Print edition for October 4, 1999

Boy, 8, killed in collision; mother in critical condition: Jace Radke; Sun reporter Jerry Fink contributed to this story.

Trial set in death of palsy patient: Bill Gang; An Oct. 18 arraignment date has been set for a 67-year-old Las Vegas man who has been ordered to stand trial on murder and kidnapping charges in the beating death of a cerebral palsy patient.

Obituaries for October 4, 1999: Mary L. Bender, 78, of Las Vegas died Friday in Las Vegas. She was born July 18, 1921, in Quebec. A resident for 20 years, she was a retired seamstress.

Missile-defense test gives area residents a brilliant light show: Southern Nevadans and residents of Southern California were treated to a brief but spectacular light show Saturday when the Air Force tested a prototype anti-missile system.

Developer goes to court to seek info on college: Valerie Miller; As a committee studied the possibility of a four-year state college in Henderson over the weekend, the developer of a movie studio that was denied permission to build in the Wagon Wheel Industrial Park has filed court papers to force city officials to say whether the industrial park is the site they have in mind for a college.

Committee sees need for new college: Valerie Miller; Southern Nevada is going to need another college, and it may be in Henderson.

Assemblyman touts ads on school buses: Terry Webster; Flashy ads for cheeseburgers and tacos won't solve every funding crunch in the Clark County School District.

Venetian's bid to block LVCVA bond authority goes to court: Attorneys for the Venetian hotel-casino and the Las Vegas Convention and Visitors Authority have argued all summer about what they want and don't want to be presented in a trial over the expansion of the city's convention center.

Man who helped doctor with drugs gets probation: Kim Smith; A Las Vegas man who admitted to helping a local doctor illegally distribute millions of dollars worth of drugs was given probation Friday.

Du Pont in-law to plead guilty in murder plot: Kim Smith; A Du Pont family in-law is scheduled to plead guilty today in connection with the murder of his stepson's girlfriend.

Judge to decide on release of sensitive documents: Thomas Biggar, a District Court discovery commissioner responsible for overseeing evidence in civil cases, already has recommended turning over some 900 pages of documents to a former investigator suing Attorney General Frankie Sue Del Papa for forcing him to resign in 1996 because he wouldn't participate in the probe.

McDonald, Keller end public feud -- sort of: Erin Neff; The words coming from Sheriff Jerry Keller and Councilman Michael McDonald last week sounded friendly enough.

Untangling DMV snarl: CARSON CITY -- A consulting firm the state paid $3.6 million may be on the hot seat Tuesday for the part it played in the development of a new trouble-plagued Department of Motor Vehicles and Public Safety computer system that has resulted in long lines of motorists at DMV offices all over Nevada.

Nevada's health insurance gets bad ranking: That Nevada once again ranks among the worst states for health insurance coverage of its residents is no big surprise.

Culinary threatens to set up pickets at baseball union show at Hard Rock: Jerry Crasnick; Major League Baseball players might be met by picketing union bus boys and waiters on their way into the Players Choice Awards in Las Vegas in November.

LV-London daily flight may become key point in bargaining: Instead, the British government intends to give the route to Virgin Airways for a daily flight from London to Las Vegas.

MGC Communications' stock upgraded in response to digital service plans: The stock closed Friday at $19.69.

MGC nearly ready to roll out bundled voice, data service: Two local telephone companies serving Las Vegas are racing to put high-speed Internet access in their customers' hands.

New crew chief, same results for Jeff Gordon: Mike Harris; MARTINSVILLE, Va. - The difference between Ray Evernham and successor Brian Whitesell was obvious after the latter's first victory as Jeff Gordon's crew chief at the NAPA AutoCare 500.

Speedway may host Le Mans Series race: Las Vegas Motor Speedway could host the American Le Mans Series season-ending race next month if the respective parties can agree on suitable times and dates.

Columnist Dean Juipe: Stern goofs in position on betting: Dean Juipe; File it under "Misguided Reasoning."

Nevada case begins court session: Benjamin Grove; The New York Times News Service and the Associated Press contributed to this report.

Clinton's LV stop was a brief one: Marine Corps Reserve Cpl. Cornell Madison Jr. figured he'd never get a chance to use the salute he learned for his commander-in-chief.

Business events for October 4, 1999: Small business loans -- Nevada MicroEnterprise Initiative loan information sessions and business plan workshops. Ongoing. 734-3555.

Necaxa survives in rowdy finale: Victoria Sun; All that was missing were the ring girls and the padded gloves.

