law enforcement

More than a billion people in nearly 200 countries will come together to celebrate and support environmental protection during Earth Day events this April.

This year’s international Earth Day celebration begins the countdown to Earth Day 2020, the 50th anniversary of the event that helped launch the environmental movement and opened the doors to critical U.S. environmental laws like the Clean Air Act, Clean Water Act, and Endangered Species Act.

SOUTH LAKE TAHOE, Calif. - Two women from the Bay Area have been arrested on suspicion of being responsible for several car burglaries over a two day period in South Lake Tahoe.

The South Lake Tahoe Police Department (SLTPD) received the first call at 4:30 p.m. on Wednesday, April 10 after a car burglary at the Sierra Athletic Club on Tahoe Keys Boulevard. A car window had been smashed and a purse was stolen.

The second call came in at 5:30 p.m. from the Fit Republic Gym on Lake Tahoe Boulevard. The same method was used - a broken car window and a stolen purse.

We all must come together as one if we would like to end domestic abuse and human trafficking. I applaud the brave women who have been coming forward, discussing their past and the traumas they have endured. One of the reasons that we read history books is so we can learn from others mistakes. If we would like to make an impacting change in this world, we must acknowledge the whole issue.

South Lake Tahoe police officers will be part of the waitstaff at Applebee's on Friday, March 29 from 5:00 p.m. to 9:00 p.m. to raise money for Special Olympics Northern California.

One-hundred percent of the tips the "celebrity waiters" earn will be donated directly to Special Olympics Northern California, which provides year-round sports training and competition for children and adults with intellectual disabilities.

LAKE TAHOE, Calif./Nev. – With a critical increase in active shooter events across the country, the Tahoe Chamber is holding a Level UP Workshop on the subject Wednesday, March 20 from noon to 1:30 p.m. in their Stateline office.

Workplace violence affects about 2 million workers in the U. S. each year. With this violence continuing to pose a looming threat, active shooter training is essential for all businesses. Active shooter events most commonly occur in businesses - 45 percent, schools - 25 percent, and government facilities - 10 percent.

EL DORADO COUNTY, Calif. - Two decades old murders in the South Lake Tahoe area have been solved using genetic genealogy, identifying a deceased local man as the murderer of two women.

During a El Dorado Cold Case Task Force press conference in Placerville Monday, District Attorney Vern Pierson said Joseph Stephen Holt of South Lake Tahoe and San Jose was responsible for killing Brynn Rainey in 1977 and Carol Ann Andersen in 1979.

SOUTH LAKE TAHOE, Calif. - Lake Tahoe is the destination of thousands of people a month, no matter what the season. It's beauty, splendor and recreational opportunities beckon people from around the world. The epic snowfall this season has put many Sacramento and Bay Area residents on the roads to Lake Tahoe, but with the crowded highways (both I80 and US50), many drivers are going to their GPS and mapping apps to find the best, and quickest, route to paradise.

A Flood Advisory has been issued for Alpine County, Placer County, El Dorado County, Sierra County, Nevada County, Southern Washoe County, Douglas County, and Western Carson City. It will remain in effect until 7:00 p.m. Wednesday.

The U.S. Forest Service is preparing an annual application to the California Department of Parks and Recreation, Off-Highway Motor Vehicle Recreation Division, to request funding for trail maintenance, restoration, law enforcement, education and safety, and potentially development of facilities, and planning for off-highway vehicle (OHV) access.

On Wednesday, February 13, 2019, the Forest Service will host an open house from 3:30 p.m. – 6:30 p.m. in Nevada City for individuals and organizations to provide input and review proposals for the application.

MEYERS, Calif. - Traffic through neighborhoods in the Meyers area has become unbearable to many residents as vehicles leaving South Lake Tahoe to take to side streets in an effort to circumvent Highway 50 traffic over Echo Summit.

In an effort to find solutions to a problem that keeps Meyers residents from their homes for hours at a time, a townhall-style meeting was held on Friday night.

Two drug traffickers were sentenced today to a total of 16 years in federal prison after a traffic stop in Carson City for speeding led to the discovery of large quantities of methamphetamine and heroin in their car.

Danny Lyle Jensen II, 39, and Kimberly Lopes, 37, both of Henderson, Nevada, were sentenced to 130 months and 63 months, respectively, and five years of supervised release by U.S. District Judge Howard D. McKibben. They previously pleaded guilty to conspiracy to possess with intent to distribute and to distribute at least 500 grams of methamphetamine.

The El Dorado County Sheriff's Office started the S.T.A.R. program (Sheriff’s Team of Active Retirees) in 1994 with volunteers in Placerville and South Lake Tahoe. The volunteers help law enforcement officers, firefighters, and paramedics to ensure public safety, by performing traffic controls and maintaining roadblocks.

UPDATE 1/23/19 - The suspect in the quadruple murder in Northern Nevada was in the country illegally from El Salvador when he was arrested on January 19, 2019. Tips received by law enforcement led them to Wilbur Ernesto Martinez-Guzman, and as they built a murder case they started to tail him. Immigration officials were unaware of Martinez-Guzman until those tips came in.

Officials did not want to lose the suspect and arrested him on immigration charges as the investigation continued and the murder case developed.

DOUGLAS COUNTY, Nev. - The Douglas County Sheriff's Office announced two promotions and a new reserve deputy today.

Longtime Douglas County resident Ron Michitarian was promoted from the rank of sergeant to captain, a duty he will start on January 26. He was presented his badge by his son, Douglas County Sheriff’s Deputy Connor Michitarian.

Also effective on January 26, Investigator Nadine Chrzanowski will be promoted to the rank of Sergeant. Sergeant Chrzanowski was presented her badge by Sheriff Coverley.

RENO, Nev. - Keeping the community safe is the number one priority of law enforcement working on four recent murders in Reno and Douglas County. This was the message from Washoe County Sheriff Darin Balaam during a press conference late Thursday afternoon.

Two elderly people, a man and a woman, were killed in a home in southwest Reno. Their bodies were discovered on January 16 after concerned neighbors called law enforcement after not seeing the residents. Their names and ages have not been released pending notification of next of kin.

DOUGLAS COUNTY, Nev. - It has been announced by the Douglas County Board of County Commissioners that Tom Stone is the new county manager.

Stone, who beat out 42 potential candidates for the position, has lived in Douglas County since 2011.

“I’m looking forward to working with all five commissioners and the great staff at Douglas County”, said Stone. “Seldom in a person's lifetime do they have the opportunity to serve two exceptional counties in two great States. I am truly honored.”

SOUTH LAKE TAHOE, Calif. - SnowGlobe 2018 is in the books, and according to law enforcement and other safety personnel as well as festival organizers, it was the most successful one yet.

There were fewer arrests and citations, fewer medical issues and an increase in community collaboration to help the event be both successful and less of a burden to the neighboring residents who have expressed concern over noise from the bass-centric sounds of the electronic music performers on the outdoor stages.

SOUTH LAKE TAHOE, Calif. - Law enforcement and medical issues associated with the 2018 SnowGlobe Music Festival were down again on the event's second night, leading City of South Lake Tahoe staff to call the evening "another success."

After much concern from the community, staff has been working to alleviate concerns from them concerning noise and trouble for law enforcement.

Highlights of the second day include:

The death of the 60-year-old grandmother whose body was found by her son on December 18 has been deemed a homicide as a result of blunt force trauma.

Deputies from the El Dorado County Sheriff's Office (EDSO) arrived at the home of Helen Hoover McKinney at approximately 8:00 p.m. Once inside they found the victim inside the residence in the town of El Dorado.

Investigators have determined there was no forced entry to the home and the victim's 2017 Nissan 370Z was missing. McKinney's last known contact with family or
friends was on November 29.

The Douglas County Sheriff’s Office is preparing for the upcoming New Year’s Eve celebration at Lake Tahoe starting on Monday, December 31, 2018.

Due to the high volume of celebrants within the Stateline casino core area during this event, U.S. Highway 50 may be closed to vehicle traffic in the evening if necessary for public safety. If that should occur, vehicle traffic will be diverted around the Stateline casino core area using upper and lower Lake Parkway Drive. In past years, the road has closed anywhere from 9:00 p.m. to 1:00 a.m.

SOUTH LAKE TAHOE, Calif. - The snow has fallen and the kids are out of school so it's time for many to hit the Sierra. Skiers and boarders have the slopes but where do sledders and those just wanting to play go?

Many stop on the highway and pull onto the shoulder (well, sort of) and head to the patch of snow. This behavior is causing problems for law enforcement, other drivers and is an accident waiting to happen.

A 60-year-old grandmother of six from El Dorado, California was found dead in her home on December 18 and deputies are investigating her death as suspicious.

Deputies from the El Dorado County Sheriff's office say they responded to the home Tuesday at 8:00 p.m. where they found Helen McKinney dead and her car missing.

The victim’s son found her body.

An investigation was conducted and it was found that McKinney’s vehicle was missing from her home. Her cause of death is pending the results of an autopsy but is suspicious due to the fact that the vehicle is missing.

SOUTH LAKE TAHOE, Calif. - It has been just two weeks since the final count of the November 2018 election was certified in El Dorado County and there is already a lawsuit surrounding the outcome of Measure T.

Many people do not get to see their loved ones as often as they would like. The holidays offer an opportunity to not only reconnect with and visit parents, grandparents and other loved ones, but to ensure that they are staying safe.

“If you are visiting your loved one and become concerned about their wellbeing, particularly if you suspect they may be a victim of neglect, self-neglect or abuse, please reach out for assistance,” said Laura Walny, Manager with the El Dorado County Health and Human Services Agency.