california

SOUTH LAKE TAHOE, Calif. - Sunday has been one big traffic jam for travelers trying to head west over Echo Summit. And as it the normal case, when traffic backs up the mapping apps direct drivers to side residential roads, many of which were unplowed and hard to navigate.

As of 7:30 p.m., traffic is still very heavy in Meyers and the California Highway Patrol (CHP) is currently working on two accidents, one west of Sierra-at-Tahoe Road and the other east of Strawberry.

SOUTH LAKE TAHOE, Calif. - It's been a busy day on the highways around Lake Tahoe today with several accidents and road closures.

As of 5:00 p.m. Saturday, law enforcement and rescue teams have responded to a reported head-on collision on Pioneer Trail, west of Golden Bear, a collision on Pioneer Trail and US 50 in Meyers, a collision on US 50 at Kyburz, a car off the roadway on SR89 near Emerald Bay and two collisions on US88 near Kirkwood. There are also numerous collisions on I80 and on the North Shore.

Lake Tahoe Community College (LTCC) is committed to helping mitigate the spread of the Novel Coronavirus (COVID-19) and to take measures to keep staff and students safe. With that in mind, effective immediately LTCC is canceling all community events and outside group meetings planned for on campus to help reduce the chance of exposure and spread. Furthermore, LTCC is canceling all non-essential travel for LTCC employees. These are measures designed to reduce (but not eliminate) the risk of exponential community spread of COVID-19. These measures will be in effect until further notice.

SOUTH LAKE TAHOE, Calif. - The City Council has announced they selected Joseph Irvin as the new city manager for South Lake Tahoe.

Irvin was one of four final candidates for the position that met with the community on Monday, giving them a chance to do their own interviews, ask questions, and fill out a questionnaire on their choices.

SOUTH LAKE TAHOE, Calif. - Since the adoption of a ban in January 2014, South Lake Tahoe has not allowed single-use plastic bags in grocery stores and at food vendors. The ban was to apply to all other retail outlets after one year, but that ban was delayed by the City Council at that time and then later amended to remove that portion.

SOUTH LAKE TAHOE, Calif. - Intermittent Sierra showers will continue through Monday before another storm swings up from southern California with increased chances for precipitation south of Highway 50 for Tuesday and Wednesday. More mild and sunny conditions will return for the last half of the work week before another storm approaches for the weekend according to the National Weather Service (NWS) in Reno.

The NWS Reno weekly forecast for South Lake Tahoe:

Monday - A 20 percent chance of snow. Mostly cloudy, with a high near 47. Southwest wind 5 to 10 mph.

SOUTH LAKE TAHOE, Calif. - Over 34 million Americans have caught the flu this year with over 20,000 deaths recorded, but its the coronavirus COVID-19 that is getting all the headlines.

There are no current reported cases of COVID-19 in South Lake Tahoe/El Dorado County, Alpine County or Douglas County, but local agencies want to be prepared, just in case people come down with the virus.

Every Second Saturday, Tahoe Art Walk takes place all along Tahoe’s South Shore from 2:00 p.m. to 6:00 p.m. This fun, free, self-guided local art tour returns March 14th to bring you new art and new events. Follow the live map at www.TahoeArtWalk.com on your mobile device or print out the map before you head out.

Tahoe Art Walk spans from Stateline, Nevada to Meyers, California. Meet photographer Dirk Yuricich at his Stateline studio, and see his awe-inspiring landscape photography of Tahoe and the world.

Location

SOUTH LAKE TAHOE, Calif. - The search for a new city manager for the City of South Lake Tahoe appears to be nearing the end. City Council has narrowed down their search to four men, all of whom will be at a public Meet and Greet on Monday, March 9 from 6:00 p.m. to 8:00 p.m. at the Idle Hour located at 3351 Lake Tahoe Blvd., South Lake Tahoe.

The idea behind the meet and greet is to give the public a chance to get to know the candidates before the City Council closed session scheduled for Tuesday at 2:00 p.m. to select the new city manager.

SOUTH LAKE TAHOE, Calif. - Dr. Todd Cutler is officially the new superintendent for Lake Tahoe Unified School District (LTUSD). The Board of Trustees unanimously approved his contract and he was introduced to the standing room only crowd that gathered to meet him.

He and his wife Dee Dee were at the meeting to meet the community.

"This is a dream come true," said Dr. Cutler. "I have always wanted to come home. This is such a cool place."

The ultimate mission of the Lake Tahoe Unified School District (LTUSD) is to help youth thrive. Sadly, it is our students - not we, adult, decision-makers - who will most suffer climate change. LTUSD must also support the future health and well-being of our students.

So, in 2017, the School Board formally resolved to:

Increase reliance on clean, renewable energy sources to power the District’s facilities, in line with and in collaboration with, the City of South Lake Tahoe’s recent pledge to power 100 percent of our electricity use with renewable energy by 2030.

The 20th Annual Snowshoe Thompson Ski & Snowshoe Celebration returns once again to the Sierra on Saturday, March 7 at 9:00 am, at the Lake Tahoe Golf Course in South Lake Tahoe.

Snow or no snow, event activities begin with a guided tour starting at 9:30 am with Norwegian native and longboard ski expert Nina MacLeod, who will also give a longboard ski demonstration if sufficient snow is present. Attendees should bring their own snowshoes and cross country skis.

