safe

New Incline Village Community Center for seniors opens to the public

Washoe County officially opened its doors Friday, May 18, 2018, to the new Incline Village Community Center.

From board meetings to board games and several fun-filled activities in-between, the new Washoe County Incline Village Community Center, located at 855 Alder Ave., will be a place for seniors to socialize, be productive and share ideas. Targeted to seniors in need, the social spaces in the center will host senior and community activities in Incline Village, removing isolation and service access barriers that directly affect quality of life for those populations.

Major damage prevented after bird nest catches fire on roof

A South Lake Tahoe home suffered minor damage Thursday night after a bird nest on a roof vent caught on fire.

At 6:34 p.m. a call was made to 911 about a fire in the 1100 block of Tata Lane. Two nearby residents spotted a fire on the eaves of the home, broke ,down a back door and were able to get much of the fire out with a fire extinguisher according to Battalion Chief Tim Spencer of the South Lake Tahoe Fire Department.

Guest Columnist: Be Prepared for Wildfire at Lake Tahoe

Both California and Nevada suffered destructive wildfires last year. Nevada saw 768 fires burn more than 1.3 million acres. California experienced the deadliest, largest, and most destructive wildfires in its history. Just a few hours-drive from Tahoe, more than 40 people died and thousands of homes were destroyed in the wine country and North Bay last October. In Southern California, the Thomas Fire ravaged communities and forest lands last December with damaging flooding and landslides piled on after the fire subsided.

Camp Richardson light to remain "off line" indefinitely

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.

Missing Carson City boy found in Reno

UPDATE 3:52 p.m.: Carson City Sheriff Ken Furlong told News 4 the 11-year-old boy walked more than 12 miles on Wednesday afternoon after getting in an argument with family members. Brendan Hubbs-Whitney was found near the Chocolate Nugget candy factory in Washoe Valley by a woman who was on her way to Reno early Thursday morning

* * *
UPDATE 11:15 a.m.; An 11-year-old boy reported missing was found safe Thursday morning by authorities in Reno, according to family members and confirmed by Carson City Sheriff Ken Furlong.

Ceremony for SLT police awards and retirement of K9 Tara moved

Due to the chance of inclement weather on Thursday, May 17, the South Lake Tahoe Police Department Annual Awards Ceremony held in honor of Peace Officer Memorial Week has been moved to the City Council Chambers located at 1901 Airport Road.

The event starts at 4:00 p.m. and will include awards, the retirement of K9 Tara, and the swearing in ceremony of recently selected Sergeant, Jeffrey Roberson.

The 10-year-old Tara's handler is Sergeant Jason Cheney.

Gear up for cycling with a bike fitting

Being ready to enjoy summer on your bike doesn’t only mean getting or being fit, it includes having your bike fit. With temperatures warming up, this is the perfect opportunity to get your bicycle ready for the season! Anyone who enjoys riding should have their bike fitted. At Barton Health, bike fitting is geared towards clients who road bike, mountain bike, or compete in triathlons – all with the goal of optimizing body position to maximize performance, based on the rider’s recreational or competitive goals and history of injury.

Business licenses issued by City of South Lake Tahoe in March and April

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

Incident at South Tahoe Middle School not bullying as reported on social media

A couple of social media posts with accusations of bullying in a South Lake Tahoe school this week have led to outrage, several concerned parents, backlash and sign carrying parents in front of the school Friday morning.

While bullying is still prevalent across the country, what happened at South Tahoe Middle School (STMS) this week has been determined by all involved, including school officials, parents and law enforcement, to not be bullying but more of a wrong choice while playing with a friend.

One student threw rocks at their friend during a school break, hitting them.

South Lake Tahoe Police K9 Tara to retire

Event Date: 
May 17, 2018 - 4:00pm

5/16 UPDATE: Due to the forecast, this event has been moved to the City Council Chambers at the Lake Tahoe Airport.

* * *
The South Lake Tahoe Police Canine Association has announced that K9 Tara will be retiring on May 17 during the annual South Lake Tahoe Police Department's (SLTPD) awards ceremony.

The 10-year-old Tara's handler is Sergeant Jason Cheney.

Kudos: Drug Store Project successful due to community partnerships

If you had walked onto the LTCC campus on Tuesday, April 3, you would have never guessed that there were 325 6th grade youth and 220 agency and volunteer workers throughout the corridors, all learning information on how and why to keep themselves safe from drugs. “Choices, what are yours?” was the theme of our efforts in keeping our youth drug free. With the country’s attitudes and norms about drug use changing, times are even more difficult for our kids.

