life

The JAYC Foundation: Jaycee Dugard Public Service Announcement

Jaycee Dugard makes a Public Service Announcement on behalf of The JAYC Foundation: "Just Ask Yourself to Care. If you see something that looks wrong or amiss, speak out! You might be wrong, but you might just save someone's life. This is presented by the JAYC Foundation."
Go to www.theJAYCfoundation.org

Wonders of Water Week Returns to Tahoe Schools

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.

Woman in stable condition after crosswalk accident

UPDATED NOV. 3: A 43-year-old woman was seriously injured and taken to Renown Regional Medical Center by Care Flight after being hit in a crosswalk on Monday afternoon in Gardnerville, the Nevada Highway Patrol reports.
Blanca Lydia Garcia-Herrera suffered some broken bones and is in stable condition at Regional Medical Center in Reno.
An accident investigation indicates Garcia-Herrera was walking in a crosswalk to an entrance to an O’Reilly vehicle parts store at 2:37 p.m. on Highway 395 north of Kingslane, said Trooper Dan Lopez.

Consumers may get relief under new Nevada insurance law

By Jake Sunderland
CARSON CITY, Nev. – Consumers who have suffered an “extraordinary life event” may now ask their insurance company to provide an exception to the use of their credit information for underwriting and rating purposes, which may otherwise result in an increase in their premium rate.

“This is an important chance for some Nevadans who have suffered an unfortunate event to find relief during these trying economic times,” said Commissioner Scott J. Kipper of the Nevada Division of Insurance.

Regulation Allowing Firearms In State Parks Wins Lawmaker Approval

By Sean Whaley / Nevada News Bureau
CARSON CITY – A regulation eliminating a prohibition on carrying firearms in state parks has been approved by the Legislative Commission. The regulation still prohibits the discharge of a firearm in a state park with some limited exceptions, such as designated target shooting areas.

Tahoe 21st Century Education Series: Author Bernie Trilling to Speak

By Heather Segale
Community educators are joining forces to bring another 21st Century Education Speakers Series to the Lake Tahoe Basin. This year’s series kicks-off with author Bernie Trilling on Tuesday, November 8th from 6:30 – 9:00 pm at Sierra Nevada College in the Tahoe Center for Environmental Sciences.

Anonymous donor gives $25K to Thunderbird Preservation Society, seeks match

An anonymous donor who presented $25,000 to the Thunderbird Preservation Society has offered a second donation for the same amount on the condition the public can match it by Thanksgiving, according to a news release.

OBITUARY: Annie Rupert, 1929-2011

Annie Rupert departed this life on October 4, 2011, having lived 81 years, the last 50 as a full-time resident on the South Shore.Her children ~ Kathi, David and Jonathan ~&#82...

OBITUARY: Marie Colello Hanson, 1956 - 2011

Marie Colello Hanson tragically lost her life while camping in the Gifford Pinchot National Forest near Stevenson, WA in early July 2011. Marie was born on September 27, 1956 in Chicago, IL ... ...

League to Save Lake Tahoe leadership change leads to many unanswered questions

By Heather Gould
The press release announcing the resignation of Rochelle Nason as executive director of the League to Save Lake Tahoe consisted of the usual PR fluff — statements from the president of the board praising her efforts over the years and statements from Nason herself casting the matter as a purely personal decision.

OBITUARY: Patrick E. Purnell

Patrick lived the majority of his life in South Lake Tahoe, and he had a one way lift ticket to Heaven with the first snow of the season. He loved snowboarding, the mountains, the lake, his fami...

Tahoe Chamber endorses Upper Truckee River Restoration Alt. 2

On October 13, 2011 the Tahoe Chamber Board of Directors voted unanimously in favor of Alternative 2; the Upper Truckee River Restoration and Golf Course Reconfiguration project.

Soroptimist International of South Lake Tahoe "An Evening of Food & Wine Tasting” Event

Soroptimist International of South Lake Tahoe presents “An Evening of Food & Wine Tasting” Event on Friday, November 11 from 6:00-9:30pm at Harrah's Tahoe Convention Center.
“An Evening of Food & Wine Tasting” raises money to fund many projects and programs sponsored by SISLT. Over 18 local area restaurants and 30 vintners will be showcased. Guests will again have an opportunity to vote for their favorite winery and restaurant.

