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El Dorado County Sheriff's Report

El Dorado County Sheriff's Office responds to calls throughout the county.

The following are calls that only pertain to the South Shore. There may be some missing calls due to sheriff's logs not being completed at press time and the story will be updated when provided.

8/9

3:30 p.m. - Search and Rescue call to Dardanelles Lake - SEARCH AND RESCUE INITIATED FOR AN INJURED 15-YEAR-OLD-FEMALE HIKER AT DARDANELLES LAKE.

8/10

No reported calls

8/11

Walker Fire burns 3,715 acres and is now 35% contained

8 p.m. update 8/18/15:

The Walker Fire has now burned 3,715 acres and is now 35% contained. It has been determined that the fire is human caused and is under investigation.

There are 484 firefighters working on the fire along with 4 helicopters, 2 Air tankers, 34 Engines, 10 Crews, 6 Water Tenders, and 4 Dozers.

235 structures remain threatened but none have burned so far.

1,500 hear GOP presidential hopefuls in Gardnerville

More than 1,500 people flocked to Gardnerville on Saturday for one of the biggest gatherings of 2016 presidential candidates in Nevada since campaign season started.

Attorney General Adam Laxalt’s Morning Nevada PAC hosted the first Basque Fry featuring five GOP contenders on the Corley Ranch southeast of town. Republican hopefuls including businesswoman Carly Fiorina, Dr. Ben Carson, Texas Sen. Ted Cruz and Wisconsin Gov. Scott Walker each made pitches to the crowd as to why they should be the nominee. Former New York Gov. George Pataki was slated to appear, but did not.

Flying Eagles F 18 Super Hornet Demonstration Team headed to Minden

Event Date: 
August 22, 2015 (All day)

The Carson Valley Aviation Roundup has announced the Flying Eagles VFA-122 will be performing demonstration flights in the F18F Super Hornet during their air show, the Aviation Roundup on August 22 and 23, 2015. This is an outstanding addition to an already fantastic lineup of performers.

Volunteers needed for monthly mobile food bank distribution

The Food Bank of El Dorado County is in need of ten volunteers on Wednesday, August 26th from 9:30 a.m. to 11:30 a.m. to help with their mobile food pantry. Once a month, the Food Bank of El Dorado County visits South Lake Tahoe with a mobile food pantry to distribute emergency supplemental groceries to those who need it most. Volunteers will be assisting in handing out food and signing people in. If you or someone you may know are interested in volunteering please contact us at (530) 621-9950 or by email at volunteer@foodbankedc.org.

Carson City residents bring flowers, pay respect to fallen deputy

The capital city community has extended an outpouring of support for a Carson City Sheriff's Office deputy who was shot and killed early Saturday morning responding to a domestic violence call at an east Carson City home.

Family business in same South Lake Tahoe location for 43 years

What would you do if you had a family miniature golf business you wanted to pass onto your four children? Build three more, of course!

In 1972, Bill and Mary Koplin built Magic Carpet Golf on land they purchased from Marjorie Springmeyer adjacent to what was once the South Lake Tahoe amusement park. Marjorie had overheard Bill and his real estate agent talking in a local restaurant about Bill's plans for building the course. "I have a piece of property I can sell you," Marjorie told them.

Carson City sheriff's deputy killed, suspect dead in early morning shooting

UPDATE: Tonight at 8 p.m. there will be a candle light vigil at the Peace Officer Memorial site in Carson City at Nevada State Legislature grounds.
***
A Carson City Sheriff's deputy was killed in a shooting early Saturday morning during an exchange of gunfire on Montez Drive on the northeast side of Carson City. The suspect also died, said Carson City Sheriff Ken Furlong.

The following is a statement by Carson City Sheriff Ken Furlong:

How the selling of LTCC bonds show what the nation thinks of Lake Tahoe

After the passing of the $55 million Lake Tahoe Community College General Bond, known as Measure F in November, the next step was to sell the bonds.

On August 6, 2015, $19 million of Series A bonds were sold at a much better rate than anyone expected. When the market opened at 7 a.m. PST, investors were ready to jump on these bonds and it only took two hours to sell them, and waiting in the wings were another $54.4 million in orders.

The biggest single investor was State Farm Insurance who bought about 25% of the bonds or, $4.7 million.

New Leadership Lake Tahoe class announced

After an extensive search and interview process, the participants for the next Leadership Lake Tahoe program have been announced. Leadership Lake Tahoe is a 10-month program that covers key aspects of the South Shore community so participants have a better understanding of their home and may further develop their leadership skills.

Jenay Aiksnoras, Lake Tahoe Yoga & Zephyr Cove Elementary School
Amber Aneloski, The Getaway Café
Veronica Arriaga, Harrah's & Harveys
Morgan Beryl, Tahoe Regional Planning Agency
Brian Bigley, Kirkwood Mountain Resort
Alison Bourquin, Design Workshop

New STHS bleachers behind schedule but ready by first game

Mother Nature hasn't been very nice to Southern Bleachers out of Texas. They are the contractors working on the new football stadium bleachers at South Tahoe High and they missed the August 8 deadline for completion of the project. Summer rains caused several delays but they are now back on track to have the project finished by August 21, a week before the school's first football game.

"Godzilla" El Nino may be on it's way

Experts warn of a Godzilla El Niño this fall.

So, what exactly is a "Godzilla" El Niño?

Actually, it’s just a clever joke by a NASA climatologist: "This definitely has the potential of being the Godzilla El Niño," Bill Patzert of the NASA Jet Propulsion Laboratory in La Cañada Flintridge, California, said Thursday.

What's It Look Like?

"Godzilla" El Niño is not a technical or scientific term, but it's a good way to describe the upcoming El Niño event, because it could likely be one of the strongest since record-keeping began in 1950.

Yosemite campground shuts down after squirrels die of plague

Officials at Yosemite National Park said Friday they will temporarily close a popular campsite after two squirrels died of plague in the area.

Tuolumne Meadows Campground will close from noon Monday through noon Friday so authorities can treat the area with a flea-killing insecticide. Campers had their reservations canceled at the 304-site campground so the insecticide can be sprayed into rodent "burrow holes," the California Department of Health said Friday.

Plague is carried by rodents and is spread by fleas, but transmission between people is rare.

Douglas County campaign to promote pedestrian safety

Douglas County residents can expect to see an increase in the normal law enforcement presence near crosswalks within Douglas County between August 17 and August 28, 2015. Douglas County has joined forces with Lyon County and other law enforcement agencies statewide to monitor pedestrian safety.

Late summer soccer conditioning class added at LTCC

With interest of being on the Lake Tahoe Community College soccer teams on the rise, the school has decided to add a conditioning class to accommodate the big number of both local and international students at the campus.

The men's team, just off their successful inaugural season that landed them a conference championship, had 90 students try out for a place on the team this week, and 60 of them are from other countries. The women’s team is also benefiting from a lot of interest, both from local athletes and abroad.

Dr. Kyle Swanson to be honored during Minden Airshow

Military veterans of all ages will be honored at the 5th Annual Aviation Roundup, August 22 and 23, 2015 at Minden-Tahoe Airport. Among those veterans being recognized is Dr. Kyle Swanson, an orthopedic surgeon with Tahoe Orthopedics & Sport Medicine in Carson City and Lake Tahoe. The Army veteran served in Operation Enduring Freedom in Afghanistan where he performed surgeries on soldiers and Afghan civilians injured during the conflict of war.

Tahoe's Howie Nave headed to Vegas as inductee of Nevada Broadcasters Hall of Fame

Lake Tahoe radio host, standup comedian and emcee of the Improv at Harveys, Howie Nave is among 62 Nevada radio and television personalities and managers who will be inducted into the Nevada Broadcasters Association Hall of Fame this Saturday in Las Vegas.

Nave, who has been with KRLT FM 93.9 as host of “Howie’s Morning Rush” at Lake Tahoe for nearly 15 years, will be inducted at the Four Seasons Hotel. He joins the ranks of more than 800 broadcasters from around Nevada who make up the Hall of Fame.

Chautauqua of the Naughty Tea Mistresses of Nevada at Dangberg Historic Park

Event Date: 
August 15, 2015 - 10:00am

Chautauqua presenters Dana Lee Fruend, Yvonne Sullivan, Janet Baker and Judy Quinlan will portray Nevada pioneer women “Nellie Mighels Davis”, “Elizabeth ‘Lizzie’ Kincead”, “Whilhelmina Springmeyer” and “Hannah Clapp” in a free presentation at the Dangberg Home Ranch Historic Park on Saturday, August 15, at 10:00 am.

Location

Dangberg Home Ranch Historic Park
1450 Hwy. 88, Minden, NV 89423
United States

Chautauqua of Buffalo Bill Cody and Wild Bill Hickok at Dangberg Historic Park

Event Date: 
September 2, 2015 - 6:30pm

Chautauqua performers Chuck Baldauskas and Doc Durden will present “Buffalo Bill & Wild Bill: Pals Together Again” at the Dangberg Home Ranch Historic Park on Wednesday September 2, at 6:30 p.m. The event is open to the public and free to attend.

Location

Dangberg Home Ranch Historic Park
1450 Hwy. 88, Minden, NV 89423
United States

Bay Area deputy drowns while helping kayaker in Lake Tahoe

A deputy from the Contra Costa Sheriff's Office drowned just off the shore of El Dorado Beach in South Lake Tahoe on Thursday as he tried to save a family friend.

Electrofishing project helps both hungry and Lake Tahoe nearshore

Scientists have found a way to put some of the 51,000 pounds of harvested fish to good use at the same time they are ridding Lake Tahoe of invasive species.

In the first three years of a cooperative pilot program between the University of Nevada Reno and California Fish and Wildlife, unwanted fish have been donated to needy families.

Candlelight tribute for Michael "Mikey" Hallenbeck

"How wonderful you are making us feel," were words shared by fallen firefighter Mikey Hallenbeck's dad Kirby during the candlelight vigil held in his honor on Wednesday evening at Sierra-at-Tahoe. "A reflection of your love for him is reflected back to us."

Approximately 350 people gathered on the Plaza at the ski resort where the younger Hallenbeck worked for two seasons.

Carson City man pleads guilty to aggravated identity theft

Glenn Litton, 47, of Carson City, Nevada, pleaded guilty today to aggravated identity theft arising from false statements he made in an application for a United States Passport, United States Attorney Benjamin B. Wagner announced.

Emotional honor cordon for firefighter in South Lake Tahoe

It was an emotional scene on Thursday morning in South Lake Tahoe as the local community came together with members of multiple fire agencies, the Forest Service and law enforcement to say goodbye to Michael "Mikey" Hallenbeck, the firefighter who lost his life on August 8 while fighting his first fire.

Historic Sheriff Logan's Great Granddaughter to share his story at SLT Library

Author Jackie Boor will present "LOGAN: The Honorable Life and Scandalous Death of a Western Lawman". Ms. Boor is the great granddaughter of this historic sheriff and has unearthed the untold story of his 1906 murder. Dealing with rowdy miners, drunken gamblers, and even Wild West legends like Wyatt Earp was a routine part of the job for onetime Sheriff Logan.

This is a story steeped in local history (Logan Shoals and Creek are named for this historic sheriff), presented it in an entertaining and informative way. This in not to be missed.

Location

South Lake Tahoe Library
1000 Rufus Allen Blvd. South Lake Tahoe, CA 96150
United States

Mary Jo Sonntag Returns to SLT Library with Tales of Pioneer Life

Event Date: 
September 15, 2015 - 6:00pm

The Friends of the Library, in partnership with the Lake Tahoe Historical Society, is excited to welcome back author, Mary Jo Sonntag. Her new presentation answers questions about the early pioneers to our area: What was pioneer life really like? What diseases did pioneers experience?

