Print edition for December 7, 2000

Judge to consider motions for new trial: Melinda Deslatte; U.S. District Judge Frank Polozola set aside last spring's mail fraud convictions Wednesday - two against Edwards and his son Stephen and a third against co-defendant Bobby Johnson - because of a U.S. Supreme Court ruling last month in another case.

More fraud convictions thrown out in Edwards case: Melinda Deslatte; "Strong independent evidence supports without a doubt the other convictions," said U.S. District Judge Frank Polozola, who dismissed four additional fraud counts against Edwards and his son.

Utah governor escalates nuclear waste fight: Vania Grandi; "I will deploy every tool I can," Leavitt said. "We don't produce this waste. We shouldn't store it."

Stabbed man collapses inside casino: Two men were seen on security videotape chasing the 36-year-old Las Vegas man and then running away after the 5:20 a.m. attack, Las Vegas police Lt. Wayne Petersen said. The camera did not capture the stabbing.

National Board Certified teachers: Washoe County School District: Virginia L. Beck, Cora L. Carrigan, Kindra R. Cerfoglio, Yvette Deighton, Stacy Drum, Carol Hines, Mark Hurst, Kathy King, Barbara Surritte, Jeanine Vandevort, Susan Vaughn.

Church-state issues cloud use of casino money in Missouri: Americans United contends the grants would amount to public support of places of worship.

Nevada teachers attain master status: Of the 50 teachers in the state who applied, 24 earned the voluntary certification that is good for 10 years and is renewable.

Judge questions jury foreman in Edwards case: Melinda Deslatte; U.S. District Judge Frank Polozola mentioned earlier that his marshals had looked into allegations against the foreman, but it was not clear what they were.

Las Vegas man offers to save sanctuary: Affatato said he decided to raise the money after reading an Associated Press story about the sanctuary in his local newspaper.

Uranium miners should be able to get extra compensation by next summer: Matt Kelley; President Clinton signed an executive order Thursday that says federal agencies must have the enhanced compensation program up and running by July 31, 2001. The program also provides $150,000 payments to Energy Department workers sickened by radiation or some toxic substances.

Prep girls basketball standings: CLASS 4A

Jackson, Marshall, Rushton among area players honored: Spencer Patterson; Steven Jackson, Kellen Marshall and Kyler Rushton helped their clubs to division titles during the 2000 football season, and this week, they reaped their rewards.

Vegas retail development on track: When the Fashion Show mall expands over the next two years, it will be more reflective of its name, a company executive says.

Columnist Spencer Patterson: Durango coach earns national honor for baseball field: Spencer Patterson; Sitting aboard a lawn mower in the heat of the Las Vegas summer, Durango baseball coach Mike Gomez surely has questioned his sanity more than a few times over the years.

Catching up with: Edgerton Hartwell: High School: Cheyenne ('95)

Columnist Ron Kantowski: Rebels are behind the eight ball: Well, the rodeo hasn't even left town yet and the UNLV basketball team's fate already has pretty much been determined.

NCAA is confident it has gaming industry on heels: Jeff German and Benjamin Grove; A top NCAA official predicted today that the casino industry's latest efforts won't derail a congressional push to ban betting on college sports.

Business office OK'd for residential area: Over the vehement objections of nearby residents and a "denial" recommendation from the Clark County planning staff, Clark County commissioners approved a zone change to allow a business office in a residential neighborhood in Spring Valley at Wednesday's zoning meeting.

Legislature names committees: CARSON CITY -- Compared to the 1999 legislative session, there are few changes in committee assignments for the 2001 Legislature, which were released Wednesday.

Shortage of passengers hurts National: Richard N. Velotta and David Strow; National Airlines of Las Vegas filed for Chapter 11 bankruptcy protection Wednesday because it was unable to attract sufficient financial support from casinos, failed to draw enough passengers and was hit by rising fuel costs.

North Las Vegas briefs for December 7, 2000: Construction will begin soon on a new building for Fire Station 52, helping relieve some of the burden in the city's northwest.

Clark County jail inmate apparently hangs self: Keith Paul; A Clark County jail inmate died Wednesday in the hospital after he apparently hanged himself with a bed sheet in his cell over the weekend -- marking the ninth time this year an inmate either attempted or committed suicide.

