By Mallory Hoff, KCRA-TV

The pain at the pump is about to get worse for Californians — specifically, on July 1.

On Monday, motorists will pay an additional 3.5 cents a gallon — and it’s not because of the cost of fuel, but rather, a tax increase.

“Happy Fourth of July,” motorcyclist Kevin Shallenberger said Thursday.

The increase comes after the state Board of Equalization voted to increase the excise gas tax, which will total 39.5 cents per gallon.

“Legislation that was passed in 2010 mandated that the excise tax be adjusted up and the sales tax adjusted down, to keep it revenue-neutral so that there wouldn’t be an impact overall in the amount of tax drivers pay at the pump,” said Venus Stromberg, a spokeswoman for the state Board Of Equalization.

The board said the money will go back into the roads.

“The excise tax dollars that you pay to the state when you buy a gallon of gasoline go back to the state to fund highway and transportation projects,” Stromberg said.

But the Howard Jarvis Taxpayers Association president said motorists may not be getting what they pay for.

“They drive down I-5 and they still see those pot holes,” said Jon Coupal, president of the association. “We’re paying very, very high gas taxes and not seeing that money diverted into the things that motorists use. It’s a serious reflection of the inability of California to govern itself.”

The situation will leave some with a financial dilemma.

“It’s hard to plan long trips or anything because it’s too much,” driver Judy Smith said.

The 24th annual Lake in the Sky Air Show at Lake Tahoe Airport is Aug. 24 from 8am-3:30pm.

The Lake in the Sky Air Show has been described as “the best in the west” by one of the Navy’s participants.

This year’s show will include aerobatic performances by several top performers including Bill Cornick, Jon Melby and Spencer Suderman.

A “Pre Flight” Party featuring WWII Triple Ace Bud Anderson and Mig Killers Pete “Viper” Pettigrew and Mike “Wizzard” McCabe will be at the Flight Deck at Lake Tahoe Airport.

The airshow starts with an 8am pancake breakfast offered by the Kiwanis Club, with the opening ceremonies at 9am. Sky divers will open the show. Vintage Warbirds, military static display aircraft, and many more other aircraft will be on display. Home built, experimental, Highway Patrol, Calstar, Civil Air Patrol and other aircraft are also invited to participate.

Admission is $10 for adults and $8 for kids. Free transportation will be provided from the South Y transit center to Lake Tahoe Airport.

On Aug. 25, those 8 to 18 can fly at no cost through the Young Eagles Program. Those interested in participating must sign up with a parent at the air show the day before.

The Douglas County Public Library is presenting a special family storytime on July 17 at 10:30am under the trees at Mormon Station in Genoa.

Youth Services Librarian Kathy E. will read stories about magical rocks. Afterward, children of all ages may paint a magic rock to take home.

Mormon Station is located on the corner of Main Street and Genoa Lane in Genoa.

For more info, call (775) 782.9841.

• Truckee Town Council and Planning Commission are having an Economic development workshop July 17 from 6-8pm at the council chambers, 10183 Truckee Airport Road.

• The Commission on Cancer of the American College of Surgeons has given the Carson Tahoe Cancer Center in Carson City a three-year renewal of accreditation.

• The Douglas County Public Library in Zephyr Cove will be closed July 4 and will reopen July 5 at 9am.

• The Sierra Cup Series is making a stop at Kirkwood on July 14 for the Kirkwood Mountain Classic cross country and Super-D races. All proceeds from the events will be donated to TAMBA.

• There will be a Fourth of July celebration at the American Legion in South Lake Tahoe on July 4 from 10am-3pm. No cost to attend. There will be food, music and other vendors.

The South Lake Tahoe Fire Department is reminding everyone not to use personal fireworks 4th of July weekend or ever.

Not only are fireworks illegal in the entire Lake Tahoe Basin, but numerous fires result from their use, not to mention the severe injuries they may cause to the users.

The South Shore area provides the locals and visitors a world-class fireworks display on the evening of July 4 at 9:45pm. This display is visible over the lake from the South Shore beaches on both the California and Nevada sides of the stateline.

The SLTFD wishes you a safe and sane 4th of July celebration.

— Sallie Ross-Filgo, South Lake Tahoe Fire Department

Lake Tahoe Community College’s class of 2013. Photos/Kathryn Reed

By Kathryn Reed

Make every day matter. That was the message Lake Tahoe Community College English instructor Suzanne Roberts delivered to the graduates as she struck a balance between joy and sorrow during the June 28 commencement address.

The evening was a bit of remembrance for three former college employees who died this spring – Kathy “Ms. B” Bluethman, Sue Huff and Carl Young, acknowledgement to the two main former presidents at the school – Jim Duke and Guy Lease, acknowledging Bob and Tammy Hassett as distinguished alumni, and a sendoff to the 140 students who earned their associates of arts degree.

LTCC President Kindred Murillo congratulates Raina Patrocinio.

LTCC has a rich tradition of being the top small college in the state when it comes to the number of students who transfer to one of the UC colleges. Cal is always a popular choice, as is UC Davis.

Georgillis Ortega receives a congratulatory hug from President Kindred Murillo.

Chris Sidell is one of the LTCC grads who will go to Davis, where he will study viticulture.

Many of the students are the first in their families to earn a college degree.

College President Kindred Murillo spoke of the confidence she has in this group of young people.

Looking at the sea of green gowns, one could see many clearly didn’t fit the traditional student model just based on their age.

For Karen Jaimes, one of the student speakers, she is an example of someone who many would have said college would never be an option. Even she had those thoughts for seven years.

Jaimes became a mother when she was 14 years old. She thought her future would never involve college.

Graduates celebrate June 28.

“Miss (Susan) Baker and Miss (Amy) Jackson inspired my dreams back into my life,” Jaimes said of the two longtime educators at Mt. Tallac High.

She credited the college’s flexibility in taking classes with allowing her to also be a full-time mom.

For Samantha Ramirez, her two young daughters also inspired her to keep going. She balanced being a mom, wife, working two jobs and being a full-time student.

As Roberts said, the evening was a commencement ceremony – a start, not an ending.

“The thing to remember is your life is now,” Roberts said. “Risk failure to chase your dreams. Go live your one wild and precious life.”

Tahoe Mountain Club and PJ’s Restaurant will be hosting a free outdoor music series every Tuesday evening starting July 2.

The full summer lineup is as follows:

• July 2 Brodie Stewart Band – Modern Country

• July 9 Naia Kete – Pop Reggae

• July 16 Downbeat – Booty Shakin’ Funk and Soul

• July 17 The Easy Leaves – Americana

• July 23 Brothers Stout – Funk/Rock/Reggae

• July 30 Wheeland Brothers – Beach Rock Regae

• Aug. 6 Tracorum – Rock’n Soul/Rhythm’n Blues

• Aug. 13 Funky Miracle – Funk

• Aug. 20 Neva – Pop

• Aug. 27 Whitney Myer – Pop/Soul

• Sept. 3 Ike and Martin – Best local band of 2013

• Sept. 10 Peter Joseph Burtt & The King Tide – Soulful World Style Blues

Bring a low back lawn chair or blanket or make dinner reservations to take in the scene from one of the restaurant’s al fresco tables. Walk-up food and drinks will be available to all patrons, so outside food or drinks are not allowed.

The performers will play from 5:30-7:30pm.

PJ’s and Gray’s Crossing are located less than one mile east of downtown Truckee off Interstate 80, exit 188.

By Tracy Franklin

This is the sixth of a series of articles highlighting emergency preparedness. Use these tools to prepare yourself for an emergency. More information is available in the city’s website.

Pre-planning is key to your safety.

When it comes to fire — be smart. If the fire is too big for you to handle, immediately get out of the house. Don’t stop to gather anything or to do anything. Once you are outside, stay outside. Intense heat and toxic fumes can kill you.

Planning and practicing fie safety:

1) Choose a reunion place outside of your home. Regularly remind all household members where this place is.

2) Draw the floor plan of your home, and discuss two ways to exit each room.

3) Hold a fire drill at least twice a year. Blindfolded, practice crawling your exit routes to simulate getting out of a smoke-filled house.

Fire extinguishers:

Locate your fire extinguishers with care. Ready access to them is critical. Fire moves quickly. Quick access can be the difference between putting a small fire out or suffering much damage.

Several smaller extinguishers located throughout the house are better than one large one that may be difficult to get to quickly.

Key places for your extinguishers are:

• The kitchen

• The garage

• One on every level if your home has multiple floors.

A:B:C extinguishers are recommended:

• “A” fires — ordinary combustibles such as wood, paper, cloth and many plastics.

• “B” fires — flammable liquids such as gasoline, paints, kitchen grease, and oils.

• “C” fires — electrical equipment, such as fires in wiring, motors and appliances.

* Check your extinguishes on a regular basis to ensure they are properly charged.

Using a fire extinguisher:

• Try to keep calm

• Vital: Keep an escape route open between you and the small fire you are attempting to extinguish. If the fire is large or becomes too large, immediately get out of the house. Close the door on your way out to slow the spread of flames.

• Always point the extinguisher at the base of the fire rather than at the top of the flames.

• Remember, if the fire is too big for you to handle, immediately get yourself and your family out of the house. Don’t stop to gather anything. Seconds can make all the difference.

• Once you are outside, stay outside. Intense heat and toxic fumes can kill you in seconds.

P.A.S.S. — A proven and effective system for putting out a fire

• P. Pull the pin.

• A. Aim at the base of flame.

• S. Squeeze the handle.

• S. Sweep the hose side to side.

Possible fires following earthquakes:

Natural gas fires:

· First, shut off the gas.

· Second, put the fire out by using an extinguisher, dirt, or water.

Electrical fires:

· First, shut off the electricity.

· Second, put out the fire by using an extinguisher, dirt, or water.

Oil or grease fires:

· Use baking soda, a lid, a bread board, or a fire extinguisher to smother the flames.

· Never use water on a grease or oil fire.

Tracy Franklin is the public information officer for South Lake Tahoe.

The U.S. Forest Service Lake Tahoe Basin Management Unit has scheduled an additional project open house on July 10 from 5-7pm to discuss the proposed removal of the Incline Lake Dam.

The meeting will be at Homewood Suites, 5450 Kietzke Lane, Reno.

The Forest Service is seeking public input on a proposal to remove the Incline Lake dam and restore the surrounding area. The Forest Service purchased the 777-acre Incline Lake parcel in 2008. During the acquisition process, a site investigation and assessment determined that the Incline Lake dam and spillway do not meet federal, state or local standards for a high-hazard dam (designated as such due to downstream development).

The Forest Service will have the first project open house July 8 from 5-7pm at the Incline Village General Improvement District Board Room, 893 Southwood Blvd., Incline Village.

The El Dorado County Sheriff’s Office is investigating a new variation of phone scam that impersonates law enforcement.

In this recent case, the caller portrayed himself as an FBI agent who claimed he has discovered you won a prize that was never awarded to you. The scammer then asks for money to be sent to him. To try to convince you to send the money, the scammer will fake a phone call from local law enforcement.

In this case the scammer had a second scammer pretend to be Sheriff John D’Agostini. These scammers can be particularly convincing because they can make the number they called from appear on your caller ID to be any number including that of the FBI.

It is important to remember that law enforcement will never call anyone asking for money, ever. Before giving any financial or personal information you should be positive the people receiving the information are who they say they are.