safe

SOUTH LAKE TAHOE, Calif. - Time is of the essence when fire hits your home. Things can rapidly change from smoke to flames, sometimes giving those inside very little time to get outside to safety.

Even though smoke detectors have been required in new construction and in homes undergoing a remodel for decades, not all homes have working detectors. They are broken, have a dead battery, or missing completely.

As your elected Sheriff I want to address any citizen concerns regarding potential unlawful protests and violence stemming from next week’s Presidential inauguration. I want to send a clear and unwavering message to the residents and visitors of El Dorado County. Your Sheriff’s Office will continue to vehemently support and defend an individual’s constitutional rights to freedom of speech, peaceful assembly, and to petition the government for a redress of grievances.

1/13/21 UPDATE: The state has updated its website to reflect that hotels and vacation rentals can open with modifications in the purple tier. For all businesses, visit https://covid19.ca.gov/safer-economy/.

SOUTH LAKE TAHOE, Calif. - Just moments ago, the Greater Sacramento Region, of which El Dorado County is a part, was granted authority by the State to exit the Regional Stay At Home Order, effective immediately. This is based on the State’s four-week projection putting the region’s ICU capacity at 19.1 percent, above the 15 percent threshold announced last month.

The California Department of Public Health issued a revised Travel Advisory on Tuesday, January 6, 2021, one that supersedes the previous order issued in November and one meant to curb the spread of COVID-19. This new advisory affects all counties in California, whether they are under a Regional Stay Home Order or not.

The updated travel advisory

As the second wave in COVID-19 cases increased the need for critical patient care at Barton Health, access to critical care specialists became increasingly important. To address this need, Barton Health has formed a partnership with Eagle Telemedicine, a team of experts including intensivists and specialists that expand access to a higher level of care when patients need it most.

STATELINE, Nev. - It was a much quieter holiday at Stateline this year with a decrease in calls for service, five arrests, and the lowest number of New Year's celebrants in a few decades.

US 50, the highway that runs from South Lake Tahoe into Stateline was not closed due the low number of people in the area. Law enforcement was able to keep those wanting to bring in the new year outside to the sidewalk or they stayed inside the casinos.

"The celebrants were well behaved and embraced the New Year’s Eve celebration," said Douglas County Undersheriff Ron Elges.

Even with the current pandemic, New Year's revelers could still flock to the Stateline casino corridor and South Lake Tahoe on Thursday so law enforcement will be prepared. With no SnowGlobe this year due to the pandemic, and Heavenly Village New Year's Eve activities canceled, it is unknown as to what will take place in an area that at one time saw 50,000 people in the streets to bring in the new year. Last year it was estimated 7,000 to 8,000 people took to the streets at midnight at Stateline and 6,500 at Heavenly Village for its 9:00 p.m. fireworks.

SOUTH LAKE TAHOE, Calif. - Many head to the Sierra to experience snow in all forms, from the ski slopes to sledding and building snowmen. Even during the pandemic and current "Stay-at-Home" orders in California, area roads were full this past holiday weekend with those seeking play time in the snow.

Each year, law enforcement has to deal with those who seem to have forgotten the laws of being safe on the roadway and parking on the highways, and not observing "no parking" zone rules.

Snow, a good slope and a sled in hand are the ingredients needed for a fun day around Lake Tahoe, but first responders are warning the public to only use official sledding locations or that fun can turn to a bad day very quickly.

Sledding is not as harmless as it looks, just ask the roughly 20,000 kids under age of 19 in the United States involved in sledding accidents annually.

SOUTH LAKE TAHOE, Calif. – The Tahoe Coalition for the Homeless (TCH) successfully purchased El Nido Motel using some of the awarded Project Homekey funding. The property will provide much-needed affordable housing and supportive services for the most vulnerable local seniors, people with disabilities, and others at high risk of cold exposure and COVID-19 illness. The first client move-ins began last week, including medically fragile seniors who were living unsheltered in our community for many years.

The Barton Foundation’s 2020 virtual gala received overwhelming support from donors, raising a record-breaking $110,000 to benefit the Foundation’s COVID-19 Response Fund. These donations are immediately being put to use, helping community members hit hardest by the pandemic: those facing food insecurity and other economic hardship, as well as healthcare workers on the frontline.

SOUTH LAKE TAHOE, Calif. - With most of the Heavenly Holidays events canceled at the Heavenly Village this year, one event was still able to be held - the annual Breakfast with Santa.

