Print edition for March 2, 2000

NLV OKs auditor for another term: The council heard presentations by Piercy, Bowler, Taylor & Kern; McGladrey & Pullen; and Kafoury, Armstrong & Co.

Trinidad, Reid face risky business: Dean Juipe; The polite applause each man afforded the other belies the intensity they'll carry into the ring.

Witness in Albertson's massacre is released: Kim Smith; One day after providing attorneys with her videotaped deposition, the key witness in the Zane Floyd trial is walking free.

Columnist Ron Kantowski: NASCAR attracts Dummies: Neophyte stock car fans who still can't understand a word TV analyst Buddy Baker is saying now have the option to learn the ins and outs of America's fastest-growing sport.

Virtual reality is wave of future for testing: As NASCAR grows and demands on its participants increase, where will teams look to find the time?

Senate committee passes gray machine bill in West Virginia: Randy Coleman; The Senate Finance Committee on Wednesday endorsed the bill and added amendments that designate how proceeds would be spent.

Letter: Hit oil barons where it hurts: in their wallets: DORIE HOUSER

Obituaries for March 2, 2000: Agnes L. Conrady, 86, of Las Vegas died Feb. 22 in a local hospital. She was born Sept. 26, 1913, in Kewanee, Ill. A resident for 15 years, she was an insurance secretary.

Toxic material found at road site: Nevada environmental officials and a landowner are investigating cancer-causing chemicals found at a southeast Las Vegas Valley site where the state wants to build a freeway interchange.

LV company going public: The company has hired Las Vegas-based GoPublicCentral.com to assist with its placement on the over-the-counter bulletin board. Financial Marketing President Robert Burley said taking the company public will initially raise about $140,000.

Web site offers Powerball tickets: Carol Ann Riha; FreeStateLotto.com, based in Boston, Mass., is a direct marketing site. Users register with the site and then are linked to an advertiser's homepage, becoming eligible for "a chance to win" when they click on the site.

Mirage's Atlantic City project inches along despite takeover uncertainty: John Curran; In a presentation to the city Planning Board, a lawyer and a team of engineers and planners from Mirage said the company is spending $40 million cleaning up the landfill and up to $100 million more on roads, utilities, landscaping and other site work needed before construction can begin on the 1,144-room Le Jardin Palais.

Letter: Commentator is on the right side: The problem with homosexuals is they just don't know God's love. God loves us all -- many have been set free from homosexuality. Dr. Laura, thank you for standing up for what's right. Our politicians should follow your example. God bless you.

Radioactive water alarms Nye officials: Nye County officials are taking a serious look at the radioactive contamination discovered in a ground-water sample off the Nevada Test Site and expect to have more results in a week, County Manager Jerry McKnight said Wednesday.

Columnist Robert Walters: Half-open casinos get half: Robert Walters; You're in a casino playing blackjack. The dealer's first three cards are a six, a four and an ace. She reads her hand as an 11, mistakenly assigning the ace the value of one instead of 11. She deals herself two more cards, a five and an eight. She breaks, with a 24, then pays all the players.

Gas company demands $85 million from Arizona: The claim contends Kunasek and Porter were seeking political revenge against Commissioner Jim Irvin and former commission executive secretary Jack Rose.

Columnist Dean Juipe: The fight will go on, weather or not: Dean Juipe; Past and present Caesars Palace executives can recall the misgivings they had anytime the hotel-casino sponsored a sporting event that was being held outdoors. Their concerns weren't with such trivialities as the facility or attendance, but with the weather.

Court hearing Friday in old Reno death penalty case: Brendan Riley; Washoe County District Attorney Dick Gammick says the hearing before District Judge Peter Breen - who handled Mazzan's original trial - was scheduled to see whether Breen will stay on the case and who will represent Mazzan.

Nevada Power in no rush to leave consumer market: Residential customers of Nevada Power Co. don't have to start shopping for a new electricity provider right away, despite the company's announcement it is getting out of the retail energy business.

Columnist Ruthe Deskin: Healthy or not? Rules keep changing: Ruthe Deskin; What to believe?

