Print edition for March 15, 1999

Justices reverse Walters ruling: A three-judge panel led by Chief Justice Bob Rose ruled that District Judge Donald Mosley had wrongly dismissed the indictment last May against Walters and two associates on grounds that prosecutors had failed to show them all of the evidence they provided the county grand jury.

Review: The Offspring make nice: Geoff Carter; The Offspring, fronted by brillo-head blonde vocalist Dexter Holland and guitarist Noodles, displayed both of these traits at the House of Blues Friday night with amusing results. Find another punk band that not only breaks up their set with a one-minute intermission, but announces that break with confetti, Lawrence Welk bubbles and a cheesy, two-note cha-cha. The kids, as they say, go apeshit. But politely.

Business partners in suit over split: Gradl said after the company was dissolved on Jan. 19, he discovered that Pinnow, who had been secretary of the corporation, was continuing to use the Grapi name and was collecting money on behalf of the corporation.

Guinn's ethics-reform plan due to be introduced in Legislature: Guinn's legal adviser, Scott Scherer, a former member of the state Ethics Commission, has been working with Sen. Ann O'Connell, R-Las Vegas, and others in developing the legislation. The bill was expected to be ready for introduction today or Tuesday, Jack Finn, Guinn's press secretary, said.

Slot club seminar: Topics include cashback and comp policies, slot club promotions and bonusing.

Former DA accused of taking brothel payoffs: Bucchianeri kept some of the money for himself and distributed the rest to other county elected officials, including Sheriff Bob Del Carlo and Commissioner Henry Bland, Internal Revenue Service Special Agent Kemp A. Shiffer says in the document.

Columnist David Broder: There's no hiding anger at Clinton rhetoric: David Broder; The man who bore the brunt of the attack was Jack Lew, the White House budget director and leadoff witness. But the real target was Clinton himself, who has talked a good game about saving the health care program on which 39 million retirees depend but done precious little to help.

Lawyer awaits sentencing on embezzlement charges: Bale has surrendered his license and will never practice law again, said his lawyer, Dennis Widdis.

Letter: State identification practically worthless: Some people that work for me only have IDs and don't drive a car. The banks will take the driver's licence for ID but not the state ID.

LV business people: At Colliers International, David Flynn is research analyst and Glenda Shaw is vice president and director of Colliers International Management.

Local books benefit as favorites tumble: Spencer Patterson; Watch out for the underdogs or you might get bitten.

Columnist Dean Juipe: Court ruling opens door for frivolity: Dean Juipe; Let's have a class-action lawsuit. They seem to be all the rage, so let's add another.

Bayno vows to get tougher after 'frustrating' season: Steve Carp; Bill Bayno had that look in his eyes as he, in somewhat of an ironic gesture, sipped a glass of grapefruit juice.

Letter: Stores should favor U.S.-made products: That way we could know where to look for what we want. Better yet, some enterprising company would make a fortune by opening a total U.S. store. As for the "story" that all our companies have moved out, I don't buy that. According to the press, this country is still exporting furiously. Our goods are in foreign countries, but we don't have the right to buy them.

Letter: Senator's perspective worth listening to: I think O'Donnell is correct that in the long run the state doesn't have a chance to stop Yucca Mountain, especially with its scientific oversight program. The state lacks credibility with the people overseeing the site and the state just doesn't have a sound scientific oversight program.

Many professions make Legislature work: Fifteen lawmakers have worked for some tax-funded entity - a city, county, school or university - creating the second largest bloc.

Silicon Gaming moving to Las Vegas: Silicon stock was up 12.5 cents, or 25 percent, to 62.5 cents a share in midday trading today.

Bill targets growing pains of Clark County district: Benjamin Grove; Assemblywoman Sandra Tiffany, R-Henderson, is sponsoring a bill that would launch a plan to "deconsolidate" the 203,000-student district when it reaches an enrollment of 300,000. District officials estimate Clark County will have 300,000 students by 2005.

Canadian gamblers, problem gamblers up: The Detroit Free Press reported the percentage of problem gamblers increased in Windsor, from about 2.3 percent or 4,600 adults in 1994 before casinos opened to about 3 percent or 6,000 people now.

Air Force board cites several factors in crash that killed 12: Robert Macy; The Air Force Monday released an executive summary compiled by a 10-member Accident Investigation Board that studied the crash of two HH-60G Huey helicopters in rugged terrain 65 miles northwest of here Sept. 3.

