Elko Daily Free Press from Elko, Nevada • 1

tnio Inc, Bar CA Sun nv apt? Vol. 109 No. 10 Established Jan. 5, ELKO, ELKO COUNTY, NKVADA 35 CENTS MONDAY, JANUARY 13. 1992 12 Pages 2625 top -ran era Supreme Court allows use of illegal evidence 7- 1 -L (million dollars) 1 6 HI 1990 $25.2 million 1 1 1991 million 4 I i 2 i I nnn r-n 'h I I i I rlr-i A.

A il it McKown's stepson, died at the family's home in Independence, on May 9, 19fi9. The boy had suffered from diabetes, and became seriously ill two or three days before he died. The McKowns treated his illness with Christian Science spiritual healing methods. Refused to revive a computer software company's dispute with the federal government, and the $7.8 million judgment the company won and then lost. The justices, without comment, let stand a decision that said a govern ment, through fraud, had violated bankruptcy law.

The Washington based INSLAW a computer firm owned by William and Nancy Hamilton, accuses the government of stealing software used to track court cases and criminals. Left intact a ruling that lets state-chartered banks sell insurance if state law permits it. The justices, without comment, rejected an appeal by insurance industry groups who said the Federal Reserve Board should be empowered to bar bank holding company subsidiaries from underwriting and selling insurance. Let stand the California murder conviction and death sentence of a Santa Barbara man who confessed to killing his girlfriend. The justices, without comment, refused to hear arguments aimed at winning George Wharton a new trial.

Wharton was convicted of fatally beating Linda Smith at the apartment they shared. Her body was found by police Feb. 27, 1986. Authorities said she had been killed about two weeks earlier. The appeal argued, among other things, that Wharton's privacy rights were violated because his psychotherapist testified at his trial about incriminating statements he had made.

Refused to kill a Santa Cruz, Calif, movie theater's federal antitrust lawsuit against two local competitors and a group of film distributors. The justices, without comment Monday, let stand a ruling that said the lawsuit should go to trial. The Movie, a two-screen theater owned by Harold Snyder and his two sons, David and Larry Snyder, opened for business in 1984. It sued United Artists Communications which operates five theaters in Santa Cruz, and the Nickelodeon, a four-screen theater that shows art films. The Movie's suit contends that United Artists and the Nickelodeon conspired to monopolize the showing of first run movies in Santa Cruz.

The sail also allogcs that various film disti ibutors joined in the conspiracy. WASHINGTON (AP) The U.S. Supreme Court today left intact nil ings that evidence illegally seized by police may be used to increase a convicted criminal's prison sentence. The justices, without comment, rejected arguments that such evidence already excluded when determining guilt or innocence should be barred from sentencing proceedings as well. Two federal appeals courts, acting in cases from Tampa, and the District of Columbia, ruled that the so-called exclusionary rule does not apply to sentencing proceedings.

The rule, first fashioned by the Supreme Court 77 years ago, generally bars illegally seized evidence from criminal trials. It is aimed at deterring violations of the Fourth Amendment's protections against unreasonable police conduct. In other action, the court: Refused to allow the criminal prosecution of a Minnesota couple whose boy died after they prayed for his healing rather than seek medical help. The justices, without comment, let stand rulings that shielded William and Kathleen McKown, both Christian Scientists, from facing manslaughter charges for the death of 11-year-old Ian Lundman. The boy, Mrs.

McKown's son and Valuation of 1991 Elko County building permits outside incorporated cities declined from the 1990 total. In 1991, the valuation reached $17.5 million, compared to $25.2 million the year before. Only $384,045.62 in valuation was recorded in December, the lowest of the year. County building down $7.7 million in 1991 Nevada neivs summary: Sparks teacher to run for Vucanovich's seat Building permit valuations in Elko County outside incorporated cities during 1991 declined $7.7 million from a year earlier to a total of $17.5 million, according to figures from the county department of engineering. Also, December's figure, even though higher than in the previous vear, was the lowest of any month "uuring the year.

