Public Health Crisis Prompts Commission Action 

The Clark County Business License Department upheld the temporary suspension of business licenses for: Desert Shadow Endoscopy Center, the Gastroenterology Center of Nevada, and the Spanish Hills Surgical Center.

The letters, delivered by hand by business license agents, stated that the suspension is "in response to a concern that a public health emergency exists that poses a significant threat to the citizens of Clark County." The letters are signed by Business License Director Jacqueline Holloway.

The businesses named in the letters are located at 4275 Burnham Ave., Ste. 1; 4275 Burnham Ave., Ste. 101B; and 5915 S. Rainbow Blvd., Ste. 108, respectively.

The centers are tied to and managed by the same principals as those overseeing the Endoscopy Center of Southern Nevada, which was identified by the Southern Nevada Health District as the cause of infecting patients with hepatitis C due to unsafe injection practices. The health district has alerted 40,000 people who were treated at the clinic to be tested for hepatitis B, hepatitis C and HIV, the virus that causes AIDS.

Metro Makes Endoscopy Records Available to Patients

Las Vegas Metro Police recovered approximately 2025 boxes of files from the Endoscopy Center of Southern Nevada on Shadow lane and the Desert Shadow Endoscopy Center on Burnham Avenue during a search this month.

The records have been catalogued to assist in disseminating them back to patients. Because of the way some of the files were maintained at the clinics, it is difficult to locate individual patient files. Metro is requesting that any patient that wants a copy of their records consult with their primary care providers to obtain their records. Additionally, due to the time it takes to locate individual patient files, it is requested that all non-emergency requests are stayed until emergency patient requests are fulfilled.

Emergency requests for patient records can be made by filling out a Medical Records Request Form, which are located at any Metropolitan Police Department substation. In order to protect patients from improper requests, patients will be required to sign the form and provide proper picture identification at the time the request is submitted. These requests will be honored as soon as each file can be located, copied, and returned.

Please click here for a list of Metro substations.

Flamingo Arroyo Trailhead and Desert Inn Bridge Coming Soon

The design phase for the Flamingo Arroyo Trailhead and the Desert Inn Bridge is currently underway.

The trailhead/rest area for the Flamingo Arroyo Trail system will be added to Pecos-McLeod and Emerson Avenue and it will ultimately connect the UNLV Campus to the Wetlands Park.  This trailhead will establish the design style for the entire trail, which is based upon a  curve and an oval shape which repeat throughout the trail signage and structures, including the trailhead restroom, drinking fountain, kiosk, signs, and shade structure, all of which will be designed by the artists.  Trails will wind through the site. The natural terrain, which drains into the Flamingo Wash, will be accentuated with native landscaping and local erosion control materials to create a "mini-arroyo" affect.

The Desert Inn Bridge, which is part of the trail project, will extend the trail from Boulder Highway to Twain Avenue, just east of Eastern Avenue. The bridge design is currently 70 percent finished and the trailhead 50 percent finished.

The project is funded by the Southern Nevada Public Lands Management Act at a cost of more than $2.5 million. A construction date has not been set yet.

County to Host Job Fair on April 26   

If you're interested in making a career change, you may want to visit a first-of-its-kind government job fair on Saturday, April 26, from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. at the Clark County Government Center.

The job fair will feature representatives from multiple government agencies and will be held in the rotunda area of the Clark County Government Center, 500. S. Grand Central Pkwy. in downtown Las Vegas. Participating sponsors include Clark County, the cities of Las Vegas and North Las Vegas, Las Vegas Metropolitan Police Department, Southern Nevada Health District, Regional Transportation Commission, the Nevada Department of Public Safety and the University of Nevada, Las Vegas.

Computers will be available at the event to allow job seekers an on-site opportunity to complete applications online for posted positions with the various agencies represented at the job fair. The Government Center also has free wireless access to the Internet for individuals desiring to bring a personal laptop computer. Informational sessions on topics such as the application process, employment testing, and interviewing will be held at scheduled intervals throughout the day in conference rooms located on the first floor of the Government Center.  A Web site has been developed at www.LasVegasGovJobs.com to provide general information and updates on the upcoming Government Job Fair and to allow job seekers to pre-register to attend the event. 

Clark County, in particular, conducts regular recruitments for professionals with college degrees and/or licensing in the following fields: architecture, structural engineering, building inspection, social work, recreation, computer technology, city, regional or urban planning, accounting, auditing and financial analysis, law and law enforcement, family services, property appraisal, management and others.  In addition, human resources has developed a free community outreach program, and invites prospective applicants to attend one of its monthly seminars to learn more about Clark County's electronic application system, NEOGOV, and their recruitment and selection processes.            

More information about careers with Clark County is available via the Human Resource Department job information hotline at 455-3174, or online at www.accessclarkcounty.com.

Water District Offers Summer Youth Program

The Las Vegas Valley Water District is offering its Summer Youth Program, which is designed to train, employ and monitor the progress of high school and first year college students.  The positions offered will be different from the "unskilled laborer" jobs traditionally offered to students.  The students will consist of young adults who have the ability to function in these positions, but for whatever reason have not had an opportunity to attain these positions.  Summer youths are not viewed only as additional help.  While routine tasks are a part of the "whole" experience, summer youths are given an opportunity to demonstrate their skills and abilities.  Through this program, the District will also benefit by having assistance for special projects and maintain its ideals as "People Leading the Way."

CLASSIFICATIONS

There are four classifications of summer youths:

All summer youths are considered temporary employees and as such are not entitled to fringe benefits (paid time off, health insurance, etc.).  They are, however, covered by legally required benefits, such as worker's compensation and unemployment insurance, and are entitled to overtime pay for all hours worked over 40 in any work week.

REQUIREMENTS

To be eligible for employment, a student must:

1)    be 16 to college age;
2)    be enrolled in high school or college earning a minimum of nine (9) credit hours in a semester;
3)    successfully pass a drug screening evaluation

APPLICATION PROCESS

Students wishing to be considered for the Summer Youth Program will be required to submit to Human Resources a Summer Employment Application.  You may apply online at www.lvvwd.com.

 The successful applicant will also be required to successfully pass a drug screening evaluation and provide a copy of any necessary documentation to verify student status and current enrollment as well as a driver's license (if applicable), social security card and work permit (if under the age of 18).

Help for Residents Worried About Foreclosure

In response to the national foreclosure crisis, the United States Congress recently appropriated $156 million for the National Foreclosure Mitigation Counseling Program, with $50 million specifically designated for the 192 hardest hit Metropolitan Statistical Areas nationwide. The Consumer Credit Counseling Service (CCCS) has applied for a grant to provide comprehensive foreclosure and loss mitigation housing counseling services to an estimated 4,927 households in Clark County.

On March 4, 2008, the County Commission approved a $50,000 matching grant to the CCCS, a HUD approved nonprofit counseling service, to assist them with the required local grant match, contingent upon that nonprofit agency actually receiving a grant award.

On March 5, 2008, this nonprofit agency received word that it had been awarded a $642,353 federal grant to provide loss mitigation and foreclosure prevention counseling.

On April 1, 2008, it is expected that the required grant resolution between Clark County and the CCCS will be approved by the Board of County Commissioners, enabling this nonprofit agency to then go forward with the implementation of enhanced services to those facing foreclosure proceedings in our community.

Clark County is unfortunately one of the most severest hit areas in the Country facing foreclosures, as the recent reliance by many in using Adjustable Rate Mortgages, combined with the deflation of housing prices, had made it difficult for many to pay the higher interest rates and/or to refinance their existing mortgages with new fixed mortgages.

CCCS will assist those facing foreclosure proceedings to ensure that they know their rights and responsibilities and have a clear understanding of the foreclosure process. Efforts will be taken to assist households in avoiding bankruptcy and help others who, after receiving an in-depth financial analysis, will work toward liquidating their consumer debt while saving funds to transition to a rental situation. Efforts will also be undertaken to assist others with a short sale or deed in lieu of foreclosure. Additional services will also be provided to assist others to qualify to become homeowners and thereby work to reduce the negative impacts on neighborhoods of having a high amount of vacant property for sale, further depressing the market and existing home values. 

Those interested in utilizing this service should call 364-0344 to schedule an appointment with a housing counselor.  

County Invites Residents to Attend RecTrek 

Summer is around the corner, and RecTrek, Clark County Parks and Recreation's school break program, offers a safe, fun environment for children ages 6 to 12. Mail-in registration begins March 21 and walk-in registration begins March 31. The program begins June 9 and continues through Aug. 22. RecTrek is available from 7 a.m. to 6 p.m. weekdays, with the exception of the July 4 holiday. Cost is $65 per week, or $14 per day, per child. Families with three children are eligible for a 50 percent discount for the third child for the weekly rate. Field trips may be offered for an additional fee.

The program offers arts and crafts, theme projects, sports, games, field trips, free time on the playground, theater, movies and science projects. Activities vary by recreation center.

Participants in RecTrek will be required to pass a swim test prior to taking part in any swimming activities or field trips to aquatic facilities. Certificates can be earned at various Clark County pools. Participants also are responsible for their own lunches and two daily snacks that do not need heating or refrigeration.

RecTrek takes place at various Clark County recreation centers including Desert Breeze, 8275 Spring Mountain Road (455-8334); Helen Meyer, 4525 New Forest Drive (455-7723); Paradise, 4775 McLeod Drive (455-7513); Parkdale, 3200 Ferndale St. (455-7517); Sunrise, 2240 Linn Lane (455-7600); Cambridge, 3930 Cambridge St. (455-7169); Hollywood, 1650 S. Hollywood Blvd. (455-0566); Walnut, 3075 N. Walnut Road (455-8402).

Priority registration is given on a first-come, first-serve basis. Online registration is not available, but parents can register by using a credit card in person at any center. A late pick-up charge of $5 will be assessed for every 10 minutes a child stays after 6 p.m.

Those interested can contact the nearest community center or call 455-8200. RecTrek registration forms can be downloaded online at www.accessclarkcounty.com/parks

Volunteers Needed For Graffiti Clean Up

Commissioner Chris Giunchigliani is looking for volunteers on April 5 to help remove graffiti from Chaparral High School and the surrounding area. Giunchigliani will be joined by Coach Beasley and a group of students. The beautification project will start at 9 a.m.

People wishing to volunteer can call 455-7671, or leave their information on the graffiti hot-line at 455-4509.

County Programs to Stop Taggers

Clark County, Metro and several community partners are using aggressive initiatives to clean up graffiti and crack down on vandals as part of an ongoing anti-graffiti effort.

The initiatives, part of the "Targeting Area Graffiti" campaign include the following highlights:

• A "Turn-In-A-Tagger" reward program offering up to $500 for information leading to the arrest of graffiti vandals. Callers can remain anonymous if they call Crime Stoppers of Nevada at (702) 385-5555.
• An Adult Graffiti Offender pilot program that puts adult vandals age 18 and over to work cleaning up graffiti as part of their court-ordered community service. The program, created by Clark County Justice Court and Clark County's Public Response Office, is patterned after the successful Juvenile Graffiti Offender program that Clark County's Department of Juvenile Justice Services launched in May with the support of Juvenile Judge William Voy in Clark County's Eighth Judicial District Court.

The upcoming introduction of changes to Clark County code to strengthen the existing commercial abatement and lock-up laws.

The plan called for fighting graffiti in four key ways: increased enforcement, tougher penalties, stepped up public outreach and expanded community service.  Supporters of the effort include District Attorney David Roger, Las Vegas Metropolitan Police Department officials, Clark County District Court and Justice Court, the cities of Las Vegas, North Las Vegas and Henderson, the Clark County School District, Nevada Power, the Las Vegas Chamber of Commerce, the 15,000-member Greater Las Vegas Association of REALTORS® and Outdoor Promotions Inc., a local company that operates and maintains transit bus shelters throughout the community.

The Southern Nevada Graffiti Coalition, a public-private partnership that includes the county and area cities among its membership, teamed up with Crime Stoppers of Nevada to develop the "Turn-In-A-Tagger" program. Crime Stoppers is managed by Metro but funded through private donations. Metro, Henderson and North Las Vegas police will track down leads on graffiti vandals that come in through Crime Stoppers.

Adults arrested for graffiti also will face sentences that may include cleaning up graffiti as part of a new pilot program created by Clark County Justice Court and Clark County's Public Response Office. The first cleanup with adult offenders is expected to occur before the end of the year.

Las Vegas Township Justice Court Chief Judge James Bixler said there is more vandalism done by adults over 18-years old than minors. Judges now have the option of sentencing adults to clean-up crews or other community service related activities to make restitution. 

The "Turn-In-A-Tagger" initiative also is being supported with several new public outreach and advertising elements. The Clark County School District will display posters promoting the reward program in middle and high schools in the Las Vegas Valley - about 120 schools in all. The posters, patterned after the campaign's original yellow artwork featuring a red and blue "Targeting Area Graffiti" logo, also is available for free to businesses willing to display them on their property. Posters are produced in English and Spanish and can be requested through the Southern Nevada Graffiti Coalition Hotline at (702) 455-4509.

Outdoor Promotions Inc. is donating bus shelter display space for 60 new billboards to promote the reward program. The new billboards are in addition to 60 other campaign billboards the company has had on display since March. Five of the new billboards will be in Spanish.

The Greater Las Vegas Association of REALTORS® also is donating a billboard for six months to educate the public about the reward program. The billboard replaces one promoting the Southern Nevada Graffiti Hotline that has been on display at various locations in the valley since this spring.

The REALTORS® also donated $5,000 to the county to help pay for an anti-graffiti ad on the popular Web site myspace.com.

The county is paying the remaining $4,500 cost to place the ad on myspace.com for one month. The ad will link to the  "Targeting Area Graffiti" campaign Web site. In addition, Clark County Television (CCTV) Channel 4 also produced public service announcements in English and Spanish promoting the reward program.  A version of the Turn-in-a-Tagger PSA will be uploaded to the popular You Tube broadcast Web site for viewing.

Since the "Targeting Area Graffiti" initiative was launched in March 2006, calls to the Southern Nevada Graffiti Coalition hotline have increased by 30 percent to more than 300 a month. More residents also are participating in clean-up efforts. The county is expected to buy 20,000 gallons of paint this year, double the amount in 2005. Nevada Power also is including information about local anti-graffiti efforts in December power bills that will reach about 780,000 customers.

Hollywood Recreation Center Hosts Youth Workshops

On March 18-20, 2008, the Parks & Recreation Gang Intervention team held several workshops at the Hollywood Recreation Center that were aimed at educating neighborhood youth about the recruitment tactics gangs use and how to recognize positive role models and conflict resolution avoiding the use of violence. 

During a workshop entitled "Activity Mind Sweep," the youth were taught how to positively interact with individuals of different social and economic backgrounds and cultures and "Victimization" focused on the effects of violence.    

The team reached out to over 200 kids and teens at Lewis Park by passing out flyers and there were between 14 to 65 participants in each of the workshops.

Chris G. would like to extend special thanks to Melvin Ennis, Alex Bernal, LeRoy Gambrel of the Gang Intervention Team and all of the Hollywood Recreation Center staff for all of their hard work on organizing the workshops.

Free Event at Molasky Park      on April 5

Cambridge Recreation Center's annual free Community Fair returns from 1 to 5 p.m. April 5 at Molasky Park, at the corner of Cambridge Street and Twain Avenue, one block north of the recreation center.

There will be plenty of activities for the whole family including carnival-style rides, a slide, rock wall, games, music, food vendors and performances by San Diego's Rumba Y Sabor, Los Angeles' Davin Hill and Chucks & Timbs with special guests. There also will be booths with neighborhood service providers on hand to distribute information to the public about available programs for the Cambridge community.

The event is free, but there are small charges for food. The purpose of the event is to promote unity in the community and to give residents of the neighborhood an opportunity to gather and mingle with neighbors, family, and friends in a positive setting.

"This is a unique area that has been going through such a transition," said Commissioner Chris Giunchigliani. "Events such as this provide a much needed opportunity for everyone to connect with their neighbor and continue building a sense of community and neighborhood pride."

Cambridge Recreation Center is part of Clark County Parks and Recreation. The Center features classes, programs for school age children, senior activities, a skate park, aquatics center and water park, and amenities such as a fitness room, game room and meeting rooms.

Univision and Hot 97.5 FM will be on site hosting live remotes. Those interested can call 455-7169 for more information, or go to www.accessclarkcounty.com/parks.

Links to Projects in the Community:

Residents surrounding the Las Vegas National Golf Course are floating an idea that could bring a museum to that site. Click here for a presentation.

A local volunteer organization dedicated to celebrating mid-century design and architecture is holding several events around town, including a fundraiser to save Maude Frasier Hall at UNLV. Click here to find out more. 

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