motor Vehicles and Public Safety says a 30-day grace period given motorists to register their cars by mail has ended.

Schools adjust Y2K checks to accommodate churches: Stacy J. Willis; Members of several local churches found out this week that they would be welcoming the new millennium without a roof.

Science panel says Yucca too small for Idaho nuke waste: More than 12,000 cubic feet of high-level nuclear waste stored in Idaho may not fit into a proposed repository at Yucca Mountain and should stay where it is, a national scientific panel warned.

Community news briefs for December 17, 1999: More than 30 children from northwest Las Vegas will have a merrier Christmas this year thanks to Metro Police's Northwest Command Community-Oriented Policing officers and a $1,200 grant from Housing and Urban Development.

Family feud: Steve Guiremand; If Judge Mills Lane isn't busy Saturday afternoon, he might want to stop by the EA Sports Las Vegas Bowl at Sam Boyd Stadium.

Date book: The West Las Vegas Arts Center, 947 W. Lake Mead, will host the Poets' Corner, featuring established poets and an open microphone at 7 p.m. today. Admission is free. Call 229-4800.

Internet gambling complaint filed: CARSON CITY -- The state Gaming Control Board Thursday filed a complaint against a Las Vegas company, charging that it allowed an Australian subsidiary to accept illegal Internet bets.

Sound Check -- Geoff Carter: Fending off the compelling urge for a 'Blue' Christmas: You shouldn't buy Blue Man Group's "non-soundtrack" CD "Audio." Not yet. Rather, you should stalk it for a while.

Dial File -- Steve Bornfeld: Kaufman couldn't beat TV system: He was real and TV isn't. Or maybe TV is real and he wasn't. Or maybe we're real and he and TV weren't. Or maybe he and TV are real and we aren't.

Letter: Shelters, not shops, best for finding a pet: Puppy mill kennels consist of small wood or wire-mesh cages, usually kept outdoors. Female dogs are bred continuously, with no rest between heat cycles. Both mothers and puppies often suffer from malnutrition, exposure, and lack of adequate veterinary care. The females are killed when their bodies are worn out and they can no longer produce litters.

Saturday at Hollywood Park: 1st race 1-1/16 mi 3YO & up Clm: 1 Askabout (Nakatani) 118; 2 Reality On Ice (Espinoza) 118; 3 Super Ciel (Pincay) 118; 4 Simba Dance (Valenzuela) 118; 5 Northern Johnny (Aguirre) 115; 6 Payload (Enriquez) 118; 7 Neotorque (Pedroza) 120; 8 Crimson Policy (Valenzuela) 122.

Columnist Brian Hilderbrand: 21st century will see racing undergo change: While NASCAR enjoyed a growth in popularity during the 1990s that was unprecedented in major-league sports, the new millennium could bring even more drastic changes to America's fastest-growing spectator sport.

Saturday at Aqueduct: 1st race 6 fur 3YO Clm: 1 Diggy (Persaud) 117; 2 Aloween (Husbands) 117; 3 Alexthethird (Lopez) 113; 4 Sargeant Street (Gryder) 117; 5 Cellular Joe (Teator) 117; 6 Boot It Home (Aguilar) 117; 7 The Party Chairman (Beasley) 108; 8 Houstand (Leon) 117; 9 Big Steel (Bravo) 117; 10 J's Magic Jet (Hole) 113; 11 Regal Monument (Castillo) 117; 12 Cajun Bourre (Bridgmohan) 117.

Columnist Kate Maddox: Berkley scores points in soaring F-16: Kate Maddox; It takes a lot to rattle Congresswoman Shelley Berkley -- traveling at supersonic speed in an F-16 barely even fazes her.

Demise of NSO leaves Philharmonic as LV's lone orchestra: Kirk Baird; "You're nuts ... Vegas will never appreciate it."

Editorial: Tough times for top auto retailer in U.S.: But instead of embracing the no-haggling philosophy, too many customers bought vehicles elsewhere, causing huge losses for the company's superstores. So just two years later, AutoNation on Monday abruptly closed its 23 superstores across the nation, including one in Henderson. While the superstores have closed, the company's other 409 auto retail franchises, including 10 in Las Vegas, will continue to operate. These combination new-used franchises are no slouch, generating $20 billion in annual sales nationwide.

Editorial: IOC still is in need of overhaul: The reforms passed last weekend included attempts to stop bribery, such as a ban on IOC members from taking all-expenses-paid trips to cities hoping to be selected. But, as was pointed out by Rep. Diana DeGette, D-Colo., IOC members could still receive some gifts. Also raising eyebrows was the fact that the IOC president would be exempt from the ban on gifts. Samaranch claimed he has no say in which cities get selected, so he didn't feel the need to be included, but his defense rings hollow. In addition, Samaranch also felt heat for his wife accepting a $12,000 trip ...

