Stories published April 28, 2000Las Vegas Sun

Downtown business incubator proposed by mayor, NDA: Erin Neff; It is being called the Silicon Oasis -- a high-tech incubator in downtown Las Vegas designed to jump start redevelopment with dot-com businesses.

Las Vegas appears behind in trying to lure Rockets: Erin Neff; Las Vegas appears to be neck-and-neck with Louisville, Ky., in efforts to woo the unhappy Houston Rockets franchise from Texas.

Bankruptcies for April 28, 2000: Development Services of Nevada, doing business as Development Services of Nevada Inc., 4270 S. Decatur Blvd. No. A-10-A, filed for Chapter 7, listing assets of $107,075 and liabilities of $150,291.

Columnist Muriel Stevens: Bidding a fond farewell to Caesars' Palace Court: Aremembrance of things past (with apologies to Marcel Proust): I never thought the day would come when I would write about the Palace Court at Caesars as a delicious memory, but in this new Las Vegas very few things remain of the past.

Thursday's prep results: Silverado 20, Foothill 0: Ryan Ruiz went 3-for-4 with a triple, home run and eight RBIs, Jeremy West went 4-for-4 with two doubles and a triple and Tommy Rojas was 3-for-4 with a home run and four RBIs.

Street kids to get 48 hours of help for kids: The new facility, at Life Line Family Education Center, 1330 E. Karen Ave., opens at 4 p.m. today and will stay open until 6 p.m. Sunday as part of "48 Hours on the Streets," a national event to draw attention to the growing problem of at-risk youth on the streets.

Columnist Kate Maddox: Tuning into radio duo's departure: Kate Maddox; There's apparently more to the story of the departure of Las Vegas' longest-running morning radio team of Ken Johnson and Jim Tofte. Sources say that the real reason for the somewhat abrupt end of the KKLZ 96.3-FM morning program had more to do with corporate cutbacks than raucous on-air behavior or ratings.

Community news briefs for April 28, 2000: Kruse & Parker Advertising, Marketing and Public Relations is accepting applications from nonprofit organizations seeking pro bono services.

Bike races planned: Participants and spectators arriving from Las Vegas via U.S. 93 should take a left at Yucca Street (first street after Veterans Memorial Drive traffic signal) and drive to the parking lot above the gravel pit. A free shuttle will be provided to the race site.

New rules target summer recruiting, limit scholarships: Steve Addy; The NCAA Division I board of directors approved sweeping reforms Thursday, aimed at cleaning up basketball recruiting, boosting graduation rates and tightening player transfers.

Columnist Brian Hilderbrand: Pruett off to slow start on Winston Cup circuit: FONTANA, Calif. -- Scott Pruett readily admits that his foray into NASCAR Winston Cup racing this year with team owner Cal Wells has been more than he bargained for.

Letter: Gibbons unfairly left out of photo: Where is Rep. Jim Gibbons, who worked harder than all of them? Oh, he wasn't invited. They did not have the courtesy to invite him. Is that a political trick or what?

Editorial: GOP leaders are way out of bounds: Last weekend Senate Majority Leader Trent Lott, R-Miss., said the operation reminded him of "Castro's Cuba." Not to be outdone, House Majority Whip Tom DeLay, R-Texas, on Monday referred to the agents as "jackbooted thugs." The GOP leadership's acid-laced rhetoric shows that Congress' planned hearings will quickly devolve into witch-hunts, not an impartial investigation to take them wherever the facts lead them. It should be no surprise, then, that opinion polls show the public so overwhelmingly opposed to congressional hearings on Elian's return to his father.

Columnist Joe Delaney: Recalling Noel Coward's foray into Las Vegas: Joe Delaney; A Desert Inn memory ... Noel Coward was the personification of British urbanity ... He was England's most prolific songwriter prior to Andrew Lloyd Webber ... A brilliant performer, playwright, author, composer and actor, Coward had agreed to perform in Las Vegas "for just one fortnight" ... The late Joe Glaser, founder of Associated Booking Corp. and Louis Armstrong's manager, put together the deal.

Letter: The kids know: No good reason to close school: My son was 5 years old, passing out coffee and apple pies to the rescue workers who were digging through the rubble of the Murrah Federal Building as they looked for survivors. One year ago, April 20, we watched in horror as the Columbine tragedy unfolded. Again, children were victims of violence. We remembered, as we do each day, children are a gift.

Columnist Ron Kantowski: What about spring training?: No news is ... well, bad news, if you're a Las Vegas fan yearning to watch live pro sports in your backyard.

