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SOUTH LAKE TAHOE, Calif. - The Barton Foundation has awarded a record $100,000 in its annual Community Health Grant funding. This is in addition to more than $170,000 in grants given to local families and individuals from its COVID-19 Response Fund.

The 13 Lake Tahoe-based organizations that were awarded share Barton Health’s commitment to addressing the most urgent health needs in the area: mental and behavioral health, substance use, and access to care.

The organizations selected for a Community Health Grant serve the area’s most vulnerable populations and those in need:

SOUTH LAKE TAHOE, Calif. - The 36,295 acre Loyalton Fire north of Lake Tahoe is filling the Lake Tahoe Basin with smoke this afternoon.

The South Lake Tahoe Fire Rescue department has been fielding several calls from concerned residents.

The National Weather Service in Reno said the smoke from the new fire in Nevada County most likely isn't the culprit due to the amount of smoke. They said thunderstorms are developing outside of the basin and stirring up the smoke.

SOUTH LAKE TAHOE, Calif. - An emergency meeting of the South Lake Tahoe City Council has been called to discuss the impacts of tourism during the pandemic on the community and steps they can take to mitigate the problems associated with the increase of visitors.

The meeting will be held virtually at 3:00 p.m. on Tuesday, August 18.

If the Lake Tahoe Region of El Dorado County were its own county, it would be solidly on the state watch list, as its new case rate is even higher than LA County’s rate. Furthermore, El Dorado County should be on the watch list, but it is not. As a result, people think it is safe in Tahoe and thousands of visitors are continuously bringing the virus into the area, overwhelming our health system, and exposing residents.

WASHOE COUNTY, Nev. - Students in the Washoe County School District will not be going back to school as planned on Monday, August 17. COVID-19 didn't delay the start but heavy smoke and unhealthy air from the Loyalton Fire did.

The fire had consumed over 28,000 acres as of Sunday, prompting officials to delay the start at all schools in the district except for those in Lake Tahoe. Both Incline Elementary and High Schools had a scheduled start of school for August 31.

SOUTH LAKE TAHOE, Calif. - Lake Tahoe is the vacation destination for millions of people annually, but recent behaviors of many of the tourists have the residents on edge. Trash is being left behind on beaches, trails and picnic areas, overflowing trash containers are shown daily on social media pages, stores are packed and roads are crowded, all during a pandemic while travel orders are still in place for the California.

With international travel at a standstill many are keeping their vacationing during the coronavirus to locations near their homes, and Lake Tahoe is one of those spots.

DOUGLAS COUNTY, Nev. - Tahoe Township Justice of the Peace Richard Glasson was recently awarded the Lifetime Achievement Award from the Nevada Judge's of Limited Jurisdiction (NJLJ), the first such honor to a judge from the group since 2016.

The ceremony was held on Zoom with a group of judges, politicians and court administrators, all telling funny tales of the longest serving Douglas County judge. He has long been appreciated for his sense of humor and appreciation for family and the law.

SOUTH LAKE TAHOE, Calif. - El Dorado County health officials say another 25 cases of COVID-19 were confirmed Friday. South Lake Tahoe did not lead the group which is the norm and had five positive cases. El Dorado Hills had 14, Greater Placerville with 3, Cameron Park/Shingle Springs/Rescue had two, and one in Pollock Pines/Camino/Kyburz. Of the new cases, four are under the age of 18, 15 aged 18-49, three aged 50-64 and three aged 65 and older.

EL DORADO COUNTY, Calif. - A small business relief fund has been set up to assist in alleviating debt caused by the pandemic and COVID-10 related issues.

El Dorado County (EDC) has established a $5M Small Business Relief Fund through El Dorado Community Foundation (EDCF) to assist in coordinating the the Small Business Relief Fund with assistance from the El Dorado Hills Chamber of Commerce, El Dorado County Chamber of Commerce, and the Tahoe Chamber.

SOUTH LAKE TAHOE, Calif. - If you are accustomed to paying premium prices for parking in towns like San Francisco, Los Angeles and Sacramento, how much would you be willing to pay for a parking ticket in Lake Tahoe?

Apprently whatever it costs.

The California Highway Patrol (CHP) issued 297 parking citations along SR89 at Emerald Bay in July and 273 during the first 11 days of August. Six vehicles were towed from the area during this time.

SOUTH LAKE TAHOE, Calif. - El Dorado County health officials say another eight people have tested positive for COVID-19 since yesterday, bringing the total of 793 cases to date. Of the new cases, four are from the Lake Tahoe region, two from El Dorado Hills, one from Greater Placerville and one from South County. In those counts, four are aged 18-49, three aged 50-64 and one aged 65 or older.

An additional 350 people have been tested for coronavirus. There were 342 negative test results received today and 24 assumed recoveries. The current assume positive case load is 157 in the county.

SOUTH LAKE TAHOE, Calif. - Work had been underway on two phases of the 3.86-mile long South Tahoe Greenway Shared-Use Trail but activity has come to a temporary halt due to material issues.

COVID-19 resulted in delayed delivery of materials for the precast concrete boardwalk system needed on the trail. The Houston, Texas concrete plant contracted for the project has been directly impacted.

