superior court
Tahoe Wellness Cooperative in a legal battle with landlord, dispensary license at jeopardy
Submitted by paula on Mon, 12/12/2016 - 10:49pm
There is a legal battle in South Lake Tahoe that has put a long-time resident against the owner of the City's lone medical dispensary, Tahoe Wellness Cooperative (TWC).
Tahoe conservationists challenge Martis Valley West project in court
Submitted by paula on Thu, 11/10/2016 - 9:41pm
Legal action against the approved Martis Valley West project was taken in court Thursday as three groups, Sierra Watch, Mountain Area Preservation and the League to Save Lake Tahoe, joined forces to stop the controversial development proposal they feel threatens Lake Tahoe's clarity.
South Lake Tahoe police shooting center of appellate court hearing at UC Davis
Submitted by paula on Wed, 10/19/2016 - 10:32pm
The 3rd District Court of Appeal panel is taking their courtroom on the road October 26 when they hold appellate court hearings in front of UC Davis law students. One of the two cases they'll hear concerns a disagreement between the El Dorado County District Attorney's Office and the South Lake Tahoe Police Department on how to investigate a fatal shooting by an officer.
Undersheriff Randy Peshon reappointed to state Judicial Council
Submitted by paula on Fri, 09/30/2016 - 8:22am
El Dorado County Undersheriff Randy Peshon has been re-appointed to the state's Judicial Council Collaborative Justice Court Advisory Committee after being nominated by Superior Court Judge Suzanne Kingsbury.
Peshon, who once ran the jail in South Lake Tahoe, has served in this capacity for the past three years and will begin a new three year term on November 1.
Students sought to participate in South Lake Tahoe Teen court
Submitted by paula on Thu, 09/01/2016 - 8:29pm
South Lake Tahoe students in grades 8 through 12 are invited to participate in the juvenile justice system through the Teen Court program.
Orientation training will be held on September 29, 2016, from 5:00 p.m. to 6:30 p.m. at Superior Court, Department 4, located at 1354 Johnson Boulevard in South Lake Tahoe. After completing the orientation training, teens will serve as court personnel for real cases in which a minor has committed an offense, admitted the offense and chosen to be judged by his/her peers.
El Dorado Courts now holding night court for small claims cases
Submitted by Anonymous on Thu, 09/01/2016 - 2:52pm
Event Date:
October 17, 2016 - 5:30pm The Superior Court of El Dorado County will extend their hours by holding Small Claims Night Court starting October 17, 2016 at both South Lake Tahoe and Cameron Park.
Night Court will be held at the Cameron Park Court and the South Lake Tahoe Court.
Night Court for South Lake Tahoe Court will be:
3rd Monday in March, July, and November.
Night Court for Cameron Park Court will be
2nd Monday in January and 1st Monday in February
3rd Monday in April, May, June, August, September, October, and December.
Judge allows Loop Road initiative to appear on November's ballot
Submitted by paula on Mon, 08/22/2016 - 10:00pm
El Dorado County Superior Court Judge James Wagoner ruled today against the lawsuit filed by Jason Collin on July 14 to stop the Loop Road measure from being submitted to the voters November 8.
"I'm obviously disappointed in the ruling today," Collin told South Tahoe Now. "I still have a lot of concern about an initiative being pushed forward that has fundamental flaws and misleads voters."
Lawsuit filed to prevent Loop Road project from appearing on South Lake Tahoe ballot
Submitted by paula on Tue, 07/19/2016 - 5:08am
At the end of business on Monday, papers were served on the City of South Lake Tahoe, the City Council and four members of the group Let Tahoe Decide to keep the subject of the Loop Road/US Highway 50 South Shore Community Revitalization Project off the ballot in November.
South Lake Tahoe man sentenced to prison for sex crimes against a minor
Submitted by paula on Thu, 07/14/2016 - 12:02pm
South Lake Tahoe resident Ronald Scott Williams was sentenced to three years in State Prison on Friday, July 8.
In El Dorado County Superior Court, the 27-year-old was found guilty of lewd or lascivious acts with a minor age 14-15.
Williams was originally arrested on September 29, 2015 on an arrest warrant for the crime committed in the County area of the South Shore on August 4, 2015. He had been out on bail until his sentencing.
