pandemic

Column: Persevering this winter’s surge together

We cannot turn on the news, surf the web or walk down the street without constant reminders that we, along with the rest of the world, are battling a virus that has already taken a huge toll on our lives. No one has been immune to the impacts of this virus.

Overland Meat & Seafood pays it forward once again with free hamburger

Event Date: 
December 14, 2020 - 10:00am

SOUTH LAKE TAHOE, Calif. - Overland Meat & Seafood Company will once again pay-it-forward in South Lake Tahoe and give away hamburger to those in need of some help with putting food on the table during these trying times. The new giveaway day is Monday, December 14 starting at 10:00 a.m.

Brian Cohen, owner of the popular market in South Lake Tahoe, will be continuing what they have now done four different times since the beginning of the pandemic. So far they have given away thousands of pounds of hamburger to people in the community.

Bread & Broth 4 Kids adjusts weekly food program for South Lake Tahoe youth

SOUTH LAKE TAHOE, Calif. - In an ever changing pandemic situation, Bread & Broth 4 Kids has adjusted their weekly food bag program for South Lake Tahoe school age youth.

Bags will be on the school buses (schedule below) on Wednesdays when school is in session (no delivery December 23 and 30). When school resumes to in person instruction, this schedule will adjust to fit the need and school schedules.

The Angel of Tahoe spreads Christmas cheer through South Lake Tahoe once again

SOUTH LAKE TAHOE, Calif. - Due to the generosity and giving heart of the “Angel of Tahoe,” Mrs. Lisa Maloff and her love for children, presents were purchased for over 100 Tahoe children this season. Due to the pandemic, Tahoe Youth & Family Services (TYFS) was unable to hold a Christmas party as they have done for the past three years. Mrs. Maloff made a sizeable donation to TYFS with the request for the nonprofit agency to help make the holiday season extra special for local children, something needed more than ever due to these challenging times.

Need health insurance? Virtual services have your enrollment covered

State health insurance exchanges, like Covered California and Nevada Health Link, are now in open enrollment - the time when we can sign up for coverage for the year ahead. It’s always a good idea to make sure you and your family have health insurance, and with the current surge of COVID-19, you don’t want to be uncovered. Luckily, there are many options for families and individuals to enroll virtually, including free, bi-lingual enrollment services offered here in our community.

Kiwanis Club of Lake Tahoe provides 600 coats to local youth; New members welcome

SOUTH LAKE TAHOE, Calif. - Coats for Kids is an annual Kiwanis Club of Lake Tahoe signature project. For the past three weeks members of the club have been busy purchasing coats and distributing them to students in need in our community.

Eric Michael Berg ~ 3/13/1988 - 11/29/2020

Eric Michael Berg tragically and unexpectedly passed on Sunday, November 29, 2020 at the age of 32. The severity and duration of his addiction to alcohol was almost entirely hidden from his friends and family. He passed just hours before family intended to bring him to a medical detoxification facility.

Virtual ribbon-cutting for U.S. Highway 50 Echo Summit Sidehill Viaduct Replacement Project

EL DORADO COUNTY, Calif. – Caltrans has recognized the successful completion of the U.S. Highway 50 Echo Summit Sidehill Viaduct Replacement Project with a virtual ribbon-cutting video.

Because in-person events have been suspended due to the COVID-19 pandemic, the department chose this virtual ribbon-cutting event to acknowledge the efforts of its staff, contractor Q&D Construction and the collaboration with local partner agencies in making this challenging project a successful one.

El Dorado County reactivates its Emergency Operations Center

El Dorado County Sheriff’s Office today announced the reactivation of the
County’s Emergency Operations Center (EOC) in response to the increase in COVID-19 cases and its impact on County hospitals. It includes personnel from the Sheriff’s Office, County Public Health department and the County’s Chief Administrative Office.

Kudos: Tahoe Magic thanks community

Farwell 2020! We will always remember this year, but for most of us, we are also ready to kiss it goodbye with a swift kick to the curb. Our community, like all communities has been hard hit with lost income, closed businesses, stay at home orders, COVID and virtually learning at home. We have missed socializing, travelling, entertaining and being entertained, enjoying our extended family and cannot even see a friend’s smile behind their mask. We missed so much of 2020 and it has hurt, to be honest.

Police officers spreading kindness through South Lake Tahoe

SOUTH LAKE TAHOE, Calif. - The South Lake Tahoe Police Department (SLTPD) is celebrating kindness and paying it forward this holiday season by visiting locals deserving of a special treat purchased from local small businesses.

