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Are you acquainted with shishito peppers? They are thin-skinned little green peppers that you can cook up in a skillet in just ten minutes. Once they have a little char on them, they’re so irresistible.

Shishito peppers are a delightful variety of peppers originating from Japan.  They have a unique flavor profile that is sweet, slightly smoky, and generally very mild. However, about one in every ten can surprise you with a spicy kick. The heat is not overwhelming, but it can be surprising, which adds allure and popularity to this pepper.

Sadly, Kelly Bessem is correct when she writes in her recent op-ed: "Lately, the divisiveness that surrounds the Vacancy Tax has gone far beyond standard disagreement and turned into personal attacks."

We CAN get along better than this. We may disagree, but we're all neighbors here in beautiful Tahoe. Yet the vitriol continues.

For this, in large part, I blame the Vacancy Tax Ordinance itself. It has become a truly divisive issue.

MAMMOTH LAKES, Calif. — Clean Up The Lake (CUTL) has announced the successful continuation of its efforts in the Mammoth Lakes Basin this past month. In July 2024, the nonprofit and its volunteers completed a full circumnavigated cleanup and aquatic invasive species (AIS) survey of Lake Mary, the region's most popular lake. This initiative resulted in the removal of approximately 2,000 pounds of litter from the depths of Lake Mary and confirmed that the observed plant species present are native to the area.

LAKE TAHOE, Nev. - The iconic Rocky Horror Picture Show is turning 49 this year, and Bally's Tahoe will be hosting a special evening to celebrate, including the original "Brad Majors" himself, Barry Bostwick who will be the host. The event is taking place on Friday, October 18.

There will be a live shadow cast, audience participation, VIP Meet & Greet, and a costume contest. Get your squirt guns, newspapers, sponges, rubber gloves, party hats, toilet paper, noisemakers, and toast ready!

SOUTH LAKE TAHOE, Calif. - The Smaine Fund, in collaboration with The Hangar Lake Tahoe and PT Revolution, has announced the inaugural Smaine Fund Scramble, a charity golf tournament set to take place on October 13, 2024, at Lake Tahoe Golf Course.

This exciting event will bring together golf enthusiasts and community supporters for a day of friendly competition, the chance to compete for prizes and awards, camaraderie, philanthropy, and the chance to be The Smaine Fund Scramble CHAMPS!

SOUTH LAKE TAHOE, Calif. - The public is invited to attend the next meeting of the Kiwanis Club of Tahoe Sierra on Wednesday, August 21 at 5:30 p.m. in the Aspen Room at Lake Tahoe Community College (next to the Library).

The speaker will be Roy Takeda from the Kiwanis Club of Dayton Township and he will be speaking on ‘The Little Library’ program and ‘HOW’ to build one.

Roy has made several of these Little Libraries that are placed around town with books for the public to take a book – FREE of CHARGE. All that is asked is that when you ‘take’ a book you ‘leave’ a book.

SOUTH LAKE TAHOE, Calif. - The Boys and Girls Club of Lake Tahoe is holding its 7th annual Tahoe Brewfest on Saturday, August 24, 2024. The event will run from 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. in the heart of South Lake Tahoe, with VIPs enjoying early tasting access starting at 11 a.m. and General Admission beginning at 1 p.m.

UPDATE Wednesday: The Douglas County Sheriff’s Office has identified the pilot involved in the aircraft crash—which took place on August 20, 2024 at the Minden-Tahoe Airport as Randal G. Abraham, age 68, from Redwood City, Calif. Abraham was pronounced dead at the scene.

The aircraft's sole passenger was Brandt Wood, 52, from Gardnerville, Nev. Wood was transported to Renown by East Fork Fire where he was treated for injuries sustained in the crash. His condition was not released.

The Enchantment of Valhalla Renaissance Faire Returns to Tahoe, Promising an Unforgettable Experience with Abundant Entertainment, Delectable Food, and Unique Shopping. And, yes... there will be JOUSTING!

After a three-year hiatus, the Valhalla Renaissance Faire is set to triumphantly return for the Fall 2024 season. Prepare to step back in time and immerse yourself in a world of chivalry, enchantment, and merriment on August 24-25, 2024, at the Tahoe Valley Campground.

Location

Pre party event before the Jon Pardi concert. We will be dancing at Tipsy Putt Tahoe this coming Friday from 5pm to 6:30pm with the amazing instructor Karlee. No experience needed, free event!

LAKE TAHOE, Nev. - Tragedy has struck a Bay Area family after Francisco "Cisco" Villa Madrigal, 39, has been identified as the man who died near Bonsai Rock in Lake Tahoe on Sunday, August 18. The Washoe County Medical Examiner's Office confirmed the identity of Cisco and the cause and manner of death is under investigation though no foul play is suspected.

Cisco's family has set up a GoFundMe fundraiser to help with expenses.

U.S. Forest Service Lake Tahoe Basin Management Unit (LTBMU) employees were the Adopt A Day of Nourishment (AAD) sponsor for Bread & Broth’s Monday Meal on August 12. Normally, the men and women of LTBMY spend their time managing vegetation, restoring ecosystems, reducing fire hazards, and maintaining forest health in the South Lake Tahoe Basin. However, at the Monday Meal dinner, their primary focus was to provide a hot, nutritious meal and bags of food to help meet the needs of their fellow community members.

SOUTH LAKE TAHOE, Calif. - The week ahead in Lake Tahoe will start with dry weather and breezy conditions, and slightly below-normal temperatures. The end of the week will see an increasing chance of precipitation, most of the gusty winds, and well-below-normal temperatures (don't worry, we'll warm up again). There is even a chance for upper-elevation snow.

The forecast for South Lake Tahoe from the National Weather Service (NWS) in Reno:

Monday - Sunny, with a high near 77. South wind 5 to 10 mph, with gusts as high as 20 mph.

Are you curious to learn more about the status of Lake Tahoe’s famed clarity? In partnership with TEDxReno, the Tahoe Fund has gathered a panel of experts for an in-depth discussion on Lake Tahoe's famed clarity.

Is the Lake headed in the right direction? We'll explore the big questions to get crystal clear on what's ahead and how we can have an impact.

Panelists include:

Dr. Alex Forrest, Professor of Civil and Environmental Engineering & Interim Director, UC Davis Tahoe Environmental Research Center​
Dan Segan, Chief Science & Policy Advisor, Tahoe Regional Planning Agency​

GARDNERVILLE, Nev. - Each year, the Town of Gardnerville collects more than 450 tons of green waste from its residents. The green-waste program started in 2000 as a free service to residents as the Town was able to dispose of its green waste at Bently Ranch free of charge. Every ton of green waste—diverted to Bently Ranch and kept out of the landfill—was a cost-saving to Town residents and an environmental benefit for all.

Scott Robbins, Amelia Richmond, and Nick Speal are telling residents that the Measure N Vacancy Tax “Does NOT tax local residents, businesses or renters.” The text of the ballot measure says “Section 3.60.020 Imposition of Tax, A.... the City imposes an annual Residential Vacancy Tax on each person who owns a Residential Unit if that Residential Unit is Vacant”. There is absolutely no exception for “local residents, businesses or renters”. It applies to every residence in the city regardless of who owns
it or where they live.

SOUTH LAKE TAHOE, Calif. - Since 1936 the Oscar Mayer Wienermobile has been driving around to promote their "German-style Wieners," first through the streets of Chicago and today, around the country. Today's version of the hot dog-shaped vehicle is much bigger than the original 13-foot metal hot dog on wheels.

The little moving hotdog is now a 27-foot-long frankfurter atop a yellow bun. A peek inside shows the six seats in a fun and funky display.

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.

August 5 - August 11, 2024

8/5

08:09 SUSP VEH STOP - Officer initiated activity at TJ Maxx, Lake Tahoe Blvd, South Lake Tahoe, CA. Disposition: CHECKS CLEAR.

SOUTH LAKE TAHOE, Calif. - A group from the Boys & Girls Club of Lake Tahoe members and staff traveled across the lake on the Tahoe Star to Shakespeare Ranch for an action-packed day on Tuesday, August 6, 2024. This was the first time members of the Club visited the ranch.

The day brought us beautiful, sunny weather. Club members watched a rodeo, fed carrots to horses and goats, learned how to rope a bull, and enjoyed the arcade inside of the barn.

DOUGLAS COUNTY, Nev. – A high-speed chase on US395 after an armed robbery in Lancaster, Calif. led to the arrest of a 27-year-old Fresno resident in Douglas County.

Today’s American families spend as much as half their food budget on meals away from home. Meals at restaurants can be costly on the wallet but are also costly for a family’s health.

UPDATE: The Fire Weather Watch has been upgraded to a Red Flag Warning for the Lake Tahoe region. It is in effect from 11 a.m. to 11 p.m. Saturday.

SOUTH LAKE TAHOE, Calif. - A Fire Weather Watch is in effect for the Lake Tahoe Basin and surrounding areas on Saturday from 11 a.m. until 11 p.m. The National Weather Service (NWS) in Reno is calling for gusty winds and low humidity.

Winds will be from the south to southwest at 15 to 25 mph with gusts 30 to 40 mph. Humidity will be 9-15 percent.

The five-day forecast for South Lake Tahoe from NWS Reno:

SOUTH LAKE TAHOE, Calif. - Fostering a community of neighbors recognizing neighbors is the key behind the South Lake Tahoe window cleaning business, The Kairos Company.

Started by Shannon Kuperus, Jr., and now operated together with his wife Lauren, the Kairos Company cleans windows, solar panels, and gutters, as well as snow removal.

UPDATE August 19: The Washoe County Regional Medical Examiner’s Office has identified the person who was found deceased along the Mt. Rose Highway on August 15 as Patricia Portella-Wright, 48, of Kings Beach, Calif. The manner of death was homicide. The Coroner said the cause of death was multiple sharp-force injuries. The Placer County Sheriff’s Office is conducting the law enforcement investigation.