Print edition for May 11, 2000

Stars swept by Rainiers: After waiting more than 90 minutes to start their doubleheader with the Tacoma Rainiers because of rain, the Stars (19-11) managed just nine hits and one run in getting swept in the two games, 2-0 and 3-1.

PCL Box: Game One - Rainers 2, Stars 0: Time--1:34. Umpires: HP--Haze; 1B--Taylor; 2B--Brandt; 3B--Rea.

Harrington expansion to open Thursday: Six new cashier windows and 400 slot machines have been added, bringing Midway's total number of slots to 1,151. Two restaurants - Midway Mike's Diner and the International Buffet - were also created.

Serious crime down in Nevada - with some exceptions: Brendan Riley; The overall decline for the three communities parallels a national trend - although experts have said there are signs the trend is bottoming out.

EPA promises new arsenic standards after environmental group sues White House: Bart Jansen; J. Charles Fox, the EPA's assistant administrator for water, acknowledged the agencies involved could have done a better job in meeting a legally mandated Jan. 1 deadline to revise the current standards, which are in "no way protective of public health."

AG upholds meeting violations by Board of Regents: CARSON CITY -- The state attorney general's office said Wednesday it would not withdraw its findings that the university Board of Regents twice violated Nevada's open meeting law on issues involving Richard Moore, the newly appointed president of the proposed state college in Henderson.

Credit cards are at issue: "By stopping the most common means for getting into gambling on the Internet, this legislation is a common-sense approach for dealing with a growing international problem," House Banking and Financial Services Committee Chairman Jim Leach, R-Iowa, said. The bill would also ban use of debit cards and electronic fund transfers.

Judge nominees clear Senate panel: WASHINGTON -- Two Nevada judges today cleared another hurdle in Congress on their way to the federal bench.

Business leaders say governor should consider spending cuts: Phil Stout, head of the Nevada Association of Independent Businesses, said concerns over budget shortfalls puts pressure on the legislature to look at ways to cut spending.

LV air tour industry may be looking at winter shutdowns: Grand Canyon air tour operators say they'd have to shut down in the winter months and hope they can survive the rest of the year if their lawsuit filed in Washington D.C. Tuesday fails.

Winds slam Las Vegas Valley: Jace Radke; The license plates on Ed Baba's classic 1970 Chevrolet Blazer read "Slamd70," because the tricked-out truck is "slammed" so it rides low to the ground.

Magician in dispute with sign company: Lance Burton Inc. is affiliated with the Strip magician by that name performing at the Monte Carlo hotel-casino.

MGM hints at asset sales after merger, sets cost-savings target: Steve Green and Richard N. Velotta; MGM Grand Inc. on Wednesday spelled out in more detail how it expects to profit from its landmark $6.4 billion acquisition of Mirage Resorts Inc. that is expected to close this summer.

Center more than advocate for crime victims: Kim Smith; Information

CFO wins license despite failure to disclose DUI: Scott LaPorta, 37, executive vice president and chief financial officer and treasurer for the company, was arrested for driving under the influence of alcohol, but the charge was reduced to reckless driving. Still, the three members of the board chastised LaPorta for failing to disclose the incident to board investigators when he applied for a license in 1996.

House panel considers $300 million bill to clean up Lake Tahoe: Bart Jansen; The gas additive MTBE is creeping toward the lake at a rate of 9 feet per day, according to Duane Wallace, board member of the South Tahoe Public Utility Department.

Fight schedule: Tonight

Colorado Racing Commission approves Instant Racing machines: Chris Lehourites; The 5-0 commission vote Wednesday to approve the use of Instant Racing machines affirmed a temporary OK given the games last winter.

Petition formed to oppose Neal gaming tax proposal: CARSON CITY -- A liquor dealer with ties to the gaming industry has formed a committee to gather more than 80,000 signatures opposing the initiative petition by Sen. Joe Neal, D-North Las Vegas, to raise the tax by 80 percent on big casinos.

Unpaid bills alleged in suit against vacation firm: In a Clark County District Court suit, Boardwalk said it agreed in 1998 to reserve five of its hotel rooms at special rates for all clients recommended by Florida Travel Network Inc. between Jan. 3, 1999, and Dec. 28, 1999.

