Print edition for September 8, 2000

Tribe mystified by opposition to possible Kansas casino: "We've got people running up and down the court calling foul, and we haven't even tossed the ball up yet," said Dee Ketchum, chief of the Delaware Tribe of Indians and a former basketball player at the University of Kansas. "How can we foul anybody? The game hasn't even started yet."

Eyes, too, need exercise: Jason Hidalgo; An athlete steps up to home plate, brandishing his towering 6-foot-5-inch frame backed by 250 pounds of mostly ball-ripping muscle: the perfect slugger.

Hardcastle to replace Gaston in Juvenile Court: Sandy Thompson; Family Court Judge Gerald Hardcastle will take over as the full-time juvenile judge in January.

Jury deliberates fate of Hanlon murder defendant: Kim Smith; Jurors this morning began deliberating the fate of the man accused of shooting the son of former state Board of Education member Bill Hanlon Sr.

Columnist Joe Delaney: Marveling at the workaholic who is Lewis: Joe Delaney; Jerry Lewis, perfectionist, performer, comedian, humanitarian, survivor, comes off his most successful MDA Labor Day Telethon yet, to bring his 74-year life sum total to audiences at the Orleans Showroom through Sunday ... Lewis has hours of material, honed to the nth degree, which he constantly reassembles, always backed by a large orchestra.

Columnist Susan Snyder: Math is as easy as 1,2,3: They are three words that strike fear into the heart of nearly every parent.

Columnist Brian Hilderbrand: Title not No. 1 goal for LV's Tracy: With five races remaining in the season, Paul Tracy admittedly is in the best position of his career to win his first CART championship.

Where I Stand 1959 -- Hank Greenspun: Morals can't be legislated: Let's not be too hasty.

The Movie Guys: Morgan Freeman a standout in 'Nurse Betty': Grade: Jeff B, Dave B

Teacher petition checked: CARSON CITY -- A raw count on the initiative petition by a teachers union to impose a business profits tax shows that 86,840 people signed the document.

North Las Vegas will continue fighting ex-cops' lawsuit: Diana Sahagun; Rather then settle with two former North Las Vegas Police officers who were stripped of their badges, the city and police union will take their fight to the Nevada Supreme Court.

Ex-Brownstone singer is latest buzz with alternative act: Nekesa Mumbi Moody; Kina in concert

Rebels ready for rematch: Steve Guiremand; John Robinson's second season as UNLV football coach is being promoted as "Round 2" by the UNLV sports information office.

Drunken driver called a murderer: Kim Smith; Calling him a coward and a murderer, District Judge Joseph Bonaventure Thursday sentenced a 24-year-old man to 16 to 40 years in prison for a May 10 drunken driving incident that killed four family members.

Letter: Open up trade with Cuba now: We have defrosted relations with a genuine threat to the United States, China, a nation whose human rights record is abysmal. We are opening up a dialogue with the unpredictable North Koreans and are now considering a realistic approach to dealing with the changing tide in Iran.

Datebook for September 8, 2000: Joe Behar's Community Drama Workshop is holding auditions for its Great Pretenders program from 10-11:30 a.m. Saturdays, through Sept. 23, in the Gold Coast's main showroom. Call 457-0234.

Local news briefs for September 8, 2000: North Las Vegas Police have identified the officer involved in the fatal shooting of a motorist he claimed accelerated a car at him and his partner late Tuesday night in the area of Carey Avenue and Clayton Street.

Nevadans beat bushes for funds to preserve Lake Tahoe: Benjamin Grove; WASHINGTON -- As Congress winds down its session for the year, Nevada environmentalists today were working the halls of the Capitol pleading for $300 million in federal money to save Lake Tahoe.

Barbara Greenspun remembers 1959: Newspaper set own standards: Reporters were advised not to use certain words in describing gruesome murders and rapes. A medical column was carefully edited so as not to be too explicit. I recall when he was approached by Playboy to do a feature on his life, Hank declined as he knew his children would want to read the magazine and thus be exposed to the nudity. Those days were a far cry from today, when, it seems, almost anything goes.

Obituaries for September 8, 2000: Odette N. Castaneda, 20 days, of Las Vegas died Wednesday in a local hospice. He was born Aug. 17 in Las Vegas.

Letter: Will Ensign go against voters as he did in 1998?: (HR2497/S1194) This would allow Medicare private contracts without an important patient protection. This would allow insurance companies to increase prices and cut benefits at their pleasure. Most doctors and medical people already have contracts with Medicare, with little or few problems. Why did Ensign go against the patients on this most important program?

Sound Check -- Geoff Carter: With any luck, 'Go Go' will reach goal of rattling neighbors: My parents had a stereo test record in their collection entitled "Stereo Dynamics to Scare the Hell Out of Your Neighbors." The cover depicted two skeletons hanging by the neck between encroaching wave patterns.

O'Keefe gives standout 'Skintight' performance at Harrah's: Joe Delaney; "Skintight" is Harrah's late-night adult revue; relentlessly sexy, breakneck-paced; well lit, choreographed, directed, produced and performed.

Tourist killed, security guard wounded in Harrah's shooting: A 29-year-old female tourist was killed by a stray bullet in Harrah's casino about 1:30 a.m. Friday by a man who was struggling with security guards, said Homicide Lt. Wayne Petersen.

Berkley calling for more Yucca research: Molecular biologist Jacob Paz has raised questions about the safety of containers that would be used to contain high-level nuclear waste at Yucca Mountain, prompting Rep. Shelley Berkley, D-Nev., to call for more research.

Defendant in escape plot enters plea: Authorities say Barrett, Dennis Schilinski, 28, of Golden Shores, and four others allegedly had intended to free David S. Goldberg, 41, by killing the guard who would be escorting Goldberg to a court change-of-plea hearing.

Ecstasy deaths trigger worry: Keith Paul; The increasingly popular drug Ecstasy has been blamed in the deaths of five people in the Las Vegas Valley since 1999 -- a figure that some health officials predict could escalate as use of the drug becomes more widespread.

LV company launching blimps for advertising: Length: 143 feet

Employers Insurance posts six-month profit of $5.5 million: CARSON CITY -- It's been eight months since Employers Insurance Co. of Nevada shed 87 years of state protection and ventured into competition with private firms in writing workers compensation policies.

Regent calls for disarming of UNLV cops: Likening some members of the UNLV Police Department to the bungling Keystone Kops of the Silent Screen era, University Regent Douglas Roman Hill has proposed disarming the campus officers.

MGM veteran starts Vegas Internet-based junket service: A wave of excitement sweeps through a casino whenever a high-roller arrives to play.

Tonopah bus crash leave some in serious condition: Jace Radke and Keith Paul; Two British tourists were in serious condition this morning at University Medical Center -- including a 72-year-old woman who lost parts of both arms -- after a tour bus crash near Tonopah injured all 41 aboard.

City close to getting prime parcel: Erin Neff; The city of Las Vegas could have its hands on prime real estate downtown within two weeks.

DOE loses ad money for Yucca tours: The Department of Energy can no longer spend $3,000 a year to advertise tours of Yucca Mountain, the proposed high-level nuclear waste repository 90 miles northwest of Las Vegas.

Columnist Steve Guiremand: Rebels may be fun to watch in 2000: Steve Guiremand; A word to the wise.

Nuclear waste survey misleading, Bryan says: Benjamin Grove and Mary Manning; A survey gauging public perception of risk created by storing nuclear waste in Nevada is raising eyebrows even before the results are tallied.

Regents briefs for September 8, 2000: The Board of Regents voted down a proposal to study the feasibility of an ombudsman to settle grievances between faculty, students and administrations.

Big stars won't be focus of matchup: Spencer Patterson; All games 7 p.m. unless noted

1959 Morelli house will be moved from DI golf course to downtown: Jeffrey Libby; One month after a Las Vegas landmark slated for preservation was destroyed in a fire, a local women's group appears to have saved another unique local home from the developer's wrecking ball.

Suit to be argued in Texas: In a recent decision, Judge Nancy Saitta moved off the calendar a lawsuit filed earlier this year by investors Hillel Meyers, Donald Saunders and Thomas Russell against Gary Kornman, owner of Premier Interval Resorts of Dallas. Premier is the former owner of the Maxim.

Audit: College paid nonprofits' online bills: Jeffrey Libby; The Community College of Southern Nevada paid the monthly bills for phone lines connecting loaned-out computers to the Internet at three area nonprofit groups, according to a report issued today.

Judge dismisses suit filed by former NLV constable candidate: Greg Tuttle; A federal judge in Las Vegas has dismissed a lawsuit filed by Steven Bergstrom alleging his political rivals defamed him two years ago when he was running for the position of North Las Vegas constable.

Panel wants approval for pharmacy school: A Board of Regents committee has recommended approval for a School of Pharmacy at both UNLV and UNR campuses even though the source of the $12 million needed to start and operate it over the next six years has not been identified.

