Stories published November 18, 1999Las Vegas Sun

Suit threatened against feds over rare birds: An Arizona environmental group said it will sue the U.S. Bureau of Reclamation over the agency's failure to protect an endangered bird and, if the suit is successful, it could limit plans to store more water in Lake Mead.

No harsh talk from sheriff: Keith Paul; Sheriff Jerry Keller, the victor in a recent public battle over deconsolidation of the Metro Police Department, refused to criticize Las Vegas' elected officials in his first comments on a city study that suggested Las Vegas could save $4 million on its share of Metro's police budget.

Chief of Forest Service talking to workers in Nevada flap: Scott Sonner; Thirty-six employees of the national forest are appealing to the chief to visit the national forest caught up in a series of increasingly heated disputes with private property activists over protection of natural resources.

Ralph Siraco's selections for Friday's races at Hollywood Park: 1st Race -- Crimson Policy - Outrun in marathon Cal-Cup Starter 'Cap at Oak Tree in last, gate-to-wire victory at comparable level before that, set pace and close 2nd three races back, back to competitive level, draws good rail post, spotted right. Zig - Dueled between horses and faded to split field when 5th in last, bobbled at the start, rushed up and weakened to 6th before that, 3rd at higher level three races back, 4-for-20 lifetime, should be a froward factor throughout. Value Play -- Half Past Ten

Canceled flights anger passengers: America West is the No. 2 carrier at McCarran International Airport in Las Vegas, where it has a hub.

Sierra Pacific's Niggli predicts bright future: The company's long-term business strategy calls for expanding regionally in the area bounded by the Rocky Mountains, Pacific Ocean, Canada and Mexico, he added Wednesday.

Big airlines join online ticketing service: CHICAGO -- In the airline industry's latest move into cyberspace, three more U.S. carriers have joined Priceline.com, giving a big boost to the name-your-own-price Internet ticket service.

Committee sending Henderson state college proposals to regents: Valerie Miller; Henderson may soon be the place a four-year college calls home -- and if one regent has his way, it also could be the home of a new, consolidated communications school.

Five superintendent candidates profiled: Terry Webster; Consultant William Attea told the Clark County School Board there is no such thing as a perfect superintendent candidate.

New plans for Whitney gain support: Clark County commissioners gave the go-ahead to a tentative schedule for review, public discussion and adoption of a new land-use plan for Whitney on Wednesday.

'I was just trying to make an easy buck': Victoria Sun; When former Arizona State basketball player Isaac Burton accepted $4,300 to help shave points during two games in 1994, all he could think of was what the money could buy.

Columnist Dean Juipe: Victory could help Diego Morales emerge from his brother's shadow: Dean Juipe; Like every 19-year-old, there are times Diego Morales could feel he's in the midst of an identity crisis.

Hollywood Park to sell two Mississippi properties: BancBoston Robertson Stephens Inc.'s Harry Curtis said that, if consummated, the sales will help diversify the assets of the Inglewood, Calif.-based company that recently sold the Hollywood Park racetrack.

County continues Harmon talks: Launce Rake and Adrienne Packer; As Clark County officials continue to negotiate for land along the Las Vegas Strip, another design for the Harmon Avenue extension was put before the commission and accepted Wednesday.

Rebels to face former recruit: Steve Guiremand; During the first recruiting weekend of the John Robinson era of UNLV football, three highly touted junior college recruits visited the campus last December.

Top gaming lobbyist to speak at conference: Fahrenkopf is to speak Dec. 14 and is expected to discuss political challenges facing gaming including attempts by the NCAA to outlaw betting on college sports and the proliferation of Indian and Internet gaming.

Blue Cross, Blue Shield Nevada sale done: Grace Leong; New lawsuit

Boggs McDonald now key player on council: City spending

Casino firms seek fine against Nevada Power for disobeying PUC: Nevada Power may be entitled to collect $5.7 million from its Las Vegas customers as a result of a Nevada Supreme Court ruling Wednesday.

Price gouging taken in stride at Comdex show: Somewhere between free enterprise and ruthless price gouging lies the economic realities of Comdex.

UNLV meeting set over police problem: UNLV police will meet Wednesday with Vice President Robert Ackerman in a closed session that one officer hopes will clear the air in the wake of recent actions that have shaken the morale of the 20-man department.

Vegas lawyer reveals late luncheon with Tabish, Murphy: A Las Vegas lawyer acknowledged Wednesday that he had lunch with Rick Tabish and Sandy Murphy the day Ted Binion died.

