vallejo
Batten sentenced 26 years to life for his part in South Lake Tahoe murder
Submitted by paula on Fri, 10/02/2020 - 11:04pm
SOUTH LAKE TAHOE, Calif. - He was the star running back of Benicia High School before graduating in 2015. He led the Panthers with 901 rushing yards and 15 total touchdowns his senior year and was named their Most Valuable Offensive Player.
Less than one year later he was in South Lake Tahoe with a group of men accused of fatally shooting Dennis "Spike" Wright, Jr. over a drug deal at the Beverly Lodge.
Solano County man found guilty of murder and robbery by South Lake Tahoe jury
Submitted by paula on Tue, 02/25/2020 - 11:27pm
SOUTH LAKE TAHOE, Calif. - A jury of seven men and five women took just 80 minutes on Tuesday to find Dion Jermaine Vacarro guilty of murdering Dennis "Spike" Wright, Jr. in South Lake Tahoe on January 30, 2016.
Surprise during South Lake Tahoe murder trial
Submitted by paula on Thu, 02/13/2020 - 9:36pm
SOUTH LAKE TAHOE, Calif. - In a surprise move on Thursday during the murder trial of Dion Jermaine Vacarro in South Lake Tahoe, the man who had previously pleaded guilty in the same case in exchange for a lighter sentence changed his mind.
Fours years after man killed in South Lake Tahoe over pot deal, one trial begins
Submitted by paula on Fri, 02/07/2020 - 1:45am
SOUTH LAKE TAHOE, Calif. - It was a snowy night on January 30, 2016, when Dennis Wright, Jr. brought at least 100 pounds of pot to the Beverly Lodge on Lake Tahoe Boulevard to sell to an interested party. Wright, who was better known as Spike, never made it back to his home in River Pines, Amador County that night. Instead, he was shot and killed at about 7:45 p.m. in the parking lot of the motel.
South Lake Tahoe Fire Rescue holds annual awards ceremony
Submitted by paula on Sat, 02/01/2020 - 5:51pm
SOUTH LAKE TAHOE, Calif. - During Thursday's annual South Lake Tahoe Fire Rescue's annual awards ceremony, seven were honored for their milestones in length of service, three were given special citizen's awards and another four were given the dispatcher, firefighter and meritorious awards.
Award Winners
Engineer Paramedic Mike Taormina was given the Firefighter of the Year award
Melissa Dube was given the Dispatcher of the Year award
Captain Leslie Asbury and Battalion Chief Karl Koeppen were given the Fire Chief Meritorious awards
City of South Lake Tahoe staff recognized for 20, 15, 10 and 5 years of service
Submitted by paula on Tue, 12/03/2019 - 1:24pm
SOUTH LAKE TAHOE, Calif. - It was Staff Recognition Day at the City Council meeting Tuesday, with employees with 20 years, 10 years, five years and new employees recognized.
20-Year Service:
Darci Prescott, Recreation
Jerry Heath, Public Works
Karl Koeppen, Fire
Shannon Laney, Police
Linda Clark, Police
15-Year Service:
Sallie Ross, Fire
Matthew Morrison, Police
10-Year Service:
Justin Keys, Fire
Jody Benavidez, Fire
Holt Cawelti, Fire
Scott Crivelli, Police
5-Year Service:
Aryan Brotherhood prison gang drug and murder ring broken up with help of El Dorado County DA's Office
Submitted by paula on Thu, 06/06/2019 - 11:27pm
The El Dorado County (EDC) District Attorney's Office recently helped with a state-wide investigation focused on offenders operating a criminal enterprise from both inside and outside state prisons.
Sixteen members and associates of a prison-based gang have been charged after a long-running investigation into drug trafficking and murders inside and outside of California’s prisons.
The EDC DA office's investigative division has the kind of highly trained and experienced detectives that are often called in to help with operations of this magnitude.
South Lake Tahoe City Council to discuss possible change to Charter City
Submitted by paula on Sat, 06/01/2019 - 7:34pm
SOUTH LAKE TAHOE, Calif. - When the City formed in 1965 it was incorporated as a general law city for the purpose of having more local control over public services such as police, fire, and snow removal.
