Print edition for April 21, 2000

Record take for gambling halls: Black Hawk's 19 casinos had $36.4 million, or nearly 70 percent of the total. Cripple Creek was second with $10.3 million, and Central City third at $5.9 million.

City attorney won't prosecute ex-Saints coach: "Part of our job as prosecutors is not to clog the court with cases that cannot be won. We do not believe that a judge would conclude that Mr. Ditka had the requisite specific intent to commit an assault. Basically, we have determined that this is not a viable prosecution."

TV actor's car stolen, crashed: Johnson is in Las Vegas this week shooting footage for "Nash Bridges" at the Desert Inn hotel-casino.

Opposition to a new truck stop casino: The demonstration, held next door to an Otto's gas station on Shreveport, reiterated the point made at earlier public meetings - that video poker was not welcome.

Justices side with casino winner in payoff dispute: Kelly's dispute with International Game Technology of Nevada began when she was playing in 1996 at Treasure Bay Casino in Biloxi and claimed to have hit the Sequential Royal Flush in Hearts on the IGT Bonus Pokermania progressive video poker machine. The machine advertised a $250,136 pay line with all five coins played.

UNLV pitcher strikes out 15 as Rebels add to streak: UNLV increased its season-high winning streak to nine games and improved to 16-25 overall and 7-10 in MWC play. Utah dropped to 17-25, 7-12.

MWC tennis tournament results: UNLV 4, AIR FORCE 1

Local senators try to keep ban: The liners' trips to other ports from Charleston are protected by federal law, but it is their "cruises to nowhere" that state Sen. Glenn McConnell, R-Charleston, wants to protect.

Two ex-Gorman students file lawsuits: Kim Smith; Two former Bishop Gorman High School students who were romantically involved with a teacher in 1996 and 1997 have filed lawsuits against the Roman Catholic Diocese of Las Vegas and the school.

Land for motocross park not available: Diana Sahagun; Plans for a North Las Vegas bicycle motocross park may have hit a bump in the track now that the land eyed for the park is not available.

CEO purchases $3.5 million in stock: Westerman paid $3.5 million for the stock, or $7.50 per share, to New York investment firm Morgens Waterfall Vintiadis & Co. Inc. The purchase represents about 12 percent of the company's outstanding shares.

Rebel men in MWC tennis semifinals: The Rebels began the day by taking two of three doubles matches for one team point. Winning for UNLV were the teams of Nenad Zivkovic and Gregor Skorin and Vladimir Pavicevic and Danny Erez.

Aggressive driver sting nets 200: The task force -- made up of two officers each from Metro, North Las Vegas and Henderson police and Nevada Highway Patrol -- handed out 166 tickets for traffic signal violations, 29 for seat belt violations, two for failure to use a child seat restraint and three for driving on a suspended license, police said.

Obituaries for April 21, 2000: Norbert Bialek, 77, of Las Vegas died March 12 in Las Vegas. A resident for many years, he was born Aug. 20, 1922.

Letter: IRL not the ticket: By Ron Kantowski; -- SCOTT TEMPESTA

Bayno signs final recruit: Steve Addy; The Rebels likely wrapped up their 2000 recruiting class Thursday by signing junior college shooting guard Jermaine Lewis to an NCAA letter of intent, giving them four recruits for next season.

Columnist Peter Benton: Hyland wins LVCC title: Peter Benton; The Las Vegas Country Club's President's Cup Golf Tournament crowned Tom Hyland overall champion after he defeated Frank DeLee in a playoff. Both golfers finished with 36-hole totals of 139. Gloria Carson was the Ladies overall winner with her fine 141.

Byers in top form to defend his title: Victoria Sun; WHAT: 2000 U.S. National Wrestling Championships

Reid bill would boost veterans aid: The legislation, introduced Tuesday, seeks to fix an inequity in federal retirement benefits for veterans whose disabilities are service connected. Reid announced the legislation with members of Nevada's veterans advocacy groups.

