children

Runny and stuffy nose, fever and chills, body and headaches, cough and sore throat, tiredness. Have these symptoms? You might have the flu.

You don't have to go far in South Lake Tahoe before you come across someone who is sick, and the flu season is just beginning. Evidence points to high or widespread flu activity in 43 states including Nevada, and it's just now entering California.

In this photo can you tell which candies are made from marijuana and which ones are made with sugar and sold in all stores? The answer will be later in the story.

With marijuana now legal in many states, issues are arising that may have been overlooked in the eagerness to make marijuana legal.

Marijuana (cannabis) candies are hitting the market like a storm, and more people are now ending up in the E.R., or even dead, after ingesting them as well as brownies and cookies made from cannabis.

Amada Soriano Masellones, age 79, passed away peacefully at her home surrounded by loving family on Tuesday morning, December 30, 2014 following a long illness.

Amada was born June 9, 1935, in Calape, Bohol, Philippines to Jorge and Macra Soriano. She attended and graduated from Silos Vocational School of Dressmaking in the Philippines on February 14, 1953.

Tahoe Douglas Rotarian Joe Zarachoff has been in Pasadena all week, preparing to participate in the 126th annual Tournament of Roses Parade. Zarachoff, who owns Affordable Business Services on the South Shore, is the current District Governor for Rotary District 5190. This year will be the 36th year Rotary has had a float in the parade and the third straight year that the District Governor from Zarachoff's district has walked with, or rode on, the float.

"I am honored to be here representing our District," Zarachoff said.

The children of South Lake Tahoe who have lost their lives are memorialized in a tree located at the corner of Highway 50 and Wildwood Avenue.

A tragedy occurred on February 2, 1991 when three South Tahoe High students died when the car they were riding in struck a tree on Pioneer Trail. They tree they struck became the Children's Memorial Tree.

A newly designed memorial was unveiled a year ago and it now holds over 230 names.

For the past four years, members of the South Lake Tahoe Moose Lodge have been providing meals for the less fortunate members of the community. What began as a small project with members filling up 15 boxes of food has grown into a much larger project with 40 families receiving the meals this weekend.

Administrative staff at Tahoe Valley Elementary school selected the 40 recipients and students from the school decorated the food boxes with colorful, seasonal messages.

Flu season is underway. Misconceptions about the flu prevent people from taking the proper precautions. For example, being out the in cold does not cause the flu. Here are a few more flu myths I hear and facts to help you stay healthy this winter.

FLU MYTHS

MYTH:If you think you have the flu, go to the doctor to get antibiotics.

Bolstered by a donation of toys and bikes from Tesla Motorsports of Minden, the Family Support Council of Douglas County is looking for families in need of help during the holidays.

If you, or someone you know needs presents, an hour long intake needs to be completed.

People can call 782-8692 for questions or to schedule an intake time. The whole process can be faster if they fill out the basics online.

Local riders and skiers headed to the slopes of Sierra-at-Tahoe for their opening day on Friday. The resort opened at noon following the recent storm that left more than 15 inches of fresh snow in the Sierra. Since early season conditions still exist, the resort will operate ten trails accessed by the Grandview Express and Easy Rider Express.

Join us for an exciting and educational story time. Come and support local non-profit, The Sugar Pine Foundation and hear the story of "The Happiest Tree in the Forest", a new children’s book about the sugar pine trees of Lake Tahoe.

With colorful and playful illustrations the book tells the story of Lambe, a lonely little sugar pine seedling who grows up to be a very happy tree. Follow Lambe as he grows from ‘a little seed in a big pinecone’ into the biggest sugar pine in all the forest. Meet all of his animal friends along the way.

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The Lake Tahoe Visitors Authority and the South Tahoe Refuse & Recycling Company team up this holiday season to make giving to Christmas Cheer easier than ever. The LTVA’s Drive and Drop for Christmas Cheer takes place Monday, December 8 through Saturday, December 13, from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. Drive through the Visitor Center parking lot at 3066 Highway 50, South Lake Tahoe, and drop your donations of food or toys into the bins provided by South Tahoe Refuse.

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Join for the Friends of the Library for an exciting story time, "Gertrude’s Tahoe Adventures in Time", a new children’s book about the natural history of Lake Tahoe.

With colorful and dramatic illustrations the book tells the story of Gertrude, a Tahoe girl who meets a magic maiden who takes her on a fast motion adventure through the history of Lake Tahoe. They watch glaciers march, volcanoes erupt and exotic animals graze while becoming forever friends. Children will be entertained as they learn.

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Area fire departments respond to fires every year that are caused by people leaving their fireplace or wood stove ashes in a paper bag on their home's deck. These accidents can easily be prevented with correct handling of ashes.

"Can Your Ashes" is a campaign that informs the public of these inherent dangers.

Embers, often concealed in what appears to be cold ashes, can remain hot enough to kindle a fire for several days.

To safely dispose of ashes, fire officials offer these tips:

• Never store ashes in bags or boxes.

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.

11/15
3:37 p.m. - Mt. Tallac - SEARCH AND RESCUE INITIATED FOR TWO LOST HIKERS COMING DOWN FROM MT TALLAC. LOST WAS A 27 YEAR OLD WOMAN AND A 30 YEAR OLD MAN.

7:00 p.m. - Cherry Hills Circle - REPORT OF CRUELTY TO ANIMALS.

9:38 p.m. - Martin Avenue - 27 YEAR OLD MAN ARRESTED FOR DUI.

11/16

Page & Sage has been serving students in the Lake Tahoe Unified School District for three years, giving children in need a backpack of food and a book to take home over the weekends when they don't receive free lunches and breakfasts at school.

When Liberty Utilities in South Lake Tahoe found out about the program they began a food and donation drive in order to help fill the program's shelves. They gathered boxes and cans of food and almost $300 in cash.

Have you ever wanted to in a parade? This fun experience is waiting for you at the Third Annual Holiday Parade on Saturday, December 13. Golden Bear Events of South Lake Tahoe is planning this fun community event.

The 3 p.m. parade will start on the corner of Ski Run Blvd and Pioneer Trail, proceed down Ski Run, west on Highway 50 to TJMaxx at the Y.

As part of their mission to give back to the community and protect the environment, Vail Resorts gave away 49 grants to Lake Tahoe area groups during a ceremony on Tuesday at Heavenly Valley.

The year was 1914. Charlie Chaplin appears in his first movie. Ford Motor Company announces an 8 hour work day and a wage for employees of $5/day. Woodrow Wilson is President and Babe Ruth makes his major league debut. November 12th of that year was when Jean Dahlinger of South Lake Tahoe was born.

Today, 100 years later, Jean celebrated her 100th birthday at the Barton Mountain Cafe with family, friends and community members. Known as "The Dancing Machine," Jean was serenaded by the South Tahoe High Jazz Band as they played "Happy Birthday" and "America the Beautiful."

Every year, the Barton Foundation recognizes a philanthropist that stands out above the rest. This year, the Foundation has selected Patty Olson as the beneficiary of their Spirit of Philanthropy award.

Patty moved to South Lake Tahoe in 1950 and was instrumental in in the creation of Barton Memorial Hospital. She was a founding member of the Barton Auxiliary and helped organize the Auxiliary's first fundraiser for the hospital. She hosted many other Barton fundraising events at Young's Bijou Lodge, which she and her husband Neal Olson owned and operated.

What are the first thoughts that go through your mind when you see a youth on the streets? How did they get there, where are their parents, and are they safe? It’s disturbing to realize that between 1.6 and 2.8 million youth run away annually. Most youth who run away do so because of threatening environments at home, such as physical/verbal abuse, substance abuse issues, questions of sexual orientation, or escaping state care. Unfortunately, by choosing to run away, they further subject themselves to threatening situations that impede their progress in life.

Stroll through a holiday wonderland with thousands of twinkling lights on decorated Christmas trees and holiday decor! Vote for your favorite tree in the Festival's "People's Choice Award" contest. Settle down to watch the entertainment, bid in the silent auction, enter the raffle, get a family photo with Santa, and take the kids to Teddy Bear Hospital. Kids can stop by the Gingerbread Junction, where they can write a letter to Santa and drop it in the giant mailbox for express delivery to the North Pole.

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Always one of the "go to" events of the holidays, the Tahoe Regional Youth Professionals (TRYP) have announced the date of their 3rd Annual Winter White Party.

The party this year returns to the Riva Grill on November 22.

South Lake Tahoe may be a small city of around 23,000 residents but it isn't immune to the big city problems of gangs.

Our mountain hamlet has white gangs, a black gang, hispanic gangs, motorcycle gangs and even white supremacists and sometimes they cross racial lines in order to beef up numbers. The gang names won't be mentioned in this article because of the advertising value it would give them as they try and recruit children and new members.

Last week's arrest of three gang members for a home invasion robbery brought the comment to the forefront..."Tahoe has gangs?"

The 12th Annual Treat Street has moved to a new location, and because of the expected storm, it's now inside!

Bring your children to Trick or Treat in a safe, dry and fun environment at the 12th annual Treat Street Friday, October 31st at the South Lake Tahoe Airport. Local Businesses and non-profits will hand out candy and other treats inside the terminal.

There will be a spooky haunted house, games and a live radio broadcast. Costumes are encouraged so bring your little ones decked out!!!

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