council

Help South Lake Tahoe businesses: Go Local Card now available for purchase

The Tahoe Chamber and the City of South Lake Tahoe have partnered to launch the GO Local Tahoe Bonus Gift Card program to boost immediate local spending and support South Shore restaurants, retailers and service providers throughout Covid-19 restrictions. The community based, e-gift card allows recipients to spend their card at 41 (and growing) local businesses and rewards purchasers with bonus cards.

Planning Commission denies changes to planned cannabis microbusiness in South Lake Tahoe

SOUTH LAKE TAHOE, Calif. - There is now an open license for a South Lake Tahoe cannabis microbusiness after one of those approved in 2019 will not finish up the process of opening. On January 14, 2021, the City Planning Commission denied a request from James Street LLC to change the name of the approved operator and extend their deadline to open by six months.

South Lake Tahoe Mayor Tamara Wallace: Better days ahead

“You’ve got to count to three.” Those were the words of advice attributed to Norm Woods one of the first five city council members. The Cityhood project in 1965 was spearheaded by the South Lake Tahoe Chamber of Commerce with all five of that first council members coming from the Chamber Board ranks. Norm served as one of the first rotating Mayors and many times thereafter. His advice was offered to the citizens who were newly elected to subsequent councils.

Special Planning Commission meeting to address new building standards and cannabis permit

SOUTH LAKE TAHOE, Calif. - There will be a special meeting of the South Lake Tahoe Planning Commission on Thursday, January 14, 2021 at 3:00 p.m.

First on the agenda is a possible vote on an update to City Code and the design standards included in it after receiving a grant from the State to do so. There have been public workshops and meetings with contractors and developers, along with the Tahoe Regional Planning Agency (TRPA), to get their input on the updates the standards.

LTUSD to remain in distance learning due to current county-wide COVID data

SOUTH LAKE TAHOE, Calif. - The Lake Tahoe Unified School District (LTUSD) Superintendent Dr. Todd Cutler has notified teachers, students and staff that they will have to postpone the reopening of in-person classrooms. Citing COVID-19 case levels not dropping to the desired levels in El Dorado County, and testing/tracing capacity, LTUSD will continue with distance learning at this time.

COVID-19 vaccines start moving through first phase in El Dorado and Alpine counties

EL DORADO COUNTY, Calif. - During both the South Lake Tahoe City Council meeting and the El Dorado County Board of Supervisor meetings on January 5, questions were asked of the health care professionals as to when the public can expect to be vaccinated for COVID-19.

Two new programs approved to help South Lake Tahoe small businesses

SOUTH LAKE TAHOE, Calif. - The South Lake Tahoe City Council approved two programs during their meeting on Tuesday, both to help small businesses in the city limits as well as helping locals spending money locally.

The approved $75,000 to be used for the purchase of bonus gift cards with the Tahoe Chamber. While a person purchases gift cards for use at local businesses they get a bonus gift card paid through the City's funding.

South Lake Tahoe City Council starts off the new year with a meeting Tuesday

SOUTH LAKE TAHOE, Calif. - City Council will hold their first scheduled meeting of 2021 on Tuesday with discussion and possible vote on new proposals from the the City of South Lake Tahoe response to COVID-19, a summary of the new housing program and near term rental housing strategies, and the 2020 Lake Tahoe Airport Economic Impact Study findings.

The January 5 meeting starts at 9:00 a.m. and can be viewed on Channel 21 or online.

The agenda also includes consent items:
- Emergency Order No. 6 which authorizes cannabis retailers to temporarily operate curbside pickup.

South Lake Tahoe businesses can apply for COVID-19 relief grant program

SOUTH LAKE TAHOE, Calif. - There is a very short window for small businesses to apply for the latest round in COVID-19 relief grants. From December 30 2020 - January 8, 2021, businesses can apply for some of the $475 million that will be made available in two rounds.

Town of Truckee votes to adopt urgency ordinance for lodging to keep community safe

TRUCKEE, Calif. - Facing an influx of tourists during the Governor's Regional Stay-at-Home order just as South Lake Tahoe has seen, the Town of Truckee Council unanimously passed an urgency ordinance Tuesday night to protect the public's health. Any hotel, motel or vacation home rental in use during the Stay-at-Home order can now face the revoking, suspension or denial of their Tourist Occupancy Certificate.

