government.
Opinion: TRTA, USFS and partners more important now than ever
Submitted by Anonymous on Fri, 03/02/2018 - 10:40am
Non-profit partners of government agencies play a critical role in managing trails, recreation, planning and other essential activities taking place on public lands. Locally, the Tahoe Rim Trail Association (TRTA) is the region’s largest non-profit trail organization and has the primary responsibility for managing and maintaining about 200 miles of hiking, biking and equestrian trails in and around the Tahoe Basin in partnership with the US Forest Service (USFS) and NV State Parks.
AlertWildfire mountaintop camera network tracked 240 western wildfires in 2017
Submitted by paula on Tue, 02/27/2018 - 10:32pm
Mountaintop cameras from the University of Nevada, Reno spotted or tracked 240 fires in Nevada and California in 2017. This helped to keep firefighters more situationally aware and able to mount appropriate responses more rapidly over tens of thousands of square miles of forests and rangelands, including rural communities.
This is a new and expanding tool for fire managers who oversee the wildland and wildland/urban interface.
South Lake Tahoe community engaging during monthly conversations
Submitted by paula on Thu, 02/22/2018 - 11:48pm
South Lake Tahoe Mayor Wendy David held her second "Community Conversation" on Wednesday, opening the avenues of conversation between government and the public. This time Councilmember Brooke Laine joined her.
During the first such meeting in January the crowd got too big for the chosen area, Peet's Coffee, so this month they moved to the SLT Senior Center. Everyone attending agreed the center was much more conducive to good conversation.
"I thought it went really well," said Wendy. "I really appreciate the respect everyone shows for each other and opinions can be shared freely."
Las Vegas Grand Jury indicts 36 for international cyber crimes
Submitted by paula on Sun, 02/18/2018 - 1:19am
A federal indictment was unsealed last week, charging 36 individuals for their alleged roles in the Infraud Organization, an Internet-based cybercriminal enterprise engaged in the large-scale acquisition, sale, and dissemination of stolen identities, compromised debit and credit cards, personally identifiable information, financial and banking information, computer malware, and other contraband.
"No reportable action" in Monday's special SLT City Council meeting
Submitted by paula on Mon, 02/12/2018 - 2:50pm
The South Lake Tahoe City Council held a special closed session meeting on Monday to discuss matters surrounding City Manager Nancy Kerry.
The over two-hour meeting concluded with no reportable action, according to City Council.
"We will be providing no further comment," they said.
Special City Council meeting to decide Kerry's fate; Meston outlines plans
Submitted by paula on Fri, 02/09/2018 - 10:09pm
News spread through South Lake Tahoe this week that surprised and shocked many, the City Council's decision to put City Manager Nancy Kerry on indefinite leave. The council will be meeting in closed session on Monday, February 12, 2018 to discuss the situation. Their agenda item, "PUBLIC EMPLOYEE DISCIPLINE/DISMISSAL/RELEASE Pursuant to Government Code Section 54957(b)" starts at 9:00 a.m.
That section of code allows special and closed session meetings to consider the appointment, employment, evaluation of performance, discipline, or dismissal of a public employee.
Human trafficking: Awareness and education are key to ending it
Submitted by paula on Sun, 02/04/2018 - 8:38pm
Human Trafficking is the trade of humans for the purpose of forced labor, sexual slavery, or commercial sexual exploitation for the trafficker or others; a modern day form of slavery. It is a multi-billion dollar criminal industry that denies freedom to 20.9 million people around the world
And its happening outside our door.
County and City vote to extend temporary bans on sales of cannabis
Submitted by paula on Thu, 01/25/2018 - 12:30am
On Tuesday both the South Lake Tahoe City Council and the El Dorado County Board of Supervisors voted to extend their ban on commercial sales of cannabis as they work out the rules and regulations for their jurisdictions.
The ban on sales in South Lake Tahoe was set to expire on January 25, 2018, and without an extension or ordinance in place, anyone could have applied for a license to sell with the State of California.
EDC looking for committee member to represent low income residents
Submitted by paula on Sun, 01/21/2018 - 11:27pm
The Community Action Council of El Dorado County is seeking an individual or agency to represent the interests and concerns of low-income people/families living in El Dorado County, with special attention on housing, nutrition and low-income program needs. The El Dorado County Community Action Council is looking to fill a vacancy on the Council within the Low-Income Sector Membership category. The Council meets monthly in Placerville.
