Area Briefing, Jan. 1-7, 2015
PRESENTATIONS TO TEACH RISKS OF RADON
Presentations are planned at five valley locations to teach residents about the risks of radon.
The events are being held in honor of National Radon Action Month in January. Presentations are planned at 10:30 a.m. Feb. 7 at the West Charleston Library, 6301 W. Charleston Blvd.; 3 p.m. Feb. 7 at the Spring Valley Library, 4280 S. Jones Blvd.; 1 p.m. Feb. 8 and 6 p.m. Feb. 9 at the Clark County Library, 1401 E. Flamingo Road; and 1 p.m. Feb. 9 at the Windmill Library, 7060 W. Windmill Lane.
Free test kits for homes are set to be available at the presentations and from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. weekdays through Feb. 28 at the University of Nevada Cooperative Extension, 8050 Paradise Road.
Radon is a naturally occurring radioactive gas that can accumulate in buildings and cause lung cancer. When a home is closed up during colder months, radon concentrations typically increase, making winter an ideal time to test a home for radon, according to the Cooperative Extension
For more information, visit radonnv.com or call the radon hotline at 888-723-6610.
NEW CITY OF LAS VEGAS SEARCH ENGINE ALLOWS ACCESS TO PUBLIC RECORDS
A new city of Las Vegas search engine was launched to allow online access to records dating to the municipality’s origins.
Election and building records and City Council meeting minutes dating to 1911 are scheduled to be available.
The Records and Information Search Engine can be accessed by visiting www.lasvegasnevada.gov/records. It can also be accessed by visiting the city’s homepage at lasvegasnevada.gov and using the site’s navigation tools.
Other functions of the new search engine include a search tool for resolutions, ordinances, legal notices and proclamations and access to drainage studies and land use case files.
City records have been available online for years, but they dated only to 2003. Older records were obtained by request at the City Clerk’s Office.
TRAFFIC SIGNAL ADDED AS PART OF CITYWIDE ROAD SAFETY PROJECT
The city of Las Vegas recently activated a new traffic signal at Ann Road and Torrey Pines Drive.
The signal is part of a project to enhance roadway safety. Other traffic lights included in the project are set to be installed at Alexander Road and Torrey Pines; Alexander and Cimarron Road; Bonanza Road and Page Street; Sky Pointe Drive and Cimarron; Ann and Cimarron; Washington Avenue and Sandhill Road; and Owens Avenue and Lamb Boulevard.
Other traffic safety improvements are included in the $2.6 million project, too, according to the city.
For more information, visit lasvegasnevada.gov.
EMERGENCY MANAGER TO GIVE PRESENTATION ON PREPAREDNESS
An emergency preparedness presentation is planned at 10 a.m. Jan. 28 at the Centennial Hills Active Adult Center, 6601 N. Buffalo Drive.
City of Las Vegas emergency manager Carolyn Levering is scheduled to educate seniors on how to prepare for threats and hazards in the community.
Admission is free with a $2 annual membership to city senior programs.
Registration is required. For more information, call 702-229-1702.
TRAVELERS AT MCCARRAN CAN OPT FOR QUICKER SECURITY SCREENINGS
A biometric identity platform recently launched at McCarran International Airport, 5757 Wayne Newton Blvd., to help speed up airport security screenings.
The CLEAR platform uses fingerprints and travelers’ irises to verify their identity. Participants average less than five minutes through airport security checkpoints, according to the company. Those who are interested in the accelerated screenings must sign up for them.
Travelers who enroll at CLEAR airport locations are entitled to a free two-month trial. Membership costs less than $15 per month for unlimited use in all locations that use the platform. Members may add their spouse or partner for an additional $50 per year, and children younger than 18 are free. CLEAR also offers special rates for military personnel and corporations.
For a demonstration on how CLEAR works, visit vimeo.com/53687250. For more information, visit clearme.com.
VOLUNTEER SNOW HOSTS SOUGHT FOR MOUNT CHARLESTON AREA
Go Mt. Charleston is seeking volunteers to be snow hosts this winter in the Mount Charleston area of the Spring Mountains National Recreation Area.
Many of the hundreds of people who visit the mountains each weekend to play in the snow lack knowledge of the best and safest places to go, what activities are allowed, what the parking regulations are and how to play safely, according to state officials.
Snow hosts address these concerns and provide roadside information. They also take part in the fun while engaging visitors at snow play sites. In addition, they help visitors have a fun experience while reducing impacts to the forest environment.
Volunteers are needed through March and work on weekends and holidays. Average shifts range between three and six hours, and the minimum commitment is two shifts per month.
Experience in outdoor winter settings is a plus but not required, and volunteers should be at least age 18 and be able to work in the cold.
For more details on the position, visit gomtcharleston.com/volunteer.html. To sign up as a volunteer, contact Cody Dix at volunteer@gomtcharleston.com or 702-515-5408.
S.A.F.E. HOUSE GETS FINANCIAL BOOST FROM CSI: THE EXPERIENCE
CSI: The Experience, an attraction at the MGM Grand, 3799 Las Vegas Blvd. South, recently announced that it raised $3,621 for S.A.F.E. House during Domestic Violence Awareness Month in October.
The attraction, based on the TV show, donated a portion of the proceeds from every full-priced ticket sold during the month to the nonprofit, which aims to stop violence and abuse in the family environment and provides shelter, support, counseling and education to participants.
For more information, visit safehousenv.org or mgmgrand.com.
NEW LICENSE PLATES SUPPORT SAFETY FOR BICYCLISTS AND PEDESTRIANS
A specialty Nevada license plate supporting safe bicycle and pedestrian programs is available for purchase through the Nevada Department of Motor Vehicles.
The plate displays a “Share the Road” message and bicycle and pedestrian image. The plates cost an initial $61 and $30 for renewal.
Proceeds of $25 per plate are set to provide grant money for nonprofit and government organizations to plan and construct bicycle and pedestrian facilities and support bicycle and pedestrian safety, education and other programs.
The funding is slated to be awarded by the Nevada Bicycle and Pedestrian Advisory Board and administered through the Nevada Department of Transportation.
Pedestrian and bicycle safety information is available at bicyclenevada.com.
HENDERSON POLICE TO TARGET IMPAIRED DRIVERS DURING HOLIDAY PATROLS
The Henderson Police Department plans to join forces with officers from neighboring jurisdictions through Jan. 5 to patrol the streets for impaired drivers.
Residents who spot a suspected impaired driver can call 911 and should provide a vehicle description, its location, its direction of travel and if possible, its license plate number.
For more information, visit cityofhenderson.com/police or call 702-267-5000.
NORTH LAS VEGAS RECERTIFIED FOR STORM PREPAREDNESS PROGRAM
The city of North Las Vegas was recently recertified by the National Weather Service as a StormReady city for the 13th consecutive year.
StormReady, a program started in 1999, helps arm communities with the communication and safety skills necessary to save lives and property before and during severe storms. It also helps community leaders and emergency managers strengthen local safety programs.
For more information, visit nws.noaa.gov/stormready or contact the North Las Vegas Office of Emergency Management at 702-633-2145.
HOLIDAY OIL RECYCLING PROGRAM UNDERWAY
Residents can recycle their holiday cooking oil by dropping it off from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. through Jan. 15 in the south parking lot at the Springs Preserve, 333 S. Valley View Blvd.
Oil can be funnelled into its original container, sealed and placed in a collection receptacle at the site.
The holiday cooking oil recycling program is a component of the Clark County Water Reclamation District’s Pain in the Drain campaign, which aims to keep sewers free of blockages and overflows caused by oil, fat and grit.
For more information, visit paininthedrain.com.