The Movie Guys: 'Frequency' makes fascinating cosmic connection: Grades: Jeff, A; Dave, B

Birth announcements for April 28, 2000: April 7: A boy to Leslie and Cameron Payne. April 19: A boy to Andrea and Manuel Mendoza; a boy to Laurie and David Grinnell. April 20: A boy to Kimberly and Ingemar Hansson; a girl to Jeanette and Jose' Munoz. April 21: Skelly. April 22: A boy to Patricia and Gregory Tino; a girl to Gabriela and Ricardo Ruiz. April 23: A boy Jessica Putman and Korde Parmenter. April 24: Constantino Fernandez; a girl to Adriana and Rene' Gravede Peralta. April 25:

Shelf Life -- Scott Dickensheets: Agony of a loved one's death: In life and print: The hospice TV played "Superman" as my father-in-law lay dying of cancer. As James Johnson lay there last week, the disease having already withered and reshaped him nearly beyond recognition, the TV in the lobby outside his room at Nathan Adelson Hospice was tuned to a retro cable channel airing a "Superman" marathon. Episode after episode, bullets and everything else ricocheted from George Reeves' chest, the cruel irony of his imperviousness not lost on me as I sat watching a good man dying, cell by haywire cell.

Editorial: Privacy lacking at banks: While it might seem that these and other privacy protections are a lost cause, there was at least a glimmer of hope in January when the nation's third largest bank, Chase Manhattan, agreed to no longer share with outside marketers the credit and spending information of its customers. The only way this sensitive data will now be shared is if the customer first gives his consent. Still, it wasn't as if the company arrived at this decision on its own. It was only after the New York attorney general learned that the company was violating its own privacy policies by ...

Sound Check -- Geoff Carter: Lending an ear to sounds of Kraftwerk and Sven Vath: In one of the funniest moments of Joel and Ethan Coen's "The Big Lebowski," '60s burnout and accidental detective The Dude (Jeff Bridges) walks out of his favorite bowling alley to find his car set afire by a trio of German nihilists. The head of the group, part-time porno actor and onetime musician Ulee (Peter Stomare), addresses The Dude as "Lebooski," and menaces him with a baseball bat and boombox blasting technopop.

Basic win sets up showdown: Spencer Patterson; With nationally ranked baseball powers Green Valley and Silverado in the mix, the Southeast Division was expected to feature a two-team race this season.

Pair win major awards for their inventions: George Watson; NEW YORK - Several decades ago, Al Gross' creative ideas were used for blowing up bridges and communication between soldiers and aircraft.

Gouged for grub: Victoria Sun; A sampling of prices from the Pacific Coast League:

Ralph Siraco's selections for Saturday's races at Hollywood Park: 1st Race -- French Pine - Must overcome inside post for the seven panels, but should be a price. Soviet Spirit - Should show quick into stride here, hustling Pedroza aboard. Value Play -- African Gold

IBL box: Las Vegas-San Diego: LAS VEGAS

New 'Folies' at Tropicana boasts an impressive make-over: Joe Delaney; The "new" 18th edition of the Tropicana's "The Best of the Folies Bergere ... Sexier Than Ever" is mostly "Best of" with only several segments that are new.

Guard recruit faces surgery: Steve Addy; UNLV basketball coach Bill Bayno assesses his 2000-01 recruiting class:

Cheesy sci-fi films survive and endure among fans: Kirk Baird; A boy finds something unusual, takes it home and watches it grow over time. Much later in life it begins to slowly take over his home, eventually devouring everything it comes in contact with.

Saturday horse racing entries: 1st race 7 fur 3YO & up Mdn Clm : 1 French Pine (Gomez) 116; 2 Flying Firebirds (Cedeno) 109; 3 Baby Gramps (Diaz) 109; 4 African Gold (Puglisi) 116; 5 Soviet Spirit (Pedroza) 116; 6 Autumn Wheat (Espinoza) 116; 7 Slew the Groom (Bravo) 120; 8 Twothousandegrees (Ramsammy) 116; 9 Mickey's Bankroll (Garcia) 114; 10 Aerosmith Rocks (Baze) 111.

Program launched to help Hispanics in small businesses: The Las Vegas-area Latin Chamber of Commerce, the city of Las Vegas and the federal Small Business Administration are teaming up to promote small-business ownership in the Hispanic community.

Letter: Handicap signs improperly used: For some reason people with handicap signs all have new cars and look prosperous. I guess there are no poor people with handicap signs.

That's Life -- Steve Bornfeld: Courtesy not dead, but on life support: "Thank you. ... I really appreciate that."

Accreditation team checks on UNLV: Jace Radke; Piles of paperwork and stacks of boxes were the greeting Wednesday for the 15-member team responsible for recommending whether UNLV should be reaccredited.

Profit improves for big LV auto seller: The quarterly earnings surpassed the median estimate of 14 cents per share expected by analysts surveyed by Zack's Investment Research.

UNLV women shut out Utah: The fourth-seeded Rebels avoided doubles play by taking the first four singles matches in straight sets and then picking up a win at No. 6 when fifth-seeded Utah's Anna Stechert retired in the second set after suffering heat exhaustion.

Foreclosure action sought: The bank said in a Clark County District Court suit that Realty Partners defaulted on the note, which it said is secured by a deed of trust on Barclay Square Condominiums and all of its rents and revenues.

High court awards Hughes company mineral royalties: CARSON CITY -- The Nevada Supreme Court Thursday ruled that Summa Corp., which was owned by the late Howard Hughes, was entitled to an estimated $13 million in royalties from gold and silver production from mines once owned by the company.

Local news briefs for April 28, 2000: A Metro Police officer who shot two dogs, one fatally, has been identified as 11-year officer Andrew Neal.

Gaming board gets Malone flier case: Cy Ryan and Adrienne Packer; CARSON CITY -- The U.S. Attorney's Office declined today to prosecute those responsible for an anonymous flier attacking Clark County Commissioner Lance Malone and the case instead will be handled by the Gaming Control Board.

Columnist Paula DelGiudice: More fishing records could fall this year: Paula DelGiudice; There's something in the spring air that makes me feel like going fishing. Maybe it's the warmth of the sun coupled with the lightly blowing breezes that entice me out of roofed dwellings into the fresh air. Maybe it's the fact that fishing is one of my favorite pastimes, but one that gets shelved during the winter months, so I'm more than ready for it when the air and waters warm again.

Warm weather hurts Southwest Gas earnings: The company earned $25.2 million or 80 cents per diluted share, down from $28.3 million or 92 cents in the year-ago quarter.

San Diego firm expanding to Vegas: Located at 2060 Pama Lane, the building will feature an assortment of floor, window and wall coverings. Slated to open in mid-May, the new Las Vegas store marks the company's first foray outside the Southern California market.

Management team may be favored as casino investor: Millennium Management Group -- hired to manage Greektown -- is up against Harrah's Entertainment Inc. and MGM Grand Inc. for purchase of the share, held by businessmen Dimitrios Papas, Ted Gatzaros and their wives. The couples are under pressure to sell because their business background included delinquent taxes and defaulted loans.

UNLV softball team drops last 2 at home: UNLV softball team drops last 2 at home

Kodak may join Neonopolis project: Erin Neff; Copyright 2000 Las Vegas Sun

Atlantic City casino to be expanded: The expansion, expected to cost $110 million, is scheduled to be completed in the first quarter of 2002.

Loan-sharking, mob ties lleged at Indian casino: The Tribune, a newspaper serving suburban Phoenix, reported that tribal gaming licenses for two managers and several card dealers were suspended about a month ago amid allegations that casino employees borrowed money from suspected loan sharks.

FBI raid on books targets layoff bets: Ed Koch and Greg Tuttle; A raid of Las Vegas casino sports books by federal agents this week may have targeted a gambler who apparently has laid off bets locally for illegal bookmakers for as long as a quarter of a century, industry sources say.

There's no love lost between these two Stars teammates: Steve Guiremand; Greg LaRocca and Jed Hansen are teammates on the Las Vegas Stars.

Commercial brokers form local society: Prior to forming their own chapter, the brokers were members of SIOR's Northern Nevada chapter. Brokers said the distance and differences between Northern and Southern Nevada's commercial markets prompted the move.

Letter: Cheap shot not a surprise: Ron@lasvegassun.com; Pulling the female/powder-puff card was a cheap, unwarranted shot. But you expect that from a gaggle of unknown, second-level drivers struggling in the morass of racing politics, sagging sponsorship, failing exposure, invisible fan support, internal confusion, questionable leadership and directions founded on a base of half-truths, backroom deals and old Indianapolis Motor Speedway family money.

Attorney offers online legal services: Jeffrey S. Posin & Associates launched LawFromHome.com. The site informs clients about uncontested divorce, bankruptcy, formation of corporations and limited liability companies, personal injury cases and driving-under-the-influence cases. Users can submit a computerized checklist of circumstances describing their case.

