environmental science

Lake Tahoe Environmental Science Magnet School kindergarten signups start in January

SOUTH LAKE TAHOE, Calif. - The Lake Tahoe Environmental Science Magnet School (LTESMS) has started taking names for the Fall '21 roster of kindergarteners. If you have a child that will be turning five on or before Sept 1, 2021 and want to fill an open seat at LTESMS, please email the "Kindergarten Enrollment Request Form" found on the school's website to mtruszewski@ltusd.org between Jan 4 and March 26, 2021.

Two more students in LTUSD test positive for COVID-19; All contacts notified

UPDATE 11/16/20: Lake Tahoe Unified School District has issued a correction to their statement from Sunday. At Sierra House Elementary no students or staff have tested positive. One family member of a student tested positive so the student is currently quarantined.

SOUTH LAKE TAHOE, Calif. - The Lake Tahoe Unified School District (LTUSD) sent out a notice to staff and families Sunday night to inform them of two new positive cases of COVID-19 in the district.

Local teen facing brain surgery, fundraiser established

SOUTH LAKE TAHOE, Calif. - Maddy Moody, a former South Lake Tahoe student and current Douglas High sophomore, will be at the UC San Francisco Benioff Children's Hospital at the end of the month for brain surgery.

New City Manager Joe Irvin now on the job for South Lake Tahoe

SOUTH LAKE TAHOE, Calif. - As of the City Council's special meeting Wednesday morning, the new South Lake Tahoe City Manager was on the job for 48 hours after being sworn in during a digital event that started off the week.

New city manager selected for South Lake Tahoe

SOUTH LAKE TAHOE, Calif. - The City Council has announced they selected Joseph Irvin as the new city manager for South Lake Tahoe.

Irvin was one of four final candidates for the position that met with the community on Monday, giving them a chance to do their own interviews, ask questions, and fill out a questionnaire on their choices.

Final four South Lake Tahoe city manager candidates from California and Florida

SOUTH LAKE TAHOE, Calif. - The search for a new city manager for the City of South Lake Tahoe appears to be nearing the end. City Council has narrowed down their search to four men, all of whom will be at a public Meet and Greet on Monday, March 9 from 6:00 p.m. to 8:00 p.m. at the Idle Hour located at 3351 Lake Tahoe Blvd., South Lake Tahoe.

The idea behind the meet and greet is to give the public a chance to get to know the candidates before the City Council closed session scheduled for Tuesday at 2:00 p.m. to select the new city manager.

Lake Tahoe Environmental Science Magnet School kindergarten applications now being accepted

SOUTH LAKE TAHOE, Calif. - The calendar may say January but its not too early to start planning for the 2020-21 school year if your kindergarten-age child would like to attend the Lake Tahoe Environmental Science Magnet School (LTESMS).

The school has started taking names for the Fall ‘20 “line-up” of kindergartners.

Family Science Day in Kings Beach with free activities, fun, and games

Event Date: 
August 3, 2019 - 1:00pm

Everyone is invited to spend a day learning about Lake Tahoe’s unique natural environment, ecology, and conservation from area experts. Family Science Day takes place from 1-4 p.m. Saturday, Aug. 3, at North Shore’s Kings Beach State Recreation Area.

NV Energy to hold public meeting on planned power outages during fire season

Event Date: 
July 17, 2019 - 4:00pm

NV Energy is holding a meeting on Wednesday in Incline Village to inform customers about their Public Safety Outage Management (PSOM) this fire season.

The open house will explain how they will shut off power in extreme fire-risk areas, including Lake Tahoe, during a PSOM event. When certain environmental conditions are met, power will be shut down in order to protect their customers, equipment and environment from wildfires.

LTUSD Superintendent Dr. Jim Tarwater announces retirement

SOUTH LAKE TAHOE, Calif. - Superintendent Dr. James Tarwater of the Lake Tahoe Unified School District (LTUSD) has announced he'll retire in one year.

