Stories published January 28, 2000Las Vegas Sun

Columnist Sal DeFilippo: Line on Super Bowl appears too high: Sal DeFilippo; With only one week between the conference championship games and the Super Bowl, the coaches for this year's clash of the Titans and Rams have had to prepare a little differently in years past.

Ruling restricts police in car searches: CARSON CITY -- In a victory for individual rights, the Nevada Supreme Court Thursday ruled that police may not ransack a car looking for drugs, weapons or alcohol, even if the owner gives his permission.

Community news briefs for January 28, 2000: Red Rock Canyon National Conservation Area offers hikes and walks free of charge. To make reservations or for information call 363-1921.

Columnist Muriel Stevens: Benefit dinner at Puck's Postrio was a smash: Food, glorious food. Las Vegas has more than its share of fine restaurants these days offering glorious meals. And as the list of celebrity chefs and restaurants grows, our community is enriched by the generosity of owners like Wolfgang Puck and his wife, Barbara Lazaroff. Since the day Spago opened in the Forum Shops at Caesars, they and their Las Vegas properties partners, Tom Kaplan and David Robins, have contributed to many local causes.

Woman bets extra $6, wins record $34.9 million jackpot: Tim Dahlberg; Jay hit the richest jackpot ever Wednesday night, a $34,955,489 payout at the Desert Inn hotel-casino that effectively ended her career as a cocktail waitress.

The Movie Guys: 'Ride with the Devil' misses target: Grades: Jeff D, Dave C.

Gov. Guinn backs shovel protest against Forest Service policies: Scott Sonner; ELKO, Nev. - Nevada Gov. Kenny Guinn gave his support to a protest against the Forest Service in Elko Saturday and applauded Idaho's lawsuit challenging the Clinton administration's latest forest protection plan.

Corporations raise $11,000 for the poor: Organizations participating in the Millennium Holiday Extravaganza included the Association for Professional Mortgage Women, the Appraisal Institute, Nevada Association of Mortgage Brokers, Southern Nevada Mortgage Bankers Association, private mortgage insurance companies and title insurance companies.

Letter: True brotherhood suffers a blow: Following his line of "reason," it is OK to fly a flag displaying a swastika, because the Holocaust is a part of history, though such an action is extremely offensive to most people.

LVMS to host open house on Feb. 19: This is the second consecutive year that the speedway has conducted an open house, giving race fans an inside look at the speedway and a head start on the 2000 racing season.

Columnist Paula DelGiudice: Wyoming man honored by Bud: Paula DelGiudice; The Joint at the Hard Rock was packed to the gills last week. It was full of outdoors press, hunting and shooting gear representatives, conservationists and Budweiser fans, awaiting the announcement of the 2000 "Bud Man" of the year award.

Condemned inmate wins reversal in murder of Reno judge's son: Brendan Riley; Mazzan's lawyers were jubilant about the unanimous decision. One, Tim O'Toole, said, "If the state of Nevada had its way, Jack Mazzan would be dead today."

Editorial: This is the time for civility: The president's final budget to Congress will seek $350 billion in modest tax cuts over 10 years, including an easing of the so-called "marriage penalty" for couples who file jointly and a new program for people to set up retirement savings accounts. Clinton's tax cuts are much lower -- and more responsible -- than the 10-year, $792 billion tax cut package sought by the Republican-led Congress last year. In addition to tax cuts, Clinton's spending proposals on health care and education are right on track. (One initiative missing the mark, a deadbeat parent collection plan aimed at gambling establishments, is ...

Letter: Anti-gay initiative designed to impose religious beliefs: This petition is not about defending marriage, but attacking gays and lesbians. Male/female marriages are recognized, so this is unnecessary. (It's already the law in Nevada.)

Editorial: Deadbeat collection plan is too intrusive: Here's how the plan would work: Casinos, as they go about withholding federal income taxes from big winners, also would try to determine whether the gamblers owe child support. This would be done by tapping into a computerized national database that would determine whether the gambler was delinquent on child support. If the check shows the customer owes money, then the gambler's winnings would be withheld. The administration estimates that over five years this would result in the collection of $348 million, although this projection seems overly optimistic.

Traffic violation leads man to swallow cocaine: Jones was in stable condition at Lake Mead Hospital after having his stomach pumped and undergoing surgery.

News briefs: Metro Police are searching for a man who held up an auto supply store Sunday and tied up the employees.

Brothel opponent seeks evidence: CARSON CITY -- John Reese says his initiative petition that would outlaw prostitution in rural Nevada may be his swan song in a 10-year effort to close brothels.

