Print edition for July 14, 2000

UNLV receives accreditation: By Sun Staff; In late April, UNLV was reviewed by a 15-member team, which included professors and administrators from other institutions.

Inflation reported: WASHINGTON -- Wholesale prices shot up 0.6 percent in June, led by the biggest jump in gasoline and other energy costs in three months and a record increase in residential natural gas prices, the government said today.

Utility, regulators settle rate case: Southwest filed the request June 1 to recover natural gas fuel costs it had incurred.

Jewish group burns flags in confrontation with neo-Nazis: Scott Sonner; RENO, Nev. - Militant Jews burned Nazi and Confederate flags in front of the federal courthouse Friday to rally against racism after five skinheads pleaded guilty in an attempted firebombing of a synagogue.

School expenditure questioned: Terry Webster; The creation of a new $109,331-a-year position for an executive director of government and community relations for the school district has residents raising eyebrows -- and questions.

Court briefs for July 14, 2000: A Las Vegas man who was beaten by a group of bar patrons he tried to take hostage during a robbery last month pleaded guilty Thursday.

Nevada Power reaches deal on rate hike: CARSON CITY -- After marathon negotiations with the last one ending at midnight, a settlement has been reached to allow Nevada Power Co. to increase its rates by $48 million and to open the electric market to competition.

Assemblyman vows action over medical billing procedure: A state assemblyman dismayed by a medical bill that he believes he should not have to pay said he will take legislative action to stop a practice known as balance billing.

Tax breaks denied to LV firm because of competition issue: CARSON CITY -- A Las Vegas communication company with expansion plans that include paying some of the highest wages in Nevada isn't going to get tax breaks of more than $1.5 million because it would compete with other firms in Las Vegas.

Obituaries for July 14, 2000: Lillian Adeska, 85, of Las Vegas died Wednesday in a local hospice. She was born March 7, 1915, in the Bronx, N.Y. A resident for four years, she was a homemaker.

Private group heads sale of sensitive Nevada land: A private, nonprofit group funded by Monsanto Co., various oil and gas companies and Coors Brewing Co. is negotiating the purchases of environmentally sensitive land in Nevada for the federal government.

Profit jumps at conglomerate: FAIRFIELD, Conn. -- General Electric Co. said Thursday its second-quarter earnings rose 20 percent, led by strong growth in its power systems, aircraft engines and NBC units.

Suspect in woman's death dies at hospital: Keith Paul; A 39-year-old man who shot himself as North Las Vegas Police knocked on his door to question him about the slaying of his ex-girlfriend died Thursday.

Elko County road issue could lead to federal lawsuit: Greg Tuttle; The war of words between residents of a rural Nevada county and the federal government has heated up again, less than two weeks after a peaceful Independence Day protest drew hundreds to the small dirt road at the center of the debate.

County prepares panel to write children's hospital ballot information: Adrienne Packer; Clark County officials are assembling a committee to write pros and cons for a ballot question in anticipation that a physicians' group will be successful in bringing a proposed children's hospital to a vote in November.

Fitch pleads guilty in weapons case: Greg Tuttle; A Boulder City man whose wife disappeared 10 months ago under mysterious circumstances has pleaded guilty in federal court to weapons and fraud charges.

Joe Delaney remembers 1951: Recalling Ray Anthony at the Thunderbird: Joe Delaney remembers 1951: Recalling Ray Anthony at the Thunderbird

PCL Box: Sidewinders 8, Stars 2: PCL Box: Sidewinders 8, Stars 2

The Sun remembers 1951: Where I Stand -- Hank Greenspun: Southern Nevada growth is unstoppable: If a small group of men who are determined to keep Nevada small, and, who are doubly determined to keep the southern part of Nevada in an inferior position to the rest of the state, could have heard a speech yesterday at the dedication of St. Peter's school in Henderson, they would have realized the ridiculousness of their position.

