Print edition for October 4, 2000

Gaming board questions mayor about proposed casino: The interview, which lasted for nearly two hours, touched on Stephens' efforts to bring casino gambling to Cook County and Rosemont's lease with a casino developer.

Medical examiner testifies student likely was strangled: Kim Smith; A Silverado High School student found dead near the clubhouse of her condominium complex in 1998 probably was strangled and sodomized, a medical examiner said Tuesday.

NLV studies library merger: Diana Sahagun; The lines are being drawn in North Las Vegas over possible consolidation with the Las Vegas-Clark County Library District.

Defense attorneys seek to toss out indictment in child's death: Kim Smith; Attorneys for a former Child Haven worker accused of killing her foster child are asking for her indictment to be dismissed.

Water officials reach accord on Mojave Desert wells: Concerns that the plan could create dust pollution and exhaust the natural supplies of underground water were expressed by some officials at the U.S. Geological Survey and the National Park Service.

City Council plans high-tech outreach: Erin Neff; Not too long ago residents actually had to go to City Hall to witness government in action.

Nursing home settles with family over woman's death: Kim Smith; A Green Valley nursing home will pay $2 million to a woman whose mother died as the result of an untreated bedsore.

Trump casino dispute settled: "There is going to be full disclosure and a satisfactory resolution with the commission," Edward Wallace, a lawyer for Trump Hotel Casinos and Resorts, based in New Jersey, said. "I think we've overcome the hurdles, and I anticipate that in the coming weeks there will be a satisfactory resolution."

With few electoral votes, one-party slant, Western states feel slighted in presidential politics: Pauline Arrillaga; By sundown, he was gone.

Unusual opponents, contributions create battle over Grand Canyon development: Joel Eskovitz; The Nov. 7 ballot initiative is a critical moment for the Canyon Forest Village, which would become the gateway community to the South Rim, the entry point for 90 percent of the nearly 5 million people who visit Grand Canyon National Park each year.

Committee studies innovative gambling treatment program: John K. Wiley; The Senate Committee on Commerce, Trade, Housing and Financial Institutions - through which all gambling legislation must pass - is conducting hearings on programs available for people addicted to gambling.

Ensign defends environmental record: Sierra Club President Carl Pope stumped for Democratic U.S. Senate candidate Ed Bernstein by calling Republican hopeful John Ensign a "wimp" on environmental issues.

Wildlife biologists predict good hunting season: Sandra Chereb; Though some big game hunts take place in August and September, hunting season in Nevada typically begins the first weekend in October.

Prison newspaper wins judgment: CARSON CITY -- A prison newspaper has won a $5,000 judgment against the state, which had refused to allow the monthly publication to be distributed to Nevada inmates.

Union head angers campus cop chiefs: The public safety chiefs of two local higher education centers are angry over comments made by the president of a state police union who said that crimes at the schools are underreported.

Firm may take over at-risk schools: Terry Webster; A management plan for at-risk schools that is receiving mixed reviews in Fresno, Calif., could be coming here.

New Orleans faces cut in funding if casino tax chopped: But last week, the Joint Legislative Budget Committee approved a measure that will cut the state's payment to the city by the same proportion of any gambling tax reduction.

Edwards takes stand in second federal corruption trial this year: Melinda Deslatte; In his second day on the stand in U.S. District Court, Edwards brushed aside prosecutors' allegations that he attempted to bribe then-state Judge Foster "Foxy" Sanders by using his influence over Baton Rouge-based U.S. attorney L.J. Hymel.

Local news briefs for October 4, 2000: A former youth league baseball coach has withdrawn his guilty plea on 39 sex-related counts.

U.S. Bank sold in latest merger involving LV banks: In Nevada

Guinn delays opening electric market: CARSON CITY -- For a second time, Gov. Kenny Guinn has decided Nevada is not ready for open competition in the electric industry, dealing a setback to the major casinos in Clark County that sought the option of shopping for cheaper power starting next month.

Profit up for North Las Vegas hospital owner: Tenet beat analyst expectations of 45 cents per share as revenue increased slightly to $2.89 billion.