The Stay-at-Home order states lodging properties are to not be rented to anyone except essential workers in order to help slow the spread of COVID-19.

City of South Lake Tahoe joins in “Pay It Forward” initiative with $10,000 donation

SOUTH LAKE TAHOE, Calif. - Paying it forward has spread quickly through the South Lake Tahoe community this holiday season, and now the City is joining in to help those in need while at the same time helping out small locally-owned restaurants.

The “Pay It Forward” initiative involves community members and organizations contributing money to open tabs at local restaurants. It’s a program that helps those in need and helps support the restaurants when they need it the most.

Truckee, El Dorado and Placer County leaders ask AirBnB to not allow rentals during Stay-at-Home order

El Dorado County, Placer County and Town of Truckee representatives have sent a letter to Airbnb, asking for assistance stopping short-term rentals (STR) during the current Stay at Home Order. They told the vacation rental booking company that their help is needed to stop the spread of COVID-19 and asked them to not allow rentals in Truckee and the California side of Lake Tahoe during the order which is through at least January 1.

"In God We Trust" sign added to Douglas County board chamber wall

DOUGLAS COUNTY, Nev. - A new "In God We Trust" display has been added to the wall of the Douglas County Board Chamber. In 2019, the County Commissioners passed a resolution supporting the display of the national motto in the chambers and after fundraising efforts the sign was created by the winning bidder, YESCO, LLC.

The new "In God We Trust" was installed during the commissioner's December 10, 2020 meeting.

Del Laine ~ March 20, 1930 - December 18, 2020

Del Laine has left her mark on South Lake Tahoe in ways that many local residents might not know. She was a mover and shaker, whose focus was on making the city a better place. Her most important role, though, was promoting the well-being of women.

This pioneer died Dec. 18, 2020, at home from natural causes, with family at her side. She was 90.

She was born Dolores Mae Wright on March 20, 1930, in Oakland, Calif., to Mabel Paulson and Leslie Wright.

Del Laine, South Lake Tahoe trailblazer, dies at the age of 90

SOUTH LAKE TAHOE, Calif. - A true trailblazer in the forming of the City of South Lake Tahoe has died at the age of 90. Del Laine, passed away from natural causes with her family at her side.

She served on South Lake Tahoe's City Council from 1976-1980, and then again from 1984-1988 and became the City's first female Mayor in 1977. She would go on to serve one more term as Mayor during her time on council.

New $5M public communication system heading to South Lake Tahoe

SOUTH LAKE TAHOE, Calif. - First responders in South Lake Tahoe have been dealing with an antiquated public safety communications system for years but that is about to change. On Tuesday, City Council approved the funds needed to fix the system with much more than a band-aid.

City of South Lake Tahoe allocates funds to help with propane, food, and to go containers

SOUTH LAKE TAHOE, Calif. - During the city council meeting on Tuesday, funds were approved to further assist the community during the pandemic.

Brooke Laine and Jason Collin end terms on South Lake Tahoe City Council

SOUTH LAKE TAHOE, Calif. - Former mayors Brooke Laine and Jason Collin said their good-byes Monday at their final City of South Lake Tahoe council meeting. Collin decided to not run after his four-year term as did Laine who finished ten years on the council.

Wallace and Middlebrook voted in as mayor and mayor pro-tem for South Lake Tahoe

SOUTH LAKE TAHOE, Calif. - There is a new mayor in town. During its December 1 meeting, City Council unanimously voted in current Mayor Pro Tem Tamara Wallace as mayor and Devin Middlebrook as mayor pro tem.

To start off the Tuesday meeting, City Clerk Sue Blankenship swore in the two newest members to the council after November's election. Cristi Creegan and John Friedrich each began their four-year terms after being sworn in as councilmembers.

Both Wallace and Middlebrook have been on the council for two years, along with Councilmember Cody Bass.

Vote on new mayor, more recovery funds, and emergency order on South Lake Tahoe City Council agenda

Event Date: 
December 1, 2020 - 9:00am

SOUTH LAKE TAHOE, Calif. - Following a special meeting on Monday to certify the November 3 election and say goodbye to outgoing councilmembers, newly elected Councilmembers Cristi Creegan and John Friedrich will be sworn in at the beginning of Tuesday's regular meeting.

