local

Carson City AAA office to handle DMV services for both CA and NV

Those dreading the day they have to wait in lines at the Department of Motor Vehicle (DMV) now have another option to get paperwork processed.

Starting December 4, 2017, the American Automobile Association (AAA) office in Carson City will take over-the-counter transactions for both the Nevada and California DMV.

Nevada transactions are available to both members of AAA and non-members. The California services in Carson City will be limited to members-only with the exception of Dealer services.

Squaw Valley creates nonprofit to mange and distribute millions

Squaw Valley has created a nonprofit that will manage and distribute millions of dollars generated from the voluntary project transfer fee related to the approved redevelopment of The Village at Squaw Valley.

Named the Squaw Valley Foundation, a seven member board of directors will soon be selected and it's members will be a mix of local residents and business owners, second homeowners and a public service district appointee.

CVS to acquire Aetna for $69B; Lower healthcare costs and better experiences promised

Drugstore chain operator CVS Health is buying health-insurer Aetna for $69 billion, a transaction that promises to fill an unmet need in the current health care system according to a joint press release Sunday.

The deal would enable CVS to expand its range of health services to Aetna’s vast membership, with CVS’ storefronts becoming community medical hubs with primary-care, drug-management and other services. "It will redefine access to high-quality care in lower cost, local settings whether in the community, at home, or through digital tools," said the company.

Prescribed fires around Lake Tahoe as weather permits

The Tahoe Fire and Fuels Team (TFFT) will continue prescribed fire operations over the next several weeks, weather permitting. Lake Valley, North Lake Tahoe and Tahoe Douglas fire protection districts, California State Parks, California Tahoe Conservancy and the U.S. Forest Service will conduct prescribed fire operations in multiple areas around Lake Tahoe. Smoke may be present.

A. Airport East - 1 acre
B. West 1st Creek - 25 acres
C. Diamond Peak Ski Area - 23 acres
D. Champagne Rd - 9 acres
E. Dale Drive - 1 acre
F. Cave Rock Area - 5 acres
G. Upper Kingsbury - 3 acres

Sass Talk: It's ok to not go along, to just get along

This opinion piece has been updated.

Do shopping at South Lake Tahoe holiday fairs Sunday

Event Date: 
December 3, 2017 - 10:00am

Those on the South Shore will be treated to two holiday bazaars on Sunday, December 3, 2017.

Golden Bear Events is hosting their annual Winter Bazaar at the American Legion at 2748 Lake Tahoe Boulevard. From 10:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m., holiday shoppers can find See's Candies, handmade jewelry, home decor, books from local authors, photography, treats from Don's Cakes by the Lake, Girl Scout Troop #123 will be selling handmade crafts, Beauty Control, hair accessories, fiber arts, clothing and more, plus the Cheer Team will be gift wrapping for a donation.

Optimist Christmas Tree Lot back for 49th year in South Lake Tahoe

You've seen them every year at the corner of Lakeview Avenue and Lake Tahoe Boulevard in South Lake Tahoe, filling local homes with Christmas spirit while also helping local youth.

The Optimist Club of South Lake Tahoe has opened their tree lot for the 49th year, and those looking for that special tree to decorate can find it there Monday-Friday noon to 7:00 p.m. and weekends from 10:00 a.m. to 8:00 p.m.

They have a wide selection of Grand Fir, Douglas Fir, Silver Tip and Noble Fir trees but get in early for the best selection.

Letters: Strengthen the South Shore, join Tahoe Women's Community Fund

The Tahoe Women’s Community Fund invites you to join our 2018 membership! We are a philanthropic leadership organization dedicated to building and engaging an inclusive and diverse membership of people interested in strengthening our community through the power of collective giving. Plus, through a very generous gift of $100,000 from Ms. Lisa Maloff, we will be matching membership money dollar for dollar, doubling our collective giving power for 2018!

Weidinger PR wins multiple honors at annual awards event

Lake Tahoe-based Weidinger Public Relations was recognized with three awards for 2017 campaigns at the Public Relations Society of America, Sierra Nevada Chapter Silver Spikes Awards, Nov. 16 at The Grove in Reno, Nev.

Weidinger PR received honors for three entries: one Silver Spike and two Awards of Excellence. The firm’s public relations efforts for the 2017 American Century Championship captured the Silver Spike for “Special Events and Observances.”

Magical display of themed Christmas trees at South Lake Tahoe holiday event

The grand hall at MontBleu Casino Resort has been turned into a holiday paradise, a winter wonderland with the main attraction being the specialty Christmas trees.

On Thursday, local celebrities and media strolled by each of the designer trees, selecting those that won top honors of Most Elegant, Best Theme, Most Creative and Best of Show.

The excellent work on each made it almost impossible to come up with a winner, but four were chosen after much deliberation. Each tree will be paired with a special prize package during a live auction at Saturday's Gala.

IRS scam targeting South Lake Tahoe residents

The South Lake Tahoe Police Department has received multiple reports regarding a phone scam to local residents. Callers are identifying themselves to potential victims as an employee of the IRS (Internal Revenue Service). These phony IRS Agents inform the victim they have a warrant for their arrest or owe taxes. This is a scam. Callers claiming to be from the IRS tell intended victims they must pay using a pre-paid debit card, credit cards or wire transfer. The scammers threaten those who refuse to pay with arrest, deportation or loss of a business or driver’s license.

Douglas County Commissioners to vote on Master Plan update, including housing element

Douglas County Commissioners will be voting on the 20-year update to the Douglas County Master Plan during a special meeting on Tuesday, December 4 at 9:00 a.m. in the Courthouse at 1616 8th Street in Minden.

Tuesday's discussion will focus on the housing element of the plan along with other portions including safety.

Those unable to attend but would like to comment can submit written comment to the commissioners via their website here: https://www.douglascountynv.gov/46/Board-of-County-Commissioners.

Fundraiser at Flight Deck to benefit Sierra Avalanche Center

Event Date: 
December 1, 2017 - 6:00pm

Flight Deck Sports Bar and Grill at the Lake Tahoe Airport is holding a Sierra Avalanche Center (SAC) fundraiser on Friday, December 1 starting at 6:00 p.m. There will be music by Cash Only Band's Davin & Dallas, raffle prizes, and the showing of a movie and short films, all for $10.

"Boondockers Fourteen," a snowmobile movie, will be shown along with short films by local Ty Dayberry and Bird Flu Crew, and a snowmobile avalanche awareness movie, "Knowledge is Power."

There will be food and drink specials all night long as well.

Person of interest in Hard Rock Hotel murder arrested by UNR police

The man identified as a person of interest in the October 3 murder of Kevin LeRoy Edwards at the Hard Rock Hotel Casino in Lake Tahoe was arrested in Sparks, Nevada on November 22, 2017.

Someone called in a suspicious person report to the University of Nevada (UNR) Police Department. They contacted Jose DeJesus Rodriguez-Quezada, 44, sleeping on the sidewalk near the UNR Agricultural Ranch area on East McCarran Boulevard.

Kudos: Bread & Broth thanks Ameriprise

Ameriprise Financial Services, Inc. has a legacy of giving back to the community and annually sponsors a corporate wide National Day of Service in November with the goal of ending hunger. This year, the South Lake Tahoe Ameriprise Financial Services’ office once again chose to join with Bread and Broth in their efforts to feed the hungry by sponsoring an “Adopt a Day of Nourishment” on November 13. This is their fifth November "Adopt A Day" in the last five years.

Prescribed fires set to resume around Lake Tahoe

After taking a break during the Thanksgiving holiday, the Tahoe Fire and Fuels Team (TFFT) resume prescribed fire operations next week, beginning Monday, November 27, 2017, weather permitting.

North Lake Tahoe Fire Protection District, California State Parks and the California Tahoe Conservancy will conduct prescribed fire operations above Incline Village, D.L. Bliss and Burton Creek state parks and near the airport in South Lake Tahoe. Smoke may be visible.

North of the CSLT Airport, Southwest of the Sierra Tract Subdivision - 8 acres
Hwy 89 / Lester Beach Road - 8 acres

Make a child's Christmas special through Live Violence Free

SOUTH LAKE TAHOE, Calif. - Live Violence Free has a special Christmas tree full of ornaments to help make a local person's (both children and adults) holiday special. Pick an ornament from the tree until December 11, go shopping and select gift(s) on their wish list and return them to the non-profit's office by December 15.

Adult gifts can be wrapped but please leave children's gifts unwrapped. The suggested amount spent on a person is $50 (but you can always spend more!).

New EDC Traction Control Ordinance ready to be enforced

Vehicles without the proper traction control device on their cars while on El Dorado County roads this winter may be fined and/or towed.

Massive traffic jams on Sundays in Meyers throughout last winter led drivers onto side streets without chains or snow tires on their vehicles, creating a parking lot of disabled cars that were stuck in the snow. Those drivers attempting to circumvent traffic ended up using Manda, North Upper Truckee and other local roads but a new ordinance will try and alleviate those issues.

Column: Conservation partnerships are an opportunity to bridge divides

Nearly 200 conservation professionals from around the country gathered back east this November to have a strategic dialogue about the state of landscape-scale conservation. Lake Tahoe was featured at the forum for the region’s cooperative restoration initiatives, and it was an honor to share the stage with such high-caliber conservation thought leaders.

The national forum showcased how people of all backgrounds are collaborating and working to conserve some of America’s most iconic natural areas.

Go Local campaign and contest starts for holidays

The holidays are upon us which means ‘tis the season to GO Local! Tahoe Chamber’s annual GO Local & Win! contest is kicking off on Small Business Saturday, November 25. Simply pick up a GO Local & Win passport at participating businesses or download one online, then shop or dine at any of the participating business through January 1, 2018. For every $25 spent contestants will receive a stamp on their passport. Completed passports are eligible to up to $500 in cash prizes and those that follow along on the @GOLocalTahoe Facebook page have more opportunities to win.

it's time again for See's candy sales in South Lake Tahoe

The South Lake Tahoe Cancer League got their candy in early and while the store isn't open until November 27, it is now available at local locations before Thanksgiving, just in time for a holiday treat.

Boxes can now be picked up at the Moose Lodge, Emerald Bay Salon, Scotty's Hardware at the Y, and Sessions Salon.

New rules for vacation rentals in SLT start December 21

After months of debate and community discussions, South Lake Tahoe will have a new Vacation Home Rental Ordinance (VHR) starting December 21, 2017, but don't expect the discussions to be over.

The City Council will continue to evaluate the ordinance and look at it during a meeting a least quarterly as they look at what is working and what still needs adjustment.

Main points of the VHR ordinance:

Kudos: City team thanks South Lake Tahoe resident

The City of South Lake Tahoe Recreation Services Team would like to extend our sincerest gratitude to local resident Greg Siomiak for volunteering to add some sparkle to our pickle ball courts. Greg has been instrumental in the addition of pickle ball to the recreation complex amenities and helping us keep the courts in the best possible condition. Recently Greg dedicated several hours to re-stripe the pickle ball courts and they look fabulous!

On behalf of the Recreation Services Team and all of those who enjoy pickle ball we thank you Greg for your time and service to the community.

Changes on the way for Tahoe Paradise Park; New board member sought

In the works since 2010, the Tahoe Paradise Resort Improvement District is now officially a "recreation and park district." Governor Schwarzenegger signed Senate Bill 1023 into law that year, creating an expedited procedure for resort improvement districts to convert into community service districts, and in the case of Tahoe Paradise Park, into the recreation and park district.

That "expedited" procedure has taken almost six years for the Tahoe Paradise district to work out.

Letter: Local tired of VHRs in neighborhood

Twelve years of Vacation Home Rentals (VHRs), what a sad place So. Lake Tahoe residential neighborhoods have become. Thanks go to local Realtors, out of town owners, and VHR rental agencies, who care mostly about money, not about the peace and tranquility of the local residents. But they’re not alone, we also have City and County officials that don’t represent the locals that elect them, instead it’s all about the tourists and their friends in the VHR business, some of those friends are elected officials.

El Dorado County Sheriff's Report

SOUTH LAKE TAHOE, CALIF. - El Dorado County Sheriff's Office responds to calls throughout the county. The following are calls that only pertain to the South Shore. There may be some missing calls due to sheriff's logs not being completed at time of story.

Some of those recently added to last week's log:

11/9

El Dorado County joins others in state to temporarily ban sales of cannabis

The El Dorado County Board of Supervisors have voted for a temporary ban of commercial licenses for both medical and recreational cannabis in El Dorado County with the exception of medical cannabis dispensaries allowed to operate under ordinance 4999.

At the same time, they voted to create a new ad hoc Cannabis Advisory Committee to study and create ballot measures for different cannabis commercial uses tied to
taxation for a local election.

Supervisor Sue Novasel, who represents the South Shore will join Supervisor Ranalli on the new committee.

Celebrate holidays at South Lake Tahoe Library

Event Date: 
December 2, 2017 - 10:00am

Families of all ages are invited to the South Lake Tahoe Library Winter Extravaganza on Saturday, December 2 from 10:00 a.m. to 12:00 p.m.

Creation stations will be set up with fun, easy to make, seasonal decorations suitable for all ages. Santa and Mrs. Claus are scheduled to drop by, so bring a camera, your holiday spirit and celebrate with your local library.

Sponsored by Friends of the Library.

The library is located at 1000 Rufus Allen Boulevard in South Lake Tahoe. Their phone number is 530-573-3185.

Caltrans Highway 50 project in South Lake Tahoe done for season

One year down, two to go! Work has concluded for the season on a major Caltrans construction project in South Lake Tahoe from the "Y" to Trout Creek.

SLT Fire Chief Jeff Meston wins award

Chief Jeff Meston of South Lake Tahoe Fire Rescue is the recipient of the Ed Bent Training Excellence Award in recognition of being the Outstanding Fire Instructor of the Year at the California Training Officers Symposium held this week in Fresno, California.

The award was created many years ago on behalf of Ed Bent for his contribution as a founding father of statewide training and curriculum for the California Fire Service.

South Lake Tahoe featured in national report on 100% renewable energy commitments

Today, the Sierra Club released a new report showcasing 10 U.S. cities that have made ambitious commitments to be powered with 100 percent clean, renewable energy like wind and solar. View the report: https://www.sierraclub.org/sites/www.sierraclub.org/files/blog/RF100-CaseStudies_2017.pdf

This is the second annual case studies report from Ready For 100, a Sierra Club campaign launched in 2016 working in cities across the United States, including South Lake Tahoe, to accelerate a just and equitable transition to 100 percent clean energy.

New member appointed to Lake Valley Fire Board of Directors

The Lake Valley Fire Protection District Board of Directors has appointed Brian Hogan as a board member-at-large, replacing the seat recently vacated by Robert Rossi.

Hogan is the Regional President for U.S. Bank's Central California and Northern Nevada Community Banking Region and has been employed with the bank for the last 25 years. As regional president, he oversees the banking groups in the region including Commercial, Retail, Business Banking, and Private Banking. He holds Bachelor of Science degrees in both Economics and Government from California State University Sacramento.

Two bodies retrieved from Fallen Leaf Lake

11-15-17 update can be found here: http://southtahoenow.com/story/11/15/2017/update-recovered-bodies-fallen-leaf-lake

Bruce's Legacy, the underwater search and recovery team from Wisconsin, was at Fallen Leaf Lake recently, searching the water for a missing person. What they found was more than expected when bodies of both a man and woman were recovered.

Kudos: Bread & Broth thanks Kirkwood Mountain Resort

To volunteer to help others is a selfless act that is both humbling and uplifting. Thanks to Vail’s generous EpicPromise grant, Kirkwood Mountain Resort employees had the opportunity to volunteer at Bread & Broth’s November 6 Monday Meal through B&B’s ‘Adopt A Day of Nourishment' program. Kirkwood Security Officers Mark DeSacia, Rick Hofheins and Charlie Noury and David McCullers, Security Manager, all volunteered their time and effort to make a difference in the lives of those attending the meal served at Grace Hall.

Letter: Let's rally around those who care for our earth, people, and community

The next election is around the corner and civic life in America is as fragile as our generation has ever seen it. Let's decide now to rally around leaders who prioritize care for others above personal gain or party lines. Let's rally around caring for our earth, for people, for communities. This feels like a new idea because care challenges the perverse rationale of greed and the foolish habit of partisan divisions we are so used to. We must actively resist the messages of the market that say we need to stay hooked on getting more things to be happy.

Placer County looking for someone to reinvent Tahoe City firehouse properties

Next to Commons Beach in North Lake Tahoe are the Place County owned Fire Station 51 and adjacent properties, and they are looking for someone to reinvent the area into a mixed-use development.

Experienced mixed-use development firms and other interested parties are invited to submit letters of interest for a long-term lease and their reuse concept for the former firehouse, Tahoe Community Center building and the former visitor center building.

Prescribed fires resume around Lake Tahoe

Lake Valley, North Lake Tahoe and Tahoe Douglas fire protection districts, California State Parks, California Tahoe Conservancy and the U.S. Forest Service will continue Lake Tahoe Basin prescribed fire operations over the next several weeks, weather permitting. Operations are scheduled to take place at or near D.L. Bliss State Park, Carnelian Bay, Kings Beach, Incline Village, Diamond Peak Ski Resort area, Glenbrook, upper and lower Kingsbury Grade and south and east of the Lake Tahoe Airport.

South Shore

Rotarians honor Lake Tahoe area veterans

Those who serve the community honored those who served the country during the annual Tahoe Douglas Rotary Veteran's Day celebration Friday.

Club member Brian Williams, US Marines (retired), organized this year's event as he does each year, inviting local veterans for lunch and a program. The Marine Corps 242nd birthday fell on the event this year, and the former Marine had a special birthday for the attendees to enjoy.

North Lake Tahoe students get indoor snowboarding lesson from Olympian

LAKE TAHOE - In an ongoing effort to make snowboarding accessible to every kid, Burton Learn to Ride, Boys & Girls Club of North Lake Tahoe and Squaw Valley Alpine Meadows hosted local kids Wednesday, November 8 for an hour of indoor snowboarding with video instruction from Olympic halfpipe snowboarding champion Kelly Clark, Burton’s Jeff Boliba and instructors from Squaw Valley Alpine Meadows.

Blue Ribbon Award winners announced

SOUTH LAKE TAHOE – The winners of the 10th annual Blue Ribbon Awards were announced Thursday night at Harrah’s Lake Tahoe. Over 300 community members attended to celebrate the winners of seven awards that honor outstanding South Shore businesses, organizations and individuals for civic contributions, tourism experiences, customer service and entrepreneurial achievements.

The following are the winners of the 10th annual Blue Ribbon Awards:

Geotourism Award
Winner: Tahoe Rim Trail Association
Honorable Mention: Edgewood Tahoe
Sponsored by Bike the West

Barton celebrates South Lake Tahoe non-profits and philanthropy

SOUTH LAKE TAHOE, Calif. – Philanthropy and South Lake Tahoe non-profits were recently celebrated by the Barton Foundation as they honored their 2017 grant recipients in a luncheon at Riva Grill.

South Shore non-profits receive $51,000 from American Century Championship

American Century Championship continues to impact the South Shore of Lake Tahoe, even months after the annual tournament is over. Since its inception in 1990, the tournament has donated more than $4.5 million to local and national non-profits.

On Thursday, the Lake Tahoe Visitors Authority and American Century Investments gave 30 local organizations checks in the amount of $500 to $5,000 to help them serve the community.

