Publisher’s note: The Resort at Squaw Creek is a Destination Hotel.

By Robert McMillan, IDG News Service

Hackers have broken into the payment processing system of Destination Hotels & Resorts, a high-end chain best known for its resort hotels in destinations such as Vail, Colorado; Lake Tahoe, California; and Maui, Hawaii.

Guests who recently stayed at 21 of the resort’s 30 hotels may have been victimized by the scheme, which appears to have compromised point-of-sale systems. The company refused to release many details of the incident — citing an ongoing investigation by the U.S. Federal Bureau of Investigation — but in a note posted to its Web site said that it had “uncovered a malicious software program inserted into its credit card processing system from a remote source.”

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By Stephen Ward

STATELINE — Advantage Basketball Camps, a national traveling camp that aims to teach children effective methods on the basketball court and beyond, is captivating the attention and spirit of Northern Nevada’s youth.

The camp emphasizes teaching kids to handle the ball, along with proper shooting techniques. Looking around Kahle Community Center, the 27 kids in attendance Tuesday were all engaged in some sort of activity, whether it was a scrimmage with others or a shooting exercise supervised by one of the coaches. Despite the substantial size of the center’s basketball area, the boys and girls were utilizing six hoops, with two additional 7-foot basketball hoops for the younger kids.

Youth learn basketball skills at Kahle on June 29. Photo/Stephen Ward

Gil Llewellyn, the main trainer of the camp and a seven-year member of the organization, described his take on the focus of the camp and the lessons he hopes participants walk away with.

“For me, it’s about the bigger picture,” Llewellyn said. “We’re using basketball to teach these kids about the game of life, and how to push through things that are hard to learn … it’s really about persistence.”

Llewellyn also detailed the methods he and his associate use to cater to the needs of the kids.

“There are definitely levels to our teaching,” Llewellyn said as he began to weave the basketball through his legs. “For the more advanced players, we work on speed and endurance. For those who can’t quite get the motion down, we have them dribble the ball through their legs and catch it. For the younger kids or those just getting acquainted with the sport, we just have them roll the ball between their legs.”

Llewellyn ends his demonstration by using his foot to put a stop to the ball that was revolving around his legs seconds earlier.

Two days into the camp, the youth are already professing their approval of the program.

“I love the scrimmages and shooting games,” said Cole Snyder, an 11-year-old from the North Shore.

Alex Tessmann, a 13-year-old who plays for Carson Valley Middle School’s basketball team, favors the more technical lessons he’s learning from Llewellyn.

“I’m learning a lot about hustle and finding openings,” Tessmann said. “Coach Gil has taught me a lot of useful moves for driving the hole.”

Overall, the camp is receiving great reviews from Tahoe’s youth, primarily for its consideration of everyone’s ability level, and the attention given to each participant during the eight-hour day.

The Advantage Basketball Camp is available to ages 6-18, and will be at Kahle Community Center in Stateline until July 1. The walk-in rate is $40 per day. Sign-ups start at 9am in the lobby of the community center.

Advantage Basketball Camps are nationally recognized, with programs in most states. The next closest camp to Lake Tahoe is in late July in Rocklin. For more information about these camps, click here.

• Click on Society to find out about a July 1 fundraiser for the Lake Tahoe Humane Society.

• English as a second language classes are being offered at Lake Tahoe Community College this summer. Click on flyer for more information.

• South Lake Tahoe City Attorney Patrick Enright has started the process to find a deputy for his department.

• Evelyn Yonker of South Tahoe is the owner and art director of Markleeville Art Gallery at 14841 Highway 89. The gallery is open Friday-Tuesday, 11am-5:30pm or by appointment, (530) 694.2787.

• Volunteers are needed at the Tahoe City Field Station native plant demonstration garden. Call (775) 881.7562 or email hfoslund@ucdavis.edu for details.

• The Sentinels and Robey Wolfe trails at Kirkwood Mountain resort will be open for the first time to mountain bike access in July.

• More than 50 people gathered at El Dorado Beach on June 26 for the nationwide Hands Across the Sand event. People also participated at Kings Beach.

• Lt. Gov. Brian Krolicki and the Nevada Commission on Economic Development have launched the New Nevada Task Force, a group tasked with identifying steps to strengthen and diversify Nevada’s economy. The first meeting is July 12.

By Mark Glover, Sacramento Bee

Does it mean the down economy is over? Not exactly. But Californians are planning to hit the road over the July Fourth weekend in numbers that well outpace last year’s, and experts say the trend seems to reflect a sense of optimism about things to come.

AAA Northern California on Monday projected a nearly 20 percent hike in the number of California residents who will travel over the holiday weekend compared with last year. AAA said it expects more than 4.1 million Californians to travel 50 miles or more from their homes.

Beaches in Tahoe are expected to be crowded during the holiday weekend, unlike this past Sunday. Photo/Kathryn Reed

The association said its annual survey revealed pent-up demand for travel.

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To the community

Barton Family Medicine has been hosting the annual Free Sports Physicals for two decades now and we simply couldn’t do it without a whole lot of help. Please accept our heartfelt thanks to all the volunteers at our 2010 Free Sports Physicals held at Barton Family Medicine on June 9. This year we completed 155 free physicals for students and athletes from in and around the Lake Tahoe basin. We were so impressed with the high energy level and all the smiling faces, even after a long day. We truly appreciate your hard work and we all look forward to next year.

Our sincerest thanks goes to the physicians, practitioners, physical therapists and staff from Barton who made this event a success. Also a great big thank you to South Tahoe High School; Pop Warner; Whittell High School; St. Theresa Catholic School; South Tahoe Middle School; Grocery Outlet; and the Kiwanis Club of South Lake Tahoe.

Cindy Cosmi, Barton Family Medicine supervisor

The Rev. Benedict De Leon has been appointed pastor of St. Theresa Catholic Church in South Lake Tahoe.

De Leon was ordained 30 years ago and has served the Diocese of Sacramento as pastor in different parishes.

With love of boating and fishing, Lake Tahoe is a natural fit for him.

Benedict De Leon

De Leon will be installed as the new pastor for St. Theresa on July 4 at the 10am Mass. A reception welcoming De Leon will be after each of the Masses this weekend. The vigil Mass on Saturday is at 5:30pm. Sunday Masses are at 8am, 10am and noon.

The Spanish Mass is normally Sunday at 7pm, however, because of the 4th of July holiday the Spanish Mass will be July 3 at 7pm. The reception from the Spanish community will be July 11 after the Mass.

Beginning July 2 and continuing each Friday through Sept. 3, residents of the South Shore are encouraged to reduce their vehicle miles traveled by carpooling, telecommuting, biking or using alternative transportation to get to/from work and around town.

Local businesses are encouraged to enable their employees to telecommute if appropriate. Locals can also reduce VMT by carpooling with co-workers, biking, or using alternative transportation to get to/from their place of work and organizing carpools with others for afternoon and evening activities.

Additionally, local business people are encouraged to walk to lunch, schedule web or conference calls rather than in-person meetings, and take care of errands on a different day.

By Forrest Hartman, Reno Gazette-Journal

Cade Canon Ball was made for the stage.

“Since I was born,” the 9-year-old says. “I’ve always been a little ham.”

Ask him to break into song, and he will, perfectly enunciating each note as he turns the lobby of Reno’s Take 2 Performers Studio into a stage.

For a boy who calls Gardnerville home, Cade has an impressive Hollywood resume. He’s been in a national television commercial for McDonald’s, appeared on an episode of the television drama “Medium” and is about to embark on his biggest gig yet.

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By Kathryn Reed

A Ford Mustang GT went airborne as it careened over a fence at the Upper Truckee Meadow after the driver led officers through the streets of South Lake Tahoe at speeds that reached 80mph. The vehicle stopped about a quarter mile in and then the man and woman unknowingly ran right to waiting officers.

The 4pm June 29 incident started with a report of a kidnapping about 3am June 27. The 32-year-old South Lake Tahoe female victim was not physically hurt and was released. It is believed she and the suspect were acquaintances.

Christopher Wadstein was arrested on two felonies and a parole warrant June 29. Photo/Taylor Flynn/Mountain News

The investigation of that crime came up with leads that Christopher Wadstein, 21, of South Lake Tahoe might be the perpetrator. For the past 24 hours local officers have been tracking the parolee.

“He was mobile when we found him,” South Tahoe police Lt. David Stevenson said. “We attempted to stop him at Black Bart and Pioneer Trail. That’s where the chase started.”

Officers chased the suspect through the Sierra Tract, across Highway 50 where at the end of Creekwood Drive the vehicle plowed through the short wood fence leading to the California Tahoe Conservancy meadow.

“This guy was going 60mph. There was no hesitation,” said Curt Murtha, 25, who from his porch saw the chase go into the meadow.

Other witnesses said officers were no more than 30 seconds behind him as they all wound up in the meadow. No skid marks are visible where the vehicles flew around the corner from Springwood to Creekside.

A roofer on Creekside said it was quite a scene to watch.

Other said it was like something out of “Dukes of Hazard.”

Officers were scouring the meadow for anything the suspects may have tossed from the convertible. With Wadstein being called armed and dangerous, they were looking for a 9mm handgun he may have had on him. None was found.

With sweat beads forming on his bald head, the guy complained of chest pain as he sat in the back of the patrol vehicle. He vacillated about wanting to go to Barton Memorial Hospital. Paramedics eventually took the heavily tattooed Wadstein to the emergency room.

The adrenaline, short sprint and high altitude may have contributed to his chest pain. He was booked into El Dorado County Jail on Tuesday night on a parole warrant, felony kidnapping and felony evasion of officers.

Stevenson didn’t know why California parole officials wanted Wadstein back in custody, nor did he have his list of prior convictions.

Also arrested and booked into the South Lake Tahoe facility was Lacey Almdale, 21, of South Lake Tahoe, for obstructing officers.

El Dorado County sheriff’s deputies, FBI agents, South Lake El Dorado Narcotics Enforcement Team, and El Dorado County probation officers assisted South Tahoe officers.

Dressed all in black, with automatic weapons slung over their shoulder, the SWAT guys were also in facemasks.

“One officer had a gang hit put out on him so we are really concerned for his safety,” acting Chief Martin Hewlett said of the hoods.

Eventually, Emerald Bay Towing showed up to cart the vehicle off. The Mustang does not belong to either of the people arrested. It was not stolen, but officers were still trying to figure out how Wadstein and the vehicle owner are connected.

Officers had gone through some of the contents of the vehicle at the scene. A stack of jeans sat on the back. Next to it was what looked like a small overnight bag, plus a small wooden box with unknown contents.

Stevenson said the vehicle is in custody and will be thoroughly gone over today.

ngg_shortcode_0_placeholder Photos by Taylor Flynn/Mountain News

ngg_shortcode_1_placeholder Photos by Kathryn Reed (Click on photo to enlarge.)

U.S. District Court Judge John Mendez sentenced a Fairfield couple on June 30 for their roles in a July 2007 beating in South Lake Tahoe of an American citizen who is originally from India.

Joseph Silva, 56, and his wife, Georgia Silva, 52, will be spending 18 months in prison and three years of supervised released.

At the March trial the jury heard that the victim was attempting to enjoy El Dorado Beach when the Silvas confronted and attacked him. The evidence showed that Georgia Silva initially hurled derogatory racial and ethnic slurs at the victim and his then girlfriend. When the victim called the police, Georgia Silva assaulted the victim, knocking him to the ground. At the trial, the jury heard a recording of the call made by the victim to the police and statements the Silvas were making to the victim.

After knocking the victim to the ground, and while Georgia Silva was on top of the victim, her husband kicked the victim in the head. The attack caused fractures to bones in the victim’s face and he was transported by ambulance to a local hospital. Witnesses to the incident recounted that Georgia Silva also insulted and attempt to spit upon another man of Indian descent.

“This case demonstrates that hate-motivated violence has no place in 21st century America, and such crimes will be vigorously prosecuted and punished,” Thomas E. Perez, assistant attorney general for the Civil Rights Division, said in a press release. “Americans of all races, colors, and ethnicities should feel free to use public parks and facilities without fear of intimidation and violence.”

The case was investigated by FBI Special Agent Chris Campion, with the assistance of Special Agent Brad Bilderback. Officer Rhett Gann of the South Lake Tahoe Police Department also assisted in the investigation and testified at the trial.