Print edition for October 13, 1999

Telemarketer sentenced to three years in prison: Kim Smith; A Las Vegas telemarketer was sentenced to three years in prison Tuesday for hiding more than $300,000 in assets from the U.S. Probation and Parole Department and for violating the terms of his supervised release.

Cheever believes faith in Infiniti will pay off soon: John Sturbin; FORT WORTH, Texas - Eddie Cheever Jr. will attempt to engineer Indy Racing League history for a second time this weekend.

Editorial: Judge's decision is good news for LVCVA: Mahan ruled, however, that the Legislature did grant the LVCVA this power. His decision should allow the LVCVA to issue bonds for construction of the much-needed 1.3 million-square-foot South Hall expansion, but Sands Inc. immediately said it would appeal the decision.

Editorial: Making mockery of DUI law: What is disturbing is how successful Watkins has been so far using this defense, getting DUI charges dropped at least six times. In one case, as Ryan reported, Timothy Hedlund was arrested in May 1997 for driving under the influence. By the time this case went to court, Clark County prosecutors added a charge of failing to maintain the traffic lane. But when he appeared in court, Hedlund pled guilty to failure to maintain his traffic lane and was fined $100. The judge dismissed the more serious DUI charge -- which could have resulted in jail time -- because it ...

Letter: New auto repair system is good: If this is not consistent with the new law, then you have a bad law and it must be changed.

Letter: Joining union not an obligation: Where is the difference between the supercenters and Sam's Club? Check out other cities that have these, like all over the East. The little guys still do OK.

It's time to roll up those sleeves and go to work with flu shots: With the onset of the flu season various health care providers are setting up immunization clinics throughout the valley and hoping to dispel the popular belief that the influenza vaccine causes people to be infected by the virus.

Trial dates set for heavyweight boxer: Bill Gang; A Dec. 6 trial date in District Court Department 7 has been set for heavyweight boxer Ikemufula "Ike" Ibeabuchi on charges that he attacked a corrections officer at the Clark County Detention Center.

Columnist Muriel Spark: Learning the secrets of watch repair: Muriel Spark; For some weeks I had been without my favorite watch, a water-resistant Movado that I've had for years. All it needed was a battery, but I learned a long time ago that even so simple a task as changing a battery can be a problem in the wrong hands. This same watch was almost destroyed by an inept jeweler who caused considerable damage to the back of the case. He used the wrong tools to open it and then did further damage by attempting to buff out the deep scratches he had made. After mutilating my watch did he charge ...

UNLV enrollment: Total student population, fall semester:

Las Vegas case focus of docudrama: Kim Smith; Two federal probation officers recently impressed their bosses in Washington, D.C., so much that the supervisors decided to make a docudrama about their work on a Las Vegas telemarketing case.

Community news briefs for October 13, 1999: The ancient Chinese system of reflexology will be explored in a three-hour workshop scheduled 1-4 p.m. Saturday at the Lorna J. Kesterson Valley View Recreation Center, 500 Harris Street in Henderson.

A worshipper imagines a dreamy conversation with His Stingness: Kimberley McGee; When: 8 p.m. Thursday, Friday and Saturday.

Columnist Elizabeth Foyt: Playhouse '99 a hit for Nevada Association for the Handicapped: Elizabeth Foyt; High spirits and even higher bids led to an enormously successful evening for Playhouse '99, a benefit for the Nevada Association for the Handicapped's child care center.

Letter: Consumption tax the only fair way for country to go: If we downsize the federal government back to where it belongs (within the parameters of the 10th Amendment), this tax wouldn't need to be larger than 12 percent. Then Mr. Goplen and I could take home 100 percent of our paychecks, and greatly simplify our "overtaxed" lives.

Phone-in system helping unemployed file quickly: Shaunta Grimes; After a rocky start the state's new phone-in system for filing unemployment claims in Clark County is now allowing unemployed people to get their checks on time.

Letter: Competition keeps prices reasonable: Let us unite and fight this political ploy of Clark County Commissioner Erin Kenny. Of course Vons and Smith's and the rest oppose Wal-Mart's planned superstores. When it is approved they will have to lower their already high prices, that is exactly what free competition means. I think a thorough investigation into Ms. Kenny's motives is in perfect order. Where does the truth really lie?

