smoking

Does it just seem like we need more than 24 hours in a day? I often think if I had eight more hours in a day that I could get so much more done. I realize this is an illusion and, in reality, the items on my list are never-ending. But for some reason the cultural message is that we are superhumans. We can do it all, get everything done, and look good while doing it.

There was one thing all speakers during Wednesday evening's Town Hall on recreational cannabis agreed on: People need to get involved, educate themselves and share their opinions with their elected leaders at local, county and state levels.

A panel of six people spoke to the crowd of almost 100 people (and another 300 who were viewing online) during the Tahoe Regional Young Professionals (TRYP) fourth Town Hall meeting in South Lake Tahoe.

A quick response by South Lake Tahoe Fire Rescue (SLTFR) saved a Merced Avenue four-plex from major damage Wednesday night.

At 10:54 p.m. December 14, SLTFR received a call of fire in one of the four two-story units. When they arrived they found the bottom floor engulfed. Within seven minutes, the fire was knocked down according to South Lake Tahoe Fire Chief Jeff Meston.

Just beyond the Rocky Mountains, an industry that once conjured images of dank basements and back-alley deals is blossoming under state regulation.

After a sluggish start in sales following the 2012 vote to decriminalize marijuana, Colorado’s pot trade — and corresponding tax revenue — is booming as consumers from within and outside the state flock to cannabis shops.

With summer officially here I thought it would be fun to talk about a very popular All-American sport; fishing. Which, before you start to open that mouth of yours, is most definitely is a sport. Any activity that requires you to go to a store and drop a thousand dollar on equipment is a sport. In this case soccer is not a sport, sorry Europe.

The Red Flag Program has been initiated in South Lake Tahoe for the third year to inform and educate the public when the weather adds to the existing fire danger.

Sout Tahoe Fire Rescue crews will monitor the weather, and when it reaches a red flag warning, they will do the following:

STFR will raise a RED FLAG at each fire station.

STFR will add extra personnel to staff a Type 3 (Brush) engine for an aggressive fire attack. The staffed engine will have a Red Flag Banner to help alert the community. The Banner will say “Red Flag Day- Critical Fire Weather”.

Gov. Jerry Brown on Wednesday enacted California’s most significant new tobacco regulations in decades, signing laws that will place tight restrictions on use of the increasingly popular e-cigarette and make California the second state to raise its smoking age to 21.

Brown signed five closely-watched bills, which will also expand smoking restrictions in the workplace and on school properties.

But he vetoed one measure that would have allowed cities and counties to impose local taxes on tobacco products.

El Dorado County Sheriff's Office responds to calls throughout the county.

The following are calls that only pertain to the South Shore. There may be some missing calls due to sheriff's logs not being completed at press time and the story will be updated when provided.

4/10
7:02 a.m. - Found Property - A WALLET WAS RETURNED

4/11
11:31 a.m. - Death Notification - Johnson Blvd - 73-YEAR-OLD MAN DECEASED

12:30 p.m. - PREA report Al Tahoe Blvd (Prison Rape Elimination Act)

In an effort to target young smokers and keep them away from the harm of nicotine, the California Assembly voted to raise the smoking age from 18 to 21 on Thursday. If it passes the Senate, California would be among the first states to raise the smoking age. Hawaii has already done so, and it appears New Jersey isn't far behind.

Last year, the state Senate approved the bill but it stalled for months in the Assembly, so many legislature observers in Sacramento think the move to raise the smoking age won't face much opposition.

We've seen them walking along the streets, sleeping in the forests or hanging outside of an all night market. The faces of South Lake Tahoe's homeless. Winter can be brutal on the homeless in town with below freezing temperatures, snow covered paths and no place to keep warm.

That is, until today.

The Tahoe Coalition for the Homeless opened the doors of their new Warm Room on Friday, ready to take in their first visitors at 7:00 p.m. It is a safe and warm place for people over 18, getting them out of physically harmful conditions.

September 11 evokes a different meaning to South Lake Tahoe resident Christine O’Farrell. In 2002, on the one-year anniversary of the September 11 attacks, Christine was on the operating table at Barton Memorial Hospital facing a new threat: cancer.

Christine had been diagnosed with an aggressive case of breast cancer. At the time, she was 42 years old and working at Barton’s Home Health and Hospice for quality assurance and infection prevention. Her three children were 14, 12, and 9.

Fire restrictions on National Forest System lands in the Lake Tahoe Basin begin on Wednesday, July 1, 2015, and will remain in effect until the official end of fire season.

A very strong storm cell is moving across the east side of Lake Tahoe and the Carson Valley this evening, causing some small fires.

The National Weather Service in Reno issued a Severe Thunderstorm Warning for western Carson City, Minden, Gardnerville, the Carson Valley and Lake Tahoe. The warning is through at least 6:15 p.m. and extends through the Carson Range.

It is expected to impact the east side of Lake Tahoe and into Carson City and Carson Valley. Wind gusts to 60 mph, penny sized hail and heavy rain are possible with this storm, according to the weather service.

Jordan, The Science Wizard mixes exciting science experiments with his comedy to entertain children. He will perform his show Super Cool Chemistrythat will include melting, oozing, smoking, and bubbling experiments and a special bonus where the children can “see the biggest, foamiest, gooiest, bubbliest demonstration ever”.

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The documented ill health effects from inhaling secondhand smoke were squared off against individual rights at a hearing Thursday on a bill that would ban smoking in cars while children are present.

Assembly Bill 322 by Mike Sprinkle, D-Sparks, was supported in the Judiciary Committee hearing by health advocates who argued that children should not be exposed to an adult who is smoking in a confined space such as a vehicle.

Drivers violating the law could be pulled over for the offense by police and fined $25. It would not count as a moving traffic violation.

El Dorado County Sheriff's Office responds to calls throughout the county.

The following are calls that only pertain to the South Shore. There may be some missing calls due to sheriff's logs not being completed at press time and the story will be updated when provided.

3/15
7:13 a.m. - DUI - Highway 50 - 32-YEAR OLD MALE SUSPECT STOPPED FOR INVESTIGATORY PURPOSES AND VEHICLE CODE VIOLATIONS. SUSPECT FOUND TO BE DUI AND HE WAS TURNED OVER TO CHP.

This Valentine’s Day you can hypnotize your valentine in hypnotist Chris Cady's Comedy Hypnosis show at the Nugget in Sparkso, NV on Saturday, February 14, 2015.

The show will take place in the Celebrity Showroom starting at 8 p.m.

His show is called, “Chris Cady’s Hypnotize Your Valentine Comedy Hypnosis Show.”

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Here’s another Sallie's South Lake Tahoe fire safety tip:

The theme of today’s tip takes aim at the tragic fires caused by match-es and lighters when they are used carelessly or allowed to fall into the hands of children.

Of the home fire fatalities, where the cause could be established, more than 1/3 involved children playing with matches or lighters, or the careless use of smoking materials. Tragically, children are often the victims of fires they start themselves.

The Board of Trustees, students, faculty and staff of Lake Tahoe Community College recognize the serious health problems associated with smoking tobacco and other non-tobacco products and the use of smokeless tobacco. The college also recognizes that tobacco smoke poses a health risk to non-smokers. In order to protect students and staff who choose not to smoke from an unhealthy environment, the LTCC Board of Trustees approved a new policy that prohibits smoking within buildings or facilities owned or leased by the District, and designates marked outside areas on campus for smoking.

Fire restrictions have gone into effect in the Lake Tahoe Basin. Campfires and charcoal barbecues will be restricted to designated recreation sites, and other fire-related activities will be prohibited until the end of fire season. “With record drought conditions in the West, agencies in both California and Nevada are anticipating increased fire activity,” said Fire Management Officer, Kit Bailey. “Fire restrictions help reduce the possibility of accidental human caused fires.”

On National Forest System land fire restrictions mean:

How can you live a longer, healthier life? The answer is complicated and simple. “Experts” claim every conceivable option: cleanses, hormones, pills, exercises, diets, the list goes on. The options are dizzying, even to healthcare professionals.

Starting April 1, all Barton Health buildings became smoke free. The smoking and tobacco ban includes all Barton Health facilities, parking lots, grounds, and Barton Memorial Hospital. All patients, visitors, medical staff, vendors, and employees will not be allowed to smoke at Barton. This includes the use of cigarettes, e-cigarettes, cigars, pipes, marijuana smoking, and smoke-free tobacco products such as chewing tobacco. The one exception will be for the two current patients at the Skilled Nursing Center who smoke. No further smoking patients for the center will be accepted.

Are you concerned with South Lake Tahoe’s party and drug culture and want to help decide how a new grant can be used to create lasting change in our community? Be a part of the solution and join other community members who want to provide change around drinking and drug use for youth in our community.

UPDATE: Beginning Monday, July 1, fire restrictions will go into effect in the Lake Tahoe Basin. Campfires and charcoal barbecues will be restricted to designated recreation sites, and other fire-related activities will be prohibited until the end of fire season.

“Weather patterns this winter and spring are similar to conditions in 2007, the year of the Angora Fire,” said Fire Prevention Officer, Beth Brady. “Even with the rain we have received, at this point, it won’t alleviate this summer’s high risk of wildfires.”