Blackjack News Blog @newzblogz.com

The "new AT&T," as the one-time telegraph company is calling itself in ads, is more of a wireless company than ever since it took full ownership of cell phone company Cingular as part of its recent merger with BellSouth.

Cingular CEO Stan Sigman became head of AT&T's wireless division as part of the deal, and he has some grand plans for the future of cell phones. This summer AT&T will launch its joint venture with Apple, the iPhone, which merges iPod, cell phone and Internet browser features into one hand-held device.

In Houston recently for the opening of the company's first AT&T Experience Store, Sigman talked to Chronicle reporter Brad Hem about watching the Cingular name disappear, the future of wireless and working with Apple CEO Steve Jobs.

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Eric Taylor has become untrusting of law enforcement after being pulled over by a man impersonating an officer and robbing him of $2,500 at gunpoint.

Gregory Plater, 30, Shreveport, La., was sentenced to life in prison and a $10,000 fine by a Smith County jury after less than 30 minutes of deliberation in 241st District Judge Jack Skeen Jr.'s court.

After about 30 minutes, the jurors convicted Plater of aggravated robbery.

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ST. LOUIS -- Once upon a time, there was a college basketball powerhouse located within minutes of the Las Vegas strip.Coach Jerry Tarkanian's Runnin' Rebels were as synonymous with Las Vegas as Wayne Newton, blackjack and slots.But after UNLV won the national title in 1990 with future NBA players Larry Johnson, Stacey Augmon and Greg Anthony, and lost to Duke in the Final Four the next year, the program fell on hard times, rocked by NCAA violations.A new era of basketball success has emerged at...

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Gregory Plater testified during his aggravated robbery trial on Wednesday, denying that he robbed a man of $2,500 at gunpoint.

If convicted by the Smith County jury, the 30-year-old Shreveport, La., man faces five years to life in prison for the first-degree felony.

The defendant also denied prior convictions of robbery or burglary in Louisiana.

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HERE'S A WAY for Tim Hardaway to make it right with John Amaechi and the hundreds of thousands of NBA fans he offended with his recent spontaneous spew of homophobia.

Challenge him to a race.

Run backward at the finish and fall.

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CHARLESTON, W.Va. -- With one of West Virginia's four racetrack counties already set to vote June 9 on the question, Gov. Joe Manchin signed long-sought legislation yesterday to allow the tracks to pursue casino table games.

Mr. Manchin approved the bill one day after the Ohio County Commission scheduled the special Saturday election on permitting craps, roulette, blackjack and the like at Wheeling Island Racetrack and Gaming Center.

The Northern Panhandle's other track plans to follow suit. Mountaineer Race Track & Gaming Center will petition the Hancock County Commission at its April 5 meeting for a special election in early June, spokeswoman Tamara Cronin said. Though signed yesterday, the bill becomes effective June 6 or 90 days after its passage.

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WHEELING, W.Va. - Ohio County voters will decide June 9 whether to allow craps, roulette and blackjack tables at Wheeling Island Racetrack and Gaming Center.

County commissioners unanimously approved a petition Tuesday from racetrack President and General Manager Robert Marshall asking the county to hold a special election June 9.

"We are moving forward with our efforts to have table games at Wheeling Island, and the election is the next step for us," Marshall said.

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The Rodeo Heritage Museum in Dublin, Texas, tells the nearly forgotten story of the beginnings of modern rodeo and the cowboys and cowgirls who put on the show. The backstory of the exhibit showcases the company that supplied rodeo stock and performers to some of the world's greatest rodeos for 22 years.

In a community best known for the world's oldest Dr Pepper bottling plant and the last one to use pure cane sugar, the Lightning C Ranch is a faded memory. During the Forties and Fifties, the Texas-based company produced rodeos in New York City's Madison Square Garden, the Boston Gardens, and even the Houston Rodeo. Although rodeos have been around since the 1800s when real cowboys got together to show their skills in besting broncos, bucking bulls, runaway calves, and horse riding, it wasn't u...

Colborn leased 14,000 acres of land that covered the corners of three counties southeast of Dublin. In the pastures of what Colborn called the Lightning C Ranch, the young cowboys honed their skills on the largest ranch in the world dedicated to raising rodeo stock. The ranch even had its own rodeo arena.

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As a former Marine and Vietnam veteran, I was disgusted by the Sunday war protest in Portland. The disrespect shown to not only our flag, but in particular our military service men and women was beyond the pale.

It is obvious that these masked cowards have no regard for those who provide the freedoms they enjoy. Thankfully, there are still true patriots willing to stand up and protect our rights and freedoms in spite of the ungrateful actions of a misguided bunch of losers.

JOE DOYLE Milwaukie

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Also Online

Watch Computer Corner

Tax time is nigh

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If you want to find the best cell phone deal, it's hard to get an unbiased opinion if you go shopping for a plan or a phone. The carriers will try to sell their plans and retailers will sell you on the phones they have.

In today's Money Alert, Local 12's Paula Toti says your best bet may be to go shopping online.

In my case ... having the latest high tech phone isn't important. That's why I've been showing you this one for a couple of years. I care more about lots of long distance minutes. If you care about both ... no problem. This red phone is pretty, but Mickie Crossen likes that the new phone fits her budget.

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FOR MANY TV viewers, March Madness begins tonight, as 11 celebrities - some more celebrated than others - put on their dancing shoes and attempt to waltz, tango, cha-cha and rumba their way into our hearts.

ABC's "Dancing with the Stars" isn't ready to go head-to-head with "American Idol," or maybe even Fox's new game-show hit, "Are You Smarter Than a Fifth-Grader?" - which recently edged "Dancing" out of third place for the season among total viewers.

And it's probably not appointment TV for most of the YouTube generation (or their younger parents), with only a bit more than a third of its viewers falling in the advertiser-prized 18-49 age demographic.

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As roulette wheels spin and blackjack dealers lay out cards, gambling ships operating out of Port Everglades, the Port of Palm Beach and other Florida locations discharge treated sewage into international waters.

The Legislature is considering bills to stop the practice, which supporters say pollutes the ocean and allows oily water and bacteria-rich waste to wash up on beaches. But while water pollution may know no boundaries, Florida law stops three miles off shore, and legislators were groping for ways to use their limited authority to force the vessels to stop the discharges.

The House Environmental Protection Committee on Wednesday unanimously approved a bill that would require the ships to report all discharges at sea. It also would provide incentives for the vessels to dispose of sewage at treatment facilities in port. The bill doesn't make on-shore disposal mandatory, but it attempts to goad the ships into doing so by requiring payment of discharge fees based on each vessel's capacity, whether they discharge in port or not.

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As roulette wheels spin and blackjack dealers lay out cards, gambling ships operating out of Port Everglades, the Port of Palm Beach and other Florida locations discharge treated sewage into international waters.

The Legislature is considering bills to stop the practice, which supporters say pollutes the ocean and allows oily water and bacteria-rich waste to wash up on beaches. But while water pollution may know no boundaries, Florida law stops three miles off shore, and legislators were groping for ways to use their limited authority to force the vessels to stop the discharges.

The House Environmental Protection Committee on Wednesday unanimously approved a bill that would require the ships to report all discharges at sea. It also would provide incentives for the vessels to dispose of sewage at treatment facilities in port. The bill doesn't make on-shore disposal mandatory, but it attempts to goad the ships into doing so by requiring payment of discharge fees based on each vessel's capacity, whether they discharge in port or not.

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As roulette wheels spin and blackjack dealers lay out cards, gambling ships operating out of Port Everglades, the Port of Palm Beach and other Florida locations discharge treated sewage into international waters.

The Legislature is considering bills to stop the practice, which supporters say pollutes the ocean and allows oily water and bacteria-rich waste to wash up on beaches. But while water pollution may know no boundaries, Florida law stops three miles off shore, and legislators were groping for ways to use their limited authority to force the vessels to stop the discharges.

The House Environmental Protection Committee on Wednesday unanimously approved a bill that would require the ships to report all discharges at sea. It also would provide incentives for the vessels to dispose of sewage at treatment facilities in port. The bill doesn't make on-shore disposal mandatory, but it attempts to goad the ships into doing so by requiring payment of discharge fees based on each vessel's capacity, whether they discharge in port or not.

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MILTON ? More than 50 items will be auctioned or raffled during the Milton Rotary Club's annual Casino Night from 7 to 11 p.m. Saturday at the Watson Inn, Watsontown.

A three-burner gas Weber Genesis barbecue grill is the featured prize to be raffled. The grill is provided by the Coup Agency and Spangler Motors, both of Milton.

The grill isn't the only prize to be raffled, though. There will be a 14-carat yellow gold pendent from Blair Brothers in Williamsport, a one-night stay and breakfast at Tomlinson Manor Bed and Breakfast, Milton, a case of wine of the winner's choice from Shade Mountain Vineyards and Winery, Middleburg, a $50 gift card from Victoria House, Lewisburg, and a bus trip for two to Atlantic City, from Wolf Travel.

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For those travelers who like to visit a casino once in a while (obviously, I fall into that category), one of the nice things about taking a cruise is the opportunities it affords.

Not only do most cruise ships have their own casinos, but you will find an assortment of casinos at many of the island stops. You also can plan to hit some of the islands that feature casinos, such as Aruba and the Bahamas, home of the world's largest casino resort, Atlantis Paradise Island.

However, there's one thing to keep in mind, whether the casino is on a cruise ship or on an island. That also includes our own U.S. destinations -- Las Vegas, Atlantic City, etc.

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A couple of weeks ago, I walked in the door at home and my wife greeted me with, "You have a package. I wonder who's trying to teach you to play poker this week."

I laughed, because the last couple of years have brought a steady stream of poker books, more than I can read, let alone review. But this was no poker book. Instead, author Ken Ross melded a couple of interests of mine in "A Mathematician at the Ballpark: Odds and Probabilities for Baseball Fans" ($14, Plume Books, 187 pages, softcover).

I'll not go into this in great deal. Suffice it to say that if you're comfortable with baseball, odds and, most of all, math, you'll love this book. If your eyes glaze over at the sight of numbers, this is one you'll want to skip.

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Scott’s Food & Pharmacy’s first MS Day of Hope and “roundup” period raised $32,718 for the National Multiple Sclerosis Society’s Indiana State Chapter.

The Day of Hope, during which Scott’s designated 2 percent of total sales for the National Multiple Sclerosis Society, was Feb. 7.

The Day of Hope was followed by a “roundup” period through Feb. 18, during which customers had the option of rounding their bill up to the nearest dollar.

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There were "lions and tigers and giraffes, oh my," (the cardboard variety) perched high-atop each table as 275 guests and supporters went on safari in deepest Africa for an unforgettable evening at The Ninth Annual Able Trust Gala, "Sunset on the Savannah, An African Adventure," March 16 at the Mar-a-Lago Club in Palm Beach.

The celebration, which included Jupiter-Tequesta residents, grossed about $525,000 to benefit students and adults with disabilities in Florida.

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Dolphins coach Cam Cameron and General Manager Randy Mueller have followed through on their credo of "aggressive patience" for offseason talent acquisitions.

Unfortunately for the franchise, the rest of the AFC East has proven itself aggressive -- period.

LocalLinks

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Eric Taylor was $800 richer as he headed home to Oklahoma until he was robbed of his casino winnings at gunpoint in Smith County.

He was unaware he was being followed by a man who sat next to him at the blackjack table at Boomtown Casino in Bossier City, La., on Dec. 30, 2004. While driving west on Interstate 20 at about 11 p.m., Taylor believed he was being pulled over by a law enforcement officer with white, flashing headlights. Instead, he said he was robbed of $2,500 by Gregory Plater, who stuck a handgun in his ribs and demanded his cash.

