Print edition for October 23, 2000

JoP candidate publishes apology: Glasson complained that Finnegan misrepresented him in a letter sent to 180 absentee voters that said Glasson's experience is only in civil law. Glasson also complained that Finnegan told people Glasson is a Democrat. The job is a nonpartisan office.

Mississippi's casinos watching Arkansas gaming initiative: Matt Moore; Even so, the industry is keeping close watch on a proposed amendment that would open up portions of that state to games of chance.

Appellate court affirms rejection of Barden suit over Detroit casinos: Jim Suhr; The 6th U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals upheld a federal judge's dismissal last year of Barden's $108 million lawsuit against the city and state over being denied a development deal for one of Detroit's three planned casinos.

Guinn calls on influence to increase Republican vote: Democratic Sens. Harry Reid and Richard Bryan are doing the same with Democrats.

Columnist Lisa Ferguson: Trends for October 23, 2000: Lisa Ferguson; Stumped for a Halloween-costume idea? Not a problem. Let your fingers do the walking and mosey on over to Party411.com. The online event-planning service has compiled a dos-and-don'ts list of costumes for this year.

Community news briefs for October 23, 2000: Lake Mead Hospital

Lectures probe phenomena accompanying death: Moody, who holds the Bigelow Chair at UNLV, is the author of a number of books on spiritual phenomena. Devereaux, pastor of the church, will bring his experiences of being at the bedside of patients who are dying.

Soccer: UNLV teams defeated: Soccer: UNLV teams defeated

El Rancho still to serve Las Vegas: A longtime eyesore on the Las Vegas Strip, the El Rancho came down earlier this month leaving behind more than 10,000 tons of concrete that the Southern Nevada Water Authority and the Las Vegas Wash Coordination Committee intend to reuse.

Letter: Bill makes sense for Black Rock: JOHN WALLIN Director, Nevada Wilderness Project

Postal Service employee gets life in prison: League pleaded no contest to a single count of lewdness with a minor, resolving what lawyers said were at least 20 sex-related charges against him.

Booker undaunted by loss of scholarship: Steve Addy; It seems a bit cruel to call UNLV's Vince Booker a "walk-on."

Weed-eating teenagers hospitalized: Officers responded to reports that two male teens appeared to be under the influence of the substance.

Futuristic bus planned for Southern Nevada: Civis looks and operates more like a train or monorail than a conventional bus. It has a low floor, allowing passengers to step from the bus platform directly into the vehicle and providing easier access for wheelchair users.

Broken hand won't keep Black out for long: Steve Guiremand; As he walked off the field following UNLV's 42-23 homecoming victory over Wyoming on Saturday night with his broken right hand wrapped in a bandage, safety Randy Black wondered openly if he had perhaps put on his Rebel uniform for the final time.

Sprint uses loophole to reward executives: Floyd Norris; For many corporate executives, the ability to profit from stock options is viewed as something close to a right.

Cheney visit solidifies: Cheney will address the crowd after arriving by plane at about 6:30 p.m.

Spokesman says inside problems stifling Arkansas casino campaign: James Jefferson; Arkansas Casino Corp. released information showing that tourism and recreation sales in neighboring Mississippi has boomed since that state authorized casinos gambling in 1992.

Anti-fluoridation forces muster forces: As of Oct. 16, Citizens for Healthy Smiles had about $8,000 in contributions, allowing it to rent one billboard and make a single radio spot in addition to distributing thousands of buttons and bumper stickers that it already had printed.

White Pine enrollment continues to drop: The school with the largest loss of pupils over last year was White Pine High with a drop of 59.

Local optometrist collected eyeglasses of world dignitaries and celebrities: What they didn't know is that a few years later the versatile songstress gave her black, horn-rimmed sunglasses -- a little scratched, but in otherwise good condition -- to Dr. M.J. Bagley of Henderson.

Running: Las Vegan eighth in Chicago: Catherine Ndereba of Kenya, the Boston Marathon champion, won the women's race in 2:21:33.

Computer trouble delays flights in Northen California and Nevada: "When the software was reinstalled, it wouldn't come back up on time," said FAA spokesman Jerry Snyder. "It came back up on the third attempt at 7:50 a.m."

Columnist John Katsilometes: Scrawling through the city: A few odds and ends from the ever-rolling Scrawl Crawl:

Pine Nut fire almost under control: No homes were ever threatened and no injuries were reported.

Letter: War heroes gave up everything for democracy: Any doubts about me voting vanish with these visions. Come November, please vote for my Uncle Larry, and all the Larrys who gave up the most precious thing they had: life.

