Publisher’s note: This editorial is from the Sept. 16, 2016, Sacramento Bee.

It has been 110 years since the San Francisco fire led to the damming of the Tuolumne River, cornering dibs on some of the world’s most pristine water for that lucky city by the bay.

Hetch Hetchy water: It’s the California luxury that the Bay Area has, for generations, taken for granted. And given how delicious it is, clear and sparkling, straight from Yosemite National Park, another coup that never stops being amazing, we’re not surprised at how last week’s dispatch from state water regulators is being viewed by its users – namely, as a water grab and a gathering emergency.

But the State Water Resources Control Board is overdue in its call to leave more water in the Tuolumne, Stanislaus and Merced rivers, not to mention the river they feed, the San Joaquin, which is one of the most heavily tapped in the state.

Read the whole story

By Bill Swindell, Santa Rosa Press Democrat

Total U.S. alcohol spending for the past 12 months has increased 3.8 percent, according to a report, as consumers continue to trade up for more expensive brands.

Total U.S. consumer spending on alcoholic beverages was at $229.8 billion for the past 12 months ending Aug. 31, according to the consulting firm bw166, analyzing state and federal data.

Spending may be up, but consumption has stayed substantially the same.

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As a result of the 27th American Century Championship celebrity golf tournament, Lake Tahoe Visitors Authority has nearly $52,000 to give out to South Shore nonprofits.

Groups must meet 501(c)3 certified nonprofit guidelines, provide an outline of their mission, describe how the donation will be used and indicate impact in the community, and be located on the South Shore. The application is available online under Community News. The deadline is noon Oct. 24.

Recipients will be presented with checks at the LTVA board meeting on Nov. 10.

The LTVA in partnership with NBC Sports and American Century Investments, previously directed an additional $62,000 through on-site volunteer organizations and other efforts during the July tournament to area high schools, Soroptimist International of South Lake Tahoe, South Lake Tahoe Booster Club, Tahoe Fund and the Gene Upshaw Scholarship.

By Tracy Rucinski, Reuters

Billionaire investors Marc Rowan and David Bonderman are among Caesars Entertainment Corp. directors who must disclose details of their wealth to creditors of the casino holding company’s bankrupt subsidiary, a U.S. judge said last week.

Junior creditors of Caesars Entertainment Operating Co Inc. convinced the court on Wednesday to force six of the parent’s directors to prove they can contribute to CEOC’s reorganization plan in exchange for releases from allegations of fraud.

“These folks are going to have to pony up the paper,” U.S. Bankruptcy Judge Benjamin Goldgar said at a hearing in Chicago on Wednesday.

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By Alex Soeth, Reno Gazette-Journal

Does your business have a product made in Nevada? If so, the Nevada Small Business Development Center would like to help you spread its awareness.

Made in Nevada, managed by the Nevada SBDC, is a nonprofit marketing and branding initiative that has proudly promoted Nevada-made products for more than 25 years. This program, a champion for Nevada-based manufacturers and artisans, is designed to promote goods that are grown, created, made or enhanced more than 51 percent in Nevada. The program encourages members of the community to support local businesses, which is vital to Nevada’s economy.

Made in Nevada represents small businesses as well as multiple manufacturing subsectors across the state. A membership with Made in Nevada allows businesses to promote their goods with the Made in Nevada logo, letting buyers know they are purchasing locally sourced products.

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By Buck Wargo, Law Vegas Review-Journal

A new concept that allows businesses to place wagers on behalf of passive investors is failing to gain much traction with Nevada’s sports books.

Since the so-called sports-entity betting took effect in November, the only sports book participating is CG Technology, the company that lobbied the Nevada Legislature for its adoption in the 2015 session. Seven business entities have registered with CG Technology’s sports books to make bets, but no other sports books appear willing to join in and accept the betting.

That lack of participation makes it more difficult for the entities to be successful long term because they’re limited to one line on games and limited in how much of their funds they can bet.

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To the community,

I’m writing this letter in support of Annie Davidson’s candidacy for LTUSD school board.

First and foremost, Annie cares deeply about children. Annie’s 20-year career in education began with teaching elementary school in a high-poverty, impacted school in Burlington, Vt., where all students received free or reduced lunch, and many students were in special education or were second-language learners.

Along the way, Annie earned her Ph.D. in education leadership and policy, and she has worked for or with state departments of education in over 15 states including California and Nevada. She has also collaborated with national organizations such as the American Education Research Association and state assessment consortia. Her educational involvement includes work with:

• No Child Left Behind
• Common Core State Standards
• Race to the Top
• Next Generation Science Standards
• Re-authorization of Elementary and Secondary Education Act as Every Student Succeeds Act.

Annie and her husband, Matt Lucksinger, are involved in many local community service efforts such as:

• Classroom volunteer work
• Tahoe Parents Nursery School
• Lake Tahoe Community College as adjunct faculty
• Coaching soccer
• Helping with performing arts activities
• Advisory board of the Warm Room
• Tahoe Women’s Community Fund

Annie currently works as an independent education consultant, and husband Matt is a real estate agent with Lake Valley Properties owned by Matt’s parents Mark and Marti Lucksinger. Matt volunteers as treasurer of the SLT Rotary Club and he serves on the LTCC Measure F Bond Oversight Committee as well as the Lake Tahoe Education Foundation.

With children aged 5 and 7, Annie and Matt will have a big and long-term stake in our South Lake Tahoe schools for many years to come. I urge you to vote for Annie Davidson for LTUSD school board representing trustee Area 1.

Diane Rosner, South Lake Tahoe

Updated 8:20pm:

As of Sunday night the Owens River Fire near Mammoth is estimated to be 6,000 acres and 20 percent contained, according to the U.S. Forest Service.

The fire that started Sept. 17 is burning north of the Owens River Road near Clark Canyon, east of Highway 395. It is burning in sagebrush and Jeffrey pine.

The fire grew Sunday afternoon along the northeast flank and interior islands of fuel also burned actively. Fire crews tied the fireline from the Owens River Fire to the recent Clark Fire, which will provide an effective control line for a portion of the northern flank.

The Big Springs Campground, Clark Canyon (a popular climbing area), and nearby ranches and developments have been evacuated.

Four uninhabited outbuildings and several pieces of heavy equipment were destroyed during the initial response Saturday.

Smoke will be highly visible from locations throughout the Highway 395 corridor including Bishop, Mammoth Lakes, June Lake, and Lee Vining.

The cause of the fire is under investigation, but officials said it appears to be human caused.

— Lake Tahoe News staff report

Reflections in one of the pools of water along the route. Photo/Kathryn Reed

By Kathryn Reed

ECHO SUMMIT – Casually walking along the Pony Express Trail we wonder how pioneers had the gumption to push on through the Sierra.

Hiking with ample water and modern clothing is a breeze. And we had a map. To have done so with wagons, cumbersome clothing and at times with inadequate supplies on roads, that well, weren’t roads, is a bit mindboggling.

These thoughts crossed our minds as the three of us hiked a stretch of land none of us had been on before. We did a 7.5-mile out-and-back from Echo Summit to the road that goes to Sierra-at-Tahoe.  This stretch is part of the Pony Express Trail, Pacific Crest Trail and links to the Tahoe Rim Trail. The trail is to the south of Highway 50.

A wall of granite is visible at the start of the trail. Photo/Kathryn Reed

And while it is part of wildly popular trails, on the Sunday of Labor Day weekend we only saw a handful of people.

Besides being relatively secluded, what made this hike a bit unique was the changing terrain. Staring out we were treated to a wall of granite. The grandeur made us pause.

At times we were on a road, other times single-track dirt. Signs posted for a trail run that is now over kept us going in the correct direction. But even without them I know we would not have gotten lost.

It didn’t take long for Lake Audrain to come into view. It looked like quite a descent – which meant an even more strenuous climb out. We opted to forego that side trip and headed forward.

This was the most unusual vegetation on the hike. Photo/Kathryn Reed

Much of the trail is up and down, with nothing too extreme either way.

Bushes with spiky berries were something new for each of us to see. Ferns filled several sections. With this lushness, meant there were a couple spots where AJ could get running water. Massive sugar pines covered part of the landscape.

We were treated to a couple eagles soaring overhead. Their screech is what first got our attention.

Once we got to the road at Sierra we thought we’d walk up to the resort to have lunch. Then we realized that road is longer than we had remembered. Bees kept us from sitting for lunch, so we ate and walked back to our starting point. We could have gone farther; the trail picks up on the other side of Sierra’s road.

Rosemary, Sue and I agreed this would be a great snowshoe trek this winter – starting from either location. Parking that time of year will be different because the sledding operation charges and none of us could remember if no parking signs are posted on Sierra’s road in the winter.

At times views are expansive, other times it’s closed in with trees. Photo/Kathryn Reed

—–

   Getting there:

From South Lake Tahoe, take Highway 50 west to the top of Echo Summit. Park at Adventure Mountain, which is on the left. The trail is to the right, almost immediately as you turn in.

·       Comedian Iliza Shlesinger will be at MontBleu in Stateline on Dec. 30 at 8pm. Tickets are available online.

·      Tahoe Donner’s Fall Festival is Oct. 8 from 11am-5pm at the Northwoods Clubhouse. Admission is free, with options to purchase food, drinks and activities. There will be a pumpkin patch, maze, barbecue, seasonal beer, arts and crafts vendors, and live music and performances by local musical groups, and children’s activities. Dog owners can even bring their four-legged friends out for the annual doggie dip. A full itinerary of activities and pricing are online.

·       The Asian citrus psyllid, a small insect that can carry a devastating citrus tree disease, has been detected in Placer County.

·       North Tahoe Business Association is putting on a free business seminar about advertising on Facebook and Instagram. It’s Oct. 6 from 8-9:30am at the North Tahoe Event Center in Kings Beach. For more information, contact NTBA staff at 530.546.9000 or info@northtahoebusiness.org.

·       Reno-Tahoe International Airport was awarded a $20,531,250 grant from the U.S. Department of Transportation for runway rehabilitation.