Print edition for September 5, 2000

Man acquitted of Elko murder: Kolb was accused of killing Rafal Lajczak, 29, at the Hacienda Ranch brothel last Oct. 22.

Carreker-Curbelo engagement: The wedding will be Oct. 22.

Nevadans go to the polls in primary election: Sandra Chereb; Polls opened at 7 a.m. Registered voters who didn't take advantage of early voting opportunities over the past two weeks have until 7 p.m. to cast ballots to help determine which candidates will advance to the Nov. 7 general election.

Greektown Casino moves step closer to opening: Jim Suhr; After its 4-1 vote during a brief hearing, the Michigan Gaming Control Board said it will decide in early November whether to license the casino. Nelson Westrin, the board's executive director, said such a vote won't come until the site is ready to open.

Labor Day boon for Reno-area hotels: "We had an excellent weekend," said Steve Trounday, spokesman for Fitzgeralds Casino and Hotel. "We sold out all weekend.

PCL Box: River Cats 9, Stars 6: LOB--Las Vegas 7, Sacramento 14. 2B--Alvarez, Bellhorn. 3B--Faggett. HR--Nicholson (5), Radmanovich (11) , Milliard (5) , Porter (12), Encarnacion (13). SB--Alvarez, Fraraccio, Porter, Encarnacion. CS--Ortiz. SF--Ortiz, Velandia.

PCL Box: River Cats 4, Stars 3: E-Fraraccio, Milliard. DP-Sacramento 1, Las Vegas 1. LOB-Sacramento 8, Las Vegas 8. 2B-Bellhorn, Encarnacion, McKay 2, Salazar, Fraraccio. HR-Roskos (18).

Senators to examine Clinton administration's role in western fires: John Hughes; WASHINGTON - Western senators said Tuesday they will examine whether the Clinton administration was adequately prepared to fight wildfires and whether administration policies have put more public land at risk.

Community news briefs for September 5, 2000: Lake Mead Hospital

Man found beaten unconscious: The 31-year-old Las Vegas resident was taken to University Medical Center just after 2 a.m. where he is listed in very critical condition, police said.

Rebels counting on Miller to come up big in middle: Steve Guiremand; At 6-foot-4 and almost 300 pounds, Ahmad Miller is not the easiest guy to push around on the football field.

Becker leads in Nevada Supreme Court race: Tom Gardner; Becker a former Clark County judge, had 59 percent of the vote to 17 percent for Ely attorney Jim Backus with 75 percent of the precincts tallied. They will face each other in a November runoff. Carson City lawyer Day Williams, who entered the race by mistake, trailed "none of the above" by 2 percent with 11 percent of the vote.

Stars wrap up season -- and perhaps an era: Steve Addy; The Las Vegas Stars' final statistical leaders this season:

Letter: Limbaugh stands firmly behind nation's veterans: You are obviously an uninformed and totally confused liberal Democrat -- one who supports impeached Democrats no matter what they do or how they tarnish our greatest office in the country.

NLV Police name cops in shooting: Jace Radke; Two North Las Vegas Police officers involved in a gunfight that resulted in the death of a suspect last week have been identified as department veterans.

Leader of failed effort to save the Mapes Hotel leads council race: Scott Sonner; Toni Harsh, president of the Truckee Meadows Heritage Trust, was leading incumbent Tom Herndon 48 percent to 26 percent with more than three-fourths of the precincts reporting in the race for the Ward 1 council seat.

Rebels in market for new opponent: Because of an administrative foul-up by Mississippi State, UNLV is scrambling to add a game to its men's basketball schedule.

Traffic troubles helped sink IRL at LVMS: It is not easy to pinpoint the precise reason for the Indy Racing League's demise in Las Vegas, but it may date to a warm and windy autumn afternoon in 1996.

Letter: Vote for person, not the party: Both parties are failing America and Americans, but voting the straight party line and ignoring fringe parties is not intelligent and does qualify a person as an ignoramus.

Brake problems reported on school buses: The Associated Press contributed to this report.

Political notebook for September 5, 2000: The Clark County Building Department will provide reduced inspection and plan checking services today and on Nov. 7 because of the primary and general elections.

Bodies recovered from plane crash: The bodies of Kazushige Hayashi, 69, and Kazuko Hayashi, 68, were recovered by rescue workers over the holiday weekend. The couple lived in Las Vegas and Walnut Creek, Calif.

NFL Calendar: Sept. 3 - Regular season begins.