IBL box: Las Vegas-New Mexico: Schraeder 2-7 4-4 8, Johnson 0-1 0-0 0, Martin 5-11 0-1 12, Burton 8-16 7-8 25, Igo 0-0 0-0 0, Henderson 8-17 7-10 24, Ellis 0-0 0-0 0, Hulett 7-9 1-1 15, Walls 6-10 3-11 15. Totals 36-71 22-35 99.

Letters: Nice job on rodeo coverage: Ron@vegas.com; This was the first year that my wife and I were unable to attend the NFR. But thanks to you, we did get to enjoy the next best thing -- your NFR coverage and stories.

The Main Course -- Muriel Stevens: Greed prompts changes to New Year's Eve prices: Many years ago there lived in Las Vegas a sweet little man who pretended to be a grumpy person. His name was Wingy Grober, and until his death many years ago, you could find him in the casino and around the restaurants, bars and lounges at Caesars Palace, where he worked.

White's operation expands at LVMS: "For the past year, we have been concentrating on a number of special projects for selected clients," White said. "Now, we are expanding our business to handle customer engines and/or complete integrated powertrain systems."

Letter: BCS system not the answer: Ron@vegas.com; Some of the people supposedly in charge of college football have said that they have not seen a plan for a playoff system that makes sense or would work. Who do they think they are kidding? These are the best people that we can put in charge, and they cannot figure out how to have a playoff in college football? Come on! And don't start with the lie that the student-athletes have finals for their classes in December and cannot play any games then. Why does college volleyball have their playoffs in December? Perhaps the people in charge of volleyball ...

Shelf Life -- Scott Dickensheets: Popular magazines yawn at the turn of the century: Warning: This column will discuss the new millennium as if it will arrive in all its bawling glory 14 days from now. Of course I know it won't truly get here until the dawn of 2001. That's simple math. But this isn't a math column (would that it were!), and since everyone is treating this New Year's as that New Year's, this column will, too. Math bows to metaphor every time. So hold fire, you sticklers for facts, pickers of nits, scribblers of supercilious letters of correction. I do not want to hear from you. Tell it to Father Time ...

Health District issues carbon monoxide advisory: Residents are urged to avoid unnecessary trips in their cars, to use Citizens Area Transit buses whenever possible and not to burn wood in their fireplaces during evening hours.

Obituaries for December 17, 1999: Margie Bingham, 85, of Henderson died Wednesday in Henderson. She was born Feb. 14, 1914, in North Carolina. A resident for many years, she was a telephone toll operator.

Where I Stand -- Mike O'Callaghan: Raggio's tough questions: HOW DARE NEVADA Senate Majority Leader Bill Raggio, R-Reno, delay authorizing more money to hire additional lawyers for the Real Estate Division. It will be interesting to see how the division answers his questions next month during the meeting of the Legislative Interim Finance Committee.

Saturday at Golden Gate: 1st race 1 mi 3YO & up F & M Clm: 1 Spectacular Jenna (Gonzalez) 116; 2 Jagtar (Bisono) 116; 3 Darken My Doorstep (Matias) 116; 4 Kings Delight (Mercado) 116; 5 Classical Song (Miranda) 109; 6 Greti (Radke) 111; 7 Genuine Promise (Warren) 118; 8 Funny Flag (Lopez) 116; 9 Valis Legacy (Tohill) 116.

Letter: Tax cuts ignore huge national debt: This debt costs taxpayers more than a billion dollars each day just for the interest. To ignore this debt -- and provide tax cuts that are highly beneficial to the wealthy -- shows a lack of common sense, if not outright stupidity by the Republicans.

Letter: Wildlife Range not for everyone: I have visited the range many times to take photographs and observed city dwellers with out-of-control dogs and children expressing puzzlement that they can see no wildlife. I would suggest they visit a zoo. The Desert National Wildlife Range is not for everyone and rightly so.

Prep Classic: a dozen to watch: Chad Bell, Westchester (Calif.), 6-10, Jr.

Ralph Siraco's selections for Saturday's races at Hollywood Park: 1st Race -- Payload - 3rd at this trip and track in last, won at this distance at Anita three races back, chance to make the pace and a forward factor throughout. Super Ciel - No rally sprinting in last, runner-up while claimed at this distance before that, won at this trip three races back, reunites with Pincay. Value Play -- Askabout

Letter: Some coaches are poor sports: Ron@vegas.com; This coach apparently is teaching her players that good sportsmanship is selective, and not a necessary part of their athletic experience in school. This "teacher" and molder of young minds and personalities has set a dangerous example for her players and cast a shadow on her school's athletic teachings in the eyes of all who attended that game last Friday evening.

Reebok Holiday Prep Classic facts: Where: Durango and Green Valley high schools

Letter: Kudos on Unser story: Ron@vegas.com; I happen to think that if the media in the areas that the IRL runs would put a positive (but realistic) spin on the drivers, cars, and competition, the IRL will grow. Right now it is the best-kept secret in sports. The drivers are good, as I know you recognize, and the competition is generally fierce.