Print edition for August 22, 2000

AG warns against budget cuts at workers' expense: Controlling government expenses shouldn't come at the cost of government employees benefits and pay, Nevada Attorney General Frankie Sue Del Papa said Monday.

Gambling boats fail to catch on: BOSTON -- Running an offshore gambling boat in Massachusetts has proven to be a risky proposition.

Deadlines lifted for student firefighters: Deadlines will be extended until Sept. 18, after fall semester classes begin.

More voters taking advantage of early balloting opportunity: Jace Radke; State election officials are hoping that a presidential election year will result in a push in voter turnout and that these new voters will make use of early balloting.

Video cameras keep Douglas High School safe: Vice Principal Tom Morgan said research indicates that students learn better if they feel safe.

Enrique: Pretty guy turns out to be pretty lame: Geoff Carter; Two young men are born to fabulously attractive Latin parentage. One grows up to be an entertainer, and a robustly handsome fellow; the other grows up to be a writer, and quite possibly the least attractive man this side of Danny DeVito. We're talking mirror-crushing ugliness. I would use the term "coyote ugly" but I've no idea what it means.

Columnist Susan Snyder: To others, we're quite fascinating: When you live in Las Vegas, venturing out into the world on vacation is like looking into a big, full-length mirror.

Election results just a mouse click away: When settling down in front of the TV on election night to watch the results come in, is the following a familiar monologue?

Clinton says Neal unresponsive to his constituents: Erin Neff; The state Senate race in District 4 is shaping up as a referendum on the past 27 years.

Desert Springs protests end with agreement: Two booths with signs declaring "Labor dispute: Shame on Desert Springs Hospital" that the union set up in front of the hospital in June have been removed.

Biloxi's Isle of Capri boosts first quarter per share earnings by 27 percent: Matt Moore; JACKSON, Miss. - Isle of Capri Casinos Inc. reports its first quarter earnings nearly doubled from a year ago, the unexpected payoff from thriving casinos in Louisiana and Colorado.

Polling places in Southern Nevada: Las Vegas

The Strip at LVMS point standings: Sportsman 1.Robin Harris 402; 2. Neil Evans 347; 3. Dwight Machael 341; 4. Chris Lentz 337; 4. Nick Ariotti 337; 5. Bill Muller 336; 5. Dan Reaume 336; 6. Phil Doughty 326; 6. John Phelgar III 326; 10. Dennis Evans 316; 11. Michael Jackson 307; 12. Samantha Rudder 294; 12. Rob Anderson 294; 14. Scott Horsley 285; 15. Barron Dowdy 274; 16. Billy Farnum 283; 14. Scott Palmer 274; 18. John Farnum 273; 19. Bob Coulter 264; 20. Kevin Alder 262; 21. Ken Paulson 251; 22. Richard Price 241; 22. Tim Fogarty 241; 24. Denise Sasser 240; 25. Earl Blake ...

Berkley unopposed in primary election: The incumbent in the 1st Congressional District, Shelley Berkley, is running unopposed for re-election in the Democratic primary.

Pundits see lack of key issues: UNLV political science department Chairman Ted Jelen does not exactly see fireworks when he looks at Nevada's election year landscape.

Primary Election candidates: PARTISAN

New superintendent to see changes in board makeup: Terry Webster; Twenty candidates spanning four districts are competing for four-year terms on the Clark County School Board.

Deadly spot on Pyramid Highway will get guard rails: But at a commission meeting on Friday, both groups appeared to reach a compromise on building a 1,500-foot guardrail for the spot.

Group claims adopted wild horses still going to slaughter: Sandra Chereb; RENO, Nev. - An animal rights group claims the federal adopt-a-horse program has failed to prevent wild horses from going to slaughter despite a 1997 settlement requiring tougher oversight.

GOP pushes hard for Assembly seats: CARSON CITY -- Republicans are in the minority 26-14 in the Nevada Assembly but they are intent on narrowing that margin or, with some luck, winning the majority in the 2001 Legislature.

Suspect arrested in shooting death: Metro Police say Eric Alido had been drinking with 29-year-old Pastor and a third man when the shooting occurred early Friday morning at Pastor's home on the city's east side. Police discovered Pastor in the home with a gunshot wound to the head.

Luxor employee files suit after termination: Watson Newman is seeking damages, lawyer's fees and other relief that the court deems appropriate.

Reynolds legacy saves the Rinckel mansion: The building will be named the Donald W. Reynolds Press Center and will house the Press Foundation and the Nevada Press Association. The building also will house the Nevada Newspaper Hall of Fame.

