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Workout With Law Enforcement Day for Douglas County Special Olympics

DOUGLAS COUNTY, Nev. - The Douglas County Sheriff’s Office (DCSO) hosted a “Workout with Law Enforcement” day at Lampe Park in Gardnerville for Special Olympics Athletes, an event that concluded the ‘DCSO Special Olympics Fitness Challenge’.

Members of the Douglas County Sheriff’s Office worked-out alongside the athletes, cheering each other on, just as they do at the annual Law Enforcement Torch Run event.

Road Beat: 2020 Kia Telluride - The class act of the classes, times two

In an all-new vehicle in what can be considered a new size class for SUVs, Lia’s new Telluride has hit a Grand Slam (Salami, if you are Italian or a Yankee Fan), but not an ordinary Grand Slam, but this one landed on River Avenue or Waveland Avenue if you’re a Cubby. I used those exact words about Kia’s sibling, the Hyundai Palisade. It is flat out one of the two best SUVs I have ever driven with performance, ride, handling, quiet, comfort and economy levels that put it immediately at the top of its class and almost every other class. Telluride is also simply a Class act.

Class of 2020 graduation via ski lift at Sierra-at-Tahoe

SOUTH LAKE TAHOE, Calif. - It was a perfect day, at a perfect location, at a perfect celebration to wrap up what wasn't such a perfect senior year of high school.

On Friday afternoon, one by one, the South Tahoe and Mt. Tallac High School seniors stepped out of their decorated cars amidst cheering from teachers and staff. They sent the students onto the red carpet, down the stairs to more cheering, and dancing, and more red carpet, as they made their way onto a ski lift at Sierra-at-Tahoe.

Two men arrested after South Lake Tahoe high-speed chase

SOUTH LAKE TAHOE, Calif. - Two men were arrested after they led officers from the South Lake Tahoe Police Department (SLTPD) on a high-speed chase through the Tahoe Sierra neighborhood on Monday, June 15, 2020.

At approximately 4:45 p.m., SLTPD attempted to pull over a Chevy at the intersection of Black Bart Avenue and Pioneer Trail. Inside the vehicle were two suspects that had allegedly been seen with a weapon. According to police, the occupants were prohibited from being in possession of a gun.

Dr. James Tarwater says goodbye to Lake Tahoe Unified School District

SOUTH LAKE TAHOE, Calif. - Dr. James Tarwater will be bringing his 54-year career in education to a close this month as he passes the torch to the new Lake Tahoe Unified School District (LTUSD) superintendent June 30.

Join Carson Tahoe Care Center for a Free Webinar on Dementia Care

Event Date: 
June 19, 2020 - 12:00pm

Carson Tahoe Care Center invites the community to join a free webinar on Friday, June 19 from noon to 1 p.m. PST, led by dementia care expert Teepa Snow. The engaging online discussion will focus on understanding the symptoms of dementia and how families can support people living with various forms of the disease.

Clarity of Lake Tahoe decreased 8 feet in 2019 due to several factors

LAKE TAHOE, Calif./Nev. - Scientists and researchers have been watching the clarity of Lake Tahoe for decades, rejoicing when one can see almost 100 feet down into the iconic body of water, sadness when clarity drops to record levels.

The clarity of the lake is an important indicator of the changing conditions of Lake Tahoe.

In 2019, Lake Tahoe's clarity decreased nearly eight feet from the previous year's dramatic 10-foot improvement. The average clarity in 2019 was 62.7 feet, the second-lowest on record. In 2017, the recorded clarity was 60 feet. In 1968, it was 102 feet.

2nd virtual town hall meeting for El Dorado County vacation home rentals at Lake Tahoe

Event Date: 
June 10, 2020 - 4:00pm

EL DORADO COUNTY, Calif. - The second virtual Town Hall meeting focusing on vacation home rentals (VHRs) in the El Dorado County portion of Lake Tahoe will be held on Wednesday, June 10 at 4:00 p.m. on Zoom.

Led by District 5 Supervisor Sue Novasel, she and staff will provide some background on VHRs regulations to date, review options for meeting the Tahoe Regional Planning Agency neighborhood compatibility Performance Review Standards, and review input received from the public, addressing questions and comments received.

Register in advance for the meeting here:

American Century Championship in Lake Tahoe returns in July, but without fans

LAKE TAHOE, Nev, - This year's American Century Championship will return to Edgewood Tahoe for the 31st consecutive year July 8-12, but it will look a lot different than past tournaments due to COVID-19.

