state of california

New COVID-19 travel advisory in California: Stay within 120 miles of home

The California Department of Public Health issued a revised Travel Advisory on Tuesday, January 6, 2021, one that supersedes the previous order issued in November and one meant to curb the spread of COVID-19. This new advisory affects all counties in California, whether they are under a Regional Stay Home Order or not.

The updated travel advisory

Lake Tahoe Community College has significantly closed equity gaps on its campus

Lake Tahoe Community College (LTCC) is one of a handful of California community colleges that has significantly closed equity gaps and increased success rates for Latinx students, according to a new report from the Public Policy Institute of California.

South Lake Tahoe businesses can apply for COVID-19 relief grant program

SOUTH LAKE TAHOE, Calif. - There is a very short window for small businesses to apply for the latest round in COVID-19 relief grants. From December 30 2020 - January 8, 2021, businesses can apply for some of the $475 million that will be made available in two rounds.

Barton Health starts vaccinating front line healthcare workers

SOUTH LAKE TAHOE, Calif. - Barton Health has begun the process of inoculating its frontline healthcare workers at the South Lake Tahoe hospital. The first 500 doses of the Pfizer-BioNTech vaccine were received from the State of California Thursday.

Doses received during the vaccine rollout in Phase 1a have been specifically allocated for healthcare workers and hospital Skilled Nursing Facility residents, under California’s tiered vaccination plan.

Column: Persevering this winter’s surge together

We cannot turn on the news, surf the web or walk down the street without constant reminders that we, along with the rest of the world, are battling a virus that has already taken a huge toll on our lives. No one has been immune to the impacts of this virus.

South Lake Tahoe and El Dorado County not under shut down orders, yet

SOUTH LAKE TAHOE, Calif. - With a surge of COVID-19 cases and hospitalizations, California Governor Newsom today issued a new regional stay-at-home order as an "emergency brake" to slow the spread of COVID-19 in the state.

This order goes into effect in regions with less than 15 percent ICU availability. At this time, the El Dorado County does not fall into that group but it could be a matter of days until it does. The county is part of the Greater Sacramento Region which is at 22 percent capacity as of Thursday.

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.

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

City of South Lake Tahoe seeking applicants for citizen commissions and boards

The City of South Lake Tahoe is looking to fill vacant seats on four citizen commissions and boards: Planning Commission, Airport Land Use Commission, Building Board of Appeals, and Parks & Recreation Commission. They are soliciting applications for a City Council representative to the El Dorado County Commission on Aging and the Tahoe Regional Planning Agency Advisory Planning Commission.

Applications are due December 28 for the following positions

Planning Commission

Public meeting on South Lake Tahoe affordable housing project, Sugar Pine Village

Event Date: 
November 18, 2020 - 5:30pm

Sugar Pine Village in South Lake Tahoe is envisioned to be a new residential, mixed-use affordable community that compliments the existing neighborhood while also preserving native species and sensitive land. The project will be designed to provide residents with new high quality, sustainable housing designed to support active transportation, encouraging biking, walking, access to transit, and connection with nearby trails for the local workforce and their families.

City Council candidates respond to 100% Renewable Energy Committee questions

On April 18, 2017 the South Lake Tahoe City Council unanimously passed a resolution to: 1) Power the South Lake Tahoe community with electricity provided from 100 percent renewable sources by 2032 and 2) Reduce community carbon emissions from baseline by at least 80 percent by 2040, and reduce municipal emissions by 50 percent by 2030.

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/09/13/2020/el-dorado-county-sheriffs-report
This Week's Report:

9/13

Forest closure orders extended in Lake Tahoe and California; Humboldt-Toiyabe reopens

Due to unprecedented and historic fire conditions throughout the state, the USDA Forest Service Pacific Southwest Region announced they are extending the temporary closure orders for 18 National Forests in California. This decision will be re-evaluated as conditions change.

Are you ready in case of a wildfire at Lake Tahoe?

SOUTH LAKE TAHOE, Calif. - With 367 current wildfires in the state of California, fire fighting resources are spread thin. Calfire If there was a fire in South Lake Tahoe, are you prepared?

Tens of thousands of residents are evacuated from their homes in Napa, Sonoma, Santa Cruz, Salinas, Grass Valley, Nevada City and other cities in the state. Most of the fires were started by a massive lightning storm over Northern California Sunday where over 10,800 lightning strikes were observed.

Challenge of accurate Census numbers in South Lake Tahoe

SOUTH LAKE TAHOE, Calif. - Every ten years a Census is taken of all people living in the Unitied States. While the state of California currently has a 64.5 percent response rate, South Lake Tahoe once again is lagging far behind.

As of August 6, 28.1 percent of those living in South Lake Tahoe had turned in answers to the Census Bureau. El Dorado County as a whole, 58.6 percent. Nationally, the Census return rate is 63.2 percent.

Why is it so hard to get South Lake Tahoe residents to participate?

Boys & Girls Club of Lake Tahoe cancels the 2020 Tahoe Brewfest

SOUTH LAKE TAHOE, Calif. - Another event has been forced to cancel amidst safety concerns and restrictions surrounding the coronavirus pandemic.

With the City of South Lake Tahoe canceling their events through September, and added restrictions added by the state of California, the Boys & Girls Club of Lake Tahoe has announced they are canceling its annual Tahoe Brewfest for 2020. The event is normally held in June and was moved to September due to the rise in COVID-19, and now the new date is June 5, 2021.

South Lake Tahoe City Council meeting Tuesday: Tax increase and Grand Jury on agenda

SOUTH LAKE TAHOE, Calif. - The next meeting of the South Lake Tahoe City Council will be on Tuesday, July 14 starting at 9:00 a.m. It will be a virtual meeting and log on/comment instructions are at the end of the story.

On the agenda:

Council will vote on a measure, that if approved by voters on November 3, will add a local one-cent sales tax for general city purposes. There has been outreach done with local residents and finding out what their highest priorities are, and this proposed tax increase would meet those requests:

June 12 a big day on the road map to reopening for South Lake Tahoe and El Dorado County

SOUTH LAKE TAHOE, Calif. - The State of California issued guidelines on Friday for 12 business sectors that can open in some counties on June 12, 2020. Counites that have approved attestations like El Dorado County can open those sectors once they have developed and implemented their safety plans on June 12.

State of California travel bans still in place, even as El Dorado County lifts their order

SOUTH LAKE TAHOE, Calif. - On Wednesday, May 27, El Dorado County rescinded its nonessential travel ban into the Lake Tahoe Basin, just as it did when letting the County-specific Stay At Home order expire in April.

The messaging is confusing as local orders are lifted, and state orders are still in place.

The action by the County does not mean that travel into Lake Tahoe Basin is all of a sudden okay though.

Work underway on Al Tahoe Safety and Mobility Project in South Lake Tahoe

SOUTH LAKE TAHOE, Calif. - If you've been driving through town lately you've most likely noticed the road work on Al Tahoe Boulevard.

After a restriping/lane change pilot project in 2017 that reconfigured two of the four vehicle travel lanes and added buffered bike lanes on Al Tahoe Blvd., the rest of the project has now begun. The project has been years in the making through the planning, funding, public input, and permitting stages.

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.

Lake Tahoe Community College to offer online and virtual classes for summer and fall quarters

SOUTH LAKE TAHOE, Calif. - Given the uncertainties surrounding COVID-19 and how open or not the state of California may be in the months to come, Lake Tahoe Community College (LTCC) has announced its Summer and Fall quarter class formats that will allow high-quality education to continue in the safest manner possible.

Barton Health seeks those with clinical experience to join "Medical Corps" as influx of COVID-19 cases expected

SOUTH LAKE TAHOE, Calif. - Barton Health is seeking retired or available physicians, nurses, EMTs, and other medical professionals with clinical expertise to work with the hospital as it prepares to treat an influx of patients expected during the coronavirus crisis.

Nine confirmed cases of COVID-19 in El Dorado County

EL DORADO COUNTY, Calif. - The El Dorado County Public Health Department has announced there are now nine confirmed cases of COVID-19 as of 4:00 p.m. Thursday, March 26. The County is not identifying the communities where these cases are.

This brings the total number of positive cases in the State of California to 4,040. There have been 82 deaths in the state.

Of those 3,666, 886 are community-acquired cases; 2,120 were acquired through person-to-person transmission, travel (including cruise ship passengers), repatriation, or under investigation. This includes 42 health care workers.

Rental of a South Lake Tahoe vacation home or motel could result in fines

SOUTH LAKE TAHOE, Calif. - During their emergency meeting Wednesday, the South Lake Tahoe City Council voted to support the temporary use of the City's recreation center for the homeless population during the coronavirus pandemic and to follow the State of Calfornia's lead not halting commercial evictions at the time.

Stay-at-home FAQs from California Department of Health

The California State Public Health Officer and Director of the California Department of Public Health have ordered all individuals living in the State of California to stay home or at their place of residence, except as needed to maintain continuity of operation of the federal critical infrastructure sectors.

Some people may be confused and hear different messages and wonder exactly what are "essential services". To list what the State order covered they have come out with a guideline to help navigate these unchartered waters.

What does this mean?

No confirmed COVID-19 cases in El Dorado County, one in Truckee

EL DORADO COUNTY, Calif. - El Dorado County health officials and agency partners have been closely monitoring the outbreak of novel Coronavirus COVID-19. As of March 17 at 2:00 p.m. there are no confirmed cases of COVID-19 in El Dorado County.

