Print edition for April 25, 2000

Body found in dumpster identified: Las Vegas Metropolitan Police say the man also used the names of John Forstman, Sean Howell and Kevin Ellison O'Conner.

LV developer's stock plunges 50 percent, faces delisting: Las Vegas developer Saxton Inc. is requesting a hearing before the Nasdaq Listing Qualifications Panel seeking to avert delisting of the company's stock.

Woman claims assault, threats by officers: Police Chief Jerry Hoover asked Sparks police to investigate the criminal allegations while Reno police conduct an internal probe.

Nature sends message to new city auditor: Erin Neff; If Radford Snelding's luck holds up when he arrives in Las Vegas, he should head directly to the Megabucks machines.

Salmonella case linked to recalled juice: County health officials have not determined if the juice is linked to the other five cases.

Guinn associate aces PUC worker out of job: CARSON CITY -- In a move with political overtones, a longtime state employee has been bounced out of his job with the state Public Utilities Commission, allowing appointment of a longtime Republican party member with close ties to the office of Gov. Kenny Guinn.

Sun City developer posts big earnings increase: The company's revenues rose 54 percent, to $499.8 million. Del Webb attributed this increase to a 36 percent increase in home closings and a 13 percent increase in the average revenue per home closing, citing strong activity at its new Sun City Anthem communities in Henderson and Phoenix.

Leading Assembly Democrat dies from cancer: Brendan Riley; Evans, a Democrat first elected to the Legislature in 1986, fell ill last May. At the time, she was speaker pro tem and the highest ranking woman in the Assembly.

Man who had sex with teen murder defendant sentenced to prison: Kim Smith; Less than one month after "swearing to God" that he wouldn't mess up, a Las Vegas prostitute accused of engaging in a sex act with a teenage murder defendant had his probation revoked Monday.

Dioxin findings not expected to delay interchange: Although soils under Lake Mead Drive near a proposed freeway project may contain toxic chemical contamination, any investigation and cleanup is not expected to delay the start of a Henderson interchange, state officials said today.

Regulators limit kids' exposure to Addams Family slot machine: David Strow; A slot machine based on the show "The Addams Family" is about to become the first game to be restricted under Nevada's new "slots for tots" regulation.

Local men arrested in Alabama basketball case: Robert Walsh, 39, and Nathan Cebrun, 54, were indicted by an Alabama grand jury and accused of violating Alabama Athletic Regulatory Commission rules. Walsh was arrested about 4 p.m. during a traffic stop on 4th Street and Stewart Avenue by the local Criminal Apprehension Team made up of local and federal law enforcement officers.

NLV considers ordinance to keep offenders out: Diana Sahagun; North Las Vegas officials want to push drug offenders out of crime-ridden neighborhoods and are counting on a proposed ordinance to help.

Three drugs found in woman accused of hitting pedestrians: Kim Smith; A Las Vegas woman accused of running over a group of tourists walking down the Strip last week had large amounts of three different drugs in her system.

HomeBase testing here as well: Phil Levine; Metro Las Vegas will serve as a testing ground for a new marketing concept launched this week by home improvement giant HomeBase Inc.

Home Depot picks Las Vegas for national Internet sales test: Phil Levine; Las Vegans seeking home improvement products may soon have no need to leave home.

Neighborhood favors commercial development: Erin Neff; West Las Vegas residents bristled Monday at a proposal to put a charter school in an area many would prefer to reserve for commercial development.

Middle school may ease NLV overcrowding: Diana Sahagun; The Clark County School District is planning for a new $17 million middle school in North Las Vegas that will house 1,750 students and take the load off already straining schools throughout the city.

Las Vegas sports agent, associate arrested in Auburn star's case: Bill Poovey; A spokeswoman for law enforcement's multiagency Criminal Apprehension Team said sports agent Robert J. Walsh, 39, and an associate, Nate Cebrun, 54, both of Las Vegas, were arrested Monday on warrants from Lee County charging them with violating Alabama's sports agent law.

Attorney advised against digging up silver: By Jeff German; Ted Binion's divorce attorney testified today that he told the wealthy gambling figure it was a bad idea to have someone excavate his buried silver fortune in Pahrump in the event of his death.

Man who oversaw development of Beau Rivage leaving Mirage Resorts: In a prepared statement, Shier said he will spend time with his family and look at other "business opportunities."

Business briefs for April 25, 2000: Columbia/HCA Healthcare Corp.'s first quarter operating profit rose a better-than-expected 13 percent, driven by strong admissions at its hospitals owned for at least a year, the company said today.

Veto won't deter Yucca work: Benjamin Grove; WASHINGTON -- President Clinton is expected tonight to veto a bill that speeds nuclear waste to Nevada by 2007, likely killing the legislation until Congress takes it up again early next year.

