Stories published January 27, 2000Las Vegas Sun

State moves to take care of mine sites in wake of bankruptcy: Jolaine Johnson of the Nevada Division of Environmental Protection said the company can no longer care for the sites.

Influenza comes to the valley; cases surge in LV, Henderson: The network has received reports of positive flu diagnosis by doctors across the state, network spokeswoman Jane Braden said.

Editorial: Curbing campaign cash gets a blessing: The Supreme Court ruled, however, that reasonable caps don't infringe on speech. In the majority opinion, Justice David Souter noted that the court previously had held government could place limits on campaign contributions to prevent corruption -- or the appearance of it -- from large donations. "Leave the perception of impropriety unanswered, and the cynical assumption that large donors call the tune could jeopardize the willingness of voters to take part in democratic governance," Souter wrote.

Medical errors blamed on nursing shortage: CARSON CITY -- A legislative committee was told Wednesday that patient care in hospitals is being jeopardized because of the lack of nurses.

Fine for illegal motor should be paid: Agency officials said Kramer was cited four times last summer for violating the ban on carbureted two-stroke engines that power most Jet Skis and other outboard motorboats.

Titanium worker sentenced: Kim Smith; A Titanium Metals Corp. employee convicted last spring of torching two cars during a nine-month labor strike at the Henderson plant was sentenced to more than three years in prison Wednesday.

Southwest releases key letter in failed merger: David Strow; Las Vegas-based Southwest Gas Corp. has released its chief executive's final letter to would-be merger partner ONEOK Inc. -- a letter that apparently led to the death of the deal.

Three men arrested after chase in another coin truck robbery: Keith Paul; A Metro Police detective fired two shotgun blasts at a gunman who had just pistol-whipped a coin truck driver during an apparent robbery Wednesday night.

Columnist Jeff Haney: Vermeil a heavy favorite to make it a crying game: Carrying on a popular tradition, Las Vegas sports books are posting a full menu of proposition bets for Sunday's Super Bowl, which pits St. Louis against 7-point underdog Tennessee.

Suspect in 9-year-old homicide nabbed: Keith Paul; A 26-year-old man wanted in connection with a 1991 Las Vegas shooting death was nabbed as he crossed the Arizona border from Mexico.

For love of art, money: Two contests are being offered for students in Clark County schools -- for both the artistic and the money-minded.

Audit says senior services grants lack oversight: CARSON CITY -- The state Division of Aging Services has failed to adequately monitor its grant programs for senior citizens to ensure they are receiving all the services they are entitled to, a legislative audit says.

TRPA eases moratorium on building, another review set in May: The decision lifts a month-old moratorium of subdivisions of land targeted by TRPA for affordable housing projects. Douglas and Washoe counties were singled out because the TRPA said far less progress has been made there than in California.

Letter: Forget the party: Help each other: They, the men of the party, can only see as far as the corporate interests of this country will allow. Or have you all not seen or heard of the latest mergers.

Columnist Ruthe Deskin: Democrat gets a Republican honor: Ruthe Deskin; It's like being anointed.

Gov. Guinn backs DMV staffing request: "We're going way out on a limb to say less than an hour," Guinn said Wednesday during a state Board of Examiners meeting. He chairs the panel.

High court says club workers can't stop management from getting tokes: The Hilton workers argued that's a violation of a longtime understanding between tip workers and management that the food servers and bartenders who provide the service split the tips in equal portions.

Columnist Joe Delaney: Canned music at shows can't compare to the real thing: Joe Delaney; "David Cassidy At The Copa, co-starring Sheena Easton" (Rio), opened on Jan. 18 with the 19-piece Lon Bronson kick-butt big band onstage as an equal participant. ... All three of these shows are valid proof that live music is a vital concomitant to a singing/dancing performance. ... Pre-recorded music severely limits spontaneity.

