Stories published April 20, 2001Las Vegas Sun

Ralph Siraco's selections for Saturday's races at Hollywood Park: 1st Race -- Literal Prowler - Draws good post for 7-panel opener, Baze on Sahadi trainee, Prowler can Literal-ly win this. Prized Friend - Draws alongside top pick, Flores on Cerin trainee for owner Golden Eagle Farm, respect connections. Value Play -- No Apollogee

Letter: This police 'sting' takes the cake: However, cops acting as homeless people while watching for possible traffic violations takes the cake. What a waste of precious resources.

Letter: Hoopla over return of crew was overdone: The current 24 were just doing their jobs and were involved in an accident in which no one was even injured. They even landed safely and were fed and treated well and even allowed to e-mail their families. After a week's delay they were on their way home, and have since been treated as if they had won a war.

51s fall to Iowa on eighth-inning home run: Gload hit his home run to right field off 51s reliever Chad Ricketts (0-1).

Senior notebook: Tewell, Seniors crave respect from media: Victoria Sun; Sitting in a chair at the TPC at Summerlin Thursday afternoon, Doug Tewell held up this week's issue of a golf magazine to make his point.

Columnist Brian Hilderbrand: Busch excited to race at Talladega: Kurt Busch never has raced at Talladega Superspeedway, but the 22-year-old Las Vegas native still has a pretty good idea of what to expect in Sunday's NASCAR Winston Cup race on the 2.66-mile track.

Columnist Susan Snyder: We are hearing more Peeps: Ginger Ottewill considered it Peeps penance.

Editorial: Start anew on school cutbacks: Athletics, music and other extracurricular activities are incredibly important for children. Indeed, in a nation where children are much more out of shape than they were in the past, it's inconceivable to reduce spending on athletics. It's bad enough that physical education during school hours has been scaled back dramatically from its role in previous decades, but requiring children to pay for after-school sports adds insult to injury. For that matter, making students pay for band, which would lead to less participation, also would be wrong. Music not only teaches an appreciation for the arts -- which hardly gets enough ...

Where I Stand -- Mike O'Callaghan: Legislators look at press: WRITER PAT HICKEY was in town last week and we had some time to visit. Hickey, a former GOP assemblyman from Reno, is one of my more interesting friends. His interest in local, state, national and international politics is the product of an active mind and broad background. He sided with the Contras in Nicaragua so he went down there and took them some needed supplies. The other day he came to Clark County with Rev. Sun Myung Moon as a member of the Washington Times Foundation. If it's controversial or exciting you can find this father of four children ...

Columnist Sal DeFilippo: NFL draft could take some tips from XFL: Sal DeFilippo; It's amusing to me that the NFL draft is held on the same day as the XFL championship game.

Hartwell has high hopes: Spencer Patterson; As Edgerton Hartwell walked past the horde of NFL scouts on hand to watch the first practice at January's East-West Shrine Game, he saw dozens of sets of eyes glance at his Western Illinois helmet and then glance away.

Joe Delaney remembers 1991: Lance Burton at the Hacienda: Joe Delaney remembers 1991: Lance Burton at the Hacienda

News of the Day: 1991: Story: United Nations diplomats say they're confident the burden of trade sanctions will compel Iraq to accept their tough cease-fire terms, and have turned to considering how to protect Iraq's rebellious minorities.,

Columnist Joe Delaney: Rudner back where she belongs -- in Big Apple: Joe Delaney; Dainty, demure, petite, soft-spoken but a heavy hitter when it comes to her humor, Rita Rudner opens tonight in a new 425-seat Cabaret Theatre at New York-New York ... Most of last year was spent across the Strip at the MGM Grand doing capacity business ... New York-New York should be an even better locale for Rudner.

Columnist Dean Juipe: Senior event may be on its deathbed: Dean Juipe; It's always startling to discover an old acquaintance is in failing health and in danger of cashing in.

Editorial: Now is not the time to delay assistance: It is troubling, though, that Labor Secretary Elaine Chao said this week that the program might not be ready by July 31, which is when Congress wanted it to begin. Chao didn't want her department to run the program at all, but the White House ordered her to do so after an outcry from Congress. The White House should light a fire under Chao again to let her know that the program should get under way soon.

Columnist Kate Maddox: 'Storm' washes up bevy of celebs: Kate Maddox; "Storm" finally blew into town on Wednesday night. And so did Ricky Martin and Gloria and Emilio Estefan. (The Madonna rumors were false. Sorry, official word is that it was a Material Girl look-alike that had the audience buzzing.)

Letter: Assemblywoman lowers the boom: The young people who use these amplification systems are, no doubt, already "hearing impaired." And obviously they want to inflict the rest of society with the same problem. Do you ever see any of them with their windows up? Heavens no! They aren't playing noise that loud for their benefit -- it is primarily to annoy as many others as possible!

Where I Stand -- Hank Greenspun: Russia's presence in Cuba is violation: A reasonable approach to an unreasonable situation.

Timet settles with Boeing: Timet said it will will receive a cash payment and that Boeing signed an amended contract giving it the right to purchase up to 7.5 million pounds of titanium products annually from Timet through 2007.

Making it Rich: Lisa Ferguson; Forget "Who Wants to be a Millionaire" and "Survivor."

Famed tournament begins today at Binion's: Today's tournament game is a $500 buy-in Texas hold 'em game open only to casino employees. The first public tournament, a $2,000 buy-in Texas hold 'em game, will be held Saturday.

Mississippi hotel bankrupt: Mississippi hotel bankrupt

Memphis call center shuttered: The center is Harrah's national customer service center. Together with APAC Customer Services Inc., an outsourced telemarketing service, Harrah's handles about 3.5 million customer service calls a year.

Train project hasn't lost steam: Officials remain optimistic about high-speed travel to L.A.-area: Benjamin Grove; WASHINGTON -- The plan to construct a futuristic high-speed train route from Las Vegas to Southern California is still on track, even after project leaders in January lost a bid for nearly $1 billion in federal money, officials said this week.

Strip casino accused of patent infringement: The lawsuit was filed April 12 in U.S. District Court in San Francisco and was announced Thursday by USA Payments Inc. of Santa Clara, Calif.

Tag law hurting state's budget: Revenue drain to be plugged: CARSON CITY -- A law enacted four years ago but that just took effect in January is causing an unexpected drain of $4 million in tax revenue for state and local governments.

Merger costs cut into Casino Data earnings: CDS reported net income of $1.2 million, 6 cents a share, on revenues of $22.4 million compared with $1.6 million, 9 cents a share, on revenues of $16.8 million in the same quarter a year ago.

Nevada taxable sales see smallest gain in 11 months: CARSON CITY -- The state budget will likely be a victim of consumers' tight wallets.

Valley schools appear calm on Columbine anniversary: Terry Webster and Keith Paul; Attendance appeared to be significantly reduced at many area high schools today in response to rumors over the past several weeks of violence that would commemorate the second anniversary of the shooting at Columbine High School in Colorado that left 15 people dead.

Vegas ranks 35th in tech study: Kevin Ferguson; The Las Vegas area is only creeping along in making the transition to succeed in the new Information Age, a think tank reported Thursday in ranking the desert metropolis 35th among the nation's 50 largest cities.

Fallon probe not confined to radiation find: The discovery of radiation in Fallon's ground water has not narrowed the scope of the investigation nor has it affected experts' resolve to pursue every possible environmental angle as they try to determine why a dozen area children have been stricken with leukemia, officials said.

Some casinos get healthier with non-smoking areas: Kathryn Masterson; The Mohegan Sun casino in Connecticut is opening a smoke-free slot machine room, joining a handful of casinos offering healthier places to gamble.

Zions, Business Bank report results: Those numbers are up 28.9 percent and 24.2 percent, respectively, from the year-ago quarter.

Developer mum on sales report: But spokesman Tom Warden said Hughes is in the design stages of two seven-story buildings at what the company calls its "3883" site in the financial center. The new buildings would add 300,000 square feet of new Class A office space to the complex.