Plater, 30, of Shreveport, is on trial for aggravated robbery and faces five to 99 years or life in prison if convicted by the Smith County jury that began hearing evidence on Tuesday in 241st District Judge Jack Skeen Jr.'s court.

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LAS VEGAS — The Stardust hotel, imploded last week, is a pile of rubble but "Titanic, the Exhibition," is back "by popular demand" at the Tropicana.

Miami Dolphins linebacker Joey Porter may also be sinking fast after allegedly punching a Cincinnati Bengal over blackjack at the Palms.

Danny Gans is playing the Mirage; David Hasselhoff is starring down the Strip in "The Producers."

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LAS VEGAS Miami Dolphins linebacker Joey Porter was accused of punching Cincinnati Bengals offensive lineman Levi Jones after police say the players exchanged trash talk at a casino blackjack table.Porter was issued a summons on a misdemeanor battery charge after the altercation began yesterday inside the Palms hotel-casino.Las Vegas police Officer Martin Wright says the players went outside, where Porter struck Jones in the valet area.Police say the injury was minor _ a small cut above the eye....

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Two NFL players took their rivalry on the field to the floor of the Palms Casino Sunday night. Joey Porter, who just signed a $32 million deal with the Miami Dolphins, was cited for sucker punching Levi Jones of the Cincinnati Bengals at a blackjack table.

Jones received minor injuries and was treated by a paramedic at the scene. The two apparently have a long history of trash talking on the field. But things have never gotten violent, until last night.

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Miami Dolphins linebacker Joey Porter was accused of punching Cincinnati Bengals offensive lineman Levi Jones after police said the players exchanged trash talk at a casino blackjack table in Las Vegas.

Porter was issued a summons on a misdemeanor battery charge after the Sunday altercation that began inside the Palms hotel-casino, Las Vegas police officer Martin Wright said.

"They went outside. In the valet area, one struck the other, causing a small laceration above the eye," Wright said Monday, calling the injury minor.

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Miami Dolphins linebacker Joey Porter was accused of punching Cincinnati Bengals offensive lineman Levi Jones after police said the players exchanged trash talk at a casino blackjack table in Las Vegas.

Porter was issued a summons on a misdemeanor battery charge after the Sunday altercation that began inside the Palms hotel-casino, Las Vegas police officer Martin Wright said.

"They went outside. In the valet area, one struck the other, causing a small laceration above the eye," Wright said Monday, calling the injury minor.

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SANTA CLARA — Alex Smith wants the San Francisco 49ers' passing attack to one day resemble that of the Super Bowl champion Indianapolis Colts, a unit that has been largely intact for the past nine seasons.

"They've got it going ... the pieces have been in place for a while," Smith said Monday, the first day of the 49ers' offseason conditioning program. "They've been together."

It's a tough act to emulate, especially since Smith starts the 2007 campaign the same way he has the previous two — with a new offensive coordinator in Jim Hostler and a new No. 1 receiver in free-agent pick-up Ashley Lelie.

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SANTA CLARA, Calif. -- Mike Nolan is positioning himself to be the idol of every cornerback, safety and strong-side linebacker in the NFL. He thinks the league's pass-interference rules stink, and he wants them changed.

As it stands, a defensive pass-interference penalty rewards the offense by placing the ball at the spot of the foul or at the 1-yard line if the infraction occurs in the end zone.

That's too stiff, the San Francisco 49ers' coach said, especially for a penalty that is so subjective and one that can't be reviewed and overturned under the current rules. He also said he believes the rules encourage offensive coaches to try to draw penalties in third-and-long situations instead of trying to complete a pass.

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LAS VEGAS -- Miami Dolphins linebacker Joey Porter was facing a misdemeanor battery charge Monday after police said he punched a National Football League rival after they exchanged trash talk at a casino blackjack table.