Residents offer divided views over proposed U.S. 93 bypass: Jace Radke; The Nevada Department of Transportation got what it asked for Wednesday night as Boulder City residents turned out by the dozens to voice their opinions on the U.S. 93 corridor study that is planned to address the city's unwanted traffic.

Suit argues portion of settlement money should go to ailing smokers: That agreement is expected to bring Nevada $1.2 billion over 25 years, money that Gov. Kenny Guinn and the Nevada Legislature have already allocated to a variety of programs, including the Millennium scholarship plan for this year's high school seniors.

Balanced growth: Adrienne Packer; With each slide that flashed on the screen before Clark County commissioners on Wednesday, a cozy Oregon neighborhood featuring tree-lined streets and homes of various shapes, sizes and colors evolved.

No Supreme Court rehearing for former trooper charged with murder: Brendan Riley; The high court ruled against George Warner, whose fifth wife, Carol, died in a 1989 mobile home fire. The one-line order affirms the court's earlier ruling that Warner's trial should be conducted "with all deliberate speed."

Mercy asked for killer of bartender: While awaiting trial for killing a bartender execution style, Charles Randolph sent his wife flowers from jail and encouraged his stepdaughter, who had failed the proficiency test, to remain in high school.

Where I Stand -- Brian Greenspun: This race isn't over yet: The nomination process for the presidential race is over.

Baton Rouge casino told to pay rape victim: The rape happened in the employee parking lot.

Obituaries for January 27, 2000: James H. Christian, 84, of Las Vegas died Tuesday in Las Vegas. He was born Sept 24, 1915, in Illinois. A resident for 23 years, he was a carpenter.

Editorial: Too many disturbing questions: Appearing Tuesday before the Nuclear Waste Technical Review Board, Abe van Luik, the DOE's senior policy adviser on the Yucca Mountain Project, acknowledged the doubts expressed by an international panel of petroleum experts who said their work was uncertain, but good enough to guide exploration and exploitation for oil. "I have been in meetings with scientists drowning in uncertainties, who left wringing their hands saying, 'This is impossible.' " van Luik said. It could take an additional 125 years -- possibly more -- to gather sufficient information, van Luik said.

Big company argues against deregulating LV taxi industry: Las Vegas's largest taxi company took the offensive Wednesday against deregulating the industry, though there is no deregulation plan on the table.

DOE won't wait for Yucca water report: The Department of Energy plans to publicize its scientific case for a high-level nuclear waste repository at Yucca Mountain sometime this fall, months before independent research concludes whether or not the repository site is in danger from ground water.

Jury to decide fate of killing suspect: Bill Gang; Tears streamed down the face of Kenshawn Maxey as the teen facing double murder charges relived the bar robbery that went sour and ended in the deaths of his best friend and a bartender.

Blackburn's sister-in-law indicted for lying to FBI: Kim Smith; A new indictment has been issued against the sister-in-law of Timothy Blackburn, the suspected bank repository robber who killed himself and his family during a shootout with police last summer.

Board of Examiners to loan DMV $216,000: CARSON CITY -- The state Board of Examiners Wednesday gave preliminary approval for a loan of $216,769 to the state Department of Motor Vehicles to shorten the lines of waiting motorists, mostly in Clark County.

Letter: Animals deserve to be protected: I really hope they apprehend these criminals and give them the stiffest possible sentence. Even one person, who helps the animals, can make a big difference in the life of a poor defenseless animal. They depend on human beings.

Workers lose suit on tip distribution: CARSON CITY -- The Nevada Supreme Court Wednesday dismissed the appeal of a group of bartenders and food servers who complained that nearly $100,000 of their tips for serving at banquets was improperly diverted to their superiors at the Reno Hilton.

Petition under way to ban prostitution: CARSON CITY -- A campaign to ban prostitution in Nevada has been launched by John Reese, a long-time opponent of the legal sex business.

