recreation

LAKE TAHOE, Calif. - Everyone has seen the pictures, piles of broken plastic sleds left behind in the snow, trash left behind on the beaches and even pet waste disposal bags left along the trails.

Shared on social media, these photos of irresponsible people enjoying the beauty of Lake Tahoe have spread like runny pancake batter. The reason most visit and live around the Lake Tahoe Basin is for the natural beauty everywhere one looks. The majestic peaks and pine-tree filled mountains, the crystal blue water, beaches lining much of the 72-mile circumference of the pristine Lake Tahoe.

SOUTH LAKE TAHOE, Calif. - A we say goodbye to 2019, 2020 is on the horizon with hopes, dreams and a list of wishes for the new year.

Instead of taking a look back at 2019 let's take a look forward to 2020 in South Lake Tahoe. What does this year have in store for us?

SOUTH LAKE TAHOE, Calif. - A new, free mentorship program for at-risk, low income youth has been launched by the Tahoe Climbing Coalition in South Lake Tahoe.

The Climb Up! program is planned to improve the lives of under-served youth by introducing them to the adventure and joy of rock climbing. Climb Up! uses mentorship to teach youth about five core values which can be applied to climbing and can carry over into all aspects of life: Communication, Balance, Trust & Teamwork, Resilience and Confidence.

MEYERS, Calif. - Due to a lack of viable bids from local snow removal contractors there will be no plowing of the multi-use trails on the lake side of El Dorado County this winter.

In July the Bicycle Advisory Committee of the South Lake Tahoe Recreation Facilities JPA awarded $22,000 to El Dorado County for bike trail plowing in the county for winter of 2019/20. When the project went out to bid they only received interest from Alpine Smith, according to Donaldo Palaroan, P.E., senior civil engineer for the County. Their $48,500 bid was more than double of what was budgeted.

SOUTH LAKE TAHOE, Calif. - The California Tahoe Conservancy (CTC) Board has authorized spending $1,036,750 to implement three high-priority projects to reduce fire risk and improve forest health in South Lake Tahoe and on the west shore.

During their meeting on Thursday, the CTC Board approved funding for projects that include:

- Spending up to $211,250 on forest thinning on Conservancy land in the South Lake Tahoe Ski Run and Bijou neighborhoods,

- A grant to the South Tahoe Public Utility District for up to $338,000 for forest thinning on the grounds of its treatment plant, and

SOUTH LAKE TAHOE, Calif. - This year's Turkey Trot and Gobble Wobble were once again successful, this time raising almost $4,000 for the Tahoe Coalition for the Homeless (TCH).

The City of South Lake Tahoe and TCH were cosponsors of the event and are thanking the community for their support.

“This event just keeps getting better and better and that is thanks in large part to the community support,” said Recreation Superintendent Lauren Thomaselli. “This year's Turkey Trot was one of the best we’ve had and all raised money and donations for some very worthy causes.”

SOUTH LAKE TAHOE, Calif. - The Lake Tahoe History Museum has transformed into a scene of Christmases past, and they are opening up to the whole community on Saturday, December 14 for the free annual Holidays in History Open House.

The museum opens its doors at 11:00 a.m. Enjoy book store specials, a decorated historic cabin, docent tours, and their special spiced cider, all until 7:00 p.m.

Then, from 5:00 p.m. to 7:00 p.m., join in all the reindeer fun! The party moves over to the SLT Recreation Center gym for an evening of free family enjoyment.

SOUTH LAKE TAHOE, Calif. - It was Staff Recognition Day at the City Council meeting Tuesday, with employees with 20 years, 10 years, five years and new employees recognized.

20-Year Service:
Darci Prescott, Recreation
Jerry Heath, Public Works
Karl Koeppen, Fire
Shannon Laney, Police
Linda Clark, Police

15-Year Service:
Sallie Ross, Fire
Matthew Morrison, Police

10-Year Service:
Justin Keys, Fire
Jody Benavidez, Fire
Holt Cawelti, Fire
Scott Crivelli, Police

5-Year Service:

SOUTH LAKE TAHOE, Calif. - The California Tahoe Conservancy (CTC) has been awarded a large piece of funding to help its $10.6 million project to restore the 500 acre Upper Truckee River Marsh.

CTC was awarded $2.98M by the California Wildlife Conservation Board (WCB) to help with the project at the marsh, the largest wetland in the Lake Tahoe Basin.

The South Lake Tahoe Fire Rescue holiday engine schedule has been released. They will start their nightly runs at 5:00 p.m. and go until 8 p.m. In the case of a significant emergency or road conditions prohibit safe driving, a route may be postponed.

South Lake Tahoe Fire Rescue Holiday Engine Schedule

Tuesday, Dec 10 – Tahoe Keys/Venice
Wednesday, Dec 11 – Glenwood neighborhoods
Thursday, Dec 12 – Keys Blvd / State streets
Friday, Dec 13 – Barton/Tahoe Island

SOUTH LAKE TAHOE, Calif. - Thanks to a triple match from Vail Resorts’ EpicPromise guest donation program at Northstar, Heavenly and Kirkwood, completion of the Lily Lake Trail will be a reality in 2020. Earlier this year, the planned 2.1-mile multi-use trail designed to provide new access to Fallen Leaf Lake and Desolation Wilderness faced a $75,000 funding gap.

