On March 10 SNHD reported COVID-19 metrics have continued to steadily decline in Clark County and will begin updating its dashboard on a weekly, rather than a daily basis. The Health District’s COVID-19 dashboard, aggregate, and trend reports are now updated and posted each Wednesday. The mask mandate for airline flights and public transportation continues at least through April 18.

The Health District’s Office of Disease Surveillance and Control sample collection of COVID-19 positive tests in the past 30 days continues to show only Omicron with 312 (98% cases) and Omicron BA.2 subvariant with 5 (2%). For now, this highly contagious subvariant has not spread in our Clark County and there is no evidence it causes more severe disease than the original Omicron variant.

The City of Mesquite continues to work with SNHD to provide mobile COVID-19 testing services administered by Curative. The testing location is The Jimmie Hughes Campus at 150 North Yucca Street near the Mesquite SNHD clinic. Appointments are available Tuesdays, Thursdays, and Fridays, 8:00 a.m. to 2:00 p.m. Walk-ins are accepted, but appointments will reduce waiting time. Book an appointment at Curative.com. The Polymerase Chain Reaction (PCR) test consists of a shallow, self-administered nasal swab. Results are typically provided within 24-48 hours.

If you need additional assistance, please call Curative's support line at 888-702-9042.

On March 16 Southern Nevada Health District announced it has been awarded national accreditation through the Public Health Accreditation Board (PHAB), an organization whose aim is to advance and transform public health practice by championing performance improvement, strong infrastructure, and innovation.

What does this mean to you? Public health departments are on the front lines providing services aimed at promoting healthy behaviors; preventing diseases and injuries; ensuring access to safe food, water, and life-saving immunizations; and preparing for and responding to public health emergencies.

Travis Anderson, Director of Public Works, tells me the runway rehabilitation project had been in the works for many years. The airport runway had not been resurfaced since the original construction in the early 1990s. Routine maintenance activities have occurred throughout the years such as crack sealing, light overlays, and pavement markings being repainted. With this in mind, the runway was designated as a project to request FAA grant funding to rehabilitate the runway. Without the grant program, the City of Mesquite could not afford this project.

Approved in the Airport Master Plan in June of 2017, it was then placed on the Federal Aviation Administration Capital Improvement Plan and the Airport Capital Improvement Plan, Travis met with the FAA, as he does each year, and submitted the project to the Federal Aviation Administration grant program.

The project consisted of two phases and two grants. The first phase is the design phase and a grant was issued in the amount of $456,000. The design part of the project consisted of preparing engineered construction plans, and environmental, biological, and archeological review documents for federal consideration.

The second phase of the project is construction. The construction grant was issued in the amount of $4,300,000. This included the actual rehabilitation of the runway, construction management, and construction materials testing services. The design engineer for this project was Atkins Global with the contractor being Trade West Construction, a local construction firm.

Construction activities to rehabilitate the runway included the removal and replacement of 12,000 tons of asphalt pavement, the removal of old runway lighting and replaced with new LED lighting and all electrical components, new signage and pavement markings, windsock and direction control measures, and the runway was regraded to reduce the gradient of the runway from greater than 2% to below 2% to meet FAA guidelines.

The biggest challenge faced with this project was the requirement to shut down the airport during construction activities. This was a difficult decision as our operating budget for the airport is based upon airplane fuel sales at the airport. One of the biggest fuel users is the Bureau of Land Management Fire Division. During the summer months, BLM has a fire unit stationed at our airport which generates revenue for the City of Mesquite. A stakeholder meeting was conducted with the airport hangar owners and the Bureau of Land Management Fire Crews to discuss the need to close down the airport. It was determined the best time would be between September 2021 and December 2021.

The Airport was closed on September 7, 2021, with Tradewest starting to remove the asphalt that day, and then it was reopened on December 15, 2021. All in all, the project was a huge success. The project was completed within budget and within the proposed timeline established.

Feedback from pilots regarding the runway has been very good. They all say that it is so nice to land a nice smooth and safe surface. Travis explains they continue to upgrade our airport and the next project will be to remove and replace the asphalt pavement for the taxiway. We will not have to shut the airport down for this project and we anticipate construction of the new taxiway approximately the summer of 2024.

Our airport brings visitors to Mesquite. Visitors produce revenue for our city and local businesses, which in turn, creates jobs. This important project was made possible by federal funds and the efforts of our Public Works Department.

Travis Anderson was born and raised in Cedar City, Utah. He received an associate's degree in science from Southern Utah University and a bachelor of science in civil engineering degree from Utah State University. He has worked as an engineer for 21 years. Travis has provided engineering services in Texas, Arizona, Nevada, and Washington, with the majority being in the Mesquite area. He is currently the City of Mesquite Public Works Director and City Engineer.

He is married and has four children ranging in age from 14 to 25. Travis moved to the Virgin Valley for an Engineering position in June of 2000. Travis started with the City of Mesquite as the City Engineer in March of 2014. Travis was then promoted to Public Works Director in August of 2019.

The City of Mesquite Public Works Department currently oversees operations with the Sanitation, Streets and Drainage, Vehicle Maintenance, and Facilities Departments, City of Mesquite Airport, City of Mesquite Solid Waste Landfill, and Capital Projects. He is a representative for the City of Mesquite on the Technical Advisory Committee with the Clark County Regional Flood Control District and the Executive Advisory Committee with the Regional Transportation Commission of Southern Nevada.

Women's History and Culture Center in Mesquite will tell you every month is Women's History Month!

