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A major restoration project of the Upper Truckee River channel and surrounding meadows is about to be completed, three years and $7 million later. Known as Reach 5, the U.S. Forest Service project is improving the river channel stability and aquatic habitat along 1.2 miles of the river adjacent to the Lake Tahoe Airport.

Another goal of the project is to restore surface and subsurface channel connectivity to 120 acres of floodplain, increasing deposition of fine sediments and nutrient uptake on the floodplains as well as raising the ground water levels in the meadow.

Sunday, October 9 will be going to the dogs, and their humans, during the Animal Coalition of Tahoe’s 12th annual Mutt Strut Poker Run, a fun, family event where you can get a little exercise with your pooch, play poker, and maybe win some prizes is less than two weeks away!

The Mutt Strut will begin at the corner of Lake Tahoe Boulevard and Lakeview Avenue in South Lake Tahoe, with registration from 11:00 a.m. to 11:30 a.m.

At the Lake Tahoe Summit last month, we saw the power of what we can accomplish when we work together. Progress over the last two decades was showcased when President Obama made his first-ever visit to Tahoe and said conservation and restoration efforts like ours are more important than ever as the nation works to adapt to a changing climate and create a more resilient environment.

More money is headed to preserve and restore Lake Tahoe. In Washington Wednesday the U.S. Senate passed its $415 million version of 2015's Lake Tahoe Restoration Act by a vote of 95-3.

The money for Lake Tahoe is part of the $10 billion Water Resources Development Act of 2016.

This is the first time the funding legislation to reauthorize the Lake Tahoe Restoration Act has cleared the full Senate even though its has succeeded at the committee level several times.

"We're here to celebrate because we love Lake Tahoe," Nevada Senator Harry Reid said at the 20th annual Lake Tahoe Summit on Wednesday. Reid, who started the focus on Lake Tahoe along with President Bill Clinton and Vice President Al Gore with the first Summit in 1997.

"Like a World Series team who can't rest on their laurels," said Reid, "we need to build on progress."

Reid went on with his World Series antidote and introduced the "All Star Lineup" at the 20th Summit, his last in office as he won't be seeking reelection after serving the state in Washington since 1987.

There are 59 national parks in the United States and they are all celebrating the 100th birthday of the National Park Service. On August 25, 1916, President Woodrow Wilson signed an act of Congress, the National Park Service Organic Act, which created the agency that now watches over 84.4 million acres of land, 4.5 million acres of oceans, reservoirs and lakes, 85,000 miles of rivers and streams, and 43,000 miles of shoreline.

Kirkwood Mountain and Vail Resorts are facing steep fines after an anonymous complaint led Central Valley Water Board officials to investigate water quality impacts after it was found that asphalt grindings from parking lots at the resort ended up in Kirkwood Creek during snow removal operations during the 2015-16 season.

It was found during the inspection that the asphalt grindings, commonly spread on parking lots to assist with traction during icy and snowy conditions, ended up in Kirkwood Creek and other sensitive areas.

The lakeside summer concert series in South Lake Tahoe, Live and Lakeview, celebrates their 50th show on Thursday, August 18 with two bands starting at 4:30 p.m.

This free concert is presented by On Course Events and the City of South Lake Tahoe.

Funk band Swamp Zen gets the party started from 4:30 p.m. to 5:45 p.m. and they'll be followed by Gypsy Rock band Diego's Umbrella who take the stage from 6:00 p.m. to 8:30 p.m.

South Lake Tahoe is opening doors for a new venture with TEDx, hosting the inaugural TEDxSouthLakeTahoe event on October 5, 2016 at The Loft in Heavenly Village from 4:00 p.m. to 9:30 p.m.

A local, independently organized event, TEDxSouthLakeTahoe is striving to create an environment which inspires individuals to think and engage on both a community and global scale, much like what is expected from the popular phenomenon of TED.

Readers of South Tahoe Now are already aware of this with our weekly coverage of police and sheriff calls for the South Shore, there is a rise in property theft.

According to the South Lake Tahoe Police Department (SLTPD), the rise is a result of thieves being able to act quickly when they see unattended and unsecured property in vehicles, homes and public places. Since July 1, 2016, there have been 54 reported thefts in just the city limits, or 3.375 thefts per day. Of the 54 thefts reported, 61% (33) are a result of unsecured and/or unattended property.

The California Transportation Commission (CTC) has adopted 156 projects, valued at $583 million, to support needed upkeep on California’s aging roads and bridges, make upgrades to transit and rail systems and encourage use of alternative forms of transportation, including biking and walking. One major project in South Lake Tahoe has been adopted.