The 9:00 a.m. meeting on December 1 will also include the following agenda items:

Gary S. Slossberg appointed as El Dorado County Superior Court Commissioner

EL DORADO COUNTY, Calif. - A new court commissioner has been announced by the El Dorado County Superior Court. After an extensive search and vetting process, Gary
S. Slossberg was appointed by Presiding Judge Suzanne Kingsbury.

Slossberg will be based in Placerville but will serve in all of the courts in El Dorado County. He will specialize in cases involving family law, child support, domestic violence and civil harassment, juvenile dependency and delinquency, traffic, limited civil cases, as well as overflow matters as assigned by the Presiding Judge.

Special City Council meeting Monday to certify election; honor Collin and Laine

Event Date: 
November 30, 2020 - 9:00am

SOUTH LAKE TAHOE, Calif. - The results from the November 3, 2020 election were certified by the El Dorado County Registrar of Voters Bill O'Neil on Wednesday and the City of South Lake Tahoe will certify the results of local items during a special meeting on Monday, November 30 at 9:00 a.m.

El Dorado County vote complete and certified

EL DORADO COUNTY, Calif. - The final tabulations are now complete for El Dorado County and the November Presidential election results for the county have been certified.

Here are the final results:

City of South Lake Tahoe - Measure S (Majority to Pass)

9,667 / 12,739 75.89% of registered voters counted
558 Undervotes
2 Overvotes

Yes - 5,804 60.04%
No - 3,303 34.17%

South Lake Tahoe City Council (Top Two Win)

9,667 / 12,739 75.89% of registered voters counted
4,406 Undervotes
38 Overvotes

Douglas County Sheriff's Office distributes Child Safety ID kits to students

DOUGLAS COUNTY, Nev. - Elementary students in Douglas County are receiving free Child Safety ID kits from the Douglas County Sheriff's Office (DCSO). These kits are a helpful resource for parent nd law enforcement to identify a child in case of an emergency.

The school district office will be distributing the kits where were made possible by a generous donation from the Douglas County Sheriff’s Office Advisory Council.

Election result updates for El Dorado County - Updates for Douglas County expected Friday

More ballot counts have been released by the elections departments at both El Dorado and Douglas Counties.

EL DORADO COUNTY

El Dorado County election officials have released another tally of ballots counted. The results remain the same as of the November 10 count. Votes Cast: 116,744 of 135,554, or 86.12 percent of eligible voters.

El Dorado County down to 1,000 votes to count - Creegan and Friedrich new South Lake Tahoe councilmembers

SOUTH LAKE TAHOE, Calif. - The El Dorado County Elections Department tabulated another 9,614 ballots on Friday, leaving about 1,000 provisional ballots left to count.

At this time, 115,339 ballots have been counted of the possible 135,554 voters (85.09%).

Cristi Creegan and John Friedrich appear to be the next two South Lake Tahoe City councilmembers. They led the race since the first ballots were counted on election day and came out victorious in the field of ten candidates.

Election results: Creegan and Friedrich still on top of Council race, Measure S passing

SOUTH LAKE TAHOE, Calif. - The El Dorado County Elections Department has tabulated another 16,320 ballots. They plan to have the count of 9,200 mail-in ballots completed Friday. Then there will be about 1,200 provisional ballots left to count and some ballots that were waiting on signature corrections.

At this time, 105,725 ballots have been counted of the possible 135,554 voters (77.99%).

City of South Lake Tahoe seeking applicants for citizen commissions and boards

The City of South Lake Tahoe is looking to fill vacant seats on four citizen commissions and boards: Planning Commission, Airport Land Use Commission, Building Board of Appeals, and Parks & Recreation Commission. They are soliciting applications for a City Council representative to the El Dorado County Commission on Aging and the Tahoe Regional Planning Agency Advisory Planning Commission.

Applications are due December 28 for the following positions

Planning Commission

South Lake Tahoe's Measure S passing, Creegan and Friedrich leading

4:00 p.m. UPDATE: There will be no more updates to the El Dorado County ballot count on Wednesday. According to election officials, mail in ballots are being counted but nothing will be updated on their website until tabulations occur Thursday afternoon.

There have been no updates since Tuesday night to the Douglas County election results.