Dr. Tarwater has been with LTUSD since 2005.

During their last meeting on June 11, the Board concluded its annual evaluation of Dr. Tarwater's performance. Though details of that evaluation are not available, they extended his contract one extra year until 2022 until they were notified of his notice of retirement.

At their June 25 meeting, the Board is scheduled to accept his retirement.

Interpretive sign unveiling at Tahoe Paradise Park

Event Date: 
June 1, 2019 - 10:00am

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.

Official last day of school set for South Lake Tahoe students

SOUTH LAKE TAHOE, Calif. - Each year the Lake Tahoe Unified School District (LTUSD) Board of Education approves a calendar with three snow days built into the school year. Should there be more than three snow days, decisions have to be made: move the last day of school or apply to the State of California for a waiver on the extra days, thus giving students fewer than the required days in the classroom.

Lake Tahoe Environmental Science Magnet School 1st grader "Principal for a Day"

SOUTH LAKE TAHOE, Calif. - It isn't every day that 7-year-old Rocco DeFranco begins his day with a ride to Freel Perk for a cup of hot chocolate with Principal Joe Dameral before heading to Lake Tahoe Environmental Science Magnet School (LTESM) to begin his day.

And that was just the beginning of a day that wasn't a normal one for the first grader.

During the school's recent Spring Fling Pasta Dinner fundraiser, Rocco bid on an interesting silent auction item to be Principal for a Day. He spent his savings of $180 on that special day and Rocco was able to collect his prize on May 3.

Lake Tahoe Environmental Science Magnet School students win national award

MEYERS, Calif. - Fourth graders in Alissa Behrendt's class at Lake Tahoe Environmental Science Magnet School (LTESMS) just became one of the three top classes in the nation after participating in the Buddy Bison Carbon Reduction Contest.

For their efforts, the class was given $1,500!

LTESMS 5th graders take look at South Tahoe High's Career & Technical Education programs

SOUTH LAKE TAHOE, Calif. - South Tahoe High School Career & Technical Education (CTE) students shared their knowledge and expertise with 5th graders from Lake Tahoe Environmental Science Magnet School on Thursday, showing them several options the school has in those programs.

South Tahoe High School (STHS) has ten different CTE programs, including sports medicine, auto mechanic, culinary and dental hygiene.

The visiting 5th graders got hand's one experience in all programs and were then treated to a lunch catered y the school's culinary students.

LTUSD and LTCC to hold joint board meeting Tuesday

SOUTH LAKE TAHOE, Calif. - The annual joint board meeting of the Board of Trustees for the Lake Tahoe Tahoe Unified School District (LTUSD) and Lake Tahoe Community College (LTCC) will be held on Tuesday, March 26, starting at 5:00 p.m. in the LTCC Board Room L104.

The agenda will include updates on items that affect both groups:

Column: Fees benefit water quality and trails

While it still feels like winter, with a healthy snowpack and ski resorts reporting record monthly snowfall in February, another building season is fast approaching. One of the questions people ask the Tahoe Regional Planning Agency each year is why they have to pay mitigation fees for their development, like new homes and remodeling projects.

Tahoe Arts Project brings Hip Hop Fundamentals to town

Event Date: 
March 29, 2019 - 7:00pm

Hip Hop Fundamentals, an award-winning team of diverse professional Breakdancers dedicated to Hip Hop Education, are heading to South Lake Tahoe courtesy of the Tahoe Arts Project.

They are the world’s only Breakdance education company combining academic and social content with the world’s most dynamic dance form. They'll be in local schools starting March 25 and ending their stay with a free public performance on Friday, March 29 with a 7:00 p.m. show in the South Tahoe Middle School gym.

Bijou Community School taking steps to become 100% two-way immersion

SOUTH LAKE TAHOE, Calif. - It's been twelve years since Bijou Community School in South Lake Tahoe started offering two-way immersion classes where students become bilingual and learn Spanish and English in their daily work.

