Print edition for April 25, 2001

Ex-coach leads betting-ban foes into hearing: Benjamin Grove; WASHINGTON -- A respected former basketball coach is expected to be a star witness for Nevada at a congressional hearing Thursday that pits the state's gambling industry against the National Collegiate Athletic Association.

Business briefs for April 25, 2001: The top shareholder of Business Bank of Nevada has made a change-of-control filing with the Federal Reserve to possibly increase his holdings in the bank.

State revamps NLV school: Terry Webster; In the strongest move against a low-performing school, the state Education Department is asking teachers at Fitzgerald Elementary School to reapply for their jobs.

Assembly approves shift in tax distribution: Erin Neff; CARSON CITY -- After a week of caucuses, meetings with mayors and financial reporting, the Assembly passed a controversial bill Tuesday that would shift the tax distribution rate in Clark County.

Ready to rumble: Area bicyclists rap proposal to install strips near Red Rock: Bicyclists taking a day trip out Charleston Boulevard to the Red Rock National Conservation Area may soon find their way a bit bumpier.

Obituaries for April 25, 2001: Florene Abernathy, 84, of Las Vegas died Monday in Las Vegas. She was born July 4, 1916, in Pennsylvania. A resident for many years, she was an auto assembler.

FCC chief expects court action on ownership: Viacom Inc., News Corp., AT&T Corp. and other large companies that want to abolish limits on media ownership will get relief in court rather than at the Federal Communications Commission, Chairman Michael Powell said Tuesday.

Pope's ex-wife, siblings recall the violence: Kim Smith; Nikita Shane practiced for hours. Every day for weeks she practiced packing suitcases and dressing her three small children, hoping she could accomplish the task in fewer than 30 minutes.

Execution bill goes to Senate: Erin Neff; CARSON CITY -- It's an issue that troubles the governor, pits Republicans against Democrats and may lead to a landmark U.S. Supreme Court decision.

Review of DOE probe sought: Nevada's congressional delegation today asked the General Accounting Office to review an internal Energy Department investigation that failed to document alleged bias in the Yucca Mountain site-selection process.

Missing LV girl found dead in California: Keith Paul; A 16-year-old Las Vegas girl last seen walking to school earlier this month was found shot to death in a horse trailer in California over the weekend, and two suspects could be charged as early as today, authorities said.

Luck scorns a lady: LV woman one of many after seized property: Lifelong Las Vegan Tonia Verma has a dream of one day building a custom home on prime real estate in her hometown.

College hoops tourneys may land in LV: Steve Addy; Paris Las Vegas has set aside dates to host two or three college basketball tournaments in its Grand Ballroom in November and December, and some leading teams are slated to participate.

NBC: XFL simply a flop: Howard Fendrich; NEW YORK -- Dick Ebersol thought he had a winning idea -- partner with pal Vince McMahon of World Wrestling Federation fame to start the first big sports league with a network owner.

Mexican president favors legalizing gambling: The issue has long pitted those eager for casino income against those who fear the operations could be used to launder drug money.

Columnist Dean Juipe: Upset puts Tyson back in picture: Dean Juipe; Let's see, Mike Tyson can fight David Izon as scheduled June 2 in Washington D.C. and get a couple of million dollars out of it, or he can fight Hasim Rahman for the World Boxing Council and International Boxing Federation heavyweight championships in August or September and make something like $15 million.

Vegas firms accused of violating casinos' trademarks: Mandalay Resort Group and MGM MIRAGE'S Mirage Resorts Inc., Treasure Island Corp. and Bellagio sued Nick Pavlica and his two companies, Global One Corp. and Sports Management.

Judge instructs jury to consider defendant's flight: Kim Smith; After sitting in the jury box for nine weeks and listening to more than 100 witnesses, jurors in the Margaret Rudin trial this morning began hearing closing arguments.

National Airlines board member sued by casino partner: The suit, filed Monday by Harrah's Operating Co. Inc., seeks more than $4.8 million from Robert K. Moses, described in the filing as a director of and investor in Las Vegas-based National.

Legislative briefs for April 25, 2001: Three bills dealing with special license plates for activities in Southern Nevada cleared the Senate Tuesday without a dissenting vote.

Police see help in budget: Kris Hill; Catch-up is a phrase North Las Vegas city officials are trying to cut from their vocabulary, and they hope to do that as they plan next year's budget.

Alden gets full-time nod for provost: As provost, Alden will be in charge of the university's 14 colleges, which offer 180 undergraduate, master's and doctoral degrees collectively.

Murder charge also awaits Californian, authorities say: Keith Paul; Prosecutors anticipate charging a California man accused of running down a trooper within a week in connection with the slaying of a woman found dead in a motel.

Manendo top spending target of lobbyists: Assemblyman Mark Manendo has become the most popular legislator this session. That is, at least with the lobbyists.

PPro stock plunges on earnings surprise: Kevin Ferguson; PurchasePro shares plunged nearly 34 percent to $4.13 this morning after the Las Vegas-based Internet business disclosed that its first-quarter results will fall short of forecasts.

Regent performance may be improving -- timeshare possibility mentioned: David Strow; The Regent Las Vegas' financial performance is improving as interest in the bankrupt Summerlin property heats up, according to court documents filed Tuesday.

General Dynamics in shipbuilding merger: The deal announced today would make General Dynamics a shipbuilding powerhouse, giving it control over the manufacture and maintenance of all the U.S. military's nuclear-powered ships, in addition to a strong position building Navy destroyers, auxiliary ships and commercial oil tankers.

Harrah's buying good cash producers in Harveys: David Strow; Harrah's Entertainment Inc. of Las Vegas said Tuesday it will acquire Harveys Casino Resorts of Lake Tahoe for $625 million, its fourth acquisition in as many years.

Auto giant takes mammoth $2.1 billion loss: DaimlerChrysler reported today it lost 2.36 billion euros ($2.1 billion) for the January-March period in contrast to a profit of 1.7 billion euros a year earlier.

Anchor takes big loss on lottery unit: Anchor reported a loss of $94 million, or $6.41 per share, for the quarter. This loss was entirely the result of a one-time charge of $133 million associated with the restructuring of subsidiary AWI. About $124 million of these charges were non-cash charges.

Problematic land deal dies: Jeffrey Libby; Public opposition may have killed the proposed sale of a city-owned lot to a private developer.

Columnist Jeff Haney: Bettors make a 'Point' to bet Derby favorite: Any bookmaker who has exposure on star 3-year-old Point Given in his Kentucky Derby future book might want to blame last year's champion, Fusaichi Pegasus, for his predicament.

Columnist Elizabeth Foyt: Vegas Philharmonic season closes in style: Elizabeth Foyt; G.C. "Scott" and Esther Wallace were recent hosts to the fourth and final soiree of the Las Vegas Philharmonic's 2000-01 season. Appearing at the private gathering was Makoto Nakura, who made his American debut as the first marimbist to appear with the Young Concert Artists at the Kennedy Arts Center in Washington, D.C., and later appeared with the New York Chamber Symphony.

Community briefs for April 25, 2001: The city of Henderson and the Henderson Commemorative Beautification Commission is inviting residents to take part in the city's annual Arbor Day celebration to be held 10:30 a.m. Thursday at the Henderson Convention Center, 200 Water St.

No sweat: Exercise experts explain why fear of failure keeps fitness at bay: They talked, they joked, they laughed and they sweated.

Letter: Representative of insurers has different view: Senate Bill 4 is one of the few bills before the Legislature that offers the hope for lower premiums. Today's law discourages insurers from competing on price. An insurer that wants to lower its rates must wait for approval from the state. By the time that approval is granted, the rates may no longer reflect current conditions. This hurts competition and discourages an insurer from taking the risk of lowering its rates.

PCL Box: Calgary-Las Vegas: E--Post 3. DP--Las Vegas 3. LOB--Calgary 9, Las Vegas 7. 2B--Thompson, Castro, Barry, Mota. HR--Becker (2), Castro (4). SB--Gulan, Mottola. CS--Mottola.

Tuesday's prep results: BASEBALL

Guinn to fortify ties with Black Panthers: Jace Radke; Gov. Kenny Guinn told the Las Vegas Black Panther Party that he would not be opposed to having a liaison to his office representing West Las Vegas, but said it would have to be added to the budget.

Ralph Siraco's selections for Thursday's races at Hollywood Park: 1st Race -- Mike And Leo - Training at Anita, Pincay aboard one of two Machowsky-trained 'hidden entries', adds blinkers for this. Coil N Strike - Hustling Puglisi aboard the 'other' Machowsky trainee, draws good post for the sprint opener, might Coil N Strike. Value Play -- That Cool Cat

Columnist Victoria Sun: Veteran PGA player Casper has passion for golf, family: Victoria Sun; The success of one of the best golfers in history can be traced not to his swing, but to his big heart.

51s 'pen becomes one for the aged: Steve Guiremand; The Las Vegas 51s are going to pick up an experienced left-handed relief pitcher for their bullpen later this week.

