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South Lake Tahoe Police Blotter

SOUTH LAKE TAHOE, Calif. - The following is a list of calls the South Lake Tahoe Police Department responded to during the week of Apr. 15 - Apr. 21, 2024. Location Checks are when officers search an area at a certain address. Transient/Homeless arrests/citations and calls are those normally categorized in other columns (Drunk in Public, Trespassing, etc.) but stats are collected separately.

Log for April 15 - April 21, 2024

4/15

Arrests
11:48 Warrant Arrest - Occurred on Pinter Ave. Disposition: Misdemeanor Arrest.

El Dorado County Sheriff's Office calls in the Lake Tahoe area

SOUTH LAKE TAHOE, Calif. - El Dorado County Sheriff's Office responds to calls throughout the county. The following calls only pertain to the South and West Shore, including Meyers, South Lake Tahoe, Meeks Bay, Tahoma, and the Echo Summit area. There may be some missing calls due to sheriff's logs not being completed at the time of the story.

April 15 - Apr. 21, 2024

4/15

13:11 CIVIL INCIDENT - Officer initiated activity at South Tahoe High, Lake Tahoe Blvd, South Lake Tahoe, CA. Disposition: SERVED.

Multiple agencies respond to fire near Van Sickle Bi-State Park in South Lake Tahoe

SOUTH LAKE TAHOE, Calif. - Just before 11 a.m. on Wednesday, South Lake Tahoe Fire Rescue, USDA Forest Service Lake Tahoe Basin Management Unit, CAL FIRE Amador-El Dorado Unit, and deputies from the El Dorado County Sheriff's Office responded to a small wildfire near Van Sickle Park in South Lake Tahoe.

Forward progress was stopped at approximately 1/10 acre, and a hand line around the fire is complete and the area is in patrol status.

Big thumbs down on a South Lake Tahoe minimum wage ordinance

SOUTH LAKE TAHOE, Calif. - The vast majority of those who filled council chambers Tuesday night were there to tell the Council to say "no" to any minimum wage increases in South Lake Tahoe, and a definite no to the $23 per hour that Councilmember Scott Robbins publicly suggested.

A long line of small business owners pleaded with the Council, stating a jump in the minimum wage would be something they could not financially handle without cutting hours or laying off staff.

South Lake Tahoe City Council: "Vail needs to come to the table"

SOUTH LAKE TAHOE, Calif. - At their meeting Tuesday evening, the South Lake Tahoe City Council said they are ready to play hardball with Heavenly Mountain Resort after ski area officials have not responded to a request by the city to support their annexation efforts.

The Council was to receive an update on parking restrictions in Heavenly Valley neighborhoods, the Heavenly Parking Agreement, and the Heavenly Area Annexation.

Douglas County Sheriff's Office to host Lake Tahoe emergency plan meeting

Event Date: 
April 29, 2024 - 5:30pm

DOUGLAS COUNTY, Nev. - The Douglas County Sheriff's Office (DCSO) will be hosting a special presentation on Monday, April 29 at 5:30 p.m. regarding important evacuation information for Lake Tahoe residents. The event will be held at the Kahle Community Center's Tallac Room in Stateline. This presentation will also feature representatives from the Tahoe Douglas Fire Protection District (Tahoe Douglas) and Nevada Highway Patrol (NHP).

Proponents of Vacancy Tax Initiative turn in signatures, now head to County for verification

SOUTH LAKE TAHOE, Calif. - The proponents of the South Lake Tahoe Residential Vacancy Tax initiative filed their petition to make it on the November 2024 ballot today. The minimum number of signatures needed was ten percent of registered voters, or 1,159, and the group sponsoring the initiative turned in 2,471. City Clerk Susan Blankenship performed a prima facie review, or, an initial examination, to determine the number, and the signatures will be sent to the El Dorado County Elections Department for certification.

Man arrested on suspicion of DUI after crashing into two vehicles west of Lake Tahoe

SOUTH LAKE TAHOE, Calif. - A Pollock Pines man was arrested on Saturday after allegedly driving under the influence and causing a three-vehicle crash on US0 just west of the Sierra-at-Tahoe turnoff.

TRPA Board to vote on STPUD solar project and affordable housing incentives at next meeting

The next agenda for the Tahoe Regional Planning Agency (TRPA) Governing Board includes: Solar power for STPUD, Washoe Tahoe Area Plan amendments for school zoning in Incline Village, proposed clarification to Phase 2 Housing Amendments, a resolution of support for affordable housing, and funds for the City of South Lake Tahoe for the Bijou Park Greenway Trail Connector and sediment-reducing street sweepers.

Roller coaster week again in South Lake Tahoe: Sunny and warm start, chance snow, rain, thunderstorms at end

SOUTH LAKE TAHOE, Calif. - It was a beautiful April day around Lake Tahoe this weekend, and expect one more of the same before some unsettled weather passes through.

Robust upper ridging, which is responsible for our stretch of warm

Mountain chickadees have remarkable memories - A new study explains why

Lost your keys? Misplaced your glasses? Can’t remember where you parked the car? You may wish you had the memory of a mountain chickadee.

In warmer months, these half-ounce birds, with brains slightly larger than a pea, stash tens of thousands of food items like seeds in tree bark, in lichens and crevices on the tree branches across the mountains. When winter arrives, they can recall the exact locations of their caches, a skill that helps them survive the bitter cold and deep snow.

Roadwork continues Echo Summit/US50 public meeting set for Strawberry-Ice House project

SOUTH LAKE TAHOE, Calif. - Crews from the California Department of Transportation (Caltrans) will continue their scaling project on US50 at Echo Summit next week. No work is scheduled for Saturday-Monday, but it will resume on Tuesday, April 23 from 7:30 a.m. to 5:30 p.m. The rest of the week depends on the weather, according to Caltrans.

Work has been done all week with one-way traffic over the pass. Expect delays. Follow https://quickmap.dot.ca.gov/ for updates.

City of South Lake Tahoe earns coveted Prohousing Designation from Governor Newsom

SOUTH LAKE TAHOE, Calif. - Governor Newsom has awarded 10 new jurisdictions with the coveted designation that makes them eligible for incentives to scale up efforts to advance housing, and South Lake Tahoe is one of them. This brings the total number of cities and counties with a Prohousing Designation to 47.

The designation is given for the community's efforts in encouraging the development of housing at all income levels. This designation comes with funding incentives and additional resources to help speed housing production.

South Lake Tahoe City Council: $23 minimum wage, rezoning parcels, Chateau and motels

SOUTH LAKE TAHOE, Calif. - The next meeting of the South Lake Tahoe City Council will be on Tuesday, April 23 at 5:30 p.m. in their chambers at the Lake Tahoe Airport.

It will be a full agenda, starting with a closed session at 4 p.m.

The hot topic of the event will most likely be a discussion of raising the minimum wage in South Lake Tahoe to $23. The matter was put on the agenda at the direction of councilmembers Scott Robbins and John Friedrich.

Letter: Republican Women host Todd White, chair of the El Dorado County Republican Central Committee

The Republican Women of California - South Lake Tahoe guest speaker series continued in April with a talk by Todd White, long-time Chair of the El Dorado County Republican Central Committee and long-time resident of El Dorado County.

Mr. White noted there are 58 counties in California, and each county has a Central Committee whose responsibility is to educate the public on good governance principles, important issues, and introduce Republican candidates for office to our members, and help elect them.

El Dorado County Sheriff's Office calls in the Lake Tahoe area

SOUTH LAKE TAHOE, Calif. - El Dorado County Sheriff's Office responds to calls throughout the county. The following calls only pertain to the South and West Shore, including Meyers, South Lake Tahoe, Meeks Bay, Tahoma, and the Echo Summit area. There may be some missing calls due to sheriff's logs not being completed at the time of the story.

April 4 - Apr. 14, 2024

4/4
09:47 HARASSMENT REPORT - Occurred on Marshall Trl, in South Lake Tahoe, CA. Disposition: ADVISED.

