Print edition for June 3, 1999

The king's fatigues and cape (but no blue suede shoes) for sale: The bulk of the items to be auctioned are record, movie and performance contracts, including the publishing contract for "Heartbreak Hotel" and letters from Marilyn Monroe, Frank Sinatra and President John F. Kennedy.

Friday at Belmont Park: 1st race 7 fur 3YO&up F&M Mdn Clm: 1 Krisard (Espinoza) 114; 2 Timeless River (Leon) 121; 3 M'lady's Honour (Migliore) 114; 4 Justine's Dream (Velazquez) 114; 5 Jolie's Princess (Gryder) 114; 6 Glitter Bond (Chavez) 114; 7 Alpine Mist (DeCarlo) 114; 8 Margin For Error (Bridgmohan) 114; 9 Winoneforgrandpa (Smith) 109; 10 Go Isa Win (Smith) 114.

Southern Nevada's community college, university big winners in state budget battle: For the most part, the infusions will help the Las Vegas-area campuses sustain booming student populations but some of the dollars will go toward fixing funding disparities that favor Northern Nevada students over their counterparts in the south.

Panel aims to curb political involvement of gambling industry: Rep. Jim Gibbons, R-Nev., called the recommendation "misguided" and a violation of equal rights. "Hopefully, this prejudicial policy will be soundly rejected by the states," Gibbons said.

Metro traffic officers can't keep up with area's growth: Jace Radke; "Eighty-four officers may sound like a lot, but you have to remember they are spread out over seven days a week and 24 hours a day," Lt. John Thornton said. "Then there are sick days and vacations, and you can see how we can get spread pretty thin."

Antley's stock is on the upswing: Steve Carp; BELMONT, N.Y. -- It wasn't the best choice of words. But given Chris Antley's enthusiasm and the fact he has turned his life around, perhaps he can be cut a little slack.

Henderson tavern battle goes to Supreme Court: The court said the City Council must reconsider its decision not to allow the business, owned by Ronald Coury and Daniel Hughes, to expand its 40 slot machines to compete with other area taverns with more gaming.

Ludwick taken in second round: Spencer Patterson; While one local player realized his professional dreams in Wednesday's Major League Baseball draft, another put them on hold indefinitely.

3 Trailblazers top Sun all-state first team: Spencer Patterson; To the victors go the spoils.

NCAA Golf Championships: Rebels 6 shots back: CHASKA, Minn. -- UNLV trailed front-running Oklahoma State by six shots going into today's second round of the NCAA Division I Men's Golf Championships.

Crazy Courtney did her thing at the Hard Rock: Geoff Carter; I'll be retelling my Courtney Love anecdote long after I'm dead. For your convenience, I'll have it engraved on my tombstone, along with a small "target" area where mourners can spit and say, "Dumb (expletive) rock critic ... you don't know nothing."

Suspect was boy next door, friends and family say they are shocked: Tim Dahlberg; The muscular 23-year-old liked to party with friends from the sports bar where he worked one day a week as a bouncer. He spent part of Memorial Day weekend laughing and joking with them at a swim party and barbeque.

Wyden says he has evidence of gasoline price-fixing in the West: "All this comes together to reduce choice, concentrate power among a handful of oil company giants and to exploit consumers," Wyden said.

Obituaries for June 3, 1999: He is survived by his wife of 56 years, Thelma H.; one daughter, Kim Hudrlik of Logandale; one son, Curtis Aho of Virginia Beach, Va.; five sisters, Betty Whittier Holm and Julia Beckman, both of Cromwell, Minn., and Ellen Resso, Esther McGuire and Dorothy Tiili, all of Duluth; two brothers, Leonard Aho of Wright, Minn., and Arthur Aho of Tamarack, Minn.; and three grandchildren.

Grid system chosen for Town Center approach: Adrienne Packer; A C-shaped road was protested by developers who complained that valuable land would be dissected. An S-curved street would take out about a dozen homes.

NCAA golf notebook: Defending champ remains confident: CHASKA, Minn. -- UNLV freshman Adam Scott must have been breathing a little bit easier following the opening round of the NCAA Division I Men's Golf Championships.

LV promoter buys entertainment firm: Although details of the deal weren't released, company executives have placed the value of the transaction at about $100 million in cash and stock.

Columnist Ron Kantowski: Books almost got burned on Indy 500: When Robby Gordon's car ran out of fuel almost within sight of the checkered flag at the Indy 500 Sunday, Indy Racing League founder Tony George was spared the embarrassment of having a regular in the rival Championship Auto Racing Teams (CART) series win the IRL's marquee event.

