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South Lake Tahoe vacation rental fines to change

Concern over national attention on "South Lake Tahoe being the home of the $2,000 parking ticket" may soon be a thing of the past after action initiated by City Council Tuesday.

Fines will be restructured and modified, lessening fines per occurrence of many of the violations of the vacation home rental (VHRs) ordinance. Some of the fines will be against the home owner only, while others to the renter only.

Letter: Mike Owen concedes to Joe Harn in disappointing loss

Mike Owen, candidate for El Dorado County Auditor-Controller, conceded the race to incumbent Joe Harn as the latest vote counts were released as of Friday June 15.

“I have to admit I am kind of surprised by the results” Owen said. “I had a great deal of community, grass-roots support and enthusiasm from both volunteers and donors along with some great endorsements.” he added.

El Dorado County vote counts updated

The Elections Department of El Dorado County has released the results of some of the 23,000 ballots left to count after Tuesday's election.

The following is the updated ballot count as of 4:49 p.m. Friday, June 8. The department will release updates next week as well.

County Supervisor Area 5

JEFFREY SPENCER 931 16.61%
NORMA SANTIAGO 770 13.74%
KENNY CURTZWILER 1815 32.38%
SUE NOVASEL 2074 37.00%

County Supervisor Area 4

LORI PARLIN 3753 37.99%
BOGDAN AMBROZEWICZ 1215 12.30%
MICHAEL RANALLI 4900 49.60%

County Auditor-Controller

JOE HARN 21678 52.61%

Almost 23,000 uncounted ballots in El Dorado County

El Dorado County Elections official are still counting some 23,000 "Vote By Mail" ballots that were either sent in close to election day, or dropped off at polling places Tuesday.

This isn't an abnormal number but one that often catches many by surprise.

During those late counts of ballots in 2014, the final two candidates for the El Dorado County Board of Supervisors for Area 5 changed from election day, sending Sue Novasel and Kenny Curtzwiler to the November election. As of Tuesday, the same two appear to be headed to November's ballot.

City voter watch: VHR ban ballot measure fails in Palm Springs

Palm Springs voters have resoundingly rejected a measure that would have banned vacation rentals in the city's residential neighborhoods.

As of Wednesday morning, with all precincts in the city reporting, no on Measure C had received 68 percent of the vote. The measure called for phasing out rentals of fewer than 28 days in Palm Springs' single-family neighborhoods over the next two years.

Bruce Hoban, co-chair of anti-Measure C group We Love Palm Springs, said that with 6,764 votes counted against the vacation rental ban, his group was declaring victory.

Novasel and Curtzwiler lead race for County Supervisor after 100% of precincts counted

100 percent of the precincts have been counted and there are just some mail-ins waiting for be tabulated and counts can be changed until count is final.

County Supervisor Area 5

Sue Novasel - 1604 Votes or 36.90%
Kenny Curtzwiler - 1419 Votes or 32.64%
Jeffrey Spencer - 718 Votes or 16.52%
Norma Santiago - 597 Votes or 13.73%

County Supervisor Area 4

Michael Ranalli - 3599 votes or 50.03%
Lori Parlin - 2698 votes or 37.50%
Bogdan Ambrozewicz - 888 votes or 12.34%

County District Attorney

California Primary on Tues., June 5

The California primary is on Tuesday, June 5, and a lot of decisions are facing voters in South Lake Tahoe both at the county and district level, as well as at the state level.

California changed their primary system ten years ago for the top offices and now it is the two candidates with the most votes on Tuesday that will head to the November elections, no matter which party they belong to. Prior to this system it would be the top democrat and top republican that would face off.

Likely South Lake Tahoe voters to see two VHR ballot measures in November

Two South Lake Tahoe community groups have submitted petitions to get their vacation home rental (VHR) initiatives on the November, 2018 ballot. The first group, Tahoe Neighborhoods Group, submitted 1,651 signatures to the City Clerk on April 30, and the second group, Sustainable Community Alliance, turned in 1,827 signatures on May 21, less than 30 days after they started collecting them.

Four vying for El Dorado County Supervisor, District 5

There are four people running for El Dorado County Supervisor for the 5th District on June 5: Incumbent Sue Novasel and challengers Kenny Curtzwiler, Norma Santiago and Jeffrey Spencer. The 5th District covers Pollock Pines to South Lake Tahoe and Tahoma.

South Tahoe Now asked each candidate the same questions, and here are all of their answers, exactly as they were presented to us.

Sue Novasel
Occupation: El Dorado County Supervisor – District V
Past political history:
2015 – Present: County Supervisor, District V

Could South Lake Tahoe become the Napa Valley of cannabis?

Could South Lake Tahoe become the Napa Valley of cannabis? Could a new slogan be "Made in Tahoe, Enjoyed in California?" Or will Tahoe weed be world famous?

These are all possible, and the desire of many entrepreneurs, but the South Lake Tahoe City Council wants regulations around the cannabis industry to be done correctly, and thus slowly, to prevent unseen issues that could arise as they develop the first ordinance for adult use cannabis in South Lake Tahoe.

FIrst phase of El Dorado County VHR ordinance closer to approval

Weather has not be the best friend of those wanting to get a revised vacation home rental (VHR) ordinance for El Dorado County. Snow and unsafe travel conditions for staff driving to South Lake Tahoe from Placerville for the meetings lead to the cancellation of the March 3 and March 24 meetings, and the original February 1 meeting had to be stopped due to overcrowding. The next Board of Supervisors meeting on VHRs will be in South Lake Tahoe on May 2 at 6:00 p.m. in the South Tahoe Middle School multi-purpose room.

Dr. Keith Swanson named the 2018 Barton Doctor of the Year

SOUTH LAKE TAHOE, Calif. – The votes have been counted and Dr. Keith Swanson has been named Barton Health’s Doctor of the Year. Each year, hundreds of Barton team members cast their vote to nominate a favorite physician in honor of National Doctor’s Day, and the 2018 winner was announced at Barton’s Doctor’s Day Celebration on March 29.

“We honor Dr. Swanson as our Doctor of the Year, and the incredible contributions he’s made to the community as an orthopedic surgeon and practitioner of nearly 40 years,” said Dr. Clint Purvance, CEO at Barton Health.

Tahoe Paradise Recreation & Park District Board of Directors meeting Thursday

Event Date: 
March 29, 2018 - 6:00pm

The board of directors for the Tahoe Paradise Recreation and Park District will hold their monthly meeting on Thursday, March 29 in the park's clubhouse starting at 6:00 p.m.

Here is the meeting agenda:

1. CALL TO ORDER AND CONFIRMATION OF QUORUM
2. ADOPTION OF AGENDA
3. APPROVAL OF MINUTES

Letter: Let the voters decide fate of Bypass Loop Road

The following was sent to the South Lake Tahoe City Council and was shared with South Tahoe Now:

Fundamental Freedoms art exhibit opening at LTCC

Event Date: 
April 19, 2018 - 5:00pm

SOUTH LAKE TAHOE, Calif. - Lake Tahoe Community College Art Department instructor Shelley Zentner brings her large-scale portraits inspired by stories of freedom and expression to the Fine Arts building’s Foyer Gallery in her exhibit, “Fundamental Freedoms.” Zentner will host an artist reception and talk on Thursday, April 19 from 5:00 p.m. to 7:00 p.m. inside the Foyer Gallery. Mayor of South Lake Tahoe Wendy David will officially open the exhibit at 6:30 p.m., followed by an artist’s talk from Zentner. Wine and canapés will be served, and all are welcome to attend.

Potential VHR ban could stall new recreation complex in South Lake Tahoe

South Lake Tahoe voters went to the polls on November 8, 2016 and approved Measure P, a Tourist Accommodation Tax (TOT) increase of two percent to fund a new $25 million recreation complex in the city.

Now that new center is at jeopardy.

Low public turnout for EDC budget presentation

MEYERS and SOUTH LAKE TAHOE, Calif. - The El Dorado County Chief Administrative Officer (CAO) Don Ashton has been making the rounds to communities throughout the county, explaining the budget through an informative presentation and discussion.

Most of the communities Ashton has visited have had 15-20 citizens in attendance, all asking questions and giving input in the budget process as Ashton and the Supervisors figure out how to save $20M over the next four years to meet CalPers pension liabilities.

Letter: Leave most of cannabis regulations to the voters

(The following was send to the SLT Mayor and City Council members and South Tahoe Now)

Dear Honorable Mayor David and Council Members:

I am writing as a follow-up to my email communication of March 6, 2018 regarding the regulation of cannabis within the City limits.

I once again applaud the City Council for studying the issue carefully. It is an important issue and the decision on it will impact the type of community we become well into the future.

Recommendation:

"Be the Change" the focus of South Tahoe High rally on National Walkout Day

SOUTH LAKE TAHOE, Calif. - The student body, teachers, staff of South Tahoe High School and community members came together Wednesday to be part of the National School Walkout and March For Our Lives, events held across the country one month after 17 students died in Parkland, Florida when a fellow student opened fire at Marjory Stoneman Douglas High School.

