Print edition for March 16, 2000

Venetian megaresort headed toward profitability: David Strow; Buoyed by strong growth in the first two months of 2000, Venetian officials predict the $1.5 billion resort will cross into profitability this quarter.

Homebuilder, lender in joint venture: Terms of the deal were not disclosed. The new company, Pardee Mortgage Co. LLP, will offer a range of home financing products and services, including a line of new home products offered by Norwest Mortgage's National Builder Division.

Nevada export efforts are said to be lacking: Nevada exports

Analysts are stunned at a banking merger gone bad: Phil Levine; The war of words heated up Wednesday between Salt Lake City rivals -- and proposed partners -- Zions Bancorporation and First Security Corp.

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

Governor: Petitions on taxes are divisive: Jace Radke and Cy Ryan; Gov. Kenny Guinn is not ruling out new taxes, but he wants the teachers union and state Sen. Joe Neal to drop their initiative petitions.

Deal reached on land to obtain college site: Valerie Miller; If a verbal agreement reached this week holds up, the city of Henderson will give close to 91 acres to a developer in exchange for the 300 acres proposed as the site for Nevada State College.

Prep baseball standings: SUNRISE REGION

Prep golf standings: SUNRISE REGION

Prep softball standings: SUNRISE REGION

Highlights from Wednesday's testimony in the Edwards trial: Former Gov. Edwin Edwards' conversation with former congressman Cleo Fields touched on politics, as well as contracts, in a March 24, 1997, meeting in Edwards' office.

Prep boys volleyball standings: CLASS 4A

Tribes give nearly $200,000 to California Attorney General; more on way: Steve Lawrence; One tribe is holding a golf tournament next month that could generate up to $25,000 a contributor for California's top law enforcement official.

'No Credible Evidence' Found of Criminal Use of Background Files: Pete Yost; There is also no credible evidence that former White House counsel Bernard Nussbaum lied to Congress regarding the controversy in 1996, Ray said, adding that his office was ending both investigations with no prosecutions.

510002377.html: Key Russian component failures could further stall space station

Hairston's legacy lives through choir: Kimberley McGee; Although Hairston's life ended Jan. 19, the spirit of the 98-year-old actor and conductor lives on through what he left behind -- love and respect for early black music.

Dangerfield hospitalized in Las Vegas: Dangerfield was admitted to Sunrise Hospital early Thursday and was in stable condition, hospital spokeswoman Ann Lynch said.

FBI agent admits investigators missed key elements in Edwards case: Natalie Gott; FBI agent Geoffrey Santini also said that FBI agents could have missed other information because they did not have permission to wiretap one of Edwards' home telephone lines or his cellular telephone, or Stephen Edwards' home and cellular telephones.

Six northern Nevada women honored as role models: Those receiving the awards were Nancy Cope, former news director at KTVN-TV in Reno; Ronna Hubbard, an emergency medical technician in Lake Topaz; Assemblywoman Sheila Leslie, D-Reno; Suzanne Stockdale, owner of Creative Advertising and Marketing in Minden; Lourinda Wines, a Ruby Valley rancher, and retiring Assemblywoman Jan Evans, D-Sparks.

Cramer, Sessions differ on effect of Alabama's video poker bills: Sessions, a Mobile Republican, wrote to state Sen. Jabo Waggoner and Rep. W.F. McDaniel on Feb. 28. He said that the current video poker bills "would appear, under existing federal law, to expand Indian gaming to include most, if not all, forms of casino gambling."

Alabama senators propose video gambling money for agriculture: Sen. George Clay, D-Tuskegee, and Sen. Charles Steele, D-Tuscaloosa, said Thursday they are willing to amend their video gambling legislation to pledge the state tax revenue to financing the bond issues. The original versions of the bills do not earmark the state tax revenue.

Memos show internal criticism of Forest Service roadless plan: Scott Sonner; Senior officials within the Forest Service are warning Chief Mike Dombeck about the pitfalls of the initiative that conservation leaders say would leave Clinton an environmental legacy unmatched since Teddy Roosevelt.

English Patience: Kirk Baird; "Embrace the bass with my dark ink fingertips/Used to speak the king's English/But caught a rash on my lips/So now my chat just like dis." -- From "Hip Hop" by Mos Def.

Columnist Spencer Patterson: Local powers get off to slow start: Spencer Patterson; The spring prep season is barely one week old, and already the area's baseball and softball scene has been turned on its head.

Columnist Ruthe Deskin: Ya gotta have heart -- and they do!: Ruthe Deskin; Did somebody say heart?