No moratorium on vacation rentals in El Dorado County
Submitted by paula on Wed, 01/10/2018 - 12:23am
Tuesday's El Dorado County Board of Supervisors (BOS) meeting was just as all other meetings about vacation home rentals have been: A full house and a large contingent passionately representing both sides of the issue.
Supervisor Shiva Frentzen sought conceptual approval of an urgency ordinance to place a moratorium on the issuance of new vacation home rental (VHR) permits in the unincorporated portions of the County located in the Lake Tahoe Basin.
Trio of art exhibit openings, artist receptions at LTCC in January
Submitted by paula on Mon, 01/08/2018 - 2:17pm
Event Date:
January 18, 2018 - 5:00pm
The community is warmly invited to a trio of free artist receptions and exhibit openings at Lake Tahoe Community College on Thursday, Jan. 18 from 5:00 p.m. to 7:00 p.m.. Come and enjoy the art along with free refreshments with your fellow art lovers.
Countdown to SnowGlobe: Safety and noise information
Submitted by paula on Tue, 12/26/2017 - 5:04pm
SOUTH LAKE TAHOE, CALIF. - This year's SnowGlobe may seem to be the loudest one yet as there is no snow on the ground to absorb the sound. There was a year without much snow at the venue, but with no snow at the South Lake Tahoe venue we'll have to wait and see just how loud music from the three-day festival will be. SnowGlobe runs from December 29-31.
Sales of land meant for public beach access in Incline Village brought into question
Submitted by paula on Mon, 12/25/2017 - 6:50pm
Five years ago, Washoe County handed 87 parcels of land over to the Incline Village General Improvement District, forgiving more than $800,000 in unpaid property taxes on the land in exchange for a promise from Incline Village to use the land as publicly owned open space.
The lots, most of them unbuildable scraps of land, had wound up on Washoe County's delinquent tax rolls because the owners hadn't paid property taxes for at least three years. Under state law, those parcels can be given to another government agency if that agency will use the land for a specific public purpose.
Sass Talk: It's ok to not go along, to just get along
Submitted by paula on Sat, 12/02/2017 - 7:32pm
This opinion piece has been updated.
Column: Conservation partnerships are an opportunity to bridge divides
Submitted by paula on Fri, 11/24/2017 - 1:17am
Nearly 200 conservation professionals from around the country gathered back east this November to have a strategic dialogue about the state of landscape-scale conservation. Lake Tahoe was featured at the forum for the region’s cooperative restoration initiatives, and it was an honor to share the stage with such high-caliber conservation thought leaders.
The national forum showcased how people of all backgrounds are collaborating and working to conserve some of America’s most iconic natural areas.
Changes on the way for Tahoe Paradise Park; New board member sought
Submitted by paula on Mon, 11/20/2017 - 10:36pm
In the works since 2010, the Tahoe Paradise Resort Improvement District is now officially a "recreation and park district." Governor Schwarzenegger signed Senate Bill 1023 into law that year, creating an expedited procedure for resort improvement districts to convert into community service districts, and in the case of Tahoe Paradise Park, into the recreation and park district.
That "expedited" procedure has taken almost six years for the Tahoe Paradise district to work out.
Letter: VHRs in El Dorado County are out of control
Submitted by paula on Sat, 11/18/2017 - 10:53pm
Dear Editor;
In writing this letter, I am only expressing my own opinion and not that of
any organization or entity.
Vacation Home Rentals (VHRs) in the County are out of control. As is
evidenced by the number of residents complaining about noise, parking, trash,
over-occupancy, etc, it is time for our government representatives to act and
change the current ordinance to respect our rights to live in peaceful
neighborhoods.
There are many issues surrounding VHRs that need to be addressed, but I
New member appointed to Lake Valley Fire Board of Directors
Submitted by paula on Mon, 11/13/2017 - 11:04pm
The Lake Valley Fire Protection District Board of Directors has appointed Brian Hogan as a board member-at-large, replacing the seat recently vacated by Robert Rossi.
