motel

Homeless coalition completes purchase of three South Lake Tahoe motels; move-ins begin

SOUTH LAKE TAHOE, Calif. - After Governor Newsom announced the state would be giving the Tahoe Coalition for the Homeless (TCH) almost $10 million, the local nonprofit quickly bought three motels to meet its goal of ending homelessness in South Lake Tahoe. The September announcement of the Project Homekey grant came with an end-of-the-year deadline so California communities would get the ball rolling on sheltering the chronic homeless.

Town of Truckee votes to adopt urgency ordinance for lodging to keep community safe

TRUCKEE, Calif. - Facing an influx of tourists during the Governor's Regional Stay-at-Home order just as South Lake Tahoe has seen, the Town of Truckee Council unanimously passed an urgency ordinance Tuesday night to protect the public's health. Any hotel, motel or vacation home rental in use during the Stay-at-Home order can now face the revoking, suspension or denial of their Tourist Occupancy Certificate.

The Stay-at-Home order states lodging properties are to not be rented to anyone except essential workers in order to help slow the spread of COVID-19.

Tahoe Coalition for the Homeless begins move-ins at purchased motels

SOUTH LAKE TAHOE, Calif. – The Tahoe Coalition for the Homeless (TCH) successfully purchased El Nido Motel using some of the awarded Project Homekey funding. The property will provide much-needed affordable housing and supportive services for the most vulnerable local seniors, people with disabilities, and others at high risk of cold exposure and COVID-19 illness. The first client move-ins began last week, including medically fragile seniors who were living unsheltered in our community for many years.

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.

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?

New date for workshop on future plans for 56-acre project in South Lake Tahoe

Event Date: 
November 10, 2020 - 5:30pm

SOUTH LAKE TAHOE, Calif. - The public is being invited to give input on the 56-Acre Project in the heart of South Lake Tahoe. As the City of South Lake Tahoe and El Dorado County work out the financial arrangement of using county land, plans are underway for how it will look. Through a grant, the California Tahoe Conservancy gave the funds needed to create the master plan for the area.

Workshop on future plans for 56-acre project in South Lake Tahoe

SOUTH LAKE TAHOE, Calif. - There is a new date for the public meeting on the 56-Acre Project in the heart of South Lake Tahoe. As the City of South Lake Tahoe and El Dorado County work out the financial arrangement of using county land, plans are underway for how it will look. Through a grant, the California Tahoe Conservancy gave the funds needed to create the master plan for the area.

One hospitalized and two arrested after South Lake Tahoe assault and robbery

SOUTH LAKE TAHOE, Calif. - Two South Lake Tahoe men have been arrested after allegedly assaulting a man and stealing his firearm.

On October 7, 2020, officers from South Lake Tahoe Police Department (SLTPD) responded to the El Nido Motel on Lake Tahoe Boulevard after someone said they saw a man being assaulted by two other people.

The victim, a 37-year-old local man, was transported to Barton Hospital and later flown to Renown Hospital in Reno as a result of his injuries.

Batten sentenced 26 years to life for his part in South Lake Tahoe murder

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.

South Lake Tahoe among first to receive homeless housing funds

SOUTH LAKE TAHOE, Calif. - The Tahoe Coalition for the Homeless (TCH) will be receiving $9,576,000 to help their goal of ending homelessness in South Lake Tahoe. The community was one of seven California cities and counties to receive the first wave of Project Homekey grants totaling $76.5 million.

Freaker's Ball at MontBleu canceled for 2020

The long-running tradition of the Freaker's Ball is taking a year. The 42nd annual event will be waiting one more year but organizers promise it will be better than ever. Originally scheduled to take place Saturday, October 31, MontBleu found itself, like so many venues, unable to host the annual event due to Covid-19 and social distancing guidelines in effect statewide.

South Lake Tahoe City Council candidates respond to #IRunWithMaud questions

SOUTH LAKE TAHOE, Calif. - There will be two new members of the South Lake Tahoe City Council after the November 3 election. In the coming weeks the pubic will have chances to hear from the candidates both via zoom, in print and possibly in person. Below are eight of the ten candidates responses to questions asked by the local #IRunWithMaud group.