Registration at smog stations a hit with DMV: The state Department of Motor Vehicles and Public Safety program is expected to be in operation by the end of May.

Community news briefs for April 25, 2000: The Nathan Adelson Hospice Foundation is offering a volunteer education course from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. on Saturdays at the hospice, 4141 Swenson St.

Upcoming business events for April 25, 2000: Minority contractors -- Southern Nevada Chapter of the National Association of Minority Contractors monthly meeting. Thursday. 615-6049.

Wednesday's horse racing entries at Aqueduct: 1st race 1 mi 3YO & up F & M Mdn: 1 Bellebottom Blues (Lopez) 116; 2 Baby Barbara (Rojas) 116; 3 Sunshine Cure (Velasquez) 116; 4 Proprietress (Martinez) 123; 5 Bee Bo's Gal (Rosario) 109; 6 Sweetie (Prado) 116; 7 Luck 'n Devotion (Gryder) 116; 8 Kerry Offaly (Mojica) 123; 9 a-Ahugaroundtheneck (Blake) 116; 10 a-Win by Decision (Velazquez) 116; 11 Jessica Rapid (Diaz) 116; 12 Claracoly (Arroyo) 111.

Man sentenced to 50 years in killing: Kim Smith; A 58-year-old Las Vegas man convicted in March of killing a man who had come to collect a debt from him was sentenced to 50 years in prison Monday.

Pipeline logjam shorts gas stations: A problem involving a pipeline has caused a temporary gasoline shortage in Las Vegas -- but officials say it is not serious and motorists should be able to find fuel at most stations.

Sierra season winding down as spring arrives: Saturday started out with high winds and dense, dark clouds. By noon, the clouds had dropped halfway down the mountains, dropping wind-lashed snow and rain and sending many scrambling down the mountain to escape the weather.

Bar killings draw life without parole: Kim Smith; A Las Vegas teenager convicted of killing his best friend and a local bartender in an attempted robbery was sentenced to life in prison Monday without the possibility of parole.

UNLV lefty Olson earns national honor: Along with Olson, catcher Brad Creese of LSU and pitcher Mike Ziegler of Florida State were honored.

Ralph Siraco's notes: The Deputy, the Irish-bred who captured the 63rd Santa Anita Derby on April 8, 10 weeks after winning the Santa Catalina Stakes in his first race on dirt, was selected by media members as Horse of the Meet.

Columnist Susan Snyder: Log on and get to know the neighbors: Don't like rap music or own window blinds that cost more than $250 apiece.

More than 40 employees of alleged crooked firm charged in stock fraud: Samuel Maull; NEW YORK - More than 40 employees of a securities firm that has been the target of several investigations have been charged with promoting worthless stock, costing investors more than $83 million.

UNLV police chief finalists set: Jace Radke; The names of three finalists for the post of UNLV public safety director are expected to be handed over to President Carol Harter by Wednesday.

Key executive leaving after merger: A Mirage statement said Shier was leaving "to spend more time with his family and consider new business opportunities."

Highway cleanup program on hold: "With what happened out there last month, it gives us an excuse to look at it," Bob MacKenzie, Nevada Department of Transportation spokesman, said Monday.

Fired prison guard reinstated after hearing: CARSON CITY -- A state hearing officer has chosen to believe a guard at the Northern Nevada Correctional Center in Carson City rather than Prison Director Bob Bayer.

Columnist Kate Maddox: Show off your 'Street Smarts': Kate Maddox; The new game show "Street Smarts" makes an appearance in Las Vegas on Saturday and is looking for everyday people to answer some questions.

Where I Stand -- Brian Greenspun: Right move in Miami: No one said this job was going to be easy.

Agency seeks delay in releasing inmates: The federal public defender's office is seeking the release of the 98 inmates following a ruling by the 9th U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals April 10.

Local news briefs for April 25, 2000: Metro Police are trying to determine the last place a 38-year-old man was seen alive before his body was found in a trash bin Saturday night.

Merrill Lynch upgrades Station to "buy": Anders set a price target of $35 for Station, a 39 percent premium over its current market price.

Editorial: Police will target aggressive driving: A report last year by a nonprofit transportation group confirms the severity of the problem, finding that the Las Vegas Valley ranked No. 6 among the nation's metro areas for aggressive driving. While more targeted enforcement will help, the bottom line is that motorists will have to drive responsibly all the time -- not just when the police are around -- if there is to be a real dent in reckless driving.

Jurors get the case of former governor in Edwards trial: Natalie Gott; "The portions of the tape transcripts that were played during closing arguments; can they be used during our deliberations? Can we consider these tape transcripts as evidence, also?" jurors asked in a note to U.S. District Judge Frank Polozola.

Robinson hoping to ride momentum: Steve Guiremand; Keep moving forward.

