Print edition for August 24, 2000

Anonymous caller leads police to body: A woman called 911 at 3:20 p.m. and told dispatchers there had been a shooting at an apartment, Lt. Wayne Petersen said.

Compromise advanced in Tahoe pi8 controversy: Brendan Riley; The compromise was advanced by Terry Giles, the California governor's appointee to the bistate Tahoe Regional Planning Agency, which met to consider a private $500,000 pier in Glenbrook Bay.

Survivor castaway's best traits not shown to audiences, fellow river guides say: Kiley Russell; Kelly, 23, made it to the final pairing in the hit television show and was pitted against Richard in the final moments.

Impersonating teen music stars has its challenges: Kirk Baird; When: 7 p.m. Friday.

A lock for re-election, Gibbons still raising money: Scott Sonner; That's the fund-raising advantage Republican Rep. Jim Gibbons enjoys over his primary opponent - more than $500,000 in his campaign to Mitchell Tracy's $500.

Early morning house fire causes estimated $30,000 in damage: The fire caused an estimated $30,000 dollars worth of damage, said Tim Szymanski, department spokesman.

Trooper's work, religion clash over riverboat casino duty: Amy Forliti; Those two values clashed this year when Endres was assigned to monitor the blackjack tables and slot machines on a riverboat casino that cruises a Lake Michigan tributary. When he refused the duty, citing church doctrine that considers gambling a vice, he was fired in April.

Teen accused in attack to stay in juvenile system: Kim Smith; After lambasting the prosecuting attorney who is handling the case, Juvenile Judge Robert Gaston decided a teenager accused of trying to stab his guard with a homemade knife should remain in the juvenile system.

Teen in grocery store slot robbery will not be tried as adult: Kim Smith; A 16-year-old boy accused along with two 19-year-olds of robbing a grocery store slot machine employee of $7,200 will not be tried in adult court.

NLV residents fight casino planned at golf course: Diana Sahagun; North Las Vegas resident Robert May believes the site of a proposed casino is too close to neighborhoods and fears for the children who could be harmed as they walk to an elementary school less than a mile away.

Court briefs for August 24, 2000: A 21-year-old Las Vegas man pleaded guilty to second-degree murder Wednesday shortly after attorneys for both sides made opening arguments in his trial.

Bryan backs Guinn's request to declare state a disaster area: Wildland fires have charred forests, pastures and farmland throughout the state, Guinn said in the letter sent Tuesday to Washington, D.C.

Profit improves for doughnut seller: This was an improvement from the year-ago quarter, when Krispy Kreme earned $1 million or 10 cents per share on revenue of $77.1 million.

Local news briefs for August 24, 2000: A construction crew cut underground phone cables affecting about 21,000 Sprint customers late Tuesday. Service to businesses and homes in Las Vegas' southeast area was lost.

Police probe death of man found in apartment: A woman called police saying there had been a shooting in an apartment in the 1400 block of Garden Circle.

Goodman aide told he needs license to work: The Nevada Private Investigators Licensing Board has told suspended mayoral aide William Cassidy that he needs to obtain a license if he plans to do any future work as a private detective or security consultant.

Record decline in orders suggests slowing economy: WASHINGTON -- U.S. factory orders for aircraft, electrical equipment and other durable goods posted a record decline in July, suggesting manufacturers may scale back production in the months ahead as the economy slows.

LV Entertainment Network confirms SEC investigation: David Strow; Las Vegas Entertainment Network Inc., the Los Angeles company involved in a bizarre unsolicited takeover bid for Jackpot Enterprises Inc. of Las Vegas last October, said Wednesday it is under investigation by the Securities and Exchange Commission.

AT&T, Verizon said to owe state: The audit charged the PUC with failure to aggressively pursue collection of the assessments, which accrued over two years.

Thomas disappointed in scrimmage performance: Steve Guiremand; This is not the way Jason Thomas wanted things to go in his first fall scrimmage for UNLV.

Cause of killer's death: Eating foreign objects: Mark Stewart Emmens told a Clark County District Court jury during his murder sentencing hearing in May 1989 that he was "never fully rational about what was happening -- what was going on."

Kenny won't release cell phone log: Adrienne Packer; Defying a recent state Supreme Court decision on cellular phone records, Clark County Commissioner Erin Kenny is refusing to give up her log of calls.

Auditor raps state offices on handling of cash: CARSON CITY -- The offices of both Attorney General Frankie Sue Del Papa and state Controller Kathy Augustine were lax in processing cash transactions, which increased the risk the money could have been lost or stolen, legislative audits said Wednesday.

Fightin' words provoke Vargas: Dean Juipe; In good spirits and obviously in excellent physical form, Fernando Vargas drew a figurative bull's-eye on Ross Thompson and promised to hit the mark when they square off Saturday night at Mandalay Bay.

Columnist Ron Kantowski: There's no doubting Thomas hype: If there's any truth to his press clippings, this is what Rebel football fans who take in the first open-to-the-public intrasquad scrimmage of the preseason can expect to see at Sam Boyd Stadium Saturday night:

Students return Monday to expanded school system: Terry Webster; Back to school time in the Clark County School District is all about addition -- make that additions.

CFO files to sell stock: The filing by Robert Haddock valued the shares at $1.5 million, or $15 per share. Aztar closed Wednesday at $14.13 a share.

Vast majority of Suncoast slots will be of 'coinless' variety: David Strow; It may be the beginning of the end of Nevada slot players' love affair with coins.

Rebels hope to turn heads at tough Maui Invitational: Steve Addy; The Rebels wanted a tougher basketball schedule, and the Maui Invitational draw didn't let them down.

Accused identity thief pleads guilty to one charge: Meanwhile, authorities in Canada were still trying to decide whether to prosecute Walton for a murder-for-hire-plot in that country more than 20 years ago, Reno police said.

Pappas eminent-domain case unsettled: Erin Neff; Seven years of bitter feuding didn't end this morning.

Hospital may give suspect an alibi in Vegas: Keith Paul; An ex-convict charged with snatching and molesting an 8-year-old California girl earlier this month may have been in a San Jose, Calif., hospital on or near the date when 7-year-old Las Vegan Karla Rodriguez was last seen.

North-south disparity seen in paroles of sex offenders: CARSON CITY -- Sex offenders in state prison in Clark County have a better chance of getting paroled than their counterparts in Northern Nevada, a legislative audit shows.

UNLV soccer to open season: The Rebels' men's team, which returns seven starters from last year's squad, will host Master's College at 7 p.m. Saturday at Johann Field and will entertain Grand Canyon College at 2 p.m. Sunday.

Ensign's name more prominent on some rural county ballots: When it comes to ballots, size matters.

Ex-Las Vegan takes second on 'Survivor': Kimberley Mcgee; And then there were none.

Kansas man dies in Lake Tahoe diving accident: The accident occurred Wednesday afternoon several yards from shore.

Musician sues casino: Douglas Roll said he was hired by Paris to begin performing on Sept. 1, 1999, when the hotel-casino opened. Roll said he was paid $1,300 a week for his performances.

Obituaries for August 24, 2000: Mortreasia J. Bailey, 72, of Las Vegas died Tuesday in Las Vegas. She was born Nov. 1, 1927, in West Virginia. A resident for 27 years, she was a cashier at Walgreen's.

DI to close Monday, 2 days early: Keith Paul and David Strow; Officials at the Desert Inn informed employees Wednesday that the 50-year-old resort will close its doors for good at 2 p.m. Monday, two days earlier than expected.

Two big shareholders may sell stock: The 989,723 shares carry a proposed offering price of $7.24 million, or $7.32 per share. The shares represent about 9 percent of Mikohn's total outstanding stock; however, Mikohn said the registration does not necessarily mean all of the shares will be sold, and that the amount and timing of the sales is up to each shareholder.

High court overturns death penalty in Las Vegas slaying: CARSON CITY -- The Nevada Supreme Court has overturned the death penalty for Roy Hollaway, who has said several times he wants to be executed for attacking his wife so severely that she died two weeks later of her injuries.

Murder convictions upheld: CARSON CITY -- The Nevada Supreme Court has upheld the first-degree murder conviction of Sebastian S. Bridges, who was sentenced to death for the fatal shooting of Hunter Blatchford in October 1997.

Lawyers: Mob had time to slay Binion: Defense lawyers filed court papers Wednesday suggesting the mob had time to kill Ted Binion while his girlfriend, Sandy Murphy, was away from his house the afternoon of his death.

Guinn disputes audit on planning: CARSON CITY -- Gov. Kenny Guinn is a firm advocate of long-range plans, but he opposes the idea of a law requiring every agency to have one.

Park Place competing with Icahn for second Atlantic City casino: ATLANTIC CITY -- Billionaire financier Carl Icahn has competition in his effort to acquire the Claridge Casino Hotel.

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

Gaming Commission targeted by satirical newspaper: The spoof story quoted fictional commission Chairman "Freddy Loquasto" as saying the commission needed the cash to buy some "hot new Arabian Nights dollar slots," and had the commissioner putting up his wristwatch as collateral. The story was posted at the Onion's website at theonion.com.

'Outlaws' welcome in new XFL: Steve Addy; Las Vegas' XFL franchise finally has an identity.

This week's racing: NASCAR

Mayfield working on safer car: Harry Atkins; Jeremy Mayfield got back in his car without worrying about the crash that sidelined him with a concussion.

Police shut down alleged Galveston casino: Ruhije M. Head and her husband, Todd Head, were free on bond Thursday after being booked on misdemeanor charges of gambling promotion, keeping a gambling facility and possessing gambling devices.

Legislative panel OKs earlier processing of absentee ballots: CARSON CITY -- A regulation to permit the earlier processing of absentee ballots in the election has been approved by a legislative committee, even though it may conflict with the law.

Andretti fuels serious silly season in CART: Mike Harris; The silly season has turned serious in CART.

Auto racing schedules, winners and standings: Feb. 20 - Daytona 500, Daytona Beach, Fla. (Dale Jarrett)

Guard invites Nevada employers to military exercises next month: Dick Benoit; The Nevada Committee for Employer Support of the Guard and Reserve is looking for a few good bosses who want to travel to Gulfport, Miss., Sept. 13-16 to observe reserve units in action.

McMurray becoming an unwelcome sight in the mirror: Dick Brinster; Jamie McMurray spent much of his time earlier this season trying to outrun drivers in the back of the field in the NASCAR truck series.

Columnist Joe Delaney: Charting a multitude of entertainment changes: Joe Delaney; Lou Rawls, as quoted in a Las Vegas Sun story on Aug. 17: "They fired everybody (who knew about entertainment) and hired a bunch of new people. The whole concept of show business has changed. It has no meaning. They do a lot of one-night bookings." Rawls, appearing in the Blue Note at the Aladdin last weekend, preferred the days when entertainers would be booked for a week or two at a time so "you could develop a rapport with your audience."

Where I Stand -- Brian Sandoval: Quality gaming control: The primary responsibilities of the Nevada Gaming Commission are to make the final decisions on the licensure of gaming applicants, adoption of regulations and imposition of penalties for violations of gaming laws. The commission works closely with the Nevada Gaming Control Board, which is responsible for investigating applicants, enforcing gaming laws and collecting gaming taxes.

Columnist Dean Juipe: Couser accepts tough bout against Etienne: Dean Juipe; Give Cliff Couser credit for taking a fight on relatively short notice that few in his position, or in the heavyweight division, would touch.

Letter: 'Sport hunting' is an oxymoron: Sneaking up on defenseless animals, then slaughtering them with a high-powered rifle and celebrating this "victory" with a cold beer, can hardly be considered a "sport." The majority would agree it is instead an outrageously cowardly act.

Editorial: Revealing political intrigue: The genesis of this affair was the Clark County Commission's controversial decision in January to rezone land that cleared the way for a Station Casinos competitor, Boyd Gaming, to build a neighborhood casino in Spring Valley. Brown was angered because Malone had flip-flopped on the issue. Malone initially had told Station Casinos he would vote against Boyd, but then at the last minute reversed himself.

Ralph Siraco's selections for Friday's races at Del Mar: 1st Race -- Star Maker - Draws good post, Berrio aboard Duncan trainee, well placed in opener. Dubyuh Dubyuh - Sharp right now, draws just outside top pick, hustling bug boy Baze back. Value Play -- Chaffee's Prospect

Friday's horse racing entries: Post Time 3:30 p.m.

Letter: Return education to its roots: Wasting cash is bad, but subverting young minds, which is also going on in our public schools, is far worse.

Letter: Do we want country run by oil men?: God better help us as the oil companies have their hands in our pockets today -- check the pump prices. If that is not enough, turn to your history books. One only needs to look at the early history of Standard Oil and John D. Rockefeller to see it spelled out in its goriest details.

Community news briefs August 24, 2000: Mid-America Auctions is sponsoring its first no-reserve motorcycle auction in Southern Nevada to benefit the Clark County Museum.

Hospital, foundation donate $4,000 to rural health clinic: The hospital selected Nevada Rural Health Centers because of its outstanding work in providing health care services to underserved Nevada residents.

Columnist Ruthe Deskin: Flawed exams don't pass the test: Ruthe Deskin; One chance and you are out.

Fight schedule: Tonight

Australian slot firm gets Nevada license: Brendan Riley; CARSON CITY, Nev. - An Australian slot machine manufacturer won a Nevada license Thursday after state regulators were assured the company has no more ties with its founder, Leonard Ainsworth.

Hospitals work to solve emergency room crisis: A variety of factors is swamping emergency rooms in the fast-growing Las Vegas Valley. The county's chief health officer Dr. Donald Kwalick has said, aside from increased patient load due to the summer heat, the overcrowding is often caused by people using the valley's emergency rooms for nonemergency situations.

Ch-Ch-Ch-Changes: The evolving face of our country's cash: By most accounts the operations on Abraham Lincoln, Alexander Hamilton, Andrew Jackson, Ulysses S. Grant and Benjamin Franklin on the country's currency were a success.