restrictions

Just after 7 a.m. on a recent Sunday, bumper-to-bumper traffic lined North Lake Boulevard in Kings Beach, a regular weekend sight in the community of about 4,000 people on Lake Tahoe’s north shore. While snow attracted the visitors on this weekend, just as many people show up in the summer to enjoy beaches and trails.

Approval of two major projects in recent months has heightened concerns about growth on the north shore, and it’s against this backdrop that Placer County supervisors will consider this week how development should occur in their corner of the Tahoe Basin.

It's a "win-win" situation for South Lake Tahoe area businesses, shoppers and diners starting November 26 when the Tahoe Chamber launches their GO Local & Win! campaign. Those enjoying local businesses are rewarded for shopping and dining locally and will earn credit for every $25 spent and have a chance to win hundreds of dollars in cash and gifts.

Business owners and operators also win during the "GO Local & Win" campaign as they have an opportunity to promote and expand their base of customers or clientele.

The popular “Plates for Powder” program and offers skiers and boarders two free lift tickets at one of ten resorts in Lake Tahoe if they purchase the new Lake Tahoe license plate in either California or Nevada.

“The mountains are covered in white from this weekend’s storm signaling that ski season is almost here,” said Amy Berry, CEO of the Tahoe Fund. “Get ready to ski at one of the 10 resorts in Tahoe who generously support this great program by purchasing your new California or Nevada Tahoe plate today.”

Smoke from a prescribed burn on the east side of Union Valley Reservoir in the El Dorado National Forest sent smoke into the Lake Tahoe Basin Tuesday.

The U.S. Forest Service is burning 240 acres over a two-day period in that area.

Prescribed burns in the Lake Tahoe Basin were scheduled to start this week but have been postponed since the area is still under fire restrictions.

SOUTH LAKE TAHOE, Calif. – The Tahoe Fire and Fuels Team is reminding the public that fire danger in the Lake Tahoe Basin remains high due to the ongoing drought and lack of precipitation. Illegal campfires and warming fires continue to be a concern for fire officials and are the major cause of wildfires in the basin. Fire restrictions are still in effect on National Forest land and will remain in effect until the official end of fire season.

Nighttime lane closures will take place periodically on South Carson Street near Spooner junction for the Nevada Department of Transportation’s Carson City Freeway project.

LONG-TERM PROJECTS

State Route 89 (Placer County): Work continues on a $70.1 million project from Tahoma to just north of Granlibakken Road in Tahoe City that is upgrading storm water drainage and treatment systems, adding curb and gutter, resurfacing and realigning the road, adding new left-turn pockets and widening shoulders on an 8-mile stretch of the highway. Completion is expected by summer 2017.

Despite near average rainfall in much of Northern California this past winter, 60 percent of the state remains in severe or extreme drought. Groundwater basins and many reservoirs are badly depleted as the state’s drought grinds into a fifth year. Those living in, and visiting, South Lake Tahoe, have enjoyed higher water levels to view, boat and recreate in.

NOTE: Most traffic-interfering work will be restricted until 8 p.m. Tuesday, July 5 due to the Fourth of July holiday weekend.

SPECIAL EVENT

U.S. Highway 50 (El Dorado County) from the “Y” at Lake Tahoe Boulevard and State Route 89 North to Rufus Allen Boulevard: Motorists can expect a moving closure of both lanes from 10 a.m. to Noon Monday July 4 for the City of South Lake Tahoe 4th of July parade.

LONG-TERM PROJECTS

The Fourth of July holiday period is the busiest time of year in the Lake Tahoe Basin. For those visiting during the holiday and attending one of the firework displays over the lake, expect extremely crowded conditions and excess traffic. Because of the Basin’s high elevation, expect intense sunlight during the day and much lower temperatures at night. Bring sunscreen, a jacket, and carry a flashlight. Don’t forget to drink plenty of water throughout the day to stay hydrated.

To keep Tahoe cherished and known for its beauty, locals try in their best efforts to “keep Tahoe blue.” Sadly, negative effects in our ecosystems come from humans which could damage the clarity of the lake and the air quality. Bad air quality comes from numerous sources, such as car emissions, uncontained fires, and contributors to toxic runoff into the forest; these sources of pollution must be stopped.

On May 31, 2016, Liberty Utilities began helicopter tree removal for the portion of the 650 Electrical Line Upgrade Project on National Forest System lands north of Highway 267 from Brockway Summit to Kings Beach. Public access to the area will be limited during the helicopter operations for public safety.

