Stories published February 17, 2000Las Vegas Sun

Jarbidge cemetery bill passes hurdle: Benjamin Grove; WASHINGTON -- A bill that would transfer the Jarbidge town cemetery from federal to local control has cleared a key hurdle in Congress.

Mandalay Resort Group to sit out expansion boom for now: David Strow; The Las Vegas Strip is abuzz with expansion talk, but Mandalay Resort Group will not join in the potential building spree anytime soon.

Rebels keeping close eye on RPI: Steve Addy; When NCAA Tournament bids are doled out next month, one unlucky Mountain West team could learn that RPI means the same as RIP.

UNLV falls to Lewis-Clark in rain-shortened contest: Steve Guiremand; Before departing on a tough weekend road trip to Southern California, Rod Soesbe's young and struggling UNLV baseball team certainly could have used a win Wednesday afternoon against Lewis-Clark State.

UNLV nets two MWC honors: Erez posted a perfect 6-0 combined record in singles and doubles play last weekend to lead his team to a tournament championship.

McCarran, LVCVA report visitor growth: Southwest Airlines, the No. 1 carrier in Las Vegas, led the growth by serving 762,284 passengers in January, up 10.2 percent. America West, the No. 2 carrier, posted an increase of 2.8 percent to 383,078 passengers.

Homeless man indicted in threats against president: Kim Smith; A 59-year-old South Dakota native was indicted Wednesday by a federal grand jury on charges he made threats against President Clinton.

Supreme Court overturns conviction of teen in robbery case: CARSON CITY -- The robbery conviction of a 17-year-old Las Vegas boy was overturned Wednesday by the Nevada Supreme Court, which questioned whether his confession was voluntary.

Activist praises B of A in Nevada, worries about new law: Phil Levine; A housing advocate says Bank of America's Nevada operation remains a good corporate citizen dedicated to continuing its lending to low-income residents and in poorer neighborhoods.

Landrieu defends gambling contributions: As she campaigned for governor in 1995, Landrieu railed against the gambling industry and said her campaign would not accept contributions from it.

Park Place chairman under fire: David Strow; Park Place Entertainment Corp. Chairman Stephen Bollenbach sold 3 million shares of stock in the Las Vegas casino company last week, prompting dismay among analysts and angry calls for his resignation from the company's largest investor.

Columnist Peter Benton: Be sure to follow course etiquette: Peter Benton; With a new golf season soon to be upon us, I would like to think that many local golfers -- both low and high handicappers -- will not only review their course etiquette, but also brush up on the rules of the game.

Bald eagles have returned: Settlemeyer saw his first pair in December, which is early. And he added that the early arrival tells him "something" is going on.

Las Vegas Internet firm's stock soaring: The operator of Internet marketplaces was rated "strong buy" in new coverage by Credit Suisse First Boston Inc. analyst Christopher Vroom, who expects the stock to reach $205 in a year.

Man to stand trial ordered in killing of woman, 79: Bill Gang; A Las Vegas man has been ordered to stand trial in the December slaying of a 79-year-old woman and the beating and robbery of an 87-year-old woman a few days later.

LVMS operator reports decreased earnings: The company reported net income of $6.8 million, or 21 cents per share, meeting analyst expectations. Revenues for the quarter rose 45 percent to $75.7 million.

Police seek man wanted in porn case: James Henry Digiusto, 53, of St. Paul, Minn., was in a Las Vegas courtroom Wednesday to answer the felony warrants but left the court before his case was called, police said. They do not know where he went.

Mapes becomes banner for recall group: The group agreed at a gathering Wednesday night that their candidates also should oppose secret meetings and support the ouster of City Manager Charles McNeely.

Parks director to take newly created position: Diana Sahagun; North Las Vegas Parks and Recreation Director Eric Dabney has been promoted to head the city's newly created Administrative Services Department.

Lady Rebels want to fill Mack: UNLV is offering fans specially priced $2 tickets in an attempt to break the Lady Rebel attendance record at the Thomas & Mack Center. The Lady Rebel single-game regular season attendance mark is 3,387, which was set on Feb. 2, 1985 vs. Louisiana Tech.

