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Lake Tahoe ski resorts kiss dismal February goodbye with blanket of new snow

A winter storm that wasn’t necessarily supposed to pack a big punch did, sort of, bringing a foot or more of much-needed snow around Lake Tahoe area ski resorts Friday and Saturday.

In what has been a dismal season where resorts have retooled the layers of snow they do have and producing as much as they can with snow making machines, the last day of February 2015 brought out droves of skiers and new hope for a so-called "Miracle March" in the Sierra, where late winter systems have historically pummeled Lake Tahoe with several feet of snow.

The last time it happened was March 2011, where up to 12 feet of snow fell in parts of the central Sierra over the 9-day period raising snow depths to near record levels in some locations.

Squaw Valley and Alpine Meadows were the big receivers of the latest system, registering 17 inches since Friday, according to the resort’s website, while Diamond Peaks says it measured 16 inches. Sugar Bowl resort also reports 16 inches and Mt. Rose between 11-13 inches from the storm. Northstar received 9 inches. See video below. As far as high Sierra snow, weather spotters noted Soda Springs received two feet from the system.

Heavenly Mountain Resort received six to eight inches of new snow in the last 24 hours, including 3 inches of snow accumulation Saturday afternoon. Sierra-at-Tahoe, also on the south shore, received 7 inches of new snow and counting. Kirkwood Mountain Resort also had about 7 inches.

Go here for snow reports from weather spotters around the region reporting to the National Weather Service.

Snow showers will continue in the Sierra, Carson City and Reno areas through Sunday, according to the weather service. Some of the snow will be heavy at times locally as low pressure tracks south through California into the Sierra and Western Nevada. Travelers through the Sierra should expect icy road conditions and slow moving traffic through Sunday. Meanwhile, a weaker system is expected to bring a few more light snow showers Monday with temperatures below normal.

The storm systems appear to be short-lived, forecasters says. A few snow showers may linger into Tuesday morning, but an overall dry pattern will return to the region as the trough leaves the area. A north flow will keep temperatures cool on Tuesday with highs in the mid to upper 40s for western Nevada and near 40 in the Lake Tahoe Basin.

From Wednesday into early Saturday, forecasters say the ridge will likely rebuild inland, resulting in dry conditions and a warming trend with light winds. Daytime temperatures in lower elevations are expected to rise into the lower to mid-50s, Wednesday and then jump to near 60 Thursday and a few degrees higher Friday and Saturday.

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Thursday evening, Carson City Supervisors approved the language for two ballot questions dealing with an increase in taxes for the specific purpose of fixing local roads.

Escape rooms are opening in Carson City this weekend at 716 N. Carson St. Owners Jennifer Smith and Tracey Hudson have worked to create unique escape room experiences that offer classic games alongside all-new puzzles to appeal to game lovers and problem solvers of all experience levels.

Conditions and weather permitting, a number of prescribed fires are in the works through spring to remove fuels that can feed unwanted wildland fires.

There are two prescribed burns around the Lake Tahoe area this week, and a number of fires across the Sierra and into the foothills in western Nevada.

Lanes reduced on U.S. 50 in west Dayton this Friday morning through Monday morning as we replace concrete barrier.

The Nevada State Museum and University of Nevada, Reno conducted archaeological excavations at Fort Churchill State Park in the mid-1970s. Museum staff and research associates are re-examining these collections reflecting U.S. Army and other military units’ occupation of the fort between 1860 and 1869.

Nevada’s unemployment rate decreased by 0.1 percentage points from February to March and now sits at 5.1 percent, according to the state's Department of Employment, Training and Rehabilitation’s March 2024 economic report. The labor force in the state shrunk by 114 people.

The Nevada Alliance of Boys & Girls Clubs is honored to announce bipartisan approval of a statewide initiative to expand early learning centers and child care access for Nevada families.

The Nevada Supreme Court has upheld the state’s contentious “ghost gun” ban, reversing a lower court’s ruling that the law banning the sale of unfinished frames and receivers of a firearm was unconstitutionally vague.

By state law, once Carson City’s population reaches 60,000 residents, they will be mandated to create a new courtroom complete with a new judge and staff.

However, that comes with a price tag of at least $800,000 in staffing alone — and doesn’t include the price to expand the courthouse.

Reno Tahoe Comedy is proud to present Bobcat Goldthwait at Piper's Opera house in Virginia City on Saturday, April 27. Since his first appearance on the David Letterman Show at the age of 20, Bobcat has gone on to maintain a thriving career as a writer, director, actor, voice actor and stand-up comedian.

The Nevada State Prison Preservation Society is once again offering tours to the community beginning in May and continuing through the month of October.

St. Peter’s Episcopal Church in Carson City will host its first "Walking as One at 1" labyrinth walk on Saturday, May 4 from 12:30 to 2:30 p.m. at 314 N. Division at Telegraph.

"Walking as One at 1" happens on World Labyrinth Day each year where participants across the globe engage in a labyrinth walk at 1 p.m. local time. This synchronized practice creates a 24-hour rolling wave of peaceful energy that passes from one time zone to the next across the world. The idea is to collectively contribute to a sense of unity and harmony.

The Carson City School District will host a quarterly Community Connections event next week, Wednesday, April 24, 2024, from 5:45-7:30 p.m. at Carson High School.

Carson Animal Services Initiative, also known as CASI, welcomes the community to enjoy an evening of great music, delicious food and wonderful live and silent auction items to support animals in need.

Earlier this month it was announced that Carson City’s Burlington Coat Factory would be closing. Rumors of a potential Hobby Lobby taking its place have now been substantiated.

The popular craft store applied for a permit for the location Wednesday, according to the Carson City Planning Division.

MINDEN — The Department of Homeland Security's Federal Emergency Management Agency has announced that it has published preliminary copies of the revised Flood Insurance Rate Map and Flood Insurance Study report for Douglas County and incorporated areas. These materials are available for public viewing on FEMA's website.

Hello fellow anglers. Yes, it is that time of year for the California opening day fishing season. This year we actually will have an opening day. Last year with our excessive snow pack, we were not able to get on many rivers until mid summer due to runoff.

Carson City Fire Department and multiple agencies will host the 2nd annual wildfire education and preparedness workshop for the community Tuesday, April 30.

Nevada Humane Society, Carson City branch Pet of the Week is Macy, a 6-year-old gal who has been at our shelter since the end of January. She was surrendered because her owner could no longer have animals.

Nevada State Museum staff invite all to contribute to a bee hotel this Saturday, April 20 as they celebrate Earth Day in Carson City. Participants are encouraged to contribute to the bee hotel, a nesting place for solitary bee friends, and learn about other ways you can help native pollinators.

Drawing on humor splashed with insight, nationally recognized syndicated cartoonist Brian Crane, also known as “Mr. Pickles,” packed the house as guest speaker Tuesday at the Carson City Senior Center.

The Carson City Sheriff’s Office would like to provide some tips related to online safety for juveniles. It is important for parents to know how to set up their children’s devices for several reasons.

Carson Area MPO

Carson Area Metropolitan Planning Organization has posted a draft "Local Road Safety Plan" for public review and comment. A Local Road Safety Plan is a method for developing a locally tailored framework for identifying, analyzing, and prioritizing roadway safety improvements.

While waiting in line I always carry along a little Kipling, mainly to call upon this one little snippet to sustain me, “If you can wait and not be tired by waiting.” I do love his epic little poem, “If.” That poem has helped me to maintain my balance on more occasions than I can count.

The Historic Fourth Ward School Museum in historic Virginia City is pleased to announce the much-anticipated third annual Victorian Tea Party and Historic Fashion Show, scheduled for Mother’s Day weekend on Saturday, May 11, 2024.

The Carson City Sheriff’s Office K9 Unit is proud to announce the addition of two new K9 teams. Our latest additions have just completed K9 school and are now deployed to the Patrol Division of the Sheriff’s Office. The addition of these two K9s maintains our service of seven dog teams, as we continue toward our organizational goal of eight K9 teams to provide full-time coverage for the Carson City community.

Lane reductions will take place Fridays through Mondays on U.S. 50 in Dayton beginning Friday, April 19 as the Nevada Department of Transportation replaces concrete barrier rail in the highway median.

The four Douglas County School District board members who have been front and center through controversy since being elected in November 2022 all pulled out of a decision to accept a settlement agreement on a Writ of Mandamus during their meeting last Tuesday.

The 42nd annual Chili on the Comstock returns to heat up Virginia City on Saturday, May 18 and Sunday, May 19. As a qualifier for the International Chili Society World Finals, guests can indulge in a diverse array of chili styles, from spicy to mild and chili verde, all expertly crafted by some of the finest chili cooks in the West.

The next Carson City Board of Supervisors meeting will be held on Thursday, April 18, 2024 beginning at 8:30 a.m. in the Bob Crowell Boardroom of the Community Center, located at 851 E. William Street.