agencies

SOUTH LAKE TAHOE, Calif. - The USFS Lake Tahoe Basin Management Unit (LTBMU) will start enhanced fire restrictions in national forest campgrounds on September 1, 2020 due to dry conditions.

On August 21, fire agencies around the Lake Tahoe Basin banned all open burning utilizing wood and charcoal at homes, parks, beaches and most campgrounds. LTBMU was not part of that original ban.

All areas in the Lake Tahoe Basin are now under these restrictions.

Join the Suicide Prevention Network in their efforts to end the stigma surrounding mental health and suicide. Throughout the month of September, people are encouraged to get outside and walk or hike with friends and family, or on your own. Physical activity and spending time outdoors is good for our mental wellness so this is the perfect time to encourage and empower others to join this movement.

All monies raised benefit the prevention, education and outreach programs at Suicide Prevention Network.

How to Hike for Hope

LAKE TAHOE, Calif./Nev. - In a unified move, all fire agencies around the Lake Tahoe Basin have banned all open burning utilizing wood and charcoal for the remainder of the summer, or longer if needed. This includes campgrounds with fire rings, fire pits at homes and all charcoal barbeques whether at home or at public and private facilities.

The suspension takes effect at 12:00 p.m. on Friday, August 21, 2020 and will be enforced with extinguishment and possible citations and fines.

SOUTH LAKE TAHOE, Calif. - Trash has been the topic of conversation around Lake Tahoe this summer with the influx of visitors during the pandemic and much more trash found left behind. In a few stories this week we will be looking at efforts and education to keep things clean.

SOUTH LAKE TAHOE, Calif. - If you are accustomed to paying premium prices for parking in towns like San Francisco, Los Angeles and Sacramento, how much would you be willing to pay for a parking ticket in Lake Tahoe?

Apprently whatever it costs.

The California Highway Patrol (CHP) issued 297 parking citations along SR89 at Emerald Bay in July and 273 during the first 11 days of August. Six vehicles were towed from the area during this time.

Starting August 9, the Humboldt-Toiyabe National Forest is entering Stage 2 Fire Restrictions in response to the current severe risk of wildfire. Nevada is experiencing record dry conditions with much of the state in a severe drought.

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 and West Shore, including Meyers, South Lake Tahoe, Meeks Bay, Tahoma, and the Echo Summit area. There may be some missing calls due to sheriff's logs not being completed at the time of the story.

Last Week's Log - http://southtahoenow.com/story/07/30/2020/el-dorado-county-sheriffs-report

7/26

1:49 a.m. - Spousal Battery - South Lake Tahoe - 39-YEAR-OLD MALE ARRESTED.

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.

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.

The UC Davis Tahoe Environmental Research Center (TERC) is offering everyone a front-row seat at the discussion of the annual Tahoe: State of the Lake Report on Thursday, July 30 from 12:00 p.m. to 1:00 p.m.

Dr. Geoffrey Schladow, the director of TERC, will make the presentation on the data collected, an important element for lake management. Elected officials and public agencies tasked with restoring and managing the Lake Tahoe ecosystem use this data.

INCLINE VILLAGE, Nev. - When the three parking lots with 90 spaces were created last year in Incline Village for the popular East Shore Trail, they were free but all were told paid parking was coming in the near future.

That time has now come.

Tahoe Transportation District (TTD) has unveiled the Park Tahoe pilot program at the trailhead north of Ponderosa Rand Road. The lots were created to expand off-highway parking options along the high traffic area of SR28 between Incline Village and Sand Harbor State Park.

SOUTH LAKE TAHOE, Calif. - The organizer of the 29th annual America’s Most Beautiful Bike Ride and the 18th Tour De Tahoe has announced the 2020 events will not happen. Bike the West tried to merge the two popular rides after the America's Most Beautiful was postponed earlier this year. They were to take place on September 13 but current COVID-19 restrictions and setbacks with reopening phases governed by local, county and state health agencies have led them to postpone and move to 2021.

LAKE TAHOE, Nev. - Roadside parking along SR28 south of Incline Village has been problematic for years. Several "no parking" areas have been created over several miles to keep cars off the road to improve safety.

The Nevada Department of Transportation (NDOT) announced Monday they will add "no parking" signs to enhance traffic safety on a section of State Route 28 in southeastern Incline Village.

Beginning July 13, NDOT will add six new “no parking” signs on the west, lakeside of State Route 28, extending from southern Lakeshore Boulevard to approximately 300 feet south.

DOUGLAS COUNTY, Nev. - There is a multi-agency investigation into the cause of the Numbers Fire burning ten miles southeast of Gardnerville. Anyone who happened to be traveling on Highway 395 between Ridgeview and Holbrook Junction on July 6 between 6:30 p.m. and 7:30 p.m. is being asked to help.

If you can assist in the investigation, please email 2020firetips@gmail.com. All information will be kept confidential.

LAKE TAHOE, Calif./Nev. - There has been a successful partnership between the Tahoe Fund and Lake Tahoe Bicycle Coalition in bringing bike racks to businesses and public agencies around Lake Tahoe for the past two years. They have now announced an opportunity for more low or no-cost bike racks in their "Bike Racks for Tahoe" program for centrally-located town center locations in the Tahoe Basin.

The program is designed to encourage locals and visitors to ride their bikes around lakeside communities instead of drive.

SOUTH LAKE TAHOE, Calif. - With months of people being under "Stay at Home" orders, and if the past few days are any indication, this holiday weekend will be busy at Lake Tahoe as people get out in the fresh air, hike, bike, go to the beach and get on the water.

The July Fourth holiday at Lake Tahoe will look a bit different this year with firework shows canceled, social distancing, the requirement of face coverings in public places and growing concerns about responsible recreation.

SOUTH LAKE TAHOE, Calif. - The City of South Lake Tahoe, the Tahoe Chamber, Barton Health, and Lake Tahoe Visitors Authority came together to produce a Public Safety Announcement (PSA) asking folks to socially distance and wear a mask as people return to Tahoe.

Over the last four months, we have learned a lot about COVID-19 transmission, most notably that people who are infected but are asymptomatic or presymptomatic play an important part in community spread. The use of face coverings by everyone can limit the release of infected droplets when talking, coughing, and/or sneezing,

LAKE TAHOE, Calif./Nev. - As demand soars for watercraft inspections at Lake Tahoe, agencies preventing the introduction of aquatic invasive species (AIS) into the lake’s pristine waters caution boaters to expect delays and to be prepared to change boating plans through the July Fourth weekend.

Update 6/25 at 9:00 a.m.: The Monarch Fire burning in Douglas County is now 1,794 acres. The fire is burning three miles south of Sierra Spirit Ranch in the Fish Springs/ Pinenut Creek Road area.

3:51 p.m. 6/24 update: From Douglas County: Several agencies including Bureau of Land Management, Douglas County Sheriff's Office, East Fork Fire, the US Forest Service and the Nevada Division of Forestry are currently responding to the Monarch Fire, a Brush fire in the Fish Springs Pinenut Creek Rd area. No structures are threatened at this time. No active road closures at this time.

SOUTH LAKE TAHOE, Calif. - Multiple agencies responded to a report of a wildfire at Van Sickle Bi-State Park in South Lake Tahoe Friday afternoon about 5:00 p.m.

They were able to jump on the fire quickly, leaving less than 1/4 acre burned.

South Lake Tahoe Fire Rescue, Lake Valley Fire Protection District, Tahoe Douglas Fire Protection District, CAL FIRE Amador-El Dorado Unit and the U.S. Forest Service all responded.

Firefighters have completed a hose lay and hand line around the fire and will remain on the scene to mop it up.

The cause is under investigation.

SOUTH LAKE TAHOE, Calif. - Law enforcement has come a long way in South Lake Tahoe since the first police department started on July 1, 1967. At that time there were 30 sworn male officers who were chosen from a list of more than 400 applicants who wanted to be part of the first police department for the new city. They were tested in Seal Beach, Roseville, and South Lake Tahoe then interviewed in Los Angeles and Sacramento.

If ever there was a time to draw on the healing powers of Lake Tahoe, it’s now. The COVID crisis, complete with loss of life and wide-ranging financial impacts, is being compounded by human struggle and a wellspring of social justice demonstrations that are gripping the nation. One of our core values at the Tahoe Regional Planning Agency (TRPA) is collaboration -- building collaborative relationships to protect Lake Tahoe. I can tell you that Tahoe's successes have not ever come from reinforcing divisions. The imagined “us vs them" simply creates false divides.

LAKE TAHOE, Calif./Nev. - Scientists and researchers have been watching the clarity of Lake Tahoe for decades, rejoicing when one can see almost 100 feet down into the iconic body of water, sadness when clarity drops to record levels.

The clarity of the lake is an important indicator of the changing conditions of Lake Tahoe.

In 2019, Lake Tahoe's clarity decreased nearly eight feet from the previous year's dramatic 10-foot improvement. The average clarity in 2019 was 62.7 feet, the second-lowest on record. In 2017, the recorded clarity was 60 feet. In 1968, it was 102 feet.

PLACERVILLE, Calif. - The former Lake Tahoe Basin Management Unit (LTBMU) forest supervisor has moved over to the same position with the Eldorado National Forest, replacing the retired Laurence Crabtree.

Jeff Marsolais came to Lake Tahoe in 2010, working several positions and for the past five years, had filled the top spot.

The Eldorado National Forest is welcoming back Jeff Marsolais, who will begin serving as the Eldorado’s new forest supervisor on June 22. Jeff worked on the Eldorado National Forest early in his career and is excited to return.