Print edition for September 7, 2000

Obituaries for September 7, 2000: Joe L. Austin, 82, of Las Vegas died Monday in a local hospital. He was born June 24, 1918, in St. Paul, Minn. A resident for 71 years, he was a retired truck driver for a gasoline hauling company and a World War II Army veteran.

Editorial: Western senators misleading on fires: The GOP senators conveniently omitted from their criticisms a bipartisan report prepared by the Congressional Research Service that said there was little -- if any -- connection between wildfires and the drop in timber harvests on national forest lands. For that matter, some of the worst fires have occurred on lands that have undergone logging.

Personal freedom: Local prisoners seek the meaning of life in Zen: It is not by digging a tunnel or scaling the chain-link walls or hiding in a garbage truck.

Ex-Sparks High teacher charged with having sex with pupil: Allegations that the English teacher told the 17-year-old student he was the father of her infant daughter surfaced at the school March 3.

Columnist Dean Juipe: Crayton has second thoughts about retirement plans: Dean Juipe; Oops, he spoke too soon.

Firm developing building: The building will be developed by Koll on a 10-acre parcel at Turfway Park, a horse-racing complex in Kentucky partially owned by Harrah's. Turfway is already home of Turfway Ridge Office Park, with two 108,000-square-foot buildings.

Legal ads moving to business section: The ads had been appearing in the newspaper's classified advertising section.

Gaines also faces attempted larceny charge: Steve Addy; Besides three alcohol-related charges stemming from his Labor Day arrest near Detroit, former Clark High basketball star Kevin Gaines is in more legal trouble.

Columnist Ron Kantowski: Michigan play: no Gaines: OK, so I was wrong.

Green running away with Busch title: Jenna Fryer; As the youngest of three racing brothers, Jeff Green used to seek out his siblings for career advice.

Casino returns $5,000 tip: Managers weren't comfortable accepting such a hefty tip, so they tracked him down and asked him if he really meant to leave that much money.

Las Vegas now a nuclear-free zone: Erin Neff; The city of Las Vegas was officially declared a nuclear-free zone on Wednesday in a symbolic gesture aimed more at Washington, D.C., than the trucks already transporting low-level radioactive waste through the city.

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

Mississippi casinos hiring non-Americans, but not for top jobs: Gina Holland; Andy Bourland, executive director of the Mississippi Gaming Association, said green card holders fill an employment gap at many of the 29 casinos.

Prep girls tennis standings: CLASS 4A

Owners meet to discuss Kentucky track's future: "In terms of Turfway, it's business as usual here," said Turfway president Bob Elliston as he was preparing for the opening of the race meet Wednesday evening.

Prep boys soccer standings: CLASS 4A

Letter: Community put smiles on many children's faces: Our plea for help was answered tenfold. We especially want to thank newspapers, radio and television for their immediate response and publicizing our need to replace the shoes and clothing.

Finally!: Steve Guiremand; Years before Shaquille O'Neal was helping the Lakers win the NBA championship, there was another athlete with a large Superman "S" tattoo on his arm who was the talk of the Southern California sporting scene.

This week's races: WINSTON CUP

Southwest Ambulance to serve Clark County: After more than a year of debate about the need for competition, county commissioners Tuesday allowed Southwest Ambulance into the county market. The Las Vegas City Council will vote on a similar Southwest proposal in October.

Norwood, promoter trade jabs: Dean Juipe; Freddie Norwood has never lost a professional fight. He's 37-0-1 and is the reigning World Boxing Association champion at 126 pounds.

Editorial: Healthy debate is a necessity: But the fact is there has not yet been a demonstrated need for a full-fledged children's hospital with 152 beds, a project that would require the county to issue $80 million in bonds. While supporters of a proposed hospital note that Nevada is one of just seven states without a children's hospital, this ignores the fact that UMC and Sunrise Hospital already operate their own extensive pediatric facilities.

Ruffin sued over ads: Diamond Resorts International LLC, formerly known as International Resorts Group Inc., sued Ruffin Gaming LLC doing business as the New Frontier, ASNY Co. LLC and Consolidated Realty Inc. in Clark County District Court, alleging the defendants breached an agreement for Diamond Resorts to exclusively advertise time shares at the northeast entrance of the casino.

Airman pleads guilty in daughter's death: Candice Kitto, 23, entered a type of guilty plea that required her to admit only that prosecutors could prove their case against her.