Ballot counts for El Dorado County and South Lake Tahoe

10:46 P.M. UPDATE: Both El Dorado County and Douglas County have released an updated count at this hour. For El Dorado County, 149 of 209 precincts have now been tabulated. Depending on the area, Douglas County shows about 72 percent of Tuesday's votes listed.

South Lake Tahoe Police officers finish first month with body cameras

SOUTH LAKE TAHOE, Calif. - Officers with the South Lake Tahoe Police Department (SLTPD) are now using a new system of body and vehicle cameras. After City Council approved $470,000 Body Worn Camera (BWC) system on July 28, 42 body cameras, 28 in-car cameras, and the associated cloud based storage were ordered, training was completed and procedures were created.

South Lake Tahoe City Council looks to finalize shared rental ordinance

SOUTH LAKE TAHOE, Calif. - There has been much discussion in the community about the City of South Lake Tahoe's new Shared Rental Ordinance, one that is up for a vote during the November 3 City Council meeting.

A shared rental, also known as a hosted rental, is one where a person rents a portion of their home to a visitor on a short term basis* while they are still living in the home. They are not new in South Lake Tahoe, but the focus has been on creating an ordinance for them as a large number of people started obtaining business licenses for shared rentals in recent months.

Letter: Don't let City allow hosted vacation rentals

The ban on Vacation Home Rentals (VHRs) in South Lake Tahoe is looming and the City is now working on putting holes in it. The first attempt is being presented Tuesday, Nov 3 at the City Council meeting. The City plans to allow 200 “Hosted” short term rentals in our neighborhoods. It will require a tenant or owner to host guests in their ‘homes’ to be available to respond to complaints within 60 minutes of issues being reported. On the surface this seems a reasonable alternative until we consider the realities and how this might actually be used.

South Lake Tahoe businesses can now apply for global "Safe Travels" stamp through LTVA

South Lake Tahoe has earned “Safe Travels stamp and global protocols” recognition as part of a progressive group working to restore confidence in travel from the World Travel & Tourism Council.

City of South Lake Tahoe adopts Climate Action Plan

SOUTH LAKE TAHOE, Calif. - During their last meeting, the South Lake Tahoe City Council voted unanimously to adopt a Climate Action Plan (CAP).

This plan will be used as a dynamic, policy-guiding roadmap to provide insight on strategies and actions that can be taken in the community to help move towards is two climate goals - 100 percent renewable community electricity by 2032 and a 80 percent reduction in community greenhouse gas emissions by 2040.

Letter: Candidate Grego weighs in on the issues

I have read a number of candidate statements and articles about their hopes and aspirations for our community. I applaud each candidate that is running for local office; the challenge is getting their messages to voters.

I must say, however, despite all of the objectives that the candidates seek to achieve while in office, they are missing an important point. It is not only what you want to accomplish, but how to do so.

My history of involvement has spanned decades in our community and the positions that I have taken are of public record.

Letter to the Editor: Why are we subsidizing solar panels?

After listening to some TedX speeches and my own observations and common knowledge of science, I have come to understand one of the major problems of renewable energy that I believe will make most of the wind mill and solar panel energy producing processes obsolete within a few years.

Letters: Candidate thanks her many supporters for city council

I want to thank my many, many supporters for their belief in me. Withstanding the constant barrage of incorrect information and innuendo about me printed here (in Letters to the Editor) and in other sources, the repeated vandalism of my signs, the anonymous emails at the recent city council meeting that targeted me and others has been made easier by the constant encouragement I receive from our locals who know that I am the best choice for city council.

South Lake Tahoe Hosted Rental Ordinance back to staff for revisions

SOUTH LAKE TAHOE, Calif. - City Council made another attempt to create a Hosted Rental Ordinance but they decided at their meeting Tuesday to hand back to staff for some revisions.

After much discussion they decided to have staff clean up rules that could be potential loopholes for homeowners and/or tenants. This is the second time a first reading has been turned down for more fine tuning.

The following changes were added for Council to review October 20:

(1) Increase the required tenancy for a tenant to qualify as a hosted rental applicant from six months to two years;

City Manager commits to improving the Regan Beach area and making it safer

SOUTH LAKE TAHOE, Calif. - Regan Beach in South Lake Tahoe has been a problem spot for Al Tahoe area residents this year, with late night parties, speeding on Lakeview Avenue, and illegal use after hours.

