Area briefing

CLARK COUNTY SEEKS TO FILL 60-PLUS FIREFIGHTER AND PARAMEDIC POSITIONS

Clark County is set to accept applications June 19 through July 3 to fill more than 60 firefighter and paramedic positions.

Applications must be submitted at clarkcountynv.gov. The county will accept only the first 2,500 applications.

Outreach sessions are scheduled for those interested in receiving information about the application process, employment requirements, the testing process and test-taking tips. The sessions are set for:

2-4 p.m. Wednesday at the Walnut Recreation Center, 3075 N. Walnut Road.

2-4 p.m. Friday at the Paradise Community Center, 4775 S. McLeod Drive.

2-4 p.m. Monday at the Robert E. "Bob" Price Community Center, 2050 Bonnie Lane.

2-4 p.m. June 6 at the Sunset Park office conference room, 2601 E. Sunset Road.

2-4 p.m. June 8 at the Mountain Crest Community Center, 4701 N. Durango Drive.

The department has more than 600 paid firefighters and 180 volunteer firefighters responding to more than 120,000 emergency calls annually from 42 fire stations throughout the county. The department also provides inspection, investigation and specialized services, such as search and rescue and swift water rescue.

County firefighters protect almost 900,000 residents and 42 million visitors a year in a 7,420-square-mile area that includes the Strip, McCarran International Airport, the University of Nevada, Las Vegas and outlying communities, such as Laughlin and Bunkerville.

For more information, visit clarkcountynv.gov or call the county's firefighter hot line at 455-2233.

AGENCIES SEEK PUBLIC'S INPUT ON DISASTER CONCERNS

The city of Las Vegas' Office of Emergency Management has launched a regional effort to review the risks posed by man-made and natural disasters and identify ways to reduce any subsequent damage.

The city is conducting the effort in cooperation with Boulder City, Henderson, Mesquite, North Las Vegas, Clark County, the Clark County Regional Flood Control District, the Southern Nevada Health District, the Clark County Water Reclamation District and the Clark County School District.

The agencies are looking for the public's input regarding their concerns about natural and human-caused hazards. Residents can provide their feedback through a hazard mitigation questionnaire available on the city of Las Vegas' emergency management website, lvalert.com. The feedback is to be incorporated into the development of the 2012 Clark County Multi-Jurisdictional Hazard Mitigation Plan.

The city of Las Vegas is in the process of updating the plan, which was authorized in 2005. The plan is required under the Federal Disaster Mitigation Act of 2000 in order for jurisdictions to be eligible to receive certain forms of federal disaster assistance.

The plan helps agencies prioritize future action to reduce the damage from the risks of fire, flooding, severe winter storms and a number of additional hazards that the region is susceptible to.

A draft of the plan is scheduled to be available for public comment early next month and be posted at lvalert.com.

CRIME STOPPERS TO BE DISCUSSED DURING 1st TUESDAY

Crime Stoppers of Southern Nevada is set to be the topic during the Las Vegas Metropolitan Police Department's 1st Tuesday program, set for 7 to 8 p.m. June 5 at the department's valleywide area commands.

Crime Stoppers accepts anonymous tips about crimes or wanted suspects and provides financial rewards for information leading to an indictment or felony arrest.

The 1st Tuesday program is a free open house-style event that takes place monthly on the first Tuesday. After speakers discuss assigned 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 828-3111.

THE SHADE TREE RECEIVES $35,000 GRANT

The Shade Tree recently received a $35,000 grant from the Starbucks community program Vote. Give. Grow.

The Shade Tree, a nonprofit organization based at 1 W. Owens Ave., North Las Vegas, shelters women, children and their pets affected by domestic violence.

The sum was the largest Vote. Give. Grow. grant awarded in Nevada. The funds will be used to provide nutritious meals and snacks to residents of the 364-bed shelter.

For more information, visit theshadetree.org or call 385-0072.

GIRL SCOUTS TO HONOR VICTIMS OF VIOLENCE DURING CEREMONY

In remembrance of victims of violence, Girl Scout Troop 417 invites the community to a tree dedication ceremony planned for 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. Saturday at Floyd Lamb Park at Tule Springs, 9200 Tule Springs Road.

The troop chose the theme Don't Forget Us to raise awareness about violence and honor 15-year-old Centennial Hills resident Alyssa Otremba, who was beaten to death in September 2011.

Participants will have an opportunity to sign river rocks and visit a flower bed dedicated to all victims of violence.

Parking is free at the event, which also will serve as a Silver Award project for three troop members.

For more information, call 370-7530.

MEDIAN IMPROVEMENTS TO CAUSE LANE RESTRICTIONS ON ANN ROAD, VEGAS DRIVE

Lane restrictions are scheduled to be in effect on Ann Road between Tenaya Way and Decatur Boulevard and on Vegas Drive between Rancho Drive and Martin Luther King Boulevard due to median island improvements, according to the city of Las Vegas.

The Ann Road restrictions are set through Friday. The eastbound inside lane is scheduled for closure from 7 a.m. to 3 p.m., and the westbound inside lane is set to close from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. Closures are set to occur Mondays through Thursdays, with occasional closures Fridays and the weekends.

Twelve median islands are scheduled to be improved, with an estimated project cost of $80,000.

The Vegas Drive lane restrictions are set through June 8. Inside lanes in east and west directions are set to be closed from 6 a.m. to 3:30 p.m., with closures occurring Tuesdays through Fridays and some on Mondays and weekends, the city said.

Eighteen median islands are scheduled to be improved, with an estimated project cost of $90,000.

The median island improvements for both projects will consist of decorative rock and boulder placement and the installation of metal sculptures of desert flora and fauna. The project is aimed at providing aesthetic improvements to the corridor with lower construction and maintenance costs and no need for irrigation water.

The city of Las Vegas' department of operations and maintenance is conducting the improvements, and the metal sculptures will be a mix of items procured from a private vendor, along with items constructed by city employees skilled in metal-work fabrication.

THREE HENDERSON BUSINESSES ACCUSED OF SELLING ALCOHOL TO MINORS

Three city of Henderson businesses were charged with selling alcohol to minors following a May 19 compliance check conducted by the Henderson Police Department.

The accused business were Fresh & Easy Neighborhood Market, 1400 S. Boulder Highway; Walgreens, 1500 S. Boulder Highway; and ampm convenience store, 198 N. Pecos Road, city police said.

The store clerks were issued a citation that carried a maximum penalty of six months in jail and/or a $1,000 fine. The owners or managers of a business that fails a second or third time also can be issued a citation and face the revocation of their business license.

Officers from the police department's community relations unit, with the assistance of underage volunteers, checked 89 convenience, grocery and liquor stores throughout the city during the compliance check.

CLASSES TO TEACH KIDS HOW TO STAY SAFE

Nevada Child Seekers plans to offer radKIDS classes on Saturdays from June 16-July 21 at the Silver Springs Recreation Center, 1951 Silver Springs Parkway, Henderson.

The classes are set for 9-10:30 a.m. for ages 6-8 and 10:30 a.m.-noon for ages 9-12. The sessions are to teach kids to avoid and escape dangerous situations, such as abuse, bullying and abduction. Parents will receive tools to help reinforce the safety skills that are learned.

Registration can be conducted at cityofhenderson.com under the parks and recreation section or in person at the Silver Springs Recreation Center.

For more information, visit nevadachildseekers.org or call 458-7009.

SEWER PROJECT ALONG STRETCH OF SAHARA AVENUE CAUSES LANE CLOSURES

Lane restrictions are scheduled to be in effect through at least June 22 on Sahara Avenue between Rancho Del Vista Street and Mount Everest Drive due to a sewer rehabilitation project, according to the Clark County Water Reclamation District.

The two inside lanes on westbound and eastbound Sahara Avenue and the center lane will be restricted from Rancho Del Vista Street to Mount Everest Drive. Left turns will be forbidden in the construction zone.

Work is set to take place 7:30 a.m.- 3:30 p.m. Monday through Friday. Lane restrictions will be in place during nonworking hours, with trenches and safety barriers in place.

Sewer collection lines will be replaced and relined, temporary bypass pumps and lines will be installed and manholes will be rehabilitated.

For more information, call the project hot line at 668-8668, or visit thelvpipeline.com.

ARSON AWARENESS WEEK AIMS TO PREVENT KIDS FROM STARTING FIRES

Clark County Fire Department investigators and fire prevention inspectors recently visited the Bright Child Learning Center, 1567 N. Nellis Blvd., to teach the preschool children about the dangers of playing with lighters and matches.

Clark County Fire Department investigators conducted 464 fire investigations in 2011. Thirty-eight of those fires were started by kids and teens younger than 18 and caused two injuries and $65,000 in property damage, fire officials said.

Forty percent of the juvenile-related fires last year in the county were started by children 7 or younger; 36 percent by children 8 to 13; and 24 percent by children 14-18.

The fire department's May 8 visit to the Bright Child Learning Center took place in recognition of National Arson Awareness Week, May 6-12. The week's theme dealt with preventing youths from setting fires.

The county fire department's fire safety house, a trailer used to teach children about fire safety and how to get out of their homes in case of fire, was displayed during the visit. The children participated in presentations and practiced how to escape from fires during simulated smoke demonstrations inside the trailer.

The department offers tips to community members for preventing youths from setting fires:

n Teach your children that fire is a tool, not a toy.

n Keep matches and lighters out of reach in high, locked cabinets.

n Use child-resistant lighters, but remember that they are not child-proof.

n Instruct children to inform an adult if they find matches and lighters, and praise positive behavior.

Parents who have concerns about their kids can call the county fire department's investigations division at 732-7949. The department's general telephone number is 455-7311.

Safe-house demonstrations are available to community groups, depending on available department resources.

To request fire department involvement at an event, visit the department's services Web page at tinyurl.com/6r8keud and fill out an online community event request form.

LIDS ON KIDS PROGRAM EARNS national SAFETY AWARD

The Las Vegas Ski & Snowboard Resort recently won a National Ski Area Safety award for its Lids on Kids program.

The award, bestowed by the National Ski Areas Association, recognized the monthlong helmet safety campaign at the resort.

The resort partnered with Centennial Hills Hospital Medical Center to provide 318 local children with free helmets. Since implementing the program, the Las Vegas Ski & Snowboard Resort has provided more than 1,000 area youths with free helmets.

The resort plans to continue with the Lids on Kids program during the 2012-13 season.

For more information, visit skilasvegas.com or call 385-2754.

PERMIT AMNESTY PROGRAM AIMED AT HELPING HOMEOWNERS

The city of Las Vegas is offering a homeowner permit amnesty program during Building Safety Month in May.

Any homeowners who have done unauthorized work on their properties can pull the proper permits without incurring any additional penalties or double fees, the city said.

Garage conversions, patio cover installations, water heaters or water softeners or other remodeling work requires a city permit.

For more information, visit lasvegasnevada.gov or call 229-6011.