News

Late season Winter Weather Advisory issued for Lake Tahoe

SOUTH LAKE TAHOE, Calif. - The ski resorts are closing and the stores have outdoor landscaping needs for sale, but Mother Nature is not on the same page, and the National Weather Service (NWS) in Reno has issued a Winter Weather Advisory for the Lake Tahoe Basin.

South Lake Tahoe Police Blotter

SOUTH LAKE TAHOE, Calif. - The following is a list of calls the South Lake Tahoe Police Department responded to during the week of Apr. 22 - Apr. 28, 2024. 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.

Log for April 22 - April 28, 2024

4/22

Arrests
00:38 Unwanted - Occurred on Echo Rd. Disposition: Misdemeanor Arrest.

El Dorado County Sheriff's Office calls in the Lake Tahoe area

SOUTH LAKE TAHOE, Calif. - El Dorado County Sheriff's Office responds to calls throughout the county. The following calls only pertain to the South and West Shore, including Meyers, South Lake Tahoe, Meeks Bay, Tahoma, and the Echo Summit area. There may be some missing calls due to sheriff's logs not being completed at the time of the story.

April 22 - Apr. 28, 2024

4/22

07:29 ORDINANCE VIOLATION REPORT - Occurred on Eighth Ave, in Tahoma, CA. Disposition: IN SERVICE.

Technology being used as a partner in forest fuels treatment at Lake Tahoe

LAKE TAHOE, Nev. - "We'll lose the whole forest if we don't jump in and do work now," said Tahoe Fund CEO Amy Berry during Wednesday's demonstration of BurnBot in Incline Village, Nev. She said enough of talk, and now it's up to the private sector to partner with agencies that do forest thinning projects to get the job done.

The Lake Tahoe Basin is home to about 220,000 acres of forest, and according to Landtender, there are about 22,000,000 too many trees in the Basin. Before silver was discovered in Virginia City there were approximately 25 trees per acre around the lake.

Lake Tahoe boating season begins with Clean, Drain, & Dry - Inspection stations now open

LAKE TAHOE, Nev./Calif. - Lake Tahoe watercraft inspection stations are open for the season to help prevent the spread of aquatic invasive species and boaters can now book an appointment for this summer online, the Tahoe Regional Planning Agency (TRPA) and the Tahoe Resource Conservation District (Tahoe RCD) announced today. With the discovery last year of invasive New Zealand mudsnails in Lake Tahoe, the agencies are urging boaters, paddlers, beachgoers, and anglers to learn how to prevent the spread of this new threat.

Beaches start to open around Lake Tahoe this weekend

LAKE TAHOE, Calif./Nev. - As summer approaches, beaches and other recreational sites around Lake Tahoe are starting to open. Hazard tree removal could delay opening in any of the areas though crews are working as quickly as possible to clean up areas that experienced winter damage. Part of the opening process includes the United States Forest Service Lake Tahoe Basin Management Unit (LTBMU) completing the seasonal hiring of crews and staff to manage sites and waiting for the danger of a freeze to pass before turning on water systems for restrooms.

Inspiration Point has already opened.

Landscape debris burn permits available in El Dorado County, but not in city limits

EL DORADO COUNTY, Calif. - CalFire has opened the residential burn season for the Amador-El Dorado Unit. Homeowners in the unincorporated areas of El Dorado County may get a Residential Burn permit starting May 1. No matter when you got your last burn permit, you will need to get a new one in 2024. They are free of charge and can be obtained at https://burnpermit.fire.ca.gov/. Burn permits must now be obtained online - submit the application and watch a short educational video.

Douglas County Sheriff's Office asks for public's help in identifying stolen car suspects

DOUGLAS COUNTY, Nev. - On Sunday, March 10, 2024, an unidentified male and female suspect allegedly sold a stolen white 2021 Toyota 4Runner to a resident of Douglas County. The Toyota was stolen in Reno, Nevada, on Wednesday, March 6, 2024.