Suitor drops bid for mining firm Rio Algom: TORONTO -- Mining concern Noranda Inc. said Tuesday it decided to scrap plans to try to acquire Canadian copper miner Rio Algom Ltd., allowing a rival bid from Britain's Billiton PLC to proceed.

LV employees reject union organizing: The National Mediation Board determined that 33 of 82 eligible voters favored representation by IAM Local 845, falling short of the 42 needed to represent the group.

Las Vegas area fishing report: LAKE MEAD: Striped bass fishing continues to be good in the Boulder Basin with anglers having little trouble catching fish that range from one to two pounds.

Columnist Paula DelGiudice: Wildlife harmed by political games: Paula DelGiudice; Strange things can happen in the waning days of a legislative session, as you probably have noticed if you keep an eye on what's happening in Washington, D.C. Bills that haven't been acted upon often become something of a contortionist's dream -- they become hammered into submission and attached onto some other bill that has a chance of passing.

Vegas builder Vision Craft Homes sues state over license revocation: Vision Craft Homes Inc., a residential and small commercial contractor, petitioned the court to review the Aug. 22 decision that revoked the company's license and ordered it to pay restitution and investigative costs.

In a bad year of bank heists, some good news: Keith Paul; On a day when Las Vegas Valley police were kept hopping by an unprecedented six bank robberies, investigators could still feel relieved Tuesday, afterall, one of the four suspects they nabbed is believed to have pulled off 20 bank jobs in the last six months.

Drug store chain profits jump amid rapid expansion: DEERFIELD, Ill. -- Walgreen Co. capped a year of rapid expansion with a 22 percent jump in profits in its fourth quarter, benefiting from booming prescriptions and the healthy condition of the U.S. drugstore business.

Las Vegas call center part of asset auction: Tempe, Ariz.-based MicroAge is proposing to sell its MicroAge Teleservices LLC after filing for Chapter 11 bankruptcy protection in U.S. Bankruptcy Court in Phoenix in April. MicroAge Teleservices filed for its own Chapter 11 bankruptcy protection Friday. The company proposed an Oct. 25 auction in documents filed with the court today.

Tuesday's prep results: Cimarron-Memorial 1, Palo Verde 0 Goal: Dodson.

LV home builder named as a takeover target: Beazer has already been approached by big home builders Centex Corp., Kaufman and Broad Homes Corp. and Pulte Corp., Business Week said, citing money managers familiar with the situation.

Profit improves for owner of Vons grocery stores: Net income rose to $270 million or 53 cents a share from $223.4 million or 44 cents in the year-ago quarter. Sales rose 15 percent to $7.46 billion.

House leaders near deal for nuke workers: Benjamin Grove; WASHINGTON -- Congressional negotiators today were toiling on a new compromise that could entitle former nuclear weapons workers to $100,000, or possibly $150,000, plus medical benefits, from the federal government.

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

Ralph Siraco's selections for Thursday's races at Santa Anita: 1st Race -- Sagle - Hustling Pedroza on Carava trainee, draws good post for mile opener, jockey-trainer team productive pair. Ocean Of Storms - Desormeaux on Cassidy trainee, should get a trip from outside post, could storm to victory here. Value Play -- Belgium Girl

Columnist Peter Benton: Golf festival to be held Sunday: Peter Benton; A festival of golf is scheduled for Sunday at the Angel Park Golf Club from 9 a.m.-5 p.m. when the Las Vegas Golf Expo presented by United Nissan comes to town.

McDonald case may go to grand jury: Keith Paul and Erin Neff; Metro Police detectives are recommending that two cases involving Las Vegas City Councilman Michael McDonald be investigated by a grand jury, Undersheriff Richard Winget told the Sun.

S.F.'s Bank of America building for sale: SAN FRANCISCO -- In a deal that could bring as much as $1 billion, the Bank of America building in downtown San Francisco has been put up for sale.

Bandits to hold camp for boys: Bandits to hold camp for boys

Franco-Nevada exec says deal dead: "At the moment we don't see how we could satisfy the South African government, but anything's possible," Franco-Nevada Co-Chief Executive Seymour Schulich said after his presentation Tuesday at the Denver Gold Group's Mining Investment Forum 2000.

