Print edition for November 4, 1999

Matisse grandson teams with children for LV's Art21: Kimberley McGee; Where: MGM Grand Conference Center.

Friday's Bay Meadows entries: 1st race 6 fur 3YO & up F & M Clm: 1 Himalayan Highness (Arriaga) 116; 2 Solough (Alferez) 116; 3 Candee Sand (Warren) 119; 4 Billie's Babe (Perez) 119; 5 Bronxville Doll (Tohill) 116; 6 Dangerous Tack (Miranda) 112.

Ruttman still trucking in NASCAR: Dick Brinster; Joe Ruttman laughs when he's told he shouldn't be bumping and banging with racers half his age.

Ganassi rolls dice to keep dynasty going: Mike Harris; Chip Ganassi can't leave well enough alone.

Residents' protests ignored; park-sale talks approved: Erin Neff; Despite protests from residents, the Las Vegas City Council on Wednesday authorized negotiations for the sale of the Charleston Heights Neighborhood Preservation Park to accommodate the planned widening of U.S. 95.

Women's GT series rolls into Las Vegas: Make no mistake about it, Sunday's Women's Global GT Series race at Las Vegas Motor Speedway will be anything but your traditional Powder Puff Derby.

Feds push to make former brothel into wild horse center: Scott Sonner; Federal agents who seized the bordello this summer in a fraud and conspiracy case say it will be months before the government decides what to do with it.

Letter: Hunters some of the finest folk you'll ever meet: They understand that something must die in order for us to live. Even vegetables were alive once.

Columnist Ruthe Deskin: Old papers spur bygone memories: Ruthe Deskin; Mary Helen Powers of Oklahoma City, Okla., gave me cause to indulge in a favorite pastime of seniors -- reminiscing about the old days.

Editorial: College grants get stringent guidelines: The American Council on Education fears the new rule issued by the Department of Education will not only hurt dropouts, but it also will discourage low-income students from even trying to enter college. This could place students in an untenable position. If they didn't have enough money in the first place to attend college, it's difficult to believe they suddenly will have the funds available to pay off this new debt.

City briefs: Here is how the Las Vegas City Council voted Wednesday to spend taxpayer money:

Ruel James combines multiple passions in his art: To a psychiatrist it means one thing, but to James it is something else entirely.

This week's races: Dura Lube 500

Columnist Dean Juipe: Lewis plans to end career-long knockout slump: Dean Juipe; His reputation as a heavy-handed slugger in some jeopardy after having consecutive fights go the distance, Lennox Lewis admits he's looking for a knockout when he faces Evander Holyfield Nov. 13 at the Thomas & Mack Center.

Auto racing schedules and standings: Feb. 14 - Daytona 500, Daytona Beach, Fla. (Jeff Gordon)

Ralph Siraco's selections for Friday's races at Santa Anita: 1st Race -- Seven Jillion - Broke maiden pulling away over the track in last, should like the downhill run, bred to be a good one, may just be starting to come around now. Double Dollar Day - Broke maiden at first asking on the pace with steady handling as the favorite in last, another who should take to the downhill run, draws rail post, needs clean trip. Value Play -- Knoxville

Friday's Aqueduct entries: 1st race 6 fur 2YO Fil Mdn Clm: 1 Happy Case (Lovato) 118; 2 Red Plummage (Rodriguez) 114; 3 Fly With Jane (DeCarlo) 114; 4 Won Me Over (Bravo) 114; 5 A Gal Above (Lavoy) 111; 6 Comette de Fleur (Castill) 118; 7 Athenian Dancer (Gryder) 114; 8 Last Supper (Diego) 111; 9 Vitrify (Beasley) 109; 10 Miss Hotsy Totsy (Toscano) 118.

Columnist Joe Delaney: Country music has edgy history: Joe Delaney; "Edgy country music" was the subject of an article in Monday's Sun Accent section. ... Country music has always been edgy, adding and expanding. ... Jimmie Rodgers, "The Singing Brakeman," 1895-1933, is acknowledged as the Father of Country Music. ... In 1927, on Rodgers' classic "Blue Yodel, No. 9," he asked jazz greats Louis Armstrong and clarinetist Jimmie Noone to join him.

Letter: Las Vegas angels earned gratitude: I especially want to acknowledge the staff in CCU. It was most evident that they were a competent group of people. Not only did we appreciate their medical expertise, but the warm smiles, the pats on the shoulder, the hugs, their patience with my myriad questions, were such a comfort. When my husband left CCU, we felt we had left friends behind.

Community news briefs for November 4, 1999: Drums used for rites of passage and as forms of communication will be used. Call 647-8169.

Editorial: Lessons of history get ignored: On Tuesday the Nuclear Regulatory Commission, which ultimately must decide whether Yucca Mountain meets the standards to build a repository, held a workshop in Las Vegas to get public input. Critics said one of the NRC's proposals would weaken radiation limits, because it would be less stringent than that offered by the Environmental Protection Agency. Ultimately the EPA is the agency that would establish the radiation standards -- although members of Congress are contemplating turning this authority over to the NRC.

Friday's Santa Anita entries: 1st race 6-1/2 fur 2YO Alw: 1 Double Dollar Day (Blanc) 116; 2 Prince Zachary (Valenzuela) 116; 3 Knoxville (Enriquez) 118; 4 Grey Memo (Garcia) 118; 5 Bully's South (Berrio) 116; 6 Induction Day (Pedroza) 116; 7 Seven Jillion (Ramsammy) 116; 8 Gleeful Jig (Vergara) 116.

Burton ready to become NASCAR title contender: Mike Harris; PHOENIX - Jeff Burton expected to be in the middle of a championship race right now.

UNLV Olympic sports roundup: Volleyball squad looking to reverse recent skid vs. Utah: The UNLV volleyball team, a loser of three straight and 10 of its past 12 matches, will attempt to reverse its fortunes as the Rebels open a two-match homestand tonight at 7 against Utah.

Veteran Hall takes shot at another win: Hall, who along with motorcycle racer Ron Bishop has raced all 31 previous SCORE "Baja Mils," will once again be at the starting line when the 32nd annual Tecate SCORE Baja 1000 is held Friday and Saturday in Baja California. The event is the final round of the six-race 1999 Laughlin SCORE Desert Series.

North Las Vegas: Few residents attend council meeting on nuclear waste plan: Diana Sahagun; Imagine 70,000 tons of highly radioactive nuclear waste being shipped through North Las Vegas for 25 years.

Local BLM manager moving to new position: The top official for the Bureau of Land Management's Las Vegas field office said Wednesday he is moving on to a new job within the agency Monday and that a replacement from Colorado already has been chosen.

Las Vegas gains revenge for last year's loss by blanking Silverado: Spencer Patterson; With memories of last season's crushing playoff exit spurring them on, the Las Vegas Wildcats left nothing to chance in Wednesday's 4A Sunrise Region boys soccer semifinals.

Station Casino St. Charles closes riverboat to expand barge: "The dockside (barge) casino offers more Las Vegas-style, open gaming," said Tony Raymon, general manager of Casino St. Charles. "We get rid of six flights of stairs, and no more ramps. And all the air conditioning issues get resolved."

Rebels prepare for home debut: Dean Juipe; Asking for the attention of the fighters he handles, Skip Kelp stood in the middle of the ring and went over a few items that might come as second nature to experienced boxers.

Wildcats should avert upset bid: Spencer Patterson; FRIDAY'S GAMES

Nevada's rural prisons struggle to keep staff: At Lovelock, nearly 54 percent of the staff commutes from Reno, Fernley, Fallon and Winnemucca. Lovelock, along Interstate 80, is 95 miles east of Reno; 62 miles east of Fernley; 58 miles east of Fallon; and 70 miles west of Winnemucca.

Bishop Gorman hangs on to oust Centennial in 3: Brocke Radke; The Bishop Gorman high school girls' volleyball team can't help but win.

Murphy's panties may be found: Clark County Detention Center officials said this morning they may have found Sandy Murphy's missing panties.

North Las Vegas briefs: The North Las Vegas City Council introduced a new billboard ordinance, setting final action for the Nov. 15 meeting.

Former youth officer sues employer: Bill Gang; A District Court lawsuit has been filed by a juvenile probation officer who claims he has been punished for blowing the whistle on a fellow probation officer's alleged sexual relationship with a 14-year-old girl he was supervising.

Study fails to find path of Test Site ground water: After spending $176 million to study ground water for signs of nuclear traces at the Nevada Test Site, the Department of Energy has failed to find out if any contaminated water has escaped the Rhode Island-sized site.

Hanneman named CEO at Sun City developer: PHOENIX -- LeRoy Hanneman Jr. today was named chief executive officer of Del Webb. Corp., a big homebuilder in Las Vegas.

