Stories published April 13, 2000Las Vegas Sun

State threatens businessman's expansion: Star-Limousine

Henderson business owners react to development plan: Valerie Miller; Downtown business and property owners voiced their opinions Wednesday on the proposed tripling of Henderson's downtown redevelopment area.

Profit rises for Von's owner: The per-share earnings beat expectations of 47 cents per share, the average estimate of analysts polled by Zacks Investment Research.

Columnist Joe Delaney: 'Blue Man,' 'Stomp' drumming up support: Joe Delaney; Penn & Teller, our favorite comedians who are also capable of first-class magic, open tonight for a fortnight's run in the MGM Grand Hollywood Theatre, following which the star-policy showroom will house the musical "Grease" for the period of April 27 to May 30. "Laverne & Shirley" stars Cindy Williams and Eddie Mekka will co-star in the MGM Grand production of "Grease." ... Show times will vary; $50 plus tax and handling fee is the top price.

Where I Stand -- Mike O'Callaghan: U.S. stuck in Kosovo: Despite the arguments that both Bosnia and Kosovo were European problems and should be handled by the nations on that continent, we, along with Great Britain, pushed the issue. Pictures and stories coming from Yugoslavia made our leaders in Congress and the Clinton administration eager to right the wrongs viewed by Americans. No matter how many times they were reminded that almost 800 years of hate and conflict in the Balkans couldn't be settled with force, our nation and the Brits led NATO into bombing Yugoslavia.

Columnist Ruthe Deskin: A lie by any name is still a lie: Ruthe Deskin; That is the excuse a local newspaper uses in defense of Attorney General Frankie Sue Del Papa for denying that her office had carried on an investigation of former Gaming Control Board Chairman Bill Bible.

Letter: Support governor in restructuring of electric power: The disappointed expectations you mention regarding the overall progress of electric restructuring are, at least in part, the result of unrealistic expectations. The Public Utilities Commission, under the guidance of Judy Sheldrew, should have told the 1999 Legislature what the commission's own staff, as well as Consumer Advocate Fred Schmidt, had told it. Both estimated opening the market would take until Nov. 1, 2000.

Editorial: Let's put an end to dawdling: Rhodes has said it will consider paying the costs the government would incur for building the channel elsewhere. Still it will be difficult to quickly assess the actual costs the county might have to incur in the near term, and it could be almost impossible to determine future costs. For example, there could be additional expenses related to the channel's upkeep, such as repairing and cleaning up problems if there is a flood.

Editorial: It's time to erase this sorry chapter: Editorial: It's time to erase this sorry chapter

It's not a plane. It's not Superman. It's ... those beautiful winged creatures: Kimberley McGee; But some with a keen eye do pay attention -- a lot of attention -- to the more than 200 species of birds populating the Las Vegas valley, building homes, raising babies and hanging out in fast food restaurant parking lots.

Letter: Law enforcement in Mexico a sham: Oh, yes, we do have a kind of extradition agreement with Mexico, but it's just as specious as the annual certification of Mexico as cooperating with the war on drugs.

New resort set for South Strip: David Strow; A Las Vegas real estate developer paid $8.24 million for a South Strip land parcel Wednesday, saying his plans for the property include the development of a new resort casino at the site within the next two years.

Espy hopes long layoff didn't cool off hot bats: Steve Guiremand; Home opener

Moody's may boost LV company's credit ratings: Moody's changed Station's ratings outlook from stable to positive, the first step in raising a company's credit rating. The agency said an upgrade will occur "should the company continue to demonstrate a track record of operating with moderate leverage given its multiple development opportunities and recent share repurchase activity."

Casino set for London, Vegas still in picture: Playboy's London casino clubs first opened in the 1960s, with the last club closing in the early 1980s. The company's gaming division is located in Las Vegas.

Nevada scores high on roads survey: A study by a North Carolina researcher finds that Nevada gets more for its highway dollar than most states.

