Print edition for August 18, 2000

Guinn: Nevada's bad reputation for education harming business recruiting: Scott Sonner; "There is a lot of work for Nevada to do before I can truly stand before a major company, Fortune 500 executives, small businesses and say, 'Relocate - relocate your business to Nevada,"' Guinn said.

New testing center proposed for NAS Fallon: "We think this program will fly."

New Aladdin revives mystique of original: To Aladdin President and Chief Operating Officer Bill Timmons, the imploded Aladdin is more than just a memory. To him this colorful name is a part of Las Vegas history that will never be forgotten.

New courthouse may be short a floor: Kim Smith; If an 18th floor is to be added to the Regional Justice Center, the $4 million needed is going to have to come from the business community, court officials say.

Malone, Kincaid face stiff tests in primary: Adrienne Packer; Veteran Clark County Commissioners Yvonne Atkinson Gates and Bruce Woodbury are cruising through this campaign season with ease, spending money on little more than a few roadside billboards.

School district welcomes 1,200 new faces: Terry Webster; Inside a portable classroom filled with empty, mismatched desks and tattered chairs, teacher Mollie Lyman can see a lot of potential.

Support for Silverman mounts as regents search for new CCSN president: Jeffrey Libby; One day after the Board of Regents announced they would hold a special meeting to reconsider Robert Silverman, interim president of Community College of Southern Nevada, for a shot at the permanent post, he is getting more support from faculty and staff.

Metro Police lieutenant given 2-week suspension: Keith Paul; A Metro Police lieutenant who had bribery charges against him in Idaho dismissed in June will be suspended for two weeks for his conduct when stopped by an Idaho State Police trooper last year, Sheriff Jerry Keller told the Sun.

Police focus on battle over park: Erin Neff; Wednesday's volatile City Council meeting to discuss the financially troubled Las Vegas Sportspark led to some very public airing of the city's political dirty laundry.

State's main computers face 'immediate crisis': CARSON CITY -- One of the two primary state government computers is "on the verge of a meltdown" and the second is not far behind, prompting Gov. Kenny Guinn to declare an emergency to release more than $2 million to fix the problems.

Rooms' layout, technology provide glimpse of 21 Century resort: David Strow; At first glance, the Aladdin's 2,567 rooms aren't starkly different from their competition on the Strip.

Union workers promise return: Jace Radke; Donald Sellers was part of a group of union workers who thought they were going to the Aladdin hotel-casino and then going to jail Thursday night.

Genie is out of bottle: David Strow; The $1.4 billion Aladdin hotel-casino on the Las Vegas Strip opened at 11 a.m. today -- 16 hours late.

Henderson attempts to clarify 'redevelopment tax': Greg Harman; For years John Q. Henderson grudgingly paid his $300 in property taxes.

WMS announces third puzzle game slot machine: CHICAGO -- WMS Industries Inc. said it plans to make slot machines themed on the board game PICTIONARY.

London Club offers James Bond aura: David Strow; In many ways, the Aladdin is much like its neighbors along Las Vegas Boulevard -- big, flashy, eye-catching.

Churches make it hard for bars, nightclubs to open: Angie Wagner; Pastor Harold Dorsey says for a long time many people didn't believe there were churches in Las Vegas.

Revenue, profit jump for Vegas-based casino supplier: Revenue of $9.2 million was up from $8 million as increases were posted for shuffler leases, sales and service and for table and slot games.

Desert Passage combines Old World feel, modern marketing: In its bid to offer something no other shopping mall in Las Vegas has, the developer of Desert Passage took the reality route.

Lifelong Las Vegan Van Buren kept dancing until her death at 79: Lee Scrivner; Chloe Van Buren danced, from her childhood to her later years.

Berkley's speech focuses on hot voter topics: Benjamin Grove; LOS ANGELES -- Rep. Shelley Berkley, D-Nev., said Republicans don't bother her when they consistently label her as one of the most vulnerable Democratic candidates in the nation.

Obituaries for August 18, 2000: Shirley M. Bean, 74, of Las Vegas died Thursday in Las Vegas. She was born Feb. 8, 1926, in Williston, N.D. A resident for 48 years, she was a homemaker.

HCA shows off LV hospital expansion: "It seems like just the other day we opened MountainView Hospital," Howard said.

LV firm hit with trademark suit: The Ohio insurance underwriter, which said it owns trademarks including Great American Connection, The Great American Insurance Group and Great American Life, sued Great American Financial Group and its President Kamlesh Kumar in U.S. District Court.