News briefs: A Las Vegas man has become the second person to plead guilty to second-degree murder and robbery in the slaying of a 42-year-old man who apparently was trying to prevent a break-in and robbery at his home.

Lawmakers reject Del Papa's request to hire more lawyers: Senate Majority Leader Bill Raggio, R-Reno, questioned the spending of about $210,000 while the governor is studying whether state agencies are performing essential services.

Columnist Ron Kantowski: Nothing wrong with IBL talent: After watching a quarter and a half of Wednesday's Silver Bandits (they're the team from Las Vegas) vs. New Mexico Slam International Basketball League exhibition game at the Doolittle Center on Las Vegas' near West side, I'm convinced that the caliber of play will be the least of the fledgling minor league franchise's worries.

Attempt to save Maxim fails; closure looms: Gary Thompson; A deal to bring in long-time gaming executive Bill Friedman to salvage nearly 800 jobs at the Maxim hotel-casino has fallen through, and the off-Strip hotel-casino is still due to close no later than Dec. 6.

Assemblywoman complains state has done enough drug use studies: "Didn't we just do this in June of 1998?" she asked Health Division spokesman Alex Haartz at an IFC meeting. "How many studies do we need to know that we need more treatment?"

Anti-prostitution zealot admits he faked death: Scott Sonner; Milo John Reese, who had been missing for 10 days, told sheriff's detectives Wednesday night he abandoned his car along Interstate 80 near the old Mustang Ranch to try to make it look like he was murdered.

Lake probe: BOULDER CITY -- Federal scientists have taken a three-dimensional snapshot of a polluted plume of water that streams seven miles through Lake Mead, from the Las Vegas Wash to Hoover Dam, to understand how fast and how deep the pollutants flow.

New Year's rooms still available; sellout expected: Gary Thompson; There's plenty of room at the inns, but it will cost you plenty to stay there.

Community news briefs for November 18, 1999: The Las Vegas Chapter of Hadassah will celebrate "Our Youth" during a luncheon 11:30 a.m. Sunday at the Las Vegas Country Club, 3000 Joe W. Brown Drive.

More money to be spent on Tahoe erosion study: "My purpose today is to tell you we do fill the lake, we have filled the lake, and we will continue to fill the lake," Stone said. "I will tell you without hesitation we fill the lake when we have enough water to do it."

Famed 'Welcome' sign darkened by confusion: David Strow; The famed "Welcome to Las Vegas" sign on the south end of Las Vegas Boulevard has been dark since Oct. 4 because of an unpaid electric bill.

Butler nixes UNLV, opts to sign with Connecticut: Victoria Sun; The Caron Butler mystery is over.

Closing arguments made in du Pont trial: Kim Smith; Forensic experts may not have found evidence placing a suspect at a murder scene, but a video of him in the minutes following the murder is just as good, prosecutors in the du Pont murder trial argued during closing arguments Wednesday.

Fight schedule: At Coachella, Calif., Jimmy Thunder, Las Vegas, vs. Eli Dixon, Cleveland, 10, heavyweights.

Obituaries for November 18, 1999: Arthur Ackerman, 74, of Las Vegas died Tuesday in a local health care center. He was born Aug. 25, 1925, in Philadelphia. A resident for six years, he was a retired owner-operator of a manufacturing plant, a World War II Army veteran and a 32nd Degree Mason.

Environmental groups may sue over monorail: The lawsuit says the plan does not seek to reduce air pollution in the Las Vegas Valley and seeks to halt construction of the $650 million monorail and the $150 million proposed South Hall expansion of the Las Vegas Convention Center, coalition Director Robert Hall said Wednesday.

Battle heating up over Spring Valley casino plan: A proposed hotel-casino for a Spring Valley shopping center drew dozens of neighborhood opponents carrying hundreds of letters and petition signatures to a Clark County zoning meeting Wednesday.

Anchor unit gets new lottery deal: Anchor didn't disclose the value of the contract, which is for five years and has two one-year extension options. The final contract hasn't been negotiated.

Wolves may join bears at shelter: Shaunta Grimes; The Betty Honn Animal Adoption Center is ready to adopt wolves that once belonged to Bill Vergis, previous owner of two bears now at the center, but officials say the wolves are already in good hands.

Utes still toast of the conference: Victoria Sun; UTE FACTS

Man holds girlfriend hostage in Laughlin apartment for 6 hours: Police officers called in the SWAT team when Thompson would not answer the door or the phone and after seeing similar domestic violence offenses on his record.