Family Resource Center closes and cancels annual Cinco de Mayo celebration due to COVID-19 concerns

SOUTH LAKE TAHOE, Calif. - The Family Resource Center in South Lake Tahoe has closed out of concern of the spread of the COVID-19 virus and recommendations from health professionals, LTUSD and the State of California.

They plan on reopening on April 12, 2020.

Their therapeutic service clients will be contacted to have phone/internet discussions. All classes though are suspended as are meetings and food distribution.

The nonprofit also had to cancel its 17th annual Cinco de Mayo Festival and March 26 Immigration Forum on March 26th.

Sales tax revenues increase in South Lake Tahoe and El Dorado County

SOUTH LAKE TAHOE, Calif. - Quarterly reports on the sales tax received by the City of South Lake Tahoe and El Dorado County (EDC) were released this week. The quarter ending September 2019 shows the County's taxable sales in the unincorporated area grew by 4.3 percent when compared to the same period in 2018. In South Lake Tahoe, taxable sales grew by 6.0 percent. County-wide including both cities within its boundaries saw a 5.1 percent increase. In comparison, the Sacramento region was up 4.5 percent.

TRPA housing committee to discuss Accessory Dwelling Units in Lake Tahoe Basin

Event Date: 
February 12, 2020 - 1:00pm

LAKE TAHOE, Calif./Nev. - The Local Government and Housing Committee of the Tahoe Regional Planning Agency (TRPA) will be holding a public meeting on Wednesday, February 12 to discuss Accessory Dwelling Unit policy in the Lake Tahoe Basin. They will be meeting at 1:00 p.m., at TRPA office, 128 Market Street, Stateline, Nev.

Tax measure on March ballot to fund snow removal equipment on South Shore

MEYERS, Calif. - The El Dorado County Department of Transportation (DOT) is asking voters in Meyers and the county areas of South Lake Tahoe for money to replace their aging snow removal fleet and equipment.

On March 3, voters will be deciding whether or not they want to pay $60 more a year via their property taxes to fund CSA3 (from Strawberry to Meeks Bay to South Lake Tahoe City Limits). Measure M, if passed, will supply an extra $540,000 annually for the sole purpose of buying and leasing snow removal equipment. The funds could not be used for salaries, pensions or any other purpose.

Crafting South Lake Tahoe's wireless communications facility ordinance

SOUTH LAKE TAHOE, Calif. - Most will say their cell phone coverage isn't great in Lake Tahoe or is severely impaired on big tourist weekends such as the 4th of July. With the growth of remote workers coming to live in Lake Tahoe, better internet coverage is also needed for them to work, along with the needs of many others.

Amgen Tour of California put on hold in 2020

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.

Community newsletter from the City of South Lake Tahoe

The City of South Lake Tahoe has launched its October Edition of "At Lake Level." The monthly newsletter is prepared by City Manager Frank Rush in an effort to keep the community well informed about City issues and initiatives.

Development Commodities Available at No Cost for Qualified Affordable Housing, Town Center, and Distressed Property Development

Sales tax revenues increase in South Lake Tahoe and El Dorado County

SOUTH LAKE TAHOE, Calif. - The winter of 2019 was a good one for both South Lake Tahoe and El Dorado County retailers, ski resorts, restaurants and others whose businesses collect sales tax, including online retailers selling goods in the area.

The first sales tax report for 2019 has been released, with $2,580,475 in gross receipts in South Lake Tahoe during Q4/Q1 and $11,976,387 in the unincorporated areas of El Dorado County. During the same two-quarter period the year before, tax revenues were $2,390,631 and $9,925,645 respectively.

NV Energy and Liberty Utilities outline wildfire mitigation plans for Lake Tahoe

SOUTH LAKE TAHOE, Calif. - With electrical transmission lines found to be at fault in recent California fires, agencies responsible for supplying electricity to communities have been creating plans to prevent fires in the future.

Both companies that supply power to Lake Tahoe, NV Energy and Liberty Utilities, have announced new mitigation efforts to reduce the risk of fire.

70th Anniversary of the Wagon Train through South Lake Tahoe Sunday

Event Date: 
June 2, 2019 (All day)

The Highway 50 Wagon Train will once again traverse the Sierra this week, just as the pioneers of the 1800s once did. People seeking riches headed west after gold was discovered near Placerville in 1849, but their routes were varied as very few had traveled that direction before them.

Former SLT City Attorney headed to new job in Santa Maria

Former South Lake Tahoe City Attorney Tom Watson has resigned from his position with the City of Tracy, California and taken a new one as the City Attorney of Santa Maria, a community south of San Luis Obispo.

Watson will start with them on June 17 after his contract was unanimously approved by the Santa Maria City Council on May 7.

"I have confidence in his abilities to manage and lead the City Attorney’s Office for years to come,” said Mayor Alice Patino in a news release. “I look forward to him effectively managing the legal needs of our city.”

LTUSD told to take a "pause" on spending and plan on major budget cuts

SOUTH LAKE TAHOE, Calif. - The Lake Tahoe Unified School District received a message last night: Take a pause and don't spend any more money until the two-year budget can be completed. The budget must include major cuts in expenses.

Official last day of school set for South Lake Tahoe students

SOUTH LAKE TAHOE, Calif. - Each year the Lake Tahoe Unified School District (LTUSD) Board of Education approves a calendar with three snow days built into the school year. Should there be more than three snow days, decisions have to be made: move the last day of school or apply to the State of California for a waiver on the extra days, thus giving students fewer than the required days in the classroom.

Crisis Intervention Training in South Lake Tahoe

SOUTH LAKE TAHOE, Calif. - Live Violence Free is offering their spring Crisis Intervention training this May, giving the public the opportunity to work with survivors of domestic violence and sexual assault in the state of California.

This certification can help with volunteer and employment opportunities for people interested in working with this population. They give this training just twice a year.

City unveils monthly newseltter to keep public informed

SOUTH LAKE TAHOE, Calif. The City of South Lake Tahoe has launched its new
newsletter - "At Lake Level." The monthly newsletter is written by City Manager Frank Rush and prepared by Communications Manager Chris Fiore in an effort to keep the community well informed about City issues and initiatives.

New Leadership

LTUSD and LTCC to hold joint board meeting Tuesday

SOUTH LAKE TAHOE, Calif. - The annual joint board meeting of the Board of Trustees for the Lake Tahoe Tahoe Unified School District (LTUSD) and Lake Tahoe Community College (LTCC) will be held on Tuesday, March 26, starting at 5:00 p.m. in the LTCC Board Room L104.

The agenda will include updates on items that affect both groups:

USFS seeks comments on OHV grant funding in Lake Tahoe Basin

LAKE TAHOE, Calif. - The USDA Forest Service Lake Tahoe Basin Management Unit (LTBMU) is seeking public comments for the annual California Department of Parks and Recreation, Off-Highway Motor Vehicle Recreation (OHMVR) Division grant application. The OHMVR application requests funding for trail maintenance, and operation of facilities for off-highway vehicle (OHV) access in the Lake Tahoe Basin. The 60-day grant application comment period ends Monday, May 6.

Election is final: South Lake Tahoe's measure to ban VHRs wins by 58

EL DORADO COUNTY, Calif. - It was a historic turnout for a midterm election across El Dorado County, and now the results have been finalized for the November 6, 2018 election.

The final report was released at 2:36 p.m.

The most watched issued for South Lake Tahoe voters was Measure T, the citizen generated measure to ban vacation home rentals from residential neighborhoods starting in 2021.

Finals results of South Lake Tahoe election could be known by Friday

SOUTH LAKE TAHOE, Calif. - The final count of ballots for the November 6th election might be done as soon as Friday, November 30, 2018 though its not guaranteed. With just 47 votes separating the "yes" and the "no" votes on Measure T in South Lake Tahoe, many are anxiously awaiting the results. El Dorado County has 30 days from the election to send the certified election results to the State of California.

Former City Manager Nancy Kerry honored with proclamation and party

Nancy Kerry has been gone from her position as the city manager of South Lake Tahoe since March, but she finally got the credit due for her many accomplishments and contributions during a standing room only celebration Tuesday evening.

Over 75 community leaders came together to present Nancy with a proclamation signed by both Mayor Wendy David and Mayor Pro Tem Tom Davis, their last official act with the City.

The list of tributes spoken during the evening is a lengthy one.

Letter: Lou Pierini would bring well-rounded background to STPUD board

I’m Lou Pierini and I am running for the South Tahoe Utility District Board of Directors. I would like to be part of the process that makes decisions regarding our sewer and water service. I have the experience, the knowledge and the ambition to positively contribute to the direction South Tahoe Public Utility District takes now and in the future.

Locals headed to Hollywood for statewide movie industry award ceremonies

SOUTH LAKE TAHOE, Calif. - El Dorado County and the South Shore are a big part of the Hollywood scene with movies, television shows and commercials filmed often in the area. It takes a lot of partners to make location shoots successful and to recognize those that go above and beyond to make filming successful the California On Location Awards (COLA) are given out.

The COLA nominations were announced this week by the Film Liaisons in California Statewide (FLICS) and one will find nominees from the county and South Lake Tahoe.

Fire dangers prompt ban on target shooting in National Forest

Due to extremely dry vegetation and very high fire danger, recreational target shooting is prohibited in the Eldorado National Forest until at least October 9, 2018. In the Lake Tahoe Basin, it is not prohibited but they suggest those wishing to target shoot go to one of the legal ranges in Carson City or Gardnerville for safety reasons.

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