information

By Peter Brumis
The Tahoe Resource Conservation District has released a series of educational posters which identify some of the biggest threats to Lake Tahoe Basin, as well as what visitors, residents and even kids can do to help. Titled “Tahoe’s Most un-Wanted,” the first three posters feature aquatic invasive species, fine sediments from runoff and invasive weeds, and are free to pick up or request for local schools, businesses and other organizations who would like to display them publicly.

By Tia Rancourt
The winter holidays are a time for celebration with family and friends, and that means more cooking, entertaining, home decorating and an increased risk of home fires due to increased usage of cooking and heating equipment. Most home fires and injuries occur in the kitchen as reported by the U.S. Fire Administration. Here are some simple and easy life-saving tips from the North Lake Tahoe Fire Protection District to remember during the holiday season:

I would like to thank Rusty Hollis from the South Lake Tahoe Recreation Center for using our posters, flyers and information to promote awareness for November Pancreatic Cancer Awareness Month. I w...

By Trooper Chuck Allen
With the end-of-the-year holiday season upon us along with heavy traffic anticipated on the roadways and highways this four-day weekend, the Nevada Highway Patrol would like to share the following travel and traffic-related safety tips for motorists:
If you are making a journey when inclement weather is anticipated, especially over any of the mountain passes, be sure to check the most highways conditions by dialing 511 or by clicking on www.nevadadot.com
Always wear a seat belt and be certain all vehicle occupants are properly restrained

By Li Terrell
The South Lake Tahoe City Council voted October 18 to approve the budget for Fiscal Year 2011-2012, which imposed layoffs for 19 employees who were relieved of their duties last Friday, November 18.

By the Lake Tahoe Visitors Authority
Lake Tahoe South is New Year’s celebration central with Snow Globe, a three-day outdoor music festival with over 40 world-class musicians on three main stages, firework shows, combined with a myriad of outdoor recreation, entertainment and nightlife, providing action-packed holiday season for kids of all ages.

The recently re-named Live Violence Free organization (formerly South Lake Tahoe Women's Center) has weekly support groups on Tuesdays from 12:30pm to 1:30 pm - for those with domestic violence issues or concerns. Childcare is available.

Come to Lake Tahoe Community Presbyterian Church for FREE weekly Bread & Broth - Second Serving from 4:00pm to 5:00pm. Special Holiday Meals featured for Thanksgiving, Christmas and Easter.
Bread & Broth is an all-volunteer program to feed the hungry in the South Lake Tahoe community. A hot, well-balanced meal is provided once a week at no charge to anyone who comes through the doors. Bread & Broth includes volunteers of all faiths and nationalities, and meals are served without regard to religion, race, age, or financial situation.

Join Santa, and his elves for this Annual Community Holiday Celebration Friday, December 2 from 5:00pm to 7:00pm. Sponsored by the Lake Tahoe visitors Authority.

Be sure to check out Lake Tahoe News every morning for Fong's comprehensive information about conditions and events at the resorts in and around Lake ...www.laketahoenews.net/.../ski-report-the-20...

By the Tahoe Regional Planning Agency
A committee of the Tahoe Regional Planning Agency Governing Board took a major step forward this week in moving toward a different permitting system at Lake Tahoe where many parcel-by-parcel regulations would shift to local county or city governments.

About 20 or so have gathered today on Highway 50 near Stateline and South Lake Tahoe as part of a nationwide Occupy Wall Street protest. For information go here.
Police scanner traffic between Douglas County and South Lake Tahoe report no problems thus far associated with the protest, which began around noon.

The previously announced transaction between KSL Capital Partners and JMA Ventures which joins Squaw Valley and Alpine Meadows under one operating company has officially closed. This announcement affirms that skiers and riders can access Squaw Valley and Alpine Meadows’ 6,000 acres, 44 lifts and over 270 trails on one lift ticket or season pass. The two resorts will be connected by convenient, complimentary shuttles that will provide transportation between the two resorts.

