Purchase

Two people were arrested in Carson City on Wednesday as the result of a month-long investigation into the drug trafficking of methamphetamine into the city from Reno.

Marell Maurice Johnson, 42, and Desire Lynn Kissel-Hunziker, 25, were arrested at the North Carson Street Taco Bell by the Nevada DPS Tri-Net team after a sale, and purchase, of drugs transpired. The pair allegedly had nearly 1 pound of high quality methamphetamine for sale on them at the time of their arrest.

It has been about 18 months since the Cal Tahoe JPA voted to spend $192,000 on badly needed EKG monitors for the nine ambulances that serve the South Lake Tahoe and Meyers area. As of March 31, not a dime has been spent due to a division between the two fire departments that are part of the JPA.

"I don't want public safety to get in the way of politics," said SLT City Councilman Tom Davis at Thursday's emergency JPA meeting. Davis is one of two Council representatives on the JPA board. The other is Mayor Wendy David.

On Thursday, the California Tahoe Conservancy Board awarded more than $7 million for seven watershed restoration and forest health projects around the lake. Thirteen different applicants submitted 32 grant requests totaling $30 million, but with just $13,950,000 to give out, it was a very competitive process.

The money comes from Proposition 1, the $7.545 billion water bond approved overwhelmingly by California voters in November 2014. It was divided around the state to agencies like the Conservancy for water supply infrastructure projects.

The South Lake Tahoe City Council will look at the new Master Fee schedule during the March 14 meeting, something they do annually. The proposed fees and charges for 2015-16 show no change for users of the recreation center or campground, a $2 to $3 increase in daily golf course fees, a $5 to $15 increase in golf course passes.

For the past few weeks, "celebrities" from South Lake Tahoe have been practicing with their professional partners, all in a quest to win the coveted mirror ball trophy in the Tahoe Arts Project's 4th annual Dancing with the Tahoe Stars

All of the rehearsing, and nursing aches and pains, have come down to this, the final event which will be held at MontBleu Resort on Saturday, March 5 at 6:30 p.m.

South Tahoe Now caught up with a few of the couples in their secret rehearsals as they polished up their dance moves in preparation for the big night.

John Vanek, author of the book, The Essential Abolitionist: What You Need to Know about Human Trafficking & Modern Slavery, will be speaking in South Lake Tahoe on Tuesday, April 26 at 6:00 p.m. at the South Lake Tahoe library.

The Friends of the Library are hosting the free event which will feature Vanek, who is a retired lieutenant of the San Jose Police Human Trafficking Task Force. Vanek will address the most commonly asked questions and topics surrounding human trafficking and the challenges involved in fighting this horrific crime and assisting its victims.

Two South Lake Tahoe businesses lost almost $1,000 each this past week when scammers called them, demanding payment of an electrical bill or their power would be shut off.

In both cases, individuals claiming to represent Liberty Utilities called the businesses and demanded payment. The business owners were directed to purchase a prepaid credit card and then call them back with the card number.

Liberty Utilities representatives will not place calls to customers for payment.

Owens Financial, the owner of the mixed-use development project known as Chateau at the Village, is looking for a buyer, or buyers, for the 11.5 acre area in South Lake Tahoe once known as "The Hole."

The Knights Inn could be purchased by the City of South Lake Tahoe for $6 million should a grant be awarded them by the California Tahoe Conservancy. If that happens, the City would purchase, and then demolish, the motel located on Highway 50 near Ski Run Boulevard to make way for a new environmental and retail project.

There is grant money available through the CTC which the City will apply for. The funds come from the state's Proposition 1 Water Bond which was approved by voters in 2014 to authorize $7.545 billion in general obligation bonds for water projects.

Patagonia's Jumbo Wild Movie Screening
Mar 10, 2016, Doors open at 6:30 pm | Program begins at 7 pm
Beach Retreat & Lodge at Lake Tahoe
3411 Lake Tahoe Blvd, South Lake Tahoe

For decades, First Nations, conservationists, backcountry skiers and snowboarders have fought a proposed large-scale ski resort on pristine land deep in the Purcell Mountains of British Columbia. After 24 years of opposition, what more will it take to keep Jumbo wild for good?

Location

There are proposed amendments to the South Lake Tahoe Vacation Home Rental ordinance, ones that came about because of feedback from VHR permit applicants and those enforcing the ordinance.

The most recent VHR ordinance change took effect on October 1, 2015. Since then, there have been over 300 inspections scheduled, including new homes and renewals.

According to Amanda Nolan, the City's VHR Clerk, many of the properties inspected so far have required owners to make corrections to address inspection requirements.

The October 1, 2015 ordinance called for:

South Tahoe High may soon have a new Strength and Condition Center, and the public can make donations to have their name put on the project.

The Sports Medicine program at the school was developed to help train students to assist injured students, and the new plan at the school is being designed to prevent injuries to the student athlete.

The Animal Coalition of Tahoe (ACT) is holding a fundraiser in South Lake Tahoe on Wednesday, January 27 to raise money for their spay-neuter program and the animal shelter in Meyers.

