driving

Buckle up when driving not only this holiday season as you head to Lake Tahoe, but each and every day no matter where you drive. As the unofficial start of summer, Memorial Day weekend is a busy time on California roadways. To help segue into summer safely, the California Highway Patrol (CHP) will conduct a Maximum Enforcement Period (MEP).

South Lake Tahoe may not be known as the home of the $2,000 parking ticket after action taken by the City Council Tuesday.

National media attention spotlighted the fines ($1,000 to the renter and $1,000 to the homeowner) associated with violations of the vacation home rental (VHR) ordinance approved at the end of 2017 by the South Lake Tahoe City Council. This negative publicity has prompted some cancellations of tourist visits, or other changes to vacation plans, according to those in the industry.

There are four people running for El Dorado County Supervisor for the 5th District on June 5: Incumbent Sue Novasel and challengers Kenny Curtzwiler, Norma Santiago and Jeffrey Spencer. The 5th District covers Pollock Pines to South Lake Tahoe and Tahoma.

South Tahoe Now asked each candidate the same questions, and here are all of their answers, exactly as they were presented to us.

Sue Novasel
Occupation: El Dorado County Supervisor – District V
Past political history:
2015 – Present: County Supervisor, District V

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:

4/19

A pursuit of a stolen 2017 Chevy Pickup began on Highway 50 near Riverton and ended near Sly Park Wednesday, leading to the arrest of two men, one for attempted murder of an officer.

The Placerville California Highway Patrol (CHP) attempted to pull over the truck driven by Cesar Ramos, 26, of Hollister, Calif. at Riverton. Instead of stopping, Ramos sped away in the westbound direction at speeds of 90-110 mph.

In the South Lake Tahoe public safety communication system installed in 1965, there are three major problems:

1) There are three systems working totally separately: the police, fire and public works departments;

2) Trees have grown since the system was installed 53 years ago, now blocking signals through the town;

3) Having functioning radio frequencies near water is challenging.

SOUTH LAKE TAHOE, CALIF. - The following is a recap of activity the South Lake Tahoe Police Department responded to 955 calls for the 35 days between February 14 - March 20, 2018.

Calls Resulting in Arrests/Citations:

2/14 - 17 calls
Warrant in the 1000 block of Johnson

2/15 - 30 calls
Traffic Collision with Injury at Tahoe Keys Blvd and Venice Dr

2/16 - 23 calls
Drunk in Public in the 4100 block of Lake Tahoe Blvd
Drunk in Public in the 3800 block of Pioneer Trail

2/17 - 34 calls

The Nevada Highway Patrol (NHP) is joining other law enforcement agencies across the state in a Joining Forces Distracted Driver campaign April 1-15, 2018. NHP will be working diligently to urge motorists to keep their eyes on the road and put away cell phones or other items that cause distractions. On average, texting takes your eyes off the road for 4.6 seconds. When traveling at 55 mph, that is enough time to cover the length of a football field.

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:

3/14

12:35 p.m. - Theft: Use of Credit Card - 3rd Ave, Tahoma - R/P REPORTED FRAUDULENT CHARGES MADE ON A CREDIT CARD

Just after reopening, a snowslide and incoming storm have prompted Caltrans to close State Highway 89 around Emerald Bay until the weather clears.

Today’s slide dumped snow as high as 15 feet deep and about 160 feet long. Rain in the Lake Tahoe area is expected to turn to snow on Thursday. Only light snow is expected at pass levels through Thursday morning, with heavy snow possible beginning Thursday afternoon.

Lake Tahoe Community College will be closing at 3:00 p.m. on Friday March 16 due to a continuing winter storm that is dumping considerable amounts of snow both at lake level and over mountain passes.

All classes and scheduled events planned for 3:00 p.m. or later are cancelled.

Whiteout conditions, strong winds and hazardous driving environments led college leadership to call for an early closure.

They will update their website and Facebook, Twitter and Instagram accounts, so please check these for any further updates.

While the public makes plans to celebrate St. Patrick’s Day, the California Highway Patrol (CHP) and South Lake Tahoe Police Department (SLTPD) and other law enforcement agencies are preparing to keep the roadways free of impaired drivers so that everyone can safely enjoy the festivities.

SLTPD is adding two patrols on Saturday to watch for drunk drivers on local roads, and CHP officers will be doing to the same.

A high speed pursuit on U.S. Highway 50 East through Lyon County ended when the suspect vehicle left the roadway near Flint and Highway 50 in Carson City. The suspect reportedly had a gunshot wound to the head when he was found by law enforcement officers and died at the scene.

The vehicle was a white Dodge Durango rental vehicle with California license plates. The vehicle pursuit, according to police scanner monitors, reportedly started at USA Parkway, then into Dayton and Mound House, exceeding speeds of 100 mph. No officers were injured.

One sure sign of spring is the annual changing of the clock as Daylight Saving Time begins. On Sunday, March 11, 2018 at 2:00 a.m., most states will move their clocks forward one hour, the 100th anniversary of the Spring time change.

The state of Florida just voted to keep Daylight Saving Time year round, and Arizona and Hawaii don't move clocks forward at all.

CNN researchers came up with the following timeline for the clock change:

1784 - The idea of daylight saving is first conceived by Benjamin Franklin.

1914-1918 - Britain goes on DLS during World War I.

If you drive through Meyers on a Sunday you've most likely come across gridlock traffic through the neighborhoods as vehicles trying to head west after their South Lake Tahoe weekend look for the quickest route, courtesy of smart phone apps.

El Dorado County Supervisor Sue Novasel held a Town Hall meeting on February 28, providing a forum for residents, law enforcement and staff to discuss solutions. One suggestion that came out of that meeting was put into place on Sunday, March 4 and was fairly successful.

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:

2/21

2:44 p.m. - Petty Theft - Kickapoo St - DEPUTIES RESPONDED FOR THE REPORT OF A SCAM WHERE THE VICTIM LOST MONEY.

2/22

The blizzard warnings in the Lake Tahoe basin have prompted school officials to close schools, or in the case of Douglas County, put them on late start.

Lake Tahoe Unified School District is on a Snow Day. All Schools Will be CLOSED today due to the Blizzard Warning issued by the National Weather Service.

SOUTH LAKE TAHOE, CALIF. - The first of two storms due to hit Lake Tahoe this week has arrived. This current storm will head out Monday night with the next one due Wednesday through Friday.

Chain controls are up on most mountain roads as of 8:20 a.m. on Feb. 26:

R1 controls: Chains are required - snow tread tires allowed
R2 controls: Chains are required on all vehicles except four wheel drive vehicles with snow tires on all four wheels

HWY50 - R2 FREDS TO MEYERS^ SPLIT CONTROLS
HWY50 - R2 PLACERVILLE TO FRESH POND
SR88 R2 FRM SILVER LAKE TO CRYSTAL SPRINGS

An active weather pattern is expected for the upcoming week as two storm systems affect the Sierra and western Nevada.

A Winter Weather Advisory will be in effect from 4:00 a.m. to 10:00 p.m. Monday, February 26. Snow is expected with total accumulations of 6 - 12 inches expected in the Lake Tahoe area.

SOUTH LAKE TAHOE, CALIF. - The following is a recap of activity the South Lake Tahoe Police Department responded to 643 calls for the 23 days between January 16 - February 7, 2018.

Calls Resulting in Arrests/Citations:

1/16
Driving on a suspended/revoked license in the 4000 block of Lake Tahoe Blvd
Petty Theft in the 4000 block of Lake Tahoe Blvd
Transient/Homeless at Lake Tahoe Blvd & Herbert Ave

1/17
Transient/Homeless in the 1800 block of Lake Tahoe Blvd

1/18
Warrant in the 1000 block of Shepherds Dr

Washoe County Sheriff’s Office Detectives are looking for information that would help locate a 60-year-old man who has been missing for more than a week.

Thomas Arthur Kraft was last seen in Reno on February 3, 2018. On that date, Kraft told a roommate that he was driving to Victorville, California to attend the funeral of a family member. He has not been seen since and was reported missing by his roommate on February 7.

Kraft was driving a 2016 Dark Grey Jeep Compass with paper license plates 1175960 NV.

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:

1/24

9:58 a.m. - Petty Theft - Heavenly Village Way - R/P REPORTED A THEFT.

1/25

7:32 a.m. - Death Investigation - South Lake Tahoe - 83-YEAR-OLD MALE DECEASED.

Law enforcement from both California and Nevada are reminding motorists to not drink and drive, especially during Super Bowl weekend which seen an increase of drunk drivers on the road. As friends and family gather to watch the game Sunday, February 4, please designate a sober driver before the game between the New England Patriots and Philadelphia Eagles begins.

The California Highway Patrol (CHP) and Nevada Highway Patrol (NHP) have teamed up with the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration to remind motorists to not drive while intoxicated.

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:

1/17

2:56 p.m. - Death Investigation - South Lake Tahoe - 87-YEAR-OLD MAN DECEASED.