Stories published May 21, 1999Las Vegas Sun

UNLV golf tied for second in regional: Arizona State shot a five-under 283 to grab the lead after 18 holes of play. UNLV and Brigham Young both fired 288 to put them in a second-place tie. Fresno State is in fourth at 290, while Washington rounds out the top five at 291.

Columnist Dean Juipe: De La Hoya has to have a knockout: Dean Juipe; At the risk of falling into the trap of fool me once, shame on you, fool me twice, shame on me, boxing fans and observers have to take Oscar De La Hoya at face value when it comes to discussing his Saturday fight with Oba Carr.

Education Diary: Learning at different speeds: Benjamin Grove; Today teacher John Pendry navigates his class through the writing process. Later separate groups of students leave their classmates for special attention in two programs -- one for students who need extra help reading and one for gifted children.

Dial File -- Steve Bornfeld: Heading or the exits: -- Ecclesiastes, 7:8

Public comments sought on how to proceed on river allotments: Interior Secretary Bruce Babbitt and the Bureau of Reclamation plan to conduct public hearings in June over dividing annual surplus river water among the three Lower Basin states, since they are demanding more than the 7.5 million acre feet of available water.

HBO unhappy with addition of Juuko: Dean Juipe; The conversation was private, yet animated. And it was obvious what was going on.

LV engineering firm sold: Publicly traded U.S. Laboratories Inc. bought Buena Engineers Inc., 3021 S. Valley View Blvd. Terms were not announced.

Lawmakers OK more cash for flawed computer system: Kiley Russell; The $140 million project - currently $128 million over budget - has been a problem for Nevada lawmakers for 10 years and still isn't fully functional.

Daredevil Knievel clears Grand Canyon on motorcycle: Michelle Rushlo; Fireworks erupted and a crowd of about 500 cheered as Knievel soared 55 feet into the air over the 200-foot-wide gorge at 90 mph on an ordinary 500cc motorcycle.

Senate committee considers study of Henderson college: Jennifer Coleman; AB220, by Assemblyman Richard Perkins, was heard Thursday by the Finance Committee. The bill appropriates $500,000 for a needs assessment and a plan for the college in Henderson, which will soon surpass Reno as the second largest city in Nevada.

Community news briefs: The Nevada State Republican Central Committee missed deadlines on 15 monthly and annual reports from February 1995 to April 1996, in several cases filing the reports as much as six months late, FEC officials said Thursday.

Obituaries for May 21, 199: He is survived by his wife, Cynthia; three daughters, Karen Ahern, Lisa Ahern and Lauren Ahern, and his mother, Anna Ahern, all of Las Vegas; six sisters, Mary Ellen Pisula, Eileen Borst, Maudie Pfeuffer, Margaret Szymczak, Nora Ahern and Maureen Studer, and four brothers, Daniel Ahern, James Ahern, John Ahern and Michael Ahern, all of Chicago.

Vegas resort showcases $100 million expansion: Robert Macy; Billed as the world's first rock 'n' roll hotel when it opened with 340 rooms in March 1995, the resort has doubled in size with a new 11-story tower.

Panel supports Guinn plan for tobacco money, scholarships: Senate Finance Chairman Bill Raggio, R-Reno, said it's time to move the measures over to the Assembly for consideration. The Legislature must adjourn by May 31 and how the tobacco money will be spent is a major issue that remains unresolved.

New lease approved by Truckee-Carson Irrigation District: Under the new lease, the irrigation district will receive annual payments from Sierra Pacific of $520,000. The amount will increase by $80,000 every five years.

Western states critical of California's Colorado River consumption: Walter Berry; Arizona and the six other Western states that use the river's water want new rules to determine what should happen when there's a shortage or surplus in any given year.

Model Dairy tests new milk products in Reno area: Sandra Chereb; Fourteen trucks will be making the rounds, giving away 50,000, three-container sample packs of Kidsmilk, Fitmilk and Lifemilk.

Murphy's lawyers resign: A shake-up has occurred in the defense team of the leading suspects in Ted Binion's murder, as police are reported to be moving closer to making arrests.

Assembly wants retirement study for judges: "So we pay all of their PERS conributions unlike all other public employees in the state," said Assemblywoman Chris Giunchigliani, D-Las Vegas. "I think it's time we look at the whole issue of retirement for judges."

