911

SOUTH LAKE TAHOE, Calif. - Fire crews are still on the scene of a house fire tonight.

At 10:30 p.m.. October 9, South Lake Tahoe Fire Rescue (SLTFR) was called to a home on Warr Road. Nearby residents calling into the 911 dispatch center said flames were visible, and due to the number of calls, SLTFR Battalion Chief Jay Manning called for Tahoe Douglas and Lake Valley fire departments to come assist as he was en route.

Upon arrival, they found the one-story home fully engulfed in fire. Firefighters could see "heavy fire involvement" on the right side of the home.

SOUTH LAKE TAHOE, Calif. - It was on this day in 2001 when a series of four coordinated terrorist attacks against the United States left 2,996 people dead, over 6,000 injured and causing at least $10 billion in infrastructure and property damage.

South Lake Tahoe joined communities around the country in honoring those who jumped in to rescue the survivors and joined in the fight against terrorism. At the American Legion, firefighters, police officers, veterans and community members gathered for a ceremony hosted by members of the American Legion and American Legion Auxiliary.

SOUTH LAKE TAHOE, Calif. - The community and visitors are invited to join members of American Legion Post 795 and the American Legion Auxiliary at a commemorative ceremony to honor the victims and first responders of September 11, 2001.

Its been 18 years since a series of four coordinated terrorist attacks by the Islamic terrorist group al-Qaeda were conducted against the United States on that Tuesday morning in New York, Virginia an Pennsylvania, killing almost 3,000 people.

In the time that it takes to text someone, pet your dog, or order a great meal at a local restaurant, something went very wrong. An ordinary day veered sideways and I was no longer on a relaxing vacation. I was working to save someone’s life.

Location

A geyser of water and natural gas on Senaca Drive in Meyers on August 6 brought out a full response from South Tahoe Public Utility District (STPUD), Southwest Gas (SWG), Lake Valley Fire Protection District (LVFPD) and El Dorado County Sheriff’s Office (EDSO).

STPUD responded to the call of a water leak and upon arrival found water gushing from a broken water main. They also smelled gas so called SWG and 911. LVFPD and EDSO secured the area and helped evacuate residents and divert water to minimize property damage.

SOUTH LAKE TAHOE, Calif. - The current staffing level of the South Lake Tahoe Police Department (SLTPD) is 30 authorized, sworn officers, and even with this low number they are rarely at full staffing. During the summer of 2018, the department handled an average of 99 calls per day and had 196 incidents where no officer was available to respond immediately, and about 15 times a day they told callers to 911 the officer would be delayed.

With warming temperatures and melting snow, Douglas County is reminding residents of the potential for some minor spring flooding in the months to come. With the spring run-off, citizens could expect to see some road closures on arterial roads such as Mottsville, Centerville Lane, Muller Lane and Genoa Lane.

In preparation for flooding, the Douglas County Stormwater Division has been removing flood debris in river channels with the Carson Valley Conservation District, Carson Water Subconservancy and Nevada Division of Water Resources.

EL DORADO COUNTY, Calif. - The man responsible for abusing a baby from the time he was eight days old and his death five weeks later is looking at spending the next 43 years in prison after being found guilty on March 21, 2019, in Judge Kenneth Melikian's courtroom.

Michael Swope, 32, was convicted of second-degree murder of baby Sammy as well as three counts of felony child abuse causing great bodily injury for breaking various ribs on the baby over infant's short and traumatic life.

He’s not Romeo.

I know that you think that when he told you that he would love you forever, take care of you, and accept you, that he really meant it. Maybe it was the 13th “What are you doing?” text that made you believe he really cared. Maybe it was his “Is that your other boyfriend?” response when he saw you talking to another man that made you believe he truly valued you. Maybe it was when he said “No one will love you like I love you” that made you believe he was the only person that would truly accept you.

SOUTH LAKE TAHOE, Calif. - A 71-year-old local man has been arrested for the murder of his 65-year-old female roommate.

James Byron Cleveland was arrested by the South Lake Tahoe Police Department (SLTPD) after they responded to a Carson Avenue residence on a call of an injured woman on Sunday, January 13, 2019.

SOUTH LAKE TAHOE, Calif. - One man has been arrested in connection with Friday's house fire on Kyburz Avenue in South Lake Tahoe.

Joe Johnson, 37, was arrested on a felony charge of manufacturing a controlled substance and a misdemeanor charge of obstruction of a police officer.

Many people do not get to see their loved ones as often as they would like. The holidays offer an opportunity to not only reconnect with and visit parents, grandparents and other loved ones, but to ensure that they are staying safe.

“If you are visiting your loved one and become concerned about their wellbeing, particularly if you suspect they may be a victim of neglect, self-neglect or abuse, please reach out for assistance,” said Laura Walny, Manager with the El Dorado County Health and Human Services Agency.

Was it the cakes, cupcakes or muffins that brought a mountain lion cub into a Pollock Pines bakery on Monday? A local baker found the 40-50-pound feline inside the shop after it walked through the doors.