City of SLT wins lawsuit filed by Vacation Home Rental group
Submitted by admin on Wed, 06/29/2016 - 4:53pm
A lawsuit against the City of South Lake Tahoe over the fees charged to those who rent out their homes as vacation rentals was won by the City in court this week. The June 23 verdict was received by all parties on June 28.
Judge Steven Bailey of the El Dorado County Superior Court issued an 11-page decision supporting the City's rights to charge fees to recover their costs in administering the VHR ordinance, including staff time for accounting, planning, building department, administration, code enforcement and other costs.
Suspects in South Lake Tahoe murder plead not guilty
Submitted by paula on Tue, 03/22/2016 - 10:39pm
Two of the men suspected of killing 40-year-old Dennis Wright, Jr. in South Lake Tahoe appeared before Judge Suzanne Kingsbury in El Dorado County Superior Court on Monday.
Tristan Batten, 18, and Harvest Davidson, 20, both entered a not guilty plea.
South Lake Tahoe Teen Court needs student volunteers
Submitted by paula on Sat, 01/16/2016 - 9:13pm
Event Date:
January 21, 2016 - 5:00pm
El Dorado County Teen Court in South Lake Tahoe is recruiting new student participants for the spring program. All students going to school in the county in grades 8 through 12 are eligible.
The Teen Court volunteer training will be held on January 21, 2016, from 5:00 p.m. to 6:30 p.m. at the El Dorado County Superior Court, Department 4, located at 1354 Johnson Boulevard in South Lake Tahoe.
Man jailed in South Lake Tahoe last year arrested in SF for alleged child abduction
Submitted by paula on Wed, 11/25/2015 - 7:57pm
A man arrested in South Lake Tahoe one year ago has been charged in last week's attempted kidnapping of a toddler who was riding on a MUNI bus in San Francisco with his mother.
On November 17, 2015, 45-year-old Sudesh Singh allegedly grabbed the one-year-old boy as his mother was waiting on a bus for a transfer slip. Singh ran onto the bus and took the child, put him into his arms and ran away, according to officials.
The mother chased after them and freed the screaming toddler from Singh, who was a stranger to both of them, police said.
South Lake Tahoe man accused of auto insurance fraud
Submitted by paula on Thu, 10/29/2015 - 6:44pm
A South Lake Tahoe man has been arrested, accused of auto insurance fraud.
Braden Scott Leeds was arrested Monday by investigators with the El Dorado County District Attorney’s Office after a nine-count felony complaint was filed with the El Dorado County Superior Court. The arrest was the culmination of a two-month investigation by California Bureau of Automotive Repair investigators, with assistance of investigators from the DA’s Office.
Local youth volunteers needed for Tahoe Teen Court
Submitted by paula on Wed, 09/16/2015 - 7:58pm
South Lake Tahoe students in grades 8 through 12 who live in El Dorado County are invited to participate in the juvenile justice system through the Teen Court program.
Orientation training will be held on October 1, 2015, from 5:00 p.m. to 6:30 p.m. at Superior Court, Department 4, located at 1354 Johnson Boulevard in South Lake Tahoe. After completing the mandatory orientation training, teens will serve as court personnel for real cases in which a minor has committed an offense, admitted the offense and chosen to be judged by his/her peers.
Woman involved in deadly South Lake Tahoe accident pleads no-contest
Submitted by paula on Wed, 09/16/2015 - 1:09pm
In the early hours of November 24, 2014, a drunken high speed car ride down Pioneer Trail in South Lake Tahoe ended the life of one local woman and injured another.
The driver of the car, Olga Nayeli Pena-Arce, pleaded no-contest on September 14, 2015 to charges of gross vehicular manslaughter while intoxicated and DUI causing injury.
FBI affidavit alleges man found hiding out in South Lake Tahoe confessed
Submitted by paula on Fri, 09/04/2015 - 3:34pm
A Sacramento County man accused of kidnapping a Vallejo woman in March allegedly confessed to the crime in a recorded jailhouse interview and said he did it alone, according to an FBI affidavit filed in federal court.
Matthew Muller, 38, of Orangevale, is charged with kidnapping physical therapist Denise Hoskins at the Vallejo home she shared with her boyfriend on March 23 and keeping her captive for two days before dropping her off near her mother's house in Huntington Beach.
