california

El Dorado County Sheriff's Report

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/09/13/2020/el-dorado-county-sheriffs-report
This Week's Report:

9/13

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

USFS beaches and other day-use facilities around Lake Tahoe reopen Saturday

SOUTH LAKE TAHOE, Calif. - National Forest trails, trailheads, beaches and other day-use areas in the Lake Tahoe Basin will re-open for day-use only beginning Saturday, Sep. 19, 2020. Camping and overnight stays will not be permitted, and campgrounds will remain closed. Resorts will reopen for day-use only. Emergency Fire Restrictions will remain in effect through Nov. 30. I’ve attached the Forest Orders for your awareness.

The prohibition of the use of any ignition source on all National Forest System lands (campfires, gas stoves, etc.) throughout California remains in place.

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.

Very high fire danger at Lake Tahoe; Red Flag Warning through Friday

LAKE TAHOE, Calif./Nev. - The Lake Tahoe Basin is under Red Flag/Critical Fire Weather conditions through 11:00 p.m. Friday.

California is extremely stressed for resources and it is important for residents and guests to understand the dangers these weather conditions present.

With 70-90 mph ridge winds and low humidity values predicted Thursday night into Friday along the crest of the Sierra, any spark could easily become a catastrophic wildfire.

US50 over Echo Summit closes early Friday for bridge replacement

SOUTH LAKE TAHOE, Calif. - The planned two-week closure of U.S. Highway 50 along a 1.2 mile stretch of Echo Summit will begin Friday, September 18 at 3:00 a.m. One-lane controlled traffic has been happening all week, and now both lanes will be closed as crews replace the 1939 bridge with brand new girders to meet seismic and safety standards.

Fork Fire now 24% contained; still at 1752 acres in size

The Fork Fire west of Lake Tahoe and about 15 miles from Pollock Pines has not gained in size for that last few days and it still measures at 1,752 acres. Firefighters were able to gain more containment Tuesday and there is now a line around 24 percent of the fire. There are 316 personnel assigned to the Fork Fire.

Dense smoke from fires burning to the south of El Dorado County covered the Fork Fire, as well as Lake Tahoe, on Tuesday with more of the same expected on Wednesday.

Fire Weather Advisory issued for Lake Tahoe Thursday-Friday

SOUTH LAKE TAHOE, Calif. - The National Weather Service (NWS) in Reno has issued a Fire Weather Watch to be in effect for Lake Tahoe and Western Nevada for Thursday at 11:00 a.m. through Friday at 8:00 p.m.

Winds will be from the southwest on Thursday, shifting to west on Friday. Sustained winds 15 to 20 mph with gusts up to 40 mph possible for both days. Strongest gusts Thursday could be US Highway 50 north and on Friday could be US Highway 50 south. Winds in valleys should weaken late Thursday evening, while Sierra ridges continue to gust in the 70-90 mph range overnight.

FAQs from the US Forest Service on closures

The USFS regional emergency closures have created a lot of questions from forest recreational users. Here are the frequently asked questions (FAQ) provided by the Forest Service:

Q) Is there an imminent threat of fire, are we in immediate danger?

Forest closure orders extended in Lake Tahoe and California; Humboldt-Toiyabe reopens

Due to unprecedented and historic fire conditions throughout the state, the USDA Forest Service Pacific Southwest Region announced they are extending the temporary closure orders for 18 National Forests in California. This decision will be re-evaluated as conditions change.

Jack Green ~ 2001 - 2020

Our beloved son, brother, grandson, nephew, friend and teammate William (“Jack”) Green of Huntington Beach, California tragically ended his life at the age of 19 on September 5, 2020 in Walnut Creek, Calif. His rapid decline in mental health was caused by many factors, central to which was the COVID-19 quarantine. Jack’s family and friends struggle to understand the delusion and despair which lead to this, when his life held such promise.

Free face masks and hand sanitizer for Tahoe’s small businesses

One of priorities established by the Tahoe Prosperity Center (TPC) during the pandemic has been to help local businesses find ways to affordably obtain required Personal Protective Equipment (PPE).

Through its participation in the El Dorado County Business Protection Workgroup, TPC has been able to help businesses find funding and develops plans to stay open through the impacts of COVID-19. They now have been able to procure the PPE needed to meet safety guidelines, protect employees and customers, and stay open for business.

South Lake Tahoe forecast: Widespread smoke, chance of rain with incoming system

SOUTH LAKE TAHOE, Calif. - There is a Dense Smoke Advisory in place until 11:00 a.m. Monday. Widespread smoke and haze issues will continue much of this week. Warm temperatures are expected through Thursday then a cold front will drop readings back to near or even below normal for the upcoming weekend. Increased winds could bring fire weather concerns through the week, but especially Thursday and Friday. A few light showers possible in northeastern California Friday and Saturday according to the National Weather Service (NWS) in Reno.