State board approves sale of $100 million in highway bonds: CARSON CITY -- The state Transportation Board authorized selling $100 million in bonds next fiscal year, with $80.5 million going for the first phase of widening U.S. 95 in Las Vegas.

Coulthard fastest in practice for Austrian GP: Sunday's race in Austria will be his 100th Formula One race and Coulthard could reduce Schumacher's lead by as many as 10 points with another victory.

Venetian criticizes closed meeting over monorail: Adrienne Packer; The long-awaited decision on whether the state should issue $650 million in tax-free bonds for a monorail system along the Las Vegas Strip is expected to be announced Monday by the Department of Business and Industry.

Fight to avoid death begins: Kim Smith; Now that Zane Floyd has been convicted of four murders, his attorneys are turning toward what they acknowledge will be the hardest part of his trial: saving his life.

Church blocking adult business scrutinized: A church that stands in the way of a proposed adult business in the city of Las Vegas is not registered with the state as a nonprofit organization and is run by a minister who is not registered by the state to perform marriages.

DI Estates residents up against deadline: Adrienne Packer; Homeowners in the Desert Inn Estates community must decide by today whether they are willing to give up their houses to make way for casino mogul Steve Wynn's newest vision.

Humperdinck (and family) pleases fans at LV Hilton: Joe Delaney; Engelbert Humperdinck, his daughter, Louise, and son, Bradley, makes it a warm, family affair through Sunday in the Las Vegas Hilton showroom.

Editorial: Auctions are best choice: The GAO, which is Congress' investigative arm, is recommending a halt to all land exchanges by the U.S. Bureau of Land Management and the U.S. Forest Service, a proposal rebuffed by both agencies. So Rep. George Miller, D-Calif., believes Congress should impose a moratorium. "Land deals are being cut behind closed doors with tremendous special-interest pressure and limited public input," Miller said. He added that both agencies "are failing to protect the public's wallet and their environment."

That's Life -- Steve Bornfeld: We were expected to care: Darva, you see, is nekked in Playboy.

Columnist Joe Delaney: Gans latest in long line of impressionists: Joe Delaney; Danny Gans, firmly ensconced in his Danny Gans Theatre at the Mirage, is the most successful impressionist in Las Vegas history ... His rise from opening act here for Bill Cosby, then Joan Rivers, to headlining at the Stratosphere and an incredible run at the Rio, before the Mirage, has been astronomical ... Gans opened the door for Bill Acosta and his "Lasting Impressions," a success in the Luxor Live Theater.

Shelf Life -- Scott Dickensheets: Tom Robbins' language challenges the senses: Slip in a fresh brain for this one, kids. You want all your neurons at attention for a Tom Robbins novel, all your synapses ready for action. It's not that his prose is dense and demanding or his subtexts philosophically boggling; it's not that his allusions are impossibly scholarly or his plots are convoluted ... well, wait. Check that last one. They are pretty damn freaky. But that's not why.

Columnist Kate Maddox: Iglesias to ignite Aladdin opening: Kate Maddox; Enrique Iglesias will be the opening act at the freshly redone Aladdin Theatre for the Performing Arts on Aug. 19. Iglesias -- rumored to be the No. 2 choice for an opener, Sting was No. 1 -- christens the 7,000-seat showroom, which was the only portion of the property saved in the 1998 implosion of the hotel.

Latin Grammy nominees revealed: Entrepreneur-producer Emilio Estefan Jr. leads the nominees for the inaugural Latin Grammy Awards with six mentions.

Editorial: Prescription drug plan gets a boost: But insurers themselves already have said they're not interested in what they see as a money-loser; Nevada's own efforts to set up an insurer-run program have stalled. Congress should focus its energy on passing legislation that finally would offer a government-run drug benefit for the elderly and disabled.

Columnist Muriel Stevens: Tasting the good life with celebrities at Venetian feast: Ah, "La Dolce Vita." That's Italian for the good life, and it was also the name of the Venetian resort's first anniversary celebration. The weekend of activities for invited guests ended with a dinner dubbed the "Meal of the Century," hosted by the lovely Sophia Loren and emceed by Robin Leach.

