supervisor

El Dorado County joins others in state to temporarily ban sales of cannabis

The El Dorado County Board of Supervisors have voted for a temporary ban of commercial licenses for both medical and recreational cannabis in El Dorado County with the exception of medical cannabis dispensaries allowed to operate under ordinance 4999.

At the same time, they voted to create a new ad hoc Cannabis Advisory Committee to study and create ballot measures for different cannabis commercial uses tied to
taxation for a local election.

Supervisor Sue Novasel, who represents the South Shore will join Supervisor Ranalli on the new committee.

Five cases of viral meningitis in El Dorado County

Several viral meningitis cases have been reported from Susanville and Reno to El Dorado County.

As of November 2, 2017 a total number of four confirmed cases have been identified at Ponderosa High School in Shingle Springs and one confirmed case has been identified at El Dorado High School in El Dorado.

The school district has notified parents of the situation and extra cleaning has been done at the schools. Public Health is working closely with school staff and has notified county health care providers.

El Dorado County may revamp VHR ordinance

As with meetings concerning vacation rentals (VHRs) in the City of South Lake Tahoe, many residents from the county turned out to voice concerns with the El Dorado County's Tax Collector C.L. Cherie Raffety Wednesday.

What was different than the City's meetings, Raffety limited how the public could speak about noise, parking, occupancy, hot tubs, zoning and other issues they have in their neighborhoods. She broke up the issues and heard concerns, one subject at a time.

County to hold VHR meeting in South Lake Tahoe

The El Dorado County Tax Collector will be holding a meeting to discuss vacation home rentals (VHRs) in the non-city limits portions of South Lake Tahoe on Wednesday, November 1 at 2:00 p.m. at the SLT library.

C.L. Raffety is holding the public meeting to discuss recent changes in the ordinance, and hear suggestions for amendments. Under consideration for changes include no sub-leases of vacation homes, signage requirements and looking at ways to eliminate clusters of VHRs in neighborhoods.

Revised medical marijuana rules being worked out, committee sets next meeting

Event Date: 
October 23, 2017 (All day)

The last meeting of El Dorado County's Medical Marijuana Advisory Committee was a packed house, with a majority of those in attendance made up of cannabis growers in the area, and more of the same is expected at their next meeting.

One of the organizers, County Supervisor Sue Novasel of the South Shore, said all participants were respectful of each other's opinions. "It was a good meeting," said Novasel. She said many were concerned about a proposed registration procedure.

VHRs on agenda for El Dorado County BOS meeting in South Lake Tahoe

Every year the El Dorado County Board of Supervisors venture to South Lake Tahoe to hold one of their meetings in the eastern portion of the county. This year's meeting will be Tuesday, October 17 at the Lahontan Water Board Annex at 971 Silver Dollar Avenue.

They usually hold their meeting when the South Lake Tahoe City Council does not have a meeting, but with the Council voting to change their October meeting dates recently, that is not true this year. It was too late for El Dorado County to change the date and they had to find a new venue.

Stretch of highway renamed for fallen South Lake Tahoe firefighter

The Michael “Mikey” Hallenbeck Memorial Highway was dedicated Saturday during a ceremony on Echo Summit near South Lake Tahoe.

Hallenbeck was a 21-year-old firefighter when he died on August 8, 2015 after a tree fell on him as he was fighting the Sierra Fire.

The stretch of Highway 50 from Mt. Ralston Road to Echo Summit now has signage at each end commemorating the fallen fire fighter who worked winters at Sierra-at-Tahoe.

Preventing childhood lead poisoning

Every parent wants to provide a safe and healthy environment for their child. El Dorado County Health and Human Services Agency, Public Health Nursing is hoping to increase awareness among parents about the hidden dangers of lead exposure to children. October 22 through October 28, 2017, is National Lead Poisoning Prevention Week.

El Dorado County reviewing their vacation rental ordinance

El Dorado County initiated the "Good Neighbor Program" in 2014 after holding a public meeting on October 23 of that year.

Tax Collector Cherie Raffety said during the meeting that the County wanted vacation homes to be a good neighbor instead of creating a situation that causes Sheriff's deputies to be called out for excessive noise. Management companies were to go to neighbors, introduce themselves and leave contact info.

More stabilization work needed on new Upper Truckee River channel

The winter took its toll on the new Upper Truckee River channel near the Lake Tahoe Airport, and crews from the USFS Lake Tahoe Basin Management Unit (LTBMU) are doing stabilization work in the area.