SOUTH LAKE TAHOE, Calif. - There are no confirmed cases of coronavirus COVID-19 in El Dorado County or South Lake Tahoe, but the Lake Tahoe Unified School District Board of Education and the district's leaders are keeping apprised of the situation. They have been collaborating with El Dorado County Public Health with guidance from the California Department of Public Health and Center for Disease Control to determine the best course of action to protect students and staff members while meeting their educational needs.

LAKE TAHOE, Calif. – The monthly manual survey of the snowpack at Phillips Station, just west of Lake Tahoe, revealed data that won't catch many by surprise. There is 29 inches of snow with a snow water equivalent (SWE) of 11.5 inches at the location near US50 and Sierra-at-Tahoe Road. This is 47 percent of the March average at this spot.

The SWE measures the amount of water contained in the snowpack, which provides a more accurate forecast of spring runoff.

This Event Has Been Canceled Hellacious California: Tales of Rascality, Revelry, Dissipation, Depravity and the Birth of the Golden State. Author, and Sierra Nevada native, Gary Noy returns to launch his newest book which examines the vices of 19th century California such as gambling, drinking, overeating, fighting, eccentric entertainments, sex, con artists, etc. Gary is an exceptional storyteller and is guaranteed to teach all of us something we have never learned before. Book sale and signing to follow.

Location

SOUTH LAKE TAHOE, Calif. - Lighter winds return Monday and persist through much of the week as high pressure settles into northeast California and western Nevada. Dry conditions continue this week with high temperatures remaining above average. Low pressure may impact the region next weekend with gusty winds along with rain and snow showers.

Any rain or snowfall amounts will not be heavy but could cause travel impacts and will be welcome after a dry February, according to the National Weather Service (NWS) Reno.

LAKE TAHOE, Calif./Nev. – The public is invited to explore the future of Lake Tahoe's West Shore during one of three public opportunities offered by the Tahoe Regional Planning Agency, USDA Forest Service Lake Tahoe Basin Management Unit, and Tahoe Transportation District. The State Route 89 Recreation Corridor Management Plan outlines the projects needed to improve the visitor experience, reduce traffic congestion, and preserve the environment from South Lake Tahoe to Tahoma.

LAKE TAHOE, Calif./Nev. – The Tahoe Fire and Fuels Team (TFFT) has plans to continue prescribed fire operations around Lake Tahoe over the next several weeks, weather, conditions and staffing permitting.

In the map above, the following operations are scheduled (clockwise starting with Sugar Pine Point State Park):

Sugar Pine Point State Park - California State Parks
Rod Beaudry Trail northwest of Ehrman Manion
Burn Type: Hand Pile
Total Acreage: 2.00
Planned Ignition: 03/02/2020

Burton Creek State Park - California State Parks
Burton Creek State Park, North of Rocky Ridge

THIS EVENT HAS BEEN CANCELED. SOUTH LAKE TAHOE, Calif. - There is a big need in the community for licensed childcare providers in South Lake Tahoe. Choices for Children will be holding an orientation on April 1 for those interested in becoming providers.

Registration is required for the 9:00 a.m. to 1:00 p.m. licensing orientation for Family Day Care Home at Choices for Children, 1029 Takela Drive, Suite 1. Call 530-541-5848 to register.

EL DORADO COUNTY, Calif. - A two-month-long investigation into narcotics coming in to El Dorado County culminated with the arrests of one man and two women on February 11, 2020.

The El Dorado County Sheriff's Office (EDSO) narcotics team executed a search warrant at a home in Los Banos, California. Their investigation had led them to the home where two people, 28-year-old Julio Chavez and 29-year-old Dennise Castro-Lopez, resided. EDSO says the Los Banos residents were the main source of supply of methamphetamine, cocaine, and heroin to El Dorado County.

EL DORADO COUNTY, Calif. - A man who was facing life in prison after being convicted in 2005 for a murder that authorities now know he did not commit, is now heading home a free man. Ricky Leo Davis, now 54, was 20-years-old when a friend of his mother, 54-year-old Jane Hylton, was brutally murdered in their El Dorado Hills home in 1985.

On July 7, 1985, Davis and his 19-year-old live-in girlfriend, Connie Dahl, called law enforcement, saying they were at a party in Cameron Park and returned home to find Hylton murdered.

SOUTH LAKE TAHOE, Calif. - There will be a benefit for long-time local musician “Tahoe’s Bassman” Charlie Schofield on February 26 at McP's Taphouse and Grill, 4125 Lake Tahoe Blvd, South Lake Tahoe, California.

Local musicians are banding together to help raise money for the Scofield family, including Trey Stone, Niall McGuinness, Uncle Funkle, Jess Kalin, Steve Walker, and many others. The MC for the evening is comedian and radio personality Howie Nave.

TRUCKEE, Calif. - Sierra State Parks Foundation presents a presentation on covering the history of Highway 395. The March 21 talk will be held at the Donner Memorial State Park Visitor Center located at 12593 Donner Pass Road in Truckee, CA. The discussion will start at 5pm. There is a suggested $5 donation to attend and the State Park parking fee is waived for the evening. Refreshments available and book signing will occur after the presentation. Seating is limited. Come early to visit the exhibits and peruse the fabulous park store.

Andrew (Andy) Joseph Mora, 37, passed peacefully on Tuesday, February 4, 2020, at Renown Hospital. He was born on December 15, 1982, in Reno, Nevada to Andrew and Kristie Mora.