Print edition for April 19, 2000

U.S. Bank closes 8 LV grocery store branches: Phil Levine; Quarterly profit

Report suggests shakeout in online booking industry: Vegas.com

Wynn interest in D.I. confirmed: David Strow; Steve Wynn is examining the Desert Inn hotel-casino for possible acquisition, officials at the hotel-casino and its parent company said Tuesday.

Record revenues trim company's net loss: The company said revenues are up 71 percent from $2.7 million in the fourth quarter of 1999 and 575 percent over revenues of $674,000 in the first quarter of last year.

Extra day in February helps Nevada taxable sales: CARSON CITY -- The extra day in February this leap year helped Nevada post a strong showing in taxable sales for the month -- up 7.9 percent from a year ago.

Sierra Pacific president resigns: The No. 2 executive of the state's dominant electrical utility gave his resignation at a meeting of the company's board of directors Tuesday.

Las Vegas radio station sold to network: Paul Lyle, executive vice president of Talk America Radio Networks, said today his company is buying AM-1340 KRLD from Far West Broadcasting for $3 million.

Detroit casino stake close to being sold: MGM Grand Inc., Harrah's Entertainment Inc. and Millennium Management Group want to buy the share in Greektown Casino now held by businessmen Dimitrios Papas, Ted Gatzaros and their wives, he Detroit News and the Detroit Free Press reported Tuesday, citing unnamed sources.

Drug dealer faces 21 years in prison: Greg Tuttle; A drug dealer who poured his profits into expensive homes and cars has been convicted after a two-year legal battle with federal prosecutors in three separate trials.

Local news briefs for April 19, 2000: Metro Police Officer Dennis Devitte, who has already been awarded the department's Purple Heart and Medal of Valor, was recognized by the city of Las Vegas today for his role in breaking up an armed robbery at a sports bar.

Officer facing kidnap trial: Kim Smith; A North Las Vegas Police detective accused of kidnapping and assaulting a woman in February will stand trial on five of the six counts he is charged with, including first-degree kidnapping.

Gaming earnings mixed: David Strow; International Game Technology reported a decline in first-quarter earnings today, but earnings per share still rose, thanks to heavy share buybacks over the past three months.

2002 completion planned for North Las Vegas hotel-casino: The company said it expects to use the site for a $100 million to $150 million hotel-casino that it previously has called Craig Ranch Station. This will be a smaller version of its typical Las Vegas-area hotel-casinos.

McCarran traffic up 10.4 percent in March: For the first quarter of 2000, McCarran traffic is up 9.8 percent over 1999's first quarter, with 8.8 million passengers compared with 8 million.

Tuesday's prep results: Green Valley 10, Skyline (Utah) 0: Brice Sells and Zack Dittler combined on five-hit shutout as the Gators improved to 2-0 at the Lion's Club Invitational in San Diego. Garrett Guzman went 2-for-4 with an RBI and David Krynzel went 2-for-3 with three RBIs for Green Valley.

Southwest the strongest: Unique monthly visitors (in thousands)

Passenger count up at McCarran: The passenger count rose to 3,277,690 in March, compared to 2,969,164 for the same month last year.

Ralph Siraco's selections for Thursday's races at Santa Anita: 1st Race -- Magic Madam - Nakatani scales baby for trainer Proctor and owner Proctor, good post, could be family album photo in winners circle. Golden Ballet - Trainer Dutton also part-owner of this youngster and tabs Delahoussaye for dash, outside post here. Value Play -- Bafferta

Rabbi reflects on history, significance of Passover: "I remember it as one of the few times during the year that my mother had a crowd over -- we would invite many friends to join us each year," said Akselrad, of Congregation Ner Tamid in Las Vegas.

New plans to be made for wild horse control: Part of the wild horse range overlaps areas of the Nevada Test Site, where the Energy Department tested nuclear weapons until 1992.

Celebrate Passover with traditional foods: "The observance of Passover follows ancient customs which blend spiritual folklore with the history of the Jewish people," Sarah Lee Margolis writes in "The Jewish Woman's Cookbook."

UNLV baseball wins seventh straight: Freshman left-hander Giovanni Pupo and senior righty Jeff Bloomer both had good performances, with Pupo (1-6) recording his first victory.

Woman indicted in fatal accident: Kim Smith; A 20-year-old North Las Vegas woman has been indicted on multiple charges in a traffic accident three weeks ago that took the life of a 10-year-old boy.

Prosecutors say they "unmasked a terribly corrupt" Edwin Edwards: Natalie Gott; They cast the four-term former governor as the greedy behind-the-scenes manipulator of an equally greedy criminal enterprise managed by his son Stephen. The object, they said, was to extort millions of dollars from applicants for Louisiana riverboat casino licenses during and after Edwards' final term, which ended in January 1996.

Nine finalists to be interviewed for TRPA director post: Baetge resigned in January due to health reasons.

Summerlin course shapes up as a perfect fit for Fernandez: Victoria Sun; Vicente Fernandez's steady climb up the Senior PGA Tour's money list each year is no accident.

Stars players can make the grade: Steve Guiremand; It remains to be seen whether the Las Vegas Stars are the best team in the Pacific Coast League this season.

New cookbook farms out some great recipes: Every now and then a small book comes along that is so enjoyable you wish it were twice its size. "My Brother's Farm: Reflections on Life, Farming and the Pleasures of Food" by Doug Jones (Perigee, $12.95) is such a book.

Alabama House committee votes to reduce tax on dog tracks: Bill Poovey; The bill sponsored by House Ways and Means-General Fund Committee Chairman John Knight, D-Montgomery, would reduce revenue the state is getting from the pari-mutuel tax by about $2.5 million annually.

Editorial: Photos belie need for veil of secrecy: For years the U.S. government refuses to say what goes on at a top-secret Air Force base, which is located about 110 miles northwest of Las Vegas. But on Monday a North Carolina-based company, Aerial Images, posts on the Internet extraordinarily detailed satellite photos of the base commonly known as Area 51. In fact, the photos were taken by this nation's former archenemy, Russia, as part of an open-skies agreement that both nations signed with 22 other nations in 1992. The photos are so precise that not only do they show an aircraft, but they also reveal what appear to ...

Mack schedules town hall meeting: Mack initiated the program to provide constituents another outlet to communicate with their elected leaders.

Unser views LV race as springboard to Indy 500: Al Unser Jr. cannot stress enough how important it would be to win Saturday's Indy Racing Northern Light Series Vegas Indy 300 at Las Vegas Motor Speedway.

Defense says case is all "gossip, innuendo and lies": Natalie Gott; "We do not in this country convict someone on gossip, innuendo and lies," defense attorney Dan Small said, taking his last crack at trying to convince the jury that the four-term former governor should not be sent to prison.

Edwards defense says the government's case is "gossip, innuendo and lies": Natalie Gott; In his last statement to jurors before they begin deliberations next week, Daniel Small accused the government of making sweetheart deals to coax false testimony from small witnesses. And he played down the significance of secretly recorded tapes that prosecutors say bolster their case.

Ensign outdistances Bernstein in fund raising: The latest figures show Ensign so far has raised about $2.5 million, compared with $1.1 million for Bernstein, in their bid to replace Sen. Richard Bryan, D-Nev., who is retiring. Ensign also has outspent Bernstein by an 8-to-1 margin.

Community news briefs for April 19, 2000: The group also holds a used book sale in the fall.

Savvy wine buy: Merlot '97: Max Jacobson; This grape varietal is so hot that prices for it have soared right through the roof, which makes this velvety smooth wine an even more remarkable value. It has lots of body, hints of cassis and ripe berry and that traditional softness people associate with Merlot. The wine is comparable to other Merlots at nearly three times the price, such as Clos du Bois or Robery Mondavi Coastal. You may want to buy several bottles at this price, and pour it as your house red.

PCL box: Buzz 14, Stars 6: E--Cey, Barnes, Ferguson, Milliard. DP--Salt Lake 1, Las Vegas 1. LOB--Salt Lake 16, Las Vegas 4. 2B--Mientkiewicz, Valdez 2, Richardson, Barnes, Valentin, Ferguson, Curl. HR--Canizaro (3), Mientkiewicz (1), Williams (1), Hansen (2). SF--Canizaro.

No more bingo hall work for manager who forged check: Yoakum was fined $500 plus court costs. Yoakum's conviction on the misdemeanor charge prohibits her from working in any of the state's bingo operations or casinos.

Columnist Jon Ralston: Pols learning when 'no' means 'maybe': Extremism in the defense of Nevada against the nuclear waste dump may be no vice in the minds of some. But spewing absolutist rhetoric inevitably leads to sinful behavior, for rare is the pol who can always practice what he or she preaches.

American recants, retains one previously canceled flight: Tom Gardner; RENO, Nev. - American Airlines has changed its mind about one of the 17 daily flights it was going to ax in Reno and says it will continue to provide its morning service to Chicago.

Fight against teen pregnancy focuses on adult males: CARSON CITY -- One way to fight teenage pregnancy may be to strengthen the laws against adult men having sex with underage girls, a legislative committee was told Tuesday.

Editorial: Coming to aid of motorists: But this prohibition does create situations where a stranded motorist -- who doesn't have a cell phone or is unable to walk a long distance to the nearest pay phone -- must watch helplessly as tow trucks pass him by because he hadn't called them. But the Transportation Services Authority -- the state agency that regulates towing companies, limousines, buses, moving vans and some taxi companies -- is taking the right step to ease this ban that often hurts the very individual who needs assistance.

Columnist Dean Juipe: No Watson or Kite, but field's OK: Dean Juipe; It would be easy to look at the field for the Las Vegas Senior Classic, which opens Friday at the TPC at Summerlin, and lament its failure to attract the tour's two newest stars.

Ralph Siraco's horse racing notes: Of the 24 wagering interests, 12 individual horses and a field of all others represented horses that raced last weekend in the final three major Kentucky Derby prep events while the pool remained open. Of those runners, eight actually went up in price after their outings while five dropped in odds. Arkansas Derby winner Graeme Hall was clumped in the all others field spot that opened at 10/1 odds and closed at 12/1.

Columnist Jeff Haney: Veterans -- not draftees -- spur NFL wagers: Any NFL betting action around draft time is generated by big-name veteran players who change teams as a result of trades or free agency -- not by the draftees themselves.

Families say new phone service too costly: After the Nevada Department of Prisons changed long-distance service providers at a Jean prison two weeks ago, inmates' families say their phone bills are rising because of exorbitant pricing.

Senators praise divergent groups' efforts to find common ground: Tom Gardner; The two Democrats spoke from their historical perspectives as lifelong Nevadans on Tuesday, saying a two-day meeting on land use here was an important start toward bringing divergent interests together.

Wrestlers aiming for Olympics: The event is being held today through Saturday at the Convention Center and features more than 30 local wrestlers.

Sierra Pacific officials resigns: Anderson said she believed Malquist's departure was effective immediately.

Letter: Open enrollment might alleviate school problem: Having taught in the Clark County School District for over 20 years, and as the father of two children currently attending the district's schools, I believe most teachers, administrators, students and their families would agree it's disruptive to classrooms, school routine and efficiency every time a student transfers within the district. For many schools in Clark County, this happens hundreds of times a semester.

Columnist Elizabeth Foyt: Auction bolsters Sunrise Children's Hospital: Elizabeth Foyt; A much anticipated event of spring, "Color Us Friends Around the World," is a solidly popular gala that serves to fund a dozen ongoing programs developed by the Sunrise Children's Hospital Foundation.

Columnist Muriel Stevens: All hail a special sale: I'm always happy when a store extends its hours for a special sale, so late Saturday afternoon a friend and I headed for Macy's in the Fashion Show for its "one day only" really big sale.

Vegas Indy 300 driver appearances: Davey Hamilton -- 5-7 p.m., Race Rock, 425 Fremont St.

Easter brings lots of delicious dishes: Easter is a time of festivals. Some scholars believe the name Easter comes from goddesses of mythology "Ostra' (Scandinavian) and "Eastre" or "Ostern" (Teutonic), whose festival signifying spring and fertility was celebrated on the day of the vernal equinox.

Letter: Senators ignore gas-price issue: FRANK PERNA

Vegas to gain a Central Park: "It is the Central Park of Las Vegas," water district General Manager Pat Mulroy said Tuesday in describing the project.

Shanks whiffs 12 for Blazers: Spencer Patterson; It's not often that a defending champion can be branded as a dark horse the year after claiming its title.

Flood project targets underpass: Politicians, local government employees and private contractors kicked off construction on the region's latest flood-control effort Tuesday, a $35 million project that promises to end the continual closing of the Charleston Underpass.

