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I am a resident and registered voter in Nevada, but I work in Meyers, attended Meyers Elementary, grew up in Christmas Valley, and graduated from South Tahoe High School (STHS). The state line is a blur to me because I view the South Shore as one community. I have two children currently in high school, one at Whittell and one at STHS; I also have another child who graduated from Whittell and is now a college freshman. I believe that a good public education system is the great equalizer in America, and that every child has a right to the best education possible.

I've never met anyone that likes taxes, but we pay them to fund the things we need in our lives: fire protection, law enforcement, education, roads, and services, just to name a few.

In November, Measure U is before the voters of South Lake Tahoe. A "yes" vote will add an extra 1/2 percent to the sales tax on non-food items purchased in the city limits. Currently, the tax is eight percent so the increase works out to be an extra five cents on every ten dollars purchased. It is estimated the tax increase would bring in an extra $2.5 million to the City.

The public is invited to a ribbon cutting ceremony that will celebrate the completion of the Sierra Tract Phase 3-4 of their erosion control project on Friday, October 28 at 10:30 a.m. on the corner of Palmira Ave. and River Dr.

An underground low impact stormwater system has been created to treat runoff and remove pollution (primarily fine sediment) from developed roadways, commercial, and residential land uses that discharge directly into the Upper Truckee River and
eventually Lake Tahoe.

El Dorado County Sheriff's Office responds to calls throughout the county.

The following are calls that only pertain to the South Shore. There may be some missing calls due to sheriff's logs not being completed at press time and the story will be updated when provided.

10/16/16

4:21 a.m. - Driving on a suspended license - Lake Tahoe Blvd - 37-YEAR-OLD FEMALE CITED FOR DRIVING ON WITH A SUSPENDED LICENSE.

11:52 a.m. - Assist Douglas County Sheriff - Al Tahoe Blvd - ASSISTED OUTSIDE AGENCY WITH A COURTESY REPORT.

SOUTH LAKE TAHOE - The following is a recap of activity the South Lake Tahoe Police Department responded to 222 calls between October 11 and October 17, 2016.

Calls Resulting in Arrests:

10/11
Warrant in the 2800 block of Lake Tahoe Blvd
Drunk in Public in the 1000 block of Lakeview Ave
Drunk in Public in the 2600 block of Lake Tahoe Blvd

10/12
Drunk in Public in the 2800 block of Lake Tahoe Blvd
Warrant in the 2100 block of Lake Tahoe Blvd

10/13
Warrant in the 3700 block of Blackwood

Law enforcement officers in the Reno-Sparks area are looking for a man wanted in connection to a triple homicide in Sacramento on October 15.

Jerod Watson, 52, is a suspect in the murder of his ex-girlfriend's mother and two adult sons. All three had been stabbed multiple times.

Watson fled Sacramento in an SUV that was stopped in Reno, but he was not inside the vehicle.

There is an active arrest warrant for homicide for Watson who is believed to still be in the Reno-Sparks area. He is described as an African American male, 5'10", 180 pounds.

The graphics and news released this week for the seasonal drought outlook for the Sierra Nevada and the rest of the west look rather grim for those wanting a big winter and extra water to replenish lakes, reservoirs and rivers.

According to the Climate Prediction Center (CPC), the drought ends for some parts of Northern California, but mild temperatures and below average precipitation will cause the drought to continue.

A new project is being planned for the Town of Truckee that will include a 127 room hotel and five three-story apartment buildings with 138 rental units.

The hotel portion will be named Marriott SpringHill Suites and the apartments, Coburn Crossing.

The Triumph Development Hotel and Residential Project, will be laid out on over 11 acres adjacent to the Truckee Cemetery and Highway 80 on East Jiboom Street.

Learn more about the US 50 South Shore Community Revitalization Project during a community forum hosted by the Tahoe Chamber on November 3 from 5:30 p.m. to 7:00 p.m. at the Lake Tahoe Resort Hotel.

The program will include a project update, information about the environmental analysis, and audience Q & A about the highly debated topic also known as the Loop Road.

With the pending release of the draft environmental impact study for public review and comment, it’s never been more front and center than now and now is the time for the public to get their questions answered.

Golden Bear Events is holding their second annual Winter Bazaar and Health Fair will take place at the Inn by the Lake Events Center in South Lake Tahoe on Saturday, November 12 from 10:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m.

Admission to the event is free, and each attendee will receive a free door prize ticket.

Vendors will offer a variety of specialty food, candles, home decor, jewelry, art, books, and other gift items for holiday gift giving or home decorating. Health tips and services will also be offered. Drawing prize tickets will be available for purchase for some amazing gifts baskets.

The traditional Senior Game at South Tahoe High is on Friday, October 21 when the Vikings meet their rivals, the Truckee Wolverines. Both teams are tied for second place in Northern Nevada Division 3A with a 7-1 record. The Vikings are on a six-game winning streak in their quest to take over the first place spot from Spring Creek.

The final regular season game for Varsity is at 7:00 p.m. with the Junior Varsity teams taking the field first at 4:30 p.m.

Arrive early as the tribute to the seniors will be right before the Varsity game begins.

