Print edition for November 5, 1999

Letter: Time takes toll on human condition: The older, the wiser, so people say, but sometimes that's not what is happening along my way. Older? Oh yes! Very true. Wiser? Well maybe, I'm not sure I can tell. But one thing I do know all too well, it's bags, sags and wrinkles! My muscle tone isn't failing -- it down-right fell. I could dye the gray of my hair or maybe fake eyelashes if I dare, but the years have their own way of telling and counting the toll. The taut body also gave up the ghost -- it's bags, sags and wrinkles -- and a tummy ...

Mavericks cut Kebu Stewart: Mavericks cut Kebu Stewart

Utes defeat Rebels spikers: UNLV (9-11, 1-8 MWC) had three players with double figures in kills and three in double-figure digs. Jeanette Graves had 13 kills and 10 digs, Danielle Gerlach had 11 kills and 11 digs, while Angie Sylvas had 13 kills and Justine Kamelamela had 13 digs. Alicia Erickson led the team in blocks with 8.

Henderson: Mixed-density project denied: Valerie Miller; Hundreds of loud residents packed the Henderson Planning Commission meeting Thursday night as planners denied a mixed-density development in their rural community.

Ghost of the Ocean: Lisa Ferguson; What: "Titanic: The Exhibition."

Boy, 5, struck by father's truck: The accident took place shortly before 3 p.m. in an apartment complex in the 4300 block of South Bruce Street.

Bandits seek P.A. announcer: In other news, the Silver Bandits signed Eme Oduwok, Andy Bostic, Howard Nathan and Ron Riley of Clark High School.

Nevada PUC approves Enron Corp. application: The utility commission is reviewing applications of other utilities, including New Energy Southwest, DukeSolutions and Phaser, said Cynthia Messina, commission spokeswoman.

Delays leads to fines of Attorney General's lawyers: District Judge James Mahan took the unusual action Thursday of sanctioning Mark Ghan, head of Del Papa's litigation division, and Deputy Attorney General Bridget Branigan.

Obituaries for November 5, 1999: Henry Warren Askin, 79, of Las Vegas died Sunday in a local hospital. He was born on Sept. 23, 1920, in New Castle, Ind. A resident for seven years, he was a retired Army lieutenant colonel and a World War II veteran.

Letter: Moore's death was a shame: I did not know Greg, only of his talent. I was pleased to hear of his persona as well as the driver's accomplishments.

Lawmakers begin study of Nevada's juvenile justice system: A study committee headed by Sen. Valerie Wiener, D-Las Vegas, was told the latest estimates on gang numbers include about 6,300 in 201 gangs in the Las Vegas area and 1,400 members in 100 Reno-area gangs.

Columnist Steve Guiremand: Bonanza grad finds 'home' at Oregon State: Steve Guiremand; With a win over Cal on Saturday, the Oregon State Beavers (5-3) can celebrate their first winning season since 1970.

Columnist Joe Delaney: Humperdink overcame the odds to play Las Vegas: Joe Delaney; Engelbert Humperdinck, the composer, was born in 1854. ... He is best known for composing the music to the opera, "Hansel and Gretel," which, in his native Germany, is as popular a Christmas production as "The Nutcracker" is in the United States. ... Humperdinck also composed the music for the play, "The Miracle," which was popular in the U.S. as well.

Editorial: Wrong way to provide assistance: Those counties that rely heavily on logging to support their local economies have had a tough time in recent years as logging has decreased substantially. Since the payments essentially are tied to the amount of logging, that means there is less money to go around. Last year the Clinton administration proposed to sever this link between payments and timber sales, instead providing a more stable source of funding. The reason was twofold. First, it's unfair to tie public education payments to such an economically volatile industry. Second, what this program does is offer a perverse incentive to cut more trees ...

News briefs: A body found last Friday in the desert east of Las Vegas has been identified.

