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Boulder lands on roof of car on US50 west of Lake Tahoe

SOUTH LAKE TAHOE, Calif. - A driver heading westbound on US50 over Echo Summit got a little more than they bargained for Wednesday afternoon.

The California Highway Patrol (CHP) received a call at 1:30 p.m. January 13 from a person traveling on the highway that a rock "the size of a Yeti Cooler" was on the roadway, according to Officer Ruth Loehr. CHP responded and found not only the 2ft x 3ft boulder in the roadway, they also found the vehicle that it hit.

Small New Year's Eve crowds at Stateline keep US50 open

STATELINE, Nev. - It was a much quieter holiday at Stateline this year with a decrease in calls for service, five arrests, and the lowest number of New Year's celebrants in a few decades.

US 50, the highway that runs from South Lake Tahoe into Stateline was not closed due the low number of people in the area. Law enforcement was able to keep those wanting to bring in the new year outside to the sidewalk or they stayed inside the casinos.

"The celebrants were well behaved and embraced the New Year’s Eve celebration," said Douglas County Undersheriff Ron Elges.

Stay-at-home order likely to be extended for South Lake Tahoe and the Sacramento Region

SOUTH LAKE TAHOE, Calif. - After a few days of being above the benchmark of 15 percent, hospitals in the Sacramento Region have fallen below that number of available ICU beds. South Lake Tahoe and El Dorado County are part of the Sacramento Region which fell under Governor Newsom's Stay-at-Home Order on December 10, 2020.

As of December 31, the Sacramento Region ICU availability was 14.4 percent.

Law enforcement prepares for possible New Year's Eve crowds on South Shore

Even with the current pandemic, New Year's revelers could still flock to the Stateline casino corridor and South Lake Tahoe on Thursday so law enforcement will be prepared. With no SnowGlobe this year due to the pandemic, and Heavenly Village New Year's Eve activities canceled, it is unknown as to what will take place in an area that at one time saw 50,000 people in the streets to bring in the new year. Last year it was estimated 7,000 to 8,000 people took to the streets at midnight at Stateline and 6,500 at Heavenly Village for its 9:00 p.m. fireworks.

Column: 2020 Highlights from your Water and Sewer District

SOUTH LAKE TAHOE, Calif. - Back in the 1940s, before South Tahoe Public Utility
District existed, sewage flowed directly into beautiful Lake Tahoe. Citizens rallied to sign a petition to form the District and this year marks our 70th anniversary. From a single septic field to an award-winning 7.7 million gallon per day wastewater treatment facility, with 100% recycled water and biosolids, a lot
has changed over the years.

Airbnb to cooperate and not allow new reservations in Truckee or El Dorado and Placer counties

SOUTH LAKE TAHOE, Calif. - Airbnb has responded to a letter written by local officials who asked for assistance in stopping short-term rentals (STR) during the current Stay at Home Order. From December 28 through January 1 the vacation home rental reservation platform said they are blocking guests from booking in Placer County, El Dorado County and the Town of Truckee.

James Anthony Biller ~ 1941 - 2020

James Anthony Biller was born in Ventura, CA, July 10, 1951, to Jack and Marjorie Biller. Growing up in Ventura, he surfed, sailed, played water polo for the Ventura High Cougars, and was one of the best swimmers Ventura High had ever seen, getting his varsity letter and pin as a sophomore and setting swimming records that stood for many years after he graduated in 1969. That Jim had a love of the beach, sailing, and everything that had to do with the water was obvious to everyone around him.

Town of Truckee votes to adopt urgency ordinance for lodging to keep community safe

TRUCKEE, Calif. - Facing an influx of tourists during the Governor's Regional Stay-at-Home order just as South Lake Tahoe has seen, the Town of Truckee Council unanimously passed an urgency ordinance Tuesday night to protect the public's health. Any hotel, motel or vacation home rental in use during the Stay-at-Home order can now face the revoking, suspension or denial of their Tourist Occupancy Certificate.

The Stay-at-Home order states lodging properties are to not be rented to anyone except essential workers in order to help slow the spread of COVID-19.

Open letter to the South Lake Tahoe community:

It was a great honor to serve as a member of the Lake Tahoe Unified School District (LTUSD) Board of Trustees for the last four years. As previously reported, I am stepping aside to focus on my career and raising my beautiful baby girl. I said many times while I was on the Board that every family in the District was my family, and every child in the District was my responsibility. Now that I have a child of my own, I think the parents of LTUSD will understand when I say that I need to focus on my own family for the time being.

Truckee, El Dorado and Placer County leaders ask AirBnB to not allow rentals during Stay-at-Home order

El Dorado County, Placer County and Town of Truckee representatives have sent a letter to Airbnb, asking for assistance stopping short-term rentals (STR) during the current Stay at Home Order. They told the vacation rental booking company that their help is needed to stop the spread of COVID-19 and asked them to not allow rentals in Truckee and the California side of Lake Tahoe during the order which is through at least January 1.

Howie's Top 20 favorite Christmas movies

Christmas started early for this guy once the pandemic hit. I put my Christmas lights up over the 4th of July and for a short while started watching Christmas movies too to try and get that feel-good feeling happening. Okay, I also did it because I wanted to watch movies where no one was wearing a mask and hugging one another without fear of being exposed. I’ve always enjoyed movies for their pure escapism and who doesn’t want to escape what we’ve been through already ya know? I also like being wrapped around a movie completely.

Del Laine ~ March 20, 1930 - December 18, 2020

Del Laine has left her mark on South Lake Tahoe in ways that many local residents might not know. She was a mover and shaker, whose focus was on making the city a better place. Her most important role, though, was promoting the well-being of women.

This pioneer died Dec. 18, 2020, at home from natural causes, with family at her side. She was 90.

She was born Dolores Mae Wright on March 20, 1930, in Oakland, Calif., to Mabel Paulson and Leslie Wright.

Tahoe athletes to offer backcountry safety tips during free live panel session

Featuring some of the biggest names in skiing and snowboarding, the inaugural Tahoe Backcountry Awareness Week will culminate with the Athlete Summit on Thursday, December 17. The free virtual event, designed to encourage those planning to venture into the backcountry to educate themselves before doing so, will take place from 7:30 p.m. to 8:30 p.m. with a live Q&A period with Michelle Parker, Jeremy Jones, Elyse Saugstad, Cody Townsend and Amie Engerbretson.

Three arrested over weekend for alleged crimes in South Lake Tahoe

SOUTH LAKE TAHOE, Calif. - Officers from the South Lake Tahoe Police Department (SLTPD) had a busy weekend with the arrest of three people in two separate investigations.

Online marketplace opens for South Lake Tahoe makers, shops and shoppers

SOUTH LAKE TAHOE, Calif. - Many times shoppers in South Lake Tahoe want to know where they can go to support local crafters and business owners. South Tahoe Now opened the center column of the front page to advertise small local businesses who joined in the free program, and now another robust page of local shopping options has arrived just in time for the holidays.

South Lake Tahoe Holiday Bazaar is an online version of what would normally be the annual craft fair and bazaar season. The website has about two dozen makers and businesses at this time with more signing up daily.

Find out what you need to know about Stay-at-Home order at Tahoe Chamber Town Hall

Event Date: 
December 11, 2020 - 2:00pm

With El Dorado County and South Lake Tahoe falling under California's regional Stay-at-Home order starting Thursday at 11:59 p.m. Thursday, the Tahoe Chamber is holding a Virtual Town Hall meeting with local health officials to receive guidance on the recent stay-at-home order in El Dorado County and how the new restrictions will affect restaurants, retailers, and other local business operations.

Featured speakers will be El Dorado County Public Health Officer Dr. Nancy Williams and Barton Health President and CEO Dr. Clint Purvance.

Overland Meat & Seafood pays it forward once again with free hamburger

Event Date: 
December 14, 2020 - 10:00am

SOUTH LAKE TAHOE, Calif. - Overland Meat & Seafood Company will once again pay-it-forward in South Lake Tahoe and give away hamburger to those in need of some help with putting food on the table during these trying times. The new giveaway day is Monday, December 14 starting at 10:00 a.m.

