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Mammoth Lakes added to state's monitoring list; Truckee/North Lake Tahoe ask visitors to stay away on weekends

To help stop the spread of the coronavirus, California Governor Gavin Newsom has added more counties to his "watch list," those showing concerning trends in rates of COVID-19. This list now numbers 37 which makes up 93 percent of the state's population. There are 58 counties in the state.

New on that list are Mono County (home to Mammoth Mountain) and Santa Cruz County, a popular tourist destination. North Lake Tahoe is in Placer County which was added to the list earlier this month.

Park Tahoe paid parking pilot program starts at East Shore Trail

INCLINE VILLAGE, Nev. - When the three parking lots with 90 spaces were created last year in Incline Village for the popular East Shore Trail, they were free but all were told paid parking was coming in the near future.

That time has now come.

Tahoe Transportation District (TTD) has unveiled the Park Tahoe pilot program at the trailhead north of Ponderosa Rand Road. The lots were created to expand off-highway parking options along the high traffic area of SR28 between Incline Village and Sand Harbor State Park.

Local teen named National Youth Ambassador by Tobacco-Free Kids campaign

WASHINGTON, D.C.—Twenty-five California students have been named as National Youth and Young Adult Ambassadors by the Campaign for Tobacco-Free Kids for demonstrating leadership in fighting tobacco use in their communities.

These young leaders were among 133 youth and young adults from 33 states who participated in the Campaign for Tobacco-Free Kids’ Digital Advocacy Symposium, a five-day online training session focused on building advocacy, communications and leadership skills.

Make Tahoe Records fundraiser for Black Ice Theatre Co.

Event Date: 
July 18, 2020 - 10:00am

This Saturday, July 18, from 10:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m., join Make Tahoe Records at Scott Forrest Fine Art Studio at 2572 Lake Tahoe Blvd., South Lake Tahoe to help Black Ice Theatre Co.

SROs on campus in South Lake Tahoe: More than a police officer

SOUTH LAKE TAHOE, Calif. - School Resource Officers, or SROs, have been a recent topic of conversations in the community with some residents questioning the need for an armed officer on South Lake Tahoe campuses.

The word "resource" gives one an insight into their position - a resource for the students, and not only at school. A resource for the parents. A resource for the school district. A resource for the school.

And the job doesn't end there.

COVID-19 case update for Lake Tahoe area counties

SOUTH LAKE TAHOE, Calif. - El Dorado County health officials announced Wednesday there have been 13 new confirmed cases of COVID-19 since yesterday, nine in the Lake Tahoe Region, three in El Dorado Hills and one in the Cameron Park, Shingle Springs, Rescue area.

Of the new cases, one is under 18, nine are ages 18-49 and three are aged 50-64.

There were 42 new tests administered in the county, bringing that total to 14,833.

Two people remain hospitalized in the ICU. There are no suspected cases in Barton or Marshall hospitals.

COVID-19 case update for Lake Tahoe area counties

SOUTH LAKE TAHOE, Calif. - El DOrado County health officials are reporting another 13 positive cases of COVID-19 on Tuesday, July 14. Of those new cases, six are in the Lake Tahoe Region, three in each El Dorado Hills and Placerville, and one in North County. Ten females and three males make up this group with one under the age of 18, five aged 18-49, five aged 50-64 and two aged 65 and older.

305 new tests were conducted with eight recovers and currently 156 active cases.

COVID-19 case update for Lake Tahoe area counties

SOUTH LAKE TAHOE, Calif. - El Dorado County health officials have announced 30 new cases of COVID-19 since Friday. Of the new cases, 15 are in the Lake Tahoe region, 5 in Placerville, three in each El Dorado Hills, Diamond Springs/El Dorado, and Cameron Park/Shingle Springs/Rescue, and 1 in North County.

Of those new cases, one is under the age of 18, twenty are ages 18-49, five are aged 50-64 and four 65 and older. They are even split at 15 males and 15 females.

There have been three new cases admitted to the ICU and there are currently no suspected cases hospitalized.

