By Blair Anthony Robertson and April Dembosky, Sacramento Bee

You might think the forward-thinking Matt Ericson and family would be sitting pretty right now.

For the past three days in El Dorado County, thousands of homes all around him have been without power, thanks to unusual amounts of snow coupled with persistent cold weather.

Ericson has solar panels on his roof a mile outside Placerville and, despite the plummeting mercury, there’s still plenty of sunshine to generate electricity.

Not so fast. Ericson is powerless, too.

Read the whole story

By Bill Lindelof, Sacramento Bee

Pacific Gas & Electric crews overnight restored electricity to another 2,300 of the utility’s customers in the mountains of El Dorado County.

However, about 6,700 customers remain without power four days after a winter snow storm hit at low elevations, forcing tree limbs onto power lines in various parts of the county. In the Placerville area alone, 2,800 customers were still without power.

Read the whole story

Call in to KTHO FM 96.1/AM-590 (530.544.8255) this morning starting at 10:15 when Lake Tahoe News Publisher Kathryn Reed moderates the Ask the TRPA radio show. Or listen online at www.kthoradio.com.

By Kathryn Reed

Cold doesn’t even begin to describe what it feels like outside.

The record low temperature for Lake Tahoe on Dec. 8 was smashed. The new record of 13 below zero beat the previous record set in 1994 by 10 degrees.

A sailboat almost disappears in the inversion layer sitting on Lake Tahoe Dec. 9. Photo/Kathryn Reed

However, on Dec. 9 the record wasn’t even close to being broken. It only got down to minus 7 at the lake. The record of minus 29 degrees was set in 1972.

Reno recorded minus 6 on Dec. 9, while the record for that date of minus 16 was set in 1972.

Temperatures for Lake Tahoe are supposed to gradually get warmer starting Friday. Normal for this time of year is highs in the low 40s and lows about 18 degrees.

The lows tonight are forecast to be above zero as the snowstorm that is predicted to roll in this afternoon brings warmer temps with it. The highs for today and Friday at the lake are expected to range from the mid-20s to the mid-30s.

It’s not unusual for Carson City, Carson Valley and Reno to be colder than the lake this time of year.

“What happens this time of year is the cold air is heavier so it sets in the valleys longer,” explained Rudy Cruz, weather service specialist with the National Weather Service in Reno. “What you see in the winter is inversion at the lower levels. It can trap that dirty air until we get some winds to mix everything in the atmosphere.”

Another storm is expected to roll into the region on Saturday into Sunday.

Publisher’s note: The following was given to Lake Tahoe News by someone other than the city manager. The information, though, was disseminated by the city manager to people beyond the South Lake Tahoe City Council. LTN first broke this story. Click here for that story.

Wednesday 12:41 a.m.

Mayor and Council:

I am writing to alert you that Chief of Police Terry Daniels communicated with me his intention to retire by the end of the year. Chief Daniels told me that with the City’s early retirement offer and his evaluation of finances, the best strategy for him is to retire before the end of this calendar year. He said that he will be available to assist the City and the Department in whatever way possible should his assistance be needed. He mentions that the “continued success of the Police department is very important to me professionally and as a citizen of the Community.” I will leave to Chief Daniels to announce his plans to the Department and the Community.

Chief Daniels has served the City and the Department for many years with commitment and conviction. Being in a position of leadership is not always an easy task. The Department continues to perform, and we are fortunate to have quality men and women working there.

I am initiating immediately a process for recruitment of a new Chief of Police that will involve at a minimum the following steps:

1. Advertisement of the opening in State and national police professional publications.

2. Consultation with recognized association leadership of sworn and non-sworn personnel to characterize what they would like to see in a new Chief of Police.

3. Input from members of the City Council via the City Manager to assess what characteristics they would like to see in a new Chief of Police.

4. Convening an outside panel of law enforcement experts (Chiefs of Police or other law enforcement professionals) to assess the skills of top technical skills of top candidates, namely, do they have the right law enforcement skills to be a chief of police?

5. Convening a City Department Director panel to assess interdepartmental skills and abilities to work with others

6. Convening a panel from the POA to offer non-binding advice on the top candidates for the position

7. Thorough and complete background review, including medical and psychological test of the top candidates for the position.

8. Appointment

After Chief Daniels retires at the end of this month, Captain [Martin] Hewlett, the ranking officer in the Department, will be named Acting Chief of Police until the recruitment is completed, and the position of Captain will not be refilled during the recruitment process.

David Jinkens, MPA City Manager

Letter to the community,

Our talented local and guest communities of ‘yarn folk’ have out done themselves once again. Over 750 warm and wonderful handmade items were donated to the ‘Caps for Kids’ program. Christmas Cheer distributes of all the goodies: hats, scarves, socks, booties, wrist warmers, slippers, headbands, blankets, & mittens.

Kendra and Rachel -- the official knitting testers. Photo/Provided

Thank you – Marilyn, Bea, Carolyn, Diana, Mary Ann, Michelle, Virginia, Heidi, Susan, Cheryl, Toni, Anne, Jan, Jacque, Edda, Trish, Julie, Anne, Caroline, Paula, Judi, Lorraine, Sally, Lois, Karen, Lauren, Mary, Jan, Senior Plaza Knitters, Sierra Pine Needles Knitting Group, Hope Lutheran Church Knitters, South Lake Tahoe Branch Library Patrons Knitting Group and, the numerous anonymous elves who dash in and out without leaving their names.

Sharing ‘Good Cheer’ wishes year-round, your generosity and wonderful talents are truly gifts from the heart.

Cindy Beberg, aquatics coordinator South Lake Tahoe Parks & Recreation Department

In this economy, Squaw Valley strives to make the revitalizing sports of skiing and snowboarding accessible to all by creating targeted deals for a multitude of demographics. For instance, on the heels of last winter’s order from Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger to furlough salaried and non-union California state employees, Squaw Valley introduced “Furlough Friday” discounted lift tickets for California state workers affected by furloughs. This winter, Squaw Valley is bringing Furlough Fridays back with $49 lift tickets on Fridays* (non-holiday) throughout the resort’s 2009-10 Anniversary season.

Furlough Fridays begin Dec. 11 and continue throughout the winter on specified Fridays, or until budget issues are resolved.

To purchase the special $49 lift ticket, state workers must bring a valid state identification card or a recent (dated within one month) California pay stub and valid photo ID to ticket booth “D” (next to adult SnowSport school), between 8:30 and 11am.

Furlough Fridays are: Dec. 11, Jan. 8, 22, Feb. 5, 19, March 5, 12, 19, April 2, 9, 16.

Publisher’s note: Get in the spirit and share your idea for a gift valued at $20 or less. Click here for details.

garyangelica (yes, it’s really all lowercase and one word), men’s and women’s clothing and gift, located next to Nestle Toll House in the Heavenly Village says it has the perfect gift ideas and stocking stuffers to make your holiday shopping a little easier this year.

Under $20 they have:

-fun retro sunglasses for men and women

-perfect cocktail rings for the holiday parties

-fun and edgy earrings, bracelets and hair accessories

-keep warm and cozy in scarves, beanies and leg warmers

-fun graphic print tote bags from OBEY clothing

-fashion bandannas in assorted prints and colors perfect for the ski/snowboarder to add some flare to their gear.

“We also are having an additional 40 percent off our already marked down sale items which puts many of our flirty tops and blouses, tees and accessories right around the $20 price mark,” store officials report.

Sierra Resort awarded three stand out employees the golden, silver and bronze Eagle awards during an annual dinner each fall.

Eagle awards are given to employees who have gone above and beyond their duty in service to other departments and the resort as a whole.

This year’s party had a “Godfather” theme — which explains the photo.

This year, three behind-the-scenes employees took home the coveted plaques. Rick Defressine (gold), security manager; Eric Rhodes (silver), business development sales manager; and Scotty Borror (bronze), vehicle maintenance supervisor.

Outstanding Sierra-at-Tahoe employees. Photo/Provided

Defressine has been at Sierra for eight seasons. He started in security during the 2002-03 season, becoming manager two years later.

“The first day I came to work at Sierra Resort, everyone was so nice and welcoming. It was actually really strange. I went home to my family and told them I thought there was something funny in the water,” Defressine said during his acceptance speech. “Now I’ve been here for a number of years and I know there is something in the water.”

Rhodes has been on the sales team for two seasons.In that short time, Eric has made huge inroads working with lodging properties and South Shore partners of Sierra. “For me, Sierra Resort offers a platform to really grow both as a person and as a professional. The level of training and support I receive being on this team is unlike anything I have experienced anywhere else. I wouldn’t be here accepting this award if it weren’t for the team around me,” he said.

Borror joined the vehicle maintenance team at Sierra

two seasons ago and has made unprecedented progress in reducing the downtime for the fleet of snowcats, snowmobiles, road vehicles.

“It’s really rewarding to be recognized by co-workers for giving everything you have at a job you enjoy. I was totally surprised and honored. I really feel I’ve found a home here at Sierra Resort,” Borror said.

U.S. Forest Service fuels management crews will be conducting prescribed fire operations in several areas located along the West and South shores of Lake Tahoe starting Dec. 10 and continuing through the weekend as weather and staffing allow.

Operations will be conducted in the Meeks Meadow area near Meeks Bay Trail on approximately 140 acres. This operation is contingent on whether Highway 89 around Emerald Bay remains closed. If the road opens, the

operation will go on as planned, but if the road remains

closed the operation will be postponed until a later date.

A second operation will take place on Tahoe Mountain near Glenmore Way and Tahoe Mountain Road in Meyers on approximately 20 acres.

In addition, operations began on Monday will continue through the week in the Skyland area and at Round Hill near Elks Point Road along the East Shore.

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

Other fire protection agencies, state and local, may also be conducting prescribed fire operations during this period.