South Lake Tahoe City Manager Joe Irvin sat down recently with residents around the city-owned Regan Beach to find out what could be done to improve the current situation.

"I am committed to improving the park," said Irvin of the new plans with safety at the forefront.

City Council candidates respond to South Lake Tahoe Chamber questions

SOUTH LAKE TAHOE, Calif. - The South Tahoe Chamber of Commerce Board recently asked the nine City Council candidates ten questions they felt were of most importance to its members. The questions focused mainly on topics relating to things that will or may affect both the local small businesses and the community in general.

Their board made the decision to not endorse a specific candidate this election, but instead rank them based on how much they align with the South Tahoe Chamber of Commerce goals based on their answers to the questions below.

Letter: City Council candidate Leonard Carter weighs in on Covid-19 claims

Science is a process that can be used to come closer to the truth than mere cheerleading for one's candidate. Science says that I can only use observed, material data to come to a truthful conclusion. So let us see where both presidential candidates have any actual verifiable material evidence for their claims.

Letter to the Editor: We Choose a Voice For Locals

It's a great thing to call for unity. It sounds good and feels good. But for far too long hollow calls for "working together" have become excuses for bulldozing over the needs of the people who live and work here in favor of the needs of the developers, resorts and casinos.

I chose the locals.

I choose to give a voice to those who are marginalized.

And if this seems like I’m causing trouble, then it is, as John Lewis called it, good trouble.

Chelcee Thomas hired as the new executive director for Live Violence Free

SOUTH LAKE TAHOE, Calif. - Live Violence Free, the South Lake Tahoe-based agency committed to promoting a violence-free community, has announced the appointment of a new executive director.

Chelcee Thomas has returned to her hometown to lead the 43-year-old agency. The South Tahoe High graduate has dedicated her career to supporting social

Letter to the Editor: Choose Unity over Division

We are both running for South Lake Tahoe City Council to move our community past division, negativity, misinformation and finger pointing, and toward common ground solutions on critical issues. We’re all in this together.

South Lake Tahoe City Council candidate campaign finance reports

SOUTH LAKE TAHOE, Calif. - The first set of campaign finance reports filed by South Lake Tahoe City Council candidates have been received by election officials and posted to the City's website.

Required forms:

Form 460 - Candidates who have raised/spent $2,000 or more file
Form 410 (Statement of Organization) - Must also be filed once $2,000 or more has been raised/spent
Form 470 - Candidates who do not raise or spend $2,000 or more (or anticipate raising or spending $2,000 or more) in 2020 and do not have an open committee

Letter to the Editor: Great time for opportunity, collaboration and positivity

The desperation evident in those in our community, including some other candidates for City Council, who hope to maintain the status quo and deny us the opportunity to evolve is reaching fever pitch. As indicated in the Form 460 I filed as required by the FPPC, I received a campaign contribution of $5,000 from a Nevada resident, a retired businessman with philanthropic leanings. Aside from our one conversation in which we discussed our love of Tahoe, some local nonprofit organizations we'd both supported, and our love for our own daughters, I've never spoken with him.

Op/Ed: Creating a community without the divide of a state line

On October 31, 2016 I wrote an editorial "Use the election to create a community of collaboration and teamwork" due to a growing vibe of discourse and anger across the country as well as in South Lake Tahoe.

Since we are once again in the midst of a contentious national election I saw a need to once again look at the definition of community as we focus on our local situation in El Dorado County and Douglas County.

com·mu·ni·ty:

Letter to the Editor: South Tahoe Youth climate group endorses Scott Robbins and John Friedrich for city council

At this point in time, the intersection between equity and climate change has never been clearer. The Sunrise Movement is a national youth climate group that is seeking a future that’s not only sustainable, but also just. With only 11 years left to transform our economy away from fossil fuels to avoid the worst effects of climate change, we need to elect officials now who will defend our future. The remedies for unsustainable practices must work for everyone in this city. That’s why we’re endorsing John Friedrich and Scott Robbins for the city council of South Lake Tahoe.

Letter to the Editor: Shops at Heavenly Village support Williams and Carter for Council

On September 22, 2020 the Tahoe Chamber endorsed City Council Candidates Cristi Creegan and John Friedrich. We strongly believe they are the wrong choice for this position and will not represent the businesses, jobs, local working residents, and current challenges in our community effectively.

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