By Wayne Parry, AP

Internet gambling in the United States has been limited to just three states since it began in 2013, but it could soon get a big boost from an unlikely source: the U.S. Supreme Court.

Some gambling industry officials, regulators and analysts think that a favorable ruling by the high court in New Jersey’s challenge to legalize sports betting could also lead to an expansion of internet gambling.

The Supreme Court will hear arguments in New Jersey’s case on Dec. 4; a ruling could be weeks or months away. The state is taking aim at a 1992 law that forbids state-authorized sports gambling in all but four states that met a 1991 deadline to legalize it: Delaware, Montana, Nevada and Oregon. Nevada is the only state to allow single-game wagering.

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An early publicity photo of Sky Tavern distributed by the Reno Chamber of Commerce. Photo/Jimmie Smith/Special Collections Department, UNR Libraries

By Alicia Barber, KUNR
 
Today’s ski resorts generally run like clockwork, every day whisking thousands of skiers high up the mountain in electric-powered chair lifts and sending them down slopes that are flattened and smoothed every night by massive grooming machines.

It’s no small task. But for sheer human effort, today’s preparations are nothing compared to what resort operators had to go through 70 or 80 years ago when the industry was just getting started.

Keston Ramsey opened the Sky Tavern Ski Area, just off the Mt. Rose Highway that runs between Reno and Lake Tahoe, in December of 1945. At the time, the resort had a couple of rope tows and a T-bar lift, where you wrapped one leg around an upside down metal T attached to a moving cable and let it pull you up the slope.

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There are many tall tales about the Optimist Club and their adventures in the Christmas tree business over the last 49 years. Ben Kunibe, the ultimate Optimist, who was a member when the SLT Optimist Club first formed, was there when the club first sold trees at the Nevada Lumber Company in 1968. You can still feel his presence and joyful attitude at the new location – Highway 50 and Lakeview Avenue in South Lake Tahoe.

The Optimist have free popcorn and hot chocolate for the kids (young and old alike) as families roam through the rows of trees, searching for their perfect tree.

The net proceeds are given back to the community for youth organizations and youth programs.

Some of our volunteers are members of youth organizations themselves – organizations that the Optimist Club supports during the year.  The STHS wrestling team for example brings their muscles to help move the trees.

In the early years, the club members went out into the forest and cut many of the trees that were sold.

If you are interested in learning more about the Optimist Club, come down to the tree lot or contact Terry Powers 530.544.5025.

The lot is open Monday-Friday noon-7pm and weekends from 10am-7pm.

The South Lake Tahoe branch of the AARP Foundation’s Tax-Aide Program is seeking individuals interested in working in the volunteer-run tax preparation and assistance center.

Volunteers will be helping people in the South Lake Tahoe and surrounding area with free and individualized tax preparation services.

Two types of volunteer positions are needed. Facilitators are volunteers who welcome taxpayers, help organize the client’s paperwork, and manage the overall flow of tax preparation services. Counselors are volunteers who provide tax preparation services, work directly with the taxpayer to fill out tax returns, and electronically file the quality-reviewed returns.

The Tax-Aide Program has a need for bilingual speakers as well.

Experience is not necessary. New volunteer orientations are scheduled for Dec. 7 and Dec. 11.

For more information about the program or how to become a volunteer, contact Rosalie at 530.577.4849.

Jose Rodiguez-Quezada

An ex-felon has been arrested in connection with the Oct. 3 murder at the Hard Rock Lake Tahoe in Stateline.

Jose DeJesus Rodiguez-Quezada was contacted by UNR police officers on Nov. 22 when they found him sleeping on a sidewalk near the UNR Agricultural Ranch area on East McCarran Boulevard.

They determined Rodriguez-Quezada, a previously deported ex-felon, was in possession of a concealed weapon. He was arrested on charges of an ex-felon in possession of a firearm, carrying a concealed weapon without a permit and obstructing a public officer, as on an outstanding warrant from Washington. A hold from Immigration and Customs Enforcement was placed on him.

He is a person of interest in the murder of Kevin LeRoy Edwards. Rodriguez-Quezada has not been charged with anything related to that crime.

— Lake Tahoe News staff report

By Debbie Arrington, Sacramento Bee

This year’s Christmas trees really appreciated last year’s wet winter.

Visitors to Northern California tree farms can see the difference. Their favorite firs look fresher, the leaves plumper, the branches fuller. What a difference water makes.

Five years of drought stunted many trees – and prevented farmers from planting more. That’s caused a shortage of bigger trees at farms in Apple Hill and other popular areas.

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To the community

Ameriprise Financial Services Inc. has a legacy of giving back to the community and annually sponsors a corporate wide National Day of Service in November with the goal of ending hunger. 

This year the South Lake Tahoe Ameriprise Financial Services office once again chose to join with Bread & Broth in its efforts to feed the hungry by sponsoring an Adopt a Day of Nourishment on Nov. 13. This is their fifth November Adopt A Day in the last five years.

“A wonderful way to support the spirit of Thanksgiving,” said office manager and Ameriprise Financial private wealth advisor Rick Gross. “We are humbled and honored to participate every November and appreciated the opportunity to be of service.” 

Joining Gross were Elizabeth Palmer, client services manager, and Melissa Stefani. The Ameriprise crew had a busy evening helping the B&B volunteers bagging the giveaway food items, serving heaping trays filled with pork roast, sauerkraut and mashed potatoes and assisting with the dinner’s take down.

B&B would like to thank Ameriprise Financial Services Inc. and the local Ameriprise

office members for their generous monetary and time contribution to seeing that over 90 meals were served to the less fortunate members of the south shore community.

Carol Gerard, Bread & Broth

Now through Christmas Eve, shoppers may enter the Show Your Love – Shop Local Holiday Contest by picking up a free contest card at participating retailers in Kings Beach, Tahoe City, West Shore, Northstar, Squaw Valley, Incline Village, and Truckee.

Make a purchase at a participating retailer and get a sticker for every $25 spent. Contest cards with 12 stickers will be entered into a grand prize drawing for a chance to win a North Lake Tahoe staycation including lodging, dining and activities valued at more than $2,000.

Cards with four stickers will be entered into a drawing for a $500 cash prize.

Get a jump on holiday shopping at the Shop Local Holiday Faire Kickoff Party on Nov. 29, 5-8pm at the Tahoe City Visitors Center. It will include shopping, live music, gift card raffle, and holiday fun.

Go online for a list of participating retailers and contest details.

By Richard N. Velotta, Las Vegas Review-Journal

The state Gaming Policy Committee is going to pot this week as top gaming policymakers, including Gov. Brian Sandoval, will discuss whether there’s a possible point of entry for recreational marijuana among Nevada’s tourism assets.

It’s going to be a tough sell, given Nevada regulators’ stance on marijuana in the past.

On one hand, you have supporters who see Nevada’s new legalization of pot use as another draw. On the other side are those who point to the federal government view that marijuana use is still illegal by statute.

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Ralphie

Ralphie is a playful, active Border Collie mix. He is about 1 year old and weighs 30 pounds.

Ralphie will do best in a home where he gets plenty of exercise, and possibly some agility or herding training. No cats, please.

Ralphie is neutered, microchipped, and vaccinated. He is at the El Dorado County Animal Services shelter in Meyers, along with many other dogs and cats who are waiting for their new homes. Go to the Tahoe animal shelter’s Facebook page to see photos and descriptions of all pets at the shelter.

Call 530.573.7925 for directions, hours, and other information on adopting a pet.

For spay-neuter assistance for South Tahoe residents, go online.

— Karen Kuentz