jury
City Manager commits to improving the Regan Beach area and making it safer
Submitted by paula on Wed, 10/21/2020 - 8:30pm
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.
Batten sentenced 26 years to life for his part in South Lake Tahoe murder
Submitted by paula on Fri, 10/02/2020 - 11:04pm
SOUTH LAKE TAHOE, Calif. - He was the star running back of Benicia High School before graduating in 2015. He led the Panthers with 901 rushing yards and 15 total touchdowns his senior year and was named their Most Valuable Offensive Player.
Less than one year later he was in South Lake Tahoe with a group of men accused of fatally shooting Dennis "Spike" Wright, Jr. over a drug deal at the Beverly Lodge.
Murder indictment handed down in shooting death of South Lake Tahoe gas station attendant
Submitted by paula on Wed, 09/23/2020 - 10:56pm
EL DORADO COUNTY, Calif. - An El Dorado County Special Criminal Grand Jury has returned an indictment for murder with use of a firearm against Sean Donohoe. On May 12, 2020, with the help of the FBI and the Las Vegas Metropolitan Police Department, Sean Donohoe was arrested for the murder of Manpreet Singh, a gas station attendant at the US Gasoline Station in South Lake Tahoe.
SLT Police team with others to start South Tahoe Alternative Collaborative Services
Submitted by paula on Wed, 08/26/2020 - 7:16pm
SOUTH LAKE TAHOE, Calif. - A collaboration between the South Lake Tahoe Police Department (SLTPD), the Tahoe Coalition for the Homeless, El Dorado County Behavioral Health, Barton Health and the Caltahoe JPA ambulance will be bringing a new service to South Lake Tahoe community members in crisis.
The emerging collaboration is called the South Tahoe Alternative Collaborative Services (STACS).
Veterinarian residing in Truckee pleads guilty to tax evasion
Submitted by paula on Mon, 08/24/2020 - 9:48pm
A world-renown veterinarian living in Truckee leaded guilty today to one count of tax evasion.
Jack Ray Snyder, 63, was indicted in 2018 after it was alleged he failed to report significant income and filed false tax returns between 2012 and 2014. Besides the income discrepancy, Snyder was charged with deducting non-deductible personal expenses and overreporting his property taxes.
South Lake Tahoe man sentenced to 26 years in prison for multiple counts of child molestation
Submitted by paula on Mon, 07/13/2020 - 11:27am
SOUTH LAKE TAHOE, Calif. - A South Lake Tahoe man who was found guilty on four counts of felony child molestation has been sentenced to 26 years in state prison.
A jury found John Robert Garcia, 45, guilty back in December 2019 and he was scheduled to be sentenced in April. Due to social distancing requirements and COVID-19, that was held off until June 26. Judge Dylan Sullivan conducted the sentencing utilizing remote video conferencing.
South Lake Tahoe City Council meeting Tuesday: Tax increase and Grand Jury on agenda
Submitted by paula on Fri, 07/10/2020 - 3:22pm
SOUTH LAKE TAHOE, Calif. - The next meeting of the South Lake Tahoe City Council will be on Tuesday, July 14 starting at 9:00 a.m. It will be a virtual meeting and log on/comment instructions are at the end of the story.
On the agenda:
Council will vote on a measure, that if approved by voters on November 3, will add a local one-cent sales tax for general city purposes. There has been outreach done with local residents and finding out what their highest priorities are, and this proposed tax increase would meet those requests:
South Lake Tahoe ski instructor and coach indicted on child pornography charges
Submitted by paula on Thu, 06/18/2020 - 5:06pm
SOUTH LAKE TAHOE, Calif. - The South Lake Tahoe man arrested in April on child pornography charges was indicted today by a federal grand jury.
Timothy Daniel Mackey, 39, was arrested at his home after a search warrant served on April 15, 2020. Since that time he has been in jail. If convicted, Mackey faces 5-20 years in prison and up to $250,000 in fines.
Jury trials in South Lake Tahoe and California suspended for two months
Submitted by paula on Tue, 03/24/2020 - 11:25am
California Chief Justice Tani G. Cantil-Sakauye on Monday issued a statewide order suspending all jury trials in California's superior courts for 60 days and allowing courts to immediately adopt new rules to address the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic.
In South Lake Tahoe, Judge Suzanne Kingsbury had previously announced new practices in the El Dorado County courtrooms and suspension of the use of juries until April 16.
El Dorado County Superior Court limiting access in response to COVID-19
Submitted by paula on Thu, 03/19/2020 - 4:21pm
EL DORADO COUNTY, Calif. - Due to the current public health crisis, the El Dorado County Superior Court will be limited access to courthouses, effective immediately. They currently plan to resume normal operations on April 17, 2020, though with the rapidly unfolding coronavirus situation, this could change.