Lake Tahoe Unified School District and Liberty unveil new electric buses and infrastructure

SOUTH LAKE TAHOE, Calif. - Have you heard (or actually, not heard) the new electric school buses in South Lake Tahoe? The new electric fleet for Lake Tahoe Unified School District (LTUSD) was officially unveiled this week, along with the charging infrastructure installed inside the bus garages in South Lake Tahoe.

Up to two-hour delays possible on I80 from Colfax and Nevada State Line this summer

Caltrans is alerting motorists of the potential for extended delays along Interstate 80 (I-80) stretching between Colfax to the Nevada state line as several projects and emergency repairs get underway for the 2024 construction season.

Once all projects are active, delays across the corridor may reach up to a maximum of two hours. Motorists are advised to use alternate routes, if possible, to help reduce any potential delays. The schedule is subject to change or be delayed due to weather, availability of materials, or other unexpected events.`

Senator Rosen blasts Postmaster General DeJoy over plans that would affect Reno/Tahoe mail

It has been 164 years since the Pony Express first brought mail to California and Nevada. It took 10 days to get letters from St. Joseph, Missouri to Sacramento, California. Progress has advanced the service since then, but possible changes are on the horizon that could put mail to and from Lake Tahoe and western Nevada and the rest of the country back on a slower trail.

The United States Postal Service (USPS) has proposed a plan to revamp its system in the country in a $40 billion investment strategy.

Preliminary County budget has almost $7.2M coming to Lake Tahoe Basin from TOT

EL DORADO COUNTY, Calif. - It was great news for the Lake Tahoe Basin last week at the El Dorado County Board of Supervisors special budget meeting. The recommended budget specific to the use of Discretionary Transient Occupancy showed the unincorporated portion of El Dorado County in the Basin getting more of its fair share.

Approximately $7 million in Transient Occupancy Tax (TOT) revenue is collected in the county portion of Lake Tahoe annually.

Arrests made in Douglas County after suspects found with $550K in stolen checks and mail

DOUGLAS COUNTY, Nev. - Deputies from the Douglas County Sheriff's Office (DCSO) made a vehicle stop on April 15 at 11:50 p.m. after the driver was seen speeding. inside the car, a 2008 Toyota Camry, were Keyli Escalante-Enamorado and Rudy Socop-Domingo. A consent search of the Toyota revealed over three hundred pieces of opened and unopened mail that included 261 personal and business checks totaling over $555,000. A majority of the stolen checks were written to the IRS. Also, located in the Toyota were two homemade mail fishing devices made of vinyl strips, duct tape, and weights.

South Lake Tahoe Police Blotter

SOUTH LAKE TAHOE, Calif. - The following is a list of calls the South Lake Tahoe Police Department responded to during the weeks of Apr. 8 - Apr. 14, 2024. Location Checks are when officers search an area at a certain address. Transient/Homeless arrests/citations and calls are those normally categorized in other columns (Drunk in Public, Trespassing, etc.) but stats are collected separately.

Log for April 8 - April 14, 2024

4/8

Arrests
17:26 Brandishing - Occurred at Bijou Woods on Spruce Ave. Disposition: Felony Arrest

Lake Tahoe spring prescribed fire operations continue

LAKE TAHOE, Calif./Nev. - Members of the Tahoe Fire & Fuels Team (TFFT) will continue prescribed fire operations this week at Lake Tahoe, conditions and weather permitting. Smoke may be present throughout the Lake Tahoe Basin and surrounding areas. View smoke management tips and the current air quality index at AirNow and the U.S.

LTCC announces hiring of two for new Marketing and Communications office

SOUTH LAKE TAHOE, Calif. - Lake Tahoe Community College (LTCC) celebrated the kickoff of its 50th-anniversary party in March, and they will spend the next 18 months highlighting their achievements, academic and student support programs and showcasing the accomplishments of our students and staff.

To help them with this task, LTCC President/Superintendent Jeff DeFranco has announced the filling of the school's Marketing and Communications office, adding two professionals with experience and expertise to their respective roles who can hit the ground running.

City responds to computer glitch during Monday's application process for Sugar Pine Village

SOUTH LAKE TAHOE, Calif. - A computer glitch caused a delay Monday morning for applications being accepted online for the South Lake Tahoe affordable housing project, Sugar Pine Village.

Douglas County School Board turns down settlement

DOUGLAS COUNTY, Nev. - The four Douglas County School District (DCSD) board members who have been front and center through controversy since being elected in November 2022 all pulled out of a decision to accept a settlement agreement on a Writ of Mandamus during their meeting on Tuesday.

Fortune to retire after 45 years in ski business; Vail taps Park City VP to lead Heavenly

LAKE TAHOE, Calif. – Heavenly Mountain Resort has announced the retirement of its current Chief Operating Officer & Vice President, Tom Fortune, effective June 23. After 45 years in the industry, Fortune will pass the baton to his successor, Shaydar Edelmann, who returns to Tahoe with 25 years of industry experience, most recently serving as the Vice President of Mountain Operations at Park City Mountain.

U.S. Supreme Court hands El Dorado County homeowner a small win

EL DORADO COUNTY, Calif. - When George Sheetz wanted to add another home to his property for his grandchildren, little did he know his complaint of the $23,420 traffic impact fee on the project would end up in the U.S. Supreme Court.

Sheetz wanted to add a 1,800-square-foot manufactured home on his property south of US50 and Camino on Fort Jim Road.

Heavenly snowboard instructor gives autistic South Lake Tahoe boy "time of his life"

SOUTH LAKE TAHOE, Calif. - The friendship between a Heavenly Mountain resort snowboard instructor and a 10-year-old autistic South Lake Tahoe boy has flourished on the slopes this winter.

Kai Simon-Litton is in the fourth grade at Sierra House Elementary School and has always enjoyed snowboarding. His dad and grandpa take him up on the hill when they can, so he has good skills. Autism is a social and communication disorder, but those with it can have amazing gross motor skills as Kai does.

Weather trending warm and dry around Lake Tahoe this week

SOUTH LAKE TAHOE, Calif. - After a cool weekend, the week ahead will see a warming and drying trend at Lake Tahoe. Is this the end of the Springtime roller coaster we've called the weather lately?

As the temperatures rise, the melting of the Sierra snowpack will increase. Water flows will be faster and colder on both rivers and streams.

The South Lake Tahoe forecast from the National Weather Service in Reno:

Monday - Mostly sunny, with a high near 53. Calm wind becoming northeast around 5 mph.

Nevada Boys & Girls Clubs to get $16.7M in ARPA funds

Governor Joe Lombardo and the Nevada Legislature have approved $16.7 million in funding from the American Rescue Plan Act (ARPA) to help the Boys & Girls Clubs' Early Learning expansion in the state. This statewide initiative creates 1,000 new childcare seats in 14 communities.

The bipartisan approval will expand early learning centers and child care access for Nevada families. Governor Joe Lombardo proposed the initiative in partnership with Boys & Girls Clubs to expedite new childcare seat availability statewide.

Public asked for input on Tahoe El Dorado Area Plan; Workings coming in June

EL DORADO COUNTY, Calif. - The Tahoe El Dorado Area Plan (TED) is being created for all unincorporated areas of El Dorado County in the Lake Tahoe Basin. The Tahoe Regional Planning Agency (TRPA) is developing new land use standards to enhance affordable housing, and implementation of those standards could vary between those areas with adopted area plans, and those without.

There are currently several different plans in the Lake Tahoe Basin, with the Meyers Area Plan the only one outside the South Lake Tahoe City Limits in the county portion of the Basin.

"No Parking" to bring parking concerns to Warrior Way, areas surrounding Zephyr Cove

DOUGLAS COUNTY, Nev. - It is an annual summer occurrence, thousands of people heading to Lake Tahoe in search of beaches to enjoy for tanning, swimming, and hanging out with friends. If parking and traffic are indications of the popularity of these activities, the stretch of US50 at Zephyr Cove is a hot spot.

This year will be the first summer where "No Parking" signs line both sides of the highway in each direction from the new stoplight installed by the Nevada Department of Transportation (NDOT) at Warrior Way.

Fines for parking in the no-parking areas on the highway are $305.

