Print edition for November 16, 2000

Editorial: Full-steam ahead is wrong for dump: But the public would be wrong to believe that this is the end of the debate over this issue. As the Sun's Mary Manning reported Wednesday, a scientist from Bucknell University in Pennsylvania discovered calcite deposits she believed were left by hot water. And Yuri Dublyansky of the Russian Academy of Sciences says he has evidence hot water has invaded the site of a repository in Yucca Mountain's recent geologic history.

SportPark's would-be buyers contemplating water park: Owners of the All-American SportPark, continuing their efforts to sell the troubled venture on Las Vegas Boulevard South, are talking to buyers who may develop a water park on the site.

LV banks called at risk in slowing economy: David Strow; The Federal Deposit Insurance Corp. is concerned that America's community banks are putting too many of their financial eggs in the commercial real estate basket -- and Las Vegas is near the top of their list.

UNLV notebook: Volleyball coach is not afraid to look to future: The popular refrain among coaches in any sport during the postseason goes something like, "We're not looking ahead ... we're going to take it one game at a time."

Standard & Poor's downgrades big Nevada insurer: HPN, a wholly owned subsidiary of Las Vegas-based Sierra Health Services Inc., operates in Nevada and Arizona.

Local woman's glass art gets national recognition: Kirk Baird; But it worked for Las Vegas artist Leslie Rankin.

Community news briefs for November 16, 2000: The International Network of Children's Ministry is conducting a national seminar beginning 8 a.m. Saturday at Canyon Ridge Christian Church, 6200 W. Lone Mountain Road.

NCAA no show at gaming regulators workshop: Lisa Snedeker; Gaming Commission Chairman Brian Sandoval was disappointed that NCAA Executive Director Cedric Dempsey did not accept his invitation to discuss proposals that are being considered in an attempt to ward off federal legislation that would halt betting on college sports.

Former county commissioner Petitti dies at 81: Jace Radke; Former Clark County Commissioner Jack Petitti's name will always be linked to the FBI investigation that forced him and a number of other Nevada politicians to resign in the early 1980s.

DOE: Flaws could end Yucca project: RENO -- Department of Energy scientists said Wednesday they would stop work on a proposed high-level nuclear waste repository at Yucca Mountain if they uncover a major problem.

McDonald loses 'pro tem' title: Erin Neff; Without comment, the Las Vegas City Council unanimously stripped Michael McDonald this morning of his mayor pro tem duties and gave the position to Gary Reese.

Columnist Dean Juipe: Lewis' prediction could be right on the money: Dean Juipe; Lennox Lewis believes a fight with Mike Tyson is probable, if not inevitable.

TRPA considers crackdown on speedboat noise: If TRPA proceeds along those lines, it's likely to wind up at the forefront of a controversy every bit as heated as the two-year-long debate over personal watercraft rules.

TRPA approves logging project to remove dead and dying trees: TRPA fined Menasha Corp., the logging contractor on that job, $160,000 after agency officials said at least 49 old growth trees were felled in violation of regulations designed to protect trees greater than 30 inches in diameter.

South Dakota commission approves rules to conform with law on higher bet limit: Chet Brokaw; Voters last week approved an initiated law boosting the $5 bet limit to $100, and the commission met by two-way television Thursday to adopt emergency rules so that five rules and one reporting form will match the new law.

Judge to issue ruling on D-I homeowner association dispute: Denton spent Wednesday afternoon hearing arguments from an attorney for Wynn, attorneys for 12 homeowners who have refused to sell their homes to Wynn and one of those homeowners. The residents claim Wynn is illegally trying to run their association.

Fledgling IBL loses 2 teams: Victoria Sun; First there was the failed expansion in Flint, Mich.

Local news briefs for November 16, 2000: A man accused of stalking entertainer Jerry Lewis was charged Wednesday in Clark County District Court.

Editorial: Worthy overture dismissed: But even before Bush had a chance to respond, Florida Secretary of State Katherine Harris rejected the requests by counties to submit hand recounts of ballots. Her decision Wednesday left no doubt that Harris, a Republican who was co-chairwoman of Bush's Florida campaign, was driven by partisanship. A state judge's ruling this week gave Harris discretion in deciding whether to approve a recount by hand, but her immediate dismissal of their requests still was stunning in light of all the documentation that voting machines frequently had failed to count ballots that had been cast. Considering that only 300 votes out ...

