Print edition for June 29, 1999

Debt ratings lowered for casino operator: S&P cut Boyd's corporate credit rating from BB-plus to BB and its senior unsecured debt rating from BB to BB-minus. However, the subordinated debt rating was increased from BB-minus to BB-plus.

Internet gambling regulation fees vary around the world: VANCOUVER, British Columbia -- Operating an online casino offshore is an expensive proposition.

Community briefs for June 29, 1999: A personal safety class for seniors on prescriptions is being offered 2-3 p.m. July 6 and 10-11 a.m. July 8.

Ohio nuke waste on its way again: Art Nadler; The transportation of nuclear waste from an Ohio facility to the Nevada Test Site has resumed, the Department of Energy reported Monday.

LV just a bit player in Internet gaming industry: All that could change one day, some of the gaming experts attending last week's inaugural Global Interactive Gaming Summit and Expo agreed.

DOE to discuss nuclear issues: DOE officials will discuss with interested residents the transportation of nuclear waste, emergency response and ground water testing. The meeting will be held at the Beatty Community Center, 100 A Ave. South.

Smut peddler fined for violating pact with Sands: Jaime Romero had signed an agreement in 1996, when what is now the Venetian was the site of the Sands hotel-casino, not to distribute the fliers on what a district judge had ruled was a private sidewalk.

Las Vegas students honored for safety artwork: Nearly 250 entries were received from middle and high school students in the statewide poster contest to show their ideas of a safe or unsafe work environment.

Mapes receives another reprieve from wrecking ball: Supporters of the 51-year-old hotel that has stood vacant for 17 years still believe the structure can be saved.

Missouri watches as N.J. relicenses Trump casinos: Rick Alm; KANSAS CITY, Mo. -- New Jersey casino regulators relicensed Donald Trump's Atlantic City gambling palaces for four more years, despite concern over the Trump organization's financial stability and staggering corporate debt of $1.8 billion.

MGM seeks sponsor for Grand Garden Arena: The search for an arena sponsor is part of a five-year-old trend that has seen almost every major football, baseball, basketball and entertainment venue link up with a corporate entity, MGM Grand marketing executive Don Welsh said today.

Bennett trial won't be moved: Bennett is charged with faking his own death and deserting the Marine Corps to avoid a 1994 court-martial on sexual misconduct charges involving an ex-wife, his daughters and other young girls in Okinawa, Japan, and Yuma, Ariz.

Federal judge may hold up casino license: U.S. District Judge Gerald Rosen said he may issue an injunction to rebid the Greektown casino license. He held a hearing in a lawsuit filed by entrepreneur Don Barden.

Las Vegas news briefs for June 29, 1999: As seven victims sat outside a courtroom ready to testify about sexual misconduct by their former youth baseball coach, the defendant waived his preliminary hearing on the 39 criminal charges.

Obituaries for June 29, 1999: Bill G. Andrews, 72, of Boulder City died Sunday in a local hospital. He was born Jan. 17, 1927, in Magna, Utah. A resident for 20 years, he was a Boulder City government attorney, partner in Monscy Andrews Law Firm and a World War II and Korean War Army veteran.

Yahtzee slots unveiled: Las Vegas-based Mikohn said the games are expected to debut in Nevada casinos later this year.

Council delays vote on extending trash contract: Erin Neff; The Las Vegas City Council on Monday tabled a vote to extend for 15 years the city's contract with Republic Silver State Disposal.

Hungry for a spot in government?: CARSON CITY -- For those who yearn to volunteer for public service, now may be a good time.

Letter: Berkley helped taxpayers, wildlife: It's one thing for ranchers to protect livestock from predators. It's another thing for taxpayers to be forced to finance the killing of the public's wildlife, often on public lands, for the benefit of a relatively small number of ranchers.

The Manneys celebrate their anniversary: They have two children, David of Antigo, Wis., and Suzanne Packard of Oceanside, Calif. They have two grandsons, Matthew and Samuel Manney, and twin granddaughters, Taylor and Madison Packard.

Box score: Buzz 13 Stars 3: Las Vegas

Editorial: Graffiti crackdown is making headway: As the Sun's Adrienne Packer reported Monday, while police believe there are 500 graffiti taggers in Clark County, officials believe that new, coordinated efforts between local governments and law enforcement are beginning to show results. Just last week Metro arrested three men in their 20s who police suspect caused at least $2 million in graffiti damage.

