parking

New South Lake Tahoe communications system; Price tag close to $4M

In the South Lake Tahoe public safety communication system installed in 1965, there are three major problems:

1) There are three systems working totally separately: the police, fire and public works departments;

2) Trees have grown since the system was installed 53 years ago, now blocking signals through the town;

3) Having functioning radio frequencies near water is challenging.

South Tahoe High Booster Club holding shredding fundraiser

Event Date: 
April 20, 2018 - 12:00pm

Have boxes of paperwork you need shredded now that tax season is drawing to a close? The South Tahoe High Booster Club can take care of that for you on Friday, April 20 from noon to 3:00 p.m. in the parking lot of the American Legion on Lake Tahoe Blvd.

The cost is $10 per legal size box.

They are also looking for volunteers and boxes, so stop by if you can help.

Changes ahead for South Shore bus services

One thing is certain, something has to change or there will not be enough money to operate buses around the South Shore of Lake Tahoe. What isn't certain is how those changes will look, where extra funding can come from, or if services will have to be cut.

During Friday's Tahoe Transportation District (TTD) board meeting, options to keep a sustainable transit system in place for Lake Tahoe were discussed. Buses continue to operate at a loss and that cannot continue, according to the TTD staff.

FIrst phase of El Dorado County VHR ordinance closer to approval

Weather has not be the best friend of those wanting to get a revised vacation home rental (VHR) ordinance for El Dorado County. Snow and unsafe travel conditions for staff driving to South Lake Tahoe from Placerville for the meetings lead to the cancellation of the March 3 and March 24 meetings, and the original February 1 meeting had to be stopped due to overcrowding. The next Board of Supervisors meeting on VHRs will be in South Lake Tahoe on May 2 at 6:00 p.m. in the South Tahoe Middle School multi-purpose room.

Deadline looming for Sierra Boulevard Complete Streets Project

SOUTH LAKE TAHOE, Calif. - The Sierra Boulevard Complete Streets project was slated to begin as soon as the 2018 building season began, but some bureaucratic red tape has delayed it. The .6 mile stretch of road will receive Class 1 and Class 2 bike lanes, parallel parking spots, reduced lane size, lighted sidewalks, underground utilities, landscaping, crosswalks and water quality improvements.

USFS gives opening dates for Lake Tahoe recreation areas

SOUTH LAKE TAHOE, Calif. - The U.S. Forest Service Lake Tahoe Basin Management Unit (LTBMU) will soon begin the process of opening recreational facilities in the Lake Tahoe Basin. Weather and snow conditions permitting, Inspiration Point will be the first site to open on Saturday, April 14, 2018. Baldwin and Nevada beaches open April 28. The Taylor Creek Visitor Center opens Friday, May 25. The Tallac Historic Site parking area opens Tuesday, May 15, and will be staffed beginning Saturday, May 26.

The following is a list of opening/service dates, weather and snow conditions permitting:

Earth Day Community Cleanup

Event Date: 
April 18, 2018 - 9:00am

Join in on the League to Save Lake Tahoe's community cleanup day on Earth Day, April 18. During the snow melt, trash can become exposed and the League is inviting everyone to join in as they celebrate Earth Month. Kick off the warm season and join in for a cleanup! Cleanup materials will be provided and all volunteers will be treated to a lunch, raffle and prizes.

Bring a reusable water bottle, gloves and friends.

El Dorado County Sheriff's Report

SOUTH LAKE TAHOE, CALIF. - El Dorado County Sheriff's Office responds to calls throughout the county. The following are calls that only pertain to the South Shore. There may be some missing calls due to sheriff's logs not being completed at time of story.

Some of those recently added to last week's log:

3/29

Accidental drowning ruled as cause of death of woman found in Upper Truckee River

SOUTH LAKE TAHOE, Calif. - The cause of death of the Sacramento resident whose body was found in the Upper Truckee River in South Lake Tahoe on April 9, 2017 has been as accidental drowning by the El Dorado County Coroner.