Kansas dog track owners hope to begin simulcasting races this month: "We have submitted all the required elements and are waiting for approvals from the commission on track officials we have nominated," said W. Kip Keefer, executive manager for Camptown and Wichita Greyhound Park.

Stratosphere rejects Icahn offer: But the company indicated it's willing to talk about a buyout with Icahn at a higher price.

Construction begins soon on northeast Missouri's first casino: John Morthland, a Hannibal attorney representing the casino, said developers will accept bids until May 24 and will award contracts soon after.

Gov. Guinn to Diners Club: No free meal here: CARSON CITY -- The state Board of Examiners, headed by Gov. Kenny Guinn, refused Wednesday to renew a $6 million-a-year contract with Diners Club and sent the state's buyers back to the negotiating table with the credit card company.

Columnist Ron Kantowski: LV Bowl destined for mediocrity: There is a scene in the movie "Caddyshack" in which Carl the Greenskeeper (Bill Murray) is trying to explain his bright future to one of the skeptical bag boys.

Drivers indicted in separate car accidents: Both women are suspected of driving while high on marijuana and the hallucinogenic drug ecstasy.

Annual credit card fees rejected by state: The board told state Purchasing Division employees to go to Diners Club and come back next month with a better deal. No Diners Club representatives were present during the meeting Wednesday.

Jury: Former governor, co-defendants should forfeit nearly $2.6 million: Natalie Gott; Edwards was convicted Tuesday with his son, Stephen Edwards, and the three others of racketeering and fraud for schemes that took place during and after the elder Edwards left office in 1996. Two other defendants, including a state senator, were acquitted.

Edwards' brother pulls for convicted ex-governor from Arkansas: Chuck Bartels; While his sibling sought - and achieved - power in Louisiana, Allan served in the Marine Corps and in 1962 bought a 400-acre cattle farm at Quitman, Ark., where he still lives.

Metro takes over union audit: Keith Paul; Already faced with a power struggle inside the Metro Police union and hundreds of officers quitting the association, union officials were told Wednesday Metro's administration was taking over the audit of the union's self-funded health plan.

Edwards trial juror: Tapes of defendants' wiretapped conversations convincing: Hamilton, an elementary school teacher, was the first juror to speak publically about the case.

Gaming leaders: Mississippi's rules keeping industry clean: "Louisiana created its own monster by having just 15 licenses," said former casino executive Mark Bradley of Baton Rouge.

May snow flurries, below-freezing temps hit northern Nevada: Reno froze at 28 while just 30 miles away, Carson City stopped at 36 as six months of record warmth ended with Wednesday's bitter winds and scattered snow.

FBI report shows crime rate falling as population grows: Keith Paul; The amount of crime in Las Vegas continued to fall last year -- even as the area population increases each month -- following the nationwide trend for most of the 1990s, according to the FBI's Uniform Crime Report.

Planet Hollywood emerges from Chapter 11 reorganization: The reorganization has provided $30 million in new investment, $25 million in new credit facilities and has significantly reduced the outstanding debt, the restaurant chain said.

PCL Box: Game Two - Rainers 3, Stars 1: WP-- Ahearne.

Bonnie Fairchild, Bryan's mother-in-law dies at 94: Franklin died Tuesday in Lodi, Calif., her birthplace and her lifelong town of residency.

Leviathan Mine getting Superfund designation: Tom Gardner; "This is fantastic news," Sen. Richard Bryan, D-Nev., said Wednesday. "The Leviathan Mine is nothing short of an environmental nightmare, but this assistance will finally help us correct the problem at its source."

Air pollution agencies revamp in the wind: A significant reorganization of Southern Nevada's air pollution agencies is in the wind, with proposals coming from various quarters but all with one theme: Bring the agencies together.

Lady Rebels to hold camps: All three camps will feature instruction from college and high school coaches, individual and team competitions, player evaluations and a T-shirt for each camper.

Top economist bullish on Reno-area economy: Scott Sonner; "I'm really very positive or bullish about the local economy," said Sung Won Sohn, an executive vice president for Wells Fargo & Co. and a former senior economist on the President's Council of Economic Advisers.

Judge's injunction halts horse-healing seminars: CARSON CITY -- A district judge has issued a preliminary injunction stopping an Illinois chiropractor from staging horse-healing seminars in Las Vegas and Reno.

