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SOUTH LAKE TAHOE, Calif. - As the Lake Tahoe Unified School District (LTUSD) begins their search for a replacement for the retiring superintendent the people tasked with finding the right candidates are reaching out to the community.

What is being developed from public meetings and an online survey will create the profile of what makes up the desired characteristics neede or the person who will move into Dr. James Tarwater's position when he retires in June 2020.

SOUTH LAKE TAHOE, Calif. - Roadwork on a three-year $57 million project along Highway 50 in South Lake Tahoe is coming to an end. Until November 1, crews will be working on some curb and gutter portions of the road along with some sidewalk repair. They will also be working on electrical components, landscaping, erosion control and painting of lines.

Heath Ledger would've been proud. Joaquin Phoenix's take on the iconic character is nothing short of amazing if not brilliant in the "Joker." I had been wanting to see this film since it first started shooting knowing the cast involved but Joaquin's performance surpassed even my expectations.

SOUTH LAKE TAHOE, Calif. - Campground by the Lake, the City of South Lake Tahoe's campground at Rufus Allen and Lake Tahoe Boulevards, has closed for the 2019 season.

The City Council approved funds to completely renovate the aging restroom structures, a long-time complaint of many campers.

The new restrooms will have new toilets, insulated water pipes and coin operated showers. In case of the possibility of future winter camping, the facilities will be able to have the showers operate in winter.

Campground by the Lake will reopen in the Spring.

Last week, a local motel owner told guests there would be no housekeeping because they didn’t have enough staff due to the local housing shortage. However, the issue is fast becoming not only one of supply, but also one of quality. Many homes that fit the "local's" price range are older buildings - built in the 1970s or earlier. Just like our roads, some of these older buildings are in a state of disrepair and as we know with our roads, patchwork repairs only last so long.

SOUTH LAKE TAHOE, Calif. - Since its arrival, the 2013 model Ferrara ladder truck the City of South Lake Tahoe Fire Rescue (SLTFR) purchased has been been a "lemon," and now they have reached a settlement with the manufacturer, Ferrara Fire Apparatus of Holden, Louisiana.

In 2014, City of South Lake Tahoe Fire Rescue (SLTFR) took possession of a 2013 model Ferrara ladder truck at the tune of almost $1,050,000. It was purchased to replace the aging ladder truck SLTFR had from 1982 and was paid for with funds from California sales tax money devoted to public safety.

SOUTH LAKE TAHOE, Calif. - Starting May 25, 2019, there will be no more youth staying in the Placerville Juvenile Detention Facility. After a decision by the El Dorado County Board of Supervisors in February, South Lake Tahoe's Juvenile Treatment Center (JTC) will be the only youth facility in the county to serve those in the justice system 18-years-old and younger, for now.

There are several reasons for the changes including an aging facility, increasing costs and the fact that fewer youth are working their way through the juvenile justice system.

The El Dorado County Family Caregiver program is offering a six-week series of classes designed to provide instruction and support to caregivers who are or are planning to care for a family member or friend age 60 or older.

It started on April 15 but participants can still join and attend any or all of the remaining sessions. This series is offered twice a year.

The League to Save Lake Tahoe held its second bi-annual Basin Blitz this spring to assess progress in improving Lake Tahoe’s stormwater infrastructure (pipes, drains and sediment-catching basins). These features flow directly into Lake Tahoe and carry fine sediment pollution from our roads and neighborhoods into the lake, further degrading its clarity.

SOUTH LAKE TAHOE, Calif. The City of South Lake Tahoe has launched its new
newsletter - "At Lake Level." The monthly newsletter is written by City Manager Frank Rush and prepared by Communications Manager Chris Fiore in an effort to keep the community well informed about City issues and initiatives.

New Leadership

SOUTH LAKE TAHOE, Calif. - South Tahoe Public Utility District (STPUD) will start the process to raise water service rates by up to six percent and sewer rates by up to five percent in order to start replacing aging pipes and providing improved fire flow throughout their service area. If fully implemented, this increase would fuel an $81.5M capital improvement program for sewer improvements, and $70M for water system improvements, especially fire flow projects.

SOUTH LAKE TAHOE, Calif. - After Richard Solbrig told the South Tahoe Public Utility District (STPUD) Board of Directors he was retiring in January 2019 after 29 years with the agency the hunt was on for a new general manager.