Man arrested on suspicion of trying to set house on fire and stealing car
Submitted by paula on Wed, 08/12/2015 - 9:56pm
A 36-year-old South Lake Tahoe man was arrested in Carson City, NV Saturday on a California Superior Court warrant charge that alleges attempted arson, use of an incendiary device, vandalism with property damage of more than $950 and vehicle theft.
The South Lake Tahoe Police Department (SLTPD) received a call at 2:25 p.m. on Friday, August 12 about about a man breaking windows at a neighbor's home, then trying to set his own house on fire after a neighborhood dispute on Lukins Way. The suspect, Derek Ernest Bogard, was not in the area when police arrived.
Judge orders Runnels Automotive to remove vehicles
Submitted by paula on Fri, 08/07/2015 - 4:26pm
Long considered a nuisance in South Lake Tahoe, the abandoned cars being stored at Runnels Automotive in South Lake Tahoe must be removed following a ruling by El Dorado County Superior Court Judge Daniel Proud on Thursday.
The Judge issued an order granting the City of South Lake Tahoe’s application for abatement to remove the abandoned vehicles stored at the automotive shop located at 986 Emerald Bay Road, which is the corner of Highway 50 and Lake Tahoe Blvd commonly known as the "Y."
Drunk driver sentenced for Highway 50 fatal accident
Submitted by paula on Tue, 06/16/2015 - 9:59pm
A trip to South Lake Tahoe for the 4th of July fireworks turned deadly in 2014 for a couple from Dixon, CA when the motorcycle they were riding was struck by a drunk driver in the Twin Bridges area.
Megan Hickel, 28, was sentenced on Monday to 12 years in state prison for killing the couple, 48-year-old Richard Schwab and his wife Kelly, age 49.
El Dorado County Superior Court Presiding Judge Suzanne Kingsbury handed down the sentence after Hickel pled guilty to two counts gross vehicular manslaughter while intoxicated.
Charges dropped against man accused of starting Rim Fire after witnesses die
Submitted by paula on Fri, 05/01/2015 - 5:15pm
Federal prosecutors have dropped charges against a Tuolumne County man accused of starting a massive 2013 wildfire that burned for more than two months and eventually charred more than 257,000 acres in the Stanislaus National Forest and Yosemite National Park.
Manslaughter charges filed after deadly South Lake Tahoe accident
Submitted by paula on Thu, 04/09/2015 - 8:56pm
A South Lake Tahoe woman was arrested on Wednesday, April 8, on manslaughter charges stemming from a November, 2014 accident on Pioneer Trail where speed and alcohol were involved.
Remains of man missing since 2006 found in rural area of county
Submitted by paula on Fri, 04/03/2015 - 12:44am
The remains of a homicide victim, killed more than nine years ago and unearthed last week in rural El Dorado County, have been identified.
The El Dorado County Cold Case Homicide Task Force announced Thursday that it located and identified the human remains of Tobias Kaiser who was last seen at his home in Somerset, CA on November 30, 2006.
Pot dispensary sues El Dorado County over raid
Submitted by paula on Mon, 03/30/2015 - 11:58am
The former operator and members of a Diamond Springs marijuana dispensary are suing El Dorado County to recover seized marijuana, medical records and financial documents taken in a Sheriff’s Department raid last year.
The Pure Life Collective has been shuttered since the Nov. 17, 2014, raid, which resulted in the arrest of dispensary operator Kelly Chiusano. No charges have been filed.
New Court Commissioner appointed for South Lake Tahoe
Submitted by paula on Tue, 03/17/2015 - 9:36pm
The El Dorado County Superior Court has announced the appointment of Douglas R. Hoffman as Court Commissioner. Hoffman will be based in South Lake Tahoe but will serve in all of the branches in El Dorado County. He will hear all case types, but will specialize in cases involving family law, child support, domestic violence and civil harassment, juvenile dependency and delinquency, traffic, limited civil cases, as well as overflow matters as assigned by the Presiding Judge.
El Dorado County Court News: Huntsman awaits trial in SLT; Conviction in Crime Ring
Submitted by paula on Sat, 02/21/2015 - 12:52pm
Suspected arsonist Wayne Huntsman remains in the county jail in South Lake Tahoe, awaiting his court trial. Huntsman is accused of setting the September, 2014 King Fire which burned almost 100,000 acres near Pollock Pines.
A trial setting conference has been set for March 13 in Department 2 of Superior Court of El Dorado County.
First degree murder charges filed in death of Douglas County infant
Submitted by paula on Thu, 01/15/2015 - 10:17pm
A 23-year old Carson Valley man is now facing first degree murder charges in the death of this two month old daughter Ava Getty.
The infant was brought into the Carson Valley Medical Center by her father, Trent Getty, on January 7 with serious injuries. According to Douglas County Sheriff's investigators, the infant died after suffering substantial injuries that were the result of traumatic abuse and inconsistent with the statement given by Getty regarding how the injury occurred.
Grand Jury indicts King Fire suspect Wayne Huntsman on felony arson charges
Submitted by paula on Tue, 12/16/2014 - 1:37am
The man accused of starting the King Fire earlier this year has been indicted on felony arson charges according to the The El Dorado County District Attorney Vern Pierson.
Wayne Huntsman is charged with felony arson of forest land with multiple special allegations of arson with aggravating factors. He sits in the El Dorado County Jail in South Lake Tahoe with a bail set at $10,000,000.
Ex-Douglas County Sheriff deputy among Nevada residents sought in casino takeover
Submitted by paula on Tue, 11/18/2014 - 6:07pm
Northern Nevada’s U.S. Marshals-led fugitive task force is asking for the public’s help in tracking three men accused if a violent takeover of a casino in Madera County, California.
Sought are 46-year-old Timothy Tofaute and 35-year-old David Dixon, both residents of Sparks, and 38-year-old Brian Auchenbach of Gardnerville.
Accused arsonist Wayne Huntsman in South Lake Tahoe jail
Submitted by paula on Tue, 09/23/2014 - 9:22pm
Wayne Allen Huntsman, the accused King Fire arsonist, is sitting in the El Dorado County Jail in South Lake Tahoe awaiting his next court date on October 28, 2014.
Huntsman was arrested on September 17 on felony charges of Arson on Forest land with a Special Allegation of Arson with Aggravating Factors. He was arraigned in Superior Court in Placerville on Friday and transferred to the county jail in South Lake Tahoe. His bail was set at $10,000,000.
Dylan Sullivan appointed to El Dorado County Superior Court by Governor Brown
Submitted by paula on Mon, 09/22/2014 - 10:04pm
Honorable Dylan Sullivan was appointed by Governor Jerry Brown to fill retiring Judge Daniel B. Proud's seat on the El Dorado County Superior Court. She won the June primary to become the Judge for Office 5, so this announcement moved up her start date by four months.
Judge Sullivan has been specifically assigned to department 7 by Presiding Judge Suzanne N. Kingsbury, due to her training and experience, to assist the Court in effectively implementing criminal justice realignment in El Dorado County. She was sworn in by Kingsbury on September 19.
Pollock Pines man arrested for starting King Fire; Bail set at $10,000,000
Submitted by paula on Thu, 09/18/2014 - 8:27pm
Wayne Allen Huntsman, 37. was arrested Wednesday on felony charges of Arson on Forest land with a Special Allegation of Arson with Aggravating Factors. Law enforcement officials held a press conference Thursday at the Cal Fire base in Camino, announcing the arrest.
Huntsman is being held in lieu of $10 million bail.
Arraignment is scheduled for Friday, September 19, 2014, at 1:00 p.m. in Department 7 of the El Dorado County Superior Court in Placerville.
South Lake Tahoe students needed for Teen Court
Submitted by paula on Thu, 08/28/2014 - 6:59pm
If you're a student in South Lake Tahoe in grades 8 through 12, you are invited to participate in the juvenile justice system through the county's Teen Court program.
Teens that go through volunteer training will serve as court personnel for real court cases where a minor has admitted to an offense and agreed to be judged by his/her peers.
Raley’s to pay $1.6 million to settle suit; Must provide emergency safe drinking water system
Submitted by paula on Tue, 08/26/2014 - 11:00amRaley’s has agreed to pay nearly $1.6 million in civil penalties, costs and funding for environmental projects as part of a settlement related to allegations of improperly disposing hazardous waste.
The judgment is the culmination of a civil enforcement lawsuit filed in San Joaquin County to stop the West Sacramento-based supermarket chain from unlawfully transporting and disposing of retail hazardous waste, according to a press release from at least two of the 25 district attorneys who announced the suit.
