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SOUTH LAKE TAHOE, Calif. - The driver of a 73-foot big rig took a route not approved as a truck route on Monday morning, finding himself, and the truck, stuck on SR89 and stranding motorists. The California Highway Patrol (CHP) responded at 11:12 a.m. to the area just north of Cascade Creek, and south of Emerald Bay. Traffic was held up for hours when the truck took a turn too tight, blocking the flow of vehicles.

The truck-trailer combination will remain on the highway until it can be moved safely, but traffic is flowing. The air lines on the truck are inoperable.

DOUGLAS COUNTY, Nev. - The Douglas County School District (DCSD) has been filling open leadership positions, a positive change after what many looked at as a turbulent year. After the board recently approved the hiring of Frankie Alvarado as its new superintendent, other new roles have been made known.

I have been a South Lake full-time resident for nearly five years, and in that short time, I’ve managed to build a community here for myself. I have no plans to leave or become a part-time resident. This is my home, and I love and cherish it deeply.

Politically, I lean far left. But I have enough experience working in progressive spaces to recognize that no singular piece of legislation is exceptional enough to escape any sort of critical review. Policy only works when it’s written well, regardless of which side is pushing it.

Nevada’s nonrestricted gaming licensees reported a total “gaming win” of $1,286,686,312 for June 2024, according to the Nevada Gaming Control Board's latest monthly report. This amounts to a 3.25 percent increase compared to the same month a year ago when licensees reported a gaming win of $1,246,020,144. For the fiscal year, the gaming win has increased by 4.36 percent with $15,765,165,340 in "win".

The "gaming win" represents the computed income of casinos before business expenses and taxes.

SOUTH LAKE TAHOE, Calif. - Join the Marcella Foundation and Mountain House, in partnership with Soroptimist International of Tahoe Sierra (SITS), for a Back-to-School Drive from August 1-14, 2024. For over 20 years, SITS members have provided thousands of backpacks and school supplies to children in South Lake Tahoe. This year, SITS, Marcella Foundation, and Mountain House (formerly Lake Tahoe Christian Fellowship) have teamed up to support even more students and classrooms with the essentials they need for a successful school year.

SOUTH LAKE TAHOE, Calif. - The November 5 election is just over 90 days away, and candidates have started to file the necessary paperwork for several local elected positions open this year.

The deadline to file is August 9, 2024. If an incumbent does not file for reelection, the filing period will be extended to August 14 for that position only.

As of Friday, August 2, the following people have completed the needed paperwork to run for office:

County Board of Education Trustee Area 5 - appointed incumbent Kathy Jensen is running.

This week, nine community advocates and I were named in a frivolous lawsuit, the vacancy tax opposition’s latest attempt to use their deep pockets and outside money to sap resources and intimidate local supporters on behalf of special interest groups.

The opposition, funded by California’s real estate lobbying group, is afraid that November’s election won’t turn out in their favor. Sharon Kerrigan, VP of the Realtors Association, recently went on record at a public meeting to say that, “governing shouldn’t happen at the ballot box.” Now they are apparently trying the courts.

LAKE TAHOE, Calif./Nev. - Inflatable paddleboards are easy to carry and can help alleviate parking congestion, but did you know they can also spread aquatic invasive species (AIS)? Many paddlers are unaware that the water that collects in the folds and carrying bags can transport AIS that threatens Lake Tahoe’s ecology and water clarity.

The Tahoe Knight Monsters, proud ECHL Affiliate of the NHL’s Vegas Golden Knights and the AHL’s Henderson Silver Knights have announced the addition of two new players for the 2024-25 season: Logan Nelson and Jeff Solow.

Forward Logan Nelson

Nelson, 30, brings a wealth of experience and talent to the Knight Monsters lineup. Nelson has orchestrated three productive seasons with the Rapid City Rush totaling 173 points (60g, 113a) in 179 games played from 2021-2024. Nelson served as an alternate captain for the Rush during the 2021-22 season.

In a world that increasingly values self-expression and individuality, it is essential to remember that beauty comes in many forms. Each person possesses unique features that make them one of a kind and there is no one-size-fits-all definition of beauty.

Over time, or as a result of trauma or lifestyle, our features and skin may change or become altered. Some individuals opt for enhancement to combat these changes, enhance their self-esteem, and feel more comfortable in their own skin.

ZEPHYR COVE, Nev. - Tahoe Douglas Fire Protection District (TDFPD) has changed its rate schedule that cover many aspects of the services it provides to the community. The rise in rates includes, but is not limited to, construction inspections, vacation home rental inspections, special event inspections, plan reviews, incident response, and stand-by fees.

Fees enable TDFPD to recuperate expenses incurred by vehicles, personnel, and materials involved with fire prevention, fire suppression, and emergency medical services used by locals, businesses, and visitors.

If you have ever encountered housing insecurity or homelessness in South Lake Tahoe, your valuable insights are sought by Tahoe Youth and Family Services (TYFS). You're needed to represent our community on the El Dorado Opportunity Knocks Continuum of Care Lived Experience Advisory Board (LEAB). The primary purpose of the LEAB is to ensure the active participation of individuals with direct experience of homelessness in decision-making processes related to homeless and housing services within El Dorado County.

When the Tahoe Regional Planning Authority (TRPA) was established in 1969, its mandate was clear: to preserve, restore, and enhance the Lake Tahoe Basin's unique natural and human environment. Has the TRPA lived up to its promise, or has it become an unwieldy bureaucracy that hinders more than it helps?

ALPINE COUNTY, Calif. - The Smile Dental Services Mobile Dental Services Van is heading to Alpine County August 22-23 in Markleville. They understand that sometimes it can be difficult to find a dentist in the area, so they’re bringing the dentist to you!

ASmile Dental Services is dedicated to ensuring each patient receives not only the best care available but also the education necessary to maintain good oral health throughout their lives. They invite you to visit them and learn how we can help you achieve your oral health goals.

SOUTH LAKE TAHOE, Calif. - A head-on collision on Pioneer Trail Friday sent all four people involved to the hospital. On July 26, 2024, at approximately 1 p.m., A 2022 Prius was being driven northbound near Tionontati Street when, for unknown reasons, the Prius crossed into the southbound lane, hitting a 2022 GMC Sierra head-on.

According to Vanessa Wood, Supervising Deputy Probation Officer, “The El Dorado County Probation Department sponsored the Adopt A Day event on July 22 in memory of our co-worker, Desiree Wright, who passed away in February 2024.” Desiree had participated in the Probation Department’s Adopt A Day of Nourishment sponsorship in July of 2023 and “the extra Probation Department members showed up to honor Desiree at this year’s sponsorship meal.” In addition to Vanessa, those honorees included Brian Richart, Chief Probation Officer, Pat Adams, Forrest Andra, Destiny Burress, Maggie Smith, Jorge So

The 28th annual Lake Tahoe Summit will be held on Wednesday, August 14 at Round Hill Pines Beach Resort in Zephyr Cove, Nev. The theme of this year’s event is “Connecting Tahoe: Investing in Transit, Trails, and Technology for the Future.”

This year's host is Nevada Senator Cortez Masto.

Check-in and a booth fair featuring Lake Tahoe environmental organizations will begin at 9 a.m. The Summit program starts at 10 a.m. The booth fair will continue with food for purchase from Beach Bums Bar & Grill after the Summit concludes.

LAKE TAHOE, Calif./Nev. - There is both good news and bad news in the annual clarity report, released Tuesday by the University of California, Davis – Tahoe Environmental Research Center (TERC).

The clarity of Lake Tahoe’s famed blue waters in 2023 continued its years-long trend of improving during the winter and deteriorating during the summer.

Winter lake conditions were the clearest observed since 1983 and the 10th best on record, with visibility of 91.8 feet under the surface, compared with 72.2 feet in 2022.

SOUTH LAKE TAHOE, Calif. – The USDA Forest Service Lake Tahoe Basin Management Unit (LTBMU) has announced the selection of Rosalie Herrera as the permanent deputy forest supervisor for the Lake Tahoe Basin.

“Please join me in welcoming Rosalie to the Lake Tahoe Basin,” said LTBMU Forest Supervisor, Erick Walker. “Rosalie brings a wealth of agency experience to the position and it’s great to have her as a permanent member of our team.”

TUESDAY UPDATE: The six samples collected 36 hours after Sunday morning's spill showed bacteria counts, including e.coli, back to baseline at all sampling sites. The warning signs have been removed.

SOUTH LAKE TAHOE, Calif. - Results from the six water samples collected at Fallen Leaf Lake after Sunday morning's sewage spill show elevated levels of total coliform, including e.coli, at the point of entry and 150 feet north of the sewer spill. The bacteria levels detected are below the requirements for beach closures.

Nicole Chesher Marsel, age 40, of South Lake Tahoe, California, passed away on Tuesday, June 25, 2024. Nicole was born in Arlington Heights, IL, grew up in Cary, IL, and moved to South Lake Tahoe ten years ago, where she made a profound impact on the community.

LAKE TAHOE, Nev. - Twenty-one-year-old Owen Joseph McDonough visiting from Villa Hills, Kentucky has been positively identified as the drowning victim rescued from rough waters at Lake Tahoe's Whale Beach on Sunday evening.

McDonough's family has been notified.

SOUTH LAKE TAHOE, Calif. - An evening of local speakers who have enjoyed the South Shore for the last several decades will be taking part in the next evening of Tahoe History Talks on the Beach on Tuesday, July 30 from 6:30 p.m. to 7:30 p.m. at Lakeview Commons.

“All-Star Legends" will share their stories with the help of MC Dave Borges.

Learn the stories of these sages of our community. If you have stories to share, they will be welcomed and encouraged, as are questions. The microphone will be passed to hear from those who come to share.

MONDAY MORNING UPDATE: Twenty-one-year-old Owen Joseph McDonough visiting from Villa Hills, Kentucky has been positively identified as the drowning victim rescued from rough waters at Lake Tahoe's Whale Beach on Sunday evening.

McDonough's family has been notified.