Print edition for October 20, 2000

Supreme Court reverses conviction in Vegas bookie's murder: Justices said the trial judge erred in allowing testimony from a former homicide investigator, who termed DeChant's mob hit account a "fairy tale." The high court noted prosecutors used the same phrase later in the trial.

Scholarships to help health care students: Jace Radke; For Shannon Malcolm a new $10,000 scholarship for UNLV's nursing program means she'll have more time for her kids.

Casinos lend heavy soft-money support: It should come as no surprise that the top six Nevada donors of soft money to national Republican and Democratic Party committees are gaming corporations.

Welch leads Trailblazers to first title: Zack Hall; GENOA -- There is Durango High's girls golf team and then there is everybody else.

CCSN gets mixed reviews in report: CARSON CITY -- An investigation into the Community College of Southern Nevada found that 53 percent of its new hires in the past three years were made on an emergency basis, university regents learned today.

Keepers of women's history are included in writers' series: Kimberley McGee; What: Mount Charleston Writers Series.

Trial looms in slaying of teen girl: Greg Tuttle; A jury will decide if a Henderson man is guilty of murder for the death two years ago of a 16-year-old girl whose body was found face down in the toilet of a clubhouse restroom.

Venetian sued by Comdex: In the suit, Key3Media, a Needham, Mass., spinoff company of magazine publisher Ziff-Davis, accuses Venetian Chairman Sheldon Adelson of retaliating against the trade show for scheduling its keynote speakers at other Las Vegas properties.

Flights halted nationwide by radar system failure in West: Jeff Wilson; In Las Vegas

Detective details Metro work on sex-assault cases: Kim Smith; A Las Vegas teen charged in a series of rapes and home invasions lived around the block from one of his alleged victims and within walking distance of most of the others.

Talk of ousting county manager renewed: Adrienne Packer; As the Clark County Commission prepares to swear in a new board member in January, rumblings of a renewed effort to oust county manager Dale Askew have surfaced at the Government Center.

Problems leaving new UNLV library in the dark: Jeffrey Libby; From a top-floor study area in the 5 1/2-story, $55 million Lied Library, construction workers get a spectacular view of the Strip after sundown. But to refer to their punch list, they need a flashlight.

Lawsuit will delay selection of CCSN president till 2001: CARSON CITY -- Selection of a president for the Community College of Southern Nevada will probably be delayed until next year because of a lawsuit that stopped closed-door interviews with the applicant, the university's chief lawyer said Thursday.

Newest slot machines make debut at World Gaming Expo: Lisa Snedeker; Television's Alex Trebek and Regis Philbin, who know a lot about the games people play, are lending their images to interactive slot machines.

Report critical of Nevada economic outlook; local experts disagree: "First you have to look at the source, which is Washington," Kris Holt, executive director of the Northern Nevada Development Authority, told the Reno Gazette-Journal. The authority oversees development and recruitment of business in Carson City, Douglas, Lyon and Storey counties.

Energetic Culture Club doesn't skirt credibility: Geoff Carter; In its heyday, Culture Club fooled everyone. It was a genius piece of work. While nonfans wasted their time conjecturing about what kind of equipment Boy George had up his kilt, the band quietly and steadily wired America's suburbs for reggae, gospel and soul.

Preventative measures considered in wake of jumps: Three people have plunged to their death at the dam since June.

Thursday's prep results: BOYS SOCCER

Las Vegas target of 'villages within cities' plan: Diana Sahagun; What started out as a bus tour to prospective sites around Las Vegas earlier this month has sparked a full-blown plan by American CityVista to build its first housing development in a mature part of the city.

Prep state tournament golf, tennis results and schedules: 4A STATE CHAMPIONSHIPS

City won't pursue ethics hearing against Arberry: Jace Radke; State Assemblyman Morse Arberry emerged from Thursday's city of Las Vegas Ethics Review Board meeting unscathed, but he will still face questions on the state level.

Henderson college budget approved: CARSON CITY -- Even though the state college in Henderson may not be open soon, a university regents committee Thursday approved a budget of $549,512 for this fiscal year, mostly to pay the four employees.

The Movie Guys: 'Pay It Forward' should have spent on better story: Grade: Jeff C, Dave C

Sound Check -- Geoff Carter: This Yoko is easy listening: I'm a terrible music critic. A complete and utter failure on every front. I've never been to South by Southwest, own just one Neil Young record and could care less about Greil Marcus. Man, I haven't even heard Radiohead's "Kid A" yet.

Datebook for October 20, 2000: The Las Vegas Balloon Classic is today through Sunday at Silver Bowl Park, adjacent to Sam Boyd Stadium. Events begin at 7 a.m. Parking is $2.

