Area Briefing
SAFETY SEMINAR TO BE GEARED TOWARD SENIOR CITIZENS
A free safety seminar for seniors is set for 1:30 p.m. Monday at the Howard Lieburn Senior Center, 6230 Garwood Ave. For more information, call 229-1600 or visit lasvegasnevada.gov.
SAFE SUMMER NIGHTS TO INCLUDE REFRESHMENTS AND FUN
Two Safe Summer Nights celebrations are planned to promote peace and safety and give residents a chance to get to know each other while enjoying free entertainment and food.
The events are set for 5:30 to 7:30 p.m. Thursday at the Stupak Community Center, 300 W. Boston Ave., and 5:30 to 7:30 p.m. Aug. 7 at Kelly Elementary School, 1900 J St.
City of Las Vegas officials, local nonprofit groups and neighbors are invited to enjoy music, children's games, face painting, refreshments and fun. Free hot dogs, chips and water will be served while supplies last. Residents also can learn about summer youth activities, health services, community safety, money management programs, adult education opportunities, living assistance and more.
Partners in the annual Safe Summer Nights program, which kicked off May 31 this year, include the city of Las Vegas, the Sunrise Children's Foundation, the Nevada Early Childhood Advisory Council, Walmart, KCEP-FM 88.1, Univision and the Clark County School District.
For more information about these events, call 229-5406.
POLICE TO REWARD KIDS' GOOD BEHAVIOR WITH SLURPEE COUPONS
The Las Vegas Metropolitan Police Department is set to begin Operation Chill, which rewards positive behavior with a cool treat for kids on summer vacation from school.
The department partners annually with 7-Eleven stores' popular Operation Chill program. Patrol officers hit the streets during the first weeks of summer vacation armed with free coupons for a small Slurpee at participating 7-Eleven stores.
Law enforcement officers can "ticket" youngsters caught in the act of doing good with the beverage coupons. Appropriate "offenses" might include helping another person, deterring crime or participating in a positive activity in the community.
The program is aimed at encouraging youngsters to stay out of trouble during summer, when they have extra time on their hands.
Since the program's inception in 1995, more than 12 million Operation Chill coupons have been distributed to hundreds of law enforcement agencies across the country in areas where 7-Eleven operates stores.
COUNTY ADVISES CAUTION IN EXTREME HEAT
With recent triple-digit temperatures, Clark County Fire Department and emergency management officials remind residents that heat can pose serious health risks, especially to children, seniors and those with poor circulation and weight problems.
Symptoms of heat exhaustion include heavy sweating, paleness, muscle cramps and dizziness.
Children and pets should never be left unattended in vehicles. Temperatures in a car can rise to 120 degrees Fahrenheit when outdoor temperatures are in the 90s. Pets also should have access to lots of shade and water when outdoors. Other reminders include:
-- Drink water, even if you don't feel thirsty.
-- Limit intake of alcoholic beverages, which contribute to dehydration.
-- Always carry plenty of water and a mobile phone.
-- Dress for summer - clothing that is loose, lightweight and light-colored, which can reflect heat and sunlight.
-- Use sunscreen with a high SPF to protect against sunburn and skin cancer.
-- Look in on friends and family, especially seniors who may need help adjusting to the heat.
-- Limit errands and outdoor activities to before noon or in the evening to avoid being out during the hottest part of the day.
-- Always assign a designated child watcher when children are near any pool or body of water.
-- Lock all doors, windows and gates leading to pools when not in use.
-- Keep a phone near the pool to ensure that children are not left unattended if the phone rings.
-- Never swim during thunder or lightning. Never dive into unfamiliar or shallow bodies of water.
For more information, visit the fire department's Web page at tinyurl.com/6r8keud.
CITIZEN REVIEW BOARD SEEKS APPLICANTS
Applicants are being sought to objectively review citizen complaints and internal affairs investigations filed against Las Vegas Metropolitan Police Department peace officers and corrections officers.
Candidate submissions for the 25-member Las Vegas Metropolitan Police Department Citizen Review Board are due June 30.
The board expects to fill at least one vacancy for an upcoming term set to run Jan. 1, 2013, to Jan. 4, 2016, Clark County officials said. Board membership is voluntary and unpaid.
Applications may be obtained from the Citizen Review Board website at www.citizenreviewboard.com.
The Clark County Commission and the Las Vegas City Council each appoint members.
Applicants must be residents of unincorporated Clark County or the city of Las Vegas, cannot have any felony convictions, cannot be an elected official, cannot be a present or former Metropolitan Police Department officer, peace officer or corrections officer and cannot be the spouse, sibling or parent of a department peace officer. Applicants do not necessarily need to possess any police or investigative skills.
Potential members must have a flexible schedule. All members who are selected must complete two mandatory training sessions each year, attend the Citizens Police Academy, take part in a police ride-along and complete 50 hours of training before serving on the board.
RESIDENTS ENCOURAGED TO REPORT GREEN POOLS TO CODE ENFORCEMENT
Clark County is asking residents to call code enforcement if they see green pools, which are standing pools of water that can attract disease-carrying insects.
Residents of unincorporated Clark County can report green pools by calling 455-4191 or filing a complaint at clarkcountynv.gov. Las Vegas residents can call 229-6615, Henderson residents can call 267-3950 and North Las Vegas residents can call 633-1677.
Green pools are breeding grounds for mosquitoes, which carry potentially serious diseases, such as West Nile Virus, county officials said. There were 11 cases of West Nile reported in the county last year, up from zero in 2011, officials said.
Since 2010, the county has drained more than 350 green pools, including more than 30 in May. Mosquito larvae thrive in warmer water, making the summer the busiest time of year for dealing with the problem, according to county officials.
County commissioners recently declared the warmer months as Report Green Pools Season.
SHADOW LANE IMPROVEMENTS START BETWEEN ALTA AND CHARLESTON
Road work was scheduled to begin June 18 on the second and final phase of an infrastructure improvement project on Shadow Lane between Alta Drive and Charleston Boulevard.
Work is planned from 7 a.m. to 5 p.m. Monday through Friday, with the $1.2 million project expected to be completed by Aug. 31, according to the city of Las Vegas.
Construction will be accommodated by half-street road closures. Motorists are advised to use Rancho or Tonopah drives as alternate routes.
The project includes:
-- Removal and replacement of asphalt pavement.
-- Street widening between Kenyon Place and Alta Drive to provide a northbound-exclusive right-turn lane.
-- Completion of remaining Americans with Disabilities Act upgrades.
-- Traffic signal modifications at the Alta Drive/Shadow Lane intersection.
-- Replacement of 377 linear feet of sewer main pipe to upgrade sewer flow capacity.
-- Replacement of sewer manholes.
-- Restriping of the street to provide one lane in each direction, a center-turn lane and bike lanes.
-- Upgraded crosswalks with concrete islands designed for pedestrian safety.
The first phase of work was completed earlier this year and entailed improvements to sidewalk areas to meet federal ADA requirements, the installation of an underground traffic signal conduit and construction of traffic signal poles and foundations to make a future signal at the intersection of Pinto and Shadow lanes possible without disturbing the new roadway.
Aggregate Industries Inc. is the contractor. City of Las Vegas department of operations and maintenance personnel are managing the project. Funding is provided by the city and the Clark County Regional Transportation Commission.
FIRE STATION GRAND OPENING SET IN SUN CITY SUMMERLIN
The grand opening of Las Vegas Fire & Rescue's Station No. 107 is slated for 10 a.m. today at 9398 Sundial Drive in Sun City Summerlin.
Local dignitaries and members of the fire department are set to attend the dedication ceremony.
For more information, visit lasvegasnevada.gov/government/fire.htm.
LIFEGUARD CAMP TO START MONDAY AT PAVILION CENTER POOL
A Junior Lifeguard Camp for children 12 to 15 is planned for Mondays through Fridays July 9-13 and Aug. 6-10 at the Pavilion Center Pool, 101 S. Pavilion Center Drive.
Participants will receive American Red Cross adult CPR certification and learn essential pool lifesaving skills. The cost is $45 per week.
For more information, call 229-1488.
EXTREME HEAT PROMPTS OPENING OF COOLING STATIONS
Extra cooling stations recently opened in an effort to help hydrate homeless individuals, according to the Southern Nevada Regional Planning Coalition.
The cooling stations are in addition to the coalition's Inclement Weather Shelter Program, which provides seasonal shelter on an as-needed basis. The program also provides funding for long-term day shelters during the summer. The National Weather Service determines what constitutes hazardous weather conditions.
Catholic Charities of Southern Nevada and The Salvation Army serve as the coalition's summer day-shelters. Cooling stations are open seven days a week. Hours and locations are:
-- Catholic Charities of Southern Nevada, 1501 Las Vegas Blvd. North, 9 a.m. to 5 p.m., for men only.
-- The Salvation Army, 31 W. Owens Ave., North Las Vegas, 7 a.m. to 6 p.m., for adults only.
-- The Shade Tree, 1 W. Owens Ave., North Las Vegas, 10 a.m. to 6 p.m., for women and children only.
-- The Cambridge Recreation Center, 3930 Cambridge St., 7 a.m. to 8 p.m.
-- The Dula Gymnasium, 441 E. Bonanza Road, 9 a.m. to 8 p.m.
-- The Hollywood Recreation Center, 1650 S. Hollywood Blvd., 6 a.m. to 8 p.m.
-- The Islamic Society of Nevada, 4730 E. Desert Inn Road, 11 a.m. to 7 p.m.
-- The Stupak Community Center, 251 W. Boston Ave., 9 a.m. to 8 p.m.
-- The Valley View Recreation Center, 500 Harris St., Henderson, 8 a.m. to 9 p.m.
-- The Walnut Recreation Center, 3075 N. Walnut Road, 7 a.m. to 8 p.m.
To find the nearest cooling station, call 211 or visit helphopehome.org.
LIFEGUARD EDUCATION PROGRAM PLANNED AT FIVE COUNTY WATER PARKS
Clark County is offering its new Lifeguard Education Awareness program, with classes scheduled at five of its water parks.
The eight-week LEAP program is for ages 11 to 18 and includes swimming instruction, lifeguard training, CPR certification, field trips, guest speakers and information about water-related careers.
The program is planned at Sunrise Neighborhood Pool, 2240 Linn Lane; Walnut Water Park, 3055 N. Walnut Road; Parkdale Water Park, 3200 Ferndale St.; Whitney Neighborhood Pool, 5712 E. Missouri Ave.; and Cambridge Water Park, 3930 Cambridge St.
Those who are interested must inquire with a school counselor or at a Clark County recreation center to receive a referral and fill out an application.
For more information, call 455-8508.
CLARK COUNTY SEEKS TO FILL 60-PLUS FIREFIGHTER AND PARAMEDIC POSITIONS
Clark County is set to accept applications 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.
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.
