Print edition for November 9, 2000

Engelstad arena caught up in university nickname controversy: Imperial Palace casino owner Ralph Engelstad and his North Dakota hockey arena have become entangled in a long-running controversy over a university's Indian nickname and logo.

Overnight snow brings out driving controls in western Nevada: In a reverse of normal snow patterns, areas in the Sierra around Lake Tahoe picked up only an inch or two and there were no driving controls on Interstate-80.

Rebels' recruit still mulling his decision: Steve Addy; The first day of the NCAA basketball signing period left the Rebels waiting by the mailbox.

Harrah's, Silicon Gaming developing themed slot: Under terms of the deal, the 21 gaming properties owned or operated by Harrah's will have the first right to use Price is Right slots. Silicon Gaming has a joint presence in Palo Alto, Calif., and Las Vegas.

Ripley's 'Believe It or Not' slot announced: The brand will be licensed from Ripley Entertainment Inc. of Orlando, operator of 39 museum-type attractions in nine countries. The Ripley's brand began with a famed cartoon strip series by Robert Ripley that highlighted unusual facts and oddities from around the world.

Community news briefs for November 9, 2000: Parents, educators and business owners can learn about rave parties during two classes will explain rave parties to parents, school administrators and business owners during classes at 7 p.m. Nov. 16 at the Metro Police Department Training Academy, 861 N. Mojave Road, and at Clark High School, 4291 Pennwood Drive.

Columnist Ron Kantowski: Is UNLV TV deal worth it?: Ask Charlie Cavagnaro about UNLV's new sports television package, and he'll put a spin on it that would make Al Gore and George W. Bush blush.

Teen takes plea deal to avoid death penalty: Kim Smith; A 19-year-old North Las Vegan scheduled to go to trial Wednesday in a freak shooting that left a 24-year-old mother dead took a deal to avoid the death penalty.

Lewis confident size, experience will prevail: Dean Juipe; Lennox Lewis looks at David Tua much as a parent or taskmaster would view a petulant child.

Gibbons hopes for Appropriations seat: Benjamin Grove; WASHINGTON -- Rep. Jim Gibbons, R-Nev., is eyeing a seat on the money-doling House Appropriations Committee.

New Mexico's different looks may give nightmares to Rebels: Steve Guiremand; Excuse UNLV offensive line coach Rob Boras if his eyes are a little more bloodshot this week.

Becker wins re-election in a landslide: CARSON CITY -- Justice Nancy Becker won re-election to a full six-year term on the Nevada Supreme Court Tuesday in a landslide victory over attorney Gary Backus of Ely.

Beltway openings to make difference: Jace Radke; With the newest piece of the planned 53-mile Las Vegas Beltway opening today, and another segment set to open by the end of this month, residents and businesses in northwest Las Vegas are starting to map out newer, faster ways to get around town.

Rift reported among Forum Shops partners: Developer Sheldon Gordon, who conceived of the Roman-themed mall, has felt excluded from decision making by Simon Property Group Inc., which was later brought in as managing partner, the Journal reported, quoting people with knowledge of the situation.

Big fund-raisers cashed in with voters, study says: Benjamin Grove; WASHINGTON -- The House and Senate candidates who raised the most money won in 93 percent of the races this week, according to a study released today.

Small business bank plans LV branch: A spokesman said the bank has received tentative approval from the federal Office of Thrift Supervision to open a branch, its second in Nevada. Irwin Union, whose parent company is publicly traded Irwin Financial Corp., already operates an office in Carson City.

Murder victims' mothers testify: Kim Smith; One by one the mothers of four young people shot to death eight years ago took the stand Wednesday and tearfully testified about the devastation wrought by Richard Powell.

Ballot questions far from resolved: Stacy J. Willis; For a few hours Wednesday, it looked as if White Pine County might be a haven for marriage-minded gay couples.

Nevada casino win shows a rare decline: Cy Ryan and David Strow; Nevada casinos reported $788.4 million in winnings in September, down 3.79 percent from the same month of a year ago and ending 30 consecutive months of growth.

Commissioners will quickly challenge for Maxfield's support: Adrienne Packer; Chip Maxfield has yet to be tainted by politics or influenced by special interests, which might be why voters were willing to put him in the Clark County Commission District C seat.

Court briefs for November 9, 2000: A Clark County District Court judge Wednesday sentenced a man convicted in a fatal drunken driving accident to three years more than what had been recommended by prosecutors.

Bush aided by strong rural vote in Nevada: Republican presidential candidate George W. Bush won Nevada's four electoral votes because of his support of gun ownership rights, his right-of-center philosophy and the absence of Ross Perot in the field.

Holiday closings: PARADE: Las Vegas Mayor Oscar Goodman will serve as the grand marshal for the 9 a.m. Veterans Day Parade from Gass Avenue north on Fourth Street to the Fremont Street Experience.

Bollenbach exercises 1 million options: The company said the options were set to expire within three months.

Local news briefs for November 9, 2000: A 49-year-old Las Vegas man was arrested in Sparks in connection with the killing of a California man whose badly decomposed remains were found last month.

Ethics board finds McDonald guilty: Erin Neff; Violations

Henderson voters speak: Police don't need help: Keith Paul; Henderson residents voiced their opinion at the ballot box that their police department is doing a good job.

Roof leaks in new UNLV library: If the roof leaks on your new $55.3 million library, it's better to find out before the 1.8 million books, tapes and historic documents are brought in.

State grants license to third of Detroit's three casinos: Jim Suhr; The casino in downtown's Greektown entertainment district is to open Friday night, with 2,400 workers, about 2,416 slot machines and 103 game tables in 75,000 square feet of Mediterranean-themed space.

Greenbrier to move ahead with casino campaign: A county referendum that would have authorized the casino was defeated by a margin of 58 percent to 42 percent on Tuesday.

West Jordan company claims Krispy Kreme stole its Web address: The Spoors say the Matthewses copied their operation and that by registering the Tommie's name, they are protecting their own franchise.

Reno says no to future billboards: CARSON CITY -- Residents in Reno have banned construction of future billboards, while voters in White Pine County have approved using money to fight efforts by Las Vegas to pump water from rural Nevada.

Neal's petition to raise casino tax fails: CARSON CITY -- Sen. Joe Neal's initiative petition to raise the tax on major casinos by an estimated $388 million a year has failed.

Where I Stand -- Brian Greenspun: A memorable election: Congratulations to the president-elect.

School Board OKs ban on contractor: Terry Webster; Precision Construction was banned Wednesday from performing work for the Clark County School District through the rest of this year.

Columnist Joe Delaney: Lewis-Tua to highlight weekend: Joe Delaney; Lennox Lewis vs. David Tua for the International Boxing Federation and World Boxing Council championship belts, now the property of Lewis, Saturday at the Mandalay Bay Events Center is the top entertainment event of the weekend ... Tua can hit with authority ... We doubt it can go the full 12 rounds, but it should be a battle whatever the length.

UNLV notebook: Washington golfer joins Rebels: Moore is an American Junior Golf Association All-American and was the runner-up in the prestigious U.S. Junior Amateur. He is currently the 17th-ranked amateur by Golfweek magazine among U.S. boys.

NLV Residents feel 'robbed' by casino proposal: Diana Sahagun; North Las Vegas residents filing out of City Hall Wednesday night were bewildered after hearing a proposal for a casino to be constructed near their homes at the Craig Ranch Golf Course.

Reid's influence grows: The presidential election may be in doubt, but strong Democratic gains in the Senate have given Nevada Sen. Harry Reid more influence on Capitol Hill.

Treble Clef moored until Dec. 20: "There is a safety issue," he said. "Icing of the river means there could be some damage to the bridge if the boat stays there."

Columnist Spencer Patterson: Catching up with top local football prospects: Spencer Patterson; Basketball, baseball and softball briefly took center stage with the start of the NCAA's early signing period, but a quick look outside confirms what we already knew: It's still football season.

Table games have fewer players as bettors turn to slots: Dave Palermo; No, it's the whoop and holler surrounding the craps and blackjack tables.

17 local athletes make commitments to colleges: Spencer Patterson; Sara Bausher, Bonanza, Softball, Louisville Justin Burns, Bishop Gorman, Basketball, Boise St. Jason Carter, Bishop Gorman, Basketball, Colorado Jayme Connors, Silverado, Basketball, Long Beach St. John DiBetta, Durango/CCSN, Baseball, Texas Tech Jake Dittler, Green Valley, Baseball, Cal-State Northridge Nate Fouts, Bishop Gorman/CCSN, Baseball, Texas Tech Katie Kaempfer, Bonanza, Softball, Syracuse Danny Kahr, Durango, Baseball, UC-Irvine Jen Kline, Bishop Gorman, Basketball, South Florida Ben Quinto, Bishop Gorman/CCSN, Baseball, San Diego Tisha Salamino, Durango, Softball, Sienna Aja Sherman, Durango, Softball, Louisville Jon Slack, Green Valley/CCSN, Baseball, Texas Tech Grant Stanley, Foothill, Baseball, Duke Amad Stephens, CCSN, Baseball, Oral Roberts Joe Wagner, CCSN, ...

Something to prove: Spencer Patterson; Long before he ever stepped foot on the field himself, Pat Curran was well aware of The Meadows' winning football tradition.

Down signs with Red Sox: Down was a finalist for the Dodgers' managing spot, which was given to Los Angeles bench coach Jim Tracy.

County manager Askew prepared to quit: Adrienne Packer; Pressure mounted for Clark County manager Dale Askew to step down and make way for a new administration Wednesday, one day after three of the four incumbent Clark County commissioners recaptured their seats.

Indictment in child's death tossed out: Kim Smith; The indictment of a former Child Haven worker accused of killing her foster child has been dismissed.

Las Vegas kids pick Gore: The area students voted in the mock election to teach them about the process. Gore won that polling by 6,000 votes.

With shakeup avoided, regents look forward to making progress: Jeffrey Libby; The last time elections were held for the state Board of Regents, in 1998, five seats on the 11-member board were up for grabs. Newcomers won all but one.

Cahill earns respect: Greg Harman; In a congressional campaign launched on a child's dare, Reno schoolteacher and political novice Tierney Cahill fought her way out of obscurity and into 30 percent of the 2nd Congressional District vote.

Perkins will lead Assembly: Cy Ryan and Jace Radke; The members of the Assembly's Democratic majority huddled in a suite on the 22nd floor of the Luxor Wednesday night and chose Assemblyman Richard Perkins of Henderson as their new speaker.

Ralph Siraco's selections for Friday's races at Hollywood Park: 1st Race -- Margin Money - Training at Santa Anita, draws good inner post for turf route opener, Desormeaux on Glatt trainee. Caliban - Nakatani scales Mitchell horse, trip to first turn will tell the tale here from outside post, adds blinkers for this. Value Play -- Goodfella

Editorial: Musing on Bryan's move to step down: Democrat Richard Bryan's decision to step down created this opening, a move that also prompted a round of "what-ifs" in the wake of Tuesday's results, especially since the Senate could be split 50-50 between Democrats and Republicans when all the votes are in. The popular Bryan was a shoo-in if he had run, which could have meant a Democratic majority in the Senate instead of a likely deadlock. Bryan, who has had a long and distinguished record of public service -- he's been a U.S. senator, governor and attorney general -- hardly can be faulted for wanting to spend more ...

Picks: Eldorado should find way to top Jaguars: Spencer Patterson; Talked into taking Basic by some overzealous Wolves fans, I still managed to kick off the playoffs at a 7-1 clip. This week looks dangerous, with three virtual toss-ups.

Letter: Education board must answer to the voters: Because they are elected, board members are held accountable by all constituents of the education community -- students, parents, teachers, administrators, local school boards, business and community leaders. They regularly hear conflicting testimony from these various constituencies and must craft policy that reflects compromise and accomplishes the greatest good for the students of Nevada.

Columnist Ruthe Deskin: Candidates should be commended: Ruthe Deskin; Newspaper deadlines being what they are, by the time this column -- which is being written on Monday -- is actually in print, the nation should have a new president. Nevada will have a new U.S. senator, some ins will be out and new faces will have replaced the old.

Obituaries for November 9, 2000: A. Frances Abamonte, 83, of Las Vegas died Friday in Las Vegas. A resident for 25 years, she was born July 11, 1917, in New York.

Letter: Retirees ignored by power panel: AARP repeatedly requested to be included and has, apparently, been ignored. Whether the governor admits it or not, energy costs are of vital interest to those on fixed incomes.

One-stop help given homeless: Kris Hill; Crowds of homeless men, women and families flocked to Cashman Center Wednesday to stock up on necessities and take advantage of a variety of services at the eighth annual Stand Down Day for the Homeless.