The Douglas County Sheriff's Office is asking the public for assistance in identifying these individuals. The female suspect has a distinct tattoo on the right side of her forehead which reads “mike.”

Tahoe Interagency Bear Team: What does it mean to respect wildlife?

LAKE TAHOE, Calif./Nev. - As humans, we are innately fascinated with the natural world and often spend time and money to view the strength and resiliency of wildlife. We have zoos, safaris, wildlife excursions, and more dedicated to viewing wildlife. Those serve as excellent ways for education and conservation but people in the wild to get photos with bears and other wildlife are not conducive to successful interactions.

Lake Tahoe grading season starts May 1

The Tahoe Regional Planning Agency (TRPA) reminds residents, property owners, and project managers that the grading and digging season for permitted projects in the Lake Tahoe Basin begins May 1.

South Lake Tahoe Police Department promotes two

SOUTH LAKE TAHOE, Calif. - The South Lake Tahoe Police Department (SLTPD) held a promotion ceremony on April 29 to celebrate the promotion of two of their staff.

Public comment sought on California Tahoe Conservancy’s Draft Strategic Plan

The California Tahoe Conservancy invites the public to review its draft 2024–2029 Strategic Plan and provide comments. Over the past year, the Conservancy has developed this draft plan based on input from its Board, partners, and the public. Public input will help strengthen the plan.

Read the draft 2024–2029 Strategic Plan.

TRPA oversight committee of Nevada Legislative to meet at Lake Tahoe

Event Date: 
May 3, 2024 - 1:00pm

The next regular meeting of the Nevada State Legislative Committee for the Review and Oversight of the Tahoe Regional Planning Agency (TRPA) and the Marlette Lake Water System will be held Friday, May 3 at 1 p.m. in the Trepp Room at Parasol Tahoe Community Foundation, Incline Village, Nevada.

This committee of the Nevada Legislature meets several times every other year during the state’s interim session to discuss the work of TRPA and Nevada state agencies in the Lake Tahoe Basin and to provide oversight on issues important to Nevada citizens.

Small scale prescribed fire operations continue at Lake Tahoe

LAKE TAHOE, Calif./Nev. - Members of the Tahoe Fire & Fuels Team (TFFT) will continue prescribed fire operations this week at Lake Tahoe, conditions and weather permitting. Smoke may be present throughout the Lake Tahoe Basin and surrounding areas. View smoke management tips and the current air quality index at AirNow and the U.S.

Two men arrested after South Lake Tahoe fight

SOUTH LAKE TAHOE, Calif. - A fight that started inside Starbucks in the Village Center in South Lake Tahoe led to the arrests of two men, a 34-year-old and a 19-year-old, both out of Gardnerville.

When officers from the South Lake Tahoe Police Department (SLTPD) arrived to the call of a big fight, the two men ran away towards the old Raley's. Witnesses pointed the officers in the direction of the men, both of whom refused to stop.

Spring is the time to implement defensible space and home hardening

LAKE TAHOE, Calif./Nev. – As we move into the warm season, it’s time to start thinking about defensible space and home hardening. The choice Tahoe residents make to live in the forest surrounding beautiful Lake Tahoe comes with added responsibility. This responsibility includes minimizing the risk of wildfire from embers landing on or around your home or property. Research suggests that 60-90 percent of home ignitions are due to embers falling on something combustible such as pine needles, leaves, juniper bushes, and/or patio furniture.

Senator Marie Alvarado-Gil's team to hold office hours at LTCC

Event Date: 
April 30, 2024 - 1:30pm

SOUTH LAKE TAHOE, Calif. - Senator Marie Alvarado-Gil's team will be at Lake Tahoe Community College on Tuesday, April 30 from 1:30 p.m. to 4 p.m. The mobile office hours allow the public an opportunity to share concerns, issues, and advocacy.

This will also be a chance to receive updates on key issues Alvarado-Gil is tackling at the Capitol in Sacramento.

District Representative Heidi Mayerhofer will be at the college in the Student Commons.

Seasonable temperatures and breezy winds start off the week at Lake Tahoe

SOUTH LAKE TAHOE, Calif. - Seasonable temperatures and breezy winds will be in place to start the week off at Lake Tahoe before a dry cold front cools things back down by Wednesday. Temperatures will then quickly rebound to above-average for the second half of the week.

Winds will also see an uptick on Monday and Tuesday with west-northwest breezes developing each afternoon with gusts of 25-35 mph, according to the National Weather Service (NWS) in Reno. This could create some choppy conditions across area lakes.

El Dorado Transit expanding Sacramento commuter route and schedule

EL DORADO COUNTY, Calif. - El Dorado Transit will be adding a route to its popular Sacramento Commuter service and extend all routes to include a stop at the May Lee State Office Complex (formerly known as the Richards Boulevard Office Complex, or RBOC) at 651 Bannon Street, near the intersection of Richards Boulevard and North 7th Street. A total of five trips will occur starting on May 6, 2024, in both the morning and in the afternoon. The Sacramento Commuter Service originates at Park and Ride locations in western El Dorado County and ends in downtown Sacramento.

Conservancy: Van Sickle Bi-State Park to reopen, Seasonal dog closure at Upper Truckee Marsh

SOUTH LAKE TAHOE, Calif. - The California Tahoe Conservancy made three announcements on Friday, all going into effect on May 1. The gates and facilities at Van Sickle Bi-State Park will reopen, the seasonal dog closure to protect wildlife starts at the Upper Truckee Marsh, and the Tahoe Pines parking lot will reopen.

On May 1, park roads, parking lots, restrooms, and drinking fountains will all become available for visitors, and trash collection will resume at Van Sickle Bi-State Park in South Lake Tahoe.

North Lake Tahoe Utility Project resumes for 2024 season

PLACER COUNTY, Calif. – Caltrans is advising motorists of traffic-interfering work resuming for the 2024 construction season on State Route 28 along the north shore of Lake Tahoe next week.

Southwest Gas and its contractor, Q&D Construction, will continue work on a gas line replacement project on Highway 28 between Tahoe City and Kings Beach.

One-way traffic control is scheduled at Mackinaw Road in Tahoe City from Sunday, April 28 at 7 p.m. until Friday, May 3 at noon.

TTD improving free bus service along routes in South Lake Tahoe

SOUTH LAKE TAHOE, Calif. - The Tahoe Transportation District (TTD) has announced some big schedule changes on Routes 50, 22, and 55 starting Sunday, April 28.

Route 50 is making a "big comeback" with buses departing the Y Transit Center at :20 and :40 after the hour. Route 50 runs from the Y to Stateline Transit Center with stops on Lake Tahoe Blvd./US50 at Wildwood Avenue, Takela Drive, and Brockway Avenue.

There will be slight adjustments to other routes to ensure seamless transfers with the increased frequency on Route 50.

David Jinkens announces candidacy for South Lake Tahoe City Council

SOUTH LAKE TAHOE, Calif. - Former City Manager and current Good Government Advocate David Jinkens has announced his campaign for South Lake Tahoe City Council, the first candidate to publicly toss their ring into the hat for the 2024 election.

There are two seats open this year, the ones held by Cristi Creegan and Mayor Pro Tem John Friedrich and it is unknown at this time if they will be running for second terms.

Eighty volunteers participate at Sand Harbor State Park community cleanup

INCLINE VILLAGE, Nev. – The 120 pounds of litter collected during the inaugural Shoreline Sweep Volunteer Cleanup at Sand Harbor State Park will be used in an innovative art installation in the park's visitor center.

Over 80 dedicated volunteers joined forces to comb the park's picturesque shores on Monday, April 22, 2024.

South Lake Tahoe Police Blotter

SOUTH LAKE TAHOE, Calif. - The following is a list of calls the South Lake Tahoe Police Department responded to during the week of Apr. 15 - Apr. 21, 2024. 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.

Log for April 15 - April 21, 2024

4/15

Arrests
11:48 Warrant Arrest - Occurred on Pinter Ave. Disposition: Misdemeanor Arrest.

