Print edition for April 10, 2000

Electricity plant sues union over picketing tactics: Grace Leong; A California partner of the Mohave Generating Station in Laughlin is seeking an injunction to stop a union from using protest tactics that it claims endanger the power plant's workers and property.

Upcoming business events for April 10, 2000: Volunteerism -- Las Vegas Chamber of Commerce seminar "Community Volunteerism Builds More than Business." April 19. 641-5822.

Venetian builders win first round over construction liens: David Strow; Though Senior District Court Judge James Brennan has only ruled on a handful of the 42 mechanics liens challenged by the Venetian, his ruling in late March set a precedent for the remainder of the challenged liens -- a precedent that makes it far more likely the rest of the liens will also be found too have been properly filed.

Man charged in fake ID scam: Benjamin Gillard, 34, was charged with theft and theft of identity in a two-count indictment handed up by a grand jury. Gillard, who has been jailed since his arrest last November, was being held in the Atlantic County jail on $50,000 bail. If convicted, he could get 10 years on each charge.

New merger shaking up Nevada bank industry: Phil Levine; The San Francisco-based financial giant will pay 0.355 of its shares for each First Security share. That values First Security at $14.11 a share based on Wells Fargo's closing price Friday -- a 16 percent premium to First Security's closing price Friday.

Columnist Larry Dixon: Car falls short, but fans stand tall: Larry Dixon; What a great week we had here in Las Vegas. Besides the racing stuff, just the support we got from everyone here has been awesome. And this town, the fans -- everybody -- they have all just been really pumped up for the inaugural SummitRacing.com NHRA Nationals at Las Vegas Motor Speedway.

Drug dealer tells jury he sold Binion heroin: By Jeff German; Peter Sheridan, 45, who has not been charged for selling the drugs, said he delivered the 12 balloons, a quarter-gram each, to Binion at his 2408 Palomino Lane home on Sept. 16, 1998.

Several witnesses didn't think Binion was planning suicide: Kim Smith; The mystery surrounding Ted Binion's death did not become any clearer Friday, but what became glaringly obvious is something changed drastically in the former casino owner's life the day before he died.

LV developer hopes to break ground on Miss. casino: Gaughan, who operates three Las Vegas casino hotels and a St. Louis riverboat casino, wants to build a dockside casino with five restaurants, a parking garage and a 300-room hotel. He has options on 9 acres just west of Interstate 110.

Officer fires at driver after police car rammed: Jace Radke; The officer tried to make a traffic stop of a 1982 Oldsmobile Cutlass with three people inside, but the driver would not stop, Lt. Chris Larotonda, a police spokesman said. After a short chase, the Oldsmobile stopped on Clifford Street near Judson Avenue, and the officer stopped and began to get out of his car, Larotonda said.

New developer may be lined up for Strip mall: Westcor Partners of Phoenix pulled out of the project late last year, delaying the project. Mandalay and General Growth began negotiations about 90 days ago.

LV Internet firm sued by former executive: In a Clark County District Court suit, Edward Joyce said he left his employment with PurchasePro.Com, where he was earning an $85,000-a-year salary with stock options, to join Profitscape.

Partner alleges problems with slot in Bally suit: Grace Leong; In a Clark County District Court suit filed last week, Shuffle Master alleged Bally Gaming also failed to pay Shuffle Master -- which claims to hold intellectual property rights to the use of the "Let's Make A Deal" name -- a license fee for the use of the name to develop, market, lease and sublicense the slot machines.

LV union fighting Congress on bill over asbestos claims: David Strow; Heat and Frost Insulators and Asbestos Workers Local 135, a small union local based in Las Vegas, held a press conference Saturday to protest H.R. 1283, introduced by Rep. Henry Hyde, R-Ill., in the House in March. Dubbed the "Fairness in Asbestos Compensation Act," the bill would severely restrict the right of claimants to sue asbestos companies for exposure-related claims.

Dental school funding sought: But UNLV President Carol Harter served notice Friday that she will ask the 2001 Legislature for up to $11.4 million to begin the school, which has not yet started accepting students.

Sampras averts Mac attack, lifts U.S. team: Victoria Sun; INGLEWOOD, Calif. -- No matter how bad it felt, a strained left quadriceps muscle wasn't going to stop Pete Sampras from continuing the fifth and decisive Davis Cup quarterfinals match Sunday against the Czech Republic's Slava Dosedel.

Little effect in Vegas expected from cuts at airline: Fort Worth, Texas-based American, operated by AMR Corp., plans to announce today that it will discontinue 12 Las Vegas flights and 17 Reno flights by July 2. Rep. Jim Gibbons, R-Nev., learned of the plan Friday and said he was disappointed that there will be fewer flights and fewer competitors on routes to Nevada.

Las Vegas man found not guilty in killing: Defense attorney Chip Siegel said Charles Damion Vonlewis was cleared of murder, burglary and attempted robbery charges after the jurors deliberated about seven hours.