Seniors and mayor meet to discuss possible NLV center: Diana Sahagun; North Las Vegas senior citizen Ila Gifis sees the city moving in a positive direction, in sharp contrast to what she saw when she moved there 15 years ago.

UNLV soccer player cited: UNLV soccer player cited

Water district OKs fund-raising for preserve: The springs that gave birth to Las Vegas will become a permanent oasis in an urban environment.

Politicians accepted money from Yucca Mountain contractors: Benjamin Grove; WASHINGTON -- Three Nevada politicians -- two in Congress -- and one candidate have taken money from contractors on the Yucca Mountain project despite their stated strong opposition to the project.

Nuke bill opponents plan veto ceremony: Benjamin Grove; WASHINGTON -- President Clinton's staff is scrambling to put together a veto ceremony, possibly Thursday, for a bill that would speed shipments of nuclear waste to Nevada.

Beckman heads police citizens review board: Adrienne Packer and Erin Neff; More than four years after a controversial Metro Police Civilian Review Board was first proposed, the board's executive director has been hired.

Nevada snowpack slightly below normal for first time in five years: The spring runoff normally feeds streams and rivers into June in the higher basins, but this year's outlook is for the melt to peak next month, according the National Weather Service and the Natural Resources Conservation Service.

Rogich bar license opposed in courts: Erin Neff; Two weeks after the Las Vegas City Council granted a controversial tavern license to political adviser Sig Rogich, opponents are beginning to show up in the courts.

Henderson to issue redevelopment bonds: Valerie Miller; The city of Henderson, strapped by limited funds, is planning to issue bonds to finance its proposed redevelopment expansion, with downtown's Fountain Plaza, the Landwell Co.'s Provenance community and Palm City all seeking redevelopment dollars.

Henderson council names two to advisory panel: The pair will serve out the unexpired terms of Sharon Grauman and Mitch Mize, who resigned from the commission earlier in the year.

Central animal shelter plan sparks debate: Adrienne Packer; Whether a regional animal shelter is the most effective method to reunite pets and their owners is bound to be an ongoing heated debate between government officials and animal experts.

Charges against builder dismissed: Diana Sahagun; It took 4 1/2 minutes for the state Contractors Board on Tuesday to dismiss charges of faulty construction against Falcon Homes President Fred Ahlstrom.

Unpaid markers upheld as bad checks: Grace Leong; The Nevada gambling industry won a major victory when a federal judge in Las Vegas upheld the state's controversial practice of using bad-check laws to prosecute gamblers with unpaid casino markers.

Metro clears four cops in shootings: Keith Paul; Four Metro Police officers were cleared Tuesday night by a department use-of-force board examining two separate shootings earlier this year.

Rebels' runner Nelson honored: Last week, Nelson broke a 15-year-old school record in the 10,000 meters, clocking 34:54.44 and finishing fifth in the event at the Mt. SAC Relays in Walnut, Calif. She shattered the previous mark set by Helen Reluga in 1985 by more than a full minute and posted the league's best time this season.

Historic school to play role in downtown change: Erin Neff; To some, October 2001 is just a distant blip on the horizon.

Thomas & Mack is site of 22nd annual World Cup event: Steve Addy; Forty-two of the world's best equestrian show jumpers have gathered in Las Vegas for the 22nd annual World Cup, and the event is abuzz with one question.

Obituaries for April 19, 2000: Willie Beck, 74, of Las Vegas died Friday in a local hospital. He was born Sept. 1, 1925, in Greenville, Miss. A resident for 37 years, he was a sanitation worker for Silver State Disposal Service and a World War II Army veteran.

Pentagon remarks on Area 51: Pentagon spokesman Ken Bacon made the statement in response to questions about Monday's posting of the first detailed images from a Russian satellite of Area 51 at the Nevada Test Site.

Pathologist defends Binion suffocation theory: The prosecution's star witness, Dr. Michael Baden, took the witness stand again today to defend his theory that Ted Binion was suffocated.

Agassi up for 2 awards: Agassi has been nominated for Sportsman of the Year, where his rivals are Tiger Woods and 100-meter world record holder Maurice Greene, and Comeback of the Year award.

Detailed list of priorities approved in Henderson: Greg Harman; To help ensure that the quality of life keeps pace with the the city's growth, Henderson City Council members Tuesday approved a detailed list of priorities for the city.