KUDOS & KINDNESS: Thank you for community support

There are times in life when the unimaginable happens. For our family that time started in August of this year, when our 16-year-old son Cody was hospitalized in Sacramento for the first of two li...

Lawsuit challenges Nevada 'personhood' initiative

LAS VEGAS (AP) - A court challenge is being mounted to block an anti-abortion Nevada ballot initiative that would change the state constitution to define life as beginning at conception, and demand...

Boy, 8, uses Heimlich to save Grandma

CARSON CITY, Nev. - A Carson City grandmother is crediting her 8-year-old grandson with saving her life after the little third-grader performed the Heimlich Manuever on her.Phyllis Maita, 60, said ...

OBITUARY: Sharel Ann Wilson, Oct. 17, 1954 - Sept. 19, 2011

Sharel Wilson was a wife, mother, grandmother, sister, aunt, cousin, and friend. Her family and friends were her life and her life was full. The daughter of a professional musician, Sharel and her ...

Remembering Fallen Soldier U.S. Army Spc. Garrett Fant

Garrett Fant, the 21-year-old U.S. Army soldier who died Sept. 26, 2011 in Afghanistan, left a legacy South Lake Tahoe can be proud of, friends and family say.  The young man, who attended South Tahoe High School and considered South Lake Tahoe his home, will be remembered for his personable nature and affable character. For as young as he was, he was a gentlemen and treated everyone around him with dignity and respect, including those he didn’t personally know. 

South Lake Tahoe city budget fight looms large; layoffs eminent

As an early snowstorm descended on South Lake Tahoe the first week of October, the continuing winter of economic discontent looks bleak for the city’s budget woes and employees facing layoff. Seventeen positions are still on the chopping block. At least half of those positions are linked to street maintenance and snow removal operations. While negotiations between the bargaining units and the city continue to be held, there is a hint of an impasse — while the city functions on only an interim budget until the end of the month.

Coming home: Mother of fallen soldier talks about son's life

SOUTH LAKE TAHOE, Calif. - U.S. Army Spc. Garrett Fant scored so high on his military entrance exam that he could have done any job in the armed forces, even those would have kept him out of the...

Fallen soldier U.S. Army Spc. Garrett Fant returns home

A procession made up of several law enforcement agencies passed through South Lake Tahoe late Wednesday night to deliver the body of fallen soldier U.S. Army Spc. Garrett Fant, who was killed on Sept. 26 in Afghanistan.

U.S. Army Spc. Garrett Fant's body to arrive in Reno tonight

The body of U.S. Army Spc. Garrett Fant, who was killed on Sept. 26 in Afghanistan, will arrive at Reno Tahoe International Airport later tonight. Heavy snow forced the change. Family and friends left the Lake Tahoe Airport along with military personnel at around 6:45 p.m.

Memorial services announced for U.S Army soldier Garrett Fant

Family and friends have announced memorial services in South Lake Tahoe this week for U.S. Army Spc. Garrett Fant, 21, who died on Sept. 26, 2011 in Afghanistan.

Here is what was sent to us:

SIROTA: Painting the black: Sports mirror life

Despite recent odes to "post-racial" sensibilities, persistent racial wage and unemployment gaps show that prejudice is alive and well in America. Nonetheless, that truism is often angrily denied o...

Smoke from Sept. 12 fire continues to makes its way into Meyers, South Lake Tahoe

Steady wind has pushed large amounts of smoke from a fire burning since Sept. 12 south of Highway 50 near Strawberry into Christmas Valley, Meyers and South Lake Tahoe this afternoon.

El Dorado Forest Service officials report the lightning-caused Long Fire, which has burned about 275 acres in timber and brush, is about 85 percent contained and poses no risk to life or property. The fire is burning at around 7,000 feet in the Packsaddle Pass area, three miles southwest of Strawberry in El Dorado County.

Deb Howard & Co. welcomes Shannon Grossi

Shannon Grossi may be a new addition to Deb Howard & Company, but she definitely is not new to the Lake Tahoe area.Shannon has lived most of her life in the South Lake Tahoe area. Of course, it ...