New school past first hurdle: Planning commissioners Wednesday unanimously granted the Clark County School District a special use permit to build a $17 million middle school at Clayton Street and Deer Springs Way.

Officials meet here this weekend to discuss managing recreation: For Pat Fitzgibbons, a pair of pines was the last straw.

Del Mar parent trading on Nasdaq: Through its subsidiary Del Mar Mortgage, Sunderland finances real estate construction projects.

Murphy's mom reveals 'threat': Sandy Murphy's mother testified today that she received a threatening phone call in Las Vegas from a man who identified himself as "Nick" the day after Ted Binion's death.

PCL box: Stars 8, Cannons 5: E--Polanco 2, Monahan, Nicholson. DP--Calgary 2. LOB--Calgary 10, Las Vegas 8. 2B--Raven, S. Martinez 2, Milliard, Darr. HR--LaRocca (1). S--Spencer 2. SF--Roskos. SB--M. Martinez, McNally, Gibson 2, Polanco, Darr.

Injunction issued against ex-patient: Westfield Eye Center and Kenneth C. Westfield M.D. Ltd. doing business as Shearing-Westfield Eye Institute sued Thomas M. Jones, alleging he called the office on April 17 and threatened to "take the office down."

Profit improves for LV bank: The bank also reported total assets of $202 million, an increase of 42 percent from the year ago period.

Retailer enters LV market: The Compton, Calif.-based distributor of off-road parts and accessories has an 8,000-square-foot store at 4740 South Decatur Blvd. employing about 15 people.

Second bank branch planned: Located on the corner of Rampart and Charleston boulevards in Summerlin, the 3,500-square foot office will be situated on a 30,000-square-foot parcel in the Boca Park Shopping Center.

Revenues increase, losses widen: Citadel Communications Corp. and its operating subsidiary, Citadel Broadcasting Co., said net revenue increased 47.8 percent to $46.1 million in the first quarter of 2000 over the $31.2 million in revenues reported in the same quarter in 1999.

Ex-sales manager takes state post: Carla Fisher, who boosted group sales 40 percent above anticipated levels at the recently closed World of Coca-Cola museum, and who managed Scenic Airlines' international and national tourism for its Grand Canyon sightseeing tours, took the post late last month.

Letter: Don't blame horsepower: Ron@lasvegassun.com; Take a minute and just look at it. Look at the sponsors, look at the futility of the machines and look at the ineptness of the participants. So as for Ron Kantowski's column ("Full slate means empty grandstands," April 21): To tell me that an equestrian event sucked fans from an auto race is absolute bull -- and you must know it.

Letter: Salazar: Look in the mirror: Ron@lasvegassun.com; Salazar is the dumb one. I wonder how many stupid mistakes he made when starting his career?

LV firms part of air tour industry lawsuit: Air tour operators that fly 800,000 visitors a year over the Grand Canyon from Las Vegas-area locations will join a lawsuit to block a new series of flight restrictions announced by the Clinton administration last month.

Gates to kick off her re-election campaign: Adrienne Packer; Clark County Commissioner Yvonne Atkinson Gates formally kicked off her campaign for the 2000 election with a rally and barbecue Saturday at Clarence Ray Memorial Park.

Profit improves for Camden: Revenues of $98.7 million were up from $88.8 million.

Two sought in killing of of NAACP leader's son: Keith Paul; Metro Police detectives this morning continued to search for two people who may have information about the slaying of the local NAACP president's 31-year-old son.

LV woman sues employer for stock: In a Clark County District Court suit, Joy Bell accused Spectrafax Corp. and Thomas J. Conwell of misleading her into thinking she would be paid $3,000 a month plus 100,000 shares of Spectrafax common stock at $5 a share.

Defendant's, victims' families crowd Williams hearing: Kim Smith; When Noelle Files first heard about the accident involving her stepsister, Jessica Williams, her reaction was immediate.

Bandits stung in San Diego: The loss for the Silver Bandits (35-27) locks up third place in the IBL West for Las Vegas. The Bandits will open the playoffs on Friday, May 5 against New Mexico at the Thomas & Mack Center.

Judges face Senate questions: Sen. Strom Thurmond, R-S.C., a committee member and the Senate's oldest member at 97, pitched questions at U.S. Magistrate Roger Hunt and Henderson Justice of the Peace Kent Dawson during a standard hearing for judicial nominees. Hunt and Dawson breezed through the questions that ran from death penalty issues to the role of federal courts.

