– Famous horses visit Tahoe-

Whoa!

The Budweiser Clydesdales are appearing Thursday at the Crescent V Shopping Center from noon to 3 p.m.

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Representatives of Anheuser-Busch for almost 69 years, the Clydesdales make more than 500 appearances a year. Nor-Cal Beverage is sponsoring this visit to South Shore.

As a symbol of Budweiser quality, horses must meet strict requirements to be chosen as part of the famous hitch.

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– String of burglaries hits Meyers-

A cell phone, automatic garage door opener and backpack were some of the items taken during a string of thefts from unlocked cars in Meyers Friday morning.

El Dorado County Sheriff’s Department reported six thefts from cars in the area of San Diego Street and San Bernadino Avenue. The burglar ransacked each vehicle.

After getting a call from a citizen, deputies recovered the stolen backpack in a snowbank at San Diego and San Bernadino. A wallet that had been inside the backpack was reportedly found near Tahoe Paradise Golf Course. A Meyers resident found credit cards from the wallet scattered at the end of her driveway.

Secret Witness offers cash rewards for anonymous tips leading to the arrest and conviction of crime suspects. Anyone with information about crimes reported in California is asked to call (530) 541-6800. In Nevada, call (775) 586-7295.

-Tree thinning plan set for North Shore-

Dead and dying trees, fuel ladders and thick brush all spell a recipe for disaster if a fire starts, so the U.S. Forest Service, Lake Tahoe Basin Management Unit is planning on targeting Ward Canyon and surrounding areas with a small tree thinning.

Residents of the area and interested parties met with Forest Service officials Tuesday night to talk about the planning of the fuel reduction.

“We’re looking at targeting small diameter trees,” said Angela Parker, from the Forest Service.

During drought years, many white fir trees died, said Parker.

The Forest Service plans on thinning the dead trees in the Ward Canyon, Page Meadows, Timberland and Granlibakken areas by next summer.

“Historically fire came through these areas every eight to 10 years,” said Parker.

And after 50 years of fire suppression some areas in the Forest Service land are so thick with trees, sunlight can’t get through.

Some equipment will be brought in to thin the trees.

“We want to try to get the lightest equipment for the land,” said Parker.

Although alternatives for the plan have not been developed yet, the Forest Service does say it is an option to use the wood for a fuel-wood cut and not commercial sale.

During the development and planning of the fuel-reduction plan, the Forest Service wishes to involve interested and affected individuals.

Last year the Forest Service looked at the Ward Canyon area within a 1.5-mile area surrounding any private property boundaries. Because of small-suppressed trees and forest vegetation, surrounding areas pose significant wildfire risk.

Forest treatments proposed include thinning of small diameter trees and brush, piling, burning and chipping as well as prescribed fire treatments.

“The aspens (in the area) typically need fire,” said Molly Hurst, a wildlife specialist with the Forest Service.

Specific treatments and their locations will be defined through the NEPA planning process by assessing existing forest condition. The Forest Service is asking for comments, they must be received by Feb. 28. Comments can be sent to The Ward Planning Team, USDA Forest Service, Lake Tahoe Basin, 870 Emerald Bay Road, Suite 1, South Lake Tahoe, CA 96150.