Print edition for November 29, 2000

Gore confident of victory: David Espo; Al Gore declared today "I certainly believe that I did" win the White House, while his lawyers pressed urgently in the courts to let him try to prove it. George W. Bush worked in the privacy of his Texas ranch on a transition to the job he said is his.

MGM to be cleared in hosting of gambler: David Strow; The Nevada Gaming Control Board is unlikely to take any action against the Las Vegas Strip's MGM Grand hotel-casino in the wake of a murder-suicide involving one of the resort's high-end players, a top state gaming regulator said Monday.

Feds aid fire fight: Jace Radke; How to join

LV casino executive promoting art in New Zealand: David Strow; Steve Wynn started the trend toward fine art on the Las Vegas Strip when he placed $400 million in artwork in the Bellagio. Sheldon Adelson continued it earlier this year, announcing plans to host artwork from the Guggenheim and the Hermitage at the Venetian.

Ready to get it on: Dean Juipe; Head bowed and relatively expressionless, Fernando Vargas had a pensive look on his face and an equally pensive tone to his voice.

Ralph Siraco's selections for Thursday's races at Hollywood Park: 1st Race -- Classical Charm - Espinoza rides Lukas horse for Padua Stables, draws good rail post for route opener, graduation at hand. Cathy's Star - Delahoussaye astride Jory horse, adds blinkers for this trip, hood may yield diploma. Value Play -- Cafe Del Mar

Red Cross, city collecting holiday gifts for military: The items include Christmas trees, decorations and stocking stuffers, holiday and everyday cards; toiletry items such as shaving cream, razors, toothbrushes and tooth paste; videos and CDs; small board games; recent paperback books; writing paper, envelopes and pens.

Station agrees to $1 million fine: David Strow; Station Casinos Inc. of Las Vegas on Tuesday agreed to pay a $1 million fine to the state of Missouri -- a settlement that will finally allow the company to exit that state.

Sunia misses shot to play at 'home': Steve Guiremand; When it was announced last spring that UNLV had added a 12th game at Hawaii, nobody was happier than Rebel linebacker James Sunia.

McDonald, chief liaison getting hard to contact: Erin Neff; Constituents looking these days for Las Vegas City Councilman Michael McDonald and his chief liaison, Rick Henry, are coming up empty. It's gotten to the point that city officials can only reach Henry -- who is paid $67,000 a year to work for the city -- by cell phone. And constituents have gotten so fed up with the unanswered calls to McDonald's office that they're calling the mayor and other council members.

Five arrested in alleged casino cheating scheme: KENNER, La. -- A pit boss at the Treasure Chest casino and four other people have been accused in a scheme in which the employee allegedly falsified information to qualify friends and family for thousands of dollars in cash rebates.

Molasky students will be on the move: Terry Webster; A Clark County School District panel is planning to move 928 students from Molasky Middle School next year to the new Judge Myron E. Leavitt Middle School, one of several changes in school attendance zones the public will get a look at in January and February.

Rebels benefit when Diggs plays it smart: Steve Addy; The senior maturity of Rebels guard Trevor Diggs is being revealed in more than just his improved shooting percentage.

Syracuse out of LV Bowl picture: Steve Guiremand; The 'Cuse apparently will not be on the loose at the Las Vegas Bowl on Dec. 21.

Local news briefs for November 29, 2000: An effort to overturn a Clark County School Board decision to bar a local construction contractor from bidding on school projects was rejected Monday.

LV Hilton sues gambling debt case figure: In a Clark County District court lawsuit, Hilton sued Matthew Fleeger, alleging he failed to pay $73,000 of an $85,000 gaming debt he had incurred from May 22 through Dec. 11, 1998. The suit said Fleeger paid only $12,000 and that "cheques (he) presented as payment to his account had bounced."

Community news briefs for November 29, 2000: Santa Claws will be available at local PetsMart stores to take photos of pets and their owners 10 a.m.-5 p.m. Saturday and Sunday, and again Dec. 9 and 10.

Reno night flights urged: Clark County Aviation Director Randy Walker said late-night flights are a fact of life in Las Vegas.

Residents still aggravated by U.S. 95 project: Meeting tonight

Hundreds arrested in McCarran sting: Greg Tuttle; A three-month crackdown on illegal-alien smugglers in Southern Nevada and Arizona netted thousands of arrests and forced many to change their travel plans, federal officials say.

Columnist Paula DelGiudice: Twist of fate aids new archer: Paula DelGiudice; Most everyone takes up archery hunting with a particular purpose in mind. They might want to practice shooting at targets. Or maybe they want to begin hunting with a bow. Rarely, though, does someone take up archery hunting because his or her father had accidentally filled in the wrong hunt number on an archery application. And rarely does that person turn that quirk of fate into a handsome trophy within three weeks time.

Merger bid turns hostile: NEW YORK -- A news report today said Weyerhaeuser Co. will make a $5.4 billion cash offer for rival paper maker Willamette Industries Inc., pursuing shareholder approval of a hostile takeover just two weeks after Willamette's board rejected a bid of equal value.

Askew says it'll take majority to oust him: Adrienne Packer; Despite continuing pressure to resign, Clark County Manager Dale Askew said Tuesday he won't leave his post unless a majority of the seven-member commission votes him out.

Seven share Binion reward: The reward, paid by Binion's $55 million estate, was split among the seven recipients who played essential roles in helping authorities convict Binion's girlfriend, Sandy Murphy, and her lover, Rick Tabish, of killing the wealthy gambling figure in September 1998.

Newspaper awaits cell phone records: Kim Smith; District Judge Mark Denton has been asked to fine Clark County $500 for every day it fails to turn over cell phone records to a local newspaper.

LV man sues over Indian gaming contract: In a Clark County District Court suit, James Barnes alleged the defendants defaulted on an agreement to pay him 5 percent of net revenues they received from any Indian gaming agreement with the Pokagon Band of Potawatomi Indians, a tribe in Michigan.

Legislative panel OKs new child welfare plan: Sandy Thompson; An interim legislative subcommittee has reaffirmed its support for a new child welfare system that transfers foster care and related services to Clark and Washoe counties, with the state handling those responsibilities in the rural counties.

Columnist Dean Juipe: Trinidad, Vargas fight hurt by Tua: Dean Juipe; Sitting a few rows back from the ring, a cap on his head as if in disguise, David Tua appeared infinitely forlorn.

Court briefs for November 29, 2000: One of four men scheduled to go on trial next week in connection with a series of home invasions pleaded guilty Tuesday.

Holiday moratorium begins for North Las Vegas Municipal Court warrants: Diana Sahagun; North Las Vegas Municipal Court is offering an early Christmas present to people with outstanding misdemeanor warrants who would otherwise be arrested -- a get-out-of-jail-free card and a second chance to clear up their cases.

Columnist Peter Benton: Golfers ready to go to school for cards: Peter Benton; A total of 169 players have advanced to the finals of the 2000 PGA Tour Qualifying Tournament which gets under way today and runs through Monday.

Louisiana Harrah's CEO looking for a pony for Christmas: Guy Coates; "But, I guess I'm a little bit like a kid at Christmas. I think there's a pony under the tree," said Phil Satre, head of Harrah's Entertainment Inc.

Columnist Elizabeth Foyt: Magical Forest gala ushers in holiday season: Elizabeth Foyt; Few evenings have the enduring charm and, yes, the magic of Opportunity Village's Camelot at the Magical Forest gala, an event that ushers in the yuletide season and awakens the child in us all. The opening reception of the gala, held in the crisp air of the Magical Forest, was peopled by guests in their finery and richly costumed characters from the pages of "King Arthur and the Knights of the Round Table" mingling as they toured the fairy-tale forest with its many glittering lights and holiday ornaments.

Child's Play: These Vegas stores are fun and games for kids of all ages: Jennifer Prosser; KB Toy Liquidators: KB caters to the kid in all of us. Who could pass up a $4.99 Hula Hair Barbie doll or a $2.95 Star Wars action figure? These are the deals you'll find at KB. And the clearance bin has some unbelievable markdowns - some games and figurines can be had for a scant 97 cents. It seems every item here has gotten the red marker treatment. KB Toy Liquidators is one of the best places in town to do your Christmas shopping. (Belz Outlet Mall, 7400 S. Las Vegas Blvd., (702)361-8683)

Kuhn's hearing postponed; death penalty still considered: Scott Sonner; FERNLEY, Nev. - Prosecutors in an alleged double murder haven't decided whether to seek the death penalty for the Sacramento woman accused of killing her pregnant niece and cutting the nearly full-term baby from her abdomen.

Reno City Council rejects bid for new Wal-Mart superstore: "I don't think they have shown us that their plan would mitigate the traffic impacts this project would create," Councilman Dave Aiazzi said.

Prince posters don't fly in Sin City: Lisa Snedeker; LAS VEGAS - It might be Sin City, but a nude poster of Prince and his guitar didn't fly at McCarran International Airport.

Letter: Oppression, hate rule in Nevada: The sad truth is that right-wing Christians are openly teaching and spewing hatred while they pursue their own self-righteous bigotry and consider themselves above reproach.

Woman accused of double murder says she tried to save baby's life: Scott Sonner; But detectives also testified at a preliminary hearing on the double murder charges Tuesday that Erin Kuhn, 31, Sacramento, Calif., changed her story at least three times and admitted she was upset her niece backed out of an agreement for Kuhn to adopt the baby.

Columnist Muriel Stevens: Holiday shopping a challenge: I have a love-hate relationship with shopping at this time of the year. I love the wonderful selection of merchandise that's in all the stores. I love being able to find things I normally have to mail-order, and I love those early shopping hours offered by some stores.

Bartender files discrimination complaint against Harrah's Reno: Martin Griffith; Darlene Jespersen, 45, filed the complaint against Harrah's Reno last month. She was fired in August after working 21 years for the resort.

Columnist Victoria Sun: May to return to Nevada Open: Victoria Sun; PGA Tour professional Bob May will be back at the Nevada Open next week to try to defend his title.

All-you-can-eat sushi gaining in popularity: Max Jacobson; Many people automatically associate sushi with raw fish, the thought of which makes a fair number of people queasy. In fact, this is not necessarily the case. Sushi can be made with vegetables, cooked fish and even raw or cooked meat, since the only essential component is the rice.

Winter blunderland: Holidays are full of hazards: 'Tis the season to be alert.

Time-strapped Legislature to trim testimonials: CARSON CITY -- It's a time-honored tradition for the state Legislature to draft and pass flowery-worded resolutions for prominent people who have died or to praise someone with a noted accomplishment.

Columnist Jeff Haney: Trinidad-Vargas: 'A great fight to book': Fernando Vargas finds himself in an unusual situation heading into Saturday's junior middleweight world title fight against Felix Trinidad.

Obituaries for November 29, 2000: John LaMoine Ballner Sr., 76, of Pioche, died Wednesday in Pioche. He was born Sept. 29, 1924, in Wellsfleet, Neb. A resident for more than 40 years, he was a retired chef.

Letter: Suddenly Gore devoted to will of the people: Having found a controlling legal authority he can live with, we can expect him to advocate on behalf of other majoritarian positions, such as a return of prayer in public schools, increased enforcement of the death penalty and decreased funding for the National Endowment for the Arts.

Trump, associates detail campaign: Trump disclosed for the first time that his company spent $284,748 on ads and a telephone survey and almost $46,000 in expenses by its primary lobbying company, Ikon Holdings, the Albany Times Union reported in Wednesday's edition.

Casino company agrees to $1 million fine: Paul Sloca; The commission voted 5-0 Wednesday to approve the confidential settlement, which will be effective once Las Vegas-based Station sells its St. Charles and Kansas City casinos.

Donald ambushed by Sullivan, but hangs on: Dean Juipe; Larry Donald, expecting a pleasant walk in the park, was, instead, the victim of a near mugging.

Savvy wine buy: A-Mano '99 Primitivo: Max Jacobson; A-Mano is Italian for "by hand," and that's exactly how this wine is made, as opposed to in giant industrial presses. Mark Shannon, an American who lives in Italy, hooked up with the co-operative that owned these vines, and discovered that it was ready to replant and simply throw them away. "I can make good wine from these vines," he told the operators, and he's done it. Primitivo is thought to be a relative of Zinfandel. It's full-bodied and quite alcoholic, almost 14.5 percent, but you don't taste the alcohol when you drink it. You might taste raspberries, though.

Tuesday's prep results: BOYS BASKETBALL

Thursday's horse racing entries: Post Time 12:30 p.m.

Legal gambling age argued before Louisiana Supreme Court: Brett Martel; Chris Young argued the case for a Ville Plate man who claimed that raising the minimum age for such games violated the state Constitution by discriminating against people his age. The man was under 21 at the time the lawsuit was filed.

Las Vegas area fishing report: LAKE MEAD: Typical late fall fishing is being found with striped bass and channel catfish now being found in deep water. Even so, there have been reports of some stripers being caught near the surface following the Nevada Division of Wildlife's weekly trout plants.

More night flights urged in Reno to spur tourism: The low fares that attract tourists are made possible largely because airlines fly the planes at night when they otherwise would be standing idle, he said.

Letter: Seize, euthanize vicious dogs: If it is dangerous, the dog should be seized and euthanized. People who own pit bulls and other vicious dogs often are involved in illegal activities.

Geringer disputes tribe's claim about gambling: Mead Gruver; The tribe filed suit Nov. 21, claiming state officials have not negotiated in good faith to expand gambling on the reservation with slot machines and games like blackjack and poker.

Monorail board studies budget: Adrienne Packer; As property along Paradise Road was cleared to make way for the new Las Vegas Strip monorail's first structure -- a maintenance building -- the system's nonprofit corporation held its first budget meeting Tuesday.

Editorial: New BLM rules hurt mining: As reported by the Sun's Benjamin Grove, the agency could close proposed mines based on "substantial irreparable harm" to the environment or to historical landmarks. But that is an overly broad phrase that leaves room for abusive interpretation by heavy-handed regulators. Marginal environmental protection is not worth it if the result is a loss of thousands of jobs and elimination of revenue that is the lifeline of rural communities.

Pioneer Nevadan Whipple dies: Birdie B. Whipple, an active member of the Mormon Church during her many years in Southern Nevada and Utah, and wife of the late church and civic leader Reed Whipple, died Monday at 95.

Editorial: Disclosure needed from institutions: Nevada government officials over the years frequently have treated the phrase "full disclosure" like a virus that needed to be neutralized. It is particularly worrisome when an elected official struggles to get records that should be fully available. That is why we applaud the efforts of Regent Steve Sisolak to seek a detailed accounting from the University and Community College System of Nevada of the money our state institutions of learning have spent on business lunches, flowers and other fund-raising activities.

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