Print edition for July 12, 2000

Los Angeles developer plans to transform Las Vegas Hilton: Lisa Snedecker; LAS VEGAS - Las Vegas Hilton employees met with management Wednesday to quell rumors swirling since a California developer agreed to buy the off-Strip resort.

Editorial: Just what were they thinking?: As the Sun's Keith Paul reported Monday, Metro Police last Thursday went to Sprint in an effort to find one of their employees who was wanted on a murder charge. But, incredulously, the telephone company refused to say where Charles Simon was assigned. "Our internal procedures have always dictated we verify employment but do not give out location," Sprint spokesman Rob McCoy said. Although he acknowledged the need to cooperate with police, McCoy went on to say, "We have to be careful in situations like this. We have to balance the interests of 1,900 employees." It wasn't until one day ...

Life after 'Alegria' on horizon for Beau Rivage: "Alegria" will move on after its run in Biloxi to tour Australia, New Zealand and Singapore and other Pacific Rim countries.

Maddox selected Nevada trial lawyer of the year: A trial lawyer who has represented numerous homeowners in construction-defect cases, Maddox secured a $4.6 million settlement in January involving 88 homes in a North Las Vegas subdivision. He recently recovered $2.5 million for condominium owners in Henderson.

Federal land sale provides money for Lake Tahoe: Sandra Chereb; RENO, Nev. - The sale of previously public land around McCarran Airport in Las Vegas has netted $4.6 million so far for the purchase of environmentally sensitive land at Lake Tahoe.

Indiana Gaming Commission closes casino boat: "What happened came as a surprise to us because we really thought we were in compliance," casino spokesman Jef Bauer said.

Community news briefs for July 12, 2000: Family members caring for Alzheimer's patients may soon receive temporary financial assistance.

Committee will refund $749,000 raised to fight anti-gambling measure: Len Iwanski; The proposed constitutional amendment would have banned all forms of gambling in Montana but will not be on the November ballot because supporters could not gather the 39,724 signatures they needed by the June 23 deadline. Sponsors said they had gathered 19,253 signatures.

Columnist Muriel Stevens: Wonderful Wizard of Potter: OK, I confess. Even though I'm a muggle (nonwizard), I'm crazy about the Harry Potter books. The adventures of the orphaned boy wizard are a delightful read for both youngsters and adults. As soon as I read the first one, "Harry Potter and the Sorcerer's Stone," I was hooked. So when word came that the fourth in the series (there will be a total of seven) would be released Saturday at 12:01 a.m., I had to have it.

Thursday's horse racing entries: Post Time 1:10 p.m.

Washington news briefs for July 12, 2000: Sen. Harry Reid, D-Nev., the Senate's No. 2 Democrat, is calling on Congress to complete "America's unfinished agenda." On Tuesday he urged his colleagues to tackle four remaining issues before the Senate adjourns in October. Congress is out of session in August.

Obituaries for July 12, 2000: John F. Bagby, 77, of Las Vegas died Tuesday in Las Vegas. He was born March 17, 1923, in Douthat, Okla. A resident for seven years, he was a retired sales representative in the sheet metal industry and a World War II Air Force veteran.

Clinton signs new nuclear-compensation bill: President Clinton on Tuesday signed an expanded radiation compensation bill that includes more residents who lived downwind from the Nevada Test Site during above-ground testing of atomic bombs from 1951 until 1963.

Letter: Nevada standards tough for jobs: Now she needs her birth certificate to prove how old she is! All this just to be able to get a low-paying job as a waitress?

Prosecutor says accused supermarket shooter wanted to go out in 'blaze of glory': Angie Wagner; In his opening statement, Clark County District Attorney Stewart Bell said Zane Floyd was a killer who hunted down the grocery store employees on June 3, 1999, just hours after allegedly raping an outcall service dancer.

Government land deals criticized by congressional auditors: H. Josef Hebert; WASHINGTON - The federal government has lost millions of dollars from land exchanges, often buying land for more than it is worth and giving up land for less than its market value, congressional auditors reported Wednesday.

Letter: Berkley trying to protect our air and water: With the type of growth we are seeing here, we need to ensure our water supply, Lake Mead, is protected from increased runoff, industrial pollution, and overuse. I ask my fellow Nevadans to call Berkley and thank her for voting to remove anti-environmental riders and to continue voting to protect Nevada's water and air in upcoming budget bills.

Michican gaming regulators voice concerns about sale of casino stakes: Jim Suhr; Ted Gatzaros, Dimitrios Papas and their wives are divesting their interests in what would become Detroit's third temporary casino, given a state-mandated investigation that uncovered problems in their backgrounds.

Edwards' second trial postponed to Sept. 18: Janet McConnaughey; NEW ORLEANS - The federal judge assigned to hear former Gov. Edwin Edwards' trial on insurance fraud charges has postponed the trial until Sept. 18.