They can still drive at 55: Results Sunday from the NHRA $1.8 million SummitRacing.com Nationals at Las Vegas Motor Speedway:

Brothers arrested in woman's death: Jace Radke and Keith Paul; Daniel Cook, 20, was arrested early Sunday morning after police determined that he was with his 16-year-old brother inside the home in the 1800 block of Hoover Street at the time of the slaying of Walburga Soult.

State AG's report upsets several people listed in document: Prominent among the report's critics is Gerald Cunningham, a former Gaming Control Board member who says he's one of many high-profile Nevadans to be maligned by unsubstantiated allegations.

Ali bill passes Senate, heads to House: Benjamin Grove; The bill, introduced by Sen. John McCain, R-Ariz., passed the Senate on Friday and now heads back to the House.

Prep Schedule: MONDAY

A sobering issue: Erin Neff; To many, the Las Vegas Valley's public drunks are little more than an eyesore and the cause for an embarrassing explanation to children about why that man is staggering near the swings in the park.

Search for Las Vegas city auditor drags on: Erin Neff; But the quest for a city auditor in Las Vegas has been lengthier, almost as controversial and difficult to accomplish.

Community news briefs for April 10, 2000: The U.S. Forest Service is hosting an open house 4-8 p.m. Thursday in the multipurpose room at the Las Vegas Library, 833 Las Vegas Blvd. North.

Local news briefs for April 10, 2000: A 19-year-old security guard was charged with arson in a fire that damaged a northwest Las Vegas apartment complex Friday.

Some water rights to go on auction block: Robert Deiro and Associates will auction off 613 acre-feet of water on April 29 in one of the largest sales in recent memory. The sale will be in small increments of one-, two-, five- or 10-acre-foot portions, said Guy Deiro, a real estate broker and company owner.

Darr and Nicholson ignite Stars' offense: Despite a game-time temperature of 38 degrees and a wind chill in the teens, the Stars (3-1) banged out 11 hits, including home runs by center fielder Mike Darr and shortstop Kevin Nicholson, en route to a 7-1 victory over the Calgary Cannons (1-3) at Burns Stadium.

Bankruptcy ruling delayed: Alta, which operated three gold mines in Nevada and had copper holdings in New Mexico, asked a U.S. Bankruptcy Court judge in Reno to defer ruling on the case so that secured creditors have additional time to complete documents to liquidate the company's assets.

Dogged pursuit: Jace Radke; That's the idea behind a new program that will have at least one Metro Police unit patrolling the streets in teams of three.

Union sure tax will pass: Elaine Lancaster, president of the Nevada State Education Association, said the public will listen to educators over Guinn and the Legislature.

Columnist Ron Kantowski: Come on feel the noise at speedway: So this is what listening to Spinal Tap with the amplifiers cranked to 11 must sound -- er, feel -- like.

Future of baseball in Reno linked to stadium's condition: The refurbishing began last fall when the Reno-Sparks Chamber of Commerce raised $100,000 to repave the parking lot. New restrooms were on the drawing board when the Blackjacks suddenly pulled up stakes and moved to Marysville, Calif.

Rebels land star point guard: Steve Addy; After missing out on a top-notch junior college guard last week, the Rebels have gotten an oral commitment from Lafonte Johnson, a highly regarded prep school point guard.

Officials: American Airlines flight cuts could lead to higher fares: The Fort Worth, Texas-based carrier plans to drop 17 flights from Reno and 12 from Las Vegas, including all four daily flights between the two cities.

Casino could bring relief to beleaguered Borscht Belt: Hadley Pawlak; Given the blessing of the federal Bureau of Indian Affairs last week, hopes are renewed that an old harness race track 90 miles northwest of New York City is closer to becoming a gambling gold mine in the Catskill Mountains.

Columnist Ralph Siraco: One Derby down, one to go for The Deputy: Ralph Siraco; It's finals week for the equine sophomores. The final major preps for this year's Kentucky Derby are upon us, and with less than four weeks to D-Day, it's crunch time for more than a few trying to make the cut.

NHRA Notebook: Gibson DQ'd by new rule: Top Fuel driver Tim Gibson became the first victim of the National Hot Rod Association's new 90-precent fuel rule when his stunning first-round victory over Tony Schumacher was disallowed following a post-race inspection Sunday.

Obituaries for April 10, 2000: Grady B. Barker, 84, of Las Vegas died Tuesday in Las Vegas. He was born March 22, 1916, in Texas. A resident for 50 years, he was a mechanic for a rental firm and a former member of the Moose Lodge.

UNLV baseball finishes sweep: Dean Juipe; Perhaps reflecting the Rebels' general lack of success this season, the UNLV baseball team caught its fans by surprise Sunday. It seems no one in the crowd had the foresight to bring a broom.

Bandits squeak by Stuff: Steve Addy; Point guard Michael Johnson was wearing the hero's wreath for the Silver Bandits until he fouled out, but that was all right. It fit just as nicely on the guy who replaced him.

Editorial: Ignoring the real outrage: Then there's the case of Chase Manhattan Bank, which violated its own privacy policy by providing marketers with personal data about its credit card holders. Why would the financial conglomerate do this? For money. Chase Manhattan Bank was getting a 24 percent commission on eventual sales made by these marketing firms. It wasn't until New York Attorney General Eliot Spitzer found out about this practice that Chase Manhattan Bank agreed in January to revise its policies, halting the flow of credit and spending information (it still, however, sells to outside firms other data, such as customers' names, addresses and telephone ...

