Snow bound I-80

CalTrans reports I-80 closed in both directions due to avalanche dangers in various parts between Colfax and Truckee. The highwY WILL REOPEN this afternoon to one lane traffic and no trucks. So, skiers, plan ahead, you don't want to waste $4.05/gal gas waiting for the traffic to move. Save time, gas, and aggravation:stay home one more day or just wait. It appears another system will piggyback the one that dumped all the snow last night.
Speaking of $4.05/gal gas; does the economy need this hit? No, not in resort areas. This spike in fuel prices, the result of continued Mideast tension/war and futures market speculation, could be the nail in the coffin of many small communities around the lake, including Tahoma. Small businesses have been whipsawed by the recession in real estate, business reduction, higher sales taxes, high property taxes, and the see-saw of gasoline prices. The result is, no sane person will risk his capital on an investment without the prospect of a decent return for the risk involved. Hardest hit areas will always be seasonal locations that are dependent on transient populations that can afford the cost of a vacation wherever it is.
Lake Tahoe residents are more than aware of the situation in South Lake Tahoe: vacant store fronts. shuttered office space, for sale signs showing the effects of extra long placement, and the decline in casino patrons as former visitors postpone most of their vacation spending. Until Sacramento figures out how to revive a stumbling economy(tackle 12.4% unemployment), how to promote investment, how to fund education, and how to maintain infrastructure, resort areas will suffer.
Young people in El Dorado county and Placer county will continue to relocate to places that offer opportunities unavailable at Tahoe. Don't hold your breath on a quick fix. Prepare for the long haul-we don't have much choice.