Print edition for January 4, 2000

Wednesday at Aqueduct: 1st race 6 fur 4YO & up Clm: 1 No Secrets (Lavoy) 107; 2 Tahapo (Hole) 118; 3 a-Sunny Side (Lopez) 112; 4 Whiteroom (Aguilar) 117; 5 a-Love My Lisa (Arroya) 107; 6 Brilliant Banker (Rodriguez) 116; 7 Fight for Love (Lovato) 116; 8 Thepromonroe (Vergara) 118; 9 Mr. Buffum (Gryder) 116; 10 Carson County (Bridgmohan) 118.

Montana rejects gambling network bid: His office will send out another request for bids later this month in hopes of getting more and better responses.

Obituaries for January 4, 2000: Donald Bones, 73, of Henderson died Wednesday in Henderson. He was born May 13, 1926, in Huntington Park, Calif. A resident for 14 years, he was a retired plumber, a World War II Navy veteran and a member of the Navy Armed Guard veterans.

Reno Arch site of reunion for two: "People kept saying, 'Oh, you're wasting your time. No one will show up," said Robinson, a Reno native who lives in Quartz Hill, Calif.

Child care center joins relief effort for children of war-torn Kosovo: The center, which provides child care to about 150 children from infants to 7 years old, is collecting book bags and backpacks filled with school supplies for elementary school children in Pristina and other regions of Kosovo.

Wednesday at Golden Gate: 1st race 1-1/16 mi 4YO & up Clm: 1 Richmond Rowdy (Campbell) 119; 2 It's Reality (Radke) 114; 3 Ceetoit (Baze) 119; 4 Fabled Knight (Valdez) 119; 5 Hero in Our Time (Carr) 119; 6 Graduation Dance (Nuesch) 119; 7 Guildenstern (Lopez) 119.

Columnist Dean Juipe: 'Title' game should go FSU's way: Dean Juipe; This is it: College football's game of the season.

UNLV looking to put 40-point beating behind them tonight against High Point: Victoria Sun; Some games you wish would never end.

Weaver's dream: A Tech championship: Steve Guiremand; NEW ORLEANS -- Jim Weaver is enjoying a nice, sunny 70-degree day before Virginia Tech's practice at Tulane University here by tossing a football back and forth with a youngster.

Gibbons taking his office on statewide tour: Gibbons, R-Nev., has instituted what he is calling "a statewide mobile office tour" to better serve his constituents, especially those in the smaller communities.

West Virginia group wants to limit kids' access to gray machines: Concerned Women for America's West Virginia chapter wants the Legislature to pass the ban this year and subject machine owners to fines, imprisonment and the loss of their business license for violating the ban.

Wednesday at Santa Anita: 1st race 6-1/2 fur 4YO & up F & M Clm: 1 Choice Blend (Valenzuela) 118; 2 K Sera (Pedroza) 118; 3 Puddy Cat (Enriquez) 118; 4 John's Hope (Alvarado) 118; 5 Denamax (Valenzuela) 118; 6 Kristen (Espinoza) 118; 7 Goinwitheflo (Ramsammy) 116; 8 Truely It Is (Steiner) 118.

Reno police have trouble with parking tickets: But it didn't result in any breaks for motorists at expired meters in town. Officers resorted to the old-fashioned pen-and-paper methods for writing those parking tickets, he said.

Panel sees public information key in battle against pollution: A committee of high-powered Las Vegans has been meeting for more than a year in response to threats from the Environmental Protection Agency to cut federal funding unless air pollution levels drop.

Former governor named to post: Walsh once credited Miller for helping save the Fox television show "America's Most Wanted" by launching a letter-writing campaign by governors and attorneys general.

Finding roommates moves into the age of the Internet: "On November 13th, Felix Unger was asked to remove himself from his place of residence. That request came from his wife. Deep down, he knew she was right, but he also knew that someday he would return to her. With nowhere else to go, he appeared at the home of his childhood friend, Oscar Madison. Sometime earlier, Madison's wife had thrown him out, requesting that he never return.

Letter: America has opportunity to protect forests: President Clinton has launched a land conservation initiative that would be an historic gift to future Americans, including those in Nevada, specifically through management of roadless areas in the Humboldt-Toiyabe National Forest. On Oct. 13, 1999, President Clinton announced a directive to the U.S. Forest Service to begin preparing a policy that would protect nearly 60 million acres of forest wilderness in our national forests. This policy will become final towards the end of 2000.

