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Homelessness isn’t just a South Lake Tahoe issue. It isn’t just an El Dorado county issue. It isn't just a California problem, though the state ranks 49th in housing units per capita.

And it isn't a problem that is going away any time soon and will take a change in the way the problem is currently being addressed to be solved. For every 100 people who are added to the population of California there are only 32 housing units built to house them.

SOUTH LAKE TAHOE, Calif. - Two people from the Sacramento area were arrested by the South Lake Tahoe Police Department Saturday afternoon on suspicion of stealing phones from both the Verizon and T-Mobile stores in South Lake Tahoe.

Many South Lake Tahoe residents love their dogs. Most Police Officers love dogs too. I’ve heard it said by someone not so long ago…. “The more people I meet, the more I love dogs!” We at the police department understand and share in this fondness; however, we receive weekly complaints from community members regarding dogs in public parks, and most frequently dogs at the Live-at-Lakeview events. The South Lake Tahoe City Code (SLTCC), does not allow dogs, even on a leash, to be in our public parks (SLTCC §8.05.130).

SOUTH LAKE TAHOE, Calif. - The owner of a South Lake Tahoe massage parlor has been arrested on suspicion of sexual battery.

Qiteng "Eric" Lu, owner of Chinese Magic Massage at 3330 Lake Tahoe Boulevard, was arrested without incident on July 6 after a customer said that during her massage she was sexually battered.

Investigators from the South Lake Tahoe Police Department (SLTPD) found enough cause to arrest Lu after interviewing the 34-year-old victim.

Another busy 4th of July holiday is in the books for South Lake Tahoe. Both the South Lake Tahoe police and fire departments were kept busy with numerous calls throughout the weekend, resulting in one drowning, issues with alcohol and several disturbance calls.

The long 4th of July holiday weekend in South Lake Tahoe got off to a busy start Saturday with a water rescue and fire.

A boater saw smoke coming from the hillside near Heavenly, called it in from their location off the Ski Run Marina at 1:29 p.m. and South Lake Tahoe Fire Rescue and Police combed the streets in the area to try and locate the source. The fire was spotted on U.S. Forest Service land off Keller Road in between Ruby Way and Wildwood Ave.

Former executive director of the Lake Tahoe Humane Society moved out of South Lake Tahoe over the weekend, leaving many in the community questioning the timing after she was fired on March 31 amidst accusations of misappropriation of agency funds.

Niki Congero moved out of her rental home because she was given a 60-day notice to vacate May 4. The owner of the home wanted to use it for his purposes, according to Realty World, the property management company.

Detectives and officers from the South Lake Tahoe Police Department served a search warrant at the home of Niki Congero Thursday morning, searching for evidence in their embezzlement investigation of the former Lake Tahoe Humane Society executive director.

The new public safety memorial wall was dedicated during a public ceremony on Friday. Fire trucks and patrol cars lined the street as law enforcement, US Forest Service and fire personnel gathered at the Happy Homestead Cemetery in South Lake Tahoe.

Speakers included Undersheriff Randy Peshon, South Lake Tahoe Police Chief Brian Uhler and South Lake Tahoe Fire Rescue Chief Jeff Meston.

The community is in for a treat on Saturday, May 20 as the South Lake Tahoe Police Department celebrates 50 years of service with a party at Lakeview Commons from 2:00 p.m. to 6:00 p.m.

Locals and visitors, young and old, can ride on the SLTPD boat, see the department's K-9s, watch a demonstration over the water with CalStar at 3:00 p.m., watch how the drone assists in rescues, an awards ceremony that will honor three citizens as well as staff at 4:00 p.m., and a free BBQ. There is also a free concert on the beach.

The South Lake Tahoe Police Department (SLTPD) is investigating a collision on Saturday night that claimed the life of a cyclist.

For unknown reasons, a male cyclist crossed the road in front of a car traveling westbound on Highway 50 between Johnson Boulevard and Takela Drive on May 13, 2017 at 7:40 p.m.

The cyclist was transported to Barton Hospital where he was pronounced deceased shortly after arrival according to Sgt. Brandon Auxier of SLTPD. The rider's name and hometown is being withheld until notification of next-of-kin.

The 50th anniversary of the South Lake Tahoe Police Department (SLTPD) will be celebrated with a community party on Saturday, May 20 from 2:00 p.m. to 6:00 p.m. at Lakeview Commons.

