Power lines are down across the road on Glenshire Drive in Truckee.
Glenshire Drive is closed between Somerset Drive and Wellington Way. Truckee police and fire are on scene.
People are asked to avoid the area on Saturday night.
Those in the area may experience power outages. Liberty Energy is aware and is responding.
— Lake Tahoe News staff report
By Jessie Bekker, Las Vegas Review-Journal
Opioid-related deaths in Nevada have decreased slightly since 2010, but the number of fatal heroin overdoses has nearly tripled since then, according to state data presented Thursday.
But that pattern appears to be changing as well, as heroin-related deaths remained unchanged between 2015 and 2016 while deaths from synthetic opioids, including the super-potent painkiller fentanyl, rose by 56 percent.
“I think the data is definitely evidence that there’s a shift,” Kyra Morgan, chief biostatistician of the Nevada Department of Health and Human Services, said Thursday in a presentation to roughly 45 state and local officials gathered in Reno and Las Vegas.
Adrian Ballinger, a world-class mountaineer, skier, business leader, and professional speaker who lives in Olympic Valley, will share what it was like to climb Everest without oxygen.
As founder and head guide of the internationally acclaimed Alpenglow Expeditions, Ballinger has helped more than 100 clients successfully summit Everest, Lhotse (the fourth tallest mountain in the world), Manaslu (eighth tallest), and Cho Oyu (sixth tallest).
Last year, Ballinger achieved a lifelong dream of climbing Everest without oxygen—a feat about 200 people have ever achieved. He documented his ascent using Snapchat to provide an “unfiltered” look at the Everest climbing experience in all of its pain and glory.
He will be talking March 14 upstairs at Blue Angel Cafe in South Lake Tahoe. Doors open at 6pm for happy hour, with show at 7pm. Admission is $20 for adults and free for kids under 13. Proceeds go to the Sierra Nevada Avalanche Center.
Placer County Board of Supervisors approved the appointment of four members and confirmation of nine proposed appointees to the new Capital Projects Advisory Committee – a 13-member group representing broad economic and geographic interests throughout eastern Placer County.
The committee, co-chaired by the county and North Lake Tahoe Resort Association, will evaluate project proposals based on how well they advance key priorities outlined in the county’s Tourism Master Plan for the region, and will make recommendations to supervisors on which projects should receive funding.
The board approved the appointment of:
● Danielle Grindle, Squaw Valley resident and Squaw Valley Public Service District employee, representing Squaw Valley on the county general committee seat;
● Mike Staudenmayer, Northstar Community Service District general manager, representing Northstar on the county general committee seat;
● David Hansen, Community Foundation board member and business owner, representing Tahoe City and West Shore on the at-large committee seat (housing, social service, arts and culture) and
● Rick Stephens, Truckee Tahoe Airport District board member, representing Martis Valley and North Lake Tahoe on the at-large committee seat (housing, social service, arts and culture).
The board also confirmed the appointment of:
● Dave Wilderotter, business owner, representing North Lake Tahoe on the business association committee seat;
● Krista Voosen, business owner, representing Donner Summit on the business association committee seat;
● Sarah Coolidge, North Tahoe Public Utility District board member, representing Kings Beach and Tahoe Vista on the special districts committee seat;
● John Wilcox, Squaw Valley resident and former Squaw Valley Public Service District board member, representing Squaw Valley on the special districts committee seat;
● Alex Mourelatos, business owner, representing Tahoe Vista on the North Lake Tahoe Resort Association committee seat;
● Ron Parson, business owner, representing West Shore on the North Lake Tahoe Resort Association committee seat;
● Jaime Wright, Truckee North Tahoe Transportation Management Association executive director, representing eastern Placer County on the transportation committee seat;
● Drew Conly, Resort at Squaw Creek hotel manager, representing Squaw Valley on the lodging committee seat and
● Greg Dallas, Sugar Bowl chief executive officer, representing Donner Summit on the ski resorts committee chair.
Grant funding for the projects is drawn from lodging tax revenue, and is intended to help accomplish the goals of the Tourism Master Plan.
South Lake Tahoe Mayor Wendy David’s next monthly conversation will be March 21.
With her will be Development Services Department employees Kevin Fabino and John Hitchcock.
Topics to start with will be housing issues, including permitting processes and the Single Room Occupancy Ordinance.
The session starts at 9am at the senior center.
The Family Caregiver Support Program of the El Dorado County Health and Human Services Agency is hosting a free Aging and Caregiving educational series in South Lake Tahoe.
This series will be weekly on Mondays from 1-3pm beginning April 16 and ending May 21 at Lake Tahoe Resort Hotel.
The educational series will give instruction and support for people who provide care for a family member or friend aged 60 years or greater. The series will feature a different topic each week:
Participants may attend one or all of the classes. The classes are free; donations will be accepted.
Advanced registration is requested, but not required. Call 530.621.6151 to register for one or more classes.
By Ezra David Romero, Capital Public Radio
Frank Gehrke trudges through snow and ice, as he’s done for nearly four decades in the Sierra Nevada. He’s one of many state workers who takes monthly snow surveys, in the same spots, to figure out how much water is in the snowpack. And this old-fashioned way of measuring the snowpack is quite laborsome.
The data from surveys and a system of around 150 sensors informs local and state officials how much water is stored in the Sierra. But there’s a flaw: Measurements can be up to 40 percent off.
In dry, warm years like 2018, snow sensors often don’t work because they’re covered in thick layers of ice as snow melts and freezes.
That’s why Gehrke is stoked about a new way to measure the snowpack from the sky.
The 2018 Mitsubishi Outlander Sport is bound to surprise a lot of people. Photos/Larry Weitzman
By Larry Weitzman
After spending a week in the new, much improved Mitsubishi Outlander and being impressed with its polish, remarkable performance out of a 2.4L four banger, good fuel economy, good looks and excellent value, it was only understandable to want to put the smaller Outlander Sport through its paces and a thorough wringing out. The bottom line reveals a top flite CUV.
Outside is a very attractive shape that has a bit of a luxury look with bright metal in all the right places. While the design is simple, its proportions are perfect, and its massive and strong front end give it an athletic look. The window line is graceful. Yes, it doesn’t take many chances with add-ons and wasted lines, and simplicity works here.
It received many positive comments, especially from those who didn’t know it was a Mitsubishi. When getting into the Mitsu at a local Micky D’s, one gentleman asked me what it was as he gave it the once over and said he was definitely going to drive one and add it to his shortlist. I remarked he won’t be disappointed. He was impressed.
Remember Mitsubishi only sells about 100,000 cars annually in the U.S., but that number is growing as more people discover the value of the brand.
Specifications
Engine
2.4L MIVEC, DOHC, 16 valve inline four cylinder (SE, SEL) 168 hp @ 6,000
167 lb.-ft. of torque @ 4,100 rpm
Transmission
CVT
Configuration
Transverse mounted front engine/FWD/AWD
Dimensions
Wheelbase 105.1 inches
Length 171.9 inches
Width 71.3 inches
Height 64.8 inches
Ground clearance 8.5 inches
Track (f/r) 60.6/60.6 inches
Weight 3,285 pounds
GVWR 4,343 pounds
Weight distribution (f/r) 59/41 percent
Fuel capacity 15.8 gallons
Cargo capacity (Rear seats up/down) 21.7/49.5 cubic feet
Wheels 18X7 inches
Tires 225/55X18
Turning circle 34.8 feet
Steering lock to lock 3.3 turns
Performance
0-60 mph 7.71 seconds
50-70 mph 4.26 seconds
50-70 mph (uphill 6-7%) 7.81 seconds
Top speed Does anyone care?
Fuel economy EPA rated at 23/28/25 mpg city/highway/combined. Expect 25-27 mpg in rural/country/suburban driving and 32 mpg on a level highway at legal speeds.