Editorial: 'Bias' isn't part of his vocabulary: The inspector general investigation was sought last year by then-Energy Secretary Bill Richardson and U.S. Sen. Harry Reid, D-Nev. The probe was prompted after the Sun reported that a DOE subcontractor, in a two-page memo that accompanied a 60-page draft overview on the Yucca Mountain Project, concluded that Yucca Mountain was safe to store radioactive waste. This obviously demonstrated bias since the DOE wasn't supposed to have formed an opinion before the scientific studies had been completed.

Columnist Paula DelGiudice: Fly fishing season about to heat up: Paula DelGiudice; If the weather would ever stabilize, then outdoors people could plan their weekends around their fishing excursions instead of the television set.

Letter: Bush's hypocrisy is becoming clear: A quick reality check shows that his rollback of Clinton initiatives are related to both his debt to big business and his desire to destroy any Clinton legacy. Close at hand is his relentless pursuit of a tax reduction plan that does everything for the rich and nothing for those at the bottom of the economic barrel. At least part of the surplus money that Bush plans to give to the richest members of our society could be better diverted to help the 12.1 million U.S. children living in poverty or aid in providing medical insurance for the 10.8 million ...

Court briefs for April 25, 2001: Charles Edward Jennings' second trial ended the same way it did the first time around. He was convicted of first-degree murder and sentenced to life in prison without the possibility of parole Tuesday.

CCSN wins two games in Salt Lake City: The Coyotes' Nate Fouts set a school record with 15 strikeouts in the second game. He improved to 6-2. Gino Gonzalez (8-0) earned the win in the opener. CCSN improved to 47-7, while SLCC dropped to 25-17.

Letter: Questions linger about college: We have learned through the diligent efforts of Sun reporters that the Board of Regents doesn't know where the school will be built, how much it will cost, where the students will come from, if we even need it or the big problem: Where will the money come from?

Columnist Muriel Stevens: New store sets up at Aladdin mall: Get ready for the opening of Chiasso (key-AH-so) in its newest location at Desert Passage at the Aladdin. The opening of Chiasso May 15 is a healthy sign that Desert Passage will survive, despite a wobbly opening.

News briefs for April 25, 2001: About 40 Metro Police officers attended a Tuesday night forum to question the leadership of two unions that the department's rank-and-file will choose between on May 11.

Artworks by Jack Kevorkian stolen from Connecticut museum: Tomeo said they had been removed by the landlord who was concerned because the prints were not insured and the subject matter could become controversial after publicity about the exhibit.

PurchasePro stock plunges on earnings warning -- release of numbers delayed: Kevin Ferguson; PurchasePro shares plunged nearly 35 percent to $4.05 Wednesday after the Las Vegas-based Internet business disclosed that its first-quarter results will fall short of forecasts.

Solar energy projects OK'd: Jeffrey Libby; The Boulder City Council on Tuesday made a bid to capitalize on an energy market that has left Western consumers facing skyrocketing electric prices and has plunged California into darkness several times in recent months.

Columnist Jon Ralston: Political maneuvers intensify as endgame nears: CARSON CITY -- Scenes from a Legislature:

Airport food takes off at McCarran's D Gates: Max Jacobson; It is, however, a good place when you are hungry, provided you are aware of the newer dining options there. The majority of flights originate from the A, B or C Gates, but the newer D Gates, which feature a rotunda food court, are just a tram ride away. If you have the extra time, this area offers terrific dining alternatives to the Burger King, Pizza Hut and Cinnabon concessions that dominate the other three terminals.

Henderson power generator sues supplier: Saguaro Power Co., which said it sells all of its electrical output of about 90 megawatts to Nevada Power Co., sued Houston-based Burlington in U.S. District Court, alleging the gas provider refused to reimburse Saguaro for replacement gas it bought allegedly at prices much higher than the contract price.

Police probe death at city jail: A jail nurse injected Shawki Sinayoko with an anti-psychotic drug on a doctor's orders after the inmate was allegedly acting bizarrely in the jail. He became unconscious minutes later and died, Lt. Wayne Petersen of the homicide unit said.

Despite suspect's promise to appear, search continues: Keith Paul; Nevada Highway Patrol troopers aren't going to wait until the planned court appearance Friday of a man suspected in a fatal hit-and-run accident to arrest him on a warrant. They are currently searching for the 35-year-old Las Vegas man.

Senate votes for class-size changes: CARSON CITY -- The Senate by a vote of 17-4 Tuesday approved a bill that critics say will water down the class-size reduction program in the primary grades.