Don Ashton, the El Dorado County Director of Health & Human Services, was appointed Chief Administrative Officer (CAO) during the Board of Supervisor's meeting in Placerville Tuesday.

When Sue Novasel, the South Shore representative on the Board of Supervisors was asked why Ashton was chosen, she said his 23 years of experience in the public sector is extensive, and he'll know how to take the county to the next level.

The Sierra State Parks Foundation is excited to announce our first Archives Bus Tour on Wednesday, June 15, 2016. Attendees will meet at Donner Memorial State Park Visitor Center for a day of discovery and fun. Hopping aboard the bus at 9am, we will make our way to the California State Archives in Sacramento, with a stop in the heart of Gold Country, the Auburn State Recreation Area. Tickets are $60 ($55 for members) with limited seating. Reservations are required and parking for the day is included in the ticket price.

Location

Gov. Jerry Brown on Wednesday enacted California’s most significant new tobacco regulations in decades, signing laws that will place tight restrictions on use of the increasingly popular e-cigarette and make California the second state to raise its smoking age to 21.

Brown signed five closely-watched bills, which will also expand smoking restrictions in the workplace and on school properties.

But he vetoed one measure that would have allowed cities and counties to impose local taxes on tobacco products.

To prepare for the $57 million Caltrans project that will start in South Lake Tahoe in 2017, Southwest Gas is continuing their gas-line relocation work along Highway 50 from the "Y" to Al Tahoe Blvd this spring and summer.

The construction work will be completed during both daytime and nighttime hours and Southwest Gas officials told South Tahoe Now there will be no major bottlenecks that were prevalent last summer.

"There will be less lane restrictions and improved traffic flow," said Stephen Miller, of Southwest Gas Corporate Communications.

The following is the ski, snowboard and weather report for Tuesday, March 29, 2016 for South Lake Tahoe, brought to you by Lake Tahoe SkiBum.

Black Ice Warning from National Weather Service - The late season storm that brought heavy snowfall to the valleys has resulted in many roads being slick and icy this moroning.

Weather - South Lake Tahoe will have a high today of 39 and a low tonight of

The South Lake Tahoe Fire Code has changed, much to the appreciation of both homeowners and contractors who had to deal with different codes, depending on the location of the home, City or in the County.

The council voted to remove restrictions on the fire sprinkler code (Chapter 5.20) to be more in line with Lake Valley Fire District. The City's stricter code confused contractors who build houses in the city, and in the county, and it was also found to be cost prohibitive for homeowners wishing to remodel.

The following is the ski, snowboard and weather report for Sunday, March 13, 2016 for South Lake Tahoe brought to you by Lake Tahoe SkiBum.

Wind and weather will be an issue at ski resorts today.

Winter Storm Warning until 11 a.m. Monday
Flood Watch in place until 6:00 p.m. Sunday

The following is the ski, snowboard and weather report for Tuesday, March 8, 2016 for South Lake Tahoe brought to you by Lake Tahoe SkiBum.

The following is the ski, snowboard and weather report for Tuesday, January 26, 2016 for South Lake Tahoe brought to you by Lake Tahoe SkiBum.

Weather - South Lake Tahoe will have a high of 42 and a low tonight of 21. Today: Mostly sunny, with a high near 42. Southeast wind around 5 mph becoming calm. Tonight: Mostly cloudy, with a low around 21. South wind around 5 mph becoming west after midnight.

As one weather system leaves Lake Tahoe, the next one is waiting off the coast of California and heading to the Sierra overnight. The National Weather Service says upper elevations will see more snow that the past storm, with rain for the valleys. South Lake is at an elevation that rests in between rain and snow.

Most snow impacts will be confined to areas above 7,000 feet, a rain/snow mix around 6500 feet and all rain in lower valley locations will create slick road conditions. The highest elevations can see a foot of snow, with 1 to 4" above 6,500 feet, and one inch around the lake.

Hundreds of new California laws take effect on January 1, 2016, many that will have tangible impacts on the lives of Californians as they work, drive, ride a bike and shop.

Here is an overview of some of them:

Transportation:

Winter has arrived in the Tahoe Basin with very welcome early snow events and freezing night time temperatures, allowing snowmaking operations to commence to help open ski resorts early. Given California’s drought and the District’s request for continued water conservation, one may wonder about the wisdom of using water for snowmaking.