By Paul Gaffney, Via While I do work for an auto club, I still ride a bike. I’m happy to report that I’m not alone. Cycling is on the rise in most parts of the country. People ride for fun, for exercise, and, increasingly, just to get from here to there. According to a Rutgers University study, the...

By David Lazarus, Los Angeles Times If the healthcare reform law is thrown out by theU.S. Supreme Court — as many fear could happen based on the comments of conservative justices — more than 700,000 low-income Californians could lose a once-in-a-lifetime chance to obtain affordable health insurance. At...

By Teri Mizuhara A new and improved “Ready-Set-Go” fire and life safety program has been developed by CalFire. Everyone living in the Sierra has a responsibility that many urban/suburban dwellers do not face. Fire is a natural part of our ecosystem which helps clear out the weeds and brush (understory)...

Publisher’s note: This email is reprinted with permission. It relates to the April 29, 2012, Lake Tahoe News story about who is legally allowed to vote at Fallen Leaf Lake. Our Region 5 Recreation Residence policy includes the following: “Principal Residence The principal residence can be a...

Publisher’s note: This editorial is from the April 29, 2012, San Francisco Chronicle. The term limits approved by California voters in 1990 have been a disaster for the legislative process. Their promise of replacing career politicians with citizen-legislators has not been realized. Its main effect...

To the community, Mountain people don’t like to be told what to do or how to do it. Self-reliance and personal freedom are part of our DNA. It’s just how we roll. In contrast, there are a lot of people living down the hill who regard Tahoe folks as living in “La La Land.” Unfortunately,...

To the community, Having been a volunteer firefighter (almost 30 years), EMT (four years)and reserve deputy sheriff (12 years) in Alpine County, been the Alpine County Board of Supervisor’s rep on our Fire Safe Council, plus one or two other activities, I personally feel Mr. [Carl] Ribaudo’s...

To the community, There is a lot of noise buzzing around the city manager’s search for a new employer. So, for the record, the vote to hire Mr. (Tony) O’Rourke as South Tahoe’s city manager was 4-1. I cast the lone no vote. But I should back up and explain why I did not take part in the interview...

Publisher’s note: This editorial is from the April 22, 2012, Sacramento Bee. Despite its reputation as an unwelcoming place for smokers, California ranks 33nd among states in taxing tobacco. Smoking-related diseases cost us hundreds of millions of dollars yearly in health care and lost productivity....

By John Williams In recognition of National Volunteer Month in April, Barton Health would like to take a moment to honor some frequently unsung heroes in the South Lake Tahoe community: The dedicated volunteers who make up the Barton Memorial Hospital Auxiliary. Auxiliary members offer many essential...