2016

New chief for Tahoe Douglas Fire Protection District

LAKE TAHOE, Nev. - There has been a change in command at Tahoe Douglas Fire Protection District (TDFPD). Chief Gregory "Scott" Baker has retired and passed the department flag to new Chief Scott Lindgren during a small ceremony Wednesday.

The passing of the department flag symbolizing the leadership change. The ceremony also included the pinning of Chief Lindgren whose daughter had the duty.

New electric vehicle charging stations at Bank of America in South Lake Tahoe

SOUTH LAKE TAHOE, Calif. - Electric vehicle owners can now charge their cars for free at Bank of America’s South Lake Tahoe branch. Three new charging stations have been installed at the bank, located at 3344 Lake Tahoe Boulevard.

They have a range in power from 150 kilowatt (kW) to 350kW and were installed through the bank's partnership with Electrify America.

"Bank of America is committed to helping accelerate the transition to a low-carbon economy and is working to reduce its own operational footprint," a bank representative said in a press release.

Column: 2020 fire year highlights importance of forest health

LAKE TAHOE, Calif./Nev. - The new Lake Tahoe Basin Management Unit Deputy Forest Supervisor Danelle D. Harrison is our guest columnist and looks back, and ahead, to the health of Lake Tahoe

Looking Back

December is a special time of year when our thoughts turn to family and friends, and communities come together to celebrate the season. It also marks the end of the year. And what a year it was. Together, we experienced unprecedented events including a record-breaking wildland fire year in the Pacific Southwest Region.

Vail Resorts CEO donates $3.3M to mountain communities, over $400,000 to Lake Tahoe area

Vail Resorts’ Chief Executive Officer, Rob Katz, and his wife, Elana Amsterdam, New York Times bestselling author and founder of Elana’s Pantry, today announced more than $3.3 million in COVID-19 emergency relief and behavioral health grants.

In nine communities where Vail Resorts operates, these separate donations will support local nonprofits’ ongoing efforts to (1) provide critical need services throughout the pandemic and (2) improve access to and affordability of mental and behavioral health services.

Column: Recognizing the spirit of collaboration

For more than half a century, collaboration and partnership have been the bedrock of Lake Tahoe’s preservation. I speak often of the epic collaboration needed to restore our environment and lift up our communities. The creation of the Tahoe Regional Planning Agency (TRPA) 50 years ago challenged us to bring people together to pull this majestic lake back from the brink. Today, TRPA is the backbone for 80 organizations and thousands of property owners working toward the common goals of clean water, a healthy watershed, and resilient communities

Pair arrested and facing South Lake Tahoe vehicle theft charges

SOUTH LAKE TAHOE, Calif. - Two people have been arrested by the South Lake Tahoe Police Department (SLTPD) after allegedly stealing a car from a home on Anita Drive.

Strong early voter turnout in El Dorado County

EL DORADO COUNTY, Calif. - Of the 133,251 registered voters in El Dorado County, 30,886, or 23 percent, have already turned in their ballots. The elections department does not have data from the 2016 election at the same point in time. That election had 97,024 or 83.31 percent of the 116,459 registered that year, turn in ballots by election day.

As of October 15:

Ballots returned by mail - 14,966
​Ballots returned in a drop box - 15,920

Of those ballots, 28,996 have had signatures verified against reference signature and the balance of 1,890 are awaiting verification.

Op/Ed: Creating a community without the divide of a state line

On October 31, 2016 I wrote an editorial "Use the election to create a community of collaboration and teamwork" due to a growing vibe of discourse and anger across the country as well as in South Lake Tahoe.

Since we are once again in the midst of a contentious national election I saw a need to once again look at the definition of community as we focus on our local situation in El Dorado County and Douglas County.

com·mu·ni·ty:

Batten sentenced 26 years to life for his part in South Lake Tahoe murder

SOUTH LAKE TAHOE, Calif. - He was the star running back of Benicia High School before graduating in 2015. He led the Panthers with 901 rushing yards and 15 total touchdowns his senior year and was named their Most Valuable Offensive Player.

Less than one year later he was in South Lake Tahoe with a group of men accused of fatally shooting Dennis "Spike" Wright, Jr. over a drug deal at the Beverly Lodge.

Public invited to participate in South Lake Tahoe Recreation and Swim Complex survey

SOUTH LAKE TAHOE, Calif. - The City of South Lake Tahoe is continuing the process on the planning, design and construction of the new Community Recreation & Aquatics Center.

For the past several years the City's Parks and Recreation Department has involved the public on the future of its aging recreation center and plans for a new building through community meetings and workshops.

Jack Green ~ 2001 - 2020

Our beloved son, brother, grandson, nephew, friend and teammate William (“Jack”) Green of Huntington Beach, California tragically ended his life at the age of 19 on September 5, 2020 in Walnut Creek, Calif. His rapid decline in mental health was caused by many factors, central to which was the COVID-19 quarantine. Jack’s family and friends struggle to understand the delusion and despair which lead to this, when his life held such promise.

South Lake Tahoe resident tests positive for plague, most likely from flea bite

SOUTH LAKE TAHOE, Calif. - A South Lake Tahoe resident has tested positive for plague according to El Dorado County health officials. The individual is currently under the care of a medical professional and is recovering at home.

It’s believed that the person, an avid walker, may have been bitten by an infected flea while walking their dog along the Truckee River Corridor north of Highway 50 or the Tahoe Keys area in South Lake Tahoe. Health officials started investigating the situation after being notified by the California Department of Public Health (CDPH).

Local Judge Richard Glasson awarded Lifetime Achievement Award

DOUGLAS COUNTY, Nev. - Tahoe Township Justice of the Peace Richard Glasson was recently awarded the Lifetime Achievement Award from the Nevada Judge's of Limited Jurisdiction (NJLJ), the first such honor to a judge from the group since 2016.

The ceremony was held on Zoom with a group of judges, politicians and court administrators, all telling funny tales of the longest serving Douglas County judge. He has long been appreciated for his sense of humor and appreciation for family and the law.

Construction temporarily stopped on South Lake Tahoe Greenway trail due to material delay

SOUTH LAKE TAHOE, Calif. - Work had been underway on two phases of the 3.86-mile long South Tahoe Greenway Shared-Use Trail but activity has come to a temporary halt due to material issues.

COVID-19 resulted in delayed delivery of materials for the precast concrete boardwalk system needed on the trail. The Houston, Texas concrete plant contracted for the project has been directly impacted.

Letter: Sheriff has made Douglas County a state and national embarrassment

Since when did Sheriff Dan Coverley get put in charge of the thought police?

And who told him he has the authority to ignore 911 emergency calls – from the Douglas County Library! – because he’s upset about a draft statement on diversity that mentioned Black Lives Matter?

On Tuesday, Coverley made statewide and national news by issuing exactly that threat in a letter to the library’s board of directors:

Douglas County Sheriff tells library to not count on emergency help due to its support of BLM

6:50 p.m. Update: Douglas County Library Director Amy Dodson and Douglas County Sheriff Dan Coverley met Tuesday to discuss the library's proposed Statement of Diversity, a topic that became very controversial after a letter from Coverley to the library was circulated.

SROs on campus in South Lake Tahoe: More than a police officer

SOUTH LAKE TAHOE, Calif. - School Resource Officers, or SROs, have been a recent topic of conversations in the community with some residents questioning the need for an armed officer on South Lake Tahoe campuses.

The word "resource" gives one an insight into their position - a resource for the students, and not only at school. A resource for the parents. A resource for the school district. A resource for the school.

And the job doesn't end there.

Make Tahoe Records fundraiser for Tahoe Arts Alliance

Event Date: 
July 11, 2020 - 10:00am

This Saturday, July 11, from 10:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m., join Make Tahoe Records at Scott Forrest Fine Art Studio to help Tahoe's very own Tahoe Arts Alliance. Make Tahoe Records will be featuring an exhibit of "Freshly Groomed Vinyl", a curated collection of freshies on vinyl including new releases from independent and alternative artists. Meet Scott Forrest, Tahoe Arts Alliance board member, find out more about the Tahoe Arts Alliance, and learn how to become a member.

71-year-old Jackson man identified as victim in Kingsbury Grade motorcycle crash

STATELINE, Nev. - The Nevada Highway Patrol (NHP) has released more information on Thursday's fatal motorcycle crash on Kingsbury Grade/SR-207.

At approximately 2:23 p.m. on June 11, NHP troopers were dispatched to a fatal collision involving three motorcycles at the curve between Palisades Drive and Katherine Court in Stateline, Nevada.

One arrested on multiple charges after head-on collision in Lake Tahoe

6/9/20 update: A 23-year-old man from Garden Valley, California has been arrested on multiple charges after being involved in a two-car Collison on US50 near Skyland at Lake Tahoe on June 8.

At approximately 6:05 p.m, troopers from the Nevada Highway Patrol (NHP) responded to a serious injury crash involving a Honda Civic and Toyota Tacoma.

The crash closed both the eastbound and westbound travel lanes of the highway for several hours as emergency crews aided the victims, transported the two drivers to the hospital via helicopter, and cleared the scene.

Plans moving forward for Chateau at the Village project in South Lake Tahoe

SOUTH LAKE TAHOE, Calif. - What was once a large hole in the ground at Stateline in South Lake Tahoe has been filling in with businesses from the Zalanta condos to restaurants and shops, and the owner of the property is now preparing to start the next phase.

Kudos: Virtual Bliss Assembly raises $570 for Tahoe Magic

LAKE TAHOE – The Tahoe Bliss Experiences®, together with local small business owners, produced the Virtual Bliss Assembly April 22-25 and raised $570 for Tahoe Magic during the event that included four days of live, online experiences that focused on ways in which each of us can remain mindful, fit, healthy, and aware while remaining safe at home.

Barton Health receives seventh "A" in patient safety from watchdog group

SOUTH LAKE TAHOE, Calif. – Barton Memorial Hospital received news of another ‘A’ grade for patient safety from the Leapfrog Group. Assessment data from 28 quality measurements demonstrated better patient outcomes at the Lake Tahoe hospital; the result of collaborative, team-driven systems in place at Barton Health that protect patients from harm.

Construction of new phases of South Tahoe Greenway Shared-Use Trail underway

SOUTH LAKE TAHOE, Calif. - Work has begun on two phases of the 3.86-mile long South Tahoe Greenway Shared-Use Trail (Greenway) that will connect Sierra Boulevard in Tahoe Sierra Tract to the Van Sickle Bi-State Park near Stateline in South Lake Tahoe.

The project was approved in 2011 and 2016 and will provide users with a safe way to travel by non-motorized means off of the highway through the heart of South Lake Tahoe. The whole length will include neighborhood connectors and the ability to join the popular trail from the Y to past Baldwin Beach.

Events Center approved by Douglas County Commissioners

STATELINE, Nev. - In what has been a hotly debated topic for months between the five Douglas County Board of Commissioners and members of the public, the Tahoe South Events Center passed the final hurdle Thursday. In a 3-2 vote, the commissioners approved bond issuance, the final step in the approval process. The Tahoe Regional Planning Agency (TRPA) had previously unanimously approved it.

New fire chief selected for South Lake Tahoe

SOUTH LAKE TAHOE, Calif. - The new fire chief hired for South Lake Tahoe is no stranger to the Sierra Nevada and El Dorado County.

Clive Savacool, the former chief of the Garden Valley Fire Protection District, will be taking the helm at South Lake Tahoe Fire Protection District, a position vacated when Jeff Meston retired in February 2019.

Letter: Lake Tahoe Event Center- Your support needed

With coronavirus impacts being our community's major priority, we hope you're staying safe and encourage everyone to stay at home and follow directions from health organizations so we can return to our jobs, schools, and normal lives safely, and as soon as possible. While health wellbeing is the leading concern, the reality of long-term economic impacts from this terrible virus makes the need to plan for a secure future a priority now more than ever.

Vail CEO and his wife donate $2.5M to communities their resorts are located

SOUTH LAKE TAHOE, Calif. - Once again, Vail Resorts' CEO Rob Katz and his wife Elana Amsterdam are giving back to the communities where their employees live and where their company operates.

Today, they announced a donation of more than $2.5 million to provide immediate support to those areas as all contend with the severe impacts of COVID-19.

Immediate emergency relief grants will total $1.5 million and will be distributed to communities including South Lake Tahoe.

Solano County man found guilty of murder and robbery by South Lake Tahoe jury

SOUTH LAKE TAHOE, Calif. - A jury of seven men and five women took just 80 minutes on Tuesday to find Dion Jermaine Vacarro guilty of murdering Dennis "Spike" Wright, Jr. in South Lake Tahoe on January 30, 2016.

Presentation on Lake Tahoe Events Center February 27

Event Date: 
February 27, 2020 - 1:30pm

STATELINE, Neve - The Douglas County Board of County Commissioners will hear a presentation from the Tahoe Douglas Visitors Authority (TDVA) on the Tahoe South Events Center Project during their February 27 board meeting which starts at 1:30 p.m.

The presentation will include project updates, status and all project-related studies, the Tahoe Regional Planning Agency (TRPA) approval process and related transportation funding requirements, financing package from all funding sources, and the proposed pledge by the Douglas County Redevelopment Area No. 2 (RDA #2).

