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Peaks & Valleys: Bright spots and challenges in South Lake Tahoe (commentary)

Staff report

PEAKS

Snow returns to Tahoe

Winter reappeared around the Lake Tahoe Basin this week, dumping lots of fresh white stuff late Wednesday and into Thursday morning. Locally, the most recent storm dropped 24 inches of new snow at Heavenly Mountain Resort. This is good news for area ski and snowboard enthusiasts! We hope more is on the horizon. Even after a warm February, snowpack is close to average and above average in some places.



Lake level is up

According to a recent Associated Press article, “Lake Tahoe has been replenished by around 28 billion gallons of water since December.”



Holy smokes! Keep that H2O coming.

Sunny weekend on the horizon

Weekend weather is predicted to be sunny, with highs hovering in the upper 40s and lower 50s. Folks, it’s going to be spring skiing conditions. Wear your sunscreen.

New University Center in the works

Lake Tahoe Community College recently presented updated plans for the new University Center, which is set to break ground in May 2017. The Tribune reported that college officials hope building “a 6,600-square-foot Lisa and Robert Maloff University Center will play a key role in furthering collaborations with accredited four-year institutions to ultimately create four-year degree programs at LTCC.”

Having four-year degree options in South Lake Tahoe would be a huge win for the area. Students who aim to earn bachelor’s degrees are currently forced to leave the region, which damages the local economy by sending skilled workers away, instead of nurturing them at home. Anything that encourages young people to stay here, set down roots and raise families is good for the community.

Local athletes commit to higher education

The Tribune recently covered stories about local athletes committing to higher education on National Signing Day — and we’re proud.

Lake Tahoe Community College soccer player Carlos Trujeque is heading to San Francisco State University. Nine other teammates also signed with four-year schools.

Vikings seniors Joe Albrecht and Zach Shearer made it official on National Signing Day, too, with each committing to play football at New York schools — Cornell University and SUNY Maritime College.

VALLEYS

Skier death

A 77-year-old woman from Wisconsin recently died from injuries sustained from hitting a tree at Heavenly Mountain Resort. Fatalities occur every winter at ski areas across the country, and tree collisions are a leading cause of death.

Please be careful out there and wear a helmet.

Avalanche concerns

An avalanche onto Alpine Meadows Road, located near Squaw Valley Resort, occurred Thursday, Jan. 18, after heavy snow fell across the Sierra Nevada. Two cars were buried, and a home sustained damage after a vehicle slid into it.

If you’re planning to head into the backcountry this weekend, do so with caution. The Sierra Avalanche Center raised the region’s avalanche to “considerable” on Thursday — Level 3 of 5.

Crime up in El Dorado County

The Tribune recently reported that “a pair of killings with multiple victims saw the number of homicides spike in El Dorado County in 2015.” Rapes and robberies were also up last year, though officials question whether statistics are skewed due to Proposition 47, which impacts how crimes are counted.

Readers, tell us your “peaks” and “valleys” by writing a letter to the editor — crow@tahoedailytribune.com.


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