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In an effort to target young smokers and keep them away from the harm of nicotine, the California Assembly voted to raise the smoking age from 18 to 21 on Thursday. If it passes the Senate, California would be among the first states to raise the smoking age. Hawaii has already done so, and it appears New Jersey isn't far behind.

Last year, the state Senate approved the bill but it stalled for months in the Assembly, so many legislature observers in Sacramento think the move to raise the smoking age won't face much opposition.

Channel your inner superhero and grab your friends to participate in the 8th annual Live Violence Free Super Bowl-a-Thon on Friday, March 4 from 6:00 p.m. to 8:00 p.m. at the Tahoe Bowl in South Lake Tahoe.

Last year, almost $7,000 was raised to support the agency's programs to prevent child abuse.

Assemble a team of four to six bowlers who will raise money through pledges from friends, family and local businesses. The fun part....come dressed as the superhero you really are!

Keith Urban has announced another South Lake Tahoe stop on his ripCORD tour this summer.

"By overwhelming demand, we’ve announced a second show at Lake Tahoe Outdoor Arena at Harvey's on July 27th," Keith Urban announced on his facebook page. "Tickets go on sale next Friday, February 26th at 10 a.m.. Can’t wait to see you there!!!"

His RipCORD World Tour 2016 will feature Brett Eldredge, who toured with Urban as a special guest on his 2014 Raise ‘Em Up Tour and newcomer Maren Morris.

Between February 7 and 21, Ross Dress for Less stores across the country will be raising money for Boys & Girls Clubs of America, and this includes the local South Lake Tahoe store.

Ross will invite their customers to donate at the register to support the youth organization.

The Boys & Girls Club of Lake Tahoe will receive 80 percent of the funds raised locally, with the remaining 20 percent going to the national organization.

With a minimum $5 donation there will be a special Boys & Girls Club wristband given, while supplies last.

The Animal Coalition of Tahoe (ACT) is holding a fundraiser in South Lake Tahoe on Wednesday, January 27 to raise money for their spay-neuter program and the animal shelter in Meyers.

Pizza for Pups will be held at Blue Dog Pizza (Midtown location on the corner of Lake Tahoe Blvd. and Sierra Blvd). For a $10 donation, participants will enjoy Blue Dog's wonderful pizza with the proceeds going to ACT. The rest of Blue Dog's menu will be available for purchase, also, including salads, beer, and wine. Seatings will be at 6:00 p.m and 7:00 p.m.

That was the question asked a few times by Ken Caldeira, Climate Scientist at Carnegie Institution for Science, during Friday's session of "Operation Sierra Storm (OSS)" in South Lake Tahoe.

One month ago, Caldeira was at the Paris Climate Conference, COP21, and shared that experience and discussion with national meteorologists and interested locals gathered at OSS.

While most of us are concerned with our short-term local weather, Caldeira researches the long term, and long scale climate changes.

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.

The Christmas spirit has been evident all through the South Shore over the past few weeks as many people and non-profit agencies have been blessed with donations of money, food and gifts to help make the holidays a bit brighter.

Here are some of the many Santas who've been busy at work:

The South Lake Tahoe Moose Lodge and Women of the Moose filled up 40 boxes with hams and food for families at Tahoe Valley Elementary school. The students decorated the boxes.

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Over the past 15 years, Cakes by the Lake owner and baker Don Ewing, has donated the parts to help students at Lake Tahoe Environmental Science Magnet School make about 1,800 gingerbread houses. That means, he's used one ton of sugar, 1,440 cups of molasses and 11,100 egg whites to help the school's fifth graders raise money for their annual fifth grade field trip to the Lawrence Hall of Science and the Marine Science Institute.

On Course Events has teamed up with Sushi Pier Tahoe again to produce the 5th Annual Shred for Sushi Rail Jam on Tuesday, December 15, 2015 at 7:00 p.m.

California continues to experience high numbers of motorcycle-involved collision deaths and injuries, and because of this the California Highway Patrol (CHP) has been awarded a grant to promote motorcycle safety and awareness.

The goal of "Have a Good Ride II" is to reduce the number of motorcycle-involved fatal and injurty traffic collisions statewide.

The following is a story about Jerod Haase, STHS '92, a highly recruited basketball player who was the Nevada AAA Player of the Year after leading the Vikings to a Nevada state title. He donated $46,000 to pay the UAB basketball players' cost of attendance which covers college bills, travel and other expenses.

UAB men's basketball coach Jerod Haase has always looked at the bigger picture.

Have you seen the "Amazing Race" on television? Now you have a chance to participate in South Lake Tahoe's version, the Scavenger Charity Dash, on November 22, 2015 starting at noon.

