Sierra-at-Tahoe is offering deeply discounted lift tickets for Snowsports Week – Feb. 13-16.

All ticket proceeds go to local nonprofits: Barton Memorial Hospital Foundation, Lake Tahoe Community College Foundation, Lake Tahoe Education Foundation, Lake Tahoe Wildlife Care, and the Sierra-at-Tahoe Education Foundation. 

Snowsports Week tickets are $50 (regular rate $97) for a full-day lift ticket. They must be purchased in advanced at Tahoe Paradise Chevron, Lira’s Market, Sunrise Ski Shop, all Powder House shops, Rainbow Mountain Sports, Rock House Discount Ski & Snowboard, George’s Ski & Snowboard, Grocery Outlet, Ski Renter, South Tahoe Ski and Board, CVS at the Bijou Center and Y,  Lake Tahoe Community College bookstore, Knight’s Inn, Raley’s at the Y and Stateline, and Sports Ltd.

 They are also available online.

By Chris Murray, Reno Gazette-Journal

While New England Patriots star Tom Brady looks to break the record for most Super Bowls won by a quarterback Sunday when his team takes on the Atlanta Falcons, Nevada sports books are eyeing their own record: largest handle in Super Bowl history.

A record $132.54 million was bet on Super Bowl 50 – a 24-10 win by the Denver Broncos over the Carolina Panthers. That total surpassed the record of $119 million set in 2014. But the wagers laid down leading into this year’s game has left local sports book managers optimistic last year’s mark will be surpassed.

Ben Knutson, William Hill’s local area manager who oversees 30 of the bookmaker’s 108 statewide books, believes the game will set a record handle.

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South Lake Tahoe resident Gregory Baghdikian was part of Cal Poly’s team that created “the most beautiful float built and decorated by volunteers” at this year’s Rose Parade.

This was the parade’s only float built entirely by students. It was awarded the Founders’ Trophy for its eye-popping appeal and visual effects. The winning work reflects a time-honored collaboration between students at Cal Poly, San Luis Obispo and their counterparts at Cal Poly Pomona.

The 52-foot long float, called “A New Leaf,” featured three giant chameleons exploring their tropical world.

Baghdikian is studying computer engineering. He was the engineering and hydraulic lead on the float.

By Gary Martin, Las Vegas Review-Journal

WASHINGTON — Nevada’s two U.S. senators have joined a bipartisan effort to expand mobile broadband to rural and underserved areas.

More than two dozen senators from both political parties on Thursday asked the Federal Communications Commission to expand mobile broadband in rural areas to improve public safety and enhance education and economic opportunities in precision agriculture and health care.

U.S. Sen. Dean Heller, R-Nev., and U.S. Sen. Catherine Cortez Masto, D-Nev., were among those requesting FCC Chairman Ajit Pai to “move forward” with the second phase of a so-called mobility fund to expand communications services.

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By Kathryn Reed

Schools in Lake Tahoe Unified School District are going to have their water tested for lead per a voluntary initiative put forth by the state Department of Water Resources.

The water purveyor for a particular district must provide the testing to the schools at no charge. The school districts must ask the water company to do the testing, it’s not automatic.

Terry Powers, laboratory manager for South Tahoe Public Utility District, told the board earlier this week that LTUSD has contacted him and will be sending a formal letter seeking the water tests.

“We are required to take five samples at each school. Sites have to be the most highly used stations,” Powers said.

While Al Tahoe, Tahoe Valley and South Tahoe Middle schools either use wells or Lukins water, STPUD will be testing at those sites as well.

Most schools are not regularly required to test for lead. In the wake of what happened in Michigan, state officials wanted to ensure water being consumed by schoolchildren was lead free. Districts, though, do not have to test now if they don’t want to.

LTUSD did not respond to questions asking why it chose to go forward with the testing.

If an issue is discovered, it will be up to the school district to fix it.

The testing is expected to be done this school year. Results will be public information.

The Eldorado National Forest will be submitting applications for off highway vehicle cooperative funds.

The public’s ideas are important for developing the proposals. There will be an open house Feb. 8 from 4-7pm to discuss the proposed preliminary grant applications. It will  be at the Eldorado National Forest Supervisor’s Office, 100 Forni Road, Placerville.

The USFS plans to put a strong emphasis on trail maintenance and repair, law enforcement across the four ranger districts, printing and distribution of the motor vehicle use maps, restoration of impacted areas, planning, and education.

Once completed, the preliminary grant applications will be available on the OHMVR website from March 7-April 3.

The public may provide comments by emailing both Michelle Zuro-Kreimer at mzurokreimer@fs.fed.us and ohvinfo@parks.ca.gov. 

By Ryan Sabalow, Dale Kasler and Phillip Reese, Sacramento Bee

After five years of drought, could California really have so much rain and snow there’s no room to store all the water?

