By Megan Hughes, In The Snow
The International Ski Federation (FIS) has officially proposed the inclusion of telemark skiing at the Beijing Winter Olympics in 2022, to the International Olympic Committee.
The FIS have proposed the telemark parallel sprint and the mixed-gender team parallel sprint events to be included in the 2022 games.
Telemark racing differs from alpine ski racing in many aspects of course design.
By Jared Blumenfeld, San Francisco Chronicle
There is nothing more Californian than our ability to swim, surf and fish in clean water. And yet, we have fallen behind Kentucky and Texas when it comes to clean water enforcement. With industry advocates in the federal driver’s seat, we need state leaders to step it up by sending a message that in California, when it comes to clean water, the polluter pays.
Two years ago, I hiked the length of California and waded the Kern, Feather and San Joaquin rivers. At their beginnings, these waters are crystal clear, cold, flowing strong and clean. More than 40 years ago, Congress passed the Clean Water Act to protect these national treasures from pollution.
When California’s rivers leave the mountain snowmelt behind, they embark on a difficult journey. Many are diverted, drained and pumped dry before they reach the Pacific Ocean. Those that keep flowing are often polluted with heavy metals, pesticides, bacteria, plastic bottles and runoff from industrial operations. In fact, the number of California rivers that failed to meet basic water quality standards for swimming, fishing and drinking shot up 170 percent from 2006 to 2010, (the last time our state undertook this legally required biannual task).
By Tess Townsend, Water Deeply
Gov. Jerry Brown declared the end of California’s five-year drought in April 2017 after a wet winter replenished shrinking reservoirs. But the lingering impact of the drought, especially on groundwater supplies, means some still rely on emergency water tanks while they wait for long-term solutions.
This is particularly true in the San Joaquin Valley, where more than 300 domestic well users whose taps have run dry continue to use tanks provided by the state through a program originally slated to end in June.
With the help of emergency funding requested by Assembly member Joaquin Arambula, D-Kingsburg, whose largely rural district is in the valley, the emergency water supply program will likely continue another year at a cost of $3.5 million. Also included in the emergency relief efforts is $10 million to address failing domestic wells and septic tanks, and $10 million for the Drinking Water for Schools Program that funds treatment solutions for schools that struggle with contamination. New state regulations for contaminants like lead and carcinogen 1,2,3-trichloropropane mean schools will need more money to meet safe drinking water standards.
To the community,
The second annual Tahoe Brewfest occurred last weekend in the Heavenly Cal Lodge parking lot. A celebration of all things craft beer and Tahoe, the Brewfest boasted 34 breweries, Parker Bros. Root Beer, kombucha, amazing live music from Ike and Martin, local food vendors and perfect weather.
Over 3,000 people attended the kid-friendly event and with many visitors traveling to Tahoe just for the Brewfest. Some guests came from as far away as Chicago and Whistler, Canada, but plenty of locals also turned out to sample new breweries like Modern Times, Auburn Ale House, Common Cider and Saint Archer.
“This truly is a community event,” said Nicole Marsel, the event organizer. “From the Breweries who are donating their beer, to our local vendors and sponsors. There is something for everyone and we can’t wait to make the event even bigger and better in 2019.”
The Brewfest could not have happened without one very special lady and one great community supporter. Deb Brown of Cold Water Brewery is the heart and soul of the Brewfest. It was her idea to bring a Brewfest to Tahoe and she continues to be a major sponsor and influencer of the event. The Heavenly Cal Lodge location was provided through a Vail Epic Promise Grant, which serves to support local not-for-profits and community organizations.
The Vail Team have been incredible; from granting us the location, to helping with permitting, right through the providing volunteers on the day. We could not have expanded the event without them and are so grateful for the support they give the club and the community.
Profits from the Brewfest will go directly to supporting the Boys and Girls Club and although final figures aren’t in, the club estimates that it raised over $60,000.
However, the fun, and the fudraising, isn’t over yet.Another great community advocate, Luca Genasi at Lake Tahoe Aleworx is hosting a Tahoe Brewfest tap takeover on June 7. So if you missed out on Saturday and want to sample the best of the beers from the Brewfest, head to Aleworx between 3-11pm. Again, proceeds will benefit the Boys and Girls Club.
