Nevada

STATELINE, Nev. - The Tahoe Transportation District (TTD) is rolling out zero-fare bus service on the South Shore starting Sunday, April 12.

While they already had plans in place for a free system to help eliminate traffic, the rollout is sooner than expected in order to make travel safer in response to COVID-19 by eliminating fare exchanges between drivers and riders.

STATELINE, Nev. - Since there is no such thing as "business as usual" in the world today, businesses and agencies continue to change how they help customers and the public in a virtual world in order to protect all during the COVID-19 crisis.

The Tahoe Regional Planning Agency (TRPA) is one that is expanding virtual services with the building season ahead to protect both staff and customers.

Agency employees have been working around the clock to move permitting, planning, and document request services to online operations since stay-at-home orders went into effect.

2020 marks the 50th Anniversary of Earth Day and now, more than ever, it is important to spend time reflecting on and celebrating Mother Earth. The Sierra Nevada Alliance (Alliance) is proud to provide a way to appreciate our planet and inspire advocacy from the safety of your couch during the coronavirus pandemic. The Alliance is inviting everyone to celebrate Earth Day online with the Virtual Wild and Scenic Film Festival On Tour.

DOUGLAS COUNTY, Nev. - The Douglas County Sheriff’s Office is asking the public’s cooperation with Nevada Governor Sisloak's directive to "Stay at Home" and advising everyone to stay at home and to keep juveniles under close watch.

The Sheriff’s Office report an increase in juvenile activity after curfew hours away from their homes including their response to a late-night situation in the Pinenuts involving juveniles. Curfew in Douglas County is 10:00 p.m. on weekdays and midnight on weekends.

DOUGLAS COUNTY, Nev. - Consistent with directives issued by Nevada Governor Steve Sisolak, and the guidance issued by the Centers for Disease Control, Douglas County is urging travelers and short-term rental owners/managers, to take this threat to our community seriously, act responsibly and refrain from renting vacation home properties to non-essential travelers at this time.

STATELINE, Nev. – As the COVID-19 pandemic rapidly evolves, Tahoe Transportation District (TTD) continues to operate regular transit services for essential workers and services during the shelter-in-place order. TTD understands that public transportation is part of the community’s critical infrastructure and is committed to ensuring that transit services remain safe and reliable.

INCLINE VILLAGE, Nev. - A husband and wife artist team from North Lake Tahoe has been selected to paint the tunnel mural on the popular new Tahoe East Shore Trail. Over 34 people responded to the public call for submissions by the Tahoe Fund and a team of local nonprofits, private section and government agencies collaborated to select the winner.

DOUGLAS COUNTY, Nev. - Public meetings have gone to a virtual format to protect the public against health threats posed by the coronavirus and COVID-19. Promoting social distancing and reducing public gatherings have led local governments to create materials and procedures for the public to still participate and to follow the Brown Act.

Douglas County Commissioners will no longer have a physical location designated for their meetings and copies of the agenda will no longer be physically posted.

Meeting materials will be posted on the following websites:

SOUTH LAKE TAHOE, Calif. - The California Department of Transportation (CalTrans) will work on projects through the Sierra, as weather permits this winter. There are no major projects going on in the Lake Tahoe Basin until the building season begins in May. The following is their weekly schedule:

Please remember to stay home except for essential needs.
California is under a Stay-at-Home Order and only essential travel is permitted.
~ Avoid travel ~ Stay-at-Home ~ Beat COVID-19 ~
Learn more at covid19.ca.gov
#StayHomeSaveLives

LONG-TERM PROJECTS

STATELINE, Nev. - Nevada’s nonrestricted gaming licensees reported a total “gaming win” of $1,042,627,516 for the month of February 2020. This amounts to a 3.05 percent increase compared to February 2019, when licensees reported a gaming win of $1,011,785,879 according to the monthly report released today by the Nevada Gaming Control Board.

LAKE TAHOE, Calif./Nev. - Watercraft inspections to prevent the introduction of aquatic invasive species (AIS) in Lake Tahoe have halted until at least April 16 in response to Nevada and California Executive Orders on COVID-19, according to the Tahoe Regional Planning Agency and the Tahoe Resource Conservation District. Watercraft inspection stations, as well as the boat ramps at Cave Rock, Nevada and Tahoe City, California, will remain closed until it is deemed safe for personnel to return to work, they said.

SOUTH LAKE TAHOE, Calif. - There is a Winter Weather Advisory in place until 10:00 a.m. Wednesday. Expect snow to fall in Lake Tahoe for another day as the latest in a series of small storms passes through.

For Wednesday: Snow likely before 11:00 a.m., then snow showers after 11:00 a.m. Some thunder is also possible. High near 35. Southwest wind 5 to 15 mph, with gusts as high as 25 mph. Chance of precipitation is 80%. Total daytime snow accumulation of around an inch possible.

The following is a press release from Barton Health, Carson Tahoe Health, Marshall Medical Center and Tahoe Forest Health System:

With the continuing spread of COVID-19 within the U.S., the healthcare providers of the greater Lake Tahoe/El Dorado Region are working closely with each other and the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), as well as California and Nevada health authorities, to care for affected individuals. We are also jointly taking steps to limit person-to-person spread within our communities.

Information about COVID-19

The Douglas County Sheriff's Office has identified a 36-year-old Gardnerville man who died Saturday from apparent gunshot wounds.

Joshua McCarthy, 36, was reportedly involved in a physical confrontation with a homeowner in the 1400 block of Bumblebee Drive while attempting a home invasion, during which the homeowner shot McCarthy, according to a Douglas County Sheriff's Office news release.

McCarthy was not known to the homeowner.

SOUTH LAKE TAHOE, Calif. - A mild day with light winds is in store today. A low-pressure area will approach late in the day and move through southern Nevada tonight. This will bring light mountain snow showers with a few valley rain showers. A stronger storm will bring periods of Sierra snow, valley showers, and gusty winds Monday through Thursday along with much cooler temperatures, according to the National Weather Service (NWS) in Reno.

We should see a burst of mountain snow in the Sierra on Wednesday and potentially

STATELINE, Nev. - Rider input is needed by the Tahoe Transportation District (TTD) in order to best determine their bus routes during the unprecedented outbreak of COVID-19.

TTD is asking riders to contact them with what routes and runs are most important. In the meantime, they have implemented safety measures for both riders and employees to minimize the spread of COVID-19.

SOUTH LAKE TAHOE, Calif. - There was a 5.0 earthquake Friday night centered in Indian Hills, Nevada, just east of Lake Tahoe. First reports have it measured at 5.0.

No reports are in yet for the 6:33 p.m. earthquake and this story will be updated.

During a Tuesday evening press conference, Nevada Governor Steve Sisolak ordered a statewide closure of all nonessential businesses in the state, including casinos.

The Stateline, Nevada casinos not already closed will close March 17 at midnight. The nonessential businesses in the state must close by noon on Wednesday, March 18.

STATELINE, Nev. - Lakeside Inn in Stateline, Nevada became the first South Shore casino to close due to coronavirus COVID-19 concerns.

"This decision was based on concern for the health of our community and of our staff members," said Lakeside Inn President Stacy Noyes. "We decided to take the lead and help our family. It's the responsible thing to do."

All employees not working will get two weeks of pay. Noyes said the situation and decisions are evolving daily and the initial plan is to close for two weeks.

SOUTH LAKE TAHOE, Calif. - Sunday has been one big traffic jam for travelers trying to head west over Echo Summit. And as it the normal case, when traffic backs up the mapping apps direct drivers to side residential roads, many of which were unplowed and hard to navigate.

As of 7:30 p.m., traffic is still very heavy in Meyers and the California Highway Patrol (CHP) is currently working on two accidents, one west of Sierra-at-Tahoe Road and the other east of Strawberry.

SOUTH LAKE TAHOE, Calif. - The forecast snow is here, with 2-3 feet reported at the upper elevations. The snow is affecting lower elevations as well, with chain controls starting to the west at Apple Hill.

If on the roads, check conditions often and go slow as there is snow and ice on the roads and a lot of traffic. There is another 21" of snow forecast for Sunday at lake level.

For up to the minute information, visit https://nvroads.com/ for Nevada roads and http://quickmap.dot.ca.gov/ for California roads.

Chain controls as of 9:00 a.m. Sunday:

I80

TRUCKEE, Calif. - There was a series of earthquakes 17 miles north of Truckee at Independence Lake on Tuesday evening.

According to the University of Nevada Seismological, the following seven earthquakes were recorded from .6 to 3.9 magnitudes:

6:17 p.m. - Magnitude: 3.9 - 3.8 mi ENE of Independence Lake
6:27 p.m. - Magnitude: 1.2 - 4.1 mi ENE of Independence Lake
6:31 p.m. - Magnitude: 2.1 - 3.9 mi ENE of Independence Lake
6:48 p.m. - Magnitude: 0.6 - 3.8 mi NE of Independence Lake
7:29 p.m. - Magnitude: 0.7 - 4.0 mi ENE of Independence Lake

The 2020 Expo has been canceled. They plan on returning in March 2021.

LAKE TAHOE, Calif./Nev. - The annual Tahoe Chamber Business EXPO will be held on Friday, May 29 from 4:30 p.m. to 8:30 p.m. at Harrah's Tahoe. It was originally scheduled for March 27 but postponed due to coronavirus concerns.

LAKE TAHOE, Nev. - Slightly Stoopid is making a return to the 2020 Lake Tahoe Summer Concert Series at Harveys Outdoor Arena on Saturday, June 13, beginning at 5:00 p.m.

Supporting the headliners are the popular alt/reggae-rock band Pepper, the American/Hawaiian reggae band from Orange County, Common Kings, and legendary Jamaican reggae singer (and former member of Black Uhuru) Don Carlos. The lineup is full of great reggae and reggae-fusion music.