Area Briefing, March 11-17

TRANSIT SHELTER IMPROVEMENT PROGRAM ANNOUNCED

The Regional Transportation Commission of Southern Nevada, U.S. Rep. Dina Titus and Henderson City Councilwoman Debra March recently announced improvements to make bus stops safer for transit riders and motorists.

Twelve fatal accidents involving a vehicle and a valley bus stop have occurred in the last decade, RTC officials said. A study the agency conducted found that each of the accidents was the result of a driver who was speeding, impaired, distracted or otherwise breaking the law. The study determined that the best and most cost-effective way to enhance safety is to move transit shelters at least 5 feet from the street, whenever feasible.

RTC officials said $2.3 million has been obtained from the Federal Transit Administration to help move back or install about 150 new and improved bus shelters and 130 benches and trash cans in Southern Nevada this year.

RESIDENTS GRADUATE FROM WIN COURT

Two women graduated March 6 from the Women in Need of Change Court program.

The event took place at the Regional Justice Center, 200 Lewis Ave. Las Vegas Municipal Court Judge Cynthia Leung was joined by members of the City Council and local judicial system to celebrate the milestone.

The graduates have criminal histories that include arrests and citations spanning 20 years. One graduate dropped out of high school and was on her own at age 16. She has now fulfilled a lifelong goal by receiving her GED.

The other graduate is in her fourth semester at the College of Southern Nevada and has completed her course work with honors while working toward a degree. She has been able to reconnect with her children and family.

Both graduates are employed, and each has secured an apartment and is ready to move forward, city officials said.

The grant-funded WIN Court is a specialty program available to women who have at least three prior convictions for charges related to prostitution. Participants have 180 days of jail time suspended for 18 months, cleared upon successful completion of the program.

Requirements throughout the program include drug treatment and counseling, earning a GED if needed and pursuing education/training and employment. Defendants must stay out of trouble and abstain from drugs and alcohol during the program.

SANDBAGS AVAILABLE TO PROTECT PROPERTY DURING STORMS

Residents who need sandbags to protect their property during heavy winds or flooding can obtain sandbags free at two city of Las Vegas-run locations, according to City Councilman Steve Ross.

The locations are:

— The city’s West Service Center near Ronemus and Sauer drives behind the Rainbow Library, 3150 N. Buffalo Drive.

— The city’s East Service Center at the east side of North Mojave Road, across from the Animal Foundation, 655 N. Mojave Road.

For more information, visit lasvegasnevada.gov/government/ward6.htm or call 702-229-6154.

DIVISION OF INSURANCE OFFERS TIPS FOR HANDLING AUTO ACCIDENTS

The Nevada Division of Insurance recently offered tips for drivers on how to handle noninjury accidents.

The tips were issued in light of the Metropolitan Police Department’s decision to no longer respond to or accept accident reports for minor, noninjury car accidents on city of Las Vegas and Clark County streets.

— Have a current insurance card in your vehicle.

— Put a small notepad, pen and disposable camera in the vehicle to ensure that you can document the details of an accident. A smartphone with a camera and note-taking app can also suffice. Insurance carriers also sometimes provide accident toolkits to customers upon request.

— Download the free smartphone app WreckCheck. Developed by the National Association of Insurance Commissioners, the app outlines what to do immediately following an auto accident and takes users through a step-by-step process to create their own accident reports. Additionally, the app lets users email completed accident reports to themselves and their insurance agents.

— Do not get out of your car to assess the accident scene if it is not safe to do so.

— Get the driver’s name, address, phone number, insurer’s name and insurer’s phone and policy numbers. Taking a picture of the driver’s insurance card is a simple way to obtain the necessary information.

— Get the names and phone numbers of witnesses and all passengers in the vehicle.

— Take photos/video of the scene, including automobile damage.

— Drivers should notify their agent or insurance company about the accident as soon as possible.

— When reporting a claim, have available your insurance card or declarations page and the information collected at the scene.

— If it was a multicar accident, the insurance companies involved may investigate the circumstances of the crash. A claims adjuster will likely want to examine the damage to the car and talk to the parties involved in the accident. The insurance company will use the adjuster’s findings as the basis of a settlement.

— Keep notes of all conversations with company representatives, repair shops and other parties.

For assistance navigating the claims process or other concerns, contact the Nevada Division of Insurance’s Las Vegas office at 702-486-4009 or visit doi.nv.gov.

CITY OFFICIALS TO HOST FREE SHREDDING EVENTS

Las Vegas City Councilmen Bob Coffin and Bob Beers plan to host free shredding events in March.

— Coffin is set to host an event from 10 a.m. to noon March 15 at Kmart, 5051 E. Bonanza Road. Shredding will be conducted near the garden area of the store facing Nellis Boulevard. For more information, call 702-229-4623.

— Beers is slated to host an event from 10 a.m. to noon March 29 at the Veterans Memorial Leisure Services Center, 101 N. Pavilion Center Drive. For more information, call 702-229-6405.

There is a limit of five boxes of documents per car for both events. Staples and clips should be removed from materials.

FREE MONTHLY SEMINARS TO INTRODUCE NEW OPERATORS TO HAM RADIO

The K7QQQ Amateur Radio Repeater Club plans free monthly seminars for beginner ham radio operators in the community room at Findlay Chevrolet, 6800 S. Torrey Pines Drive.

The group began offering the free monthly seminars Feb. 5 for new amateur radio licensees and any interested residents. Participants learn about packet, digital and text modes of radio operation during the two-hour sessions. Coffee and light refreshments are served at the events.

For upcoming sessions and class registration, visit k7qqq.org. For more information, email dan.connell@k7qqq.org.

MORE ANIMALS FIND HOMES IN HENDERSON

More lost animals in the city of Henderson were returned to their owners last year than in 2012, according to the city’s Animal Control Bureau.

The bureau said it returned 774 lost animals to their owners and adopted out more than 2,000 pets to new homes in 2013, an increase of 6.5 percent over the number of pets adopted in 2012. About 44 percent of all the lost animals taken into the Animal Care and Control Facility over the past year were adopted.

The Henderson City Council passed a mandatory spay/neuter ordinance in August 2010 to help control the dog and cat populations. The ordinance played a large part in reducing the bureau’s euthanasia rate from 45 percent in 2006 to 23 percent in 2013, city officials said.

The Henderson Animal Care and Control Facility’s medical staff performed 1,454 surgeries in 2013, an increase of 143 over 2012. In addition, animal control officers responded to 10,658 calls for service in 2013, an increase of 635 over 2012.

People interested in adopting pets from the city may visit the Henderson Animal Care and Control Facility, 300 E. Galleria Drive, from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. weekdays and from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. Saturday. Pets available for adoption can also be found at cityofhenderson.com.

TRAFFIC DELAYS EXPECTED DURING RAINBOW BOULEVARD STORM DRAIN PROJECT

Motorists can expect traffic delays along Rainbow Boulevard from Ann Road to Tropical Parkway for the rest of 2014 as new storm drains are constructed.

The $5.2 million project will also relocate sanitary sewer and water pipes.

The project is a joint effort between the city of Las Vegas and the Clark County Regional Flood Control District.

Tenaya Way and Jones Boulevard are suggested as possible alternative routes for north-south travel.

FLOOD CONTROL PROJECT PLANNED ON PORTION OF GRAND TETON DRIVE

Work to install storm drain infrastructure on Grand Teton Drive between Durango Drive and Rainbow Boulevard began Feb. 18 and is expected to last 15 months, according to the city of Las Vegas.

The project is aimed at helping alleviate flooding in the area during heavy rainfall.

Crews are slated to begin work at Grand Teton and Durango and move toward Rainbow. Work is set to include the installation of underground box culverts, which are large, concrete channels that carry water to the Las Vegas Wash.

One lane is scheduled to remain open on Grand Teton during the project, but motorists should expect delays, city officials said. Farm Road can be used as an alternate route.

The contractor is Las Vegas Paving, and the $11.7 million project is funded by the city and the Clark County Regional Flood Control District.

PROGRAM TO SHOW STUDENTS DANGERS OF DRINKING AND DRIVING

Students are scheduled to learn about the dangers of driving while intoxicated during an Every 15 Minutes program set for March 20 and 21 at Veterans Tribute Career & Technical Academy, 2531 Vegas Drive.

A DUI crash reconstruction scene is slated for 6:30 a.m. March 20 on Vegas Drive as part of the program, and an assembly is scheduled at 8:45 a.m. March 21 in the school gym to highlight the program’s message.

Every 15 Minutes is a two-day program that encourages high school juniors and seniors to think about personal safety when alcohol is involved, making mature decisions and recognizing that their actions affect others.

ROAD IMPROVEMENTS PLANNED ON STRETCH OF DECATUR BOULEVARD

Construction began Feb. 13 on Decatur Boulevard between U.S. Highway 95 and Lake Mead Boulevard as part of roadway improvements that are expected to last 12 weeks, the city of Las Vegas announced.

Daytime work is slated for 6 a.m. to 4 p.m. Monday through Friday, with traffic restricted to one lane in each direction between 9 a.m. and 3 p.m. A minimum of two lanes in each direction will be kept open during peak morning and afternoon hours, the city said. Also, milling and paving are set to occur between 9 p.m. and 5 a.m. weekdays, and traffic may be restricted to one lane in each direction.

Motorists are advised to use Jones Boulevard or Rancho Drive as alternate routes, according to the city.

The project includes the installation of traffic signal interconnect conduits, the reconstruction of deteriorated pavement, median island modifications for improved traffic flow and safety, median island landscaping upgrades and roadway striping.

Las Vegas Paving Corporation is the contractor. The city of Las Vegas is managing and funding the $2.2 million project.

CLARK COUNTY RECRUITING LIFEGUARDS, WATER SAFETY INSTRUCTORS

The Clark County Parks and Recreation Department is recruiting to fill positions for the 2014 pool season.

Available positions are cashier, lifeguard, water safety instructor and management. Positions pay $8.50 to $15 per hour based on experience and certifications.

Those who wish to apply for a lifeguard or other water-related positions must complete the lifeguard training course at the Hollywood Aquatics Center, 1550 S. Hollywood Blvd.

Those 15 or older can take the course for $70 if they sign an employment contract with the Clark County Parks and Recreation Department. The cost is $140 to take the course without the contract. Prerequisite skills include 300-yard continuous swim and retrieval of a weighted object from 7 to 10 feet of water. Applicants must attend all classes to complete the five-day course, offered at various times until May 5.

Those who hold the American Red Cross lifeguard certification or are interested in cashier positions can fill out an application at clarkcountynv.gov/parks or call Clark County’s aquatics department at 702-455-8508.

CITY SEEKS LIFEGUARDS, WATER SAFETY INSTRUCTORS

The city of Las Vegas has immediate openings for certified lifeguards and water safety instructors.

Applicants must be at least 16 and possess current certifications in lifeguarding, first aid, cardiopulmonary resuscitation and automated external defibrillator use. The hourly pay is between $9 and $11. Tryouts and interviews will take place each month until positions are filled, the city said.

Interested candidates should call the Las Vegas Municipal Pool at 702-229-6309 to schedule an interview or apply at lasvegasparksandrec.com.

Those who are not certified but are interested in becoming seasonal or career lifeguards can take the city’s pre-lifeguarding skills and American Red Cross lifeguarding courses.

Each two-week pre-lifeguarding skills course is held at the Municipal Pool, 431 E. Bonanza Road.

The 25.5-hour American Red Cross lifeguarding course is provided at three locations: the Municipal Pool, the Pavilion Center Pool and Baker Pool. Participants must be at least 15, pass prerequisite tests on the first day of class and attend each session to obtain certification.

Advance registration for all classes is required at lasvegasparksandrec.com or in person at any year-round city pool or recreational facility.

Details on course schedules, fees, prerequisites and learning materials can be obtained at lasvegasnevada.gov/files/splash_for_cash.pdf or by calling the Municipal Pool at 702-229-6309.