Print edition for January 11, 2000

Columnist Dean Juipe: Absences cost Rebels a victory: Dean Juipe; This time Lou Kelly's absence, and perhaps Bill Bayno's as well, cost the UNLV basketball team a victory.

Embattled forest supervisor to speak under Human Rights Network sponsorship: "We are very much concerned about when politics get so impassioned that people think it's OK to resort to threats and intimidation," he said. Talks are planned in Kalispell, Hamilton and Helena.

Columnist Ron Kantowski: Top Ten List from '91 takes a shot at Rebels: Last week, I made good on a Y2K resolution and cleaned out my desk. Actually, that's too strong a word. Let's just say I went through much of the stuff that had been accumulating there during the past 13 years.

Wednesday at Santa Anita: 1st race 6 fur 4YO & up F & M Mdn Clm: 1 Lady Dreadstar (Nakatani) 121; 2 Flores Wild Cat (Diaz) 112; 3 Melo Note (Gomez) 121; 4 Femme (McCarron) 121; 5 Petal Pink (Garcia) 120; 6 Wind Flower (Valenzuela) 121; 7 Trick Z (Desormeaux) 121.

Wednesday at Aqueduct: 1st race 6 fur 4YO & up Mdn Clm: 1 Cure My Wish (Gryder) 121; 2 Tornado Alert (Panas) 121; 3 Branjidas (Teator) 121; 4 Joe's Big Gun (Nelson) 121; 5 The Three Pros (Lopez) 121; 6 Bullfrog (Velasquez) 121; 7 Say Man (Rojas) 121; 8 Darn the Clock (Beitia) 121; 9 Strider's Tiger (Martinez) 121; 10 a-Release Me (Pezua) 121; 11 Cool Cold Gold (Santagata) 121; 12 The Whole Shabang (Rodriquez) 121.

Wednesday at Golden Gate: 1st race 1-1/16 mi 4YO Clm: 1 Tour Pure (Meza) 117; 2 Reckless Ruler (Carr) 117; 3 My Cuz Al (Radke) 112; 4 Shawo Mountain (Baze) 117; 5 Eskimo Passion (Castro) 117; 6 Exactfir (Barton) 119.

Community news briefs for January 11, 2000: Registration for YMCA of Southern Nevada's Youth Basketball League is open through Saturday. This coed league is for boys and girls ages 8-13. Participants learn fair play, teamwork, sportsmanship and good character. Call the YMCA of Southern Nevada for more information at 877-9622.

Conflict could jeopardize nuke plans for Yucca: A former top lawyer for the Nuclear Regulatory Commission says that permission to build a high-level nuclear waste repository at Yucca Mountain could be jeopardized by a Department of Energy contractor's conflict of interest.

Brigham Young-UNLV box score: Brigham Young (12-2, 1-0)

Casino-debt collection class-action suit grows: Kim Smith; Two out-of-town visitors have joined a class-action suit against Clark County District Attorney Stewart Bell and several local casinos over their debt collection practices.

Battle begins over Venetian cost overruns, construction payments: Gary Thompson; A Nevada State Contractors Board hearing on complaints filed against the general contractor for the Venetian hotel-casino didn't resolve any issues or please many participants Monday.

Audit finds ambulance response time lagging: Erin Neff; The warring sides in the debate over who should provide ambulance service in Southern Nevada renewed their conflict Monday after the release of a city audit that claims American Medical Response is failing to respond to calls in a timely manner.

Not so good for starters: Victoria Sun; It's tough when you're an 18-year-old freshman and you suddenly find the ball in your hands with a few seconds left on the clock and your team down by two points.

Obituaries for January 11, 2000: LaJuana K. Belvin, 37, of Las Vegas died Sunday in a local hospital. She was born Feb. 11, 1962, in Los Angeles. A resident for 10 years, she was a hotel housekeeper.

Venetian owner stirs up rumors in Michigan: "I know what the rumors are, but I can't comment," Adelson told the Detroit Free Press. Greektown officials also declined comment.

New year brings new crises for Red Cross: Most of the media reported few problems with the dawn of the new millennium.

Reward for slain horses, burros grows: Jace Radke; The reward for information about the killing of four wild horses and two burros near Lee Canyon is nearing $15,000.

Park Place, MGM Grand to open registration desks at McCarran: David Strow; Two Strip resort operators plan to open registration desks at McCarran International Airport that allow their customers to check into their rooms even before they've left the airport.

Creation of Nevada business court endorsed: CARSON CITY -- Special courts that would handle only business and contract disputes in Nevada could be another selling point to lure industry to the state.

Corporate Challenge racks up big costs: Erin Neff; Few argue over the goodwill and competitive spirit that the Las Vegas Corporate Challenge brings to thousands of valley employees engaged in its athletic events each spring.

School zoning changes prompt criticism from some parents: Terry Webster; After a show of support in the audience revealed a majority of happy customers, Dusty Dickens, director of the Clark County School District's Demographics, Zoning & Realty Department, joked that television cameras are never around when there's good news.

