department

Lake Tahoe has been recognized for another important conservation success. Our region’s proactive, collaborative strategy to protect Tahoe yellow cress, begun almost 15 years ago, is working so well that the plant does not need additional protections under the federal Endangered Species Act.

The Lake Valley Fire Protection District honored Attorney William Wright with a “Proclamation of Thanks” at the Board meeting held on October 8, 2015.

Wright served as legal counsel to the board for the past 25 years and is now going to enjoy retirement.

The District thanked Wright for his service and dedication to the
Department and it's constituents.

El Dorado County health officials are warning people to not drink and dispose of any unpasteurized apple juice purchased from High Hill Ranch on or after October 6, 2015 after several cases of E. coli were reported.

High Hill Ranch, located in the community of Camino in El Dorado County, has initiated a voluntary recall of its unpasteurized apple juice following notification from local health officials of suspected contamination with bacteria, likely Escherichia coli (E. coli.).

11/3/15 - Update - The scene of the crime has now been reported as the dead-end portion of Spruce Avenue.

Original Story:

Authorities have identified the suspected shooter in last week's drive-by shooting in South Lake Tahoe.

Samuel Tovar, 26, of South Lake Tahoe is wanted for shooting at a 19-year-old man who was standing in a lot near the corner of Highway 50 and Ski Run Boulevard just before midnight on October 14, 2015. Police were called when the unidentified victim showed up at Barton Hospital with gunshot wounds to his leg.

There's an old joke about the seasons in Lake Tahoe: There are two seasons in Lake Tahoe. Winter, and Road Construction.

While the "winter" comment may not be as it once was, there is no question about "road construction" as it now goes from May through October.

Part of living in the mountains is sharing our best weather months with construction workers, road controls and traffic cones. Residents get that. But what drivers went through during the 2015 construction on highways 50 and 89 was not only inexcusable, it was preventable.

The following is a recap of activity the South Lake Tahoe Police Department. They responded to 210 calls over the one-week period between October 6 and October 12, 2015.

Calls Resulting in Arrests:

10/6

DUI at Martin and Knox Avenues
Juvenile Problem in the 2900 block of Lake Tahoe Blvd
Drunk in Public in the 4000 block of Lake Tahoe Blvd
Defrauding in the 4100 block of Lake Tahoe Blvd

10/7

DUI at Friday Avenue and Lake Tahoe Blvd
Warrant in the 2500 block of Bertha
Disturbance in the 1000 block of Emerald Bay Rd

The date was October 14, 1975. Tropper Gary Gifford was on duty for the Nevada Highway Patrol when the First National Bank of Nevada in Round Hill was robbed. The armed gunman escaped and left by car on Highway 50 towards Cave Rock. At noon, just before the tunnel, Tropper Gifford pulled over the robbery suspect.

There was an altercation between Gifford and the suspect when the tropper was shot and killed. The suspect was able to force another man to drive him around the lake to Kings Beach where he took four people hostage. Later that evening the suspect surrendered to authorities.

A 19-year-old man was shot in the leg overnight, apparently the victim of a drive-by shooting near the intersection of Highway 50 and Ski Run Boulevard. Officers from the South Lake Tahoe Police Department were called to Barton Hospital just after midnight on the report of a man with a gunshot wound.

The unidentified man's injury is not life threatening according to SLTPD Lt. David Stevenson.

Since the shooting, police have recovered a truck near the "Y" that is suspected of being involved in the crime.

The final portion of the Class 1 bike trail network between Meyers and South Lake Tahoe was formally opened Wednesday with a ribbon cutting ceremony.

Members of the El Dorado County project team were on hand along with current Area 5 Supervisor Sue Novasel and former Supervisor Norma Santiago. Partner agency staff were also there to celebrate the completion.

The South Lake Tahoe Police Department is inviting business owners of establishments that serve or sell alcohol, and their employees, to attend a free seminar presented by the Department of Alcoholic Beverage Control on Monday, October 26th, from 1:00 p.m. to 5:00 p.m., at the City Council Chambers at the South Lake Tahoe Airport, 1901 Airport Road.

The LEAD (Licensee Education on Alcohol and Drugs) seminar will give you:
· Information on what is acceptable I.D.; the best way to check I.D.; how to refuse service; signs and prevention of illicit drug activity, and more

A man is being sought in South Lake Tahoe after an attempted abduction in the Stateline area on Saturday, October 10.

At 9:40 a.m., officers from the South Lake Tahoe Police Department responded to the area of Park and Cedar Avenues after getting a call about a suspicious man who approached a woman, telling her he'd shoot if she didn't go with him. He simulated a gun inside the pocket of his grey hooded sweatshirt.

The scared woman ran away and the suspect fled the area prior to the arrival of police.

As of Sunday evening, the only description of the male suspect is:

8:00 a.m. update 10/12/15: Authorities spent Sunday removing parts of the plane that remained in trees surrounding the crash site that claimed the lives of two people in South Lake Tahoe.

Investigators say the plane hit trees before crashing behind a home on Tionontati Street just before 5:36 p.m. Saturday, October 10. A fire started which scorched the home.

The force of the crash broke a large tree just feet away from the house.

The following is a recap of activity the South Lake Tahoe Police Department. They responded to 206 calls over the one-week period between September 29 and October 5, 2015.

Calls Resulting in Arrests:

9/29
Drunk in Public in the 900 block of Park Ave
Battery in the 900 block of Brockway
Unlicensed Driver at Spruce and Gilmore Avenues
Drunk in Public in the 1200 block of Emerald Bay Rd

9/30
DUI in the 1200 block of Ski Run Blvd
Defrauding in the 2500 block of Lake Tahoe Blvd

The man who came forward after his picture was circulated as being a suspect in a sexual assault case has been cleared by the South Lake Tahoe Police Department (SLTPD).

The South Tahoe Drug Free Coalition collaborated with the El Dorado County Sheriff’s Office and the South Tahoe Police Department for the National Prescription Drug Take Back Day on Saturday, September 26, 2015, which saw approximately 50 pounds of unwanted prescription medication turned in to authorities. The event gave South Lake Tahoe residents an opportunity to dispose of all unwanted, unused, or expired medications for free with no questions asked. No liquids or needles were accepted and residents were asked to remove all personal information from bottles before dropping off medications.

Like many Americans, law enforcement folks have been deeply moved by the horrific images we have seen in Oregon. A certain feeling of helplessness has become the norm when we look at these events from the prevention perspective. We may ask questions like:

“Why do people who would do such a thing have access to a gun?”
“Why didn’t people who knew the shooter do something to stop him before people died?”

Though long awaited precipitation decided to fall in South Lake Tahoe Thursday, the Neighborhood Evacuation Drill still went ahead as planned.

"The drill went very well," said SLT Fire Chief Jeff Meston. "Overall a success with lessons learned.

He said there was great interagency cooperation with the South Lake Tahoe Police Department, El Dorado County Search and Rescue, El Dorado County STAR and South Lake Tahoe Action teams, Public Works department, and the Red Cross all joining the South Lake Tahoe Fire Department in the drill.

El Dorado County Sheriff's Office (EDSO) arrested a 16-year-old boy on Thursday on charges he murdered his family in their Greenwood, CA cabin.

On September 13, Cal Fire asked for the assistance of EDSO after they found human remains inside a burnt residence.

10 p.m. update 9/29/15:

The El Dorado County Sheriff's Office has arrested a 23-year-old Orangevale, CA man in connection with threats made at several El Dorado County preschools and day care centers over the past few days. Many of the schools closed temporarily in response to the threats to staff and children.

Michael McDermort was booked into El Dorado County Jail for charges related to terrorizing threats. As of Tuesday night he was still in jail on a bail hold of $51,500.

As reported last week, there were four stolen cars in South Lake Tahoe between September 10 and 15.

A 21-year-old transient Tarra Sheffield was arrested for stealing one of those cars. The South Lake Tahoe Police Department said she had evidence to other stolen cars when arrested.

Long time local artist Ellen Nunes joins Chinese artist Yu Ji and winners from the Lake Tahoe Community College (LTCC) Spring Art Show in a trio of art exhibits on campus this fall. To celebrate the three shows, the community is invited to attend the free artist receptions for all three exhibits which will be held simultaneously on Thursday, Oct. 1 from 5 p.m. to 7 p.m.. This gives people an opportunity to meet the artists, see their works up close, and enjoy light refreshments with fellow art lovers.

Several South Lake Tahoe projects were awarded this week by the Tahoe Regional Planning Agency (TRPA) as being the "Best in the Basin" for demonstrating exceptional planning, design, and compatibility with Lake Tahoe’s environment and communities.

The projects that were recognized upgraded highways, built new bike trails, improved water quality, restored environmentally-sensitive areas, remodeled blighted commercial buildings, and created defensible space for better wildfire protection.

The Best in the Basin award winners are:

Authorities have found the remains of at least two people inside a Garden Valley home found burned on September 13, 2015. The home belongs to a Benicia, CA family, Adam Buchanan, his 7-year-old son Gavin and Gavin’s mother Molly McAfee, who have been missing since September 11.

During the 2014 Kokanee salmon run at Taylor Creek, spectators left pathways at the popular U.S. Forest Service Visitor Center in South Lake Tahoe to approach bears in search of a selfie photo with a bear. Not only was this dangerous for the human, it was dangerous for the bear and USFS threatened to close the area to the public.