Print edition for January 12, 2000

U.S. women skate to win: Zack Hall; The United States women's hockey team might have been in Las Vegas for a break from playing the world's most challenging women's teams but that doesn't mean it couldn't score a goal for women's hockey while it was here.

No charge planned in fatal chase into Strip traffic: Bill Gang; No charges will be filed against a man who chased his girlfriend into busy Las Vegas Boulevard where she was hit and killed by a sport utility vehicle.

Postal service takes final look at environmental assessment: The huge response should cause the postal service to rethink its refusal to prepare a more detailed environmental impact statement for the project, said Grove Burnett, director of the Western Environmental Law Center in Taos, N.M.

Nevada gets an A- for school efforts: Keith Rheault, deputy superintendent of public instruction, stressed the high marks in briefing a legislative study panel on the report Tuesday, saying it "reflects the quality we will get and do have in our standards."

Columnist Dean Juipe: Two schools of thought on Rocker: Dean Juipe; The question is not whether baseball has the legal right to punish Atlanta Braves pitcher John Rocker for the near-blasphemous comments he made to a national magazine, because, clearly, it does.

Brimmer, Seward stay put; Hagan commits to Cal: Spencer Patterson; Area football players who have given verbal commitments to colleges:

Running back planning to commit to Rebels: Steve Guiremand; Entering his senior year at La Mirada (Calif.) High School, Mike Lemon was one of the most heavily recruited running backs on the West Coast.

Drivers of wind-tossed trucks face citations: A third truck was blown over on Interstate 80 west of Reno, but the driver won't be cited.

Highlights of November win report on Nevada casinos: Highlights of November win report on Nevada casinos

Community news briefs for January 12, 2000: The new Caesar J. Caviglia Academic Computing Center will be dedicated at the Henderson campus of the Community College of Southern Nevada at 4:30 p.m. Thursday.

Columnist Peter Benton: It's difficult to warm up to frost delays: Peter Benton; Although we are experiencing some truly fantastic weather and certainly have no cause for complaint, there are many golfers around town who are becoming increasingly irritated with postponed starting times at our area golf courses because of repeated frost delays.

Regents to consider new leader at CCSN: The selection of the Community College of Southern Nevada's interim president tops a long list of issues before the Board of Regents this week.

Sparks finds new manager under its nose: Carey was assistant city manager before being named acting manager in the wake of Reynolds' departure to work for the Wingfield Springs development.

Week of Martin Luther King celebrations continues: Martin Luther King Jr., recipient of the 1964 Nobel Peace Prize for his work for racial equality, was gunned down in Memphis, Tenn., in 1968.

Columnist Victoria Sun: Younger Nicklaus aims to make name for himself on PGA Tour: Victoria Sun; Gary Nicklaus is from the old school, the same one his father Jack came from.

Paint remover vandals still sought: The county cars were used by the district attorney's office and the city cars wre used by public works and community development employees.

Nevada gets $7.3 million for public roadways: "These funds will improve the quality of Nevada's highways and byways by offering safer, faster and more accessible transportation throughout the state," said Reid, a member of the Transportation Appropriations Subcommittee.

Death penalty sought in double killing: Bill Gang; As the double murder trial of Kenshawn Maxey began Tuesday with jury selection, prosecutors were still seeking the death penalty for the man who was just 17 years old when the crime was committed.

Columnist Paula DelGiudice: Hunting license sales undergo slight decline: Paula DelGiudice; Hunting license sales increased in half of the states in 1998, according to an analysis by the National Shooting Sports Foundation. Twenty-five states reported increases in the sales of hunting licenses, while 24 reported declines and one had no change. The previous year, 32 states showed decreases and 18 had increases.

Nevada scores tops for investment, again: The ranking was based on Nevada's appeal in mineral potential and public policy, said Russ Fields, president of the Nevada Mining Association.

Major fights up in the air: Dean Juipe; The rudderless ship that is professional boxing is careening a bit more than usual this week.

