Middle School

Bread & Broth 4 Kids moves weekly food bag program due to storm

SOUTH LAKE TAHOE, Calif. - Students receiving weekly food bags from Bread & Broth 4 Kids will be able to pick them up at normal locations on Friday this week, due to the pending blizzard.

Buses from Lake Tahoe Unified School District normally distribute the bags to students with the breakfasts and lunches on Wednesdays, but with the possibility of a snow day and heavy snow, Bread & Broth moved to Friday for safety concerns.

South Lake Tahoe teachers and staff start to receive vaccines

SOUTH LAKE TAHOE, Calif. - A major step in preparing to open schools back up to in-person classes, teachers and staff from Lake Tahoe Unified School District (LTUSD) are receiving the first of two doses of the COVID-19 vaccine.

The news of the available vaccines came earlier than the District expected. They hope to have all staff members receive the first vaccine within the next two weeks, and the second required injection within the next six weeks.

South Lake Tahoe's new truck quickly becoming valuable fire-fighting tool

SOUTH LAKE TAHOE, Calif. - It has been a long wait. The December, 2020 arrival of a new ladder fire truck for South Lake Tahoe Fire Rescue was a journey that began in 2013 when a Ferrara ladder truck has been ordered to the tune of almost $1,050,000. That truck replaced an aging 1982 truck and was paid for by California sales tax funds that are for public safety. As soon as that truck arrived in 2014 though, it was trouble.

Del Laine, South Lake Tahoe trailblazer, dies at the age of 90

SOUTH LAKE TAHOE, Calif. - A true trailblazer in the forming of the City of South Lake Tahoe has died at the age of 90. Del Laine, passed away from natural causes with her family at her side.

She served on South Lake Tahoe's City Council from 1976-1980, and then again from 1984-1988 and became the City's first female Mayor in 1977. She would go on to serve one more term as Mayor during her time on council.

Bread & Broth 4 Kids adjusts weekly food program for South Lake Tahoe youth

SOUTH LAKE TAHOE, Calif. - In an ever changing pandemic situation, Bread & Broth 4 Kids has adjusted their weekly food bag program for South Lake Tahoe school age youth.

Bags will be on the school buses (schedule below) on Wednesdays when school is in session (no delivery December 23 and 30). When school resumes to in person instruction, this schedule will adjust to fit the need and school schedules.

Douglas County Public Health Officer issues guidance after rise in COVID-19 cases

Douglas County has recently seen an alarming increase in COVID-19 cases in an extremely short period of time. This is part of a regional and statewide trend in rapidly increasing confirmed COVID-19 infections and they are experiencing strain to their healthcare system and first responders.

LTUSD to remain in Phase 2 Hybrid Learning through rest of 2020

SOUTH LAKE TAHOE, Calif. - After Lake Tahoe Unified School District (LTUSD) leadership looked at current COVID-19 data they announced Monday they will not be shifting to the next learning phase and will remain in Phase 2.

In accordance with their Pandemic Educational Plan timeline, LTUSD concluded its assessment of the data and criteria required did not meet what was needed for a possible shift to the next phase. There has been a significant increase of COVID-19 cases over the past four weeks with 15 new cases over the weekend.

LTUSD - Tuesday meeting to discuss leadership restructure, back to school progress, enrollment

SOUTH LAKE TAHOE, Calif. - There will be a meeting of the Lake Tahoe Unified School District (LTUSD) Board of Trustees on Tuesday, October 27 starting with a closed session at 5:00 p.m. The meeting will be help remotely and to watch, visit link: https://us02web.zoom.us/j/88330453346?pwd=RUJhdXgwaGtuMXZXNGVLdm4xRDV4UT09.

Community food availability spots in South Lake Tahoe

SOUTH LAKE TAHOE, Calif. - The local community has several different locations that offer food to those who find themselves needing extra groceries during not only the pandemic, but year-round.

The following is a list of locations at this time. All locations are in South Lake Tahoe unless otherwise noted:

Monday
Bread & Broth at St. Theresa Catholic Church Grace Hall foyer door
1041 Lyons Ave. 4:00- 5:30 p.m. A minimum of 4 bags of groceries (staples, fresh
produce, breads, and dairy (plus meat as available) will be provided. Families will receive additional bags.

COVID-19 case update for Lake Tahoe area counties

SOUTH LAKE TAHOE, Calif. - El Dorado County health officials say another four residents have tested positive for COVID-19 since yesterday. Of those, two are in El Dorado Hills, one in Greater Placerville; one in Cameron Park/Shingle Springs/Rescue, and none in the Lake Tahoe region

Three of them are aged 18-49, and one aged 50-64.

Another 270 people were tested for the coronavirus and 266 negative tests results were received.

There have been another 14 assumed recoveries with 105 assumed active cases.

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.

COVID-19 case update for area counties: Lake Tahoe moves into high/red tier

SOUTH LAKE TAHOE, Calif. - El Dorado County health officials say another two residents have tested positive for COVID-19 since yesterday. Of those, one is in Cameron Park/Shingle Springs/Rescue and one in the Lake Tahoe Region.

The new cases: Both are aged 50-64.

Another 201 people were tested for the coronavirus and 199 negative tests results were received.

There have been another 9 assumed recoveries with 126 assumed active cases.

There is currently one COVID-19 ICU patient at Marshall or Barton hospitals, and two suspected cases in the hospital.

COVID-19 case update for Lake Tahoe area counties

SOUTH LAKE TAHOE, Calif. - El Dorado County health officials say another two residents have tested positive for COVID-19 since yesterday. Of those, one is in El Dorado Hills and one in the Lake Tahoe Region.

The new cases: 1 is aged 18-49, 1 is aged 65 or over.

Another 89 people were tested for the coronavirus and 87 negative tests results were received.

There have been another 15 assumed recoveries with 133 assumed active cases.

There is currently one COVID-19 ICU patient at Marshall or Barton hospitals, and no suspected cases.

COVID-19 case update for Lake Tahoe area counties

SOUTH LAKE TAHOE, Calif. - El Dorado County health officials say another 20 residents have tested positive for COVID-19 since Friday. Of those, two are in Cameron Park/Shingle Springs/Rescue, eight from El Dorado Hills, one in Diamond Springs/El Dorado, and nine in the Lake Tahoe Region.

The new cases: 6 are under the age of 18, 10 aged 18-49, 2 aged 50-64. and 2 are 65 or over.

Another 628 people were tested for the coronavirus and 608 negative tests results were received.

There have been another 28 assumed recoveries with 154 assumed active cases.

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.

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.

South Lake Tahoe resident celebrates her 99th birthday

In the year 1921, New York Yankee Babe Ruth hit his 138th homerun as the team made their first World Series appearance, Coco Chanel introduces "Chanel No. 5". Boeing obtains orders for aircraft and abandons furniture-making, Albert Einstein receives the Nobel Prize in Physics, Woodrow Wilson (until March 4) and Warren G. Harding (from March 4) were president, and technology made advancements towards what would be the first television. Charles Bronson, Nancy Reagan, and John Glenn were born.

COVID Kudos: Safer and Better Biking in Tahoe

There are changes in the air and it's not just the leaves. School is going back, construction season is wrapping up, and Al Tahoe Boulevard is getting a new look.

COVID-19 case update for Lake Tahoe area counties

SOUTH LAKE TAHOE, Calif. - El Dorado County health officials say another nine residents have tested positive for COVID-19 since yesterday. Of those, one is in El Dorado Hills, two in Cameron Park/Shingle Springs/Rescue, one in Diamond Springs/El Dorado, three in the Greater Placerville area, one in South County, and one in the Lake Tahoe Region.

The new cases: 1 aged 18-49, 6 aged 50-64, and 2 aged 65 or older.

Another 182 people were tested for the coronavirus and 173 negative tests results were received.

SLT Council Candidate Cristi Creegan

South Tahoe Now reached out to all nine candidates for South Lake Tahoe City Council and provided the same list of questions to each one of them. Once a day their answers will be published in the order received.

