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Rise in COVID-19 cases pushes many California counties back in tiers

EL DORADO COUNTY, Calif. - California is experiencing a surge in COVID-19 cases and state health officials today moved several counties back into more restrictive tiers to stem the tide of the pandemic.

With this direction, El Dorado County was to move into the red tier, the one reserved for areas with substantial cases, but the county has entered the state's tier adjudication process and asked to remain in the orange tier.

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

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

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

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

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

Fire restrictions lifted in South Lake Tahoe and Meyers

SOUTH LAKE TAHOE, Calif. - A burn ban in the Lake Tahoe Basin was put in place this summer in response to the unprecedented and extreme fire conditions in California. While there were no major fires in the Basin there were record setting acres burned across the state.

A ban of charcoal barbeques, wood fire pits and open burning was but in place along with extra bans during Red Flag Warning conditions.

Workshop to help builders create homes to withstand wildfire

Event Date: 
November 18, 2020 - 5:30pm

Building professionals are invited to join a free virtual workshop from 5:30 p.m. to 7:30 p.m. on November 18 to learn how to design, build, and retrofit homes to withstand wildfire.

TERC: Studying the fate of microplastics at Lake Tahoe

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

The UC Davis Tahoe Environmental Research Center (TERC) in Incline Village is presenting another virtual seminar as part of their Fall Speaker Series on Thursday, November 12 at 12:00 p.m. The seminar will feature UC Davis researchers Katie Senft and Dr. Jenessa Gjeltema who will update participants on the latest science behind microplastics and present the research underway at Lake Tahoe to study the fate of microplastics in our freshwater system.

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

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

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

But he is the winner in what came next.

LTUSD to remain in Phase 2 Hybrid Learning through rest of 2020

SOUTH LAKE TAHOE, Calif. - After Lake Tahoe Unified School District (LTUSD) leadership looked at current COVID-19 data they announced Monday they will not be shifting to the next learning phase and will remain in Phase 2.

In accordance with their Pandemic Educational Plan timeline, LTUSD concluded its assessment of the data and criteria required did not meet what was needed for a possible shift to the next phase. There has been a significant increase of COVID-19 cases over the past four weeks with 15 new cases over the weekend.

COVID-19 case update for Lake Tahoe area counties

SOUTH LAKE TAHOE, Calif. - El Dorado County health officials say another 50 residents have tested positive for COVID-19 since Friday. Of those, 12 are in El Dorado Hills, seven are in Greater Placerville, two in Pollock Pines/Camino/Kyburz, ten in Cameron Park/Shingle Springs/Rescue, one in North County, three in Diamond Springs/El Dorado, and 15 in the Lake Tahoe region.

One of those new cases, five are under the age of 18, 25 are aged 18-49, 14 are aged 50-64 and six are 65 or older.

Another 624 people were tested for the coronavirus and 574 negative tests results were received.

Prescribed fire operations return around Lake Tahoe

LAKE TAHOE, Calif./Nev. - The Tahoe Fire and Fuels Team (TFFT) will begin conducting prescribed fire operations in the Lake Tahoe Basin this week, weather and conditions permitting.

North Lake Tahoe Fire Protection District is scheduled to being operations Monday at Diamond Peak Ski Resort (50 acres) and later near War Bonnet Way/Peace Pipe Lane in Incline Village (20 acres).

California State Parks is scheduled to begin operations at Burton Creek (17 acres) and Sugar Pine Point (20 acres) state parks beginning as early as Tuesday.

New locations this week for Bread & Broth 4 Kids food bags

SOUTH LAKE TAHOE, Calif. - Due to the Veterans Day holiday, Bread & Broth 4 Kids food bags will not be distributed by school buses Wednesday. Since there is no school, the following schedule for South Lake Tahoe area students will be followed:

Kids food bags can be picked up at St. Theresa Grace Hall, 1041 Lyons Avenue, on Wednesday from 9:00 a.m. to 1:00 p.m. and from 4:00 p.m. to 5:00 p.m.

Cool but sunny start to the week in South Lake Tahoe

SOUTH LAKE TAHOE, Calif. - The recent storm that passed over the Lake Tahoe Basin brought more snow than originally forecasted, so what does the coming week have in store?

Expect well below-average temperatures with dry conditions and light winds through midweek, with today being the coldest day. Later this week and into next week, a more active weather pattern is likely to return with periods of gusty winds and
increased chances for rain and snow.

South Lake Tahoe Police Blotter

SOUTH LAKE TAHOE, Calif. - The following is a list of calls the South Lake Tahoe Police Department responded to the weeks of October 26 - November 1, 2020. 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. COVID calls are related to state and county guidelines.

Last Report: http://southtahoenow.com/story/11/01/2020/south-lake-tahoe-police-blotter

New Report:

10/26

ARRESTS (2)

Transient arrested on charges of homicide after woman found deceased in tent near Home Depot

DOUGLAS COUNTY, Nev. - The Douglas County Sheriff’s Office is investigating a homicide that occurred near the Home Depot store on Jacks Valley Road.

On Friday, November 6 at approximately 7:30 p.m., Douglas County Sheriff's Office (DCSO) dispatch received a 911 call about a dead body in a tent located just east of the Home Depot store.

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.

Last Week's Log: http://southtahoenow.com/story/11/01/2020/el-dorado-county-sheriffs-report

11/1

2:37 a.m. - Corporal Injury to Spouse/Cohabitant - Meyers - 25-YEAR-OLD MALE SUSPECT

First storm of the season drops snow around Lake Tahoe

SOUTH LAKE TAHOE, Calif. - Law enforcement has been busy this morning with vehicles stuck in the snow around Lake Tahoe and on the surrounding mountain passes. Meyers is reporting 12" of snow, South Lake Tahoe 9.5", Genoa 7", Alpine Meadows 7" and the Gardnerville Ranchos up to 14".

This is a good day to stay off the roads. If driving, follow all controls, give yourself distance from the car in front of you, and take your time. The storm is moving out of the area but there will be some lingering snow until around 1:30 p.m.

Tahoe Chamber to hold webinar to help diffuse workplace tension in the current climate

Event Date: 
November 18, 2020 - 12:00pm

The South Shore business community is invited to attend the Tahoe Chamber’s next Level UP Webinar: Diffusing Workplace Tension – Politics, Polarization, and the Pandemic on November 18 from 12:00 p.m. to 1:30 p.m. This interactive webinar will be facilitated by Laura Moriarty of Tahoe Training Partners. She will provide productive solutions to difficult situations in the workplace.

Lake Tahoe, Sierra and El Dorado County roadwork November 8 - 14

SOUTH LAKE TAHOE, Calif. - The following is a list of the long term and short term projects the California Department of Transportation (Caltrans) has scheduled for the week around Lake Tahoe, in the Sierra and El Dorado County.

LONG-TERM PROJECTS

Winter Weather Advisory for Lake Tahoe Saturday-Sunday

SOUTH LAKE TAHOE, Calif. - A Winter Weather Advisory has been issued for the Lake Tahoe Basin from 7:00 p.m. Saturday, November 7 to 10:00 a.m. Sunday, November 8.

A total of 3"-6" of snow is expected with upper elevations seeing up to 10" of snow.

There are current chain controls on SR88 from Silver Lake to Picketts Junction but the new storm approaches expect chain requirements on all main highways and passes.

The three-day forecast for South Lake Tahoe from the National Weather Service in Reno:

Park grounds to remain open as Van Sickle Bi-State Park facilities close for season

SOUTH LAKE TAHOE, Calif. - The California Tahoe Conservancy announced Friday that the gates to Van Sickle Bi-State Park have closed for the winter season. Although roads and facilities will close, the park grounds remain open to pedestrian access year-round.

The 725-acre Van Sickle Bi-State Park provides day-use opportunities for hiking, cross-country skiing, and snowshoeing. For visitor safety, sledding is not allowed.

COVID-19 case update for Lake Tahoe area counties

SOUTH LAKE TAHOE, Calif. - El Dorado County health officials say another 18 residents have tested positive for COVID-19 since yesterday. Of those, four in El Dorado Hills, four are in Greater Placerville, one in Pollock Pines/Camino/Kyburz, three in Cameron Park/Shingle Springs/Rescue, one in North County, one Diamond Springs/El Dorado, and four in the Lake Tahoe region.

One of those new cases, two are under the age of 18, six are aged 18-49, seven are aged 50-64 and three 65 or older.

Another 356 people were tested for the coronavirus and 338 negative tests results were received.

Power outage in South Lake Tahoe

All power was restored by 8:50 p.m. Friday.

SOUTH LAKE TAHOE, Calif. - Liberty Utilities is reporting 3,725 customers in South Lake Tahoe are without power Friday evening.

At this time the cause of the outage is unknown but their website estimated restoration by 10:30 p.m.

Residents are reporting outages in the Sierra Tract to Montgomery Estates neighborhoods and areas surrounding those.

We will keep you updated....we are without power too!

El Dorado County down to 1,000 votes to count - Creegan and Friedrich new South Lake Tahoe councilmembers

SOUTH LAKE TAHOE, Calif. - The El Dorado County Elections Department tabulated another 9,614 ballots on Friday, leaving about 1,000 provisional ballots left to count.

At this time, 115,339 ballots have been counted of the possible 135,554 voters (85.09%).

Cristi Creegan and John Friedrich appear to be the next two South Lake Tahoe City councilmembers. They led the race since the first ballots were counted on election day and came out victorious in the field of ten candidates.

First lottery set for new shoreline moorings around Lake Tahoe

LAKE TAHOE, Calif./Nev. - The Tahoe Regional Planning Association (TRPA) will be conducting their first lottery for new moorings (buoys, boat lifts, etc.) at Lake Tahoe.

In 2018 the Lake Tahoe Shoreline Plan was adopted, putting a cap on the total number of moorings and piers allowed in the Tahoe Basin. The plan establishes an annual lottery to allocate new moorings until all allocations are distributed.

Douglas County election results - Over 86 percent of vote counted

DOUGLAS COUNTY, Nev. - Election officials have released their first post-election day tabulation of the ballots for Douglas County races. 86.27 percent of the voters have cast their vote: Mail 19,727 50.69%, Early Voting 10,448 26.85%, Election Day 3,399 8.73%. So far, ballots from 33,574 of the 38,918 eligible voters have been counted.

DOUGLAS COUNTY COMMISSIONER, DISTRICT 1

Danny Tarkanian - 25,293 75.34%

DOUGLAS COUNTY COMMISSIONER, DISTRICT 3

Mark Gardner - 21,639 64.45%
Charles Holt - 9,337 27.81%

DOUGLAS COUNTY COMMISSIONER, DISTRICT 5

Election results: Creegan and Friedrich still on top of Council race, Measure S passing

SOUTH LAKE TAHOE, Calif. - The El Dorado County Elections Department has tabulated another 16,320 ballots. They plan to have the count of 9,200 mail-in ballots completed Friday. Then there will be about 1,200 provisional ballots left to count and some ballots that were waiting on signature corrections.

At this time, 105,725 ballots have been counted of the possible 135,554 voters (77.99%).

COVID-19 case update for Lake Tahoe area counties

SOUTH LAKE TAHOE, Calif. - El Dorado County health officials say another 10 residents have tested positive for COVID-19 since yesterday. Of those, two are in Greater Placerville, two in Pollock Pines/Camino/Kyburz, two in Cameron Park/Shingle Springs/Rescue, two Diamond Springs/El Dorado, and two in the Lake Tahoe region.

One of those new cases, two are under the age of 18, six are aged 18-49, two are aged 50-64.

Another 185 people were tested for the coronavirus and 175 negative tests results were received.

Victim in fatal head-on collision identified as South Lake Tahoe resident

ZEPHYR COVE, Nev. - The victim of Tuesday's deadly crash on US Highway 50 near Zephyr Cove has been identified as a South Lake Tahoe resident.

At 6:25 p.m., troopers from the Nevada Highway Patrol responded to a head-on collision at Douglas County miler marker 3.

The NHP preliminary investigation shows a black 2011 Dodge Ram pickup was traveling eastbound on the highway approaching a right curve in the roadway. At that same time, a gray 2003 Honda Element was approaching the same curve as the driver headed westbound.

Pair arrested and facing South Lake Tahoe vehicle theft charges

SOUTH LAKE TAHOE, Calif. - Two people have been arrested by the South Lake Tahoe Police Department (SLTPD) after allegedly stealing a car from a home on Anita Drive.

Barton Health welcomes two new primary care doctors to South Lake Tahoe

SOUTH LAKE TAHOE, Calif. - Barton Health has welcomed two new primary care providers, Krista Ault, MD and Tyler Peterson, DO, at its network of family care medical offices in South Lake Tahoe.

These physicians will expand community access to care, a priority of Barton’s in response to its Community Health Needs indicating access to health services being a top concern of surveyed residents in the local area.

Bread & Broth seeks donations for South Lake Tahoe Community Thanksgiving meals

Bread & Broth is seeking donations for a Thanksgiving Meal Giveaway that will be distributed on Monday, November 23, 2020 from 3:00 p.m. to 5:30 p.m. at St. Theresa Grace Hall in South Lake Tahoe.

During past Thanksgiving holidays, Bread & Broth has sponsored a hot Thanksgiving turkey dinner with all the trimmings, once that guests could enjoy with the fellowship of others in the community. During those dinners over 250 individuals joined in the special holiday meal.

This year will have to be different due to the COVID-19 restrictions.

Tahoe Douglas Rotary speaker: James Ellman about his book "Hitler’s Great Gamble”

Event Date: 
November 6, 2020 - 12:00pm

The Tahoe Douglas Rotary Club will host researcher and author James Ellman during their virtual meeting on Friday, November 6.

Ellman will discuss his book, Hitler's Great Gamble: A New Look at German Strategy, Operation Barbarossa, and the Axis Defeat in World War II, during the 12:00 p.m. meeting and the public is invited to attend.

City of South Lake Tahoe seeking applicants for citizen commissions and boards

The City of South Lake Tahoe is looking to fill vacant seats on four citizen commissions and boards: Planning Commission, Airport Land Use Commission, Building Board of Appeals, and Parks & Recreation Commission. They are soliciting applications for a City Council representative to the El Dorado County Commission on Aging and the Tahoe Regional Planning Agency Advisory Planning Commission.

Applications are due December 28 for the following positions

Planning Commission

Red Flag Warning, Lake WInd Advisory and snow forecast for South Lake Tahoe in days ahead

SOUTH LAKE TAHOE, Calif. - Mark Twain said "the air up there in the clouds is very pure and fine, bracing and delicious," and this week that air will be colder than it has been. There is a little bit of everything in the five day forecast for South Lake Tahoe.

Starting Thursday, November 5, the National Weather Service (NWS) in Reno has issued a Red Flag Warning for the Lake Tahoe Basin. It will be in effect from 10:00 p.m. to 9:00 a.m. on Friday. The forecast gusty winds and critically dry fuels could cause fire to rapidly grow in size and intensity.

SLT Outdoors Friends' Book Sale

Event Date: 
November 14, 2020 - 12:00pm

The South Lake Tahoe Library is holding a parking lot/sidewalk book sale on Saturday, November 14th from 12:00 p.m. to 3:30 p.m. Tables will be set up with a great selection of books to choose from.

