Latest Stories
Mickey Hart enjoying the ride
Submitted by Anonymous on Thu, 01/19/2012 - 3:09pmWe tried to talk to Mickey Hart last week but he was unavailable."I was hanging out on Jupiter and listening to its sounds," Hart said, after we reached him Monday. "I was in space. I think I ha...
Washoe Drive Fire: 1 dead, 3,700 acres burned, more than 20 structures lost
Submitted by Editor on Thu, 01/19/2012 - 3:07pm
View Washoe Drive Fire (1/19/2012) in a larger map
UPDATE 10PM: Reno Fire Chief Michael Hernandez said tonight the Washoe Drive Fire has consumed and estimated 3,700 acres, burned at least 20 structures and has resulted in one fatality.
Hernandez would not go into details of how the person died. He said the 250+ firefighters on the scene have stopped the forward progress of the fire. He said the fire started in the East Lake area, and then followed the Highway 395 corridor north, where it was stopped just south of Galena High School.
Highway 395 will be closed until further notice due to damage to debris and damage to guard rails, power poles and other item near the roadway. Gov. Brian Sandoval told state workers who commute by this route to stay home Friday. Evacuations have been lifted for the Galena area. About 2,000 people are still unable to go back to their homes tonight.
Hernandez said firefighters saved more than 800 homes that were in the path of this destructive fire.
The cause of the blaze is still under investigation.
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UPDATE 9PM: Reno Fire officials report forward progress on Washoe Drive fire has stopped. Fire behavior is moderating due to diminishing winds, lowering termperatures and increasing humidity/moisture moving over the Sierra Nevada/Carson Range. Fire burns more than 3,000 acres with zero containment; 10,000 evacuated; no count on home and structure losses.
U.S. Highway-395 remains closed between 1.8 miles north of Carson City to the Junction of SR 341/431 (Mt. Rose Junction) in south Reno. U.S. Highway 395 could remained closed on Friday (1/20) through the morning commute - make alternate plans.
***
At 4:40 pm Thursday, Nevada Gov. Brian Sandoval, under his constitutional and statutory authority, made a state declaration of emergency which qualifies local governments for federal assistance associated with this event. The National Guard is on standby at the request of Sandoval and Washoe County. California has also provided fire assistance as part of a Governor to Governor agreement with Jerry Brown.
“Our thoughts and prayers are with those who have been and are being affected by this fire,” Sandoval said. “Declaring a state of emergency ensures that every resource from the local, state and federal level is available to assist. The Nevada Division of Forestry and the Department of Public Safety have also engaged with local responders.”
Additionally, Nevada has been approved by the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) for a Fire Management Assistance Grant (FMAG). As a result, Nevada is eligible for up to 75 percent funding assistance for eligible costs. The request was made by the Nevada Division of Forestry on behalf of Washoe County at the onset of the fire.
More below the fold.
Cinematic sea excursion short on hidden treasure
Submitted by Anonymous on Thu, 01/19/2012 - 3:03pmThere's enough plot in "Contraband" for two heist movies, making it extra disappointing that director Baltasar Kormakur doesn't milk more tension from the tale's hairpin turns and last-minute tw...
Judge dismisses suit League filed against South Lake Tahoe
Submitted by admin on Thu, 01/19/2012 - 1:59pmChicago, New York comics this week at Improv
Submitted by Anonymous on Thu, 01/19/2012 - 2:57pmWho knew that Rondell Sheridan had such an edge to him? I mean for a guy who is probably best known for his many Disney appearances on "That's So Raven," "Cory in the House" and the Nickelodeon ...
El Dorado County farmers looking out for fish in nearby streams
Submitted by admin on Thu, 01/19/2012 - 1:18pmHighway 395 through Washoe Valley closed as fire burns
Submitted by Anonymous on Thu, 01/19/2012 - 2:13pmHighway 395 through Washoe Valley is currently closed as a wildfire burns. Motorists are advised to cancel travel plans.Fire crews are responding to a large brush fire south of Reno that already ha...
Judge tosses League to Save Lake Tahoe suit against city
Submitted by Editor on Thu, 01/19/2012 - 2:09pmA lawsuit by the League to Save Lake Tahoe against the City of South Lake Tahoe has been tossed by a U.S. District Court judge, officials announced today.
Here is a news release made available today by Nancy Kerry, Public Affairs and Communications Manager for the City of South Lake Tahoe:
Tahoe License Plate for Powder Program To Benefit from Snow Forecast
Submitted by Editor on Thu, 01/19/2012 - 2:00pm
The snow forecast to hit the Lake Tahoe region during the next few days is expected to give the Tahoe Fund's Plate for Powder program a boost along with Sierra ski resorts and businesses. Drivers who purchase a California or Nevada Tahoe vehicle license plate will receive two free ski lift or Nordic tickets to the resort of their choice. New Tahoe plates cost $50 in California and $61 in Nevada.
