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The moment I first crested Echo Summit three decades ago, I was holding my breath like I’d reached the top of the climb of a roller coaster. The expanse of deep blue that spread out before me seemed like a dream, lofted above the earth, and cupped by forested mountains. As Mark Twain put it, I felt I was taking in the air that angels breathe.

FRIDAY UPDATE 9AM: The National Weather Service (NWS) in Reno has updated the expected storm totals for Lake Tahoe, but they still expect a major winter storm. The new total at lake level is forecast to be more like 12"-22" though Reno forecasters expect the higher number at this time. It will still be a major winter storm but the upper-level low came down offshore instead of over land and resulted in more push into Mono County, but Tahoe will still be impacted. Things will still fluctuate over the Sierra as the storm begins to enter the region.

SOUTH LAKE TAHOE, Calif. - Sandy Williams was a Soroptimist International of Tahoe Sierra (SITS) member and spent countless hours volunteering in the South Lake Tahoe community, much of that time spent helping at Mt. Tallac High School.

Upon her passing in 2019, Sandy's husband Keith donated all of his art to the SITS club to be used to raise funds for use at Mt. Tallac, the center of Sandy's heart and passion.

As our Tahoe winter settles in with snow and frigid temperatures, most residents retreat to the inside for activities, comforts, and warm beds in a place we call home. Our South Shore community has been able to sleep better knowing that our homeless population has this option as well. This winter season marks the seventh anniversary of the Tahoe Coalition for the Homeless (TCH) providing warm beds to the most vulnerable in our community.

SOUTH LAKE TAHOE, Calif. - The National Weather Service (NWS) in Reno has issued a Winter Storm Watch for the Lake Tahoe Basin and Truckee from Friday evening to Sunday night.

Heavy snow is possible with total accumulations of 20 to 30 inches, except 2 to 4 feet above 7000 feet with up to 5 feet of snow on the crest possible. Winds could gust as high as 45 mph.

The heaviest snowfall rates are anticipated Saturday and Sunday. The combination of heavy snow and wind may bring periods of whiteout conditions.

SOUTH LAKE TAHOE, Calif. - Due to forecasted inclement weather, the Festival of Winter Lights will be held for one night only on Friday, December 9 from 4 p.m. to 8 p.m.

Unfortunately, the Saturday portion has been canceled.

Organizers are disappointed with this change but are still very excited to invite the public out to enjoy the event for one evening. This change will have no impact on the festivities, vendor line-up, or entertainment schedule for Friday night.

Nevada’s nonrestricted gaming licensees reported a total “gaming win” of $1,280,704,342 for the month of October 2022, according to the Nevada Gaming Control Board's monthly report. This amounts to a 4.83 percent increase compared to October 2021, when licensees reported a gaming win of $1,221,749,941. For the fiscal year (July 1, 2022 through October 31, 2022), the gaming win has increased by 3.02 percent.

The "gaming win" represents the computed income of casinos before business expenses and taxes.

SOUTH LAKE TAHOE, Calif. - Hospitalizations due to the flu are spiking across the country, and South Lake Tahoe is no different.

"We continue to see an uptick in respiratory infections including influenza (flu), respiratory syncytial virus (RSV), and other respiratory viruses, with the highest concentration in pediatric populations," said Dr. Tamara McBride, Barton's Director of Hospital Medicine, Antimicrobial Stewardship, and Infection Control.

SOUTH LAKE TAHOE, Calif. - The 7th annual Heavenly Village Tree Lighting was a huge success with a large crowd attending - organizers estimate thousands witnessed the lighting of the 65-foot tall fir tree.

Organizer and MC for the evening, Dreu Murin, welcomed the crowd to the evening's festivities which included incoming El Dorado County Sheriff Jeff Leikauf, Miss El Dorado County Carson Leikauf, South Lake Tahoe Fire Rescue and South Lake Tahoe Police Department, and of course, Mr. and Mrs. Santa Claus.

EL DORADO COUNTY, Calif. - From now until January 23, 2023, El Dorado County will conduct the Climate Vulnerability Assessment (CVA) public information survey, a chance for people to participate in the updating of the general plan.

INCLINE VILLAGE, Nev. – RE/MAX Gold of Reno and Incline Village are hosting the annual sock drive, Share, Care, and Give a Pair, to help Northern Nevada HOPES.

The realtors will be collecting new, unused socks for distribution in the local community this winter for HOPES, who provide affordable, high-quality, medical, behavioral health, and support services for all. Since 1997, Northern Nevada HOPES has been on the front lines of community health, caring for those with the fewest resources and options, many of whom are living in crisis every day.

SOUTH LAKE TAHOE, Calif. - South Tahoe High School is hosting the next "Visit with the Superintendent" on Tuesday, December 6 from 5:30 p.m. to 6:30 p.m. in the school's library.

The communitywide meeting with Dr. Todd Cutler is an opportunity for people in the community to connect with the superintendent about current topics, as well as the future of Lake Tahoe Unified School District. Light snacks will be provided.

South Tahoe High is located at 1735 Lake Tahoe Blvd, South Lake Tahoe.

SOUTH LAKE TAHOE, Calif. - Helping to feed Bread & Broth’s (B&B) Monday Meal dinner guests, Hard Rock Hotel & Casino hosted the November 28 Adopt A Day of Nourishment (AAD).

