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There are many people who experience unpleasant physical effects from scented products, such as perfumes and colognes. Sometimes, it might be a headache or nausea when passing by a department store’s fragrance counter or riding in an elevator with someone wearing a certain fragrance. However, there is a growing number of people who suffer more severe reactions to these and many other types of products and chemicals. This condition is known as multiple chemical sensitivities (MCS) and involves people who have developed an acute sensitivity to various chemicals in the environment.

To the citizens of El Dorado County,
The year 2011 is wrapped up, and so is my first year as your Sheriff. This year end report is to provide you, the community we serve, with information outlining some of the achievements by the men and women that make up your Sheriff’s Office. I believe it is my obligation to keep you, as the taxpayers of El Dorado County, informed as to the direction and accomplishments of this office.

With the arrival of winter weather in this area, we certainly have plenty of water frozen on our creeks, streams, rivers, ponds, lakes and reservoirs.
And, that ice covering effectively inhibits your opportunity to catch fish…unless you are an ice fisherman.

Join us at Van Sickle Bi-State Park from 10am to 1 pm for 2 to 3 miles of moderate hiking by snowshoe. Enjoy beautiful panoramic views of the “Jewel of the Sierra”along the way. This new trail is a superb addition to our local hiking trail offering views of Lake Tahoe rarely seen, off the shoulder of Heavenly. See the waterfall about 2 miles up the trail that looks like angel wings. Meet behind Harrah’s; in the very back parking lot.

Come to the Commons at Lake Tahoe Community College on Tuesday, January 24 from noon to 1:00pm for the Winterfest Chili Cookoff. This is a showcase event for the Clubs of LTCC to share who they are and what they do, while offering food and fun with students and faculty.
For more information go to Ltcc.edu or call (530)544-4660.

As we near National Heart Month, February, its only fitting that Barton Health introduces its latest piece of prosperity — heart care and their latest addition to the medical team, cardiologist, David Young.
“Patients (in the Lake Tahoe Basin) now have access to a cardiovascular specialist in their own community,” Dr. Young said.

(News Release) — The Lake Tahoe Federal Advisory Committee (LTFAC) is scheduled to meet from 9 a.m. to 12 p.m., Feb. 9, 2012, at the Tahoe Regional Planning Agency, 128 Market Street, Stateline, NV 89449. LTFAC will address issues related to federal activities at Lake Tahoe. Items on the agenda include reviewing and confirming the LTFAC Vision and Strategic Planning Session outcomes, and public comment.

A guided hike into the backcountry beyond the trails of Kirkwood to

While it is cold and snowy outside now, swimming Lake Tahoe is the furthest from many minds. But not for a group of power swimmers who are preparing for water recreation after the snow melts.
Lake Tahoe swim enthusiasts Karen Rogers, adventure swimmer Jamie Patrick, local triathlete Rob Laurie, ski patroller Garrett Harley and photographer Brian Patterson and have announced the formation of the Lake Tahoe Swimming Society.

Tahoe Arts Project continues its 25th season with the comedy/juggler duo The Gizmo Guys on Friday, January 27th at the MontBleu Theater. The Gizmo Guys' rapid-fire act exhilarates and inspires sidesplitting laughter in audience members of all ages. The Gizmo Guys will bring their “Objects in Motion” show into the South Shore schools January 23-27 teaching children how juggling relates to science and math.

View Washoe Drive Fire (1/19/2012) in a larger map

UPDATE 10PM: Reno Fire Chief Michael Hernandez said tonight the Washoe Drive Fire has consumed and estimated 3,700 acres, burned at least 20 structures and has resulted in one fatality.
Hernandez would not go into details of how the person died. He said the 250+ firefighters on the scene have stopped the forward progress of the fire. He said the fire started in the East Lake area, and then followed the Highway 395 corridor north, where it was stopped just south of Galena High School.
Highway 395 will be closed until further notice due to damage to debris and damage to guard rails, power poles and other item near the roadway. Gov. Brian Sandoval told state workers who commute by this route to stay home Friday. Evacuations have been lifted for the Galena area. About 2,000 people are still unable to go back to their homes tonight.
Hernandez said firefighters saved more than 800 homes that were in the path of this destructive fire.
The cause of the blaze is still under investigation.
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UPDATE 9PM: Reno Fire officials report forward progress on Washoe Drive fire has stopped. Fire behavior is moderating due to diminishing winds, lowering termperatures and increasing humidity/moisture moving over the Sierra Nevada/Carson Range. Fire burns more than 3,000 acres with zero containment; 10,000 evacuated; no count on home and structure losses.

U.S. Highway-395 remains closed between 1.8 miles north of Carson City to the Junction of SR 341/431 (Mt. Rose Junction) in south Reno. U.S. Highway 395 could remained closed on Friday (1/20) through the morning commute - make alternate plans.
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At 4:40 pm Thursday, Nevada Gov. Brian Sandoval, under his constitutional and statutory authority, made a state declaration of emergency which qualifies local governments for federal assistance associated with this event. The National Guard is on standby at the request of Sandoval and Washoe County. California has also provided fire assistance as part of a Governor to Governor agreement with Jerry Brown.
“Our thoughts and prayers are with those who have been and are being affected by this fire,” Sandoval said. “Declaring a state of emergency ensures that every resource from the local, state and federal level is available to assist. The Nevada Division of Forestry and the Department of Public Safety have also engaged with local responders.”
Additionally, Nevada has been approved by the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) for a Fire Management Assistance Grant (FMAG). As a result, Nevada is eligible for up to 75 percent funding assistance for eligible costs. The request was made by the Nevada Division of Forestry on behalf of Washoe County at the onset of the fire.

More below the fold.

What sounds better after a long powder day: icing your knees or hopping in the hot tub? The majority of skiers and snowboarders would prefer the hot tub. And though this sounds like the perfect place to get warm, meet up with your buds and kick back and relax, the hot water could hinder your next day’s skiing or boarding performance.

Join us on Saturday, January 21 from 9:30 am to 2 pm at the Ante Up Terrain Park for the "Stateline Showdown" slopestyle event.
• Only $20 to enter the competition
• Pre-Register at the Events Department (Base of World Cup)
• Day-Of Registration is available at the Base of the Gondola, 8am to 9:15am.
For more information call the Events Department at(530)542-5133.

An inflatable airbag demonstration at Kirkwood Mountain Resort last month will give way to a new feature at the resort beginning in February, officials announced. The Steezbag 50 was on public display at the resort from Dec. 17 to Jan. 1. An announcement was made via press release from Kirkwood. Here's the announcement:

The New Year has always been the perfect time to reflect and look ahead with a fresh perspective. As the primary wellness provider for the South Lake Tahoe area, I would like to address questions you may have about the future of healthcare and what Barton Health has planned for 2012 and beyond.

Springloaded, Heavenly’s spring festival, brings the best of spring together - loud tunes, loud outfits and two weeks of sun & fun,
including parties, pond skimming, Stateline Showdown, concerts, the
Gunbarrel 25 & springtime mischief... it's pure Heavenly.
Also included will be the return of the ever-popular Dummy Gelande event
where teams build and launch home-made dummies for distance and style
points.
For more information contact Heavenly Lake Tahoe at (800)HEAVENLY

South Shore native Darcie Goodman-Collins has been named the new executive director of the League to Save Lake Tahoe, officials announced today. She replaces Rochelle Nason who resigned last September.

“I’m very excited to move back to Lake Tahoe. I grew up skiing, snowshoeing, hiking, and waterskiing on our beautiful lake. I am passionate about science, education, and the Lake. I will lead the League’s efforts to restore the Lake and work hand in hand with the local community to do so,” said Goodman-Collins in a news release.

The operator of BlueGo, the South Lake Tahoe area public transportation system, has installed four new bus shelters in the city with plans for three more in early 2012 to provide additional safety, convenience and comfort for riders.

The Tahoe Regional Planning Agency will host two public workshops to help orient customers to the reorganization of TRPA’s Code of Ordinances, which will go into effect on March 1, 2012.

Now in its 16th season, the luxury Ski Buses run every Saturday, every Sunday, every Wednesday and one additional weekday per week with pick up locations in San Francisco, Oakland, Walnut Creek, Sunnyvale, Foster City, Pleasanton and San Rafael. The buses are stylish and comfortable with a restroom, multiple TVs for movies, and of course, are run by professional drivers and hosts!

The year of 2011 was anything but quiet for the California Department of Fish and Game.
Pesky bears, a roaming gray wolf, significant poaching arrests, tsunami relief work and dramatic wildlife rescues were among the stories that captured the public’s attention.
DFG also welcomed new Director Charlton H. Bonham, who was appointed by Governor Jerry Brown in August.

RENO, Nev. – Kate McGee has joined 88.7 FM KUNR – Reno Public Radio – as a broadcast journalist, coming to northern Nevada from the East Coast. She recently graduated from Fordham University in the Bronx, N.Y., with a dual bachelor's degree in American studies and history. She started her public radio career at Fordham’s WFUV Radio as a reporter, anchor and producer, where she covered everything from Mayor Mike Bloomberg to stickball tournaments.

A prescribed fire will begin Tuesday in Placer County, according to the U.S. Forest Service. The controlled fire is reported to be about a half acre in size and will last one day. Below is the official announcement by the Forest Service.

CARSON CITY – Nevada’s major casinos saw total revenues increase to $22 billion last fiscal year, but the 256 properties reported a net loss of just under $4 billion, the Gaming Control Board reported today.
It was the third year of losses in a row. The only other loss since records have been kept came in 2002.
The report, called the Nevada Gaming Abstract, analyzes those casino properties grossing $1 million or more in gaming revenue for the year ending June 30, 2011.