Print edition for January 26, 2000

New beltway segment starts: The 52-mile-long beltway project continues to wrap its way around the Las Vegas Valley with the newest construction under way in the west.

Casinos: Tax would prompt layoffs: CARSON CITY -- The gaming industry on Tuesday fired its first salvo to scuttle state Sen. Joe Neal's plan to raise the tax on the largest casinos in Nevada. Bill Bible, president of the Nevada Resort Association, said Neal's initiative petition to add 5 percentage points to the gross gaming tax -- which would bring it to 11.25 percent -- would force hotels to lay off workers.

Murder victim's mother brings tears to jurors' eyes: Jurors deciding whether to have convicted killer Charles Randolph put to death wept while listening to stirring testimony from his victim's family.

Another coin truck falls prey to robber: Keith Paul; A gunman confronted a driver of a Jackpot Enterprises coin truck outside an Albertson's grocery store in the 600 block of North Nellis Boulevard about 4:45 p.m. and forced him back into the van, Metro Police said.

Sprint selling stake for $1.4 billion: Sprint, the dominant local phone company in Las Vegas, has agreed to be purchased by MCI WorldCom Inc. Sprint plans to sell MCI WorldCom's global services instead of those offered by Global One.

Homeless churches: Stacy J. Willis; After two years of holding Sunday services in Dan Goldfarb Elementary School, Orchard Baptist Church's welcome is fading fast.

McDonald set for ethics challenge: Erin Neff; Las Vegas City Councilman Michael McDonald will enter Thursday's ethics hearing with an unblemished record of victories against similar cases.

Clinton turns to gaming to collect support: Benjamin Grove; WASHINGTON -- One day before his State of the Union address, President Clinton today unveiled a plan to seize gambling winnings from deadbeat dads to pay child support.

Hispanic leader Alvarez resigns after criticism of commissioner: Adrienne Packer; Hispanics in Politics moved to oust one of its board members four days after his remarks critical of Clark County Commissioner Dario Herrera were published in a newspaper article.

Jockey Club developer, owners association in legal battle: David Strow; A legal battle has erupted between the developer and owners association of the Jockey Club, a large timeshare property on the Strip.

Driver accused of road rage takes deal: Bill Gang; Former exotic dancer Alexis Jill Bodkin accepted a plea bargain today to avoid trial next week on two felony counts charging her with creating a road-rage incident on Interstate 15 that killed a California motorcyclist.

Betting ban bill delayed by weather: Jeff German and Benjamin Grove; The blizzard in Washington forced the cancellation of today's news conference announcing the introduction of a bill to outlaw betting on college sports.

Water Authority votes to add fluoride to water: That will bring Southern Nevada in line with a legislative mandate of 0.7 to 1.2 parts per million of fluoride, which dental experts say reduces cavities.

Nevada steps up scrutiny of Colorado mental health program: Brendan Riley; CARSON CITY - Nevada has stepped up its monitoring of children from this state placed in a Colorado mental health program that was accused of overusing restraints and illegally locking up some youths.

Casinos shouldn't check for deadbeat parents, industry leaders say: Angie Wagner; Gambling industry leaders agreed Wednesday that deadbeat parents should pay up, but casinos shouldn't be policing child support slackers.

Obituaries for January 26, 2000: Neil Bailey, 87, of Boulder City died Monday in Boulder City. He was born Dec. 2, 1912, in Michigan. A resident for 20 years, he was a truck driver and a veteran.

West Warwick casino opponents propose gambling restrictions: The second measure would require investors with more than a 5 percent interest in a casino to file extensive financial documents with state officials, The Providence Journal reported Wednesday.

Prosecutor says he might not oppose change of venue request: Robert Macy; Ms. Murphy and Tabish are accused of killing Ted Binion, a member of a famous casino clan, at his Las Vegas home Sept. 17, 1998.

News briefs: In an effort to educate the public about the danger of flash flooding a new type of data has been added to the Clark County Regional Flood Control District's website.

Opening statements launch trial of former Louisiana governor: Natalie Gott; "You will see Edwin Edwards hand a roll of cash to Fields," Assistant U.S. Attorney Jim Letten said during opening remarks Tuesday in Edwards' federal racketeering trial.

Thursday at Santa Anita: 1st race 1 mi 4YO & up F & M Alw: 1 J Vivendi (Berrio) 118; 2 Meditative (Martinez) 120; 3 French Parfait (Solis) 118; 4 See Eye (Silva) 120; 5 Ivycoveredwalls (Valenzuela) 118; 6 Landau (Enriquez) 120; 7 La Otra Nina (Desormeaux) 118.

Super Bowl Records: Most Points, Game - 18, Roger Craig, San Francisco vs. Miami, 1985; Jerry Rice, San Francisco vs. Denver, 1990 and vs. San Diego, 1995; Ricky Watters, San Francisco vs. San Diego, 1995; Terrell Davis, Denver vs. Green Bay, 1998.

Columnist Victoria Sun: Webb up for top honors at MGM: Victoria Sun; Notes from around the world of golf:

500 youths turn out for Kids Vention: Valerie Miller; It's election time again and there are some promising candidates. But this is no ordinary convention. These delegates have to be home before bedtime.

Panel told Yucca Mountain lawsuits can be expected: The prediction came at a hearing of the Nuclear Waste Technical Review Board, an 11-member panel evaluating Energy Department plans to build a repository at Yucca Mountain, 100 miles northwest of Las Vegas.

Lookout in kidnapping case released: Anthony Watkins, 26, of Sacramento, Calif. appeared in U.S. District Court here Tuesday and was ordered released at the suggestion of probation officials. He was sentenced to 6 1/2 years in prison in 1994 and will be allowed to serve out the balance of his sentence under supervised release.

Super Bowl propositions: Point spread: Full game: Rams -7 / Titans +7 Total: 48.5

Ex-Las Vegan dives into the game show craze: Kimberley McGee; Now Fox's "Greed" and NBC's "Twenty One" vie for the public's attention and CBS's "Winning Lines" debuted earlier this month. Former Las Vegan John Peper, a 1991 graduate of Chaparral High School, currently writes questions for "Winning Lines" and has also written for the new "Family Feud," among other shows.

Dorms without sprinklers still okay: Assistant State Fire Marshal Bryon Slobe said students at the halls are as safe if not safer as they would be at home.

Man who shared biggest jackpot returns to teaching: It was the nation's biggest lottery prize at the time, and it made Robins the center of news media attention when the results were announced. He quit his job and turned to horse ranching.

New Mexico gets $2.17 million from tribes: Tuesday was the due date for payments for the October-December quarter.

Roundup brings in hundreds of wild horses: As horses are captured, some are being shipped to adoption centers and others, typically older horses that aren't likely to be adopted, are going back on the range.

Letter: When do we get gas price break?: The question is no longer why. The question is when do we get a 10- or 15-cent price break?

Community news briefs for January 26, 2000: Southern Nevada Adult Mental Health Services is offering a free lecture on "Compulsive Gambling: Research, Legislation and Treatment," by Rob Hunter, Ph.D.

Super Bowl Lineups: Tennessee Titans Offense

Report shows Louisiana governor sold gambling stock: At the time, Foster said he inherited the Hilton stock and got rid of it when he realized that it made him part owner of a gambling concern. The records made public Tuesday showed Foster sold the stock on Sept. 20, five days after he was advised of the matter.

Editorial: Nevada takes active role in 2000 Census: Secretary of State Dean Heller, who was asked by Gov. Kenny Guinn to coordinate the state's response to the census, is seeking approval of $788,400 for a media campaign -- consisting of ads in newspapers, television and radio -- that encourages people to return their census forms. Heller told the Sun's Cy Ryan last week that in the past state government in Nevada has taken a "hands-off approach" to the census, a practice Heller called "unfortunate." Heller is right. Before the media blitz can be implemented, though, it has to be approved by the Legislature's Interim Finance Committee, which meets ...