Box score: Stars 7, Cannons 1: Las Vegas

Letter: Heston not so respectable: Thanks to Heston, NRA, and GOP supporters, the little Cuban boy, Elian, is safer attending school in Cuba than Miami. I hope the Immigration and Naturalization Service and Elian's father get him back to Cuba before some first grader in Miami shoots him and thus displays his Second Amendment rights.

Letter: Much-needed laws vital to handicapped: Unfortunately many taxpayer-funded facilities have ignored the laws of both our state and our nation. Among these are the Thomas & Mack Center and the Sawyer Building. Since 1994 I have personally been fighting for reasonable (and inexpensive) accommodations to be made for the handicapped. Some of our "victories" have actually been reversed by the recent renovations. This is particularly incredulous as we consulted with UNLV officials Terry Cottle, Rick Piccone, and the vice president of finance, resulting in significant progress at Sam Boyd Stadium.

Laughlin River Stampede results: Bareback Riding

Columnist Lisa Ferguson: Trends, April 10, 2000: Lisa Ferguson; Who presented you with the best gift you've ever received? What gift most effectively says "I love you"? Are you guilty of re-gifting (re-wrapping a gift you've received and giving it to someone else)?

NHRA at Las Vegas Motor Speedway results: Top Fuel

Columnist John Katsilometes: They come from afar to visit LV: "Hey, I'm in town," he said, the muffled murmur of slot machines barely audible in the background. "I'm at the Bellagio."

IBL Box: Cincinnati-Las Vegas: CINCINNATI (37-17)

To understand global politics, watch 'Star Trek': Bill Muller; Then again, you could just watch "Star Trek."

Box score: Las Vegas 15, Cannons 7: E-Nicholson, McNally. DP-Calgary 1. LOB-Las Vegas 3, Calgary 5. 2B-Vitiello, Jones, Hansen, Root, Soliz, Nicholson 2, LaRocca, Martinez, Garcia 2, Gulan, Raven 2. HR-Roskos (2), Jones (1). SF-Jones.

Box score: Las Vegas 7, Cannons 3: E-Gulan, Funaro. DP-Calgary 1. LOB-Las Vegas 7, Calgary 3. 2B-Darr, Roskos, Curl 2, Spencer. HR-Roskos, McNally. S-Spencer 2.

Drug dealer says he warned Binion of mixing drugs: Robert Macy; Peter Sheridan testified he provided Binion with heroin first in 1985, then every two or three days for a three-month period prior to Binion's death.

Gambling board member vents anger over Edwards remarks: Natalie Gott; While lending weight to defense claims that there was no conspiracy involving Edwards and state Sen. Greg Tarver, Sherian Cadoria also appeared to score points for the prosecution. On cross examination, she vented her anger over remarks Edwards made during secretly taped conversations in 1997.

American Airlines criticizes premature leak of route cuts: Scott Sonner; Rep. Jim Gibbons, R-Nev., announced on Friday that American intends to eliminate more than two dozen routes affecting Nevada - 12 flights to Las Vegas McCarran and 17 flights to Reno-Tahoe international airports.

Box score: Cannons 7, Stars 3: E-LaRocca, Funaro. DP-Las Vegas 2, Calgary 1. LOB-Las Vegas 3, Calgary 5. 2B-Darr, Garcia, Raven 2. HR-Garcia (1), Raven (1). SF-Radmanovich, Roskos. SB-Martinez.

Light bulb may be source of fire: The fire at the Desert Gardens Apartments caused $2,000 damage and left a family homeless. No injuries were reported.

Vegas driver struck and killed by police car: Witnesses said the officer, Mark Harding, had the green light when the accident occurred Sunday.

Ghost town loses spirit, gains pleasures of the flesh: Yerington, Nev., developer Bill Lapham said construction could start this summer if remaining issues concerning water quality are resolved.

Hiker spends night in Carson Range: She and the border collie were found at 3 a.m. Sunday on a snow-covered trail above the park.

University teacher pay top priority: "The cost of living has got to be at the top of the list," Tom Anderes, acting chancellor, told the university Board of Regents in Reno on Friday. Eliminating the disparity in funding that shortchanges schools in Southern Nevada is also a priority, he said.

Half-mile dirt oval results: Heat 1: 1. Mike Fitch, 2. Jason Pike, 3. Jim Wulfenstein, 4. Bill Hasselle, 5. Allen Crumpler. Main Event: 1. Mike Fitch, 2. Jim Perkins, 3. Bill Hasselle, 4. Jim Wulfenstein, 5. Wayne Jacks, 6. Joe Chapman.

Tribes come to Portland looking for action: About 450 vendors will display their wares at the ninth annual National Indian Gaming Association's Trade Show and Convention, which is being held at the Oregon Convention Center. Bally Gaming and Systems in Las Vegas will bring 22 different slot machines for the exhibits, which open Tuesday.