pandemic

SOUTH LAKE TAHOE, Calif. - Seven hundred people will be the recipients of the next Overland Meat & Seafood "Tacos for Tahoe" giveaway on Monday, October 26 starting at 10:00 a.m.

Brian Cohen, owner of the popular market in South Lake Tahoe, will be continuing what they did three different times at the beginning of the pandemic. At the first ground beef giveaway Cohen went through all 1,000 pounds of meat in 90 minutes.

This time he giving away 1,400 pounds.

"Many people are still struggling in our town," he said. "We are here to help out the community."

Autumn’s reflections have begun and Lake Tahoe’s forests and wildlife are preparing for the winter. While fall is generally a treasured time of year at the lake, a sense of uneasiness hangs in the crisp air as we brace for the next phase of the COVID crisis.

Summer was record breaking on many fronts. Businesses and agencies with major staff and budget shortages were suddenly required to manage the pandemic, following strict protocols. Trash overflowed on our pristine beaches and roadways. Follow that with more than 8,300 wildfires and 4 million acres burned in California alone.

SOUTH LAKE TAHOE, Calif. - October is Domestic Violence Awareness Month, a month dedicated to coming together in solidarity with victims and survivors by speaking out on relationship violence to provide education and empowerment.

Domestic violence, and other intimate partner violence, is a pattern of abusive behavior to keep power and control over a partner’s personal life. Abusive partners can use intimidation, threats, force, manipulation or coercion to establish and maintain this control over their partner. 

Overwhelm, aggravation, annoyance, frustration, irritation, unsettling. . .What other words can you think of to describe our current circumstances? Luckily, there is a cure for all of these feelings. You already know what I am going to say: Yoga.

Just Stop

This Saturday I will drive a good friend with 93 years of knowledge to our voting place where we will cancel each other out. It's the American way. Voting is the most American thing we do. My mother and father took great delight in canceling each other every four years without damaging their sweet relationship in the least.

I tend to spend more time in the 19th century than the 21st, so call me a dreamer, but I like to remember how Stephen Douglas characterized Abraham Lincoln prior to their great debate, "a kind, amiable and intelligent gentleman, a good citizen and honorable opponent."

SOUTH LAKE TAHOE, Calif. - El Dorado County health officials say another seven residents have tested positive for COVID-19 since yesterday. Of those, two are in Cameron Park/Shingle Springs/Rescue, one was removed from the El Dorado Hills count one in Greater Placerville, and five in the Lake Tahoe Region.

The new cases: 1 is under the age of 18, 5 aged 18-49, and 1 aged 50-64.

Another 214 people were tested for the coronavirus and 207 negative tests results were received.

There have been another seven assumed recoveries with 154 assumed active cases.

SOUTH LAKE TAHOE, Calif. - El Dorado County health officials say another three residents have tested positive for COVID-19 since yesterday. Of those, one is in Cameron Park/Shingle Springs/Rescue, one in Diamond Springs/El Dorado, and one in the Lake Tahoe Region.

The new cases: 1 are under the age of 18, 1 aged 18-49, and 1 aged 50-64.

Another 187 people were tested for the coronavirus and 184 negative tests results were received.

There have been another six assumed recoveries with 154 assumed active cases.

SOUTH LAKE TAHOE, Calif. - During their meeting Tuesday, the City Council approved the Winter Operations COVID Compliance Business Protection Grant Reimbursement Program which will reimburse local businesses for PPE and the equipment they need to operate safely during the winter months.

There were funds left over from the first business reimbursement program which gave up to $2,500 back to those who had to purchase items needed to operate safely.

There are changes in the air and it's not just the leaves. School is going back, construction season is wrapping up, and Al Tahoe Boulevard is getting a new look.

The Tahoe Chamber collected 190 nominations from the community for the 13th annual Blue Ribbon Award to celebrate the businesses, non-profits and individuals that make the South Shore of Lake Tahoe so unique. Local businesses have been a resilient backbone of the community throughout the COVID-19 pandemic, and honoring their contributions, achievements and milestones is more important than ever before.

SOUTH LAKE TAHOE, Calif. - El Dorado County health officials say another 27 residents have tested positive for COVID-19 since Friday. Of those, nine are in El Dorado Hills, four in Cameron Park/Shingle Springs/Rescue, seven in the Greater Placerville area, one in North County, and five in the Lake Tahoe Region.

The new cases are six under the age of 18, 12 aged 18-49, and seven aged 50-64, and two aged 65 or older.

Another 447 people were tested for the coronavirus and 420 negative tests results were received.

When we look at our community’s health, there are many other factors that determine a person’s ability to thrive - beyond health care services. Social determinants of health are defined by the Centers for Disease Control (CDC) as the conditions in places where people live, learn, work, and play that affect outcomes for health and quality of life. These determinants are complex, and can be deeply rooted; including income and employment opportunities, housing instability, food insecurity, family and social support, transportation, and adverse life effects.

SOUTH LAKE TAHOE, Calif. - El Dorado County health officials say another eight residents have tested positive for COVID-19 since yesterday. Of those, three are in El Dorado Hills, four in Cameron Park/Shingle Springs/Rescue, one in the Greater Placerville area, and none in the Lake Tahoe Region.

The new cases are three under the age of 18, three aged 18-49, one aged 50-64 and one aged 65 or older

Another 74 people were tested for the coronavirus and 66 negative tests results were received.

There have been another three assumed recoveries with 114 assumed active cases.

SOUTH LAKE TAHOE, Calif. - The Lake Tahoe Unified School District (LTUSD) will be adopting their previously released Pandemic Educational Plan with some modifications as they move into Phase 2 starting October 12, 2020.

During their special meeting Monday, several parents, teachers and trustees voiced their opinions and concerns representing all sides, from keeping students in Phase 1, moving to Phase 2, as well as skipping to Phase 3.

SOUTH LAKE TAHOE, Calif. - El Dorado County health officials say another 31 residents have tested positive for COVID-19 since Friday. Of those, eight are in El Dorado Hills, ten in Cameron Park/Shingle Springs/Rescue, three in North County, two in Pollock Pines/Camino/Kyburz, three in Greater Placerville and five in the Lake Tahoe Region.

This is the largest number of cases for a three-day period since the pandemic started.

Of these new cases, six are under the age of 18, 20 are in the 18-49 age group, four are aged 50-64 and one aged 65 or older.

SOUTH LAKE TAHOE, Calif. - I wish to thank you for your patience as the District continues to work through some of the challenges involved with moving to Phase 2 Hybrid learning model. We’ve received a great amount of input from the community through emails to myself and Board members, as well as public comments at Tuesday’s Board meeting, and want to assure you that your interests and concerns are being heard.

SOUTH LAKE TAHOE, Calif. - El Dorado County health officials say another 11 residents have tested positive for COVID-19 since yesterday. Of those, seven are in El Dorado Hills, two in Diamond Springs/El Dorado, one in Cameron Park/Shingle Springs/Rescue, one in North County and none for the Lake Tahoe Region for second
consecutive day.

Of these new cases, three are under the age of 18 and eight are in the 18-49 age group.

Another 220 people were tested for the coronavirus and 209 negative tests results were received.

Beginning October 1, watercraft inspections for the detection and prevention of aquatic invasive species (AIS) will change locations and shift to a first-come, first-served basis, the Tahoe Regional Planning Agency (TRPA) and the Tahoe Resource Conservation District (Tahoe RCD) announced today.

With this shift back to on-demand inspections, the agencies are closing out the inspection appointment system initiated this year to lower the risk of COVID-19 spread.

October 1 through 12:

To the Editor: As Barton nurses, we are at the forefront of the battle to beat COVID-19, and pandemic or not, we always strive to give the best care we can to our patients. We need our community’s support.

Almost three years ago, Barton Hospital’s managerial apathy to the ongoing concerns of Barton’s nurses regarding safety, working conditions, and employee retention compelled us to join the California Nurses Association. Barton immediately hired an expensive union-busting law firm and, as of today, has been successful in denying us the contract we deserve.

September 30, 2020 - This event has been postponed.

Barton Health will be hosting a virtual speaker panel on student health during COVID-19 on Thursday, October 8 from 5:00 p.m. to 6:00 p.m. The free community wellness webinar is to help educate parents on the current COVID-19 protocols for schools and daycare centers, and share tips for student wellbeing during the pandemic.

The speaker panel:
• Dr. Rhonda Sneeringer, Director of Pediatrics
• Dr. Tracy Protell, Child Psychiatrist
• Annamarie Cohen, Ph.D, Director of Special Services for LTUSD

SOUTH LAKE TAHOE, Calif. - City Council will be holding their next meeting on Tuesday September 22 at 9:00 a.m.

The agenda is a fairly short one with the last two regular council meetings lasting about eight hours each.

There will be a closed session meeting at 8:30 a.m.

Council will consider postponing or canceling all City permitted special events until November 17, 2020 or until public health officials deem it is safe to gather in larger groups. All permitted special events have been canceled since May 12, 2020, due to the pandemic.

SOUTH LAKE TAHOE, Calif. - The Tahoe Coalition for the Homeless (TCH) will be receiving $9,576,000 to help their goal of ending homelessness in South Lake Tahoe. The community was one of seven California cities and counties to receive the first wave of Project Homekey grants totaling $76.5 million.

September is National Suicide Prevention Awareness Month, and a good time check in with yourself and loved ones. So many of us are struggling to keep our mental health in check right now. It’s normal to feel anxious about the impacts of COVID-19. Preventing our worries from consuming us can reduce stress and uncertainty—and even more severe behavioral health issues like suicide.

SOUTH LAKE TAHOE, Calif. - After being closed for much of the pandemic, the South Tahoe Recycling Center is going to try reopening once again.

South Tahoe Refuse, operators of the recycling center, say they are determined to keep it open by making sure those using the facility are doing so safely.

The new procedures:

1. Appointments only. No appointments will be made onsite. Call 530.542.8344 to schedule.
2. Masks are required at all times.
3. If you are sick, or have been sick, wait to recycle. If you are sick, so are your recyclables.