Editorial: Purveyors of hate are among us: The pamphlet contains the usual litany of comments made by neo-Nazi groups. For instance, the National Alliance rhetorically asks: Where will a child find the truth? "On Jewish-controlled television, with its racially mixed couples and multicultural propaganda? In Jewish-controlled Hollywood, where almost no film can be made unless it contains a politically correct, anti-white message? In the newspapers, where the same alien control prevails? In her classroom, which has been converted into a neo-Communist brainwashing pen? On the streets, where she stands a greater than one in four chance of being raped, probably by a non-white?" And that's just a ...

Renee Zellweger becoming one of Hollywood's busiest stars: Louis B. Parks; In two years Zellweger's world has turned considerably. She's completed four pictures, the third of which, "Nurse Betty," opens Friday. The fourth, "Bridget Jones' Diary," due next year, made her a favorite target of the British press, which felt a Texas gal should not play the much-sought title role from the English best seller.

West Virginia gambling opponents ask elected officials, candidates for support: "We understand that some of our elected officials and candidates are being pressured to stay out of the referendum issue," said Alan Schoolcraft-Williams, the political action chairman for West Virginia Families Against Casino Gambling.

Southern Nevadans pledge more than half-million dollars during telethon: A total of $506,233 was raised locally over the 21 1/2-hour telethon that netted $54.6 million nationally, breaking last year's record of $53.1 million.

Third suspect indicted in cop shooting: According to an indictment unsealed Friday, Tamika Beavers, 20, was indicted on a host of charges ranging from burglary and robbery to kidnapping and attempted murder.

Kentucky man takes Best in the West rib title: He won second place in 1994, his first year at the event, and he said he's been hoping for the big prize ever since.

Where I Stand -- Brian Greenspun: GOP's wedge issue: Welcome to after-Labor Day.

Letter: Notch babies: Hang in there: JAN STORM

Washoe County officials expect smooth election: "All of the hard work the last 670 days will pay off," he said.

Regent sees changes for reporting policies of campuses: A university regent says the system's policy on the release of documents may have to be changed in the wake of UNLV's refusal to make public a state report critical of its police department.

Water source a key issue for Paiutes' power plant plan: Meetings

Porter, Gibbons win Congressional primaries: Angie Wagner; In Nevada's other congressional primary, two-term incumbent Jim Gibbons also coasted to victory.

Little-known justice faces lesser-known opponents: Tom Gardner; RENO, Nev. - A state Supreme Court justice who's only slightly better known outside Clark County than her two rural challengers sought a full six-year term on Tuesday in the only contested race for the high court.

Las Vegas continues to lure California visitors: Tourism officials estimate a record 266,000 visitors came to Las Vegas this Labor Day weekend, up from last year's 254,000.

Becker leads in early voting for Nevada Supreme Court: Tom Gardner; Becker a former Clark County judge, was opposed by Ely attorney Jim Backus, who said voters deserved a choice, and Carson City lawyer Day Williams, who entered the race by mistake.

Neal edges out Clinton in early voting: Joe Neal took an early lead over Uri Clinton in the Democratic primary for State Senate District 4. Neal secured 48.36 percent of the early votes to Clinton's 44.71 percent.

Columnist Susan Snyder: A true flight of fancy: Maybe the three ring-necked doves missing from Lewis Family Park simply flew away.

TV sports/Radio for Sept. 6-9: TV sports/Radio for Sept. 6-9

Obituaries for September 5, 2000: Calvin E. Boland, 88, of Boulder City died Saturday in a local hospital. He was born Sept. 30, 1911, in Lincoln County, Okla. A resident for 30 years, he was a retired owner-operator of a painting contracting business and a World War II Army veteran.

Nevadans decide U.S. Senate, House, state Supreme Court, legislative primaries: Brendan Riley; Partial returns showed Ensign trouncing his closest opponent, Richard Hamzik, by a 20-to-1 margin.

PCL Box: Stars 8, River Cats 4: E--None. DP--Sacramento 1, Las Vegas 2. LOB--Sacramento 6, Las Vegas 5. 2B--LaRocca, Milliard 3, Bush. 3B--Curl. HR--Bellhorn (24), Hart (1). SB--Porter (39), Vaz (20), Faggett (7).

Congress settles in for final session: Benjamin Grove; WASHINGTON -- Congress in its final five weeks could make another run at banning Internet gambling and approve a plan for a second Las Vegas airport.

Johnston will be on his guard: Dean Juipe; When Stevie Johnston's title reign was interrupted in 1998 he quickly redeemed himself, defeating the man -- Cesar Bazan -- who earlier had taken the World Boxing Council lightweight championship from him.

Incumbents take early leads in regent, state Board of Education contests: Martin Griffith; In Board of Education races, incumbent Dave Cook was leading in early returns against two challengers, while John Hawk led early in a three-way race for an open seat.

Columnist Kate Maddox: Poof! Illusionist Wyrick reappears: Kate Maddox; Just as he was about to slide off the entertainment radar, Steve Wyrick has finally set an opening date. The last-minute (and going on six months is a long minute) tweaking of his magic show at the Sahara appears to be all wrapped up and Wyrick will take the stage Sept. 13.

Columnist Ron Kantowski: Las Vegas' Harrigan making softball history: Former UNLV southpaw Lori Harrigan, one of a dwindling number of female Olympians who has yet to pose topless for a national magazine, helped make history over the weekend on the playing field.

Ralph Siraco's selections for Wednesday's races at Del Mar: 1st Race -- Schnitzel - Irish-bred runner draws good post, hustling bug boy Baze aboard Lord trainee, good spot to tag opener. Tart - British-bred runner likes seaside course, hard knocker draws good rail post, hustling Pedroza on Silva trainee. Value Play -- Millbrae

Early season could make or break Utes: Steve Guiremand; Facts and figures on the Utah Utes:

Lake Mead experiences safe holiday weekend: Jace Radke; Frank Beers was ready to help Monday as he patrolled the waters around Lake Mead's Callville Bay.

Ensign looking past primary to November showdown with Bernstein: Scott Sonner; Ensign captured nearly nine out of every 10 votes cast in the primary - 88 percent of the statewide vote with 99 percent of the precincts reporting.

Policing Connecticut casinos offers troopers a colorful beat: Natasha Gural; MASHANTUCKET, Conn. -- Past the dizzying patterns, flickering lights and frenzied tourists at Foxwoods Resort Casino lies a secure area off limits to patrons who play by the rules.

Few voters expected at Clark County polls: A scarcity of hotly contested partisan battles has contributed to another light primary election turnout in Clark County.

Comdex expands to MGM with speech, meetings: Las Vegas' largest convention is outgrowing the four venues it usually uses and will spread out some more, to the city's largest hotel.

Valley's growth likely to be hot topic for 2001 Legislature: The effect of Southern Nevada's growth will likely dominate the 2001 Legislature's agenda, people from throughout the political spectrum are predicting.

Vegas growth to continue: And compared to the year-ago month, seven of the index's ten indicators posted increases with gross gaming revenue up 7.79 percent.

High court ruling concerns Nevada marijuana backers: CARSON CITY -- An order by the U.S. Supreme Court stopping distribution of marijuana in California has Nevada backers worried about a vote in November that would legalize medical uses of marijuana in this state.

Columnist Dean Juipe: Fans quiet as Stars end 18th season: Dean Juipe; Everything pointed to a beautiful afternoon.

Neal edges out Clinton for victory in primary: Brendan Riley; By getting barely more than half the votes, Neal, D-North Las Vegas, avoided a November general election battle against Uri Clinton, heavily backed by the casino industry that Neal had targeted for higher taxes.

Caesars riverboat pleads for tax relief: The Indiana Board of Tax Commissioners will hear Caesars Indiana's case for tax relief Nov. 14. The casino owner's request has met a stiff challenge from Harrison County officials, who argue it's unfair to other taxpayers.

Local news briefs for September 5, 2000: A 31-year-old man was in critical condition after he suffered severe beating outside a northwest Las Vegas apartment complex.

Voter turnout light for primary: Martin Griffith; Statewide figures weren't available late Tuesday, but the picture was clear from results in the counties that account for the vast majority of Nevada's population. But Clark County reported 18 percent turnout and Washoe estimated it at 27 percent.

Guinn appoints technology director: CARSON CITY -- Terry Savage, who recently supervised a $2 million upgrade of the state's computer system to avoid a potential crisis, today was named director of the state Department of Information Technology.

Publisher sues Vegas couple over magazine names: Millionaire.com sued the magazines' former owners Douglas and Jenny Lambert in Clark County District Court.

Reid planning to block ad funds for free Yucca tours: Sen. Harry Reid, D-Nev., said he plans to block nuclear waste funds used to advertise tours of Yucca Mountain, the proposed site of a high-level nuclear waste repository 90 miles northwest of Las Vegas.

Vegas included in sale of billboard, taxi ad firms: In a separate deal, the company also acquired Triumph Taxi Advertising LLC, Las Vegas, which does business as Taxi Tops.

Firefighting inmates invaluable: YELLOW PINE, Idaho -- In Utah, they are inmates at Bluffdale State Prison. But in the fire zone, they strut proudly in black T-shirts proclaiming themselves members of the Flame 'N' Go Hotshots -- the highest designation for firefighters.

Shakeup hits LV-bound Nordstrom: Kathy Mulady; SEATTLE -- Responding to flat earnings and marketing strategies that weren't producing a turnaround, Nordstrom Inc. restored members of its founding family to top management last week.