Print edition for September 15, 2000

Station Casinos subject of legislative debate: Paul Sloca; JEFFERSON CITY, Mo. -- The Legislature's veto session was expected to ease to a ceremonial halt on Thursday. But business hit a bump in the Senate over a state casino investigation.

Vegas news briefs for Sept. 15, 2000: Federal safety investigators Thursday visited the remote site of a tour bus crash that injured dozens of British travelers near Tonopah a week ago.

Contractor for schools slapped with 2-year ban: Terry Webster; Drywall contractor Jetstream Construction Thursday was banned from working on Clark County School District projects for the next two years by a 4-2 vote of the School Board.

Letter: Kournikova sitting pretty: Ron@lasvegassun.com; Sure she's being exploited, but she's laughing all the way to the bank.

BancWest buying seven LV First Security branches: BancWest Corp., a Honolulu company that operates Bank of the West and First Hawaiian Bank, will jump into the Las Vegas market next year when Wells Fargo & Co. and First Security Corp. sell it seven First Security branch offices as part of their $2.9 billion merger.

LV company sells $400 million in bonds: The eight-year senior subordinated notes were priced to yield 8.875 percent. Proceeds will be used to pay down existing bank lines and for general corporate purposes.

Blacks demand action on slurs: Terry Webster; Angry black activists Thursday demanded that Clark County School District officials have zero tolerance for anyone who uses racial slurs.

LV company announces $1 million contract: Under the agreement, Las Vegas-based PlaySys.com will purchase $1 million in subscriptions over a two-year period, with subscription revenues being recorded monthly. The magazines will then be provided to customers who subscribe to PlaySys.com's "Players Club." Casino Journal will supply PlaySys.com with content for its Internet news site, as well as marketing and advertising support.

Litigation over names settled between BancWest, BankWest of Nevada: Grace Leong; BancWest Corp., which is entering the Las Vegas market with its Bank of the West subsidiary, says customers likely won't get its name confused with longtime Las Vegas community bank BankWest of Nevada.

LVCVA loses bid to buy World Trade Center: Grace Leong; An unidentified party bid $10.1 million for the World Trade Center hotel in Las Vegas on Thursday, beating a $10 million offer from the Las Vegas Convention and Visitors Authority.

Sierra Club slams Del Webb's Anthem in sprawl report: The national Sierra Club slammed one Southern Nevada development and praised another in a report issued Thursday.

Bankruptcies for Sept. 15, 2000: Classic Building Co. Inc., Dana Point, Calif., filed for Chapter 11, listing assets of $11,000,000 and liabilities of $4,600,000.

Board splits on vote, but OKs IGT's 'Munsters' slot machine: David Strow; A slot machine based on the television show "The Munsters" received approval for use in Nevada Thursday, despite the protests of a state gaming regulator that it would appeal to children walking through the state's casinos.

Mayor targets national museum: Erin Neff and Benjamin Grove; Visitors to Washington, D.C., can spend a few days in the Smithsonian Institution's various museums without even denting the overall collection.

Two Las Vegas flights cut from schedule: The Atlanta-based company confirmed Thursday that its daily Portland flights would end April 1 when Delta discontinues transpacific flights between Portland and Japan. The company plans to shift its Japan flights to Los Angeles International Airport, where it will operate a daily nonstop flight to Nagoya, and to New York's John F. Kennedy International Airport, where it will add a daily nonstop to Tokyo.

Letter: Miller's time is short: Ron@lasvegassun.com; I was one of those guys who really looked forward to Dennis Miller in the booth. He's a great wit and an able communicator in the same league as Bill Maher and other "thinkers." I thought he would be fun. But he isn't. And Al Michaels seems to be forced into one-upping the guy and that certainly doesn't work.

Local IBL team hopes it has found needed point guard: Victoria Sun; 1. Jaquay Walls, G -- 6-3, 170 Colorado (56th pick Indiana)

Reid criticizes nuke commission over Yucca reference: Benjamin Grove; WASHINGTON -- Sen. Harry Reid, D-Nev., blasted the Nuclear Regulatory Commission Thursday for intimating that the Yucca Mountain nuclear waste site is a done deal.

Reid "concerned" about NCAA gambling bill; criticizes Dean Smith: Scott Sonner; Reid, the second-ranking Democrat in the Senate, also offered some advice Thursday to former University of North Carolina basketball coach Dean Smith: "Stick with coaching."

Fourth LV electric rate increase request to be filed: A spokesman said this would mean an increase of $1.04 a month for homeowners who use an average 1,100 kilowatt hours.

Letter: Bayno not the answer: Ron@lasvegassun.com; I am so sick of all of the other writers that kiss Bill Bayno's butt. He has had five years to get this program back to the Top 25 and we still finished ranked No. 51 in the RPI final ratings last season.

Filters to weed out porn sites on library computers: Jace Radke; Minors who visit a Las Vegas Clark-County Library will no longer need parental permission to use a computer in the young person's library sections.

Las Vegas man lends against lawsuits, forms an industry: Richard B. Schmitt; In a Las Vegas office park far removed from the local neon and nightlife, Perry Walton runs one of the hotter games in town.

Correction: The Sun corrects its errors. If you find a mistake, call 385-3111 to report it.

Dealers take case against tobacco to Supreme Court: CARSON CITY -- Constant exposure to secondhand smoke entitles casino dealers to regular check-ups paid for by the tobacco industry, an attorney for dealers told the Nevada Supreme Court on Thursday.

The Movie Guys: 'Duets' doesn't come close to hitting right notes: Synopsis: As a group of six individuals converge on the road to compete for the grand prize in a karaoke contest, their lives intertwine and reveal the remote world of karaoke bars and chain hotels that link the interstates of middle America.

Cyber cops go undercover as kids to net pedophiles: Keith Paul; Metro Police officers have gone undercover posing as drug dealers, prostitutes and gunrunners to catch criminals. Now detectives are heading undercover as 13-year-old girls and boys to hunt out pedophiles on the Internet.

PacifiCare boosting fees for Nevada Secure Horizons customers: Jace Radke; PacifiCare Health Systems Inc.'s Secure Horizons, the nation's largest Medicare health maintenance organization, wants to charge higher fees for 31,000 Southern Nevadans to help offset rising costs and what Horizon officials say is insufficient federal funding for Medicare.

Dayton Valley Days celebrates Italian heritage: Ricci, 30, the grand marshal of the parade, is the third generation managing the family ranch along the east side of the Carson River.

Columnist Brian Hilderbrand: Sponsorless Clapshaw heading to front of class: Gary Clapshaw stunned the drag racing community last week by finishing second in his unsponsored "Spirit of Las Vegas" to defending NHRA Winston Top Fuel champion Tony Schumacher at the prestigious U.S. Nationals near Indianapolis.

Where I Stand -- Mike O'Callaghan: Mountain City, Nev.: Every Nevadan should read Gregory Martin's "Mountain City." Old-timers will be able to identify with the names of people and places, and newcomers can learn to appreciate the heartbeat of their new home. It's a special book written by a talented young man who makes readers laugh or cry with every one of its 192 pages.

Joppy-Cherifi fight lacks unification drama: Dean Juipe; It's a conversation that has gone on for years and years without ever making any headway.

Datebook for September 15, 2000: A Thai cultural arts festival will be at 7 p.m. Saturday at Charleston Heights Arts Center, 800 S. Brush St. This event celebrates the seventh anniversary of the festival. Admission is free, but reservations are required. Call 369-5439.

Where I Stand 1960 -- Hank Greenspun: Hearing won't quell racism: Heywood Broun once told a story of attending a meeting of Irish Republicans. The chief speaker was a man, who according to the announcement, was there to conciliate the forces of Ulster. He began his speech by declaring, "I have never said an unfriendly word against the Orangemen, misguided, bigoted and besotted though they may be."

Las Vegas seeks revenge against tough Cimarron: Spencer Patterson; All games 7 p.m.

Columnist Joe Delaney: King is one of the last great saloon singers: Joe Delaney; Sonny King is an entertainer's entertainer ... His 28 years with the great Jimmy Durante should be credential enough ... King was an equal contributor when he worked with Shecky Greene ... There are very few true saloon singers left ... King ranks with the best, past and present ... He can trade ad-libs with the best comedians.

Joe Delaney remembers 1960: Duke Ellington at the Riviera: Joe Delaney remembers 1960: Duke Ellington at the Riviera

Country star McEntire may be Broadway bound: Steve Morse; Who: Reba McEntire.

Barbara Greenspun remembers 1960: No leaving until a deal was done: It was the policy of the Strip hotels to ban minorities as guests. Hank would not tolerate the injustice being foisted on our black community, so it was no surprise to me when he announced he had plans to put an end to the bigotry.

Capsule look at Las Vegas Olympians: the numbers; LORENA DIACONESCU

Letter: Casinos will make us pay: Wake up, people! Who will end up paying for Neal's tax increase? That's right ... you and me. Remember when we could get breakfast at Jerry's Nugget for 49 cents? No more. Maybe it's because their cost of doing business went up.

'O' remains the gem it was opening night at Bellagio: Joe Delaney; Cirque du Soleil's production of "O," a tribute to the magic of the theater, will start its third year at the Bellagio on Oct. 15. We were there at the premiere in 1998 and again in 1999. This third visit only confirmed our original critique that "O" had set a new standard of originality and excellence in entertainment worldwide.

Columnist Dean Juipe: It's time for Nevada to secede: Dean Juipe; First and foremost there's bewilderment.

Stars to align with Dodgers: Steve Guiremand; It looks like Las Vegas will be bleeding Dodger blue next season.

Court briefs for Sept. 15, 2000: The wife of a Las Vegas man accused in the slaying of a prostitute will not be allowed to watch the trial.

County commissioners clarify stance on children's hospital: Adrienne Packer; Weary of being labeled anti-children after a recent vote to delay a bond issue for a children's hospital, three Clark County commissioners took the stage Thursday to clarify their positions.

Residents object to Horizon Ridge project: Greg Harman; Dozens of Henderson residents have faxed city leaders their objections to a proposed commercial project on Horizon Ridge Parkway to be heard by the city council Tuesday.

Despite opposition of residents, panel approves zoning change: Greg Harman; A request to rezone a 2-acre, undeveloped parcel along Horizon Ridge Parkway inspired 30 Green Valley residents to attend Thursday's Planning Commission meeting to voice opposition.

East LV residents reiterate priorities to planners: Kris Hill; East Las Vegas residents gathered Thursday night in a classroom at the Rafael Rivera Community Center to tell city planners about the needs of their part of the city.

Officials expect no change in Senate recount: The final results of Monday's recount of the state Senate District 4 Democratic primary -- Clark County Election Department officials hope -- will be 342 votes for Joe Neal, 261 votes for Uri Clinton and 30 votes for Christopher Montanez.

Robinson looking for 'killer instinct' from his Rebels: Steve Guiremand; Forget the 12-game home losing streak.

UNLV's Dennis making sure team is on track: For the past 33 months, since she was named the head coach of the U.S. Olympic women's track team, the Olympic Dream has been more of a nightmare for UNLV track coach Karen Dennis.

News of the day from 1960: "I think the people of Nevada have accepted the idea of integration 100 percent," said Dr. James B. McMillan, local president of the NAACP.

Revelry detailed at C2K hearing: Kim Smith; Was Club C2K the modern day equivalent of Sodom and Gomorrah? The public may never know.

Legal arguments drag on in Murphy, Tabish sentencing: Jeff German And Greg Tuttle; It was a morning for yet more long and intricate arguments as District Judge Joseph Bonaventure presided over the sentencing of Tabish and his girlfriend, Sandy Murphy, who in May were convicted of Binion's death.

Expansions not likely to alleviate ER overcrowding: Jace Radke; Despite two hospital expansions set to open in the next few weeks, and another scheduled for completion later this year, the Las Vegas medical community may only be treading water when it comes to dealing with overcrowded emergency rooms.

Probe: Drug use at clubs 'prevalent': Keith Paul; Undercover Metro Police detectives have been investigating the "extremely prevalent" use of Ecstasy and other drugs in Las Vegas nightclubs for about a year.

NTSB investigating bus crash; status of amputation changes: Lisa Snedeker; Fifteen of the most seriously injured in the crash that hurt all 41 on board remained hospitalized in Reno and Las Vegas.

The Strip at LVMS points standings: Champions: Jeff Bansbach (Pro E.T.); Dwight Machael (Sportsman); John Irving (Street); Gary Oaks (Motorcycle); Stephen Gasper (High School); Ian Brand (Jr. Dragster Ages 8-9); Ty Sanders (Jr. Dragster Ages 10-12); Greg Hicks (Jr. Dragster Ages 13-14); Tanna Sanders (Jr. Dragster Ages 15-17).

Competency of murder suspect to be tested: The evaluation will take place at Lake's Crossing in Sparks and is expected to take a month or more.

Editorial: Needless secrecy finally is removed: In the past the cult of secrecy employed by the DOE -- and its predecessor, the Atomic Energy Commission -- extended to matters that had nothing to do with national security. This has meant, in turn, that the federal government for decades refused to acknowledge that many of those who worked for the federal government or its contractors in these nuclear weapons programs (including those who worked at the Nevada Test Site) were in fact exposed to life-threatening hazards.

Columnist Kate Maddox: Fabulous 50 cavort in Las Vegas: Kate Maddox; The winner of "The Sexiest Bachelor in America" made-for-TV beauty pageant has been chosen. Tuesday night Fox trotted out its top 50 guys, one from every state, in front of six "celebrity" judges at the MGM Grand Garden Arena. I was sworn to secrecy as to who won the coveted title, but I will say that the taping was a long one and the guys acted prima donna appropriate -- true beauty queens at heart.

Sound Check -- Geoff Carter: This PlayR nearly replicates club scene for DJ fantasy: I should have gotten a DJ to test the Magix PlayR Deluxe for me. It's been so long since I've fiddled with a real DJ's mixer that I might as well be describing space shuttle docking procedures with the knowledge acquired from watching "Space Cowboys." And even when I did work the wheels of steel (as the kids say), I really wasn't that good at it.

Columnist Susan Snyder: Compassion is lost in space: The caller was one of those people some might call a fussbudget.

Portland man charged in multistate gambling ring: Profits came from charging 10 percent interest on bets placed by those who lost.

In '80s fashion, Bangles return with reunion tour: Lisa Ferguson; What: Bangles

Murphy, Tabish sentenced to more than 20 years: Greg Tuttle; After hearing both Tabish, a Montana contractor, and Murphy, a one-time toppless dancer, denounce their murder convictions, Clark County District Court Judge Joseph Bonaventure said the two never took responsibility and deserved harsh punishment.

Gaming Board set to act on Rosemont casino proposal next month: Nicole Ziegler Dizon; It has been more than a year since Emerald Casino Inc. applied to move the license for its defunct East Dubuque riverboat to Rosemont, a Chicago suburb near O'Hare International Airport.

Editorial: Governor should call a timeout: Senate Minority Leader Dina Titus, Assembly Majority Leader Richard Perkins and Assistant Majority Leader Barbara Buckley argue that a central part of the deregulation law, a three-year rate freeze, has been ignored. The state Public Utilities Commission recently approved a rate hike, which also included the resolution of a legal challenge by the electric companies that sought to overturn Nevada's deregulation law. The Democrats contend that the decision could result in rates increasing as much as 64 percent over the next 30 months. And unlike the large companies that could look for cheaper power starting in November, the settlement approved ...

Water lilies flourish in Nevada desert: Glenn Puit; In her back yard on the city's southeast side and at her family's three-acre farm on Sunrise Mountain, there are, simply put, some of the most brilliant water lilies one could ever imagine seeing.

AC/DC goes through the motions at Thomas & Mack: Geoff Carter; Until last night's AC/DC show at the Thomas & Mack center, the score was tied. The Stones and James Brown were just fine; Page/Plant and Eric Clapton were not. AC/DC, unfortunately, pushed the pendulum toward the suck side. Now I'll be afraid to see any other rockers over 40.

The Bullring at LVMS points standings: Chargers: 1. Al Dejoria 673. 2. Keith Danser 668. 3. Len Dejoria 668. 4. Tom Youmans 630. 5. Reyes Valenzuela 611. 6. Robert Ritgers 610. 7. Ron Moffatt 542. 8. Dan Schools 499. 9. Pat Petrie 430. 10. Dawn Vint 365. 11. Mark Sargent 318. 12. Ron Barker 256. 13. Pat Petrie Jr. 236. 14. Red Turner 223. 15. Robert Rudd 83. 16. Ben Morris 81. 17. Scott Henry 67. 18. Marty Nichols 59. 19. Gary Fuller 59. 20. Joe Madden 57.

Davenport riverboat sale approved, President to be replaced: David Pitt; The $58 million sale to Isle of Capri Casinos of Biloxi, Miss. was approved Friday by the Iowa Racing and Gaming Commission.

'Food Network Live' tour makes a stop in Las Vegas: Lisa Ferguson; When: Noon-5 p.m. Sunday.

Letter: Killer Floyd has not been punished at all: On the morning of June 3, 1999, after terrorizing, threatening death and raping a young woman, Floyd went to an Albertson's on West Sahara and in cold blood killed four employees and critically wounded a fifth.

Obituaries for Sept. 15, 2000: Mary Alhanati, 90, of Las Vegas died Tuesday in Las Vegas. She was born Nov. 11, 1909, in Yugoslavia. A resident for seven months, she was a licensed practical nurse.

Columnist Sal DeFilippo: Rams' high-scoring pace has linemakers in a total frenzy: Sal DeFilippo; It's a pretty rare occurrence when you see an over/under line in an NFL game where the first digit is a five, particularly during the regular season.

Cobb captures regional title, $40,000 bonus: The veteran Las Vegas driver, who leads the standings in the late-model division at The Bullring at Las Vegas Motor Speedway, overcame a shaky start to the 2000 NASCAR Weekly Racing Series season and captured the NASCAR Sunbelt Region Championship and the $40,000 winner's check that goes along with it.

Local author turned bed rest into a career: What: Robyn Carr booksigning.

Columnist Steve Guiremand: Neuheisel & Co. face rocky return to Boulder: Steve Guiremand; They've been waiting 22 months in Boulder, Colo., for this.

UNLV opens branch at former school: Jeffrey Libby; A Depression-era grammar school officially reopened its doors Thursday, taking on a new role as a resource for downtown workers looking to upgrade their briefcases.

Rhodes: Politics forced policy change: Diana Sahagun; North Las Vegas City Councilman John Rhodes says a change in the city's travel policy was politically motivated against him, but others at City Hall say the change was necessary to assure more accountability.

Nader: Keep nuke waste at plants: Green Party presidential candidate Ralph Nader has been opposed to nuclear power and its trail of highly radioactive waste since before Vice President Al Gore was first elected to the House in 1976.