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

Going postal: Tradition of collecting postcards still thriving: "Postcards are comparatively inexpensive, which is why there is so much interest," said Bill Cote, editor of Barr's Postcard News in Lansing, Iowa. "It's more of a fun hobby than an investment hobby."

Editorial: Guinn wins one, loses some: Guinn's efforts didn't all bear fruit. For instance, Guinn was directly involved in trying to defeat Democrat Rep. Shelley Berkley, who criticized his prescription drug program for seniors. But Guinn's television broadsides didn't seem to dent Berkley, who rolled to a decisive win over her challenger, state Sen. Jon Porter. In addition, the governor was hoping to complete a state government hat trick. Guinn won the governor's office in 1998, and the state Senate was expected to stay under Republican control in the 2000 election. So Guinn set his sights on the Democrats' grip on the Assembly, hoping to put ...

Fight schedule: Friday

Former sales agents allege fraud in Vegas manufactured home sales: Grace Leong; Six former sales agents of Champion Enterprises Inc. sued the Auburn Hills, Mich.-based manufactured housing retailer, two former managers and a lending firm, alleging they conspired to defraud the agents of their commissions and illegally used these funds to finance additional home loans.

Ensign recalls "torture" of six-week recount in Nevada: Scott Sonner; Former Republican Rep. John Ensign lost a heartbreaking one that dragged on for nearly six weeks two years ago in one of the closest races in Nevada history.

Nevada casinos win $788.5 million in September: Brendan Riley; The Nevada Gaming Control Board said Thursday the statewide win was down 3.8 percent compared with the same month a year earlier. The money represents the amount kept by clubs after gamblers bet $12 billion.

Elko County rejects settlement offer in bull trout dispute: The Justice Department has asked U.S. District Judge David Hagen for an injunction to close the South Canyon Road in the Humboldt-Toiyabe National Forest near Jarbidge to protect the threatened bull trout in accordance with the Endangered Species Act.

Highlights of September win report on Nevada casinos: Highlights of September win report on Nevada casinos

Detroit's third casino to open Friday: The casino in the Greektown entertainment district will have 2,400 workers, about 2,416 slot machines and 103 game tables in 75,000 square feet of Mediterranean-themed space.

Catching up with: James Bayless: High School: Eldorado ('99)

Athletes of the Week: James Sims and Carleen Waldron: School: Valley

Bandits sign ex-Utah guard: The Bandits' first home game will be on Dec. 14. Call 938-3838 for ticket information.

Prep playoff schedule, results: 4A Sunrise Region Tournament

NFL Injury Report: ARIZONA AT MINNESOTA -- Arizona: OUT: S Tommy Bennett (quadricep). DOUBTFUL: DE Thomas Burke (stomach); G Lester Holmes (knee). QUESTIONABLE: DT Corey Sears (hip). PROBABLE: WR David Boston (hamstring); TE Chris Gedney (ribs); G Matt Joyce (back); CB Tommy Knight (knee); DE Simeon Rice (shoulder). Minnesota: OUT: DE Bryce Paup (knee); S Orlando Thomas (shoulder). DOUBTFUL: LB Craig Sauer (foot). QUESTIONABLE: CB Cris Dishman (shoulder); DE Roy Barker (groin). PROBABLE: DE John Burrough (ankle).

Columnist Dean Juipe: Pair of undercard boxers fighting for their careers: Dean Juipe; Their careers do not create a mirror image. Nor have Ivan Robinson and Jesse Leija followed exactly the same path.

Marine follows a musical tradition: Dick Benoit; The celebration of the 225th birthday of the Marine Corps on Friday is a family affair for one Las Vegas musical family.

Fiesta workers reapplying for jobs: David Strow; Station Casinos Inc. passed the first regulatory hurdle in its takeover of the Fiesta hotel-casino Wednesday, after the Nevada Gaming Control Board voted to approve Station's $185 million buyout of the popular North Las Vegas locals property.

Bush's lead is below 1,000 in recount: Terence Hunt; WASHINGTON -- George W. Bush's margin over Al Gore in make-or-break Florida dwindled to fewer than 1,000 votes today in a continuing recount that held the presidential rivals and the nation in agonizing suspense. Democrats said they would demand a follow-up recount by hand in four counties and support unspecified "legal actions."