Publisher’s note: This editorial is from the Dec. 25, 2016, Las Vegas Sun.

Famously, Donald Trump doesn’t read long reports. Instead, he has staffers condense the material into summary memos.

So here’s hoping somebody on his team will crunch a new Brookings Institution report on carbon emissions and put it in front of him.

The report debunks an argument by Trump and others that the economy is being stifled by regulations and policies aimed at reducing emissions from coal-fired power plants.

The researchers found that 34 states had managed to “decouple” growth from carbon emissions — in other words, to grow their economies without a coinciding increase in emissions — from 2000 to 2014. Nevada was among the top 10 of those states, with a 42.5 percent difference between gross domestic product and emissions growth.

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·      SmartTraveler.com listed Lake Tahoe’s beaches among the best to see in the winter.

·       Hard Rock Lake Tahoe has a slew of events planned for New Year’s Eve. 

·       Here is the Sierra roadwork schedule for next week from Caltrans.

·       Sen. Dean Heller, R-Nev., has announced his intentions to run for re-election in 2018, which means he won’t be running for governor.

·      Tahoe Fit by Barton Health is led by qualified fitness coaches. Activities offered this season: winter conditioning, indoor cycling, Pilates, cardio core, barre, kickboxing, and a diverse selection of yoga classes. All fitness levels welcome. Sign up or get more details by calling 530.543.5549.

By Peg Melnik, Santa Rosa Press Democrat

When you uncork a sparkler, the hiss of the cork reminds you that there’s a secret in the bottle.

The frothy, free-flowing bubbly is entirely different than the wine that was originally bottled. But most people don’t have a clue about how the mystery occurs.

With New Year’s Eve in the offing, here are five surprises hidden inside a bottle of bubbly. They will help you understand why early Champagne ads beckoned drinkers with this promise: “Come quickly, I am tasting the stars.”

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By Thomas Moore, Las Vegas Sun

Anyone who is defined as a gaming employee, according to Nevada Revised Statute 463.0157, must be registered before they can work in the gaming industry.

Becoming a registered employee is different than getting a gaming license. But it still involves a background investigation, and registered employees must not break the law.

The casino jobs that require registration include dealers, change personnel, counting-room personnel, keno runners, keno writers, machine mechanics, oddsmakers and line setters, security personnel, shift or pit bosses and a host of other gambling-related jobs.

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A two-plus-hour standoff in Incline Village today ended peacefully.

Washoe County sheriff’s negotiators were able to talk Shane Donovan, 28, of Incline into surrendering just after 1pm Dec. 30.

Officers said Donovan had barricaded himself in a bedroom on Winding Way and was acting erratically. Donovan voiced threats against himself and officers. Officials said Donovan told them he had rigged the entryway to the room with explosives, however, no explosives were found.

The Parole and Probation Division of the Nevada Department of Public Safety had recently issued a warrant for Donovan’s arrest for parole violations. He was taken into custody on the parole and probation warrant.

— Lake Tahoe News staff report

AAA is offering free rides to residents in the Lake Tahoe Basin and elsewhere in Northern California on New Year’s Eve.

Tipsy Tow is a service to help prevent drunken driving. It’s available to people who aren’t AAA members, too.

Tow truck drivers will take the driver and their vehicle up to 10 miles to their home. Passengers are permitted if there is room.

The rides are available from 6pm Saturday to 6am Sunday. Call 800.222.4357.

By First Tracks

KLOSTERS, Switzerland – The Swiss Alps offer breath-taking panoramic views and year-round adventure. Yet, the challenges of making the mountains accessible require monumental feats of engineering expertise.

A new ski lift for children and handicapped persons will enable them to enjoy remarkable mountain scenery and activity. ABB is powering the new six-seater chairlift in the Klosters-Madrisa mountain resort, one of the most popular ski and mountain regions in the Swiss Alps.

“I am a person like everyone,” said eight-time Paralympic medalist Edith Wolf-Hunkeler.  “I want to be free. I don’t feel handicapped. If you can go skiing with your family and you are together all of the time, that’s what makes it an experience.”

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No one was injured in a drive-by shooting in South Lake Tahoe on Thursday night.

The shooting occurred in the area of Ski Run Boulevard and Pioneer Trail.

“We do know several rounds were discharged in the area. It appears as if this activity is between two rival gangs,” Police Chief Brian Uhler told Lake Tahoe News.

He would not disclose the gangs involved.

Suspects – all locals – have been identified. Some have been questioned by detectives, but no arrests had been made as of 11:30am Dec. 30.

Officers were looking for evidence along Ski Run on Friday morning, including searching motel dumpsters.

— Lake Tahoe News staff report

Publisher’s note: The author asked for his 2013 letter regarding SnowGlobe to be republished because he still stands by it — here it is. Below is a new letter.

To the community,

Look, I know heads in beds is the name of the game in this town. But SnowGlobe is a poorly run event because it doesn’t have a proper venue. This year was the worst ever with noise — bass. The tree removal and site expansion just amplified everything.

It also floods the town with people when we are already at capacity. Not to mention that the SnowGlobe theme doesn’t mesh with the family friendly town that the city wants to market. Look, call me a pansy, but when my house shakes and my dual pane windows rattle I have a legitimate complaint. If my neighbors were being that loud, they would be shut down.

Again, have events that bring people to the area. I’m all for it. But be sure to have a proper venue before you establish an event.

John Spinola, South Lake Tahoe

With impaired driving and riding a top traffic problem for Nevada, Nevada Highway Patrol is working in conjunction with agencies statewide aligned with Joining Forces to boost enforcement efforts through Jan. 3.

The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration has found that drivers at a breath alcohol level of 0.08 percent, the legal limit in every state, were about four times more likely to crash than sober drivers. Drivers with an alcohol level of 0.15 percent were 12 times more likely to crash than sober drivers. Marijuana users were about 25 percent more likely to be involved in a crash than drivers with no evidence of marijuana use.

To achieve the zero fatalities goal, drivers and riders are encouraged to know the law for blood alcohol levels and to abide by the following guidelines:

·      designate a sober driver before drinking;

·      use a taxi, call a sober friend or family member or use public transportation if impaired;

·      take advantage of local sober ride programs;

·      call 911 if a drunken driver is spotted on the road;

·      take the keys or assist in making other arrangements for someone who is about to drive or ride while impaired.