Prices are only $5 a bag and $1 per large, coffee table books. Great selection for fireside reading this winter.

For the health and safety of all, masks will be worn, entry will be monitored to one person (or family group) per table and hand sanitizer will be available. At check-out, correct change is appreciated.

COVID-19 case update for Lake Tahoe area counties

SOUTH LAKE TAHOE, Calif. - El Dorado County health officials say another 15 residents have tested positive for COVID-19 since yesterday. Of those, five are in El Dorado Hills, three in Greater Placerville, -1 in North County, five in Cameron Park/Shingle Springs/Rescue, and three in the Lake Tahoe region.

One of those new case four are aged 18-49, ten are aged 50-64, and one 65 or older.

Another 271 people were tested for the coronavirus and 256 negative tests results were received.

There have been another five assumed recoveries with 168 assumed active cases.

Guest Column: Supporting your community virtually with the Barton Foundation

This season of giving is more important than ever, as our community faces complex challenges brought on by the pandemic. To help provide additional financial resources in response to the pandemic, the COVID-19 Response Fund is the beneficiary of the Barton Foundation’s 30th Annual Gala, held virtually this year beginning November 30 through December 11, 2020 at BartonHealth.org/Gala.

Suspicious device found along South Lake Tahoe bike trail

SOUTH LAKE TAHOE, Calif. - A portion of the bike trail between Pope Beach and West Way was closed Tuesday afternoon after a suspicious device was found near the bridge.

A concerned person who thought the device could be a pipe bomb called the El Dorado County Sheriff who responded along with Lake Valley Fire and South Lake Tahoe Fire. The device was suspicious enough that patrol called the county's EOD (Explosive Ordnance Disposal) who came in from Placerville.

South Lake Tahoe's Measure S passing, Creegan and Friedrich leading

4:00 p.m. UPDATE: There will be no more updates to the El Dorado County ballot count on Wednesday. According to election officials, mail in ballots are being counted but nothing will be updated on their website until tabulations occur Thursday afternoon.

There have been no updates since Tuesday night to the Douglas County election results.

Ballot counts for El Dorado County and South Lake Tahoe

10:46 P.M. UPDATE: Both El Dorado County and Douglas County have released an updated count at this hour. For El Dorado County, 149 of 209 precincts have now been tabulated. Depending on the area, Douglas County shows about 72 percent of Tuesday's votes listed.

Lanes currently closed due to fatal collision on US 50 near Zephyr Cove

7:40 p.m. Update: Two vehicles were involved at US-50 and Douglas Mile Marker 3, east of Stateline on Tuesday evening. There is one confirmed deceased according to the Nevada Highway Patrol. They said impairment is suspected.

The highway is still shut down in both directions for the investigation. Avoid the area and expect the closure to last several hours.

DOUGLAS COUNTY, Nev. - US Highway 50 near Zephyr Cove is closed in both directions this evening due to a fatal collusion at 6:25 p.m. The Nevada Highway Patrol is telling drivers to take an alternate route as of 7:05 p.m.

Lane closure in South Lake Tahoe for pilot project as Caltrans paints bike lane green

SOUTH LAKE TAHOE, Calif. – Caltrans is advising motorists of a lane closure on U.S. Highway 50 in South Lake Tahoe later this week for a pilot project to paint a section of the bike lane green.

The closure is scheduled for the eastbound #2 lane from 6:00 a.m. to 6:00 p.m. Thursday between Dunlap Drive and 3rd Street to apply the paint treatment.

COVID-19 case update for Lake Tahoe area counties

SOUTH LAKE TAHOE, Calif. - El Dorado County health officials say another 15 residents have tested positive for COVID-19 since Friday. Of those, two are in El Dorado Hills, one in Greater Placerville, two in North County, two in Cameron Park/Shingle Springs/Rescue, and 10 in the Lake Tahoe region.