Ziggy Marley carries the torch

Q Where you living now, Ziggy?A California, Florida, Jamaica - mostly California. (Where I) make music with different people with different experiences in life, which I like. No one thing is a p...

'The Art of FLIGHT' Screening at MontBleu

A new breed of action sports film comes to life as Red Bull Media House, in association with Brain Farm Digital Cinema, present "The Art of Flight," a Curt Morgan film on Monday, Sept. 19 at MontBleu Resort Casino and Spa. Doors open at 6 p.m., with the show beginning at 8 p.m.

Tahoe Conservancy Approves Signature South Lake Projects

By Ray Lacey
The California Tahoe Conservancy today awarded funding for two of South Lake Tahoe's signature environmental and recreational projects: the Bijou Creek Watershed Project and the South Tahoe Greenway bike trail.

OBITUARY: Bill Cusac, July 24, 1947 - Sept. 4, 2011

Bill served in the US Army from 1965 - 1971. In 1977, he moved to Lake Tahoe looking for a new start in life after a divorce. He started umpiring for Little League baseball in South Lake Tahoe. ...

OBITUARY: Bill Cusac, July 24, 1947 - Sept. 4, 2011

Bill served in the US Army from 1965 - 1971. In 1977, he moved to Lake Tahoe looking for a new start in life after a divorce. He started umpiring for Little League baseball in South Lake Tahoe. ...

Tahoe Sports and Entertainment to amp up ice arena

By Jessie Marchesseau
It’s official. Tahoe Sports and Entertainment has moved in and taken over management of the South Lake Tahoe Ice Arena.

Melting polar regions discussed Thursday at Tahoe environmental center

By Heather Segale
A lecture that explores climate change and the melting polar regions will be discussed Thursday, Sept. 15 at the Lake Tahoe Center for Environmental Sciences at Incline Village.

Rumors persist in IHOP investigation

CARSON CITY, Nev. - A week after the IHOP shooting, investigators continue to piece together the last 72 hours of Eduardo Sencion's life in an effort to figure out what precipitated the Carson City...

Nevada Guard remembers, eulogizes shooting victims

CARSON CITY, Nev. - Few moments in life tug on the heartstrings more than the playing of Amazing Grace on bagpipes after the death of three battle buddies. It's the type of moment that makes gro...

Rumors persist a week after deadly IHOP shooting

A week after the IHOP shooting, investigators continue to piece together the last 72 hours of Eduardo Sencion's life in an effort to figure out what precipitated the man's deadly rampage that ended in five deaths including Florence Donovan-Gunderson of South Lake Tahoe, Major Heath Kelly, of Reno; Sgt. 1st Class Christian Riege of Carson City and Sgt. 1st Class Miranda McElhiney of Reno. Go here for the latest story filed by the Nevada Appeal's F.T. Norton.

Friends recall Florence Donovan-Gunderson; witness describes shooting as tragedy hits South Lake Tahoe

A gunman who opened fire inside a Carson City restaurant has torn a hole through the South Lake Tahoe community, taking the life of a long-time local woman, maiming her disabled husband, and sending shock waves in the community after learning the gunman has family business ties in town.
The brutal murder that happened inside the International House of Pancakes this week claimed the lives of three U.S. Army National Guard personnel and Lake Tahoe Keys resident Florence Donovan-Gunderson, 67. Shooter Eduardo Sencion, 32, of Carson City turned the automatic weapon he was packing on himself and left both communities stunned and asking questions about why such a senseless act of violence happened.

South Lake Tahoe woman killed in Carson City shooting spree

Family friend Suzy Krzaczek remembers Florence "Florrie" Donovan-Gunderson as "incredibly generous" and "incredibly full of life.""That woman had the energy of a 25-year-old," KrzaczekCopyright ...

OBITUARY: Thurston Ott

Thurston Ott passed away peacefully in his home the morning of August 25, 2011. It just so happened to be 65 years to the day from his baptism. He was 89 years old and lived a full life. Thurst...

South Lake Tahoe woman among those killed, husband wounded in IHOP shooting

Florence Donovan-Gunderson and her husband Wally Gunderson, who split their time between Southern California and their home in the Tahoe Keys, were having breakfast at IHOP in Carson City Tuesday morning when a gunman shattered their lives forever.