Joining Forces distracted driving campaign: U Drive, U Text, U Pay

The Nevada Highway Patrol (NHP) is joining other law enforcement agencies across the state in a Joining Forces Distracted Driver campaign April 1-15, 2018. NHP will be working diligently to urge motorists to keep their eyes on the road and put away cell phones or other items that cause distractions. On average, texting takes your eyes off the road for 4.6 seconds. When traveling at 55 mph, that is enough time to cover the length of a football field.

County DOT launches interactive roadwork website

A new website was launched today by El Dorado County that lists all current, completed and scheduled road work projects.

Of the 100 projects listed, 58 are maintenance projects, 28 are storm damage projects, and 14 are capital improvement projects. These projects collectively
account for nearly $100 million in cost to complete.

Letter: Let the voters decide fate of Bypass Loop Road

The following was sent to the South Lake Tahoe City Council and was shared with South Tahoe Now:

Man suffers life-threatening injuries after running into snow plow

A man from Reno, Nevada suffered life-threatening injuries on just after midnight on Saturday after his car hit the back of a snow plow on US-395 northbound near the Parr Boulevard

A preliminary investigation by the Nevada Highway Patrol (NHP) shows that a silver 2014 Nissan Sentra driven by a 44-year-old man was traveling northbound on US-395 in the second travel lane from the left. A yellow Mack Nevada Department of Transportation (NDOT) snow plow was traveling northbound on US-395 in the left-hand travel lane, ahead of the silver Nissan. The NDOT snow plow was performing

Mt. Tallac students learn how important their voice is

SOUTH LAKE TAHOE, Calif. - While many students across the country hit the streets on National Student Walkout Day, Mt. Tallac students were in the classroom focusing how they can be the future change makers.

Students America Rojas, 17, and Kai Heiden, 17, created a slide show for their classmates and staff. There were 19 slides, representing the 17 students who lost their lives one month ago in Parkland, Florida, along with the copy of a poem written by one of the victims (seen at the end of this story).

Sierra House students learn about kindness on National Walkout Day

Sierra House Elementary School participated in National School Walkout Day by doing three acts of kindness.

"With K-5 grades we though anything more might not be appropriate," said Principal Karin Holmes.

The students and staff all had kindness cards (see attached) and did three random acts of kindness throughout the school day. As she put students on the bus at the end of the day Holmes said she asked each student how many they did, and many had more than three.

"Be the Change" the focus of South Tahoe High rally on National Walkout Day

SOUTH LAKE TAHOE, Calif. - The student body, teachers, staff of South Tahoe High School and community members came together Wednesday to be part of the National School Walkout and March For Our Lives, events held across the country one month after 17 students died in Parkland, Florida when a fellow student opened fire at Marjory Stoneman Douglas High School.

Men wanted in connection to El Dorado County homicide captured in Carson City

3/15/18 UPDATE: Two men arrested early Wednesday at a Carson City home have been identified and now face murder charges in El Dorado County, Calif.

Chase Bomar, 19, and Cody Bomar, 21, were taken into custody after Carson City Sheriff’s Office SWAT responded to assist El Dorado County authorities at a home in the 1200 block of Palo Verde Drive.

The men were wanted in connection to the fatal stabbing of Jeremy Fortuin, 42, of Pollock Pines. The stabbing happened on Pony Express Trail in Cedar Grove on the west slope of El Dorado County.

Kudos: Bread & Broth thanks Soroptimist international of Tahoe Sierra

The Soroptimist international of Tahoe Sierra (SITS) organization has a long history of service to the community. This wonderful group of women chose to sponsor a Bread & Broth Adopt A Day of Nourishment on Monday, March 5th, as their continuing commitment to serve those in need. The SITS members representing their organization at their sponsorship dinner were Jean Bergner, Julie Nelson, Shelly Martinez, Carolyn Robinson and Joanne Shope and Wendy David, B&B Volunteer Team #1 lead cook.

Letter: No Globe Alliance lays out plan

The following is an email sent to both the South Lake Tahoe City Council and the SnowGlobe Music Festival organizers:

1. Independent Engineer:
- a. Repeat previous dB tests for comparison
- b. Establish new dB tests and standards
- c. Establish Sound Czar with authority to adjust volume or end performance of artist
2. Must have standards, monitoring and fines for violations that are independently en-forced with a mechanism to have complaints responded to within 20 minutes of being reported (no unattended phone number for complaints).
3. Noise Engineering per Presentation.