“Since announcing the merger, the Alpine Meadows and Squaw Valley joint pass products –the Tahoe Super Pass and Tahoe Super Six, and Squaw Valley’s $50 million Renaissance, the response from our guests has been overwhelmingly positive” said Andy Wirth, Squaw Valley’s president and CEO.“The opportunity to experience these two incredible mountains, each with their own unique spirit and character, through one pass and one ticket has resonated deeply with our guests,” said Wirth. Wirth will take the helm as the president and CEO of Squaw Valley Ski Holdings, LLC, the newly formed parent company of both Squaw Valley and Alpine Meadows.

More than five years after the parents of a slain South Lake Tahoe teenager asked local authorities for help in solving the 1980 murder of their son, the case remains active and some remain hopeful the case could be solved.
Information that surfaced two years ago about the murder of Richard Swanson turned the cold case into an active one, with retired FBI agent Jeff Rinek and South Lake Tahoe police investigator Chuck Owens continuing their search for the killers. 

With the Vail Resorts tie-in Heavenly Mountain Ski Resort and the newly renamed Northstar California mountain site are entering the early opening race behind Boreal. This is rare for Northstar to open early and with the new trails it's gotta get the season to a quick start. I hope to be there!

Here's Heavenly's announcement: Click here for details.

By Heather Gould
Investigators have no new leads in the case of a South Lake Tahoe woman whose remains were found in southern Washington state in early October. The cause of death remains undetermined after an autopsy was performed.
In July, 54-year-old Marie Hanson traveled with a neighbor to the Rainbow Gathering, a countercultural event emphasizing peace and love. She was last seen on July 7, then disappeared, leaving all her personal effects behind.

UPDATED: Sad news to report today. KTVN-TV in Reno confirms that Channel 2 News Sports Director JK Metzker died this afternoon from injuries he suffered after being struck by a vehicle. The accident happened on North Virginia Street near 17th Street at 11:50pm last night following the University of Nevada Wolf Pack football game.

By Sean Whaley / Nevada News Bureau
CARSON CITY – It’s hard to know how well Nevada’s public school and college students are doing if there is no uniform and reliable data to view their performance over time.
Gov. Brian Sandoval is working to change that.

By John Heil
California is expected to see a boost in its local mountain economies as a result of a new legislation that now permits year-long recreation opportunities on U.S. Forest Service ski areas. The Ski Area Recreational Opportunity Enhancement Act of 2011, which was signed by President Barack Obama on Nov. 7, is estimated to create and annually sustain up to 600 extra jobs nationwide.

Tahoe Resource Conservation District and South Tahoe Environmental Education Coalition (STEEC) environmental educators have been busy bringing water-based interdisciplinary activities to students at Lake Tahoe elementary school classrooms through Wonders of Water curriculum that began Oct. 24 and continues through Nov. 10.

The annual “Tree of Remembrance” Interfaith Ceremony hosted by Barton Hospice and Foundation will take place friday, December 9, from 6:00pm - 7:00pm at Trinity Lutheran Church in Carson Valley. This event gives attendees the opportunity to reflect on the memories they share and celebrate the lives of those they have lost. Barton Hospice encourages everyone to take this opportunity to honor those they will forever cherish. Attendees will be able to say the name of the person in remembrance and light a candle in their honor. Music and song will be performed by OneVoice of Unity.

By Sean Whaley / Nevada News Bureau
CARSON CITY – Nevada’s public employee pension system is one of the better funded plans around the country, but its financial health is far poorer than taxpayers may realize because of the way the long-term liabilities are calculated, a new analysis released Wednesday says.

Here is this week's fishing report through Nov. 9 for Nevada, the Sierra, Northern California and Southern Oregon.

By Gail E. Powell
UPDATED 5PM: On Wednesday, Nov. 9, 2011 at 11 a.m. Pacific Standard Time, the federal government will conduct the first nationwide test of the Emergency Alert System (EAS).  The duration of the test will last up to 30 seconds. During this period, regularly scheduled television, radio, cable, and satellite shows will be interrupted as the system is being tested.