Elko Daily Free Press from Elko, Nevada • 12

A12 ELKO DAILY FREE PRESS, Elko, Nevada Friday, May 21, 1999 AO MX 'S: IJ; Mine riders included in spending bill WASHINGTON (AP) President Clinton today signed a bill providing $15 billion for the air assault on Yugoslavia, aid for disaster victims, farm aid and other programs. But he cautioned Congress that veto battles over budget bills may lie ahead. The bill includes a provision delaying U.S. Department of Interior action on revised 3809 regulations. Sen.

ilarry Reid, introduced the rider that states the Interior Department can't act on the new regulations until 120 days after a National Academy of Sciences report is published July 31. Reid spokesman David Cherry also said the bill signed today includes a provision prohibiting Interior and the U.S. Department of Agriculture from blocking the proposed Crown Jewel open pit gold mine in Washington by using a new interpretation regarding mill site claims. Capping three months of wrangling, lawmakers sent Clinton the Kosovo legislation on a 64-36 Senate vote. The House approved the measure on Tuesday.

Clinton signed it despite reservations about extraneous items added by lawmakers, citing its funds for the U.S. military, farmers and residents of Central American nations still struggling to recover from last autumn's devastating Hurricane Mitch. "We have a real emergency here," White House press secretary Joe Lockhart said today. "The president believes it's unfortunate that Congress has sent down legislation that isn't clean." In a written statement after the -vote. Clitttorsaid Thursday that he opposed congressional provisions "that reward special interests, weaken environmental protection and undermine our campaign to stop teen smoking." He added, "I call on Congress to end these stealth attempts to weaken environmental and public health protections.

I have vetoed bills in the past because they contained anti-environmental riders and, if necessary, am fully prepared to do so again." Clinton also criticized a provision forbidding the federal government from claiming any of the $246 billion the states have won from tobacco companies in a legal settlement. Clinton wanted to use some of that money for health care and anti-smoking initiatives. Manpower Training Cooperative graduates had a chance to meet area employers to discuss job prospects and hand over resumes yesterday at GBC's Cafe X. GBC treated the employers and graduates to a barbecue tutichTlSierraTaciJic Power Co. Operations Manager Dennis Gotcher (left) chatted with John Lynch, a law enforcement officer who is considering a career change and has been studying electrical technology at the college.

School district budgets $3 million bus terminal Wire neivs summary: NATO bombs hit Kosovo jail today BELGRADE, Yugoslavia (AP) NATO bombed a Kosovo jail today, killing at least 19 people and injuring scores of others, state media reported. A new tide of Kosovo refugees riding tractors poured across Yugoslavia's southern borders into Albania breaking a weeklong lull. Many in the wave of 2,500 spoke of Serb security forces banging on their doors and ordering them to immediately leave their homeland. President Slobodan Milosevic blamed the "NATO aggressor" for the mass exodus of hundreds of thousands of ethnic Albanians. After days of reports of mass desertions by Yugoslav army reservists, a Foreign Ministry spokesman said troops who showed up in two central Serbian towns this week were just "regular soldiers returning home" as part of a reduction of Serb forces in Kosovo.

"There are no desertions," Nebojsa Vujovic said. Some 400 army reservists returned this week to Aleksandrovac and Krusevac, saying they would not go back to the front-line, said news reports in Montenegro, the small republic that along with Serbia forms Yugoslavia. Fugitive suspects RAWLINS, Wyo. (AP) Two men were detained in western Kansas today in connection with a Wyoming robbery that author-ities say may have been linked to the slaying of a Colorado police officer in the Four Corners region nearly a year ago. Authorities in Wyoming, Kansas and Colorado said they did not know if the two men were survivalists Alan "Monte" Pilon and Jason McVean, but Fremont County Sheriff Dave King said the men were at least suspects in a robbery this week in South Pass City, Wyo.

"It looks like a good possibility," King said. "They are apparently not cooperating, they are giving no information and have no identification and are not assisting in that effort," King said. The two men carrying a sawed-off shotgun and other survival equipment when they were arrested walking through Colby, Kan. Other weapons were found in their backpacks. For the better part of a year, authorities have searched for Pilon and McVean, who vanished after a police officer was killed in the western Colorado town of Cortez, setting off a massive manhunt.

Authorities picked up the trail earlier this week, suspecting the two men robbed a restaurant bar Wednesday four miles east of South Pass City, a ghost town that has been restored as a tourist attraction in the mountains about 80 miles from Rawlins. Missile defense WASHINGTON (AP) House proponents of a national missile defense system say they will make sure that President Clinton lives up to legislation commuting him to build a system capable of stopping attacks from rogue and terrorist states. The House approved and sent to the president Thursday a Senate-modified bill that would commit the United States to a limited anti-ballistic missile defense system. Clinton is expected to sign it. The vote was 345-71, but many of the chief sponsors said they were dissatisfied with the final compromise worked out by the Senate to meet administration objections.

Their concern was that it was not strong enough to force the administration, long lukewarm about missile defense, to move ahead with deployment. Trie pleads guilty LITTLE ROCK, Ark. (AP) Presidential friend and fund-raiser Yah Lin "Charlie" Trie pleaded guilty to campaign finance violations today and agreed to cooperate in an investigation of illegal Asian donations to the Democrats. Justice Department prosecutors offered immunity and a recommendation for probation in exchange for Trie's help in tracing the source of Asian contributions funneled through him to the Democratic National Committee and to Clinton's legal defense fund. Trie, 49, became friends with Clinton when he was governor and frequented a Chinese restaurant Trie owned near the Arkansas Capitol.

Trie struck the plea bargain in the middle of his trial in Arkansas on charges of obstruction of justice for allegedly hiding documents from a Senate campaign finance investigation. Trie was also charged in Washington with making illegal contributions to buy access to Clinton for himself and Asian businessmen. By Dan Bell On Wednesday, Elko County School District trustees unanimously approved a budget of $84 million for fiscal year 1999-2000" with $10.8 million set aside for capital projects including a $3 million Kittridge Canyon school bus terminal. The 12.000-square-foot Kittridge Canyon transportation facility will house a conference room, multiple bays to repair buses, shower facilities and a large parking area for buses. The current transportation facility is next to district administration offices on Burns Road.

"What it all boils down to is the need for a transportation facility." board member Larry Otheim said. "Three million dollars may seem like a lot of money, but nothing is cheap mm (Ria DonovanFree Praia) state inrrlistritmtivechool -revenue-with $4,992,565 for special education and class size reduction and $180,307 earmarked for the adult high school diploma program. Locally generated revenue of $23,030,847 will come from sources such as gasoline taxes, school support taxes, tuition and franchise taxes. A total of $25,351,403 from the $55,062,214 1999-2000 general fund will be spent on teachers' salaries and benefits. The Building Sites Fund, funded by earnings received on county investments and building rentals, is $280,000.

The board targeted March 2000 as a final payment date on a loan for the Spring Creek Middle School, built in 1997. that allowing Ricks to continue his business in a residential area was a mistake. "You're creating a problem from an enforcement standpoint." he said. But Roberts made a motion to grant a "non-conformance compliance agreement" that allows Ricks to continue operating his business for one year. Commissioner Roberta Skelton seconded the motion, which passed 4 0.

Commissioner Mike Nannini. who spoke in favor of Ricks when the issue first came before the board two weeks ago, was not present for the vote. "We haven't seen how this is going to operate." Wynes said yesterday. "My question to the district attorney is. How long does he I Ricks have to sign this contract and what happens if he doesn't1'" Though the board treated the home septic business as an isolated incident.

Wynes said. "It is going to open up the possibility of other, people with the same zoning asking for the same kind of activities not covered in the zoning district. They've undermined the intent of the zoning ordinance." Ricks said today. "I'm just happy I'm not getting run out of here. I don't understand what the big fight was about anyway.

I'm not hurting anyone. All the neighbors around here are in full support of me." In other action Wednesday, the commissioners: Approved by a 4-0 vote the appointment of Kathy Algerio to fill a vacancy on the Elko County Planning Commission. The term will expire Dec. 31. Authorized Commission Chairman Tony Lesperance to write a letter to U.S.

