Letter to the Publisher,

On Jan. 8, I met my friend John Wheeler at Santoro Caffe Shop in Cameron Park for a visit. While we were talking over coffee, Bob Luca, a candidate for sheriff of El Dorado County, came in and we invited him over to where we were sitting. He sat and conversed with us for half an hour.

Candidate Bob Luca gave us and several people sitting at other tables his card. And I noticed that he lived in El Dorado Hills. I asked him if he knew candidate Stan Perez, who I knew resided in El Dorado Hills, too. That stimulated a response from Luca that surprised and disturbed me greatly.

He castigated candidate Perez loudly, made several racially biased and opprobrious remarks about him and his ethnicity. He claimed that Chief Perez rose in the CHP because of his Hispanic [he called it Mexican] heritage, that he was a traffic controller and not a good cop, and that were it not for his heritage, which he alleged was used to rise within the CHP, that he would never have been a chief.

We found the remarks vicious, unprofessional and unworthy of a man running to be the sheriff in our county. And, we think Stan Perez is owed a public apology from Bob Luca. That is the reason for this letter.

Candidate Luca’s remarks were unwarranted, untrue and ought to stimulate a public apology from Luca. This manner of campaigning, bad-mouthing an adversary, should not be tolerated. It demeans the whole election process and competition. What citizens want to know is why a given candidate thinks he deserves to be elected, his own qualifications, not mud-slinging at the other men in the race. This tactic has been observed from advocates of other sheriff candidates, too. It is small-minded and adds nothing to the decision-making process.

There are seven excellent men competing to become our county’s next sheriff. Do we really want one that has a race problem?

John Deryck, Placerville

Happy new year, Bona Fide friends,

You’ve probably heard of the slow food movement, created in response to fast food ubiquity and the loss of local foods and traditions. In 2010, I’d like to support a slow read movement, one that encourages a deep engagement with reading. This isn’t an anti-technology screed — I’m all for anything that keeps people reading. But I’d like to encourage a commitment to valuing the transformative power of storytelling, and to enriching communities through storytelling. To that end, Bona Fide Books is deepening its commitment to stories that are often shut out of the faster-moving stream. Mountain people & fringe dwellers, send us your news!

Thanks for reading,

Kim Wyatt, editor & publisher, Bona Fide Books

Publisher’s note: The following was written for Lake Tahoe News in 1960. LTN was a weekly print publication at the time owned by Flip Brandi. Del Wright, the writer, is better known to those on the South Shore as Del Laine.

By Del Wright

It’s going to take me years to sort out all my memories of the Olympics.

I’ll never forget the Opening Ceremony and the way the sun burst out at the cannon salute, after snowing hard all day … or the lump in my throat as the athletes paraded past … or the hush of expectancy as Andy Lawrence skied down Papoose Peak with the Olympic Torch … or the way the Olympic Flame roared into life.

I’ll never forget Jean Vuarnet’s brilliant Downhill victory, proving that nice guys do win … or the sheer delight on the face of Yvonne Ruegg when she realized she’d won a gold medal with her Giant Slalom run … or the sobs of Elwira Seroczynska when she tripped and fell on her way to a speed skating record … or the Finnish relay team, anchored by the great Veikko Hakulinen, beating the Norwegian entry by a mere two yards … or Chick Igaya twisting his way down the slalom … or the sportsmanship of the competitors, always ready to congratulate a top performance or a good try … or the complete mastery of figure skaters Carol Heiss, Dave Jenkins, Barbara Wagner and Bob Paul … or being at the finish line the day seven national and international records were broken in the ladies 1000 meter speed skating … or watching Georg Thoma of Germany become the first middle-European to win the Nordic combined … or yelling myself hoarse at the hockey games … or watching those wonderful, crazy fools soar off the jumps … or sitting with Lidija Skoblikova, Russia’s double gold medalist, at a hockey game and teaching her to yell “go-go-go” while she taught me to yell “shaibu”, the Russian word for “one goal!”

