visitors

Two suspects have pled guilty to stealing from fee tubes on the Eldorado National Forest and other sites in El Dorado County.

Brian Lisanti and Deseree Tougas entered the pleas in El Dorado Superior Court after a multi-agency investigation uncovered the crimes.

The local community and visitors will be taking part in the League to Save Lake Tahoe's 17th annual Snapshot Day on Saturday, May 20 from 9:00 a.m. to noon. During this annual citizen science monitoring event, community members will collect water quality samples from dozens of Lake Tahoe’s south shore tributaries.

Short-term vacation rentals in the Sierra from Truckee to Bear Valley earned more money this winter and brought in more guests than in the past, according to a report released by Airbnb.

More than 185,000 visitors booked rooms or homes from Airbnb hosts during the 2016-17 winter, up 48 percent from last winter. Also on the rise were earnings by hosts, revealing the surge of short-term rentals that have put neighbors against neighbors, and had community leaders grappling with their impact on neighborhoods.

The Nevada Division of Tourism recognized outstanding members of the state’s rural tourism industry at the VolunTourism Awards Dinner April 27 in Elko. The awards ceremony was a highlight of the state’s annual Rural Roundup conference.

“Tourism is a significant component of rural Nevada economies,” Claudia Vecchio, Nevada Department of Tourism and Cultural Affairs director, said. “It is a $2.3 billion industry that continues to grow thanks to the efforts of the tourism professionals in rural Nevada. It is our pleasure to recognize those efforts with this year’s VolunTourism awards.”

Stateline, Nevada – The Tahoe Regional Planning Agency Governing Board on Wednesday unanimously approved the 2017 Regional Transportation Plan, Linking Tahoe. The long-term transportation plan is reviewed and updated every four years as a blueprint to prioritize investments to improve Lake Tahoe’s transportation system over the next 20-plus years.

The arrival of mosquitoes in El Dorado County communities is delayed this year due to the long and wet winter, but health officials are taking Mosquito Awareness Week of April 16 through April 22, 2017 to remind the public to protect themselves. As warmer weather approaches residents should be aware of the serious risks mosquitoes present to their health, including West Nile, Saint Louis encephalitis, and potentially dengue, chikungunya, and Zika viruses.

South Lake Tahoe, Calif. - Renovations on the former Factory Stores at the Y are now complete, unveiling a brand new shopping destination and contemporary lifestyle center in the heart of South Lake Tahoe named The Crossing at Tahoe Valley.

Trees will need to be removed from the Emerald Fire area, and the U.S. Forest Service Lake Tahoe Basin Management Unit (LTBMU) is asking for comments on a proposal to remove the hazardous trees and plant seedlings in that area.

“Restoration of the Emerald Fire area will help restore habitat for various wildlife species and provide benefits to the Lake Tahoe watershed,” said LTBMU Forest Supervisor, Jeff Marsolais. “The restoration effort will also provide visual benefits to residents and visitors and allow for a more fire resilient landscape.”

Weather and snow conditions permitting, Lake Tahoe recreational facilities will soon be open! The U.S. Forest Service Lake Tahoe Basin Management Unit (LTBMU) announced today they will begin opening some spots in the Lake Tahoe Basin.

Inspiration Point will be the first site to open on April 15, 2017. The Taylor Creek Visitor Center opens May 19 and will be staffed weekends only until Memorial Day weekend. The Tallac Historic Site parking area opens May 1 and will be staffed beginning Saturday, May 27.

Business-minded South Shore locals, entrepreneurs, travel/tourism operators and marketing professionals are invited to the Lake Tahoe Visitors Authority and Tahoe Chamber's annual tourism forum. This year, the focus is “Welcoming the Global Guest.” The forum, which will focus on how Lake Tahoe businesses and locals can better prepare for international travelers, including Chinese visitors, will be held on Tuesday, April 18 from 8:15 a.m. to 11:00 a.m. at the Lake Tahoe Resort Hotel.

The GO Local: Business EXPO returned to the South Shore with huge success thanks to attendees, vendors, volunteers, and sponsors! Over 1,300 locals and visitors gathered inside the Harvey’s convention center, Friday, March 31, as Tahoe Chamber Member businesses showcased their latest programs, products, and services.

The night was highlighted with live entertainment from Heavenly Resort Mountain and The Loft Lounge, vendor giveaways including a raffle of two cruisers bikes courtesy of South Shore Bikes, and tasty food and beverage samples from all the generous restaurant vendors.

