AREA BRIEFING

Henderson police investigate shooting

A 56-year-old Henderson man who was on a leisurely walk on Jan. 28 became a victim of what the Henderson Police Department suspects was a stray bullet.

As the man was walking with his wife on a paved trail through a neighborhood wash in the Anthem area near Cadence Street and Reunion Drive at 8:30 a.m., he felt a sharp pain in his neck and then realized he had been shot, police said. The man was taken to Sunrise Hospital & Medical Center, where he was treated for his injuries and later released, police said.

While the incident was still under investigation, detectives said they had no evidence indicating the victim was targeted or that the gunfire was an intentional act of violence.

Detectives went house to house in the neighborhood searching for witnesses and said several area residents reported hearing one shot. When the incident was first reported, Henderson police put the nearby Webb Middle School, 2200 Reunion Ave., on lockdown as a precaution; the lockdown was lifted by 11 a.m.

Anyone with information about the incident is asked to contact the Henderson Police Department at 267-4750. To remain anonymous, call Crime Stoppers at 385-5555.

NEON BONEYARD PARK CONSTRUCTION UNDER WAY IN DOWNTOWN LAS VEGAS

The city of Las Vegas has begun construction on the new Neon Boneyard Park on the east side of Las Vegas Boulevard at McWilliams Avenue.

Work began on Feb. 1 and will take about 10 months to complete, the city said. The $1.9 million improvement project includes construction of a half-acre public park and areas to display neon signs, in partnership with the Neon Museum, that have been preserved from Las Vegas' history. The project also includes the relocation of overhead utility lines and construction of passive recreation space and landscaping enhancements.

Most of the work will be conducted during the daytime hours, although some night work may be required on Las Vegas Boulevard, city officials said. Road closures may occur on sections of McWilliams Avenue, Ninth Street and Encanto Drive, with access maintained for nearby residents.

Funding for the project is provided by the Bureau of Land Management through the sale of public lands as authorized by the Southern Nevada Public Land Management Act. The city of Las Vegas Department of Public Works is overseeing the project, and Tand Inc. is the contractor.

Taskforce warns Las Vegans of scam seeking donations for police

The Nevada Fight Fraud Taskforce is warning Las Vegas Valley residents to be wary of a potential fundraising scam soliciting donations for local police departments.

Several residents have reported receiving multiple calls asking for contributions to the police, the task force said.

Task force Chairwoman Elisabeth Danielsoffered tips from the Federal Trade Commission to help consumers avoid being defrauded:

* Simply having the words "police" or "firefighter" in an organization's name doesn't mean police or firefighters are members of the group.

* Just because an organization claims it has local ties or works with local police or firefighters doesn't mean contributions will be used locally or for public safety. The organization should be able to provide written information describing the programs that donations will support, and its fundraising costs before individuals donate.

* Most solicitations for police and fire service organizations are made by paid professional fundraisers.

* Donations to some police or firefighter groups may not be tax deductible. Many kinds of organizations are tax exempt, including fraternal organizations, labor unions and trade associations, but donations to them may not be tax deductible.

* Ask for the charity's name, address, phone number and written information about its programs.

* Check the validity of the organization with your local law enforcement department and the Better Business Bureau's Wise Giving Alliance. Visit wqww.bbb.org for more details on the alliance.

* Ask if the person contacting you is a professional fundraiser and how much of your contribution will go toward fundraising costs.

For more information about fraud-related fundraising, visit the Federal Trade Commission's Web site at www.ftc.gov, the National Charities Information Bureau's Web site at www.ncib.org or the Nevada Fight Fraud Taskforce's Web site at www.fightfraud.nv.gov.