LV Wal-Marts gain banks: Dave Groshong, market president for the bank in Southern Nevada, said the 795-square-foot branch opened Wednesday during the grand opening of the Wal-Mart store at 4350 N. Nellis Blvd.

Aladdin caps unprecedented boom in Las Vegas Strip construction: David Strow; With the opening of the Aladdin, the Las Vegas Strip is coming to the end of one of the most explosive growth periods in its history.

C-M begins quest for another title: Spencer Patterson; Can anyone knock off Cimarron-Memorial?

News comes as no surprise to Robinson: Steve Guiremand; UNLV head coach John Robinson said he wasn't surprised by the news Thursday that this would be LaVell Edwards' final year as head coach at BYU.

Columnist Dean Juipe: Augie has boxing fans on his side: Dean Juipe; The knee-jerk reaction is to say he has no chance at all.

Aladdin to open at 10 a.m. today: David Strow and Lisa Snedeker; Fire inspectors were still running tests Thursday that hotel officials blamed for the delay in their scheduled opening of the hotel and casino. Desert Passage, a 130-store retail mall adjacent to the new Aladdin, opened on schedule at 7 p.m. Thursday

Fryatt near top of leaderboard: The former UNLV standout and Chaparral High grad, who got into the PGA Championship as the third alternate, fired a bogey-free round of 3-under-par 69 during Thursday's opening round at Valhalla Golf Club, leaving him just three shots off the pace of co-leaders Tiger Woods and Scott Dunlap.

Families of six teens killed while clearing roadside sue: Kim Smith; The families of six teens killed as they were picking up trash along Interstate 15 in March have filed a lawsuit against Clark County, Republic Services and the driver of the van that hit them.

Gore's performance a hit among Nevada delegates: Benjamin Grove; LOS ANGELES -- Nevada delegates to the Democratic National Convention agreed with numerous party analysts who said presidential nominee Al Gore on Thursday gave "the speech of his life."

Democrats back Neal's foe in flier: They said it

Court briefs for August 18, 2000: A Las Vegas woman whose married lover died after she shot him in the leg was sentenced Thursday to 10 years in prison.

Local news briefs for August 18, 2000: The Department of Energy's Lawrence Livermore National Laboratory postponed Thursday's scheduled subcritical experiment named Oboe due to a technical problem with diagnostic equipment, a DOE spokesman said.

Aladdin executives bring experience to project: Sommer is the trustee of the Sommer Family Trust, owner of 57 percent of the Aladdin Resort & Casino.

Gaming school set to open in Tunica: Matt Moore; Mississippi's 31 casinos employ nearly 40,000 people and generate more than $650 million annually in salaries. The Mississippi Gaming Association found that more than 84 percent of casino workers are from Mississippi and 10 percent come from Tennessee to work in Tunica.

TRPA staff recommends denial of private Glenbrook pier: "The basic rationale is that it doesn't make good planning sense to permit a pier right next to another multiple-use pier when the applicants have access to the existing pier," said John Marshall, acting TRPA executive director.

Estate of Tupac Shakur settles with another slain man's family: Anderson was shot to death May 29, 1998. His estate claimed that only hours before Anderson was killed his attorney was told he would receive a $78,000 settlement from the Shakur estate.

Ralph Siraco's selections for Saturday's races at Del Mar: 1st Race -- Coastal Fog - Draws good rail post for the mile opener, Flores aboard Canani trainee, should get the trip here. Aussie Girl - Draws just outside top pick in stall number two, Pincay/Spawr team, respect connections. Value Play -- My Pertlaura

Saturday's horse racing entries: Post Time 2 p.m.

County beginning work on 37-acre park in northwest: Clark County officials broke ground for a 37-acre park for residents of the county's northwest Thursday.

11 low-income homes planned for older NLV area: Diana Sahagun; A deteriorating North Las Vegas neighborhood will see some much-needed improvements with the addition of 11 new homes designed for low-income buyers.

Letter: 'Notch Babies' have poll power: JOSEPH CONTE

Letter: Honest motorists carry uninsured: Total disregard for others is evidenced by the uninsured motorist insurance we must pay. How fair is that?

Letter: Unfair system gives renters license to steal: A property owner rents to a tenant and finds out he has someone who has no intention of paying any more rent. He tries to evict the tenant so he can get a new renter in the property so he can pay his mortgage, taxes, utilities and other costs. Upon going to file the appropriate documents he is treated like a parasite on society. When he goes to court, he finds that his taxes are supporting a group called Clark County Legal Services that teaches people how to beat the system and stay in a property -- sometimes for months ...