Entertainers' careers buoyed on the cruise ship circuit: Cruise ships, by the numbers

Datebook: Las Vegas Civic Ballet Association and the Las Vegas Leisure Services Department offer afternoon ballet, tap and jazz classes at the Reed Whipple Cultural Center, 821 Las Vegas Blvd. North. Pointers for intermediate and advanced students, beginning and intermediate ballet, beginning tap, and beginning and intermediate jazz are provided. Summer classes are $25 a month. Call 229-2321.

Henderson rejects commercial rezoning request again: Greg Harman; A plan to pack a 3.8-acre parcel off Eastern Avenue near McDonald Ranch with twin 10,000-square-foot retail centers has endured rejection and criticism since its inception in 1998.

Nellis crash blocks colonel's new job: A former Nellis Air Force Base group commander who was deemed partially responsible for the 1998 crash of two military helicopters that killed 12 airmen has been denied command of a fighter wing in Florida.

Las Vegas video poker 'nightmare' feared: The state House and Senate also agreed on a host of new restrictions on the machines but stopped short of an outright ban.

NLV points way to downtown: Diana Sahagun; If you want to coax residents and vendors to downtown North Las Vegas, first you have to tell them where it is.

Carpentier breaks from extreme sports: Patrick Carpentier's competitiveness has resulted in four top-five finishes in six starts and moved him into the top 10 in the CART FedEx Championship Series standings despite missing three races.

Guinn criticizes college system over spending: CARSON CITY -- Gov. Kenny Guinn used a meeting of the state Transportation Board to level criticism at the University and Community College System of Nevada.

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

Senate OKs NTS compensation: Benjamin Grove; WASHINGTON -- Nevada's nuclear weapons workers would be compensated for their work-related illnesses according to legislation passed by the Senate on Thursday.

Corrections: Corrections

Baseball's plan: Eliminate Expos?: Ronald Blum; NEW YORK -- After 40 years of the expansion era, baseball might find itself reversing course.

Analysts say resort will open unfinished like the Venetian did: The Aladdin opening is likely to resemble last year's opening of the Venetian, said Bear, Stearns & Co. analyst Marc Falcone, who recently toured the Aladdin.

Venetian, Bellagio working on new art deals: Two Las Vegas hotel-casinos are negotiating with major art galleries to bring collections to their properties.

Where I Stand -- Mike O'Callaghan: Nevada news, views: THE GUT of Kirk Victor's commentary about Sen. Harry Reid in the National Journal is summed up in two of 14 paragraphs:

Columnist Dean Juipe: Commission will let Arum slide: Dean Juipe; The headline streamed across the top of the page, misleading readers but, by design, luring the easily led.

Five plead guilty in attempted bombing of Reno synagogue: Scott Sonner; RENO, Nev. - All five self-avowed white supremacists accused of an attempted firebombing at a Jewish temple pleaded guilty to bomb-related charges the day before they were to go to trial for the hate crime.

Roski positioning Hilton for competition with Boulder Strip: Grace Leong; NFL concerns

Ex-Rebels in Olympics: Ex-Rebels in Olympics

Gorman, Durango join forces for tournament: Spencer Patterson; When it comes to Nevada prep basketball, there's no rivalry more intense these days than Durango vs. Bishop Gorman.

Letter: Fed estate tax has devastating effect on many: "We should not ... turn our backs on fiscal discipline by passing a regressive, poorly targeted, and expensive repeal of the estate tax. If you send a bill to completely repeal the estate tax, I will veto it rather than risk current fiscal progress."

Pre-tests sought for students: Aaron Clemens; Pre-testing of third- and fifth-grade students in Nevada schools has been proposed in order to isolate weaknesses that now show up only after formal standardized tests are scored.

Letters: Gamers get tough with senior bingo: Just because many of the residents need walkers and wheelchairs and have difficulty going to casinos is beside the point. They have a lot of nerve trying to rob casinos of profits that could amount to several hundred dollars a year.

Jamison has message for young athletes: Victoria Sun; At a glance

Smell issue rises again for libraries: Jace Radke; Complaints by patrons have the Las Vegas-Clark County Library District looking into a nearly 10-year-old decree that deals with forcing people with an offensive odor out of the library.

NRC in no hurry to license Yucca Mountain nuke dump: The Department of Energy has more work to do before the Nuclear Regulatory Commission will consider a license for building and operating a high-level nuclear waste dump at Yucca Mountain, the new NRC chairman said Thursday.

312 teams descend on Las Vegas: Spencer Patterson; Big Time at a glance

Newcomers leading Silverado American Legion team: Spencer Patterson; When Art Besser looks out at his Silverado Hawks American Legion baseball squad, it doesn't look much like the team that captured the 4A state title just two months ago.

Ralph Siraco's selections for Saturday's races at Hollywood Park: 2nd Race -- Power Game - Another with good post draw, Pedroza for main man Carava, could be a 'Martin' daily double. Moe Mentum - Flores aboard Hines trainee, adds first time nasal strip to lasix here, needs clean trip from inner post at the 7 panels. Value Play -- Snowdoubtaboutit

'Rudy' still gives inspirational after his days at Notre Dame: Victoria Sun; Except for a few minor details, most of the 1993 movie "Rudy" that portrayed the life story of Daniel "Rudy" Ruettiger was true, the 51-year-old Henderson resident revealed Thursday afternoon.

LVMS standings: Chargers: 1. Al Dejoria 344. 2. Len Dejoria 339. 3. Pat Petrie 332. 4. Robert Rittgers 330. 5. Keith Danser 325. 6. Reyes Valenzuela 314. 7. Ron Moffatt 275. 8. Tom Youmans 267. 9. Red Turner 223. 10. Dan Schools 216. 11. Dawn Vint 192. 12. Ron Barker 185. 13. Mark Sargent 87. 14. Robert Rudd 83. 15. Ben Morris 81. 16. Gary Fuller 59. 17. Joe Madden 57. 18. Scott Henry 36. 19. Marty Nichols 31. 20. Alice Hartling 30.

Lewis upset with Bruno's popularity in U.K.: Robert Millward; LONDON -- Heavyweight champion Lennox Lewis can't afford to look past an opponent -- any opponent.

Bankruptcies for July 14, 2000: Fashion Sportswear Inc., 8450 W. Sahara Ave. No. 113. Assets and liabilities were not reported.

Stars defeated in Tucson: Stars defeated in Tucson

LV firm faces fine for hiding behind a front organization: Brosig is head of gaming operations in Mississippi for Grand Casinos' parent, Park Place Entertainment Corp. Las Vegas-based Park Place owns the Grand Casinos in Biloxi and Gulfport.

IGT takes responsibility for slot dispute: Alan Sayre; NEW ORLEANS -- A major slot machine company took responsibility Wednesday for the fight over a disputed $1.3 million jackpot that a dissatisfied player claims he won at Harrah's New Orleans Casino.

The Movie Guys: 'X-Men' gives hint of what's to come: Grades: Jeff B, Dave B+.

The Sun remembers 1951: News of the day: Story: Russia's second A-bomb explosion in nearly two years was announced by the White House today, and one congressman said it may mean the Soviet Union is working on guided missiles with atomic warheads ... Congressional leaders emphasized that the U.S. is still far ahead of Russia in the atomic arms race but that the new test shows Russia is making ominous progress. They added that it underscores the need for civil defense preparations in this country.

Sound Check -- Geoff Carter: 'Alone With Everybody' tells hard truth -- with strings: I'm a sucker for strings. Put strings on your pop record and I'll lavish it with praise, call it "the most significant release of the year," wax symphonic over its "emotional depth." I'm reminded a friend of mine who had a girlfriend who used to whisper her sweet nothings in her native French: