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South Lake Tahoe Library has provided access to the Internet for many years. Once WiFi became available, with increasing numbers of people using their own devices to go online, demand on the library’s connection has grown to the point that service is now very slow.

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The following is a summary of accomplishments during 2014 by the City of South Lake Tahoe.

Strategic Priority: Fiscal Sustainability
The most important issue facing cities and local agencies is continued steadfast attention to the budget, both short term and long term fiscal impacts.

· Implemented “budget watch” approach to financial analysis; a year-long effort evaluating state, national and global economic impacts for South Shore economy, and capital investment opportunities

The U.S. Forest Service Lake Tahoe Basin Management Unit (LTBMU) would like the public's input on their proposed restoration project at six impaired meadows near South Lake Tahoe. Restoration will include tree thinning and removal, prescribed fire, stream channel repair, planting of vegetation and rerouting trails.

The Tahoe Douglas Fire Protection District and the U.S. Forest Service will continue prescribed fire operations this week on Kingsbury Grade near Buchanan Road, Ski Run Boulevard near Heavenly, Luther Pass and Spooner Summit.

Operations will last through the next several weeks as conditions allow.

The death of 19-year old Alyssa Byrne during the 2013 SnowGlobe event in South Lake Tahoe is still on people's minds, especially now that the temperatures have dropped into single digits with wind chills expected to take them down into negative figures.

Nick and Kadi Alfield wanted to do something this year in Byrne's memory, so they had a booth at SnowGlobe that not only charged cell phones but also gave away gloves, scarves and hats to attendees who were cold.

The New Year brings big changes both for me personally and for the Forest Service in Lake Tahoe. After 37 years with the agency, I’m looking forward to retirement and handing over the reins at the Lake Tahoe Basin Management Unit to a new Forest Supervisor.

I’m grateful for steady Basin leadership that has enhanced relationships making them stronger. Days of past tensions between conflicting interests have passed. Today, local agencies work closely together on solutions that protect our communities and our environment.

A new, free website boasting an array of career-related services is now being offered by Lake Tahoe Community College. Current students and graduates of LTCC can use a number of online tools there to find and apply for jobs, while local employers can use it to post jobs and search for qualified applicants.

A Memorial Service and Celebration of Life for Douglas W. Anderson

July 16, 1963 - December 13, 2014

Doug was the son of August William Anderson and Bridget Anderson.

Doug has left behind his wife, Sue Swanson Anderson of 20 years, and two beautiful and amazing children, Bailey Nichole Anderson and Daniel August Anderson. He is also survived by his four sisters, Alice Anderson Palmer and her son Hunter Busenlehner, Betsy Kelly, Kate Anderson and Maureen Walker.

Thomas Stringfellow of Placerville was sentenced today to 18 months in prison and order to pay $687,182 in restitution for willfully making false tax returns.

The 55-year old underreported his business income on tax returns by more than $1.1 million from 2006 to 2010 according to court documents. During that time he was also found guilty of underreporting his personal income by more than $1,000,000.

While it won't be called the storm of the century, a wet and cold system is moving through Northern California and Northern Nevada this week, bringing with it snow and rain.

Here is the forecast from the National Weather Service:

Monday: 60% chance of snow during the day, 70% at night, with lake level accumulations of 2" to 6" expected. A high of 39 and a low of 29. Winds at 5 mph.

Tuesday: 50% chance of snow during the day, 80% at night, with lake level accumulations of 2" to 4" expected. A high of 40 and a low of 26. Winds at 5 mph.

Local riders and skiers headed to the slopes of Sierra-at-Tahoe for their opening day on Friday. The resort opened at noon following the recent storm that left more than 15 inches of fresh snow in the Sierra. Since early season conditions still exist, the resort will operate ten trails accessed by the Grandview Express and Easy Rider Express.

The Lake Tahoe Unified School District has announced they are calling a snow day for all schools in South Lake Tahoe on Friday, December 12, 2014. Due to the anticipated serious winter weather conditions as forecast by the National Weather Service, they wanted to ensure the safety of all students and staff.

A few hours after Wendy David was elected as Mayor Pro Tem for the City of South Lake Tahoe, her former colleagues at the LTUSD School Board elected a new president.

Barbara Bannar, the trustee from Area 5, was elected President with Dr. Larry Green elected Clerk of the Board. Green represents Area 4. He was also named Representative to the El Dorado County School Boards Association (EDCSBA) where he serves as Vice President. Bannar was named the Representative to the Lake Tahoe Educational Foundation.