There will be food, music, the annual SLTPD awards ceremony, as well as booths to highlight what the department does for the community. Meet SLTPD staff and officers and enjoy fun and games.

Booths include:

SWAT booth – South Lake Tahoe Police Department SWAT (Special Weapons and Tactics) division will be hosting a booth with educational information.

Without a boat since 2015, South Lake Tahoe Fire Rescue (SLTFR) will ask City Council for $75,000 on Tuesday for the purchase of a used SAFE boat.

The former fire rescue boat, Marine 17, was taken off the lake (decommissioned) in 2015 after 15 years of service. Needed repairs amounted to more than the value of the boat. Since the SLTFR has borrowed Marine 2 which belongs to the South Lake Tahoe Police Department (SLTPD).

Friends, family and volunteers will gather on Sunday, April 9 to participate in a search for the 62-year-old woman who went missing from a South Lake Tahoe motel Monday.

A woman visiting South Lake Tahoe has not been seen since Monday afternoon.

Sacramento resident Pamela Suwinsky, 62, left Motel 6 on foot between 1:00 p.m. and 3:30 p.m. She left behind her purse, cell phone, car and beloved dog. She did have her ID and credit cards with her.

At 10:00 p.m., the South Lake Tahoe Police Department (SLTPD) responded to the motel located at 2375 Lake Tahoe Blvd. after Pamela's ex-husband and long-time friend reported her missing.

A South Lake Tahoe man was arrested in Southern California after a warrant was issued for his arrest for allegedly binding, gagging and injuring a 43-year-old man earlier this week, and then stealing his vehicle.

10:06 p.m. update: The South Lake Tahoe Police Department has released an update on Friday night's stabbing at the Transit Center at the Y.

Originally we were told the suspect was born in 1945, instead, he is a 45-year-old male.

Officers from the South Lake Tahoe Police Department arrested a 33-year-old local man on several charges Saturday morning after he allegedly hit a cyclist with his vehicle after driving under the influence of alcohol.

SOUTH LAKE TAHOE - The following is a recap of activity the South Lake Tahoe Police Department responded to 199 calls between February 28 - March 6, 2017.

Calls Resulting in Arrests:

2/28
Unlicensed Driver at Aspenwald and Pioneer Trail
Warrant in the 1000 block of Johnson Blvd
Driving on a suspended/revoked license in the 1000 block of Johnson Blvd
Driving on a suspended/revoked license at Tallac & Riverside
Warrant in the 1000 block of Emerald Bay Rd
Warrant in the 700 block of Emerald Bay Rd

Two 18-year-old girls turned themselves into the South Lake Tahoe Police Department (SLTPD) on Friday evening after they became aware of a warrant out for their arrest on charges of kidnapping and battery.

According to SLTPD, Christina Barnhart and Lily Brooks and a third teen are suspected of forcing themselves into an apartment in the 3600 block of Spruce Avenue on Tuesday, February 28 and pulling the occupant out by her hair, and then dragging her outside where they allegedly kicked and punched the victim.

2/25/17 - Updated information at the end of this story provided by Mendocino Sheriff.

SOUTH LAKE TAHOE, CALIF. - A fugitive pot plant trimmer suspected in the robbery and brutal killing of an operator of a commercial marijuana farm in Mendocino County was arrested in South Lake Tahoe Friday afternoon.

South Lake Tahoe is a community of diverse backgrounds reaching around the world, and with President Trump's current dialog on immigration, concerns are arising among immigrants who call Tahoe home, and from those that represent them in the area.

The current enrollment of Lake Tahoe Unified School District shows 42.4 percent are Hispanic, 3.6 percent Filipino, 1.2 percent Asian, 48.1 percent white and the rest of other nationalities.

Snowplow operators have been working 12-hour shifts to get the roads in South Lake Tahoe cleared of snow, and they will continue widening roads starting Friday to prepare for the next storm.

During winter snow conditions, snow plows have the right of way on streets and vehicles left unattended in the streets are subject to a citation and/or getting towed. Law enforcement is seeing a large number of cars parked on neighborhood streets and not where they belong in driveways.

9:50 a.m. update - A South Lake Tahoe Police detective found Daniel Trevis at 9:26 a.m. this morning on Park Avenue less than a mile from his residence. Trevis was wrapped in a blanket, awake and alert, but was very cold. His son is taking him for a medical evaluation. SLTPD thanks the public for their assistance.

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The South Lake Tahoe Police Department is asking for the public's help in locating a 75-year-old resident who suffers from dementia.