Pizza for Pups will be held at Blue Dog Pizza (Midtown location on the corner of Lake Tahoe Blvd. and Sierra Blvd). For a $10 donation, participants will enjoy Blue Dog's wonderful pizza with the proceeds going to ACT. The rest of Blue Dog's menu will be available for purchase, also, including salads, beer, and wine. Seatings will be at 6:00 p.m and 7:00 p.m.

Your Mountain Resort Television segment for Saturday, January 16, 2016.

South Tahoe Now and Mountain Resort Television have teamed up to provide readers with video stories about Lake Tahoe along with daily written news. Each day South Tahoe Now will carry their most recent informative stories.

In this story, reporter Austyn Harrington checks in with Mifico Scarves, a new company designing fashionable ski/snowboard scarves for the mountain. Mention this news segment on Saturday 1-16-16 Trunk Show at Simply Tahoe in Northstar Village to recieve $10 off each scarf purchase!

As we welcome in 2016, the City of South Lake Tahoe would like to reflect on the accomplishments of 2015. The following is a summary of accomplishments during 2015.

Strategic Priority: Fiscal Sustainability
The most important issue facing cities and local agencies is continued steadfast attention to the budget, both short term and long term fiscal impacts.
· FY 15/16 budget adopted on time and without use of alternative revenues (3rd consecutive year).
· Adopted 5-year Financial Forecast and 5-Year Capital Investment Plan.

It's been 50 years since the City of South Lake Tahoe was formed, and a commemorative 123 page book was created to chronicle that first half-century.

The book is titled “A Small Town with a Big View” and is available for purchase at City Hall located at 1901 Airport Road. The cost of the book is $25.00 and they accept checks and cash, no credit cards.

The chapters of the book include; A City is Born, Laying the Foundation, Getting Creative, Welcome to South Lake Tahoe, Collaboration is Key, A Vision Realized, and Looking to the Future.

Recent storms have left enough snow for the Nordic Ski Center at Lake Tahoe Community College to open with seven kilometers of groomed and diverse trails around the 164 acre campus.

Cross country and skate skiers can enjoy the breathtaking views and great exercise right in the heard of South Lake Tahoe.

The LTCC CONNECT Community Education program manages the center with a number of affordable passes for the entire season or for single day use.

Undercover narcotics officers were able to purchase 170 grams of Heroin, 50 grams of Methamphetamine, and one handgun during an investigation into drug and gun runners trying to set up shop in Douglas County.

The investigation, which lasted several months, began when the Douglas County Street Enforcement Tea (DCSET) learned that four drug dealers from Stockton, Calif., were attempting to sell drugs and firearms in the area.

The annual Barton Foundation Festival of Trees and Lights opened Wednesday at MontBleu with tree judging and the Senior Stroll.

The winners of the designer and school trees and wreath contests:

Designer Tree Category

Best Interpretation of Theme: No Place Like Home, by Cyndy Brown – Carlton

Most Elegant: Tantalizing Tango, by Belen Urrutia

Most “Out of the Box” (Creative): Steampunk Christmas, by Jeri Oishi & Enchanted Florist team

Best of Show: Tantalizing Tango, by Belen Urrutia

LTUSD Trees:

The annual Valhalla Holiday Faire will be held at the Tallac Historic Site this weekend, inside the Valhalla Grand Hall. This is an annual holiday tradition for many, who head out to the hall to see local artists, craftspeople, Santa Claus, choirs and musical groups.

After the grand opening Friday night, the faire continues on Saturday, November 21 from 10:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. On Sunday, November 22 the hours will be from 10:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m.

Santa Paws is coming to town one day only, this Saturday, November 14.

The Lake Tahoe Humane Society's 29th annual Santa Paws will be held from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. at the Tahoe Production House studios. Pets and family members get to pose with Santa Dog and have their photo taken by professional photographer Jen Schmidt. Bows and antlers for photos will be available.

Your 5 x 7 inch photo will be handed out at the event, no waiting needed. Digital copies are also available.

The fourth Annual Holiday Parade to benefit Christmas Cheer is seeking a sponsor to purchase a new banner. High winds last year destroyed the old banner which is on display at the South Lake Tahoe Visitors Center.

Parade organizer JoAnn Conner and her Golden Bear Events, is looking for donation(s) to help purchase a new one to leave more of the proceeds to Christmas Cheer, a local food closet.

This year's parade will be held on Saturday, December 12th, and begins at 3:00 p.m.

Another edition of the popular history series offered by the Lake Tahoe Historical Society will be held on Tuesday, November 10 at 7 p.m. at Camp Richardson.

David M. Long will present his popular talk on the history of fish hatcheries and sport fishing in Lake Tahoe, along with photos and discussion.

Cost for the evening is free for Lake Tahoe Historical Society members, and $3 for th public. Memberships will be available for purchase at the event.

For more information, visit the society's website at www.laketahoemuseum.org.

With predictions for one of the biggest winters in over a decade, now is the time to buy a Lake Tahoe license plate so you can ski for free in Tahoe. The popular “Plates for Powder” program is back, and once again offers individuals who purchase a new Lake Tahoe license plate in either California or Nevada two free lift tickets to one of 12 Tahoe resorts participating in the program.