Area Briefing, Aug. 6-12

EMERGENCY AND MILITARY PERSONNEL
TO SCALE STRATOSPHERE’S STAIRS

Registration is underway for the Stratosphere’s inaugural Operation Tower Climb. The competitive stair-climbing event is set for Oct. 26 and is open to firefighters, police officers, military personnel and their families.

The cost for participation is $100, and net proceeds are set to benefit the American Red Cross of Southern Nevada’s Holiday Emergency Assistance Team.

For more information or to register, visit stratosphereclimb.com.

CLARK COUNTY FIRE DEPARTMENT
TO HOST OPEN HOUSE AT STATION 33

The Clark County Fire Department plans an open house from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. Aug. 10 at Station 33, 865 E. Desert Inn Road.

Back-to-school safety will be a theme at the event, which also is set to include the Metropolitan Police Department’s McGruff the crime dog and the Clark County Fire Department’s fire safety house to teach children how to get out of their homes safely in case of fire.

The department hosts open houses with community partners on Saturdays every other month at different fire stations.

Participating agencies include the Southern Nevada Child Drowning Prevention Coalition, the American Red Cross of Southern Nevada, Nevada Child Seekers, Nevada Healthy Homes and staff members from the Clark County business license and the district attorney’s offices.

For more information, call 702-455-7311.

SAFE SUMMER NIGHTS CELEBRATION PLANNED AUG. 6 AT KELLY ELEMENTARY

Residents are invited to get to know each other and enjoy music, games, entertainment and more during a Safe Summer Nights celebration set for 6 to 8 p.m. Aug. 6 at Kelly Elementary School, 1900 N. J St.

The free event is aimed at promoting peace and safety. Free hot dogs, chips and water are scheduled to be served while supplies last. A community resource fair at the event will offer information regarding youth activities, health services, community safety, money management programs, adult education opportunities, living assistance and more. For more information, call 702-229-5406.

F STREET REOPENING PROJECT
TO CAUSE TRAFFIC RESTRICTIONS

The Nevada Department of Transportation plans to implement lane reductions, traffic shifts and various closures through spring 2014 as part of the $13.6 million project to reopen F Street under Interstate 15. The traffic restrictions represent Phases 2 and 3 of the project.

During Phase 2, I-15 will be reduced to two lanes northbound and southbound between Lake Mead Boulevard and U.S. Highway 95.

Northbound freeway traffic will move to the southbound side so crews can construct the northbound portion of the new F Street Bridge. In addition, the D Street off-ramp from northbound I-15 and the F Street-D Street connector will be closed through fall.

Once the northern portion of the bridge is complete, Phase 3 will begin. It is expected to last until spring 2014 and include moving southbound freeway traffic to the northbound side so crews can construct the southbound portion of the F Street Bridge. A temporary ramp to accommodate southbound I-15-to-Las Vegas Beltway traffic will also be built, transportation officials said. Two lanes on I-15 will be maintained in each direction throughout the project area.

The F Street reopening project has seven phases. Though time lines for the remaining phases haven’t been determined, the project is scheduled for completion in 2014.

For more information, call 511 or visit nvroads.com.

TRAINING FOR BABY SITTING PLANNED

The American Red Cross plans to offer baby-sitter training for participants ages 11 to 15 on Aug. 17 and 18 at the Pavilion Center Pool, 101 S. Pavilion Center Drive.

The training is to include child and infant cardiopulmonary resuscitation, basic first aid skills and pointers on starting a baby-sitting business.

The cost is $75 per participant.

For more information, including times for training sessions, call 702-229-1488.

LAS VEGAS FIRE & RESCUE GETS NEW CHIEF

The Las Vegas City Council recently appointed William McDonald as the chief of Las Vegas Fire & Rescue.

More than 60 candidates from across the nation were considered for the position.

McDonald succeeds former Clark County Fire Chief Steven Smith, who has been providing interim leadership for the department since April 22.

McDonald most recently served as the San Jose, Calif., fire chief. He has more than 35 years of continuous service as a firefighter and has served as a fire chief since Feb. 1, 1993.

McDonald holds a master’s degree in business administration and a bachelor’s degree from California State University, Fresno. He also completed a state and local government program at Harvard University in 2000 and a certified public manager program at Arizona State University in 2007. In addition, he is a graduate of the executive fire officer’s program through the National Fire Academy.

VALLEY HEALTH SYSTEM ADVISES PRECAUTIONS DURING FLOODING

The Valley Health System recently offered tips for residents to stay safe during flash floods.

n Do not drive or walk through water when you can’t see the street or pavement.

n If caught in your vehicle during a flash flood, stay put until help arrives.

n Know where the detention basins and washes are in your neighborhood, and if it looks like rain, stay away from those areas. They could include walking, biking and hiking trails and other recreation areas.

n Playing in flood water is unsafe for a variety of reasons, including the speed of the water and risk of infection due to contaminants.

For more information, visit valleyhealthsystemlv.com or call 702-388-4888.

NONPROFIT SEEKS BOTTLED WATER,
CANNED FOOD TO HELP VETERANS

Veterans Village, 1150 Las Vegas Blvd. South, is seeking donations of bottled water and canned food to provide relief to veterans and individuals in need.

The nonprofit, which offers services and temporary housing for veterans, said it is running low on supplies as recipients seek respite from the heat.

Services offered by Veterans Village include nutrition, life skills training, employment training and referrals, continuing education and degree programs, exercise training, medical assistance, mental health counseling and veteran-centric activities and events.

For more information, visit vvlv.org or call 702-624-5792.

CRIME SCENE INVESTIGATION TECHNIQUES
TO BE DISCUSSED AT PASEO VERDE LIBRARY

Amy Nemcik, a crime scene analyst from the Metropolitan Police Department’s CSI unit, plans to discuss crime scene investigation from 10 a.m. to noon Aug. 10 in the conference room at the Paseo Verde Library, 280 S. Green Valley Parkway, Henderson.

The free event is geared toward adults. Residents can register at mypubliclibrary.com or 702-492-6580.

FILM SERIES TO FEATURE VINTAGE POLICE VIDEOS AT GREEN VALLEY LIBRARY

Vintage police videos are scheduled to be shown from 2 to 5 p.m. Aug. 23 at the Green Valley Library, 2797 N. Green Valley Parkway, as part of a film series featuring historically significant documentaries and propaganda films.

The free police videos will feature a 1980s Texas roundtable about keeping communities safe, homelessness, environmental protection for lower income people and a training film for police in rural communities.

Audience commentary is encouraged.

Registration is required by visiting mypubliclibrary.com or calling 702-207-4261.

NATIONAL NIGHT OUT BLOCK PARTY PLANNED AT KNICKERBOCKER PARK

The Providence Master Homeowners Association plans a free National Night Out block party from 6 to 8 p.m. Aug. 6 at Knickerbocker Park, 10695 Dorrell Lane.

The party is set to feature exhibits, information and demonstrations from area first responders. Activities are also set to include video games, a disc jockey, volleyball and soccer. Free popsicles will be available, and other treats will be for sale.

The Providence Master Homeowners Association plans to share information about a traffic safety initiative aimed at reducing fatalities and injuries on valley roadways.

Event participants are slated to include the Metropolitan Police Department, Las Vegas Fire & Rescue, Neighborhood Watch representatives, MedicWest Ambulance and the University of Nevada, Las Vegas Safe Community Partnership.

For more information, call 702-216-2020.

SEWER WORK TO CAUSE DELAYS ALONG STRETCH OF LAKE MEAD BOULEVARD

A sewer rehabilitation project is slated to cause delays and traffic restrictions along Lake Mead Boulevard from Rancho to Hills Center drives into the fourth quarter of the year, according to the city of Las Vegas.

Crews are set to repair or replace about 23,000 feet of 21- to 27-inch sewer line and 70 manholes on Lake Mead Boulevard. In addition, 18 manholes on Hills Center Drive from Lake Mead Boulevard to Covington Cross Drive will also be repaired or replaced.

Work is set to occur overnight in nonresidential areas and during daytime in residential areas. Motorists can expect lane closures, and pedestrians can expect sidewalk closures. East-west travel alternatives include Cheyenne Avenue and Craig Road. Pedestrian and business access will be maintained during construction, the city said.

Las Vegas Paving is the contractor for the $7.1 million project.

For more information, visit lasvegasnevada.gov or call 702-229-6011.

NORTH LAS VEGAS POLICE
SEEK SCHOOL CROSSING GUARDS

The North Las Vegas Police Department is recruiting crossing guards to work near various elementary schools for the upcoming school year.

Crossing guards are responsible for assisting students safely across busy intersections on their way to and from school.

The part-time positions pay $9 an hour. Shifts typically are from 6:30 to
9:15 a.m. and 1:30 to 4 p.m. daily when school is in session, depending on school location.

Applicants must possess a high school diploma or GED; pass a North Las Vegas Police Department background check and drug test; and possess a valid Nevada driver’s license.

Candidates can apply by visiting cityofnorthlasvegas.com and clicking on “Employment.”

For more information, call the crossing guard supervisor at 702-633-1017, ext 6671.

NORTH LAS VEGAS TO HOST
NATIONAL NIGHT OUT EVENT

The North Las Vegas Police Department plans to host a National Night Out celebration from 6 to 9 p.m. Aug. 6 at Hartke Park, 1900 E. Tonopah Ave.

The event is set to include free food, information and entertainment to promote crime prevention awareness, local anti-crime programs and police-community partnerships.

For more information, call 702-631-9111 or visit tinyurl.com/northlasvegaspd.