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City seeks public's input on the Bijou Park Connector Multi-Use Trail

SOUTH LAKE TAHOE, Calif. - The Dennis T. Machida Memorial Greenway (Greenway) is a multi-use trail planned to provide a paved trail from the Tahoe Sierra neighborhood to Van Sickle Bi-State Park as a backbone of the overall trail network throughout the Lake Tahoe south shore area. Previously known as the South Tahoe Greenway Shared Use Trail, the 3.86-mile trail links neighborhoods on the south shore to each other and to public amenities and facilities.

The Road Beat: 2024 Toyota Grand Highlander Hybrid review - Big times

The 2024 Toyota Grand Highlander Hybrid is the grand addition to the Highlander SUV line, and it impresses.

What is it?

Woman spends night in gondola cabin at Heavenly Mountain

SOUTH LAKE TAHOE, Calif. - A woman was found Friday morning at Heavenly Mountain Resort after spending the night in a gondola cabin. It is unclear how she got there, and if she was in a gondola cabin near the lift base, or the middle above the slopes.

“The safety and well-being of our guests is our top priority at Heavenly Mountain Resort. We are investigating this situation with the utmost seriousness,” said Tom Fortune, VP and COO of Heavenly Mountain Resort and the Tahoe Region.

Suspect dies after going towards officer with knife following Tahoe City carjacking

UPDATE 1/27: The suspect in yesterday's incident involving California State Parks has been identified as 29-year-old Vinton Miller, according to the Placer County Sheriff's Office. Miller was staying in the Tahoe area on a work visa from Jamaica. They are still actively investigating this case and will continue to release further information as the investigation continues.

Lake Tahoe man sentenced to 35 years to life for sexually abusing young girls

DOUGLAS COUNTY, Nev. - Lake Tahoe resident Zachary Nance, 36, has been sentenced to at least 35 years in prison for sexual assault and lewd acts he committed with two young girls over several years. In Douglas County court on Monday, Judge Thomas Gregory told Nance his sentence after one of the victims spoke in court, and two grandmothers read other victims' statements.

One victim was sexually abused by Nance from the ages of 8-12, another was 6 years old when he started.

Letter: Shady Glenbrook VHR politics exposed

Dear fellow Douglas County residents. Back in November, I wrote an op-ed about how some things are not adding up regarding the proposal to ban vacation home rentals (VHRs) north of Cave Rock. Now, the truth has finally come out.

South Tahoe Association of Realtors Home of the Week

SOUTH LAKE TAHOE, Calif. - This week's Home of the Week winner from the South Tahoe Association of Realtors:

Listing Agent: Dennelle Knudson, dennelle.knudson@sothebysrealty.com
Listing Office: Sierra Sotheby International Realty

Property Address: 3471 Champlain Drive, South Lake Tahoe, CA 96150
MLS #: 139710

Bedrooms: 3
Baths: 2
Square Footage: 2,032 Sq Ft.
Price: $899,000

Smokey Bear sign stolen at Spooner Summit

LAKE TAHOE, Nev. - The US Forest Service is looking for the bear-napping culprit who removed Smokey Bear from the roadside sign on Spooner Summit on US50.

Earlier this week, US Forest Service Lake Tahoe Basin Management Unit (LTBMU) fire prevention officers discovered the Smokey Bear fire Danger sign on Spooner Summit had been vandalized and Smokey Bear is missing. These fire danger signs are strategically placed along highways around Lake Tahoe to alert the public to the current fire danger rating.

They are also not cheap to replace.

Almost 4 million lethal doses of fentanyl seized during Douglas County and Washoe County arrests

Law enforcement made four drug-related arrests in Douglas and Washoe counties recently, taking a large amount of methamphetamine and fentanyl off the streets.

On January 16, just after midnight, a Douglas County Sheriff’s Office patrol deputy, along with DCSO K9 Officer Blaze, conducted a traffic stop in Stateline, Nevada. The two occupants in the vehicle, Krista Vincent-Blanchfield and Joseph Daniel Rasberry, both of Sacramento, were taken into custody after more than one pound of methamphetamine was found in their car.

Learn about the historical beginning of Highway 395 at Minden Mill Distilling history talk

UPDATE: All seats for this show have been taken. Sorry for any inconvenience.

Longtime South Lake Tahoe local, Kenneth Anderson, passes away at 92

Kenneth (Ken/Kenny) Victor Anderson, 92, of Roseville, California, passed away peacefully on December 9, 2023, at Sutter Roseville Hospital surrounded by his loved ones.

Ken was born on April 18, 1931, in Hollywood, California to Ruth & Carl Anderson. Early on he was always a hard worker and a loving person to his friends and family. In his late teens and early 20's he worked in newspaper distribution and was in the Air National Guard.

Fire Adapted Communities train Tahoe residents to prepare for wildfire

LAKE TAHOE, Calif./Nev. - The Tahoe Resource Conservation District, a member of the Tahoe Fire and Fuels Team, is encouraging homeowners and residents at Lake Tahoe to participate in the Tahoe Network of Fire Adapted Community program in 2024. The initiative focuses on creating Fire Adapted Communities (FAC) through a multifaceted approach that includes physical measures like home hardening and defensible space, as well as prevention, planning, and education.

Keep Community First group tells city council "no new taxes"

SOUTH LAKE TAHOE, Calif. - The South Lake Tahoe City Council Chambers were in full Tuesday night, all there in support of an item not on the agenda. Keep Community First is a group of business owners and community members who oppose possible upcoming taxes on the ballot in South Lake Tahoe - a vacancy tax and a tourist occupancy tax (TOT) increase, as well as sharing their concerns about talk on a rise in the minimum wage.

The city council previously voted 2-3 for a vacancy tax to be put on the ballot, so the efforts to add one are by a citizen's initiative.

Former firefighter, a convicted arsonist, pleads not guilty to planting explosives

EL DORADO COUNTY, Calif. - A former firefighter who has already served two prison sentences for wildland fire arson, was arraigned in El Dorado County Superior Couty on 12 felony charges related to the detonation of improvised explosive devices.

Six Barton Health infusion nurses recognized for exceptional care

SOUTH LAKE TAHOE, Calif. - For the first time in Barton Health history, an entire nursing team was selected as recipients of The 2023 Team DAISY Award for extraordinary nurses. Barton Infusion nurses, Melissa Dahl, RN, Sierra Estrada, RN, Marla Handsaker, RN, Mindy Langevin, RN, Lisa Malone, RN, and Joelle Treanor, RN, received a recognition ceremony on January 18. The award is in recognition of the clinical skill and compassionate care nurses provide to create a superior experience for patients and their families.

South Lake Tahoe City Council approves rise in VHR violation fees

SOUTH LAKE TAHOE, Calif. - In a vote of 4-1, the City Council voted Tuesday to raise the range of fines for VHR citations from $250-$1,000 to $1,500-$5,000.

The agenda item said, "The intent of increasing the fines, however, is
not to increase revenue, but to discourage and penalize violations, so the hope is that the number of citations issued will decrease with the increased fines."

Council approves new Planning and Parks and Recreation Commissions

SOUTH LAKE TAHOE, Calif. - The South Lake Tahoe City Council updated the members of the Planning Commission and Parks and Recreation Commission.

Five residents applied for the two-year open terms for the Planning Commission and a one-year term. Incumbent Gavin Feiger, Julia Lucksinger, and Jackson Realo were appointed. It took a few motions to get one passed as there were so many qualified candidates.

Annual Ski California Safety Day to focus on "Your Responsibility Code"

Ski California will host its sixth annual Safety Day on Saturday, January 27, with resorts in California and Nevada planning to offer a variety of safety-themed activities and experiences.

Germs, video games, and bacteria just a few of attractions at South Tahoe High Schools Science Expo

SOUTH LAKE TAHOE, Calif. - Does playing video games make you smarter? Does the five-second rule protect you? Are all hand sanitizers the same? Do "fast relief" medications work faster?