Canadian freestyle skier Sarah Burke dead at 29
Submitted by Anonymous on Thu, 01/19/2012 - 1:06pmSALT LAKE CITY (AP) - Canadian freestyle skier Sarah Burke died Thursday, nine days after crashing at the bottom of the superpipe during a training run in Utah.Burke, who lived near Whistler in ...
Canadian freestyle skier Sarah Burke dead at 29
Submitted by Anonymous on Thu, 01/19/2012 - 1:06pmSALT LAKE CITY (AP) - Canadian freestyle skier Sarah Burke died Thursday, nine days after crashing at the bottom of the superpipe during a training run in Utah.Burke, who lived near Whistler in ...
Ice climber killed in fall
Submitted by Anonymous on Thu, 01/19/2012 - 12:55pmSOUTH LAKE TAHOE, Calif. - A 23-year-old El Cerrito man died after falling about 125 feet while ice climbing at Cascade Falls on Saturday.About 3 p.m., Michael Machell was preparing to ascend an ar...
Skier dies following collision with sign post
Submitted by Anonymous on Thu, 01/19/2012 - 12:31pmSOUTH LAKE TAHOE, Calif. - A 34-year-old man was killed at Heavenly Mountain Resort Tuesday after suffering chest injuries sustained in a skiing accident, according to the El Dorado County Sheriff'...
Lack of snow alters boarder-skier cross competitions in Tahoe
Submitted by admin on Thu, 01/19/2012 - 11:30amMaroon 5 to play Tahoe during celebrity golf weekend
Submitted by Anonymous on Thu, 01/19/2012 - 11:55amSnow hasn't even covered Lake Tahoe's links yet, but its never too early to think about golf and rock 'n' roll. Maroon 5 will perform July 21 during the weekend of the 23rd annual American Centu...
Maroon 5 to play Tahoe during celebrity golf weekend
Submitted by Anonymous on Thu, 01/19/2012 - 11:55amSnow hasn't even covered Lake Tahoe's links yet, but its never too early to think about golf and rock 'n' roll. Maroon 5 will perform July 21 during the weekend of the 23rd annual American Centu...
Tribune Sports Talk
Submitted by Anonymous on Thu, 01/19/2012 - 11:54amJoe Proudman and Tim Parsons talk South Lake basketball and playoff football. Click the play button below and chime in with the Cover it Live chat or tweet at us at @tahoesports.Tribune Sports T...
OBITUARY: Rachael Rae Platt
Submitted by Anonymous on Thu, 01/19/2012 - 11:31amRachael Rae Platt of South Lake Tahoe passed away on January 10, 2012 as the result of a car accident. Rachael and her twin Deanna Rae were born to Larry Myron Platt and Eileen Thomas Reed Platt...
Feds continue crackdown on CA pot dispensaries
Submitted by Anonymous on Thu, 01/19/2012 - 11:15amLOS ANGELES (AP) - Federal prosecutors in Los Angeles have filed four additional lawsuits against building owners as part of their crackdown on medical marijuana dispensaries.Three of the complaint...
Silicon Valley Versus Hollywood, A Q&A on contested Internet anti-piracy bills
Submitted by Anonymous on Thu, 01/19/2012 - 11:05amWASHINGTON (AP) - Online piracy costs U.S. copyright owners and producers billions of dollars every year, but legislation in Congress to block foreign Internet thieves and swindlers has met strong ...
High school sports realignment won’t change postseason
Submitted by admin on Thu, 01/19/2012 - 9:51amCalif Supreme Court to hear med marijuana cases
Submitted by Anonymous on Thu, 01/19/2012 - 10:47amRIVERSIDE, Calif. (AP) - The California Supreme Court has agreed to review four medical marijuana cases in Riverside, Upland, Long Beach and Dana Point.The Riverside Press-Enterprise (http://bit.ly...
Weather Window: A winter to remember: 1952, Part 2
Submitted by Anonymous on Thu, 01/19/2012 - 10:10amTAHOE/TRUCKEE, Calif. - Sixty years ago Truckee-Tahoe residents were enduring one of the worst winters ever recorded in the Sierra Nevada. During the winter of 1951-52, vicious snowstorms pummel...
Cal student dies in climbing accident at Cascade Falls
Submitted by admin on Thu, 01/19/2012 - 8:16amA new home: State wildlife officials release orphaned bear cub back into the wild
Submitted by Anonymous on Thu, 01/19/2012 - 8:47amTAHOE NATIONAL FOREST, Calif. - A sedated black bear lies on the tailgate of Marc Kenyon's truck. Kenyon is trying to draw a sample of blood from the animal, but he can't find the artery. He pok...
Artist wins round 1 against S. Tahoe for taking his possessions
Submitted by admin on Thu, 01/19/2012 - 2:01am
By Kathryn Reed
If a picture is worth a thousand words, what are an artist’s tools worth?
South Lake Tahoe officials may soon have to answer that question.
Artist Peter Darvas won his appeal before the South Lake Tahoe City Council this week – meaning he won’t have to pay the $3,437.50 abatement fine. But now he wants [...]
Scientists to study climate change and the Truckee River
Submitted by admin on Thu, 01/19/2012 - 2:00am
By Jeff Delong, Reno Gazette-Journal
Scientists are beginning new research into how a warming climate could affect water supplies and flooding along the Truckee River, the waterway that serves as one of the region’s central natural features and the source of most of its water.
The $1.7 million study by the U.S. Bureau of Reclamation is part [...]
Families envision memorial wall for fallen soldiers
Submitted by admin on Thu, 01/19/2012 - 2:00am
By Frank X. Mullen Jr., Reno Gazette-Journal
Families of military members killed in the war on terror have proposed a wall memorial in Carson City to honor all Nevadans who have fallen in battle since the Civil War.
“The freedom we have today, they have given us,” said Roger Varela of Fernley, founder of Gold Star Families [...]
RAOK: A cupcake changes the mood for the day
Submitted by admin on Thu, 01/19/2012 - 2:00am
Erin Bechtol and three friends are going to see Gizmo Guys on Jan. 27 — all because she was nice to her boss and Tahoe Arts Project donated the tickets.
Erin is Lake Tahoe News’ Random Acts of Kindness winner. The thoughtfulness toward her boss was returned by Erin being nominated in the monthlong RAOK promotion.
TAP [...]
Opinion: Grateful for giving community
Submitted by admin on Thu, 01/19/2012 - 2:00am
To the community,
The fundraiser committee for Jake Fonken & Taryn Callahan would like to thank you all so very much for your kindness, care, and thoughtfulness.
The turnout for the fundraiser on Jan. 6 was amazing and donations for the silent auction and raffle exceeded all expectations.
We would also like to thank the Flight Deck at [...]
Tahoe-ites think big and small to help women in Kenya
Submitted by admin on Thu, 01/19/2012 - 1:59am
By Jennifer Gurecki
Barey’s eyes widened with wonder as she held the piece of paper in her hand. She struggled to decipher the words on the document, but understood its significance — the number, 5,000 Kenyan shillings, would be paid to her to start her own small business baking and selling chapati to support her family.
As [...]
Windy and white the forecast into Saturday
Submitted by admin on Wed, 01/18/2012 - 10:19pm
The first of two storms heading for the Lake Tahoe Basin is expected to strike Thursday afternoon.
The stronger of the two is forecast to arrive late Friday afternoon. Locations above 7,000 are expected to get the brunt of the storms.
The National Weather Service in Reno has issued a winter weather advisory for the basin from [...]
Lake Tahoe Organization Zawadisha Fund Thinks Big and Small to Help Women in Kenya
Submitted by Anonymous on Wed, 01/18/2012 - 11:06pm
(Editor's note: The Lake Tahoe-based Zawadisha Fund was founded by Jennifer Gurecki and Julie Lowe of South Lake Tahoe. Here is their report.)
Barey's eyes widened with wonder as she held the piece of paper in her hand. She struggled to decipher the words on the document but understood its significance — the number, 5,000 Kenyan shillings, would be paid to her to start her own small business baking and selling chapati to support her family.
Angora area prescribe burn scheduled
Submitted by admin on Wed, 01/18/2012 - 9:00pm
U.S. Forest Service fuels management crews will resume prescribed fire operations in the Angora area on Jan. 19.
Fuels management crews will begin work in small sections of the unit near the north end of Tahoe Mountain. The project area is approximately 123 acres. Operations will continue through the weekend.
In addition, operations may begin this weekend [...]
Fire destroys house in Incline Village
Submitted by admin on Wed, 01/18/2012 - 7:52pm
An alert neighbor helped keep a residential fire in Incline Village from spreading beyond the lone structure on Wednesday.
North Lake Tahoe Fire Protection District officials said the cause of the fire at 665 Country Club Drive is still being investigated. The loss has not been quantified in dollars.
The neighbor reported seeing smoke at 3:40pm Jan. [...]
South Tahoe man to compete in MMA fight in Reno
Submitted by admin on Wed, 01/18/2012 - 6:30pm
Ryan McCarthy of South Lake Tahoe will be participating in Fight Republic III in Reno on Jan. 20.
