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Letter: Vacancy tax has misleading title on the ballot

Dear Editor: Election integrity is critically important for the preservation of democracy and the conduct of fair, honest, and open elections.

South Lake Tahoe Tourism Improvement District board meeting agenda

Event Date: 
January 25, 2024 - 1:00pm

South Lake Tahoe Tourism Improvement District
Board of Directors Meeting
Forest Suites Resort

1:00 pm, Thursday January 25, 2024
A. Call to Order
B. Roll Call
C. Introduction of Guests and Staff
D. Approval of Minutes of Previous Meeting (Attachment)
E. Approval of Agenda
F. Public Comment (Non-Agenda Items, 5-Minute Limit)

AGENDA
A. Discussion/Possible Action
i. Treasurer’s Report
1 Review of Current Financial Position
2 Attachment: Review of FY2023 Actual Financials
3 Attachment: FY2024 Budget with Actuals
ii. 2024-2026 Board Positions

Netflix documentary on bizarre kidnapping that ended in arrest in South Lake Tahoe

Netflix has released the three-episode documentary "American Nightmare" which focuses on the 2015 kidnapping of Denise Huskins from the Vallejo, California home she shared with her boyfriend, Aaron Quinn.

On March 23, 2015, Huskins was kidnapped by a masked intruder who tied up Quinn and drugged him, then took her. The Vallejo Police Department focused on Quinn as being responsible for the kidnapping. After 18 hours of interrogation, Quinn asks for a lawyer as he sees the conversation going nowhere.

Kudos: Bread & Broth Monday Meal sponsored by eXp Realty, Culbertson & Gray Group

SOUTH LAKE TAHOE, Calif. - “Sharing this opportunity with Bread & Broth has allowed us to connect to our community,” said Ashley Petticrew, a realtor with eXp Realty. Ashley, along with fellow real estate agents Kimberly Moore and Clay Russell, enjoyed their first experience sponsoring an Adopt A Day of Nourishment (AAD) and volunteering at the Bread & Broth Monday Meal on January 8.

Vision Zero strategy aims to make Tahoe roads safer

LAKE TAHOE, Calif./Nev. – From 2013 to 2021, there were 41 fatalities and 183 life-changing serious injuries on Tahoe’s roadways, according to crash data reported by state and local law enforcement agencies. To help prevent these tragic crashes, the Tahoe Regional Planning Agency (TRPA) this week released the draft Vision Zero Strategy for the Lake Tahoe Region.

Caltrans seeks comment on U.S. Highway 50 South Lake Tahoe Pavement Project

UPDATE: The meeting has been rescheduled due to a conflict with the South Lake Tahoe City Council meeting. It will now be held on Wednesday, January 24 from 6 p.m. to 7 p.m. Attendees can join the meeting at:
https://cadot.webex.com/cadot/j.php?MTID=m15985a73b37c20cb1512af24f53df68e

Douglas County School Board attempts to pull away from state school board association

DOUGLAS COUNTY, Nev. - Douglas County may become an "island in the state" if the school board votes to withdraw from the Nevada Association of School Boards (NASB).

During their last meeting, the Douglas County School Board (DCSB) had on its agenda to withdraw from NASB, the statewide group that all 17 counties in Nevada belong to. Not all members were on the same page and the item will come back to the next agenda.

Winter Storm Watch and Weather Advisory issued for upper elevations around Lake Tahoe

SOUTH LAKE TAHOE, Calif. - Snow is in the forecast for the Lake Tahoe Basin, but most of it will be falling above lake level. Storms begin to push into the Sierra on Friday night, with periods of rain, high-elevation snow, and gusty winds persisting into early next week. With daytime highs in the 40s in South Lake Tahoe, more rain will be seen but expect heavy snow above the lake.

The National Weather Service (NWS) in Reno has issued a Winter Weather Advisory and Winter Storm Watch:

Column: Working together toward progress in 2024

What a difference a year makes. This time last winter, many of us delighted in a promising snowpack, unaware that we were facing what would become the heaviest winter in more than 70 years. It was a tough one, even for some of us who survived the 1997 rain-on-snow disastrous winter. We got through it together, and 2023 had many bright spots with real progress for Lake Tahoe and our communities.

Letter: Rejuvenation or decline for South Lake Tahoe?

As a partner in a lodging business and former Mayor, I was impressed that City Councilmember Tamara Wallace showed courage and laid out her concerns about taxes. I found her way of looking at where we are as a tourism destination matched my own. I agree with her philosophy of how we should handle this downturn in business.

Scott Morgan appointed Douglas County assistant county manager

DOUGLAS COUNTY, Nev. – Scott Morgan, the Douglas County community services director, has accepted the job as the county's assistant county manager, a job he has been holding in the interim after Jenifer Davidson was appointed county manager.

Homeowners north of Cave Rock file appeal for judicial review over rental ban ordinance

DOUGLAS COUNTY, Nev. - The approval of a ban on short-term vacation rentals north of Cave Rock in the Douglas County portion of Lake Tahoe has brought forward a petition for judicial review to be filed in the Ninth Judicial District Court of Nevada. Several residents and Glenbrook property manager Kevin Kjer filed the petition to reverse the Douglas County Board of Commissioner's December vote to ban the 13 vacation home rentals (VHRs) in that region starting January 1, 2025.

The homeowner's group is represented by Alling and Jillson.

Free FASFA workshop for South Lake Tahoe seniors and families

Event Date: 
January 23, 2024 - 6:00pm

UPDATE: The time has been changed to 6 p.m. to 7:30 p.m.

SOUTH LAKE TAHOE, Calif. - College Bound Lake Tahoe (CBLT) will host a guided Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) workshop for high school seniors and their families on January 23, 2024, from 6 p.m. to 7:30 p.m. at the Family Resource Center in South Lake Tahoe. This free workshop will guide students through the FAFSA application process, and provide hands-on assistance with filling out the application form.

Minden Mill hosting Chautauqua on John “Snowshoe” Thompson

Event Date: 
January 21, 2024 - 1:00pm

The Minden Mill is continuing its history series on Sunday, January 21 at 1 p.m. They will be presenting local authors and historians David and Gayle Woodruff in a Chautauqua performance of Sierra Nevada Super Hero John “Snowshoe” Thompson and his wife Agnes in “Mailman of the Sierra.”

The 55-minute program is free, but seating is limited, and advance reservations are required. To make reservations, please click on this link https://www.exploretock.com/minden-mill-distillery/event/private/b675186f-50ab-4986-865f-4676e0faab35.

Minden Mill is located at 1601 Water St, Minden.

Tahoe Expedition Academy launches new speaker series

TRUCKEE, Calif. (Jan. 9, 2023) – Some of the world's best and brightest minds in education are coming to Lake Tahoe. The Tahoe Expedition Academy (TEA) has announced the Inaugural TEA Speaker Series, sponsored by the Martis Camp Foundation. Each event offers a special opportunity to engage with internationally renowned speakers in an intimate setting on TEA’s campus. Each event begins at 5 p.m. with the speakers beginning at 5:30 p.m.

Three events are set for 2024:

New face at Carson Valley Health Senior Care

DOUGLAS COUNTY, Nev . - There’s a new face at Carson Valley Health Senior Care who is excited to be part of the team and meet new patients. Keith Lemay, PA-C has recently come on board, specializing in family practice.

When asked why he chose Carson Valley Health, Keith stated, “The work atmosphere and culture is not something you find everywhere. The people here are really committed to the health of the community.”

Embarc opens Meyers cannabis retail store, Community Advisory Board in place

MEYERS, Calif. - Embarc, a community-centric retail cannabis dispensary, will be opening its Meyers storefront at 3008 US-50 on January 18, 2024. This will be the unincorporated area of El Dorado County's first cannabis dispensary opening under the process approved by voters in 2018 and the Board of Supervisors in 2019.

