Crime and safety news from around the valley, Feb. 11-17, 2016

Airport Connector Project construction: Ongoing construction of the Airport Connector Project will reduce the number of travel lanes on a 1/2-mile section of eastbound Interstate 215 between exit 10 (Sunset Road, McCarran Airport) and exit 9 (Warm Springs Road) for the next 15 months beginning Feb. 8. This section of the I-215 typically has four traffic lanes, but it will be reduced to three lanes until spring 2017. The lane reduction is necessary while crews install new storm-drain facilities, build a new retaining wall, and reconstruct a ramp linking to the Warm Springs Road exit. This construction will not impact traffic on westbound I-215 at this time. Previously enacted lane restrictions and closures will remain in place including the closure of the ramp that brings traffic from Sunset Road to the southbound Airport Connector, and lane reductions on southbound Airport Connector as vehicles exit the tunnel. Also, access to the northbound Airport Connector from George Crockett Road remains closed. These closures are all part of the Phase 2 Airport Connector Project, which includes construction of a new flyover ramp and bridge connecting southbound Airport Connector to eastbound 215, widening the off-ramp from eastbound 215 to Warm Springs Road and construction of a new bridge for that off-ramp, and the widening of a bridge carrying westbound 215 traffic over the Airport Connector. The entire project is expected to be finished in the fall of 2017. Additional lane closures and lane shifts are expected during the project, and notice of those traffic impacts will be provided on electronic message boards in the area and through Clark County social media sites. The Public Works Department has set up a page at ClarkCountyNV.gov/PubWorks to provide details on the scope of the project. The public can also contact the department at 702-455-6000 or via email at InTheWorks@ClarkCountyNV.gov.

Nighttime lane restrictions on state Route 160: The Nevada Department of Transportation will be making nighttime lane restrictions along state Route 160 between the Red Rock Canyon Road junction and Mile Marker 16.6 from 9 p.m. to 5 a.m. Sunday through Thursday Feb. 15 to 24. A pilot car operation will be in place. Restrictions are needed for a $16.5 million, 5-mile-long highway widening from two lanes to four travel lanes. Other work includes flattening side slope shoulders for safer vehicle turnouts, installing new drainage pipe, placing guardrails and hydro-seeding 38 acres. The project is scheduled for completion in early 2017. Motorists should use caution while travelling through the work zone, heed construction signage, or take alternate routes, if possible. Visit nvroads.com

Motorist, pedestrian safety initiatives: The Nevada Departments of Transportation's motorist and pedestrian safety initiatives yielded positive results in 2015. Although there were 321 traffic fatalities statewide — a year-over-year increase — it still marks a precipitous multi-year drop since 2006 when there were 432 fatalities. Zero Fatalities is the name of the department's statewide public education program geared toward improving safe driving practices. The campaign has reached 97 percent of Nevadans. The results thus far have been tangible: 62 percent of drivers last year didn't drive impaired, which is a 10 percent improvement since 2012. Seventy-one percent of drivers avoid texting or emailing, up 8 percent from three years ago, and 74 percent of drivers now focus on the road or 19 percent more than in 2012. In addition, there has been a 9 percent increase in pedestrian safety and 10 percent gain in buckling-up during the last three years. Also, the Nevada Strategic Highway Safety Plan was updated last year with enhanced enforcement, engineering, emergency medical and educational strategies. It focuses on six key areas, including pedestrian, intersection, seatbelt and motorcycle safety, as well as impaired driving, lane departure crashes, and distracted driving. The long-term 2030 goal is to cut traffic fatalities by half with an eventual goal of zero fatalities on Nevada roads. Some of those strategies are being implemented through an additional $10 million in state highway funding approved last year specifically for pedestrian safety enhancements. The upgrades include, among other things, crosswalk and lighting enhancements, pedestrian warning signals, pedestrian median islands, dividers and more. The added funding comes on top of $21 million in federal money allocated annually toward statewide roadway safety projects and programs.

Juvenile arrested: A juvenile male was arrested Jan. 29 in connection with vandalism to a vehicle Jan. 27 in the residential neighborhood near Whitney Ranch Drive and West Galleria Drive. A group of teenagers were captured on a residential surveillance video showing one male vandalize a parked pick-up truck. A group of males were walking down the 1400 block of Hawkwood Road, and as the group passed the pick-up truck, a 13-year-old male leapt on the truck's hood. After damaging the hood, the juveniles continued to vandalize the neighborhood by knocking over trashcans and throwing fruit at homes. With the assistance of the victim and the Clark County School District, the student was identified and arrested without incident. The juvenile was transported to Clark County Juvenile Detention Center where he was charged with a gross misdemeanor, damage/deface a motor vehicle. Henderson Police believe two additional suspects may be involved in a string of recent vandalism in the same area. Call 702-267-4911.

Tropicana Avenue lane restrictions: The Nevada Department of Transportation plans to restrict one lane of west and eastbound traffic along East Tropicana Avenue (state Route 593) between Eastern Avenue and McLeod Drive Feb. 17-April 3. The 24-hour-a-day lane restrictions are needed for $7.67 million in upgrades along Tropicana. Aggregate Industries is the general contractor. The 4-mile-long project between Eastern and Boulder Highway calls for new asphalt pavement, raised median islands, and electrical wiring, among other things. Construction is scheduled to finish in October. Motorists should use caution while traveling through the work zone, heed construction signage, and take alternate routes, if possible. Visit nvroads.com.

AARP Driving Class: The course is set from 11:45 a.m. to 4 p.m. Feb. 16 at the MountainView Hospital Medical Office Building, H2U, Suite 114, 3150 N. Tenaya Way. Bring a check or money order for $15 for AARP members or $20 for nonmembers, a valid driver's license, an AARP membership card, and a pen or pencil. Light refreshments will be served. The course is four hours and 15 minutes. Registration is required. Call 702-233-5474 or visit mountainview-hospital.com.

Tax presentation: Nevada Legal Services is planning a free presentation about IRS tax collection and collection options from 7 to 8 p.m. Feb. 18 at the Clark County Library Jewel Box Theater, 1401 E. Flamingo Road. Topics include: How did my IRS tax debt happen? If I owe the IRS, can it take my car, take my house or send me to jail? How long can the IRS collect taxes from me? What if I can't afford to fully pay my tax debt?

Tenants' rights clinic: Nevada Legal Services the UNLV Boyd School of Law plan to host free community education presentations on common landlord-tenant issues. The classes are set from 3 to 5 p.m. Feb. 19, March 4 and 18, and April 1 and 15 at the North Las Vegas Justice Court, 2428 N. Martin Luther King Blvd, Building A. Attendees must go through court security.

Forensic science informational event: The American Academy of Forensic Sciences is planning to hold its annual scientific meeting from 11 a.m. to 3:30 p.m. Feb. 21 at the Las Vegas Natural History Museum, 900 Las Vegas Blvd. North. The event is set to cover forensic sciences and is to include a CSI Mini-Camp for families to learn the processes forensic scientists use and an adults-only showcase called Demystifying the Forensic Sciences. The showcase will be moderated by Dr. Bruce Goldberger, past president of AAFS and director of the UF Health Forensic Medicine, and include experts and professors in the field to discuss forensic science disciplines and how each contributes to solving crimes. The showcase will be followed by a reception where ticket holders will have an opportunity to meet the scientists. Advance tickets are required and are $10. The event is not recommended for children. Visit lvnhm.org.

Community safety forum: The Mob Museum, 300 Stewart Ave., announced its 2016 Community Safety Forum calendar. Forums are to be held from 2 to 3 p.m. the third Sunday of the month. They are sponsored by NV Energy and are free and open to the public. Attendance at a forum presentation includes free general admission to the museum following the presentation as well as live streaming of the event. Upcoming Community Safety Forum dates and topics include: Feb. 21, The Active Shooter; and March 20, The Ins and Outs of the Clark County District Attorney's Office. Visit themobmuseum.org.