Columnist Victoria Sun: Workmanlike effort sends Martin into semifinals: Victoria Sun; The guy with the shin splints, taped left wrist and shaky hips reached the semifinals of the U.S. Open Thursday night.

Three killed, one wounded near casino parking lot: ATLANTIC CITY -- Three men were killed and a fourth wounded today in a shooting on U.S. 30, west of the city's Boardwalk casino district, authorities said.

Columnist Sal DeFilippo: Against the spread, animal attraction was key to success: Sal DeFilippo; The new Houston franchise is making a grave mistake.

LV home builder in probe: Steve Byrne, president of mortgage company Vestin Group of Las Vegas, said his company is aware of a federal investigation by the U.S. Attorney's Office aimed at a home builder, which he understands is Mirage Homes. Byrne stressed that Vestin, a former lender to Mirage Homes, was not a target or subject of this investigation.

Court briefs for September 8, 2000: A Las Vegas man who was beaten by a group of bar patrons after he tried to take them hostage during a June robbery was sentenced to 10 years in prison Thursday.

Policy on interims not changed: Opting not to fix something that isn't broken, the University Board of Regents turned down a proposed policy change that would have prevented interim school presidents or interim chancellors from being candidates for permanent positions.

Lott continues efforts on college sports betting ban: Benjamin Grove; WASHINGTON -- Senate Majority Leader Trent Lott, R-Miss., on Thursday again showed persistence in his attempt to pass legislation that bans gambling on college sports.

Binion killers denied retrial: District Judge Joseph Bonaventure today refused to grant a new trial to Sandy Murphy and Rick Tabish, who were convicted May 19 of killing wealthy gambling figure Ted Binion.

Clinton to wait on recount decision: Uri Clinton, who failed to force a runoff with longtime state Sen. Joe Neal by a scant six votes, said today he will wait for Tuesday's certification of the vote before deciding on whether to request a recount.

Station Casinos re-launches phone wagering service: Called "Sports Connection," the service allows residents to place wagers via phone at all four Station properties in Las Vegas. Participants must enroll at one of the four properties and present a Nevada driver's license, proof of residency and a Station Casinos "Boarding Pass" players card.

Tourist killed in Harrah's shooting: Keith Paul; A petty-theft suspect fired two shots while struggling with Harrah's hotel-casino security guards and killed a 29-year-old tourist on the gaming floor and wounded a security officer early this morning.

Columnist Dean Juipe: Be leery of wounded Lion Joe Pa: Dean Juipe; It's a common complaint directed toward the nation's sports media, and it's frequently a valid one.

Bernstein ad rips Ensign on abortion: Underdog Democratic U.S. Senate candidate Ed Bernstein continued his newly established role as attack dog by unveiling television advertisements criticizing Republican foe John Ensign's pro-life stand on abortion.

Stock price tumbles for Vegas telephone service provider: The stock fell after the company backed out of a Bear Stearns Cos. conference and revised downward its financial outlook for the third and fourth quarters.

Bankruptcies for September 8, 2000: Erin P. McAdams, doing business as Erin P. McAdams Electrical Services, Pahrump, filed for Chapter 7, listing assets of $3,150 and liabilities of $26,773.

Nevada man accused of setting haystack on fire: Beckstead was charged with felony third-degree arson, enhanced driving under the influence, driving without privileges, failure to purchase a driver's license and failure to show proof of insurance.

Joe Delaney remembers 1959: McGuire Sisters at the Desert Inn: Joe Delaney remembers 1959: McGuire Sisters at the Desert Inn

Editorial: Congress' posturing is pathetic: The hearings unfortunately became a three-ring circus of finger-pointing. While Bridgestone/Firestone's chairman and chief executive, Masatoshi Ono, did apologize, that didn't stop Ono from suggesting that Ford's design of Explorers, which some contend are involved in an unusual number of rollover accidents, also played a contributing role. That implication prompted Ford's chief executive, Jacques Nasser, to respond that it was a tire issue, not a vehicle issue.

Where I Stand -- Brian Greenspun: Ensign may be in fix: Just when John Ensign should have thought it was safe to make plans for Washington, D.C., he had to open up his mouth.

The Sun remembers 1959: News of the Day: Story: Alaska became the 49th state of the Union Saturday by proclamation of President Dwight D. Eisenhower.

Sierra Pacific to sell water division: The company's water division, which serves 71,000 homes and businesses in the Reno-Sparks area, had revenues of $54.3 million in 1999, miniscule when compared to the company's total 1999 revenues of $1.7 billion.

Casino-backed loser in XGR race still undecided on recount: Brendan Riley; Las Vegas lawyer Uri Clinton said he won't have the information he needs to make an informed decision until after a vote canvass next Tuesday by the Clark County Commission.

Pilot uninjured in small plane crash near Minden: The newer, six-passenger Beachcraft Bonanza valued at approximately $200,000 suffered substantial damage, the sheriff's office said in a statement.

Letter: Media hurts the IRL: Ron@lasvegassun.com; You really need to stop trying to imitate (Indianapolis Star columnist) Robin Miller -- one, he already has the job (as anti-IRL spokesman) filled, and two, you're not very good at it.

Letter: Let's give him a hand: Ron@lasvegassun.com; It would be nice if this guy could get a Las Vegas business to sponsor his team, especially with the NHRA coming to town twice next year.

Soccer: UNLV women edge Idaho: Soccer: UNLV women edge Idaho

Berkley, Gibbons on losing side of attempted veto override: Thirteen Democrats who voted for the bill earlier, switched sides to help uphold the veto.

Ralph Siraco's selections for Saturday's races at Del Mar: 1st Race -- Classic Chianti - Trainer Moger, Jr. also part owner, tabs Flores to ride, draws well, a factor here. Bully's South - Solis aboard Spawr trainee, draws just outside top pick, local hot spot will be hopping if Bully's wins. Value Play -- Mynamewasrejected

The Strip at LVMS points standings: MOTORCYCLE: 1. Gary Oaks 424. 2. Kahea Woods 406. 3. Sean Conners 381. 4. Jerry Taylor 329. 5. David Phillips 286. 6. Leo Shaver 255. 7. Eric Danielson Jr. 191. 8. Andy Lewis 135. 9. Jay Matthews 84. 10. Tim Ackerman 62.

The Bullring at LVMS points standings: CHARGERS: 1. Keith Danser 662. 2. Al Dejoria 620. 3. Len Dejoria 619. 4. Reyes Valenzuela 581. 5. Tom Youmans 570. 6. Robert Ritgers 564 7. Ron Moffatt 498. 8. Dan Schools 455. 9. Pat Petrie 430. 10. Dawn Vint 355. 11. Mark Sargent 318. 12. Ron Barker 256. 13. Red Turner 223. 14. Pat Petrie Jr. 190. 15. Robert Rudd 83.

Letter: Separation not so bad: Ron@lasvegassun.com; I am about as big an open wheel racing fan as there is and I could not be happier with what the IRL has done. It is far from perfect, but it continues to improve.

Top young kart drivers to battle in LV challenge: The "Championship Auto Racing Teams Stars of Tomorrow" racing challenge will be held Nov. 3-5 at the Las Vegas Karting Center. Five drivers from the Pro 125 Gearbox, Pro 80 Gearbox and Pro Superbox classes -- the three race winners and two at-large picks -- will participate in a three-day Skip Barber Racing School course, culminating in a test in a Team Rahal Champ Car.

Letter: Misjudging Kevin Gaines: Ron@lasvegassun.com; It's OK Ron, because you can't predict what these kids will do. I like that you had the courage to admit your error.

Letter: The grass is greener: Ron@lasvegassun.com; The experience was not pleasant. Even the grass was brown. At least (new LVMS owner) Bruton Smith has painted it green.

Fans register for XFL tickets: Fans register for XFL tickets

Letter: Clap it up for Clapshaw: Ron@lasvegassun.com; And Clapshaw has done it without sponsorship. His own money is all that is behind the Spirit of Las Vegas dragster.

Killing of rogue bear causes rift in Tahoe community: Sandra Chereb; RENO, Nev. - The killing of a rogue bear has caused a rift in a Lake Tahoe community, where some residents claim California wildlife officials destroyed the wrong bruin for which a trap had been set.

Prosecutors drop charges against defendant in Indiana gambling case: Assistant U.S. Attorneys Christina McKee and Winfield Ong would not say why they dropped the charges.

Letter: Well, there's always CART: Ron@lasvegassun.com; Traffic at the IRL race? Come on. I went to the IRL and NASCAR races at LVMS. All the idiots have to do is get there early.

Bryan wants UNLV to stop survey about nuclear waste: Angie Wagner; "Why in the world they would ask questions about issues that have never been in the same orbit of debate is completely beyond me," Bryan, D-Nev., said in a statement Thursday.