survey

Record number of Bald Eagles found at Lake Tahoe during annual count

NCLINE VILLAGE, Nev. — A record number of Bald Eagles were counted at Lake Tahoe during the recent annual survey conducted by the Tahoe Institute of Natural Science (TINS) and its team of 200 volunteers.

This year 42 Bald Eagles were found, surpassing the previous record of 27 set in 2017.

The record number of volunteers are double the number who turned out for last year's event, part of why TINS believes this was the most accurate count to date. TINS took over local coordination of the national tracking effort nine years ago.

South Lake Tahoe Mayor Tamara Wallace: Better days ahead

“You’ve got to count to three.” Those were the words of advice attributed to Norm Woods one of the first five city council members. The Cityhood project in 1965 was spearheaded by the South Lake Tahoe Chamber of Commerce with all five of that first council members coming from the Chamber Board ranks. Norm served as one of the first rotating Mayors and many times thereafter. His advice was offered to the citizens who were newly elected to subsequent councils.

South Lake Tahoe residents may be called upon to participate in community health needs assessment

SOUTH LAKE TAHOE, Calif. - Every three years Barton Health does an assessment of the health needs of the community, a tool that guides new programs and funding opportunities.

Questions from the Community Health Needs Assessment (CHNA) will address individual health choices, as well as environmental and social issues. Responses will be used to help Barton Health identify areas of opportunity and improvement for our local population, as well as foster partnerships and award health grants to help meet the outstanding health needs of our community.

Public meeting on planning of 56-Acre Master Plan

Event Date: 
January 20, 2021 - 5:30pm

SOUTH LAKE TAHOE, Calif. - The public is invited to participate in another 56-Acre Master Plan virtual session on January 20, 2021 from 5:30 p.m. to 7:00 p.m. Planning is underway to create a signature park and area in the heart of South Lake Tahoe that will fill a large wish list of projects.

There are many ways the community can participate including taking the self-guided tour onsite, the online survey, and joining the public online meeting.

Online Public Meeting:

Sierra snow pack near Lake Tahoe at 93% of average

PHILLIPS STATIONS, Calif. - The Sierra snow pack was measured at 93 percent of average on Thursday at Phillips Station, west of Lake Tahoe, the first of the winter 2020 snow pack surveys.

A team from California Department of Water Resources (DWR) found 30.5 inches of snow with 10.5 inches of snow water equivalent (SWE).

Annual Lake Tahoe Bald Eagle Count set for 2021

Event Date: 
January 8, 2021 - 9:00am

It’s a mid-winter's day dream for birders. The Tahoe Institute for Natural Science (TINS) is hosting its annual Mid-Winter Bald Eagle Survey on Friday, Jan. 8, 2021. TINS took over local coordination of the national tracking operation nine years ago. The Lake Tahoe effort is part of a nationwide, single-day census of the country’s bald eagle populations. Spotters are stationed at 26 vantage points throughout the Tahoe basin, mostly on Tahoe’s lakeshore beaches, to get an accurate snapshot of eagle numbers.

Column: ’Tis the season for a little self-care

With the holidays already upon us, one thing is certain this year – the COVID-19 pandemic has had an impact on millions of Californians, causing us to rethink so much of our daily lives, including reprioritizing family time and our mental health. The holiday season may add more challenges to parents who are balancing career, teacher and caregiver duties, as well as dealing with unanticipated illness, burnout and unemployment. Each of these challenges, for some of us, can make the season feel like the added pressures are insurmountable.

No new restrictions for Nevada as Governor asks all to stem the tide of COVID-19

Nevada Governor Steve Sisolak spoke to Nevadans Sunday afternoon to update them on the state's COVID-19 situation. He said the restrictions that went into effect three weeks ago will continue until January 15, 2021. Due to the rising COVID-19 cases and deaths in the state many thought he might impose stricter regulations.

Record low rainfall in October leads to just 10% of water supply requests fulfilled

With California off to a dry start for the water year, the California Department of Water Resources (DWR) announced Tuesday an initial State Water Project (SWP) allocation of 10 percent of requested supplies for the 2021 water year.

Initial allocations are based on conservative assumptions regarding hydrology and factors such as reservoir storage. Allocations are reviewed monthly and may change based on snowpack and runoff information. They are typically finalized by May.