Jude Wood, executive director Lake Tahoe Boys and Girls Club
· Melissa Etheridge will be at MontBleu in Stateline on July 20. Doors open at 7pm, show is at 8pm.
· El Dorado County’s recommended budget for 2018-19 is available online.
· Caltrans will repave 13 lane miles of Highway 50 from Weber Creek Bridge to the Carson Road overcrossing through Placerville with funds from Senate Bill 1, the Road Repair and Accountability Act of 2017.
· “Broadway in Blue, A Musical Revue” will be at the Valhalla Boathouse Theater on July 5-8 and July 12-15. Tickets are available online.
· Douglas County Sheriff’s Office and other state agencies will be issuing citations to pedestrians and motorists who are breaking traffic safety laws now through June 15. Nevada law requires pedestrians to use sidewalks, crosswalks and pedestrian bridges and obey all traffic control signs and signals.
Cody Bass, owner of Tahoe Wellnes Cooperative, listens June 5 to the South Lake Tahoe council talk marijuana. Photo/Kathryn Reed
By Kathryn Reed
It’s been a slow, strange trip for South Lake Tahoe officials as they navigate a path toward allowing recreational marijuana to be grown, sold and delivered here.
Enough progress has been made that the recreational marijuana ordinance should be presented to the Planning Commission on June 14. However, time is ticking to get all the paperwork together by July 4 to qualify a tax measure for the November ballot.
Marijuana took up the bulk of the June 5 afternoon session of the South Lake Tahoe City Council meeting. A couple closed session items were related to the topic, with one item labeled as existing litigation with Tahoe Wellness Cooperative and another titled anticipated litigation, which was also TWC related.
There was no reportable action from either. Councilmember Jason Collin, who was absent for the entire open session part of the meeting, showed up for the midday closed session item that dealt with anticipated litigation.
While it wasn’t specifically agendized, the council finally took up the topic of what to do with TWC. The medicinal marijuana dispensary has been in business for more than nine years and is the last survivor of the three that opened about the same time.
The four electeds voted to allow Cody Bass, owner and founder of TWC, to keep operating a medicinal facility, however he will have to comply with any changes to the new ordinance that would affect his business.
This includes meeting zoning regulations. Where TWC is at in the front of the Bijou Center would be OK for selling the medicine going forward. However, cultivation and extraction would no longer be allowed based on how the ordinance looks today. These are two integral components to TWC’s business.
Bass did not want to talk with Lake Tahoe News about the decisions made on Tuesday.
“You’re putting a bullet through my business,” he told the council. He equated the actions of the council to being in a Communist country where vested rights are not recognized.
The council as a whole also expressed frustration with unknown variables that exist surrounding Bass and the city. One is the ongoing litigation involving whether Bass has a valid permit to even be open. Another court hearing is slated for later this month, but that doesn’t mean a decision will be forthcoming.
The other issue complicating matters is the ballot initiative Bass and his attorneys have brought forward for the November election that would essentially grandfather his business in and tie the city’s hands in many ways. A lawsuit to its legality would be likely if it were to pass.
Bass told the council he would withdraw the initiative and drop the lawsuit if the city would sit down with him to come to a resolution that would allow TWC to stay open where it is and allow recreational marijuana sales.
Interim City Attorney Nira Doherty said the most conservative interpretation of election code is that the measure cannot be withdrawn, and therefore advised the council to not go down that path.
“Cody, we are not just thinking about you and Tahoe Wellness Cooperative. We are thinking about what is best for the community,” Councilmember Brooke Laine said.
Bass would have the same opportunity to apply for one of the various recreational marijuana permits as anyone else.
The council had previously agreed to allow two adult-use retail businesses, two cultivators up to 5,000-square-feet of grow area, two microbusinesses, and unlimited testing facility/lab licenses.
A point system based on a variety of criteria will be used to determine who gets the permits. It will be a blind assessment, with identifying information redacted so the five-member judging panel doesn’t know who the applicant is.
Locals will be given bonus points. However, the council had a hard time deciding what “local” means. They roughly decided on the boundary of Lake Tahoe Unified School District. However, this excludes those living on the South Shore of Douglas County. It was not explained why Nevadans shouldn’t be allowed to own this type of business in South Lake Tahoe when they can operate any other type of business.
