Print edition for May 15, 2000

Editorial: Don't impede lands bill: The Republican House leadership opposed the bill, but enough Republicans (118) joined with nearly all the Democrats to produce this stunning victory. If this legislation were to become law, Nevada would do well. Of the total $3 billion annual appropriation, fast-growing Nevada, which is in need of more parks and recreation areas, would receive $50.6 million every year to buy more lands. It's too bad that of Nevada's two House members, Shelley Berkeley was the lone vote in favor of the bill. Jim Gibbons, who previously said he was worried that the legislation could be unfair to residents and local ...

LV entertainment, convention industries boost video firms: Phil Levine; Al Caudullo's face wasn't among those featured on the big video screen outside this year's Academy Awards presentation.

Nevada warns DOE on ground water: Nevada environmental officials say they will fine the Department of Energy $15,000 a week in 2002 if the DOE fails to request money to gather basic information on ground-water contamination at the Nevada Test Site.

Five killed in northern Nevada traffic accident: Four of the victims were identified early today as Jerimiah Waltman, 21; Shawna Demars, 24; Jesse Demars, 5; and Margaret Riddle, 2. All were from the Fallon area, the Nevada Highway Patrol said.

Teen enters plea in shooting, will serve at least four years: Kim Smith; A 16-year-old boy involved in two gang-related shootings, one outside Clark High School, has entered a plea agreement that may allow him to be released from prison in four years.

3,700 graduate from UNLV: Jace Radke; Of the more than 3,700 students who graduated from UNLV during two spring commencement ceremonies Sunday, Chris Shumway may be the one pursuing the most unusual career.

High marks are given to prosecutors, defense: Kim Smith; If Mace Yampolsky had been representing Rick Tabish, he wouldn't have asked the judge if he could hit Tabish with the phone book. He would have gone ahead and done it.

The do's and don'ts of dealing with killer bees: The sting of the Africanized honeybee is the same as the European bee, but Africanized bees will attack by the hundreds or thousands when protecting their hives. This is the reason they are considered dangerous and potentially lethal, especially to the very young, elderly and small animals.

Nurse faces elder-abuse charge: Fraud unit director Tim Terry said his investigation led to the charge against Patricia Ella Cain, 45. Cain is alleged to have misdirected a feeding tube through a 69-year-old man's abdominal cavity rather than his stomach, Terry said.

Binion jury in fourth day of deliberations: The 12 jurors, nine women and three men, have deliberated nearly 30 hours since getting the case Wednesday.

Meth lab found in Reno motel: A small stuffed animal with wires running from it was duct-taped near the front door. Fearing an explosive, the motel was evacuated.

Bail hearing set for man accused of causing crash: Kim Smith; A 24-year-old Las Vegas man accused of causing an accident that killed three people and left a newborn baby struggling for his life will have the chance to argue for his release on bail Friday.

State workers seek pay raises, more benefits: The board of directors of the State of Nevada Employees Association revealed today its legislative program, which calls for a 5 percent cost-of- living raise in July 2001, followed by a 3 percent raise in July 2002.

Landing Indiana's last riverboat license brings business boom in tiny Vevay: But landing the last of Indiana's 10 riverboat casino projects is reviving Switzerland County's flagging economy, even before the new riverboat arrives from an Alabama shipyard at a resort complex under construction.

Litigation dropped over competing Titanic resorts: U.S. District Judge Johnnie Rawlinson said in a May 5 order that both parties agreed to drop the suit and each will bear their own attorneys' fees and costs.

Nevada DMV starts Internet registration renewals program: But it's a big test, with 1,000 registration renewals and 200 drivers' license renewals going out bearing code numbers every day.

Reserve operator's earnings up sharply: In the year-ago quarter, the company lost $113,000, or 1 cent per share. Revenues for the March 2000 quarter rose 17 percent, to $81.7 million, while cash flow increased 46 percent to $18.3 million.

Letter: Wilderness areas worth protecting: This area is in need of protection. With increased visitation and threats of mining and geothermal development, National Conservation Area status with wilderness designation is needed to protect this region for future generations. That is why the 1.6 million-acre Citizen's Proposal for the Black Rock-High Rock American Heritage National Conservation Area deserves support.

Local news briefs for May 15, 2000: The Nevada Highway Patrol is investigating an accident that left two people dead Sunday afternoon in southwest Las Vegas.

Casino executive hill dies at 77: When Jimmy Hill was president of the Fremont Hotel, he would walk through the casino, happily greeting everyone from porters to executives to guests.

Moody's gives Las Vegas boost in bond rating to Aa3: Moody's Investors Service today raised the city's bond rating to Aa3. Such a rating provides the city a lower interest rate on its debt. The highest rating is Aaa1. The lowest is C3.

Upcoming business events for May 15, 2000: Worker safety -- Motivating employees to care about safety on the job discussed at seminar sponsored by the Nevada Small Business Development Center and the Small Business Administration. Tuesday. 784-1717.

Obituaries for May 15, 2000: Liz Abbott, 61, of Las Vegas died Sunday in Las Vegas. She was born May 14, 1939, in Freeport, Ill. A resident for six years, she was a retired landscaping saleswoman.

Council hopes compromise will settle billboard battle: Diana Sahagun; In an effort to appease the billboard industry, the North Las Vegas City Council will introduce a newly crafted ordinance Wednesday designed to ease restrictions.

New shopping center planned: Mesa Ridge spokesman Tom Chavez said construction is expected to begin within the next few weeks. Upon completion, the center will offer about 130,000 square feet of commercial space.

Foreclosure auction delayed: Attorneys for Atlanta-based Meralex, the Maxim's mortgage holder, requested a one-week delay in the auction. The sale is now scheduled for May 22.

B-word has town sharply divided: Greg Harman; As Nevada Highway meanders through downtown Boulder City -- a two-lane road peppered by cafes and real estate offices -- the well-cultivated tranquility of small-town life is palpable.

AutoNation to sell cars on AOL's website: AOL, Dulles, Va., said AutoNation has the country's largest inventory of new and used cars available for online sales. AutoNation, Fort Lauderdale, Fla., owns a chain of 400 car dealerships across the United States and operates a retail website. The company said it will maintain the separate website after the launch of the AOL service this fall.

Community events for May 15, 2000: As part of the third annual Child Safety Awareness Day, Honda and Little League Baseball are teaming up to teach Las Vegas area families how to stay safe.

UNLV vice president Ackerman to step down: Valerie Miller; Longtime UNLV administrator Robert Ackerman will step down from his post as vice president of student services at the end of this week.

Plan promotes gun safety in LV: Erin Neff; With a million mothers as well as presidential candidates decrying gun violence and again bringing gun control to a national debate, it was only a matter of time before a local politician seized the issue.

Homeowner kills intruder who beat victim, wife: Robert Macy; A second robber fled and was being sought by authorities.

Compromise reached in Odyssey Charter School payment from state: CARSON CITY -- A compromise has been worked out between the state Department of Education and the Odyssey Charter School to permit the school to continue operation while a dispute over state payments is worked out.

Money-laundering scandals feared in Internet gambling industry: David Strow; MONTREAL -- Internet gambling received bad news last week as several congressmen introduced legislation designed to cut off the financial lifeblood of the industry and suggested it's ripe for money-laundering scandals.

Nevada governor reviewing spending: Guinn, a Republican, last week said for the first time his staff is looking at the tax increase. But he emphasized that a decision won't be made before September or October.

Lawmakers push looser background rules for Detroit's casino industry: Sens. Glenn Steil, R-Grand Rapids, and Virgil Smith, D-Detroit, introduced legislation last week that would give a person convicted of a misdemeanor at least 25 years ago or before the age of 18 a chance to qualify as a casino investor.

DOE tests find no tritium in 2 NTS wells: Samples from the wells were collected in January and February, Bob Bangerter, project manager for the DOE's underground sampling program, said.

Diverse candidates file for office: Kathryn Rusco, a Reno resident and Green Party member filed to run for the U.S. Senator, and Charles Law, another Reno Green, has put in a bid for the District 2 Congressional seat.

Genoa looks to curb light pollution: Genoa, population about 300, doesn't have a big light pollution problem. But housing developments are popping up all over Douglas County, slowly lighting up the natural dark sky.

Young, CEO of Scenic Airlines, dies of cancer: The chief executive officer of the world's largest air tour operation has died of cancer.

Park Place plans $60 million renovation at famous resort: "By the first of the year, the exterior will all be different," said Caesars Palace President and Chief Operating Officer Dean Harrold. "It'll show everybody that drives by that there's something new here. Park Place is making a statement, and it'll look fantastic."

Deadline today for Nevada election filing: Officials at both Republican and Democratic party offices say more were expected today, but couldnt say for sure who and in what races.

Juries are starting to speak up: Kim Smith; When Henderson resident Norm Peterson served as a juror 20 years ago, he didn't like it. It was different this time around, though.

Bandits in must-win game: The Swarm beat the Silver Bandits 113-106 in Game 1 at the Thomas & Mack Center Friday night.

Columnist Dean Juipe: Farmhands find clock is ticking: Dean Juipe; It may not be every kid's dream yet the notion of leaving home as a young adult to play professional baseball has a romantic quality to it.

Rebels baseball teams wins season finale: UNLV, winners of 17 of its last 23, improved to 24-31 overall and finished in fifth place in the MWC with a 14-16 record. San Diego State dropped to 30-28 overall and 17-12 in the conference.

Letter: Fire tax serves valuable purpose for community: The city from which I recently emigrated encountered the same problem of enormous population growth in a relatively short period of time. As a matter of fact, the firefighters and paramedics marched around and into City Hall with their families, protesting their low pay and lack of health care coverage for their wives and children. We, the voters, realized that these people, firefighters and paramedics, put their lives on the line in order to save ours. They are essential to our well-being and survival.

Columnist Lisa Ferguson: Trends, May 15, 2000: Lisa Ferguson; In case you hadn't noticed, some families aren't so nuclear these days.

Let's BEE careful out there: Are killers lurking in your attic? How about the tree in your back yard? Or perhaps in your water meter box?

Killer bees make honey to die for: Reed Booth has a love-hate relationship with killer bees.

Columnist John Katsilometes: Barrier says he won't be buffaloed: When "Buffalo Jim" answers his office phone it's usually, "Hello! What can I do for you, my bru-THA!"

Foxwoods reports $66 million in slot revenues: A payment of $16.4 million was made to the state under the tribe's gambling compact. Connecticut receives 25 percent of the casino's slot earnings.

Prep playoff schedule: BASEBALL

Stars return home after 2-6 road trip: The Stars (19-14), who left for their eight-game road trip to Tacoma and Salt Lake City in the first place in the Pacific Coast league's South Division, return in second place after going 2-6 in that span. They were swept over the weekend by the Buzz.

LVMS final results from The Strip: Quick 16

Drag, dirt racers take center stage at LVMS: In E.T. bracket racing pro competition, Jeff Bansbach won for the second week in a row by defeating Brandon Potts in the final round with an E.T. of 10.385 at 129.67 mph.

Casino cocktail waitresses want to give shoe rule the boot: Sandra Chereb; "Kiss My Foot."

PCL Box: Buzz 7, Stars 4: E--Newhan, Walker. LOB--Las Vegas 6, Salt Lake 6. 2B--Valentin, Moeller, Ferguson. HR--Buchanan(2). S--Mientkiewicz. SB--Darr, Buchanan.

Durango baseball does it the hard way: Spencer Patterson; Last season, Durango's road to the 4A state baseball title went through the loser's bracket, with the Trailblazers coming out ahead in four must-win zone games to reach the state tournament.

Vegas designated refuge for writers: The International Parliament of Writers announced Las Vegas will become the organization's first North American-based "city of asylum" for writers.

LVMS half-mile dirt oval results: IMCA Modified Main event: 1. Jim Perkins, 2. Mark Allison, 3. Joe Farre, 4. Jeff Schildmeyer, 5. Kyle Busch, 6. John E. Linn, 7. Jason Lee, 8. Rick Grimes, 9. Wayne Francis, 10. Josh Davis, 11. Alan Crumpler, 12. Don Parker, 13. Deane Fountain, 14. Arby Daniel, 15. Danny Holding, 16. Donny Berger, 17. Tim Helms, 18. Darrell Zweifel, 19. Dan Fitzgerald.

Columnist Ralph Siraco: 'Pegasus' to face thinner field in Preakness: Ralph Siraco; This Saturday marks the 125th running of the Preakness Stakes, the second jewel in thoroughbred racing's Triple Crown.