News briefs: Attorney Ed Bernstein plans to announce next month his bid for the Senate seat being vacated by Sen. Richard Bryan, D-Nev.

City opens door for Southwest Ambulance: Diana Sahagun; Citing the city's slogan, North Las Vegas City Council members voted unanimously Wednesday to give their residents the choice of ambulance service by accepting Southwest Ambulance's application for a franchise.

Owner of truck used in bicyclist killing identified: Keith Paul; Metro Police this morning identified the owner of the truck used in a hit-and-run crash that killed a bicyclist two weeks ago, hoping to find someone who can identify who was driving the truck.

Guedry in, Alvarez out at LV bank: John Guedry replaces Al Alvarez, who is believed to have left the company this week. The bank declined to comment on why his employment ended.

Sierra Pacific shareholders bitter over big decline in stock price: Few telephones have been busier the past few days than that of the investment relations officer for Sierra Pacific Resources Inc.

Columnist Ron Kantowski: Rudd rooter hopes to be millionaire: Who wants to be a NASCAR millionaire?

Golf star's son pleads guilty in robbery: Bill Gang; David Casper, the son of two-time U.S. Open golf champion Billy Casper, has pleaded guilty to two robbery-related charges that could put him in prison for the next 16 to 40 years.

NLV Council approves homes across from pig farm: The North Las Vegas City Council voted 5-2 Wednesday to change the zoning across from R.C. Farms at North Fifth Street and Hammer Lane to R-1 residential from ranch estates. Council members Shari Buck and William Robinson cast the dissenting votes.

Sparks man killed in Sacramento crash: Hicks, who joined Emery a year and one-half ago, had been a pilot for 11 years, mostly with United Airlines. He was married on Jan. 8. His wife, Connie, told KRNV-TV the only consolation is that he died doing what he loved most - flying.

Trial unveils Charles Kuralt's secret life: Bob Anez; The pudgy "On the Road" reporter died in 1997 at age 62, and the fight over the property was originally between Kuralt's widow, Suzanne "Petie" Baird Kuralt, and his mistress, Patricia Shannon.

Isle of Capri agrees to buy land for casino project in Missouri: The casino would be located in Boonville, Mo., just three miles north of Interstate 70 between Kansas City and St. Louis.

Fox savors 'Multimillionaire' splash - and plans to repeat it: Frazier Moore; "Somebody's always looking to get something for nothing, regardless of the consequences," said Hensley, a registered nurse in Fayetteville, Ga., where, like most places, the Fox TV special has been discussion Topic A this week.

Senate sends New Mexico lottery scholarship bill to governor: If another source of money isn't found, the commission by law would have to reduce the amount of the scholarships from 100 percent of tuition to about 70 percent.

Isle of Capri examining progressive slots at its Mississippi casinos: Matt Moore; Isle President and CEO Jack Gallaway said the idea is something the company has been considering for the better part of a year, but said any implementation isn't on a concrete timetable.

New Mexico Senate OKs tuition freeze bill: But the bill sponsored by Sen. Stuart Ingle, R-Portales, signaled lawmakers' dissatisfaction with tuition raises they say have worsened the funding problems of the lottery scholarship program.

New York lottery bets on students: The Leaders of Tomorrow scholarship will provide $1,000 every year for up to four years at a public or private college in New York state. The scholarship will go to a student from each of the state's 1,300 public and private high schools.

House passes bill giving more money to New Mexico lottery scholarships: House Speaker Raymond Sanchez, D-Albuquerque, introduced the bill and said another lottery scholarship bill with slightly different provisions was "in the Senate and should be making its way up to the governor."

Comedian says he's sorry for comments, but still doesn't like some women comics: Lewis issued a statement Thursday offering his "humble apology" for comments he made about female comedians that stunned an audience in Aspen, Colo.

LV casino, business leaders backing McCain: Sponsored by the Nevadans for McCain Host Committee, the $500 per person fundraiser will be held at the home of Paul and Sue Lowden, the controlling shareholders of Santa Fe Gaming Corp. Co-chairs of the committee are Sue Lowden, president of the Santa Fe hotel-casino, and local real estate developer Mark Fine.

Baggage handling ginger at Reno airport: Skycap Services of America, based in Orlando, Fla., was hired last year after the contract of Silver State Skycap Services of Reno expired and its owner retired.

Evidence found at last in mobile park killing: Phillips, 32, was being held at the Washoe County jail on unrelated charges.

NHRA schedule, winners, standings: Feb. 6 - Autozone Winternationals, Pomona, Calif. (TF-Gary Scelzi; FC-Jerry Toliver; PS-Jeg Coughlin Jr.; PT- Bob Panella)

City Council briefs: Here is how the Las Vegas City Council voted Wednesday to spend taxpayer money:

Casino group reports loss for quarter, year: In the year-ago quarter, the company recorded net income of $8,000. Revenues fell 2 percent, to $38.3 million, while cash flow declined $100,000 to $6.6 million.

Council approves plans for new 28-story hotel on LV Boulevard: Several residents told the council they wanted to meet with developers to discuss the impact the towering structure will have on the 3.59-acre lot between Cincinnati and Cleveland avenues.

Drop in Metro expense expected: Erin Neff; The funding controversy that erupted last fall and led to the rumored break-up of Metro Police was long gone Wednesday when the Las Vegas City Council unanimously approved the city's funding percentage of the department.

Residents hope for cool stuff next door: Armed with a shopping bag filled with what they said was pornographic material picked up from sidewalks around the Hot Stuff video store on West Charleston Boulevard, they demanded the council close the business.

Green Valley tramples Valley to advance: Zack Hall; Less than two months ago, Green Valley's girls basketball team had a 6-11 record at the winter holiday break.

Resort's results continue to improve: The company posted cash flow of $33.9 million in the quarter ending Dec. 31, up from $21.1 million in the third quarter. Revenues grew more modestly, increasing 13 percent to $125.3 million.

County briefs: A developer will wait until at least March 22 to argue his case for a resort and water bottling plant on the slopes of Mount Potosi.

Deaths from fire fall off: Nye County recorded two fatal fires while one each was reported in Reno, North Las Vegas, Boulder City, Douglas County, Esmeralda County, Lincoln County and Lyon County.

Catching up with Nicole Bellinghausen: High school: Bishop Gorman ('96)

Boys basketball standings: CLASS 4A

Mississippi lawmen seek end to false reports, fleeing suspects: Gina Holland; Huff joined lawmen at the Capitol Thursday seeking tougher penalties for false reporting of crimes. He said officers have little recourse in cases now.

Girls soccer standings: CLASS 4A

Some upset over scheduling of county convention: "I didn't know it was Easter weekend," Chairman Lonnie Hammargren said Tuesday at a contentious meeting of the party's executive board.

Girls basketball standings: CLASS 4A

Forest Service chief coming to Nevada: Scott Sonner; Dombeck plans to meet with Forest Service employees in Elko and Reno. He also is prepared to discuss any and all topics related to land management during private round-table meetings with select citizens in both cities, aides said Thursday.

Trial begins in dispute over Charles Kuralt's secret life: Bob Anez; The pudgy "On the Road" reporter died in 1997 at age 62, and the fight over the property was originally between Kuralt's widow, Suzanne "Petie" Baird Kuralt, and his mistress, Patricia Shannon.

50 years of family ownership ending at LV Culligan outlet: Phil Levine; What's in a name?

Cops: Jail visits led to alibi scheme: Jason Lee Frazier visited murder defendant Rick Tabish a half-dozen times in jail last summer when, prosecutors believe, they hatched a plot to pay witnesses to provide Tabish with an alibi in Ted Binion's slaying.

Hospital CEO says Sierra Health dispute over: A 1 1/2-year-old dispute between Sierra Health Services Inc. and three Las Vegas hospitals may be resolved, a report said today.

McDonald demands thorough audit of housing authority: Erin Neff; Amid allegations that crime in a senior housing facility is being left unchecked, City Councilman Michael McDonald on Wednesday angrily called for a full audit and reform of the Las Vegas Housing Authority.

LV woman gets OK to keep exotic pets: Adrienne Packer; Monica Riddell's neighbors weren't all that crazy about Emma. But when Shadow, Molly, Buddy Irvin and CJ came along, enough was enough.

More rain expected in LV over weekend: A storm that slammed into the Las Vegas Valley about 6 p.m. Wednesday brought lightning, thunder, rain and hail, causing power to go out at a Strip resort and numerous fender benders on slick streets.

Huge jump in fuel prices foreseen: Fuel prices that have been steadily rising in Las Vegas will shoot even higher -- as much as 25 cents more per gallon for gasoline -- before this summer, experts say.

News organizations go to court over sealed documents: The Las Vegas Sun and KLAS Channel 8 went to District Court today to gain access to sealed documents that may show the attorney general's office conducted a secret intelligence probe of top gaming regulators.

Editorial: Let's not delay on Lake Tahoe: There is reason for guarded optimism, though. The Lake Tahoe Restoration Act pending in Congress would allocate $300 million over the next 10 years to support projects intended to reverse the lake's decline. These federal monies would support $274 million in backing from California, $82 million from Nevada and another $300 million from local businesses and governments.

Special session looms even before adjournment for New Mexico legislature: Barry Massey; The Democratic-led Legislature gave final approval to a $3.4 billion budget package, but the Republican governor was likely to veto the measure. The governor doesn't have to act quickly. He has 20 days to sign or veto bills passed in the final stretch of a legislative session.

Senate committee votes to outlaw slots from the Kentucky Lottery: Mark R. Chellgren; Lottery President Arch Gleason said the lottery has no intention of offering slot machines without permission of policymakers like the governor and legislature. But he said he would prefer restrictions short of a change in the law, which could hamper the lottery from keeping up with changes in attitudes and technology in the future.

Key hearing on planned Greektown casino postponed: The delay means less tax money - perhaps as much as $5 million in taxes - for the city and state in the current fiscal year.

Community news briefs for February 17, 2000: Peace Corps will hold informational meeting for potential volunteers 7:30 p.m. on Wednesday at the Clark County Library in the Jewel Box Theatre, 1401 E. Flamingo Road and 7:30 p.m. Feb. 24 at UNLV in the Moyer Student Union Lounge 202.

Friday at Aqueduct: 1st race 1 mi 70 yd 4YO & up Clm: 1 Devil's Ransom (Luzzi) 116; 2 Hip Happy Hip (Mojica) 112; 3 Ricky Gold (Nelson) 112; 4 Golden Furiously (Arroyo) 111; 5 Shore Drive Place (Montalvo) 109; 6 Sense of Boundary (Bridgmohan) 112; 7 Go Public (Rocco) 111; 8 Glide Home (Martinez) 114; 9 Checkpasser (Vergara) 116.

Where I Stand -- Mike O'Callaghan: No more free swings: Well, they finally did it. A few Forest Service whiners blaming District of Nevada U.S. Attorney Kathryn Landreth for their own shortcomings eventually teed off the lady. Some of us closely watching the flap created by the resignation of Humboldt-Toiyabe National Forest Supervisor Gloria Flora knew that Landreth had been doing her job long before Flora had even arrived on the scene.

Wednesday prep playoff results: Cimarron-Memorial 2, Bonanza 1, OT Goals: Cim-Yslas, Bailey; Bon-Perry.

President of corporation that runs SunRay Park and Casino resigns: Pete Herrera; SunRay Park, the state's newest horse racing track, opened last summer. In recent weeks it has been the target of much scrutiny and criticism from the State Racing Commission and the state Gaming Control Board.

Man charged with conspiracy to kill Ohio man waives hearing: Kristen Hays; Robert Petrick, 34, of Bentleyville is one of seven people charged in connection with the December death of Ira Swearingen, 49, of Stout, Ohio.

Letter: Blue Diamond Hill should be made part of Red Rock: The BLM's Red Rock Conservation Area is our favorite place to take out-of-town guests, and for ourselves to take a break from the city. This year I have been volunteering there and have probably talked with several thousand visitors (of the some 1 million who visit the area annually). Many are local residents who come to picnic, hike, climb or just to enjoy the scenery.

Venetian wax attraction is thick with nostalgic appeal: The attraction that features lifelike wax figures of celebrities, political figures and athletes is providing a specially created Black History Month educational pamphlet, which contains information of several notable black sports and entertainment figures portrayed at the attraction.

IBL box: Trenton-Las Vegas: TRENTON (17-17)

'American Beauty' early Oscar favorite: Kevin Spacey is also favored to win the best actor award for his role in the movie.

Morales fighting mad at Barrera: Dean Juipe; This is a little different for Erik Morales.

Friday at Bay Meadows: 1st race 1 mi 4YO & up Clm: 1 Hello Heller (Baze) 119; 2 Cash Cash Cash (Burns) 117; 3 Hassler (Tohill) 117; 4 Amado Lark (Miranda) 110; 5 Still Swingin' (Alvarado) 117.

Doctor urges testing for lead in learning-disabled children: Scott Sonner; "We simply do not know the causes of more than 80 percent of learning disabilities in children," said Dr. Philip Landrigan, director of the Children's Center for Health and the Environment at New York City's Mount Sinai School of Medicine.

State sets bar for recognizing sacrifices of patriotic attorneys: The memorial is located in front of the State Bar building, 600 E. Charleston Blvd., one block east of Las Vegas Boulevard and will be dedicated by Sparks native, longtime Nevada attorney and World War II veteran Jack Streeter.

Columnist Joe Delaney: From 'soft' to 'press' to 'preview,' openings run gamut: Joe Delaney; Despite a spate of openings in January, starting with a partially new edition of "Splash" (Riviera), followed by Clint Holmes (Harrah's); "David Cassidy Live At the Copa, Co-starring Sheena Easton" (Rio); "Notre Dame de Paris" (Paris Las Vegas); and Wayne Newton (Stardust), in that order, we still have Blue Man Group (Luxor) on Feb. 25, plus the Strip debut of Danny Gans in a theater built for him at the Mirage on April 2.

Mohegans unveil $800 million expansion to casino complex: "This is a very exciting day for us," said Maynard Strickland, a member of the Tribal Council, who attended Wednesday's announcement of the plan in New York City. "It's putting Uncasville on the map."

Columnist Ruthe Deskin: Here's a cheer for engineers: Ruthe Deskin; "He's a rambling wreck from Georgia Tech, and a hell of an engineer."

Two wardens put on leave over inmate stabbing incident: Brendan Riley; Nevada Prisons Director Bob Bayer confirmed Wednesday that the prison's two associate wardens, Larry O'Halloran, 47, and Erlton Lawrence, 64, are both on administrative leave.

Letter: Tolerance of child abuse continues: There was a man in the neighborhood where I grew up who was mentally abused by his father and fellow classmates. He was a clown named John Wayne Gacy. You know the rest of the story, as do 33 young men and their families.

Rolls call: Kimberley McGee; The name Rolls-Royce is synonymous with good taste and elegance, and there are quite a few being driven around this flashy city.

Henderson leads Silver Bandits to 109-100 victory over Trenton: The win was the seventh in the last eight and 19 in the last 21 games for the Silver Bandits. Las Vegas is now within a half-game of St. Louis for the IBL West lead.

Editorial: Debating right role for U.S. government: Ensign's remarks, first published by the Elko Daily Free Press, came during a Lincoln Day Dinner held last weekend in Elko, the center of a controversy between local officials and the U.S. Forest Service. So "most" of what the federal government does is unconstitutional? We wonder if Ensign was referring to Social Security, which provides a retirement safety net? What about Medicare, Head Start, federal highway funds, or even college student loans? He certainly couldn't have been talking about the federal subsidies that ranchers in Elko County receive for grazing.

Witness in Edwards trial says he disapproved of payments: Natalie Gott; But Carl Bolm, who received immunity in exchange for his testimony, said he grew furious when he learned that the Louisiana consultant, Cecil Brown, had entered into a deal worth more than $4.5 million with another group of investors who also were seeking a casino license.

Friday at Santa Anita: 1st race 1 mi 3YO Clm: 1 First Journey (Solis) 119; 2 Dubyuh Dubyuh (Pincay) 119; 3 The Martian (Diaz) 112; 4 Hidefromthebride (Martinez) 117; 5 Patrick's Slew (Puglisi) 119; 6 Timely Minister (McCarron) 119; 7 Chaffee's Prospect (Nakatani) 119.

Ralph Siraco's selections for Friday's races at Santa Anita: 1st Race -- Timely Minister - Connections of owner McCarrery & Toffan, trainer Gonzalez and jockey McCarron, should improve this time around. First Journey - Draws good rail post for the mile, Solis aboard Truman trainee, may get best journey. Value Play -- Chaffee's Prospect

Sun Behind the Scenes: Brock Henson: Contribution to prep sports: Henson, a participant in Sunrise Hospital's athletic health care program, is stationed at Valley High School, where he monitors all home practices and games for the Viking sports teams. A Bonanza graduate who played soccer and volleyball for the Bengals, Henson said he got into in sports medicine because it offered him a chance to stay involved in athletics. "There was never an athletic trainer at my school at the time," Henson said. "As an athletic trainer, if I can't play at least I'm getting to be a part of the team atmosphere." So far, Henson ...

Sun Male Athlete of the Week: Andre Rhodes: Andre Rhodes

Columnist Dean Juipe: 'Byrds' of a feather to clash at Regent: Dean Juipe; Facially, the men may not be identical.

Construction accident victims win millions: The jury deliberated less than one day following a two-week trial.

Battle over adult bookstore goes on: City councilman Michael McDonald has waged a three-year battle to close down Hot Stuff but the efforts have been tied up in court.

Southwest Ambulance talks get go-ahead: American Medical Response already serves the city and council members agreed to begin negotiating on how Southwest might compete with AMR.

Columnist Spencer Patterson: Silverado's success: Enjoy it while it lasts: Spencer Patterson; Since opening in 1994, Silverado High School has spent many an athletic season chasing its fellow new schools, particularly nearby Green Valley, in the standings.

Interchange finally in place: Although the final wedge is being placed, the section of south Interstate 15 leading to south U.S. Highway 95 won't be open until March 24 because of striping and other roadwork.

Sun Female Athlete of the Week: Jennifer Breeden: Jennifer Breeden

Half inch of rain takes out Vegas streets: No major problems were reported.

Sun Behind The Scenes: Amber Bonds: Amber Bonds / Palo Verde Panther mascot

Obituaries for February 17, 2000: Katie B. Awtrey, 83, of Las Vegas died Saturday in Las Vegas. She was born Oct. 24, 1916, in Oklahoma. A resident for several months, she was a beautician.

Ailing Durango breezes to win: Spencer Patterson; Durango's girls basketball squad took the court for Wednesday night's opening-round playoff game looking more like a M.A.S.H unit than a team with a shot to advance to the state tournament.

Nevadans pledge cooperation in face of California gambling expansion: "We are looking at the gorilla on the doorstep," University of Nevada, Reno economics professor Bill Eadington said.

Senator critical of NCAA efforts to curb illegal college sports betting: Robert Macy; Reid issued the critique in discussing a bill he introduced which calls on the U.S. Attorney General's office to investigate illegal gambling on college sports events on campuses nationwide.

Bernstein to announce candicacy for Senate: Bernstein, a Democrat, will hold news conferences in Las Vegas and Reno on March 13 to officially announce his challenge to former Rep. John Ensign, a Republican.

Brown's son-in-law testifies for the prosecution: Natalie Gott; The appearance on the stand of Karl DeRouen, married to Brown's oldest daughter, made for one the most emotional days in court since the trial began Jan. 10.

AirTran says its alliance with Beau Rivage on solid footing, profitable: Matt Moore; In October of 1999, 77,000 passengers used the airport, a 104 percent increase compared to the same time in 1998.

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