Print edition for May 4, 2000

D'Allesandro says video gambling effective, safe state revenue for New Hampshire: Rebecca Mahoney; At a news conference Wednesday, Sen. Lou D'Allesandro said video gambling at race tracks and two grand hotels would increase state revenues without new taxes. A Senate-passed gambling bill come before the House on Thursday.

No bail release - for now - for former Nevada death-row inmate: Brendan Riley; While efforts continue to free him on bail, Mazzan - who spent 20 years on Nevada's death row - will remain behind bars for now. He faces a July 10 retrial in Washoe County District Court.

Casino regulators get earful on gambling problems: James Webb; Other efforts may include a public awareness campaign and a voluntary policy under which gamblers could go to a state agency to have themselves banned from all of the state's floating casinos, Chairman Gregory C. Jones said following the board's first-ever hearing on compulsive gambling. Any such efforts would be a marked departure for the state, which has done little to address the issue since legalizing riverboat gambling in 1990.

Environmentalists will petition for new rules after mining appeal loss: Scott Sonner; "The reason we lost this case is the way the regulations are written. They are written with a loophole big enough to drive a large waste truck through," said Tom Myers, director of the Great Basin Mine Watch.

BLM releases details of plan to restore Great Basin: Sandra Chereb; But to do nothing leaves a large chunk of the West prone to devastating wildfires and perpetuates a vicious cycle in which invading weeds and grasses overtake native vegetation, providing volatile tinder for yet more wildfires.

Collins' gambling boat disappears off South Carolina harbor: The 383-foot ship has been in a legal battle with the State Ports Authority since last summer because the port would not allow the gambling ship to dock at its facilities. So the boat was anchored in the harbor awaiting the outcome of that court case.

No deliberations again today in Edwards trial: Natalie Gott; Jurors did not deliberate either Tuesday or Wednesday because of similar meetings.

Casino employees get cosmetic surgery in insurance fraud scheme: Angie Wagner; Authorities have uncovered a widespread health-care fraud scheme in which workers at the MGM Grand hotel-casino and other Las Vegas casinos were recruited to have plastic surgery.

DNA eliminates student as father of ex-teacher's child: Chief Deputy District Attorney David Clifton said Wednesday that saliva samples from Flanary and her 3-month-old daughter were compared with those of her husband and the student.

Boxer turns himself in on dogfighting and domestic assault charges: He is suspected of running a dogfighting kennel on his girlfriend's property in northeastern Sherburne County in central Minnesota and making crude, amateur videotapes to teach other people how to raise and train fighting dogs.

Letter: Lady Diana crusaded for victims of mines: Lady Diana, the former princess of England, was a crusader in eliminating the mine fields. We really need more people like Lady Diana to get involved in getting rid of the mine fields that cause torture and maim and kill so many innocent victims.

Army Reserve captain awarded Soldier's Medal for heroism: Dick Benoit; Maj. Gen. Tony Clark, adjutant general of the Nevada National Guard, awarded Army Reserve Capt. William S. Wynn the Soldier's Medal during ceremonies April 8 at the Silver Flag training facility near Indian Springs.

Where I Stand -- Brian Greenspun: GOP ads waste of time: I am a nuclear waste partisan.

This week's races: WINSTON CUP

Coulthard prepares for Spanish GP: Robert Millward; LONDON - The day after surviving an air crash that killed the two pilots, Formula One star David Coulthard was back to his usual routine and preparing for Sunday's Spanish Grand Prix.

Editorial: Brokering this deal is tough: Although both House and Senate plans would allow a patient to appeal denial of coverage to an outside panel and ensure that a patient could use any hospital in the event of an emergency, the similarities pretty much end there. The Republican-drafted plan in the Senate would cover just 55 million Americans and wouldn't guarantee the patient the right to sue his HMO. In contrast, the House proposal not only has earned bipartisan support, but it also is a genuine patient's bill of rights. The House bill covers all people who have private insurance -- 161 million -- and ensures ...