Think of it as Mobile Easy Sightseeing Housing: By Jerry Fink; When Gary Haugh tires of his neighborhood and wants to find greener grass, he merely unplugs his home and plugs it in somewhere else.

Columnist Jon Ralston: Bush avoids Nevada, nuclear waste issue: Silence is not always golden, especially in the political world, where what a candidate doesn't say often reveals much more than any rhetoric.

Rogich to pen state of union GOP response: A spokesman for Rogich Communications Group, confirmed today that Rogich will help Sens. Susan Collins, R-Maine and Bill Fritz, R-Tenn., write the response.

Sen. Neal starts campaign for casino tax hike: Brendan Riley; Neal, D-North Las Vegas, came up with the proposal after failing last year to get the Legislature to raise taxes on big casinos from 6.25 percent to 8.25 percent of the gross gambling win.

For the first time, fewer compulsive gamblers seek help in Iowa: But Biagoli suggested that fewer people have been treated because less money has been spent to promote the program's toll-free help line in the last year.

Storm's punch puts padding on Sierra snowpack: Sandra Chereb; "This has really been awesome," Gary Barbato, hydrologist with the National Weather Service in Reno, said Tuesday. "It's really helped the snowpack, which is where our water supply comes from."

Witnesses are unreliable, says defense lawyer in trial of alleged drug kingpin: Kim Smith; Immunity, cash, lenient sentences or the truth. Alleged drug kingpin Andre McGee's fate depends on which of those factors jurors decide prompted a handful of confessed drug dealers to turn on McGee.

Wynn kidnapper under house arrest: Kim Smith; One of the men involved in the kidnapping of Steve Wynn's daughter seven years ago will be spending the next three months on house arrest.

Letter: Don't let Nevada become hate state: I am constantly perplexed by those who allow themselves to be entrenched in such mundane issues, when they could be providing positive change with far more pressing needs, such as hunger, homelessness and tending to the needs of our senior citizens.

One ticket wins $23 million jackpot in Augusta: In addition to the grand prize winner, five tickets matched all five lotto numbers but not the Big Money Ball. Those tickets are worth $150,000 apiece.

UNLV must ease load on Kambala: Steve Addy; Center Kaspars Kambala has been more than UNLV's best player this season. He has been the Rebels' bellwether.

Fernley body still unidentified: Investigators hope to determine the woman's identity and how she died.

Charges stemming from alleged encounter anger Pope's attorneys: Bill Gang; If Conan Pope had been anywhere but jail during an alleged sexual encounter with a male prostitute, the 15-year-old would be considered a victim.

Walters case awaits decision by embattled district judge: Bill Gang; The ball is in the court of District Judge Donald Mosley, whose impartiality is being questioned by the prosecutor in the money-laundering case of politically connected gambler and golf course developer Billy Walters and three others.

Vegas needs to diversify economy, Harter says: Angie Wagner; It's doubtful, but UNLV President Carol Harter believes the city needs to be known for something besides gambling and entertainment.

Kentucky gambling expansion opponents 'not giving up our vigilance': "We'll do what we must to stop the slots," she said.

Columnist Elizabeth Foyt: 'Celebrating the Arts,' an elegant bash, honors civic leader: Elizabeth Foyt; Jay Kornmayer, dinner chairman, was seen genially meeting his guests during the pre-dinner reception, among them Felix Rappaport, Sid and Colette Saltz, Peter and Janette Jaramillo, Jackie Gaughan, Francine Pulliam and Terry Graves, Tom and Marla Letizia, Jeanne and Dr. Monte Greenawalt, Joe and Hope Anstett, Tina and Richard Morgan, Roger Thomas and Dr. Keith Boman.

Death of Calif. off-road racer was 1st in U.S. race in 10 years: Larry Deaton, the 41-year-old off-road racer killed during last weekend's SCORE Laughlin Desert Challenge, died of massive internal injuries, according to the Clark County coroner.

