Middle School

Tahoe Magic serves the community during times of crisis

SOUTH LAKE TAHOE, Calif. - What started out as a charity that shared the magic of the holidays with local children has now become a lifeline of support that immediately provides South Lake Tahoe families with financial assistance when they are in crisis.

The 501c3 non-profit was founded in 1994 and has helped low-income families on a year-round basis with one-time crisis funding, but that role is now growing due to the current COVID-19 health and economic crisis. Tahoe Magic recently launched its new website TahoeMagic to show how those in need can be assisted.

Bread & Broth adjusts services but still feeding the hungry in South Lake Tahoe

SOUTH LAKE TAHOE, Calif. - Due to the COVID-19 emergency, Bread & Broth has made changes to their normal procedures in helping food insecure residents of South Lake Tahoe.

As an all-volunteer organization, they have been proudly serving the community since 1989 and will continue to do so as long as possible through these uncertain times due to the coronavirus COVID-19 health issues.

Starting immediately, the following schedule is in place:

Soroptimist Club of Tahoe Sierra celebrates women in South Lake Tahoe

SOUTH LAKE TAHOE, Calif. - Just as they have for the past 43 years, the Soroptimist International of Tahoe Sierra Club is honoring women and youth in the South Lake Tahoe community. They recently held their annual awards celebration and honored four young women from South Tahoe Middle School and South Tahoe High School as well as four women from the community.

For the GIVE Award, honored were Alexi Haven, Tovah Jordan, Esty Zanetti, and Maiella Riva. The Ruby Award was given to Suzanne Boyer and the Live Your Dream Award was given to Heather Wilson, Olga Zepeda and Kelly Meyer.

LTUSD and Bread & Broth to deliver meals to South Lake Tahoe students

SOUTH LAKE TAHOE, Calif. - With students in the Lake Tahoe Unified School District (LTUSD) not attending school for at least three weeks, District officials have coordinated a plan to get breakfast and lunch to them. These two meals were offered by LTUSD at each school.

Bread & Broth 4 Kids has also created a plan to distribute bags of food to youth on their program.

New Lake Tahoe Unified School District superintendent is Whittell High graduate

SOUTH LAKE TAHOE, Calif. - Dr. Todd Cutler has been announced as the new superintendent for the Lake Tahoe Unified School District (LTUSD). During their closed session meeting Saturday, the Board of Trustees decided to reveal their announcement ahead of the previously announced March 10 date. His contract has now been finalized and he will start work at the end of the school year.

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.

Tahoe Arts Project to hold free public concert

Event Date: 
January 31, 2020 - 7:00pm

SOUTH LAKE TAHOE, Calif. - The Tahoe Arts Project is bringing the musical Williams brothers to the South Shore for a week of concerts for local school children that will cumulate in a free community concert on Friday, January 31 at 7:00 p.m. at Lake Tahoe Community College's Duke Theatre.

17th annual Drug Store Project seeks volunteers and donations

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

Day 1 of SnowGlobe in South Lake Tahoe

SOUTH LAKE TAHOE, Calif. - The 9th annual SnowGlobe Music Festival begins its three-day run in South Lake Tahoe on Sunday. Thousands of festival-goers and electronic music fans are flocking to the area December 29-31 to enjoy not only the music on the Community Playfields but to also hit the slopes and partake in some of the official after parties for the 21+ crowd.

Purchase of one electric bus, four diesel buses on LTUSD agenda Friday

SOUTH LAKE TAHOE, Calif. - Timing seems perfect to have a fleet of electric buses for the Lake Tahoe Unified School District (LTUSD), but trustees have the purchase of just one on their Friday night agenda along with the purchase of four diesel buses.

The Board's annual organizational meeting is set for December 13 at 5:00 p.m. instead of their normal Tuesday meeting. During the meeting, they will elect a new board president and clerk, and elect representatives to El Dorado County School Boards Association and Lake Tahoe Educational Foundation, and assign annual duties for the trustees.