Today's candidate is Cristi Creegan

Profession: Business Owner

How many years in SLT: 23 years

LTUSD shares next phase of South Lake Tahoe school reopening plans

SOUTH LAKE TAHOE, Calif. - The Lake Tahoe Unified School District (LTUSD) will be adopting their previously released Pandemic Educational Plan with some modifications as they move into Phase 2 starting October 12, 2020.

During their special meeting Monday, several parents, teachers and trustees voiced their opinions and concerns representing all sides, from keeping students in Phase 1, moving to Phase 2, as well as skipping to Phase 3.

STMS receives Toshiba grant for its Maker Lab program

SOUTH LAKE TAHOE, Calif. - South Tahoe Middle School (STMS) has received a $2,676 STEM grant from the Toshiba America Foundation. These funds will support the 7th and 8th grade students in the year-long Maker Lab elective.

Lake Tahoe Unified School District revamps food delivery bus schedule

SOUTH LAKE TAHOE, Calif. - The Lake Tahoe Unified School District (LTUSD) Meal Delivery schedule for Phase 1 Distance learning is being changed starting Monday, September 14. At the beginning of the school year there were seven buses and, based on figures from the first two weeks, routes have been adjusted and there are now five buses.

The buses are loaded with breakfasts and lunches and each student can stop by a bus stop or one of the four selected school sited to pick the meals up Monday-Friday (unless a school holiday).

Official groundbreaking of Soroptimist Stadium - Home of Girls' Softball

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.

LTUSD school breakfast and lunch program free through December

SOUTH LAKE TAHOE, Calif. - Lake Tahoe Unified School District (LTUSD) will be able to offer free meals to all students through December due to the U.S. Department of Agriculture extended all Summer Food Service Program (SFSP) and Seamless Summer Option (SSO) waivers. Earlier this week they had issued instructions on how to pay for meals and submit income verification applications for free or reduced price meals, but these are no longer required.

These programs are extended in response to the nationwide COVID-19 pandemic

Bread & Broth 4 Kids moves from summer program to school year bags of food

Now that the Bread & Broth 4 Kids (BB4K) summer program came to an end on August 26, the backpack school program resumes and will once again provide weekend food bags to Lake Tahoe Unified School District children. Bags will be available to qualified families at four school sites (Sierra House, Bijou, Tahoe Valley and South Tahoe Middle School) and school bus stop locations every Friday beginning September 4. As the bus drivers deliver breakfast and lunch to the students, the bags will be handed out.

Lake Tahoe Unified School District informational letter to families

Hello Lake Tahoe Unified School District (LTUSD) friends and families. We’re down to the wire and the District is very excited to welcome you back to another school year! With all of the changes and challenges the year is sure to bring, rest assured that every staff member at LTUSD is wholeheartedly embracing them all, and looking forward to making this year cheerful, engaging, inclusive, and academically rewarding for every single student. Welcome back!

BACK TO SCHOOL

Soroptimist International of South Lake Tahoe awards 19 scholarships

Soroptimist International of South Lake Tahoe (SISLT) awarded scholarships to a group of local students from South Tahoe High, George Whittell High, the Lake Tahoe Basin Fire Academy and Lake Tahoe Community College. The club, serving the community since 1959, has given out over one-million dollars to local graduates over the years.

South Lake Tahoe Library "Drive-Thru Book Sale"

Event Date: 
August 15, 2020 - 10:00am

The Friends of the Library's first ever "Drive-Thru Book Sale" will be held on Saturday, August 15, from 10:00 a.m. to 1:00 p.m. at the South Lake Tahoe Library. Come to the library's parking lot, drive through to the back parking lot and pick up bags of books, $5 a bag, packed with at least eight (but probably more) books of a certain category. A masked worker will deliver the appropriate bag to you or your trunk. Hand sanitizer will be used after each transaction.