These were all themes of South Tahoe High School (STHS) students during the science department's first Science Expo last week.

Science Department chair Kyle Tomes said students from the mandatory science classes (biology, chemistry, STEM) participated.

"Kids always ask, 'Why does this matter?' so the kids used science to explore the answer," said Tomes.

LTCC Night with the Lake Tahoe Lakers

Event Date: 
February 9, 2024 - 7:00pm

Lake Tahoe Community College (LTCC) is excited to partner with the Lake Tahoe Lakers hockey team for LTCC Night with the Lakers on Friday, February 9, 2024, at 7:00PM at the Tahoe Ice Arena, located at 1176 Rufus Allen Blvd., South Lake Tahoe, CA 96150.

Superintendent/President Jeff DeFranco will conduct the ceremonial puck drop at 7:30PM and current LTCC student Lina Caro Flores will sing the National Anthem.

Location

Tahoe Ice Arena
1176 Rufus Allen Blvd
United States

Soroptimists of Tahoe Sierra sponsors Lasagna Love meal at Bread & Broth

Event Date: 
February 12, 2024 - 4:00pm

SOUTH LAKE TAHOE, Calif. - – Soroptimist International of Tahoe Sierra (SITS) will join six cooks from Lasagna Love to sponsor Bread & Broths (B&B’s) Adopt A Day of Nourishment on Monday, February 12. Their collaboration will provide a special themed meal for regular guests and any interested community members.

Virginia Truckee Railroad Valentine Trains...two to choose from

Event Date: 
February 10, 2024 (All day)

Looking for a unique way to treat your Valentine this year? Join the fun on the Virginia Truckee Railroad with two events on Saturday, February 10, and immerse yourself in solving a Murder Mystery with the Fun Time Players at 2:30 p.m. or choose the 4:30 p.m. Whiskey Tasting train. The Whiskey Train will be featuring the music of Northern Nevada’s own Carson Chandler and tastes of a unique locally distilled whiskey from Dovetail Distillery in Mound House, Nevada.

Lake Tahoe widespread prescribed fire operations to continue

LAKE TAHOE, Calif./Nev. - Members of the Tahoe Fire & Fuels Team (TFFT) will continue prescribed fire operations this week at Lake Tahoe, conditions and weather permitting. Smoke may be present throughout the Lake Tahoe Basin and surrounding areas. View smoke management tips and the current air quality index at AirNow and the U.S.

Caltrans meeting on US50 paving project rescheduled to avoid council meeting conflict

Event Date: 
January 24, 2024 - 6:00pm

SOUTH LAKE TAHOE, Calif. – Caltrans has rescheduled a public meeting this week on a proposed $27.1 million project on U.S. Highway 50 (Lake Tahoe Boulevard) in the City of South Lake Tahoe. To avoid a conflict with a scheduled City of South Lake Tahoe City Council meeting on Tuesday, Caltrans has rescheduled this meeting virtually to Wednesday, January 24
from 6 p.m. to 7 p.m. Attendees can join the meeting at:
https://cadot.webex.com/cadot/j.php?MTID=m15985a73b37c20cb1512af24f53df68e

South Tahoe Newspaper Agency closes, end of delivery of big city papers to South Lake Tahoe

SOUTH LAKE TAHOE, Calif. - Since 1961, South Shore residents have been connected to large city newspapers because of one business, South Tahoe Newspaper Agency. The San Francisco Chronicle, Sacramento Bee, N.Y. Times, USA Today, Wall Street Journal, and Reno Gazette Journal were delivered to homes and businesses by Kenneth Anderson, then later his son Steve.

Many people now connect to the news by digital copies, but the paper version is still appreciated by many.

The Andersons delivered the paper from Glenbrook to Christmas Valley, no matter the weather conditions.

