Print edition for February 16, 2001

NASCAR Busch NAPA Auto Parts 300 Lineup: Daytona Beach, Fla.

Where I Stand -- Brian Greenspun: A taxing opinion: IF YOU ARE known by the company you keep, I am in some pretty good company. At least when it comes to my position on estate taxes.

Columnist Susan Snyder: It takes time to teach Fido: Animal shelters have to be among the most heartbreaking places on the planet.

NASCAR Twin 125 Qualifying Race Results: At Daytona International Speedway

Letter: Notch babies not about to quit: With people like Mike O'Callaghan and Sen. Harry Reid, and especially our notch baby association president, Heleana Gross, we can't lose. As O'Callaghan said in his column last week, we will never quit.

Joe Delaney remembers 1982: Siegfried & Roy at the Frontier: Joe Delaney remembers 1982: Siegfried & Roy at the Frontier

Letter: Impeach Clinton, then go after everyone else: Meanwhile, the people's business is still on hold.

Ruthe Deskin remembers 1982: It was an unforgettable day: Nothing could have pleased me more. Mike, a longtime friend, is one of the most decent, straightforward persons I have ever known.

Letter: Bush repeating Reagan mistake: I was brought up to believe that if you incur a debt, you pay it as soon as you can. You do it without buying anything extravagant. You do without until the debt is paid up.

Columnist Kate Maddox: 'Storm' clouds brew at resort: Kate Maddox; A fresh round of pesky teasers are starting to arrive for the new production (finally) coming into the Mandalay Bay Theatre. From the same folks who brought us those cumbersome surfboards pre-Shark Reef opening come mini-rainsticks (the kind you turn upside down and hear what sounds like a summer shower). The educated guesser would assume, duh, that the anticipated "Storm" is just around the corner, but calls to the hotel's entertainment department were a dead-end.

UNLV loses appeal of NCAA postseason ban: Steve Addy; As expected, UNLV's men's basketball team will not be participating in the postseason this year.

UNLV women host tournament: The UNLV Classic includes six teams that are ranked in the NFCA top 25, including No. 1 UCLA. The Rebels played Wisconsin and Central Michigan today and are slated to play Kansas at 3 p.m. and California at 5:30 p.m. Saturday and Portland State at 12:30 p.m. on Sunday.

On Display: The Contemporary Arts Collective, 103 E. Charleston Blvd., presents "Perfect Trim," featuring the artwork of local artist Jeanne Voltura, and Dallas artists Deirdre Pope and Susan Whitmer, through March 3. Call 382-3886.

Bandits stay hot; win at Richmond: J.R. Henderson led the Bandits in points with 21 and rebounds with 10. Point guard Eddie Gill also turned in a a double-double performance with 15 points and 11 assists.

Montoya continues to pay tribute to his mentor: Randy Matin; Even with release of "Suspicion" on the highly regarded Alligator Records label, Montoya, who performs Sunday with John Lee Hooker at the Joint at the Hard Rock hotel, carries the spirit of Collins with him wherever he goes. Collins died of cancer in 1993 and was not Montoya's biological father. However, the relationship went far beyond tutoring, says Montoya, who joined Collins' band in 1972, not as a guitar player but as the drummer.

News of the Day: 1982: Story: British warships and fighter-bombers bombarded Argentine positions on the Falkland Islands Saturday and engaged Argentine Mirage jets in a fierce dogfight as the South Atlantic crisis exploded into war.

NASCAR Truck Florida Dodge Dealers 250 Results: At Daytona International Speedway

Accused killer apparent suicide victim: Tom Gardner; MINDEN, Nev. - The man accused of raping, torturing and killing a fourth-grade girl died in his jail cell from an overdose of a tranquilizer he apparently stockpiled, the sheriff's office said on Friday.

Performing Arts: Bard's festival

Pending Bill could help Billy Walters get his seized millions: Brendan Riley; CARSON CITY - A proposed Senate measure might help high-rolling gambler and golf course developer Billy Walters of Las Vegas get back the $2.8 million police seized from him in an alleged money-laundering case.

NASCAR Daytona 500 Lineup: Daytona Beach, Fla.

Columnist Muriel Stevens: Hilton pastry chef experiences thrill of victory: When the news came that Team USA had won the gold at the recent Coupe Du Monde de la Patisserie (World Pastry Cup) in Lyon, France, I was elated. Not only for the team, but for its leader (president), Las Vegas Hilton Executive Pastry Chef Stanton Ho, whose work I have long admired.

Editorial: Let's don't touch state's helmet law: At one time there were drivers who were outraged by mandatory seat-belt laws; now it's second-nature for motorists and passengers to strap them on. Just like seatbelts, helmets save lives and prevent debilitating injuries. The Legislature should take this sorry bill and throw it in the trash heap where it belongs.

Where I Stand 1982 -- Hank Greenspun: 'Old Rough and Ready' becomes part of Sun family: The suspense is over. Old Rough and Ready dropped the other shoe, but it was the one on the bad leg. He still has a good one with which to stomp around.

Winter playoff schedules, results: Boys Basketball

Bulked-up Morales big favorite to take featherweight crown: Guty Espadas is the WBC's reigning champion at 126 pounds, but he's the decided underdog for the 12-round battle at the MGM Grand.

Editorial: Just who is minding the store?: In light of the gravity of the allegations against the politicians -- all of which were bogus, by the way -- it is amazing that Deputy Attorney General David Thompson didn't first inform Del Papa that he would send uncorroborated information to a federal law enforcement agency. Former Sen. Richard Bryan, who was one of the politicians unfairly smeared by the accusations, told Sun reporter Jeff German this week that it would be "highly unusual" for Del Papa not to have seen the documents before they were turned over. Bryan knows what he's talking about, since he once was Nevada's ...

Obligation to history brings actress back to Nevada: Tom Gardner; RENO, Nev. - A sense of obligation to the people who endured the horrors of the Second World War brought Rebecca Judd back to Nevada from an international stage career to discharge her debt in a series of high school performances.

Swimming: Rebel men on top in Oklahoma City: On the men's side, UNLV holds a slim 16-point advantage over BYU, 306 to 290.

Columnist Joe Delaney: Neville Brothers descending on Sam's Town: Joe Delaney; The new, hot Sam's Town Live! entertainment complex will be like a visit to New Orleans Friday and Saturday as the Neville Brothers perform their steamy gumbo of pop, rhythm and blues, gospel and jazz music in what has been described as a spiritual revival and a Mardi Gras parade combined, the musical essence of the Crescent City.

'Riverdance -- The Show' flows nicely: Joe Delaney; "Riverdance -- The Show" is being performed in the refurbished and nicely upgraded Aladdin Theatre for the Performing Arts through Sunday. This is one of three companies. The Shannon is currently based on Broadway, the Liffey is touring Europe and the Lagan, the United States. The Lagan has to be at least the equal of the other two.

Attorney seeks clarification of Kenny charges: Adrienne Packer; Attorney Frank Cremen appeared before the Nevada Ethics Commission on Thursday prepared to schedule a hearing date when he will have a chance to defend his client, Clark County Commissioner Erin Kenny.

Utah theater troupe teaches basics of Bard: Kimberley McGee; Fast Facts

Furniture center plans expanded: A sprawling furniture trade center slated for the old downtown Union Pacific Railroad property has a new name and an expanded concept that eventually could blossom into three towers and seven other buildings at a cost of $750 million.

Obituaries for February 16, 2001: Nick Apostolec, 76, of Las Vegas died Sunday in Las Vegas. He was born April 26, 1924, in Floyd, Ky. A resident for 40 years, he was a retired assistant general manager in the gaming industry, a World War II Army veteran, a member of the American Legion, Veterans of Foreign Wars and Moose.

FBI found no merit in secret report: The FBI found no merit in a confidential intelligence report on top Nevada officials that it received from the attorney general's office four years ago, Las Vegas FBI chief Grant Ashley said Thursday.

Developer misses another Henderson project deadline: Jeffrey Libby; Developer Phyllis Thompson missed another deadline Thursday for her $100 million redevelopment project in downtown Henderson.

SEC moves against LV tech executive: A Securities and Exchange Commission order has been issued against the former chief executive officer of a Las Vegas Internet software firm that once was one of the showcases of Southern Nevada's bid to become the "Silicon Oasis."

Coroner's inquest jury to rule on shooting by Metro officer: Keith Paul; A Clark County coroner's inquest jury is expected to rule determine today if a Metro Police officer's shooting of a schizophrenic man wielding a knife last month was justified or criminal.

Piano great recalls his orphanage beginnings: Fast Facts

Vons, union in new pact for Vegas stores: "We expect the UFCW will bring this agreement to the employees very soon for ratification," said Debra Lambert, Vons' spokeswoman. "The existing contract with the UFCW is due to expire on July 1. This is an early settlement because we were able to work out the details and terms quickly."

Rebels set for Air Force slowdown: Steve Addy; COLORADO SPRINGS -- Coach Max Good wants 40 minutes of rugged defense from his Rebels on Saturday night, preferably in 35-second increments.

Comedian not about to settle for mediocrity: Kirk Baird; Fast Facts

Henderson Mayor: City needs to enlarge presence in LV Valley affairs: Jeffrey Libby; Henderson Mayor Jim Gibson said Thursday it's time for his city to play a larger role in shaping county and state issues.

Panel told child-support law favors wealthy parents: CARSON CITY -- An attorney told the Assembly Judiciary Committee Thursday that the current child-support law adopted in 1987 favors wealthy parents who must make payments.

Rudin's husband may have seen his violent death coming: Kim Smith; Jurors in the Margaret Rudin murder trial will learn that her husband may have foreseen his violent death.

Aladdin eyeing refinancing, recapitalization plans: David Strow; Construction lawsuits

Canamex plan draws praise, criticism: A proposed trade corridor that would run from Mexico to Canada, and through Las Vegas, would be an economic boon to U.S. states along the route, said transportation planners at a public meeting on the Canamex project Thursday evening.

Teachers union chief says tax targets large business: CARSON CITY -- The leader of Nevada's schoolteachers union told an Assembly Taxation Committee Thursday that many business people don't understand the initiative petition to raise taxes by $250 million a year to support the public schools.

Columnist Sal DeFilippo: Maddox, McDonald spark L.A. power play: Sal DeFilippo; Trailing by two touchdowns late in the fourth quarter against underdog Chicago, the Los Angeles Xtreme was facing a very grim reality:

Business briefs for February 16, 2001: The owner of Turnberry Place, a high-rise luxury condominium development at Paradise Road and Riviera Drive, is seeking an order to release what it called a "frivolous and excessive" lien filed by a Canadian supplier for $613,873 in alleged lost profits on three of the development's four towers.

About 30 sites eligible for 'brownfield' cleanup: Sen. Harry Reid, D-Nev., and other lawmakers on Thursday touted a bill that would set aside $200 million for grants or loan programs to assess and revitalize brownfields nationwide. The legislation could spark redevelopment and clean up pockets of urban blight, create jobs, and increase city tax revenues by raising property values, Reid said.

Lady Rebels get back on track vs. Air Force: Steve Guiremand; After losing back-to-back games for the first time all season last week at BYU and Utah, the UNLV Lady Rebels had to be happy to see Thursday night's opponent, Air Force, next up on the schedule.

Troop of mostly homeless Scouts gets chances for good experiences: Kris Hill; More than 20 girls from 5 to 10 years old sat quietly on a cafeteria floor, knee to knee, in a circle surrounding a pair of week-old piglets.

Columnist Dean Juipe: XFL isn't strutting any more: Dean Juipe; It's a cliche to say the honeymoon is over, but, son of a gun, it's apropos.

Morales picked to take Espadas' belt: Dean Juipe; Three weeks ago in Tijuana, Erik Morales lent his car to Guty Espadas.

Gaels hold off Spartan upset try: Spencer Patterson; The Cimarron-Memorial Spartans nearly turned the prep basketball world on its head Thursday night.

LV company moving to Beltway location: Yellow Checker Star Transportation, which has a fleet of more than 550 taxicabs, limousines and buses under five separate corporations, will move to a 40-acre site north of the freeway and west of Decatur Boulevard. A 65,000-square-foot maintenance and administration building is planned at that location.

Jessica Williams found guilty in deaths of six teen-agers: Ken Ritter; But the jury found Jessica Williams innocent of several charges including involuntary manslaughter, reckless driving and being under the influence of drugs during the fatal crash. She faced six counts for each charge, one for each of the six victims.

Outlaws give Denton look at quarterback: Victoria Sun; When Jon Denton returned home from dinner Wednesday night, he received the message he had been hoping for.

Bill would remove loophole to build neighborhood casinos: CARSON CITY -- A bill was introduced in the Senate Thursday to make it tougher to get approval to build big casinos in residential neighborhoods in Clark County.

NLV man hit by stray bullet, dies: Jace Radke; The Rev. I.W. Wilson sat in his North Las Vegas home Thursday night holding a note from his son.