Where I Stand -- Garth Winckler: High-growth giving: I'm proud to call Southern Nevada my home. Ours is an exciting community, filled with hope and promise and a can-do attitude. We are home to a volcano, Monte Carlo, the Eiffel Tower and the world's largest Coke bottle. It's fun to take out-of-town visitors on a ride down the Strip.

Healthy Rudolph back on track to prove himself in 2000 season: Steve Guiremand; To say that UNLV tailback Jeremi Rudolph is looking forward to the 2000 football season would be quite an understatement.

Editorial: Ford's lead should be followed: Firestone, the maker of the tire, in contrast has been excruciatingly slow to respond to the crisis. Its staggered recall, in which just four states are taken care of first -- California, Florida, Arizona and Texas -- is ludicrous. The tire maker said it wanted to help first those states with the most incidences of tires separating. But since hot weather is believed to be a culprit in the tire blowouts, it's wrong that Nevada and other hot-weather states are reduced to second-class status.

Editorial: Arum's payments deserved a rebuke: While Arum told the truth about what transpired, we have to ask ourselves how many other promoters haven't been asked such questions under oath -- or even if they had given sworn depositions, would they have told the truth anyway? If nothing else, this matter has provided a peek into a very dangerous disease that could further harm a sport that already has a tarnished reputation.

Chronology of the Aladdin hotel-casino: 1963 -- The Tally Ho, a non-gaming resort, is built where the Aladdin now stands. The 450-room hotel, opened by Ed Lowe, is later sold to Kings Crown of Kokomo, Ind.

Hopes fade for banged-up Stars after flat outing vs. Oklahoma: Steve Addy; Soon enough, sheer math will take over. The Stars can't wait any longer to make their move on Sacramento in the PCL Southern Division.

Columnist Brian Hilderbrand: Another Earnhardt takes cup shot: The Pettys long have been recognized as the first family of stock-car racing, but the Earnhardts are prepared to challenge for that title -- at least in terms of volume.

Wayne Newton recalls resort's troubled past: By Ed Koch; Entertainer Wayne Newton marvels at the pending grand reopening of the Aladdin hotel-casino, a property he once owned, because he believes if Nevada gaming authorities of the late 1970s had their way, it would have vanished forever.

Clarification: The Sun corrects its errors. If you find a mistake, call 385-3111 to report it.

Bankruptcies for August 18, 2000: James Norris Holland, formerly doing business as Tri-City Painting & Decoration, 2028 Valley Drive, filed for Chapter 7, listing assets of $118,180 and liabilities of $255,218.

Coroner's inquest jury clears police in killing: Keith Paul; A Clark County coroner's inquest deliberated about 25 minutes Thursday before ruling that four Metro Police officers were justified in shooting and killing a robbery suspect.

LV attorney placed on probation: CARSON CITY -- A Las Vegas attorney has been placed on probation for one year after being found guilty by the Nevada Supreme Court of dishonesty, fraud, deceit and filing a frivolous suit.

Governor's task force draws criticism: CARSON CITY -- Common Cause Chairman Jim Hulse says Gov. Kenny Guinn broke his commitment to "encourage full public participation" in the task force that is looking at ways to improve state government.

Recommendations made for child welfare services: Sandra Thompson; The Child Welfare League of America says low caseload ratios and a firm commitment to change are keys to an integrated child welfare system in Nevada.

Columnist Muriel Stevens: Resort, mall have plentiful food, shopping options: Desert Passage is a magical shopping and dining world created and managed by the developer, TrizecHahn. "No expense has been spared in recreating the experience of traveling the great market cities of the ancient spice routes," said Desert Passage Marketing Director Paul Beirnes. "We're living in the experience economy, people want to participate more, to be less passive."

The Movie guysL A lot to consider in 'The Eyes of Tammy Faye': Grade: Jeff, B Dave, C+

Datebook: The West Las Vegas Arts Center, 947 W. Lake Mead Blvd., presents Poets' Corner at 7:30 p.m. today. The Young Poets' Corner will be from noon-1 p.m. Saturday. Admission is free. Call 229-4800.

'Bottoms Up' is in top form at Flamingo Las Vegas: Joe Delaney; "Bottoms Up" is back in town, full force, after too long away, as "The Best Of Bottoms Up," 2 and 4 p.m. Mondays through Saturdays in the Flamingo Las Vegas showroom for a modest $12.95 plus tax.

