Print edition for October 26, 2000

Strip mall business calls raid 'retaliation': Adrienne Packer; A Las Vegas attorney is questioning the legality of a raid conducted Friday night by Clark County inspectors who issued citations and closed five businesses in the Commercial Center on Sahara Avenue.

Prep girls volleyball standings: CLASS 4A

Prep boys soccer standings: CLASS 4A

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

Prep football standings: CLASS 4A

Local news briefs for October 26, 2000: A 59-year-old motorist died early today in a three-car accident on Flamingo Road.

Rape trial defendant denies sex: Kim Smith; A 22-year-old Marine accused of drugging and raping a Las Vegas woman last summer took the stand Wednesday and denied not only sexually assaulting her, but having sex with her at all.

Killer sentenced to third life term: Kim Smith; By all accounts, Shavonne Graves was a good kid. The 16-year-old excelled in school, worked hard, sang in the church choir and dreamed of being a lawyer.

Henderson Fire Department plans field exercise Nov. 1: The Henderson Fire Department has planned a Community Awareness and Emergency Response (CAER) field exercise for Wednesday, Nov. 1, that will include a simulated accident and tanker leak in the parking lot of Clor Alkali, a producer of chlorine bleach.

Fund honors Colorado official, ex-CCSN president: Jace Radke; The Frederick Douglass Education Fund honored a black politician and a Las Vegas educator at a dinner Wednesday night.

Strange 'burst of air' downs passenger balloon: Jace Radke; What was supposed to be a leisurely Wednesday afternoon hot air balloon flight turned into an emergency when an air gust forced a balloon to crash southwest of Lone Mountain.

Letter: Bush has been misleading on several issues: He led me to believe that he was responsible for a patient's bill of rights in Texas. He vetoed the first bill presented to him, and let the second one pass without his signature, because it had passed the Legislature with a veto-proof majority.

Strip car rental outlet fights eviction notice: Grace Leong; Lakes Gaming Inc. of Minneapolis is trying to evict Budget Rent A Car and Sales from its premises at Nevada Resort Properties Polo Plaza Ltd. at 3743 Las Vegas Blvd. South, which is expected to be demolished as part of Lakes Gaming's plan to develop a non-gaming retail, hotel and entertainment complex.

Station Casinos pays $475,000 fine in campaign flier controversy: Station representatives handed over a check to clear up a six-count complaint filed by the board, agreed to reimburse the board $23,588 for its investigative costs, and promised more in-house oversight of its political activity.

Construction continues to hurt Boyd earnings: David Strow; Boyd Gaming Corp. of Las Vegas on Wednesday reported a significant decline in earnings for the quarter ending Sept. 30, as construction at its Sam's Town properties in Las Vegas and Tunica, Miss., continued to drag down the company's performance.

This week's races: Marlboro 500

Community news briefs for October 26, 2000: The Nevada Division of Wildlife and the Henderson Parks and Recreation Department are co-sponsoring a hunter safety workshop 9 a.m.-5 p.m. Saturday at the Whitney Ranch Recreation Center, 1575 Galleria Drive.

Earnhardt Jr. paying his dues: Jenna Fryer; Dale Earnhardt Jr. rode onto the Winston Cup scene on an eight-horse hitch of Clydesdales. Now, as his rookie season comes to a close, he's limping away.

Pharmacist, drugstore chain fined in death: A major drugstore chain and the managing pharmacist of one of its Henderson outlets have received maximum fines for their roles in the death of a Texas woman who was given double the prescribed dosage of a prescription.

Lanni, Newton inducted: Terry Lanni, chairman of MGM MIRAGE, was inducted "in recognition of 25 years of industry leadership." As chairman of MGM Grand Inc., Lanni oversaw that company's record-breaking buyout of Mirage Resorts Inc. in May. Lanni also served on the National Gambling Impact Study Commission.

Where I Stand -- Brian Greenspun: What are we thinking?: Welcome to Las Vegas, Sen. Lieberman.

Columnist Joe Delaney: Plenty of afternoon delights are on schedule: Joe Delaney; Afternoon shows offer quality performances for bargain-basement prices ... During the past three Thursdays, I had follow-up looks at three matinees along with our UNLV hotel-school entertainment class ... In the order caught, the shows were "Viva Las Vegas" (Stratosphere), "Stars of the Strip" (Lady Luck) and "Bottoms Up" (Flamingo Las Vegas).

Hundreds of famous autos to be auctioned this weekend: When: Gates open at 8 a.m. and sale begins at 10 a.m. Saturday and Sunday.

Dispute over historic trail prompts lawsuit about markers: Martin Griffith; One hundred and fifty years after the covered-wagon pioneers rolled through Nevada, history buffs are locked in an unprecedented legal battle over the location of the emigrants' trail near Reno.

Some confusion, but Halloween on Halloween in Nevada this year: Scott Sonner; But the shuffling of the holiday calendar hasn't been without some confusion.

Breeders' Cup pre-entries: DISTAFF

Burgess indicted on weapons charges: Burgess, 63, was indicted Wednesday by a federal grand jury on one count of felon in possession of a firearm and one count of felon in possession of ammunition.

Columnist Dean Juipe: Not exactly 2 of a kind: Dean Juipe; Ronnie Shields, who trains David Tua, makes it a point to say Lennox Lewis has never faced a man like Tua.

Wednesday's prep results: GIRLS VOLLEYBALL

Casino group claims revenues could offset state grocery tax: David A. Lieb; Backers of proposed Amendment 5 based their projections on a study by an Arkansas State University professor, who also has forecast $230 million annually from a state lottery that would be authorized by the amendment.

Kennedy wants committee to allow auditor to check casino books: He was asking the Legislative Audit Advisory Council to permit the legislative auditor to look over the casino's books to see just where the state stands.

Analysts' views differ on prospects for Park Place merger: Spokesman resigns

Without Deuce running wild, UNLV draws good hand against Mississippi: Steve Guiremand; The Deuce may not be on the loose Saturday afternoon when Ole Miss hosts UNLV.

Suspect enters plea in Chinatown gambling case: He agreed to testify against others involved in the gaming operation that was raided by Honolulu police and FBI agents in May.

NASCAR tougher than NFL for Gibbs: Mike Harris; Super Bowls? Hah.

Letter: Strict control of guns needed: Possession of guns is especially dangerous during quarrels between couples if one or both are short-tempered. Even with great precaution there is a good chance of children getting a gun and misusing it, especially if there is a gun in the house. It is reported each year about 1,500 U.S. children 14 and younger are hurt in gun accidents. If guns are not strictly restricted there is great possibility of youngsters possessing and using them, as happened in Columbine and other schools.

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

County loses bid to delay trial in land suit: CARSON CITY -- The Nevada Supreme Court Wednesday denied a last-ditch effort by Clark County to delay a trial to set the value of land on Tropicana Avenue condemned by the county in 1994 to widen the street.

Real-life Monopoly: Park Place, Icahn battle for bankrupt Claridge: John Curran; At issue is who gets control of the Claridge Casino Hotel, which filed for Chapter 11 last year and is now the subject of competing reorganization plans submitted by Park Place Entertainment and billionaire financier Carl Icahn.

Prep soccer, cross country playoff schedules: REGIONAL CHAMPIONSHIPS

UNLV notebook: Women to run for MWC title: The 6-kilometer women's race will be held Saturday at Collindale Golf Course and will be followed by an 8-kilometer men's race. UNLV does not field a men's team.

Two dead in apparent double homicide: Deputy Police Chief Jim Weston said the case was being investigated as a double homicide and that drugs apparently were involved. Neighbors said the woman had frequent visitors at all hours and occasionally had loud parties.

Ferrari expects another battle with McLaren: Salvatore Zanca; The spray of champagne covered Michael Schumacher so often that Mika Hakkinen knew something had to be done.

Sun Statewide Prep Football Top 10: Teams ranked jointly by the Sun and the Sparks Tribune

Columnist Yuval Rotem: Anti-Israel hatred fuels Mideast violence: Yuval Rotem; The recent waves of violence engulfing the Middle East have claimed many lives. While every death is an immeasurable tragedy, the loss of children's lives is especially grave. Both the international and Palestinian media have exploited these deaths by plastering images of these young victims on the front pages of newspapers and on television screens.

Columnist Ruthe Deskin: Punishment lacking in Moore case: Ruthe Deskin; Not even a slap on the wrist?

Bull riders vie at T&M: The four-day event runs through Sunday. Limited tickets remain for tonight's and Friday's go-rounds.

State officials propose cap on college bets: Brendan Riley; Gaming Commission Chairman Brian Sandoval said the proposals will be aired at a series of meetings starting Nov. 16 in Las Vegas, and he hopes the National Collegiate Athletic Association will participate.

Editorial: Opinions on ballot questions: Without a doubt, Question 2 is the most divisive ballot question this election year -- it's also the most unnecessary. The measure seeks to amend Nevada's constitution so that only a marriage between a man and a woman will be recognized in Nevada. But the necessity of the initiative is dubious since Nevada law already defines marriage as being only between a man and a woman, with which we agree.

Letter: Halloween is time for choice: Happy Halloween hoarding!

Judge says drug law is constitutional: John Watkins, attorney for 21-year-old Jessica Williams, challenged the 1999 law in an evidentiary hearing last week. He said there is a difference between using drugs and being impaired by them.

Fight schedule: Tonight

Catching up with: Billy Harvey: High School: Bonanza ('97)

Casino patron sues bowler: In a Clark County District Court lawsuit, Lorraine Russo, who was at the casino on March 8, alleged Garfield Krider, another patron, had left his bowling ball, which weighed about 16 pounds, and its carrying case in the walkway area of the slots gaming area.

O'Bannon tries to catch on with the Bandits: Victoria Sun; Far removed from Pauley Pavilion, where UCLA basketball fans congregate and pay homage to their beloved men's basketball team, and light years away from plush NBA arenas full of luxury boxes, Hollywood types and $5 pretzels, Ed O'Bannon seems content with where he is.

Thinking man de Ferran trying to focus on racing: Mike Harris; FONTANA, Calif. - Deep thinker Gil de Ferran is known on the CART circuit as "Professor."

Sun Athletes of the Week: Jamar Thomas and Whitney Welch: School: Durango

Young woman killed in crash on Mount Rose Highway: The accident occurred shortly after 1 p.m. about four miles up the Mount Rose Highway from southwest Reno.

Attorneys to give gifts, legal advice on Make a Difference Day: Candy will be handed out to trick-or-treaters each night. Admission is $3 for adults and $2 for children.

Ralph Siraco's selections for Friday's races at Santa Anita: 1st Race -- Sagle - Pedroza on Carava trainee, draws inner post for route opener, jockey-trainer combo productive pair. Penny Video - Draws good rail slot, Pincay/Spawr team, rider should have options from post draw. Value Play -- Lil Bit O The Best

NFL Injury Report: CAROLINA AT ATLANTA -- Carolina: OUT: T Clarence Jones (knee). DOUBTFUL: DT Alvin McKinley (knee). QUESTIONABLE: S Rashard Anderson (knee); T James Dexter (triceps); RB Chris Hetherington (foot); TE Wesley Walls (ribs). PROBABLE: WR Donald Hayes (ankle); WR Muhsin Muhammad (hamstring); DT Eric Swann (knee); DE Reggie White (shoulder). Atlanta: OUT: LB Keith Brooking (foot). QUESTIONABLE: LB Henri Crockett (ankle); LB Jeff Kelly (knee); S Gerald McBurrows (knee); LB Mark Simoneau (ankle). PROBABLE: CB Ashley Ambrose (ribs); S Marty Carter (neck/shoulder); DT Shawn Swayda hamstring); CB Elijah Williams (ankle).

Arrest made in apparent double homicide: The bodies of Nicole Rusk, 19, and Steven Sanchez, 28, were found in a McCarran Boulevard home late Monday after police were called to check on the couple. Investigators said both were shot to death, apparently on Friday.

Air Force will award medal in honor of Bob Hope's service: Dick Benoit; The Air Force has added a new individual honor to its awards program. The Spirit of Hope medallion will be presented annually beginning next August.

