Print edition for December 5, 2000

Schools eye bond funds for shortfall: Terry Webster; To help offset a shortfall in its 2000-2001 budget, the Clark County School District may dip into funds generated by the sale of bonds approved by voters to fund school construction.

Tabish headed for hard time: Rick Tabish is heading to Nevada's toughest prison to serve time for killing wealthy gambler Ted Binion.

Coast casinos hope to cash in on game in New Orleans: BILOXI, Miss. -- Hotel and tourism officials on the Mississippi Gulf Coast are expecting to reap profits from the Jan. 2 Sugar Bowl in New Orleans.

New analyst coverage positive for casinos: Analyst David Barteld initiated coverage with buy ratings on MGM MIRAGE, Station Casinos Inc. and Aztar Corp. Barteld set a price target of $43 for MGM MIRAGE, $25 for Station Casinos and $21 for Aztar.

'Star Trek' owners accused of stealing LV firm's designs: In a Clark County District Court suit, Society By Design Inc. sued Paramount Parks Experience Inc., Paramount Pictures Corp., Las Vegas Hilton Corp. and Creativeware Designs Inc., alleging Paramount Parks and the hotel-casino hired Creativeware to copy Society's designs after telling Society they weren't going to use its designs because "it was too costly to keep producing the glassware."

A.C. tries duplicating success of Las Vegas with retail plaza: John Curran; ATLANTIC CITY -- The first phase of a $150 million downtown shopping plaza that one official called "the next big step for Atlantic City" was given unanimous approval by the state Casino Reinvestment Development Authority.

Environmentalists threaten suit over air pollution plan: Under the cloud of a possible lawsuit by environmentalists, Clark County commissioners may withdraw an air pollution control plan from the hands of the federal government.

County to let Askew be -- at least for now: Adrienne Packer; Clark County commissioners were expected to delay a vote today on County Manager Dale Askew's future, temporarily ending a yearlong controversy that infuriated some board members.

Carrier steps up pilot fight: ATLANTA -- Hoping to end a daily scramble to staff flights, Delta Air Lines planned to ask a judge to issue a temporary restraining order to compel Delta pilots to resume flying overtime shifts.

Keller picks replacement for Metro commander: Keith Paul; Sheriff Jerry Keller on Monday picked the replacement for a Metro Police commander who was arrested on drunken driving charges and told his bosses he's going to retire.

Poster politics: What's the naked truth behind Aladdin's airport ad?: Adrienne Packer; Civil liberties advocates might believe Prince's controversial concert promotion poster is simply a "Sign O' The Times," but the publicity has airport officials "Delirious."

Editorial: Juvenile detention needs more staffing: In addition, the detention center's heavy reliance on juvenile detention assistants, who don't have the same training as probation officers, also creates problems. The audit mentioned that not only are these employees more likely to be overwhelmed or harmed by youths, they also may sometimes needlessly use excessive force to resolve an out-of-control situation. If the latter happens, the audit notes that this could result in costly litigation against the county.

Columnist Susan Snyder: The Strip is really a scene: The Indianapolis visitor obviously was waiting for the punch line.

Longtime Las Vegas philanthropist Goot dies at 81: Evelyn Weiner Goot, a Las Vegas socialite for more than half a century and the matriarch of a pioneering Las Vegas business and philanthropic family that helped found Temple Beth Sholom, died Monday at Nathan Adelson Hospice. She was 81.

Columnist Kate Maddox: Easton: No mourning train: Kate Maddox; Sheena Easton doesn't have much to say regarding her final days with David Cassidy in the Rio's "At the Copa." Unlike Cassidy, the pop songstress didn't have fond farewells or thank yous, not even the requisite "grateful for the opportunity" mush from most departing headliners in these parts.

Detroit businessman buying Fitzgeralds casinos in Las Vegas, Colorado and Mississippi: The casinos are in downtown Las Vegas (638 rooms, 1,050 slot machines), Tunica, Miss. (507 rooms, 1,215 slots), and Black Hawk, Colo. (586 slots).

Editorial: Backdoor maneuver is ghastly: Most of the post-election drama has played itself out in the courts, but there has been a concern that the Republican-controlled Florida Legislature might try to hijack the election for George W. Bush. Some of Bush's political operatives have been worried that the Florida Supreme Court eventually will order a count of all the contested votes -- a count that many observers believe could result in a victory for Gore. So these advisers signaled to top Republicans in the Florida Legislature that a special legislative session could pick Bush electors to represent Florida, avoiding intervention by the courts.

Anniversary: Spector: Both Wilbur and Iris are retired, are two-year residents and are members of the Jazz Society and Jewish Community Center of Southern Nevada.

Weekend Warriors: Local casino lets would-be cowboys grab the bull by the horns: The National Finals Rodeo, with its $4.5 million in prize money, isn't the only game in town for those who like nothing better than to watch a raging bull tear out of a chute and try to launch a rider over the bleachers.

Engagement: Hamilton, Roehrs: Pastor Ray Christenson will officiate at the ceremony.

Wedding: Berrett, Schulthies: The flower girls were Julie Berrett and Tenielle Schulthies.

Where I Stand -- Brian Greenspun: Why be surprised?: EXCUSE ME, but, like ... duh!

Lawyer gets long-sought seat on District Court: Kim Smith and Cy Ryan; CARSON CITY -- Las Vegas lawyer Allan Earl has finally achieved his goal of becoming a district judge in Clark County.

DMV calling for more workers: CARSON CITY -- There are increasing problems with employee turnover and workers calling in sick at the state Department of Motor Vehicles and Public Safety.

Greedy's good with move to Texas Christian: Victoria Sun; Greedy Daniels never wonders if he could have become the player he has proven to be early this season if he had stayed at UNLV instead of transferring to Texas Christian after the 1998-99 season.

Community news briefs for December 5, 2000: Applications are available for the 2000-2001 Lucent Global Science Scholars Program, an international competition to identify and help future leaders in communications technology.

Witness identifies suspect in testimony: Kim Smith; Although he only saw his face for five seconds, a Las Vegas man testified Monday he is positive he knows who shot and killed a mother of three last year.

High court orders new trial: CARSON CITY -- Travis E. Runion, convicted of first-degree murder, is going to get another chance to show a jury in Las Vegas that he was acting in self-defense when he shot and killed a passenger in another car and wounded another man.

Granddaughter of slaves, devoted nanny Redditt dies at 90: On the nightstand beside her bed, Mary Alice Redditt kept an autographed copy of late Sun Publisher Hank Greenspun's 1966 autobiography "Where I Stand -- The Record of a Reckless Man."

Letter: Count every vote in fair manner: It's time to put aside modern-day politics, go back to our roots and take the responsible steps necessary to ensure that our next president is in fact the individual America elected.

Letter: May God keep America free: We as a country have much to be thankful for -- freedom of speech, the right to do and say things that in many parts of the world would be against the law.

Letter: Riding the bus can be tough on elderly folks: Unfortunately for CAT passengers, too many drivers are of the Bob Newhart School of Bus Driving, and we old folks have the bruises and X-rays of feet and knees to prove it.

Tourism campaign to be aimed at RV travelers: RENO -- A $1 million promotion is being launched to draw recreational vehicle owners to Nevada to counteract competition from Indian gambling in California, the state Tourism Commission said Monday.

Obituaries for December 5, 2000: Harley E. Allen, 19, of Las Vegas died Friday in Las Vegas. A resident for one year, he was born July 18, 1981, in Kingman, Ariz.

Reid is re-elected as whip: Benjamin Grove; WASHINGTON -- Senate Democrats who likely will hold exactly half the seats next year in their chamber today re-elected Nevada's Harry Reid to be their No. 2 leader.

Wednesday's horse racing entries: Post Time 12:30 p.m.

Prep Schedule: TUESDAY

Las Vegas-area power plant sold to Arizona firm: Reno-based Sierra Pacific Resources Inc. is selling the 72-megawatt generating station to Pinnacle West Energy, a subsidiary of Pinnacle West Capital Corp., for $69.8 million. The deal is expected to close in mid-2001.

Shares tumble 20 percent: STAMFORD, Conn. -- Xerox Corp. shares fell 20 percent Monday, dropping to the lowest level in more than 18 years, on concern the cash crunch at the world's largest copier company may push it toward bankruptcy.

Smith's, PriceRite owner meets earnings forecasts: CINCINNATI -- Third-quarter earnings at Kroger Co., the nation's largest grocery chain, met analysts' expectations as Kroger brand products continued to perform well.

Basketball: Lady Rebels' Jinks wins Mountain West honor: Jinks, a 5-7 guard from Chicago, earned tournament MVP honors after leading her team to victories over Northeastern and Northwestern at the Roger L. White Invitational and keeping UNLV's perfect 5-0 record intact.