Comment period open for USFS-Zephyr Cove Resort proposed changes

ZEPHYR COVE, Nev. - It was a packed house at Whittell High School Wednesday for the U.S. Forest Service and Zephyr Cove Resort open house. Aramark Destinations has been operating under a special use permit at Zephyr Cove Resort since 2001. Last year, the Forest Service went out to the public during its normal concessionaire process, and Aramark was chosen to receive the new 20-year permit. After the 4th of July influx of trash and people at the adjacent Zephyr Shoals, the Forest Service worked that area into the new special use permit as well.

Douglas County School Board fails to offer interim superintendent the permanent spot

DOUGLAS COUNTY, Nev. - The Douglas County School District Board of Trustees continued its 4-3 divisive vote this week as has been commonplace on many agenda items. The trustees had two items on the agenda that addressed the job of the superintendent, one was to hire interim Superintendent Jeanne Dwyer, and the other was to not hire her for the permanent spot and instead go through a process to evaluate the 13 applications they received after the previous deadline.

South Lake Tahoe Police Blotter

SOUTH LAKE TAHOE, Calif. - The following is a list of calls the South Lake Tahoe Police Department responded to during the weeks of Mar. 25 - Mar. 31, 2024. Location Checks are when officers search an area at a certain address. Transient/Homeless arrests/citations and calls are those normally categorized in other columns (Drunk in Public, Trespassing, etc.) but stats are collected separately.

Log for April 1 - April 7, 2024

4/1

Arrests
None

Other Calls

NDOT to host public meetings to gather input on U.S. 395 Southern Sierra Corridor Study

The Nevada Department of Transportation (NDOT) will host a virtual meeting and in-person public meetings to gather public feedback on proposed options for improving U.S. 395 between southern Carson City and the Nevada-California border at Topaz Lake.

Those interested can visit ndotus395.com or attend one of two public meetings for information and to submit feedback.

-Virtual meeting option: Visitors can view project information and provide comments by visiting the virtual public meeting at ndotus395.com anytime from April 8- May 9, 2024.

El Dorado County launches online tool to improve access for County development projects

EL DORADO COUNTY, Calif. - El Dorado County’s Planning and Building staff launched the “Projects in Your Area” online tool that makes it easier to find the current status of and information about proposed, in-progress, and approved projects in the County. The new tool includes features and functionality community members and officials have requested.

Corinna Osborne promoted to Chief Operating Officer at Edgewood Tahoe Resort

STATELINE, Nev — Edgewood Companies has announced the promotion of Corinna Osborne to the role of chief operating officer. Osborne has been with Edgewood since 2016 and previously served as general manager. She brings over two decades of hospitality experience and a proven track record of leadership to her new position.

Douglas County School Board settles lawsuit on open meeting law violations found during public records request

DOUGLAS COUNTY, Nev. - Concerns of transparency have surrounded the Douglas County School District (DCSD) Board of Trustees since the November 2022 election, and there has been a settlement over a lawsuit brought against them.

Pair facing multiple fraud and identity theft charges after arrest at Edgewood Tahoe

DOUGLAS COUNTY, Nev. - Two people were arrested at Edgewood Tahoe Resort on Friday on multiple charges in Florida, California, and Nevada after using a stolen credit card while paying for incurred expenses for the hotel.

On Friday, April 5, deputies from the Douglas County Sheriff's Office (DCSO) were called to the resort at Lake Tahoe. A woman identified as 34-year-old Kaleigh Thinnes from Sarasota, Florida had reserved the room online using a false name, provided additional, false identification upon check-in, and then tried to pay with the stolen credit card.
`

Spring prescribed fire operations continue at Lake Tahoe

LAKE TAHOE, Calif./Nev. - Members of the Tahoe Fire & Fuels Team (TFFT) will continue prescribed fire operations this week at Lake Tahoe, conditions and weather permitting. Smoke may be present throughout the Lake Tahoe Basin and surrounding areas. View smoke management tips and the current air quality index at AirNow and the U.S.

Douglas County School Board meets at Lake Tahoe Tuesday

DOUGLAS COUNTY, Nev. - The Douglas County School Board trustees will be holding its April 9 meeting at George Whittell High School, starting at 4 p.m.

