Print edition for February 2, 2001

Top receiver to join Rebels: Steve Guiremand; UNLV landed a verbal commitment from one of the top wide receiver prospects on the West Coast Thursday night when Earvin Johnson (6-3 1/2, 195 pounds) of Cathedral High School in Los Angeles committed to head coach John Robinson during a home visit.

Thursday's prep result: Green Valley 8, Silverado 5 Goals: GV-Chock 3, Eskin 2, Sillitoe 2, Breeden; GV-Mathis 4, Griffin.

Teachers organizing rally for school funds: Terry Webster; Show of strength

Suspect in robberies threatens prosecutor: Kim Smith; A suspect in a trio of robberies at the Treasure Island hotel-casino threatened the life of a prosecutor during court proceedings Thursday.

Work card reform is priority: Erin Neff; Workers rights groups, casino management and civil libertarians have been complaining about work cards for 25 years.

Outlaws aim to stress defense from beginning: Victoria Sun; The recently crowned Super Bowl-champion Baltimore Ravens won it all because they featured one of the best defenses in NFL history.

Lady Rebels fall to Rams: Steve Guiremand; Saturday night is "Pack the Mack" night for UNLV's Lady Rebel basketball team against Wyoming.

Women's box: Colorado State-UNLV: COLORADO STATE (15-4)

9 UNLV football players honored: Steve Guiremand; Nine UNLV football players were among those selected to the Mountain West Conference's 2000 All-Academic football squad that was released Thursday.

Rudin defense team wins one, loses one: Kim Smith; Jurors in the Margaret Rudin trial will not hear prosecutors relate a story about how a jealous Rudin pulled a gun on her husband six years before she allegedly killed him in December 1994.

Anti-Yucca campaign gathers strength in LV: A nonprofit corporation will be formed to help Nevada tell the rest of the country about the dangers of nuclear waste, a Strip executive said Thursday.

Columnist Sal DeFilippo: XFL betting presents new challenge: Sal DeFilippo; When Vince McMahon first wrestled with the idea of organizing a professional football league, there certainly were some critics.

Obituaries for February 2, 2001: Irene Maude Aide, 93, of North Las Vegas died Tuesday in Las Vegas. She was born Nov. 2, 1907, in Arkansas. A resident for two years, she was a senior accountant for the state of California.

Where I Stand 1980 -- Hank Greenspun: Nuke driver merely acting accordingly: Drunkenness is an evil of the worst sort, but a drunk driving a truck filled with nuclear waste is a peril to human health and safety without parallel.

Marathon to draw 7,800 to Las Vegas: Victoria Sun; More than 7,800 runners representing 50 states and more than 35 countries will put their endurance to a test at the Las Vegas Marathon Sunday morning.

Former Olympian Herazo will compete in Sunday's race walk: Dean Juipe; Victoria Herazo participated in 13 race-walking events of various distances and significances last year, and won 11 of them.

UNLV aims to solve road riddle: Steve Addy; FORT COLLINS, Colo. -- Playing back-to-back games at Colorado State and Wyoming is like the weather. Everybody complains about it, but no one does anything about it.

Bankruptcies for February 2, 2001: Catalina Aquatics Inc., formerly known as Rainbow Seascapes, 8329 Spring Arts Ave., filed for Chapter 7, listing assets of $7,890 and liabilities of $193,002.

Mel's Diner: When Mel Tillis arrived in Nashville, Tenn. back in the 1950s, the singer-songwriter recalls there being only three publishing companies and two recording studios in town.

Columnist Brian Hilderbrand: Hornaday still chasing his dream: Ron Hornaday stood in the pit area of the old Las Vegas Speedway Park a decade ago after winning yet another NASCAR Southwest Tour race and talked about hanging up his driver's suit and concentrating on building race cars for other drivers.

Columnist Dean Juipe: Not all of us are excited by the XFL: Dean Juipe; "Keep an open mind about this," league officials continue to say to those of us in the media who seem to have a built-in dislike for the XFL.

Local news briefs for February 2, 2001: The body of a man believed killed in a downtown apartment was found Wednesday in a utility trailer.

Ex-governor free pending appeal: BATON ROUGE, La. -- Edwin Edwards expressed renewed hope for his eventual acquittal after a federal appeals court allowed the former governor to remain free while he appeals his conviction for extorting applicants for riverboat casino licenses.

Rebels' Zivkovic upsets 12th-ranked player: Zivkovic, who currently holds a career-high ranking of 54th, swept Nathan Overholser of Florida, 6-4, 6-3 in the first round of the third leg of the collegiate grand slam. Zivkovic, who improved to 8-2 on the year, faced 69th-ranked Matt Prentice of Oklahoma State in today's second round.

New entertainment is at heart of fund-raiser: Kimberley McGee; It's the biggest and most elegant night of the year for the American Heart Association.

Columnist Susan Snyder: Authors dedicated to heritage: The covered-wagon trek west was arduous for any 19th-century pioneer family.

LV company in forced sale of Internet sportsbook: AWI said it has agreed to sell MegaSports of Canberra, Australia, to Forward Publishing, a new corporation controlled by Australian businessman Nimrod Nyols. The sale is expected to close shortly after Forward Publishing is licensed by Australia Capital Territory gaming officials, a process that could take anywhere from 60 days to six months, said Tim Lockinger, chief financial officer of AWI.

Boulder City election brings out educators: Jeffrey Libby; Educators dominate a field of five challengers and one incumbent running for two four-year seats on the Boulder City Council.

Rungo, tireless advocate for rights of children, dies: Linda Evans Rungo is being remembered today as a dedicated longtime executive at both the old and current MGM Grand hotel-casinos and as a tireless advocate for the rights of abused and neglected children.

Author took publishing road less traveled: Las Vegan Geoffrey Clarkson has written a novel, published last month, which could be described as a "financial thriller."

Columnist Muriel Stevens: Return of famed Bootlegger eatery applauded: There is little continuity in Las Vegas these days, so I'm delighted to report the return of a longtime favorite family restaurant in a new location, the Bootlegger.

2001 XFL schedule: Week-by-week: NY/NJ Hitmen at Las Vegas Outlaws Saturday, 5 p.m.

Joe Delenay remembers 1980: Cher at Caesars: Joe Delenay remembers 1980: Cher at Caesars

Criner's career has gone full circle on his way to Outlaws: Steve Guiremand; A brief look at Outlaws head coach Jim Criner:

Israeli official: Bush needs Middle East policy: Unless President Bush sets a Middle East policy soon, the Arab world may view his silence as a sign of America's weakening support for Israel, says Israel's senior representative to the southwestern United States.

Nevada unlikely to move against Binion, Louisiana will continue investigation: Horseshoe Casino owner Jack Binion's decision to sell an Illinois riverboat will not affect an investigation to determine whether to renew his company's license for gambling in Bossier City, La., says Louisiana's top gambling regulator.

Columnist Kate Maddox: Club bigwig hits the big screen: Kate Maddox; Local nightclub impresario Mike Milner, director of operations for Studio 54 at the MGM Grand, is getting a taste of Hollywood this week. On Wednesday Milner and a pal showed up at a closed audition for "Rush Hour II," in the hopes of snagging small parts as security guards.

Fiddlers plan to make next D.C. celebration: Jeffrey Libby; The Boulder City Hometown Fiddlers will most likely be going to Washington, D.C., after all.

Reid proposes registering, voting at same time: Voters could register and cast their ballot at the same time and election day would fall on a weekend under legislation Sen. Harry Reid, D-Nev., introduced on Thursday.

Judge alters jury selection strategy in Williams trial: Kim Smith; District Judge Mark Gibbons adopted a more lenient philosophy Thursday toward prospective jurors in the Jessica Williams case.

Americans With Disabilities Act violations alleged at LV resort: In a Clark County District Court lawsuit, Tamara Thompson, who is a wheelchair user, sued the hotel-casino, alleging guests with disabilities don't have a choice of sleeping accommodations and bathroom facilities that are accessible to the disabled.

Letter: Power company gets fat while customers pay: Those in the state Public Utilities Commission should read letters to the editor. They may just learn something and not be so lenient in giving out rate hikes (lately every other month). Are you examining and questioning all other options before you do so? Will you put more families in poverty?

Springfield a nice fit in 'EFX Alive': Joe Delaney; Rick Springfield seemed right at home in the fourth version of "EFX," renamed "EFX Alive," which opened Tuesday at the MGM Grand.

The In-Vince-able Men: Victoria Sun; Who: N. York/N. Jersey at Outlaws Where: Sam Boyd Stadium When: Saturday, 5 p.m. TV: NBC (Ch. 3) Betting line: Outlaws by 4 1/2 Tickets: Start at $18

Channel 99 hits airwaves: Kirk Baird; As part of a unique service, residents of Sun City Anthem, a local retirement community for adults 55 and older, have a new local-access cable channel.

Columnist Joe Delaney: Insulting sailors started Rickles' rise to stardom: Joe Delaney; Once referred to as the Merchant of Venom, Don Rickles starts the first of a series of two- and three-day weekends over the next two years in the Stardust's Wayne Newton Theater, with shows tonight and Saturday ... Approaching his 75th birthday on May 8, a Rickles performance today is really a "Best of Don Rickles" celebration of his various onstage personas.

Benson sets unofficial track record at LVMS: Johnny Benson not only has a new sponsor for the 2001 NASCAR Winston Cup season, he now has an unofficial track record under his belt.

Editorial: Pitino's on-again, off-again musings: Earlier this week "friends" of Pitino's told the Boston Herald that he no longer wanted the UNLV coaching job. Pitino dismissed the story, though, claiming he still was interested. A Sun story this week noted one theory making the rounds, that Pitino is just using UNLV as a bargaining chip to get a lucrative offer elsewhere. Perhaps Pitino genuinely is torn about what to do, but his Hamlet-like performance isn't endearing him to UNLV men's basketball fans.

Reid vote angers environmentalists: Scott Sonner; RENO -- Nevada Sen. Harry Reid's loyalty to the mining industry continues to confound his friends in the environmental community, who are angry over his vote to confirm Interior Secretary Gale Norton.

Barbara Greenspun remembers 1980: Nuke dump must be fought: There is a definite correlation between those days in 1980 and the even more disastrous consequences facing us today with the possibility of Nevada becoming the nation's nuclear garbage can.

Sports on TV - Las Vegas: Sports on TV - Las Vegas

Letter: Collectivism is a religion: It is clear to see that these people are hypocrites who try to obscure the fact that they are practicing the religion that worships the headless monster of the State.

Bellucci brings spirit to 'Malena': Max Jacobson; Grade: ***

Letter: Disabled get good treatment: I am the first to bark when Pat Christensen doesn't comply, and I am the first to admit that he and his staff have given the disability community a reason to go to Rebel basketball games.

Editorial: A troubling steward of our lands: Yet Norton this week won Senate confirmation, in part, by softening many of her previously strident, out-of-touch stands that almost always sided with business interests -- grazing, logging and mining -- on environmental issues. Norton once had even said that the Endangered Species Act and the Surface Mining Act were unconstitutional. But in an about-face, during her confirmation hearings before the Senate Energy and Natural Resources Committee, she said she no longer held those views. Norton also said she would enforce all environmental laws, assuring the committee that the top priority of the Department of Interior "must be to conserve ...

News of the Day: 1980: Story: The picturesque Mount St. Helens volcano, dormant for more than a century, erupted Thursday with a thunderous boom, puffing steam and spewing ash 35 miles away. Evacuation from the mountain and surrounding lowlands was ordered.

Second Park Place casino chief resigns: Harrold, a long-time casino executive with Park Place predecessor companies Hilton Hotels Corp. and Bally's Entertainment, took over at Caesars Palace one year ago. He came to the property from the Las Vegas Hilton, where he had served as president.

Slot clubs cause privacy, problem gambling concerns: David Strow; With unified, targeted slot clubs, such as Harrah's Entertainment's "Total Rewards" and Station Casinos' "Boarding Pass," casinos are learning more than ever before about the playing habits of their customers.

Where I Stand -- Mike O'Callaghan: Just one more gimmick: But let's not get carried away. This is a recruiting advertisement to attract people who watch MTV, "Friends" and Comedy Central. It won't receive the past attention given "Be All You Can Be" during Sunday football games and other sporting events. The "An Army of One" is geared to attract the attention of "it's a me-now group," according to Louis Caldera, the recent secretary of the Army.

Court briefs for February 2, 2001: A Las Vegas man suspected of taking part in a robbery that left a Metro Police officer blind in one eye cut a deal with prosecutors Thursday.

Forum Shops' Warner Bros. outlet seeks buyer, closure possible: Michelle Fonseca, general manager of the Las Vegas store, said today her store may face the same fate as 129 other stores in the chain. AOL Time Warner, which became the new parent company after a $106 billion merger, said it would sell or close all its stores, citing disappointing retail sales.

U.S. auto dealers to confront troubled manufacturers at Vegas convention: Strong sales

Bound, gagged body of woman found in desert: Keith Paul; The bound and gagged body of a woman who disappeared after dropping off her child was found Thursday in the desert.

Haycock partners to produce fuel additive in Nevada: Russell Teall, chairman of Biodiesel, based in Marathon, Fla., with operations in Las Vegas and Pahrump, made a presentation to the National Clean Cities Association about the benefits of the fuel additive, to be processed at a plant being built for Haycock.

Slot club competition heats up with Station changes: David Strow; Station Casinos Inc. has been viewed as a leader in the casino industry with its "Boarding Pass," a slot players card that allows players to build credits toward comps at any Station-branded property.

Voters to decide on children's hospital: Adrienne Packer; Clark County's Debt Management Commission voted unanimously Thursday to place an $80 million bond question on June's municipal ballot for the construction of a free-standing children's hospital.

U.S. jobless rate at 16-month high: WASHINGTON -- The nation's unemployment rate climbed to 4.2 percent in January, the highest level in 16 months, as the dramatic slowdown in economic growth forced thousands of layoffs in autos and other manufacturing industries.

Energy outlook for West is bleak: Jessica Bujol; PORTLAND, Ore. -- If a solution to California's "dysfunctional" market is not found soon, the entire West could be in jeopardy when electricity use soars with sweltering summer temperatures, former Louisiana Sen. J. Bennett Johnston cautioned Thursday night.

Minority-owned auto dealerships few and far between in Las Vegas, U.S.: As car dealers from all over the country gather in Las Vegas for one of the industry's most important conventions, a much smaller group got a head start and has been discussing a different agenda.

Las Vegas weatherman ordered off the air: Channel 3 sued Channel 13 and Tannenbaum, alleging he violated a non-compete contract when he joined Channel 13.

Goodman eyes downtown retail mall: Erin Neff; Sidelined behind his desk with a bum foot, Las Vegas Mayor Oscar Goodman still felt good enough Thursday to leak the word of a possible downtown retail mall.