To the community,

OK — I don’t want to rain on anybody’s parade, but whose idea was it to have a parade on one the busiest days of the year?

This town starts to vibrate at 7am on July 4 and the “powers that be” decided it was a good idea to shut down Highway 50 from 9-10:30 in the morning. Really?

Did you ever stop and think about the ripple effect that it is going to have on the rest of the day. Did you think about how many people you’re going impede by having a parade on July 4? Did you stop and think that this might get in the way if emergency services are needed?

You have upset locals and you are going to upset visitors. I just can’t wrap my brain around this idea. It make no sense.

Just my 2 cents.

John Spinola, South Lake Tahoe

By Richard N. Velotta, Las Vegas Review-Journal

The Nevada Division of Tourism will spend $200,000 to sponsor six events — four in Northern Nevada and two in Southern Nevada — to generate tourism in the state.

The Nevada Commission on Tourism voted unanimously Wednesday to spend $50,000 each to assist the National Championship Air Races near Reno; the Sierra Ski Marketing Council to publicize skiing in the Lake Tahoe area; and the Reno Air Service Corp. to enhance the efforts of public and private partners to recruit air service to Reno-Tahoe International Airport.

A fourth Northern Nevada entity, the Great Reno Balloon Race, will receive a $15,000 sponsorship.

Read the whole story

The Kinsey Sicks, who combine award winning a cappella, sharp satire and over-the-top drag, will be in South Lake Tahoe for three nights.

In their all-new touring show, Chicks with Shticks, the dragapella beauty shop quartet provides an evening of politics, personal secrets and plain old raunch – and all in four-part harmony.

The will be at The Loft in Heavenly Village on July 12-14.

Tickets are $25, plus tax/fees. Doors open at 8:45pm, show starts at 9pm. The show contains adult humor and is for mature audiences.

Sierra State Parks Foundation is hosting a Conversation with History on July 7.

This fundraising evening at Vikingsholm includes a “behind the scenes” tour of the castle and wine and hors d’oeuvres in the courtyard. Longtime summer guest of Lora Knight, Helen Smith will share her memories at Vikingsholm.

Each attendee will also receive a signed copy of Smith’s booklet “Vikingsholm”. Tickets are $65 each and can be purchased online.

The Sierra State Parks Foundation’s fundraising efforts at Vikingsholm have most recently included the restoration of the sod roof, upgrading all electrical components in the castle, and providing free school group tours. SSPF is currently fundraising to stabilize the south turret of the castle.

The following traffic and parking controls are planned for Incline Village from now through July 4:

• There will be no parking on Village Boulevard (Southwood Boulevard to Lakeshore Boulevard) and Lakeshore Boulevard (Village to Country Club). There will be limited handicap parking available on Lakeshore Boulevard in front of Incline Beach gate.

Road closures on July 4:

• Lakeshore Boulevard will be closed between Village and Country Club from 7pm until after the fireworks display.
• One-way traffic from 5am-11pm on Lakeshore Boulevard from Village Boulevard to Country Club Drive. One lane will be used for loading and unloading only. Incline Way from Country Club Drive to Southwood Boulevard.

There will be a free shuttle to the IVGID beaches on July 3-4, with extended hours — 10:30am-10:30pm. Must have valid beach access to use the shuttle service.

By Benjamin Spillman, Reno Gazette-Journal

It’s about to get more difficult for careless Lake Tahoe selfie-seekers to strike a pose with their second favorite subjects.

That’s because a private, non-profit organization is raising cash to upgrade a South Shore boardwalk that’s seen a swarm of selfie-shooters seeking shots with local bears.

The Tahoe Fund, an organization that raises money for conservation, recreation and education causes around Lake Tahoe, is seeking to raise $28,000 for the project at the Taylor Creek Visitor Center.

The money would pay to raise, widen and add railings to a boardwalk that overlooks Taylor Creek.

Read the whole story

·       Tahoe Institute for Natural Science is looking for people to participate in the North American Butterfly Association’s Butterfly Count Program on July 17. A 15-mile diameter count circle in South Lake Tahoe has been selected. For more info, email will@tinsweb.org.

·       July 9 is the Taste of Gold fundraiser for the Lake Tahoe Community College Foundation. It is from 6-9pm at the demonstration garden. For more info and tickets, go online.

·       Jenner Felton of Zephyr Cove earned a bachelor of science degree in computer science from Harvey Mudd College last month.

·       Transforming Transportation, Finally: How Three Transportation Revolutions are Starting to Disrupt Transportation as We Know It is the topic of an Aug. 11 lecture at Sierra Nevada College in Incline Village. Time: 5:30-7pm. Cost: $5.

·       Tour De Tahoe – Bike Big Blue is Sept. 11. Cyclists will ride the 72 miles around Lake Tahoe. More info is online.

Marshall Medical Center in Placerville must pay $5.5 million in fines for defrauding Medicare, Tricare and Medicaid.

The settlement announced June 30 resolves the allegations that the West Slope health care organization submitted false Medicare and Medi-Cal bills. Also named in the suit were Marshall Foundation for Community Health, El Dorado Hematology & Medical Oncology II Inc.; and doctors Lin H. Soe and Tsuong Tsai.

The federal lawsuit was filed in January 2012 by whistleblower Colleen Herren. She alleged that she was fired from her job as an oncology nurse in the clinic when she told management about the defendants’ billing practices. Herren will receive a 26 percent share of the $5.5 million per the whistleblower provisions of the False Claims Act.

The complaint alleged that the defendants performed chemotherapy infusions without having a physician present. One of the oncologists referred cancer patients from the oncology clinic to the hospital for blood transfusions and improperly billed Medicare for observation codes that require visits by the doctor in conjunction with the transfusions and no doctor visited. The clinic’s oncology nurses used single dose vials on two subsequent patients and billed Medicare and Medicaid for two dosages.

In the settlement, the defendants do not admit liability for the alleged false conduct.

— Lake Tahoe News staff report

The Trailhead Fire has burned 2,161 acres, most of which are in El Dorado County. It remains at 12 percent containment.

Nearly 2,600 structures are still in the path of the blaze that started June 28. It is burning in the middle fork of the American River canyon.

The fire became more active Thursday as the inversion lifted in the early afternoon. According to CalFire, crews made good progress on the Placer County side, completing direct line across the west and northwestern edges of the fire.

Shelters have been set up in El Dorado and Placer counties for people who have been evacuated.

Smoke from the fire could continue to be a problem on Friday in the Truckee and Reno areas.

The cause is still under investigation.

— Lake Tahoe News staff report

Jeanette Marie Chapman

South Lake Tahoe police are looking for a local woman who has been missing since June 29.

Officers have labeled Jeanette Marie Chapman at-risk because they believe she is not taking her medication for mental health issues.

She is 52, 5-feet-6, 285 pounds, has blue eyes and blonde hair.

Anyone with information is asked to call 530.542.6110.

— Lake Tahoe News staff report