Invasive weed pull along the Truckee River in Tahoe City on June 30 from 5:30-7:30pm.

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Donald Lester Kimball of Gardnerville passed away on June 12, 2011, surrounded by family and friends.

He was 76.

Don was born June 23, 1934.

Don Kimball

Don was a travel director with S&H Travel and traveled the world before becoming a prominent businessman in Northern Nevada. With his twin brother and best friend, Robert “Bob” Kimball, Don formed Travel Systems Ltd., and in 1975 they became the proud owners of the M.S. Dixie at Zephyr Cove Resort. Don was actively involved in running all of the operations of the Zephyr Cove Resort until he retired in 1999.

He is survived by his sister, Janet Kimball of San Diego; son and daughter-in-law, Brett and Karen Kimball of Gardnerville; daughter and son-in-law, Melissa and Randy Seymour of Fallbrook; and grandchildren, Kristi and Jennifer Kimball of Gardnerville.

Don was preceded in death by his wife, Wilma; his twin brother Bob Kimball; and his parents Arthur and Dorothy Kimball.

A service will be June 17 at the Church of Latter-day Saints, 1095 Spruce St., Gardnerville. Viewing will be at 10am, with the funeral following at 11am.

There is an online memorial where a guest book may be signed.

By Sam Stanton, Sacramento Bee

State prison officials said today that they had settled Phillip and Nancy Garrido into their new homes after a nearly two-year stay at the El Dorado County Jail while they awaited trial for kidnapping Jaycee Lee Dugard.

Phillip Garrido arrived at Corcoran State Prison today, where he will be processed and kept in a cell away from other inmates while processed. Then, he likely will be placed into custody in the “protective housing unit,” where about 14 other high profile inmates such as Charles Manson and Juan Corona are segregated from others at the prison.

Read the whole story

Barton Memorial Hospital Auxiliary gave $6,000 in scholarships to students who will be pursuing healthcare careers at a four-year-university this fall.

The annual lunch on Monday at the Tahoe Swiss Chalet in South Lake Tahoe was an opportunity for the four students to receive their awards that were based on academic achievement, leadership qualities, participation in school and community activities. Along with applications letters of recommendation were submitted by the recipients’ professors, teachers and employers.

Scholarship winners are bottom row L-R, Jazmin Zuniga, Sammy Brumbach, Rebecca Sanders and Amy Nielsen. Barton Auxiliary members in the back L-R are, Dick Young, Nancy Muller, Cathy Vogelgesang, Joanne Donmoyer, Judy Cefalu and Marie Foster. Photo/Provided

The winners are:

Amy Nielsen, Lake Tahoe Community College

Like so many confronted with the elimination of their positions in the workplace, Nielsen also faced downsizing in recent years not once, but twice. As a single parent she was faced with the difficult position of supporting herself and the needs of her two teenage sons. Nielson has more than 20 years experience as a certified emergency medical technician. She served eight years in the Army Reserve as a combat medic and has served as a volunteer with the Fernley Volunteer Fire Department.

Nielsen has completed most of her pre-requisites for the nursing program at LTCC while maintaining a 3.80 gpa. Her goal is to transfer to CSU Sacramento or UNR in the fall to pursue her dream of becoming a registered nurse.

Jazmin Zuniga, Douglas High School

Zuniga maintained a 3.93 gpa at Douglas High School. She is a member of the National Honor Society and contributes to school and community service programs including the local suicide prevention network and helped create a support group for teenagers called Living Out Loud. Zuniga’s goal is to become a pediatric nurse. She will attend UNR in the fall.

Rebecca Sanders, South Tahoe High School

Sanders is a member of the National Honor Society, Key Club and South Tahoe High School cross country and track and field teams. While, maintaining academic excellence she also finds time to volunteer in community events such as Relay for lLfe, Lake Tahoe Marathon and the Kahle Halloween Carnival. Ranked ninth in her class of 278 with a

4.25 gpa, Sanders will attend UCLA in the fall with aspirations of one day becoming a pediatric surgeon.

Samantha Brumbach, Whittell High School

A star athlete at Whittell High School, Brumbach won All-State in track and for being an integral member of the boy’s varsity soccer team. She achieveda 4.33 gpa. Brumbach will enter the nursing program at UNR in the fall. She envisions traveling to Third World countries to help the needy and/or work in a clinic where she can offer healthcare to those who less fortunate.

By Jennifer Medina, New York Times

Gov. Jerry Brown of California on Thursday vetoed the state budget that the Democratic-controlled state Legislature had passed the day before, saying that the proposal merely papered over the state’s long-term deficit and added billions in new debt.

The veto means that the governor will have to reopen negotiations with the Legislature to try to get his plan to close a $10 billion gap approved. In order to pass that plan, which relies on extending some taxes that were set to expire this year, Brown needs votes from two Republicans in each house, support that has so far been elusive.

Jerry Brown

Brown, who has railed against budgetary maneuvers that the state has relied on for years to balance its budget, placed the blame on Republicans and commended lawmakers from his party for their “tremendous efforts” to balance the budget, but said that the plan approved Wednesday was not balanced.

He said the budget contained “legally questionable maneuvers, costly borrowing and unrealistic savings,” and that it would not meet the state’s financial obligations.

Read the whole story

By Dale Kasler, Sacramento Bee

Say this for Alfred Villalobos, the man accused of bribing CalPERS officials: He doesn’t skimp.

The Lake Tahoe businessman has amassed a wine collection valued at a staggering $85,000. Now he’s trying to sell it.

Villalobos’ lawyers have asked a U.S. bankruptcy judge for permission to sell his 856-bottle collection, which includes such high-end brands as Beaulieu Vineyard and Opus One. A court hearing is set for Monday in Reno.

The California attorney general filed a lawsuit in May 2010 accusing Villalobos of bribing top officials with the California Public Employees’ Retirement System. The lawsuit said Villalobos was trying to steer pension fund investments to his Wall Street clients.

Read the whole story

After a nearly seven-hour standoff, a South Lake Tahoe man surrendered to police and was taken into custody.

Officers initially responded to a residence on Paradise Avenue at 6:15pm June 15 because of arguments between neighbors that they say included the suspect brandishing a weapon.

Stephen Shaver, 44, was arrested about 1:30 this morning after police SWAT and Crisis Negotiation Teams wore him down.

No one was injured and no shots were fired.

Officers said the trouble began after Shaver’s unleashed dog attacked a leashed dog being walked by a female neighbor near Shaver’s house. When the woman suggested Shaver control his dog, he reacted violently, coming outside his house and pushing her in the chest, officers said. That’s when Shaver allegedly went to retrieve a shotgun.

The neighbor, according to police, had locked herself inside her home, but Shaver broke through her front door and turned his dog loose inside her house. He then reportedly left with his dog before reappearing with the shotgun outside his front door. He yelled threats from his doorway toward his neighbor while holding the shotgun, but did not discharge it.

Shaver finally surrendered by walking outside his house unarmed.

Officers said they located a marijuana grow inside Shaver’s residence, a loaded shotgun concealed in a large diameter PVC pipe used for hydroponic purposes, chemicals and possible explosive materials.

Shaver was booked at the El Dorado County Jail in South Lake Tahoe on several felony and misdemeanor charges, including terrorist threats, burglary and brandishing a firearm. He was in custody this morning on $15,000 bail. Officers expect to file more charges after completing the investigation.

Anyone with information about the case, is asked to call the police at (530) 542.6100; reference case No. 1106-1153.

The National Weather Service in Reno is predicting Trout Creek in South Lake Tahoe to hit flood level today, with possible minimal flooding in the Martin Avenue area.

At 4pm Wednesday the creek was at 8 feet, with flood stage being 8.5 feet.

Kayakers at Sand Harbor on Monday enjoy the summer weather. Photo/Kathryn Reed

The East Fork of the Carson River below Markleeville on Wednesday afternoon was at 5.5 feet, with flood stage at 7 feet. The river near Gardnerville was at 6.1 feet June 15. Flood stage is 9.5 feet at that location.

The West Fork of the Carson River near Woodfords on Wednesday was at 12.8 feet, with flood stage being 14 feet.

These river forecasts are based on forecast rainfall, temperature, and current and planned reservoir releases.

The National Weather Service warns people camping near rivers to stay back from the banks because flooding can occur during the night.

High flows on regional rivers and creeks are expected for the rest of June. The current and temperature can make for a lethal combination for people swimming, paddling, or trying to cross the water in four-wheel drive vehicles.

High temperatures throughout the Lake Tahoe Basin will be in the 60s for the rest of the week, with most locations hitting the 70s on Monday.

— Lake Tahoe News staff report

Tioga Pass will open June 18 at 8am, according to the Yosemite National Park website.

Also known as Highway 120, this stretch of pavement is the main link between the Eastern Sierra and Yosemite. It’s the preferred route for people from the Tahoe-Reno area to get to the national park.

The abundance of snow this year has made it slow-going for Caltrans crews to remove the mass of white stuff.

Here is a history of opening and closing dates for Tioga Pass.

Even though the road will be open, services will be limited. An opening date for campgrounds in that area has not been set. Tuolumne Meadows still has 3 feet of snow.

— Lake Tahoe News staff report

KINGS BEACH — On one of the first warm Tahoe nights of the season, nearly 200 people came out to the 25th annual North Lake Tahoe Chamber of Commerce’s Business Expo.

With about 50 diverse businesses having booths, attendees Wednesday night were able to get a wealth of information about Lake Tahoe companies. Some included a mobile pet washing service, some were banking and insurance related, another was an ice cream store.

Attendees visit one of nearly 50 booths June 15 in Kings Beach. Photo/LTN

Sierra College, Liberty Energy and Tahoe Regional Planning Agency officials were talking up what they have to offer people.

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— Kathryn Reed