Assembly’s vacant seat on verge of being filled
Commission expects to make appointment
With less than a week before lawmakers convene in Carson City for a special legislative session to address the state’s massive budget shortfalls, one of the 63 seats in the Legislature still remains vacant.
But that’s likely to change next week. The Clark County Commission is expected to appoint a candidate to fill the vacancy in Assembly District 17 during its meeting Tuesday, according to the meeting agenda. The seat was previously held by Tyrone Thompson, who died suddenly after falling ill in May of 2019.
Just one person applied to fill that vacancy: Kasina Douglass-boone. Douglass-boone, a Western High graduate, is a longtime employee of the Clark County School District, where she’s worked for more than 20 years in numerous roles. She’s currently a social worker for the district.
She recently ran unsuccessfully for Clark County School Board trustee, finishing third in the 2020 primary race for District B.
Douglass-boone could not be reached for comment Thursday.
By law, in filling a vacancy the commission must appoint someone who
nician for the Department of Air Quality,saidthatwhenchemicalsin fireworks or smoke mix with sunlight, they can create ozone.
When inhaled, ozone causes the airways to restrict, preventing air from escaping. According to the Environmental Protection Agency website, inhaling ozone can damage the lungs and worsen existing illnesses.
But even those without illnesses may experience difficulty breathing when exposed to ozone. Exposure symptomsincludechestpains, coughing, shortness of breath and throat irritation. Long-term exposure can lead to the development ofasthma,permanentlungdamage and abnormal lung development in children.
Because most fireworks are set off at night, the ozone creation problem often tends to resolve itself, and the pollutants released into the air tend to be diluted or transported away by wind, preventing a decrease in air quality.
Fransiolisaidthatit’shardtopredict wind patterns and the increased amount of fireworks set off during theholidayweekendcouldcause problems. He said that advisories are issued so people who are sensitive to smoke can be prepared.
The area’s air quality index level has remained at moderate even withrecentduststormsandsmoke
The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency has provided A scale Called the Air Quality Index for rating Air quality.
Air quality is Considered satisfactory. Air pollution poses little or no risk
Air quality is Acceptable. But there may Be A risk for some people who Are unusually sensitive to Air pollution.
Members of sensitive groups may experience health effects. The general public is less likely to Be Affected. Active Children And Adults, And those with Asthma, should reduce outdoor Activity.
Members of sensitive groups may experience more serious health effects. People with Asthma And Children should Avoid or reduce prolonged Activity outdoors.
Health Alert: The risk is increased for everyone. Active Children And Adults And those with Asthma should Avoid outdoor Activities.
Health warning of emergency Conditions: Everyone is likely to Be Affected And should Avoid physical Activity outdoors. from the Mount Charleston wildfire because wind blew it away from the valley.
The county monitors 16 sites for multiple indicators, including ozone levels, PM10 (large dust particles) and PM 2.5 (small dust particles). If any of the indicators exceed a certain quality standard, 150 micrograms per standard cubic meter, then an air quality advisory will be issued.
The air quality in Las Vegas during 2020 is not vastly different than that of previous years, Fransioli said. But the air improved in March and April, and though many speculated it had to do with the coronavirus shutdown, it was more likely because of anincreaseinrainandcloudcover that cut out a lot of sunlight and reducedozoneproduction,headded.
Las Vegas residents can help reduce ozone production and help improve air quality by taking some simple steps, like filling up gas tanks at night, not idling a vehicle and turning off electronics and lights whennotinuse.
To stay current on air quality updates in Las Vegas, residents can follow posts on Facebook or follow on Twitter: @Sustainclarkcty
Earyn Mcgee is a 2020 Mass
Media reporting fellow through the American Association for the Advancement of Science (AAAS). Email her at emcgee@reviewjournal. com. Follow her on Twitter at @Afro_herper.