Mapes supporter stands alone: About 40 people called City Hall on Tuesday, asking the city to spare the 52-year-old building.

Columnist Peter Benton: Southern Highlands looking impressive: Peter Benton; Southern Highlands Golf Club, the highly anticipated new private club under development just minutes south of the Strip, is continuing to evolve and the course's personality is beginning to emerge.

President Estrada supports check on Ho: National Police chief Panfilo Lacson said he is trying to verify the allegations from international sources.

Lawsuit casts shadow over Harrah's-Players deal: James Webb; Harrah's officials are pushing for the Illinois Gaming Board to approve the deal at its Feb. 22 meeting. But the regulators have one eye on a lawsuit challenging last year's amendments to the state riverboat gambling law, which included provisions allowing for the transfer of an idle casino license to suburban Rosemont.

Washoe director of social services named: His appointment is effective Feb. 15.

Super Bowl Facts and Figures: PARTICIPANTS - Tennessee Titans (AFC) and St. Louis Rams (NFC). This is the first appearance for Tennessee and the second appearance for the Rams.

Super Bowl MVPs: Super Bowl MVPs

Schwarzenegger terminates Planet Hollywood ties: In Las Vegas

Letter: Carbon monoxide sources are not checked thoroughly: How do I know that I am being extremely, to a high degree and very much, poisoned to the point of illness and/or death? Well, I suppose that the number of pulmonary and respiratory illnesses and deaths primarily for these reasons would document that degree, provided these percentages were compared with those of 50 and 100 years ago.

Columnist Dean Juipe: Tyson doing just fine in exile: Dean Juipe; The Nevada State Athletic Commission sure put Mike Tyson in his place.

Editorial: Bull's-eye painted on small state: A prohibition would be felt just in Nevada, however, because it is the only state that allows gambling on collegiate athletics. There's no denying that sports wagering is big business here. The state Gaming Control Board notes that $2.3 billion was wagered at sports books in 1998, with a sizable amount gambled on college sports. But legal sports wagering in Nevada is a paltry amount of the national total, since it is estimated to be just 2-3 percent of all sports gambling in the United States, the overwhelming majority of which is illegal.

Proud Vegas boasts another two master sommeliers: Max Jacobson; That brings the total in Las Vegas to 10, more than any other urban area. What's more, three of our Master Sommeliers -- Claudia Tyagi of the Rio, Cameron Sisk of Southern Wine and Spirits and Barbara Werley of the Palace

Charges may be filed in death of newborn girl found in closet: Keith Paul; A newborn girl found stuffed into a plastic bag in her mother's closet died from suffocation, prompting a homicide investigation which North Las Vegas Police said Tuesday will likely end in charges being filed.

Thursday at Aqueduct: 1st race 1-1/16 mi 4YO & up F & M Clm: 1a Lady Hollyday (Gryder) 118; 2a Ruby Crescent (Rodriguez) 118; 3b Take Off (Gutierrez) 109; 4a Native Talk (Luzzi) 116; 5a Irish Oz (Beckner) 112; 6 Directrix (Lopez) 116; 7 Holy Bolla (Castillo) 112; 8 Real Merry (Teator) 116; 9 Amature Night (Husbands) 116; 10 Gabbie Mawdie (Vergara) 114; 11b Truly Classic (Gutierrez) 105; 12 Gloryonthemountain (Rocco) 111.

Ralph Siraco's selections for Thursday's races at Santa Anita: 1st Race -- French Parfait - Draws good inner post, Solis scales for trainer Nick Canani here, should get good trip in this. La Otra Nina - Desormeaux/Hess team, needs to overcome outside box, first turn should tell the tale. Value Play -- J Vivendi

Columnist Muriel Stevens: Sweet gift ideas for V-Day: Love and all its expressions are in play on Valentine's Day. No, it's not too early to think about this day devoted to showing affection. It's just a few weeks away.