Honeywell may be sold for $40 billion: The acquisition would create an industrial behemoth, bringing together Hartford-based United Technologies' Otis Elevators, Pratt & Whitney aircraft engines, Sikorsky helicopters and Carrier air-conditioners, with Morristown, N.J.-based Honeywell's aerospace, power and transportation products, specialty chemicals and home security systems.

Video gambling debate: Saving an industry or promoting addiction?: Glenn Adams; "My father was a gentleman type farmer, he raced horses all his life, but he wasn't a gambler. My grandfather before him, he raced horses, and he wasn't a gambler," says the burly Lowell.

Columnist Ron Kantowski: Postcards from the (far) edge: What I Did On My Autumn Vacation. By Ron Kantowski.

Goldberg's illness and death highlight business dilemma: David Strow; It is a question that has plagued corporate America for years -- how much should a company be obligated to tell investors and employees about the illness of its top executive?

Sierra Pacific cautions investors about settlement: Officials with Sierra Pacific Resources Inc., the Reno-based parent company, said the company's inability to keep up with skyrocketing fuel costs would have an impact on earnings, scheduled to be announced next month.

Local news briefs for October 20, 2000: A convicted sex offender was arrested Wednesday for allegedly taking pictures of Las Vegas-area girls.

Pueblo plans downtown casino: ESPANOLA, N.M. -- Santa Clara Pueblo plans to open a casino in downtown Espanola by March on property the pueblo owns.

New problem hindering Rainforest Cafe sale: Landry's Seafood Restaurants, based in Houston, has offered to buy Minneapolis-based Rainforest, for $3.25 a share, or $73.1 million, a deal the Wisconsin board opposes. Landry's offer is set to expire next week.

Regents appoint Huneycutt as interim president of TMCC: She will replace John Richardson, who last month announced his resignation effective at the end of the year.

Ralph Siraco's selections for Saturday's races at Santa Anita: 1st Race -- Setareh - Hustling bug boy Baze on young Hofmans trainee, draws good inner post for the mile opener, lasix, nasal strip and blinkers off for this. Gin Running - Stevens scales Mandella trainee, draws good post as well, respect connections. Value Play -- Angel Song

Campus police study OK'd: CARSON CITY -- Univeristy regents today authorized a study of police departments at the various campuses to see if officers meet standards and have adequate training.

Police probe targets Rhodes: Diana Sahagun; North Las Vegas Councilman John Rhodes -- who has already been charged with four felony counts of insurance fraud -- is now facing a police investigation into allegations he attempted to defraud the city.

Even expanded water system will be inadequate, experts say: Less than a year after opening a new pipeline that more than doubled the amount of water brought from Lake Mead to the Las Vegas Valley, the Southern Nevada Water Authority was told Thursday that growth is outpacing its best efforts.

LV fastest-growing city in '90s: The latest news from the U.S. Census Bureau won't come as any surprise to those who have lived in the Las Vegas Valley for more than a couple of years.

Military women undeterred by Navy tragedy: The deaths of two women sailors aboard the USS Cole that was bombed last week in a Yemen harbor should not deter efforts to recruit or retain women in the military, say members of a national women's services committee.

Suit alleges consumers over-billed by previous Vegas garbage company: Grace Leong; A Las Vegas attorney has filed his third lawsuit against Silver State Disposal Service Inc. since 1998 -- this time alleging the Las Vegas garbage company overcharged its customers by fraudulently inflating its expenses.

Columnist Steve Guiremand: Another athletic director botches his job: Steve Guiremand; With apologies to UNLV's Charlie Cavagnaro, an ex-sportswriter who obviously was smart enough to go on to bigger and better paying things, being a college athletic director these days really isn't that tough a job.

Suit says errant golf balls endanger residents: The defendants include National Golf Operating Partnership LP, the golf club's owner, and its manager, American Golf Corp.

NLV man shot dead outside his home: Keith Paul; A 66-year-old North Las Vegas man was shot to death Thursday when he stepped outside his house after hearing gunshots.

Tennis notes: Green Valley eliminated: Today's girls final will be an all-Southern Nevada affair, with unbeaten Silverado taking on three-time defending champion Bishop Gorman. The Skyhawks knocked off Reno 16.5-6 on Wednesday, while the Gaels advanced with an 18.5-4 win over McQueen. Individual singles and doubles play begins today, with boys and girls finals in both events slated for Saturday.

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

Volleyball: Rebels lose to No. 16 BYU: Volleyball: Rebels lose to No. 16 BYU

Columnist Brian Hilderbrand: LVMS to keep on truckin' in 2001: It will mark the return of the truck series to the 1.5-mile superspeedway after a one-year absence. LVMS and NASCAR could not agree upon a suitable date for this season, so the series skipped Las Vegas this year after competing here each of the previous four seasons.

