Print edition for March 8, 2000

Letter: Put people's lives above animals': How about some grass-roots efforts to force the judges to put these guys away, and keep them away from our kids and senior citizens? I'm afraid to leave the house without my gun! You never know when you might have to defend yourself.

Man hit by car was also shot: Conrad Sandoval left his house at about 6 p.m. Friday night and was found dead about 3 a.m. Saturday in an apartment complex parking lot, police said.

Mattsen cleared of firearms charges: David Mattsen was charged with being an ex-felon in possession of firearms and ammunition, items found when authorities searched the ranch he managed for Binion in Pahrump.

Bill allows direct service between Vegas, D.C.: Benjamin Grove; WASHINGTON -- Congress is close to approving an airline industry bill that could bring more tourists from Washington D.C. to Las Vegas.

Designer sues Ruffin for $900 million over SF resort: Advent is also seeking a court order that would prohibit Ruffin from moving forward on the concept, claiming it would infringe on his copyrights.

Tuesday's prep results: BOYS GOLF

Long time coming: Victoria Sun; New Mexico swingman Lamont Long streaks past a few defenders like they are orange pylons set out for a drill, contorts his body, switches hands for an easy layup and then -- nothing.

Howard Hughes firm invests in 'Safe Places' youth program: The project, "Safe Places to Live, Learn and Play," was created by Clark County Commissioner Erin Kenny and Clark County School Board member Susan Brager following the shooting rampage at Columbine High School and other acts of youth violence that made headlines across the country.

New Mexico panel makes final recommendation for gambling agreement: Deborah Baker; The proposal now goes to Gov. Gary Johnson and Indian tribes. They could agree to the changes the lawmakers made or refuse them.

Community news briefs for March 8, 2000: A Refuse to Be a Victim safety seminar will be given 9 a.m.-noon Saturday at the Las Vegas Harley-Davidson, 2605 S. Eastern Ave. The three-hour course is taught by certified instructor Kent Mason.

Thursday at Bay Meadows: 1st race 1 mi 4YO & up F & M Clm: 1 West Side Sally (Baze) 117; 2 Flashy Goer (Lopez) 117; 3 Queen of Klugs (Alferez) 115; 4 Useless Bay (Bisono) 117; 5 In Country (Castanon) 117.

Man gets life in prison for attacking women: Authorities said that on Feb. 11, 1998, a woman asked Alfonzo Jackson, 31, and a female friend of hers to stay the night in her apartment because she was afraid of a man who lived in the complex who was stalking her.

Prosecutor: Claims of an international lottery win were a hoax: Larry Neumeister; Prosecutors said the charges resulted from Susan Rouse Madakor's reaction to a mistake Chase Manhattan Bank made when it began depositing large amounts of money into the 40-year-old Brooklyn woman's account.

DOE says high radiation in water a false alarm: Results of other water samples taken by federal scientists from the same well Thursday showed the radioactivity levels detected in the Nye County sample were in error, according to an Energy Department statement Monday.

Reid tries to block funds for munitions depot: Reid this week asked the Senate's Defense Appropriations Committee to support his requests that the Army cease open burning and detonation of munitions at the depot 55 miles northwest of Reno.

Fires take toll on Red Cross funds: Jace Radke; Helping out

Obituaries for March 8, 2000: Irene Elizabeth Arkins Avery, 65, of Las Vegas died Friday in a local care center. A retired nurse's aide, she was born Feb. 13, 1935, in Neiga, Ga.

Progress reported at electricity deregulation summit: CARSON CITY -- Officials say progress was made at Gov. Kenny Guinn's first summit to untangle the problems that are stopping Nevada from entering a new age of electric competition.

Columnist Peter Benton: 'Unofficial' earnings boost bankrolls: Peter Benton; The money that is available to top world-class golfers is staggering, although nowhere near the astronomical and outlandish amounts being paid to not only so-called "stars" but also to many also-rans in other sports.

Columnist Dean Juipe: Speedway has lost a few fans: Dean Juipe; The aftermath stories have all painted such a rosy picture, as if there were no complaints beyond a general dissatisfaction with the weather.

Lawmakers told med school stays put: CARSON CITY -- The newly appointed dean of Nevada's medical school promised legislators Tuesday that he would not close the Reno school, but promised any expansions will come in Las Vegas.

Ralph Siraco's selections for Thursday's races at Santa Anita: 1st Race -- Ditka - One of a pair of Baffert-trained 'hidden entry' here, Flores ops for this one, adds blinkers for this outing. Gator In Excess - Other part of Baffert-trained 'hidden entry', draws outside post for the sprint, Antley aboard Pegram-owned charge. Value Play -- Brite Nite

Police roll snake eyes for craps game thieves: Green had been employed at a craps table since the casino opened in 1994. DeMaris was a customer on Feb. 17 when the alleged theft occurred.

Thursday at Aqueduct: 1st race 6 fur 3YO Fil Clm: 1 Chris's Contender (Lopez) 118; 2 Belongs Fast (Vergara) 116; 3 Book Smart (Montalvo) 113; 4a Carly Pooh (Gryder) 116; 5 Romantic Novel (Leon) 116; 6 Rich Emotions (Bridgmohan) 116; 7a Little Gray Cells (Beckner) 112; 8 Scobey Girl (Arroyo) 109; 9 Dolly's Angel (Rocco) 107.

Second Indian casino approved: PHILADELPHIA, Miss. -- Members of the Mississippi Band of Choctaws decided to support a second casino being built on their land.

Installing machines a costly proposition for Louisiana racetrack: In the long run, Louisiana Downs could add parking for overnight recreational vehicles, a hotel and restaurants, but a review of the original zoning showed the zoning needed to be expanded to accommodate the additions.

Thursday at Santa Anita: 1st race 6-1/2 fur 3YO Alw: 1 Keep On Smokin (Solis) 120; 2 Brite Nite (Pincay) 118; 3 Kid Rock's (Espinoza) 120; 4 Badgets Ruler (Blanc) 120; 5 Ditka (Flores) 118; 6 Gator in Excess (Antley) 120.

Discovery of toxins will delay beltway project: Although officials with the Nevada Division of Environmental Protection are confident that people living near the site have not been exposed to the toxins, soil testing will be performed this week just to make sure.

Foxwoods lays off 36 employees: "The changes apply only to engineering and are designed to make it a more efficient department in line with its changed role due to completion of major construction projects," Franks said.

Police arrest suspected counterfeiter in sophisticated scheme: Scott Sonner; The traffic stop late Monday led police to a Motel 8 where they found the suspect, Jerry Lee Euritt, 36 of Sacramento, Calif., with other people's personal bank account information.

School chief to be named in April: Terry Webster; After smoothing out a few scheduling changes -- and ruffled feathers -- the Clark County School Board decided it will be able to name a new superintendent by April 6.

Vehicle found at Lake Mead that ran over man: The body of Conrad Sandoval, 25, was discovered in the parking lot of an apartment complex at 3:04 a.m. Saturday. A witness told police he heard a crash, then looked out a window in the complex and saw two men pulling Sandoval's body from underneath a green vehicle, which police said belonged to Sandoval.

Two escape injury when pontoon plane flips on Lake Tahoe: The plane's windshield smashed on impact, allowing water to rush into the cockpit. Lubbe freed himself and reached the surface, but Rawson was trapped when his shirt wrapped around the seat belt.

Park Place, Icahn boost stakes for bankrupt Atlantic City casino: John Curran; Icahn wants to add $6 million to his bid and give bondholders a better deal, while Park Place has sweetened its pot by $10 million - to $40 million - according to new proposals filed Monday in U.S. Bankruptcy Court in Camden.