Letter: Price missing from special issue: ALLEN TOOLEY

Editorial: Hot coffee lawsuit is doused by court: Nevada had a similar case, too, as Lane Holmes sued a Las Vegas convenience store, the Turtle Stop, for second-degree burns he received in 1995 after he spilled coffee on himself that he purchased there. Holmes' attorney, Algimantas Bruzas, contended the store should have posted a warning that the coffee could cause injury. But last week the Nevada Supreme Court wisely upheld District Court Judge Gene Porter's granting of summary judgment for Turtle Stop and the companies that supplied the brewing equipment and cups.

Columnist Elizabeth Foyt: Supporters gather to cheer 'President' Letizia: Elizabeth Foyt; It seems there's a new presidential candidate -- or so it appeared when recent festivities were held to mark Las Vegas adman Tom Letizia's 50th birthday. With dozens of friends and business associates cooperating, Letizia's wife managed to surprise him with a lighthearted, quite hilarious party.

Environmentalists say they don't like roadless plan either: John Hughes; Conservation leaders piled cardboard boxes on the U.S. Capitol lawn Tuesday to represent the 500,000 postcards, letters and e-mails they said they have gathered in favor of strengthening Clinton's plan.

Ralph Siraco's selections for Thursday's races at Hollywood Park: 1st Race -- Glacier Gold - Draws good outside post for the long-sprint opener, Valdivia aboard Shulman trainee, nasal strip again. Grab The Lady - Inner post here, Pincay/Spawr team, adds blinkers for this trip, a factor throughout. Value Play -- Diditmyway

Savvy wine buy: Mariah '97: Max Jacobson; Zinfandel is a grape indigenous to California, and the wines it yields, bright, spicy and lingering, number among the most powerful and penetrating from any varietal. This rising star, released in late 1999, is a relatively high 14.3 percent alcohol, and softened by a blending of 10 percent Syrah. This is a hearty, intense wine that will stand up to the gamiest flavors. The mouth is peppery and rich, and has the typical hint of raspberry common to all great Zinfandels.

Supercomputer fitted with new program to analyze workings of Yucca Mountain: A computer code that did not exist four months ago is a new secret weapon for Department of Energy scientists trying to prove Yucca Mountain will safely contain highly radioactive wastes.

Give your tummy something yummy at local bakeries: Max Jacobson; Great Buns

Columnist Jeff Haney: Blackjack expert 'wongs in' on sports betting: When the lowercase form of a man's name becomes a verb in the English language, it's a good bet he has reached the top of his profession.

Poll news bad for Malone, good for Kincaid: Adrienne Packer; Some government watchdogs say Clark County Commissioner Lance Malone will overcome a series of controversial decisions and comments to win his bid for re-election, but a recent political poll predicts trouble.

Auto racing schedule, winners and points standings: Feb. 20 - Daytona 500, Daytona Beach, Fla. (Dale Jarrett)

Swap meet neighbors don't buy it: Diana Sahagun; Neighbors of a North Las Vegas swap meet are out of patience with the owner's failure to live up to agreements made three years ago that enabled him to expand his parking lot near their homes.

Columnist Dean Juipe: XFL exec says league will succeed: Dean Juipe; We all know Las Vegas has been a graveyard for professional sports teams.

Mom arrested for leaving kids in car while gambling: BRIDGEPORT, Ind. -- A Virginia woman left six young children unattended in a sweltering sport-utility vehicle while she and her mother played the slot machines at a riverboat casino, police said.

Off-Strip location made Hilton one of LV's biggest gambles: Sun Staff; The Las Vegas Hilton was the biggest hotel in the world when it opened as the International Hotel in 1969 -- and it was considered the biggest gamble taken by a casino operator.

Slaying suspect in critical condition: Keith Paul; A 39-year-old man was in critical condition after shooting himself this morning as North Las Vegas Police knocked on his door to question him about the slaying of his ex-girlfriend.

Complaint filed against Top Rank: Dean Juipe; As a result of Top Rank Boxing promoter Bob Arum's admission before the United States District Court in New Jersey that his firm paid the International Boxing Federation $200,000 to authorize a world-title fight, the State of Nevada has brought a formal complaint against the Las Vegas-based company.

Columnist Victoria Sun: Website caters to local golfers: Victoria Sun; Getting out to play a round of golf has become a serious challenge for many local golfers.

Columnist Peter Benton: Using sunscreen can save your skin: Peter Benton; Some years ago -- in fact, many years ago, as this column debuted in 1976 -- I wrote about the trials and tribulations PGA golfer Andy North was experiencing with skin cancer.

Red Rock Country Club charity event featuring Williams sisters is sold out: Victoria Sun; The newly crowned queen of Wimbledon, Venus Williams, will be at Red Rock Country Club July 22 -- as advertised -- playing in a charity event to benefit the National Ovarian Cancer Coalition.