Foreman of jury that cleared officer criticizes state law: LePage said he tried to attach to the jury's verdict a statement advising police not to return the officer to the streets.

Gamers contemplate legalized Internet gambling: Such remarks have observers wondering just how sincere the mainstream casino industry is in its opposition to Internet gambling.

Senator would end child abuse education: The amendment, adopted Thursday, was proposed by Sen. Maurice Washington, R-Sparks, and mirrors now-dead SB285, which he cosponsored.

40,000-year-old cheetah, camel bones found in Nevada cave: Scott Sonner; The unusually well preserved cache from about 40,000 to 50,000 years ago includes bones from a wide variety of creatures now extinct - from the giant short-faced bear to huge deer and bison species.

National Airlines cleared for takeoff: National will launch service Thursday with daily flights to Chicago's Midway Airport and Los Angeles.

Bryan one of 13 Democrats to oppose Kosovo spending bill: "This bill is loaded down just too many excessive and unnecessary special interest projects," Bryan said.

Senate approves letting governor set staff salaries: In the Assembly hearing on the bill, some legislators had questioned whether the bill would allow a staff member to earn salaries as high as $300,000, and that led to an amendment capping the pay.

Bryan objects to plan to ship waste to Beatty dump: "This is a clear example of the efforts of some in corporate America to make our state their official dumping ground," Bryan said. "We have got to draw the line in the sand when these types of outrageous proposals are continually heaped on Nevada."

Virginia City poet shares visions, words: "I think it went well tonight," he said. "Well, I enjoyed it."

EPA to proceed with Superfund listing of Leviathan Mine: The EPA has proposed the mine be designated as a Superfund site, which would make it available for federal cleanup money.

Jury acquits two of Blitzstein murder: But the seven woman, five man jury convicted Robert Panaro and Stephen Cino of conspiring to extort Blitzstein in a scheme to take over his street rackets.

Current shows: Everly Brothers: 8 p.m., through Sunday, Orleans Showroom, 365-7075. Tickets: $29.95.

Las Vegas Motor Speedway points standings -- May 21, 1999: Late Model Sportsman -- 1. Scott Gafforini 286; 2. Chris Lowden 284; 3. Jerry Spilsbury 244; 4. Steve Anderson 214; 5. Joe Kirsch 196; 6. Chuck Trickle 192; 7. Dave Quartero; 8. Ray Hooper Jr. 188; 9. Rich Attisani 176; 10. Ken Holt 168.

Tax Wynn pictures, use money on kids: Why don't we tax Steve for his pictures and give the $15 million or $20 million to the kids for airfare to a free public art museum.

Editorial: Gun lobby loses some of its clout: Also in the Senate, a proposal to require safety locks or secure containers to be sold with every handgun passed easily on Tuesday, 78-20. This was a marked departure from a similar vote last July when the Senate rejected the safety lock legislation by a 61-39 vote. Even the National Rifle Association, which last year led the charge against the safety lock legislation, this time did not oppose the long-overdue measure.

Columnist Geoff Carter: Solid EAT'M panel debates industry's Internet issues: Geoff Carter; Most musicians come to terms with this truism early on -- that you ultimately profit when your music is heard on the radio, on a friend's mix tape and so on. Even having a song described to you might encourage you to get a hold of it. The sound spreads, just like a virus. And while this school of thought is not a new one, it is new to the music industry -- an aloof, self-satisfied body of greedheads that took to carpet-bombing artists, recordings and music with the blunt term "software" several years ago.

St. Jude's Ranch needs labels to earn two vans: The home for abused, neglected and homeless children has collected 1.8 million labels from Campbell's Soup and other products and needs up to 200,000 more by Monday to qualify to receive two large passenger vans needed to transport the residents.

Letter: Courteous driving thing of the past: I just don't understand; when I have to go somewhere, I'm always glad to get home alive!

4A postseason results, schedule: 4A STATE TOURNAMENT

Saturday at Golden Gate Fields: 1st race 1 mi 4YO & up F & M Clm: 1 Misty L (Dieguez) 116; Sleepless Sue (Hummel) 116; 3 Jacket Gold (Mercado) 116; 4 Spectacular Jenna (Gonzalez) 116; 5 a-Simply Grand (Schvaneveldt) 116; 6 a-Just Enough Love (Carr) 116; 7 Easter Cielo (Bisono) 116; 8 Banchory Ann (Tohill) 116; 9 No Ordinary Beggar (Castanon) 116.