I’ll never forget the staff I had the good fortune to work with on this assignment, either. Walt Little, who masterminded the whole coverage, kept his sanity and sense of humor beyond all reasonable expectation. Sarah Link took a back seat to no other working photographer when it came to pulling out pictures of the winners and dramatic sights of these games. And I’ll never forget the day that my cohort in coverage, Jeanne Ireland, hurriedly typed up a story and THEN discovered she’s grabbed a Swedish typewriter.

I’ll not soon forget the sight of the Russian journalists chortling over Dear Abby … or the mortification, of the Japanese journalists over the showing of their hockey team … or the excitement I felt when my Canadian and French press friends gave me tips that turned into good stories.

In fact, there’s so many things I won’t ever forget, I can’t recall half of them!

To me, the real memory of the Olympics is not bound up entirely in the champions, or the records made and broken, or the close races, or the sportsmanship of the contestants, or the colour of the ceremonies or the excitement of the crowd.

When I think of these Olympic Games I’ll always remember Kyung Soon (Yim) of Korea.

Kyung is a skier.

Out of all the skiers in the world he was the last of sixty-four men to run the slalom.

The slalom is run twice. Ernst Hinterseer of Austria boomed through the 69 gates in the less than a minute on his second run.

Kyung was last man again. He started off by smashing into a gate. He got his feet back under him and hiked back up to the gate and started down again.

He spilled again. And he hiked back up to get the gate.

Two more falls, many wide sweeping turns, and 2 minutes 35 and 2 tenths seconds later, Kyung made it across the finish.

With the biggest grin I’ve every seen.

And the crowd gave him the biggest hand of the day.

Publisher’s note: On Jan. 17 read about the recent gathering of those involved with the 1960 Games at Squaw.

El Dorado County Board of Supervisors,

We are calling on you to allow churches of El Dorado County to immediately provide temporary, rotating winter sheltering through at least April 2010. As you are aware, this is the second winter without any shelter and this is intended to be a temporary solution during the coldest months of the year while United Outreach develops the long term shelter at Perks Court.

FAITH has developed a very well organized and structured process based, in part, on other successful nomadic homeless shelter concepts and on the lessons learned from Grace Place, the former El Dorado County shelter.

Furthermore, it would be implemented completely by volunteers with absolutely no cost to El Dorado County taxpayers and with absolutely no need for any government services.

Many of us have been trying to work within the system for the last few months, with some very well meaning, responsible, county staff, performing their due diligence, to get this accomplished. However, we continue to be hindered by zoning laws, and other impediments, and have not yet been successful.

While we understand the need for these laws to protect the health, welfare, and safety of all El Dorado County citizens, how could there possibly be any more threat to the health, welfare and safety of our citizens than freezing to death on a park bench, as Ms. Susan Mobley did in March of 2008, or as a another man did in his tent a few months ago, or getting hit and killed crossing the street in October of 2009?

Further, we have been recently informed that there are now at least three precedential court cases that are directly on point that allow churches to be exempt from local zoning ordinances with respect to sheltering homeless citizens.

We have also been informed that the city of Placerville has determined that at least two churches may proceed with this plan.

It is already January, time is of the essence, and we are very simply asking that you decide to immediately give us temporary authorization to proceed, while continuing to meet and develop a mutually acceptable solution.

Respectfully submitted,

Michael Parr, coordinator of Feeding And Inspiring The Homeless (F.A.I.T.H.)

Publisher’s note: The following was sent to the South Lake Tahoe City Council on Jan. 11 and is being printed here with City Manager Dave Jinken’s permission.

Mayor and Council:

The news for cities and our public does not look good in the Governor’s proposed State budget. The article below from the League of Cities provides good insight.

Local revenues to operate transit systems that people locally depend on are at risk. Reducing funding for local transit also means higher cost for local residents and a diminished public transit option.

While we are trying to build an effective and efficient local transportation system, State government proposes to reduce funding for it as the City Council will hear this week.

In addition, the proposed budget continues to seek to illegally take local redevelopment funding for a second year, but the City Council has strongly supported action by the California Redevelopment Association to fight the theft of these local funds in court, and court action by CRA is pending. Last year, the State lost one taking case. Our hope and expectation is that they will lose this one as well.

