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STATELINE, Nev. – As the COVID-19 pandemic rapidly evolves, Tahoe Transportation District (TTD) continues to operate regular transit services for essential workers and services during the shelter-in-place order. TTD understands that public transportation is part of the community’s critical infrastructure and is committed to ensuring that transit services remain safe and reliable.

It’s been over two years since my last visit with this second and a half-generation Tundra (the second generation was introduced in 2008 and heavily refreshed in 2014). My last review remarked how Toyota finally made the Tundra into a real “Cowboy Cadillac” (it’s built near San Antonio, Texas) with a ride smoother than a baby’s butt. This new Tundra feels even a bit smoother, perhaps a little less jiggly over Caltrans challenged pavement. And my tester was the new TRD Pro edition.

SOUTH LAKE TAHOE, Calif. - Another event casualty due to the coronavirus is the 29th annual America’s Most Beautiful Bike Ride. Originally set for Sunday, June 7, it has been rescheduled to combine with the 18th annual Tour de Tahoe, set for Sunday, September 13, 2020. This due to the uncertainty of current and changing CDC coronavirus COVID-19 restrictions and mandates by national, state and county health agencies.

Following their earlier announcement of temporarily closing all ski resorts due to the coronavirus COVID-19, Vail Resorts today announced all of its North American resorts and retail stores will remain closed for the 2019-20 winter ski season. These closures are amidst the continued challenges associated with the spread of virus across the globe.

Dependent on the COVID-19 situation and weather conditions, Heavenly may reopen in late April/early May. The company may also consider reopening Breckenridge Ski Resort in Colorado and Whistler Blackcomb in British Columbia.

After testing nearly every hybrid on the market including products from Toyota, Nissan, Honda, Hyundai, Kia, and Ford. Toyota’s 2020 Avalon hybrid is the best yet (actually it is tied with the Camry Hybrid and Lexus ES300h which essentially share chassis and hybrid system). Usually, the predominant factor in buying a hybrid is fuel economy and while the Avalon is rated at 43/43/43 mpg which is not the highest rating among hybrids, it can clearly outperform those numbers while doing so many other things extremely well.

SOUTH LAKE TAHOE, Calif. - The California Department of Transportation (CalTrans) will work on projects through the Sierra, as weather permits this winter. There are no major projects going on in the Lake Tahoe Basin until building season begins May 15. The following is their weekly schedule:

LONG TERM PROJECTS

SOUTH LAKE TAHOE, Calif, - The Cystic Fibrosis Lifestyle Foundation (CFLF) is hosting its inaugural STROLO Tahoe CF Winterfest event on the slopes at Heavenly Mountain Resort in South Lake Tahoe March 6-8, 2020.

CFLF help people with cystic fibrosis live STROnger and LOnger (STROLO).

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SOUTH LAKE TAHOE, Calif. - The 2nd annual Pink Heavenly will be held on Saturday, March 21 at Heavenly Mountain Resort. The Barton Foundation is inviting community members and visitors to register now and start fundraising for the fun event.

All proceeds from the slopeside fundraising event benefit Cancer Support Services at Barton Health, dedicated to improving the lives of community members fighting cancer.

SOUTH LAKE TAHOE, Calif. - The California Department of Transportation (Caltrans) has some scheduled work on roads in the Sierra in the coming week. While the major mountain roadwork is stopped until spring, there is still work being done.

LONG-TERM PROJECTS

U.S. Highway 50 (El Dorado County): Work is winter suspension on a $5.2 million project to upgrade metal beam guardrail and construct concrete barriers at 89 locations from the Red Hawk Undercrossing to 1.9 miles west of the junction with State Route 89 in Meyers. Completion is expected in late spring 2020.

Clarity was originally a name reserved for Honda’s venture into fuel cells which still exists in the Clarity Fuel Cell. But at a price approaching $60,000, its sales are very small at about 625 units for 2018. While that is a percentage increase of about 35 percent, the actual number of increased unit sales was under 200 year over year. See how percentage increase figures can be misleading? However, the new Clarity Plug-in Hybrid is having robust sales in comparison (over 18,0000 units sold) and for many a good reason.

SOUTH LAKE TAHOE, Calif. - Sierra-at-Tahoe announced today they will begin spinning lifts for the 2019-20 Winter Season this Saturday, November 30, at 8:30 a.m.

After a slow start to November, Mother Nature has turned on the tap, bringing Sierra two feet of snow and counting in the last 48 hours. This, combined with Sierra’s snowmaking efforts, will allow the resort to open for operations. Conditions permitting, Sierra plans to run Easy Rider Express, Rock Garden Chair and two surface lifts, with access to 2 runs and one terrain park.

SOUTH LAKE TAHOE, Calif. - Almost six months after work on the rehabilitation of Sierra Boulevard in South Lake Tahoe began, an official ceremony dedicating its reopening was held Thursday.

"The Sierra Boulevard project is more than just a road project," said SLT Mayor Brooke Laine. "It is a quality of life project. Its completion brings more than a half-mile of bike and walking trails to this area."