Staff members are not shaving this December for 'Decembeard', and taking the funds collected to buy a gift at a local small business and then deliver to the chosen person....each day for the 12 Days of Christmas. They did the same beard fundraising last month along with City staff for 'Novembeard' which raised money for a cancer charity.

South Lake Tahoe Fire Rescue issues update: Decorated fire truck to make rounds once again

SOUTH LAKE TAHOE, Calif. - South Lake Tahoe Fire Rescue (SLTFR) will once again roll its decorated fire engine this holiday season! They announced earlier this week the long standing tradition of the truck going through neighborhoods with Santa on board would not happen due to safety concerns of the pandemic.

SLTFR announced Thursday they wanted to clarify the statement given to South Tahoe Now.

Emotional well-being topic of next Tahoe Chamber Level Up workshop

Event Date: 
December 16, 2020 - 12:00pm

Even before the pandemic hit, American businesses were losing 300 billion dollars a year as a result of workplace stress. A recent nationwide survey shows 90 percent of U.S. adults are experiencing emotional distress.

To give employers needed information, the Tahoe Chamber is hosting another installment of its Level Up Webinars on Wednesday, December 16 from 12:00 p.m. to 1:30 p.m. The cost is $10 for Chamber members and $20 for non-members.

Supporting South Lake Tahoe small businesses all month-long

Event Date: 
December 20, 2020 (All day)

SOUTH LAKE TAHOE, Calif. - Now that Small Business Saturday has come and gone, and there is still plenty of holiday shopping ahead during the month of December, South Tahoe Now has a proposition for local businesses.

Send us a few sentences of what makes you unique and what you offer for sale whether its jewelry, food, clothing, dog treats, experiences (and the list continues). What are your hours and do you have any special sales coming up? What is your address or website?

Douglas County cancels public holiday events due to rise in COVID-19 cases

DOUGLAS COUNTY, Nev. = After consultation with the Douglas County officials, the towns, public safety agencies, and Douglas County Emergency Management it was determined in-person public holiday events in the towns of Gardnerville, Genoa, and Minden have been canceled. This includes the 25th annual Parade of Lights hosted by the Carson Valley Chamber of Commerce. County officials said the action was deemed necessary for the safety of the community, due to the most recent State directive limiting public gatherings to no more than 50 people.

South Lake Tahoe Moose Lodge donates $1000 to Family Resource Center

Over the past ten years, the South Lake Tahoe Moose Lodge has donated 50 Christmas food boxes annually to local families, delivering the boxes in recent years to the South Lake Tahoe Family Resource Center for distribution to families in need.

These boxes contained a complete Christmas Ham dinner for a family of four, plus enough extra food to last for several additional meals. But, due to the Covid-19 pandemic, this year the Lodge was unable to hold its normal fundraisers and food collections to put the boxes together.

Alpine County moves into the Red Tier

As of noon Saturday, Alpine County has been assigned by the California Department of Public Health to the Red Tier in the state’s Blueprint for a Safer Economy. This move is based on statistical data which includes:
- Test Positivity (7-day average with a 4-day lag) – 5.8 percent
- Total new cases (7-day total with a 4-day lag) – 6

Being the smallest county in the state with about 1,200 residents, their increasing case load has concerned Public Health Officer, Dr. Richard Johnson.

Local small business shopping more important now than ever

South Lake Tahoe has a wide variety of small businesses from jewelry to experiences on the lake. With the impact of the pandemic on their business this is a perfect season to think of them while doing your shopping.

Small Business Saturday is November 28, the annual day after Black Friday to highlight shopping at the places who are a part of the community. They are the businesses we go to when seeking donations for silent auctions or to provide food for fundraisers. They are invested in the well-being of the South Shore community and to keep them here we need to support them now.

Tahoe Film Fest returns with modified schedule on North Shore

INLINE VILLAGE, Nev. - The 6th Annual Tahoe Film Fest presents environmental and independent feature length and award winning films to North Lake Tahoe from December 3-6, 2020. Special guests and filmmakers will be present at many of the films.

The festival takes on a new look during the pandemic. The films originally scheduled for Northstar had to be moved as movie theaters must only operate outdoors due to Placer County's Purple Tier. The theaters on the Nevada side can still show films but only at 50 percent capacity.

Tahoe Institute for Natural Science celebrates 10-year anniversary

The Tahoe Institute for Natural Science (TINS) is celebrating 10 years of connecting people to nature and inspiring new generations of stewards for the wonders of Lake Tahoe. Since 2010, the organization has engaged with over 56,000 students through in-school natural history programs, field trips, and nature camps. They offer programs for people of all ages - hosting hundreds of presentations and guided nature outings for thousands of participants. All of their programs are supported by a foundation of important, ongoing biological research.

Kindness and gratitude from that first Thanksgiving in 1621 to today

If those who attended the first Thanksgiving in 1621 happened to time travel and visit the 2020 version, what would they think of our version of the holiday?

That first celebration wasn't called Thanksgiving, they didn't have potatoes or pumpkin pie, but they did have a feeling of gratitude and thankfulness over the three-day celebration after a successful harvest.

Thanksgiving is based on the idea that we should all take time to count our blessings at least once a year and to celebrate it with family and friends.

Cocktails on the Balcony and Tahoe Blue Vodka team up for Lake Tahoe

SOUTH LAKE TAHOE, Calif. - Many Facebook users have been following South Lake Tahoe resident Brenda Simpkins since the pandemic began. She started posting festive cocktail photos on the social media site from her balcony with Mt. Tallac, a meadow, and Lake Tahoe in the background.

Celebrate safely this holiday season

The holidays are upon us, bringing a time to celebrate and gather. Gatherings during the upcoming holidays can be an opportunity to reconnect with family and friends, however, even small in-person gatherings are a contributor to the rise in COVID-19 cases we are seeing across the nation and in our own community. This holiday season, consider how your holiday plans can be modified to reduce the spread of COVID-19 to keep your friends, family, and community healthy and safe.

Bread & Broth provides Thanksgiving bags of food for over 500 local residents

SOUTH LAKE TAHOE, Calif. - The volunteers at Bread & Broth packed bags of food for the community Monday, bags full of food for not only a Thanksgiving meal, but for meals through the week.

From 3:00 p.m. to 5:30 p.m. on November 23, almost 200 people picked up bags for their families containing a turkey breast, yams, green beans, rolls, stuffing, pumpkin pie, sparkling apple cider, fruit, vegetables, eggs, milk and much more. Those bags of food went to feed 549 individuals in the South Lake Tahoe community.

STPUD extends COVID-19 rate relief program

The South Tahoe Public Utility District Board of Directors extended the COVID-19 Rate Relief Program to assist residents and businesses that are facing financial
hardship due to the COVID-19 pandemic. The District’s COVID-19 Rate Relief Program offers a 50% credit up to $3,000 for the next quarterly sewer bill for customers in need.

“We’re extending the rate relief program because our community just entered another phase of restrictions, which could cause economic hardship for our customers,” says Randy Vogelgesang, Board President.

Nevada under new safety measures after surge of COVID-19 deaths and positivity rate

Governor Steve Sisolak announced a "at least a three-week statewide pause" to protect Nevadans from the pandemic due to a surge in positive cases and deaths. Starting Tuesday, November 24 at 12:01 a.m. there will be tighter business restrictions and a stricter mask mandate in the state of Nevada.

Many thought he would be calling for a shutdown in the state, but instead he chose the "pause" at this time. Sisolak said ten percent of all COVID-19 cases in Nevada since beginning of pandemic have been recorded in the last seven days.

South Lake Tahoe group fundraising for food gift cards for local families

SOUTH LAKE TAHOE, Calif. - The holidays can be stressful for those worrying about not only buying gifts, but for the basics of putting food on the table.

Everyone can be a philanthropist with Tahoe Women's Community Fund

Time is a unifier of sorts, isn’t it, even during a pandemic. It keeps marching on, month by month, day by day and minute by minute.

Barton Health updates community on their surge preparedness

SOUTH LAKE TAHOE, Calif. - The safety of patients and healthcare workers is Barton Health’s top priority. The health care system has operations in place to continue to meet the demand for medical services as COVID-19 cases surge across the nation and Lake Tahoe. After preparation for the anticipated increase of patient volume this fall and winter, aspects of Barton’s plan are being implemented to meet the needs for patient care.

Quarantine in South Lake Tahoe leads to poem brought to life in new children's book

SOUTH LAKE TAHOE, Calif. - In search of something positive to do while staying at home during the pandemic, South Lake Tahoe parent Gantt Miller and his daughter Mackenzie started brainstorming. They couldn't sew, so making masks were out of the question. What could they do?

They could tell a story.

The nine-year-old Mackenzie and her dad, who wrote the book under a pen name, M.C. Behm, started to explore what messages they could convey between the front and back covers.

