Area Briefing
CHRISTMAS TREE RECYCLING PROGRAM TO START WEDNESDAY AT VALLEY SITES
Free Christmas tree recycling is planned Wednesday through Jan. 15 at various sites around the valley.
Before dropping off trees, remove lights, wire, tinsel, ornaments, nails, tree stands and any other materials. Flocked trees cannot be recycled. Trees more than 5 feet tall should be cut in half.
The trees will be chipped into mulch for area parks and other common areas. When chipped into mulch, cut trees become organic material used in landscaping projects that help conserve soil moisture and keep plants healthy.
Each year during the recycling program, area government agencies, nonprofits and businesses work together in a joint effort to keep Christmas trees out of Southern Nevada's landfill. The Las Vegas Valley recycled more than 17,000 trees last year.
The program was established in 2001 to educate the community on how recycling Christmas trees helps ensure the sustainability of the area by saving landfill space.
For drop-off sites and other additional information, visit springspreserve.org or cdsn.org/christmastreerecycling.html.
FREE BUS RIDES TO BE OFFERED FOR NEW YEAR'S REVELERS
Residents heading to downtown Las Vegas or the Strip to ring in the new year can do so free.
The Regional Transportation Commission of Southern Nevada is offering free transit rides from 6 p.m. Monday to 9 a.m. Jan. 1, including direct transit service from the Centennial Hills and Summerlin areas to downtown.
Free rides apply to all transportation commission routes throughout the valley. Due to possible detours and road closures, residents are advised to schedule extra travel time when planning their commutes.
The Deuce on the Strip double-deck service is set to operate on the Strip until it is closed to traffic.
At that time, the Deuce is slated to operate from the Fremont Street Experience to Mandalay Bay, primarily via Paradise Road and Koval Lane, at roughly 20-minute intervals. Additionally, the Strip and Downtown Express is scheduled to operate from the Las Vegas Premium Outlets - North to the South Strip Transfer Terminal, primarily via Industrial Road/Dean Martin Drive, at 20-minute intervals until 2:30 a.m. Jan. 1.
Bus routes 201 (Tropicana Avenue), 202 (Flamingo Road) and 203 (Spring Mountain Road/Desert Inn Road/Lamb Boulevard) will provide the closest possible access to the Strip but will not stop on the Strip.
Many transit routes on and around the Strip, including the Deuce, are set to be detoured on New Year's Eve due to anticipated street closures on Las Vegas Boulevard.
For more information about detours and alternative routes, visit rtcsnv.com or call 702-228-7433.
USED COOKING OIL TO BE ACCEPTED AT SPRINGS PRESERVE COLLECTION SITE
Residents can dispose of their holiday cooking oil in an eco-friendly way by taking part in the Clark County Water Reclamation District's annual oil recycling event.
Cooking oil is scheduled to be accepted from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. Wednesday through Jan. 15 in the south ticketing parking lot at the Springs Preserve, 333 S. Valley View Blvd.
The recycling program is a component of the district's Don't Be a Pain in the Drain outreach campaign, geared to decrease the amount of sewer blockages and overflows caused by fat, oil, grease and grit disposed of in drains by customers.
The used cooking oil that is collected is recycled into biofuel for trucks, buses and vehicles.
Participants can pour their used oil back into the original container or use funnels that are available between 8 a.m. and 4:30 p.m. at the water reclamation district's offices at 5857 E. Flamingo Road. Smaller amounts of used cooking oil and grease can be put into a can and disposed of in the garbage.
For more information, visit paininthedrain.com.
FREE HELMETS TO BE DISTRIBUTED TO YOUTHS AT SKI RESORT DURING LIDS ON KIDS EVENT
The Las Vegas Ski & Snowboard Resort and Centennial Hills Hospital Medical Center plan to distribute free helmets to youths during the seventh annual Lids on Kids safety education campaign from 9:30 to 11 a.m. Jan. 5-Feb. 2.
Trained Lids on Kids volunteers will fit toddlers through preteens for a helmet. Children and their parents will participate in a short education program presented by members of National Ski Patrol to learn and understand the skier/snowboarder code of safety and responsibility.