Sun Valley couple renews fight to keep son's slayer locked up: Greene, who had an extensive juvenile record, told police he was a member of a gang represented by the color red and was angry that Fay was wearing the color.

Confidence man: With a sizable entourage and a swagger that reflects his undefeated status, Floyd Mayweather exudes a confidence that is not easily deterred.

Columnist Joe Delaney: Future of Mirage attractions is in question: Joe Delaney; With the public's knowledge of the acquisition of Mirage Resorts by MGM Grand limited to the $6.4 billion dollar stock price, one wonders what will happen to the Mirage plans for El Jardin in Atlantic City? ... Will Jerry Herman's "Miss Spectacular," due at the Mirage in 2001, come to fruition? ... Will this affect Siegfried & Roy's decision about whether to continue in 2002? ... If negative, what happens to their Secret Garden and the White Tigers Habitat?

Banks in home-loan system with Microsoft: REDMOND, Wash. -- Microsoft Corp. and several major lenders are forming a home-finance venture that the software company says will mean speedier approval of home mortgage loans and save borrowers money.

Foxwoods reports $62.9 million in slot revenues: A payment of $15.7 million was made to the state under the tribe's gambling compact. Connecticut receives 25 percent of the casino's slot earnings.

Woman accused of murdering husband heading back to Nevada jail: Robert Macy; More than two years after being indicted in her husband's murder, Margaret Rudin began the 2,750-mile journey from Framingham, Mass., to Las Vegas on Wednesday with tight security. Rudin had eluded authorities until she was arrested last November.

Sun Male Athlete of the Week: Garrett Guzman: School: Green Valley

Behind the scenes: Jerry Hughes: Contribution to prep sports: Hughes is in his 11th year as the state's highest-ranking high school sports official, presiding over the Nevada Interscholastic Activities Association. Among the NIAA's principal responsibilities are organizing and running all postseason tournaments, conducting the appeal process for all eligibility issues concerning athletes and overseeing all officials associations in the state. After years as a teacher, coach and athletic director in Northern Nevada, Hughes became the AD for Washoe County before moving into his current position. "The thing that I like most about it is I've gotten to know so many people in Nevada."

Ralph Siraco's selections for Friday's races at Santa Anita: 1st Race -- Mr. Felipe - Part of entry with Wire And Ice, Ward is good trainer with these babies, Ramsammy for the dash. Nighque Star - Training at Hollypark, draws outside post for the quarter-mile dash, Flores gets the call. Value Play -- Somewhat Chilly

Behind the scenes: Donnie Nelson: Contribution to prep sports: Nelson, in his second year with the NIAA, serves as the liaison between the organization and all media outlets in the state, providing media guides, tournament information and results from Nevada's postseason tournaments. He also serves as the go-between for all of the NIAA's sponsors. Nelson has been involved with sports throughout his life, from his days watching his father coach "every sport imaginable" in the San Francisco Bay Area, to positions in the sports information offices at the University of Oregon and Nevada-Reno. "The most rewarding aspect of my job is getting a free moment ...

Wednesday's prep results: Durango 10, Chaparral 0: Brent Johnson tossed a complete-game three-hitter, striking out eight and walking none to lead Durango to the shuout win. Chris Kelly went 3-for-4 with two homers and five RBIs, Colton Simmons was 2-for-4 with two RBIs and Johnson finished 2-for-3 with a pair of RBIs.

Catching up with: April Arata: High School: Silverado ('99)

Johnson has grown up quickly in learning his role with team: Steve Addy; NASHVILLE, Tenn. -- The Rebels only want Dalron Johnson to be their man of the hour in the NCAA Tournament, not their Man of 1,000 Faces.

City Council briefs for March 16, 2000: Here is how the Las Vegas City Council voted Wednesday to spend taxpayer money:

No one takes responsibility for attack flier on Malone: Adrienne Packer; Spring Valley residents adamantly deny having anything to do with the latest attack on Clark County Commissioner Lance Malone, and his supporters are hardly surprised.

Sun Top 10 Baseball Poll: Teams ranked jointly by the Las Vegas Sun and the Daily Sparks Tribune

Community news briefs for March 16, 2000: State Bar Board of Governors Vice President John H. Mowbray will be among five Las Vegas residents honored at the National Conference for Community and Justice "Community Heroes Dinner" March 23 at the Mandalay Bay hotel-casino in Las Vegas. Call 387-6225.

Parks plan will take generations, millions: Erin Neff; Although parks top most city wish lists, it will take millions of dollars and 20 years to even catch up with today's need.

Sutton fulfills dream with tournament appearance: Spencer Patterson; Growing up, Paige Sutton dreamed of earning a college scholarship so she could play in the Women's NCAA Tournament.

This week's races: NASCAR

Rebels golf team slips to 10th place: Individually, Rebel senior Jeremy Anderson improved one place to No. 8 and was the league's top-ranked golfer. Anderson's teammate Michael Kirk came in at the 39th spot. Clemson's D.J. Trahan, who won last weekend's Las Vegas Intercollegiate in a three-hole playoff, was listed at No. 10.

Videotape shows ex-congressman, cash: Natalie Gott; Prosecutors presented the tape of Edwards and Cleo Fields on Wednesday as they continued pressing their claim that Edwards extorted $400,000 from former San Francisco 49ers owner Edward DeBartolo Jr.

Sun Female Athlete of the Week: Crystal Alspaugh: School: Eldorado

LV aviation interests see funds, issues in new bill: There's something for everybody in the $40 billion aviation bill expected to be signed into law by President Clinton.

Earnhardt's start proves '99 was no fluke: Mike Harris; The man in black is back.

Rebel goal: Stick around: Steve Addy; NASHVILLE, Tenn. -- The last time the Rebels participated in an NCAA Tournament, they hardly had time to buy a postcard before they were on the plane home.

Sun Top 10 Softball Poll: Teams ranked jointly by the Las Vegas Sun and the Daily Sparks Tribune

Stars broadcaster quits: Sandler spent the last eight seasons doing both radio and television commentary for the triple-A Pacific Coast League club and also worked in the team's sales and promotions department.

Guinn urges thrift among state agencies: CARSON CITY -- Reflecting an expected tightening of the economy, Gov. Kenny Guinn has told state agencies not to suggest new programs unless they can develop savings within their present budgets.

Editorial: Gas tax politics is certain to backfire: Despite Craig's vow, there was a turnabout this week by many other Republicans, who now say a gas tax rollback isn't such a great idea after all. What prompted this change? Was it a realization that a repeal -- about $26 a year for those driving 12,000 miles at 20 miles per gallon -- would have little impact? Or was it the fact that oil companies might pocket the difference and refuse to pass along the savings to consumers? No, something else was at play.

Rogich's plan for bar loses game of inches: Erin Neff; The state's most powerful political adviser's attempt to juice in a tavern license got squeezed instead Wednesday -- by a mere 16 inches.

Where I Stand -- Mike O'Callaghan: Center blindsides Guinn: Gov. Kenny Guinn probably felt blindsided recently when the Center for Women in Government claimed he has six less women in policymaking positions than did his predecessor, Gov. Bob Miller. This attack really upset Guinn, and he has claimed the information was gained from a "flawed" study.

Obituaries for March 16, 2000: Joseph Edward Blount, 59, of Henderson died Monday in Henderson. He was born Aug. 26, 1940, in Chicago. A resident for 10 years, he was a Navy veteran.

Columnist Ron Kantowski: Too bad Lloyd, Lamar didn't play: All the turmoil and grief they have brought to UNLV might be a little easier to swallow if the jerseys of Lloyd Daniels and Lamar Odom were hanging from the rafters of the Thomas & Mack Center alongside a few more national championship banners.

Candidates for schools chief not revealed: Terry Webster; The Clark County School District's superintendent search will resume next week the same way the first round ended in December: By keeping the community in suspense.

Communication lack seen as factor in slow redevelopment: Erin Neff; Las Vegas officials on Wednesday began to get to the root of downtown's slow redevelopment efforts by homing in on some communication problems.

Man indicted on murder charges in bar shoot-out: Kim Smith; A Clark County grand jury has issued an indictment in a December sports bar shoot-out that killed one man and wounded seven others.

Man dies in kayak flipping: He was paddling about 150 feet off shore from Burnt Cedar Beach when the accident occurred Wednesday afternoon.

Editorial: Tax system in need of fresh look: Two pending voter initiatives, though, hope to change this. Sen. Joe Neal's proposal would raise taxes on the gaming industry to help pay for government services and public education. In addition, the state teachers union is advocating a net profits tax on businesses that would pay for public education. In response, the gaming industry insists that it currently pays a disproportionate share of taxes when compared to other businesses. Some nongaming businesses, meanwhile, worry that new taxes would hurt their ability to grow and, in turn, harm the economy. But if these sides refuse to budge at all, no one ...

Balancing growth, water integrity: Sen. Harry Reid and Rep. Shelley Berkley, both D-Nev., plan to coordinate federal and local cleanup efforts, hoping to balance Southern Nevada's booming growth with the health of Lake Mead, the primary water source.