Letter: Misleading verbiage on VHR ban signature gathering a concern, action can be taken

Dear Editor: The proponents of the so-called “VHR Ban” initiative in Douglas County have submitted the signatures gathered over the past few months. The signatures will be reviewed by the office of Douglas County Clerk Amy Burgans to verify if they are those of registered voters within the county as required by Nevada state law.

Final flight for restaurant at Lake Tahoe Airport; Charles Barkley and Tom Cruise among famous customers

SOUTH LAKE TAHOE, Calif. - The community showed up in force at the Flightdeck Sports Bar and Grill at the Lake Tahoe Airport this past week after learning it was going to close. Owner Sheila Benson put the word out on social media about its pending closure and hopes that someone interested in being a partner or investor would come along.

After two years in business, Benson said she couldn't keep the doors open any longer due to multiple reasons - labor, taxes, insurance, cost of goods, delivery fees, and more. Those costs kept rising but revenue was dropping.

Rain and snow mid-week around Lake Tahoe; High of 50 on Sunday

SOUTH LAKE TAHOE, Calif. - Plan on another round of rain, mountain snow, and
gusty winds that persist through Monday. The National Weather Service (NWS)in Reno says there is another chance of showers Wednesday into Thursday, and the final week of January is trending towards mild and drier.

Mary Elizabeth “Liz” Bricker ~ August 1, 1932 - December 19, 2023

It is with profound sadness that we announce the passing of Mary Elizabeth “Liz” Bricker, aged 91, on December 19, 2023. She left this world surrounded by the love of her family and friends.

Born on August 1, 1932, Mary Elizabeth “Liz” Bricker was a devoted, loving wife and partner with her husband Darell Gene Bricker of 61 years, embarking on great adventures to the far reaches of Alaska and many journeys in between. Liz met each of life’s challenges as opportunities and left everything she touched in a better place.

Collaboration has been key to eliminating problematic street situation around Heavenly

SOUTH LAKE TAHOE, Calif. - The winter of 2022-23 highlighted the traffic issue created by people driving to Heavenly Mountain Resort for a day on the slopes during a storm. Heavy snow, excess vehicles, and a lack of visible controls led to backups and cars parked wherever they pleased. The situation has been an issue for years, but the epic winter highlighted it more.

The South Lake Tahoe Police Department (SLTPD), the City of South Lake Tahoe, and officials at Heavenly worked together over the summer to create a plan that would hopefully eliminate the problems of last winter.

TRPA makes broad improvements to permitting services

LAKE TAHOE, Calif./Nev. - The Tahoe Regional Planning Agency (TRPA) is rolling out numerous improvements to permitting services including a suite of policy changes to encourage environmental redevelopment and improve efficiency.

TRPA staff is also moving forward with comprehensive improvements to the regional permitting system to establish more efficient, consistent, and predictable application review processes. Improvements approved by the TRPA Governing Board last year will take effect this month, with more being proposed later this year.

Raising fines for VHR violations on the South Lake Tahoe City Council agenda

SOUTH LAKE TAHOE, Calif. - The South Lake Tahoe City Council will hold its next meeting on Tuesday, January 23 at 5:30 p.m. Agenda items include a discussion and possible vote on raising the fine on vacation home rental (VHR) violations, citizen appointments to commissions and boards, and an extension for completed plans for a 14-unit condominium project.

South Lake Tahoe Police Blotter

SOUTH LAKE TAHOE, Calif. - The following is a list of calls the South Lake Tahoe Police Department responded to during the week of Jan. 1-7, 2024. Location Checks are when officers search an area at a certain address. Transient/Homeless arrests/citations and calls are those normally categorized in other columns (Drunk in Public, Trespassing, etc.) but stats are collected separately.

Log for Jan. 1 - Jan. 7, 2024

1/1

Arrests
01:07 DUI - Officer initiated activity at Lake Tahoe Blvd, South Lake Tahoe, CA. Disposition: Misdemeanor Arrest.

El Dorado County Sheriff's Office calls in the Lake Tahoe area

SOUTH LAKE TAHOE, Calif. - El Dorado County Sheriff's Office responds to calls throughout the county. The following calls only pertain to the South and West Shore, including Meyers, South Lake Tahoe, Meeks Bay, Tahoma, and the Echo Summit area. There may be some missing calls due to sheriff's logs not being completed at the time of the story.

January 11 - January 17, 2024

1/11

06:35 ORDINANCE VIOLATION REPORT - Occurred on Lake Tahoe Blvd, in South Lake Tahoe. Disposition: ASSISTED.

Douglas County Commissioners pause on changes to VHR ordinance until January 2025

DOUGLAS COUNTY, Nev. - During its meeting Thursday, the Douglas County Board of Commissioners discussed two agenda items concerning vacation home rentals (VHRs) in the county.

Letter: Vacancy tax has misleading title on the ballot

Dear Editor: Election integrity is critically important for the preservation of democracy and the conduct of fair, honest, and open elections.

South Lake Tahoe Tourism Improvement District board meeting agenda

Event Date: 
January 25, 2024 - 1:00pm

South Lake Tahoe Tourism Improvement District
Board of Directors Meeting
Forest Suites Resort

1:00 pm, Thursday January 25, 2024
A. Call to Order
B. Roll Call
C. Introduction of Guests and Staff
D. Approval of Minutes of Previous Meeting (Attachment)
E. Approval of Agenda
F. Public Comment (Non-Agenda Items, 5-Minute Limit)

AGENDA
A. Discussion/Possible Action
i. Treasurer’s Report
1 Review of Current Financial Position
2 Attachment: Review of FY2023 Actual Financials
3 Attachment: FY2024 Budget with Actuals
ii. 2024-2026 Board Positions

Netflix documentary on bizarre kidnapping that ended in arrest in South Lake Tahoe

Netflix has released the three-episode documentary "American Nightmare" which focuses on the 2015 kidnapping of Denise Huskins from the Vallejo, California home she shared with her boyfriend, Aaron Quinn.

On March 23, 2015, Huskins was kidnapped by a masked intruder who tied up Quinn and drugged him, then took her. The Vallejo Police Department focused on Quinn as being responsible for the kidnapping. After 18 hours of interrogation, Quinn asks for a lawyer as he sees the conversation going nowhere.

Kudos: Bread & Broth Monday Meal sponsored by eXp Realty, Culbertson & Gray Group

SOUTH LAKE TAHOE, Calif. - “Sharing this opportunity with Bread & Broth has allowed us to connect to our community,” said Ashley Petticrew, a realtor with eXp Realty. Ashley, along with fellow real estate agents Kimberly Moore and Clay Russell, enjoyed their first experience sponsoring an Adopt A Day of Nourishment (AAD) and volunteering at the Bread & Broth Monday Meal on January 8.

Vision Zero strategy aims to make Tahoe roads safer

LAKE TAHOE, Calif./Nev. – From 2013 to 2021, there were 41 fatalities and 183 life-changing serious injuries on Tahoe’s roadways, according to crash data reported by state and local law enforcement agencies. To help prevent these tragic crashes, the Tahoe Regional Planning Agency (TRPA) this week released the draft Vision Zero Strategy for the Lake Tahoe Region.

Caltrans seeks comment on U.S. Highway 50 South Lake Tahoe Pavement Project

UPDATE: The meeting has been rescheduled due to a conflict with the South Lake Tahoe City Council meeting. It will now be held on Wednesday, January 24 from 6 p.m. to 7 p.m. Attendees can join the meeting at:
https://cadot.webex.com/cadot/j.php?MTID=m15985a73b37c20cb1512af24f53df68e

Douglas County School Board attempts to pull away from state school board association

DOUGLAS COUNTY, Nev. - Douglas County may become an "island in the state" if the school board votes to withdraw from the Nevada Association of School Boards (NASB).

During their last meeting, the Douglas County School Board (DCSB) had on its agenda to withdraw from NASB, the statewide group that all 17 counties in Nevada belong to. Not all members were on the same page and the item will come back to the next agenda.