Hogan is the Regional President for U.S. Bank's Central California and Northern Nevada Community Banking Region and has been employed with the bank for the last 25 years. As regional president, he oversees the banking groups in the region including Commercial, Retail, Business Banking, and Private Banking. He holds Bachelor of Science degrees in both Economics and Government from California State University Sacramento.
Taxpayer Watchdogs to host fundraising reception for Dan Dellinger
Submitted by Anonymous on Wed, 11/08/2017 - 10:59am
Event Date:
November 15, 2017 - 5:30pm Taxpayer Watchdogs For Dan Dellinger Recorder-Clerk will be hosting a “Campaign Launch” fundraising reception at Crystal Basin Winery in Camino on Wednesday Evening November 15 from 5:30 p.m to 9:00 p.m. Donation is $60 couples and $35 for singles with the proceeds going to help pay for important campaign material such as signs and voter education brochures to help elect Dellinger. All people interested in helping Dellinger improve County government and eliminate waste, fraud, and abuse, are encouraged to attend and support Dellinger’s election.
Public input sought on 3-year plan for Mental Health Services Act.
Submitted by paula on Wed, 11/01/2017 - 7:19pm
The Behavioral Health Division of the El Dorado County (EDC) Health and Human Services Agency invites the public to provide input on the County’s Mental Health Services Act (MHSA) Three Year Plan Annual Update for Fiscal Year 2018/19. Community members can provide input by email, online survey or at an upcoming community meeting.
Community meetings to receive input for the MHSA plan are scheduled as follows:
Ty Robben to spend the next seven years in prison
Submitted by paula on Sat, 10/28/2017 - 11:23am
The man who led anti-South Lake Tahoe Police, El Dorado County Sheriff, District Attorney and Judge campaigns will be spending the next seven years in prison after he was given the maximum sentence October 27, 2017 in Sacramento Superior Court.
Champions Plaza “Spirit of Competition” unveiled
Submitted by paula on Fri, 10/27/2017 - 8:15pm
SOUTH LAKE TAHOE, Calif. - The long awaited 11 foot tall bronze sculpture "Spirit of Competition" perched on top of a 4.5 ton boulder was unveiled during a ceremony at Champions Plaza Friday.
Sculptor Gareth Curtiss transported his creation from his studio in Fortine, Montana just two days ago in the back of his van, early Thursday morning the bronze sculpture was picked up with a crane and placed on top of the boulder, bolted in and wrapped up for the ceremony.
Meyers Area Plan presentation at TRPA meeting
Submitted by paula on Tue, 10/24/2017 - 9:07am
Event Date:
October 25, 2017 - 11:30am
A new Meyers Area Plan has been created to replace the 1993 Meyers Community Plan, and it will be presented to the Tahoe Regional Planning Agency (TRPA) Regional Plan Implementation Committee meeting on Wednesday, October 25 at 11:30 a.m. at the TRPA offices at 128 Market Street in Stateline, Nev.
U.S. Marines training in South Lake Tahoe with MV-22 Ospreys
Submitted by paula on Sat, 10/14/2017 - 2:21pm
Have you heard, or seen, military helicopters around South Lake Tahoe the last few days? The U.S. Marine Corps Air Station Miramar is conducting training using the MV-22 Osprey tiltrotor aircraft at the Lake Tahoe Airport from October 11 until at least October 18.
At first, their plans were to station 12 aircraft at the airport until October 30, so final training plans may have changed. They will also be using a meeting room and hangar at the airport for training purposes.
Time to nominate people and businesses for Blue Ribbon Awards
Submitted by paula on Mon, 10/02/2017 - 7:00pm
Event Date:
November 9, 2017 - 5:30pm
Since 2007, the Tahoe Chamber's Blue Ribbon Awards have honored excellence in business on the South Shore. The awards program recognizes businesses, organizations, and individuals for achievements, community contributions, and milestones. It is one of the largest business awards program on the South Shore bringing together over 300 local business leaders, entrepreneurs, organizations, community members and government officials.
Investigation of alleged tire thefts underway in Douglas County
Submitted by paula on Thu, 09/28/2017 - 4:53pm
A criminal investigation is underway in Douglas County after their County Manager was informed about alleged thefts of tires and possible other improprieties by two different sources.T
The Nevada Division of Investigation has been conducting the investigation since the allegations first surfaced in March of 2017. The Douglas County District Attorney also immediately initiated an internal investigation into the matter which allegedly took place within the Public Works Department. Both investigations are ongoing.