Courtrooms will be practice social distancing, including at least two seats between people in the gallery. Members of the public are strongly discouraged from attending court proceedings unless they are statutory support persons or those who have been subpoenaed.
Solano County man found guilty of murder and robbery by South Lake Tahoe jury
Submitted by paula on Tue, 02/25/2020 - 11:27pm
SOUTH LAKE TAHOE, Calif. - A jury of seven men and five women took just 80 minutes on Tuesday to find Dion Jermaine Vacarro guilty of murdering Dennis "Spike" Wright, Jr. in South Lake Tahoe on January 30, 2016.
Surprise during South Lake Tahoe murder trial
Submitted by paula on Thu, 02/13/2020 - 9:36pm
SOUTH LAKE TAHOE, Calif. - In a surprise move on Thursday during the murder trial of Dion Jermaine Vacarro in South Lake Tahoe, the man who had previously pleaded guilty in the same case in exchange for a lighter sentence changed his mind.
Fours years after man killed in South Lake Tahoe over pot deal, one trial begins
Submitted by paula on Fri, 02/07/2020 - 1:45am
SOUTH LAKE TAHOE, Calif. - It was a snowy night on January 30, 2016, when Dennis Wright, Jr. brought at least 100 pounds of pot to the Beverly Lodge on Lake Tahoe Boulevard to sell to an interested party. Wright, who was better known as Spike, never made it back to his home in River Pines, Amador County that night. Instead, he was shot and killed at about 7:45 p.m. in the parking lot of the motel.
Jury finds South Lake Tahoe man guilty of multiple counts of child molestation
Submitted by paula on Thu, 01/30/2020 - 11:45am
A South Lake Tahoe man has been found guilty on four counts of felony child molestation which included one count of Continuous Sexual Abuse of a Child under 14, two counts of Lewd and Lascivious Acts upon a Child under 14, and one count of Forcible Lewd Act upon a Child under 14.
John Robert Garcia, 45, was arrested in April 2019 after a five-month-long investigation by the South Lake Tahoe Police Department (SLTPD) and El Dorado County District Attorney's Office.
Subject of South Lake Tahoe trial found dead in Carson City
Submitted by paula on Wed, 12/18/2019 - 5:24pm
CARSON CITY, Nev. - A Carson City man who died from multiple gunshots Friday in what is being investigated as a possible homicide on Washoe Tribe land had previously been arrested in 2018 on El Dorado County warrants out of South Lake Tahoe for alleged lewdness with a child and indecent exposure.
Six indicted for falsely claiming benefits for properties destroyed in Paradise Camp Fire
Submitted by paula on Wed, 12/18/2019 - 12:58pm
On Thursday, Dec. 12, a federal jury returned indictments against six defendants who made false claims for benefits in connection with the 2018 Camp Fire and received funds from FEMA to compensate for their losses, U.S. Attorney McGregor W. Scott announced.
Tahoe Film Festival returns to the North Shore
Submitted by paula on Mon, 12/02/2019 - 12:49pm
The 5th annual Tahoe Film Fest presents an incredible selection of new feature films and documentaries on various topics, as well as important award-winning environmental films. Several filmmakers introduce their works. The event is a fantastic opportunity to enjoy almost thirty films and interact with other film aficionados.
All proceeds from the festival, which runs on the North Shore from December 5-8, go to support educational programs at the UC Davis Tahoe Environmental Research Center.
Grand Jury indicts four men at forefront of marijuana grows linked to El Dorado County deputy's killing
Submitted by paula on Thu, 11/07/2019 - 6:08pm
As soon as word spread that El Dorado County Deputy Brian Ishmael was shot and killed in the line of duty on October 23, multiple federal agencies were mobilized and went to work to not only find out who was directly responsible for the death, but also to uncover those in charge of the illegal marijuana grows at the forefront of the case.
School and building closures Monday on West Slope of El Dorado County
Submitted by paula on Sun, 10/27/2019 - 11:44pm
EL DORADO COUNTY, Calif. - The PG&E power shutdown has prompted County officials to close several departments. The following County departments will be closed Monday, October 28, 2019 due to power outages:
Agriculture
Airports in Georgetown and Placerville
Building A
HHSA - Briw Road Campus
HHSA - Spring Street Campus
HHSA - Veterans Hall
Placerville Jail
Libraries (Cameron Park, Georgetown, Placerville, Pollock Pines)
Parks
Union Mine Facility
Probation
Child Support Services
Public Defender
District Attorney
STPUD informs Alpine County they are ending recycled water agreement
Submitted by paula on Fri, 10/25/2019 - 9:18am
SOUTH LAKE TAHOE, Calif. - Effective the end of November, the South Tahoe Public Utility District (STPUD) is ending an agreement with Alpine County regarding its recycled water operations.