Opinion: Tahoe South steals the show – with “Modern Family”

This past week is one for the record books in South Lake Tahoe. I know, you’re thinking record temperatures, attendance at one of our special events or our filled-to-capacity lake. All wrong -- I’m referring to ABC’s Emmy Award-winning hit TV comedy series Modern Family and the filming of the show’s season premiere here at South Shore.

Laine and Novasel appointed to the California Tahoe Conservancy Board

Now that elected officials are allowed back on the California Tahoe Conservancy (CTC), the South Lake Tahoe City Council and El Dorado County Board of Supervisors (BOS) both appointed their representatives today.

Governor Brown signed AB1191 on July 24, 2017, defining who could serve on the CTC after the use of elected officials was questioned earlier this year.

16 mile memorial trail to re-create wagon route at Donner

After an agreement today, a 16-mile trail to commemorate the original wagon route west over Donner Summit will be created from Kingvale through the Donner State Memorial Park in Truckee. Users will follow the original Overland Emigrant Trail but stay away from its remnants to protect the historical artifacts.

El Dorado County appoints two new directors for reorganized departments

El Dorado County reorganized what is now Community Development Services to include directors of three primary departments, and they recently announced the hiring of two of those new directors, one for Planning & Building and the other for Environmental Management. Both men were interim directors as the departments were being reorganized and the search for director was underway.

North Lake Tahoe Resort Association gets $1.78M from Placer County

Over the next six months the North Lake Tahoe Resort Association (NLTRA) will get $1,779,495 from Placer County after the Board of Supervisors approved the contract Tuesday.

Of the contract, $1,728,262 will fund NLTRA marketing and visitor services, with $16,104 earmarked for NLTRA’s participation in regional transportation planning efforts and $33,129 for their support in developing a capital projects partnership to complete goals in the Tourism Master Plan.

Buyer has one week to close escrow on Kingsbury Middle School sale

The sale of Kingsbury Middle School to Lake Parkway LLC is still on, for now.

At a special meeting of the Douglas County School District Monday, the board voted unanimously to give the buyer until Monday, July 31 to come up with the rest of the $3.15 million purchase price for the middle school which has sat vacant since the 2008-09 school year.

Free tree removal for low-income El Dorado County seniors

With tree mortality issues so prevalent in the Sierra, the El Dorado County Board of Supervisors today launched a Tree Removal Grant Program for low-income seniors.

“The tree mortality issues in our county remain very serious. We’re just happy to have this program available to assist private homeowners, especially our seniors with limited income, who have no other means to remove dead or dying trees from threatening damage to their homes,” said District IV Supervisor, Michael Ranalli.

USFS to start chemical treatment of invasive species in Lake Tahoe

SOUTH LAKE TAHOE, Calif. - Starting later this month, the USFS Lake Tahoe Basin Management Unit (LTBMU) will start using chemical treatment to try and eradicate, control and contain known infestations of invasive plants. Their focus will be on 90 sites covering 18.25 acres of sites inside the Lake Tahoe Basin.

Kudos: Bread and Broth thanks Heavenly Product, Sales and Services

To help address the needs of the hungry of our community, Bread & Broth, a non-profit, all volunteer organization, has been serving free, nutritious meals for all who come to our Monday Meal dinner at St. Theresa Grace Hall. To fund these meals, B&B invites individuals, families, businesses and service clubs/organizations to sponsor an ‘Adopt A Day of Nourishment’. By donating a tax-deductible gift of $250.00, up to 110 people will be fed and up to 5 folks from the sponsor group can participate alongside the B&B volunteers at their sponsorship dinner.

First responders and resilient community honored on 10th anniversary of Angora Fire

"It was so frustrating and only so much we could do," recalled Kit Bailey of the U.S. Forest Service during Saturday's Angora Fire First Responder Remembrance Ceremony. "Its miraculous nobody got hurt."

On the 10th anniversary of the devastating fire that destroyed 254 homes as it burned quickly through 3,100 acres in the Meyers area of the South Shore, fire responders gathered at the Lake Valley Fire Department to honor those who served that day, and to honor the resilient community that supported them.

Events at Lake Valley Fire and Valhalla mark 10th anniversary of Angora Fire

Event Date: 
June 24, 2017 - 8:30am

Events continue on the South Shore to mark the 10th anniversary of the Angora Fire.

Angora Fire First Responder Remembrance Ceremony
Saturday, June 24, 8:30 a.m. to 9:30 a.m.
Lake Valley Fire Protection District Station 7, 2211 Keetak Street, South Lake Tahoe, CA

Angora Commemoration
Saturday, June 24, 10:30 a.m. to noon
Valhalla Grand Lawn, 1 Valhalla Road, State Route 89, South Lake Tahoe, CA
Sponsored by the Tahoe Fire and Fuels Team

Speakers for the event:
Welcome South Lake Tahoe Mayor Austin Sass

Pete Sonntag leaving Lake Tahoe to head up Whistler Blackcomb

Pete Sonntag, the current senior vice president of Vail Resort's Lake Tahoe region, is leaving the lake to be the new chief operating officer of Vail's Whistler Blackcomb.

He will start this summer once his Canadian work visa is approved.

The appointment follows the announcement last month that longtime Whistler Blackcomb chief operating officer, Dave Brownlie, was stepping down to pursue other endeavors after a nearly 30-year career at the resort.

LTUSD celebrates 20 retirees with 551 combined years of service

SOUTH LAKE TAHOE, Calif. - The Lake Tahoe Unified School District is losing a lot of experience as 20 of their employees are retiring after a combined 551 years of collective service in education. The four retiring food service employees alone had 107 years of working with LTUSD.

During a ceremony on Tuesday, the following retirees were honored:

Certificated Staff:

Roy Benavidez – Biology Teacher, STHS, 29 years of service
Therese Colwell – P.E. Teacher, STMS, 27 years of service
Mitch Delacour – ILA, Independent studies Teacher, 39 years of service

City Council gives LTUSD $75,000 for fields; Asks they come back to consortium

SOUTH LAKE TAHOE, Calif. - Dr. James Tarwarter, Superintendent of Lake Tahoe Unified School District, was at Tuesday's South Lake Tahoe City Council meeting to explain why LTUSD should receive $150,000 from the City for ballfield maintenance. He walked away with $75,000 with a strong recommendation that he join the Community Field Consortium Tarwater chose not to join in November, 2015.

Kudos: Bread and Broth thanks Kirkwood Mountain Resort

On Monday, May 8, Emily Davis, Kirkwood Mountain Resort Human Resources supervisor, experienced her first Adopt A Day volunteer stint at a Bread & Broth Monday Meal. “It was such a wonderful and fulfilling experience giving back to the community like this,” was Emily’s description of setting up and serving a healthy and hearty dinner to grateful guests. “This was our first time here and we are all sincerely impressed by the quality of service and immense dedication the team here has. Thank you all for all you do.”

Kudos: Adventure Mountain Lake Tahoe sponsors dinner

Adventure Mountain owners Jim and Linda Mueller are long time and enthusiastic supporters of Bread & Broth’s Monday Meal.

“Bread & Broth is a great organization serving delicious meals to the South Lake Tahoe community,” commented Jim. “Adventure Mountain and our family always enjoys helping out such a great organization and getting to spend time with our community members.”

It was a family/business affair with sons Max and Luke and long time friend and Adventure Mountain retail supervisor Cathy Vogelgesang completing the Adopt A Day sponsorship crew.

Two plead guilty to stealing recreation fees

Two suspects have pled guilty to stealing from fee tubes on the Eldorado National Forest and other sites in El Dorado County.

Brian Lisanti and Deseree Tougas entered the pleas in El Dorado Superior Court after a multi-agency investigation uncovered the crimes.

Public safety memorial wall to be dedicated in South Lake Tahoe

Event Date: 
May 19, 2017 - 1:00pm

The public is invited to the dedication of a new public safety memorial wall at Happy Homestead Cemetery on Friday, May 19 at 1:00 p.m.

Local law enforcement and fire departments will be participating, with South Lake Tahoe Mayor Austin Sass, El Dorado County Supervisor Sue Novasel, fire and police chiefs speaking during the ceremony. A large contingent of agency equipment is expected along with honor guards and traditional bell ringing.

USFS announces West Shore fuels reduction project

The U.S. Forest Service Lake Tahoe Basin Management Unit (LTBMU) released the final decision to reduce hazardous fuels on the West Shore of Lake Tahoe. The West Shore Wildland Urban Interface (WUI) Fuels Reduction and Forest Health Project will treat approximately 4,875 acres extending from Emerald Bay to Burton Creek State Park.

Education and participation needed as South Lake Tahoe develops cannabis regulations

There was one thing all speakers during Wednesday evening's Town Hall on recreational cannabis agreed on: People need to get involved, educate themselves and share their opinions with their elected leaders at local, county and state levels.

A panel of six people spoke to the crowd of almost 100 people (and another 300 who were viewing online) during the Tahoe Regional Young Professionals (TRYP) fourth Town Hall meeting in South Lake Tahoe.

Public comment sought on tree removal and reseeding at Emerald Fire area

Trees will need to be removed from the Emerald Fire area, and the U.S. Forest Service Lake Tahoe Basin Management Unit (LTBMU) is asking for comments on a proposal to remove the hazardous trees and plant seedlings in that area.

“Restoration of the Emerald Fire area will help restore habitat for various wildlife species and provide benefits to the Lake Tahoe watershed,” said LTBMU Forest Supervisor, Jeff Marsolais. “The restoration effort will also provide visual benefits to residents and visitors and allow for a more fire resilient landscape.”

USFS announces Lake Tahoe recreational facilities opening dates

Weather and snow conditions permitting, Lake Tahoe recreational facilities will soon be open! The U.S. Forest Service Lake Tahoe Basin Management Unit (LTBMU) announced today they will begin opening some spots in the Lake Tahoe Basin.

Inspiration Point will be the first site to open on April 15, 2017. The Taylor Creek Visitor Center opens May 19 and will be staffed weekends only until Memorial Day weekend. The Tallac Historic Site parking area opens May 1 and will be staffed beginning Saturday, May 27.

Small group gathers to discuss Meyers and South Lake Tahoe traffic issues

Representatives from several agencies met with the public Thursday night at El Dorado County Supervisor Sue Novasel's second community meeting to discuss traffic issues and the "invasion of neighborhoods" by non-local drivers.

McCallum releases resignation letter as community leaders bid her farewell

Judi McCallum, the longtime El Dorado County employee who served as the assistant to the District 5 Board of Supervisors for 26 years, has shared her official resignation letter with South Tahoe Now.

On March 20, McCallum reached out with a personal letter to friends and the employees of the County as she began her first day of retirement. Here is her resignation letter:

March 27, 2017
El Dorado County Human Resources and Board of Supervisors

Novasel holding South Lake Tahoe/Meyers meeting to discuss traffic

Event Date: 
April 6, 2017 - 6:00pm

El Dorado County Supervisor Sue Novasel is inviting all county residents to join in the continuing discussion about traffic congestion in Meyers at the next Traffic Congestion update meeting in Meyers on April 6 from 6:00 p.m. to 7:00 p.m. She will be leading the discussion that was started at the first meeting on February 13 when about 100 people attended.

El Dorado County looks at Traction Control Ordinance for Lake Tahoe roads

El Dorado County Supervisor Sue Novasel and her fellow supervisors have taken the first steps to create a Traction Control Ordinance for Lake Tahoe. During their meeting on March 21, approval was given for the concept of an ordinance that, once created, will be back before the Supervisors in April for final adoption.

In coordination with the Community Development Agency, Transportation Division (DOT) and the El Dorado County Sheriff’s Office (EDSO), Novasel presented the item for vote to create safer roads during heavy snowstorms in the Lake Tahoe area.

Planning Commissioner resigns after possible conflict identified

A letter sent to the South Lake Tahoe City Council and Lake Tahoe Unified School District has prompted Angela Swanson, a member of the City's Planning Commission, to resign from her position.

Swanson was appointed to the commission after submitting an application and being appointed during the January 17, 2017 City Council meeting. She was one of 11 people vying for the five open positions, each for a two-year term.

Judi McCallum leaves her El Dorado County post to pursue passions

For the past 26 years, Judi McCallum has been keeping the El Dorado County Supervisors from Lake Tahoe organized, on schedule, and connected to those they serve.

"I have had such a great run as a Supervisor's Assistant at the County of El Dorado Board of Supervisors doing exactly what I love most, helping people," McCallum told South Tahoe Now during her first hour of retirement.

Since 1991 she has worked for four District V Supervisors, with 18 elected Supervisors down the hallway, more than 10 Chief Administrators or Interims, and 1,600 "amazing" county employees.

Lt. Brian Williams retiring after 30 years serving the South Lake Tahoe community

As he reflects back on 30 years in uniform for the South Lake Tahoe Police Department, Lt. Brian Williams knows the dates that will be forever etched into his memory. 12/29/1986, 6/10/1991, 1/29/1997, 10/25/2005 and 8/26/2009.

December 29, 1986: Brian starts with SLTPD and heads off to the Police Academy in Santa Rosa.

City, County, State and law enforcement officials meet to discuss Tahoe traffic jams

Sunday traffic heading west from South Lake Tahoe has been a major problem from the city to Meyers all winter long. Last week, on March 5, there were reports of travel time on the 9.3 mile route along Highway 50 from Stateline to Meyers taking eight hours, and from the Y to Meyers, four hours for the 4.3 mile trip.

USFS videos with Julia Mancuso focuses on Tahoe National Forest and World Cup

The U.S. Forest Service has released two videos created to not only highlight the upcoming World Cup ski events at Squaw Valley, but to celebrate the Tahoe National Forest.