The free program coincides with the National Ski Area Association Safety Week, Jan. 14-22, and Learn to Ski/Snow Month in January.
The program launched in 2006 after a U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission report that said wearing a helmet while skiing or snowboarding could prevent or reduce the severity of 53 percent of head injuries for those younger than 15.
To date, the ski resort has provided more than 1,000 free helmets to local youths, with more than 300 given out in the 2011-12 season. Earlier this year, the resort received the National Ski Areas Association's National Ski Area Safety Award for the program.
DEL SOL HIGH SCHOOL WINS ANTI-BULLYING CHALLENGE
Del Sol High School, 3100 E. Patrick Lane, won the Flip the Script Challenge for its submission on how the school plans to combat bullying and implement anti-bullying programs.
Students attended an on-campus concert Dec. 12 during the last period of school for winning the challenge.
Flip the Script is a campaign started by local organizations to combat bullying.
For more information, visit flipthescriptnow.org.
COUNTY FIRE OFFICIALS OFFER TIPS ON HOLIDAY SAFETY
The holiday season can be a busy time of year for house fires due to the increased use of candles, space heaters and extension cords, according to the Clark County Fire Department.
Cooking is the leading cause of home fires locally and nationally, and such incidents increase over the holidays, county fire officials said.
The department offers the following tips:
PREVENTING CHRISTMAS TREE FIRES
Keep Christmas trees away from fireplaces, heaters and other heat sources.
Select a fresh tree. Needles should be green and not break off easily. The trunk should be sticky.
Water Christmas trees daily to keep them from drying out.
Do not keep a live tree up for more than two weeks.
If you are using an artificial tree, make sure it is flame-retardant.
HOLIDAY LIGHTS AND DECORATIONS
Inspect holiday lights each year for frayed wires, bare spots, gaps in the insulation, broken or cracked sockets and excessive wear before putting them up.
Replace any string of lights with worn or broken cords or loose bulb connections.
Use lights that have the label of an independent testing laboratory. Some lights are for only indoor or outdoor use but not both.
Use clips, not nails, to hang lights so the cords do not get damaged.
Limit use of extension cords to temporary uses. They should not serve as a permanent power source for any appliance or stationary device.
Never run extension cords under rugs or furniture.
Do not overload electrical outlets. Link no more than three light strands, unless the directions indicate it is safe.
Do not leave holiday lights on unattended.
Choose decorations that are flame-resistant or flame-retardant.
Never dispose of wrapping paper in a fireplace.
For more information, visit tinyurl.com/clarkcountyfire.
POSTER CONTEST OPEN TO FIFTH-GRADERS
Nevada Child Seekers and the U.S. Department of Justice are sponsoring a Missing Children's Day poster contest open to all fifth-graders.
The winner will receive a trip to Washington, D.C., for an award ceremony. The contest's theme is, "Bring Our Missing Children Home." The deadline for entries is Jan. 28.
For more information, email carole@ nevadachildseekers.org.
CITY SPAY AND NEUTER ORDINANCE EASES ANIMAL CONTROL WORKLOAD
The city of Las Vegas said its 3-year-old spay and neuter ordinance is helping address pet overpopulation.
The ordinance, adopted in November 2009, requires dogs and cats older than 4 months in the city of Las Vegas to be spayed or neutered, except under specified circumstances. Dogs and cats must also be microchipped before they can be recovered from impound or adopted from the Lied Animal Shelter, 655 N. Mojave Road.
The city said the ordinance has resulted in:
A 13 percent reduction in the number of trips made by animal control officers to the Lied Animal Shelter to drop off animals.
A 38 percent reduction in the number of animals being dropped off at the shelter by animal control officers.
A 24 percent reduction in complaints of animals running at large.
A 23 percent reduction in the number of animals being turned in at the shelter by the public.
Fewer animals are being euthanized due to the reductions, which also helps decrease impound expenses, city officials said. Also, city animal control officers can spend more time attending to the public's needs, city officials said.
Exceptions regarding the ordinance include animals being held by a shelter or other organization for adoption; animals being held by people with a fancier's permit; and animals that are incapable of breeding or are medically unsuited for being spayed or neutered.
Similar ordinances are in effect in Clark County, Henderson and North Las Vegas.
DESIGNATED DRIVER PLEDGE ON DISPLAY
Residents are welcome to sign a banner at Las Vegas City Hall to show their commitment to preventing drunken driving.
Signatures represent a pledge to have a designated driver on hand while out drinking. The banner is set to be on display from 8 to 5 p.m. Monday through Thursday through Jan. 3 outside of city council chambers on the second floor of City Hall, 495 S. Main St. Pens are available for those who wish to add their signatures.
For more information, visit lasvegasnevada.gov or call 702-229-6011.
WINTER PARKING RESTRICTIONS IN EFFECT ON MOUNT CHARLESTON
The Nevada Department of Transportation has implemented parking restrictions during the winter travel season from December through March on Mount Charleston.
Due to the number of visitors in the area on the weekends and holidays, motorists are not be allowed to park or walk on the roadways. "No parking" signs will be placed throughout Kyle and Lee canyons. The Metropolitan Police Department and the Nevada Highway Patrol will enforce the restrictions.
Parking will be eliminated on the transportation department's right-of-way on state Route 157 from state Route 158 to the Mount Charleston Lodge and on state Route 156 from the Meadows to the Las Vegas Ski & Snowboard Resort and by the fire station in Lee Canyon.
In areas where parking is allowed - the Resort on Mount Charleston, the U.S. Forest Service parking lots/land and east of state Route 158 - vehicles must park in spaces or off the road. Wheels must be to the right of the white lines to prevent damage to vehicles and to allow medical, police and fire personnel to respond to emergencies. Vehicles parked over the white lines, in no-parking zones or that otherwise impede the flow of traffic will be ticketed and towed. Fines begin at $190. Visitors should also must refrain from playing or parking on private property, residential areas or sites marked as closed. Trespassing fines begin at $150.
Motorists who stop in travel lanes to put snow chains on their tires will be cited.
The restrictions are part of the transportation department's public safety outreach efforts.
For more information about the restrictions, visit nevadadot.com.
BURN FOUNDATION RAISES FUNDS TO ASSIST CATASTROPHE VICTIMS
The Firefighters of Southern Nevada Burn Foundation hosted a Seventies Stayin' Alive karaoke competition and fundraiser Dec. 8 at Rí Rá Irish Pub to benefit the foundation's efforts to assist victims of fire and other catastrophic events.
The event included a singing competition featuring costumes, drink specials, giveaways and more. Participants and guests were encouraged to don 1970s attire for a chance to win a prize for the best-dressed attendee.
The Firefighters of Southern Nevada Burn Foundation consists of personnel from Las Vegas Fire & Rescue and the Clark County, Henderson, North Las Vegas and Nellis fire departments. The foundation also works closely with the burn unit at University Medical Center to help care for victims of fires and other catastrophes.
In the past year, the foundation has raised about $32,000 to assist families confronted with a catastrophic event.
For more information on the foundation, visit theburnfoundation.org.
REPORT ILLEGAL CAMPAIGN SIGNS
Local laws require that political campaign signs be removed 15 days after an election.
To report an illegal campaign sign, call 702-455-4191 for unincorporated areas of Clark County, 702-229-6615 for the city of Las Vegas' jurisdiction, 702-633-1030 for North Las Vegas or 702-267-3950 for Henderson.
COUNTY FIRE DEPARTMENT RECRUITS TRAIN FOR WATER RESCUE OPERATIONS
Clark County Fire Department Training Academy rookies took part in swift water awareness rescue training Nov. 27 in Big Bend State Park in Laughlin.
The training provided recruits with exposure to life-saving rescue and survival techniques that can be used during any type of water rescue, including calls involving stranded motorists and pedestrians trapped in flash floods, Clark County Fire Chief Bertral Washington said.
The 28 academy students are in their final weeks of rookie school training, which started July 23. The students have completed a three-hour classroom session on water rescues at the department's fire training center on Tropicana Avenue.
Members of Laughlin's Technical Rescue Team from stations 76 and 85 led the recent water rescue training. The Laughlin team is trained to conduct swift-water rescue, high- and low-angle rope rescue, vehicle and machinery rescue and boat operations.
