Bob LaPerriere’s talk on historical medical care is a bit graphic. Photo/Kathryn Reed

By Kathryn Reed

CAMP RICHARDSON — Saws and drills that look like they belong in woodshop, medication with no known benefits, prescriptions for maggots. This is what medical care was like in the 1800s.

Bob LaPerriere, a retired medical doctor and historian, shared stories this month about life during the Gold Rush era in terms of health care. He is the curator of the Museum of Medical History of the Sierra Sacramento Valley Medical Society. That medical society, which is the oldest one in the state, covers El Dorado, Sacramento and Yolo counties.

This was a time when doctors treated the patient because they didn’t know the cause of the disease.

Bleeding, vomiting, blistering and purging were four the main ways to help relieve someone of their symptoms – at least that is what was believed at the time. Leeches were one way to get people to bleed. A sharp, knife-like instrument called a fleam was another.

With immunizations not yet created and living conditions at times substandard based on today’s regulations, childhood diseases were the norm. Measles was common.

“Surgery was pretty primitive,” LaPerriere told the packed room at Camp Richardson Lodge. The talk was put on by the Lake Tahoe Historical Society. “The most common operation was amputation.”

Gastrointestinal issues were the No. 1 complaint for people heading West on wagon trains. Contaminated water was common.

Even once they reached California the once pristine area was ravaged by the gold miners. Human sewage polluted the streets and drinking water. As LaPerriere said, “Sanitation was a luxury.”

Anesthetics were rare. Ether wasn’t introduced until after 1846.

Prior to the 1900s it was arsenic and strychnine that were the medications of choice. Then came mercury and narcotics.

Chinese herbalists were practicing as well. They are credited with saving the life Jane Stanford, the wife of then-Gov. Leland Stanford.

One of the worst things to strike the Sacramento area was the cholera epidemic of 1850. It hit all classes, killing nearly 1,000 people in three weeks and by some estimates 5,000 in total. Of the 50 doctors in the area at the time, 17 died from the disease.

At the museum in Sacramento is the original X-ray tube that came to Sacramento in about 1900. Also on display is an iron lung used for polio patients.

By Lisa Herron

Lake Tahoe agencies remind residents and visitors to practice proper food storage and trash disposal at all times while in bear country. Intentional or unintentional feeding of bears can result in the bear being killed, fines and/or jail time for violators. 

Every year law enforcement and state wildlife officers respond to hundreds of calls in which bears may pose a public safety threat and/or are damaging property. In some cases, the animals are euthanized. Become part of the solution and help us save our Tahoe bears.  

“The Nevada Department of Wildlife appreciates the interagency efforts throughout the Tahoe basin to help keep bears wild and where they belong,” said NDOW bear biologist Heather Reich. “Consistent and informative messaging is something we can all contribute to help residents and visitors be more responsible in bear country.”

The Tahoe basin is a spectacular place to live and attracts millions of outdoor recreationists each year. It is also prime bear habitat with an estimated population of 10,000 to 15,000 American black bears living in the Sierra Nevada. With the onset of warmer weather conditions, bears are beginning to leave their winter dens in search of food. When bears emerge from hibernation, they are extraordinarily hungry and must eat to make up for calories lost during winter. As more people live and frequent bear country, an abundance of unnatural food sources become available to bears. Bears are attracted to anything scented and/or edible. Improperly stored food and garbage are temptations few bears can resist.

Once bears gain access to human food or trash, they will continue to seek it out. They become less cautious of people and may display bold behavior when trying to get to human food. Bears that have become indifferent to the presence of people and have access to human food sources may cause property damage and threaten public safety. Residents and visitors can help keep our bears wild and reduce potential conflicts between bears and humans by acting responsibly while in bear country and properly storing food and trash.

At Forest Service campgrounds in the Lake Tahoe Basin, visitors are required to store food in bear-resistant containers (storage lockers/bear boxes), dispose of trash in dumpsters and close and lock these containers or risk fines, jail time, or both. 

California state law prohibits the feeding of any big game mammal and proper food storage is also required by law in California State Parks. Food, beverages, scented items or ice chests left unattended will be confiscated and a citation will be issued. Visitors that violate these rules may be ejected from the park. All counties in Nevada that border Lake Tahoe have ordinances in place prohibiting residents from allowing wildlife access to garbage. Citations and fines can be issued for code violations.

The following are tips for safe-guarding homes, long-term rentals, vacation home rentals or timeshares (if permitted by home or property owner):

·         Never feed wildlife. This attracts predators to homes and properties and perpetuates nuisance wildlife activity.

·         Purchase, store all trash in, and properly close bear-resistant garbage containers, preferably bear boxes. Inquire with local refuse companies about new bear box incentives and payment programs or go online and/or here for more information.

·         Never leave groceries, animal feed, or anything scented in vehicles. Bears can open vehicle doors and they may cause damage trying to gain entrance if there are scented items inside.

·         Keep barbecue grills clean and stored in a garage or shed when not in use.

