Print edition for November 6, 2000

Court cram: Council moves to alleviate overloaded system: Diana Sahagun; When North Las Vegas Municipal Judge Warren Van Landschoot enters his courtroom each morning, he no longer flinches when he sees more than 200 people packed in like sardines, with the unlucky few spilling out the door.

PWBA finale at Sam's Town: Wendy MacPherson of Henderson is defending champion of the event.

For UNLV, exhibition foe will be a welcome change of face: Steve Addy; The Rebels don't even care who they're playing Tuesday night. As long as it's somebody wearing a different uniform, they will be grateful.

Golf: Rebels finish 16th in tourney: Oh led the Rebels (283-293-297-873) to a 16th-place finish on the Arthur Hills Course, 9 strokes over par. Georgia captured the team title with a 42 under par.

Fingerprints lead to arrest of 20-year fugitive: Keith Paul; The facade of David Finn's life was stripped away by a drunken driving arrest and the one thing he could never change -- his fingerprints.

Columnist Ralph Siraco: Experience is the only constant in Breeders' Cup: Ralph Siraco; The 17th edition of the Breeders' Cup will be remembered for several key reasons.

Check cashing shops probed: CARSON CITY -- An undercover investigation has been conducted into about 20 check cashing businesses in the Las Vegas area to determine if they are breaking the law, the state Attorney General's Office says.

Walker captures LVMS main: Walker led the majority of the 70-lap twin main event, but was spun out with less than 20 laps to go. Mike Duncan, the Mesa Marin Late Model champion, took over the lead but he spun out on the second to last lap.

Soccer: UNLV men blank New Mexico: The Rebels went 4-3 in the MPSF Pacific Division for third place, their best finish since a 4-3 record in 1992.

Kidnapping suspect enters plea in gun case: Jerald Howard Burgess, 63, entered the plea Friday to charges of being a felon in possession of firearms and ammunition. A Dec. 18 trial has been scheduled.

EPA scrutinizes air-pollution control plans: The head of the Clark County Planning Department says that federal review of two complex plans to control air pollution is moving forward.

Whittemore donates $51,000 to Democrats: Whittemore said he has supported both Democrats and Republicans in past years, and gave contributions to Republican candidates in non-federal races this year.

Letter: Nader backers: Please pick Gore: Instead of the Vietnam conflict winding down to which we were opposed, it widened. Protesters were harassed, beaten or ignored. The country was also presented with the Watergate scandal.

Plea agreement in slaying stands: Kim Smith; Murder defendant Lamar Alexander had already backed out of one plea agreement when he went before District Judge John McGroarty Friday and asked if he could back out of a second.

Lieberman attends black church services in Las Vegas: Lisa Snedeker; "Knock on some doors in the next few days," the Connecticut senator said, referring to a New Testament verse in the church bulletin. "We need to get out the vote on Tuesday."

California woman finally gets check for slot jackpot: "I'm walking on air. I feel great," she said. "I stood by the door all morning waiting for Fed Ex to arrive with the check and they finally came.

Lake Charles casino exec writes book on riverboat corruption: Brotherton says the climate for corruption in Louisiana was set when the state limited the total number of riverboat casino licenses to 15. He says that led to a bidding war among Edwards insiders who wanted to get licenses.

Prostitution policy rests with panel of judges: Kim Smith; The future of Clark County District Attorney Stewart Bell's prostitution policy is now in the hands of seven justices of the peace.

Environmental study planned for proposed casino project in Mississippi: The developers will pay for the EIS, just as developers did for the Destination Broadwater project, which proposed to fill in about 50 acres of the Mississippi Sound to create a massive casino complex in Biloxi.

Casino foundation to help with casino taxes: A Harrison County foundation has already begun making awards there.

Letter: Mayor has own brand of magic: GEORGE P. DIX

Gaming profits sink in Des Moines: Declining gambling profits threaten Polk County's ability to bankroll all of its proposed projects.

Columnist Lisa Ferguson: Trends, November 6, 2000: Lisa Ferguson; Have you had all you can stand of political-poll results yet? Well, on this election eve, we've managed to round up a few more for your reading pleasure. (At least these should be worth some chuckles.)

Letter: Don't blame Bush if court ends abortions: The stronger pro-choice argument is the property rights argument. All men and women have a right to own property. And a person's property begins with his or her own body. If a woman owns her own body, then she has a right to control her property. She cannot be forced to carry an unwanted intruder in her property.

Editorial: Voters hold the key to our future: In light of the fact that President Clinton's veto derailed legislation by the GOP-led Congress that would have put nuclear waste on a fast track to Nevada, it's critical who wins the presidency. Al Gore consistently stood with Nevada's congressional delegation during this legislative battle, fighting against the bill supported by the influential nuclear power lobby. George W. Bush, meanwhile, was silent during the fray. Only as the election has come to a close has he said something about the issue, but even then it has been tepid and vague, a reflection of his close ties to the nuclear power ...

Patron injury suit reinstated against Circus Circus: CARSON CITY -- A federal appeals court has reinstated a lawsuit against the Circus Circus hotel-casino in Las Vegas by a California woman who says her hand was crushed while playing a slot machine.

Prepaid Tuition program deadline approaches: The program allows parents to pay money on a monthly basis, getting a locked-in tuition rate and tax deferment until their children enroll in college.

Riverboat operator posts profit increase: Revenues for the riverboat operator rose 111 percent, to $260.8 million, while cash flow increased 81 percent to $60.4 million.

Cigarette cause of deadly fire: "We entered the scene and took the victim outside very quickly," said Sparks fire investigator Bob Easly.

Second Stratosphere tower topped off; to open next year: "We're very proud of this milestone for our new tower," said Richard P. Brown, executive vice president of marketing for the Stratosphere. "The next step is to add the details that make the Stratosphere unique."

Reno gets whiff of Tahoe smoke: In a related development, federal land managers have announced plans for two more prescribed burns in the region if weather conditions permit.

Fight brings violent end to Community Center party: Deputies attempted to break up the fracas, but were forced to back off and call for assistance.

Slotmaker posts improved earnings: In the year-ago quarter, WMS reported a net loss of $4.7 million, or 15 cents per share. Excluding one-time charges, income from continuing operations was $9.8 million, or 31 cents per share, up 11 percent on a net income basis and 7 percent on a per-share basis.

Columnist John Katsilometes: Crooner grateful to Allen: One night five years ago George Bugatti, a singer/pianist with a knack for unearthing and refurbishing obscure old tunes, was performing in the posh Club Room at the Peninsula Beverly Hills Hotel.

State employee shot while helping motorist: He died later at Washoe Medical Center.

Las Vegas Wash gets congressional aid: Benjamin Grove; WASHINGTON -- The dwindling wetlands in Las Vegas Wash got a $10 million boost as part of a last-minute House effort to pay for water projects nationwide. The Senate already passed the bill, and President Clinton's signature is expected.

Correction for November 3, 2000: Correction for November 3, 2000

McDonald foes push for recall; ethics panel hearing set: Erin Neff; Although all eyes are on the close presidential race, two local events this week will determine the fate of City Councilman Michael McDonald's political future.

Southeast schools swept away: Spencer Patterson; 4A Sunrise Region Valley 41, Basic 27 Las Vegas 43, Silverado 29 Desert Pines 31, Foothill 21 Eldorado 35, Green Valley 10

Six contractors in Las Vegas area lose licenses: Edison Electric Inc. of Las Vegas. In its revocation notice, the board alleged failure to pay for materials or services, and failure to establish financial responsibility.

Obituaries for November 6, 2000: Artie Brooks Sr., 78, of Las Vegas died Friday in a local care center. He was born Aug. 20, 1922, in Boston. A resident for 30 years, he was a retired comedian in the entertainment industry, a World War II Marine Corps veteran and a former comedian at the Palomino Club.

Local news briefs for November 6, 2000: Metro Police are searching for a man who is accused of abducting his girlfriend's two children over the weekend.

Burton forges desert dynasty: AVONDALE, Ariz. -- Jeff Burton may have run out of races to catch Bobby Labonte for the NASCAR Winston Cup championship, but Burton on Sunday clinched NASCAR's unofficial desert championship.

Tua has a bead on heavyweight title: Dean Juipe; If this were Samoa, by the prime minister's decree we'd all be wearing our sacred beads today.

Godwin snaps final-match hex: Victoria Sun; The last thing South Africa's Neville Godwin wanted was to let another final slip away.

Local firefighters complete in Combat Challenge: Mike Benneman finished 63rd, Darrell Aronson was 70th, Xavier Flores was 77th and Jeff Rogers was 108th.

Busch finishes in 29th place, gains seasoning: AVONDALE, Ariz. -- Kurt Busch had mixed emotions about his 29th-place finish in Sunday's Checker Auto Parts/Dura Lube 500 at Phoenix International Raceway.

Community news briefs for November 6, 2000: Oct. 24: Aleesiah to Lisa Flores and Jericho Smith; Amy to Miriam and David Martinez; Uriah to Rachel Crawford and Shawn Kincade.

Columnist Dean Juipe: Tiger's 2000 sets a new standard: Dean Juipe; The title is honorary and has no shortage of contenders. It's also subjective, meaning one person's view is as good as another's.

Thomas optimistic he'll return to field Saturday: Steve Guiremand; Jason Thomas spent Sunday night doing what he has done for more than three weeks since spraining his right foot late in the first half at Colorado State.

Prominent LV trial attorney Goldwater dies: Stacy J. Willis; Prominent Las Vegas trial attorney David Goldwater Sr. died in Las Vegas of heart failure on Sunday. He was 83.

New Nevada energy committee begins massive task: The scope widened for the 17 members of Gov. Kenny Guinn's new Nevada Electric Energy Policy Committee at its inaugural meeting last week.

Florida man charged with making his own slot machine tokens: When they searched his vehicle, the detectives found cocaine, token-manufacturing equipment and more than $5,000 worth of bogus $5 and $10 tokens similar to those used in Tropicana, Harrah's Atlantic City, Showboat Casino-Hotel and the Sands Hotel Casino in Atlantic, Suarez said.

Fall 2000 prep playoff schedule, results: 4A SUNRISE REGION TOURNAMENT

Random call nets absentee ballot for USS Cole commander: Tom Gardner; Her son was in Norfolk, Va., and couldn't find his absentee ballot to vote in Tuesday's election back home in Nevada.

Beleaguered councilman sends mailers: Erin Neff; City Councilman Michael McDonald won't talk publicly about his legal troubles, but he is hoping two last-minute mailers to Ward 1 residents speak volumes.

Opponents mix it up in final debate: U.S. Senate contenders John Ensign and Ed Bernstein traded barbs on health care reform, abortion and nuclear waste but said little new during a televised debate that was their last before Tuesday's election.

Japanese firm in deal with Wynn: David Strow; Steve Wynn's visions for the Desert Inn took a big step forward today, as one of Japan's largest gaming companies announced it plans to invest $260 million in Wynn's company Valvino Lamore.

Aladdin to sell land for condos, hotel: The parent company of the Aladdin hotel-casino said today it's selling five acres to an investment company that plans to build a luxury condominium development and a nongaming hotel near the Las Vegas Strip.

Nevada hearing doubtful on Citigroup takeover: There probably won't be any hearings in Nevada on Citigroup Inc.'s proposed $31.1 billion purchase of Associates First Capital Corp.