Porter was issued a summons after the 6:55 p.m. Sunday altercation with Cincinnati Bengals offensive tackle Levi Jones that Las Vegas police Officer Martin Wright said began inside the Palms hotel-casino.

"They went outside. In the valet area, one struck the other, causing a small laceration above the eye," Wright said. He called the injury minor.

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When Dolphins linebacker Joey Porter arrived in South Florida this month, he vowed to save his trademark trash talk and controversial tendencies for a later time.

''I can do all the trash-talking, but I am not playing against anybody,'' Porter said during his initial news conference. ``I haven't even practiced yet. In due time, it will come.''

Apparently, 11 days later, he had waited long enough.

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New Dolphins linebacker Joey Porter reported to work on time Monday, but with a new piece of baggage.

The night before the start of the club's off-season conditioning program, Porter got in trouble at a Las Vegas casino.

Porter, who is known for his talent as well as his trash-talking of opponents, was issued a summons for misdemeanor battery, police said. Around 6 p.m. Sunday, an argument at a blackjack table with Cincinnati Bengals offensive tackle Levi Jones escalated in the valet area, where Porter allegedly punched Jones in the left eye.

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Recently signed Dolphins linebacker Joey Porter didn't need long to live up to his reputation as one of the NFL's most controversial players.

Porter was cited for misdemeanor battery Sunday night after allegedly punching another NFL player in the face at a Las Vegas casino.

LocalLinks

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LAS VEGAS Miami Dolphins linebacker Joey Porter was accused of punching Cincinnati Bengals offensive lineman Levi Jones after police said the players exchanged trash talk at a casino blackjack table.

Porter was issued a summons on a misdemeanor battery charge after the Sunday altercation that began inside the Palms hotel-casino, Las Vegas police Officer Martin Wright said.

"They went outside. In the valet area, one struck the other, causing a small laceration above the eye," Wright said today, calling the injury minor.

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T rying to work up some righteous indignation here against new Dolphin Joey Porter punching a player from another team in a Las Vegas casino. If not outrage, how 'bout a mild admonishment, then, or a good old-fashioned lamenting of sports' disappearing role models. Or, at the very least, a perfunctory reminder that violence is always wrong, children.

Nah. Can't do it. I'm more inclined in this case to score it a one-round knockout or wonder if Porter should be credited with a sack.

Bet most Dolfans were a-grin and looking for somebody to high-five Monday at the news that Porter had clocked Cincinnati Bengals offensive tackle Levi Jones on Sunday night to wrap up what began as an argument at a blackjack table at the Palms Casino and escalated.

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Miami Dolphins linebacker Joey Porter was accused of punching Cincinnati Bengals offensive lineman Levi Jones after Las Vegas police said the players exchanged trash talk at a casino blackjack table. Porter faces a misdemeanor battery charge.

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CHRON.COM VIDEOS John McClain, Anna-Megan Raley on how Texans can make hay Ahman Green joins Texans McClain's video archive ...

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The best place to see a Metropolitan Opera is the Met itself, of course.

The plush and almost decadent carpet, the glitter, the bright lights, the cavernous space overhead, the glitzy chandeliers, the near- reverential awe with which you walk in and gape skyward -- it's like a cross between attending church in a magnificent cathedral and plunking down a couple of hundred bucks at the blackjack table at a fancy casino in Vegas.

Come to think of it, most of the tickets to a Met performance run that much. Which makes the mere $18 you can pay this season to watch a live, high-definition broadcast on a big screen the best deal in town.

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LINCOLN, R.I. -- Lincoln Park's expansion, scheduled to open Friday, will make it one of the country's largest gambling centers, with thousands of slot machines, new restaurants, and a 2,000-seat arena.

When the $220 million renovation is complete, there will be 4,752 slot machines at the newly named Twin River, more than in all but three casinos in the country -- Foxwoods Resort Casino and Mohegan Sun in Connecticut, and Bally's Atlantic City in New Jersey.