Smoke plume over Lake Tahoe helps out Fork Fire

EL DORADO COUNTY, Calif. - The forecast southwest winds didn't materialize Sunday, not changing the behavior of the Fork Fire as expected. The fire, burning in western El Dorado County, has consumed 1,752 acres and containment remained at seven percent. Personnel working at the fire, which started on Tuesday, number 266.

The large plume of smoke about 200 miles wide that came into the Lake Tahoe Basin Sunday afternoon also covered the area of the Fork Fire, allowing the fuel temperatures at the fire to remain low and keeping the spread contained.

US50 Echo Summit one lane closure starts Sunday night

SOUTH LAKE TAHOE, Calif. - Motorists over US50 Echo Summit will have continuous one-way traffic control starting Sunday, September 13 at 8:00 p.m. The Sidehill Viaduct Project enters its final stages with almost five days of bridge destruction and then complete road closure for two weeks as seven precast, prestressed 96-foot bridge girders are installed, along with associated work.

Sunday, Sept. 13 - 8:00 p.m. - Continuous one-way traffic control begins
Friday, Sept. 18 - About 3:00 a.m. - Full closure of highway

Van Sickle Bi-State Park, Upper Truckee Marsh and other areas closed for public safety

SOUTH LAKE TAHOE, Calif. - The California Tahoe Conservancy has temporarily closed multiple high-use Conservancy properties for public safety. The Conservancy intends these closures to complement similar temporary closures of National Forest Lands to protect the public and firefighters during this time of unprecedented and historic fire conditions.

Temporarily closed sites include:

- Van Sickle Bi-State Park (includes both California and Nevada sides of the park)
- Upper Truckee Marsh (except for Cove East area, accessed by Venice Drive)
- Eagle Rock

Guess the first day of snow and win while supporting Sierra State Parks Foundation

The Sierra State Parks Foundation will host a virtual fundraiser that challenges folks to predict the first day of snow, which will run until the actual first day of snow. The first snow event will be determined when it snows one inch at the Pioneer Monument located in Donner Memorial State Park (Truckee, Calif.).

Column: Climate change front and center at Tahoe

As ashes fell delicately from a blazing orange sky earlier this week, Lake Tahoe got a jarring glimpse of just one of the threats of the climate crisis. The frequency and intensity of wildfires in the West are breaking records and destroying communities. Scientists are also measuring wilder weather patterns, more severe droughts, and changing ecosystems as the planet’s temperature rises. More drought means more dead trees, and hotter summers mean a longer and more
severe fire season.

Dense Smoke Advisory for Lake Tahoe through Friday at minimum

SOUTH LAKE TAHOE, Calif. - After one day of blue skies above Lake Tahoe, smoke once again has filled the Basin. According to the National Weather Service (NWS) in Reno, the smoke is from multiple fires including the Fork Fire west of Lake Tahoe which sent some smoke into Emerald Bay on Wednesday.

NWS Reno has just issued a Dense Smoke Advisory which is in effect now through Friday at 5:00 p.m. due to the smoke moving into the area faster than previously forecast.

Fire updates: Fork, North, Slink, Creek

There are over 40 major fires currently burning in California, filling skies with heavy smoke from the ocean to the Sierra up and down the state. While there are no fires in the Lake Tahoe Basin, there are a few close enough to be responsible for sending smoke into the region. The closest is the Fork Fire east of Lake Tahoe about 13 miles northeast of Pollock Pines. To the south is the Slink Fire and northwest is the large North Complex.

Fork Fire

Statistics on the Fork Fire have not been updated all day. As of 11:00 a.m. Wednesday the estimated size was 2,500 acres.

If there is fire, do you know how and when to leave South Lake Tahoe?

SOUTH LAKE TAHOE, Calif. - 2020 is turning out to be a year of large fires in California, and the South Lake Tahoe area is not immune from the danger of wildfire. It is very important to be prepared in case you must evacuate.

Benjamin Franklin said, “If you fail to plan, you are planning to fail.”

Listed below are ways those in the South Lake Tahoe can start to plan, in hopes the plans never have to be used.

If there were just two things residents should know, South Lake Tahoe Fire Chief Clive Savacol said it would be to "evacuate early" and "have a plan."

All National Forests in California now closed temporarily

SOUTH LAKE TAHOE, Calif. - Due to dangerous fire conditions, the USDA Forest Service Pacific Southwest Regional Forester Randy Moore has just announced that ALL National Forests in California will close Wednesday, September 9, 2020, at 5:00 p.m. until further notice. This order includes the California and Nevada sides of the Lake Tahoe Basin Management Unit. On Monday, eight National Forests were closed and now an additional ten from the state have been added to the list.