El Dorado County Sheriff's Office calls in the Lake Tahoe area

SOUTH LAKE TAHOE, Calif. - El Dorado County Sheriff's Office responds to calls throughout the county. The following calls only pertain to the South and West Shore, including Meyers, South Lake Tahoe, Meeks Bay, Tahoma, and the Echo Summit area. There may be some missing calls due to sheriff's logs not being completed at the time of the story.

April 15 - Apr. 21, 2024

4/15

13:11 CIVIL INCIDENT - Officer initiated activity at South Tahoe High, Lake Tahoe Blvd, South Lake Tahoe, CA. Disposition: SERVED.

Multiple agencies respond to fire near Van Sickle Bi-State Park in South Lake Tahoe

SOUTH LAKE TAHOE, Calif. - Just before 11 a.m. on Wednesday, South Lake Tahoe Fire Rescue, USDA Forest Service Lake Tahoe Basin Management Unit, CAL FIRE Amador-El Dorado Unit, and deputies from the El Dorado County Sheriff's Office responded to a small wildfire near Van Sickle Park in South Lake Tahoe.

Forward progress was stopped at approximately 1/10 acre, and a hand line around the fire is complete and the area is in patrol status.

Big thumbs down on a South Lake Tahoe minimum wage ordinance

SOUTH LAKE TAHOE, Calif. - The vast majority of those who filled council chambers Tuesday night were there to tell the Council to say "no" to any minimum wage increases in South Lake Tahoe, and a definite no to the $23 per hour that Councilmember Scott Robbins publicly suggested.

A long line of small business owners pleaded with the Council, stating a jump in the minimum wage would be something they could not financially handle without cutting hours or laying off staff.

South Lake Tahoe City Council: "Vail needs to come to the table"

SOUTH LAKE TAHOE, Calif. - At their meeting Tuesday evening, the South Lake Tahoe City Council said they are ready to play hardball with Heavenly Mountain Resort after ski area officials have not responded to a request by the city to support their annexation efforts.

The Council was to receive an update on parking restrictions in Heavenly Valley neighborhoods, the Heavenly Parking Agreement, and the Heavenly Area Annexation.

Douglas County Sheriff's Office to host Lake Tahoe emergency plan meeting

Event Date: 
April 29, 2024 - 5:30pm

DOUGLAS COUNTY, Nev. - The Douglas County Sheriff's Office (DCSO) will be hosting a special presentation on Monday, April 29 at 5:30 p.m. regarding important evacuation information for Lake Tahoe residents. The event will be held at the Kahle Community Center's Tallac Room in Stateline. This presentation will also feature representatives from the Tahoe Douglas Fire Protection District (Tahoe Douglas) and Nevada Highway Patrol (NHP).

Proponents of Vacancy Tax Initiative turn in signatures, now head to County for verification

SOUTH LAKE TAHOE, Calif. - The proponents of the South Lake Tahoe Residential Vacancy Tax initiative filed their petition to make it on the November 2024 ballot today. The minimum number of signatures needed was ten percent of registered voters, or 1,159, and the group sponsoring the initiative turned in 2,471. City Clerk Susan Blankenship performed a prima facie review, or, an initial examination, to determine the number, and the signatures will be sent to the El Dorado County Elections Department for certification.

Man arrested on suspicion of DUI after crashing into two vehicles west of Lake Tahoe

SOUTH LAKE TAHOE, Calif. - A Pollock Pines man was arrested on Saturday after allegedly driving under the influence and causing a three-vehicle crash on US0 just west of the Sierra-at-Tahoe turnoff.

TRPA Board to vote on STPUD solar project and affordable housing incentives at next meeting

The next agenda for the Tahoe Regional Planning Agency (TRPA) Governing Board includes: Solar power for STPUD, Washoe Tahoe Area Plan amendments for school zoning in Incline Village, proposed clarification to Phase 2 Housing Amendments, a resolution of support for affordable housing, and funds for the City of South Lake Tahoe for the Bijou Park Greenway Trail Connector and sediment-reducing street sweepers.