Kindergarten registration dates set for South Lake Tahoe children

This story has been updated:

Registration for kindergarten students in Lake Tahoe Unified School District for the 2019/20 school year will be held April 29-May 10, 2019 for Tahoe Valley and Sierra House elementary schools. For those enrolling in the Two-Way Immersion program at Bijou and wanting to enter the lottery for enrollment at Lake Tahoe Environmental Science Magnet School, the deadline is March 22.

Viking Corner: This week at South Tahoe High

This week at South Tahoe High School, students put on their coats and boots to bear the snow, which continued to fall throughout the week. With temperatures on campus as low as 15F in the morning, it seldom got warmer than 30F. Also this week, the local 4-H club is looking for leadership coaches, and Kody Griffis just signed up to play college football in South Dakota.

In School

Opening of holiday season: Annual Festival of Trees and Lights

Event Date: 
Repeats every day until Sun Dec 09 2018 .
December 7, 2018 (All day)
December 8, 2018 (All day)
December 9, 2018 (All day)

STATELINE, Nev. - There is something for everyone, young and old, at the 10th annual Festival of Trees and Lights this weekend at MontBleu Resort. The convention center at the Stateline casino has been turned into a winter wonderland that is highlighted by the star of the show, the festive Christmas trees.

The winter celebration includes the Senior Stroll, Teddy Bear Brunch, Family Night, the Gala and much more from Friday, Dec. 7 through Sunday, Dec. 9.

Public viewing: Friday, Dec. 7 from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. and Sunday, Dec. 9 from 12 p.m. to 4 p.m.

Both Bijou and Magnet schools set to reopen after gas and water issues

SOUTH LAKE TAHOE, Calif. - If unusual issues come in threes, then its now safe for schools in the Lake Tahoe Unified School District (LTUSD).

Following on the heels of the November 11 fire at Sierra House Elementary, two more schools in LTUSD had issues this week that caused the schools to close.

Vail Resorts gives $1.9M to 93 Tahoe-Truckee area nonprofits

LAKE TAHOE, Calif. - During their annual community grant EpicPromise celebration, 93 local nonprofits were awarded a total of $1.9 million in cash as well as additional in-kind product support. Across the company, Vail Resorts will give $11.4 million in support to more than 250 community non-profits over the upcoming year.

Each year Vail gives away money and product to groups serving the communities they have resorts located. For Kirkwood, Heavenly and Northstar, support was given to support the health and resilience of the Truckee and South Lake Tahoe communities.

Community partners bring "Farm-to-School" program to South Lake Tahoe schools

SOUT LAKE TAHOE, Calif. - It is often said, “It takes a village to raise a child.” In South Lake Tahoe, the same could be said about keeping kids healthy. October is National Farm to School Month, and in South Lake Tahoe, the UC Cooperative Extension CalFresh nutrition education program has partnered with Barton Health and Lake Tahoe Unified School District to implement Harvest of the Month, a statewide initiative that motivates students to make healthier choices and brings fresh, in season produce to all South Lake Tahoe elementary schools.

New city attorney on board for South Lake Tahoe

SOUTH LAKE TAHOE, Calif. - With several hot topics on the horizon, Heather Stroud was approved today to be the new city attorney for South Lake Tahoe.

She was introduced during Tuesday's City Council where they unanimously approved her contract. Stroud then moved to the city attorney chair for the rest of the meeting.

Stroud's five-year contract gives her a base salary of $160,000.00 plus paid sick days, a car allowance of $250, and an opportunity to buy into the City's health plan.

Eveyone a winner as W.E. C.A.R.E Sports visits South Lake Tahoe schools

W.E. C.A.R.E. Sports has spent the week in South Lake Tahoe, visiting each elementary school thanks to a grant awarded by the Tahoe Women's Community Fund to bring the program to Lake Tahoe Unified School District.

The Oregon-based organization helps support the physical development and social-emotional tenets for young children by teaching life skills and building self-esteem.

Every child is on an equal playing field as they are introduced to unique alternative sports in a positive non-judgmental environment where everyone wins.

Letter: Bijou Garden Grows Community

SOUTH LAKE TAHOE, Calif. – The Family Resource Center (FRC) has long been a stronghold for the South Lake Tahoe community, providing necessary life services to community members in need. This summer, the FRC was especially busy with the ninth year of Parabajitos, an early intervention and prevention program that aims to engage youth and strengthen their connection with their community. The FRC is also home to the Bijou Community Garden, a project started four years ago by community member Brian Hirdman.

Location

Family Resource Center
3501 Spruce Ave
United States
38° 56' 24.5184" N, 119° 57' 33.0948" W

Out and About in South Lake Tahoe: Sean Pawling

On Sunday, 2003 South Tahoe High graduate Sean Pawling stopped by Revive Coffee & Wine to give an afternoon concert with his appropriately named band, The Sean Pawling Band.

In third grade at Meyers Elementary (now knows at the Lake Tahoe Environmental Science Magnet School), Sean said he knew he wanted to be a rock star so joined the inaugural season of the Blue Ribbon Choir. Since then he has taken his talents to UCLA where he majored in music and was the trombonist in the school's marching band, and then on to USC where he got a master's degree in music.

Restoration of Upper Truckee River planned near Lake Tahoe Golf Course; Public comment ends July 30

There are just two days left for the public to comment on a proposed restoration project of the Upper Truckee River that runs adjacent to the Lake Tahoe Golf Course and Washoe Meadows State Park.

More changes to VHR ordinance in El Dorado County to be discussed

During the July 24 El Dorado County Board of Supervisor's meeting, the next phase of additions to the Vacation Home Rental (VHR) ordinance will be discussed.

The ad hoc committee of Supervisors Sue Novasel and Michael Ranalli will be making the following recommendations:

Cap at a maximum of 12 overnight occupants, even if a home has enough bedrooms to accommodate more. The calculation of 2 people per bedroom plus 2. If someone wishes to have more than 12 the homeowner may apply for a conditional use permit.

South Lake Tahoe twins headed to Boys and Girls State

It has always been an amazing accomplishment for a student from South Tahoe High to be selected to go to either Boy's State or Girl's State, programs sponsored by the American Legion and American Legion Auxiliary.

For the first time organizers can remember, twins have been selected to represent the community in the unique and exciting government-in-action learning programs which teach youth how to be knowledgeable stewards of freedom, democracy and patriotism.

Four vying for El Dorado County Supervisor, District 5

There are four people running for El Dorado County Supervisor for the 5th District on June 5: Incumbent Sue Novasel and challengers Kenny Curtzwiler, Norma Santiago and Jeffrey Spencer. The 5th District covers Pollock Pines to South Lake Tahoe and Tahoma.

South Tahoe Now asked each candidate the same questions, and here are all of their answers, exactly as they were presented to us.

Sue Novasel
Occupation: El Dorado County Supervisor – District V
Past political history:
2015 – Present: County Supervisor, District V

2018 Great Prairie Youth Triathlon for ages 7-15 on the South Shore

This event has been cancelled.

Great Prairie™ Sports has announced the inaugural Great Prairie™ Youth Triathlon presented by Hydron Module Geothermal Systems on Saturday, July 7, 2018. Tahoe Paradise Park in Meyers will be the base for the event, which is for boys and girls ages 7-15.

For youth competing in their first Triathlon or for those progressing their development, organizers say Tahoe Paradise Park truly is a remarkable venue for the following reasons:

Dual enrollment, calendar changes and free tuition focus of LTCC-LTUSD meeitng

The annual joint board meeting with the Lake Tahoe Community College (LTCC) and Lake Tahoe Unified School District (LTUSD) to discuss common goal strategies was held Tuesday, will innovative programs and successes highlighted.