Explosion of North Complex Fire: Triples in size to over 150,000 acres

UPDATE 2:30PM 9/9/20: The North Complex Fire more than tripled in size since Tuesday and is now 150,140 acres with 38 percent containment.

USFS: Backcountry areas closed to camping except PCT and Desolation Wilderness

The U.S. Forest Service tonight added additional restrictions to its previously announced fire restrictions and closures of campgrounds and day use areas on U.S. Forest Service land in California and the Lake Tahoe Basin starting September 7 at 5:00 p.m.

There is now an emergency camping prohibition that goes into effect on Tuesday, September 8, 2020.

South Lake Tahoe forecast: Some near freezing nights, cooler week ahead

SOUTH LAKE TAHOE, Calif. - Make sure you check out the Lake Tahoe Basin's Red Flag Warning and Lake Wind Advisory for Tuesday, September 7 (SEE HERE).

Forests, campgrounds and day-use areas to close in California and Lake Tahoe Basin

SOUTH LAKE TAHOE, Calif. - All campgrounds and day use areas on U.S. Forest Service land in California and the Lake Tahoe Basin must close at 5:00 p.m. Monday, September 7 due to the unprecedented and dangerous fire conditions and extreme heat, significant wind events, dry conditions, and firefighting resources that are stretched to the limit.

The USDA Forest Service Pacific Southwest Region has announced the following temporary closures and fire restrictions to provide for public safety and reduce the potential for human caused fire starts:

Creek Fire grows to over 73,000 acres, no containment

MONDAY UPDATE 9:30AM: New figures for the fire were updated this morning. The Creek Fire is now at 78,790 acres with no containment. Almost 1,000 firefighters are working at the fire scene which is under gusty wind and high heat warnings Monday.

* * *

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

Heavy smoke from the Creek Fire over South Lake Tahoe Saturday

SUNDAY UPDATE 11:00 a.m.: Eight hundred personnel are currently fighting the Creek Fire which has grown to 45,500 acres.

The Creek Fire a fast-moving fire burning on both Districts of the Forest. The fire which started near the communities of Big Creek and Huntington Lake, moved very quickly prompting several evacuations. Early Saturday afternoon the fire crossed the San Joaquin River and made a run into the Mammoth Pool area. Prompting some members of the public to shelter in place near Wagner’s Store and Campground.

What you need to know in Lake Tahoe this weekend: No fires allowed, wear a mask

SOUTH LAKE TAHOE, Calif. - As tourists fill the Lake Tahoe Basin and locals plan their holiday weekend there are rules that everyone needs to remember - no outside fires with charcoal or wood, and wear a mask.

Although people may want to take a vacation, the pandemic doesn’t so make sure you are following proper safety precautions.

South Lake Tahoe City Council candidates respond to #IRunWithMaud questions

SOUTH LAKE TAHOE, Calif. - There will be two new members of the South Lake Tahoe City Council after the November 3 election. In the coming weeks the pubic will have chances to hear from the candidates both via zoom, in print and possibly in person. Below are eight of the ten candidates responses to questions asked by the local #IRunWithMaud group.

Heat advisory in effect all weekend for Lake Tahoe communities

SOUTH LAKE TAHOE, Calif. - It is going to be a hot one in Lake Tahoe over the Labor Day Weekend as well as in Western Nevada and Northern California.

The National Weather Service (NWS) in Reno has issued a Heat Advisory from 11:00 a.m. Friday to 8:00 p.m. Sundayfor Lake Tahoe due to consecutive days of high temperature. The forecast highs are 90-93 degrees those three days and record high temperatures are likely this holiday weekend.

Not only will there be high temperatures, there will also be widespread haze due to Northern California fires.

Plague warning in South Lake Tahoe closes parking lots at three popular beach areas

SOUTH LAKE TAHOE, Calif. - The parking areas at the Tallac Historic Site, Kiva Beach/Picnic area and the Taylor Creek Visitor Center are temporarily closed to allow for treatment to mitigate fleas in the area, which have tested positive for plague bacteria.

Trash pickup challenge weeks with Keep Tahoe Blue, Jamie Anderson, Clean Tahoe and Waste Not

LAKE TAHOE, Calif./Nev. - Busy summers come with lots of litter. Help the League to Save Lake Tahoe keep the Tahoe that we love clean by participating in Tahoe's Trash Pickup Challenge all September long. You can join them at in-person events, cleanup remotely or do both.

Every Saturday in September is a cleanup day. Join them by tidying up in your neighborhood, local happy place or one of the litter hot spots listed in the signup form. If Saturdays don’t jive with your calendar, don't let that stop you! You can clean up any day, any time.

US395 reopens and Slink Fire evacuations lifted

Wednesday evening update: The Slink Fire behavior today was moderate, though the south end saw small, terrain driven runs. The fire is 14,200 acres and 10 percent contained.

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.