Her award-winning book, "Write, If You Live to Get There" tells the true story of her ancestor’s westward migration from Vermont to Tahoe through a series of family letters spanning more than 120 years. Interesting, informative and open to all.

Book sale and signing to follow.

Location

South Lake Tahoe Library
1000 Rufus Allen Blvd. South Lake Tahoe, CA 96150
United States

8th Annual Conservation Landscape Tour

Event Date: 
August 19, 2015 - 4:30pm

The public will have a chance to learn about sustainable landscaping in Lake Tahoe at the 8th Annual Conservation Landscape Tour on August 19. The tour will begin at the Lake Tahoe Community College Demonstration Garden and continue down Pioneer Trail towards Meyers Station.

Search on for missing person in South Lake Tahoe

5 p.m. Update:

Have fun at Tahoe Youth & Family Service's Color Blast Run

Event Date: 
August 15, 2015 - 9:00am

Ready to get "color"ful? Ready to have fun, a little outdoor exercise and help the local community while at it?

Tahoe Youth & Family Services (TYFS) has held South Lake Tahoe area colors in the past, but this is the first year they are adding a COLORBLAST! Fun Run in the Carson Valley into the mix.

On Saturday, August 13 they are holding their annual fun run from 9 a.m. to 11 a.m. during the Carson Valley Medical Center Health Fest. The center is located at
1107 Highway 395 in Gardnerville, NV.

Author reading on brain injury tonight at Bona Fide Books

Author Mojie Crigler will be reading from her new book, Get Me Through Tomorrow: A Sister's Memoir of Brain Injury and Revival, tonight at Bona Fide Books in Meyers at 7 p.m.

Red Flag Warning for Lake Tahoe region Thursday

Expect high winds and waves up to four feet on Thursday as a low pressure weather system drops from the Pacific Coast and passes through the Lake Tahoe basin. Winds will be 15-20 mph with gusts up to 25 mph.

With an increase in winds also comes an increase in fire dangers.

Dry condition paired with gusty winds can cause fires to get large before responders can get to them.

The Red Flag warning is from August 13 at 2 p.m. to August 14 at 11 a.m.
The Lake Wind Advisory lasts from August 13 at 2 p.m. to August 14 at 5 p.m.

South Lake Tahoe Police Blotter

The following is a recap of activity the South Lake Tahoe Police Department responded to from August 3 to August 8, 2015.

Calls Resulting in Arrests:

8/3
No Arrests

8/4
Driving on a suspended/revoked license at Stateline Ave/Pine Blvd
Drug Offense in the 1300 block of Johnson Blvd
Disturbance in the 3400 block of Lake Tahoe Blvd
Other Misdemeanor at 13th/Tata Lane

8/5
Possession of Stolen Property in the 4000 block of Pine Blvd
DUI in the 100 block of College Way

Tahoe Arts Project 'Music on the Beach' on August 27

Event Date: 
August 27, 2015 - 7:00pm

Join the community as they support the Tahoe Arts Project on the beach for an evening of music and dancing.

Artists Trey Stone, Niall McGuinness and John Shipley will once again provide the night's entertainment on the shores of the lake behind the Tahoe Lakeshore Lodge & Spa located at 930 Bal Bijou Road.

Watch the sunset over beautiful Lake Tahoe, listen to music with your family and friends while supporting arts in the community.

Bring food, beverages, blankets and low back chairs. There will be a raffle and bake sale too.

Suggested donation $10 per person.

Man arrested on suspicion of trying to set house on fire and stealing car

A 36-year-old South Lake Tahoe man was arrested in Carson City, NV Saturday on a California Superior Court warrant charge that alleges attempted arson, use of an incendiary device, vandalism with property damage of more than $950 and vehicle theft.