State reinvents plan on way to finance buildings: CARSON CITY -- State government spends an estimated $18 million a year leasing private office space for its agencies, a practice that Gov. Kenny Guinn doesn't like.

U.S. 95 expansion may face lawsuit: The Sierra Club may begin legal action to stop the ongoing expansion of U.S. 95 from Martin Luther King Boulevard to Craig Road.

Obituaries for October 26, 2000: Maryann Carnahan, 61, of Las Vegas died Oct. 19 in Las Vegas. She was born May 22, 1939, in Illinois. A resident for 11 years, she was a homemaker and a member of Senior Friends.

NLV planners approve space campus: Diana Sahagun; Space visionary Robert Bigelow said Wednesday that he is eager to break ground on his new 40-acre space campus in North Las Vegas.

Judge decides Williams trial will proceed: Kim Smith; The prohibited substance law under which Jessica Williams is being tried in the deaths of six teenagers is constitutional, and her trial will proceed as expected on Jan. 29.

Columnist Spencer Patterson: Schedule plays cruel prank on Chargers: Spencer Patterson; The way Cimarron-Memorial has dominated in 2000, an upcoming game against the two-time defending 4A state champion is enough to give opposing football coaches their share of headaches.

Reid's PAC took donation from Yucca subcontractor: Benjamin Grove; WASHINGTON -- The political action committee managed by Sen. Harry Reid, D-Nev., took $50,000 from a subcontractor at Yucca Mountain, a proposed nuclear waste site now under study -- a project Reid has fiercely battled.

DA moves deliberately in slayings case: Keith Paul; The case of the March shooting deaths of two armored car guards during a daylight robbery in Henderson is as complex as the Ted Binion murder case, says District Attorney Stewart Bell.

Bryan bids farewell in Senate speech: Benjamin Grove; WASHINGTON -- Sen. Richard Bryan, D-Nev., one of just 23 men who represented the state in Senate, today bowed out of the sometimes troubled institution that he still reveres.

State capital busy with Nevada Day: CARSON CITY -- Nevada celebrates its 136th birthday this weekend with the festivities centered in Carson City with a giant parade, parties and a tribute to Sen. Richard Bryan, D-Nev., who is retiring at the end of the year.

Automaker's earnings tumble 78 percent: FRANKFURT, Germany -- Automaker DaimlerChrysler AG's adjusted earnings tumbled 78 percent in the third quarter, reflecting big losses at its U.S.-based Chrysler division -- which is juggling tougher competition with the costs of launching a new fleet of vehicles.

Columnist Ron Kantowski: Rebels have nothing to worry about: A few weeks ago in this space I took Rebels basketball coach Bill Bayno to task for saying a little too loudly that UNLV could live with the loss of scholarships and other sanctions it imposed on itself as a peace offering to the NCAA, capping an investigation into wrongdoing within his men's basketball program.

Defensive transition: Spencer Patterson; Omar Bywaters has been an offensive force from the moment he stepped onto a soccer field.

Maxfield unfazed by Tarkanian lead: Adrienne Packer; A recent poll that showed a 5-percentage point lead favoring Clark County Commission candidate Lois Tarkanian has hardly fazed her opponent, political rookie Chip Maxfield.

PacifiCare CEO quits, stock falls: SANTA ANA, Calif. -- PacifiCare Health Systems Inc., the nation's biggest provider of Medicare coverage, Wednesday announced the resignation of its president and chief executive officer.

Western, Gorman to battle for title: Spencer Patterson; Things haven't exactly gone according to plan for Bishop Gorman and Western this football season.

Holiday closings: Here's what's open and closed Friday:

Picks: Basic receives nod to edge Silverado in Week Nine: Spencer Patterson; Can't believe it's Week Nine already. Seems like just yesterday my season of futility began. Never fear, though. Redemption will come in the postseason.

Prosecutor seeks death penalty for slaying: Kim Smith; A man accused of shooting a tourist at Harrah's hotel-casino last month may get his death wish granted.

International custody battle: Sandy Thompson; On Tuesday in Las Vegas, Cisilie Vaile said goodbye to her young daughters, not knowing when she would see them again.