Print edition for June 16, 2000

Police continue to track down robbers: Keith Paul; A swarm of Metro Police officers flooded into a West Las Vegas neighborhood and arrested a man Thursday less than 17 hours after an officer was shot in the face after a restaurant robbery.

Senate approves electronic signature legislation: Jim Abrams; WASHINGTON -- Congress cleared a path for the exploding growth of electronic commerce by passing legislation that will give a signature or record sent through cyberspace the same legal validity as a pen-and-paper document.

Local news briefs for June 16, 2000: A new chief for the Clark County School District's police force was named Thursday by the School Board.

Mom grateful son survived attack: Jace Radke and Keith Paul; Metro Police Officer Pete Rossi's mother almost lost her son 25 years ago, and when she saw a group of police officers at the door of her New Jersey home early Thursday morning she knew something had gone wrong again.

Mayor includes gaming in arena vision: Erin Neff; It has been eyed for everything from a domed stadium to the best chance downtown Las Vegas has for housing, cultural activities and tree-lined streets.

American Legion Baseball Standings: (Through June 14, 2000)

Workers say sex led to firings: In a Clark County District Court lawsuit, Mario Saul Romero and Guadalupe Montenegro, two former Venetian butlers who reported earning hourly wages plus tips from hotel guests totalling $4,500 a month, said they haven't been able to find employment because of the alleged false allegations they say led to their terminations.

Henderson residents oppose strip mall: Greg Harman; Two years of negotiations with area residents have failed to quell the passionate objections of many Henderson residents to a proposed 31-acre strip mall east of the intersection of Lake Mead Drive and Athens Avenue.

Guarded DOE chief visits LV: With the FBI and CIA investigating the loss of two highly secret Department of Energy computer hard drives, Energy Secretary Bill Richardson appeared in Las Vegas at a senior citizens' conference to talk gas prices, not security breaches.

UNLV tourism expert honored by peers -- seeks closer ties to LVCVA: If the Las Vegas convention industry and UNLV Associate Professor Patti Shock's career were a match made in heaven, she would insist that the ceremony be conducted in a wedding chapel with an Elvis impersonator presiding.

Suspect arrested in Vegas robbery: Robert Macy; A police officer responding to a robbery in progress was shot in the face, touching off an intensive manhunt for three men who fled the scene, leaving a trail of evidence.

U.S. attorney issues stern warning in national forest road dispute: Scott Sonner; RENO, Nev. - The U.S. attorney in Nevada is warning organizers of a Fourth of July protest in Elko County that the "Shovel Brigade" will break a series of federal laws if it rebuilds a national forest road near threatened trout.

That's Life -- Steve Bornfeld: Now boarding our flight to New York ...: How I Spent My Pre-Summer Vacation:

The Movie Guys: New, improved 'Shaft' carries attitude of original: Grade: Jeff B, Dave B+.

Editorial: Betting ban bill takes center stage: The danger with this sleeper of an issue, though, is that it could gain momentum because there's no downside to it with the voters back home. After all, the bill only affects one state -- Nevada. But the GOP House leadership has assured Nevada Republicans that the bill, which only would serve to drive legal wagering underground, is dead. The odds also greatly favor the gaming industry since both parties gladly accept the industry's political donations. If the bill dies, this could be one of those rare instances where political influence, and doing what's right, actually are in confluence.

Shelf Life -- Scott Dickensheets: A Father's Day glimpse at parenting magazines: Is there any holiday the Shelf Life clan celebrates with more ardor, with more pomp and hurrah, than Father's Day?

Columnist Kate Maddox: Thespian Reid gets his shot: Kate Maddox; Look for Sen. Harry Reid on the big screen next year. Reid got to chat with Michael Douglas in a scene shot earlier this week in Washington for a movie called "Traffic." In the film, which co-stars Douglas' fiancee, Catherine Zeta-Jones, Douglas plays a recently appointed national drug czar. In the scene with Reid, which was shot at a ritzy Georgetown mansion, Douglas talks with various politicos at a cocktail party. "(Douglas') character asks me for advice on how to deal with the drug war," Reid explained. "There were no assigned lines, so we were actually just chatting about real ...

Editorial: Ominous runway dangers: In response, the NTSB is recommending a variety of safety recommendations to the Federal Aviation Administration to reduce the number of runway incursions and other incidents. For starters, the NTSB believes there need to be fixes to the FAA's proposed computer tracking system, which the NTSB asserts has dangerous flaws. For example, there could be situations when the computer system alerts the local controller of a possible disaster only after two planes already are on a collision course that can't be avoided. In addition, the NTSB is recommending that pilots stop at each runway, and not cross until receiving permission ...

Letter: Prove Limbaugh to be malicious: To advance an argument, there should be a point, supported by example and reason. While the writer made the point of attacking radio talk show host Rush Limbaugh as blinded by "hate and maliciousness," the attempted argument fails due to the lack of either example or reason.

