highway

Caples Creek prescribed burn turns into wildland fire

The Caples Creek prescribed burn that has been sending smoke into the Lake Tahoe Basin and Carson Valley all week has turned into a wildland fire.

On October 10 at approximately 1:30 p.m., fire managers made the decision due to unfavorable weather conditions and the inability to meet previously established objectives. This change allows for additional resources to assist in suppression from partners such as CalFire.

Colder temperatures delay paving Highway 50; Work expected into weekend

SOUTH LAKE TAHOE, Calif. - With below-average temperatures in South Lake Tahoe this week, the paving of the Highway 50 project has been delayed and may go into the weekend.

Mid-day Thursday it is still in the 30s though a high of 51 degrees is in the forecast. The low overnight will be 18 degrees.

Expect lingering smoke in Lake Tahoe Basin; Winds change direction Wednesday night

SOUTH LAKE TAHOE, Calif. - Smoke from the prescribed burn near Caples Creek should affect the Lake Tahoe Basin through Wednesday afternoon, then shift direction as the winds come from the Northeast.

The USFS Eldorado National Forest has completed ignitions on the Caples Prescribed Fire. Crews will patrol and monitor the area over the next few days during the wind event Wednesday through Thursday. Smoke sensitive individuals are encouraged to reduce their exposure by avoiding smoky areas, closing windows, or staying indoors.

El Dorado County Sheriff's Report

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 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.

9/25

11:15 a.m. - Burglary - Nadowa St - SUSPECTS ENTERED RESIDENCE AND STOLE PROPERTY.

Man arrested for Felony Hit-and-Run in South Lake Tahoe fatal collision

10:00 a.m. Monday update: The man arrested in connection with the felony hit-and-run is a full-time student at Lake Tahoe Community College (LTCC) and a member of their men's soccer team.

LTCC has issued the following statement:

Pedestrian killed in South Lake Tahoe hit-and-run collision

10/7 update: A 20-year-old college student went to the South Lake Tahoe Police Department at 12:30 a.m. this morning, telling them he believed he was involved in the fatal hit-and-run. Marlon Cruz, a member of the Lake Tahoe Community College men's soccer team, was arrested after an investigation by SLTPD and interview with Cruz. The vehicle used in the hit-and-run has been located. For more updates and a statement from LTCC, visit http://southtahoenow.com/story/10/07/2019/man-arrested-fatal-hit-and-run-collision-south-lake-tahoe.

Lake Tahoe area roadwork October 6 - 12

SOUTH LAKE TAHOE, Calif. - Caltrans is conducting work on Lake Tahoe and Sierra highways. The following are their current projects for the week of Octber 6-11, 2019.

LONG-TERM PROJECTS

Next Lake Tahoe Historical Society Fireside Chat on Highway 395

Event Date: 
October 22, 2019 - 7:00pm

The Lake Tahoe Historical Society is holding its next Fireside Chat at the historic Camp Richardson Hotel on Tuesday, October 22 at 7:00 p.m. The speaker that evening will be author David Woodruff. His presentation will be "Tales Along El Camino Sierra, A Sentimental Journey along Highway 395," the topic of two of his books.

Fireside Chats are held in the lobby in front of their fireplace.

Evening of three-one act comedies at Valhalla's Boathouse Theatre

Event Date: 
Repeats every day until Sat Oct 05 2019 .
October 3, 2019 (All day)
October 4, 2019 (All day)
October 5, 2019 (All day)

Immerse yourself in an evening of newly discovered comedy one-acts on stage at the
Boathouse Theatre from October 3-5 at 7:30 p.m. Deanna and Paul, Cafe D’Automatique and Funeral for a Friend, all award-winning short plays will be performed each night.

Complimentary cookies, coffee, and tea will be served in the Grand Hall prior to the third play.

Forest Order closes Taylor Creek and land around it; Rainbow Trail still open

SOUTH LAKE TAHOE, Calif. - Just as the throngs of visitors head to Taylor Creek to watch the annual salmon run up Taylor Creek, the U.S. Forest Service Lake Tahoe Basin Management Unit (LTBMU) has issued a forest closure to last through the spawning season, October 27.

The public, including photographers, cannot enter Taylor Creek or be within 400 feet of the creek from the Fallen Leaf Dam and continuing north to the high-water mark on the shore of Lake Tahoe.

Power outage in South Lake Tahoe

3:45 p.m. update: Crews have been able to re-route power to re-energize most customers. The remaining customers are expected to be re-energized by 5:30 pm and then crews will focus on the long term repairs through the night.

3:20 p.m. update: Power has been restored to about half of those affected by the earlier outage. Liberty Utilities says the remaining 3,184 customers should have power restored by 3:41 p.m.

Fall Fish Festival this weekend in South Lake Tahoe

Event Date: 
October 5, 2019 - 10:00am

SOUTH LAKE TAHOE, Calif. - The annual Fall Fish Festival returns to the South Shore on Saturday and Sunday, October 5 and 6, 2019, from 10:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m.

Celebrate the annual fall migration of the Kokanee salmon at the Taylor Creek Visitor Center on SR-89.

The Fall Fish Festival focuses on a variety of fish species that live in Lake Tahoe and its rivers. In addition to the Kokanee, these species include the federally threatened Lahontan cutthroat trout and little-known smaller fish, such as speckled dace.

Lake Tahoe and Sierra area roadwork 9/29 - 10/5

The following is a list of road projects underway by Caltrans around the Lake Tahoe Basin and surrounding highways of the Sierra.

LONG-TERM PROJECTS

Man charged with battery after allegedly hitting Douglas County deputy vehicle

MINDEN, Nev. - An alleged theft investigation at a WalMart in Douglas County led to the arrest of 23-year-old Gardnerville resident Steven Williams with the assistance of the South Lake Tahoe K-9 unit.

The incident started on Friday morning when deputies from the Douglas County Sheriff's Office (DCSO) responded to the Walmart on Grant Avenue for an alleged theft investigation. They learned the suspect was driving a white sport utility vehicle.

No parking fee at Eagle Falls trailhead Saturday in honor of National Public Lands Day

SOUTH LAKE TAHOE, Calif. – National Public Lands Day (NPLD) is on Saturday, September 28 and in the Lake Tahoe Basin it will be celebrated by the parking fee being waived for the day at the Eagle Falls Trailhead.

The USDA Forest Service Lake Tahoe Basin Management Unit (LTBMU) manages approximately 78 percent of the public land in the Tahoe Basin. They will continue to the celebration of NPLD through the weekend of October 5-6 when they host a booth at the Fall Fish Festival at Taylor Creek in South Lake Tahoe. This time is also the 50th anniversary of Desolation Wilderness.

New highway closure plan for Stateline; Round-the-clock work begins Sept. 30

STATELINE, Nev. - At 6:00 a.m. on Monday, September 30, NV Energy will resume work on Highway 50 in Stateline on the South Shore with new measures in place for traffic flow. A previous attempt resulted in traffic backed up to Zephyr Cove.

The work is to replace equipment in two underground electric vaults. The new traffic plan will be in effect 6:00 a.m. Monday, Sept. 30 through approximately 5 p.m. Friday, Oct. 4:

• One lane of traffic will be open in each direction on Highway 50 through the casino corridor.

Grinding and paving project Thursday at Highway 50 bridge

MEYERS, Calif. — Grinding and paving work for emergency repairs to a section of U.S. Highway 50 just east of Meyers is scheduled for all day on Thursday.

The deck and asphalt approach on each end of the Sawmill Bridge over the Upper Truckee River need to be resurfaced and the guardrail on the 134.5-foot structure has to be replaced after crash between a tanker truck and Prius led to an explosion and fire on September 7.

Victim in fiery South Lake Tahoe crash remembered

SOUTH LAKE TAHOE, Calif. - It was a day like any other for Daniel Noah Peterson. A trip to deliver fuel to South Lake Tahoe gas stations before heading home for the night. Doing a job he loved to do.

It was Saturday, September 7, 2019.

NV Energy puts Stateline project on temporary hold until plan revised

A three-week project to improve reliability of an underground electrical vault on US50 at Stateline is on a temporary hold after the first day of the project September 18 resulted in a massive traffic jam from the casino corridor to Zephyr Cove.

Overnight closure of US 395 for cattle guard replacement

CARSON CITY, Nev. – Single lane closures will take place on U.S. 395 south of Gardnerville the evenings of Sept. 23 and Sept. 24 as the Nevada Department of Transportation (NDOT) replaces a cattle guard across the highway.