Four arrested after five-month long drug investigation in Douglas County

DOUGLAS COUNTY, Nev. - A five-month-long investigation into the alleged methamphetamine distribution activities of a Gardnerville resident led to an early morning execution of a search warrant at the Helman Drive home of Melissa White on Friday, May 29. Arrested were White and three others, John Neese, Mark Gregg, and Lori Wright.

The Douglas County Sheriff's Office (DCSO) says approximately 60 grams of methamphetamine was purchased from White during undercover operations and another 55.3 grams was found in the home Friday. Also located were several tabs of suspected LSD.

State of California travel bans still in place, even as El Dorado County lifts their order

SOUTH LAKE TAHOE, Calif. - On Wednesday, May 27, El Dorado County rescinded its nonessential travel ban into the Lake Tahoe Basin, just as it did when letting the County-specific Stay At Home order expire in April.

The messaging is confusing as local orders are lifted, and state orders are still in place.

The action by the County does not mean that travel into Lake Tahoe Basin is all of a sudden okay though.

Sloan Gordon ~ 8.19.1973 - 5.18.2020

August 19, 1973 - May 18, 2020 - Sloan Michael Gordon signed off on a life lived to its very fullest on May 18, 2020. Though taken far too soon, Sloan managed to live 10 lives in the span of his 47 years, punctuated by adventure, mischief, and quality time with his family and friends.

Cocktails on Brenda's Balcony has become a pandemic social media hit

SOUTH LAKE TAHOE, Calif. - When Brenda Simpkins first posted a picture on Facebook of a glass of chardonnay on her balcony with Mt. Tallac in the background, little did she know she would become a much-needed respite in the middle of the coronavirus pandemic.

She posted that photo on the I Love Lake Tahoe page, gathering hundreds of "likes" and several comments about what her next drink would be. A new fan suggested a Lemon Drop would look nice on the balcony, and so it began.

Road Beat: 2020 Hyundai Ioniq Limited - Still best basic hybrid you can buy

It has been about a year and a half since I last tested a Hyundai Ioniq hybrid, a base model stickering for just $23,210. This time around, my tester was a near top of the line limited. Essentially, they are the same vehicle except for content. But that doesn’t mean that this base unit is a stripper? It isn’t as it comes standard with power windows, mirrors, backup camera, and most everything else one could want.

Remembering STPUD Director Jim Jones

SOUTH LAKE TAHOE, Calif. - On May 7, 2020, South Lake Tahoe lost a steadfast advocate for safe, clean drinking water and reliable wastewater services. James R. Jones, 77, a local engineer and avid sailor, served on South Tahoe Public Utility District’s Board of Directors for 39 years (1977-1989, 1993-2020). During his tenure on the Board, Director Jones focused on building for the future, instead of 'kicking the can down the road.’

Four-week acting online workshop starts in May in South Lake Tahoe

Event Date: 
May 11, 2020 (All day)

SOUTH LAKE TAHOE, Calif. - A four-week on-line acting workshop will be starting on May 11, 2020. Take 2 Performers Studio and Tahoe Production House have teamed up to bring this workshop to youth with a focus on television and film acting.

This is an interactive class where students will develop a solid foundation and acting techniques including improv, auditioning skills for film and television, and on-camera experience with instructors Justine Reyes and Holly Lorge.

Celebrating a birthday COVID-19-style in South Lake Tahoe

SOUTH LAKE TAHOE, Calif. - The line of cars wrapped around the block and down the street in the Al Tahoe neighborhood Friday, all to celebrate a South Lake Tahoe teen's 18th birthday.

With stay-at-home orders in place for both a birthday party and high school graduation, Lisa Calderon had to come up with an idea to make her daughter, Kayla Mason, feel special on her birthday.

Suspect arrested after leading law enforcement on chase in Nevada with stolen car

DOUGLAS COUNTY, Nev. - The driver of a stolen Audi has been arrested after leading law enforcement on a chase from Carson City to Minden along US395.

On May 1, at 11:45 a.m., the Carson City Sheriff’s Office (CCSO) located a red Audi two-door vehicle stolen out of California and attempted to pull it over. The driver failed to stop and led CCSO on a chase into Douglas County.

They requested assistance from the Douglas County Sheriff’s Office (DCSO) who then took over the pursuit.