Tour bus crashes in rural Nevada, injures 41: Angie Wagner; Nevada Highway Patrol Trooper Richard James said the bus went off U.S. Highway 6 about 30 miles west of Tonopah and the driver tried to overcorrect to the left. The bus traveled across both lanes of traffic, went off the left side of the road and the driver again overcorrected.

Community news briefs for September 7, 2000: The PacifiCare Foundation, a nonprofit foundation funded by PacifiCare Health Systems and employee donations, is accepting grant applications until Jan. 1.

Columnist Ruthe Deskin: Unamused by cagey sweep talk: Ruthe Deskin; Once upon a time I vowed never to open letters offering chances to win sweepstakes. But this time I did, and guess what? The letter was a press release stating: "This is to confirm that a Las Vegas TV area resident will be a winner in the Publisher's Clearing House Sweepstakes. The Prize Patrol will be arriving in the Las Vegas area on Oct. 25th to surprise someone with a $10,000 prize."

Foothill's Cavan makes spirited return to court: Spencer Patterson; When Kim Cavan learned that she wouldn't be permitted to play tennis -- the sport she'd loved since age 10 -- for new Foothill High School last year, it would have been easy for her to hang her head.

Columnist Joe Delaney: Talented musicians turn out for jazzy party: Joe Delaney; Not wishing to be there when the Caesars Palace Circus Maximus concluded 24 years as Las Vegas' finest showroom Sunday, I opted to spend Thursday through Labor Day in Denver enjoying Sutton's Rocky Mountain Jazz Party, a three-day bash in the Marriott City Center hotel ballroom ... This was the first year in the Mile High City, having been moved there from Aspen, Colo., its former home.

Fiesta sends out layoff notices to 1,100 employees: The notices are required by federal law, which mandates that companies give notice of at least 60 days prior to large-scale layoffs. Station says the deal could close within 60 days, but that the timing depends on how quickly Nevada gaming regulators approve the deal.

Prep girls volleyball standings: CLASS 4A

Columnist Spencer Patterson: Region could 'grow into' playoff format: Spencer Patterson; The prep football season is just one week old, and already this year's playoff format has become a major topic of debate.

Justices say Hinds judge right in dismissing anti-gambling initiative: Jack Elliott Jr.; The justices, in a 8-1 decision Thursday, sided with Circuit Judge James Graves. Graves ruled last May that by law Mississippians must be told the financial affect of constitutional changes. He also ruled Elizabeth Stoner's proposal to force a statewide vote on gambling did not include estimated tax losses should casinos be closed.

Las Vegas council briefs: Taxi drivers who bring fares to adult businesses in exchange for tips from club owners will still be violating city law.

Small Business Administration to help Nevada counties: Scott Sonner; The U.S. Small Business Administration announced the loan program Thursday for eligible businesses that would find it a hardship to obtain conventional loans. The loans of up to $1.5 million carry an interest rate of 4 percent.

Annual banquet to honor employers of reservists: Dick Benoit; The Nevada Committee for Employer Support of the Guard and Reserve will honor Nevada employers of Guardsmen and reservists at its annual awards banquet at the Hilton Hotel in Reno Saturday night.

LV Olympic gymnast's family trying to make Sydney trip: Steve Addy; The Sydney Olympics are halfway around the globe, but employers and communities throughout the U.S. are making sure Olympians' families get to see the Games in person.

Compromise helps Agassi's school: Erin Neff; Andre Agassi may have bowed out early from the U.S. Open, but a decision Wednesday by the Las Vegas City Council gave game, set and match to his planned charter school.

Stewart seeking redemption at Richmond: Hank Kurz Jr; RICHMOND, Va. - Tony Stewart is sixth in the driver's championship standings and would be much closer to the top if not for his last visit to Richmond International Raceway, when he had the best car and the worst luck.

Prep boys tennis standings: CLASS 4A

Ralph Siraco's selections for Friday's races at Del Mar: 1st Race -- Amersham - Team of jockey McCarron, trainer 'Paco' Gonzalez and owners McCaffery & Toffan, good post, respect connections. Irish Muldoon - Solis scales Headley trainee, draws extreme outside post for the sprint opener, could size up field from there. Value Play -- Ex Federali

Letter: Public prayer is a God-given right: The Supreme Court has no right to say that people cannot pray in inappropriate places, such as football games. Clarence Page is speaking from the heart, but he is still wrong.