UPDATE 8/11/20: A 28-year-old man from Napa, California has been identified as the person who died in a tragic boat incident off shore from South Lake Tahoe on Monday. The South Lake Tahoe Police Department (SLTPD) Marine unit responded along with South Lake Tahoe Fire Rescue, Tahoe Douglas Fire Protection District and the U.S. Coast Guard.

When the call came in around 3:40 p.m., two men were in the water and a third was inside a rental boat. One of the men, David Castorena, had a major injury to his leg and he as not wearing a personal floatation device, or PFD.

SOUTH LAKE TAHOE, Calif. - El Dorado County Sheriff's Office responds to calls throughout the county. The following are calls that 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.

Last Week's Log - http://southtahoenow.com/story/08/02/2020/el-dorado-county-sheriffs-report

8/2

12:12 a.m. - Domestic Dispute - Meyers

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. - El Dorado County health officials have confirmed another 13 positive cases of COVID-19 for the county since yesterday. Of those, two are from the Lake Tahoe region, five in El Dorado Hills, three in the Greater Placerville region and three in Cameron Park/Shingle Springs/Rescue. Two are under the age of 18, seven aged 18-49, three aged 50-64, one aged 65 or older.

160 more tests were administered. There were 147 negative tests returned, 36 assumed recoveries and currently 169 assumed active cases of COVID-19.

SOUTH LAKE TAHOE, Calif. - Every ten years a Census is taken of all people living in the Unitied States. While the state of California currently has a 64.5 percent response rate, South Lake Tahoe once again is lagging far behind.

As of August 6, 28.1 percent of those living in South Lake Tahoe had turned in answers to the Census Bureau. El Dorado County as a whole, 58.6 percent. Nationally, the Census return rate is 63.2 percent.

Why is it so hard to get South Lake Tahoe residents to participate?

DOUGLAS COUNTY, Nev. - In response to the number of people and groups expected at a protest in Minden, Nevada on Saturday, Douglas County officials have expanded traffic controls to keep everyone safe.

Cement walls have alread been installed to block motor vehicle traffic on Water Street to allow participants to move safely and freely on foot in the area. The protest is planned for 11:00 a.m. on August 8 on the steps of the Judicial Law Enforcement Center in Minden. The road is planned to be closed until Monday.

SOUTH LAKE TAHOE, Calif. - El Dorado County health officials said another 14 people have tested positive for COVID-19 since yesterday. Of the new cases, 11 are from the Lake Tahoe region and three are from the Greater Placerville region, ten are aged 18-49, three are aged 50-64 and one is aged 65 or older.

92 tests were administered since yesterday, 78 tests came back negative and there were 13 assumed recoveries. At this time there are 178 assumed active cases.

STATELINE, Nev. - A familiar face on the South Shore is returning to be the senior vice president and general manager for Harrah’s and Harveys Lake Tahoe properties.

Caesars Entertainment made the announcement today that John Koster will return to the Lake Tahoe gambling scene after the merger of Eldorado Resorts and Caesars Entertainment.

DOUGLAS COUNTY, Nev. - A Springfield, Oregon man died on Saturday after a crash on Kingsbury Grade/SR207.

At approximately 12:47 p.m. August 1, troopers from the Nevada Highway Patrol (NHP) responded to a serious injury crash at Douglas County Mile Marker 10.

The NHP preliminary investigation shows that 62-year-old Kurt Kelso was traveling north on Kingsbury Grade on his 2003 Harley Davidson. As Kelso was negotiating a left curve his motorcycle left the roadway and struck a dirt mound. He was ejected and transported to an area hospital where he was pronounced deceased.

SOUTH LAKE TAHOE, Calif. - El Dorado County health officials are reporting nine new cases of COVID-19 since yesterday, five in the Lake Tahoe region, two in Cameron Park/Shingle Springs/Rescue, one in El Dorado Hills, and one in Pollock Pines/Camino/Kyburz. One of the cases was under the age of 18, five aged 18-49, one aged 50-64 and two aged 65 and older.

County officials say the statewide reporting system is experiencing processing delays and figures may be undestated.

Join the Tahoe Chamber this Friday, August 7, from 11:00 a.m. to 12:00 p.m. for a Virtual Town Hall Q & A on public health protocols for businesses. This important meeting will answer businesses' questions on how they need to react to unique situations surrounding employees testing positive for COVID-19 or being exposed, closing and cleaning guidance, new health inspection procedures, and more.

Attendees are invited to come with questions for El Dorado County and Douglas County health officials.

Register in advance: https://zoom.us/webinar/register/WN_-zx3qA3CT2escMUY-QxqkQ.

SOUTH LAKE TAHOE, Calif. - El Dorado County health officials say another 22 cases of COVID-19 have been confirmed in the county, five in the Lake Tahoe region, seven in El Dorado Hills, four in Placerville, three in North County, one each in Pollock Pines/Camino/Kyburz, Cameron Park/Shingle Springs/Rescue, and Diamond Springs, El Dorado;. Of the new cases, two are under the age of 18, 16 aged 18-49, three aged 50-64, and one is 65 or older.