Ski patrollers went head to head last weekend at Squaw Valley during the first nationwide Professional Ski Patrol Olympics. Patrol teams from across the United States and Canada competed in sled races, bamboo throws, avalanche transceiver searches and a giant slalom race down some of Squaw Valley’s steepest terrain.

Spectators and patrollers took in the exhilarating competitions at a mid-mountain bar and barbecue area where they watched the country’s best patrollers duke it out on the mountain.

After two days of close competition, the Mammoth Mountain/June patrol team claimed the gold medal and the title of the 2010 North American Patrol Champions.

Squaw Valley took the silver medal and Alpine Meadows claimed the bronze.

Marcus Waring of Whistler Blackcomb was awarded the gold in the individual male category after a randonee race and Squaw Valley’s Lori Gunderson took home the gold in the women’s category. Winners each took home healthy portions of the $1,500 Helly Hansen cash purse along with prizes from Alpha Explosives, Alpine Traverse, Helly Hansen and Squaw Valley.

Official Results:

Overall Team

1 Mammoth Mountain 31

2 Squaw Valley USA (B) 29

3 Alpine Meadows 24

Overall Individual – Men

1 Marcus Waring, Whistler Blackcomb

2 Zebulon Blais, Squaw Valley USA (B)

3 Chris Lizza, Mammoth

Overall Individual – Women

1 Lori Gunderson, Squaw Valley USA (B)

1 Michaela Adrien, Mammoth Mountain

3 Amanda Martin, Big Sky

Randonee Race

1 Marcus Waring, Whistler Blackcomb

2 Zebulon Blais, Squaw Valley USA (B)

3 Steve Keller, Alpine Meadows

Avalanche Transceiver Search

1 Lel Tone, Squaw Valley USA (B)

2 Chuck Megivern, Mammoth/June

3 Robert Wood, Big Sky

Big Mountain GS

1 Chris Lizza, Mammoth/June

2 Aaron Barnett, Squaw Valley USA (A)

3 Zebulon Blais, Squaw Valley USA (B)

Bomb Toss

1 Matt Calcutt, Squaw Valley USA (A)

2 Matt Shelton, Mountain High

3 Nick Dulemba, Squaw Valley USA (B)

Bamboo Toss

1 Eric Diem, Mammoth

2 Andy Peek, Squaw Valley USA (B)

3 Ben Leech, Squaw Valley USA (B)

Toboggan Race

1 Alpine Meadows (2)

2 Mammoth/June (2)

3 Alpine Meadows (1)

What: Summer Job Fair at Hyatt Regency Lake Tahoe

Date: May 3 from 10am-4pm and May 4 10am-2pm

Where: Hyatt Regency Lake Tahoe Resort, Spa & Casino, Regency Ballroom,111 Country Club Drive, Incline Village

Jobs include:

Casino Dealer

Cook-All levels

On-Call Massage Therapist

On-Call Banquet Servers

On-Call Camp Hyatt Attendant

Convention Services House Person

Beach/Pool Concierge

PBX/Hotel Operator

Valet Attendant

Female/Male Spa Attendant

Various Food and Beverage Positions

Apply: Apply directly in advance on the Hyatt Regency Lake Tahoe website at: www.laketahoe.hyatt.com. (Computers will be available at the job fair.)

For more information, call (775) 832.1234.

Reno Gazette-Journal

A Special Weather Statement is in place as more snow and rain are expected through Thursday morning as part of a system that was dumping heavy snow in parts of the region Wednesday night.

Several inches had fallen in the Spanish Springs area with more than 6 inches of heavy, wet snow in parts of Palomino Valley on Wednesday night.

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U.S. Forest Service fuels management crews expect to conduct prescribed fire operations in the Kings Beach area near Speckled Avenue beginning April 22, and will continue throughout the week if favorable weather conditions persist. The goal is to complete 30 acres.

State and local fire management agencies may also be conducting prescribed fire work during this period.

Residents and travelers can expect to see smoke from prescribed fire project areas.

This and other prescribed fire projects are designed to reduce wildfire risks to communities and critical resources. 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.

By Carla Hall, Los Angeles Times

The state Fish and Game Commission voted unanimously Wednesday not to expand bear hunting grounds in California or eliminate the cap on the number of bears that can be killed each season.

The commission decided not to make changes to existing regulations after the Department of Fish and Game, which initially urged the changes, reversed its position Tuesday afternoon because it had been deluged with public comments. Officials said they had not had time to respond to them all. By law, all comments must be answered before changes are made.

A Tahoe bear in 2009. Photo/Janice Eastburn

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The Douglas County Public Library is celebrating the 150th anniversary of the Pony Express on May 1. At 10am National Pony Express, Nevada Division will present a lecture in the Lampe Park Pavilion.

Afterward there will be a mail bag exchange demonstration in Herbig Park. Write a letter to be carried by a Pony Express rider during the program and visit the horses before they ride. Pick up your letter immediately after the mail exchange demonstration. Younger children should be accompanied by an adult.

For more information, call (775) 782-9841, visit the library at 1625 Library Lane in Minden, or click here.

The fifth annual STARS of Tomorrow Talent Competition sponsored by the Kiwanis Club of Lake Tahoe is April 22 at 6pm at the South Tahoe Middle School auditorium.

High school students compete in song, dance and more for scholarship prizes. First prize is $1,000.

Organizers say it will be a night of family fun with raffle prizes and entertainment from the Boys & Girls Club during intermission.

Tickets are $5 at the door; children 5 and under are free. All proceeds benefit the scholarship fund.

Explore Tahoe: An Urban Trailhead is joining the American Hiking Society on June 5 to celebrate the 18th annual National Trails Day in South Lake Tahoe. This year’s theme is “Find Your Happy Place.”

For more information, click on trails.

Establish Pet Safety and Wildlife Harmony in Your Home and Yard is a free “Keep Tahoe Kind” event sponsored by the Lake Tahoe Humane Society and S.P.C.A.

It is May 8 at the South Lake Tahoe Branch Library Meeting Room at 1000 Rufus Allen Blvd.

Exhibits are from 2-4pm; the program is from 2:30-3:30pm.

Get practical tips from experienced representatives of the BEAR League, Lake Tahoe Wildlife Care, El Dorado County Environmental Services, and Lake Tahoe Humane Society and S.P.C.A.

• How to create protected outdoor space for your pets.

• How to critter proof your yard and home.

• How to establish a safe, animal-wise neighborhood.

• How to enrich your wildlife experiences everywhere you go.

For more information, contact Liz Maul at (530) 542.2857.

• Jacqueline Mittelstadt, no longer city attorney with South Lake Tahoe, is going to work for a law firm based in Southern California that says it will soon open an office on the South Shore.

Jacqueline Mittelstadt

• Longtime Truckee dog trainer Carla Brown has started the Savvy Dog Training and Education Center. Click here for info.

• 968 Park Hotel in South Lake Tahoe goes greener with ozone laundry and tankless water heaters.

• Deadlines are approaching in most jurisdictions to register to vote for this summer’s primary elections. Check with your local election office for details.

• Douglas County commissioners are expected to declare May Carson Valley Meat Month in an effort to promote locally raised beef as well as lamb, pork and chicken.