Bye week allows Thomas to heal: Steve Guiremand; Jason Thomas is spending UNLV's bye week giving his sore right foot some much-needed rest.

Fidelity reports stake in gaming operator: The reported holdings of 12.2 million shares as of Oct. 31 is the first such filing by Fidelity, one of the nation's largest mutual fund operators. Under federal regulations, such filings are necessary only when a shareholder acquires more than 5 percent of a company's stock.

Obituaries for November 16, 2000: Marie Ruth Butler, 86, of North Las Vegas died Tuesday in North Las Vegas. A homemaker, she was born April 29, 1914, in Vicksburg, Miss.

Big contract signed for card shufflers: The order is Shuffle Master's largest for the shufflers to date, and brings the total number of King shufflers installed to 650. King shufflers have been installed at the Rio and Hard Rock in Las Vegas, as well as "multiple" casinos operated by Harrah's Entertainment Inc.

No Majerus is better diet for ex-Ute Harvey: Victoria Sun; No one is looking over Tony Harvey's shoulder now.

Where I Stand -- Mike O'Callaghan: No hurry to change: "I have thought about this for a long time. I've always thought we had outlived the need for an Electoral College, and now that I am going to the Senate, I am going to try to do what I can to make clear that the popular vote, the will of the people, should be followed." These are the words of Sen.-elect Hillary Clinton of New York.

Fight schedule: At Lake Tahoe, Nevada, Julian Letterlough, Harrisburg, Pa., vs. Max Heyman, Albuquerque, 12, light heavyweights.

Isle of Capri Casinos to repurchase 1.5 million shares of common stock: He said the stock repurchases may be made periodically in the open market, in privately negotiated transactions or a combination of both. The extent and timing of these transactions will depend on market conditions and other business considerations. No date was established for the completion of the program.

Raggio again elected Senate majority leader: Raggio, a lawyer, said the GOP caucus chose the same leadership as the 1999 session. Republicans hold control 12-9 in the upper house, and there were no changes in membership in the election.

Las Vegas council briefs for November 16, 2000: Here is how the Las Vegas City Council voted Wednesday to spend taxpayer money:

Incline Village man indicted in wife's death: Deputies found him 50 feet down the mountain after he used a cell phone to call for help. He said he was thrown clear of the wreck.

Nevada contractors will ask Legislature to reform lien law: David Strow; As a bitter fight drags on over $300 million in mechanics liens filed against the Venetian resort on the Las Vegas Strip, a group of contractors' organizations is pushing for an overhaul of Nevada's lien laws in the 2001 legislative session.

Gore turns to Florida judge: Anne Gearan; TALLAHASSEE, Fla. -- Al Gore asked a Florida judge today to require the state to count disputed presidential ballots being tallied by hand after a deadline passed.

Guardsman kicks his way to Egypt: Dick Benoit; Nevada Army National Guard 2nd Lt. John Krueger will be on his way to Egypt next summer, but not for a military exercise.

LV native brings NAU into town for opener: Steve Addy; Who: N. Arizona at UNLV When: Friday, 7:35 p.m. Where: Thomas & Mack TV: None Radio: KBAD 920-AM

Longtime assemblyman, civic leader May dies: Jace Radke; With a tenure of more than 20 years as an elected official, public service was a lifelong commitment for former North Las Vegas Assemblyman Paul May Jr.

Rebels ready for Ernest to come to their camp: Steve Addy; Ernest Turner has been in love with Las Vegas for years, but not because of Larry Johnson, Stacey Augmon or Jerry Tarkanian.

Nevada out-gunned by competitors in economic development race at Comdex: A thousand high-tech executives from all over the world received invitations to attend a screening of "Wild California" and a party at the Luxor hotel-casino's six-story IMAX theater during Comdex this week.

Erickson's work on UNLV library to be remembered: Hal Erickson was a librarian who believed his job was more than just telling a client where a book was located.

'Order-out' crime zone expanded: Erin Neff; Small-time drug dealers and hookers got pushed a bit farther from downtown Las Vegas on Wednesday after the City Council unanimously expanded a corridor that bans street criminals.

Columnist Spencer Patterson: Plenty at stake in Reno: Spencer Patterson; At first glance, Friday night's Northern Region football championship may look like a complete waste of time. After all, both McQueen and Wooster will participate in the upcoming 4A state tournament, regardless of the outcome.

