Print edition for March 12, 1999

Letter: Traffic was bush league: I plan on returning to next year's race -- but only if the track can return my seats that I had for the first year. And I will return for the Busch race if the traffic can flow like it did on Sunday.

Letter: What were the cops watching?: There is no way this race fan will be returning to Las Vegas next year.

Foes target No. 2 Rebels in tourney: Despite playing a golf course on which they practice regularly, the UNLV golf team found itself in an unfamiliar position as it prepared for today's opening round of the Golf Digest Collegiate Invitational at the Desert Inn Golf Club.

Cleveland, Thunder to square off: Steve Guiremand; Two teams battling for their International Hockey League playoff lives square off this weekend when the Las Vegas Thunder hosts the Cleveland Lumberjacks tonight and Sunday at the Thomas & Mack Center.

Letter: Thumbs up for speedway: I realize that we are not going to always get out (or in) as well as we did this time but I don't think anything short of new roads will help the situation. Fans must just accept that they will be there a while.

Letter: Nice track, bad treatment: Last year, my seats at Las Vegas Motor Speedway were almost directly above the flagman at the start finish line. Due to insufficient space last year, I was not able to park in the handicapped parking area but paid for valet parking in order to be a reasonable distance from our seats.

Letter: LVMS forgot about the fans: You definitely did not spend 3 1/2 hours in a bus that had no air circulation or two hours in the same bus returning from the Las Vegas 400. Or had to wait 1 1/2 hours for the return bus in a dusty area next to a helicopter pad.

Letter: Bus system needs work: CLARK BJORLING

Blondie blasts back into form at House of Blues: Geoff Carter; Touring behind a solid album of new material, "No Exit," Blondie's new lease on life seems more a continuation than a resurrection, thanks to ... vitamin E? Viagra? Whatever the case, the former CBGB's mainstay is in fine form. (Scary thought: Now that MGM's Studio 54 has hit stride, you don't suppose some casino owner is going to buy the rights to CBGB's, do you? CBGB's at Caesars ... oh, never mind.)

Letter: Restrooms fine ... at home: This year we watched the race on TV. The food was good and there was toilet paper in the bathroom.

WE'RE COMIN' FOR Y-O-U!!!: ABC's "All My Children" has Erica Kane.

Energy boss: Keep nuke rods at plants: Instead, Richardson urged a House subcommittee to allow the DOE to work with nuclear utilities for storing highly radioactive fuel rods at power plants until studies at Yucca Mountain, 90 miles northwest of Las Vegas, are completed by 2002.

Study on college funding disparity may face delay: A Board of Regent's committee that commissioned a Florida consulting firm to conduct the study added campus tours Thursday to the assignment, which could force the final report late into the legislative session, a company spokesman said.

Editorial: Government removes drug label mysteries: Consumers are pretty much on their own when taking an over-the-counter medication. What happens too often is that people either take the wrong medication or use the incorrect dose, because they don't understand or can't find the warning label. The misuse of over-the-counter drugs annually results in more than 170,000 hospitalizations at a cost of $750 million, according to government statistics. The Clinton administration, which supports the new rule, contends that studies show better information could cut these numbers in half.

Lewis asks: 'Do we wait until my daughter is dead?': CARSON CITY -- Comedian Jerry Lewis spoke to the Nevada Assembly on Thursday about an issue that isn't funny -- stalking.

Homeowners say fungus makes them sick: Lisa Snedeker; Building 13 turned out to be an unlucky number for the Garcias, who discovered four months ago they had a roommate: stachybotrys. In English that means mold.

Miss World Pageant eyes LV resorts: In addition to the Miss World event, Las Vegas would be home to the Miss World-USA, the preliminary event that crowns the United States' entry in the big pageant.

Dial File: It's just TV, not the Gospel: Absent fathers? Blame TV. Horny teens? Blame TV. Ignorance of contraception? Blame TV. Corrupted family values? Blame TV. Belittlement of blacks? Blame TV. Stereotyping of Asians? Blame TV. Obese kids? Blame TV. The Wrestlemania-zation of America? Blame TV. A Godless America? Blame TV. A blood-soaked America? Blame TV.

Sun Life Datebook: California painter Sylvia Moonier's work, which ranges from Southwest desert to Polynesian landscapes, is on display at Art Encounter, 3979 Spring Mountain Road. The exhibit is ongoing and can be viewed 10 a.m.-6 p.m. Tuesday through Friday, noon-5 p.m. Saturday and Monday. For more information, call 227-0220.

