closed

SOUTH LAKE TAHOE, Calif. - It has been a few weeks (though it may seem like months) since business shut their doors, nonessential workers were asked to stay home and nonessential travel came to a screeching halt in order to prevent the spread of the novel coronavirus and COVID-19.

STATELINE, Nev. - Since there is no such thing as "business as usual" in the world today, businesses and agencies continue to change how they help customers and the public in a virtual world in order to protect all during the COVID-19 crisis.

The Tahoe Regional Planning Agency (TRPA) is one that is expanding virtual services with the building season ahead to protect both staff and customers.

Agency employees have been working around the clock to move permitting, planning, and document request services to online operations since stay-at-home orders went into effect.

SOUTH LAKE TAHOE, Calif. - Parks run by the City of South Lake Tahoe that were closed for the season will remain closed during the COVID-19 pandemic.

“We aren’t discouraging public access to the parks, we want our residents to get outside during this crisis,” said Public Works Director Ray Jarvis. “We are going to keep the parks closed to vehicle access though to discourage large gatherings and to continue to encourage people to follow state and federal guidelines.”

DOUGLAS COUNTY, Nev. - Consistent with directives issued by Nevada Governor Steve Sisolak, and the guidance issued by the Centers for Disease Control, Douglas County is urging travelers and short-term rental owners/managers, to take this threat to our community seriously, act responsibly and refrain from renting vacation home properties to non-essential travelers at this time.

SOUTH LAKE TAHOE, Calif. - Ever since Governor Newsom issued a 'Stay at Home' order on March 19, 2020, there has been confusion on what businesses are essential and what the public can and cannot do. The order was created to protect the health and well-being of all Californians and to establish consistency across the state in order to slow the spread of COVID-19.

USDA Forest Service (USFS) has closed its developed recreation facilities on National Forest land in California in order to assist people in abiding by Governor Newsom's recent statewide shelter-in-place order.

They will be closed until at least April 30 in an attempt to avoid groups of people and promote social distancing of staying more than six feet apart during the COVID-19 crisis.

In a press release, USFS officials said that while they appreciated the public's interest in outdoor recreation they needed to close to prevent the spread of the coronavirus.

SOUTH LAKE TAHOE, Calif. - Operational changes, including hospital visitation, screening protocols and testing facilities, continue to be made in the wake of El Dorado County’s first reported cases of coronavirus COVID-19. The health and safety of patients and care providers is Barton’s top priority, and community spread of COVID-19 is a concern. Regardless of confirmed cases in South Lake Tahoe, the advice of Barton Health medical experts is to assume COVID-19 is in the community and stay home unless absolutely necessary, keeping a distance of 6 feet from others if you must leave the home.

INCLINE VILLAGE, Nev. - The UC Davis Tahoe Environmental Research Center (TERC) is closed, but they are sharing with parents, teachers, students, caregivers a list of free STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering, Math) resources.

Due to the 2020 COVID-19 pandemic schools across the country, including UC Davis, are shut down. TERC has been closed its science centers and suspended regular program offerings.

They said they realize the challenges many parents who have had to home school their children may need help getting through the normal day-to-day schooling.

The California State Public Health Officer and Director of the California Department of Public Health have ordered all individuals living in the State of California to stay home or at their place of residence, except as needed to maintain continuity of operation of the federal critical infrastructure sectors.

Some people may be confused and hear different messages and wonder exactly what are "essential services". To list what the State order covered they have come out with a guideline to help navigate these unchartered waters.

What does this mean?

SOUTH LAKE TAHOE, Calif. - The threat of the novel coronavirus and COVID-19 is a scary one for all people, especially the more vulnerable citizens of the community including senior citizens.

The South Lake Tahoe Senior Center is closed but nutrition services are being provided on a "to go" basis. Those 60 and older can stop by Monday through Friday between 11:00 a.m. and 12:15 p.m. and get a hot meal to go for a $3 suggested donation. Their Meals on Wheels program serves about 80 seniors with hot meals delivered Monday through Friday.

EL DORADO COUNTY, Calif. - Due to the current public health crisis, the El Dorado County Superior Court will be limited access to courthouses, effective immediately. They currently plan to resume normal operations on April 17, 2020, though with the rapidly unfolding coronavirus situation, this could change.

Courtrooms will be practice social distancing, including at least two seats between people in the gallery. Members of the public are strongly discouraged from attending court proceedings unless they are statutory support persons or those who have been subpoenaed.

SOUTH LAKE TAHOE, Calif. - Many resort towns are dealing with results of parents out of work and students out of school due to the coronavirus - increased visitation. Officials are reminding all that shelters in place and advisements to stay home are serious and not a reason to go on vacation, and South Lake Tahoe is no different.

STATELINE, Nev. - Lakeside Inn in Stateline, Nevada became the first South Shore casino to close due to coronavirus COVID-19 concerns.

"This decision was based on concern for the health of our community and of our staff members," said Lakeside Inn President Stacy Noyes. "We decided to take the lead and help our family. It's the responsible thing to do."

All employees not working will get two weeks of pay. Noyes said the situation and decisions are evolving daily and the initial plan is to close for two weeks.

SOUTH LAKE TAHOE, Calif. - There is still a chance of snow all week in Lake Tahoe, but the sun is now out, allowing people to catch up on shoveling out driveways, parking lots and roads.

As of 9:00 a.m. Tuesday, the following road controls and closures are in place:

US50
Chains Required, All Vehicles Except 4-Wheel Drive with Snow Tires - on US-50 from mile post 59.8 in El Dorado County to mile post 70.6 in El Dorado County in California.

Chains or Snow Tires Required - on US-50 from mile post 14.0 in Carson City County to mile post 5.4 in Lyon County in Nevada.

SOUTH LAKE TAHOE, Calif. - The Family Resource Center in South Lake Tahoe has closed out of concern of the spread of the COVID-19 virus and recommendations from health professionals, LTUSD and the State of California.

They plan on reopening on April 12, 2020.

Their therapeutic service clients will be contacted to have phone/internet discussions. All classes though are suspended as are meetings and food distribution.

The nonprofit also had to cancel its 17th annual Cinco de Mayo Festival and March 26 Immigration Forum on March 26th.

SOUTH LAKE TAHOE, Calif. - Sunday has been one big traffic jam for travelers trying to head west over Echo Summit. And as it the normal case, when traffic backs up the mapping apps direct drivers to side residential roads, many of which were unplowed and hard to navigate.

As of 7:30 p.m., traffic is still very heavy in Meyers and the California Highway Patrol (CHP) is currently working on two accidents, one west of Sierra-at-Tahoe Road and the other east of Strawberry.

INCLINE VILLAGE, Nev. - Diamond Peak Ski Resort will suspend operations starting the morning of Monday, March 16 through Friday, March 20. All lift operations, food and beverage, and rental services will be closed during this time.

Ongoing updates can be found at DiamondPeak.com.

LAKE TAHOE, Nev. - On the heels of the Vail Resorts announcement, Squaw Alpine and Sugar Bowl will be suspending operations until further notice.

"We believe this is in the best interest of our guests, employees, & local community," said Squaw Valley in a release.

Sugar Bowl has suspended operations until further notice due to the impacts of the coronavirus.

Other resorts will most likely be making similar announcements.

The Squaw Alpine release:

SOUTH LAKE TAHOE, Calif. - The Boys & Girls Club of Lake Tahoe (BGCLT) will be joining Lake Tahoe Unified School District (LTUSD) and closing on the advice of El Dorado County due to safety concerns stemming from the coronavirus COVID-19.

BGCLT will be closed the same time frame as LTUSD which will be determined weekly, but at least for the week of March 16-20.

At this time, BGCLT Executive Director Jude Wood said there is a possibility they may not be able to reopen for Spring Break, but that determination will come as soon as possible.

Lake Tahoe Community College (LTCC) took additional steps on Friday to help curb the spread of the Novel Coronavirus related to fitness classes. They sent out an email to staff and students, letting them know of closures but some do affect community members who use the gym and facilities.

For up-to-the-minute news on LTCC closures and events, visit http://www.ltcc.edu/campusresources/health-and-safety/coronavirus.php. They will be updating them as things change.

THIS EVENT HAS BEEN CANCELED. The Knights of Columbus at Saint Theresa Church in South Lake Tahoe are preparing for their annual Saint Patrick's dinner to be held on Sunday, March 15.

The dinner will be a traditional corned beef and cabbage meal with potatoes, carrots, Irish soda bread and plenty of desserts. It will run from 5:00 p.m. to 8:00 p.m. in the church's Grace Hall, located at 1041 Lyons Avenue in South Lake Tahoe.

SOUTH LAKE TAHOE, Calif. - The California Department of Transportation (CalTrans) will work on projects through the Sierra, as weather permits this winter. There are no major projects going on in the Lake Tahoe Basin until the building season begins in May. The following is their weekly schedule:

LONG-TERM PROJECTS

SOUTH LAKE TAHOE, Calif. - The South Lake Tahoe City Council narrowed down their candidate pool for the open city manager position to four during a special closed session meeting Monday, March 2, 2020.

The names of the four candidates will be released later this week according to the SLT Communications Manager Chris Fiore.

The public is invited to a reception with the finalists on Monday, March 9 from 6:00 p.m. to 8:00 p.m. at the Idle Hour, 3351 Lake Tahoe Blvd., South Lake Tahoe.

Final interviews will be held in closed session following the Council's March 10 meeting.

SOUTH LAKE TAHOE, Calif. - Dr. Todd Cutler has been announced as the new superintendent for the Lake Tahoe Unified School District (LTUSD). During their closed session meeting Saturday, the Board of Trustees decided to reveal their announcement ahead of the previously announced March 10 date. His contract has now been finalized and he will start work at the end of the school year.