Minimum Wage and Overtime — There are Huge Traps and the Government is About to Make it Worse: Fisher & Phillips LLP, a labor and employment law firm, and the city of Las Vegas are planning to present the free seminar from 9 to 11 a.m. Feb. 24 inside the Las Vegas City Hall Achievement Room, 495 S. Main St. Registration opens at 8:30 a.m., and all attendees should check in at the City Hall reception desk. Space is limited. Pre-register at tinyurl.com/govhugetraps.

Fire station open house: The Clark County Fire Department is planning a community open house from noon to 3 p.m. Feb. 13 at Fire Station 24, 7525 S. Dean Martin Drive. The focus is heart health and emergency medical services featuring Jaws of Life demonstrations to show equipment used to remove victims from car crashes, and demonstrations of hands-only CPR (cardiopulmonary resuscitation). No CPR certificates will be issued, but firefighters will show how to perform chest compressions on a person whose heart has stopped beating. Educational materials from the American Heart Association will be available, and a children's fishing derby and tours of the fire station, vehicles, and the Department of Building and Fire Prevention's safety house are planned. The next open house is planned from 8:30 to 11 a.m. April 9 at Fire Station 20, 5865 Judson St.

Sealing criminal records classes: Nevada Legal Services and the UNLV Boyd School of Law plans to host free presentations on how to seal your criminal record from 3 to 5 p.m. Fridays through May 2 at the Clark County Law Library, 309 S. Third St. There is no class on Feb. 12 or March 25. To reserve a seat, call 702-455-4696.

Pool positions available: Clark County Parks and Recreation is recruiting to fill positions for the 2016 pool season. Positions are available for those 15½ or older from $9 to $15 per hour based on experience and certifications. The Aquatics Department is seeking applicants to fill cashier, lifeguard, water safety instructor and management positions. Those who hold the American Red Cross lifeguard certification or are interested in cashier positions can fill out an application online at clarkcountynv.gov/parks. Those who need certification can enroll in a lifeguard training class at either Hollywood Aquatics Center, 1550 S. Hollywood Blvd., or Desert Breeze Aquatic Facility, 8275 W. Spring Mountain Road.

Applications for Henderson police: Candidates interested in applying for the Henderson Police Department as a police officer or corrections officer are invited to apply. Online applications will be accepted until 5:30 p.m. March 31. Visit joinhpd.com.

Stop DUI program: The city of Henderson has joined forces with Stop DUI to educate those who have been convicted of driving under the influence. The partnership serves as a reminder as people prepare for Super Bowl parties to ensure they have a designated driver for a sober ride home. Stop DUI, a local nonprofit dedicated to preventing drunken driving and assisting victims of DUI crashes, recently moved its offices to Henderson, operating out of the Alternative Sentencing Department building at 302 Tin St. The program is planning to host monthly victim impact panels in Henderson. The purpose of the panels is to help DUI offenders realize the long-lasting effects that a DUI crash can have on a person and a family. Visit cityofhenderson.com or stopdui.org.

Winter safety on the mountain: Snow is predicted for the Mount Charleston area that includes Lee Canyon. The Mount Charleston Winter Alliance is urging visitors to prepare for severe winter conditions before visiting the Spring Mountains National Recreation Area. Some tips include: When traveling to the mountain, start with a full tank of gas. There are no gas stations onsite. Always carry with you: tire chains/tow strap, cellphone, flashlight, ice scraper, jumper cable, snow shovel, blanket/sleeping bag, first-aid kit, compass, maps, bag of sand/kitty litter for traction, spare batteries, nonperishable foods and water. To receive the most up-to-date winter road and driving conditions, chain requirements and road closures, visit mtcharlestowinter.com. For real-time road information, dial 511 within Nevada and 1-877-687-6237 outside of Nevada.

Rape Crisis Center seeks volunteers: The Rape Crisis Center is increasing the number of volunteer training sessions in 2016 to better meet the needs of sexual assault victims and their families. This year, the center will offer three 50-hour five-week training sessions in late winter, summer and fall. Those who are interested in participating must complete an application and set up an interview prior to the beginning of training. Interviews are being scheduled. Volunteer training is a total of 50 hours and includes learning about the services of the center, community resources for sexual assault victims, how to respond to individuals in crisis, how the investigation and criminal justice process works for sexual assault cases, and numerous other topics. New volunteers must be at least 21 and be able to successfully pass a background check, drug screening and commit to a minimum of six months of volunteer service of at least six hours per week. Volunteers of varying age, gender identity, racial and ethnic background, sexual orientation, and language abilities are encouraged to apply. Call 702-385-2153.

NDOT lighting installation: In January the Nevada Department of Transportation is set to make $1.2 million in lighting improvements along a 35-mile stretch of Interstate 15 from Jean to the I-15/U.S. Highway 95 "Spaghetti Bowl" interchange in Las Vegas. Acme Electric is the general contractor. Work calls for replacing 550 high-pressure sodium fixtures with light-emitting diode lamps. Work will occur during nighttime hours when traffic is minimal. Anticipated completion is by spring 2016. Visit nvroads.com.

State Route 160 changes: The Nevada Department of Transportation awarded a $16.5 million contract to Aggregate Industries SWR Inc. for a 5-mile widening of state Route 160 (Blue Diamond Road) in southwest Clark County. The project will widen the highway from two lanes to four travel lanes between Mile Marker 10.89 (just past state Route 159 or the Red Rock Canyon Road junction) and Mile Marker 16.63. The improvements will flatten side slope shoulders for safer vehicle turnouts while installing new drainage pipe and tortoise fencing. Other work consists of placing barrier and guardrails as well as hydro-seeding 38 acres. Construction will entail moving enough dirt to fill 1,800 average sized swimming pools, and enough placing asphalt to pave 8,000 driveways. The project is scheduled for completion in early 2017. Although the speed limit will be lowered to 55 mph during construction, one lane will remain open at all times. Visit nvroads.com.

Boulder Highway improvements: The Nevada Department of Transportation is planning on making several pedestrian safety improvements to Boulder Highway (state Route 582) in 2016 and 2017, including an overhead rapid flashing beacon and Danish-offset median island at Boulder Highway and Sun Valley Drive, near the Eastside Cannery. NDOT will also be lowering the speed limit from 55 mph to 45 mph along a two-mile stretch of Boulder Highway from Galleria Drive north in early 2016.

Yellow Dot program: The 2015 Nevada Legislature passed AB 176, bringing the Yellow Dot program to Nevada. The voluntary program has participants provide important medical information about themselves and their passengers in the glovebox of their vehicles. First responders are alerted that this information is in the vehicle by a yellow dot decal placed in the lower left corner of the rear window. Residents can pick up a free Yellow Dot kit at one of more than 40 participating locations across the valley. For a list, visit rtcsnv.com/yellowdot, or to request the kit, call 702-676-1754 or email YD@rtcsnv.com.

Report illegal discharge activity: The Nevada Department of Transportation urges residents to protect water quality through prevention by reporting illicit drainage and discharge onto state roads and transportation facilities. Illicit discharge is anything entering a roadway drainage system that is not natural stormwater. Pesticides, construction dirt or materials, as well as materials from neighboring properties and roadway runoff containing fertilizers, vehicle oil and chemicals are examples. New legislation grants NDOT rights to issue permits for certain water discharges onto state roadways, as well as assess fines if needed. Illicit discharge onto state transportation facilities can be reported by contacting 775-888-7013 with the location and type of drainage or discharge. For more information, visit nevadadot.com/stormwater. In addition, a pollutant spill impacting a Nevada waterway must be reported to the Nevada Division of Environmental Protection's spill reporting hotline at 888-331-6337.