Committee

A bill meant to solidify students' First Amendment right to religious expression stirred up a hornet's nest in the Nevada Legislature on Monday over its unintended consequences, even attracting the disapproval of a Christian priest.

"I believe this bill pushes the Christian position, which I do, but not in school," said the priest, testifying before the Assembly Committee on Education, holding its first hearing for Assembly Bill 120.

Chances are, the beast sitting on the bar stool next to you won’t be a real dog.

A measure heard Monday by the Senate Government Affairs Committee seeks to allow operators of stand-alone bars, saloons and taverns to allow dogs inside their establishments without interference from local government overseers.

But county health officials testified against Senate Bill 105, sponsored by Sen. James Settelmeyer, R-Minden.

Settelmeyer introduced the bill at the request of Karen Woodmansee, editor of the Virginia City News in Storey County. She also works at a local casino.

The California Tahoe Conservancy Board unanimously voted today to award Sierra Business Council (SBC) $50,000 to expand and enhance the Lake Tahoe Water Trail.

The Lake Tahoe Water Trail is the 72-mile scenic paddling route around the shore of Lake Tahoe. SBC plans to improve trail maps; increase wayfinding, trailhead signage, and outreach and education; launch a Lodge-to-Lodge Network; and establish a new Oversight Committee to develop a business plan to create a more sustainable program.

Top experts will converge at Lake Tahoe in September for the annual meeting of the Western Regional Panel on Aquatic Nuisance Species, hosted by the Tahoe Regional Planning Agency.

Taking place September 2-4, the annual meeting brings together officials from across the country in the fight against western expansion of aquatic invasive species. Participants will learn from informative lectures and discussions to foster coordination of aquatic invasive species management among western states. This event is open to the public.

People in the Lake Tahoe/Carson Valley region will now have access to a designated trauma center following approval today by the El Dorado County Board of Supervisors.

Barton Memorial Hospital has been designated a Level III trauma center which makes it only one of two in El Dorado County and just one of four for the state of California.

A bond oversight committee is needed with the passage of Measure F in November, the Lake Tahoe Community College's $55 million bond.

All schools and colleges that receive bonds are required to have an oversight committee per California Prop. 39.

Charles Nelson, South Lake Tahoe resident and President of the Lake Tahoe Bicycle Coalition (LTBC), was recently appointed to serve on the California Bicycle Advisory Committee (CBAC).

Formed by Caltrans in 1992, the CBAC is composed of members who represent various California agencies and organizations throughout the state. The committee provides guidance to Caltrans on bicycle issues and reviews and comments on bicycle-related proposals.

A four year degree program could be in Lake Tahoe Community College's near future. They are waiting to hear from the California Community College's Chancellor's office to see if they are one of the 15 community colleges in the state who will be allowed the opportunity to offer one four-year degree.

LTCC's Baccalaureate Degree Steering Committee submitted a proposal to the Chancellor's office and should hear on January 21, 2015 if they are going to be offering a four-year degree in Public Safety Administration.

A brand new, 83,225 sq ft community and senior center will be unveiled December 6. The $16.9 million center was expected to open in February, 2015 but construction is ahead of schedule.

Billed as something to serve the community from cradle to grave, the Douglas County Community and Senior Center located across the street from Lampe Park in Gardnerville, NV will have a senior center with a dining room for 300 people, administrative offices, senior day care, health nurse office, preschool, activity rooms, fitness and workout areas and gymnasiums.

To The Community,

Thank you for your support of and confidence in the students, Board, faculty, staff, and leadership of Lake Tahoe Community College. We’d like to personally thank the South Lake Tahoe community for lending your support to Measure F, and for turning out this Election Day. This community’s four-decade-long involvement and interest in the college is what keeps LTCC going. You’ve supported your local community college, and we hope in the months and years to come, you’ll see firsthand the difference Measure F is making and will join us in celebrating its passage.

The name Roberta Mason has been synonymous with Lake Tahoe Community College for the last 40 years, and her name will soon be permanently added to a college building.

To Our Community,

Our journey toward Measure F began in May 2013, when Lake Tahoe Community College enacted “Investing In Our Future,” a fiscal stability plan to ensure the sustainability of LTCC for the next 40 years. The first step in this plan was to build a shared vision of the future. In September 2013, LTCC leaders brought community members, faculty, staff, students, K-12 educators, and elected officials together to develop that shared vision.

(http://www.laketahoenews.net/2013/09/ltcc-engages-locals-pave-future-path/)

The last SWEET SIPPIN' SUNDAY for the season is right around the corner. The leaves are turning and the weather is supposed to be beautiful, so be sure to mark your calendar now for this Sunday, 10/5, 1-4pm.

Location

Running for elected office is one of the most humbling experiences a person can have. You’re allowing yourself to be scrutinized by your community, people can take shots at your positions, and you have to move forward with calm and ease the entire time. I knew I wanted to make a difference in our community after completing the TahoeChamber’s Leadership Lake Tahoe program, little did I know that I’d be taking action and running for City Council so soon.

TahoeChamber has endorsed seven candidates for the upcoming election that best portray the values and abilities necessary to serve the South Shore business community. As directed by the TahoeChamber Board of Directors, the TahoeChamber Candidate Endorsement Committee (TC-CEC) used the pillars of the Chamber’s adopted Tahoe Future A South Shore Community Vision 2020 as the foundational criteria for evaluating candidates. The pillars include Economic Vitality, Quality of Life, Sustainability, Infrastructure and Intellectual Capital.

The seven candidates for South Lake Tahoe City Council were at Wednesday nights Candidate Forum at Lake Tahoe Golf Course. The Tahoe Chamber and Tahoe Daily Tribune hosted the evening which had Rabbi Evon Yakar moderating the questions and answers.

About 100 people showed up to listen to panel who were given questions prepared by the chamber's new political committee as well as those asked by the audience. The questions were asked of different candidates so not everyone was asked the same one.

Live Violence Free welcomed distinguished patrons of the upcoming 15th Annual Sunset Gala to the beautiful Glenbrook, NV home of Lynn Brantley and Doug Tuttle on Saturday, August 23. The Sunset Gala Committee extended appreciation for the patrons’ commitment to the expansion of Live Violence Free’s community services and support. The Sunset Gala Committee and Board of Directors proudly recognized the Honorary Chairwomen of the Sunset Gala, Cathy DiCamillo and Ginger Mitchell, for their combined long-standing dedication and service to Live Violence Free that spans almost 60 years.

Seven candidates are vying for the three open seats on the South Lake Tahoe City Council in November. Incumbents Angela Swanson, Brooke Laine and Tom Davis are going up against Wendy David, Matt Palacio, Bruce Grego and Austin Sass.

With so many candidates to choose from it will be important come election day to vote for the three you feel can lead the City for the next four years.

There are a few buzz words that are evidently going to be used during the El Dorado County District 5 Supervisor race this summer and fall.

Economic Vitality - An economy with sufficient jobs, products and services to support the community. A sufficient tax base provides citizens with police and fire, parks and recreation and public services needed by the population.

With less than 50% of the Lake Tahoe basin homeowners not complying with mandates to install Best Management Practices (BMPs) on their properties, the TRPA is looking for ways to get people on board.

The proposal being currently discussed is to make BMPs mandatory at Point of Sale for a home as well as discussion of them during the transaction's disclosure process. This discussion at the TRPA BMP Compliance Worksing Group meeting Tuesday brought a packed house of mostly Lake Tahoe real estate agents and brokers.

The El Dorado County Charter was at the center of the Grand Jury's released end of year report last week. Their findings will be discussed at the County Charter Review Committee meeting on Thursday evening in Placerville.

South Tahoe Now sent a questionnaire out to all of the candidates for El Dorado County Supervisor and Douglas County Sheriff. This is the last of the submitted responses. Candidates Sue Novasel, Kenny Curtzwiler and Angela Swanson were the only County Supervisor candidates to respond, and Douglas County Sheriff candidates Ron Pierini and Dave Brady were the only Sheriff candidates to respond. We thank those that took the time to reply.

1) What do you see as the Number 1 issue facing residents of District 5?

The following is an opinion article and does not necessarily reflect the views of South Tahoe Now:

Lake Vista Apartments is a 4.6 acre, 64-unit deed restricted affordable housing project on lower Kingsbury Grade in Stateline, Nevada. It was built in 2000 under a special agreement with the TRPA to replenish the Nevada side's affordable housing stock after the number of units at the complex on Kahle Drive was dramatically reduced in order to restore the meadow. The complex was built on a USDA affordable housing tax credit program which specified a minimum of 15 years of affordable housing use.