The El Dorado County Health and Human Services Agency, Behavioral Health Division is seeking public comment on the 2018-19 Mental Health Services Act annual update.

The draft update provides information on current and new MHSA programs, and budgets for three fiscal years through 2019-20. MHSA components in the update include: Prevention and Early Intervention; Community Services and Supports; Workforce Education and Training; Innovation; and Capital Facilities and Technology Needs. 

Comments may be submitted in writing through May 18 via email to MHSA@edcgov.us or via postal mail to: Health and Human Services Agency, Behavioral Health Division, MHSA Project Team, 768 Pleasant Valley Road, Suite 201, Diamond Springs, CA 95619.

A public hearing will be hosted by the El Dorado County Mental Health Commission after the close of the 30-day comment period.

·      Sierra State Parks’ Centennial Gala will be June 9, 5:30-9pm at Donner Memorial State Park. It will start with a cocktail hour, followed by a catered dinner paired with fine wines selected by the chef. Tickets are available online.

·      The final of three one-hour episodes of the 2017 STIHL National Championship Air Races in Reno will air on NBC Sports Network on April 21.

·      Jennifer Quashnick, local author of the Mountaingirl Mysteries series, on April 22 will read excerpts and share stories from her books, in which Rachel Winters, a Lake Tahoe resident often accompanied by her dog Bella, finds herself embroiled in murder, mystery, and romance. The free talk is at 11am at the Camp Richardson General Store Café.

·      Kahle Community Center will be hosting a family roller skating night on April 27 from 6-8pm. Bring your own skates with no metal wheels or rent a pair. Skate rental is $2. Cost is $5 for children ages 12-adults and $3 for seniors and children under 12 and younger. For more information, call Kahle at 775.586.7271.

·      Nevada Wildfire Awareness Month is May. This year’s theme is Prepare Now – Wildfire Knows No Season.

·      Come to the Valhalla site April 21 at 10am to help with the spring cleaning. The day starts with the unveiling of the plaque honoring Carolyn Grubb. RSVP to sharon@valhallatahoe.com.

·      Sierra Senior Services and Soroptimist International of Truckee Donner are putting on a pancake breakfast buffet on April 22 from 8-11:30am at the Truckee Tahoe Senior Apartments. The event benefits meals on wheels. For more info, go online.

·      Mark McLaughlin will discuss his award winning book “Snowbound! Legendary Winters of the Tahoe Sierra” on May 19 from 5-6:30pm at Donner Memorial State Park visitor center. Cost is $5. Parking is free.

·      A new K9 will soon be in service at the Washoe County Sheriff’s Office thanks to a donation from Washoe County K9 Partners. K9 Partners donated $19,810 to the sheriff’s office to acquire the new K9 along with the necessary gear. The donation will also cover additional equipment for the K9 Unit, including heat sensors for the K9 vehicles, and training for K9 deputies.

·      Douglas County Public Library Foundation and the Friends of the Douglas County Public Library’s spring book sale is May 19 from 9am-5pm and May 20 from 9am-2pm. The book sale will be at the C.V.I.C. Hall, 1602 Esmeralda Ave. in Minden. 

·      El Dorado County Board of Supervisors has a special meeting scheduled for April 20 at 9am in Placerville. The lone item: “Chief Administrative Office recommending the board receive information and provide direction regarding priorities for the fiscal year 2018-19 budget.”

·      With this week’s storm, Squaw Valley officially hit the 400-inch mark of cumulative snowfall during the 2017-18 winter season.

·      The Bicycle Advisory Committee of the South Lake Tahoe Recreation Facilities Joint Powers Authority will meet May 2, 9-11am in the Downstairs Airport Conference Room at Lake Tahoe Airport.

·      Matt Sampson, director of operations for Boys & Girls Clubs of Western Nevada in Carson City, will travels to Washington, D.C., April 18-19 to advocate for after school programming threatened by cuts in the proposed 2019 federal budget. Sampson last year was appointed to serve a two-year term as an after school ambassador by the Afterschool Alliance, a nonprofit public awareness and advocacy organization dedicated to increasing the availability of afterschool programs.

·      Douglas County library in Minden is hosting “The Lion King” (rated G) on May 5 at 2pm meeting room. The movie and popcorn are free. 

South Tahoe Public Utility District has received the District Transparency Certificate of Excellence through California Special District’s Association. 

This certificate requires compliance in three best practice areas including: basic transparency including the Brown Act, website, and public outreach.

This is the second time STPUD has received the award.

The application consisted of 44 documents and 158 pages that were reviewed by representatives of two peer agencies, Tahoe City Public Utility District and South Tahoe Chamber of Commerce. Once reviewed by the peer agencies, it was forwarded to the Special Leadership Foundation for consideration.

In a statement, STPUD said, “This achievement demonstrates the district’s commitment to being open and accessible, while engaging the public and creating greater awareness of district activities.”

·      There will be a blood drive May 11, noon-5pm at the South Lake Tahoe rec center at 1180 Rufus Allen Blvd. It is sponsored by Barton Memorial Hospital Auxiliary.

·      Ellen Nunes will talk about her art at Benko Art Gallery, 3979 Lake Tahoe Blvd., South Lake Tahoe on April 20, 5-8pm.

·      The 15th annual Cinco de Mayo celebration benefiting South Lake Tahoe Family Resource Center will be May 4, 5-10pm at Heavenly’s California Lodge. Cost is $25 in advance, $30 at the door; $10 for ages 6-12, and free for 5 and younger. For tickets, call 530.542.0740.

·      Nevadans on average are paying 45 percent more per month for health insurance compared to a year ago, according to a study.

·      Kahle Community Center in Stateline offers different types of classes with new sessions starting soon. Classes being offered are Zumba, Jazzercise, yoga, Pilates, dog obedience, Tae Kwon Do and Philippines stick fighting (Arnis). For more information, call 775.586.7271.

·      El Dorado County is hosting a meeting April 18 from 6-8pm at the magnet school to discuss problems and possible solutions to the traffic concerns in the Tahoe basin on Sundays and holidays.

·    South Tahoe Vikings Booster is having a shredding fundraiser April 20, noon-3pm at the American Legion parking lot. Cost is $10 per legal storage box.

·      Grocery Outlet is on the April 17 Truckee Planning Commission agenda. The meeting starts at 6pm in council chambers.

·      Here are the El Dorado-Tahoe and Sierra roadwork schedules for the week.

Verizon is looking to put up a 90-foot cell tower near Mt. Tallac High School in South Lake Tahoe.

It would be a monpine communications tower.

Public comments on the project are being taken until early May.

The Federal Communications Commission is investigating the environmental effects. Environmental concerns may be raised by going online.

There will be fundraiser for St. Baldrick’s at LuLu’s Hair Design in Stateline on April 21.

Heads will be shaved to raise money for pediatric cancer research.

To become a “shavee” the minimum donation is $50. To register, go online.

There will be food for sale and a raffle, with money going toward St. Baldrick’s.

The event is at 6pm at the lower arcade level at Harrah’s Lake Tahoe.

·      Truckee planning commissioners on April 17 will consider adopting a mitigated negative declaration, development permit and sign plan for a two-story climbing gym on Donner Pass Road. The meeting starts at 6pm in council chambers.

·      Rich Looney joined the Tahoe Regional Planning Agency as the travel management coordinator. He will be leading the Safe Routes to School Program, Lake Tahoe Bike Challenge, and spearheading the Travel Management Program.

·      South Lake Tahoe Mayor Wendy David will be having a conversation about retails sales of cannabis on April 25, 9am at the senior center. Who will be joining her has not been determined.

·      Keep Truckee Green and Truckee Roundhouse are hosting another Fixit Clinic on April 20 from 4-7pm at the Truckee Roundhouse. It’s a free, all-ages, do-it-together event where you can bring your broken household things and learn how to take them apart, and repair items with the help of expert coaches. Interested in volunteering? Contact mconti@townoftruckee.com.

·      Placer County is looking for poll workers. More info is online.