Print edition for November 7, 2000

Tight race prods voters to polls: "It was no concern until now," said Angela Smith, 22, walking out of Allegheny County Election Court in Pennsylvania. "But it's so close now that I had to register. I'm really for Al Gore. I think he's the man for all the people, and this time my vote will make a difference."

Nationwide elections results: Gore 3,877,204 - 45 percent

Voters pick - Gore or Bush - after long, expensive race: Ron Fournier; Polls closed first in Indiana and Kentucky where Bush earned easy victories, according to interviews as voters left their polling places. The poll by Voter News Service said that nationwide, a candidate's position on issues was more influential than his leadership and personal qualities, and about one in five voters didn't make up their minds until the last week.

National election results: Gore 2,464,106 - 44 percent

Former Rep. Ensign tries for first GOP Senate win in Nevada in 12 years: Scott Sonner; RENO - Former Republican Rep. John Ensign, who nearly knocked off a senior Democratic senator two years ago, said he was feeling good about his chances of winning a U.S. Senate seat for the GOP for the first time in Nevada since 1988.

GOP battles to keep control of Senate: Alan Fram; WASHINGTON - Republicans fought Tuesday to retain control of the Senate while Democrats pinned upset hopes on ousting an unusually large number of vulnerable GOP incumbents.

Latest nationwide election results: Gore 310,504 - 44 percent

Bush and Gore settle in for tense vote count: Ron Fournier; As polls closed in the East and Midwest, Bush rolled up a number of expected victories but he lost Florida to Gore and key battles were yet to be decided in Michigan, Pennsylvania and other swing states.

Editorial: Sickly plans to deal with a flu outbreak: Federal and state governments in 1993 started to come up with plans to reduce the kind of pandemic that struck worldwide in 1918, killing more than 20 million people. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention told USA Today that the nation is better prepared than it was two years ago. Still, this year's vaccine shortage shows that the United States has a long way to go before it's adequately prepared for a serious outbreak of influenza.

Lady Rebels challenge China's National team: The UNLV women's basketball team will open the 2000-2001 season today with an exhibition game against the Chinese National team at 5 p.m. at the Thomas & Mack Center.

Community news briefs for November 7, 2000: Seniors United will hold a forum covering various topics, including medical and financial, 1-3 p.m. Wednesday at the West Flamingo Senior Center, 6225 W. Flamingo Road.

Possible death sentence awaits murderer of four: Kim Smith; Jurors took four days to decide that Richard Powell was guilty of four first-degree murders. They must now decide if he should die for his deeds.

Columnist Ron Kantowski: Youths thank CART stars for wheel good time: Imagine showing up for high school baseball practice and finding Greg Maddux and Derek Jeter in the batting cage. Or going one-on-one with Kobe Bryant. Or tossing the football around with Peyton Manning.

State Farm cuts Nevada rates: State Insurance Commissioner Alice Molasky-Arman said Monday the company writes 90,112 policies for homeowners in Nevada. At the same time, the firm filed a request to boost insurance rates by an average of 3.9 percent for manufactured homes in the state. It covers about 6,500 of these units.

Court reverses gambling license fraud convictions: Anne Gearan; WASHINGTON -- The Supreme Court overturned a Louisiana lawyer and gambling entrepreneur's fraud conviction for lying when he applied for a state license, saying the state did not prove it was harmed in the process.

CCSN shows ambition with 'Tommy' rock opera: Kirk Baird; There's something very comfortable about "Tommy."

Silverado teacher charged in bomb threats: Keith Paul; A Silverado High School teacher charged with making bomb threats on campus was out on sick leave again today and is not expected back for weeks, but when -- and if she returns -- it will not be at Silverado.

Editorial: Saving wetlands is essential: Passage of the legislation was threatened, though, because the House added 52 other water restoration projects costing an additional $470 million. Many of these other public works water projects were stripped from the bill by the Senate. But in a compromise, 28 were left, including an important appropriation to move along the process of restoring the diminishing wetlands of the Las Vegas Wash. Rep. Shelley Berkley, D-Nev., said she was able to get $10 million back into the legislation that will be used to put together a water resources plan adopted by the Las Vegas Wash Coordinating Committee.

School district breakup petition hits voter snag: CARSON CITY -- An initiative petition to break up the Clark County School District may be shy of the required number of qualified signatures.

Henderson council to consider project for seniors housing: Greg Harman; The Henderson City Council will consider a proposal tonight to locate low-income senior apartments in the McCollough Hills Planning Area, a proposal rejected by the city's planning commissioners last month.

Nationwide election results: Gore 44,139,651 - 48 percent

Las Vegas man recounts years at Judy Garland's side: Drugs and alcohol short-circuited the life of one of America's most beloved entertainers.

Letter: U.N. is trying to take over: These and other recent U.N. pronouncements have openly advocated the accumulation of all of the powers in the United Nations that modern governments exercise: Trial and punishment of criminals; raising armies and waging war at will; imposing taxes; redistributing wealth; imposing onerous environmental regulations; and confiscating firearms.

Nevada makes Ensign first GOP senator in 12 years; Bernstein concedes: Scott Sonner; RENO - Former Republican Rep. John Ensign bounced back from a razor-thin loss two years ago to become the first Republican to win a U.S. Senate race in Nevada in 12 years.

NLV residents to meet casino developers: Diana Sahagun; For the first time, North Las Vegas residents will have the opportunity to see and hear from the hopeful owners of a proposed casino on the Craig Ranch Golf Course -- Station Casinos Inc.

Wynn, partner have yet to detail plans for Desert Inn: David Strow; One day after the announcement that Japan's largest pachinko machine maker would become a co-investor in Steve Wynn's plans for the Desert Inn, both sides were saying little about what's next for the property.

Six misdemeanor charges filed in tour bus crash: CARSON CITY -- Six misdemeanor charges have been filed against the driver of a tour bus that crashed in a remote area of Esmeralda County, injuring dozens of British travelers in September.

Letter: Recall drive raises questions: 1) Why did I receive this when I don't live in McDonald's district? (I live in Henderson.)

Suit filed over airport coffee concession deal: Greg Tuttle; Competition for a coffee concession contract at McCarran International Airport has boiled into a federal lawsuit alleging two Clark County commissioners used their political influence in return for a campaign contribution.

Columnist Dean Juipe: Rebels need 3-0 run for lasting fame: Dean Juipe; At stake is not only a bowl bid but lasting acclaim.

Controversial CD-ROM gambling game introduced at malls: DES MOINES, Iowa -- The Iowa Lottery's new CD-ROM game "Treasure Tower" has collected $115,000 in sales in less than three weeks.

Where I Stand -- Brian Greenspun: Exercising our right: TOO CLOSE to call.

Las Vegas insurer beats profit estimates: Despite the decline, Sierra said its financial turnaround is exceeding expectations. It beat the 8-cent average profit estimate of seven analysts surveyed by First Call.

Johnson gets to the point tonight: Steve Addy; Tonight

Software allows firms to crack down on 'Net abuse: Judith Forman; Dan Escamilla's administrative assistant had a problem. An Internet problem.

Business has high stake in election: Adam Geller; NEW YORK -- For executive Heinz Prechter, today's election is about more than choosing the nation's next president -- the results also will shape the future of the U.S. auto industry.

Unemployment checks feared lost in the mail: CARSON CITY -- Anywhere from 400 to 2,000 benefit checks for the unemployed in the Las Vegas area may be missing in the mail.

Takeover offer made for Vegas mall, poker bar operator: A hostile takeover offer has been made for Revenue Properties Co., owner of several major Las Vegas shopping centers and a partner in the local PT's Pub chain of video poker bars.

Columnist Kate Maddox: Club to be great for airheads: Kate Maddox; OK, I'm going to write just one more item on C2K and that's it. Finis. So let's launch the new version of the Venetian nightclub with a little good publicity for a change, shall we?

Court briefs for November 7, 2000: A Clark High School teacher accused of sexual misconduct involving several students took a deal Monday.

Columnist Susan Snyder: Fluoride debate must end: Praises be, it's Election Day!

Letter: Millions wasted on nonsense of political ads: For the millions of dollars wasted on election nonsense for TV commercials, half of the hungry people in the world could have been fed. Instead the voters are fed up.

Men accused of using counterfeit currency: Mirage hotel-casino sued Atef Salami Nemer, Kamilo Yusef Mousalli Dayat, also known as Kamilo Mousalli, and Orlando Medina, alleging they "inserted into various licensed games $16,500 worth of counterfeit currency" at the hotel-casino on July 26, 1999.

Obituaries for November 7, 2000: Victor Manuel Barragan, 78, of Henderson died Monday in a local care center. He was born June 6, 1922, in Veracruz, Mexico. A resident for 30 years, he was a retired maitre d'.

Playing his rush: Steve Guiremand; Next up

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

Nevadans finally have their say: Five minutes before the polls opened at 7 a.m. today, a solitary voter stood in front of the Clark County Public Administration building polling site on Shadow Lane.

Local news briefs for November 7, 2000: The United States on Monday extradited to Switzerland an Israeli diamond dealer who was arrested in Las Vegas on charges of defrauding suppliers of $8 million, the Swiss Justice Ministry said.

Southern Nevada's first flu case occurred during summer: The first case of flu this year has been confirmed in Southern Nevada, but it will still be two weeks before the Clark County Health District will have vaccines available, officials said today.

Legislative panel issues subpoenas for testing documents: Terry Webster; The Legislative Committee on Education has stepped up its investigation into test cheating allegations in the Clark County School District by issuing subpoenas for testing documents.

Ralph Siraco's selections for Wednesday's races at Hollywood Park: 1st Race -- El Chubbo - Draws inside post, needs clear trip from inner spot, Nakatani for opener. Rhine Castle - Draws good middle post for the 7-panel curtain-raiser, Berrio to help, good spot for maiden-breaker try. Value Play -- Neutral Zone

Slot maker IGT beats earnings expectations: David Strow; International Game Technology of Reno today reported a big jump in earnings for the quarter ending Sept. 30.

District eyes plan to hike credits: Terry Webster; Clark County School District officials are studying a new scheduling plan aimed at increasing graduation rates and decreasing the number of students who lack enough credits.

Bush and Gore settle in for tense presidential vote count: Ron Fournier; Well past midnight, the the race was still up for grabs and it all came down to Florida.

LV taxi driver leader fired: Daryl Poelman, a driver for Yellow-Checker-Star, the city's largest cab company, said he has filed a grievance through the Industrial Technical Professional Employees Union over his dismissal after he admitted to company officials that he was conducting association business while on the job.

Police look for clues in death of intended witness: Kim Smith; Ismael Vargas was supposed to be sentenced Monday for a fatal fight that began over a litter of puppies.

Teachers to get bonus, no raise: Terry Webster; An arbitrator has awarded the Clark County Education Association a 1 percent bonus, but no salary increase.

Sam's Town Invitational: 1, Dede Davidson, Las Vegas, 2,055. 2, Cara Honeychurch, Australia, 1,958. 3, Carolyn Dorin-Ballard, North Richland Hills, Texas, 1,907. 4, Aleta Sill, Dearborn, Mich., 1,866. 5, Laura Lee Daniel, Corona, Calif., 1,846. 6, Dana Miller-Mackie, Albuquerque, N.M., 1,841.

State upholds closing of Ely kindergarten: CARSON CITY -- The Murry Street Elementary school in Ely for kindergarten students will remain closed for this school year, but the state Board of Education says this issue should be reconsidered next year.