Sam's Town 300 race facts: WHERE: Las Vegas Motor Speedway, 1.5-Mile banked, paved speedway

In Minnesota, pulltab, bar game sales strong; increase over last year: "It may be a function of a good economy," said Gary Danger, a spokesman for the state Gambling Control Board, which regulates charitable gambling. "There's more discretionary money - even for gambling."

Race notebook: Burton has good luck in million-dollar races: Jeff Burton's track record last season in Winston No Bull 5 races was pretty amazing.

Illinois House committee rejects bill to ban ATMs on floating casinos: An analysis of campaign records conducted by the St. Louis (Mo.) Post-Dispatch also found that about $60,000 in gambling industry money went to the 13 committee members who voted "no" or "present," which virtually amounts to an abstention.

Columnist Joe Delaney: Blue Man Group is good, 'illegitimate' theater: Joe Delaney; "Blue Man Group: Live at Luxor" is a most unusual entertainment experience. ... Sans dialogue, it is, at times, an assault on all the senses. ... Heavy on percussion, this stimulation of abstract responses was written, directed and produced by Matt Goldman, Phil Stanton and Chris Wink, the original Blue Men, who will alternate in shows here with 11 other Blue Men.

NLV tries to fill Importuna's shoes: Diana Sahagun; With North Las Vegas City Manager Pat Importuna's resignation official, council members are now facing the task of how to fill his shoes.

McDonald backtracks on Silver State contract: Erin Neff; Las Vegas City Councilman Michael McDonald's about-face Wednesday on a sludge contract vote could force him into even more explanations about his past actions.

Nebraska lawmakers fail to pull Indian gambling bill out of committee: Scott Bauer; "We'll be back next year," Lincoln Sen. DiAnna Schimek said Wednesday after senators rejected a motion that would have allowed them to debate the issue this session.

LV hospital operator buying back shares: NASHVILLE, Tenn. -- Columbia/HCA Healthcare Corp., the largest U.S. hospital operator, will buy back $1 billion of its stock as it tries to boost its share price, which has fallen 32 percent since January.

Reid wants nuke chief out: Benjamin Grove and Cy Ryan; WASHINGTON -- Sen. Harry Reid on Wednesday told Gov. Kenny Guinn that he wants the state's oversight director of the Yucca Mountain project transferred out of the job.

That's a rap: Kimberley McGee; Everyone has a story to tell, and Brett Silver's doesn't seem too unusual.

Big Nevada utility drops electricity sale plan: A year ago, Sierra Pacific Energy Co. and Nevada Power Services were created in hopes of selling power in a deregulated environment. But on Monday, Gov. Kenny Guinn postponed Wednesday's scheduled start of deregulation while unresolved issues are addressed.

California records show suspect also robbed elderly L.A. woman: Records from the California Department of Corrections also show that after being released on that sentence, Anthony Dotson was returned to prison five times on parole violations.

Columnist Rusty Wallace: Practice will be the time to adjust: Rusty Wallace; Well, race weekend is almost here for us drivers in the Winston Cup Series. Everything starts Friday about 10 o'clock in the morning when we hit the track for our first practice.

Where I Stand -- Brian Greenspun: An alarming revelation: Ok, what do we do now?

In Massachusetts, scratch ticket worth $4 million still not claimed: "We don't know if (the grand prize ticket) has been sold yet or not," Lottery spokeswoman Shannon Cadres told The Enterprise of Brockton.

Reid calls for Loux's removal as Nuclear Projects director: But Guinn and Sen. Richard Bryan, D-Nev., made it clear Reid was pretty much alone in his opinion on Loux's future.

Letter: Cartoonist made millions happy: PAULINE BURDT

Legislators hear ideas on helping three schools' students: "Booker, Fitzgerald and Madison are making valiant efforts," state Superintendent of Schools Mary Peterson told a legislative study panel Wednesday. "But it does take additional resources. Your support will help bring about the changes you are looking for."

Tennis: Rebels' Malec ranked 20th: The UNLV women's team (5-4) fell two spots to No. 68. On the men's side, the Rebels (3-5) dropped a spot to No. 61 and have no individuals ranked.

Rudd awakening: As soon as Ricky Rudd took his first tour of Robert Yates Racing after selling his own team and signing on to drive for the legendary car owner, he knew he made the right decision.

Silver Bandits top Richmond: The win moves the Silver Bandits into sole possession of second place in the IBL West, four games behind the division-leading St. Louis Swarm.

Sam Schmidt regaining motor, sensory functions: Schmidt, a Henderson resident, arrived in St. Louis five weeks ago after severely injuring his upper spine during an IRL open test at the Walt Disney World Speedway in Orlando, Fla.

Editorial: It sure isn't going to be easy: Nevada Power's move this week is an about-face, but it still plans on being a wholesale distributor of power. Also, once competition begins -- and that could be a few months away, if not more -- Nevada Power still will be the provider of last resort until at least July 2001. So residential and business customers won't have to worry about scurrying to find a retail provider once deregulation begins; they can simply stay with Nevada Power for the time being.

Eighth presidential visit to Vegas planned: Clinton is scheduled to attend an April 2 Democratic fund-raiser at the Summerlin home of former Mayor Jan Jones. Jones is Nevada's newly-elected Democratic National Committeewoman.

Marine sponsorship pays dividends for car owner: It certainly is one of the most unique sponsorships in all of auto racing, but the story behind Rick Rathbun's Team Marines Racing in the NASCAR Busch Series is even more fascinating.

CarsDirect.com 400 race facts: WHERE: Las Vegas Motor Speedway, 1.5-mile banked, paved speedway

Alabama's attorneys general say video poker bills allow live games: Phillip Rawls; But a sponsor of the legislation insisted Wednesday that only electronic games, such as video poker, would become legal. "It's guaranteed," said Sen. Charles Steele, D-Tuscaloosa.

Wall Street waits for next move by gambling giants: Robert Macy; Mirage chairman Steve Wynn called billionaire Kirk Kerkorian, MGM Grand's majority stockholder, on Tuesday, according to the sources, who spoke on condition of anonymity. One described the call as "very friendly and very cordial," the other as "amiable and cordial."

Columnist Spencer Patterson: Countdown to adding a shot clock begins: Spencer Patterson; As McQueen guard Chris Carr stood near midcourt holding the ball on his hip last Wednesday, the grumblings could be heard throughout Reno's Lawlor Events Center.

Editorial: Political heat felt over rising oil costs: Clinton has held out the possibility that he still may draw down the reserves, but he should make sure that if he does so it is only because he believes it actually is worthy of an emergency, not because politicians are demanding action. Conservation and an increase in the use of alternative energy will more likely result in lower prices in the long term and, in turn, less reliance on foreign oil.

UNLV has to take care of Aztecs: Steve Addy; SAN DIEGO -- The Rebels have gone as far as the kindness of strangers can take them.

Richard Petty named grand marshal for CarsDirect.com 400: Before the start of the third annual event, seven-timeWinston Cup champ Richard Petty will give the drivers the command to start their engines by saying the four most famous words in motorsports, "Gentlemen, start your engines."

Letter: Take responsibility for your children: 2. Turn car off

Arizonan, Nevadan accused of damaging ruins, desert: The U.S. Attorney's Office said Wednesday they were arrested last week and were released on their own recognizance.

Jarrett not bothered being marked man: As the reigning NASCAR Winston Cup Series champion, Dale Jarrett knows he is a marked man this season.

Cox launches Las Vegas website: AccessLasVegas.com, which has been in development since last year, provides a variety of information about Las Vegas on 12 channels accessible through the Internet site.

Children's Charities to host driver auction: Bidders will vie for the chance to ride in a convertible with their favorite drivers during the parade lap before the start of Sunday's CarsDirect.com 400 or Saturday's Sam's Town 300.

Mines big source of mercury pollution, reports show: The newspaper reviewed copies of the mines' reports on file at the Nevada Division of Environmental Protection. The EPA will make these reports, along with those submitted by thousands of other industrial firms, public some time this month.

Child porn suspect takes plea deal; 60 charges lifted: Kim Smith; A 44-year-old casino worker arrested on 57 possession of child pornography charges and nine other charges has entered a plea agreement that will dismiss 60 of the charges.

School bus incident probed: Jace Radke and Terry Webster; A sudden stop by a school bus that sent 11 elementary school children on an unexpected trip to the hospital Tuesday afternoon has left parents wondering if the stop was necessary.

