Print edition for July 9, 1999

Las Vegas news briefs for July 9, 1999: The Clark County School Board will soon hire a headhunting firm to find a new superintendent to replace Brian Cram, who retires from the post in July 2000.

Laughlin sees its gaming market coming back to life: John Wilen; LAUGHLIN -- Laughlin's glory years may have come to an abrupt end in the mid-1990s, but the pendulum of fortune now seems to be shifting the other way for this small city on the Arizona border.

Trump may seek LV partner for AC casino: Trump announced today he plans to raze his World's Fair casino in Atlantic City and build a structure on the 12-acre site that will incorporate "the best of everything we have ever developed before."

Opening date set for New Orleans casino: Executives also said for the first time that the casino will open to the public Oct. 28.

Life's necessities getting tougher to reach: A U.S. Census report released today says one in five Americans have trouble making ends meet and paying for necessities such as food or utilities.

Damage assessed, area braces for more rain: Ed Koch and Jace Radke; Southern Nevadans began to clean up today from Thursday's torrential rainstorm that sent swift flood waters careening through the Las Vegas Valley, destroying homes, closing streets and killing two, including a 91-year-old woman.

Murphy defense team looking for $300,000: Sandy Murphy's defense team was rounding up cash today to post $300,000 in bail to free the accused murderer from the Clark County Detention Center.

Neighbors respond to desperate calls for assistance: Jace Radke; Petrified with fright as 3 feet of water rushed by the door of her RV, Maureen DiPietro tried to signal for help the only way she could think of.

Trump plans new Atlantic City casino on site of Trump World's Fair: Trump announced Friday he will demolish his money-losing Trump World's Fair casino and build a new one on a 12-acre Boardwalk site next to Convention Hall.

LV company wins order in Italy: Installation of the system, which will centrally control the property's 471 slot machines, has begun with the opening scheduled later this summer.

Scientists say Mead safe for fishing, swimming: Scientists have good news for sports fishermen and swimmers who enjoy Lake Mead.

Monsoons unlikely to hurt casinos: The famed Las Vegas Strip was turned into a lake by what the National Weather Service says is the worst flooding in 15 years to hit the world's gambling capital. Flights were delayed Thursday at McCarran International Airport.

Del Papa: County got fair share of program grants: CARSON CITY -- Attorney General Frankie Sue Del Papa denied Thursday that Clark County is getting shortchanged on money for programs to combat domestic violence.

Contaminated water found flowing into Las Vegas Wash: State environmental officials have discovered a new source of perchlorate flowing into Southern Nevada's major drinking water supply.

Potential conflicts of interest loom over Silver State contract extension vote: Erin Neff And Adrienne Packer; Republic Silver State Disposal Inc.'s negotiations with local governments to keep exclusive possession of valley garbage services another 15 years has critics questioning the firm's relationship with elected officials.

Insurance firms prepare for worst: Major insurance companies are poised to send teams of adjusters to Las Vegas in anticipation of a deluge of claims in the wake of the worst flooding locally in 15 years -- a disaster that is not covered by most homeowners insurance policies.

Deal with AT&T adds 2,000 Nev. customers: The deal, announced Wednesday, gives Cox AT&T's stake in Peak Cablevision, which has systems in Ely and Eureka. Peak, based in Englewood, Colo., has a total of 117,000 customers in Oklahoma, Arkansas, Utah and Nevada.

LVCVA bond sale delayed: Gary Thompson; A double-barreled assault on the planned expansion of the Las Vegas Convention Center prompted an investment banker to delay issuance of bonds to finance the project Thursday.

Resort at Summerlin's opening set for Monday: Executives at the soon-to-open Resort at Summerlin saw the silver lining in the clouds, even after they dumped about 3 inches of rain on a press preview Thursday.

Cats and dogs? Thursday's rain hit Southern Nevada in pools: Ed Koch and Mary Manning; How much rain fell on the Las Vegas Valley Thursday?

Despite damage to several schools, no classes are interrupted: Benjamin Grove; Several Clark County schools suffered flood damage Thursday, but classes began as scheduled today at the district's 85 year-round schools.

Flood basins, filled to brim, protect property: "The flood was one of the worst we've ever seen in the valley," engineer Kevin Eubanks of the flood control district said.