Summer in South Lake Tahoe is already known for its outdoor entertainment – great beaches, hiking trails, kayaking, mountain biking, and more. I don’t often hear talk about South Lake Tahoe as a theatrical hub, but that really should change.

A lawsuit against the City of South Lake Tahoe over the fees charged to those who rent out their homes as vacation rentals was won by the City in court this week. The June 23 verdict was received by all parties on June 28.

Judge Steven Bailey of the El Dorado County Superior Court issued an 11-page decision supporting the City's rights to charge fees to recover their costs in administering the VHR ordinance, including staff time for accounting, planning, building department, administration, code enforcement and other costs.

In an effort to prevent the growth and spread of invasive weeds in the Tahoe Keys, residents are being proactive in the fight to keep their lagoons clean. The Tahoe Keys Property Owners Association (TKPOA) has submitted an updated Integrated Management Plan to the Lahontan Regional Water Quality Control Board for approval.

TKPOA's plan is an adaptive, holistic one to greatly reduce aquatic invasive weeds in its lagoons.

South Lake Tahoe businessman Ted Kennedy knows how to take care of not only his customers, but also his 350 employees. He is part of the team who brought Base Camp Pizza, Azul Latin Kitchen and California Burger to the Heavenly Village.

During management meetings, Ted and team ask, "How can we make it fun for all?" "How can we reach out to the community?"

A Stockton, Calif., man was arrested in South Lake Tahoe on May 14 after allegedly being found with rifles modified to act like fully automatic machine guns, which is a felony.

Justin Wigley, 31, was arrested after officers from the South Lake Tahoe Police Department were investigating a case involving a gun being discharged at a motel in the 1100 block of Emerald Bay Road.

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.

5/8
6:19 p.m. - Domestic Dispute - Wintoon Drive

5/9
11:35 a.m. - Burglary - Johnson Pass Rd - REPORTING PARTY REPORTED A BURGLARY

5/10

The Lake Tahoe Visitors Authority (LTVA) is launching a new campaign to reinforce the “Tahoe South” brand strategy. Local videographers are encouraged to submit a proposal for a short video that helps share the Tahoe South brand objectives in a fun and engaging manner. The completed video will act as the centerpiece in the LTVA’s efforts to increase awareness for “Tahoe South” in the community.

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.

4/17

12:50 a.m. - Vacation Rental Issue - Player Drive

8:03 a.m. - Contempt of Court - Melba Drive - 24-YEAR-OLD WOMAN ARRESTED FOR A VIOLATION OF A COURT ORDER OCCURRED.

12:50 p.m. - Petty Theft - Black Bart Ave - R/P REPORTED A PETTY THEFT REPORT FROM HER VEHICLE.

The Tri-NET Narcotic Task Force arrested two Carson City men last week after a two-month long investigation into drug trafficking in the area.

Michael Bowman, 45, was taken into custody on April 14, 2016 by the Carson City Sheriff's Office without incident on Highway 50 East. He was charged with four felonies, Level I Trafficking a Controlled Substance – Meth, Conspiracy to Violate the Uniformed Controlled Substance Act, Sales of a Controlled Substance - Meth and Possession of a Controlled Substance.

Work on the second phase of the new campground and vehicle circulation plan at Camp Richardson Resort will continue beginning Monday, May 2, 2016 and last for approximately three months. Officially named the Camp Richardson Resort Campground and Vehicle Circulation Best Management Practices (BMPs) Retrofit, the result will allow the resort to meet current standards for water quality protection and increase universal accessibility to the area's activities.

During Tuesday's South Lake Tahoe City Council meeting, the Council gave direction to the City Attorney to create a policy on how non-agenda item public comments are televised.

While the public is always invited to speak during the public comment period, the Council will look at not televising the portions that aren't about agenda items. They will also look at continuing to televise those comments made by non-profits and other groups to publicize their activities and events.

In the mix you have El Dorado County, the City of South Lake Tahoe, Lake Valley Fire Protection and the Cal Tahoe JPA. More importantly, and most likely the reason for the passionate responses from all involved, the mix also contains the safety of the public.

On March 15, 2016, the City of South Lake Tahoe sent a letter to the JPA, stating their intent to pull out of the agency that was created in 2001 to supply ambulance service to the City and the County and a portion of Alpine County.

Mountain Resort Television reporter Ashley Lindner interviews the Founder/Executive Director of the Tahoe Wellness Corporative, Cody Bass about the Control, Regulate, & Tax Adult Use of Marijuana Act. The Tahoe Wellness Co-Op is South Lake Tahoe's first and, currently only, medicinal dispensary.