management

9:14 p.m. update: The James Loop Fire was reported at 12:45 p.m. at the James Canyon Development near Carson City, Nevada. Tonight, the fire was mapped at 260 acres and is currently 30 percent contained. The fire was caused by heavy equipment working on a new home under construction The fire burned 163 acres of private and 107 acres of Bureau of Indian Affairs lands, but threatened lands
managed by the Humboldt-Toiyabe National Forest. The East Fork Fire Protection District was in unified command with the U.S. Forest Service.

A collaboration of 17 agencies and organizations are working on what is being called the 'SR 89 Recreation Management Plan,' which covers the stretch from 15th street in South Lake Tahoe to the Placer County line at Sugar Pine Point State Park. Along the plan area are popular areas to view scenery, hike, bike and visit beaches along a 12 mile stretch of undeveloped shoreline. Some residential neighborhoods also rest along this area.

The author shared the following letter with South Tahoe Now that was sent to SLT Fire Chief Jeff Meston concerning fire safety and the responsibility of all public agencies to assist him and the Department in this effort. "Best wishes to you and the men and women of the Fire Department," said Jinkens.

Dear Chief Meston:

First of all, my sincere thanks to you and the men and women who serve our community in the Fire Service. I am grateful for all of your work and effort to keep our community fire safe and to respond to emergency calls for service.

The 4th of July is not only a fun holiday, but it is a very busy one in Lake Tahoe. Due to heavy holiday traffic, Caltrans will suspend their roadwork projects at the lake.

Roadwork on U.S. Highway 50 from the "Y" intersection to the Trout Creek Bridge will be suspended starting at 9 a.m. Tuesday, July 3. The regular weekly construction schedule will resume at 9 p.m. Thursday, July 5.

Although construction will be suspended for the holiday, there will be heavy traffic and work zones will still be set up. Please "Be Work Zone Alert."

The annual 4th of July Parade in South Lake Tahoe will go from Ski Run Boulevard to Bijou Community Park starting at 10:00 a.m Wednesday, and motorists need to be aware of some changes and possible delays.

There are important regulations to be aware of when visiting and living in Lake Tahoe, and not all jurisdictions have the same rules.

City of South Lake Tahoe

No outside fires are allowed in the City unless it is a cooking fire with charcoal in a barbecue or in a fire pit with gas piped in, or one that uses liquid petroleum. Anything that creates embers is banned, including wood burning fire pits and backyard bonfires.

Even if wood fire pit has mesh lid, it is banned. No open burning is allowed at this time, including the burning of pine needles are yard debris.

Another bird found in El Dorado County has tested positive for West Nile virus, the second so far for the County in 2018. The first one was in South Lake Tahoe and this one is on the west slope.

On Saturday, June 23, 2018, from 10 a.m. to 12 p.m., the Sugar Pine Foundation will co-host a Tahoe yellow cress (TYC) planting with the Tahoe yellow cress Adaptive Management Working Group at Baldwin Beach, which is National Forest System land managed by the USDA Forest Service Lake Tahoe Basin Management Unit (LTBMU). In addition, the LTBMU will host a TYC information booth at the Native Species Festival on June 23, from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. at the Taylor Creek Visitor Center.

SOUTH LAKE TAHOE, Calif. - After an extensive nationwide search for the perfect candidate to fill Lake Tahoe Community College’s (LTCC) first-ever, full-time, tenure-track faculty position in Wilderness Education and Outdoor Leadership, LTCC is pleased to announce the hiring of Dr. Clinton Culp, an avid outdoorsman.

The U.S. Forest Service Lake Tahoe Basin Management Unit (LTBMU) will host the eighth Wild Tahoe Weekend 10:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m., on Saturday and Sunday, June 23-24, 2018 at the Taylor Creek Visitor Center, located three miles north of South Lake Tahoe on Highway 89. The weekend event consists of the Native Species Festival on Saturday and the Lake Tahoe Bird Festival on Sunday.

UPDATE FRIDAY: The Voltaire Fire is 100 percent contained at 517 acres. Fire personnel on scene is 164 people, the area will be monitored throughout the weekend, according to the U.S. Forest Service.
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The Voltaire Fire in southwest Carson City that was ignited by campers burning human waste Tuesday night is nearing 100 percent containment, according to the U.S. Forest Service.

I have been following the VHR news and comments. It appears that some view all VHR owners as irresponsible neighbors. While I can’t speak for all VHR owners, perhaps sharing our VHR’s story will illustrate that that perception is not always accurate. This is provided as one owner’s perspective.

In 1978, four families partnered to purchase a Tahoe Keys condominium.

He's been on the job for a few weeks, meeting with staff and getting to know the ropes in South Lake Tahoe, but Dirk Brazil's employment contract for the interim city manager position was officially approved at Tuesday's City Council meeting, his first official day on the job.

Soroptimist International of Tahoe Sierra’s Elegant Evening 2018 at Harrah’s Tahoe was a huge success and that was due to the generosity of businesses and friends both near and far.

Thank you to all who attended this fun, entertaining and worthwhile event and those that donated to enable our support of the many programs and organizations we assist. As always, all money raised is invested into schools, scholarships, community projects, youth, and services both locally and globally. (www.sitahoesierra.org) .t

The following is the Caltrans schedule for Lake Tahoe basin roads this week.

LONG-TERM PROJECTS

State Route 49 (El Dorado County): Work continues on a $22 million project to replace the South Fork American River Bridge in Coloma-Lotus. This project will make seismic improvements to the new bridge, widen the structure to allow for 8-foot shoulders and 6-foot sidewalks, and also make roadway improvements to State Route 49 on either side of the bridge. Completion is expected in mid-August. No traffic-interfering work is scheduled on the highway.

LAKE TAHOE, Calif. - With an increase in the number of dead and dying trees in the Lake Tahoe region, Liberty Utilities has tripled the number of inspectors they use to identify trees that pose a risk to the utility’s infrastructure. The inspection program and subsequent removal of hazardous trees are designed to reduce the risk of power outages, potential wildfires, and to comply with State regulations.

The first El Dorado County case of West Nile virus has been confirmed in South Lake Tahoe. County health officials received confirmation this week that a Stellar Jay found on May 7 has tested positive for the virus.

This bird was the first one for the county in 2018. Besides El Dorado COunty, West Nile virus activity in dead birds has been reported in two other California counties, San Mateo and Santa Clara.

UPDATE 5/22 6:35 a.m. :. On May 21, 2018 at approximately 6:38 p.m. East Fork Fire Protection District and Douglas County Emergency Management was dispatched to several reports of massive debris flows across US 395 in several locations in and around the Topaz Lodge and on Topaz Park Road.

The Topaz Lodge was occupied with about 200 people who sheltered in place during the event. West 395 and Topaz Park Road were completely impassable. Approximately 20 occupied motor vehicles were impacted on the roadways, with no reported injuries.

CAMP RICHARDSON, SOUTH LAKE TAHOE, Calif. - After meeting with partner agencies, Caltrans has decided to discontinue the use of the pedestrian hybrid beacon crossing device on State Route 89 in Camp Richardson indefinitely.

In an effort to make for safe pedestrian passage across the highway and to manage traffic through the State Highway 89 corridor, Caltrans installed the beacons in 2016 but they were often confusing to drivers with its yellow and red light system.

The following 39 businesses took out a license to operate in South Lake Tahoe in the month of March, 2018 and 25 in April.

3/1
South Shore Rock Rods

3/5
Simple, LLC

3/6
Allegro
Rideshare Business - name not disclosed

3/7
Jimmy's Restaurant
The Landing Resort and Spa
Vinyl Jacks

3/9
EMC Safety Products

3/12
Jessica Lenzini Massage Therapy
Marlene Zepeda Housekeeping

3/13
696 San Francisco Triplex
888 San Jose Triplex

3/14

The So. Lake Tahoe Republican Women Federated are pleased to welcome Mr. Loren Spivack as their guest speaker for the Tuesday May 8th luncheon meeting.
Loren Spivack “The Free Market Warrior” was born and raised in Massachusetts and spent most of his adult life in New York City. Before becoming active in politics, Spivack worked for several non-profits and as a management consultant for both profit and non-profit companies.
Spivack founded “Free Market Warrior” in 2009 in an effort to make a positive difference in American politics and economics.

Location

Monday night's special session of the South Lake Tahoe City Council was scheduled for not only Brown Act and AB 1234 (ethics) training, but it was also time to interview candidates for the interim position of city manager. Tuesday's Council meeting has a closed session scheduled to name the person to fill the position.

On Tuesday, the Council has a full agenda:

A project to improve existing skiing and snowboarding terrain at Heavenly Mountain Resort was approved this week by the USDA Forest Service Lake Tahoe Basin Management Unit (LTBMU).

Improvements will include selective widening of ski trails, removing trail obstacles and relocation and/or realignment of some portions of existing snowmaking air and water pipelines to improve user experience, maintain user safety, increase energy and water efficiency, and maintain native species.

In an attempt to keep trash contained and not easy for wildlife to access, the El Dorado County Board of Supervisors approved a new ordinance Tuesday that has rules for single family residents, multi-unit complexes, businesses and vacation home rentals (VHRs).

The ordinance affects those living in the unincorporated area of the Lake Tahoe Basin, including Meyers and Tahoma.

There will be progressive enforcement by the El Dorado County Environmental Management Department: