south lake tahoe

Column: COVID’s current impact on our community

The COVID-19 virus is widespread throughout the South Lake Tahoe community. Transmission is taking place at its highest rate to date largely due to cooler weather moving gatherings indoors. Any gathering outside of your immediate household is now the largest vehicle for spread.

Letter: Fondo Milagroso de Tahoe (Tahoe Miracle Fund) seeks donors to fill need

During the course of executing the 2020 Census, the El Dorado Community Foundation was tasked with increasing the census numbers in two distinct census tracks in South Lake Tahoe. These two tracks have historically reported the lowest response rate for the census over the last twenty years.

Delay on release of U.S. Highway 50 South Lake Tahoe Safety Project draft documents

SOUTH LAKE TAHOE, Calif. - Caltrans is planning a $16.8 million U.S. Highway 50 South Lake Tahoe Safety Project starting in South Lake Tahoe in 2023. Circulation of the project's Draft Environmental Document (DED) was expected on November 25, but it has been delayed, Caltrans announced Tuesday.

The safety project is proposing to install additional intersection and mid-block lighting, pedestrian signals and advisory signs from the “Y” intersection to Pioneer Trail.

Join Santa in his Campaign For Kindness this season in South Lake Tahoe

Santa is going to be very busy this season in South Lake Tahoe, not only preparing his gift list for children and keeping the elves busy, but by answering each and every letter left for him in a special mail box.

2020 has been a difficult year for many, and who couldn't use some extra cheer with a letter from the jolly guy in the red suit? He will be responding to each child with a message about kindness and hope during challenging times along with a special personalized certificate of kindness!

COVID-19 case update for Lake Tahoe area counties

SOUTH LAKE TAHOE, Calif. - El Dorado County health officials say another 73 residents have tested positive for COVID-19 since yesterday. Of those, 23 are in El Dorado Hills, seven in Cameron Park/Shingle Springs/Rescue, four in North County, four in Greater Placerville, two in Diamond Springs/El Dorado, three in Pollock Pines/Camino/Kyburz, 27 in Lake Tahoe region. There are three awaiting address confirmation.

One of those new cases, ten are under the age of 18, 33 are aged 18-49, 24 are aged 50-64, and six aged 65 or older.

Bread & Broth provides Thanksgiving bags of food for over 500 local residents

SOUTH LAKE TAHOE, Calif. - The volunteers at Bread & Broth packed bags of food for the community Monday, bags full of food for not only a Thanksgiving meal, but for meals through the week.

From 3:00 p.m. to 5:30 p.m. on November 23, almost 200 people picked up bags for their families containing a turkey breast, yams, green beans, rolls, stuffing, pumpkin pie, sparkling apple cider, fruit, vegetables, eggs, milk and much more. Those bags of food went to feed 549 individuals in the South Lake Tahoe community.

COVID-19 case update for Lake Tahoe area counties

SOUTH LAKE TAHOE, Calif. - El Dorado County health officials say another 88 residents have tested positive for COVID-19 since Friday. Of those, 18 are in El Dorado Hills, 14 in Cameron Park/Shingle Springs/Rescue, four in North County, one in South County, 10 in Greater Placerville, one in Diamond Springs/El Dorado, three in Pollock Pines/Camino/Kyburz, 25 in Lake Tahoe region. There are 12 awaiting address confirmation.

One of those new cases, 12 are under the age of 18, 49 are aged 18-49, 15 are aged 50-64, and 12 aged 65 or older.

Christmas Tree goes up at Heavenly Village

SOUTH LAKE TAHOE, Calif - It was a true community effort to get the Christmas Tree delivered to the Heavenly Village in South Lake Tahoe last week. For the third consecutive year, a tree was selected from the South Shore to be on display for the holiday season.

On Monday, November 16, 2020 the 64-foot tree was cut down by Kenny Curtzwiler of K & K Services at 6:30 a.m., lifted by a crane and placed onto a flatbed truck, escorted by South Lake Tahoe Police and CHP, driven to its destination, lifted off the truck and placed into a stand to be decorated.