Letter: We can't raise taxes or increase minimum wage

Dear Fellow Citizens, What have we done? We have elected a City Council whose majority is discussing several tax increases. Those onerous taxes, added to these already tough times, will further sink our local economy, and drive more local businesses and families out of town. An initiative sponsored by one councilperson is now proposing a "vacancy tax" levied on homes not occupied year-round. These homeowners live out of town and include those paying their mortgages for 30 years to perhaps retire here one day, and in the meantime vacation here summers and winters.

Douglas County commissioners once again have VHRs on their Thursday agenda

DOUGLAS COUNTY, Nev. - The Douglas County Board of Commissioners will hold its next meeting on Thursday, January 18 starting at 10 a.m. It will be held in the courthouse in Minden and can also be viewed on YouTube.

Two items on the agenda deal with vacation home rentals (VHRs). Commissioner Danny Tarkanian has asked for updates to the VHR ordinance several times over the last two years. Last month, he asked for a ban on VHRs north of Cave Rock, and that was approved by a majority of the other commissioners.

Caltrans holding a Name a Snowplow contest

The California Department of Transportation (Caltrans) is holding a snowplow naming contest for all eleven districts.

Submit your fun and creative ideas to win up to $150 in gift cards. One winner will be selected from each Caltrans District 1-11. An additional $100 statewide grand prize will be selected from the winning submissions.

District Winners: 11 winners, each receiving a $50 gift card

Prescribed fire operations to continue at 15 locations around 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.

Community Rail Jam at Sierra at Tahoe

Event Date: 
January 28, 2024 - 9:00am

SOUTH LAKE TAHOE, Calif. - The Sierra Educational Foundation is hosting its first on-mountain fundraiser, a Community Rail Jam on January 28 at Sierra at Tahoe.

The "serious fun unserious competition" day on the slopes is for all ski, ski skate and snowboard skill levels

Registration starts at 8 a.m., and the event starts at 9 a.m. There is a $40 entry fee (season pass or day ticket purchased separately from Sierra at Tahoe needed).

Dave Stewart brings the hits of the Eurythmics to Lake Tahoe

LAKE TAHOE, Nev. - If you have plans for the evening of Wednesday, January 24, cancel them and head over to the Tahoe Blue Event Center, you won't regret it.

Not only is award-winning rock artist Bryan Adams bringing his So Happy It Hurts tour to Lake Tahoe that day, but joining him on the stage at the new event center is the iconic and legendary Dave Stewart with his Eurythmics Songbook. It will truly be two fabulous concerts in one with these two.

Most are familiar with Dave Stewart through his partnership with Annie Lennox when they formed the Eurythmics.

Live Violence Free invites community to participate in Stalking Awareness Day of Action

Event Date: 
January 18, 2024 (All day)

January 18, 2024 marks the first National Day of Action for Stalking Awareness as part of National Stalking Awareness Month (NSAM). This date commemorates the murder of Peggy Klinke at the hands of her stalker in 2003. Peggy’s sister Debbie Riddle is an anti-stalking activist who co-founded NSAM in her honor.

NSAM is an annual call to action to recognize and respond to this criminal, traumatic, and dangerous victimization.

Ski With A Ranger to start soon at Heavenly

SOUTH LAKE TAHOE, Calif. – The USDA Forest Service Lake Tahoe Basin Management Unit (LTBMU) has announced the return of Ski with a Ranger at Heavenly Mountain Resort. Skiers and snowboarders are invited to Ski with a Ranger beginning Friday, Jan. 26, 2024. Tours will depart from Tamarack Lodge at the top of the Heavenly Gondola every Friday at 1 p.m. The tours last approximately one hour and will continue through March 29, conditions and weather permitting.