Good day for Nevada rancher following Supreme Court decision: Tom Gardner; "This is a good day. This is the greatest news we've had for a long time," Nevada Cattlemen's Association President John Falen said. "We've just got to go ahead and argue the right argument to the Supreme Court."

Ranchers, farmers win right to Supreme Court hearing on grazing rights: Hannah Wolfson; Hatch thinks he and some 28,000 other ranchers throughout the West should be able to follow the 65-year-old law his forbears did, rather than newer rules the Clinton administration imposed in 1995. He may have come one step closer Tuesday, when the Supreme Court agreed to hear a challenge to the regulations filed by ranching and farming groups.

Bus detours expected on busy New Year's: The bus system will operate New Year's Eve -- but riders should be prepared for detours on that busy night, Regional Transportation Commission staff members said.

Supreme Court rejects appeal from Vegas man who killed mother: Brendan Riley; The ruling against Tyrone Howard was one of several appeals from Las Vegas murder convictions rejected Tuesday by the high court.

Las Vegas federal judge calls Equinox 'a pyramid scheme': David Strow; In issuing a preliminary injunction against Equinox International Corp., a federal judge branded the big Las Vegas multilevel marketing company "a pyramid scheme" and said the Federal Trade Commission was likely to prevail in its lawsuit against the company.

Controversy erupts over LV convention: The Consumers Union and Consumer Federation of America sent a letter to Bennett -- author of the best-selling "Book of Virtues" -- outlining their opposition to his appearance before an association whose members offer "payday loans made at interest rates of 400 percent APR or more." An agent for Bennett said he would appear as scheduled.

Washoe schools phasing out playground staple: Swings attract lines of pupils every day at recess, but few schools in other states still have them and Clark County did away with swings several years ago.

Land Rush: Land sale

Tuesday's prep results: Chaparral 3, Basic 1 Goals: Chap-Castro, Recinos 2; Martinez.

Columnist Peter Benton: Junior golf clinic set for Saturday: Peter Benton; Coca-Cola and Howard Hughes Properties will team to host a junior golf clinic at 3 p.m. on Saturday at the TPC at Summerlin. Junior golfers under 18 are welcome to this free demonstration where pro Jay Don Blake will teach basic golf fundamentals. In addition, Chuck "The Hit Man" Hiter will exhibit his amazing trick-shot routine. Equipment will be provided for all juniors who attend this clinic. For more information, please contact the tournament office at 242-3000.

Bryan pushes bill cracking down on banks: Bryan said that a bank customer's financial information is not protected in the rapidly changing worlds of bank mergers and information technology. He pointed to a case in California in which Charter Pacific Bank sold a convicted felon 3.7 million credit card numbers. The man ran up $45.7 million in bogus charges.

Thursday at Bay Meadows: 1st race 6 fur 3YO & up F & M Clm: 1 Sunatra (Smith) 109; 2 Freedom Dance (Carr) 118; 3 Arizona Star (Matias) 116; 4 Mickey's Hot Stuff (Nuesch) 116; 5 Sweet Kylee (Baze) 116.

Thursday at Belmont: 1st race 6 fur 3YO & up F & M Clm: 1 Won Your Star (Toscano) 113; 2 Little Champ (Pezua) 117; 3 Drivingmissbertie (Espinoza) 117; 4 Brite Girl (Luzzi) 117; 5 Sports Authority (Beasley) 112; 6 Arctic Gold (Beitia) 117; 7 La Femme M (Prado) 117; 8 Cherokee Squaw (Diego) 112.

Court rejects murder appeals: CARSON CITY -- The Nevada Supreme Court on Tuesday denied four appeals from men convicted in Clark County of murdering three women and a man in 1996.

Columnist Victoria Sun: Golf name of the game at new store in the Venetian: Victoria Sun; The tools, dust covers and ladders still scattered throughout the massive store appropriately named In Celebration of Golf didn't detract from its splendor and beauty.

Legendary CSNY includes Las Vegas in reunion tour: A rock band that has maintained widespread popularity even though it has not gone on tour in the last quarter of the 20th century will headline Las Vegas early in the 21st century.

Judge rules against women's prison: Vandebrake was demoted after he spread stories about Associate Warden of Operations Janice Benzler at the Nevada Women's Prison in Carson City in the mid-1990s. She was living with a man who had served prison time for a felony crime. When Benzler found out the man was a former convict, she reported it to Assistant Prison Director Carl Sannicks, who allowed it to continue.

