Print edition for April 17, 2000

IRS agent testifies that Edwards spent more than he reported: Natalie Gott; The trial that began Jan. 10 appears to be nearing its end. The defense rested on Friday after Edwards himself spent four days on the witness stand. However, prosecutors were allowed to call rebuttal witnesses to counter some of the defense case.

Alertness increases after fire at Washoe jail: Authorities established a perimeter around the jail to discourage inmates from thinking about escaping, deputies said.

Senate leader not sure Senate will vote on gambling bill: John Hanna; Emert, who sets the Senate's debate calendar, said he is not sure he will schedule a vote on the bill, which has been endorsed by the Senate Federal and State Affairs Committee.

Columnist Lisa Ferguson: Trends, April 17, 2000: Lisa Ferguson; It's your 29th birthday -- again.

Legislative conference finds little common ground: Tom Gardner; "Everybody around the room has an opinion and if it doesn't change, I'm not going to get anything out of this," said Terry Reed, field manager for the U.S. Bureau of Land Management's Winnemucca office.

Woman dead, two boys injured in car crash: Two 13-year-old boys were treated at the scene for minor injuries.

News we want to watch: Kirk Baird; It's not surprising, then, that the Binion murder trial, which has a healthy dose of all three, has been a ratings boon for Las Vegas 1(Cox Cable channels 1 and 39), a 24-hour local cable news channel owned by Cox Cable, KLAS Channel 8 and the Las Vegas Sun.

Three killed when plane crashes on cloud-seeding mission: Scott Sonner; The fatal crash occurred before 11 a.m. about one mile north of the Stead airport, said John Doherty, a spokesman for the University of Nevada's Desert Research Institute.

Kansas Senate leader not sure Senate will vote on gambling bill: John Hanna; Emert, who sets the Senate's debate calendar, said he is not sure he will schedule a vote on the bill, which has been endorsed by the Senate Federal and State Affairs Committee.

Public comment sought on future of wildlife refuge: Written comments will be accepted through June 12 at the refuge office in Fallon.

Vargas may find De La Hoya in his way again: Tim Dahlberg; LAS VEGAS - Fernando Vargas wants Felix Trinidad. He will have to wait, however, to see what Oscar De La Hoya wants to do.

State attorney general's office to meet with Rhodes: Adrienne Packer; The state attorney general's office is scheduled to meet with North Las Vegas Councilman John Rhodes this week to discuss an insurance fraud investigation that dates back to a 1998 home burglary, according to people close to the negotiations.

Suit filed over girl's burns at gas station: In a Clark County District Court suit, Alessandro and Christine Canfora alleged their daughter Alexis Nicole, who was 8 at the time of the accident, suffered second and third degree burns over 50 percent of her body on March 16, 1999, after an electrostatic charge that had built up on her as she exited the family car, a 1994 Chevrolet Camaro, ignited the gasoline vapors and engulfed her in flames as she was pumping gas.

Harveys Casino Resorts to buy Pinnacle Entertainment for $675 million: Pending approvals, the deal is expected to be complete by the end of 2000.

Groups lay claim to plates on Binion car: Jean Reid Norman; The hype before the auction of Ted Binion's limousine on Sunday noted that the 1984 Rolls-Royce was christened Horseshoe 1 when it was delivered to casino owner Benny Binion and still bore the Nevada license plates HSHOE1.

Nevada tow truck rules to change: State regulators who oversee limousines, buses, moving vans and some taxicabs in Nevada turned their attention to tow truck rules Friday.

Housekeeper says coin collection was missing: Ted Binion's housekeeper testified today that she gave police a long list of items missing from his home, including a valuable antique coin collection, following his September 1998 death.

Unqualified success: Victoria Sun; Sports were a waste of time in the eyes of Teodoro and Ventura Gaytan.

Las Vegas Internet stocks hammered in market turmoil: Richard N. Velotta and David Strow; The stock of PurchasePro.com Inc. of Las Vegas has dropped from $175 per share at the end of 1999 to $25 last week, including an 18 percent plunge on Friday alone.

Reid's fund-raiser gains $500,000 for Democrats: Benjamin Grove; WASHINGTON -- Nevada Sen. Harry Reid helped raise about $500,000 this weekend for three key Democratic allies on the nuclear waste issue, plus three other Democratic congressional candidates, including Senate candidate Ed Bernstein.

Workers' comp premiums to increase: State Insurance Commissioner Alice Molasky-Arman said today she will hold a public hearing Thursday in Carson City with a televised hookup to Las Vegas to receive comments from the public on the increase.

Tax burden: TAX HELP

Upcoming business events for April 17, 2000: Volunteerism -- Las Vegas Chamber of Commerce seminar "Community Volunteerism Builds More than Business." Wednesday. 641-5822.