City Council votes to give $50K to local food sources; Works on business assistance plans

SOUTH LAKE TAHOE, Calif. - The South Lake Tahoe City Council voted Tuesday to give $50,000 to local charities who supply food to locals in need to help them meet the growing demand for food during the pandemic.

Bread & Broth, Bread & Broth 4 Kids, Christmas Cheer, Phoenix Food Pantry, and the Family Resource Center will all be getting a check for $10,000 each from the City to help fill their shelves to meet the need.

Road Beat: Volvo XC40 - Great looks and design, and now less disconnected

Volvo has been on a serious roll with some new product that is off the charts like the new S90, V90, XC90, and XC60 and their sales growth indicates renewed customer enthusiasm. But now we have the new XC40 which was rewarded recently with the European Car of the Year for 2018. So, it was with much anticipation that I awaited the arrival of the new XC40.

FBI warns of possible cyber crimes during coronavirus pandemic

SACRAMENTO, Calif. - The FBI anticipates cyber actors will exploit increased use of virtual environments by government agencies, the private sector, private organizations, and individuals as a result of the COVID-19 pandemic. Computer systems and virtual environments provide essential communication services for telework and education, in addition to conducting regular business. The criminal, or cyber actor, will exploit vulnerabilities in these systems to steal sensitive information, target individuals and businesses performing financial transactions, and engage in extortion.

Douglas County virtual meeting access information

DOUGLAS COUNTY, Nev. - Public meetings have gone to a virtual format to protect the public against health threats posed by the coronavirus and COVID-19. Promoting social distancing and reducing public gatherings have led local governments to create materials and procedures for the public to still participate and to follow the Brown Act.

Douglas County Commissioners will no longer have a physical location designated for their meetings and copies of the agenda will no longer be physically posted.

Meeting materials will be posted on the following websites:

TRPA approves 6,000 seat Tahoe South Event Center

STATELINE, Nev. - The Tahoe Regional Planning Agency (TRPA) board today unanimously approved the Tahoe Douglas Visitor’s Authority Tahoe South Event Center planned for the parking lot area of Montbleu Casino Resort in Stateline. Edgewood Tahoe has donated the 13.3 acres at the corner of Lake Parkway and Highway 50 needed for the center.

City of South Lake Tahoe: Stay home, maintain social distancing, follow CDC guidelines

SOUTH LAKE TAHOE, Calif. - Many resort towns are dealing with results of parents out of work and students out of school due to the coronavirus - increased visitation. Officials are reminding all that shelters in place and advisements to stay home are serious and not a reason to go on vacation, and South Lake Tahoe is no different.

Day-long traffic jam over Echo Summit as vehicles leave Lake Tahoe

SOUTH LAKE TAHOE, Calif. - Sunday has been one big traffic jam for travelers trying to head west over Echo Summit. And as it the normal case, when traffic backs up the mapping apps direct drivers to side residential roads, many of which were unplowed and hard to navigate.

As of 7:30 p.m., traffic is still very heavy in Meyers and the California Highway Patrol (CHP) is currently working on two accidents, one west of Sierra-at-Tahoe Road and the other east of Strawberry.

Solano County man found guilty of murder and robbery by South Lake Tahoe jury

SOUTH LAKE TAHOE, Calif. - A jury of seven men and five women took just 80 minutes on Tuesday to find Dion Jermaine Vacarro guilty of murdering Dennis "Spike" Wright, Jr. in South Lake Tahoe on January 30, 2016.

Investigators say they arrest main source of meth, cocaine and heroin to El Dorado County

EL DORADO COUNTY, Calif. - A two-month-long investigation into narcotics coming in to El Dorado County culminated with the arrests of one man and two women on February 11, 2020.

The El Dorado County Sheriff's Office (EDSO) narcotics team executed a search warrant at a home in Los Banos, California. Their investigation had led them to the home where two people, 28-year-old Julio Chavez and 29-year-old Dennise Castro-Lopez, resided. EDSO says the Los Banos residents were the main source of supply of methamphetamine, cocaine, and heroin to El Dorado County.

DNA proves innocence of man convicted of El Dorado County murder

EL DORADO COUNTY, Calif. - A man who was facing life in prison after being convicted in 2005 for a murder that authorities now know he did not commit, is now heading home a free man. Ricky Leo Davis, now 54, was 20-years-old when a friend of his mother, 54-year-old Jane Hylton, was brutally murdered in their El Dorado Hills home in 1985.

On July 7, 1985, Davis and his 19-year-old live-in girlfriend, Connie Dahl, called law enforcement, saying they were at a party in Cameron Park and returned home to find Hylton murdered.