Children encouraged to participate in Nevada Moves Day

Many Nevada schoolchildren will take part in organized events that promote walking or bicycling to school on Nevada Moves Day, held March 21.

Walking and bicycling to school events are planned for Carson City, Clark, Washoe, Lyon and many other counties across the state. Children not taking part in an organized school event are encouraged to involve their families in safely walking or bicycling to school on Nevada Moves Day and throughout the year.

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 Shore. There may be some missing calls due to sheriff's logs not being completed at time of story.

Some of those recently added to last week's log:

2/28

3:41 p.m. - Runaway Juvenile - Tahoe Paradise - R/P REPORTED A RUNAWAY JUVENILE.

3/2

Juvenile arrested after allegedly making threats at South Tahoe Middle School

A South Tahoe Middle School student was arrested after allegedly making threats to bring a gun to the school's dance Friday night and harm students.

Officers from the South Lake Tahoe Police Department (SLTPD) made contact with the young man at his home. The residence was searched and at this time it is believed that he did not have access to any firearms.

Due to the nature of the threats, and the number of other students who were placed in fear by them, the male juvenile was arrested and booked into the El Dorado County Juvenile Treatment Center on Criminal Threats, a felony.

Tahoe Search and Rescue locate two skiers at Heavenly

Two skiers who went out of bounds at Heavenly Mountain Resort Sunday were found safe and uninjured at approximately 6:50 p.m. March 4, 2018.

The pair were in waist deep snow and had trouble getting out according to El Dorado County Sheriff Sgt. Anthony Prencipe. They called for help and Tahoe Search and Rescue responded at about 5:30 p.m.

Prencipe said they two skiers, whose names and hometowns were not released, were uninjured and able to ski out on their own once help arrived.

El Dorado County Sheriff's lieutenant moves to the District Attorney's Office

A former El Dorado County Sheriff's lieutenant is now the chief investigator for the District Attorney's office. Jeff Dreher was sworn in during a ceremony on Friday.

El Dorado County Sheriff John D’Agostini, who was present for the swearing in ceremony said, "Although this is a loss for the Sheriff's Office it is a significant gain for the DA's office and all of law enforcement throughout El Dorado County."

Lake Tahoe area schools closed Friday

Students around the Lake Tahoe basin are going to enjoy another Snow Day on Friday. The following closures are in place:

Lake Tahoe Unified: For the safety of our students and staff
All Schools Will be CLOSED today due to Road and Continuing Blizzard conditions.
All school activities are cancelled unless notified otherwise.

All Douglas County School District schools are CLOSED for today.

Incline Village schools are closed.

Good decision making key to staying safe around Lake Tahoe

Search and Rescue (SAR) teams from Douglas County and El Dorado County save lives each year, and many times they have to respond to adverse conditions just as was the case when they were called out to Mott Canyon after two skiers were lost last week after skiing out of bounds at Heavenly.

Liberty Utilities wants customers prepared as blizzard heads to Lake Tahoe

Liberty Utilities is reminding customers to be prepared for possible extended power outages due to incoming winter storms.

The National Weather Service has issued a blizzard warning and avalanche watch starting Thursday morning for the Sierra and Lake Tahoe areas citing that this weather pattern could be the biggest snowstorm of the season.

”Although we prepare for extreme weather impacts to our electric system, we remind customers that power outages may occur and we encourage them to be prepared,” said Travis Johnson, Liberty Utilities’ VP of Electric Operations.

South Lake Tahoe community engaging during monthly conversations

South Lake Tahoe Mayor Wendy David held her second "Community Conversation" on Wednesday, opening the avenues of conversation between government and the public. This time Councilmember Brooke Laine joined her.

During the first such meeting in January the crowd got too big for the chosen area, Peet's Coffee, so this month they moved to the SLT Senior Center. Everyone attending agreed the center was much more conducive to good conversation.

"I thought it went really well," said Wendy. "I really appreciate the respect everyone shows for each other and opinions can be shared freely."

NDOT looking for paid summer interns

The Nevada Department of Transportation (NDOT) is looking ahead to the summer road construction season by accepting applications for paid summer internships through Feb. 28.

