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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.

Did You Know? TASK provides healthy mind and body tips

This month TASK, the Tahoe Alliance For Safe Kids, is sharing ways to have a healthy body and mind. This week they are collaborating with their partner CalFresh Healthy Living UC to share tips and healthy habits around what we eat and drink.

New trustee selected for Douglas County School Board

DOUGLAS COUNTY, Nev. - Following the resignation of Douglas County School Board Trustee Tony Magnotta due to ongoing contentions with the board, a new trustee was appointed Tuesday evening to fill his vacancy.

The choice to fill the vacancy came down between Ricky Lewis, a Master Electrician, and Yvonne Wagstaff, a Douglas County School District Paraprofessional.

The board majority of Katherine Dickerson, David Burns, and Doug Englekirk all spoke in favor of Lewis.

Repairs have been completed - Heavenly to reopen gondola on Friday

UPDATE: All repairs have been made, testing is complete and the gondola will re-open for the public on Friday, Jan. 12, weather permitting.

"We are so grateful for the commitment and expertise of our incredible lift maintenance team and cannot thank them enough for the work they have done to make the necessary repairs and get this machine operating again," said a Heavenly spokesperson.

Next TERC Talk: Infrastructure Resilience in the Face of Extreme Flooding

Event Date: 
February 8, 2024 - 6:00pm

On Thursday, February 8, 2024, UC Davis TERC (Tahoe Environmental Research Center) will be hosting a lecture about Infrastructure Resilience in the Face of Extreme Flooding, with Dr. Michael Gardner. The in-person event will be held at Sunnyside Restaurant and Lodge in their Mountainside Bar. Dinners will be 20 percent off for interested guests.

Tahoe Arts Project presents Alias Brass Company - Canceled!

Event Date: 
February 9, 2024 - 6:30pm

UPDATE: Due to weather affecting the group's travel, this show has been canceled.

SOUTH LAKE TAHOE, Calif. - The Tahoe Arts Project (TAP) is bringing the Alias Brass Company to the community on Friday, February 9 at 6:30 p.m. at the Lake Tahoe Community College Duke Theatre.

Alias Brass, a group of five exceptional artists from across the country, will kick off the second half of TAP's 37th season with performances from February 5 to 9, 2024. The group's repertoire includes both original compositions and classics, as well as concepts that blend virtuosity with entertainment.

New operators of historic Camp Richardson to preserve the family feeling

SOUTH LAKE TAHOE, Calif. - No, the new concessionaires of Camp Richardson are not going to demolish the hotel and build condos in its place. No, they are not tearing down the cabins. No, they are not getting rid of the charm that has made the resort what it is known for. What ExplorUS is going to do is improve the 100-year-old property with renovated rooms and cabins, improved access, a new restaurant on the shores of Lake Tahoe, as well as a list of other things that are still being planned out with a historic architect.

Community Conversation to focus on Artificial Intelligence in Education

Event Date: 
January 16, 2024 - 6:00pm

SOUTH LAKE TAHOE, Calif. - The next Lake Tahoe Unified School District (LTUSD) Community Conversation is scheduled for January 16 at 6 p.m. This will be an interactive discussion about Artificial Intelligence (AI) in education.

City of South Lake Tahoe commits to stronger partnership with Tahoe Homeless Coalition

SOUTH LAKE TAHOE, Calif. - The South Lake Tahoe City Council has reinforced its commitment to being a partner with the Tahoe Coalition for the Homeless (TCH). As the council was approving a grant for the completion of rooms at the TCH's Bear's Den in South Lake Tahoe during its meeting Tuesday, the conservation moved to emergency shelters for those experiencing homelessness. The council members reinforced their commitment to fund winter emergency shelter services in the community.

Weekend youth hockey tournament kicks off with scrimmages at Tahoe Blue Event Center

UPDATE: Thursday's ice action was canceled tonight due to soft ice. Everything will start Friday.

LAKE TAHOE, Nev. - Local hockey players will get a chance to break in the ice arena at the Tahoe Blue Event Center on Thursday, ahead of the 17th annual Martin Luther King Youth Hockey Tournament.

The tournament is for 16U, 14U, 12U, 10U, and 8U teams and runs from Friday to Monday at both the Tahoe Blue Event Center and the South Lake Tahoe Ice Arena.

Letter: We don't need new taxes or a higher minimum wage in South Lake Tahoe

To the editor: I‘m worried about all these new taxes being proposed. Chasing homeowners and tourists away doesn't make sense. Tourism got me started at minimum wage. I moved to Tahoe in 1979 at age 16. I was sort of on my own.

A local family restaurant hired me at minimum wage which I was happy to get as I needed to be trained. I worked my way up from busboy to prep cook to cook, then became a trusted key employee.

City Council approves cannabis consumption lounges for South Lake Tahoe

SOUTH LAKE TAHOE, Calif. - South Lake Tahoe will be able to have onsite consumption lounges in the City's cannabis retail businesses after the Council voted 3-1 to allow them during its Tuesday meeting.

It took three meetings to get to this vote. Mayor Pro Tem John Friedrich said the Council was split before on allowing consumption options, and he thought it was time to bring back the topic with "current knowledge" for consideration.

Mayor Cody Bass must recuse himself from voting since he is the owner of Tahoe Wellness Center, one of the cannabis businesses in South Lake Tahoe.

Avalanche at Palisades Tahoe - One dead and one injured

THURSDAY UPDATE: The man killed in the Palisades Tahoe avalanche has been identified as Kenneth Kidd, 66. He lived in both Point Reyes and in the Truckee area,

UPDATE 4:30PM: The Placer County Sheriff's Office held a press conference this afternoon. There was no new information though they did say the search had ended as no other people were known to be in the area. They said a total of four people were caught in the avalanche, two were the previously mentioned deceased and injured, and the other two were assisted and able to get out.

Heavenly hopes to have gondola back on track this week

SOUTH LAKE TAHOE, Calif. - The Heavenly Ski Resort gondola could be in operation by the weekend if repairs go as planned. Once it was announced on January 4 that the gondola would be down "indefinitely," due to mechanical issues, parts were ordered and sent from Europe overnight.

To make up for the loss of a major access point to the mountain, Heavenly operations teams worked to double the skiable acreage and added shuttles. Mother Nature helped with almost a foot of fresh snow.

El Dorado Community Foundation announces new Board of Directors

EL DORADO COUNTY, Calif. - A new leadership team has been announced for the El Dorado County Community Foundation. It was previously announced Amy Pooley would take the helm as the group's new executive director after the retirement of long-time leader Bill Roby.

The new slate of officers:

Allan Priest, president
Paul Zappettini, vice president
Pam Maxwell, treasurer
Wendy David, secretary.

They will each serve two years in these officer roles and make up the Executive Committee of the Foundation alongside Past President Katy Peek.

Kudos: Sober Grad Night committee thanks Vail Resorts Epic Promise for donation of lodge for 2024 event

Once again, Vail Resorts has shown its generosity and spirit for local giving by granting the use of Heavenly’s California Lodge to the Sober Grad Night Organization for the 2024 Grad Night Event. This amazing celebration will take place on Friday, June 14, 2024, starting at 9 p.m. and lasting until 2:30 a.m.

"Shocking" storm of plastic styrofoam beads cover Lake Tahoe beaches

INCLINE VILLAGE, Nev. - A floating dock that became loose during a recent storm leased an estimated 100,000 (or more) plastic styrofoam beads onto the pristine beaches of Ski Beach and Incline Beach in Incline Village, Nevada.

Spirit Team For a Day at South Tahoe High signups now open

Event Date: 
January 19, 2024 - 4:00pm

SOUTH LAKE TAHOE, Calif. - The South Tahoe High School Spirit Teams are holding their annual fundraiser, Spirit Team For A Day, on Friday, January 19 starting at 4 p.m.

Learn to dance and cheer with the high school team, then be part of the spirit team and perform during the Varsity Basketball game at 6 p.m.

The cost is $55 per child and includes a t-shirt, pizza dinner, and a fun time!

This is open to all kids in grades TK-8.

To register, visit HERE.

Lake Valley Fire Protection District seeks new board member

Applications are being accepted for the Lake Valley Fire Protection District (LVFPD) Board of Directors opening. Those interested in the position must reside in the community served by LVFPD.

The position to be filled is a term beginning March 2024 and ending December 2024.

To apply, candidates must submit a letter of intent and a current resume to the Lake Valley Fire Protection District, with attention to Chief Chad Stephen by Friday, January 26, 2024, by 5 p.m.

Lake Wind Advisory and Winter Storm Warning issued for Lake Tahoe

SOUTH LAKE TAHOE, Calif. - The National Weather Service (NWS) in Reno has issued a Lake Wind Advisory and Winter Storm Warning for the next system heading to Lake Tahoe.

The Lake Wind Advisory is in effect from 7 a.m. Tuesday to 4 a.m. Wednesday for Lake Tahoe. Expect southwest winds of 15 to 25 mph with gusts up to 45 mph and waves of 2 to 4 feet.

Father and son accused of starting Caldor Fire won't stand trial due to lack of evidence

EL DORADO COUNTY, Calif. - The father and son who had been accused of starting the Caldor Fire after target shooting in the area will no longer be facing reckless arson charges after a judge ruled there was a lack of evidence to move to a trial.

Protection sought for Carson Valley monkeyflower under the Endangered Species Act

The Center for Biological Diversity petitioned the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service on Monday to protect a rare plant called the Carson Valley monkeyflower under the Endangered Species Act.

Public invited to 'Those That Survived' Chautauqua with Soroptimist of South Lake Tahoe club

Event Date: 
January 10, 2024 - 12:00pm

The Soroptimist International of South Lake Tahoe club is holding its weekly meeting on Wednesday, January 10 from 12 p.m. to 1 p.m. and they have invited the community to attend and see their special program, Those That Survived.

Tahoe Fire hosts blood drive at Kahle Community Center

Event Date: 
January 19, 2024 - 11:00am

STATELINE, Nev. - Tahoe Douglas Fire District is holding its next blood drive in Kahle Center's Tallac Activity Room on Friday, January 19 from 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. The center is located at 236 Kingsbury Grade.

Vitalent will be there to collect the much-needed blood.

Spots can be reserved by visiting HERE. Walk-ins will be welcome as space allows.

Prescribed fire operations to continue this week around Lake Tahoe

TUESDAY UPDATE: The Tahoe Fire and Fuels Team has added more locations for prescribed fire operations around Lake Tahoe this week:

Sugar Pine Point State Park - California State Parks. Burn Type: Hand Piles. Total Acreage: 10. Planned Ignition: 01/09/2024. Duration of Ignition and Smoke Production: 3 Weeks.

Montreal 21 - USDA Forest Service Lake Tahoe Basin Management Unit. Montreal Canyon on Spooner Summit, East Shore of Lake Tahoe. Burn Type: Hand Piles. Total Acreage: 40. Planned Ignition: 1/10/2024-1/12/2024.

Kudos: Lake Tahoe AleWorX hosts Bread & Broth New Year’s Day meal

SOUTH LAKE TAHOE, Calif. - In their continuing effort to ‘give back’ to the community during the holiday season, Lake Tahoe AleWorX hosted the Adopt A Day of Nourishment (AAD) sponsorship for Bread & Broth’s (B&B) Monday Meal served on New Years Day, January 1, 2024. Not only did AleWorX send three amazing team members to help the Bread & Broth volunteers but also provided 50 pizzas to serve as a special treat to those who celebrated the first day of 2024 by enjoying a communal meal with fellow B&B Monday Meal diners.

Cold temps, a few more storms on tap for Lake Tahoe this week

SOUTH LAKE TAHOE, Calif. - It is another very cold night in Western Nevada and around Lake Tahoe. It will be coldest by daybreak with the valleys seeing below-zero temperatures, again. South Lake Tahoe will be single digits, but it won't be the only time this week to see that number.

Expect a brief warmup, strong gusty winds, and a few showers on Tuesday, followed by another cold storm Wednesday through early Thursday. There will be widespread wind and snow impacts at all elevations, according to the National Weather Service (NWS) in Reno.

Berkshire Hathaway HomeServices Drysdale Properties names two new sales managers

LAKE TAHOE/CARSON VALLEY - Shannon Witt and Dylan Hastings were recently selected as sales managers in the Lake Tahoe and Carson Valley region for Berkshire Hathaway HomeServices Drysdale Properties. Shannon Witt will be co-managing the South Lake Tahoe office alongside Michelle Benedict while Dylan Hastings will be the sales manager for Carson Valley.

Next free forum to focus on basic A-G requirements for California colleges

SOUTH LAKE TAHOE, Calif. - The Tahoe Learning Haven is hosting its next free forum on Wednesday, January 10 from 7 p.m. to 9 p.m. at the Boys & Girls Club of Lake Tahoe. Students in grades 6-12 and their parents will benefit from this forum that jumps into the basic A-G requirements for University of California or California State University schools.

Organizers will plan your schedule to make sure you are qualified to attend.

College is an option for everyone as long as prepared and high school courses have been well-planned.

Bread & Broth seeks volunteers for leadership roles in South Lake Tahoe

SOUTH LAKE TAHOE, Calif. - Bread & Broth is seeking some individuals to assume leadership and other volunteer roles in the nonprofit organization that has been addressing food insecurity in the South Lake Tahoe community since 1989.

Bread & Broth’s (B&B) Advisory Board is seeking an individual for the position of board secretary. B&B’s Advisory Board meets quarterly, and the secretary is responsible for recording the meeting minutes and ensuring that all documentation from the meeting is compiled and filed with the meeting minutes.

Latest storm drops about a foot of snow at Lake Tahoe ski resorts

SOUTH LAKE TAHOE, Calif. - Just a few days after the monthly snow measurement at Phillips Station west of Lake Tahoe showed the snowpack at 30 percent of normal for the date, a fairly decent storm dropped much-needed snow over the Sierra and Lake Tahoe.

The UC Berkeley Central Sierra Snow Lab in Soda Springs reports 13.6" of snow over the last 24 hours, with local ski areas stating 11"-13" snow fell during Saturday's storm.

Dangerous signs placed around South Lake Tahoe that encourage feeding bears

SOUTH LAKE TAHOE, Calif. - A dangerous message was distributed through South Lake Tahoe on January 3, giving the wrong message about bear safety and spreading the narrative that bears need to be fed through garbage and composting.

Local urbanized black bear expert Toogee Sielsch was informed of the flyers and spent two hours Wednesday morning removing them from the poles along US50 from Lodi Avenue to Wildwood Avenue.

For third meeting, South Lake Tahoe City Council to tackle cannabis ordinance changes

SOUTH LAKE TAHOE, Calif. - The South Lake Tahoe City Council has a full agenda for its first meeting of 2024 on January 9, with part of it dedicated to proposed changes to the South Lake Tahoe cannabis ordinance.

At their meeting on August 8, 2023, current Mayor Pro Tem John Friedrich
requested that the issue of on-site consumption be brought back to the council for discussion. After the Planning Commission recommended the Council adopt the changes, the November 21 and December 12 City Council meetings both had an agenda item to discuss the changes.

New plans for historic Camp Richardson include $12 million in renovations

SOUTH LAKE TAHOE, Calif. - The historic Camp Richardson is about to enter a new era under a new concessionaire. For over 100 years, guests have been welcomed to the resort, and now ExplorUS will be assuming operations starting January 6.

With the recent closure of the popular lakefront Beacon restaurant at the resort, many wondered what would happen to the building. The restaurant will reopen in early 2024 with a full renovation planned for the building in the coming years.

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.

December 28 - January 3, 2023

12/28

07:31 VANDALISM - Occurred on Wilson Ave, in Tahoma. Disposition: REPORT TAKEN.

Icy roads lead to car pileups and road closures on South Shore

On Wednesday, icy roads around Heavenly Valley Ski Resort caught drivers off guard, leading to one pileup on Tramway Drive off of Kingsbury Grade and crashes on Needle Peak and Keller roads in South Lake Tahoe.

There was a total of 16 cars involved in the Tramway Drive incident near Bonnie Dr. where vehicles coming down the hill all lost control and slid into the cars already stuck at the bottom. One of those vehicles involved was a Douglas County Sheriff's Office (DCSO) deputy. There were no injuries reported.

South Lake Tahoe Fire hosts blood drive

Event Date: 
January 22, 2024 - 10:00am

SOUTH LAKE TAHOE, Calif. - Vilatent Blood Services will be in South Lake Tahoe on Monday, January 22, 2024, to take blood donations to help serve local hospital patients. Give the gift of life this new year with an act of
kindness that creates a ripple effect for hospital patients and our community. Book your spot today.

SOUTH LAKE TAHOE FIRE BLOOD DRIVE
Monday, January 22, 2024
Times 10 a.m. to 3 p.m.
Training Center, 1195 Rufus Allen Blvd

Athena Magdalene Roundy first baby born in 2024 at Barton Health

SOUTH LAKE TAHOE, Calif. - The first baby of the year born at Barton Health in South Lake Tahoe came at 4:30 p.m. on January 1. Athena Magdalene Roundy, a baby girl weighing 6 pounds, 12 ounces, and measuring 19 inches long, was born to Mackenzie Wagstaff and Kyle Roundy of Minden, Nev.

Dr. Clare Rudolph, board-certified obstetrician and gynecologist (OB/GYN) and Medical Director of Barton OB/GYN, oversaw the delivery at Barton Memorial Hospital’s Family Birthing Center.

Sunday FUNDay at Flatstick Pub to support St. Joseph Community Land trust all month long

SOUTH LAKE TAHOE, Calif. - South Lake Tahoe’s first indoor mini golf course, Flatstick Pub, also known as Tipsy Putt, will be teaming up with St. Joseph's Community Land Trust (SJCLT) for January. Each Sunday this month, Flatstick Pub will donate $1 for every beer and $1 for every round of mini golf purchased.

Dive survey shows no stretch of Lake Tahoe's lakebed is free from plastic

LAKE TAHOE, Calif./Nev. - Plastic litter is a growing problem around the world, and new research shows that the bottom of Lake Tahoe is no exception. In one of the first studies to utilize scuba divers to collect litter from a lakebed, 673 plastic items were counted from just a small fraction of the lake.

In the study, published in the November issue of the journal Applied Spectroscopy, researchers from Desert Research Institute (DRI) and the UC Davis Tahoe Environmental Research Center (TERC) teamed up with the nonprofit Clean Up the Lake to take a close look at the litter.

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