Where I Stand -- Brian Greenspun: Problem at the polls: "Danger, Will Robinson."

Picks: Bishop Gorman will find a way to win: Spencer Patterson; After flirting with the elusive .800 mark throughout last season, it looks like the chase is on after an 8-3 opening week.

UNLV notebook: Senior duo anchors women's cross country team: UNLV's cross country team may be facing a rebuilding year this season, but the Rebels will have a solid foundation on which to improve upon last year's fourth-place finish in the Mountain West Conference.

More Las Vegas television stations putting newscasts on the Internet: The local ABC network affiliate will join other Las Vegas stations that are producing "streaming video," which enables viewers to watch live and archived programming on their computers.

AT&T looking at buying wireless rival: NEW YORK -- AT&T Wireless may propose a buyout of mobile phone rival Nextel Communications at an AT&T board meeting later this month in a bid to shine new light on one of AT&T's few bright spots, the Wall Street Journal reported today.

Prep football standings: CLASS 4A

Intimidator determined as ever: Pete Iacobelli; Life used to be simpler for Dale Earnhardt.

Victims of Tahoe crash identified: Authorities said Needham was piloting the single-propeller Piper Malibu when it crashed shortly after takeoff.

Letter: Walks wear out UNLV students: ALLEN TOOLEY

Prep girls golf standings: CLASS 4A

Fernandez working on championship season: Mike Harris; MONTEREY, Calif. - Adrian Fernandez is nervous and excited nowadays.

Uri Clinton expected to decide on recall today: In a three-way race among Democrats, Neal won re-election, but with only six votes more than the majority he needed to avoid a runoff with Clinton in the Nov. 7 general election.

Adult club dancers are on hand at fund-raiser: Las Vegas civic leaders got a chance to bid on sports memorabilia and press some flesh with bikini-clad adult dancers at a July 14 fund-raiser for Youth Charities of Southern Nevada.

County sued by LV clubs: In a Clark County District Court lawsuit, AA&O Enterprises doing business as El Sinaolense restaurant and El Rey restaurant alleged the defendants unfairly issued misdemeanor citations against the supper clubs for violating an amended Clark County ordinance that the plaintiffs claim doesn't apply to them.

Political notebook for September 7, 2000: Attorney Uri Clinton said he expects to decide today whether to ask for a recount of votes in his narrow loss to District 4 state Sen. Joe Neal, D-North Las Vegas, in Tuesday's primary election.

Improvements made at Thomas & Mack: By Steve Kanigher; The Thomas & Mack Center is now easier for physically disabled individuals to access, thanks in part to a 12-year-old UNLV Rebels basketball fan who encountered seating problems at a February game.

Man convicted of smuggling lizards in underwear: Don D. Astorga, 31, was found guilty by U.S. District Judge Philip Pro after nearly three hours of testimony. Astorga had waived his right to a jury trial.

Henderson homeowners say they were misled: Greg Harman; Roughly half of the 250 homeowners crowded into a Henderson Convention Center conference room Wednesday night said they had been misled by Del Webb agents when they purchased their homes in Sun City MacDonald Ranch.

North Las Vegas briefs: Four more parks in the mature part of North Las Vegas will see some new play equipment, grass, and other much-needed improvements.

Regents may vote to keep interims out of running: The university Board of Regents was to consider a change in policy today that would make it difficult -- if not impossible -- for an interim school president or chancellor to be a candidate for the permanent position.

Cops talk to charity group in McDonald probe: Jeff German and Erin Neff; Metro Police investigating Las Vegas City Councilman Michael McDonald have questioned top officers of a high-powered charitable organization affiliated with the embattled elected official.

Local news briefs for September 7, 2000: Metro Police are trying to identify a man seen with 36-year-old Mario R. Pulache-Cumpa before he was slain.

Nevada regulators set to question Station on Missouri contacts: David Strow; Back when Las Vegas was little more than a simple desert fort, the Midwest was a haven for gamblers.

Nevada ranks fourth in U.S. for periled parks: Nevada ranks fourth in the nation for endangered national, state and local parks, with more than 5,200 acres threatened by development, traffic and overuse, a National Park Trust report says.

Ex-CCSN worker files suit: Jace Radke; The former state employee who revealed that Community College of Southern Nevada officials had ordered production of bronze busts for politicians has filed suit against CCSN in District Court Wednesday for wrongful termination and breach of contract.