2000 PGA Tour Schedule: Jan. 13-16 - Sony Open. (Paul Azinger)

Gambling lobbyist says Nevada casinos face triple threat: Scott Sonner; RENO, Nev. - The gambling industry's top lobbyist warned Nevada casinos Wednesday they face a triple threat from gambling on the Internet, tribal casinos in California and the NCAA's effort to ban betting on college sports.

Thursday at Aqueduct: 1st race 1-1/16 mi 3YO Fil Mdn: 1 Bellebottom Blues (Lopez) 119; 2 Eastern Delta (Toscano) 119; 3 a-Illusions of Mine (Bridgmohan) 119; 4 Doublecomet (Gryder) 119; 5 a-Reen's Racer (Riquelme) 119; 6 Pip Pip Hurray (Luzzi) 119; 7 French Missionary (Lovato) 119; 8 Easter Song (Husbands) 119; 9 Here's Ya Mama (Velasquez) 119; 10 Ms E's Paddock (DeCarlo) 119; 11 Jessica Rapid (Blake) 112; 12 Glitz N Blue Grass (Beckner) 119.

Thursday at Golden Gate: 1st race 1-1/16 mi 4YO Fil Clm: 1A Clear to There (Perez) 116; 2 Te Quera Mucho (Tohill) 116; 3 Beautiful Princess (Lopez) 116; 4A Run for Boots (Arriaga) 116; 5 Video Girl (Meza) 116; 6 Diamond Play (Baze) 116.

Editorial: AIDS funding for research, prevention: Even in public health issues such as this, national boundaries can act as barriers, with well-off nations dismissing the needs of others. Some African nations believe even more money is needed; they're right. But the Clinton administration's initiative is an important step that might prod other nations to do the same. The AIDS epidemic in Africa has been ignored for far too long.

Columnist Jeff Haney: NFL playoff wagering is a whole new ballgame: If your winning percentage picking NFL games against the spread this season resembles Ty Cobb's lifetime batting average, take heart.

DA blasts sentence for interstate sniper: Comparing his crime to that of "bombers and arsonists," Gammick said the sentence should have ensured Merritt would die in prison or be an old man before becoming eligible for parole.

Letter: Unions are not the answer for workers' problems: However, after six years of a loud, annoying, disruptive and clearly worthless strike, the union "won" and the Elardis sold out to a "real friend of labor." A contract was signed, the pickets came down, and the entire country celebrated with the employees and Rev. Jesse Jackson.

Vegas hosts Internet sex convention: Angie Wagner; The 67-year-old and her longtime friend, Mike Price, sell adult videos and marital "education" shows on the Internet.

Online shoppers should use caution: Kim Smith; Tips for online shoppers

Virtual pickpocketing: Age of victims in 1998:

Columnist Muriel Stevens: Earmarking the local bookstores: It's no secret that I'm hooked on books. Since childhood, books have been my constant companion, spurring my imagination.

Infighting continues over delays in power industry deregulation: So far, he hasn't done so, but delay may be inevitable given the number of issues that must be resolved before the start date.

Storm brings snow, high winds to Sierra Nevada: Closer to Reno, chains or snow tires were required on U.S. 50 over Spooner Summit and Highway 207 over Kingsbury Grade.

Columnist Elizabeth Foyt: Desert Inn catches eye of Martha Stewart's magazine: Elizabeth Foyt; It seems evident that even style guru Martha Stewart is bedazzled by our city's rich offerings. The Desert Inn has been selected by Martha Stewart's Weddings magazine for a lengthy feature in its April issue. The luxury resort was one of only two Las Vegas properties (the other was the Four Seasons Hotel) to be chosen for a special focus on what our city offers bridal couples.

Mystery of dead body solved: Angie Wagner; When Ronald Collins came home drunk, his wife left with her son, hoping her husband would sleep it off. Nine hours later, she returned home to find her husband in the kitchen with the body of a naked woman on the floor.

The Amazing Johnathan brings his dangerous act to Las Vegas: Kimberley McGee; By Kimberley McGee LAS VEGAS SUN

Letter: Casino owners ignore locals: If you watched the celebrations around the world, you would notice that the media did not neglect any major community, or even many minor ones, when those communities celebrated with a pride in their towns and their people. Come on all you moguls, CEOs -- yes, there are other big businesses in our town that could have come together besides just the casinos -- join us out here. We won't hurt you. Become an active part of your community. Participate with us -- your neighbors -- outside your own crystal fortresses. You might find that we're really a nice bunch ...