Women's History and Culture Center is located on the Jimmie Hughes Campus at 225 North Willow Street, Room 23. It is open on Tuesday, Wednesday, and Thursday, from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. This is a 501c3 non-profit organization. For more information contact whccmesquitenv@gmail.com.

On February 23 Mesquite Police Department held their third annual awards banquet at the CasaBlanca showroom where MPD employees were honored for outstanding service to the community in 2021. 

Following a flag presentation by the MPD Honor Guard and our national anthem, Captain Jordan Bundy presented an Officer Down Memorial. The year 2021 was difficult and deadly for police officers and yet, they continue to train, fight crime, and protect communities. Chief MaQuade Chesley remarked that in spite of increased call volume and dealing with COVID, his department has been outstanding in apprehending criminals. He encourages his department to take care of themselves mentally and physically to be there for their families and their community.

The recipients selected by their peers and recognized were:

Carrie Roberts, Dispatcher of the Year

Hilda Rodriguez, Correction Officer of the Year

Shawna Bennett, Records Employee of the Year

Esteban Andrade, Animal Control Officer of the Year

Justin Cheney, Police Officer of the Year

Joe Macias, Animal Control Manager, Supervisor of the Year

Retired Commander CJ Larsen, Lifetime Achievement Award 

In the closing remarks, Mayor Litman stated he receives many compliments from other cities about the work our police department does. For me, the banquet was a grand night, a pleasure to attend, and I am thankful for the entire police department. 

On April 12 our very own local Peaceful Valley Donkey Rescue held its Eighth Annual Donkey Jamboree at Eureka Casino and Resort. Rescue Satellite Center Director Joan Dunkle and volunteers organized a fun event with food, wine, beer, and music by the Bottoms Up band. I heard so much laughter because people were having a great time getting out in the sunshine.

Joan and her staff work with various agencies to capture then train and socialize the donkeys so they can be adopted or placed in a sanctuary. Joan tells me the donkeys are so smart and there is much to learn about these marvelous animals. Check out the story about how Mark and Amy Meyers started their Peaceful Valley Ranch at https://donkeyrescue.org/our-rescue/. You can call for a free tour in Scenic at 928-347-4506.

On February 17 Juniper Outpost Lifestyle Boutique held its grand opening and ribbon-cutting ceremony at Mesquite Plaza. 

Owners Caity Miller and Charlotte Sirianni opened their shop featuring so many unique items – jewelry and gifts, apothecary, artwork and décor, and kitchen and pantry pieces – surely to make you say “wow.” They also offer consignments for local artists to sell their crafts. 

Their shop is located at 312 W. Mesquite Boulevard, #114 and their website is juniper-outpost.com. 

Check it out!

Recently while attending a Mesquite Chamber of Commerce luncheon I had the pleasure of being seated by new Mesquite business owners Denise Sims and her husband, Bill Conwell, of Exquisite Blooms Floral. They relocated their business here in November of 2021.

Exquisite Blooms Floral was established in 2010 in Reno, Nevada. They delivered arrangements to Reno, Sparks, Verdi, and Truckee California, and throughout the Lake Tahoe area. Though a booming business, they decided to scale back their delivery routes and move to a more gentle climate. Denise is originally from Caliente and Pioche areas. Bill had played softball in Mesquite in the past and was familiar with what Mesquite had to offer.

After considering other sites, in November 2021 they relocated their business to Mesquite to deliver their custom-designed arrangements. Denise brings 40 years of design experience and eight floral certifications to the business and is certified a Master Florist as well as a floral instructor.

Exquisite Blooms specializes in sympathy and all special event arrangements. They are wedding specialists and enjoy creating vase arrangements for any large gathering or meeting. The website is exquisitebloomsfloraldesign.com.

Welcome to the community and best wishes!

Virgin Valley Community Theatre has two more performances you can catch of their latest locally written melodrama, Wedding Bell Blues, or How the Virgin Valley Got Its Groove On. March 25 and 26 at 7 p.m. One contest couple actually was married by officiant Ken Juber during the intermission of the March 19 performance, winning a one-night stay at Eureka Casino Hotel, and a gift certificate at Gregory's Restaurant.

I don’t know about you, but I believe Mesquite is fortunate to have so many local citizens with such fabulous talent. Please support our community theatre and group by attending performances, volunteering, or auditioning for parts. You'll have fun.

Next up at the Mesquite Community Theatre is Mesquite Toes 16th Annual Dance Spectacular, April 8 at 7:00 p.m. and April 9 at 1:00 p.m. Purchase tickets online at mctnv.com, the theatre box office each Thursday from 4-6 p.m., and one hour before showtime. You can also purchase tickets at the Mesquite Fine Arts Center.

I was out of town for the ribbon-cutting of the new pickleball courts across from Mesquite Recreation Center. It appears to be in such demand!

Mesquite Senior Games recently held their Pickleball Tournament. Participants remarked how they like the new courts.

Thanks to all for making this happen.

Sandy Cooper, the new leader of our Community Emergency Response Team (CERT), is looking for active volunteers to become members of Mesquite's dynamic team. They help out with all types of emergencies, change smoke detector batteries, perform fire extinguisher training, assist in disaster situations, community events, and much more!

The Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) is holding certified training here on April 2 & 9 If you are interested please contact Sandy Cooper at 702-275-8929.

April 11-12 – Bocce

Register at https://www.mesquiteseniorgames.org/registration

If you know anyone who wants to sign up for my newsletter, please refer them to my website, scroll to the bottom and sign up. It is that easy!

We have so many wonderful activities going on in our fine city. Don't be left out. Show up and have fun.

Be safe, everyone.

Karen