2021

Lake Tahoe, Sierra and El Dorado County roadwork November 1 - 7

SOUTH LAKE TAHOE, Calif. - The following is a list of the long term and short term projects the California Department of Transportation (Caltrans) has scheduled for the week around Lake Tahoe, in the Sierra and El Dorado County.

LONG-TERM PROJECTS

Valhalla's 25th annual Holiday Faire canceled for 2020

SOUTH LAKE TAHOE, Calif. - One of Valhalla’s most loved community events is the annual Holiday Faire, and they were set to celebrate a milestone 25th year this November. After a successful partnership with The Heritage Foundation to create a Winter Wanderland at the Tallac Historic Site last year, both organizations were excited about expanding the event this year. Unfortunately, due to the size of the Grand Hall and limits on capacity, Valhalla Tahoe’s Board of Directors have been forced to cancel the event.

Public meeting on South Lake Tahoe affordable housing project, Sugar Pine Village

Event Date: 
November 18, 2020 - 5:30pm

Sugar Pine Village in South Lake Tahoe is envisioned to be a new residential, mixed-use affordable community that compliments the existing neighborhood while also preserving native species and sensitive land. The project will be designed to provide residents with new high quality, sustainable housing designed to support active transportation, encouraging biking, walking, access to transit, and connection with nearby trails for the local workforce and their families.

Lake Tahoe, Sierra and El Dorado County roadwork October 25 - 31

SOUTH LAKE TAHOE, Calif. - The following is a list of the long term and short term projects the California Department of Transportation (Caltrans) has scheduled for the week around Lake Tahoe, in the Sierra and El Dorado County.

LONG-TERM PROJECTS

South Lake Tahoe Hosted Rental Ordinance back to staff for revisions

SOUTH LAKE TAHOE, Calif. - City Council made another attempt to create a Hosted Rental Ordinance but they decided at their meeting Tuesday to hand back to staff for some revisions.

After much discussion they decided to have staff clean up rules that could be potential loopholes for homeowners and/or tenants. This is the second time a first reading has been turned down for more fine tuning.

The following changes were added for Council to review October 20:

(1) Increase the required tenancy for a tenant to qualify as a hosted rental applicant from six months to two years;

CHP to focus on reducing teen distracted driving

Nearly six teen drivers are involved in a fatal car crash every day in the United
States. Inexperience combined with driver distraction increases the risk for error, making motor vehicle crashes the leading cause of death for young drivers in the nation. To reduce teen distracted driving, the California Highway Patrol (CHP) has partnered with Impact Teen Drivers (ITD) to teach positive habits and behaviors to our most vulnerable drivers through education and enforcement.

Overland Meat & Seafood pays it forward once again - Tacos for Tahoe giveaway

Event Date: 
October 26, 2020 - 10:00am

SOUTH LAKE TAHOE, Calif. - Seven hundred people will be the recipients of the next Overland Meat & Seafood "Tacos for Tahoe" giveaway on Monday, October 26 starting at 10:00 a.m.

Brian Cohen, owner of the popular market in South Lake Tahoe, will be continuing what they did three different times at the beginning of the pandemic. At the first ground beef giveaway Cohen went through all 1,000 pounds of meat in 90 minutes.

This time he giving away 1,400 pounds.

"Many people are still struggling in our town," he said. "We are here to help out the community."

Lake Tahoe, Sierra and El Dorado County roadwork October 18-24

SOUTH LAKE TAHOE, Calif. - The following is a list of the long term and short term projects the California Department of Transportation (Caltrans) has scheduled for the week around Lake Tahoe, in the Sierra and El Dorado County.

LONG-TERM PROJECTS

South Lake Tahoe City Council candidate campaign finance reports

SOUTH LAKE TAHOE, Calif. - The first set of campaign finance reports filed by South Lake Tahoe City Council candidates have been received by election officials and posted to the City's website.

Required forms:

Form 460 - Candidates who have raised/spent $2,000 or more file
Form 410 (Statement of Organization) - Must also be filed once $2,000 or more has been raised/spent
Form 470 - Candidates who do not raise or spend $2,000 or more (or anticipate raising or spending $2,000 or more) in 2020 and do not have an open committee

Lake Tahoe, Sierra and El Dorado County roadwork October 11-17

SOUTH LAKE TAHOE, Calif. - The following is a list of the long term and short term projects the California Department of Transportation (Caltrans) has scheduled for the week around Lake Tahoe, in the Sierra and El Dorado County.