Spring Valley casino opponents file appeal: The fight to stop a proposed Spring Valley casino, which received a controversial zoning approval from county commissioners last week, continues.

Community news briefs for January 27, 2000: The Southern Nevada Musical Arts Society invites interested singers to perform Johann Sebastian Bach's monumental "Mass in B minor" from 7-9:30 p.m. Sunday evenings in the Alta Ham Fine Arts Building, Room 147 at UNLV, 4505 S. Maryland Parkway. For more information, call Dr. Douglas Peterson at 451-6672.

Letter: Citizens checking on cops is one ridiculous concept: The civilians go to bed at night and think how they can harass the police the next day. God bless you cops, men and women. I am dead against a review board. We Las Vegans should write to the mayor and our representatives and have it thrown out.

Icahn buys bankrupt Sunrise Suites, his third LV property: David Strow; Financier Carl Icahn expanded his Las Vegas holdings Wednesday, acquiring the defunct Sunrise Suites Hotel & Casino and RV park on the Boulder Strip for $43.3 million.

Census ad blitz expected to pay off: CARSON CITY -- An investment of less than $800,000 to publicize the 2000 Census could bring Nevada an additional $100 million in federal funds over the next 10 years, Secretary of State Dean Heller said Wednesday.

Ruling backs use of pro-tem judges: Bill Gang; A challenge to the use of judges who have not been elected in Municipal and Justice courts has fallen short.

Two workers charged with embezzling funds from Lovelock casino: Investigators allege the two routinely cashed personal checks at the casino cashier but would remove the checks before preparing the daily bank deposit.

Attorney says victim victimized twice: Robert Macy; Attorney Chip Siegel was appointed by District Judge Jeffrey Sobel to monitor the status of Tracie Rose Carter, who is currently being held in the Clark County Detention Center on $50,000 bail.

Casino fined for allowing 2-year-old on board: The gaming commission said that on Nov. 4, a woman with a 2-year-old daughter in a stroller was given a boarding pass and entered the boat. Only those 21 or older are allowed in the gambling area of the boat.

Remains found by prospectors identified: The woman's body was found Tuesday about four miles northeast of the interstate by two people looking for mining claims. An autopsy showed she died of multiple gunshot wounds.

Gambling regulators ban 'kiddie slots': Angie Wagner; Nevada gambling regulators on Thursday adopted what they called landmark regulations to eliminate slot machines geared toward children.

Convicted felon added to black book: Lenz, 54, has four criminal convictions tied to illegal gambling operations.

Colorado court dismisses suit; it can be refiled: The proposed amendment at issue would open six counties to casino gambling, something Stilley says he hopes to prevent.

Brooks Park, member of pioneer ranching family, dies at age 87: Park, whose grandparents settled here in the early 1870s, formed the Park Livestock Co. in 1935. He expanded the family's holdings and, in the early 1960s, leased pastures at Stateline, on Lake Tahoe's south shore, to casino operators.

After losing thousands, officer kills himself in Detroit casino: Seconds later, the award-winning officer abruptly stood up and cried out "Noooooo," then pulled his gun and shot himself in the head as other players scrambled away.

Suspect in prostitute murder won't get media kept from trial: Bill Gang; Justice of the Peace Jennifer Togliatti today rejected a bid by attorneys for murder defendant Ronald Collins to close a preliminary hearing and other proceedings to the media.

Tennessee Titans roster: Tennessee Titans roster

Titan's game-by-game results: Titans scores listed on left side

LV convention company promotes execs: Paul Mullen was named chairman and Paul Dykstra, president and chief executive officer, of GES Exposition Services, a division of Viad Corp.

Columnist Spencer Patterson: It may be time for south girls to break through: Spencer Patterson; Around this time every prep basketball season, we start asking the same question: Will this be the year?

