family

Barton Foundation gives over $360,000 to community health improvements

SOUTH LAKE TAHOE, Calif. – The Barton Foundation provided more than $360,000 in funding during 2019, delivering a profound community impact made possible by philanthropy and donor generosity over the year. Medical equipment, new technology, care provider education, and support, expanding access to mental and behavioral health services, and funding for local organizations were all aspects of the Barton Foundation’s scope of giving last year, as part of its commitment to community well-being through Barton Health.

Kudos: Bread & Broth thanks the Bauwens Family

SOUTH LAKE TAHOE, Calif. - As local residents and St. Theresa Church parishioners, Kevin and Jean Bauwens wanted to help those in need and decided that sponsoring a Bread & Broth (B&B) Adopt A Day of Nourishment would provide them with the opportunity to help feed those experiencing hunger in our community. So, on February 2, Kevin and Jean, along with their daughter, Carrie Bauwens, and granddaughter, Isabel Telles, hosted the Monday Meal at St. Theresa Grace Hall.

Andrew Joseph Mora ~ 1982 - 2020

Andrew (Andy) Joseph Mora, 37, passed peacefully on Tuesday, February 4, 2020, at Renown Hospital. He was born on December 15, 1982, in Reno, Nevada to Andrew and Kristie Mora.

Letter submitted to Chief Alameda, LVFPD

Dear Chief Alameda:

Here’s my take on Measure B, please correct me if I am out of the ballpark.

Revenue for LVFD for FY 18/19 was $6.8 million/year.

Salaries/wages paid out were a whopping $5.3 million including Overtime: $175,000 and Other Pay including Bonuses: $591,000.

Equipment purchased last year: $77,000.

This year, 2018/19: Equipment budgeted: $22,000.

It is fairly obvious where all the money went: into salaries/wages and benefits.

Azul Latin Kitchen raises $11,000 for Tahoe Arts Project

SOUTH LAKE TAHOE, Calif. - For the past year, Azul Latin Kitchen in South Lake Tahoe's Heavenly Village has been fundraising for Tahoe Arts Project (TAP). The fruits of their efforts were presented to TAP during their public Williams Duo concert on Januar 30.

Each year Azul Latin Kitchen selects a local nonprofit to be the recipient of their fundraising for the year. In 2017 it was Tahoe Youth and Family Services, last year Live Violence Free, then in 2019 TAP.

Barton Health nurse receives international award for exceptional care

SOUTH LAKE TAHOE, Calif. - On Wednesday, February 5, Ashley Collard, RN, BSN, was honored by Barton Health with the international DAISY Award® for Extraordinary Nurses. A nurse in the Medical/Surgery Department at Barton Memorial Hospital, Ashley’s compassion and skill received sincere gratitude from a patient’s family, and a nomination to be this quarter’s DAISY Award® winner.

South Lake Tahoe police arrest parolee after multiple attempts to escape; Search on for second man

SOUTH LAKE TAHOE, Calif. - A 25-year-old South Lake Tahoe man has been arrested on multiple charges after he tried to escape police custody twice on Tuesday, February 4, 2020. Christopher Hendrickson has been arrested on charges of resisting arrest, escape from custody, corporal injury to his spouse, willful cruelty to a child, forcible entry into a property and felony vandalism.

Facts about the flu and Wuhan coronavirus

SOUTH LAKE TAHOE, Calif. - At least one vacationing family is canceling their trip to Lake Tahoe due to fears about the spread of coronavirus 2019-nCoV, but health officials say this virus is not currently spreading in the community, here or in the United States. If they want to be concerned about anything being spread, they say, the flu is what they really need to be focusing on.

During this 2019-20 flu season, 10,000 people have died in the United States and there have been 19 million cases and 180,000 hospitalizations, according to the Center for Disease Control (CDC).

Letter: Yes on Measure B for Lake Valley Fire Protection District

Dear El Dorado County voters,
A little over a year ago, I was asked to serve on the Lake Valley Fire Protection District’s Feasibility Committee for Measure B. I represented you—the homeowner, citizen, and taxpayer. I would like to share a little about what I learned about the Lake Valley Fire Protection District and about Measure B.

Most importantly, I learned that our Lake Valley Fire Protection District is in dire need of our help in order to maintain their current excellent and top-notch level of service, and to sustain a healthy future.

Boys & Girls Club of Lake Tahoe hosts student art show

SOUTH LAKE TAHOE, Calif. - Emerging young Van Goghs and Picassos were on display this week at the Boys & Girls Club of Lake Tahoe (BGCLT). Parents, family, and friends toured the displays Thursday afternoon.

The club's Art Director Gina Stowell has been working with the students in several mediums including pastels and charcoal, watercolor tempura, monochromatic, printmaking, acrylics, mixed media collages, and multi-colored drawings. All were hung around the room for the art show as was a special blacklight "Glow Gallery."

The artists on display were ages 6-15.

Dylan K Sterling ~ 12/20/84 - 1/11/20

Dylan Kane Sterling passed away unexpectedly on Jan 11, 2020, in Ecorse, Mich. He was 35-years-old. Son of Kevin and Michele Sterling, brother to William, Joshua and sister Chelsea.

Dylan grew up in South Lake Tahoe, Calif. After graduating from South Tahoe High Scool in 2003 he moved to Phoenix, Ariz. to attend Universal Technical Institute - Motorcycle Mechanics Institute Division. He completed his studies becoming a certified motorcycle and small engine mechanic.

Dylan always loved going for a hike locally with his dog Spanky.

Kobe Bryant, the Mamba Mentality and a Lake Tahoe man

SOUTH LAKE TAHOE, Calif. - "You're the Black Mamba, but I'm the White Mamba," said a trash-talking 13-year-old in 2011 at the Kobe Bryant Basketball Academy in Santa Barbara.

"I would constantly approach Kobe at any opportunity, even when I wasn't supposed to, pestering him to play me one-on-one," says a now 21-year-old Palmer Chaplin. "I berated him with trash talk about how I could beat him and he entertained it, saying stuff like 'that's not a game, that's a destruction."

Jury finds South Lake Tahoe man guilty of multiple counts of child molestation

A South Lake Tahoe man has been found guilty on four counts of felony child molestation which included one count of Continuous Sexual Abuse of a Child under 14, two counts of Lewd and Lascivious Acts upon a Child under 14, and one count of Forcible Lewd Act upon a Child under 14.

John Robert Garcia, 45, was arrested in April 2019 after a five-month-long investigation by the South Lake Tahoe Police Department (SLTPD) and El Dorado County District Attorney's Office.

South Tahoe High's Melissa Berry wins Outstanding Teacher of America award

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.

After caring for 25,000 animals out of their South Lake Tahoe home, the Millhams retire

SOUTH LAKE TAHOE, Calif. - Since 1978, Tom and Cheryl Millham have been operating Lake Tahoe Wildlife Care, taking in sick and injured wildlife from across the region with a goal of rehabilitating them for release back into the wild. For most of those years, they used their home and backyard for the cages, aviary, brick enclosures and rehab facilities.

Changes to how voters will vote in 2020: South Lake Tahoe vote center and drop box locations

With the March primaries just weeks away, voters will be considering not only their choices on the ballot but will also need to consider how they will cast their votes in South Lake Tahoe and El Dorado County.

With poor voter turnout, especially in South Lake Tahoe, and more registered voters choosing to vote by mail, the polling places set up on election days were not frequently used.

Heavenly Mountain Resort employee dies after accident in Mott Canyon

january 20 update: SOUTH LAKE TAHOE, Calif. - Christoper John Nicholson of South Lake Tahoe has been confirmed as the Heavenly Mountain Resort ski patroller who died on the slopes Saturday.

On January 18, 2020, the 36-year-old Nicholson had been working at the resort and was found unconscious in the Mott Canyon area of Heavenly. He was flown via Care Flight to the Carson Valley Medical Center where he was pronounced dead. Officials at Heavenly Mountain Resort had incorrectly identified the facility on Sunday but later corrected their news release.

New audiologist joins Barton Health team

SOUTH LAKE TAHOE, Calif. – Barton Health welcomes audiologist Marina Mulvey, Au. D., to its Ear Nose & Throat Department, and Barton Audiology office. Dr. Mulvey’s expertise and scope of practice expands audiology care at Barton, as patients can now obtain hearing aids locally and not have to travel for these medical devices. Dr. Mulvey has more than 25 years’ experience dispensing hearing aids.

Lineup announced for Tahoe Arts Project's Dancing with the Tahoe Stars

SOUTH LAKE TAHOE, Calif. - The much-anticipated pairings for the Tahoe Arts Project's 8th annual Dancing With the Tahoe Stars have been announced!

The local celebrities met their professional partners Tuesday night during a party at the Hard Rock Casino.

"Everyone is super excited about it," said Tahoe Arts Project Executive Director Peggy Blowney.

The stars (on the left) and their dancing partners:

Debbie Brown, owner of Cold Water Brewery with Matthew Slater
Jeff Connor, local musician and California Burger partner with Rhonda Keen

The evolution of health care benefits

The health insurance industry in America has undergone an unprecedented amount of change since its origins in the 1900s, and according to Health Affairs, it was just 40 years ago when workers began sharing in the cost of their health care coverage. Rising medical costs, plus an increased demand for medical care, have contributed to growth within the health insurance industry, and it’s become increasingly complex with the introduction of new plan designs and government reforms.

17th annual Drug Store Project seeks volunteers and donations

Can one event make a difference? We believe it does, one life at a time.

Birth Announcement: First Baby of the Year 2020

SOUTH LAKE TAHOE, Calif. - It took almost a full week of the new year to welcome in the first baby born at Barton Memorial Hospital. Everett James Haen came into the world at 9:30 a.m. on Tuesday, January 7.

Everett was born at the hospital's Family Birthing Center to Robert Haen and Shaina Willen, MD. He weighed six pounds 15 ounces and measured 19.5 inches long.

Long time locals are the parents of first baby born in 2020 in South Lake Tahoe

SOUTH LAKE TAHOE, Calif. - It took almost a full week of the new year to welcome in the first baby born at Barton Memorial Hospital. Everett James Haen came into the world at 9:30 a.m. on Tuesday, January 7.

Everett was born at the hospital's Family Birthing Center to Robert Haen and Shaina Willen, MD. He weighed six pounds 15 ounces and measured 19.5 inches long.

Diversity and Culture in Trauma Informed Care

Event Date: 
January 14, 2020 - 6:00pm

The next evening of the Community Lecture Series hosted by the Foster and Kinship Care Education Program at LTCC will focus on trauma. Learn about different types of trauma and how trauma impacts individuals and entire groups. Participants will exam various case studies and conduct activities to increase self-awareness and unpack 'isms in order to increase cultural competence from a trauma-informed care perspective.

The lecture will be in room A-206 at Lake Tahoe Community College from 6:00 p.m. to 8:00 p.m.

Sheriff: Suspect found in Incline Village confesses to murder, dad's body found

A four-hour interview of homicide suspect Sean Purdy in Reno Friday night has led to the discovery of the body of his father, 52-year-old Lance Purdy of Pine Grove, Calif.

Letter: 2020 goal to provide a safe place for South Lake Tahoe youth, teens and families

2018 – 2019 was a year of endings and new beginnings. Tahoe Youth & Family Services faced a lot of change. As we all know, change is hard but change can also be exciting. Both our staff and board are embracing the New Year with excitement and renewed energy.

The following are new programs that will be happening:
o Homeless program for youth 18 – 24 years in South Lake Tahoe, SLT
o Expanded SLT Host home program for youth under 18 including those youth who are involved with child welfare services, juvenile probation, and the McKinney Vento program.

Letter: County needs to protect residents from impacts of SnowGlobe

Again, my family and I have been subjected to the invasive noise pollution inside our home from yet another SnowGlobe event. I live in the county near Sierra House School. I purchased this home to live in a quiet and peaceful alpine environment. Now, my home is 1.18 miles or 6,225 feet from a large and loud musical venue that violates noise regulations, creates pollution, and drains governmental resources in my community. All the while, I am paying tax dollars for services not rendered. It is very disappointing, to say the least!

Amador County murder suspect arrested after 12-hour search in Incline Village

1:15 p.m. UPDATE: Sean Purdy has been arrested. WCSO deputies just arrested Amador County fugitive Sean Purdy. Washoe County Sheriff Balaam expressed his deep appreciation to all the deputies and investigators from multiple agencies who have tenaciously worked for the safety of the community during the past 12 hours. He was arrested in the Memorial Point area just north of Sand Harbor near Incline Village. Details of the arrest are coming.

Kudos: Bread & Broth thanks the Dauscher Family

On December 23, Andy and Ellen Dauscher, and their daughters Ali and Carleigh, shared the blessings of the holiday season with the dinner guests attending Bread & Broth’s Monday Meal dinner. Thanks to their Adopt A Day of Nourishment (AAD) sponsorship, the Dauscher Family funded B&B’s meal, and as a family, volunteered at the dinner to spread the holiday spirit and share the blessing of a holiday meal.

“What a wonderful way to start Christmas week,” shared Ellen. “We love helping our community members who are hungry. Thank you, Bread & Broth for letting us join you.”

Raul Guzman Hernandez

Con mucha tristeza comunicamos el fallecimiento de nuestro querido padre
Raul Guzman Hernandez

Murio el 26 de Diciembre del 2019 en Barton Memorial Hospital. Nació en la Ciudad de México, hijo de Juan Guzman Martinez y Dolores Hernandez Ayala. Es recordado por su amada esposa Antonia; sus hijas Yahaira, Esmeralda, Ana, y Dolores; sus nietos Juan Carlos, Felix Raul, Glen James, Finn Antonio; sus yernos Juan Carlos, Ryan, y Glen.

Fue un hombre de aventura y de amor por su familia. Un hombre compasivo y generoso que va a ser recordado y extrañado por muchos.

Meyers man severely beaten in Christmas Eve attack

MEYERS, Calif. - A Christmas Valley man was attacked in his driveway by an unknown person late Christmas Eve as he sat in his car.

At 11:00 p.m., deputies from the El Dorado County Sheriff's Office (EDSO) responded to the home in the area of Saint Nick Way. They found the victim with serious injuries and he was transported to Barton Hospital, and later transferred to Renown Medical Center in Reno via medical helicopter.

EDSO reports the suspect has been described as a white adult man, 6 feet tall weighing about 200 pounds, with grey hair and a grey beard.

Dozens of new California laws go into effect in 2020

New laws will be going into effect in California in the new year, putting into place California legislature action during 2019. There are many changes including road safety and distracted driving penalties, roadkill rules, minimum wage, independent workers and rent caps.

Except where noted, these laws are effective January 1, 2020:

Traffic Safety

The California Highway Patrol (CHP) is highlighting several new laws passed this year:

Column: Meet the experts on your care team in South Lake Tahoe

According to the Association of American Medical Colleges, there is currently a shortage of physicians in the United States – a shortfall that can be as high as 104,000 doctors by 2030. This issue, as well as an aging population, is changing health care and the need to increase providers to meet the demand of patients and expand access.

Barton is committed to providing our community with the care they need when they need it. We are expanding access to care by adding new experts throughout our healthcare system to work alongside Barton doctors.

Go Fund Me fundraiser set up for daughter of Mark “Coach Hammer” Brown

A Go Fund Me fundraising page has been set up by a friend of Mark “Coach Hammer” Brown who passed away at the age of 55 in South Lake Tahoe on December 18.

"He was a fabulous guy with a rock-star charisma," says the description on the page. "Mark was A dedicated father to his daughter Taylor and an active volunteer in the South Tahoe community. His sudden passing on December 18 has left his family and friends in shock."

Merry Christmas and Happy Hanukkah

Dear Readers:

Thank you very much for being a reader of South Tahoe Now. This has been a whirlwind of a year, and ending with another whirlwind of activity as we all prepare to celebrate the holidays with our family, friends, and loved ones. It seems like just yesterday that we finished our Thanksgiving turkeys and started thinking about shopping for gifts.

Law enforcement spends the day reading with kids and giving away gifts in South Lake Tahoe

SOUTH LAKE TAHOE, Calif. - Deputies from the El Dorado County Sheriff's Office (EDSO) and officers from the South Lake Tahoe Police Department (SLTPD) joined forces this holiday to help spread cheer and gifts to children in the community.

On Saturday, December 21, the deputies and officers collaborated to provide a book reading, meet and greet with Santa and gift-giving to the children of South Lake Tahoe. The kids thought they were coming for the popular SLTPD Books & Badges and were treated to a BIG surprise.

Barton Gala raises $90K for Family Birthing Center in South Lake Tahoe

SOUTH LAKE TAHOE, Calif. – More than 250 community members gathered for the 29th annual Barton Gala at Harrah's Tahoe on December 7. Their pledges and donations during the evening hit a record-breaking $90,000 to support community health in the Lake Tahoe area.

This year’s Gala beneficiary was the Family Birthing Center at Barton Memorial Hospital, with proceeds from the black tie soiree funding medical equipment and training to keep at-risk newborns close to their families in those precious first moments together.

Closed session meeting to discuss hiring interim city manager for South Lake Tahoe

The South Lake Tahoe City Council will be holding a special meeting on Friday, December 27 at 10:30 a.m. to discuss the hiring of an interim city manager.

Current City Manager Frank Rush gave his notice to the Council on November 26 after accepting a position in Big Bear Lake, Calif. His last day with the City will be on January 24, 2020.

Changes in layout planned to mitigate sound for 9th annual SnowGlobe

SOUTH LAKE TAHOE, Calif. - There have been changes over the past eight years with the annual outdoor music festival in South Lake Tahoe, SnowGlobe, and many of them are meant to mitigate sound that affects nearby neighbors.

The festival draws thousands of electronic dance music and festival fans from around the world December 29-31 each year.

Plenty of Christmas Tree permits remain available in Lake Tahoe Basin

SOUTH LAKE TAHOE, Calif. - Plenty of permits to cut down Christmas trees in the Lake Tahoe Basin remain at both sales locations. Due to permits being sold out after just a week in the past, people were only allowed to buy one of the $10 permits per family this year.

The result is plenty of leftovers.

Douglas County Sheriff's Office #NoShaveNovember nets almost $3,700 for suicide prevention

DOUGLAS COUNTY, Nev. - The Douglas County Sheriff's Office (DCSO) recently concluded a month-long fundraiser to raise money for the Suicide Prevention Network (SPN).

#NoShaveNovember raised just over $3,672 for the nonprofit that provides families and individuals with support and education within the community.

Involved with the judging was Trish Hamilton who lost her son Dalton Warswick to suicide in September of this year. Dalton had attended both Whittell and Douglas High Schools.

Angel of Tahoe helps spread holiday joy in South Lake Tahoe for a third year

SOUTH LAKE TAHOE, Calif. – Tahoe Youth & Family Services (TYFS) helped spread cheer this season by hosting a special children’s holiday party on Saturday, December 14 at the Lake Tahoe Community College. This event was a collaboration made possible by the generosity and giving heart of the ‘Angel of Tahoe,’ Mrs. Lisa Maloff. For the third year in a row, Mrs. Maloff made a sizeable donation to Tahoe Youth & Family Services with the request for the agency to help make the holiday season special for local children.