Now there is discussion about changing to a charter city. During their March 5 meeting, Councilmember Cody Bass asked that this subject come forward at a future meeting and Councilmembers Jason Collin and Devin Middlebrook said they were interested in learning more about what the differences are between the two, and what it would mean to South Lake Tahoe to switch.
Vallejo man dies snowboarding at Northstar California Resort
Submitted by paula on Mon, 03/18/2019 - 12:24am
LAKE TAHOE, Calif. - The Placer County Sheriff's Office announced Saturday that a 40-year-old man from Vallejo died at Northstar California Resort Wednesday, March 13.
Danieson Crowder went on a solo snowboarding trip Monday and when he hadn't been heard from by March 13 he was reported missing.
Northstar ski patrol began searching for Crowder inside the resort area while Placer County Sheriff’s Tahoe Nordic Search & Rescue team began searching out-of-bounds. The ski patrol located Crowder in a tree well.
Winterfest concert at Valhalla Boathouse features Oakland Jazz Choir
Submitted by paula on Tue, 11/06/2018 - 12:19am
SOUTH LAKE TAHOE, Calif. - The annual Valhalla Winterfest and Holiday Faire returns to the South Shore November 16-18 with shopping Friday through Sunday and a special Saturday concert in the historic Boathouse Theater.
The Winterfest concert with the Oakland Jazz Choir will be on November 17 from 7:00 p.m. to 9:00 p.m. and will feature holiday music and other popular selections.
NHP and CHP participate in "I-80 Challenge" to target reckless and distracted drivers
Submitted by paula on Fri, 08/24/2018 - 7:41pm
The California Highway Patrol’s (CHP) Valley Division and Golden Gate Divisions, having jurisdiction over the Sacramento regions and San Francisco Bay Area, are partnering with the Nevada Highway Patrol (NHP) to participate in an “I-80 Challenge.”
This effort aims to reduce distracted and reckless driving along the 615 miles of Interstate 80 from San Francisco, Calif. to the Nevada/Utah Stateline from Monday, August 27 – Labor Day, September 3, 2018, by enhancing traffic safety, enforcement, and education along this section of the National Highway System.
SLT Fire Rescue crew working the over 33,000 acre Ferguson Fire
Submitted by paula on Mon, 07/23/2018 - 1:19pm
Four firefighter/paramedics from South Lake Tahoe Fire Rescue are part of the 3,000 firefighting personnel at the Ferguson Fire burning northeast of Mariposa in Western Yosemite. This is the fire responsible for sending smoke into the Lake Tahoe basin for a week.
One engine with Captain Tyler Jack, Engineers Kevin Van Kirk and Mike Taormina and Firefighter Danny Vallejo left the South Shore nine days ago for a 14-day assignment at the fire.
They are joined by crews from Fallen Leaf Fire Department, Northstar Fire and North Tahoe Fire Protection District.
Letters: Modern day witch hunt in South Lake Tahoe
Submitted by paula on Mon, 02/12/2018 - 10:28am
On February 8th, 2018 a South Lake news source, based on seven anonymous sources, destroyed City Manager Nancy Kerry’s reputation. As the former City Manager prior to Nancy Kerry, I know the challenges, rewards, and pitfalls of managing cities. Given the average tenure of a City Manager is 3-5 years, it is not uncommon for City Managers and City Councils to amicably part ways.
Murder in the Mountains
Submitted by paula on Tue, 01/30/2018 - 11:54pm
It is a story about drugs.
It is a story about money.
It is a story about murder.
And it is a story about justice.
El Dorado County Sheriff's Report
Submitted by paula on Sun, 09/10/2017 - 2:48pm
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 Shore. There may be some missing calls due to sheriff's logs not being completed at time of story.
Some of those recently added to last week's log:
8/30
Man who brought kidnapped woman to South Lake Tahoe spending 40 years in prison
Submitted by paula on Thu, 03/16/2017 - 9:34pm
Matthew D. Muller, a 40-year-old disbarred lawyer from Orangevale who often spent time at his family cabin in the South Lake Tahoe area, was sentenced today to 40 years in prison for the kidnapping Denise Hoskins at the Vallejo home she shared with her boyfriend on March 23, 2015.
Kidnap families speak out about man arrested in South Lake Tahoe and Vallejo police
Submitted by paula on Wed, 03/08/2017 - 9:25pm
Denise Huskins’ mother found out her daughter was missing when Vallejo police called her on the way home from work and told her Denise may have been kidnapped, and that her boyfriend, Aaron Quinn, was a suspect.
“I was told to hope for the best but that I should prepare for the worst,” Jane Remmele recalled the officer telling her on March 23, 2015.
What struck her most was the “nonchalant” and “cavalier” attitude of Vallejo police, which became even worse after her daughter was found alive and authorities described her disappearance as a hoax.
Suspect in South Lake Tahoe murder changes plea to guilty
Submitted by paula on Tue, 11/22/2016 - 9:45pm
SOUTH LAKE TAHOE - It was an emotional day in court Tuesday as one of the suspects in the January 30, 2016 murder of Dennis "Spike" Wright, Jr. withdrew his plea of not guilty and plead guilty to an amended criminal complaint that included four felonies surrounding Wright's murder and robbery.
Man arrested at South Lake Tahoe cabin expected to plead guilty to kidnapping
Submitted by paula on Wed, 09/28/2016 - 9:39pm
A former U.S. Marine is expected to plead guilty to kidnapping on Thursday morning in a bizarre case that led to a lawsuit against Vallejo police for falsely accusing the two victims of faking their own abduction, according to court filings.
Another arrest connected to South Lake Tahoe murder
Submitted by paula on Thu, 09/15/2016 - 2:13pm
The arrests continue around the country in response to the January, 2016 murder of 40-year-old Dennis Wright at the Beverly Lodge in South Lake Tahoe. In an apparent drug deal gone bad, Wright was shot to death in the motel's parking lot after allegedly bringing 100 pounds of marijuana to town to sell.
Another South Lake Tahoe murder suspect arrested, this time in Oklahoma
Submitted by paula on Wed, 06/01/2016 - 2:34pm
The fifth suspect in the January 30, 2016 murder of an Amador County man at the Beverly Lodge in South Lake Tahoe has been arrested. 26-year-old Dion Jermaine Vacarro, a former resident of Solano County, Calif., was arrested in Oklahoma City on suspicion of the murder on Dennis Wright, Jr. after a warrant was issued for his arrest.
Fourth suspect arrested in South Lake Tahoe murder case
Submitted by paula on Thu, 04/28/2016 - 12:39pm
Georgetown, Calif., resident Tevarez Lopez has been arrested as a suspect in the January 30, 2016 murder in South Lake Tahoe of Dennis Wright, Jr.
South Lake Tahoe murder suspect arrested in Texas
Submitted by paula on Tue, 04/19/2016 - 4:08pm
Domenic Seanlee Randolph, a suspect in the murder of Dennis Wright, Jr. at a South Lake Tahoe motel, was arrested Tuesday in Texas.
The 22-year-old-Randolph is the third suspect arrested for the January 30, 2016 shooting death of Wright, who allegedly brought 100 pounds of marijuana to the Beverly Lodge to sell. He was shot and killed in the motel's parking lot during an apparent robbery attempt.
El Dorado County Sheriff's Report
Submitted by paula on Sun, 04/03/2016 - 9:04am
El Dorado County Sheriff's Office responds to calls throughout the county.
The following are calls that only pertain to the South Shore. There may be some missing calls due to sheriff's logs not being completed at press time and the story will be updated when provided.
3/27
South Lake Tahoe Police Chief: Updates on crime, cleanup and murder case
Submitted by paula on Thu, 03/03/2016 - 6:45pm
Great news! Compared to last year, our violent crime rate is down 41% (from 112 occurrences in 2014 to 66 in 2015). The news is not all good. Our property crime rate is up 6% (from 516 in 2014 to 548 in 2015). This was not unexpected as we reported on a significant upward trend in property crime 6 months ago. Total crime is down 2.2% over last year.
Two more suspects identified in South Lake Tahoe homicide
Submitted by paula on Wed, 02/24/2016 - 10:11pm
The South Lake Tahoe Police Department has identified two more suspects in the January 30, 2016 murder of Dennis Wright, Jr. at the Beverly Lodge.
Two arrests made in South Lake Tahoe murder; More expected
Submitted by paula on Wed, 02/17/2016 - 5:28pm
Two men are behind bars after being arrested on suspicion of murder in connection with the shooting death of Dennis Wright, Jr. in South Lake Tahoe on January 30, 2016.
