Print edition for September 20, 1999

Friends pay tribute to pair killed in crash: Ed Koch and Jace Radke; Car after car slowly pulled up to the front yard of an east Las Vegas home Sunday afternoon as teenagers made their way to a mulberry tree surrounded by flowers, candles and pictures dedicated to the memory of two friends.

Fake flier on gay community event source of laughs: Erin Neff; A flier advertising a fake benefit for the Gay and Lesbian Community Center was sent to news media last week with an honoree list of well-known Las Vegans.

Downtown rumors abound as Y2K nears: Erin Neff; As if the Y2K rumors of failing air traffic control systems and 911 dispatch communications aren't enough, now the millennial gossip has descended on the New Year's Eve parties.

Murderer awaits jury's life-or-death decision: Bill Gang; Terrell Cochise Young, 20, could learn today whether he will live or die for his role in the execution murders of four young men.

Nevada Power gains unexpected windfall: CARSON CITY -- The Nevada Legislature thought it protected electric customers of Nevada Power Co. and Sierra Pacific Power Co. by capping their rates for three years with the arrival of open competition.

Atkinson Gates expected ethics panel to appeal: Adrienne Packer; The Nevada Ethics Commission will appeal a Washoe County District judge's decision to overturn its ruling that Clark County Commissioner Yvonne Atkinson Gates used her position to help friends land lucrative airport contracts.

Local man traps and sells the birds: Martin Kuz; Meet Jon Hauger, the pigeon trapper with the moves of a cat burglar and no time to spare.

Australian, Olympics exhibit headed to LV: The exhibit is part of B of A's year-long promotion prior to the 2000 summer Olympics in Sydney, Australia.

LV company in medical merger: The merged company will be renamed AML/APL Inc. AML and APL will continue to operate under their current corporate identities. APL, a 1,250-employee regional laboratory serving hospitals, physician offices and managed care organizations throughout the western United States, will keep its local operations and its 1,100 workers in Las Vegas.

Upcoming business events: Starting a small business -- Workshops offered by Service Corps of Retired Executives Association and the Small Business Administration. Ongoing. 388-6104.

Panel to pursue action vs. building division: Adrienne Packer; The Nevada Ethics Commission will go forward with a just and sufficient cause hearing on a complaint launched in July against the Clark County Building Department.

Accidents claim three lives in valley on Friday: Jace Radke; Three people were killed Friday in accidents on Las Vegas Valley roadways.

Former poker room workers sue: Twenty-eight former poker room employees filed the lawsuit Thursday in federal court in Biloxi. They are seeking unspecified punitive damages and $15 million in compensatory damages.

Harrah's renews casino management pact: The contract contemplates an extension of the tribe's compact with the state of Arizona, which currently expires in 2003. The tribe and Harrah's also announced plans to expand the casino into a resort that will include a new 150-room hotel, another restaurant, meeting and banquet facilities, a pool and a courtyard.

Homework required to deal with tribal casinos: Phil Levine; The basic tenets of the business world -- including mutual respect and professional courtesy -- are the ingredients required to successfully do business with Indian casinos.

Nevada bracing for the impact: Brendan Riley; CARSON CITY -- Nevada political and casino industry leaders say California's rapid move to expand Indian gambling spells big trouble for this casino-dependent state.

Columnist Dean Juipe: De La Hoya could easily walk away: Dean Juipe; At this point in time it would be just as easy for Oscar De La Hoya to quit rather than to continue fighting.

Columnist Ralph Siraco: Breeders' Cup frenzy enters the homestretch: Ralph Siraco; Seven weeks from today this corner will be reviewing the results of the final Breeders' Cup Championship of this century. And, although the Breeders' Cup is only 15 years old, with the 16th edition slated for Saturday, Nov. 6, it has, in its short time, become the focal point of each year's racing season. It is the sport of kings' definitive championship day.

Nevada gamers awaiting OK to begin big California casinos: Mary Lynne Vellinga and Steve Wiegand; SACRAMENTO -- At this moment, a faux 19th-century mining town is taking shape in the California town of Jackson, a facade to prettify a building full of slot machines in classic Nevada fashion.

Two file to sell $400,000 in stock: Marianne Boyd and William R. Boyd, both vice presidents and directors of the company, have filed documents with the Securities and Exchange Commission to sell 66,650 shares of stock with a current value of $404,250.

Point titles on line at LVMS: Las Vegas Motor Speedway's 1.5-mile oval could play a pivotal role in deciding the championships in two national touring series when the superspeedway plays host to the Indy Racing League and the NASCAR Craftsman Truck Series this weekend.

Atlantic City casinos, union compromise on subcontracting: John Curran; ATLANTIC CITY -- Gamblers who've had to put up with unmade beds, rookie waiters and closed restaurants in casino-hotels finally got some good luck Friday.

Longtime federal employee sentenced in embezzlement: Kim Smith; A longtime paralegal with the U.S. attorney's office was sentenced to 2 1/2 years in prison Friday on embezzlement charges.

24-0 beating at hands of Iowa State helps reality return to Rebels' squad: Steve Guiremand; To hear UNLV's players tell it, maybe Iowa State was doing them a favor when it handed them a 24-0 blanking in their home opener on Saturday night at Sam Boyd Stadium.

Visitors score big upsets in Week 4 of prep action: Spencer Patterson; Home proved to be a very unfriendly place in a wacky Week 4 of the prep football season, as seven of eight division contests were captured by the road squad Friday and Saturday nights.

Big fight: Plenty of parking, few thrills: Dean Juipe; Perhaps driven inside by a passing rainstorm, as early as Saturday morning the halls at Mandalay Bay were clogged with would-be paparazzi and assorted sightseers drawn to the hotel by the prospects of a memorable fight and its accompanying glitter.

Las Vegas news briefs for September 20, 1999: Metro Police have arrested the boyfriend of a Las Vegas woman who died from internal injuries at Lake Mead Hospital Friday.

Bomber pleads guilty to targeting Clinton, local ATF agent: Kim Smith; A Louisiana man pleaded guilty Friday morning to mailing three pipe bombs earlier this year, one of which was addressed to President Clinton. The others were intended for a Las Vegas ATF agent and a Texas minister.

Error could haunt front-runner Jarrett: Allen Lessels; LOUDON, N.H. - Dale Jarrett flunked parallel parking.

Obituaries for September 20, 1999: Kip Davis, 47, of Las Vegas died Friday in a local hospital. He was born Dec. 1, 1951, in Delta, Utah. A resident for 39 years, he was a heavy equipment operator for a paving company, a member of the Operating Engineers and Teamsters unions.

At least two killed in crash that closes Highway 89: Highway 89 was expected to remain closed in both directions until at least noon. Traffic was being routed around the area.

Rebels shock No. 18 Gonzaga with late goal: Whether it was a humbling 1-0 loss on Friday to Maryland-Baltimore County or the prospect of facing the 18th-ranked team in the nation, the UNLV men's soccer team played perhaps its most spirited match of the season Sunday at Johann Field.

UNLV golfers tied for 11th: The Rebels, who shot an opening-round 11-over-par 299, are 20 shots off the leader Clemson (279).

Northern Arizona blanks Rebels: Holly Jones scored both goals for NAU.

Charlotte, Vancouver square off: Matt O'Brien; The ultimate goal of a minor league baseball player is to reach the "bigs." But if this aim proves unattainable, the next best thing for a minor leaguer would be participating in the triple-A World Series.

NHRA Keystone Nationals final results: TOP FUEL

Prep schedule: MONDAY

Court hearings this week on two of Nevada's most notorious crimes: Jury selection began in Washoe District Court in Reno for Siaosi Vanisi, accused of the 1998 hatchet murder of University of Nevada, Reno campus police officer George Sullivan.

LVMS drag results: Fletcher Jones Fast Bracket

'Blue Streak' bats Costner flick out of box office ballpark: Final figures were to be released today.

Community news briefs for September 20, 1999: Winter registration is open at the new senior center at 2420 N. Martin Luther King Blvd., Building B.

Letter: Acts of kindness truly appreciated: With that nasty storm and all, they spent at least 30 minutes to help a complete stranger. If ever I have the opportunity I will gladly help someone in difficulty, rain or shine.

Letter: I-15 improvements are long overdue: District 8 refers to the San Bernardino County district. To date, there has been no response to the above message, sent to CalTrans administration on Aug. 18. I suggest other Sun readers direct their thoughts on that I-15 segment via e-mail to admin@dot.ca.gov in efforts to stimulate some action. And perhaps Strow can recheck CalTrans to see when improvements, backed by voter-OK'd state measures plus taxes, will be made.