Next stop: Indy: A shiny new trophy and approximately $150,000 in prize money aren't the only things at stake Saturday in the fifth running of the Indy Racing Northern Light Series Vegas Indy 300 at Las Vegas Motor Speedway.

Park Place chairman defrauded in credit card scam: The two men allegedly called the victims' banks and credit card companies to switch the billing address on the executives' accounts, Bloomberg News reported. Once the men secured the credit card numbers, prosecutors said, the men used the cards to buy more than $730,000 in jewelry from December to February.

Bankruptcies for April 21, 2000: Undercover Interiors Inc., doing business as Bianche, 2250 E. Tropicana Ave. No. 19, filed for Chapter 7. Assets and liabilities were not reported.

Bingo industry is hoping technology leads to expansion: David Strow; It might be the only segment of the entire gaming industry where Las Vegas just isn't that big of a deal.

Spanier, author of many books on gambling, dies at 67: David Spanier, a renowned gaming author whose 1994 book "Welcome to the Pleasuredome" was a stylish, humorous look at modern Las Vegas has died in London. He was 67.

CCSN baseball team ranked 16th: CCSN baseball team ranked 16th

Letter: IRL needs good ink: By Ron Kantowski; So far all I have read about this year's race is that the IRL is renting the track and that only 2,000 tickets have been sold. The fact that so many of LVMS' customers are from out of town should be a bit of a wakeup call that someone in Las Vegas is not doing something right.

Letter: IRL-CART divorce final: By Ron Kantowski; I'm not sure the fans are going to start showing up for the IRL races until the media ... gets it in their heads that CART is not coming back to Indy and there just isn't going to be a union of the two series.

George hopes to keep IRNL in LV: Indy Racing Northern Light Series founder and president Tony George acknowledged promoting races in Las Vegas has been a challenge. But he said he was "hopeful" that the series would return to Las Vegas Motor Speedway.

Aaron still thrilled at Masters showing: Victoria Sun; As the years go by, the voice inside Tommy Aaron's head speaks a little bit louder.

Cey again?: Spencer Patterson; Wherever Dan Cey goes, the questions seem to follow.

Brazilian wins first phase of show jumping competition: Pessoa, 28, who lives in Belgium, and the 11-year-old stallion cleared all 15 jumps on the course in 56.47 seconds.

Orleans slaying suspect nabbed in New Orleans: Keith Paul; A man wanted in connection with Las Vegas' first slaying of the year -- that occurred inside the Orleans hotel-casino -- was nabbed in New Orleans Thursday, working as a day laborer.

Columnist Dean Juipe: Concern replaces laughter: Dean Juipe; Up until a couple of weeks ago, the typical Nevadan chose one of two ways to react to the almost daily reports out of Washington that politicians were mobilizing first to outlaw legalized wagering on collegiate sports, and, later, pro sports as well. Nevadans laughed at or ridiculed the politicos and told them to mind their own business.

LV ad firm closes Phoenix office: "The weight of the world is off my shoulders," said owner Thomas Puckett, who said the office is being closed because the company's primary Arizona client, Phoenix Memorial Hospital, owes money and the company has had difficulty collecting.

Man gets two life sentences in killing: Stacy J. Willis; A Las Vegas man was given two life sentences without parole for the first-degree murder of an 18-year-old who had dated his daughter.

State rejects ground-water study plan: A plan by Henderson's industrial plants to analyze downstream ground water for possible contamination from 50 years of chemical manufacturing has been rejected by the Nevada Division of Environmental Protection.

FTC, states succeed in quest to close Equinox International: David Strow; Multilevel marketing company Equinox International Corp. agreed to permanently shut down Thursday under a legal settlement that will begin the liquidation of the controversial Las Vegas firm.

Disappearing act prompts lawsuit: Grace Leong; Houdini's Magic Shop Inc. sued three former magicians, alleging they misappropriated trade secrets and violated their non-competition agreements when they joined a rival Las Vegas magic shop.

Motorists wonder why LV fuel costs vary from block to block: Jace Radke; A few blocks can equal more than a few cents when it comes to Las Vegas Valley gas stations.

Vegas Indy 300 entries: 1 Greg Ray, Plano, Texas, Conseco/Menards, Team Menard

Prosecution may rest by end of next week: Prosecutors have completed their third week of testimony in the Ted Binion murder trial ahead of schedule and now expect to rest their case by the end of next week.

Tiffany circulates petition to break up school district: Greg Harman; Assemblywoman Sandra Tiffany, R-Henderson, hasn't given up on her quest to deconstruct the Clark County School District.

PCL Box: Buzz 5, Stars 3: E--Cnizaro, Millard. DP--Salt Lake 1, Las Vegas 1. LOB--Salt Lake 7, Las Vegas 7. 2B--Canizaro, Valdez, Moeller, Millard, Allen, Williams. HR--Valdez. HBP--DeHaan. SF--Williams. SB--Canizaro, Ferguson, Hansen. CS--LaRocca.

Trial costing county about $7,400 a day: Kim Smith; Clark County taxpayers are paying about $7,400 per day for the Binion murder trial, a figure that is slightly larger than the cost of a typical murder case, court officials said.

Mayor down on downtown slowdown: Erin Neff; Mayor Oscar Goodman vowed to start "blasting" away at the private sector in an effort to get developers, bankers and gamers to help redevelopment efforts.

Curtain closes on movie studio: Ed Koch and Valerie Miller; The dream of a Hollywood-type studio in the Southern Nevada desert set sail with promises of fame and fortune for Henderson but has sunk like the Titanic.

Regulators have targeted Gouldd since 1990: In late 1995 attorneys general from 14 states, including Nevada, launched an investigation of the company. In August 1996, Equinox settled with the states, who had claimed distributors were being attracted with unsubstantiated claims of success.

Business park with six buildings planned: Paladin bought the property from ProLogis Development Services and plans to build the 200,000-square-foot Paladin Commerce Center. Colliers International worked with Paladin on the purchase.

Council members set public meetings: Councilman Larry Brown will host meetings beginning at 6:30 p.m. for residents of Ward 4. The meetings will be on Thursday at Cimarron-Memorial High School, 2301 N. Tenaya Way, and on May 4 at Molasky Middle School, 7801 W. Gilmore Ave.

Revitalized West Las Vegas seeks direction: Erin Neff; Seven years ago West Las Vegas was largely an area that evoked little interest from either developers or homeowners.

New LV Internet company sees bright future for local dot-coms: A new Las Vegas high-tech company has created a computerized three-dimensional map of the city as an advertising vehicle and will receive a state award in June.

Slot maker loses disputed jackpot case: The Mississippi Supreme Court ruled Thursday that Kelly was right and that she be paid the $250,136 in winnings.

Lightfoot tapes first U.S. TV special: About 1,500 people cheered as he sang more than two dozen of his hits, including "The Wreck of the Edmund Fitzgerald," "Sundown" and "If You Could Read My Mind."

2000 NBA Playoff Schedule: FIRST ROUND

Wild horse shooting trial moved to Carson City: A trial date for former Marines Darien Brock, 22, and Scott Brendle, 23, and their high school buddy, Anthony Merlino, 21, is expected to be set at a conference Friday.

Military watchdog group to appeal Navy training plan decision: Martin Griffith; Grace Potorti, director of the Reno-based Rural Alliance for Military Accountability, criticized the joint decision by the Bureau of Land Management and Fallon Naval Air Station.

Utah woman wins $9,632,620 at Mesquite resort: She said she started playing with $20 and the machine kept paying off for over an hour.

Some question timing of student-city paintball war: Angie Wagner; "Awesome," 17-year-old Kevin Tibbs said, paintball gun in hand.