Broadcasters to focus on regulatory issues at Las Vegas convention: Kevin Ferguson; National broadcasting and telecommunications industry officials will use the Las Vegas stage over the next six days to debate regulatory issues and to showcase the latest in industry technology during the National Association of Broadcasters conference.

Thursday's prep results: BASEBALL

Gamblers' winnings' hurt Venetian performance: David Strow; The parent company of the Venetian reported a significant decline in profitability today for the quarter ending March 31, despite a record performance from its 3,036-room hotel on the Las Vegas Strip.

Economist sees more gaming mergers, fewer new resorts: Grace Leong; More mergers and acquisitions in the Las Vegas gaming industry are expected as financing for new resort growth becomes more difficult, an economist said Thursday.

Life of Bryan rooted in classical music: Lisa Ferguson; Care for a little Bach with your Bon Jovi?

Taking the wind out of 'Storm's' sails: Joe Delaney; Much ado. Too much ado, made even more so with overwhelming sound levels. "Storm" is a relentless hodgepodge, sans respite, with neither contrast nor the simplest dynamics. Latin music is highly rhythmic, but it is also sensuous, passionate and with lovely nuances, but not as presented this week in Mandalay Bay's Storm Theatre.

Star cars up for bids at Imperial Palace: An auction of classic and antique cars that has been held twice a year at the Imperial Palace is being reduced to an annual affair, beginning with a sale Saturday and Sunday.

Electric cars, solar ovens to star at EcoJam: Frustrated by the inflated gasoline prices and long lines at the pumps during the gas shortage of the 1970s, Bill Kuehl told himself that there must be a better way to drive a car.

Shepherd rekindles blues for a new generation: Randy Matin; The trouble with Kenny Wayne Shepherd is, at only 24 he's already scored two platinum albums. And along with the teenage ax men Jonny Lang and Allman Brothers' Derek Trucks, he has rekindled the blues for a whole new generation.

Columnist Jerry Fink: Tropical-themed club proves to be all-inclusive: You don't often find a traditional jazz combo performing at a club with a tropical theme that favors music described as Hawaiian reggae and Hawaiian country and western (far western).

VAN-go cultural art program is on a roll: Kimberley McGee; Joan Lolmaugh, manager of the Clark County cultural division, was stuck in traffic pondering a dilemma when the solution drove past.

Web offers dangers to problem gamblers: David Strow; The Internet has proven an addictive medium for a minority of users in recent years. So too has gambling.

Federal law murky on Internet gambling: David Strow; An effort to specifically make Internet gaming illegal under federal law, headed by Sen. Jon Kyl, R-Ariz., was unsuccessful in Congress last year.

Earl of Wisdom: Popular lounge entertainer Earl Turner, who has been knocking out Las Vegas audiences for almost 12 years with his powerful performances, stepped into a new arena Friday -- the world of pay-for-view.

Internet gambling emerging: Questions arise on how Las Vegas will compete: David Strow; The question has been asked many times since Atlantic City legalized gambling in the 1970s: If gamblers can get a game close to home, will they bother coming to Las Vegas?

Renting trouble: Owner of vacation homes embroiled in legal battle: Steve Kanigher and Ed Koch; During a trip to a San Diego-area beach community Kyle Waugh discovered the pleasures of renting a vacation home.

Columnist Susan Snyder: Our state is filling its plates: Nevada has 89 license plate designs.

Letter: Area's support of Republicans is unfortunate: These are not the political planks of the Democrats. I, and most other Democrats, believe that gambling is a personal choice that does not require more government regulation, that dumping nuclear waste at Yucca Mountain should not happen, and that artistic expression should not be restricted by the religious beliefs of the fanatical right.

Columnist Kate Maddox: Contestants groomed for Vegas: Kate Maddox; Things didn't quite go off without a hitch Thursday night at the taping of "Surprise Wedding II." If you're waiting to be surprised, read no further, skip to the second item.

Editorial: Not much joy on this Earth Day: What made Bush's sudden transformation into a "green" president notable was that he has run into all sorts of trouble since deciding to review all regulations adopted at the end of the Clinton administration. Bush claimed he wanted to see if regulations should be scrapped that placed undue burdens on businesses. But the Republican president has come under intense criticism -- including from moderate members of his own party -- for unwisely scuttling popular regulations, such as a curb on carbon dioxide emissions and a curtailment of arsenic in drinking water. The fact that Earth Day was fast approaching, and ...

Columnist Jon Ralston: Death revives moribund session: A BILL THAT BEGAN with Democrat Joe Neal and became the property of his frequent antagonist, Republican Mark James. A handful of Republican senators defying their leader, despite Bill Raggio's passion on the issue. Democrats lavishing praise on James, an ambitious, blue-chip Republican. The Democratic Assembly speaker with a chance to establish his tough-on-crime bona fides. And a Republican governor, who showed his possible willingness to pardon in a controversial case, now signaling he intends to give the bill a lethal injection.

Letter: Kenny sanctions billboard blight: We already have billboard blight where it's impossible to see anything beyond them, and Kenny wants to increase the amount? The billboard industry said they would increase the distance between the billboards from 350 feet to 500 feet if their new measure passes. That's not much of a concession for the right to literally double the amount of billboards in Clark County from the present amount.

EcoJam will be a celebration of conservation on Earth Day: Angela Soo; Clark County residents will get a chance to join the international observance of Earth Day at today's fourth annual Eco-Jam.

Columnist Jeff German: Gamers awaiting fate of D.C. ally: HE IS ONE of the casino industry's biggest allies on Capitol Hill.

Bowls runneth over with help for hungry: By joining a national effort to feed the hungry, local potters are showing that a little stoneware can go a long way.

Columnist Sandra Thompson: Jurisdiction at issue in benefits dispute: Sandra Thompson; DOES A FAMILY COURT judge have the right to change the designated beneficiary of survivor pension benefits if the plan does not allow it?

Where I stand--Brian Greenspun: Back to the future?: IT IS BEGINNING to sound like "like father like son." That can't be good news for Israeli Prime Minister Ariel Sharon.

Assembly bill asks AG to study racial profiling: Erin Neff; CARSON CITY -- With statistics showing that people searched and questioned at traffic stops are more apt to be minorities, the Assembly on Thursday agreed to ask the attorney general to study racial profiling.

Black, Brown ranked best of the Rebels: Steve Guiremand; When the two-day NFL draft begins Saturday morning, a handful of UNLV football players will be sitting by their phones waiting for "the call."

Bankruptcies: Harvard Scientific Corp., 1325 Automotive Way No. 125, Reno, filed for Chapter 11, listing assets of $93,248 and liabilities of $93,248.

Preserving nature: Wetlands Park revival begins with dedication: Nature preserve

Lawmakers head to LV to discuss redistricting: Erin Neff; CARSON CITY -- Lawmakers, as they do each week, are flying south this afternoon to spend time with their families.

Largest LV park in the works: Diana Sahagun; When Las Vegas Councilman Michael Mack was on the campaign trail earlier this year, he held a standing-room-only community meeting to discuss plans to build the city's largest regional park, which he was proposing for the northwest.

Officials say dam bypass option is a near certainty: Sen. Harry Reid and Boulder City Mayor Bob Ferraro said Thursday that the Hoover Dam bypass, a controversial proposal to build a bridge over the Colorado River a quarter-mile south of the dam, will almost certainly go forward.

Kenny cleared in ethics hearing: Adrienne Packer; In the minds of three state ethics commissioners, conflicting testimony Thursday led to one question: What was Clark County Commissioner Erin Kenny's intent when she sought evidence damaging to a county division and a colleague?

Legislative briefs for April 20, 2001: When Genie Ohrenschall last campaigned for her Assembly seat in Las Vegas, one young woman answered the door to say the Nevada Legislature has no impact on youth, and thus, she wouldn't be voting.

Bill on death penalty moratorium moves to Assembly: CARSON CITY -- The bill to impose a two-year moratorium on the death penalty in Nevada quietly left the Senate and is scheduled to land in the Assembly today.

Obituaries for April 20, 2001: Nicholas G. Bonelli, 55, of Las Vegas died Wednesday in Las Vegas. He was born Aug. 23, 1945, in Youngstown, Ohio. A resident for 50 years, he was a hydroelectric mechanic for the Bureau of Reclamation and a Vietnam War Army veteran.

Artist Porter dies at age 86: Jace Radke; Whether it was fashioning the neon signs that lit up the Las Vegas Strip or running advertising agencies, Dick Porter was known as a talented artist who was always willing to do a favor.

UNLV notes: Rebels to compete in Mount SAC Relays: The three-day meet begins today and runs through Sunday. More than 100 college teams and track clubs from all over the country are expected to attend.

New UNR president named: Jennifer Knight; John Lilley, provost and chief executive officer of Penn State's college in Erie, Pa., was named Thursday by the Board of Regents as the new president of the University of Nevada, Reno.

Defense rests case: Rudin doesn't testify: Kim Smith; Rudin's defense team rested Thursday after calling about a dozen witnesses over a four-day period. Margaret Rudin was not one of them.

Complaint against Boggs McDonald dismissed: Jace Radke; The Las Vegas Ethics Review Board on Thursday dismissed a complaint against Councilwoman Lynette Boggs McDonald after the complainant, an associate of Boggs McDonald's opponent in last month's election, failed to show up for the meeting.

Forbes-Juuko fight at Indio called off: Hector Camacho Jr. of Puerto Rico will face Larry LaCoursiere of Hastings, Minn., in the main event.

PCL Box: Las Vegas-Iowa: E--K. Johnson, Choi, Snopek. DP--Iowa 1. LOB--Las Vegas 7, Iowa 7. 2B--Durrington, Barry, Patterson, Snopek, Dunwoody. HR--Barry (2), Gload (2). S--Post. CS--Patterson, Cairo.

Takeover heist 55th bank robbery: Keith Paul; A group of armed men stormed into a Las Vegas bank Thursday and made off with an undisclosed amount of cash, marking the 55th bank holdup this year and putting the Las Vegas Valley ahead of last year's record-setting number of bank heists.

Regents approve addition of two seats: Jennifer Knight; RENO -- What began for the Board of Regents as a King Solomon decision -- whether to drop one or two regents from the board through redistricting -- ended in a surprising move to add two more regents.

College system chief promises reform: Jennifer Knight; RENO -- In the wake of an attorney general's report regarding questionable administrative tactics at the Community College of Southern Nevada, Chancellor Jane Nichols is promising reforms throughout the University and Community College System of Nevada.

Students get virtually drunk -- to prove point: Angela Soo; Students at UNLV got "drunk" Thursday while experimenting with an interactive virtual bar that determined their blood alcohol levels after consuming various alcoholic drinks.

Union seeks boycott of Vegas Wild Oats: Grace Leong; A Westport, Conn.-based local of the United Food & Commercial Workers Union, which accused natural foods store Wild Oats Markets Inc. of unfair labor practices, said it has sent 65,000 postcards to Las Vegas residents asking them to boycott two local stores.

World War II crews remember air battles: Jace Radke; Mac Meconis and Mac Dike were about 15,000 feet above the English Channel as they piloted a B-24 Liberator through thick cloud cover in a sky packed with aircraft during the early morning hours of June 6, 1944.

Colbert's new life begins at 60: Steve Addy; Las Vegas resident Jim Colbert has won twice in nine events on the PGA Senior Tour this season. Here are his results, with finish and money won:

Measure to fund roads in California passes Senate: CARSON CITY -- Sen. Joe Neal, D-North Las Vegas, a critic of the casino industry, says passage by the Senate of a bill to allow Clark County money to be spent on highways in California shows how much the gambling business dominates the Legislature.

Morse draws 28-to-92-year term: Kim Smith; Rejecting a defense attorney's contention that anything more than a 10-year sentence would be equivalent to an "execution," a district judge this morning sentenced the man whose drunken driving killed a woman and injured her sister who had recently won a Megabucks jackpot to 28 to 92 years in prison.