Ethics panel to pursue McDonald allegations: Jace Radke; Despite a complaint characterized as hard to follow and having more questions than accusations, the city of Las Vegas Ethics Review Board unanimously voted to hold a hearing into allegations that Councilman Michael McDonald has misused his office.

Goodman: McDonald may lose mayor pro tem title: Diana Sahagun; Las Vegas City Councilman Michael McDonald -- now facing a full-fledged ethics hearing next month -- could be in danger of having his position as mayor pro tem taken away.

Adelson still vowing to expand Venetian: Sheldon Adelson, chairman of the Venetian, today joined in the announcement that a Hermitage-Guggenheim branch will be built at his property.

Standing room only -- unfortunately -- at Rio show: Joe Delaney; "De La Guarda," which opened this week at the Rio, is a primal assault on all of the senses, 70 unremitting minutes, a cacophonous onslaught, a formless admixture of aerial acrobatics, lights and sound, at times ear-shattering, sometimes quite misty, always interesting, despite the fact that there are no seats.

Where I Stand -- Mike O'Callaghan: Olympic-size questions: The Summer Olympics of 2000 has again sparked debate about a subject many people, both white and black, fear to discuss. The clumsy handling of the subject by the late Jimmy "The Greek" Snyder and former Dodger executive Al Campanis cost both of them jobs and prestige. The issue is any discussion of the superiority of blacks in the world of sports.

St. Louis mayor accepted illegal contributions from casino company: Harmon is prohibited from receiving contributions from casino operators by city ordinance, which also prohibits them from giving the campaign donations. Harmon's first term ends in April and he is running for re-election.

Columnist Susan Snyder: Group shows the old soft shoe: When 69-year-old Fern Jennings tells her peers to grab their canes, most people would envision a cluster of fragile old ladies ambling across the room.

Man who slashed throat of prostitute gets two life terms: Kim Smith; A Las Vegas man convicted in the brutal throat-slashing of a prostitute was sentenced to two life terms Thursday.

Letter: Here's another choice: Being responsible: Not only are we looking to our country to help us from the "cradle to the grave," but now we need help from the "womb to the tomb." I remember President John Kennedy in a speech saying, "Ask not what your country can do for you, but what you can do for your country."

Petition to break up school district filed: Terry Webster; Eight years and 62,000 signatures later, an initiative to break the Clark County School District into smaller districts is ready to come before voters.

Great Northwest battle on tap at Cimarron: Spencer Patterson; All games 7 p.m. unless noted

Where I Stand 1965 -- Hank Greenspun: Roxie's played a big role in economy, social life of LV: Al Cahlan brought up what was possibly one of the most fascinating periods in Las Vegas history when he discussed the "Roxie" era in his column.

News of the Day: 1965: Story: The nation he served for so long and so well yesterday gave Sir Winston Churchill the most majestic state funeral ever accorded an Englishman.

Lowe's: The mecca of auto racing: CHARLOTTE, N.C. -- Anyone who doubts that this is NASCAR's mecca need only take a seat at the Waffle House a mile from the airport.

Wyoming experts discuss Indian sovereignty, gaming: Becky Bohrer; State governments want to share in the growing industry, which generated about $9.7 billion for tribes last year, said Kevin Washburn, general counsel for the National Indian Gaming Commission.

Davenport commits to Fed Cup in Las Vegas: Victoria Sun; When the top four United States women's tennis players have joined together to represent their country, they have been unstoppable.

New issues delay Keene's ethics hearing, complaint against Griffin: He said the commission must address three issues brought forward by unnamed parties with Reno-Sparks Convention and Visitors Authority before the hearing can go forward.

Editorial: Assembly hopefuls endorsed: In District 1, Democrat Tom Collins deserves re-election. Collins has steadily improved and has done an excellent job. In District 2 the Sun endorses Republican Merle Berman, who has been a solid legislator. In District 3, Democrat John Lee should get another term. Lee has done a commendable job, advocating important consumer protection legislation. In District 4 the Sun endorses Republican Assemblyman Bob Beers, who has effectively chaired a committee that has investigated problems with state agency computer systems.

Rebels will look to Vaughan to guide them against Wyoming: Steve Guiremand; Backup quarterback Jason Vaughan will start UNLV's Homecoming game as expected Saturday afternoon against Wyoming at Sam Boyd Stadium. But Rebels head coach John Robinson said he also plans to play Jason Thomas at least a quarter against the Cowboys.

Road from Interstate 70 to casino towns gets state approval: The Central City Business Improvement District, which consists primarily of the town's casinos, will raise the money for construction and maintenance of the road.

