environment

Letter: Beavers are vital to Lake Tahoe, no depredation permits should be issued

I was incredibly disappointed to learn of the destruction of a beaver dam and the request for a depredation permit regarding the beaver living in the meadow adjacent to Tahoe Beach Club. Luxury condominiums should NEVER be prioritized over a keystone species such as beavers, an endangered plant like the Tahoe yellow cress, or the health of a watershed vital to the water quality of Lake Tahoe.

Letter: Tahoe Basin owes Joanne Marchetta a debt of gratitude

The Lake Tahoe Basin owes Joanne Marchetta a debt of gratitude. In her 13 years leading the Tahoe Regional Planning Agency, she brought on a talented team of expert staff; reengaged TRPA in the community; worked with a wide range of private, public and nonprofit groups; and rolled out long-term strategies that are helping preserve everything Tahoe is known and loved for.

Al Roker to discuss climate change at Tahoe's Operation Sierra Storm

Event Date: 
January 25, 2021 - 8:00am

Al Roker of NBC’s Today Show fame, will discuss his passion, interest and concerns about climate change, as well as his storied career as keynote speaker at Operation Sierra Storm, the annual television meteorologists’ conference at Lake Tahoe. The public is invited to tune in via Facebook to watch Roker on Monday, January 25.

Operation Sierra Storm (OSS) in an annual weather conference held on the South Shore. Due to health and safety restrictions, the public is unable to attend Monday's event in person, but they are welcome to participate via Facebook.

Barton Health could be called on to accept patients from outside the area

SOUTH LAKE TAHOE, Calif. - Hospitals across California have been experiencing the effects of the coronavirus, with overflowing intensive care units (ICUs) and a workforce stretched to its limits.

On January 5, 2021, the California Department of Public Health (CDPH) announced a plan to reduce pressure on strained hospital systems and redistribute the responsibility of medical care across the state so patients can continue to receive lifesaving care.

This mandate is meant to share resources and staffing related to the current COVID-19 surge.

Small New Year's Eve crowds at Stateline keep US50 open

STATELINE, Nev. - It was a much quieter holiday at Stateline this year with a decrease in calls for service, five arrests, and the lowest number of New Year's celebrants in a few decades.

US 50, the highway that runs from South Lake Tahoe into Stateline was not closed due the low number of people in the area. Law enforcement was able to keep those wanting to bring in the new year outside to the sidewalk or they stayed inside the casinos.

"The celebrants were well behaved and embraced the New Year’s Eve celebration," said Douglas County Undersheriff Ron Elges.

Column: 2020 Highlights from your Water and Sewer District

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.

Barton's COVID response fund receives $110,000 in donations to help locals

The Barton Foundation’s 2020 virtual gala received overwhelming support from donors, raising a record-breaking $110,000 to benefit the Foundation’s COVID-19 Response Fund. These donations are immediately being put to use, helping community members hit hardest by the pandemic: those facing food insecurity and other economic hardship, as well as healthcare workers on the frontline.

Howie's Top 20 favorite Christmas movies

Christmas started early for this guy once the pandemic hit. I put my Christmas lights up over the 4th of July and for a short while started watching Christmas movies too to try and get that feel-good feeling happening. Okay, I also did it because I wanted to watch movies where no one was wearing a mask and hugging one another without fear of being exposed. I’ve always enjoyed movies for their pure escapism and who doesn’t want to escape what we’ve been through already ya know? I also like being wrapped around a movie completely.

New electric vehicle charging stations at Bank of America in South Lake Tahoe

SOUTH LAKE TAHOE, Calif. - Electric vehicle owners can now charge their cars for free at Bank of America’s South Lake Tahoe branch. Three new charging stations have been installed at the bank, located at 3344 Lake Tahoe Boulevard.

They have a range in power from 150 kilowatt (kW) to 350kW and were installed through the bank's partnership with Electrify America.

"Bank of America is committed to helping accelerate the transition to a low-carbon economy and is working to reduce its own operational footprint," a bank representative said in a press release.

Flatstick Pub with indoor mini-golf coming to South Lake Tahoe

SOUTH LAKE TAHOE, Calif. - Flatstick Pub Norcal will be adding a second California location in South Lake Tahoe at 4101 Lake Tahoe Boulevard between Ace High Saloon & Smokehouse and the Big Vista Clothing Store in the Zalanta, across from Heavenly Village.

Flatstick Pub is a community focused craft brew pub with challenging mini-golf and other mini-golf inspired games. The company's flagship location is in Downtown Sacramento.

Kiwanis Club of Lake Tahoe commits to annual donation to Boys and Girls Club

The Kiwanis Club of Lake Tahoe has donated $8,000 to the Boys and Girls Club of Lake Tahoe. It will be split up to support two funds at the club, $3,000 directly to the Club to support their ongoing operations and $5,000 towards its new building.

Tahoe Fund announces $100,000 match from Tahoe Blue Vodka to Clean Up The Lake

Lake Tahoe, long known for its famed clarity and brilliant blue waters has a dirty secret. Beneath the surface, thousands of pounds of trash are breaking apart and impacting the lake’s aquatic habitats. In 2021, an extraordinary effort to remove trash around all 72-miles of Lake Tahoe with a SCUBA dive team of professionals and volunteers will begin. Spearheaded by the nonprofit Clean Up The Lake, the Tahoe Fund has committed to raising funds needed to make it happen.

Record low rainfall in October leads to just 10% of water supply requests fulfilled

With California off to a dry start for the water year, the California Department of Water Resources (DWR) announced Tuesday an initial State Water Project (SWP) allocation of 10 percent of requested supplies for the 2021 water year.

Initial allocations are based on conservative assumptions regarding hydrology and factors such as reservoir storage. Allocations are reviewed monthly and may change based on snowpack and runoff information. They are typically finalized by May.


Wildwood Makers Market offers a variety of unique local and regional wares

Event Date: 
February 28, 2021 (All day)

Our customers say “it’s like a little Etsy shop in here,” says Lisa Utzig Schfer of Wildwood Makers Market. The South Lake Tahoe store carries local, regional and independent artists and makers in its cozy little space at 989 Tallac Avenue.

They have everything from cards to jewelry to art supplies. Wildwood is a welcoming and safe environment for you to shop both in person and online with local pick up or delivery.

Current hours:
Sunday, Monday, Tuesday, Thursday 11:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m.
Friday and Saturday 10:00 a.m. to 6:00 p.m.
Closed Wednesdays.

TRPA awards recognize 50 years of collaboration

The Tahoe Regional Planning Agency (TRPA) today recognized individuals who, over the agency’s 50-year history, worked tirelessly to protect the spectacular environment of the Lake Tahoe Region and to create more resilient communities, TRPA announced today.

Tahoe Film Fest returns with modified schedule on North Shore

INLINE VILLAGE, Nev. - The 6th Annual Tahoe Film Fest presents environmental and independent feature length and award winning films to North Lake Tahoe from December 3-6, 2020. Special guests and filmmakers will be present at many of the films.

The festival takes on a new look during the pandemic. The films originally scheduled for Northstar had to be moved as movie theaters must only operate outdoors due to Placer County's Purple Tier. The theaters on the Nevada side can still show films but only at 50 percent capacity.

Tahoe Institute for Natural Science celebrates 10-year anniversary

The Tahoe Institute for Natural Science (TINS) is celebrating 10 years of connecting people to nature and inspiring new generations of stewards for the wonders of Lake Tahoe. Since 2010, the organization has engaged with over 56,000 students through in-school natural history programs, field trips, and nature camps. They offer programs for people of all ages - hosting hundreds of presentations and guided nature outings for thousands of participants. All of their programs are supported by a foundation of important, ongoing biological research.

Tahoe Fund calls for projects to fund that help preserve the Lake Tahoe Basin

LAKE TAHOE, Calif./Nev. - The Tahoe Fund has kicked off its annual Request for Projects process, a time they seek applications seeking funds of $5,000 to 1,000,000 to complete their goals to help preserve Lake Tahoe.

The funding for projects are designed to restore Lake Tahoe’s famed clarity, create healthier forests, improve transportation, create more sustainable recreation, and inspire greater stewardship in the region.

Column: Recognizing the spirit of collaboration

For more than half a century, collaboration and partnership have been the bedrock of Lake Tahoe’s preservation. I speak often of the epic collaboration needed to restore our environment and lift up our communities. The creation of the Tahoe Regional Planning Agency (TRPA) 50 years ago challenged us to bring people together to pull this majestic lake back from the brink. Today, TRPA is the backbone for 80 organizations and thousands of property owners working toward the common goals of clean water, a healthy watershed, and resilient communities

Two South Lake Tahoe parcels facing zoning change for hotel and condominium project

Event Date: 
November 12, 2020 - 5:00pm

SOUTH LAKE TAHOE, Calif. - Two parcels behind Raley's at Stateline are the subject of a public workshop on Thursday, November 12 at 5:00 p.m.. The City of South Lake Tahoe and Tahoe Regional Planning Agency are seeking public scoping comments on an applicant-initiated proposal to rezone the two parcels located within the boundary of the City of South Lake Tahoe Tourist Core Area Plan. The proposed amendment submitted by HVR Acquisitions would rezone the two parcels from Recreation to Tourist Center Mixed Use.

Barton Health brings back services to Robert Maloff Orthopedics & Wellness Center

SOUTH LAKE TAHOE, Calif. - With services stopped during the first months of the pandemic due to safety concerns, Barton Health is bringing back health and wellness programs to its Robert Maloff Center for Orthopedics & Wellness.

City of South Lake Tahoe adopts Climate Action Plan

SOUTH LAKE TAHOE, Calif. - During their last meeting, the South Lake Tahoe City Council voted unanimously to adopt a Climate Action Plan (CAP).

This plan will be used as a dynamic, policy-guiding roadmap to provide insight on strategies and actions that can be taken in the community to help move towards is two climate goals - 100 percent renewable community electricity by 2032 and a 80 percent reduction in community greenhouse gas emissions by 2040.

CCC Tahoe Center corpsmembers help communities recover and prepare after fires

SOUTH LAKE TAHOE, Calif. - Long after the fire trucks have come and gone, the threat to a community impacted by wildfire remains. It’s a less obvious threat than a towering inferno destroying homes and ripping through forests and hillsides. It is a hidden threat that arrives with winter rains and California Conservation Corps Corpsmembers are helping communities stay safe from it—toxic runoff, including those from the South Lake Tahoe center.

Malfunctioning heater at Tahoe Valley Elementary draws response from South Lake Tahoe Fire Rescue

SOUTH LAKE TAHOE, Calif. - South Lake Tahoe Fire Rescue responded to a fire alarm at Tahoe Valley Elementary school Tuesday morning. A Lake Tahoe Unified School District (LTUSD) maintenance worker was attempting to repair a heater outside a 4th grade portable classroom. According to Tahoe Valley Principal Christina Grubbs, the heater malfunctioned, causing smoke inside the unit which is outdoors. She said smoke was drawn into the classroom through the air exchange.

Column: Tourism Future at Tahoe South - Responsible, Sustainable Destination

While the consensus is that 2020 will look much better in the rearview mirror, it will leave indelible experiences that shape discussions, planning, and direction for years to come.

It certainly reinforces sustainability as the future of tourism here at Tahoe, with benchmarks to embrace including environmental integrity, economic development, and social equity for visitors and locals.

City Council candidates respond to South Lake Tahoe Chamber questions

SOUTH LAKE TAHOE, Calif. - The South Tahoe Chamber of Commerce Board recently asked the nine City Council candidates ten questions they felt were of most importance to its members. The questions focused mainly on topics relating to things that will or may affect both the local small businesses and the community in general.

Their board made the decision to not endorse a specific candidate this election, but instead rank them based on how much they align with the South Tahoe Chamber of Commerce goals based on their answers to the questions below.

Orders now being taken for commemorative Lake Tahoe coin

LAKE TAHOE, Calif./Nev. — The limited-edition Lake Tahoe Commemorative Coin is now available to the public, the Tahoe Regional Planning Agency (TRPA) and Parasol Tahoe Community Foundation (Parasol) announced this week.

Tahoe Bicycle Coalition and Tahoe Fund collaborate on new bike racks around lake

Due to the collaboration of the Lake Tahoe Bicycle Coalition and Tahoe Fund, over 100 more racks were installed in town centers in the Tahoe Basin this summer. Together, the nonprofits have worked together to install nearly 450 bike racks during the past three years, offering secure parking for 900 bikes.

With a grant from the Tahoe Fund and matching contributions from local businesses, the nonprofit Lake Tahoe Bicycle Coalition completed the third phase of its efforts to create secure bike parking within the Tahoe Basin.

Letter to the Editor: We Choose a Voice For Locals

It's a great thing to call for unity. It sounds good and feels good. But for far too long hollow calls for "working together" have become excuses for bulldozing over the needs of the people who live and work here in favor of the needs of the developers, resorts and casinos.

I chose the locals.

I choose to give a voice to those who are marginalized.

And if this seems like I’m causing trouble, then it is, as John Lewis called it, good trouble.

STPUD candidates respond to questions

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.

Op/Ed: Creating a community without the divide of a state line

On October 31, 2016 I wrote an editorial "Use the election to create a community of collaboration and teamwork" due to a growing vibe of discourse and anger across the country as well as in South Lake Tahoe.

Since we are once again in the midst of a contentious national election I saw a need to once again look at the definition of community as we focus on our local situation in El Dorado County and Douglas County.

com·mu·ni·ty:

Letter to the Editor: South Tahoe Youth climate group endorses Scott Robbins and John Friedrich for city council

At this point in time, the intersection between equity and climate change has never been clearer. The Sunrise Movement is a national youth climate group that is seeking a future that’s not only sustainable, but also just. With only 11 years left to transform our economy away from fossil fuels to avoid the worst effects of climate change, we need to elect officials now who will defend our future. The remedies for unsustainable practices must work for everyone in this city. That’s why we’re endorsing John Friedrich and Scott Robbins for the city council of South Lake Tahoe.

City Council candidates respond to 100% Renewable Energy Committee questions

On April 18, 2017 the South Lake Tahoe City Council unanimously passed a resolution to: 1) Power the South Lake Tahoe community with electricity provided from 100 percent renewable sources by 2032 and 2) Reduce community carbon emissions from baseline by at least 80 percent by 2040, and reduce municipal emissions by 50 percent by 2030.

Tahoe's transportation future focus of TRPA webinar

Event Date: 
October 12, 2020 - 12:00pm

LAKE TAHOE, Calif./Nev. - Years of planning for the future of transportation around Lake Tahoe has led to the creation of a Regional Transportation Plan. Join the Tahoe Regional Planning Agency (TRPA) on Monday, October 12 during a one-hour webinar on the draft plan starting at noon to learn more (register here).

Citizen science drives environmental restoration and reservation in Tahoe-Truckee Region

LAKE TAHOE - Volunteer citizen scientists working with the League to Save Lake Tahoe conducted surveys of Donner and Spooner Lakes to detect aquatic invasive species, and restored native wetland habitat in Johnson Meadow in September. Both efforts are aimed at preserving the Tahoe-Truckee region’s unique ecology.

SLT Council Candidate John Friedrich

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 John Friedrich

Profession: Founder and Director, Tahoe Green Jobs Initiative

How many years in SLT: 15

SLT Council Candidate Scott Robbins

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 Scott Robbins

Profession: National Security Analysist

How many years in SLT: 4

SLT Council Candidate Leonard Carter

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 Leonard Carter.

Occupation: Retired

How many years in SLT: 32 years

1. Explain why you are running for City Council and what your qualifications are. I believe I can help the council focus on real issues, such as: roads, law enforcement, trash, public safety, fire suppression, and not burn out on spurious popular topics.

Teens 4 Tahoe hosts Wilder Than Wild virtual screening

Event Date: 
October 4, 2020 - 5:00pm

Teens 4 Tahoe, an environmental stewardship group formed by six teens in collaboration with the nonprofit Tahoe Fund, will host a free virtual screening of the award-winning documentary Wilder Than Wild: Fire, Forests, and the Future on October 4, 2020 from 5:00 p.m. to 7:00 p.m. The virtual event, proposed by the teens living in Tahoe and around the Bay Area, will be the group’s first effort to help educate their peers about wildfire preparedness. It will include viewing of the one-hour long documentary followed by an online Q&A session with Kevin White, the film’s producer.

Letter from LTUSD Superintendent on reopening plans; Special meeting Monday

Event Date: 
September 27, 2020 - 7:00pm

SOUTH LAKE TAHOE, Calif. - I wish to thank you for your patience as the District continues to work through some of the challenges involved with moving to Phase 2 Hybrid learning model. We’ve received a great amount of input from the community through emails to myself and Board members, as well as public comments at Tuesday’s Board meeting, and want to assure you that your interests and concerns are being heard.