Slink Fire burning southwest of Topaz Lake grows to over 2,200 acres

Smoke from the fires burning north of Lake Tahoe continue to fill the area Sunday morning. The Sheep Fire near Honey Lake is 29,517 acres and 38 percent contained, the Loyalton Fire is at 98 percent containment and 47,029 acres. The North Complex burning in Lassen and Plumas forests is 61,093 acres and 37 percent contained.

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

New reopening guidelines released for El Dorado County and California

SOUTH LAKE TAHOE, Calif. - Restaurants in South Lake Tahoe and the rest of El Dorado County will be able to provide indoor dining at 25 percent capacity starting Monday, August 31.

California Governor Gavin Newsom today announced a new set of guidelines for counties in the state, all based on a tiered set of metrics.

Lake Tahoe Unified School District informational letter to families

Hello Lake Tahoe Unified School District (LTUSD) friends and families. We’re down to the wire and the District is very excited to welcome you back to another school year! With all of the changes and challenges the year is sure to bring, rest assured that every staff member at LTUSD is wholeheartedly embracing them all, and looking forward to making this year cheerful, engaging, inclusive, and academically rewarding for every single student. Welcome back!

BACK TO SCHOOL

Keeping Lake Tahoe the resilient jewel it is for the next 10,000 years

LAKE TAHOE, Calif./Nev. - The resiliency of Lake Tahoe was the focus of the 24th annual Lake Tahoe Summit Tuesday, held virtually instead of on the shores of the pristine lake in the Sierra Nevada many call home and even thousands more visit.

Body of Gilroy man located in Lake Tahoe

4:30 p.m. UPDTE: The body of the missing Gilroy man was located this afternoon in 117 feet of water off the shore of Lake Tahoe.

The El Dorado County Sheriff's dive team with their remote operating vehicle (ROV) found 25-year-old Ian Morlang. He was brought up to the surface and placed on the South Lake Tahoe Police Marine 1 boat, then taken to the Tahoe Keys Marina.

Police officers draped a flag on Morlang as he was carried into a waiting vehicle.

Next of kin has been notified.

The coroner transported the body to the morgue in Placerville.

South Lake Tahoe artist selected for design of TRPA 50th anniversary coin

The first peak of a new Lake Tahoe commemorative coin was unveiled during Tuesday's virtual Lake Tahoe Summit. The coin is in honor of the 50th anniversary of the bi-state Tahoe Regional Planning Agency (TRPA) and is being minted in the historic U.S. Mint at Carson City's Nevada State Museum.

The work of South Lake Tahoe artist Eleanor BonBon is featured on the coin. It was accepted for the coin after she responded to a Request for Proposal which included examples of her sketching process, all while conceptualizing TRPA’s core values into a visual language.

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.

Soroptimist International of South Lake Tahoe awards 19 scholarships

Soroptimist International of South Lake Tahoe (SISLT) awarded scholarships to a group of local students from South Tahoe High, George Whittell High, the Lake Tahoe Basin Fire Academy and Lake Tahoe Community College. The club, serving the community since 1959, has given out over one-million dollars to local graduates over the years.

Veterinarian residing in Truckee pleads guilty to tax evasion

A world-renown veterinarian living in Truckee leaded guilty today to one count of tax evasion.

Jack Ray Snyder, 63, was indicted in 2018 after it was alleged he failed to report significant income and filed false tax returns between 2012 and 2014. Besides the income discrepancy, Snyder was charged with deducting non-deductible personal expenses and overreporting his property taxes.

Record Store Day Celebration

Event Date: 
August 29, 2020 - 11:00am

SOUTH LAKE TAHOE, California – The Saturday Show of Support Series continues with a “Sound and Vision” celebration of Art and Music on Record Store Day at Keynote Used Records and Books, 2660 Lake Tahoe Blvd., in support of the Tahoe Art League. Please join us from 11 am to 5 pm on Saturday, August 29th for a masked and socially distanced viewing of works by Tahoe Art League member Cherie Pinsky and a live performance by Turtle Park, featuring former Turtle’s guitarist Al Nichol and Park Kinnear on 12 and six-string guitar.

Interactive story book released to highlight the 59,000-acre Lake Tahoe West restoration project

SOUTH LAKE TAHOE, Calif.—Lake Tahoe West partners have released an interactive “story map” to explain ongoing and proposed actions to restore forests and watersheds across 59,000 acres of Lake Tahoe’s west shore. (StoryMap Here)

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

COVID-19 test results now in 2-5 days in El Dorado County

EL DORADO COUNTY, Calif. - Results from COVID-19 testing at the two state-sponsored, free sites in South Lake Tahoe and Placerville are currently expected to come back in 2-5 days. These tests are available for any El Dorado County, Alpine County, or State of Nevada resident wanting to be tested for the virus.

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