North Las Vegas: Pay raises for police approved: Lisa Snedeker; The contract with the nonsupervisor unit of the North Las Vegas Police Officers Association for July 1, 1999, to June 30, 2002, was approved unanimously as part of the consent agenda.

Editorial: FTC probe may offer insight into violence: Another factor suspected of contributing to this problem is the violence children see on television, movies and video games. So on Tuesday President Clinton asked the Federal Trade Commission to investigate the marketing practices of the entertainment industry. Clinton wants to find out whether the violent material rated for adults also is aimed at children, much in the way that tobacco companies were accused of marketing their products for children.

Other multiple homicides in Nevada: -August 1998: Four Las Vegas men were robbed, bound with duct tape and executed in an apartment. Two of the three teen-agers charged said the four were killed because they might have retaliated for the robbery if allowed to live. Trials for the suspects are set for this summer.

NLV may get its branch library: Lisa Snedeker; After the Legislature failed to provide $1.3 million to build the proposed library, today's announcement for the construction of a multi-faceted recreation center in North Las Vegas is welcome news for the financially strapped city. Especially since the recreation center financing may also make the library possible.

Editorial: Another colossal blunder: In a way, then, it shouldn't come as too much of a surprise that this track record of ignoring the problem at hand has been replicated elsewhere. The General Accounting Office released a report this week that uncovered a shocking failure by the Department of Energy's attempt to solidify 34 million gallons of nuclear weapons waste at the Department of Energy's Savannah River Site in South Carolina. The Department of Energy spent 16 years and nearly $500 million before finally acknowledging this week that it will abandon a plan to vitrify and store millions of gallons of radioactive waste, because ...

Walters questions denial of tax exemption: Based on the refusal of the Legislature, Walters said Wednesday he would ask the Las Vegas City Council to amend his contract so greens fees could be increased, probably by $7-$8 a round.

Federal panel concedes mob is out of casino industry: At the suggestion of Commissioners Terry Lanni and Bill Bible, both aligned with the casino industry, the panel voted to include language that suggests "effective regulation" and corporate America's "takeover" of the industry have "eliminated organized crime from the ownership and operation of casinos."

Columnist Susan Snyder: What's really 'out of place' in Las Vegas?: snyder@lasvegassun.com.

Federal judgeships on shaky ground: Mark D. Preston; Senate Judiciary Committee Chairman Orrin G. Hatch, R-Utah, and ranking minority member Patrick J. Leahy, D-Vt., agreed to add funding for nine new judgeships spread across three states including Nevada. Florida would receive four new judgeships and Arizona would get three.

Scholarships awarded for community project: The students were recognized for their accomplishments in four of five areas: special talents, leadership, obstacles overcome, unique endeavors and community services.

High-tech Girl Toys R Us: Melissa Schorr; If only Harriet the Spy had used a Password Journal.

Airport museum named after former Sen. Howard Cannon: "We need to name something significant at the airport after Howard Cannon," commission Chairman Bruce Woodbury said. "First of all, he's a good man, but he had also done so much for our community."

Drug Court may be national model: Bill Gang; District Judge Jack Lehman left Wednesday after a last minute request to explain the program -- the first in the nation -- to 2,500 representatives of the nation's 400 other drug courts, just two days after the Nevada Legislature approved and funded the program.

Letter: House organs waste of paper: We have newspapers to inform us!

Company banned from selling 'laundry globes': The state Attorney General's Office sought an order in District Court forbidding TradeNet Marketing Inc. from selling the Laundry Solution, the Laundry Solution Globe and the SuperGlobe with Booster in Nevada.

Reid bill cracks down on air rage: Benjamin Grove; "I don't think it will hurt," Reid, D-Nev., said Tuesday.

Columnist Dean Juipe: Ayala promises a war when he meets Tapia: Dean Juipe; When Paulie Ayala hears the opening bell June 26, he knows he has to spring into action.

Woman saved by heroic neighbor: Sonya Padgett; But Clark County Fire department spokesman Steve La-Sky said Schuler's actions were heroic.

The Sun's 1999 all-state softball team: C: Kathy Waddilove, Green Valley, Senior

Noted Chicago restaurateurs come to Vegas: Park Place said its 2,916-room Paris property is teaming with a private restaurant company, Lettuce Entertain You Enterprises Inc., to open the two French restaurants: Mon Ami Gabi and the resort's signature Eiffel Tower restaurant.