The answer – as the state’s water picture careens from bust to boom – is yes.

One month into an exceptionally stormy 2017, river flows though the Sacramento-San Joaquin Delta have been so powerful that the massive pumps that ship north-state water to Southern California and the San Joaquin Valley have roared at full throttle for weeks. The federal and state pumping stations near Tracy delivered more water in January than in any month in the last 12 years, according to a Sacramento Bee review of data supplied by the U.S. Bureau of Reclamation.

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By Jeff DeFranco

Lake Tahoe Community College stands with the California Community Colleges Chancellor’s Office and its board of governors in strongly supporting the values and benefits of diversity and inclusion; not just on college campuses, but in towns and cities large and small across the country. The current White House administration’s recent executive orders regarding immigration, the building of a border wall, and its rhetoric regarding Dream Act students has caused widespread concern among California’s community college students.

Jeff DeFranco

LTCC is and always has been deeply committed to the security of all its students, and to ensuring that a safe environment is available to everyone who relies on the college to better their lives.

In alignment with the California Community Colleges board of governors, LTCC will not release any student information related to immigration status without a warrant, subpoena, or court order. The college will not cooperate with any efforts to create a student registry based on constitutionally protected categories such as religion, nationality, race, or sexual orientation. And, LTCC stands firm in its resolve to make certain that all students have a chance to receive a quality education regardless of their immigration status.

Public education is the great equalizer. As educators, it’s our civic duty to make educational opportunities available to everyone. This doesn’t just help individual students; it provides an avenue for growth and progress for our entire country.

At LTCC, in-state enrollment fees and state financial aid, including fee waivers, Cal Grants and privately funded institutional scholarships, are available to undocumented students known as Dreamers. These benefits are protected by California law in the form of the Dream Act, which allows students who are not U.S. citizens or permanent residents to apply for and receive non-state funded scholarships and state-funded financial aid for college. More information about these benefits can be found online. 

It is uncertain what direction the White House will take regarding Dream Act students located around the country. But LTCC’s firm commitment to its own Dreamers is clear: Our doors are open for all LTCC students, and we stand with our Dreamers and international students.

The college is currently drafting a board of trustees’ resolution formalizing the positions stated above. Campuswide events with community organization involvement where legal information and advice will be shared are also in the works. More information about these efforts will be coming.

Jeff DeFranco is president of Lake Tahoe Community College.

Washoe County Sheriff’s Office release the following tips for people hiking/snowshoeing and like this time of year:

1. Dress like an onion. Be sure to dress in layers. Since temperatures vary from the trailhead to the summit, a variety of insulating clothing will help you regulate your body temperature.

2. Start small and start early. Be prepared for the distance and difficulty of the trail. The sun sets earlier in winter months so plan to be off the trail before dark. Keep in mind an injury or accident could happen any time due to terrain. Have a plan if you do get injured.

3. Bring safety gear. Aside from basic hiking gear, be sure to include a few basic items such as your cell phone, GPS/compass, pocket knife or mini tool, first aid kit, and rain poncho and/or foil blanket.

4. Check the weather. Look at precipitation, wind speed, avalanche reports and daylight hours.

5. Learn to use crampons. If the trail is icy, crampons can make the difference in preventing injury. If you are new to crampons, try them on easier trails first.

6. Let someone know where you are. Let a friend or family member know specific and accurate trail information of where you are as well as when you are expected to return.

7. Take an experienced friend. Hiking with friends is always the way to go, especially in winter. Not only is it more fun, but also safer to be with a group.

8. Water, water, water. It is essential to bring plenty of water when hiking in the winter, as dehydration is a common problem.

9. Invest in good gear. There are some basics every hiker should have: crampons or snowshoes, waterproof/resistant pants and jacket, knee-high gaiters, waterproof/resistant boots, a lightweight backpack, and sunglasses.

10. Be prepared to turn around. Legendary mountaineer Ed Viesturs once said, “Getting to the top is optional, getting down is mandatory.” Don’t hesitate to turn around if you run into conditions that look dangerous.

11. Don’t hesitate to call SAR if in trouble. If you get lost, call 911.

Tahoe Coalition for the Homeless has struggled to assist guests with basic hygiene — specifically a shower.

A community member has donated $1,500 of the approximately $3,000 needed to purchase and install an ADA shower unit.

The portable unit could be moved to the South Lake Tahoe warm room’s next location.

Further donations will be matched by a board member. Donations are being accepted online.

The ability to keep the body clean is important to health as well many chronic maladies of the skin and hair can occur when one does not bathe regularly. Sometimes infection can set in, leading to major medical conditions and health care needs.

Additionally, showering provides some dignity to those who may already feel outcast.