Area briefing

MUNICIPAL COURT CHANGES HOURS

Hours for the Las Vegas Municipal Court at the Regional Justice Center, 200 Lewis Ave., are set to change starting Monday. The court plans to be open from 7:30 a.m. to 5:30 p.m. Monday through Thursday. For more information, call 382-6878 or visit lasvegasnevada.gov/municipalcourt.

SEXUAL ASSAULT TO BE 1ST TUESDAY TOPIC

Sexual assault is to be the topic during the Las Vegas Metropolitan Police Department's 1st Tuesday program, set for 7 to 8 p.m. April 3 at the department's valleywide area commands.

The 1st Tuesday program is a free open house-style event that takes place monthly on the first Tuesday. For a list of area commands or other additional information, visit lvmpd.com or call 828-3111.

FREE RADON TEST KITS TO BE OFFERED DURING APRIL 7 PRESENTATIONS

Radon-awareness presentations are planned for 11:30 a.m. April 7 at the Clark County Library, 1401 E. Flamingo Road, and 2:30 p.m. May 12 at the Henderson Multigenerational Center, 250 S. Green Valley Parkway.

Free radon test kits will be offered at each presentation through the University of Nevada Cooperative Extension's radon education program.

Radon, a naturally occurring radioactive gas present in many homes, schools and other buildings, is the leading cause of lung cancer among nonsmokers, organizers said.

For more information or to schedule a presentation, call 257-5550, email au-yeungl@unce.unr.edu or visit radonnv.com.

COURT CELEBRATES HOPE GRADUATION

The Las Vegas Municipal Court recently celebrated the graduation of a 35-year-old resident who successfully completed the court's Habitual Offender Education and Prevention program.

The graduation ceremony took place March 14 at the Regional Justice Center, 200 Lewis Ave., with Judge Heidi Almase presiding. The graduate was presented with a laptop and a backpack to further his efforts to be successful in today's job market.

The HOPE program is designed to give a second chance to habitual offenders with issues related to homelessness, misdemeanor activity and substance abuse in order to implement a stable, sober lifestyle.

The program was established in an effort to reduce arrests among chronic repeat offenders.

The program finds housing for the participants and requires them to complete drug treatment, counseling, job readiness and life-skills courses. Every defendant must stay out of trouble and abstain from drugs and alcohol during the program.

HOPE is funded by a grant from the Nevada Administrative Office of the Courts.

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

POOL CONTRACTOR PLEADS GUILTY TO DIVERSION OF FUNDS

Former licensed pool contractor Kelly Ann Sagona, owner of Blue Lagoon Pools, was convicted of a gross misdemeanor March 13 by the District Court of Clark County after pleading guilty to diversion of funds, according to the Nevada State Contractors Board.

Sagona was ordered to pay $182,427 in restitution and serve 12 months in the Clark County Detention Center, which was suspended on the condition that Sagona serve up to three years' probation, board officials said.

Conditions of her probation include monthly restitution payments, actively seeking and maintaining employment, completion of 20 hours of community service each month unless employed full-time and that no contact be made with her victims.

The case was submitted for prosecution by the Nevada State Contractors Board following its year-long investigation into Blue Lagoon Pools. The investigation involved 18 homeowners, the board said.

For more information, visit nscb.nv.gov or call 486-1100.

POLICE ATHLETIC LEAGUE HONORS STUDENT WHO TURNED HER LIFE AROUND

The Southern Nevada Police Athletic League recently hosted a luncheon to honor Valley High School senior Brenda Parra and present her with a $3,000 college scholarship.

Parra, who was honored March 13, moved to Las Vegas at an early age and attended local elementary schools. By the time Parra entered junior high school, she became involved with gangs, started experimenting with drugs and eventually started skipping school, athletic league officials said.

When Parra was in seventh grade, her mother learned about the Southern Nevada Police Athletic League. Parra joined the league, and in her sophomore year of high school, she became involved with community service projects, gaining a new respect for herself and what she could accomplish.

After graduation, Parra aims to pursue a career in criminal justice or culinary arts.

The Southern Nevada Police Athletic League's mission is to provide valley youths with positive alternatives through athletics, education and community. All of the league's programs involve area law enforcement personnel as coaches, instructors, mentors and role models.

For more information, visit snpal.com.

POLICE INVITE COMMENTS DURING ACADEMY ACCREDITATION PROCESS

The Las Vegas Metropolitan Police Department is seeking public comments as part of its training academy's on-site assessment to obtain initial accreditation from the Commission on Accreditation for Law Enforcement Agencies Inc.

The academy must comply with nationally recognized standards established by the commission in order to be accredited. The assessment is set for April 9-12.

A phone-in session is set for 1 to 3 p.m. April 11 so community and department members can provide comments on the matter. Those wishing to comment can call 828-7303 to talk directly to the assessors.

Telephone comments during the session are limited to five minutes and must address the training academy's ability to comply with commission standards. A copy of the standards is available for public viewing in the quality assurance department at the police department's headquarters, 400 S. Martin Luther King Blvd., Building A.

For more information, contact Lt. John Farrell at 828-5500.