Friend of Pope's dad tells of threat: Bill Gang; A week before 15-year-old Conan Pope was alleged to have killed his father, the teenager is said to have threatened to shoot the man, according to court records unsealed Thursday.

Goodman seeks help in getting ex-partner on board: Erin Neff; Developers of two plagued projects have both asked Mayor Oscar Goodman to step up to the plate for them.

City councilman faces new questioning on ties to garbage company: McDonald is accused of failing to disclose his ties to certain Silver State employees before a July 12 vote on a company contract, then misrepresenting his relationship with one of the employees.

Academic attraction: Terry Webster; Magnet schools

Audit: Many health care facilities don't receive timely inspections: CARSON CITY -- The state agency that oversees the licensing and regulation of medical facilities has failed to do timely inspections on a number of health-care centers and to follow up on consumer complaints, a legislative audit says.

Nellis to be site for F-22 training: Benjamin Grove; WASHINGTON -- Nellis Air Force Base will play a key role in pilot training for the F-22 Raptor, the next generation jet fighter, the Air Force confirmed Thursday.

Problem gambling highlighted this weekend: Like a similar conference last year, the event coincides with one of the heaviest betting periods of the year -- Super Bowl weekend.

Nevada delegates agree: Use projected surplus to erase national debt: Benjamin Grove; WASHINGTON -- Nevada's four members of Congress agreed with a central theme in President Clinton's State of the Union address on Thursday -- use the nation's stunning projected budget surplus to erase the national debt within 13 years.

Murkowski tweaks Yucca nuke waste bill: Benjamin Grove; WASHINGTON -- The sponsor of a bill that outlines a plan to bring nuclear waste to Nevada is tinkering with the legislation in an effort to get President Clinton's stamp of approval, a spokeswoman said today.

Virgin River habitat protected for endangered fish: The habitat for two endangered species of fish received protection Thursday along an 87-mile stretch of the Virgin River, the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service said.

Cowboy Poetry gathering celebrates the Western frontier: Scott Sonner; But mostly they come to warm their souls with poems and songs about one of the most romanticized, endangered species on the Western frontier - the American cowboy.

Louisiana fine causes loss for Harrah's merger partner: ATLANTIC CITY -- Players International Inc. today reported a $3.8 million loss for the quarter ending Dec. 31, the result of a $10.2 million fine handed down by Louisiana in December.

Gabelli ups stake in LV company: Documents filed Thursday with the Securities and Exchange Commission indicate a series of funds controlled by Gabelli purchased 164,500 shares of Jackpot stock over the past two weeks. Gabelli paid a total of $1.6 million for the shares, an average of $9.73 per share.

Ruling due on building more homes near pig farm: Diana Sahagun; The matter seems simple: Don't buy your home near a pig farm if you can't stand the smell.

State jobless rate 4 percent in December, record 1 million working: Brendan Riley; A report released Friday shows the seasonally adjusted rate compared with a national rate of 4.1 percent and a 4.9 percent rate in neighboring California.

Obituaries for January 28, 2000: Pamela W. Anderson, 80, of Chico, Calif., died Wednesday in Chico. She was born Dec. 22, 1919, in Provo, Utah. A former Las Vegas resident, she retired from Bonanza Beverage in 1991.

Financier gains control of A.C. casino: ATLANTIC CITY -- Five months after filing for bankruptcy protection, the Claridge Hotel and Casino Corp. has proposed a reorganization plan that would give financier Carl Icahn control of the struggling casino.

TV judge's actions as DA come under fire: CARSON CITY -- In granting a new trial to a Reno man who has been on death row for more than 20 years, the Nevada Supreme Court Thursday said Mills Lane, the television judge and former boxing referee, withheld evidence favorable to the defense when he was the Washoe County district attorney prosecuting the case.

Venetian executives dodge Clean Air Act question: Venetian hotel-casino executives say the Las Vegas Convention and Visitors Authority should ask a local environmental group -- not them -- about a Clean Air Act violation complaint that could block construction of major local projects.

Wells Fargo looking at acquisition: First Commerce said Thursday there is no assurance the two parties will reach an agreement. The discussions with Wells Fargo place a $480 million value on the Lincoln, Neb., holding company.

Friend: Father worried son was going to shoot him: "Conan's threatening to shoot me...He said he would take one of his guns and shoot me," Mike Elgas told police after his friend was killed.

Columnist Brian Hilderbrand: IRL drivers not buying Unser's 'rookie' tag: As he prepared for his first race in the Indy Racing League this weekend, Al Unser Jr. likened his position in the new series to 1983 -- his rookie season in Championship Auto Racing Teams (CART).

Historic Hotel being readied for implosion: Sandra Chereb; Still, preservations hoping to save the 52-year-old, 12-story Art Deco building refused to concede defeat, clinging to the hope that a last-minute savior could be found.

Teen charged in auto theft, kidnapping: Jace Radke; A Las Vegas mother's nightmare came to an end two hours after it began Thursday night when police located her stolen minivan and her missing 6-month-old daughter.

$4,500 goals workshop will help district find superintendent, says board: Terry Webster; Bogged down in its search for a school superintendent, the Clark County School Board is spending $4,500 on a one-day workshop on achieving goals.

Home for concerts approved: Valerie Miller; A 2,500-seat amphitheater is expected to be open in Henderson and ready to host concerts, plays, arts and crafts fairs and other events by July 2001.

LV city officials leaning against court consolidation: Bill Gang; Just days ago, it seemed certain that the Las Vegas Municipal Court and Clark County Justice Court systems would soon move toward consolidation.

Critics: Gaming Commission's 'Slots for tots' rules fall short: David Strow; So-called "slots for tots" were outlawed Thursday by the Nevada Gaming Commission, but critics say new state rules are inadequate and still want a congressional investigation.

High court decision gives reporters greater protection: CARSON CITY -- The Nevada Supreme Court Thursday strengthened Nevada's shield law that protects reporters from revealing confidential sources and also now from answering questions about stories that appear in the newspapers.

LV lender to serve Arizona: The company received an Arizona mortgage license, but for now plans to process Arizona-based loans through its Las Vegas office.

Comedian mourns his mother but the show goes on: In 1992 Elizabeth Morgan suffered a stroke, prompting her son, zany comedian Rip Taylor, to take a job in an ill-fated revue at the old Dunes hotel, where he had received his show business start 30 years earlier.

Panel to look further into McDonald-Silver State ties: Erin Neff; Las Vegas City Councilman Michael McDonald's ties to Silver State Disposal Services raised the eyebrows of two state ethics commissioners enough that they are asking the full board to look into the matter.

Manufacturer cutting jobs: Timet, based in Denver, has a big plant in Henderson near Las Vegas. Officials could not immediately be reached for comment on whether jobs are being cut in Henderson.

Two accused in wild horse slaughter petition court to drop charges: Sandra Chereb; RENO, Nev. - Evidence against two men accused in the slaughter of more than two dozen wild horses is insufficient and the charges against them should be dropped, the men's lawyers said Friday.

Suit claims school officials failed to protect gay student: Sandra Chereb; RENO, Nev. - A former high school student sued Washoe County school officials in federal court Friday, claiming they failed to stop verbal and physical harassment inflicted by classmates because he is gay.

Judge denies late-punch victim's request: State Supreme Court Justice Barry Cozier noted that one of Norris' lawyers was in his dressing room when the alleged deal was done, yet nothing was put in writing. The judge said it appears unlikely that Norris will win his case.

Grand jury indicts teen in father's death: Chief District Judge Lee Gates issued a warrant for the arrest of Pope, who has been on house arrest following a recent incident at the Clark County Detention Center where Pope allegedly engaged in a consensual sex act with a male inmate.

January rains bring dramatic increase in California snow pack: The snowpack, which supplies about 40 percent of California's drinking and farm water, for the central and northern Sierra was reported at 75 percent of normal for this time of year. On Jan. 4, it was less than 22 percent of normal, and state and federal water officials suggested that the water outlook for the state was uncertain at best.

Goodman seeks change to allow former partner on board: Goodman wants the change so he can appoint his former law partner, Marty Keach, to the board to fill the space vacated by Tom Schoeman, president of JMA Architecture.

Stoddard decides to remain behind the wall: Mike Harris; Frank Stoddard, a rising star among NASCAR's crew chiefs, has decided his over-the-wall days are over.

Magnet schools: Gilbert Magnet School for Communication and Creative Art, 2101 W. Cartier Circle, North Las Vegas -- Spoken and written communications, in-house television station, creative arts.

UNLV 2000 baseball schedule: Jan. 29 -- St. Mary's College, 1:05 p.m.

Gambling regulators ban 'kiddie slots': Angie Wagner; "This is going to be the new wave of games," Nevada Gaming Commission Chairman Brian Sandoval said Thursday. "We had to put on the brakes a little bit."

Trial begins in officer's lawsuit alleging racism: Gentry was promoted to that rank in November. His suit seeks damages for loss of pay, benefits and seniority he would have accrued if he had been promoted in 1997.

After losing thousands, officer kills himself in casino: Jim Suhr; He lost.

Friends stuggle to understand casino suicide: "You can't be going over there dropping $6,000 or $7,000 a night," Pelzer said he told Bell last month. "He told me everything was all right. He said, 'Donnie, I'll call you."'

Ralph Siraco's selections for Saturday's races at Santa Anita: 1st Race -- Promontory Gold - Training at Hollypark, draws good rail post, Franket trainee gets Nakatani here. True Confidence - Flores scales Lukas trainee, should be forwardly placed, connections are right. Value Play -- Nates Colony

New Wildlife Commission member has trapping violations in his past: Quilici was cited seven times by a game warden in 1982. He was found guilty of five misdemeanor violations and ordered to pay $100 apiece in fines.

Retired assemblymen get higher pension: A 300 percent pension increase took effect after the Legislature in late June 1989 overrode a veto by then-Gov. Bob Miller and put the increase into law.

Congressional delegation offers mixed reviews for State of the Union: Reid, Sen. Richard Bryan and Rep. Shelley Berkley, the delegation's three Democrats, said a decrease in taxes is not as important as using the surpluses generated by a booming economy to reduce the national debt.

Saturday at Santa Anita: 1st race 1-1/8 mi 3YO Alw: 1 Promontory Gold (Nakatani) 118; 2 Credit Call (Black) 116; 3 Buster B Bimbo (Pincay) 118; 4 Nates Colony (Gomez) 116; 5 True Confidence (Flores) 116; 6 Jekyll and Hyde (Solis) 118; 7 Anstar (Valenzuela) 116.

More than 100 casino workers sign up for proposed union vote: The union is seeking to organize most of the 4,000 workers at the Beau Rivage Casino and Hotel on the coast. An organizational meeting held Wednesday drew several interested workers, and Fosco said workers from other casinos have signed up, too.

Saturday at Aqueduct: 1st race 6 fur 4YO & up F & M Clm: 1 Truly Classic (Gutierrez) 107; 2 Tune Squad (Lovato) 114; 3 Sports Authority (Melton) 109; 4a Renee's Bubbles (Arroyo) 109; 5 Asap (Bridgmohan) 114; 6a Blue Splender (Blake) 109; 7 Whisper of Romance (Gryder) 117; 8 Fireborne (Luzzi) 114; 9 Won Your Star (Teator) 114; 10 La Femme M (Rocco) 109; 11 Doublicious (Castillo) 114; 12 Flights End (Montalvo) 109.

Panel considers productivity in higher education funding: A legislatively commissioned panel met Thursday, discussing the "performance outcome" approach as part of a larger conversation about how other states fund higher education.

Where I Stand -- Mike O'Callaghan: Let's hear from Washoe: WHY DOES A STATE ADMINISTRATOR consider the Washoe County children's services the best in Nevada and the only agency in the state to meet the Child Welfare League of America's standard for accreditation? Because he is dealing with facts and is telling it the way it is.

Columnist Joe Delaney: Special care results in extended life for mature voices: Joe Delaney; Paul Anka's lyrics to an original French melody, "My Way," have been credited with spurring Frank Sinatra's successful return to show business at the start of the 1970s. ... "My Way" was a mega-hit, a million-record seller, and became a Sinatra signature song.

Columnist Kate Maddox: Serious staff carnage at Channel 3: Kate Maddox; The recent shake-ups at KVBC Channel 3 left most of the staff tight-lipped and fearing for their jobs -- and, as it turns out, with good reason.

Saturday at Bay Meadows: 1st race 6 fur 4YO & up F & M Clm: 1 Babes Jackey (Skelly) 116; 2 Starter Boy (Carr) 116; 3 Silvey's Muchacha (Arriaga) 116; 4 Havasu Bella (Warren) 116; 5 Gingerbob (Matias) 116; 6 Sweet as Sugar (Alvarado) 116; 7 Ruhl Number One (Radke) 111.

Nevada Supreme Court rules reporter protected from testifying: The family of three victims in the accident filed a wrongful death lawsuit against the Highway Patrol, claiming that troopers failed to arrest an intoxicated Michael Estrada when they encountered him several hours before the collision.

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.

