state
COVID-19 case update for Lake Tahoe area counties
Submitted by paula on Fri, 11/06/2020 - 10:18pmSOUTH LAKE TAHOE, Calif. - El Dorado County health officials say another 18 residents have tested positive for COVID-19 since yesterday. Of those, four in El Dorado Hills, four are in Greater Placerville, one in Pollock Pines/Camino/Kyburz, three in Cameron Park/Shingle Springs/Rescue, one in North County, one Diamond Springs/El Dorado, and four in the Lake Tahoe region.
One of those new cases, two are under the age of 18, six are aged 18-49, seven are aged 50-64 and three 65 or older.
Another 356 people were tested for the coronavirus and 338 negative tests results were received.
El Dorado County down to 1,000 votes to count - Creegan and Friedrich new South Lake Tahoe councilmembers
Submitted by paula on Fri, 11/06/2020 - 6:33pmSOUTH LAKE TAHOE, Calif. - The El Dorado County Elections Department tabulated another 9,614 ballots on Friday, leaving about 1,000 provisional ballots left to count.
At this time, 115,339 ballots have been counted of the possible 135,554 voters (85.09%).
Cristi Creegan and John Friedrich appear to be the next two South Lake Tahoe City councilmembers. They led the race since the first ballots were counted on election day and came out victorious in the field of ten candidates.
Pair arrested and facing South Lake Tahoe vehicle theft charges
Submitted by paula on Thu, 11/05/2020 - 12:39pmSOUTH LAKE TAHOE, Calif. - Two people have been arrested by the South Lake Tahoe Police Department (SLTPD) after allegedly stealing a car from a home on Anita Drive.
City of South Lake Tahoe seeking applicants for citizen commissions and boards
Submitted by paula on Wed, 11/04/2020 - 11:28pmThe City of South Lake Tahoe is looking to fill vacant seats on four citizen commissions and boards: Planning Commission, Airport Land Use Commission, Building Board of Appeals, and Parks & Recreation Commission. They are soliciting applications for a City Council representative to the El Dorado County Commission on Aging and the Tahoe Regional Planning Agency Advisory Planning Commission.
Applications are due December 28 for the following positions
Planning Commission
Lane closure in South Lake Tahoe for pilot project as Caltrans paints bike lane green
Submitted by paula on Tue, 11/03/2020 - 7:36pmSOUTH LAKE TAHOE, Calif. – Caltrans is advising motorists of a lane closure on U.S. Highway 50 in South Lake Tahoe later this week for a pilot project to paint a section of the bike lane green.
The closure is scheduled for the eastbound #2 lane from 6:00 a.m. to 6:00 p.m. Thursday between Dunlap Drive and 3rd Street to apply the paint treatment.
South Shore casinos see big gain in September; Statewide revenues down 22 percent
Submitted by paula on Tue, 11/03/2020 - 1:18pmSTATELINE, Nev. - Nevada’s non-restricted gaming licensees reported a total “gaming win” of $821,132,375 for the month of September 2020, the fourth month of casinos reopening in the state after being closed due to the coronavirus. This amounts to a 22.38 percent decrease compared to September 2019, when licensees reported a gaming win of $1,057,935,421, according to the monthly report released by the Nevada Gaming Control Board.
The twenty-two percent decrease is almost identical to the loss experienced the prior month for the state.
Lake Tahoe, Sierra and El Dorado County roadwork November 1 - 7
Submitted by paula on Sun, 11/01/2020 - 7:18pmSOUTH LAKE TAHOE, Calif. - The following is a list of the long term and short term projects the California Department of Transportation (Caltrans) has scheduled for the week around Lake Tahoe, in the Sierra and El Dorado County.
LONG-TERM PROJECTS
South Lake Tahoe Police Blotter
Submitted by paula on Sun, 11/01/2020 - 5:49pmSOUTH LAKE TAHOE, Calif. - The following is a list of calls the South Lake Tahoe Police Department responded to the weeks of October 12 - 18, 2020. Location Checks are- when officers search an area at a certain address. Transient/Homeless arrests/citations and calls are those normally categorized in other columns (Drunk in Public, Trespassing, etc.) but stats are collected separately. COVID calls are related to state and county guidelines.
Last Report: http://southtahoenow.com/story/10/13/2020/south-lake-tahoe-police-blotter
10/12
ARRESTS (1)
Valhalla's 25th annual Holiday Faire canceled for 2020
Submitted by paula on Sun, 11/01/2020 - 10:47amSOUTH LAKE TAHOE, Calif. - One of Valhalla’s most loved community events is the annual Holiday Faire, and they were set to celebrate a milestone 25th year this November. After a successful partnership with The Heritage Foundation to create a Winter Wanderland at the Tallac Historic Site last year, both organizations were excited about expanding the event this year. Unfortunately, due to the size of the Grand Hall and limits on capacity, Valhalla Tahoe’s Board of Directors have been forced to cancel the event.
Drowsy Driving Prevention Week
Submitted by paula on Sat, 10/31/2020 - 1:56pmAs daylight saving time comes to an end on Sunday, November 1, any will notice the time change disrupting sleep patterns and affecting the ability to concentrate and safely operate a motor vehicle. To highlight the life-threatening dangers of fatigued driving, the California Highway Patrol (CHP) joins the Office of Traffic Safety (OTS), the California Department of Transportation (Caltrans), and the National Sleep Foundation in recognizing Drowsy Driving Prevention Week, November 1-8, 2020, and encouraging Californians to stay alert and stay alive.
Time to Fall Back as daylight saving time comes to an end for 2020
Submitted by paula on Fri, 10/30/2020 - 9:31pmDaylight-saving time comes to an end for 2020 on Sunday, November 1 at 2:00 a.m. in much of the United States. Clocks will move back one hour as standard time starts its run.
The practice of having the time change started in the early 1900s as a way to make better use of daylight during the spring and summer months, so there is an extra hour of sunlight in the evening instead of the morning.
Lake Tahoe area firefighters at scene of small fire above Chimney Beach
Submitted by paula on Fri, 10/30/2020 - 4:23pm6:00 p.m. Update - The Thunder Fire is contained and is in mop-up status thanks to a quick response by local, state and federal firefighters. No structures were threatened and no injuries were reported. The cause of the fire is under investigation.
Note: Mop-up means to extinguish or remove burning material near control lines, fell snags, and trench logs to prevent rolling after an area has burned, to make a fire safe, or to reduce residual smoke.
Public meeting on South Lake Tahoe affordable housing project, Sugar Pine Village
Submitted by paula on Fri, 10/30/2020 - 10:38amEvent Date:
November 18, 2020 - 5:30pm
Sugar Pine Village in South Lake Tahoe is envisioned to be a new residential, mixed-use affordable community that compliments the existing neighborhood while also preserving native species and sensitive land. The project will be designed to provide residents with new high quality, sustainable housing designed to support active transportation, encouraging biking, walking, access to transit, and connection with nearby trails for the local workforce and their families.
Visitor bureaus start “Travel Safely, Adventure Greatly” campaign
Submitted by paula on Thu, 10/29/2020 - 9:53amCarson Valley and South Lake Tahoe collaboratively are welcoming visitors to the region with a travel safely, adventure greatly message. Under the cooperative marketing umbrella of the #SierraSafely campaign, the goal of the program is focused on tourism recovery for Douglas County while restoring confidence among visitors and locals in the region.
CCC Tahoe Center corpsmembers help communities recover and prepare after fires
Submitted by paula on Wed, 10/28/2020 - 7:52pmSOUTH LAKE TAHOE, Calif. - Long after the fire trucks have come and gone, the threat to a community impacted by wildfire remains. It’s a less obvious threat than a towering inferno destroying homes and ripping through forests and hillsides. It is a hidden threat that arrives with winter rains and California Conservation Corps Corpsmembers are helping communities stay safe from it—toxic runoff, including those from the South Lake Tahoe center.
Larry Schaffer - Long time resident dies at the age of 76
Submitted by paula on Wed, 10/28/2020 - 7:12pmLarry Eugene Schaffer passed away on October 28, 2020 after a brief illness. He was 76-years-old.
The son of Harold and Mary Schaffer. Larry grew up in the San Fernando Valley. Larry enlisted in the Marines at age 18 where he was a radio mechanic during the Vietnam War. After the Marines he attended California State University Northridge and received a degree in Sociology. He went on to receive his Master’s degree.
Upon his return from the war Larry married Elizabeth Anne Brewer who preceded him in death after 10 years of marriage. Larry and Beth had one son, Jason Schaffer.
Celebrating Halloween in South Lake Tahoe - Two Trunk or Treat events and more
Submitted by paula on Tue, 10/27/2020 - 3:24pmSOUTH LAKE TAHOE, Calif. - This Halloween will be like no other due to the pandemic. The annual Treat Street was canceled as was the Freaker's Ball, but there are still ways to enjoy holiday fun in a safe manner in South Lake Tahoe.
Road Beat: 2020 Honda Civic Hatchback Sport Touring, A Double Wow
Submitted by paula on Sat, 10/24/2020 - 8:06pmI continue to remark in several recent Road Beats, that Honda is on a roll, after testing this new Honda Civic Hatchback Sport Touring, I have to report that the roll is still accelerating and rather quickly, including its price. Here is a car with loads of utility, outstanding performance, great fuel economy, superb handling and good comfort for a sticker price not $22,380 with the boat ride from Swindon, Wiltshire, England, but $29,780. That’s right a price bump of about 30 percent for the Touring model.
Lake Tahoe, Sierra and El Dorado County roadwork October 25 - 31
Submitted by paula on Sat, 10/24/2020 - 7:26pmSOUTH LAKE TAHOE, Calif. - The following is a list of the long term and short term projects the California Department of Transportation (Caltrans) has scheduled for the week around Lake Tahoe, in the Sierra and El Dorado County.
LONG-TERM PROJECTS
Supervisor Novasel: Chaiman Veerkamp blatantly disregarded the action of the Board
Submitted by paula on Fri, 10/23/2020 - 11:30pmEL DORADO COUNTY, Calif. - On Friday, El Dorado County Supervisor Chair Brian Veerkamp broke board protocol by announcing he is invoking Emergency Powers to require El Dorado County to pay for sending Sheriff John D’Agostini to a political “conference” on October 29th which is being held by a select group of state senators in Red Bluff. This action by the Board of Supervisors Chair, who is leaving office at the end of this year,
New supervisor named for Lake Tahoe Basin
Submitted by paula on Fri, 10/23/2020 - 2:21pmThe USDA Forest Service Lake Tahoe Basin Management Unit (LTBMU) has announced that William “Bill” Jackson has been selected as the new Forest Supervisor for the Lake Tahoe Basin. Jackson is scheduled to arrive at the LTBMU on Dec. 6, 2020, and comes to the area from the White River National Forest in Colorado, where he served as the District Ranger for the Dillon Ranger District.
Column: Tourism Future at Tahoe South - Responsible, Sustainable Destination
Submitted by paula on Fri, 10/23/2020 - 2:07pmWhile the consensus is that 2020 will look much better in the rearview mirror, it will leave indelible experiences that shape discussions, planning, and direction for years to come.
It certainly reinforces sustainability as the future of tourism here at Tahoe, with benchmarks to embrace including environmental integrity, economic development, and social equity for visitors and locals.
SnowGlobe cancels its South Lake Tahoe music festival for 2020
Submitted by paula on Thu, 10/22/2020 - 7:43amSOUTH LAKE TAHOE, Calif. - Organizers of SnowGlobe, the annual music festival held in South Lake Tahoe, have canceled their 10th annual event due to safety concerns.
"2020 has been a year of unprecedented challenges and we wanted more than anything to be a bright spot in this otherwise bleak year - but after close consultation with local and state health officials regarding the impact of COVID-19, we've made the difficult decision to cancel this year's festival," said SnowGlobe on their Twitter announcement Wednesday.
Column: What constitutes domestic violence?
Submitted by paula on Tue, 10/20/2020 - 7:11pmDomestic violence, as known as intimate partner violence, is an issue that touches every community. There were 265 reports of domestic violence in South Lake Tahoe, including domestic disturbance, domestic battery, and domestic assault from January 1, 2019, until October 9, 2020. There are many forms of abuse, besides physical assault, that constitute domestic violence.
City Council candidates respond to South Lake Tahoe Chamber questions
Submitted by paula on Tue, 10/20/2020 - 5:23pmSOUTH LAKE TAHOE, Calif. - The South Tahoe Chamber of Commerce Board recently asked the nine City Council candidates ten questions they felt were of most importance to its members. The questions focused mainly on topics relating to things that will or may affect both the local small businesses and the community in general.
Their board made the decision to not endorse a specific candidate this election, but instead rank them based on how much they align with the South Tahoe Chamber of Commerce goals based on their answers to the questions below.
Lake Tahoe, Sierra and El Dorado County roadwork October 18-24
Submitted by paula on Sun, 10/18/2020 - 4:27pmSOUTH LAKE TAHOE, Calif. - The following is a list of the long term and short term projects the California Department of Transportation (Caltrans) has scheduled for the week around Lake Tahoe, in the Sierra and El Dorado County.
LONG-TERM PROJECTS
Orders now being taken for commemorative Lake Tahoe coin
Submitted by paula on Sat, 10/17/2020 - 9:21amLAKE TAHOE, Calif./Nev. — The limited-edition Lake Tahoe Commemorative Coin is now available to the public, the Tahoe Regional Planning Agency (TRPA) and Parasol Tahoe Community Foundation (Parasol) announced this week.
Column: Turning lessons into transportation solutions
Submitted by paula on Fri, 10/16/2020 - 5:10pmAutumn’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.
Strong early voter turnout in El Dorado County
Submitted by paula on Fri, 10/16/2020 - 10:18amEL DORADO COUNTY, Calif. - Of the 133,251 registered voters in El Dorado County, 30,886, or 23 percent, have already turned in their ballots. The elections department does not have data from the 2016 election at the same point in time. That election had 97,024 or 83.31 percent of the 116,459 registered that year, turn in ballots by election day.
As of October 15:
Ballots returned by mail - 14,966
Ballots returned in a drop box - 15,920
Of those ballots, 28,996 have had signatures verified against reference signature and the balance of 1,890 are awaiting verification.
STPUD candidates respond to questions
Submitted by paula on Wed, 10/14/2020 - 9:37pmSOUTH LAKE TAHOE, Calif. - There are three open seats on the South Tahoe Public Utility Board of Directors this election season, two for a four-year term and one for a two-year term.
South Tahoe Now reached out to the candidates and below are their answers to a set of questions. For the two four-year terms, incumbent Kelly Sheehan is running for reelection, Duane Wallace is running after being appointed to fill Jim Jones's spot on the board until this election, and they are joined by David Peterson.
South Lake Tahoe Police Blotter
Submitted by paula on Tue, 10/13/2020 - 10:21pmSOUTH LAKE TAHOE, Calif. - The following is a list of calls the South Lake Tahoe Police Department responded to the weeks of October 5 - 11, 2020. Location Checks are- when officers search an area at a certain address. Transient/Homeless arrests/citations and calls are those normally categorized in other columns (Drunk in Public, Trespassing, etc.) but stats are collected separately. COVID calls are related to state and county guidelines.
Last Week's Report: http://southtahoenow.com/story/10/06/2020/south-lake-tahoe-police-blotter
10/5
ARRESTS (4)
El Dorado County and South Lake Tahoe remain in state's orange reopening tier
Submitted by paula on Tue, 10/13/2020 - 8:43pmEL DORADO COUNTY, Calif. - During Tuesday's El Dorado County Board of Supervisors meeting, the county's Public health Officer Dr. Nancy Williams said the region remains in the orange tier of the California reopening plan.
During the meeting, Dr. Williams told the supervisors it is now obvious that California is in the midst of a second wave of coronavirus cases, and El Dorado County is experiencing a second wave as well, but so far the numbers have kept the region in the "orange."
Column: Adjusting with the Times
Submitted by paula on Tue, 10/13/2020 - 3:29pmOverwhelm, 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
Pine Nuts with McAvoy Layne: Voting is the most American thing we do
Submitted by paula on Mon, 10/12/2020 - 2:06pmThis 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."
Lake Tahoe, Sierra and El Dorado County roadwork October 11-17
Submitted by paula on Sat, 10/10/2020 - 7:47pmSOUTH LAKE TAHOE, Calif. - The following is a list of the long term and short term projects the California Department of Transportation (Caltrans) has scheduled for the week around Lake Tahoe, in the Sierra and El Dorado County.
LONG-TERM PROJECTS
Letter to the Editor: Great time for opportunity, collaboration and positivity
Submitted by paula on Sat, 10/10/2020 - 12:47pmThe desperation evident in those in our community, including some other candidates for City Council, who hope to maintain the status quo and deny us the opportunity to evolve is reaching fever pitch. As indicated in the Form 460 I filed as required by the FPPC, I received a campaign contribution of $5,000 from a Nevada resident, a retired businessman with philanthropic leanings. Aside from our one conversation in which we discussed our love of Tahoe, some local nonprofit organizations we'd both supported, and our love for our own daughters, I've never spoken with him.
Op/Ed: Creating a community without the divide of a state line
Submitted by paula on Fri, 10/09/2020 - 2:00pmOn October 31, 2016 I wrote an editorial "Use the election to create a community of collaboration and teamwork" due to a growing vibe of discourse and anger across the country as well as in South Lake Tahoe.
Since we are once again in the midst of a contentious national election I saw a need to once again look at the definition of community as we focus on our local situation in El Dorado County and Douglas County.
com·mu·ni·ty:
New forestry program headed to Lake Tahoe Community College
Submitted by paula on Fri, 10/09/2020 - 12:17pmSOUTH LAKE TAHOE, Calif. - A new Forestry Education and Job Placement program is heading to Lake Tahoe Community College (LTCC) in South Lake Tahoe.
To get things started, the California Tahoe Conservancy Board awarded the college a $351,000 grant and $480,000 was received from CAL Fire’s Forest Health Grant Program. LTCC has hired Kim Carr as their contracted consultant on the project and she helped write the grants and secure funding for the new avenue of education in South Lake Tahoe. She is bringing 30 years of forestry and environmental experience to the college.
Column: Delivering care for mothers and babies
Submitted by paula on Fri, 10/09/2020 - 10:31amAs a mother and as a physician, I understand there are many unknowns right now for moms as they prepare to deliver their babies. Despite the challenges we face with the COVID-19 pandemic, Barton Health continues to provide compassionate care that puts mothers and babies first. Barton’s practices in place honor the needs of mother and child while upholding everyone’s health and safety.
Main Street Management plan webinar
Submitted by paula on Fri, 10/09/2020 - 10:09amEvent Date:
October 19, 2020 - 12:00pm
The Tahoe Regional Planning Agency and Tahoe Transportation District have released a public draft of the Main Street Management Plan, setting the stage for a major makeover to a 1-mile stretch of U.S. Highway 50 in the Stateline area near Heavenly Village and the casino core.
An 18-member stakeholder working group and multiple public input sessions helped shape the plan over the past two years. The plan outlines how the street would look, feel, and function after U.S. Highway 50 is realigned through the U.S. 50 South Shore Community Revitalization Project.
Forest Service extends emergency fire restrictions in California including all of Lake Tahoe Basin
Submitted by paula on Thu, 10/08/2020 - 2:16pmThe US Forest Service has extended its emergency fire restrictions across all National Forest lands in California. This involves all USFS land in the Lake Tahoe Basin on both sides of the state line.
Smoking and all recreational fires, including campfires, bonfires, warming fires, wood fires, charcoal fires, or any other kind of outdoor fires, involving solid fuels are prohibited.
With the ongoing threat of wildfire and a very dry season, the danger of fire remains too high to allow recreational fires.
