Print edition for July 28, 2000

The Sun remembers 1953: Where I Stand -- Hank Greenspun: 'Sens. McCarran, Malone worthless': I should like to be the first to congratulate the people of the State of Nevada. It now appears that we are about to win the title for the seventh consecutive year. If Nevada can lead the other 47 states in 1953, then our right to the title should be undisputed because we have been able to wear and hold onto our laurels during two separate and opposing national administrations.

Aladdin to open Aug. 17 with Gaming Commission blessing: David Strow; The $1.4 billion Aladdin hotel-casino received formal approval from Nevada gaming regulators Thursday, clearing the way for an Aug. 17 opening of the Strip's newest megaresort.

Sound Check -- Geoff Carter: Setzer's 'Vavoom' lacks verve: "You'll dance to anything," snarls the Dead Milkmen's tongue-in-cheek "Instant Club Hit."

Local group sets sights on Sydney: As a teenager, Mike Stern was too small to compete in track events such as the shot put, discus and javelin, so he ran the 100-yard dash and did the long jump.

Clinton signs bill to OK sale of Western land: Benjamin Grove and Launce Rake; WASHINGTON -- President Clinton signed a bill this week that authorizes the Bureau of Land Management to sell roughly 3.3 million acres in Western states, including nearly 900,000 in Nevada and 100,000 acres in Southern Nevada.

America West cuts flights to improve performance: An America West Airlines initiative to improve reliability and customer service will result in additional Las Vegas employees and more counter space at McCarran International Airport, where America West is the city's second-busiest airline.

Utilities Commission set for latest power struggle: CARSON CITY -- The state Public Utilities Commission is going to ring up a big telephone bill in August and it may be due to continuing tension between the chairman and one member.

That's Life -- Steve Bornfeld: The Sun sets on That's Life: "Fate seemed to pull the strings, I turned, and you were gone; while from the darkened wings, the music box played on."

Smothers Brothers' act remains unique, pleasing: Joe Delaney; The Smothers Brothers, Tom and Dick, are celebrating their 42nd year in show business in their favorite Las Vegas home, the Orleans showroom, through Sunday. Survivors of the folk music revival of the mid-1950s, the duo continue to maintain their top-quality mixture of mirth and music.

Montoya back in championship picture: The spectacular race-ending duel between Juan Montoya and Michael Andretti last Sunday in the Michigan 500 may simply be a preview of the final nine races of the CART season.

Gators win wild one to advance: Spencer Patterson; The frustrated look on Green Valley coach Ron Sufana's face said it all after Thursday night's American Legion Baseball District championship: A celebration simply wasn't in the cards.

Nevadans in Congress part of flurry of activity: Benjamin Grove; WASHINGTON -- Members of Congress were busy this week on the floor and at press conferences, pushing legislation and making deals before they leave Washington today for a traditional August break -- and campaigning. Congress returns Sept. 5, then adjourns for the year in October.

Gambill says he'll pass on chance to play in Olympics: Victoria Sun; LOS ANGELES -- When it comes to the Olympics, the patriot in Jan-Michael Gambill will be taking a back seat to the professional tennis player, if he is asked to represent the United States in Sydney this September.

Nontraditional medicine going mainstream: Jeffrey Libby; Public meetings

Court briefs for July 28, 2000: A murder charge was dismissed Thursday against a 17-year-old Las Vegan accused in the June slaying of a 25-year-old man.

Columnist Muriel Stevens: 'Mom-and-pop' Lotus buckling under pressure: Will success spoil our much ballyhooed Thai restaurant Lotus of Siam? I've enjoyed many fine meals there, but ever since Lotus was discovered by Gourmet magazine the restaurant has been swamped.

Metro probes City Hall over tavern license: Erin Neff; A criminal probe at Las Vegas City Hall has been launched by Metro Police to determine if any public officials broke the law by providing misleading information related to a controversial tavern license.

Letter: Restructuring of taxes needed: On an interim basis, at least, a random tax increase for increase sake has been blunted.

Ralph Siraco's selections for Saturday at Del Mar: 1st Race -- Angelis - Draws good post for sprint opener, Flores scales, should get a good trip to win from in this. Lewcie Can - Meza down from Northern California for seaside stand, needs prompt start and clean trip from rail post, fits for diploma. Value Play -- Eldorado Legend

Editorial: No excuse for use of N-word: During an interview with high school interns from radio station KCEP 88.1-FM, Garcia was asked about racism. The new superintendent started off by saying that bigotry was unacceptable. "I never see colors. To me, people are people," Garcia said. So far so good. But Garcia didn't stop there, opting to add the following: "I always say this, and it sounds strange. Niggers come in all colors, and a nigger is someone who doesn't respect themselves or any others. Everybody has them."

Power rate hikes 'unconstitutional': CARSON CITY -- A negotiated settlement that will permit Nevada Power Co., to raise its rates every month "clearly violates" the 1999 state law that ordered an electric rate freeze for three years, a legislative attorney says.

Slumping Stars fall to Salt Lake: John Barnes led off the bottom of the fifth with a solo home run to left-center off Las Vegas starter Rodrigo Lopez to ignite a six-run inning for the Buzz (64-41) who then went on to cruise an easy 9-5 victory.

Columnist Dean Juipe: Exotic girls new focus in fight ads: Dean Juipe; The caller was the assignment editor for a well-known national magazine based in New York City.

Rating the ups and downs of Vegas' motion-simulator rides: Kirk Baird; It used to be that you had to ride an extremely tall, fast and twisty roller coaster -- or really tie one on -- to experience the thrills, chills and, ultimately, spills of motion sickness.

State officials confident of Guinn's plan to help seniors pay for drugs: CARSON CITY -- Despite a small response, state officials are confident that Gov. Kenny Guinn's program to help low-income seniors pay for their drugs will go forward.

Peterson to leave state's top education job: CARSON CITY -- Mary Peterson, who has served as state superintendent of public instruction since January 1995, announced today she would not seek reappointment when her term ends in December.

Joe Delaney remembers 1953: Mills Brothers at the Thunderbird: They also got their blend using just one microphone, with no monitors. Arren and Broderick, "Opera In The Ruff," never played here again. The Kathryn Duffy Dansations and "singing emcee" Barney Rawlings made it a "mini-musical" presentation. Al Jahns and his orchestra backed the show at the Thunderbird.

Resort open to alternative uses for MGM Grand Adventures: During a conference call Thursday with investors, MGM MIRAGE President Jim Murren said the park is "under review." The park has shrunk from 40 acres to 19 acres over the seven years the MGM Grand has been in operation.

Rawlinson begins her duties on appeals court: Rawlinson, 47, now serves on the 9th U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals after a formal swearing-in ceremony Wednesday.

Local news briefs for July 28, 2000: Working off a tip, North Las Vegas Police arrested an 18-year-old man Thursday in connection with the July 7 shooting death of 19-year-old Derrick Mitchell.

Datebook: An old-fashioned barn dance, featuring the music of the Black Mountain String Band and guest caller Rissa Miller from Prescott, Ariz., will be from 7-10 p.m. Saturday at the Charleston Heights Arts Center, 800 S. Brush St. Introductory lessons will be taught at 6:30 p.m. Admission is $3. Dance lessons are $5. Call 229-6383.

NLV hospital owner posts profit: Tenet, owner of Lake Mead Hospital in North Las Vegas, reported operating income of $160 million or 51 cents a share compared with $130 million or 42 cents in the year-ago quarter. Income rose despite a decline in revenue to $2.91 billion from $2.94 billion as Tenet sold 20 hospitals.

Saturday's horse racing entries: Post Time 2 p.m.

Sonic buys Las Vegas Cadillac dealerships: Cashman Cadillac, 2711 E. Sahara Ave., and Cadillac West, 5185 W. Sahara Ave., both owned by President Tim Cashman, are being sold to Charlotte, N.C.-based Sonic.

'Avon Lady' going high-tech: The "Avon Lady" is about to meet the Internet.

