Print edition for October 6, 1999

IGT stock gains on rating boost: Harry Curtis of BancBoston Robertson Stephens Inc. set a 12-month price target of $26 to $27 a share and an 18-month target of $35 for the giant slot and video game maker based in Reno.

Bryan amendment seeks canyon air tour operators compromise: Sen. Richard Bryan, D-Nev., said a "quiet technology" amendment offered by him and Sen. John McCain, R-Ariz., could result in a compromise between environmentalists that want to ban all scenic flights over Grand Canyon National Park and tour operators that want unlimited access to the canyon's air space.

Resort sues Greyhound over crime problems: The lawsuit, filed Monday through attorney Mitch Cobeaga, contends the problems related to the depot in the resort at Fremont and Main streets have cost the Plaza more than $500,000 in lost profits and "irreparably injured its business reputation."

J.D. Power to study Las Vegas: The study, scheduled for release in July 2000, is designed to provide builders with information about the wants and needs of customers in six of the largest home building markets nationwide.

Revenue up for phone company: A spokesman said the announcement was made in advance of third-quarter financial results, which will be released later this month.

Vons owner may buy back stock: The owner of Vons stores could buy as many as 29.4 million, or about 5.7 percent, of its estimated 513.4 million shares outstanding, based on Tuesday's closing price of $34. Stock buybacks reduce the number of shares outstanding, boosting a company's per-share earnings.

Suicide hotline struggles for survival: Shaunta Grimes and Jerry Fink; Hotlines

Builder sued over work at property: The Clark County District Court suit said Bailey, who had allegedly been paid $40,000 of the $56,603 project, had submitted incomplete building plans late and also failed to obtain the Building and Safety Department's approval for the construction and remodelling work of the two Fremont Street casinos by July 12, 1999.

Henderson City Council puts off decision on shopping center: Valerie Miller; The Henderson City Council Tuesday postponed a decision on a controversial proposal for shopping center near the Community College of Southern Nevada's Henderson campus.

Japan accident causes concern about Yucca: Nuclear scientists no longer believe radioactive waste buried in Yucca Mountain would explode, but if the waste produced a chain reaction similar to the one that caused a nuclear accident in Japan last week, experts aren't sure if or when radiation would escape.

DOE told to conduct more tests on water at Test Site: The final independent report on the Department of Energy's ground water plan for Frenchman Flat -- a plan that will lay out how the DOE will clean up decades worth of contamination from nuclear explosions at the Nevada Test Site -- says the department needs to go back and measure underground radiation before its plan will work.

Venetian-LVCVA trial ends; ruling due soon: District Court Judge James Mahan will rule by Monday whether the Las Vegas Convention and Visitors Authority can issue bonds to pay for a convention center expansion without a vote of the public.

Strip resort sued by customer over charges: The Clark County District Court said Westburne had paid James & Jeffrey Inc., a Canadian travel agency, the full sum of $75,000 to arrange a company retreat at Las Vegas in February 1998 at the Flamingo Hilton on the Las Vegas Strip.

Thursday at Belmont Park: 1st race 1-1/16 mi 3YO Clm: 1 Pistols and Music (Bridgmohan) 116; 2 Mission Quest (Coa) 111; 3 T L's Bella (Diego) 111; 4 Muchtael (Lovato) 116; 5 Fire Zone (Beckner) 116; 6 Decoding the Gray (Prado) 116; 7 Ricky Gold (Gryder) 116.

Russell has gone full circle with San Diego State squad: Steve Guiremand; Ten months ago, Brian Russell was the starting quarterback for San Diego State against North Carolina in the Las Vegas Bowl.

Editorial: Bus fare fairness is a key issue: The proposal, which the elected officials who sit on the commission will vote on next week, is sensible. All other fares throughout the valley will stay the same. And the 30-day CAT pass, which is $20, won't be touched either. Since nearly all those who work on the Strip are using the less expensive 30-day pass, those most likely to feel the increase will be tourists.

Isle of Capri will acquire Lady Luck Gaming in $400 million deal: Matt Moore; Analysts were quick to point out that Biloxi-based Isle of Capri was getting the company at a price considerably lower than what Lady Luck was worth, as well as a lucrative presence in Las Vegas.

