The “fireside chat” originally scheduled for Feb. 27 at Sierra Nevada College with Joanne Marchetta, executive director of the Tahoe Regional Planning Agency, has been rescheduled for 6-7:30pm March 5 at the Tahoe Center for Environmental Sciences on the campus of Sierra Nevada College at Incline Village.
The subject of the presentation is 21st Century Environmentalism and the Regional Plan update.
Updated: March 1 7:25pm
By Kathryn Reed
Three skiers in the backcountry near Alpine Meadows triggered an avalanche Thursday that caused one man to be brought out in a basket by a rescue team.
The names of the three have not been released.
They were climbing with skins on their skis about 500 vertical feet below Stanford Rock when the slide occurred.
Dena Erwin, spokeswoman for Placer County Sheriff’s Office, told Lake Tahoe News that officers at the rescue site said the skiers believe they caused the avalanche. But she did not know how wide the slide was.
This area is considered extremely rugged. It is on the backside of Alpine, but not in the ski resort’s boundaries.
The Sierra Avalanche Center on March 1 rated this a “considerable” avalanche danger day. This is typical after a substantial snowfall on a slick surface.
One of the three men was able to ski out to call for help, while the other skier stayed with their injured friend.
The call came into the sheriff’s department about 2pm. The skier was hauled out of the backcountry close to 5pm. Erwin said he was in critical condition when he was taken to Tahoe Forest Hospital in Truckee
Also assisting with the rescue were members of Tahoe Nordic Search and Rescue.
By Kathryn Reed
An autopsy Feb. 29 on twin sisters who had lived in South Lake Tahoe since the 1970s revealed nothing suspicious about their deaths. However, exact cause of death is still pending.
The names of the two 73-year-olds will be released when identification is conclusive.
El Dorado County sheriff’s volunteers did a welfare check on the April Drive residence Feb. 25. When no one answered deputies made entry the following day and found the two deceased women.
Coroner Matt Harwood said one of the sisters had been dead four to six weeks, with the death of the other woman more recent. He told Lake Tahoe News foul play, murder-suicide and carbon monoxide poisoning have been ruled out. He said at this time it appears the cause of death for both is natural.
“We’ve spoken to a handful of neighbors and we are starting to piece these peoples lives together,” Harwood said.
Musical Storytime at South Tahoe library is about music, movement, puppets and singing to capture the attention of your young child as they shimmy their way into literacy.
This free event is the fourth Saturday of each month, with the next one March 24 at 11am.
Let’s Read Together Storytime is a family based storytime with early learning reading tips.
Each family will go home with a new copy of the featured book. Families must preregister for the March 17 11am storytime that is conducted at the South Lake Tahoe library because space is limited.
For more information or to register, call (530) 573.3307.
By Brian Duggan, Reno Gazette-Journal
The Nevada Supreme Court is requiring the State Board of Equalization to stage public hearings over creating a uniform way for all Nevada counties to assess property values.
The action is the result of a unanimous court decision on Friday in favor of Incline Village property taxpayers, collectively known as the Village League to Save Incline Assets.
In July, the property owners won a separate legal case against Washoe County, resulting in $40 million in property tax refunds to about 8,700 property owners in the North Lake Tahoe community.
The justices agreed the county had used unconstitutional property assessment methods about a decade ago.
This latest decision stems from Incline Village residents who live in Washoe County paying more in property taxes than other Lake Tahoe residents who have similar homes near Lake Tahoe, but live in adjacent Douglas County. Washoe County officials, in turn, say it’s possible the Douglas County residents don’t pay enough.
David Creekman, Washoe County’s chief deputy district attorney, said the Supreme Court decision placed no blame on the county or the assessor.
Instead, the justices said it is the state that is not performing its duties under Nevada law, namely ensuring Nevada’s 17 county assessors are valuing properties using similar standards.
“Once again the Supreme Court has recognized the state of Nevada and the world of property valuations have not performed their duties,” Creekman said Monday.
In their decision, the justices wrote the Board of Equalization, “has not held a public hearing during which taxpayers could air their grievances with the equalization process, nor has it affirmatively acted to equalize property values.”
Without those hearings, the justices said the Incline Village residents were denied an ability to protest the assessment methods of Washoe County and Douglas County.
An informational meeting for those interested in joining the Douglas County CERT will be March 7 at 6pm at the Round Hill Fire Station, Elks Point Road.
Following a major disaster, first responders who provide fire and medical services will not be able to meet the demand for these services. People will have to rely on each other for help in order to meet their immediate life saving and life sustaining needs.
Family members, fellow employees, and neighbors will spontaneously try to help each other. This was the case following the Mexico City earthquake where untrained, spontaneous volunteers saved 800 people. However, 100 people lost their lives while attempting to save others. This is a high price to pay and is preventable through training.
That’s what this training will help do.
People will be giving the facts about what to expect following a major disaster in terms of immediate services and how to help.
More information can be found online or by calling Tahoe Douglas Fire Protection District at (775) 588.3591.
Theatre’s most devilish hypocrite comes to the Duke Theatre stage in the hit modern adaptation of Moliere’s 17th century classic comedy “Tartuffe: Born Again”.
Tartuffe is now a shamed televangelist who uses his telegenic charms to scam the wealthy Orgon into financing his new television show. Written in modern verse, this fast-paced play shines a light on religious hypocrisy and those who manipulate the media to enhance their own image and exploit the unsuspecting for personal advantage. Moliere’s legendary comedic characters are delightfully at home in this modern day version that played at New York’s Circle in the Square.
Performances: March 9, 10, 15, 16, 17 at 8pm; March 11 and 18 at 2pm on the campus of Lake Tahoe Community College in South Lake Tahoe.
Cost is $10 general admission, $7 for seniors, $5 for children under 13 and students with a current student body card.
For more information, click on the poster.
On March 16, the Lake Tahoe Bicycle Achievement Awards Ceremony and Film will be at Mo’s Place in South Lake Tahoe.
Awards will be given in four categories for the years 2010 and 2011 to those who have significantly contributed to the advancement of bicycling in the Tahoe region.
The free event starts at 7pm.
Following the award ceremony the mountain bike film “Lifecycle” will be shown.
To embrace all things El Dorado County, the theme of the 2012 fair is the Grapest Show On Earth.
The annual event is June 14-17 in Placerville.
Returning for a second year, the El Dorado Day on the Green is all about rock ‘n’ roll.
The only traveling sea lion show in the U.S. will be at this year’s fair.
Swan Brother’s Circus has been providing laughs for more than 35 years. Zippy the clown will be in town.
The Wells Fargo stage hosts Susan Rosen, the “Mistress of Mesmerism,” who will have the audience “hypnotized” with her memorizing act each day of Fair.
Rawhide Express is the solar powered train sponsored by PG&E.
Break a sweat and get those hips moving during one of the free Zumba dance classes on the Plaza Stage.
The Kitchen Craft Stage offers free cooking lessons all day from the “Official Chef of the Fair” Gary Gilligan.
FFA, 4H, Grange and Independent kids will have all of their animals on display: goats, cattle, sheep, swine, rabbits, cavies and poultry.
Browse through the multitude of exhibits ranging from quilts, photography, wool, farming science, floriculture, minerals and mining, preserved foods and so many more.
For additional information, times and a complete schedule, visit the website.