The total for 1991 was bolstered substantially by a single project, the $5.4 million addition to the Silver Smith Casino in West Wendover. The permit was issued in April. The total for 1990 was $25.2 million. County Engineer Mike Murphy said the numbers show housing developments in the county have leveled out compared to previous years. He predicted growth will not be as strong in the next few years since commercial building will be the bulk of construction.

There are more restrictions for commercial developers building in the county than in the city, such as adding fire protection and sewer services that are already in place in the city. The county's building permit valuation total also declined by an esti r. I fr. 1 I ft ,1 $25,026, respectively. House permits went to Bawcom Construction for a house in Spring Creek, Dean Sherwood Construction, Spring Creek, and Beck Construction, Spring Creek, $59,539.

Garage permits, all for Spring Creek area residences, went to Mike Ulrich, William Loots, Douglas Shippy, and John Mentaberry, $5,460. Ulrich also took out a plumbing and electrical permit for $4,340. Permanent foundation permits went to Diana Stager, Spring Creek, and Sundance Homes, Brentwood Estates, $20,502. Mobile home electrical permits went to Jerome Mobile Homes, Spring Creek; two for Jerry Whitehead, Lamoille; Randy Munger, Spring Creek; Lee Reierson, Western Hills; Todd Esplin, Spring Creek; six for KL Partnership, all in Meadow Valley Ranchos; and Charles Comer, Humboldt River Ranchos. A mechanicalelectrial permit went to Colorscapes, Pleasant Valley, while a mechanical permit and an electrical permit went to Interior Wood Products, Hi-Rita subdivision.

will comply with all safety issues. The program is currently a proof of concept undertaking, he said. Lenard was asked what role the Nevada Test Site might play. He said that two test sites have been evau-lated, but declined to elaborate. "I'd rather not go into that," he said.

Russian scientists, who are among the world's leading experts in the use of nuclear power who are attending the conference, have already given their U.S. counterparts previews of their nuclear propulsion system. They seek a joint venture with the United States to produce a nuclear engine that could support manned flight to Mars. Nikolai Ponomarev-Stepnoi, deputy director of the I.V. Kurchatov Institute of Atomic Energy in Moscow, described ground test-firings of the Russian rocket during a visit to Dayton, Ohio, last week.

He told reporters the rocket was faster than models under development in the United States. A mock-up of the rocket engine is to be on display at the Albuquerque conference, Ponomarev-Stepnoi said. Ponomarev-Stepnoi said Russian scientists have determined the parameters of nuclear-propulsion engines necessary to power a manned rocket to Mars. He said that information could be the foundation for a propulsion system's design. "Having these positive results, I say that let's work together or a common target," he said.

He also said tests by the institute show that a manned trip to Mars and back could be made in a year. Ponomarev-Stepnoi made his remarks through an interpreter after conducting a seminar at Wright State University. He was en route to the Albuquerque symposium. ltd vi rt CARSON CITY (AP) Political newcomer Jerry Maldonado filed tonday as a Democratic candidate for Nevada's 2nd Congressional District held by Republican Barbara Vucanovich. "The working Nevadan needs someone in Washington, D.C.

who is willing to think for themselves," Maldonado said in a written statement. "We've got big, complex problems that need quick attention. Health care costs are out of control and the federal deficit is mind boggling to all of us." Maldonado, 44, a special education teacher with the Washoe County School District, is a lifelong resident of Sparks. Vucanovich has said she will seek a sixth term to the seat, which encompasses a portion of Clark County and the rest of the state. Maldonado graduated from Sparks High School and the University of Nevada Reno.

A retired U.S. Army major, Maldonado is a disabled veteran who served as with the anti-terrorism units "Delta Force" and "Blue Light" in Vietnam. He received the Bronze Star, Meritorious Service Medal, Joint Service Commendation Medal and Vietnamese Cross of Gallantry. Tourist shot LAS VEGAS (AP) An apparent random shooting on the Las Vegas Strip may have cost a Canadian tourist an eye, authorities said. Police said the 26-year-old man was waiting to cross the Strip near Bally's hotel-casino Friday night when two men drove by in a car and one of them shot him.