Witness details suspect's actions after Hanlon killing: Kim Smith; When her sister's drunken boyfriend talked about a shooting early one morning three years ago, Elena Aresco said she thought he was just talking crazy.

LV man enters guilty plea in 1997 killing of teenage girl: Kim Smith; A Las Vegas man has entered a guilty plea in connection with the 1997 slaying of a teenage girl.

Proposed welfare regulations would benefit families: CARSON CITY -- New regulations being proposed by the state Welfare Division would let welfare recipients keep money overpaid in error and raise the rates paid for their children's day care.

Compensation plan for nuke workers on hold: Benjamin Grove; WASHINGTON -- Workers made ill by constructing and testing nuclear weapons may not see the multimillion-dollar compensation package the Clinton administration promised this year.

Rhodes seeking a new judge: Kim Smith; The arraignment of North Las Vegas Councilman John Rhodes on charges of filing false insurance claims was postponed again this morning.

Case of attacks on elderly women to get new judge: Kim Smith; A Las Vegas man who could get the death penalty if convicted in the slaying of one elderly woman and an attack on another will be getting a new judge.

Immigration agents arrest 1,235: Karen Dorman, the officer in charge of the Immigration and Naturalization Service office in Las Vegas, said this morning the flow of illegal immigrants using McCarran International Airport continues at a brisk pace despite the monthlong project known as Operation Denial.

MGM MIRAGE to sell $500 million in notes: Spokesman Alan Feldman said the notes will be used to refinance a portion of an outstanding $1.3 billion term loan.

Correction for September 6, 2000: Correction for September 6, 2000

Consultants called in to examine MGM Grand theme park uses: A source familiar with the matter said MGM MIRAGE was "looking into alternative uses and enhancements" for the property, but emphasized no decisions had been made yet.

Man claims he was defrauded at Mandalay Bay sports book: In a Clark County District Court lawsuit, Albert Ciaglia alleged he relied on Dolin's alleged fraudulent claims that he had special ties with Mandalay Bay through its casino book manager, Gene Kivi, to set up a 50/50 partnership with Dolin to bet horses at Mandalay Bay's Race and Sports Book and invest in a Carribean wagering account.

Mattsen key to Binion's missing millions: Sun Staff; David Mattsen's revealing testimony Wednesday has put him in the middle of the mystery surrounding the disappearance of potentially millions in Ted Binion assets.

Issue in Macayo robbery case concerns kidnapping definition: Kim Smith; If victims of a robbery are taken by gunpoint from Point A to Point B within the same building, are they also kidnap victims?

New penalty phase requested for Johnson in quadruple murder: Kim Smith; Attorneys for a Las Vegas quadruple murderer scheduled to be sentenced to death this morning instead asked the judge to set aside that penalty and hold another penalty phase.

Charges dropped in murder case: Kim Smith; The Clark County district attorney's office has dismissed murder charges against a Sprint employee who was accused of shooting his brother to death.

Gray's relationship book becomes musical: Gray's best-selling book "Men are from Mars, Women are from Venus" has been turned into a musical comedy revue in Las Vegas.

Nine accused of cheating casinos of $200,000 through credit card fraud: He was arrested in November 1997 by State Police on charges of credit card theft and conspiracy, said Daniel Henegan, a spokesman for the state Casino Control Commission. His casino license was suspended in March 1998 and subsequently revoked, Henegan said.

UNLV golf team ranked sixth: UNLV golf team ranked sixth

May awarded key to city: The Summerlin resident fell just short of beating Tiger Woods in the 82nd PGA Championship at Valhalla Golf Club near Louisville, Ky., last month but earned respect throughout Las Vegas for the exciting run he gave the sport's best player.

Catching up with: Arnold Parker: High School: Cimarron-Memorial ('99)

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

It's official -- Agassi not going to Sydney: Agassi, the defending gold medalist in the tennis competition, sent word to the United States Tennis Association that he would not go to Sydney, citing "personal reasons" for his decision.

Sun Athletes of the Week: Dallas Dobbs and Lacee Koelliker: School: Chaparral

Boxer Ibeabuchi rejecting medication in hospital: Kim Smith; Doctors at the state's mental health hospital in Sparks say the only way heavyweight boxer Ikemefula "Ike" Ibeabuchi will ever become competent to stand trial is to medicate him.