In today’s world, the reasons for being prepared seem to be escalating. From threats of terrorist attacks to huge storms that could knock out the power supply, the only way you can make sure your family will survive is to take steps to ensure you are prepared. It’s not always going to be possible to count on the government or community resources in times of trouble, so taking some time to put together your own emergency provisions can be the determining factor in whether your family eats or even survives the emergency.

The HEROs from Harrah’s and Harveys’ Casino Resorts lived up to their name and mission by hosting a Bread & Broth dinner on October 26th. HEROs, a Caesar Entertainment employee organization, is committed to having members volunteer at charitable causes and give back to their community. Through their generosity, they are heroes to those who benefit from their support and concern.

Pierro Jacare Innocenti, 40, of Paris, was killed when gunmen stormed the sold-out Eagles of Death Metal show that Innocenti was attending at the Bataclan Concert Hall. Innocenti posted a photo on his Facebook page of the concert billboard with the comment “Rock!” at 8:45 p.m., less than an hour before three gunmen gunned down 89 people at the venue.

On Friday evening, gunmen and suicide bombers with the Islamic State, or ISIS, almost simultaneously targeted the concert hall, a major stadium, restaurants and bars in Paris, leaving at least 129 people dead and hundreds wounded.

Nicole Byer, a 2012 graduate of Whittell High School, is the artist behind the Barton Festival of the Trees posters and Gala invitations.

Currently a senior at the School of Art Institute of Chicago, Byer made contact with organizers of the Festival last year and offered her services for their artwork needs for this year's Festival of the Trees.

Over the summer she met with Kindle Craig and Sara Conrad of the Barton Foundation, the organizers of the annual holiday program.

El Dorado County schools superintendent Jeremy Meyers submitted his resignation to the school board Monday, and it was accepted after Meyers was arrested for two DUIs this year.

Meyers was arrested about 2 p.m. on Nov. 4 after crashing his pickup truck into a utility box on Green Valley Road and had a blood alcohol level of 0.19 percent, according to the California Highway Patrol.

Sheriff Ron Pierini announced his department's newest deputy Monday. Derek Short was sworn in as a Douglas County Deputy Sheriff during a ceremony at their office in Minden, Nev.

Derek Short graduated from Southern Oregon University with a Bachelor of Science Degree in Business Administration and a minor in Criminal Justice. He will start his career with DCSO in the Jail Division.

Find your inner turkey and run like there's an oven warming up for you! It's time once again for the South Lake Tahoe Turkey Trot at Bijou Community Park on Saturday, November 21 at 10 a.m. There will be a 5k race as well as a Kid's Fun Run.

Thanksgiving themed costumes are optional, but it may be the only time all year dressing like a turkey is acceptable.

Prizes will be awarded for best race times.

Registration begins at 9am and races will begin at 10am. Save time and pre-register on line before the event on epictahoe.com.

LONG-TERM PROJECTS

State Route 89 (Placer County): Work is in winter suspension on a $70.1 million project from Tahoma to the "Y" junction with State Route 28 in Tahoe City on Lake Tahoe’s West Shore that will upgrade storm water drainage and treatment systems, add curb and gutter, resurface and realign the road, add new left-turn pockets and widen shoulders on a 9-mile stretch of the highway. Completion is expected in fall 2016.

The community is invited to a free screening of the short documentary film, Ellis, on Monday, November 16 at 7:00 p.m. in the Lake Tahoe Community College's Duke Theater.

Following the 14-minute film, Dr. Albert Ponce, the LTCC History and Ethnic Studies assistant professor, will lead a discussion on the current immigration story and how it's changed.