LONG-TERM PROJECTS

New forestry program headed to Lake Tahoe Community College

SOUTH LAKE TAHOE, Calif. - A new Forestry Education and Job Placement program is heading to Lake Tahoe Community College (LTCC) in South Lake Tahoe.

To get things started, the California Tahoe Conservancy Board awarded the college a $351,000 grant and $480,000 was received from CAL Fire’s Forest Health Grant Program. LTCC has hired Kim Carr as their contracted consultant on the project and she helped write the grants and secure funding for the new avenue of education in South Lake Tahoe. She is bringing 30 years of forestry and environmental experience to the college.

53 South Lake Tahoe area nonprofits recipients of American Century Championship donation

Local nonprofits in the South Lake Tahoe area were presented with a record $250,000 in donations from the Lake Tahoe Visitors Authority and American Century Championship as a result of money raised during the 2020 celebrity golf tournament at Edgewood Tahoe.

Just as the popular golf event was unique and held without fans due to COVID-19 this year, it was a different type of ceremony handing out the money and the presentation of checks held virtually. Representatives from 53 nonprofits awarded the money were on the Thursday Zoom call.

SLT Council Candidate John Friedrich

South Tahoe Now reached out to all nine candidates for South Lake Tahoe City Council and provided the same list of questions to each one of them. Once a day their answers will be published in the order received.

Today's candidate is John Friedrich

Profession: Founder and Director, Tahoe Green Jobs Initiative

How many years in SLT: 15

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.

Kudos: Celebrating Miles for Recovery 2020 - 2021

The month of September has come and gone. It is with much appreciation I want to thank all our participants who braved these crazy times and participated in this months Miles for Recovery Event. You did not let the smoke or COVID and its many consequences get in your way. You turned these challenges into motivation and moved forward knowing both your physical and mental health would be better for participating.

US50 over Echo Summit opens five days early

SOUTH LAKE TAHOE, Calif. - U.S. Highway 50 is back open to traffic over Echo Summit five days ahead of schedule, Caltrans announced today.

A full closure of Highway 50 over the summit was implemented Friday, Sept. 18 to install seven precast, prestressed 96-foot bridge girders and associated work that included pouring ultra high-performance concrete to connect the girders, building concrete barrier walls and approach slabs, applying a polyester overlay on the bridge, and asphalt paving approaching both sides of the new structure.

V & T Railway Polar Express canceled, replaced with Santa's Drive-Thru Village

As a result of COVID-19, the V&T Railway Commission has announced that fan favorite, Polar Express, has been canceled for the 2020 season. In its place, the railway will host Santa’s Drive-Thru Village, a socially distanced holiday event, December 11 through 13 and December 18 through 24.

Lake Tahoe, Sierra and El Dorado County roadwork September 20-26

SOUTH LAKE TAHOE, Calif. - The following is a list of the long term and short term projects the California Department of Transportation (Caltrans) has scheduled for the week around Lake Tahoe, in the Sierra and El Dorado County.

LONG-TERM PROJECTS

South Lake Tahoe among first to receive homeless housing funds

SOUTH LAKE TAHOE, Calif. - The Tahoe Coalition for the Homeless (TCH) will be receiving $9,576,000 to help their goal of ending homelessness in South Lake Tahoe. The community was one of seven California cities and counties to receive the first wave of Project Homekey grants totaling $76.5 million.

Lake Tahoe Marathon canceled for 2020

The 26th annual Lake Tahoe Marathon scheduled for October 9-11 has been canceled for 2020.

Due to the volume of participants and required bus transportation to starting points, the popular three-day event was canceled since gathering and social distancing protocols couldn't be met. The date for the event will be October 8-10, 2021.

Organizer Les Wright of South Lake Tahoe sent out the following letter to participants this week:

The odds of being able to have the 25th Lake Tahoe Marathon this year on Oct 9-11th have dropped to about 1%.

Freaker's Ball at MontBleu canceled for 2020

The long-running tradition of the Freaker's Ball is taking a year. The 42nd annual event will be waiting one more year but organizers promise it will be better than ever. Originally scheduled to take place Saturday, October 31, MontBleu found itself, like so many venues, unable to host the annual event due to Covid-19 and social distancing guidelines in effect statewide.