Beautiful Mess: New vintage and thrift store opens in South Lake Tahoe

SOUTH LAKE TAHOE, Calif. - The middle of a pandemic is never an ideal time to open a new business, but the new Beautiful Mess vintage shop and thrift store has been a popular shopping stop for locals and visitors since opening September 3.

"If I can get through this, I can get through anything," said Beautiful Mess proprietor Jessica Marks of the pandemic.

Radio drama makes a comeback with KNVC's Secrets of Harridge House

In the days before television, the internet, cell phones and video games, families would gather around the radio each evening and listen to Sorry Wrong Number, Moon Over Morocco, Dragnet, The Adventures of the Thin Man, The Shadow, Flash Gordon, and War of the Worlds.

With no visual component, radio drama depended on dialogue, music and sound effects to help the listener imagine the characters and the story. Each episode would leave listeners wanting more and the level of anticipation grew as the next airing date grew closer.

No South Lake Tahoe Veterans Day ceremonies this year, but flags are up at Happy Homestead

SOUTH LAKE TAHOE, Calif. - Due to restrictions on gathering due to the pandemic, Veterans Day ceremonies in South Lake Tahoe area canceled for 2020. The American Legion Auxiliary and Vets in Counseling members placed approximately 600 flags at Happy Homestead Monday, after the snow fell.

Barton Health brings back services to Robert Maloff Orthopedics & Wellness Center

SOUTH LAKE TAHOE, Calif. - With services stopped during the first months of the pandemic due to safety concerns, Barton Health is bringing back health and wellness programs to its Robert Maloff Center for Orthopedics & Wellness.

Rise in COVID-19 cases pushes many California counties back in tiers

EL DORADO COUNTY, Calif. - California is experiencing a surge in COVID-19 cases and state health officials today moved several counties back into more restrictive tiers to stem the tide of the pandemic.

With this direction, El Dorado County was to move into the red tier, the one reserved for areas with substantial cases, but the county has entered the state's tier adjudication process and asked to remain in the orange tier.

LTUSD to remain in Phase 2 Hybrid Learning through rest of 2020

SOUTH LAKE TAHOE, Calif. - After Lake Tahoe Unified School District (LTUSD) leadership looked at current COVID-19 data they announced Monday they will not be shifting to the next learning phase and will remain in Phase 2.

In accordance with their Pandemic Educational Plan timeline, LTUSD concluded its assessment of the data and criteria required did not meet what was needed for a possible shift to the next phase. There has been a significant increase of COVID-19 cases over the past four weeks with 15 new cases over the weekend.

Tahoe Chamber to hold webinar to help diffuse workplace tension in the current climate

Event Date: 
November 18, 2020 - 12:00pm

The South Shore business community is invited to attend the Tahoe Chamber’s next Level UP Webinar: Diffusing Workplace Tension – Politics, Polarization, and the Pandemic on November 18 from 12:00 p.m. to 1:30 p.m. This interactive webinar will be facilitated by Laura Moriarty of Tahoe Training Partners. She will provide productive solutions to difficult situations in the workplace.

Bread & Broth seeks donations for South Lake Tahoe Community Thanksgiving meals

Bread & Broth is seeking donations for a Thanksgiving Meal Giveaway that will be distributed on Monday, November 23, 2020 from 3:00 p.m. to 5:30 p.m. at St. Theresa Grace Hall in South Lake Tahoe.

During past Thanksgiving holidays, Bread & Broth has sponsored a hot Thanksgiving turkey dinner with all the trimmings, once that guests could enjoy with the fellowship of others in the community. During those dinners over 250 individuals joined in the special holiday meal.

This year will have to be different due to the COVID-19 restrictions.

Guest Column: Supporting your community virtually with the Barton Foundation

This season of giving is more important than ever, as our community faces complex challenges brought on by the pandemic. To help provide additional financial resources in response to the pandemic, the COVID-19 Response Fund is the beneficiary of the Barton Foundation’s 30th Annual Gala, held virtually this year beginning November 30 through December 11, 2020 at BartonHealth.org/Gala.

Tahoe Chamber announces finalists for 13th annual Blue Ribbon Awards

Event Date: 
November 19, 2020 - 6:00pm

The community is invited to attend the Tahoe Chamber’s 13th Annual Blue Ribbon Awards to honor South Shore businesses and individuals that have impacted the community for the better. In place of the annual awards dinner, winners will be announced in an awards show that is pre-filmed and broadcast on Lake Tahoe Television on November 19 from 6:00 p.m. to 7:00 p.m.

Those wishing to attend the free event can register in advance on TahoeChamber.org to get direct access to the awards ceremony.

