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As a result of COVID-19, the V&T Railway Commission has announced that fan favorite, Polar Express, has been canceled for the 2020 season. In its place, the railway will host Santa’s Drive-Thru Village, a socially distanced holiday event, December 11 through 13 and December 18 through 24.

SOUTH LAKE TAHOE, Calif. - Just taking a look at the photos of fudge, cookies, cakes and other treats can make one's mouth water for a delectable taste of heaven.

The Tahoe Love Bakery is up and running out of Erin Renee Hudak's kitchen in South Lake Tahoe. With her cottage business permit, business license and health inspection in place, Erin opened her home-based business on December 19, 2019.

SOUTH LAKE TAHOE, Calif. - The Lake Tahoe History Museum has transformed into a scene of Christmases past, and they are opening up to the whole community on Saturday, December 14 for the free annual Holidays in History Open House.

The museum opens its doors at 11:00 a.m. Enjoy book store specials, a decorated historic cabin, docent tours, and their special spiced cider, all until 7:00 p.m.

Then, from 5:00 p.m. to 7:00 p.m., join in all the reindeer fun! The party moves over to the SLT Recreation Center gym for an evening of free family enjoyment.

SOUTH LAKE TAHOE, Calif. - 'Tis the season to enjoy holiday activities around the South Shore, beginning with the lighting of the Christmas trees.

Here are the tree lighting festivities for the family to enjoy over the next two weekends:

November 29

A new holiday tradition is being offered by the Lake Tahoe Educational Foundation at their 2nd annual Breakfast for Dinner at Ernie's Coffee Shop on Thursday, December 5 from 4:30 p.m. to 7:00 p.m.

Tickets are available from any foundation board member (Nicole Bergner, Virginia Berry, Jerry Bindel, Chris Campion, Melinda Choy, Bob Comlossy, Beth Delacour, Tyler Fair, Micelle Feeney, Karen Goldberg, Brian Hogan, Ivone Larson, Matt Lucksinger, Joe Marzocco, Greg Ochoa, Cinnamon Pakes, Jeanette Riva, Kelly Shanahan, Harold Singer, Kathy Strain, and Belen Urratia).

SOUTH LAKE TAHOE, Calif. - It isn't every day that 7-year-old Rocco DeFranco begins his day with a ride to Freel Perk for a cup of hot chocolate with Principal Joe Dameral before heading to Lake Tahoe Environmental Science Magnet School (LTESM) to begin his day.

And that was just the beginning of a day that wasn't a normal one for the first grader.

During the school's recent Spring Fling Pasta Dinner fundraiser, Rocco bid on an interesting silent auction item to be Principal for a Day. He spent his savings of $180 on that special day and Rocco was able to collect his prize on May 3.

The Lake Tahoe Educational Foundation is holding their first "Breakfast For Dinner" on Tuesday, December 4 at Ernie's in South Lake Tahoe from 4:30 p.m. to 7:00 p.m. Come in your pajamas and enjoy while raising money for local schools and students.

"Dinner" includes Ernie's famous French toast with bacon or sausage and a beverage. A full order is $10 and a half order is just $5. There will also be hot chocolate and a mimosa bar available for an additional donation, so be sure to bring cash.

LAKE TAHOE, Calif. - Heavenly Mountain kicked off it’s opening day Friday with the Gondola and Tamarack Express spinning at 9:00 a.m. Skiers and riders enjoyed their first taste of the slopes on California Trail and Tamarack Return.

There was a pre-opening celebration at the base of the Gondola in South Lake Tahoe at 8:00 a.m. Those early risers enjoy music by a DJ, fresh coffee, hot chocolate, and donuts to stay toasty. The rest of the day had live music, ski and snowboard gear giveaways, group photos and food.

A fall tradition in Lake Tahoe, Camp Richardson Historic Resort and Marina’s Oktoberfest returns for its 24th year Oct. 6-7, and it's back with more of everything. More food choices, beverages, and kids’ activities are lined up for the two-day festival that runs 10:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. daily. Entrance and parking for the event are free. All festival tickets for food and beverage booths, pumpkin patch and kids’ inflatable activities must be purchased with cash at the ticket booths.

UPDATE 3:52 p.m.: Carson City Sheriff Ken Furlong told News 4 the 11-year-old boy walked more than 12 miles on Wednesday afternoon after getting in an argument with family members. Brendan Hubbs-Whitney was found near the Chocolate Nugget candy factory in Washoe Valley by a woman who was on her way to Reno early Thursday morning

* * *
UPDATE 11:15 a.m.; An 11-year-old boy reported missing was found safe Thursday morning by authorities in Reno, according to family members and confirmed by Carson City Sheriff Ken Furlong.

The following 32 businesses took out a license to operate in South Lake Tahoe in the month of January, 2018 and 34 in the month of February, 2018.

1/6
VICTRA

1/8
A BEST HOUSECLEANING SERVICE
JARVISWORKS

1/10
VINTAGE CHOCOLATE

1/11
JOSE GOMEZ TAXI DRIVER
MOUNTAIN THERAPY COLLABORATIVE

1/15
ESTRADAS CLEANING SERVICES
VIRGINIA MECHANICAL INC

1/16
TREE HOUSE THERAPY LLC

1/17
B SANE SNOW BIKES
KAYLA BELANGER REIKI PRACTITIONER
TRAVELERS INN

Have you missed your dose of doughnuts and frozen yogurt? No longer do you have to wait as Rainbow Sprinkles is reopening at the Y in South Lake Tahoe on Tuesday, January 16 at 6:00 a.m.

After their first year in business the owners closed for a couple of weeks to make some changes and are now excited to see the customers they've missed.

"We love our customers and can't wait to see them again!" said co-owner Salli Ross-Filgo. "We wanted to say how grateful we are to this community for their support. We have had the honor of serving so many wonderful people."

The 7th annual Meyers Community Tree Lighting Celebration will be held on Friday, December 1 from 5:00 p.m. to 8:00 p.m. in the Divided Sky/Downtown Cafe parking Lot in Meyers underneath the big tree.

The evening will be full of fun activities for the whole family:

-Santa arrives in the CalStar helicopter (weather permitting)
-Free hot chocolate and popcorn
-Christmas fire truck
-Christmas carols/music

All in the Meyers' community style.

On Saturday, October 28, the public is invited to Ski Run Marina Halloween Trick or Treat from 5:30 p.m. to 8:00 p.m. Get dressed up in a costume and bring not only a bag for treats, but also a non-perishable item for Bread and Broth 4 Kids.

Trick or Treat Locations
Activities Center
Ski Run Boat Company
Lake Tahoe Chocolate Shop
Cabin Fever
Sports Fever
Heavenly Psychic
Hair by the Lake
Art of Gelato
Tahoe Cruises
Riva Grill
Artemis Lake Front Cafe

Entry fee: Donation of canned good/non-perishable food items (see list below)

For the fourth consecutive year, several Douglas County businesses were awarded a Spotlight Award. This year’s awards were given at the Critical Issues Conference held on Thursday, September 28, 2017. The Spotlight Awards recognized businesses in 7 different categories: Retail, Restaurant, Manufacturing and Production, Sports and Recreation, Entrepreneur, Business and Professional Service, Tourism and Hospitality and special recognition was given to the Business Council for their 25 years of dedicated service to Douglas County.

SOUTH LAKE TAHOE, Calif. - The Summer B&B 4 Kids program is up and running thanks to a generous donation by Vail CEO Robert Katz and his wife Elana Amsterdam. This free summer food program is bringing smiles and excitement to local children as they pick and choose their favorite breakfast, fruits, snacks and dinner foods from the baskets full for food at St. Theresa Grace Hall every Wednesday. The biggest smiles come from the special treats of ice cream, cupcakes or chocolate chip cookies that the Bread & Broth and Vail Resort volunteers give to each child as they finish filling their bags.

A dog's life was tragically taken in Topaz Lake after being pulled into a whirlpool drain on Saturday while attempting to retrieve a stick.

“We are deeply saddened by this tragic accident and the loss of the dog," said Melissa Blosser, Public Information Office for Douglas County. "We immediately reached out to the owner of the animal to find out what happened and express condolences."

Smart & Final Extra! held a grand opening on January 18, marking their return to South Lake Tahoe. The new store was built in the former home of Staples after they closed in June, 2016. There was a complete overhaul of the 24,000 square foot store from the foundation up.

There is always something to do in South Lake Tahoe and all around the South Shore and this weekend is no different. Here is a list of things to do for families and adults:

For families -

Annual Christmas Bird Count - The 2016-2017 South Lake Tahoe Christmas Bird Count has been scheduled for Saturday, December 17. Barring a significant winter storm, we will hold the count on that date. December 17 @ 8:00 a - (775) 298-0066 - Meet at Alpina Coffee Cafe, 822 Emerald Bay Rd

She wasn't crying, but she wasn't exactly not crying, either. We were about to get an early season storm, a typical hot-to-cold pattern, and I had been looking out the window waiting on rain to become snow. My wife had gone to the grocery store, and I wanted to know what had upset the hot chocolate run. An elderly homeless couple had been rummaging through a dumpster in the parking lot. They were literally freezing, threadbare clothes wet and icing over.

The South Lake Tahoe community is invited to attend the grand opening of a new, free "Little Library" on Saturday, December 3 at noon outside BioSpirit, located at 1116 Ski Run Blvd.

The Haven family, Kathy and Nick, along with their children Alexi (12), Christopher (11) and Marcus (8) created the free lending library, the first of what they hope will be many around the community.

"We are making a little library so that whoever wants a book can have a book," said Alexi. "Also, people who have extra books, they can donate them to the library. That way everyone has books!"

It may only say November on the calendar but it is already time to get your furry family photos taken during the 30th annual Lake Tahoe Humane Society's Santa Paws.

Get your photo taken with Tahoe's original Santa Dog, Hopeful Henry. Bring your pet(s) along to get in on the photo which can be used on greeting cards, ornaments or other keepsakes.

Enjoy some hot chocolate, coffee or Mimosas while you wait! There will also be some fun shopping for both pets and their humans.

100 percent of the proceeds help Lake Tahoe Humane Society's efforts in assisting local animals in need.

Every year around Halloween the ASPCA Animal Poison Control Center gets flooded with calls from pet owners who are worried about what their pet has eaten. In order to avoid this worry and to help you prepare for the big night and weeks before we put together a list of the most common issues they encounter.

Tickets for the Virginia & Truckee Railroad’s wildly popular holiday adventure to the North Pole via THE POLAR EXPRESS™ Train Ride will go on sale starting Friday, Aug. 19 at 6 a.m.

The schedule of enchanted train rides runs from Nov. 17 through Dec. 23. For the past five years, every seat on every train has sold out for the V&T’s magical trip to the North Pole, making it imperative for parents and grandparents to make arrangements early.