EDC Supervisors to vote on purchase of old Bijou Post Office for new office space

The old Bijou Post Office on Sandy Way in South Lake Tahoe may soon be home to new El Dorado County offices. This property is across the street from their current government center at the corner of Takela Drive and Lake Tahoe Boulevard.

During the Board of Supervisors on Tuesday, March 13, 2018, there will be a vote on the agenda item regarding purchase of the property for $1,250,000. Supervisor Sue Novasel said they have been putting money aside to be used in an El Dorado Center Campus in South Lake Tahoe. The project includes a major remodel of both buildings.

SnowGlobe on the South Lake Tahoe City Council agenda

The March 6 South Lake Tahoe City Council meeting will include discussion on the annual music festival, SnowGlobe.

Council members will hear from the concert promoters, city staff and the public and decide one of three options: Continue with existing agreement but add additional conditions, continue as is, or consider terminating the agreement for the Dec. 29-31 event.

They will also hear from the Tahoe Prosperity Center on their funding request of $20,000, a vote on the final subdivision map for Gondola Vista estates

Meyers Area Plan approved by TRPA, on to County Supervisors

The Tahoe Regional Planning Agency (TRPA) Governing Board on Wednesday unanimously approved El Dorado County’s Meyers Area Plan, the fifth local area plan approved at Lake Tahoe to implement the 2012 Regional Plan.

Vote for Jamie Anderson and David Wise as TeamUSA Athletes of the Year

SOUTH LAKE TAHOE, CALIF. - The U.S. Olympic Committee is recognizing the success of Jamie Anderson of the South Shore and David Wise of Reno Reno in the Olympics by naming them finalists for the Female and Male Olympic athlete of the Games. This year's Team USA Awards, Best of the Games are presented by Dow. Winners will be determined by online votes over the next 18 days, until March 11.

Vote here (as many times as you wish): https://awards.teamusa.org/vote and show them some hometown support.

How the Olympics in Lake Tahoe changed the games forever

As the 2018 Olympics come to a close, taking a look back to the 1960 event at Squaw Valley and Lake Tahoe puts a lot into perspective. Perhaps those Olympics should have been called "Against All Odds."

South Tahoe Stand Up Paddle and Sierra-at-Tahoe chosen as Lakeview Commons concessionaires

A passionate, supportive and large crowd backing South Tahoe StandUp Paddle (STSUP) showed up at Tuesday's South Lake Tahoe City Council meeting as the Lakeview Commons concessionaires were decided.

By an unanimous vote, the five members of Council voted to approve STSUP for the non-motorized concession going against what the input of staff appointed to review the proposals. Sierra-at-Tahoe was approved for the food and beverage concession by a vote of four-to-one.

Vote for Lakeview Commons concessionaires on Tuesday

SOUTH LAKE TAHOE, CALIF. - There may be new vendors at Lakeview Commons this summer. At the 9:00 a.m. South Lake Tahoe City Council meeting on Tuesday, February 20, City staff will present the results of the bidding process for concessionaires at both the food and beverage concession and non-motorized watercraft rental service.

Staff's recommended concessionaires are Sierra-at-Tahoe for the food and beverage services at Lakeview Commons, and Tahoe City Kayak and Paddleboard for the watercraft rentals. The Council will take their consideration into their vote.

Mayor Wendy David: Community Conversations

First, a confession of weirdness. I love being a part of groups. I like the synergy of groups, how they work collaboratively, how the room sounds… some listening, others talking.

I like the process of group decision-making, the back and forth, the quiet and noisy, the 'aha' moments of clarity, that groups have goals and purpose. It may be quirky, but instead of being drained from being with and working in a group, I find it energizing.

Styrofoam ban approved for South Lake Tahoe

The South Lake Tahoe City Council voted unanimously Tuesday to start the process to implement a three-tier ban of Styrofoam (Polystyrene) in the city limits.

Following the path of over one hundred cities and counties in California, South Lake Tahoe will ban single-use Polystyrene used for take-out foods, and ban retail sales of foam coolers and single-use food containers at all retail stores. The third tier voted on is already a part of special event regulations - all containers used must be compostable.

Tahoe Arts Project holds 6th annual Dancing With the Tahoe Stars

Event Date: 
March 3, 2018 - 6:30pm

Ten local members of the South Lake Tahoe community will be demonstrating their dancing skills on Saturday, March 3 at the 6th annual Tahoe Arts Project Dancing with the Tahoe Stars in the MontBleu Showroom starting at 6:30 p.m.

Master of Ceremonies for the evening will once again be Dreu Murin.