City Council Tuesday: Leash laws, housing project, tourist core and designated free speech area

SOUTH LAKE TAHOE, Calif. - There is a long agenda for the South Lake Tahoe City Council meeting at 9:00 a.m. on Tuesday, August 11. They will be voting on a resolution to create a designated Free-Speech Area at Lakeview Commons for peaceful protests, along with a selection of a new mayor and mayor pro-tem, and discussion of a draft Five Year Capital Improvement Plan.

Motel 6 in South Lake Tahoe closes for 14 days due to guest with COVID-19

SOUTH LAKE TAHOE, Calif. - A recent visitor at the Motel 6 on Lake Tahoe Boulevard in South Lake Tahoe called the motel on Friday, informing them they tested positive for COVID-19 after their Tahoe visit.

The motel is now shut down for 14 days and the employees that came in contact with the guest have self-quarantined for two weeks. Guests who were already checked in when the motel found out will finish up their reservation but no new check-ins will be allowed.

Motel 6 will reopen after their quarantine is over on July 9, after the busy 4th of July holiday weekend.

South Lake Tahoe renter-homeowner matching website launched

SOUTH LAKE TAHOE, Calif. - The Tahoe Home Connection (TaHoCo) is a community-based organization working to generate new rentals in South Lake Tahoe by working with second home owners. They have launched a new website to help local workers easily find housing on the South Shore.

It is estimated that 58 percent of homes in South Lake Tahoe are owned by second homeowners and 78 percent of these sit vacant for much of the year. Many of the second homeowners rent out their homes on both long-term and short-term basis, or leave for their own personal use.

South Lake Tahoe Police HOT team addressing homeless concerns

SOUTH LAKE TAHOE, Calif. - Members of the South Lake Tahoe Police Department (SLTPD) now make up the city's Homeless Outreach Team (HOT), giving them the ability to help change homelessness through relationship building and ongoing collaborative efforts while protecting the whole community.

Tahoe Homeless Coalition housed 148 people this winter; New services now offered

SOUTH LAKE TAHOE, Calif. - The Tahoe Coalition for the Homeless (TCH) had settled into their new winter home on 3rd Street in South Lake Tahoe when the COVID-19 pandemic hit, forcing them to look for a larger space to get more people off the streets.

The City of South Lake Tahoe opened its recreation center to the nonprofit as it was already closed due to the pandemic, allowing TCH to add more beds and services and become a 24/7 facility.

South Lake Tahoe robbery and car theft leads to arrest of two suspects near Fresh Pond

SOUTH LAKE TAHOE, Calif. - Two different crimes in South Lake Tahoe on Wednesday turned out to be related and the alleged suspects were arrested near Fresh Pond, California.

On May 20 at approximately 2:50 p.m., officers from South Lake Tahoe Police Department (SLTPD) responded to the 7-11 at 2620 Lake Tahoe Boulevard after receiving a call of a robbery. Upon arrival, the clerk told officers a man and a woman had walked into the store with black masks on, approached the counter where the female demanded money.

New TAHOE housing program in South Lake Tahoe

SOUTH LAKE TAHOE, Calif. - The Saint Joseph Community Land Trust (SJCLT) has announced a new program that seeks to preserve existing housing stock for permanently affordable, full-time homes for Tahoe Basin employees and residents. It is called the TAHOE (Tahoe Affordable Home Ownership Enabling) program.

TAHOE has been created to do three things:

1. Provide assistance to income-qualified households searching for a home in the Tahoe Basin;
2. Enable SJCLT to purchase available homes to be made available to income-qualified Tahoe Basin employees or full-time residents;

Community spirit surrounds South Lake Tahoe food giveaway

SOUTH LAKE TAHOE, Calif. - For the second time in as many weeks, Overland Meat & Seafood Co. of South Lake Tahoe gave away 1,000 pounds of hamburger to the first 500 people to come by the store.

This time, Overland owners Brian and Kim Cohen had other businesses join in the fun.

Grass Roots gave away $10 gift cards, Heart Rock Herb & Spice Co. gave away spice samples, and Safeway at Bijou added two pallets of fresh fruits and vegetables to the mix.

"This is community effort at its finest," said Brian.

Fundraiser set up for those out of work due to business closures in South Lake Tahoe

SOUTH LAKE TAHOE, Calif. - With a large number of South Lake Tahoe employees currently out of work due to closures mandated by the fight against the coronavirus, a South Lake Tahoe woman has set up a fundraiser to help those financially hurt the most.

Roberta Hainline, housekeeping manager with Vacasa, was concerned after she had to lay off her entire staff of 22.

"I know that all of those people that lost their jobs live paycheck to paycheck. Even though they are eligible for unemployment, the need is immediate," said Hainline, who was also furloughed.

Warm Room expands and relocates to assist South Lake Tahoe homeless

SOUTH LAKE TAHOE, Calif. - The Tahoe Coalition for the Homeless (TCH) as relocated its Warm Room operations to the South Lake Tahoe Recreation Center in order to provide a 24/7 shelter for the most vulnerable residents until at least April 30.

In addition to their expanded operations they have also made the following changes:

● Set up 8 isolation bays for people experiencing non-COVID-19 symptoms.
● Providing 22 private motel rooms for our vulnerable seniors and those experiencing complex underlying health conditions.

South Lake Tahoe second home owners asked to leave under some circumstances

SOUTH LAKE TAHOE, Calif. - Owners of vacation rentals or second homes located in South Lake Tahoe may not use them as long as the Governor's "Stay at Home" order is in place unless are doing so under allowable circumstances.

City of South Lake Tahoe now has power to fine those violating "Stay at Home" order

SOUTH LAKE TAHOE, Calif. - The City of South Lake Tahoe issued an emergency order Friday morning, one that gives them the power to issue administrative citations to those who violate California Governor Newsom's 'stay at home' order.

“We are taking this crisis seriously and it is important that those who don’t, know there can be consequences to ignoring the Governor’s orders,” said Interim City Manager Brad Kilger, “This is about keeping our community safe, and that’s what this city is going to do.”

Part of Kilger's role for the city is as its director of emergency services.

Is South Lake Tahoe prepared for the coronavirus?

SOUTH LAKE TAHOE, Calif. - Many have asked, what if our community starts getting COVID-19 cases, are we prepared? Many different groups, agencies, and the government have been working diligently and collaboratively on emergency plans to prepare.

Rental of a South Lake Tahoe vacation home or motel could result in fines

SOUTH LAKE TAHOE, Calif. - During their emergency meeting Wednesday, the South Lake Tahoe City Council voted to support the temporary use of the City's recreation center for the homeless population during the coronavirus pandemic and to follow the State of Calfornia's lead not halting commercial evictions at the time.

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.

Special South Lake Tahoe meeting to address emergency housing, evictions and vacation homes

SOUTH LAKE TAHOE, Calif. - The South Lake Tahoe City Council is holding a special meeting on Wednesday, March 25 to discuss three topics related to community needs surrounding the current coronavirus pandemic.

The meeting starts at 1:00 p.m. and remote attendance instructions are available below.

Tahoe Homeless Coalition adjusts to COVID-19: Operations now 24 hours/day

SOUTH LAKE TAHOE, Calif. - Due to the rapidly changing health crisis brought by coronavirus and COVID-10, the Tahoe Coalition for the Homeless (TCH) has a new
coordinated COVID-19 response and will be open 24-hours-a-day through April.

In preparation for increased utilization and operational capacity surging expected for the next several months, TCH has made the changes to their sheltering and support service programs. They have seen a 30 percent increase in nightly shelter requests and anticipate that number will increase significantly over the coming weeks.

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.

Vehicle reported stolen in Placerville leads to arrests made in South Lake Tahoe

SOUTH LAKE TAHOE, Calif. - On Thursday, February 20, an officer from the South Lake Tahoe Police Department (SLTPD) on routine patrol located a vehicle that was believed to be part of a crime in the Placerville area.

At 8:00 a.m. two days prior, the El Dorado County Sheriff's Office (EDSO) responded to a call near Placerville about an alleged carjacking. The victim knew the suspects and had been riding in the vehicle with them at the time of the incident. They had just driven from South Lake Tahoe to the Placerville area where the crime occurred, EDSO said.

New hotel coming to South Lake Tahoe

SOUTH LAKE TAHOE, Calif. - The old Super 8 motel on Lake Tahoe Boulevard and adjacent Lotus Pho restaurant in South Lake Tahoe are currently closed as pre-construction activities have begun on a four-story 120-unit Hampton Inn and Suites.

The asbestos abatement has been completed as have the pre-demolition permits and the current two-story building is set for demolition soon. Once that happens, crews will be waiting for the May 1 grading date to get started on what is promised to be a "facelift to the area."

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.

Illegal tow practices being investigated by South Lake Tahoe police

SOUTH LAKE TAHOE, Calif. - The South Lake Tahoe Police Department (SLTPD) and the El Dorado County District Attorney Vern Pierson are investigating possible illegal and improper predatory towing practices.

SLTPD has received several informal complaints from the public about the possible illegal tow practices that involve cars removed from private parking areas near the Heavenly Village in South Lake Tahoe.

The complains involve a tow company improperly holding stored vehicles longer than necessary, thus adding extra storage fees to the vehicle's owner.

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.

New agreement in the works for 56-acre South Lake Tahoe downtown project

SOUTH LAKE TAHOE, Calif. - The long-discussed 56-acre parcel in the middle of South Lake Tahoe is finally seeing movement again, and both the South Lake Tahoe City Council and El Dorado County Board of Supervisors (BOS) supporting further conversation. A formal agreement between the two is expected later in 2020 with another one-two years of public meetings, consultant review, and planning before plans are implemented. The California Tahoe Conservancy is funding the cost of the consultant, just as they did 30 years ago.

Great Sierra River Cleanup

Event Date: 
September 21, 2019 (All day)

Join Clean Tahoe on Saturday, September 21st from 9:00 am to 12:00 pm at Cove East for a cleanup along the Truckee River, followed by a beach picnic. Volunteers can meet at the Cove East trail (to the right of the entrance to the Keys Marina)and pick up trash on foot, or launch your kayaks behind Motel 6 and pick up litter on the river banks from the water. Our field crew will escort the kayaks down the river. Sign up at www.clean-tahoe.org/great-sierra-river-cleanup

Opinion: Walking a tightrope between affordable and unsafe housing

Last week, a local motel owner told guests there would be no housekeeping because they didn’t have enough staff due to the local housing shortage. However, the issue is fast becoming not only one of supply, but also one of quality. Many homes that fit the "local's" price range are older buildings - built in the 1970s or earlier. Just like our roads, some of these older buildings are in a state of disrepair and as we know with our roads, patchwork repairs only last so long.

Letter: New recreation center for South Lake Tahoe making progress

The City of South Lake Tahoe voters, with the strong support of various areas of our community, overwhelmingly approved Measure P for Recreation, a two percent Transient Occupancy Tax increase to fund a new Recreation Center in 2016. Outreach meetings, design options and thorough feedback were given to and received by the community prior to the 2016 election with the outcome being a facility that will allow for locals, visitors and tournaments to enjoy and capitalize on the Center including:

South Lake Tahoe native returns home and is new owner of Boat Docks Inc

SOUTH LAKE TAHOE, Calif. - Spending his workday outdoors and on the water in Lake Tahoe wasn't hard for Tanner Hart to imagine, and since buying Boat Docks Inc from life-long local Doug Gayner in January its something he gets to enjoy every day.

Gainer started the company over 40 years ago, specializing in boat docks in the Tahoe Keys. Now Hart has hit the waterways with the new Boat Docks Barge, something he designed, engineered and built with the help and support of Dan Benson.

Father John Grace ~ September 18, 1920 - May 4, 2019

Father John Grace, former pastor of Saint Theresa Catholic Church in South Lake Tahoe, passed away on May 4, 2019, at the age of 98. Father Grace had injured himself in a fall while on a walk near his Al Tahoe residence a few days before his death.

He was born September 18, 1920, to John and Cecilia Grace in the small coal-mining village of The Commons, County Tipperary, Ireland. He was predeceased by his parents and two sisters, Catherine (“Rena”) and Maureen. At the time of his death, Father Grace was the oldest priest in the Diocese of Sacramento.

New camping ordinance approved by South Lake Tahoe City Council

SOUTH LAKE TAHOE, Calif. - On the heels of a Ninth Circuit Court of Appeals’ recent decision that stated cities cannot criminalize sleeping on public property where there is no alternative shelter space available, the City Council Tuesday updated South Lake Tahoe's camping code.

Prior to Tuesday, the City Code prohibited camping on all public property, except in areas specifically designated for camping, but that was not enforceable since there is no permanent shelter in South Lake Tahoe at this time, just seasonal.

SLT City Council meeting to include construction allocations, camping regulations

SOUTH LAKE TAHOE, Calif. - Tuesday's evening meeting of the South Lake Tahoe City Council will have a full agenda that includes replacement of aging snow removal equipment, a Lime License Agreement, and temporary suspension of the City's Residential Allocation Procedures.

South Lake Tahoe trio arrested after alleged kidnapping, domestic violence and drug case

SOUTH LAKE TAHOE, Calif. - Three people have been arrested in connection with a domestic violence case out of South Lake Tahoe and a kidnapping case out of Stateline, Nevada that began on Saturday, March 9 in the city limits.

On that date, the South Lake Tahoe Police Department (SLTPD) got a report of a domestic violence incident that happened at a motel on the California side of the state line. When officers arrived, they found the 24-year-old victim cleaning

Lake Tahoe Community College celebrates their first leader's 90th birthday

SOUTH LAKE TAHOE, Calif. - Lake Tahoe Community College held a 90th birthday celebration this week for their first president, Dr. James Duke.

Dozens of past and current leaders, staff, students and community members enjoyed the party for Dr. Duke who started with the college on September, 1974 when a key to a post office box was all there was.

South Lake Tahoe woman's cross country run/walk nears completion

The journey started as South Lake Tahoe resident Ari Ramos touched the Atlantic Ocean and left Jacksonville, Florida on January 28, 2016, , and if all goes well it will end this February when she touches the Pacific Ocean at the Santa Monica Pier.

Letter: SnowGlobe needs another home

Snowglobe 2018 is now in the books. There have been some successes as well as some difficulties. This year saw the introduction of professional sound engineers to help reduce the sound and new field protection to prevent further damage to our new play fields. The sound is reported to have been improved for many though the people who live nearest this event in Pioneer Village, along the Bijou Meadow, around Johnson Lane and in Sierra Tract continue to be bombarded by three days of sound.

Fire at South Lake Tahoe home under investigation

UPDATE at 9:00 a.m. 1/12/19: One man has been arrested in connection with this fire. To see more: http://southtahoenow.com/story/01/12/2019/one-arrested-south-lake-tahoe-honey-oil-explosion

* * *
UPDATE at 8:45 p.m. 1/11/19: The South Lake Tahoe Fire Rescue is still on the scene of an earlier fire on Kyburz Avenue. The cause of the fire is under investigation by both the fire and police departments.

New Detective Sgt. Travis Cabral said he did not expect any further updates tonight.

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Nancy Kerry named the new town manager for Frisco, Colorado

SOUTH LAKE TAHOE, Calif. - Former City Manager Nancy Kerry has been hired as the new town manager for Frisco, Colorado, a mountain hamlet that is an international skier destination due to its proximity to four resorts - Copper Mountain, Breckenridge, Keystone, and Arapahoe Basin.

Lawsuit filed against City of South Lake Tahoe to stop enforcement of Measure T

SOUTH LAKE TAHOE, Calif. - It has been just two weeks since the final count of the November 2018 election was certified in El Dorado County and there is already a lawsuit surrounding the outcome of Measure T.

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