Letter: True Dr. Laura becoming evident: On her popular radio show the "compassionate conservative" has referred to gays as "deviant" and "a biological error" and has endorsed the largely discredited "ex-gay" movement.

City staff: Growth makes new fire stations necessary: Erin Neff; Even though the city of Las Vegas' population has doubled in the past decade, the number of fire stations has remained steady at 10.

Suit claims Megabucks machine was rigged: Grace Leong; A patron at the Regent Las Vegas is seeking a court order to force the Summerlin hotel-casino and International Game Technology to pay her an $8.37 million Megabucks jackpot she claims she would have won if not for a slot machine she claims was rigged.

UNLV Rebels: Team breakdown: Steve Addy; By closing with a flourish. The Rebels' 96-52 blowout loss at Utah on Feb. 21 could have been a season-killer, but they gained their balance and finished strong. They've won seven in a row, including an impressive sweep of San Diego State, Wyoming and Brigham Young in the Mountain West tournament. Playing on their home court helped a lot, too.

UNLV notebook: Rebels stock up on MWC honors: That UNLV softball pitcher Nicole Truax was named the Mountain West Conference Pitcher of the Week on Wednesday isn't such startling news.

Shareholders sue over gaming merger: GLENDALE, Calif. -- Pinnacle Entertainment Inc., a casino company formerly known as Hollywood Park Inc., was sued by an investment group that said its members wouldn't get enough money for their shares in a proposed $1.3 billion buyout by rival Colony Capital Inc.

Estimates boosted for Tropicana operator: Linde raised estimates for the quarter ending March 30 from 14 cents per share to 17 cents per share, and 2000 estimates from 74 cents per share to 77 cents per share. Linde, which rates Aztar a "buy," set a price target of $13.

Las Vegas area fishing report: LAKE MEAD: The recent fishing drought appears to be coming to an end as boaters are catching striped bass by downrigging and drifting with bait at depths of about 60 feet.

Defense says murder suspect only carried the body: He said Rhyne has been set up by James Mendenhall of Elko, who pleaded no contest to second-degree murder charges in exchange for helping convict Rhyne.

UNLV tennis player enters rankings: UNLV tennis player enters rankings

Geo flips on I-80, killing driver: Geo flips on I-80, killing driver

Columnist Paul DelGiudice: Big-game hunting info on the way: Paul DelGiudice; The time of year hunters have been waiting for is nearly upon us. The Nevada Division of Wildlife has announced that its applications and regulations brochures for Nevada's 2000 big-game hunts should be available within the next week or two.

State panel to rule on controversial Spring Valley casino: A special panel will make history Friday -- although how much history may be up to the courts to decide.

UNLV baseball team pounds Southern Utah: UNLV baseball team pounds Southern Utah

Racing notes: Marlin knows wacky Darlington: Now, as a Winston Cup star, the younger Marlin does his playing on the track considered the toughest in NASCAR. He did it well enough to win the spring race in 1995.

Bonanza upends Silverado: Spencer Patterson; Notorious for sandbagging his team's chances every season, Silverado softball coach Chuck Pope has been insisting his concerns are well-founded this year.

Basketball tourney, St. Patrick's Day team up for big Las Vegas weekend: St.Patrick's Day

Trump drops Henderson luxury home development: Valerie Miller and Richard N. Velotta; Developer Donald Trump's plan to build a luxury residential community and golf course in Henderson has fallen through.

Investigators look for arson in blaze that took four lives: Keith Paul; Fire investigators have sent chunks of flooring to a lab to see if there is evidence of arson in last week's deadly apartment blaze.

Letter: Gas is a bargain if you compare it to coffee: Letter: Gas is a bargain if you compare it to coffee

AIDS of Nevada in search of corporate sponsors, volunteers: The walk will begin in front of Macy's at the Fashion Show mall and travel up Las Vegas Boulevard to New York-New York, from where it will return to Macy's for closing ceremonies.

Local news briefs for March 16, 2000: Kenneth McKague, the longest-serving prison inmate on death row, died of lung cancer Wednesday at the Ely State Prison.

Guerrero brothers ready to race: Mike Harris; Roberto Guerrero is a 41-year-old race car driver often searching for a ride.

Silver turns up in Binion case: Copyright 2000 Las Vegas Sun

Letter: Census promotes our alienation: Feeding private and personal information to the census taker with the expectation that such information will circumvent representative government is tantamount to feeding and encouraging totalitarianism. It should be our representatives in government who ask us questions, not door-knocking novices hired by a federal agency! Don't help drive the wedge between the people and the tax-collecting government.