Emotional well-being topic of next Tahoe Chamber Level Up workshop

Event Date: 
December 16, 2020 - 12:00pm

Even before the pandemic hit, American businesses were losing 300 billion dollars a year as a result of workplace stress. A recent nationwide survey shows 90 percent of U.S. adults are experiencing emotional distress.

To give employers needed information, the Tahoe Chamber is hosting another installment of its Level Up Webinars on Wednesday, December 16 from 12:00 p.m. to 1:30 p.m. The cost is $10 for Chamber members and $20 for non-members.

Virtual STEM field trips offered by UC Davis TERC

INCLINE VILLAGE, Nev. - The UC Davis Tahoe Environmental Research Center (TERC) has started a series of virtual field trips for teachers that have been designed with flexibility in mind during this ever-changing school year.

Using a variety of technologies, the TERC Education Team has converted some of their most popular field trips to a virtual format:

Aquatic Food Web (Grades 3–4)
Formation of Lake Tahoe (Grades 4–6)
Geology of Tahoe (Grades 4–5)
Trees of Tahoe (Grades 3–5)
Tahoe Forest Health (Grades 5–6)
Climate Change (Grades 6–8)

South Lake Tahoe businesses can now apply for global "Safe Travels" stamp through LTVA

South Lake Tahoe has earned “Safe Travels stamp and global protocols” recognition as part of a progressive group working to restore confidence in travel from the World Travel & Tourism Council.

New date for workshop on future plans for 56-acre project in South Lake Tahoe

Event Date: 
November 10, 2020 - 5:30pm

SOUTH LAKE TAHOE, Calif. - The public is being invited to give input on the 56-Acre Project in the heart of South Lake Tahoe. As the City of South Lake Tahoe and El Dorado County work out the financial arrangement of using county land, plans are underway for how it will look. Through a grant, the California Tahoe Conservancy gave the funds needed to create the master plan for the area.

Lake Tahoe, Sierra and El Dorado County roadwork October 25 - 31

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.

LONG-TERM PROJECTS

Red Ribbon Week focuses on harm tobacco and vaping have on youth

In 2020, Red Ribbon Week, the nation's largest and longest running drug-use prevention campaign, turns 35 and will be observed October 23-31. Red Ribbon Week has informed millions of kids and parents about the danger of drugs and alcohol, influencing positive choices and behaviors. However, one “drug” that may not receive as much attention lately is nicotine. which is highly addictive.

City Council candidates respond to South Lake Tahoe Chamber questions

SOUTH LAKE TAHOE, Calif. - The South Tahoe Chamber of Commerce Board recently asked the nine City Council candidates ten questions they felt were of most importance to its members. The questions focused mainly on topics relating to things that will or may affect both the local small businesses and the community in general.

Their board made the decision to not endorse a specific candidate this election, but instead rank them based on how much they align with the South Tahoe Chamber of Commerce goals based on their answers to the questions below.

Lake Tahoe, Sierra and El Dorado County roadwork October 18-24

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.

LONG-TERM PROJECTS

Workshop on future plans for 56-acre project in South Lake Tahoe

SOUTH LAKE TAHOE, Calif. - There is a new date for the public meeting on the 56-Acre Project in the heart of South Lake Tahoe. As the City of South Lake Tahoe and El Dorado County work out the financial arrangement of using county land, plans are underway for how it will look. Through a grant, the California Tahoe Conservancy gave the funds needed to create the master plan for the area.

Tahoe Bicycle Coalition and Tahoe Fund collaborate on new bike racks around lake

Due to the collaboration of the Lake Tahoe Bicycle Coalition and Tahoe Fund, over 100 more racks were installed in town centers in the Tahoe Basin this summer. Together, the nonprofits have worked together to install nearly 450 bike racks during the past three years, offering secure parking for 900 bikes.

With a grant from the Tahoe Fund and matching contributions from local businesses, the nonprofit Lake Tahoe Bicycle Coalition completed the third phase of its efforts to create secure bike parking within the Tahoe Basin.

Results from Douglas County master plan survey released

Douglas County has released the results of a community survey on the Master Plan Text Amendment conducted in September of 2020. More than 1,500 people took the survey, which asked about Agriculture and Conservation, Economic Development, Growth Management, Land Use, Public Facilities, Services, Recreation, and Public Safety. The Master Plan text provides additional guidance on the long- term development of the County (over the next 10-20 years). The text defines current issues and needs in the community.

