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Douglas County Schools at the lake are open Thursday, but it is main bus stops only for both Whittell High School and Zephyr Cove Elementary.
These stops are designated as:

The corner of Tina Court and Ski Court for students living in the Tramway and Kingsbury Village area:

WHS - Bus will arrive at 6:40 a.m. and depart at 7:05 a.m.
ZCES - Bus will arrive at 7:57 a.m. and depart at 8:20 a.m.

Glenbrook area will board at the entrance to Glenbrook
WHS - Bus will arrive at 6:32 a.m.
ZCES - Bus will arrive at 7:36 a.m.

Since January is Human Trafficking Awareness Month, what do you think of when you hear the term "human trafficking"? If you're like most people, you think of a story like the following true story, where police conduct an operation at a suspected residential brothel and encounter Sally, a 25-year-old citizen of Korea. Sally came to the U.S. having been promised a job as a maid. Instead, she was threatened with violence and forced to work in a brothel until she made $15,000. But the brothel owner retained $10,000, plus additional fees for food and a motel room when she could not work.

Curt Amacker, 57, passed away on Sunday, December 25, 2016 at Barton Hospital in South Lake Tahoe.

Born July 23, 1959, in Carson City, Nevada, Curt lived in South Lake Tahoe his entire life, other than a short time spent attending tech school in Phoenix, Arizona.

Curt was an avid outdoorsman who loved the mountains, riding ATVs and Snowmobiles, shooting his prized firearms, and sitting around a bonfire visiting with his friends and family.

The lottery to assign spots for the Fall '17 kindergarten class at Lake Tahoe Environmental School (Magnet School) will be held in Spring. Signups to be part of the lottery will start when school resumes after the holidays on January 9.

It is not a first-come, first-served process so parents have until the end of March to sign up.

Most people who drive through South Lake Tahoe know Marcus Ashley Gallery by the large wind sculptures outside their Village Center location near Stateline, but a step inside shows so much more.

Museum quality, limited editions, world famous artists, and "wow" are just a few words that come to mind as one enters the doors at the gallery. Each turn treats the eye with beauty and wonder, and anticipation what is around the next bend.

What many knew as Passaretti's for over 30 years in South Lake Tahoe has been transformed into "The Lake House," not only a fine dining restaurant in a beautiful, extensively remodeled place, but also home to Lake Tahoe Catering.

Aiming for a goal of understated perfection, new owners Jeff and Misty Sparrow created an ambiance of concrete and chandeliers, wood and art, all in an attempt to bridge the gap between fancy and casual.

SOUTH LAKE TAHOE - It was an emotional day in court Tuesday as one of the suspects in the January 30, 2016 murder of Dennis "Spike" Wright, Jr. withdrew his plea of not guilty and plead guilty to an amended criminal complaint that included four felonies surrounding Wright's murder and robbery.

John Joseph Castellanos, a South Lake Tahoe area lawyer, passed away suddenly on November 5, 2016.

John was born on October 31, 1949 to loving parents Jose Juan and Lucille Castellanos in Stockton, California. He is the second of six siblings, who all experienced the sad loss of their father at an early age and whose memory brought them closer as family. John lived the values and beliefs of his parents, especially his beloved mother. He was a devoted son and loving brother and loyal to many friends.

Rumors were flying around schools and on social media in South Lake Tahoe this week about a Whooping Cough (pertussis) outbreak at Tahoe Valley Elementary. A 4th grade student became sick with symptoms that resemble pertussis, but that cannot be confirmed for two weeks.

Student success, teacher support and a district where all students have access to highly qualified teachers and cutting edge curriculum are some of Larry Reilly’s goals if elected School Board representative for LTUSD area 1. Larry believes that given the opportunity, supported by a strategic, goal oriented plan all students can succeed.

Nevada is one of the few states that celebrate its Admission Day, and boy do we throw a party. A parade, competitions of strength and facial hair, hot air balloons, bloody marys, a carnival, pow wow, and free chili are just a few of the festivities awaiting the capital city on Saturday.

The party begins Friday this year with a ribbon cutting celebration of the 'new' downtown. The Nevada State Museum hits its 75th Anniversary this year and will have a day full of fun and surprises. Keep reading to see where you need to take advantage of all the best this holiday weekend has to offer.

Every new parent in Tahoe knows that finding quality childcare is a struggle. Facilities have long waiting lists; and only a few can offer State subsidies to low-income families.

According to Choices for Children a healthy childcare vacancy rate is 15%. That gives parents choice in where to put their child based on location, costs or personal preferences. Here in Tahoe our vacancy rate is just 5% and as our population continues to grow that percentage is likely to decrease further.

I am a resident and registered voter in Nevada, but I work in Meyers, attended Meyers Elementary, grew up in Christmas Valley, and graduated from South Tahoe High School (STHS). The state line is a blur to me because I view the South Shore as one community. I have two children currently in high school, one at Whittell and one at STHS; I also have another child who graduated from Whittell and is now a college freshman. I believe that a good public education system is the great equalizer in America, and that every child has a right to the best education possible.

Boys and Girls Clubs from across the country will be having "Lights on Afterschool" on Thursday, October 20 as a way to highlight the importance of a safe place for kids to go after school.

From 4:30 p.m. to 5:30 p.m., the students who attend the Boys & Girls Club of Lake Tahoe (BGCLT) will show how they feel about the club by designing the future building that will house them.

You hear of the "great recession" causing issues in many areas from jobs and income to housing, but another victim is quality child care in South Lake Tahoe.

Prior to 2009 there were over 45 licensed day care providers on the South Shore, a majority of them licensed for 12 children and open evenings and weekends. Now, there are just 20, 12 of which are licensed for 12, the other eight are small licenses, for six children or less.

Dr. Annie Davidson should be the next LTUSD School Board member from Trustee Area #1. Since coming to Lake Tahoe, she has jumped into the community with great energy and commitment. For example, she is an adjunct faculty member of Lake Tahoe Community College and co-teacher at Tahoe Parents Nursery School with Aileen Yure and Jennifer David. She served as member of the Sierra House Elementary PTA Board as a co-grant coordinator, classroom volunteer, and also volunteers with the Coalition for the Homeless and Warm Room Advisory Council.

A Secret Witness tip has led to the location of Dason Valdez and Krystle Reid, the parents accused of abducting their two children on September 12 after losing custody of their two- and four-year olds.

Just after midnight Thursday morning, the Carson City Sheriff's Office found the pair and arrested Valdez on a Carson City warrant and they released Reid at the scene. Charges against both are pending in Douglas County but the arrest is based on an previous warrant.

SOUTH LAKE TAHOE - The students at Tahoe Valley Elementary School are enjoying the fruits of many volunteers' labors as the new greenhouse, Tranquil Garden, climbing stumps and outdoor learning areas have been completed and officially dedicated.

Principal Christina Grubbs gathered staff, parents and community members prior to last week's Back to School Night to thank all who took part in the projects, and to show off what the kids now get to enjoy.

"This is a labor of love for all to enjoy," said Grubbs.

The stretch of Highway 50 from Stateline to Spooner Summit (known as the corridor) will be looked at in the near future to address numerous safety concerns from cars parked on the side to unsafe intersections.

At the last meeting of the Tahoe Transportation District Board of Directors, several residents spoke up about safety, and offered several ideas to correct the issues.

Monday is the first day of school, and most parents will get several forms to fill out for each of their students, but there is one form that many may skip over if they think their children won't utilize it.

Not only does the National School Lunch Program Form give qualifying students free or reduced cost lunches and breakfasts, but it can also mean a few million dollars for the Lake Tahoe Unified School District (LTUSD) annually.

Kaleb James Martin Curtzwiler died August 9, 2010. He was 28.

Mr. Curtzwiler was born Jan. 27, 1982, at Barton Memorial Hospital in South Lake Tahoe. The 2000 South Tahoe High School graduate was an avid soccer player.

Although he did not ski competitively, it was a sport he participated in with his family and one that he excelled at.

Views are a given when in South Lake Tahoe, but being able to combine dining, drinking with mountains, blue sky and airplanes is a treat that the new Flight Deck Sports Bar & Grill at the Lake Tahoe Airport is hoping to highlight.

"Getting people out to the airport is a goal," said new co-owner Tina Shannon. "The beauty and the sunsets out here are amazing."

Tina, who along with husband Mike have reopened the Flight Deck, which shares the airport with the government center for South Lake Tahoe. They opened on June 22 and celebrated a grand opening on Wednesday.

Approximately 90-94.9 percent of students registered for school in South Lake Tahoe are fully vaccinated, which means its time for immunizations before school starts in August for the other 5 to 10 percent.

The California Highway Patrol (CHP) South Lake Tahoe office is conducting a car seat check-up event. The current law states child passengers must ride in either a car seat or booster seat until the age of eight years old and the only exception to the law is if the child is 4 feet 9 inches in height. Effective January 1, 2017, children under the age of 2 must ride rear-facing in an appropriate child safety seat.