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New laws for drivers in California start January 1

With the new year just around the corner, the California Department of Motor Vehicles (DMV) is reminding the public of several new laws or changes to existing law that, unless otherwise noted, take effect January 1, 2018.

Dental benefits restored to low-income Californians on January 1

Low-income Californians will have access to dental services they’ve lacked since 2009, under a law taking effect on New Year’s Day.

The budget signed by Governor Jerry Brown in June fully restores dental benefits for adult Medi-Cal patients that were cut during the recession.

Providers and community advocates recount horror stories of patients with tooth problems taking drastic measures.

Starting January 1st, Denti-Cal will pay for adults to receive crowns and root canals, when dentists certify those procedures are necessary.

Tahoe Chamber's Connect for a Cause Charity Mixer benefits Bread & Broth 4 Kids

Event Date: 
January 18, 2018 - 5:30pm

Tahoe Chamber's annual Connect for a Cause charity mixer will be held on Thursday, January 18, 2018 at the Riva Grill in South Lake Tahoe from 5:30 p.m. to 8:30 p.m. Once again, this year's recipient will be Bread & Broth 4 Kids (BB4K).

Last year, over 100 people attended the event and raised almost $1,300 for the non-profit that serves over 170 kids in grades K-8 weekly with a backpack full of food to take home each when free school lunches are not available.

South Lake Tahoe Police Blotter

SOUTH LAKE TAHOE - The following is a recap of activity the South Lake Tahoe Police Department responded to 369 calls between November 28 - December 12, 2017.

Calls Resulting in Arrests/Citations:

11/28 - 26 Total Calls

Driving on a suspended/revoked license at Emerald Bay Rd & West Way
Resisting at Lake Tahoe Blvd & Tata Lane
DUI at Oakland & El Dorado Ave
Assault with a deadly weapon in the 1400 block of Glenwood Way
Unlicensed Driver in the 2800 block of Lake Tahoe Blvd

11/29 - 24 Total Calls

Donations from Vail Resorts CEO and his wife to focus on mental health issues

Mental Health issues in communities where they have operations will be the focus of a new charitable fund created by Vail's Chief Executive Officer Rob Katz and his wife, Elana Amsterdam.

Katz and Amsterdam created the new charitable fund in October 2017 with funding of approximately $58 million.

Warm Room in South Lake Tahoe opens on Christmas Eve

There will be two homes for the Warm Room this winter, and the first one opens on Christmas Eve at 7:00 p.m.

From December 24 - December 31, 7:00 p.m. to 7:00 a.m., the Tahoe Coalition for the Homeless (TCH) will open the Warm Room at the Lake Tahoe Community Presbyterian Church located at 2733 Lake Tahoe Boulevard. Access to the room will be through the lower parking lot in the back of the church, not through the front door.

"We appreciate the support of the local faith community for rallying behind our common missions of service," said the Coalition.

3 strikes and you're out: New VHR ordinance begins in South Lake Tahoe

With the new South Lake Tahoe Vacation Home Rental (VHR) Ordinance going into effect on Friday, December 22, 2017, the police department took the first steps in acting on one part of that new document, the three strikes and you're out portion.

On Thursday, South Lake Police Department (SLTPD) sent certified mail notices to permitted VHR owners who have had one or two upheld violations in the last 24 months.

LTCC awarded $500k for culinary pre-apprenticeship program

SOUTH LAKE TAHOE, CALIF. - Lake Tahoe Community College (LTCC) is one of just a handful of educational providers in the state to win a $500,000 grant from the California Apprenticeship Initiative (CAI) to help build and launch culinary pre-apprenticeship programs in South Lake Tahoe. LTCC was recently notified of the award, which will be used to help better prepare South Lake Tahoe’s workforce and to improve local residents’ ability to secure in-demand jobs and progress to higher-wage careers in the Tahoe Basin.

California's ski towns won't have pot for sale on New Year's Day

California ski towns are going to have to wait a little longer for recreational marijuana.

On Jan. 1, adults 21 and over will be allowed to possess up to 1 ounce of recreational marijuana in California, but most ski towns in Northern California won't allow sales of retail product yet.

Some of the most popular ski towns in Northern California — South Lake Tahoe, Truckee and Mammoth Lakes included — have moratoriums on recreational marijuana businesses, which means that product won’t be available until late spring, at the earliest.

South Tahoe High's McCallan Castles signs to play for Cal Bears

There will be a lot more Cal football fans in South Lake Tahoe over the next four years after McCallan Castles signed his letter of intent to play for Coach Wilcox and the University of California Bears Wednesday.