SOUTH LAKE TAHOE, Calif. – Heavenly’s annual Spring Loaded event is full of fun-filled festivities for those skiing and boarding at the resort from March 26 to April 9.

With 14" of new snow this week and more expected on top of their 600" of snow this season, Heavenly is celebrating the change of seasons with live music, loud outfits and various activities that include Unbuckle Après Parties, Heavenly DJ Cat pop up parties, Pond Skimming and more.

For exact event times, daily costume themes and more information, visit skiheavenly.com.

Lake Tahoe must improve its internal transportation systems before they can expect visitors to the region to get out of their cars and use different, and better, ways of getting around. That was the message during last week's Tahoe Talks presentation by Lake Tahoe transportation partners, the Tahoe Regional Planning Agency (TRPA), Tahoe Transportation District (TTD) and El Dorado County.

As a national treasure offering world-class recreation opportunities, Lake Tahoe is one of the most popular outdoor destinations in Northern California and Nevada. And sometimes, being popular has its challenges.

Tahoe’s limited roadways become congested during times of peak visitation, when thousands of people who live in nearby metropolitan areas get in their cars to drive up to our small mountain communities. Suddenly, a road system designed for 55,000 residents must handle four to five times that many cars on an average busy day.

Many drivers plan ahead when planning their travel along highways in interstates across the county. Want to miss rush hour? Don't hit that city in the morning and late afternoon. Mad dash to Santa Cruz on a warm Saturday? Leave early in the morning or go the night before to miss the backup of traffic.

Smooth travel over Highway 50 in the Sierra requires the same planning or one will get stuck in heavy traffic on Friday evenings heading to Lake Tahoe, or Sunday mornings leaving Lake Tahoe (or the day after a holiday).

The annual announcement of spring's arrival in the Sierra Foothills is the blooming of over 300,000 daffodils covering the hills of Volcano, Calif.

The yellow and white covered flower farm, Daffodil Hill, is slated to open on Friday, March 17 at 10:00 a.m. according to an announcement on their Facebook page. Snow has not only affected the upper elevations around Lake Tahoe, but also at the farm which lies at the 3,000 foot level. The daffodils were covered with snow during the Feb. 26 storm and owners had to hold off the opening date announcement.

The South Lake Tahoe Police Department is warning residents and visitors to take extra precaution in protecting their valuables as nine thefts from vehicles occurred between February 20-25, and two cars were stolen on February 24.

Six of the auto burglaries were in the Tahoe Island area and most of the cars involved in the City were left unlocked by their owners.

The first stolen car was a 2010 Silver Nissan Altima with Illinois license plate Z495853. It was stolen from the 1100 block of Herbert Avenue but has since been recovered.

The following is Mayor Austin Sass's monthly letter to the community:

With hundreds of inches of snow covering the mountain of Lake Tahoe, four area ski resorts announced today they will be extending their ski season.

It's another snowy weekend, and another weekend of drivers trying to head home over Echo Summit via Lake Tahoe Blvd and North Upper Truckee Road. With a backup at the chain control stop in Meyers, many are trying to circumvent not only the traffic, but the controls and causing issues on snow covered side roads.

Transient Lodging License taxes may soon be increased one percent at properties in the Lake Tahoe portion of Douglas County (Lake Tahoe Township) to fund redevelopment projects including the addition of an event/convention center.

Overwhelming support for the tax increase was evident at the Douglas County Commissioner's meeting Thursday, where the elected officials voted 4-1 to approve the increase which would go into effect May 1, 2017.

Roadwork to clear mud and rocks from Highway 50 continues on both sides of the state line of Lake Tahoe with no estimated reopening time released by either transportation agency.

Last week, five boulders fell onto the highway near Logan Creek on the east side of the lake, prompting Nevada Department of Transportation (NDOT) to close the road due to an unstable hillside. Progress is being made on the stretch of road that connects South Lake Tahoe to Carson City according to Meg Ragonese of NDOT. She said the "monolithic-size boulders" are being removed.

El Dorado County Supervisor Sue Novasel is inviting all county residents to join in a discussion about the traffic congestion in Meyers every weekend and holiday, hampering locals in their movement along surface roads and the highway.

As visitors depart South Lake Tahoe, many have become aware of side streets via google and phone apps, thus finding another route that they think is getting them around the backup.

Once again the top female cyclists will head to Lake Tahoe for the Amgen Breakaway from Heart DiseaseTM Women's Race empowered with SRAM for the start of their four-day race May 11-14, 2017. A new route was revealed today with the women racing over Luther Pass and Kingsbury Grade on the second day of their race.