STPUD has paid Alpine County an annual mitigation fee to address potential impacts caused by recycled water for 35 years, a fee that is approximately $100,000 per year.
STPUD says there have not been adverse impacts from the recycled water operations and the agreement is no longer necessary.
South Lake Tahoe man indicted on federal firearms and narcotics charges
Submitted by paula on Thu, 07/18/2019 - 5:16pm
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.
South Lake Tahoe jury finds local man guilty of attempted murder
Submitted by paula on Mon, 07/01/2019 - 9:41pm
SOUTH LAKE TAHOE, Calif. - Ariel Mendoza Arce was found guilty of attempted murder by a South Lake Tahoe jury on June 26, 2019.
On August 13, 2018 at 2:40 a.m., four nurses from Reno staying in a hotel in the Heavenly Village area heard a woman screaming for help. When the nurses went to investigate the screams they witnessed Arce viciously attacking a woman by punching her, kicking her, and stomping on her head.
ADA attorney indicted by federal grand jury
Submitted by paula on Thu, 05/23/2019 - 4:38pm
For more than a decade, attorney Scott Norris Johnson has made it his business to sue thousands of small business owners around Lake Tahoe and up and down the state over alleged violations of the Americans With Disabilities Act (ADA).
Today he finds himself in hot water after a federal grand jury returned an indictment today against the Carmichael resident, charging him with three counts of making and subscribing a false tax return.
TTD receives award for use of cellular data for Lake Tahoe transit needs
Submitted by paula on Wed, 04/03/2019 - 1:31pm
SOUTH LAKE TAHOE, Calif./Nev. - For their initiative of tracking the cellular data from Lake Tahoe tourists, the Tahoe Transportation District (TTD) and Stantec Consulting Services Inc. will be presented with a national award later this month.
Drug money allegedly motivated man accused of murdering Gardnerville women, Reno couple
Submitted by paula on Sat, 03/23/2019 - 9:20am
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.
38 years after skull is found, Jane Doe has a name
Submitted by paula on Mon, 02/11/2019 - 9:26pm
EL DORADO COUNTY, Calif. - On March 22, 1974, Nancy Webster, 37, and her daughter, 19-year-old Rebecca Dinkel were seen at a café in the Garden Valley area of El Dorado County.
They left the cafe shortly after Nancy received a threatening phone call from her abusive, common-law husband, Clifton Mahaney.
It was the last time anyone saw either one of them alive.
Full house for eighth and final city council candidate forum
Submitted by paula on Fri, 10/26/2018 - 11:50pm
Local public safety employees hosted the eighth and final South Lake Tahoe City Council candidates' forum on October 25 at Lake Tahoe Community College.
It was a full house at the event which was hosted by the South Lake Tahoe Police Officers, the California Nurses and the South Lake Tahoe Firefighters associations and gave everyone a chance to hear from the nine candidates about their views before the November 6 election. Each association gave them two questions a piece, plus a couple asked by audience members during the two-hour long forum.
Truckee man charged with tax evasion and filing false tax returns
Submitted by paula on Thu, 10/04/2018 - 4:14pm
A world-renown veterinarian living in Truckee, California is facing tax evasion and filing false tax returns.
A federal grand jury returned an eight-count indictment today against Jack Ray Snyder, 61, alleging he failed to report significant income and filed false tax returns between 2012 and 2014. Besides the income discrepancy, Snyder is charged with deducting non-deductible personal expenses and overreporting his property taxes.
Humane Society ex-director pleads guilty to embezzlement charges
Submitted by paula on Mon, 09/24/2018 - 9:00pm
SOUTH LAKE TAHOE, Calif. - Nicola (Niki) Congero, 50, the former executive director of the Lake Tahoe Humane Society (LTHS), pleaded guilty Monday to felony embezzlement for using almost $60,000 of Humane Society money for her own personal purposes.
Gloves were off during Cty Council discussion of El Dorado County DA's investigation
Submitted by paula on Wed, 09/05/2018 - 12:03am
SOUTH LAKE TAHOE, Calif. - As expected, the South Lake Tahoe City Council's discussion of the El Dorado County District Attorney's review of allegations of Brown Act violations made by Councilwoman Brooke Laine in April, 2018 was tense, to say the least.