Suicide blamed on insurer: In a Clark County District Court lawsuit, the plaintiff said her husband's medication regime of Cylert and Prozac was changed to Ritalin by the defendants after they determined Ritalin was as effective as his previous prescription. The woman alleged the symptoms of his disorders began recurring on Nov. 2, 1999, and he shot himself to death on Nov. 19, 1999, allegedly in front of his wife and son.

Lewis' stalker faces charges: A Jan. 22 trial date was scheduled Wednesday for Gary Benson 57, of Sheridan, Wyo.

Columnist Ruthe Deskin: Election becoming melodrama: Ruthe Deskin; "To be or not to be, that is the question."

Former RSCVA boss Keene cleared of criminal wrongdoing: "While Mr. Keene's actions cast a shadow of suspicion over the propriety of his personal use of RSCVA credit cards, it cannot be proven beyond a reasonable doubt that he acted criminally," Deputy District Attorney Cheryl Hier-Johnson said Thursday.

Governor wants to close 'Net sales-tax loophole: CARSON CITY -- Gov. Kenny Guinn wants to close a loophole that allows Nevadans to buy goods from out-of-state firms via the Internet and escape paying the sales tax.

Edwards' case should be retried, defendants argue: Melinda Deslatte; Prosecutors acknowledged Wednesday that a recent U.S. Supreme Court ruling affected three mail fraud convictions in Edwards' casino racketeering trial and asked for new trials on those charges.

EPA cites Reno air quality concerns, moves rating to serious: Scott Sonner; The EPA cited violations of federal dust standards in Reno and Washoe County last winter primarily as a result of excessive sand and dust left behind by road sanders and snow plows, which the wind whipped into the air before street sweepers could get to it.

Strip mall businesses object to police raid: Adrienne Packer; Cue Club manager Trish Roberts was busy at the crowded billiards hall a month ago when 50 police officers and inspectors flooded the Commercial Center strip mall and blocked its entrances.

Auto racing schedules, winners and points standings: Feb. 20 - Daytona 500, Daytona Beach, Fla. (Dale Jarrett)

NFL Injury Report: ARIZONA) AT PHILADELPHIA -- Arizona: OUT: C Mike Gruttadauria (neck). DOUBTFUL: G Lester Holmes (knee). QUESTIONABLE: WR David Boston (hamstring); RB Michael Pittman (ribs). PROBABLE: S Tommy Bennett (quadricep); DE Thomas Burke (stomach); RB Thomas Jones (pneumonia); CB Tommy Knight (knee); DE Brad Ottis (knee); DE Simeon Rice (shoulder); WR Frank Sanders (quadricep); DE-DT Corey Sears (hip). Philadelphia: PROBABLE: RB Darnell Autry (calf); TE Mike Bartrum (knee); CB Jason Bostic (elbow); DT Paul Grasmanis (knee); DE Mike Mamula (foot); QB Donovan McNabb (back); DT Corey Simon (shoulder/knee); G John Welbourn (foot); DE Brandon Whiting (hand/knee).

Columnist Joe Delaney: Assessing Carlin's move to MGM: Joe Delaney; George Carlin's departure after 10 successful years at Bally's is further proof that Park Place Entertainment is not entertainment oriented, with the possible exception of the Flamingo Las Vegas ... Carlin's crowd counts have been consistently high ... Could it be that his four-wall (lease) deal was too favorable for Carlin? ... MGM Grand entertainment chief Richard Sturm was more than happy to reunite with Carlin in January.

Letter: Some voters just don't think: This to me looks like a case of people who do not think clearly about what they are doing, and we probably are better off without their unthought-out decisions.

Corrections: Corrections

NLV council briefs for November 16, 2000: The North Las Vegas City Council postponed granting a liquor and gaming license to the recently sold Fiesta hotel Wednesday after hearing that 1,100 employees will lose their jobs after Christmas.

Hooked casino exec gets his day in court, blames lies on disease: John Curran; Too bad, says the state. Allowing the admitted pathological gambler to keep working in casinos now would be like excusing a drunken driver for causing a fatal crash just because he's an alcoholic, the state says.

High court stays out of Hammargren suit: CARSON CITY -- The Nevada Supreme Court has denied a pre-trial petition sought by former Lt. Gov. Lonnie Hammargren, who is one of the defendants in a medical malpractice suit in Las Vegas.

