infrastructure

Tahoe Chamber was recently recognized at the Western Association of Chamber Executives (W.A.C.E.) Conference in Anaheim for their accomplishments in political advocacy and communications.

Wind gusts that reached up to 150 mph last weekend knocked over power poles and toppled trees onto live electrical wires throught the Liberty Energy territory in Northern California.

“Basically, crews have been working non-stop since the first storm arrived on Friday,” according to Mike Smart, Liberty Utilities-CA President. “For the past four days, we’ve reset poles, restrung wire and even made repairs to another utility’s infrastructure because it affected our ability to serve our customers.”

It's been almost three months since Measure F passed and now is the time for the $55 million bond approved by the voters to start being put to use.

The South Lake Tahoe community is invited to a LTCC Open House on Thursday, February 5 at 5 p.m. to learn more information about the bond and to hear about what projects and new construction will be coming to the campus.

The following is a summary of accomplishments during 2014 by the City of South Lake Tahoe.

Strategic Priority: Fiscal Sustainability
The most important issue facing cities and local agencies is continued steadfast attention to the budget, both short term and long term fiscal impacts.

· Implemented “budget watch” approach to financial analysis; a year-long effort evaluating state, national and global economic impacts for South Shore economy, and capital investment opportunities

Driving by Harrison Avenue in South Lake Tahoe shows what dedication, perseverance and teamwork can do.

Many people have trouble managing their own money and balancing their checkbook, but Douglas County is giving all residents a chance the manage the county's money.

This unique opportunity gives locals $500 to spend on the county's six areas identified on their Strategic Plan. They'll distribute the funds on Safe Community, Economic Vitality, Well Maintained Infrastructure, Financial Stability, Preservation of Natural Environment, Resources and Cultural Heritage and Managed Growth and Development.

Running for elected office is one of the most humbling experiences a person can have. You’re allowing yourself to be scrutinized by your community, people can take shots at your positions, and you have to move forward with calm and ease the entire time. I knew I wanted to make a difference in our community after completing the TahoeChamber’s Leadership Lake Tahoe program, little did I know that I’d be taking action and running for City Council so soon.

9/28/14 10:00 p.m. update: 4,420 firefighters and support staff are still on the scene of the 97.099 acre King Fire which is now 89% contained.

After 4 days of precipitation with accumulations of 1-3 inches, fire spread has been halted, however heat remains in the heavier fuels and in the heavy duff sheltered from the rain under the dense timber canopy. As the weather turns warm and dry over the next several days, expect to see an increase in fire activity and smoke production; however spread potential is extremely low, doe to the successful suppression efforts.

Not only has the Tahoe Prosperity Center has been working on issues to create healthier communities around the lake, they have also been welcoming new members to their Board of Directors.

New to the board are locals John McLaughlin, Chief Financial Officer of Edgewood Companies and Ken Riley, Senior Vice President, Kiewit Infrastructure Group, Inc. They join 24 other community members on the board whose goal is to also promote regional sustainability through economic vitality and by being environmental stewards.

Crews have been working on an underground stormwater system in the Bijou area of South Lake Tahoe. The work is causing both Fairway Drive and Bal Bijou Road to have detours during the week but open and no controls on weekends.

Work is wrapping up with the installation of a box culvert for Bijou Creek and work is now focused on new curbing and inlets. The Bal Bijou storm drain system will be connected at US 50 next week, with curb installation to follow.

Cleanup efforts continue on roads in the Carson Valley that were covered in mud, dirt and debris after the flooding developed after the wet storm that hit the area on July 20.

Crews from Douglas County as well as private contractors are on the job.

Shortly after the flooding began, County Commission, Staff and East Fork Fire met to develop an action plan and began calling for additional resources from Carson City. A declaration of Emergency was not declared due to fact that the flood did not rise to the level of overwhelming the county’s resources to protect health and safety.

South Tahoe Now sent a questionnaire out to all of the candidates for El Dorado County Supervisor and Douglas County Sheriff. This is the last of the submitted responses. Candidates Sue Novasel, Kenny Curtzwiler and Angela Swanson were the only County Supervisor candidates to respond, and Douglas County Sheriff candidates Ron Pierini and Dave Brady were the only Sheriff candidates to respond. We thank those that took the time to reply.

1) What do you see as the Number 1 issue facing residents of District 5?

Jenn Boyd of Weidinger PR hosts this wide-ranging panel discussion from the Elevate Your View: Leadership Lake Tahoe 2014 summit. The panel features Dana Williams, former mayor of Park City, UT; plus Carl Ribaudo of Strategic Marketing Group and Carol Chaplin of the Lake Tahoe Visitor's Authority's Tahoe South campaign.

PANEL DISCUSSION:
Jenn Boyd Introduction (0:35)
Dana Williams on transforming Park City (6:06)
Carol Chaplin on what Tahoe South is doing to promote itself (10:00)

The Harrison Avenue project has just started in South Lake Tahoe. In order to officially honor the streetscape improvements being done the City will be holding a groundbreaking ceremony on Tuesday, May 6 at 3 p.m. at the boat trailer parking lot on Merced Avenue. The public is invited.

WHAT: Groundbreaking Ceremony for Harrison Avenue Streetscape Improvement Project

WHO: All community members are invited

WHEN: Tuesday, May 6th @ 3:00 pm

The League to Save Lake Tahoe is inviting the public to its first Pipe Keepers Public Forum on April 17 at the Blue Angel Café in South Lake Tahoe, featuring five regional experts who will discuss stormwater problems and solutions in the Tahoe Basin. The event will feature free food and drinks, a free raffle, expert presentations and a question and answer session.

Time to get all of your DMV paperwork turned into the South Lake Tahoe office! They will be closing for renovations at noon on Wednesday, March 26 and reopening on Tuesday, April 1.

The California Department of Motor Vehicles (DMV) is alerting local customers that the office, located at 3344 South Lake Tahoe Blvd #B will be closed so to plan ahead.

Lake Tahoe doesn't have Punxsutawney Phil but we do have busy beavers who have been entertaining those lucky enough to come across their paths. South Lake Tahoe local John McDougall has been visiting the Taylor Creek area over the last two weeks, observing the beavers and capturing their actions on film. Even though beavers are nocturnal, the ones captured here are busy on their dam building during daylight hours.

Governors from eight states this week announced a groundbreaking initiative to put 3.3 million zero-emission vehicles on the roads in their states within a dozen years.

MOFFETT FEDERAL AIRFIELD, Calif. — Air National Guardsmen from the 129th Rescue Wing have performed more than 400 bucket drops resulting in over 188,000 gallons of water dropped since they began fighting the Rim Fire August 20.

Wildfires raging in Tuolumne County continue to threaten lives, property and critical infrastructure. Two HH-60G Pave Hawk rescue helicopters and aircrews have been actively battling the Rim Fire since August 20. The airmen continue to fly out of the Mather Air Force Base near Sacramento, Calif. to support the state's wildfire response efforts.

Nevada Senator Harry Reid today co-sponsored, along with Senator Dean Heller (R-NV), and Senator Barbara Boxer (D-CA), the Lake Tahoe Restoration Act that was introduced today by Senator Dianne Feinstein (D-CA). The Lake Tahoe Restoration Act continues the federal commitment to Lake Tahoe by authorizing $415 million over 10 years to improve Lake Tahoe’s water clarity, reduce risks from catastrophic wildfires, combat invasive species and restore and protect the environment in the Lake Tahoe Basin.

Nevada Senators Harry Reid and Dean Heller have introduced the Douglas County Conservation Act of 2013 designed to promote conservation, improve recreation opportunities, and provide for sensible development in Douglas County.

U.S. Representatives from California and Nevada have introduced legislation that would add quagga mussels to the national list of invasive species.

Considered one of the biggest threats to Lake Tahoe among other lakes and reservoirs, this listing would give federal agencies greater ability to prevent the spread of the invasive species.

The legislation, H.R. 1823, Protecting Lakes Against Quagga Act of 2013, was introduced Thursday by Reps. Mike Thompson, CA-5, Joe Heck, NV-3, and Mark Amodei, NV-02.

The League to Save Lake Tahoe received a grant Monday from Wells Fargo and Company as part of a $3 million Wells Fargo Environmental Solutions for Communities grant program across 64 community-based nonprofits nationwide to help support land and water conservation, energy efficiency, infrastructure and educational outreach.

(Stateline, Nev.) – A recent US Highway 50 economic analysis indicates that a completed downtown area outlined within the US 50/South Shore Community Revitalization project (aka Loop Road), City of South Lake Tahoe’s General Area Plan and the South Shore Vision Plan would provide for an annual retail sales increase of $16 million to $25 million.