As to the nuts and bolts of the Outlander Sport, it is quite similar to the larger, compact size Outlander (185 inches in length). The Sport is essentially a sub-compact built on the Outlander chassis, only losing an inch in wheelbase (105 inches), but about 13 inches in length at 172 inches. Width remain an identical 71 inches and track is also identical at a wide 61 inches, making the Outlander Sport a truncated version of the Outlander (and about 250 pounds lighter), and that’s a good thing unless you need that third row of seats or more cargo volume. The only other major difference is the availability of the fine Mitsu 3.0L V-6 in the Outlander which also adds about 60 hp, although the standard power for the Outlander is the same 2.4L four banger that came with my Sport. And as you will see the four banger will surprise you.
Speaking of the world engine (which is used by at least two other major manufacturers), the 2.4L MIVEC, DOHC, 16 valve four-cylinder engine, it puts out 168 hp at 6,000 rpm and 167 pounds of twist at 4,100 rpm. There is no V-6 option and maybe it doesn’t need it. Power is sent via a CVT to either the front wheels and in the AWC version (as was my tester) to all four wheels when selected by a push button on the center console or with a second push of the button to all four wheels locked up, a nice feature when the going gets seriously tough. Unless you are upside down, this system will pull you out of most trouble. And if it doesn’t, you shouldn’t have been there in the first place.
Performance for this Sport is quite sprightly, with an average 0-60 mph time of 7.71 seconds. When you compare that to a 1957 Dodge D-500 5.2L 285 hp, V-8 muscle car, this Mitsu is a rocket as the so-called D-500 muscle car 0-60 mph time was 8.7 seconds. Throttle response is strong with the CVT and there are times when power will build beyond your expectations which will give you a sort of “wow” feeling.
Passing times are also good with a 50-70 mph level pass taking just 4.26 seconds with the gear selector in Ds, which improves the vehicle’s responsiveness and up a steep grade that time slows to 7.81 seconds. All good times. As with its bigger brother, the Outlander, the Sport performs better than the numbers promise. How nice is that?
Fuel economy is about middle of the pack with an EPA rating of 23/28/25 mpg city/highway/combined. Overall is rural, suburban and country driving the Sport averaged between 25-28 mpg depending on how aggressive I was driving and because the throttle was a bit delicious, it was hard to stay out of it, so 25-26 mpg was more the norm. On the highway at 70 mph on cruise control the Sport averaged 32.8 mpg in a two-way run. In my round trip run from Placerville to Carson City the average was 29.3 mpg which was about an mpg less than the larger Outlander, yet the smaller Sport returned about one mpg better than the bigger Outlander in the 70-mph highway test. That might be attributable to that delicious throttle again. Fuel capacity is 15.8 gallons, bigger would be better.
Handling is also very good with state of the art suspension, stab bars at both ends, 18 x 7 inch alloys shod with quiet 225/55 tires and a tight 35 foot turning radius. About the only thing missing is quicker steering which in the Outlander and Sport’s case is 3.3 turns lock to lock. Three turns would be better. However, don’t worry as the Sport goes around corners like water in a hose and handling is very sporty with little roll, oodles of grip and accurate steering. With the Sport you will take the long and windy road option when available. Holding overall weight to under 3,300 pounds benefits Sport’s ability to change directions, performance and fuel economy above.
Ride quality is excellent, and my passengers noted the quiet and lack of engine, wind and road noise adding to its overall smoothness. Engine speed is a low 2,050 rpm at 70 mph and inaudible. Head tossing is minimal, and it handles bumps with aplomb.
My loaded Sport SEL came with the Touring package ($2,000) which added forward collision warning, lane departure warning and automatic high beams. These features add to the full compliment of acronyms and large four-wheel discs were quite strong. LED Headlights were excellent on low beam and very good on (halogen) high beam.