The settlement was approved by San Joaquin Superior Court Judge Bob McNatt.
Novasel & Brown Move On To November; Measures L & P Pass
Submitted by paula on Tue, 06/03/2014 - 10:42pm
Updated at 12:05 a.m. Wednesday morning: 100% of the precinct's results are in.
County Supervisor District 5
The top 2 will face off in November.
Kevin Brown – 788 votes, 19.06%
Kenny Curtzwiler – 731, 17.68%
Gerri Grego – 499, 12.07%
Sue Novasel – 1135, 27.46%
Teresa Piper – 235, 5.68%
Angela Swanson – 737, 17.83%
Measure P
Yes - 1271, 68.41%
No – 587, 31.59%
Measure L
Yes - 2552, 78.52%
No – 698, 21.48%
Don't Forget to Vote in South Lake Tahoe on Tuesday!
Submitted by paula on Mon, 06/02/2014 - 10:56pm
There are several choices for South Lake Tahoe voters in Tuesday's primary election.
Local Issues and Offices
El Dorado County Supervisor: Kevin Brown, Kenny Curtzwiler, Gerri Grego, Sue Novasel, Teresa Piper, Angela Swanson
Assessor - Karl Weiland
Auditor/Controller - Michael Owens, Joe Horn
District Attorney - Judson Henry, Vern Pierson
Recorder Clerk/Registrar of Voters - Chris Amaral, Bill Schultz
Sheriff - John D'Agostini
Surveyor - Rich Briner
Treasurer/Tax Collector - Ron Briggs, C.L. Raffety
El Dorado County Supervisors Hold Off on Action Concerning Ray Nutting
Submitted by paula on Wed, 05/21/2014 - 12:06pm
On May 14th, El Dorado County Supervisor Ray Nutting was found guilty on six misdemeanors involving illegal and undocumented loans from county employees and a county contractor.
Nutting was found not guilty on three felony charges including filing false documents, perjury and approving conflict-of-interest contracts.
The El Dorado County Board of Supervisors met with legal counsel Wednesday to discuss whether Supervisor Ray Nutting was suspended from the office of county supervisor by operation of law because of jury verdicts on May 14, 2014 that found him guilty of six misdemeanors.
Absentee Ballots Being Mailed Out by El Dorado County Today
Submitted by paula on Mon, 05/05/2014 - 11:47am
Sample ballots for the June 3 primary elections in California were mailed out April 25th, and absentee/mail in ballots are being mailed out Monday and Tuesday, May 5 and 6.
According to the mailed ballots, South Lake Tahoe county voters have the following choices in June:
U.S. Representative for the 4th District - Tom McClintock or Art Moore
State Assembly for the 5th District - Frank Bigelow
Superior Court Judge for Office 1 - Vicki Ashworth, David Combellack or Joe Weinberger
Superior Court Judge for Office 5 - Joseph Hoffman or Dylan Sullivan
19 Nabbed in Phony Contractor Sting in South Lake Tahoe
Submitted by paula on Fri, 05/02/2014 - 9:24pm
A simultaneous sting operation between the California State License Board and the Nevada Contractors License Board snared 11 people on the California side of South Lake Tahoe and 8 on the Nevada side on Wednesday.
Named the "Border Blitz," the sting was conducted at a SLT single family home near the Hwy 89 and Hwy 50 intersection (the "Y")and at a condominium in Stateline, NV. Investigators from the CSLB and NCLB posed as homeowners seeking bids for various projects that included exterior painting, deck work, landscaping, and other tasks requiring general "B" contractor skills.
Chief Probation Officer Appointed for El Dorado County
Submitted by paula on Sat, 11/23/2013 - 10:31pmThe County of El Dorado and the Judges of the Superior Court of California, County of El Dorado, are pleased to announce that Brian Richart has accepted appointment as El Dorado County’s new Chief Probation Officer. A unique position under California law, the Chief Probation Officer is appointed by the judges of the Superior Court, with the Board of Supervisors setting the salary and benefit levels. Due to the importance of this position, the Superior Court worked collaboratively with the Sheriff’s Department and county officials to select the best possible candidate.