Thursday at Bay Meadows: 1st race 6 fur 3YO Fil Clm: 1 Crescent of Naskra (Castro) 116; 2 Aspen's Lass (Radke) 109; 3 Sunday's Taken (Warren) 116; 4 Lady Maija Mara (Gonzalez) 116; 5 Satin Breeze (Baze) 116.

N.J. casino crowds thinned by storms: ATLANTIC CITY -- A vicious winter storm making its way up the East Coast kept many people out of Atlantic City's casinos Tuesday -- and stranded others in the Boardwalk's resorts.

Operator finishes first year in black: The Minneapolis casino operator reported net earnings of $28.8 million, or $2.72 per share, for the fiscal year ending Jan. 2.

New retail leasing agent sought: Mandalay plans a 1.2 million-square-foot retail mall anchored by Southern Nevada's first Nordstrom Inc. department store between the Mandalay Bay and Luxor hotel-casinos.

Drug store set for Strip casino site: Luke Brugnara, who purchased the casino last October, said the Deerfield, Ill.-based company signed a multiyear, long-term retail lease. The new drug store is slated to open this spring.

Debt ratings affirmed by two agencies: Moody's Investors Service confirmed its Baa2 rating on the company. That rating had been under review by Moody's since August because of the stronger credit rating of ONEOK. Moody's said Southwest's rating outlook is stable, but noted the company's rating could be impacted by future merger developments and financings.

Expansion outlined for Miss. property: TUNICA, Miss. -- Fitzgeralds Gaming Corp. plans to add a 500-space parking garage to its hotel-casino in Tunica County, Miss., in the first stage of bold expansion plans, a newspaper reported today.

City Council briefs: Promoters want to see Boulder City become the host of a speed boat race that could become an annual event, but the City Council decided it wanted more information before committing.

DOE scientists unsure of scenario at Yucca: The department is planning to build tunnels 1,000 feet deep inside Yucca, 90 miles northwest of Las Vegas, to keep deadly radiation away from people and the environment. No one has ever built, operated or tested such a project. Priscilla Nelson of the independent Nuclear Waste Technical Review Board, whose meeting in Las Vegas continues today, posed a crucial question late Tuesday: What if the uncertainty increases as the DOE gets more information about a repository at Yucca?

Coke to eliminate 6,000 jobs: Justin Bachman; ATLANTA -- The Coca-Cola Co. plans to eliminate about 6,000 jobs, or about one-fifth of its work force, as part of a major restructuring at the world's largest soft drink maker.

Trump wins round against Wynn: ATLANTIC CITY -- An appeals court ordered the New Jersey Department of Environmental Protection to hold a hearing on Donald Trump's concerns about the impact on one of his Atlantic City casinos from a highway and tunnel project, the developer said.

Future called upbeat for LV economy: Economic trends

Police still investigating newborn's death: Autopsy and test results released Tuesday determined the baby was born alive and died of suffocation.

Business briefs: WASHINGTON -- Signaling a potential division within ranks that could complicate settlement talks and the next important phase of the Microsoft trial, some states active in the case believe the Justice Department's plan to break up one of the world's most successful companies may not be the best solution.

County retail sales jump 7.3 percent: CARSON CITY -- Car sales and business in bars and restaurants helped spur Nevada's economy to a 6.6 percent increase in taxable sales in November as the holiday shopping season opened.

Agency begins study of highway bypass: Jace Radke; Comments

Man commits suicide at MotorCity Casino in Detroit: Jim Suhr; DETROIT - A man fatally shot himself Wednesday while playing blackjack in the high-stakes gambling area of the MotorCity Casino, police said.

Neighbor of youth charged with killing father painted bleak scene of family: A complaint filed with county officials in October 1997 paints a bleak portrait of the household run by Frank Pope, who was shot to death in the hallway of his home.

Lawmakers, Guinn officials debate care for disabled: Brendan Riley; CARSON CITY - Officials in Gov. Kenny Guinn's administration faced more criticism Wednesday as they explained delays in an effort authorized last May to increase help for badly disabled Nevadans.