Elevated Fitness is holding the fundraiser for the Lake Tahoe Humane Society and S.P.C.A.

Teams of two will work together in a wild adventure that solves clues, finds scavenger items and is a complete fun challenge.

The cost is $50 per person or $90 per team. Race starts at Elevated Fitness located at 4000 Lake Tahoe Blvd., #8, in South Lake Tahoe. Call 530-318-8666 for more information.

Did you think your days of dressing up for the prom were over? Wrong! The 3rd annual Adult Prom, Bubbles and Bow Ties, will be held at the Hard Rock Lake Tahoe on November 14 from 7 p.m. to 11 p.m.

Enjoy dancing, photo booths, contests for best hair and best outfit, Prom King and Queen raffle, and a silent auction, all to raise money for Camp Buck and the Nevada Diabetes Association.

Local personality Dreu Murin will host the evening events.

There will be a memorial service for South Lake Tahoe Police Officer Mark Hounsell and his wife, Jeanne Hounsell on Saturday, October 24, 2015 at 11:00 a.m. at LifePoint Church in Minden, Nev.

The couple was killed along with a family friend in a single vehicle rollover accident near Fallon, Nev on Saturday, October 17. Hounsell's four children were also in the car, but survived with minor to moderate injuries.

Sports and entertainment stars, including many of the current and future Hall of Famers, MVPs and stars who golf in South Lake Tahoe's annual celebrity tournament, will be teeing it up in the inaugural Diamond Resorts Invitational celebrity golf tournament at the Golden Bear Golf Club in Orlando, Fla., Jan. 14-16, 2016.

Successful conservation actions from a collaborative Lake Tahoe partnership spanning the past 15 years have helped the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service decide today that Tahoe yellow cress (Rorippa subumbellata), a flowering perennial plant in the mustard family found only along the lake’s sandy shoreline, does not warrant federal protection under the Endangered Species Act (ESA).

There will be a golf tournament at the Tahoe Paradise Golf Course on Saturday, October 3 to benefit the family of fallen firefighter, Mikey Hallenbeck.

Hallenbeck, 21, died this summer after a tree fell on him while fighting his first fire as a member of the U.S.F.S. fire crew. He grew up in Shingle Springs, Calif., was living in Meyers at the time of his death and worked at Sierra-at-Tahoe during the winter.

The Wildland Firefighter Foundation will host the tournament, called "Barefoot for Birdies," with all funds raised going to the family as well as the foundation.

The Animal Coalition of Tahoe’s 11th annual Mutt Strut Poker Run, a fun, family event where you can get a little exercise with your pooch, play poker, and maybe win some prizes is just a few days away!

The Mutt Strut will begin at the corner of Lake Tahoe Boulevard and Lakeview Avenue with registration from 11:30 a.m. to noon on Sunday September 27.

The inaugural South Tahoe Community Carnival will be held at the South Tahoe High School on Saturday, September 26 from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. There will be games, prizes, a velcro wall, Sumo wrestling, performances, food, fun and school tours.

The carnival ill be set up at the school's softball field.

Last year, all students at South Tahoe High School were able to receive a free yearbook and they'd like to continue that tradition. All funds raised at the carnival go to support the STHS yearbook.

The 13th annual Tour de Tahoe bicycle ride around the lake is on Sunday, September 13. More than 1,800 riders are expected to take on the 4,000 feet of climbing involved in the ride which continues to gain in popularity. Besides recreational riders there will also be teams riding to raise money for the Juvenile Diabetes Research Foundation.

Lake Tahoe’s Movement of Wings (LTMW) will bring the Incline Village and Lake Tahoe communities together on September 5 from 9-12 p.m. to raise awareness for thyroid cancer. LTMW aims to provide a fun, community-generated event that will provide support and a proactive way to fight this disease, while promoting a healthy lifestyle in one of the most beautiful places to run, Lake Tahoe. Proceeds will be donated to ThyCa.

Paddle all day long on September 12 in memory of a loved one who died of cancer, someone who survived cancer, or just to support the South Lake Tahoe Cancer League.

Stand Up for Cancer will raise funds for the league which is an all volunteer, non-profit organization that offers grants and transportation to local cancer patients. The event is supported by SUP Paddle South Lake Tahoe

The first thing Justin Zunino will have to do is exchange all of his purple clothing for a wardrobe in blue and gold as he starts his new job as Vice Principal at South Tahoe High.

Well, maybe that will be the second thing, first will be buying a home.

Zunino and his wife Nicole are moving to South Lake Tahoe from Oroville, CA where he worked for 17 years, 13 of which were spent teaching and coaching baseball at Oroville High School and the rest as the Vice Principal. Nicole was the school's counselor.