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Community rallies around Reno family who lost home in Pinehaven Fire

Tuesday's Pinehaven Fire in the Caughlin Ranch area of Reno burned quickly inside a 1,200 acre perimeter, taking with it five structures and damaging another 15. One of the homes lost belonged to the O'Brien family who lost their second home in 19 months.

The family of four, soon to be five, had recently moved back in after losing it the first time to an electrical fire when it was under construction. Mom Marie "Mimi" O'Brien is 37 weeks pregnant, expecting their third son in just three weeks.

Non-essential services offered by City of South Lake Tahoe moved remotely

SOUTH LAKE TAHOE, Calif. - The state has moved El Dorado County, and subsequently, South Lake Tahoe moved into the purple tier at noon on Tuesday. With the new restrictions on businesses, non-essential City of South Lake Tahoe offices will be closed. City employees working in non-essential offices will be available either by e-mail or telephone to the public.

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.

El Dorado County to vote on changes to VHR ordinance including 1,050 cap of Lake Tahoe permits

EL DORADO COUNTY, Calif. - The Board of Supervisors will consider changes to the El Dorado County Vacation Home Rental Ordinance at its November 17 meeting. The 2:00 p.m. time certain public hearing will contain consideration of a cap of 1,050 total permits issued in the unincorporated portion of the Tahoe Basin.

A waiting list would be created for those wanting a VHR permit after the 1,050 number is met. The waiting list request shall become void upon change in ownership.

El Dorado County Sheriff's Report

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/11/08/2020/el-dorado-county-sheriffs-report

This Week's Log:

11/8

Quarantine in South Lake Tahoe leads to poem brought to life in new children's book

SOUTH LAKE TAHOE, Calif. - In search of something positive to do while staying at home during the pandemic, South Lake Tahoe parent Gantt Miller and his daughter Mackenzie started brainstorming. They couldn't sew, so making masks were out of the question. What could they do?

They could tell a story.

The nine-year-old Mackenzie and her dad, who wrote the book under a pen name, M.C. Behm, started to explore what messages they could convey between the front and back covers.

Retired SLTPD K9 Tara dies after being honored with ceremony

SOUTH LAKE TAHOE, Calif. - It was a special ceremony November 6, 2020, one that honored the police service of K9 Tara as she left her home for the last time. After surviving cancer surgery that resulted in the loss of one leg two years ago, K9 Tara was put to sleep after being hit by the disease once again.

California, Oregon & Washington issue travel advisories

With a rising number of COVID-19 cases across the nation, The three West Coast state have issued travel advisories recommending 14-day quarantines for inter-state and international travel. California, Oregon and Washington are also asking residents to stay local to slow the spread of the virus.

Beautiful Mess: New vintage and thrift store opens in South Lake Tahoe

SOUTH LAKE TAHOE, Calif. - The middle of a pandemic is never an ideal time to open a new business, but the new Beautiful Mess vintage shop and thrift store has been a popular shopping stop for locals and visitors since opening September 3.

"If I can get through this, I can get through anything," said Beautiful Mess proprietor Jessica Marks of the pandemic.

Radio drama makes a comeback with KNVC's Secrets of Harridge House

In the days before television, the internet, cell phones and video games, families would gather around the radio each evening and listen to Sorry Wrong Number, Moon Over Morocco, Dragnet, The Adventures of the Thin Man, The Shadow, Flash Gordon, and War of the Worlds.

With no visual component, radio drama depended on dialogue, music and sound effects to help the listener imagine the characters and the story. Each episode would leave listeners wanting more and the level of anticipation grew as the next airing date grew closer.

Stay at Home 2.0: Governor Sisolak urges Nevadans to stay at home as COVID-19 cases surge

Gov. Steve Sisolak is asking Nevadans to voluntarily stay home for the next two weeks as COVID-19 cases spike statewide, warning that if the data doesn’t improve over that period he will be forced to take more drastic action.

Workshop to help builders create homes to withstand wildfire

Event Date: 
November 18, 2020 - 5:30pm

Building professionals are invited to join a free virtual workshop from 5:30 p.m. to 7:30 p.m. on November 18 to learn how to design, build, and retrofit homes to withstand wildfire.

Transient arrested on charges of homicide after woman found deceased in tent near Home Depot

DOUGLAS COUNTY, Nev. - The Douglas County Sheriff’s Office is investigating a homicide that occurred near the Home Depot store on Jacks Valley Road.

On Friday, November 6 at approximately 7:30 p.m., Douglas County Sheriff's Office (DCSO) dispatch received a 911 call about a dead body in a tent located just east of the Home Depot store.

El Dorado County Sheriff's Report

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/11/01/2020/el-dorado-county-sheriffs-report

11/1

2:37 a.m. - Corporal Injury to Spouse/Cohabitant - Meyers - 25-YEAR-OLD MALE SUSPECT

Pair arrested and facing South Lake Tahoe vehicle theft charges

SOUTH LAKE TAHOE, Calif. - Two people have been arrested by the South Lake Tahoe Police Department (SLTPD) after allegedly stealing a car from a home on Anita Drive.

Guest Column: Supporting your community virtually with the Barton Foundation

This season of giving is more important than ever, as our community faces complex challenges brought on by the pandemic. To help provide additional financial resources in response to the pandemic, the COVID-19 Response Fund is the beneficiary of the Barton Foundation’s 30th Annual Gala, held virtually this year beginning November 30 through December 11, 2020 at BartonHealth.org/Gala.

South Lake Tahoe City Council looks to finalize shared rental ordinance

SOUTH LAKE TAHOE, Calif. - There has been much discussion in the community about the City of South Lake Tahoe's new Shared Rental Ordinance, one that is up for a vote during the November 3 City Council meeting.

A shared rental, also known as a hosted rental, is one where a person rents a portion of their home to a visitor on a short term basis* while they are still living in the home. They are not new in South Lake Tahoe, but the focus has been on creating an ordinance for them as a large number of people started obtaining business licenses for shared rentals in recent months.

Letter: Don't let City allow hosted vacation rentals

The ban on Vacation Home Rentals (VHRs) in South Lake Tahoe is looming and the City is now working on putting holes in it. The first attempt is being presented Tuesday, Nov 3 at the City Council meeting. The City plans to allow 200 “Hosted” short term rentals in our neighborhoods. It will require a tenant or owner to host guests in their ‘homes’ to be available to respond to complaints within 60 minutes of issues being reported. On the surface this seems a reasonable alternative until we consider the realities and how this might actually be used.

El Dorado County Sheriff's Report

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/10/25/2020/el-dorado-county-sheriffs-report

Reports added to that report for 10/24:

South Lake Tahoe businesses can now apply for global "Safe Travels" stamp through LTVA

South Lake Tahoe has earned “Safe Travels stamp and global protocols” recognition as part of a progressive group working to restore confidence in travel from the World Travel & Tourism Council.

Special online auction to benefit Boys & Girls Club of Lake Tahoe

SOUTH LAKE TAHOE, Calif. . – A fun and unique gift and golf-themed fundraising auction in underway to benefit the Boys & Girls Club of Lake Tahoe.

More than 50 items can be bid on including golf caddie spots at Edgewood Tahoe during celebrity golf, a one-week vacation in Hawaii, and golf and hotel packages across the country.

The online auction will accept bids through Saturday, November 21 at 7:00 p.m. TO bid, visit https://m.charityauctionstoday.com/m/auctions/BGCLT2020-15641/items.

$4.8 million in small business grants awarded throughout El Dorado County

The Small Business Retention Workgroup, comprised of the El Dorado Hills Chamber of Commerce, El Dorado County Chamber of Commerce, Lake Tahoe South Shore Chamber of Commerce, El Dorado County Economic Development Department and various other entities formulated in March of this year to provide advocacy and strategies for the small business communities of El Dorado County.  The workgroup has met weekly as the COVID-19 pandemic impacted our communities with awareness that the small businesses of our county are the backbone of our business community, employing neighbors and led by individuals wh

Larry Schaffer - Long time resident dies at the age of 76

Larry Eugene Schaffer passed away on October 28, 2020 after a brief illness. He was 76-years-old.

The son of Harold and Mary Schaffer. Larry grew up in the San Fernando Valley. Larry enlisted in the Marines at age 18 where he was a radio mechanic during the Vietnam War. After the Marines he attended California State University Northridge and received a degree in Sociology. He went on to receive his Master’s degree.

Upon his return from the war Larry married Elizabeth Anne Brewer who preceded him in death after 10 years of marriage. Larry and Beth had one son, Jason Schaffer.

Column: A safer, healthier haunting this season

Seasonal holidays like Halloween will be different this fall to prevent the spread of COVID-19. Finding safe ways to celebrate can create magical memories, and lower the risk of exposure to yourself, your family, and your community. The decisions we make on this one day can have a ripple effect beyond our own families. Halloween during the COVID-19 pandemic is a chance for you and your children to get creative, and maybe even invent some new traditions for your family. It's also a great opportunity to model flexibility and a positive spirit.

Howie’s Top 21 Favorite Halloween Pics

There are those that would say 2020 is hands down the scariest Halloween movie ever and yeah, I wouldn’t argue with that. The script for this year has certainly freaked everybody out. Add to that an election year and the advent of modern day zombies who’ve been quarantined a little too long and you have the ultimate scary flick that appears to have no ending. Are you wearing your mask? Yeah, I’d rather be scared by a movie and not real life if that’s okay?

Celebrating Halloween in South Lake Tahoe - Two Trunk or Treat events and more

SOUTH LAKE TAHOE, Calif. - This Halloween will be like no other due to the pandemic. The annual Treat Street was canceled as was the Freaker's Ball, but there are still ways to enjoy holiday fun in a safe manner in South Lake Tahoe.

El Dorado County Sheriff's Report

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/10/18/2020/el-dorado-county-sheriffs-report

This week's Log:

10/18

7:45 a.m. - Vacation Home Rental - Nottaway Dr - VHR COMPLAINT

Shots fired at Stateline home during large party

DOUGLAS COUNTY, Nev. - Shots were fired at a large party on Upper Kingsbury early Saturday morning according to the Douglas County Sheriff's Office (DCSO).

At this time not much information has been released and the matter is under investigation.

DCSO Undersheriff Ron Elges did say that several shots were fired but there were no injuries and nobody was hit by bullets. He said the home where the party was on Tina Court.

There is no verification that the incident was at a vacation home rental. There have been no arrests at this time, Elges said.

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.

South Lake Tahoe Hosted Rental Ordinance back to staff for revisions

SOUTH LAKE TAHOE, Calif. - City Council made another attempt to create a Hosted Rental Ordinance but they decided at their meeting Tuesday to hand back to staff for some revisions.

After much discussion they decided to have staff clean up rules that could be potential loopholes for homeowners and/or tenants. This is the second time a first reading has been turned down for more fine tuning.

The following changes were added for Council to review October 20:

(1) Increase the required tenancy for a tenant to qualify as a hosted rental applicant from six months to two years;

Domestic violence case leads to suspect allegedly stabbing self

SOUTH LAKE TAHOE, Calif. - Officers and detectives from the South Lake Tahoe Police Department (SLTPD) responded to a home on Herbert Avenue Monday evening after a call was made to the 911 operator about a stabbing.

SLTPD says it is a domestic violence case that ended with the male living at the house allegedly stabbing himself.

Due to the nature of the call not many details have been released, but what police could say is that they have a 62-year-old South Lake Tahoe man in custody after he was transported to Barton Hospital with a stab would.

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.

Lake Tahoe Historical Society provides map to Halloween decorations at South Lake Tahoe homes

SOUTH LAKE TAHOE, Calif. - With a change in the normal Halloween celebrations due to coronavirus, volunteers with the Lake Tahoe Historical Society have created a map to local homes decorated for the season. This is a great way to enjoy the holiday in a socially distanced manner.

LTHS has added the map to their website and will have printed copies at the museum starting October 20.

There are no specific address listed, just a pumpkin placed in the area of a home found to have a display for all to enjoy by walking, biking or driving by.

Al Tahoe Firewise Community volunteers to perform property assessments

SOUTH LAKE TAHOE, Calif. - With the support of South Lake Tahoe Fire Rescue (SLTFR), the Al Tahoe neighborhood has begun the process of becoming a certified Firewise USA ® recognized neighborhood.

As part of the application process, SLTFR and Al Tahoe community volunteers will be walking in the Al Tahoe neighborhood October 27-30 and performing random wildfire risk assessment/evaluations on 20 percent of the 1520 properties from the street.

The volunteers will have bright yellow vests on so they can be easily identified

CASA El Dorado holds first free virtual Gala. - LIVE performance with David Garibaldi

Event Date: 
November 7, 2020 - 6:00pm

Child Advocates of El Dorado is holding its first one-hour virtual Gala on November 7 starting at 6:00 p.m.

The event is free to attend, but it is the local Court Appointed Special Advocates (CASA) annual fundraiser, hosted this year by Eileen Javora Boeger. There will be live entertainment by world-renown performance painter David Garibaldi.

CASA El Dorado benefits the community by serving the abused, neglected and at-risk children in our county’s foster care system. This is accomplished by recruiting, training, and supervising volunteers from the community.

El Dorado County Sheriff's Report

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/10/11/2020/el-dorado-county-sheriffs-report

This Week's Log:

10/11

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.

Four arrested after Butane Hash Oil labs found in South Lake Tahoe home

SOUTH LAKE TAHOE, Calif. - Four men were arrested after narcotics detectives from the El Dorado County Sheriff's Office (EDSO) executed a search warrant at a South Lake Tahoe home on Thursday, October 15.

Upon arrival, four suspects were detained inside the residence:

Leo Bailey, age 39
Benjamin Bailey, age 36
Randall Bailey, age 57
Michael Patterson, age 30

According to EDSO, Patterson attempted to flee from the residence on foot but surrendered to a Sheriff K9.

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.

Letter to the Editor: Choose Unity over Division

We are both running for South Lake Tahoe City Council to move our community past division, negativity, misinformation and finger pointing, and toward common ground solutions on critical issues. We’re all in this together.

El Dorado County and South Lake Tahoe remain in state's orange reopening tier

EL DORADO COUNTY, Calif. - During Tuesday's El Dorado County Board of Supervisors meeting, the county's Public health Officer Dr. Nancy Williams said the region remains in the orange tier of the California reopening plan.

During the meeting, Dr. Williams told the supervisors it is now obvious that California is in the midst of a second wave of coronavirus cases, and El Dorado County is experiencing a second wave as well, but so far the numbers have kept the region in the "orange."

Douglas County Commissioners to possibly vote on new VHR regulations for Lake Tahoe

DOUGLAS COUNTY, Nev. - During their Thursday, October 15 meeting, the Douglas County commissioners will hear a presentation about the work done by an appointed task force about vacation home rentals (VHRs) in Tahoe Township. The agenda item is listed as having possible action by the commissioners.

El Dorado County Sheriff's Report

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/10/06/2020/el-dorado-county-sheriffs-report

This Week's Log:

10/4

Back to School for some in South Lake Tahoe on Monday

SOUTH LAKE TAHOE, Calif. - School in South Lake Tahoe hasn't been held in-person since March due to the coronavirus pandemic. Lake Tahoe Unified School District (LTUSD) will start the process of getting kids back into the classroom on Monday, October 12.

They will make the shift from Phase 1 to Phase 2 and a hybrid schedule with elementary students attending either Monday and Tuesday (Cohort A) or on Thursday and Friday (Cohort B), all days with a four-hour schedule. The rest of the time will be distance learning.

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.

Besides being prepared for fall wildfires, yard cleanup now helps save time next spring

As fall approaches, and we think about spending more time inside, devote just a little more time outside to get your yard cleaned up and prepared for winter.

The Tahoe Fire and Fuels Team (TFFT) is reminding residents to make preparations now to be ready for fall wildfires and to save time and energy next spring.

53 South Lake Tahoe area nonprofits recipients of American Century Championship donation

Local nonprofits in the South Lake Tahoe area were presented with a record $250,000 in donations from the Lake Tahoe Visitors Authority and American Century Championship as a result of money raised during the 2020 celebrity golf tournament at Edgewood Tahoe.

Just as the popular golf event was unique and held without fans due to COVID-19 this year, it was a different type of ceremony handing out the money and the presentation of checks held virtually. Representatives from 53 nonprofits awarded the money were on the Thursday Zoom call.

Restoration nearing completion, public soon able to access old Tahoe Pines campground

The unique and valuable habitat of the Upper Truckee in Meyers has been preserved through another California Tahoe Conservancy project at the site of the old Tahoe Pines Campground. The project opens public access to the river and will feature a picnic table or two, bike racks and informational kiosk.

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