Holiday Tree Lighting
Submitted by paula on Wed, 10/07/2020 - 8:33pmSOUTH LAKE TAHOE, Calif. - Heavenly Village will once again be putting up a 70-foot cut tree and lighting it during a special tree lighting ceremony on Friday, November 27 at 8:00 p.m.
On hand for the free and public event will be Congressman Tom McClintock and Former State Senator and current member of the California Board of Equalization Ted Gaines.
Heavenly Village is located one block west of the state line at 1001 Heavenly Village Wat in South Lake Tahoe.
City Council candidates respond to 100% Renewable Energy Committee questions
Submitted by paula on Wed, 10/07/2020 - 8:12pmOn April 18, 2017 the South Lake Tahoe City Council unanimously passed a resolution to: 1) Power the South Lake Tahoe community with electricity provided from 100 percent renewable sources by 2032 and 2) Reduce community carbon emissions from baseline by at least 80 percent by 2040, and reduce municipal emissions by 50 percent by 2030.
SLT Council Candidate Stacey Ballard
Submitted by paula on Wed, 10/07/2020 - 3:12pmSouth Tahoe Now reached out to all nine candidates for South Lake Tahoe City Council and provided the same list of questions to each one of them. Once a day their answers have been published in the order received. Today is our final candidate.
Today's candidate is Stacey Ballard
Profession: Artist/Author
How many years in SLT: I have lived in Tahoe on and off since 1997, over 16 in total.
South Lake Tahoe resident celebrates her 99th birthday
Submitted by paula on Wed, 10/07/2020 - 2:41pmIn the year 1921, New York Yankee Babe Ruth hit his 138th homerun as the team made their first World Series appearance, Coco Chanel introduces "Chanel No. 5". Boeing obtains orders for aircraft and abandons furniture-making, Albert Einstein receives the Nobel Prize in Physics, Woodrow Wilson (until March 4) and Warren G. Harding (from March 4) were president, and technology made advancements towards what would be the first television. Charles Bronson, Nancy Reagan, and John Glenn were born.
SLT Council Candidate Cristi Creegan
Submitted by paula on Tue, 10/06/2020 - 1:44pmSouth Tahoe Now reached out to all nine candidates for South Lake Tahoe City Council and provided the same list of questions to each one of them. Once a day their answers will be published in the order received.
Today's candidate is Cristi Creegan
Profession: Business Owner
How many years in SLT: 23 years
South Lake Tahoe Police Blotter
Submitted by paula on Tue, 10/06/2020 - 11:59amSOUTH LAKE TAHOE, Calif. - The following is a list of calls the South Lake Tahoe Police Department responded to the weeks of September 28 - October 4, 2020. Location Checks are- when officers search an area at a certain address. Transient/Homeless arrests/citations and calls are those normally categorized in other columns (Drunk in Public, Trespassing, etc.) but stats are collected separately. COVID calls are related to state and county guidelines.
9/28
ARRESTS (5)
05:57 Drunk in Public 4100 Block of Lake Tahoe Bl
17:16 Transient/Homeless 2000 Block of Lake Tahoe Bl
Fire Chief tells how Measure S can help fund needs in South Lake Tahoe
Submitted by paula on Mon, 10/05/2020 - 10:49pmSOUTH LAKE TAHOE, Calif. - It will be hard to find someone in favor of taxes, but with them being the reason many things in this world are funded, they are accepted to some degree.
On November 3, the City of South Lake Tahoe will be asking voters for support of a one-cent local sales tax known as Measure S.
SLT Council Candidate Douglas Williams
Submitted by paula on Mon, 10/05/2020 - 2:39pmSouth Tahoe Now reached out to all nine candidates for South Lake Tahoe City Council and provided the same list of questions to each one of them. Once a day their answers will be published in the order received.
Today's candidate is Douglas Williams
Profession: Hospitality
How many years in SLT: 10 years
California water year ends below average after decent start
Submitted by paula on Sun, 10/04/2020 - 6:20pmCalifornia’s Water Year 2020 has come to a close and while parts of Southern California experienced above average precipitation, Northern California was mostly dry.
The water year ended below average and further demonstrated the impact of climate change on the state’s water supply, according to a report released by the Department of Water Resources (DWR).