SOUTH LAKE TAHOE, Calif. - A community forum will be held on November 20 from 6:00 p.m. to 8:00 p.m. to discuss the development and status of the new city-wide telecommunication facility (cell tower) ordinance for the City of South Lake Tahoe.

“Our goal is to listen to the community and hear the various perspectives to allow us to craft a responsive, well-thought-out set of regulations,” said Kevin Fabino, Development Services Director.

The meeting will be held at the SLT Recreation Center located at 1180 Rufus Allen

LAKE TAHOE, Calif./Nev. - If weather and conditions permit, North Lake Tahoe and Tahoe Douglas fire protection districts, along with California State Parks are scheduled to continue prescribed fire operations over the next several weeks in the Tahoe Basin.

The planned burn areas:

LAKE TAHOE, Ca./Nv. – Tahoe Chamber's 12th annual Blue Ribbons Awards will be held on Thursday, November 14 from 5:30 p.m. to 8:30 p.m. at Harrah's Lake Tahoe. The event honors and celebrates South Shore businesses and individuals.

The cost of the event is $65 for Tahoe Chamber members and $85 for non-members and includes champagne upon arrival, a 3-course dinner and a glass of wine.

The Amgen Tour of California race has been put on hiatus for the 2020 racing season according to an announcement Tuesday by AEG, the sports and live entertainment company that produces the race each year. Over the past 14 years, the cycling tour has showcased some of today’s best known and most decorated international cyclists, including numerous World, Olympic and National Champions. South Lake Tahoe has been a host city on both the men's and women's sides of the popular rolling festival.

SOUTH LAKE TAHOE, Calif. - It's that time of year again when the Forest Service Lake Tahoe Basin Management Unit (LTBMU) begins the winter closure of their recreational facilities around the Lake Tahoe Basin. Seasonal closures apply to many Forest Service recreation sites including beaches, campgrounds, picnic areas and National Forest roads.

After pleasant weather conditions today, gusty winds and some fire weather, travel, and recreation concerns return Saturday, according to the National Weather Service in Reno.

Today will be characterized by generally light winds and average temperatures in South Lake Tahoe, with some sun. Expect this to change by Saturday, however, as a wave drops out of the Pacific Northwest bringing gusty winds to the region. So, if you have outdoor fall and Halloween decorations, today will be a good day to check that they are secured.

Close to 70 nominees will be celebrated at the 12th annual Blue Ribbon Awards on Thursday, Nov. 14 at Harrah’s Lake Tahoe Hotel and Casino. Join the Tahoe Chamber in celebrating the businesses and individuals that make the South Shore a great community to live, work and play. Admission to this event is $65 for Tahoe Chamber members and $85 for non-members. Tickets include champagne, wine and full 3-course dinner prepared by Harrah’s executive culinary team. Table sponsorships are also available for purchase.

Californians, including the people of Lake Tahoe, love our public lands. We love the cold deep blue waters of Lake Tahoe, the rugged mountains, and the varied forests that are part of the nearly 100 million acres of land all Californians can claim ownership of. We love these public lands not just because of their natural beauty, but because they are central to our way of life. Many of us live here, or moved here, because of what they provide - culture, lifestyle, and livelihood.

SOUTH LAKE TAHOE, Calif. - A strong cold front will move through the region Saturday bringing a dramatic change to the weather with breezy winds, rain, snow, and much colder weather returning for the weekend. according to the National Weather Service in Reno. Now is the time to prepare for winter travel if you have plans to drive over the mountains, and to prepare your garden and irrigation for possible freezing temperatures.

It was a beautiful September day in South Lake Tahoe, as students, who have encountered challenges and temporarily reside at the South Lake Tahoe Juvenile Treatment Center (SLTJTC), received an extraordinary experience from dedicated volunteers and the Bureau of Land Management’s Wild Horse and Burro Program. The El Dorado County Office of Education (EDCOE) administers SLTJTC’s academic program and partnered with El Dorado County Probation to provide this day of learning to teach students about the animals, potential careers and social skills.

SOUTH LAKE TAHOE, Calif. – Enjoy cycling but having trouble finding a place to store your bike safely at your planned destination in Lake Tahoe? Or have you needed bike repair while out on the routes? Over the past two years, the Lake Tahoe Bicycle Coalition has spearheaded the installation of 340 new bike racks that provide security for almost 700 bicycles.

STATELINE, Nev. - A draft of the vision plan for the Kahle Drive and Lower Kingsbury areas along the US 50 corridor between Lake Parkway and Elks Point Road will be unveiled during a community meeting on Wednesday, September 4.

The meeting will be held from 5:00 p.m. to 6:00 p.m. at the Tahoe Transportation Center, 169 US Highway 50, across from the Lakeside Inn and Casino where LTVA and Tahoe Chamber have their offices.

SOUTH LAKE TAHOE, Calif. - For 23 years political leaders from the White House to state capitols have professed their commitment to protecting Lake Tahoe.

At the first Lake Tahoe Summit on July 27, 1997, then-President Bill Clinton and Vice-President Al Gore told of their commitment to keeping Tahoe blue after decades of erosion from roads, increased emissions from automobiles and boats, removal of wetlands and overgrown and dying forests were threatening its clarity.