Shelf Life -- Scott Dickensheets: Mulling over interesting magazine offerings: Shelf Life: Is it the Tiger Woods of obscure book-punditry columns (dominating swing, textbook short game), or the Lance Armstrong of obscure book-punditry columns (implacable grit, looks good in Lycra)?

The Movie Guys: 'Nutty Professor' sequel reeks of crude humor: Grades: Jeff D, Dave D.

Stanford grad Goldstein to face upstart Gimelstob: Victoria Sun; LOS ANGELES -- At times, former Stanford player Paul Goldstein looked like a canary with one of its wings clipped off, hobbling around the court hoping for a miracle recovery.

Columnist Joe Delaney: Conway, Korman give new life to old routines: Joe Delaney; Fans of the long-running Carol Burnett CBS variety program are in for a special treat this weekend with two of her top regulars, Tim Conway and Harvey Korman, performing in "Together Again," tonight and Saturday at the Las Vegas Hilton ... This time they are joined by the brilliant comedian-impressionist, Louise DuArt, equally adept as a sketch comedian.

Revenue soars, profit falls for LV cable operator: The decrease was due in part to a one-time $908.5 million gain on investments reported in second quarter 1999 and an increase in interest expense in the quarter just ended. Per share earnings for the quarter were 17 cents vs. 90 cents a year ago.

Panel to debate bond for a children's hospital: Adrienne Packer; A six-member committee is expected to be appointed Tuesday to write arguments and rebuttals for a November ballot question on whether Clark County should authorize an $80 million bond issue for a children's hospital.

Park latest addition to downtown culture boom: Erin Neff; Culture on Las Vegas Boulevard downtown?

City's plan for complex fizzling: Steve Guiremand; Plans for Las Vegas to become a spring training site for major league baseball suffered a severe setback on Thursday when the Los Angeles Dodgers and city and county officials in Vero Beach, Fla., reached a skeleton agreement on a $19 million proposal to buy and refurbish the team's famed Dodgertown complex.

Where I Stand -- Mike O'Callaghan: Filling the second slot: THIS WEEK Gov. George W. Bush selected his vice presidential nominee. Soon Vice President Al Gore will pick his running mate. Then next month the Democratic and Republican convention delegates will jump to their feet and cheer when their selections are formally introduced. This is the way it's done, and a majority of Americans evidently take the process as just one more political action written in stone.

The Sun Remembers 1953: News of the day: Story: With medical reports on the condition of Josef Stalin running far behind actual events, speculation here was, "Is he dead?" Informed sources were speculating that the absolute ruler of 800 million people may already be out of the picture, and top Soviet leaders were withholding the news until an expected crisis over Stalin's successor was passed (it was announced a day later that Stalin had died of a brain hemorrhage).

Editorial: Conspiracy buffs are rejected twice: Attorney General Janet Reno appointed Danforth to head the independent probe after it was revealed last September that the FBI had in fact used potentially incendiary devices on the last day of its standoff with Branch Davidians -- despite denials for six years that it had not. The revelation was shocking and warranted an inquiry. Danforth acknowledges an FBI lawyer failed to tell superiors that pyrotechnic tear gas canisters were used, but he also adds that the government didn't engage in a major coverup. The bottom line, Danforth said, is that the evidence overwhelmingly shows federal agents didn't start the ...

Western states water meeting begin in Washington: Benjamin Grove; WASHINGTON -- Deputy Secretary of Interior David Hayes said Thursday's meeting with water officials from seven Western states, including two from Las Vegas, allowed the group to begin hammering out a deal to limit California's water intake from the Colorado River and increase water used by fast-growing Arizona and Nevada.

Letter: Reid's stand on snowmobile ban saluted: In January 1999 Bluewater Network, the leader of a coalition of more than 60 organizations, petitioned the National Park Service to prohibit recreational snowmobiling from the entire National Park System.

Schumacher posts fastest time in practice: Schumacher clocked the fastest lap on the 4.240-mile Hockenheimring in the dry one-hour morning session, driving around the circuit in one minute, 43.535 seconds.

