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Free Park Day at Sugar Pine Point State Park in celebration of the Winter Olympics

TAHOMA, Calif. - In honor of the history of hosting the 1960 Olympic Nordic events at what is now Sugar Pine Point State Park, the Sierra State Parks Foundation is hosting Olympic Trails Day on February 20, 2022.

The Foundation will be proving free day-use parking passes to encourage snow sports experiences to all. The first 50 registrants will have their State Park parking pass paid for by the Foundation. The park is open from sunrise to sunset.

Tahoe Women's Community Fund receives large donation from Tahoe Turning Point

SOUTH LAKE TAHOE, Calif. - Tahoe Turning Point served the community for 40 years with residential treatment homes for at-risk young men. The non-profit offered a wraparound treatment plan addressing emotional health, a structured school plan as well as substance abuse support - all funded by the State of California.

TRPA unanimously approves Tahoe Keys Control Methods Test

SOUTH LAKE TAHOE, Calif. - Following approval from the Lahontan Water Quality Control Board on January 13, the Tahoe Regional Planning Agency (TRPA) Governing Board voted unanimously on Wednesday to certify the Final Environmental Impact Statement and approve the Tahoe Keys Lagoons Aquatic Weed Control Methods Test Project.

The agency’s vote clears the way for a multifaceted test of methods to control aquatic invasive weeds. The range of proven and innovative weed control methods will be tested in targeted areas within the Tahoe Keys.

Douglas County man arrested after a stabbing in Meyers, hit and run in South Lake Tahoe

EL DORADO COUNTY, Calif. - A Meyers resident suffered a stab wound to his chest after confronting a man parked in his driveway on Sawmill Road on January 21. The victim was leaving his home at about 5:00 p.m. when he saw a man parked in a yellow Dodge Ram tow truck. A short argument occurred and the suspect allegedly stabbed the victim with a black knife.

The knife went into the victim's chest just above the heart, resulting in a partially collapsed lung and he was transported to Barton Hospital.

Police investigating after South Lake Tahoe school bus hit by BB

SOUTH LAKE TAHOE, Calif. - A school bus traveling on Blackwood Avenue in South Lake Tahoe was hit by an apparent BB on Tuesday afternoon.

Lake Tahoe Unified School District (LTUSD) informed families in an email of the incident which happened at 3:54 p.m. January 25, 2022.

There were no injuries but the bus had some window damage.

The South Lake Tahoe Police Department (SLTPD) were in the area of the 3700 block of Blackwood last night, and again Wednesday to speak to possible witnesses and gather evidence. It remains under investigation.

COVID-19 cases for South Lake Tahoe and El Dorado County

EL DORADO COUNTY, Calif. - There have been 19 new cases of COVID-19 and no new deaths recorded since yesterday in El Dorado County. This brings the total of COVID-19 cases in the county to 23,866. This does not include all at-home tests that may have been positive.

There are now 116.7 new cases of COVID-19 per 100,000 residents in the county.

There is an interactive dashboard for the county with extra details here: See HERE.

Pollock Pines, Camino, Kyburz - 1236 cases - +1

Virtual Blue Ribbon Award ceremony Thursday

Event Date: 
January 27, 2022 - 5:30pm

The Tahoe Chamber is holding its Blue Ribbon Awards virtually on Thursday, January 27 from 5:30 p.m. to 7:00 p.m. The celebration will be held on the Tahoe Chamber's Facebook page as well as on Zoom.

To register for Zoom and direct access to the event, visit HERE.

Brooke Laine announces candidacy for El Dorado County Supervisor

SOUTH LAKE TAHOE, Calif. - Former South Lake Tahoe mayor, councilwoman, and life-long El Dorado County resident Brooke Laine has announced her candidacy for El Dorado County Board of Supervisors District V. She is the fourth candidate to announce their candidacy to run for the seat being vacated by Sue Novasel who is terming out.

District V covers the county portions at Lake Tahoe (South Lake Tahoe, Meyers, Tahoma, Meeks Bay), and along US50 to Pollock Pines.

Eight Sugar Bowl Ski Team & Academy alumni heading to Olympics in Beijing

NORDEN, Calif. - A record-breaking eight Sugar Bowl Ski Team & Academy (SBSTA) alumni, including six alpine skiers and two Nordic skiers, will be representing their respective nations at the 2022 Winter Olympics in
Beijing.

Alpine skiers include USA's Luke Winters, Sugar Bowl Academy (SBA) Class of 2015; Australia's Louis Mühlen-Schulte and Katie Parker; and Brazil's Michel Macedo, SBA Class of 2017; USA's Mo Lebel, Sugar Bowl Ski Team (SBST); and New Zealand's Alice Robinson, SBST.

Two Barton Health nurses recognized for exceptional care over New Year's holiday

SOUTH LAKE TAHOE, Calif. - Michelle Berry-Hogan, registered nurse (RN) with Barton’s Surgical Services Department, and Christine Shagen, RN with Barton’s Emergency Department, have been selected as recipients of The DAISY Award for extraordinary nurses. The award is in recognition of the clinical skill and compassionate care nurses provide to create a superior experience for patients and their families.

Honoring our heroes at Tahoe Ice Arena

Event Date: 
February 4, 2022 - 7:30pm

SOUTH LAKE TAHOE, Calif. - The Tahoe Ice Arena is inviting the community as they honor our local heroes before the start of the upcoming Tahoe Lakers home game.

South Lake Tahoe Mayor Devin Middlebrook, Mayor Pro Tem Cristi Creegan, and City Manager Joe Irvin will ceremoniously drop the puck in honor of our local Fire, Police, and Public Works departments.

The event starts at 7:30 p.m. on Friday, February 4 and everyone is invited as they celebrate the men and women of local departments that continue to work hard to keep the community safe.

Column: Exceptional orthopedics - supporting the best

With big competitions around the corner and a heavy representation from the region, it’s hard to ignore the talent that originates in Lake Tahoe. Athleticism, grit, and determination are met with challenges on the road to the world stage and require an experienced and knowledgeable care team to support athletes at every stage.

Parking ambassadors and other changes for the Stateline area of South Lake Tahoe

SOUTH LAKE TAHOE, Calif. - Parking in the Stateline area of South Lake Tahoe has always been an issue - too many cars and not enough parking spaces. Since redevelopment brought the Heavenly Village, the gondola, and other new additions including the Chateau building over the last two decades, drivers are constantly searching the area for legal spaces to park.

COVID-19 cases for South Lake Tahoe and El Dorado County

EL DORADO COUNTY, Calif. - It appears the post-holiday surge of COVID-19 cases in El Dorado County is starting to decline as daily cases have been dropping. During the last surge, hospitalizations were about two weeks after recorded cases, and any related deaths were two to four weeks after the hospitalizations. There have been 229 new cases of COVID-19 and no new deaths recorded since yesterday in El Dorado County. This brings the total of COVID-19 cases in the county to 23,847. This does not include all at-home tests that may have been positive.

Washoe County commissioners to abolish the position of constable in Incline Village

INCLINE VILLAGE, Nev. - The Washoe County Commissioners today held a Hearing to abolish the office of the constable in Incline Village.

They heard a first reading of an ordinance to amend the Washoe County Code to abolish the position. Other constables’ offices in Washoe County were abolished in 1998 as their roles in civil cases became obsolete with the expansion of local law enforcement.

SLT Republican Women, Federated

Event Date: 
February 10, 2022 - 5:00pm

South Lake Tahoe Republican Women, Federated

Lincoln / Reagan Dinner
Thursday, February 10th
5:00 to 7:30 PM
Casey’s Restaurant
212 Elks Point Road, Zephyr Cove
(Round Hill Center next to Safeway)
Casual Buffet Dinner: Chicken, Steak Fajitas, Caesar Salad, Beans, Rice, Tortillas (No Host Bar)
To register or for more information, contact: southlaktahoerepublicanwomen@gmail.com

Guest Speaker

COVID-19 testing site moves in South Lake Tahoe

SOUTH LAKE TAHOE, Calif. - The COVID-19 testing site has been relocated to a new location in the El Dorado Center at the corner of Lake Tahoe Boulevard and Takela Drive in South Lake Tahoe.

The address is 3368 Lake Tahoe Blvd., Suite #100. They are open from 9:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. Monday through Friday and are closed for lunch from 1:00 p.m. to 2:00 p.m.

Testing is done by LHI. To schedule an appointment, visit https://lhi.care/covidtesting or call 888-634-1123, walk-in appointments may be available.

Agreement for 56-acre-project in South Lake Tahoe involves land swap, new design

SOUTH LAKE TAHOE, Calif. - A new 50-year agreement between the City of South Lake Tahoe and El Dorado County has been approved for what is known as the 56-acre parcel.

Prescribed burn operations resume around Lake Tahoe

LAKE TAHOE, Calif./Nev. - If conditions and weather are favorable, the Tahoe Fire & Fuels Team (TFFT) will conduct widespread prescribed fire operations this week in the Lake Tahoe Basin. Operations are expected to continue throughout the winter season to help land managers reduce hazardous fuels that can feed unwanted wildfires. Smoke will be present.

COVID-19 cases for South Lake Tahoe and El Dorado County

EL DORADO COUNTY, Calif. - There have been 670 new cases of COVID-19 and no new deaths recorded since Friday in El Dorado County. This brings the total of COVID-19 cases in the county to 23,618. This does not include all at-home tests that may have been positive.

There are now 128.7 new cases of COVID-19 per 100,000 residents in the county.

There is an interactive dashboard for the county with extra details here: See HERE.

Pollock Pines, Camino, Kyburz - 1217 cases - +19

LTUSD opens up home sporting events to athlete's family members

SOUTH LAKE TAHOE, Calif. - The Lake Tahoe Unified School District (LTUSD) postponed student concerts and canceled in-person attendance at home sporting events when they were experiencing high levels of student and staff absences due to COVID-19.

Student and staff absences trended down sharply last week according to LTUSD, and as of Monday, absences since Wednesday decreased by 66 percent.

Taking into consideration that there are very few home games remaining, especially for seniors, LTUSD "is inviting family members in athletes’ households to attend this week’s home games."

South Lake Tahoe motel suffers damage in fire

SOUTH LAKE TAHOE, Calif. - A very quick response by South Lake Tahoe Fire Rescue (SLTFR) Monday morning helped keep fire damage to three rooms at the Pinewood Inn.

At 11:34 a.m. Monday, the report of a structure fire at the South Lake Tahoe motel came into emergency dispatch. The Pinewood Inn is located at 3818 Lake Tahoe Blvd.

SLTFR Battalion Chief Jay Manning was just two blocks away when the call came in and as he pulled into the motel parking lot he saw smoke coming from one of the rooms on the east wing.

Lake Tahoe resorts to focus on avoiding collisions on annual California ski safety day

With the fourth annual Ski California Safety Day planned for Saturday, January 29, member resorts in California and Nevada are planning a variety of safety-themed activities to educate skiers and riders about avoiding collisions and other general skier safety initiatives. This year, in partnership with the High Fives Foundation, Ski California collaborated on a new video focused on how to avoid collisions as the next entry in the High Fives B.A.S.I.C.S. series.

Angel of Tahoe donates $50,000 to Ski Run Community Park

SOUTH LAKE TAHOE, Calif. - The future Ski Run Community Park has become the latest recipient of a donation from the Angel of Tahoe, Mrs. Lisa Maloff. She donated $50,000 to support the park that is being built on a vacant lot on Ski Run Boulevard in South Lake Tahoe.

Mrs. Maloff continues her long history of directly supporting the health and well-being of the lake and its communities and her list of donations is a lengthy one.

Lake Tahoe Wildlife Care surpasses $1M fundraising goal to build new wildlife hospital

SOUTH LAKE TAHOE, Calif. - In just six months, supporters of Lake Tahoe Wildlife Care (LTWC) have been able to raise the funds necessary to build a state-of-the-art wildlife hospital and recovery center in South Lake Tahoe.