Privacy scandal marred U.S. Bank's final two years of independence: U.S. Bancorp's final two years as an independent bank were marred by a scandal in which the Minneapolis-based bank was accused of violating the privacy rights of its customers by peddling private information to third-party marketing firms in exchange for commissions.

Driver indicted in accident that injured LV fire captain: Kim Smith; A 33-year-old Las Vegas man has been indicted in connection with an accident that left a firefighter in critical condition.

County: Recorder is beyond its control: Adrienne Packer; Most everyone in the Clark County Commission chambers Tuesday had questions about why so many employees have left the recorder's office and what can be done to resolve turmoil in the division.

Zoning change OK'd for Henderson park plan: Greg Harman; More than 300 barren acres along Interstate 215 scarred by a former gravel pit and concrete batch plant in Henderson may soon be transformed into a major commercial center with a park.

Obituaries for October 4, 2000: Versie Lee Adkison, 79, of Ozark, Mo., died Sunday in an Ozark nursing home. She was born July 8, 1921, in Darlington, Fla. A former Las Vegas resident, she was a homemaker.

'Shakespeare in the Park' featured in Henderson: Kimberley McGee; When: Friday, Saturday at 7 p.m.; Sunday, 6 p.m.

Columnist Elizabeth Foyt: Philharmonic performance, reception take on Spanish flair: Elizabeth Foyt; Patrons recently filled UNLV's Ham Hall for the season premiere performance of the Las Vegas Philharmonic, conducted by Harold Leighton Weller. Guest artist Angel Romero, guitarist extraordinaire, played "Concerto de Arangjuez," and responded to the standing ovation by performing a composition by his father, the famous Pepe Romero.

Columnist Dean Juipe: Forget 7-5, Rebels can consider 8-4: Dean Juipe; What seemed wildly optimistic only a week ago is, today, sadly out of date and in need of revision.

Editorial: Issue isn't going to be a snoozer: The explosive growth in Southern Nevada since the 1990 census means Northern Nevada will lose seats once the population figures are finalized. So Northern Nevadan legislators say they will seek to expand the size of the Legislature in order to keep the seats. But a convincing argument still hasn't been presented that adding a few seats would result in legislators providing significantly better representation for their constituents.

$210 million in federal transportation funds slated for state: Benjamin Grove; WASHINGTON -- Nevada is likely to net about $210 million in federal highway money, plus roughly $59 million for other transportation projects specifically for Southern Nevada.

Homeowners' fight brews over Bonanza Village wall: Erin Neff; The wall was supposed to unite Bonanza Village residents against intruders set on stealing property or littering the neighborhood.

Columnist Jeff Haney: This season's White Sox are no Rams: At the beginning of the baseball season, the odds on the Chicago White Sox to win the World Series were 75-1 in most Las Vegas sports books.

Forestry board rejects proposed logging rules: Don Thompson; The Board of Forestry, which sets timber policy for private land, had to act this week for new logging regulations to take effect Jan. 1.

Nellis' lost warhead found: The bomb was one of two dropped about 10 p.m. Monday after the aircraft experienced engine problems, Air Force officials said.

Savvy wine buy: Chateau Roumieu- Lacoste '97 Sauternes: Max Jacobson; Berkeley, Calif., wine importer Kermit Lynch practically revolutionized his industry back in the '70s, when he traveled to France and personally selected wines for the American market. His adventures are chronicled in an enjoyable book he wrote himself, "Adventures on the Wine Route." Lynch's latest coup is this 375-milliliter dessert wine, which shows all the legendary richness of a far more expensive Sauternes. The principal grape is Semillion, and the wine has lots of botrytis, spores that cause the sugar to concentrate and give Sauternes that special character.

UNLV offers online speakers list: The listing contains hundreds of topics ranging from the American West to the visual arts.

County approves $20 million bond for flood control plan: Adrienne Packer; More than a year after raging flood waters swept five mobile homes into Flamingo Wash, Clark County commissioners approved a $20 million bond to expedite improvements on such problem areas.

Sex offender pleads mental illness in Summerlin Hospital case: District Judge Jeffrey Sobel set an Oct. 23 hearing when he will determine whether Roy Alan O'Guinn was mentally ill at the time of the offenses.

Local Bush, Gore supporters cheer on candidates: Launce Rake and Jeffrey Libby; Partisan crowds gathered at two settings in the Las Vegas Valley to cheer their candidates at the first of three scheduled presidential debates Tuesday night.

Supreme Court to hear arguments in wild horse shooting case: Sandra Chereb; The panel will hear arguments later this month on the appeal by Storey County District Attorney Janet Hess of a lower judge's ruling throwing out most the charges against former Marine Lance Cpls. Scott Brendle and Darien Brock, and their friend from high school, Anthony Merlino.

Columnist Muriel Stevens: A Soviet Christmas approaching: Remember when holiday decorations and merchandise didn't start appearing until after Thanksgiving? Not any more. Christmas tree items are already in stores. So are Halloween and Thanksgiving items.

County news briefs for October 4, 2000: Despite concerns raised last month by Sheriff Jerry Keller, county commissioners accepted a report Tuesday from the 2-month-old Park Safety Task Force.

Churches rally against lottery: COLUMBIA, S.C. -- More than 300 church leaders and parishioners stood on the Statehouse steps Monday to oppose a state lottery.

Ayala expects more rough tactics from Tapia in Saturday's rematch: Dean Juipe; Paulie Ayala is approaching Johnny Tapia much as a stalking animal would its wounded prey. He's leery and untrusting.

Indian casino going after high rollers: MASHANTUCKET, Conn. -- The Mashantucket Pequot tribe plans to open a new high-end gaming room at its Foxwoods Resort Casino, designed to attract the world's highest-rollers.

Utah top pick again: Steve Addy; Here are the results from the preseason Mountain West Conference media poll, with first-place votes in parentheses:

Mason jars opponents as receiver, returner: Steve Guiremand; In a perfect world, Troy Mason would be starting at tailback instead of wide receiver when UNLV hosts in-state rival Nevada-Reno on Saturday night at Sam Boyd Stadium.

Letter: Smug IOC destroys career of young athlete: I challenge anyone to come up with just one scientific, double-blind controlled clinical/sports medicine study indicating that the ingestion of a common cold remedy by an ailing athlete affects superior outcomes, to the quantifiable detriment of "fair competition."

Community news briefs for October 4, 2000: The eighth annual Las Vegas Folklife Festival will be noon-8 p.m. Saturday at the Rainbow Library and Aloha Shores Park, 3150 N. Buffalo Drive. Admission is free.

Columnist Jon Ralston: GOP pins faith on anti-gay sentiment: Mitch McConnell, the Kentucky senator who chairs the National Republican Senatorial Committee, is worried.

Fight over Rosemont casino to go before judge in Cook: Dennis Conrad; The state Supreme Court on Wednesday rejected without explanation a petition from the Lake County developers seeking an order to have their lawsuit to block a Rosemont casino be heard in Lake County.

Women making inroads in local restaurant industry: Max Jacobson; A few of those men are still around, but a new generation of restaurants depend on general managers instead, and more and more, many of them are women. The following four are typical of this new trend in the restaurant world. All four got to where they are today by treading different paths, and all four face similar challenges in their careers:

Editorial: Searching hard to find cheaper power: It is essential that the shortcuts aren't taken in such environmental assessments, even when it means the possibility of generating more electricity, which should lower fuel costs. For that matter, while new plants may mean more power, it's critical that a sizable amount stay here in Nevada. If the plants are built just for the benefit of California, that won't help much in lowering the electric bills of Southern Nevadans.

Guinns to stay night in domestic violence shelter: CARSON CITY -- Gov. Kenny Guinn and his wife, Dema, will spend next Tuesday night at the recently expanded Shade Tree domestic violence shelter in Las Vegas to bring public focus on the escalating problem of battered women and children.

Bill authorizing sale of federal land in Lincoln County passes Congress: Sandra Chereb; The Lincoln County Lands Act authorizing the sale of 13,500 federally owned acres was approved by the Senate late Tuesday. The measure passed in the House on Sept. 26 and now goes to President Clinton for his signature.