Print edition for June 29, 2000

Friday's horse racing entries: Post Time 7 p.m.

Teachers frustrated with test pressures: Terry Webster; State Assemblywoman Chris Giunchigliani, D-Las Vegas, has a firsthand perspective on the pressures that standardized testing creates for teachers.

Former health officer dies: CARSON CITY -- Dr. Edward J. Dehne, public health official, ring physician and an advocate of preventive medicine, has died at the age of 89 after an extended illness.

CART takes new direction with Rahal: Mike Harris; Two years ago, Bobby Rahal was driving a race car. Now, he's driving CART.

Botha could cause havoc: Dean Juipe; If the heavyweight division seems unsettled right now, think of the potential repercussions in the event Frans Botha upsets WBC and IBF champion Lennox Lewis when they meet July 15 in London.

NLV casino addition approved: Diana Sahagun; The Poker Palace Casino in North Las Vegas will expand by 4,750 square feet to allow a bingo hall for seniors.

Ruling on Del Papa deposition in 2 weeks: Kim Smith; The state attorney general's office has two weeks to explain why Attorney General Frankie Sue Del Papa and others named in a 2-year-old lawsuit should not be videotaped when they give their depositions.

This week's races: WINSTON CUP

Obituaries for June 29, 2000: Elia Abrego, 55, of Las Vegas died Monday in Las Vegas. She was born March 15, 1945, in Mexico. A resident for many years, she was a homemaker.

House passes budget for Yucca project: Benjamin Grove; WASHINGTON -- A bill that would allocate $413 million next year to continue work on a nuclear waste dump at Yucca Mountain passed the House Wednesday.

Last bank holdover resigns: SAN FRANCISCO -- The last top-ranking executive from the old Bank of America resigned Wednesday, turning the reins of the bank's corporate and global banking unit over to his successor-in-training more than a year early.

NAACP demand for $100 million fund rejected: Last week, the NAACP demanded creation of the fund as part of a 10-point plan designed to increase the company's outreach efforts to the Las Vegas black community.

Court briefs for June 29, 2000: A 68-year-old Las Vegas man accused of beating his severely disabled sister-in-law to death and freezing her body will be allowed to post bail.

Reid blocks attempt to resurrect betting bill: Benjamin Grove; WASHINGTON -- Senate Majority Leader Trent Lott, R-Miss., on the Senate floor today confirmed his intention to push for debate and a vote on a bill that would ban betting on college sports in Nevada casinos.

Minority groups disagree on casino contracting policies: David Strow; The NAACP's push for more spending with black-owned businesses by MGM MIRAGE has set off a furious debate in the Las Vegas minority community, as leaders debate over the best way to help blacks and other minorities gain a larger foothold in the city's booming economy.

Support group assists families who have had loved ones slain: Birusk Tugan; Les Sharp has turned his personal trauma into his personal mission.

Agency: Siletz gave members free items: Such freebies for council members' personal use is not authorized use of casino revenue, said Kyle Nayback, director of congressional and public affairs for the agency in Washington, D.C. The agency regulates tribal gaming and enforces the nation's Native American gambling laws.

Silver Bandits' Hulett selected by Raptors: Victoria Sun; Silver Bandits coach Barry Hecker has always said that he would pay to watch DeeAndre Hulett play basketball.

Jarbidge protesters want to throw a shovel into deal: Greg Tuttle; A federal judge in Las Vegas was expected to rule today on whether to allow a group of protesters to shovel open a disputed national forest road in Elko County.

Las Vegas tribe plans $170 million golf resort expansion: The expansion plans call for the addition of a 300-room hotel, a 16,000-square-foot casino, 70,000 square feet of retail space "in a village configuration" and a 17,000-square-foot spa and wellness center. Financing is nearly secure for the project, resort officials say, and the second phase should be complete in 2002.

Merits of juvenile offender programs debated: CARSON CITY -- A national consultant on juvenile justice says the work programs in Clark County, such as the one in which six teens were killed, have little value in stopping youngsters from getting into further trouble.

Spicer, matriarch of ranching, mining family, dies: Effie Spicer, matriarch of a prominent Nye County mining and ranching family, spent her days watering by hand the black willow trees in her garden at the Boiling Pot Ranch near Beatty.