Letter: Let's finally get facts straight about tragedy of Waco: This time their pretext is several minor unresolved, tangential issues. Lest we forget, let me reiterate the basic facts of this whole sad episode.

I-80 sniper pleads guilty to six counts of attempted murder: Scott Sonner; Christopher Merritt, 20, Mankato, Minn., had pleaded innocent to the charges in March. He entered the new guilty pleas in the sniper attack Friday in a plea-bargain with prosecutors who agreed to drop six charges of battery with a deadly weapon.

Search for missing girl expanded to Mexico: Jace Radke; With 7-year-old Karla Rodriguez now missing for more than two weeks, Metro Police are expanding the investigation into California and Mexico.

Letter: Poppy drives benefit veterans: Although, for identification, each veterans' organization has its own name imprinted on the label of each poppy, the money collected benefits needy veterans regardless of their religion or race.

LV gang numbers swell to 10,000: CARSON CITY -- There are 201 gangs in the Las Vegas area with membership reaching nearly 10,000, a new Metro Police report says.

Police say home invasions, Harrah's casino robbery may be connected: Draketorial Michael Macon, 30, was arrested Oct. 28 and charged with robbery and burglary in connection with the Harrah's robbery on Oct. 26.

Pharmacy board delays action on proposed pill-splitting regulations: Shaunta Grimes; The state Board of Pharmacy chose not to vote on a pill-splitting regulation Thursday and instead tabled the issue for a future meeting.

Las Vegas slot applicants run into obstacles: David Strow; Five Las Vegas-area gaming applications were referred back to regulators over various issues in a contentious two hours Thursday.

Letter: Nave pegged half wrong: Well, Ron, at least you were half right. Dr. Nave is good. You will never know the amount of good he has done in his quiet, unassuming way.

Dial File -- Steve Bornfeld: Who needs truth? We have entertainment: Once more we ask:

Ibeabuchi's bail reduced in sex case: Bill Gang; Embattled heavyweight boxer Ikemufula "Ike" Ibeabuchi may get his chance to return to the ring in the not-too-distant future.

Saturday's Santa Anita entries: 1st race 6 fur 3YO Clm: 1 Mane Man Rubin (Long) 117; 2 Norm's Boy (Garcia) 115; 3 Aloha Louie (Puglisi) 117; 4 Classic Career (Valenzuela) 117; 5 White Fire (Arreaga) 110; 6 Pembina (Berrio) 117; 7 Apollo Suelto (Valdez) 115; 8 Morro Bay (Diaz) 110; 9 Flies With Eagles (Blanc) 117; 10 March On Selma (Jaime) 107; 11 Hyper Sweep (Almeida) 117; 12 One of a Con (Pincay) 117.

Check on the way to Serpa after judge rejects condemnation motion: But the price has been the focus of a legal battle since the Nevada Department of Transportation condemned the land in 1994.

Board may bar pharmacists from cutting pills in half: Such cost-saving measures are necessary to keep insurance affordable, according to Sierra spokeswoman Jenny DesVaux Oakes.

Reno woman goes to war with DMV over treatment: Part of the new procedures - limiting the time an individual may spend at a service window - affected her business, which involves getting vehicle titles for auto dealers and others who contract with her.

Las Vegas on the block: With all the tension and drama of a high-stakes poker game, the federal government sold off more than 162 acres of urban real estate Thursday.

Columnist Sal DeFilippo: Get ready for some misery at the Meadowlands: Sal DeFilippo; The NFL's competition committee, which is responsible for any changes in league rules, should be penalized.

Sound Check -- Geoff Carter: Self-effacing critic offers his top-album selections for 1999: Popular-music critics are, with few important exceptions, a bunch of cheap, fat, self-satisfied, trendy, tin-eared, talentless neo-hippie buttheads. And yes, savage reader, that includes the hairy moron in the mugshot at right. When I'm writing phrases like "sonically impeccable," I'm actually thinking, "Must go home and stick my head in the microwave."