St. Louis Rams roster: St. Louis Rams roster

Friday at Santa Anita: 1st race 1 mi 4YO & up F & M Clm: 1 Princess Candi (Espinoza) 116; 2 Stewardi Can (Nakatani) 118; 3 Alanis (Diaz) 111; 4 Fibber's Star (Puglisi) 118; 5 From Rail to Jail (Pedroza) 118; 6 Aunt Polly (Valenzuela) 118.

News briefs: A 26-year-old man was in stable condition this morning after North Las Vegas Police say he swallowed eight bags of cocaine during a traffic stop Wednesday night.

Man threatens to kill himself inside MGM Grand Detroit, police say: Alexandra R. Moses; The man - a battalion chief with the department - made the threats about 10:30 a.m. while playing blackjack and was taken into custody, said Detroit Police Commander Gregory Gaskin.

Jackpot settles suit, will remove slots from 15 Raley's markets: David Strow; Jackpot Enterprises Inc. of Las Vegas settled its lawsuit against Albertson's and Raley's, a move that will spell an end to Jackpot's operations in 15 Clark County Raley's grocery stores by month's end.

Dealer sues MGM Grand under Americans with Disabilities Act: Grace Leong; A Las Vegas blackjack dealer sued the MGM Grand hotel-casino, alleging it violated the Americans with Disabilities Act when it terminated his employment allegedly because of his disability.

Point Cadet development group takes its pitch to the people: To pull it off, the group needs to get the support of the State College Board, which owns most of the land, and the city of Biloxi, which owns or controls most of the land through leases with the state. That's why Point Cadet 2000 is trying to sell residents on their plan.

Friday at Aqueduct: 1st race 1-1/16 mi 4YO & up Clm: 1 Zonker (Castillo) 119; 2 Iron Gavel (Castillo) 107; 3 Remember Cass (Rocco) 109; 4 Colonial Mate (Castillo) 114; 5 Camford (Teator) 114; 6 Spanish Flag (Montalvo) 109; 7 Radio Flyer (Velasquez) 114; 8 Offshore Storm (Bridgmohan) 114; 9 Indoor Games (Vergara) 114; 10 Unforgiven Affair (Arroyo) 109; 11 Madgical (Lopez) 114; 12 Ben Laffin (Luzzi) 114.

Friday at Bay Meadows: 1st race 1 mi 4YO & up Mdn Clm: 1 Book Review (Radke) 113; 2 Wansa Gold (Meza) 118; 3 Renard( (Baze) 118; 4 Weatherbug (Warren) 118; 5 Apieceofthepuzzle (Miranda) 111; 6 Imperturbable( (Alvarado) 118.

Three men indicted in a $10 million fraud scheme: Kim Smith; Three Las Vegas men were indicted by a federal grand jury Wednesday in connection with a fraud scheme that allegedly netted $10 million over a four-year period.

Fallen 'Angels': Kirk Baird; What: "Angels in America."

Inadequate security costs casino $1 million after employee raped: BATON ROUGE, La. -- Casino Rouge must pay nearly $1 million to a cocktail waitress who was raped at knifepoint two years ago in the casino's parking lot, a judge has ruled.

Fire strikes townhomes; one dog dies in blaze: Firefighters from the Las Vegas and Clark County Fire Departments were called to the South Shore Villas townhomes near Fort Apache Road and Lake South Drive about 7:30 p.m.

Business briefs: DEARBORN, Mich. -- A broad improvement in auto and financial operations allowed Ford Motor Co. to post slightly better earnings for the fourth quarter than financial analysts had expected, but the automaker's shares fell on fears that further profit gains might prove elusive.

Floyd witness will remain in custody: Bill Gang; The outcall entertainer who was with Zane Floyd for an hour before he is alleged to have walked into a supermarket and shotgunned four people to death likely will remain in jail as a material witness until the defendant's March trial.

Von's owner beats earnings estimates: Based in Pleasanton, Calif., Safeway owns the Von's chain of grocery stores in Las Vegas.

Silver State parent's profit increases: The Fort Lauderdale, Fla., company owns Silver State Disposal Service in Las Vegas.

Rams game-by-game results: Rams scores appear in left column

A tempting proposition: Erin Neff; Mitch Leitz tipped back a bottle of Coors Light before noon on Wednesday as he proudly showed off a small piece of paper that was once a small fortune in blackjack winnings.

Victim of alleged rape says Primm is delaying payments: Grace Leong; A Florida woman who said she was abducted and raped while employed on the luxury yacht M/V Primadonna has accused its owner of delaying payments for her medical expenses and wages.

Ralph Siraco's selections for Friday's races at Santa Anita: 1st Race -- Stewardi Can - Draws good inner post, takes blinkers off for this trip, Nakatani on Abrams trainee. Princess Candi - Draws the wood here, should get good ground-saving trip, hustling Espinoza for trainer Palma. Value Play -- From Rail To Jail

Record Megabucks jackpot hit at Desert Inn: Ed Koch and Gary Thompson; Megabucks records

LVCVA backs off Venetian suit threat: Travel agent magazine

Tribe looking at gambling again: WINDOW ROCK, Ariz. -- Despite two voter rejections of gambling and a presidential veto, the Navajo Nation's legislative council again approved an economic window for reservation gambling.

District judge won't step down from money-laundering case unless removed: Bill Gang; District Judge Donald Mosley has refused to remove himself from the money-laundering case of sports bettor and politically connected golf course operator Billy Walters and three others.

Gorman outduels Western: Spencer Patterson; For most of the season, Bishop Gorman's boys basketball team has held down the top spot in the Sun's statewide poll.

Tribes' compacts survive legislative maneuvers: SACRAMENTO -- Seventeen Indian tribes, including three in Riverside and San Bernardino counties, cleared a key legislative hurdle Wednesday in their bid for approval of gambling operations.

'Wheel of Fortune' success spurs Anchor earnings: Revenue rose to $130.7 million from $116.5 million, the company said. The year-ago figures were adjusted as if the June 29, 1999, acquisition of Powerhouse Technologies Inc. had occurred at the beginning of fiscal 1999.

Silver State wines, dines officials: Erin Neff; Local politicians got a chance to rub elbows with billionaire H. Wayne Huizenga this week during a private dinner thrown by Silver State Disposal Services President Steve Kalish.

Substitute teacher arrested in scuffle with student: A 13-year-old student at Traner Middle School in Sparks said Spence pushed him against the wall in a school hallway after the student had been involved with a scuffle with a friend.

Prep Wrestling standings: SUNRISE REGION

New forest boss optimistic Jarbidge road dispute can be resolved: Sandra Chereb; Bob Vaught will be the government's point man in a festering dispute that features a threatened fish, a remote dirt road in rural Elko County and local defiance of the U.S. Forest Service when he assumes his new job next month as supervisor of the Humboldt-Toiyabe National Forest.

This week's auto races: Delphi 200

Lawmakers, Guinn officials debate care for disabled: Brendan Riley; Critics at a legislative hearing Wednesday included Rick Cline of Sparks, a quadriplegic who asked for common-sense solutions to ensure that long-promised benefit enhancements occur as soon as possible.

Rival: Arum lied yesterday, not telling the truth today: Dean Juipe; Easygoing as he is, Arthur Williams expressed only soft-spoken displeasure that his rematch with Vassily Jirov appears to be on hold. Oh, he talked about "maybe having to sue somebody" to force the matter to a head, but he was hardly vigilant in his tone despite his lingering disappointment.

Slots not filling fair coffers: He would not give details of casino profits until the state attorney general rules whether that information is public record.

President casino's move is delayed: But Zweifel expected it would be late summer or fall before the Admiral riverboat, which houses the President casino, would leave its berth on the Mississippi River just below the Gateway Arch.

World-record Megabucks won at last: The amount was $34,955,489.56.

