News brief

Sen. Reid’s representative to visit senior center today

Sen. Harry Reid’s representative will be at the Senior Center of Boulder City, 813 Arizona St., from 10:30 a.m. to noon today.

Residents will be able to meet with the senator’s staff about their questions or concerns involving federal agencies. His office assists with issues such as military academy nominations, small-business resources, federal grant assistance, Social Security and Veterans Affairs benefits, military issues, immigration issues, Internal Revenue Service difficulties, and homeowner assistance.

Swimmers advised to avoid algae at lakes Mead and Mohave

Visitors to lakes Mead and Mohave are advised to avoid swimming in areas where algae are visible.

National Park Service officials report that blue-green algae have been observed on both lakes. Samples have been collected and are being analyzed by the National Park Service and Southern Nevada Water Authority. Low levels of microcystin concentrations have been discovered.

Health issues related to microcystin may range from rashes and skin irritations to gastrointestinal illness.

As a matter of precaution, visitors should follow a few safety precautions where algae are present:

n Ensure animals do not drink or go into the water.

n Avoid swimming, waterskiing or using a water scooter in the area.

n Do not touch residue on the shoreline.

n Do not fill water tanks with water in the area.

If contact with the algae occurs, people are advised to rinse it off thoroughly with clean water.

According to the authority, microcystin doesn’t pose a threat to Southern Nevada’s drinking water. The water treatment plants use ozone and chlorine, which represent the two most effective treatment processes for destroying microcystin and will prevent it from entering the drinking water system.

Officials will continue to monitor algae levels in the lakes.

Highway near dam to be resurfaced Tuesday, Wednesday

The Nevada Transportation Department is applying a chip seal asphalt treatment to state Route 172 near Boulder City from 7 a.m. until 2 p.m. March 24 and 25. The route begins about 5 miles northeast of downtown Boulder City and heads eastward following the curvy mountainside headed to Hoover Dam.

Crews will apply $38,000 of chip seal between mile marker zero and 1.3, resulting in one lane of traffic open at a time. A pilot car operation will shuttle vehicles back and forth. Delays are expected.

“Chip seal is a pavement surface treatment that combines layers of asphalt with fine aggregate,” spokesman Tony Illia said. “It’s a cost- effective preservation solution that creates a more durable and longer lasting road bed.”

Drivers should use caution while traveling through the work zone, heed construction signs and take alternate routes, if possible.

For information, visit nvroads.com.

City settles with paving company for Nevada Way project

Boulder City settled a dispute with Wells Cargo about payment for the Nevada Way reconstruction project.

Wells Cargo said it was supposed to receive $3 million for its work, but the city only paid $2.8 million. Public Works Director Scott Hansen said Wells Cargo was penalized $1,500 each additional day that the project wasn’t completed by deadline.

The four-month project was supposed to be completed by August 2012, but Wells Cargo didn’t finish it until February 2013.

City officials did not say how much the settlement was worth in time for the Boulder City Review’s deadline.