senate

Virtual ribbon-cutting for U.S. Highway 50 Echo Summit Sidehill Viaduct Replacement Project

EL DORADO COUNTY, Calif. – Caltrans has recognized the successful completion of the U.S. Highway 50 Echo Summit Sidehill Viaduct Replacement Project with a virtual ribbon-cutting video.

Because in-person events have been suspended due to the COVID-19 pandemic, the department chose this virtual ribbon-cutting event to acknowledge the efforts of its staff, contractor Q&D Construction and the collaboration with local partner agencies in making this challenging project a successful one.

Column: Recognizing the spirit of collaboration

For more than half a century, collaboration and partnership have been the bedrock of Lake Tahoe’s preservation. I speak often of the epic collaboration needed to restore our environment and lift up our communities. The creation of the Tahoe Regional Planning Agency (TRPA) 50 years ago challenged us to bring people together to pull this majestic lake back from the brink. Today, TRPA is the backbone for 80 organizations and thousands of property owners working toward the common goals of clean water, a healthy watershed, and resilient communities

Work completed on $14.1M Echo Summit bridge replacement project near Lake Tahoe

Work is complete on a two-season project to replace a bridge that served motorists for more than 80 years with a new structure that meets current safety and seismic standards.

LTCC Student Senate to host virtual South Lake Tahoe City Council Candidates Forum

Event Date: 
October 5, 2020 - 6:00pm

SOUTH LAKE TAHOE, Calif. - The Student Senate at Lake Tahoe Community College is hosting a City Council Virtual Candidate Forum on Monday Oct. 5 from 6:00 p.m. to 7:00 p.m. via Zoom.

All are welcome to join.

As of right now, all but two of the candidates have agreed to participate. They’ll share their visions for the community and their thoughts about Measure S.

The link to join the forum is: https://zoom.us/j/95691454270.

US50 over Echo Summit opens five days early

SOUTH LAKE TAHOE, Calif. - U.S. Highway 50 is back open to traffic over Echo Summit five days ahead of schedule, Caltrans announced today.

A full closure of Highway 50 over the summit was implemented Friday, Sept. 18 to install seven precast, prestressed 96-foot bridge girders and associated work that included pouring ultra high-performance concrete to connect the girders, building concrete barrier walls and approach slabs, applying a polyester overlay on the bridge, and asphalt paving approaching both sides of the new structure.

US50 Echo Summit one lane closure starts Sunday night

SOUTH LAKE TAHOE, Calif. - Motorists over US50 Echo Summit will have continuous one-way traffic control starting Sunday, September 13 at 8:00 p.m. The Sidehill Viaduct Project enters its final stages with almost five days of bridge destruction and then complete road closure for two weeks as seven precast, prestressed 96-foot bridge girders are installed, along with associated work.

Sunday, Sept. 13 - 8:00 p.m. - Continuous one-way traffic control begins
Friday, Sept. 18 - About 3:00 a.m. - Full closure of highway

Reminder: Two-week full closure of US50 scheduled for Echo Summit Project

SOUTH LAKE TAHOE, Calif. - After a delay in getting materials in 2019, Caltrans has scheduled a full closure of U.S. Highway 50 for the Echo Summit Sidehill Viaduct Replacement Project for two weeks beginning Friday, Sept. 18. After the delay last year, the contractor on the project was going to install the bridge girders in June of 2020, but many wanted that timeframe postponed due to the the opening of tourist season after COVID-related closures this past spring.

Historic Great American Outdoors Act passes the House, now to the president's desk

The U.S. House of Representatives passed the Great American Outdoors Act today, a piece of bi-partisan legislation that will fully and permanently fund the Land and Water Conservation Fund (LWCF) and provide much needed funding for the crippling $12 billion deferred maintenance backlog at national parks.

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.

Column: Investing in our public lands can pay big dividends

In South Lake Tahoe, Truckee, and Mammoth Lakes, our public lands are woven into the fabric of life. These lands are symbols of our strength and keepers of serenity in these turbulent times. As we've seen locally, our parks and public lands are a beloved resource and one that is essential for our collective recovery. If we want our parks and public lands to be there for us for the long haul we need to invest in them now.

