Board of Directors

SOUTH LAKE TAHOE, Calif. - Back in the 1940s, before South Tahoe Public Utility
District existed, sewage flowed directly into beautiful Lake Tahoe. Citizens rallied to sign a petition to form the District and this year marks our 70th anniversary. From a single septic field to an award-winning 7.7 million gallon per day wastewater treatment facility, with 100% recycled water and biosolids, a lot
has changed over the years.

SOUTH LAKE TAHOE, Calif. - City Clerk Susan Blankenship has earned the designation of Certified Municipal Clerk (CMC), which was awarded by the International Institute of Municipal Clerks (IIMC), Inc.

IIMC grants the CMC designation only to those municipal clerks who complete demanding education requirements, and who have a record of significant contributions to their local government, their community and state.

SOUTH LAKE TAHOE, Calif. - One of Valhalla’s most loved community events is the annual Holiday Faire, and they were set to celebrate a milestone 25th year this November. After a successful partnership with The Heritage Foundation to create a Winter Wanderland at the Tallac Historic Site last year, both organizations were excited about expanding the event this year. Unfortunately, due to the size of the Grand Hall and limits on capacity, Valhalla Tahoe’s Board of Directors have been forced to cancel the event.

SOUTH LAKE TAHOE, Calif. - There are three open seats on the South Tahoe Public Utility Board of Directors this election season, two for a four-year term and one for a two-year term.

South Tahoe Now reached out to the candidates and below are their answers to a set of questions. For the two four-year terms, incumbent Kelly Sheehan is running for reelection, Duane Wallace is running after being appointed to fill Jim Jones's spot on the board until this election, and they are joined by David Peterson.

South Tahoe Now reached out to all nine candidates for South Lake Tahoe City Council and provided the same list of questions to each one of them. Once a day their answers will be published in the order received.

Today's candidate is Douglas Williams

Profession: Hospitality

How many years in SLT: 10 years

SOUTH LAKE TAHOE, Calif. - – The South Tahoe Public Utility District (STPUD) Board of Directors adopted a temporary COVID-19 Rate Relief Program during their last meeting to assist residents and businesses that are facing financial hardship due to the pandemic. This new program offers a 50 percent credit to one quarterly sewer bill for customers in need.

“This pandemic has impacted some in our community more than others,” said STPUD Board Presdient Randy Vogelgesang. “We felt that we needed to do our part to help our customers who need it the most.”

STATELINE, Nev. - While the crowds weren't there in 2020 for the 31st annual American Century Championship in July due to COVID-19 safety concerns, its impacts will be felt for years to come by the community. The Lake Tahoe Visitors Authority (LTVA) will distribute a record $250,000 to local non-profits after the players in the popular celebrity tournament gave up the $600,000 in prize money. It is all being donated to Covid-19 relief organizations, equal justice initiatives and South Tahoe-based non-profits.

SOUTH LAKE TAHOE, Calif. - When the California Tahoe Conservancy Executive Director Patrick Wright was named interim director of Governor Gavin Newsom’s Forest Management Task Force, his temporary replacement needed to be found.

The agency's Board of Directors didn't have to look too far and selected the Deputy Director Jane Freeman and their interim executive director for the next six to nine months.

STATELINE, Nev. - In a continued effort to maintain essential transit services and prioritize the safety of transit operators and passengers, the Tahoe Transportation District (TTD) is notifying the public that it anticipates periodic frequency reductions for fixed-route services due to COVID-19 staffing challenges. TTD will also limit the number of passengers on paratransit buses to comply with social distancing measures recommended by the Centers for Disease Control (CDC).

SOUTH LAKE TAHOE, Calif. - There were eight candidates vying to fill a vacant spot on the South Tahoe Public Utility District (STPUD) Board of Directors with interviews held during a special meeting Thursday, June 11.

The board selected Duane Wallace to complete the term of the late Jim Jones.

Wallace is no stranger to STPUD having previously served 20 years on the Board, from 1991-2007 and 2014-2018.

SOUTH LAKE TAHOE, Calif. - South Tahoe Public Utility District is accepting applications to appoint a Board Member to serve through December 4, 2020, the one left vacant with the passing of Jim Jones.

Interested applicants must be a registered voter within the District boundaries and can apply by submitting a letter of interest and resume to mguttry@stpud.us by Tuesday, June 2, 2020.

STATELINE, Nev. - The Tahoe Douglas Visitors Authority (TDVA) voted unanimously Wednesday afternoon to cancel the 4th of July fireworks show on the South Shore of Lake Tahoe due to concerns around COVID-19 and large group gatherings.

Not all is lost though as TDVA is planning on a Labor Day Lights on the Lake show on Sunday, September 6, Labor Day Weekend. That show will depend on the coronavirus situation at the time and the TDVA board of directors has until July 23 to decide and not be held to any fees from Zambelli Fireworks, the producer of the show.

We would like to express our sincerest appreciation and deepest thanks to the Barton Health team for their efforts to address the coronavirus COVID-19 crisis. This is an unprecedented time to work in health care, and the staff, physicians, and administration have risen to this challenge while showing perseverance, nimbleness, and strategic creativity. The dedication to their job and the brave face they don each day while arriving at work is humbling. As Board members and community members we are deeply moved by this courage.

LAKE TAHOE, Nev. - During these challenging times, everyone can use some good news which is why the Lake Tahoe Bicycle Coalition (LTBC) has announced its 2019 Bicycle Achievement Awards. Each year, the LTBC honors those that have made significant advancements to promoting safer bicycling and walking opportunities for the Lake Tahoe-Truckee area.

This year, LTBC received 13 nominations and has announced the following Bike Achievement Awardees:

Public Agency: City of South Lake Tahoe

LAKE TAHOE, Calif./Nev. - The Tahoe Douglas Rotary Club has decided to cancel its 52nd annual St. Patrick’s Day celebration planned for March 20, 2020, but people may still participate in an online auction and Hawaiian vacation raffle.

The club said, that though no cases of the CoronaVirus Covid-19 have been confirmed in this area, they wanted to keep with its commitment to benefit the community and not hold the popular event.

SOUTH LAKE TAHOE, Calif. - Melissa Berry, AP Psychology and US History teacher at South Lake Tahoe High School was selected to receive one of the five 2019 Carlston Family Foundation Outstanding Teachers of America Awards.

In November, Ms. Berry received a $15,000 cash award at the Carlston Family Foundation’s 17th Annual Awards Ceremony in Mill Valley, Calif. During Tuesday's Lake Tahoe Unified School District (LTUSD) board meeting, she received an additional $5,000 grant for South Lake Tahoe High School.

SOUTH LAKE TAHOE, Calif. - With the departure of City Manager Frank Rush looming and a search on for his replacement, the South Lake Tahoe City Council today hired an interim city manager.

During closed session they approved the hiring of Brad Kilger who brings with him years of experience to the position.

Kilger has over 40 years of professional municipal government experience.

Live Violence Free is inviting the community to drop by their offices for their annual holiday event, Walk the Halls, on Thursday, December 12 from 4:00 p.m. to 6:00 p.m.

Meet the board of directors and their new Executive Director Debra Dyason during the tour. Beverages and treats will be provided.

RSVP is required - Jalbee@liveviolencefree.org or (530) 264-5328. Live Violent Free is located at 2941 Lake Tahoe Boulevard, South Lake Tahoe.

The Lake Valley Fire Protection District (LVFPD) will hold a public hearing on October 9 at 4:00 p.m. to discuss a proposed $52 per parcel per year tax to fund needed apparatus, equipment, and supplies. They are going to ask voters on March 3, 2020, for the annual tax increase for fire protection, suppression, and emergency medical services.

The special LVFPD Board of Directors hearing will be held at Fire Station 7, 2211 Keetak Street in Meyers.

SOUTH LAKE TAHOE, Calif. – Fifteen local health programs offered by nonprofits and agencies in the South Lake Tahoe area have been awarded grants by the Barton Foundation. A total of $50,000 was distributed among the groups to aid in their efforts to address the community’s most pressing health issues.

During the 2018 Barton Community Health Needs Assessment, the top health issues identified in the South Lake Tahoe community were access to care, mental health, and substance abuse.

The Tahoe Paradise Recreation and Park District is now applications for an opening on their board of directors made vacant with the announced departure of Victor Babbit.

There is a five-person board for the park district and those interested in the open position can apply for the volunteer, unpaid position until September 16, 2019

Appointed directors set policy for the district and manage Tahoe Paradise Park.

The Chabad at Lake Tahoe will welcome author and Holocaust survivor Leon Malmed for a special presentation and accompanying book signing of his memoir “We Survived … At Last I Speak”

In 1942, Malmed and his sister were separated from their parents in occupied France when Malmed was 5-years-old. His parents ultimately perished at the now infamous death camps of Auschwitz-Birkenau, and he and his sister never saw them again. Malmed eventually immigrated to the United States in 1964, and went on to live in New York for the next 18 years.

Six interpretive signs are being installed around Lake Baron at Tahoe Paradise Park and the public is invited to their official unveiling on Saturday, June 1 at 10:00 a.m.

The Board of Directors of Tahoe Paradise Recreation and Park District worked with the staffs of the UC Davis Tahoe Environmental Research Center (TERC) and the Tahoe Institute for Natural Science (TINS) and received input from students and teachers at the Lake Tahoe Environmental Science Magnet School to develop the signs.

SOUTH LAKE TAHOE, Calif. - After Richard Solbrig told the South Tahoe Public Utility District (STPUD) Board of Directors he was retiring in January 2019 after 29 years with the agency the hunt was on for a new general manager.

It turned out they didn't have to look far.

John Thiel had been hired by Solbrig in 1992 as a staff engineer and he worked his way up through the ranks over the last 27 years until the Board chose him as the new general manager.