importance

In an effort to highlight the importance of pedestrian safety on Northern Nevada roads, the Nevada Highway Patrol (NHP) joined forces with both the Reno and Sparks Police departments and Washoe County Sheriff’s Office.

The theme for Monday's 19th Annual Lake Tahoe Summit was “Connecting Lake Tahoe’s Environment and Economy through Innovation and Transportation.”

“The Tahoe Prosperity Center is thrilled that Senator Dean Heller of Nevada, and the Lake Tahoe Summit’s host this year, recognizes the importance of Tahoe’s economy as well as the environment and included it in this year’s theme,” stated executive director, Heidi Hill Drum.

In what many locals was hoping wouldn't be the case, the Barton Ranch in South Lake Tahoe is set for demolition.

Family members who own the land and the buildings have spent years trying to get to this point in order to remove what they say is a dangerous set of buildings that have caused problems with vandals and vagrants.

On Tuesday, employees of Allied Environmental, Inc of Shingle springs were on site to remove asbestos in preparation for demolition.

The South Lake Tahoe Fire Department installed Automated External Defibrillators (AED) in all city staffed buildings this week including the airport, Parks and Recreation Swim Complex, Motor Pool, Senior Center, Transit Center, Services Center and at the Police Department.

Scientists have determined that Lake Tahoe’s iconic blueness is most strongly related to algae, not clarity. In a report released today from the UC Davis Tahoe Environmental Research Center, researchers found the lower the algal concentration, the bluer the lake.

In the “Tahoe: State of the Lake Report 2015” report, research shows clarity is controlled by sediment. Blueness is controlled by algal concentration, which in turn is driven by the level of nutrients available to the algae.

Join the Tahoe Heritage Foundation and the U.S. Forest Service at Lake of the Sky Amphitheater on Friday, July 24 for a fun and educational presentation by NorCal Bats. Learn about these amazing flying mammals and their importance to our ecosystem, such as insect control.

The live lecture is at Taylor Creek Visitor Center's Lake of the Sky Amphitheater at 8:30 p.m. It is open to the public. Cost is a $5 donation which goes to the Tahoe Heritage Foundation.

Wild Things Inc will bring an exciting mix of wild animals to your library. In their presentations they share with children a message of conservation and appreciation for animals by telling about that animal’s personal history and its importance to the environment.

Location

More than a hundred trained volunteers will continue a 15 year tradition with a one-day hands-on effort to capture a snapshot of the health of Lake Tahoe’s watershed on May 16 at Lake Tahoe Community College.

“Snapshot Day creates the opportunity for people of all ages and experience levels to take part in protecting our watershed,” said Jesse Patterson, deputy director for the League to Save Lake Tahoe.

In July of 2014, a packed house was at the Tahoe Regional Planning Agency Board Meeting (TRPA). The crowd, made up mostly of those in the Lake Tahoe real estate profession, were there to voice their concern about a proposal before the board to require completion of Best Management Practices (BMPs) by the time a home sold or the title would not be cleared until completed.

The real estate brokers and agents said they didn't find it appropriate that they should be the enforcing arm of TRPA.

The majority of Tahoe locals and tourists lack knowledge of bear precaution, causing the growing presence of bears in South Lake Tahoe’s residential areas. In recent years, Lake Tahoe’s black bears have become problematic when outside their natural meadow and forest habitat. Because of human habits, bears have become attracted to local neighborhoods. Passing routines down to their cubs, bears remain dependent on the human food source left outside many residents’ homes.

A newly released scientific study highlights the importance of collaborative work to prevent the introduction of aquatic invasive species at Lake Tahoe, and confirms what many public and private stakeholders have feared: That the invasive quagga mussel, if introduced, could establish in our mountain lake’s clear, iconic waters.

Coldwell Banker McKinney’s team of over 30 professionals has been providing services for clients since 1978 in South Lake Tahoe. Their award winning office in the heart of the community and they call themselves the most established and experienced real estate company in the City.

The City of South Lake Tahoe would like to thank locals and visitors for their contributions to efficient and effective snow removal. Our goal article is to familiarize those new to the area of “Snow Removal Do’s and Don’ts.” This might be old news to people who have lived in the Tahoe Basin for a while. However, for some visitors and new residents, this information could be beneficial when dealing with a Tahoe winter and snow removal.

Barton Memorial Hospital announced today it has been identified as a 2013 Top Performer on Key Quality Measures® by The Joint Commission. According to The Joint Commission report released on November 13, Barton Hospital is one of 1,224 hospitals that achieved the 2013 Top Performer distinction.

TahoeChamber has endorsed seven candidates for the upcoming election that best portray the values and abilities necessary to serve the South Shore business community. As directed by the TahoeChamber Board of Directors, the TahoeChamber Candidate Endorsement Committee (TC-CEC) used the pillars of the Chamber’s adopted Tahoe Future A South Shore Community Vision 2020 as the foundational criteria for evaluating candidates. The pillars include Economic Vitality, Quality of Life, Sustainability, Infrastructure and Intellectual Capital.

Lucas McNamara, 7, was hiking around Griff Creek near Kings Beach Fire Station last week with his family when he saw a black, spiny fish, about 1-foot-long, lying dead in the creek. He ran up the creek bed, yelling, “Dad, you need to look at the big crazy fish!”

Lucas’ parents, Steve and Jen McNamara, decided to make this a teachable moment for their son, who already shows active interest in science and the environment.

“I told Lucas that this fish is not normal for Lake Tahoe and may be harmful to the other fish and animals in the lake,” Steve said.

Studies show that an average of 4.6% of a population are in need of services to treat a serious mental illness at any given time. That number doubles in a population where people live below 200% of the poverty level (an annual income of $23,340 for 1 person, $47,700 for a family of 4 for example).

With the current population of El Dorado County at approximately 181,000, that means anywhere between 8,329 and 16,114 people are in need of Mental Health Services.

Summer is on it’s way and with it comes the risk of wildland fires. Already throughout the State many lives and homes have been in danger due to wildland fires. If your home, or the home of someone you care for is at risk, will you be notified? Have you registered for emergency notifications through the El Dorado County Sheriff's Office (EDSO), Office of Emergency Services (OES), Emergency Notification System? If not, now is the time to do so. The system sends out individual alerts about public health and public safety emergencies affecting specific geographical areas.

Free Drop Off of Combustibles For Nevada Residents

Clear out the combustibles from your yard and drop them off for free at the kickoff event being held for “Compost Your Combustibles 2014” at
Heavenly Boulder parking lot this Saturday, May 24th in recognition of Wildfire Awareness Month.” Drop off days will be held through the first Saturday in August.

Rake and remove pine needles and yard combustible waste to prepare your home in the case of wildfire.

April is Child Abuse Prevention Month and in honor of raising awareness, it is time we discuss this silent tragedy present on a daily basis in our community. The simple truth is that no child deserves to be hurt.

Unfortunately, the reason I have a job is due to the overwhelming presence of child abuse, sexual assault, and domestic violence in society. I stand strongly behind my job and the importance of raising awareness of the impact that child abuse has on our community and providing people with the tools to stop the violence.

Prescribed fire operations will continue around Lake Tahoe this week. Fuels management crews from the U.S. Forest Service will be in various locations around the Lake Tahoe Basin the week of March 30, 2014. Possible locations include Slaughterhouse Canyon on the East Shore, the Luther Pass Campground off of Highway 89 near South Lake Tahoe, the west side of Highway 89 near Tahoma, and near D.L. Bliss State Park on the West Shore.

Operations are ongoing and depend on weather, staffing, and conditions. Locations could vary due to changing conditions.

Build a five-star reputation online with help from TahoeChamber and Peak 1 Group at the next Tech Tuesday on April 1 at 8 a.m. This workshop focuses on the importance of reputation marketing, which is crucial for our tourism and hospitality-based community. Participants will learn how to proactively manage their online reputations while increasing their websites’ visibility, traffic and engagement. Swartz, a marketing professional, will teach participants how to respond to reviews and how to use customer feedback – both good and bad – to improve SEO efforts.

Blue Go buses in South Lake Tahoe will soon be adorned with artwork created by students from Irene Kaelin's 5th grade class at Tahoe Valley Elementary. The Tahoe Transportation District is donating the art space on buses to raise awareness against animal cruelty ad the importance of Spay-Neuter and Vaccinations for your pets.

"Art for Animals" plans on helping spread the message of the Lake Tahoe Humane Society.

There will be several controlled burns around west and south shore of the Lake Tahoe basin beginning on Tuesday, February 4.

In South Lake Tahoe, the prescribed burns will take place on the east side of Tahoe Mountain, the south side of Highway 89 near Camp Richardson, and off of North Upper Truckee Road in the Angora fire area south of Mule Deer Circle.