Correction for October 19, 2000: Correction for October 19, 2000

Columnist Ron Kantowski: Pieffer looking extra good: Where have you been, Dillon Pieffer?

Lakers, Kings clash tonight at Thomas & Mack Center: Then again, maybe the Lakers -- featuring former Rebel Isaiah Rider -- are rounding into regular-season form. They've won their last two games, including Sunday's 94-87 win over Golden State at San Diego. Kobe Bryant scored 25 points and Shaquille O'Neal added 15. Bryant's 20.8 average is leading the Lakers.

Editorial: Senate hopefuls endorsed: Democrat Ray Shaffer has represented the residents of District 2 for 16 years. The North Las Vegas resident hasn't been the flashiest legislator, but he quietly has built a record of serving his constituents. The Sun endorses Shaffer. In District 3, Democratic incumbent Valerie Wiener has been a forceful advocate of programs benefiting both seniors and children. Wiener's enthusiasm and commitment to tackling tough issues merits the Sun's endorsement.

Prosecutors try to reinstate charges in wild horse shootings: Brendan Riley; Sharon Claasen, the deputy Storey County district attorney, told a Nevada Supreme Court panel there was probable cause for 22 counts - instead of one apiece allowed by a lower court judge against each defendant.

Correction for October 22, 2000: Correction for October 22, 2000

Letter: County is last to offer flu shots: Is this an example of our government health department in action?

Columnist Ralph Siraco: Watch out for dark horses -- or even a gray: Ralph Siraco; On Wednesday, "pre-entries" will be taken for the Breeders' Cup, to be run at Churchill Downs on Saturday, Nov. 4.

Deputies cleared in death of Reno man: Phillip Maita died 15 days after he was injured in July 1996 as deputies entered his Carson City home in search of his grandson, Duke Maita.

Culprits pay little of the cost to fight wild fires: "We're in the process of reviewing and revising our policies on that," according to Steve Frady, spokesman for the Nevada Division of Forestry.

Cimarron strengthens position: Spencer Patterson; Basic 39, Chaparral 17

Motorcycle crash leaves Hutton in serious condition: Hutton was being treated at University Medical Center for leg factures, an arm injury, bruises and scrapes, hospital officials said this morning.

Electronic device may give the disabled new powers: Terry Webster; Student Heather Bertolozzi races a toy fire-red rescue car with bright flashing lights and blaring sirens.

Burned man in serious condition: Las Vegas firefighters were called to 300 block of South 3rd Street about 7:30 p.m. for the report of a building on fire. Firefighters found what appeared to be a trash fire between two buildings, fire officials said.

New rules for county vehicles expected: Adrienne Packer; New guidelines governing Clark County employees' use of government-issued vehicles are expected to be implemented next month, more than a year after an internal audit showed some departments have taken advantage of the privilege.

Early voters swarm to polling places: Early voting got off to a record-smashing start as 17,779 Southern Nevada residents voted Saturday and Sunday, the Clark County Election Department said today.

Hotel rooms, golf course set for gaming property: The Coushatta Tribe of Louisiana predicts the $100 million project near Kinder will create 900 jobs, bringing total employment at the tribe's casino to nearly 4,000. It will also create 300 construction jobs.

Regent wants answers from CCSN leaders: CARSON CITY -- A Las Vegas regent wants to call some of the administrators at the Community College of Southern Nevada on the carpet to explain the questionable granting of bonuses and emergency hiring.

'Bumping Busch' not making many friends on circuit: Kurt Busch may be gaining a lot of experience in his seven-race preview of the NASCAR Winston Cup Series, but the native Las Vegan isn't making many friends.

Fall finally rears its wet, chilly head in LV: Gray skies and cooler temperatures offered Southern Nevadans their first taste of fall weather today with showers around the Las Vegas Valley and more snow expected at Mount Charleston.

Las Vegas newspapers split on presidential endorsements: The Las Vegas Review-Journal endorsed Texas Gov. George W. Bush for president, saying his policies offer the best chance for prosperity in the future.

Expert downplays alcohol connection in GHB rape trial: Kim Smith; A Las Vegas woman who accused a U.S. Marine of drugging and raping her last year was close to being legally drunk, but she did not have enough alcohol in her system to cause her to black out, a clinical pharmacologist testified during the Marine's trial.

Reports differ on Vegas price trends: AAA said the average price for a gallon of regular unleaded self-serve gas in Nevada was $1.83 last week, down 1 cent from last month's record high, but up 38 cents from last October.