“Hard Rock fully supports the work Bread & Broth does,” shared Kelly Crossgrove, Hard Rock’s director of human resources. This was the second AAD sponsorship that Hard Rock has participated in this year in addition to donating the rolls and utensils for B&B’s Thanksgiving dinner on November 21.

To help counter a decline in special education teachers and leaders in recent years, professors in the University of Nevada, Reno’s College of Education & Human Development will use a U.S. Department of Education grant to train aspiring special education leaders.

SOUTH LAKE TAHOE, Calif. - PT Revolution is hosting the second of a two-part series on avalanche awareness in the Sierra on Friday, December 9 at 6 p.m.

This event will feature interactive stations from PT Revolution, Sierra Avalanche Center, Blackbird Mountain Guides, Tahoe Sports LTD, Black Diamond, and more.

Stations will include feature pro tips to minimize injury risk, the SAC Daily Flow, Plan Your Adventure situations, and avalanche problems.

Win an avalanche beacon, Hypervolt Go 2, and more avalanche gear in the raffle that benefits the Sierra Avalanche Center.

There will be no sales on Saturday and Sunday/ Dec. 10/11 due to the weather

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The South Lake Tahoe Cancer League is holding its 44th annual See's Candy Sale Fundraiser at the American Legion Post 795 from 11 a.m. - 5 p.m. daily through December 23, or until supplies are gone.

The Cancer League provides transportation for cancer patients from the South Shore to their chemotherapy appointments as well as providing cash grants for struggling patients.

Stop by and stock up on your holiday See's Candy. Cash or check only.

SOUTH LAKE TAHOE, Calif. - It's that time of year again when Santa's elves visit South Lake Tahoe and decorate the area around the Children's Memorial Tree in time for Christmas.

The elves need some help this year, so if you would like to get into the spirit and help them decorate, head to the tree on Monday, December 5 at 11 a.m.

They will be putting up the Christmas Tree and other decorations, so feel free to bring along an ornament too!

The weather outside is frightful, but the holiday lights are so delightful, and since love to let them show...let it glow, let it glow, let it glow.

Show off your holiday spirit by including your home or your business on the 2022 Tahoe Trail of Lights. You can enter your address to be featured on the community map for free.

List your address and your theme by Monday, December 12 to be included on the map.

SOUTH LAKE TAHOE, Calif. - El Dorado County Sheriff's Office responds to calls throughout the county. The following are calls that only pertain to the South and West Shore, including Meyers, South Lake Tahoe, Meeks Bay, Tahoma, and the Echo Summit area. There may be some missing calls due to sheriff's logs not being completed at the time of the story.

November 24-30, 2022

11/24

11:40 VERBAL DISTURBANCE IN PROGRESS - Occurred on Black Bart Ave, in South Lake Tahoe. Disposition: ASSISTED.

LAKE TAHOE, Calif./Nev. – Winter has arrived in the Lake Tahoe Basin along with the holiday season. Local fire districts and their partners would like to take this opportunity to remind residents and visitors to celebrate safely.

Decorating for the holidays is a tradition in homes all over the world but be sure to decorate safely. According to the National Fire Protection Association, almost one-third of home Christmas tree fires are caused by electrical problems and more than two of every five decoration fires happen because decorations are placed too close to a heat source.

Richard (Rick) Kenneth Hertzog passed peacefully at Barton Hospital in South Lake Tahoe, Calif. on Friday, November 4, 2022. He was 72 years old. He was surrounded by his wife Cindy, nieces Julia Ryan and Kathy Partida, and nephew Reuben Partida. His sister-in-law Dianne Ford, niece Sherri Newmyer, and nephew Daniel Maslyar had been with Rick since Thursday morning when he had been admitted to Barton Hospital. Rick’s brother Bruce Hertzog was en route when Rick passed. So many friends, neighbors, coworkers, and acquaintances came to pay their respects and say goodbye.

The Caldor Fire was a reminder to our community that wildfires have and will continue to threaten the Lake Tahoe Basin. Since then, the California Tahoe Conservancy has received over four times the usual number of calls and emails about our open space lots. Most people contacting us have questions about wildfire risk and dead or dying trees.

SOUTH LAKE TAHOE, Calif. - Interstate 80 crossing the Sierra Nevada is closed at this hour after visibility concerns rose with high winds and blowing snow.

Shortly before closing, CalTrans urged drivers to not travel on I-80 in the Sierra today unless they absolutely must. No ETO on reopening.

Chain controls on US50 start at Pollock Pines from the west, and Clear Creek River above Carson City from the east.

Watch conditions on SR88 as CalTrans will be doing avalanche control through the duration of the storm.

For up-to-the-minute reports on Nevada and California roads:

LAKE TAHOE, Calif./Nev. - Give back to a local nonprofit and get a chance to win a pre-decorated tree with Holiday Tree Lane. This year’s “parade of trees” includes twelve trees, each uniquely decorated by a local business and dedicated to raising funds for a cause.

The community is invited to view the trees and enter the raffle now through December 16 by going to bit.ly/HolidayTreeLane. Tickets start at $5 per entry, $20 for five entries, and $100 for 25 entries. 100 percent of the proceeds go to nonprofit organizations. The trees are also available to view at each business location.