Area briefing
Henderson Police Department officers stopped using handheld cellphones while driving to set an example for other drivers due to a new state law.
The new department policy went into effect Aug. 1 and mirrors the state law banning the use of handheld devices to talk, type or read. Although the law provides an exemption for on-duty police officers, Police Chief Jutta Chambers said she wants Henderson to lead by example.
The Henderson police policy allows officers to use handheld cellphones for emergency communications.
Motorists will be able to use a handheld cellphone for reporting a safety hazard, criminal activity or requesting emergency medical assistance. The law allows motorists to use hands-free devices for taking calls while driving.
The new law becomes effective Oct. 1, with police officers issuing warnings from that point through December. Starting Jan. 1, officers will start issuing tickets.
Penalties for breaking the law are $50 for the first violation, $100 for the second violation and $250 for the third violation.
Each year in Nevada, there are more than 3,500 distraction-related crashes, and there have been 71 fatalities since 2005, according to the Nevada Department of Transportation.
For more information, visit cityofhenderson.com/police or call
267-5000.
Safety Technicians to conduct
checks on kids' car seats
A safety check for kids' car seats is planned for 5-7 p.m. Aug. 17 at Sunrise Children's Hospital, 3186 S. Maryland Parkway.
Child passenger safety technicians will teach families how to correctly transport their children and help ensure that everyone in a vehicle is buckled up during every ride.
Car seat checks are offered on a first-come, first-served basis.
For more information, call 731-8666.
AARP plans driver safety class
Aug. 16 at h2u MountainView Office
An AARP driver safety class is planned for 11:45 a.m. to 4 p.m. Aug. 16 at the h2u MountainView Office, 3150 N. Tenaya Way, Suite 114.
Attendees may receive a discount on their automobile insurance. Class size is limited and is on a first-come, first-served basis.
The cost is $12 for AARP members and $14 for nonmembers.
For more information, call 233-5474.
7-Eleven honors franchisee with $10,000 reward, crime stoppers donation
7-Eleven Inc. of Dallas, operator and franchisor of 7-Eleven stores, recently announced a $2,000 to Crime Stoppers of Nevada in honor of 7-Eleven franchisee Amanpreet Singh Mander, who was fatally shot March 30 outside the Wells Fargo Bank near Sunset Road at Eastern Avenue.
The donation is to assist Crime Stoppers in remaining a viable community and law enforcement tool to solve crime.
In addition, 7-Eleven Inc. posted a $10,000 reward to assist in the apprehension, arrest and conviction of the person or persons who killed Mander. The sum brings the private rewards offered in the case to $20,000.
The Mander family raised an initial $5,000 for the reward, and the figure was matched by the United Coin Machine Company, which operates slot routes in 7-Eleven stores in Southern Nevada.
Two men driving a white four-door Dodge Stratus are suspected of the crime. The car was found near the crime scene. The suspects also may have used a silver Ford F-150, police said.
People wishing to be eligible for the reward money must be willing to be identified to law enforcement and to those in control of the rewards. They must be willing to cooperate and assist law enforcement in the identification, apprehension and conviction of the person or persons responsible for the killing.
Anyone with information is urged to call the Metropolitan Police Department's homicide detail at 828-3521, or to remain anonymous, call Crime Stoppers at 385-5555 or visit crimestoppersofnv.com.
Tips directly leading to an arrest or an indictment processed through Crime Stoppers may result in a cash reward directly from Crime Stoppers.
Red Cross seeks nominations
for everyday heroes awards
The American Red Cross' Southern Nevada chapter is seeking nominations for its fifth annual Everyday Heroes awards.
The awards recognize those who have done something extraordinary for someone else this year and those who have saved a life or courageously responded during an emergency. Categories include Adult Good Samaritan, Firefighter, Animal Rescue, Law Enforcement, Aquatics, Medical Professional, Community Impact, Military, Community Service, Youth Good Samaritan and Emergency Dispatch.
Nominations are accepted through Saturday. The awards are scheduled to be presented at 7:30 a.m. Oct. 20 at Paris Las Vegas, 3655 Las Vegas Blvd. South.
For more information, visit redcrosslasvegas.org or call 791-3311.
Transportation commission launches flashing yellow turn signals program
The Regional Transportation Commission of Southern Nevada, in cooperation with the Nevada Department of Transportation, has launched a pilot program to install flashing yellow left-turn signals at selected intersections around the valley.
The pilot program is the first phase of a multi-year project that will convert existing left-turn signals throughout the valley from the existing five-section displays to the four-section flashing yellow arrow displays.
For more information, visit rtcsouthernnevada.com or call 228-7433.
Hazardous trees cause closure
of Cathedral Rock Picnic Area
Due to hazardous trees throughout the Cathedral Rock Picnic Area, the U.S. Forest Service said it is closing the popular picnic area in the Spring Mountains National Recreation Area until further notice.
Two forest health specialists from Ogden, Utah, recently visited Mount Charleston to assess the trees damaged by last winter's heavy snow and wind storms. The number of trees with broken limbs and the number of trees leaning toward picnic areas, restrooms and trails in the Cathedral Rock area warrants immediate closure of the picnic area, officials said.
Visitors wishing to have picnics in the Spring Mountains National Recreation Area can go to Sawmill and Old Mill Picnic areas in Lee Canyon off state Route 156. Large groups can reserve the Foxtail Picnic Area. For more information about pricing and reservations, visit recreation.gov or call 877-444-6777.
Visitors can read about the status of picnic areas in the Spring Mountains by following the Forest Service on Twitter at twitter.com/springmountains.
Free digital fingerprinting planned
for kids at sites in August
Nevada Child Seekers plans to offer digital fingerprinting and child photo IDs at several sites around the valley in August.
The free services are for kids 5 through 18. Nevada Child Seekers also is giving away free fingerprint and DNA collection kits and a child photo ID to parents of children who are too young to be digitally fingerprinted.
Parents must sign a consent form for each child before they are fingerprinted and photographed.
Nevada Child Seekers said it does not keep the fingerprints or photographs on file.
The schedule is:
n 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Saturday, Meadows Mall, 4300 Meadows Lane.
n 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. Sunday, Walmart, 4350 N. Nellis Blvd.
n 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Aug. 20, The Boulevard mall, 3528 S. Maryland Parkway.
n 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. Aug. 21, Walmart, 5200 S. Fort Apache Road.
n 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Aug. 28, Galleria at Sunset mall, 1300 W. Sunset Road.
n 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. Aug. 28, Walmart, 3615 S. Rainbow Blvd.
For more information, visit nevadachildseekers.org or call 458-7009.
kids to learn how to resist aggression during Nevada Child Seekers classes
Nevada Child Seekers plans to educate kids on how to resist aggression defensively during radKids classes set through mid-August.
The radKids program aims to provide children with basic safety skills dealing with issues such as fire, their home and the Internet and avoid potential bullying and abduction.
The organization, which tries to prevent children from being exploited or going missing, is offering the free program with assistance from Metropolitan Police Department DARE officers.
The sessions will consist of five classes held daily for two hours. Classes are planned for 9-11 a.m. for 5- to 8-year-olds and 1-3 p.m. for 9- to 12-year-olds.
Scheduled dates and locations are:
n Monday-Aug. 19 at the Cimarron Rose Community Center, 5591 N. Cimarron Road, 229-1607.
n Monday-Aug. 19 at the Stupak Community Center, 251 W. Boston Ave.
Kids will receive T-shirts and wristbands following completion of the sessions, and parents will receive manuals dealing with issues discussed during the program.
For more information, visit nevadachildseekers.org, radkids.org, email carole@nevadachildseekers.org or call 458-7009.
