safety

Clarity was originally a name reserved for Honda’s venture into fuel cells which still exists in the Clarity Fuel Cell. But at a price approaching $60,000, its sales are very small at about 625 units for 2018. While that is a percentage increase of about 35 percent, the actual number of increased unit sales was under 200 year over year. See how percentage increase figures can be misleading? However, the new Clarity Plug-in Hybrid is having robust sales in comparison (over 18,0000 units sold) and for many a good reason.

SOUTH LAKE TAHOE, Calif. - The latest storm hit quickly Sunday morning, bringing snow to South Lake Tahoe area roads and, with those, chain controls, traffic issues and collisions.

Drivers heading west over Echo Summit have been attempting short cuts through Lake Tahoe Blvd., Mandan Street, Sawmill Road and North Upper Truckee, and because of that they are creating a mess with double parking as they put on chains and blocking the roadway.

Five members of Vail’s EpicPromise Team joined the Bread & Broth volunteers to help put on the December 9 Monday Meal at St. Theresa’s Grace Hall. The EpicPromise team included Food & Beverage Director Ted McDowell, Environmental Manager Frank Papandrea, Activities Manager Dana Paugh, Community Relations Manager Brandy Thomson, and Health & Safety Specialist Chanel Walker. All of these Vail Heavenly Mountain Resort team members have volunteered frequently over the past years with the exception of Dana Paugh.

SOUTH LAKE TAHOE, Calif. - The December edition of the City of South Lake Tahoe's "At Lake Level" has been released by City Manager Frank Rush. This month Rush covers SnowGlobe, the 56-acre site and a possible new Fire/EMS station for the community.

56-Acre Site

SOUTH LAKE TAHOE, Calif. - Snow and winter may have arrived, but there is still some work scheduled, weather permitting.

SPECIAL EVENT

U.S. Highway 50 (El Dorado County): Motorists can expect the eastbound and westbound turn lanes from U.S. Highway 50 at Bedford Avenue and the eastbound off-ramps at Broadway and Schnell School Road to be closed from noon to 3 p.m. Sunday for the annual Placerville Christmas Parade.

LONG-TERM PROJECTS

NORTH LAKE TAHOE, Calif. - The family of actress Anna Faris had a brush with danger in North Lake Tahoe during the Thanksgiving holiday. The group of 13 rented a vacation home in the 100 block of Tahoma Drive in Tahoe City. Two of them felt ill and went to the hospital where it was determined they were suffering from Carbon Monoxide (CO) poisoning.

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.

Most traffic-interfering work will be restricted from 6 a.m. Wednesday, November 27 until 10 p.m. Monday, December 2 due to the Thanksgiving holiday weekend.

LONG-TERM PROJECTS

U.S. Highway 50 (El Dorado County): Work continues on a $5.2 million project to upgrade metal beam guardrail and construct concrete barriers at 89 locations from the Red Hawk Undercrossing to 1.9 miles west of the junction with State Route 89 in Meyers. Completion is expected this fall or spring 2020.

SOUTH LAKE TAHOE, Calif. - A 2008 Douglas High School graduate is the newest member of the South Lake Tahoe Police Department (SLTPD).

Ryan Brown was sworn in by SLTPD Chief Brian Uhler in front of family, fellow officers, members of the SLT Fire Department and other staff members on Monday afternoon. He comes from the Alpine County Sheriff's Office where he spent four years as a deputy. Ryan has also been with the Nevada Air National Guard for six years.

SOUTH LAKE TAHOE, Calif. - As weather allows, Caltrans will continue work as they wrap up their projects. NOTE: Most lane closures are restricted on Monday, November 11 due to the Veterans Day holiday.

LONG-TERM PROJECTS

U.S. Highway 50 (El Dorado County): Work continues on a $5.2 million project to upgrade metal beam guardrail and construct concrete barriers at 89 locations from the Red Hawk Undercrossing to 1.9 miles west of the junction with State Route 89 in Meyers. Completion is expected this fall or spring 2020.

Caltrans addressed what they reported to be an increase of accidents at the intersection of US50 and SR89 with a $7.3 million roundabout in Meyers, and today there was a ribbon-cutting with local partners to officially open it up.

What used to be a T-intersection with one stop sign is now a three-leg roundabout with a bypass lane. Years of studies, planning, environmental reviews, and engineering led to this past summer's build by Q&D Construction.

A burned area assessment of the area burned by last month's Caples Fire is now underway. The Incident Commander Kevin Breitwieser has declared that the Caples Fire is now 100 percent contained and in patrol status at 3,435 acres.

There has been almost no change in fire size since October 18. The extreme wind event on October 26 that prompted a public safety power shutoff was a good test of the containment lines and resulted in three small spots that were extinguished. Traces of smoke from interior burning will continue to be visible, but no additional fire growth is expected.

On Thursday, October 31, Governor Gavin Newsom and State Superintendent of Public Instruction Tony Thurmond visited El Dorado County and Blue Oak Elementary School to learn about the impacts of the recent PG&E Public Safety Power Shutoffs (PSPS). Gov. Newsom and Superintendent Thurmond met with El Dorado County Superintendent of Schools Dr. Ed Manansala, Buckeye Union School District (BUSD) Superintendent Dr. David Roth, and several BUSD officials to hear first-hand about the challenges that school officials encounter when making decisions regarding school closures.

DOUGLAS COUNTY, Nev. - A call into "SafeVoice" about 10:00 p.m. Tuesday night outlined a specific threat to faculty and students at Douglas High School in Minden involving the use of a firearm. The Douglas County Sheriff’s Office (DCSO) quickly responded, leading to the arrest of one juvenile for allegedly making threats against the school.

The SafeVoice Coordinator from the Nevada Division of Investigations and the DCSO resource officers worked together to quickly identify the juvenile(s) involved.

SOUTH LAKE TAHOE, Calif. - First it was Lime Bikes, but now the company's Lime Scooters have created both enjoyment and concern in South Lake Tahoe. The popular mode of transportation is used by millions worldwide and provides over 100,000 annual rides in South Lake Tahoe.

But the illegal use by minors and a flaw in the Lime app process has drawn concern from local law enforcement and residents.

The following El Dorado County schools are closed on Thursday, October 24, 2019, due to PG&E's planned safety power outage:

Black Oak Mine Unified School District - all schools

EDCOE - 6767 Green Valley Rd., Placerville

EDCOE Charter Alternative Education Programs - all schools

El Dorado Union High School School District - all schools

Gold Oak Union School District - all schools

Gold Trail Union School District - all schools

Mother Lode Union School District - all schools

Pioneer Union School District - all schools

SOUTH LAKE TAHOE, Calif. - An active shooting training at South Tahoe High School last week gave local, state and federal agencies the opportunity to use their collaborative skills in responding to an emergency at the school.

In the simulated event after school, a call went over the radios on a secure channel to alert all first responders of a shooting at the high school and with the shooter still on the loose. At the first call, there were seven "victims" (volunteers acting for the training).

SOUTH LAKE TAHOE, Calif. - It's that time of year again when the Forest Service Lake Tahoe Basin Management Unit (LTBMU) begins the winter closure of their recreational facilities around the Lake Tahoe Basin. Seasonal closures apply to many Forest Service recreation sites including beaches, campgrounds, picnic areas and National Forest roads.

In an all-new vehicle in what can be considered a new size class for SUVs, Hyundai’s new Palisade has hit a Grand Slam (Salami, if you are Italian or a Yankee Fan), but not an ordinary Grand Slam, but this one landed on River Avenue or Waveland Avenue if you’re a Cubby. It is flat out the best SUV I have ever driven with performance, ride, handling, quiet, comfort and economy levels that put it immediately at the top of its class and almost every other class. Palisade is simply a Class act.

SOUTH LAKE TAHOE, Calif. - Caltrans is conducting work on Lake Tahoe and Sierra highways. The following are their current projects for the week of October 13-19, 2019.

LONG-TERM PROJECTS

U.S. Highway 50 (El Dorado County): Work continues on a $5.2 million project to upgrade metal beam guardrail and construct concrete barriers at 89 locations from the Red Hawk Undercrossing to 1.9 miles west of the junction with State Route 89 in Meyers. Completion is expected this fall or spring 2020.

There was minimal fire activity on the Caples Fire last night due to near freezing nighttime temperatures, high relative humidity, and very light winds. The natural wind patterns from the west/southwest will continue to be good for suppression actions. Temperatures are moderate during the day and the relative humidity is low, and those nighttime conditions help with light winds and high relative humidity recovery.

South Lake Tahoe Fire Rescue's (SLTFR) annual Open House will be held on Saturday, October 12 from 10:00 a.m. to 2:00 p.m. Both of their fire stations (1 & 3) will be open to the public with tours, hands-on demonstrations, light refreshments, safety information and giveaways.

Fire Station #1 1252 Ski Run Blvd.
- Participate in Fire Extinguisher prop and hands-only CPR training
- Life safety info, tours, static displays of apparatus, & giveaways
- Learn home safety tips with the Ember House

Fire Station #3 2101 Lake Tahoe Blvd.
- Smokey Bear visit

SOUTH LAKE TAHOE, Cali. - To reduce wildfire risk during the forecasted severe wind event in California west of Lake Tahoe, Pacific Gas and Electric (PG&E) will implement a Public Safety Power Shutoff in parts of northern, central and coastal counties of the state, but not in the Lake Tahoe Basin.

PG&E expects to begin turning off power later Tuesday night, just after midnight.

SOUTH LAKE TAHOE, Calif. - Caltrans is conducting work on Lake Tahoe and Sierra highways. The following are their current projects for the week of Octber 6-11, 2019.

LONG-TERM PROJECTS