The internships provide on-the-job training in civil and environmental engineering, including roadway and bridge design, construction, hydraulics, materials, as well as traffic engineering, environmental stewardship and highway project administration, maintenance and storm water management.

The internships take place May through August 2018 and pay up to $18 per hour, depending on education and experience.

LTUSD to adjust safety procedures in wake of recent school shootings

SOUTH LAKE TAHOE, CALIF. - Since January 1, 2018 there have been 18 school shootings in the United States, 25 fatal school shootings since 1999's Columbine High School tragedy. With the deadly shooting February 14, 2018 at Stoneman Douglas High School in Parkland, Florida, many communities are looking at their own schools and their safety procedures to help prevent a repeat of a tragic event.

What is commonplace at schools across the country are drills for "shelter in place" and for students to understand what to do, and not do, in case of an emergency.

El Dorado County VHR meeting rescheduled

Event Date: 
March 3, 2018 - 1:00pm

After being unprepared for a very large crowd at their last attempt for a vacation home rental (VHR) meeting, the El Dorado County Board if Supervisors have reschedule that postponed meeting to Saturday, March 3 from 1:00 p.m. to 3:00 p.m. at the South Tahoe Middle School multi-purpose room.

Energy reignited for 'A Fighting Chance' child safety program in Lake Tahoe schools

Jaycee Lee Dugard was just 11 years old as she walked to the bus stop on the morning of June 10 in 1991 when she was abducted by two people. The Meyers and South Lake Tahoe community joined law enforcement in searching for the missing girls. As days turned into weeks, and then eventually years, parents searched for ways to teach their own children about safety and abduction.

VHR meeting postponed after over capacity crowd attends

SOUTH LAKE TAHOE, CALIF. - The El Dorado County Board of Supervisors meeting held in South Lake Tahoe had to come to an early end Thursday after a City fire official deemed the over 150 people crammed into the airport council chambers too many over the maximum occupancy of 112 to be safe.

Approximately 300 people filled the airport, all wanting a chance to participate in the County's discussion of amending their vacation home rental (VHR) ordinance. Those not in the council chambers filled the airport lobby.

Fans don't let fans drive drunk

Law enforcement from both California and Nevada are reminding motorists to not drink and drive, especially during Super Bowl weekend which seen an increase of drunk drivers on the road. As friends and family gather to watch the game Sunday, February 4, please designate a sober driver before the game between the New England Patriots and Philadelphia Eagles begins.

The California Highway Patrol (CHP) and Nevada Highway Patrol (NHP) have teamed up with the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration to remind motorists to not drive while intoxicated.

Trish Kelliher for District Attorney

Event Date: 
February 10, 2018 - 12:00pm

Veteran El Dorado County prosecutor, Trish Kelliher will launch her campaign for El Dorado County District Attorney at a special event scheduled for Saturday, February 10, 2018 at 12:00 p.m. at the Placerville Town Hall, 549 Main Street in Placerville. This event presents an opportunity for the public to meet the candidate and hear her vision for the office where she has worked for the past twenty years. Kelliher also welcomes citizens to share their concerns about public safety issues in the County.

Location

Placerville Town Hall
549 Main Street
United States
41° 40' 50.4768" N, 69° 57' 31.7448" W

Nevada bridges ranked #1 in country for 5th straight year

The Nevada Department of Transportation’s dedicated bridge inspection and rehabilitation program has helped Nevada bridges to be named the nation’s best for the fifth consecutive year.

Douglas County Search and Rescue recruiting new volunteers

The Douglas County Sheriff’s Search and Rescue (DCSAR) is looking for physically fit and energetic individuals to participate in its upcoming April academy and join their team.

DCSAR is a highly qualified and respected team comprised of approximately 50 trained volunteer members within the Douglas County Sheriff’s Office and responds to emergencies 24 hours a day, 365 days a year. They are frequently called out to assist surrounding counties in their rescues, it requires a considerable commitment, but is tremendously rewarding when a life is saved.

Azul Latin Kitchen raises $6,000 for Tahoe Youth & Family Services in 2017

Azul Latin Kitchen, located in the Heavenly Village, awarded a check for $6,000 to Tahoe Youth and Family Services during the board meeting on January 22.

Public meeting on growing PCE plume in South Lake Tahoe

Event Date: 
February 7, 2018 - 6:00pm

Update 1/26: Due to a scheduling conflict the meeting has been moved from Tahoe Valley Elementary School to the South Lake Tahoe City Council Chambers.