Chris Sneed: The man behind the 9-11 flag flying over US50

Those of us who were alive remember where they were and what they were doing when they saw or heard of the first planes fly into the towers in New York City on September 11, 2001.

Chris Sneed was working in Incline Village on a pipe replacement project for Granite Construction on Lakeshore Boulevard on 9-11-01. He needed a part and ran into Spitsen Lumber. He was in line and saw the store's 12" television showing a plane hit the first tower, and then the second tower.

Lake Tahoe, Sierra and El Dorado County roadwork September 6 - 12

SOUTH LAKE TAHOE, Calif. - The following is a list of the long term and short term projects the California Department of Transportation (Caltrans) has scheduled for the week around Lake Tahoe, in the Sierra and El Dorado County.

Most traffic-interfering work will be restricted from 6:00 a.m. Friday, Sept. 4 until 8:00 p.m. Tuesday, Sept. 8 due to the Labor Day holiday.

LONG-TERM PROJECTS

Roundabout protest to be focused on getting county leaders to act on traffic concerns

MEYERS, Calif. - Another protest is planned at the US50 roundabout in Meyers on Friday, September 4, just as thousands of tourists flock to Lake Tahoe in a traditional weekend wrap-up of summer.

Tahoe Arts Project cancels two biggest fundraisers - starting donation drive

SOUTH LAKE TAHOE, Calif. - Dancing With the Tahoe Stars for 2021 has been canceled and Music on the Beach 2020 was canceled, both of which are the Tahoe Arts Project's biggest fundraisers of the year.

During these uncertain times the only thing certain is that South Lake Tahoe area nonprofits need help from the community more than ever.

Sales of flavored tobaccos and vape juices banned in California

Blue Raz Cotton Candy, Peach Green Tea, Pink Spot and Frozen Lime Drop are just a few of the names of flavored tobacco that will no longer be allowed on the shelves in California after Governor Newsom signed SB793 Friday. The bill was created to stop kids from getting addicted to tobacco and vaping and is an addition to existing law, the Stop Tobacco Access to Kids Enforcement (STAKE) Act.

The bill takes effect Jan. 1, 2021.

The ban includes the sale of everything from menthol cigarettes to e-cigarette flavors, including pods for vape pens, tank-based systems, and chewing tobacco.

Lake Tahoe, Sierra and El Dorado County roadwork August 30 - September 5

SOUTH LAKE TAHOE, Calif. - The following is a list of the long term and short term projects the California Department of Transportation (Caltrans) has scheduled for the week around Lake Tahoe, in the Sierra and El Dorado County.

Most traffic-interfering work will be restricted from 6:00 a.m. Friday, Sept. 4 until 8:00 p.m. Tuesday, Sept. 8 due to the Labor Day holiday.

LONG-TERM PROJECTS

August 31 deadline to apply for American Century Championship funds

STATELINE, Nev. - It’s “last call” to local non-profits to get their applications in to LTVA by Monday, August 31, 4:00 p.m. to be considered for record funding distributions of $250,000 resulting from the 31th American Century Championship celebrity golf tournament. The application is available online at:
https://ltva.org/american-century-championship-donation-request-application/

Lake Tahoe ski resort commits to removing "squaw" from its name

OLYMPIC VALLEY, Calif. - Squaw Valley Alpine Meadows announced Tuesday that it is making a commitment to change the name of the legendary California mountain destination and remove the word "squaw."

What the new name will be is unknown at this time and work to determine what it will be is beginning immediately. They will announce the new name after the winter season concludes in 2021.

Zephyr Cove Elementary and Whittell High schools seek donations for reopening

ZEPHYR COVE, Nev. - The Zephyr Cove Elementary Parents Club and Whittell Boosters are reaching out to the community for support in the safe reopening of the two Douglas County Lake Schools on August 31.

Both of the schools will begin the 2020/2021 school year on Aug 31 with in person, daily instruction utilizing social distancing and other safety protocols.

Lake Tahoe, Sierra and El Dorado County roadwork August 23 - 29

SOUTH LAKE TAHOE, Calif. - The following is a list of the long term and short term projects the California Department of Transportation (Caltrans) has scheduled for the week around Lake Tahoe, in the Sierra and El Dorado County.

LONG-TERM PROJECTS

City Council meeting change Tuesday - 2 p.m. start to Budget Workshop

SOUTH LAKE TAHOE, Calif. - The time of the Tuesday, August 25 South Lake Tahoe City Council meeting has been moved to start at 2:00 p.m.

Most of the agenda focus is on a budget workshop for fiscal year 2020-21 (FY 20-21) which includes a $2.5 million decrease from last year. A presentation will be made on the $93.7 million total budget of which about $40.5 million is the general fund.

Right turn restrictions during peak travel days in Meyers approved by committee, on to supervisors

EL DORADO COUNTY, Calif. - As most in the South Lake Tahoe and Meyers area already know, getting out of town over US50 and Echo Summit on Sundays and holidays can be slow moving during summer, but during the winter it can be a miserable time both for visitors and locals.

Local youth ages 5-19 can participate in 4-H virtual projects

EL DORADO COUNTY, Calif. - Head, Heart, Hands, Health. The 4-H Youth Development Program offers many fun and educational activities for its members and it is now available for youth in the South Lake Tahoe area.

Clean Tahoe 2020 $5 Dump Day has been canceled

SOUTH LAKE TAHOE, Calif. - Originally planned for June, then postponed to September, the popular $5 Dump Day in South Lake Tahoe has been canceledfor 2020.

Organizers will return in 2021 with both spring and fall dump events planned. They said the dump days rely heavily on personal contact, and with the socially distancing requirements to keep COVID-19 at bay, they decided there was no way to hold one at this time.

Virtual public workshop on planned restoration of Meeks Bay

Event Date: 
August 19, 2020 - 5:30pm

MEEKS BAY, Calif. - The USDA Forest Service Lake Tahoe Basin Management Unit (LTBMU) is developing a plan to restore Meeks Creek to a more natural condition, while continuing to support sustainable recreation opportunities. The LTBMU, in conjunction with Tahoe Regional Planning Agency, and Lahontan Regional Water Quality Control Board, will host a virtual public workshop on the project from 5:30 p.m. - 7:30 p.m. on August 19, 2020.

Popular South Lake Tahoe fishing derby canceled for 2020

SOUTH LAKE TAHOE, Calif. - The 18th annual South Lake Tahoe Moose Lodge Kids’ Fishing Derby has been canceled due to the pandemic. The Lodge has sponsored the tournament at Lake Baron inside Tahoe Paradise Park for 17 years and said they feel it important to follow state and county guidelines to avoid group gatherings and the safety and protection of children is paramount.

The Lodge had been planning on having the Optimists Club as co-sponsors this September after the Optimists had to cancel their fishing derby at Sawmill Pond earlier this summer.

Tahoe Youth & Family Services holds "Miles for Recovery" virtual event

September is right around the corner and we have an exciting activity for you to participate in while celebrating National Recovery month. This month-long event is designed to educate Americans on mental health and substance use disorders, in addition to celebrating the work of individuals in recovery and providing support to affected families and patients.

City asks for public input on draft Shared Rental Ordianace for South Lake Tahoe

SOUTH LAKE TAHOE, Calif. - With a changing vacation home rental (VHR) landscape in the City of South Lake Tahoe, those wishing to rent their homes may be turning to "shared rentals."

There currently is no ordinance that covers shared rentals as the current VHR ordinance addresses the rental of an entire dwelling for a period of less than 30 consecutive calendar days, Shared rentals deal with renting less that the entire dwelling on a short-term basis.

Lake Tahoe, Sierra and El Dorado County roadwork August 9-15

SOUTH LAKE TAHOE, Calif. - The following is a list of the long term and short term projects the California Department of Transportation (Caltrans) has scheduled for the week around Lake Tahoe, in the Sierra and El Dorado County.

LONG-TERM PROJECTS

LTVA giving out $250,000 from celebrity tournament to South Lake Tahoe area nonprofits

STATELINE, Nev. - While the crowds weren't there in 2020 for the 31st annual American Century Championship in July due to COVID-19 safety concerns, its impacts will be felt for years to come by the community. The Lake Tahoe Visitors Authority (LTVA) will distribute a record $250,000 to local non-profits after the players in the popular celebrity tournament gave up the $600,000 in prize money. It is all being donated to Covid-19 relief organizations, equal justice initiatives and South Tahoe-based non-profits.

Challenge of accurate Census numbers in South Lake Tahoe

SOUTH LAKE TAHOE, Calif. - Every ten years a Census is taken of all people living in the Unitied States. While the state of California currently has a 64.5 percent response rate, South Lake Tahoe once again is lagging far behind.

As of August 6, 28.1 percent of those living in South Lake Tahoe had turned in answers to the Census Bureau. El Dorado County as a whole, 58.6 percent. Nationally, the Census return rate is 63.2 percent.

Why is it so hard to get South Lake Tahoe residents to participate?

Incline Village and Crystal Bay homeowners to get $56M tax refund

Incline Village and Crystal Bay property owners will be soon getting refunds from Washoe County after the County Commission approved a settlement of an estimated $56M during their meeting Tuesday. Half of those funds will come from Washoe County and the rest will come from the other beneficiaries of those tax payments - Washoe County School District, North Lake Tahoe Fire Protection District, Incline Village Improvement District, and the State of Nevada.

City Council approves purchase of body cameras for South Lake Tahoe police officers

SOUTH LAKE TAHOE, Calif. - The South Lake Tahoe Police Department (SLTPD) will soon be getting body cameras after a unanimous decision by City Council during their meeting on Tuesday.

They approved spending up to $470,000 on 42 body cameras, 28 in-car cameras, and cloud based storage for both.

To help with safety on Lake Tahoe roads, new stoplight to be installed at Zephyr Cove in 2021

ZEPHYR COVE, Nev. - In a move to increase safety along the highway in Zephyr Cove, the Nevada Department of Transportation (NDOT) will be installing a new traffic signal at the intersection of US50 and Warrior Way next summer.

Almost 20,000 drivers travel that section of US50 on a daily basis. By controlling all directions of travel, the signal will help provide designated and safer access to and from the highway at the busy intersection.

Road Beat: 2020 Toyota GR Supra

“It’s just a BMW, isn’t it?” Every Supra owner will indubitably be asked this annoying question at some point, likely many, many times. And that’s a real shame because, regardless of the backstory of how the new Supra came to be, it’s a wonderful sports car for the road.

Lake Tahoe, Sierra and El Dorado County roadwork July 26 - August 1

SOUTH LAKE TAHOE, Calif. - The following is a list of the long term and short term projects the California Department of Transportation (Caltrans) has scheduled for the week around Lake Tahoe, in the Sierra and El Dorado County.

LONG-TERM PROJECTS

High school sports news - NIAA moves football and soccer to spring

The Nevada Interscholastic Activities Association (NIAA) has announced their high school sports schedule for members in their area, including South Tahoe and Truckee High Schools.

Due to the COVID-19 pandemic and the uncertainty of school reopening schedules, traditional fall sports have moved to Spring 2021. Adjustments to the schedules were voted on by the NIAA Legislative Commission which is comprised of the superintendents of each school in the league.

The new schedule (all have six competitive weeks) for NIAA sanctioned sports:

Winter Season Sports

Boys & Girls Club of Lake Tahoe cancels the 2020 Tahoe Brewfest

SOUTH LAKE TAHOE, Calif. - Another event has been forced to cancel amidst safety concerns and restrictions surrounding the coronavirus pandemic.

With the City of South Lake Tahoe canceling their events through September, and added restrictions added by the state of California, the Boys & Girls Club of Lake Tahoe has announced they are canceling its annual Tahoe Brewfest for 2020. The event is normally held in June and was moved to September due to the rise in COVID-19, and now the new date is June 5, 2021.

Tahoe Bike Challenge riders log over 45,000 miles

LAKE TAHOE, Calif./Nev. - Over 300 locals and visitors took part in the 15th annual Tahoe Bike Challenge, biking 45,442 miles during the month-long event. The Tahoe-basin wide challenge was a friendly competition that annually encourages individuals and teams to track trips and miles completed on their bikes.

“Congratulations to all of the winners and riders,” TRPA Transportation Planner Kira Smith said. “Although this year looked a little bit different, we hope the Challenge inspires people to bike and walk through the rest of the year.”

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