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November 21, 2009

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Print edition for February 2, 2000

Louisiana taxing authority schedules first meeting
Allen Bares, attorney for Evangeline, said the track will make no moves until the board is in place. Under the legislation, Bares said, the track must wait until the board meets to begin negotiating a contract with the Louisiana Gaming Control Board.
Pair's pension increase means more cash needed in state fund
CARSON CITY -- Because of the Nevada Supreme Court's ruling on a 300 percent retirement increase for two former lawmakers, taxpayers will have to cough up an additional $70,000 a year to keep the pension fund stable, a state official said Tuesday.
Bride and groom meet for first time at altar
Angie Wagner
Spitz and Martina Steindorf were married Tuesday at a local casino, much like the thousands of other couples who tie the knot in this wedding capital each year. But this one had a twist - the bride and groom didn't see each other until after they were pronounced man and wife.
Senators launch fight against college sports betting
Laurence Arnold
Pendergast said the point-shaving scheme that landed him behind bars began with illegal bribes to players but ended with his cohort doing something legal - walking into a Las Vegas casino and placing bets on the fixed games.
Famous trombonist, band leader dies in Las Vegas
He was 82.
January warm across state; wet in the north after slow start
Sandra Chereb
Temperatures for the month averaged from 4 degrees to 7 degrees above normal statewide, and several locations checked in with near-record warmth.
Marathon slot player accused of stealing another player's tokens
Chenowith's wife, Bernadette, who was with him during the marathon session, also was booked with one count of felony theft. They were to be released without bond.
Letter: Same-sex marriage advocate full of contradictions
Another assumption: "As to the issue of marriage, ... the so-called straight community has managed to demonstrate its failure in this endeavor ..." Check the wedding announcements in this paper sometime. Also, what have you done, in Colorado or Nevada, to strengthen communities?
Shirley Bassey is the gal with the diva's touch
When: 9 p.m. Thursday-Feb. 9 (no show on Sunday).
Legislative panel balks at giving more help to DMV
CARSON CITY -- A plan endorsed by Gov. Kenny Guinn to hire 57 more employees for the trouble-plagued state Department of Motor Vehicles and Public Safety received a no-confidence vote from a legislative subcommittee Tuesday.
Las Vegas Indian markets offer array of goodies
Max Jacobson
Local stores
Columnist Elizabeth Foyt: Philharmonic celebrates with music and a romantic mood
Elizabeth Foyt
The Las Vegas Philharmonic recently held the premiere soiree of its Connoisseur Series at the home of patrons Wendy and Richard Plaster. This special evening at the Plasters' exquisite property in Tournament Hills was the first of its kind to be held in Las Vegas and was generously sponsored by Cezar Espinosa and Jean Henano, representing the famed French art-glass company Lalique. Prior to the performance by Igor Kipnis and Karen Kushner, guests enjoyed a relaxing round of cocktails and hors d'oeuvres in the candle-lit, quite romantic atmosphere.
Columnist Jeff Haney: For Stupak, 7-point push was 8 years late
Before Sunday, it had been eight years since the line on a Super Bowl closed at 7 points.
Las Vegas woman was among crew members
Kristin Mills was among the 88 people who perished when the MD-83 aircraft plunged into the Pacific Ocean off the coast of Southern California on Monday afternoon.
Columnist Paula DelGiudice: Fishing to heat up along with weather
Paula DelGiudice
The warmer temperatures have caused a flurry of activity among boaters and anglers looking to get out after our brief winter hiatus.
Editorial: There has got to be a better way
To get an idea of how crowded it is, consider this: On March 7, 11 states -- including California and New York -- will hold primaries and a few others will hold caucuses. Then just one week later, on March 14, six Southern states will hold their primaries. This has created a situation where it is possible for a candidate to virtually wrap up the nomination by the middle of March -- before the nation's voters have had a chance to really start paying attention.
Man who killed wife in murder-suicide pact gets probation
Raymond Gordon said he had planned to kill himself after he shot his wife, 55-year-old Lois Gordon, but the gun jammed.
New Jersey regulators OK waiver for casino surveillance worker's job change
Under state Casino Control Commission regulations, people who work in casino surveillance are banned from working on the casino floor for one year.
Guidry says Stephen Edwards did legal work for him through 1997
Natalie Gott
The four-term former governor is on trial with his son, attorney Stephen Edwards, his former aide Andrew Martin and four others, accused of bribery and extortion in a case involving riverboat casinos.