Spencer trying to recapture winning feeling: Mike Harris; The lowest point in Jimmy Spencer's career came when he decided last month that his team might be better off without him.

United Airlines using bigger plans on Reno-Denver route: In addition, United Airlines is adding a new Saturday-only shuttle from Reno to San Francisco.

Columnist Joe Delaney: 'Splash' much better at Riviera: Joe Delaney; "Splash," revisited. ... On April 27 the UNLV hotel entertainment class and this columnist joined a capacity crowd at the Riviera to see the revised and now finely-honed edition of the long-running production. ... World-class ice skaters, medal winners Inna Gregorian and Mikhail Panin, along with Victoria Bilyeu, are the new centerpiece.

PCL Box: Stars 13, Sidewinders 1: E--Counsell, Spivey 2, Sell. DP--Las Vegas 1. LOB--Tucson 7, Las Vegas 9. 2B--Mitchell, Vitiello, Nicholson. HR--Darr (2), Williams (3). SB--Milliard, Darr.

Problem juror kicked off case of former Louisiana goveror Edwards: Natalie Gott; U.S. District Judge Frank Polozola gave no reason for the highly unusual move but told the remaining 11 jurors to go back and try to reach a verdict.

Letter: Lawyer's defense tactic ridiculous: In this case, the evidence against Williams is overwhelming and known to many. For her attorney to be so bold and blatant in his defense is a joke. If he truly believes the remark he made, why doesn't he also suggest the makers of the van as responsible, or the gas station owner where she got gas for the van or the highway department workers who made the road?

Obituaries for May 4, 2000: Robert C. Bassett, 89, of Las Vegas died Tuesday in Las Vegas. He was born March 2, 1911, in Sturgeon Bay, Wis. He was a lawyer, labor negotiator, publisher of the Milwaukee Sentinel, vice president of the Joseph Schlitz Brewing Co. in Milwaukee, founder of Bassett Publishing Co. in Chicago, a member of the board of regents of the University of Wisconsin from 1958-1961, a member of President Nixon's Pay Board and on the board of directors of the National Small Business Association from 1968-1973.

Editorial: Bank titan doesn't want privacy bills: What nonsense. First, financial institutions that swap sensitive information, such as medical records and Social Security numbers, without the customer's knowledge is a breach of privacy. Second, it was banks and insurance companies that used their clout last year to get a federal law passed that gave its blessing to such privacy abuses. If anything, legislators have been asleep at the switch regarding privacy -- they hardly can be accused of exploiting the issue.

Station to expand Boulder Station's Railhead: In winning the award, Station held off competition from Las Vegas competitor Boyd Gaming, which was nominated for Sam's Town Tunica. Other nominees included Casino Magic in Biloxi, Miss., Foxwoods in Connecticut and Horseshoe Casino in Robinsonville, Miss.

Columnist Ruthe Deskin: Reopening the case on steel traps: Ruthe Deskin; Sunshine is a beautiful golden retriever who loves running along with her owner as she rides her mountain bike in nearby hills. The dog's joy was horribly curtailed during a recent outing when she was caught in the cold, unyielding jaws of a steel trap.

Sierra Pacific, Montana Power subsidiaries form partnership: Called Sierra Touch America, the partnership will also assume partial interest in the fiber networks SPC has in Reno and Las Vegas.

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

Friday's horse racing entries: Post Time 1:10 p.m.

Riverboat operator posts improved earnings: Revenues took a much more significant jump, rising 115 percent to $258 million, while cash flow rose 104 percent to $73 million.

Blind singers take on Las Vegas: What: Outasight.

Fight schedule: Friday

Raggio files for eighth term in state Senate: Republicans have a 12-9 edge in the Senate, and while Senate Minority Leader Dina Titus, D-Las Vegas, wants to change that, Raggio said it's unlikely.