Big pharmacy company settles Vegas criminal probe: Indianapolis pharmaceutical company Bindley Western Industries Inc. announced Monday it plans to settle with the government in a criminal investigation of sales it made to so-called "grey market" pharmacies in Nevada and California.

Public defender to stay on case of missing wife: Kim Smith; The federal public defender's office will continue to represent a Boulder City resident suspected in the disappearance of one of his wives.

Coyotes baseball team ranked 16th: In posting winning streaks of 14, 11 and 8 games, CCSN has beaten seasoned and long-established opponents from Arizona, Canada, Colorado, Idaho, Illinois, Kansas, New Jersey and Utah. The Coyotes have four remaining road games -- today in a doubleheader against Dixie College in St. George, Utah; and Friday and Saturday at Arizona West Community College.

Obituaries for April 25, 2000: William Nevitt Carman, 51, of Las Vegas died Sunday in Las Vegas. He was born Oct. 29, 1948, in California. A resident for 13 years, he was a plumbing design engineer.

EPA honors Nevada environmental efforts: The 1999 awards presented in San Francisco this month recognized the Las Vegas Wash Coordination Committee, Walt Johnson of the Clark County Sanitation District and the Pyramid Lake Paiute Tribe of Northern Nevada as environmental heroes, Marcus said.

Letter: Schneider hero of homeowners: These laws would give beleaguered and helpless homeowners some small means to save their homes from the tyrannical grasp of homeowners associations.

Editorial: Reunion was long overdue: Give us a break. Reno, if anything, has been remarkably restrained during this standoff between Elian's Miami relatives and his Cuban father, Juan Miguel Gonzalez. Reno had the legal authority to have the boy turned over to his father much sooner, but she had hoped to resolve this without the use of force. She tried repeatedly to reach a peaceful resolution but the relatives wouldn't negotiate in good faith, refusing to let the father take custody of the boy until the courts decide whether Elian should be allowed to return to Cuba with his father.

Letter: Organ donors deserve our heartfelt thanks: Unfortunately, many people die while waiting for organs, and the financial cost of such technology limits it to those who have generous insurance, giving neighbors, or personal wealth. I am saddened that Hollywood, some professional athletes and politicians teach less of sacrifice and selflessness.

PCL box: Grizzlies 7, Stars 5: E--Guzman, Melo. LOB--Las Vegas 9, Fresno 9. 2B--Nicholson, Davis, Curl, Marval, Melo, Tyler. HR--Marval (2), Melo (2). S--Melo. SF--Williams. SB--Marval.

Mikohn quarterly earnings plummet: In the 1999 quarter, Mikohn earned $911,000, or 9 cents per share. Revenues also fell 11.5 percent to $22.3 million.

Administrative assistants keep the office humming: Kimberley McGee; Today secretaries fetch facts -- not coffee -- and larger salaries, and have become an integral part of corporate management teams as administrators who supervise staff, maintain computer databases, manage multiple projects and organize dizzying schedules.

Columnist Ron Kantowski: Nelson pulls off upset in charisma competition: Newly crowned Las Vegas Senior Classic golf champion Larry Nelson readily admits that when it comes to charisma, put him down for a six.

Sports agent, associate arrested in Auburn star's case: Bill Poovey; MONTGOMERY, Ala. - Las Vegas authorities arrested a sports agent and a self-described "middle man" for agents on charges of providing $2,500 to former Auburn basketball star Chris Porter.

UNLV tennis to honor seniors: The Lady Rebels (11-9), who have not played since upsetting San Diego on April 2, will honor two of the top players in program history. Playing her final regular-season match will be 20th-ranked Katarina Malec (31-5), who has won 11 straight matches. Also graduating is four-year letter winner Veronica Goude (16-12), who needs one more singles win to move into third place at UNLV with 78 career victories.

Clinton vetoes bill to send nuclear waste to Nevada: Bart Jansen; WASHINGTON - President Clinton fulfilled a promise Tuesday and vetoed legislation that would have cleared the way for thousands of tons of highly radioactive nuclear waste to be shipped to Yucca Mountain in Nevada.

Columnist Dean Juipe: New parks not always a godsend: Dean Juipe; It's a scenario familiar to baseball fans in particular, if not to fans of all professional sports.

Sierra Club to spend $8 million on 17 congressional races: Laura Meckler; WASHINGTON - Hoping to make the environment a bigger political issue, the Sierra Club began an $8 million TV and radio campaign Tuesday aimed at 17 congressional races, including one in Nevada.

Boy needs your help to go to summer camp: His aunt has been raising him since his mother's death and his Social Security checks each month are the only means of support for them.

Riviera earnings improve: Riviera posted net income of $675,000, or 15 cents per share, for the quarter ending March 31. That's up from income of $166,000, or 3 cents per share, reported in the year-ago period.