Rebels rebuild a winner: Steve Addy; When a basketball team replaces more than half of its roster in one fell swoop, team chemistry can fly off in about 50 directions, almost all of them bad.

UNLV men favored to win -- sort of: Steve Addy; This week's Mountain West basketball tournament is suffering an identity crisis, and not merely because the winner isn't guaranteed a spot in the NCAA Tournament.

Design changes boost casino's odds in Boonville: Isle of Capri signed a deal last month to buy the casino project from Davis Gaming, but the city must approve the deal. Council members had criticized contract changes Isle of Capri wanted, such as changing the riverboat theme to the company's trademark Caribbean style.

Columnist Victoria Sun: Aune aims to go from Zero to hero: Victoria Sun; For aspiring PGA Tour player Chris Aune, there are no chartered planes to shuttle him to tournaments, nor are there any lobster dinners awaiting him in a luxury suite at the Four Seasons once he gets there.

MWC men's tournament capsules: Victoria Sun; School: Air Force

$1.4 billion takeover offer made for casino operator: Pinnacle Entertainment Inc., the owner of the Boomtown hotel-casino in Northern Nevada and former owner of the Hollywood Park Race Track, is considering a buy-out offer from the owner of Harveys Casino Resorts.

County considers revised limit for golf course grass: A compromise ordinance limiting the amount of grass on golf courses was likely to be introduced at the Clark County Commission meeting today.

Choctaws approve second casino: The resolution was worded so that a "No" vote meant tribal leaders should proceed with plans to construct the $288 million facility tentatively to be named The Golden Moon.

Former Jazz executive to testify Wednesday in Edwards trial: Natalie Gott; Mark Bradley is a former vice president of Jazz Enterprises Inc., which was awarded a riverboat casino license in 1994 and then opened the Belle of Baton Rouge.

Columnist Jeff Haney: Del Genio on NCAA betting ban: Bring it on!: The NCAA has an unlikely ally in its move to outlaw betting on college sports: Lenny Del Genio, the highly respected veteran oddsmaker and former sports book director at Bally's.

Former Jazz executive testifies in Edwards trial: Natalie Gott; "If I did not cooperate and give in to his threats, Edwin Edwards would assure him that we would not get a license," Mark Bradley told the jury in the federal racketeering trial of Edwards and Johnson.

Radiation fund running out of money: The current radiation exposure compensation fund for ill uranium miners and those living downwind from nuclear weapons blasts may go broke by summer, and some U.S. senators are concerned because others need help.

California vote may aid Nevada push: CARSON CITY -- Voter approval in California Tuesday to bar same sex marriage could give strength to a drive to put the prohibition in the Nevada Constitution, an official said today.

'The Greatest' looking forward to second biographical film: Few people have had their lives memorialized in a major motion picture, yet it seems appropriate that the man who long called himself "the greatest" would have two films commemorating his accomplishments.

Nevada is part of price-fixing settlement: WASHINGTON -- Nine West Group Inc., one of the nation's largest suppliers of women's shoes, settled a price-fixing case Monday by agreeing to pay Nevada and other states $34 million and stop dictating what stores charge for its footwear.

Mattsen could still talk in Ted Binion murder case: He no longer has federal firearms charges hanging over his head.

Henderson sports agent is jailed for fleecing client: Kim Smith; A Henderson sports agent who pleaded guilty to stealing $36,000 from pro basketball player Jennifer Azzi was sentenced to just under two years in prison Tuesday.

Apartments lack fire walls: Erin Neff; The wooden-framed Cedar Springs Apartments, where fire claimed four lives Tuesday morning, had no fire walls and was regulated by 1970 building codes, despite numerous recent fires and complaints from residents.

Calif. voters expand Indian gaming by a wide margin: Brendan Riley; Indian tribes can operate casinos on their reservations in California under a newly approved ballot measure that could double or triple the amount of slot machines in the state.

S&P affirms credit ratings on LV Sands: The Venetian had been placed on CreditWatch in August with negative implications -- meaning the agency had been considering downgrading the Venetian's bond ratings. S&P's move means the Venetian's corporate credit rating will remain at current levels.

Police say apartment fire was attempt to conceal sexual assault, stabbing: Keith Paul; A man set fire to an apartment early Tuesday in an attempt to cover up his sexual assault and stabbing of a resident, Metro Police said.

Mom tells of attempt to save kids: Keith Paul; Helen Williams stood in the hallway screaming her three children's names as the heat from the flames kept her from getting to them.

Killer's sentence increased: Kim Smith; A 22-year-old Las Vegas man convicted in December in the "thrill" killing of a Pizza Hut worker and the attempted murder of another will have to serve at least 50 years in prison before being eligible for parole.

Comdex won't be sold, owner seeks new shows for LV: The company that owns Comdex, Las Vegas's largest convention, has abandoned plans to sell the show and instead is spinning it off into a separate publicly traded company.

Once embattled, Enterprise plan passes without remark: Valerie Miller; A once-contentious plan to annex 6,200 acres of Enterprise Township into the city of Henderson passed quietly Tuesday night.

Flying into the future: Adrienne Packer; Randy Walker is not in full panic mode -- yet.

Valley Hospital whistleblower files suit: Kim Smith; A former Valley Hospital Medical Center nurse is suing the hospital claiming she was fired for reporting unsafe nursing practices and the falsification of records in the hospital's labor and delivery department.

News briefs: A flier with the picture of missing 7-year-old Karla Rodriguez has been mailed out by a national missing children group.

LV slot route operator converting itself into an Internet incubator: David Strow; After years of struggles, Las Vegas-based Jackpot Enterprises Inc. announced today it is converting itself into an Internet investment company -- a move that leaves the future of the company's employees and slot route operations unclear.

Nevada unemployment falls slightly in January: CARSON CITY -- Unemployment dropped slightly in Nevada in January, but the number of jobless shot up in the Las Vegas area, the state Department of Employment, Training and Rehabilitation reported today.

Privacy concerns arise over cell calls to websites: The companies said the phone numbers are used as a code to identify a customer and help personalize websites.

Editorial: Caving in would be bad policy: So Loux's views have brought heightened scrutiny to his office, which receives federal funding. General Accounting Office audits in 1996 and 1998 concluded that his agency misspent some federal dollars, using them to lobby members of Congress and other states. In response, Congress has been reducing the amount of oversight funds given to Nevada, which totaled about $500,000 this fiscal year. At a meeting last week of Nevada's congressional delegation, which also included Gov. Kenny Guinn, Sen. Harry Reid provided Guinn with the political facts of life, saying he was unable to secure additional funding as long as Loux was ...

Columnist Muriel Stevens: Woodworking magic of De Marchi: There is in the Canal Shoppes at the Venetian a most enchanting gift gallery, Ripa de Monti.

Editorial: Congress tackles ID-theft crimes: This week Congress held hearings on the effectiveness of 1998 legislation that is supposed to curtail identity theft by imposing stiff sentences and fines for violations. The law also requires the Federal Trade Commission to aid those who have had their identities stolen. So far the law appears to be effective, with 1,350 charged with violations and 644 people sentenced. Still, Congress should continue monitoring this frightening invasion of privacy to ensure that these criminals aren't finding new ways to escape the detection of law enforcement agencies.

Six-time DUI offender gets longer sentence: Deputy District Attorney Michael Mahaffey said Lader's DUI history dates back to 1989. Mahaffey noted that Lader was sentenced to prison twice before, in 1994 and 1996, for felony drunken driving.

Reno city manager gets a pay raise: With the increase, McNeely's base salary jumps from $135,000 a year to $140,400.

Multimillionaire bride wants out of marriage: Angie Wagner; LAS VEGAS - The woman who married a multimillionaire on national television now wants to play a new game - who wants to forget the marriage ever happened.

