Former ‘Beverly Hillbillies’ star buys land for Nevada casino

Minden, Nev. – Max Baer Jr., who as Jethro in the 1960s sitcom “The Beverly Hillbillies” lived off his uncle Jed’s oil riches, is hoping to strike it rich in the gambling market.

Baer purchased a 2.5-acre parcel last week for a planned casino in Nevada’s north Douglas County for $1.2 million. The deal followed his recent sale of the old Wal-Mart building in nearby Carson City for $8.5 million.

“I’m putting my money where my mouth is and buying the property,” Baer told Gardnerville’s Record-Courier newspaper. “This purchase demonstrates a commitment to Douglas County. It shows the people here that the process is moving forward.”

The parcel was the first of two the longtime county resident will need for his proposed Jethro Bodine’s Beverly Hillbillies Casino & Mansion. He won’t purchase the remaining 20.78 acres until he has received the needed zoning changes and height variances for the casino, he said.

If approved, the casino would be part of the proposed 600,000-square-foot Riverwood commercial development located along U.S. Highway 395 just south of Carson City.

Clinton urges global view

Middlebury, Vt. – Former President Bill Clinton told Middlebury College graduates Sunday they must consider everyone when seeking solutions for the world’s problems.

“The bigotry you have to work hard to avoid is not seeing everyone else,” he said, touching on a campaign theme of his wife and presidential hopeful, Sen. Hillary Rodham Clinton.

In his speech before 600 graduates and more than 7,000 guests and faculty, Clinton told the seniors they must build community by focusing on the similarities among humans rather than differences. The key is “the elemental knowledge that what we have in common is more important than what divides us,” he said.

Clinton received an honorary doctor of humane letters degree for his legacy of commitment to service, Middlebury President Ronald D. Liebowitz said.

Country crooner Keith chosen for Oklahoma Hall of Fame

Oklahoma City – Toby Keith is among eight people, including the new majority owner of an NBA franchise and a civil rights pioneer, chosen to be inducted into the Oklahoma Hall of Fame.

The hall was established in 1928 and has 613 members.

Keith, who was born in Clinton and is now living in Norman, has performed 22 No. 1 country hits, including his debut single, “Should’ve Been A Cowboy.” He has sold 30 million CDs.

Oklahoma City businessman Clay Bennett led a group of investors to purchase the NBA’s Seattle SuperSonics last year. Rounding out the class are civil rights activist Clara Luper, a Hoffman native, and Muskogee native Linda K. Twine, a renowned conductor, composer and music educator.

Luper coordinated one of the nation’s early publicized civil rights sit-ins at a drug store lunch counter in Oklahoma City.

Twine’s Broadway credits include “The Color Purple,” “Carolina, or Change,” “A Year with Frog and Toad,” “Jelly’s Last Jam,” “Big River,” “Ain’t Misbehavin”‘ and “The Wiz.”

The induction banquet will be Nov. 8 in Oklahoma City.