Ty Robben found guilty of 8 felonies; Sentencing in October
Submitted by paula on Tue, 09/26/2017 - 3:45pm
The man who has led anti-South Lake Tahoe Police, El Dorado County Sheriff, District Attorney and Judge campaigns was found guilty on Monday in Sacramento Superior Court on eight felony charges.
El Dorado County assessed home values up $1.7B
Submitted by paula on Tue, 09/19/2017 - 4:48pm
El Dorado County Assessor Karl Weiland today announced the assessed value of
all taxable property in El Dorado County increased by almost six percent from last year. The $31.5 billion property tax roll, which reflects the assessed value as of January 1st, 2017 is approximately $1.7 billion above last year’s assessed value of $29.8 billion.
The $31.5 billion dollar roll generates about $315 million in property taxes every year that support schools, public safety, local districts, cities and County government services.
Guest Columnist: Restoring Lake Tahoe’s Clarity
Submitted by paula on Wed, 09/13/2017 - 1:44pm
Lake Tahoe is known around the world for its crystal-clear water. For several decades, Tahoe’s clarity, which measured more than 100 feet in 1968, was declining each year because of stormwater pollution from poorly planned development and the lingering effects of historical activities such as cattle grazing and logging.
Leadership Lake Tahoe class of 2017-18 announced
Submitted by paula on Thu, 09/07/2017 - 11:05pm
The 26 members of the 2017-2018 Leadership Lake Tahoe class have been announced. They will start their ten-month long journey on September 13.
Anjie Goulding - Kirkwood Mountain Resort
Athena Adler - Harrah's & Harveys Lake Tahoe
Brittani Curtis - Tahoe Chamber
Carissa Bisnar - CB Umbrella Group
Carl Franz - Genentech
Eanad Lott - Live Violence Free
Hannah Greenstreet- Live Violence Free/LTUSD
Jason Burke - City of South Lake Tahoe
Jeremy Brown - Lake Tahoe Community College
Julie Lucksinger - Lake Valley Properties
Katharine Miller - El Dorado County Library
Meyers Area Plan ready for community input
Submitted by paula on Thu, 09/07/2017 - 12:43am
The Final Draft of the Meyers Area Plan was released today along with the associated joint environmental document. This draft updates 20-year old policies to streamline permitting for small projects, improves consistency between El Dorado County and Tahoe Regional Planning Agency (TRPA) policies and standards, promotes recreation and bicycle/pedestrian improvements, establishes zoning to better reflect current conditions, conserves land around the Upper Truckee River, formalizes a local citizens advisory council, and integrates design standards and guidelines.
City of South Lake Tahoe looks at temporary ban of marijuana sales
Submitted by paula on Wed, 08/30/2017 - 12:55am
There is no need to rush into an ordinance regulating the sale of marijuana in South Lake Tahoe. That was the overwhelming opinion of the SLT City Council Tuesday night after a special, four-hour long Cannabis Workshop.
"We owe it to our community to make sure we take every measure to protect them," said SLT Mayor Austin Sass.
Choices limited on what to do with California's 102M dead trees
Submitted by paula on Tue, 08/29/2017 - 2:02pm
There are now an estimated 102 million dead trees in California, creating unhealthy forests that are prone to major and catastrophic wildfires. Even though funds are being allocated to remove many of them, where will that timber go?
For now, there aren’t many options because of what has transpired from the government since 1968.
In that year the Secretaries of Agriculture and Interior issued orders restricting the volume of timber that could be harvested from Federal lands in the West. It was updated in 1969 to limit the total harvested to 350-million-board-feet.
Lake Tahoe Summit: Bi-state, bipartisan effort to preserve Tahoe never complete
Submitted by paula on Tue, 08/22/2017 - 10:15pm
Achievements in preserving Lake Tahoe were celebrated August 22 during the 21st Lake Tahoe Summit at Tallac Historic Site, but it was clear there is a lot more to do and the job will never be over.