Columnist Elizabeth Foyt: Dali exhibit and gala prove dazzling: Elizabeth Foyt; There's a passion, an exuberance to Salavador Dali's body of work that matches the vitality of our city. Dali's Millennium Exhibition opened at the Las Vegas Art Museum with a splendid gala, a most appropriate welcome for the the collection of 500 privately held pieces. This is no frothy overview of works by the master of surrealism. Rather, it is a celebration of his vast talents as exhibited in the displayed bronzes, watercolors, lithographs, tapestries, etchings and portraits, each reflecting his unique perspective spanning six decades of artistic endeavor.

Eight killed in van rollover: Angie Wagner; JEAN, Nev. - A van carrying 13 people plunged down a steep median and flipped over Wednesday as it headed toward Las Vegas. Eight people were killed, and five others injured.

Police: Four dead, two wounded at house fire in Memphis: Teresa M. Walker; MEMPHIS, Tenn. - Firefighters responding to a house fire Wednesday were ambushed by a gunman who stepped out of the garage and opened fire, authorities said. Four people were killed and two others wounded.

Meet a culinary artist of the first order: Max Jacobson; Ho is first and foremost executive pastry chef at the Las Vegas Hilton. He's been at the hotel since 1979 and his long tenure makes him dean of Las Vegas pastry chefs.

Savvy wine buy: Los Vascos Cabernet Sauvignon '97: -- Max Jacobson

Raw & Order: Kimberley McGee; No meat.

Columnist Jon Ralston: Ensign begins latest political portrayal: They were making this film Monday evening at Clark High School and graciously invited the media to watch.

Letter: Supporting drug companies is typical of GOP: This may sound harsh, but it is in complete harmony with the old trickle-down, dog-eat-dog philosophy that to be poor, disabled and/or elderly is some kind of crime, so "these people" don't really count! I continue to be amazed by the way Republicans express such indignation at being portrayed as mean, heartless and greedy when they so fervently support such a philosophy. They can't divorce their reputation from their philosophy, in my opinion!

Vehicle that ran over man found at Lake Mead: The body of Conrad Sandoval, 25, was discovered in the parking lot of an apartment complex at 3:04 a.m. Saturday. A witness told police he heard a crash, then looked out a window in the complex and saw two men pulling Sandoval's body from underneath a green vehicle, which police said belonged to Sandoval.

Tags in popular elk area may be reduced to allow herd to grow: Sandra Chereb; RENO, Nev. - A pact allowing an elk herd in northeastern Nevada to more than triple in size could be a double-edged sword for hunters - at least for a while.

Letter: Gun safety issue recalls the past: Ultimately only men with weapons to defend themselves can be free, and our Founding Fathers knew this well. The police can try to maintain order, but personal defense is ultimately an individual responsibility. In an increasingly violent society, the right to a weapon is more critical than ever.

Police: Three dead, three injured at house fire in Memphis: Teresa M. Walker; MEMPHIS, Tenn. - Firefighters responding to a house fire Wednesday were ambushed by a gunman who stepped out of the garage and opened fire, authorities said. Three people were killed and three others wounded.

Hearing planned in Gautier on future of small island: Plans call for the company to restore portions of the nine-acre island to marshland as part of the wetlands mitigation for the proposed Acropolis Casino to be built on Biloxi's Back Bay. EnviroSouth is an environmental consulting firm specializing in wetlands delineation, permitting and mitigation.

Saturday will be a Hot August Night: But the shortened schedule was not without consequences. Fewer people attended the city's largest annual tourist draw, resulting in a 10 percent decline in hotel occupancy and a 17 percent drop at motels.

Jazz official recounts Johnson's boasts in Edward's trial: Natalie Gott; Mark Bradley, former vice president of operations for Jazz Enterprises, said Johnson first contacted him in February 1994. The call was ostensibly about land Johnson wanted to sell to Jazz near the company's proposed casino site.