U.S. Championships wrestling seedings: 54 kg/119 lbs.: 1. Sammie Henson, Norman, Okla. (Sunkist Kids) 2. Eric Akin, Overland Park, Kan. (Dave Schultz WC) 3. Lou Rosselli, Edinboro, Pa. (New York AC) 4. Stephen Abas, Fresno, Calif. (Sunkist Kids) 5. Mike Mena, Iowa City, Iowa (Hawkeye WC) 6. Teague Moore, Pittsburgh, Pa. (Sunkist Kids) 7. Eric Albarracin, Colorado Springs, Colo. (U.S. Army) 8. Sheldon Thomas, Clarion, Pa. (Dave Schultz WC) 9. Tim Dernlan, Columbus, Ohio (Ohio International) 10. Burke Tyree, Kalispell, Mt. (Team Excel) 11. Leroy Vega, Portage, Ind. (Minnesota Storm) 12. T.J. Hill, Farmington, Mo. (Dave Schultz WC)

Vote on proposal to restrict gaming sites in D'Iberville delayed by Gaming Commission: "We don't feel it is beneficial to rule on it without disseminating the information that has been sent to us," Skellie said. "The whole point of this was to restrict the gaming."

Columnist Brian Hilderbrand: Gaughan enjoys spotlight at home: Many professional athletes -- racers in particular -- don't look forward to competing at home because the off-track distractions of entertaining family and friends can be a hindrance to on-track performance.

Man arrested in New Orleans for hotel murder: Police said Barker, 37, signed his name on the hotel registration as "Curtis Prevost." Surveillance video shows Barker and the victim entering the hotel room together the night before the murder.

Grand jury to review driver's drug use: Ecstasy is a stimulant that also has hallucinogenic qualities, Booker told the judge.

Where I Stand -- Brian Greenspun: If news tees you off ...: THERE IS SO MUCH important news to talk about today.

Medical ethics subject of lecture series: In his lecture, Cinque will examine the origins of some of the main principles of medical ethics and how they come into conflict in the context of contemporary health care. The lecture is free. Call 895-3401.

Easter: A celebration of the Resurrection and of renewal: Stacy J. Willis; Ed Bendlin struggled for years with drug and alcohol abuse.

Letter: Picking up litter not the answer: They also could care for children, visit hospice patients, work with Habitat for Humanity, help at homeless shelters, work at animal shelters, visit sick children in the hospital and work with churches, just to mention a few.

Letter: OPEC column stirs memories: I, too, remember the time frame he mentioned in the middle '70s when the oil tankers were stacked up in the Delaware River and the bay because the refineries had no place to put the crude.

Editorial: Blowing smoke in our faces: The problem, though, is that currently there is no independent testing to determine whether this indeed is a safer cigarette. Let's not forget that in 1994 tobacco executives testified before Congress -- under oath -- that their companies didn't do anything to addict smokers or keep them hooked. Nobody believed them then, and they haven't done much in the interim to enhance their credibility. So when a company says it has developed a "safer" cigarette, it's going to elicit snickers of disbelief.

Editorial: Trying to bridge the digital divide: But, as the president noted at a computer trade show in Chicago, government can't close the gap alone. We agree with Clinton that the computer industry and other businesses have to create more partnerships with schools so that all children have access to computers and the Internet, which is considered essential to success today.

Letter: Bell, Flud acted properly in Chandler case: More than likely, what they are hiding is their mounting annoyance, and who could blame them? Chandler has an army of people in high places pulling strings on his behalf. That Bell and Flud won't budge under such pressure shows a surplus of integrity, not a lack of compassion.

The Movie Guys: 'U-571' submerges viewers in underwater thrills: Grades: Jeff, A; Dave, B.

Columnist Muriel Stevens: Dining choices are plentiful for Easter feasts: Celebrating Easter by dining out has become as much a tradition as the holiday itself. Whether you opt for brunch or dinner, there are a plethora of choices:

That's Life -- Steve Bornfeld: Who'da thunk it? Free speech lives!: Professor Expresses Politically Incorrect Thoughts -- And Survives!

International show jumping competition gallops into Las Vegas: Kimberley McGee; What: Budweiser Show Jumping World Cup 2000.

Birth announcements for April 21, 2000: April 10: A girl to Alexandra Koc and John Miller; a boy to Elizabeth and Peter Altenburger. April 11: A girl to Ashley Wells; a girl to Carmen Nunez; a boy to Maria and Christopher Berlien. April 13: A girl to Yvonne and Larry Glines. April 14: A girl to Dania and Ralph Medeiros. April 15: A boy to Karminder Aulakh and Randall Brown; a boy to Kimberly and David Stoney. April 17: A boy to Cynthia Lombardo and Eric DiCenso.

Columnist Joe Delaney: Marsalis brings arts center season to jazzy end: Joe Delaney; Jazz at Lincoln Center's "For Dancers Only" -- a concert last Sunday by the Lincoln Center Jazz Orchestra with trumpeter Wynton Marsalis in UNLV's Artemus Ham Hall and performed for a very appreciative audience -- was a fitting finale for the Performing Arts Center's outstanding 1999-2000 season ... It was the lagniappe, that extra delightful dollop.

Columnist Kate Maddox: Marino on track to team with Pitt: Kate Maddox; It looks like one Strip entertainer may have snagged a role in the new DreamWorks movie "The Mexican," which will be shooting here in June. Frank Marino, the star of "An Evening at La Cage" at the Riviera hotel-casino, auditioned for the role of -- what else? -- a drag queen.

Sound Check -- Geoff Carter: Supergrass plays the biblical card: "God save the unstable," sings Gaz Coombes in "What Went Wrong in Your Head." It's a fine sentiment, with more punch than "Forgive them, Lord, for they know not what they do." The Supergrass vocalist could do worse than convince his bandmates to do another rock retouching of the Bible, something to shame Andrew Lloyd Webber's facile attempts at the same undertaking.

Stations Casinos and lobbyist admit to Malone letter: Tom Skancke, owner and president of a lobbying company in Las Vegas, said he "coordinated a campaign, which included the production and publication of the 'You Just Can't Trust Lance Malone' mailer on behalf of myself and others." Skancke lobbied in behalf of Stations Casino at the 1999 Legislature.

'Tap Dogs' hoofs its way into Rio's new Pavilion Theatre: Joe Delaney; "Tap Dogs" was an unusual but excellent choice to open the Rio's 1,500-seat, all-new Pavilion Theatre, state-of-the-art with regard to ambiance, lighting and sound. This is the third time in Las Vegas for the tap-dance-in-an-industrial-setting extravaganza and the multiple award-winning production's finest outing to date. This is a limited engagement, ending May 9, at a most reasonable price, $39, tax included.

Box score: Zephyrs 14, Stars 9: April 15, 2000

Box score: Zephyrs 4, Stars 1: April 14, 2000

Dry weather forces Africanized bees into urban areas for food: Patrick Graham; PHOENIX - Confronted with unseasonably dry weather, the easily agitated Africanized honeybees are moving from the parched desert regions to the bountiful cities.

Insurance increase proposed: The National Council on Compensation Insurance recommended the increase during a hearing Thursday before state Insurance Commissioner Alice A. Molasky-Arman. She'll make a final decision in a few weeks.

Ralph Siraco's selections for Saturday's races at Santa Anita: 1st Race -- Weatherbug - Eddie D. aboard, draws outside post for the sprint run, has a chance to steal off with diploma here. Reporting Ready - Solis scales Sadler trainee, adds nasal strip here, needs clean trip from rail post. Value Play -- Tesoro

Dismore captures pole for Vegas Indy 300: Mark Dismore was getting tired of playing second-fiddle to Greg Ray, so winning the pole for Saturday's Indy Racing Northern Light Series Vegas Indy 300 at Las Vegas Motor Speedway was extra special for the 43-year-old Dismore.

Delay on dust rules threatens area road projects: Hearing

Scholarship applications soar at UNR: More than 5,000 students have applied for financial stipends for the school year that begins in the fall. That's 2,000 more than last year.