The Governor proposes to slow down the payment of certain local funds to cities (HUTA, gas tax). This approach does not help to stimulate the local and State economy. Cities will be less likely to commit what funds they have for street repair etc if they are not going to get the funds in a timely fashion. It just doesn’t make sense.

We will evaluate the impact on our residents of the Governor’s proposed Emergency Response Initiative surcharge on residential and commercial property insurance plans. With an ever-present fire danger in the Basin, we must stay focused on initiatives that promote and support fire suppression and fuel reduction.

There are some job creation initiatives and funding in the proposed budget that we need to examine how we might benefit from it. With a South Shore unemployment rate estimated to be at 15 percent help is needed to build a strong and diverse private employment sector of our local economy. Our efforts to build a strong local economy are impeded by a State government that attempts to take away the fruits of our labor.

As stated below, the Governor is proposing funding State parks with a proposal to use revenues from increased oil drilling of the Santa Barbara coast. Lat year this controversial proposal was not approved.

In summary, City government, local residents, and business and labor must keep “our proverbial eyes” on the state budget ball. We have much at stake. Balancing the State budget on the backs of local government like ours that provides essential services to the community is folly at best. We need to vigorously monitor the development of the state budget, continue strong advocacy in Sacramento to protect local revenues, and do what we can to further protect local government revenues on a statewide basis. We must stay informed and keep united with other local governments and private sector advocates to protect local revenues an protect the services we provide to the 24,000 people who reside here.

State officials have a tough job. Taking away local revenues that we depend on to provide essential services to our community to balance a broken State budget system is not the answer. Structural reform of budgeting and State government are needed.

Thank you for your leadership in the past. Staff and I will stay focused on this important matter. We will remain vigilant.

Respectfully,

David M. Jinkens, MPA, city manager

2010-01-10 League Continues to Analyze Budget

The budget released today by Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger eliminates most funding ($1.5 billion) for transit agencies across California and destabilizes other critical transportation funding sources by proposing to remove the sales tax on gasoline in exchange for additional excise taxes through a complicated tax swap scheme.

“This is just the kind of Byzantine proposal that we’ve seen from the state over and over again in recent years that erodes voter confidence in state government,” said Chris McKenzie, League of California Cities executive director. “Destabilizing local infrastructure funding in this way puts California on the wrong track to reinvigorate the economy.”

As recently as 2006, voters went to the ballot box and supported the protection of gas tax revenues for all transportation purposes including transit. Recent court decisions have also clarified that prior legislative attempts to raid transit dollars were illegal. Public transit is a vital component of California’s transportation system and for many residents it is their only mode of transportation.

Cities remain greatly concerned that transportation funds that are proposed to be allocated to local governments from the additional excise tax would be more vulnerable to future legislative raids. Just last year, the Governor proposed taking almost $1 billion of transportation excise taxes from local governments to fund state budget obligations. This proposal was narrowly defeated in the final hours.

The League has reviewed the components of the budget for potential city impacts. The Governor proposes to resolve a $19.9 billion state budget deficit ($6.9 billion in FY 2009-10, and $13.3 in FY 2010-11) with $8.5 billion in cuts, pursuing $6.9 billion in additional federal funding to get a “fair share” for the state, and $3.9 billion through various funding swaps, fees and other mechanisms.

Below is the staff’s preliminary analysis of issues of importance to cities.

Transportation

Proposition 42 and HUTA. The Governor proposes to eliminate the 5 percent (temporarily 6 percent through FY 2010-11) sales tax on gas (Proposition 42), and partially replaces the funding by increasing the excise tax on gas (Highway Users Tax Account or HUTA) by 10.8 cents. This would bring the total excise tax to 28.8 cents per gallon, whereas the existing combined Prop 42 and HUTA taxes currently total 34.4 cents per gallon.

The League has not yet reviewed language for this proposal, but it has been represented by the administration as not changing the current distribution of HUTA, funding levels for the State Transportation Improvement Program (STIP) or local streets and roads in FY 2010-11.

The new 10.8 cent excise tax would be allocated as follows (in FY 2010-11):

* $629 million for the STIP;

* $629 million for local streets and roads (identical to Proposition 42 amounts); and

* $603 million for the General Fund for transportation bond debt service.

It is uncertain how the new distribution will impact local funding in future years. Since the fund source would no longer be from the state sales tax on gasoline, these funds would no longer be protected by Prop. 42 and Prop. 1A (2006). Instead, the Governor’s administration maintains that these funds would be protected by Article XIX of the state constitution – the same law that protects current 18 cent per gallon Motor Vehicle Fuel Excise tax allocations.

The Governor’s budget summary does indicate that the excise tax will be adjusted in future years to cover future bond debt.

Although there is no mention in the budget proposal, the Administration assures us the proposal only affects the 5 percent (temporarily 6 percent) state sales & use tax rate and would leave Prop 172, county realignment, locally adopted add-on rates and the local Bradley Burns rates in place on sales of gasoline

Transit. This funding swap has the greatest immediate impact on transit operations. Prop. 42 funds the Public Transit Account and the Spillover are both be eliminated under this proposal. This means a reduction of transit funding of $1.5 billion in FY 2010-11.

The Governor proposes to fund capital projects for transit:

* $350 million in Prop 1B funding for local transit projects; and

* $581.4 million in High Speed Rail bonds and $375 million in Federal ARRA funding to continue environmental planning and preliminary engineering, and to begin purchasing land.

However, none of these sources are available for transit operations.

Public Contracting. The budget proposes to shift $12.5 million in costs to local agencies for developing Cal-Trans Project Initiation Documents for local projects.

Redevelopment Agency Property Tax Shift. The Redevelopment Agency property tax shift proposed last year for FY 2010-11 budget remains. The Governor proposes to shift $350 million in redevelopment agency property tax increment revenues in FY 2010-11 to fund county trial courts. This is consistent with the approved FY 2009-10 Budget and is the subject of legal challenge. However, the use of the funds to supplant state funding of trial courts is new.

State Cash Flow and Delays of Local Payments. Projects that the cash flow difficulties faced in recent years will be substantially reduced, particularly if the budget solutions offered are adopted. However, the Governor’s proposal states that some payment deferrals will still be needed. These are not specified, but city funds affected by these payment deferrals in recent years include monthly payments of local HUTA funds and Prop. 42 state sales tax on gasoline funds for streets and roads.

State Mandate Reimbursement. The Governor proposes to again delay payments to local governments owed for mandate costs prior to FY 2004-05. This funding was deleted from the last two fiscal years’ budgets.

Public Safety

COPS and Booking Fees. Governor’s proposal would maintain the formula established in the FY 2009-10 budget that created the Local Public Safety Account providing funding for COPS programs, booking fee reimbursement, rural sheriffs, juvenile probation, and crime prevention programs. The account was created by shifting the program funds from a direct General Fund allocation to a 0.15 percent carve-out from the Vehicle License Fee (VLF).

The account would receive $442 million in FY 2010-11, representing a $26 million increase from FY 2009-10. These projections fall short of the $500 million allocation made from the General Fund in previous budget years. This funding, however, would expire at the end of FY 2011 when the VLF increase is scheduled to sunset.

The Department of Finance did note that revenues would likely continue to trickle in past the expiration date because vehicle owners have been making late payments on their vehicle registrations.

Emergency Response Initiative. The Governor reintroduced for a third year his Emergency Response Initiative that places a surcharge on all residential and commercial property insurance plans statewide to fund the state’s emergency response capabilities. The surcharge amount of 4.8 percent would result in an annual appropriation of $200 million towards enhancements for CAL FIRE, the California Emergency Management Agency (formerly Office of Emergency Services), the Military Department, and assistance to local agencies first responders in support of the state’s mutual aid system.

Corrections. The Governor proposes cutting the Department of Corrections and Rehabilitation budget by $1.2 billion for the second year in a row. As outlined, this would be partially achieved by changing sentencing for non-violent, non-serious and non-sexual felony offenses so that county jails can retain a segment of inmates that would otherwise be sent to state prison. (Drug possession is an example felony that would carry a one-year jail sentence in lieu of prison.)

The budget would achieve an estimated $811 million in savings from reductions to inmate health expenses. The savings are anticipated to be achieved largely by state contracts with private providers for medical and administrative services.

Other savings would be achieved through changes enacted in last year’s corrections budget that are currently underway including reforms that placed non-violent, low-risk parolees on summary parole with no direct state supervision, enhanced credit earnings for training program completion, and the cutting non-court mandated inmate rehabilitation services.

The FY 2010-11 budget proposal also assumes an $880 million reduction for the General Fund achieved by obtaining federal funds to pay for the incarceration of alien criminals in state prisons. This is roughly the amount the federal government has yet to reimburse California for providing alien inmate services.

Other Public Safety Savings and Reductions

* Department of Justice (DOJ) Forensic Labs. To cover the expense of the DOJ forensic labs, serving local law enforcement agencies without their own lab facilities, current penalty assessments levied on fines will increase from $1 to $3 dollars. In the Governor’s 2009-10 budget, he proposed shifting the cost of DOJ forensic labs to local agencies by charging a direct fee for each service. This was dropped later.

* California Highway Patrol (CHP). The budget proposal would provide $17.8 million to the CHP for 180 new officer positions to increase road patrols and provide quicker response times to accidents and call for assistance.

* Automated Speed Enforcement Revenue. This proposal would provide $337.9 million in revenue from a new speed enforcement program based on using red light cameras to identify and fine persons speeding through intersections. The proceeds would be used to alleviate the General Fund deficit and provide $41 million towards trial court security.

Housing/Land Use

California Environmental Quality Act (CEQA) Streamlining. The Business, Transportation, and Housing Agency would be authorized through the Governor’s proposed budget to select 20 projects from around the state for job creation and capital investment. The selected projects would be exempt from any challenge to the certification of the environmental review under CEQA. The exemption would be valid for 12 months.

Elimination of Office of Planning and Research (OPR) The Governor’s budget proposes to eliminate the Governor’s OPR and moving many of the existing functions, such as the CEQA Clearinghouse and the general plan guidelines, to other agencies such as the Department of Resources and Housing and Community Development (its difficult to tell from the language provided exactly which departments will receive various functions).

Environment

Water: The Governor proposed an increase of $70.5 million (47 new positions) to implement the comprehensive water package passed in November, 2009. These funds and positions reflect the establishment of the Delta Stewardship Council and the Sacramento-San Joaquin Delta Conservancy, as well as funding the development of the new Delta Plan outlined in the recent legislation.

Additionally, the Governor proposed a reduction of $6.4 million in funding to the State Water Resources Control Board. These cuts would be offset by increases to existing fees for several water quality regulatory programs, including National Pollutant Discharge Elimination System programs, Water Rights and Irrigated Lands.

In addition to fee increases by the State Water Board, the Governor proposed an additional $5.5 million (32 new positions) as a part of the recent water package implementation. These monies will help establish and augment water investigation and enforcement units at the State Water Board.

Parks. The Governor is also proposing to fund state parks by reviving a plan that failed last summer to raise money with additional oil drilling off the Santa Barbara coast. This proposal would generate $100 million this fiscal year and $1.8 billion over the next 14 years, according to the administration.

Beverage Container Recycling Fund. Finally, the Governor is proposing a $54.8 million in FY 2009-10, and a $98.2 million loan repayment in FY 2010-11, to the Beverage Container Recycling Fund. This is part of a comprehensive proposal by the administration which includes eliminating continuously funded grant payments to cities and counties for recycling in lieu of annually appropriating these funds.

Job Creation, Training, & Retention through Employer Incentives

$230 million is proposed to be allocated to the Employment Training Panel (ETP):

* $140 million would be available to employers and training providers that deliver training for unemployed and underemployed individuals, as well as for employment expansion and job retention;

* $90 million would be available to provide a $3,000 incentive to employers to hire and retain an unemployed individual. Until there are further details the League is uncertain as to whether this proposal will apply to local governments.

The League will continue to review the Governor’s budget proposals for potential local city impacts in detail as language becomes available.

Letter to California Parks supporters,

(Jan. 8), the Governor released his proposed FY 2010-11 State Budget. For state parks, he has included a proposal that attempts to pit popular environmental causes against each other. The budget zeroes out all General Fund funding for state parks but “restores” the funding by assuming that an offshore oil lease in the Santa Barbara area will be approved and will provide $140M to state parks. The drilling proposal was defeated twice last year – once at the State Lands Commission then again in the legislative budget process.

Please take a moment to send a message to your legislators, urging them to reject the Governor’s proposal and to focus on supporting long-term solutions to state parks’ budget crisis.

Even if the oil drilling proposal passes the high bar that is necessary to approve it, this budget can’t commit future Governors and Legislatures to ongoing funding for state parks. At best, this is a shaky one-year proposal and the “promise” of ongoing funding isn’t one that can be counted on at all. Which is why we’re dedicated to a real solution – passing the State Parks and Wildlife Conservation Trust Fund Act of 2010!)

CSPF’s statement on this budget proposal can be read here.

As always, thank you for your support and advocacy for state parks.

Sincerely, Elizabeth Goldstein president State Parks Foundation

Letter to community,

Jack’s Pantry at Tahoe Community Church is thankful to the community for its many donations as we fed hungry families during the Thanksgiving and Christmas holidays.

Thank you to:

* Whittell High School students for 1,600 canned foods and gifts for the children.

* Cub Scout Pack 468 for canned foods.

* Harrah’s/Harvey’s Resort Casinos for needed freezer space for donated turkeys.

* Tahoe Douglas Christian Preschool parents and children for canned food and children’s gifts.

* Kiwanis Club of Lake Tahoe for the generous donation of $1,000.

* MontBleu Casino Resort & Spa and its employees for 49 turkeys.

* The kindergarten class of Zephyr Cove Elementary for canned foods.

* The Kiwanis Club of LT for coats and snow pants.

* Local businesses and individuals for cash donations.

* Tahoe Community Church congregation for additional turkeys and food.

Jack’s Food Pantry has been in existence for 25 years and was named for the many contributions of Jack Powell. We feed hungry families from both the California and Nevada sides of our community each Friday afternoon throughout the year, and it is always amazing to see how generously our community responds to helping those in need. We are truly grateful for these donations.

Thank you.

Kathy Pavich, food pantry organizer

To the community,

Earlier this year, Bread & Broth reached a milestone — 20 years of serving meals to the South Lake Tahoe community. The two decades of service would not have been possible without the generous support of the local businesses and individuals who have donated their time and money.

As we reflect upon the year, we wish to thank: Kiwanis Club of Lake Tahoe, Kiwanis Club of Lake Tahoe Sunrisers, Nikki’s Chaat Cafe, Colonial Bank, H.E.R.O. (Harrah’s Employees Reaching Out), John and Carol, L. Norton, and Cherie Kagan, for Adopting-A-Day of Nourishment this year as well as Heavenly Mountain Resort scheduled for Jan. 11; Ernie’s Coffeehouse, Thunderbird Lodge and Applebee’s Restaurant for hosting fund-raising events; Moose Lodge of South Lake Tahoe for their monetary and food donations, American Century Celebrity Golf Tournament, NBC Sports and Tahoe Magic for their generous financial support; and to all the individuals and families who have supported us throughout the year with monetary donations large and small.

In addition, a special Thank You is extended to the local businesses that support Bread & Broth through donation jars at their registers. When shopping locally, please consider supporting those businesses that support Bread & Broth: Alpine Eye Care Optometry, Angelo’s Bootery, Beads Etc., Bert’s Cafe, Bijou Wellness Center, Champion Floors to Go, The Cork & More, Driftwood Cafe, Ernie’s, Freshies, Grocery Outlet, High Sierra Adventure Sports, John’s Cleaners, Jon Paul Photo, Kingsbury Automotive, Lake Tahoe Business Services Center, Lake Tahoe Pizza Co., Lakeside Automotive, Meeks, Napa Auto Parts, Overland Meat Co., Round Hill Cleaners – Bobby Page’s, Scotty’s Hardware, Sidestreet Boutique, Tahoe Souvenirs, Tahoe Sports Ltd, Tahoe Trading Post, Taqueria Jalisco, The Hair & Nail Salon, The Nail Box, Top Drawer, True Value Hardware, and Wines on the Lake.

Bread & Broth is supported throughout the year from our in-kind sponsors; Raley’s, Safeway, Starbucks, Grass Roots Natural Foods Store, the Food Bank of El Dorado County, and Jack in the Box.

The Second Serving on Friday wishes to thank their soup sponsors: Freshies, Rockwater Grill, Ridge Tahoe, Cafe Fiore, and Nepheles.

Georgette Riley, Bread & Broth communications chair

Guy Rocha, Las Vegas Sun

I’m not hopeful for 2020. Some think CityCenter is the start of a return to the heyday, but those people are living in the past.

By 2020, the casino business will no longer be the state’s cash cow for a number of reasons, not the least of which being that the number of competitors in the legalized gambling business just keeps growing. I don’t expect Nevada’s gambling industry will have dried up and blown away by 2020, but I expect more casinos will close over the course of the next 10 years.

Read the whole story

By Jim Halsey

The Douglas County Sheriff’s Office is readying itself for the upcoming New Year’s Eve celebration at Lake Tahoe. Each year, upward of 65,000 celebrants ring in the New Year in the casino core area of Stateline.

Due to the ordinarily high volume of pedestrians within the Stateline casino core area during the New Year’s Eve celebration, Highway 50 may be closed to vehicle traffic through the area if necessary for the general safety of the public. If that occurs, vehicle traffic will be detoured around the Stateline casino core using upper and lower Lake Parkway.

Drivers anticipating traveling through the Stateline casino core area on New Year’s Eve should allow an additional 30 minutes.

Additionally, due to past poor road conditions caused by weather, anyone traveling in the area should have snow tires or carry tire chains.

Officers of the Douglas County Sheriff’s Office will be present in the casino-core area throughout the evening, along with officers and representatives of numerous other agencies to support them. Participating agencies include the Nevada Highway Patrol, Carson City Sheriff’s Office, South Lake Tahoe Police Department, El Dorado County Sheriff’s Office, California Highway Patrol, Nevada Department of Prisons, Placer County Sheriff’s Office and the FBI.

Douglas County Sheriff Ron Pierini has directed all officers to adopt a non-confrontational approach in their contacts with the celebrants. This method of enforcement has been extremely effective in years past.

There are, however, behaviors that will not be tolerated by law enforcement.

Acts that will most likely result in an arrest include any act that places celebrants or law enforcement in jeopardy; including acts of vandalism, theft, narcotic violations, rowdy behavior or fighting, throwing projectiles, possession or setting off of fireworks, drunkenness, minors consuming or possessing alcohol or any other act that disrupts the goal of achieving a peaceful and safe environment for all in attendance.

Open containers of alcohol are prohibited within the Stateline casino core area. Glass or metal containers, regardless of contents, are also prohibited in the Stateline casino core area on New Year’s Eve, and will be confiscated by law enforcement. This does not apply to persons inside an operating casino or hotel.

Parents must be mindful of their children’s whereabouts and activities, especially during New Years. The crowd that gathers in the casino core for the New Year celebration is neither conducive nor intended for participation by juveniles.

Each year during New Year’s Eve, a large percentage of the arrests and law enforcement contacts made are of persons under the age of 21. The curfew in Douglas County is midnight on Dec. 31. Persons under the age of 18 are subject to arrest and or citation for being in violation of this ordinance.

All persons under the age of 21 who are in possession of alcohol or who have consumed or are under the influence of drugs or alcohol will be subject to arrest.

In addition to the augmented law enforcement staffing in the Stateline casino core area during New Years Eve, the Douglas County Sheriff’s Office will have a full complement of patrol personnel on duty in both the Carson Valley and Lake Tahoe areas, to handle calls for service and conduct traffic enforcement, particularly targeting intoxicated drivers. All persons who consume alcohol during their New Year’s Eve celebration are encouraged to catch a ride with a sober driver, or utilize a local taxi service.

Jim Halsey is a sergeant with the Douglas County Sheriff’s Office.