Datebook: Community College of Southern Nevada, 3200 E. Cheyenne Ave., presents "The Wizard Of Oz" at 7 p.m Monday through June 23 and also at 2 p.m. June 23. Tickets $5 a person or $17.50 per family. Call 651-5483.

Letter: Social Security is for everybody; pass it along: I'm thanking those of you who are contributing to the fund so that we may continue to draw the benefit.

LandWell event to raise funds for asthma research: Last year's tournament raised $81,000. Entry packages, which begin at $500 a golfer, include greens fees, golf cart, tee gifts, lunch, putting contest, golf clinic and dinner.

Summer camps can help kids regain their self-esteem: Her mother would like to see her go to summer camp to be with other children and release some of her tension. But the high cost of summer camp leaves some children behind each year.

Where I Stand -- Brian Greenspun: Proud night of politics: IT WAS a very rare occasion in Washington, D.C.

Columnist Muriel Stevens: Wild Sage Cafe offers a ray of culinary sunshine: Weekend brunch at Wild Sage Cafe is one of my favorite things. Casual and friendly, Wild Sage is a cool way to relax after a busy week.

Kim, Reavie prevail in Founders' Legacy: Victoria Sun; One sister wanted desperately to win her first American Junior Golf Association tournament.

Latino music stars are thriving in mainstream music scene: Lisa Ferguson; If, by now, you don't know what it means to be "Livin' La Vida Loca," well then, you must have spent last year holed up somewhere sans contact with the outside world.

Panelists take aim at hate crimes: More than 200 people from a wide variety of backgrounds took part in the all-day conference sponsored by the National Conference for Community and Justice at the County Government Center.

Annie's not an orphan in LV: Traditional roles were sent topsy-turvy Wednesday night at Mandalay Bay Theatre. The kids got to baby-sit the grown-ups.

Flooring America closing 5 LV stores, warehouse: Flooring America Inc. of Kennesaw, Ga., which filed for Chapter 11 Bankruptcy protection from creditors Thursday, said it will close all five of its Las Vegas stores and a Las Vegas warehouse.

Ralph Siraco's selections for Saturday's races at Hollywood Park: 1st Race -- Jet Set Swinger - Speedster gets bug boy Baze for trainer Sise, Jr., should be tough at sprint distance opener, could be elusive target. Tambourine Man - Draws good post, Nakatani on 505 Farm runner for trainer Shirreffs, a factor throughout. Value Play -- Devoted Pirate

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

Birth announcements for June 16, 2000: May 29:

Instant messaging becomes competitive and merger issue: SPRINGFIELD, Va. -- America Online Inc., under pressure to open its massive instant messaging network to competitors, announced Thursday that it supports the creation of a worldwide messaging standard.

Culinary presses Station for pact for nearly 800 Santa Fe workers: David Strow; The Culinary Union declared a partial victory in its eight-year organizing battle at the Santa Fe hotel-casino Thursday, but called on new owner Station Casinos Inc. to "do the right thing" and negotiate a contract with the property's 700-800 union-eligible workers.

Eleven percent in county failed to earn diploma: Terry Webster; At least one in 10 members of the Class of 2000 left the Clark County School District without a diploma in hand, school district officials said today.

Basic Legion builds on last summer's success: Spencer Patterson; For many local fans and coaches, the 2000 prep baseball season will long be remembered for the reemergence of Basic High School.

Casino operators on Forbes list of billionaires: NEW YORK -- Even though his personal fortune shrank by a third this past year, the $60 billion bankroll of Microsoft Corp. co-founder Bill Gates still makes him the world's richest man, according to Forbes magazine's rankings.

Enterprise, BLM annexation seen as swift but sure: Greg Harman; As city of Henderson officials put the final touches on an annexation application for a 5,500-acre block of unincorporated Clark County and U.S. Bureau of Land Management property, residents of the area are bracing for what many now view as an inevitability.

Prep athletic eligibility guidelines clarified: Spencer Patterson; Academic eligibility was the hot topic this week as Nevada high school sports' governing body held its semiannual meetings at Silverado High School.

Richardson tries to explain soaring gas prices: Angie Wagner; LAS VEGAS - Energy Secretary Bill Richardson's suggestion that the average price of gas around the country is $1.54 was met with groans of disagreement from a group of senior citizens.

Columnist Dean Juipe: Oscar wins, earns right to return: Dean Juipe; It isn't written in stone, but Las Vegas has the right of first refusal on any fight in the world. Due to the amalgamated efforts of the casino industry, the city can have any fight it wants.