Ralph Siraco's selections for Wednesday's races at Del Mar: 1st Race -- Power of Elprado - Draws good post, top jock Espinoza teams with top trainer Baffert here, the power of the opener. J.F. Tony - Nakatani scales Sadler trainee, nasal strip and blinker change here, needs prompt start and clean trip from rail post. Value Play -- Loriage

Overswimming cause of Sparks drowning: Washoe County Hasty Team divers using a dog found Meister's body about an hour after he sank below the lake's surface.

Local news briefs for August 22, 2000: A Las Vegas man was in critical condition this morning at University Medical Center, and one of the three men accused of rushing into his apartment and shooting him was also in the hospital with a gunshot wound.

Memphis dean coming to UNR: Brinkley is a cell biologist who has served as vice provost for research and graduate school dean at the university in Tennessee.

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

'Last original Rockie' has mixed emotions on being traded to LV: Victoria Sun; He can't help it.

Reward offered for bighorn killer: A bullet shattered the animal's jaw, preventing it from eating or drinking. Its body was found near a spring on Aug. 19.

Early voting up, but only slightly: Lee Scrivner; The first weekend of early voting in the Las Vegas Valley for the primary election failed to meet expectations.

Board rebukes Station official: CARSON CITY -- The state Gaming Control Board says casino executive Mark Brown orchestrated an undercover campaign to discredit Clark County Commissioner Lance Malone to punish him for his vote in favor of a rival casino and then lied and used threats to hide his involvement.

PCL Box: Trappers 6, Stars 5: E-- Baughman; LaRocca, Milliard, Strittmatter. DP--Edmonton 1, Las Vegas 1. LOB--Edmonton 9, Las Vegas 11. 2B--Eckstein, Clemente, Burke, Tolentino, Faggett, LaRocca. HR-- Alvarez, Milliard. SH -- Milliard. SB-- Baughman, Faggett, Milliard. CS -- Eckstein, Curl.

LV carrier adding fifth New York flight: National, which flies nonstop flights exclusively between Las Vegas and eight U.S. cities, will add a 2:30 p.m. departure from New York that arrives at 10:30 p.m. The new return flight will leave New York at 10 a.m., arriving at McCarran International Airport at 12:50 p.m.

Two found slain in Henderson apartment: Keith Paul; Henderson Police found two men slain inside an apartment this morning after officers went to the home where neighbors had reported a loud fight.

Troubled developer posts loss: Saxton, which operates in Nevada, Utah and Arizona, has been restructuring and selling assets in order to avoid going into bankruptcy.

Las Vegas wireless firm sold for $160 million: David Strow; Las Vegas-based Chadmoore Wireless Group Inc. became part of the telecommunications merger frenzy today, announcing a $160 million buyout by Nextel Communications Inc.

LV real estate holder buys rival for $440 mil.: Pan Pacific Retail Properties, a California-based shopping center developer with six properties and a regional office in the Las Vegas area, said today it's acquiring a rival company in a $440 million stock and debt deal.

Cause of Sunset Park fire remains unknown: Clark County Fire Department investigators believe a brush fire that scorched almost 50 acres of land in and near Sunset Park began accidentally near some trash bins, but the cause is still under investigation.

Deliberations continue in case of death on playground: Kim Smith; A jury began its second day of deliberations this morning in a case which three teachers and the Clark County School District are accused of allowing a middle school student to die on a playground.

UNLV withholds raid report from lawmaker: Add state Sen. Maggie Carlton to the list of people who can't get a state report on a controversial UNLV drug raid.

Vegas firm hopes to launch rockets from Test Site: In a small warehouse on South Valley View Boulevard in Las Vegas, Al Hastings and his co-workers are building rockets.

Palepoi turns heads at Rebel training camp: Steve Guiremand; Thanks to a snag in summer school paperwork, Anton Palepoi got a late start to his first UNLV fall practice.

Release of cellular numbers reveals little information: Erin Neff; A Nevada Supreme Court decision about county records prompted the city of Las Vegas to release unedited versions of mayoral aide Bill Cassidy's cell phone bill.

High schools will bear brunt of district's growth: Terry Webster; Nevada's student enrollment led the nation in the past decade, rising 66.9 percent, but the state is expected to lose that distinction in the coming 10 years.

Ex-NSAC chairman Durden dies after bout with cancer: Durden, 62, was a Las Vegas resident dating from the 1950s. Aside from his tenure on the athletic commission, he was a semi-pro baseball player, a football and basketball official with the Western Athletic Conference, an employee of the City of Las Vegas Recreation Dept., and an executive with Don King Productions.

Genoa motel project foes get chance to provide evidence: Douglas District Court Judge David Gamble upheld a petition by the historic group, ordering county commissioners to set aside their decision or to show cause why this shouldnt be done. A hearing is scheduled for Sept. 21.

State eyes accelerated transfer of unclaimed property: "Our top priority is always to locate and return the money to the rightful owner," Krolicki said Monday. "But there is no reason the state can't benefit from the unclaimed property sooner."

Proposed state college is big part of race: CARSON CITY -- The proposed creation of a state college in Henderson is a major issue for candidates in the Board of Regents elections.

Woodbury pursues sixth four-year term on board: Adrienne Packer; Campaign season is old hat for Bruce Woodbury.

General election preview Oct. 19: The section will cover all of the elections of interest to residents of the Las Vegas Valley. Issues will be reviewed and candidates profiled. Additionally, there will be explanations of the ballot questions that Clark County voters will be deciding during the Tuesday, Nov. 7, general election.

Columnist Kate Maddox: Newton's Shenandoah spared: Kate Maddox; The fire that ravaged Sunset Park on Sunday came perilously close to damaging Casa de Shenandoah, the compound of entertainer Wayne Newton. Not only is the sprawling property home to Newton and his family, it also houses his beloved pets -- which include wallabies, horses and a treasured flock of penguins.

Judgeships swell to 11: Kim Smith; Three new Family Court judgeships were approved by the 1999 Legislature and will be on the ballot this election year.

Panel faces election under shadow of change: CARSON CITY -- The elective state Board of Education, whose power has declined in recent years, will have a new look after this election.

Columnist Ron Kantowski: Sadly, old pals never made that last call: It would be too strong a characterization to say that Mitch Halpern and I were close friends.

PCL Box: Trappers 9, Stars 4: E--Nicholson, LaRocca, Alvarez, Milliard 2. LOB--Edmonton 14, Las Vegas 9. 2B--Stovall, Nicholson, LaRocca, Milliard, Strittmatter. 3B--Hatcher, Barnes, LaRocca, Curl. HR--Eckstein (1). SB--Eckstein , Baughman , Hosey , Murphy , Stovall. CS--Johnson. SF--Hosey.

Senate campaign called just a two-man race: Eight candidates are seeking to replace retiring U.S. Sen. Richard Bryan, D-Nev., but in reality this is a two-man race.

Follow returns on cable: Coverage will run until 10 p.m. and will include up-to-the minute reports from reporters with Las Vegas ONE, KLAS Channel 8 and the Las Vegas Sun. Political commentator Jon Ralston, who writes a column for the Sun and authors the Ralston Report, will provide analysis. Political party leaders will offer commentary.

O'Connell, Rawson fight to hold onto longtime jobs: CARSON CITY -- The 2001 Legislature will tackle the thorny issues of taxes, reorganization of government and reapportionment.

Boxing referee Halpern takes his life: Dean Juipe; The boxing community was stunned Monday to learn of the death of referee Mitch Halpern, a Las Vegas resident who had officiated a number of high-profile fights.

Governor names Maddox to replace Fondi on bench: "Bill Maddox is one of our state's most dedicated and hardworking attorneys and I'm very pleased to be able to appoint someone of his experience and integrity," Guinn said.

New judgeships created for burgeoning Justice Court: Greg Tuttle; Two years ago the average workload for a judge in a Las Vegas Valley Justice Court was about 8,000 cases a year. That workload today has nearly doubled, with a Justice Court judge hearing about 15,000 cases.

Becker faces two little-known challengers: CARSON CITY -- Lawyers Gary Backus of Ely and Day Williams of Carson City, both admitted underdogs in their race for the Nevada Supreme Court, don't think the justices are working hard enough.

Plover to vote on Lac du Flambeau casino proposal: The village board put the issue on a nonbinding referendum Sept. 12, he said.

Where I Stand -- Sandy Heverly: Putting stop to DUI: It's been said it takes a generation to change certain social attitudes and behavior. I had mixed emotions about that statement as many others and I began the anti-impaired driving and victims rights movement nearly 18 years ago. On one hand it provided me a time frame for resolution and hope; on the other, the harsh reality that hundreds of thousands of men, women and children would be killed and millions more injured in the interim.

Rocket developer chose Vegas after worldwide search: For Al Hastings, the rocket company that bears his name is the convergence of several employment experiences that began as a dream he had since he was 18 that he would one day operate a space technology company.