Dad describes Williams as sweet, caring daughter: Kim Smith; Steve Williams wants everyone to know the real Jessica Williams.

Driver guilty in deaths, but not drug impaired: Kim Smith; After 10 hours of deliberations over two days, an emotional jury found that Jessica Williams was guilty of driving with marijuana and Ecstasy in her blood on the day she struck and killed six teenagers on Interstate 15.

Panel rules McDonald violated ethics laws: Erin Neff; Now that Michael McDonald has been told he violated ethics laws for the second time in three months, the Las Vegas city councilman said he has learned he needs to be more careful in his hands-on approach to politics.

Holiday closings: SAFETY: Police and fire emergency services as usual. Administrative offices closed.

Sewage discharges concern water officials: By Mary Manning; Southern Nevada officials charged with protecting the Las Vegas Valley's drinking water are worried about the quantity and the quality of future discharges from sewage treatment plants into Lake Mead.

Law on campaign fliers upheld; AG considers lawsuit: CARSON CITY -- Attorney General Frankie Sue Del Papa says she doesn't know yet whether she will proceed with a civil suit against Station Casinos.

Legislation changes casino tax withholding procedure: JACKSON, Miss. -- The state would collect a lower percentage of withholding taxes from gambling winnings under a bill pending in the state Senate.

Brothel helping cocktail waitresses fight casinos: Scott Sonner; RENO -- Cocktail waitresses protesting dress codes and makeup requirements at Nevada casinos are enlisting one of the state's most notorious industries to help make their point.

Ensign to interview judges for two District Court seats: District Judge Mark Gibbons said Thursday that he had been contacted by Ensign and that a formal interview will take place next week. Gibbons also said Ensign had contacted District Judge Jim Mahan and had set up a formal interview next week with him too.

Police board releases its first decisions: Keith Paul; The Metro Police citizen review board cleared one officer and sustained a complaint against another officer in its first decisions released, but in both cases the board pointed out shoddy investigations by police.

Busch accomplishes task in Twin 125: DAYTONA BEACH, Fla. -- Kurt Busch got his first taste of restrictor-plate racing in Thursday's second 125-mile qualifying race for the 43rd Daytona 500.

Mayor, council members are cleared of wrongdoing: Diana Sahagun; An ethics hearing that cleared Mayor Oscar Goodman and three Las Vegas City Council members of any wrongdoing became a venue Thursday for renewed suggestions that the complaint against them was inspired by political intrigue.

Boyd Gaming posts loss, warns of mediocre first quarter: Just as significantly, Boyd said it expects only a mediocre profit in the current first quarter as it tries to improve business at two key Sam's Town properties in Las Vegas and Mississippi.

Busch race lineup: 1. (87) Joe Nemechek, Pontiac, 186.966 2. (7) Randy LaJoie, Pontiac, 185.939. 3. (1) PJ Jones, Pontiac, 185.529. 4. (18) Jeff Purvis, Pontiac, 184.786. 5. (23) Scott Wimmer, Pontiac, 184.718. 6. (27) Jamie McMurray, Pontiac, 184.362. 7. (61) Tim Sauter, Pontiac, 183.899. 8. (21) Mike Dillon, Chevrolet, 183.846. 9. (37) Kevin Grubb, Pontiac, 183.662. 10. (35) Lyndon Amick, Pontiac, 183.595. 11. (6) Joe Bessey, Pontiac, 183.509. 12. (2) Kevin Harvick, Chevrolet, 183.299. 13. (43) Jay Sauter, Chevrolet, 183.299. 14. (10) Jeff Green, Ford, 183.199. 15. (26) Bobby Hamilton Jr., Chevy, 182.997. 16. (20) Mike McLaughlin, Pontiac, 182.934. 17. (00) Todd ...

Nevada awarding tax incentives to two expanding Las Vegas companies: David Strow; Expedia loss narrows

Columnist Brian Hilderbrand: Most Cup drivers pass on HANS device: DAYTONA BEACH, Fla. -- It costs a little more than $1,000 and has been proven to prevent the types of injuries that killed three NASCAR drivers last year.

Utility rate hikes threaten school programs: Terry Webster; Revisions to the Clark County School District budget will continue if the district gets hit with more utility rate increases, district officials said.

Jobs eliminated at Indiana riverboat casino: RISING SUN, Ind. -- One of the pioneer casino resorts in the Cincinnati area is feeling the pinch of competition and is laying off workers.