Bread & Broth and the Attic team up to provide food and supplies to the South Lake Tahoe community

Barton Health’s Attic Thrift Store is joining Bread & Broth in their efforts to help members of the community struggling during the economic downturn brought about by the Coronavirus pandemic. The Attic Thrift Store is providing free clothing, home goods and toys for all of the clients coming to Bread & Broth’s food giveaways on Mondays, Wednesdays and Fridays at St. Theresa Church Grace Hall, 1041 Lyons Avenue (one block east of the Tahoe Middle School).

Tahoe Bike Challenge riders log over 45,000 miles

LAKE TAHOE, Calif./Nev. - Over 300 locals and visitors took part in the 15th annual Tahoe Bike Challenge, biking 45,442 miles during the month-long event. The Tahoe-basin wide challenge was a friendly competition that annually encourages individuals and teams to track trips and miles completed on their bikes.

“Congratulations to all of the winners and riders,” TRPA Transportation Planner Kira Smith said. “Although this year looked a little bit different, we hope the Challenge inspires people to bike and walk through the rest of the year.”

Local teen named National Youth Ambassador by Tobacco-Free Kids campaign

WASHINGTON, D.C.—Twenty-five California students have been named as National Youth and Young Adult Ambassadors by the Campaign for Tobacco-Free Kids for demonstrating leadership in fighting tobacco use in their communities.

These young leaders were among 133 youth and young adults from 33 states who participated in the Campaign for Tobacco-Free Kids’ Digital Advocacy Symposium, a five-day online training session focused on building advocacy, communications and leadership skills.

South Lake Tahoe home gets struck by lightning

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.

SROs on campus in South Lake Tahoe: More than a police officer

SOUTH LAKE TAHOE, Calif. - School Resource Officers, or SROs, have been a recent topic of conversations in the community with some residents questioning the need for an armed officer on South Lake Tahoe campuses.

The word "resource" gives one an insight into their position - a resource for the students, and not only at school. A resource for the parents. A resource for the school district. A resource for the school.

And the job doesn't end there.

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.

Kudos: South Tahoe Middle School thanks the community for their support

On our last day of school at South Tahoe Middle School, we look back with gratitude to the many individuals and organizations that helped to enrich the lives of our students throughout the 2019-2020 school year. Despite finishing the school year off-campus with remote learning, we were able to envision and execute some wonderful programs and activities including:

● The new STMS robotics team
● AVID college field trips
● High-interest books for classroom libraries
● New books for the school library
● Mountain bikes, parts & tools for PE
● Science magazine subscriptions

Beloved South Lake Tahoe teacher retires

SOUTH LAKE TAHOE, Calif. - For the past 27 years, Frank Kovac has been with the Lake Tahoe Unified School District (LTUSD).

When he landed in South Lake Tahoe Kovac already had spent time teaching at Fairfax High School, Emerson Junior High, James Rutter Middle School, and Paul Revere Middle School, but he found his niche beginning locally at South Tahoe Middle School.

After one year at STMS Kovac took the position as athletics and activities director at South Tahoe High School (STHS), a position he held for five years.

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.

Barton Foundation to give away $100,000 in local grants

SOUTH LAKE TAHOE, Calif. – The Barton Foundation began accepting applications on June 15 from local nonprofit organizations for this year’s $100,000 Community Health Grant program. Area service groups and organizations that share Barton Health’s commitment to improving community health and well-being are encouraged to apply online at bartonhealth.org/foundation.

Applications will be accepted through June 30, 2020.

Winners announced in Clean Tahoe and Jamie Anderson essay contest

SOUTH LAKE TAHOE, Calif. - The Clean Tahoe program recently teamed up with Olympic gold medalist, and South Lake Tahoe native, Jamie Anderson to hold an essay contest for local youth.

Anderson was joined by a local teacher and writer to be the judges and read through all of the 30 entries. They said it was a tough choice but they were able to narrow them down to three winners and five honorable mention awards.

The contest winners:

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.

School board meeting Tuesday to select new member, discuss budget and graduation

Event Date: 
May 26, 2020 - 5:00pm

SOUTH LAKE TAHOE, Calif. - The Lake Tahoe Unified School District will be holding a regularly scheduled board meeting on Tuesday, May 26 at 5:00 p.m., followed by closed session.