Roller coaster week again in South Lake Tahoe: Sunny and warm start, chance snow, rain, thunderstorms at end

SOUTH LAKE TAHOE, Calif. - It was a beautiful April day around Lake Tahoe this weekend, and expect one more of the same before some unsettled weather passes through.

Robust upper ridging, which is responsible for our stretch of warm

Mountain chickadees have remarkable memories - A new study explains why

Lost your keys? Misplaced your glasses? Can’t remember where you parked the car? You may wish you had the memory of a mountain chickadee.

In warmer months, these half-ounce birds, with brains slightly larger than a pea, stash tens of thousands of food items like seeds in tree bark, in lichens and crevices on the tree branches across the mountains. When winter arrives, they can recall the exact locations of their caches, a skill that helps them survive the bitter cold and deep snow.

Roadwork continues Echo Summit/US50 public meeting set for Strawberry-Ice House project

SOUTH LAKE TAHOE, Calif. - Crews from the California Department of Transportation (Caltrans) will continue their scaling project on US50 at Echo Summit next week. No work is scheduled for Saturday-Monday, but it will resume on Tuesday, April 23 from 7:30 a.m. to 5:30 p.m. The rest of the week depends on the weather, according to Caltrans.

Work has been done all week with one-way traffic over the pass. Expect delays. Follow https://quickmap.dot.ca.gov/ for updates.

City of South Lake Tahoe earns coveted Prohousing Designation from Governor Newsom

SOUTH LAKE TAHOE, Calif. - Governor Newsom has awarded 10 new jurisdictions with the coveted designation that makes them eligible for incentives to scale up efforts to advance housing, and South Lake Tahoe is one of them. This brings the total number of cities and counties with a Prohousing Designation to 47.

The designation is given for the community's efforts in encouraging the development of housing at all income levels. This designation comes with funding incentives and additional resources to help speed housing production.

South Lake Tahoe City Council: $23 minimum wage, rezoning parcels, Chateau and motels

SOUTH LAKE TAHOE, Calif. - The next meeting of the South Lake Tahoe City Council will be on Tuesday, April 23 at 5:30 p.m. in their chambers at the Lake Tahoe Airport.

It will be a full agenda, starting with a closed session at 4 p.m.

The hot topic of the event will most likely be a discussion of raising the minimum wage in South Lake Tahoe to $23. The matter was put on the agenda at the direction of councilmembers Scott Robbins and John Friedrich.

Letter: Republican Women host Todd White, chair of the El Dorado County Republican Central Committee

The Republican Women of California - South Lake Tahoe guest speaker series continued in April with a talk by Todd White, long-time Chair of the El Dorado County Republican Central Committee and long-time resident of El Dorado County.

Mr. White noted there are 58 counties in California, and each county has a Central Committee whose responsibility is to educate the public on good governance principles, important issues, and introduce Republican candidates for office to our members, and help elect them.

El Dorado County Sheriff's Office calls in the Lake Tahoe area

SOUTH LAKE TAHOE, Calif. - El Dorado County Sheriff's Office responds to calls throughout the county. The following calls only pertain to the South and West Shore, including Meyers, South Lake Tahoe, Meeks Bay, Tahoma, and the Echo Summit area. There may be some missing calls due to sheriff's logs not being completed at the time of the story.

April 4 - Apr. 14, 2024

4/4
09:47 HARASSMENT REPORT - Occurred on Marshall Trl, in South Lake Tahoe, CA. Disposition: ADVISED.

Lake Tahoe Unified School District and Liberty unveil new electric buses and infrastructure

SOUTH LAKE TAHOE, Calif. - Have you heard (or actually, not heard) the new electric school buses in South Lake Tahoe? The new electric fleet for Lake Tahoe Unified School District (LTUSD) was officially unveiled this week, along with the charging infrastructure installed inside the bus garages in South Lake Tahoe.

Up to two-hour delays possible on I80 from Colfax and Nevada State Line this summer

Caltrans is alerting motorists of the potential for extended delays along Interstate 80 (I-80) stretching between Colfax to the Nevada state line as several projects and emergency repairs get underway for the 2024 construction season.

Once all projects are active, delays across the corridor may reach up to a maximum of two hours. Motorists are advised to use alternate routes, if possible, to help reduce any potential delays. The schedule is subject to change or be delayed due to weather, availability of materials, or other unexpected events.`

Senator Rosen blasts Postmaster General DeJoy over plans that would affect Reno/Tahoe mail

It has been 164 years since the Pony Express first brought mail to California and Nevada. It took 10 days to get letters from St. Joseph, Missouri to Sacramento, California. Progress has advanced the service since then, but possible changes are on the horizon that could put mail to and from Lake Tahoe and western Nevada and the rest of the country back on a slower trail.

The United States Postal Service (USPS) has proposed a plan to revamp its system in the country in a $40 billion investment strategy.

Preliminary County budget has almost $7.2M coming to Lake Tahoe Basin from TOT

EL DORADO COUNTY, Calif. - It was great news for the Lake Tahoe Basin last week at the El Dorado County Board of Supervisors special budget meeting. The recommended budget specific to the use of Discretionary Transient Occupancy showed the unincorporated portion of El Dorado County in the Basin getting more of its fair share.

Approximately $7 million in Transient Occupancy Tax (TOT) revenue is collected in the county portion of Lake Tahoe annually.

Arrests made in Douglas County after suspects found with $550K in stolen checks and mail

DOUGLAS COUNTY, Nev. - Deputies from the Douglas County Sheriff's Office (DCSO) made a vehicle stop on April 15 at 11:50 p.m. after the driver was seen speeding. inside the car, a 2008 Toyota Camry, were Keyli Escalante-Enamorado and Rudy Socop-Domingo. A consent search of the Toyota revealed over three hundred pieces of opened and unopened mail that included 261 personal and business checks totaling over $555,000. A majority of the stolen checks were written to the IRS. Also, located in the Toyota were two homemade mail fishing devices made of vinyl strips, duct tape, and weights.

South Lake Tahoe Police Blotter

SOUTH LAKE TAHOE, Calif. - The following is a list of calls the South Lake Tahoe Police Department responded to during the weeks of Apr. 8 - Apr. 14, 2024. 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.

Log for April 8 - April 14, 2024

4/8

Arrests
17:26 Brandishing - Occurred at Bijou Woods on Spruce Ave. Disposition: Felony Arrest

Lake Tahoe spring prescribed fire operations continue

LAKE TAHOE, Calif./Nev. - Members of the Tahoe Fire & Fuels Team (TFFT) will continue prescribed fire operations this week at Lake Tahoe, conditions and weather permitting. Smoke may be present throughout the Lake Tahoe Basin and surrounding areas. View smoke management tips and the current air quality index at AirNow and the U.S.

LTCC announces hiring of two for new Marketing and Communications office

SOUTH LAKE TAHOE, Calif. - Lake Tahoe Community College (LTCC) celebrated the kickoff of its 50th-anniversary party in March, and they will spend the next 18 months highlighting their achievements, academic and student support programs and showcasing the accomplishments of our students and staff.

To help them with this task, LTCC President/Superintendent Jeff DeFranco has announced the filling of the school's Marketing and Communications office, adding two professionals with experience and expertise to their respective roles who can hit the ground running.

City responds to computer glitch during Monday's application process for Sugar Pine Village

SOUTH LAKE TAHOE, Calif. - A computer glitch caused a delay Monday morning for applications being accepted online for the South Lake Tahoe affordable housing project, Sugar Pine Village.

Douglas County School Board turns down settlement

DOUGLAS COUNTY, Nev. - The four Douglas County School District (DCSD) board members who have been front and center through controversy since being elected in November 2022 all pulled out of a decision to accept a settlement agreement on a Writ of Mandamus during their meeting on Tuesday.

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