high school

Denim is now the state’s official fabric to recognize its role in California history, and every autographed collectible sold in California must come with a certificate that verifies it's not a forgery. Those are just two of 898 new laws facing Californians in 2017.

Here are just a few of them compiled in part by California Highway Patrol (CHP):

Douglas County Sheriff's Office (DCSO) is looking for the suspect(s) responsible for the breaking of windows and other vandalism at Douglas High during the early morning hours of December 21.

The suspect is described as approximately 5’11 to 6 feet, wearing dark clothing, dark gloves and shoes, and a camouflage colored hat with matching face mask. During the crime is carrying a black or dark blue “Jan Sport” backpack with a suede bottom.

The students at Mt. Tallac High School in South Lake Tahoe have learned how to give back to others in their community, and not in the normal food and money drive way.

What started last year with a rap song to raise funds for Christmas Cheer and now morphed into an annual project where more students can be involved in making a community-wide impact.

"As a school we chose people and organizations to give to," said school Principal Holly Greenough. "Since most of our students don't have the means to donate food and money we showed alternative ways they can give back."

South Lake Tahoe - The year was 1974. Richard Nixon resigned as president, Patty Hearst was kidnapped by the Symbionese Liberation Army, All in the Family and Sanford and Son were number one and two on the top TV show list, gas was 38 cents a gallon and Dr. Frederick “Fritz” Wenck became an elected Board of Trustees member for Lake Tahoe Community College (LTCC).

Fast forward to 2016 and Dr. Wenck retired from the board.

The public is invited to see the proposed plans for the new athletic facility for Whittell High School at the Lake Tahoe Visitor's Center on Tuesday, December 12 at 3:30 p.m. during a meeting of the Douglas County School Board.

Lisa Maloff donated $3 million to put in a new football field, six-lane track and new concession building at the high school on Warrior Way in Zephyr Cove, Nev.

Plans created by RO Anderson Engineering will be unveiled during a presentation at the board meeting.

The South Lake Tahoe Endowment Cabinet awarded $50,000 to South Lake Tahoe area non-profits and schools during a recent reception at South Tahoe High School.

Wendy David, the Cabinet Chair, awarded the grants to an enthusiastic and appreciative crowd.

Private donors fund the Foundation with money to be given back to the community in the form of grants.

South Lake Tahoe local Monika Taboada was picking her daughter up from the training room at South Tahoe High on Sunday when she received a flat on one of her new snow tires, leaving her the victim of another "Ninja Road Star" being left on roads around town.

Over the past several months there have been dozens of stories just like Taboada's.

The community is invited to attend the 22nd annual Holiday Extravaganza in the MontBleu Showroom on Wednesday, December 14 and Thursday, December 15, 2016 at 7:00 p.m. each evening.

Since 1995, Lake Tahoe Unified School District choirs from the 3rd through 12th grades have performed on the stage for their holiday concert. They will once again be joined by the Faculty/Parent choir, Blue Ribbon Classical Choir, all who sing together for the big finale.

SOUTH LAKE TAHOE, CALIF.: Former City of South Lake Tahoe Councilmember Bill Crawford passed away on Friday, November 25, 2016 at the age of 82 after a brief illness. In honor of his service to the community, all City flags will be lowered to half-staff through Friday, December 2.

One student at Douglas High School in Minden was arrested along with a nearby resident after allegedly selling marijuana laced Rice Krispie treats on school groups which led to one student needing medical treatment.

On November 3 an investigation began after a student complained of feelings of anxiety and an accelerated heart rate. She said she may have eaten a Rice Crispy square laced with marijuana earlier in the day and named another female student as the person who brought the edible marijuana to school.

The ill student was taken to a medical facility for treatment by her parent.

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.

11/12 update: The Vikings' road to state has ended in Las Vegas. The boys from South Tahoe High suffered a crushing blow with a loss to Desert Pines, 56-7 in the 3A State semifinals.

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For the first time in 25 years, the South Tahoe High football team is headed to the Nevada Division 3A State football championship games in Las Vegas this weekend. The Vikings are coming off a victory over rival Truckee to head to Vegas as the number two seed from Northern Nevada.

The 28-20 win over Truckee sends South Tahoe to their first appearance at the state playoffs since 1991.

A South Lake Tahoe teenager has not been heard from since November 2 and his father is asking for the public's help in locating him.

Giovanni Fena, 14, had runaway from home the prior week, but returned on October 31, only to run away again on Wednesday. His dad last saw him then at South Tahoe High school. South Lake Tahoe Police (SLTPD) were contacted on Sunday, November 6 that Fena was missing.

He has been listed in the national database as a missing person according SLTPD Lt. David Stevenson.

All candidates for South Lake Tahoe City Council were given the same questions. With just one day to go to the elections, we will be featuring their answers and a video of their interview with Tahoe Regional Young Professionals through the day.

Brooke Laine, 52, Branch Manager, US Bank, Born and raised in SLT

Discuss your interest in serving on City Council. What is your prior experience in working with civic, community or governmental organizations?

A former member of both the Sacramento County Board of Supervisors and California State Assembly has been named the interim director of the El Dorado County Community Development Agency.

At the BOS meeting Tuesday, Roger Niello was appointed to fill the spot vacated when Steve Pedretti left the position for Placer County.

Niello begins his job November 2.

Before he went into public service, Niello managed the Niello Auto Group for
25 years until 1999.

Four Nevada residents are now the proud owners of iconic "Welcome to Nevada" signs, old and obsolete signs that have graced the state's highways for 25 years.

The Nevada Department of Transportation (NDOT) held a contest to find new owners, and nearly 14,500 residents entered the free raffle via phone, web site and social media, with winners selected randomly.

The four winners are from each region of the state: Northwest: Jennifer Bills (Reno), Southwest: Anna Thomas (from Minden), Northeast: Kaitlyn Tueller, Southeast: Breanna Kirkham.

Larry Reilly is the most qualified candidate for the LTUSD School Board. He has dedicated his life to education in the Lake Tahoe basin, holding the same teaching position at George Whittell High School for over 30 years. As one of his colleagues at Whittell and a concerned LTUSD parent, I can vouch for Larry Reilly's clear understanding of educational policy and his ability to communicate and work with both school administration and the community.

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.

Word Wave, a festival for readers, writers, and lovers of story has returned to South Lake Tahoe. The three day long Word Wave will feature readings, workshops, panels, music, and plays from October 21-23, 2016 at Tallac Historic Site.

Every culture has used, and continues to use, story to entertain, educate, preserve history and tradition, and connect and WordWave will celebrate those words and the story in all its forms for the second year on the South Shore.

Events are free and open to the public unless otherwise noted.

Friday, October 21

UPDATE 1:00PM 10/15/16: The Little Valley Fire in Washoe Valley has now burned 3,460 acres with 5 percent containment. Four injuries due to smoke inhalation have been reported.

The Sierra Front Type III Incident Management Team reports that 22 residences and 17-outbuildings have been destroyed. 500 structures are still under threat.

Interstate 580 is open in both directions, as is old U.S. Highway 395. Franktown Road, the area where most of the home damage is, remains closed.

The South Tahoe High boy's tennis team continues to dominate Northern Nevada action on the courts and are now preparing to take their 12-0 record to the Nevada state tournament which begins in two weeks. In the meantime, players head to the regional playoffs.

South Tahoe High's varsity football team is now in a three-way tie for second place in Northern Nevada 3A with their 6-1 record. They blanked Dayton during Friday's homecoming game at South Tahoe, 57-0.

To get a look at the properties the County owns, and to get a look at services and programs going on in South Lake Tahoe, the El Dorado County Board of Supervisors (BOS) met on the South Shore last week for tours and discussions.

The County owned properties in SLT were highlighted during a morning tour. Each of the properties, the Senior Center, the Museum, the Art League building and the Visitor's Authority building, are owned by the County and maintained by the City.

In the midst of this Presidential election year, a break from the craziness of campaigning is needed, and the Tahoe Arts Project has just the cure with a lighthearted evening of theater when they present "DEMOCRAZY - THE OTHER PARTY" on Friday, September 30 at 7:00 p.m.

Their campaign promises:

1) You will laugh, and in a good way,
2) You will be entertained, and in a good way.

I am one of the candidates running for the Lake Tahoe Community College Board of Trustees representing area 4.