Surprise during South Lake Tahoe murder trial

SOUTH LAKE TAHOE, Calif. - In a surprise move on Thursday during the murder trial of Dion Jermaine Vacarro in South Lake Tahoe, the man who had previously pleaded guilty in the same case in exchange for a lighter sentence changed his mind.

Fours years after man killed in South Lake Tahoe over pot deal, one trial begins

SOUTH LAKE TAHOE, Calif. - It was a snowy night on January 30, 2016, when Dennis Wright, Jr. brought at least 100 pounds of pot to the Beverly Lodge on Lake Tahoe Boulevard to sell to an interested party. Wright, who was better known as Spike, never made it back to his home in River Pines, Amador County that night. Instead, he was shot and killed at about 7:45 p.m. in the parking lot of the motel.

LTCC President DeFranco chosen for Inaugural Aspen Institute Fellowship Program

SOUTH LAKE TAHOE, Calif. — Lake Tahoe Community College Superintendent/President Jeff DeFranco has been selected for a prestigious honor from The Aspen Institute, an international non-profit organization focused on values-based leadership development in a variety of industries.

South Lake Tahoe Fire Rescue holds annual awards ceremony

SOUTH LAKE TAHOE, Calif. - During Thursday's annual South Lake Tahoe Fire Rescue's annual awards ceremony, seven were honored for their milestones in length of service, three were given special citizen's awards and another four were given the dispatcher, firefighter and meritorious awards.

Award Winners

Engineer Paramedic Mike Taormina was given the Firefighter of the Year award

Melissa Dube was given the Dispatcher of the Year award

Captain Leslie Asbury and Battalion Chief Karl Koeppen were given the Fire Chief Meritorious awards

Ski With a Ranger program starts at Heavenly Mountain Resort

SOUTH LAKE TAHOE, Calif. - The USDA Forest Service Lake Tahoe Basin Management Unit invites the public to Ski with a Ranger at Heavenly Mountain Resort this winter, starting on Friday, Jan. 31, 2020. Tours will begin each Friday at Tamarack Lodge, at the top of the Heavenly Gondola at 1 p.m. The tours last approximately one-hour and continue through March 27, 2020, weather permitting.

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."

Cal Tahoe JPA plans on moving ambulances to new home as fire station reopens

SOUTH LAKE TAHOE, Calif. - The City of South Lake Tahoe let the Cal Tahoe JPA know in 2018 they would need their mid-town fire station back so they could increase fire services to the community. Originally planned for the fall of 2019, the move is now getting closer due to a grant to help with the hiring of new firefighters and outfitting its reopening.

South Tahoe High Climate Crew attends Citizens' Climate Lobby Conference

Members of the Climate Crew, an environmental club at South Tahoe High School, attended the 2020 Citizens Climate Lobby Conference in Oakland last weekend.

Led by Lindsay Richardson, a teacher at STHS and advisor of the Climate Crew, eight seniors from the club took the four-hour drive to Oakland to hear new ideas on how to encourage the community and their peers to be environmentally friendly.

First up was the Citizens’ Climate Lobby (CCL) executive director, Mark Reynolds, with a passionate speech about the late founder and president of Citizens’ Climate Lobby, Marshall Saunders.

The Crossing in South Lake Tahoe sold for $14.8M

SOUTH LAKE TAHOE, Calif. - The Crossing at Tahoe Valley has been sold by the Sutter Capital Group, the Sacramento-based investment company that bought the struggling factory store property at the Y just over five years ago.

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.

Delivery error cause of South Lake Tahoe Safeway gas issues

SOUTH LAKE TAHOE, Calif. - A delivery error at Safeway's South Lake Tahoe gas station led to the premium gasoline situation first highlighted by South Tahoe Now on Thursday.

Any diesel, 89 or 91 octane gasoline purchased at the Safeway on Lake Tahoe Boulevard between 8:00 p.m. on December 30 and 11:00 a.m. on January 2 may be contaminated according to the Safeway corporate offices.

New agreement allows NV Energy to lower rates for Northern Nevada customers

A new agreement is resulting in a $5 million decrease in revenue needs for NV Energy which means Northern Nevada customer electric rates are going down.

The Public Utilities Commission of Nevada (PUCN) approved the agreement between NV Energy, the Regulatory Operations Staff of the PUCN, the Bureau of Consumer Protection and other interested parties that start new lower rates January 1, 2020.