Blue Ribbon Award Nominees Announced by TahoeChamber
Submitted by paula on Tue, 10/22/2013 - 11:14am
TahoeChamber announced the nominees for the 2013 Blue Ribbon Awards. 175 people and businesses were nominated.
Congratulations to the nominees:
Experience Award – Sponsored by Marriott Vacation Club
Captain Randy Pershon appointed to Court Advisory Committee
Submitted by paula on Thu, 10/17/2013 - 10:07pm
El Dorado County Sheriff's Department Captain Randy Pershon has been appointed to the Judicial Council Collaborative Justice Courts Advisory Committee. This committee makes recommendations improving the processing of cases in drug courts, domestic violence courts, peer courts, and other community-based treatment courts. They also propose rules, standards, and forms; reviews and recommends legislation; identifies potential funding sources; oversees the treatment court grant process; and acts on assignments referred to it by the Judicial Council.
Teen Court in South Lake Tahoe Invites New Participants
Submitted by paula on Thu, 09/05/2013 - 5:47pmEvent Date:
September 26, 2013 - 5:00pm
El Dorado County students in grades 8 through 12 are invited to participate in the juvenile justice system through the Teen Court program. Volunteer training will be held September 26, 2013 from 5:00 to 6:30 p.m. in El Dorado County Superior Court, Department 4, located at 1354 Johnson Boulevard, South Lake Tahoe. Upon completion of the mandatory training, teens will serve as court personnel for real cases where a minor has committed an offense, admitted the offense, and chosen to be judged by his/her peers.
Application process underway for El Dorado County Grand Jury
Submitted by Editor on Mon, 04/29/2013 - 11:55amApplications are being taken for the 2013-2014 El Dorado County Grand Jury. Nineteen jurors will be picked to serve for a year beginning July 1.
The El Dorado Civil Grand Jury is an investigatory body created for the protection of society and the enforcement of the law. It is an arm of the Court and a representative of the public. Although it is an arm of the Court, it operates independently of direct Court supervision. It is a check against governmental authority. It is not a branch of the County, nor is it answerable to the District Attorney.
Applications being taken for El Dorado County Grand Jury
Submitted by Editor on Tue, 03/12/2013 - 11:38amThe annual opportunity for citizens to take part in the 2013-2014 El Dorado County Grand Jury by submitting their names for possible nomination has arrived.
The Grand Jury is an excellent vehicle for committed men and women to keep government close to and responsible to all of our County’s citizens. Applicants must be Untied States citizens, at least 18 years of age, have resided in the County for at least one year at the time of the swearing-in date, and cannot hold an elected office.
State prison for driver in August DUI crash
Submitted by Anonymous on Thu, 01/31/2013 - 5:42pmThe driver of a car that struck and critically injured a bicyclist in August was sentenced to more than three years in state prison Wednesday afternoon.El Dorado County Superior Court Judge Suzanne...
El Dorado County, court collaborate on dispute resolution program
Submitted by Editor on Tue, 01/29/2013 - 12:42pmThe County of El Dorado and the Superior Court are partnering to continue the highly successful Alternative Dispute Resolution program. The program is an alternative way to resolve civil disputes without the burden of litigation.
El Dorado County Teen Court offers training for South Lake Tahoe students
Submitted by Editor on Fri, 01/04/2013 - 2:54pmEvent Date:
January 17, 2013 - 5:00pm
The El Dorado County Teen Court program in South Lake Tahoe will conduct training for new student volunteers and for all student attorneys on Thursday, Jan. 17 from 5-6:30 p.m. at the El Dorado Superior Court, 1354 Johnson Boulevard, Department 4, South Lake Tahoe.
Budget cuts limit court days
Submitted by Anonymous on Fri, 11/30/2012 - 6:29pmDue to California's budget crisis and subsequent budget cuts to the trial courts, the El Dorado Superior Court will implement limited operation days on Dec. 24, 26, 27, 28 and 31. Limited operation...
Anti-tax group sues to end state fire fee, wants refunds
Submitted by Editor on Thu, 10/04/2012 - 3:21pmThe Howard Jarvis Taxpayers Association announced Thursday that it is suing to end a $150 annual state fire fee imposed on California's rural residents and obtain refunds for those who have already paid.
The group alleges in Sacramento Superior Court that the fee, which the state began collecting in August, amounts to a tax that was illegally approved without the necessary two-thirds majority of lawmakers.
