Argus-Leader from Sioux Falls, South Dakota • Page 1

Local offerings almost covered Franklin Graham Festival costs Life 1 Chinese food with American twist Sioux Falls Christian ready for State 'B' tourney Today Cloudy High 21 Low 12 Full report, 2A. Recipes, story Sports 1C WEDNESDAY, MARCH 4, 1998 SIOUX FALLS, SOUTH DAKOTA 50 CENTS 18 ILgQdl(sir Gates, rivals spar before Senate panel Microsoft owner refuses to concede company holds monopoly Although that case is under appeal, the Justice Department is mulling a broader antitrust case against Microsoft, an agency source said. At the same time, Microsoft is racing to bring out Windows 98, a major upgrade to its cash cow Windows operating system that will even more tightly integrate its Web browser into its other software than in the past. Under questioning, Gates refused Tuesday to concede that Microsoft holds a ByJUBE SHIVER JR. Los Angeles Times WASHINGTON After years of shunning Washington even as his company came under increasing federal scrutiny, Microsoft Chairman Bill Gates appeared before a Senate panel Tuesday and refuted criticism that Microsoft is a dangerous monopoly.

In his first appearance before Congress, the richest man in America brushed aside attacks by rivals and some lawmakers about Mi- legislation. But it may well galvanize the Justice Department, whose antitrust division in December urged a federal court to fine the software giant $1 million a day for allegedly violating a 1995 consent decree by forcing personal computer makers to install Microsoft's Web browser on their computers as a condition to offering Windows 95. crosoft's business practices, saying his company is not using its dominance of computer operating software to try to turn the booming Internet into a private toll road. "In the end, the software industry, which contributed over $100 billion to the national economy last year, is an open economic opportunity for any entrepreneur in America," Gates, who is worth $46.7 billion, told the Senate Judiciary Committee during a -hour-long hearing. The Washington appearance by Gates and executives from archrivals, Netscape Communications Inc.

and Sun Microsystems drew massive interest. Termed a "fact-finding" proceeding by Judiciary Committee Chairman Sen. Orrin Hatch, R-Utah, the hearing is unlikely to lead to The software industry "is an open economic opportunity for any entrepreneur in America," said Bill Gates Tuesday. "Gentlemen, that's a monopoly," said Netscape Communications Corp. president Jim Barksdale Tuesday about Microsoft.

Today's focus: Regional recreation opportunities BsgGump flip OwEft i mm nil I Area -ryjLshowrJ Joe Foss i Russell St. -feTy I -g JtV-H- Lyon I I I 'a ''fairgrounds qJ 1 a Js9 5 2 12th St.l 1 i 5 jr Expo Building Improvements would be needed at the fairgrounds' ice arena before the semipro team Frank Robertson Argus Leader would start up here. prospects of Sioux Falls," he said. "We think it's one of the most viable areas in connection and conjunction with the USHL, as far as expansion or relocation of an established team. Hockey team See 3A "Certain information requirements of the application were not included, namely the facility, the facility lease, and that's the most important component of any proposal.

"That's the single most important thing as it relates to Sioux Falls." Linda SmithArgus Leader of is said Teal, who would not say how much his group is willing to commit to the project. "I think that's what it will take to bring the USHL to Sioux Falls." Mayor Gary Hanson and Minnehaha County administrative assistant Ken McFarland both said Tuesday they have not talked to anyone from CVI. But officials at the Sioux Falls Arena and the W.H. Lyon Fairgrounds the two most frequently mentioned sites have confirmed talking to representatives of the firm. The USHL is a junior 'A' league made up of unpaid players ages 17 to 21.

Its goal is to help players, coaches and officials ad- mm Mm, I I Snowfall gives boost to state's wheat crop By KEVIN WOSTER Argus Leader Staff The snow that blew across South Dakota last weekend was a minor inconvenience to most farmers and ranchers and a blessing to others. The only real misery was in the Black Hills region, where several feet of snow fell in the high country and on parts of the West River plains. Up to a foot of snow driven by 50 mph winds socked in some of those rural communities for two days. But even out there, the lasting impact of the storm pales in comparison with last year's punishing winter. "Overall, the weather has been unbelievable," said John Kangas, agricultural extension agent in "The lawns are green, and the winter wheat is green.

Hopefully, we got enough snow and moisture to prevent any damage to the wheat." Winter-wheat fields go dormant during the winter months. But conditions were so warm this year that the wheat woke up in February. That leaves unprotected fields susceptible to damage when the temperatures drop below freezing, as they did in the last week. But the snow insulates and protects the wheat. Kangas hopes that protection will last Snowfall See 3A Associated Press INDEX 36 pages Ann Landers 2B Bridge column 1 PC Business 6D Classified ads Lottery results ID Movies 6A National 4-9A Obituaries 3D Opinions'! OA-11 A Comics 2B Sioux Empire Crossword 8C Sports Jumble 6C Television 3B Life World 12A 1998 Gannett Inc.

40901 "08576 Printed on recycled paper with soybean-based ink. Printed on A For S.D. recycling center nearest you call 1-800-438-3367. Semipro league views Sioux Falls as great location By ADAM THALER Argus Leader Staff A Minnesota investment firm wants to put a semipro hockey franchise in Sioux Falls by the fall of 1999, but it still must find a place for the team to play. The lack of an available arena was one of the reasons why attempts to bring the United States Hockey League here failed in 1995 and 1997.

