Print edition for January 3, 2001

Nearly 3,000 flu shots issued: The Clark County Health District has already issued close to 3,000 flu vaccinations in the first three days of a program targeting "at-risk" populations in the region, officials said Tuesday.

Daughter's confession leads to mother's arrest in slaying: Keith Paul; A 53-year-old woman was charged with murder after her daughter confessed Tuesday to authorities she helped her mother bury her mother's boyfriend in the back yard of a North Las Vegas house more than a year ago.

Despite opposition, Henderson office park plan OK'd: Jeffrey Libby; The Henderson City Council approved an 88,000-square-foot office park in a residential zone Tuesday, despite two recommended denials from the Planning Commission and written opposition from more than 50 neighbors of the project at Horizon Ridge Parkway and Sandy Ridge Avenue.

Obituaries for January 3, 2001: Alfred Avery, 46, of Las Vegas died Tuesday in Las Vegas. He was born July 11, 1954, in Los Angeles. A resident for five years, he was a security officer.

Goin' to the chapel: Long-wed couples renew their vows, reflect on their marriages: Kimberley McGee; Through all of the changes that a half-century can bring, there has been one constant -- their spouse.

Editorial: City wins as resorts join forces: Even the most conservative of estimates placed the Strip crowd at more than 300,000, at least 50,000 more than last year. Onlookers were rewarded with a 13,000-shell fireworks show that lasted nearly 10 minutes.

Prominent local businesswoman Feeney dies: One would never have guessed that carbide- and colbalt-tipped drills, steel racks and custom band saw blades would be so much a part of Marie Feeney's life.

LV bar, radio station sued again over 1999 shooting: Four people were wounded on Dec. 26, 1999, after an unidentified gunman, who was said by police to have been in an argument with someone inside the bar, fired shots at several people. Police said there were a couple of hundred people in the bar.

Streaking Rebels hope to start New Year on right foot: Steve Addy; The schedule, the holiday and airline hassles allowed the Rebels only one day to get ready for tonight's home game against Loyola Marymount.

Local news briefs for January 3, 2001: A computer error blacked out two substations in the northwest and southwest of the Las Vegas Valley today, leaving 14,000 customers without electricity for 18 minutes, Nevada Power Co. spokeswoman Sonya Headen said.

County purchases building: Adrienne Packer; An idea to tap into private donations to add an 18th floor to the Regional Justice Center was abandoned Tuesday when Clark County commissioners instead opted to purchase an adjacent building.

Las Vegas doctors could face higher malpractice premiums: CARSON CITY -- Medical malpractice rates for doctors in Clark County who are covered by The Doctors Co. may go up an average of 12.2 percent, while premiums for the doctors in Northern Nevada may drop an average 2 percent.

Elko County Commission to meet: Licht will discuss a possible meeting between the commission and the area's legislative representatives - Assemblymen John Carpenter and John Marvel and state Sen. Dean Rhoads.

Gun play starts New Year's fire: Residents as far away as the Reno-Stead Airport heard the blast.

Del Papa faces tough videotaped deposition: Attorney General Frankie Sue Del Papa was expected to face tough questions about a secret intelligence probe of gaming regulators at a videotaped deposition in Las Vegas today.

DOE plan would send low-level waste to Test Site: Fifty truckloads a year of low-level radioactive wastes mixed with toxic chemicals will travel Las Vegas highways en route to the Nevada Test Site, if a Department of Energy plan is approved.

Retailer closing 76 stores -- but plans to expand in Las Vegas: The retailer cited poor sales at the stores.

Three NLV incumbents face stiff challenges: Diana Sahagun; Key dates

Maxfield opens commission career with an abstention: Adrienne Packer; Chip Maxfield had barely warmed his Clark County Commission seat Tuesday before the newly elected civil engineer had to do what critics have predicted: abstain from a vote involving developers.

Natural gas price hikes will hit state in wallet: CARSON CITY -- The big increases in natural gas that became effective Monday will cost the state millions of extra dollars, and officials are now revamping Gov. Kenny Guinn's $3.74 billion budget.

Las Vegan to advise DOE chief: A Las Vegas nuclear weapons expert said today that the United States could one day conduct limited nuclear weapons experiments at the Nevada Test Site, where such underground explosions have been banned since 1992.

Officer probed in stalking of teen: Keith Paul; A Metro Police narcotics detective relieved of duty after having a sexual relationship with a 16-year-old boy is now being investigated for stalking the teen, police officials told the Sun.

Study: Costs justify planned college: CARSON CITY -- Educating a student at the proposed state college in Henderson will cost 35 percent less than at UNLV, a legislative study says.

Casino execs decry NCAA's ads on gambling: David Strow and Benjamin Grove; Millions of Americans watching college football bowl games on television are also seeing messages from student-athletes denouncing wagering on collegiate sporting events.

Ensign sworn in as Congress convenes: WASHINGTON -- Nevada's newest lawmaker in Congress, Republican Sen. John Ensign, was sworn in today along with the rest of his Senate and House colleagues.