IBL box: Richmond-Las Vegas: Ward 10-17 0-2 23, Holmes 8-16 4-7 21, Cartwright 3-6 0-1 6, Miskiri 0-2 1-2 1, English 0-10 1-1 1, Harris 0-0 0-0 0, Robinson 7-10 2-3 22, Morton 10-16 4-8 29, Young 0-4 0-0 0, Carruth 1-2 3-6 5. Totals 39-83 15-30 108.

Cousins sentenced in murder case: Johnny Hughes Walker, 20, received from District Judge Donald Mosley two consecutive life sentences for first-degree murder and using a deadly weapon to kill Maureen McConaha. Walker, who was convicted of the crime in a March trial, will be eligible for parole in 40 years.

Bank loan for merger with Mirage detailed: MGM Grand said a group of banks agreed to loan it $4.3 billion. MGM Grand will get a $2 billion, five-year line of credit; a $1 billion, one-year credit line; and a $1.3 billion term loan. Banc of America Securities LLC is leading the group of banks arranging the loan and credit lines.

Senate run announced: Hamzick of Gardnerville is an integrated-circuit design consultant who said he wants to help replace career politicians in Congress.

Venetian posts its first profit, gains high revenues from business travelers: David Strow; Sheldon Adelson's $1.5 billion Venetian hotel-casino has become profitable for the first time in its 11-month history, recording net income of $16.6 million for the quarter ending March 31.

Audit shows Guinn overspent $10,000: A legislative audit released Wednesday showed that Gov. Kenny Guinn overspent the $5,000 allowed for new governors in the days before they take office.

Columnist Paula DelGiudice: New hunting clothes are worth the wait: Paula DelGiudice; Now that it's time to apply for big game tags in Nevada, hunters' thoughts inevitably turn toward fall. Those who like to plan ahead will be thinking about the gear they need to add to their collection to make this season the most productive yet.

Audit rips use of fed funds for substance abuse fight: CARSON CITY -- Taxpayer dollars have been misdirected in Nevada's fight against alcohol and drug abuse, a legislative audit says.

Obituaries for April 13, 2000: Beverly L. Amsden, 74, of Las Vegas died Monday in a local care center. She was born Oct. 20, 1925, in Boise, Idaho. A resident for five years, she was a homemaker.

Binion's daughter describes father: Bonnie Binion, the daughter and chief heir of Ted Binion, took the witness stand today in the trial of her father's accused killers.

South Dakota finally gets its man: Keith Paul; David Broadway was sitting in a Las Vegas bar when he heard a name he hasn't been called in more than a decade -- Harold.

Charges filed in accident that killed six teenagers: Jace Radke; A 21-year-old woman has been indicted on 21 charges in connection with a March accident that took the lives of six teenagers as they picked up trash along Interstate 15.

Sun Top 10 Softball Poll: Teams ranked jointly by the Las Vegas Sun and the Daily Sparks Tribune

Unser, Hamilton wrap up preps: Racing veterans Al Unser Jr. and Davey Hamilton concluded their final preparations Wednesday for the April 22 Indy Racing Northern Light Series Vegas Indy 300 with the final day of a two-day test at Las Vegas Motor Speedway.

Southwest LV's 'quality of life' battle may be far from over: Adrienne Packer; Just last month Spring Valley residents celebrated a state panel's decision to quash a casino project in their southwest neighborhood. Homeowners learned this week their battle may be far from over.

Columnist Dean Juipe: Vargas sticks to prediction: Youth will prevail vs. Ike: Dean Juipe; The betting line has changed slightly, reflecting incoming money on Ike Quartey.

Foul-up in adoption costs state $40,000: CARSON CITY -- A foulup by the state Division of Child and Family Services in handling an adoption case is going to cost taxpayers $40,000.

Sun Top 10 Baseball Poll: Teams ranked jointly by the Las Vegas Sun and the Daily Sparks Tribune

Silverado overpowers Centennial: Zack Hall; As the five-time defending Southern Zone champions, the Silverado softball team wanted to show first-year Centennial just what it takes to become a power.

Columnist Spencer Patterson: Durango strives for more than perfection: Spencer Patterson; What could possibly be better than going undefeated?

Rebels competing in 2 track meets: Fresh off its victory in the UNLV Invitational, the Rebels' track and field team will head to Southern California this weekend where UNLV athletes will scatter between two meets.

Cassidy embroiled in another 'caper': The Ted Binion murder trial is rich in personalities but none more colorful than a defense trial consultant who studied under the Dalai Lama, performed covert assignments for the Central Intelligence Agency and sold a classified weapons system overseas.

Sports books cringe at proposal to include professional sports in ban: Benjamin Grove and David Strow; WASHINGTON -- If some pro sports organizations and critics of betting on college sports get their way, gamblers at Las Vegas sports books may be left with little more than tic-tac-toe tournaments to wager on.

Betting bill clears Senate panel: Benjamin Grove; WASHINGTON -- A bill that would ban betting on college sports in Nevada casinos gained momentum today as Sen. John McCain's Senate Commerce Committee sent the legislation to the full Senate.

T. Wong returns in the Edwards trial: Natalie Gott; On the stand for the third day in his federal racketeering trial, Edwards was shown reports on currency transactions that indicated he paid $243,600 in cash to casinos in 1990. On a few of the reports, Edwards signed the name Ed Neff.

Edwards says he never received money from former casino owner: Natalie Gott; "It's not the first time in my life I thought of something and then realized on sober reflection that it's not the thing to do," Edwards, 72, said during his second day on the witness stand in his federal racketeering trial.

Families of ex-Test Site workers react positively to government plan: By Mary Manning; Hotline

Panel balks at tax break for Las Vegas newspaper publisher: David Strow; The Nevada Commission on Economic Development declined to award a $79,000 tax break to a Las Vegas newspaper publisher Wednesday, after two commissioners weren't convinced its printing contract with USA Today would create the kind of high-wage jobs that incentives are supposed to attract.

Charter school students' logs show unusual studies: Terry Webster; Odyssey credits

Coast businesses, including casinos, want answers about spring break: The three-day gathering was marked by violence, including the Saturday shooting death of a spring break participant by a Gulfport police officer during an apparent struggle, and other violence.

Meese steps down as Reno police chief: Meese took over the leadership of the department in March but has returned to his old job of assistant chief.

Idaho governor signs bill ratifying agreement: The measure was approved by the House 48-21 and the Senate 27-8.

Suit seeks shut down of Instant Racing in Arkansas: "These machines are nothing but slot machines," said Thomas Thrash of Little Rock, a lawyer for Lawson. "That's all they are. It's not pari-mutuel betting and it's not horse racing. The results are determined solely by chance."

Boys Volleyball standings: CLASS 4A

Boys Golf standings: CLASS 4A

Peer program is honored by Points of Light Foundation: The award, given by the Points of Light Foundation, the Knights of Columbus and the Corporation for National Service, honors individuals and organizations who connect Americans through service that meets needs in their communities.

Prep Softball standings: CLASS 4A

Judge dismisses gambling indictment against members of New Jersey social club: State Superior Court Judge Charles A. Delehey found that a state deputy attorney general gave evasive answers and broke promises to the grand jury hearing evidence against Baron and its members.

Former Binion employee pursued $100,000 reward: A central figure in the Ted Binion murder case once sought the $100,000 reward for information leading to the conviction of Ted Binion's killer, the gambling figure's attorney confirmed Wednesday.

Local news briefs for April 13, 2000: A motorist was arrested Wednesday evening after he swerved his car at a traffic officer and then punched an officer in the face, police said.

Panel favor pier ban in most of Tahoe's Glenbrook Bay: Organized Glenbrook property owners want a ban on any new piers in the bay, on the Nevada side of the lake, which has one of Tahoe's few remaining strands of mostly undisturbed sandy beach.

DMV will soon offer telephone, Internet service alternatives: CARSON CITY -- The state Department of Motor Vehicles and Public Safety is cautioning the public not to expect miracles when it starts accepting renewals of driver's licenses and car registration over the Internet and the telephone.

Woman ordered to stand trial in husband's death: Barbour, 68, is charged with first-degree murder in the Feb. 12, 1980 shooting of Andrew "Mac" Barbour Jr. at the couple's Tulsa home.

Raid on Lebanon home turns up poker machines, cash: The raid was carried out Tuesday by the York County Sheriff's office and the gambling unit of the Maine State Police.

Judge orders financial adviser to the stars held without bail for trial: Giacchetto, 37, was arrested shortly before 2 a.m. Wednesday at Newark International Airport in New Jersey, as he returned from Las Vegas with federal agents closing in on him.

Edwards says feds misinterpreting a tape: Natalie Gott; "I can look you in the eye, this jury and my maker and tell you I never demanded anything from Bobby Guidry in my life," Edwards told Assistant U.S. Attorney Jim Letten. It was a reference to former Treasure Chest casino owner Robert Guidry, one of the first and most damaging witnesses in the case against Edwards.

Silver Bandits rebound with win over Rhythm: Victoria Sun; After incurring their worst home loss of the season the previous night, it figured that the Las Vegas Silver Bandits were either going to come out flat or take it out on the Richmond Rhythm.

Teacher who flew Nazi flag says she didn't do anything wrong: Scott Sonner; Kara Lake, 26, said she continues to display the flag with an iron cross and black swastika on a bulletin board in her eighth-grade history classroom at Vaughn Middle School.

Legislative auditors blast state Bureau of Alcohol and Drug Abuse: Brendan Riley; A report submitted to a legislative panel covered fiscal 1999, just prior to the bureau being placed in the state Health Division. Division chief Yvonne Sylva said she had no quarrel with the criticisms and would follow the auditors' recommendations - all 19 of them.

Officials still seething over American's flight reductions: Tom Gardner; "That could not have been handled more ineptly," Sen. Richard Bryan said Wednesday. "You have to deal fairly with people."

Michigan groups rally against gambling expansion: Kathy Barks Hoffman; He hasn't heard from him since.

New casino would open door to coin-operated slot machines: The existing slot machines in Newport and Lincoln take a gamer's money, but spit out pieces of paper with winnings printed on them rather than spewing out coins.

Wednesday's prep results: Las Vegas 13, Western 1: Clayton Mofford went 2-for-3 with a three-run homer and Peter Arroyo and Greg Anderson had three hits apiece to lead the Wildcats.

Sun Athletes of the Week: Anthony Pluta and Nikki Rose: School: Las Vegas

Aging LV area starting rebirth: Erin Neff; A quick touch-up of paint was little more than an afterthought for a worker readying a new home Tuesday morning for a ceremony.

IRL race lacks drawing power: As evidenced by last weekend's near sellout of a National Hot Rod Association event, Las Vegas Motor Speedway relies heavily on the Southern California market for the success of its races.

Opinion survey fuels courtroom fireworks: A heated courtroom exchange between lawyers erupted Wednesday outside the presence of the jury in the Ted Binion murder trial over a defense consultant's dissemination of poll results to the media.

Prep Baseball standings: CLASS 4A

Columnist Ron Kantowski: New parks make record books useless: After watching a week's worth of games in the new major league bandboxes, I did the wise thing:

Defects alleged in lawsuits: Rock Springs Vista-9 Owners Association sued JRM Development Inc., alleging defects in its 56-unit condominium complex between Buffalo Drive and Ducharm in Las Vegas.

Audit of governor's spending turns out to be trivial pursuit: Auditors criticized Gov. Kenny Guinn for charging $10,000 in transitional expenses to the new governor's budget account when he should have charged it to the Department of Administration.

Prosecutor says driver used Ecstasy drug to stay awake: Booker revealed the new information Wednesday in asking District Judge Lee Gates to retain the defendant's bail at $5 million. Gates wanted to know why Booker had requested such a high bail amount.

Legislator lobbies for deregulation power lines 'cop': Gov. Kenny Guinn has delayed the start of competition but is expected to set a new date after state regulators resolve key issues.

Ralph Siraco's selections for Friday's races at Santa Anita: 1st Race -- Five Nines - Ramsammy aboard Cassidy trainee, fits this spot, runs for Southern Nevada Racing Stable. Aly Babe - Garcia climbs Sadler trainee, draws good post, lasix and nasal strip to help. Value Play -- Ticklish Issue

State attorney general going after LV telemarketer's funds: Grace Leong; The State Attorney General's office wants to seize funds from an alleged fraudulent Las Vegas "boiler room" telemarketing operation that it says sold sham diet and herbal products nationwide.

LVCVA hires consultant for I-15 tourism work: Big Stan

Nellis AFB receives accolades: Dick Benoit; Nellis Air Force Base has received accolades from its headquarters, the Air Combat Command. The Nellis Air Terminal was named "Best in the Command" for the third year in a row. The air command also recognized numerous Nellis individuals.

Catching up with: Mitch Kallick: High School: Green Valley ('98)

Community news briefs for April 13, 2000: Sen. Harry Reid, D-Nev., and Sen. Byron Dorgan, D-N.D., chairman of the Democratic Policy Committee, will hold a hearing on the proposed Patients' Bill of Rights Friday 3-4:30 p.m. at the Marjorie Barrick Museum of Natural History at UNLV. The senators are seeking comment on Senate Bill 6, the Democratic plan that would provide consumers protections against HMO abuses and hold HMOs accountable when their decisions hurt patients.

Las Vegas area fishing report: Largemouth bass are in their spawning mode and are being found in coves throughout the lake at depths of three to 10 feet. Spinner baits, artificial worms and jigs are catching the fish.

Ex-Thunder Yashin can't play for Russia in World: NHL spokesman Frank Brown said an agreement between the league and International Ice Hockey Federation prohibits suspended NHL players from playing in the championships.

Special prosecutor to decide charges for former gaming investigator: Tom Kitts, director of the gaming division, said the dismissal involved an alleged violation in 1997.

Detroit mayor unveils budget, says casino dollars to be used to improve services: "What I'm trying to present is a situation where we financially balance our budget and do not get into any fiscal trouble," Archer said in delivering his 2000-01 fiscal year budget address to the City Council on Wednesday. "We barely had a surplus this year."

Behind the scenes: John Jorgensen and Nathan Rincon: Contribution to prep sports: Jorgensen, a former major leaguer, is responsible for scouting Southern Nevada and parts of Southern California for the Cubs. He makes 4-5 trips each spring to Las Vegas, along with occasional visits during the winter and summer. "I was here when we signed (Valley High product Greg) Maddux," said Jorgensen, who has been with the Cubs since 1983. "I see a lot of my old buddies, people I played with and people that were involved when I played." Jorgensen played for the Brooklyn Dodgers and New York Giants from 1947-51, playing in a pair of World ...

Alleged forger commited suicide before trial: A deputy saw Pizano in his cell at 3:35 p.m. Wednesday. He did not respond to an intercom inquiry 15 minutes later and was found sitting on the floor with a sheet around his neck attached to a bracket on an upper bunk.

Resort reports improved earnings in first quarter: Robert Macy; The company reported revenues for the quarter grew to $177.3 million, an increase of $52 million, or 42 percent, over the fourth quarter of 1999.

Senate panel passes ban on college betting: Laurence Arnold; WASHINGTON - A Senate committee voted Thursday to ban betting on college sports - a practice legal only in Nevada - but declined a challenge from a Nevada senator to set a nationwide minimum gambling age of 21.

Edwards trial: Candy's accounts, Dozier's debts and the return of T. Wong: Natalie Gott; In a scene reminiscent of his 1985 corruption trial, federal prosecutor Jim Letten questioned Edwards about his gambling habit and his penchant for using aliases when in Las Vegas.

Attorney says Binion expressed fear of being killed: Robert Macy; Jim Brown, a friend of Binion's since the mid-1950s, testified Thursday that Binion called him Sept. 16, 1998 and asked him to remove Murphy from his will.

Douglas and Washoe may regain bus connection: Those two counties along with Carson City and the state highway department are looking at the feasibility of starting a western corridor bus line.

Las Vegas Sun

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