Groundbreaking at Lake Tahoe's new Special Events Center at Stateline

STATELINE, Nev. - It's been 23 years in the making, and today was the first physical step to bringing the new Tahoe South Event Center to existence. The fence is up around the parking lot at MontBleu Resort, and the first shovels of dirt were moved during a groundbreaking ceremony on Thursday.

Experienced California education advocate joins Lake Tahoe Community College

SOUTH LAKE TAHOE, Calif. - Lake Tahoe Community College (LTCC) has selected a seasoned professional with two decades of experience in California state policy and politics to fill a critical role during unprecedented and uncertain times.

Incline Village GID votes to ban smoking from all facilities

INCLINE VILLAGE, Nev. - The Incline Village General Improvement District (IVGID) Board of Trustees voted unanimously to prohibit the use of any form of tobacco at all district-owned and operated facilities, including restrooms, spectator and concession areas.

Per Nevada statutes, marijuana and vaping use were already prohibited in all public spaces.

The move by the board was to "help protect the health, safety, and welfare of the residents and guests of Incline Village and Crystal Bay."

Meet Pamela Swartz, Democratic candidate for State Senate

Event Date: 
February 20, 2020 - 6:00pm

Meet Pamela Swartz, Democratic Candidate for State Senate, February 20, 2020 at the Lake Tahoe Pizza Company at 6:00 p.m.

Learn about NV Energy Natural Disaster Protection Plan at public meetings

STATELINE, Nev. - The public is invited to take part in one of several meetings over the next two weeks that will go over NV Energy's Natural Disaster Protection Plan (NDPP).

The public is invited to take part as the utility shares key elements of their draft NDPP and solicit feedback before it is filed with the Public Utilities Commission of Nevada by March 1, 2020.

Senate Bill 329 addresses how the utilities will mitigate and respond to wildfires, severe storms and other natural disaster risks in service territories.

Facts about California's water legislation and what it means for South Lake Tahoe

SOUTH LAKE TAHOE, Calif. - No, you're not going be fined for taking a shower and doing laundry on the same day. A news story by a Los Angeles area television station and carried through the internet on New Year's Day wrongly stated just that as an effect of upcoming water efficiency laws.

California Tahoe Conservancy board approves forest health, aquatic species and marsh restoration funds

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

Local teen scholar invited to Delegation for Diplomacy in South Africa

Local teen and Lake Tahoe Community College student Laney Terrell has been invited by the International Scholar Laureate Program to join a delegation on International Relations & Diplomacy that will be traveling to South Africa in spring 2020.

"I am so excited for this opportunity to see how other democracies work and represent my Hometown," Terrell said.

Governor Newsom signs slew of bills including wildfire protection and defensible space

The 2019 legislative year for California has come to an end and Gov. Gavin Newsom wrapped u the session with signing several bills. His first year of office saw 870 new laws and 172 vetoed proposals.

US50 over Echo Summit may close up to 14 days this September

SOUTH LAKE TAHOE, Calif. – Highway 50 over Echo Summit may close up to 14 days this September to allow the Caltrans contractor to install new girders and demolition work on the existing bridge structure.

There will be two meetings to inform the public of the potential closure and detour (see attached map). Local residents and businesses will be issued passes to use Johnson Pass Road as a detour during the closure, which if in place would be toward the end of the month. More information on that will be provided at the meetings and not before.

What could addition of Accessory Dwelling Units mean for South Lake Tahoe?

SOUTH LAKE TAHOE, Calif. - Perhaps you know of them as mother-in-law units, tiny houses in the backyard or an extra apartment above a garage for renters. The term Accessory Dwelling Unit (ADU) has become a popular one in describing these types of housing as the affordable housing conversation turns towards solutions.

From the California Department of Housing and Community Development:

What are the benefits of ADUs?
- ADUs are an affordable type of home to construct in California because they do not require paying for land, major new infrastructure, structured parking, or elevators.

$8.8M headed to LTCC in matching funds for classroom modernization

SOUTH LAKE TAHOE, Calif. - A promise made to the community when they voted to pass Measure F in 2014 is coming to fruition after Lake Tahoe Community College (LTCC) was notified they are receiving $8.8M in matching funds for the modernization of their campus. This sets the stage for $17.6 million to be spent on modernization and upgrades to LTCC’s main building.

Tahoe Township hotels and VHRs now have new $5/night surcharge

LAKE TAHOE, Nev. - A new $5 per night surcharge will be added to all hotel rooms and other transient lodging accommodations within the Lake Tahoe Township area of Douglas County.

As a result of Senate Bill 461, the new law adding the fee went into effect July 1, 2019, giving the new charge to Tahoe-Douglas Visitor’s Authority (TDVA) for a planned event center in Stateline. It affects all bookings received by the lodging properties after July 1.

Lake Tahoe Community College announces "Teachers of the Year"

SOUTH LAKE TAHOE, Calif. - Lake Tahoe Community College Mathematics/Physics instructor Bruce Armbrust, American Sign Language instructor Karla Johnston, and Accounting/Business instructor Dr. Jon Kingsbury are all being honored for their outstanding work in the classroom and their dedication to LTCC’s students.

Voters to select new California State Senator to represent District 1 on June 4

There is a Special Runoff Election on June 4, 2019 scheduled to fill a vacancy in Senate District 1. All currently registered voters in the County of El Dorado are eligible to participate.

When Ted Gaines won a seat on the California Board of Equalization in November, the Senate District 1 seat he had held since 2011 was up for grabs. In March there was an election to decide his replacement, but since no candidate won more than 50 percent of the vote the top two are now on Tuesday's ballot.

South Lake Tahoe City Council to discuss possible change to Charter City

SOUTH LAKE TAHOE, Calif. - When the City formed in 1965 it was incorporated as a general law city for the purpose of having more local control over public services such as police, fire, and snow removal.

Now there is discussion about changing to a charter city. During their March 5 meeting, Councilmember Cody Bass asked that this subject come forward at a future meeting and Councilmembers Jason Collin and Devin Middlebrook said they were interested in learning more about what the differences are between the two, and what it would mean to South Lake Tahoe to switch.

Voting centers coming to South Lake Tahoe and El Dorado County, public input sought

Event Date: 
May 21, 2019 - 6:00pm

SOUTH LAKE TAHOE, Calif. - Heading to the polls will soon have a different meaning to the voters of South Lake Tahoe and the rest of California as the one-day voting period ends and initiation of voting centers begin.

With the passage of SB450, the 2016 Voter's Choice Act, 11-day and 4-day voting centers are planned to begin in 2020 after being started in 2018 with pilot centers in five counties: Madera, Nevada, Napa, Sacramento and San Mateo. El Dorado County will start vote centers in the 2020 election pending approval from the Board of Supervisors.

Judge's decision in South Lake Tahoe courtroom calls California law unconstitutional

SOUTH LAKE TAHOE, Calif. - One could feel the air let out of a South Lake Tahoe courtroom as visiting Judge Gary Mullen read his decision to the five defendants, their five lawyers and family members in attendance, one that tossed out their request to drop murder charges against all of the suspects in the robbery and murder in 2016 of Dennis Wright.

Judge Mullen declared California Senate Bill 1437 unconstitutional. The bill was signed by then-California Governor Jerry Brown in September 2018 and changed the liability for accomplices to felony murder.

Conservancy receives $1.95M to restore forest and watershed resilience

At its Board meeting in Sacramento on Thursday, the California Tahoe Conservancy accepted a $1.95 million grant from the Sierra Nevada Conservancy to co-manage the Tahoe-Central Sierra Initiative (TCSI), a pioneering landscape-level effort to restore forest and watershed resilience to more than 2.4 million acres.

Laser measurement of Sierra snowpack from the air being considered in Sacramento

At a price tag of $150 million, the California legislature is considering a bill that, if approved, would change the way the Sierra snowpack is measured each year.

For 90 years the snowpack has been measured at several locations including Phillips, just west of Lake Tahoe. Normally performed in front of media, staff from the California Department of Water Resources (DWR) snowshoe into a spot where they stick a pole into the snow to measure the depth and water content of the snow.

Nevadans protest and testify against Senate Bee Bill in Carson City

Carson City was abuzz Thursday evening at the Nevada State Legislature, in which over 100 Nevadan residents gathered to support honeybees, and their ability to be kept by residents.

Senate Bill 389 relates to the ability to keep bees in residential zones in Nevada and has been hotly debated since it was announced on March 20. It was read during a Natural Resources Committee meeting Wednesday.

Residents attended to an extent that legislative staff needed to open an overflow room to provide for those gathered, in which the meeting was televised from down the hall.

Race for state Senate District 1 seat: Runoff election in June

No candidate for District 1 Senate received more than 50 percent of the vote on Tuesday, forcing a runoff election in June between the two candidates with the most votes.

After 100 percent of the precincts were counted, the top two are Republican Assemblyman Brian Dahle and Republican Assemblyman Kevin Kiley. It is unknown how many provisional and mail-in ballots remain to be counted.

Area voters to decide new State Senator on Tuesday

On Tuesday, March 26, 2019, voters will be selecting their new District 1 State Senator, a vacancy created when Ted Gaines won a seat on the state Board of Equalization in November.

District 1 spans California’s northeastern corner from the Oregon border to Lake Tahoe, including some of the Sacramento area’s eastern suburbs. Residents living in Alpine, El Dorado, Lassen, Modoc, Nevada, Plumas, Shasta, Sierra, and Siskiyou Counties are in District 1 as well as parts of Placer County (Auburn, Colfax, Lincoln, Loomis, and Rocklin) and Sacramento County (Folsom, Orangevale, and Fair Oaks).

Letter: Politics in State Senate race hits an all time low

Many people in our State Senate district have received a mailer that encourages Republicans to vote for Brian Dahle and for Democrats to vote for Steve Baird.

Douglas commissioners oppose Nevada gun background check law

Douglas County has made it clear to the State of Nevada they won't stand for any legislation that exceeds federal firearm transfer requirements. Their reaction came after Governor Steve Sisolak signed SB 143, a bill that would require background checks on gun sales, on February 15, 2019.

Lincoln Reagan Dinner

Event Date: 
February 12, 2019 - 5:30pm

Former El Dorado County Judge, Fox and Friends First contributor and California Secretary of State candidate Steven Bailey will be speaking to the South Lake Tahoe Republican Women about the 2018 election during the Lincoln Reagan Dinner on February 12, 2019.

In addition, Assemblyman Kevin Kiley will speak to those attending about his campaign for California State Senate.

The social event begins at 5:30 p.m. at Tep's Villa Roma in South Lake Tahoe. A No-Host bar is open from 5:30 p.m. to 6:30 p.m. Dinner buffet is served at 6:30 p.m. and the speakers begin at 7:30 p.m.

Location

Teps Villa Roma
3450 Lake Tahoe Blvd., South Lake Tahoe
United States

Column: Building on Lake Tahoe’s Progress

2018 was an extraordinary year for Lake Tahoe, and one of the region’s most successful years in decades. The Tahoe Regional Planning Agency (TRPA) assisted by dozens of partners approved landmark programs and projects, including a new Shoreline Plan, a comprehensive update of TRPA’s development rights system, and the U.S. 50 South Shore Community Revitalization Project.

The new year brings new laws in California

SOUTH LAKE TAHOE, Calif. - There are new laws in California in 2019 that will affect those on the road, bike paths, eating at restaurants, paying bail and receiving minimum wage. In 2018, 1,217 bills made it to Governor Brown's desk and he signed 1,016 of them which are now new laws.

Here is a highlight of some of those laws which will soon be in effect:

Lake Tahoe area roadwork November 19 - 24

NOTE: Most traffic-interfering work will be restricted from 6:00 a.m. Wednesday, November 21 through 10:00 p.m. Sunday, November 25 due to the Thanksgiving holiday weekend.

LONG-TERM PROJECTS

Lake Tahoe area roadwork November 4-10

The California Department of Transportation (Caltrans) has a series of both short-term and long-term road projects at Lake Tahoe and neighboring areas.

LONG-TERM PROJECTS

Overwhelming support of South Shore Community Revitalization Project at TRPA meeting

STATELINE, Nev. - A standing room only crowd was in the Tahoe Regional Planning Agency (TRPA) board room on October 25, 2018 for an updated presentation, and plans for the next steps, of the U.S. 50 South Shore Community Revitalization Project, commonly known as the Loop Road. It reroutes Highway 50 from its current location in front of Heavenly Village and the casinos to behind Raley's, the Village Center and Harrahs Tahoe.

Lake Tahoe area roadwork October 28 - November 3

SOUTH LAKE TAHOE, Calif. - The California Department of Transportation (Caltrans) has several road construction projects in the Lake Tahoe area. The following is their list for the week of October 28-November 3, 2018, including alerts on special events in Apple Hill and on SR49.

SPECIAL EVENTS

Lake Tahoe area roadwork October 21-27

SOUTH LAKE TAHOE, Calif. - The following is the California Department of Transportation (Caltrans) roadwork schedule around Lake Tahoe and El Dorado County.

SPECIAL EVENT - U.S. Highway 50 (El Dorado County) from 5 Mile Road to Carson Road in Camino: Eastbound motorists can expect the left turn lanes to be closed at 5 Mile Road, lower Carson Road and upper Carson Road from 7 a.m. to 6 p.m. Sunday, October 21 and Saturday, October 27 for Apple Hill season traffic. Motorists will be directed to Exit 54/Cedar Grove to access Carson Road.

LONG-TERM PROJECTS

Caltrans District 3 projects created by SB1 funds

SOUTH LAKE TAHOE, Calif. - Have you ever wondered where the extra gas tax money you now pay at the pump is going? The increase on the excise taxes on gasoline and diesel along with new registration fee for cars based on their value have so far created 26 projects in District 3 as well as in other districts across the state.

But now that funding is being challenged.

Standing room only for Jessica Morse Town Hall meeting

SOUTH LAKE TAHOE, Calif. - There were no seats available and people were standing along the sides of the Lake Tahoe Community College board room Sunday, all to see Congressional Candidate Jessica Morse.

Lake Tahoe area roadwork October 1-6

SOUTH LAKE TAHOE, Calif. - The following is a list of Sierra area projects to be worked on by Caltrans during the following week.

LONG-TERM PROJECTS

South Lake Tahoe Chamber Candidate Forum to feature SLT Council and EDC Supervisor candidates

Event Date: 
October 2, 2018 - 6:30pm

SOUTH LAKE TAHOE, Calif. - There will be a candidate's forum co-hosted by the South Lake Tahoe Chamber of Commerce and the Lake Tahoe Community College Student Senate on October 2 from 6:30 p.m. to 9:30 p.m. in the school's Student Lounge/Creekside Room.

Lake Tahoe area roadwork September 23-29

The following is a list of the Caltrans roadwork projects in the Lake Tahoe Basin and El Dorado County for the week of September 23 - 29, 2018.

LONG-TERM PROJECTS

Lake Tahoe area roadwork September 9 - 15

The following are projects the California Department of Transportation (Caltrans) is working on in the Lake Tahoe Basin.

LONG-TERM PROJECTS

Lake Tahoe area roadwork August 19-25

The following is a list of the Caltrans roadwork projects in the Lake Tahoe Basin and El Dorado County for the week of August 19 - August 25, 2018.

LONG-TERM PROJECTS

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