Print edition for November 13, 2000

Concert highlights anti-nuke campaign: The Department of Energy is studying Yucca Mountain for the nation's high-level nuclear waste repository. If it is approved, a repository could open as soon as 2010.

LV tech company changes name: iSwag.com will remain a division of Develos Inc. and continue to service distributors and suppliers within the branded merchandise and promotional products industry.

Modern shelter comes at a price: Kris Hill; The Shade Tree shelter for homeless women and children moved into its new $6 million building almost two weeks ago, but it is finding out quickly that a shelter needs more than a building to operate.

Judge upholds recount: Ann Gearan; MIAMI -- A federal judge today allowed hand recounts to proceed in Florida's closely contested presidential election, handing a legal victory to Al Gore and a setback to George W. Bush. Republicans said a decision would be made swiftly about an appeal.

Chief Elique has dramatically changed operations of police on UNLV campus: Kris Hill; Gone are the motorcycles, and in their place are repainted squad cars and a golf cart with flashing lights.

Silicon Gaming buyout discussed: The proposed purchase price is $45 million, or between 7.5 cents and 9.5 cents per share, Silicon Gaming said. A definitive agreement between the companies hasn't been reached, and both sides say an agreement may not ultimately be struck.

Takeover offer made: Weyerhaeuser, based in Federal Way, Wash., said today it had written a letter dated Nov. 6 proposing to buy all of Portland-based Willamette's outstanding common stock for $48 per share in cash. Willamette also has total debt of about $1.7 billion.

Heller: Scrap 'winner take all' system: CARSON CITY -- In future elections, Nevada's electoral votes could be split between presidential candidates.

14 attorneys compete for District Court seat: Kim Smith; Interviews got under way today in the search for the late District Judge Gary Redmon's replacement.

Nevada high-speed train will be pitched to feds: Benjamin Grove; WASHINGTON -- The backers of a proposed high-speed train route between Las Vegas and Primm will make their pitch to the Federal Railroad Administration on Tuesday.

Local news briefs for November 13, 2000: A woman was booked into the Clark County jail this morning on arson charges, accused of burning down a house after she was kicked out, Las Vegas fire officials said.

Park Place stock may get a boost from buyback authorization: David Strow; Park Place Entertainment Corp. of Las Vegas on Friday announced plans to repurchase as many as 20 million shares of its own stock.

Gates, experts agree: Internet still in infancy: Computer industry guru Bill Gates enjoyed rock-star status as he shared his vision of the next generation of the Internet in the kickoff of Comdex 2000 Sunday night.

Investors propose buyout: The investors, led by Blum Capital Partners LP, are offering $15.50 per share for the company's outstanding common stock. The deal values the company at $740 million, including $400 million of CB Richard Ellis debt that would be refinanced or assumed.

Company pays $12.5 million to take over mall: The Sept. 30 settlement ends Strato-Retail's lease on the 69,000-square-foot mall, and dismisses legal claims by Strato-Retail against Stratosphere. The agreement was announced in Stratosphere's quarterly financial report, filed last week with the Securities and Exchange Commission.

Big health insurer limiting growth: PacifiCare Health Systems Inc. will limit enrollments in its Secure Horizons Medicare health plan in five states, but not Nevada, as it continues to struggle with rising costs and a lack of increased federal funding.

Fritsch to get closed meeting: Diana Sahagun; City Manager Kurt Fritsch has asked for a closed-door personnel session to discuss his performance, hoping to clear up allegations that he is violating policy and to put an end to the rising tension inside City Hall.

Nuclear dump foes hope for allies in new Congress: Benjamin Grove and Mary Manning; Nevada lawmakers may have picked up a few allies on Election Night in their battle against nuclear waste.

Suit against Station Casinos to await fed decision: CARSON CITY -- Attorney General Frankie Sue Del Papa, in an about-face, said today she won't prosecute a civil suit against Station Casinos for allegedly violating Nevada's political campaign law until a federal court rules on the constitutionality of the law.

Third Detroit casino finally opens with proper pomp: Jim Irwin; DETROIT -- The last of the city's three casinos threw open its doors Friday night in a rainbow splash of neon and pulsing light, and amid proclamations of another chapter in downtown's revival.

Weed and Seed program to expand to downtown: Erin Neff; If today's look of Meadows Village is any indication, the city of Las Vegas will benefit significantly from the expansion of a federal program called Weed and Seed.

Stupak clarifies role in Internet gaming: Erin Neff and Ed Koch; Maverick casino developer Bob Stupak clarified his role in the planned VegasOne.com Internet casino in a letter sent Sunday to the Las Vegas City Council.

Full ethics hearing set for McDonald: Erin Neff and Cy Ryan; CARSON CITY -- A panel of the state Ethics Commission decided today there was sufficient cause to go forward with a full hearing on allegations against Las Vegas Councilman Michael McDonald.

