Print edition for April 11, 2000

State licenses digital signature firm: Nevada was among the first states to legally recognize digital signatures on e-commerce, which allows verification of the source of an Internet transaction.

Mother Nature getting in way of PCL season: Steve Guiremand; On an afternoon when Las Vegas Stars president Don Logan was soaking up the gorgeous, sunny 80-degree weather playing a round of golf, the triple-A baseball team he runs found itself scrambling to catch early flights home from chilly Canada.

Ex-drug agent leaves his trial, drives to interstate and steps into path of truck: Some supposed the former agent feared the result of his trial, which was winding down Thursday when he borrowed a van and drove to Interstate 75. He had worked for DEA for 17 years, but now faced 10 years to life in a federal prison if convicted.

City Centre chairwoman steps down: Jodi Goodheart says she recently became trustee of a trust that owns property in the downtown area, creating a conflict of interest.

Resort to appeal ruling on liens: Late last month Senior Judge James Brennan found that 13 mechanics liens brought by construction contractors against the Venetian were properly filed. This ruling will allow most of the resort's lienholders to argue in court how much they claim they are owed.

LV's image challenges filmmaking promoter: Phil Levine; Shattering Hollywood's misconceptions about Las Vegas is one of the more challenging tasks confronting Mimosa Jones.

Highlights of February win report on Nevada casinos: Highlights of February win report on Nevada casinos

Pharmacy school would alleviate shortage: Valerie Miller; For info

Injury hinders Dickel at NBA camp: Steve Addy; Mark Dickel's quest for the hearts and minds of NBA scouts suffered a setback over the weekend, but the Rebels' erstwhile point guard is hoping for another chance.

Prospects brighten for big casino operator: Park Place stock was up 57 cents this morning to $12.13. Besides the Bloomberg story, two other factors may have influenced investors this morning. Station Casinos Inc. reported record earnings and the Nevada Gaming Control Board reported strong growth in the February gaming win in Nevada and even stronger growth on the Las Vegas Strip.

Marlon's pay dropped in '99: Marlon's base salary of $654,000 was essentially unchanged from 1998, but Marlon's bonus of $328,000 was just half its 1998 level. Marlon was also awarded 150,000 stock options.

Experts describe chaotic death scene: Testimony in the Ted Binion murder trial this morning again focused on the hectic death scene at the home of the wealthy gambling figure.

Station stock jumps on strong quarterly earnings: David Strow; Fertitta paid $3.24 mil. in '99

Judge's recusal stirs up Walters case: Martin Kuz; The subdued demeanor of District Judge Donald Mosley belied the jaw-dropping jolt he delivered Monday when he stepped down in the money-laundering case of professional gambler and golf course developer Billy Walters.

GOP convenes over nuke waste bill: Benjamin Grove; WASHINGTON -- Republican leaders in Congress gathered today to officially send the nuclear waste bill to President Clinton.

Columnist Dean Juipe: City's image hurts UNLV recruiting: Dean Juipe; The caller, a UNLV employee, was responding to a column on the school's softball team and its mediocre record the last few years.

Firm sued over helicopter crash: In a Clark County District Court suit, Kurt Batterman sued over the death of his wife on April 3, 1999.

Good times continue for Vegas casinos: David Strow; The strongest baccarat performance in more than two years helped Nevada's casinos win $751.6 million in February, an increase of nearly 14 percent over February 1999.

Captain Mac has U.S. team going in the right direction: Victoria Sun; From John McEnroe's point of view, the linesmen were at it again.

Making a racquet: Victoria Sun; The tennis program at the Andre Agassi Boys & Girls Club run by tennis director Ki Kroll is serious stuff.

LV bishop handed new assignment: Stacy J. Willis; Las Vegas Bishop Daniel Walsh was assigned by the Pope this morning to take over a scandal-ridden California diocese.

American laying off some LV workers, Reno hit harder: Al Becker, a spokesman for American, said employees would be notified by the end of this week if their jobs are going to be terminated. He said airline officials haven't determined how many firings would result, but he said American's Las Vegas reservation center wouldn't be affected.

LV, national broadcasters put content on Internet: Las Vegas media companies are confronting technological challenges facing the broadcast industry, a local television executive says.