Lawmaker suggests permanent fund for some New Mexico slot profits
Deborah Baker
Sen. Billy McKibben, R-Hobbs, a member of the legislative committee considering a new state-tribal gambling agreement, disclosed his proposal Tuesday.
Corrections
Corrections
Ferries could offer video gambling under proposed bill
Dan Joling
House Bill 182 amends state gaming laws to allow video gambling where charitable organizations now sell pull tabs. The bill also allow video gambling machines to be placed on state ferries.
Regulators OK waiver for casino surveillance worker's job change
Under state Casino Control Commission regulations, people who work in casino surveillance are banned from working on the casino floor for one year.
Legislative panel backs additional DMV workers
Brendan Riley
The lawmakers' Interim Finance Committee approved the hiring, covered in part by a $216,000 emergency loan, after Gov. Kenny Guinn said waiting times at the agency's offices must be cut down to less than one hour.
Editorial: It's best to get it right the first time
Despite the hesitation, it appears the city now is on the right track. New Councilwoman Shari Buck has visited recreation centers elsewhere in Southern Nevada to see what works and what doesn't. She believes the best plan is to build a center comparable to the Black Mountain recreation center in Henderson. That center is an all-encompassing facility, including a gym with basketball courts, racquetball courts, pools, fitness room, dance/ aerobic room, meeting rooms, classrooms and even a kitchen.
Columnist Muriel Stevens: Many gift choices for your valentine
Still pondering what to buy your special someone for Valentine's Day? Relax. There are so many things to buy or do on this special day. Of course, this year Valentine's Day falls on a Monday, so you might want to observe it the weekend before.
Lawmakers want more Mississippians in top casino jobs
Gina Holland
For years legislators have been entangled in a debate over allowing community colleges and universities to train managers for the casinos. Supporters of the training say the price has been lost jobs for local people.
Columnist Jon Ralston: McDonald case more overblown than unusual
The first casualty of any media frenzy is perspective. All of us Fourth Estaters do it. As we froth and hurl superlatives, we lose sight of the larger context.
Winston County man sentenced to prison for video gambling machines
U.S. District Judge Sharon Blackburn told Aderholt he was getting a break.
Nine sentenced in Wiregrass gambling case
The case began in 1996 when an informant offered to help Dothan police gather information about the gambling ring, which was run out of a mobile home in Rehobeth.
DMV vendor still fixing bugs, online services in the works
Brendan Riley
Deputy DMV Director Ginny Lewis gave the bug-repair report Tuesday to a legislative panel reviewing the problem-plagued system - noting that all repairs were covered by a warranty agreement with Deloitte Consulting.
Reid, Bryan appeal to colleagues in bid to defeat Yucca Mountain bill
Robert Macy
Sens. Harry Reid and Richard Bryan sent letters to fellow senators seeking support in efforts to derail a bill designating Yucca Mountain as the nation's nuclear waste dump.
Las Vegas area fishing report
Rainbow trout are still being caught following the Nevada Division of Wildlife's weekly plants in the Boulder Basin. There have been no reports of crappie being caught in the Overton Arm during the past week.
Letter: Christian right espouses hypocrisy
They would cut back on food programs that are designed to give them at least a subsistence level. They are proposing school voucher programs that can only further degrade our public educational systems.
Conflict of interest alleged against court reporter
Wiseman said he also intends to file a complaint against her brother, David Grundy, with the Nevada State Bar Association discipline division.
Tuesday's prep results
Bishop Gorman 61, Silverado 50: Breona Gray scored 26 points and Tiffney Touton added 15 as the Gaels picked up a non-conference road win in a battle of ranked teams. Gorman outscored the Skyhawks 18-7 in the third quarter to take control of the game. Nikki Hitchens scored 16 and Jayme Connors added 15 in the losing cause.
Clinton says Nevada site must remain classified
The president informed Congress that he will continue to keep all information classified regarding Air Force operations at Groom Lake, 75 miles northwest of here.
New Mexico Indian leaders cite problems,urge cooperation
Deborah Baker
Sara Misquez, president of the Mescalero Apache Tribe, asked state lawmakers to "set aside old stereotypes and begin a new chapter in our governmental relations."
