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Lake Valley and Tahoe Douglas fire protection districts, California State Parks and the U.S Forest Service have plans to continue widespread prescribed fire operations beginning February 1.

Lake Valley operations: 50 acres northeast of Lake Tahoe Airport off of Barbara Avenue. Planned ignition February 3. 10 days of burn down time. Smoke expected to travel southwest.

Lake Tahoe will be the scene of both Amgen Tour of California's men's and women's races in May of 2016, and the routes announced Thursday show cyclists will ride into the Tahoe Basin from Kirkwood and Hope Valley, circle the lake, ride up the mountains leading to the Heavenly Mountain Resort and through South Lake Tahoe.

Amgen officials said more than 350 of the world’s top cyclists will challenge themselves in Lake Tahoe by putting their strength and muscle power to the test as they climb, descend and break away along steep and winding stretches of the Sierra on Thursday, May 19.

Two men trying to evade arrest on January 22, ended up calling 911 and telling officers they were freezing to death and in fear of dying.

Tristen Crossland and Derek Dion were the lone occupants of a car that was pulled over by a California Fish and Wildlife officer on the morning of Friday, January 22, near Highway 50 and Wrights Lake Road when they decided to flee on foot.

Thirty community members joined the City's Planning Commissioners and staff Thursday afternoon to get a pulse on what is desired for the future look of South Lake Tahoe.

The audience was handed an electronic voting device to give their opinions on 46 photos of what they found the most desirable, and the least, concerning signage and building design, as well as landscaping,

Those at the first of two meetings gave a wide range of opinions, just as is evident in the town as a whole. What some people find as attractive, others find as too resort-like.

Two cars collided on Highway 50 near Glenbrook at 9:40 p.m. Friday, January 16, leaving a Los Angeles man dead.

The Nevada Highway Patrol Troopers investigating the crash say a Silver 2009 Toyota Corolla, driven by Carlos Ortega Gomez of Mexico, was traveling eastbound. A white 2014 Subaru Impreza driven by 59-year-old Carson City resident Virgilio Ballesteros was traveling westbound in the slow lane.

This week's Pet of the Week is Harley. he is about two-years-old, gets along with other cats, is good with kids and is a real lap-kitty.

Harley is a "super nice boy and well behaved!"

This kitty is looking for his forever home, If you want to add Harley to your family please contact the Lake Tahoe Humane Society to arrange a meeting.

To adopt Harley, for Spay-Neuter services and other support, call the Lake Tahoe Humane Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals at 530-542-2857. They are located at 884 Emerald Bay Road in South Lake Tahoe.

The boulder that fell into traffic lanes on Wednesday afternoon was 15 feet wide and weighed 20 tons.

UPDATE 6:30 p.m. - All pieces of the boulder that locked Highway 50 near the Wright's Lake turnoff have been removed and the road is open and free of controls around the rock, but chains or 4WD with snow tires are required from Meyers to three miles east of Kyburz.
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UPDATE: 4:30 p.m. - Caltrans have blasted the rock and are now in the process of removing the pieces. At this time the road is still controlled traffic in one direction.
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The South Lake Tahoe Recreation Facilities Joint Powers Authority (JPA) is seeking applicants to fill the seven open positions on the Bicycle Advisory Committee, as required by Measure R.

Three of the open positions are for two-year terms, and the terms of the other four will expire in January, 2017 at which time four two-year terms will be open.

The Bicycle Advisory Committee expects to continue to have work until the year 2030. If a member of the committee one can expect monthly meetings during their term.

For those wishing to apply there are three way to get an application:

The trip is hot and dry. A layer of several feet of dust lined the route, flying around as the wheels of the wagons and hooves of the horses pass over. The road is steep and over granite along the 130 miles from the Carson Valley to Placerville. When not the middle of summer, the road is muddy or buried by snow. A horse could cover the terrain in 24-hours.

The road is Johnson's Cut-off and the year is 1852. It was built by John Calhoun "Cock-eye" Johnson as a way to cut off 50 miles and 2,000 feet in elevation from the common route people took over Donner Summit as they emigrated West.

The public has been on a long journey with the Tahoe Transportation District over the US50/South Shore Community Revitalization project, one that has followed twisted roads and endured roadblocks and detours.

Now it appears the project, also known as the Loop Road, is on the back straightaway, approaching the final turn and homestretch.

Just over two months ago, we wrote about how a large group of South Tahoe High alumni were rallying behind one of their classmates, Kevin Sullivan, who was suffering from Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis (ALS), also known as Lou Gehrig's Disease.

At October's homecoming football game at STHS, many of Kevin's classmates from the class of 1984 and former teammates from the wrestling and football teams came together to honor Kevin and fondly share their memories.

Thank you John Durst for your video coverage of the New Year's revelers along the casino corridor on the South Shore.

An estimated 5,000 to 10,000 people lined the route waiting for the road to close just before midnight.

Link to video HERE.