Each year, the Lake Tahoe Bicycle Coalition (LTBC) honors those that have made significant advancements in promoting safer bicycling and walking opportunities for Lake Tahoe. LTBC is seeking nominations from the public for individuals, public agencies, organizations, and businesses who made the Tahoe - Truckee region more bike-friendly in 2019.

SOUTH LAKE TAHOE, Calif. - Lake Tahoe Cruises is honoring all veterans and active military with a special 'Vets Ride Free' offer November 8 - 10, 2019. Guests are invited to bring the family and enjoy a special scenic cruise on the lake.

The offer is valid for Daytime Scenic Cruises only. Military must show proof of service at the ticket booth to receive their boarding pass.

For reservations please call 800.23.TAHOE or visit the website at www.zephyrcove.com.

SOUTH LAKE TAHOE, Calif. - Bid on week-long vacations to Kauai and other paradises, golf packages at private courses around the country, or a chef-prepared dinner for ten in your home during an online auction to benefit the Boys & Girls Club of Lake Tahoe through Monday, October 28.

More than 30 prize packages are up for bid including hotel packages at Tahoe and Reno hotels/resorts, sports and movie memorabilia, and $1,000 worth of wine. Visit http://bgclt.charitygrow.org/ to make bids.

It was a beautiful September day in South Lake Tahoe, as students, who have encountered challenges and temporarily reside at the South Lake Tahoe Juvenile Treatment Center (SLTJTC), received an extraordinary experience from dedicated volunteers and the Bureau of Land Management’s Wild Horse and Burro Program. The El Dorado County Office of Education (EDCOE) administers SLTJTC’s academic program and partnered with El Dorado County Probation to provide this day of learning to teach students about the animals, potential careers and social skills.

SOUTH LAKE TAHOE, Calif. – Enjoy cycling but having trouble finding a place to store your bike safely at your planned destination in Lake Tahoe? Or have you needed bike repair while out on the routes? Over the past two years, the Lake Tahoe Bicycle Coalition has spearheaded the installation of 340 new bike racks that provide security for almost 700 bicycles.

SOUTH LAKE TAHOE, Calif. - The 23rd annual Lake Tahoe Summit will be held on Tuesday, August 20 at Valhalla starting at 10:00 a.m. Two governors, two senators, a Washoe elder and other state and federal representatives will be on hand to discuss Lake Tahoe, the environment and the future of keeping Tahoe blue and forests healthy.

The South Lake Tahoe Library would like to give a huge “Thank you!” to the Lake Tahoe Bicycle Coalition for facilitating the installation of a new bike repair station out front of the library. It’s an awesome addition and has already been getting a lot of use. Next time your ride needs a little TLC, stop by the library and check it out!

Thank you so much to the Coalition for helping to make our community that much better!

- Gavin Furman, South Lake Tahoe Library

Times are good for the auto industry, everyone makes good cars and it’s been that way for about a decade. That goes for full-size trucks, too. But some cars are better than good, some are great and some super-great and Honda/Acura makes great cars and a few super great ones. This new Acura RDX is almost super-great like I would call the Acura TLX SH-AWD A-Spec.

If Acura new radio system was more user-friendly as it’s claimed to be it might make the super great rating. Sometimes it wouldn’t respond to my finger touch. The idea works, but the execution didn’t work all the time.

Monday, September 2 | 8:30 am - noon

Location: Kings Beach, North Lake Tahoe

The beaches can get thrashed with trash after the popular holiday weekend festivities. Help us keep our beaches clean! We provide cleanup materials, refreshments and a prize. Ride your bike to receive a special gift. Bring your reusable water bottle and friends!

For more information and to RSVP please visit https://www.keeptahoeblue.org/news/events/keep-tahoe-blue-labor-day-cleanup.

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SOUTH LAKE TAHOE, Calif. - Twenty-eight cyclists left with a tire touch in the water at Baltimore’s Inner Harbor on June 2 and will be finishing 4,500 miles later with another tire touch in the Pacific Ocean from Crissy Beach in San Francisco on August 10.

SOUTH LAKE TAHOE, Calif. - A 13-year-old boy on a Lime Scooter was hit by a car Tuesday night as he was riding it in the fast lane on Highway 50 in South Lake Tahoe.

According to South Lake Tahoe Police Department Sgt. Nick Carlquist, a group of about one-half dozen kids on scooters were heading west on the highway in the #2 lane, or better known as the slow lane of the road. They completely took the lane over said Carlquist, forcing drivers into the other lanes and causing a traffic hazard.

We’ve finally settled into a spectacular Tahoe summer. Like a shooting star, summer is fleeting, with the Fourth of July already in our review mirror. With all the outdoor recreation that summer affords us here at Lake Tahoe, here’s one more experience worth noting.

If you’re looking for a stunningly beautiful bike ride or a perfect pathway on which to take a walk, the new East Shore Tahoe Trail is unparalleled. Dignitaries recently gathered to celebrate the trail’s grand opening at the end of June. The path is a three-mile link between the south end of Incline Village and Sand Harbor.