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SOUTH LAKE TAHOE, Calif. - To our South Lake Tahoe Library Friends and Community, Thank you for your patience as the Friends of the Library have been working with Library staff and the El Dorado County Public Health Services to continue our book sale events at the Library. Unfortunately, due to weather and grounds concerns and also increasing Covid-19 virus cases in the area, we are canceling our Saturday, November 21 sale and suspending book sale events until the weather warms or we can go back inside. As conditions change, we will let you know and welcome your participation.

SOUTH LAKE TAHOE, Calif. - Opening day at Heavenly Mountain Resort is planned for Friday, November 20, with ski and snowboard operations exclusive for all pass holders until December 8.

This year there are many changes due to COVID-19 and Vail says their goal is to prioritize pass holders, including those who have the Epic Day Pass. Those with passes need to reserve their day on the slopes as does the general non-pass holding public.

There will be no ticket sales at the Vail ski resorts this season and all is conducted virtually except for sightseeing rides.

UPDATE 8:15PM: The Mountain View Fire is currently burning around the community of Walker. Due to the fast moving nature of the fire, an Evacuation Order has been issued for the Walker, Coleville and Topaz areas, and US 395 is still closed from Bridgeport to the Nevada state line. There is 0 percent containment and 5,000 acres burned according to Inci-web. Liberty Utilities has de-energized the communities of Walker and Coleville up to Topaz at the state line for safety precautions. Liberty is working with all emergency agencies and will safely restore power when possible.

SOUTH LAKE TAHOE, Calif. - We are already experiencing the winds that are accompanying the latest storm for the Lake Tahoe Basin. The High Wind Warning is in effect until 4:00 p.m. Tuesday.

Winds are from the south to southwest winds 20 to 35 mph with gusts up to 60 mph expected. There are hazardous boating conditions on Lake Tahoe with waves 3 to 6 feet from mid-lake to north and east shores.

SOUTH LAKE TAHOE, Calif. - There are two new weather watches issued for the Lake Tahoe Basin this week, but most of the impacts will be above the 6500 foot elevation.

First come the winds. A High Wind Watch is in effect Tuesday from 7:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. Winds will be front the south 20 to 35 mph with gusts up to 60 mph possible. Stronger wind gusts to 75 mph are possible in Nevada for wind-prone areas along and west of Highway 395 and Interstate 580. Exposed ridges are likely to gust over 100 mph.

SOUTH LAKE TAHOE, Calif. - A Wind Advisory is in effect Friday, November 13 from 10:00 a.m. to 10:00 p.m. for the greater Lake Tahoe area, greater Reno-Carson City-Minden area, Mono County and Western Nevada Basin and range including Pyramid Lake.

Expect southwest winds 20 to 30 mph with gusts up to 50 mph expected. Wind prone areas such as; the Sierra foothills and portions of US-395 through the North Valleys, Washoe Valley, and Mono County can see gusts over 60 mph at times with Sierra ridges gusting over 100 mph.

LAKE TAHOE, Calif./Nev. - The Tahoe Fire and Fuels Team (TFFT) will begin conducting prescribed fire operations in the Lake Tahoe Basin this week, weather and conditions permitting.

North Lake Tahoe Fire Protection District is scheduled to being operations Monday at Diamond Peak Ski Resort (50 acres) and later near War Bonnet Way/Peace Pipe Lane in Incline Village (20 acres).

California State Parks is scheduled to begin operations at Burton Creek (17 acres) and Sugar Pine Point (20 acres) state parks beginning as early as Tuesday.

SOUTH LAKE TAHOE, Calif. - Law enforcement has been busy this morning with vehicles stuck in the snow around Lake Tahoe and on the surrounding mountain passes. Meyers is reporting 12" of snow, South Lake Tahoe 9.5", Genoa 7", Alpine Meadows 7" and the Gardnerville Ranchos up to 14".

This is a good day to stay off the roads. If driving, follow all controls, give yourself distance from the car in front of you, and take your time. The storm is moving out of the area but there will be some lingering snow until around 1:30 p.m.

SOUTH LAKE TAHOE, Calif. - The USDA Forest Service Lake Tahoe Basin Management Unit has begun closing recreational facilities for the winter season. Seasonal closures apply to many National Forest recreation sites in the Tahoe Basin including beaches, campgrounds, picnic areas and forest roads.

Due to continued dangerous wildfire conditions, emergency fire restrictions remain in effect across all National Forest lands in California, including both the California and Nevada sides of the Lake Tahoe Basin.

Smoking outdoors and all recreational fires, including campfires, bonfires, warming fires, wood fires, charcoal fires, or any other kind of outdoor fires, involving solid fuels are prohibited.

View the Forest Order at https://go.usa.gov/x7W7M.

SOUTH LAKE TAHOE, Calif. - The National Weather Service in Reno has upgraded their previous fire weather watch to a Red Flag Warning for the Lake Tahoe Basin Sunday at 5:00 p.m. to Monday at 5:00 p.m.