South Lake Tahoe man sentenced to 26 years in prison for multiple counts of child molestation

SOUTH LAKE TAHOE, Calif. - A South Lake Tahoe man who was found guilty on four counts of felony child molestation has been sentenced to 26 years in state prison.

A jury found John Robert Garcia, 45, guilty back in December 2019 and he was scheduled to be sentenced in April. Due to social distancing requirements and COVID-19, that was held off until June 26. Judge Dylan Sullivan conducted the sentencing utilizing remote video conferencing.

Steph Curry honoring Black Lives Matter with his custom shoes at Lake Tahoe

LAKE TAHOE, Calif./Nev. - If you've been able to catch the coverage of the 31st American Century Championship from Lake Tahoe you may have seen the shoes Steph Curry has been wearing.

On Friday, his shoes showed an image of Breonna Taylor, the 26-year-old African-American emergency medical technician who was fatally shot by Louisville Metro Police Department officers on March 13, 2020.

Curry, who has been outspoken and active with social injustice matters, said the shoes were to "shine a light on Breonna Taylor, demanding and praying and
wishing for justice for her and her family."

Compliance to State health mandates urged to keep South Lake Tahoe and El Dorado County open

EL DORADO COUNTY, Calif. - The Board of Supervisors held a meeting on Thursday to discuss the current situation of positive cases of COVID-19 in the county, especially in South Lake Tahoe where numbers are starting to grow.

After almost four hours of discussion, both amongst themselves and during public comment, the Board made the following action items but didn't vote on any county-wide orders:

COVID-19 case update for Lake Tahoe area counties

SOUTH LAKE TAHOE, Calif. - El Dorado County health officials have announced 12 new confirmed cases of COVID-19. Five are in the Lake Tahoe region, two in El Dorado Hills, two in Placerville, two in Cameron Park/Shingle Springs/Rescue, one in Pollock Pines/Camino/Kyburz. Of those new cases, three are male, nine are female, seven are aged 18-49, three aged 50-64, two aged 65+.

Three are 7 new recoveries and 134 active cases.

One more person has been hospitalized in the ICU, bringing that total to three. There are no additional suspected cases in the hospital.

Hard Rock poolside celebrity Q&A with Jerry Rice, Dennis Rodman and Shane Victorino

STATELINE, Nev. – Most public events associated with the American Century Championship this week are not taking place due to safety concerns created by COVID-19, but one is still happening with special protocols.

The Hard Rock Hotel & Casino Lake Tahoe is holding a one-night-only poolside celebrity Q&A session on Saturday, July 11 from 6:00 p.m. to 9:00 p.m. Sports legends Jerry Rice and Shane Victorino had already been announced as taking part, but basketball great Dennis Rodman is now on the bill.

Embarc Tahoe dispensary now open in South Lake Tahoe

SOUTH LAKE TAHOE, Calif. - The first cannabis dispensary to operate under the new City of South Lake Tahoe rules and regulations is now open.

Embarc Tahoe has opened its doors and held an official ribbon-cutting ceremony Friday with Mayor Jason Collin, Mayor Pro Tem Tamara Wallace, members of the Embarc Tahoe team and the South Tahoe Chamber of Commerce.

Owner Christy Wilson moved into what was once Tahoe Teriyaki and has since been several different businesses.

Boaters asked to "Party Smartly" at American Century Championship in Lake Tahoe

LAKE TAHOE, Nev. - The 31st annual American Century Championship in Lake Tahoe next week will still bring over 70 celebrities to the greens of Edgewood Tahoe, but this year spectators will be absent from both the beach and the course.

The tournament will be held July 8-12 and Patrick Mahomes, Tony Romo, Jerry Rice, Steph Curry and his dad Dell Curry, and a host of others from the entertainment, sports, and broadcasting fields will be in Lake Tahoe for the annual event.

Responsible recreation is urged over the 4th of July weekend at Lake Tahoe

SOUTH LAKE TAHOE, Calif. - With months of people being under "Stay at Home" orders, and if the past few days are any indication, this holiday weekend will be busy at Lake Tahoe as people get out in the fresh air, hike, bike, go to the beach and get on the water.