Commission hears public outcry over Yucca Mountain: A Nuclear Regulatory Commission advisory panel heard public frustrations over the burial of high-level nuclear waste at Yucca Mountaina -- a massive public project that has never been done before anywhere in the world.

Sprint workers fret over merger: David Strow; The union representing 1,500 Sprint employees in Las Vegas is worried about potential cutbacks locally in the wake of MCI WorldCom's $129 billion buyout of Sprint, despite company assurances that there will be few changes.

Monorail to be built on LVCVA land: The Las Vegas Convention and Visitors Authority board of directors on Tuesday gave permission for a private monorail company to build track and a station on convention center property.

LV casino operator recognized for program: Harrah's is the only casino company to be included on this list of the "the nation's largest and most innovative users of IT."

Bill Bible seen as a perfect fit for NRA: To many, Bill Bible, the career bureaucrat born into a prominent Nevada family, is an unlikely candidate to take the reins of the casino industry's influential political arm.

Chances dim for nuclear waste debate: Benjamin Grove; WASHINGTON -- Expectations that the Senate will engage in a fiery debate on nuclear waste are fizzling.

Park Place starts airport check-in service: Park Place Entertainment and Certified Airline Passenger Service will offer hotel guests the opportunity to check baggage and receive seat assignments and boarding passes from two to 12 hours in advance of flight departure for a nominal fee.

News briefs: What's in a middle name?

Test ban treaty vote to go forward: Tom Raum; WASHINGTON -- Senate Minority Leader Tom Daschle said today that Democrats and the White House appear to have lost an effort to delay a losing vote on a global nuclear test-ban treaty.

Ralph Siraco's selections for Thursday's races at Santa Anita: 1st Race -- On Time Airline - Dueled lead and weakened to 5th first time routing in last, only one in the field with two-turn experience, 3-wide distant debut 3rd before that, Solis takes over for vacating McCarron. Take A Memo - Dueled lead and weakened to 3rd at the fair in last, 4th before that, has improved with each of four lifetime starts, should be a pace factor here, chance to steal diploma. Value Play -- Roberto's Viz

Thursday's LVI tee times: Las Vegas Country Club

Remote device allows casino patrons to gamble while roaming the casino: David Strow; Anchor Gaming Inc. has licensed a new gaming device that company officials hope will open slot machine action to more areas of hotel-casinos than ever before.

Ex-Frontier owner sued over LV site: Las Vegas Venture, a Los Angeles-based holding company, is suing Elardi for water damage at its warehouse property at 3112 Highland Drive. Elardi owns a neighboring warehouse property at 3160 Highland Drive.

Millennium will leave many poor out in cold: CARSON CITY -- The turn of the century won't be a joyous celebration for hundreds of welfare families who will be kicked off public assistance because of a two-year limitation in Nevada law.

UNLV still short on cash: Student growth at UNLV is still outpacing the ability of the school to pay for it, despite an extra $1.9 million the 1999 Legislature gave the school for the next two years.

Preliminary hearing held for alleged triggerman: Bill Gang; The charges against 19-year-old Donte Johnson already portray him as a man quick to use a gun and willing to kill.

NLV officials want land sold for master-planned community: Diana Sahagun; North Las Vegas Mayor Michael Montandon remains optimistic that a 7,500-acre parcel of Bureau of Land Management land in the city limits will one day be turned into a master-planned community.

Woman sues over age restriction at Sun City complex: Grace Leong; A woman sued Sun City Summerlin Community Association, Del Webb Communities Inc. and Del Webb Corp., alleging she was illegally evicted from the Summerlin home she inherited from her parents because of an allegedly arbitrary 55-year age restriction.

Binion's embezzler gets two years in prison: Bill Gang; The slot booth cashier who walked off with more than $1 million from her job at Binion's Horseshoe hotel-casino has been sent to prison for a minimum of two years.

Y2K largely ignored by state's small businesses: Grace Leong; Nevada small businesses are still mostly unconcerned about the possibility of operational problems resulting from the century date change, and many haven't tested their operations for Y2K compliance, say U.S. Small Business Administration officials.

Nicks, Newton and The Who booked: The House of Blues at Mandalay Bay said it booked Nicks for New Year's Eve. Tickets to see the Fleetwood Mac member go on sale Saturday for $175 and $225.