State lawmakers will be watching Twin River closely because millions of dollars of state revenue are at stake.

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LINCOLN, R.I. (AP) -- Lincoln Park's expansion scheduled to open Friday will make it one of the country's largest gambling centers, with thousands of slot machines, new restaurants and a 2,000-seat arena. When the $220 million renovation is complete, there will be 4,752 slot machines at the newly named Twin River, more than in all but three casinos in the country - Foxwoods Resort Casino and Mohegan Sun in Connecticut and Bally's Atlantic City in New Jersey, according to The Providence Journ...

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Sure, every gamblers dream vacation is a trip to Las Vegas. But

sometimes you just want the gambling without the glitz, glamour and

hassle of Vegas. Instead, check out one of the many riverboat casinos

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Call me crazy, but personally, I'm not a big fan of the inflexibility of the "zero-tolerance" policy in U.S. schools, although I see the need for it ? in some cases.

Essentially, under zero-tolerance, students can be expelled from schools if they are found (or, in the case of Rutherford County Schools, even reported to be) in possession of any weapons, drugs or drugs paraphernalia.

Drugs include illegal narcotics like marijuana and unlawful possession of prescription drugs.

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The Celina Chamber Awards Banquet, held on March 3, started out as a good ole' time, but it was the singing performance of Master of Ceremonies Mark Peterman that initiated genuine hoots and hollers.The Bill Bates Cowboy Ranch was the place, barbecue was the food, and wild west blackjack was the name of the game. Folks came duded up and celebrated to the tune of country music, among other selections.Jane Huddleston was recognized by Cleve Rasor as Citizen of the Year. Huddleston is very active...

Regional President of the Independent Bank and member of the Celina Area Heritage Association Bob McKnight accepted a Chamber Appreciation Award. Penny Rathbun, former community editor of The Celina Record, received a Chamber Appreciation Award for over six years of newspaper coverage in Celina."Penny could have covered other issues in Celina, but she focused on positive news in the community," said Tracy Fiers.Ron Gentry, general manager of the Brookshire's Grocery in Celina, accepted the New B...

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Alton is in southwestern Illinois, situated on the bluffs above the Illinois and Mississippi rivers. The quaint region has an assortment of historic landmarks, antique shops and other attractions. Alton, founded in 1818, is not far from St. Louis, Mo. It is known as the birthplace of the world's tallest man, Robert Wadlow. Alton is not far from Woodburn, Dorsey and New Delhi.

What you don't want to miss

Ghost Tour, April 13; (888) 446-7859. Troy Taylor's History and Hauntings Friday the 13th Ghost Tour will visit a variety of Alton's most haunted sites. Cost is $30.

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CHARLESTON The Senate voted 20-13 Tuesday to pass a table games bill, the first time that chamber and the House of Delegates have both approved legislation to allow the states four racetracks to pursue such gambling.

The House must now agree to Senate changes to the parceling out of potential game proceeds. The Senate version favors county and local governments at the expense of race prize purses, which the House had championed.

Senators also amended the bill (HB2718) to enhance the possible revenues for counties that host the more profitable tracks. If delegates refuse to accept the Senate changes, a joint House-Senate conference committee would likely be appointed to resolve differences.

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CRESCENT SPRINGS - This tax season, winning gamblers are learning that they might be able to beat the casino, but the IRS holds all the cards.

John Freeman and Jennifer Gatherwright, attorneys with the Horwitz Law Firm in Crescent Springs, work with clients who learn this the hard way.

Freeman said a range of problems can arise from winning - from being overtaxed, losing tax deductions and exemptions, to a loss of Social Security and Medicaid benefits.

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Back in the good old days before every interstate billboard pointed toward a casino - heck, before interstates - states and towns used to promote crappie fishing as a tourist attraction.

In the 1960s and '70s the only thing to gamble on in Mississippi was would the fish be biting. These days there's more money in blackjack and craps than black bass and crappie.