Downtown revitalization theme of Las Vegas candidates forum: Erin Neff; Mayoral candidate Oscar Goodman said the "revitalization and reinvigoration" of downtown remains his campaign's main issue.

Legal action continues in merger fight: U.S. District Judge Sven Erik Holmes of Tulsa, Okla., issued a preliminary injunction against Southern Union on Wednesday blocking it from trying to influence a shareholder vote on the proposed merger between Southwest and ONEOK Inc. of Tulsa. Southern Union immediately asked the 10th Circuit Court of Appeals in Denver for a stay of that order. The vote has not been scheduled.

'Crazy Girls': Plenty of ifs, ands and ...: Melissa Schorr; Alert the media! The controversial ad campaign actually contains wild inaccuracies. The infamous ad, featuring a rear shot of a chorus line of statuesque showgirls, states "no ifs, ands, or ... ." This is not true. There are, in fact, lots and lots of them.

NCAA West Regional Golf Championships scores: Team Scores

Columnist Scott Dickensheets: Looking for chuckles in two of the latest humor books: Scott Dickensheets; Humor comes in every flavor, from "funny ha-ha" to "funny hmmm" to "that's sick," but we're all convinced we know it when we see it.

Fitzgeralds pumps funds into casinos, restructuring debt: John Wilen; Las Vegas-based Fitzgeralds, which operates casinos in downtown Las Vegas; Reno; Tunica, Miss.; and Black Hawk, Colo.; announced last week it had decided "it would not be in the best interest of the company to make the regularly scheduled interest payments on its $205 million 12 1/4 percent senior secured notes due 2004."

Box score: Rice 9, UNLV 6: Nichols, Gwynn (7), Kurtz-Nicholl and Lukin; Olson, Harris (7), Smith (8) and Betts. W--Kurtz-Nicholl (6-1). L--Smith (0-3). 2B --Rice: Thames, Ford; UNLV: Ludwick. 3B--UNLV: Ludwick. HR--Rice: Gray. DP--rice 1, UNLV 3. LOB--Rice 6, UNLV 13. Time--2:43. Attendance--314.

Letter: Series gives look inside classroom: A a parent with two boys about to start kindergarten, I appreciated the effort it took to provide an in-depth look at today's classrooms, and problems caused by overcrowding.

Diets for diabetics offered on webpage: The multifaceted site provides information that people with diabetes need to make healthy lifestyle choices. It features enticing recipes and food ideas prepared with Sugar Free Country Time, Crystal Light and Sugar Free Kool-Aid drink mixes and sugar free Jell-O gelatin and sugar free Jell-O pudding.

Saturday at Belmont Park: 1st race 6-1/2 fur 3YO & up Mdn: 1 Edgefield (Lovato) 115; 2 Tobacco Packer (Luzzi) 115; 3 Blues Begone (Chavez) 115; 4 Baricor (Santos) 115; 5 Gigabyte (Manjokram) 115; 6 a-Conflagration (Espinoza) 115; 7 b-Sugar Loaf Hill (Smith) 115; 8 E's Other Paddock (Davis) 115; 9 Monetary Justice (Leon) 115; 10 Rejoice By Choice (Bridgmohan) 115; 11 a-Watrals Rich Brass (Castillo) 115; 12 Stosh (Castillo) 122; 13 Improver (Decarlo) 115.

Turf limit earns Water Hero Award: The ordinance, which took effect in August 1998, limits turf planting to 25 percent of total commercial or industrial area, to 5 acres a hole on golf courses, to 50 percent of a single-family residence's front yard and to 30 percent of a multi-family residence's total landscaping area.

Editorial: Ford charts course on cleaner vehicles: Ford's decision is all the more commendable since tougher federal regulations for cars go into effect next year, the net effect being that trucks and sport utility vehicles will be allowed to produce five times as much smog as cars. Hopefully Ford's decision will pave the way for other automakers to be more environmentally progressive.

Upcoming events: Thursday: Blondie, Hard Rock

Las Vegas births: Lake Mead Hospital

Columnist Muriel Stevens: A comforting experience at the Venetian's Pinot Brasserie: Dubbed a Franco-California bistro-style restaurant, it is the quintessential French brasserie and more. Except for the oyster bar in the cafe (due to be completed any minute) everything in the kitchen and dining room was in place when I dined there earlier this week.