Carson City unions mad at mayor: Also endorsing the ads are the four major unions representing firefighters, fire supervisors, sheriff's deputies and sheriff's supervisors.

Editorial: Time to slow down power deregulation: Even though McIntire is qualified, the governor apparently didn't foresee that McIntire might be unable to vote on critical issues because of his prior work on the commission. So in an effort to break this 1-1 logjam, Guinn intends to appoint temporary commissioners to decide some of these cases. The governor should rethink this action, though. Naming temporary commissioners would be at odds with the spirit of the law that attempts to insulate commissioners from political influence. It's no coincidence that commissioners are appointed to four-year terms. Unless they resign, Nevada law states commissioners can only be removed by the ...

Charges possible after 4 1/2-month-old baby found alone in Minnesota casino hotel: The parents returned 2 1/2 hours later. The mother said she had been looking in the casino for the father so they could check out of the hotel, said Prior Lake Police Officer Rich Evans, who was waiting for them when they returned.

City to debut television station: LAS VEGAS - The city of Las Vegas plans to spend more than $1 million annually touting city services on its new television channel.

Fernley murder suspect pleads guilty: YERINGTON, Nev. - The woman accused of killing a 76-year-old Fernley woman in September during a botched burglary has pleaded guilty to first-degree murder and robbery.

Reid campaign agrees to pay $3,000 fine: There was no allegation the payment method was improper. Rather, the FEC said it found reason to believe the committee violated election law by failing to itemize how much each worker was paid each month. The law requires campaigns to itemize any expense more than $200 in reports it files periodically with the agency.

Illinois OKs casino purchase over investigators' objections: Shortly afterward, on Nov. 30, the Gaming Board approved a $609 million deal for Binion's Horseshoe Gaming to buy the Empress riverboat casinos in Joliet and Hammond, Ind.

Where I Stand -- James Valpiani: Impassioned opinions: Prominent Nevada citizens such as Sen. Richard Bryan, Lt. Gov. Lorraine Hunt and Sheriff Jerry Keller moderated the student groups at the Sun Youth Forum. However, unlike notoriously monotonous lectures, the students directed the conversations while the adults simply maintained the peace.

Judge orders Harrah's to make shuttle ADA compliant: LAS VEGAS - A federal judge in Las Vegas has ordered Harrah's Reno to make three shuttle buses accessible to wheelchair users by Jan. 14.

Bryan off to Africa on security survey: In Kenya and Tanzania, the senators are expected to assess security precautions the United States has put in place since the U.S. embassies in those countries were bombed on Aug. 7, 1998. The terrorist action killed 257 people including a dozen Americans.

Letter: Clinton: Great father of the world?: NATO has become a latter-day colonial power in the Balkans, assuming the role once held by the Ottomans and Hapsburg empires. Moreover, we are subjected to the spectacle of the great father of the world, also known as Bill Clinton, giving pious, condescending speeches instructing Kosovars in the virtue of forgiveness.

Deadlines near for ethics disclosures: CARSON CITY -- The state Ethics Commission is reminding legislators and public officials they must file a disclosure statement by Jan. 10 if they were paid to represent a client before a state agency in the last year.

Firm faces complaint over Internet betting: AWI has decided to fight what it considers overzealous attempts by an undercover Control Board investigator to circumvent protections designed to block Americans from wagering with the company's online sportsbook in Australia, Mega$ports.

Cities spend little money on New Year's Eve: LAS VEGAS - While New Year's Eve seemed like a bust for the tourism industry, it may be just the opposite for local governments.

Editorial: Fireworks nowhere to be seen: The talk around water coolers in Las Vegas on Monday wasn't so much what happened, but what didn't happen on New Year's Eve. Unlike cities around the globe that showcased themselves with celebrations capped by stunning fireworks displays, Las Vegas did nothing. This was odd, because this wasn't an ordinary new year, it also was the dawn of both a new century and a new millennium. No one is suggesting that the breathtaking shows in Paris, London and Washington, D.C., could be duplicated here, but to do nothing at all was embarrassing for Las Vegas, which likes to dub itself ...

Columnist Kate Maddox: Marino blows big bucks on New Year's blowouts: Kate Maddox; For some, it was a toss-up: Which of the big headliners to see this New Year's Eve? One Vegas entertainer avoided the problem altogether -- but ended up with one heavy tab.