·         Keep doors and windows closed and locked when the home is unoccupied.

·         Vegetable gardens, compost piles, orchards and chickens may attract bears. Use electric fences to keep bears out where allowed. Refrain from hanging bird feeders.

·         If neighborhoods experience bear activity, consider using electric doormats and/or electric fencing on windows and/or doors where allowed. Electrified windows and doors should have signs posted for safety and to alert the public and emergency personnel. Contact local vendors and installers for appropriate products and instructions and/or go online for more information.

·         If a bear breaks into your home, do not confront the bear. Give the bear space and move away so the bear can find an escape route.

Tips for safe-guarding campsites against bear encounters:

·         Never feed wildlife.

·         Always store food (including pet food), drinks, toiletries, coolers, cleaned grills, cleaned dishes, cleaning products, and all other scented items in the bear-resistant containers (storage lockers/bear boxes) provided at campsites.

·         Clean the barbecue grill after each use and store properly.

·         Always place trash in bear-resistant dumpsters in campgrounds or in bear-resistant containers at campsites (storage lockers/bear boxes), and close and lock after each use.

·         Never leave scented items unattended in campsites, tents, or vehicles. Bears can open vehicle doors and they may cause damage trying to gain entrance if there are scented items inside.

·         Never leave trash at campsites.

Tips for hikers and backpackers:

·         Hike in groups and keep an eye on small children.

·         Please keep dogs on leash. Off leash, dogs can alarm and/or aggravate bears and bring the bear back to you.

·         Watch for signs of bears, such as bear scat along trails or claw marks on trees, and stay alert.  Make noise while on trails so that bears are aware of human presence and can avoid you.

·         Never approach bears or cubs. Always, keep a safe distance.

·         Store food in bear-resistant food storage canisters while recreating in the backcountry.

To report human-bear conflicts in California, contact California Department of Fish and Wildlife’s Northern California dispatch at 916.445.0380. Non-emergency negative wildlife interactions in California State Parks can be reported to their public dispatch at 916.358.1300. To report human-bear conflicts in Nevada, contact Nevada Department of Wildlife at 775.688.2327. If the issue is an immediate threat, call the local sheriff’s department or 911.

This collaborative agency effort includes California State Parks (CSP), California Department of Fish and Wildlife (CDFW), El Dorado County Sheriff’s Department (EDSO), Nevada Department of Wildlife (NDOW), Tahoe Regional Planning Agency (TRPA), and U.S. Forest Service Lake Tahoe Basin Management Unit (LTBMU).

Lisa Herron works for the Lake Tahoe Basin Management Unit.

By Benjamin Spillman, Reno Gazette-Journal

Authorities in Douglas County say one man is dead and a sheriff’s deputy injured following a domestic violence call to a Minden-area home.

The incident happened Saturday on Shadow Lane in northern Douglas County, according to the Douglas County Sheriff’s Office.

The report states that deputies responded to a call about a domestic dispute that involved a weapon at 9:30pm.

Read the whole story

By Kenzie Bales, KRNV-TV

Multiple mudslides have shut down both directions of Highway 395 from Highway 208 (Holbrook Junction) to the Nevada/California state line near the Topaz Lodge, according to the Nevada Department of Transportation.

Trooper Matt McLaughlin with the Nevada Highway Patrol says all northbound traffic is stopped at the California state line and southbound traffic is being diverted on Highway 208 through Wellington.

A spokeswoman for Douglas County says the nearly 200 people inside the Topaz Lodge are sheltering in place after water and mud inundated the main floor.

Read the whole story

By Chris McGinnis, San Francisco Chronicle

Memorial Day marks the start of the busy peak travel season, and it looks like this summer will be one of the busiest ever at airports, on the road and at hotels.

The Transportation Security Administration, which processed more than 239 million airline passengers and crew from Memorial Day to Labor Day last year, said it expects to see that number rise to 243 million this summer. To keep the lines moving, TSA has added more than 600 officers to its checkpoint staff since January and said it will add 1,000 more by the peak summer crunch, when it will be processing 2.6 million travelers per day.

To save money on airfare during peak season, you must be flexible. Fridays and Saturdays in July and August now outrank Thanksgiving as the busiest air travel days of the year.

Read the whole story

To the community,

The South Tahoe and Whittell High schools boosters clubs would like to express our sincere gratitude to the sponsors, players and volunteers at this year’s Boosters Golf Tournament. We’d especially like to thank Edgewood for their continued support for our cause – this year was our 31st year – and once again they allowed us to use their gorgeous course, snack shack, carts, staff, and club house at no charge so that we can host this amazing event.

This was our best year ever with net revenue of $42,000 which is split between both schools. This money helps to fund sports and supplementary education programs for our local schools.

Thank you and we hope to see you all next year!

Sincerely,

Kindle Craig, South Tahoe High School Boosters & Whittell High School Boosters

Soja

Soja is a nice 7 year old terrier mix. He loves to play with other dogs and is very affectionate.