One of those new cases, one is under the age of 18, four are aged 18-49, seven are aged 50-64, and three 65 or older.

Another 223 people were tested for the coronavirus and 208 negative tests results were received.

Virtual STEM field trips offered by UC Davis TERC

INCLINE VILLAGE, Nev. - The UC Davis Tahoe Environmental Research Center (TERC) has started a series of virtual field trips for teachers that have been designed with flexibility in mind during this ever-changing school year.

Using a variety of technologies, the TERC Education Team has converted some of their most popular field trips to a virtual format:

Aquatic Food Web (Grades 3–4)
Formation of Lake Tahoe (Grades 4–6)
Geology of Tahoe (Grades 4–5)
Trees of Tahoe (Grades 3–5)
Tahoe Forest Health (Grades 5–6)
Climate Change (Grades 6–8)

South Shore casinos see big gain in September; Statewide revenues down 22 percent

STATELINE, Nev. - Nevada’s non-restricted gaming licensees reported a total “gaming win” of $821,132,375 for the month of September 2020, the fourth month of casinos reopening in the state after being closed due to the coronavirus. This amounts to a 22.38 percent decrease compared to September 2019, when licensees reported a gaming win of $1,057,935,421, according to the monthly report released by the Nevada Gaming Control Board.

The twenty-two percent decrease is almost identical to the loss experienced the prior month for the state.

South Lake Tahoe Police officers finish first month with body cameras

SOUTH LAKE TAHOE, Calif. - Officers with the South Lake Tahoe Police Department (SLTPD) are now using a new system of body and vehicle cameras. After City Council approved $470,000 Body Worn Camera (BWC) system on July 28, 42 body cameras, 28 in-car cameras, and the associated cloud based storage were ordered, training was completed and procedures were created.

Tahoe Chamber announces finalists for 13th annual Blue Ribbon Awards

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

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

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

Douglas County confirms positive COVID-19 exposure at election polls

DOUGLAS COUNTY, Nev. - County officials say the election process will not be affected after learning on Sunday, November 1 that a Douglas County employee involved in the election tested positive for COVID-19.

Douglas County has worked closely with Carson City Health and Human Services on contact tracing related to the positive case. Individuals who are considered close contacts to the positive case have already been notified regarding their need to isolate or quarantine.

COVID-19 case update for Lake Tahoe area counties

SOUTH LAKE TAHOE, Calif. - El Dorado County health officials say another 41 residents have tested positive for COVID-19 since Friday. Of those, eight are in El Dorado Hills, seven in Greater Placerville, two in North County, one in Pollock Pines/Camino/ Kyburz, two in Diamond Springs/El Dorado, nine in Cameron Park/Shingle Springs/Rescue, and 12 in the Lake Tahoe region.

One of those new cases, five are under the age of 18, 21 are aged 18-49, nine are aged 50-64, and six 65 or older.

Another 842 people were tested for the coronavirus and 801 negative tests results were received.

South Lake Tahoe City Council looks to finalize shared rental ordinance

SOUTH LAKE TAHOE, Calif. - There has been much discussion in the community about the City of South Lake Tahoe's new Shared Rental Ordinance, one that is up for a vote during the November 3 City Council meeting.

A shared rental, also known as a hosted rental, is one where a person rents a portion of their home to a visitor on a short term basis* while they are still living in the home. They are not new in South Lake Tahoe, but the focus has been on creating an ordinance for them as a large number of people started obtaining business licenses for shared rentals in recent months.

Taylor Creek closure extended by USFS

Due to continued public health and safety concerns, trail construction, risk of bear-human encounters and in order to discourage large groups from gathering, the USDA Forest Service Lake Tahoe Basin Management Unit has extended a Forest Order that temporarily closes Taylor Creek and the surrounding area. This order (see here) is extended through November 9 at this time.

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