Obituaries for January 12, 2000: Sharon Ann Achamire, 52, of Las Vegas died Sunday in Las Vegas. She was born Feb. 8, 1948, in California. A resident for more than 35 years, she was a dealer at the Lady Luck.

Letter: Corporate greed hurts Las Vegas: Comparing happenings around the world to the event in Las Vegas made the latter one look like a dog-and-pony show. Thank heaven we have a few chips off the old blocks left. Those modern-day corporate whiz-kids are biodegradable and self-destruct.

Editorial: Conflict of interest is alarming: Some might suggest this is just sour grapes on the part of the losing bidder, but the arguments the firm makes are compelling and demonstrate that the DOE has a serious problem on its hands. As the Sun's Mary Manning reported Tuesday, LeBoeuf, Lamb, Greene & MacRae has hired two witnesses -- nuclear law experts -- who agree that this has created damaging conflicts of interest for the DOE. The former top attorney for the NRC, Howard Shapar, asserts in an affidavit that this conflict is so severe it could jeopardize the Yucca Mountain Project. In addition, former DOE general ...

Thursday at Santa Anita: 1st race 6-1/2 fur 3YO Fil Clm: 1 Don'tiwish (Valenzuela) 120; 2 Knights Maggie (Ramsammy) 118; 3 Miss Dora (Valdivia) 118; 4 Mymoonshiner (Valenzuela) 118; 5 Princess Parioli (Solis) 116; 6 Iron Glow (Flores) 118; 7 Afraidofrain (Nakatani) 120.

Nevada bank branch closed, accounts moved across river to Arizona: On Tuesday, B of A closed its Laughlin branch at 1975 South Casino Drive, and relocated customer accounts across the Colorado River to 1755 Lakeside Drive in Bullhead City, Ariz. The bank's drive-thru and walk-up ATMs remain operational.

News briefs: A 17-year-old boy died this morning in a three-vehicle crash on southbound Interstate 15 near the Charleston Boulevard and U.S. 95 interchange.

Board delays ruling on charges against prominent builder: Diana Sahagun; Falcon Homes President Fred Ahlstrom has been granted a one-month reprieve on a threatened suspension of his contractor's license, pending a meeting between Falcon representatives and a North Las Vegas homeowner.

State schools get A- for standards: CARSON CITY -- A new national report gives Nevada an A- in setting tougher academic standards for public school students but gives considerably lower grades in other areas.

Bellagio, Luxor, Rio are suing Web firms: Grace Leong and Kim Smith; The Bellagio hotel-casino is seeking an injunction against several overseas Internet gaming companies in a bid to stop them from offering gaming on their online casino websites using the BELLAGIO trademark, and selling or registering domain names that contain the mark.

Gambling examiner sides with California woman in jackpot dispute: His recommendation, which reverses a field agent's denial of the payment, will be considered at a meeting Thursday in Las Vegas of the Gaming Control Board.

DOE meeting draws vocal crowd: Additional hearings

Fight shaping up over Web commerce tax: The commission that will make a recommendation to Congress on whether Internet transactions should be taxed is split on the issue.

Harrah's forecast lowered: Analyst William Schmitt dropped his 2000 earnings estimate on Harrah's by 9 cents per share, to $1.76. Earnings estimates for 1999 were dropped 1 cent per share.

Court sets sights on alleged executioner in Doc Holliday holdup: Bill Gang; With the getaway driver already convicted and serving a life prison term in the deadly Doc Holliday's Tavern holdup, the only question remaining is whether 32-year-old Charles Randolph is guilty of being the executioner.

Missouri judge drops perjury charges against former casino executive: The judge ruled that the horse racing law couldn't be applied in riverboat gambling cases.

McMullan out at Resort at Summerlin: At Seven Circle Resorts, a subsidiary of Swiss Casinos of America, McMullan oversaw the planning and development of the Resort at Summerlin. In a statement, the company said McMullan was resigning to start his own development company.