The July Fourth holiday at Lake Tahoe will look a bit different this year with firework shows canceled, social distancing, the requirement of face coverings in public places and growing concerns about responsible recreation.

Workout With Law Enforcement Day for Douglas County Special Olympics

DOUGLAS COUNTY, Nev. - The Douglas County Sheriff’s Office (DCSO) hosted a “Workout with Law Enforcement” day at Lampe Park in Gardnerville for Special Olympics Athletes, an event that concluded the ‘DCSO Special Olympics Fitness Challenge’.

Members of the Douglas County Sheriff’s Office worked-out alongside the athletes, cheering each other on, just as they do at the annual Law Enforcement Torch Run event.

COVID-19 cases for Lake Tahoe area; Barton Hospital bed and ventilator update

SOUTH LAKE TAHOE, Calif. - El Dorado County health officials announced six new confirmed cases of COVID-19 on Tuesday, five in the Lake Tahoe region, and one in the Cameron Park/Shingle Springs/Rescue area. Of the new numbers, two are male, four female, four in the 18-48 age group and two in the 50-64 age group.

No new recoveries have been reported, with that number remaining at 122. At this time there are 62 active cases of COVID-19. One positive person remains hospitalized in the ICU with one suspected case in the ICU.

182 additional people were tested for the coronavirus.

46th annual Ponderosa Ridge Run on 4th of July

Event Date: 
July 4, 2020 - 10:00am

Austin Angell’s 46th annual Ponderosa Ridge Run will be held Saturday, July 4, 2020, at 10:00 a.m.

The popular event will start at the Spooner Summit Maintenance Station located near the intersection of US50/SR28 on the east side of the summit. The 9.5-mile hilly course is on a non-paved fire road featuring a 2,000-foot elevation gain in the first four miles with scenic views along the Tahoe Rim Trail, and a downhill finish near the end of North Benjamin off Kingsbury Grade (SR207).

Transportation is not provided back to the start area.

Next week's American Century Championship to support equal justice, COVID-19 and local charities

LAKE TAHOE, Calif./Nev. - It will be different at the American Century Championship at Edgewood next week with no fans allowed, but what won't be different is the philanthropic focus of the tournament.

Undersheriff Randy Peshon retires leaving a legacy of programs for the community

EL DORADO COUNTY, Calif. - There will be some very big shoes to fill when finding a replacement for retiring El Dorado County Undersheriff Randy Peshon. On Tuesday, June 30, Peshon will be putting his badge on for the very last time. For 43 years he's been in some level of law enforcement, the last 33 years in El Dorado County.

During his career in El Dorado County, Peshon has been at the forefront of change from implementing a change in culture at the jail in South Lake Tahoe to getting the new Public Safety Facility built under budget and ahead of schedule.

Al Tahoe neighborhood meeting about becoming a Firewise USA® community

Event Date: 
June 16, 2020 - 5:00pm

7.14.20 UPDATE: The City Council voted to cancel or postpone all events on City project due to the new restrictions related to Covid-19. As a result, this event will a virtual meeting starting at 5:00 p.m. on Zoom. No in-person event will take place.

To join the Zoom meeting -
https://zoom.us/j/94670877324?pwd=bDNyM21VT0ptUnpRaGFpM3Z0NG5PZz09
Meeting ID: 946 7087 7324
Password: 426727
Dial by your location - 1.669.900.6833

Resilience Fund-Tahoe awards first loan to Freshie's in South Lake Tahoe

The Resilience Fund-Tahoe has funded its first local loan to Freshies Tahoe. The funds helped save their outdoor patio deck, which was in desperate need of repair and will be critical to ensuring their future success serving customers outdoors.

“After many months of unsuccessfully trying multiple federal avenues for support of Freshies during the business disruption caused by the pandemic, we are thrilled to have qualified for this very generous Resilience Fund loan! We are ready to get our deck open! Thank you so much,” said owners Erik and Melodie Ulman.