STHS art teacher and students create mural on TRPA shipping container

SOUTH LAKE TAHOE, Calif. – What was once a dull gray shipping container has been transformed into a work of art at the watercraft inspection station in Meyers, California. The container houses equipment used to decontaminate boats arriving at the station that might harbor aquatic invasive species.

Now greeting boaters will be a colorful and creative mural painted by local artists and students. At the same time the mural puts the Clean, Drain, and Dry message front and center.

Lanes close as NV Energy replaces underground vaults at Stateline

STATELINE, Nev. - NV Energy will start work on Highway 50 at Stateline on Wednesday morning to replace equipment in two underground electric vaults.

The work, including excavation and repaving, is estimated to be completed by October 11. The schedule is subject to change based on weather.

During this time, NV Energy will work closely with the Nevada Department of Transportation (NDOT) regarding road closures.

Lake Tahoe area roadwork September 15 - 21

LONG-TERM PROJECTS

100th anniverary of historic military convoy heading through South Lake Tahoe

SOUTH LAKE TAHOE, Calif. - 100 years ago, the US Army Motor Transport Corps convoy traveled along the brand new (and now famed and historic) Lincoln Highway from coast to coast. They covered over 3,000 miles from Washington, D.C. to Oakland, California on road, then ferried over to their end in San Francisco.

Now, in 2019, the Military Vehicle Preservation Association is will follow the original Lincoln Highway route as closely as possible during the 100th Anniversary Convoy across the United States, and South Lake Tahoe is on that route.

Full closure of US50 over Echo Summit delayed until 2020

SOUTH LAKE TAHOE, Calif. - The full closure of US Highway 50 over Echo Summit planned for October 18 has been postponed until next year.

The seven precast bridge girders needed for the Echo Summit Sidehill Viaduct (bridge) Replacement Project will not be ready in time for an October closure. Instead, contractor Q&D Construction will winterize the job site and come back to finish the project next year.

This is a two-year project that the contractor was attempting to accelerate. It is still on track to be finished next year.

Lake Tahoe and Sierra roadwork for September 8-14

SOUTH LAKE TAHOE, Calif. - Scheduled roadwork around the Lake Tahoe Basin is still in full swing before the winter hiatus.

For those wondering about the old Caltrans traffic camera at the Y: it is being replaced and when received there will be a lane closure coordinated for installation.

The camera at the new roundabout in Meyers can be rotated to analyze traffic needs and will not be aimed just at the roundabout for the time being.

The following are the Caltrans projects in the Lake Tahoe Basin and El Dorado County

LONG-TERM PROJECTS

El Dorado County Sheriff's Report

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 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.

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

8/28

Grinding and paving project in South Lake Tahoe to cause delays

SOUTH LAKE TAHOE, Calif. - A Caltrans grinding and paving project got underway Monday in South Lake Tahoe, causing traffic delays with travel reduced to one lane in each direction at the "Y" intersection.

Work got underway at 5:00 a.m. Monday at US50 and SR89. The roadway will be ground down and replaced with new asphalt.

For the duration of the paving work, the contractor is permitted to have around the clock lane reductions, weather permitting. The intersection operation is expected to be completed within a week.

Safety at Round Hill Pines Resort entrance focus of upcoming public meeting

Event Date: 
September 25, 2019 - 5:00pm

LAKE TAHOE, Nev. - Safety for visitors entering and exiting the Round Hill Pines Resort from U50 is the focus of a second public meeting on a project currently in the Environmental Assessment stage. The purpose of the project is to increase safety and improve accessibility for motorists, pedestrians, and bicycles entering and exiting the popular resort. HIghway planner say the major issues in the area are limited sight distance, unprotected turning movements across US50 and vehicle queuing in the eastbound inside lane of US50 during peak visitation periods

Update on fiery tanker explosion in South Lake Tahoe

SOUTH LAKE TAHOE, Calif. - A 36-year-old man from North Highlands, California has been identified as the driver of the gasoline tanker involved in Saturday's deadly crash and explosion.

The California Highway Patrol (CHP) has released more information based on its investigation. No names are being released at this time.

