Area Briefing, Nov. 6-12, 2014

DRIVER’S EDGE PROGRAM GETS $30,000 BOOST

The Driver’s Edge program recently received a $30,000 grant from State Farm.

State Farm presented the check Oct. 26 at the Las Vegas Motor Speedway, 7000 Las Vegas Blvd. North.

The nonprofit program teaches people 21 or younger about driver safety through behind-the-wheel and classroom instruction led by driving professionals.

The program covers topics such as essential car care, the effects of impaired or distracted driving and seat belt usage. It also includes a mock field sobriety test.

For more information, visit driversedge.org.

DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION REMOVES HIGHWAY DEBRIS

The Nevada Department of Transportation reported that its maintenance workers collect 100 cubic yards of highway and roadside debris per month — enough to fill a dozen swimming pools annually.

The department’s 12-truck fleet sweeps a 10-foot path weekly along U.S. Interstate 15 gutters and medians and other state-maintained valley roadways.

Residents can report roadside debris and other hazards to Nevada Department of Transportation staff members at 702-385-6500.

CHILDREN’S ADVOCACY ALLIANCE OPENS NEW OFFICE

The Children’s Advocacy Alliance recently opened new office space at 5258 S. Eastern Ave., Suite 151.

The community-based nonprofit advocates for policy changes that benefit Nevada children and families by researching and using data and promoting policies to ensure children have a chance to thrive.

For more information, visit caanv.org.

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.

NORTH LAS VEGAS POLICE RECEIVE GRANT FOR PEDESTRIAN SAFETY EFFORTS

The Nevada Department of Public Safety, Office of Traffic Safety recently awarded the North Las Vegas Police Department $78,860 in federal funds for pedestrian safety.

A portion of the money will be used to pay for street patrols to enforce pedestrian safety through September 2015.

The grant is also slated to fund the police department’s Stop, Look and Listen educational assemblies at local elementary schools. During the assemblies, officers teach children how to cross the street safely and avoid moving vehicles.

For more information, visit tinyurl.com/nlvpd.

APP PINPOINTS PARKING SPACES IN DOWNTOWN LAS VEGAS

Residents can stay posted on the availability of parking spots in downtown Las Vegas through the free ParkMe app for iPhone and Android devices.

The app shows available metered spaces in downtown using a color code: green when parking is available, orange when it may be available and red when it is unavailable. The app utilizes data from the city’s parking meters and an algorithm to determine where open spaces are most likely to be. It also shows all of the off-street parking lots and garages and lists costs to park in those areas.

The city is implementing a long-term parking plan with the goals of providing excellent customer service; making parking easy to access; supporting businesses by tailoring parking options for customers, employees and residents; supporting new development by examining shared parking options; and creating flexibility for special events.

For more information, call the city’s parking division office at 702-229-4700 or visit lasvegasnevada.gov\parking.

FUNDS BOOST TRAFFIC PATROLS FOR HENDERSON POLICE

The Henderson Police Department recently received $107,500 in federal funding through the Nevada Department of Public Safety — Office of Traffic Safety for Joining Forces, a multijurisdictional law enforcement program that promotes traffic safety by targeting impaired or distracted driving, pedestrian safety, speeding and seat belt use.

The department plans 15 Joining Forces events through Sept. 7, 2015, each lasting about two weeks.

Anyone who observes a suspected impaired driver should call 911 and provide a vehicle description, a location, a direction of travel and if possible, the license plate number of the vehicle, police said.

Last year, 144 people were killed in motor vehicle crashes in Clark County, and alcohol was a contributing factor in 55 of those deaths, according to the Nevada Department of Public Safety — Office of Traffic Safety. There have been 117 deaths in Clark County this year due to traffic accidents, eight in Henderson.

WORKSHOP TO OFFER TRAINING FOR USING PESTICIDES

The University of Nevada Cooperative Extension plans to offer a free workshop Nov. 13 to teach people throughout the state how to properly handle and use pesticides.

The workshop, being conducted with the Nevada Department of Agriculture, is meant for certified applicators and people who regularly handle pesticides as part of their jobs, such as farmers, ranchers, park employees and groundskeepers.

The training is planned from 7:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. in Reno at the Washoe County Cooperative Extension, 4955 Energy Way, and will be available via videoconference at 12 other Cooperative Extension locations throughout Nevada, including Battle Mountain, Carson City, Elko, Ely, Eureka, Fallon, Gardnerville, Hawthorne, Pahrump, Tonopah, Winnemucca and Yerington.

Limited seating is available, and those interested must register by Nov. 7 by calling 775-336-0247 or emailing hefnerm@unce.unr.edu. The session will help participants prepare for the certified pesticide applicator exam, which costs $25.

Hard copies of the study manual for the exam are available for purchase from the Cooperative Extension for $15 or may be downloaded online free at nevadapesticideeducation.com.

OPEN HOUSE SET AT CLARK COUNTY FIRE STATION 34

An open house is planned from noon-3 p.m. Dec. 13 at Clark County Fire Station 34, 8675 W. Oquendo Road.

The event will be held in conjunction with the department’s annual holiday toy drive.

For more information, visit clarkcountynv.gov/depts/fire/pages/default.aspx.

EMERGENCY PREPAREDNESS EXPO PLANNED IN HENDERSON

The Emergency Preparedness Committee at Sun City MacDonald Ranch, 2020 W. Horizon Ridge Parkway, is set to host a free emergency preparedness exposition from 9 a.m.-1 p.m. Nov. 8.

A variety of presentations and demonstrations are scheduled to be conducted by emergency services experts. Twenty-five vendors will offer informational brochures, and emergency vehicles will be on display. Door prizes also are planned.

For more information, visit scmronline.com or call 702-270-7000.

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 forums are scheduled for 1-2 p.m. Nov. 15, focusing on Internet crimes against children; and 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.

FIRE DEPARTMENTS TEAM UP FOR RECRUITMENT DRIVE

Five valley governments recently launched an interagency recruitment drive for firefighters, and several informational outreach events are planned for those interested in applying.

Las Vegas Fire & Rescue and the Henderson, North Las Vegas, Clark County and Boulder City fire departments are partnering on the regional effort, pooling resources to save taxpayer money and make recruitment more efficient.

Applications will be accepted only online at snvfirerecruitment.com through Nov. 26.

The outreach events are planned for:

— 2-4 p.m. Nov. 7 at the Mountain Crest Community Center, 4701 N. Durango Drive.

— 2-4 p.m. Nov. 12 at the Robert E. “Bob” Price Recreation Center, 2050 Bonnie Lane.

Topics at the sessions will include recruitment dates, the application process, employment requirements, the testing process, test-taking tips and available positions.