Area briefing

Little League International Baseball & Softball’s 2011 Challenger Award was recently presented to retired Metropolitan Police Department corrections officer Tom Taycher.

The award is given to an individual who exemplifies the Little League ideal of providing all children the opportunity to play baseball, regardless of their ability. The ceremony was conducted on the field during the 2011 Little League Baseball World Series in Williamsport, Pa. The event took place Aug. 18-28.

Taycher is the director of the Challenger Little League of Southern Nevada, which allows developmentally and physically challenged children the opportunity to play baseball.

As the parent of a son with multiple disabilities, Taycher was instrumental in creating a baseball field at Justice Myron E. Leavitt Family Park on East St. Louis and Eastern avenues. The park, formerly known as Jaycee Park, has received the approval of the American Disability Association.

Taycher served as a corrections officer at the Clark County Detention Center for 27 years and retired in 2008. He is only the 14th person to receive Little League’s Challenger Award.

For more information, visit littleleague.org/page58510.aspx or challenger-little-league-of-southern-nevada.org.

NEVADA CONTRACTORS BOARD SETS GOALS FOR 2011-12

The Nevada State Contractors Board highlighted its achievements for 2010-11 and set goals for 2011-12.

Goals outlined for the 2011-12 fiscal year, include:

n Ensure that all applicants and licensees are qualified to provide construction services and provide licensing services in a timely and professional manner.

n Reduce, eliminate or prevent unlicensed activity and unprofessional conduct that poses a threat to public safety and legitimate business activity.

n Enhance the visibility of the board and ensure accurate information is available to the public and professionals through a variety of media.

n Partner with other public and private organizations to better serve customers and leverage resources.

n Organize board training and activities to focus on governance and policy issues while ensuring the execution of the strategic plan.

n Improve agency operations and technology to achieve regulatory efficiency, customer service and consumer protection.

Highlights of accomplishments from the board’s annual 2010-11 Strategic Plan Annual Report include:

n Implementation of an online license renewal program, which automates and streamlines the process for contractors to renew their license and update their contact information.

n Development of an extensive customer service survey program to better track the satisfaction and feedback from board customers.

n Enhancement of many areas of technology to improve office efficiency and advance the security of information obtained by the board.

n Increased partnering activities with stakeholders through a series of roundtable discussions to address and strategize on relevant issues facing the construction industry.

For more information, visit nscb.nv.gov.

CRIMINOLOGIST visits valley TO discuss crime prevention, future of policing

Dr. George L. Kelling, one of America’s foremost criminologists, spoke to members of the Metropolitan Police Department Aug. 25 to discuss the future of policing in America.

Kelling also discussed the development of comprehensive, community-wide crime-prevention programs.

The event took place at the Jerry Keller Training Center, 9880 W. Cheyenne Ave.

For more information, visit lvmpd.com or call 828-3111.

SMOKEY BEAR EXHIBIT ON DISPLAY AT LIED DISCOVERY CHILDREN’S MUSEUM

"Smokey Bear & Woodsey Owl: Home Sweet Home" is set to be displayed through Sept. 25 in the Cultural Gallery at the Lied Discovery Children’s Museum, 833 Las Vegas Blvd. North. For more information, visit ldcm.org or call 382-3445.

The exhibit aims to spread the messages of wildfire prevention and wildlife conservation.

ANN ROAD RESURFACING TO CAUSE NIGHTLY LANE RESTRICTIONS THROUGH OCTOBER

Traffic lane restrictions are in effect through mid-October during the overnight hours on Ann Road between Durango Drive and Centennial Center Boulevard due to a preventative maintenance project to extend the life of the heavily traveled roadway segment, according to the city of Las Vegas.

The traffic lane restrictions, which began Aug. 29, will be in effect from 9 p.m. to 5 a.m. Monday through Friday. Ann Road traffic will be reduced to one lane in each direction.

Ann should return to full access when the improvements are completed. During the nighttime construction periods, alternative routes for east-west travel are Tropical Parkway and Craig Road.

City of Las Vegas Department of Operations and Maintenance personnel are managing the project, and Las Vegas Paving is the contractor. Funding is being provided by the Regional Transportation Commission of Southern Nevada and the city of Las Vegas.

HENDERSON POLICE ARM RESIDENTS WITH ALERT PROGRAM TO REDUCE CRIME

The Henderson Police Department has partnered with the online community watch program AlertID — My Neighborhood as a way to reduce crime.

Residents can receive emails and text messages notifying them of crimes in their area. Information about registered sex offenders also available is through the free website.

Residents also can choose the area they want to monitor.

See the full Las Vegas Review-Journal story at tinyurl.com/3zupxtq.

HENDERSON POLICE HONORED FOR REACCREDITATION

At the Aug. 16 Henderson City Council meeting, the Henderson Police Department was recognized by council members for its reaccreditation by the Commission on Accreditation for Law Enforcement Agencies.

The department received the reaccreditation March 26.

This is the fourth award since the department was initially accredited by CALEA in March 2002.

HENDERSON POLICE SEEK APPLICANTS FOR UPCOMING CITIZENS ACADEMY

The Henderson Police Department is accepting applications for its upcoming Citizens Academy, planned for 6 to 9 p.m. each Tuesday from Sept. 6 through Nov. 29.

The 13-week program provides residents with unique insight into the life and training of a Henderson police officer. The goal is to build a bridge between residents and the police department. During the program, residents experience a condensed version of the actual police academy. 

Topics to be covered are radio and communication training, community policing, use of force, gang enforcement, crime scene investigation, detention center procedures, criminal justice overview, domestic violence and criminalistics.

Applicants must live or work in Henderson, be at least 18 years old and have no felony, gross misdemeanor or misdemeanor convictions. The department holds two academies a year, and space is limited.

Applications can be picked up at the main station at 223 Lead St., the Green Valley Substation at 300 S. Green Valley Parkway, the North Community Police Station at 225 E. Sunset Road or the Community Relations Unit inside the Galleria at Sunset mall, 1300 W. Sunset Road.

For more information, call 267-4850.

KIDS TO LEARN HOW TO RESIST AGGRESSION DURING NEVADA CHILD SEEKERS CLASSES

Nevada Child Seekers plans to educate kids on how to resist aggression defensively during radKids classes set from early September through mid-December at the Silver Springs Recreation Center, 1951 Silver Springs Parkway, Henderson.

The radKids program aims to provide children with basic safety skills dealing with issues such as fire, their home and the Internet and avoid potential bullying and abduction.

The organization, which tries to prevent children from being exploited or going missing, is offering the free program in 90-minute sessions planned every Saturday.

The schedule through Oct. 22 is:

n 9 to 10:30 a.m. for 4- to 8-year-olds, code 194055-12.

n 11 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. for 9- to 12-year-olds, code 194055-14.

The schedule for Oct. 29 through Dec. 17 is:

n 9 to 10:30 a.m. for 4- to 8-year-olds, code 194055-13.

n 11 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. for 9- to 12-year-olds, code 194055-15.

A $61 fee is payable to the Silver Springs Recreation Center. The city of Henderson has scholarships available for families that qualify. Nevada Child Seekers also will offer scholarships.

For the Henderson scholarship, pick up the paperwork at any recreation center in Henderson or at Henderson City Hall, 240 S. Water St. For the Nevada Child Seekers scholarship, call 458-7009.

Residents can register at the recreation center or at cityofhenderson.com

Parents will need to attend the first class so consent forms can be signed.

For more information, call 458-7009, email carole@nevadachildseekers.org or visit nevadachildseekers.org.

KIDS PLAYING WITH CANDLES SPARKS APARTMENT FIRE THAT DISPLACEs FIVE

An Aug. 16 fire at Sunrise Pines Apartments, 5275 Hagemann Lane, was caused by children playing with candles, according to Clark County Fire Department investigators.

The 9:10 p.m. fire in the second-floor apartment displaced an adult and two children who resided there and two adults in a neighboring apartment, fire investigators said. No injuries occurred, they said.

The children were younger than 8 and were playing with candles in a bedroom when the bedding material caught fire, officials said.

The blaze caused about $20,000 in damage to the apartment, according the fire investigators.

The incident served as a reminder that candles, lighters and other such items pose a danger in the presence of children, Clark County Fire Chief Bertral Washington said.

The department offered tips for preventing fire incidents caused by kids:

n Store matches and lighters out of children’s reach and sight, up high, preferably in a locked cabinet.

n Never use lighters or matches as a source of amusement for children; they may imitate you.

n If your child expresses curiosity about fire or has been playing with fire, calmly but firmly explain that matches and lighters are tools for adults only.

n Use only lighters designed with child-resistant features. Teach young and school-age children to tell an adult if they see matches or lighters.

n Never leave matches or lighters in a bedroom or anyplace where children may go without supervision.

n If you suspect your child is intentionally setting fires or unduly fascinated with fire, get help. Your local fire department, school or community counseling agency can put you in touch with trained experts.

AMERICAN RED CROSS ADVISES AFTER-SCHOOL SAFETY MEASURES

As children around the valley return to school, many will be spending time home alone after classes until their parents return home from work.

The American Red Cross of Southern Nevada offered steps that parents and children can take to make after-school hours safer and less stressful.

Steps for adults

n Have kids call to check in when they get home.

n For an older child, set ground rules regarding visitors, cooking and leaving the household.

n Post a list of emergency phone numbers in a visible location.

n Identify neighbors whose homes your child can go to in case of an emergency.

n Practice an emergency plan with children in case of fire, injury or other emergencies.

n Make sure there is an accessible emergency first-aid kit.

n Remove or safely store in locked areas dangerous/poisonous items.

n Make sure medicine is kept in a locked storage place or out of the reach of children.

n Activate parental controls on computers and televisions.

Steps for Children

n Lock the door and make sure all the windows are closed and locked.

n Know how to use the alarm system.

n Never open the door for strangers — even delivery or service personnel.

n Never tell someone you are or will be home alone.

n Never leave the house without permission.

n If you smell smoke or hear a fire or smoke alarm, go outside and ask a neighbor to call the fire department.

Many tweens and teens are responsible for watching younger siblings. The Red Cross Babysitter’s Training course provides 11- to 15-year-olds with the knowledge and skills necessary to safely and responsibly provide care for children and infants.

For more information, call the American Red Cross of Southern Nevada at 791-3311 or visit redcross.org/babysitting.