On September 7 at approximately 11:45 a.m. a tanker truck and trailer fully loaded

Motorcyclist dies in crash on US50 east of Lake Tahoe

CARSON CITY, Nev. - There was a fatal crash involving a single motorcycle on US50/ Spooner Summit Saturday night, one mile above the junction with US395 near the Carson City-Douglas County line.

According to the Nevada Highway Patrol (NHP), the passenger on the motorcycle died in the crash which occurred just before 8:00 p.m. September 7.

Care Flight landed on the highway to transport the driver who had critical injuries in the crash.

As of 10:30 p.m. Saturday, one eastbound lane was still closed on US50 for an investigation.

Fatal crash involving gas tanker in South Lake Tahoe

Update 10:00 p.m. - One person has died after the tanker truck they were driving on Highway 50 just west of South Lake Tahoe collided with the Upper Truckee River bridge near Elks Club Road.

The preliminary investigation shows that at 11:55 a.m. on Saturday, September 7 the driver of a Toyota Prius was making a right turn from Elks Club Road onto Highway 50 when he pulled out in front of the eastbound truck. According to CHP South Lake Tahoe Commander Terry Lowther, the driver of the Pruis violated the truck driver's right-of-way.

Echo Summit closure moved out to October 18, Caltrans tells those at public meeting

SOUTH LAKE TAHOE, Calif. - Caltrans is now looking at October 18 as the beginning of a two-week closure of US Highway 50 at Echo Summit.

Highway 50 and Sierra Boulevard projects heading into final weeks

SOUTH LAKE TAHOE, Calif. - With summer over and the October 15 deadline for grading projects in the Lake Tahoe Basin, contractors are working to wrap up work on Sierra Boulevard and Highway 50.

El Dorado County fire prompts evacuations near Cool

8:45 p.m. Update: The #CountryFire off Highway 193 and Penobscot Road east of Cool in El Dorado County is now 85 acres and 25 percent contained. Evacuation and road closures are still in place.

EL DORADO COUNTY, Calif. - A fire burning east of the town of Cool in El Dorado County has burned 75 acres and is 10 percent contained. It is burning off Highway 193 and Penobscot Road and some areas have mandatory evacuations in place.

At 2:50 p.m. Code Red messages have gone out for evacuation notices for the following locations:

Closure of Echo Summit may be closer to mid-October

9.6.19 Update: At this time Echo Summit will be closed for 14 days starting on October 18, 2019.

SOUTH LAKE TAHOE, Calif. - Due to a delay in receiving needed supplies, the Caltrans contractor working on the US 50 Echo Summit Sidehill Viaduct project will be moving their expected full road closure date.

Caltrans today told the South Lake Tahoe City Council it is looking more like mid-October for their closing the artery between the lake and Sacramento for up to 14 days. They said the actual closure date is still a moving target.

South Lake Tahoe City Council agenda includes Echo Summit, commodities, new logo and budget

SOUTH LAKE TAHOE, Calif. - Tuesday's City Council meeting will include several items including a closed session at 8:00 a.m. that includes Liberty Utilities' claim that a City snowplow damaged a light pole, causing $56,883.41 in damage.

Chance of thunderstorms and showers in the Lake Tahoe forecast

SOUTH LAKE TAHOE, Calif. - The region will see above average temperatures with afternoon breezes continue through Labor Day. Thunderstorm chances return beginning Monday and lasting through Thursday with the most widespread storms on Wednesday. Temperatures will gradually cool stating Wednesday but will remain above normal, according to the National Weather Service in Reno.

The storms will be most numerous near and east of Highway 395.

Next weekend remains uncertain, but confidence has increased somewhat that another upper low will approach the coast.

El Dorado County Sheriff's Report

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 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.

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

8/21

Lake Tahoe and Sierra area roadwork for September 1 - 6

SOUTH LAKE TAHOE, Calif. - There are about so left of scheduled roadwork around the Lake Tahoe Basin before winter hiatus. Most traffic-interfering work will be limited from 6 a.m. Friday, August 30 through 8 p.m. Tuesday, September 3 for Labor Day weekend. Exceptions may be granted depending on the work and route.

The following are the Caltrans projects in the Lake Tahoe Basin and El Dorado County:

LONG-TERM PROJECTS

Two Placerville area men arrested after high-speed chase in South Lake Tahoe

SOUTH LAKE TAHOE, Calif. - Two El Dorado County men have been arrested on multiple charges after leading law enforcement on a chase through South Lake Tahoe and Meyers Friday afternoon.