Marc Anthony weds former Miss Universe in Las Vegas: After the Blockbuster Entertainment Awards Tuesday in Los Angeles, Anthony, 31, and Torres, 25, hopped a private jet to Las Vegas for the ceremony in a suite at the Desert Inn hotel-casino.

Prep Baseball final standings: CLASS 4A

Penn Jillette makes Peppermill booth re-appear: Kimberley McGee; When Penn Jillette, the deadpan vocal half of the comedy/magic team of Penn & Teller, designed his Las Vegas home six years ago he had a booth from the Peppermill Inn measured and built into his kitchen nook -- replicated down to the little glass sugar jars and wooden salt-and-pepper shakers that sit on the tables.

Columnist Ruthe Deskin: Parents could use lessons in parenting: Ruthe Deskin; Think about it.

Construction mogul Robert Helms dies: Helms was working as a Sierra Pacific lineman in 1951 when he bought the five trucks at auction, repaired them, then leased them to Sierra Pacific.

Catching up with: Josh Laidlaw: High School: Cheyenne ('97)

Columnist Dean Juipe: Arum accused of meddling: Dean Juipe; Dan Goossen was on the phone -- and on the warpath.

Editorial: A lengthy search sure isn't helpful: A search committee says it expects, through a national search, to find a permanent replacement by this fall -- but this would be more than one year after Jarvis' departure. It is difficult to find qualified people -- especially for a thankless position in which someone has to answer to an often-feuding Board of Regents -- but this lengthy vacancy has been a disservice to the students and faculty of these institutions.

Park Place exec gets license, scolding: After hearing the apology from Scott LaPorta, the gambling giant's executive vice president, chief financial officer and treasurer, the board voted 3-0 Wednesday for a conditional finding of suitability as a corporate officer.

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

Editorial: Forests aided by this plan: What the Clinton administration proposed Tuesday was a ban on road building in federal forests, which should account for about 43 million acres. While environmentalists were pleased with that part of the equation, which the timber industry officials denounced, they were unhappy the ban won't apply to existing roads. But exempting current roads, and leaving the decision to local foresters to determine uses, such as whether off-road vehicles can access these paths, is sensible. A sweeping prohibition on some existing roads would have set off a firestorm of controversy, especially if it would have precluded access to roads that have ...

Friday's horse racing entries: Post Time 7 p.m.

The Peppermill Inn is a throwback to classic Vegas: Kimberley McGee; The Peppermill Inn, on Las Vegas Boulevard South, is one of the few local places that has preserved a piece of the Las Vegas that was in the flashy '70s -- when mob bosses met under clandestine arrangements and showgirls mingled in the dark lounges that peppered the Strip.

Ceremony to honor black athletes at UNLV: Steve Guiremand; USC, Stanford, UCLA, Cal and Oklahoma are among the schools that do it. So why not UNLV?

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

Ralph Siraco's selections for Friday's races at Hollywood Park: 1st Race -- Our Lady T - Nakatani aboard Marshall trainee, good post, good spot for graduation. Excessively Sharp - Flores on Baffert runner, needs prompt start and clean trip from rail post. Value Play -- Our Here Tiz

Three appointed to Air Force Academy: Dick Benoit; Three graduates of the Class of 2000 from the Las Vegas Valley have accepted appointments to the United States Air Force Academy in Colorado Springs, Colo.

Swarm is next up for Bandits: Victoria Sun; Beating New Mexico in overtime to advance to the second round of the inaugural International Basketball League playoffs gave the Silver Bandits a taste of what they hunger for -- an IBL championship.

Media Partners for Pets helping halt euthanasias: David Clayton; What: Media Partners for Pets.

Prep Boys Golf final standings: CLASS 4A

Villeneuve weighs future with BAR: Stephen Wade; BARCELONA, Spain - Jacques Villeneuve is facing one of the toughest decisions of his life.

Highway Patrol radios don't mesh with all agencies: "This is a confusing mess," Budget Director Perry Comeaux told board members on Wednesday. "I have received very differing opinions on what is the proper radio system."

