Review

Two special Douglas County meetings to discuss a revised budget due to COVID-19

Event Date: 
Repeats every day until Wed May 27 2020 .
May 26, 2020 (All day)
May 27, 2020 (All day)

DOUGLAS COUNTY, Nev. - The Douglas County Board of County Commissioners will be conducting special meetings on May 26 and 27, 2020 to discuss the possible adoption of the FY 2020-21 Final Budgets for Douglas County; Douglas County Redevelopment Agency; the Towns of Gardnerville, Genoa, and Minden; and the Tahoe-Douglas Transportation District.

Due to the COVID-19 Pandemic and anticipated $3M shortfall in revenue, the County will discuss reductions in personnel, service, and supplies across all departments.

City Council to vote on economic recovery plan, wireless facility ordinance and reopening plan

SOUTH LAKE TAHOE, Calif. - The May 12 agenda for the South Lake Tahoe City Council is a full one. The 9:00 a.m. virtual meeting will address the second reading of a wireless communication facility ordinance on private property, the first reading of the facilities on public property, a vote on $1,000 fines, reopening plans for City facilities and a hold on public events on City property until large gatherings are permitted.

City of South Lake Tahoe special meeting to request Governor Newsom allow a phased reopening

Event Date: 
May 6, 2020 - 9:00am

SOUTH LAKE TAHOE, Calif. - City Council will hold a special meeting on Wednesday, May 6 at 9:00 a.m. with a single agenda item: Authorization of a letter signed by Mayor Jason Collin to California Governor Gavin Newsom to request approval for the City of South Lake Tahoe for its transition to Phase 2 of re-opening the County of El Dorado and City of South Lake Tahoe for individuals and businesses.

El Dorado County extends ban of all nonessential travel to Lake Tahoe

SOUTH LAKE TAHOE, Calif. - The current order restricting travel into the Lake Tahoe Basin has been extended by the El Dorado County Public Health Officer Dr. Nancy Williams.

Originally set to expire on April 30, the ban's extension begins at 12:01 a.m. May 1.

The ban is for all nonessential travel into the El Dorado County portion of the Lake Tahoe Basin from outside the basin. Dr. Williams will review the current situation with local health care professionals at least every 14 days.

El Dorado County Supervisors send letter to Newsom asking for phased reopening

EL DORADO COUNTY, Calif. - During their special meeting on Tuesday, the El Dorado County Board of Supervisors unanimously approved sending a letter to Governor Newsom to allow a phased opening of some businesses and loosening restrictions on the public in El Dorado County.

Residents have responded to the closures by abiding by stay-in-place orders enacted to stop the spread of COVID-19.

South Lake Tahoe City Council agenda: Short-term economic recovery update and budget workshop

SOUTH LAKE TAHOE, Calif. - City Council will hold a budget workshop and har from their short-term economic recovery task force during their meeting on Tuesday, April 27 starting at 9:00 a.m.

The task force made up of two councilmembers and local leaders have identified the need for the following financial assistance in order to facilitate the immediate needs of our residents and businesses and to facilitate the re-opening of the city when that time comes.

They will be presenting to Council a need for $6,151,850:

Sue Novasel to hold virtual town hall meetings on VHR issues

Event Date: 
May 13, 2020 - 5:00pm

Please note, scheduling change)

SOUTH LAKE TAHOE, Calif. - El Dorado County Supervisor for Area 5, Sue Novasel, will be holding two virtual Town Hall meetings to discuss vacation home rental (VHR) issues. She will be joined by El Dorado County staff to discuss the rentals in the County portion of the Tahoe Basin.

The first will be held on Wednesday, May 13 from 5:00 p.m. to 7:00 p.m.

Agencies seek public input on 59,000 acre Lake Tahoe West Restoration Project

LAKE TAHOE, Calif. - The proposed Lake Tahoe West Restoration Project is in the final planning stages and the three agencies involved, USDA Forest Service Lake Tahoe Basin Management Unit, California Tahoe Conservancy, and Tahoe Regional Planning Agency, are inviting the public to provide their input. The project is a big one, covering 59,000 acres, and will provide a science-based, all-lands approach to guide restoration approaches on the West Shore over the next two decades to increase the resilience of ecosystems and human communities.

Tahoe Transportation District rolls out fare-free transit

STATELINE, Nev. - The Tahoe Transportation District (TTD) is rolling out zero-fare bus service on the South Shore starting Sunday, April 12.

While they already had plans in place for a free system to help eliminate traffic, the rollout is sooner than expected in order to make travel safer in response to COVID-19 by eliminating fare exchanges between drivers and riders.

South Lake Tahoe City Council meeting to address cell towers and housing workplan

SOUTH LAKE TAHOE, Calif. - The City Council will hold their regularly scheduled monthly meeting on Tuesday, April 14 starting at 9:00 a.m. with a closed session at 8:45 a.m.

This will be an online meeting that can be followed on Charter Channel 21 or via the City's website, https://cityofslt.us/. Remote public participation is allowed by email or phone (instructions below).

Special South Lake Tahoe City Council meeting Wednesday

SOUTH LAKE TAHOE, Calif. - City Council has two items on their special meeting agenda for Wednesday, April 8 at 1:00 p.m. The meeting is live-streamed on Channel 21 and on the City’s website at www.cityofslt.us.

There will be no formal action on the first item. They will be discussing their newly appointed Transformational Change Committee which is comprised of Councilmembers Cody Bass and Devin Middlebrook.

At their meeting last week, the council created two other committees as well that will address the response and recovery to the COVID-19 crisis:

Tahoe Transportation District providing bus service during pandemic; Changes possible

STATELINE, Nev. – As the COVID-19 pandemic rapidly evolves, Tahoe Transportation District (TTD) continues to operate regular transit services for essential workers and services during the shelter-in-place order. TTD understands that public transportation is part of the community’s critical infrastructure and is committed to ensuring that transit services remain safe and reliable.

Road Beat: Toyota Tundra - Not just getting it right, but getting it fun

It’s been over two years since my last visit with this second and a half-generation Tundra (the second generation was introduced in 2008 and heavily refreshed in 2014). My last review remarked how Toyota finally made the Tundra into a real “Cowboy Cadillac” (it’s built near San Antonio, Texas) with a ride smoother than a baby’s butt. This new Tundra feels even a bit smoother, perhaps a little less jiggly over Caltrans challenged pavement. And my tester was the new TRD Pro edition.

El Dorado County Superior Court limiting access in response to COVID-19

EL DORADO COUNTY, Calif. - Due to the current public health crisis, the El Dorado County Superior Court will be limited access to courthouses, effective immediately. They currently plan to resume normal operations on April 17, 2020, though with the rapidly unfolding coronavirus situation, this could change.

Courtrooms will be practice social distancing, including at least two seats between people in the gallery. Members of the public are strongly discouraged from attending court proceedings unless they are statutory support persons or those who have been subpoenaed.

More closures announced in South Lake Tahoe due to coronavirus concerns

SOUTH LAKE TAHOE, Calif. - There is a rapidly changing response to the coronavirus COVID-19 pandemic, with businesses, nonprofits, and agencies having to change procedures and policies often.

At this time, the following closures or change to business practices have been announced:

LTCC to cancel outside use of facilities and implements policies to limit COVID-19 spread

Lake Tahoe Community College (LTCC) is committed to helping mitigate the spread of the Novel Coronavirus (COVID-19) and to take measures to keep staff and students safe. With that in mind, effective immediately LTCC is canceling all community events and outside group meetings planned for on campus to help reduce the chance of exposure and spread. Furthermore, LTCC is canceling all non-essential travel for LTCC employees. These are measures designed to reduce (but not eliminate) the risk of exponential community spread of COVID-19. These measures will be in effect until further notice.

Opinion: The future is electric!

The ultimate mission of the Lake Tahoe Unified School District (LTUSD) is to help youth thrive. Sadly, it is our students - not we, adult, decision-makers - who will most suffer climate change. LTUSD must also support the future health and well-being of our students.

So, in 2017, the School Board formally resolved to:

Increase reliance on clean, renewable energy sources to power the District’s facilities, in line with and in collaboration with, the City of South Lake Tahoe’s recent pledge to power 100 percent of our electricity use with renewable energy by 2030.

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.

Calls Added to Last Week's Report:

2/15

City of South Lake Tahoe Visioning and Strategic Planning workshop

Event Date: 
February 25, 2020 - 1:00pm

SOUTH LAKE TAHOE, Calif. - City Council will be meeting at 1:00 p.m. Tuesday to review their 2019 list of priorities including the City motto, vision and core values, and see if anything needs to be added or modified.

In February 2019, the City Council and key City staff participated in a full-day

Vail awards $2.8 million in grant support to 76 Lake Tahoe area nonprofits

SOUTH LAKE TAHOE, Calif. - Vail Resorts EpicPromise has selected 76 local nonprofits in the Lake Tahoe area to receive one of their 2019-20 community grants, totaling $2.8 million in grant support.

Heavenly Mountain Resort and Kirkwood recently held a breakfast to honor the recipients. The followed with a similar celebration at Northstar, the third area Vail resort.

TRPA housing committee to discuss Accessory Dwelling Units in Lake Tahoe Basin

Event Date: 
February 12, 2020 - 1:00pm

LAKE TAHOE, Calif./Nev. - The Local Government and Housing Committee of the Tahoe Regional Planning Agency (TRPA) will be holding a public meeting on Wednesday, February 12 to discuss Accessory Dwelling Unit policy in the Lake Tahoe Basin. They will be meeting at 1:00 p.m., at TRPA office, 128 Market Street, Stateline, Nev.

Public invited to workshop on updates to South Lake Tahoe building standards

Event Date: 
February 3, 2020 - 6:00pm

SOUTH LAKE TAHOE, Calif. - The City of South Lake Tahoe is updating City Code standards that apply to residential development and they are looking for feedback from the community.

They are holding their first public workshop on Monday, February 3 at City Hall from 6:00 p.m. to 8:00 p.m. Everyone is welcome to stop by and learn about the project.

Their goal is to create clear and objective standards that will create more certainty in the project review process while achieving aesthetic and neighborhood character expectations of the community.

El Dorado County to handle most residential, multi-family and commercial permits for TRPA

SOUTH LAKE TAHOE, Calif. - In a move to help property and business owners save time and money, El Dorado County will begin processing additional permits on behalf of the Tahoe Regional Planning Agency (TRPA) starting January 28, 2020.

Protecting Lake Tahoe’s environment is the paramount goal of the TRPA and in meeting that goal, a TRPA permit is required for most construction projects inside the Lake Tahoe Basin. This runs the gamut from the addition of a new deck to a sign for a new business.

New agreement in the works for 56-acre South Lake Tahoe downtown project

SOUTH LAKE TAHOE, Calif. - The long-discussed 56-acre parcel in the middle of South Lake Tahoe is finally seeing movement again, and both the South Lake Tahoe City Council and El Dorado County Board of Supervisors (BOS) supporting further conversation. A formal agreement between the two is expected later in 2020 with another one-two years of public meetings, consultant review, and planning before plans are implemented. The California Tahoe Conservancy is funding the cost of the consultant, just as they did 30 years ago.

Dozens of new California laws go into effect in 2020

New laws will be going into effect in California in the new year, putting into place California legislature action during 2019. There are many changes including road safety and distracted driving penalties, roadkill rules, minimum wage, independent workers and rent caps.

Except where noted, these laws are effective January 1, 2020:

Traffic Safety

The California Highway Patrol (CHP) is highlighting several new laws passed this year:

New agreement allows NV Energy to lower rates for Northern Nevada customers

A new agreement is resulting in a $5 million decrease in revenue needs for NV Energy which means Northern Nevada customer electric rates are going down.

The Public Utilities Commission of Nevada (PUCN) approved the agreement between NV Energy, the Regulatory Operations Staff of the PUCN, the Bureau of Consumer Protection and other interested parties that start new lower rates January 1, 2020.

Crafting South Lake Tahoe's wireless communications facility ordinance

SOUTH LAKE TAHOE, Calif. - Most will say their cell phone coverage isn't great in Lake Tahoe or is severely impaired on big tourist weekends such as the 4th of July. With the growth of remote workers coming to live in Lake Tahoe, better internet coverage is also needed for them to work, along with the needs of many others.

Nevada Supreme Court affirms ruling of $230K owed to IVGID

INCLINE VILLAGE, Nev. - Years of legal battles between the Incline Village General Improvement District (IVGID) and resident Aaron Katz appear to be drawing to a close after the Nevada Supreme Court on Friday affirmed a 2016 ruling that Katz pay almost $230,000 of attorney fees and costs.

Public gives input on proposed changes to USFS snowmobile/winter travel plan

SOUTH LAKE TAHOE, Calif. - When the USDA Forest Service Lake Tahoe Basin Management Unit (LTBMU) revised their Forest Plan over 10 years ago, many wanted them to include changes to snowmobile and other winter travel access to public lands at the same time. With the amount of public comment and the recognized need to have its own plan, they separated the two.

In 2011, LTBMU started a collaborative group to develop a proposed action plan for Winter Recreation and Over Snow Vehicle (OSV) use in the Lake Tahoe Basin.

Possible Lake Tahoe transportation funding solutions focus at upcoming ONE TAHOE meetings

Event Date: 
December 3, 2019 - 4:00pm

Most people recognize the fact that transportation around Lake Tahoe needs to improve, but with those solutions comes a hefty price tag. Local transportation officials have been meeting with the public through ONE TAHOE to get ideas on how to fund the estimated $3.12 billion regional plans over the next 20 years.

Current public and private funding sources during this period are expected to be about $1.58 billion. This leaves a $1.53 billion shortfall in the transportation funding needed through 2040.

Erasing your carbon footprint, from baby steps to leaps and bounds

SOUTH LAKE TAHOE, Calif. - Millions around the world participated in the Global Climate Strike this past September, trying to make their voices heard as they called for action.

A reported 7.6 million people took to the streets, the biggest climate mobilization in history. From small villages to big cities, people spoke, walked, joined hands and used their voices in defense of the climate and an end to reliance on fossil fuels.

Open Houses on proposed snowmobile/winter recreation access around Lake Tahoe

SOUTH LAKE TAHOE, Calif. – There was a lot of public reaction when the USDA Forest Service Lake Tahoe Basin Management Unit (LTBMU) released their "Proposed Action for the Winter Recreation and Over Snow Vehicle (OSV) Travel Management Project" in September. That document outlined changes to snowmobile access in the Lake Tahoe Basin.

Opinion: Sierra Boulevard is at an end; Looking forward to the next beginning

It's been one heck of a summer in terms of driving around town. Between Echo Summit and the Meyers roundabout, the horrible accident at Elks Club, US50 through town and then the construction at Stateline that caused delays back to Zephyr Cove in mid-September. Luckily, the Stateline issue was quickly remedied, the highway at Elks Club seems mostly repaired, and the Meyers roundabout turned out great.

New snowmobile access proposed for parts of Lake Tahoe

SOUTH LAKE TAHOE, Calif. - The USDA Forest Service Lake Tahoe Basin Management Unit (LTBMU) has released the "Proposed Action for the Winter Recreation and Over Snow Vehicle (OSV) Travel Management Project," and in that document are changes to snowmobile access in the Lake Tahoe Basin.

They have proposed to open OSV use (snowmobiles) to areas around the lake that have been restricted in the past and close up other areas. The plan still leaves about 50 percent of the lands managed by LTBMU open to OSV use.

The new areas proposed for OSV use

Lake Tahoe Bicycle Coalition seeks nominations of those keeping Tahoe/Truckee bike friendly

Each year, the Lake Tahoe Bicycle Coalition (LTBC) honors those that have made significant advancements in promoting safer bicycling and walking opportunities for Lake Tahoe. LTBC is seeking nominations from the public for individuals, public agencies, organizations, and businesses who made the Tahoe - Truckee region more bike-friendly in 2019.

Community newsletter from the City of South Lake Tahoe

The City of South Lake Tahoe has launched its October Edition of "At Lake Level." The monthly newsletter is prepared by City Manager Frank Rush in an effort to keep the community well informed about City issues and initiatives.

Development Commodities Available at No Cost for Qualified Affordable Housing, Town Center, and Distressed Property Development

Movie Review: Joaquin Phoenix is brilliant as the Joker

Heath Ledger would've been proud. Joaquin Phoenix's take on the iconic character is nothing short of amazing if not brilliant in the "Joker." I had been wanting to see this film since it first started shooting knowing the cast involved but Joaquin's performance surpassed even my expectations.

Letter: South Lake Tahoe cell tower location standards needed

Thank you for the opportunity to share the concerns of residents in the Ski Run /Needle Peak Road residential area with the proposed 112-foot Verizon cell tower.

There is an urgent need for the South Lake Tahoe City Council to adopt a cell tower ordinance to give reassurance to existing residents that their neighborhoods will not be compromised. There needs to be certainty to telecommunications companies by making clear where they can locate their facilities. An urgency ordinance may be adopted by the City Council with a 4/5 vote of its members.

El Dorado County supervisors approve adopted budget

PLACERVILLE, Calif. – The El Dorado County Board of Supervisors yesterday unanimously approved the Fiscal Year 2019-20 Adopted Budget to fund the County’s programs and services. State law requires Adopted Budgets to be approved by October 2nd, 2019.

Redefining Organics gets go ahead for cannabis business from Planning Commission

SOUTH LAKE TAHOE, Calif. - The first cannabis business to be created after the passage of an ordinance approved by the South Lake Tahoe City Council passed a big hurdle Thursday. The South Lake Tahoe Planning Commission voted 5-0 to approved the cannabis use permit application for Redefining Organics, LLC and recommended to the City Council they approve the required development agreement.

They also recommended to Council they have both a first and second reading of the development agreement at their October 1 City Council Meeting.

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

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.

Review: Love Without Mercy, Sans Merci is another knockout from local Black Ice Theatre Company

There is theater, there is poetry, and then there is Sans Merci. There is sequence about one hour into the play Sans Merci, playing at the Duke Theater at Lake Tahoe Community College, that breathlessly and perfectly encapsulates the beauty of live theater, and it does so in shear silence. It is easy for a play to make you cry with dramatic dialogue. I have never had a play break me down to my core without a single word uttered on stage for several minutes as happens in Sans Merci.

Barton Foundation awards $50,000 to groups focused on community's health needs

SOUTH LAKE TAHOE, Calif. – Fifteen local health programs offered by nonprofits and agencies in the South Lake Tahoe area have been awarded grants by the Barton Foundation. A total of $50,000 was distributed among the groups to aid in their efforts to address the community’s most pressing health issues.

During the 2018 Barton Community Health Needs Assessment, the top health issues identified in the South Lake Tahoe community were access to care, mental health, and substance abuse.

Mountain leadership changes at Vail Resorts - Heavenly, Kirkwood and others

Several executives with Vail Resorts are changing positions in anticipation of the closing of the Peak Resorts acquisition as well as the departure of Executive Vice President Chris Jarnot.

Vail Resorts are creating three new regional leadership roles to support their growing global portfolio:

Bill Rock, currently chief operating officer of Park City Mountain, will relocate to Vail headquarters in Broomfield, Colorado and will now oversee the Company’s mountain resorts in Colorado and Utah.

South Lake Tahoe City Council Tuesday: Cell tower, vegetation management and affordable housing

The South Lake Tahoe City Council will be meeting on Tuesday, April 20 at 5:30 p.m.

Their agenda includes:

Introduction / Swearing-In of new SLTPD K9 Rocky

Memoranda of Understanding - Affordable Housing Development - US 50 South Shore
Community Revitalization Project - Requested Action / Suggested Motions: Pass a Motion to approve Memoranda of Understanding (MOUs) with Tahoe Transportation District, Pacific Development Group, Inc. and United Housing Corporation, LLC for the development of affordable housing associated with the US 50 South Shore Community Revitalization Project.

Two affordable housing companies interested in South Lake Tahoe projects

SOUTH LAKE TAHOE, Calif. - A Memo of Understanding (MOU) to show the cooperative and constructive intent to build affordable housing between the City of South Lake Tahoe, Tahoe Transportation District, Pacific Development Group and United Housing Corporation was to be voted on during Tuesday's City Council meeting.

South Lake Tahoe City Council to address housing, commodities and sale of properties

SOUTH LAKE TAHOE, Calif. - The City Council has a long agenda to go through during their meeting that starts at 9:00 a.m. on Tuesday, August 6.

Some of the highlights:

Review: Million Dollar Quartet makes a splash at Sand Harbor

If you have any love for early Rock’n Roll, Rockabilly, 1950’s Country R&B, or just love good music and having fun, get online right now and buy a ticket to Million Dollar Quartet playing at the Lake Tahoe Shakespeare Festival at Sand Harbor from now until August 25th. The Festival, which for the last few years has countered their brilliantly staged Shakespeare performances with well-timed and entertaining musical revues running in reparatory, has found progressive success with the nostalgic performances of supremely talented actor/musicians who transport the audiences back in time.

Vail announces merger agreement with Peak Resorts - Adds 17 ski areas to company

Vail Resorts, Inc. announced Monday they have entered into a definitive merger agreement to acquire Peak Resorts, Inc. Through the acquisition, Vail will add 17 ski areas from the United States to its network of resorts.

The Peak resorts are located near major metropolitan areas, including New York, Boston, Washington, D.C., Baltimore, Philadelphia, Cleveland, Columbus, St. Louis, Kansas City and Louisville.

They include:
Vermont: Mount Snow in Vermont
New York: Hunter Mountain
New Hampshire: Attitash Mountain Resort, Wildcat Mountain and Crotched Mountain

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