Sen. Harry Reid pointing out discrepancies in a letter written by U.S. Forest Service Supervisor Gloria Flora about an April 19 closed-door meeting in Reno regarding the South Canyon Road controversy. "I take exception with a couple of Septic tank entrepreneur permitted By Chris Folheringham Elko County Commissioners overturned their planning commission Wednesday and approved a one-year agreement that allows a Spring Creek man to continue building septic tanks on his residential property. "We've got a precedent that's going to be set here today." warned Milt a member of the planning commission that denied a conditional use permit for Desert Oold Precast, a septic tank business Hon Ricks operates on his nronertv 'If we allow this thing to go on a non-conforming use." Grishani said, "it will be setting a precedent that as a planning commission is hard to live with." But Ricks, who found himself caught in the county bureaucracy, made his case to the board: "I'm having a real tough time understanding hy this is not a home operation I don't feel I'm getting a fair shake." Ricks builds septic tanks at his home in the 100 block of Lawndale Driv in Spring Creek.

Several times a week, a truck delivers concrete to his home, which he pours into moldings Ricks appealed a March 18 decision by the planning commission denying him a conditional use permit for what he believes qualifies as a National weather The AccuWeather forecast for noon, Saturday, May 22. 0 10e 20e )Oa 40e 50e 0e 70e Oe ese days aricTwe fleed-taadcl ess the priorities and this transportation facility is a needed item." "This type of project is needed," agreed board member Antonio Heredia. "It has to be done, it needs to be done. We cannot think about the future if we don't act in pie present." Other projects include spending $500,000 to acquire the Keller School property, for the Elko Junior High School boiler building and $275,000 for the Wells High School library addition. The board estimated school enrollment figures for the next fiscal year to be 9.988 and that basic state support per pupil will be $4,512.

Elko County is scheduled to receive almost $36 million from the home business. Not only have Ricks' neighbors not complained, they have come forward, unsolicited, in his defense. "I have no problem with this." said Sandee Wyland, who was attending the county commission meeting on another matter, but entered into the discussion when she realized the dispute involved her neighbor. "I live one door over from him." she said. "I don't understand the concern." Commissioner Nolan Lloyd, who has visited Ricks' residence to see what the controversy is all about, told the board.

"The thing that irritates me is I've heard things about the op-, eration that aren't true." The planning commission believes Ricks' operation fits the definition of light industrial activity and if it is allowed to continue, the precedent will lead to other unauthorized activities on properties currently zoned as open space. Commissioner Brad Roberts, reading from the zoning ordinance pertaining to allowed activities on lots zoned for open space, said. "Animal breeding is permitted. He can open a pig farm out there and 1 guarantee you every body within three miles ill be complaining." Elko County Senior Planner Ed Wynes tried to convince the board Drive were without power between 1 1:20 a.m. and 140 p.m.

yesterday. "We had a bad underground cable." Gotcher said. "We don't know hat happened. We're digging it out today. We probably blew a hole in the side of it." Gotcher said transmission was temporarily rerouted in order to restore power.

The second outage occurred early today, leaving about 60 Sierra Pacific customers without power between approximately 12.30 a m. and 3 a m. in the western portion of Spring CreeL "We had an underground elbow that connects to an underground transformer that failed." Gotcher said. "It took us a while to find the elbow, but we found it. replaced it and had everybody back in by.

about 3 a.m." Gotcher said, "Most of the people I talked to were understanding and happy we got it back on in a short time We apologize for any inconvenience we caused." PANCAKE PASTRY BREAKFAST KAY 22NO SPONSORED BY YOUNG LFE AT BAPTIST CHURCH 7JO-1O 30 AJai S2CyPERSC4 OR 1 TOSttOO TO AVAILABLE AT THE DOOR Bands separate high temperature zones lor the day. things," said Lloyd, in reference to Flora's letter. Lloyd attended the secret Reno meeting. Commissioners believe the letter misstates Reid's position on the dispute, in terms of statements he has made previously to members of the Elko board. Rejected a request from Wildhorse Resort owner Dennis Dann to lower the speed limit to 55 mph on Mountain City Highway from one mile south of the Wildhorse Resort northward to the 45 mph speed zone near the Wildhorse Dam.

Approved writing a letter to Elko County's legislative delegation in support of widening Lamoille Highway to four lanes from Spring Creek Parkway to the Spring Creek Horse Palace turnoff. Deferred consideration of the Oasis Area Master Plan to the Elko County Water Commission to review its conformance with the county's ater plan. As proposed, the development, located on both sides of Interstate 80 and dissected by Montello Highway, would encompass a golf course, a hotel-casino, resort hotel, commercial properties and both multi- and single-family housing. While the board generally looked favorably on the project, already approved by the planning commission, Lesperance wanted the ater board's approval before the commission gives the master plan final consideration. Appointed Lesperance and Roberts to a four-person committee to preside over an evidentiary hearing to gather information on elk populations in the East Humboldt Range and the Ruby Mountains.

Two representatives from the Public Land Use Advisory Commission will complete the panel. Authorized Elko County Sheriff Neil Harris to begin the search for a new mental health service provider at Elko County Jail. Ronald of Bellingham, Wash and Leonard of San Diego. Calif; daughters, Gaile Bingham of Hooper, Utah, Carrie Mauldin and Dorothy Miller both of Reno; brothers, Richard Yepez of Jacksonville, Fla, and Porky Neputi of Oakland; sisters, Virginia Aranda and Ann Gallegos both of Escalon, Calif, Raquel Fausto of Hayward. Calif, and Gloria Neputi of Denver, and 14 grandchildren.

A memorial service is scheduled for 2 pm tomorrow at SI John Boeco Catholic Church in Battle Mountain. Tbe Rev. John Keefe will officiate. Burns Funeral Home is handling arrangements. Two power outages affect Spring Creek 1M AccuWeeahsr.

Inc. Ram TDona Flunia NATIONAL SUMMARY: Another warm day expected along the East Coast tomorrow but snoweoj and thunderstorms ww occur from western New York to Alabama Cooler push ro te Rockies and along the learjng edge of the cooang trajreWrstorms from the northern Plains to north Teus The Pacific Northwest wH araoy sonny pleasant earner MX 100 110 FRONTS: tWW STATIONARY Snow tunny Pt Cloudy Cloudy Local summary An upper-level disturbance will drift stowty into southern Nevada by Sunday morning. As a result, afternoon and evening showers and thunderstorms are bkely through Saturday. By early next week this disturbance wifl drift east of the region as high pressure begins to the north of the Great Basin, bringing dner, warmer air by Monday. Elko Statistic.

AKardNgti- 831979 RKordkw- 21.145 lrprdpatio-- 7 WMryeavptdp 72V I- 520 I- ftOO ItDOT road condJbona 73S-SSS8 Lr Larry R. Yepez dies in Battle Mountain Some Spring Creek residents were left without power yesterday and today, after two unrelated system failures According to Dennis ktcher. Sierra Pacific Power Elko operations manager, about 40 customers in the vicinity of Country Club Circle. Country Club Place and Parkchester (AP' Closing DowJones stock averages for Friday. May 21.

Ofn Hick Lr CVk Chg 31 is i S3 Si Indus Tran Utils 65Sti iwru lrai iksi t.m XT, A SMC 4 3S1U SSU ST.2S 4t vr.i rsi 230M BJU C3.t tu rsu nil 79.811500 11511300 8.KS.O0O 100.611300 4 p.m. EST Big Board vol urn at totaled 685 49 million shares, against 744 million last session. The SIP 500 fell to L33029. the Nasdaq composite fell 21-59 to 2-520 61 the NYSE composite index fell 2,55 to 63687 and the American Sock Exchange composite index rose 134to795J7. Elko FORECAST Low 38 High Sunny VMwVTasyi hljJv todaryi lw and Cepenofl luf aw ie nour ponoa ano Ing at (rteWft FJhO- 737 7S41 By- 7S34 Las Vega- g24 Reno- 76'48 "forepart- 7743 Wiixrwj- 66V31 WrTwmurxa- 8045 SalLC- 7S32 SanFrancaco- 606 Bow- Larry Yepez, longtime resident of Battle Mountain, died Wednesday at his home there following a long illness.

He was 59 years old. He was born Nor. 3, 1933, in Oakland. Calif, to Samuel and librada Yepez and was reared and schooled there. He moved to Battle Mountain in 1971 and worked as a diesel mechanic for Battle Mountain Gold for 24 years.

He enjoyed hunting, fishing and bike riding. He married Mary Hall on April 26, 1996, in Reno. Survivors include his wife, Mary of Battle Mountain; sons, Lawrence of Lynden, Michael of Reno, i.