Legal battle drags on Rosemont casino, settlement talks haven't worked: James Webb; William Quinlan, an attorney for Rosemont, confirmed the settlement talks after a hearing before the 2nd District Appellate Court, which is trying to decide whether the case should be heard in Lake County or Cook County.

Letter: America needs to wake up: There are so many people worrying about burning the flag, I suppose they don't have time to see what is really happening with the CIA, the IRS, the INS, the FBI, 44 million Americans with no health benefits (and 11 million children with no health plan), millions of Americans sleeping under bridges (half of them mentally ill and many being veterans), HMOs denying senior citizens the medication they need, the WACO disaster, the president donating billions of our dollars to other countries, and American people going hungry.

New Hampshire House refuses to take up gambling bill: Norma Love; The House voted 250-100 against considering the proposal.

Quiet Vasser making some noise: Mike Harris; Jimmy Vasser has become "the other guy."

Community news briefs for May 4, 2000: The Nevada Hotel and Motel Association will present "Going the Extra Mile," a one-day service skills seminar for front desk employees 9 a.m.-3:30 p.m. Tuesday at the Orleans hotel-casino, 4500 W. Tropicana Ave.

Ralph Siraco's selections for Friday's races at Hollywood Park: 1st Race -- Sonata Style - Gomez on Hendricks trainee, fits this spot, should get good trip. Virtual - draws good post, Pincay aboard Jory trainee, another that could trip out. Value Play -- Elderberry

Pathologist suggests Binion committed suicide: Robert Macy; Dr. Cyril Wecht, coroner of Allegheny County, Pa., said he believed the cause of Binion's death was drug overdose, and that it could have been accidental or suicidal.

Sports betting publication loses court ruling over name: The 3rd U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals ruled that Sporting News deserves trademark protection -- even though the name is not very unusual -- because it's famous among readers of sports periodicals.

Columnist Spencer Patterson: Wranglings in court delay northern tournament: Spencer Patterson; The Sunrise and Sunset Region baseball tournaments are under way in Southern Nevada, but in the state's northern half, battles are being waged in an entirely different arena -- Washoe County District Court.

Shufford steps up to main event: Dean Juipe; Anyone in Las Vegas who has followed boxing for the past decade or so is apt to have at least a vague familiarity with the Shufford family.

Fish variety diminishing as species spread across America: Randolph E. Schmid; The great diversity is disappearing as species popular with fishermen and cooks are introduced where they do not occur naturally, fish ecologist Frank J. Rahel reports in Friday's issue of the journal Science.

Hard Rock reports record earnings: In the year-ago period, Hard Rock Hotel Inc. earned $500,000. Hard Rock attributed the powerful surge in earnings to the expansion project completed last May that added 318 rooms to the off-Strip property, as well as cost-controlling measures.

Columnist Dean Juipe: Phillips draw leaves trainer wavering: Dean Juipe; Kenny Adams made it clear last week that he would be leaving as Vince Phillips' trainer in the event Phillips did not defeat Ricky Quiles when the two junior welterweights fought last Friday in Lafayette, La.

Grand jury charges one in bank robberies: Caroline Moyra Mullen was charged in U.S. District Court on Wednesday on six charges, including two counts of armed bank robbery, two counts of bank robbery, using a firearm during a crime and interference with commerce by threats of violence.

April warmer, drier than usual in Nevada as warm streak continues: Scott Sonner; "Western Nevada has been the Banana Belt with all 12 months since April 1999 above normal," climatologist John James said Thursday.

Candidates Bernstein, Moers unlike as can be: CARSON CITY -- Lawyer Edward Bernstein says he's poured $500,000 of his own money so far into his campaign for the U.S. Senate. His opponent in the Democratic primary election, Ronald Moers, says it was a chore for him to raise the $500 filing fee to enter the race.

Regional prep baseball tournament results, schedules: 4A SUNRISE REGION TOURNAMENT

Behind the scenes: Carl Barbeau and Todd Imboden: Contribution to prep sports: Barbeau, in his 23rd year in the Clark County School District, has spent the past three years as his school's athletic adminis-trator. For the next two weeks, he is also serving as the tournament director for the Sunrise Region Baseball Tournament at Henderson's Burkholder Field. "I've always been involved in sports myself," said Barbeau, a former Rancho football, wrestling and track coach. "I just enjoy working with kids." As the Sunrise Tournament director, Barbeau is responsible for organizing the event's staff and securing the Burkholder Park area so that admission can be collected for all tournament ...

Regional tournament baseball box scores: Akbari, Cidre, (3), Rodriguez (3) and Akbari; Wickman, Downing (4) and Rojas, McPherson (4). W-Wickman. L-Wiser. 2B: Val-Morgan; Sil-Eshragh, West, Morvay. 3B: Sil-Ruiz. HR: Sil-Nielsen.

McDonald MIA at City Hall: Erin Neff; The man who was once purported to be the Las Vegas shadow mayor is increasingly little more than a shadow.

Sun Top 10 softball poll: Rankings determined by the Las Vegas Sun and Sparks Tribune.

Wednesday's prep results: Palo Verde 215, Cimarron-Memorial 219 Medalist: Jeremy Keller (PV) -- 39

Sun Top 10 Baseball Poll: Rankings determined by the Las Vegas Sun and Sparks Tribune.

Door-to-door census takers have tough job ahead: The effort to count Nevada's population has so far gone well, but the toughest part is only beginning, state and federal officials told a state legislative committee Wednesday.

Coyotes slip to 16th: Coyotes slip to 16th

Higher fuel prices hurting LV bus, taxi operators: Some Las Vegas taxicab drivers say they are starting to feel the pinch of higher gas prices on their paychecks.

Wynns out of sports arena plans: Erin Neff and Adrienne Packer; The momentum, prestige and power behind plans for a sports arena and performing arts center have become distracting for the couple who originally initiated the talks.

La Nina threatens a real scorcher for Las Vegas this spring, summer: Heat waves are rising, cars are like ovens and the wind feels like a hair dryer in hell.

Power merger worries state regulators: The Public Utilities Commission of Nevada is concerned that Nevada Power's parent company will attempt to get Nevadans to pay for an acquisition premium in its $3.1 billion merger with an Oregon utility company.

Sun Athletes of the Week: Matt Elliot and Keely Commerford: School: Basic

J.C. Penney chief executive to retire: PLANO, Texas -- J.C. Penney Co. Inc.'s chairman and chief executive announced today that he will retire from the troubled retail chain and a search for his successor has already begun.

Catching up with: Stephanie Keever: High School: Cimarron-Memorial ('97)

Economic, social status big factors in test scores: Valerie Miller; Apparently money not only talks, it also makes a difference in children's learning.

Developer wins battle to have flood channel moved: Adrienne Packer; Representatives for developer Jim Rhodes were successful Wednesday in their effort to remove a planned flood channel from his property and relocate it on public land where two golf courses are to be built.

IBL honors three Bandits: IBL honors three Bandits

Bigger, controversial casino gains approval: Diana Sahagun; Despite concerns from residents, the North Las Vegas City Council opened the door Wednesday for Station Casinos Inc. to build Craig Ranch Station on Martin Luther King Boulevard just south of Craig Road.

Wildfires are likely to follow: Jace Radke; With a warmer than normal summer predicted across the West, fire-fighting agencies are gearing up for what could be a long wildfire season.

New fiber-optic network to link to LV: Sierra Pacific Communications, a division of Sierra Pacific Resources Inc., the parent company of Nevada Power, announced today it will build a $100 million 750-mile network that will enhance data, voice and image transmission in the West.