Surprise during South Lake Tahoe murder trial

SOUTH LAKE TAHOE, Calif. - In a surprise move on Thursday during the murder trial of Dion Jermaine Vacarro in South Lake Tahoe, the man who had previously pleaded guilty in the same case in exchange for a lighter sentence changed his mind.

Fours years after man killed in South Lake Tahoe over pot deal, one trial begins

SOUTH LAKE TAHOE, Calif. - It was a snowy night on January 30, 2016, when Dennis Wright, Jr. brought at least 100 pounds of pot to the Beverly Lodge on Lake Tahoe Boulevard to sell to an interested party. Wright, who was better known as Spike, never made it back to his home in River Pines, Amador County that night. Instead, he was shot and killed at about 7:45 p.m. in the parking lot of the motel.

Cal Tahoe JPA plans on moving ambulances to new home as fire station reopens

SOUTH LAKE TAHOE, Calif. - The City of South Lake Tahoe let the Cal Tahoe JPA know in 2018 they would need their mid-town fire station back so they could increase fire services to the community. Originally planned for the fall of 2019, the move is now getting closer due to a grant to help with the hiring of new firefighters and outfitting its reopening.

Seeing clearly in 2020; A look forward to the new year in South Lake Tahoe

SOUTH LAKE TAHOE, Calif. - A we say goodbye to 2019, 2020 is on the horizon with hopes, dreams and a list of wishes for the new year.

Instead of taking a look back at 2019 let's take a look forward to 2020 in South Lake Tahoe. What does this year have in store for us?

New agreement allows NV Energy to lower rates for Northern Nevada customers

A new agreement is resulting in a $5 million decrease in revenue needs for NV Energy which means Northern Nevada customer electric rates are going down.

The Public Utilities Commission of Nevada (PUCN) approved the agreement between NV Energy, the Regulatory Operations Staff of the PUCN, the Bureau of Consumer Protection and other interested parties that start new lower rates January 1, 2020.

TRPA honors 29th annual Best in the Basin award winners

STATELINE, Nev. - Six projects were given Best in the Basin awards Wednesday by the Tahoe Regional Planning Agency (TRPA). The presentation of the 29th annual winners was made before their board meeting at Stateline.

The TRPA Best in Basin awards program showcases projects around the lake that demonstrate exceptional planning, implementation, and compatibility with Tahoe’s natural environment and communities.

California Tahoe Conservancy board approves forest health, aquatic species and marsh restoration funds

SOUTH LAKE TAHOE, Calif. - The California Tahoe Conservancy (CTC) Board has authorized spending $1,036,750 to implement three high-priority projects to reduce fire risk and improve forest health in South Lake Tahoe and on the west shore.

During their meeting on Thursday, the CTC Board approved funding for projects that include:

- Spending up to $211,250 on forest thinning on Conservancy land in the South Lake Tahoe Ski Run and Bijou neighborhoods,

- A grant to the South Tahoe Public Utility District for up to $338,000 for forest thinning on the grounds of its treatment plant, and

No planned weekend traffic relief in Meyers this winter

MEYERS, Calif. - Residents attending the El Dorado County Town Hall meeting in Meyers on Thursday didn't hear what they wanted to about the upcoming winter and any plans that could be put in place to alleviate traffic jams in neighborhoods.

As is the case with all meetings concerning traffic in Meyers, there were several audience members with ideas from instituting maximum vehicles allowed in the Lake Tahoe Basin to turn restrictions and road closures during specific hours.

Nevada Supreme Court affirms ruling of $230K owed to IVGID

INCLINE VILLAGE, Nev. - Years of legal battles between the Incline Village General Improvement District (IVGID) and resident Aaron Katz appear to be drawing to a close after the Nevada Supreme Court on Friday affirmed a 2016 ruling that Katz pay almost $230,000 of attorney fees and costs.

Space cleared to make way for new Lake Tahoe Boys & Girls Club building

SOUTH LAKE TAHOE, Calif. - It's looking a lot different at the Boys & Girls Club of Lake Tahoe facilities at the former Al Tahoe Elementary School on Lyons Avenue.

The current South Lake Tahoe site for BGCLT had major clearing this week to make way for a brand new clubhouse. Old portable buildings were removed as were some trees as crews make way for their multi-million dollar future home.

Douglas County Commissioners to discuss end to monthly meeting in Lake Tahoe

STATELINE, Nev. - Currently, the Douglas County Board of Commissioners meet once a month at Lake Tahoe, but if Commissioner John Engels gets his way, this week's meeting will be their last at the Lake Tahoe Visitor's Authority (LTVA) building.

They have been meeting at the lake on the third Thursday of the month, but Engel's presentation will suggest this meeting take place in Minden just as their other three monthly meetings do.

Public gives input on proposed changes to USFS snowmobile/winter travel plan

SOUTH LAKE TAHOE, Calif. - When the USDA Forest Service Lake Tahoe Basin Management Unit (LTBMU) revised their Forest Plan over 10 years ago, many wanted them to include changes to snowmobile and other winter travel access to public lands at the same time. With the amount of public comment and the recognized need to have its own plan, they separated the two.

In 2011, LTBMU started a collaborative group to develop a proposed action plan for Winter Recreation and Over Snow Vehicle (OSV) use in the Lake Tahoe Basin.

IVGID trustee moving from area, resigns from his Incline Village post

INCLINE VILLAGE, Nev. - The Incline Village General Improvement District (IVGID) has announced that Trustee Phil Horan will be leaving his seat on December 16, 2019. His resignation is contingent on the closing of escrow on his home.

Horan and his wife Jan are moving out of the area and recently sold their home. He made the announcement at the IVGID board meeting on November 13.

Barton Hospital receives 6th "A" in three years from healthcare watchdog

SOUTH LAKE TAHOE, Calif. – Barton Memorial Hospital received an ‘A’ grade for patient safety, recognizing Barton’s system-wide measures in protecting patients from harm and providing safer health care.

Open Houses on proposed snowmobile/winter recreation access around Lake Tahoe

SOUTH LAKE TAHOE, Calif. – There was a lot of public reaction when the USDA Forest Service Lake Tahoe Basin Management Unit (LTBMU) released their "Proposed Action for the Winter Recreation and Over Snow Vehicle (OSV) Travel Management Project" in September. That document outlined changes to snowmobile access in the Lake Tahoe Basin.

New snowmobile access proposed for parts of Lake Tahoe

SOUTH LAKE TAHOE, Calif. - The USDA Forest Service Lake Tahoe Basin Management Unit (LTBMU) has released the "Proposed Action for the Winter Recreation and Over Snow Vehicle (OSV) Travel Management Project," and in that document are changes to snowmobile access in the Lake Tahoe Basin.

They have proposed to open OSV use (snowmobiles) to areas around the lake that have been restricted in the past and close up other areas. The plan still leaves about 50 percent of the lands managed by LTBMU open to OSV use.

The new areas proposed for OSV use

4th annual Customer Appreciation Day at Sunsational Tans

Event Date: 
October 24, 2019 (All day)

Sunsational Clothing & Tans will be holding there annual Customer Appreciation Day Thursday, October 24, 2019, from 9:00 a.m. to 7:00 p.m. for all new and current members.

They will be displaying their new infrared sauna and have free tanning, $20 spray tans, free red-light therapy. There will be raffles, food, prizes and gift bags.

Sunsational Tans will also be offering discounts on all tanning packages and tanning lotions. Purchase a package for now, or later.

South Lake Tahoe skier awarded BlueZone Sports and Moment Ski package

SOUTH LAKE TAHOE, Calif. - The ski resorts have yet to open in Lake Tahoe, but young racers and competitors headed to BlueZone Sports Saturday for "Competition Day" where they had special prices and prizes.

One of those prizes went to 14-year-old Sebastian Kilgore, a freshman at South Tahoe High School. Blue Zone Sports selected the young man who competes in slopestyle and rail events in the USAA South Tahoe Series. Kilgore had a very successful 2018-19 season and placed fourth in Nationals where his "Front 630 Off Rail" won the "Best Trick" award.

Community newsletter from the City of South Lake Tahoe

The City of South Lake Tahoe has launched its October Edition of "At Lake Level." The monthly newsletter is prepared by City Manager Frank Rush in an effort to keep the community well informed about City issues and initiatives.

Development Commodities Available at No Cost for Qualified Affordable Housing, Town Center, and Distressed Property Development

Volunteer mapping of invasive plants along Upper Truckee River completed

SOUTH LAKE TAHOE, Calif. - A three-year effort to survey the Upper Truckee River for aquatic invasive plants has wrapped up. Community members, supported by staff from the League to Save Lake Tahoe, Tahoe Resource Conservation District, and California State Parks joined together to map the plants in order to prevent their spread during major upcoming restoration projects along the river, Lake Tahoe’s largest tributary.

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