cigarettes

Blue Raz Cotton Candy, Peach Green Tea, Pink Spot and Frozen Lime Drop are just a few of the names of flavored tobacco that will no longer be allowed on the shelves in California after Governor Newsom signed SB793 Friday. The bill was created to stop kids from getting addicted to tobacco and vaping and is an addition to existing law, the Stop Tobacco Access to Kids Enforcement (STAKE) Act.

The bill takes effect Jan. 1, 2021.

The ban includes the sale of everything from menthol cigarettes to e-cigarette flavors, including pods for vape pens, tank-based systems, and chewing tobacco.

SOUTH LAKE TAHOE, Calif. - School Resource Officers, or SROs, have been a recent topic of conversations in the community with some residents questioning the need for an armed officer on South Lake Tahoe campuses.

The word "resource" gives one an insight into their position - a resource for the students, and not only at school. A resource for the parents. A resource for the school district. A resource for the school.

And the job doesn't end there.

INCLINE VILLAGE, Nev. - The Incline Village General Improvement District (IVGID) Board of Trustees voted unanimously to prohibit the use of any form of tobacco at all district-owned and operated facilities, including restrooms, spectator and concession areas.

Per Nevada statutes, marijuana and vaping use were already prohibited in all public spaces.

The move by the board was to "help protect the health, safety, and welfare of the residents and guests of Incline Village and Crystal Bay."

January is National Radon Action Month, and University of Nevada Cooperative Extension’s Radon Education Program is offering educational presentations and free radon test kits across the State of Nevada.

One presentation is scheduled for 6:00 p.m. on Tuesday, Jan. 23 at the Tahoe Regional Planning Agency (TRPA) offices in Stateline, 128 Market St. University of Nevada Cooperative Extension has partnered with the California Radon Program, so free radon test kits will be available at the event for residents of both states.

The following is from the office of Senator Ted Gaines (R-El Dorado):

Senator Gaines this week recognized the 10th anniversary of the devastating Angora Fire and pledged his continued efforts to increase fire safety in the Lake Tahoe Basin.

The University of Nevada Cooperative Extension’s Radon Education Program is offering free radon test kits and an educational presentation about radon on Thursday, March 2 at 6:00 p.m. at the Tahoe Regional Planning Agency (TRPA) offices.

Free radon test kits will be available for Nevada residents and test kits can be purchased at low-cost for out-of-state residents.

To keep Tahoe cherished and known for its beauty, locals try in their best efforts to “keep Tahoe blue.” Sadly, negative effects in our ecosystems come from humans which could damage the clarity of the lake and the air quality. Bad air quality comes from numerous sources, such as car emissions, uncontained fires, and contributors to toxic runoff into the forest; these sources of pollution must be stopped.

South Tahoe High's Principal Chad Houck made a phone call to parents last week, warning them of the increased use (and subsequent detection) among teens of what is known as "vaping."

Vaping is to "inhale and exhale the vapor produced by an electronic cigarette or similar device." The devices are vaporizers, and what goes inside them became popular as a way to cut back on smoking cigarettes starting in 2007, but a 2014 Science News study showed that vaping did not boost quit rates.

Thousands of music fans will descend upon South Lake Tahoe this week for what has become the most popular outdoor winter music festivals in the country.

Thousands of people will be on hand December 27 through 31 to experience what is being billed as a fusion between music festival, winter expedition and New Year's Eve celebration.

Also promised is cold, with night time temperatures in the low teens. Appropriate clothing and outerwear is strongly encouraged.

For the list of artists each day, see the photos in this story.

Tuesday's show runs from 2:00 p.m. to 11:30 p.m.

Personal use fireworks are illegal to use or possess in the Lake Tahoe Basin, including sparklers and so-called “safe and sane” fireworks. As you enjoy your holiday, leave fireworks to the professionals by attending one of the many public displays around Lake Tahoe.

The documented ill health effects from inhaling secondhand smoke were squared off against individual rights at a hearing Thursday on a bill that would ban smoking in cars while children are present.

Assembly Bill 322 by Mike Sprinkle, D-Sparks, was supported in the Judiciary Committee hearing by health advocates who argued that children should not be exposed to an adult who is smoking in a confined space such as a vehicle.

Drivers violating the law could be pulled over for the offense by police and fined $25. It would not count as a moving traffic violation.

Raley's announced Friday it will no longer sell tobacco products at its stores in an effort to raise awareness about health and wellness.

The grocery store chain has decided to remove tobacco products from its stores and already stopped ordering tobacco products earlier this month, according to Raley's spokesperson Chelsea Minor.

"This is not a decision that we've taken lightly," Minor said, in a released statement. "At Raley's, we are committed to infusing life with health and happiness, and removing tobacco products is another example of that commitment."

The City of South Lake Tahoe imposed a single use, plastic bag ban for grocery stores in the city limits in October of 2013. The original ordinance was for grocery stores to implement the new policy on January 15, 2014 and for all other retail outlets to begin on October 15. During the June 17th City Council meeting, three Council members decided that the ban on all other retail outlets should be postponed and the final vote on that will be during this week's Council meeting.

How can you live a longer, healthier life? The answer is complicated and simple. “Experts” claim every conceivable option: cleanses, hormones, pills, exercises, diets, the list goes on. The options are dizzying, even to healthcare professionals.

Starting April 1, all Barton Health buildings became smoke free. The smoking and tobacco ban includes all Barton Health facilities, parking lots, grounds, and Barton Memorial Hospital. All patients, visitors, medical staff, vendors, and employees will not be allowed to smoke at Barton. This includes the use of cigarettes, e-cigarettes, cigars, pipes, marijuana smoking, and smoke-free tobacco products such as chewing tobacco. The one exception will be for the two current patients at the Skilled Nursing Center who smoke. No further smoking patients for the center will be accepted.

Two commercial burglaries early Monday morning in Douglas County have authorities asking the public for help in identifying the suspects with photos provided by surveillance cameras.
The first burglary occurred at the Verizon Wireless Outlet Store on Waterloo Lane sometime around 5 a.m. Entry was made by the suspect smashing the glass of the exterior window of the store. Two cellular telephones, phone chargers and miscellaneous currency were stolen from inside. Click on images to enlarge.