Seniors:
Robert Cage WR, CB

For the Halloween season, South Lake Tahoe Fire Rescue is reminding parents and children of some lifesaving hints when planning costumes and a special day of trick-or-treating.

When buying costumes for Halloween:

Check the labels and make sure they are made of flame retardant materials.

Materials made of 100% Polyester are best suited for a Halloween costume.

The use of commercial flame retardant sprays is not recommended.

Avoid Halloween costumes that are loose or baggy to prevent fabric from coming in contact with any open flames.

On Halloween:

Two hot topics for locals were discussed during a Caltrans informational meeting at the Lake Tahoe Airport on Thursday evening: A roundabout and viaduct replacement.

The 3-legged Roundabout

Citing the safety of the intersection of Highway 50 and 89 in Meyers as the catalyst, project managers, engineers and planners unveiled their plans for a three-legged roundabout at the intersection to the dozens of interested citizens who attended.

Like many communities that are highly-desirable places to vacation and live, Lake Tahoe has affordable housing problems. Two recent studies commissioned by the Tahoe Prosperity Center and Tahoe Truckee Community Foundation clearly illustrate the housing challenges our region faces.

Median home prices of more than $500,000 on the North Shore and nearly $400,000 on the South Shore are simply too high for our region’s low wages, putting the cost of home ownership and even rent out of reach for many working people.

Hidden among the pines in South Lake Tahoe is a backyard basketball half-court with ax marks on the free throw line and the area under the rim. Crime clues, perhaps?

Hardly. They’re the handiwork of a young man who three decades ago wouldn’t stop practicing his foul shots, come hell or high snowpack.

In the winter, Jerod Haase would shovel the snow off the court, but if it drifted up to 3 or 4 feet — “which it did a lot,” he says — he’d just shovel the free-throw line and the area beneath the hoop. The sun might melt some of the snow, but it would freeze back over into a layer of ice.

South Shore resident Rosie Parker is fighting esophageal cancer, and a Lake Tahoe benefit concert is being held to help her and her family with growing expenses on Friday, October 21 from 9:00 p.m. to 2:00 a.m. at Cold Water Brewery.

“We are showing our love, we are showing our support for Rose,” said Cold Water owner Debbie Brown, “Our brewmaster’s wife was diagnosed with esophageal cancer back in August, and she is fighting the fight of her life.”

The Lake Valley Fire Chipping Crew, along with members of Calfire, have been cleaning up the area burned by this weekend's Emerald Fire near Cascade Properties.

All El Dorado County residents not within the City limits can also take part in this service until October 28. The program will end for this year after that day and resume in Summer 2017.

To take part in this free service, call the chipping crew at 530.577-CHIP (2447).

The Lake Tahoe South Shore Chamber of Commerce has announced the nominees for their annual Blue Ribbon Awards with 80 nominations from the community. The program recognizes businesses and individuals who excel in working as one in an effort to improve the quality of life on the South Shore.

The South Lake Tahoe chapter of the Citizen's Climate Lobby recently asked all ten of the candidates their views on climate change, green buildings and our carbon footprint and how they can make a change if elected.

The Citizen's Climate Lobby is an organization focused on national policies to address climate change, and the South Lake Tahoe chapter is one of 354 in the United States and abroad.

Patricia Sussman of the local chapter said just five of the candidates responded to their questions.

Barton Health is looking for community volunteers to join their Patient Family Advisory Council and share insight about their experience at Barton Memorial Hospital.

The Council’s advisors play an active role in implementing constructive changes to the Hospital’s quality and safety. Any past Barton Hospital patient or family member of a patient can participate.

South Lake Tahoe saw over six inches of rain during the series of three storms over the weekend, which did a lot more than bring a little snow to upper elevations.

The storm also send an estimated 11 billion gallons of water into Lake Tahoe according to the National Weather Service (NWS) in Reno. This is equivalent to the average total consumptive water use in a year from the Truckee River by the Truckee Meadows Water Authority. The average metered household in the Truckee Meadows uses about 121,000 gallons a year.

A Taiwanese visitor to the United States died in a single car crash on Highway 50 in Lake Tahoe on Sunday, October 16.

At approximately 3:10 p.m., troopers from the Nevada Highway Patrol were dispatched to an injury crash west of Douglas County mile marker 6 on the Nevada side of Lake Tahoe.

Jiann-Juh Tseng, 72, was driving a Nissan Altima westbound in the slow lane on Highway 50 when he traveled over the white fog line on the right side of his lane, drove onto the shoulder and continued off the roadway and hit a tree.

SOUTH LAKE TAHOE - Barton Health has hired seasoned human resources leader Elizabeth Stork as their new Human Resources Director.

“We are pleased to have Elizabeth on board,” said Dr. Clint Purvance, Barton Health’s CEO and President. “She brings both the tools and passion for helping our employees deliver consistently exceptional care and reach their full potential.”

Stork has more than 15 years of experience working in human resources. She most recently served as the Vice President of Human Resources for a non-profit home health and hospice agency in Washington State.

Annie Davidson should be the next LTUSD School Board member from Trustee Area #1.

My name is Brooke Martone- Ballachey. I was born and raised in Christmas Valley and attended elementary school through high school in the Lake Tahoe Unified School District. I am now raising two children in our community and am the owner of a small business.