4:30 p.m. update 12/31/15:

The woman who was a focus of a search in South Lake Tahoe on Thursday was found by Douglas County Sheriff's Search and Rescue.

At 3:30 p.m., April Torres was located on the roof top of Edgewood Tahoe Golf Resort. She has been transported to Barton Hospital. Her medical condition is unknown.

MontBleu surveillance employees spent the day searching through their films and the last time she was seen on film was when she left the casino on foot and went to the corner of the Loop Road and Highway 50.

The investigation continues.

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Thousands of music fans will descend upon South Lake Tahoe this week for what has become the most popular outdoor winter music festivals in the country.

Thousands of people will be on hand December 27 through 31 to experience what is being billed as a fusion between music festival, winter expedition and New Year's Eve celebration.

Also promised is cold, with night time temperatures in the low teens. Appropriate clothing and outerwear is strongly encouraged.

For the list of artists each day, see the photos in this story.

Tuesday's show runs from 2:00 p.m. to 11:30 p.m.

A tornado warning for parts of El Dorado and Amador counties has been lifted, but the National Weather Service reports that a tornado did touch down in El Dorado Hills near Folsom Lake and in Cameron Park.

Eric Kurth, a meteorologist with the National Weather Service, said the tornado touched down in the Browns Ravine area and damage was reported in the area of Hill View Hidden Acres and Mormon Island drives, south of Green Valley Road, in El Dorado Hills about 3 p.m. and moved eastward also touching down in Cameron Park.

The following is a recap of activity the South Lake Tahoe Police Department. They responded to 366 calls between November 30 and December 14, 2015.

Calls Resulting in Arrests:

11/30/15
"Other" Misdemeanor in the 700 block of Emerald Bay Rd

12/1/15
Drunk in Public in the 1800 block of 13th St
"Other" Misdemeanor in the 900 block of Modesto Ave
Spousal Abuse in the 3200 block of Marlette Circle

12/2/15
Vandalism in the 3700 block of Ruby Way
Battery in the 1700 block of Lake Tahoe Blvd

It's been 50 years since the City of South Lake Tahoe was formed, and a commemorative 123 page book was created to chronicle that first half-century.

The book is titled “A Small Town with a Big View” and is available for purchase at City Hall located at 1901 Airport Road. The cost of the book is $25.00 and they accept checks and cash, no credit cards.

The chapters of the book include; A City is Born, Laying the Foundation, Getting Creative, Welcome to South Lake Tahoe, Collaboration is Key, A Vision Realized, and Looking to the Future.

PDATE 10:15PM: Carson City Sheriff's deputies have arrived at the disabled Polar Express train and passengers are now being taken off the railroad cars to meet up with JAC and Virginia City shuttle buses, said Carson City Sheriff's Sgt. Scott McDaniel.

"There's lots of kids, lots of adults and they are in good spirits," said McDaniel of the effort. The diesel train stalled after 8 p.m. north of Linehan Road in Lyon County. No injuries were reported. There's upwards of 240 passengers on the train.

The business of second chances is everyone’s business. Choose your path!

Dear League To Save Lake Tahoe and the Humane Society,

First of all, I want to say thank you on behalf of the students at Mt. Tallac High School and to tell you we appreciate all of you for your hard work. Without you it would be difficult to earn lab science credits. I think everything you guys do for Tahoe is great!

Dear Henry,

I want to get my 5 year old son a puppy for Christmas, what do you think, good idea or not?

Thanks,
Marvin

Dear Marvin,

North Lake Tahoe and Tahoe Douglas fire protection districts, the Nevada Division of Forestry and the U.S. Forest Service have scheduled widespread prescribed fire operations the week of December 13, 2015.

Expect to see smoke from the prescribed burns in the following areas:

On the West Shore, off Elizabeth Drive north of Tahoma.

On the South Shore, northwest of Fallen Leaf Lake, off Lake Tahoe Boulevard near Twin Peaks, off South Upper Truckee Road near Meyers and on Kingsbury Grade.

Here is an update for road conditions and weather forecast for Friday, December 11.

Chain controls are widespread this morning:

At 8 a.m., chains or 4WD with snow tires are required all the way on Highway 50 from Meyers to Pollock Pines.

Chains are required on all vehicles except 4WD with snow tires on Hwy 89 from Pickett's Junction to 2.7 miles south of junction with Highway 50 in Meyers; from 4.5 miles north of Y to Bliss State Park, then chains or snow tires from Bliss State Park to junction of I80.

The visions are big for a new recreation center in South Lake Tahoe. A large indoor aquatic center, a senior center with services, a modern and sustainable building. A large gymnasium

Almost 50 people attended the first of four community meetings to discuss what the South Lake Tahoe Recreation Center will provide, how it will look and function. New Mayor Wendy David and Mayor Pro Tem Austin Sass were at the meeting long with members of the Planning Commission, Park and Recreation Commission, and other citizens.

Work on all Lake Tahoe basin projects is either suspended for the season or completed. Here is an update on all projects. There is still road work being done on a stretch of Highway 50 in El Dorado Hills: