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Embarc opens Meyers cannabis retail store, Community Advisory Board in place

MEYERS, Calif. - Embarc, a community-centric retail cannabis dispensary, will be opening its Meyers storefront at 3008 US-50 on January 18, 2024. This will be the unincorporated area of El Dorado County's first cannabis dispensary opening under the process approved by voters in 2018 and the Board of Supervisors in 2019.

Letter: We can't raise taxes or increase minimum wage

Dear Fellow Citizens, What have we done? We have elected a City Council whose majority is discussing several tax increases. Those onerous taxes, added to these already tough times, will further sink our local economy, and drive more local businesses and families out of town. An initiative sponsored by one councilperson is now proposing a "vacancy tax" levied on homes not occupied year-round. These homeowners live out of town and include those paying their mortgages for 30 years to perhaps retire here one day, and in the meantime vacation here summers and winters.

Douglas County commissioners once again have VHRs on their Thursday agenda

DOUGLAS COUNTY, Nev. - The Douglas County Board of Commissioners will hold its next meeting on Thursday, January 18 starting at 10 a.m. It will be held in the courthouse in Minden and can also be viewed on YouTube.

Two items on the agenda deal with vacation home rentals (VHRs). Commissioner Danny Tarkanian has asked for updates to the VHR ordinance several times over the last two years. Last month, he asked for a ban on VHRs north of Cave Rock, and that was approved by a majority of the other commissioners.

Caltrans holding a Name a Snowplow contest

The California Department of Transportation (Caltrans) is holding a snowplow naming contest for all eleven districts.

Submit your fun and creative ideas to win up to $150 in gift cards. One winner will be selected from each Caltrans District 1-11. An additional $100 statewide grand prize will be selected from the winning submissions.

District Winners: 11 winners, each receiving a $50 gift card

Prescribed fire operations to continue at 15 locations around 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.

Community Rail Jam at Sierra at Tahoe

Event Date: 
January 28, 2024 - 9:00am

SOUTH LAKE TAHOE, Calif. - The Sierra Educational Foundation is hosting its first on-mountain fundraiser, a Community Rail Jam on January 28 at Sierra at Tahoe.

The "serious fun unserious competition" day on the slopes is for all ski, ski skate and snowboard skill levels

Registration starts at 8 a.m., and the event starts at 9 a.m. There is a $40 entry fee (season pass or day ticket purchased separately from Sierra at Tahoe needed).

Dave Stewart brings the hits of the Eurythmics to Lake Tahoe

LAKE TAHOE, Nev. - If you have plans for the evening of Wednesday, January 24, cancel them and head over to the Tahoe Blue Event Center, you won't regret it.

Not only is award-winning rock artist Bryan Adams bringing his So Happy It Hurts tour to Lake Tahoe that day, but joining him on the stage at the new event center is the iconic and legendary Dave Stewart with his Eurythmics Songbook. It will truly be two fabulous concerts in one with these two.

Most are familiar with Dave Stewart through his partnership with Annie Lennox when they formed the Eurythmics.

Live Violence Free invites community to participate in Stalking Awareness Day of Action

Event Date: 
January 18, 2024 (All day)

January 18, 2024 marks the first National Day of Action for Stalking Awareness as part of National Stalking Awareness Month (NSAM). This date commemorates the murder of Peggy Klinke at the hands of her stalker in 2003. Peggy’s sister Debbie Riddle is an anti-stalking activist who co-founded NSAM in her honor.

NSAM is an annual call to action to recognize and respond to this criminal, traumatic, and dangerous victimization.

Ski With A Ranger to start soon at Heavenly

SOUTH LAKE TAHOE, Calif. – The USDA Forest Service Lake Tahoe Basin Management Unit (LTBMU) has announced the return of Ski with a Ranger at Heavenly Mountain Resort. Skiers and snowboarders are invited to Ski with a Ranger beginning Friday, Jan. 26, 2024. Tours will depart from Tamarack Lodge at the top of the Heavenly Gondola every Friday at 1 p.m. The tours last approximately one hour and will continue through March 29, conditions and weather permitting.

