Area Briefing, Sept. 18-24, 2014

HENDERSON FIREFIGHTERS SELL SHIRTS TO BENEFIT BREAST CANCER RESEARCH

Members of the Henderson Firefighters Benevolent Association are scheduled to sell Go Pink for the Cure shirts through 5 p.m. Oct. 2 to help fight cancer.

Half the proceeds will benefit the Breast Cancer Research Foundation, and half will go toward the Henderson Firefighters Benevolent Association, which assists other nonprofits in the community.

T-shirts cost $20, and polo shirts are $40. Purchases can be made at hfbanv.com.

Last year, Henderson firefighters raised more than $4,000 for the Breast Cancer Research Foundation by purchasing the shirts and wearing them while on duty. They also purchased shirts for friends and family. This year, they hope to double their donation by selling the shirts to the public.

For more information, visit hfbanv.com.

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 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.

LAS VEGAS RESIDENTS CAN JOIN NEXTDOOR NETWORK TO IMPROVE COMMUNITY SAFETY

The city of Las Vegas recently announced a partnership with Nextdoor, a free, private social network for residents to build stronger, safer neighborhoods.

Residents can create and join private neighborhood groups to share information regarding safety, community events, local services and lost pets.

Neighborhoods establish and manage their own Nextdoor groups. The city will be able to post emergency notifications and information regarding news, services, programs and free events.

The network will allow the Metropolitan Police Department and Nextdoor neighborhoods to work together to increase safety and strengthen virtual Neighborhood Watch. Las Vegas Fire & Rescue also will have access to the network.

More than 110 neighborhoods, representing 60 percent of the city, have launched Nextdoor websites.

Those who are interested in becoming part of the network can visit nextdoor.com/lasvegas.

OFFICIALS TO DISCUSS FRAUD, COLLECT UNWANTED PRESCRIPTION DRUGS

A free Ward 2 senior information workshop is scheduled for 10 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. Sept. 18 at the Veterans Memorial Leisure Services Center, 101 N. Pavilion Center Drive.

Attendees can hear presentations regarding senior fraud, Medicare and other topics that revolved around seniors. Law enforcement personnel are set to be on hand to accept unwanted pills and prescription drugs for safe disposal. Blood pressure screenings and glucose testing also are scheduled.

Reservations are requested by calling 702-229-1100.

EMERGENCY KIT COOK-OFF MARKS NATIONAL PREPAREDNESS MONTH

Area chefs and government representatives faced off Sept. 10 to see who can create the tastiest dish from emergency food supplies.

The event at Las Vegas City Hall, 495 S. Main St., was held in recognition of National Preparedness Month, observed in September.

Teams from Clark County and the cities of Las Vegas, Henderson and North Las Vegas took part in the awareness-raising cook-off. Ingredients included canned clams, tuna, fruit cocktail, corn flakes, apple sauce and other nonperishable foods found in emergency kits.

For more information, visit www.lvalert.com.

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.

NORTH LAS VEGAS HOMES TO BE DEMOLISHED FOR SAFETY REASONS

Twenty homes in North Las Vegas are scheduled to be demolished to remove blight and reduce fire hazards and criminal activity, the city announced.

The city is allocating $400,000 for the demolition. The properties were targeted following numerous public complaints about the properties, according to city fire and code enforcement officials. In addition, the North Las Vegas Police Department has responded to 142 calls for service at the properties, and the North Las Vegas Fire Department has responded to fires at the sites.

For more information, visit cityofnorthlasvegas.com.

SUMMERLIN-AREA SEWER PROJECT PLANNED THROUGH MAY

The installation of new sanitary sewer pipe on Rampart Boulevard from Lake Mead Boulevard to Alta Drive is under way, causing lane restrictions.

The Lake Mead/Rampart intersection was expected to be finished by Sept. 15.

After that portion of the project, lane restrictions will change as work begins on the installation of the sewer pipe on Rampart south of Lake Mead. Traffic will be restricted to the west half of Rampart between Lake Mead and Hillpointe Road, with one lane open to traffic in each direction. The contractor anticipates work progressing south of Hillpointe by mid-October.

The entire project is expected to take about 11 months. Work is planned in five phases:

— Phase 1: Through October, along Rampart between Lake Mead and Hillpointe Road.

— Phase 2: October to December, between Hillpointe and Vegas Drive.

— Phase 3: December to February, between Vegas Drive and the north off-ramps from Summerlin Parkway.

— Phase 4: February to March, between Summerlin Parkway north off-ramps and Canyon Run Drive.

— Phase 5: March to May, between Canyon Run Drive and Alta Drive.

TAB Contractors Inc. is the construction company, and the city of Las Vegas is managing the $12 million project. Funding is provided by the city sanitation fund and the Regional Transportation Commission of Southern Nevada.

For more information, call 702-229-6272.

PROGRAM TO EDUCATE SENIORS ABOUT BUS ROUTES

The Regional Transportation Commission of Southern Nevada plans to present Seniors on the Go for those 50 or older at 10 a.m. Sept. 24 at the Centennial Hills Active Adult Center, 6601 N. Buffalo Drive.

Las Vegas City Councilman Steve Ross and the Transportation Commission plan to educate seniors on fixed bus routes. The program will show seniors how to use the transit guide, read transit maps and enter/exit the bus when using mobility devices.

To register, call 702-229-1702.

NEW FIRE STATION OPENS IN WARD 3

The city of Las Vegas was scheduled to open a new fire station Aug. 27 at 4555 E. Bonanza Road to serve the Ward 3 community.

Fire Station 108’s construction cost $6.6 million. The 7,640-square-foot facility has two bays and will house one engine company and one rescue unit, city officials said.

Las Vegas Fire & Rescue was notified in June that it will be awarded $6.2 million over two years from the Federal Emergency Management Agency’s Staffing for Adequate Fire & Emergency Response grant program. The funding is scheduled to be used to hire personnel for the station. The grant will pay for manpower at the site for two years, according to the city.

YOUTHS GRADUATE FROM EXPLORER ACADEMY

Twenty-four youths recently graduated from the Southern Nevada Law Enforcement Explorer Academy.

The graduates attended the academy through the Metropolitan, North Las Vegas Police, Henderson and Boulder City police departments.

Explorers take various classes during the annual six-day academy, studying topics such as ethics in policing, emotional survival, radio communications, report writing, basic firearms marksmanship and physical fitness.

The program is designed for those ages 16 to 20. The goal is to introduce them to a career in law enforcement by matching their interests in four areas: crime scene investigation, corrections, dispatch and police.

For more information, visit lvmpdexplorers.com.

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 who are 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:

— 9-11 a.m. Sept. 18 at the Las Vegas City Hall Council Chambers, 495 S. Main St.

— 2-4 p.m. Oct. 1 at the Hollywood Recreation Center, 1650 S. Hollywood Blvd.

— 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.

SIGNS MAY INDICATE YOUTHS ARE ABUSING DRUGS OR ALCOHOL

With youths under additional stress due to the start of the school year, Solutions Recovery recently shared tips for parents regarding signs of drugs or alcohol abuse.

Signs include:

— Drop in attendance and performance at school.

— Mood swings, irritability or angry outbursts.

— Missing routines, such as family dinner.

— Lack of motivation.

— Unexplained need for money.

— Bloodshot eyes or sudden change in weight.

— Changes in appetite or sleep patterns.

— Deterioration of physical appearance and personal grooming habits.

— Unusual smells on breath, body or clothing.

— Secretive or suspicious behaviors.

— Unexplained whereabouts, and sudden change in friends, favorite hangouts and hobbies.