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South Lake Tahoe, CA— With the support of South Lake Tahoe’s voters, Lake Tahoe Community College successfully passed a $55 million bond measure in November 2014. Called Measure F, the bond will make it possible for the college to upgrade and modernize its technology, make necessary repairs to aging facilities and systems, and improve educational programs and students’ learning environment. The first set of bonds was sold¬ in July 2015 for $19 million, or 35% of the $55 million voters approved.

El Dorado County and its Board of Supervisors have been in full stride throughout the last year solving critical issues, making important changes to protect tax dollars and providing expanded services to the public.

There are many parcels of land in South Lake Tahoe owned by El Dorado County that the City would like to have, and talks between the two are getting closer to making the land transfer a reality.

The Lake Tahoe Community College Board of Trustees is meeting in closed session tonight to discuss the search for the school's next president following the announcement that Superintendent/President Dr. Kindred Murillo will be leaving her post.

Murillo, who started at the college in July, 2011, requested the Board meet and discuss an exit date for her which would take place sometime in the next 18 months.

During the January 19 meeting, the Board will also discuss a timeline for the process of finding Murillo's replacement.

The El Dorado County Board of Education has promoted one of its own to the top job, one that has been vacant since the November, 2015 resignation of Jeremy Meyers.

Dr. Ed Manansala became the new superintendent Tuesday, moving up from his position as Deputy Superintendent of Educational Services, one he'd held since June of 2013.

For many years, the Rotary Club of South Lake Tahoe has given away a car during their annual Great Car Raffle, but that tradition has come to an end.

Club President Dave Jinkens announced Wednesday that the raffle doesn't raise the money needed to give away almost $50,000 annually to the community through scholarships, donations and grants.

There are two reasons Jinkens said the club had to abandon the raffle. After buying a car and covering the cost of the raffle, proceeds weren't what they once were and they've had to start dipping into reserves to meet donation requests.

To make way for "Star Wars," Disneyland is about to launch its largest expansion ever, which means shutting down a significant chunk of the Anaheim theme park.

In January, 10 attractions and eateries will close — some temporarily, some permanently — only a few months after the resort hiked the price of annual passes as much as 31%. This spring, Disneyland's biggest rival, Universal Studios Hollywood, plans to unveil a widely anticipated Harry Potter attraction.

The Loft opened on December 16 in South Lake Tahoe, offering the area's first indoor year-round live theater which also includes a lounge and Italian dining room.

Designed by PR Entertainment, the $1 million complex features 107-seats, a separate dining area serving authentic Italian cuisine, bar and upscale lounge, all on the top floor of Heavenly Village above the movie theater.

Magic and illusion fans will appreciate "Magic Fusion," The Loft's show staring Tony Clark, winner of the coveted Magician of the Year award and numerous television appearances.

The Mountain Democrat Editorial Friday December 11, 2015 titled “Total recall a total waste of time” on page A5 is far below the minimum standards of an honest newspaper. The article uses accusations of gossip, vague personal attacks, and sneering degradation of “some of the people” to dismiss the serious issues plaguing our County government.

What does a Prosperous Tahoe look like? What does prosperity mean? How can we measure it? The Tahoe Prosperity Center (TPC) mission is uniting Tahoe's communities to strengthen regional prosperity. How do our governments, businesses and communities fit into that goal? What can we do to ensure Tahoe's residents are prosperous?

When Nick Arbelaez moved to South Lake Tahoe with his fiancee Stephanie Shamo, he was taking the Assistant Soccer Coach position at LTCC and she was headed to Barton Health.

After Head Coach Ben Wade and LTCC parted ways mid-season, Arbelaez stepped in as interim head coach, leading the Coyotes to the final four for California Community Colleges.

At Tuesday's board meeting, Arbelaez was introduced to the trustees along with
other coaches and volunteers that have helped both the men's and women's soccer teams have early successes in the young programs.

Since Lake Tahoe Community College became a reality in 1974, Frederick "Fritz" Wenck, Jr. has been on the school's Board of Trustees. During Tuesday night's board meeting, fellow Trustees voted Wenck as the Board President for the tenth time.

Each year, during their annual organizational meeting, the Board of Trustees elects new leaders. As Kerry David ended his term as President, Karen Borges was named Board Clerk and Jeff Cowan the Presiding Officer.

"This will be my final term on the Board of Trustees," said Wenck. "I want to leave on a good, upbeat note."

President Obama established "Every Kid in a Park," a program which gives free entry to all USFS parks in the country to all fourth grade students.

In Lake Tahoe, all students signed up for the program also get a free Christmas Tree permit from the Lake Tahoe Basin Management Unit as supplies last.

Fourth graders need to present the paper voucher or Every Kid in a Park pass at the USFS office located at 35 College Drive in South Lake Tahoe.

"Every Kid in a Park" is a program offered by the U.S. Forest Service to all fourth grade students in the country.

It is very easy to be part of the free program. First step is to log onto www.everykidinapark.gov and get a free pass.

President Barack Obama created Every Kid in a Park so fourth graders and their families could discover our wildlife, resources, and history for free!

All participants are also eligible to cut down a free Christmas Tree in Lake Tahoe.

Much like the lake side of El Dorado County and the west slope don’t always see eye to eye, the Douglas County portion at the lake, and the valley residents are in the same situation.

The topic currently at the forefront is Buckeye Creek Reservoir, located in the eastern portion of Douglas County. BLM has most of the land in this undeveloped area, and the Douglas County Sewer Improvement District (DCSID) owns 1,001 of those acres.

Ohio voters soundly rejected a marijuana initiative Tuesday that would have legalized recreational and medicinal use of the drug, and would have limited commercial growing to a small group of investors who drafted and promoted the measure.

The initiative was failing 65% to 35%, with nearly 90% of precincts reporting.

“Issue 3 has been soundly defeated!” Ohioans Against Marijuana Monopolies crowed on Twitter. “No marijuana monopolies in this state!”

These are challenging times for businesses and many entrepreneurs are left without the guidance necessary to build sustainable businesses. Fortunately, the Tahoe Tactical Team is available to assist current and prospective business owners in their entrepreneurial journey. This past week, the Tahoe Tactical Team expanded its business coaching program to include businesses and entrepreneurs in Douglas County due to a grant from the Nevada Governor’s Office of Economic Development.

The Lake Tahoe Unified School Board student representative is now junior Sarah Smith. She was sworn in by Board President Barbara Bannar at the last meeting.

South Lake Tahoe's Cork & More is not going to close at the end of the month as previously announced. The media coverage of their closing brought potential buyers out of the woodwork. Stay tuned to see if a sale is successful.

The Lake Valley Fire Protection District announced the swearing in of new Apprentice
Firefighter-Paramedic, Dylan Yuzbick, was given the oath of office by Board President Dave Huber and was welcomed to the District during their October 8 board meeting.

Long time Los Angeles real estate broker Steve Davis has relocated to Lake Tahoe and joined the team at Coldwell Banker McKinney & Associates, as Broker Associate.

The final portion of the Class 1 bike trail network between Meyers and South Lake Tahoe was formally opened Wednesday with a ribbon cutting ceremony.

Members of the El Dorado County project team were on hand along with current Area 5 Supervisor Sue Novasel and former Supervisor Norma Santiago. Partner agency staff were also there to celebrate the completion.

Dr. Rhonda Sneeringer has been promoted to Barton Health's Chief Medical Officer, replacing Dr. Clint Purvance who is the hospital's new President/CEO.

She will start her new job November 1.

Dr. Sneeringer has been a pediatric and adult hospitalist at Barton for the past three years. She currently serves as the Vice Chief of Staff.

"Dr. Sneeringer has shown commitment to quality and patient-centered care" said retiring CEO John Williams. "This commitment, coupled with her enthusiasm, will help continue our efforts to make Barton Health a community leader in health and wellness."

Sierra Nevada College is under new leadership with the appointment of Dr. Alan Walker, who started his tenure as president of Nevada’s only private college in September.

Curlers from around the globe are headed to town for the inaugural Lake Tahoe Thin-Air International Bonspiel October 2-4, 2015 at the South Lake Tahoe Ice Arena.