Loss leaves Rebels searching for answers: Steve Guiremand; There are losses, and then there are tough losses.

California biker wins at LVMS: The four main events proved to be excellent with San Jose, Calif., racer Gary Rogers winning the 883cc Harley-Davidson Sportster main event and the National championship.

UNLV player takes tournament: UNLV also got a win in the second flight of doubles play where Goude teamed with Britta Gabl to down Sylvana Navarro and Kathy Kmiec of Northern Arizona, 8-5.

Nevada loses round in Blue Cross case: CARSON CITY -- Nevada has lost the first round in its battle to get $21 million in the case involving Blue Cross and Blue Shield of Colorado, but the fight isn't over.

Africanized bees believed to be killers of LV dog: Jace Radke; Experts believe that Africanized honeybees, or killer bees, are responsible for stinging a 12-year-old girl several times and killing a Rottweiler Sunday morning.

Inquest answers family's questions: Bill Gang; As the coroner's inquest began into the deaths of a jail escapee, his wife and two children, tension among the family of those who died was high and emotions were unrestrained.

Key victories clear up prep playoff picture: Spencer Patterson; With three weeks left in the regular season, the prep playoff picture has finally started to crystallize.

Vegas merchants complain about wholesaler shows: Some jewelers such as John Fish have complained for years that the industry is hurt by conventions that come to town and sell wholesale to retail customers.

A long day at the DMV office: Kimberly Smith; Last Wednesday, I asked my bosses if I could take some time to register my car, as my temporary registration was already expired. They were sympathetic, groaned with me and sent me on my way.

Guinn plays state staff shuffle: The 1,359 vacant state jobs as of Oct. 1 represent 9.2 percent of the state's 14,839 full-time employees. The list doesn't include the University and Community College System of Nevada or the Employers Insurance Co. of Nevada, the state workers' compensation agency that is converting to private operation.

Letter: 'Alert team' could help protect schools: WILL DULL

Letter: GOP cannot take all of the credit: That being the case, it makes one wonder. If our unemployment rate is the lowest in 30 years, inflation rate is at 2 percent, 20 million jobs created in 6 1/2 years and mortgage rates are now very attractive, is it not fair to say a proportionate share of the credit should be attributed to the GOP-held House and Senate, or does Mr. Olivier honestly believe one man made these accomplishments all by himself.

Letter: City building poorly maintained: Imagine sending our kids to school with a clean face, except for dried soap smeared all over it. Or go through the car wash and pick up your car before the people with the wet towels tidy it up for you. Or think of using your polished special occasion silver looking like those railings.

Letter: Nevada senators showed leadership on timber issues: Thank you, Sens. Bryan and Reid, for your leadership in protecting the taxpayers and our national forests.

Woman found dead was strangled: Michael Booton told investigators that he found his mother dead in her bed after he returned home from work. She was killed Thursday night.

Columnist Jack McCloskey: Ethics Commission is an ill-fated experiment: Jack McCloskey; This is a creation of recent vintage that bears the high sounding title of Nevada Commission on Ethics. This new branch of government, by its "responsibility and authority," as approved by the legislative and executive branches of government, has become a "hybrid" that accepts complaints (even from anonymous sources), investigates, sits as prosecutor, jury and judge, and even assesses fines.

Board to consider fine against business owner for alleged contamination: The agency contends Stratton, owner of Dependable Tow, has ignored four cleanup and abatement orders since August 1997.

Editorial: Relief for those with car repairs: As the Sun's Jerry Fink reported Friday, the new protections include a requirement that a second estimate be given to the customer if the cost of the repairs will exceed the original estimate by 20 percent or $100, whichever is less. In addition, any part that is replaced must be returned to the customer if he wants it. Another provision of the law transfers dispute resolution to the Department of Motor Vehicles, which will offer binding arbitration. So instead of having to go to court over a dispute involving several hundred dollars -- sometimes more -- customers hopefully will get ...

Drug maker pays $481,810 in settlement: Of the remaining settlement amount, $60,000 went to pay the multi-state legal counsel and $224,190 went to a special account established by the 1999 Legislature for future litigation.

Pharmacist shortage predicted: He also attributed it to the lack of a state pharmacy school, saying many students can't afford to go out of state to obtain a pharmacy degree.

TV sports/Radio for Oct. 5-Oct. 9: TV sports/Radio for Oct. 5-Oct. 9

Prep schedule: MONDAY

Poll: Bush holds big lead over Gore, Bradley in Nevada: The same survey found former Rep. John Ensign, R-Nev., holds a 17 percentage point edge over Las Vegas lawyer Ed Bernstein in the race for the seat being vacated by Sen. Richard Bryan, D-Nev.

Plea bargain talks fail for husband of du Pont family heiress: Attorneys for Christopher Moseley and federal prosecutors spent much of the day negotiating a possible plea, but were unable to reach agreement by a scheduled late afternoon appearance before U.S. District Judge Philip Pro.

Wells police chief resigns: "I asked him if there were any reasons," Supp said. "He responded there were private as well as professional reasons but he didn't want to discuss them."

Suspect arrested in killing of auto repairman: Police said Riesen had worked at the shop but was told to leave by the business owner.

Game summary: Nevada 26, UNLV 12: Nev--Insley 53 pass from Neill (Phillips kick), 6:05

Community news briefs for October 4, 1999: The Henderson Parks and Recreation Department will host its 10th annual Spectroscope Positive Choices Carnival noon-4 p.m. Saturday at Titanium Field, at Lake Mead Drive and Water Street. It is open to children in grades K-8.

Columnist Brian Hilderbrand: With Charlotte gone, IRL tries to branch out: Having apparently lost its race at Lowe's Motor Speedway in Charlotte, N.C., the Indy Racing League now is setting its sights on Bill France's International Speedway Corp. tracks.

Columnist Ralph Siraco: Montjeu records dynamic victory in Paris: Ralph Siraco; At 6:50 a.m. on most Sunday mornings one would be expected to be turning over in bed to comfort oneself for another two to three hours of Sabbath shut-eye. After all, it is the day of rest and the last time most normal people will have a chance to get some extra zzzz's before another week of rush-hour traffic.

Price for hotel-casino revealed: Papers filed last week with the recorder's office disclosed the price paid by Cubix Ormsby LLC, headed by Allan Fiegehen and Don Lehr.

Firm to use investment to buy hotel-casino: Each investor will receive 6 million shares of common stock in LVEN, giving the two parties 64.7 percent control of the Los Angeles-based company. The investment agreement is valued at $15.83 per share, well above its current market value of less than $2 per share.

LV station owner in big radio merger: Clear Channel has four FM radio stations in Las Vegas. They are KQOL FM-93.1, with an oldies format; KFMS FM-101.9, country; KSNE FM-106.5, adult contemporary; and KWNR FM-95.5, new country.

Ex-Test Site workers could develop illness from silica exposure: Doctors have discovered that Nevada Test Site workers may develop illnesses from materials they were exposed to other than radiation from nuclear weapons experiments.

New carrier signs long-term airport lease: Terms were not disclosed, but Sun Country said it achieved signatory status. That gives the Minneapolis-based carrier exclusive rights to one of McCarran's gates and more flexibility to expand.

No immediate layoffs at Henderson plant: "That is pure speculation and rumor," said Andrew Dixey, in response to rumors that layoffs would be announced today. "No decisions have been made whatsoever, and we will make decisions when we have all the facts and figures in front of us."

Aztar refinances debt: Aztar operates the Tropicana hotel-casinos in Las Vegas and Atlantic City, the Ramada Express in Laughlin, and Casino Aztars in Caruthersville, Mo., and Evansville, Ind.

Junket air carrier expanding Elko flights: Casino Express Airlines, owned by McClaskey Enterprises, the same company that owns the Red Lion hotel-casino in Elko, will provide round-trip flights for $99 Thursdays and Sundays beginning Oct. 14.

Local charities cash in with Raley's supermarkets takeover: It's been like Christmas in the valley the past two weeks as local charities received their largest donations ever.

Gaming announcements for October 4, 1999: At New York-New York hotel-casino, Janice Fitzpatrick is director of finance, Joe Barrett is director of table games, Yvette Harris is vice president of finance, Al Heald is beverage director and Pete Wetzler is director of property operations.

Harolds Club mural donated to city: "The Harolds Club name is world famous and the mural is certainly a piece of Reno's history that we feel should not be forgotten," said Steve Yarrow, senior vice president and general manager at Harrah's Reno.

State gets funds from drug company: More than $480,000 will be paid into the general fund after Knoll reached a $41.8 million settlement with 36 states over allegations that Knoll violated consumer protection laws in promoting the use of a drug to treat hyperthyroidism.

Driver goes wrong way on U.S. 95: Just after 1:30 a.m. on Saturday, police say, Genaro D. Lobato, 24, of Las Vegas, was headed south in the northbound lanes of U.S. 95 near Durango Drive.