Prevention

It's been four months since the 27th annual celebrity golf tournament at Edgewood Tahoe, but area nonprofits continue to reap financial rewards from the tournament sponsor, American Century.

This week's Pet of the Week is Cora, a sweet three-year-old kitty. Cora needs to be in an animal-free home as she loves to have all of the attention.

Stop by and visit Cora at the El Dorado County Animal Services at 1120 Shakori Drive in Meyers, or give them a call at 530-573-7925.

For Spay-Neuter services and other support, call the Lake Tahoe Humane Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals at 530-542-2857.

This week's Pet of the Week is Delano, a very active one-year-old poodle mix. He needs a busy home, and does need some training classes.

You can visit Delano at the El Dorado County Animal Services in Meyers, phone number 530-573-7925.

For Spay-Neuter services and other support, call the Lake Tahoe Humane Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals at 530-542-2857.

Hunter, last week’s pet of the week is still looking for his forever home.

This week's Pet of the Week is Hunter, a very sweet 5-year-old Cat. He is having a hard time of it at the shelter and is very scared.

Hunter would love to go home with someone who is loving and can give him the time he needs to love back.

Visit Hunter at The El Dorado County Animal Services, 530-573-7925.

For Spay-Neuter services and other support, call the Lake Tahoe Humane Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals at 530-542-2857.

Good news, the most recent Pets of the Week have found their forever homes! Both Jasmine the kitty and Thor the pup now have loving homes.

In the 2004 California election, voters passed Proposition 63, the Mental Health Services Act (MHSA), mandating a one percent increase in income taxes for individuals with incomes over $1 million to expand mental health services. The MHSA funds mental health services that are "recovery and resiliency" focused to children and their families, transitional age youth, adults and older adults. MHSA programs must provide integrated service experiences that are client and family driven, wellness, recovery and resilience focused, culturally competent, and include community collaboration.

The Nevada Department of Transportation (NDOT) is inviting Nevada children in grades K-5 to enter their drawing contest about stormwater pollution prevention. They want to engage and inform the younger generation on this important topic.

Winners will become published artists, with the first place student’s artwork featured on the cover of the 2017 NDOT Stormwater Program brochure, and the second and third place students’ artwork featured inside of the brochure. All student artwork meeting contest requirements will be shared on the NDOT @loveNVwaters social media pages.

This week's Pet of the Week is Charlie, a young Rat Terrier. He likes to play with other dogs and seems to be fine with confident cats.

Charlie loves to cuddle in laps and go for car rides.

Visit Charlie at the El Dorado County Animal Services, 530-573-7925.

For Spay-Neuter services and other support, call the Lake Tahoe Humane Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals at 530-542-2857.

Last week’s pet of the week Mandy found her forever home!

There are many cut female kittens at the shelter who are in need of adoption, but this week we've chosen "Zephyr" to be the Pet of the Week.

No matter what personality or color you like in a cat, you're sure to find the right one for you at the El Dorado County Animal Services, 530-573-7925. The kittens just want their forever home.

For Spay-Neuter services and other support, call the Lake Tahoe Humane Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals at 530-542-2857.

Due to some sobering facts, El Dorado County District Attorney's Office is ramping up efforts in preventing drunk driving.

While the full-time population in the county is fairly small, a large number of visitors increase those numbers during ski season, holidays, gold country and winery visits, gambling at Red Hawk and Stateline, and during trips to Apple Hill.

El Dorado County ranks fifth worst in the state for lethal drunk driving incidents involving drivers between the ages of 21 and 34, and third worst in the state for drunk driving incidents involving drivers under the age of 21.

All 50 states and 167 countries have reported incidents of trafficking according to the National Trafficking Resource Center. They further report that the fourth ranked destination in the U.S. for trafficking is California.

The United States is taking a pro-active role in stopping this crime. Both the Democrats and Republicans announced at their conventions that they have priortized the fight to combat labor and sex trafficking.

Why is there so much negativity in our community about issues on which we disagree? I posted a comment supporting my friend Jason Collin in this online news site and Kenny Curtzweiler replied that people should not donate to the non-profit organization I work for – the Tahoe Prosperity Center. How is that acceptable? Are we not allowed to voice our opinions and not be branded for them? My opinions are my own and not those of the Tahoe Prosperity Center. To equate one with the other (and then to ask people not to support the incredibly important work we are doing) is irresponsible.

Readers of South Tahoe Now are already aware of this with our weekly coverage of police and sheriff calls for the South Shore, there is a rise in property theft.

According to the South Lake Tahoe Police Department (SLTPD), the rise is a result of thieves being able to act quickly when they see unattended and unsecured property in vehicles, homes and public places. Since July 1, 2016, there have been 54 reported thefts in just the city limits, or 3.375 thefts per day. Of the 54 thefts reported, 61% (33) are a result of unsecured and/or unattended property.

Nine years after the devastating Angora Fire in South Lake Tahoe, the AlertTahoe system of cameras around the Lake Tahoe basin is helping to prevent another such disaster.

June 6, 2016: The Sagehen Fire, north of Truckee, broke out and was quickly extinguished by the USFS, Northstar and Truckee Fire Departments.

June 9, 2016: The Truckee Meadows Fire Department quickly put out the Patrick Fire off Interstate 80, near Reno.

In light of the recent presence of "The Serial ADA Lawsuit Filer" in South Lake
Tahoe, the Tahoe Chamber is holding an ADA compliant worshop.

Location

June is wildfire awareness month at Lake Tahoe. And nine years later, the 2007 Angora Fire remains a vivid remember that wildfire is one of the greatest threats facing our environment, our homes, and our businesses. We must prepare accordingly.

Our region continues to take important steps to manage that wildfire threat, improve the health of our forests, and create fire adapted communities that are prepared for the next wildfire at Tahoe. But there is more work to do.

The hot, dry days of summer will soon be upon us. Preparing your home for wildfire is more important than ever. And now is a good time to get started. June is “Wildfire Awareness Month” in the Lake Tahoe Basin, and members of the Tahoe Fire and Fuels Team are asking all Tahoe residents and visitors to “Think First to Keep Tahoe Fire Safe”

This week's Pet of the Week from the Lake Tahoe Humane Society is "Peeps."

She is an 11-month-old female cat who does well with other pets. She is a little shy to start with but loves to play and cuddle. Come visit Peeps out at The El Dorado County Animal Services, 530-573-7925.

For low income Spay-Neuter services and other support, call the Lake Tahoe Humane Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals at 530-542-2857. Walter, last week’s pet of the week is still looking for his forever home!

Around the world, invasive species are notorious for their ability to out-compete native plants and animals. Once introduced to an area, they can spread out of control and fundamentally change both landscapes and ecologies, and then pose incredible challenges to manage or eradicate.

The common stressors of everyday life can result in feelings of sadness. But if a person feels sad more days than not and it causes a difference in social, academic, and occupational functioning, it may be signs of a depressive disorder. The day may feel heavy or overwhelming, a person may lose track of time or forget what is important, and things that used to cause joy and pleasure no longer bring happiness. The steps to feel better may seem impossible, but it’s never too late to get support.

Commonly reported signs and symptoms of depressive disorders include:

This week's Pet of the Week is Gilroy, a super sweet one-year-old boy. He may be a little shy at first meeting.

Gilroy has already been at the shelter in Placerville and was relocated to South Lake Tahoe to improve his chances on finding a loving home.

Please visit Gilroy at The El Dorado County Animal Services, 530-573-7925.

Don’t forget all animals come spayed or neutered, with all vaccinations and a microchip! For Spay-Neuter services and other support, call the Lake Tahoe Humane Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals at 530-542-2857.

Coaches are needed for the South Lake Tahoe Recreation Department's new Junior Giants program for ages 5 to 18.

As a benefit, all coaches who sign up now will get two tickets to the Giants vs. Diamondbacks game on April 19, 2016 at 7:05 p.m. at AT&T Park in San Francisco.

Joshua Larsen, age 36 of Reno, was arrested by members of the Sheriff’s Office Internet Crimes against Children Task Force (I.C.A.C.), on child Sexual Assault and multiple child pornography charges, including Use of a Minor in Producing Pornography.

Law Enforcement became aware of Larsen after a tip was provided to the National Center for Missing and Exploited Children’s “Cybertipline.”

Poison Prevention Week just wrapped up, but the message is always important. The week is a campaign over 50 years old. Every year, we are urged to take notice of the chemicals in our lives that are dangerous. While much of the effort is spent on parents of young children, pets are likewise vulnerable to poisoning. In many instances, pets are MORE prone to poisoning, since we may not be wary of foods or plants that we have no problem with but are toxic to animals.

Elsa is about 3 years old and looking for a home. She was found injured in a snow bank by a motel employee, and was taken to the vet. Elsa is now ready to be adopted!

You can visit Elsa at the El Dorado County Animal Services, 530-573-7925.

Don’t forget all animals come spayed or neutered, with all vaccinations and a microchip!

For Spay-Neuter services and other support, call the Lake Tahoe Humane Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals at 530-542-2857.

Update on Last week’s pets, Rosie the Pup and Trinity and Spike the kitty combo are all in their new homes!