The mixed martial arts fights are at Harrah’s Reno convention center starting at 6:30pm.
Confirmed bouts include:
Matt Lively of Susanville vs. Memo Vazquez of Reno; Steven Livel of Susanville vs. Joey Angelo of Las Vegas; Shawn Goode of Reno [...]
Damaged shorezone structures streamlined by TRPA
Submitted by Editor on Wed, 01/18/2012 - 6:12pmIn response to recent high-wind events, the Tahoe Regional Planning Agency has instituted a streamlined process to help homeowners who need to make repairs to wind and wave-damaged shoreline structures in the waters of Lake Tahoe.
Which is better: Hot tub or ice bath?
Submitted by Editor on Wed, 01/18/2012 - 6:06pm
What sounds better after a long powder day: icing your knees or hopping in the hot tub? The majority of skiers and snowboarders would prefer the hot tub. And though this sounds like the perfect place to get warm, meet up with your buds and kick back and relax, the hot water could hinder your next day’s skiing or boarding performance.
Tahoe South Winter Snow Blast!
Submitted by admin on Wed, 01/18/2012 - 5:45pm
Heavenly and Harrah’s Lake Tahoe team up to bring Tahoe South Winter
Snow Blast 2012. Four big weekends of on-mountain concerts and après
ski entertainment, followed by nights of live music and a hot new club
scene.
Concert Saturday, February 25 at 7 pm with G. Love & Special Sauce tickets are $29.50 plus tax & fees
To book your Heavenly Winter Snow Blast weekend or to purchase show
tickets, www.LTSnowBlast.com and call (775) 586-7000 or (800)HEAVENLY.
A fresh heir to Muir country
Submitted by admin on Wed, 01/18/2012 - 4:45pm
By Louis Sahagun, Los Angeles Times
LEE VINING — Gale-force winds were whipping whitecaps and spray across Mono Lake when Robert Hanna spotted a distant hiker.
It was a crummy day to chat up a stranger in a state park, but Hanna was upbeat, as usual.
He stepped hurriedly along a trail to introduce himself. “Hello there!” Hanna [...]
Stateline Showdown with Heavenly Lake Tahoe
Submitted by admin on Wed, 01/18/2012 - 5:38pm
Join us on Saturday, February 18 from 9:30am to 2pm at the Ante Up Terrain Park for the "Stateline Showdown" slopestyle event.
• Only $20 to enter the competition
• Pre-Register at the Events Department (Base of World Cup)
• Day-Of Registration is available at the Base of the Gondola, 8am-9:15am.
For more information, call the Events Department at(530)542-5133.
Stateline Showdown with Heavenly Lake Tahoe
Submitted by admin on Wed, 01/18/2012 - 5:31pm
Join us on Saturday, January 21 from 9:30 am to 2 pm at the Ante Up Terrain Park for the "Stateline Showdown" slopestyle event.
• Only $20 to enter the competition
• Pre-Register at the Events Department (Base of World Cup)
• Day-Of Registration is available at the Base of the Gondola, 8am to 9:15am.
For more information call the Events Department at(530)542-5133.
Streamlined process started for storm-damaged piers and boathouses
Submitted by Anonymous on Wed, 01/18/2012 - 5:17pmSOUTH LAKE TAHOE, Calif. - In response to recent high-wind events, the Tahoe Regional Planning Agency has instituted a streamlined process to help homeowners make repairs to wind and wave-damaged s...
Prescribed fires planned in Angora area and West Shore
Submitted by Anonymous on Wed, 01/18/2012 - 5:10pmSOUTH LAKE TAHOE, Calif. - U.S. Forest Service fuels management crews will resume prescribed burning in the Angora fire area tomorrow, according to a Wednesday statement. Fuels management crews wil...
Nevada begins posting all finance disclosures online
Submitted by Anonymous on Wed, 01/18/2012 - 5:05pmNevadans can search all campaign and public officer finance disclosures following the launch of a database Wednesday.The new system, called Aurora, can be accessed directly through the Secretary of...
Angora area and West Shore next for Forest Service prescribed fires
Submitted by Editor on Wed, 01/18/2012 - 4:28pmA prescribed fire in the Angora area near Tahoe Mountain will begin Thursday and in the Ward Canyon area over the weekend weather permitting, according to the U.S. Forest Service.
1 man’s campaign to upend Nevada’s tax structure
Submitted by admin on Wed, 01/18/2012 - 3:00pm
By Michael Squires, Las Vegas Sun
A Las Vegas attorney will launch a legal and political effort this week aimed at establishing and funding a parallel state budget, beyond the reach of the Legislature and governor.
Kermitt Waters seeks to place on the November ballot a proposed constitutional amendment calling for a sweeping overhaul of Nevada’s tax [...]
