Print edition for December 22, 2000

Las Vegas Bowl notebook: 'Right' Jason plays, shines for Rebels: Steve Guiremand and Brian Hilderbrand; Jason Thomas' day ended on a high note Thursday night when the sophomore transfer from USC was named UNLV's team MVP after a 31-14 victory over Arkansas in the Las Vegas Bowl at Sam Boyd Stadium.

Columnist Kate Maddox: 'Ocean's 11' script adds bite: Kate Maddox; Here's a scripted fight scene that might (with any luck for us gossip types) turn into the real deal. Seems "Ocean's 11," the Vegas-heist movie shooting here in February, features a boxing match between notorious heavyweight Mike Tyson and current world champion Lennox Lewis.

No. 1 Oak Hill proves it is top dog against Mater Dei: Victoria Sun; If there was any doubt whether Oak Hill Academy is the best high school basketball team in the country, it was erased before a packed gymnasium at Green Valley High School Thursday night.

Corrections: Because of an error by the Sun, the chairwoman of the Clark County Health District board was misidentified Thursday. She is Paula Brown. The Sun regrets the error.

Performing Arts for Dec. 22, 2000: A classic

Film clips: Movie companies mum about refund policies: Kirk Baird; So consider this one of Hollywood's last great secrets: movie refunds.

UNLV seals the deal by bowling over Arkansas: Tim Dahlberg; LAS VEGAS - UNLV is not a bunch of hapless losers anymore.

Officials pleased with record crowd: At halftime of Las Vegas Bowl IX, Mountain West Conference commissioner Craig Thompson scanned the Sam Boyd Stadium stands from the press box and decided he liked what he saw.

Rebels pen in the Hogs: Steve Guiremand; He won the Las Vegas Bowl's pie-eating contest earlier in the week.

Officials: Leaking oil no environmental threat: Fuel oil leaking out of a storage tank at Nevada Power Co.'s Sunrise Station east of Las Vegas poses no threat to the environment, utility and state environmental officials said today.

Lake Mead watercraft unlikely to be affected by agreement: A settlement between the National Park Service and a San Francisco-based environmental group over the ecological effects of watercraft fuel will have no immediate impact on boating or jet ski use at Lake Mead.

Dairy Commission to probe possible milk price fixing: Lisa Snedeker; The Nevada Dairy Commission is investigating possible milk price fixing among Southern Nevada grocery stores.

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

McDonald case goes to District Court: Erin Neff; Las Vegas City Councilman Michael McDonald will get the day in court he says he needs to paint a different light on his ethics troubles.

Valley's visitor growth slows in October: The city hosted 3.14 million visitors in the month of October, an increase of just 21,000 from October 1999. That's well off the 6.3 percent growth rate posted by the city for all of 2000.

Kenny, witness spar over ethics complaint: Adrienne Packer; Clark County carpenter Bradd Banaszak broke his silence about a private meeting that led to an ethics complaint against Commissioner Erin Kenny, calling her affidavit "a bunch of crap."

Vacation Village says lenders let company down: Grace Leong; Vacation Village Inc., which filed for bankruptcy protection after it was sued for allegedly defaulting on a $19 million one-year loan from a Wells Fargo bank subsidiary, blamed its financial troubles on refinancing plans it claimed "didn't come through."

Editorial: Bush will restore dignity to office: Every ballot was counted, not only once, but indeed twice or more. Many of these were no votes or double votes so they could not count. The people who wished to vote did, and did so with some thought.

Letter: Election played out much like Little League: The Republicans were ahead at the end of the fifth inning and wanted to call the game before any more scores came in. This is typical of a coach who is hurting for a relief pitcher and still wants to win the game. If he can get the game called while he is ahead, he wins.

Complaint filed against Washoe slot route operators: CARSON CITY -- A couple that has operated a small slot machine route out of Washoe County has become a major irritant to the state Gaming Control Board.

Waste site pick faces delay: Jeff German and Mary Manning; Nevada officials believe a federal investigation into the Energy Department's ties to the nuclear industry will delay a recommendation in June to make Yucca Mountain the nation's nuclear waste repository.

Officials dispute inmate's family's claims: Keith Paul; Family and friends of a man who reportedly hanged himself in his Clark County jail cell this month say he told a friend during a phone call that guards were beating him and he was fearful for his life.

State to get another fed judge: Jace Radke; A new federal judgship for Nevada, approved Thursday by President Clinton as part of an omnibus spending bill, will give the state a total of nine judges to handle the workload of one of the nation's busiest courts.

Ground broken for two downtown projects: Erin Neff; The Tom Hom Group's investment in downtown Las Vegas will soon surpass what the developers have in their hometown of San Diego.

Motorcycle-themed slot planned by IGT: IGT said it plans to use the Harley-Davidson name and logos to develop a new slot machine. Machines in both video and spinning reel formats will incorporate the Harley-Davidson bar and shield emblem, motorcycle engine audio and various motorcycle parts.

Editorial: Tour helicopters must be stopped: A rash of helicopter accidents has become a major safety concern, along with the noise they are causing.

Gaming analyst sounds earnings warning: Saying he's become "increasingly concerned about the outlook for fourth-quarter earnings," Bear Stearns gaming analyst Jason Ader said he believes Harrah's Entertainment Inc. and Park Place Entertainment Corp. could potentially miss their estimates.

Columnist Muriel Stevens: New Year's dinners abound in Las Vegas: The place to be for New Year's Eve 2000 is definitely Las Vegas. Shortly before midnight, the Las Vegas Strip will be ablaze with a dazzling display of fireworks.

Americans will travel in near-record numbers this holiday season: Trip tips

Columnist Brian Hilderbrand: Sprague's content to stay in truck series: It wasn't the most pleasant of days, with the temperature dipping into the low 40s and strong winds making it feel even cooler, but Jack Sprague had a huge smile as he emerged from his Hendrick Motorsports Chevrolet truck during a break in testing at Las Vegas Motor Speedway earlier this week.

Columnist Susan Snyder: This ballet is missing first act: Something about the Nevada Ballet Theatre's current performance of "The Nutcracker," running through Tuesday at UNLV, seems rather un-Christmas-like.

Ralph Siraco's selections for Saturday's races at Holywood Park: 1st Race -- He's So Fine - Berrio gets the call from trainer Frankel here, draws inner post for sprint opener, needs racing room for winning effort. Victoria Lake - Espinoza on Bell horse, needs prompt start and clean trip from rail post, a factor here. Value Play -- Mr Lion Heart

Columnist Dean Juipe: UNLV makes it a night to remember: Dean Juipe; An hour or so before the game the naysayers had the floor, and one by one they ticked off all the incidental negatives they could muster.

'Shew' a really good re-creation of a television favorite: Joe Delaney; "A Really Big Shew" is a remembrance of the Ed Sullivan variety show that made Sunday nights at 8 p.m. must viewing from its debut as the "Talk of the Town" in 1948, and reigned until Sullivan retired in 1971.

'Count' on a masterfully done film: Max Jacobson; Grade: ***

Columnist Sal DeFilippo: Chargers bolt to the bottom of the class, secure top draft pick: Sal DeFilippo; While the Saints, Lions, Jets, Rams, Buccaneers, Steelers, Packers and Colts were all battling to save their playoff hopes last weekend, another key NFL race was being decided.

Editorial: Gamers must step into ring: Our congressional delegation believes the NCAA and its influential allies on Capitol Hill will introduce a betting ban bill right out of the starting blocks of the next session of Congress. And since Nevada is the only state in the country that legalizes sports betting, we stand alone in this fight.

Datebook for Dec. 22, 2000: Sights and sounds

Bayno denies SI allegations: Steve Addy; Ex-UNLV basketball coach Bill Bayno won't be dissuaded from seeking "fair compensation" for his remaining contract, despite published allegations about his personal life, his attorney said.

Medical examiners order mental competency test for Vegas doctor: CARSON CITY -- The state Board of Medical Examiners has suspended the license of a Las Vegas physician to practice because of questions about his mental competency.

Prep Basketball, soccer tourneys next week: Beginning on Tuesday, Las Vegas High will host the Las Vegas Prep Championship, with 32 basketball teams competing for four days. Competing clubs include locals Green Valley, Clark, Basic, Cimarron-Memorial, Durango, Silverado, Western, Mojave, Cheyenne and the host Wildcats. Games will be played at Las Vegas High and Keller Middle School, with the championship slated for Friday at 6 p.m.

Famous names abound at Calif. school: Victoria Sun; There is enough talent on the Mater Dei High School boys basketball team that head coach Gary McKnight calls it one of the best he's ever had, which says a ton about this group.

Holiday Prep Classic results: 1st & 2nd Place -- Oak Hill (Mouth of Wilson, VA) 66, Mater Dei (Santa Ana, CA) 55

'Fiesta Navidad' celebrates holiday traditions: Kimberley Mcgee; What: "Fiesta Navidad."

Magician writes an ode to his artistic parents: By Jerry Fink; What: Booksigning of "When I'm Dead All this Will Be Yours" by Teller

Latest dognapping suspect draws year of probation: Kim Smith; The ninth of 11 Mojave High School students charged in the kidnapping and torturing of Centennial High School's mascot was sentenced to a year of probation Thursday.

