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SOUTH LAKE TAHOE, Calif. - The topic of human trafficking becomes a common headline during Super Bowl week and a recent social media post in South Lake Tahoe has unveiled the need for a better understanding of the topic.

The Polaris Project is a non-profit dedicated to the support of human trafficking victims, accurate data, and research, and eliminating modern slavery. They work to dismantle the systems that allowed trafficking to happen in the first place.

To better understand this worldwide issue, definitions, and facts are important.

A report from the USDA Forest Service reveals about 36.3 million trees across 2.6 million acres of federal, state, and private land died in California in 2022. This year, the central Sierra Nevada Range and areas further north showed the highest mortality rates with true firs being the most impacted.

In El Dorado County, an estimated 1.4 million trees died with an estimated 78,000 acres having tree mortality. The county with the most dead trees is Siskiyou with an estimated 4.1 million on 310,000 acres, followed by Trinity with 3.3 million, and Placer County with 3 million dead trees.

UPDATE: The program at the South Lake Tahoe Library has been postponed due to the forecasted storm in South Lake Tahoe. At this time no new date has been announced.

SOUTH LAKE TAHOE, Calif. - Are you thinking of purchasing an electric or hybrid vehicle, but are still confused about the pros and cons? Join Nick Exline on Tuesday, February 28 at the South Lake Tahoe Library from 5:30 p.m. to 7 p.m.

SOUTH LAKE TAHOE, Calif. - The South Tahoe Amateur Hockey Association's Tahoe Grizzlies Youth Hockey Travel Club will honor its High School Varsity team’s senior athletes on Saturday, February 11. The team takes on the Reno Ice High School team at 5:45 p.m. at Tahoe Ice Arena.

A special recognition ceremony will precede the 5:45 p.m. puck drop, during which South Lake Tahoe Mayor Cristi Creegan will drop the puck to recognize the many successes of the team and of the youth hockey program in the community.

SOUTH LAKE TAHOE, Calif. - Get ready for a night of laughter! South Lake Brewing Company is hosting a free comedy show on Saturday, February 18. The show will start at 8 p.m. and feature comics Kellz Barksdale, Sydney Stigerts, and Artie Valenzuela along with host Josh Means.

Grab a seat and a pint in the tasting room before the entertainment kicks off.

South Lake Brewing Company is located at 1920 Lake Tahoe Blvd. Visit southlakebeer.com for details.

SOUTH LAKE TAHOE, Calif. - Join Dr. Paul Ryan and Justin Dorn, DPT on Wednesday, February 15 at PT Revolution as they talk about Achilles tendon and calf injuries.

Topics Include:

Surgical & non-surgical Intervention
Injury prevention
Rehab

PT Revolution is located in the Cross at Tahoe Valley, 2038 Lake Tahoe Boulevard, South Lake Tahoe, Calif. For more information, visit https://ptrevolution.com/.

SOUTH LAKE TAHOE, Calif. - The Tahoe Fire & Fuels Team (TFFT) may continue prescribed fire operations this week at Lake Tahoe. Conditions and weather permitting, the Nevada Division of Forestry may burn hand piles near Incline Village beginning tomorrow, Feb. 7, 2023. Smoke will be present.

The one area scheduled for treatment is the Bon Pland Pile Burn area south of Incline Village on SR28. 20 acres of hand piles are slated to burn between February 7-10. Ignition is planned between 10 a.m. and 1 p.m., with smoke possibly present until 5 p.m.

SOUTH LAKE TAHOE, Calif. - As the latest in winter storms passes through, some sunshine and temperatures in the 40s are in the forecast. Expect some icy roads Monday morning.

Overall, the week ahead will be quiet on the weather front, other than one weak system brushing across areas near the Oregon border Tuesday-Wednesday. There is a 20 percent chance for a few very light showers near the border along with a slight uptick in breezes for areas near and north of I-80.

Caltrans is holding traffic in both directions on Interstate 80 due to whiteout conditions and multiple spinouts over Donner Summit. At the same time, it has been slow going from South Lake Tahoe with chain controls in place on Highway 50.

Travelers on US-50 will find two sets of chain controls, one from Meyers to Twin Bridges and the other from Fresh Pond to Pollock Pines. There have been multiple traffic issues on the highway all day due to slick conditions.

Chains are also required on the Nevada side of US-50, from Stateline to Clear Creek.

SR-89 around Emerald Bay is closed.

February is Kids ENT Health Month. National health statistics reveal that pediatric ear, nose, and throat disorders remain among the primary reasons children visit a physician, with ear infections ranking as the number one reason for an appointment.

Join Barton Health’s new ENT specialist, Dr. Alex Manteghi, on Thursday, February 9, 2023 from 5 p.m. - 6 p.m. to learn more about:

• Common ENT conditions in children: ear infections, snoring, epistaxis, and airway concerns
• Symptoms to look for
• Local treatment options available

The event is free.

Kids’ ear infections are a source of frustration for children, babies, and parents alike. They can be painful and persistent, making them a common reason families visit a care provider. According to the American Academy of Otolaryngology, by the age of 5, the majority of young children will have an ear infection.

SOUTH LAKE TAHOE, Calif. - Guild Mortgage of South Lake Tahoe presented Bread & Broth 4 Kids this week with a check for $3,750.

The funds represent a company-wide effort through the Guild Giving Foundation that matches employee donations two to one in its more than 350 branches. The South Lake Tahoe Guild Mortgage has joined other offices that support food bank charities in the communities they work.

It’s February - National Heart Month, a time when our nation spotlights heart disease, the number one killer in our country.

Did you know?

Heart attacks can be silent - one in five heart attacks occur without the person even knowing they had one.

Heart attack symptoms can differ between men and women. Women may experience abdominal pain and epigastric burning, pain in the back, arm, neck, or shoulder; nausea; fatigue; shortness of breath; and vomiting whereas men may experience sweating, pain in the chest, arms, neck, or jaw; shortness of breath; heartburn or indigestion.

SOUTH LAKE TAHOE, Calif. – In honor of Youth Leadership month, Mayor Cristi Creegan is giving South Lake Tahoe Middle School students the opportunity to be Mayor for the Day. To participate, students will write a 500-word essay sharing what they would do if they were the Mayor.

The winner of the contest will serve as the honorary mayor at the City Council meeting on Tuesday, February 28, 2023. Prior to the meeting, they will go on a tour of City Hall and the airport, check out a fire engine with firefighters and meet an SLT Police K-9 unit.

SOUTH LAKE TAHOE, Calif. - The next generation of black bears at Lake Tahoe are being born in the next two-three weeks.

While the mating season was last summer, the embryos do not start to develop until the mother bear enters the den, and they are normally born mid-January through February.

SOUTH LAKE TAHOE, Calif. — South Lake Tahoe’s first indoor mini golf course, Flatstick Pub, also known as Tipsy Putt, will be teaming up with the Boys & Girls Club of Lake Tahoe to give back to South Lake Tahoe’s environment and community. Each Sunday in February, Flatstick Pub will donate $1 for every
beer and $1 for every round of mini golf purchased.

Join them on February 5, 12, 19 and 26 between 11 a.m. and 10 p.m. (even on Superbowl Sunday!). They are located at 4101 Lake Tahoe Blvd Suite # 101, South Lake Tahoe.

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) is warning the public about serious multi-drug-resistant infections from EzriCare® Artificial Tears.

Between May 17, 2022 and January 19, 2023, CDC identified a cluster of 56 isolates from 50 case-patients in 11 states (CA, CO, CT, FL, NJ, NM, NY, NV, TX, UT, and WA) with serious infections. Thirty-eight cases are part of four clusters. The dates of specimen collection are from May to December 2022.

On January 29, 2023, Kyle Smaine, beloved husband, son, brother, and friend was unfortunately killed in an avalanche while on a ski trip in Japan. Kyle was a pro skier, talented cyclist, passionate adventurer, and an even more incredible human. The many communities he touched have shown an outpouring of love and respectful words for Kyle, and the family and friends are so grateful.

NORTH LAKE TAHOE, Calif. - A new Tourist Business Improvement District (TBID) covering the north shore of Lake Tahoe is already yielding results that benefit the community, the environment, and the visitor.

Launched in July 2022, an assessment fee was added to all business transactions for those who provide any type of visitor service including food and beverage, and retail. The fee can be paid for by the business, or added to the customer's bill, and is paid by all who use the business, visitor or not. Depending on the zone the business is located in, the fee is one or two percent.

SOUTH LAKE TAHOE, Calif. - The Great Basin Institute is seeking a qualified artist(s) for the Tallac Historic Site artist-in-residence program. This is a dynamic role, with camping facilities near the lake provided.

Coinciding with our volunteer program, the ideal candidate must have their own RV to live on-site and full hookups are provided. In addition, the candidate should be available for several weeks during the summer, and comfortable interacting with children.

LAKE TAHOE, Calif./Nev. - Clean Up the Lake (CUTL) completed a successful 72-mile clean-up of Lake Tahoe in 2022, and plans to return this year as well as dives at Fallen Leaf Lake, Echo Lake, Boca and Stampede Reservoirs in Truckee, California, and four different lakes in Mono County and the Mammoth Lakes Basin.

The non-profit organization is committed to fighting back against plastic and all forms of pollution both above and below the surface of its local waterways.

SOUTH LAKE TAHOE, Calif. - With the record-breaking precipitation this winter season, the numerous freeze-thaw cycles are responsible for an unprecedented number of potholes on roads around the Lake Tahoe basin. With clear weather, South Lake Tahoe crews have been out on the City streets to strategically repair potholes.

DOUGLAS COUNTY, Nev. - In memory of their son, Scott and Laure Slothower made a generous donation to the Douglas County Sheriff’s Office (DCSO) for a new K-9 officer.

Thanks to that generous donation, K-9 officer, Bubba is now a member of the DCSO team. Bubba had a welcoming ceremony on Tuesday.

LAKE TAHOE, Calif./Nev. - Conditions and weather permitting, Tahoe Fire & Fuels Team (TFFT) members may continue prescribed fire operations this week at Lake Tahoe. The Nevada Division of Forestry is scheduled to burn hand piles near Incline Village. Smoke will be present. In addition, smoke may still be visible from the USDA Forest Service’s burn operations last week near Baldwin Beach. For current air quality, visit AirNow.

Two areas for burning this week: