injuries

Through the pandemic, legislative sessions in Sacramento were canceled just as they were across the country, not giving the time needed to add new legislation. As a result, in 2020 Governor Gavin Newsom signed the lowest number of laws since 1967, just 372. In comparison, in 2019 there were 870 new laws, 1016 in 2018 and 859 in 2017.

Many of the new laws are centered around COVID-19, addressing systemic racism, employee rights and policing. For a full list, select 2020 here.

SOUTH LAKE TAHOE, Calif. - An early morning fire damaged the second floor of a South Lake Tahoe home on Springwood Avenue Monday.

South Lake Tahoe Fire Rescue received the emergency call just before 5:00 a.m. December 14. Upon arrival they found a home with heavy smoke coming from the second floor. The homeowners were able to get out safely after trying to extinguish the flames.

SOUTH LAKE TAHOE, Calif. - The South Lake Tahoe Police Department (SLTPD) has been awarded a $86,126 grant to combat recognized traffic issues in the city limits including DUI, pedestrian, and motorcycle enforcement.

The safety of everyone traveling is the focus of the grant with efforts to reduce deaths and injuries on South Lake Tahoe roads and to improve traffic analysis, reporting, and data collection.

The one-year grant is for the 2021 federal fiscal year, which runs from Oct. 1, 2020 to Sept. 30, 2021.

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.

A Wellington, Nevada man was flown by a Careflight medical helicopter to Reno after going over a cliff with his motorcycle Saturday night.

At 5:00 p.m., the California Highway Patrol (CHP) says Troy Costa, Sr. was riding his Harley southbound on SR89 about a mile north of the SR4 junction when he failed to negotiate a curve in the roadway. Their report says Costa was ejected from the motorcycle as it went over a cliff adjacent to the East Fork of the Carson River.

He sustained severe injuries and transported by air to Renown Medical Center in Reno.

SOUTH LAKE TAHOE, Calif. - Two male employees of South Tahoe Refuse (STR) were transported to Barton Hospital Thursday after the trash truck they were in turned over.

At 10:36 a.m. October 15, the trash truck was heading south on Pioneer Trail when its driver attempted to make a right-hand turn onto Elks Club Drive. The California Highway Patrol (CHP) said the driver was using excessive speed when he tried to make the tight turn, and the fully loaded truck turned over onto its left side on Elks Club.

SOUTH LAKE TAHOE, Calif. - He was the star running back of Benicia High School before graduating in 2015. He led the Panthers with 901 rushing yards and 15 total touchdowns his senior year and was named their Most Valuable Offensive Player.

Less than one year later he was in South Lake Tahoe with a group of men accused of fatally shooting Dennis "Spike" Wright, Jr. over a drug deal at the Beverly Lodge.

EL DORADO COUNTY, Calif. - The forest closure order for the national forests has been extended and did not expire Monday as some had hoped. Eldorado National Forest Supervisor Jeff Marsolais said fire concerns remain, especially near the Fork Fire.

At this time, the Fork Fire has burned 1,752 acres and remains at a seven percent containment line. At this time, 300 personnel are assigned to the incident.

SOUTH LAKE TAHOE, Calif. - For years the members of Soroptimist International of South Lake Tahoe (SISLT) have planned for a major legacy project for the community. The club has saved a portion of its fundraising proceeds for over a decade while searching for a major project which suits its mission to empower women and youth. The result of that search broke ground Wednesday - the renovation of the softball field at the South Tahoe Middle School. The socially distant ceremony was held with club members and partners in their endeavor.

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

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

SOUTH LAKE TAHOE, Calif. - A 31-year-old woman from Alexandria, Virginia is in a Reno hospital today after suffering severe injuries in a South Lake Tahoe hit-and-run collision.

At approximately 5:45 p.m. Tuesday, August 4, first responders arrived in the 3300 block of Pine Hill Road near Keller Road and found the victim laying in the roadway, suffering from severe injuries.

SOUTH LAKE TAHOE, Calif. - Just after 3:00 p.m. on Thursday, July 16, a strong cell moved over Meyers and South Lake Tahoe bringing warnings of frequent lightning, heavy rain, half dollar sized hail and wind gusts up to 60 mph.

During the system a bolt of lightning struck a home on Inverness Drive in the Tahoe Keys.

Simultaneously, alarms went off at South Tahoe Middle School and in a condo on Ala Wai Blvd.

DOUGLAS COUNTY, Nev. - There is a multi-agency investigation into the cause of the Numbers Fire burning ten miles southeast of Gardnerville. Anyone who happened to be traveling on Highway 395 between Ridgeview and Holbrook Junction on July 6 between 6:30 p.m. and 7:30 p.m. is being asked to help.

If you can assist in the investigation, please email 2020firetips@gmail.com. All information will be kept confidential.

SOUTH LAKE TAHOE, Calif. - Two 14-year-old boys from South Lake Tahoe were arrested on Tuesday on several charges after attacking a man on the beach after a barrage of offensive words yelled at people on the beach.

At 4:25 p.m. on June 16, officers from the South Lake Tahoe Police Department (SLTPD) were called to what is known as the Timber Cove Marina and Beach on a report of an assault.

6/9/20 update: A 23-year-old man from Garden Valley, California has been arrested on multiple charges after being involved in a two-car Collison on US50 near Skyland at Lake Tahoe on June 8.

At approximately 6:05 p.m, troopers from the Nevada Highway Patrol (NHP) responded to a serious injury crash involving a Honda Civic and Toyota Tacoma.

The crash closed both the eastbound and westbound travel lanes of the highway for several hours as emergency crews aided the victims, transported the two drivers to the hospital via helicopter, and cleared the scene.

SOUTH LAKE TAHOE, Calif. - A subcontractor working at the site of a new Verizon cell tower near South Tahoe Public Utility District died Thursday after falling headfirst into a 35-foot by six-foot hole.

SOUTH LAKE TAHOE, Calif. - The following is a list of calls the South Lake Tahoe Police Department responded to April 1 - April 7, 2020. The calls listed COVID can be related to home and business checks due to COVID closures including Vacation Home Rentals and violation of stay-at-home orders. Location Checks are when officers search an area at the listed address.

4/1

Arrests (0)

Calls for Service (44)
Battery: 1000 Block of River Dr
Citizen's Assist: Tanglewood Dr
City Ordinance Other: 2400 Block of Fountain Av
Civil Problem: 900 Block of South Shore Dr

SOUTH LAKE TAHOE, Calif. – Barton Memorial Hospital received news of another ‘A’ grade for patient safety from the Leapfrog Group. Assessment data from 28 quality measurements demonstrated better patient outcomes at the Lake Tahoe hospital; the result of collaborative, team-driven systems in place at Barton Health that protect patients from harm.

SOUTH LAKE TAHOE, Calif. - While determining the exact timing and scope of coronavirus’ peak in the Lake Tahoe region is difficult, Barton Health is working diligently to be prepared to respond accordingly and address the needs of patients in the community. Surge planning is almost complete including more than doubling hospital bed capacity and expanding facilities to accommodate those who may be infected by the virus.

SOUTH LAKE TAHOE, Calif. - A 57-year-old woman from South Lake Tahoe was attacked and robbed Saturday, March 14 around 9:00 p.m. as she was walking home from grocery shopping. The victim was walking toward Tata Lane from Raley's at the Y when attacked in the meadow behind the grocery store and Alpine Liquor.

An unidentified male threw her to the ground and hit the woman, causing serious injuries. She remains hospitalized Tuesday in the Intensive Care Unit.

The man took her groceries and wallet.

SOUTH LAKE TAHOE, Calif. - A 26-year-old man was arrested Thursday night after allegedly leading officers from the South Lake Tahoe Police Department (SLTPD) on a pursuit through the Ski Run neighborhood.

At approximately 10:45 p.m., an SLTPD sergeant noticed the driver of a small motorcycle fail to stop at a stop sign at Spruce Avenue and Ski Run Boulevard. The motorcycle was also without a license plate attached, according to reports.

Two people were seriously injured and another died due to a collision on US50 near Fresh Pond on Thursday, February 6, 2020.

At approximately 6:20 p.m., 89-year-old Jean Macke of Fair Oaks, California was driving her 2014 Ford Escape eastbound on US-50, just west of Fresh Pond, at a speed of approximately 65 MPH. At the same time, Silun Xie, 56, was driving a 2013 Toyota Sienna with his passenger Xumin Yang, 55, westbound on US-50. They are from both from Riverbank, Calif.

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.

SOUTH LAKE TAHOE, Calif. - Eastbound Interstate 80 is currently closed after there were multiple collisions involving semi-trucks near Nyack, Calif. Given the number of trucks involved, it could be several hours until the road reopens to eastbound traffic. Alternate routes are advised for the time being though caution is urged on the major bypass, SR20 due to scheduled tree work and increase in traffic.

According to the CalTrans maintenance superintendent, a full closure of eastbound I-80 is expected for at least 4-6 hours. or between 4:00 p.m. and 6:00 p.m.