Mild days, chilly nights during the week ahead in South Lake Tahoe

SOUTH LAKE TAHOE, Calif. - The week ahead will not be full of too many surprises as a couple of small systems appear to be keeping north of Lake Tahoe. Expect a slight increase in breezes for Monday with some gusts up to 25 mph as flow turns cooler, back to seasonal averages according to the National Weather Service (NWS) in Reno.

Another system is possible for Wednesday into the Thanksgiving holiday, but besides cooler temperatures, there will be minimal impacts across the region are anticipated at this time.

Forecast from NWS Reno:

El Dorado County Sheriff's Report

SOUTH LAKE TAHOE, Calif. - El Dorado County Sheriff's Office responds to calls throughout the county. The following are calls that only pertain to the South and West Shore, including Meyers, South Lake Tahoe, Meeks Bay, Tahoma, and the Echo Summit area. There may be some missing calls due to sheriff's logs not being completed at the time of the story.

Last Week's Log: http://southtahoenow.com/story/11/15/2020/el-dorado-county-sheriffs-report

This Week's Log:

11/15

South Lake Tahoe group fundraising for food gift cards for local families

SOUTH LAKE TAHOE, Calif. - The holidays can be stressful for those worrying about not only buying gifts, but for the basics of putting food on the table.

Lake Tahoe, Sierra and El Dorado County roadwork November 22 - 28

SOUTH LAKE TAHOE, Calif. - The following is a list of the long term and short term projects the California Department of Transportation (Caltrans) has scheduled for the week around Lake Tahoe, in the Sierra and El Dorado County. At this time there is no work scheduled for the South Lake Tahoe area.

Most traffic-interfering work will be restricted from 6 a.m. Wednesday, Nov. 25 until 10 p.m. Monday, Nov. 30 due to the Thanksgiving holiday.

LONG-TERM PROJECTS

Opening day with new safety protocol in place at Heavenly Mountain Resort

SOUTH LAKE TAHOE, Calif. - The long-awaited opening day for skiing and riding in South Lake Tahoe arrived Friday with season pass holders hitting the slopes at Heavenly Mountain Resort. They joined Northstar in being the only two resorts in Lake Tahoe to open. Squaw Alpine opens on November 25, followed by Kirkwood December 4, Sierra-at-Tahoe has not announced an opening date.

Heavenly reported a foot of natural snow from this week's storm added on top of the snow they've been making since temperatures dropped a few weeks ago.

COVID-19 case update for Lake Tahoe area counties

SOUTH LAKE TAHOE, Calif. - El Dorado County health officials say another 31 residents have tested positive for COVID-19 since yesterday. Of those, ten are in El Dorado Hills, one in Cameron Park/Shingle Springs/Rescue, three in North County, four in Greater Placerville, one in Diamond Springs/El Dorado, and 13 in Lake Tahoe region (One fewer "address awaiting confirmation"- the count by region will only add up to 31 if there's a "-1" from the "address awaiting confirmation" category. Right now the County currently awaiting for address confirmation for 2 cases).

South Lake Tahoe Library: Book sales canceled

SOUTH LAKE TAHOE, Calif. - To our South Lake Tahoe Library Friends and Community, Thank you for your patience as the Friends of the Library have been working with Library staff and the El Dorado County Public Health Services to continue our book sale events at the Library. Unfortunately, due to weather and grounds concerns and also increasing Covid-19 virus cases in the area, we are canceling our Saturday, November 21 sale and suspending book sale events until the weather warms or we can go back inside. As conditions change, we will let you know and welcome your participation.

Bring cheer to local families through CHIPs for KIDS 2020

SOUTH LAKE TAHOE, Calif. - The California Highway Patrol South Lake Tahoe office is joining in on the holiday spirit this season with the CHiPs for KIDS 2020 campaign. With a goal of helping to bring holiday cheer to local families in need they are holding a local toy drive with two drop off locations.

Bring a new, unwrapped toy to the Jim Bagan Toyota dealership or CHP South Lake Tahoe office from now until December 17. The toys will be given to South Shore children.

CHP South Lake Tahoe is located at 2063 Hopi Avenue and Jim Bagan Toyota is located at 1855 Lake Tahoe Boulevard.