LV hotel-casino sues New York's Studio 54: In a U.S. District Court lawsuit, MGM Grand sued Studio 54 Promotions LLC and its principals, Joshua Hadar and Noel Ashman; its landlord, Landpen Co. L.P. and Aberson, Narotzky & White Inc., which allegedly makes and sells merchandise bearing the Studio 54 trademark for Studio 54 Promotions.

Kinko's places big order for imaging equipment: Kinko's is a privately held company that operates more than 1,000 stores that sell copying, printing and computer services.

Minor earthquake hits western Nevada: The temblor was measured at 2.4 magnitude by the USGS and occurred at 8:06 a.m. about 40 miles northwest of Beatty, according to the USGS website and the University of Nevada, Reno website.

Laughlin bank acquiring Arizona operation for $13.3 mil.: The transaction would make Rocky Mountain Bank the third subsidiary of the holding company, which already owns Laughlin-based First National Bank of Nevada and Scottsdale, Ariz.-based First Bank of Arizona. Rocky Mountain operates nine branches in Arizona in the Phoenix metropolitan area, Show Low and Payson; First Bank of Arizona has eight in the Phoenix area and Bullhead City; and First National Bank of Nevada has seven branches in Las Vegas, Laughlin, Reno and Carson City.

UPS would own LV call center under proposal: Tempe, Ariz.-based MicroAge is operating under Chapter 11 bankruptcy protection and had planned to auction the technical support operation.

Wireless products launched: Compaq's iPAQnet Mobility Solutions offer wireless computing with nationwide access to intranets and corporate email, as well as the Internet and Internet email, for the iPAQ Pocket PC and iPAQ BlackBerry devices.

LV's Busch places 19th, 3 laps off: Kurt Busch scored his third top-20 finish in six NASCAR Winston Cup starts by driving the No. 97 John Deere Ford to a 19th-place finish in Sunday's Pennzoil 400 at Homestead-Miami Speedway.

Georgia downs UNLV golf: Freshman Travis Whisman was the only Rebel to earn a score for his team, breaking even against the Bulldogs' Ryan Hybl over 18 holes to score UNLV's half-point.

Practice games aided Lewis: Steve Addy; Who: UNLV vs. Northern Arizona When: Friday, 7:30 p.m. Where: Thomas & Mack TV: None Radio: KBAD 920-AM

Letter: Life is a gift: Don't legalize euthanasia: Euthanasia and physician-assisted suicide facts and opinions should be known to everyone because they violate medical ethics. Death is never the answer, and precious lives must be preserved. Everyone should know that choosing death, as a way out of life's tribulations, is not the answer. Life is filled with memories and precious moments. Why would anyone ever want to crush it and attempt to throw that all away?

Marriott to build hotel in Tahoe: "This pulls the trigger on proceeding with development this spring," said City Manager David Childs.

Bar owners gripe at Allegany gambling crackdown: The crackdown that began last month has virtually shut down the video poker games that proliferated in the county in the past decade, especially after State's Attorney Lawrence V. Kelly declared in 1996 that gambling prosecution was not a high priority.

No prayer: Tua completely outclassed by Lewis in title bout: Dean Juipe; It may not have been a parade but it was more than a trickle.

Columnist Ralph Siraco: Fate played role in Tiznow's emotional triumph: Ralph Siraco; With this year's Breeders' Cup getting smaller in the rear-view mirror, here are some final postscripts:

Judge approves $14 million jury award: Gamble's action came about two months after the Nevada Supreme Court unanimously upheld a 1996 Douglas District Court jury finding against Dean Witter and House for conspiring to convert personal and real property.

Republican senator-elect plans to re-introduce conservative agenda: Scott Sonner; Senate Majority Leader Trent Lott, R-Miss., a proponent of the proposed dump at Yucca Mountain, mentioned the nuclear issue when he called to congratulate Ensign on his election victory this week.

30-year-old woman suspected of arson: The blaze broke out about 4:30 Monday on the city's northwest side, Las Vegas Fire and Rescue officials said.

Community news briefs for November 13, 2000: The Henderson Parks and Recreations Department is hosting three holiday-themed events at the following times and locations:

Columnist John Katsilometes: Election coverage 'fascinating': Let us recapture the excitement of CNN's election-night coverage ...

Experts try to diversify Nevada crops: If money can be made, farmers would be encouraged to grow crops of seed the federal government could purchase for use in the effort to stop the spread of cheatgrass.

Columnist Dean Juipe: Lewis feasts as Tua dines on crow: Dean Juipe; Proximity played a role in many Las Vegans believing David Tua had a chance to upset Lennox Lewis when they fought for the heavyweight championship Saturday night.

Two ranchers to receive high honors this year: Both showed excellence in linking profitable ranch practices to enhance public land resources, committee members said.

Country songstress goes from free concert to Strip headliner: Three years ago, Lee Ann Womack played a free concert at a locals joint during the National Finals Rodeo. Instead of playing to cowboys this year, the petite, blond Texan will be deliver a command performance during the Concert for the Nobel Peace Prize, which takes place Dec. 11 in Oslo, Norway.