The meeting can be viewed on YouTube https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCHZeyuZYC9ZXKyTO2k-sJ5Q, and public comment can be made in three ways (see at the end of the story).

A provisional board member will be selected Tuesday night. Three people have applied to fill the seat left vacant by the resignation of Barbara Bannar. Vying to fill out her term are Chris Proctor, David Wise, and Lauri Kemper.

Work underway on Al Tahoe Safety and Mobility Project in South Lake Tahoe

SOUTH LAKE TAHOE, Calif. - If you've been driving through town lately you've most likely noticed the road work on Al Tahoe Boulevard.

After a restriping/lane change pilot project in 2017 that reconfigured two of the four vehicle travel lanes and added buffered bike lanes on Al Tahoe Blvd., the rest of the project has now begun. The project has been years in the making through the planning, funding, public input, and permitting stages.

Bread & Broth helping to ease hunger in South Lake Tahoe

SOUTH LAKE TAHOE, Calif. - Nine weeks into the COVID-19 crisis, Bread & Broth is still providing food to those in the community who are being impacted by the loss or reduction of income due to the temporary closing of many of our communities’ businesses. Thanks to many generous monetary donors and volunteers, Bread & Broth is providing bags of food through their Monday and Friday food bag giveaway program at Grace Hall and B&B 4 Kids program.

Douglas County school board selects their HR director as next superintendent

DOUGLAS COUNTY, Nev. - The Douglas County School District has hired a new superintendent to replace the retiring Teri White.

In a unanimous decision, the board voted 7-0 to hire Keith Lewis as the next superintendent. Lewis is the District's current Human Resources executive director. He will start to transition into the position immediately and officially take over when White leaves, sometime this summer.

Friday Night Live Month

In California, Friday Night Live is being acknowledged during the whole month of April. Specifically, April 24th is the designated date dedicated to the youth-run groups. During this month, youth that are in the groups are taking charge and getting their community involved.

Sugar pine seedlings to be handed out to students at South Lake Tahoe elementary schools

Event Date: 
April 24, 2020 - 11:00am

SOUTH LAKE TAHOE, Calif. - A team of volunteers will be handing out sugar pine seedlings to students at four South Lake Tahoe school sites on Friday, April 24.

The Sugar Pine Foundation has given a box of seedlings to Bijou Community School, Sierra House Elementary, Tahoe Valley Elementary, and South Tahoe Middle School. The free seedlings will be given out when students pick up their meals between 11:00 a.m. and 1:00 p.m. while supplies last.

At Tahoe Valley, TRex will be on hand to hand out the sugar pines, and at the Middle School, meet Hans the service dog.

Bread & Broth thanks community as need and program expands

SOUTH LAKE TAHOE, Calif. - The commitment of Bread & Broth over the last thirty years has solely focused on the mission to ease hunger in the South Lake Tahoe community. That mission took on new meaning beginning in mid-March with the onset of the COVID-19 outbreak when record numbers of individuals seeking food assistance from the various programs and services provided by B & B.

Tahoe Women's Community Fund selects awardees of $125,000 in grants

SOUTH LAKE TAHOE, Calif. – The Tahoe Women’s Community Fund has announced its 2020 Grant Recipients. This year they received applications for grants from over 50 organizations. Of that group, 11 non-profits on the South Shore of Lake Tahoe have been chosen to receive $125,000 that will be distributed.

Inspiration Grant Recipient:
• Boys & Girls Club of South Lake Tahoe (Building Bright Futures – $40,000)
Focus Grant Recipients in the category of Poverty, Housing, or Basic Needs):
• St. Theresa’s Parish (Bread and Broth 4 Kids: Push for Protein – $15,000)

Tahoe Network of Fire Adapted Communities weekly tip: #3 Talking to kids about wildfire

LAKE TAHOE, Calif./Nev. - The Tahoe Network of Fire Adapted Communities is presenting their third "Tip of the Week," an ongoing series for the public since they are unable to perform their normal community outreach services.

Below are tips, lessons, videos, and hands-on activities for the children in the home.

This Week's Tip: Talking to Kids About Wildfire

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