4th annual Winter Bazaar in South Lake Tahoe

Event Date: 
December 3, 2017 - 10:00am

The fourth annual Winter Bazaar will be held at the American Legion Post 795, 2748 Lake Tahoe Boulevard in South Lake Tahoe on Sunday, December 3, 2017. The event will be open to the public from 10:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. and will feature handmade jewelry, local authors, hair accessories, hand made crafts, gift items, drawing prizes, and more.

Admission to the event is free.

For more information, or to be a vendor, contact JoAnn at goldenbearevents@gmail.com or 530/544-7412.

Lake Tahoe ski areas planned opening dates

After a winter of historic snowfall and atmospheric rivers, what will 2017-18 have in store?

That has yet to be seen, but many resorts around the Lake Tahoe Basin are making plans for opening even without that "one good dump."

Planned opening days:

Heavenly Mountain Resort - Nov. 17
Kirkwood Mountain Resort - Nov. 22
Sierra-at-Tahoe,- mid-November
Squaw Valley/Alpine Meadows - November 17
Northstar - Nov. 17
Mt. Rose - Nov. 4
Boreal - Nov. 8
Homewood - Dec. 8
Diamond Peak - Dec. 14

Measure C failing even with majority of voters approving of a tax increase

10:55 PM Update - With all of the local precincts counted, it appears Measure C has failed. With a final tally of the precinct votes and some mail-ins received by 10:49 p.m., the "yes" votes totaled 54 percent, with the "no" votes getting 46 percent. The measure needed two-thirds to pass.

There may still be some late mail-ins to be counted and the vote has not been certified at this time.

Of the 9,889 registered voters, just 2215 ballots (22.4 percent) have been received tonight.

***

Kudos: “Faces of Homelessness” appreciation

SOUTH LAKE TAHOE, Calif. – A gracious “thank you” to those who participated in the “Faces of Homelessness” on October 26, 2017 at Valhalla, especially our primary event sponsors Temple Bat Yam and the Tahoe Chamber. It was warm inside the great room, with a fire roaring behind our presenters; however, their accounts of being homeless were quite chilling. Six adults and local middle school and high school youth provided touching accounts of their personal stories of homelessness to an audience of strangers.

Tax increase to fix South Lake Tahoe roads to be determined Tuesday

South Lake Tahoe voters will be deciding the future of roads in the City when they determine the fate of Measure C on Tuesday, November 7, 2017.

Voters will decide if a one-half cent sales tax will be added in the town to provide approximately $2.5 million that will fix potholes and pave, repair, maintain local roads.

The following polling locations are established for the November 7, 2017 election:

Lake Tahoe Christian Fellowship, 3580 Blackwood

South Shore Christian Assembly 886 Glorene Avenue

Tahoe Blue Vodka matching donation raises $10,000 to Keep Tahoe Blue

A $5,000 matching gift by Tahoe Blue Vodka has led to over $10,000 raised to support the League to Save Lake Tahoe’s beach and community cleanups.

“We can’t thank Matt Levitt and Tahoe Blue Vodka enough for their continued support for our efforts to protect Lake Tahoe’s shoreline,” said Darcie Goodman Collins, PhD, the League’s executive director. “Our beach cleanups are a central part of our efforts to engage Tahoe’s community, and this gift brought the community together to help provide the funds we need.”

Kudos: Bread & Broth thanks Heavenly Mountain Resort

“It is a great feeling to know I work for a company that enjoys giving back to the community,” commented Chris Barbar. Barbar is the assistant manager for Ticket Sales at Heavenly Mountain Resort and on October 23, through Heavenly’s Adopt A Day of Nourishment sponsorship, Chris spent another Monday helping Bread & Broth volunteers feed a tasty and filling spaghetti dinner to the evening’s 95 dinner guests.

Sass Talk: Measure C, VHRs, Champions Plaza and more!

Its election time and the only local issue is Measure C; an increase of one-half percent in local sales tax (excludes groceries and prescriptions) for a term of 15 years to fund road rehabilitation. I voted YES to the measure because there is no long term funding solution within the current budget or the foreseeable future. And, our roads are in terrible shape.

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