Clevenger gets corporate development post: S. Gregory Clevenger, a former investment banker with Goldman, Sachs & Co., and Morgan Stanley, has joined Rochester, N.Y.-based MGC as senior vice president of corporate development.

Las Vegas man apologizes for e-mail spam campaign: Grace Leong; Individual Investor Group Inc. of New York dropped its lawsuit against a Las Vegas man after it received a public apology and $5,000 from him for illegally sending unsolicited electronic mail or "spams" containing Individual Investor's trademarks and Internet domain names to promote investment opportunities.

Strip win up 35% in November: CARSON CITY -- Casinos along the Las Vegas Strip won $430.6 million from gamblers in November, the second-best month on record, the state Gaming Control Board reported today.

Man arrested in charity scam: CARSON CITY -- A Las Vegas man, believed to have used 20 aliases in the past, has been arrested on charges of stealing about $45,000 from an 82-year-old woman in a charity scam.

Growth topic for annual meeting: Diana Sahagun; The growing kid brother still has a lot of maturing to do but with the right guidance could equal or overtake his bigger siblings.

Silver Bandits host Cincinnati: The Bandits will host the league-leading Cincinnati Stuff (13-2) tonight at 7 at the Thomas & Mack Center.

Gambler sues casinos over allowing him to lose a million while drunk: Kim Smith; A California man is suing the Las Vegas Hilton and Mandalay Bay hotel-casino claiming the casinos were negligent in allowing him to gamble away more than $1 million while he was intoxicated.

LV construction firm files for bankruptcy: The dollar amount of the company's assets and debts wasn't listed in the filing.

Mystery of dead body starting to unravel: Keith Paul; Thinking her husband might "have slept off," the effects of a drinking bout, Ronald W. Collins' wife came back home shortly after 5 a.m. Tuesday.

Electric utility cases stalled at PUC: Guinn's chief of staff, Scott Scherer, said a likely candidate to temporarily take the PUC job has been out of the country but was due back late Tuesday. He said he hopes the person will decide in a day or two whether to take the commissioner's job temporarily.

Paving firms agree to pay pollution fines: Two Las Vegas area paving companies, Southern Nevada Paving Inc. and Las Vegas Paving Corp., have agreed to pay penalties totaling $185,500 and reduce pollution from their operations to settle two air pollution cases.

Overseas unit sold: Harrah's said after-tax sale proceeds of $200 million will be used to reduce debt. It said the sale continues the company's plan to divest non-strategic assets.

San Franciscans: Resort would be a treat: Adrienne Packer; Paris, New York, Venice ...

North Las Vegas City Council to consider proposal for bicycle racing track: Jace Radke; Although older competitors can race at the nearby Las Vegas Motor Speedway, the city of North Las Vegas may be interested in building a track for its younger racers.

Gaming analysts divided on direction of IGT stock: David Strow; Two analysts have cut their ratings on International Game Technology, citing doubts about the company's ability to grow sales substantially and the end of the IGT's tender offer for its stock.

Nevada plots tactics to attract, retain businesses: David Strow; The recruitment of new companies to Nevada has been the focus of the state's economic development efforts.

Wynn may add up to 1,400 rooms at Bellagio: Gary Thompson and David Strow; High customer demand is prompting Mirage Resorts Inc. Chairman Steve Wynn to consider a major expansion of the Las Vegas Strip's $1.6 billion Bellagio hotel-casino, which opened just 15 months ago to rave reviews.

Sale offered on Las Vegas packages: The Phoenix-based Leisure Co., through America West Vacations, is offering packages with round-trip air travel on America West or Continental airlines and hotel accommodations with optional car rental or ground transportation transfers.

Harrold in, O'Neil out at Caesars: Dean Harrold was named president of Caesars Palace, replacing Paul O'Neil, who resigned.

Judge orders print samples in Binion case: District Judge Joseph Bonaventure today ordered two men charged with stealing Ted Binion's silver to provide finger and palm print samples for the investigation into the gambling figure's slaying.