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Tahoe Wellness Cooperative (TWC), the only medicinal marijuana collective in South Lake Tahoe, was given the boost they needed Tuesday during a special SLT City Council meeting.

Cody Bass, the nonprofit's executive director, has been unable to purchase many products for this business since retail sales of marijuana have been allowed in the state of California. Those businesses are now only allowed to sell to others with a license.

A woman and her son visiting with other family members at Kirkwood Ski Resort on Sunday, March 4 died in a snow slide near their condominium, according to the Alpine County Sheriff's Office.

Olga Perkovic, 50, and her seven-year-old son were reported missing at 6:40 p.m. They had last been seen on Chair Seven at 4:00 p.m. The search was focused on that area.

At 9:00 p.m., a neighbor of the missing pair noticed ski gloves on the snow adjacent to their condominium. The neighbor investigated the gloves and found the pair buried underneath three feet of snow. They were unconscious.

The South Lake Tahoe Cancer League has a lot to be grateful for this past year. For nearly four decades, the volunteers of this organization have driven patients from South Lake Tahoe to their medical treatment, at no charge to the patients or their families. The drivers take patients to Reno, Carson City, Minden, Truckee, and as far away as UC Davis. The Cancer League also gives limited monetary assistance in the form of small grants to the patients to help with their monthly expenses.

1/8/18 6:00PM Update: It has been confirmed that Tahoe Wellness Center has reopened their doors for sales of medicinal marijuana. It is unknown at this time why they closed as both the State and the City did not ask him to close.

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As of Monday, January 8, 2018, Tahoe Wellness Cooperative (TWC) in South Lake Tahoe is closed, but the reason for the closure differs between the parties involved.

Low-income Californians will have access to dental services they’ve lacked since 2009, under a law taking effect on New Year’s Day.

The budget signed by Governor Jerry Brown in June fully restores dental benefits for adult Medi-Cal patients that were cut during the recession.

Providers and community advocates recount horror stories of patients with tooth problems taking drastic measures.

Starting January 1st, Denti-Cal will pay for adults to receive crowns and root canals, when dentists certify those procedures are necessary.

The South Lake Tahoe Cancer League would like to thank Sage Alexander and Sophia Lamore from the advanced art class of Candy Lincoln at South Tahoe High School for their holiday window painting at their seasonal See's Candy store.

The South Lake Tahoe Cancer League's Annual See's Candy Sale is underway 1074 Emerald Bay Rd, at the Y, next to Beach Hut Deli. The store is open from noon to 5:30 PM daily through December 24th. All the proceeds go to help local cancer patients be transported to their medical treatment, and also receive small grants to help with their expenses while undergoing treatment.For more information, call 542-4649 or 318-6840.

SOUTH LAKE TAHOE, Calif. - To show nature is the best medicine, Barton Health and the Lake Tahoe Basin Management Unit (LTBMU) have partnered together to give the community Wellness Outings.

Patients will have access to the forest through a guided outing with a USFS ranger and physician or nurse.

In addition to Wellness Outings, the partnership will provide wellness and injury prevention training for USFS rangers and firefighters, as well as accessibility of public lands to promote outdoor recreation.

Registered Nurses (RNs) at Barton Memorial Hospital and Lake Tahoe Surgery Center voted 123 to 17 to unionize during a secret ballot taken Wednesday night according to the California Nurses Association (CNA).

After the Barton Health vote, 3,000 caregivers in 10 union elections have voted to have collective representation in California in 2017.

“A record of incredible accomplishment for CNA that will strengthen the ability of RNs to promote safer care conditions for all Californians,” said CNA Co-President Malinda Markowitz, RN, who is also an NNU vice-president.

A South Lake Tahoe company with big plans to help people around the county will hold their official launch party on Thursday, November 2 at South Lake Brewing Company from 7:00 p.m. to 10:00 p.m.

Should men have their PSA checked?

Not too many years ago, the answer to that question would have been a simple one: “of course!” After all, the PSA (Prostate Specific Antigen) test was an amazing breakthrough that for the first time allowed prostate cancer to be detected before it was too late. In the days before the PSA test, by the time prostate cancer was diagnosed, it had almost always spread through the body – it was already metastatic.

During the past decade, it’s become clear that many young athletes take much longer than 10 days to clinically recover after a concussion. The majority of athletes recover within the first month of injury.

