Print edition for July 19, 1999

Community Briefs for July 19, 1999: The Yellow Pages Advertising Council and Sprint First Source are sponsoring a special discount at Wet 'n' Wild water park on The Strip Thursday to support recycling and literacy. Those who bring old phone books for recycling or a new or used children's book for the Classroom On Wheels bus between 10 a.m. and 4 p.m. will receive a $5 discount off the all-day admission price. COW offers a free, bilingual preschool and accredited drug prevention program with parenting classes.

Letter: Republican spouts all of the typical party-line phrases: But Mr. Rich People, how could you amass such fortunes if it weren't on the backs of labor. How about that, Mr. Rich, how much? If it weren't for labor, the rich would be in a mess.

Letter: Buildings must withstand weather: Is it simply assumed that since such treacherous weather does not occur as frequently in the West that it gives those who construct the opportunity to erect less stable properties? This must be evident because of the current lawsuits filed by homeowners associations against their builders over construction defects. Shouldn't our city and county officials have the opportunity to go after the companies who must be guilty of poor construction?

Editorial: Privacy rights are threatened: As the Associated Press reported last week, Sen. Richard Shelby, R-Ala., in 1998 attached an amendment to an appropriations bill that required most taxpayer-funded research to be made public if it is requested under the Freedom of Information Act. Shelby believes that the taxpayers who foot the bill for such research should, in turn, have access to the data and other information underpinning the research. More openness, Shelby contends, will ensure that the conclusions drawn are justified. Some business groups also want this process more open since sometimes the government may base new regulations on this publicly funded research.

Columnist Ralph Siraco: Hollywood chalk players suffer a rough trip: Ralph Siraco; There is an old saying in racing that goes, "There isn't a man alive who can pay the rent at 3-to-5." Of course the quote refers to anyone who dares to take short odds on a horse who on paper looks like a standout. You know, money in the bank, cattle on the ranch. The absolute cinch. The can't-lose. The "If he fell down he could get up and beat this bunch" kind of horse. The "If he loses the race there'll be a federal investigation" type of race.

Despite illness, tourney founder stays in game: Steve Carp; Some greet him like a long-lost relative. Others approach him as if they were in Oz and he was the Wizard.

Columnist Dean Juipe: Fans can't sympathize with umps: Dean Juipe; The photos that accompanied the initial stories seemed conspiratorial yet may have been nothing more than perfectly representative.

Players keep busy on and off the court: Spencer Patterson; Imagine dropping nearly 3,000 teen-age boys for five days into Las Vegas, a city best known for bright lights, high rollers and adult entertainment.

Tournament gives Adras a homecourt advantage: Spencer Patterson; The top Las Vegas hotels may be filled with college coaches in town for this week's adidas Big Time Basketball Tournament, but for Northern Arizona University's Mike Adras, there's no place like home.

Firefighters hold day of fun for kids: Local families will have a chance to get to know some of the community's firefighters when firefighters and rescue personnel gather at Mount Charleston Golf Resort on Highway 157 for a day of fun.

Recent gaming industry appointments and honors: Jennifer Rivers, an executive casino host at Harrah's Las Vegas hotel-casino, was recognized by Harrah's Entertainment Inc. with a 1999 Chairman's Award for outstanding individual performance.

PUC shakeup removes two more top officials: CARSON CITY -- The shakeup continues at the state Public Utilities Commission with the firing of two top officials with ties to former Chairwoman Judy Sheldrew, who was demoted last week by Gov. Kenny Guinn.

Stars' latest loss can't dim Ramsey's outlook: As incredible as it may sound, Las Vegas Stars manager Mike Ramsey said he doesn't believe the dog days of August will bite his players.

Bible wants ethics meetings to remain open: RENO -- Bill Bible plans to continue to keep meetings of the state Ethics Commission open to the public as much as legally possible.

Letter: Mesquite lowering its good standards: You were steeped in a tradition of kindness and an enviable lifestyle of values, honesty and goodwill. I used to visit my family there many years ago and felt the small-town goodness. Then as you grew, we visited and enjoyed the upscale momentum and growth.

Herbst brothers lead locals in SCORE race: Herbst, whose older brothers Ed and Tim Herbst finished second overall and won the featured Trophy-Truck division, muscled his hybrid Smithbuilt desert race car, powered by a Ford V8 engine, over the rugged 236-mile course under solid blue skies and unseasonably "cool" temperatures of just under 100 degrees in the Mojave desert.

MGM Grand to host acclaimed musical: Cavanaughs Entertainment of Spokane, Wash., and its TicketsWest.com subsidiary said CATS also will appear in Edmonton and Calgary, Alberta.

Convicted killer faces more charges in string of deaths: Bill Gang; Already convicted of one murder and serving a life prison term with no possibility of parole, Brian Keith Robinson is back in trial in the second of four murders he is charged with committing during a three-month period in 1996.

Profit soars at new Wells Fargo: Wells Fargo, the No. 7 bank in the country and No. 2 in Nevada, reported record net income of $931 million, or 55 cents a share, beating Wall Street's forecast by a penny.

Lowden, Kirsch roll to victories at LVMS: As part of Fan Appreciation Night, the NASCAR Late Model drivers competed in two 30-lap feature events. In the first main, drivers started according to their qualifying time. For the second main, officials took the results of the first event and inverted the entire field.