Letter: You can't be too careful when voting: I will then use a properly certified chad-removing instrument to vote for one and only one candidate as required and recommended by law. My lawyer will certify that I have voted for one candidate and that no hanging, pregnated, tri-tip, or swinging door remain. Should one remain, my lawyer will immediately take note of the punch card manufacturer for a later class-action lawsuit.

Letter: Election simply is unbelievable: The only way we can have an honest election this year is to do it all over again -- this time posting the National Guard in each and every polling place to watch every move made.

Council finds road update bumpy: Erin Neff; Las Vegas City Council members asked for more communication with the Nevada Department of Transportation after learning Wednesday that several major road projects will take longer than anticipated.

Release of hostage in India a peaceful conclusion: BANGALORE, India -- India's most notorious bandit on Wednesday finally freed India's most famous hostage, the beloved elderly movie idol Rajkumar, whom he had held captive for 109 days in an ever shifting series of jungle encampments.

Plans for downtown furniture malls are changed: Jeffrey Libby; Furniture Mart of America has lopped four stories and a degree of glamour from its two 700,000-square-foot retail furniture malls planned for downtown Las Vegas.

Killer of 4 gets life in prison: Greg Tuttle; A Clark County District Court jury took four days to find Richard Powell guilty of slaying four people in a revenge attack against a police informant, but jurors took only three hours to sentence him to life in prison.

LV doctor sued over royalties: In a U.S. District Court lawsuit, Zila, which said it is no longer obligated to pay royalties to Dr. James Tinnell after the patent on his invention expired on Aug. 25, 1998, sued him and his wife as a preemptive strike after he refused to repay the money and allegedly threatened to sue Zila to force the company to continue making payments to him.

Bankrupt retailer to sell LV outlet: The Calgary, Alberta-based company opened a 7,000-square foot store on the Strip across from the Luxor hotel-casino in February after closing its store at 4043 South Eastern Ave. just before Christmas last year. The new Las Vegas store has six workers.

Lawsuit over proposed Rosemont casino moving forward: A group of Lake County developers who want their own casino sued the Illinois Gaming Board, saying the 1999 law was unconstitutional because it stipulated that Emerald Casino Inc. could move the license for its defunct East Dubuque riverboat to Rosemont.

Rhode Island police charge 15 with running gambling ring: David Rising; Massachusetts State Police on Thursday picked up one man, while state police in Rhode Island and Connecticut on Wednesday arrested 13 others, on charges including racketeering, bookmaking and conspiracy. One man remains on the lam.

Columnist Ron Kantowski: MWC should forsake its Liberty: In that his team has become the class of the Mountain West Conference and one can only visit Graceland so many times before one sequined suit begins to look like the next one, Colorado State's Sonny Lubick needs to ask a favor of MWC commissioner Craig Thompson.

Boat engine supplier sued: In a Clark County District Court lawsuit, Sierra International Inc. and Aqua Power, which sell marine engines to retail dealers in Southern Nevada, Utah and Arizona, are seeking an order to force the defendants to disclose the identities of all their customers in order to inform them of possible future product recalls for "performance or safety reasons."

Grinding it out: Spencer Patterson; A year ago, the Las Vegas Wildcats were Nevada's flashiest football outfit, lighting up scoreboards around town with a wide-open passing attack backed up by a solid running game.

Picks: Cimarron, Eldorado get nods to advance: Spencer Patterson; They say big-time players step up in the playoffs, and apparently, so do big-time prognosticators. After a rocky regular season, an 11-1 postseason mark has me feeling confident again heading into the year's most important games.

Rebels' Graham named to MWC All-Star team: Graham, a junior, leads the Rebels in blocks with 68 for the season to date, nine solo and 55 assisted. She also leads the team in digs per game (2.31) and is third in total digs with 155. She is second on the team in kills with 183.

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

Catching up with: Alex Hernandez: High School: Valley ('98)

Ralph Siraco's selections for Friday's races at Hollywood Park: 1st Race -- Turkish Prize - Training at Anita, Pincay aboard Mandella trainee, fits this short turf dash opener well. Majorbigtimesheet - Should get good catbird trip from middle post, Desormeaux on Hess trainee, a factor throughout. Value Play -- Orvald