By Christopher Ingraham, Washington Post

Pre-rolled marijuana joints are pictured at the Sea of Green Farms in Seattle, Washington June 30, 2014. REUTERS/Jason Redmond
Teenagers who smoke marijuana daily are over 60 percent less likely to complete high school than those who never use. They’re also 60 percent less likely to graduate college and seven times more likely to attempt suicide. Those are the startling conclusions of a new study of adolescent cannabis use out today in The Lancet Psychiatry, a British journal of health research.

Researchers gathered data on the frequency of cannabis use among 3,725 students from Australian and New Zealand, and then looked at the students’ developmental outcomes up to the age of 30. They found “clear and consistent associations between frequency of cannabis use during adolescence and most young adult outcomes investigated, even after controlling for 53 potential confounding factors including age, sex, ethnicity, socioeconomic status, use of other drugs, and mental illness.”

Significantly, they found that the risks for negative outcomes increased with the frequency of cannabis use. In a conference call, study co-author Edmund Sillins said that the relationship between cannabis use and negative outcomes is significant even at low levels of use (e.g., less than monthly), and that “the results suggest that there may not be a threshold where use can be deemed safe” for teens.

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Seven people are vying for three seats on the South Lake Tahoe City Council. Photo/LTN

By Kathryn Reed

MEYERS – Defining the role of a council member and the use of eminent domain were the only questions all seven South Lake Tahoe City Council candidates were asked to answer at a forum Wednesday night.

The event was a bit schizophrenic, as the questions were all over the place and not everyone had the opportunity to answer each one. It left several people gathered at Lake Tahoe Golf Course more confused about who to vote for and where the candidates stand on issues than when they arrived. This was in contrast to the South Lake Tahoe Lodging Association forum the following morning at which the same three questions were asked of the four candidates who showed up.

The last question asked Sept. 10 by moderator Evon Yakar was racist in nature. When candidate Bruce Grego asked Yakar if he was questioning whether race played a role in marketing, Yakar merely repeated the question. The question was: With 70 percent of Lake Tahoe’s visitors being from California and many are non-white in California, should this change our approach to becoming a world-class recreation destination?

(Lake Tahoe South Shore Chamber of Commerce and the Tahoe Daily Tribune were the sponsors.)

That particular question was asked of the four challengers. Grego said don’t change things because of the color of people’s skin. Matt Palacio, who works in sales for Sierra-at-Tahoe, said the resort has changed its approach by offering different food choices, and more lessons and helmets to cater to a population that is less comfortable with taking risks. Wendy David did not articulate her answer. Austin Sass said the city is not in the business of marketing, but added the ski and lodging industries are well versed in attracting an international clientele.

As for the responsibility of a council member: Sass said look to the future; Grego – listen to the community; Palacio – set direction; David – have a vision; Tom Davis – focus on the economy; Brooke Laine – do your homework; Angela Swanson – do the business of the city thoughtfully.

Regarding eminent domain:

• Swanson: Use it when all other options have been exhausted.

• Sass: Would use it, but hopes to never have to.

• Palacio: If it’s for the greater good. (His family had land taken in the Bay Area to build a bridge.)

• Grego: Won’t use it; believes it has been abused in South Lake Tahoe.

• Laine: OK as a last resort.

• Davis: Would use it in extreme circumstances.

• David: Would not be her first choice.

When it came to the demeanor of the council Davis had to be asked the question twice because he avoided answering it the first time.

• Davis: He called this the most progressive council he’s been on, that there will be differences, but at the end of the day you stand by the majority decision.

• David: Important to be professional and respectful at all times.

• Palacio: He sees political infighting and believes personal issues need to be resolved out of public view.

Here are some key comments from the candidates:

• Sass: Create a vision for the entire South Shore that people can embrace, know where the return on investment is going to come from, create town hall forums to engage the public, make the trails for biking and hiking easier to get to.

• David: Advocate of transparency, three-quarters of the town looks old, do something with the dilapidated hotels, plastic bag ban is the right thing.

• Palacio: Need better jobs to stop the brain drain of younger residents, raising the transient occupancy tax is short-sighted, supports Tahoe Prosperity Center.

• Grego: Night meetings could attract more input, need more flexibility with land use, never favored paid parking.

• Swanson: Government needs to get out of the way for businesses to succeed, Tahoe Valley Area Plan will be good for the Y, TRPA’s Regional Plan is good.

• Laine: Disappointed more policies are not enforced, need community vision, old hotels should be allowed to be converted to different uses.

• Davis: Nothing wrong with representing minority opinion, wants free bus service, believes town is on the right course.

At the Sept. 11 lodging meeting, the candidates were all asked the same three questions. Only one of them was in the room at a time. All the candidates were invited.

Question: What is your position on raising the transient occupancy tax?

• Davis: The council can’t just do it; it would have to go to the voters. He prefers raising average daily rate and occupancy. TOT accounts for just less than one-third of the city’s revenues.

• Grego: Believes the motel industry is taxed enough. Believes the private sector supports the public sector enough.

• Swanson: Not appropriate at this time. Could see doing so in the future for recreation.

• Palacio: Against raising TOT. Says other locations like San Diego have a lower hotel tax rate.

Question: Are you in favor of the loop road?

• Davis: He prefers cars driving in front of a business instead of around it. Will not use eminent domain for it.

• Grego: Has never been in favor of it.

• Swanson: Wants the loop road. Believes it will bring profound changes for the positive to the area.

• Palacio: Supports it, citing how most tourist areas don’t have a four-lane highway with a middle turn lane in the middle of town.

Question: What is your vision for the city to bring more tourists to town?

• Davis: Infrastructure, including complete streets, will attract new businesses.

• Grego: Land use regulations need to be flexible so businesses will come to town. Government needs to get out of the way.

• Swanson: City needs to invest in its own infrastructure.

• Palacio: City needs to remove barriers, streamline regulations, and bring in recreation events in the shoulder season.

Crews had to be evacuated Sept. 11 from the Hard Rock construction site in Stateline when a gas line was struck. Photo/Eric Guevin

Updated 12:49pm:

Construction crews at what will be Lake Tahoe Hard Rock Hotel hit a gas line this morning.

The Stateline site was evacuated Sept. 11 about 9am, according to Tahoe Douglas Fire Marshal Eric Guevin. He told Lake Tahoe News there were no injuries. Doors to the casino were closed off and the gas was subsequently shut off.

Traffic on Highway 50 in front of the casinos was being diverted around the loop road. The highway opened about an hour later.

The old Horizon hotel-casino is being gutted, remodeled and rebranded. Brothers Jon and David Park are putting $60 million into the property.

However, this is the second construction incident in less than two weeks. On Aug. 29 a worker was trapped in a piece of equipment when the porte cochere came crashing down.

“The contractors and subcontractors followed all federal regulations, including the ‘call before you dig’ practice,” Ellyn Morrill, spokewoman for Hard Rock, said in a statement at 12:45pm. “Property officials worked with local authorities and the fire marshal to ensure the safety of all resort employees and surrounding businesses. “Southwest Gas is capping the line and all construction crews and employees have re-entered the building to continue with the renovation of the world-class gaming resort.”

— Lake Tahoe News staff report

By Christopher Smart, Salt Lake Tribune

Vail Resorts has purchased Park City Mountain Resort for $182.5 million in cash, creating the country’s largest ski resort covering more than 7,000 acres.

The Colorado resort announced the acquisition Thursday morning, adding that the sale resolves all litigation with Powdr Corp., Park City Mountain Resort’s parent company.

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A 3.5 temblor rattled the North Shore on Sept. 10.

Reports from the U.S. Geological Society show that people as far away as Yuba City and Lodi felt the earthquake Wednesday at 5:08pm. Most of the Lake Tahoe Basin had a little shaking going on, too, except for south of the epicenter.

The quake was centered less than 3 miles west of Tahoe Vista.

— Lake Tahoe News staff report

Publisher’s note: Lake Tahoe News asked the seven South Lake Tahoe City Council candidates a series of questions. All are the same except for one that is specific to each candidate. The responses are being run in the order LTN received them.

Name: Bruce Grego

Profession/work experience: Attorney/self-employed law practice.

Age: 61

What organizations, committees or groups are you or have you been involved with?: Most recently, I volunteered with Tahoe4Tahoe to remove parking meters from our streets and beach parking lots. I am a board member of the California-based chamber (South Tahoe Chamber of Commerce), been on the City Council 2008- 2012 and on the Planning Commission eight years.

Why are you running for City Council?: I want to assure we have transparent/honest government responsive to those who live here.

Why should people vote for you over the other candidates?: I am independent and free from special interest pressures. (i.e.: I recently did not accept an invitation from the Nevada based chamber to be considered for endorsement.) I already have city government experience and understand how those pressures can work. As a 46-year resident and South Tahoe High graduate who came back after college, I care deeply about our town, and as an attorney I have legal training to offer.

What do you think is the most pressing issue facing South Lake Tahoe and how will you deal with it?: All too often we make decisions based upon superficial facts, unproven theories, and we fail to have an in-depth understanding of the issues before acting. We try to substitute our lack of understanding with polls and studies or staff interpretations. In November 2012, I voted against the paid parking program that was eventually overturned by the voters with the passage of Measure P. The city has made other errors. We have sustained significant losses concerning the operation of the parking garage. While “The Hole” has now seen some development, we have lost tax income for over seven years, not to mention the injury we caused all the business that were removed at the property. So what is the most important issue? Transparency and thoughtful decision-making. We need to stop making substantial financial errors that affect the future of our community.

If the city cannot reach an agreement with its bargaining units, are you willing to go to impasse? Why or why not? How would you resolve the CalPERS and health care issues in the city?: I have combined these next two questions because they are so closely related. I do not have access to the negotiations presently between the city and its labor units and the details of the issues surrounding the contract. It would be speculation on my part to try to give an answer to these questions as they are written. I would not hesitate to declare an impasse if there is good cause to do so, and after considering all options. But the bottom line is that without having knowledge of the issues surrounding the negotiations, any more substantive response would be worthless.

What is your opinion about term limits for the council?: It sounds like a good idea because it limits those elected from holding office for an extended period of time. But is it? The California Legislature has term limits and can anyone say our state government is better now than before term limits? In many respects, holding public office is no different than any job in the public sector in that you must fully understand how an organization works before you can be an effective policymaker. No one would suggest that we limit the term of a doctor or carpenter. Governing is more than just taking input from the public, it is the ability to understand the relationship between elected officials and staff, applicable law, and understanding what is possible at your level of government. It requires an understanding on what role staff has in decision making. There is more to consider than a simple equation of term limits in trying to achieve better government.

If the city has positive cash flow, where should the money be spent?: It should go toward our stated goals, our debt, and for road reconstruction. I am proud of reconstruction of our roads, such as Glenwood, built in our community when I was on the council, which was discontinued after I left.

What are your ideas for increasing the city’s revenues?: New tax revenue should come from assessing businesses that do not currently contribute. Look at Heavenly Ski Resort, just outside our city limits. Past councils have exempted them from a tax of their ski tickets sold within the city. Our city also supports Heavenly Village to the tune of about $150,000 a year for an indefinite period. There is no expiration in the City’s commitment to provide tax dollars to support this private complex. I say no “sweet heart” deals for big corporations, developers or anyone else.

Additionally, the city of SLT had significant surpluses prior to 2006 and the sources of that revenue have not changed; so I think we need to wait for our economy to continue to recover from the recession instead of just adding more taxes to persons and businesses that already pay their fair share, and are still facing their own economic challenges.

Government also needs to control its own costs better than it has.

Furthermore, I am concerned about a multitude of fees promoted by the city. No matter what you call it, fees are taxes. When I paid my business license tax [this year] for example, there was a fee added to process the tax. These kinds of fees are like going to a restaurant ordering and paying for a meal, then being charged a fee for the use of the fork and knife. I hate to be nickel and dimed by the city after we support government with all the taxes we pay. We should not increase revenues this way.

What is your vision for the 56-acre project?: We need to upgrade and expand the recreation center and the campground.

What would you do to improve relations with El Dorado County?: Talk with them. I also support Kenny Curtzweiler [stet] for supervisor. I believe Kenny will make the other four supervisors more sensitive to our needs and goals.

Is the city on the right course with restructuring debt and focusing on recreation? Why or why not?: Yes, I have advocated the restructuring of debt while I was on the council and continue to support such direction. Why would we not seek low interest and lower monthly payments? Yes on recreation because it is obvious.

Name one vote the City Council made in the last four years you are proud of and one you are disappointed in – and why?: I am disappointed in the City Council’s vote on Ordinance 1054 to have paid parking on some of our streets and beaches; I was on the council in November 2012 and I voted against this ordinance. My disappointment is based on the facts that they refused repeatedly to hear what the voters said. Many community meetings were held where the majority of attendees loudly voiced their opposition. The City Council went ahead anyway. When 1,400 signatures were collected in three weeks opposing the ordinance, the City Council further declined to put it on the agenda for discussion. When those signatures were turned into the county elections board to put on the ballot, the City Council only then put it on the ballot themselves then proceeded to spend untold taxpayers dollars to oppose it. Sixty-seven percent of the people voted to get rid of the parking meters and some council members are still not listening. That is disappointing.

What is working in the city and what isn’t; and how would you go about changing what isn’t working?: As I stated above, in response to what I think is the most pressing issue facing South Lake Tahoe, the manner in which we are making decisions isn’t working. We need to change the manner in which decisions are made by the council. All too often we make decisions based upon superficial facts, unproven theories, and we fail to have an in depth understanding of issues before acting. We have to actually use a correct model to change the faulty model to a better one.

Being on the council requires working with four others. Give readers an example of how you work well others in difficult situations with differing opinions: I have always treated my colleagues and city staff with respect. I welcome, even encourage, lively debate about difficult issues. Smart and truthful research aids difficult decisions. I am willing to do thorough research and I am willing to change my position if shown a better way.

What is your opinion about the following topics:

• Ferry service on Lake Tahoe?: I believe we should explore different transportation alternatives to facilitate the movement of locals and tourists in our area.

• Loop road?: I continue to oppose the Loop Road. It is unnecessary and I strongly believe that the special interest groups are seeking its construction for their private benefit. You cannot relocate the major traffic corridor in the Stateline area without adversely affecting the level of business activities on the California side. I oppose the removal of existing homes and businesses and the use of inverse condemnation to the objectives of this project.

• Future of Lake Tahoe Airport?: It is not economically feasible and I see no change in the future.

• Increasing the transient occupancy tax?: Please see my response to the question “What is your ideas for increasing the city revenues.”

• Changing the vacation rental ordinance to reduce the number of such units in neighborhoods?: I need some more figures, however our city should not tolerate abusive vacation rental activities. We need to continue to promote enforcement recognizing that there is a balance between the use of private property and the public good.

What will you do differently on the council compared to when you served before?: I will be more directly involved in labor contracts. I will be more thorough in research before approving goals and objectives for the council. I also will be more stringent before approving budgets.

Tell the voters something about yourself that they may not know: I voted against the application by Randy Lane and Lake Tahoe Development Company for the loan of public funds from the city for $25 million to “save” the Hole. I voted against paid parking back in November 2012. I graduated from South Tahoe High School.

By Dale Kasler, Sacramento Bee

RENO — It seems hard to believe, in the afterglow of the Tesla jackpot, that Reno was an economic basket case just a few years ago, with even bigger problems than Sacramento.

Yet even as unemployment soared and its casinos struggled during the recession, the “Biggest Little City in the World” was reinventing its economic base. The Reno-Sparks region marketed itself to distribution and manufacturing companies, and big names like eBay and Toys R Us began opening warehouse facilities.

The latest victory exceeded anyone’s expectations. After months of anticipation, Tesla Motors Inc. last week chose a sprawling industrial park east of Reno for its 6,500-employee “Gigafactory,” which will build batteries for the electric-car maker’s new mass-market vehicle. The news sent community and business leaders grasping for ways to describe how Tesla will transform the Reno area.

“They’re going to change the course of history within this community and within this state,” said Lance Gilman, the Stetson-wearing developer of the industrial park where Tesla will build.

Gilman compared Tesla’s pending arrival with the discovery of silver in northern Nevada in the 19th century and the opening of casinos in Las Vegas in the 20th. Gov. Brian Sandoval, announcing the company’s decision at the Capitol in Carson City, said Tesla will deliver $100 billion in economic benefit over the next two decades and expand the region’s economy by a whopping 20 percent.

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By Nancy Scola, Washington Post

Wednesday, forces aligned in favor of stronger net neutrality rules will rally under the banner of Internet Slowdown Day, the latest push to funnel the public’s attention to the Federal Communication Commission’s on-going rulemaking on open Internet principles and practices.

First things first. Slowdown Day will not feature any actual slowing down of the Internet. The reason it won’t? The same reason why this is a fascinating moment in the history of Internet activism. Companies participating in the protest, like Vimeo, Etsy and reddit, have become the digital infrastructure of the Internet age. Slowing down their services is likely to anger their audiences (not to mention, in some cases, their shareholders). In other words, they’ve become essential — Too Big to Slow? — but that also gives them enormous power. They have the ability to draw millions upon millions of eyeballs to the spinning loading icon that will be featured on their sites.

That spinning logo is one way that Web sites and Web users will be participating. Another is changing one’s avatar, on Twitter or Facebook or what have you, to the icon. The hope is that the action will spread like a contagion, if one given a little push. Commit, the campaign is asking of its allies, to getting one person or company with a bigger reach than you to join in as well.

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There will not be another Nutting on the El Dorado County Board of Supervisors.

The first of three new El Dorado County supervisors was elected Sept. 9. Shiva Frentzen earned 30.96 percent of the vote in Tuesday’s special election, with 2,374 votes.

The election was to replace Ray Nutting who had been ousted earlier this year because of being convicted on misdemeanor offenses related to money obtained to bail him out on felony charges.

His wife, Jennifer, ran for the seat. She came in fourth out of six candidates with 13.21 percent, 1,013 votes.

Second was George Turnboo at 18.69 percent, 1,433 votes; third Dave Pratt at 15.08 percent, 1,156 votes; fifth Claire McNeal at 10.95 percent, 840 votes; and sixth Chris Amaral at 10.84 percent, 831 votes.

The other two contested races will be decided Nov 4. The current supervisors are being termed out.

— Lake Tahoe News staff report

By Lee Fang, Vice

As Americans continue to embrace pot — as medicine and for recreational use — opponents are turning to a set of academic researchers to claim that policymakers should avoid relaxing restrictions around marijuana. It’s too dangerous, risky, and untested, they say.

Just as drug company-funded research has become incredibly controversial in recent years, forcing major medical schools and journals to institute strict disclosure requirements, could there be a conflict of interest issue in the pot debate?

Vice has found that many of the researchers who have advocated against legalizing pot have also been on the payroll of leading pharmaceutical firms with products that could be easily replaced by using marijuana. When these individuals have been quoted in the media, their drug-industry ties have not been revealed.

Take, for example, Dr. Herbert Kleber of Columbia University. Kleber has impeccable academic credentials, and has been quoted in the press and in academic publications warning against the use of marijuana, which he stresses may cause wide-ranging addiction and public health issues. But when he’s writing anti-pot opinion pieces for CBS News, or being quoted by NPR and CNBC, what’s left unsaid is that Kleber has served as a paid consultant to leading prescription drug companies, including Purdue Pharma (the maker of OxyContin), Reckitt Benckiser (the producer of a painkiller called Nurofen), and Alkermes (the producer of a powerful new opioid called Zohydro).

Kleber, who did not respond to a request for comment, maintains important influence over the pot debate. For instance, his writing has been cited by the New York State Association of Chiefs of Police in its opposition to marijuana legalization, and has been published by the American Psychiatric Association in the organization’s statement warning against marijuana for medicinal uses.

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