***
A 400 acre plume of contaminated groundwater will be the focus of a public meeting on February 7 in the SLT Council Chambers at the Lake Tahoe Airport from 6:00 p.m. to 7:30 p.m.

El Dorado County man dies after going into raw water conduit

The body of a Pollock Pines man was located just after 8:00 a.m. Tuesday after going missing in an El Dorado Irrigation District (EID) untreated raw water conduit on Monday at about 4:00 p.m.

Tory Robert Mayes, a 34-year-old from Pollock Pines, went into the EID’s Camino Conduit pipe that carries raw water from Jenkinson Lake to EID’s water treatment plant 1.5 miles away.

How to keep kids healthy during flu season

Over 3,300 confirmed cases of the flu have been reported to the Washoe County Health District this flu season, leading to at least seven fatalities. These numbers have health officials urging everyone to take preventive measures to keep from contracting the nasty virus now circulating across the country. Of particular concern is this season’s H3N2 influenza virus which appears to be extremely virulent among young children and older adults.

Man suffers 3rd degree burns in honey oil lab fire in Douglas County

A man was burned Sunday during an illicit Butane Hash Oil (BHO) extraction process in an apartment in Gardnerville, Nevada.

At 2:40 p.m. January 14, Douglas County Sheriff’s Office and East Fork Fire Protection District responded to a structure fire at the Stodick Apartments. When emergency personnel arrived they located an extinguished appliance fire and an injured male from the fire with third degree burns. The burn victim was transported by air ambulance to Renown Medical Center in Reno.

No moratorium on vacation rentals in El Dorado County

Tuesday's El Dorado County Board of Supervisors (BOS) meeting was just as all other meetings about vacation home rentals have been: A full house and a large contingent passionately representing both sides of the issue.

Supervisor Shiva Frentzen sought conceptual approval of an urgency ordinance to place a moratorium on the issuance of new vacation home rental (VHR) permits in the unincorporated portions of the County located in the Lake Tahoe Basin.

Tahoe Wellness Cooperative reopens after closing doors for two days

1/8/18 6:00PM Update: It has been confirmed that Tahoe Wellness Center has reopened their doors for sales of medicinal marijuana. It is unknown at this time why they closed as both the State and the City did not ask him to close.

* * *
As of Monday, January 8, 2018, Tahoe Wellness Cooperative (TWC) in South Lake Tahoe is closed, but the reason for the closure differs between the parties involved.

Vacation rental urgency ordinance on El Dorado County Supervisor agenda

There is an item on Tuesday's El Dorado County Board of Supervisor's agenda that caught many by surprise, especially those supervisors appointed to address the issue. Supervisor Shiva Frentzen is seeking conceptual approval of urgency ordinance to place a moratorium on the issuance of new vacation home rental permits in the unincorporated portions of the County located in the Lake Tahoe Basin.

Vehicle fatalities decline, pedestrian and cyclist deaths rise on Nevada roads

The Nevada Departments of Transportation and Public Safety are reminding Nevadans to share the road after Nevada pedestrian traffic deaths rose in 2017 amid a decline in overall statewide traffic deaths.

In 2017, Douglas County had a rise in all deaths on the road: Fatal crashes up from 5 to 9, fatalities up from 5 to 11, alcohol fatal crashes up from 1 to 2, and number of fatalities in those crashes up from 1 to 3.

Hundreds working behind the scene to keep all safe at SnowGlobe

SOUTH LAKE TAHOE, CALIF. - Leading up to SnowGlobe, days have been filled with meetings and emergency drills, staffing instructions and planning, all to create a safe atmosphere for the thousands of people in South Lake Tahoe for the three-day music festival.

As the show got underway Friday, December 26, there was a heavy presence of law enforcement and safety personnel, though many of them could not be detected as they moved about the venue in plain clothes. A drone was also in the air, surveying the crowd below.

Tahoe Warm Room to open in new location January 1

For the past week, South Lake Tahoe's homeless have been able to get out of the cold at the Lake Tahoe Community Presbyterian Church, but come January 1 they will be moving into their new home.

The Tahoe Coalition for the Homeless will open their warm room at 1195 Rufus Allen Blvd, the City owned property that once housed Unity at the Lake. Their operations will begin at 7:00 p.m. The will be open daily from 7:00 p.m. to 8:30 a.m. until April 1, 2018.

Syndicate content