State briefs

(Nevada Capitol Bureau) - Nancy Corbin of Las Vegas has been appointed deputy commissioner by Nevada Mortgage Lending Division Commissioner Scott Bice.

Corbin, 54, has worked nine years as deputy administrator of the Nevada Housing Division.

The state Mortgage Lending Division licenses and regulates mortgage bankers, mortgage brokers, mortgage agents, escrow agencies and escrow agents.

"Ms. Corbin's 31 years of real estate lending experience make her a logical fit for our industry, and her 19 years in supervision and management in the public sector will make for a seamless transition in our agency as well," Bice said.

Corbin started work this week at an annual salary of $76,908.

She replaces former Deputy Commissioner Susan Eckhardt, who accepted a position in the private sector last month.

Fire marshal issues smoke alarm warning

(Nevada Capitol Bureau) - Nevada's fire Marshal has called on residents to make sure their home fire alarms are working properly.

Officials in the office say 25 children died in 14 residential fires during July - fully half of them in homes where the smoke detectors weren't working.

Officials say a smoke alarm should be placed on every level of the home and outside bedrooms. If you keep your bedroom doors closed, place a smoke alarm in each bedroom. Batteries should be checked monthly to make sure the alarm still works.

In Nevada in 2005, over half of all reported structure fires were residential and less than half of them had working detectors. In 2005, Nevada had eight fire-related fatalities.

"There is no single more important item in any household than a working smoke alarm," said DPS Fire Marshal Chad Hastings.

More information on smoke alarms and Nevada fire-safety programs is available from the Nevada fire Marshal at 775-684-7504 or mpeltier@dps.state.nv.us and the Fire Prevention Association of Nevada at www.fpanevada.org.

Solar program taking applications

(Nevada Capitol Bureau) - The program providing cash rebates to Sierra Pacific Power customers who install solar technology at their homes or businesses is taking applications for this year's grants.

The solar technology consists of photovoltaic panels which convert sunlight into electricity, which is then used to power lights and appliances.

In addition to homes and small businesses, schools and government agencies are eligible to participate in the program.

Residential and business customers who install photovoltaic power systems can earn rebates of $3 per watt of electricity produced. Public buildings and schools are eligible for rebates of $5 per watt.

Interested customers should call 866-PV-NEVADA (866-786-3823), or visit the program Web site, www.SolarGenerations.com, to learn more about the program.

Secretary of Labor says U.S. has a 'skills gap'

LAS VEGAS (AP) - The U.S. is experiencing a "skills gap" and needs more workers with specialized training, Labor Secretary Elaine Chao said Tuesday at a union meeting.

Ninety percent of the more than 5.4 million new jobs created since August 2003 require some kind of skill training, Chao told members of the United Association of Journeymen and Apprentices meeting at the Paris Las Vegas hotel-casino.

"There is a growing mismatch between the skills required for the new jobs being created and the skills of our work force," she said.

The secretary commended the association for its apprenticeship programs.

The union represents plumbers and pipefitters. It is a member of the AFL-CIO and the Canadian Federation of Labour.