Traffic

Motorists who have traveled California's highways have noticed signs with travel times posted to them, alerting them with travel times to major destinations.

Just in time for the July 4th holiday weekend, South Lake Tahoe will be getting their own set that will alert drivers the time it will take them for destinations between South Lake Tahoe and Placerville.

The Fourth of July is one of America’s favorite holidays. And why not? Families and friends gather to celebrate our country with food, parades, parties, picnics and fireworks.

9:00 p.m. update:

This just in from the Douglas County Sheriff's Department: On June 27, 2015, at approximately 6:17 p.m., the East Fork Fire District in Douglas County responded to a report of several wildland fires along the east side of the Sierra Nevada Mountains.

There have been reports of six fires along the west side of the Carson Valley.

East Fork Fire, along with the U.S. Forest Service and Bureau of Land Management (BLM) have responded to the multiple fires and are working to access each of the fires.

Sections of State Highways 49, 70, 89 and 267 in the Sierra will be utilized during USA Cycling Amateur National Championship on Wednesday, June 24, and motorists are advised to expect delays throughout the day.

There will be seven races for the various age groups starting at 7:30 a.m. and concluding at about 8 p.m.

Here is a list of road projects around the Lake Tahoe basin.

U.S. Highway 50 (El Dorado County) from the junction with State Route 89 to 2nd Street in South Lake Tahoe: Eastbound motorists can expect alternating lane closures from 7 p.m. to 7 a.m. Monday through Friday for gas line relocation work. Eastbound motorists can also expect the right shoulder closed at the same location from 7 a.m. to 7 p.m. for trenching.

Safety for cyclists and pedestrians is a big concern for the South Lake Tahoe Police Department (SLTPD), cycling groups and those enjoying these activities.

In the last six years, 12 people have died in South Lake Tahoe while cycling or walking. In that same time, 42 people were injured while riding bikes on the road while 37 pedestrians were hurt.

The following is a recap of activity the South Lake Tahoe Police Department responded to from June 8 to June 14, 2015. They responded to 225 calls during the 7 day period.

Calls Resulting in Arrests:

6/8
Weapon offense in the 1100 block of Aspenwald Rd
Unlicensed driver at Harrison and Lakeview Avenuews

6/9
City Ordinance "other" at 10th and Roger
DUI in the 2800 block of Lake Tahoe Blvd

6/10
Spousal abuse in the 700 block of Patricia Lane

6/11

There was a deadly accident involving a car and a motorcycle on Highway 50 in Zephyr Cove Saturday evening around 8:00 p.m.

A 2015 Nissan Versa, driven by 31-year-old Alma Jaramillo-Garcia of Moxee, WA was driving eastbound on Highway 50 near N. Martin Drive. For unknown reasons she drifted into the westbound lane into the path of a 2015 Harley-Davidson motorcycle ridden by 53-year-old Amber Hallmark of Antioch, CA.

The following is a recap of activity the South Lake Tahoe Police Department responded to from June 1 to June 7, 2015. They responded to 189 calls during the 7 day period.

Calls Resulting in Arrests:

6/1
Resisting and drug charges in the 4000 block of Cedar Ave
Driving on a suspended/revoked license in the 3000 block of Lake Tahoe Blvd
Warrant at Viking Rd & Lake Tahoe Blvd

6/2
Trespassing in the 800 block of Stateline Ave
Drunk in Public in the 1300 block of Johnson Ave

Douglas County Sheriff's Deputies will be focusing on traffic enforcement at intersections and crosswalks, looking for red light and stop sign violations, pedestrian violations, speeders and distracted drivers throughout the county from June 8 through June 21.

Key factors in many of the recent fatal highway traffic accidents have been driver inattention and failure to yield to pedestrians. Deputies will continue to enforce all traffic violations on all roadways throughout the county but these violations in particular will be targeted and enforced. Citations will be issued to violators.

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 press time and the story will be updated when provided.

5/31

3:35 a.m. - Noise Disturbance - Cold Creek Trail - DEPUTIES WERE DISPATCHED TO A NOISE DISTURBANCE AT A VACATION RENTAL. THE RESPONSIBLE RENTER WAS CONTACTED AND ADVISED ABOUT THE NOISE.

For the month of June, we are planning kick off our “Meet the Police” outreach campaign. Two efforts—our Open House, and Coffee with a Cop will be starting in June. The police department strives to blend community service and protection of its residents. The more we hear from you, the better we are able to provide excellence in public service. Stop by and share what’s going on in your neighborhood, what you are concerned about, and of course we’re happy to hear good news as well.

Here is a list of road projects around the Lake Tahoe basin.

Project: State Route 89 (El Dorado County): Work continues on a $25 million project from the "Y" junction with U.S. Highway 50 in South Lake Tahoe to Cascade Road, north of Camp Richardson. Curb, gutter and sidewalks will be added in the 1.1-mile four-lane section, and the highway will be widened in the two-lane section to Visitor Center Road to provide 4-foot paved shoulders on each side. Drainage systems are also being built and the roadway will be resurfaced. Completion is expected by spring 2017.

As the City of South Lake Tahoe celebrates the 50th anniversary of its incorporation, there is a long forgotten town that was once along the shores of Lake Tahoe.

Travelers came west in droves in 1849 after the discovery of gold near Placerville. Many used the Tahoe Wagon Road which is known as Pioneer Trail today. When the first major silver deposit in the United States was discovered in Virginia City in 1859, many of those same gold hunters traveled over that same road into Nevada.

May 30-31 Valhalla Renaissance Faire @ Camp Richardson
Wagon Train Rendezvous @ Zephyr Cove / Wagon Train parade
June 01 Phat Caddy Monday @ Fat Cat Cafe
June 02 DJ Dakini, Oneness, Lo-G @ Whisky Dicks
June 03 Chad Bushnell @ Hard Rock Hotel
June 03-07 Heath Hyche @ Improv at Harveys
June 04 Ike and Martin @ Jimmy's at The Landing
Lacey, LaBella, and Richardson @ Cottonwood Bar & Grill
Serina Williams, Lost Whiskey Engine @ Moody's Bistro
June 05-06 Bias and Dunn @ Bar of America
The George Souza Trio @ Moody's Bistro
June 05 Superlicious @ Hard Rock Hotel

A meadow restoration and road rehabilitation project will close the first 1.5 mile segment of North Canyon Road at Spooner Lake State Park to recreational traffic from June 1 to July 12.

The road closure will affect access to the Flume Trail via North Canyon Road and the Marlette Lake Trail Mondays through Thursdays from 7:00 a.m. to 5:30 p.m. during the construction period. Access to the Spooner Lake Loop Trail will not be affected.

Here is the Lake Tahoe area road report for the week of May 26-29, 2015:

State Route 89 (El Dorado/Placer County) from Wilson Avenue to Elm Street: Motorists can expect one-way traffic control from 7 a.m. to 5:30 p.m. Wednesday and Thursday and 7 a.m. to noon Friday for bump grinding. Motorists can also expect one-way traffic from McKinney Drive to Madden Creek around the clock from 8 p.m. Tuesday to noon Friday for roadway excavation.

Every year for two weeks, hundreds of Lake Tahoe residents and visitors park their cars and ride their bikes to work, school, and for fun. Participants in the Tahoe Bike Challenge, which runs from June 1 to June 14, track their miles and join the friendly competition for fun prizes and bragging rights.

Once again, the South Lake Tahoe Police Department is reminding motorists to Click It or Ticket. As part of the national seat belt enforcement campaign, law enforcement agencies around the country will be stepping up enforcement May 18-31, including one of the busiest travel weekends of the year that kicks off the summer season.

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 press time and the story will be updated when provided.

5/10
11:13 a.m. - Ordinance Violation - Mt. Tallac Rd - DISPATCHED TO AN ORDINANCE VIOLATION (VEHICLES BLOCKING THE ROADWAY). THREE VEHICLES WERE TOWED PURSUANT TO VC 22651(E).

Stage 2 of the Amgen Tour of California Women's will affect travel in South Lake Tahoe on Saturday.

If you want to watch the race along the route it is advised you get in place by 9:30 a.m. as roads will start to close at that time.

Pioneer Trail will be closed to through traffic from Ski Run Boulevard and Pioneer Trail to US Highway 50 in Meyers and Pioneer Trail until 1 p.m. Please plan accordingly.

The following is a recap of activity the South Lake Tahoe Police Department responded to from April 23 to May 3, 2015. They responded to 325 calls during the 11 day period.

Calls Resulting in Arrests:

4/23
Petty Theft in the 1000 block of Emerald Bay Rd
Petty Theft in the 1000 block of Emerald Bay Rd
Battery in the 1000 block of Emerald Bay Rd

4/24
Domestic Battery in the 3500 block of Bobby Grey Circle
Burglary in the 4000 block of Lake Tahoe Blvd
Drunk in Public in the 900 block of Emerald Bay Rd

Each year, during the month of May, the California Highway Patrol (CHP) recognizes the officers who have lost their lives in the line of duty over the past 86 years the agency has been active.

On Tuesday, May 5, the CHP will hold a memorial to honor the 225 men and women who made the ultimate sacrifice. It will be held at their academy located at 3500 Reed Avenue in West Sacramento. It begins at 9:30 a.m.

Lake Tahoe’s natural geography of steep climbs and long descents against postcard views will offer plenty of sites to catch race action as the top women cyclists compete in Stage 1 and Stage 2 of the Amgen Tour of California Women’s Race May 8-9.

With the start and finish line at Heavenly’s California Base Lodge, spectators will be updated with live race announcements, and entertained with high-energy music, local and Amgen Tour of California exhibitors, food and beverage.