The victim, whose name was not NASA unveils program for nuclear propulsion mated $2 million for the year because West Wendover became an incorporated city at mid-year, July 1, so permits issued there after that date no longer are included in the county statistics, Murphy noted. Elko, Carlin and Wells also are excluded from the figures for rural sections of the county. There were 427 permits issued last year compared to 544 in 1990. Also, 136 certificates of occupancy were given in 1991, down 47 from the year before. In 1991, permits were issued for 99 houses, 74 mobile home electrical connections, 70 garages, 36 electrical permits, 28 permanent foundations, 19 additions and 17 recreational vehicle electrical permits.

The December 1991 total of $384,045.62 was higher than December 1990's $182,650.50, but still the lowest amount for. last year. Fourteen certificates of occupancy were issued, compared to nine the previous December. Elko County officials took out permits for an airport building and golf cart storage building, both in Jackpot. The totals were $67,900 and eight years for the Air Force to complete construction and ground testing of a nuclear thermal propulsion engine before it could actually be used.

Bennett said such a propulsion unit would not be used to launch a payload into low earth orbit, but could be used to push the payload from low earth orbit into space. Domenici said the nuclear thermal propulsion engine would be about the same size as a conventional upper stage rocket engine, but would have twice the performance levels of a conventional engine. Scientists believe payloads could be increased as much as tenfold, compared with conventional engines, the senator said. The engine also has potential military applications, but these were not discussed. The space nuclear thermal propulsion program will cost $800 million through ground tests if development efforts meet all technical and safety requirements, Domenici said.

Annual funding is projected to be about $40 million per year through 1997, followed by up to $80 million a year into the next century, Domenici said. About $130 million has been spent in previous years on the technology in other programs, he said. Funding had been included in the Strategic Defense Initiative program but it has been pulled out of that program since declassification, which was announced today, Domenici said. Lt Col. Roger Lenard, program manager of Phillips Laboratories' space nuclear thermal propulsion program, said the program's' goal is to make something very reliable that released, was listed in stable condition at University Medical Center.

"The man was just standing there waiting to cross on the red light," said Lt. Ron Fisher. "As far as I can remember we have not had any random shootings down here on the Strip in many, many years." Fisher said he was uncertain what type of gun was used in the shooting, but it could have been a pellet gun or rifle. The suspects fled east in a brown 1985 Toyota Celica with tinted windows and Nevada license plates. Witnesses could offer no description of the men.

Vegas bank robberies LAS VEGAS (AP) Bank robberies increased dramatically in southern Nevada in 1991, but 70 percent of the cases have been solved, authorities report. FBI spokesman Burk Smith says 101 robberies were committed during 1991 in the Las Vegas metropolitan area, up from 56 in 1990. He said the average robber gets away with several hundred dollars. Smith says the growth in the Las Vegas area is a major factor in the increased number of robberies. The number of bank robberies the past year is about normal compared with the rates for similar-sized areas in the southwest, Smith said.

eHe said 72 percent of last year's bank robberies have been cleared up. Fluoride vote RENO (AP) A group of Washoe County residents plan to ask county commissioners to sanction a vote in November allowing water companies to add fluoride to drinking water tering project could dry up small aquifers in their county. Lander plans to file a protest to Newmont's dewatering plan by next month and Elko's application soon afterward, Miles said. Chilton Engineering and Surveying's Bill Nisbet, who filed the application for the county, said today the county would only use as much water as it takes to fill the reservoir and keep it full. He added it could take two or three years to fill South Fork.

Elko County Manager George Boucher said the 73,000 acre feet of water listed on the application is only a maximum figure for Newmont to pump. He said that if the county did not need all of the water to fill the reservoir, the rest would be allowed to flow downstream. The state should make a decision on Newmont's and Elko County's applications by June, Newmont officials have stated. The project could start by late 1993. During the initial phase of the de-watering project, Newmont would pump about 32,250 acre feet of water annually, and that figure would increase to about 72,550 acre feet a year by 2001, Nisbet said.

supplies. Beverly Dyas, chairman of Neva-dans for Better Health, said Nevada and Hawaii are the only states that don't allow companies to add the chemical without a vote of the people. She said adding fluoride to drinking water could reduce cavities by 65 percent and would help low-income families who can't afford regular dental care. "If you don't have the money, you don't get the help you need," said Dyas, former school district health services director. Northern Nevada voters rejected a similar proposal in 1968.

