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The Vacancy Tax initiative to tax 'vacant' second homes in South Lake Tahoe at a $6000 yearly rate is extraordinarily unfair to property owners who are not full-time residents in the city, yet who maintain their homes not as speculative ventures, but as intimate private family abodes.

The characterization of all such homes by the initiative as 'housing units' depersonalizes what to many of us are just extensions of our primary residences, albeit used intermittently, and exemplifies the callousness of the initiative's supporters.

A South Lake Tahoe man is facing more charges after a federal grand jury returned a 16-count superseding indictment against 45-year-old Richard Alan Abrusci. The new indictment charges him with 12 counts of wire fraud, one count of aggravated identity theft, and three counts of monetary transactions with proceeds of specified unlawful activity, according to U.S. Attorney Phillip A. Talbert.

SOUTH LAKE TAHOE, Calif. - The Lake Tahoe Unified School District (LTUSD) is introducing its inaugural Hall of Distinction honorees. In November 2023, LTUSD asked for nominations for the program which acknowledges the outstanding achievements of former students, employees, and contributors to the school community.

After a meticulous review process, a committee of local community members selected the inaugural inductees. The committee selected three people for the Distinguished Service category, one for the Retired or Former Employee category, and one for the Former Student category.

SOUTH LAKE TAHOE, Calif. – Barton Health staff members and physicians have voted Dr. Kyle Swanson, MD, FAAOS, as Barton’s Physician of the Year. The annual award is a way to recognize physicians for their extraordinary work and dedication in fulfilling Barton’s mission of delivering safe, high-quality care.

Letter to the Editor: While those struggling most with housing have been working multiple jobs to keep a roof over their heads, we have seen a flurry of op-eds and social media posts written by authors sowing division and misrepresenting how the Vacancy Tax benefits our community. They have put quite a bit of fear and misinformation into circulation, so below are some important clarifying facts about the initiative.

Thanks to a $1.7 million grant from FEMA's Assistance to Firefighters Grant program, Carson City, Tahoe Douglas, East Fork, Smith Valley, and North Lake Tahoe Fire Districts all have new, state-of-the-art Scott X3 PRO self-contained breathing apparatus (SCBA).

These SCBAs, essential for protecting firefighters in hazardous environments, were nearing the end of their lifespan. The new Scott X3 PRO models offer the latest safety features, ensuring better protection for our firefighters who risk their lives for our communities.

SOUTH LAKE TAHOE, Calif. - Each year, Live Violence Free commemorates April as Sexual Assault Awareness Month. This April, we join the "Start by Believing" campaign. Start by Believing is a movement that not only raises awareness but also fundamentally shifts the way we respond to survivors of violence and abuse.

The Start by Believing campaign is not merely a slogan; it's a call to action—a call to dismantle the culture of disbelief that too often greets survivors when they bravely come forward to share their experiences.

In Lake Tahoe, the essence of the community is embodied not only through the scenic beauty and the camaraderie of its residents but also through the steadfast dedication of locals who work tirelessly behind the scenes to support our community. Among these, South Lake Tahoe Fire Chief Jim Drennan, Lake Valley Fire Chief Chad Stephen, and Tahoe Douglas Fire Chief Scott Lindgren stand out for their exceptional commitment to the safety and support of our community.

ZEPHYR COVE, Nev. - The Whittell Warrior Track and Field Team picked up six event wins last Saturday at the Battle Mountain Invitational in Battle Mountain, Nevada.

SOUTH LAKE TAHOE, Calif. - Piers and docks around Lake Tahoe are a precious commodity, and many local fishing and boating businesses are trying to find new, and more economical, ways for their customers to board their vessels.

Several local men who own fishing and leisure boating charters spoke to South Lake Tahoe City Councilmembers at last week's meeting, pleading for help as options for public launching disappear.

LAKE TAHOE, Calif./Nev. - April 1 is considered the peak snowpack for the season at Lake Tahoe, helping water managers know how to best manage the spring runoff into rivers and reservoirs for water supplies.

SOUTH LAKE TAHOE, Calif. - Acting on information received from the concerned parent of a South Tahoe Middle School (STMS) student, the South Lake Tahoe Police Department (SLTPD) has opened an investigation into suspicious communication between a substitute teacher and students.

UPDATE: The Carson City Sheriff's office has located Ms. Dorris.

SOUTH LAKE TAHOE, Calif. - The South Lake Tahoe Police Department is asking for the public’s assistance in locating an elderly missing person at risk. Elaine Dorris, 75, of Carson City, was last seen driving a red 2022 Honda Cr-V with Nevada license plate 061V75 in the area of Lake Tahoe Blvd. and Ski Run Blvd. in the afternoon of April 1, 2024.

Dorris is listed as “At Risk” due to medical history.

As a follow-up to their February 19 Bread & Broth Adopt A Day of Nourishment sponsorship, Heavenly Ski Patrol members once again joined the St. Theresa’s Bread & Broth (B&B) volunteers by hosting the Monday Meal on March 25.

“What a joyful opportunity to serve and meet the many people who make South Lake Tahoe a very special place to live and recreate,” proclaimed Mary Becherer, a member of Heaven Ski Patrol. It was Mary’s first opportunity to help with a Monday Meal and she found the experience to be very heartwarming.

SOUTH LAKE TAHOE, Calif. - Those opposing the proposed $6,000 vacancy tax in South Lake Tahoe are invited to join others against the tax in planned protests on April 2 and April 3.

Signatures are being gathered to get the initiative on the November ballot to tax homes in the City that are vacant six months or more during the year.

A few South Lake Tahoe residents will be demonstrating against the proposed tax, a penalty for owning a vacation home and are unable to vote on the tax measure, if on the ballot.

Nevada’s nonrestricted gaming licensees reported a total “gaming win” of $1,342,192,407 for February 2024, according to the Nevada Gaming Control Board's latest monthly report. This amounts to an 8.5 percent increase compared to the same month a year ago when licensees reported a gaming win of $1,237,048,360. For the fiscal year to date (since July), the gaming win has increased by 5.23 percent with $10,627,278,313 in "win".

The "gaming win" represents the computed income of casinos before business expenses and taxes.

SOUTH LAKE TAHOE, Calif. - Drier conditions and increasing temperatures are expected to start the work week following this weekend`s precipitation. But it won't be long-lived as by midweek, another active weather system looks to impact the region bringing increased precipitation chances and cooler temperatures.

The weekly forecast for South Lake Tahoe from the National Weather Service in Reno:

Monday - Sunny, with a high near 45. East wind around 5 mph becoming northeast in the afternoon.

Monday Night - Mostly clear, with a low around 27. North wind around 5 mph.

Letter to the Editor: Bringing homemade chicken soup, shoveling snow or watering the flowers when on vacation used to be how people showed love to their neighbors. Unfortunately – and especially in recent weeks, loving your neighbor in Tahoe now means taxing your neighbor’s vacant house. It’s hard to fathom the existence of individuals energized to tax everyone else other than themselves. So, I’ve come up with the “Forever Tahoe Taxation Plan.”

Women have unique nutritional needs, largely due to the demands of menstruation, pregnancy, breastfeeding, and menopause. A balanced diet helps ensure women get the right balance of vitamins, minerals, and other nutrients to support the unique physiological changes they experience.

Nutritional Tips

Calcium-Rich Foods: Women need more calcium to support bone health, especially after the age of 30. Dairy products, leafy green vegetables, and calcium-fortified foods are good sources.

Class 18 of the Lake Tahoe Fire Academy held its graduation this week at the Tahoe Blue Event Center. Started in 2007, the Academy is a pipeline to active fire service in the Lake Tahoe Basin. The graduates have undergone fire training including wildland fire, hazardous materials, ice rescue, ventilation training, and other experiential learning services.

Normally a one-year program, this year's class graduated in just six months. The curriculum was revamped to accommodate the new schedule, increasing the number of people eligible to help fill fire service needs immediately.

SOUTH LAKE TAHOE, Calif. - Lake Tahoe Wildlife Care (LTWC) is holding a Born to Be Wild: Wildlife Baby Shower on Saturday, April 20th, 2024. The public is invited to drop in at any time between 10 a.m. and 2 p.m.

Each year hundreds of wild baby animals are brought to the center in desperate need – whether due to sickness, injury, or being orphaned. In their hour of need, it is unwavering support from the public that becomes their lifeline.

There will be 42 ski and snowboarders from the United States of America Snowboard and Freeski Association, South Tahoe Series (USASA - STS) who will be competing in the USASA National Championships hosted in Copper Mountain, Colorado from March 29, 2024 - April 11, 2024.

All of the South Tahoe Series athletes have had a wonderfully successful season filled with triumphs and progression. An invitation to Nationals is a major highlight for all of the athletes, they have all worked so very hard!

Antonio DeSipio – (Snowboard) Slopestyle, Boardercross, Slalom, Giant Slalom

Dear Citizens of South Lake Tahoe, A few months ago, I wrote to you my personal opinion as one of your City Council members regarding my great concern about the multitude of unnecessary taxes being proposed in our city. It was titled “Now Is Not the Time.” With gasoline, eggs, and even fast food sky high and with Liberty just raising our electric bills 40 percent, it’s still not the time for any new taxes.

SOUTH LAKE TAHOE, Calif. – Untethered Workspace has graciously decided to match up to $25,000 in donations to the Boys & Girls Club of Lake Tahoe through the end of May. Raised funds will benefit the Club’s community playground campaign, “Let the Kids Play!”.