Editorial: Spend more money on air traffic control: Members of Congress are trying to reach a compromise on the funding for these modernization, safety and operating programs. Transportation Secretary Rodney Slater says failure to reach an agreement, as happened last year, could result in even more delays. Disagreements over increasing the number of flights at some of the busiest airports, and whether Congress should be banned from using Aviation Trust Fund money for nonaviation uses, have stalled the funding. For the sake of the nation's air travelers, though, Congress should not let these disputes derail the much-needed improvements to the air traffic control system.

Tuesday's prep results: Clark 3, Western 0 Goals: Alvarenga 2, Mudge.

Columnist Dean Juipe: Maddux is Las Vegas anomaly: Dean Juipe; This is a city best known for its roughhouse past, its wily gamblers and its permissive attitudes. Say the words "Las Vegas" and the imagery is immediate: It was and always will be the wild, wild West.

Columninst Muriel Stevens: A catalog of catalog delights: This is a grand time of the year for catalog shoppers. My mailbox bulges daily with more catalogs than ever before. Two of my perennial favorites, the Neiman Marcus Christmas book and the FAO Schwarz toy catalog, always get my immediate attention.

Thursday at Santa Anita: 1st race 6 fur 3YO & up F & M Clm: 1 Been to the Desert (Valenzuela) 118; 2 Heidijim n' Grant (Delahoussaye) 118; 3 Lotta Swing (Steiner) 118; 4 a-Marquee's Prized (Garcia) 118; 5 a-The Wind Moria (Flores) 118; 6 Queen Gen (Black) 118; 7 Morell's Love (Berrio) 118; 8 Enter Smiling (Pedroza) 116.

Las Vegas area fishing report: Several anglers have been catching stripers around sunrise by casting surface plugs while walking along the shoreline near Hemenway Harbor. The causeway at Pyramid Island has been another productive area for shore fishing.

The Isle of Capri Casino Inc. at a Glance:: 1999 Sales - $480.4 million

Ralph Siraco's selections for Thursday's races at Santa Anita: 1ST RACE

Thursday at Bay Meadows: 1st race 6 fur 3YO Fil Clm: 1 January Gold (Schvaneveldt) 116; 2 Miss Drum Rolls (Chaves) 116; 3 Shades Of Shamrock (Castro) 116; 4 High Surf (Baze) 116; 5 Tropical Trick (Gonzalez) 116; 6 St. Agnes (Smith) 111.

Columnist Elizabeth Foyt: Anthony Quinn to unveil art collection in LVM: Elizabeth Foyt; Artist-actor-living legend Anthony Quinn will introduce his private art collection at the Tradewinds Ballroom of Mandalay Bay on Oct. 21. The champagne reception, a benefit for the Las Vegas Performing Arts Center, promises to be a festive occasion and the rare chance to mix and mingle with the artist. During the evening Quinn will be presented with the highly prestigious Golden Dragon award for Outstanding International Cultural Achievement as well as the first Las Vegas Performing Arts Center award given for lifetime achievement in entertainment and the arts.

TV schedule: AUTO RACING

Wyoming's offensive trickery will be a handful for Rebels: Steve Guiremand; The Triple Shoot Offense.

County briefs: Clark County accepted a $10,000 grant from the Rivers, Trails and Conservation Association to help the planning division with its Regional Trails Development Program.

Barry Manilow (live!) plus Kristi Yamaguchi and Co. equals 'StarSkates': Kimberley McGee; When: 8 p.m. Saturday.

Southern Union drops its bid for takeover of Southwest Gas: David Strow; Copyright 1999 Las Vegas Sun

Controversy continues to plague vote on Wal-Mart: Adrienne Packer; In the hours leading to a controversial vote on an ordinance that pitted influential Las Vegas unions against Wal-Mart, it appeared that once again questions of ethical conflicts would hamper the decision-making process.

Metro employees picket City Hall: Erin Neff and Jace Radke; Hundreds of Metro Police employees picketed Las Vegas City Hall this morning to pressure leaders into releasing an internal report on the possible break-up of the department.

No timetable set for fixing 'critical bugs' in DMV computer system: CARSON CITY -- Officials told a legislative subcommittee Tuesday they don't know when they will complete fixing 300 "critical bugs" in the new state motor vehicle computer system that has spawned long lines, resulted in overcharges to customers and caused some businesses to lose money.

