Quality

2nd Bi-Annual Basin Blitz shows Caltrans renovations help Lake Tahoe

The League to Save Lake Tahoe held its second bi-annual Basin Blitz this spring to assess progress in improving Lake Tahoe’s stormwater infrastructure (pipes, drains and sediment-catching basins). These features flow directly into Lake Tahoe and carry fine sediment pollution from our roads and neighborhoods into the lake, further degrading its clarity.

Parents: How naming your emotions can help your kids succeed

Up until only a few decades ago, for as long as humans have existed, parenting has been guesswork. New parents would get information and guidance from their elders or peers based on anecdotal evidence. We are lucky enough to live in an exciting time where we have research to find evidence for what parenting strategies and qualities lead to the most successful outcomes for children. Of course, there is not one cookie cutter way for each child, and being flexible in learning what works best for your child is essential.

Road Beat: Genesis G70 - One of the best cars ever

Sure, I like most of the vehicles I test, but there are some that stand out. Then from those stand out motor vehicles, we can find the best of the best. When you factor in price or bang for the buck, that best of the best gets very small, maybe two or three vehicles. The new Genesis G70 is one of them. The other vehicle is the Kia Stinger which is a slightly larger sibling of the G70. I will discuss the differences, but for this Road Beat it is the G70 that gets this ultimate spotlight and my tester was an AWD G70 Sport 3.3T.

Carson Tahoe Care Center brings memory care to Carson City

Event Date: 
April 4, 2019 - 4:00pm

Carson Tahoe Care Center, an advanced care center designed to deliver high-quality memory care, skilled nursing and transitional rehabilitation services opening this spring, is now welcoming residents to its memory care community. This center, which is part of Prestige Care Inc., will offer the most comprehensive memory care and skilled nursing services in the region.

City unveils monthly newseltter to keep public informed

SOUTH LAKE TAHOE, Calif. The City of South Lake Tahoe has launched its new
newsletter - "At Lake Level." The monthly newsletter is written by City Manager Frank Rush and prepared by Communications Manager Chris Fiore in an effort to keep the community well informed about City issues and initiatives.

New Leadership

Conservancy approves City's purchase of Bijou Park Creek watershed lot

SOUTH LAKE TAHOE, Calif. - The California Tahoe Conservancy (CTC) Board has approved the City of South Lake Tahoe's proposal to purchase an ecologically important parcel on Rockwood Drive as part of its broader plans to restore the Bijou Park Creek watershed.

Road Beat: Honda Pilot, an almost perfect CUV

Third generation Honda Pilot has been with us about three years, commencing with the model year 2016. It was an all-new design and ride with the only carryover being the 3.5L V-6 and even that was tricked out a bit with direct injection and 30 more ponies and nine more pounds of twist. Transmissions also got better with a standard six-speeder (one extra gear) and in the Touring and Elite trim lines, you’ll get a nine-speeder, which picks achieves about one mpg in the ratings.

Column: Fees benefit water quality and trails

While it still feels like winter, with a healthy snowpack and ski resorts reporting record monthly snowfall in February, another building season is fast approaching. One of the questions people ask the Tahoe Regional Planning Agency each year is why they have to pay mitigation fees for their development, like new homes and remodeling projects.

Lake Tahoe gas station owners pay $1M fine, face other sanctions

SOUTH LAKE TAHOE, Calif. - After a multi-year investigation into conditions at their Lake Tahoe gas stations, one local businessman is now banned from owning or operating gas stations with underground tanks in California while another faces sanctions.

Azad Amiri and Sarbjit S. Kang were accused of violating multiple underground storage tank (UST) requirements at five Lake Tahoe area gas stations: 1140 Emerald Bay Road, 913 Emerald Bay Road, and 2304 Lake Tahoe Blvd. in South Lake Tahoe, 3208 Highway 50 in Meyers, and 8070 North Lake Blvd., Kings Beach.

Road Beat: 2019 Kia Forte - Performs as good as it looks

It’s hard to believe that it has been only 25 years since Kia came to the U.S. with the 88 hp Sephia. The first TV ad showed a Kia Sephia following a Honda Civic through the streets of Los Angeles (in fast motion) demonstrating it could do anything the Honda Civic could do.

Health Column: Bringing awareness to patient safety

Patient Safety Awareness Week is an annual recognition event intended to encourage everyone to learn more about healthcare safety. It’s an opportunity for hospitals and health systems to share their work and resources on patient safety, safety culture and patient engagement.

State Route 89 recreation plan to address traffic, experiences and parking

LAKE TAHOE, Calif./Nev. - Giving people a positive experience as they travel along the west shore of Lake Tahoe will require removing congestion from the roadway is one of the goals of the State Route 89 Recreation Corridor Management Plan.

A collaboration of 17 agencies and organizations have been working on the plan which covers the stretch from 15th street in South Lake Tahoe to the Placer County line at Sugar Pine Point State Park. Along the plan area are popular areas to view scenery, hike, bike and visit beaches along a 12 mile stretch of undeveloped shoreline.

Other possible sources of PCE contamination identified in South Lake Tahoe

SOUTH LAKE TAHOE, Calif. - With a 400 acre plume of tetrachloroethylene (PCE) in some of the South Lake Tahoe groundwater, agencies tasked with protecting the local drinking supply updated the community on cleanup efforts and the status of the plume Wednesday evening.

Authorities originally identified the chemical entered the groundwater at the site of the old Lake Tahoe Laundry Works which was located at the South Y Center that is now home to Raley's and KMart.

How full is Lake Tahoe?

LAKE TAHOE, Calif. - The Sierra Nevada has seen epic amounts of snowfall this winter and recent measurements at both Phillips and Mt. Rose show water content of the snowpack well above normal.

John Thiel: New man at the helm of South Tahoe Public Utility District

SOUTH LAKE TAHOE, Calif. - After Richard Solbrig told the South Tahoe Public Utility District (STPUD) Board of Directors he was retiring in January 2019 after 29 years with the agency the hunt was on for a new general manager.

It turned out they didn't have to look far.

John Thiel had been hired by Solbrig in 1992 as a staff engineer and he worked his way up through the ranks over the last 27 years until the Board chose him as the new general manager.

Day of the Young Child to be held in South Lake Tahoe

Event Date: 
March 30, 2019 - 10:00am

The annual Day of the Young Child will be held at the South Lake Tahoe Recreation Complex on Saturday, March 30, 2019 from 10:00 a.m. to 2:00 p.m.

This free event is for all ages. There will be activities, games, booths opened by local youth-oriented groups and vendors, and information about jobs in the early childhood education field. A memorable family day with free early childhood activities: painting, beading, clay, bubbles, a puppet show at noon and more.

Updates on the South Lake Tahoe PCE contamination at public meeting

Event Date: 
March 6, 2019 - 6:00pm

SOUTH LAKE TAHOE, Calif. - Tetrachloroethylene (PCE) was found in drinking water wells in South Lake Tahoe near the "Y" in 1989, and it remains in the groundwater today, forming a containment plume from the intersection of Highway 50 and State Route 89 and heading toward Lake Tahoe through the Tahoe Keys.

Business licenses issued by City of South Lake Tahoe

The following 68 businesses took out a license to operate in South Lake Tahoe in the month of December 2018 (32) and January 2019 (36)

December 2018 licenses issued and their owners:

12/1
ERICSSON INC - ERICSSON INC

12/3
PERFORMANCE UNLIMITED - PARTON, MICHAEL

12/4
D812 INTL - D812 INTL

12/5
KAREN KAYE PHOTOGRAPHY - PEEK, KAREN
UNITED SIGNS SYSTEMS - JOHNSON UNITED INC
JESUS ALVAREZ RODRIGUEZ TAXI DRIVER - JESUS ALVAREZ RODRIGUEZ
WW NORTH AMERICA HOLDINGS - WW NORTH AMERICA HOLDINGS INC

12/10
FIRE PROTECTION SERVICES - REEVES. ANTHONY

Join Carson Tahoe Expressions Memory Care for a Discussion on Brain Health and Alzheimer’s Care

Event Date: 
February 28, 2019 - 1:00pm

Carson Tahoe Expressions Memory Care invites the community to attend a free discussion on Thursday, February 28 from 1 p.m. to 3 p.m., led by internationally recognized memory care expert David Troxel, MPH, who will discuss the importance of engagement and activity for brain health as it relates to Alzheimer’s disease.

Troxel’s expertise is rooted in the “Best Friends Approach” – a treatment philosophy he helped pioneer that redefines how families and caregivers can enhance the lives of individuals living with Alzheimer’s and dementia.

Location

Douglas County Community and Senior Center
1329 Waterloo Lane, Gardnerville, NV 89410
United States

Road Beat: 2018 Mitsubishi Outlander PHEV, electrifying gasoline

Mitsubishi’s Outlander is an outstanding vehicle and value. I gave it very high marks is most categories especially bang for the buck when I tested it about five months ago. With only a 2.4L, 166 hp inline four-banger, it performed admirably. So, what would happen when Mitsu adds a PHEV battery (12 kwh) to the mix? The answer from my numbers is not exceptional.