Guinn decrees term limits for state boards: CARSON CITY -- The Nevada Constitution limits the governor and other state elected officials to two terms, and Gov. Kenny Guinn is going to extend that policy to major state boards and commissions.

Man who begged for death is charged: Metro Sgt. David Swoboda testified Fernando Hernandez jumped out of his vehicle after being stopped for speeding last month and begged police to kill him.

LV company acquires escorted-tour firm: Maupintour, Lawrence, Kan., is a 49-year-old company that operates MaupinTrek, action-oriented tours that include whitewater rafting, mountain biking and safari camping, and MaupinWaterways, which offers leisure trips on rivers, canals and small ships in Europe.

Shakeup hitting big LV gaming firm: Gary Thompson; Alliance Gaming Corp.'s stock price fell sharply today as the Las Vegas company posted disappointing quarterly results, said it may sell some assets and announced the resignation of its chief executive.

Retailer opening at Galleria, Meadows malls: Juxtapose, a subsidiary of Norcross, Ga.-based American Retail Group Inc., will open Friday in the Galleria mall in Henderson. A second store opening is scheduled for Nov. 12 at Meadows mall.

City study says Metro could save millions: The report also claims the city is paying more than its fair share for the police department it shares with Clark County.

Search for schools chief nears final phase: Terry Webster; If managing a $1 billion budget, a staff of 20,000 and 217,000 students isn't enough responsibility, try adding the construction of about one new school a month and dealing with a growing at-risk student population.

Net providers shielded in U.S. House bill banning gambling on the Internet: The measure approved by the House Judiciary Committee subcommittee on crime would make it illegal to place or receive bets on the Internet.

Indian 'healing circle' will be open to public at VA center: Noted American Indian filmmaker and alternative medicine advocate George Amiotte is conducting "healing circle" ceremonies this week at the Addeliar Guy Veterans Ambulatory Care Center.

Burglar had large ATM card: But instead of sticking a bank card into the proper slot of the machine, he tried to use a construction front-end-loader to plow through the small building in what police believe was an attempt to get the cash. It didn't work, Metro Police said.

Talks set on keeping Maxim open: Gary Thompson; Owners of the 800-room Maxim hotel-casino near the Las Vegas Strip are scheduled to meet with the gaming licensee operating the off-Strip property next week, less than 30 days before its scheduled closure.

Church plans to oust Zephyr Point homeowners: As many as 55 leaseholders - some whose families have vacationed on the property since the 1920s - are to be forced out when their current leases run out in 2001.

Rogich, who saw son return to homeland as ambassador, dies: Shaunta Grimes; In 1949 Ranny Rogich arrived at Ellis Island, N.Y., from her native Iceland with her husband and young son. Forty years later that son, Sig, returned to their homeland as ambassador from the United States.

Russo is ready for a whole new party: Martin Kuz; Sixteen years ago movie producer Aaron Russo helped spawn the Eddie Murphy hit "Trading Places." Russo's latest project could be titled "Trading Parties."

Obituaries for November 4, 1999: Steven M. Aginiga, 68, of Boulder City died Sunday in a local care center. He was born Sept. 11, 1931, in Flagstaff, Ariz. A resident for 27 years, he was a retired employee of the Bureau of Reclamation, a Korean War veteran, owned an accounting and tax business, was a volunteer fireman and emergency medical technician for 10 years, and a member of the Boulder City Elks and the Boulder City Rotary Club.

Don Mello claims state officials slandered him: CARSON CITY -- Donald J. Mello, former administrator of the Nevada Court System, has filed a federal suit saying he's been blackballed from getting a job because of slanderous statements about him by state workers.

Sludge deal renews issue of conflict on council: Erin Neff; Questions about conflicts of interest and stifling competition still swirl around the Las Vegas City Council's decision in July to grant Silver State Disposal an exclusive trash-hauling contract until 2021.

7-Eleven, Baskin-Robbins move against LV franchisees: Grace Leong; Baskin-Robbins USA Co. is seeking a preliminary injunction against one of its Las Vegas franchisees, Sarfraz Ali Shah, prohibiting him from violating public health, sanitation and safety standards as set out in its operating manuals and a franchise agreement.

Crime figure working on Binion movie: Copyright 1999 Las Vegas Sun

Drunken driver sentenced in tourists death: Bill Gang; In a courtroom filled with emotion from the family and friends of two Texas tourists killed in a drunken driving collision, the defendant apologized and conceded his apology could do little to change the lives he devastated.