The South Lake Tahoe Police Department (SLTPD) received a call at 2:25 p.m. on Friday, August 12 about about a man breaking windows at a neighbor's home, then trying to set his own house on fire after a neighborhood dispute on Lukins Way. The suspect, Derek Ernest Bogard, was not in the area when police arrived.

Fallen firefighter to be honored with processional through South Lake Tahoe

There will be an escorted processional from South Lake Tahoe to Placerville on Thursday to honor 21-year-old Mikey Hallenbeck. The young U.S. Forest Service firefighter, and Sierra-at-Tahoe employee, died while fighting his very first fire on Saturday

The U.S. Forest Service and cooperating fire agencies will escort Hallenbeck from the "Y" in South Lake Tahoe to his final resting place. The procession will start at approximately 10 a.m. and proceed westbound on Highway 50 up Echo Summit, through Sierra-at-Tahoe Resort, down to Placerville. It is expected to end at 2 p.m.

LTUSD Bus Routes for the 2015/16 school year

School starts for South Lake Tahoe, CA students on Monday, August 31.

The Lake Tahoe Unified School District has published their bus routes for each school for the 2015-16 school year and can be found by clicking on each school:

Bijou Elementary
Lake Tahoe Environmental Magnet School
Tahoe Valley Elementary

Herbicides may be used on invasive species in Tahoe Keys

The underwater scenes could be straight out of "Creature of the Black Lagoon." Long feathery tendrils of green plants, growing at alarming rates in the Tahoe Keys and attracting fish not before known in the crystal blue waters of the lake.

The plant described here is better known as the Eurasian Watermilfoil. It is joined by another nuisance non-native plant, the curlyleaf pondweed, in creating problems in the waters of the Tahoe Keys.

Travel in Meyers to be slow moving through Thursday

If you've had to travel on Highway 50 through Meyers this week you've most likely been stuck in one spot for quite a while.

Due to a grinding and paving job on U.S. Highway 50 from Apache Avenue to Country Club Drive in Meyers, motorists have found one lane of controlled traffic each day from from 7 a.m. to 6 p.m. On Monday, the traffic back up started in Meyers and went past the Tahoe Valley Airport.

The "local's way" on Pioneer Trail is affected with the controlled traffic. For those heading over Echo Summit, it will be easier to take Lake Tahoe Blvd. to North Upper Truckee Road.

Passenger dies in El Dorado County DUI crash; children unhurt

A passenger who died in a Sunday night vehicle crash has been identified by the El Dorado County Sheriff’s Office as 33-year-old Rachelle Piparo of Georgetown.

Piparo was riding in the front seat of a pickup and was killed when driver Joseph Piparo, 33, rolled the vehicle and flatbed trailer it was towing east of Georgetown.

Joseph Piparo, of Georgetown, was arrested on suspicion of driving under the influence and booked into El Dorado County Jail.

Jimmy LaFave, the Night Tribe at Valhalla Boathouse Theater Wednesday

Event Date: 
August 12, 2015 - 7:30pm

Considered one of the founding fathers of Americana, singer songwriter Jimmy LaFave will be at the Valhalla Boathouse Theater on Wednesday, August 12.

Sweepstakes scammer sentenced for defrauding elderly

A California woman was sentenced to 130 months in prison for her role in a half-million dollar Costa Rica-based “sweepstakes fraud” scheme that victimized hundreds of U.S. residents.

Patricia Diane Clark, 57, of Sacramento, California, was sentenced today by Chief U.S. District Judge Frank D. Whitney for conspiracy to commit wire fraud, wire fraud and conspiracy to commit money laundering. Clark was also ordered to pay $642,032 in restitution and to forfeit the same amount jointly and severally with her co-defendants.

CHP holding DUI checkpoint in South Lake Tahoe Friday

The California Highway Patrol (CHP) will be holding a sobriety checkpoint somewhere in the eastern portion of El Dorado County on Friday, August 14 between 9 p.m. and 2 a.m.

A team of CHP officers will be staffing the checkpoint. They will control traffic at the checkpoint to evaluate driver’s sobriety and hand out literature warning of the dangers of drinking and driving. Driver license checks will be conducted and appropriate enforcement action will be taken.

South Lake Tahoe teen airlifted to Renown after bicycle accident

An 18-year-old male was airlifted to Renown Medical Center on Tuesday afternoon after being hit by a car on Ski Run Blvd.

The teen, who had recently moved to South Lake Tahoe, was riding his bike southbound near Spruce Drive just before 4 p.m. when he made a left hand turn into the path of a northbound car driven by a South Lake Tahoe woman.

The unidentified cyclist hit the front of the car on the driver's side. He was airlifted with undisclosed injuries.

The driver of the car was uninjured and is cooperating with police.

South Lake Tahoe radio station cancels Rush Limbaugh

KOWL 1490 AM has pulled the plug on Rush Limbaugh. The South Lake Tahoe radio station was one of the original affiliates to carry the show, stemming from the host's days in Sacramento, CA.

The nationally syndicated show will be off the air as of this week.

New Vice Principal ready to make mark at South Tahoe High

The first thing Justin Zunino will have to do is exchange all of his purple clothing for a wardrobe in blue and gold as he starts his new job as Vice Principal at South Tahoe High.

Well, maybe that will be the second thing, first will be buying a home.

Zunino and his wife Nicole are moving to South Lake Tahoe from Oroville, CA where he worked for 17 years, 13 of which were spent teaching and coaching baseball at Oroville High School and the rest as the Vice Principal. Nicole was the school's counselor.

Flag to fly at half-staff in Placerville for Hallenbeck

The El Dorado County Board of Supervisors’ thoughts and prayers are with the Hallenbeck family for the loss of their son and brother, U.S. Forest Service Firefighter Michael “Mikey” Hallenbeck.

“Our hearts are saddened by the loss of Michael," said The El Dorado County Board of Supervisors. "We are indebted to Michael for his service in keeping the citizens of El Dorado County safe. Thank you for your dedication to our community.”

Never too early to plan for Polar Express on the V & T Railroad

Tickets to board THE POLAR EXPRESS™ Train Ride via the Virginia & Truckee Railroad, the annual Carson City family holiday tradition, go on sale online beginning August 20. (www.vtrailway.com)

Forests grapple with 8,500 gun incidents

Perched around a secluded campfire in the Rocky Mountains, Glenn Martin jerked forward, said, "Ow," and died. The wayward bullet that struck him in the national forest has campers and other users calling for changes in recreational shooting policy.

Martin, 60, died July 3 in the Pike & San Isabel National Forest, 30 miles southwest of Denver. The 3.1-million-acre forest holds the record for the most gun-related violations reported in the country, a review of federal records by the USA TODAY Media Network shows.

Candlelight vigil at Sierra-at-Tahoe for fallen firefighter

Sierra-at-Tahoe will hold a candlelight vigil for Michael Hallenbeck on Wednesday, August 12 at 7 p.m. The 21-year old U.S. Forest Service firefighter lost his life on Saturday while fighting a lighting-caused fire south of Echo Summit.

Hallenbeck, known by friends and family as Mikey, was a Sierra-at-Tahoe employee for the past two seasons and a local firefighter for the U.S Forest Service.

“His flame burned bright,” friends speak of Hallenbeck. “Thank you for your
brave, courageous soul.” Hallenbeck is considered a local hero who could “make

Former Marine becomes newest Douglas County Deputy Sheriff

Ignatius Kyeremeh was sworn in as a Douglas County Deputy Sheriff on Monday, August 10 during a ceremony in Minden, NV.

Kyeremeh completed several months of testing and evaluation consisting of a physical agility test, oral interview, extensive background investigation, psychological evaluation, polygraph examination, and medical exam. He will begin his career with the department in the Jail Division.

Deputy Kyeremeh served in the United States Marine Corps for 20 years achieving the rank of Gunnery Sergeant. He is married with 2 children.

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