Masks or face coverings required at Reno-Tahoe International Airport

Masks or face coverings are now required to be worn in the Reno-Tahoe International Airport (RNO) terminal’s public areas, by order of Nevada Governor Steve Sisolak. The face coverings order was announced Wednesday.

Due to the change, signage describing the new rules is in place and highly visible.

Column: Dreaming of a just and permanent solution

With its decision last week, the U.S. Supreme Court delivered a real sense of relief and a bit of a reprieve to approximately 800,000 DREAMers in America, including 200,000 in California alone. When the justices sided with Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals (DACA) recipients, ruling that the way the Trump administration rescinded the program in 2017 was unlawful, it was a big victory for immigrant communities and their many allies.

COVID-19 case update for Lake Tahoe area counties

SOUTH LAKE TAHOE, Calif. - El Dorado County health officials have announced there were five new confirmed cases of COVID-19 since Wednesday, one in the Lake Tahoe region, two in El Dorado Hills and two in Cameron Park/Shingle Springs. Of the new cases, three are female, two are male, all in the 18-49-year-old range.

There have been seven new recoveries, leaving the active case number at 41.

There have been no additional hospitalizations and one person remains in the ICU. In California, 4,240 people are currently hospitalized with 1,306 of those in ICUs.

Lime scooters return to South Lake Tahoe July 1

SOUTH LAKE TAHOE, Calif. - Lime will be bringing scooters back to South Lake Tahoe after a unanimous vote by the City Council to temporarily reduce fees associated with the popular mobile devices during their meeting Tuesday. With a reduced season the new charge of $75 per device was not making sense according to the company.

Harrah's, Harveys and all Caesars properties now have mandatory mask requirements

STATELINE, Nev. - Harrah's Tahoe, Harveys, and all other Caesars Entertainment properties now require masks to be worn by everyone indoors at its properties across the Caesars network. This includes all employees, vendors, contractors, guests, and passersby in their properties.

In a statement today, Caesars Entertainment said the new universal mask requirement began at noon on Wednesday, June 24, 2020. Masks are not required when eating and guests will be allowed to smoke or drink by moving the mask, then recovering their mouth and nose when done.

Column: Wear a face mask to help your community stay healthy

As temperatures at Lake Tahoe are heating up, so are discussions about wearing a face mask in public. While science continues to reveal new information about the coronavirus, one thing is clear: wearing a face mask slows the spread of COVID-19, if enough people wear them.

Sierra State Parks opens Environmental Awareness Art Exhibit

TAHOE CITY, Calif. – The Sierra State Parks Foundation hosted a virtual art contest for the 50th Earth Day celebration this past April as a way to bring the community together during this period of social isolation. It was met with an enthusiastic response, receiving 65 submissions from all ages. The theme of the art was "What Does Earth Day Mean to you."

TTD announces fixed-route service adjustments due to COVID-19 staffing challenges

STATELINE, Nev. - In a continued effort to maintain essential transit services and prioritize the safety of transit operators and passengers, the Tahoe Transportation District (TTD) is notifying the public that it anticipates periodic frequency reductions for fixed-route services due to COVID-19 staffing challenges. TTD will also limit the number of passengers on paratransit buses to comply with social distancing measures recommended by the Centers for Disease Control (CDC).

COVID-19 case update for Lake Tahoe area counties

SOUTH LAKE TAHOE, Calif. - El Dorado County public health officials are reporting another four confirmed cases of COVID-19 in the county, all from the Lake Tahoe region.

All of the new cases are in the age group of 18-49 and are three males and one female. This brings the current number of confirmed cases to 125. With one new recovery, the active number of cases is 25.

There are no current hospitalizations but two suspected cases of COVID-19 are in the hospital.

229 more people have been tested, bringing that total to 8,669.

Douglas County Recreation opens up their Lake Tahoe Youth Day Camp

DOUGLAS COUNTY, Nev. - In response to Governor Sisolak’s announcement of the State entering Phase 2 of COVID-19 recovery, Douglas County Community Services has announced the reopening of child care programming, Lake Day Camp, at Kahle Community Center starting on Tuesday June 23, 2020.

Procedures will be implemented at the Kahle Community Center as outlined below based on Directive 21 – Roadmap to Recovery for Nevada for Phase 2.

Safety Guidelines for entering the Kahle Community Center building include:

Barton Foundation to give away $100,000 in local grants

SOUTH LAKE TAHOE, Calif. – The Barton Foundation began accepting applications on June 15 from local nonprofit organizations for this year’s $100,000 Community Health Grant program. Area service groups and organizations that share Barton Health’s commitment to improving community health and well-being are encouraged to apply online at bartonhealth.org/foundation.

Applications will be accepted through June 30, 2020.

A look at the South Lake Tahoe Police Department

SOUTH LAKE TAHOE, Calif. - Law enforcement has come a long way in South Lake Tahoe since the first police department started on July 1, 1967. At that time there were 30 sworn male officers who were chosen from a list of more than 400 applicants who wanted to be part of the first police department for the new city. They were tested in Seal Beach, Roseville, and South Lake Tahoe then interviewed in Los Angeles and Sacramento.

Tahoe Parents Nursery School to have permanent home at Lake Tahoe Community College

SOUTH LAKE TAHOE, Calif. - After nearly 61 years in existence, the Tahoe Parents Nursery School (TPNS) will finally have a permanent home in South Lake Tahoe. It will be located on the campus of Lake Tahoe Community College (LTCC).

LTCC is hosting a small group of physically distanced dignitaries and campus leaders to help break ground and usher in the new Early Learning Center on Wednesday, June 17 at 3:00 p.m. This event will be live-streamed at www.ltcc.edu/measuref.

Column: Anxiety is not a myth

Accelerated heart rate and breathing, possible upset stomach, worry and dread, all sensations that a person may have when experiencing some anxiety. Whether you are presenting in front of a group of people or interviewing for a job, our immune system kickstarts our fight-or-flight response by flooding our nervous system with hormones and chemicals that help us deal with high stress or intense situations. However, imagine experiencing these symptoms on a constant basis, not permitting your body to return to a normal level of functioning.

Road Beat: A Tale of Two Highlanders

“There can only be one.” The movie Highlander might be considered an acquired taste, but the Toyota Highlander has been anything but. Since its inception in the early 2000s, Highlander has become the dominant force in the mid-size SUV segment. As the antagonist Kurgan said in the movie, though, there can only be one. And one there is, but which Highlander might that be? Spoiler, it’s the Hybrid. For most Toyota devotees, that’s as much reading necessary to decide on their next Toyota. I say next because Toyota buyers are a different breed; they’re loyal.

Column: Tahoe's successes based on working together; eliminating divide

If ever there was a time to draw on the healing powers of Lake Tahoe, it’s now. The COVID crisis, complete with loss of life and wide-ranging financial impacts, is being compounded by human struggle and a wellspring of social justice demonstrations that are gripping the nation. One of our core values at the Tahoe Regional Planning Agency (TRPA) is collaboration -- building collaborative relationships to protect Lake Tahoe. I can tell you that Tahoe's successes have not ever come from reinforcing divisions. The imagined “us vs them" simply creates false divides.

USFS opening its Lake Tahoe campgrounds June 12

SOUTH LAKE TAHOE, Calif. - On June 12, the Lake Tahoe Basin Management Unit (LTBMU) concessionaires will begin opening developed campgrounds in the Lake Tahoe Basin. They are joined by the Humboldt-Toiyabe National Forest who is opening all of its campgrounds in California.

Nevada group campsites and day-use areas that hold less than 50 people will also reopen. Visitor centers and California group campsites remain closed. Both the Humboldt-Toiyabe National Forest and LTBMU offices remain closed.

COVID-19 case update for Lake Tahoe area counties

SOUTH LAKE TAHOE, Calif. - For the second consecutive day, there were no new cases of COVID-19 in El Dorado County. The confirmed cases remain at 111 with 21 of those active after three more people recovered.