Blue Ribbon Awards winners announced during virtual awards show

The winners of the 13th annual Blue Ribbon Awards were announced Thursday, November 19 during an awards show shown on Lake Tahoe Television. In place of the annual awards dinner the community was invited to tune in virtually with hosts Chris Fiore from the City of South Lake Tahoe and Meg Peart from the Tahoe Resource Conservation District. If missed, everyone can watch the celebration of the 2020 finalists and winners at https://tahoechamber.org/13th-annual-blue-ribbon-awards-show/ (and don't read any further if you want to be surprised).

LTCC awarded Blue Ribbon Tallac Achievement Award for Mobility Hub project

SOUTH LAKE TAHOE, Calif. - Lake Tahoe Community College (LTCC) and its new Mobility Hub won the Tallac Achievement Award during the 13th annual Blue Ribbon Awards Thursday evening.

The award is given to an exemplary infrastructure project that revitalizes and enhances the economy and community of Tahoe’s South Shore.

South Lake Tahoe police pursuit of suspect lands one in jail

UPDATE 11/20 11:30AM: On the night of November 15, 2020, the South Lake Tahoe Police Department (SLTPD) responded to a domestic violence incident in the 1200 block of Sierra Boulevard. A woman had been bettered after her boyfriend returned to their apartment after being at a local bar, allegedly throwing her around by her throat. The boyfriend, Brandon Bannowsky, then allegedly stole the victim's car and fled.

Boil water order lifted for North Upper Truckee neighborhood

SOUTH LAKE TAHOE, Calif. – The boil water advisory for the North Upper Truckee and
Chiapa neighborhood has been lifted - the tap water is safe to drink.

The South Tahoe Public Utility District collected an additional 30 water samples within the affected area on the evening of Wednesday, November 18, 2020. Chlorine residual levels were found to be normal at all sites. No coliform bacteria, which includes E. Coli, was detected in any of the samples.

COVID-19 case update for Lake Tahoe area counties

SOUTH LAKE TAHOE, Calif. - El Dorado County health officials say another 52 residents have tested positive for COVID-19 since yesterday. Of those, 15 are in El Dorado Hills, five in Cameron Park/Shingle Springs/Rescue, four in North County, one in South County, eight in Greater Placerville, eight in Pollock Pines/Camino/Kyburz, and 11 in Lake Tahoe region.

One of those new cases, three are under the age of 18, 31 are aged 18-49, 15 are aged 50-64, and three aged 65 or older.

Another 374 people were tested for the coronavirus and 322 negative tests results were received.

New California 10:00 p.m. to 5:00 a.m. curfew starts Saturday

SOUTH LAKE TAHOE, Calif. - Due to the rise in COVID-19 cases, California has issued a limited Stay at Home Order. All non-essential work and gatherings must stop from 10:00 p.m. to 5:00 a.m. in counties in the purple tier, including El Dorado County.

This will take effect at 10:00 p.m. on Saturday, November 21, 2020 and remain in place for one month until 5:00 a.m. December 21.

The curfew comes after 40 counties moved into the more restrictive purple tier after experiencing a rise in hospitalizations and positive cases of COVID-19.

Everyone can be a philanthropist with Tahoe Women's Community Fund

Time is a unifier of sorts, isn’t it, even during a pandemic. It keeps marching on, month by month, day by day and minute by minute.

North Upper Truckee boil water order to continue until final test results received

SOUTH LAKE TAHOE, Calif. - Those in the North Upper Truckee neighborhood in Meyers are still until a boil water advisory but that could be lifted Thursday. The South Tahoe Public Utility District (STPUD) has received good results on their first set of water samples from the North Upper Truckee neighborhood.

STPUD collected 30 water samples from the affected Tuesday evening. The tests for chlorine residuals came back normal (ranging from 0.4 to 0.8 parts per million) and no coliform bacteria was detected in any of the samples.

Barton Health updates community on their surge preparedness

SOUTH LAKE TAHOE, Calif. - The safety of patients and healthcare workers is Barton Health’s top priority. The health care system has operations in place to continue to meet the demand for medical services as COVID-19 cases surge across the nation and Lake Tahoe. After preparation for the anticipated increase of patient volume this fall and winter, aspects of Barton’s plan are being implemented to meet the needs for patient care.

COVID-19 case update for Lake Tahoe area counties

SOUTH LAKE TAHOE, Calif. - El Dorado County health officials say another 49 residents have tested positive for COVID-19 since yesterday. Of those, 18 are in El Dorado Hills, nine in Cameron Park/Shingle Springs/Rescue, one in North County, two in Greater Placerville, four in Pollock Pines/Camino/Kyburz, and 15 in Lake Tahoe region. There are three positive results awaiting address confirmation.

One of those new cases, two are under the age of 18, 22 are aged 18-49, 19 are aged 50-64, and six aged 65 or older.

Lake Tahoe Unified School District moves back to all distance learning

SOUTH LAKE TAHOE, Calif. - Due to the continued dramatic rise of COVID-19 cases in the community, Lake Tahoe Unified School District (LTUSD) has moved all schools and programs to distance learning starting Thursday, November 19.

A significant number of staff members currently have COVID-19 or have been in direct contact with a confirmed positive individual.

Lake Valley Fire releases holiday truck schedule

The time-honored tradition of Lake Valley Fire Protection District touring streets in their jurisdiction with a decorated fire engine returns starting December 11.

Due to COVID-19, the Holiday engine will not be handing out candy canes this year but all are welcome to wave and say hello from a safe social distance. Each night they start their trek between 5:00 p.m. and 5:30 p.m.

December 11 – Echo View Estates, Tahoe Mountain Road, Mule Deer Circle

December 12 – Lake Tahoe Blvd from Boulder Mountain Drive to Grizzly Mountain Drive

SLTPD temporarily ceases fingerprint scans

SOUTH LAKE TAHOE, Calif. - Fingerprint Live Scan services will cease for the time being at the South Lake Tahoe Police Department due to COVID-19 restrictions. As much of California moved into the Purple Tier the department adjusted its areas of public contact.

To assist with the hiring of first responders and medical personnel SLTPD will be able to provide pre-employment fingerprint services by appointment only. The SLTPD front lobby is closed at this time so please call 530.542.6100 to schedule that appointment or for other normal front counter services.
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Heavenly Mountain Resort prepares for opening day Friday

SOUTH LAKE TAHOE, Calif. - Opening day at Heavenly Mountain Resort is planned for Friday, November 20, with ski and snowboard operations exclusive for all pass holders until December 8.

This year there are many changes due to COVID-19 and Vail says their goal is to prioritize pass holders, including those who have the Epic Day Pass. Those with passes need to reserve their day on the slopes as does the general non-pass holding public.

There will be no ticket sales at the Vail ski resorts this season and all is conducted virtually except for sightseeing rides.

Heavy wet snow blankets Lake Tahoe

SOUTH LAKE TAHOE, Calif. - The overnight snow storm that hit the Sierra Tuesday night left over a foot of snow on the mountains around Lake Tahoe.

Ten inches of new snow fell overnight at Homewood Mountain Resort’s summit on Lake Tahoe’s west shore, and two inches at the base (lake level). With a winter storm warning in effect until 6:00 p.m. tonight, the National Weather Service forecast is calling for another 4-8” of snow throughout the day today, and 1-3” tonight.

Heavenly staff reports 16" of snow overnight.

COVID-19 case update for Lake Tahoe area counties

SOUTH LAKE TAHOE, Calif. - El Dorado County health officials say another 97 residents have tested positive for COVID-19 since yesterday. Of those, 21 are in El Dorado Hills, ten in Cameron Park/Shingle Springs/Rescue, three in North County, two in South County, 14 in Greater Placerville, eight in Pollock Pines/Camino/Kyburz, five in Diamond Springs/El Dorado, and 33 in Lake Tahoe region. There are three positive results awaiting address confirmation.

One of those new cases, six are under the age of 18, 50 are aged 18-49, 23 are aged 50-64, and 18 aged 65 or older.

Boil water order in place for North Upper Truckee area

SOUTH LAKE TAHOE, Calif. - South Tahoe Public Utility District has issued a boil water alert for the North Upper Truckee neighborhood for all streets off North Upper Truckee between Highway 50 and Zuni Drive, and the Chiapa neighborhood. The boil water advisory is issued out of an abundance of caution and is expected to be resolved by Thursday evening or Friday morning.

Three fires burning from Doyle to Walker; all fed by high winds

UPDATE 8:15PM: The Mountain View Fire is currently burning around the community of Walker. Due to the fast moving nature of the fire, an Evacuation Order has been issued for the Walker, Coleville and Topaz areas, and US 395 is still closed from Bridgeport to the Nevada state line. There is 0 percent containment and 5,000 acres burned according to Inci-web. Liberty Utilities has de-energized the communities of Walker and Coleville up to Topaz at the state line for safety precautions. Liberty is working with all emergency agencies and will safely restore power when possible.

New stop signs installed on South Lake Tahoe streets to improve safety

SOUTH LAKE TAHOE, Calif. - There are three new stop signs in the Rocky Point neighborhood of South Lake Tahoe in response to complaints about speeding vehicles and unclear lines of sight.

Last week City of South Lake Tahoe Public Works staff installed stop signs at Chonokis Road and Rocky Point Road, and on Montreal Avenue at Moss and Fern roads.

The City hired a traffic engineer to do an assessment of the conditions after they received complaints and requests to look at speeders using the neighborhood to bypass Highway 50/Lake Tahoe Boulevard through the casino corridor.

Non-essential services offered by City of South Lake Tahoe moved remotely

SOUTH LAKE TAHOE, Calif. - The state has moved El Dorado County, and subsequently, South Lake Tahoe moved into the purple tier at noon on Tuesday. With the new restrictions on businesses, non-essential City of South Lake Tahoe offices will be closed. City employees working in non-essential offices will be available either by e-mail or telephone to the public.

Safety grant awarded to South Lake Tahoe Police Department

SOUTH LAKE TAHOE, Calif. - The South Lake Tahoe Police Department (SLTPD) has been awarded a $86,126 grant to combat recognized traffic issues in the city limits including DUI, pedestrian, and motorcycle enforcement.

The safety of everyone traveling is the focus of the grant with efforts to reduce deaths and injuries on South Lake Tahoe roads and to improve traffic analysis, reporting, and data collection.

The one-year grant is for the 2021 federal fiscal year, which runs from Oct. 1, 2020 to Sept. 30, 2021.

Lake Tahoe storm upgraded from "watch" to "warning"

SOUTH LAKE TAHOE, Calif. - We are already experiencing the winds that are accompanying the latest storm for the Lake Tahoe Basin. The High Wind Warning is in effect until 4:00 p.m. Tuesday.

Winds are from the south to southwest winds 20 to 35 mph with gusts up to 60 mph expected. There are hazardous boating conditions on Lake Tahoe with waves 3 to 6 feet from mid-lake to north and east shores.

COVID-19 case update for Lake Tahoe area counties

SOUTH LAKE TAHOE, Calif. - El Dorado County health officials say another 64 residents have tested positive for COVID-19 since Friday. Of those, 18 are in El Dorado Hills, eight in Cameron Park/Shingle Springs/Rescue, four in North County, four in Greater Placerville, three in Pollock Pines/Camino/Kyburz, one in Diamond Springs/El Dorado, and 24 in Lake Tahoe region. There are two results awaiting address confirmation.

One of those new cases, seven are under the age of 18, 40 are aged 18-49, 13 are aged 50-64, and four aged 65 or older.

South Lake Tahoe and El Dorado County join much of the state in the purple tier of COVID-19 restrictions

EL DORADO COUNTY, Calif. - The State of California today announced new COVID-19 tier assignments, moving El Dorado County into Tier 1 Purple starting at noon on Tuesday, November 17. This date has been changed from the county's previously announced noon on Thursday.

Under the Purple Tier, the following sectors are permitted for OUTDOOR ONLY operations These sectors must still maintain mitigation measures (social distancing, face covering, and sanitization):

-Cardrooms, satellite wagering

Another little burst of winter in the Lake Tahoe forecast

SOUTH LAKE TAHOE, Calif. - It will be mild and quiet through Monday. The next storm moves in Tuesday for another round of strong winds, especially in eastern
California and far western Nevada. Rain and higher elevation snow are likely later Tuesday and Wednesday with travel in the Sierra affected. Temperatures will fall closer to average for the middle to the latter portion of the week, according to the National Weather Service (NWS) in Reno.

There is a High Wind Watch and a Winter Weather Watch in place for the Lake Tahoe Basin, though lake level should not see much snow.

High wind and winter weather watches issued for Lake Tahoe

SOUTH LAKE TAHOE, Calif. - There are two new weather watches issued for the Lake Tahoe Basin this week, but most of the impacts will be above the 6500 foot elevation.

First come the winds. A High Wind Watch is in effect Tuesday from 7:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. Winds will be front the south 20 to 35 mph with gusts up to 60 mph possible. Stronger wind gusts to 75 mph are possible in Nevada for wind-prone areas along and west of Highway 395 and Interstate 580. Exposed ridges are likely to gust over 100 mph.

Two more students in LTUSD test positive for COVID-19; All contacts notified

UPDATE 11/16/20: Lake Tahoe Unified School District has issued a correction to their statement from Sunday. At Sierra House Elementary no students or staff have tested positive. One family member of a student tested positive so the student is currently quarantined.

SOUTH LAKE TAHOE, Calif. - The Lake Tahoe Unified School District (LTUSD) sent out a notice to staff and families Sunday night to inform them of two new positive cases of COVID-19 in the district.

El Dorado County to vote on changes to VHR ordinance including 1,050 cap of Lake Tahoe permits

EL DORADO COUNTY, Calif. - The Board of Supervisors will consider changes to the El Dorado County Vacation Home Rental Ordinance at its November 17 meeting. The 2:00 p.m. time certain public hearing will contain consideration of a cap of 1,050 total permits issued in the unincorporated portion of the Tahoe Basin.

A waiting list would be created for those wanting a VHR permit after the 1,050 number is met. The waiting list request shall become void upon change in ownership.

El Dorado County Sheriff's Report

SOUTH LAKE TAHOE, Calif. - El Dorado County Sheriff's Office responds to calls throughout the county. The following are calls that only pertain to the South and West Shore, including Meyers, South Lake Tahoe, Meeks Bay, Tahoma, and the Echo Summit area. There may be some missing calls due to sheriff's logs not being completed at the time of the story.

Last Week's Log: http://southtahoenow.com/story/11/08/2020/el-dorado-county-sheriffs-report

This Week's Log:

11/8

Change in store for Lake Tahoe Unified School District Trustees

SOUTH LAKE TAHOE, Calif. - The Lake Tahoe Unified School District (LTUSD) Board of Trustees will have a change December 15 with a changing of the guard on the Area 4
seat. Trustee Troy Matthews decided to not run for reelection so he could spend more time with his family which includes a new baby girl.

Lake Tahoe, Sierra and El Dorado County roadwork November 15-21

SOUTH LAKE TAHOE, Calif. - The following is a list of the long term and short term projects the California Department of Transportation (Caltrans) has scheduled for the week around Lake Tahoe, in the Sierra and El Dorado County. At this time there is no work scheduled for the South Lake Tahoe area.

LONG-TERM PROJECTS

Quarantine in South Lake Tahoe leads to poem brought to life in new children's book

SOUTH LAKE TAHOE, Calif. - In search of something positive to do while staying at home during the pandemic, South Lake Tahoe parent Gantt Miller and his daughter Mackenzie started brainstorming. They couldn't sew, so making masks were out of the question. What could they do?

They could tell a story.

The nine-year-old Mackenzie and her dad, who wrote the book under a pen name, M.C. Behm, started to explore what messages they could convey between the front and back covers.

Retired SLTPD K9 Tara dies after being honored with ceremony

SOUTH LAKE TAHOE, Calif. - It was a special ceremony November 6, 2020, one that honored the police service of K9 Tara as she left her home for the last time. After surviving cancer surgery that resulted in the loss of one leg two years ago, K9 Tara was put to sleep after being hit by the disease once again.

COVID-19 case update for Lake Tahoe area counties

SOUTH LAKE TAHOE, Calif. - El Dorado County health officials say another 37 residents have tested positive for COVID-19 since yesterday. Of those, three in Pollock Pines/Camino/Kyburz, six in El Dorado Hills, three in North County, five in Greater Placerville, six in Cameron Park/Shingle Springs/Rescue, and 14 in Lake Tahoe region

One of those new cases, three are under the age of 18, 25 are aged 18-49, seven are aged 50-64, and two aged 65 or older.

Another 393 people were tested for the coronavirus and 356 negative tests results were received.

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