Murphy sobs as dramatic tape is played in court: Sandy Murphy openly sobbed in court today as her defense lawyer played an emotional 13-minute tape of a hospital interview she gave a Metro Police detective after the death of her boyfriend, Ted Binion.

Las Vegas-Mexico flights to begin June 15: AeroMexico, Mexico's largest airline, will launch flights between Hermosillo and Las Vegas' McCarran International Airport June 15, one week after Virgin Atlantic Airlines begins flying twice a week between Gatwick International Airport in London and Las Vegas.

Officer spoke of possible wiretap: Jeff German and Steve Kanigher; The man who runs Metro Police's Secret Witness program is one of the voices on a tape-recorded phone conversation suggesting police were wiretapping defense lawyers in the Billy Walters money-laundering case, the Sun has learned.

Rebel golfers roll to win in Mountain West event: Leading the charge was UNLV senior All-American Michael Kirk, who shot his third straight subpar round to capture the individual title.

Prep Softball standings: SUNRISE REGION

North Las Vegas briefs for May 4, 2000: The city on Wednesday launched its new website after more than eight months in development at a cose of $5,000 to create.

Columnist Ron Kantowski: New rodeo tour boost for Las Vegas: It has become a pillar on the local sports landscape, yet Las Vegans always have had at least two major beefs with the National Finals Rodeo.

City Council briefs for May 4, 2000: Here is how the Las Vegas City Council voted Wednesday to spend taxpayer money:

Mosley: Charges should be dismissed: CARSON CITY -- District Judge Donald Mosley says charges that he misused his office to grant judicial favors should be dismissed because they are untrue and because the complaint against him is improper and violates his constitutional rights.

Cimarron avoids upset bid by Western: Zack Hall; Some people questioned the inclusion of the Western High baseball team in this year's 4A Sunset Region Tournament, given its 8-18 record.

Boys Golf standings: SUNRISE REGION

Wagonseller quits post amid sex allegations: Spencer Patterson; Longtime Bishop Gorman boys basketball coach Jeff Wagonseller has left the school, resigning amid six-year-old allegations of sexual misconduct with a former Gorman student.

Stars suspend Andujar: Steve Guiremand; Pitcher Luis Andujar has apparently played his final game with the Las Vegas Stars.

On-the-job training: Victoria Sun; When Las Vegas Silver Bandits swingman DeeAndre Hulett streaks down the basketball court like a sprinter before weaving his lean frame into the lane filled with defenders only to dunk over all of them, it's not a spur-of-the-moment decision.

Dischavio's arm carries Las Vegas to playoff win: Spencer Patterson; Two days after receiving Southern Nevada's top pitching honor from area coaches, Las Vegas High senior John Dischavio went out and proved he deserved it.

UNLV notebook: Rebels host Air Force to close regular season: The UNLV baseball team will host Air Force Friday through Sunday in the Rebels' final regular-season homestand at Wilson Stadium.

Prep Baseball standings: CLASS 4A

Two to seek commission seats again: Commissioners Bruce Woodbury, a Republican, and Mary Kincaid, a Democrat, filed Wednesday, as did former Republican Assemblyman Jack D. Close, who is seeking a return to the District 15 Assembly seat.

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

Boys Volleyball standings: SUNRISE REGION

County OKs new casino rules: The board passed the ordinance, introduced by Commissioners Yvonne Atkinson Gates and Bruce Woodbury, shortly after a controversial neighborhood casino vote in January.

Local news briefs for May 4, 2000: A 27-year-old Las Vegas woman was killed Wednesday evening after she tried to make a left turn and drove into the path of an oncoming pickup, Metro Police said.

Pupils across country "visit" battlefield by satellite, Internet: Jim Strader; Park rangers and Civil War re-enactors took part in a televised "field trip" broadcast live by satellite to schools in more than 30 states. Wednesday's hour-long program was created as growing interest in the park forced officials to turn away increasing numbers of pupils every year.