Voters to get economic development measure a third time: CARSON CITY -- Twice before -- in 1992 and 1996 -- Nevada voters defeated a proposed constitutional amendment to allow the state to invest in private companies to promote economic development.

UNLV's Frohlich wins MWC weekly honor: With the selection, Frohlich has become the first women's basketball player to earn the honor twice.

Internet sex industry becomes business-like at LV convention: David Strow; Adult conventions follow Las Vegas' big technology conventions as surely as casinos always win out in the end.

Woman sues Metro Police over arrest: Kim Smith; A Jean woman arrested by Metro Police two years ago has filed a federal lawsuit against the department claiming officers violated her civil rights and used excessive force.

Woman gets probation in retaliatory beating death: Bill Gang; A battered woman who set a deadly retaliatory scheme into motion has won probation, in part because of her injuries and because she became a prosecution witness against two men who beat her husband to death.

Resort says government violating civil rights: Citing a Dec. 14 LVCVA board action authorizing a lawsuit against the Venetian, the suit says the government agency violated the resort's First Amendment free-speech rights and 14th Amendment right to due process. The suit calls the LVCVA action retaliatory and says the Dec. 14 resolution "is designed to create a chilling effect and prior restraint" upon the Venetian.

Restaurateur June Hamada's body found in swimming pool: Metro Police are treating the apparent drowning of noted Las Vegas restaurateur June Hamada as a natural death pending an autopsy.

Monument plan draws cheers, jeers: Michelle Rushlo; Clinton today approved two new national monuments in Arizona, a third in California and the expansion of a fourth California monument.

Audit oversight panel has huge task ahead: Erin Neff; When the Audit Oversight Committee meets Wednesday for its first time in months, it will be inundated with new audit reports, candidates for the long-vacant city auditor position and potential changes in its practices.

Body found in home; man jailed following standoff: Keith Paul; Metro Police SWAT officers arrested a man this morning who had barricaded himself inside a town house and refused to talk to negotiators after a body was discovered inside the home.

Preserving the past: Ed Koch and Shaunta Grimes; Fort facts

Rummaging through 21st century inventions at CES: Kirk Baird; I mean, I've watched "The Jetsons," I've seen many of those 1940s and '50s movies set in the future. So where's the one-piece metallic space suit we're supposed to wear? Where's the rocketship in every garage? Glass-tube transportation? The ray gun? The robot in every home?

Tenet Healthcare beats profit estimates: The earnings beat the 41-cent average estimate of analysts surveyed by First Call.

Former Gov. List makes LV home: CARSON CITY -- Former Gov. Bob List, who lived most of his life in Northern Nevada, has moved to Las Vegas with his new consulting business.

Clearer focus sought in superintendent search: Terry Webster; A clearer, improved focus is the goal for phase two of the quest for a new superintendent for the Clark County School District, which gets under way this week with a series of meetings for the School Board and the Superintendent Selection Process Committee.

Congress to get bill on college sports betting: Cedric Dempsey called upon NCAA members to support the initiative during his state of the association address at the NCAA's convention in San Diego Sunday, the Los Angeles Times reported.

Rebels notes: Kelly remains on the sidelines: Victoria Sun; UNLV men's basketball head coach Bill Bayno wasn't expected to be around for the team's Mountain West Conference opener against BYU on Monday night.

Stock falls on earnings worries: On Monday B of A stock fell 1.81 to 46.88; since July, the stock has fallen about 40 percent. Industry experts say uncertainty over the Charlotte, N.C.-based bank's ability to meet projected earnings is one of several factors hurting investor confidence.

Magnetic train promoters optimistic about funding: In Germany there's a yearlong wait to buy tickets on a train that levitates on a magnetic field. And all the train does is travel in a 20-mile loop.

Food becomes fine art in Las Vegas: Jace Radke; The metamorphosis of Las Vegas from a town known for 99 cent shrimp cocktails and buffet lines to a culinary destination continued Monday with the announcement that two of the top 18 restaurants in the United States and Canada call the Strip home.

Writs filed in Binion case: Defense lawyers for Sandy Murphy and Rick Tabish attacked on Monday the evidence prosecutors have gathered in the Ted Binion murder case.

Residents urged to speak up on nukes: County Commissioner Myrna Williams urged Southern Nevada residents to tell the Department of Energy today that it has failed to consider local concerns such as radiation exposure from burying deadly nuclear wastes at Yucca Mountain.

LV service company sold: U.S. Labs plans to incorporate Stewart's environmental services work into the daily operations of its other Las Vegas subsidiary, Buena Engineers Inc. Buena provides geotechnical and construction materials inspection and testing.

State Supreme Court hears case of tourist beaten by union picketers: Las Vegas attorney Will Kemp, who represents White, argued before the Supreme Court justices Monday for a new trial.

Series of hikes planned at Red Rock Canyon: Some coming programs:

Columnist Susan Snyder: Animals need protection from us: There is something to be said for the sicko or sickos who shot four wild horses and two burros in the Lee Canyon area.

Immigration service owner sues attorney, INS officials: Bill Gang; A Las Vegas immigration service owner who was sued two years ago over charges of practicing law without a license and producing shoddy work lashed back Monday at those she said have conspired to destroy her livelihood.

Letter: Branigan dedicated public servant: I wrote this letter because I believe the public should have a balanced view of Ms. Branigan's contributions to the bar and the public of Nevada. While it is fair for the press to report on the performance of public servants, I don't believe it is fair to represent a public servant's performance in one case as indicative of their overall performance. Ms. Branigan has been, and remains, a competent, hard-working, and honest public servant.

Wederquist joins coaching staff: Wederquist replaces Jeff McInerney, who resigned two weeks ago to become defensive coordinator and assistant head coach for longtime friend Keith Burns at Tulsa.

I-80 sniper sentenced to at least 20 years in prison: Martin Griffith; RENO, Nev. - A former high school honor student was sentenced Tuesday to at least 20 years in prison for a sniper attack on Interstate 80 that he said was to start a cross-country shooting spree.

Clinton bestows national monument status to land around Grand Canyon: Sonya Ross; Like every president since 1906 except three, Clinton used the Antiquities Act to protect the federally owned scenic areas from harm from activities such as mining or development. The largest area, the Grand Canyon-Parashant National Monument, covers a million acres filled with vegetation, minerals, and Paleozoic rock.

Columnist Kate Maddox: Shake-ups keep shaking Channel 3: Kate Maddox; The staff shake-ups at KVBC Channel 3 didn't end with the firing of high-profile anchor Rikki Cheese last month. Soon after Cheese was dismissed, Glen Turner, the station's production manager, departed after some 20 years of service. And recently Rolla Cleaver, who served as director of new operations, was unceremoniously let go.

Origin of bones remains mystery: Shaunta Grimes and Ed Koch; Archeologists digging on the site of the Old Mormon Fort last year made an amazing discovery -- one that shut down the reconstruction project for a short period.

Mapes protectors lose another legal battle; bricks for sale: Scott Sonner; RENO, Nev. - The city of Reno won another legal battle Tuesday in its effort to demolish the historic Mapes Hotel and a demolition boss said he intends to sell souvenir bricks for $1 each after the implosion Jan. 30.

Judge to decide Wynn kidnapper's fate: Kim Smith; One of the men involved in the kidnapping seven years ago of Steve Wynn's daughter will have to remain behind bars until a judge figures out if he violated his supervised release.

Where I Stand -- Brian Greenspun: Find peace amid politics: By the time you read this, history may have been made. The likelihood, of course, is that it will not yet be done.

Editorial: Injecting politics is shameless: Neither option was desirable, but the best course was to reunite the boy with his father, a decision the INS chose last week. This tough call later was endorsed by President Clinton and Attorney General Janet Reno. Former President Gerald Ford also backed the decision. The ruling hasn't been met with universal acclaim, though. Even Vice President Al Gore, a Democratic presidential hopeful, isn't willing to back the INS decision, saying that it might be better for the custody issue to be decided by a court.

Lawmakers to rethink ban on concealed weapons in offices: But Lorne Malkiewich, director of the Legislative Counsel Bureau, said he'll wait until after the next discussion before ordering the signs that are required if the operators of a public building don't allow concealed weapons.

Editorial: Ingenuity necessary to fight cybercrimes: Attorney General Janet Reno announced Monday that she would like to see local, state and federal law enforcement agencies create an "anti-cybercrime network." The attorney general's proposal envisions teams of skilled computer investigators and prosecutors. There also would be forensic computer labs and sharing of technology. In addition, Reno believes there should be interstate agreements to enforce out-of-state subpoenas and warrants involving cybercrimes. Reno's proposals sound sensible and should be explored soon before law enforcement agencies get left behind the cybercriminals.

Letter: Coalition spreads hatred based on sexual orientation: Ziser also asserts that unless his petition drive is successful, schools may be required to teach that same sex marriages are legal. That is another complete absurdity. Regardless of the success of this petition drive, the law in Nevada restricts marriages to couples of different sexes. Do our schools currently teach that common-law marriages are legal because they may be legal in some states other than Nevada? Of course not.

State board steps up discipline of contractors: The new laws were passed after many homeowners complained the board favored contractors, hired unqualified investigators and took too long to process complaints.

Tribe says racism behind Fallon's refusal of utility service: "It is racially based," said Treva J. Hearne, lawyer for the tribe. "The city claims it's an issue of sovereignty but the only people capable of having such an issue are Native Americans. Of course it's racial."

Letter: Gay sex practices beneath contempt: LORRIN PETERSON Pahrump

Judge wants new inspection to see if too late to save Mapes Hotel: Scott Sonner; Washoe District Judge James Hardesty said he intended to decide by the end of today whether to grant another temporary restraining order to halt demolition work on the Mapes.