Winter Storm Watch and Weather Advisory issued for upper elevations around Lake Tahoe

SOUTH LAKE TAHOE, Calif. - Snow is in the forecast for the Lake Tahoe Basin, but most of it will be falling above lake level. Storms begin to push into the Sierra on Friday night, with periods of rain, high-elevation snow, and gusty winds persisting into early next week. With daytime highs in the 40s in South Lake Tahoe, more rain will be seen but expect heavy snow above the lake.

The National Weather Service (NWS) in Reno has issued a Winter Weather Advisory and Winter Storm Watch:

Column: Working together toward progress in 2024

What a difference a year makes. This time last winter, many of us delighted in a promising snowpack, unaware that we were facing what would become the heaviest winter in more than 70 years. It was a tough one, even for some of us who survived the 1997 rain-on-snow disastrous winter. We got through it together, and 2023 had many bright spots with real progress for Lake Tahoe and our communities.

Letter: Rejuvenation or decline for South Lake Tahoe?

As a partner in a lodging business and former Mayor, I was impressed that City Councilmember Tamara Wallace showed courage and laid out her concerns about taxes. I found her way of looking at where we are as a tourism destination matched my own. I agree with her philosophy of how we should handle this downturn in business.

Scott Morgan appointed Douglas County assistant county manager

DOUGLAS COUNTY, Nev. – Scott Morgan, the Douglas County community services director, has accepted the job as the county's assistant county manager, a job he has been holding in the interim after Jenifer Davidson was appointed county manager.

Homeowners north of Cave Rock file appeal for judicial review over rental ban ordinance

DOUGLAS COUNTY, Nev. - The approval of a ban on short-term vacation rentals north of Cave Rock in the Douglas County portion of Lake Tahoe has brought forward a petition for judicial review to be filed in the Ninth Judicial District Court of Nevada. Several residents and Glenbrook property manager Kevin Kjer filed the petition to reverse the Douglas County Board of Commissioner's December vote to ban the 13 vacation home rentals (VHRs) in that region starting January 1, 2025.

The homeowner's group is represented by Alling and Jillson.

Free FASFA workshop for South Lake Tahoe seniors and families

Event Date: 
January 23, 2024 - 6:00pm

UPDATE: The time has been changed to 6 p.m. to 7:30 p.m.

SOUTH LAKE TAHOE, Calif. - College Bound Lake Tahoe (CBLT) will host a guided Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) workshop for high school seniors and their families on January 23, 2024, from 6 p.m. to 7:30 p.m. at the Family Resource Center in South Lake Tahoe. This free workshop will guide students through the FAFSA application process, and provide hands-on assistance with filling out the application form.

Minden Mill hosting Chautauqua on John “Snowshoe” Thompson

Event Date: 
January 21, 2024 - 1:00pm

The Minden Mill is continuing its history series on Sunday, January 21 at 1 p.m. They will be presenting local authors and historians David and Gayle Woodruff in a Chautauqua performance of Sierra Nevada Super Hero John “Snowshoe” Thompson and his wife Agnes in “Mailman of the Sierra.”

The 55-minute program is free, but seating is limited, and advance reservations are required. To make reservations, please click on this link https://www.exploretock.com/minden-mill-distillery/event/private/b675186f-50ab-4986-865f-4676e0faab35.

Minden Mill is located at 1601 Water St, Minden.

Tahoe Expedition Academy launches new speaker series

TRUCKEE, Calif. (Jan. 9, 2023) – Some of the world's best and brightest minds in education are coming to Lake Tahoe. The Tahoe Expedition Academy (TEA) has announced the Inaugural TEA Speaker Series, sponsored by the Martis Camp Foundation. Each event offers a special opportunity to engage with internationally renowned speakers in an intimate setting on TEA’s campus. Each event begins at 5 p.m. with the speakers beginning at 5:30 p.m.

Three events are set for 2024:

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