New suit alleges self-dealing by Interstate Mortgage president: Grace Leong; More investors are suing insolvent Interstate Mortgage Group Inc. of Las Vegas and its president, David Ferradino, accusing them of self-dealing and illegal business practices that put their investments at risk.

Columnist Kate Maddox: 'The Rat Pack is Back' is back: Kate Maddox; The folks at the Sahara entertainment department may have pledged their loyalties to yet-to-appear magician Steve Wyrick, but they've saved some room to allow "The Rat Pack is Back" back into the family.

PCL Box: Buzz 9, Stars 5: Lopez pitched to four batters in the fifth. HBP--Blake (By Guzman). Time--2:56. Attendance--8,160. Umpires: HP--Samuels; 1B--Kelley; 3B--Jones.

Whispering Timbers brings new hope to blighted area: Erin Neff; West Las Vegas residents are hoping the third try brings the charm needed to breathe new life into an oft-plagued housing site.

Couple pleads guilty: Kim Smith; A Las Vegas couple accused of selling their children into sexual servitude over a six-year period entered a deal with prosecutors this morning.

Recent Las Vegas bankruptcies: Capitalist Investments Inc., Riverside, Calif., filed for Chapter 11, listing assets of $652,000 and liabilities of $494,327.

United-US Airways merger draws opposition: Neither the Air Line Pilots Association (ALPA) nor Congress can block or veto the merger, but both actions suggest that United may not be able to close the deal, announced in May, as quickly as it hopes.

B of A slashing 10,000 jobs -- effect on Nevada unknown: The cuts, about 7 percent of the Charlotte-based bank's 150,000-person work force, will focus on middle- and upper-level management as well as jobs made unnecessary by improvements in efficiency, the bank said today.

Red Rock horses, burros face roundup: Federal officials are rounding up 80 of Red Rock Canyon's wild horses and burros this weekend because the animals are facing dangers both natural and man-made.

Family of murder victim find relief in man's arrest: Jace Radke; A little more than two years ago Ron Cornell stood in the street screaming a promise to his 16-year-old son, who was lying shot to death 50 feet away on the pavement.

Macpherson wins tournament: Henderson resident Wendy Macpherson captured the Professional Women's Bowling Association Southern Virginia Open Thursday night in Danville, Va. Macpherson defeated Linda Kelly of Dayton, Ohio 215-195 in a preliminary round, then beat Carolyn Dorin-Ballard of Richland Hills, Texas 205-182 in the championship match to win the $11,000 first-place prize. Former Las Vegan Kim Adler of Cocoa, Fla., finished fourth.

Gibbons comes down hard on Garcia remark: Terry Webster; Congressman Jim Gibbons, R-Nev., is joining the long list of critics who are upset about a racial remark used by Clark County School Superintendent Carlos Garcia during a radio broadcast.

Passengers describe quick exit from National's jet: Las Vegas magician Aaron Olson wished he could have made himself disappear from a Boeing 757 at John F. Kennedy Airport.

Station, Greenspuns to invest in Maloof family's new casino resort: David Strow; Just days after selling his family's Fiesta hotel-casino to Station Casinos Inc., Fiesta President George Maloof said he has struck a deal to bring Station into the family's long-awaited resort project near the Las Vegas Strip on Flamingo Road.

Standoff ends peacefully: Dino Hazell; NEW YORK -- A gunman emerged peacefully from an empty Boeing 757 early this morning, ending a five-hour standoff that initially terrified passengers at John F. Kennedy Airport but ended without injuries.

Senators: Plan proves Bush is for nuke dump: Benjamin Grove; WASHINGTON -- Nevada's Democratic senators have jumped on what they see as the first bit of concrete evidence that George W. Bush, if elected, would establish an interim nuclear waste site at Yucca Mountain.

Obituaries for July 28, 2000: Mattie Carol Artiaga, 64, of Las Vegas died July 16 in Newark, N.J. She was born Dec. 24, 1935, in Newark. A resident for 20 years, she was a retired employee from Caesars Palace.

Up to 8 UNLV football games set to be televised: Steve Guiremand; UNLV's football team could appear on television as many as eight times this season thanks in part to a new five-year contract the school has signed with ESPN Regional Television.