Election may decide fate of Indian gaming in Nebraska: "I'm convinced this is a tribal sovereignty issue," Schimek said.

School Board wasting money: It seems to me that the Clark County School Board is spending our tax money recklessly. Of course, that's just my opinion.

Megabucks jackpot hits a record: If the Megabucks slot jackpot were hit today, it would be the largest in history. Here are the top Megabucks jackpots, who hit them, when and where:

Ethics Commission to reopen case involving LV councilman: Erin Neff; The state Ethics Commission will reopen an inquiry into an official vote cast last year by Las Vegas Councilman Michael McDonald.

North Las Vegas Mayor, council considering pay raises: Diana Sahagun; Future North Las Vegas City Council members could see a $16,000 annual salary increase in the coming election year, under an ordinance to be introduced this week.

$28 million payoff just a pull away: Nevada has 157 casinos with Megabucks, a statewide system coordinated by Reno-based International Game Technology.

Internet -- what else? -- to be showcased at CES: The largest Consumer Electronics Show in the event's 32-year history begins Wednesday in Las Vegas with a keynote address from a familiar figure.

Shuffle Master restates earnings because of Mikohn settlement: The Las Vegas casino supply company was forced to restate earnings as a result of its $2.75 million settlement with Mikohn Gaming Corp., announced last week. As a result, the company is now reporting a loss of $200,000, or 3 cents per share, for the quarter ending Oct. 31.

Slot maker exiting Web gambling industry: Ed Rogich, vice president of marketing for IGT, said the company viewed the minority stake in Access to be an opportunity to expand with what was viewed as a company that intended to market itself to customers where Internet gambling is legal.

McGuire Sisters consider return to the Big Apple: Robert Macy; "We'd like to put together something like a special concert in New York City, where it all began," Phyllis McGuire said Monday as she and sisters Dorothy and Christine prepared for a four-night engagement here.

Another coin truck robbed: Keith Paul; A rash of coin truck robberies is not the work of just one group of robbers, but several groups pulling off the heists like the coin truck holdup Monday night outside a neighborhood bar, Metro Police said today.

Mayor has plan to fight nuke waste: Erin Neff; Las Vegas Mayor Oscar Goodman admits he didn't know where Yucca Mountain was until after he was elected.

Blood shortage prompts call for donors: "We have to meet our own needs because we probably can't borrow from other regions," she said. "They're in the same situation we are."

Y2K bug takes a holiday from state: CARSON CITY -- The $6 million the state spent on preparing its massive computer system for the change of centuries apparently paid off.

Kansas City merger called off with ONEOK shareholder: KANSAS CITY, Mo. -- Kansas City Power & Light Co. called off its $2.5 billion merger with Kansas-based Western Resources Inc. -- the largest utility in Kansas and the largest shareholder in the company trying to buy Southwest Gas Corp. of Las Vegas.

Big Black casino lawsuit moved to federal court: Paul Payne; Attorney David Kaufman, who represents Harrah's Vicksburg Corp., said he moved the case from Pike County where it was originally filed to the U.S. District Court in Jackson on Dec. 30.

Boggs McDonald gets jump on 2001: Erin Neff; The year 2000 may have just dawned, but Las Vegas Councilwoman Lynette Boggs McDonald is already treating the new year as if it really is the start of the 21st century.

Appeals court won't hear Lake County appeal: Michael Dockterman, an attorney for Lake County Riverboat L.P., said the developers will continue their attempt to keep the case in Lake County with an appeal to the Illinois Supreme Court.

Board to review cost of superintendent search: Terry Webster; With costs now reaching over $100,000, the Clark County School Board will review expenses incurred by the search for a new superintendent during Wednesday's meeting.

Man found dead in hotel room ID'd: Keith Paul; The Las Vegas man who was found dead Sunday at the Orleans hotel-casino has been identified as 32-year-old Roy Powell, according to the Clark County coroner.

Las Vegas seeks share of HUD rent vouchers: Benjamin Grove; WASHINGTON -- Las Vegas officials are eager for Congress to increase housing vouchers offered to low-income families because fast-growing Clark County has a swelling number of parents who can't make rent.

Prints sought to link new suspects to Binion death scene: A prosecutor filed court papers today seeking to determine whether two men charged with stealing Ted Binion's silver fortune were at his home the day of his September 1998 slaying.

Two companies face discrimination suits: Kim Smith; Two race discrimination lawsuits were filed in U.S. District Court Monday, one against Albertson's and the other against Toys R Us.