COVID Kudos: Safer and Better Biking in Tahoe

There are changes in the air and it's not just the leaves. School is going back, construction season is wrapping up, and Al Tahoe Boulevard is getting a new look.

Citizen science drives environmental restoration and reservation in Tahoe-Truckee Region

LAKE TAHOE - Volunteer citizen scientists working with the League to Save Lake Tahoe conducted surveys of Donner and Spooner Lakes to detect aquatic invasive species, and restored native wetland habitat in Johnson Meadow in September. Both efforts are aimed at preserving the Tahoe-Truckee region’s unique ecology.

Public invited to participate in South Lake Tahoe Recreation and Swim Complex survey

SOUTH LAKE TAHOE, Calif. - The City of South Lake Tahoe is continuing the process on the planning, design and construction of the new Community Recreation & Aquatics Center.

For the past several years the City's Parks and Recreation Department has involved the public on the future of its aging recreation center and plans for a new building through community meetings and workshops.

Attempts being made to identify those buried at the Al Tahoe Historic Pioneer Cemetery

SOUTH LAKE TAHOE, Calif. - There's been movement at the Al Tahoe Historic Pioneer Cemetery, and thankfully it isn't from some of the occupants, most who have had that as their final resting spot since the late 1800s and early 1900s.

Official groundbreaking of Soroptimist Stadium - Home of Girls' Softball

SOUTH LAKE TAHOE, Calif. - For years the members of Soroptimist International of South Lake Tahoe (SISLT) have planned for a major legacy project for the community. The club has saved a portion of its fundraising proceeds for over a decade while searching for a major project which suits its mission to empower women and youth. The result of that search broke ground Wednesday - the renovation of the softball field at the South Tahoe Middle School. The socially distant ceremony was held with club members and partners in their endeavor.

Public workshops being held for Douglas County Master Plan update

Event Date: 
September 9, 2020 - 1:00pm

Douglas County is kicking off the process to update the Master Plan Text and is calling on residents to help shape the future of their community. A webpage has been constructed to provide the public with additional information regarding the update and public outreach has begun.

Meyers traffic meeting to discuss possible right turn restrictions this winter

Event Date: 
August 5, 2020 - 9:00am

EL DORADO COUNTY, Calif. Calif. - Traffic leaving South lake Tahoe through Meyers on Sundays and holidays through the winter can be a nightmare. Map apps lead visitors onto roads that are steeper and not plowed as much as US50, thus creating hazards and clogged roads. Tow trucks are backlogged hours to assist getting the stuck vehicles off Apache, Mandan, North Upper Truckee and Sawmill Roads.

Due to these jammed roads, residents in the area cannot to get to work or the grocery store, and a Traffic Advisory Committee was formed to seek solutions.

Douglas County Sheriff tells library to not count on emergency help due to its support of BLM

6:50 p.m. Update: Douglas County Library Director Amy Dodson and Douglas County Sheriff Dan Coverley met Tuesday to discuss the library's proposed Statement of Diversity, a topic that became very controversial after a letter from Coverley to the library was circulated.

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.

Survey for parents of students in the Lake Tahoe Unified School District on reopening plans

SOUTH LAKE TAHOE, Calif. - The Lake Tahoe Unified School District (LTUSD) is planning and preparing for what the 2020-21 school year will look like, whether it is held virtually, in person, or is a hybrid of different options.

The July 21 LTUSD School Board meeting will continue the conversation of reopening at their last meeting and address options and concerns with a final decision by then end of the month.

One-percent sales tax increase for South Lake Tahoe to be added to the November ballot

SOUTH LAKE TAHOE, Calif. - City Council approved unanimously at their meeting Tuesday to send what is being called the "South Lake Tahoe Fire Protection, Emergency Response, City Services Measure" to the ballot in November.

If voters approve the measure, a one-percent sales tax increase will be added in the City of South Lake Tahoe to all taxable purchases to meet funding shortfalls, according to the City.

STPUD survey for South Lake Tahoe well owners

SOUTH LAKE TAHOE, Calif. - South Tahoe Public Utility District invites private well owners to take a 5-10 minute survey about their well, water usage, and any concerns they may have concerning their well. For participation in the survey the District is offering guidance on well maintenance, a free site check to help prevent contamination from entering the well, and free water testing to understand the well’s water quality.