It turned out they didn't have to look far.

John Thiel had been hired by Solbrig in 1992 as a staff engineer and he worked his way up through the ranks over the last 27 years until the Board chose him as the new general manager.

SOUTH LAKE TAHOE, Calif. - A rate increase for the next five years is being considered by the South Tahoe Public Utility District (STPUD) to fund the replacement, repair or upgrades to the local water and sewer system.

With much of the system building in the 1950s and 1960s, there are problems that need to be addressed to ensure reliable delivery of high-quality drinking water and provide adequate fire flow for our community.

The El Dorado County Health and Human Services Agency, Behavioral Health Division invites the public to provide input on the Fiscal Year 2019-20 Mental Health Services Act (MHSA) Annual Update. Community members can provide input by attending an upcoming community meeting or by submitting an online survey or an email.

Community meetings to receive input for the MHSA Annual Update are scheduled as follows:
• Tuesday, January 8, 2019, at 1:00 p.m. at the Placerville Library, 345 Fair Lane in Placerville

December 3-7, 2018 is Older Driver Safety Awareness Week and the California Highway Patrol is joining with the American Occupational Therapy Association (AOTA) to bring awareness of programs and challenges as drivers age.

Nancy Kerry has been gone from her position as the city manager of South Lake Tahoe since March, but she finally got the credit due for her many accomplishments and contributions during a standing room only celebration Tuesday evening.

Over 75 community leaders came together to present Nancy with a proclamation signed by both Mayor Wendy David and Mayor Pro Tem Tom Davis, their last official act with the City.

The list of tributes spoken during the evening is a lengthy one.

SOUTH LAKE TAHOE, Calif. - There is already international interest in two buildings at the nearly completed Bijou Marketplace in South Lake Tahoe after being listed for sale just over a week ago.

SOUTH LAKE TAHOE, Calif. - Have you ever wondered where the extra gas tax money you now pay at the pump is going? The increase on the excise taxes on gasoline and diesel along with new registration fee for cars based on their value have so far created 26 projects in District 3 as well as in other districts across the state.

But now that funding is being challenged.

SOUTH LAKE TAHOE, Calif. - Eight of the nine City Council candidates responded to a series of questions given to them by the 100% Renewable Energy Committee. On Sunday we printed their first responses - http://southtahoenow.com/story/10/08/2018/slt-city-council-candidates-respond-100-renewable-committe... - and here are the remaining questions and answers:

SOUTH LAKE TAHOE, Calif. - Just as road construction is wrapping up for the second phase of the "Y" to Trout Creek Bridge project in South Lake Tahoe, plans were unveiled for the next building season.

Caltrans Project Manager Clark Peri presented an outline of three of their projects on the South Shore during Tuesday's City Council meeting.

"Y" to Trout Creek Bridge

My name is Nick Exline and I am asking for your vote on November 6th for the South Tahoe Public Utility District (STPUD) Board as I will bring a higher level of commitment, leadership and vision to the STPUD Board.

There is no greater responsibility in all of government than public safety and the public’s lifeline is the 9-1-1 system.

Every single day, people rely on 9-1-1 to connect with police, fire and EMS responders. For shooting events, wildfires, and even last year’s Oroville Dam incident, 9-1-1 call centers are regularly overwhelmed with calls from the public
requiring assistance. Unfortunately, an increasing reliance on cell phones and reduced “landline” usage is threatening the future of 9-1-1 services.

This has been National Public Safety Telecommunicators Week, so what better time to sit down with the women who answer 911 calls in South Lake Tahoe who are the first step in protecting homes, property and people and the unsung heroes of the community.

With an average of 300 to 400 calls going into dispatch each month, staff has to be ready to handle an emergency at every moment through their shift, which in South Lake Tahoe is normally 10 hours long, though they can be up to 12 hours.

The Family Caregiver Support Program of the El Dorado County Health and Human Services Agency is pleased to present a free “Aging and Caregiving” educational series in South Lake Tahoe. This series will be held weekly on Mondays from 1:00 p.m. to 3:00 p.m. beginning April 16, 2018, and ending May 21, 2018, at Lake Tahoe Resort Hotel located at 4130 Lake Tahoe Boulevard in South Lake Tahoe.

The educational series will give instruction and support for people who provide care for a family member or friend aged 60 years or greater.

The series will feature a different topic each week: