Area Briefing, Nov. 27-Dec. 3, 2014

FREE RADON TEST KITS TO BE AVAILABLE

Free radon test kits are set to be available from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. weekdays Dec. 1 through Feb. 28 at the University of Nevada Cooperative Extension, 8050 Paradise Road, in honor of National Radon Action Month in January.

Radon is a naturally occurring radioactive gas that can accumulate in buildings and cause lung cancer.

When a home is closed up during colder months, radon concentrations typically increase, making winter an ideal time to test a home for radon, according to the Cooperative Extension.

Radon education programs are planned statewide in January and are set to be announced later. The Cooperative Extension offers radon presentations for schools, civic and community groups, homeowners associations, Realtors, builders and the general public.

To schedule a presentation, contact education coordinator Jamie Roice-Gomes at 775-336-0252 or roicej@unce.unr.edu.

For more information, visit radonnv.com or call the radon hotline at 888-723-6610.

STATE NETWORK AIMS TO REDUCE THREAT OF WILDFIRES

The University of Nevada Cooperative Extension’s Living With Fire Program recently introduced the Nevada Network of Fire Adapted Communities.

The network is aimed at helping Nevada’s fire-prone communities become fire adapted. A fire-adapted community is one that has a good chance of surviving a wildfire with little assistance from firefighters, with residents taking the necessary steps to make their homes and the surrounding vegetation more resistant to fire.

The network plans to:

— Support communities and connect them with stakeholders concerned about wildfire in Nevada.

— Help communities develop Community Wildfire Protection Plans.

— Assist communities in obtaining grants.

— Provide educational and promotional opportunities and facilitate collaboration.

Those interested in joining the network can visit livingwithfire.info, email millere@unce.unr.edu or call 775-336-0266.

VETERANS COMPLETE ALTERNATIVE SENTENCING PROGRAM

Six military veterans recently completed Henderson Municipal Court’s Veterans Court program to help them transition back into civilian life.

Veterans Court is an alternative sentencing program for military veterans charged with misdemeanors while struggling to readjust to civilian life.

The program focuses on participants’ underlying issues and provides access to resources that enable successful compliance with the court’s orders, such as for mental health or drug and alcohol addiction counseling.

For more information, call 702-267-3350 or visit cityofhenderson.com.

HENDERSON POLICE PLAN SPECIAL PATROLS TO ENFORCE SEAT BELT LAW

Henderson Police Department officers plan to target motorists who are not wearing seat belts during a Click It or Ticket enforcement effort through Dec. 2.

Officers are set to conduct saturation patrols throughout Henderson to stop vehicles for traffic violations and then check for seat belt use.

Click It or Ticket is sponsored by the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration.

For more information, visit nhtsa.gov.

TOY DRIVE TO BENEFIT CHILDREN IN FOSTER CARE SYSTEM

The CASA Foundation of Las Vegas’ annual Angel Tree Toy Drive is planned through Dec. 12, with drop-off locations available across the valley, including Rachel’s Kitchen, Credit Union 1, Distill – A Local Bar and Remedy’s Tavern.

With more than 3,000 foster children in Clark County, CASA’s goal is to make Christmas memorable for each child, with help and support from the Las Vegas community.

CASA, in partnership with Wirtz Beverage of Nevada, is set to host an Angel Tree Party on Dec. 13, when volunteers will wrap toys, pass out gifts and entertain children and their families with Disney princesses, face painting, food, games and a visit with Mr. and Mrs. Claus.

A list of toy donation locations is available at casafoundationlv.org.

For more information, call 702-361-4216.

ROOM OFFERS SOOTHING ENVIRONMENT FOR NEW CLIENTS AT THE SHADE TREE

A Serenity Room was recently added at the Shade Tree, 1 W. Owens Ave., to provide women with a soothing environment for starting the healing process after experiencing domestic violence.

A dedication and ribbon cutting ceremony was held Nov. 7 to celebrate the room’s completion. The project was made possible with support from the Lynne Ruffin-Smith Charitable Foundation, for which the room will be named.

An average of 15 new clients per day seek assistance at the Shade Tree.

For more information, visit theshadetree.org or call 702-385-0072.

HOLIDAY OIL RECYCLING PROGRAM TO START

Residents can recycle their holiday cooking oil by dropping it off from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Nov. 28 through Dec. 1 and Dec. 26 through Jan. 15 in the south parking lot at the Springs Preserve, 333 S. Valley View Blvd.

Oil can be funnelled into its original container, sealed and placed in a collection receptacle at the site.

The holiday cooking oil recycling program is a component of the Clark County Water Reclamation District’s Pain in the Drain campaign, which aims to keep sewers free of blockages and overflows caused by oil, fat and grit.

For more information, visit paininthedrain.com.

NEW TRAFFIC SIGNALS PART OF CITYWIDE PROJECT

A traffic signal was recently installed at the intersection of Centennial and Grand Montecito parkways as part of a project to enhance pedestrian and vehicular safety across the city of Las Vegas.

Traffic signals are also planned at Alexander Road and Torrey Pines Drive; Alexander and Cimarron roads; Bonanza Road and Page Street; Sky Pointe Drive and Cimarron Road; Ann and Cimarron roads; Ann Road and Torrey Pines Drive; Washington Avenue and Sandhill Road; Owens Avenue and Lamb Boulevard; and Stewart Avenue and Third Street.

The cost of the signals and traffic improvements totals around $2.65 million.

For more information, visit lasvegasnevada.gov.

FUNDS AWARDED FOR METRO’S SPECIAL TRAFFIC PATROLS

The Nevada Department of Public Safety’s Office of Traffic Safety recently awarded $181,200 in federal funds to the Metropolitan Police Department to continue Joining Forces patrols, part of a nationwide effort.

The money is set to be used to conduct safety enforcement events throughout the city of Las Vegas and Clark County.

Fifteen Joining Forces events are planned for fiscal year 2014-15 in Metro’s jurisdiction. They will focus on seat belt usage, pedestrian safety, distracted driving, speeding and driving under the influence.

For more information, visit zerofatalitiesnv.com.

TRAFFIC REDIRECTED ON MAIN STREET DURING PROJECT

Traffic was switched Nov. 10 from the west side of Main Street to the east side, between the Interstate 515 overpass and Bridger Avenue, as the Main Street Improvement Project progresses, the city of Las Vegas announced.

Traffic disruptions are expected during the project, the city said. Meanwhile, restrictions have been lifted south of Bridger Avenue, with traffic returning to both sides of the roadway.

The $13.9 million Main Street Improvement Project stretches along Main between Bonneville Avenue and north of the I-515 overpass. It aims to improve traffic flow within the corridor and make the area safer for bicyclists and pedestrians by adding bicycle lanes and widening sidewalks.

The second phase of the project is scheduled to convert Main and Commerce streets to a one-way couplet. It also is set to include roadway improvements, such as asphalt paving, street lighting and landscaping.

Phase 1 began in August and is set to be completed by fall 2015.

APPLICANTS SOUGHT FOR HENDERSON POLICE CITIZENS ACADEMY

Henderson residents who want to learn more about law enforcement can enroll in the Henderson Police Department’s 13-week Citizens Academy, set to start Jan. 13.

Classes are scheduled from 6 to 9 p.m. every Tuesday at the Main Police Station, 223 Lead St. Applications are due by Dec. 1 and can be obtained at the station or at cityofhenderson.com/police. Classes are limited to 20 people, and participants can miss only one session.

The goal of the program is to provide insight into the life and training of a Henderson police officer. Sessions are slated to cover radio and communication training, community policing, use of force, gang enforcement, crime scene investigation, Taser use, detention center procedures, K-9 assistance, the criminal justice system, domestic violence and criminalistics.

Applicants must live or work in Henderson city limits, be 18 or older and have no felony, gross misdemeanor or misdemeanor convictions. Participants also must pass a background check.

For more information, contact the Henderson police training bureau at 702-267-4850 or pdtrainingbureaurequests@cityofhenderson.com.

FREE MONTHLY SAFETY FORUMS PLANNED AT MOB MUSEUM

The Mob Museum, 300 E. Stewart Ave., plans free community safety forums monthly from 1-2 p.m. Saturdays.

The museum is partnering with the Metropolitan Police Department for the series. This year’s remaining forum is scheduled from 1-2 p.m. Dec. 20, covering auto theft.

Forums planned in 2015 are: Jan. 17, vice/human trafficking; Feb. 21, elder exploitation; March 21, homeless liaison presentation; April 18, narcotics; May 16, robbery; June 20, traffic awareness; July 18, gang awareness; Aug. 15, district attorney court procedures; Sept. 19, K-9 operations; Oct. 17, missing persons; Nov. 21, Metro volunteer program; and Dec. 19, emergency preparedness.

For more information, call 702-229-2734 or visit themobmuseum.org.