Print edition for March 30, 2000

Club's anniversary prompts dining at last generation's prices: Tom Gardner; Those are the prices today as the Club Cal Neva celebrates yesterday. The casino is marking its 38th anniversary by rolling back the cost of a meal to what the menu listed when it opened in 1962.

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

Columnist Ruthe Deskin: Correcting a mistake is Job One: Ruthe Deskin; When I attended the University of Nevada, Reno, our journalism professor used those words in almost every lecture.

Behind the scenes: Dr. Phil O'Leary and Luke Werner: Contribution to prep sports: O'Leary has been a track official since moving to Las Vegas 11 years ago. He also currently assigns all track officials for Southern Nevada prep meets. "I like being outside, working with the kids, seeing how they progress," he said. O'Leary works as part of a four-person crew, with duties split up as follows: a starter who fires the gun to signal the start of races, a lead timer who coordinates the efforts of all volunteer timers, a clerk who checks in all participants and a finish line recorder who records all positions at the completion ...

Las Vegas man indicted for lizard smuggling: The indictment alleges Don Astorga imported the lizards on June 9.

Last man standing: Dean Juipe; The card has been sliced, diced and shuffled in recent weeks, so much so that it barely resembles its original incarnation.

Finally! Pump prices show signs of easing off: TOm Garnder; RENO, Nev. - Gas pump grief may be entering remission.

Boys Prep Volleyball standings: SUNRISE REGION

IBL Box: Trenton-Las Vegas: Grant 5-11 3-3 13, Joseph 1-1 0-2 2, Lorthridge 9-21 2-3 22, Tutt 4-12 3-4 12, Woodard 1-6 1-2 3, Worthy 3-9 2-2 9, Edwards 2-5 1-2 5, Hyman 1-4 4-6 6, Reynolds-Dean 2-6 0-0 4. Totals 28-75 16-24 76.

New charges filed in Tahoe girl's murder: Brendan Riley; Douglas County Sheriff Ron Pierini and District Attorney Scott Doyle announced that Thomas Soria Sr., 39, was charged Wednesday with murder, kidnapping and sexual assault in the death of Krystal Steadman.

Catching up with: Ike Olekaibe: High School: Cimarron-Memorial ('96)

Gambling industry, colleges swap blame for student betting: Laurence Arnold; In a hearing on a proposal to ban betting on college sports Wednesday, Nevada lawmakers accused the National Collegiate Athletic Association of seeking a scapegoat.

Vandalism may be cause of fire: The two-alarm blaze was reported Wednesday evening after witnesses saw juveniles running from the building.

Letter: Bush campaign vows concern for Nevada problems: Bush's promise to rely on sound science is no less an "empty promise devoid of specifics," as the Sun points out, than any position offered by Vice President Al Gore. As a matter of fact, Sun columnist Jon Ralston had this to say about Gore's nuclear waste position earlier this year: "Vice President Al Gore ... (says) the decisions on Yucca Mountain should be based on science, not politics. Yes, his rhetoric may be empty. But at least he has said something."

Prosecution rests; defense asks for directed acquittal: Natalie Gott; BATON ROUGE, La. - After 66 witnesses and nine weeks of testimony, federal prosecutors on Thursday rested their racketeering case against former Gov. Edwin Edwards and six other men.

Prep Softball standings: CLASS 4A

Editorial: This is all about money, not care: "Washington prefers more lawsuits," a narrator says in the ad. "But lawsuits don't save lives -- doctors do. Get patients the care they need instead of getting lawyers the clients they want. Let's have a real health care debate." This is laughable. The fact is that the health insurance industry has no desire to have a "real" health care debate. After all, that would illuminate how the HMOs' cost-cutting has had tragic consequences for patients. The industry knows that Democratic and Republican negotiators are making progress in striking a compromise on a strong patient's bill of rights. The industry fears ...

Snoqualmie Tribe in talks with Weyerhaeuser about land buy: "The issue now is, if Weyerhaeuser sells us a chunk of the forest, what can we do with it?"

Where I Stand -- Mike O'Callaghan: New voices for children: I say this tragedy will eventually be rectified because of an enlightened evaluation now taking place nationwide. Articles in both the Los Angeles Times and USA Today last week assured me that good orphanages to meet the needs of some children are on the road back. St. Cloud's orphanage in the movie "The Cider House Rules" helped trigger this attention. Writer John Irving, when researching material for the screenplay, went into the project with the idea that orphanages were bad places where kids were mistreated. When interviewing former residents he found out different. He told USA Today, "To a one, ...

Danny Gans is finally set to open at the Mirage: Where: The Danny Gans Theatre at the Mirage.

Ralph Siraco's selections for Friday's races at Santa Anita: 1st Race -- Meditative - Training at Hollypark, connections have limited chances, should hustle for the win. Elevator Gail - Draws good inside post for the route run, Solis aboard Sadler trainee, dons nasal strip. Value Play -- Landau

Editorial: Straight talk not in sight: The bill originally was under the jurisdiction of the Senate Judiciary Committee but McCain, the chairman of the Commerce Committee, decided to hold hearings of his own. It wasn't a coincidence they were held this week, during the height of college basketball's men's championship, a tournament that generates a huge amount of wagering -- both legal and illegal. Although this admittedly was a beautiful public relations move by McCain, it can't hide the fact that this legislation is worthless. It wouldn't do anything to reduce sports betting in the 49 states where it already is illegal. Besides, a crackdown elsewhere ...

RNC chairman urges Hispanic publishers to give party a chance: Angie Wagner; Republican National Committee Chairman Jim Nicholson told a group of Hispanic publishers Thursday that they are the "cornerstone" of their communities and urged them to give the GOP a chance.

Prep Baseball standings: SUNRISE REGION

Death penalties sought in Tahoe girl's murder: Brendan Riley; STATELINE, Nev. - Prosecutors confirmed Thursday that they might seek dual death penalties in the case of a father and son charged in the throat-slashing death of a 9-year-old Tahoe girl.

Nevada Rep: Clinton backs away from casinos checks for deadbeat parents: Richard Urey, spokesman for Berkley, D-Nev., said Nevada's congressional delegation had joined with the casino industry in lobbying against the idea.

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

Study: Game officials gamble, some on sports using bookies: Geralda Miller; A University of Michigan study found that 2.4 percent of those surveyed were problem gamblers, based on a standard used to diagnose pathological gamblers, and four officials, or 0.8 percent of those surveyed, were rated as pathological gamblers.

Prep Athletes of the week: ADAM MORRIS and BRICE SELLS

Columnist Joe Delaney: Singer Tony Kenny returns in 'Sentimental Irish': Joe Delaney; Curtain is at 8 p.m., tonight only, in Arizona Charlie's Palace Grand Theatre.

Boys Prep Golf standings: SUNRISE REGION

Autopsy to be performed in motorcycle death: The name of the 52-year-old victim has not been released.

Republican marriage tax relief measure clears Senate panel: Curt Anderson; WASHINGTON - Millions of married couples would get $248 billion in tax cuts over 10 years under Republican legislation approved Thursday by the Senate Finance Committee.

Office honored for action against sports bar robbery: Officer Dennis Devitte, 41, was shot numerous times Dec. 5 when he became involved in a gun battle with a robbery suspect at Mr. D's sports bar. Devitte was wounded in the battle and a robbery suspect was killed.

Prosecutors focus on member of casino regulatory board: Natalie Gott; However, none of the witnesses called Wednesday could say they saw Fuller actually turn over to state Sen. Greg Tarver a confidential state police report on riverboat casino license applicants, which prosecutors claim he did.

Guinn names new members to Contractors Board: The appointees include Henderson resident Randy Schaefer, president of R/S Development and former president of the Southern Nevada Homebuilders Association.

Deported father says he'll continue to fight for his son: Mohammed Alshiabat entered the United States in 1990 on a six-month visa. He was returned to Israel Wednesday, leaving in doubt future ties with his American-born son.

Edwards waiting at security deposit box: Natalie Gott; However, none of the witnesses called Wednesday could say they saw Fuller actually turn over to state Sen. Greg Tarver a confidential state police report on riverboat casino license applicants, which prosecutors claim he did.

Alliance Gaming hopes rest on sale of slot route operation: David Strow; Alliance Gaming Corp. of Las Vegas may be just weeks away from selling its most profitable asset -- United Coin Co., the largest slot route operator in Nevada.

Bowen saves day for Basic: Zack Hall; Basic softball pitcher Jen Bowen said that before Wednesday's game against Bishop Gorman she felt she could dominate.

Shortage of police leaves some residents waiting for help: Diana Sahagun; North Las Vegas resident Josephine Bryant stepped outside her home last week and to her dismay saw black paint splattered along her side walls and patio -- again.

Wet 'n Wild sold for third time in 19 months: Alfa Alfa Holdings SA, of Greece, will be the fourth owner of the Strip-based water park in 19 months.

Golf champion's son gets 25-year sentence for downtown robbery: Kim Smith; David Casper, the son of two-time U.S. Open golf champion Billy Casper, was sentenced to 25 years in prison Wednesday on robbery charges.

Airlines' tax bills cut: The board agreed to lower the assessed value, used for computing taxes, for Scenic Airlines Inc. from $2.6 million to $1.2 million. Terry Rubald of the state Department of Taxation said the Las Vegas firm showed it sold a plane last year that should not be on the tax rolls for this year.

Local news briefs for March 30, 2000: The FBI and local law enforcement agencies arrested a woman Wednesday in connection with a string of bank robberies in Las Vegas and Henderson.

Nellis airman killed on range: In a terse news release issued Wednesday, the base described the dead person as an "active duty military member." The news release said the other person was "slightly injured."

Letter: Van driver must shoulder blame: With the possibility of lawsuits being filed, seeking large monetary settlements, it makes me wonder who would be blamed if the driver of the van happened to be a multibillionaire.

Animal Ark reborn after fires: Looming above green grass sprouts, stark charcoal skeletons of 100-year-old juniper trees stand silent, row upon row.

Woman settles video gambling lawsuit: AIKEN, S.C. -- An Aiken County mother who claimed that video poker establishments took advantage of her son's gambling addiction has settled her lawsuit.

Columnist Spencer Patterson: Three schools to battle in Sunrise: Spencer Patterson; After three weeks of appetizers, Nevada prep baseball fans finally get the main course they've been waiting for on Friday.

Casino profits dispute prompts recall campaign in Michigan: The council's majority says profit sharing among individuals has not been ruled out, but that housing, education and health programs should be higher priorities.

Mirage shareholder sues over Wynn's art options: Grace Leong; A Mirage Resorts Inc. shareholder is suing to stall the possible sale of much of the prized art at the Bellagio to Mirage Chairman and Chief Executive Steve Wynn at what the shareholder calls a bargain price.

'Big' weekend on tap in LV: Steve Guiremand; Here are the five exhibition games on tap at Cashman Field:

One is the loneliest number: Dick Benoit; UNLV graduate 2nd Lt. Nakia Reddin represents a transition between the old UNLV program -- which closed in 1993 -- and the new program that allows Southern Nevada students to take advantage of ROTC.

Psychiatric evaluation ordered for slaying suspect: Kim Smith; The arraignment of a former New Yorker accused of shooting to death another New Yorker at the Stardust hotel-casino in February has been delayed, pending a psychiatric evaluation.

Appeal seeks county phone records: CARSON CITY -- Chief Justice Bob Rose, wondering why Clark County wants to keep its telephone records confidential, said the Nevada Supreme Court on at least three occasions released its phone records to reporters.

Letter: Corporations not good for casinos: I think the state of Nevada should buy out all corporation-owned casinos, and run them by the dictates of the Nevada Gaming Commission.

Defense: Toss wiretap in murder-for-hire case: CARSON CITY -- A defense lawyer told the Nevada Supreme Court Wednesday that information was withheld when Metro Police sought permission from a judge to eavesdrop on telephone conversations of Heath Illiescu, who was later charged with hiring a man to kill his business partner.

Three officers cleared in shootings: Keith Paul; Three Metro Police officers' actions during shootings earlier this year were determined to be within department guidelines by a use-of-force board this week.

New Bandits owner will use Tark as model: Victoria Sun; Former UNLV basketball player Jackie Robinson says he will employ a philosophy backed by former UNLV basketball coach Jerry Tarkanian when he attempts to generate more support for the Las Vegas Silver Bandits of the International Basketball League.

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

Opening statements Friday morning in Binion murder case: A jury of nine women and three men was selected Tuesday to hear the case, which has gained international attention. The trial is expected to take six to eight weeks.

Regent's mom 'fiercely independent': In the early 1930s Gladys Hilton journeyed from her native Brooklyn to Hollywood to work for Max Factor, the legendary makeup artist to the stars.