The breakfast, moved outside this year due to COVID-19, was held each Saturday in December with the guest stars, Santa and Mrs. Claus. A limited number of tickets were available and each breakfast sold out.

As you deck the halls this holiday season, be fire smart. A small fire that spreads to a Christmas tree can grow large very quickly. Many of the Christmas Trees in homes have now been there for a week or two, and precautions can be taken to prevent a fire that would ruin the holidays.

SOUTH LAKE TAHOE, Calif. - First responders in South Lake Tahoe have been dealing with an antiquated public safety communications system for years but that is about to change. On Tuesday, City Council approved the funds needed to fix the system with much more than a band-aid.

LAKE TAHOE, Calif./Nev. - The new Lake Tahoe Basin Management Unit Deputy Forest Supervisor Danelle D. Harrison is our guest columnist and looks back, and ahead, to the health of Lake Tahoe

Looking Back

December is a special time of year when our thoughts turn to family and friends, and communities come together to celebrate the season. It also marks the end of the year. And what a year it was. Together, we experienced unprecedented events including a record-breaking wildland fire year in the Pacific Southwest Region.

As we prepare to say goodbye (and maybe even good riddance) to 2020, the end of the year brings several holidays. Whether celebrating Solstice, Hanukkah, Christmas, Boxing Day, Kwanza, and of course, New Year’s Eve, remember that indoor holiday gatherings with others not in your immediate household can put you, your community, and those you care about at risk. As challenging as it is, staying home for the holidays is your best way to protect yourself and loved ones, and help slow the spread of COVID-19 in a time when healthcare and essential workers critically need that support.

We are ready for some glad tidings this holiday season. While we look forward to the spirit of generosity and warmth the season brings, many are also hoping the New Year will deliver a meaningful reset. Propelling ourselves forward and out of crisis will require fortitude and drive. The pending vaccine is a bright spot on the horizon, but there are other positive indicators for better days to come.

We cannot turn on the news, surf the web or walk down the street without constant reminders that we, along with the rest of the world, are battling a virus that has already taken a huge toll on our lives. No one has been immune to the impacts of this virus.

State health insurance exchanges, like Covered California and Nevada Health Link, are now in open enrollment - the time when we can sign up for coverage for the year ahead. It’s always a good idea to make sure you and your family have health insurance, and with the current surge of COVID-19, you don’t want to be uncovered. Luckily, there are many options for families and individuals to enroll virtually, including free, bi-lingual enrollment services offered here in our community.

The South Lake Tahoe Family Resource Center is busy assisting our community during these incredibly difficult COVID-19 times. This Holiday Season many members of our community are struggling with basic necessities to survive. So many members of our community work in the service industry in jobs such as; servers, waiters, bussers, housekeepers, maintenance personnel etc. Those industries have been impacted dramatically, especially with the updated governmental restrictions on in-door dining in California.

Our customers say “it’s like a little Etsy shop in here,” says Lisa Utzig Schfer of Wildwood Makers Market. The South Lake Tahoe store carries local, regional and independent artists and makers in its cozy little space at 989 Tallac Avenue.

They have everything from cards to jewelry to art supplies. Wildwood is a welcoming and safe environment for you to shop both in person and online with local pick up or delivery.

Current hours:
Sunday, Monday, Tuesday, Thursday 11:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m.
Friday and Saturday 10:00 a.m. to 6:00 p.m.
Closed Wednesdays.

SOUTH LAKE TAHOE, Calif. - Now that Small Business Saturday has come and gone, and there is still plenty of holiday shopping ahead during the month of December, South Tahoe Now has a proposition for local businesses.

Send us a few sentences of what makes you unique and what you offer for sale whether its jewelry, food, clothing, dog treats, experiences (and the list continues). What are your hours and do you have any special sales coming up? What is your address or website?

The COVID-19 virus is widespread throughout the South Lake Tahoe community. Transmission is taking place at its highest rate to date largely due to cooler weather moving gatherings indoors. Any gathering outside of your immediate household is now the largest vehicle for spread.

Let's start dreaming of a BRIGHT Christmas! Get out your jingle bells, your silver bells, your boughs of holly, and your LIGHTS! The Tahoe Chamber in launching the Light Up the South Shore Holiday Light Contest to spark some holiday cheer, showcase our creative community, and illuminate the town.

Will we be bright enough to be seen from SpaceX and the Space Station?