Money-losing Vegas sports park closes, buyer sought: The money-losing All-American SportPark, a $22 million Las Vegas theme park that includes a batting cage and a Go-Kart track with major-league sponsors, announced Tuesday it's closing immediately but could repoen if the property is sold.

Firefighting consultant hired: Adrienne Packer; In response to firefighters' complaints that they're short-staffed and underequipped, Clark County commissioners voted to hire an independent consultant to study the department's needs.

Columnist Dean Juipe: UNLV hopes new arena aids teams: Dean Juipe; It's scaled down from where it started, having been reduced from three stories to two.

Columnist Jon Ralston: Abraham's choice leaves nation spinning: And now the spin begins. After weeks of anticipation by Nevada Democrats and Republicans, Gov. George W. Bush's decision to ensure defeated Sen. Spencer Abraham has a job by parachuting him into his Cabinet as energy secretary is reason for ... well, for the usual pabulum.

Clark County's first high school for adults opens doors: Terry Webster; The Clark County School District's first adult high school, complete with its own principal, opened its doors Tuesday at the former Faith Lutheran High School.

Orange Bowl notebook: OU coach applauds Robinson's effort: Steve Guiremand; MIAMI -- Oklahoma quarterbacks coach Chuck Long has drawn his share of kudos for the coaching job he has done this year with Heisman Trophy runnerup Josh Heupel.

Las Vegas area fishing report: LAKE MEAD: Striped bass fishing has been slow while rainbow trout are being caught in the Boulder Basin following the Nevada Division of Wildlife's weekly plants.

UNLV tabs Bayno to help with raising money: Steve Addy; While lawyers for UNLV and former coach Bill Bayno continue settlement talks, the university has found a new way for him to earn his $135,000 base salary.

Columnist Jeff Haney: Mario returns with flair; Hill exits quietly: For some hockey bettors, Mario Lemieux's comeback was nothing short of magnifique.

With title hopes in tow, Sooners and Seminoles are ready to put it ...: Steve Guiremand; MIAMI -- Picture this.

Ellis ignites Bandits: Victoria Sun; The instructions were simple.

IBL Box: New Mexico-Las Vegas: Percentages: FG .468, FT .838.

Columnist Paula DelGiudice: Safari Club welcomes stars: Paula DelGiudice; The 29th annual Safari Club International Convention kicks off Jan. 10 for its four-day run in Las Vegas. Expected to attend are more than 20,000 exhibitors, speakers, celebrities, press members and hunting enthusiasts, who will be headquartered at the Venetian. Speakers slated to attend are former President George Bush, General H. Norman Schwarzkopf, Congressman Duke Cunningham and President Carlos Menem of Argentina.

Prosecutors focus on killer's crime-filled past: Jeffrey Libby; Racist skinhead John Edward Butler wrote to a Nevada judge as recently as 1997 while in custody for felony auto theft, asking for the chance to "make one last attempt to save myself" from long-term drug abuse and to see his 4-year-old child, according to testimony Tuesday.

Letter: Gore somehow managed to lose: The Republicans nominated George W. Bush because he couldn't win. He had all the above conditions going against him and the GOP didn't want to offer up someone else to the slaughter.

Community news briefs for January 3, 2001: A crisis intervention training program is being offered 6-10 p.m. on Monday and on Jan. 15, 22 and 29 at SAFE House, 18 Sunrise Drive, Suite G-70, Henderson.

Letter: NDOT ignores public's wishes: The NDOT asked for public comment, and its published documents indicate that it considers public comment in its plans. We had hoped, therefore, that the NDOT would pay attention to the comments from this neighborhood and not install a sound wall at the highway end of our street.

Savvy wine buy: Fleur du Cap '98 Merlot: Max Jacobson; The name means "flower of the Cape," and this time, the location referred to is South Africa's Cape of Good Hope, which has recently re-emerged as a major wine-producing region. Wines from South Africa are terrific values, because the rand, that country's currency, is quite weak at the moment. This '98 Merlot has powerful notes of cherry and plum in the nose, a touch of wood and a nice, fruity finish. The wine is aged in French oak, and it still slightly tannic. It should be at its peak in a few more years, but it is pleasant to drink ...

Columnist Elizabeth Foyt: Warm feelings at Casa Alegre: Elizabeth Foyt; Bountiful hospitality coupled with their own personal warmth is the trademark of Jeanne and Dr. Monte Greenawalt's entertainment style. Casa Alegre (which translates to "house of tomorrow"), their Spanish Trail estate was recently filled with well-wishers helping Dr. Greenawalt celebrate his birthday. Guests spread through the baronial-styled reception rooms enjoying the sumptuous buffet amid the beauty of the dining room with its medieval-influenced painted walls. In the throng were Joe and Hope Anstett, Sue and Leo Borns, Aubrey and Joanne Goldberg with Barb and Jerry Roberts, Persia and James Golden, Nick Castro, Hal Danzig, Rick Borlase, Chuck and Donna Ruthe ...

