tourists

As part of its annual monitoring program, the Tahoe Regional Planning Agency (TRPA) will be surveying residents and tourists at several dozen commercial and recreation sites in the Lake Tahoe Basin from Thursday, Aug. 16 to Monday, Aug. 27.

The short surveys will gather demographic data and information about how people are traveling to commercial and recreation areas at Lake Tahoe. Data will be used only to assess transit, trail, and private vehicle usage and help plan multi-modal transportation improvements in the Tahoe Basin.

The annual Lake Tahoe Summit held this week at Sand Harbor State Park marked the 22nd time government officials, public agencies, non-profit environmental groups, the public and other groups came together to renew their focus and commitment on preserving the beauty of Lake Tahoe.

The following is a copy of a letter sent to City Council, USFS, Supervisor Sue Novasel, California Tahoe Conservancy Officers, and others, and shared with South Tahoe Now:

Dear Mayor David and Council Members:

I’ve had this article in my head for months, bouncing around the walls of my brain, trying to decide where to go with it. There is an epidemic continuing to spread in this country. One that is curable without a vaccine, without drugs, without changing one’s diet. It’s called a Lack of Kindness.

Locals and tourists alike can feel it in South Lake Tahoe, as if a cloud of hate has descended over the lake. Pleasantries seem to be a forgotten art, as has simple kindness like holding a door open for another, or letting a car back out of a parking space, or a simple smile to a stranger.

The main artery between South Lake Tahoe and Sacramento/Bay area will be getting a much needed repaving job with funds from Senate Bill (SB) 1, the gas tax increase that went into effect January 1, 2018.

Caltrans will repave 200 lane miles on U.S. Highway 50 from the El Dorado/Sacramento County line to west of Sunrise Boulevard in Sacramento County from the Road Repair and Accountability Act of 2017.

Funds generated because of the bill's passing come from:
A 12-cent-a-gallon increase on gas excise tax
A 20-cent-a-gallon increase in diesel excise tax

SOUTH LAKE TAHOE, Calif. - There will be an ordinance regulating the retail sale of cannabis in South Lake Tahoe, that is certain, but when it will be in place is uncertain.

During a special meeting of the South Lake Tahoe City Council Tuesday afternoon and evening, several areas were discussed from zoning to processes, and many were narrowed down enough so the acting City Attorney, Sergio Rudin, can bring a draft back at the April 17 council meeting. If there are no major changes that document can be voted on as a "first reading" with an ordinance 30 days later.

SnowGlobe will be returning to South Lake Tahoe in December, 2018, but it will be with some modifications to mitigate sound issues residents have as well as playfield concerns.

A majority of those speaking at Tuesday's City Council meeting said they are for SnowGlobe continuing, but 38 percent of those who spoke us gave a list of concerns they have from the popular three-day festival.

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.

Twelve years of Vacation Home Rentals (VHRs), what a sad place So. Lake Tahoe residential neighborhoods have become. Thanks go to local Realtors, out of town owners, and VHR rental agencies, who care mostly about money, not about the peace and tranquility of the local residents. But they’re not alone, we also have City and County officials that don’t represent the locals that elect them, instead it’s all about the tourists and their friends in the VHR business, some of those friends are elected officials.

As it stands right now, any tax money collected goes to the General Fund where it can be disbursed as the city sees fit regardless what it is ear. That's why this Measure C is a good tax (if there is a good tax), because it is a specific fund that cannot be used for anything but what it's voted on.

Specifically this started as a way to keep CalPERS from robbing the general fund for unfunded pensions and liabilities. The problem is it's not enough and everyone knows it, even the authors.

Ever since I moved to South Lake Tahoe, potholes and cracks have covered our city’s roads and presented a danger to residents. We have all seen cars swerve all over the road, only to realize it’s not a drunk driver, but rather someone trying to avoid potholes. Our roads should not be in such disrepair, that a simple trip to the grocery store can feel like an obstacle course. We need to solve this problem.

Ever since we moved to South Lake Tahoe thirty eight years ago, we have been proud to call this city our home. Between our community spirit of caring and sharing, excellent schools, and the inspiring nature of the Lake and Mountains, we are truly fortunate to live in such a special place. We recently hosted our foreign exchange student from twenty years ago and we were proud to show him all of the community upgrades such as Heavenly Village, Lakeview Commons, Harrison Avenue, South Tahoe High School, and the new Whole Foods project.

When I ran for City Council, I ran on a platform of repairing and maintaining our local roads in South Lake Tahoe. I knew our community needed a solution to fix the dangerous potholes and cracks that endanger drivers, cyclists and pedestrians. After much planning and thought, I voted yes to place Measure C, a half-cent sales tax measure, on the November 7, 2017 ballot to fix our roads once and for all.

SOUTH LAKE TAHOE, Calif. - There are two topics that fills the City Council chambers: Marijuana and Vacation Home Rentals (VHR). Interested residents and other stakeholders in the City's proposed changes to the VHR ordinance not only filled chambers, but filled seats surrounding televisions in the lobby where the proceedings were aired.

After almost six hours of presentation and conversation, the City Council voted to bring back the new ordinance in one month on October 5.

"Our job is to make a decision, not continuing to kick the can down the road," said SLT Mayor Austin Sass.

South Lake Tahoe is about to be invaded by a fleet of 200 cutting-edge lime green "smart" bicycles. LimeBike out of the Bay Area unveiled their new dockless ride share on Tuesday, giving the public a sneak peak of what will officially start on the South Shore Saturday, July 15 for a pilot program.

"We are thrilled to be here," said Andrew Savage, Vice President of Strategic Development for LimeBike. "This will make mobility more fun."

Littering in Tahoe is a big problem. Everywhere you go, there is trash and no one picks it up. People don't throw their trash in the garbage; they leave their trash on the ground and it makes its way into the lake. Other people who pass by it don't pick it up either. The problem started with the tourists who come to the beaches and throw their trash anywhere and they think that it won’t do anything to our lake. Tourists don’t take care of nature and our lake as much as the locals here. Some locals leave their trash everywhere as well.

With millions of dollars in road repair needs ahead over the next several years, the City of South Lake Tahoe is going to move forward with plans to put a ballot measure before the voters this November.

A half-cent sales tax increase in the city limits would bring in enough funds to start a preventative maintenance program as well as fixing current problems, something Assistant Public Works Director Jim Marino said they've wanted for over ten years.

Without a boat since 2015, South Lake Tahoe Fire Rescue (SLTFR) will ask City Council for $75,000 on Tuesday for the purchase of a used SAFE boat.

The former fire rescue boat, Marine 17, was taken off the lake (decommissioned) in 2015 after 15 years of service. Needed repairs amounted to more than the value of the boat. Since the SLTFR has borrowed Marine 2 which belongs to the South Lake Tahoe Police Department (SLTPD).

A new partner is now on board to help bring a new recreation center and swim complex to South Lake Tahoe, construction of which could start as early as 2018.

Voters in November approved a two percent Transient Occupancy Tax (TOT) increase to fund the new project that benefits not only locals but tourists as well.

With roads clear on Sunday it still took drivers almost three hours to make it the 99 miles Stateline to Sacramento, and it appears today will be worse due to heavy snow and chain controls.

The California Highway Patrol is currently working on a collision by Ice House Road and Highway 50 and they closed the road at 11:16 a.m. to clear the vehicles.

They are also working on accidents near Bridal Veil Falls and the old St. Paulie's Inn. Bridal Veil Falls area was also the scene of many Sunday evening accidents.

There are many important issues concerning the Nation, California and South Lake on the November 8th ballot. Not only we will decide on who the next President is but we’ll also be voting in two City Officials, who some could argue will actually have a greater impact on our daily lives than the Nation’s Leader.

Cyclists in and around the Lake Tahoe Basin and Truckee now have a new tool to use when navigating trails and roads thanks to the Lake Tahoe Bicycle Coaltion.

They have unveiled an interactive, online map, one that was designed to match the needs of people biking around Tahoe. It provides bike route directions, elevation profiles and location information for amenity and safety concerns, while at the same time offering an opportunity for community input.

On any given day of the year, one can find live music in South Lake Tahoe, and this summer's lineup has just increased by 33 with the schedule for the free Heavenly Music series being released.

This is our fourth year, and we've expanded," said Dreu Murin of Dreu Murin Productions.. "We searched all top bands in the area, Bay Area, Las Vegas and Sacramento. This is going to be exciting!"

Heavenly Village has added staging and lighting in order to create a more effective stage for the acts. If the crowds at the opening weekend are any measure, the move was a successful one.

Get ready for some sunshine and happiness at the "Y" area of South Lake Tahoe. Rainbow Sprinkles Donuts and Frozen Yogurt is coming this summer, and locals and visitors alike are in for a treat.

Jody Filgo and Sallie Ross-Filgo have been planning their dream for a long time, and now they have the space to do it, the old donut shop next to Raley's.

They got the keys on Tuesday and popped the sign up in the window, letting people know what is coming.