Guns

SOUTH LAKE TAHOE, Calif. - During the months of March and April 2020 there were five suicides in South Lake Tahoe. That equals the total number of suicides in all of 2019 in the community, and one less than in 2018.

There were none in January or February before the coronavirus hit.

After a gangbuster start to the winter season, a lot of us in Tahoe are wondering where all the snow has gone. Sitting here at the end of February with snowpack numbers dwindling, snow lovers are chomping at the bit, waiting to see the storm track shift back our way.

Still, the mountains have been buzzing with activity as skiers and snowboarders race to the mountains to enjoy what natural snow we’ve received and are ever thankful for the assist from local resorts’ snowmaking operations.

SOUTH LAKE TAHOE, Calif. - American Legion Post 795 of South Lake Tahoe invites residents and visitors to join members of the American Legion, American Legion Auxiliary and Sons of the American Legion in honoring all veterans this Veterans Day. Their ceremony will take place at 11:00 a.m. on Monday, Nov. 11, 2019, at the American Legion Hall, 2748 Lake Tahoe Boulevard, South Lake Tahoe. Light refreshments will be served.

SOUTH LAKE TAHOE, Calif. - Help bring joy to a child this holiday season by joining in the Community Toy Drive on Saturday, October 5 from noon to 4:00 p.m. at American Legion Post 795.

There will be live music with Tony and Al, a raffle and silent auction.

Bring a new, unwrapped toy (no toy guns or toy knives please) and/or non-perishable food items for Christmas Cheer. Cash donations are also accepted.

The American Legion is located at 2748 Lake Tahoe Blvd., South Lake Tahoe. For more information, contact 530.318.3874.

SOUTH LAKE TAHOE, Calif. - The South Lake Tahoe man who led multiple law enforcement agencies on a high-speed pursuit in El Dorado County and Sacramento in May was indicted by a federal grand jury today on two counts.

A Washoe County detective says alleged murderer Wilber Ernesto Martinez-Guzman told police he robbed and killed his elderly victims during a 10-day rampage in January because he needed money to buy methamphetamine to support his drug addiction, according to the Associated Press.

Wilber Ernesto Martinez-Guzman was arrested on Jan. 19 in connection with the four murders of Gardnerville woman Connie Koontz, 56, Gardnerville woman Sophia Renken, 74, and South Reno Couple Jerry and Sherry David, 81 and 80.

The journey started as South Lake Tahoe resident Ari Ramos touched the Atlantic Ocean and left Jacksonville, Florida on January 28, 2016, , and if all goes well it will end this February when she touches the Pacific Ocean at the Santa Monica Pier.

A probable cause arrest report released Friday by the Carson City Sheriff's Office on 19-year-old murder suspect Wilber Ernesto Martinez-Guzman contains a confession under Miranda.

According to the arrest report, Guzman told investigators that firearms stolen from the house of Jerry and Sherri David, the elderly South Reno couple found murdered in their home, were buried in the area of Sedge Road in East Carson City.

Marina Middle School in El Dorado Hills went into a "Shelter in Place" status on April 25 after two adolescent boys were seen by an area resident pointing what she believed to be a black handgun at each other.

At 8:48 a.m., the resident advised the El Dorado Sheriff's Office (EDSO) the boys were seen on foot headed in an unknown direction. Due to the close proximity to the school, deputies briefed the district superintendent and vice principal.

As a precautionary measure the "Shelter in Place" was initiate as deputies continued to check surrounding neighborhoods.

SOUTH LAKE TAHOE, Calif. - The student body, teachers, staff of South Tahoe High School and community members came together Wednesday to be part of the National School Walkout and March For Our Lives, events held across the country one month after 17 students died in Parkland, Florida when a fellow student opened fire at Marjory Stoneman Douglas High School.

The American Legion Post 795 of South Lake Tahoe invites residents and visitors to join members of the American Legion and the Ladies Auxiliary to honor all veterans, active and retired on Veterans Day. The ceremony will take place at 11:00 a.m. on Saturday, November 11, 2017, at the American Legion Hall, 2748 Lake Tahoe Boulevard, South Lake Tahoe, CA 96150. Refreshments will be served.

A lengthy, multi-agency gang investigation in the Reno and Stockton areas led to the arrest of 23 people, including one correctional officer on Wednesday, April 12, 2017.

South Lake Tahoe, Calif. - Its been years in the making, and finally, on Monday, March 20, Sierra Suds Car Wash will be open to the public.

In the 1950's, the 23-unit Cedar Lodge was located at 2685 Lake Tahoe Blvd. The motel was eventually demolished and South Lake Tahoe dentist Dr. Jim Getzelman bought the property in hopes of developing it into a car wash.

"We’re trying the best to make this a very clean alternative to washing a car at home,” Getzelman said in March, 2008 of his plans to open the car wash in the fall of that year.

Four visitors to the South Shore were arrested by El Dorado County Sheriff's deputies on Friday night after they were caught shooting firearms on U.S. Forest Service land behind Tahoe Paradise Golf Course in Meyers.

On December 16, deputies responded to a call of shooting about 100 yards from the end of Lost Lane. Upon arrival they found four men, Alexander, Keoseng, Johlany and Yao Saechao with guns. Alexander and Keoseng are convicted felons from Stockton, Calif., and are prohibited from possessing firearms. All four were arrested and booked into the El Dorado County Jail.

The higher elevations saw a very small glimpse of winter this week as snow dusted the peaks around Lake Tahoe, but not too small to keep Squaw Valley Alpine Meadows from announcing their opening date for this winter.

They announced today that they'll open between November 11 and 18, earlier than their November 23 opening date last year. The resorts hosted the longest season in 2015-16 by staying open until May 30 with over 41 feet of cumulative snowfall.

Squaw Valley Alpine Meadows was voted 2016 Best Ski Resort in North America by USA Today and 10 Best Readers’ Choice.

Larry Ford will present “Virgil Earp: The Gunfight at the O.K. Corral” at the Dangberg Home Ranch Historic Park on Wednesday, July 20, at 6:30 pm.

Location

The Washoe County Sheriff's Department is asking for the public's assistance in identifying two suspects who burlgarized a Mogul, Nevada home on Friday, June 10, stealing multiple weapons.

Nobody was home at the time, a fact that was verified by the suspects first knocking on the door. Entry was gained through a back door.

Both suspects are described as light-skinned males in their early-to mid-20s, driving a late 1990s to ealry 2000s Pontiac four-door sedan.

Anyone having information is asked to contact the Washoe County Sheriff's Detective's Office at 775-328-3320.

A Stockton, Calif., man was arrested in South Lake Tahoe on May 14 after allegedly being found with rifles modified to act like fully automatic machine guns, which is a felony.

Justin Wigley, 31, was arrested after officers from the South Lake Tahoe Police Department were investigating a case involving a gun being discharged at a motel in the 1100 block of Emerald Bay Road.

5/4/16 11:00 a.m. update: The fire that swept through a Tahoe Keys condo complext on Tuesday caused an estimated $3 million in damage. Seven of the units suffered significant damage and a few other units in the surrounding condominiums have had some water and/or smoke damage. Firefighters arrived after receiving the 1:48 p.m. 911 call, and the fire was contained at approximately 4:10 p.m. Fire fighting personnel remained on the scene until 9:00 p.m.

"These are always tough cases," said El Dorado County Judge Suzanne Kingsbury Friday as she handed down an unexpected sentence to the 78-year-old man who killed a bear near his South Lake Tahoe home on July 10, 2015.

Gilbert Alan Wetenkamp pleaded no contest on March 11, 2016 to the misdemeanor charge of unlawfully taking of a bear.

Hundreds of new California laws take effect on January 1, 2016, many that will have tangible impacts on the lives of Californians as they work, drive, ride a bike and shop.

Here is an overview of some of them:

Transportation:

The American Legion Post 795 of South Lake Tahoe invites residents and visitors to join members of the American Legion and the Ladies Auxiliary to honor all veterans, active and retired on Veterans Day. The ceremony will take place at 11:00 a.m. on Wednesday, November 11, 2015, at the American Legion Hall, 2748 Lake Tahoe Boulevard, South Lake Tahoe, CA 96150. Refreshments will be served.

Almost 2,500 athletes from around the world experienced a Lake Tahoe many will never know. A 2.4 miles swim in the lake was followed by a 112 mile bike ride and capped off with a 26.2 mile run.

Emerging from the pack as the overall winner was Gregory Lindquist, an attorney from Boulder, CO who competes in the Men's 30-34 age group. He finished in 9 hrs 39 minutes and 23 seconds. After hours of competition, second place finisher Ryan Linden was just 29 seconds behind. Linden is from Washington, MI and is also in the 30-34 group.

Perched around a secluded campfire in the Rocky Mountains, Glenn Martin jerked forward, said, "Ow," and died. The wayward bullet that struck him in the national forest has campers and other users calling for changes in recreational shooting policy.

Martin, 60, died July 3 in the Pike & San Isabel National Forest, 30 miles southwest of Denver. The 3.1-million-acre forest holds the record for the most gun-related violations reported in the country, a review of federal records by the USA TODAY Media Network shows.