Casinos posted slight '99 gain: The 12 casinos won nearly $4.5 billion from gamblers at the slot machines, craps tables and roulette wheels, but they registered a net loss of $126 million after deducting nonoperating charges.

Police citizens review chief to be announced: Erin Neff; Attorneys with ties to government make up the majority of finalists selected to head a Metro Police Citizens Review Board.

City Centre member quits: President Jodi Goodheart, a lawyer at the Jones Vargas law firm, resigned last week citing her involvement with a trust that owns property in the downtown redevelopment area.

Letter: Gore would just tax and spend: President Clinton, the ultimate political chameleon, has taken credit for these conservative policies and a complacent and generally under-educated citizenry has swallowed his lies.

Bathtub maker set against Clean Air Act again: Lasco Bathware was issued a violation notice in March by the EPA.

Editorial: Ignoring problem ill-advised: Westcare Foundation does treat inebriates -- about 4,000 a year -- but when the substance abuse clinic is full, ambulance crews and police instead must take the drunks who are picked up to area hospitals. From a financial standpoint, it would appear that transferring this responsibility to Westcare or another type of facility would be less expensive. After all, while the hospitals and Westcare separately treat about 4,000 drunks a year, the cost for the hospitals is $3 million, while that for Westcare is just $1 million. The reason for the disparity is the high costs associated with hospital care: ...

Competitors will be able to use the "locally owned" argument: But that deal fell through - rejected by Zions shareholders - and on Monday it was announced that Wells Fargo & Co. plans to purchase First Security for $3.2 billion.

Ten doctors lose licenses in 1999: CARSON CITY -- Ten doctors lost their licenses in Nevada last year for misconduct or malpractice, the highest number since 1985, the state Board of Medical Examiners said.

Del Papa vows to defend law on campaign materials: CARSON CITY -- Attorney General Frankie Sue Del Papa said Monday she would "vigorously defend" Nevada's law that prohibits people from distributing anonymous political campaign materials aimed at damaging the reputation of an individual.

Todd resigns as Bandits coach: Victoria Sun; The next time Rolland Todd attends a Las Vegas Silver Bandits game, he won't be sitting on the bench as head coach of the team.

Columnist Ron Kantowski: Ticket sales for Indy-car race need jump-start: Drag racers tend to refer to their NASCAR and Indy-car counterparts as "roundy-round" racers.

Bertha's home gone, but memorial planned: But the resort plans a permanent memorial to Bertha, who died last years after entertaining thousands at the Nugget along with her original partner Tina and, more recently, Angel.

Loved ones take time to grieve: Victim's rights week calendar of events

Ownership change won't affect Nellis health care: Sierra Health Services sold its 12 percent stake in TriWest Health Care, but it will continue providing doctors for the health-services network for another year.

Local news briefs for April 11, 2000: A 37-year-old Henderson man was killed Monday when he was hit by a car as he crossed a street in a marked crosswalk.

Editorial: Legislation would aid many veterans: So Reid and Inouye -- who was wounded severely during World War II, losing his right arm -- have introduced legislation that would allow about 400,000 veterans across the nation to collect both their full retirement pay and full disability pay. It is estimated the bill would cost $8 billion over five years, but this price is not too high to pay for those men and women who gave so much in defense of our freedom.

Monday's prep results: Clark 8, Rancho 7: The Rams rallied from an 8-1 deficit before Clark's Steve Jonas closed the door to pick up the save. Nathan Quigley went 2-for-4 with a triple and a home run and Bobby Jones and Jason Elfberg had two hits apiece.

Two suspended UNLV police are reinstated: Jace Radke; As a university search committee gets closer to hiring a new director of public safety, two suspended UNLV Police supervisors were reinstated this morning despite an incomplete investigation into their actions in a March 9 dormitory drug raid.

Ralph Siraco's selections for Wednesday's races at Santa Anita: 1st Race -- Elaine's Angel - Dutton trainee draws rail post, Bravo now, needs a clean break and prompt start at this dash distance. Memo To Lange - Training at Hollypark, well bred, draws outside, Gomez aboard Hendricks trainee. Value Play -- Flying Seamaid

The calm and the storm: Jack Jones and Phyllis Diller hit Las Vegas: When: Today through Saturday, 9 p.m.