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

Holiday closings: SAFETY: Police and fire emergency services as usual. Offices closed.

Prep Classic notebook: Gaels take third with big victory: Spencer Patterson; Don't be surprised to see Bishop Gorman ranked nationally sometime soon.

Columnist Joe Delaney: Many talents leave impressions on showrooms: Joe Delaney; Impressionist Danny Gans (Mirage) has done for his fellow impressionists what Siegfried & Roy did originally for other practitioners of the illusionary arts, made it a viable Las Vegas entertainment attraction ... Gans was preceded as a headliner here by Rich Little, who starred successfully in major hotel showrooms from the mid-1970s well into the 1990s.

Sound Check -- Geoff Carter: Latest Pizzicato release a high Five: "Please enjoy the stereo action fully that will surprise you," advises Pizzicato Five, in the liner notes to the group's 1997 release "Happy End of the World." Mangled English aside, I did enjoy it, and Pizzicato Five continues to surprise me.

Good, UNLV viewing Waves as good gauge: Steve Addy; Since Max Good took over as UNLV's basketball coach, the Rebels have lost to one clearly superior team (Cincinnati) and beaten one inferior club (Division II Alaska-Anchorage).

Western falls in Gold Cup finale: Spencer Patterson; After three impressive victories -- including two over ranked foes -- in the Powerade Holiday Prep Classic, Western High School ran out of gas in Thursday night's Gold Cup championship.

Top photographer focusing on Las Vegas: Sitting in the VIP room at the Venetian, photographer Gideon Lewin leaned forward and looked at the glass that separates the quiet room from the hotel's expansive hallway.

Where I Stand -- Rebecca Hewitt: World-class discussion: PICTURE A ROOM occupied by approximately 30 high school students from all walks of life giving their input on what should be done to resolve certain world issues. It is a sample representation of how the youth in the greater Las Vegas area and around the country feel about the United States' role in foreign affairs and the complex problems that plague the world.

News of the day: 1974: Story: Hank Aaron, who took the first step of this near-incredible climb nearly 20 years ago, crossed the final mountaintop last night when he broke Babe Ruth's lifetime record with his 715th home run in the fourth inning of the Atlanta Braves-Los Angeles Dodgers contest.

Local news briefs for December 22, 2000: CARSON CITY -- The state and federal government are joining in a program to remind convenience stores in Nevada they must comply with the Americans with Disabilities Act.

Retailers are relying on shopping procrastinators: Anne D'Innocenzio; NEW YORK -- Kevin Moore, a 27-year-old media buyer, is a typical procrastinator. He waits until the last minute for things like paying bills, for completing projects for his clients, and, of course, for Christmas shopping.

Where I Stand 1974 -- Hank Greenspun: Those seeking recounts should get money's worth: You pay your money, you should get your money's worth.

Kelly, Rebels rally to put down Pepperdine 69-64: Steve Addy; First the fans went, "Boooooo!" Then they went, "Louuuuu!" Then the Rebels had them dancing in the aisles.

Slot maker licenses MGM MIRAGE patent: Financial details of the deal were not disclosed. IGT said Anchor Gaming Inc., an IGT joint venture partner in the company's cashless gaming efforts, will serve as the lead marketing company for the package.

Bankruptcies for December 22, 2000: Charlotte Annette Arrowsmith, also known as C.A. Arrowsmith, also known as Arrowsmith Realty Inc., 5927 Bromley St., filed for Chapter 13. Assets and liabilities were not reported.

Court briefs for December 22, 2000: The jury deliberating the fate of a man accused of shooting to death two men who were part of an anti-racist skinhead group in July 1998 resumed deliberations today at 9 a.m.

Barbara Greenspun remembers 1974: Nevada no stranger to close elections: I wonder what Hank's comments would have been on the recent presidential race. In his column of Dec. 6, 1974, he wrote about a recount in Nevada when then-Lt. Governor Harry Reid ran against Sen. Paul Laxalt and lost by a few votes. Sen. Reid asked for a recount. It was nothing new. Laxalt had requested a recount in his defeat to Sen. Howard Cannon, as did newly elected Sen. John Ensign when he was narrowly defeated by Reid in 1998.

Joe Delaney remembers 1974: Reynolds at the DI: Joe Delaney remembers 1974: Reynolds at the DI

Obituaries for December 22, 2000: Nancy Benson, 75, of Las Vegas died Monday in Las Vegas. She was born Feb. 24, 1925, in North Carolina. A resident for 20 years, she was a homemaker.

On Display for Dec. 22, 2000: An ongoing aerial-art gallery, sponsored by the city of Las Vegas, is on display on banner poles along Las Vegas Boulevard, between Fremont Street and Charleston Boulevard.