Prep Boys Volleyball final standings: CLASS 4A

Prep Softball final standings: CLASS 4A

Letter: Ensign doesn't deserve raves: JAMES POUPARD

Ensign files second time for U.S. Senate: The Republican candidate for the Senate seat that Democrat Richard Bryan is giving up also said his campaign budget is about $5 million, and he's more than halfway toward that goal.

Rebels brokering deal with ESPN: Steve Addy; The next time you tune in a Rebels football or basketball game, brace yourself for the familiar ESPN theme music, over and over.

Couser defends Tyson in strip-club 'incident': Dean Juipe; Among those in the crowd Monday at Cheetah's when Mike Tyson allegedly pushed a topless dancer was another professional fighter from Las Vegas, Cliff Couser.

Indy novice sees podium finish as realistic: Tim Puet; COLUMBUS, Ohio - Sam Hornish Jr. hardly sounds like a 20-year-old Indianapolis 500 rookie when he talks about the race.

Where I Stand -- Mike O'Callaghan: A weak U.N. showing: How do you hold 500 armed soldiers hostage? You had better ask the U.N. and African soldiers for an answer to this question. Units as large or larger than battalions have been surrounded in wars, but it's impossible to recall that many soldiers being held hostage.

Doctor vows to ignore ban on teaching animal chiropratics in Nevada: Tom Gardner; "I fully intend on giving seminars there, so screw them. I'm just not going to abide by it and that's all there is to it," Daniel Kamen said on Thursday.

Behind the scenes: Stuart Reid and Jane Schlosser: Contribution to prep sports: A member of the SNGA's board of directors since 1979, Reid is also a longtime member of the United State's Golf Association rules committee and has officiated U.S. Opens, NCAA Championships and Senior U.S. Opens over the years. Despite his busy schedule, he still finds time to work with young golfers, officiating local high school events like Tuesday's 4A Southern Zone Championship. "This is really where it starts for me," Reid said. "It's so important for the developing younger players." Reid works closely with Southern Nevada Junior Golf Association Executive Director Jane Schlosser to help get ...

Cimarron squeaks past Gorman in 14: Zack Hall; A strong wind wreaked havoc on the opening day of the Southern Nevada Softball Tournament Wednesday at Sunset Park.

Letter: Republicans hide the truth about Social Security: The compromise will probably be to discontinue the present program altogether, with a mere subsistence benefit paid out of the general treasury to only the poorest of seniors, forcing the vast proportion of the remainder just above the poverty line into poverty and all others will lose benefits they paid for all their working lives.

Stewart struggling with burdens of stardom: Hank Kurz Jr; Tony Stewart wants a little more racing room. Off the track.

RTC bus service ranked safest of big-city transit systems: Citizens Area Transit received the Gold Award for Safety in the American Public Transit Association's bus safety competition, the third-consecutive year that the association has selected the Las Vegas-area bus system as the nation's safest for its size.

UNLV notebook: Streaking Rebels to wrap up season at San Diego: It's finals week both in and out of the classroom for the UNLV baseball team.

Letter: Military's woes not about gender: Without female recruits willing to take on the challenges of combat training, a far more serious recruitment crisis would exist.

This week's races: NASCAR

'Little E' living up to hype: Hank Kurz Jr; Little E is living up to the hype - and his name.

Columnist Joe Delaney: Magical production takes a Westward turn: Joe Delaney; Having made the point in Friday's column, "If it's not magic, then it's impressionists on the LV stages," we're still happy to add that "Hocus Pocus, It's Fielding West" is now in the Lady Luck showroom, with 8:30 p.m. shows on Thursdays and Sundays and two shows, 7:30 and 9:30 p.m., Fridays and Saturdays, all at bargain prices.

Nevada, mining industry leads nation in toxic releases: Scott Sonner; Nevada leads the national polluter list, eclipsing Texas, as a result of the toxic releases from the mining industry, which surpassed chemical manufacturing as the top polluting industry in the country.

Community news briefs for May 11, 2000: UNLV is seeking graduates of the Las Vegas Grammar School, popularly known as the Fifth Street School.

Jurors deliberate second day in Binion case: Jurors began deliberating the fate of Sandra Murphy and Rick Tabish on Wednesday. The two are charged with murdering Binion Sept. 17, 1998, then stealing his valuables.