Started by former President Bill Clinton in 1996, this annual gathering of government, public agencies and private partners highlights what has been done, what is being done, what what still needs to be done in keeping Lake Tahoe clean and clear.
On heels of Tahoe Summit, grant given to TRPA to monitor wetlands
Submitted by paula on Tue, 08/22/2017 - 4:55pm
The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency has awarded $197,250 to the Tahoe Regional Planning Agency (TRPA) to assess and restore wetlands in the Lake Tahoe Basin. Today’s announcement coincided with the 21st annual Lake Tahoe Summit in South Lake Tahoe.
TRPA will use the grant to develop a regional plan for monitoring changes in wetlands over time, prioritizing wetland restoration efforts and establishing goals for successful wetland projects.
Governor, senators and others to speak at 2017 Lake Tahoe Summit
Submitted by paula on Fri, 08/18/2017 - 12:44pm
Event Date:
August 22, 2017 - 10:00am
California Senator Diane Feinstein is hosting the 21st annual Lake Tahoe Summit on Tuesday, August 22 at Vahalla in the Tallac Historic Site from 10:00 a.m. to 12:00 p.m. The theme for the day is "2017- A Pivotal Point for the Future of Lake Tahoe.”
The event will examine successful restoration projects and ways to address new challenges facing the lake. A key focus will be combating the effects of climate change in the Lake Tahoe basin.
Law enforcement searching for paroled sex offender in Meyers
Submitted by paula on Fri, 06/23/2017 - 2:51pm
The El Dorado County Sheriff's Office (EDSO) received a phone call Thursday, alerting them of a convicted sex offender in Meyers who had cut off his ankle monitoring device.
Deputies searched for 25-year-old Alexander Paul Childs in the area but were not successful. Deputies have been on the lookout for him and EDSO has notified surrounding law enforcement agencies as well.
The anonymous caller told EDSO that Childs had called her and said he'd been without his ankle device for about a month and that he wanted to leave Meyers and head to Sacramento.
Angora Fire 10 years later: Water suppliers complete $1.6M in water infrastructure projects
Submitted by paula on Wed, 06/07/2017 - 10:30pm
Igniting on June 24, 2007, the Angora Fire rapidly spread to over 3,100 acres, destroying 254 homes, 75 commercial structures and resulting in more than $141 million in damages. In response to this disaster, an Emergency California-Nevada Tahoe Basin Fire Commission was formed to conduct a comprehensive review of the laws, policies and practices that affect the vulnerability of the Tahoe Basin to wildfires.
DCSO Deputy Duffy selected as Grand Marshall for Carson Valley Days parade
Submitted by paula on Tue, 06/06/2017 - 3:31pm
Douglas County Sheriff's Deputy Teresa Duffy will lead the 107th annual Carson Valley Days parade as the Grand Marshall. The theme of the parade and festival is "A Salute to First Responders."
The Carson Valley Active 20-30 Club is organizing the event which runs from June 9 to June 11. The club wanted to raise awareness, celebrate, honor and, most importantly, say thank you to the first responders of Douglas County, those who protect the community on a daily basis.
El Dorado County's $536M budget eliminates 40 jobs, reduces $13M in costs
Submitted by paula on Sat, 06/03/2017 - 8:46am
With an increase of $4.5 million to CalPers in 2018, changes to some social service programs, the impact of prison realignment, a "challenging" budget for El Dorado County is now available for public review. It is going to the Board of Supervisors (BOS) as well and they will have future meetings on the subject.
Opinion: How we move forward after the Paris Climate Accord withdrawal
Submitted by Anonymous on Thu, 06/01/2017 - 6:35pm
On June 1, 2017 as I watched President Trump announce that his administration would be pulling the United States out of the Paris Climate Accord I couldn’t help but reflect on President Reagan’s farewell address to the nation in which he imparted, for the final time as president, his vision that the United States is the world’s shinning “light on a hill.”
Applications being accepted for next Leadership Lake Tahoe
Submitted by paula on Sun, 05/28/2017 - 8:11pm
Since its beginning in 2003, Leadership Lake Tahoe has helped shape the community with over 100 new leaders from various sectors including Vail Resort, Barton Health, South Tahoe Public Utility District, Tahoe Regional Planning Agency, the City of South Lake Tahoe, as well as small business owners and entrepreneurs including South Tahoe Now.
Through a ten-month long, comprehensive program, the current and future leaders increase their knowledge and awareness of the issues and challenges facing the South Shore community.
240 building allocations released by TRPA to Lake Tahoe jurisdictions
Submitted by paula on Wed, 05/24/2017 - 10:12pm
In a unanimous decision during their May 24 meeting, the Tahoe Regional Planning Agency (TRPA) Governing Board voted to release 240 housing allocations to jurisdictions in the Lake Tahoe Basin.
After concern was raised during their April 26 meeting, the TRPA Governing Board's Local Government Committee met on May 11 to address the use of residential
Jill Bedwell Memorial Day Golf Fundraiser and Local's Day at Edgewood Tahoe
Submitted by paula on Tue, 05/23/2017 - 10:55pm
On Wednesday, May 24, Edgewood Tahoe is offering a "Locals Day" golf special. They have opened for the 2017 season and are offering those living in the surrounding Lake Tahoe or Northern Nevada area (South Lake Tahoe, North Lake Tahoe, Reno/Sparks, Carson City, Carson Valley) a discounted rate.
Tahoe Chamber CEO out, Steve Teshara returns to helm
Submitted by paula on Fri, 05/19/2017 - 6:39pm
The Board of Directors of the Lake Tahoe Chamber of Commerce (Tahoe Chamber) has announced the resignation of Chamber CEO Craig Schmidt who had been on the job for just 90 days.
“We accepted Craig’s resignation May 16,” said Chamber Board Chair Jason Drew. “It was an amicable parting and we wish Craig every success in his future endeavors.”
LTCC hires Russi Egan as new VP of Administrative Services
Submitted by paula on Thu, 05/18/2017 - 9:54pm
During a special meeting of the Lake Tahoe Community College Board of Trustees on Thursday, Russi Egan was hired as the college's new Vice President of Administrative Services.
Egan is currently the Vice President of Administrative Services and Chief Financial Officer at Palo Verde College in Blythe, Calif. She will begin her new job at LTCC on July 1.
The position has been vacant since Jeff DeFranco became the school's new Superintendent/President in January, 2017.
Barton Health attentive to details of the American Health Care Act
Submitted by paula on Sat, 05/13/2017 - 10:52pm
Recently, the House of Representatives narrowly passed the American Health Care Act (H.R. 1628). The bill now resides in the U.S. Senate for determination and possible modification. Though we do not know if the senators will pass the American Health Care Act, Barton Health is committed to providing consistently exceptional care for our Lake Tahoe community members and visitors.
Pollock Pines woman sentenced to 10 years after $9M tax fraud scheme
Submitted by paula on Wed, 04/26/2017 - 1:27pm
Teresa Marty will be spending the next ten years in prison after causing the IRS to pay more than $9 million in false refunds.
The 57-year-old Pollock Pines woman owned Advanced Financial Services (AFS), a tax return preparation business located in Placerville. She conspired with her office manager, Pamela Harris and Rebecca Bandera-Marty to file more than 250 fraudulent federal tax returns claiming more than $60 million in refunds.
Letter: Tahoe Chamber proud to support City Council resolution
Submitted by paula on Tue, 04/18/2017 - 5:40pm
The Lake Tahoe South Shore Chamber of Commerce (Tahoe Chamber) was proud to be one of the fourteen organizations and individuals who spoke in favor of the proposed City Council Resolution establishing renewable energy and carbon emissions reduction goals at Tuesday’s Council meeting.
A standing room only crowd applauded enthusiastically when the Council voted unanimously to support the resolution after proponent Nick Exline offered several minor but important amendments on behalf of the community-based “100% Renewable Collaborative.”
South Lake Tahoe first Sierra community to have goal of 100% renewable energy
Submitted by paula on Tue, 04/18/2017 - 12:49pm
South Lake Tahoe, Calif. - Residents of South Lake Tahoe take pride in their city, its beauty, charm and recreational opportunities, and action during Tuesday's City Council gave people another reason to appreciate their community.
In honor of Earth Day, the City of South Lake Tahoe joined at least 26 other municipalities in the United States, and the latest in a growing coalition of mountain communities, to commit to 100 percent clean and renewable electricity by the year 2032.