Pamela Suswinsky, 62, was in town with her ex-husband and friend, Henry Suwinsky, and they were staying at the Motel 6 on Lake Tahoe Blvd. Henry said they came to town because she wanted her dog, Wilson, a 150-plus pound Newfoundland to experience snow for the first time.

New South Lake Tahoe resort plans unveiled

SOUTH LAKE TAHOE, Calif. - In 2008 it was known as "The Hole" after financing dried up for a redevelopment project, bordered by Highway 50, Stateline Avenue, Friday Avenue and Cedar Avenue. A cement hole with rebar stayed until the project area could get under control of one owner through bankruptcy. In 2013, Owens Financial obtained a building permit to start spending $400 million to build over 27,000 square feet of commercial space along Highway 50. This was followed by the Zalanta Resort opening at Highway 50 and Friday Avenue in 2017.

El Dorado County VHR meeting rescheduled, again

Event Date: 
May 2, 2018 - 6:00pm

The El Dorado County Board of Supervisors have rescheduled their vacation home rental (VHR) meeting on the South Shore for Wednesday, May 2 at 6:00 p.m. in the South Tahoe Middle School's Multi-Purpose Room.

Weather has canceled two meetings, with the initial meeting postponed due to over-crowding of the meeting room.

This proposed purpose of this meeting on May 2 is to:

1. Conceptually approve amendments to Title 5 - County Business License Ordinance of the El Dorado County Ordinance Code, Chapter 5.56 - Vacation Home Rentals in the Lake Tahoe Basin;

Letter: Let the voters decide fate of Bypass Loop Road

The following was sent to the South Lake Tahoe City Council and was shared with South Tahoe Now:

Snow Bike Championships at Hard Rock Tahoe

Event Date: 
March 24, 2018 - 1:00pm

The final round of the AMA National Championship Series is coming to Lake Tahoe on Saturday, March 24, 2018 at the Hard Rock Casino Resort in their back parking lot.

Gates open at 1:00 p.m., practice starts at 2:00 p.m. and the race starts at 3:00 p.m. The race will end before 7:00 p.m. The awards ceremony will be held in Vinyl at Hard Rock from 7:00 p.m. to 9:00 p.m. Viewing ticket prices are free for kids under 5, $10 for ages 6-12 and $15 for adults.

El Dorado County Sheriff's Report

SOUTH LAKE TAHOE, CALIF. - El Dorado County Sheriff's Office responds to calls throughout the county. The following are calls that only pertain to the South Shore. There may be some missing calls due to sheriff's logs not being completed at time of story.

Some of those recently added to last week's log:

3/4

3:20 p.m. - Vandalism - BLitzen Rd - R/P CLAIMS THERE WAS DAMAGE TO THE HOUSE CAUSED BY THE 41-YEAR-OLD MALE SUSPECT.

Search and Rescue response under Heavenly Gondola

SOUTH LAKE TAHOE, Calif. - Heavenly Valley Ski Patrol and the Search and Rescue (SAR) teams from the El Dorado County Sheriff's Office and Douglas County Sheriff's Office responded to an injured skier under the Gondola line on Wednesday, March 15 at about 12:23 p.m.

The local 54-year-old woman was backcountry skiing out-of-bounds when she injured her lower leg between the Gondola mid-station and Van Sickle Bi-State Park.

South Lake Brewing celebrates beer and community

Many head to the cooler at their local beverage purveyor, perhaps never thinking of the process involved in getting that beer from the brewery to their lips.

This week, South Lake Brewing Company canned 4,800 cans of three types of beer, their already famous Fog Nozzle and Angora IPA, along with their Pillow Line Pale Ale. This was their second canning since opening in May, 2017, and it was also their biggest.

Man allegedly steals beer, attempts to drive away with clerk on car's hood

SOUTH LAKE TAHOE, Calif. - A 21-year-old Sacramento man is currently in the El Dorado County Jail on charges of robbery, conspiracy to commit a crime and DUI after allegedly stealing beer from the 7-11 store on Pioneer Trail.

On March 11, Craig Joseph Cumbra is suspected of entering the store and leaving with beer he hadn't paid for. The store clerk tried to stop Cumbra from driving away by standing in front of his vehicle. The suspect drove away with the clerk on the hood. The clerk jumped off as the car left the parking lot.

El Dorado County Sheriff's Report

SOUTH LAKE TAHOE, CALIF. - El Dorado County Sheriff's Office responds to calls throughout the county. The following are calls that only pertain to the South Shore. There may be some missing calls due to sheriff's logs not being completed at time of story.

Some of those recently added to last week's log:

2/28

3:41 p.m. - Runaway Juvenile - Tahoe Paradise - R/P REPORTED A RUNAWAY JUVENILE.

3/2

EDC Supervisors to vote on purchase of old Bijou Post Office for new office space

The old Bijou Post Office on Sandy Way in South Lake Tahoe may soon be home to new El Dorado County offices. This property is across the street from their current government center at the corner of Takela Drive and Lake Tahoe Boulevard.

During the Board of Supervisors on Tuesday, March 13, 2018, there will be a vote on the agenda item regarding purchase of the property for $1,250,000. Supervisor Sue Novasel said they have been putting money aside to be used in an El Dorado Center Campus in South Lake Tahoe. The project includes a major remodel of both buildings.

Annual Easter Egg hunt hosted by Lake Valley Fire

Event Date: 
April 1, 2018 - 9:30am

The Lake Valley Fire Protection District annual Easter Egg Hunt is always a great annual family experience. This year, on April 1 at Tahoe Paradise Park in Meyers, 10,000 eggs will be hidden for the younger set, including the golden eggs with special prizes.

Arrive at 9:30 a.m. to get ready for the 10:00 a.m. hunt. The fire truck will also be there again with the Easter Bunny, so bring your camera.

There is limited parking in the park.

For more information, call 530.577.3737.

Great snow, blue skies combined for busy Lake Tahoe weekend

No Vacancy signs at South Lake Tahoe lodging properties were prominent throughout South Lake Tahoe this past weekend after tourists headed to town after several feet of snow fell at local resorts

The crowds at Heavenly, Kirkwood and Sierra-at-Tahoe were evident as parking lots were full shortly after opening at each resort.

For a brief time at Kirkwood on Sunday, cars were attempting to park along State Route 88 to gain access to the resort as their lots were full, but the California Highway Patrol (CHP) was on the scene to keep that from happening according to Vail Resorts.

Rescheduled Tahoe Paradise Park meeting

Event Date: 
March 8, 2018 - 5:00pm

Last week's snowstorm postponed the meeting of the board of directors of Tahoe Paradise Recreation and Park District. It has been rescheduled to Thursday, March 8 from 5:00 p.m. to 7:00 p.m. at Tahoe Paradise Park, 1011 E. San Bernardino.

The agenda for that meeting includes rules and regulation updates lower park parking lot winter preparation, the July 7 triathlon, signage, projects, forest thinning, amphitheater and dock projects, Lake Trail project, Music in the Park, grants, way finding and more.

Solutions being sought to alleviate tourist traffic in Meyers

Holiday traffic leaving South Lake Tahoe this weekend created another bottleneck in Meyers as well as on side roads throughout the area from those attempting to find a quicker getaway. The choices they made Monday created a three-hour drive from the Y in South Lake Tahoe to areas in Meyers.

Highway 50 over Echo Summit is designed to handle 1,200 cars per hour without any issues, but those numbers dropped Monday, February 19. Just how much they dropped is unknown as the traffic counters normally placed over the roadway are removed for snow removal.

Holiday traffic and slick roads keeping tow trucks and law enforcement busy

North Upper Truckee and Sawmill Road have become parking lots Monday afternoon, reminiscent of 2017's problems of ill-equipped vehicles on snow covered back roads.

The California Highway Patrol and El Dorado County Sheriff's Office have spent Monday responding to several calls in the Meyers area of cars stuck on side roads as they attempt to circumvent the backlog of traffic on Highway 50.

Along with those issues there have been several accidents and as of 3:30 p.m, State Route 88 may have to close due to a crash

El Dorado County Sheriff's Report

SOUTH LAKE TAHOE, CALIF. - El Dorado County Sheriff's Office responds to calls throughout the county. The following are calls that only pertain to the South Shore. There may be some missing calls due to sheriff's logs not being completed at time of story.

Some of those recently added to last week's log:

2/7

2:28 a.m. - Spousal Battery - South Lake Tahoe - 28-YEAR-OLD FEMALE ARRESTED FOR SPOUSAL BATTERY.

South Lake Tahoe's Sierra Boulevard study released for public review

The Sierra Boulevard Complete Streets Project is slated to start construction as soon as the building season in South Lake Tahoe gets underway in 2018. As part of the process, an The Initial Sturdy/Mitigated Negative Declaration (MND) is now up for review and public comment. Comments can be made until March 26, 2018.

South Lake Tahoe home recently seen on "The Bachelor" for sale

If you caught the January 22, 2018 episode of The Bachelor that showed bachelor Arie Luyendyk, Jr. in many scenic spots around South Lake Tahoe you most likely saw the home the show's contestants, the bachelorettes, stayed in while in town.

That 17,000 square foot house on Sherman Way is now for sale with a price tag of $15,880,000. It has 17 bedrooms, 18 bathrooms, five fire places, a swimming pool, high end features and appliances, and amazing views.

Tahoma murder suspect identified

LAKE TAHOE, CALIF. - Sunday's suspicious death in Tahoma has officially been ruled a homicide by El Dorado County Sheriff’s Detectives.

Jeremy David Virgo, 47, was arrested for murder after a chase ensued after deputies from El Dorado County Sheriff's Office (EDSO) responded to shots being fired in the area of Timber Wolf Drive and Alder Street in the West Shore community of Tahoma.

El Dorado County Sheriff's Report

SOUTH LAKE TAHOE, CALIF. - El Dorado County Sheriff's Office responds to calls throughout the county. The following are calls that only pertain to the South Shore. There may be some missing calls due to sheriff's logs not being completed at time of story.

Some of those recently added to last week's log:

1/24

9:58 a.m. - Petty Theft - Heavenly Village Way - R/P REPORTED A THEFT.

1/25

7:32 a.m. - Death Investigation - South Lake Tahoe - 83-YEAR-OLD MALE DECEASED.

South Lake Tahoe meeting on vacation rental ordinance for El Dorado County

Event Date: 
February 1, 2018 - 5:30pm

Vacation rentals in El Dorado County in the Tahoe basin outside the South Lake Tahoe city limits will see new regulations in the future, many of which will be conceptually approved during the Board of Supervisors meeting in South Lake Tahoe February 1.

South Lake Tahoe man sentenced to 183-years to life for brutal attack

A former motel maintenance worker at a South Lake Tahoe motel has been sentenced to 183 years to life for the brutal sexual assault of a 22-year-old Macedonian exchange student in 2015.

Manuel Ovidio Ramos-Munoz was found guilty in November, 2017 on seven felony counts, including kidnapping for the purpose of committing a sexual assault, as well as six additional counts and numerous special allegations relating to the subsequent sexual assault of the victim.

Plans to ease North Lake Tahoe traffic during ski season

The snow is falling, and the ski season is about to hit high gear heading toward the big Presidents Day weekend. Will Tahoe roads be ready to handle the traffic?

Probably not. The surge of traffic on Friday nights and Saturday mornings is intense, notably on Highway 89, the only route to Squaw Valley and Alpine Meadows ski areas. Highway 89 was a parking lot at times last year, as were some Truckee streets.

Letter: VHR company responds to public letter

In Response to Mr. Scott Ramirez’ Letter to the City Council 01/21/2018

Dear Mr. Ramirez,

My name is Joshua Priou and I manage the property that is located directly across the street from you, I have been the sole property manager since it became a Vacation Home Rental in 2012. After reading your article I became quite saddened to hear of your concerns and I felt it was necessary to clarify and shed some light on your comments.

Letter: An open letter to South Lake Tahoe City Council

Dear Council Members:

My name is Scott Ramirez, I am a long time resident of South Lake Tahoe. Some of you know me and my family and are familiar with our activities to support our town. We are advocates for our community and volunteer where we can.

Suspect sought in Washoe County car burglary at Tahoe

The public's help is being sought in locating a person of interest in a vehicle break-in on January 1 in the parking area of a trail head off Mt. Rose Highway.

Washoe County Sheriff’s Office detectives say their suspect broke through the window of the vehicle and stole a number of credit cards along with identification and keys. Subsequent investigation discovered that the credit cards had been used at multiple locations in Kings Beach, a gas station in San Ramon, California and at several locations in Reno, including Walmarts.

Column: Marking five years of progress on regional plan

Conserving and restoring Lake Tahoe’s natural environment and revitalizing its communities requires a delicate balancing act. Historically, building consensus around how to strike that balance has been one of the region’s greatest difficulties.

Lake Tahoe reached its strongest-ever consensus on that balance with the 2012 Regional Plan and its focus on sustainable redevelopment to restore natural areas, bring legacy development up to modern environmental standards, and create walkable, bikeable, and vibrant town centers.

New exhibition celebrates 1960 Winter Olympics at Squaw Valley

Event Date: 
January 18, 2018 - 6:00pm

A new exhibit that celebrates the 1960 Olympic Winter Games at Squaw Valley is opening at the Fausel House Gallery in Placerville on Friday, January 12 and will be running through March 9.

The curated exhibit will feature art, memorabilia and promotional items from those Olympics, the only to be held in Lake Tahoe and the first to be televised.

No moratorium on vacation rentals in El Dorado County

Tuesday's El Dorado County Board of Supervisors (BOS) meeting was just as all other meetings about vacation home rentals have been: A full house and a large contingent passionately representing both sides of the issue.

Supervisor Shiva Frentzen sought conceptual approval of an urgency ordinance to place a moratorium on the issuance of new vacation home rental (VHR) permits in the unincorporated portions of the County located in the Lake Tahoe Basin.

Reward offered for information on Douglas County altercation

A Secret Witness reward has been offered for information about a verbal altercation between an elderly couple and an unidentified man on New Year's Eve in the parking lot of Bed, Bath & Beyond in Douglas County.

El Dorado County Sheriff's Report

SOUTH LAKE TAHOE, CALIF. - El Dorado County Sheriff's Office responds to calls throughout the county. The following are calls that only pertain to the South Shore. There may be some missing calls due to sheriff's logs not being completed at time of story.

Some of those recently added to last week's log:

12/27

7:04 p.m. - Theft - Crystal Air Dr - A MALE SUBJECT ATTEMPTED TO BOOK A VACATION HOME RENTAL VIA AN AD ON THE INTERNET. IT WAS LATER LEARNED THE AD WAS A SCAM.

12/28

USA Cycling Cyclocross National Championships head to Reno next week

The USA Cycling Cyclocross National Championships will be held in Reno at Rancho San Rafael Regional Park January 9-14, 2018. The park will be transformed into a course that will see the nation’s leading amateur and professional cyclocross racers. Thirty-six national titles are on the line. National champions will be crowned in junior, collegiate, U23, masters, and elite divisions.