Brack won't defend Indy title: Mike Harris; Kenny Brack didn't take much time to make the decision that cost him his chance to defend his Indianapolis 500 title. Still, he has no regrets.

Columnist Spencer Patterson: Southern Nevada's track stars rival nation's best: Spencer Patterson; The development of Southern Nevada's prep spring sports scene has been well documented during the area's period of unprecedented growth in the last decade.

West Regional next for UNLV golf team: A field of 27 teams and six individuals will compete for the NCAA West Regional title on the par-72, 6,966-yard course.

Del Papa intervenes in case against DOE: Del Papa's office, on behalf of the Nevada Agency for Nuclear Projects, filed a 14-page brief Wednesday in the case brought by the law firm of LeBoeuf, Lamb, Greene & MacRae against the DOE in U.S. District Court in Las Vegas.

Giunchigliani files for fifth term: Giunchigliani is chairwoman of the Elections and Ethics Committee and has been a leader in senior and education issues, health and regional planning.

State formally denies wiretap accusations: By Steve Kanigher; The Nevada attorney general's office formally denied an accusation that Metro Police conducted illegal wiretaps of defense attorneys' telephones in the Billy Walters sports gambling case.

Much of Bellagio art to be sold: MGM Grand Inc. plans to sell most of the Bellagio's art collection it's obtaining in its $6.4 billion acquisition of Mirage Resorts Inc.

Property sued over tenant's murder: The body of Sabraw, who was 86 at the time she was stabbed to death on May 16, 1998, was discovered the next morning when her son came to visit. Her next-door neighbor, Wallace Siegel, 75, was found bludgeoned to death.

Obituaries for May 11, 2000: Ann B. Bricker, 83, of Henderson died Tuesday in a local care center. She was born Feb. 24, 1917, in North Star, Mich. A resident for seven months, she was a retired secretary in the retail industry.

Convicted casino cheater approved for LasVegas security contract: John Antone Bertolero told the state Gaming Control Board Wednesday he no longer associates with other "crossroaders" who cheated casinos because most of the ones he has known are dead.

Prep playoff results, schedule: 4A SUNRISE REGION TOURNAMENT

Baby is born after collision kills two: Jace Radke; A newborn and his mother are in critical condition today at University Medical Center after a crash killed two others in their car Wednesday night at the intersection of Washington Avenue and Main Street.

Stake in Nevada power plant sold for $667 million: AES Corp. plans to acquire a 70 percent stake in the 1,580-megawatt Mohave Generating Station near Laughlin for $667 million to expand in the Southwest.

Harrah's sets appearance standards: Phil Levine; Harrah's Entertainment Inc. of Las Vegas calls it a gift to employees.

Local news briefs for May 11, 2000: The District Court judge who unsealed an indictment Wednesday against a woman accused of driving the car that killed a pedestrian last month declined to increase her bail.

Winds prompt health advisory: Health officials on Wednesday advised the young, senior citizens and those with respiratory problems to stay indoors, and continued the advisory through Thursday morning or until winds drop below 40 mph. The National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration said the winds were likely to remain high through Saturday.

Retail giant plans new Vegas distribution center: A spokesman for the Cleveland, Ohio-based company said the new center would replace an existing 300,000-square-foot distribution center at 2861 Marion Drive.

Downtown plan gets citizen input: Erin Neff; Every day city officials spend hours courting businesses and thinking of ways to redevelop the aging downtown core.

Internet gambling operators cite ease of entry into the industry: David Strow; MONTREAL -- While Las Vegas may still be the gambling capital of the universe, the newest portion of the industry isn't welcome in the city.

Sun Athletes of the Week: Brandon Boesch and Nicole Ireland: School: Bishop Gorman

Murphy is focus of phony flier: Jurors in the Ted Binion murder trial today resumed deciding the fate of Sandy Murphy and Rick Tabish.

LV real estate school owner sues ex-partner: In a Clark County District Court suit, Judith Smith doing business as Excel School of Real Estate sued Grace Beauregard, alleging she wrongly took teaching materials that were essential to the school's operations when she left in January.

Nuke waste on beltway to be studied: Diana Sahagun; North Las Vegas will conduct the first transportation study for the state to determine how residents could be effected if high-level radioactive waste is shipped through the city.