Tahoe Grizzlies 10U wins MLK Hockey Tournament at Tahoe Blue Event Center

The Tahoe Blue Event Center’s inaugural hockey game was celebrated last Friday with a Tahoe win when the Tahoe Grizzlies 10U team defeated the Santa Rosa Flyers 7-4. The Tahoe Grizzlies team proceeded through the locally hosted Martin Luther King Tournament undefeated, beating the Ventura Mariners 5-1 and the Tri-Valley Blue Devils 10-0.

A closely played rematch with the Ventura Mariners for the tournament finals game on Monday resulted in the first championship in the event center being awarded to the Tahoe Grizzlies for their 4-2 victory.

Republican Women of South Lake Tahoe install new officers, have Councilmember Wallace as speaker

The Republican Women of California, South Lake Tahoe (RWC-SLT) recently held a luncheon meeting to install new officers for a new two-year term. SLT City Councilmember Tamara Wallace installed the following officers:

Karen Imhoff, President
Bonnie Halleran, 1st Vice President, Speakers
Lianne Peterson, 2nd Vice President, Membership
Terri Jinkens, 3rd Vice President, Press Communications
Cheri Watson, 4th Vice President, Events
Kathleen Bailey, Recording Secretary
Svetlana Raleigh, Treasurer

Letter: Housing Crisis

It seems that at least once a month there is an OpEd or article written about the housing “crisis” at Tahoe. The authors range from elected officials, board members from the various nonprofits around Tahoe to homeowners.

Where are the numerous articles from local businesses sounding off about not having enough employees who can afford to live locally? I’m sure there are some, just not the bulk of these articles. Maybe it’s just that the businesses voice their concerns through these other platforms.

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 Dec. 18-31, 2023. 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 Dec. 18 - 31, 2023

12/18

Arrests
15:00 Battery - Occurred at South Tahoe High School on Lake Tahoe Blvd. Disposition: Misdemeanor Arrest.

Other Calls:

South Tahoe Refuse gives money back now for wine, liquor, and juice containers

SOUTH LAKE TAHOE, Calif. - Among the new laws that started with the new year, consumers will pay a little more in California Redemption Value (CRV) fees.

Fruit juice containers of 46 ounces or more and vegetable juice containers of over 16 ounces have been added to the program. Also added are beverage containers that are boxes, bladders, or pouches containing wine, distilled spirits, wine coolers, or distilled spirit coolers.

These changes make it easier for the public to do their part for the planet while putting some money back in their pockets.

Carson Valley Health welcomes Specialist APRN ready to engage patients in their care

GARDNERVILLE, Nev. - Carson Valley Health Specialty Care Ironwood is delighted to welcome new APRN, Michele Ting to the practice. Michele is in the office three days a week and specializes in urology.

An APRN is an advanced practice registered nurse.

Michele has been a nurse for almost 30 years. “I’ve always sought to learn more, to grow, and not just be stuck in what I know,” she says. Over the years of building on her career, nurse practitioner was a logical next step. She earned her Master of Science in Nursing from Western Governors University in May 2023.

High Sierra Softball seeks board members and volunteers ahead of 2024 season

Event Date: 
January 17, 2024 - 6:30pm

SOUTH LAKE TAHOE, Calif. - High Sierra Softball is looking for board members and volunteers.

To hear about open positions and other volunteer opportunities, join them on January 17 from 6:30 p.m. to 8 p.m. in the South Lake Tahoe Recreation Center's Aspen Room.

FBI leverages financial expertise to combat human trafficking

IRS Criminal Investigation (CI) has been leveraging its financial expertise to combat human trafficking by targeting the illegal flow of money to and from the organizations behind this criminal activity. The agency investigates an average of 20 human trafficking cases each year accounting for an estimated sum of $10 million in laundered funds.

Warmer temperatures in the Sierra as a few systems make their way to Lake Tahoe

SOUTH LAKE TAHOE, Calif. - The storm door will keep opening, but the big storms aren't making it down to lake level, yet. This week we'll see warmer temperatures, with a break from any system through Tuesday before a series of systems will start heading to Lake Tahoe.

A quick system comes late Tuesday into Wednesday brings valley rain and mountain snow, gusty ridges, and Sierra travel impacts possible.

Tahoe STEM Academy has several classes in January and February for area youth

SOUTH LAKE TAHOE, Calif. - The Tahoe STEM Academy is offering a series of classes for local youth, from 3D Printing to making LED neon signs.

The academy provides interactive, project-based instruction to inspire the next generation of scientists, engineers, and innovators. Founded by STHS graduate David Wise who is an MIT engineer with over a decade of STEM experience, Tahoe STEM Academy gives budding scientists or engineers the tools, technology, and opportunity to explore, create, and expand their minds beyond a traditional classroom.

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.

January 4 - January 10, 2024

1/4

08:43 DRUNK IN PUBLIC - Officer initiated activity at Court Dept 3 Slt, Johnson Blvd, South Lake Tahoe, CA. Disposition: ARREST.

The Road Beat: 2023 Lexus LS 500 F Sport review - effortlessly pointless

The LS 500 is a luxurious flagship that has fallen behind and the F Sport only makes it worse.

What is it?

Barton support class Parent & Me starts January 24

Event Date: 
January 24, 2024 - 10:00am

SOUTH LAKE TAHOE, Calif. - Barton Health invites parents and their babies, ages 0-12 months, to its ongoing support class, Parents & Me.

Starting January 24, attend their free weekly groups to share experiences and discuss the joys and challenges of parenting. Get support from other parents as well as professional support from a childbirth instructor and guest speakers.

They meet on Wednesdays from 10 a.m. to 12 p.m. at the Barton Center for Orthopedics & Wellness, 2170B South Ave., South Lake Tahoe.

Cuppa Tahoe presents Book Club #1: Almost Somewhere with Suzanne Roberts

Event Date: 
January 31, 2024 - 7:30pm

SOUTH LAKE TAHOE, Calif. - Ready for a new twist on a book club in South Lake Tahoe? Join Cuppa Tahoe on Wednesday, January 31 from 7:30 p.m. to 9 p.m. when they offer the golden ticket - a book, a drink, a goody bag, and a presentation by the author.

Author and South Lake Tahoe resident Suzanne Roberts will be there with her book Almost Somewhere.

Join them for a night of good literature and the warmth of community. Celebrate the magic of storytelling together, over a steaming cuppa.

Letter: Don't tax people who can't vote here and demonize tourists who support our community

To the Editor: Council members Robbins and Bass must think they can win an election by taxing the motels with the highest transient occupancy tax (TOT) in the state and by targeting the second homeowners with an unfair vacancy tax, to further damage tourism. It's clear that they are trying to suck more funds into the black hole of government spending by taxing people who can't vote and by demonizing the tourists who support our community. They don't understand that tourists do vote. Vacationing families vote when they decide where to vacation.

Avalanche Warning for backcountry in Sierra into Sunday

The Sierra Avalanche Center has issued a "high avalanche danger" warning for the backcountry for Saturday and Sunday. Their warning is in effect from 7 a.m. Saturday until 6 p.m. Sunday.

The warning is for the central Sierra Nevada between Yuba Pass (Hwy 49) on the north and Ebbetts Pass (Hwy 4) on the south, including the greater Lake Tahoe area. This does not include ski areas and highways where avalanche mitigation programs exist.

Cascade Kitchens aiming for late fall opening in South Lake Tahoe

SOUTH LAKE TAHOE, Calif. - Several vendors are already committed to being in the stalls when the doors open at the new Cascade Kitchens in South Lake Tahoe in the fall of 2024.

Located in the old KMart Garden Center at the "Y," Cascade Kitchens will be vendor stalls in a food hall, a commissary kitchen, and a food truck center.

To get everything completed, the owner, Alpine View Investments, just completed $4.7 Million in financing from Greater Commercial Lending (GCL). GCL provides government-guaranteed loans to businesses and organizations in under-served and rural communities,

Minden Mill Distilling hosting history presentation "The Big Bang"

Event Date: 
January 14, 2024 - 1:00pm

Minden Mill Distilling continues its Eastern Sierra History Series with a slide show, The Big Bang, on Sunday, January 14 at 1 p.m. Using seldom-seen photos, extensive research, and eyewitness accounts, local authors and historians David & Gayle Woodruff recount the incredible, true and bizarre story of a calculating and disgruntled gambler and his attempt to extort three million dollars from the historic Harvey’s Casino Lake Tahoe in August of 1980.

The 55-minute slide show features dozens of historic and seldom-seen images.

Former firefighter, a convicted arsonist, arrested after explosives found by roadways

EL DORADO COUNTY, Calif. - A joint law enforcement investigation into a series of improvised explosive devices found placed alongside roads and highways has led to the arrest of a 41-year-old Orangevale man.

City of South Lake Tahoe starts youth basketball for grades 3-8

SOUTH LAKE TAHOE, Calif. - The City of South Lake Tahoe’s Parks and Recreation Department has announced the start of a new youth basketball league. The focus of the recreational league is to teach the basics of basketball, introduce new players to the game, and improve the health of the players through physical exercise. The league is for boys and girls from the 3rd through 8th grade.

Night of comedy coming to Cuppa Tahoe in South Lake Tahoe

Event Date: 
January 20, 2024 - 7:00pm

SOUTH LAKE TAHOE, Calif. - Are you looking for a fun night in South Lake Tahoe? Cuppa Tahoe is hosting "Real Men Are 5’8″," a night of stand-up comedy on Saturday, January 20. It’s more than entertainment, it’s a spectacle.

Two people in the same room. At the same time. Both are around five foot eight feet tall. Wow. This stand-up comedy show will leave you wow-ed with real masculinity, seriously.

Doors will open at 7:00 p.m. and the show will start at 7:30 p.m. Buy tickets now as they only get pricier, and the first 10 sold are only $10 (and $20 after that).

Column: New Year, New You ~ Embrace the New Year with Confidence

The start of the New Year is a natural time for reflection and personal growth. We focus on making positive changes that enhance our well-being and confidence by setting goals, cultivating healthy habits and embracing new experiences.

Personal transformation can be achieved through various means, such as improving physical fitness, pursuing educational endeavors, engaging in mindfulness practices or enhancing self-care routines.

Incoming weekend storm upgraded to Winter Storm Warning

SOUTH LAKE TAHOE, Calif. - The National Weather Service (NWS) has upgraded its previous Winter Storm Watch and issued a Winter Storm Warning for Lake Tahoe from 1 a.m. Saturday to 4 a.m. Sunday. Even though the "watch" starts at 1 a.m., snow could start before then.

Those traveling to the Sierra for the Martin Luther King weekend should watch conditions and travel accordingly. Sunday should be mostly clear, and sunny on the "getaway" day on Monday.

South Tahoe High Key Club holding month-long food drive for Bread & Broth 4 Kids

SOUTH LAKE TAHOE, Calif. - The South Tahoe High School Key Club is holding a food drive until February 10. All food they collect will be donated to Bread & Broth 4 Kids for its weekend food backpack program.

Bins for the donations are placed at the South Lake Tahoe Recreation Center and the Tahoe Ice Arena, as well as room ST-3 and the front office at South Tahoe High School. The bins will be in place through February 10.

Mike Wyatt ~ 1957 - 2023

On January 3, 2024, Michael Talmage Wyatt of South Lake Tahoe, California passed away after a valiant struggle with cancer. Born on February 27, 1957, Mike died at 66 years of age. His wife Judy, who was by his side throughout his long illness, lovingly served as his primary caretaker and steadfast source of support.

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