Where I Stand -- Mike O'Callaghan: Our own worst enemy: Some veterans of long-term shooting wars look askance at the large numbers of complaints coming from Gulf War veterans. Just the other day the Department of Veterans Affairs told us that 16 percent of the 700,000 Gulf War vets are receiving disability compensation. This sounds outrageous when compared to the 8.6 percent of the remaining World War II and only 5 percent of Korean War veterans who are receiving disability compensation. There are 9.6 percent of Vietnam era veterans who are receiving benefits and 9.5 of the peacetime veterans get checks.

UNLV women defeated: UNLV women defeated

Wide-open fields will make for exciting Breeders' Cup: Ralph Siraco; On Saturday, thoroughbred racing will once again present its version of the World Series with its championship day at the races. This year, the Breeders' Cup will add an extra game to the series with the newly created race for fillies and mares who are marathon turf experts for a total of eight divisional events.

Saturday's Bay Meadows entries: 1st race 6 fur 3YO & up F & M Mdn Clm: 1 Village Choir (Alvarado) 116; 2 Lil Barhop (Tohill) 116; 3 Planting Time (Castro) 119; 4 Puck Chaser (Perez) 116; 5 Quick n' Flashy (Chaves) 119; 6 Surprise Wish (Gonzalez) 116; 7 April Runner (Miranda) 109.

The Movie Guys: 'Being John Malkovich' is a transforming experience: Grade: Jeff, A; Dave, A

Carvalho, Trammel steal 'Les Trix' show at San Remo: Joe Delaney; "Les Trix," in the San Remo's intimate Parisian Cabaret, is a Bonnie Saxe production, which means that Saxe is producer, director, choreographer and task master. It also means the show is rapidly paced, nicely costumed and performed by an inspired ensemble.

John Andretti wins pole with heavy heart: Mike Harris; AVONDALE, Ariz. - The first pole of the season for John Andretti was a bittersweet reward.

Dispute over panties continues: Murphy and her lawyer, John Momot, went to the Clark County Detention Center late Thursday to examine four pairs of unclaimed black panties.

UNLV's O'Reilly on TV: O'Reilly will be featured during a 30-second halftime feature on all of the network's games. In Las Vegas, the spot is scheduled to run on KTNV TV-13 during the Washington vs. Arizona game, which begins at 12:30 p.m.

American Le Mans Series Grand Prix Schedule: 9:20-10:20 a.m.: Combined Practice -- Prototype/GTS/GT

PUC head, panel member clash over deregulation issue: Nevada Power and Sierra Pacific Power own transmission lines and will be competing for retail customers after deregulation starts March 1.

Wagner won't be taking it easy as he nears Le Mans series title: American Le Mans Series Grand Prix schedule

Victim's family, prosecutors fight convicted killer's freedom: Bill Gang; When the family of a man murdered in 1987 went to the state Parole Board on Tuesday in anticipation of protesting an attempt by the killer to win parole, they were told that no parole hearing was scheduled.

Columnist Brian Hilderbrand: Rusty still searching for victory No. 50: PHOENIX -- Rusty Wallace desperately wanted to win his 50th Winston Cup race during NASCAR's 50th anniversary season last year.

Letter: Tyson-Norris was a sham: I hope Tyson chokes on his money and a train runs over Norris. That way, his knee won't be hurting him anymore.

Concerns seen for minority students: Topping the Alliance for Social Justice's agenda will be the new superintendent being sought by the school district.

Editorial: Prescription drug costs out of control: Nearly two-thirds of the 39 million Americans on Medicare receive some sort of prescription benefit, but health insurers increasingly are either reducing the amount of coverage or abandoning it altogether. President Clinton, worried about this trend, is seeking to pass legislation that would add drug benefits as part of Medicare coverage. But pharmaceutical companies' opposition is causing the plan to stall in the Republican-controlled Congress. It is time for this Congress to awaken from its slumber and realize that action is needed soon. Otherwise there is the very real prospect that some seniors may forgo their medications if they can't ...

Ralph Siraco's selections for Saturday's races at Santa Anita: 1st Race -- Pembina - Dueled pace from rail and held 3rd in last, gate-to-wire winner at Fairplex before that, drops back to competitive level now, Berrio returns on Spawr trainee. Aloha Louie - Shipped north and outrun at higher level in last, returns south now, handy gate-to-wire maiden breaker at Hollypark three races back, hustling Puglisi takes over. Value Play -- Norm's Boy

The Main Course -- Muriel Stevens: Baby shower at Le Cirque an elegant affair: Le Cirque and baby showers? Not the usual, I admit, for the upscale Le Cirque French restaurant at Bellagio, but it was wonderful. This was the first time I'd dined at Le Cirque during the day. I now know that the colorful circus themed dining room is a joy be in day or night.

Ethics panel gives City Council green light to appoint city employees: In a 4-1 vote, the ethics panel decided a city ethics code which bars city employees from lobbying the council for two years after being employed by the city did not pertain to this situation.

Columnist Kate Maddox: Mysterious donor enlivens St. Jude's Gala: Kate Maddox; More than $300,000 was raised at last weekend's St. Jude's Gala at the Resort at Summerlin. That's not bad for a weekend of parties, celebrities and local bigwigs, but what is remarkable is that almost half of all the money raised was donated by one person.

These Cats were perfect: Spencer Patterson; Three more wins, and this year's 1999 Las Vegas High football team will find itself in some very exclusive company.

CarsDirect.com new sponsor: Financial details of the sponsorship were not disclosed, but the Sun reported last month that sources in the industry placed the figure at $1.9 million for one year.

Activists for disabled step up battle against Fremont Street Experience: Grace Leong; Disability activist Ronald Ray Smith and two members of the Disabled Rights Action Committee are seeking a preliminary injunction against the Fremont Street Experience LLC to shut down any new attractions that fail to meet the minimum accessibility requirements of the Americans with Disabilities Act.

Columnist Dean Juipe: Bayno: 'I'm aware I've got to win': Dean Juipe; It would suit Las Vegans just fine if Bill Bayno became the city's most popular resident.

Pilot in Italian tragedy arrested in casino incident: Capt. Richard Ashby had been given an early release from his military sentence last month because of good behavior.

Shelf Life -- Scott Dickensheets: Hometown hero not among GQ's Men of the Year: What, no Agassi?

Date book: The Friends of Kiel Ranch Historic Site host the inaugural Western Heritage Festival and Cowboy Poetry Gathering today through Sunday at the Cheyenne Sports Complex and Community College of Southern Nevada on Cheyenne Avenue. Demonstrations of traditional Western arts and square dancing, a chautauqua, gold panning and a salsa and chili cook-off are among scheduled activities. Tickets are $15 for adults; $9 for children and seniors. Call 395-9834.

Saturday's Aqueduct entries: 1st race 1-1/16 mi 3YO & up Mdn: 1 a-Scarley Davidson (Pezua) 117; 2 Jovial Forecast (Bramblett) 112; 3 Sovereign Address (Gryder) 120; 4 Three Day Jack (Leon) 117; 5 Homer Boyer (Beasley) 112; 6 Palisades Flare (Samyn) 120; 7 Law School Tuition (Diego) 112; 8 Edgefield (Bridgmohan) 117; 9 a-Expensive Act (Soodeen) 120; 10 Thundari (Toscano) 120.

Man kills wife, self in hospital room: The man left the hospital, retrieved a gun from his home and returned to his wife's room. Police said he pointed the gun at an employee and ordered the employee to leave the room. He then shot his 71-year-old wife in the head before shooting himself.

Speedway Motorsports' earnings dive: The Concord, N.C., company's stock fell 13.94 to 32 in midday trading on the New York Stock Exchange.

Si Redd sued over loan: In the Clark County District Court suit, Icon alleged Redd, patriach of the world's largest slot-machine maker, International Game Technology and founder of the Oasis Resort Hotel & Casino in Mesquite, personally undertook liability on April 17, 1998, for any rental payments owed should Infinity Group or its guarantors default on a lease agreement signed March 31, 1998.

Daughter crippled by disease sues mom, stepfather: Sandra Chereb; In the suit filed Friday in Washoe District Court, Jelena Hatfield accuses Denise and Martin Rehm of siphoning the money for their own use over a 14-month period.

Venetian loses lien plea ruling: Gary Thompson; A Nevada judge ruled Thursday that the Venetian resort will have to post bonds totaling nearly a half billion dollars to release mechanics liens filed against it.

Convicted murderer out on bail for last four years: The family learned Simon was no longer in custody when they called the state Parole Board this week to protest the convicted murderer's attempt for parole.

Judge's gaming license prompts debate: David Strow; Nevada Supreme Court Justice Cliff Young received approval for a state gambling license Thursday on condition he not hear certain cases involving gaming.

Cops plan response to study by city: Erin Neff; Metro Police plans a point-by-point response to a city of Las Vegas study that suggests millions can be saved by streamlining police operations.

Latest movement to oust Askew fizzles fast: Adrienne Packer; Less than three months after a failed attempt to oust Clark County Manager Dale Askew, talk of renewing the effort spread through the sixth floor of the Government Center last week, county sources said.

Resort sues vacation packager: "The group trip was cancelled because the tourists couldn't get a U.S. visa," Liu responded. "There's no way for MGM to file a lawsuit against us since we never occupied the rooms. The rooms weren't held for us because we never paid the deposit."

Birth announcements: Oct. 20: Nikki to Dana Sebolt and William Mulcahey. Oct. 21: Jahmeen to Saquita Loadholt and Austin Myles; Kendra to Lakeitha and Kenneth Johnson; Olivia to Elizabeth Williams. Oct. 22: Ja'veica to Deborah Robbson and James Carter; Larry to Keisha Johnson and Larry Stewart. Oct. 23: Da'Janae to Tanya Jenkins; Manuel to Tina Rehbein and Eduardo Serrano. Oct. 24: Madeleine to Stacy and Nelson Erb. Oct. 25: Asia to Marilyn Washington and Reginald Bonier; Avery to Christina Nazaroff and Hope Aranas.

Ethics board gives city employees OK for council: Erin Neff; It may not look or smell right, but the Las Vegas Ethics Review Board found no legal basis Thursday to prohibit the appointment of city employees to seats on the City Council.

2 state lawyers fined over AG probe: District Judge James Mahan late Thursday leveled personal sanctions against two top state lawyers for stonewalling efforts in court to uncover a reported intelligence investigation of top gaming regulators.

Agency says some wild horses slaughtered soon after adoptees take title: The quick trip from title to slaughter was detailed in an internal BLM report saying 571 former wild horses have been slaughtered at four U.S. plants between March 1998 and Sept. 22. It was the first detailed accounting by the BLM of wild horses going to slaughter since The Associated Press exposed the practice in 1997.

Wednesday's prep results: Las Vegas 3, Silverado 0 Goals: Gomez 2, Dominguez.

Firm to install progressive slots in Australia: SYDNEY, Australia -- TAB Ltd., Australia's largest wagering company, will buy a 50 percent stake in Mikohn Gaming Corp.'s Australian business for an undisclosed price.

Prep playoff schedule, results: 4A SOUTHERN ZONE TOURNAMENT

PacifiCare merger rumors drive up stock: SANTA ANA, Calif. -- PacifiCare Health Systems Inc. stock closed Thursday at $54.18, up $8.50 or nearly 19 percent, on the Nasdaq Stock Market as rumors of a possible sale reached investors.