Commissioners are scheduled to consider putting the matter on the Nov. 3 general election ballot when they meet Tuesday. Helms finances SPARKS (AP) The Robert L. Helms Construction and Development Co. is going abroad in search of financing to overcome its heavy debt, company officials said.

President Paul Helms acknowledged the Sparks-based company is having financial problems and he plans to go to Luxembourg around Jan. 20 to arrange the financing. He said no conventional financing is currently available in the U.S. and he hopes to have money from the Luxembourg deal by early February. But Helms declined to discuss specifics of the company's debt or how it plans to turn around its finances.

"The people that need to know about our financial condition know about our financial condition and those who don't need to know about it don't," he said. The family-owned company is the state's largest road builder and now is working on four road projects across Nevada. But the company has been stung by a variety of lawsuits from contrac tors and suppliers contending Helms hasn't paid them. In addition, the company last year settled a multi-million-dollar lawsuit stemming from its development role in northwest Reno. EGH board meeting Wednesday Members of the Elko General Hospital board are slated to meet Wednesday to elect officers and conduct other hospital business.

The meeting will begin at 4:30 p.m. in the hospital's board room. Current officers are Mike Fran-zoia, chairman; Katie Knudsen, vice chairman; and Lois Gustin, secretary. Board members are scheduled to discuss changes to the overtime pay policy and consider an expansion in privileges for Donald Black, an emergency room doctor. The board also will hear reports on finances, a planning meeting with physicians and a scheduled open house in the diagnostic imaging department Lander County plans water-rights protest ALBUQUERQUE (AP) A declassified nuclear space propulsion system could be used to help propel space ships after launch from earth to Mars, space experts said today.

"Using a nuclear rocket to go to Mars has an awful lot of advantages," said Gary Bennett, deputy director of the Transportation and Platforms Division at the National Aeronautics and Space Administration headquarters in Washington, D.C. The space nuclear thermal propulsion technology program, announced at the 9th Symposium on Space Nuclear Power Systems that began here today, will be managed by the U.S. Air Force's Phillips Laboratory at Albuquerque. The laboratory will work with the U.S. Department of Energy and NASA on the project.

"This giant leap in technology can be equated to the progress made when man went from riding horses to driving automobiles," said Sen. Pete Domenici, Bennett, appearing with Domenici at a news conference, said current propulsion units use a fuel like liquid hydrogen and an oxidizer which are burned, providing thrust. "You are limited by what nature gives you," he said. But a nuclear thermal propulsion unit has hydrogen injected into a nuclear reactor that heats the hydrogen, which is expelled out a nozzle. "The hotter you make it (the hydrogen), the faster you go," Bennett said.

The hydrogen exhaust has much lower weight than the exhaust in a chemical engine, also adding to the thrust advantages of a nuclear thermal propulsion system, Bennett said. Laboratory work has already been conducted on such a system, but Bennett declined to elaborate. Domenici said it would take about Lander County Commissioners voted Friday to begin work on a protest to Elko County's plan to exchange water rights from Newmont Gold dewatering wells for upstream water to help fill South Fork Reservoir, said Zane Miles, Lander district attorney. However, Miles said, Lander officials would drop their protest if Elko County agreed to use the water only to fill South Fork. Last month, Elko County filed on water from a proposed dewatering project at Newmont's Gold Quarry mine and announced it planned to exchange those rights for South Fork water that could be used to fill the reservoir.

Miles said Lander officials are concerned about the amount of water listed on the applications filed with the Nevada Division of Water Resources. He said the county and Newmont have applied for use of 73,000 acre feet of water a year, and he did not understand why the county needed that much at South Fork. South Fork can only hold about 40,000 acre feet of water. Also, Miles added, Lander officials are concerned that Newmont's dewa ORIGINAL DEFECTIVE.