federal

Nevada Department of Transportation officials are reminding motorists to drive safely as an eclipse darkens Nevada skies on Aug. 21.

In northern Nevada, the sun will be as much as 90 percent eclipsed during mid-morning hours of Aug. 21.

Approximately 200 million people, nearly two-thirds of the country’s population, live within a day’s drive of the path of the full solar eclipse, according to the Federal Highway Administration (FHWA).

The city received some good news this week. We were successfully awarded $2.9 million in federal funds to complete all of the funding for the Sierra Blvd. Streetscape project-we are now 100% funded through construction. Kudos to Stan Hill with the City for his excellent grant application. Per Jim Marino, Asst.

8:00 p.m. update: Road construction on Highway 50 is what led to the closure of Bank of the West in South Lake Tahoe.

"Nearby construction resulted in an air quality issue at our South Tahoe Branch, which was quickly identified and is being remedied," Anita Fox, Senior Vice President of Public Relations and Corporate Communications for Bank of the West told South Tahoe Now this evening. "We anticipate re-opening the branch no later than Thursday."

In the meantime, those wishing to conduct in-branch transactions can visit the bank's Tahoe City Branch at 150 West Lake Boulevard.

Thousands of people turned out Saturday morning to celebrate the near-completion of the much-anticipated Carson City Interstate 580 freeway bypass riding their bicycles, walking, jogging or skating on top of the pavement that will soon carry tens of thousands of vehicles upon it when open next month.

The I-580 run, walk and ride event began about 9 a.m. Saturday and continued until noon.

Vern Pierson, the El Dorado County District Attorney, testified against the "Sanctuary State Bill" in Sacramento on Wednesday.

Pierson spoke before the California Assembly Judiciary Committee.

"I’m strongly opposed to making California a sanctuary state for illegal immigrants," Pierson said. "Local, state and federal law enforcement officers need to be able to communicate with each other in regard to an important issue like immigration enforcement."

If Senate Bill 54 were to pass, state and local law enforcement would not be allowed to cooperate with immigration authorities.

South Lake Tahoe area law enforcement, agencies and safety personnel are preparing for a very busy holiday weekend, full of people coming to enjoy all sorts of outdoor activities. With a very high lake level, and overflowing rivers, caution and safety are urged to have a fabulous weekend in Lake Tahoe.

And they aren't only going to be dealing with water safety. Rules and regulations along the beaches will also be enforced for safety reasons.

As the 4th of July approaches, Sheriff Pierini and members of the Douglas County Sheriff's Office are reminding the public about rules the county has surrounding the holiday.

Possession and or discharge of fireworks is unlawful and will not be tolerated. Persons found in violation of the fireworks ordinance face criminal penalties, including a fine of up to $1,000.00 and/or confinement in the county jail for a period of up to six months.

SOUTH LAKE TAHOE - On June 24, 2007, the Angora Fire started at an illegal campfire at about 2:15 p.m. near North Upper Truckee Road in Meyers. The wind driven wildfire consumed 3,100 acres, destroyed 242 homes and 67 commercial structures, and damaged 35 other homes. As many as 2,180 firefighters battled the blaze with was 100% contained by July 2. There will be several community events to mark this tragic anniversary.

Thursday, June 22

Liberty Utilities-CA serves nearly 50,000 electric customers in one of the most pristine areas of the country—the Lake Tahoe and surrounding region of Northern California. While it’s no surprise that our customers rank environmental responsibility as very important, it’s been a welcome surprise that they rank Liberty’s environmental stewardship higher each year. In 2016, 75% said we were environmentally responsible—up from 68% the year before!

Liberty Utilities has taken several steps in recent years that contribute to our customers recognizing our environmental commitment.

SOUTH LAKE TAHOE, Calif. - With the Lake Tahoe Airport not having scheduled passenger service since 2001, and with a master plan last updated in 1992, it was time to create a new plan based on the needs of the area today, and in the future.

The Coast Guard reminds boaters to exercise caution and safe boating practices while on the water, including rivers and Lake Tahoe while enjoying the upcoming Memorial Day weekend.

All boaters and beach goers are encouraged to be aware of boat traffic, prepare for potential hazards and keep advised of weather changes through the National Weather Service. Winds are supposed to be calm on Lake Tahoe this weekend, one should always check.

The Lake Tahoe Community College (LTCC) and Sierra Nevada College (SNC) partnership now offers bachelor's degrees in Global Business Management, Ski Business Resort Management, Psychology, and Elementary Education. All classes are taught on the the LTCC campus in South Lake Tahoe.