Heidi Hill Drum, Executive Director and Bev Ducey, Program Manager of the Tahoe Prosperity Center, will bring everyone up to date on their organization’s work to improve high speed Internet and cell phone service around the lake through the Connected Tahoe Project.

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The National Weather Service issued a blizzard and high wind warning along with flood watch starting at 10 p.m. on Wednesday night.

"Significant snowfall" is expected to impact the Sierra with one to three feet of snow possible above 7,000 feet with up to 12 inches down to 6,000 feet. The storm is expected to have snow levels dropping to 5,000 feet Thursday night. The Weather Service says heavier precipitation bands may locally lower snow levels to lake level during the day on Thursday.

Snow is forecast to continue through Friday afternoon.

The Lake Valley Fire Protection District, California State Parks, Nevada Division of Forestry and the U.S. Forest Service will continue prescribed fire operations near Sugar Pine Point State Park, Pioneer Trail and Washoan Boulevard, Ski Run Boulevard near Heavenly, Luther Pass, Spooner Summit, and Lake Tahoe Nevada State Park in Slaughterhouse Canyon. Operations will last through the next several weeks as conditions allow.

The following is a list of burn areas and how many acres are being burned.

Project Sunset at Washoan and Pioneer Trail - 12 acres

A four year degree program could be in Lake Tahoe Community College's near future. They are waiting to hear from the California Community College's Chancellor's office to see if they are one of the 15 community colleges in the state who will be allowed the opportunity to offer one four-year degree.

LTCC's Baccalaureate Degree Steering Committee submitted a proposal to the Chancellor's office and should hear on January 21, 2015 if they are going to be offering a four-year degree in Public Safety Administration.

So far this holiday weekend, rain and snow totals have been less than expected, but in a drought anything is appreciated.

There will be some overnight snow Saturday night according to the National Weather Service in Reno. It will last until about 7 a.m. Sunday, just in time for the visitors in town for Thanksgiving begin to head home. There will be some periods of rain during the day, with some snow flurries expected around 8 p.m. Snow accumulations of 1" to 2" for the day are forecast.

Monday will be cloudy with a high of 49 and low of 28 with a sight chance of showers.

Several areas of the Truckee River near Tahoe City are set for restoration because of erosion and degraded water quality caused by river users.

Years of people accessing the river and paved trail from Highway 89 pullouts has created the need for about 900 feet of stream bank and wet meadow restoration. This project will include reshaping the river bank through placement of woody material and boulders.

During last week's Loop Road open house, residents and businesspeople gave their input on what they felt the US Highway 50/South Shore Community Revitalization project should offer.

Results show that 82% of the people participating believe the most important goal is to beautify the corridor and create gathering spaces for locals and visitors.

Another 67% of the respondents believe there should be efforts to reduce traffic congestion and improve mobility options, 60% said the project should revitalize the area and boost economic development.

Every year the three South Lake Kiwanis clubs get together for the Coats4kids program which ensures no elementary or middle school child goes through the winter without a coat to keep them warm.

Chaired by Gail Kolb and the Lake Tahoe Kiwanis Club, Coats4Kids is a joint project with Kiwanis of Tahoe Sierra, the Kiwanis Club of Lake Tahoe and the Kiwanis Club of South Lake Tahoe Sunrisers.

An elderly South Lake Tahoe resident is the victim of a phone scam where he sent a undisclosed amount of money to unknown people. The phone number initiating the scam was from the area code 876, which is Jamaica.

The resident called SLT Police Department to alert them that he received phone calls from people he didn't know who were trying to obtain money from him. The victim was told by the caller that he was stuck in customs and needed help getting out. The suspect convinced the elderly victim to send him a large amount of money.

I had always planned to drive off the hill to watch a Reno Bighorns game, but I never found the opportunity. That is, until this weekend. It's hard to believe they've been in Reno since 2008!

My son Chris won tickets by answering a Bighorn trivia game on a Reno radio station, so my daughter Abby and I drove down Friday night to join him and watch the season opener against the Iowa Energy.

The Carson Valley Airporter, a new bus service between Douglas County and Reno, starts up their four round trips daily on Monday, November 17.

Nevada Department of Transportation (NDOT) awarded Amador Stage Lines more than $365,000 in federal funds to start the service. The bus line has supplied $143,000 in matching funds according to Michelle Gardner, NDOT transit manager.