The highly recruited South Tahoe High School (STHS) senior had 18 Division 1 schools trying to get him to sign with them. He narrowed the list down to Utah, Washington State, Duke and Cal before making the decision, something that was easy the moment he stepped onto the Berkeley campus.

Chain controls up as storm moves out of Lake Tahoe

A Winter Weather Advisory is up for Lake Tahoe until 1:00 p.m. Snow overnight and this morning have left for slight conditions and road controls, so use caution as you drive in the area. There is still a 40 percent chance of lingering snow showers this evening.

Road information at 8:45 a.m. Wednesday

Chains Required, All Vehicles Except 4-Wheel Drive with Snow Tires - on US-50 from mile post 52.1 in El Dorado County to mile post 70.6 in El Dorado County in California (Pollock Pines to Meyers).

Incline Village Crystal Bay Visitors Bureau appoints new operations director

The Incline Village Crystal Bay Visitors Bureau appointed Greg Long as Operations and Finance Director, effective Jan. 1, 2018.

Long, a North Lake Tahoe local for the past 20 years, previously served as the Operations Manager at Smith + Jones Marketing since 1999, at which he oversaw production, estimates, purchase printing and client management.

Snowglobe reconfiguration to close Al Tahoe Blvd and Bijou Park

12.20.17 update: When closures are in place, Al Tahoe Boulevard will be closed from Johnson Blvd to Pioneer Village to lessen impact on residents.

SOUTH LAKE TAHOE, CALIF. - The 7th annual SnowGlobe Music Festival returns to South Lake Tahoe December 29-31, but those attending and nearby residents need to know of changes to the layout, resulting in some road closures.

Winter Weather Advisory for Lake Tahoe: 3-5" snow possible at lake level

It most likely won't be a white Christmas in Lake Tahoe, but snow is headed to the Sierras this Tuesday night and Wednesday morning. It is a quick moving storm but has a chance to leave behind the much-needed snow. Christmas Day is expected to be sunny and cold, with a high of 39, low around 12.

Plan on slippery road conditions during the morning commute Wednesday from Lake Tahoe to Reno and the Carson Valley. Total snow accumulations of 3 to 5 inches are forecast for lake level, with up to 10 inches expected above 7000 feet.

Charlie Puth coming to Lake Tahoe Outdoor Arena

Event Date: 
August 18, 2018 (All day)

Multi-Platinum artist/musician/producer Charlie Puth has announced plans for his biggest North American headline tour to date, The Voicenotes Tour, and they include a stop at the scenic Lake Tahoe Outdoor Arena at Harveys on Saturday, August 18, 2018.

Multi-Platinum recording artist Hailee Steinfeld will be joining Puth on the tour.

You can catch Puth on Tuesday night's finale of The Voice on NBC and Dick Clark's New Year's Rockin' Eve.

Bay area residents arrested in Stateline on burglary charges

8:00PM Update 12/18/17: After the trio's arrest, detectives from the South Lake Tahoe Police Department served a search warrant on a motel room at Motel 6 on Highway 50, locating a significant amount of stolen property that had recently been reported stolen in Douglas County. They also located numerous items that may have been stolen, but were not previously reported. .

Bay Area toddler dies after being found in casino hot tub

Updated information 12/17/17 9:00PM:

The Douglas County Sheriff's Office has announced that a four-year-old from Redwood City, California has died on the South Shore.

At 1:27 p.m. Sunday, December 17, emergency personnel were called to MontBleu Casino and Resort in Stateline, Nevada after the toddler was found in a hot tub. He was transported by the Tahoe Douglas Fire Department to Barton Memorial Hospital where he was pronounced deceased.

The next of kin has been notified.

El Dorado County Sheriff's Report

SOUTH LAKE TAHOE, CALIF. - 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 time of story.

Some of those recently added to last week's log:

12/6

9:30 p.m. - Death Investigation - 70-YEAR-OLD MALE DECEASED

12/7

1:10 p.m. - Death Investigation - 23-YEAR-OLD MALE DECEASED

Tools in place as new VHR rules go into effect in South Lake Tahoe

The City of South Lake Tahoe put the finishing touches to the new Vacation Home Rental (VHR) ordinance Tuesday, paving the way for what community members have asked for: More enforcement, better monitoring and rules to bring reasonable calm to their neighborhoods.

"This is a code with real teeth," said SLT Police Chief Brian Uhler. "It's a clear and simple message that we're not fooling around. There are strong laws for staff to carry out."

NDOT completes second season of SR 28 shared use path construction

The Nevada Department of Transportation this week completed the second construction season of the State Route 28 Shared Use Path, Water Quality and Safety Improvement Project near Incline Village. The entire project is anticipated to complete in late 2018 or early 2019, depending on weather.

Power outage hits South Lake Tahoe and Carson Valley

UPDATE: 1:00 a.m. 12/17/17 - NV Energy has restored power to their customers. It is unknown at this time what caused the four-hour long outage.

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NV Energy is reporting a few power outages to their customers starting at 8:45 p.m. Saturday. At the lake, 4,385 customers are affected, with another 3,300 in the Carson Valley. NV Energy states the problem is from equipment failure and they expect to have power restored by 10:00 p.m.

2018 Business Expo in South Lake Tahoe

Event Date: 
March 30, 2018 - 4:30pm

The popular and dynamic business event, the Lake Tahoe South Shore Chamber of Commerce (Tahoe Chamber) Business Expo, is now accepting booth registrations and early bird discounts are now in place.

The event this year is on March 30, 2018 from 4:30 p.m. to 8:30 p.m. and will be held at Harveys Lake Tahoe.

Wind advisory and 20% chance of snow in Lake Tahoe Saturday

A quick moving, weak weather system will affect the area Friday night through Saturday morning bringing very light snowfall across the region. The inversions we've seen in the Reno-Tahoe area are likely to strengthen again early next week before a cold front moves through in the middle of next week and breaks them down.

A weak ridge will be in place early next week which will again provide dry conditions, light winds, and the valley inversions. However, models do continue to show a potential for a more potent slider type system on Wednesday.

Lake Tahoe area roadwork December 17 - 23

The following are the Lake Tahoe and El Dorado County road projects being done in the coming week by the California Department of Transportation (Caltrans).

LONG-TERM PROJECTS

Tahoe Coalition for the Homeless one step closer to opening Warm Room

After meeting with the City, Lake Tahoe Unified School District, police, neighbors and other interested parties, the Tahoe Coalition for the Homeless (TCH) is one step closer to opening a warm room for the winter in South Lake Tahoe and could be open by January 1, 2018.

Spotlight on You: Angela Zajic and Rah Hair Studio

A South Lake Tahoe hair salon is gaining attention from around the country because of their specialized wedding hair services, and its all because of Rah Hair Salon's owner Angelia Zajic and her team of eight stylists.

Zajic, a South Lake Tahoe native and a graduate of Whittell High School, opened Rah in 2009 after working at New Wave and in the Aveda Salon at MontBleu. It was her experience with Aveda that led Angela to creating a spa-like atmosphere at the studio which is located at 2572 Lake Tahoe Blvd #4.

Beach Retreat turns into Winter Wonderland

The Beach Retreat in South Lake Tahoe is not your normal lake front hotel this season. It has been transformed into something from the North Pole. Walk through the grounds and look at their lights and holiday decor that cover every inch of the resort and stay on display until mid-January. All Winter Wonderland events are family friendly, and some are even pet-friendly. Children must be accompanied by an adult at all events.

Five tips for a happier, healthier holiday season

The Holiday Season is an especially wonderful time of year. We look forward to holiday get togethers, to holiday meals, to good cheer and yes, treats. But we don’t look forward to holiday pounds. Many of our New Year’s resolutions are testament to our holiday eating patterns. We vow to start a diet, or to exercise more, or change habits. We know we often consume more than we should. So what can we do to reduce the unhealthy parts of the holidays, and keep the treasured parts?

Garbage rates going up in South Lake Tahoe and El Dorado County

Residents in South Lake Tahoe will soon be paying more for garbage pick-up after the South Lake Tahoe City Council voted 4-1 to approve South Tahoe Refuse's request to raise rates for residential customers by 8.81 percent, the biggest one-time increase ever added to the service.

The rate increase will go into effect January 1, 2018.

The monthly rate for SLT customers will go from $26.55 to #28.89 for unlimited service, and increase of $2.34. Qualified seniors (65 and over and part of Liberty Utilities Care program) will pay an extra $1.95, taking their monthly rate to $24.15.

Foggy start to the day in Lake Tahoe; Forecast shows sunny and warming

The fog was socked in around Lake Tahoe Wednesday morning, but its starting to recede and retreat and should be all clear by noon.

It isn't often when the temperature of the lake is warmer than the air, but that is what happens when fog is created. The cold air mass condensates into clouds and sits low over the lake and South Lake Tahoe. The ski resorts were sitting above the fog and had a very sunny morning.

Possible new home for South Lake Tahoe homeless warming room

At the last count there were 82 homeless persons and ten homeless families living in South Lake Tahoe, and to help protect them during the winter, the Lake Tahoe Homeless Coalition has operated a Warm Room in the city.

They too are now homeless and asked the City Council on Tuesday to move into the city-owned building at 1195 Rufus Allen Boulevard, the former home of Unity at the Lake church.

Cannabis urgency ordinance continues in South Lake Tahoe

"This is not about making money, its about doing it right," said Mayor Pro Tem Tom Davis during Tuesday's City Council vote on cannabis sales in South Lake Tahoe.

Davis was speaking about their decision to approve an urgency ordinance and to take their time in creating the City's ordinance for legal cannabis sales in South Lake Tahoe. The moratorium will remain in effect for 45 days and expires on January 21, 2018 unless the City Council extends it before then.

South Lake Tahoe Fire Rescue

The following are the 140 incidents the South Lake Tahoe Fire Rescue and Cal-Tahoe JPA ambulances responded to from Nov. 22 - Dec. 10, 2017.

11/22
07:54 - 1200 block of Monument Dr - Assist invalid
09:15 - Barton Hospital - Interfacility Transfer
16:48 - 4000 block of Azure Ave - Arcing, shorted electrical equipment
18:59 - 3900 block of Saddle Rd - EMS call, excluding vehicle accident with injury
21:03 - 1800 block of Venice Dr - Smoke detector activation, no fire unintentional

11/23

Snowboarder identified in Thursday's accident at a Lake Tahoe resort

SOUTH LAKE TAHOE, Calif. - The El Dorado County Sheriff's Office (EDSO) has identified David Karlin of Orangevale, California as the man who died after a snowboarding accident at Sierra-at-Tahoe Thursday.

The 23-year-old man fell at approximately 1:15 p.m. December 7 as he was snowboarding and slid at a high rate of speed down the Lower Snowshoe run and into a fence near its intersection with the Sugar N' Spice run. Sierra-at-Tahoe ski patrol called for paramedics and air support.

Man dies while snowboarding at Sierra-at-Tahoe

12:15PM Update 12/11/17: The snowboarder who died on Thursday has been identified as 23-year-old David Karlin of Orangevale, Calif. For more info: http://southtahoenow.com/story/12/11/2017/snowboarder-identified-thursdays-accident-lake-tahoe-resort

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A 23-year-old snowboarder died on Thursday while boarding on an intermediate trail at Sierra-at-Tahoe.

El Dorado County Sheriff's Report

SOUTH LAKE TAHOE, CALIF. - 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 time of story.

Some of those recently added to last week's log:

11/27

Lake Tahoe area roadwork December 10 - 16

As weather permits, the California Department of Transportation (Caltrans) has scheduled projects at Lake Tahoe and in El Dorado County. The following are the projects for the week:

LONG-TERM PROJECTS

Weekend full of holiday events in South Lake Tahoe

'Tis the season to be merry and ready to have fun in South Lake Tahoe!

Here is a list of some of things one can enjoy this weekend:

Series of earthquakes in Mammoth Lakes - Mono Lake area

The have been eight tremblers in the Mammoth Lakes / Mono Lake area in the last 12 hours, the smallest measured 1.2 on the Richter Scale, the largest at 3.7, according to the Nevada Seismological Laboratory on the UNR campus.

This area is a very active earthquake area, with swarms not unusual as it is one of the most seismically active volcanic regions in California. In 2014, there were more than 600 registered earthquakes in Mammoth in 36 hours.

Large butane extraction lab found in El Dorado County

El Dorado County Sheriff's detectives working on a narcotics investigation December 6 found a large scale, commercial style butane extraction lab at a residence in Camino, California.

Carson City arrest nets 5 pounds of meth and half pound of heroin

Two people face drug trafficking and transportation charges after deputies recovered more than 5 pounds of methamphetamine and around a half pound of heroin during a traffic stop early Wednesday morning, a Carson City sheriff’s deputy said.

Arrested were Kimberly Ann Lopes, 36, and Danny Lyle Jensen II, 38, both of Las Vegas. Each face two level 3 charges of trafficking controlled substances, 1 count each of transportation of controlled substances, and 1 count each of possession of controlled substances for sales.

Donate to the South Lake Tahoe Fire Rescue Coat Drive

Event Date: 
December 26, 2017 (All day)

Getting new coats as gifts and need a place for your gently used old ones? The South Lake Tahoe Fire Rescue Department is holding their annual Coats for Kids Drive starting December 26, 2017.

Bins will be set up at the two stations, Station 1 at 1252 Ski Run Boulevard and Station 2 at 2101 Lake Tahoe Boulevard from December 26 - January 31, 2018. The donated coats will be distributed to Choices for Children and Tahoe Youth & Family Services and will keep kids, from the little ones to teenagers, warm and protected from Tahoe's cold winter.

South Lake Tahoe Police Blotter

SOUTH LAKE TAHOE - The following is a recap of activity the South Lake Tahoe Police Department responded to 416 calls between November 13 - November 27, 2017.

Calls Resulting in Arrests/Citations:

11/13 - 26 Total Calls

Battery in the 900 block of Ski Run Blvd
Warrant in the 3400 block of Lake Tahoe Blvd

11/14 - 28 Total Calls

Battery in the 2500 block of William Ave
Brandishing in the 2200 block of Lake Tahoe BLvd

11/15 - 26 Total Calls

Auto Theft in the 2300 block of Lake Tahoe Blvd

Funds needed to reroute 1.3 miles of Tahoe Rim Trail/Pacific Crest Trail

The rerouting of a 1.3 mile section of the joint Tahoe Rim Trail and Pacific Crest Trail near Echo Summit has been proposed in order to move hikers away from the noisy highway and instead traverse the far side of a ridge that offers more pristine views and less traffic noise.

This will be a partnership between the Tahoe Rim Trail Association (TRTA), the Pacific Crest Trail Association (PCTA), the Lake Tahoe Basin Management Unit and the Eldorado National Forest.

City wants citizens to be prepared for high winds and cold temperatures

Brrrrrr...

The week ahead in South Lake Tahoe will be a clear one, but very cold as a strong high pressure system builds over the Sierra causing prolonged periods of strong morning inversions.

The National Weather Service in Reno has issued a wind advisory for Lake Tahoe from 1:00 p.m. Monday to 10:00 a.m. Tuesday. Winds will be from the East 15-25 mph with gusts to 35 mph. Over the ridges will be as high as 80 mph.

Squaw Valley creates nonprofit to mange and distribute millions

Squaw Valley has created a nonprofit that will manage and distribute millions of dollars generated from the voluntary project transfer fee related to the approved redevelopment of The Village at Squaw Valley.

Named the Squaw Valley Foundation, a seven member board of directors will soon be selected and it's members will be a mix of local residents and business owners, second homeowners and a public service district appointee.

CVS to acquire Aetna for $69B; Lower healthcare costs and better experiences promised

Drugstore chain operator CVS Health is buying health-insurer Aetna for $69 billion, a transaction that promises to fill an unmet need in the current health care system according to a joint press release Sunday.

The deal would enable CVS to expand its range of health services to Aetna’s vast membership, with CVS’ storefronts becoming community medical hubs with primary-care, drug-management and other services. "It will redefine access to high-quality care in lower cost, local settings whether in the community, at home, or through digital tools," said the company.

El Dorado County Sheriff's Report

SOUTH LAKE TAHOE, CALIF. - 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 time of story.

Some of those recently added to last week's log:

11/22

4:29 p.m. - DUI over .08 - Highway 50 - AN ENFORCEMENT STOP IN TAHOE BY A SHERIFF'S SERGEANT LED TO DUI ARREST OF 25-YEAR-OLD MALE BY THE CHP.

11/24

Prescribed fires around Lake Tahoe as weather permits

The Tahoe Fire and Fuels Team (TFFT) will continue prescribed fire operations over the next several weeks, weather permitting. Lake Valley, North Lake Tahoe and Tahoe Douglas fire protection districts, California State Parks, California Tahoe Conservancy and the U.S. Forest Service will conduct prescribed fire operations in multiple areas around Lake Tahoe. Smoke may be present.

A. Airport East - 1 acre
B. West 1st Creek - 25 acres
C. Diamond Peak Ski Area - 23 acres
D. Champagne Rd - 9 acres
E. Dale Drive - 1 acre
F. Cave Rock Area - 5 acres
G. Upper Kingsbury - 3 acres

Lake Tahoe area roadwork December 3-9, 2017

The following is the California Department of Transportation (Caltrans) roadwork schedule for the Lake Tahoe and El Dorado County area.

LONG-TERM PROJECTS

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