Yucca and Gayle

December 11, 2007

In Henderson we attended the monthly Chamber of Commerce breakfast that put the spot light on the Yucca Mountain project.
Bob Loux, who heads up Nevada's Agency for Nuclear Projects did the speaking.
It's his belief the Department of Energy (DOE) is trying to speed up the process of getting it's Yucca Mountain license application turned in by June of 2007. DOE will turn its application in to the Nuclear Regulatory Commission (NRC). That, he says, is so the license can be in the works before a new president is elected. Loux said every Democratic presidential candidate is against the Yucca Mountain nuclear waste repository. Loux also mentioned a General Accounting Office (GAO) report which showed that the DOE owns or operates 127 facilities around the country which hold radioactive waste or some sort. The GAO found that 124 of those facilities failed for one reason or another. Loux also said new federal legislation would exempt the Federal government from all Federal, State and local transportation regulations when it comes to moving nuclear waste through our state. The legislation would also exempt DOE from all existing hazardous waste laws. Although the DOE prefers to haul the nuclear waste to Nevada by rail, some shipments may come by truck, possibly those from southern California. In other scenarios, during bad weather/winter weather situations, rail lines that run right through Las Vegas may have to be used.
Here's another interesting point Bob Loux made. The 319 mile rail route DOE is proposing to haul the waste from Caliente, NV (a proposed transfer site) to the repository would cross land on the Nevada Test Site. That means the DOE would be able to tell Nellis Air Force Base when and where it could fly when those shipments happened to be on the tracks. Obviously, DOE would want to prevent any jet training while the tanks were being taken to Yucca Mountain to avoid a possible crash/target practice/etc.
Interesting things to think about. We're going to do more on some of what Bob Loux talked about, and also talk to DOE in the New Year .... so stay tuned.









Gayle Gonsalez update...
And for those of you following the Gayle Gonsalez story (see below), she's now out of jail. We've got more coming up on her story as well.
SHE'S CAUGHT!
Remember our EXCLUSIVE INVESTIGATION from November about Gayle Morrill aka Gayle Gonsalez? (She's the local book keeper that according to former companies where she was employed at - Gayle helped herself to their cash!)
It came as a BIG relief to past employers our investigation profiled that this past Friday, (12/7) the law caught up with Gayle. She was caught, handcuffed, and hauled into CCDC.
According to court records, Gayle faces various charges of theft, burglary and forgery.
As of Tuesday (12/11) she remains locked-up at CCDC. On Wednesday Gayle will make another early morning appearence before Judge Abbi Silver.
Will Gayle be released pending trial? Or, will Gayle be considered a flight risk and remain behind bars? We will let you know.
If you do not remember our investigation or wish to see it again - See the storyby clicking here: http://www.kvbc.com/Global/story.asp?S=7300337
During our long investigation, it proved difficult to capture a clear shot of Gayle. Thanks to CCDC and Metro for providing us with this clear shot of Gayle. It's Gayle's most recent mug shot taken 12/7 upon being booked into the dentention center:

Follow the Money!

December 6, 2007

Want to know who or what company has donanted to which candidate?
How much did they give? Easy to find out. Look up by zip code, last name, employer or by the candidate.
Go to DONOR LOOK UP ..... http://opensecrets.org/pres08/search_donor.asp

Testing new ways to boost recycling

December 4, 2007

The WATCHDOG reported a few months back about the 3 pilot programs on "Recycling/Curb Side Trash Pick-Up" the Clark County Recycling Committee will start testing on voluntary home owner associations.
One of the programs or bits-and-pieces from each program could eventually affect the way your curb side trash gets picked-up.
Today, (12/4) the Clark County Commissioners approved the go ahead to start the testing of the pilot programs. The following sites expressed interest to participate:
Hillside View
Lexington
Millstream
Nellis Air Force Base
Pueblo Del Sol
Red Rock Country Club
Sage Creek
Sapphire
Spring Valley Highlands
Winterwood Ranch
Turning Point
Villas At Blue Diamond
The 3 test pilot programs are:
- Once-a-week recycling and once-a-week trash pick-up.
- Once-a-week recycling and twice-a-week trash pick-up.
- Every other week recycling and twice-a-week trash pick-up.
Side note: Both Commissioners Chris G and Chip Maxfield voted in favor but not before going on record to state that neither endorse any changes to trash pick-up that would reduce it from the current twice-a-week pick-up to a once-a-week pick-up schedule.

Your monthly water bill .. is it correct?

November 28, 2007

During this same time last year our average water bill was about $15, so imagine our shock when last month's bill showed an amount due of $195.33.
What a HUGE increase.
Was this a costly price hike? Were we careless water hogs? Could there be a mistake? Did the house have some unknown water leak spewing gallons of water by the minute?
The bill stated 66,000 gallons of water was used in a single month.
That seemed nearly impossible for a single occupied home with (a) desert landscaping, (b) water saving shower heads, (c) water saving toilets, and (d) plenty of bottled water to replace drinking out of the tap.
Customer service at the Water District suggested we read our meter and compare that number to what was printed on our last statement.
We did ...and guess what?
The number on our meter and on our bill were completely different.
In fact, the current meter read was less than the previous read 2-months ago.
It turns out the electronics that spit out our water usage information into the readers the water district uses to measure were defective.
Not only was the $195.33 not due, but after an examination by the water district a $70 credit was issued for previous months where usage was miscalculated.
It paid to read our meter.
How often do errors with meter reads occur? Not very.
The water district told us they have a 99% to 99.2% accuracy.
About 200 to 280 residential bills get kicked-out of their system each month for examination because water usage was either unusually high or low. (Somehow our $195.33 sneaked by.)
About a year ago the water district replaced our meter. That's something they do as meters reach the age of 20 years. There's something else to know that could be helpful in detecting unknown water leaks on your property. These new meters have a small red triangle on the face of them, and when water is being used the triangle will rotate. So if all your faucets are turned off and no water is being used inside or outside your home, the triangle should not rotate - that's one way to see if you have an unknown leak somewhere on your property.

Taken for Big Bucks!

November 26, 2007

Received yet ANOTHER call from a local resident who received in the mail "a hefty sized check" made out to them.
The enclosed instructions explained that they were to deposit the check into their personal checking account and then withdraw some cash. Next they were instructed to Western Union that cash back to the sender.
They did!
And what happened?
The results is something we have reported on and blogged about many times.
Let's all say this next line together..."The check they deposited bounced and the money they sent out is gone for good."
It's now an old scam but one that continues to work. There may be a variety of bogus reasons given in the instructions for the receiver of these checks to send cash back to the sender; it's to cover the cost of shipping or handling of a prize you've won, lottery fee's on a contest you have won, application fees to become a secret shopper....
If you get a check in the mail and you do not know the sender or why they have sent it to you? Call: PHONE BUSTERS 1-888-495-8501

Update on the way

11/15/2007

Hello from the Watchdog unit!

News 3 viewers will remember our report on Gayle Gonsalez. She is the bookkeeper who was hired by many valley businesses. They accuse her of fraud, forging checks, ID theft, etc. Those companies say she took them for thousands of dollars. If you didn't see the story, click on this link. There's also a link to see the story on video.
http://www.kvbc.com/Global/story.asp?S=7300337
It turns out an employer we didn't include in our story contacted News 3 this week to say they've found some unusual transactions. Thousands of dollars in misappropriated funds that appear to be from checks made out to Gayle Gonsalez. Police are working the case, and so are we. Stay tuned, we're working on an update!
Also, we're continuing to get many complaints about car repair. Frankly, there's not a lot we can do. I would suggest calling the Better Business Bureau BEFORE you take your car in to a company you've not dealt with before. The BBB can tell you how many complaints were lodged against the company, and how many of those complaints were resolved. If the company doesn't care to resolve the case, why would you take your car there? The BBB's number is 320-4500.

Feedback from Las Vegas Veterans .. and their experiences with the VA.

November 9, 2007

These are portions of emails we received after our story about the VA healthcare system:

Both of my parents were recipients of VA benefits from WWII. My mother passed away from damage done to her heart by chemotherapy in 1987. She told me that the nurse had mixed too much of the therapy she was on, and basically shamed her into taking the excess that treatment. That was in July of '87 and she was gone by mid-September. She had her leg amputated and was treated for bone cancer (which getting a specialist to do a biopsy took forever - they told her it was arthritis before she pushed hard enough). 5 years later they found lesions on her lungs on her x'rays and began treatment again. The rest is history.
To add insult to injury, when she began to fail my father called the VA (they retired to Southern Utah) and he was told to take her to the nearest emergency facility. That was the hospital in St. George. They eventually transferred her to Salt Lake, then sent her home when they could do nothing, After her death my Dad received a hospital bill that the VA declined to pay as she wasn't treated at a VA hospital. There was no VA hospital in S. Utah, and they traveled to the clinic in Vegas for regular treatment. It took numerous letters and the intervention of a Senator before the VA paid her hospital bill.
I lost Dad on Valentine's Day two years ago. This time Dad did his homework ahead of time and called the VA when he began to fail. Again he was told to go to the nearest emergency facility to be stabilized, then they would transfer him to Salt Lake. His lungs gave out before they could transfer him, but this time all the arrangements had been made ahead of time, so the system took care of everything.
I didn't tell you all this for sympathy - I told you because even though the system has made strides towards accommodating the needs of the Vets they still have a long way to go. I still don't understand why, after spending the money to build it, that the O'Callahan Fed. Hospital outside Nellis could not be used. Toward the end of Dad's life he was being shuttled all over town for his appointments (after driving from Toquerville, UT) and then had to drive 2 hours home again. While getting mileage reimbursement, it wasn't enough to cover travel expenses AND a hotel room. When the nearest VA hospitals are in California, Arizona or 400 miles away in Salt Lake, it makes no sense to tell these Vets to go to a VA hospital if the system cannot provide for them.
______________________________________________________________________________________
I watched your news segment on VA healthcare tonight and I must disagree. I am also a disabled vet under VA care here in Las Vegas valley and I have never been treated better in my life. The VA healthcare is based on a rating system. To be rated you must turn proper VA paper work to be service connected. All military members are briefed before separating the service. Most vets do not turn in the required VA paper work, if the gentelman did he would not be waiting for his required surgery. You never asked the gentleman if he was service connected. If you are not rated you are on the bottom of the list. I am service connected and I never had to wait longer than 1 day for any appointments. I am sick of hearing all the negativity on the VA healthcare system. If the vets weren't so lazy to complete the paperwork in the first place they would not have to wait for medical appointments. You must know the whole story and just not one side. I am very pleased with the Las Vegas valley VA medical system. __________________________________________________________________________________________
I saw your story tonight on the care of the Veterans in Nevada. Boy did this hit home. My husband is a 100% service connected disabled Vet, exposed to agent orange in Viet Nam and boy have we had a difficult time getting the items he has needed and the care he has needed. It took 45 days and letters and calls to Senators Reid and Ensign's office to get the Fee Base PT and OT care approved because the VA's PT department is not equipped to handle my husband because he cannot walk or stand. His disability is a result of prostate cancer which has moved to his bones caused by agent orange. I have spent so many hours on the phone trying to follow up on services and supplies that he is entitled to. We have even gone so far as to pay for additional insurance in order to be able to go outside the VA to get the care he needs; and why should we have had to do this. I have been told a number of times that if we lived in Texas or even Arizona that due to the fact that my husband in confined mostly to the bed and does not walk or stand that we would be entitled to much more, including having someone come in the home to assist me and him and someone to sit with him while I work. I have had to stay home more in order to stay with my husband or I would be responsible for paying someone at a cost of 18.00 to 20.00 an hour to stay with him. I think that care for Veterans should be the same, no matter what state they live in. We have an extremely large population of Veterans in Las Vegas and I listen all the time to how they are not getting the care they need. I have even had to write John Bright to get services for my husband. I think you should not stop at the story today but continue you investigation into the care of our Veterans and how they are treated in Las Vegas. It can truly be a nightmare.
___________________________________________________________________________________
I am a local veteran here in Las Vegas, while I have to say that the VAMC here in Las Vegas may have some of it's problems, I have to say that it is one of the best centers that I have ever delt with. I do have private insurance, and have used it on occasion, I prefer to use my VA benefits. The media concentrates so much on problems, it does not tell people about the GREAT care that it does give. Just as an example, I had cancer in my abdomen and saw at least 4 or 5 doctors on the "outside", through Blue Cross. I was told that I had to wait 3 months to get an appointment with an oncologist, because I had a history of cancer in the past and it was considered "pre-existing". None of them were willing to do the surgery that I needed. My cancer was considered terminal and the surgery was EXTREAMLY delicate. It was then that I went to the VA, who, not only was willing to do the surgery, but SAVED MY LIFE, and I did not have to wait 3 months. It is the GREAT doctors, nurses and technicians that I owe my life to.
____________________________________________________________________________________
First of all ... thank you very much for doing such an excellent report on the plight of the local veterans. I am one of those veterans who has been promised something I cannot get. However, that is another story.
Are you aware of the fact that one of the major problems with getting treatment is the fact that we, the veterans, have to give way to the active duty personnel? This applies whether or not you have an appointment. In addition, that nice new hospital that is allegedly coming is something of a farce. Ms. Berkeley caved in but did NOT tell us that the only way she could get the hospital for the VETERANS is to agree to share it with the active duty personnel .... once again, we are second in line in what is supposed to be OUR hospital. This news was dropped very quietly by Nicholson at the ground blessing ceremony ... not many of the veterans picked up on it. It doesn't take an Einstein to see what is coming .. the new hospital will take over and the hospital at Nellis will be closed and we, the veterans, have gained nothing. In addition, the new hospital will be much too small to accommodate the veteran population by the time it is finished to say nothing of the fact that the "state of the art equipment" now contracted for will be obsolete by then.

VA Healthcare--The good, The bad, The ugly

November 8, 2007

From Investigative Producer Mark Whitehead--

A critical eye takes a look at the VA health services here in southern Nevada - as seen by Vietnam Vet, Raymond Ritter, who waits day after day for urgent surgery that was supposed to have taken place last July.
As the waiting hours tick, Raymond wonders when time will run out for his leg. Raymond fears without immediate surgery his leg will be amputated.
On October 24th we received this note from the VA regarding Raymond, "patient has been seen, scheduled for pre-op and surgery."
Yet, weeks later, after a November 8th visit to the VA, Raymond tells us there has been no pre-op and no date set for surgery.
Where does this leave Raymond? We contacted the VA and explained the latest.
The VA response? "During his pre-op evaluation, additional healthcare issues were identified and are being addressed prior to his surgery. Once these matters have been addressed, his surgery will be rescheduled. I apologize for not providing additional information, but due to HIPAA (patient privacy) we are not able to elaborate. I will say that the delay is appropriate and in the best interest of the patient."
The WATCHDOG called Raymond and read this note from the VA to him.
WatchDog: Raymond, we're you told anything about additional healthcare issues?
Raymond: No.
WatchDog: So, you have not had healthcare issues identified and explained to you?
Raymond: No.
WatchDog: You saw a doctor today?
Raymond: They called her one. All she did was tell me what I had to do to get the operation.
WatchDog: What did she tell you?
Raymond: She just told me I had to take these tests but I have already done these test.
WatchDog: Why are you having to redo them?
Raymond: She said they were not recent enough.
WatchDog: When is your next appointment?
Raymond: I don't have an appointment.
WatchDog: How is your leg doing?
Raymond: Very bad. It's getting worse.
WatchDog: In what ways?
Raymond: The pain. Swollen more. Popping out more. And, the fact of it is I can not get out of bed. Then, it will go numb. My foot goes numb all the time.
WatchDog: What's next for you?
Raymond: Redo test that I have already had done. January before I could have surgery.
WatchDog: Has your doctor explained more about your leg and potential amputation?
Raymond: Said I have to get it (surgery) done. She said, eventually, they are just going to take your leg off.
WatchDog: And explain the problem with your leg in simple terms?
Raymond: There's no blood going through the bone so it will start rotting inside.
CHECK BACK FOR UPDATES ON RAYMOND - MORE TO COME.....

The Do-Not-Call List update you need to read.

11-6-2007
Do you miss those annoying telemarketing calls? I didn't think so.

Well, there's a new ploy to get you to accept those calls again. The Nevada Attorney General's office says telemarketers are getting around the do not call list by promising free "consumer information". Sneaky, huh?
Here's how it works: You may get a card or document in the mail that asks you to sign and return it so you can get "free information" about a particular product. But those mailers, according to the AG's office, also include language that could allow companies to by-pass the Do Not Call list and make unsolicited telemarketing calls. Chances are it'll happen just when you're having dinner.
Senior citizens are often targeted. Some mailers claim "certain government benefits" are going to change, or that consumer groups encourage people to have their medical, retirement, or probate plans reviewed. It's a scare tactic to get seniors to fill out the card and send it in. Often these mailers are made to look like they are from a government or consumer group. Watch out! Once you send that card in, expect to get calls from businesses selling investments, insurance and other financial products. By sending in that card, you're agreeing to get these calls.
Speaking of the Do Not Call List, Congress has not made the registration permanent, yet. That means you have to renew your phone numbers every 5 years. The majority of phone number registrations were done when the list was created in June 2003. You can renew at ANY time, you do not have to wait until the 5 years are up. Registering your phone is easy and always FREE.
You can renew one of two ways:
http://www.donotcall.gov/
1-888-382-1222
If your number is registered on the Do Not Call List for at least 31 days, and you're still getting calls from a non-exempt telemarketer, file a complaint! You can do that at www.donotcall.gov, just look for the "File A Complaint" button. Or by phone, 888-382-1222. Either way, you'll need to provide the telemarketer's name or phone number, the date the telemarketer calls, and your registered phone number.
The bad news. There are some exemptions to the Do Not Call List. The following groups are allowed to call people on the Do Not Call List:
Political Parties (You knew the people who passed the law would include themselves on this list!)
Charities
Those companies you have an existing relationship with
Those companies you've given written permission to contact you
Telephone Surveyors
More information about this? http://www.ag.state.nv.us/

The 411 on Free Directory Assistance!

October 29, 2007

"I can't believe this!"

Do you call 411 from your cell phone? If so, have I got an idea for you!
This may seem more like a "Saving You Money" idea, but frankly, we're all family here at News 3, and I think this also qualifies under the "Watching Out For You" umbrella. As the Watchdog, I'm always thinking about our viewers. Plus, I just wanted to tell people about it because I think it's so cool.
When I call 411 from my cell phone, it costs me $1.79. (I have AT&T service) I was reading the Chicago Tribune this weekend and noticed this article:
www.chicagotribune.com/technology/chi-mon_techbuzz_1001oct01,0,5337402.column
In a nutshell, here's how it works:
Use your phone to send a text message to this number: 466453
Before you send it, in the "text" portion of the message, type the words "set location" and then enter your zip code. (Example: set location 89114)
Send the text message.
You should receive a text that says "your default location has been set to Las Vegas", or wherever your zip code is.
I entered Google into my address book as a contact so I don't have to keep typing the number in. (466453 spells out Google-at least it does here on the work phone at my desk.)
Now, you can search on the name of your favorite eatery.
Again, put 466453 as the number you want to text message.
Then enter, say, Chipotle in the area where you write the message.
Hit Send.
It should show you a couple of options and it didn't cost a thing! Plus if you scroll down to the phone number, hit the send key, it should connect you. I have no idea of Google is keeping track of this information, but if they really want to know where I eat ... have at it.
This also works for sports scores. Same number, 466453, then enter a team name (where you normally would write the message) and hit send.
Try typing in the word "weather"
Try typing the word "movies"
Try typing in the name of a stock.
You can also get flight information. If you're flying USAIR, flight #320, you would type this: US 320. If it's Delta 320, DL 320.
If you're charged for each text message, this will cost you. 10 cents maybe, versus $1.79.
The news isn't all good. Mark, the watchdog investigative producer, who has T Mobile phone service, says he can't access the service!

Lied Animal Shelter Update

october 25, 2007

We were first to bring you the highly critical and gruesomely graphic 300+ page United States Humane Society Report that made Lied Animal Shelter look so horrific even Mayor Oscar Goodman told us that this report, "Makes Michael Vick look like St. Francis of Assisi."
If you can stomach it, check out the complete report (pictures too) at: http://www.liedanimalshelter.org/HSUS/Las%20Vegas%20FINAL%20REPORT.pdf
We had sent a copy of the report to the Mayor's office, and it was not long before Mayor Goodman announced that Las Vegas City Marshalls would investigate into any criminal wrong doing. Now we learned that City Marshalls could not substantiate allegations made in the report because the Humane Society cited confidentiality with sources and documentation.
Last Thursday at the Mayor's weekly press conference we asked the Mayor about his next step. Asked if he would pressure Lied and the Humane Society for full disclosure, Mayor Goodman told us that full disclosure is what he wants to see. Because the Lied Animal Shelter contracts with the city, the Mayor stated that this issue of full disclosure would be brought up the next time Lied stands before the city council asking for a renewal. "I think the next time I discuss this is when the Humane Society (what he meant to say here is "Lied Animal Shelter") comes before council and then be able to ask some pointed questions." Pointed questions? The new administration stock answer seems to always be "that was then, this is now." If you attended any of the public meetings Clark County held where Chris Robinson, Lied's new director, addressed current improvements, you no doubt witnessed the skeptism and anger some in the public expressed toward the animal shelter. Does it not seem likely that someone on the the Lied board, or any volunteer or employee of Lied would speak-out and be able to validate and confirm allegations in the Humane Society report? Goodman also stated at his press conference that he would read the City Marshalls final report over the weekend. That begs for a follow-up. Mayor Goodman called on everyone in southern Nevada to spay and neuter. More to come.....

Illegal Dump Update

October 18, 2007

We've got a great update on that illegal dump outside a southwest valley neighborhood.
Early this week crews with the Bureau of Land Management were at the site near Arville and Windmill to clean it up.
They took away the couches, mattresses, chairs, etc. We heard from some of the neighbors on Thursday that crews are also taking away some of the concrete chunks dumped by contractors and others who simply didn't want to make a trip to the dump. Signs which say no dumping should also go up. It's going to take neighbors to keep this place clean.
The BLM says you everyone has to get involved. Report it if you see someone dumping something onto a vacant lot. Get the license plate number and a description of the vehicle. A photo wouldn't hurt either. While putting our original story together, we talked with some of the neighbors who say they called their county commissioner about the dumping problem, but say they never heard back, so they let it go. You can't if you want it cleaned up. If you make a phone call to your county commissioner, or the BLM , or the city, and you don't hear back. Keep calling! Let them know your phone calls are not being returned and that as a voter or citizen, it's unacceptable. Be nice, but firm. If you really want to get their attention, attend a county commission meeting or a city council session. They always have a time for public comment. (First find out if the land is in the county, or a city boundary) Tell them about the mess and that it needs to be cleaned up. If you need information on how to report illegal dumping on line, we've put that information on this blog. Just page down a few entries and you'll see it. We've got dump reporting links for the city of Las Vegas, city of Henderson and Clark county.

The check in the mail could cost you!

October 12, 2007

On Thursday, during News 3 at 5pm, we showed you how some unscrupulous businesses are taking advantage of Las Vegans. They are promising you're the winner of a sweepstakes, a lottery, extra funds leftover from some rich person overseas. It's crazy!
If you didn't see it, you can click here:
Watch out! Since the story aired, we've heard from several viewers who say they've received these kinds of checks in the mail. Some didn't know it was a scam and actually wired money to these people, then saw our story! At least one person has lost $2,000. Please keep these things in mind. The checks may look real, they may have your name and address on them, don't send any money! Most of these checks are from out of state. It will take SEVERAL days for your bank or credit union to clear the check. By then, you've wired money to the bogus company and they get to keep it. In fact, the check you received will never clear, because it's bogus! We called the company who sent one of these checks to a News 3 viewer. We posed as the winner and provided the claim number. They wanted us to cash the check and then call back. Then they'll ask you to wire the money to someone right away. They want you to do this before you find out the check won't "clear". Think about this, if all the people who are told "they are the winner of the lucky sweepstakes", or the "South African Lottery" or whatever agency they're using, were actually winners, we'd have new, multi millionaires walking all over this town.
If you still don't believe us, cash the check and wait for it to clear. Beware, your bank or credit union will probably charge you a fee when the check is returned!! If you're unsure, show the check to a manager at your bank or credit union and let them know your concerns.

Dumping Info

October 10, 2007

If you see dumping, and you believe it may be Bureau of Land Management land, you can call the 24/7 Lake Mead Dispatch center at 293-8998.
Be prepared to provide some information about the vehicle and what was dumped.

Illegal Dumping Update

October 9, 2007

An update on our "illegal dumping" story from Monday night. If you haven't see it yet, click here for the story.
Since our report, one caller offered up the following website from the Southern Nevada Health District where you can report illegal dumpers and perhaps receive $100. Fill out the complaint form at: http://www.southernnevadahealthdistrict.org/complaint/index.htm
Witnesses may be entitled to a $100.00 reward pursuant to NRS 444 if the information provided leads to an assessment of an administrative penalty by the Hearing Officer or a conviction in a court of competent jurisdiction. A reward cannot be paid until the administrative penalty or court ordered penalty has been paid in full to the Health District.The Environmental Health Supervisor, Amy Irani, says the Health District wants to hear from anyone who sees dumping of solid waste in an inappropriate area. (Basically, any place that is not a dump or transfer site.) Irani says you've got to get the license plate number of the car or truck, a good description of the car or truck, and be willing to sign a witness statement. If you'll do that, then the county can go after the illegal dumper. The Health District operates a 24 hour line to report any health issue, which includes the dumping of solid waste. The number is 759-1000.

Taking on Neighborhood Eyesores!

October 4, 2007

Who doesn't like a nice, comfy couch, or a lazy-boy recliner? But when that couch and recliner are abandoned in a vacant lot across from your house, it's a much different story! It becomes an eyesore, it brings down your property value, and it tends to invite others to dump as well.
It's a scenario one Channel 3 viewer brought to the WATCHDOG'S attention. Once we saw the property in question, even we were a bit surprised. It's amazing the problem was allowed to go on for so long!
We found out who actually owns the property, we've confronted the owners about the problem as well.
Along with a couch, reclining chairs, mirrors, desks, and garbage, some contractors were dumping chunks, of concrete and other garbage from construction sites. Apparently they didn't want to waste their time going to the dump.
For those of you who have a problem with trash and junk stacking up on a vacant lot, or on a neighbor's property, we've got some information that could be helpful. If you live in the city of Las Vegas or Henderson, call the city in which you live and talk to someone in code enforcement. If you live in Clark County, and not in an incorporated city, contact the county's code enforcement division.
Here are some code enforcement options on line.
Clark County
http://www.co.clark.nv.us/administrative_services/pro/Code_Enforcement.htm
City of Las Vegas
http://www.lasvegasnevada.gov/RequestHelp/neighbor_issues.htm
City of Henderson
http://www.cityofhenderson.com/buildsafe/php/buildsafebody_files/Code%20Enforcement/codeenforcement.php