When it comes to taxing marijuana – recreational and medicinal – the city didn’t make any headway.
“There are a multitude of things that need to be discussed before we determine how much tax to come up with,” Debbie McIntyre, finance director, told the council.
It’s possible a special meeting could be called to deal with the tax issue.
Sierra Nevada Alliance is hosting its inaugural nature photography contest in celebration of its 25th anniversary.
The Snap the Sierra Photo Contest closes June 15.
Proceeds from the photography contest will support the Alliance’s mission to protect and restore Sierra lands, water and wildlife, namely supporting an educational News & Review publication to distribute throughout the region.
Go online to enter. The winning photos will be decided by whichever receives the most votes, and there are prizes for first, second and third places. First place includes a $500 cash prize. All winning images will be featured in the Alliance’s 25th anniversary News & Review publication, with an estimated distribution of 70,000. Anyone can cast a vote for $1.
By Kathryn Reed
While the daily rate is going to stay the same at the city owned parking garage at Heavenly Village, monthly rates and other long-term passes will be going up this summer.
The City Council on June 5 agreed to raise some of the rates for the 420-space facility. The changes are expected to take place in one month.
“Since the parking has become impacted at Stateline there is more interest in passes,” Debbie McIntyre, finance director, said.
Three more holidays have been added to the list – Thanksgiving, Memorial Day and Labor Day. The significance is that rates on holidays for the whole day are $50 instead of the usual $25.
The current summer pass is $50/month. It will be going up to $125/month. Two hundred passes had been available, now there will be 100.
The winter rate of $125 month is increasing by $50 to $175.
The city also offers a ski season pass that depending on when it is purchased costs $300, $350 or $400. Those rates will be $400, $500 and $600.
The annual pass is being discontinued. In its place will be a six-month pass. That will be $500.
Last year the garage grossed $1.2 million. Through April it has made $900,000. Annual expenses to operate the structure are about $350,000.
The city pays almost $600,000 a year in bond debt. The soonest that bill can be paid off is December 2023.
After that time the council will have to decide where the revenue might go.
McIntyre reminded the council the original plan was to build a fifth floor on the garage. It wasn’t done at the get-go because there wasn’t the money to do so.
By Emily Cadei, Sacramento Bee
Democrat Jessica Morse has advanced to a general election clash with Republican Rep. Tom McClintock this fall, edging fellow Democrat Regina Bateson for second place in California’s top two primary.
McClintock finished first with 52 percent of the primary vote, Morse at nearly 20 percent and Bateson just under 13 percent. A final result could take weeks to determine as thousands of late-arriving ballots are tallied.
The contest between Morse, an energetic 36-year-old first time candidate, and the 61-year-old McClintock, who’s held elected office off-and-on since 1982, will offer voters in the 4th congressional district a sharp contrast in both experience and style. The district runs along the Sierra Nevada mountains from Lake Tahoe south to Yosemite, with the majority of its population concentrated in Placer County.
By Kathryn Reed
On a reluctant vote, the South Lake Tahoe City Council unanimously agreed to pay $22,420 to conduct a citywide total compensation study.
This is to determine how the city’s salaries compare to other jurisdictions.
The electeds last year had agreed to do a study for the fire department, with the contract with Bryce Consulting signed in January. An agreement with the general and public works labor groups called for an assessment be done for them as well.
However, at the June 5 meeting not all the councilmembers remembered a closed session discussion where it was decided to do a study for all employees. Interim City Attorney Nira Doherty said that decision did not have to be reported out because it was just direction given to staff.
It has been 11 years since the last study was done.
“I don’t think you can have meaningful negotiations without all cards on the table. A big part of that is what everyone else is paying,” interim City Manager Dirk Brazil said. (This was his first meeting, with his contract having been agreed to earlier at the meeting.) He said from there the city is honest with what it can afford.
It was pointed out that no matter what the study comes back with the city is not obligated to increase anyone’s wages.
Councilmembers Brooke Laine and Tom Davis were most concerned that the study will show South Lake workers are being paid less than their counterparts, but that there won’t be money in the coffers to equalize things. In particular, the looming obligation to pay CalPERS even more for retirees was brought up. In four years that bill is expected to go from $4.5 million to $9 million. They were also the ones who didn’t recall agreeing to the study. (City Councilman Jason Collin was absent.)