(shown) Randy Harris, Safety Supervisor with Barrick/Turquoise Ridge, is shown with his grandson, Josef Schoenecker, age 3, and Patrick Steepleton, of AirGas, is shown with his grandson, Braydon Andrews, age 2, at the first Barrick/Turquoise Ridge Winter Safety Fair. 

WINNEMUCCA — Area organizations working with the community on health & safety issues gathered at the Humboldt County Convention Center on Saturday to promote their causes at Barrick/Turquoise Ridge's First Winter Safety Fair.  Randy Harris, Safety Supervisor at the Barrick/Turquoise Ridge site, said they started planning the event way in advance of the earthquake in Haiti, but the images from the devastated island nation demonstrated the importance of many of the health & safety issues under discussion at the event -- such as emergency preparedness.  Harris commented, "Because of the events in Haiti, we really see the importance of being prepared for emergencies and disasters."

The American Red Cross - Winnemucca Service Center Disaster Team members were on hand to talk with the public about disaster preparedness.  The vast majority of folks responding to disasters from the Red Cross are volunteers who use their own time to train and organize -- like Barb, Dee, and Shelly, shown above -- who are preparing for ARC training on Saturday (January 30).  For more information on how you can become part of the Red Cross team working in Humboldt County, call 625-1155.

Officers Jeff Murdock and Mitchell Hinton, of the Winnemucca Police Department, were on hand to pass information on safety -- as well as some important home safety devices, like gun locks.  The two are shown with Kaitlyn Morton, 9, a student at Sonoma Height Elementary School.

Trooper Jim Stewart, Public Information Officer, Nevada Highway Patrol,  discussed traffic safety and ways motorists can keep themselves -- and their families -- safer on the road.  Trooper Stewart told the audience there was a time if he saw a vehicle swaying he would be concerned the driver was drunk.  Times are different.  Now if he sees a vehicle swaying he thinks the driver is probably on their cell phone talking or texting.  Both have the potential to be deadly, he reminded the audience.  Stewart's presentation was sometimes graphic as he showed photos of accident scenes and asked the audience members to keep both hands on the wheel and their eyes on the road.

Members of the Winnemucca Domestic Violence Shelter provided information on on the options people have who experience violence in the home.  (shown)  Laura Hescock minds the booth after her mom, Melody Jones, stepped away.  The message was in good hands.  Miss Hescock explained the WDVS offers a safe place for people to go if the people in their home are dangerous.  Jones explained among the information available for the public were pamphlets on stalking.  January is Stalking Awareness Month and the WDVS has been promoting the issue and raising awareness of this serious crime.

Jacquie Lang and Maria Aguilera, of the Golden Valley Medical Clinic, the local clinic that serves the mining community and their families, were on hand to pass out fun stuff for kids to do that also promoted a greater awareness on multiple health issues.