Ten locals have been paired with ten dancers to perform various styles of dance including Cha Cha, Tango, Salsa, Merengue, Swing, Disco, Fox Trot, Bachata, Hip Hop and Musical Theater.

City Council to vote on finalizing $250,000 from SnowGlobe organizer for fields

As part of his agreement with the City of South Lake Tahoe to hold SnowGlobe on the new Community Play Fields, organizer Chad Donnelly guaranteed $250,000 to fix and/or replace the fields should they be damaged by the three-day festival December 29-31.

Possible South Lake Tahoe ban on Styrofoam

The list of New York City; Takoma Park, Maryland; Seattle, Washington; Washington DC; Miami Beach, Florida; Freeport and Portland, Maine; Nantucket, Massachusetts; Minneapolis, Minnesota; Portland, Oregon and San Francisco, California could soon have South Lake Tahoe added as the 113th California city or county to ban polystyrene. Berkeley has had a ban in place since 1988, the first California city to do so.

County and City vote to extend temporary bans on sales of cannabis

On Tuesday both the South Lake Tahoe City Council and the El Dorado County Board of Supervisors voted to extend their ban on commercial sales of cannabis as they work out the rules and regulations for their jurisdictions.

The ban on sales in South Lake Tahoe was set to expire on January 25, 2018, and without an extension or ordinance in place, anyone could have applied for a license to sell with the State of California.

Cannabis ordinance and pay raises on SLT City Council agenda Tuesday

With the Cannabis urgency moratorium expiring on January 25, the South Lake Tahoe City Council will has two items on their Tuesday agenda to address the sales of adult-use marijuana.

Since the moratorium was approved by the Council on December 12, 2018 there have been five meetings of the ad-hoc subcommittee and other studies to help create a South Lake Tahoe ordinance on cannabis sales. The committee is made up of 15 community members and two councilmembers.

Letter: An open letter to South Lake Tahoe City Council

Dear Council Members:

My name is Scott Ramirez, I am a long time resident of South Lake Tahoe. Some of you know me and my family and are familiar with our activities to support our town. We are advocates for our community and volunteer where we can.

Women's March in South Lake Tahoe draws almost 400

It may have just been planned in the last two weeks, but the 2018 Women's March in South Lake Tahoe drew out 392 women, men and children to join hundreds of thousands of others marching around the country.

"The turnout was phenomenal," said co-organizer Meg Peart. "Its amazing how quickly our community can come together."

Peart and Kelsey Adams took an idea and reached out to the community through Facebook, friends and local news to get people out to walk the just over two mile route from Hard Rock Hotel and Lakeview Commons.

92 local charities benefit from Vail Resort's Epic Promise grants

Ninety-two different nonprofits recently received cash or product donations from Vail Resorts through their EpicPromise grant program. The beneficiaries all serve communities around Northstar, Kirkwood Mountain and Heavenly Mountain resorts.

No moratorium on vacation rentals in El Dorado County

Tuesday's El Dorado County Board of Supervisors (BOS) meeting was just as all other meetings about vacation home rentals have been: A full house and a large contingent passionately representing both sides of the issue.

Supervisor Shiva Frentzen sought conceptual approval of an urgency ordinance to place a moratorium on the issuance of new vacation home rental (VHR) permits in the unincorporated portions of the County located in the Lake Tahoe Basin.

Tahoe Wellness Cooperative reopens after closing doors for two days

1/8/18 6:00PM Update: It has been confirmed that Tahoe Wellness Center has reopened their doors for sales of medicinal marijuana. It is unknown at this time why they closed as both the State and the City did not ask him to close.

* * *
As of Monday, January 8, 2018, Tahoe Wellness Cooperative (TWC) in South Lake Tahoe is closed, but the reason for the closure differs between the parties involved.

El Dorado County to hold special meeting for vacation home rentals

Event Date: 
February 1, 2018 - 6:00pm

There will be a special meeting of the El Dorado County Board of Supervisors to discuss vacation home rentals (VHRs) in South Lake Tahoe at 6:00 p.m. on February 1 at the City Council chambers.

Supervisor Sue Novasel said she believes a meeting about the South Shore should be held on the South Shore so more of the citizens could attend and participate.

The hot topic of VHRs has divided many neighbors with opinions on both side of the issue.

Vacation rental urgency ordinance on El Dorado County Supervisor agenda

There is an item on Tuesday's El Dorado County Board of Supervisor's agenda that caught many by surprise, especially those supervisors appointed to address the issue. Supervisor Shiva Frentzen is seeking conceptual approval of urgency ordinance to place a moratorium on the issuance of new vacation home rental permits in the unincorporated portions of the County located in the Lake Tahoe Basin.

