Thank you for signing up for my newsletter. This is a busy holiday season and there are events and shopping you won't want to miss. |
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We all know how to call 911 for an emergency. But how often do we think about the men and women on the other end of the line who help people during some of the worst moments of their lives? Car crashes, fires, assaults, medical emergencies and many other scary events.
Dispatch handles it. They calmly send police officers, firefighters or EMTs to emergency situations.
On average, Mesquite Police Department’s 911 Emergency Communication Dispatch Center handles 3,900 calls per month. So far this year, they have handled more than 43,000 calls. Of these calls, more than 7,600 came in on 911 lines, with nearly 3,600 calls on non-emergency lines. Just because a call comes in on the non-emergency phone line does not mean there is no emergency. Each time a 911 dispatcher answers a call, they need to be prepared for any situation and need to know what to say and do to help the caller.
In addition to answering calls for emergency and non-emergency requests, MPD’s 911 Emergency Communication Dispatch Center handles radio traffic for patrol officers, detectives, corrections officers, animal control, Mesquite Fire Department and Beaver Dam Fire Department. They also monitor traffic cameras throughout the city, cameras throughout city facilities and monitor the cameras at the Mesquite Detention Center and Justice Facility, as well as controlling physical access into and out of the Detention Center.
On a typical shift, which runs for 12 hours, a dispatcher can be on the
phone providing live safety CPR instructions or handling radio
traffic for an officer on a traffic stop, while also dispatching the
ambulance for the person in cardiac arrest, all at the same time. There
are always one to two dispatchers assigned to a shift, 24 hours per
day, seven days a week, 365 days each year. That’s days, nights, weekends, and holidays. Emergencies do not take time off.
Do not call 911 just to say hello. Simply appreciate the work they do behind the scenes to help each of us in a time of crisis.
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Lori Todd, 911 Dispatch Supervisor |
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Lori Todd has worked for the Mesquite Police Department for ten years. She started her career as a 911 Communications Dispatcher before being promoted to the position of 911 Dispatch Supervisor in May of 2015. On top of the duties of an emergency communications dispatcher, Lori is also responsible for supervising the other dispatchers and handling the day-to-day operations of the MPD’s 911 Emergency Communications Dispatch Center under the direction of Police Captain Quinn Averett.
In addition, Lori functions as the Terminal Agency Coordinator for the department which means she is responsible for ensuring the entire department follows policies and procedures of the State of Nevada and Federal Bureau of Investigations in the handling of sensitive criminal history information. But, if you were to ask Lori what her most important and rewarding tasks were, she would tell you it is making sure that no citizen feels alone during a call that was placed at one of the hardest times of their life, and making sure each and every officer makes it home safe to their family.
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Santa and Mrs. Claus kicked off our local Salvation Army Kettle Bell Ringing for the holidays at Walmart this past Friday. Director Bill Ennis was joined by Mayor Al Litman and his wife, Phyllis, along with Councilwoman Karen Dutkowski.
Can you ring the bells? If so, please call (702) 345 5116 and ask for the Kettle Bell Coordinator. Volunteers are needed and this is a fun way to help our community.
The Salvation Army is also collecting new unwrapped toys for girls and boys of all ages as well as gift cards. These items can be dropped off at 742 West Pioneer Boulevard, Suite D.
The generosity of your time and contributions is greatly appreciated.
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If you are looking for a unique gift, you might want to check out one of my favorite stores, Front Porch.
Owner Charlene Hadden opened the store in February 2019. They specialize in fun decor, gift items, custom package gifts, flowers for the holidays, as well as custom flower orders any time for any occasion.
Store manager, Keely Watkins, assures me the staff does their best to satisfy customer requests.
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One of the most distinguished stores in Mesquite is Danielle's Chocolates. I know people from Las Vegas and St. George who stop at this family-owned chocolatier every time they visit our city.
There are six generations who have built this business and the seventh is being trained. It located to Mesquite in 2003 from Las Vegas. It was founded by Calvin and Joyce Lee in 1980 in Idaho. Joyce had come from a family of candy makers in England and worked in the industry for eight years before turning her passion for chocolates into a family business.
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In 1995, their signature item - Snowy Popcorn - hit the shelves and their business has been growing ever since. Jocelyn Frawnda and Grandpa Calvin operate the day-to-day business at the store which specializes in chocolates, snowy popcorn and other candies. Grandpa Calvin is still dipping chocolates. I was recently at an event with Jocelyn and her sister, Danielle Atkinson.
Danielle's Chocolates & Popcorn are a family favorite at my house during the holidays.
You can visit their storefront at 1155 West Pioneer Boulevard Suite 102 or shop online at www.snowypopcorn.net.
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Adopt An Angel From The Tree |
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Be an angel during this holiday season and pick one from the many Angel Trees throughout our community.
Angel Trees are located at Highland Manor Skilled Nursing and Rehabilitation, Mesquite Senior Center, Precision Eye Care, TDS, Mesquite Veterans Center, Fringe Salon, Colonial Property management, Nevada State Bank, Reliance Connects, Sun City Mesquite, Mesa View Regional Hospital, Mesquite Recreation Center and Mountain American Credit Union.
Pick an angel and provide the needed items listed as your donation to someone specific during this holiday season.
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I will be at Parade of Lights on the R.A.I.S.E. entry on Thursday, December 2 at 5:30 p.m. This is one of my favorite holiday events. The parade will begin on Arrowhead and travel to City Hall. Bring the children to greet Mr. & Mrs. Claus who will arrive on a fire truck.
This is a food drive for the Virgin Valley Food Bank and Salvation Army. The goal is to collect 12,000 lbs. of food. Drop off canned and unopened box foods at boxes located at City Hall, the Recreation Center and Sun City. Volunteers will be collecting food along the sidelines of the parade with shopping carts - be sure to look for them.
According to organizer Debbie Benham, 30 units will be in the parade. Due to the generosity of Mesquite, they hope to exceed their food donation goal. If you want to donate food and need it to be picked up, contact Debbie Benham at 702-324-2038.
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Thanksgiving Dinner A Huge Success |
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It was a heart-warming occasion on Wednesday, November 24 at the Mesquite Senior Center for the annual complimentary Thanksgiving Dinner for our community.
Mayor Litman, Mrs. Litman, and volunteers from many organizations greeted the residents at the door and served them sit-down, at-the-table turkey dinners with mashed potatoes, stuffing, gravy, candied yams, green beans, cranberry sauce, and roll. And for dessert, the classic pumpkin pie with whipped cream. If you were not able to dine-in, you could get the dinners in take-out or drive-up style.
The center was decked out in Thanksgiving and Christmas decorations along with holiday music. A special thank you to the staff, volunteers and donors who made our Community Thanksgiving Dinner a huge success.
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Gold Butte Auction & Anniversary |
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The fifth-year anniversary of Gold Butte being designated a National Monument is being celebrated with an online auction and event at the Eureka Casino Resort on December 4 at 7 p.m. The online auction will conclude at the event, but bids will be taken until that time.
Click HERE to access the Better World 2021 online auction.
The fundraiser supports the activities of the organization which includes hikes, trash cleanups, driving tours, speakers series, stewardship projects and special events.
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Who has more holiday spirit than those who delight the rest of us by decorating their homes and businesses? We have a contest for that!
The first 50 applicants received by the City of Mesquite can participate in the contest. You can pick up an application at the Mesquite Recreation Center or download it HERE.
All decorations must be visible from the sidewalk. Judging will be based on creativeness, lights and decorations, originality and overall appearance. Judging will take place on Saturday and Sunday, December 18 and 19.
For more information, please contact the Department of Athletics & Leisure Services at (702) 346-8732.
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We are so lucky to have the MESQUITE COMMUNITY THEATRE offering a Christmas show for the entire family. Tickets for "A Neverland Christmas Carol" can be purchased online at http://mctnv.com, or call 702-345-4499. Reduced price for ages 17 and under.
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Visit the CHRISTMAS BOUTIQUE sponsored by Virgin Valley Artists Association and support our local artists. Don't miss your chance to find a unique gift for friends and family. |
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Thank you, Mesquite Fire and Rescue |
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Earlier this month, Mesquite Fire and Rescue concluded their Cancer Awareness fundraising campaign and raised a whopping $8,411.76 by selling 2021 Cancer Benefit t-shirts online and at various events. The money will directly benefit our local chapter.
Another testament to the dedication and generosity of our community. Thank you, everyone.
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Please forward my email to a friend. I have regular updates on my social media accounts and blog at sandraramaker.com.
It's easy to sign up for my newsletter. Scroll down on the right side of my website home page and submit your name and email address.
Stay tuned -- great things are happening in our wonderful city.
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