New Mexico lottery sales better than expected this year
Sixty percent of lottery profits goes to school construction, and 40 percent to college scholarships.
Humane Society urges Gov. Bush to reject Safari Club award
Scott Sonner
Leaders of the club defended the expensive big-game hunts, saying they provide the money necessary overseas to restore wildlife habitat and bolster troubled species' numbers.
Goodman pitches downtown needs; county faces "challenges"
Goodman issued his first "state of the city" address Tuesday, saying downtown is suffering from neglect and threatens to become a "rotten apple" at the core of the city.
Former lawmakers' pension increase means more cash needed in state fund
The pension fund for legislators has $4.8 million in assets, and the state kicks in $166,000 a year to help support the system.
New Orleans: Marathon slot player accused of stealing another player's tokens
State police on Monday arrested Chuck Chenowith and booked him with felony theft. Investigators say the tokens were stolen while another player was away from a machine.
Tahoe bears finally go night-night
The bears usually go into hibernation sometime between Thanksgiving and Christmas, when a lack of natural food lulls them to sleep to conserve energy.
State employees' health care system showing improvement
The 1999 Legislature had to pump $26 million into the system to keep it afloat, and Mikel Gray, actuary for the system, said he hopes to see a cushion of $3 million to $4 million by July 1, 2001.
Lawmakers OK funds for census ad blitz
Brendan Riley
The Legislature's Interim Finance Committee authorized the funding on an emergency basis after Gov. Kenny Guinn said an undercount of Nevada residents in the 1990 Census may have cost the state $200 million.
Program that pays addicts for long-term birth control coming to Las Vegas
Barbara Harris, founder of Children Requiring A Caring Kommunity, or CRACK, said payments also will be made to addicted women who go on long-term birth control such as Norplant, Depo-Provera or intrauterine devices.
Travelscape.com to be purchased for $81.8 million in stock
Trevor Hayes
Travelscape, which books airline, hotel, car rental and cruise reservations online, will be bought by Expedia, an Internet travel service 85 percent owned by Microsoft.
Del Webb to be marked by 55 acres of green space
Valerie Miller
The Henderson City Council annexed the last phase of the Del Webb Anthem master-planned community Tuesday night in an agreement that will give the city a 55-acre park, the second largest in Henderson.
Obituaries for February 2, 2000
Rafael G. Caballero, 59, of Las Vegas died Sunday in a local hospital. He was born Dec. 5, 1940, in the Philippines. A resident for eight years, he was a retired architect, a member of Knights of Columbus, St. Joseph, Husband of Mary Catholic Church choir, Southern Nevada Musical Arts Society and several Filipino organizations.
Community news briefs for February 2, 2000
Local aviation enthusiasts are invited to attend the first general meeting of the newly formed Experimental Aircraft Association at 7 p.m. on Monday at the North Las Vegas Airport Terminal in the Grand Canyon Room. The group has more than 1,300 chapters nationwide, and both pilots and non-pilots are invited to attend. For more information call Kenn Wyatt at 631-0018 or Brian Banks at 645-2453.
8 the hard way
He has won 74 races, a record-tying seven NASCAR Winston Cup championships and more than $35 million in 21 seasons, but Dale Earnhardt is showing no signs of slowing down.
UNLV pitcher honored by MWC
Anderson wins the award on the heels of perhaps his best performance in a Rebel uniform. In his first career start, he led UNLV to its first victory of the season, a 3-1 decision over St. Mary's. Anderson pitched 7 2/3 innings, struck out 11 batters and allowed just two hits and no earned runs.
Timet cleared to move soil from years of contamination
The Clark County Planning Commission approved a zone change, use permit and variance Tuesday that may pave the way for Titanium Metals Corp. in Henderson to clean up years of accumulated contamination.
Columnist Dean Juipe: Feds, NCAA do Nevada a disservice
Dean Juipe
Prize fighters know it all too well: Once you've suffered your first loss, it becomes progressively easier to lose again and again.
Area 51 to remain closed to environmental oversight
President Clinton on Tuesday again declared the top-secret Air Force base known as Area 51 off limits to national, state or local environmental laws.
Six local standouts sign with Division I schools
Spencer Patterson
As the nation's prep football signing period opened today, six of Las Vegas' top players made their decisions official, while another opted to take a bit more time to consider his options.