Job fair gives athletes glimpse at the future: Victoria Sun; Clutching a few informational pamphlets about the Federal Bureau of Investigation, UNLV basketball player Lou Kelly eagerly awaited the return of the FBI representative so he could ask some questions about what it takes to be an agent.

Albertson's, Sav-On owner struggles with acquisition, misses profit expectations: Vons owner

Ralph Siraco's selections for Wednesday's races at Hollywood Park: 1st Race -- Bella Faccia - Hustling Puglisi aboard Litt trainee, adds blinkers for this outing, must overcome outside post in route opener. Call Chrystal - Bug boy Baze astride Gaines trainee, draws good middle post, a factor for diploma throughout. Value Play -- Our Sharon Stone

DOE blames contractor for memo: Top Department of Energy officials have distanced themselves from a memo in a draft copy of a Yucca Mountain site study that links the DOE to the nuclear waste industry.

HomeBase closing LV store, exiting home improvements: HomeBase Inc. has concluded from a market test that involved two Las Vegas stores that it would fare better as a home decorating retailer than a home-improvement warehouse store.

NFR notebook: Bull riding race grows tighter: The closest of the seven events being contested at this year's National Finals Rodeo just got even closer.

Monday's prep results: BOYS BASKETBALL

Killings illuminate issue of problem gambling: David Strow; Michigan resident Jihad Moukalled, a regular Las Vegas Strip visitor, put a horrific new face on the issue of pathological gambling last month.

Fed agency to oversee human perchlorate study: A federal agency responsible for overseeing human safety during research experiments will supervise a controversial Loma Linda University Medical Center study of perchlorate consumption.

Harris is back in the saddle: Chris Harris is enjoying his 10-day stay in Las Vegas this month, and it has little to do with the fact that he won the bareback riding go-round Monday night at the $4.5 million National Finals Rodeo.

River board budget hike approved for power costs: CARSON CITY -- The Legislative Interim Finance Committee Monday approved an application by the Colorado River Commission to boost its budget $27 million to pay for the increased cost of power that is supplied to the Southern Nevada Water Authority.

Comment period for off-road draft: The public comment period ends Jan. 3. The draft strategy is available on the Internet at blm.gov.

Child killer's conviction overturned: CARSON CITY -- The Nevada Supreme Court Monday overturned the first-degree murder conviction of John Moxley, found guilty of the beating death of his 2-year-old son in Las Vegas in January 1997.

Police yet to ID bones in desert: However, detectives deduced the remains belong to a man about 45 years old, and the remains have been in desert for about two to five years, Lt. Wayne Petersen of the homicide unit said.

City Council will take up huge annexation issue: Erin Neff; When the city of Las Vegas wants to annex even one or two blocks of county land, the process is usually mired in controversy.

Parole Board member's past prompts concern for Guinn: CARSON CITY -- Tami Bass, a member of the state Parole Board, has a conviction for welfare cheating and has had her driver's license suspended three times in Nevada, state and local public records reveal.

Judicial panel: Make marijuana possession charge a misdemeanor: Kim Smith; A judicial commission that is recommending a reduction in penalties in minor marijuana cases is not in favor of legalizing the drug, Justice of the Peace Nancy Oesterle said.

Las Vegas developer loses bid to have lien released: Grace Leong; Developer Howard Bulloch, who accused real estate financier Michael Shustek of interfering with his plans to sell property on the south end of Las Vegas Boulevard, lost a legal bid Monday to force Shustek to release a lien on the land.

UNLV offers free tickets to students: Steve Guiremand; UNLV Athletic Director Charles Cavagnaro obviously is in the Christmas spirit.

Columnist Ron Kantowski: '94 Rebels fail to measure up: In light of the UNLV football team's stunning turnaround that has resulted in a Las Vegas bowl bid against an opponent you've heard of (Arkansas), virtually everybody has referenced the 1994 season -- the last time the Rebels went to a bowl.

Imagination runs rampant in area craft stores: Jennifer Prosser; Adore crafts, but don't have the time to break out the glue gun and paintbrushes and do it yourself? Let our crafters do it for you. The handiwork of locals and out-of-state vendors can be found throughout the valley. Witness creativity at its finest in these area craft stores.

MGM Grand announces new star of "EFX": Lisa Snedeker; LAS VEGAS - Rocker and soap opera star Rick Springfield will take the stage as the lead in MGM Grand's production show "EFX" next month, company officials announced Tuesday.