Area Briefing, Sept. 11-17, 2014

NORTH LAS VEGAS HOMES TO BE DEMOLISHED FOR SAFETY REASONS

Twenty homes in North Las Vegas are scheduled to be demolished to remove blight and reduce fire hazards and criminal activity, the city announced.

The city is allocating $400,000 for the demolition. The properties were targeted following numerous public complaints about the properties, according to city fire and code enforcement officials. In addition, the North Las Vegas Police Department has responded to 142 calls for service at the properties, and the North Las Vegas Fire Department has responded to fires at the sites.

For more information, visit cityofnorthlasvegas.com.

HENDERSON FIREFIGHTERS SELL SHIRTS TO BENEFIT BREAST CANCER RESEARCH

Members of the Henderson Firefighters Benevolent Association are scheduled to sell Go Pink for the Cure shirts through 5 p.m. Sept. 18 to help fight cancer.

Half the proceeds will benefit the Breast Cancer Research Foundation, and half will go toward the Henderson Firefighters Benevolent Association, which assists other nonprofits in the community.

T-shirts cost $20, and polo shirts are $40. Purchases can be made at hfbanv.com.

Last year, Henderson firefighters raised more than $4,000 for the Breast Cancer Research Foundation by purchasing the shirts and wearing them while on duty. They also purchased shirts for friends and family. This year, they hope to double their donation by selling the shirts to the public.

For more information, visit hfbanv.com.

SUMMERLIN-AREA SEWER PROJECT PLANNED THROUGH MAY

The installation of new sanitary sewer pipe on Rampart Boulevard from Lake Mead Boulevard to Alta Drive is under way, causing lane restrictions.

The Lake Mead/Rampart intersection is expected to be finished by Sept. 15. Work is planned for 7 a.m. to 3:30 p.m. weekdays. Buffalo Drive is recommended as an alternate route for north/south travel.

After that portion of the project, lane restrictions will change as work begins on the installation of the sewer pipe on Rampart south of Lake Mead. Traffic will be restricted to the west half of Rampart between Lake Mead and Hillpointe Road, with one lane open to traffic in each direction. The contractor anticipates work progressing south of Hillpointe by mid-October.

The entire project is expected to take about 11 months. Work is planned in five phases:

— Phase 1: August to October, along Rampart between Lake Mead and Hillpointe Road.

— Phase 2: October to December, between Hillpointe and Vegas Drive.

— Phase 3: December to February, between Vegas Drive and the north off-ramps from Summerlin Parkway.

— Phase 4: February to March, between Summerlin Parkway north off-ramps and Canyon Run Drive.

— Phase 5: March to May, between Canyon Run Drive and Alta Drive.

TAB Contractors Inc. is the construction company, and the city of Las Vegas is managing the $12 million project. Funding is provided by the city sanitation fund and the Regional Transportation Commission of Southern Nevada.

For more information, call 702-229-6272.

PROGRAM TO EDUCATE SENIORS ABOUT BUS ROUTES

The Regional Transportation Commission of Southern Nevada plans to present Seniors on the Go for those 50 or older at 10 a.m. Sept. 24 at the Centennial Hills Active Adult Center, 6601 N. Buffalo Drive.

Las Vegas City Councilman Steve Ross and the Transportation Commission plan to educate seniors on fixed bus routes. The program will show seniors how to use the transit guide, read transit maps and enter/exit the bus when using mobility devices.

To register, call 702-229-1702.

EX-OFFENDERS GRADUATE FROM VOCATIONAL PROGRAM

Thirty ex-offenders recently graduated from a HOPE for Prisoners’ pre-vocational leadership workshop.

A ceremony was held Aug. 22 at the nonprofit’s offices, 3430 E. Flamingo Road, Suite 350. Clark County Judge Susan Johnson led the graduates in an oath to remain productive, law-abiding members of the community. State and federal officials also took part in the ceremony.

For more information, visit hopeforprisoners.org.

NEW FIRE STATION OPENS IN WARD 3

The city of Las Vegas was scheduled to open a new fire station Aug. 27 at 4555 E. Bonanza Road to serve the Ward 3 community.

Fire Station 108’s construction cost $6.6 million. The 7,640-square-foot facility has two bays and will house one engine company and one rescue unit, city officials said.

Las Vegas Fire & Rescue was notified in June that it will be awarded $6.2 million over two years from the Federal Emergency Management Agency’s Staffing for Adequate Fire & Emergency Response grant program. The funding is scheduled to be used to hire personnel for the station. The grant will pay for manpower at the site for two years, according to the city.

YOUTHS GRADUATE FROM EXPLORER ACADEMY

Twenty-four youths recently graduated from the Southern Nevada Law Enforcement Explorer Academy.

The graduates attended the academy through the Metropolitan, North Las Vegas Police, Henderson and Boulder City police departments.

Explorers take various classes during the annual six-day academy, studying topics such as ethics in policing, emotional survival, radio communications, report writing, basic firearms marksmanship and physical fitness.

The program is designed for those ages 16 to 20. The goal is to introduce them to a career in law enforcement by matching their interests in four areas: crime scene investigation, corrections, dispatch and police.

For more information, visit lvmpdexplorers.com.

POLICE PREPARE YOUTHS FOR SCHOOL YEAR

Are law enforcement agencies discussed safety issues and shared information with parents Aug. 21 at Centennial High School to help prepare them steer clear of danger during the academic year.

The Metropolitan, North Las Vegas and Clark County School District police departments took part in the event. Tips shared by police included:

— Be vigilant when driving in school zones.

— Monitor young children walking or riding their bicycles to school for the first time.

— Parents should monitor their children’s social media accounts to catch potential problems early.

— Plan safe school routes. For assistance, visit the Safe Routes to School Program page on the Clark County website at tinyurl.com/safeschoolroutes.

— Youths can report school violence by calling 702-828-7777.

RAPE CRISIS CENTER SEEKS VOLUNTEERS TO WORK WITH VICTIMS, COMMUNITY

The Rape Crisis Center is seeking volunteers 21 or older to assist in responding to sexual assault victims 24/7, among other tasks.

Volunteers assist the center’s staff in answering crisis calls around the clock, making referrals to victims and others who are seeking assistance. They also represent the center at community outreach and educational events and help with fundraising.

Center volunteers and employees work with the Clark County School District to conduct educational events to help children identify signs of being molested or inappropriately touched. They also work with nightclubs to educate security personnel on how to identify sexual assault in the club. Volunteers also help organize community service campaigns targeted toward young women to educate them on how to avoid high-risk situations.

Volunteers must undergo 50 hours of training over five weeks for three evenings per week. They must be able to complete a background check and commit to a minimum of six months of volunteer service and at least six hours per week on call.

Those who are interested should complete an application and set up an interview.

For more information, visit therapecrisiscenter.org and click on the volunteer icon, or call 702-385-2153.

FIRE DEPARTMENTS TEAM UP FOR RECRUITMENT DRIVE

Five valley governments recently launched an interagency recruitment drive for firefighters, and several informational outreach events are planned for those who are interested in applying.

Las Vegas Fire & Rescue and the Henderson, North Las Vegas, Clark County and Boulder City fire departments are partnering on the regional effort, pooling resources to save taxpayer money and make recruitment more efficient.

Applications will be accepted only online at snvfirerecruitment.com from Oct. 27-Nov. 26.

The outreach events are planned for:

— 1-3 p.m. Sept. 17 at the College of Southern Nevada Cheyenne campus, 3200 E. Cheyenne Ave.

— 9-11 a.m. Sept. 18 at the Las Vegas City Hall Council Chambers, 495 S. Main St.

— 2-4 p.m. Oct. 1 at the Hollywood Recreation Center, 1650 S. Hollywood Blvd.

— 6-8 p.m. Oct. 8 at the Las Vegas City Hall Council Chambers.

— 6-8 p.m. Oct. 14 at North Las Vegas City Hall, 2250 Las Vegas Blvd. North.

— 2:30-4:30 p.m. Oct. 17 at the West Flamingo Senior Center, 6255 W. Flamingo Road.

— 2-4 p.m. Oct 29 at the Sunset Park office conference room, 2601 E. Sunset Road.

— 2-4 p.m. Nov. 7 at the Mountain Crest Community Center, 4701 N. Durango Drive.

— 2-4 p.m. Nov. 12 at the Robert E. “Bob” Price Recreation Center, 2050 Bonnie Lane.

Topics at the sessions will include recruitment dates, the application process, employment requirements, the testing process, test-taking tips and available positions.

SIGNS MAY INDICATE YOUTHS ARE ABUSING DRUGS OR ALCOHOL

With youths under additional stress due to the start of the school year, Solutions Recovery recently shared tips for parents regarding signs of drugs or alcohol abuse.

Signs include:

— Drop in attendance and performance at school.

— Mood swings, irritability or angry outbursts.

— Missing routines, such as family dinner.

— Lack of motivation.

— Unexplained need for money.

— Bloodshot eyes or sudden change in weight.

— Changes in appetite or sleep patterns.

— Deterioration of physical appearance and personal grooming habits.

— Unusual smells on breath, body or clothing.

— Secretive or suspicious behaviors.

— Unexplained whereabouts, and sudden change in friends, favorite hangouts and hobbies.

If parents suspect their children are using drugs or alcohol, they should:

— Look through their room and personal items.

— Talk with them to find out what’s going on.

— Lock up any alcohol or prescription drugs that might be in the home.

— Refrain from giving them cash, and ensure they have a packed lunch for school rather than money to buy it.

— Seek counseling for them.

For more information on Solutions Recovery, visit solutions-recovery.com or call its 24-hour hotline at 855-708-6995.

TWO HENDERSON POLICE STATIONS TO CEASE DESK SERVICES TEMPORARILY

The Henderson Police Department has consolidated desk services at its Main Police Station, 223 Lead St., to free up more officers for patrols and emergency response.

Desk officers are set to be available from 7:30 a.m. to 5 p.m. daily, including holidays, to answer questions, take reports and assist with nonemergency requests.

Desk services are scheduled to temporarily close at the West Police Station, 300 S. Green Valley Parkway, and at the North Police Station, 225 E. Sunset Road. The stations are slated to resume services once officers in the police academy are fully trained and staffing levels improve, expected by summer of 2015.

Residents also have the option of filing police reports for nonviolent crimes at cityofhenderson.com/police. Reports can deal with minor theft, vandalism, lost property and accidents on private property. A crime can be filed online only if there is no information about suspects. Traffic accident reports for closed cases are available online at no charge from crashdocs.org.

Residents who file online reports will receive a temporary report by email. A police supervisor will review it to ensure the required information has been provided. If approved, reports are assigned a number that is emailed to the resident who filed it.

Reports are reviewed by police, and if approved, they are assigned a number that is emailed to the resident who filed it.

There have been 5,608 reports filed electronically since the department’s online reporting system was launched in October 2011.

MCGRUFF MOBILE APP CREATED FOR SCHOOLCHILDREN

A new app is available to help students stay safe during the school year.

AlertID has partnered with the National Crime Prevention Council to create the McGruff mobile app, available free at alertid.com.

After creating an AlertID account, users can receive law enforcement alerts, crime and sex offender alerts, prevention tips and more. The app also includes a virtual Neighborhood Watch where users can share photos and information regarding suspicious activity with neighbors, police and the U.S. Department of Homeland Security.

Users also can view an interactive map displaying crimes and sex offenders in their neighborhoods. They can receive alerts and information via email or mobile device for multiple locations, such as their homes, schools, offices or current locations.

HENDERSON SEEKS APPLICATIONS FOR MILITARY RECOGNITION PROGRAM

The city of Henderson plans to honor active military personnel with banners bearing each one’s name, rank and image.

Henderson residents, businesses and organizations may nominate an honoree and sponsor his street banner for a $150 printing cost.

The Military Recognition Banner Program honoree must be a Henderson resident or the immediate family member of one and must be an active-duty military member in good standing.

The application deadline is Oct. 1. The street banners are scheduled to be installed around Veterans Day, set for Nov. 11, and displayed for a year. Once the banners are removed, honorees are slated to be recognized at a ceremony hosted by the city.

Nomination forms are available from the city Community Development and Services Department and can be requested by calling 702-267-1500 or visiting cityofhenderson.com/community_development.