Two agenda items are concerning a new superintendent. After some missteps, the board will first discuss and take a vote on appointing the acting superintendent Jeanne Dwyer to the permanent position of superintendent.

Warming into the 60s at Lake Tahoe this week, then, chances of rain and upper-level snow

SOUTH LAKE TAHOE, Calif. - There will be a more springlike weather pattern over the Lake Tahoe Basin for a few days, warming temperatures to above-normal levels by midweek. However, as is often the case this time
of year, the weather can change quickly. There is an increasing likelihood for another storm that will bring increasing wind, chances for showers, and cooler temperatures late week into next weekend.

The weekly forecast for South Lake Tahoe from the National Weather Service in Reno:

Monday - Sunny, with a high near 46. Northeast wind 5 to 10 mph.

El Dorado County Sheriff's Office calls for Lake Tahoe area

SOUTH LAKE TAHOE, Calif. - El Dorado County Sheriff's Office responds to calls throughout the county. The following calls only pertain to the South and West Shore, including Meyers, South Lake Tahoe, Meeks Bay, Tahoma, and the Echo Summit area. There may be some missing calls due to sheriff's logs not being completed at the time of the story.

Mar. 28 - Apr. 3, 2024

3/28
11:10 CIVIL INCIDENT - Officer initiated activity at Court Dept 3 Slt, Johnson Blvd, South Lake Tahoe, CA. Disposition: UNABLE TO CONTACT.

Watching the solar eclipse from Lake Tahoe

SOUTH LAKE TAHOE, Calif. - While Lake Tahoe and the rest of California and Nevada are outside of the Path of Totality, there will still be a glimpse of the solar eclipse on Monday, April 8.

As the moon passes in front of the face of the sun, the light from the sun is blocked. The path of Totality is 115 miles wide, and 10,000 miles long from Mexico to Newfoundland, passing over 15 states in its path. But, that doesn't mean the rest of us will miss out. If under its path, people will experience over four minutes of totality, which means total darkness and a drop in temperatures.

South Lake Tahoe Police Blotter

SOUTH LAKE TAHOE, Calif. - The following is a list of calls the South Lake Tahoe Police Department responded to during the weeks of Mar. 25 - Mar. 31, 2024. Location Checks are when officers search an area at a certain address. Transient/Homeless arrests/citations and calls are those normally categorized in other columns (Drunk in Public, Trespassing, etc.) but stats are collected separately.

Log for March 25 - March 31, 2024

3/25

Arrests
09:35 Warrant Arrest - Occurred on Ponderosa St. Disposition: Felony Arrest.

Objection period begins for the Meeks Bay Restoration Project

MEEKS BAY, Calif. - The USDA Forest Service Lake Tahoe Basin Management Unit (LTBMU) released the final environmental review documents and draft decision for the Meeks Bay Restoration Project.

The LTBMU, in conjunction with the Tahoe Regional Planning Agency, and Lahontan Regional Water Quality Control Board, is developing a plan to restore Meeks Creek to a more natural condition, while continuing to support sustainable recreation opportunities.

South Tahoe Public Utility District to hold public meeting on proposed rate hike

Event Date: 
April 25, 2024 - 6:00pm

The South Tahoe Public Utility District (District) is hosting a Public Meeting on Thursday, April 25, 2024, at 6:00 p.m. in the Board Room at 1275 Meadow Crest Drive to discuss proposed rate increases. Most of South Lake Tahoe’s water and sewer systems were built in the 1950s and 1960s. Much of this infrastructure needs to be upgraded, repaired, or replaced.

The District is considering raising water and sewer rates over the next five years to provide revenue to address:

South Lake Tahoe man faces additional charges; $1.5M allegedly embezzled

A South Lake Tahoe man is facing more charges after a federal grand jury returned a 16-count superseding indictment against 45-year-old Richard Alan Abrusci. The new indictment charges him with 12 counts of wire fraud, one count of aggravated identity theft, and three counts of monetary transactions with proceeds of specified unlawful activity, according to U.S. Attorney Phillip A. Talbert.

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