Another repeat of weather for South Lake Tahoe: Dry, warmer days, cold nights

SOUTH LAKE TAHOE, Calif. - Seasonably warm afternoons will return for most of this week with generally light winds. A quick system will bring a shot of
colder air and an east wind shift Tuesday with another round of gusty winds along the Sierra crest. Meaningful precipitation remains unlikely through the end of the month, according to the National Weather Service (NWS) in Reno.

Eastern Sierra History Talk on George Whittell at Wylder Hotel Hope Valley

Event Date: 
January 29, 2022 - 2:00pm

Wylder Hotel Hope Valley continues its interpretive programs on Eastern Sierra history with a living history/Chautauqua style presentation on one of Lake Tahoe’s most colorful characters, George Whittell, the “Accidental Conservationist.”

Eastern Sierra historian David Woodruff takes on the character of one of the wealthiest men in the United States, who kept an African Lion for a pet, built one of the most beautiful pleasure crafts to navigate Lake Tahoe, entertained former Presidents, and unintentionally conserved a large portion of Lake Tahoe lands for the public to enjoy today.

Letter to the Editor: Basin User Fee is a Trojan horse being rolled into our city government

The following was presented to the South Lake Tahoe City Council on Tuesday, January 18, 2022. Duane Wallace, the presenter and CEO of South Lake Tahoe Chamber submitted it in its entirety for publication.

Fire burns building at Donner Ski Ranch, comes close to chair lift

A Friday night fire at Donner Ski Ranch has burned one building and came close to ski lifts. When firefighters from Truckee Fire District and CalFire Nevada-Yuba-Placer (NEU) arrived at the scene the fire was already well established, according to their post on social media.

The fire was in an area not accessible by vehicles and firefighters responded on a snowcat and snowmachine. Nearby trees were cut down to prevent fire spread to the nearby chair lift.

The building was located at the bottom of Chair 5 at the resort.

Volunteers needed for homeless count in Lake Tahoe Basin

Event Date: 
February 24, 2022 - 5:00am

SOUTH LAKE TAHOE, Calif. - The Tahoe Coalition for the Homeless (TCH) is preparing for South Lake Tahoe's upcoming Point-in-Time (PIT) Count on Thursday, February 24 from 5:00 a.m. - 7:00 a.m. and volunteers are needed. The PIT Count is conducted once every two years to gather data on how many homeless people sleep outside in winter.

Police investigation opens after body found in South Lake Tahoe

SOUTH LAKE TAHOE, Calif. - A wildlife photographer out taking photos Saturday morning found the remains of a person in the snowy meadow along Trout Creek in South Lake Tahoe.

The South Lake Tahoe Police Department (SLTPD) responded to the area behind U.S. Bank and Rite Aid after receiving a call from the photographer just before 9:30 a.m. on January 22, 2022.

According to SLTPD Sgt. Doug Sentell, at this point they are unsure if the deceased person is male or female, how long they have been in the snow, and how they died.

Prescribed burn operations around Lake Tahoe

LAKE TAHOE, Calif./Nev. – The Tahoe Fire & Fuels Team (TFFT) continues prescribed fire operations if conditions and weather are favorable. Operations are expected to continue throughout the winter season to help land managers reduce hazardous fuels that can feed unwanted wildfires. Smoke will be present.

Column: Senator Reid gave Tahoe a path forward

The passing of former US Senator Harry Reid in late December has led to many reflections on his storied career as a leader and his accomplishments as a lawmaker. The Senator’s influence on Nevada and Lake Tahoe is so ingrained today that his work is like a well-worn path that Tahoe’s restoration partners use to go to work every day.

El Dorado County Sheriff's Report

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 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.

Report for January 13 - 19, 2022

1/13
02:15 SUSPICIOUS SUBJECT IN PROGRESS - Officer initiated activity at Tahoe Townhouses, Pioneer Trl, South Lake Tahoe. Disposition: ARREST

Weekly recap of COVID-19 cases in counties around Lake Tahoe

Weekly roundup of COVID-19 around Lake Tahoe. All except El Dorado County are for the week and El Dorado data is from yesterday.

EL DORADO COUNTY

There have been 308 new cases of COVID-19 and no new deaths recorded since yesterday in El Dorado County. This brings the total of COVID-19 cases in the county to 22,640. This does not include all at-home tests that may have been positive.

There are now 141.3 new cases of COVID-19 per 100,000 residents in the county.

Father Daughter Sweetheart Dance

Event Date: 
February 11, 2022 - 7:00pm

THE Father/Daughter Sweetheart Dance is back and will be held on Friday, February 11, 2022, FROM 7:00 p.m. to 9:30 p.m. at the convention center at Harvey's.

Enjoy a special evening of dancing, visiting with friends, and refreshments. Photos are available for an additional cost.

Tickets are now on sale at Kahle Community Center. The cost is $15 per person. For more information, call Kahle at 775.586.7271, This popular event normally sells out quickly.

The event is sponsored by Douglas County Parks & Recreation, and Harvey's/Harrahs Lake Tahoe.

Alpine County hosts "Living with Bears" virtual meeting with Fish & Wildlife

Event Date: 
January 27, 2022 - 5:30pm

Join Alpine County Community Development on Thursday, January 27 for an internet-based video and phone conference to learn about “Living with Bears,” hosted by Shelly Blair, wildlife biologist for the California Department of Fish and Wildlife. The program is only virtual, starting at 5:30 p.m. There is no in-person attendance option.

It’s not uncommon to see bears in and around communities located near bear habitats. A bear sighting alone is not a cause for concern.

Free at-home COVID-19 test kits at local library and from government

EL DORADO COUNTY, Calif. - A limited supply of COVID-19 home test kits is available to El Dorado County residents at local public libraries.

The iHealth COVID-19 Rapid Home Test kits are limited to one per person, and a maximum of two test kits per household. The kits will be provided on a first-come, first-served basis while supplies last.

“We greatly appreciate our partnership with the El Dorado County Public Libraries to help make these home test kits available to residents,” said El Dorado County Public Health Officer, Dr. Nancy Williams.

Learn how to prepare for wildfire via educational series from Living With Fire

LAKE TAHOE, Calif./Nev. - As 2022 begins to take shape, this is a great opportunity to consider preparing your home, family, property, and yourself for wildfire. Begin your wildfire preparation journey by viewing the many educational workshops that were presented during the 2021 Lake Tahoe Wildfire Awareness Campaign (LTWAC). This campaign lasted from May to October 2021 and featured different workshops on how residents can prepare for wildfires and reduce their wildfire risk.

Lake Wind Advisory issued for Lake Tahoe starting Friday morning

SOUTH LAKE TAHOE, Calif. - The National Weather Service (NWS) in Reno has issued a Lake Wind Advisory for the greater Lake Tahoe area from 7:00 a.m. Friday to 4:00 a.m. Saturday.

Northeast winds of 15 to 25 mph are expected with gusts up to 40 mph. Waves on Lake Tahoe will be 2 to 4 feet.

Small boats, kayaks, and paddleboards will be prone to capsizing and should remain off lake waters until conditions improve.

Lake Tahoe Boulevard Class I Bicycle Trail approved, construction starts in May

SOUTH LAKE TAHOE, Calif. - During its meeting on Tuesday, the South Lake Tahoe City Council approved the final expenses for the Lake Tahoe Boulevard Class 1 Bicycle Trail from Viking Way to the Y.

The lane configuration has been in place for the past year, creating one lane in each direction and a center turn lane, now the actual bicycle lanes with paving and striping will be constructed.

COVID-19 cases for South Lake Tahoe and El Dorado County

EL DORADO COUNTY, Calif. - There have been 338 new cases of COVID-19 and two new deaths recorded since yesterday in El Dorado County. This brings the total of COVID-19 cases in the county to 22,640. This does not include at-home tests that may have been positive.

There are now 148.4 new cases of COVID-19 per 100,000 residents in the county.

There is an interactive dashboard for the county with extra details here: See HERE.

Pollock Pines, Camino, Kyburz - 1188 cases - +22

Tahoe Paradise Recreation & Park District Board of Directors virtual meeting Thursday

Event Date: 
January 20, 2022 - 6:00pm

The next Tahoe Paradise Recreation & Park District board meeting will be held on Thursday, January 20, 2022, from 6:00 p.m. to 8:00 p.m. It will be held via zoom: https://
us02web.zoom.us/j/83785400809?pwd=ejVQWUNscnZqSnRnaW5EcXV2MGxCUT09
Meeting ID: 837 8540 0809 Passcode: 298025.

MEETING AGENDA

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

Art exhibit at LTCC postponed

UPDATE: Due to the spread of Omicron in the South Lake Tahoe community, LTCC is postponing the public opening of the Faculty & Staff Art Exhibition. When it’s safe to welcome the community indoors to enjoy the show, a new date will be announced.

SOUTH LAKE TAHOE, Calif. — A new art exhibition is opening to the public at Lake Tahoe Community College (LTCC) on January 20. This exhibition is free to explore both in person or virtually by visiting www.ltccartgallery.com. The art exhibit will be open through April 22.

COVID-19 cases for South Lake Tahoe and El Dorado County

EL DORADO COUNTY, Calif. - There have been 263 new cases of COVID-19 and two new deaths recorded since yesterday in El Dorado County. This brings the total of COVID-19 cases in the county to 22,302. This does not include at-home tests that may have been positive.

There are now 150.2 new cases of COVID-19 per 100,000 residents in the county.

There is an interactive dashboard for the county with extra details here: See HERE.

Pollock Pines, Camino, Kyburz - 1166 cases - +11

City looks at creating ordinance to allow movable tiny homes

SOUTH LAKE TAHOE, Calif. - The South Lake Tahoe City Council took the first steps in creating an ordinance that will allow park-model RVs less than 400 square feet in size on parking pads at South Lake Tahoe properties to help alleviate the housing crisis.

The Council addressed several issues but since some major adjustments to the staff's proposal were requested, Council will vote on a first draft at a future meeting.

2022 South Lake Tahoe Earth Day Festival planned for April 24

Event Date: 
April 24, 2022 - 10:00am

SOUTH LAKE TAHOE, Calif. - The 2022 South Lake Tahoe Earth Day Festival is scheduled for Sunday, April 24 from 10:00 a.m. - 3:00 p.m. at Bijou Community Park, weather and COVID permitting.

More details will be coming in the weeks ahead, but the Earth Day committee is currently seeking booth applicants. The festival recognizes, celebrates and promotes our unique environment by educating the public about the preservation and protection of our local and global natural resources. For more information on the event, visit the Earth Day website.

Go Fund Me fundraiser started to keep Glazed and Confuzed Tahoe Donut/Ladles By the Lake open

SOUTH LAKE TAHOE, Calif. - The Glazed Ladles team said they are proud of how they've grown their brands and businesses: Glazed and Confuzed Tahoe Donut and Ladles By the Lake: A Tahoe Soup Company in South Lake Tahoe.

However, as they prepare to celebrate their five-year anniversary as business owners (just eight weeks away) they're reaching out to the community for support to keep their doors open.

South Lake Tahoe Republican Women host installation and medical freedom speaker

On Thursday, January 13, 2022, Todd White, County Chair of the Republican Party, installed the new officers to the SLT Republican Women Board as follows:

President Gerri Grego
1st Vice President Karen Imhoff (Programs)
2nd Vice President Liz Buchmiller (Membership)
3rd Vice President Terri Jinkens (Promotion/Publicity)
4th Vice President Cheri Watson (Events)
Treasurer Lana Raleigh
Recording Secretary Kathleen Bailey

The luncheon meeting was held at Margarita’s Restaurant and also included a guest speaker on medical freedom of choice.

UC Davis study shows resilience in frequent-fire forests may require significantly reducing tree densities

What does a “resilient” forest look like in California’s Sierra Nevada? A lot fewer trees than we’re used to, according to a study of frequent-fire forests from the University of California, Davis.

More than a century ago, Sierra Nevada forests faced almost no competition from neighboring trees for resources. The tree densities of the late 1900s would astonish most Californians today. Because of fire suppression, trees in current forests live alongside six to seven times as many trees as their ancestors did — competing for less water amid drier and hotter conditions.

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