LTUSD in session on national holiday

Lake Tahoe Unified School District was in session Monday – Presidents’ Day.

This came as a surprise to some people because it is a federal holiday. The only holiday the district must observe is Veterans Day, according to spokeswoman Angie Keil. She said the district has been in session previous Presidents’ Days.

The school calendar was adopted three years ago, so it was not something the board or administrators thought of doing at the last-minute.

On Tuesday, Keil did not have the attendance stats to know if students decided to take an extra day.

School was not in session all last week. It has become known as ski week. Had there been school, it’s likely three snow days would have been taken.

Keil said she heard of some traffic issues on Monday morning, but from bus drivers she heard it was easy to get around the still snow-covered streets on the South Shore.

— Kathryn Reed




Storm threat prompts warning from sheriff’s department

From the El Dorado County Sheriff’s Department: The West Slope of El Dorado County is slated to be hit with a significant snow storm on Feb. 25 through Feb. 26. According to National Weather Service, snow accumulation above 2,000 feet will range from 1 foot and up to 4 feet in the higher elevations.

The Sheriff’s Office of Emergency Services suggests residents have enough food, water and supplies to last 72 hours.




Zephyr Cove Resorts makes a few changes

Aramark has been making some changes to its South Shore operation.

The company that runs the two paddle-wheelers on Lake Tahoe along with the snowmobile operation in Nevada and Zephyr Cove Resort needs a director of marketing and sales, as well as an executive chef for the restaurant.

queenAustin Sass, who had the sales position since Carol Chaplin left the company in 2008 to run Lake Tahoe Visitors Authority, told Lake Tahoe News he did not know what he is going to do now – other than enjoy skiing this winter.

Jody Bell, general manager of Zephyr Cove operations in Tahoe, said no other personnel changes have taken place or are anticipated.

A new service being offered this winter is après ski cruises on the Tahoe Queen on Wednesdays for $29. The 90-minute excursion includes a drink and all-you-can-eat appetizers.

— Kathryn Reed




Significant cold and snow predicted for end of week

Temperatures are expected to be at or near zero Monday night and only in the 20s as a high on Tuesday.

Despite these facts, this is what the National Weather Service in Reno has to say, “A very cold and unstable winter system will move into the region Thursday into Friday. This will bring the potential for a significant snow event to the region. This weather pattern is favorable for several feet of snow in the Eastern Sierra and accumulating snow down to the lower valleys of Northeastern California and Western Nevada.”

— Lake Tahoe News staff report




Rocket launch may be visible in Tahoe

The 2:09am Feb. 23 launch of a Taurus XL rocket from Vandenberg Air Force Base should be visible in Lake Tahoe, according to officials. This, of course, is assuming there are no clouds.

The rocket will carry NASA’s Glory spacecraft and several university satellites into orbit.




Federal Advisory Committee meeting this month

The Lake Tahoe Basin Federal Advisory Committee will meet from 12:30-3pm on Feb. 28 in the Aspen Room at Lake Tahoe Community College, 1 College Drive, South Lake Tahoe.

LTFAC will address issues related to federal activities at Lake Tahoe. Items on the agenda include a new member orientation, followed by a public comment period.

LTFAC consists of 20 members representing a broad array of constituencies.

For more information on the Lake Tahoe Federal Advisory Committee, visit the Forest Service website.




Snippets about Lake Tahoe

ski run• Decorative flags have been installed on Ski Run Boulevard in South Lake Tahoe and the light bulbs are now LED.

• El Dorado County Sheriff John D’Agostini will speak at a breakfast meeting Feb. 23 from 7:30-9am in the Four Seasons Ballroom, 3186 Four Seasons Drive, El Dorado Hills. The talk is free; breakfast is $10. Call (916) 933.1335 to reserve a spot.

• Heavens Little Café has opened in the Heavenly Village. The eatery will also be selling Nation’s hotdogs from a cart in the village.

• Tahoe Resource Conservation District has been awarded $293,000 from the California Department of Conservation to fund a watershed coordinator for the Lake Tahoe Basin. Interested applicants should go online for this and other employment opportunities.

• In its third year at Kirkwood, the North Face Masters of Snowboarding is the snowboarder’s chance to ride The Cirque, March 3-9.

• The last day to register to vote for the March 8 special election is Feb. 22.




Learn about mailman Snowshoe Thompson

Explore Tahoe Winter Speaker Series continues Feb. 24 at 6pm. The Friends of Snowshoe Thompson present the Life and Adventures of Snowshoe Thompson, the legendary mailman of the Sierra Nevada.

Explore Tahoe is located in the Heavenly Village next to North Face at 4114 Lake Tahoe Blvd.

A $5 donation is requested and refreshments are provided. A flat rate of $5 is offered in the parking garage after 4pm.

For more information, call (530) 542.4637.




Trash update: STR not able to service all routes

STRSouth Tahoe Refuse has pulled some of its trucks from routes because the roads were not plowed and the garbage trucks were getting stuck.

The South Shore trash officials say to pull cans back inside and put them back out on the regular trash day next week.




Business expo at Stateline

Lake Tahoe South Shore Chamber of Commerce’s annual Business Expo is March 25 from 4-8pm at MontBleu casino in Stateline. Cost is $10.

It’s dubbed Pedal to Prosperity this year.

The deadline for vendor registration and payment is March 11. Booths are assigned on a first paid basis. Booth cost is $300, shared booths by two businesses are $165 per business.

Registration materials are available at www.tahoechamber.org or by calling (775) 588.1728.