Bill OK'd to hike air service from D.C. to Las Vegas: Benjamin Grove; WASHINGTON -- The Senate on Tuesday approved a bill that could bring more planes full of wealthy tourists from the nation's capital to Las Vegas. Senators cleared the legislation after grounding it for months.

Isle of Capri chain buying Lady Luck for $258 million: Gary Thompson; Isle of Capri Casinos Inc. said today it will buy Lady Luck Gaming Corp. of Las Vegas for $258 million, including assumption of $177 million of debt.

At death's doorstep: Stacy J. Willis; Lecture by Dr. Michael Sabom on "Death and Dying," first in a series.

AG office secretary: Temps saw documents: Temporary employees with no loyalty to the attorney general's office were allowed to view sensitive documents that may have contained intelligence information on top gaming regulators, a former office legal secretary has alleged.

News briefs: A 22-year-old man was arrested Monday on charges stemming from the Sept. 13 sexual assault and robbery of a woman in the restroom of local hotel-casino.

Health administrator says immunization money may run short: And she and Human Resources Director Charlotte Crawford said they still don't know how much the federal government, which pays the bulk of the tab, will include in its budget.

LV man impersonated IRS agent, officials say: Jace Radke; The United States Attorney's office is pressing charges against a Las Vegas man accused of impersonating a federal employee in order to retrieve stereo and sound equipment in a business dispute.

Columnist Paul DelGiudice: Deer, duck hunters find conditions good: Paul DelGiudice; Whether you were hunting ducks at Kirch Wildlife Management Area (WMA) or hunting deer in Area 6, it's likely you enjoyed very good hunting conditions. Game wardens and NDOW staff who have talked with hunters have discovered that most have successful stories to tell.

North Las Vegas: Audit recommends money-saving plans: Diana Sahagun; An audit of North Las Vegas shows that the city could save money with better financial management, by restructuring the city organization and consolidating departments.

Mustang Ranch defendants ask for new trial: The motion for a new trial was filed under seal on Tuesday in U.S. District Court.

Letter: Support country: Buy American: Hanes vs. Fruit of the Loom -- both are well-known brands. I then looked to see where they were made. Sure enough, the cheaper brand, Hanes, was assembled out of the country while Fruit of the Loom was "Made in the USA."

Lawmakers want to revive old computer program to ease DMV lines: Brendan Riley; That way, long lines at DMV offices around the state might be reduced while debugging of the new "Genesis" program continues, members of a legislative subcommittee suggested at the end of a 3 1/2 -hour hearing Tuesday.

Man faces additional charges in child sex case: Las Vegas police Lt. Tom Monahan said Russell D. Cohen, 40, of Las Vegas is now charged with nine counts of use of a minor in the production of pornography.

State short up to $1.2 million for child immunization: CARSON CITY -- An extra $760,000 to $1.2 million will be needed early next year to keep the state's child immunization program going through June, a legislative health committee was told Tuesday.

Community news briefs for October 6, 1999: Children ages 5 and under and their parents or caregivers will have an opportunity to participate in a variety of Shabbat activities including singing, arts and crafts, play time and Shabbat rituals such as learning prayers for lighting candles, eating Challah, and drinking grape juice. Cost is $7 for JCC members and $10 for nonmembers. Call 794-0090.

Temporary plaza to be built in place of Reno clubs: Harrah's General Manager Steve Yarrow said the plaza will include lighting, a covered walkway and landscaping and could be used for special events and concerts.

Felon convicted in sex assault, murder-for-hire plan for victim: Bill Gang; Three-time convicted felon Todd Honeycutt has been convicted again, and this time he could spend the rest of his life behind bars.

Mohave power plant to install scrubbers, cut pollution clouding Grand Canyon: Scott Thomsen; The agreement among the owners of the Mohave Generating Station in Laughlin, Nev., the Grand Canyon Trust and the Sierra Club includes installation of smokestack scrubbers, a filter system and new burners for the plant's boilers.

Mine where girl fell to death only one of more than 50,000 in state: Alan Coyner, Nevada Division of Minerals administrator, said that his department has identified only about 7,550 openings out of an estimated 50,000 that litter the state.

American Le Mans cars to race Nov. 7 at LVMS: Delays in track construction forced the San Diego Grand Prix Association and ALMS to move this season's final race to Las Vegas' 2.25-mile FIA-approved road course, which will encompass both the infield and tri-oval inside the facility's superspeedway.

Columnist Jeff Haney: Baseball playoffs expected to be a big hit in books: This year's eight playoff teams boast legions of dedicated fans -- and that bodes well for baseball betting this fall, local sports book directors say.

Sprint sues state, potential rivals over access fees: Grace Leong; Sprint sued the state and five potential Las Vegas competitors, seeking a hike in the rates it's allowed to charge the competitors for leasing Sprint telephone lines.

Letter: Wal-Mart could generate positive business climate: Who can tell what progress Wal-Mart might spawn if, for example, Smith's happened to adopt the plan of its sister corporation, Fred Meyer, and add hardware, clothing, and other lines in enlarged facilities to create a gigantic "Vegas Village" with union employees. As an aside, as supermarkets have expanded so have convenience stores proliferated.

Letter: Locals deserve free Fremont party: DALE DEMPSEY

Columnist Victoria Sun: Comeback at Ryder Cup rates high for Lehman: Victoria Sun; When you have accomplished as much as PGA Tour golfer Tom Lehman has, you would think he would have a tough time ranking the pinnacle of his success.

$400 million long-range park project launched: Adrienne Packer; Clark County, woefully behind in the valleywide standard for park acreage per 1,000 residents, embarked Tuesday on a 20-year, $400 million project that will renovate old parks and recreation centers and build new ones.

Metro officers given awards for heroism: Sgts. Barry Oaks, Brett Zimmerman, Officers Daniel Bernal, Christopher Catanese, Michael Cruz, Alan Dong, John Farrell, Laurence Gibson, Roger Haskins, Douglas Huffmaster, Steven Junge, Darren Letchworth, Scott Mees, Bryan Miller, Scott Murray, Hector Navarro, Darren Paul, Peter Rossi, Andrew Tedesco, Shawn Thomas and K-9 Breston were awarded the Unit Medal of Valor for their acts of bravery on June 3 when responding to a call that a man armed with a shotgun was firing shots inside an Albertson's grocery store.

School bus stops added after boy dies: Diana Sahagun; Prompted by the recent death of an 8-year-old boy, who died in a car accident at the intersection of Lake Mead Boulevard and Simmons Street, the Clark County School District is stepping in to give children a safe way to get to school.

Columnist Peter Benton: LVI offers a variety of ticket packages: Peter Benton; The $2.5 million Las Vegas Invitational, scheduled for Oct. 13-17 at the TPC Summerlin, Desert Inn Golf Club and Las Vegas Country Club, will have a field of 432 amateurs along with 144 professionals battling for a first-place prize of $450,000.

Obituaries for October 6, 1999: Florence Abramson, 84, of Las Vegas died Monday in Las Vegas. She was born Oct. 29, 1914, in San Francisco. A resident for nine years, she was a homemaker.

Heirs of U-Haul founder to sell World Trade Center: David Strow; Across the country, Leonard Shoen's most visible creation is the silver and bright orange moving truck -- the mark of U-Haul International Inc.

Another charge added in du Pont contract killing case: Christopher Moseley, 59, of Centerville, Del., and Ricardo Murillo, 38, of Las Vegas each face an additional charge of using interstate commerce facilities in the commission of murder-for-hire.

IBL team opens camp on Nov. 3: Victoria Sun; The National Basketball Association, it isn't.

Letter: Deconsolidating Metro bad idea: Only a few years back the people voted to increase the rank and file of the police department. Why was this issue of deconsolidation not brought up then? Recruiting a multitude of police officers, only to place their careers in jeopardy?

Du Pont relative pleads not guilty: Kim Smith; One day after backing out of a plea agreement, a member of the Du Pont family was indicted on a second charge in a murder-for-hire case.

Forest Service supervisor criticizes state assemblyman: Scott Sonner; "I'm shocked and appalled that any individual, particularly a state assemblyman and the county chairman of the Republican Party, would choose to undertake an illegal action against essentially the American people," said Gloria Flora, supervisor of the Humboldt-Toiyabe National Forest.