Letter: Pick right answer to taxing question: a. Raise sales tax.

Miller shuns Senate bid: The announcement sent Democrats scurrying to find a candidate in his place to challenge former Rep. John Ensign, a Republican who entered the race Feb. 19. That was the day after Bryan stunned political observers by deciding not to seek re-election to a third term in 2000. Ensign is coming off a close election loss to Sen. Harry Reid, D-Nev. last year.

Girl kicks attacker, escapes: Just before 3:30 p.m. the girl was walking home from Estes McDoniel Elementary School past Foxridge Park when a man approached, flashed a handgun and forced the girl to walk to Valle Verde Drive, Henderson Police said.

State attorney general praises court decision: U.S. District Court Judge Edward Reed dismissed their lawsuit, ruling NDI investigators had sufficient evidence to search the home. His ruling was upheld last month by the 9th U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals in San Francisco.

UNLV rallies to claim title: If the UNLV golf team continues its trend of coming from behind to win golf tournaments, Dwaine Knight isn't sure if he can last another 11 years as the Rebels head coach.

Woman's body found: Rescuers said they could not estimate how long the 35-year-old woman had been in the car.

Manendo tries again for .08 drunken driving law: Manendo has changed the bill so that the .08 measurement would apply only in cases of injury or property damage. And the Nevada Resort Association, the organization of Las Vegas casinos that successfuly fought the measure last time, has dropped its opposition.

Review: As the Crow falls: Geoff Carter; "I love Las Vegas!" she sang, by means of introduction. I tried to say something but could only mouth obscenities.

State official Bodeau dies: Bodeau headed the stable of lawyers in the attorney general's office that handled the legal problems of the gaming board. He had been with the attorney general's office for 21 years.

Thunder's Lefebvre expected to be traded to Long Beach: Steve Guiremand; Patrice Lefebvre sat back in his seat in the upper deck of the Thomas & Mack Center and watched as the public address announcer introduced the starting lineups before Sunday night's 5-3 victory over the Cleveland Lumberjacks.

Busy weekend yields crowded Derby picture: Richard Rosenblatt; HALLANDALE, Fla. -- The road to the Kentucky Derby got a little more crowded, and there might even be a few fillies around when it comes time to run for the roses.

Titus' growth package off to good start in committee: The Senate Government Affairs Committee on Friday unanimously approved Senate Bill 191 to require developers to present impact statements on major projects to local governments.

Hog farmer to get day in court: The county contends the land is zoned for residential estates, while Combs is raising hogs and pigs on it.

LV woman sues Metro for $6 million: Raymond Jay Harts, 34, pleaded guilty last March to using his position as a jail guard to sexually victimize a female prisoner he supervised.

Columnist Melissa Schorr: Time for a woman at the helm: Melissa Schorr; I'm gunning for a female president in my lifetime, and frankly, I don't care if we have to elect Leona Helmsley or Xena the Warrior Princess to get the job done. I'll do it myself, if I have to.

Rival Studios find it useless to resist, surrender May to Darth side: With "Star Wars Episode I: The Phantom Menace" a clear threat to demolish "Titanic's" worldwide box office record of $1.8 billion, other studios must now answer that agonizing question.

Appeals court rules for fired NLV official: Georgia Nunez was exercising her right of free speech when she invited two clerks who hadn't worked on Judge Gary Davis' campaign to attend a training seminar, said the 9th U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals.

Officer describes firing fatal shots into man who had stabbed him: Bill Gang; "Oh, my god, he's going to kill me," Flatt recalled thinking.

NASCAR Cafe under construction: The 75,000-square-foot facility will include a 350-seat NASCAR Cafe with authentic NASCAR Winston Cup cars and memorabilia.

Homicide victim identified: Charles Gawle was arrested and booked into the Clark County Detention Center on a charge of murder with a deadly weapon.

International flights to get boost from federal grant: Adrienne Packer; A bill approved Friday by a congressional committee would entitle McCarran International Airport to about $15 million.

Shortened session results in hectic pace: "Absolutely, I think we're on track," saya Assembly Majority Leader Richard Perkins, D-Henderson. "We have come to the realization that we have a short period of time and we have to concentrate on our priorities."

Santa Fe goes to court against dissident investor: John Wilen; Santa Fe Gaming Corp. sued investor Hudson Bay Partners LP and its general partner, David Lesser, as the battle heated up over control of the Las Vegas gambling company.

Scam hits casinos: The Task Force seized from the suspects computer equipment used to make phony payroll checks of real businesses; and laminating and printing machines used to make phony ID, the Commercial Appeal reported.

Cause of fire in northwest still undetermined: Las Vegas Fire Department spokesman Tim Szykmanski said it may be Tuesday before a cause has been determined.

Editorial: A patient's medical file is inviolate: Sen. Patrick Leahy, D-Vt., is the chief sponsor of the Medical Information Privacy and Security Act. The legislation definitely is needed. Leahy notes that privacy protections for medical records now are less than those that exist for a customer's video rental records.

Firm wants to build golf course near airport: The authority bought the 110-acre parcel of land in the early 1980s for safety reasons, but the Federal Aviation Administration now wants the authority to put it to economic use.

Four parking lots planned for Tahoe beach users: But Nevada Department of Transportation planners said the hundreds of parked cars pose a safety hazard and detract from the area's natural beauty at peak summer times. In addition, off-trail hikers contribute to erosion and a decline in the lake's famous clarity.

LV business events: Slot clubs -- Slot club expert Jeffrey Compton speaks at seminar sponsored by Casino Management Association and the Community College of Southern Nevada's Hospitality Institute. Tuesday. 593-5477.

UConn may have its train back on the right track: Steve Carp; DENVER -- Maybe the polls weren't lying back in December and January when Connecticut sat at the top, looking down on Duke and the rest of the college basketball world.

Hooper triumphs at LVMS: Ray Hooper Jr. overtook Scott Gafforini midway through the race and held on to claim the 30-lap Late Model Sportsman main event Saturday night at the Las Vegas Motor Speedway 3/8-mile paved oval. Hooper edged Chris Lowden, Steve Anderson, Gafforini and Chuck Trickle to collect his first victory of the year in a 20-car feature.

Receiver sought for luxury home: The suit says Buckle defaulted on a contract to buy a residence at 45 Country Club Lane for $1.9 million. The defendant signed a promissory note of $1.7 million, secured by the deed of trust against the property.

Fremont St. to host first St. Patrick's Day parade: Erin Neff; The 33rd annual St. Patrick's Day Parade will march for the first time down Fourth Street and cross under the Fremont Street's canopy-topped pedestrian mall as green-wearing tourists pack bleachers for a temporary break from their hopes of green-filled wallets.

Nevada jobless rate remains low: The 3.3 percent compares with the national rate of 4.3 percent and California at 5.7 percent.

Subcontractor sues School District: Addison, which provided materials and labor in the Gilmore and Seaforth Middle School project, sought arbitration in an undisclosed claims dispute. Addison received a Jan. 28 letter rejecting arbitration, triggering the suit.

Stars tickets on sale: Individual game tickets for the Las Vegas Stars' 1999 season went on sale today at the Cashman Field box office and at TicketMaster (474-4000).

Columnist Steve Carp: Dr. Tom has Iowa clicking: Steve Carp; DENVER -- This West Regional is turning out to be pretty good after all.

Missing pilot's family calls off search: Jace Radke; More than 2,000 hours of flight time and 35 years later, his family has confirmed, Sabo made his final flight on March 7, when the 51-year-old manager of the North Las Vegas Airport headed home to his wife and daughter from Baja California.

UNLV loses eighth straight: The 15th-ranked South Carolina women's tennis team won every set en route to a 9-0 shutout of 57th-ranked UNLV at the Fertitta Tennis Complex Sunday. The Lady Rebels have now lost eight straight after a 3-0 start while the Lady Gamecocks stayed perfect at 9-0. The closest UNLV came to a point was at the No. 1 doubles position where Susie Kocsis and Marcella Valkenhoff were nipped 9-8 by Katarina Markovski and Celine Regnier.

Obituaries for March 15, 1999: She is survived by her husband, James.

NASCAR Winston Racing Series, Saturday's Results: Las Vegas Motor Speedway 3/8-mile paved oval

Binion's death to be declared homicide: Flud, who has previously classified the manner in which Binion died as "undetermined," set a 3:30 p.m. news conference to announce his belief that Binion was murdered.

Prep Schedule -- March 15-20, 1999: Baseball

Top mayoral candidates talk about LV economy: Erin Neff; And while voters in Las Vegas usually name traffic or growth as their top concerns, candidates for mayor are finding that underlying it all is that simple message.