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UPDATE 2/16 5:00 p.m.: The California Department of Fish and Wildlife (CDFW) has said they are exploring all options on the future of the large urbanized black bear. They said they looked into Colorado but it appears at this time that option is a "non-starter," according to CDFW spokesperson Peter Tira.

Colorado told CDFW that moving a wild bear to the state requires director approval from their parks and wildlife agency, which has not happened in many years. At this time they will not accept the bear, said Tira.

The next U.C. Davis Tahoe Environmental Research Center (TERC) is holding a virtual discussion on February 17: Environmental, Social, and Economic Resilience.

Join Heidi Hill Drum, Tahoe Prosperity Center, and Bill Mueller, partner with Integrated Communications Strategies, for an update about Envision Tahoe, including the results of the Economic Baseline Report and preliminary results of the community survey for the Tahoe Basin.

This will be discussed during its next Thursday, Feb 17, 2022, at 12:00 p.m.

NORTH LAKE TAHOE, Calif. - A unanimous landmark decision by the California Third Court of Appeal is causing local conservation groups to celebrate. The court ruled in the groups' favor in a long-running fight against big development on the North Shore of Lake Tahoe.

The court's decision is the latest in a string of conservation victories in the Sierra Nevada and Lake Tahoe Basin and a major setback to the would-be developers of the Martis Valley West proposal.

SOUTH LAKE TAHOE, Calif. - With snow making an appearance again, drivers are needing to once again look at road controls on Sierra highways before hitting the road.

Expect snow to continue Tuesday morning, tapering off this afternoon when partly sunny skies are expected with a high near 37. Northeast wind 10 to 15 mph. The next forecast snow is Sunday.

Road Controls Tuesday morning as of 8:30 a.m.:

US50
Chains Required, All Vehicles Except 4-Wheel Drive with Snow Tires - on US-50 from mile post 0.0 in Douglas County to mile post 0.5 in Douglas County in Nevada.

EL DORADO COUNTY, Calif. - There have been 87 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 25,834. This does not include all at-home tests that may have been positive. Case rates continue to drop.

There are now 30.3 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.

SOUTH LAKE TAHOE, Calif. - Each year, the members of the Tahoe Women's Community Fund select areas of need for its annual grant cycle. Members donate to the fund along with contributions from the community for its collective giving campaign.

This year there is $100,000 to distribute to nonprofits serving the South Shore (both California and Nevada) who address the focus areas.

The areas of focus and impact are:
$40,000 for Housing and Basic Needs (four or more up to $10,000 each)
$30,000 for Youth and Education (three or more up to $10,000 grants)

I wanted to like the new Corolla Cross, Toyota's new compact crossover. Drawing on the name of one of its most successful models for marketing purposes, this new entry sits below the RAV4 in Toyota's hierarchy, but above the niche C-HR. Actually, think of this as a new RAV4 'classic.' I say 'classic' because the RAV4 has grown rather large over the past decade, dwarfing its early forebears, with this new Corolla Cross being a more similar size to those classic RAV offerings. In fact, it's larger than a pre-2005 RAV4.

DOUGLAS COUNTY, Nev. - The Douglas County Community Grant Program applications for the next fiscal year (2022-23) will be accepted beginning February 18, 2022.

Community Grants are grant funds the Board of County Commissioners awards to non-profit organizations that provide a substantial benefit to the residents of the County.

Grant Applications will be available February 18, 2022, and can be obtained by visiting: https://www.douglascountynv.gov/cms/communitygrant. All agencies interested in the grant funding must complete and submit a Grant Application.

Lake Tahoe jet skiers heading back to the Cave Rock boat landing on February 12, 2022. Photo from Bob Buehler. To see the video, go to https://vimeo.com/676831183.

Location

DOUGLAS COUNTY, Nev. - Following a similar move in Washoe County, and a previous change in Tahoe Township, the Douglas County commissioners are reviewing a draft ordinance that would dissolve the elected position of constable for the Esat Fork township. The duties of the constable would be transferred to the Douglas County Sherrif's Office (DCSO).

Current Constable Paul Gilbert has held the elected office for ten, four-year terms and announced he would not seek re-election.

Caltrans is reminding motorists to expect intermittent one-way traffic control on several Sierra highways through March for emergency tree removal operations.

After record-breaking winter storms in December coupled with high mountain winds, hundreds of trees along Sierra highways pose a hazard and need to be removed. Caltrans initiated a $3.7 million emergency contract with Tyrrell Resources, Inc. of Truckee to do the work.

SOUTH LAKE TAHOE, Calif. - On August 28, 2021, West Stanislaus Fire Protection District volunteer firefighter Richard Gerety was part of a strike team working on the Caldor Fire. He was above a dozer line about a mile south of Strawberry on Pack Saddle Pass, pumping water when the ground gave way. He fell into a deep stump hole that was filled with hot ash.