Group starts effort to educate New Hampshire about gambling risks: J.M. Hirsch; The Granite State Coalition Against the Expansion of Gambling announced it especially will target lawmakers with information and statistics about the damage gambling has done in other states.

Boy oh boy: Henderson teen drawing attention in national contest: Kimberley McGee; And he has his own slick trading card.

Harrah's: Casino won't work without tax break, hotel: Alan Sayre; The casino simply has not met - and cannot be expected to meet - once-lofty projections of how much money it would take in from gamblers, the panel was told during the casino's first official public statement of what it wants to stay open.

Obituaries for November 13, 2000: Larry Allmendinger, 49, of Las Vegas died Wednesday in Las Vegas. He was born Nov. 12, 1950, in Bismarck, N.D. A resident for 22 years, he was a hotel operating engineer and a Vietnam War Army veteran.

Rebels feast on rhubarb: Steve Guiremand; Say this for the 2000 edition of the UNLV Rebels: They have a lot of fight in them.

Tennis: UNLV freshman fails to advance: Abram knocked off two ranked players from Arizona State on Saturday to reach the semifinals of the prestigious fall tournament, but was unable to pull off a third upset over the 63rd-ranked Gough.

Audit says state overcollecting certain fuel tax: At the end of June, the fund balance was $9.7 million, according to the Reno Gazette-Journal.

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

Ex-Rebel advances in PGA's Q School: Ex-Rebel advances in PGA's Q School

Letter: Gore should do nation a favor: The United States does not need to run rudderless. The people need to know who their leader will be. The people need to know who is a real mensch (good person). Let Al Gore stand tall and be that man. It is time.

Ranchers refuse to return cattle, despite threat of prison: "If they feel somewhere in the federal process they were treated unfairly, then go to court. I mean, that's the process," Melodie Rydalch, spokeswoman for the U.S. attorney's office, told the Deseret News. "The rule of law is important in this country. We don't remedy grievances by vigilantism or by taking the animals, as they did in this case."

Police end day-care investigation: She said they turned the case over to Washoe County Social Services, which issued a citation to the center for a lack of supervision.

Ragland, Stewart duel in Baja 2000: Doubling the distance of the annual Baja 1000, the 1,726-mile trek through the Mexican peninsula features 262 two and four-wheel vehicles and more than 900 competitors in one of the most grueling off-road events ever attempted.

Editorial: Not ready for school vouchers: Vouchers as currently proposed are a bad idea because proponents have never clearly explained how they can work without destroying public schools, particularly in the inner cities. Proponents argue that, because vouchers are intended to give parents a choice of schools, public education would actually improve because it would be forced to compete with private schools. We do not buy that argument.

Letter: GOP a bunch of hypocrites: RAYMOND HARBERT

Idaho tourist officials applaud tribe's $12 million, 92-room casino: The tribe is counting on the 92-room hotel to keep visitors in Worley. The casino also will feature a golf course, which delights tourist officials.

Judge: Women opposed to breast-implant deal may not sue corporate parents: Jim Suhr; The 168-page ruling by U.S. District Judge Denise Page Hood set aside federal Bankruptcy Judge Arthur Spector's opinion last December, which the settlement's backers complained changed pivotal terms of the deal he approved weeks earlier.

Columnist Lisa Ferguson: Trends, November 13, 2000: Lisa Ferguson; It's about time we started listening to what children have to say. At least that's what the Can Manufacturers Institute says.

Wildlife agency reseeds scorched wildlife habitat: Martin Griffith; The fires burned about 660,000 acres this year and 1.8 million acres in 1999. NDOW biologists estimate the affected areas provided habitat for more than 40 percent of Nevada's wildlife.

Study says casino would drain cash from region: The Menominee Nation's casino, planned for the Dairyland Greyhound Park, will derive only 10 percent of its revenue from people outside the region, while 90 percent of the money will come from residents in the surrounding eight-county area, which includes Kenosha, Racine, Walworth, Milwaukee, Waukesha, Ozaukee, Washington and Lake (Ill.) counties, according to the study.

Submarine Nevada skipper in command of both crews: Charles Porchia; Cmdr. Walter Luthiger of Las Vegas recently assumed command of both crews of the submarine USS Nevada.

Cimarron escapes in OT: Spencer Patterson; 4A Sunrise Region Eldorado 35, Desert Pines 6 Las Vegas 46, Valley 13

President signs bill authorizing money for Lake Tahoe: Sandra Chereb; "This is an historic and landmark day for one of the environmental crown jewels of our nation," said Sen. Dianne Feinstein, D-Calif., who co-sponsored the Lake Tahoe Restoration Act in the Senate along with fellow Democrats Barbara Boxer, D-Calif., and Nevada Sens. Harry Reid and Richard Bryan.