Inside is a leather interior (SEL model) that has firm, but quite comfortable heated front seats. Since it is the same width as the bigger Outlander, it feels spacious inside. Appointments, dash, doors, console and switchgear are all top quality. Mitsu does a nice job. The steering wheel is leather, and the steering switches are well done and easy to use.
The center console is almost identical to the Outlander and the touch screen system is one of the best while the HVAC is done by knobs and buttons as it should be. Special mention should be made of the trick fuel computer in the 7-inch touch screen.
Cargo volume is excellent as well with 50 cubes behind the front chairs and 22 cubes behind the second row which compares favorably with the bigger Outlander whose numbers are 63 and 34 cubes respectively. In other words, the Sport could be dangerous at a Home Depot or Lowe’s.
Now perhaps here is the best part, the window sticker, which is sometimes referred to as the Monroney, named for late Oklahoma Sen. Mike Monrony, whose legislation in 1958 required window stickers. My top of the line AWD SEL lists for $25,895, plus $2,000 for the Touring Package and $125 for the fancy floor mats and $100 for the cargo compartment cover. The boat from Okazaki, Japan, costs $940, bringing the total to $29,110 which is probably the best value is a subcompact CUV. And it comes with a standard ten year/100,000-mile powertrain warranty. The key word is value.
Larry Weitzman has been into cars since he was 5 years old. At 8 he could recite from memory the hp of every car made in the U.S. He has put in thousands of laps on racetracks all over the Western United States.
By Jenny Kane, Reno Gazette-Journal
Burning Man art started off as kitschy garage art, but it won’t go down in the annals of history as such.
This week a selection of Burning Man art — from HYBYCOZO to “Maya’s Mind” by Carson City artist Mischell Riley — is on its way to the Smithsonian’s Renwick Gallery in Washington, D.C. “No Spectators: The Art of Burning Man” will be at the Smithsonian from March 30 through Jan. 21, 2019, in two phases.
The exhibition features a curated collection by some of the more reputable artists who have created works at the 70,000-person arts celebration held every year in Northern Nevada’s Black Rock Desert.
By Melinda Myers
Do you always squeeze in an extra tomato plant, another row of beans or hill of zucchini? It seems like a good idea at the time, until they all start to produce all at once. Your family, friends and co-workers start to hide as you try to pawn off yet another bag of zucchini or tomatoes. Here is a solution that satisfies your gardening obsession and feeds the hungry in your community. Designate some growing space to a giving garden and donate the harvest to your local food pantry.
Feeding America reports that 41 million Americans struggle with hunger. And many are children and seniors. Gardener’s Supply Company is inviting gardeners to lend a hand and take the “Garden to Give” pledge to grow food to give to those in need.
They surveyed food pantries to find out what types of fruits and veggies people most enjoy eating, and those that store well. Best of all these late maturing vegetables will be ready for harvest all at about the same time, so you can make your donation in just one trip.
Don’t let a lack of space stop you from participating. Plant a row or container of one or more of these vegetables to share; join forces with a neighbor who may have the space, but only limited time to garden; or gather a few friends and rent a community garden plot. Together you can grow fresh produce and memories to share.
Get the children in your life involved in growing and giving. Gardening increases focus, decreases stress and elevates children’s moods. Giving helps children grow into caring well-rounded adults. Plus, if they grow the vegetables, they are more likely to eat them.
Be sure to capture a few photographs of your donation to inspire others to follow your lead. Starting in August, you can enter Gardener’s Supply’s online “Show What You Share,” photo contest for a chance to win a prize for you and your local food pantry.
With the “Garden to Give,” program, everyone who participates is a winner. The real prize is making a difference while doing something you love. Once you’ve experienced the benefits of sharing fresh produce with the hungry in your community, you are likely to find yourself making regular donations of garden fresh fruits and veggies to those in need… and feeling great about it, too.
Melinda Myers has written more than 20 gardening books, including “Small Space Gardening.” She hosts The Great Courses “How to Grow Anything: Food Gardening For Everyone” DVD set and the nationally syndicated “Melinda’s Garden Moment” TV a d radio segments.