Tahoe Grizzlies 10U wins MLK Hockey Tournament at Tahoe Blue Event Center

The Tahoe Blue Event Center’s inaugural hockey game was celebrated last Friday with a Tahoe win when the Tahoe Grizzlies 10U team defeated the Santa Rosa Flyers 7-4. The Tahoe Grizzlies team proceeded through the locally hosted Martin Luther King Tournament undefeated, beating the Ventura Mariners 5-1 and the Tri-Valley Blue Devils 10-0.

A closely played rematch with the Ventura Mariners for the tournament finals game on Monday resulted in the first championship in the event center being awarded to the Tahoe Grizzlies for their 4-2 victory.

Republican Women of South Lake Tahoe install new officers, have Councilmember Wallace as speaker

The Republican Women of California, South Lake Tahoe (RWC-SLT) recently held a luncheon meeting to install new officers for a new two-year term. SLT City Councilmember Tamara Wallace installed the following officers:

Karen Imhoff, President
Bonnie Halleran, 1st Vice President, Speakers
Lianne Peterson, 2nd Vice President, Membership
Terri Jinkens, 3rd Vice President, Press Communications
Cheri Watson, 4th Vice President, Events
Kathleen Bailey, Recording Secretary
Svetlana Raleigh, Treasurer

Letter: Housing Crisis

It seems that at least once a month there is an OpEd or article written about the housing “crisis” at Tahoe. The authors range from elected officials, board members from the various nonprofits around Tahoe to homeowners.

Where are the numerous articles from local businesses sounding off about not having enough employees who can afford to live locally? I’m sure there are some, just not the bulk of these articles. Maybe it’s just that the businesses voice their concerns through these other platforms.

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 Dec. 18-31, 2023. 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 Dec. 18 - 31, 2023

12/18

Arrests
15:00 Battery - Occurred at South Tahoe High School on Lake Tahoe Blvd. Disposition: Misdemeanor Arrest.

Other Calls:

South Tahoe Refuse gives money back now for wine, liquor, and juice containers

SOUTH LAKE TAHOE, Calif. - Among the new laws that started with the new year, consumers will pay a little more in California Redemption Value (CRV) fees.

Fruit juice containers of 46 ounces or more and vegetable juice containers of over 16 ounces have been added to the program. Also added are beverage containers that are boxes, bladders, or pouches containing wine, distilled spirits, wine coolers, or distilled spirit coolers.

These changes make it easier for the public to do their part for the planet while putting some money back in their pockets.

Carson Valley Health welcomes Specialist APRN ready to engage patients in their care

GARDNERVILLE, Nev. - Carson Valley Health Specialty Care Ironwood is delighted to welcome new APRN, Michele Ting to the practice. Michele is in the office three days a week and specializes in urology.

An APRN is an advanced practice registered nurse.

Michele has been a nurse for almost 30 years. “I’ve always sought to learn more, to grow, and not just be stuck in what I know,” she says. Over the years of building on her career, nurse practitioner was a logical next step. She earned her Master of Science in Nursing from Western Governors University in May 2023.

High Sierra Softball seeks board members and volunteers ahead of 2024 season

Event Date: 
January 17, 2024 - 6:30pm

SOUTH LAKE TAHOE, Calif. - High Sierra Softball is looking for board members and volunteers.

To hear about open positions and other volunteer opportunities, join them on January 17 from 6:30 p.m. to 8 p.m. in the South Lake Tahoe Recreation Center's Aspen Room.

FBI leverages financial expertise to combat human trafficking

IRS Criminal Investigation (CI) has been leveraging its financial expertise to combat human trafficking by targeting the illegal flow of money to and from the organizations behind this criminal activity. The agency investigates an average of 20 human trafficking cases each year accounting for an estimated sum of $10 million in laundered funds.

Warmer temperatures in the Sierra as a few systems make their way to Lake Tahoe

SOUTH LAKE TAHOE, Calif. - The storm door will keep opening, but the big storms aren't making it down to lake level, yet. This week we'll see warmer temperatures, with a break from any system through Tuesday before a series of systems will start heading to Lake Tahoe.

A quick system comes late Tuesday into Wednesday brings valley rain and mountain snow, gusty ridges, and Sierra travel impacts possible.

Tahoe STEM Academy has several classes in January and February for area youth

SOUTH LAKE TAHOE, Calif. - The Tahoe STEM Academy is offering a series of classes for local youth, from 3D Printing to making LED neon signs.

The academy provides interactive, project-based instruction to inspire the next generation of scientists, engineers, and innovators. Founded by STHS graduate David Wise who is an MIT engineer with over a decade of STEM experience, Tahoe STEM Academy gives budding scientists or engineers the tools, technology, and opportunity to explore, create, and expand their minds beyond a traditional classroom.

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.

January 4 - January 10, 2024

1/4

08:43 DRUNK IN PUBLIC - Officer initiated activity at Court Dept 3 Slt, Johnson Blvd, South Lake Tahoe, CA. Disposition: ARREST.

The Road Beat: 2023 Lexus LS 500 F Sport review - effortlessly pointless

The LS 500 is a luxurious flagship that has fallen behind and the F Sport only makes it worse.

What is it?

Barton support class Parent & Me starts January 24

Event Date: 
January 24, 2024 - 10:00am

SOUTH LAKE TAHOE, Calif. - Barton Health invites parents and their babies, ages 0-12 months, to its ongoing support class, Parents & Me.

Starting January 24, attend their free weekly groups to share experiences and discuss the joys and challenges of parenting. Get support from other parents as well as professional support from a childbirth instructor and guest speakers.

They meet on Wednesdays from 10 a.m. to 12 p.m. at the Barton Center for Orthopedics & Wellness, 2170B South Ave., South Lake Tahoe.

Cuppa Tahoe presents Book Club #1: Almost Somewhere with Suzanne Roberts

Event Date: 
January 31, 2024 - 7:30pm

SOUTH LAKE TAHOE, Calif. - Ready for a new twist on a book club in South Lake Tahoe? Join Cuppa Tahoe on Wednesday, January 31 from 7:30 p.m. to 9 p.m. when they offer the golden ticket - a book, a drink, a goody bag, and a presentation by the author.

Author and South Lake Tahoe resident Suzanne Roberts will be there with her book Almost Somewhere.

Join them for a night of good literature and the warmth of community. Celebrate the magic of storytelling together, over a steaming cuppa.

Letter: Don't tax people who can't vote here and demonize tourists who support our community

To the Editor: Council members Robbins and Bass must think they can win an election by taxing the motels with the highest transient occupancy tax (TOT) in the state and by targeting the second homeowners with an unfair vacancy tax, to further damage tourism. It's clear that they are trying to suck more funds into the black hole of government spending by taxing people who can't vote and by demonizing the tourists who support our community. They don't understand that tourists do vote. Vacationing families vote when they decide where to vacation.

Avalanche Warning for backcountry in Sierra into Sunday

The Sierra Avalanche Center has issued a "high avalanche danger" warning for the backcountry for Saturday and Sunday. Their warning is in effect from 7 a.m. Saturday until 6 p.m. Sunday.

The warning is for the central Sierra Nevada between Yuba Pass (Hwy 49) on the north and Ebbetts Pass (Hwy 4) on the south, including the greater Lake Tahoe area. This does not include ski areas and highways where avalanche mitigation programs exist.

Cascade Kitchens aiming for late fall opening in South Lake Tahoe

SOUTH LAKE TAHOE, Calif. - Several vendors are already committed to being in the stalls when the doors open at the new Cascade Kitchens in South Lake Tahoe in the fall of 2024.

Located in the old KMart Garden Center at the "Y," Cascade Kitchens will be vendor stalls in a food hall, a commissary kitchen, and a food truck center.

To get everything completed, the owner, Alpine View Investments, just completed $4.7 Million in financing from Greater Commercial Lending (GCL). GCL provides government-guaranteed loans to businesses and organizations in under-served and rural communities,

Minden Mill Distilling hosting history presentation "The Big Bang"

Event Date: 
January 14, 2024 - 1:00pm

Minden Mill Distilling continues its Eastern Sierra History Series with a slide show, The Big Bang, on Sunday, January 14 at 1 p.m. Using seldom-seen photos, extensive research, and eyewitness accounts, local authors and historians David & Gayle Woodruff recount the incredible, true and bizarre story of a calculating and disgruntled gambler and his attempt to extort three million dollars from the historic Harvey’s Casino Lake Tahoe in August of 1980.

The 55-minute slide show features dozens of historic and seldom-seen images.

Former firefighter, a convicted arsonist, arrested after explosives found by roadways

EL DORADO COUNTY, Calif. - A joint law enforcement investigation into a series of improvised explosive devices found placed alongside roads and highways has led to the arrest of a 41-year-old Orangevale man.

City of South Lake Tahoe starts youth basketball for grades 3-8

SOUTH LAKE TAHOE, Calif. - The City of South Lake Tahoe’s Parks and Recreation Department has announced the start of a new youth basketball league. The focus of the recreational league is to teach the basics of basketball, introduce new players to the game, and improve the health of the players through physical exercise. The league is for boys and girls from the 3rd through 8th grade.

Night of comedy coming to Cuppa Tahoe in South Lake Tahoe

Event Date: 
January 20, 2024 - 7:00pm

SOUTH LAKE TAHOE, Calif. - Are you looking for a fun night in South Lake Tahoe? Cuppa Tahoe is hosting "Real Men Are 5’8″," a night of stand-up comedy on Saturday, January 20. It’s more than entertainment, it’s a spectacle.

Two people in the same room. At the same time. Both are around five foot eight feet tall. Wow. This stand-up comedy show will leave you wow-ed with real masculinity, seriously.

Doors will open at 7:00 p.m. and the show will start at 7:30 p.m. Buy tickets now as they only get pricier, and the first 10 sold are only $10 (and $20 after that).

Column: New Year, New You ~ Embrace the New Year with Confidence

The start of the New Year is a natural time for reflection and personal growth. We focus on making positive changes that enhance our well-being and confidence by setting goals, cultivating healthy habits and embracing new experiences.

Personal transformation can be achieved through various means, such as improving physical fitness, pursuing educational endeavors, engaging in mindfulness practices or enhancing self-care routines.

Incoming weekend storm upgraded to Winter Storm Warning

SOUTH LAKE TAHOE, Calif. - The National Weather Service (NWS) has upgraded its previous Winter Storm Watch and issued a Winter Storm Warning for Lake Tahoe from 1 a.m. Saturday to 4 a.m. Sunday. Even though the "watch" starts at 1 a.m., snow could start before then.

Those traveling to the Sierra for the Martin Luther King weekend should watch conditions and travel accordingly. Sunday should be mostly clear, and sunny on the "getaway" day on Monday.

South Tahoe High Key Club holding month-long food drive for Bread & Broth 4 Kids

SOUTH LAKE TAHOE, Calif. - The South Tahoe High School Key Club is holding a food drive until February 10. All food they collect will be donated to Bread & Broth 4 Kids for its weekend food backpack program.

Bins for the donations are placed at the South Lake Tahoe Recreation Center and the Tahoe Ice Arena, as well as room ST-3 and the front office at South Tahoe High School. The bins will be in place through February 10.