According to a family friend, Florence was killed inside the restaurant, along with three Nevada National Guard members, while Wally was wounded. A man interviewed by KRNV 4 described how he applied first aid to Wally, while his wife was obviously killed instantly.

The Carson City Sheriff's Office held a news conference at 9 a.m. this morning to officially release the names of the victims.

Suzy Krzaczek, a teacher at South Tahoe Middle, said her and the victim's families had been close friends for more than 30 years. She said that Wally had called her mother yesterday from the hospital to take care of the couple's dog before he was wheeled into surgery.

Carson City IHOP Shooting: Four dead, including two National Guard personnel, six wounded (W/TRANSCRIPT)

By Kirk Caraway, Jeff Munson and T. Costa
Update 2:00 p.m.: Here is what we know at this point:

Four people are dead, including the gunman who shot himself and died later at the hospital. Two of the dead where a man and women in the National Guard, who were in uniform.

There is a press conference scheduled for 3 p.m.

A few minutes before 9 a.m., a lone gunman armed with automatic AK-47-type assault rifle drives up to the IHOP on South Carson Street, and begins shooting in the parking lot. Locals BBQ owner Ralph Swagler said he saw the man drive up, and then empty a clip of ammo outside the IHOP, then reloads and goes inside, where he fires more shots very rapidly and exits within a few seconds.

Swagler said the gunman then saw his son locking the door of their business and opened fire at them. He also allegedly fired shots at the H&R Block office next door. Sometime after, the gunman shot himself, and died later at the hospital.

Witnesses recount events

More photos of the scene

Four dead, six injured in Carson City IHOP shooting; Two military personnel among dead

12:10 p.m. update: The Associated Press is reporting that the Carson City Sheriff's Office has confirmed that the shooter in the Carson City IHOP incident has died of his self-inflicted gunshot wound.

Update 11:45: At least three people, two uniformed members of the National Guard, have died in a shooting this morning shortly before 9 a.m. at the International House of Pancakes, IHOP, in Carson City, according to Sheriff Ken Furlong. In all, 10 people were shot, with three dead as of 11:30 a.m.

The suspected shooter, reportedly using an automatic weapon, apparently shot himself and is clingling to life, Furlong said during a press conference. Three police chaplains have also been called in to respond to and speak with families of the shooting victims. The shooting on South Carson Street has the roadway closed at both sides of Highway 395 and at Eagle Station Lane.

A couple inside the restaurant, Howard and Evelyn MacDonald from Southern California who were visiting family from Carson City, both managed to escape with other customers out of the back door of IHOP when bullets began flying. The MacDonalds said they had been eating their breakfast when they heard several shots being fired, windows breaking and an employee who came out of the kitchen yelling "Get out now!" said Howard MacDonald.

"I'll never forget that sound," said Ellen MacDonald.

Across the parking lot at Locals' BBQ, owner Ralph Swagler said witnessed much of the shooting. He said that he and his son were inside his restaurant when he saw a man pull into the IHOP parking lot i a blue minivan, where he began shooting outside the restaurant. Swagler said he then saw a body on the ground next to a motorcycle, as the male shooter began shooting from the front of the restaurant to the inside. Swagler said the weapon was a fully automatic assault-style weapon, in which he said the man fired off an entire clip, reloaded and then walked inside the IHOP and began shooting.

The shooter then walked outside restaurant, saw Swagler and his son as they attempted to lock the Locals' BBQ door, then began shooting at the restaurant, he said. And then Swagler said the gunman began shooting at the H&R Block office next door.

Stray bullets have been found all over the area, in between the McDonald's building and Casino Fandango, as well as throughout the IHOP parking lot.

Law officers from agencies around Northern Nevada are responding to scene, with officers asked to respond to Carson Tahoe and Renown Medical Center in Reno to speak with and identify the victims, according to police scanner dispatch.

Developing ....

Two military personnel among dead in Carson City shooting

At least three people, two whom are U.S. military personnel and were in full uniform, have died with the gunman reportedly near death after a shooting this morning shortly before 9 a.m. at the International House of Pancakes, IHOP, in Carson City, according to Sheriff Ken Furlong.

The suspected shooter, reportedly using an automatic weapon, apparently shot himself and is clingling to life, Furlong said during a press conference. Three police chaplains have also been called in to respond to and speak with families of the shooting victims. The FBI is not investigating and members of the U.S. Army National Guard are on the scene.

The shooting on South Carson Street has the roadway closed at both sides of Highway 395 and at Eagle Station Lane.

A couple inside the restaurant, Howard and Ellen MacDonald from Southern California who were visiting family from Carson City, both managed to escape with other customers out of the back door of IHOP when bullets began flying. The MacDonalds said they had been eating their breakfast when they heard several shots being fired, windows breaking and an employee who came out of the kitchen yelling "Get out now!" said Howard MacDonald.

"I'll never forget that sound," said Ellen MacDonald, adding that it was gunshots followed by screams.

Across the way at Locals' BBQ, owner Ralph Swagler said he witnessed much of the shooting. He said that he and his son were in the restaurant when they saw a man pull into the IHOP parking lot, where he began shooting outside the restaurant. Swagler said he then saw a man on the ground next to a motorcycle, as the male shooter began shooting from the front of the restaurant to the inside. Swagler said the weapon was an assault-style weapon, in which he said the man "fired off an entire clip, reloaded and then walked inside and began shooting."

The shooter then walked outside restaurant, saw Swagler and his son as they attempted to lock the Locals' BBQ door, then began shooting at the restaurant, he said. And then the shooter walked over to the H&R Block building and shot at it but did not go inside, Swagler said.

Stray bullets have been found all over the area, in between the McDonald's building and Casino Fandango, as well as throughout the IHOP parking lot.

Law officers from agencies around Northern Nevada are responding to scene, with officers asked to respond to Carson Tahoe and Renown Medical Center in Reno to speak with and identify the victims, according to police scanner dispatch.

Gun shells have been found as far as the Casino Fandango. At least one more patient has been airlifted to Reno with one other shooting victim being taken by ground ambulance.
Developing ....

'Casino Women' tells struggles and triumphs of women working in casinos

By Claudene Wharton
A new book written by two University of Nevada, Reno social work professors, is a perfect Labor Day read, giving an in-depth look into the lives of women working in Nevada casinos and serving to remind why the national holiday exists.

Nevada's top forester issues warning about fire danger

By Nevada Dept. of Conservation and Natural Resources
From Southern Nevada to Lake Tahoe and all parts above and in between, state, federal, local and volunteer firefighting resources have responded to numerous lightning- and human-caused wildfires across Nevada so far this year. The state has lost about 94,000 acres to wildfire this summer, which is significantly less than the five-year average of 428,084 acres a year.

U.S. military veterans gain job skills while reducing Lake Tahoe wildfire risk

By Cheva Heck
SOUTH LAKE TAHOE, Calif. — A crew of military veterans who are preparing for future employment while they're helping to protect Lake Tahoe communities from wildfire were visited today by U.S. Forest Service and California Conservation Corps officials.

S Tahoe air show to introduce budding pilots to life in the sky ...

Soaring through the air at eye level with the mountains Lake Tahoe seems so much bigger from the sky the boats so much smaller All those trees The Lake ...www.laketahoenews.net/.../s-tahoe-air-show-to...

Memorial service set for Norma Schwartz

A memorial and celebration of life or former North Tahoe Public Utility District board member and North Tahoe resident Norma Schwartz will be Sept. ...www.laketahoenews.net/.../memorial-service-set-fo...

Pilot Hero 'Sully' Sullenberger to Discuss Thunderbird Preservation; tickets now available

Captain Chesley “Sully” Sullenberger, the pilot who calmly and heroically landed his jetliner on New York’s Hudson River saving all 155 passengers and crew on board, will speak in Incline Village at a benefit for the Thunderbird Preservation Society on Saturday, Sept. 3.
The man who redefined “hero” on January 15, 2009, will discuss the importance of core values, including the preservation of vintage Americana – specifically Lake Tahoe’s historic Thunderbird Lodge and Yacht.

Virginia City cemetery offering tours as fundraiser

Funtime Theater, a nonprofit organization, in conjunction with the Comstock Cemetery Foundation is putting on “Voices of the Past,” an interactive look into life on the Comstock. Widow of the Silv...

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