Now that the snow has melted, it is a good time to take a walk around your house to look for any damage that icicles may have caused.

Be sure to check the gas meter and any other utility lines that may have been damaged.

It’s time to begin cleaning up any loose debris on your roof, gutters, and around your property, such as pine needles, pine cones, and dead vegetation.

Be sure to store any snow removal equipment properly, and get your chimney and your furnace cleaned.

The South Lake Tahoe Fire Department wants to thank you for making your property fire safe.

— Sallie Ross-Filgo, SLTFD

South Tahoe High School’s Sober Grad Night is June 8 at 9pm to June 9 at 4am at the California Lodge at Heavenly Mountain Resort.

Volunteers are needed for the event.

Organizers also say raffle donations and monetary donations are needed. They may be mailed to: Sober Grad Force, P.O. Box 17001, S. Lake Tahoe, CA 96151.

Contact Joanne Marchesseault for further information at (530)577.5552 or jwmarche@cs.com.

“Thin City” is the destination Stella Ortega wanted to reach.

And the South Lake Tahoe woman did. The Barton Health employee is one of 10 finalists on the “The Dr. Oz Show” who could win $1 million. The winner will be announced on the TV program May 23.

Stella Ortega, left, before the weight loss program; above is after the program.

Since the health challenge launched Sept. 26 more than 1.2 million people have registered for the seven-step program that transforms their overall health. A weigh-in with Weight Watchers is required at the start and finish of the program.

People have until May 13 to vote for the winner via the website.

Click here to read more about Ortega.

• Douglas County School District board of education is having a budget meeting May 17 at 5pm at Douglas High School.

• Every Wednesday in May is $3 skating at the South Lake Tahoe ice rink from 1-5:30pm for all Lake Tahoe Unified School District Students. Fee includes skate rentals.

• Eric Campbell has taken over as manager of Bank of the West in South Lake Tahoe.

• Primo’s restaurant is open in the Hill’s Center of South Lake Tahoe.

• Jade Garden is the current name of the Chinese restaurant at the corner of Highway 50 and Tahoe Keys Boulevard in South Tahoe.

Bert’s Cafe in South Lake Tahoe is having a spaghetti fundraiser for Tahoe Arts Project on May 17 from 5:30-7:30pm.

For $10 people get pasta, Caesar salad, garlic bread, soda and coffee.

Call TAP for a ticket — (530) 542.3632.

Jacob Quinn from the U.S. Forest Service will present information on the Fallen Leaf Lake project on May 16 at 6:30pm at the South Lake Tahoe branch library, 1000 Rufus Allen Blvd.

He will provide details about the goals of the project and a proposed timeline for for its completion.

To help residents manage vegetative waste, Truckee is expanding its free fire safety yard waste drop-off program.

From June 1-16, Truckee residents may drop-off up to 6 yards (approximately 40 bags) of vegetative material for free at the Eastern Regional Landfill at 900 Cabin Creek Road, Monday–Saturday from 8am-4pm.

In order to participate, people must live within the town limits and be able to prove residency with a photo ID or an out-of-town photo ID with a utility bill.

If yard waste is transported in bags, you will be required to empty the bags to take advantage of free disposal.

Multiple trips are permitted.

Questions and comments may be directed to Nichole Dorr at (530) 582.2909 or ndorr@townoftruckee.com.

What does it take to be a journalist?

Find out from Lake Tahoe News Publisher Kathryn Reed at the annual Lake Tahoe Community College career fair on May 8 from 10am-1pm at the South Lake Tahoe college.

A slew of businesses will be on the campus talking to students about various fields.

The event is an opportunity for students and community members to learn more about career paths, job openings, and internships at area businesses.

Barton Memorial Hospital is showing off its newest toy — da Vinci Si Surgical System — on May 31 from 4:30-6:30pm in the Snowflake Lobby.

The device allows physicians to perform complex surgical procedures using minimally invasive techniques with less scarring, less pain and faster recovery times for most patients.

The hospital joined 114 medical facilities in California and more than 1,500 healthcare facilities in the United States by purchasing the da Vinci Si Surgical System to meet the surgical needs of its region and surrounding areas.

For more information, call (530) 543.5615.

• Deputy Terrie Cissna has been selected as the El Dorado County Sheriff’s Office 2011 Officer of the Year.

• The final $16.7 million in Measure G school facilities bond are set to be sold May 8 that will allow Lake Tahoe Unified School District to complete the remaining work.

• This is the weekly Caltrans roadwork schedule for El Dorado-Tahoe and Sierra.

• Mount Tallac High’s graduation is June 8 at 11am at the football field of South Tahoe High.

• Starting June 4 Alaska Airlines will have two flights per day between Reno-Tahoe International Airport and the Norman Y. Mineta San Jose International Airport.