Casinos promote 24-hour a day gaming, free booze and a chance to strike it rich. The only thing open 24 hours a day at a marina is the boat ramp, Cokes are a dollar out of a machine and striking it rich means finding a good fishing hole.

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Nevada's biggest and best casino operators seem to have more confidence in the value of their businesses than Wall Street investors.

Last week's announcement that Kirk Kerkorian plans to significantly add to his majority stake in MGM Mirage is the most recent indication that the men who have invested money in the casino business have faith in their operations and their plans for expansions.

Although the Las Vegas casino resort business has proved to be a fantastic long-term investment, share prices this year have lagged.

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Long-retired casino dealers Tony Badillo and Jack Lipsman are preparing for an unfolding labor battle that has injected new life into an old cause.

A spat between dealers and casino boss Steve Wynn over the allocation of dealer tips has presented to their nearly forgotten dealers union - if it can even be called that - a moment of truth: Do dealers in this town have any appetite to organize?

Spotting an opportunity to go where no union has succeeded before, the pair is hoping to organize dealers at Wynn Las Vegas and potentially elsewhere on the Strip. They say they want to bring a voice to workers who historically have been too notoriously independent to let a union speak on their behalf. The Transport Workers Union tried and failed a few years ago, and the Culinary Union - which relies on a friendly partnership with casinos - doesn't want to upset that relationship by representing dealers.

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The woman widely credited with inventing the lounge scene in Las Vegas (and even the term "lounge") more than 50 years ago is to be laid to rest Saturday, and donations are needed to pay for her funeral.

Friends, fans or any generous souls are being asked to help pay for the $11,000 funeral tab for Mary Kaye, who died Saturday at age 83 of heart and respiratory failure at MountainView Hospital.

"She was in financial trouble when she died," said Joel Dane, himself a Vegas lounge performer who became close to Kaye in the final years of her life. Dane said that even as friends and family avoided exorbitant funeral costs - opting for the least-expensive coffin available at $2,000 - they are still about $8,000 short.

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All-you-can-eat buffets certainly qualify as gluttony, and the

preponderance of scantily clad cocktail waitresses is a strong showing for

lust. Those blackjack tables? You don't need to be Brad Pitt or Morgan Freeman

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It may not have been thunder in the normal sense of the word, but thunder it was for sure.

More than 1,000 motorcycle enthusiasts roared their way through Pahrump to their final blackjack hand destination, the Short Branch Saloon in Crystal.

The Bordello Thunder Run came to a close Feb. 24.

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LAS VEGAS -- Every January or February, there is a surge in action on the baccarat tables and the Las Vegas Strip turns a festive red, decorated with dragons and Chinese characters for the Chinese New Year.

Even this year, with the NBA All-Star game in town and a Presidents Day holiday falling on the same weekend, casino executives are keeping their eye on the prize: the hundreds of millions of dollars wagered by Asian players.

The two-week celebration also draws the year's highest rollers, said Jimmy Wike, Caesars Palace vice president of table games. These are players who can bet the maximum of $150,000 per hand, and by casino rules must have deposits or credit lines worth at least $3 million, he said.

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I think I have seen the luckiest and, perhaps, shrewdest young man in America.

His name is Kevin Kruger, and he plays point guard for UNLV.

Is it a coincidence that his dad is Lon Kruger, the Runnin' Rebels' head coach, or that young Kevin played more minutes (37) than anybody on either team in UNLV's first-round NCAA tournament victory Friday against Georgia Tech at the United Center?

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CHARLESTON, W.Va. The House and Senate were each poised to provide final approval today to legislation long sought by West Virginias four racetracks in their quest to offer roulette, blackjack and other casino table games.

Senators had initially balked Wednesday at a House request to remove one of their changes to the bill. The Senate relented after a quickly appointed joint conference committee met briefly to discuss the impasse.

The bill would allow voters in each racetrack county to decide whether to permit the games. The House passed its version Feb. 16, and the Senate approved its version on Mond