CCSN Box scores
FIRST GAME
Big-band leader Zentner dies at 82
In 1968 Si Zentner and his Orchestra burst into "Up a Lazy River" for the overture to the "Folies Bergere" at the Tropicana hotel.
UNLV recruit Pearson adds long bombs to his arsenal
Steve Addy
UNLV's small forward-to-be, early signee Omari Pearson, is making himself well-rounded, just in case.
CCSN debuts with doubleheader sweep
Zack Hall
When starting pitcher Ryan Myers toed the rubber and threw the first pitch Tuesday, the Community College of Southern Nevada baseball team officially was born.
MGM Grand looking for new deals
Gary Thompson
Kerkorian's studio
State of County address depicts a fiscal and cultural balancing act
Adrienne Packer
Keeping up with growth has been a great challenge, but the Clark County government has done a commendable job improving residents' quality of life, County Commission Chairman Bruce Woodbury said in his "State of the County" speech Tuesday.
Lawsuit says new AOL software cripples rival accounts
WASHINGTON -- Lawyers filed a class-action lawsuit against America Online Inc. on behalf of 8 million of its customers, claiming the latest version of its software cripples existing Internet accounts with rival companies.
Treasure Island joins Four Diamond elite
Gary Thompson
Mirage Resorts Inc.'s Treasure Island hotel-casino became Southern Nevada's seventh Four Diamond resort Tuesday, giving Southern Nevada more highly rated hotel rooms than any other city in the country.
Business briefs
NEW YORK -- A key forecasting gauge rose to a new high in December, signaling that the U.S. economy's record expansion should continue well into the year.
Two Vegas computer training schools close
Two computer training schools in Las Vegas have gone out of business in the past two months, apparently because of cash flow problems and extermination of the Y2K bug.
Nonprofits to receive $2.7 mil. in HUD funds
The bulk of the money was distributed to senior housing projects, rental housing projects, first-time home-buyers and housing for residents with special needs.
Venetian reports better results
The 3,000-room hotel's occupancy was 89 percent, 85 percent and 74 percent at average daily rates of $184, $191 and $150 during October, November and December, Venetian official Brad Stone said.
Greenspuns, Ralston begin daily e-mail news service
Flash includes a daily update by Ralston of his newsletter, the Ralston Report, as well as the latest top Nevada news and business stories from the Las Vegas Sun.
Case reopened after man dies of 1997 wounds
Keith Paul
When John Clements was shot in 1997, he didn't want Metro Police to pursue the case and refused to cooperate. After Clements' death Jan. 2 was ruled the result of that gunshot wound, Metro homicide detectives have reopened the case.
College betting foes cite protection of 'purity'
Benjamin Grove
WASHINGTON -- Kevin Pendergast cringes when people call him the "mastermind" of point-shaving scandals at Northwestern University.
Wells Fargo to purchase First Commerce for $480 million
LINCOLN, Neb. -- Wells Fargo & Co. said it it agreed to acquire First Commerce Bancshares Inc., a Nebraska bank holding company, for $480 million in stock.
Yucca water request denied
Cy Ryan and Mary Manning
CARSON CITY -- In a major victory for opponents of a nuclear dump, state Engineer Mike Turnipseed today rejected the applications of the Department of Energy for water to build and operate the repository about 90 miles northwest of Las Vegas.
Stock available on Internet
TROY, Mich. -- Attention Kmart shoppers: You can now purchase the company's stock directly from its Internet site rather than from a broker.
Regents warn: College is not a done deal
Forums
Goldberg interested in Detroit casino
Arthur Goldberg, chairman of Park Place, said Tuesday that he's interested in purchasing a stake in the casino and branding it under the Caesars Palace name. Park Place recently acquired Caesars World Inc. for $3 billion.
Goodman keeps State of the City speech short, focused on downtown
Erin Neff and Jace Radke
Las Vegas Mayor Oscar Goodman proved himself again the anti-politician with Tuesday's State of the City address.
Interstate woes lead to sale of big Henderson development
Phil Levine
Carson City-based Commerce Associates LLC is buying Henderson's Palm City master-planned community from Las Vegas homebuilder Rhodes Homes.
Key witness in Floyd murder case wants release from jail
Bill Gang
Seven months pregnant and feeling victimized by prosecutors, the outcall entertainer who is a key witness in the murder case of Zane Floyd is asking to be freed from jail.