Michael La Rocca battles the odds to leave a legacy: Kirk Baird; So there I was on a recent Thursday night at the World Trade Center to see "The Michael La Rocca Show," one of La Rocca's two productions running at the hotel. The other show is the recently created "Amen," a musical celebration of spirituality from film and theater involving four other cast members.

Letter: Listen to Guinn on senior drugs: Instead of being criticized, Gov. Kenny Guinn should be lauded for unveiling a rational solution to a difficult problem. At least two-thirds of Nevada's seniors already have prescription drug coverage, with approximately 76,000 seniors covered through their local HMOs. Further, at least one HMO -- Senior Dimensions -- has been providing prescription drug coverage in Las Vegas since 1986.

McCloskey services scheduled Nov. 4: McCloskey, who long wrote his column under the pen name "Jasper," died Oct. 13 of heart problems at the Washoe Medical Center in Reno, where he had been taken from his Hawthorne home by medical helicopter on Oct. 12. He was 89.

Obituaries for October 20, 2000: Vernon Wayne Archer, 80, of Pahrump died Thursday in Pahrump. He was born Jan. 13, 1920, in Meadville, Mo. A resident for 13 years, he was a government employee, a World War II and Korean War Army veteran, a member of Moose Lodge 808 in Pahrump and Order of the Scottish Rite and Aladdin Temple, both in Columbus, Ohio.

Game shows, old sitcoms debuted at World Gaming Expo: Lisa Snedeker; The TV game show hosts now can be found on the casino floor, beckoning gamblers to try their luck at winning their fortune - if not their million - on new nickel slot machines bearing their images.

Teen who scuffled with deputy arrested: The incident began shortly before 2 a.m. Thursday when the deputy saw the teen walking along U.S. 395 south of Reno wearing only blue jeans and a T-shirt.

Signature on anti-gaming letter forged: David Royse; The letter was sent to U.S. Rep. Cliff Stearns of Florida, and in it Bush purportedly said he was opposed to the Internet Gambling Prohibition Act, a bill that would limit online gambling, including prohibiting state lotteries from offering at-home sales of tickets over the Internet.

Early voting begins Saturday: The seven permanent sites to cast early votes for the general election include Belz Factory Outlet World; Galleria at Sunset; the Boulevard, Fashion Show and Meadows malls; the Las Vegas Athletic Club's 5200 W. Sahara Ave. location; and the Clark County Government Center at the RTC building.

Three teens rough up staff member, flee Nevada Youth Training Center: The stolen vehicle was described as a maroon 1993 Plymouth Acclaim, with license plate number 308 FHS. The car also has a rack on the back.

Columnist Joe Delaney: Barbutti has long history on Las Vegas stages: Joe Delaney; Comedian Pete Barbutti was born in Scranton, Pa., an area that gave us bandleaders Tommy and Jimmy Dorsey and Russ Morgan ... He was a member of a co-op musical comedy group called the Millionaires ... They played a New Year's Eve date in South Bend, Ind., and then drove nonstop to Las Vegas to open in the Frontier hotel lounge on Jan. 2, 1960.

Columnist Kate Maddox: Guggenheim an expansive project: Kate Maddox; The new partnership between the Venetian and the Guggenheim museum will be a bigger deal than originally thought. Literally.

Columnist Sal DeFilippo: Long-awaited battle between intrastate rivals is here at last: Sal DeFilippo; All the hullabaloo over the big intrastate matchup is getting a little out of hand.

Defendant in Cincinnati admits participating in scheme to defraud gambling machines: Three other Cincinnati men, Norman Snider, Thomas McKenzie and James Sexton, already have been convicted and paid more than $10,400 restitution.

Joe Delaney remembers 1965: Jones, Leonard at the Flamingo: Joe Delaney remembers 1965: Jones, Leonard at the Flamingo

Berkley-Porter battle over numbers: Greg Tuttle; An accounting book battle has erupted between the campaign managers for Democratic Rep. Shelley Berkley and her challenger in the 1st Congressional District, Republican state Sen. Jon Porter, in which both sides claim the other is violating federal election law.

Regents OK McFarlane as interim UNR president: Crowley is stepping down Dec. 31 after 22 years and plans to return to teaching.

Barbara Greenspun remembers 1965: Roxie's a big part of LV history: In his column, reprinted on this page, Hank relates some of the boisterous history of the town's famous bordello and its proprietors, Eddie and Roxie Clippinger.

Collumnist Muriel Stevens: Mint juleps are focus of Bellagio competition: Mint juleps in the morning. Not my usual way to start the day, but when Bellagio Master Mixologist Tony Abou-Ganim asked me to be a judge for a julep competition, my mama's Southern roots came to the fore and convinced me to agree.