Letter: Keeping patients safe is a team effort

Running a hospital takes a large team of professionals, all pulling together, often under tremendous stress. We often recognize our caregivers who have direct contact with patients. But behind every clinician is a team of people making sure she or he can do their job well and safely.

NV Energy may shut off power to Incline Village for safety concerns

UPDATE 9/17 10:45AM: The Public Safety Outage Management (PSOM) event previously forecast for Friday, September 18 for the Incline Zone is canceled due to updated weather forecasts.

There is a Red Flag warning at Lake Tahoe with elevated fire weather conditions and NV Energy will continue to monitor conditions and take extra steps to mitigate wildfire risk. This includes staging their line crews, vegetation management crews and fire agency partners at specific locations around the lake.
* * *

FAQs from the US Forest Service on closures

The USFS regional emergency closures have created a lot of questions from forest recreational users. Here are the frequently asked questions (FAQ) provided by the Forest Service:

Q) Is there an imminent threat of fire, are we in immediate danger?

Barton labor & delivery nurse wins international DAISY Award®

SOUTH LAKE TAHOE, Calif. - A nurse at Barton Memorial Hospital’s Family Birthing Center has received the international DAISY Award® for Extraordinary Nurses. Labor & Delivery nurse, Rayanne Marshall, RN, BSN, RNC-OB, won the award after being nominated by a patient for the dedication and compassion shown during delivery, making her feel comfortable and well-cared for, even when tensions were high.

Column: Climate change front and center at Tahoe

As ashes fell delicately from a blazing orange sky earlier this week, Lake Tahoe got a jarring glimpse of just one of the threats of the climate crisis. The frequency and intensity of wildfires in the West are breaking records and destroying communities. Scientists are also measuring wilder weather patterns, more severe droughts, and changing ecosystems as the planet’s temperature rises. More drought means more dead trees, and hotter summers mean a longer and more
severe fire season.

Nominations sought for 29th annual Best in Basin Awards

LAKE TAHOE, Calif./Nev. — The Tahoe Regional Planning Agency (TRPA) is calling for nominations for projects completed in 2019 that display outstanding environmental design to be recognized in the 2019 Best in the Basin awards program, the agency announced today.

Nominations are due by September 28, according to TRPA.

Now in its 29th year, TRPA’s annual Best in the Basin awards program showcases projects around the lake that demonstrate exceptional planning, implementation, and compatibility with Tahoe’s natural environment and communities. The categories are:

South Lake Tahoe Climate Action Review Plan focus of public workshop

Event Date: 
September 9, 2020 - 5:00pm

SOUTH LAKE TAHOE, Calif. - The community is invited to a webinar to review the City of South Lake Tahoe's draft Climate Action Plan (CAP) on Wednesday, September 9 from 5:00 p.m. to 6:00 p.m.

The City has completed its draft CAP and is in the midst of the public review period. This CAP is critical for reducing emissions in the region and will also provide benefits to the community through supporting local economic development, improving wildfire resilience, reducing air pollution, improving traffic conditions, and improving public health and quality of life.

South Lake Tahoe City Council candidates respond to #IRunWithMaud questions

SOUTH LAKE TAHOE, Calif. - There will be two new members of the South Lake Tahoe City Council after the November 3 election. In the coming weeks the pubic will have chances to hear from the candidates both via zoom, in print and possibly in person. Below are eight of the ten candidates responses to questions asked by the local #IRunWithMaud group.

Blue Ridge School at South Lake Tahoe JTC awarded Barton grant

SOUTH LAKE TAHOE, Calif. - For 16 years the youth at the Juvenile Treatment Center (JTC) in South Lake Tahoe have been educated by the Blue Ridge Court School, a court school offered through the El Dorado County Department of Education.

Bare Roots Roasting putting "neighborhood" back into the coffee shop in South Lake Tahoe

SOUTH LAKE TAHOE, Calif. - Little did Nikki and Justin Foskett know that their planned grand opening of Bare Roots Artisan Coffee Roasting Company would come on the day the pandemic shut everything down.

They didn't despair though, and spent the down time roasting beans, expanding their menu and putting everything they sell online for all to enjoy. Opening a new business is always tough, exciting and stressful, but COVID-19 added a whole lot of unknowns to the picture.

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