Three-judge panel comes under fire: Kim Smith; A defense attorney for quadruple murderer Donte Johnson has filed a 33-page motion challenging the constitutionality of the three-judge panel system that holds Johnson's fate in its hands.

Henderson council briefs for July 12, 2000: An appeal to the Henderson City Council for a major shopping center near the intersection of Lake Mead Drive and Pecos Road was postponed until next month, to the agitation of dozens of potentially affected residents.

Silver Bandits appoint Rothermel team's CEO: Rothermel will oversee sponsorships and corporate development and will also be a management consultant.

Experts praise sale of famous resort: The owner and operator of the Silverton hotel-casino just south of Las Vegas is buying the off-Strip Las Vegas Hilton hotel-casino.

Casino temporarily closed over personnel violations: GARY, Ind. -- For the first time, the Indiana Gaming Commission closed a casino boat, after learning that a newly promoted employee had not undergone a required background check.

Pilates exercise trend reaches Las Vegas: Lisa Ferguson; That's because a not-so-new exercise trend sweeping the country makes it possible to see body-slimming results, usually without the aches and pains that can result from other strenuous workouts.

Supreme Court dismisses lawsuit against sports park: Erin Neff; The Nevada Supreme Court has ended a two-year legal fight by dismissing cases brought against the city of Las Vegas by a Summerlin couple opposed to a sports park in their neighborhood.

Story details rift between partners at Aladdin resort: Key Aladdin executives were to appear before the state Gaming Control Board in Las Vegas for licensing today.

Casinos' community involvement role debated: David Strow; The role of the gaming industry in giving back to its communities was a point of debate during the Urban Chamber's national convention in Las Vegas last week.

Banned inmate paper sues state: Greg Tuttle; A publication aimed at prison inmates edited by a man serving time for murder has filed a lawsuit after Nevada state officials banned its circulation behind bars.

Frederick's of Hollywood in Chapter 11: LOS ANGELES -- Frederick's of Hollywood, famous for its naughty nighties and push-up bras, says it will continue operations under Chapter 11 bankruptcy protection.

Columnist Paula DelGiudice: Utah offers fine fishing: Paula DelGiudice; The fishing in southern Utah draws Nevadans like a magnet, especially when temperatures start to boil here. Some of my favorite fishing spots have been producing good catches recently.

State workers stage rally for higher pay: CARSON CITY -- About 150 state workers rallied beside the Capitol Tuesday for higher pay and benefits, saying they have fallen behind their counterparts in local governments in wages and other compensation.

Mystery shoppers run into license problem: Erin Neff; They may be spies like us, but the mystery shoppers set to test city departments and services in Las Vegas aren't private eyes.

UNLV law teacher new solicitor general: CARSON CITY -- A former judge and teacher at UNLV has been named state solicitor general, a branch of the attorney general's office that supervises lawsuits against the state.

City condemnation feud continues: CARSON CITY -- The Nevada Supreme Court has handed the Las Vegas Downtown Redevelopment Agency another setback in its continuing battle over the condemnation of land to make way for the Fremont Street Experience.

Killer tries to avoid death penalty: Greg Tuttle; By admitting to murder, Fernando Hernandez hopes to save his life.

Girl in shooting to face several charges: Keith Paul; A 13-year-old girl, who was wounded when four Metro Police officers shot and killed a 19-year-old robbery suspect, will be charged with robbery and other crimes when she is released from the hospital.

Huge airline merger may be in works: DALLAS -- American Airlines parent AMR Corp. is reported to have made a $3.7 billion bid to purchase Northwest Airlines Corp., though the two sides are still far apart.

Local news briefs for July 12, 2000: A man found dead in North Las Vegas Saturday was wanted in Colorado on a warrant in connection with his wife's death.

Las Vegas' Busch says he's enjoying the ride: It wouldn't be a stretch to call Kurt Busch the hottest driver in NASCAR these days.

Robbery suspect taunts arresting officer: Aaron Clemens; Jose Manuel Vigoa, 40, in a court hearing to determine whether he would stand trial in connection with a brazen daylight robbery last month at the Bellagio hotel-casino, used a break in testimony Tuesday to taunt a Metro Police detective who arrested him after a high-speed chase.

Actor commits suicide: Pierce, 25, of Los Angeles was found dead in a room by Bellagio workers Monday afternoon after he failed to check out, said Lt. Wayne Petersen of Metro Police's homicide unit.

Outcall employee describes terror: Kim Smith; Something told Traci Rose Carter not to go to Zane Floyd's house on June 3, 1999, but she went anyway.

Las Vegas area fishing report: Some top water action for stripers has taken place during the past week and boaters are casting small lures, such as Sassy Shad, to catch the fish. Top water action occurs when stripers feed on threadfin shad on the lake's surface.