Cannabis urgency ordinance continues in South Lake Tahoe

"This is not about making money, its about doing it right," said Mayor Pro Tem Tom Davis during Tuesday's City Council vote on cannabis sales in South Lake Tahoe.

Davis was speaking about their decision to approve an urgency ordinance and to take their time in creating the City's ordinance for legal cannabis sales in South Lake Tahoe. The moratorium will remain in effect for 45 days and expires on January 21, 2018 unless the City Council extends it before then.

Sass Talk: It's ok to not go along, to just get along

This opinion piece has been updated.

Letters: Strengthen the South Shore, join Tahoe Women's Community Fund

The Tahoe Women’s Community Fund invites you to join our 2018 membership! We are a philanthropic leadership organization dedicated to building and engaging an inclusive and diverse membership of people interested in strengthening our community through the power of collective giving. Plus, through a very generous gift of $100,000 from Ms. Lisa Maloff, we will be matching membership money dollar for dollar, doubling our collective giving power for 2018!

Douglas County Commissioners to vote on Master Plan update, including housing element

Douglas County Commissioners will be voting on the 20-year update to the Douglas County Master Plan during a special meeting on Tuesday, December 4 at 9:00 a.m. in the Courthouse at 1616 8th Street in Minden.

Tuesday's discussion will focus on the housing element of the plan along with other portions including safety.

Those unable to attend but would like to comment can submit written comment to the commissioners via their website here: https://www.douglascountynv.gov/46/Board-of-County-Commissioners.

New rules for vacation rentals in SLT start December 21

After months of debate and community discussions, South Lake Tahoe will have a new Vacation Home Rental Ordinance (VHR) starting December 21, 2017, but don't expect the discussions to be over.

The City Council will continue to evaluate the ordinance and look at it during a meeting a least quarterly as they look at what is working and what still needs adjustment.

Main points of the VHR ordinance:

Barton Health RNs vote to unionize

Registered Nurses (RNs) at Barton Memorial Hospital and Lake Tahoe Surgery Center voted 123 to 17 to unionize during a secret ballot taken Wednesday night according to the California Nurses Association (CNA).

After the Barton Health vote, 3,000 caregivers in 10 union elections have voted to have collective representation in California in 2017.

“A record of incredible accomplishment for CNA that will strengthen the ability of RNs to promote safer care conditions for all Californians,” said CNA Co-President Malinda Markowitz, RN, who is also an NNU vice-president.

Boys & Girls Club proposes idea of new home to LTUSD

What is currently six portable buildings at the Al Tahoe school site could be a new home for the Boys & Girls Club of Lake Tahoe (BGCLT). That is the idea Jude Wood presented to the school board Tuesday night.

Wood, the BGCLT Executive Director, spoke in front of the Lake Tahoe Unified School District's Trustees, giving them a look into a proposed partnership and future facility use agreement with the District with a new Clubhouse built on District owned property. The Club would fully fund the new building.

South Lake Tahoe featured in national report on 100% renewable energy commitments

Today, the Sierra Club released a new report showcasing 10 U.S. cities that have made ambitious commitments to be powered with 100 percent clean, renewable energy like wind and solar. View the report: https://www.sierraclub.org/sites/www.sierraclub.org/files/blog/RF100-CaseStudies_2017.pdf

This is the second annual case studies report from Ready For 100, a Sierra Club campaign launched in 2016 working in cities across the United States, including South Lake Tahoe, to accelerate a just and equitable transition to 100 percent clean energy.

Letter: Let's rally around those who care for our earth, people, and community

The next election is around the corner and civic life in America is as fragile as our generation has ever seen it. Let's decide now to rally around leaders who prioritize care for others above personal gain or party lines. Let's rally around caring for our earth, for people, for communities. This feels like a new idea because care challenges the perverse rationale of greed and the foolish habit of partisan divisions we are so used to. We must actively resist the messages of the market that say we need to stay hooked on getting more things to be happy.

Blue Ribbon Award winners announced

SOUTH LAKE TAHOE – The winners of the 10th annual Blue Ribbon Awards were announced Thursday night at Harrah’s Lake Tahoe. Over 300 community members attended to celebrate the winners of seven awards that honor outstanding South Shore businesses, organizations and individuals for civic contributions, tourism experiences, customer service and entrepreneurial achievements.

The following are the winners of the 10th annual Blue Ribbon Awards:

Geotourism Award
Winner: Tahoe Rim Trail Association
Honorable Mention: Edgewood Tahoe
Sponsored by Bike the West

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