Custom home dwellers call for city services: Lisa Snedeker; A petition signed by 117 of the 128 homeowners in the area bordered by Eastern Avenue, Pecos Road, Serene Avenue and Ivanpah Drive states they are being squeezed from all sides by new shopping centers on Eastern Avenue -- Wal-Mart, Target and Home Depot -- as well as new homes, specifically the Southfork subdivision to the south, a 378-acre development of more than 1,300 houses.

MGM may be first to open a Detroit casino: Nelson Westrin, executive director of the Michigan Gaming Control Board, said the agency's background investigation of MGM Grand is complete, the Detroit Free Press reported.

LV firm sues over failed merger: Kadlic Gaming filed suit against Northstar Gaming and TSG Investment, both incorporated in the province of Manitoba. Neither could be located for comment.

Man dies as driver ignores police: A citizen called police just after 11 p.m. and reported a possible drunk driver in a Chevrolet pickup in northeast Las Vegas.

Choi says Mirage was warned of Korean law on debts: David Strow; Choi also claims Mirage executives tried coercing her into giving false information about the case to Nevada gaming regulators.

Mazza takes lead at Showboat Invitational: Mazza had no lower than a 215 score for his eight games Wednesday night and completed the round with a pinfall 5,759.

LV bank in pact to recover diverted funds: Business Bank of Nevada said Wednesday that it has recovered $800,000. A structured repayment agreement has been signed with the ATM processor, NMS Financial Inc., and bank officials said they expect to get all the bank's money back by January.

Boxing schedule: At Mt. Pleasant, Mich., Chris Byrd, Flint, vs. Jose Ribalta, Cuba, 10, heavyweights.

Stewart seeking elusive title shot: Dean Juipe; After 52 professional fights, Alex Stewart gave himself a reality check.

Former inspector pleads not guilty: Bill Gang; District Judge John McGroarty set an Oct. 18 trial date and let the 45-year-old defendant remain free without bail.

Texaco, Chevron cancel talks: In a statement Wednesday after the markets had closed, Texaco said that Chevron's proposal to buy Texaco was "unacceptable for several reasons, including complexity, feasibility, risk and price."

The Sun's 1999 all-state prep baseball team: C: Kenny Riley, Reed, Senior

Prep softball player of the year: Chelsea Crosby: Spencer Patterson; After her Wooster Colts lost nine games by an identical 1-0 score in 1998, Chelsea Crosby vowed her sophomore season would have a different theme.

Neighbors call suspect 'normal': Sonya Padgett and Stacy Willis; Thursday morning the former vocational student and Marine machine gunner killed four people and seriously wounded another, Metro Police said today.

Columnist Steve Carp: A step in the right direction: Steve Carp; ELMONT, N.Y. -- Twenty-six years ago, a thoroughbred race horse captured America's fancy. So much so that when it came for a panel to vote on the 50 greatest athletes of the 20th Century, the horse was included on the list.

Community news briefs for June 3, 1999: AT&T Wireless Services is hosting an art sale noon-4 p.m. Saturday and Sunday at 3280 E. Flamingo Road.

Reese files suit against ethics panel: Bill Gang and Erin Neff; The petition for judicial review filed May 26 alleges the Ethics Commission abused and exceeded its authority and committed a variety of unspecified legal errors in chastising Reese.

Casinos rip restrictions on political donations: "I think it was wrong for them to pass that resolution," said Frank Fahrenkopf, president of the Washington-based American Gaming Association. "It has a negative impact on our industry's ability to participate in the political process, and I hope no state legislature pays any attention to it."

Prep baseball player of the year: Mike Esposito: Spencer Patterson; Coming into the 1999 prep baseball season, Mike Esposito had a very tough act to follow: his own.

Letter: Writer in no spot to criticize other: Self righteousness is so predictable!

Where I Stand -- Mike O'Callaghan: Indicting the bad guys: Count 1 -- Deportation, a crime against humanity, punishable under Article 5 (d) of the Statute of the Tribunal.

Four killed in shooting at grocery store: Robert Macy; Officers summoned by a 911 call from inside the suburban Albertsons market arrived as shots were still being fired, said Officer Steve Meriwether. They confronted a shaven-headed man with a goatee who walked out the front door toting a pump-action shotgun, he said.

NLV incumbents lead in campaign contributions: The two incumbents and fellow candidates Shari Buck and Marcia Blake are vying for two seats on the council.

