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At Wednesday's meeting of the Rotary Club of South Lake Tahoe, the membership approved the following Club officers for 2015-2016:

Board of Directors
President David Jinkens
Past President David Fournier
President-Elect Dr. Kindred Murillo
Secretary Shelli Mohr
Treasurer Rich Chambers
Director of Club Services Kim Demus
Director of Public Information & Outreach Theresa Papandrea
Director of Community Services Brian Hogan
Director of International Service David Fournier

Prescription Drugs are potentially dangerous when they fall into the wrong hands. The abuse of certain prescription drugs— opioids, central nervous system (CNS) depressants, and stimulants—can lead to a variety of adverse health effects, including addiction.

To get unwanted, unused and expired prescription drugs off the street, the El Dorado County Sheriff's Department will be holding a Drug Tahoe Back Day in the county on Sunday, July 12, 2015 from 12:00 p.m. to 5:00 p.m. at several locations.

Chautauqua performer Juanita Westbrook will present “Elizabeth ‘Bessie’ Coleman: Pioneer Aviator” at the Dangberg Home Ranch Historic Park on Wednesday July 8, at 6:30 pm. The event is open to the public and free to attend.

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Rebecca Bryson and Joy Barney of the South Shore were honored for their work in local schools that resulted in progress and environmental improvements in the Lake Tahoe region.

During Wednesday's Tahoe Regional Planning Agency's Governing Board meeting, the two South Shore women were given the Lake Spirit award along with a family and person from the North Shore. The award has been given to "real people making real progress" at restoring Lake Tahoe since 2011.

Fire pits. The outdoor means to a perfect s'more and good conversation around a fire on a cool summer evening. But, in the midst of a drought are they safe? Are they legal when fire restrictions are in place?

There are three fire district jurisdictions just in South Lake Tahoe, along with the U.S. Forest Service, and they all have different rules concerning the backyard fire pit. One thing they all do share is for residents and visitors to be smart about fire and to not be careless.

Winds will start to subside Tuesday as the temperatures rise in South Lake Tahoe. Here is the forecast from the National Weather Service:

Tonight - Mostly clear, with a low around 44. Breezy, with a southwest wind 15 to 20 mph decreasing to 5 to 10 mph in the evening. Winds could gust as high as 30 mph.
Monday - Sunny, with a high near 77. Southwest wind 5 to 15 mph, with gusts as high as 25 mph.
Monday Night - Clear, with a low around 44. West wind 10 to 15 mph decreasing to 5 to 10 mph in the evening. Winds could gust as high as 25 mph.

The National Weather Service in Reno has issued a Red Flag Warning for gusty winds and low humidity in effect from 12:00 p.m. through 10 p.m. Sunday for the Lake Tahoe Basin and parts of western Nevada.

They are calling for winds southwest to west at 15 to 25 mph and gusts up to 40 mph, with two to four foot waves on Lake Tahoe. These are hazardous conditions for kayakers and paddleboarders.

This combination of gusty winds and low humidity will create conditions that could promote rapid fire growth.

6/21/15 4:45 p.m. update:

More details of Saturday's arrest have been released by the South Lake Tahoe Police Department.

As the pursuit of a car driven by 35-year-old Cory Pearson of Sacramento and South Lake Tahoe ended at the Tahoe Keys Marina, officers were able to establish a perimeter around his vehicle which had been reported stolen in Lakeland Village. Pearson yelled to officers that he was armed with a gun and threatened to use it if anyone approached. The South Lake Tahoe Police Department (SLTPD) SWAT Team and Crisis Response Team were called to assist.

Professional Bullwhip Instructor Doc Durden will share his talent in a free presentation at the Dangberg Home Ranch Historic Park on Saturday, June 27, at 10:00 am. The term "bullwhip" is unique to the cowboys and buckaroos of the old West In the latter half of the 20th century, attempts to preserve traditional crafts, along with a resurgence of interest in Western performance arts led to an increased interest in whip cracking as a hobby, performance art and competitive sport.Durden will demonstrate the use of a 6’, 8’ and two 10’ whips in both ability and marksmanship.

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Safety for cyclists and pedestrians is a big concern for the South Lake Tahoe Police Department (SLTPD), cycling groups and those enjoying these activities.

In the last six years, 12 people have died in South Lake Tahoe while cycling or walking. In that same time, 42 people were injured while riding bikes on the road while 37 pedestrians were hurt.

Last year, the El Dorado County Grand Jury found that the workplace environment of the South Lake Tahoe Probation Department was "toxic." That report also said, "Officers were being micromanaged, a clique system of disparate groups had formed
wherein out of favor clique members were unfairly disciplined at times. Those things lead to poor morale and perhaps reduced productiveness at the South Lake Tahoe Probation Office."

The 2014-15 Grand Jury followed up with the department to see if things had changed.

Several South Shore businesses were among those honored during the 2nd Annual Douglas County Spotlight Awards. The Spotlight Awards recognize businesses in seven different categories: Retail, Restaurant, Manufacturing and Production, Sports and Recreation, Entrepreneur, Business and Professional Service, and Tourism and Hospitality.

The ceremony was held the County’s Financial State of the County event on Thursday, June 11.

The businesses were selected based on achieving some or many of the following eligibility criteria:

Chautauqua performer Michael E. Fischer will portray Carson Valley rancher Heinrich F. Dangberg in a free presentation at the Dangberg Home Ranch Historic Park.

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Chances of an El Niño bringing a badly needed wet winter to California have gone up, the National Weather Service said Thursday.

According to scientists, there’s a better than 90 percent chance the weather pattern often associated with plentiful rain will hit in the fall, and an 85 percent chance it will hang around through the end of the year.

Those predictions are up from May, when scientists said an El Niño — which involves the warming of tropical waters in the Pacific — had an 80 percent chance of sticking around into the winter.

The community has undergone a complete physical and the results are in. Based on the 2015 Community Health Needs Assessment, mental health and substance abuse remain top health concerns in the area.

Barton Health conducted its second Community Health Needs Assessment to identify unmet needs within the community. After identifying these needs, Barton will work with representatives from organizations who provide services for the medically underserved to offer recommendations and a collaborative action plan focused on positively impacting the community’s health.

Douglas County Emergency Management responded to flash flooding in the Ruhenstroth, Fish Springs, East Valley and Pine Nut areas on Wednesday after receiving several calls after heavy rainfall.

The areas mostly impacted are in the Ruhenstroth area, where there is property damage in the Sawmill and Arroyo Road areas. There are currently nine properties with damage that have been reported. There are active flows of water continuing in the dip sections but the main push of water that reached the canal west of Sawmill Road is now receding.

Justin Timblerlake fans will be thrilled to learn that the multi-talented actor and musical artist will be golfing at this summer's American Century Championship celebrity golf in South Lake Tahoe his summer. He joins superstar athletes and entertainers for the first time this summe. Timberlake is an avid golfer who sports a six handicap and is renowned in the sport for his philanthropic endeavors.

Every year, South Lake Tahoe fire agencies prepare to fight fires around the basin but they rarely get to practice evacuations of residents.

That opportunity came on Monday when the Tahoe Douglas Fire District and Skyland Fire Adapted Community executed an inter-agency wildfire evacuation drill in the Skyland neighborhood.

The drill simulated a real evacuation event to give residents the opportunity to practice evacuating from their homes and getting to the designated safe zone.

Members of the Astronomical Society of Nevada will be hosting a “Star Party” with telescope viewing at the Dangberg Home Ranch Historic Park on Saturday, June 13, from 8:30-10:30 pm. The event is open to the public and free to attend.

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The Douglas County Sheriff's Department is warning residents of a series of scams that have been targeted at residents. Even though the recent reports have been in Douglas County, all people should be aware as the criminals know no county, or state lines.

The National Weather Service is calling for widespread thunderstorms throughout the Sierra and western Nevada for the next several days. On Thursday, June 4 there is an 80% chance of rain in South Lake Tahoe with a rainfall total of .16 inch.

Chances of rain and thunderstorms continue through the weekend and into next week. On Friday, rainfall total of .14" is forecast, .23" on Saturday and a trace on Sunday.

The best chances for strong thunderstorms will be in and along the Sierra. Storms may start early in the morning with the strongest storms expected during the early afternoon.

On Wednesday, May 20, 2015 Dr. Paul Joseph Fry Jr. passed away in his home in El Macero, California in the company of his family. Paul was born in Dixon, Illinois in 1931, the son of Paul J. and Lauretta M. Fry, is preceded in death by his wife, Dee, of 53 years and is survived by his six children, twenty three grandchildren, and eleven great grandchildren. Upon graduating from Notre Dame, Paul attended Medical School at the University of Illinois; he served his internship at Chicago’s Cook County Hospital and did Residency Training at Charity Hospital in New Orleans, Louisiana.

The Tahoe Regional Planning Agency Governing Board on Wednesday unanimously approved the Tahoe Transportation District’s State Route 89/Fanny Bridge Community Revitalization Project to realign State Route 89 through Tahoe City.

The project realigns State Route 89 to route through traffic over roundabouts and a new two-lane bridge across the Truckee River to reduce transportation conflicts among drivers, bicyclists, and pedestrians at the congested pinch point at the Tahoe City “Wye.”

It's that time of year again when you can take a vehicle full of trash to the dump for only $5. Clean Tahoe's Annual Clean Up Day is on Saturday, June 6 from 8 a.m. to 4 p.m.

Car and truck loads are just $5 for California residents; $10 for truck with trailer and Nevada residents.