Agency plans small business seminars: DOE plans a "Small Business Expo" Monday from 9 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. at its support office at 232 Energy Way in North Las Vegas.

Predictions mixed for Las Vegas: The decline was caused by reductions in residential building permits issued, taxable sales, traffic at McCarran International Airport, gaming revenue, visitor volume and convention attendance.

Insurance adjusters get help: CARSON CITY -- State Insurance Commissioner Alice Molasky-Arman Thursday gave temporary approval to out-of-state adjusters to handle claims in Clark County from people who suffered damage caused by Thursday's storm.

Reno police investigate possible murder-suicide: Both died from stab wounds.

Editorial: Private mailboxes create controversy: The rules also aim at those who engage in deception by using misleading words in their addresses, such as "suite" or "office." Instead those using private mailboxes will have to use the moniker PMB -- and the Postal Service won't deliver mail to their address without the PMB tag. But some businesses say the PMB rule will cost them exorbitant sums to notify all their customers to use the PMB label by October, which is when the the rule may go into effect. A few also complain their privacy rights are being violated, because anyone who rents a private mailbox ...

Swingers descend on Reno for erotic art show, sexuality workshops: Scott Sonner; Just don't call it a "swingers conference" around the chief organizer, Lifestyles Organization founder Robert McGinley, a psychologist from Anaheim, Calif.

State Medicaid officials to hold public meetings in Vegas, Reno: His comments were echoed by Brian Lahren, who heads an independent social services agency in Reno. He said public transportation was "minimal at best" for the disabled.

Torrential rains are no stranger to LV Valley: Torrential rains producing floods that sweep cars, trucks and mobile homes away on Thursday are not a new phenomenon in Southern Nevada's desert valley.

'Nothing criminal' in Dreyfus estate report: The probe involving Zephyr Cove's Dreyfus estate was made public Thursday after being stonewalled by the Forest Service.

Plans beefed up for Mesquite bull run: Robert Macy; Call it bravado or bad judgment, hundreds of runners are expected to line up this weekend to match their skills against dozens of bulls in the second annual running of the bulls in Mesquite.

Letter: Restaurants join health district in smoke-free trial: * "When I eat at a restaurant, I'd rather blow bubbles than smoke."

Where I Stand -- Mike O'Callaghan: Sleepless in Archie Grant: YOU ARE 95 years old and live in a city of Las Vegas Housing Authority apartment. Because of loud noises caused by nearby plumbing you get very little sleep at night. The people managing the facility tell you they will correct the situation, but it still continues week after week and month after month.

Columnist Joe Delaney: Reflecting on signature songs of Sinatra, Anka, Bennett: Joe Delaney; Signature songs: Musical artists, particularly vocalists, spend entire careers searching for that one song that could become their signature song. ... The late Frank Sinatra had signature songs over a seven-decade period beginning with "All Or Nothing At All," recorded with Harry James and his Orchestra in the late 1930s.

Walker Lake loon mercury study expected to get $250,000: "The Carson River is loaded with mercury," Reid said. "What I'd like to find is that there is no mercury in the Walker River. This study will help determine if mercury is in the lake or somewhere else."

More rain expected: Today: A flash flood watch is in effect until 9 p.m. There is a 40 percent chance of showers and thunderstorms. Locally heavy rain is possible. Highs: 90-95, winds out of the southwest at 5-15 mph, gusting and variable near the storms.

Residents of flooded trailer park begin digging out: Kiley Russell; "All my neighbors are in the same boat I'm in," Golden, 85, said, leaning against his fence in his bathrobe and slippers.

Power loss, gas leak cause chaos: Electricity went off for 2,500 Nevada Power Co. customers at the height of Thursday's storm. A natural gas pipeline broke on Boulder Highway, and Clark County's sewage treatment plant operated at full throttle.

Murphy to remain in jail through the weekend: Justice of the Peace Jennifer Togliatti continued a hearing on the source of the $300,000 until 1 p.m. Monday to clear up questions about business transactions involving the money in Ireland.

Bryan drums up support for Clinton's Medicare reform: Scott Sonner; SPARKS -- Sen. Richard Bryan is helping a health care consumer group rally support for President Clinton's proposal to commit budget surpluses to Medicare reform and help pay for seniors' prescription drugs.

Government may have linked attorney to illegal gambling operation: Agents from the Internal Revenue Service and FBI also said unnamed witnesses reported they were recruited into the Vietnow organization by Shelton and others, but were never active.

Guilty plea entered in LV killing: Bill Gang; The man charged with robbing and murdering a 64-year-old man in a remote desert area has pleaded guilty to first-degree murder, but the plea bargain doesn't solve the big question in the slaying.

Fire burns about 9,000 acres near historic mining town: The blaze was 35 percent contained on Friday with full containment estimated by 9 p.m. Saturday. It started about 3 p.m. on Thursday.

UNLV's athletic department has concerns over revenue deal: Steve Carp; Having regained control of its ticketing, marketing and promotional arms, the UNLV athletic department is looking for more blood for its veins.

$400 million flood control project saves lives, property: Robert Macy; The project is only 20 percent complete and won't be finished for another 25 years, Las Vegas Mayor Oscar Goodman said.

Hop nightclub owner Drach dies: John Drach was a survivor.

Disaster relief information: The city of Las Vegas Internet website has more information on road conditions at http://www.ci.las-vegas.nv.us.

Obituaries for July 9, 1999: Pamela Jill Douglas Alger, 38, of Las Vegas died Wednesday in a local hospital. She was born Dec. 29, 1960, in Salt Lake City. A resident for 27 years, she was a homemaker.

More than a dozen local desert racers entered in 28th SCORE Fireworks 250: Charlie Townsley of Las Vegas gets his first chance to be the initial driver off the starting line in the unlimited Class 1, which features a race-high 30-car early entry field.

Columnist Steve Carp: It's time for sports, Mack to play nicely: Steve Carp; Am I missing something? Or is the UNLV athletic family so dysfunctional that they can't get along and play nice?

Jury orders Mustang Ranch turned over to federal government: Tom Gardner; The Mustang Ranch and an array of other properties were owned by two shell companies prosecutors successfully argued were set up solely to hide the identity of the true owner, fugitive brothel baron Joe Conforte.

Letter: Electorate rates Clinton too highly: Mr. Olivier concludes his letter by saying, "I don't think the polls are reflecting a knowledge of this among the shallow personality-driven electorate at the present time!"

Downtown offices of mayor, City Council waterlogged: Erin Neff; Even as the first reports of the flooding in northwest Las Vegas reached City Hall downtown, the 10th-floor offices of the mayor and City Council members began to take on water.

Editorial: You're getting sleepy ...: As the Sun's Jace Radke reported Wednesday, Nevada is just one of two states that expressly legalize hypnosis for pre-trial evidence gathering. So far, however, "forensic hypnosis" has not been embraced by Metro Police. "I'm cautious because hypnosis is an inexact science, and we don't want to start treating it as an exact science like fingerprints and DNA," Lt. Tom Monahan of Metro Police's sexual assault detail told Radke. The only time Monahan has used hypnosis was to see if a witness could remember a license plate number, but the technique was unsuccessful.

Lion Around: A new habitat at the MGM Grand provides an up-close peek: Keith Evans and family could use both.

Saturday at Belmont Park: 1st race 1 mi 1 fur 3YO & up Mdn: 1 a-Decree (Sellers) 115; 2 Emerging Market (Samyn) 115; 3 Quick Devil (Santos) 121; 4 Dr. Bart (Chavez) 121; 5 First Emperor (Gryder) 115; 6 Political Folly (Velazquez) 115; 7 El Temperamental (Luzzi) 115; 8 Harrington Sound (Davis) 115; 9 Sir Eli (Bailey) 115; 10 American Tourist (Smith) 115.

A plan gone awry: Steve Carp; The mechanism was supposedly in place. The people to carry out the plan were already on board. The resources had already been tapped and it was just a matter of giving the spigot another twist and watch the money flow.

County to spend $15 mil. to curtail erosion: After decades of talking about erosion in the Las Vegas Wash, Clark County is doing something this year to stop it.

Ralph Siraco's selections for Saturday's races at Hollywood Park: 1ST RACE: Waypoint - Steady handling to win sprint at this level late-May in last, runner-up at higher level before that, in the quinella half of 8 lifetime starts with a pair of victories, needs clean trip from rail post. Wild Card - Held gamely to break maiden at this trip and track in last, 6-wide runner-up before that, Solis stays for trainer Dominguez, rounding into nice runner, chance to win right back. Value Play -- Danzig Commander

Box score: Stars 6, Grizzlies 4: Las Vegas

Columnist Muriel Stevens: At outing at sensational Spago should be savored: Dinner at Spago in the Forum Shops is always an adventure. I still remember the thrill of dining for the first time at Spago Las Vegas. It was a memorable event, not only for the joy of being able to dine locally at an acclaimed restaurant owned by celebrity chef Wolfgang Puck, but because it was everything it was touted to be:

College aid piles up for LV student: At the age of 18, Erin Armstrong's resume is four pages long.

Columnist Brian Hilderbrand: Andretti skeptical of F1 success at Indy: Don't count Michael Andretti among those who believe an American Formula One race will be a smashing success in Indianapolis.

Dial File -- Steve Bornfeld: Getting huffy over 'Buffy': Slay on, Buffy baby.

Birth announcements: June 22:

Letter: Old soldier stated plight of elderly: Their way is more subtle. Promise, but don't fund Medicare. Allow drug makers to raise costs way beyond the reach of the seniors who need it most. Disallow COLA increases to an insulting degree, while they enjoy the best of health care, high living, regular salary increases, and "perks" to dream about.

Driver pleads not guilty in fatal crash: District Judge Jeff Sobel set a Nov. 15 trial date for Timothy Fonseca, who is being held on $1.25 million bail on the 13 charges that resulted from the June 1 collision at Pecos Road and Cheyenne Avenue.

Saturday at Hollywood Park: 1st race 6 fur 3YO Clm: 1 Waypoint (Garcia) 118; 2 Braconne (Pedroza) 116; 3 Victory Hotel (Flores) 116; 4 Marlwood (Enriquez) 116; 5 Danzig Commander (Pincay) 116; 6 Wild Card (Solis) 116.

Camp can help kids develop social skills: George and his sisters live with a friend of their mother's and he helps out around the house. Although he tries hard at school he still has some tough times, his mother said.

LV clean-up firms flooded with business: David Strow and Grace Leong; For those in the business of repairing Las Vegas water damage, today is similar to the day after Thanksgiving for retail employees.

Killer rains swamp Las Vegas: Angie Wagner; "It's a wide strip of devastation," Gov. Kenny Guinn said after taking a helicopter tour of flooded areas Thursday evening, when the water finally started to recede.

Commission declares a state of emergency in valley: Sonya Padgett; The declaration paves the way for the county to receive federal assistance.

Trade sends Melo to Blue Jays: Today Melo is a member of the Toronto Blue Jays organization after getting dealt by the Padres on Thursday for a double-A pitching prospect.

Chambers sees CCSN as a future 'powerhouse': Steve Guiremand; Not even Thursday's stunning downpour of rain that flooded much of Las Vegas could dampen the enthusiasm of new Community College of Southern Nevada head baseball coach Tim Chambers.

Community news briefs for July 9, 1999: Flying for the Non-Pilot -- a one night class designed for nonpilots who want to learn more about what goes on before, during and after a flight -- will be offered 7-9 p.m. Thursday.

Shelf Life -- Scott Dickensheets: Here's a memoir that's not a portrait in tragedy: Should you wish to prepare your child for a successful career in the exciting field of memoir-writing, there are some steps you can take right now.

Sun Life datebook: Summerlin Library, 1771 Inner Circle Drive, presents the photographic prints from the American Institute of Architects 1999 competition Thursday through Sept. 12. Call 256-5111.

Guinn tours damage, plans to ask for federal aid: Jace Radke; After getting an aerial view of the devastation caused by the Thursday's floods, Gov. Kenny Guinn says he will be asking for some help.

Supreme Court rejects online attorney listings: CARSON CITY -- The Nevada Supreme Court Thursday rejected the petition of a California company that wanted to operate a lawyer referral service on the Internet.

Sound Check -- Geoff Carter: 'Disneyland Forever' discs: It's a CD world after all: I hate the Walt Disney Co. They're toying with me. Every time they do something dirt stupid -- selling off Kevin Smith's "Dogma," buying ABC -- they do something just cool enough to keep my interest in them piqued. I find myself still attuned to their fortunes because I vividly remember a time when they weren't the biggest, baddest mama-jammas in the world of entertainment; in fact, they were almost ready to croak. I admired Walt Disney -- the man, the myth, the obsessed control freak -- too much not to care.