Citigroup profit increases: Citigroup, which owns Citibank, Travelers insurance group and the Salomon Smith Barney investment bank, reported net income of $2.45 billion, or 70 cents a share, for the April-June period. That beat Wall Street's estimate of 65 cents a share, according to First Call Corp.

Recent Las Vegas appointments, promotions and honors: The Howard Hughes Corp. promoted four executives to the position of senior vice president: Rita Brandin, retail development; J. Patrick Done, properties; Frank Beck, commercial development; and John Potts, Summerlin development.

Merger costs cut into B of A profit: Bank of America reported net income of $1.92 billion, or $1.07 a share, compared with $2.3 billion, or $1.28 a share, in the same period a year ago.

Bennett siblings say they will handle funeral: Cheryl Miller; Two siblings of Arthur Bennett, the former Marine who killed himself last week rather than face charges related to his faked death in 1994, say they will take charge of their brother's burial, according to a Henderson funeral home.

Community events for July 19, 1999: Starting a small business -- Workshops offered by Service Corps of Retired Executives Association and the Small Business Administration. Ongoing. 388-6104.

Box score - Redhawks 9, Stars 7: Oklahoma

Two accused in silver theft also suspects in murder plot: Homicide detectives consider two men accused of trying to steal Ted Binion's silver fortune in Pahrump suspects in the plot to murder the gambling figure, police records show.

Plan for moving horses criticized: Jace Radke; Terri Robertson has been an active citizen for 30 years when it comes to the Red Rock Canyon National Conservation Area.

Federal investigation sought: CARSON CITY -- A Reno woman has started a petition drive asking for a federal investigation of the state Ethics Commission, which she accuses of repeatedly violating the law.

County would share in fed school funds: Benjamin Grove; President Clinton and U.S. Education Secretary Richard Riley are leading a charge to free up $25 billion in interest-free loans for school districts to build and renovate schools.

Grocery slots at risk: The company said the slot operator for Raley's Northern Nevada stores, Alliance Gaming Group, has filed an application with the Nevada Gaming Control Board to operate machines at Albertson's 15 Southern Nevada stores, which would displace Jackpot.

James not talking about appearance before ethics panel: CARSON CITY -- Sen. Mark James, R-Las Vegas, has declined comment on his appearance before the state Ethics Commission Friday in Reno.

Karpov says he's being rooked: David Clayton; In the lore of chess there's a story about the great German player, Dr. Siegbert Tarrasch. On the eve of a 1908 match with his bitter rival, then-World Champion Emanuel Lasker, the story goes that the two were not on speaking terms. Tarrasch is said to have proclaimed that this would not be a handicap as he would have only two words for his foe: Check mate!

Obituaries for July 19, 1999: She is survived by her husband, Brian; two sons, Dale Peterson of Sidney, Ohio, and Gary Peterson of Sunrise, Fla.; four brothers, Charles Sun, Richard Sun, Robert Sun and John Sun; seven grandchildren and one great-grandchild.

NASCAR-LVMS Winston Racing Series results: Fast time: Ray Hooper Jr. 16.842

Detroit casino opening delayed: This will delay the opening of MGM Grand's temporary Detroit casino, which had tentatively been set for July 27.

Nevadans mourn loss of JFK Jr.: Mirage Resorts Chairman Steve Wynn, like most of the rest of America, spent the weekend glued to the television watching the tragedy of John F. Kennedy Jr. unfold.

Wynn partners on condo project: A spokeswoman for the $100 million high-rise project said Wynn will serve as a consultant on the project and is an investor. The amount of his investment was not disclosed.

Tough act to follow: Bill Gang; Sitting in the court chambers where he has spent more than 28 years, District Judge Joseph Pavlikowski's recollections do not turn to precedents, past cases or high-minded matters of law.

Reno man says he won't pay fine: RENO -- A political activist says he won't pay a $5,000 fine imposed by the state Ethics Commission against him for allegedly filing a frivolous complaint.

Pioneer Finance to make partial payment: Pioneer Finance Corp. will pay 50 percent of the interest owed on its outstanding bonds for the period between Dec. 1, 1998 and May 31, 1999. The cash payment was approved by a bankruptcy judge. The bonds carry a rate of 13.5 percent.

Clinton to make call on flood aid: The fate of Nevada's request for $20.5 million in disaster aid after a series of storms wreaked havoc in Las Vegas over the last two weeks will rest with President Clinton, federal emergency officials said today.

Life in the Slow Lane: Kimberley McGee; By Kimberley McGee LAS VEGAS SUN

Accidents kill two drivers: The first occurred when a Dodge van rear-ended a Ford Bronco in the eastbound lanes of Bonanza Road Saturday morning, throwing out the driver of the Bronco, police said.

SCORE Fireworks 250 results: TROPHY-TRUCK (Unlimited Production Trucks) -- 1. Ed and Tim Herbst, Las Vegas, Ford F-150, 4 hours, 32 minutes, two seconds (52.052 miles per hour) (SECOND OVERALL); 2. Kreg Donohoe, Anaheim, Calif., Dodge Ram 1500, 5:43:43; 3. Dan Smith/David Ashley, Riverside, Calif., Ford F-150, 6:21:14 (9 Starters, 3 Finishers).