Lake Tahoe, Sierra and El Dorado County roadwork June 21 - 27

SOUTH LAKE TAHOE, Calif. - The California Department of Transportation (Caltrans) has resumed work on area highways. The following is their current project list at Lake Tahoe and in the Sierra.

LONG-TERM PROJECTS

Input sought on South Lake Tahoe draft Climate Action Plan strategies

SOUTH LAKE TAHOE, Calif. - The local community is invited to participate in an online survey to give input on greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions reduction strategies that have been brainstormed for the City of South Lake Tahoe's Climate Action Plan (CAP).

Lake Tahoe Unified School District creates survey for reopening guidance

SOUTH LAKE TAHOE, Calif. - The Lake Tahoe Unified School District (LTUSD) has created a School Reopening Task Force (SRTF) to help create the guidance on reopening schools in South Lake Tahoe this fall.

SRTF launched a Return-To-School survey to collect information and gain a better understanding of how families are feeling about returning to school and what their expectations are as well as challenges. They will ask what worked well during the school closures, and identify areas for improvement

2nd virtual town hall meeting for El Dorado County vacation home rentals at Lake Tahoe

Event Date: 
June 10, 2020 - 4:00pm

EL DORADO COUNTY, Calif. - The second virtual Town Hall meeting focusing on vacation home rentals (VHRs) in the El Dorado County portion of Lake Tahoe will be held on Wednesday, June 10 at 4:00 p.m. on Zoom.

Led by District 5 Supervisor Sue Novasel, she and staff will provide some background on VHRs regulations to date, review options for meeting the Tahoe Regional Planning Agency neighborhood compatibility Performance Review Standards, and review input received from the public, addressing questions and comments received.

Register in advance for the meeting here:

Celebrating South Tahoe High's seniors in a socially distancing manner

SOUTH LAKE TAHOE, Calif. - With the Class of 2020 having a graduation experience unlike any in history, parents and faculty are trying to still create a remembrance now that traditional graduation ceremonies are canceled.

For South Tahoe High School (STHS), all 226 graduates received yard/window signs over the past few days. Principal Carline Sinkler, teachers, staff, and other volunteers visited each home in South Lake Tahoe with the signs provided by the Barton Foundation.

Letter: South Tahoe Chamber of Commerce offers leaders suggestions on reopening

The following is a letter sent to El Dorado County and City of South Lake Tahoe. It is published here in its entirety at the request of the author.

The South Tahoe Chamber of Commerce would like to offer encouragement and support of a revival of the local economy, while continuing to keep the health and safety of our residents in mind. Cases of COVID-19 have remained low in our region when compared to other more populated areas around the State and Nation. We applaud the quick action taken by the County and City that has helped us keep the case count low.

Lake Tahoe snowpack measures 3% of average for May 1; Statewide stations at 37% of average

SOUTH LAKE TAHOE, Calif. – The fifth and final snow measurement of the year at Phillips Station took place Thursday, and results were very slim. The team from the Department of Water Resources (DWR) measured 1.5 inches of snow with a snow water equivalent (SWE) of 0.5 inches which is three percent of average for May 1.

The SWE measures the amount of water contained in the snowpack, providing a more accurate forecast of spring runoff than snow depth alone.

Sierra snowpack at 66% of April 1 average; Statewide it is 53% of average

SACRAMENTO, Calif. – The precipitation of March did not do enough to boost the snowpack in the Sierra to high figures, but it did give surveyors better figures than the 47 percent of average one month ago. The manual measurement of the snowpack at Phillips Station near Sierra-at-Tahoe showed the snow depth was 43.5 inches with a snow water equivalent (SWE) of 16.5 inches. This is 66 percent of the April 1 average at that location southwest of Lake Tahoe.

Series of earthquakes north of Truckee

TRUCKEE, Calif. - There was a series of earthquakes 17 miles north of Truckee at Independence Lake on Tuesday evening.

According to the University of Nevada Seismological, the following seven earthquakes were recorded from .6 to 3.9 magnitudes:

6:17 p.m. - Magnitude: 3.9 - 3.8 mi ENE of Independence Lake
6:27 p.m. - Magnitude: 1.2 - 4.1 mi ENE of Independence Lake
6:31 p.m. - Magnitude: 2.1 - 3.9 mi ENE of Independence Lake
6:48 p.m. - Magnitude: 0.6 - 3.8 mi NE of Independence Lake
7:29 p.m. - Magnitude: 0.7 - 4.0 mi ENE of Independence Lake

Dry, warm conditions lead to a snowpack at 47% of average

LAKE TAHOE, Calif. – The monthly manual survey of the snowpack at Phillips Station, just west of Lake Tahoe, revealed data that won't catch many by surprise. There is 29 inches of snow with a snow water equivalent (SWE) of 11.5 inches at the location near US50 and Sierra-at-Tahoe Road. This is 47 percent of the March average at this spot.

The SWE measures the amount of water contained in the snowpack, which provides a more accurate forecast of spring runoff.

Sierra snowpack at 79% of February average

SOUTH LAKE TAHOE, Calif. - The California Department of Water Resources (DWR) conducted the second manual snow survey of the season at Phillips Station Thursday, and they found 40.5 inches of snow depth and snow water equivalent (SWE) of 14.5 inches. The snowpack at this location is 79 percent of the February average, with the rest of the state measuring in at 73 percent of average.

The Phillips Station total is 58 percent of the seasonal average.

"It's decent but below average," said Sean de Guzman, chief of DWR’s Snow Surveys and Water Supply Forecasting Section.

First snow survey of the season: 97% of average near Echo Summit, 90% of average in Sierra

SOUTH LAKE TAHOE, Calif. - The California Department of Water Resources (DWR) conducted the first manual snow survey of the season at Phillips Station Thursday, and they found 33.5 inches of snow depth and a snow water equivalent of 11 inches. The snowpack at this location is 97 percent of average, with the Sierra as a whole at 90 percent of average.

Survey for older El Dorado County residents to share experiences

The El Dorado County Health and Human Services Agency, Area Agency on Aging (AAA), in partnership with the Commission on Aging, is conducting a needs assessment survey of older adults in the community. El Dorado County residents aged 60 and older are encouraged to complete the survey, but interested residents of any age may provide their feedback. The survey, which is open through January 3, 2020, may be accessed online at: www.surveymonkey.com/r/2020OlderAdultSurvey

New transportation plan to focus on communities, quality of life and economy

The Tahoe Regional Planning Agency is kicking off an update to the Regional Transportation Plan. The Regional Transportation Plan lays out the vision for the transportation system at Lake Tahoe and focuses on transit, trails, technology, and communities to support the environment, economy, quality of life, and visitor experience.

Conservancy receives $2.98M to help restore Upper Truckee Marsh

SOUTH LAKE TAHOE, Calif. - The California Tahoe Conservancy (CTC) has been awarded a large piece of funding to help its $10.6 million project to restore the 500 acre Upper Truckee River Marsh.

CTC was awarded $2.98M by the California Wildlife Conservation Board (WCB) to help with the project at the marsh, the largest wetland in the Lake Tahoe Basin.

UC Davis TERC conducting survey on possible Mysis shrimp dog treats

Billions of invasive Mysis shrimp, introduced in the 1960s, live in Lake Tahoe, where they eat native zooplankton that historically helped keep the lake blue and clear while also serving as a food source for native fish.

If one removes the shrimp from Lake Tahoe, what is done with them?

The UC Davis Tahoe Environmental Research Center (TERC) is conducting a five-minute survey of all dog owners to see if they would consider a product for their dog made from Mysis shrimp.

South Lake Tahoe community weighs in on desired characteristics of next superintendent

SOUTH LAKE TAHOE, Calif. - As the Lake Tahoe Unified School District (LTUSD) begins their search for a replacement for the retiring superintendent the people tasked with finding the right candidates are reaching out to the community.

What is being developed from public meetings and an online survey will create the profile of what makes up the desired characteristics neede or the person who will move into Dr. James Tarwater's position when he retires in June 2020.

Search on for new LTUSD superintendent - Public invited to open forum in South Lake Tahoe

SOUTH LAKE TAHOE, Calif. - The search is on for a new superintendent for Lake Tahoe Unified School District (LTUSD) to replace Dr. James Tarwater who informed the board in June he would be retiring at the end of the school year in 2020.

At their last meeting, the Board of Education hired Rich Thome and former LTUSD Superintendent Rich Fischer of Leadership Associates to conduct the search.

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