Letter: GOP might have more surprises for senior citizens: Corporations now have to complete W-2s for the year 2000 to report it to the IRS.

Editorial: Flood district did well to stand firm: When Rhodes purchased 17 acres on the west side of Durango Drive south of Warm Springs Road from the federal Bureau of Land Management, the 1995 sale included a $186,000 price break because of the planned flood control channel.

Indian Gaming Commission investigator retires: BILLINGS, Mont. -- Doris M. Poppler is retiring as the senior field investigator for the National Indian Gaming Commission.

Wisconsin casino plan gets favorable review: The first part of the application, an environmental assessment of the proposed site and buildings, was sent Dec. 22.

Hotel sues contractor over lien: The casino is closed for renovation, but the 111-room hotel remains open.

LV casino in fight with customer, bank over credit: In a Clark County District Court lawsuit, Hard Rock said the bank breached a contract by implementing charge backs to the hotel-casino's account and refusing to reverse the charge backs despite alleged documents from Hard Rock proving the validity of the charges.

Las Vegas basks in glow of successful New Year's fireworks: Ken Ritter; "It was a great New Year's - as good as it gets," said Mayor Oscar Goodman, who had blamed the absence of fireworks last year for the sense that Las Vegas' Y2K celebration was a dud.

Nevada officials have mixed opinions about Abraham: Abraham, defeated for re-election to the Senate from Michigan, was nominated to the Energy Department post Tuesday by President-elect Bush.

Former Venetian C2K nightclub official sues: Grace Leong; A former official of the C2K nightclub at the Venetian hotel-casino who claims to own 50 percent of the club sued to recover more than $1.5 million in damages from C2K's owner, David Horowitz, and his company, Silver Hammer of Nevada LLC.

Eight plead innocent in Massachusetts mob case: The eight include three generations of suspected mobsters - Anthony Delevo, 60, the alleged local boss, and Albert Scibelli, 80, brother of the late Francesco Scibelli, who was purportedly Delevo's predecessor.

Men accused of crashing car into hotel-casino: In a Clark County District Court suit, Boulder Station alleged Mario Cordova "negligently entrusted" his car to Edwin Menjivar, who allegedly crashed the vehicle through the hotel-casino on Nov. 11.

Opening day at Topaz brings schools of anglers: Sandra Chereb; The hardiest of the hardy want to be on the water by 6:16 a.m. - one hour before sun up.

Body with tattoo found in Las Vegas desert: "At this point, we don't know who he is or where he came from," Las Vegas police Lt. Wayne Petersen said Wednesday of the dead man, whose left shoulder bore a tattoo of a fairy on a quarter moon.

Energy nominee criticized for support of nuke industry: Benjamin Grove; WASHINGTON -- President-elect George W. Bush's choice for energy secretary took campaign money from nuclear power utility companies and has consistently backed legislation aimed at establishing the nation's nuclear waste dump in Nevada.

Nevada ruling limits promotional Internet gaming: Cy Ryan and David Strow; Nevada casinos cannot offer free gambling over the Internet if the player receives a prize based on the outcome of a game, even if the player did not wager any money, an Attorney General's opinion says.

GOP conservative has ties to Nevada casinos: Energy Secretary-nominee Spencer Abraham, who could end up deciding whether Yucca Mountain is suitable for a nuclear waste repository, is well-known to Nevada's casino industry.

Oneida could lose gaming compact: Jenny Price; The money was due Dec. 30, and Lightbourn said that if the state does not receive a payment from the tribe by 5 p.m. Friday, the governor will issue a notice that the compact won't be renewed when it expires in May 2003.

Caesars fined $85,000 for letting minors gamble, drink: John Curran; On four occasions during a two-month period in 1999, people under 21 were caught playing slot machines in the casino by state police and the state Division of Gaming Enforcement officials.

Preliminary analysis inconclusive in nine childhood leukemia cases: Brendan Riley; State Health Officer Dr. Mary Guinan said Wednesday that a preliminary analysis of the cases linked to the town of Fallon, was based on extensive, 32-page questionnaires completed by the victims' families.

Noodling around for Vietnamese soup dish: Max Jacobson; The dish consists of long, chewy rice noodles and various cuts of beef, all immersed in a savory broth. Pho can be found in most local Vietnamese restaurants, and a few of them even specialize in it. Amazingly, you rarely pay more than $6 for a huge bowlful.

Driver charged with DUI after Las Vegas officer hurt: Officer Armando Leija was writing a summons for a driver in a black pickup truck when a white Ford Thunderbird plowed into him about 9:30 a.m. on Interstate 215 in the southeast part of the valley, Sgt. Curt Albert said.

Luxury RV resort under way in Henderson: The $33.9 million Paradise Coach Resort is being built by a group led by longtime Las Vegas businessman Frank Ellis Jr.