Girls Basketball standings: SUNRISE REGION

Sun Boys Basketball Poll: Teams jointly ranked by the Las Vegas Sun and the Daily Sparks Tribune.

Moreland to testify for prosecutors: Natalie Gott; Moreland was at the courthouse Wednesday but did not testify because testimony from a state police lieutenant who oversees the riverboat gaming division ran long. He made no comments to reporters.

Super Bowl results: Super Bowl results

Bayno sees decision on replay as big positive: Steve Addy; There isn't a long, chummy history between UNLV basketball and the NCAA, but Rebels coach Bill Bayno is brimming with praise for the NCAA's newest ruling.

Columnist Dean Juipe: Adams to fight Garza for title: Dean Juipe; Every Las Vegas newcomer dreams of hitting a quick jackpot as soon as they reach the city.

Employee who torched cars gets prison time: Authorities said Steven Cupka, a 43-year-old welder, and at least two other Timet workers set fire to the cars of workers who crossed the picket line at the plant in late 1993 and early 1994.

Ex-aide says Edwards acknowledged helping Guidry get license: BY Natalie Gott; "The governor said at one point he had helped Bobby get the license as a favor to Andrew Martin," Sid Moreland said under questioning from Assistant U.S. Attorney Mike Magner.

The year after a Super Bowl win: 1967-Green Bay repeated and beat Oakland 33-14 in Super Bowl.

Navajo council again OKs 'economic window' for gambling: Since the code made casino-style gaming a crime within the Navajo Nation, such initiatives couldn't be considered unless the law ere changed.

Ex-Edwards aide testifies about riverboat licensing: Natalie Gott; But Sid Moreland also said Edwards later acknowledged helping Treasure Chest Casino owner Robert Guidry win a lucrative riverboat casino license as a favor to his friend Andrew Martin, now on trial with Edwards for an alleged shakedown of Guidry.

Boys Bowling standings: SUNRISE REGION

Girls Bowling standings: SUNRISE REGION

Ballot proposal seeks ban on prostitution in Nevada: Brendan Riley; Reese's initiative petition, filed with the secretary of state, calls for a law change to prohibit prostitution and to impose misdemeanor penalties for any violations.

Social workers, city leaders fear more suicides among chronic gamblers: Jim Suhr; "When a gambler's at risk for depression, these thoughts are in their minds anyway. Anything that will trigger those thoughts puts a gambler at risk," said Ms. Madigan, director and founder of the Michigan Center for Problem Gambling in Brighton.

Woman plays $27, wins $34.9 million: Robert Macy; A Las Vegas woman invested $27 in a Megabucks slot machine Wednesday night, and walked away $34,955,489 richer. It was reported to be a world-record jackpot.

Reno man convicted of ninth drunken driving charge: Sentencing is set for March 3.

Columnist Ron Kantowski: Coach quits, but there's no conspiracy: Having seen one too many Oliver Stone movies (and "Any Given Sunday" isn't one of them), I figured there might be more to the story when Staci Hendershott announced in a statement last week she was resigning as UNLV women's soccer coach.

Casinos shouldn't check for deadbeat parents, industry leaders say: Angie Wagner; "I don't think it's a good idea for the government to ask businesses to do its job," said Alan Feldman, spokesman for Mirage Resorts Inc.

Sun Girls Basketball Poll: Teams jointly ranked by the Las Vegas Sun and the Daily Sparks Tribune.

CCSN ready to take the field in baseball: Spencer Patterson; The wait is almost over for the state's first junior college athletic program.

Girls Soccer standings: SUNRISE REGION

Former Forest Service official decries "fed bashing": Kalispell was Flora's first stop on a speaking tour sponsored by the Montana Human Rights Network and Montana Public Employees for Environmental Responsibility. Other planned stops are in Hamilton on Thursday and Helena on Friday.

Las Vegas Sun

Print edition for January 27, 2000

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