Mike Wyatt ~ 1957 - 2023

On January 3, 2024, Michael Talmage Wyatt of South Lake Tahoe, California passed away after a valiant struggle with cancer. Born on February 27, 1957, Mike died at 66 years of age. His wife Judy, who was by his side throughout his long illness, lovingly served as his primary caretaker and steadfast source of support.

Did You Know? TASK provides healthy mind and body tips

This month TASK, the Tahoe Alliance For Safe Kids, is sharing ways to have a healthy body and mind. This week they are collaborating with their partner CalFresh Healthy Living UC to share tips and healthy habits around what we eat and drink.

New trustee selected for Douglas County School Board

DOUGLAS COUNTY, Nev. - Following the resignation of Douglas County School Board Trustee Tony Magnotta due to ongoing contentions with the board, a new trustee was appointed Tuesday evening to fill his vacancy.

The choice to fill the vacancy came down between Ricky Lewis, a Master Electrician, and Yvonne Wagstaff, a Douglas County School District Paraprofessional.

The board majority of Katherine Dickerson, David Burns, and Doug Englekirk all spoke in favor of Lewis.

Repairs have been completed - Heavenly to reopen gondola on Friday

UPDATE: All repairs have been made, testing is complete and the gondola will re-open for the public on Friday, Jan. 12, weather permitting.

"We are so grateful for the commitment and expertise of our incredible lift maintenance team and cannot thank them enough for the work they have done to make the necessary repairs and get this machine operating again," said a Heavenly spokesperson.

Next TERC Talk: Infrastructure Resilience in the Face of Extreme Flooding

Event Date: 
February 8, 2024 - 6:00pm

On Thursday, February 8, 2024, UC Davis TERC (Tahoe Environmental Research Center) will be hosting a lecture about Infrastructure Resilience in the Face of Extreme Flooding, with Dr. Michael Gardner. The in-person event will be held at Sunnyside Restaurant and Lodge in their Mountainside Bar. Dinners will be 20 percent off for interested guests.

Tahoe Arts Project presents Alias Brass Company - Canceled!

Event Date: 
February 9, 2024 - 6:30pm

UPDATE: Due to weather affecting the group's travel, this show has been canceled.

SOUTH LAKE TAHOE, Calif. - The Tahoe Arts Project (TAP) is bringing the Alias Brass Company to the community on Friday, February 9 at 6:30 p.m. at the Lake Tahoe Community College Duke Theatre.

Alias Brass, a group of five exceptional artists from across the country, will kick off the second half of TAP's 37th season with performances from February 5 to 9, 2024. The group's repertoire includes both original compositions and classics, as well as concepts that blend virtuosity with entertainment.

New operators of historic Camp Richardson to preserve the family feeling

SOUTH LAKE TAHOE, Calif. - No, the new concessionaires of Camp Richardson are not going to demolish the hotel and build condos in its place. No, they are not tearing down the cabins. No, they are not getting rid of the charm that has made the resort what it is known for. What ExplorUS is going to do is improve the 100-year-old property with renovated rooms and cabins, improved access, a new restaurant on the shores of Lake Tahoe, as well as a list of other things that are still being planned out with a historic architect.

Community Conversation to focus on Artificial Intelligence in Education

Event Date: 
January 16, 2024 - 6:00pm

SOUTH LAKE TAHOE, Calif. - The next Lake Tahoe Unified School District (LTUSD) Community Conversation is scheduled for January 16 at 6 p.m. This will be an interactive discussion about Artificial Intelligence (AI) in education.

City of South Lake Tahoe commits to stronger partnership with Tahoe Homeless Coalition

SOUTH LAKE TAHOE, Calif. - The South Lake Tahoe City Council has reinforced its commitment to being a partner with the Tahoe Coalition for the Homeless (TCH). As the council was approving a grant for the completion of rooms at the TCH's Bear's Den in South Lake Tahoe during its meeting Tuesday, the conservation moved to emergency shelters for those experiencing homelessness. The council members reinforced their commitment to fund winter emergency shelter services in the community.