TRPA accepting project nominations for Best in Basin

Stateline, Nevada – The Tahoe Regional Planning Agency (TRPA) is accepting project nominations for its annual Best in Basin awards program now through Tuesday, April 2.

TRPA created the Best in Basin awards program as a way to recognize public and private projects that demonstrate exceptional planning, design, and compatibility with Lake Tahoe’s environment and communities.

Nurses give Barton Memorial Hospital a 10-day notice of a strike

SOUTH LAKE TAHOE, Calif. - Barton Memorial Hospital received a ten-day notice from the California Nurse's Association on Monday, informing them that the nurses at the South Lake Tahoe hospital intend to strike on February 15, 2019.

Negotiations have been ongoing between the nurse's union and Barton Health since the Registered Nurses (RNs) at Barton Memorial Hospital and Lake Tahoe Surgery Center voted 123 to 17 to unionize on November 15, 2017.

South Lake Tahoe City Council on a delayed start Tuesday

SOUTH LAKE TAHOE, Calif. - Due to the current blizzard, the South Lake Tahoe City Council meeting on Tuesday, February 5 will start two hours late at 11:00 a.m. The closed session portion of the meeting will start at 10:30 a.m.

City officials said this delayed start will allow attendees to get to the meeting safely.

There are 15 items on the agenda including the final vote on a cannabis use ordinance and first reading on a mobile vending ordinance.

South Lake Tahoe traffic meeting: "Our quality of life has been affected"

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.

Pink Heavenly event to raise funds for South Lake Tahoe area locals fighting cancer

Event Date: 
March 23, 2019 (All day)

SOUTH LAKE TAHOE, Calif. - On March 23, 2019, participants will take to the slopes to raise funds for patients in the South Lake Tahoe area who are fighting cancer in the inaugural Pink Heavenly.

The Barton Foundation is joining Heavenly Mountain Resort in putting on the event with the hopes of giving cancer the boot by raising $250,000.

ONE TAHOE launched to address transportation needs around the lake

Event Date: 
January 29, 2019 - 4:00pm

LAKE TAHOE, CA/NV – Lake Tahoe needs our help. The “Jewel of the Sierra” is being loved to death. The vast amount of trips being made by motor vehicles have contributed to severe traffic congestion, unsafe conditions for cars, pedestrians, and cyclists, mounting air pollution, declining lake clarity, and other negative impacts.

Sacred Arts of Tibet Tour returns to South Lake Tahoe

Event Date: 
January 22, 2019 - 7:00pm

Tibetan monks from the Gaden Shartse Monastery will be returning to South Lake Tahoe at the end of their two year tour of the United States. During their visit to South Lake Tahoe they will be sharing a variety of presentations, focussing on Green Tara the female Buddha of Compassionate Action. Events will include a Buddhist Philosophy Lecture by Venerable Geshe Wangyal, a Healing Ritual, an Empowerment/Blessing of Green Tara, a Meditation and Tibetan Calligraphy Workshop.

Location

Blue Angel Cafe
1132 Ski Run Blvd South Lake Tahoe, CA
United States

Column: Building on Lake Tahoe’s Progress

2018 was an extraordinary year for Lake Tahoe, and one of the region’s most successful years in decades. The Tahoe Regional Planning Agency (TRPA) assisted by dozens of partners approved landmark programs and projects, including a new Shoreline Plan, a comprehensive update of TRPA’s development rights system, and the U.S. 50 South Shore Community Revitalization Project.

Sierra House Elementary students move to full-day schedules at STMS/Al Tahoe

SOUTH LAKE TAHOE, Calif. - Since a fire destroyed a section of Sierra House Elementary on November 11, 2018, students and staff have been dealing with the smoke damage, relocation, and minimum school days.

Just before the winter break classes were held at the Al Tahoe Elementary school site, home of the Boys & Girls Club, but that plan will now change starting January 14, 2018.

After 28 years, Richard Solbrig retires as head of South Tahoe Public Utility District

SOUTH LAKE TAHOE, Calif. - For many, Richard Solbrig has been the only person they knew as the general manager of South Lake Public Utility District.

On Wednesday, Janury 9, 2019, Sobrig retired.

The district's board of directors unanimously approved a resolution during their January 3 meeting, honoring Solbrig for he service that began in 1990. He has been their general manager since 2003.

New Registrar of Voters and head for Health and Human Services appointed

The El Dorado County Board of Supervisors today approved the appointment of Bill
O’Neill as Registrar of Voters, effective January 9, 2019.

O’Neill was most recently vice president of election cybersecurity and consulting for Runbeck Elections Services, Inc., a private sector elections technology, products and services company. While there, he built a collection of new election-focused software products which improved, among other things, the duplicate ballot

New South Lake Tahoe store creates 3-D replica figurines

SOUTH LAKE TAHOE, Calif. - Think of it as art, emotion and technology brought together to create a miniature replica of yourself and/or loved ones, and now it is available on the South Shore at Doob Lake Tahoe in the Heavenly Village.

A doob™ is a photo-realistic 3D printed replica that will celebrate life's biggest and smallest moments, as well as everything in between.

Longtime local Tom Davis has partnered with John M. Coyle to open the doors of the newest franchise for the New York City based German company.

STPUD board meeting to highligh 2018 water and sewer improvements

Event Date: 
December 20, 2018 - 6:00pm

SOUTH LAKE TAHOE, Calif. - In 2014, the South Tahoe Public Utility District’s Board of Directors approved a series of annual rate increases to fund more than $50 million in critical improvements to South Tahoe’s water, wastewater, and recycled water systems. These upgrades lower long-term costs, improve fire flow, protect the environment and ensure longterm, quality service. On Thursday, December 20, 2018 at 6 p.m. the District will host a public meeting on the upgrades to the water, sewer and recycled water systems, and the ongoing improvements still needed.

Barton Health: The tools you need to prevent disease

Health care in the U.S. historically has been focused on treating the symptoms of sickness. The scientific accomplishments in this area are truly astonishing, but despite these advances, the American population as a whole isn’t healthier. In fact, chronic diseases are on the rise.

To combat this in our own community, Barton Health is offering the Complete Health Improvement Program (CHIP), a national program proven to improve health and wellness. CHIP is designed to help people reduce their risk for disease through better health habits and lifestyle changes.

Kudos: Mt. Tallac High thanks Bread & Broth, Smart & Final

Much appreciation to South Lake Tahoe’s Bread & Broth and Smart & Final for their generosity in supporting Mt. Tallac High School.

Their donations have assisted students in need, given them hope, and created traditions that build connections among students, staff and community. Thank you for putting a smile on students’ faces.

We are grateful and appreciative for Bread & Broth’s philanthropic mission to feed others and Smart & Final’s mission to improve the quality of life in our community!

- Sara Justice
Director Mt. Tallac High School

Tips for a safe winter and holiday season

SOUTH LAKE TAHOE, Calif. – Winter has arrived in the Lake Tahoe Basin along with the holiday season. Local fire districts and their partners would like to take this opportunity to remind residents and visitors to properly dispose of fireplace/woodstove ashes and to use caution when decorating for the holiday. The following safety tips are recommended by the National Fire Protection Association (NFPA) to help keep your home safe this winter/holiday season.

Fireplaces and Woodstoves

Road Beat: Toyota Sienna, Stellar Performance

Minivans are not supposed to be hot rods or even quick. They are for hauling the family with comfortable seven to eight passenger seating (there isn’t a bad seat in this house) while still having massive cargo capacity. Or they are for going to your local Home Depot or Lowe’s and God help your credit card. I was actually able to put 12-foot-long baseboard inside this massive shipping container.

Parents show up at school board meeting to voice Sierra House fire concerns

SOUTH LAKE TAHOE, Calif. - Attending the December 6 special meeting of the Lake Tahoe Unified School Board were concerned parents, teachers and staff from Sierra House Elementary, enough to fill the room and into the hallway. They were there to ask the Board why the school was reopened just two days after the November 11 fire that took out a hallway, a reading room, teacher's room and caused damage to ducts and panels above the ceiling.

New South Lake Tahoe city manager takes the helm

SOUTH LAKE TAHOE, Calif. - Frank A. Rush, Jr. is now officially the city manager for South Lake Tahoe.

Rush was sworn in on Wednesday, December 6, 2018

For the past 17 years Rush has been the city manager for the city of Emerald Isle in North Carolina. He and his wife of 20 years, Suzanne, moved to the South Shore with their two teenage sons, Jacob and Matthew.

Sierra House update: 2nd and 3rd graders moving to Al Tahoe when heavy work gets underway

Secember 5, 2018 - Sierra House Elementary School Principal Karin Holmes has issued another update for parents to keep them informed of the progress in the fire clean up at the South Lake Tahoe school.

Caltrans thanks South Lake Tahoe businesses and drivers for patience during highway project

SOUTH LAKE TAHOE, Calif. - Phase II of the three-year, $57,000,000 Highway 50 project from the Y to the Trout Creek Bridge in South lake Tahoe is complete and Caltrans will back in the Spring of 2019 to work on the final phase.

The project is a water quality project that has also addressed ADA compliance on curbs, widened bike paths to six feet, added bus pullouts, replaced curbs, gutters and sidewalks, added new pavement, added one stop light, and will have replaced two others and added left turn lane improvements at Sierra Boulevard when it wraps up next year.

Sierra House update: VOC air quality tests returned showing safe levels

DECEMBER 2, 2018 - The fifth update from Sierra House Elementary School in South Lake Tahoe since their November 11 fire has been released, and the Volatile Organic Compounds (VOC) sample results have been returned.

While there are trace amounts of various compounds that are associated with every day use, all samples tested well below the regulatory levels. These results along with yesterday's sample on asbestos all showing negative results, school will be open on Monday, December 3.

Sierra House update: Tests come back negative for asbestos

SOUTH LAKE TAHOE, Calif. - The air quality test conducted at Sierra House Elementary on Friday has come back negative for asbestos.

Parents question safety at Sierra House Elementary after school reopens soon after fire

SOUTH LAKE TAHOE, Calif. - A fire that destroyed a hallway, reading room and teacher's room on Sunday, November 11 was just seconds away from engulfing all of Sierra House Elementary. Had it not been for the quick response by Lake Valley Fire Protection District the discussion would be about replacing the 44-year-old South Lake Tahoe school rather than the processes involved to get it cleaned up and opened in just two days.

Road Beat: 2019 Honda Accord Hybrid Touring

The 2019 Honda Accord Hybrid Touring, Only the performance and fuel economy lets you know it’s a hybrid.

Most of you know I haven’t been a fan of hybrids, but that’s changing and this new Honda Accord Hybrid has put me over the edge, it’s the first hybrid I have ever driven you can’t tell the transition from electric to gas or even start-up that it is a hybrid. The only clue is the phenomenal fuel economy, extreme quiet and ethereal smoothness. You simply can’t feel the integration of the gas motor coming on line. I would buy this hybrid for this and so many other reasons.

Q & A on how doctors treat people living with pain

Gregory Burkard Jr., DO is an interventional pain and sports medicine physiatrist who recently joined Tahoe Orthopedics and Sports Medicine. I sat down with him to learn more about his medical specialty and the services available.

Natasha Schue (NS): What exactly does a physiatrist do?
Dr. Burkard: I see and treat people living with pain. Pain can be caused by one or several factors. Most patients I see have pain from sports injuries, overuse injuries, and accidents that unfortunately resulted in functional disabilities.

Sierra House Elementary fire caused by power cord overload

SOUTH LAKE TAHOE, Calif. - A fire at Sierra House Elementary School on November 11, 2018 was caused by an electrical overload due to “daisy chain wiring” of two power cords in a classroom.

When firefighters from Lake Valley Fire Protection District (LVFPD) arrived at the school at 9:35 p.m. they found smoke once the front doors were opened and flames observed as they turned the corner near the "upper pod" wing.

Road Beat: 2018 Toyota Tacoma TRD Off Road - What makes it so popular?

Toyota Tacomas are almost an institution, perhaps the best-selling mid-size pickup ever. In 2017 Tacoma sales were about 200,000 and owned over 50 percent of the market and for 2018 total Tacoma sales are 20 percent higher, looking at a 250,000 in sales for 2018 and still holding over a 50 percent market share. That is remarkable. Tacoma is a true default brand as its stellar reputation of quality and reliability is at the top of the mind of just about every mid-size truck buyer.

South Lake Tahoe blood drives to help with increase in need

The impact of the wildfires throughout California has created additional needs for blood and added importance to holiday blood donations.

Many blood drives have been canceled in the Chico area since the Paradise community was destroyed. As the days go on, poor air quality is disrupting donations at surrounding donation centers. Over 300 potential donations were immediately lost due to canceled blood drives and 500 more donations are at risk as poor air quality continues to effect donors and staff.

US 50/South Shore Community Revitalization Project approved by TRPA

LAKE TAHOE, CA/NV - It's been 38 years in the making. On Thursday, November 15, 2018, the Tahoe Regional Planning Agency (TRPA) Board of Directors unanimously approved the final joint environmental document for the US 50/South Shore Community Revitalization Project, also known as the "Loop Road."

Last week, the board of the Tahoe Transportation District (TTD) unanimously approved the same document, the final Environmental Impact Statement (EIR/EIS/EIS).

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