City of South Lake Tahoe newsletter: At Lake Level

SOUTH LAKE TAHOE, Calif. - The December edition of the City of South Lake Tahoe's "At Lake Level" has been released by City Manager Frank Rush. This month Rush covers SnowGlobe, the 56-acre site and a possible new Fire/EMS station for the community.

56-Acre Site

Column: Lake Tahoe West Landscape Restoration Strategy.

As the Fire Chief serving the north and west shores of Lake Tahoe, I am acutely aware and concerned about the potential for catastrophic wildfire here.

AlertTahoe fire camera system detects 57th fire in Lake Tahoe

The AlertTahoe 11-camera system surrounding the Lake Tahoe Basin has been credited for detecting its 57th fire since first being installed in 2013.

As the Kincade Fire in Sonoma and the Easy Fire in Southern California raged, a camera in Lake Tahoe spotted a small fire on the West Shore. Fire crews were able to respond and quickly put it out.

Ceremony to celebrate completion of new SR 89 realignment and bridge project in Tahoe City

Event Date: 
December 16, 2019 - 10:00am

TAHOE CITY, Calif. – A ribbon-cutting ceremony will be held on Monday, December 16 to celebrate the opening of the State Route 89 realignment, including the new Truckee River Bridge in Tahoe City.

Attendee parking will be located at the Tahoe City Transit Center along West Lake Blvd. The public should plan to arrive by 9:45 a.m. to park and walk to the ceremony location, which starts at 10:00 a.m. The bridge will be closed for the event.

After 50 years with USFS, Supervisor Crabtree to retire

PLACERVILLE, Calif. - Eldorado National Forest Supervisor Laurence Crabtree announced that he will retire on January 6, 2020, completing a career that spanned 50 years.

Big rigs not allowed on I80 or US50; Chain controls in place over Lake Tahoe area roads

SOUTH LAKE TAHOE, Calif. - Heavy traffic over Donner Summit on I-80, an incoming snowstorm and slick conditions have led Caltrans officials to not allow any commercial tractor-semitrailer combinations on the highway from Applegate to the state line. They estimate this will be the case until Monday morning.

Many of those big rigs were coming over US-50 and Echo Summit, but no longer. The commercial semis 65-feet and longer are no longer allowed over the summit. It is unknown at this time when they will be allowed.

South Shore casinos hit jackpot in October

Casinos on the South Shore of Lake Tahoe posted big gains in October according to the Nevada Gaming Control Board's monthly recap of the state's casino revenue. Nevada’s non-restricted gaming licensees reported a total “gaming win” of $952,404,403 for the month.

The $19,503,080 South Shore "gaming win" is 14.32 percent above the same month in 2018. As a state, the revenue of $1,021,909,865 is down 3.85 percent. They have posted gains over 2018 in three of the last four months.

The "gaming win" represents the computed income of casinos before business expenses and taxes.

Sierra-at-Tahoe plans to open for the season on Saturday

SOUTH LAKE TAHOE, Calif. - Sierra-at-Tahoe announced today they will begin spinning lifts for the 2019-20 Winter Season this Saturday, November 30, at 8:30 a.m.

After a slow start to November, Mother Nature has turned on the tap, bringing Sierra two feet of snow and counting in the last 48 hours. This, combined with Sierra’s snowmaking efforts, will allow the resort to open for operations. Conditions permitting, Sierra plans to run Easy Rider Express, Rock Garden Chair and two surface lifts, with access to 2 runs and one terrain park.

No planned weekend traffic relief in Meyers this winter

MEYERS, Calif. - Residents attending the El Dorado County Town Hall meeting in Meyers on Thursday didn't hear what they wanted to about the upcoming winter and any plans that could be put in place to alleviate traffic jams in neighborhoods.

As is the case with all meetings concerning traffic in Meyers, there were several audience members with ideas from instituting maximum vehicles allowed in the Lake Tahoe Basin to turn restrictions and road closures during specific hours.

Join Carson Tahoe Expressions Memory Care for a Discussion on Holiday Stress and Alzheimer’s

Event Date: 
November 21, 2019 - 4:00pm

What:
Carson Tahoe Expressions Memory Care invites the community to attend a free discussion on Thursday, November 21 from 4 to 6 p.m., led by internationally recognized memory care expert David Troxel, MPH. The interactive session will offer effective techniques and approaches on how to make the holiday season less challenging for loved ones living with Alzheimer’s and other dementias.

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