Area Briefing, Oct. 2-8, 2014

SENIOR EVENT TO HIGHLIGHT FIRE PREVENTION

A Fire Prevention Week Seminar for seniors 50 or older is scheduled for 10:30 a.m. Oct. 8 at the Las Vegas Senior Center, 451 E. Bonanza Road.

Registration is required by Oct. 7. To register, call 702-229-6454.

VIDEO CONTEST TO HIGHLIGHT DANGERS OF PRESCRIPTION DRUG ABUSE

Youths are eligible to enter a student public service announcement video contest organized by Gov. Brian Sandoval and Attorney General Catherine Cortez Masto about the dangers of prescription drug abuse.

Students in grades six through 12 or youths involved with a community-based team in Nevada can take part in the contest, co-sponsored by Solutions Recovery. The goal is to reduce prescription drug abuse rates, especially among teens, throughout Nevada.

Videos can be 30 seconds for YouTube, 15 seconds for Instagram and 6.5 seconds for Vine. To enter, students must upload their videos to the host website and submit an application that includes a link to the video and a release form from the contest website. Students are encouraged to use the hashtag #StopNVRXAbuse when posting/sharing videos.

First-, second- and third-place winners will be chosen in each category and awarded $1,000, $750 and $500, respectively. First-place videos also will be featured on the websites for the Nevada Attorney General’s Office and Solutions Recovery and recognized by Sandoval in December.

The entry deadline is Oct. 10. For more information, visit nv-psa.com.

BRIDGER AVENUE TRAFFIC DISRUPTIONS EXPECTED

Improvements that recently began on Bridger Avenue between Main and Sixth streets are set to last through April 2015, according to the city of Las Vegas.

Work will include adding new pavement, storm drainage, pedestrian sidewalks, street lighting and sidewalk landscaping along Bridger Avenue as part of the ongoing Downtown Pedestrian Improvement project.

Traffic along Bridger Avenue will be restricted to one lane in each direction from Main to Sixth. Bridger Avenue will remain open, as will access to all adjacent properties, the city said.

Safety and maintaining public access will be high priorities for the Bridger Avenue corridor, according to the city. Property owners along the corridor will receive weekly email updates regarding the status of construction and traffic control conditions, the city said.

Las Vegas Paving is the contractor, and the city is managing the $5 million project. Stanley Consultants is the construction manager. Funding is provided by the city and the Regional Transportation Commission of Southern Nevada.

METRO POLICE RECRUITS SOUGHT

The Metropolitan Police Department is seeking police recruits.

Applications will be accepted through 6 p.m. Oct. 6 or until 2,000 are received. Experience is not required, but candidates must possess a high school GED and a valid Nevada driver’s license.

Candidates also must: be age 21 by the date of the fitness exam, Nov. 3; be a U.S. citizen by that date; have no felony convictions or no misdemeanor convictions involving use/attempt of physical force; and have passed a background pre-screening.

For full details and requirements, visit lvmpd.com/employment.aspx.

TOWN HALL-STYLE 1ST TUESDAY SCHEDULED

A town hall-style 1st Tuesday event is planned from 7 to 8 p.m. Oct. 7 at Metropolitan Police Department area commands around the valley.

The department hosts the open house-style events monthly on the first Tuesday of each month. After speakers discuss topics, residents can learn more about their neighborhoods and meet their local police officers.

For a list of area commands or other additional information, visit lvmpd.com or call 702-828-3111.

HEALTH DISTRICT ISSUES REMINDER ABOUT EMERGENCY PREPAREDNESS

The Southern Nevada Health District recently reminded residents to create a preparedness plan for their families.

A family emergency preparedness kit should include food, water, a first-aid kit, tools, copies of important documents, clothing, bedding, medications and pet supplies. The kit should include enough supplies to sustain everyone in the household for up to three weeks.

For more information about emergency preparedness or tips on developing a family kit, visit the health district’s emergency preparedness Web page at southernnevadahealthdistrict.org/php/index.php.

HENDERSON OFFICERS CITE DRIVERS FOR DRIVING UNDER THE INFLUENCE, SPEEDING

Henderson Police Department officers arrested eight drivers on charges of driving under the influence during a joint enforcement effort last month targeting drunk drivers.

Police also handed out 82 speeding tickets during the two-week effort, which included assistance from the Metropolitan Police Department. Citations also were issued to drivers for using a cellphone, having no insurance, driving with a suspended or expired license and having registration violations.

The Henderson traffic unit received funding from the Department of Public Safety’s Office of Traffic Safety through a joining forces grant. The grant will assist in funding special enforcement details throughout the year targeting seat belt use, DUIs, pedestrian safety and speeding violations.

GATHERING TO HONOR SURVIVORS OF DOMESTIC AND SEXUAL VIOLENCE

The 21st annual Take Back the Night is scheduled for 3 to 9 p.m. Oct. 23 at Valerie Pida Plaza on the UNLV campus, 4505 S. Maryland Parkway.

The free event is meant to honor survivors of domestic, sexual and gender-based violence and provide an opportunity to celebrate their recovery.

For more information, visit tinyurl.com/unlvtakebackthenight or call UNLV’s Jean Nidetch Women’s Center at 702-895-4475.

EASTERN AVENUE LANE RESTRICTIONS UNDERWAY

Lane restrictions are in effect on Eastern Avenue between St. Rose Parkway and Silverado Ranch Boulevard due to construction slated through the rest of the year, the city of Henderson announced.

The $1.1 million project project aims to upgrade roads and make them safer for drivers and bicyclists. It will include asphalt replacement, creating bicycle lanes and bringing sidewalk ramps up to Americans with Disabilities Act standards.

Work is planned from 7 p.m. to 6 a.m. Sunday through Thursday. The project was funded through fuel taxes.

For more information, visit cityofhenderson.com or call 702-267-2323.

FREE MONTHLY SAFETY FORUMS LAUNCHED 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. Oct. 18, which will address identity theft protection; 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.

SAFE NEST LUNCHEON TO HONOR SUPPORTERS, SPOTLIGHT SURVIVORS

Safe Nest plans its 31st annual Domestic Violence Awareness Month luncheon at 11:30 a.m. Oct. 17 at the Rio, 3700 W. Flamingo Road.

The event is scheduled to feature testimonials from survivors and honor major financial donors and loyal volunteers. A silent auction also is planned.

The nonprofit also is slated to debut its Shelter Virtual Tour, which enables viewers to see the facility and learn about the work done at the site.

Admission to the event is $50. For more information, visit safenest.org or call 702-877-0133, ext. 238 or 242.

SUBMISSIONS WELCOME FOR ANTI-GRAFFITI ART CONTEST

Students in kindergarten through eighth grade are invited to participate in the Regional Transportation Commission of Southern Nevada’s eighth annual Anti-Graffiti Art Contest.

The theme for this year’s contest is Keep Southern Nevada Graffiti Free, and entries are due by 5 p.m. Oct. 16.

Artwork must encourage Southern Nevadans to respect each other’s property and not devalue and deface it with graffiti.

The grand prize winners’ artwork is scheduled to be unveiled in December at a valley school. The top two entries are slated to be featured on an RTC vehicle for up to one year. Crime Stoppers of Nevada has also donated 10 shelter ads through Outdoor Promotions to showcase the top 10 pieces of art.

Submissions must be an original concept in color. No photography or glitter will be accepted. Art tools may include markers, crayons, colored pencils or paints. Students must submit artwork on an 11-by-17-inch landscape piece of paper.

Entries can be mailed or hand-delivered to the RTC Administrative Office, Attention: Kelley Mulroy, 600 S. Grand Central Parkway, Suite 350, Las Vegas, NV 89106.

For more information, visit rtcsnv.com, email mulroyk@rtcsnv.com or call 702-676-1623.

RAPE CRISIS CENTER PLANS SIGNS OF HOPE DINNER

The Rape Crisis Center is planning its Signs of Hope fundraising dinner for 6 p.m. Oct. 29 at the Rio, 3700 W. Flamingo Road.

The event will commemorate the nonprofit’s 40th anniversary serving victims of sexual assault in Southern Nevada.

The evening’s scheduled keynote speaker is Elizabeth Smart, a kidnapping victim who was taken from her home in 2002 when she was 14. She spent nine months in captivity enduring physical, sexual and emotional abuse. Smart is set to share a message of inspiration and hope that reclaiming life after sexual assault is possible.

Tables of 10 for the event cost $1,800, and individual tickets are $200. Call 702-385-2153 to purchase tickets.

For more information, visit rcclv.org.

TIPS AIMED AT AVOIDING DANGER DURING FLOODING

The nonprofit Federal Alliance for Safe Homes recently reminded residents to take precautions against flooding.

The agency offered tips for when flooding occurs:

— Get to higher ground, and stay away from flood-prone areas, including dips, low spots, valleys, ditches and washes.

— Do not attempt to cross a flowing stream. It takes only 6 inches of fast-flowing water to sweep you off your feet.

— Don’t allow children to play near high water, storm drains or ditches.

— Never drive through floodwaters or on flooded roads. Water only 2 feet deep can carry away most automobiles.

— Do not camp or park your vehicle along streams and washes, particularly when threatening conditions exist.

— Be especially cautious at night when it is harder to recognize flood dangers.

For more information, visit flash.org.

RAPE CRISIS CENTER SEEKS VOLUNTEERS TO WORK WITH VICTIMS, COMMUNITY

The Rape Crisis Center is seeking volunteers 21 or older to assist in responding to sexual assault victims 24/7, among other tasks.

Volunteers assist the center’s staff in answering crisis calls around the clock, making referrals to victims and others who are seeking assistance. They also represent the center at community outreach and educational events and help with fundraising.

Center volunteers and employees work with the Clark County School District to conduct educational events to help children identify signs of being molested or inappropriately touched. They also work with nightclubs to educate security personnel on how to identify sexual assault in the club. Volunteers also help organize community service campaigns targeted toward young women to educate them on how to avoid high-risk situations.

Volunteers must undergo 50 hours of training over five weeks for three evenings per week. They must be able to complete a background check and commit to a minimum of six months of volunteer service and at least six hours per week on call.

Those who are interested should complete an application and set up an interview.

For more information, visit therapecrisiscenter.org and click on the volunteer icon, or call 702-385-2153.

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 from Oct. 27-Nov. 26.

The outreach events are planned for:

— 6-8 p.m. Oct. 8 at the Las Vegas City Hall Council Chambers.

— 6-8 p.m. Oct. 14 at North Las Vegas City Hall, 2250 Las Vegas Blvd. North.

— 2:30-4:30 p.m. Oct. 17 at the West Flamingo Senior Center, 6255 W. Flamingo Road.

— 2-4 p.m. Oct 29 at the Sunset Park office conference room, 2601 E. Sunset Road.

— 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.