Master of his Domain: Melissa Schorr; A year after "Seinfeld" mania has subsided, John O'Hurley -- who played the effusive J. Peterman character on the long-running sitcom -- already has bigger fish to fry.

Wednesday at Belmont Park: 1st race 3YO&8up 1-1/8 mi Maiden: 1 Gallantly Yours (Leon) 122; 2 a-Emerging Market (Chavez) 122; 3 a-Slewfrito (Velazquez)122; 4 Provider (Migliore) 122; 5 Tuneitout (Smith) 117; 6 Regal Dynasty (Davis) 122; 7 Grigri (Smith) 122; 8 b-Ruby Secret (Samyn) 122; 9 Devil's Wish (Bailey) 122; 10 b-Political Folly (Santos) 122.

Car-van collision on Interstate 15 kills seven: Robert Macy; Two people from Los Angeles and five from San Marcos were killed when a southbound car fishtailed across the dirt median and into the path of a northbound van on a busy stretch of I-15.

Letter: Musket sales could rise under plan: Then I'd go out and buy a musket.

State officials hope to replace mining with tourism in Ely: The copper mine is located near Ely. Its closing will put 400 people, or more than 10 percent of the county workforce, out of work.

Wednesday at Hollywood Park: 1st race 3YO&up 1-1/8 mi Mdn: 1 Pettroff (Delahoussaye) 116; 2 Far Ahead (Gomez) 116; 3 Moonlight Charger (Sorenson) 123; 4 Boss Ego (McCarron) 116; 5 Sand Colony (Solis) 116; 6 Grand Plan (Vergara) 116.

Columnist John Katsilometes: Mulling over an airborne Bill of Rights: This has probably happened to you:

Final permit for Burning Man not yet issued: Final permit for Burning Man not yet issued

Nordendale-Trebon announce their engagement: The bridegroom-to-be was born in Milwaukee, Wis.

Marion may go to Suns at No. 9: Steve Carp; During Shawn Marion's lone season at UNLV, there were several observers who had more than just a casual interest in the 6-foot-7 forward.

Letter: Postal Service has desecrated U.S. flag for years: The U.S. Postal Service has been canceling and thereby obliterating the Stars and Stripes ever since the 1-cent stamp took our message across the good ole U.S.A. That was before the days of the Weimar Republic!

Columnist Ron Kantowski: Mandalay Bay employees score big at fight: If the fight was as good as everybody says, Saturday's bantamweight title bout between Paulie Ayala and Johnny Tapia at Mandalay Bay was a bargain at $50, which is what most of the walk-up crowd paid.

Phillip Earl retires after 30 years at Nevada Historical Society: He started out as a museum attendant and eventually became curator of history.

Editorial: Innovation sought on cleanup: "That means DOE's cleanup efforts won't meet federal and state regulatory standards unless the agency shifts its focus to both developing and implementing new methods," Herb Ward, chairman of the National Academy of Sciences' panel, said. The report, which was sponsored by the DOE, said some of the current methods to treat contaminated soil and restore polluted water have significant drawbacks: excavation can destroy the existing ecosystems and pumping sometimes is not effective in flushing out persistent contaminants.

Extra $11 million will help wish lists: Erin Neff; Although much smaller than the national budget surplus being argued over in Washington, D.C., extra money in the city of Las Vegas coffers drew similar wish lists Monday.

Well-known defense attorney takes reins of city hall: Robert Macy; "I'm ready to embark on a great adventure," Goodman said, trying to be heard above the din of an overflow crowd in the city council chambers.

Letter: Helpful young men heroes to elderly: But these four young people in separate pickups stopped and two of them (their friends drove their vehicles) physically pushed us up the overpass and down into the service station at Washington and Buffalo in the 100-plus degree heat.

The Elinases celebrate their anniversary: Carol is a retired office worker and homemaker.

Where I Stand - Mike O'Callaghan: USFS picks new fight: ABOUT THE TIME it appears there is some justice and common sense ruling northeastern Nevada, along comes another goofy act.

Council approved spending: $211,856 -- To Capriati Construction Corp. for construction of a waterline for the Doolittle Community Center.

Vegas company purchases riverboat for Hancock County operation: "We've been down there and looked at the market and it's growing," said Hawkins. "This is a chance to have a small, friendly, easy place to go. Nobody else is doing that. The theme of the casino has not been announced. We've got to go through licensing and get our permits."

Many measures from 1999 Legislature not taking effect July 1: To that end, dozens more bills approved by the 1999 Legislature and signed by Gov. Kenny Guinn are pegged to starting dates in October, January and beyond.

New Nevada laws take effect Thursday: Another consumer measure should make it easier for homeowners with defects in their residences to get the problems fixed quickly.

Celebrity narrations dot Las Vegas attractions: Melissa Schorr; * John O'Hurley: The man who played J. Peterman on "Seinfeld" voices the audio tour for the Treasures of Mandalay Bay Museum, a collection of rare coins valued at $42 million.

Ralph Siraco's selections for Wednesday's races at Hollywood Park: 1ST RACE:

Las Vegas resident competes in wheelchair event: Las Vegas resident competes in wheelchair event

Columnist Dean Juipe: Andre says European trip a blast: Dean Juipe; Dear Dean:

Bryan, Gibbons, urge mine to seek assistance for laid-off miners: About 400 workers lost their jobs at the Robinson mine near Ely.

Poll: Churchgoers find gambling acceptable: Gary Thompson; In a pre-emptive strike against religion-based political opponents, the gaming industry released a new poll today showing regular churchgoers overwhelmingly believe casino gambling is an acceptable form of entertainment.

Prosecution wraps up case against Mustang Ranch players: Jennifer Coleman; The government alleges A.G.E. is a front for notorious Nevada brothel boss Joe Conforte, now a fugitive believed to be living in South America.

Governor hires new lobbyist for Nevada: The state Board of Examiners, made up of Guinn, Attorney General Frankie Sue Del Papa and Secretary of State Dean Heller, voted Monday to approve the contract with Pieper.

Fails in effort to postpone court-martial: The court martial will go forward July 12 in the Clark County Courthouse. Bennett is also scheduled to face a murder trial here Feb. 7 in a case in which he allegedly faked his own death in a trailer fire.

State, IBM make deal on welfare computers: "The negotiations became contentious over the past few months," Gov. Kenny Guinn said. "We hope it will work out. If it doesn't, we'll be on our own and go from there, but it would obviously be better for us if IBM was involved."

Interior Secretary to tour Black Rock Desert: The proposal preferred by the agency would limit the number of visitors, curtail the use of off-road and all-terrain vehicles, close some areas and roads and create designated camping areas.

Bryan urges BHP to seek assistance for land-off miners: About 400 workers lost their jobs at the Robinson mine near Ely.

Fraud victims to get money back: Deputy Attorney General Matthew Gabe said the victims invested anywhere from $1,000 to $7,000 and were promised a return of $60,000 over a three-month period for a $1,000 buy-in.

Traffic deaths mount on I-15: At least 57 people have died along the congested Interstate 15 corridor from Las Vegas to Barstow, Calif., this year, including seven who perished in a fiery weekend crash north of Primm, highway officials said.

Gaming industry again on defensive in D.C.: Rep. Frank Wolf, R-Va., the Rev. James Dobson, former pro football player and imprisoned gambling addict Art Schlichter and others have been invited to speak at the Appropriations Committee's Labor, Health and Human Services Subcommittee hearing.

Changing times at City Hall: Erin Neff; Although local historians may someday mark June 28, 1999, as the start of the Oscar Goodman era, the date will likely have a greater lasting legacy due to the beginning Monday of another political career.

Jones trades her gavel in for TV microphone: Erin Neff; Jan Laverty Jones didn't waste much time returning to the private sector after eight years as Las Vegas mayor.

LV contractor sent to prison: Frank David "Butch" Krumme was sentenced last week by Senior U.S. District Judge Lloyd D. George for crimes dating back to 1980.

Three sought in Brinks heist attempt: Cheryl Miller; Metro Police were compiling sketches this morning of three men who attempted to rob an armored truck at a Strip resort on Monday.

Interest rates likely to rise: The central bank's Federal Open Market Committee, which was meeting behind closed doors in Washington, was widely expected to boost interest rates in a bid to cool off the economy and prevent inflation from rekindling.

Judge delays arraignment: Sandy Murphy and Rick Tabish were told today they will have to remain behind bars through the July 4 weekend on murder charges in the slaying of former Horseshoe Club executive Ted Binion.

IRS goes after LV property in alleged stock scheme: Besides filing criminal charges against Peter Berney and Rebecca Berney, the IRS is seeking to acquire three parcels of land it claims Rebecca Berney purchased with money that originated with the stock manipulation schemes.

American will keep Reno Air's LV reservation center: David Strow; The Reno Air name may disappear on Aug. 31, but the airline's Las Vegas call center isn't vanishing with it.