Deputies from the El Dorado County Sheriff's Office (EDSO) arrived at the bakery after a passerby met the bakery employee outside the shop and called 911.

According to EDSO Sgt. Anthony Prencipe, about 10 people had gathered outside the bakery to watch the unlikely customer.

September 11, 2001 - It's been 17 years since America experienced a tragedy that will never be forgotten. 2,983 people, ages 3-to-79, died that day in New York, Virginia and Philadelphia. In 17 years, time has not lessened or dissolved the sense of loss that occurred that day.

To honor 9-11 in South Lake Tahoe, the American Legion held their annual ceremony Tuesday with first responders, veterans and the community present to remember a day that not only was a time of death and destruction, but also a day of courage, heroism and love.

There is no greater responsibility in all of government than public safety and the public’s lifeline is the 9-1-1 system.

Every single day, people rely on 9-1-1 to connect with police, fire and EMS responders. For shooting events, wildfires, and even last year’s Oroville Dam incident, 9-1-1 call centers are regularly overwhelmed with calls from the public
requiring assistance. Unfortunately, an increasing reliance on cell phones and reduced “landline” usage is threatening the future of 9-1-1 services.

Increased fuels due to the wet winter and spring, drying vegetation, high fuel loading, and increasing daytime temperatures have prompted the Bridgeport and Carson Ranger Districts on the Humbolt-Toiyabe National Forest to announce the implementation of fire restrictions beginning August 04.

As most people have experienced, cell phone coverage around Lake Tahoe can be trying at times, especially during heavy tourist days when thousands of extra users are in the area. Combine that with over half of homes ditching their land-lines and relying only on cell phones, demand has greatly increased.

Lake Tahoe cell phone coverage may soon be improved as Verizon is working with Liberty Utilities and NV Energy and local governments to place small, seven-foot, grounded cell towers on top of current power poles on all sides of the lake.

The Douglas County Sheriff’s Search and Rescue (DCSSAR) team was called to the area of the Tahoe Rim Trail south of Stagecoach Lodge on July 4 at 12:45 p.m. on the report of a missing hiker.

Earlier in the day, Aa father, his three sons, and a household assistant were visiting the area and hiking. One person of the group became separated from the others and the others called 911 for assistance when they could not locate them.

Members of the DCSSAR Mountain Bike Rapid Response Team were dispatched to search on the Rim Trail.

The El Dorado County District Attorney's Office has announced that South Lake Tahoe resident Shannon Patrick Johnson, 33, has been sentenced to four years in state prison after being convicted of felony domestic violence.

On April 17, 2018, Johnson was waiting outside his ex-wife's home so that he could confront her, despite being restrained from contacting her due to a 2017 domestic violence conviction. When the ex-wife exited her home to go to work, he began yelling at her. Hoping to calm him down, she got into his car to talk to him.

A South Lake Tahoe 5th grader was honored Tuesday for his heroic efforts in helping to save a life earlier this year.

Gauge Patterson, who is also a Boy Scout, received the “Citizen’s Life Saving Award” from Mayor Wendy David for using the skills he learned at the “Stop the Bleed” training given by South Lake Tahoe Fire Rescue on April 23.

Several Lake Tahoe agencies have joined together to remind residents and visitors to practice proper food storage and trash disposal at all times while in bear country. Intentional or unintentional feeding of bears can result in the bear being killed, fines and/or jail time for violators. Every year law enforcement and state wildlife officers respond to hundreds of calls in which bears may pose a public safety threat and/or are damaging property. In some cases, the animals are euthanized.

Become part of the solution and help save our Tahoe bears!

SOUTH LAKE TAHOE, Calif. - A 22-year-old South Lake Tahoe man is alive today thanks to efforts of rescuers who were on the beach of Tahoe Beach Retreat on Thursday, May 10, when he went underwater after being on a kayak.

At 2:46 p.m., a call was made to 911 about a drowning man in the lake. When the South Lake Tahoe Fire Department arrived three minutes later, two off-duty firemen were on the scene already, along with the South Lake Tahoe Police Department.

SOUTH LAKE TAHOE, CALIF. - El Dorado County Sheriff's Office responds to calls throughout the county. The following are calls that only pertain to the South Shore. There may be some missing calls due to sheriff's logs not being completed at time of story.

Some of those recently added to last week's log:

No new calls were added to this log

This Week's Report:

3/25

LAKE TAHOE, Nev. – Douglas County Sheriff's Office (DCSO) deputies and Search and Rescue (SAR) responded to Spooner Summit and the Tahoe Rim Trail on Thursday afternoon after receiving a call of a missing person.

At about 4:50 p.m. on March 29, 2018, Michael Mullins called for help after not being able to find his friend after they became separated while snowmobiling about 15 miles in on the Tahoe Rim Trail.

Mullins said his friend, 56-year-old Thomas Korves of Elk Grove, was not an experienced snowmobiler so he called 911 for help when he couldn't locate him.