He is house trained and crate trained, and loves to play ball and go swimming. Soja has lived with children, but would prefer to live with older ones.
 
Soja is neutered, microchipped, tested for heart worm, and vaccinated. He is at the El Dorado County Animal Services shelter in Meyers, along with 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. 

·      Sod planted at the new ballfields in South Lake Tahoe are expected to be ready for the CUFA soccer tournament in June. SnowGlobe paid for the turf to be replaced.

·      Homeless children in El Dorado County will soon be the beneficiaries of nearly $45,000 thanks to the efforts of the county’s Child Support Services staff and the state association of Child Support directors, which raised the money.

·      Lake Tahoe AleWorX is setting up a second location in the Mike Laub Building in the Stateline casino corridor.

·      The Tahoe Bike Challenge is June 1-14. The kick-off event is June 1 from 3-7pm at Blue Zone Sports in South Lake Tahoe. Sign up for the challenge online.

·      Here are the El Dorado-Tahoe and Sierra roadwork schedules from Caltrans for the week.

By Matt Weiser, Water Deeply

Californians this year will vote on not one but two water bond measures totaling $13 billion. Given that the state still hasn’t spent all of the $7.5 billion from the Proposition 1 water bond passed in 2014, it raises a crucial question: Does California really need another $13 billion in water bonds?

As of December 2017, the state had allocated only about $1 billion from Proposition 1. About half of the total money available from the bond is dedicated to new water storage under a complicated new process that funds only the “public benefits” of such projects. The first dribble of money from that pot is expected to be awarded later this year.

With all that money still coming, why two more water bonds?

Read the whole story

By Jennifer Roberts, The Conversation

On May 14, the United States Supreme Court invalidated the Professional and Amateur Sports Protection Act, a federal law that prohibited states, aside from a few exemptions like Nevada, from allowing sports betting operations.

In a victory for states’ rights, the court ruled that the law unconstitutionally interfered with states’ ability to implement their own legislation on the issue.

So now what? As someone who studies sports wagering and gambling law, I’ve been following the case closely. While the decision marks an end to years of legal action to challenge the federal law, it also now creates a host of issues for states that are considering sports betting legislation and regulation.

To legalize or not to legalize

First and foremost, it’s now on states to decide whether to legalize sports betting. Many, like Pennsylvania and New York, have preemptively introduced or passed legislation to do just that.

But for those that have already legalized sports betting or end up doing so in the coming months, there’s a lot of work to be done – and decisions to be made.

The states that do legalize sports betting will have to decide whether it will be operated by the state, like lotteries, or if private enterprises will be allowed to offer sports bets. If private businesses are permitted, states must consider whether sports betting will be limited to certain types, such as casinos and racetracks, or if online operators and smaller retailers will also be able to participate.

Then there are the types of wagers that will be permitted and prohibited. Does the legalization of sports betting allow for wagering on events that are related to professional sports, such as the NBA draft? Do esports count as a “sport” for wagering purposes? Will betting on events beyond sports be legalized, too? For example, in Nevada, you can’t bet on the outcome of elections, but you can bet on approved esports events and the NBA draft.

States will also need to determine whether live betting – also known as in-running, live-game or in-game betting – will be offered. This type of wager, which has become increasingly popular in Nevada, allows you to bet on certain aspects of the game as it unfolds. For example, at halftime of a game, you could bet on the outcome regardless of what happened in the first half.

There’s also the issue of how bettors will establish betting accounts and place their bets. Will they be able to do so through an app on their phones? Or must it be done in person at a licensed location?

Building a regulatory framework

Some elected officials think the federal government could play a role by building a regulatory template for states to follow. Before the decision, Congressman Frank Pallone of New Jersey had already introduced legislation to create one. However, Congress might not have the appetite to tackle the issue, given other priorities and the upcoming midterm elections.

Moreover, Nevada’s system could easily serve as a starting point for states from which to build. Since 1949, the state has been auditing sports books, resolving patron disputes, approving technology for use in sports books, and approving wagering options.

So far, little has been said about the benefit the federal government will receive from an expansion of sports wagering throughout the United States. The current tax code imposes a 0.25 percent federal tax on the total amount wagered on sports.

However, the sports leagues also want a cut of the bets – and have pushed for what they call an “integrity fee.” But it’s really just a share of all wagers made. This could prove detrimental to sports book operators, since sports betting, by its nature, is a relatively low-margin business – after all, they do have to pay out on winning wagers. If states aren’t careful, integrity fees, burdensome taxes, license fees and regulatory costs might push out suitable, experienced operators – and force patrons to remain in the illegal market.

These are just a snapshot of issues that states will have to grapple with, and a careful, cautious and informed approach must be undertaken. But in the long term, it will serve states and bettors well: A legal, regulated market is much better than the illegal, unaccountable system that’s been operating for years.

Jennifer Roberts is an adjunct professor of law at UNLV.