Couple abducted from home, forced to make withdrawal from ATM: Robbers abducted a Summerlin couple from their home late Tuesday night, forcing them to withdraw money from an ATM machine before returning them to their residence and robbing them.

Seminars set on cash rules, slot deals: The first, to be held tonight, will cover Nevada Gaming Regulation 6A, which covers casino cash transactions, reporting requirements, prohibited transactions, record keeping and the reporting of suspicious activities. The seminar begins at 6 p.m. at the Community College of Southern Nevada's Cheyenne Campus, Room 2005. The speaker is Paul Larsen, partner in Las Vegas law firm Lionel Sawyer & Collins.

Local teams face tough route: Spencer Patterson; The four-day Southern Zone prep tennis tournament kicked off today, with a revamped format and a tougher road for local teams in search of state berths.

Columnist Dean Juipe: Pros don't have best foot forward: Dean Juipe; It's a sound heard only at professional golf tournaments.

'Fit' Singh ready to contend: Victoria Sun; As PGA Tour professional Vijay Singh stood on the driving range at the Tournament Players Club in Summerlin on Tuesday talking with his caddie, a television reporter sauntered up to him.

System adopted for lifetime supervision of sexual offenders: Imposed conditions

Columnist Paul DelGiudice: Hunting season a mixed bag so far: Paul DelGiudice; Unseasonably warm weather greeted hunters throughout Nevada during the second weekend of most hunting seasons last Saturday and Sunday. A front moved through midweek, leaving "blue bird" weather in its wake.

March 6 trial set for man charged in child-porn case: Bill Gang; Nearly two years after Frederick Osburn was arrested, a March 6 trial date has been set for the 44-year-old casino worker charged with 57 counts of possessing child pornography and nine other charges.

Obituaries for October 13, 1999: Steven Desmond Burks, 26, of Las Vegas died Oct. 25 in Las Vegas. He was born Jan. 21, 1943, in Las Vegas. A lifelong resident, he was a hotel porter.

Las Vegas area fishing report: Las Vegas Bay is producing stripers during the early-morning hours for boaters who are catching fish with surface plugs and by drifting anchovies. Hemenway Harbor has been equally productive for boaters and shore anglers.

Woman rescued at Lake Mead: Kim Smith; A 19-year-old woman was rescued uninjured Tuesday morning after spending 12 hours adrift on Lake Mead.

Doctor indicted in Medicare fraud case: Kim Smith; A California doctor was indicted by a federal grand jury Tuesday for allegedly submitting more than $130,000 in fraudulent claims to Medicare.

Two miners killed at Getchell Complex: Mine officials did not immediately confirm any cause and would not release the names of the dead workers. The Humboldt County sheriff's office said nobody was available to comment Tuesday night.

Authorities link three armored car robberies: Shaunta Grimes; Authorities believe two men sought in the robbery Monday of a Brinks armored car outside Mandalay Bay hotel-casino may be the same robbers who made off with armored car loot from the Desert Inn and MGM Grand hotel-casinos earlier this year.

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Secret Dreyfus estate negotiations drawing protests at Tahoe: Nolan and others in her group believe they have something to add to the ongoing talks about the 10,000-square-foot mansion and caretaker's house on 46 acres of lakefront land.

Goshute Mountains home to variety of hawks: To a passing Cooper's hawk, it was temptation enough. With wings tucked for speed and talons outstretched, he swooped in for the kill. Focused on lunch, however, he didn't notice the net. In a twist of fate, it was he who was caught, not Pearl.

Commission campaign heats up early: Adrienne Packer; As with any candidate running for a Clark County Commission seat, candidate George Togliatti faces plenty of deadlines and has a lengthy to-do list.

Columnist Jeff Haney: Golf wagering grabs spotlight: Like Harry Vardon's famous grip, golf and gambling have always overlapped.

BYU's Morris will be ready for the Rebels: Steve Guiremand; Coach LaVell Edwards says he isn't sure if Butkus Award candidate Rob Morris will be able to play for BYU in Saturday night's Mountain West Conference game at New Mexico.

Vegas casino operator teams with Auburn Indians: The deal also represents one way Nevada gaming firms are likely to try to maintain their businesses in the face of an expected expansion of Indian casinos in California. Indians in California appear likely to win the right to expand their gambling business through a popular March ballot measure.