Olympic gold medalist Julia Mancuso is featured in each video showing the beauty and recreational values of the forest where she grew up.

What is best solution to keep visitors leaving Lake Tahoe on Highway 50 and not on side streets?

It's another snowy weekend, and another weekend of drivers trying to head home over Echo Summit via Lake Tahoe Blvd and North Upper Truckee Road. With a backup at the chain control stop in Meyers, many are trying to circumvent not only the traffic, but the controls and causing issues on snow covered side roads.

Weekend traffic congestion in Meyers to be discussed at Monday meeting

Event Date: 
February 13, 2017 - 6:00pm

El Dorado County Supervisor Sue Novasel is inviting all county residents to join in a discussion about the traffic congestion in Meyers every weekend and holiday, hampering locals in their movement along surface roads and the highway.

As visitors depart South Lake Tahoe, many have become aware of side streets via google and phone apps, thus finding another route that they think is getting them around the backup.

Snow Day Monday for South Lake Tahoe schools

Lake Tahoe Unified School District (LTUSD) is closing schools on the South Shore Monday, January 23 due to snow expected Sunday and Monday from the latest storm.

LTUSD crews are performing ongoing snow removal operations, as are the City of South Lake Tahoe, Caltrans and El Dorado County.

As of 2:00 p.m. Sunday, no other school in the Lake Tahoe Basin has announced school closures, including Lake Tahoe Community College.

South Lake Tahoe snow days: Love 'em or hate 'em

Snow Days. Kids love 'em, parents maybe not so much.

Last week's five snow days, and a lack of one this week caused some parents to raise concern with how the Lake Tahoe Unified School (LTUSD) decides when to close school for the day.

Closing school is always a tough call for school superintendents across the country, so what is the science behind closing schools when it snows in the Lake Tahoe Unified School District?

Controversy brewing as City and County reps on Tahoe Conservancy Board resign

Friday's board meeting of the California Tahoe Conservancy (CTC) was delayed almost two hours due to ice on the road near near Zephyr Cove, causing it to close, and those weren't the only icy conditions on the South Shore that day.

The other ice could be felt during the meeting as conflict of interest, ethics, integrity, suspicious actions and lack of transparency were the theme of the day.

All three items on the agenda Friday were placed there amid a stressed relationship between the City of South Lake Tahoe, El Dorado County and Patrick Wright, the Executive Director of the CTC.

South Lake Tahoe schools closed until Tuesday

South Lake Tahoe students are able to enjoy the never ending snow day with school being canceled for the fifth straight day on Friday, January 13. Due to the extreme snow removal conditions still going on throughout South Lake Tahoe, on all bus routes and school sites from the week long blizzard, Lake Tahoe Unified School District officials decided to call a snow day.

Snow removal has been ongoing and very difficult due to the amount of and consistency of the snow, the notice of cancellation said.

Lake Tahoe Unified closes schools again Thursday to allow for storm cleanup

All schools in the Lake Tahoe Unified School District will be closed on Thursday, January 12 due to the continuing blizzard.

"Snow removal conditions are ongoing and very difficult due to the amount of and consistency of the snow," said Christy Blach, Transportation Supervisor for the district. "Roads are too narrow for school buses to navigate safety. Roads are too hazardous for students to get to bus stops safely."

Only essential staff should report to work, District Office, snow removal and maintenance.

William "Bill" Van Dyke Johnson 1931-2016

Former El Dorado County Supervisor and long time South Lake Tahoe resident William "Bill" Van Dyke Johnson passed away on December 19,2016 in South Lake Tahoe.

Bill was born at the J-Lazy-J Ranch on Mottsville Lane in Gardnerville on March 21, 1931 and was a member of Gardnerville High School class of 1949. He served in the U.S. Army during the Korean War for two years.

After the war, Bill attended hotel and restaurant management school in San Francisco, Calif. On Aug. 29, 1953, he married Felice Muldoon in South Lake Tahoe and they had three children: Ross, Kent and Curtis.

Tuesday's Board of Supervisor's meeting may be postponed due to weather

A cold and unstable air mass heading to the Sierra may lead to widespread snow
showers with the heaviest snow currently expected to be on Tuesday, the day of the next El Dorado County Board of Supervisors meeting.

On Friday, county officials announced that the meeting may be postponed if the storm proves to be as big as forecasters are predicting. Total snowfall accumulation projections could change, but 1 to 2 feet in the Sierra are possible through Wednesday.

Even though the meeting is held in Placerville, hazardous road conditions are expected and safety is a concern.

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