There will be a free concert under the stars on Aug. 25 from 6-10pm at the Veterans Healing Camp property located on Highway 50 in Silver Springs.

Bring the entire family, a picnic basket, chairs and blankets to hear Smoken Rabbits play classic rock. Music will start at 7pm.

Food, drinks and ice cream will be available for purchase.

There will also be a raffle. All proceeds will benefit Veterans Healing Camp.

Veterans Healing Camp is dedicated to helping our local veterans make a successful transition from military to civilian life. The mission is to provide a safe place for fun, activities, and fellowship for veterans.

By Reno Gazette-Journal

Republican Danny Tarkanian, a prominent Las Vegas businessman, announced Tuesday he is mounting a primary challenge to Nevada Sen. Dean Heller, considered one of the Senate’s most vulnerable Republicans in 2018.

The bid by Tarkanian, 55, who aligns himself with President Donald Trump, makes good on conservatives’ threats to challenge incumbents they blame for hurting their years-long quest to dismantle the Obama-era health care law.

Read the whole story

Now through Aug. 14, law enforcement throughout Nevada will be Joining Forces issuing citations to pedestrians and motorists who are breaking traffic safety laws.

Nevada state law requires pedestrians to use sidewalks, crosswalks and pedestrian bridges and obey all traffic-control signs and signals. If there is no sidewalk, pedestrians must walk on the left side of the street, facing traffic.

For motorists, they must yield to pedestrians and avoid passing vehicles that are stopped for pedestrians.

Pedestrian safety is the responsibility of the pedestrian and the motorist. Nevada consistently ranks among the 10 worst states for pedestrian fatalities. Nearly 90 percent of pedestrian and drivers involved in fatal crashes are local residents, not tourists.

By Rebecca Worby, High Country News

The West is in the midst of another intense wildfire season.

With President Donald Trump proposing to cut the U.S. Forest Service’s firefighting budget by nearly $300 million, the question of how to manage and fund wildfire suppression on public lands has again reared its head.

Over the past decade, as wildfire season has lengthened and fires have grown more severe, firefighting has claimed more and more of the Forest Service’s funds, accounting for 56 percent of its overall budget in 2016. Conservatives in Congress have long tried to push legislation that, though ostensibly geared toward wildfire risk reduction, would benefit the timber industry. And with a Republican majority and an administration intent on rolling back environmental review processes, such legislation may gain more traction this time around.

Read the whole story

The Humane Society of Truckee Tahoe will host its second annual Balls in the Ruff Golf Tournament on Sept. 8.

The scramble-style tournament begins at noon at the Tahoe Donner Golf Course. It will include pet themed contests throughout the event.

Entry is $150, including 18 holes of golf with cart, box lunch, a golfer goody bag and an awards dinner.

Go online to register. It is also possible to purchase additional dinner tickets for those not playing.

By Rick Gross

Rick Gross

While money is a leading cause of marital strife, a recent Ameriprise study found that nearly seven in 10 couples say they have good financial communication. Before wedding planning kicks into high gear, make conversations about your finances a priority. Taking the time today to talk through money matters can create a solid foundation for your collective future.

Use the following six principles to guide your money conversations:

1. Open-minded. Take turns sharing your vision for money management as a married couple. Listen carefully to what your future spouse says is important to him or her. Acknowledge your differences and build on your strengths. If your expectations don’t match up, try to find a compromise. Some couples sidestep conversations about money to avoid feelings of hurt, fear, anger or remorse. Creating a habit of regular communication may help you avoid heated arguments, and can help ensure you’re on the same page financially before you walk down the aisle.

2. Honesty. Financial secrets can destroy trust. Share the specifics of your financial history and current situation if you haven’t already done so. Your future spouse deserves to know if you’re paying off college debt, or if you’ve made any financial mistakes in the past (and how you’ve rectified them). Disclose the good news, too. Divulge details about savings you’ve tucked away or a family trust that helps supplement your income so you both know the sum of where you stand.

3. Forward-thinking. Once you’ve shared your current situation and history, discuss your goals for the future. Be open about what your dreams are, but be ready to compromise. While you don’t have to agree on everything, having shared goals (purchasing a home, saving for college if you choose to have children, retirement, etc.) allows you to combine forces on savings and gives you a road map for spending.

4. Cooperation. To avoid any miscommunications as newlyweds, discuss and assign responsibility for financial roles. Is one of you better at monitoring online accounts and paying bills? Are you both enrolled in a retirement account and taking maximum advantage of employer contributions? Who will be the primary contact for your financial advisor, tax professional or estate planner? Two is better than one when you’re able to divide and conquer financial tasks, but make sure you’re both in the loop on key decisions and money matters.

5. Diligence. Once you’re married, make it a priority to update your financial documents. It takes discipline, but taking care of these housekeeping tasks right away protects you in case something unexpected happens. Several steps to consider:

·       Update financial accounts, insurance policies and credit cards with any name changes, and if needed, add your spouse as an owner and beneficiary to those accounts.

·       Consider combining your bank accounts if it makes sense for your situation.

·       Update or write your will and estate plan to reflect your collective wishes.

·       Amend your tax withholdings, to make sure the right amount is withheld from your paycheck now that you’re married. Consult your tax professional before making changes.

·       Choose your health insurance. If both of your employers offer health insurance, carefully evaluate your coverage options and premiums for the best fit.

Like most things worth achieving, preparing for a lifetime of financial compatibility takes work. If you and your future spouse can commit to the same money values, it may help you create a solid financial foundation.

Rick Gross is a financial advisor and private wealth advisor with Ameriprise Financial Services Inc. in South Lake Tahoe. 

The No. 2 westbound lane of Interstate 80 between Donner Summit and Colfax will be closed between Gold Run and Cape Horn in the “3-Mile Grade” area from on Aug. 10 from 7am to 4pm while Caltrans performs maintenance activities.

Approximately seven miles of the right lane will be closed to perform guardrail repair to a recently damaged section.

Because there are only two lanes on this length of Interstate 80, motorists are likely to experience traffic delays and are encouraged to plan for additional travel time through the area. California Highway Patrol will be escorting traffic through the work zone to keep speeds safe for Caltrans workers on this curvy, steep stretch of freeway.

By Kathryn Reed

The zero interest loan program for bear boxes in South Tahoe Refuse’s service area has been so successful that it has been extended.

The South Lake Tahoe Waste Management Authority board last week agreed to continue the program that is less than a year old.

“It’s one of the best things for long-term sustainability and reducing our animal in trash issues,” Wendy David told Lake Tahoe News. She is South Lake Tahoe’s rep on the board. Other board members are Douglas County Commissioner Nancy McDermid and El Dorado County Supervisor Sue Novasel.

In the pilot program 36 people have received bear boxes and another 39 are approved. Seventy-five boxes are what was expected in the pilot program. The JPA had budgeted $75,000 for the initial program.

At the Aug. 4 meeting the board agreed to allocate $300,000 to keep the program alive.

“It was determined that the loan repayments would cycle back into the restricted funds that are allocated for the loans,” David explained.  

STR has another 150 households ready to go. They applied for the program in the hopes it would be extended.

According to STR, it’s been a mix of locals, second homeowners and vacation rental owners who have participated.

One issue with the boxes is the workers don’t know if there is actually garbage in the bins.

“Although collection workers are required to stop and check every box, it’s still less time consuming and more sanitary than cleaning up after an incident,” Jeanette Tillman with STR told Lake Tahoe News. “One of the dynamics of the program includes working with STR to ensure the box placement is collection friendly, meaning, if placed properly, accessibility issues should be kept to a minimum even during the winter months.”

To the community,

Now in its 34th year, the Tahoe Tennis Classic is one of the most popular tournaments in the Lake Tahoe region as evidenced by the record number of players this year – 215.

The four-day event in July is the biggest fundraiser for the Zephyr Cove Tennis Club Foundation. The nonprofit, all-volunteer organization has a contract with Douglas County to operate the six courts. This includes resurfacing the courts, general upkeep, long-term improvements, and providing instruction for all ages and ability levels.

Our sponsors for this year’s Classic – Barton Health and Downstream Technologies – were generous with their contributions, to which we can’t say thank you enough.

This is the third year Harrah’s-Harveys has stepped up to help underwrite our dinner celebration, which includes our silent auction. It was another night to remember.

We would like to thank the following businesses and individuals for their generosity:

Businesses: AAA Carson City, A Massage at Tahoe, tennis instructor Adam Robin, Andy Veris with All Sports Fitness & Personal Training, Angel Touch Salon & Spa, Anytime Fitness in Zephyr Cove, Bona Fide Books, CalStar, Capisce Restaurant, Carson Valley Inn, Casey’s Restaurant, Casino Fandango, city of South Lake Tahoe, tennis instructor Dave Nostrant, Douglas County Sheriff’s Department, El Dorado County Sheriff’s Department, Elements Day Spa, Elevation Spa Ridge Tahoe, Genasci & Steigers DDS, Getaway Café, Hair by Dawn, Heavenly Sports, Heavenly Village Cinema, Homewood Mountain Resort, Imagine Salon, Improv at Harveys, Lake Tahoe Yoga, Lakeside Inn and Casino, Marcus Ashley Gallery (Marc and Ashley Mattila), Mind/Body Fitness (Rose Marie Ottman), MontBleu Resort Casino & Spa, Mt. Rose Ski Resort, NorCal Fishing Charters Pine Cone Lodge-Tahoe Management Services, Popcorn Girl Las Vegas, Reel-Lentless Fishing Charters, Reno Aces Baseball Club, Sierra-at Tahoe, Barbara Moniot with Splatter Studioz, Sprouts Natural Foods Café, Still Water Yoga, Studio Four, Tahoe Best Friends, Tahoe Bodyworks, Tahoe Custom Massage, Tahoe Fly Fishing Outfitters, Tep’s Villa Roma, The Loft Tahoe, The Ridge Tahoe, tennis instructor Ginny Unger, Weidinger Public Relations, George Whittell High School Boosters, Zephyr Cove Elementary Parents Club, Zephyr Cove Resort/Lake Tahoe Cruises, and Zephyr Cove Tennis Club Foundation.

Individuals: Ann Adams, Suzy Allione, Tom and Doreen Andriacchi, Jenny Bentley, Carol and Carl Bergren, Kari and David Beronio, Louise and Rich Brown, Sheila Cockerell, Barbara Cooper, Tony Cupaiuolo, Jay and Sharla Freeman, Sheryl and Hersh Herschmann, Melissa and Jess Jester, Judy McLennan, Ray and Nancy Peters, Louise and Paul Proffer, Vicki Veris, Kathy Wharton, Tim and Linda Wulf, Carolyn Wright, and Patty Yamano.

Thank you again,

Carolyn Wright, ZCTCF president

Roadwork over Echo Summit will cause delays this week.

Caltrans will be performing overnight grinding and paving work on Highway 50 on a section of the roadway that descends after Echo Summit into the Lake Tahoe Basin.

Work to repair rough sections of the highway will be performed at various locations between Johnson Pass Road and Apache Avenue in Meyers.

Motorists can expect one-way traffic control from 8pm to 8am through Friday morning.