Resort adds 2nd Streisand millennium show: Richard Sturm, president of entertainment and sports at MGM Grand Inc., said the Dec. 31 concert was essentially sold out in five hours last May, setting a Ticketmaster one-day record for a single event.

CineVegas film festival director LeBlanc fired: David Strow; The executive director of the CineVegas International Film Festival has been fired less than three weeks before the festival's second annual run.

Evel Knievel to jump into marriage: Now the famous daredevil will jump into matrimony atop those same fountains. Knievel, 61, will marry 30-year-old Crystal Kennedy Friday on a stage erected above the fountains.

Top selections: 1999 All-conference football: Top selections: 1999 All-conference football

Three Las Vegas real estate licensees fined: Albert Flangas, also a broker, and Michael Sarkis, a former broker-salesman, were fined $1,000 apiece for two violations and told to complete nine hours of continuing education.

City Council briefs: The Las Vegas City Council on Wednesday sent to a recommending committee a proposed ordinance that will ban unaccompanied minors from the downtown area after 6 p.m. on New Year's Eve and New Year's Day.

Proposed casino opposed by neighbors: The protesters showed up at a Clark County zoning meeting armed with more than 350 letters and 250 petition signatures opposing the casino.

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

Wildcats place 4 players on squad: Spencer Patterson; After rolling to a 9-0 regular season record, the Las Vegas Wildcats were rewarded by area coaches, who voted four of the school's seniors onto this year's All-Conference football first team.

Remote-controlled, 200-pound robots battle at Comdex: The machines, armed with weapons such as metal spikes and large circular saws, were pitted against one another at Battlebot '99 held during the Comdex computer convention this week. The robots fight inside a Plexiglas enclosed ring while their operators control them safely behind the glass. They battle until one is inoperable.

Historic preservationists sue in last-ditch effort to save Mapes: The lawsuit filed in Washoe District Court on Wednesday accuses the city council of violating the open meetings law when it approved the demolition for the end of January.

Council OKs steps to revitalize Moulin Rouge: The Las Vegas City Council Wednesday unanimously approved steps to revitalize the decaying Moulin Rouge hotel-casino to its brief 1955 splendor and historic significance.

Dallenbach ready for retirement: Mike Harris; Stress has been a nearly constant companion for Wally Dallenbach since he became CART's first and only chief steward nearly two decades ago.

Spartans should eke out victory in title game: Spencer Patterson; CIMARRON-MEMORIAL (11-1) at McQUEEN (11-1), 7 p.m.

Columnist Joe Delaney: Burton, Rogers to lend a hand at annual 'Care for Kids' radiothon: Joe Delaney; Monte Carlo magician Lance Burton and country music legend Kenny Rogers will appear live on this weekend's fourth annual Variety Club/KFM 102 "Care for Kids" radiothon. ... The Meadows mall will be the location for the broadcasts from 6 a.m.-9 p.m. Friday and 6 a.m.-6 p.m. Saturday. ... Burton is set for 4-5 p.m. Friday and Rogers, 4-6 p.m. Saturday.

North LAs Vegas: Residents shout down gas station: Diana Sahagun; North Las Vegas City Hall was packed with angry residents Wednesday night who loudly opposed a gas station proposal and a potential lawsuit settlement involving a housing development.

Memo: Forestry workers fear for their safety: Scott Sonner; The U.S. Attorney's office in Las Vegas has declined to prosecute dozens of cases referred to it by the Forest Service since 1990 - at least 21 felonies and 52 misdemeanors involving more than 100 people, a Forest Service law officer said.

Editorial: A hollow appeal by a murderer: So many legal observers believed Strohmeyer was fortunate when, on the eve of his trial, District Attorney Stewart Bell agreed to a plea bargain from his defense attorneys in which Strohmeyer pleaded guilty in return for a life sentence. If the case had gone to trial, it seemed inevitable that Strohmeyer would be convicted and receive the death penalty. But as the Sun's Bill Gang reported Tuesday, Strohmeyer is now seeking a new trial, claiming that he was "bullied" into pleading guilty by one of his attorneys, Leslie Abramson. Ultimately a judge will have to decide the merits of the ...

Columnist Ruthe Deskin: Prescriptions, Kennedys and other issues: Ruthe Deskin; A little of this, a little of that:

All-Conference first team offense: All-Conference first team offense

Federal prosecutor defends track record in Nevada: Scott Sonner; Government lawyers for the U.S. Attorney's Office in Las Vegas declined to discuss any of the cases outlined in a Forest Service law enforcement in September critical of the Justice Department's prosecution of environmental laws on national forests in Nevada.

