Events at casinos, taverns, fireworks site highlight NYE options

WIth the final day of 2015 tomorrow that means one of the most popular nights to celebrate is upon us.

The Nye County Sheriff's Office wants to assure residents they will be out to ensure New Year's Eve revelers keep within legal boundaries, with safety the top area of focus for the department.

"We recognize that New Year's Eve brings with it an increase of people visiting our premises licensed to sell alcohol and attendance at private parties," the sheriff's office said in a statement. "We will be providing a normal policing response and also ensuring that additional resources are available to respond to party-goers, and normal traffic."

The department said they will respond promptly to incidents as they occur, but wanted to engage the community to create a safe environment for all who are celebrating the coming of a new year.

Deputies respond in whatever fashion is warranteed if people choose to misbehave or "allow alcohol get the better of them."

Nye County Sheriff's deputies want everyone's 2016 to get off to a good start, so they caution party-goers to drink responsibly, and no let inappropriate behavior while drunk damper their night or those around them, as decisions they make will affect those around them as well.

As always, if you chose to drink, do not get behind the wheel of an automobile, the sheriff's office said. If you find yourself inebriated and ready to call it a night without a way home, you can call sheriff' office dispatch , who will provide you with a safe trip home.

DUI patrols will be on the lookout for impaired drivers to keep the roadways as safe as possible Thursday night.

If you're looking for something to do on New Year's Eve and don't want to brave the 300,000 revelers who ring in the new year on the Las Vegas Strip, then some local business hope that you will stop by.

Hubb New Year's bash

The Hubb is hosting a New Year's Eve party that will feature everything you need to say goodbye to 2015 and hello to 2016.

The cost to join the fun is $20, and that will get you entrance into The Hubb, live music, appetizers, party favors, a free drink of your choice and the always appropriate champagne toast to celebrate the clock hitting midnight and welcoming in a new year.

The music will be provided by popular local group Cole Reeves and his Broken Arrow Band who will play a variety of styles of music, which is sure to please all in attendance at one point or another during the night.

"We'll be playing live music from 9 p.m. until 1 a.m." Cole Reeves said. "We play classic country, modern country with a touch of rock. We play classic rock, some oldies and 50s rock, everything kind of bundled together."

Vince Neil's Tatuado Wild Side Tavern

With a bar named after an infamous rocker, it's only appropriate that Vince Neil's Tatuado Wild Side Tavern welcomes in the New Year with cover band Three Blind Mice. The group plays classic rock covers and will have those in attendance jammin' into 2016.

The group will be playing from 9 p.m. until 1 a.m., ensuring Wild Side revelers have tunes to have a rockin' new year.

Tickets are $25 for a guaranteed seat and includes entertainment, prize giveaways through the night and a champagne toast.

For more information on Wild Side's New Year's bash give them a call at 775-537-2499.

Town fireworks launch

The Town of Pahrump welcomes locals and visitors alike to safely launch their fireworks for a spectacular celebration during the week of New Years. The Fireworks Over Pahrump site is located one mile west on Gamebird Road, right off of Highway 160, and will be open today through Friday from 8 p.m. to midnight.

The site allows permit holders who are 18 years of age or older to discharge aerial fireworks purchased from permitted fireworks retailers located in Pahrump. Consumers must sign a waiver and purchase the $5 permit prior to site use.

To obtain a permit, you can visit Area 51 Fireworks, Phantom Fireworks, Red Apple Fireworks, Blackjack Fireworks and Alamo Fireworks, all which are located in Nye County.

With safety being the number one priority, an on-site crew, including firefighters and technicians will be present to ensure celebrations go smoothly. The crew will enforce safety launch practices, and will also drive participants to and from their launch site.

Alcohol consumption prior to and during fireworks handling is strictly prohibited.

There are sixteen designated launch sites on a first come, first served basis. There is a two-person maximum on each site and cap of 128 shooters per night. Those wanting to observe the bright and booming show of lights can do so safely in a nearby parking lot.

"We anticipate a high turnout to the Fireworks Over Pahrump safety site with a mix of fireworks enthusiasts, visitors and residents," said Arlette Ledbetter, director of Pahrump tourism. "The site is both safe and legal for users and enjoyable for observers. Pahrump is one of the only towns in Nevada to offer this unique experience."

Visitors who are interested in coming to Pahrump for the fireworks launch experience can book a special New Year's hotel package from the following hotels: Best Western Pahrump Oasis, Holiday Inn Express and the Pahrump Nugget.

JD's Bar and Casino

JD's Bar and Casino, 2730 N. Blagg Road, is hosting their own New Year's Eve celebration, which doubles as the establishment's first anniversary party as well.

There is a potluck dinner beginning at 9 p.m., then the entertainment for the night. The Nearly Departed will begin their set which is scheduled to last until 2 a.m.

There is no cover charge for the fun, which includes a free champagne toast, party supplies and free drink raffles taking place throughout the night.

For more information give them a call at 775-727-3820

Las Vegas

If you choose to travel over the hump to celebrate New Year's Eve with 300,000 other revelers tomorrow night, be aware of restrictions on the Strip and on Las Vegas Valley roads.

Hotel-casinos will be asking guests not to take bags or strollers with them Thursday night, and notices will appear at McCarran International Airport and on reader boards along valley highways. Anyone seen on the Strip with a bag will be approached by Las Vegas police, who will ask that they comply with the request not to bring bags or strollers.

Also barred from celebrations are glass bottles or aluminum cans police stated.

The Las Vegas Metropolitan Police Department is promoting its, "See Something, Say Something" campaign. If you see any suspicious activity you can contact police at 702-828-7777.

In addition to safety measures on the Strip, off the famous boulevard there will be road closures taking place.

The Nevada Department of Transportation and other local partners will restrict vehicle access along Las Vegas Boulevard from Sahara Avenue to Mandalay Bay on the south end of the Strip on New Year's Eve.

"Over 300,000 people are expected to celebrate New Year's in Southern Nevada, with many of them welcoming in 2016 on the Las Vegas Strip," said NDOT spokesman Tony Illia. "We are making several temporary road and highway closures in order to make the event safer for both motorists and revelers."

As far as freeways go, south and northbound Interstate-15 on-ramps and off-ramps will be closed at 5 p.m., Thursday evening at Spring Mountain Road, Flamingo Road and Tropicana Avenue. However, motorists can still enter and exit I-15 at Sahara and at Russell Road.

Vehicle access will also be restricted at the following locations: Las Vegas Boulevard northbound at Mandalay Bay, Las Vegas Boulevard southbound at Sahara, Tropicana Avenue westbound at Koval Lane, Tropicana Avenue eastbound at Industrial/Dean Martin Drive, Flamingo Road eastbound at Valley View Boulevard.

The right lane on Sahara eastbound at I-15 will have one lane closed to allow a dedicated turn lane from the off-ramp at I-15 northbound to Sahara eastbound.

Depending on how quickly the sea of people can be dispersed and the cleanup of their mess can commence, then ramp restrictions will be lifted. Those road closures will be lifted between 3 a.m. and 6 a.m., Friday, Jan. 1, 2016, or at the discretion of the Joint Operations Center in the Freeway Arterial System of Transportation.

As you enjoy the atmosphere on the Strip, there are some issues to know about there as well.

Escalators at Tropicana and the Strip will be shut down from 2 p.m., Thursday until 2 a.m., Friday morning. Visitors are encouraged to use the stairs or the elevators.

As midnight approaches and the big fireworks show almost begins, all stairs and escalators will be barricaded and elevators will be stopped as bridge access will be restricted to pedestrians.

For current road information go to: www.nvroads.com.

New Year's Eve is one of the most popular nights of the year for people to go out for a night filled with celebration, and in most cases, alcohol consumption as well.

Integrity Taxi to offer $10 cab rides on New Year's Eve

If you plan to enjoy some adult beverages on Dec. 31, one way to ensure you make it home safely is by using Integrity Taxi New Year's Eve cab rides.

Running from 9 p.m. Dec. 31 through 3 a.m. Jan. 1, riders can go anywhere in Pahrump for a flat rate of $10. The maximum occupancy for Integrity Taxi cabs is four riders, so if you split the fare among friends, the ride will only cost each person $2.50 apiece.

Integrity wanted a way to give back to the area, while also offering an option to those who might make a bad decision behind the wheel.

"It's really for the community, to help keep the roads safe," said Lucy Allen, an accountant for Integrity Taxi. "If somebody is out they can get a ride home for a inexpensive fare for the evening. It's just an incentive for people if they have had a little too much to drink, not to worry and take a cab home."

There will be three drivers on duty during the night, so there might be a small wait for those using the service, but that beats spending the night behind bars for a DUI.

The average cost of a first DUI in Nevada runs the guilty party between $400 and $1,000, not to mention the jail time and time it takes to go through all of the court proceedings. So have fun on New Year's Eve, and to make sure you start 2016 on the right foot, make the right choice before getting behind the wheel impaired.

Contact reporter Mick Akers at makers@pvtimes.com. On Twitter: @mickakers