El Dorado County Sheriff's Report
Submitted by paula on Sun, 11/01/2015 - 5:57pm
El Dorado County Sheriff's Office responds to calls throughout the county.
The following are calls that only pertain to the South Shore. There may be some missing calls due to sheriff's logs not being completed at press time and the story will be updated when provided.
10/25
2:02 p.m. - Coroner's Case - James Ave - A DEATH INVESTIGATION WAS CONDUCTED, DECEASED WAS 38-YEAR-OLD MAN.
2:20 p.m. - Obtain credit/money under false name - Henderson St - R/P REPORTED AN IDENTITY THEFT. A REPORT WAS GENERATED AND FORWARDED TO DETECTIVES FOR FOLLOW UP.
Eight men indicted for manufacturing and selling rifles illegally
Submitted by paula on Thu, 10/15/2015 - 8:50pm
A federal grand jury returned a 70-count indictment today against eight men, charging them with various firearms offenses involving manufacturing and dealing firearms without a license, United States Attorney Benjamin B. Wagner and ATF Special Agent in Charge Jill A. Snyder announced.
Man arrested in South Lake Tahoe indicted on kidnapping charge
Submitted by paula on Thu, 10/01/2015 - 9:49pm
A federal grand jury returned an indictment today against Matthew D. Muller, a 38-year-old disbarred lawyer from Orangevale, charging him with one count of kidnapping.
Muller is charged with kidnapping physical therapist Denise Hoskins at the Vallejo home she shared with her boyfriend on March 23 and keeping her captive for two days before dropping her off near her mother's house in Huntington Beach. He allegedly demanded a $15,000 ransom.
Man tracked to South Lake Tahoe after robbery pleads no contest
Submitted by paula on Sat, 09/19/2015 - 11:31pm
Matthew Muller, the man who was tracked to South Lake Tahoe after a home invasion robbery in Dublin, plead no contest to the crime this week in Alameda County Court.
FBI affidavit alleges man found hiding out in South Lake Tahoe confessed
Submitted by paula on Fri, 09/04/2015 - 3:34pm
A Sacramento County man accused of kidnapping a Vallejo woman in March allegedly confessed to the crime in a recorded jailhouse interview and said he did it alone, according to an FBI affidavit filed in federal court.
Matthew Muller, 38, of Orangevale, is charged with kidnapping physical therapist Denise Hoskins at the Vallejo home she shared with her boyfriend on March 23 and keeping her captive for two days before dropping her off near her mother's house in Huntington Beach.
Man arrested in South Lake Tahoe linked to Vallejo kidnapping
Submitted by paula on Mon, 07/13/2015 - 7:46pm
A disbarred attorney arrested in South Lake Tahoe has been accused of kidnapping 29-year old Denise Huskins of Vallejo, CA on March 23, the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) confirmed today.
Proper Food Storage at Lake Tahoe Campgrounds Make Soon Be Required
Submitted by paula on Thu, 07/10/2014 - 11:37pm
Due to the rise in human - bear conflicts at Lake Tahoe campgrounds, the Lake Tahoe Basin Management Unit of the Forest Service (LTBMU) has proposed an order to require visitors to properly store food and refuse in a container designed to prevent access by black bears and other wildlife.
Bears quickly learn to expect to find food at previously successful locations and have altered their behaviors in response to human sources of food. Bears habituated to human food will also forage preferentially on human food, even when wildland food is available.
Lake Tahoe Forest Service employees receive awards
Submitted by Anonymous on Wed, 03/06/2013 - 1:36pm
U.S. Forest Service Lake Tahoe Basin Management Unit employees Katie Kuchenbecker and Jacob Quinn received regional engineering awards from the Regional Engineer, Earl Applekamp.
Kuchenbecker was selected as the Region 5 engineer of the year, and Quinn the Region 5 technician of the year at Tuesday's award ceremony at the Forest Service Regional Office in Vallejo, Calif.
OBITUARY: Larry Allan Moore
Submitted by Anonymous on Fri, 08/17/2012 - 6:00amJuly 29, 1947 - August 1, 2012Larry A. Moore, 65, a former resident of Vallejo, Calif, passed away from complications due to Parkinson's disease, on August 1, 2012 at Barton Memorial Hospital in...