A concussion can occur when there is a significant blow to the head. Some signs of a more severe concussion are the presence and increased severity of nausea, dizziness, balance problems, sensitivity to light and noise, feeling “slowed down,” pressure in the head, confusion, concentration problems, and difficulty falling asleep.

There is no need to rush into an ordinance regulating the sale of marijuana in South Lake Tahoe. That was the overwhelming opinion of the SLT City Council Tuesday night after a special, four-hour long Cannabis Workshop.

"We owe it to our community to make sure we take every measure to protect them," said SLT Mayor Austin Sass.

As children get ready to go back to school, I understand bullying is one of the last things parents want to worry about. However, bullying is a salient and, unfortunately, common occurrence. It can take place on school grounds, after school, and through electronics (cyberbullying).

South Lake Tahoe, CA – Recovering from a major joint surgery doesn’t usually inspire the idea of snowshoeing by moonlight, but that’s exactly what Carol Bennis, age 75, was asked to do during her recovery last February.

Carol had never been on snowshoes before, or hiked at night, but when she heard her surgeon and other patients at a similar stage of recovery would be there, she decided to try it out.

SOUTH LAKE TAHOE, Calif. – Sandra Taylor, MD, FACS, MS has been added to the team at Barton Health as their third general surgery surgeon. Besides her expertise in general surgery and minimally invasive surgery., Taylor also has experience in trauma life support. As a Level III Trauma Center, Barton Health is equipped to quickly provide specialized, in-depth care for patients in the critical, “golden hour” of trauma.

More money is on the way to the South Shore to fund ambulance services thanks to a unanimous vote by the El Dorado County Supervisors during their June 27 meeting. An amendment was made to the original contract between the Cal Tahoe Emergency Services Operations Authority (Cal Tahoe) and the County, giving an extra $790,000 per year as well as funds to buy a new ambulance.

The extra money will help fund a special team for interfacility transfers.

Summer around Tahoe is the perfect time for outdoor activities with family and friends. For some, drinking alcoholic beverages is part of the fun-in-the-sun experience. But excessive alcohol consumption and summer activities don’t mix.

This week, June 4-10, is Community Health Improvement Week. It is a national celebration to recognize the work and efforts of health professionals to improve their community’s health.

One thing you will hear from Barton Health professionals is that improving the health and wellness in our community takes collaboration and commitment. This can be seen in the actions taken in the last two years to address South Lake Tahoe’s most pressing health concerns.

Does it just seem like we need more than 24 hours in a day? I often think if I had eight more hours in a day that I could get so much more done. I realize this is an illusion and, in reality, the items on my list are never-ending. But for some reason the cultural message is that we are superhumans. We can do it all, get everything done, and look good while doing it.

There was one thing all speakers during Wednesday evening's Town Hall on recreational cannabis agreed on: People need to get involved, educate themselves and share their opinions with their elected leaders at local, county and state levels.

A panel of six people spoke to the crowd of almost 100 people (and another 300 who were viewing online) during the Tahoe Regional Young Professionals (TRYP) fourth Town Hall meeting in South Lake Tahoe.

South Lake Tahoe, Calif. – This week the Leap Frog Group, a nonprofit organization committed to driving quality, safety, and transparency in the U.S. health care system, released the new Leapfrog Hospital Safety Grades. Hospitals nationwide are assigned an A, B, C, D or F letter grade. Barton Memorial Hospital was one of 823 hospitals to receive an “A” for its commitment to reducing errors, infections, and accidents. This is the third consecutive “A” Barton Hospital has received.

The GO Local: Business EXPO returned to the South Shore with huge success thanks to attendees, vendors, volunteers, and sponsors! Over 1,300 locals and visitors gathered inside the Harvey’s convention center, Friday, March 31, as Tahoe Chamber Member businesses showcased their latest programs, products, and services.

The night was highlighted with live entertainment from Heavenly Resort Mountain and The Loft Lounge, vendor giveaways including a raffle of two cruisers bikes courtesy of South Shore Bikes, and tasty food and beverage samples from all the generous restaurant vendors.

The Joint Commission recently recognized Barton Memorial Hospital’s capnography program for “Best Clinical Application.” Of 60 abstracts submitted, Barton received one of three national awards.