Brian Cohen, owner of the popular market in South Lake Tahoe, will be continuing what they have now done four different times since the beginning of the pandemic. So far they have given away thousands of pounds of hamburger to people in the community.

South Shore community invited to enjoy Holiday Lights Trail Map

Local businesses and residents are lighting up the town for the Light Up the South Shore Holiday Contest and bringing much-needed cheer with their festive light displays. The community is invited to travel the Holiday Light Trail Map for a fun and safe activity to enjoy some holiday spirit!

Public invited to participate in next South Lake Tahoe Community Conversations

Event Date: 
December 8, 2020 - 5:30pm

SOUTH LAKE TAHOE, Calif. - The City will hold its next Community Conversations evening on Tuesday, December 8 from 5:30 p.m. to 7:00 p.m. This is an opportunity for the public to engage in meaningful conversation with city leadership and get answers to their questions.

To join in the virtual meeting, visit https://zoom.us/j/95871848873.

The town hall series from the City of South Lake Tahoe launched in September to be a quarterly discussion and a chance for a real dialogue about topics the community cares about.

Wallace and Middlebrook voted in as mayor and mayor pro-tem for South Lake Tahoe

SOUTH LAKE TAHOE, Calif. - There is a new mayor in town. During its December 1 meeting, City Council unanimously voted in current Mayor Pro Tem Tamara Wallace as mayor and Devin Middlebrook as mayor pro tem.

To start off the Tuesday meeting, City Clerk Sue Blankenship swore in the two newest members to the council after November's election. Cristi Creegan and John Friedrich each began their four-year terms after being sworn in as councilmembers.

Both Wallace and Middlebrook have been on the council for two years, along with Councilmember Cody Bass.

Light Up South Shore homes and businesses for Tahoe Chamber contest

Event Date: 
December 7, 2020 - 5:00pm

Let's start dreaming of a BRIGHT Christmas! Get out your jingle bells, your silver bells, your boughs of holly, and your LIGHTS! The Tahoe Chamber in launching the Light Up the South Shore Holiday Light Contest to spark some holiday cheer, showcase our creative community, and illuminate the town.

Will we be bright enough to be seen from SpaceX and the Space Station?

One fatality, 80 buildings destroyed in 20,879 acre Mountain View Fire near Walker

UPDATE 8:30PM: The Mono County Sheriff’s Office reports it has lifted the evacuation order for residents on the westside of U.S. Hwy 395 N. The evacuation order for east of U.S. Hwy 395 N from Eastside Lane to Cunningham Lane remains in effect. Approximately 400 residents are affected by evacuation orders. The order will be reassessed in 24 hours.

Fire behavior today exhibited minimal smoldering and creeping. No additional fire growth is anticipated. T
* * * *

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.

El Dorado County schedules COVID-19 Town Hall meeting with health and education panel

Event Date: 
November 19, 2020 - 5:30pm

El Dorado County is hosting a virtual Town Hall meeting with a panel of experts from the health and education fields to explain the current COVID-19 situation on November 19 from 5:30 p.m. to 7:00 p.m.

Those on the panel:

Dr. Dean Blumberg - Pediatric Infectious Disease specialist, UC Davis
Dr. Clint Purvance - President/CEO Barton Health
Siri Nelson - President/CEO Marshall Medical
Nicole Ebrahimi-Nuyken - El Dorado County Health and Human Services Behavioral Health Director
Ed Manansala - County Superintendent, El Dorado County Office of Education

Tahoe Chamber to hold virtual Town Hall meeting on moving to purple tier

Event Date: 
November 20, 2020 - 3:00pm

UPDATE - This meeting has been changed to 3:00 p.m. from the originally scheduled 11:00 a.m.

Now that El Dorado County has been moved to the most restrictive Tier 1 Purple starting Tuesday the Tahoe Chamber has scheduled a virtual Town Hall meeting for Friday, November 20 from 3:00 p.m. to 4:00 p.m.

Local health experts will discuss what steps need to be made to reduce cases, and what modifications local businesses need to make to stay open safely.

Featured Speakers:
Dr. Nancy Williams, El Dorado County Public Health Officer
Dr. Clint Purvance, Barton Health President and CEO

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.

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.