Mountaingirl Mystery Author at the Zephyr Cove Library

Event Date: 
April 18, 2018 - 6:00pm

The Douglas County Public Library will be hosting local Lake Tahoe author Jennifer Quashnick at both branches of the library. Jennifer will be at the Lake Tahoe Branch in Zephyr Cove on Wednesday, April 18 at 6:00 p.m. to introduce her Mountaingirl Mysteries series. She will then bring the discussion to the Minden Branch on Wednesday, May 30 at 5:30 p.m.

Location

Douglas County Library - Zephyr Cove, NV
233 Warrior Way
United States

Meyers traffic the focus of a community meeting

Event Date: 
April 18, 2018 - 6:00pm

El Dorado County Supervisor Sue Novasel will be holding a public meeting on Wednesday, April 18 to continue the discussion on traffic issues in the Meyers area. The meeting will be held at the Lake Tahoe Environmental Science Magnet School from 6:00 p.m. to 8:00 p.m.

This is a follow up to her February 28 meeting on the subject that plagues Meyers neighborhoods on busy Sundays and holidays as visitors leave South Lake Tahoe and head west over Echo Summit.

El Dorado County vacation rental committee meeting Thursday

Event Date: 
April 12, 2018 - 5:30pm

SOUTH LAKE TAHOE and MEYERS, Calif. - The ad hoc committee formed to research options and provide suggestions to the El Dorado County Board of Supervisors about their vacation home rental (VHR) ordinance is scheduled to hold a public meeting in South Lake Tahoe on Thursday, April 12 at the Lake Tahoe Environmental Science Magnet School from 5:30 p.m. to 7:30 p.m.

Soroptimist International of South Lake Tahoe awards $25,003 to local programs benefiting youth

Soroptimist International of South Lake Tahoe (SISLT) awarded $25,003 towards programs in the local community that benefit youth during a luncheon on Wednesday, March 14.

The following presenters gave a brief description of the program on how the funds that were awarded would be used.

Jeanne Nelson– NAMI, El Dorado County, SLT – Brain Health Leadership
Paula Peterson – St. Theresa Bread & Broth 4 Kids - Healthy Snacks in the Classroom
Peggy Blowney – Tahoe Arts Project – Performing Arts in School
Kristy Wilson – Sierra House Elementary School PTA – Agroforestry Project

EDC Supervisor Novasel holding meeting to discuss Meyers traffic

El Dorado County Supervisor Sue Novasel will hold a town hall meeting on Wednesday, February 28 at the Lake Tahoe Environmental Science Magnet School from 6:00 p.m. until 8:00 p.m. to discuss solutions to traffic issues in the Lake Tahoe Basin.

Novasel will be joined by County Department of Transportation staff, the El Dorado County Sheriff's Office and County Counsel.

Magical display of themed Christmas trees at South Lake Tahoe holiday event

The grand hall at MontBleu Casino Resort has been turned into a holiday paradise, a winter wonderland with the main attraction being the specialty Christmas trees.

On Thursday, local celebrities and media strolled by each of the designer trees, selecting those that won top honors of Most Elegant, Best Theme, Most Creative and Best of Show.

The excellent work on each made it almost impossible to come up with a winner, but four were chosen after much deliberation. Each tree will be paired with a special prize package during a live auction at Saturday's Gala.

Backcountry skiers trigger avalanche near Mt. Rose

Three skiers in the Hourglass Bowl area on Tamarack Peak near Mt. Rose triggered a 600 foot long avalanche around 10:45 a.m. Thursday. Nobody was seriously injured though two of the party were slammed into trees and rocks according to the Sierra Avalanche Center.

Heavy new snow was falling rapidly at the time. The avalanche was about three feet deep and 200 feet wide.

A group of 4 or 5 were skiing in the area, with three of them involved in the slide. Two of the skiers lost their skis and another had a possible broken ankle.