Lakes Gaming plans Indian venture: Lakes is the Minneapolis-based company spun off in January from Grand Casinos when Grand was acquired by Park Place Entertainment, the gaming company that split from Hilton Hotels Corp.

Editorial: Backdoor benefits will earn enmity: Revenue from vending machines in state prisons has been used to pay for personal items for prison employees -- including such things as microwaves and refrigerators for guards at their posts -- instead of going to areas such as medical care and the law library for prisoners. As the Sun's Cy Ryan reported Wednesday, no other state agencies are allowed to use state funds from vending machines for such uses and must pay for them out of their own pockets.

Where I Stand -- Brian Greenspun: Riding shotgun for NRA: As someone who got real tired, real fast, of seeing the Georgia congressman's face on every television talk show whose ratings needed the anti-Clinton boost he gave them, I suppose I should be happy that he seems to have given up the impeachment ghost for something seemingly more achievable.

Talk of cuts caused by lower revenue dominates budget work: Jace Radke; City Manager Pat Importuna and finance director Vytas Vaitkus explained to the council that although the city's revenues have been high in the last few years, there may be reason to believe that the revenues may drop.

Mexico will aid search for LV pilot: Jerry Fink and Jace Radke; Bryan Chief of Staff Jean Neal said the approval is a precedent-setting action.

Democrats continue to close gap on GOP's narrow registration edge: Over the past four months, 4,028 Nevadans have registered to vote as Democrats, 1,663 as Republicans and 1,735 as non-partisan.

Obituaries for March 12, 1999: She is survived by her husband, Raymond Benjamin of Las Vegas; one son, Carl Fosdick III of Casa Grande, Ariz.; one stepson, Randy Benjamin of Las Vegas; four grandchildren and two great-grandchildren.

Former Storey County sheriff running Mustang Ranch brothel: Colletti, who is awaiting trial, is also a former manager of the brothel.

Fire safety in dispute at Venetian: Gary Thompson; The walls don't conform with building-code guidelines brought to the attention of the county by a fired employee who is now suing the construction company, officials said.

HMO giant getting into workers' comp: HMO giant getting into workers' comp

Panel votes to back administrator: When the electrical industry is opened to competition next year, transmission of power will remain regulated. An ISA would schedule transmission and prevent preferential treatment to competing power companies.

Restructuring strategy announced: The company is in Chapter 11 bankruptcy, a conversion the company made after creditors filed the involuntary bankruptcy last month. Chapter 11 allows a company to stay in business and reorganize.

The Movie Guys: 'The Corruptor' nearly an action-free action flop: Jeff: Two action sequences! Two! That's all we get in "The Corruptor," the new buddy-cop film starring Asian action superstar Chow Yun-Fat and "Boogie Nights" star Mark Wahlberg. I use the term "action superstar" loosely, because not only is the plot for "The Corruptor" lifted from "Lethal Weapon 4" (with Kim Chan reprising his role as Uncle Benny, the same actor and villain from "Lethal Weapon 4"), but "Corruptor's" action sequences couldn't stimulate the adrenal glands of a field mouse, when they finally happen.

Sound Check: Grab a spoon and chow down with Wilco: "It was a real music category," Tweedy says humbly, in deference to fellow nominees Steve Earle, Emmylou Harris and Lyle Lovett. "We didn't expect to win."

Cimarron favored to break Gators' 6-year run of titles: Spencer Patterson; By Spencer Patterson LAS VEGAS SUN

Columnist Brian Hilderbrand: Burton expects LVMS grooves to widen out: Traffic may not have flowed smoothly outside of Las Vegas Motor Speedway last weekend, but Jeff Burton didn't have any complaints about the way it moved on the track during the NASCAR Winston Cup Las Vegas 400.

LV 400 draws huge TV ratings: The 6.0 rating, a three-percent increase over last year's 5.8, translates into a 15 share according to ABC Sports. A 15 share means the race was watched in an estimated 5,990,000 households and attracted nearly 15 million viewers.

Neal goes after taxes again for Bellagio's art: Current law exempts certain collections of fine art that are open to public viewing from personal property taxes as well as most sales taxes -- except the constitutionally mandated 2 percent state sales tax. In Clark County, the sales tax ordinarily would be 7.25 percent.

