Lake Tahoe clarity improved in 2011, but overall has remained nearly stable since 2000, according to a summary issued by UC Davis scientists who study the lake. Data released today by the UC Davis Tahoe Environmental Research Center and the Tahoe Regional Planning Agency reported the average annual clarity level for 2011 at 68.9 feet, a 4.5-foot improvement over 2010, when average clarity levels were the second-worst on record.

Carson City School District schools are open and on schedule despite the snowy conditions that have closed schools throughout the Tahoe Basin, and delayed classes in Reno.

Sierra Lutheran High School has a 90-minute delay. Here is a full list of other school closures and delays.

In a tragic incident on Friday, an officer was attacked by a dog while making an arrest, leading to shots being fired and the death of the dog.

Initially we reported the story based on the dispatch log. The official arrest report has more details about the incident.

According to the arrest report, at about 2:30 p.m. Friday, an officer conducted a routine traffic stop on a car containing Kevin Dean Parrish, 26, and Asya Rose Pedone, 30, both Carson City residents. Also in the car were two large dogs identified as being similar in appearance to a pit bull, and two children.

Six Nevada National Guard Chinook helicopters belonging to Bravo Company 1-189th General Support Aviation Battalion just did a flyover of Carson City a few minutes ago. They are on their way to Fort Hood, Texas, and eventually to Afghanistan where they will be deployed for 10 months. Godspeed, citizen soldiers.