At 1:12 p.m., the South Lake Tahoe Police Department (SLTPD) was notified of a reckless driver on US50 near Heidi's Restaurant. The person who called it in said the car was a Lexus 4-door and it was heading west.

Caltrans updates Echo Summit two week closure time frame

SOUTH LAKE TAHOE, Calif.. - The California Department of Transportation (Caltrans) has updated the estimated closure time for US50 over Echo Summit.

South Lake Tahoe Police Blotter

SOUTH LAKE TAHOE, Calif. - The following is a list of calls the South Lake Tahoe Police Department responded to August 19-28, 2019. There were 26 arrests, 53 traffic stops and 369 other calls for service.

8/19

ARRESTS (2)
33-year-old male arrested for public intoxication and resisting arrest.
52-year-old female arrested on a local no bail felony warrant for DUI.

TRAFFIC STOPS (4)

OTHER CALLS FOR SERVICE (40):
Alarm: 4100-block Lake Tahoe Blvd.
Animal Incident: Tallac Ave/Harrison Ave.
Assist Outside Agency: 1000-block Lyons Ave.

Caltrans: No Echo Summit locals passes available at this time

SOUTH LAKE TAHOE, Calif. - Ever since the information was released about the possibility of closing US50 over Echo Summit at the end of September, the Caltrans Maintenance Yard in Meyers has been inundated with requests for a local's pass. If the highway is closed, locals will have an option to head west via Johnson's Pass Road.

Road closures set as travelers leave South Lake Tahoe on Labor Day

SOUTH LAKE TAHOE, Calif. - The second of two pilot plan holiday weekends designed to help alleviate traffic congestion on Meyer's back roads will take place on Monday, September 2 from 9:00 a.m. to 6:00 p.m.

Holiday traffic from South Lake Tahoe that heads west on Highway 50 over Echo Summit has been directed by apps like Waze and Google Maps to take side roads as the quickest route home. The redirected routes go through neighborhoods and block residents from their homes.

An Ordinary Day until.....Bees

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

Upper Truckee Meadow
river drive
United States

Red Flag Warning in place for areas west and east of Lake Tahoe

The National Weather Service in Reno has issued a Red Flag Warning for Wednesday, August 28 from 11:00 a.m. to 8:00 p.m. for Carson City and the portion of Douglas County in the valley. Also under the warning are other portions of Western Nevada, the Eastern Sierra and the west slope of the Sierra.

The Lake Tahoe Basin does not fall into this warning.

The Red Flag Warning is for thunderstorms and strong outflow winds. The Fire Weather Watch is no longer in effect.

Expect:

One arrested after hitting pole in Meyers: Knocks out power, phone and cable services

MEYERS, Calif. - Many people were without power for several hours overnight Sunday after a car driven by a suspected drunk driver collided with a power pole on North Upper Truckee Road just before midnight.

According to the California Highway Patrol, a 24-year-old woman from Yerington, Nevada was heading south on the road about 200 feet north of its intersection with US50 when she ran into a power pole.

Expect lane closures on Mt. Rose Highway between Incline Village and ski resort

CARSON CITY, Nev. – The Nevada Department of Transportation (NDOT) will be working on State Route 431, the Mt. Rose Highway, from August 28 to mid-October to improve roadside guardrail and resurface sections of the roadway.

The daytime work will require them to have intermittent lane closures from 7:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. on small sections of the highway in Incline Village and the northern side of Mt. Rose Summit. Though they expect drivers to have short delays, motorists should anticipate maximum travel delays of up to 30 minutes.

Meyers roundabout to be fully open by Labor Day Weekend

SOUTH LAKE TAHOE, Calif. - The new roundabout in Meyers on Highway 50 at the base of Echo Summit has already been partially open but on Thursday motorists will be able to use the complete roundabout as designed, including the westbound by-pass lane.

Final paving will be done Wednesday and Thursday night so the bypass lane of the roundabout should be open by Thursday morning. The speed limit in the area is posted at 20 mph through the roundabout, 30 mph as one exits to the west and 40 mph will remain the speed limit through Meyers.

Syndicate content