Area Briefing, Nov. 20-26, 2014

TOY DRIVE TO BENEFIT CHILDREN IN FOSTER CARE SYSTEM

The CASA Foundation of Las Vegas’ annual Angel Tree Toy Drive is planned through Dec. 12, with drop-off locations available across the valley, including Rachel’s Kitchen, Credit Union 1, Distill – A Local Bar and Remedy’s Tavern.

With more than 3,000 foster children in Clark County, CASA’s goal is to make Christmas memorable for each child, with help and support from the Las Vegas community.

CASA, in partnership with Wirtz Beverage of Nevada, is set to host an Angel Tree Party on Dec. 13, when volunteers will wrap toys, pass out gifts and entertain children and their families with Disney princesses, face painting, food, games and a visit with Mr. and Mrs. Claus.

A list of toy donation locations is available at casafoundationlv.org.

For more information, call 702-361-4216.

FREE LEGAL ADVICE PLANNED FOR VETERANS AND MILITARY MEMBERS

Free legal advice is set to be available for veterans and military personnel at an Ask-A-Lawyer event from 2 to 4 p.m. Nov. 21 at the UNLV Student Union, 4505 S. Maryland Parkway.

The event is offered by UNLV’s Office of Veteran Services and the Legal Aid Center of Southern Nevada.

The Legal Aid Center of Southern Nevada is slated to provide 15- to 30-minute consultations. Attorneys can provide advice in areas such as debt collection, disabilities, veterans’ benefits, bankruptcy, divorce and personal injury. Walk-ins are allowed, but priority will be given to people who register.

Those interested can register at tinyurl.com/lvaskalawyer.

ROOM OFFERS SOOTHING ENVIRONMENT FOR NEW CLIENTS AT THE SHADE TREE

A Serenity Room was recently added at the Shade Tree, 1 W. Owens Ave., to provide women with a soothing environment for starting the healing process after experiencing domestic violence.

A dedication and ribbon cutting ceremony was held Nov. 7 to celebrate the room’s completion. The project was made possible with support from the Lynne Ruffin-Smith Charitable Foundation, for which the room will be named.

An average of 15 new clients per day seek assistance at the Shade Tree.

For more information, visit theshadetree.org or call 702-385-0072.

HOLIDAY OIL RECYCLING PROGRAM TO START

Residents can recycle their holiday cooking oil by dropping it off from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Nov. 28 through Dec. 1 and Dec. 26 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.

NEW TRAFFIC SIGNALS PART OF CITYWIDE PROJECT

A traffic signal was recently installed at the intersection of Centennial and Grand Montecito parkways as part of a project to enhance pedestrian and vehicular safety across the city of Las Vegas.

Traffic signals are also planned at Alexander Road and Torrey Pines Drive; Alexander and Cimarron roads; Bonanza Road and Page Street; Sky Pointe Drive and Cimarron Road; Ann and Cimarron roads; Ann Road and Torrey Pines Drive; Washington Avenue and Sandhill Road; Owens Avenue and Lamb Boulevard; and Stewart Avenue and Third Street.

The cost of the signals and traffic improvements totals around $2.65 million.

For more information, visit lasvegasnevada.gov.

FUNDS AWARDED FOR METRO’S SPECIAL TRAFFIC PATROLS

The Nevada Department of Public Safety’s Office of Traffic Safety recently awarded $181,200 in federal funds to the Metropolitan Police Department to continue Joining Forces patrols, part of a nationwide effort.

The money is set to be used to conduct safety enforcement events throughout the city of Las Vegas and Clark County.

Fifteen Joining Forces events are planned for fiscal year 2014-15 in Metro’s jurisdiction. They will focus on seat belt usage, pedestrian safety, distracted driving, speeding and driving under the influence.

For more information, visit zerofatalitiesnv.com.

TRAFFIC REDIRECTED ON MAIN STREET DURING PROJECT

Traffic was switched Nov. 10 from the west side of Main Street to the east side, between the Interstate 515 overpass and Bridger Avenue, as the Main Street Improvement Project progresses, the city of Las Vegas announced.

Traffic disruptions are expected during the project, the city said. Meanwhile, restrictions have been lifted south of Bridger Avenue, with traffic returning to both sides of the roadway.

The $13.9 million Main Street Improvement Project stretches along Main between Bonneville Avenue and north of the I-515 overpass. It aims to improve traffic flow within the corridor and make the area safer for bicyclists and pedestrians by adding bicycle lanes and widening sidewalks.

The second phase of the project is scheduled to convert Main and Commerce streets to a one-way couplet. It also is set to include roadway improvements, such as asphalt paving, street lighting and landscaping.

Phase 1 began in August and is set to be completed by fall 2015.

APPLICANTS SOUGHT FOR HENDERSON POLICE CITIZENS ACADEMY

Henderson residents who want to learn more about law enforcement can enroll in the Henderson Police Department’s 13-week Citizens Academy, set to start Jan. 13.

Classes are scheduled from 6 to 9 p.m. every Tuesday at the Main Police Station, 223 Lead St. Applications are due by Dec. 1 and can be obtained at the station or at cityofhenderson.com/police. Classes are limited to 20 people, and participants can miss only one session.

The goal of the program is to provide insight into the life and training of a Henderson police officer. Sessions are slated to cover radio and communication training, community policing, use of force, gang enforcement, crime scene investigation, Taser use, detention center procedures, K-9 assistance, the criminal justice system, domestic violence and criminalistics.

Applicants must live or work in Henderson city limits, be 18 or older and have no felony, gross misdemeanor or misdemeanor convictions. Participants also must pass a background check.

For more information, contact the Henderson police training bureau at 702-267-4850 or pdtrainingbureaurequests@cityofhenderson.com.

RESIDENTS CAN TIP OFF POLICE VIA TEXT MESSAGES

Residents can now report suspicious activity to the Metropolitan Police Department by texting a message to lvmpd80477.

The new text number marks a first step in Metro’s development of a crime-fighting app, which would allow police to receive photos and video footage from community members.

The number also supports the department’s See Something, Say Something program, which relies on residents to be the eyes and ears of the community.

Residents must still dial 911 for an emergency, the department said.

For more information, visit lvmpd.com or call 702-828-3111.

CLASS TO OFFER TRAINING FOR ADULT CPR/AED CERTIFICATION

A class on cardiopulmonary resuscitation and automated external defibrillator use is planned from 9 to 10:30 a.m. Nov. 21 at the same location. A portion of the course is scheduled to be conducted online.

The class teaches students how to respond to breathing and cardiac emergencies experienced by victims 12 or older.

The session is offered by the American Red Cross of Southern Nevada and costs $70.

Students who successfully complete the class will receive a certificate for adult CPR/AED, valid for two years.

For more information or to register, visit redcross.org/nv/las-vegas.

HENDERSON COMPLETES EVALUATION OF DISASTER RESPONSE PLAN

The city of Henderson recently completed an annual evaluation of its Mitigation Action Plan as part of the Clark County Multi-Jurisdictional Hazard Mitigation Plan, which was adopted in December 2012.

The Henderson plan establishes a strategy to implement improvements and projects aimed at reducing the impacts of natural or human-caused disasters. It also seeks to protect residents and property from loss associated with such hazards.

The city said it has made significant progress toward meeting the recommended actions. It has completed several flood control projects, including the construction of the Pittman Park detention basin weir, Mission Calvert drainage improvements and Hull Street flood control improvements.

The city said it continues to work with developers to preserve open space for flood control and recreational purposes as part of the Mitigation Action Plan.

The plan and the evaluation are posted on the city’s emergency management webpage at cityofhenderson.com/fire/hazard_mitigation.php.

IMPROVEMENTS PLANNED ON 215 BELTWAY IN NORTH VALLEY

Clark County Commissioner Tom Collins and other elected leaders broke ground recently on the latest project to help the 215 Beltway meet freeway standards.

The project aims to improve the highway and flood control infrastructure along the 215 Beltway from Decatur Boulevard to North 5th Street. When finished in February 2016, the Beltway is scheduled to be fully freeway-standardized from U.S. Highway 95 to North 5th Street, county officials said.

The improvements will make roads more efficient for residents and commerce and create more than 500 jobs in the county, Collins said.

Las Vegas Paving is the contractor for the project, which is being funded through fuel tax revenues.

UNLV, HENDERSON PARTNER TO RID HOMES OF LEAD-BASED PAINT

UNLV and the city of Henderson are partnering to combat lead-based paint hazards in local homes.

The program focuses on original Henderson town site homes and others built before 1978, when lead-based paint was banned. Lead-based paint becomes a health hazard as it ages and begins to crack and peel, creating a dust that settles in and around the home.

The program is free for qualified Henderson homeowners and renters. Services include repainting and/or lead paint abatement, basic maintenance and repairs and installation of air filters, smoke and carbon monoxide detectors and other devices aimed at creating a healthy environment.

Those who wish to participate must: be a Henderson resident living in a home built before 1978; have at least one child 5 or younger who lives in or visits the home or an expectant mother who lives in the home; and meet U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development income guidelines.

UNLV’s School of Community Health Sciences and the city received a grant last year from the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development to create a lead-safe and healthy housing program in Henderson.

Residents can find out if they qualify for the program by calling 702-895-5422.

For more information, visit leadfreekids.org.

FREE MONTHLY SAFETY FORUMS PLANNED AT MOB MUSEUM

The Mob Museum, 300 E. Stewart Ave., plans free community safety forums monthly from 1-2 p.m. Saturdays.

The museum is partnering with the Metropolitan Police Department for the series. This year’s remaining forum is scheduled from 1-2 p.m. Dec. 20, covering auto theft.

Forums planned in 2015 are: Jan. 17, vice/human trafficking; Feb. 21, elder exploitation; March 21, homeless liaison presentation; April 18, narcotics; May 16, robbery; June 20, traffic awareness; July 18, gang awareness; Aug. 15, district attorney court procedures; Sept. 19, K-9 operations; Oct. 17, missing persons; Nov. 21, Metro volunteer program; and Dec. 19, emergency preparedness.

For more information, call 702-229-2734 or visit themobmuseum.org.