South Shore non-profits receive $51,000 from American Century Championship

American Century Championship continues to impact the South Shore of Lake Tahoe, even months after the annual tournament is over. Since its inception in 1990, the tournament has donated more than $4.5 million to local and national non-profits.

On Thursday, the Lake Tahoe Visitors Authority and American Century Investments gave 30 local organizations checks in the amount of $500 to $5,000 to help them serve the community.

National Night Out - Staying safe at home, work and play

Every year, on the first Tuesday in August, nearly 40 million people in 16,000 communities across the United States turn out to celebrate National Night Out. The event was first hosted in 1984 as a way to bring communities together and promote stronger ties between citizens and the law enforcement personnel who serve them. Communities are at their best when neighbors feel a common bond and a sense of community not only among themselves but also with their local public servants, and National Night Out is a fun and enjoyable way to foster those important ties.

Safe neighborhoods and camaraderie focus of National Night Out

Event Date: 
August 1, 2017 - 4:00pm

The South Lake Tahoe and Meyers community will be joining local law enforcement fo National Night Out on Tuesday, August 1 from 4:00 p.m. to 8:00 p.m. at the Environmental Science Magnet School located at 1095 E. San Bernardino Ave.

National Night Out is an annual community-building campaign that promotes police-community partnerships and neighborhood camaraderie to make neighborhoods safer and more caring places to live.

TRPA, Keep Tahoe Blue and area schools log big miles during Tahoe Bike Challenge

Staff with the Tahoe Regional Planning Agency and the League to Save Lake Tahoe (Keep Tahoe Blue) took the top prizes in the 2017 Tahoe Bike Challenge, while hundreds of Tahoe youth rode in increasingly large bike-to-school events.

Each year, for the first two weeks of June, hundreds of Tahoe residents and visitors participate in the Tahoe Bike Challenge. In teams or as individuals, participants join a friendly competition to see who can replace the most car trips with trips by bicycle.

Activities surround 10th anniversary of Angora Fire

SOUTH LAKE TAHOE - On June 24, 2007, the Angora Fire started at an illegal campfire at about 2:15 p.m. near North Upper Truckee Road in Meyers. The wind driven wildfire consumed 3,100 acres, destroyed 242 homes and 67 commercial structures, and damaged 35 other homes. As many as 2,180 firefighters battled the blaze with was 100% contained by July 2. There will be several community events to mark this tragic anniversary.

Thursday, June 22

Opinion: LTUSD Board celebrates student successes; Looks to address challenges

It is that time of year again. It is time for the youth in our beautiful community to take the big plunge. We, the members of the Lake Tahoe Unified School District Board of Education wish to congratulate each and every member of South Tahoe High School and Mount Tallac High School class of 2017 for all their hard work, not just for the last 4 years, but for the last 12. We are deeply proud of our seniors, and we hope that moving forward you never forget the closeness and care of a community like South Lake Tahoe.

New Tahoe Chamber CEO brings passion for business and economic development

"I'm looking for opportunities to build strategic relationships and leverage resources, and not duplicating what we already have," Craig A. Schmidt said after being on the job for five days at the Tahoe Chamber. "That is what excites me about the South Shore."

Schmidt is the new Chief Executive Officer for the Lake Tahoe South Shore Chamber of Commerce, a job vacant since July 1, 2016 when "B" Gorman left to develop her coaching business.

South Lake Tahoe school boundaries discussed at next LTUSD board meeting

During the last meeting of the Lake Tahoe Unified School District Board of Trustees, discussion about neighborhood schools and theme schools surrounded the proposed STEAM Academy at Al Tahoe Elementary when it reopens. STEAM - science, technology, engineering, art and mathematics - would be the focus of all students at the school, much as the themes surround all other local elementary schools.

At the request of the board, LTUSD Superintendent Dr. Jim Tarwater will present the demographic data from each school in relation to where they reside.

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