Blood

Christmas started early for this guy once the pandemic hit. I put my Christmas lights up over the 4th of July and for a short while started watching Christmas movies too to try and get that feel-good feeling happening. Okay, I also did it because I wanted to watch movies where no one was wearing a mask and hugging one another without fear of being exposed. I’ve always enjoyed movies for their pure escapism and who doesn’t want to escape what we’ve been through already ya know? I also like being wrapped around a movie completely.

As daylight saving time comes to an end on Sunday, November 1, any will notice the time change disrupting sleep patterns and affecting the ability to concentrate and safely operate a motor vehicle. To highlight the life-threatening dangers of fatigued driving, the California Highway Patrol (CHP) joins the Office of Traffic Safety (OTS), the California Department of Transportation (Caltrans), and the National Sleep Foundation in recognizing Drowsy Driving Prevention Week, November 1-8, 2020, and encouraging Californians to stay alert and stay alive.

STATELINE, Nev. - One man was arrested and a manhunt ensued for another after two victims were stabbed at Stateline late Friday, September 18. Deputies from the Douglas County Sheriff's Office (DCSO) responded to a report of a stabbing outside of Harrah's Tahoe at 10:56 p.m. Once at the scene they were flagged down by bystanders who saw two suspects run through the casino's parking lot. Deputies and South Lake Tahoe police officers created a perimeter around the area including the alley at MontBleu, Lake Parkway and the forested areas behind the casino including Van Sickle Bi-State Park.

DOUGLAS COUNTY, Nev. - Funding is now available to assist small businesses in Douglas County that are impacted by COVID-19 with expenses like PPE, utilities, rent and retrofits.

From September 8 - October 6, the County will be accepting applications. The grants will be awarded on an as needed and first come first served basis. For details on eligible businesses and funding amounts, and to preview the application, please visit the Nevada Association of Counties website.

SOUTH LAKE TAHOE, Calif. - Due to the coronavirus pandemic, blood drives have been nonexistent but they are returning to the South Shore in the coming weeks. As a bonus, all of those donations will receive a free COVID-19 antibody screening test.

The Tahoe Douglas Fire Protection District is hosting a blood drive on June 30 at the Kahle Community Center's Tallac Activity Room from 11:00 a.m. to 5:15 p.m. To make an appointment, visit HERE.

With regions re-opening for medical treatments and elective surgeries put on hold due to COVID-19, the need for blood has increased by 25 percent compared to recent weeks. Blood donors are needed to help people through procedures previously delayed, including heart surgeries, cancer treatments, and organ/marrow transplants. Some needs never change including blood for massive trauma, childbirth complications, and emergency surgeries.

All blood types and blood components are needed for patient care now.

SOUTH LAKE TAHOE, Calif. - A local man has been arrested as a suspect in two residential burglaries in the 1100 block of Fairway Avenue in South Lake Tahoe.

At 6:40 a.m. on March 9, the South Lake Tahoe Police Department (SLTPD) was contacted by a citizen who called 911 after hearing glass breaking from a neighbor's house. The caller's husband walked outside and said he saw a suspect walking away from the area. When the suspect was confronted by the husband, he fled on foot. Officers found only broken glass and no entry was made.

Besides being known for bringing candy hearts and lots of snow, February is National Heart Health Month. Heart disease is identified as the leading cause of death in both men and women by the Centers for Disease Control. In addition to screenings that can be done to monitor your heart’s health, there are fundamentals of following a preventative heart health lifestyle that can help prevent heart disease and maintain heart health.

A four-hour interview of homicide suspect Sean Purdy in Reno Friday night has led to the discovery of the body of his father, 52-year-old Lance Purdy of Pine Grove, Calif.

1:15 p.m. UPDATE: Sean Purdy has been arrested. WCSO deputies just arrested Amador County fugitive Sean Purdy. Washoe County Sheriff Balaam expressed his deep appreciation to all the deputies and investigators from multiple agencies who have tenaciously worked for the safety of the community during the past 12 hours. He was arrested in the Memorial Point area just north of Sand Harbor near Incline Village. Details of the arrest are coming.

SOUTH LAKE TAHOE, Calif. – Barton Health’s surgery department offers state-of-the-art technology with the recent acquisition of a $2.1 million da Vinci Xi Surgical System. The da Vinci Xi System features the latest in robotic-assisted surgery that is minimally invasive and can reduce a patient’s time in the hospital. Barton offers robotic surgery procedures in the areas of colorectal, gynecology, and general surgery.

The public is invited to a Community Health Fair in South Lake Tahoe on Thursday, October 17 from 3:30 p.m. to 6:30 p.m. in Bijou Community School;s multi-purpose room. Get free or reduced services including flu shots and free dinner from Tacos Por Favor.

El Dorado County will be offering their low-cost flu shots - $10 for everyone six months and older, but they won’t turn anyone away that can’t pay.

Free services include:

- Primary care will be there conducting blood pressure, temperatures, and pulse oximetry
- Covered CA enrollment counselors
- CPR training

In the time that it takes to text someone, pet your dog, or order a great meal at a local restaurant, something went very wrong. An ordinary day veered sideways and I was no longer on a relaxing vacation. I was working to save someone’s life.

Location

Summer is here and after a snow-packed winter, locals and visitors alike are ready to get out and enjoy Lake Tahoe. Whether out on the water, lounging on the beach or hiking to a rock outcropping to take a plunge, there are important precautions to keep in mind with water surface temperatures and cold water immersion.

Vitalent Blood Services will be in town on Monday, July 15 for the South Lake Tahoe Fire Department Blood Drive from 9:00 a.m. to 1:00 p.m.

One blood donation can save up to three lives!

Make an appointment HERE or stop by the station at 2101 Lake Tahoe Blvd., South Lake Tahoe.

The El Dorado County Cold Case Task Force continues their investigation into Joseph Holt to see if he is responsible for other unsolved crimes. They are asking for the public's help in identifying any crimes they may have witnessed or been victims of that may be associated with Joseph Holt.

Tahoe Douglas Fire Protection District is hosting a blood drive at their Round Hill firehouse on Tuesday, May 14 from 11:00 a.m. to 5:15 p.m. You can be a lifeline to someone in need this May and receive a $10 Amazon eCard as a thank you.

The simple act of giving blood could have a monumental impact on up to three people in need of a blood transfusion. Every drop that you give is vital for a patient in need.

Appointments are encouraged but walk-ins are welcome.

Tahoe Douglas Fire Protection District Blood Drive
Tuesday, May 14
11:00 - 5:15 PM

Sure, I like most of the vehicles I test, but there are some that stand out. Then from those stand out motor vehicles, we can find the best of the best. When you factor in price or bang for the buck, that best of the best gets very small, maybe two or three vehicles. The new Genesis G70 is one of them. The other vehicle is the Kia Stinger which is a slightly larger sibling of the G70. I will discuss the differences, but for this Road Beat it is the G70 that gets this ultimate spotlight and my tester was an AWD G70 Sport 3.3T.

You may have heard something lately about “preventive health care.” What does that mean?

At its most basic, preventive health care means living a healthy lifestyle. Eat a balanced diet. Exercise regularly. Maintain a healthy weight. And stop smoking.

Like anyone else, people with Medicare can benefit from healthy living habits. But Medicare covers a wide variety of shots to help you stay healthy. It also covers numerous tests to help detect diseases early, when they’re in their most treatable stages.

South Lake Tahoe Fire Rescue is hosting a blood drive on Monday, March 25. 2019 from 9:00 a.m. to 1:00 p.m.

Blood is the most precious gift that anyone can give to another person — the gift of life. A decision to donate your blood can save a life, or even several if your blood is separated into its components — red cells, platelets and plasma — which can be used individually for patients with specific conditions.

SOUTH LAKE TAHOE, Calif. - Teachers at South Tahoe High stayed after school Tuesday to learn what Homeland Security and the FBI want them to - how to correctly apply a tourniquet and help survivors should there be a mass casualty event.

Level III Trauma Center surgeon, Kimberly Evans, MD, FACS and Barton’s Trauma Program Manager, Cate Neal, RN joined South Lake Tahoe Fire Rescue Captain Kim George in presenting "Stop the Bleed," a programs created by the Department of Homeland Security and American College of Surgeons to teach lay people how to care for trauma victims.

Health care in the U.S. historically has been focused on treating the symptoms of sickness. The scientific accomplishments in this area are truly astonishing, but despite these advances, the American population as a whole isn’t healthier. In fact, chronic diseases are on the rise.

To combat this in our own community, Barton Health is offering the Complete Health Improvement Program (CHIP), a national program proven to improve health and wellness. CHIP is designed to help people reduce their risk for disease through better health habits and lifestyle changes.

The impact of the wildfires throughout California has created additional needs for blood and added importance to holiday blood donations.

Many blood drives have been canceled in the Chico area since the Paradise community was destroyed. As the days go on, poor air quality is disrupting donations at surrounding donation centers. Over 300 potential donations were immediately lost due to canceled blood drives and 500 more donations are at risk as poor air quality continues to effect donors and staff.

High blood pressure is very common. The Centers for Disease Control states that it affects one in three American adults and more than 50 percent of people over 55 years of age.

High blood pressure is also a major cause of premature death. It leads to heart failure, stroke, heart attack, and chronic kidney disease. Worldwide, the World Health Organization estimates it is responsible for 9.4 million deaths per year.