USFS facilities around Lake Tahoe start seasonal closures

SOUTH LAKE TAHOE, Calif. - The USDA Forest Service Lake Tahoe Basin Management Unit has begun closing recreational facilities for the winter season. Seasonal closures apply to many National Forest recreation sites in the Tahoe Basin including beaches, campgrounds, picnic areas and forest roads.

Soroptimists hold holiday catalog online sale

With fundraising taking on a different look due to the pandemic, many nonprofits have taken to the internet for a way to help their groups raise much-needed funds.

The Soroptimist International Club of Tahoe Sierra (SITS) has one week left on their holiday catalog. The gift catalog is full of things for the holidays from gift wrapping to gifts and kitchenware

Special online auction to benefit Boys & Girls Club of Lake Tahoe

SOUTH LAKE TAHOE, Calif. . – A fun and unique gift and golf-themed fundraising auction in underway to benefit the Boys & Girls Club of Lake Tahoe.

More than 50 items can be bid on including golf caddie spots at Edgewood Tahoe during celebrity golf, a one-week vacation in Hawaii, and golf and hotel packages across the country.

The online auction will accept bids through Saturday, November 21 at 7:00 p.m. TO bid, visit https://m.charityauctionstoday.com/m/auctions/BGCLT2020-15641/items.

$4.8 million in small business grants awarded throughout El Dorado County

The Small Business Retention Workgroup, comprised of the El Dorado Hills Chamber of Commerce, El Dorado County Chamber of Commerce, Lake Tahoe South Shore Chamber of Commerce, El Dorado County Economic Development Department and various other entities formulated in March of this year to provide advocacy and strategies for the small business communities of El Dorado County.  The workgroup has met weekly as the COVID-19 pandemic impacted our communities with awareness that the small businesses of our county are the backbone of our business community, employing neighbors and led by individuals wh

Kudos: Live Violence Free thanks Base Camp Pizza for donation

SOUTH LAKE TAHOE, Calif. – Live Violence Free is very excited to announce they have received a large donation from the Base Camp Pizza Company. Live Violence Free were chosen as this year’s non-profit community partner and throughout the 12-month donation period, Base Camp Pizza Co. staff collected more than $12,747 in donations for Live Violence Free.

Base Camp Pizza Co. has donated more than $100,000 over the years to various local non-profits through this program.

Column: A safer, healthier haunting this season

Seasonal holidays like Halloween will be different this fall to prevent the spread of COVID-19. Finding safe ways to celebrate can create magical memories, and lower the risk of exposure to yourself, your family, and your community. The decisions we make on this one day can have a ripple effect beyond our own families. Halloween during the COVID-19 pandemic is a chance for you and your children to get creative, and maybe even invent some new traditions for your family. It's also a great opportunity to model flexibility and a positive spirit.

Celebrating Halloween in South Lake Tahoe - Two Trunk or Treat events and more

SOUTH LAKE TAHOE, Calif. - This Halloween will be like no other due to the pandemic. The annual Treat Street was canceled as was the Freaker's Ball, but there are still ways to enjoy holiday fun in a safe manner in South Lake Tahoe.

Column: Tourism Future at Tahoe South - Responsible, Sustainable Destination

While the consensus is that 2020 will look much better in the rearview mirror, it will leave indelible experiences that shape discussions, planning, and direction for years to come.

It certainly reinforces sustainability as the future of tourism here at Tahoe, with benchmarks to embrace including environmental integrity, economic development, and social equity for visitors and locals.

Barton Health to use $100K grant to bolster mental and behavioral health services

SOUTH LAKE TAHOE, Calif. - Barton Health is partnering with local therapists to expand care to vulnerable community members thanks to a $100,000 grant from Health Net®.

Through the Barton Community Health Center, Medicare and Medicaid patients can schedule virtual visits with Licensed Clinical Social Workers and Marriage Family Therapists contracted through Barton’s secure telehealth platform.

This cooperative effort builds upon Barton’s expert psychiatric services, and makes additional patient care available in a time of need.

Community food availability spots in South Lake Tahoe

SOUTH LAKE TAHOE, Calif. - The local community has several different locations that offer food to those who find themselves needing extra groceries during not only the pandemic, but year-round.

The following is a list of locations at this time. All locations are in South Lake Tahoe unless otherwise noted:

Monday
Bread & Broth at St. Theresa Catholic Church Grace Hall foyer door
1041 Lyons Ave. 4:00- 5:30 p.m. A minimum of 4 bags of groceries (staples, fresh
produce, breads, and dairy (plus meat as available) will be provided. Families will receive additional bags.

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