Glenbrook pier ban again before TRPA: In May 1999, Glenbrook property owner Robert Daiss proposed a ban on new piers on the bay's half-mile beach area, where only one community pier now exists.

Columnist Kate Maddox: Hopper hopping over to Ra: Kate Maddox; The hotel is hoping that its nightclub crowd will turn up a couple of hours earlier than usual and warm up with Hopper, who left the Rio at the end of January.

Former governor takes the witness stand: Natalie Gott; The long-awaited testimony began with two simple questions from defense attorney Daniel Small about Edwards' relationship with the Louisiana Riverboat Gaming Commission, which was dismantled after he left office in January 1996, and the current Louisiana Gaming Control Board, which he is alleged to have influenced after leaving office.

Locals excel at Flo-Jo meet: Spencer Patterson; Two strong jumps for Las Vegans, one giant leap for Southern Nevada's track and field scene.

Nevada's first House member receives headstone: Sen. Richard Bryan, D-Nev., was scheduled today to dedicate the new headstone at the resting place of Henry Gaither Worthington in Washington's Congressional Cemetery.

Baseball: Rebels' Kitsch, Olson honored: Baseball: Rebels' Kitsch, Olson honored

Gambling board member vents anger over Edwards remarks: Natalie Gott; The testimony from attorney Howard Elliott Jr. revolved around a state police investigation into Guidry's license to operate the Treasure Chest casino in Kenner. At the center of the investigation was Guidry's relationship with an organized crime figure.

Woman takes plea in baby's death: A North Las Vegas woman who twice balked at a plea bargain in the scalding death of her 2-year-old daughter has changed her mind again and is scheduled to be sentenced Thursday.

Parking lot argument ends in fatal stabbing: Keith Paul; A Las Vegas man was arrested early today in a stabbing death during a confrontation Monday night with angry residents of an apartment complex.

Columnist Susan Snyder: Fast weddings still carry sentiment: The dressing room, she said, wasn't elegant enough. The Saturday ceremony was too rushed. There were other wedding parties on the grounds waiting their turns. And the chapel decorations weren't blue and white as she requested.

Odyssey Charter School battles closure: Terry Webster; More than 260 schoolchildren could be displaced if the Nevada Department of Education cuts off funding for the Odyssey Charter School.

Community news briefs for April 11, 2000: A Spring Health and Wellness Fair for seniors will be held 11 a.m.-4 p.m. April 18 at the Economic Opportunity Board MLK Senior Center, 2420 N. Martin Luther King Blvd., Bldg. B, in the Clark County Resource Center.

Carson City child support office slow in getting cases opened: "We just hit the five-month mark and I still don't have a case or a case number," she said.

Preliminary hearing begins for woman charged with killing husband: Patsy Barbour was arrested at her Las Vegas home three days after the murder charge was filed in July 1999. She was released after posting a $100,000 cash bond and allowed to return to Nevada.

Letter: Some homeless people really trying to succeed: They cannot always find work, due to their age, or jobs are not readily available, or they might be handicapped, or do not have proper training. They might be ambitious but cannot succeed. They might want to prove their worth.

Family displaced by Fremont Street Experience continues to fight: Harry Pappas has rejected what he calls a "low ball" offer by the city. The case has dragged on for six years and has become a blemish on the city's redevelopment efforts.

Investigation of anti-Malone flyer proceeds: John Boyer, the attorney for Passkey Systems, said he delivered the materials Monday, but declined to give further details.

Hope seen for thousands of INS detainees: In the wake of a federal appellate court ruling that immigration officials cannot hold criminal immigrants indefinitely, the federal public defender's office in Las Vegas says it will move for the immediate release of 120 such local detainees.

Letter: Binion trial is overrated: Letter: Binion trial is overrated

Audit recommendations could save city millions: Erin Neff; An audit examining citywide payroll practices in Las Vegas suggests that tying annual salary increases to the national Consumer Price Index could free millions of dollars for programs and services.

Where I Stand -- Brian Greenspun: City counsel ignored: IF YOU LISTEN to Sig Rogich tell the story, he was a victim of ambiguity.

Obituaries for April 11, 2000: Michael W. Billado, 47, of Las Vegas died Monday in a local hospice. He was born June 9, 1952, in Enosburg Falls, Vt. A resident for 11 years, he was a hotel waiter.