Lack of fireworks hurt TV coverage: Compared to the envious television coverage Paris, London and Moscow received for their flashy New Year's celebrations, Las Vegas garnered less-than-flattering attention from national networks.

Turnout leads to surplus in funds for government: A lighter-than-expected turnout on the Las Vegas Strip to celebrate the new millennium should return hundreds of thousands of dollars to local government coffers, officials are saying.

Nevada Blue Cross/Blue Shield gains new two-state manager: Anthem Inc. of Indianapolis appointed Caroline Matthews to head Anthem Blue Cross and Blue Shield in the two states. Matthews will replace David Kikumoto, who has been chief executive of the operations for the past seven years.

Frontier to be replaced by resort with SF theme: Gary Thompson; Real estate magnate Phil Ruffin said Monday he plans to implode his New Frontier hotel-casino on the Las Vegas Strip and replace it with a $700 million San Francisco-themed resort.

Reid campaign committee fined for payroll problem: Benjamin Grove; WASHINGTON -- The Federal Elections Commission fined the campaign committee for Sen. Harry Reid, D-Nev., $3,000 because the committee made accounting errors during his 1998 bid.

Lee Canyon's slopes get a dusting of man-made powder and no help from Mother Nature: Shaunta Grimes and Kristen Peterson; The inch of snow that fell in Mount Charleston's Lee Canyon Saturday night was a nice gift for a new year but not enough to rescue skiers or the county's only snow recreation resort from a dry season.

Binion prosecutors OK with ex-banker's source of bail funds: Prosecutors are satisfied that bail posted by a former California banker charged with crimes related to Ted Binion's death came from genuine funds.

Woman sues Metro Police, claiming false imprisonment: Kim Smith; A Las Vegas woman arrested by Metro Police two years ago is suing the department and two of its officers for assault and false imprisonment.

Officer involved in shooting is identified: Vialard, 32, is on routine administrative leave while the shooting is investigated.

Petition filed to ban gay marriages: CARSON CITY -- A petition to amend the Nevada Constitution to ban gay marriages in Nevada was filed today by a coalition who says the traditional concept of marriage needs to be protected.

Conservative lobbyists move against slots that entice children: CHARLESTON, W.Va. -- A conservative lobbying group wants Gov. Cecil Underwood and the Legislature to pledge to ban gambling machines from areas where children have access to them.

Drive targets same-sex marriages: If the Coalition for the Protection of Marriage succeeds in its efforts, it would block state lawmakers from allowing gay marriages. Legislators in 1993 repealed a sodomy statute and last year provided workplace protections for gays and lesbians.

10,000 shovels to help citizens in Nevada's bull trout rebellion: "We need to band together," he said Tuesday from Eureka, Mont.

Alliance Gaming lays off 80, to post fourth-quarter loss: David Strow; Debt-laden Alliance Gaming Corp. announced layoffs and cutbacks Monday, moves it says will result in more than $8 million in annual savings.

Jack Binion's ties, reputation questioned by Illinois regulators, but casino sale OK'd: CHICAGO -- Illinois regulators approved the sale of a casino to a company run by Las Vegas gambling figure Jack Binion even though investigators said questions about Binion's background should disqualify him from casino ownership, the Chicago Tribune reported today.

Parents investigated after baby found alone in casino hotel: PRIOR LAKE, Minn. -- Parents of a 4-month-old baby face possible child endangerment charges for leaving their child alone at a casino hotel for several hours.

Wisconsin tribe complains about video poker competition: MADISON, Wis. -- The Oneida Indians say the recent decriminalization of video poker machines in taverns violates gambling compacts of Wisconsin tribes, but it made its first payment to the state under its compact anyway.

Robinson on Fox show: Other guests scheduled to appear on the broadcast are Denver Broncos coach Mike Shanahan and former Washington Redskins receiver Gary Clark. The show is scheduled to run at 8 p.m. today on Fox Sports West (Cable 49).

Community news briefs for January 4, 2000: St. Rose Dominican Hospital is offering a free class to help those considering plastic surgery to determine if they are viable candidates.

Columnist Ron Kantowski: Adopting playoff format is not as simple as ABC: With the once-revered tradition of the Big Four New Year's Day bowl games having been dissolved like a couple of Alka-Seltzers at John Daly's place in order to appease the TV folks, now might be as good a time as any to dump the current bowl system in favor of a full-blown playoff.