PCL Box: Sky Sox 9, Stars 2: E--Nicholson 2. LOB--Colorado Springs 6, Las Vegas 8. 2B--Sosa, Petrick 2, Echevarria, Hiatt, Carpenter, Allen, Vitiello, LaRocca. 3B--Nicholson. HR--Sosa. S--Small. CS--McClain.

Railroad dangerous place for the homeless: Valerie Miller; It was a call all too familiar to Metro Police. Another homeless person hit by a train on the railroad tracks near downtown. This time the man was killed -- writing the latest chapter in an ongoing tragedy.

Suspected heist leader has history of violence: Keith Paul; The leader of a suspected robbery crew accused in a series of Strip heists has a history of resorting to violence when trying to escape police.

Las Vegas area not a safe place to walk: Aaron Clemens; Pedestrians need to watch their step in this town, especially near automobiles.

Court briefs for June 16, 2000: A 26-year-old man arrested in January in connection with a 1991 murder was placed on five years' probation Thursday.

Historic school teaches again: Erin Neff; The new federal courthouse may be looming as downtown's most impressive skyline addition, but its smaller and historic neighbor has already opened its doors to help revitalization efforts.

Lamb attends final Henderson planning meeting: Lamb, an Arizona native, turned in his resignation two weeks ago, saying he is moving to Utah.

Overhaul of child welfare system urged: Sandy Thompson; A legislative subcommittee is recommending a complete overhaul of Nevada's child welfare system, transferring the bulk of services from the state to Clark and Washoe counties.

Silverton announces plans to expand to serve local customers: The first stage of the expansion of the 300-room property, which will cost $200 million, will begin sometime next year. Eventual plans call for the Silverton to have two casinos, 1,500 hotel rooms, movie theaters, retail and entertainment offerings, meeting space and a wedding chapel.

Obituaries for June 16, 2000: Harold Lynn Abel, 47, of Las Vegas died Tuesday in a local hospital. He was born Sept. 6, 1952, in Winnemucca. A resident for 15 years, he was a teacher, a member of the National Educators Association, Great Basin Language Project, Clark County Teachers Association and Minority Association.

Newhan blames home plate for injury to knee: Steve Guiremand; Home, not-so-sweet home.

LV Internet firm sold: ViaWest Internet Services Inc. bought @wizard.com, an eight-person company, to grow its DSL services and network consulting services in Nevada. It said it chose to expand into the Las Vegas market because it is one of the fastest-growing communities.

Columnist Brian Hilderbrand: Frustrated Marnell looking for speed: On the surface, it would be natural to assume that George Marnell's recent slump would be disheartening for the NHRA Pro Stock competitor.

Isle of Capri's quarterly earnings slightly beat Wall Street estimates: Matt Moore; BILOXI, Miss. -- Isle of Capri Casinos Inc. announced Thursday that its fourth-quarter earnings more than doubled from a year ago, beating Wall Street estimates.

Teen arrested in shooting of 14-year-old: Keith Paul; A North Las Vegas teen was arrested Thursday in the shooting of a 14-year-old boy that first was believed to be an accidental shooting.

Drugs may recycle through water: By Mary Manning; The U.S. Geological Survey has taken its first two samples from Las Vegas waters to look for traces of drugs that get into the nation's waters from treated sewage, a federal hydrologist said.

Teen gets public defender in case of deadly crash: Kim Smith; A 14-year-old arrested following a high-speed crash that killed two of his friends will be represented by the Clark County public defender's office.

Rawlinson clears hurdle in Senate: Benjamin Grove; WASHINGTON -- U.S. District Judge Johnnie Rawlinson of Las Vegas is just a few steps away from becoming a federal appeals judge -- just a rung below the U.S. Supreme Court -- but one senator on Thursday said she is now under an intense microscope.

Governor honors 35 Nevada companies: Honored with special awards:

Help sought in finding missing man: Aaron Clemens; The aunts of a man last seen in Las Vegas are asking for help to reunite the missing man with his family and possibly save his life.

'Jo-Jo' gets back on track in quest to make NBA: Spencer Patterson; Like most aspiring basketball players on the planet, Las Vegas native Joseph Garcia grew up dreaming of reaching the NBA someday.

Evidence mounts of a slowing economy: WASHINGTON -- Housing construction last month dipped to its lowest level in almost a year, providing fresh evidence that the Federal Reserve's six interest rate increases are beginning to slow the economy.

Victims' families share the pain: Greg Tuttle and Kim Smith; David Mowen hasn't missed a minute of court hearings in the 22 months since his son was found murdered along with three other young men inside a Las Vegas home.

New facility for St. Rose extends commitment to Henderson: Lee Scrivner; It looks like the Bellagio of health care facilities in Southern Nevada.

Forbes continues his campaign for tax reform: F. Birusk Tugan; Publisher Steve Forbes said Thursday that the $34 million he spent on his unsuccessful campaign for president "would have bought only five minutes on the Super Bowl."