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SOUTH LAKE TAHOE, Calif. - This week's Drought Monitor shows much of the West in some level of drought. Lake Tahoe, the Sierra, and Western Nevada are all in a "moderate drought" stage with no end in the immediate future.

The 90-day outlook shows higher than average temperatures and lower than average precipitation, neither of which is good to break out of a drought.

Following below-average precipitation most of the winter, May storms delivered 181 percent of average in the Northern Sierra for this time of year, but the results aren't showing enough to remove the area from drought.

LAKE TAHOE, Calif./Nev. – Spring is in full swing in the Tahoe Basin and Tahoe black bears are searching for food. Intentional or unintentional feeding of bears results in unwanted bear behaviors, increased human-bear conflicts, and public safety issues as well as fines and possible jail time for violators. Each year, local law enforcement and state wildlife officers respond to hundreds of calls in which bears may pose a public safety threat or are damaging property. In some cases, the bear must be euthanized.

SOUTH LAKE TAHOE, Calif. - The City is excited about Memorial Day weekend but realize this one will be different than years past.

Property owners are now allowed to come to Tahoe, but visitors are still asked not to be here at this time.

“We love our visitors and recognize how much they contribute to this City and this economy,” said City Manager Joe Irvin, “We just know how important it is to get things open safely, and we all understand we are stronger together and safer apart right now.”

SOUTH LAKE TAHOE, Calif. - City Council approved $200,000 Tuesday to be used in the South Lake Tahoe community through business grants, COVID-related expenses, and a restaurant voucher program.

Following on the heels of their $50,000 donated to five nonprofits supplying food to the South Lake Tahoe community during the pandemic, the Council voted to follow the direction of the task force and allocate $100,000 to fund the COVID Compliance Grant Reimbursement Program, $50,000 for a Small Business Grant Program, and $50,000 to a Local Restaurant Voucher Program.

EL DORADO COUNTY, Calif. - The County's Public Health Department is reporting four new cases of COVID-19 in El Dorado County, two men, two women with one each in the areas of Pollock Pines/Camino/Kyburz; Diamond Springs/El Dorado; North County; and South County.

This brings the total number of cases to 60, with 50 recoveries and ten active cases. To date, 3,324 tests have been administered to residents with 131 of those new Tuesday.

Twenty people in the Lake Tahoe region of the county have tested positive. This region includes South Lake Tahoe, Meyers, Kyburz, and Tahoma.

ALPINE COUNTY, Calif. - Alpine County is grateful to report that we still have only one resident with a laboratory confirmed case of COVID-19 infection. That occurred in March, the person was not hospitalized, and has recovered. Surrounding counties continue to report either no change or a small increase in the number of cases (El Dorado – 56, with 20 in South Lake Tahoe, Douglas (NV) – 24, Calaveras – 13, Amador – 8, Tuolumne – 2, Mono - 32).

The Tahoe Chamber is inviting the business community to join them on Friday, May 15, from 11:00 a.m. to 12:00 p.m. for another one of their popular Virtual Town Halls. This week, the Sierra Business Council and the Douglas County Vitality manager will discuss and provide guidance on the reopening of business in both California and Nevada and answer the community's questions.

Speakers will include:

- Steve Frisch, President, Sierra Business Council
- Lisa Granahan, Economic Vitality Manager, Douglas County, NV Economic Development / Vitality Department

The California Department of Transportation (Caltrans) is working on several projects in the Lake Tahoe area as well as El Dorado County and the Sierra.

LONG-TERM PROJECTS

U.S. Highway 50 (El Dorado County): Work continues on a $5.2 million project to upgrade metal beam guardrail and construct concrete barriers at 89 locations from the Red Hawk Undercrossing to 1.9 miles west of the junction with State Route 89 in Meyers. Completion is expected in late spring 2020. No traffic-interfering work is scheduled.

SOUTH LAKE TAHOE, Calif. - A 32-year-old man was transported to Renown Medical Center in Reno early Saturday morning after his vehicle crashed into a tree near the intersection of San Jose Avenue and Lake Tahoe Boulevard.

DOUGLAS COUNTY, Nev. - A man posing as an FBI agent allegedly stole an Audi in Los Angeles on April 29 and ended up crashing that same vehicle in Douglas County on May 1.

According to the Douglas County Sheriff's Office (DCSO), Fabian Campos drove that car into Carson City where the Carson City Sheriff’s Office spotted the suspected stolen vehicle and a pursuit ensued on US395. DCSO took over when it crossed the county line.

SOUTH LAKE TAHOE, Calif. - City Council will hold a special meeting on Wednesday, May 6 at 9:00 a.m. with a single agenda item: Authorization of a letter signed by Mayor Jason Collin to California Governor Gavin Newsom to request approval for the City of South Lake Tahoe for its transition to Phase 2 of re-opening the County of El Dorado and City of South Lake Tahoe for individuals and businesses.

SOUTH LAKE TAHOE, Calif. - The California Department of Transportation (Caltrans) has resumed work on area highways. The following is their current project list at Lake Tahoe and in the Sierra.

LONG-TERM PROJECTS

U.S. Highway 50 (El Dorado County): Work continues on a $5.2 million project to upgrade metal beam guardrail and construct concrete barriers at 89 locations from the Red Hawk Undercrossing to 1.9 miles west of the junction with State Route 89 in Meyers. Completion is expected in late spring 2020. No traffic-interfering work is scheduled.

SOUTH LAKE TAHOE, Calif. - A temporary closure order for USFS beaches and recreation sites around Lake Tahoe has been extended through at least May 15, 2020. The original order was set to expire May 1. To keep in alignment with current federal, state, and local guidance for social distancing, and to ensure the health and safety of its employees, visitors, and volunteers, it was extended.

Trailheads and trails outside of the orange areas of the attached maps, or the ones on the closure website, are not affected by this order but parking lots are closed.

SOUTH LAKE TAHOE, Calif. – The fifth and final snow measurement of the year at Phillips Station took place Thursday, and results were very slim. The team from the Department of Water Resources (DWR) measured 1.5 inches of snow with a snow water equivalent (SWE) of 0.5 inches which is three percent of average for May 1.

The SWE measures the amount of water contained in the snowpack, providing a more accurate forecast of spring runoff than snow depth alone.

SOUTH LAKE TAHOE, Calif. - The largest wetland restoration project in the history of the Lake Tahoe Basin is now underway in the Upper Truckee River Marsh. The major project to restore the marsh in South Lake Tahoe has been years in the making to fix the environmental damage done by the creation of the Tahoe Keys.

SOUTH LAKE TAHOE, Calif. - The California Department of Transportation (CalTrans) will work on projects through the Sierra, as weather permits this winter. There are no major projects going on in the Lake Tahoe Basin until the building season begins in May. The following is their weekly schedule:

Please remember to stay home except for essential needs.
California is under a Stay-at-Home Order and only essential travel is permitted.
~ Avoid travel ~ Stay-at-Home ~ Beat COVID-19 ~
Learn more at covid19.ca.gov
#StayHomeSaveLives

LONG-TERM PROJECTS

SOUTH LAKE TAHOE, Calif. - People at Regan Beach in South Lake Tahoe heard a man's calls for help about 2:30 p.m. on Wednesday, April 22, and their call to 911 brought out multiple agencies.

The 36-year-old man from Richmond, California had been kayaking about 400-500 yards offshore when his kayak starting taking on water through a hole.

We would like to express our sincerest appreciation and deepest thanks to the Barton Health team for their efforts to address the coronavirus COVID-19 crisis. This is an unprecedented time to work in health care, and the staff, physicians, and administration have risen to this challenge while showing perseverance, nimbleness, and strategic creativity. The dedication to their job and the brave face they don each day while arriving at work is humbling. As Board members and community members we are deeply moved by this courage.

EL DORADO COUNTY, Calif. - There have been two new confirmed cases of COVID-19 in El Dorado County, both in the Lake Tahoe region which includes Meyers and South Lake Tahoe.

One male, one female in the 18-49-year-old range were confirmed over the weekend. Their ages dropped the median age of positive cases from the age of 49 to 47.

This brings the total positive tests in the county to 38.

The county reports 130 new tests administered, and no new recoveries. To date, 1,590 tests have been administered with 1,552 coming back as negative or are pending.

SOUTH LAKE TAHOE, Calif. - While determining the exact timing and scope of coronavirus’ peak in the Lake Tahoe region is difficult, Barton Health is working diligently to be prepared to respond accordingly and address the needs of patients in the community. Surge planning is almost complete including more than doubling hospital bed capacity and expanding facilities to accommodate those who may be infected by the virus.

SOUTH LAKE TAHOE, Calif. - Just over a year ago the South Lake Tahoe City Council approved a new mobile vending ordinance after the desire for food trucks was expressed by locals and businesses without kitchens.

SOUTH LAKE TAHOE, Calif. - April 12-18 is designated as National Telecommunicators Recognition Week, a time to honor the 911 dispatchers for their ongoing dedication to their communities.

The dispatch team covers the town 24/7 every day of the year and provides emergency and non-emergency coverage and helps the public and first responders with the resources they need.

EL DORADO COUNTY, Calif. - The El Dorado County Department of Health and Human Services is reporting two new positive cases of COVID-19 in the area, both in El Dorado Hills. This brings the total number of confirmed cases to 32.

The County is also reporting confirmed cases now on their daily report. There have been 16 residents who have recovered from COVID-19, to date.

According to the report, 1,125 tests have been made on residents, with 1,093 of them negative or still outstanding.

South Lake Tahoe has 9 confirmed cases of the virus.

RENO, Nev. – Peter Lucas, 35, of Reno, was arrested yesterday and appeared in court today for allegedly stealing hundreds of surgical masks from a supply cart at the Ioannis A. Lougaris VA Medical Center (VA Medical Center) in Reno.