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.

Early Christmas presents for several groups in South Lake Tahoe

SOUTH LAKE TAHOE, Calif. - The El Dorado Community Foundation played Santa Wednesday night, handing out checks for 29 different projects in the South Lake Tahoe area that help both children, education and adults.

Over $50,000 was distributed to the following groups (with funded projects listed):

Community
Kiwanis Community Organization, Inc. - Coats for Kids
Juvenile Service Council of El Dorado County - Life Skills/Job Readiness program
Tahoe Coalition for the Homeless - Coordinated Entry
Choices for Children - The Healthy Bottom Line Program

STMS Maker Lab needs community votes to win national robot contest

SOUTH LAKE TAHOE, Calif. - The Maker Lab at South Tahoe Middle School is a finalist to win ten new Sphero RVR Robots and it will take votes from the community to bring them to the school.

Fifteen schools were selected by SparkFun® Electronics to be finalists in their national contest to assist middle and high school STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering, Math) initiatives and education with the RVR (pronounced "Rover").

EDC school leaders educate Gov. Newsom on PSPS impacts

On Thursday, October 31, Governor Gavin Newsom and State Superintendent of Public Instruction Tony Thurmond visited El Dorado County and Blue Oak Elementary School to learn about the impacts of the recent PG&E Public Safety Power Shutoffs (PSPS). Gov. Newsom and Superintendent Thurmond met with El Dorado County Superintendent of Schools Dr. Ed Manansala, Buckeye Union School District (BUSD) Superintendent Dr. David Roth, and several BUSD officials to hear first-hand about the challenges that school officials encounter when making decisions regarding school closures.

A Veteran’s Musical Tribute - Concert

Event Date: 
November 6, 2019 - 6:30pm

The Lake Tahoe Unified School District Performing Arts Department Presents: A Veteran’s Musical Tribute on Wednesday, November 6 in the South Tahoe Middle School Multi-Purpose room.

The free concert starts at 6:30 p.m.

This concert is a wonderful tribute to the men and women who have served or are currently serving our country in the various branches of the military. The Music Department invites all veterans and their families to attend the concert to honor and thank them for their brave and selfless duty.

Opinion: Sierra Boulevard is at an end; Looking forward to the next beginning

It's been one heck of a summer in terms of driving around town. Between Echo Summit and the Meyers roundabout, the horrible accident at Elks Club, US50 through town and then the construction at Stateline that caused delays back to Zephyr Cove in mid-September. Luckily, the Stateline issue was quickly remedied, the highway at Elks Club seems mostly repaired, and the Meyers roundabout turned out great.

Public invited to hear from motivational speaker Kate Garnes

Event Date: 
October 9, 2019 - 6:00pm

SOUTH LAKE TAHOE, Calif. - Motivational speaker Kate Garnes will be speaking to South Tahoe Middle School students and a special session for parents and other members of the public on Wednesday, October 9, 2019.

Soroptimists of South Lake Tahoe to fund softball field renovations

SOUTH LAKE TAHOE, Calif. - For the past decade, the Soroptimist International of South Lake Tahoe (SISLT) club has been allocating a percentage of annual fundraising efforts to a 'Major Project Fund.'

Members wanted to meet a series of developed criteria and ultimately leave a lasting legacy in South Lake Tahoe with that project and considered needs presented by area non-profits. A winner has been selected and members have just voted to give $325,000 to support the Soroptimist Softball Renovation Project.

Sierra House Elementary opens fully on Tuesday

Crews have cleared out of Sierra House Elementary and it is set to reopen to all grades on Tuesday, October 1.

Families, students, and staff got the good news Monday.

"The kids and staff are thrilled to be back," said Lake Tahoe Unified School District Spokesperson Shannon Chandler. "It's like a second home so I imagine that everyone is relieved and comforted to be back."

Barton ICU nurse wins national award for exceptional care

SOUTH LAKE TAHOE, Calif. – On Wednesday, September 18, Angela Harvey, RN was honored by the DAISY Foundation™ and Barton Health with the international DAISY Award® for Extraordinary Nurses.

Angela, a nurse at Barton Memorial Hospital’s Intensive Care Unit (ICU), is the first person to receive this award at Barton Health. The DAISY Award® recognizes the extraordinary, compassionate care that nurses provide patients and families every day. The award is one initiative of the DAISY Foundation™ to express gratitude to the nursing profession.

Sierra House Elementary planning to reopen completely this week

SOUTH LAKE TAHOE, Calif. - Displaced students from Sierra House Elementary School are expected to be able to return to their home campus this week. Though the exact date is yet unknown, Principal Karin Holmes sent a letter to parents to give them the much-awaited news.

Belfor Construction is finalizing construction in the multi-purpose room while mantenance and custodial staff are wiping down dust, cleaning carpets and bathrooms, and testing will be conducted on water, HVAC and fire systems.

Smell of gas at South Tahoe Middle School leads to evacuation of students

SOUTH LAKE TAHOE, Calif. - A leaking regulator on the gas meter on the South Lake Middle School boiler led to an evacuation of the school Thursday morning.

At 9:34 a.m., South Tahoe Fire Rescue responded along with Southwest Gas to the school on Lake Tahoe Boulevard. The students and staff evacuated in the process.

South Tahoe Fire Rescue Battalion Chief Jay Manning said these regulators go out on a regular basis and get replaced. He said there was a faint smell of gas. Southwest Gas was called and they advised the school to evacuate as a precaution.

200 people, young to old, joined Global Climate Strike in South Lake Tahoe

SOUTH LAKE TAHOE, Calif. - As the Global Climate Strike was taking place around the world will millions of people participating, approximately 200 people in South Lake Tahoe held their own on the shores of Lake Tahoe at Lakeview Commons.

Several speakers addressed the crowd, one bigger than organizers imagined.

"This is a fantastic turnout," said organizer Stephen Wright of South Lake Tahoe. "Kids even left school."

Wright was referring to a group of students who walked from South Tahoe High to Lakeview Commons (a 4-mile trek) to join in.

Lake Valley Fire concerned with repopulation of Sierra House Elementary

SOUTH LAKE TAHOE, Calif. - There continue to be harsh words aimed at Lake Tahoe Unified School District (LTUSD) Superintendent Dr. James Tarwater over his handling of the fire, reconstruction and now repopulation of Sierra House Elementary.

Last minute touches being done as Sierra House Elementary prepares to open Monday

SOUTH LAKE TAHOE, Calif. - Students at Sierra House Elementary School will be walking through the doors of their school for the first time this year, two weeks after the rest of those in the Lake Tahoe Unified School District.

When a fire damaged the school in November 2018, little did anyone know that it would take almost 10 months to reopen.

Barton Foundation awards $50,000 to groups focused on community's health needs

SOUTH LAKE TAHOE, Calif. – Fifteen local health programs offered by nonprofits and agencies in the South Lake Tahoe area have been awarded grants by the Barton Foundation. A total of $50,000 was distributed among the groups to aid in their efforts to address the community’s most pressing health issues.

During the 2018 Barton Community Health Needs Assessment, the top health issues identified in the South Lake Tahoe community were access to care, mental health, and substance abuse.

Backpack giveaway to 80 TRiO ETS students at STMS Kickstart Day

SOUTH LAKE TAHOE, Calif. - Backpacks stuffed with needed supplies will be given away to the first 80 students to turn in a completed application for the first time with TRiO ETS in grades six to eight at South Tahoe Middle School.

This 2nd annual Backpack Giveaway is on Thursday, August 22 during the school's Kickstart day from 8:00 a.m. to 3:00 p.m. During Kickstart, students will also be getting their class schedules, class pictures, photo I.D. and much more.