There are no hospitalizations of confirmed COVID-19 cases at this time in the county but there is one suspected case in one of the county's 174 licensed beds.

An additional 171 tests were administered, bringing that total to 7,539.

There have been 52 cases in the Lake Tahoe area (including South Lake Tahoe, Meyers, Strawberry, and Tahoma).

Missing retired fire battalion chief reunited with family

11:25 p.m. Update: Merlin Turner was found Thursday and has been reunited with his family. According to Fox40 in Sacramento, a family friend said between the stress brought on by COVID-19 and his battle with post-traumatic stress disorder, Turner needed some respite.

Social media was instrumental in finding Turner. Someone reported seeing him in Knights Landing and another person saw him eating a burger at their diner. The family friend says Turner didn’t even realize how many days had gone by or that he was on the news being reported as missing.

South Lake Tahoe senior graduation ceremonies moved to Sierra-at-Tahoe Ski Resort

SOUTH LAKE TAHOE, Calif. - In a graduation season marked by COVID-19 social distancing regulations, high school students across the globe knew the ceremonies marking the end of K-12 school careers would be different than in years past. With daily school work moved online, graduations were moved to a virtual format.

At both South Tahoe High and Mt. Tallac High schools, graduation has been made special by social media acknowledgments, yard signs, and special bags full of gifts.

South Lake Tahoe Police HOT team addressing homeless concerns

SOUTH LAKE TAHOE, Calif. - Members of the South Lake Tahoe Police Department (SLTPD) now make up the city's Homeless Outreach Team (HOT), giving them the ability to help change homelessness through relationship building and ongoing collaborative efforts while protecting the whole community.

Tahoe Network of Fire Adapted Communities Weekly Tip #10: Connect Virtually

LAKE TAHOE, Calif./Nev. - The Tahoe Network of Fire Adapted Communities is presenting their tenth and final "Tip of the Week," an ongoing series for the public since they are unable to perform their normal community outreach services. All tips are ways people can prepare for wildfire while staying at home.

Weekly Tip #10: Connect Virtually

Wilder Than Wild Virtual Screening

American Century Championship in Lake Tahoe returns in July, but without fans

LAKE TAHOE, Nev, - This year's American Century Championship will return to Edgewood Tahoe for the 31st consecutive year July 8-12, but it will look a lot different than past tournaments due to COVID-19.

East Shore Express to Sand Harbor not operating this summer

LAKE TAHOE, Nev, - Tahoe Transportation District (TTD) announced today that the East Shore Express, its popular summer seasonal transit service from Incline Village to Sand Harbor, will not operate in 2020. TTD plans to resume the East Shore Express service in summer 2021.

Peaceful candlelight vigil held in South Lake Tahoe

SOUTH LAKE TAHOE, Calif. - There have been public gatherings across the country in response to the death of George Floyd on May 25 in Minneapolis, Minnesota, some peaceful, some turning into riots.

On Saturday, May 30, a peaceful candlelight vigil was held at Lakeview Commons in South Lake Tahoe to highlight "Black Lives Matter" and to raise awareness of racial injustice.

Special El Dorado County meeting to discuss reopening of Stage 3 businesses

EL DORADO COUNTY, Calif. - The El Dorado County Board of Supervisors are holding a special meeting on Tuesday, June 2 at 1:00 p.m. to discuss expansion of the County's Stage 2 attestation announced by the Public Health Administrator Dr. Nancy Williams.

The only item on the agenda is discussion and possible action on expanding Stage 2 to include all businesses and industries identified in Stage 3 of Governor Newsom's Resiliency Roadmap.

El Dorado County recommended budget $87M less that previous year

On Friday May 29, 2019, El Dorado Chief Administrative Officer Don Ashton
released his Fiscal Year 2020-21 Recommended Budget to the Board of Supervisors. The total recommended budget is approximately $647.7 million, which is $87.3 million less than the Fiscal Year 2019-20 budget, a copy of which can be accessed here.

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