The forecast is for gusty winds and low humidity. Northeast winds 15 to 20 mph with gusts of 30 to 35 mph. Higher gusts of 40 to 50 mph are possible along mid-
slopes and wind-prone areas with gusts of 70+ mph along the Sierra Crest.

SOUTH LAKE TAHOE, Calif. - A persistent pattern of dry and mild conditions will continue into the middle of the week. Temperatures begin a cool down by Thursday
as a dry cold front dips south across the region. Additional cooling and breezy north winds are possible next weekend with some slight chances for light rain and higher elevation snowfall, according to the National Weather Service (NWS) in Reno.

SOUTH LAKE TAHOE, Calif. - El Dorado County health officials say another two residents have tested positive for COVID-19 since yesterday. Of those, one is in El Dorado Hills and one in the Lake Tahoe Region.

The new cases: 1 is aged 18-49, 1 is aged 65 or over.

Another 89 people were tested for the coronavirus and 87 negative tests results were received.

There have been another 15 assumed recoveries with 133 assumed active cases.

There is currently one COVID-19 ICU patient at Marshall or Barton hospitals, and no suspected cases.

SOUTH LAKE TAHOE, Calif. - The National Weather Service (NWS) in Reno has upgraded their previous warnings for the Lake Tahoe Basin. There is now a Red Flag Warning in effect Saturday, October 10 from 1:00 p.m. to 8:00 p.m.

The Fire Weather Watch is no longer in effect.

The combination of gusty winds and extremely dry fuels can cause fire to rapidly grow in size and intensity before first responders can contain them, so use extreme caution.

Christmas tree permits for National Forest lands in the Lake Tahoe Basin will be available for purchase online through Recreation.gov beginning November 16, 2020. Details about designated cutting areas, dates and types of trees that may be cut can be found at https://www.recreation.gov/tree-permits/ltbmu.

SOUTH LAKE TAHOE, Calif. - Change is in the air for the Lake Tahoe region this week. We'll be saying goodbye to the 80s and 90s, and hello to more seasonable 60s and 70s.

By the end of the week there is even a slight chance of rain and upper-elevation snow (yes, I said that word).

High pressure will produce warm afternoons, dry conditions, and mainly light winds through mid-week. Mornings will remain cool to chilly. Areas of smoke and haze will linger into Monday or Tuesday. Cooler, breezy, and wet conditions are possible Friday through next weekend.

When we look at our community’s health, there are many other factors that determine a person’s ability to thrive - beyond health care services. Social determinants of health are defined by the Centers for Disease Control (CDC) as the conditions in places where people live, learn, work, and play that affect outcomes for health and quality of life. These determinants are complex, and can be deeply rooted; including income and employment opportunities, housing instability, food insecurity, family and social support, transportation, and adverse life effects.

SOUTH LAKE TAHOE, Calif. - A Dumont, New Jersey man missing in Lake Tahoe since August has been found.

Ryan Normoyle, 29, had rented a boat from the Ski Run Boat Company on August 10, 2020. That night, the boat washed ashore in Glenbrook, Nevada but Ryan was not with the boat.

The levels of toxins associated with blooms of blue-green algae have reached above the "danger" level at Red Lake in Alpine Count, and at the "warning" level at Indian Creek Reservoir.

The Alpine County Health Department has been working with The Lahontan Regional Water Quality Control Board, California Department of Fish and Wildlife (Red Lake), South Tahoe Public Utility District (Indian Creek Reservoir), and the Alpine Watershed Group (AWG) in determining these levels.

To the Editor: As Barton nurses, we are at the forefront of the battle to beat COVID-19, and pandemic or not, we always strive to give the best care we can to our patients. We need our community’s support.

Almost three years ago, Barton Hospital’s managerial apathy to the ongoing concerns of Barton’s nurses regarding safety, working conditions, and employee retention compelled us to join the California Nurses Association. Barton immediately hired an expensive union-busting law firm and, as of today, has been successful in denying us the contract we deserve.

The Fork Fire burning west of Lake Tahoe, north of Pollock Pines continues to be 1,752 acres in size but is now 61 percent contained. The Southwest Area Incident Management Team 4 has been in command of the Fork Fire since September 11 and will be handing that duty over to another team on Thursday, September 24.

The containment lines are to the north, east and south sides of the Fork Fire and fire continues to burn in the steep Rubicon drainage area.

351 personnel are assigned to the fire at this time.

Each year flu causes millions of illnesses, hundreds of thousands of hospitalizations, and tens of thousands of deaths in the United States. While it is unclear what will happen this fall and winter, if there is COVID-19 and
flu at the same time, this could place a tremendous burden on our health care systems and cause many additional illnesses, hospitalizations, and deaths. Now more than ever, it’s important that everyone do their part to help prevent the spread of respiratory illnesses, like flu and COVID-19, according to Alpine County Health Officer Dr. Richard Johnson.

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, 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.