Radio drama makes a comeback with KNVC's Secrets of Harridge House

In the days before television, the internet, cell phones and video games, families would gather around the radio each evening and listen to Sorry Wrong Number, Moon Over Morocco, Dragnet, The Adventures of the Thin Man, The Shadow, Flash Gordon, and War of the Worlds.

With no visual component, radio drama depended on dialogue, music and sound effects to help the listener imagine the characters and the story. Each episode would leave listeners wanting more and the level of anticipation grew as the next airing date grew closer.

Tahoe Chamber hosting Virtual Town Hall with El Dorado County Public Health Officer

Event Date: 
November 13, 2020 - 11:00am

The Tahoe Chamber will host another Virtual Town Hall on Friday, November 13 from 11:00 a.m. to 12:00 p.m. This week they will have the El Dorado County Public Health Officer Dr. Nancy Williams participating.

The focus will be the recent increase of COVID-19 cases in the county, the county's local response, and what businesses and community members can expect if cases continue to rise.

Register in advance for this webinar: https://bit.ly/TownHalonElDoradoCountyCases

Lake Tahoe man didn't find love on The Bachelorette, but he found himself

LAKE TAHOE, Calif. - In 2013 he showed up to the Bachelorette Mansion in a heavy suit of armor, but what nobody knew at the time what that extra weight was nothing compared to the pain Diogo Custodio had been carrying his entire life.

The North Lake Tahoe resident was a contestant on Season 9 of The Bachelorette, vying for the love of Desiree Hartsock. While Diogo was on the show looking for love and to be a knight in shining armor, it wasn't to be with Desiree as he didn't make it past the first week.

But he is the winner in what came next.

Tahoe Chamber announces finalists for 13th annual Blue Ribbon Awards

Event Date: 
November 19, 2020 - 6:00pm

The community is invited to attend the Tahoe Chamber’s 13th Annual Blue Ribbon Awards to honor South Shore businesses and individuals that have impacted the community for the better. In place of the annual awards dinner, winners will be announced in an awards show that is pre-filmed and broadcast on Lake Tahoe Television on November 19 from 6:00 p.m. to 7:00 p.m.

Those wishing to attend the free event can register in advance on TahoeChamber.org to get direct access to the awards ceremony.

Howie’s Top 21 Favorite Halloween Pics

There are those that would say 2020 is hands down the scariest Halloween movie ever and yeah, I wouldn’t argue with that. The script for this year has certainly freaked everybody out. Add to that an election year and the advent of modern day zombies who’ve been quarantined a little too long and you have the ultimate scary flick that appears to have no ending. Are you wearing your mask? Yeah, I’d rather be scared by a movie and not real life if that’s okay?

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.

Overland Meat & Seafood pays it forward once again - Tacos for Tahoe giveaway

Event Date: 
October 26, 2020 - 10:00am

SOUTH LAKE TAHOE, Calif. - Seven hundred people will be the recipients of the next Overland Meat & Seafood "Tacos for Tahoe" giveaway on Monday, October 26 starting at 10:00 a.m.

Brian Cohen, owner of the popular market in South Lake Tahoe, will be continuing what they did three different times at the beginning of the pandemic. At the first ground beef giveaway Cohen went through all 1,000 pounds of meat in 90 minutes.

This time he giving away 1,400 pounds.

"Many people are still struggling in our town," he said. "We are here to help out the community."

Letter: Duane Wallace letter to voters

Dear Voters: Everyone knows what goes downhill, but the South Tahoe Public Utility District knows how to recycle it into 381,000 kilowatts of electricity per year. A recent feature article by the Association of California Water Agencies pointed out that STPUD is one of only a handful of utility districts in the entire world that can claim 100% reuse of wastewater and bio solids. Here’s how. We use centrifuges instead of the usual pollution causing burners. That allows us to make fertilizer for ranch land.

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.

STPUD candidates respond to questions

SOUTH LAKE TAHOE, Calif. - There are three open seats on the South Tahoe Public Utility Board of Directors this election season, two for a four-year term and one for a two-year term.

South Tahoe Now reached out to the candidates and below are their answers to a set of questions. For the two four-year terms, incumbent Kelly Sheehan is running for reelection, Duane Wallace is running after being appointed to fill Jim Jones's spot on the board until this election, and they are joined by David Peterson.

Letter to the Editor: Choose Unity over Division

We are both running for South Lake Tahoe City Council to move our community past division, negativity, misinformation and finger pointing, and toward common ground solutions on critical issues. We’re all in this together.

El Dorado County and South Lake Tahoe remain in state's orange reopening tier

EL DORADO COUNTY, Calif. - During Tuesday's El Dorado County Board of Supervisors meeting, the county's Public health Officer Dr. Nancy Williams said the region remains in the orange tier of the California reopening plan.

During the meeting, Dr. Williams told the supervisors it is now obvious that California is in the midst of a second wave of coronavirus cases, and El Dorado County is experiencing a second wave as well, but so far the numbers have kept the region in the "orange."

Op/Ed: Creating a community without the divide of a state line

On October 31, 2016 I wrote an editorial "Use the election to create a community of collaboration and teamwork" due to a growing vibe of discourse and anger across the country as well as in South Lake Tahoe.

Since we are once again in the midst of a contentious national election I saw a need to once again look at the definition of community as we focus on our local situation in El Dorado County and Douglas County.

com·mu·ni·ty:

Letter to the Editor: Council candidate weighs in on contributions

As a candidate for City Council, in the city of South Lake Tahoe, I became very upset at a very disturbing text I had received on Friday concerning campaign contribution and form 460 lings.

South Lake Tahoe City Council expands business reimbursement program

SOUTH LAKE TAHOE, Calif. - During their meeting Tuesday, the City Council approved the Winter Operations COVID Compliance Business Protection Grant Reimbursement Program which will reimburse local businesses for PPE and the equipment they need to operate safely during the winter months.

There were funds left over from the first business reimbursement program which gave up to $2,500 back to those who had to purchase items needed to operate safely.

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.

SLT Council Candidate Stacey Ballard

South Tahoe Now reached out to all nine candidates for South Lake Tahoe City Council and provided the same list of questions to each one of them. Once a day their answers have been published in the order received. Today is our final candidate.

Today's candidate is Stacey Ballard

Profession: Artist/Author

How many years in SLT: I have lived in Tahoe on and off since 1997, over 16 in total.

South Lake Tahoe resident celebrates her 99th birthday

In the year 1921, New York Yankee Babe Ruth hit his 138th homerun as the team made their first World Series appearance, Coco Chanel introduces "Chanel No. 5". Boeing obtains orders for aircraft and abandons furniture-making, Albert Einstein receives the Nobel Prize in Physics, Woodrow Wilson (until March 4) and Warren G. Harding (from March 4) were president, and technology made advancements towards what would be the first television. Charles Bronson, Nancy Reagan, and John Glenn were born.

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.

SLT Council Candidate Cristi Creegan

South Tahoe Now reached out to all nine candidates for South Lake Tahoe City Council and provided the same list of questions to each one of them. Once a day their answers will be published in the order received.

Today's candidate is Cristi Creegan

Profession: Business Owner

How many years in SLT: 23 years

SLT Council Candidate Douglas Williams

South Tahoe Now reached out to all nine candidates for South Lake Tahoe City Council and provided the same list of questions to each one of them. Once a day their answers will be published in the order received.

Today's candidate is Douglas Williams

Profession: Hospitality

How many years in SLT: 10 years

Tahoe's transportation future focus of TRPA webinar

Event Date: 
October 12, 2020 - 12:00pm

LAKE TAHOE, Calif./Nev. - Years of planning for the future of transportation around Lake Tahoe has led to the creation of a Regional Transportation Plan. Join the Tahoe Regional Planning Agency (TRPA) on Monday, October 12 during a one-hour webinar on the draft plan starting at noon to learn more (register here).

SLT Council Candidate John Friedrich

South Tahoe Now reached out to all nine candidates for South Lake Tahoe City Council and provided the same list of questions to each one of them. Once a day their answers will be published in the order received.

Today's candidate is John Friedrich

Profession: Founder and Director, Tahoe Green Jobs Initiative

How many years in SLT: 15

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