See it on the Strip: Always room for cellos

Auto racing schedule, leaders and standings -- May 21, 1999: NASCAR Winston Cup schedule, with winners in parentheses, and driver point standings:

Pullout programs can provide special attention: Benjamin Grove; In a steady monotone, the lanky fourth grader at Helen Jydstrup Elementary School plods through "word clusters" from a special reading book.

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

Special bath will help honeydews arrive at market much sweeter: Two USDA scientists have found that cooling melons in a water bath containing a special calcium-amino acid solution right after harvest slows the natural aging process.

Letter: Here's the point: Guns too easy to get hands on: I made reference to my own youth when guns were not available to those youngsters who might be inclined to wreak havoc on society in general and schools in particular.

Saturday at Hollywood Park: 1st race 6 fur 3YO & up Mdn Clm: 1 Florida Prospect (Rodriguez) 108; 2 Legal Thunder (Antley) 115; 3 Abbott's Pancho (Toscano) 113; 4 Fireatdawn (Stevens) 115; 5 Where's My Truck (Vergara) 115; 6 Bolger Banker (Enriquez) 113; 7 Comic Trick (Ramsammy) 122; 8 Preachin' Man (Pincay) 115; 9 Herewegoagain (Alvarado) 115; 10 Desert Chief (Blanc) 115.

County fears nuke threat to river: A Clark County official outlined the risks to Southern Nevada's drinking water over 70 years as thousands of nuclear-waste shipments cross the Colorado River.

Downtown benefits from LVCVA representation: The board approved a $109.5 million operational spending plan for the 2000 fiscal year, but not before Don Snyder, president of Boyd Gaming, convinced other board members to transfer $400,000 out of a contingency fund to back special events at the Fremont Street Experience.

Schmidt clocks 'very impressive' lap of 224.131: While she dealt the 36-year-old Hamilton a favorable hand, she dealt only aces to Schmidt, who had one of his best days of the week at the storied 2.5-mile oval, clocking a lap at 224.131 mph.

Front 3 rows are within reach: INDIANAPOLIS -- Well, it's almost here.

Mortgage regulation has support: Scott Reeder; Some people in the mortgage industry are concerned about a provision of the bill, which would require investors to sign a power of attorney for each investment transaction. Currently, investors can sign a blanket power of attorney when they begin working with a particular mortgage broker.

NLV: Despite revote, Blake still underdog to win seat: Lisa Snedeker; Blake retained fourth place with a total of 1,220 votes, compared to fifth-place vote getter Ron Long, who received 1,148. Incumbents William Robinson and Paula Brown earned 2,181 and 1,844, respectively. Planning Commissioner Shari Buck held onto third place with 1,386.

Release of low-risk inmates approved: CARSON CITY -- A plan by Gov. Kenny Guinn to release up to 150 low-risk state prison inmates to the supervision of the Drug Courts in Las Vegas and Reno was approved today by the Senate Finance Committee.

Finance Committee approves scholarship program: The program, defined in Senate Bill 496, would use a percentage of the $48 million in annual state receipts from the national tobacco settlement to fund college scholarships for high school graduates.

State will provide funds for nuke office: The Senate Finance Committee Thursday approved Gov. Kenny Guinn to spend $2 million in state money over the next two years to keep the office alive.

Silverado alive in softball winner's bracket: Dan Eckles; CARSON CITY -- The Silverado Skyhawks once again look to be the Southern Zone softball savior.

Suspect pleads not guilty in murder-for-hire plot: Bill Gang; District Judge Sally Loehrer set a July 19 trial date for Keith Joseph Shanley, who invoked his right to a speedy trial at his District Court arraignment Thursday.

Local pros offer free golf lessons: The nationwide campaign is designed to help amateur golfers gain more distance and increase interest in game-improvement lessons.

Advent moves closer to launching 'Frisco Bay': Gary Thompson; A big publicly owned financial services company recently bought a large stake in Advent Communications & Entertainment Inc. (ACE), a company formed by Las Vegas resort designer Mark Advent.

Sparks student claims he was joking: The boy's father voluntarily turned over two or three rifles to the Sparks Police Department on Thursday and the youth was being held at a juvenile corrections center on a charge of making threats, police said.

Oscar's goal is to park Carr: Dean Juipe; It's his show. He's the focus, the centerpiece, the axis that attracts energy.

Las Vegas court briefs: A Las Vegas teenager has pleaded not guilty to drunken driving and involuntary manslaughter charges from a rollover accident during a Christmas holiday excursion to Mount Charleston that left one friend dead and another seriously injured.

Two UNLV players awarded West Region softball honors: Goodpaster led UNLV this season in home runs (14), batting average (.371), doubles (16) and RBIs (34) in 49 games. After just one home run as a freshman, Goodpaster finished her second year just one shy of the school record of 15 homers.

NLV: Renegotiation with police nearly complete: Lisa Snedeker; Police and detention officers in April received a 6.5 percent pay and benefit increase covering the current fiscal year that ends on June 30. The raise was approved unanimously by the City Council as part of a four-year contract that covers 280 officers. What remains to be negotiated are the wages and benefits -- including longevity pay, medical insurance, and uniform allowances -- for the next three years.

Governor given OK for salaries: Guinn pushed for Assembly Bill 660, which will allow him rather than the Legislature to determine how much to pay his personal staff. The measure passed the Senate on a 19-2 vote with no debate. Sens. Joe Neal, D-North Las Vegas, and Bob Coffin, D-Las Vegas, cast no votes.

Bally Gaming gets Washington license: The GameMaker machines are a version of Bally's GameMaker models used in Nevada, but modified to incorporate Oasis Technologies Inc. software. Oasis also received a license from the Washington regulatory agency.

11 chosen as top student-athletes: Spencer Patterson; Like the amplifiers in Rob Reiner's cult classic film "Spinal Tap," this year's list of Southern Nevada's top student-athletes goes up to 11.

Anchor makes fast-growing company list: Those gains are considerably higher than the average yearly sales and earnings increases of 6.5 percent and 6.7 percent, respectively, recorded by S&P 500 companies in that time span, Business Week said.

Assembly revives impact fees bill: CARSON CITY -- In an about-face, the Assembly Thursday revived a bill to allow Las Vegas to charge impact fees on new homes to finance fire stations and parks.

Stars Spencer hit hard in '99 triple-A debut: Steve Guiremand; He made it into the San Diego Padres' starting rotation once already this season.

Stock ratings confirmed: Circus reported sharply higher revenue and operating earnings for the quarter, though pre-opening expenses related to Mandalay Bay and a casino project in Detroit resulted in a slight loss for the period.

Las Vegas news briefs: The Sunset Station hotel-casino is offering a $10,000 reward for information leading to the arrest and conviction of a man who robbed a slot cashier on Sunday.

Gay rights bill passes Senate, on way to Guinn's desk: Scott Reeder; Assembly Bill 311 already has passed the Assembly, and its next stop is Gov. Kenny Guinn's desk. Guinn's Chief of Staff Pete Ernaut said Guinn supports the legislation.

Panels agree to budget $62 million more than Guinn's: This budget doesn't include any money for pay increases for the 15,000 state workers, schoolteachers and university faculty. And monthly grants to welfare recipients will stay the same.

Cheyenne student to face charges: The boy, a student at Cheyenne, was booked into juvenile hall on charges of creating a disturbance and possession of an explosive device after the incident Thursday -- the one-month anniversary of the massacre at Columbine High School in Littleton, Colo.

Las Vegas bankruptcies: Andrew Locher and Heather Locher, also known as Heather Shackett, doing business as Blimpie's, 8120 Calvin Crest, filed for Chapter 13, listing assets of $138,600 and liabilities of $290.439.98.

Tax exemption for golf course may be restored: A privately run Las Vegas golf course that lost its property tax exemption two years ago could have it restored under a bill that is awaiting approval by the state Senate.

Megabucks nears $20 mil.: However, it has a long way to go to beat the world's record slot jackpot of $27.6 million, also hit on a Megabucks machine, last November at the Palace Station by a 66-year-old Las Vegas woman who declined to release her name.

Recording studio rocks, rolls at festival: The 42-year-old Las Vegas songwriter won the opportunity to make a high-tech, professional demo tape of one of his songs inside the John Lennon bus, a mobile recording studio on display at the EAT'M festival until Sunday.

Eagles sign ex-Rebel Palelei: Palelei, 28, played in nine games with the New York Giants last season.

Latest hold on Stupak resort vote is surprise to Las Vegas officials: Erin Neff; But a fax sent from developer Bob Stupak's number and signed "Titanic Resorts," claims the vote has been held for one month.

Defamation suit filed against LV station: The Palmieris do business as Meadows Pet Center and Friskies Pet Center.

Movie Guys: Post-'Titanic' Winslet sinks in 'Hideous Kinky': Grades: Jeff, C; Dave, C.

NCAA not trying to 'take on' gambling in Vegas: Steve Carp; The NCAA has no intention of putting Nevada sports book employees out of work, nor does the governing body of college athletics believe it can keep the state's legal sports books from accepting bets on its events.

State also No. 1 in high school dropouts: Art Nadler; The "Kids Count Data Book: State Profiles of Child Well-Being," was released Tuesday by the Annie E. Casey Foundation of Baltimore. It showed that Nevada had a high school dropout rate of 17 percent among teenagers between the ages of 16 and 19 in 1996. The national average was 10 percent.

Mikohn wins job at Detroit casino: Mikohn wins job at Detroit casino

Columnist Brian Hilderbrand: Win whets appetite of LV Hydro team: When Kim Gregory bought his first Unlimited Hydroplane last August, the Las Vegas businessman expected to experience a slow learning curve.

Trolley's will take voters to polls: The rides take voters to the clerk's office or to the community-based mobile sites for all Las Vegas voters located in each ward.

Informants key to case against two Mafia members: The 12-member jury continued its deliberations today after reviewing the evidence for about six hours on Thursday.

Rice ends UNLV's season in WAC tournament: The win was the Owls' 10th consecutive WAC tournament win and extends Rice's record for wins in a season to 50. UNLV's season ends at 27-34.

UNLV's Steadham in second place: UNLV's Steadham in second place

Growing up fast: The nation's highest teen pregnancy rate is as unique to Nevada as the Strip and the phenomenal growth rate.

New air carrier gets FAA certification: In a brief ceremony at National's headquarters near McCarran International Airport Thursday, Howard Vaughn, the FAA's Las Vegas manager, gave National Chief Executive Officer Michael Conway the documentation clearing the airline to begin passenger air service on its Boeing 757 jets.

Durango, Cimarron advance in 4A state baseball tourney: Spencer Patterson; While southern domination was the story once again on Day 1 of this year's 4A State Baseball Tournament Thursday, Northern Nevada's representatives served notice their time may be nearing.

LV company eyes expansion: Another shareholder, saying the company's stock-price recovery has lagged that of competing casino operators, asked whether Boyd is a potential takeover target.

Nevada, California AG's team up on Tahoe, gas prices: Sandra Chereb; Nevada Attorney General Frankie Sue Del Papa and California Attorney General Bill Lockyer met here on Thursday to discuss water and environmental concerns plaguing the lake that straddles the two states in the Sierra.

Box score: Grizzlies 11, Stars 2: Fresno

Death ruled suicide: Police initially said she died of an accidental drug overdose of a painkiller and Valium.

Police arrest middle school student suspected of planning shooting: Scott Sonner; The boy's father voluntarily turned over two or three rifles to the Sparks Police Department on Thursday and the youth was being held at a juvenile corrections center on a charge of making threats, police said.

Libraries ask Senate for support: Jennifer Coleman; SB32, sponsored by Sen. Bernice Mathews, D-Sparks, would let school districts apply for grants up to 50 percent of their last year's budget. The grants could only be used on books and technology for the library.

Guinn relaxes reporting requirements for lobbyists: Brendan Riley; AB518, signed Thursday, was authored by Assemblywoman Gene Segerblom, D-Boulder City, who says she wants to encourage lawmakers to go to parties, dinners or other events sponsored by lobbyists.

Nevada Senate approves anti-discrimination bill: Jennifer Coleman; Assemblyman David Parks, the only openly gay member of the Nevada Legislature, sponsored AB311, which would expand existing law barring discrimination based on race, color, creed, sex, religion, disability or nationality.

New artists hope to land record deals at conference: Angie Wagner; "The costs are real high," Allen, 22, said Thursday. "It's just enough for us to get by."