Man threatens to kill himself inside MGM Grand, police say: "I guess he lost all the money he had, and he made a statement to the dealer saying he was going to do the same thing as the gentleman yesterday did," Gaskin said.

Dial File -- Steve Bornfeld: If it's not one thing, it's another: Drum roll, please ...

Police warn neighborhood that sex offender lives in area: Under state law, authorities are required to notify area schools and neighbors where he is living.

Bowling tournament draws fewer participants: The tournament at the National Bowling Stadium runs March 11 through July 8.

Columnist Dean Juipe: The woman who forgave Rosie Ruiz: Dean Juipe; Her name is synonymous with fraud and deceit. As imposters go, she will always be recalled as one with moxie that just wouldn't quit.

Viva Las Bega: Who: Cher and Lou Bega.

UNLV notebook: Women's track to open indoor season: UNLV's women's track and field team begins the 2000 indoor season today at the Air Force Invitational in Colorado Springs, Colo. The two-day meet will feature 14 teams from around the country.

Park official says dog owners need play area: One solution is to give dogs their own space, he said.

J.R. has found niche in IBL: Victoria Sun; Too soft. No heart. Not tough enough.

Rebels, Rams have similar game plans: Steve Addy; When UNLV drew up its offensive blueprint before the season, this was the plan: Kaspars Kambala would be Mr. Inside, while Trevor Diggs and Mark Dickel would bomb away from the perimeter.

BC's Hafen promised to break dad's scoring mark -- and did: Spencer Patterson; Lee Hafen's grandfather, Dave Lee, tells a story about the first time he told his young grandson about the Boulder City High School basketball career scoring record.

Shelf Life -- Scott Dickensheets: A cynical take on a confirmed 'Cynic's' latest work: Author Joe Queenan once told me he hates to finish a workday until he feels he's made some money. For a writer, such entrepreneurial zippiness is double-edged: It's a useful survival trait in the brutal Darwinian circus of the free-lance life, where every untyped word is a penny lost. Yet, obeyed too stringently, it leads inevitably to hack work.

LVMS testing schedule: WINSTON CUP: Dale Earnhardt, Dale Earnhardt Jr., Stacy Compton, Jeremy Mayfield, Robby Gordon, Derrike Cope, Jeff Gordon, Jeff Fuller, Ken Schrader, Ricky Craven, Wally Dallenbach, Chad Little.

Corrections: Corrections

Newton proves he's still a master in Stardust debut: Joe Delaney; Wayne Newton had a blue-ribbon audience with celebrities plus local movers and shakers for his opening night Monday in the newly renamed Wayne Newton Theater at the Stardust.

Judge lifts gag order in Pope case: Kim Smith; Justice of the Peace Tony Abbatangelo said during a Thursday hearing that there would be no point in trying to find out who spoke to a Sun reporter about an alleged sexual encounter between Conan Pope and a male inmate in the Clark County Detention Center.

Megabucks winner wants to take her family on a cruise: Jace Radke; Cynthia Jay thought 21 was a lucky number, but after Wednesday night she prefers 27.

Birth announcements for January 28, 2000: Jan. 7: A boy to Mayoury and Rudny Calalay. Jan. 18: A girl to Pamela Shamblin and Frank Ferrara; a boy to Cheryl and Joe Coyle. Jan. 19: A boy to Jennifer and Travis Prater; a girl to Denise and Sean Lievsay; a boy to Herminda Dominguez and Ramon Vargas; a boy to Beatriz and Michael Miller; a boy to Shauna and Peter Flatt. Jan. 20: A girl to Teresa and Darnell Banks; a boy to Lyn and Michael Daybell. Jan. 21: A boy to Melissa and Saul Solorzano; a boy to Reyna and Hector Alvarado; a boy to Katherine ...

Date book: The Community College of Southern Nevada, 3200 E. Cheyenne Ave., presents "Educational Taste of Excellence," featuring wine tasting, hors d'oeurves, art and jazz from 7-11 p.m. Saturday in the student lounge.

$75 million retail center set for former casino property: Phil Levine; The heated battle for Henderson shopping dollars is about to get hotter.

Rio teams with Foyt: Eliseo Salazar, who is celebrating his 26th year in professional motor sports, will drive the Rio-sponsored car. Jeff Ward drives Foyt's other IRL entry, which is sponsored by Harrah's. The Rio is owned by Harrah's Casinos.

State job total tops 1 mil. as economy booms: CARSON CITY -- The number of jobs in Nevada topped the 1 million mark with the economy continuing strong during the holiday shopping season in December.

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