Senate committees: Republicans Randolph Townsend of Reno, Ann O'Connell of Las Vegas, Dean Rhoads of Tuscarora, Mark Amodei of Carson City and Democrats Ray Shaffer of North Las Vegas and Mike Schneider and Maggie Carlton, both of Las Vegas.

Guinn's senior citizen drug plan lagging: CARSON CITY -- Gov. Kenny Guinn's much-touted prescription drug program for low-income senior citizens is off to a slow start.

Sun Athletes of the Week: Keith Richardson and Lyndsay Gensler: Male Athlete of the Week: KEITH RICHARDSON

New national Wal-Mart organizing drive starting in Las Vegas stores: The UFCW said it has "spent tremendous energy trying to slow Wal-Mart's expansion" because it fears non-union Wal-Mart Inc. would drag down the wages and benefits of the union's 850,000 workers nationwide.

Prep wrestling standings: CLASS 4A

Blue Diamond development put on hold: A controversial proposal to build commercial development at the intersection of Pahrump Highway and Blue Diamond Road was put on hold following a contentious meeting of the Clark County Commission at Wednesday's zoning meeting.

Basketball: Lady Rebels lose first game of season: The Wildcats (4-1) turned it on late in the first half, causing multiple turnovers and exploding to close the half on a 10-0 run for a 48-34 lead.

Casino operator sues city: ST. LOUIS -- Isle of Capri Casinos has filed suit against the Mississippi River town of Kimmswick, seeking relief from the city's efforts to prevent the company from building a nearby riverboat casino and hotel.

2000 Prep football All-Conference selections: First Team Offense: Mark Rose, QB, Basic; Steven Jackson, RB, Eldorado; Jamar Thomas, RB, Durango; Kellen Marshall, RB, Cimarron; Tim Day, TE, Western; Nate Wederquist, WR, Foothill; Nate Lord, WR, Basic; Brandon Garcia, C, Cimarron; Nate Knight, G, Cimarron; Mark Gutierrez, G, Las Vegas; V.R. Bohman, T, Silverado; Eric Spangelo, T, Durango; Steven Whiteman, K, Silverado; Offensive Players of the Year: Jackson, Marshall; Coach of the Year: Cliff Frazier, Basic.

Bank of America stocks slump on warning: NEW YORK -- Stock prices slumped Wednesday after an explosive rally on Tuesday that propelled the Nasdaq composite index to its biggest one-day gain ever.

Detective allegedly had sex with teen: Keith Paul; The Metro Police Department has sent to local and federal prosecutors its investigation of allegations that a narcotics detective had a sexual relationship with a 16-year-old boy, officials told the Sun this morning.

Ralph Siraco's selections for Friday's races at Hollywood Park: 1st Race -- Crown Derby - Draws good post for route opener, Desormeaux aboard Frankel-owned and trained runner, adds blinkers here. Satarra - British-bred hails from the Thoroughbred Corporation, Espinoza on Shirreffs trainee, lands good spot to try for diploma. Value Play -- Dramatic Score

Univision buying TV stations for $1.1 billion: NEW YORK -- The owner of the nation's top Spanish-language television network, Univision Communications Inc., is buying the television stations of USA Networks Inc., the media company headed by Barry Diller, for $1.1 billion.

Best Buy buying music retailer: MINNEAPOLIS -- Consumer electronics retailing giant Best Buy Co. has signed an agreement to acquire Musicland Stores Corp. for about $425 million.

Wednesday's prep results: BOYS BASKETBALL

Baker named CEO at slot maker: Baker currently serves as IGT's president, chief operating officer and interim chief financial officer. Baker will retain the president and COO positions; the company is continuing a search for a new CFO following the November resignation of Maureen Mullarkey.

American Nevada executive promoted: "John has done an outstanding job and deserves the title to go along with his responsibilities," said Phil Peckman, chief operating officer of the Greenspun Corp., the parent company of American Nevada. "And I'm happy to resume my duties at the holding company."

Harrah's to suffer a financial blow from investment: David Strow; Harrah's Entertainment Inc., owner of nearly half of the stock of privately held National Airlines, will take a financial blow from National's bankruptcy, the Las Vegas-based casino giant said today.

Ensign has whirlwind week of orientation: Benjamin Grove; WASHINGTON -- Newly elected John Ensign, R-Nev., is rushing through a harried schedule of orientation events and meetings during his first week as a soon-to-be senator.