Weekend youth hockey tournament kicks off with scrimmages at Tahoe Blue Event Center

UPDATE: Thursday's ice action was canceled tonight due to soft ice. Everything will start Friday.

LAKE TAHOE, Nev. - Local hockey players will get a chance to break in the ice arena at the Tahoe Blue Event Center on Thursday, ahead of the 17th annual Martin Luther King Youth Hockey Tournament.

The tournament is for 16U, 14U, 12U, 10U, and 8U teams and runs from Friday to Monday at both the Tahoe Blue Event Center and the South Lake Tahoe Ice Arena.

Letter: We don't need new taxes or a higher minimum wage in South Lake Tahoe

To the editor: I‘m worried about all these new taxes being proposed. Chasing homeowners and tourists away doesn't make sense. Tourism got me started at minimum wage. I moved to Tahoe in 1979 at age 16. I was sort of on my own.

A local family restaurant hired me at minimum wage which I was happy to get as I needed to be trained. I worked my way up from busboy to prep cook to cook, then became a trusted key employee.

City Council approves cannabis consumption lounges for South Lake Tahoe

SOUTH LAKE TAHOE, Calif. - South Lake Tahoe will be able to have onsite consumption lounges in the City's cannabis retail businesses after the Council voted 3-1 to allow them during its Tuesday meeting.

It took three meetings to get to this vote. Mayor Pro Tem John Friedrich said the Council was split before on allowing consumption options, and he thought it was time to bring back the topic with "current knowledge" for consideration.

Mayor Cody Bass must recuse himself from voting since he is the owner of Tahoe Wellness Center, one of the cannabis businesses in South Lake Tahoe.

Avalanche at Palisades Tahoe - One dead and one injured

THURSDAY UPDATE: The man killed in the Palisades Tahoe avalanche has been identified as Kenneth Kidd, 66. He lived in both Point Reyes and in the Truckee area,

UPDATE 4:30PM: The Placer County Sheriff's Office held a press conference this afternoon. There was no new information though they did say the search had ended as no other people were known to be in the area. They said a total of four people were caught in the avalanche, two were the previously mentioned deceased and injured, and the other two were assisted and able to get out.

Heavenly hopes to have gondola back on track this week

SOUTH LAKE TAHOE, Calif. - The Heavenly Ski Resort gondola could be in operation by the weekend if repairs go as planned. Once it was announced on January 4 that the gondola would be down "indefinitely," due to mechanical issues, parts were ordered and sent from Europe overnight.

To make up for the loss of a major access point to the mountain, Heavenly operations teams worked to double the skiable acreage and added shuttles. Mother Nature helped with almost a foot of fresh snow.

El Dorado Community Foundation announces new Board of Directors

EL DORADO COUNTY, Calif. - A new leadership team has been announced for the El Dorado County Community Foundation. It was previously announced Amy Pooley would take the helm as the group's new executive director after the retirement of long-time leader Bill Roby.

The new slate of officers:

Allan Priest, president
Paul Zappettini, vice president
Pam Maxwell, treasurer
Wendy David, secretary.

They will each serve two years in these officer roles and make up the Executive Committee of the Foundation alongside Past President Katy Peek.

Kudos: Sober Grad Night committee thanks Vail Resorts Epic Promise for donation of lodge for 2024 event

Once again, Vail Resorts has shown its generosity and spirit for local giving by granting the use of Heavenly’s California Lodge to the Sober Grad Night Organization for the 2024 Grad Night Event. This amazing celebration will take place on Friday, June 14, 2024, starting at 9 p.m. and lasting until 2:30 a.m.

"Shocking" storm of plastic styrofoam beads cover Lake Tahoe beaches

INCLINE VILLAGE, Nev. - A floating dock that became loose during a recent storm leased an estimated 100,000 (or more) plastic styrofoam beads onto the pristine beaches of Ski Beach and Incline Beach in Incline Village, Nevada.

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