Correction: The Sun corrects its errors. If you find a mistake, call 385-3111 to report it.

Shooting victim dies in van: Keith Paul; A 27-year-old man died after he was found shot in the back seat of a van in the driveway of his Las Vegas home early this morning.

Local news briefs for June 29, 2000: Federal officials have issued an arrest warrant for a Las Vegas man accused of running an ATM scam that bilked investors of $2 million.

Brymer found dead in Reno home: Brymer served 15 months in prison for killing Bonavena after pleading guilty to voluntary manslaughter in the 1976 slaying of the Argentinian boxer, once a top-ranked heavyweight title contender whose ring opponents including Muhammad Ali.

Station faces regulatory scrutiny in Missouri: Steve Green and David Strow; Station Casinos Inc. of Las Vegas announced Wednesday that the Missouri Gaming Commission will hold a "public fact finding hearing" Aug. 30 in Kansas City on $500,000 in bonuses Station paid to a former outside attorney, Michael Lazaroff.

Ralph Siraco's selections for Friday's races at Hollywood Park: 1st Race -- First Class Code - Flores on Lewis trainee, well placed on night card opener, a factor throughout. Tin Stein - Draws just inside top pick, trainer Harrington tabs Sorenson for this, good spot for action. Value Play -- Working Capital

Man indicted in ATM scam: Louis Vallette, 61, was indicted on fraud and money laundering charges.

White House reporting pioneer Thomas not ready to give it up: Aaron Clemens; After 57 years as a journalist Helen Thomas is not ready to retire.

TRPA reverses itself, lifts condo construction ban at Tahoe: The agency's governing board took the action Wednesday after a tense exchange between a Nevada lawmaker and a top TRPA member.

Metro captain retires after 36 years on job: Barker, 58, became a Clark County Sheriff's deputy on May 18, 1964, and retired Monday as a Metro Police captain. Barker, one of the longest-serving officers with Metro, started when the department had about 100 deputies and leaves a department that has more than 1,600 officers.

LV insurer cutting deeper into Texas operation: Sierra stock fell 1/2 to 3 9/16 this morning after it announced substantial charges and writedowns because of downsizing in Texas. These may include all or a portion of the $126 million of goodwill on Sierra's books from its Texas operations.

Yellow alert response keeps lights on: How to save power

Panel to decide on death penalty: Kim Smith; Two Northern Nevada judges will join District Judge Jeffrey Sobel of Las Vegas to decide if the killer of four young Las Vegas men should receive the death penalty.

Business unusual for those associated with video gambling in industry's final days: Dan Lewerenz; But Trent isn't in the video gambling business. He's in the cigarette business, stocking machines for Ace Vending, of Spartanburg.

Mandalay debt downgraded: Moody's moved Mandalay's bank credit agreement rating to Ba1 from Baa3, its senior unsecured debt to Ba2 from Baa3, senior subordinated debt to Ba3 from Ba2 and commercial paper to not prime from prime-3, among other changes.

Death rates up due to dust: Airborne dust such as the kind that blankets the Las Vegas Valley contributes to higher death rates and medical problems to those who are exposed, a study released Wednesday found.

State to go ahead with plan for seniors drug program: CARSON CITY -- Despite criticism and calls for a delay, Gov. Kenny Guinn is going ahead with efforts to start a program to help an estimated 21,000 low-income senior citizens pay for the rising cost of prescription drugs.

Kerry is latest of Earnhardt winners: Dick Brinster; Kerry Earnhardt is no longer just Dale's son and Dale Jr.'s half brother.

Magazine picks UNLV punter: Cheetany, who averaged 45.4 yards per punt on 65 attempts last season as a junior, is the only player from the Mountain West Conference to be selected to Street & Smith's first or second teams.

Nevada-Arizona water agreement near: Greg Harman and Aaron Clemens; A pending water banking agreement between Nevada and Arizona could extend access to Colorado River water for the Silver State for 23 years.

Cherokees to add hotel skyscraper to mountain casino: "It's going to be a beautiful building," said Norma Moss, facility operations manager for Harrah's casino. "We're hoping to incorporate traditional Cherokee art and feeling."

Legislator halts campaign against ATMs in casinos: Benjamin Grove; WASHINGTON -- Nevada's two-member House delegation is declaring victory after a gambling foe retreated from his push to ban automated teller machines from casino floors.

Indian casino adding hotel: CHEROKEE, N.C. -- North Carolina's Cherokee Indians plan to spruce up their Harrah's-operated casino with a $60 million, 15-story hotel featuring shops and 31,000 square feet of convention space.

Elko Commissioners delay vote on fed agreement until after shovel rally: Sandra Chereb; But those efforts did little to quell the resentment of many residents, who urged Elko County Commissioners not to let the federal government's threat of a lawsuit bully them into signing an agreement aimed at resolving the dispute over South Canyon Road in the tiny hamlet of Jarbidge.

Stars shoot back into first place: Steve Guiremand; Wasn't it only just four days ago that the Stars limped back to Cashman Field in second place, three games behind in the Pacific Coast League's Southern Division, after getting swept by the Sacramento River Cats?

Columnist Dean Juipe: Vargas' next foe is the pest of the bunch: Dean Juipe; Whether it's a mistake or a clever stratagem remains to be seen.

Internet to dominate as information source: "We'll still watch television. ... but we'll also be able to call up any TV show, new or old" and show it on a screen, perhaps the size of a living-room wall, Downs said during a speech Tuesday at the World Television Journalism Conference.

Columnist Ron Kantowski: Count on golf pros to play by rules: While I marvel at the extraordinary talent of the players, pro golf has never been one of my favorite sports. The pace of the game is a little too pedestrian. And, as a former college basketball player remarked as we tried to hit long iron shots off a makeshift "fairway" (actually, an area inside the 20-yard line on the football field that was mown a little closer than usual during "Beginning Golf" class at a small college), there are no moves you can use to shake your opponent.

Southwest to grow in Las Vegas: David Strow; Southwest Airlines, Las Vegas' largest airline, today announced it will purchase 94 Boeing 737s worth $4.5 billion -- the largest single order in the Dallas-based airline's history.

Columnist Ruthe Deskin: At milestone, Sun looks back and forward: Ruthe Deskin; As the Sun's 50th birthday approaches and staffers are compiling bits and pieces of the turbulent history of my favorite newspaper, the past keeps nudging into the future.

Letter: Locals should get consideration: On June 13, 2000, arriving in Atlanta from Amsterdam at international concourse E, I and thousands of others had to walk over a mile as all trains, both sides, were out of order because of a bug in the system. I had to go from terminal E -- via D and C -- to B for my flight to Las Vegas. How pleased I was that the system at terminal D at McCarran International Airport was working. The proof was in the pudding, but do we have a backup system?

LVMS half-mile dirt oval standings: IMCA Late Models: 1. Mike Fitch 222; 2. Bill Hasselle 221; 3. Jim Wulfenstein 218; 4. Joe Chapman 195; 5. Wayne Jacks 130; 6. Jason Pike 100; 7. Donny Berger 66; 8. Rick Rochelle 40; 9. Jim Perkins 36; 10. Troy Ferrari 34; 11. Alan Crumpler 34; 12. Bobby Brooks 31.

DNA testing leads to conviction in wild horse thefts: Martin Griffith; RENO, Nev. - DNA testing helped prosecutors convict a Pershing County rancher for stealing three wild horses off the range in the first such case of its kind in Nevada.

Arizona agrees to talk about storing water for Nevada: "It will be Nevada water stored in Arizona," said George Renner, a member of the Arizona Water Banking Authority Board, which cleared the way Wednesday for discussions to begin. "There will be no risk to any Arizona water user."

Editorial: Shadowy groups to face sunshine: A loophole in the tax code has allowed some nonprofit groups to run so-called "issue ads" as long as they don't directly advocate the election or defeat of a specific candidate. While the ads may not come right out and say "vote for candidate X," they do influence elections since they condemn or praise the candidates' stands on issues.

Letter: Right idea, but wrong solution: Labor supply and demand are the only elements that will effectively improve worker wages and treatment. While it will enhance the leftist, globalist agenda of top AFL/CIO management and the religious left, another mass shamnesty and relaxation of border enforcement will only mean more workers chasing fewer jobs.

Letter: Mayor didn't owe rabbi an apology: The operation of a synagogue in a residential area, not zoned for same, is against public policy. I would, were I the neighbor of the property in question, object just as vehemently if the building was being used as a mosque, cathedral or ward meeting house.

Where I Stand -- Brian Greenspun: Good House-keeping: There's reason to believe that a hint of common sense has returned to the House of Representatives.

LVMS 3/8-mile paved oval results: Grand American Modifieds Main Event: 1. C.J. Scherkenbach; 2. T.J. Clark; 3. Fabian Bray; 4. Doug Hamm; 5. Greg Haase; 6. Jeff Prenger; 7. Jack Dessaints; 8. Stoney Gray; 9. Brian Matzke; 10. Greg Albright; 11. Kyle Busch; 12. Kirk Miller; 13. Jerry Walton; 14. Larry Gerchman; 15. Don Williams.

Lightning touches off new round of wildfires in Reno area: There were no reports of injuries or damage to homes.

Firefighters try to gain upper hand on stubborn Reno wildfires: Martin Griffith; There were no reports of injuries or damage to homes.

CAP color guard takes title: Dick Benoit; Members of the Nellis Squadron of the Nevada Civil Air Patrol received public recognition of their significant accomplishments when they were asked to present the colors during the opening ceremonies at a June 9 Las Vegas Stars baseball game.

Community news briefs for June 29, 2000: A tree-planting ceremony honoring the late Sen. Alan Bible will be held at 10 a.m. Saturday at Paradise Park.

Renovation marks Disneyland's 45th anniversary: Lisa Ferguson; Where: 1313 Harbor Blvd., Anaheim, Calif.

West Warwick wondering about other projects for casino land: But the General Assembly last week doomed the prospect of a November referendum on the casino, The Providence Journal reported.

Fight schedule: Thursday

Editorial: Land deal could be a boon: The City Council still must sign off on the deal, but the city would give Lehman Brothers Holding Inc. about 97 acres of Las Vegas Technology Center land in the northwest -- and $2 million in cash -- in exchange for a 61-acre parcel in the downtown area near the Clark County Government Center and the Spaghetti Bowl. Another promising part of the agreement would allow UNLV to keep 12 acres of Las Vegas Technology Center land for its plans to develop a medical school.

Nevada's newest wildlife management area set to open: Martin Griffith; The Nevada Division of Wildlife has acquired the 3-C Ranch property for $4 million mostly through funds provided by Question 5, which was approved by Nevada voters in 1991.

Large customers being asked to conserve power: Despite the low-level warning, utility officials do not expect any local power outages this summer.

PCL Box: Stars 10, Dukes 1: E--Roskos. DP--Albuquerque 1. LOB--Albuquerque 11, Las Vegas 5. 2B--Ashby, Riggs, Figga, Darr 2, Radmanovich. HR--Radmanovich (5). S--Carlyle. SF--Tebbs 2. CS--LaRocca.

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

LVMS 3/8-mile paved oval point standings: Chargers: 1. Robert Rittgers 290; 2. Len Dejoria 283; 3. Pat Petrie Sr. 282; 4. Tom Youmans 267; 5. Keith Danser 266; 6. Reyes Valenzuela 266; 7. Al Dejoria 245; 8. Ron Moffatt 234; 9. Red Turner 223; 10. Dawn Vint 192; 11. Ron Barker 185; 12. Dan Schools 171; 13. Robert Rudd 133; 14. Mark Sargent 87; 15. Ben Morris 81; 16. Gary Fuller 59; 17. Joe Madden 57; 18. Scott Henry 36; 19. Marty Nichols 31; 20. Alice Hartling 30; 21. Wade Poniewaz Sr. 24; 22. Kevin Gardner 5.

Judge denies government motion to stop Shovel Brigade: Sandra Chereb; At the conclusion of arguments Thursday, U.S. District Judge Philip Pro ruled the government didn't meet its burden of proof in showing that work by the Shovel Brigade on South Canyon Road would cause irreparable harm to the threatened bull trout or violate the Clean Water Act.

Columnist Joe Delaney: Closing of Desert Inn has far-reaching effects: Joe Delaney; As Las Vegas entered the new millennium, there were at least 25,000 citizens who thought life was good and their futures had a high degree of permanence. ... Three months in, approximately 24,000 of those seemingly secure people found their security and permanence challenged. ... This group? The employees of the Steve Wynn properties.