Democrats stretch voter lead over GOP in Nevada: Voter registration figures through the end of March show 379,650 Democrats to 376,755 Republicans, a difference of 2,895.

Henderson DMV branch to be open on Saturdays: As of Saturday the Henderson branch of the DMV, 1399 American Pacific Drive on the corner of American Pacific and Stephanie Street, is open 8 a.m to 4 p.m. on Saturdays.

DMV now plagued by payroll problem: CARSON CITY -- The trouble-plagued state Department of Motor Vehicles and Public Safety either overpaid or shortchanged 150 workers last year, the agency has revealed.

Douglas County plans grand jury: "Nothing in the news has given rise to this. It's just time," Gamble said. "There's a requirement of the larger counties to have one every four or five years. We have decided to basically honor that, even though we're a small county, just because we think it's important for people to have confidence in their government."

Need for casino employees fuels classes: Classes for slot attendants and mechanics are on the way, with a possibility of training in casino management, blackjack and poker to be added if the slots programs go well.

Woman upset that man hasn't served time: Clay says Bruce Gelok set fire to the home three years ago, but has never served time for the crime or paid restitution that was due her.

Columnist Dean Juipe: Senior Tour deals Vegas a bad hand: Dean Juipe; Generally speaking, the pro golf tours are run by brilliant men with excellent staffs who pay strict attention to detail.

PCL Box: Stars 13, Zephyrs 1: E--Saylor, Miller 2, Betzsold. DP--New Orleans 2, Las Vegas 1. LOB--New Orleans 4, Las Vegas 6. 2B--Truby, DeHaan 2, Vitiello, Allen, LaRocca, Radmanovich. HR--Milliard (1), Allen (2), Hansen (1). SB--Sagmoen.

Attorney's LV practice suspended: CARSON CITY -- The Nevada Supreme Court has temporarily suspended the law practice of Las Vegas attorney Clarence Gamble until complaints against him -- including allegations of misappropriating more than $22,000 -- are settled.

Mayor, BLM set to sign historic land-sale deal: Diana Sahagun; Diana Sahagun covers North Las Vegas for the Sun. She can be reached at (702) 259-2320 or by e-mail at diana@lasvegassun.com.

Girl helps blind father rescue mother: Tammyla Hanna was burned when she poured gasoline on a charcoal fire, causing a flash fire that set her clothing ablaze, according to American Medical Response paramedic Steve Ekmark.

Indian casino reports March slot revenues of $65 million: During the month, Foxwoods gamblers had a choice of 5,668 slot machines at the casino, officials said Friday. Each machine made an average of $370.38 for the casino each day, up from $325.89 in March 1999.

Orleans hotel-casino to be expanded again: David Strow; Less than a year after completing its first expansion of the Orleans hotel-casino, Coast Resorts Inc. said it is now considering a second expansion of the locals-oriented property that would add at least 600 hotel rooms.

LV gaming supplier reports improved earnings: The quarterly results were a marked improvement over the year-ago period, when Paul-Son lost $117,000, or 3 cents per share. Revenues for the quarter rose 5 percent to $6.3 million, while operating income was $159,000, up from an operating loss of $430,000 in the year-ago quarter.

Opportunity Village remembers one of its founders: In the 1940s, when there were no laws guaranteeing the rights of the mentally retarded to be educated and trained for jobs, Dessie Bailey sought change.

LV's Tracy surprises himself with victory: LONG BEACH, Calif. -- After qualifying a disappointing 17th for Sunday's Toyota Grand Prix of Long Beach, Paul Tracy said the best he could hope for was to bring his Team Kool Green Reynard/Honda home in one piece.

UNLV softball team loses doubleheader: The Rebels dropped to 15-31 on the year and 1-7 in Mountain West play. UNLV travels to Utah for a series beginning on Friday.

Elko County imposes hiring, wage freeze due to shortfall: The hiring and salary freezes should save $208,287 and another $100,000 will be saved through a reduction in the contingency fund, the Elko Daily Free Press reported.

Las Vegas Motor Speedway results: Saturday's results at Las Vegas Motor Speedway:

Prep Schedule: MONDAY

Icahn might buy more struggling casinos: Angie Wagner; Showing off the construction of a new tower at the Stratosphere Tower hotel-casino in Las Vegas Friday, investor Carl Icahn said he might buy even more casinos in Las Vegas, especially if the industry continues to overbuild.

B.C. lawmaker likely stuck with bogus bill from Las Vegas: But back in Canada, the New Democratic Party member from Vancouver Island got a rude awakening when one of his American $100 bills was confiscated by police on suspicion that it is counterfeit.

Letter: American flag can endure any desecration: Would this proposed amendment strengthen or weaken the flag as a respected symbol of our beloved country?

Obituaries for April 17, 2000: Dr. Vincent G. Cedarblade, 87, of Las Vegas died Saturday in a local hospice. He was born Jan. 23, 1913, in Maple Plains, Minn. A resident for 24 years, he was a physician. He practiced surgery in Denver from 1945 to 1975, was medical director for Montgomery Ward in Denver for 22 years and medical adviser for the Nevada State Industrial Insurance System 1978-1986. He was a founding member of the Denver Academy of Surgery, a fellow of the American College of Surgeons and a member of Southwestern Surgical Congress.

Ensign accepts, returns check from Yucca contractor: John Ensign, who says the fight against the proposed nuclear dump is "a cornerstone issue" of his campaign for the U.S. Senate, last month accepted $2,000 from a Yucca Mountain Project contractor before returning the money two weeks later.

Editorial: Zealotry gathers steam: Yet now we find out that Starr's successor -- Robert Ray -- is going full speed ahead, telling the Washington Post last week that he believes the investigation of President Clinton's relationship with Monica Lewinsky is still open, and that he even is considering seeking an indictment against the president after he leaves office. What's more, he just hired six new lawyers, an investigator and received an FBI agent assigned to his staff. The new independent counsel even has estimated that his office will spend $3.5 million in the next six months, which is an increase over the $3.1 million ...

Neonopolis pact remains elusive: Diana Sahagun; A potential anchor tenant for Las Vegas' downtown Neonopolis project penned a letter of intent last week, but officials said Monday it could be months before a binding agreement is signed.

IGT director sells half his shares: Filings with the Securities and Exchange Commission indicate Russell sold 12,500 shares of IGT stock, grossing $235,500. The date of the sale was not indicated.

Sanders, Ware to get shots at NFL: Steve Guiremand; Sunday brought great joy and excitement for UNLV football stars Quincy Sanders and Len Ware.

LVMS christens new track: The NASCAR Late Models competed in two 20-lap main events as a part of Speedway Cafe & Casino Night. Scott Gafforini drove his Fletcher Jones-sponsored machine to victory lane in the first main event. Ray Hopper Jr. took the win in the second main event after the leaders crashed with less than two laps to go.

Long Beach notes: Move to Las Vegas good for Tagliani: LONG BEACH, Calif. -- CART rookie Alex Tagliani, who drives the No. 33 Reynard/Ford Cosworth for Player's Forsythe Racing, recently joined Player's teammate Patrick Carpentier in moving to Las Vegas.

Columnist Ralph Siraco: Fusaichi Pegasus on fast track to run for roses: Ralph Siraco; A clear-cut Kentucky Derby favorite emerged from the talented crop of sophomores who competed over three different time zones in a trio of final major preps for the first Triple Crown race of this century.

Local news briefs for April 17, 2000: A woman who died in a Saturday night accident in northwest Las Vegas -- the 23rd fatal accident in Metro Police jurisdiction this year -- was identified this morning as 20-year-old Nicole Turk.

Letter: Republicans love to bash Clinton: So the best thing the chattering class in both parties and the scandal-mongering media can do is to quit probing into our leaders' private lives because both sides are equally fallible and equally guilty of personal foibles. As long as a president, senator or representative is not taking bribes or otherwise converting public money to his own use he should be allowed to do his job unmolested by rumor-mongering, dirt-digging character assassinating, self-righteous, sanctimonious hypocrites in and outside government. By the way, I was strongly opposed to what they did to former Sen. Bob Packwood, so I am nonpartisan in ...

CCSN Coyotes win 2 more: CCSN won the first game 14-2 and the nightcap 14-8. The 17th-ranked Coyotes improved to 44-7 on the season, while Pasadena fell to 8-19.

Montana: Settlement ends three-year fight, awards a probationary license: The settlement came last week, and the division issued the license for Rodgers' Clansman Casino.

Community news briefs for April 17, 2000: The 21st annual Search for Talent will begin 7 p.m. Saturday at the Reed Whipple Cultural Center, 821 Las Vegas Blvd. North, with the area finale. Master of ceremonies Kendall Tenney, news anchor at KVBC Channel 3, will introduce the finalists in three divisions: primary (6-9 years olds), junior (10-14) and senior (15-18).

Allen keys Stars in rout of Zephyrs: Steve Guiremand; Dusty Allen's left thumb is still sore, but you certainly would have a hard time telling it.

Resort operator sells $1.23 billion in stock: The sale represents a 41.5 percent increase in the amount of outstanding MGM Grand stock. With completion of the sale, MGM Grand will have 158.33 million shares outstanding.