DA finds South Lake Tahoe City Council had "possible" Brown Act violations
Submitted by paula on Sat, 08/25/2018 - 9:21pm
The El Dorado County District Attorney's Office has released their review of Councilmember Brooke Laine's allegations in April that there was a "complete disregard on the part of politicians and appointed officials for state law, transparency, and honesty to the public."
California man sentenced to 20 years in prison for international drug-trafficking conspiracy
Submitted by paula on Mon, 07/16/2018 - 10:54pm
A major drug ring that stretched from Mexico into El Dorado and Placer Counties and beyond was broken up with the arrest, conviction and sentencing of Francisco Felix, 45, of Mountain House on July 13, 2018.
Felix will be in prison for up to 20 years for his role in leading a large, multi-defendant drug-trafficking conspiracy that moved significant quantities of methamphetamine from Mexico into California and throughout the United States, and that controlled at least three large marijuana grows in the Central Valley of California, U.S. Attorney McGregor W. Scott announced.
Buchanan sentenced to 150 years in prison for murdering family, but could get parole
Submitted by paula on Thu, 07/12/2018 - 11:17pm
September 13, 2015 was the worst day in the lives of the Molly McAffe, and Adam and Gavin Buchanan families. They lost a son, grandson, sister, daughter, aunt, nephew, cousin, and their lives will be forever haunted by the heinous acts of another relative, Nolen Buchanan.
It was a very emotional afternoon in El Dorado County Superior Court Judge Suzanne Kingsbury's court Thursday during the sentencing of the now 18-year-old responsible for shooting his father, his father's fiancé and his 8-year-old brother and then setting their cabin on fire in Greenwood, Calif.
7-11 beer robber found guilty by South Lake Tahoe jury
Submitted by paula on Tue, 07/10/2018 - 8:03am
The man responsible for stealing beer from a South Lake Tahoe 7-11 was found guilty of Second Degree Robbery by a jury on July 3.
Letter to the Editor: Beware of scary and violating phone scam
Submitted by paula on Thu, 07/05/2018 - 11:23pm
I felt it was important to make as many people aware of scam and psychological horror that was perpetrated on my wife just a few days ago.
South Lake Tahoe jury finds man guilty of pandering and pimping
Submitted by paula on Mon, 06/25/2018 - 9:28am
A Sacramento man is facing over 20 years in prison after a jury in South Lake Tahoe found him guilty on 11 counts of felony Pandering and 3 counts of Felony Pimping.
Isiah Campbell was arrested on March 3, 2017 after El Dorado County detectives set up an undercover operation targeting human trafficking and prostitution in the Placerville area.
Nolen Buchanan found guilty on three counts of 1st degree murder
Submitted by paula on Wed, 06/13/2018 - 4:04pm
SOUTH LAKE TAHOE, Calif. - An El Dorado County jury of five women and seven men deliberated about two hours Wednesday, coming back with a quick verdict in the case of Nolen Keith Buchanan, the Benicia, California teen that had been accused of killing his family and setting their cabin on fire to cover his tracks.
Nolen Buchanan murder trial in South Lake Tahoe nearing end
Submitted by paula on Mon, 06/11/2018 - 11:08pm
SOUTH LAKE TAHOE, Calif. - At 10:00 a.m. on September 13, 2015, Garden Valley Fire Department personnel responded to a wildland fire in the community of Greenwood in western El Dorado County, on Highway 193 between Cool and Georgetown. Upon arrival they found a residence still smoldering, but burned to the ground.
In the ashes were found the charred remains of Adam Buchanan, 38, his fiancée Molly McAffe, 37, and their 8-year-old son Gavin Buchanan. All three were shot before the cabin was burned down.
Imprisoned South Lake Tahoe man to be arraigned on charges he killed his 3-week-old son
Submitted by paula on Wed, 05/23/2018 - 12:05pm
Murder charges have been filed against a South Lake Tahoe man, almost ten years after the death of his three-week old baby boy.
On November 14, 2008, officers from the South Lake Tahoe Police Department (SLTPD) arrived at a home after a call about a baby who was found unconscious. The South Lake Tahoe Fire Department arrived shortly after and transported the infant to the hospital where he was declared deceased. Both the baby's mother and father were present at the time police arrived.
South Lake Tahoe lawyers celebrate opening of new office
Submitted by paula on Sun, 04/15/2018 - 6:45pm
Event Date:
April 27, 2018 - 4:00pm
The Law Offices of Adam T. Spicer and Lacey Van Etten invite the public to celebrate with them on Friday, April 27 from 4:00 p.m. to 6:00 p.m. Spicer recently moved his practice and expanded office space by joining Van Etten in the office building located at 2269 James Ave.
Man convicted of attempted murder after shooting in Meyers
Submitted by paula on Fri, 03/09/2018 - 4:46pm
SOUTH LAKE TAHOE, CALIF. - On March 7, 2018 after a two week trial, a South Lake Tahoe jury convicted Ignacio Madrigal Arizaga of Galt, California of Attempted Murder; Shooting at an Occupied Vehicle; Illegal Possession of a Firearm by a Convicted Felon, and, Illegal Possession of Ammo by a Convicted Felon.
He faces 41 years to life in state prison when he is sentenced on April 2, 2018.
Gardnerville man arrested and indicted for butane hash oil explosion
Submitted by paula on Thu, 03/08/2018 - 5:45pm
A Gardnerville man made his first appearance in federal court Thursday on charges stemming from a honey oil lab explosion on January 14, 2018 at his apartment.
Adam Fitzgerald-Wermes, 22, is charged with one count of endangering human life while manufacturing a controlled substance. United States District Magistrate Judge Valerie P. Cooke scheduled a jury trial to begin on May 8, 2018.
Las Vegas Grand Jury indicts 36 for international cyber crimes
Submitted by paula on Sun, 02/18/2018 - 1:19am
A federal indictment was unsealed last week, charging 36 individuals for their alleged roles in the Infraud Organization, an Internet-based cybercriminal enterprise engaged in the large-scale acquisition, sale, and dissemination of stolen identities, compromised debit and credit cards, personally identifiable information, financial and banking information, computer malware, and other contraband.
Jury Duty and fine scams continue to prey on senior citizens and other area locals
Submitted by paula on Wed, 12/20/2017 - 3:31pm
Douglas County residents continue to receive scam phone calls about missed court dates and jury duties, resulting in two residents being scammed out of over $5,,000 each, according to the Douglas County Sheriff's Office (DCSO).
Man found guilty in South Lake Tahoe assault, faces 150 years to life in prison
Submitted by paula on Thu, 11/09/2017 - 9:59am
A jury has found Manuel Ovidio Ramos-Munoz guilty of seven felony counts, including kidnapping for the purpose of committing a sexual assault, as well as six additional counts and numerous special allegations relating to the subsequent sexual assault of the victim.
"Revenge Porn" gets man one year in prison
Submitted by paula on Mon, 11/06/2017 - 11:21am
A man was found guilty of violating a domestic violence restraining order by a jury in El Dorado County on November 1, 2017.
Daniel Ramirez Rios, 43, violated a domestic violence restraining order and one count of intentionally distributing the images of the intimate body parts of another person – also known as “revenge porn.” Mr. Rios was remanded into custody after the jury’s verdict was announced.
Ty Robben to spend the next seven years in prison
Submitted by paula on Sat, 10/28/2017 - 11:23am
The man who led anti-South Lake Tahoe Police, El Dorado County Sheriff, District Attorney and Judge campaigns will be spending the next seven years in prison after he was given the maximum sentence October 27, 2017 in Sacramento Superior Court.
Regan Beach rededicated with stone memorial
Submitted by paula on Sun, 10/01/2017 - 7:46pm
They were builders, doctors, lawyers and teachers
Our Dad, he ran the B of A
They were leaders, doers, big picture seers
The biggest picture of all they saw it every day
Mt. Tallac stood vigil
Tahoe lies blue and clear
In meadows the streams ran swift and clean
The way they had for millions of years
They knew they had to protect it
They fought for it those women and men
I'm proud our Dad Tom Regan he was one of them
But there were clear-cutters, dealers, dice-rollers
Passing through try'na turn a quick buck
Teen accused of killing family moved out of juvenile system in South Lake Tahoe
Submitted by paula on Sat, 09/30/2017 - 1:27am
SOUTH LAKE TAHOE, Calif. - It's been almost two years since Nolen Buchanan of Benicia, California first appeared in a Placerville courtroom as a 16-year-old, charged with the killing of his family in their El Dorado County vacation home and then setting it on fire.
The charred remains of Buchanan's father Adam, 38, his father's fiancée Molly McAffe, 37, and his 8-year-old brother, Gavin, were found in that Greenwood cabin on September 13, 2015.
Since that time, Nolen has been in the Juvenile Treatment Center (JTC) in South Lake Tahoe.
Ty Robben found guilty of 8 felonies; Sentencing in October
Submitted by paula on Tue, 09/26/2017 - 3:45pm
The man who has led anti-South Lake Tahoe Police, El Dorado County Sheriff, District Attorney and Judge campaigns was found guilty on Monday in Sacramento Superior Court on eight felony charges.
