Memories of O.J. cause suspicion

O.J. Simpson has his own personal spin on Las Vegas' iconic slogan.

About three hours after he is accused of participating in an armed robbery at Palace Station Casino on Thursday, Simpson arrived 50 minutes late for a private pre-wedding dinner party at Little Buddha in the Palms.

Spies tell me Simpson was overheard telling the table guests, "What happens in Vegas stays in Vegas, unless it happens to me!"

Simpson, 60, was named a suspect Friday by Las Vegas Metro Police after the alleged break-in and theft of sports collectibles, including some previously owned by the Heisman Trophy winner.

Simpson acknowledged, in a telephone interview Friday with The Associated Press, that he went to a room at Palace Station to retrieve memorabilia that he claims belonged to him.

During a news conference Friday, a police spokesman said several suspects had accompanied Simpson and the victim told police that weapons were involved.

Simpson and his oldest daughter, Arnelle, arrived in Las Vegas on Wednesday, dined at N9NE Steakhouse at the Palms and made stops at the Playboy Club and ghostbar.

I'm told Simpson attempted to get an underage female into ghostbar, but she was turned away. He went on to the club.

MEDIA UPDATE

KVBC-TV, Channel 3 has promoted Deborah Clayton to news director. She succeeds Dick Tuininga, who had a brief stint at the station. ...

Beasley Broadcast Group has replaced KSTJ-FM, Star 102.7 after a nine-year run with Fresh 102.7, a format targeting women in the 25 to 54 age group. The morning team of Edie and Susie will continue in the new format, which begins Monday. ...

Utah Jazz games will be broadcast this season on KBAD-AM, 920 ESPN and KENO-AM, 1460 Fox Sports, it was announced last week. ...

Justin McVay is the new public relations manager at the Golden Nugget, replacing Sylke Neal-Finnegan.

THE SCENE AND HEARD

Mikalah Gordon, the highest-finishing local in "American Idol" competition, has landed a leading role in the CBS military drama "The Unit." She will play Lila Lee, a Southern rock star visiting the troops in Iraq. Gordon, 19, was the 11th-place finalist in the fourth season of "Idol." She is also featured in a Thursday episode of "The Tyra Banks Show." She will be the grand marshal at the Thursday opening of Inspirada, a master-planned community near Henderson. ...

Mary Wilson, one of the original members of The Supremes, will sing the national anthem for the Craftsmen Truck Series next Saturday at the Las Vegas Motor Speedway. ...

The House of Blues at Mandalay Bay is hosting the "Rockout For Jason McNelis" benefit concert next Thursday. A former drummer for the band Corner Stone, McNelis, 29, died July 24 in a car accident on Summerlin Parkway. The benefit is for his family: wife McKenzie, who has a 2-year-old son and is expecting their second child Christmas Day. The participating bands include Corner Stone, The ill Figures, Kid Deposit Triumph and Otherwise, with acoustic sets in between bands by The Meadows Burn, All My Suffering and Driftwood Profits. Doors open at 5 p.m.

SIGHTINGS

Actor Tony Danza, star of "The Producers," dining Tuesday at Eiffel Tower restaurant (Paris). ... Latin music star Luis Miguel, having lunch Thursday at Joe's Seafood, Prime Steak and Stone Crab (Forum Shops at Caesars). ... Ron Artest of the Sacramento Kings, playing some poker at the Palms on Thursday.

THE PUNCH LINE

"Not a great day for the rock star Sting. He was photographed leaving a brothel in Germany. He's on tour. He may have to change the name of his song: 'Every Little Thing She Does Costs Money.'"-- Craig Ferguson

Norm Clarke can be reached at 383-0244 or norm@reviewjournal.com. Find additional sightings and more online at www.normclarke.com.