Rookie Blaney out of spotlight: Despite his wealth of experience in sprint cars, Dave Blaney may be the least hyped of the NASCAR Winston Cup Rookie of the Year candidates.

North Dakota judge rules phone cards are an illegal form of gambling: John MacDonald; East Central District Judge Lawrence Leclerc said the machines are essentially disguised slot machines, devices that are prohibited under North Dakota's gambling regulations.

Track to provide showers for campers: Two 18-wheel trailers equipped with full-service showers and sinks will be set up in the RV compound to allow campers an added luxury not present at very many racing facilities.

Lawyer in Edwards trial talks of Tarver's predictions: Natalie Gott; C.J. Blache was the opening witness as prosecutors launched a new phase in the former governor's federal racketeering trial, which began Jan. 10.

February was warm, wet, across Nevada: Sandra Chereb; State Climatologist John James said the six months from September through February have been among the warmest on record.

Busch veterans set for transition to Winston Cup: That will be extremely evident this season as four top Busch Series regulars move up to the ranks of the Winston Cup Series and campaign for Raybestos Rookie of the Year honors.

LVMS unveils improved traffic plan: "We said following last year's event that we were going to make traffic flow our No. 1 priority," LVMS general manager Chris Powell said. "Thanks to the cooperation of representatives from many different organizations, we have implemented a comprehensive traffic plan that will ensure safety and minimize delays for fans traveling to and from Las Vegas Motor Speedway during the NASCAR weekend."

Lawyer talks of Tarver's predictions: Natalie Gott; C.J. Blache was the opening witness as prosecutors launched a new phase in the former governor's federal racketeering trial, which began Jan. 10.

Edwards trial: Lawyer talks of Tarver's predictions: Natalie Gott; C.J. Blache was the opening witness as prosecutors launched a new phase in the former governor's federal racketeering trial, which began Jan. 10.

More gaming debate anticipated in Mississippi: Gina Holland; The proposals were among dozens clearing committees Thursday and heading for floor votes. Also passed were bills making it a crime to injure or kill a fetus or to falsely report a crime.

Sun backs out of Desert Inn deal: The squelched deal was apparently caused by Sun International's plans to go private, announced in January.

Housing problems focus of council: Erin Neff; Spending

Valley receives second installment on five-year, $6.3 million federal grant for local service centers: The grant is from the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration and is the second of five such payments to be received by the Clark County Division of Child and Family Services.

New Forest Service rule would make it tougher to build new roads: John Hughes; Forest managers would have to conduct an analysis and an environmental study, gain approval from a regional forester and show a compelling need before a new road could be built.

Judge closes deposition for witness in quadruple murder case: Robert Macy; Tracie Carter, 21, testified in a two-hour deposition Wednesday, providing a chilling account of a June 3 pre-dawn ordeal at the home of Zane Floyd.

Additional counts added to alleged incest case: The complaint has been amended because two additional youths came forward in recent days, bringing the total of alleged victims to five, Deputy Michelle Youngs said. All five are under the age of 14.

Council briefs: Las Vegas fire officials, who need five new stations and the equipment and personnel to man them, were given more time Wednesday by the City Council to figure out their specific financial needs.

News briefs: A 34-year-old Las Vegas man was charged Wednesday in connection with the robbery of a Wells Fargo bank branch.

Mother charged in baby's death is a no-show at court: Kim Smith; A Las Vegas woman scheduled to go on trial Tuesday in the death of her 2-month-old son failed to show up and a warrant has been issued for her arrest.

Suspect in sexual assault of girl remains in county jail: Keith Paul; A 31-year-old Las Vegas man accused of sexually assaulting an 11-year-old girl in her house was ordered held on $120,000 bond this morning.

Nuke fallout found in Las Vegas attics: By Mary Manning; Traces of radiation and banned pesticides lie in the attic dust of older homes in Las Vegas -- undisturbed footprints of decades of nuclear bomb tests and use of poisons no longer allowed.

Friday at Bay Meadows: 1st race 6 fur 4YO & up F & M Alw: 1 Planting Time (Castro) 117; 2 Thread the Needle (Perez) 117; 3 Bobbie Jane (Baze) 117; 4 Breakfast Klug (Bisono) 117; 5 The Merry Root (Delgadillo) 117.

Friday at Santa Anita: 1st race 1-1/16 mi 4YO & up F & M Clm: 1 Cup of Jo Jo (Valdivia) 118; 2 Elevator Gail (Solis) 118; 3 O Que Vista (Martinez) 118; 4 Paris Orbit (Flores) 120; 5 Amalia's Gold (Enriquez) 118; 6 Halo Missy (Puglisi) 118; 7 Tootie Cook (Diaz) 111.

'Paranoid' Mattsen refuses to surface: David Mattsen remained in hiding in Las Vegas this morning reluctant to cooperate with prosecutors, his lawyer said.

Wynn still planning AC resort; Trump still fighting it: John Curran; ATLANTIC CITY -- Plodding ahead despite a looming takeover bid, Mirage Resorts officials went before city planners Wednesday to describe the roads and utilities they will build on a former landfill where they plan to build a $1 billion casino.

LV company teams with Horseshoe Gaming: Under the agreement, which Players calls the largest services agreement in its history, the company will produce in-house television programming for Horseshoe's hotel-casinos in Bossier City, La., and Robinsonville, Miss.

LV company plans Texas cruising casino: Viva Gaming received approval for a five-year dock lease from the Port of Corpus Christi Wednesday, the company said. With the lease, the company said it plans to launch two daily, six-hour cruises by Memorial Day.

Regent sues builder: A Regent lawsuit accuses J.A. Jones Construction Co. of breach of contract, negligence, fraud and misrepresentation. The company is asking for at least $200 million in compensatory and punitive damages from the Charlotte, N.C., construction company.

Community news briefs for March 2, 2000: The Bigelow Chair of Consciousness Studies presents a lecture by psychologist Arthur Hastings 7-9 p.m. Wednesday at UNLV in the auditorium of the Flora Dungan Humanities Building.

Friday at Aqueduct: 1st race 6 fur 4YO & up F & M Mdn Clm: 1 Duke's Fortune (Henry) 120; 2 Kipperella (Arroyo) 115; 3 Inkabanner (Nelson) 120; 4 Ladies Galore (Francis) 120; 5 Molly Maid (Bridgmohan) 120; 6 Temporary Princess (Luzzi) 120; 7 Angie's Mom (Montalvo) 115; 8 Feeling Forty (Cora) 120; 9 Fine Appearance (Keaveney) 110; 10 Note to Mimi (Beckner) 120.

IBL Box: Richmond-Las Vegas: Ward 7-14 9-10 26, Warren 11-22 2-7 24, Cartwright 3-7 1-1 7, Morton 1-12 8-8 10, English 4-14 0-0 10, Miskiri 0-0 3-5 3, Robinson 1-10 2-2 5, Holmes 2-6 0-0 4, L. Johnson 7-8 0-2 14. Totals 36-92 25-35 103.

Mirage protected by state's corporation-friendly laws: David Strow; Mirage debt

LV water now officially fluoridated: The computer system at the Alfred Merritt Smith Water Treatment Plant at Lake Mead started injecting fluoride into the Las Vegas Valley's water system Wednesday.

Citizens not heard in citizen review board talks: Erin Neff; After years of haggling over words and responsibilities, the city and county appear to be making progress toward forming a Metro Police Citizen Review Board.

Pirate cable operation cracked by Metro, FBI: Jace Radke; Metro Police and the FBI on Wednesday raided what they called a major manufacturing and distribution center for illegal cable television converters.

Windsor Park demo project canceled: The city has been moving residents out of Windsor Park since 1996, when the homes there became worthless after sinking ground buckled foundations and sidewalks, cracked plumbing and ruptured gas lines.

IGT dismisses suit against two LV companies: IGT accused the two companies in September of infringing a patent relating to the use of "touch screen" technology in slot machines. IGT did not disclose why it chose to dismiss the case in its filing with U.S. District Court in Las Vegas.

Man agrees to plea bargain in child porn case: Defense attorney Chip Siegel said Frederick Allen Osburn agreed Wednesday to plead guilty to one count of open and gross lewdness, one count of possession of burglary tools and four counts of possession of child pornography.