Editorial: No land is in sight at top of the world: A recent tour boat reported that there was a one-mile stretch of water at the North Pole. Scientists believe that the last time there was this much water at the top of the world was 50 million years ago. (Yes, you read that right, 50 million years.) The spirited debate over whether the warming of the planet is caused by nature or by man-made pollution won't end with this revelation, but the "greenhouse effect" is sounding more and more plausible.

Letter: Hospital needed desperately in northeast LV: Congratulations to MountainView upon opening a new wing that will have 72 new beds. It's great that St. Rose Dominican Hospital in Henderson opened a new site, the Sienna Campus, which will add 28 emergency room beds to the hospital's existing 21 beds. However, these plans do not help us who reside in the northeast.

Editorial: No need to court a benefactor: The Regional Justice Center is needed, but it's not right to tap the private sector to absorb the responsibility for the funding shortfall. Businesses shouldn't be solicited to help pay for the construction of a new government building -- especially a courthouse where it is crucial that everyone who appears before a judge should be on equal footing. Both Nevada Supreme Court Justice Nancy Becker and District Attorney Stewart Bell contend that those being asked for contributions are unlikely to appear in court, ruling out the potential for a conflict of interest. But in today's increasingly litigious society, it is ...

Letter: No matter what, lawyers collect: CAL BLAIR

Obituaries for August 22, 2000: Lucille M. Burt, 84, of Boulder City died Friday in a local hospital. She was born Nov. 23, 1915, in Salt Lake City. A resident for 68 years, she was a retired editor of the Boulder City News, past president of the 31ers Club and a member of Pythian Sisters.

Gibbons faces little resistance: CARSON CITY -- "What race?"

Three unopposed in busy Eighth Judicial District: Kim Smith; When Sandy Murphy and Rick Tabish were tried for the September 1998 murder of gambling figure Ted Binion, they were tried in the Eighth Judicial District Court, the largest in Nevada.

Community news briefs for August 22, 2000: United Blood Services will be holding blood drives at the following locations:

Nevada to lead nation in high school graduates: Lisa Snedeker; Riley said there is a 66 percent increase in high school graduates projected for Nevada by 2010, compared with the national average of 10 percent. Nevada by far outpaces the next two fastest-growing states, 40 percent for Arizona and 27 percent in Florida.

LV inventor challenges U.S. patent procedure: Gilbert Hyatt filed a patent application on May 31, 1995, for his invention, the "Duty Cycle Modulated Illumination Control System," which he said reduces flicker and other visual distractions on liquid crystal-type displays on televisions and computers.

Two trials sought in casino robberies: During a brief court appearance Monday, Deputy Public Defender Drew Christensen told District Judge Kathy Hardcastle that separate trials may be needed because Oscar Cisneros-Sanchez has reportedly made incriminating statements about Jose Vigoa to the police.

LV woman again accused of being unlicensed: The Health Division sued Ana L. Guerra, alleging she violated a first order issued April 20 by Clark County District Judge Gary Redmon that required her to stop operating an unlicensed residential facility at 5625 Birchwood Circle. The Health Division was also awarded $1,000 in civil penalties.

An open mike is OK with Criner: Steve Addy; When NBA coaches and players complained about wireless microphones and locker room cameras last season, the league chided their overreaction, but pulled the plug for harmony's sake.

Bellagio sues firm over cancelation of convention: Presley Homes allegedly orally cancelled on Dec. 12, 1999, a convention for its annual sales awards program that was supposed to be held Jan. 12-14, a Clark County District Court lawsuit said.

Dean Witter hit with $10 mil. penalty in handling of estate: CARSON CITY -- The Nevada Supreme Court has ordered the financial giant Dean Witter Reynolds and one of its senior vice presidents to pay $10.1 million plus interest for permitting the assets of an estate to be depleted in a case that involved forged papers.

State claims woman runs unlicensed group home: Kim Smith; A woman who was ordered by a District Court judge to shut down her unlicensed group home in April is facing a fine of up to $20,000.

Conviction in Las Vegas killing is overturned: CARSON CITY -- The Nevada Supreme Court Monday overturned the first-degree murder conviction of Jose Flores, sentenced to life in prison without the possibility of parole for the shooting death of a man in Las Vegas.

Analyst optimistic on probe involving Station Casinos: Investors today apparently were reacting to a report by Lehman Brothers analyst Stuart Linde, who reitterated his buy rating on Station stock with a price target of $21. The stock traded this morning at $14.81.