Courses are offered at the discounted tuition rate of $382 per credit. Already and student and want to transfer? Transfer your credits and pay only for the courses you need to graduate. Total upper-level tuition as low as $17,190 and Federal Student Aid is available to eligible applicants.

Members of the California Teacher's Association (CTA) and California Federation of Teachers (CFT) across the state brought out the posters and wore red on May 1 to advocate for public education and immigrant students.

South Lake Tahoe teachers joined in and greeted parents and students as they arrived for school Monday, displaying posters and letting students know they all had a right to quality and free public education, and asking all to take the pledge (as seen below).

The Tahoe Regional Planning Agency (TRPA) honored four people with Lake Spirit Awards Wednesday who have shown exceptional commitment to protecting Lake Tahoe and fostering a spirit of collaboration in their work and volunteer time.

This year’s award winners do everything from helping protect Lake Tahoe communities from wildfire and aquatic invasive species to promoting alternative transportation and sustainable lifestyles.

For the next 75 days the public is encouraged to comment on environmental documents concerning the US 50/South Shore Community Revitalization Project, also known as the Loop Road.

Jointly, the Tahoe Transportation District (TTD), Federal Highway Administration, and the Tahoe Regional Planning Agency released the Environment Impact Statement (NEPA), Environmental Impact Report (CEQA), and Environmental Impact Statement (TRPA). All of these detailed reports are available on line here: tahoetransportation.org/us50.

Did you use social media to keep informed during the floods of January and February this winter? If so, the Douglas County Communications and Public Information department wants to hear from you.

They are researching social media messages disseminated by local governments in Douglas, Lyon, Storey and Alpine Counties and are seeking public feedback through a quick survey of residents.

Leaning back in his chair, his gold sheriff’s badge glinting in a shaft of light, John D’Agostini thought for a second about what he would do if Sacramento legislators imposed San Francisco-style sanctuary laws to protect people living across the state illegally.

His dilemma is part of the complex immigration debate in California, where a bill passed last week by the state Senate would restrict cooperation with U.S. immigration agents everywhere, including not only liberal strongholds but bastions of conservatism like El Dorado County.

Karen Rae Chapon, 47, of South Lake Tahoe was sentenced Tuesday for the crimes of insurance fraud, mortgage fraud and theft according to Nevada Attorney General Adam Paul Laxalt.

Chapon is the owner of Tahoe Weddings and Events in Zephyr Cove, Nevada.

March 30 update: Due to weather, lane shifts will take place on U.S. 50 near Spooner junction in south Carson City beginning the evening of Sunday, April 2.

* * *
Travelers on Highway 50 near Spooner Junction in Carson City will see lane shifts for the next two months as the Nevada Department of Transportation prepares for the future freeway.

The man believed to be responsible for shooting at and attempting to firebomb the home of a Carson City judge and sending him a threatening Christmas card in the mail has been formally charged for the crimes, officials announced Tuesday.

Carson City District Attorney Jason Woodbury announced Reno area resident Jason Aston, 74, is charged with fourth-degree arson, aggravated stalking and discharging a firearm into an occupied dwelling. His bail is set at $250,000 cash.

Matthew D. Muller, a 40-year-old disbarred lawyer from Orangevale who often spent time at his family cabin in the South Lake Tahoe area, was sentenced today to 40 years in prison for the kidnapping Denise Hoskins at the Vallejo home she shared with her boyfriend on March 23, 2015.

One by one detectives from the Mendocino County Sheriff's Department have been rounding up all six suspects wanted for the brutal November 11, 2016 murder of Jeffrey Quinn Settler, 35, a commercial marijuana grower.

2/25/17 - Updated information at the end of this story provided by Mendocino Sheriff.

SOUTH LAKE TAHOE, CALIF. - A fugitive pot plant trimmer suspected in the robbery and brutal killing of an operator of a commercial marijuana farm in Mendocino County was arrested in South Lake Tahoe Friday afternoon.

SOUTH LAKE TAHOE, CALIF. - The Lake Tahoe Basin Federal Advisory Committee (LTBFAC) is scheduled to meet Tuesday, February 28, 2017, from 1:00 p.m. to 4:00 p.m., at the Forest Supervisor’s office, 35 College Drive, South Lake Tahoe, CA 96150. LTBFAC will address issues related to federal activities at Lake Tahoe.

Items on the agenda include an update on the Southern Nevada Public Land Management Act (SNPLMA) secondary list and priority setting, a review of LTBFAC goals and objectives, a schedule of 2017 meetings, and membership and vacancy information.