Students in West Las Vegas can now benefit from latest teaching technology: Terry Webster; Clark County school officials begin today what some educators are calling the district's greatest effort to bolster student performance in West Las Vegas' at-risk schools.

Assembly committees: Democrats Joe Dini of Yerington, Barbara Buckley of Las Vegas, Richard Perkins of Henderson, Morse Arberry of Las Vegas, Chris Giunchigliani of Las Vegas, David Goldwater of Las Vegas, David Parks of Las Vegas, Sheila Leslie of Reno, John Oceguera of Las Vegas and Republicans Bob Beers of Las Vegas, Dawn Gibbons of Reno, Lynn Hettrick of Gardnerville, David Humke of Reno and Dennis Nolan of Las Vegas.

One casino group OK'd, second vetoed: CARSON CITY -- A Colorado gaming company, which includes the former majority owner of the Cleveland Indians baseball team, won preliminary state approval to purchase a midsized casino in Reno for $26.5 million.

Prep girls soccer standings: CLASS 4A

Fireworks open Terrible's at old Continental site: By Sun Staff; The locals-oriented property, located on Paradise Road at Flamingo, opened shortly after 6 p.m. at the site of the old Continental hotel-casino. The property, extensively improved, is the third owned by Herbst brothers Ed, Tim and Troy, though it is their first in Las Vegas.

Kennedy fires 63, leads Nevada Open: With the weather cooperating, there were 46 sub-par rounds and 65 rounds of par or better.

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

Prep boys basketball standings: CLASS 4A

Columnist Ruthe Deskin: Collins' argument is valid: Ruthe Deskin; NAACP Las Vegas Chapter President Gene Collins' impassioned plea for workers who will be terminated when Station Casinos takes over the Fiesta fell on deaf ears as the North Las Vegas City Council voted last week to grant necessary licenses to Station.

Cadets plan mini training cruise: Dick Benoit; A fleet will weigh anchor in Clark County over Christmas break, when Navy Junior ROTC cadets from Las Vegas area high schools, along with California high schools in Redding, South Tahoe, Torrance and Fontana, head to sea on the open waters of Lake Mead.

Reid, Ensign now on same side: Benjamin Grove; WASHINGTON -- Sen. Harry Reid, the influential No. 2 Democrat in the Senate, and freshman Republican Sen.-elect John Ensign today said they already are forging a bipartisan alliance.

Editorial: We must do better than this: Vouchers have met a chilly reception in Nevada, but other dramatic changes are being considered. For instance, the Clark County School District is contemplating hiring Edison Schools, the nation's largest public school management company, to run some at-risk schools. A key stumbling block, though, could be money. Right now the school district receives about $5,000 per pupil from the state and federal government, but it costs Edison Schools about $6,500 per student to educate a child. Since the company would expect to receive this government money in order to operate the schools, Edison Schools claims the low amount effectively would ...

Where I Stand -- Mike O'Callaghan: 'Forgive but not forget': "Forgive but not forget" comes to mind every Pearl Harbor bombing anniversary we recall. These are the words over the door leading into the Japanese death camp and Jeath Museum in Thailand. It's located near the Kwaenoi (Kwai) River, where more than 16,000 Australians, British, Dutch and American POWs died building the Burma-Siam railroad for the Japanese during World War II. A nearby burial ground has more than 8,000 headstones for those who weren't returned home after the war. Former prisoners at the camp tell us that if the war had dragged on another year, probably 16,000 more sickly men ...

Fight schedule: Friday

Rancor in the ring: Dean Juipe; Many a combative fighter has entered the ring with no greater motivation than to defeat the man across from him simply because he's there.

Rebel QB Thomas unsure about his hoops future: Steve Addy and Steve Guiremand; Rebels quarterback Jason Thomas isn't closing the door on joining UNLV's basketball team after the Las Vegas Bowl on Dec. 21.

Herrera likely leader after all: Adrienne Packer; When it comes to Clark County Commission posts, three are the most sought after -- the chairmanship and two appointments to the Las Vegas Convention and Visitors Authority board.

Elko County manager chosen: Greenlee County, in southeastern Arizona, is 79 percent federally owned. Its biggest employer and taxpayer is the Phelps Dodge Copper mine.

Teenager killed in four-car accident: Investigators said his car clipped a truck and a utility vehicle before colliding head-on with another pickup.

Court briefs for December 7, 2000: A Las Vegas man was sentenced to three to 10 years in prison Wednesday for an accident that took the life of a 71-year-old man.

Local valet's artwork garners attention of celebs, Caesars: Kimberley McGee; By night he paints ballerinas dressed in pink, in thoughtful poses and abstract visions of color and light.

Letter: Who would want to be president?: OSCAR R. FICK JR.

Obituaries for December 7, 2000: Robert Donald Ankney, 72, of Las Vegas died Nov. 30 in Las Vegas. He was born Feb. 7, 1928, in Lansing, Mich. A resident for 20 years, he was a house painter and a Navy veteran.

Hancock signs up for title chance: After missing last year's National Finals Rodeo by a mere $106, Cody Hancock came out this year more determined than ever to earn a trip to Las Vegas.

Former ranked boxer Welch dies: In the 1970s and '80s, Coley Welch was a frequent visitor to Johnny Tocco's Ringside Gym on West Charleston Boulevard, where he would share with young, up-and-coming boxers his vast knowledge of the sport.

Defendant says he feared being killed: Kim Smith; A Las Vegas man accused of killing one of his neighbors last year told jurors he was seen running from the crime scene because he thought he might be the killer's next target.

McCurdy promoted to captain: Keith Paul; Lt. Greg McCurdy has been promoted to captain, marking the second black Metro Police officer to currently hold that rank on the department, police officials said Wednesday.

Columnist Joe Delaney: NFR entertainment is plentiful: Joe Delaney; The National Finals Rodeo is building to a big climax Sunday at the Thomas & Mack Center ... The rodeo is usually sold out months in advance ... If you do have tickets, these are the most exciting events tonight through Sunday ... This is also the time to catch up with such country favorites as Clint Black (LV Hilton), Tanya Tucker (Orleans) and Clay Walker (Sam's Town).

Community news briefs for December 7, 2000: A health fair sponsored by the James Seastrand Helping Hands of North Las Vegas and the Guadalupe Medical Center will be held 11 a.m.-1 p.m. Tuesday at 1820 E. Lake Mead Blvd.

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

Letter: Democrats fear loss of power: Also are they worried that the nation's armed forces are in a mess, after the bombing of Yugoslavia.

Editorial: Clinton should say no to oil companies: Clinton should use his authority as president to permanently block development of this refuge, which environmentalists note is home to a 130,000-member caribou herd, polar bears, grizzly bears, 125 species of migratory birds and other wildlife. This remarkable land, which some refer to as the American Serengeti, is deserving of lasting protection.

BLM brings trees to kids: It's the third year for the effort, which BLM Carson City Field manager John Singlaub calls a win-win program.

Wheeling and dealing lands 10 acres of downtown land: Erin Neff; The Las Vegas City Council played the role of a corporate board of directors Wednesday, wheeling and dealing its way to 10 acres downtown.

Metro retraining officers on use of handcuffs: Keith Paul; Complaints by citizens of being handcuffed after little or no provocation have led to a change in police academy instructions and retraining of all Metro Police field training officers.

Golf will help start firefighter scholarship fund: The four-person teams will compete for prizes including specially designed fire helmets.

Las Vegas City Council briefs for December 7, 2000: Here is how the Las Vegas City Council voted Wednesday to spend taxpayer money:

Columnist Dean Juipe: Forbes becomes LV's newest world champ: Dean Juipe; Las Vegas has a new world champion in its midst, as Steve Forbes acquired the International Boxing Federation's junior lightweight championship Sunday in Miami when he prevailed in a title fight with John Brown.

Man gets 7 to 20 years in fatal crash: Kim Smith; Mary Thompson, District Judge Joseph Bonaventure was told, was a wise woman who loved her large, extended family, was quick to laugh and who would do anything for anybody.

Letter: Centralize voting process to make it superior: 2. Campaigns would be limited from the time the national convention closed until Election Day. The candidates would have to speak out on the issues identified at the national convention and minimize their own thoughts and objectives. Voters would then know what the party stood for and not be charmed by the charisma of the candidate.

National Finals Rodeo Results -- Round 6: Bareback

NFR Notebook: Beaver makes move toward claiming All-Around crown: Joe Beaver continued his quest for a third world champion All-Around Cowboy title by winning $9,108 during Wednesday night's National Finals Rodeo and moving into second place in the all-around standings.

Local news briefs for December 7, 2000: A 36-year-old man was in critical condition after being stabbed several times this morning outside the Sahara hotel-casino.