Letter: Guinn apparently will go way of Miller on COLA: The increase will take place in July 2000. That is one year from now. Gov. Guinn and the leadership in the Legislature have no idea what happened to state workers in 1991 when then-Gov. Bob Miller did about the same thing, not really knowing that the economy would sputter just a little, causing Gov. Miller to cancel the COLA.

Four die in store shooting: Susan Snyder and Jerry Fink; A former U.S. Marine machine gunner wearing camouflage fatigues opened fire with a shotgun inside an Albertson's Food & Drug store early this morning killing four store employees and critically injuring a fifth.

School district enjoys relatively quiet passage to summer: Benjamin Grove; "This is going bye-bye," Bobby said, unceremoniously retiring his eighth grade year.

Southwest keeping low fares, unveils Nevada-themed plane: Southwest Airlines Chief Executive Officer Herb Kelleher delivered that news on the same day he delivered a new airplane to the state -- a Boeing 737 painted in the theme of the Nevada state flag.

Coast gaming win jumps 43 percent: Officials attributed the increase to the opening of Mirage Resorts' Beau Rivage resort and new passenger air service into Gulfport-Biloxi Regional Airport.

Home defects alleged in suit: The suit involves Raintree Village, a 128-unit complex built in 1992 by Falcon Construction Services, a subsidiary of Falcon Homes. The complex is at 7570 W. Flamingo Road.

Celebrity chef closes restaurants: Talk of the impending closure of ObaChine, opened in 1997 with great fanfare and an opulent decor of Chinese temple reproductions, Asian textiles and Vietnamese paintings, had been circulating for a year, said Frank Gujidara, president of Wolfgang Puck Food Co.

Coworkers identify Las Vegas jackpot winner: But co-workers and friends couldn't keep it a secret, saying Nakamura told them she was going to win a jackpot on her trip.

Council up in arms over plans to gas marmots at shopping mall: "The problem with these guys (marmots) is they are rats," said John Krmpotic, project manager for the Houston-based developer, SCC Development.

Tucked away history comes to light with new construction: Such awakenings do occur occasionally. Cornerstones placed by the Most Worshipful Grand Lodge of the Free and Accepted Masons have been opened.

Psychologists remain at a loss to explain violent behavior: Family psychologist Tom Sexton, director of a UNLV program to treat violent youths, said today: "We all would like to find the magic bullet that (causes) someone go into a store and shoot, but it is so complex.

Las Vegas news briefs for June 3, 1999: Stephen Cory had pleaded guilty in March to voluntary manslaughter rather than stand trial on murder charges that could have resulted in a life prison sentence.

Friday at Hollywood Park: 1st race 1-1/16 mi 3YO Fil Turf Clm: 1 Calmwind (Vergara) 116; 2 Shady Tactics (Rodriguez) 116; 3 Redcliff Bays (McCarron) 116; 4 La Vuelta (Garcia) 116; 5 Triple Beau (Rollins) 114; 6 Soviet Sally (Pedroza) 116.

Late spring storm dumps snow in Minden-Gardnerville: Fifty miles north in Reno, nary a flake of snow fell.

Supermarket rampage leaves four dead, one critical: Robert Macy; Las Vegas police were alerted by a 911 call from inside the Albertsons supermarket as shots were being fired. They confronted a man with a goatee and shaved head who walked out the door with the shotgun.

Ralph Siraco's selections for Friday's races at Hollywood Park: La Vuelta - Trainer Abrams also part owner here, should be a factor in this, Garcia aboard.

Gambling Commission Recommendations: -States should curb political donations from companies involved in the gambling business.

Sam's Town details expansion plans: Boyd said the $78 million expansion includes an 18-screen movie theater with all-stadium seating and a cinema cafe.

May generally cooler, drier, across Nevada: Sandra Chereb; Temperatures around the northern two-thirds of Nevada ranged from 3 1/2 degrees below average in Elko; 3 degrees below normal in Winnemucca and 2 1/2 degrees below normal in Reno, James said.

Friday at Golden Gate: 1st race 1-1/16 mi 4YO&up F&M Clm: 1 Another Slewpy (Perez) 118; 2 Court's Amiga (RBaze) 118; 3 Bonnet's Bounty (Carr) 118; 4 Ray's Cricket (Radke) 113; 5 Spectacular Jenna (Gonzalez) 116.

Gambling panel urges slowdown in new casinos, lotteries: Membership ranged from casino industry figures to James Dobson, president of the conservative group Focus on the Family, and on many key recommendations the panel was divided.