Letter: Hanford Health Network has some good information: Hanford, in southeast Washington state, was built in 1943 by the U.S. government to produce plutonium for nuclear weapons. Since the science isn't settled, HHIN provides information from an array of perspectives. This way people have more complete information and can make up their own minds.

Editorial: End delays on worthy HMO bill: A number of former and current physicians are Republican members of the House who know firsthand what it's like to deal with the insurance industry's insistence on profits over patient care. They have relentlessly pushed their leadership to allow legislation to be considered that would give a patient more freedom to choose his doctor and, if care was denied by an HMO, have the right to appeal to an independent review panel. In addition, these dissident Republicans believe that a patient should have the right to sue his HMO if he is harmed by a denial of care. The right ...

Glass wizard plans melting barrier in Jerusalem: Peggy Andersen; Dale Chihuly's vision is that tensions in the Middle East someday will melt like his ice wall in the desert sun.

Nevada nurses allowed to use "healing touch" on patients: That panel had been studying the issue for months at the request of nurses who wanted to be able to provide these kinds of therapies to their patients, Executive Director Kathy Apple said.

Ground rules being set for new Nevada scholarship program: - High school core curriculum outlined in Nevada law will be used as the yardstick to determine eligibility.

Carson City's Fourth of July fair may sue carnival manager: The money was due Sept. 15 and the RSVP board now will consider pursuing a lawsuit at a meeting Tuesday, Ayres said.

Air Race sponsors may consider changing course after crash: For the second year a row, a small plane crashed into a Lemmon Valley neighborhood near the Reno-Stead Airport, narrowly missing homes and children playing nearby on Saturday.

California AG, conservationists fight Tahoe condo project: But a lawyer for one of the opposing groups says a lawsuit is likely if they do.

California parachutist dies near Nevada border: The victim and two companions had chartered a plane from the Nervino Airport in Beckwourth to spend the day sky diving. They were on their fifth jump of the day when the accident occurred about 6 p.m.

Las Vegas Sun/Las Vegas 1 poll: 2. Should Metro conduct random drug tests of their officers on a yearly basis?

Senator recounts incidents, pushes bill to control unruly passengers: Robert Macy; Reid, D-Nev., pitched the bill Monday at a news conference at McCarran International Airport, citing an incident in which he had to help restrain an unruly passenger.

Vegas.com 500 race weekend schedule: THURSDAY

Dudley takes LVMS title: Bill Dudley moved from fourth to first in the Street division points standings, giving him the championship by just one point. He won the final round with an ET of 15.756 seconds at 88.42 mph over Dennis Evans who ran an ET of 17.157 seconds and 74.97 mph.

Biologist to compete for commission post: Republican Bruce Woodbury has not yet announced whether he will seek a sixth term on the Clark County Commission, but already he has a challenger -- retired biologist Larry Paulson.

LV activist speaks against immigration injustice: "I cannot believe we are in America," said Malena Burnett, founder of Fair Treatment for Immigrants. "Land of the free, home of the brave -- how can that be when we stand in this room and hear the horror stories that you only hear of in countries far away?"

Nellis may house more F-22s as result of Republican-led budget deal: ATLANTA -- Lockheed's controversial F-22 Raptor fighter plane, given up for dead in recent months, has found new budgetary life.

Suit filed over use of girl's photo in program: The plaintiff, Cathy Bowers, is seeking a court order prohibiting the Speedway from selling, distributing and displaying any programs or publications containing her daughter Jordyn's photo.

Judge urged not to overturn man's death sentence: CARSON CITY -- A prosecutor has told the Nevada Supreme Court there is no reason to overturn the death penalty for Michael Mulder, who committed a "heinous crime" by bashing in the skull of a 77-year-old Las Vegas man in March 1996.

City study suggests forming own police: Erin Neff; Crime is down 36 percent. A new poll gives high marks to the Metro Police Department and a recent city-commissioned audit claimed it was among the best managed cop shops nationwide.

Poll shows disparities in views on Metro: Local white and black residents differ sharply on whether Metro Police officers use excessive force and treat all people fairly, but a vast majority believe officers are properly trained.