Thursday at Bay Meadows
1st race 6 fur 4YO & up F & M Mdn: 1 Ying Ying (Bisono) 117; 2 Creekside Lilly (Baze) 117; 3 Worth It (Alvarado) 117; 4 Rubiana Ballerina (Carr) 117; 5 Bertha's Bikini (Radke) 112; 6 For the Love (Warren) 117.
Probation given in murder-suicide pact
Bill Gang
A 61-year-old man who killed his wife in what was supposed to be a murder-suicide pact but couldn't kill himself because the gun jammed has been freed on probation.
Thursday at Aqueduct
1st race 6 fur 4YO & up Mdn Clm: 1 Say Man (Gutierrez) 110; 2 Law School Tuition (Castillo) 121; 3 Gilded Sword (Velasquez) 119; 4 Caro Vision (Rodriguez) 117; 5 The Whole Shabang (Beckner) 117; 6 Branjidas( (Luzzi) 117; 7 Joe Pebo (Aguilar) 121; 8 Regal Sword (Lopez) 121; 9 Tornado Alert (Panas) 117; 10 Luykas (Melton) 116.
County wants DOE to redo Yucca impact study
Adrienne Packer
The federal government's use of outdated population numbers and its failure to communicate with local officials while drafting its environmental impact study for the Yucca Mountain project infuriated Clark County commissioners.
Columnist Victoria Sun: Las Vegas' Fryatt shoots 11-under in Phoenix, collects largest payday
Victoria Sun
After firing a 6-under-par 65 final round at the Phoenix Open last Sunday, former UNLV standout Edward Fryatt had a legitimate reason to celebrate.
Assault of victim, 85, draws six life terms
Bill Gang
After being released from jail on a minor charge, 19-year-old Larry Dewayne Brooks walked around a Las Vegas neighborhood knocking on doors until an elderly woman opened hers.
Rebels still hoping to land a few big names
Steve Guiremand
UNLV's football coaches checked into their Lied Athletic Complex offices bright and early this morning and then focused their attention on the fax machine in football secretary Carmen Smith's office.
Thursday at Santa Anita
1st race 6-1/2 fur 3YO Fil Mdn Clm: 1 Valued Opinion (Pincay) 120; 2 Princess Hi Brite (Hunter) 120; 3 Iza Sweetie (Desormeaux) 120; 4 Wall Street Rally (Jauregui) 120; 5 Real Mama (Baird) 118; 6 High Innocence (Puglisi) 118; 7 Bodas de Oro (Valdivia) 118; 8 Nahulalula (Enriquez) 120; 9 Kinda Bizarre (Sorenson) 120; 10 When You're Sharp (Diaz) 120; 11 Playmera (Pedroza) 120.
Bill seeks to ban ATMs from casinos
LANSING, Mich. -- A Michigan state legislator introduced a bill Tuesday that would ban all automated cash machines from Michigan casino floors.
Columnist Peter Benton: Woods, Fleisher pull off clean sweep
Peter Benton
Tiger Woods and Bruce Fleisher swept the major awards for their respective tours at the 1999 PGA Tour Awards Dinner held recently at The Ritz-Carlton Kapalua in Hawaii.
Operating results improve for Tropicana owner Aztar
The company, which operates the Tropicana hotel-casino in Las Vegas, posted a $6.5 million loss for the quarter ended Dec. 30, compared with net income of $1.5 million, or 3 cents a share, in the year-ago quarter.
Ralph Siraco's selections for Thursday's races at Santa Anita
1st Race -- Valued Opinion - Pincay aboard Stute trainee, needs a prompt start from rail post here, Valued graduation possible. Nahulalula - Enriqeuz scales Garcia trainee, draws better post than top pick, could trip out for diploma. Value Play -- Iza Sweetie
State engineer turns down nuke dump water rights request
Brendan Riley
Turnipseed said the water use requested by the federal Department of Energy for the high-level waste dump "threatens to prove detrimental to the public interest."
Donor lays down $1.5 million toward proposed Jewish community campus
Valerie Miller
A Jewish community campus in Las Vegas is $1.5 million closer to reality, thanks to the donation of a local woman.
Robert Guidry and the tales of the tapes
Natalie Gott
The payments were allegedly to be split among Edwards, his son Stephen and former Edwards aide Andrew Martin. All three are on trial along with four others accused in an extortion and bribery scheme involing riverboat casinos.

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