Gaming board leery of arrest account: John Wilen; Nevada hotel-casino owner Ann Sipl Meyers was denied a gaming license extension this week largely because of an incident last July in which she was arrested allegedly trying to stow away on an airliner bound to Las Vegas from Atlanta.

Debate renewed on fluoride in water: Art Nadler; The proposed legislation, Assembly Bill 284, is a remake of a bill introduced by Assemblywoman Chris Giunchigliani, D-Las Vegas, at the 1997 Legislature. It died in committee due to strong opposition from concerned citizens who say fluoride is a poison that will endanger the public's health.

Previously unwanted animals spruced up for Sunday adoption: Karen Zekan; Life hasn't been easy for little Victoria.

Saturday at Santa Anita: 1st race 6-1/2 fur 3YO Turf Mdn: 1 McBuck (Blanc) 120; 2 Sky L'Orange (Valdez) 115; 3 Merhy (Nakatani) 120; 4 Sure Man (Solis) 120; 5 Quiet One (Pincay) 120; 6 Montana Snow (Gomez) 120; 7 Sheikh Abandon (McCarron) 120; 8 Nature's Power (Flores) 120; 9 Stolen Fire (Valdivia) 120; 10 Boss Ego (Black) 120; 11 Eye Pea Oh (Delahoussaye) 120; 12 Roncesvalles (Atkinson) 120.

Ralph Siraco's selection for Santa Anita: Saturday's card

LVMS Points leaders: Pro -- 1. Dana Young 178; 2. Jerry Mock 176; 3. Ron Landram 155; 4. Paul Bledsoe 146; 5. Sandra Darby 145; 6. Jeff Bansbach 144; 7. Kirk Schroeder 124; 8. Tim Arden 123; 9. Kelly Buesig 122; 10. David Rowley 111.

Senators demand answers on builders: Sen. Randolph Townsend, R-Reno, said, "Whatever is going on now, ain't working." He said those contractors who don't repair the defects should lose their state licenses.

Box Score: BYU 12, UNLV 11: Box Score: BYU 12, UNLV 11

Secret of Success: The head of the company that built the most expensive hotel in the world and an extravagant new resort opening on Mississippi's Gulf Coast next week chose not to talk about either in a seminar on success.

Have a continuing tax problem? IRS has a day for you: From noon to 8 p.m. taxpayers will receive one-on-one assistance for problems such as missing refund checks, payments to the wrong account and other tax-related issues.

High schoolers offer pro performance: Joe Delaney; Talley also captured the underside, the hardships, of these early settlers in Indian territory, hoping to become a state. Robert Buckley, member of the Gorman football and rugby teams, is a believable Curly, a cowhand in love with Laurey, portrayed by Elizabeth Seagrave. Their duets together are outstanding.

Henderson stockbroker disciplined: One Nevada case was disclosed.

Columnist Joe Delaney: Vivid memories of St. Pat's Days past: Joe Delaney; By law, an Irish hotel or place of lodging had to provide a guest with food and drink 24 hours a day, except on St. Patrick's Day. ... The late Seamus Kelly, esteemed columnist and critic for the Irish Times, had reminded me several times to stock up before 11 p.m. on the 16th.

Sun Baseball State Top 10 poll -- March 13, 1990: (italics) Teams ranked jointly by the Sun and the Sparks Daily Tribune.

Murder suspect sent to mental health facility: Bill Gang; District Judge Jeff Sobel decided Thursday that Bedard's mental condition needed further evaluation after a recent outburst in court. His trial had been scheduled for May 3 on a variety of charges and he could face the death penalty if convicted of first-degree murder.

Columnist Muriel Stevens: Community college student chefs strut their tasty stuff: Those award-winning Community College of Southern Nevada student chefs are once again showing their skills at a luncheon and dinner series that started this week.

Lobbyist Penne fired by Guinn: "We are reorganizing that office," Jack Finn, spokesman for Guinn, confirmed today. Penne, who has been the Nevada lobbyist for 13 years, is to leave his post on June 30, the day his contract expires.

Texas governor's anti-gaming talks tests Nevada support: Both Nevada Gov. Kenny Guinn, who has committed to chairing Bush's Nevada campaign, and Rep. Jim Gibbons, R-Nev., who has been asked to serve on his national campaign committee, said Thursday they were concerned about the Texas governor's remarks.

Columnist Steve Carp: Arkansas finally wipes slate clean: Steve Carp; DENVER -- The last time Nolan Richardson sat in front of the microphone at McNichols Arena, he wasn't a very happy camper.

Columnist Dean Juipe: Judge errs in deleting NCAA rules: Dean Juipe; There's an old protest song by Graham Nash, of Crosby, Stills, Nash & Young fame, entitled "Chicago," in which the phrase "Rules and regulations, who needs them?" is part of the refrain.

Sun Softball State Top 10 poll -- March 12, 1999: (italics) Teams ranked jointly by the Sun and the Sparks Daily Tribune.

Isaak hot at House of Blues: Geoff Carter; Kane's act is classic, strip-club burlesque; SD frontman Mike Ness has more Sinatra attitude than Harry Connick Jr. will ever have; and Isaak ... well, Chris Isaak has to make the scene because he's pure entertainment, from the top of his pompadour down to his last sequin. And the ladies just loooove him.

Attorney eyes Miranda rights in shooting case: Bill Gang; Thomas Schlafer was convicted in 1995 of battery with a deadly weapon by a jury that acquitted him of the more serious charge of attempted murder. But he was given the maximum sentence of 10 years in prison.

Strong men carry message to schools: Stacy J. Willis; There was no mention of "God" nor "church."

Former Clark High star Riley loved tournament appearance: Steve Carp; DENVER -- If this was the last game Jermone Riley ever plays, at least he can say it was on the big stage.

Winds force delay in interchange opening: Jace Radke; About 15 extra days may be allotted to Meadow Valley, the contractor for the interchange overhaul, to finish the bridge that will shuttle traffic from northbound Interstate 15 to northbound U.S. 95, NDOT spokesman Scott Magruder said.

NCAA Tournament on TV: Today's games

Two casinos get OK to hire foreigners: Labor officials initially rejected applications from the two casinos on the grounds that they did not provide evidence to show that the Coast's gambling and tourism industries were seasonal, a requirement of the program. Government officials granted appeals from the companies when they submitted additional documentation.

CAT company ordered to pay $25 mil. judgment: Bill Gang; The judgment against ATC VanCom Inc., the company that runs the Citizen Area Transit buses, is believed to be the largest in Nevada history.

Jury hears evidence in slaying of suspect who stabbed officer: Karen Zekan; The randomly selected seven-member panel will determine whether Officer Brian Flatt was justified in using deadly force against the late J.C. Daniels, a Henderson resident.

1950 homecoming queen loses 20-year battle with MS: During Phyllis Hinrichsen's final months of a 20-year battle against multiple sclerosis, friends visited her at her longtime Las Vegas home, hoping to console her.

LV bankruptcies: Longhorn Enterprises, doing business as Golden Steer Steakhouse, 308 W. Sahara, filed for Chapter 11. Assets and liabilities were not disclosed.

James wants ban on traffic cameras: Sen. Mark James, R-Las Vegas, the prime sponsor, said today that Senate Bill 381 is to stop "the government from using cameras to watch what people are doing and make that a basis for issuing traffic citations.

Lobos show Missouri they belong in tourney: Steve Carp; By Steve Carp LAS VEGAS SUN

Ocean liner-themed casino proposed: The project, at 516 Park Paseo, would replace Stupak-owned hotels at 1213 S. Las Vegas Blvd.

Church gets go-ahead, but in new neighborhood: Valerie Miller; The First Missionary Baptist Church, which last year had been denied a request before the Planning Commission to build its Wagonwheel Baptist Church in the city's River Mountain area after nearby residents turned out in protest, may finally get their house of worship -- but in a different neighborhood.

Douglas County tax hike gets Assembly backing: Backers promoted it as a tax for "PALS," named after the parks, airport, library and seniors that would benefit from the increase.

Lawmakers, home builders spar over greater regulation: Jennifer Coleman; They brought their stories of missing gutters, buckling walls, leaking roofs and standing water before the Senate Commerce and Labor Committee.

Elton John, Tina Turner highlight millennium celebration: "We are thrilled to welcome these two super talents for a once-in-a-lifetime weekend, which promises to be one of the premier entertainment events in this resort's long history," said Caesars Palace President Paul O'Neil.