Report: City shortchanged by Metro: Erin Neff; Metro report The city's report about the Metropolitan Police Department can be read on the city's website at: www.ci.las-vegas.nv.us

Charges planned for Lake Mead: Jace Radke; New fees

Depression may explain remains: Police said Funk had left a 14-page letter indicating suicidal tendencies when he disappeared in 1997.

Robinson, alive and well, is victim of radio hoax: Steve Guiremand; UNLV football coach John Robinson is alive and well and looking forward to coaching the Rebels in their Mountain West Conference game next week in Colorado Springs.

Manufactured homes get OK: People living in unincorporated Clark County who want to move into manufactured homes will soon have more freedom to place them throughout urban and rural areas.

P.T.'s hotel-casino approved for Henderson: David Strow; A Henderson hotel-casino that's been on the drawing boards for nearly 15 years is finally set to open after receiving approval Wednesday by the Nevada Gaming Control Board.

Court computers get help for changeover: The new computer system that tracks cases is to begin operation Jan. 1, though some question whether it will be ready by then.

Epps gets one-game suspension: Victoria Sun; Sometimes, the best lessons are learned through experience.

Slot maker files patent suit against rivals: WMS said the suit alleges infringement of a patent issued to IGT on Sept. 14 called "Game Machine and Method Using Touch Screen."

Detroit prosecutor demoted for soliciting prostitute in Nevada: Gruskin's annual salary dropped to $83,000.

County gives hotel monorail green light: Adrienne Packer; During the final showdown with monorail proponents Wednesday, it was apparent embattled homeowners had lost a yearlong war when they encountered a Clark County commissioner armed with a cache of statistics.

Nye administrator blames sheriff for his legal problems: Shaunta Grimes; Nye County Public Administrator Robert "Red" Dyer and his wife, Jennette Dyer, who spent the weekend in hiding, posted bail on Wednesday and have returned to their Pahrump home.

Authorities led to slain woman: Bill Gang; After he was stopped following a high-speed chase near Searchlight in October, Fernando Hernandez blurted out to a Metro Police officer, "Just shoot me, just kill me -- I killed her."

Homebuilder loans at issue in seizure of mortgage firm: Phil Levine; A state-appointed conservator and David Ferradino, president of Interstate Mortgage Group, may spend up to two months working to find a way to secure the collateral of Interstate investors whose money was lent to Champion Homes.

Financing questions remain on proposed Cox Pavilion at UNLV: If the 4,000-seat Cox Pavilion adjacent to the 18,000-seat Thomas & Mack Center is to be built in time for next winter's UNLV sports seasons, a decision on its financing must be made by year's end, officials say.

Suspects indicted in fake documents ring: Kim Smith; A dozen men were indicted by a federal grand jury Wednesday in connection with a bogus document-making scam that was broken up last month following an undercover operation.

Nuke bill waiting game continues: Benjamin Grove; WASHINGTON -- The tense waiting game on a bill that would ship nuclear waste to Nevada as early as 2007 continues in Congress.

'Pedicab' service launched at two casinos: Two pedicabs -- a hybrid of a bicycle and a rickshaw -- will operate in the casinos' parking lots from 6 p.m. to midnight each Friday and Saturday to provide transportation to and from cars at no cost.

Girls Volleyball Standings: CLASS 4A

It's already Y2K for Reno-based Sierra Pacific: The operations part of the utility company has been running a year ahead ever since.

Reid backs research hoping to transform nuke waste: Sen. Harry Reid, D-Nev., has endorsed further research into transforming high-level nuclear waste into less harmful elements, rather than dumping it into a proposed nuclear waste repository at Yucca Mountain.

News briefs: Metro Police suspect that the man who committed a Tuesday afternoon home invasion robbery is also responsible for two similar crimes.

North Las Vegas: Longtime pig farmer claims court victory: Diana Sahagun; Bob Combs is a tired farmer, but a happy one.

Fight schedule: At Worley, Idaho, Frankie Swindell, Nashville, vs. Elicier Castillo, Miami, 10, heavyweights; Charles Shufford, Las Vegas, vs. Anthony Moore, San Diego, 8, heavyweights.

Kinser carries on family tradition with title: Perhaps it was the fact that he had just endured a grueling 103-race schedule, but Mark Kinser sure didn't look like a racer on the verge of celebrating a championship.