And it's the biggest hurdle facing the current effort by Central Ventures Inc. of St. Joseph, Minn. "We don't want to get people's hopes up until that issue is resolved," said Shawn Teal, vice president and spokesman for CVI. "Other groups have tried and weren't able to do it.

"We're facing the same challenges everyone else has, but we feel we can resolve it." One of the reasons for Teal's optimism is CVI's willingness to help fund improvements at an existing facility or the construction of another arena. But the city andor Minnehaha County probably would have to help, too. "The word I keep thinking C.J.'s bar tries to meet police rules to stay open By ROB SWENSON Argus Leader Staff Charley Johnston has filed a security plan with Sioux Falls officials that he hopes will keep his controversial bar open. He suspects his troubles with police and other authorities will not end, however. "It'll never be over.

We've been in business 19 years, and we've been fighting for our life for 17 years," Johnston said Tuesday. "The bar that has no problems has no customers," he said. Johnston, 54, owns C.J.'s Stockman's Pub in a leased building at 201 N. Weber Ave. He has owned five bars in Sioux Falls, one after the other, since the late 1970s.

His businesses, some of which featured strippers, have been the occasional focus of disputes with city officials and police because of fights, drugs and other problems with crime. He considered selling C.J.'s after city officials imposed special rules on him last December, but he has Jordan leaves jury proclaiming loyalty to Clinton vance to the collegiate or professional levels. CVI made a presentation to the USHL Board of Governors on Jan. 27 in Lincoln, at the league's annual winter meetings. "At that time, no action was taken," USHL commissioner Gino Gasparini said.

4 1' Charley Johnston Linda High Elk 3- I IVf 1 Washington Post WASHINGTON Vernon Jordan Jr. emerged from a full day of secret testimony before a grand jury investigating the Monica Lewinsky matter Tuesday and gave the signal the White House was anxiously awaiting a staunch reaffirmation of his fidelity to his longtime friend, President Clinton. As he left the federal courthouse following nearly five hours of questions, Jordan stopped on his way down the front steps, scanned the assembled cameras with a purposeful stare and, after a pregnant pause, scorned speculation that he would The 12-team league has franchises in Midwest cities including Sioux City, Iowa; Omaha, Rochester, Minn, and Green Bay, Wis. Gasparini said Sioux Falls would be a good location for a franchise. "We're excited about the turn on the president.

"As to those of you who cast doubt on my friendship with President Clinton, let me reassure you that ours is an enduring friendship, an enduring friendship based on mutual respect, trust and admiration," Jordan said, speaking slowly to emphasize his words as cameras clicked and whirred. "That was true yesterday. That is true today. And it will be true tomorrow." How precisely that translated during five hours of closed-door testimony re-Jordan See 3A period. Under the Senate bill, South Dakota would get nearly $197 million a year for highway projects.

The state has been receiving $120 million a year. U.S. Sen. Tim Johnson, expects Congress to find the funding before the existing spending agreement ends May 1. "Until now, the House has considered highway funding formulas that would be disastrous for South Dakota, but a strong Senate bill puts us in a much stronger position to Lloyd B.

Cunningham Argus Leader "They've been chasing (Charley Johnston) so long, it's just ridiculous," says daughter Deb Johnston. Vernon Jordan, accompanied by attorney William Hundley, meets with reporters after testifying before a grand jury Tuesday in federal court in Washington. Senate devotes more funds to roads decided to stay in business. Running a bar is too much fun to leave, he said. The City Council, with stipulations, renewed Johnston's liquor license Dec.

17. But he was told to come up with a management plan to reduce susnected drus traf ficking among patrons that meets police approval. Johnson hopeful state will snag up to $77 million increase From staff and wire reports WASHINGTON A 17-0 committee vote Tuesday signaled eventual Senate passage of a highway spending bill that was fattened with $26 billion from gas taxes that have been diverted to non-highway uses. With the Senate Environment and Public Works Committee putting in that additional money, a total of $173 billion would be available for highways, bridges and other road infrastructure from 1998 through 2003 a 45 percent increase from the 1992-1997 negotiate a satisfactory compromise with the House," Johnson said. The Senate bill now is within negotiating range of the roughly $181 billion called for by House advocates of a hefty boost in highway spending.

The gas tax money was part of President Clinton's deficit reduction package that set aside 4.3 cents of the 18.3 cents-per-gallon federal gas tax. Under the new plan, the entire gas tax will go to highways. The plan was to be com- pleted by March 1 and im- partment has no reaction plemented by July 1. vet- "We'll have something Johnston's lawyer, Arlie prepared for March 16," Brende, submitted the man- Hoier said, agement plan to city offi- Johnston has improved cials Friday. Members of lighHng jnsjde and the City Council acknowl- bar and made most of edged receiving the plan otner structurai im.

Monday night but deferred provements suggested by further action until March inspectors6 A sus-16- pended ceiling has been re-Police Capt. Bill Hoier moved, for example, and sajd Tuesday that the de- Bar rules See 3A.