Casino execs named to board: During the organization's annual meeting, members voted to change the bylaws to give casino operators full voting rights and at least two seats on GAMMA's board of directors. Elected to the board were Gregg Solomon, senior vice president of operations, Mandalay Resort Group, and Bruce Rowe, vice president of slots and research and development for Harrah's Entertainment Inc.

Bandits top Trenton in front of big crowd: Zack Hall; There was a buzz in the air Wednesday night when the Las Vegas Silver Bandits took the floor at the Thomas & Mack Center.

Census workers go for the hard count: Mean dogs. Snow drifts. Desert dwellers. Outdated maps. Anti-government activists. Undocumented immigrants leery of government employees.

Columnist Dean Juipe: Vargas in peak form to fight Quartey: Dean Juipe; Fernando Vargas couldn't say it often enough: His condition is exemplary and he's ready, at 22 years old and with a mere 18 fights behind him, to defeat veteran Ike Quartey when they fight April 15 at the Mandalay Bay Events Center.

Federal grand jury probing Nevada pharmacies: David Strow; The U.S. attorney's office in Las Vegas is conducting an investigation into possible fraudulent drug sales by unnamed pharmacies in Nevada.

LV company sold to Chicago firm: Terms of the deal were not disclosed.

Aladdin mall developer selling some assets: Proceeds from the sales, the Toronto-based company said, will be used to fund a $500 million stock buyback program, as well as technology investments related to the TrizecHahn's real estate assets.

Obituaries for March 30, 2000: Harry R. Belcastro Sr., 76, of Las Vegas died Tuesday in a local hospital. He was born March 6, 1924, in Chicago. A resident for 23 years, he was a retired medical technologist and a World War II Army veteran.

Columnist Ron Kantowski: Ex-Rebel lacks 'rap' in the IBL: For the Silver Bandits' sake, let's hope that new owners/former Rebels Jackie Robinson, Mike Loyd, Flintie Ray Williams (and whatever silent partners they may have) are better at running a minor league basketball franchise than they were at making records.

Community news briefs for March 30, 2000: Southern Nevada Adult Mental Health Services is offering a free lecture, "Toward Understanding the Family," from 6-7 p.m. Wednesday at 6161 W. Charleston Blvd., Building 1, Multipurpose Room.

Developer wants Henderson funds to help with toxic cleanup: Valerie Miller; The developer of a master-planned community wants to use close to $40 million in Henderson redevelopment funds to close and move Titanium Metals Corp.'s toxic ponds.

Adelson wins round in court against Culinary: Grace Leong; Venetian owner Sheldon Adelson has won the right to a court trial on his claim that Culinary Workers Union Local No. 226 violated a 1994-1997 collective bargaining agreement with the old Sands Hotel & Casino.

Vasser team to skip LVMS event: Jimmy Vasser finally got to turn some laps at Las Vegas Motor Speedway. But his Wednesday test session in preparation for the Indianapolis 500 may be his last action on his home track -- unless LVMS lands a Championship Auto Racing Teams (CART) race.

Ex-employee's suit dismissed by judge: The employee, Dennis Krum, claims he was told by the family that he could live in a home owned by the Becker family, developer of Arizona Charlie's, for 10 years, rent free, "in consideration for many years of faithful service." Ernie Becker died last June.

UNLV softball team loses two to Fullerton: UNLV softball team loses two to Fullerton

Judge to consider lifting gag order: District Judge Joseph Bonaventure has set an 8 a.m. Friday hearing to decide whether to lift a gag order on the high-profile Ted Binion murder case.

Bryan helps defeat flag amendment: Benjamin Grove; WASHINGTON -- Sen. Richard Bryan's switch Wednesday helped defeat a proposed constitutional amendment empowering Congress to ban the desecration of the American flag.

Sides are ready for long-awaited start of Binion murder case: Las Vegans at long last will get a chance Friday to hear attorneys on both sides in the Ted Binion murder case explain their theories on the wealthy gambling figure's well-publicized death.

Lizards, snakes prompt charges: Kim Smith; A federal grand jury went to the zoo Wednesday, in a manner of speaking.

Plan for deadbeat dads nixed: Benjamin Grove; WASHINGTON -- President Clinton has dropped his proposal to make casinos responsible for holding the winnings of deadbeat parents, White House officials have confirmed.