Ronald Gordon Renaldi ~ 1933 - 2019

Ronald Gordon Renaldi, R.Ph., passed away on December 4, 2019 at the age of 86.

Born in Oakland, California on October 26, 1933 to Hazel and Joseph Renaldi. Ron grew up in Oakland, graduating from Saint Elizabeth High School in 1951. He earned a BS from the University of California, Berkeley in 1955.

It's flu season, take precautions to not become a statistic

SOUTH LAKE TAHOE, Calif. - It's that time of the year when people are experiencing coughs, fevers, sore throats, body aches and runny or stuffy noses. It's flu season!

El Dorado County health officials said they saw an earlier start than normal of the flu season this year and now all regions of the country are seeing elevated widespread levels of flu-like illness.

Seasonal influenza activity in the United States has been elevated for five weeks and continues to increase, according to the Center for Disease Control (CDC).

Moose Lodge 9th annual Food Drive fills boxes with holiday dinners

Fifty decorated boxes full of food were delivered Monday to the Family Resource Center (FRC) in South Lake Tahoe. For nine years the South Lake Tahoe Moose Lodge 1632 has supplied the boxes of supplies for Christmas dinner for local families in need, including a ham!

The Moose Lodge bought the hams and other supplies with help from:

Brian and Jackie McKosker
Erin and Mike Matz
Safeway
Scottie's Hardware - Rob
South Y Fireplace - Laray Taylor
McKinney & Associates Realty - Jim McKinney
Paul Chamberlain
Megan Gallagher
Rob C.
Curt & Jerry Emery
Bill Dickert

New Forest Fire Management Officer announced for USFS Lake Tahoe

SOUTH LAKE TAHOE, Calif. - A new forest management officer (FMO) has arrived in Lake Tahoe to assume the duties left vacant by the retiring Steve Burns.

Vail Resorts CEO and his wife donate over $2.8M for emotional wellness programs, including some in Lake Tahoe

SOUTH LAKE TAHOE, Calif. - The Vail Resorts Chief Executive Officer Rob Katz and his wife Elana Amsterdam, New York Times bestselling author and founder of Elana’s Pantry, today announced they were donating more than $2.8M to further strengthen emotional wellness programs in more than ten mountain communities where Vail Resorts operates. This is the second consecutive year their Katz Amsterdam Charitable Trust has distributed behavioral health grants.

Turkey Trot and Gobble Wobble raise almost $4K for Tahoe Coalition for the Homeless

SOUTH LAKE TAHOE, Calif. - This year's Turkey Trot and Gobble Wobble were once again successful, this time raising almost $4,000 for the Tahoe Coalition for the Homeless (TCH).

The City of South Lake Tahoe and TCH were cosponsors of the event and are thanking the community for their support.

“This event just keeps getting better and better and that is thanks in large part to the community support,” said Recreation Superintendent Lauren Thomaselli. “This year's Turkey Trot was one of the best we’ve had and all raised money and donations for some very worthy causes.”

Winners announced at Barton Health's Festival of Trees & Lights

SOUTH LAKE TAHOE, Calif. - The designer holiday-themed trees have filled the room all weekend at the Barton Health Festival and Trees & Lights. There is still one day left for the public to view them as the annual event wraps up on Sunday, December 8.

All of the trees are beautiful and it was a tough decision by a group of community judges to come up with winners of five distinguished categories.

The epic giveaways on KRLT with Ricky, Howie and Lisa - $120,000 and counting

LAKE TAHOE, Calif./Nev. - What do you get when you mix two angels with a comic on morning radio in Lake Tahoe? Daily cash giveaways that can turn an ordinary day into something magical.

It started on November 7, 2018. Ricky Reich, a local man who has become known as "The Angel of Tahoe's Guardian," walked into the studios of KRLT-FM on Kingsbury Grade in Stateline, Nevada. He had been listening to Howie Nave's Morning Rush shown on the station and wanted to pay homage to Lisa Maloff, the Angel of Tahoe.

Syndicate content