Sierra House Elementary not opening on the first day of school August 26

SOUTH LAKE TAHOE, Calif. - The first day of school has been pushed out until September 9 for all of the students at Sierra House Elementary School. South Tahoe Now had spoken to the school district on Wednesday and at that time they were still hoping to have the school open by August 26.

Crews working to get Sierra House Elementary open by start of school

SOUTH LAKE TAHOE, Calif. - A fire at Sierra House Elementary School on November 11, 2018, caused extensive damage and forced students to spend the school year at other campuses in South Lake Tahoe - 4th and 5th graders at South Tahoe Middle School and K-3 at the old Al Tahoe campus. With the beginning of school just around the corner, crews have been beefed up and are working overtime to try and get the doors open for all students on August 26.

South Tahoe Middle School holding "Kickstart" day for all students

Event Date: 
August 22, 2019 (All day)

SOUTH LAKE TAHOE, Calif. - With the start of the new school year rapidly approaching, students are not only getting their back to school shopping, but they are also wondering who their teachers will be, what buses to ride, and other important information.

South Tahoe Middle School is holding "Kickstart" on Thursday, August 22. It will be a day dedicated to giving out class schedules, taking school pictures, getting identification cards and tables full of information from the school and community for students and parents.

Small South Lake Tahoe fire spotted from Nevada Beach

SOUTH LAKE TAHOE, Calif. - A person sitting on Nevada Beach Thursday morning saw a stream of smoke coming from the California side of the lake and called the fire department just before 10:00 a.m. The caller thought there was fire along the beach in South Lake Tahoe so a search began for the source. Other calls went into dispatch and the fire turned out to be on a strip of land near Spruce Avenue between Peninsula and Heather Lake Roads.

The fire was put out within five minutes of the arrival of South Lake Tahoe Fire Rescue (SLTFR). An area of 20' x 20' was burned.

Former South Tahoe High Teacher loses cancer battle

Vali Dees, beloved wife and daughter, passed away at her home in South Lake Tahoe this July 7th, 2019 at 6:45 PM. She was attended by her husband, Jeff Davies, and her mother, Helen Valborg, when she finally succumbed to the cancer she had been so determined to overcome. Her death deprives the world and all who knew her of a bright and healing light.

Whittell HIgh School and Zephyr Cove Elementary get new principal

ZEPHYR COVE, Nev. - Both Douglas County schools at Lake Tahoe are going to start off the new school year with a new principal, Shawn Lear.

During Tuesday's school board meeting, Lear's hiring appeared on their consent agenda. It was approved, making him the principal of both Zephyr Cove Elementary School and George Whittell High School in Zephyr Cove.

Special LTUSD meeting to discuss Sierra House Elementary

Event Date: 
July 5, 2019 - 2:00pm

SOUTH LAKE TAHOE, Calif. - A special meeting of the Lake Tahoe Unified School District (LTUSD) Board of Trustees will be held on Friday at 2:00 p.m.to discuss approval of funds needed to get Sierra House Elementary opened by the beginning of the school year.

Since a Labor Day 2018 fire, the school which housed grades K-5 has been closed with students split between South Tahoe Middle School and Al Tahoe Elementary.

There have been concerns in the community the school wouldn't be ready to open in August.

20,000 miles pedaled during Lake Tahoe Bike Challenge

During the first two weeks of June, Tahoe Regional Planning Agency and Lake Tahoe Bicycle Coalition teamed up to lead the 14th annual Tahoe Bike Challenge. 285 people took the challenge and biked 20,420 miles at Lake Tahoe.

The basin-wide challenge is a friendly competition that encourages individuals and teams to track trips and miles on their bikes. Starting June 1 and running through June 14, Tahoe Basin bikers prevented an estimated 6,945 pounds of carbon dioxide from escaping into the atmosphere.

LTUSD Superintendent Dr. Jim Tarwater announces retirement

SOUTH LAKE TAHOE, Calif. - Superintendent Dr. James Tarwater of the Lake Tahoe Unified School District (LTUSD) has announced he'll retire in one year.

Dr. Tarwater has been with LTUSD since 2005.

During their last meeting on June 11, the Board concluded its annual evaluation of Dr. Tarwater's performance. Though details of that evaluation are not available, they extended his contract one extra year until 2022 until they were notified of his notice of retirement.

At their June 25 meeting, the Board is scheduled to accept his retirement.

South Lake Tahoe group collecting items for migrant children in Tijuana

Event Date: 
June 19, 2019 - 5:00pm

A group of locals from South Lake Tahoe are leaving town next weekend with backpacks filled with stuffed animals, toys, books, art supplies and more that will go to migrant children living with their families in shelters in Tijuana.

John Friedrich, his wife Kim and daughter Rosie will be going to Mexico joined by another local, Joanna Lilly, with the collected items. They've had help from the Bijou Community School PTA and South Tahoe Middle School (STMS) Spanish Teacher Krissi Russell.

17 set to retire from Lake Tahoe Unified School District with 465 years of combined service

SOUTH LAKE TAHOE, Calif. - Eleven teachers and six instructional and library assistants are retiring this year from Lake Tahoe Unified School District (LTUSD). Together they have worked in education for 465 years.

Bike Rodeo in South Lake Tahoe

Event Date: 
June 8, 2019 - 7:00pm

The Kiwanis Club of Tahoe Sierra in conjunction with the El Dorado County Sheriff's office, South Lake Tahoe Police Department, Lake Valley Fire Department, South Lake Tahoe Fire Department, Tahoe Regional Planning Agency, California Highway Patrol, Lake Tahoe Bicycle Coalition and Blue Zone Sports will be hosting a bike rodeo at South Tahoe Middle School on Saturday June 8 from 10:00 a.m. to 2:00 p.m.

Kudos: Bread & Broth thanks STMS Club Live

Thanks to the leadership of Club Live’s advisor, Larry Lambdin, South Tahoe Middle School students have the opportunity to experience leadership events, participate in community service projects and enjoy recreational trips all focused on providing safe and high energy alternative activities.

Whittell High School student part of Nevada group at Scripps National Spelling Bee

There are two from the Northern Nevada area who competed in this week's Scripps National Spelling Bee in National Harbor, Maryland.

Morgan Salvador, a 12-year-old 7th grader who attends George Whittell High School in Zephyr Cove was Speller No. 284, while Morgan Bumgardner, Speller 275, is a 13-year-old Dayton Intermediate School student. He is listed as being from Mound House. Both students were, unfortunately, eliminated as they worked their way into the finals.

14th annual Tahoe Bike Challenge June 1-14

It appears Mother Nature will be offering some great biking weather for the hundreds of participants in the 14th annual Tahoe Bike Challenge June 1 - 14. The two-week basin-wide event is a team-based challenge to encourage everyone to ride and experience the benefits and joys of cycling.

The event is co-sponsored by the Tahoe Regional Planning Agency (TRPA) and Lake Tahoe Bicycle Coalition/

Fundraiser to get 40 bikes for Boys and Girls Club Mountain Bike Program

Event Date: 
May 28, 2019 - 6:00pm

SOUTH LAKE TAHOE, Calif. - Join community members help raise money to get South Lake Tahoe kids on bikes this summer.

The Tahoe Fund is partnering with members of the South Lake Tahoe Community to bring 40 new Specialized mountain bikes, helmets and mountain bike coaching to youth at the Lake Tahoe Boys & Girls Club, SOS Outreach, and the South Lake Tahoe Middle School. The bikes will provide kids greater access to trails in Tahoe and the nearby Bijou Bike Park.