Public input sought on new Tahoe South Events Center

Could there soon be a publicly-owned events center on the corner of Highway 50 and Lake Parkway on the MontBleu parking lot in Stateline, Nevada?

The plan to build the 88,420 square foot Tahoe South Events Center is now in the scoping stage where the public can weigh in and provide comments on the Tahoe Douglas Visitor's Authority (TDVA) proposal to construct the assembly, event and entertainment venue.

El Dorado County Sheriff's Report

SOUTH LAKE TAHOE, CALIF. - El Dorado County Sheriff's Office responds to calls throughout the county. The following are calls that only pertain to the South Shore. There may be some missing calls due to sheriff's logs not being completed at time of story.

Some of those recently added to last week's log:

12/20
3:37 p.m. - Disorderly Conduct - Koru St - ADULT MALE WAS FOUND WANDERING A PUBLIC NEIGHBORHOOD IN SUB-FREEZING TEMPERATURES AND ACTING IRRATIONALLY. SUBJECT STATED HE WAS UNDER THE INFLUENCE OF "MUSHROOMS".

12/21

Drivers disobeying "No Parking" and cone zones on Echo Summit

Hundreds of vehicles disobey parking rules along Echo Summit and Highway 50 each winter as they try to find a place to park so people can stop and play in the snow. Their parking on a highway is dangerous, and the California Highway Patrol is trying deter parking to encourage them to park where legal.

SnowGlobe thrills attendees as Khalid and others take the stage

SOUTH LAKE TAHOE, CALIF. - Fans of electronic music have flocked to South Lake Tahoe for the annual SnowGlobe outdoor music festival held December 29-31 at, one the Community Fields. The predominately under-30 crowd come from colleges and communities hundreds and even thousands of miles away to enjoy a specially gathered group of top artists in the electronic dance music (EDM) field.

Along with the fun though comes issues common at most music festivals: noise, trash, underage drinking and drugs.

First weekend of VHR ordinance in South Lake Tahoe nets eight violators

Over the first weekend of enforcement of the new South Lake Tahoe Vacation Rental Ordinance, eight violations were issued at a price tag of $8,000.

Parking was the biggest offense with renters having more cars than allowed, something that caught many by surprise as they thought noise would bring in the most violations for vacation home rentals (VHR). Four citations were issued for parking, two for exceeding occupancy, one for parking and noise combination and one for being an unpermitted VHR.

The SLT City Council voted in the new ordinance to take effect December 22, 2017.

New laws for drivers in California start January 1

With the new year just around the corner, the California Department of Motor Vehicles (DMV) is reminding the public of several new laws or changes to existing law that, unless otherwise noted, take effect January 1, 2018.

Squaw Valley Park to stay open for free snow fun this winter

Finding a spot to build a snowman or do a little snowshoeing will be a little easier this winter as Placer County’s Squaw Valley Park in Olympic Valley will remain open to offer a free snow play option for visitors and residents.

The park’s parking area will be plowed all winter long, creating a free and convenient place to park and play.

Opinion: Working together on traffic and parking at Lake Tahoe

The rural mountain lifestyle we all enjoy at Lake Tahoe is not isolated from the major urban areas nearby. On a typical holiday weekend, the Tahoe Basin turns into a recreation thoroughfare as tens of thousands of day and overnight visitors who sustain our local economy drive up from the San Francisco Bay Area, Sacramento, and Reno.

Warm Room in South Lake Tahoe opens on Christmas Eve

There will be two homes for the Warm Room this winter, and the first one opens on Christmas Eve at 7:00 p.m.

From December 24 - December 31, 7:00 p.m. to 7:00 a.m., the Tahoe Coalition for the Homeless (TCH) will open the Warm Room at the Lake Tahoe Community Presbyterian Church located at 2733 Lake Tahoe Boulevard. Access to the room will be through the lower parking lot in the back of the church, not through the front door.

"We appreciate the support of the local faith community for rallying behind our common missions of service," said the Coalition.

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