By Kellene Stockwell, Channel 2 News

Authorities have arrested a Washoe County man they say stole more than $1 million from eight people.

Investigators with Secretary of State Ross Miller’s Securities Division arrested 67-year-old Jack Schwartz on June 3 on five felony counts of securities fraud and 10 felony counts of theft.

Investigators say Schwartz approached his alleged victims with offers of 20% interest returned on their money invested in a number of ventures, including companies Schwartz controlled and other businesses which had signed agreements with Schwartz allowing him to raise capital on their behalf. Investigators say Schwartz then deposited the investments into his own companies’ accounts, but used it for non-business expenses like mortgage and credit card payments and deposits into his ex-wife’s account.

Investigators say investments made by the eight victims ranged from $30,000 to $200,000.

Read the whole story

The Tahoe Rim Trail Association and Sierra Nevada Journeys are partnering for the fourth annual Youth Backcountry Camps summer program.

Youths ages 14-17 will develop backcountry skills in the mountains of Lake Tahoe, make new friends while learning about the natural history of the basin, outdoor leadership, teamwork, and participate in a service learning project building part of the Tahoe Rim Trail.

Session 1 – July 6–8

Session 2 – July 24-26

Session 3 – July 28-30

Session 4 – Aug. 14-16.

For teens with some experience or interest in backcountry travel, there is YBCC2. Like YBCC, the five-day YBCC2 program focuses on backcountry skills and outdoor leadership development. This program provides an incredible wilderness experience for young people with experienced and well-trained staff from the Tahoe Rim Trail Association and Sierra Nevada Journeys.

YBCC2 dates are Aug. 6–8.

Register online.

For more information, go to the TRTA website or call Tom Rodriguez at (775) 298.0238.

U.S. Forest Service fuels management crews will begin prescribed fire operations at Zephyr Shoals, formerly known as the Dreyfus estate, on June 11.

Crews expect to treat 35 acres near Highway 50 and are working over the weekend to reduce smoke impacts to Zephyr Cove Elementary School.Operations are expected to continue through Sunday.

All prescribed fire operations are dependent on weather and available staffing.

Residents and visitors can expect to see smoke from prescribed fire project areas. Smoke management is part of every prescribed fire burn plan, and efforts will be taken to reduce actual or potential smoke impacts on community areas.

The Nevada Division of Forestry firefighters are helping fight the multiple devastating wildfires in Arizona.

“Since the fires started, we have sent 10 personnel to help fight the fires in eastern Arizona,” Nevada Forester and Fire Warden Pete Anderson said in a statement.

NDF has agreements with Western states to help in such situations. Nevada recoups costs for its services.

More than 311,000 acres have burned in Arizona and more than 3,000 people have been evacuated from their homes. Eleven structures have been lost.

“The National Weather Service forecasts that in Nevada we are moving from a wet spring into warmer, drier weather,” Anderson said. “Significant fire fuels have built up this spring and will become highly flammable as the vegetation dries out. It is important for Nevadans to be aware of the potential for wildfire when enjoying outdoor activities.”

Southern Nevada implemented fire restrictions May 14. Western Nevada is expected to implement fire restrictions in the coming weeks.

North Lake Tahoe Fire Protection District IAFF Local No. 2139 Incline Village and Crystal Bay firefighters are putting on the 2nd annual Firefighters’ Poker Pedal June 25.

Event registration begins at 1pm at Great Basin Brewery, 5525 South Virginia St., Reno.

The event raises funds for Northern Nevada Children’s Cancer Foundation.

The ride starts at 2pm. Registration is $20 online or $25 on day of the event.

The 9-mile loop starts at Great Basin Brewery and riders will stop in to pick up a poker card at each participating eatery and breweries – Clary’s Bar & Grill, Ceol Irish Pub, Foley’s and Silver Peak Restaurant complete the hand.

Black Rock Bicycles is donating a cruiser bike for the winning male and female poker hands and there will be additional raffle items to keep it interesting.

No bike? No problem. Black Rock Bicycles will be on site with bicycles for rent. Rentals will be $20 per preregistered rider.

By ABC News

In a landmark television event, Diane Sawyer will conduct the first interview with Jaycee Dugard. Dugard was kidnapped at age 11 on her way to school by Phillip and Nancy Garrido, and held captive for the next 18 years during which time she was repeatedly abused and gave birth to two daughters. Phillip and Nancy Garrido have both recently been sentenced to life in prison.

Jaycee first captivated the world’s attention 20 years ago when she disappeared as a child, and then again as a 29-year-old woman with two daughters when they were remarkably discovered and freed. Her story resonated with families around the world who could not imagine the horrors that she faced and the life lost over those years.

Dugard will be asked about the extraordinary and heartbreaking story of her captivity, her reunion with her family, and her soon to be released memoir, “A Stolen Life by Jaycee Dugard” (Simon & Schuster). Sawyer’s interview will air in July, shortly before the publication of Dugard’s much anticipated book.

Read the whole story

ADA 101 for Businesses is a panel board consisting of a lawyer experienced in ADA lawsuits, certified access specialists, insurance broker knowledgeable in what insurance companies will cover and a disabled member of the public.

The June 15 10am-noon event put on by South Lake Tahoe will include:

· Discussing the priorities of accessibility and what the state and feds require.

· Explaining what a unreasonable hardship is and when it can be applied.

· Clearing up myths on who needs to comply with accessibility requirements.

· Having the attorney discuss how to handle a lawsuit, proper procedure on how to respond, costs associated with a suit, lease agreements.

· The insurance agent will discuss on what most companies will cover in a lawsuit and the improvements.

· How to interpret a CASp Report and how to use it.

· Clarifying TRPA coverage issues in dealing with ADA upgrades.

The meeting is at Lake Tahoe Airport.

Lake Tahoe Labor Day Classic Baseball Tournament is Sept. 2 starting at 3pm. It ends a noon Sept. 5.

The tournament is for ages 10u,12u,and 18u.

The event is in South Lake Tahoe

For more information, go online.

The Lake Tahoe Educational Foundation will honor retirees from the Lake Tahoe Unified School District at the regular school board meeting June 14 at 6pm in the board room at the district office on Highway 50 at Al Tahoe Boulevard.

Retirees are invited to bring guests. They will be recognized and presented with gift ertificates to Passaretti’s Restaurant.

The LTEF will host a cake and punch reception on the lawn outside the meeting room.

The public is invited to attend.

By Ed Fletcher, Sacramento Bee

Placer County is one of 12 entities nationwide being recognized this week by the Environmental Protection Agency in Washington, D.C.

The Clean Air Excellence Award recognizes the county’s air pollution control district’s work diverting Lake Tahoe area forest debris from burn piles.

“By transporting this forest residue out and instead of burning it in burn piles we are reducing pollution put into the atmosphere,” said Supervisor Jim Holmes, who is in D.C. to accept the award.

Removing the wood scraps from the forest floor also reduces the risk of a catastrophic wildfire. The biomass is currently being transported out of the basin, but officials are considering building a one- to three megawatt biomass plant to turn the slash into energy. Locating the plant has proved more controversial.

The EPA award is in its 12 year.

Read the whole story