Editorial: New appointments net a split decision: But Wednesday's City Council meeting proved otherwise. McDonald did get Weekly the nod, but Sanchez lost. Goodman changed the mind of Councilwoman Lynette Boggs McDonald, who gave the mayor enough votes to select his personal choice, Michael Mack. McDonald recently has been exercising his considerable influence, but Wednesday's meeting indicates that the mayor -- a political newcomer -- quickly is learning how to flex his muscles, too.

Lawmakers get assurances on $33.5 million DMV contract: Assemblyman Bob Beers, R-Las Vegas, who headed a subcommittee tracking the computer program since it went on line Sept. 7, asked Drew if the contracts would be handled "better than they've been managed up to this point."

Evidence points to Murillo in murder-for-hire plot, prosecutor says: Angie Wagner; Jurors deliberated Murillo's fate two hours Wednesday afternoon after Assistant U.S. Attorney Peter Ko wrapped up the government's case against him. Jurors will continue deliberations this morning.

Plan for Henderson college moves forward: The proposed college, to be built in the city that is projected to soon be Nevada's second largest, would focus on undergraduate training in business, education and possibly communications.

Spaghetti Bowl work gets bonus: CARSON CITY -- For the second time, Meadow Valley Corp. has earned a bonus for completing a segment early on the construction of the $92 million Spaghetti Bowl project.

Internet DMV registration OK'd: CARSON CITY -- Plans for new technology that would allow motorists to renew their driver's licenses or car registrations by telephone or over the Internet were given a boost Wednesday.

Keller not criticizing city officials over study: Keller, speaking hours after Metro released its response to the study Wednesday, instead stressed the need for more communication with city officials, noting that the city's Nov. 2 report relied on "erroneous data."

Letter: Pedestrians in serious peril crossing Bonanza: We are a long block from Eastern. There is a crosswalk here. We have a 12-month school and a CAT bus stops here, but crossing the street is very dangerous.

Help for Real Estate Division debated: CARSON CITY -- At the suggestion of Senate Majority Leader Bill Raggio, R-Reno, the Legislative Interim Finance Committee Wednesday delayed authorizing more money to hire lawyers for the state Real Estate Division and the state Division of Financial Institutions.

Testing cut will send some drivers from CART to karts: The decision by Championship Auto Racing Teams (CART) to reduce the amount of testing its teams can conduct next season will save team owners a lot of expense.

Letter: Nevadans ripped off on gasoline: Someone in our state government should do some work and investigate -- is that not why we are paying top dollars for their services!

Chief of Forest Service hears Nevada concerns: Scott Sonner; Dombeck said during a 90-minute teleconference with employees of the Humboldt-Toiyabe National Forest he was concerned about their plight and would try to visit soon.

Friday at Aqueduct: 1st race 1-1/16 mi 3YO & up Turf Alw: 1 Clearly Sunny (Santos) 115; 2 Foreign Vengeance (Chavez) 118; 3 Mr Smartypants (Samyn) 115; 4 Indian Style (Bravo) 118; 5 Thunder Chicken (Teator) 118; 6 Fire Canyon (Leon) 115; 7 Conflagration (Davis) 115; 8 Platinum Setting (Pezua) 115; 9 Veri Terri (Luzzi) 115; 10 Harbor's End (Gryder) 118; 11 Watrals Rodeo Bob (Nelson) 118; 12 Wecanbeheroes (Bramblett) 108.

Navy airmen pleading guilty to shooting cows: The grand larceny charges carry a maximum sentence of 10 years in prison. The men also may be forced to pay as much as $8,000 to the Navy, which reimbursed the ranchers for the value of the livestock killed in September.

Nye County's challenge to Yucca water remains alive: A District Court judge in Tonopah has kept alive a challenge by Nye County and Amargosa Valley residents to a federal request for ground water to support a proposed high-level nuclear waste repository at Yucca Mountain.

Another study on substance abuse not well received: CARSON CITY -- Government is often accused of studying a problem to death, and the state Bureau of Alcohol and Drug Abuse may be the perfect example.

Boy critical with hypothermia after he's punished in cold bath tub: The woman, Melanie Boston, was arrested Wednesday afternoon and charged with child abuse causing substantial bodily harm.