Armored car robberies connected: Keith Paul; The deadly Henderson armored car robbery in March and the June 1999 botched armored car heist at the Desert Inn hotel-casino are connected, Henderson and Metro Police said Thursday.

Obituaries for April 28, 2000: Jose Acosta, 54, of Las Vegas died Wednesday in Las Vegas. He was born June 5, 1945, in Mexico. A resident for 25 years, he was a hotel cook.

Letter: Juipe gets a bogey: Ron@lasvegassun.com; If Mr. Juipe expects us to stay home and portray his version of "Lifestyles of the Rich and Famous" for the benefit of the media he will continue to be disillusioned because it won't happen.

Second Rainforest Cafe merger fails: Landry's Seafood Restaurant Inc.'s bid to acquire the company that operates the Rainforest Cafe franchise is dead.

Burger King to capitalize on 'Viva Rock Vegas': Phil Levine; What do Fred Flintstone, flame-broiled hamburgers and the Las Vegas Strip have in common?

99-degree temperature ties April record: The old record was set on April 30, 1981.

New judge picked for Walters: Kim Smith; Golf course developer and money-laundering suspect Billy Walters has a new judge.

Attorneys argue need for inquest: Kim Smith; One lawyer's attempt to get a coroner's inquest in last month's accident that killed six teens on Interstate 15 ended Thursday and another's was delayed.

Attorneys will field questions from public: Joined by Las Vegas Mayor Oscar Goodman, attorneys volunteering their time will answer questions and hand out awards to students who participated in a poster and essay contest, sponsored by the Young Lawyers Section of the State Bar of Nevada and the law firm Mainor & Harris.

Man gets 25 years in failed robbery: William Froelich was sentenced following his conviction by a jury in January on charges of interfering with interstate commerce by robbery, conspiracy to interfere with interstate commerce by robbery, and committing a crime while armed with a gun.

Two die in NLV plane crash: North Las Vegas Police confirmed the deaths this morning at about 10:30, following the crash that took place about 9:45 on airport property near Decatur Boulevard and Cheyenne Avenue.

Democratic leader claims Porter broke election law: Benjamin Grove; WASHINGTON -- Congressional candidate Jon Porter violated a federal election law by not specifically stating on a campaign flier who paid for the advertisement, the Nevada State Democratic Party charged Thursday.

Regulators OK limits on 'Addams Family' slot: CARSON CITY -- Working for the first time under its new regulation to regulate some cartoon figures from slot machines, the Nevada Gaming Commission Thursday approved the application of International Game Technology to distribute a themed progressive slot based on the popular television program "The Addams Family."

Judge continues bankruptcy case: John Bielun, the company's chief financial officer and the most senior remaining employee of the company, said the company's bid to convert the filing to a Chapter 7 liquidation case failed because no one wanted to be named a trustee.

Wynn buys D.I.: David Strow; In acquiring the Desert Inn for $270 million, Steve Wynn purchased one of the largest available land parcels on the Strip -- land with unlimited potential for new development, Wynn said this morning.

Where I Stand -- Mike O'Callaghan: Our changing Earth Day: EARTH DAY 2000 has come and gone but this time there was very little snickering and fewer snide remarks about environmental activists. Certainly the atmosphere, if not the air we breathe, is much more friendly for these activists today than it was for the first Earth Day in 1970. Also, this time, many of the activists were in business suits or were working women with families. Gone were the large numbers who needed to bathe and get a haircut.

Panels: Happier homes, funding key for schools: Valerie Miller; More state funding and improved home lives are needed to help students succeed at three troubled Las Vegas elementary schools, state panelists told the Clark County School Board Thursday night.

Officials: Dust regulations necessary, but not easy: A public hearing on proposed regulations to control airborne dust drew only a few speakers Thursday morning -- and all the speakers agreed that the rules are necessary to prevent the loss of federal highway dollars.

LV home builder ends 24-hour sales office experiment: The Los Angeles company introduced 24-hour sales at its Monaco development in the city's southwest region in early January. The move was predicated on the idea that Las Vegans work odd hours and therefore would be interested in looking at new homes at various times of the day.

Breakup plan due today: The proposal was to be submitted to U.S. District Judge Thomas Penfield Jackson after the close of financial markets today. Jackson ruled April 3 that Microsoft repeatedly broke federal antitrust laws intended to maintain fair competition by using its monopoly power in computer operating systems to crush rivals.

Sierra Health stock plunges on earnings warning: Sierra stock traded at $3.44 this morning, down 75 cents per share from Thursday and well off its 52-week high of $16.25.

Las Vegas Sun

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