South Shore students receive awards from Soroptimist International of Tahoe Sierra

SOUTH LAKE TAHOE, Calif. - The Soroptimist International of Tahoe Sierra (SITS) awarded $12,700 in awards and scholarships on Thursday to students from South Tahoe High, Whittell High, Mt. Tallac High, and South Tahoe Middle School. The students and their families were treated to breakfast as the awards were given to the deserving students.

George Whittell High School Most Improved Eighth Grade Students
Faith Alvarez, James Johnson

South Tahoe Middle School Most Improved Eighth Grade Students
Victoria Capilla, Anthomy Navarro Rodriguiez

City of South Lake Tahoe settles with fire engine manufacturer, gets $1.775M

SOUTH LAKE TAHOE, Calif. - Since its arrival, the 2013 model Ferrara ladder truck the City of South Lake Tahoe Fire Rescue (SLTFR) purchased has been been a "lemon," and now they have reached a settlement with the manufacturer, Ferrara Fire Apparatus of Holden, Louisiana.

In 2014, City of South Lake Tahoe Fire Rescue (SLTFR) took possession of a 2013 model Ferrara ladder truck at the tune of almost $1,050,000. It was purchased to replace the aging ladder truck SLTFR had from 1982 and was paid for with funds from California sales tax money devoted to public safety.

Airport Way renamed "Lisa Maloff Way" in honor of her numerous contributions

SOUTH LAKE TAHOE, Calif. - In honor of Mrs. Lisa Maloff's numerous contributions to our community, today the South Lake Tahoe City Council officially renamed a street after her, and issued a proclamation.

In this proclamation, the City extended to Lisa and Robert "Bob" Maloff their appreciation and gratitude for the numerous donations made to the local community. Her philanthropic donations have forever changed the community and her donations
throughout the medical, education, field sports, and family services will touch generations of Lake Tahoe residents.

Grant applications being accepted for $50,000 in funding to improve community health

The Barton Foundation will be awarding $50,000 in grant funding to improve community health across the South Shore of Lake Tahoe. As part of Barton Health’s commitment to community health and collaboration, these annual grants provides funding for programs and services that positively impact the health of the local community. Applications are now being accepted through May 31, 2019. Grant criteria and the application can be found online at bartonhealth.org/foundation/grants. For more information, contact Tania Pilkinton at 530.543.5614.

Viking Corner: This Week at South Tahoe High

With only two months until summer, South Tahoe High School is getting ready for end-of-year school spirit activities and dances. Students also took the time to prepare for tonight’s Black Light Dance and celebrate Earth Day.

On Campus
This week, students went online to select their schedule for next year.

Black Light Dance is in the student union 7:00 p.m. - 10:00 p.m. tonight. Before the dance, the Black Light Rally is being held in the school’s gym at noon.

Harrah’s Casino hosted a job fair Tuesday for students interested in summer jobs.

Just in time for spring sprucing: The Lake Tahoe Home & Garden Show

The annual Lake Tahoe Home and Garden Show will be held on Friday, April 26, from 4:00 p.m. - 7:30 p.m. and on Saturday, April 27, from 10:00 a.m. - 4:00 p.m. The show will be staged in the South Tahoe Middle School Multi-Purpose Room. Use the Al Tahoe Boulevard entrance between the bus garage and track.

Admission to this show is FREE, and free door prize drawings will be held every twenty minutes with prizes going to show attendees.

This year's vendors:

GOLD Sponsor, USA BATH
Baxter’s Bargains
Bear Busters
BeautiControl
BRH Construction
Chalk Couture
Chicken in a Barrel

Autism awareness event to be held in South Lake Tahoe

Event Date: 
April 30, 2019 - 5:00pm

SOUTH LAKE TAHOE, Calif. - In honor of National Autism Awareness Month there is an event on Tuesday, April 30, 2019 to not only bring awareness of autism to the community with a panel discussion, but to celebrate with a silent auction, games, and food. "An Evening With Autism" will be held in the South Tahoe Middle School Multi-Purpose Room from 5:00 p.m. to 7:00 p.m.

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