Local news briefs for October 23, 2000: Henderson Police are investigating two holdups over the weekend in which the robbers used syringes filled with a liquid as weapons.

Venetian museum deals called 'overwhelmingly significant': David Strow; Last week's announcement that the world-famed Guggenheim Foundation of New York and State Hermitage Museum of St. Petersburg, Russia, would set up shop at the Venetian was viewed as a quantum leap forward for the culture of Las Vegas and the Las Vegas Strip.

Political notebook for October 23, 2000: The Clark County Election Department is seeking residents to serve as election board officers in November.

Six seek spots on education board: Terry Webster; Five Clark County School District employees and a businesswoman are vying for three open seats representing Clark County on the state Board of Education, the panel responsible for the state's new curriculum standards and proficiency tests.

Prep state tennis tournament results: STATE CHAMPIONSHIPS

Metro's unit is top dog again: Kris Hill; Metro Police dogs and their handlers dominated their competitors over the weekend at the K-9 trials at Western High School.

Midair collision blamed on pilot error: An NTSB report says Dunbar's Cessna 185 struck the left main gear of a Cessna 150 with its propeller and left wing. The collision one mile from the airport caused both planes to veer out of control and crash.

Reputed mob boss arrested in gambling roundup: Thomas "Sonny" Ciancutti was among those picked up Sunday night. Federal and state authorities have previously said they believe Ciancutti, 70, of New Kensington, has led the local mob's gambling ring for the last 20 years.

High winds push prescribed burn out of control in Nevada: Martin Griffith; Bureau of Land Management fire information officer Mark Struble said higher-than-expected winds caused the burn to jump its perimeter Friday.

Elderly man found badly burned in downtown alley: The man, whom authorities believe may be homeless, is being treated at University Medical Center. He has approximately second- and third-degree burns over 80 to 90 percent of his body, according to fire department spokesman Tim Szymanski.

Hilton exec named CEO at Park Place: David Strow; In a surprise move, a top Hilton Hotels Corp. executive today was named the new president and chief executive of Las Vegas gaming giant Park Place Entertainment Corp.

Nevada lawmakers graded on commitment to reform: Greg Tuttle; Nevada's congressional delegation received a mixed bag of results from a recent Common Cause report grading the legislators' voting record on campaign finance reform.

BLM lists land it wants to protect: The Bureau of Land Management proposed 20 parcels of private land considered environmentally sensitive in its second "wish list" released on Friday.

The old Pearl Jam returns: Geoff Carter; The last time I saw Pearl Jam play live was in November 1993. The band had just released its sophomore album "Vs.," a record so hotly anticipated that nothing less than a two-night stand at the Aladdin Theatre for the Performing Arts was required to support it.

Tons of plutonium taint NTS: The Energy Department has admitted for the first time that nuclear weapons explosions released four tons of plutonium into Nevada Test Site soils over four decades.

Obituaries for October 23, 2000: Ferne S. Elias, 89, of Las Vegas died Friday in a local hospital. She was born Aug. 16, 1911, in Brighton, Ark. A resident for 40 years, she was a retired clothing saleswoman.

Phone giant mulls four-way split: The split would create business, broadband, consumer and wireless divisions, the New York Times and the Wall Street Journal reported today.

Golf lease ready for switch: Greg Harman; The Boulder City Council is poised to approve a release agreement Tuesday that will pass city leasing contracts for an unfinished 18-hole golf course from MGM MIRAGE to Park Place Entertainment Corp.

Club owner to fight Black Book inclusion: CARSON CITY -- Sam Cecola, founder of a topless dancing club in Las Vegas, has served notice he will fight an effort to include his name in the Black Book, which would bar him from Nevada casinos.

Venetian posts loss despite increases in revenue, cash flow: Though the loss by Las Vegas Sands Inc. was a reversal of the profitable trend started in the first quarter of this year, it was a large improvement over the $18.2 million loss recorded in the year-ago quarter. For the nine months ending Sept. 30, the Venetian has recorded a net profit of $10.8 million.

Hutton seriously injured in motorcyle crash in Nevada: Hutton, 55, was listed in serious condition Sunday at University Medical Center, where she's being treated for multiple leg fractures, scrapes and bruises, said hospital spokesman Dale Pugh.

Prep Schedule: MONDAY

Deal made in killing over pit bull puppies: Kim Smith; A California man accused of gunning down another man over a litter of pit bull puppies took a deal Friday.