Gerety was transported to the hospital with 2nd and 3rd degree burns on about 20 percent of his body. His hands, arms, legs were all burned. He learned too quickly what a "10" pain level was.

SOUTH LAKE TAHOE, Calif. - The USDA Forest Service Lake Tahoe Basin Management Unit (LTBMU) is seeking input from the public on its planned Tahoe Basin Caldor Hazard Tree and Fuels Reduction Project. This project would improve safety and reduce fuel loading by removing fire-killed trees or those likely to die because of fire damage as well as other trees that pose a hazard to roads, trails, private property boundaries, and developed recreation sites impacted by the Caldor Fire.

STATELINE, Nev. - Even with the challenges of losing 21 days of work due to the Caldor Fire, record October rain and December snow, shipping issues, and rising construction costs, the new Tahoe South Events Center is coming in on budget and on time with an anticipated completion date in January 2023.

The 143,000 square-foot events center will provide a venue for conventions, special events, and entertainment, as well as a variety of events for the local South Tahoe community, including concerts, family programming, as well as professional and amateur sporting events.

EL DORADO COUNTY, Calif. - There have been 50 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 25,755. This does not include all at-home tests that may have been positive. Case rates continue to drop.

There are now 37.9 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.

Tahoe Youth & Family Services is introducing Shalini Malasingam, the non-profit's new clinical director. They serve youth and families in both South Lake Tahoe and Douglas County.

She was born and raised in Malaysia and moved to Australia in 2000. It was there she completed her Bachelor of Psychology degree from the Australian National University and Master of Arts (Counseling Psychology/Marriage and Family Therapy) degree at Argosy University – Orange County.

SOUTH LAKE TAHOE, Calif. - As the City of South Lake Tahoe comes up on the third anniversary of its ordinance that legalized cannabis businesses, changes are being proposed. On Thursday, February 10, the planning commission will hear from staff on proposals of allowing on-site consumption, expansion of the grow canopy from 5,000 square feet to 22,000 feet and allowing permittees to hold more than one non-retail cannabis permit.

SOUTH LAKE TAHOE, Calif. - Humans have created a problem for black bears in the Lake Tahoe Basin, and education and major behavior changes will need to start now or the trapping and killing of bears who have become too comfortable around humans with easy food sources around Lake Tahoe will continue.

EL DORADO COUNTY, Calif. - The State of California is not renewing the mask mandate that expires on February 15, and Nevada is expected to follow the same direction when Governor Sisolak speaks on Thursday, February 10, but there will still be public health guidance.

Local public health officials still have the authority to keep restrictions in place that are tougher than the state ones. El Dorado County Public Health has taken the approach of not issuing any orders that are more strict than the State's orders, and they do not have any plans to change this approach after Feb. 15.

As we move along in 2022, Live Violence Free continues to build more strength and resiliency. After 2020, our community moved into 2021 with a sense of hope and optimism. Little did we know that 2021 would offer us challenges that went far beyond the initial COVID pandemic. As we continued to adapt and move forward, our community was faced with the impacts of the Caldor Fire. Despite the many challenges we experienced during the wildfire evacuation, we are proud to say that our services continued.

DOUGLAS COUNTY, Nev. - Free at-home COVID-19 test kits will be available for distribution at several locations around Douglas County starting Wednesday, February 9, 2022.

The at-home test kits are free to the public for personal use and are limited to two tests per person per day. After an increased need for COVID-19 testing, Nevada purchased at-home COVID-19 test kits with American Rescue Plan Act funds.

Pick-up Locations/Times

Douglas County Community and Senior Center
1329 Waterloo Ln.
Gardnerville, NV 89410
(775) 782-9828

Caltrans is notifying motorists of alternating lane and ramp closures this weekend on Interstate 80 (I-80) in Auburn. There will be some maintenance work on a Union Pacific Railroad structure that crosses over the freeway.

SOUTH LAKE TAHOE, Calif. - The body found in the meadow by a local wildlife photographer on January 22 has been identified as 50-year old Tracey Megenhardt.

Megenhardt was a known transient in South Lake Tahoe. Her family has been notified of her death.

The cause of death is still under investigation.

The wildlife photographer was out taking photos when they spotted increased wildlife activity on the snow near Trout Creek, behind US Bank. They went to see what was up when they found the body.

Washoe County Sheriff’s Office detectives, in conjunction with the Washoe County Regional Medical Examiner’s Office, updated the public Monday on a death investigation that began in the early morning hours of Thursday, February 3, 2022, on the southbound lanes of I-580.

A deceased woman was found in a burning vehicle. Detectives are now investigating the woman’s death as a homicide.