Different kind of burglar alarm nabs suspect: Up until then, Herrera had avoided a manhunt and a helicopter spotlight search by climbing the big tree in an old southwest Reno neighborhood.

Where I Stand -- Brian Greenspun: The science of spin: HERE'S a good one.

All Conference first team defense: All Conference first team defense

Friday at Golden Gate: 1st race 1 mi 3YO & up F & M Clm: 1 Meadow Sprite (Warren) 119; 2 Bucksy (Meza) 119; 3 Shadybrook Lane (Alferez) 116; 4 Pale Gold (Chaves) 116; 5 Private Act (Carr) 119; 6 Hello Lila (Campbell) 119; 7 Little Girl (Lopez) 119.

IRL drivers welcome competition: Dick Brinster; Eddie Cheever knows top CART teams might run next year in the Indianapolis 500, making it more difficult for him to win the race a second time.

State has no request yet for McDonald probe: CARSON CITY -- The state Private Investigators Licensing Board said Wednesday it had not received a request for an investigation to determine whether Las Vegas Councilman Michael McDonald may be illegally brokering business to private detectives in Southern Nevada.

Hakkinen calls Coulthard future champion: Marius Turula; HELSINKI, Finland - Mika Hakkinen picks his McLaren teammate David Coulthard to win a Formula One title - but not next year.

The Buzzcocks are one punk band that never sold out: So, even though they get on better than ever, does that mean they get along at all? "It's a wonderful thing to get away from each other, but when you get back together it's even better," Shelley says. In fact, since reuniting, the Buzzcocks have moved through one entire rhythm section and only Shelley and guitarist Steve Diggle remain from the original group.

Columnist Spencer Patterson: Green Valley shows no signs of slowing down: Spencer Patterson; Just last year, it looked as if Green Valley High School's reign atop the Southern Nevada prep throne might be coming to an end.

Las Vegas 'Trekkers' live long and prosper at local convention: Everyone's dressed for their respective roles, hundreds of "Trekkers" made up as Scotty, Uhura, any number of Klingons and the sadly departed Bones McCoy. A Captain James T. Kirk lookalike chats up a Captain Jean-Luc Picard contemporary as a faux-Scotty shakes hands with fake Worf, all amid a carnival-like backdrop of souvenir booths and "Star Trek" decor.

Volleyball seeks big finish: Despite a 2-10 record in the conference and losses in six of its past seven matches, the UNLV volleyball team still holds out hope of improving its standing in the Mountain West Conference heading into next week's MWC Tournament.

Friday at Hollywood Park: 1st race 1-1/16 mi 3YO & up Clm: 1 Crimson Policy (Valenzuela) 118; 2 Tobermory Slew( (Diaz) 111; 3 King Strut (Enriquez) 120; 4 Zig (Black) 118; 5 Jolie's Tattletale (Pincay) 118; 6 Half Past Ten (Gutierrez) 109; 7 Mirobolant (Gomez) 118.

Committee approves shift of welfare funds to shots: CARSON CITY -- Despite opposition from a welfare advocate, the Legislative Interim Finance Committee Wednesday agreed to shift $1.2 million out of a fund for families on public assistance in order to buy vaccines for the financially troubled program to immunize children.

Reorganized Ethics Commission elects new chairman, muses over old fines: Brendan Riley; Peter Bernhard of Las Vegas took over as chairman of the commission, whose staff was expanded by the 1999 Legislature from one overwhelmed staffer to an executive director, assistant and lawyer.

Letter: Animals need us to protect them: Thank God for the caring individuals or organizations that do help with animal rights, because without them they wouldn't have a stinking chance. Even now their chances are slim. People need to wake up and realize there are other beings that share this planet that deserve reverence and respect.

Funds approved for school-standards study: CARSON CITY -- The Legislative Interim Finance Committee Wednesday voted to allocate $93,835 from its emergency fund to pay for cost overruns in the program to establish academic standards for Nevada schoolchildren.

This week's race: NAPA AutoCare 500

Good things finally happening for Yates: Mike Harris; HAMPTON, Ga. - Robert Yates had second thoughts about becoming a NASCAR team owner almost from the day Davey Allison talked him into it.

Attack on ex-wife draws minimum of 10 years in prison for LV man: Bill Gang; The state Parole and Probation Department had recommended a six-year prison sentence for a man convicted by a jury of trying to stab and strangle his former wife while two of their children tried to intercede.

Las Vegas Sun

Print edition for November 18, 1999

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The Bull's-Eye

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The Bull's-Eye

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