By Dawn McCarty and Phil Milford, Bloomberg

Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Co., the publisher of authors from Mark Twain to J.R.R. Tolkien, sought bankruptcy protection to eliminate more than $3 billion in debt.

The company, based in Boston, listed $2.68 billion in assets and $3.53 billion in debt in Chapter 11 documents filed last week in U.S. Bankruptcy Court in Manhattan. More than 20 affiliates also entered bankruptcy, including Broderbund LLC and Classroom Connect Inc.

“The global financial crisis over the past several years has negatively affected” Houghton Mifflin’s financial performance, in a business that “depends largely on state and local funding” for the schoolbook market, said William Bayers, company general counsel, in court papers.

He cited “recession-driven decreases” and “purchase deferrals” by the states and a “lack of anticipated federal stimulus support” for “substantial revenue decline.”

The filing comes as traditional print-book publishing faces growing competition from e-books. Sales of adult paperbacks and hardcover books fell 18 percent from 2010 to 2011, according to the Association of American Publishers. Borders Group Inc., the second-largest U.S. bookstore chain, filed for bankruptcy in February 2011.

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A coalition of local and visiting Lake Tahoe paddlers, business owners and Tahoe basin environmental groups are helping to stop the spread of aquatic invasive species by becoming Tahoe Keepers.

Tahoe Keepers are paddlers who inspect and decontaminate their boats and gear every time they haul out and move between new waterbodies. Nonnative species, such as quagga and zebra mussels, the New Zealand mudsnail and the spiny waterflea, could irreparably damage the Lake Tahoe watershed, and their transport is illegal. These invasive species are spread through water and debris that can collect in cockpits and hatches, cling to outer hulls, rudders and paddles, and even hide out on footwear and gear long after paddling.

Paddlers can learn online how to self-inspect and decontaminate their canoes, kayaks, paddleboards and inflatables. Those who successfully complete the free 10-minute online training program will become members of the Tahoe Keepers stewardship community, and will receive “proof of training credentials” and a membership sticker.

A 12-year-old boy is lucky he only sustained a broken arm after he rode his bike into the side of a tractor-trailer.

The name of the South Lake Tahoe youngster is not being released.

South Tahoe police officers say the boy was wearing headphones and no helmet on May 31 at 2pm when the accident occurred.

Officers said the bicyclist attempted to cross Highway 50 against a red traffic signal at Lyons Avenue and collided with the side of the tractor trailer near the intersection.

Bicyclists younger than 18 are required by law to wear a helmet while riding. Parents of minors not wearing a helmet can be cited for allowing their kids to ride without a helmet.

The police are not seeking criminal prosecution of the juvenile’s parents for child endangerment in this instance.

— Lake Tahoe News staff report

Sawmill Pond continues to be stocked with fish and will be full for the June 9 annual Kids Fishing Derby.

Look for some big cutthroat trout to be on the lines.

This pond on the edge of South Lake Tahoe at Sawmill Road and Lake Tahoe Boulevard is only for kids 14 and younger. No one older is allowed to fish there.

The Department of Fish and Game is bringing in the trout from Heenan Lake for the derby, which is from 8am-noon.

By Jeff Delong, Reno Gazette-Journal

Pursuing a vision to make a buck while helping to improve Lake Tahoe’s clarity, a Nevada man hopes to begin harvesting crayfish from the lake’s waters within this month.

With all but one key permit expected to be in hand this week, Fred Jackson and Tahoe Lobster Co. Inc. are ready to get to work. Chefs across the Reno-Tahoe area are lined up to receive a savory product they expect to be well received by customers.

“I’m ready to go. It’s time to make the move,” Jackson said.

Jackson plans the first commercial operation to sell live crayfish trapped from Tahoe’s waters, a venture he said could aid the lake. His company’s motto: “Clarity by cuisine.”

Crayfish don’t belong in Lake Tahoe, but they love the place. Introduced in the area in the late 1800s, Tahoe’s crayfish population is now estimated in the range of 200 million to 300 million.

They’re causing problems and could be associated with a dramatic decline in the lake’s native invertebrates, said Sudeep Chandra, a freshwater science expert at University of Nevada, Reno.

Crayfish could also be linked to algae blooms diminishing Tahoe’s famed clarity.

“When they poop, they stimulate algae growth,” said Chandra, who is working with Tahoe Lobster Co. to track potential ecological benefits in parts of the lake through removal of crayfish.

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Unity at the Lake’s Huge Yard Sale and Fundraiser is June 30 from 9am-1pm at 1195 Rufus Allen Blvd., South Lake Tahoe.

For more info, call (530) 544.2266.

On June 24, Unity at the Lake will have guest speaker Kathy Zavada who will lead a chanting workshop.

Unity is at 1195 Rufus Allen Blvd. across from South Lake Tahoe Recreation Center.

Zavada will follow the 10am service with a chanting workshop at noon which will feature a variety of chants that are easy to sing, uplifting to hear, that open the heart, quiet the minds, and bring a sense of ease and joy to the entire being.

Songbooks are provided and the program is 90 minutes.

Suggested love offering is $15 for chanting workshop. All are welcome.

For more info and a current schedule of events, call (530) 544.2266.

Heart rate training for athletes is what cardiologist David Young will talk about July 18.

The 6-7pm lecture is at Lake Tahoe Community College, 1 College Drive, South Lake Tahoe.

For more information, call (530) 543.5537.

Orthopedic surgeon Kyle Swanson will talk about what’s new for treating shoulder arthritis on July 11.

The 6-7pm lecture will be at Lake Tahoe Community College, 1 College Drive, South Lake Tahoe.

For more information, call (530) 543.5537.

We think this setting would be the perfect place to lounge while reading a copy of the just released “Tahoe Blues” that was published by Bona Fide Books in Meyers.

We have a copy of the book to give the person who writes what we decide is the best caption for this photo. Bonus points for the person who incorporates the correct location into the caption. Enter your caption as a comment — and keep them clean. The winner will be announced June 8.

We can deliver the book to you at the “Tahoe Blues” reading at Lake Tahoe Community College on June 8 at 7pm or mail it to you. The reading is at the Ledbetter Terrace near the Demonstration Garden.

If you don’t win the free copy, books will be on sale and authors ready to sign them. The reading is free.

Anyone who is part of Lake Tahoe News  NEWS Team is eligible to win the book as well as anyone who recently became a paid subscriber. Anyone who becomes a paid subscriber is part of the NEWS Team.