Columnist Joe Delaney: Tracing Carlin from casinos to colleges and back: Joe Delaney; George Carlin, comedic iconoclast, semanticist, occasional windmill-tilter, wit, and despite his protestations to the contrary, a humorist, is conducting his seminars on the human condition nightly at 10 o'clock in Bally's Jubilee Theater ... Carlin also claims he is not angry, that this is an onstage device he calls "theatrically exaggerated discontent."

Sound Check -- Geoff Carter: Van Dyk is 'Out There and Back' with his new CD: Let's cast this in terms that the rockin' man can easily understand. If this recent burst of invention in the realm of techno and trance music had taken place in the progressive rock movement of the 1970s, Sasha would be the King Crimson, Ferry Corsten the Pink Floyd and Paul Van Dyk the ... actually, I don't know which progressive rock band Paul Van Dyk would be. It's a stupid comparison; forget I ever made it.

Where I Stand 1956: Hank Greenspun: Nevada's election of Bible has impact in Washington: We wuz robbed.

Barbara Greenspun remembers 1956: Youth Forum continues success: It was the intention of the Sun to give young people an opportunity to air their views on subjects vital to them. The Sun Youth Forum answered that need. Many youthful delegates have later become leaders in business, government, education and the arts.

The Sun remembers 1956: News of the day: Story: A historic county landmark, the establishment formerly known as Roxie's and which operated wide open for 10 years as a house of prostitution, burned to the ground yesterday afternoon. A fire of undetermined origin started in the attic of the large one-story stucco building at about 1:45. The loss was estimated at about $150,000. No one was injured in the blazing inferno, which completely razed the building.

Joe Delaney remembers 1956: The King at the New Frontier: Joe Delaney remembers 1956: The King at the New Frontier

Will club revitalize jazz scene?: Las Vegas' first major jazz club to arrive in almost 40 years is stirring up excitement among local jazz fans.

Columnist Kate Maddox: Dusty opening for Desert Passage: Kate Maddox; Well, it was a casino opening, so I guess it couldn't have gone that smoothly. There were some kinks, big ones, at the Aladdin on Thursday night.

Revamped Aladdin Theatre set to pick up where it left off: Many fans who used to attend events at the old Aladdin Theatre for the Performing Arts have been granted a wish -- not by a genie but by a $25 million renovation project.

PCL Box: Redhawks 14, Stars 5: WP--JMartinez 2. HB--Kolb. Attendance--3,060. Time--2:56. Umpires: HP--McCraw; 1B--Sanders; 3B--Turner.

The Bullring at LVMS points standings: Mini Stocks: 1. Casey Kingsland 476. 2. Mark Schottmuller 442. 3. Michael Aleknwicus 364. 4. Dayne Hagan 338. 5. Tony Leonard 310. 6. Shane Coons 308. 7. Jason Patterson 204. 8. Mike Morton 118. 9. Rick Schottmuller 84. 10. Duke Reifler 46. 11. Charlie Fouts 40.

Kincaid, Smith debate on POV: Adrienne Packer; In the first face-to-face meeting, Clark County Commissioner Mary Kincaid and her opponent Stephanie Smith discussed issues Friday that have dominated a contentious District B primary race.

Guinn: Democrats' continued attacks on nuke waste show their desperation: Scott Sonner; RENO, Nev. - Democrats are showing their desperation by continuing to make unsubstantiated claims that George W. Bush would bring a nuclear waste dump to Nevada, Gov. Kenny Guinn said.

Anthrax outbreak in cattle no threat to public health, officials say: Sandra Chereb; RENO, Nev. - State and county officials on Friday assured the public that an anthrax outbreak among cattle at a ranch near Gerlach posed no public health risk.

Letter: What about the judges?: By Ron Kantowski; Instead, he lambastes readers for rightfully questioning the legitimacy of the so-called "fair" Nevada judges. (We won't even get into the judge from South America, foisted upon the wishy-washy, old-boy-network athletic commission by the WBA).

Letter: Another vote for Ruiz: By Ron Kantowski; As for referee Richard Steele: he is as big a crook as King.

Letter: Reader: Ruiz was robbed: By Ron Kantowski; I will no longer watch or pay for fights on Showtime or that have anything to do with Don King or the Nevada State Athletic Commission -- which obviously are one and the same.