Crime and safety news from around the valley, Nov. 26, 2015

Henderson Police Department accepting applications: The department is accepting applications for the upcoming Citizens' Academy. The 13-week academy meets from 6 to 9 p.m. Tuesdays, Jan. 12-April 5. The goal is to build a bridge between residents and the police department. During the program, residents experience a condensed version of the actual police academy. Graduates gain unique insight into the life and training of a law enforcement officer. Topics covered include: radio and communication training; community policing; use of force; gang enforcement; crime scene investigation; detention center procedures; criminal justice overview; domestic violence; and criminalistics. Applicants must live or work in the city of Henderson, be at least 18 and have no felony, gross misdemeanor or misdemeanor convictions. The department holds three academies each year, and space is limited. The deadline for applications is Nov. 30. Call the Henderson Police Training Unit at 702-267-4850. Applications and background check forms can be picked up at the East Police Station, 223 Lead St. A copy of the application and background check can also be found at cityofhenderson.com.

City Council recognizes marshal: On Nov. 18, the Las Vegas City Council recognized Deputy City Marshal Christopher Fry, who helped evacuate residents from a burning apartment complex at 2401 Sunrise Drive while on patrol March 21. Fry found the door ajar at an apartment adjacent to the unit that was engulfed in flames and discovered that there were still people inside. Fighting through smoke, he was able to safely evacuate the residents, and no one was injured. Mayor Carolyn Goodman presented Fry with the Employee of the Month Award.

Officials offer cold weather tips: Clark County fire prevention and emergency management officials are offering advice to residents to help them deal the onset of cooler weather in the Las Vegas Valley. A temperature of 32 degrees or less in the desert can damage vegetation and freeze pipes, causing them to burst. Cold temperatures also can result in frostbite and hypothermia. Officials advise residents to monitor local weather forecasts for information about changing conditions. Tips include home weatherization, home heating safety, dressing to avoid frostbite, winter driving and car tips, and recreation safety tips. Visit clarkcountynv.gov.

Free legal assistance clinic for seniors: The event is set from 1 to 3 p.m. Dec. 16 at the Green Valley Library, 2797 N. Green Valley Parkway, addressing estate planning basics. Contact Carmela Reed at Nevada Legal Services at 702-386-0404, ext. 140, or creed@nlslaw.net.

New legislation directing buskers: Enforcement of a new ordinance that sets performance zones for street performers on the Fremont Street Experience began Nov. 16 to coincide with the launch of an online lottery system. City Attorney Brad Jerbic explained the registration and lottery for performance spaces on the Fremont Street Experience at a public meeting Oct. 22 at City Hall Council Chambers. The online lottery will be located on the city website at lasvegasnevada.gov. Performers will be randomly assigned spaces and assigned a QR code to be printed and placed in front of performers on the Fremont Street Experience so that it will be easy to check if the buskers are in their assigned spots. Along with setting the new performance zones, the ordinance also requires a rotation of performers every two hours on the Fremont Street Experience. The ordinance was a joint effort with input from the city of Las Vegas, the American Civil Liberties Union, the Fremont Street Experience and the performers themselves.

Report illegal discharge activity: The Nevada Department of Transportation urges residents to protect water quality through prevention by reporting illicit drainage and discharge onto state roads and transportation facilities. Illicit discharge is anything entering a roadway drainage system that is not natural stormwater. Pesticides, construction dirt or materials, as well as materials from neighboring properties and roadway runoff containing fertilizers, vehicle oil and chemicals are examples. New legislation grants NDOT rights to issue permits for certain water discharges onto state roadways, as well as assess fines if needed. Illicit discharge onto state transportation facilities can be reported by contacting 775-888-7013 with the location and type of drainage or discharge. For more information, visit nevadadot.com/stormwater. In addition, a pollutant spill impacting a Nevada waterway must be reported to the Nevada Division of Environmental Protection's spill reporting hotline at 888-331-6337.

NDOT road repairs: The Nevada Department of Transportation is set make $250,000 in concrete bridge deck and paving repairs along southbound Interstate 15 between Lake Mead Boulevard and the U.S. Highway 95 interchange as well as north and southbound U.S. Highway 95 from Eastern Avenue to Martin Luther King Boulevard in Las Vegas. Galt Development is the general contractor. Work was set to occur during weekday nights from 9 p.m. to 5 a.m., starting Nov. 9. One to two travel lanes will be restricted while work occurs. Construction is anticipated to finish by Jan. 15. Visit nvroads.com.

Tropicana Avenue upgrade: The Nevada Department of Transportation plans to upgrade East Tropicana Avenue between Eastern Avenue and Boulder Highway from January through fall 2016. The $7.67 million upgrade is slated to include new asphalt pavement, raised median islands and widened sidewalks. The project is aimed at preventing additional roadway cracking and deterioration and providing pedestrian enhancements, the department said. Work is expected to take place primarily during overnight hours. Visit nvroads.com.

State Route 160 upgrades: The Nevada Department of Transportation plans the $794,000, 21-mile project through early January in Clark County to improve cable median barriers. The project is set to create 14 new paved median crossovers between mileposts 22 and 43.16 to allow emergency personnel to safely cross the highway as needed. Visit nvroads.com.

Kids cellphone safety: A free course on children's cellphone safety is planned Tuesdays and Saturdays in November at Thompson Taekwondo, 9030 W. Flamingo Road. Call 702-469-7700.