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Column: Wildfire threat still looms

If the 4th of July weekend is any indication, Tahoe is under pressure. As coronavirus cases grow nearly everywhere, people naturally look to the mountains, fresh air, and clear water of Tahoe as a respite. Now residents and visitors alike are struggling to adjust to the confusion around re-opening, and visitation that is normally our lifeblood is suddenly a health risk.

Comet gives an early morning show over Lake Tahoe

SOUTH LAKE TAHOE, Calif. - Stargazers are being treated to something special as the Comet NEOWISE (also known as Comet C/2020 F3) whizzes by earth and giving a show this month that can be seen by the naked eye.

NEOWISE is brighter than Haley's Comet which was visible 34 years ago. Comet NEOWISE was just discovered heading to earth in March, and passed a test that many comets don't survive, a path by the sun.

South Lake Tahoe resident John Gomez woke up early Friday morning to catch a glimpse of NEOWISE and took the photos in this story.

Genoa's famous and historic Candy Dance canceled for 2020

GENOA, Nev. - For the past 100 years, the Town of Genoa has held a Candy Dance but the 101st event is being canceled due to COVID-19. In a 5-0 vote Wednesday, the Genoa Town Advisory Board decided to forego the event due to health and safety concerns for residents, vendors, staff and sponsors.

Lake Tahoe Unified School District reopening plans to be discussed at July 14 meeting

Event Date: 
July 14, 2020 - 5:00pm

SOUTH LAKE TAHOE, Calif. - The Lake Tahoe Unified School District (LTUSD) Board of Trustees will hear a draft proposal on what the reopening of school in the fall will look like at during a special meeting on July 14 at 5:00 p.m.

"We are in a unique time for public schools. We have been challenged to create plans for the start of the 2020/21 school year that will provide a quality education for our students and at the same time provide safety for us all. This is not an easy task," new LTUSD Superintendent Dr. Todd Cutler said in his weekly email to staff, parents, and the public.

Tuesday: Numbers Fire south of Gardnerville now at 18,000 acres and 0% containment

UPDATE 7:335 p.m.: Douglas County officials say the Numbers Fire has now reached 18,000 acres and is 0% contained. The recommended evacuations for the Bodie Flats and Pineview areas have been lifted. Only residents are allowed to these areas. Please drive safely, watch for emergency vehicles, and be ready for possible future instructions in an ever-changing situation.

Multiple local, state, and federal agencies continue to work on containing the fire using dozers, hand crews, and aircraft.

Eldorado Resorts-Caesars Entertainment merger closer, sale of MontBleu pending

Eldorado Resorts has announced the Federal Trade Commission (FTC) has accepted a proposed consent order, which concludes its review of Eldorado’s pending merger with Caesars Entertainment Corporation. The FTC’s acceptance of the consent order satisfies all required antitrust clearances for the merger and allows Eldorado to move forward with the merge plans.

The selling of MontBleu Resort Casino in Stateline by Eldorado is part of the deal as Caesars Entertainment already owns both Harveys and Harrah's Lake Tahoe, MontBleu's neighbors.

Responsible recreation is urged over the 4th of July weekend at Lake Tahoe

SOUTH LAKE TAHOE, Calif. - With months of people being under "Stay at Home" orders, and if the past few days are any indication, this holiday weekend will be busy at Lake Tahoe as people get out in the fresh air, hike, bike, go to the beach and get on the water.

The July Fourth holiday at Lake Tahoe will look a bit different this year with firework shows canceled, social distancing, the requirement of face coverings in public places and growing concerns about responsible recreation.

Fight Fire With a Plan campaign for Lake Tahoe Wildfire Awareness Month

LAKE TAHOE, Calif./Nev. - The Tahoe Fire and Fuels Team is promoting Lake Tahoe Wildfire Awareness Month during July. This year’s theme is “Fight fire with a plan” to encourage residents and visitors to prepare their family, property and possessions now before a wildfire starts by creating a plan.

Some ways to plan include:

Develop a family evacuation plan.
Assemble a Go-bag and a disaster supply kit for your home and vehicle.
Create and maintain defensible space around homes.
Sign up for emergency notifications for residents and visitors and stay informed.

STPUD survey for South Lake Tahoe well owners

SOUTH LAKE TAHOE, Calif. - South Tahoe Public Utility District invites private well owners to take a 5-10 minute survey about their well, water usage, and any concerns they may have concerning their well. For participation in the survey the District is offering guidance on well maintenance, a free site check to help prevent contamination from entering the well, and free water testing to understand the well’s water quality.

Next week's American Century Championship to support equal justice, COVID-19 and local charities

LAKE TAHOE, Calif./Nev. - It will be different at the American Century Championship at Edgewood next week with no fans allowed, but what won't be different is the philanthropic focus of the tournament.

Resilience Fund-Tahoe awards first loan to Freshie's in South Lake Tahoe

The Resilience Fund-Tahoe has funded its first local loan to Freshies Tahoe. The funds helped save their outdoor patio deck, which was in desperate need of repair and will be critical to ensuring their future success serving customers outdoors.

“After many months of unsuccessfully trying multiple federal avenues for support of Freshies during the business disruption caused by the pandemic, we are thrilled to have qualified for this very generous Resilience Fund loan! We are ready to get our deck open! Thank you so much,” said owners Erik and Melodie Ulman.

Conservancy awards City of South Lake Tahoe $425K to plan downtown 56-acre project

SOUTH LAKE TAHOE, Calif. - The California Tahoe Conservancy has awarded a $425,000 grant to the City of South Lake Tahoe to help plan the future of the 56-Acre site, a south shore hub of civic and recreation activity across Highway 50 from Lakeview Commons.

“The 56-Acre site is already a vibrant gathering place for community members and visitors alike, and it has the potential to be so much more,” said South Lake Tahoe City Councilmember and Conservancy Board member Tamara Wallace.

Conservancy Board to consider funding of South Lake Tahoe's 56 acre project plan

The California Tahoe Conservancy Board will meet online on Thursday, June 25 at 9:30 a.m. to consider authorization for awarding grants related to public access improvements, climate change adaptation, and forest restoration. The Board will consider approving a combined $1.3 million in recreation and public access improvement grants and $676,000 in forest health grants

Some of those grants:

Heavenly, Northstar and Kirkwood announce summer activity opening dates

SOUTH LAKE TAHOE, Calif. - Summer mountain activities will soon get underway at Vail's Lake Tahoe resorts: Heavenly, Northstar, and Kirkwood.

Beloved South Lake Tahoe teacher retires

SOUTH LAKE TAHOE, Calif. - For the past 27 years, Frank Kovac has been with the Lake Tahoe Unified School District (LTUSD).

When he landed in South Lake Tahoe Kovac already had spent time teaching at Fairfax High School, Emerson Junior High, James Rutter Middle School, and Paul Revere Middle School, but he found his niche beginning locally at South Tahoe Middle School.

After one year at STMS Kovac took the position as athletics and activities director at South Tahoe High School (STHS), a position he held for five years.

Two-way immersion program in South Lake Tahoe hits milestone

SOUTH LAKE TAHOE, Calif. - It was a long, hard-fought effort to get it done, but the determination of Kathy Haven and a group of dedicated parents in 2006 has brought the two-way immersion (TWI) program at Lake Tahoe Unified School District (LTUSD) its first group of 13-year students and graduates.

Starting in 2007, 20 students enrolled in the very first kindergarten TWI class at Bijou Elementary and that group of students will be graduating from South Tahoe High School at the end of the week. They have had 13 years of school taught in both Spanish and English.

Dr. James Tarwater says goodbye to Lake Tahoe Unified School District

SOUTH LAKE TAHOE, Calif. - Dr. James Tarwater will be bringing his 54-year career in education to a close this month as he passes the torch to the new Lake Tahoe Unified School District (LTUSD) superintendent June 30.

Input sought on South Lake Tahoe draft Climate Action Plan strategies

SOUTH LAKE TAHOE, Calif. - The local community is invited to participate in an online survey to give input on greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions reduction strategies that have been brainstormed for the City of South Lake Tahoe's Climate Action Plan (CAP).

Online map to help locate USFS designated recreation sites around Lake Tahoe and the state

SOUTH LAKE TAHOE, Calif. - Need help finding out which Forest service campsites and recreation sites are open or closed? While all of their sites in the Lake Tahoe Basin are open, that is not the case in other areas in the Sierra and the rest of California as we start to come out of seasonal and COVID-19 closures.

Column: Tahoe's successes based on working together; eliminating divide

If ever there was a time to draw on the healing powers of Lake Tahoe, it’s now. The COVID crisis, complete with loss of life and wide-ranging financial impacts, is being compounded by human struggle and a wellspring of social justice demonstrations that are gripping the nation. One of our core values at the Tahoe Regional Planning Agency (TRPA) is collaboration -- building collaborative relationships to protect Lake Tahoe. I can tell you that Tahoe's successes have not ever come from reinforcing divisions. The imagined “us vs them" simply creates false divides.

USFS opening its Lake Tahoe campgrounds June 12

SOUTH LAKE TAHOE, Calif. - On June 12, the Lake Tahoe Basin Management Unit (LTBMU) concessionaires will begin opening developed campgrounds in the Lake Tahoe Basin. They are joined by the Humboldt-Toiyabe National Forest who is opening all of its campgrounds in California.

Nevada group campsites and day-use areas that hold less than 50 people will also reopen. Visitor centers and California group campsites remain closed. Both the Humboldt-Toiyabe National Forest and LTBMU offices remain closed.

Outside burning to be banned in several counties starting June 15

The year 2020 started out with the driest February on record in California since the 1850s, and this combined with warming temperatures and recent winds are resulting in quickly drying grass.

The increasing fire danger posed by dead grass and hotter, drier conditions

Carson Valley Days festival canceled but parade is still happening Saturday

DOUGLAS COUNTY, Nev. - The 110th annual Carson Valley Days Festival has been canceled but the parade is still happening on Saturday, June 13 starting at 9:00 a.m. Due to health concerns with COVID-19, the popular carnival and all other events were canceled but the Douglas County Commissioners granted approval for the annual parade.

South Lake Tahoe senior graduation ceremonies moved to Sierra-at-Tahoe Ski Resort

SOUTH LAKE TAHOE, Calif. - In a graduation season marked by COVID-19 social distancing regulations, high school students across the globe knew the ceremonies marking the end of K-12 school careers would be different than in years past. With daily school work moved online, graduations were moved to a virtual format.

At both South Tahoe High and Mt. Tallac High schools, graduation has been made special by social media acknowledgments, yard signs, and special bags full of gifts.

South Lake Tahoe Police HOT team addressing homeless concerns

SOUTH LAKE TAHOE, Calif. - Members of the South Lake Tahoe Police Department (SLTPD) now make up the city's Homeless Outreach Team (HOT), giving them the ability to help change homelessness through relationship building and ongoing collaborative efforts while protecting the whole community.

Tahoe Network of Fire Adapted Communities Weekly Tip #10: Connect Virtually

LAKE TAHOE, Calif./Nev. - The Tahoe Network of Fire Adapted Communities is presenting their tenth and final "Tip of the Week," an ongoing series for the public since they are unable to perform their normal community outreach services. All tips are ways people can prepare for wildfire while staying at home.

Weekly Tip #10: Connect Virtually

Wilder Than Wild Virtual Screening

South Lake Tahoe City Council meeting Tuesday

SOUTH LAKE TAHOE, Calif. - On Tuesday, June 9, the South Lake Tahoe City Council will hold their monthly meeting. On the agenda is an update to the US 50 South Shore Community Revitalization Project. The Council had asked to be involved in the project to represent the City's interest and ensure public concerns were addressed, and the presentation will include a draft Expanded Economic Impact Analysis.

2nd virtual town hall meeting for El Dorado County vacation home rentals at Lake Tahoe

Event Date: 
June 10, 2020 - 4:00pm

EL DORADO COUNTY, Calif. - The second virtual Town Hall meeting focusing on vacation home rentals (VHRs) in the El Dorado County portion of Lake Tahoe will be held on Wednesday, June 10 at 4:00 p.m. on Zoom.

Led by District 5 Supervisor Sue Novasel, she and staff will provide some background on VHRs regulations to date, review options for meeting the Tahoe Regional Planning Agency neighborhood compatibility Performance Review Standards, and review input received from the public, addressing questions and comments received.

Register in advance for the meeting here:

Jeff Marsolais leaves LTBMU and becomes new supervisor for Eldorado Forest

PLACERVILLE, Calif. - The former Lake Tahoe Basin Management Unit (LTBMU) forest supervisor has moved over to the same position with the Eldorado National Forest, replacing the retired Laurence Crabtree.

Jeff Marsolais came to Lake Tahoe in 2010, working several positions and for the past five years, had filled the top spot.

The Eldorado National Forest is welcoming back Jeff Marsolais, who will begin serving as the Eldorado’s new forest supervisor on June 22. Jeff worked on the Eldorado National Forest early in his career and is excited to return.

County to ask Governor Newsom to allow their move into next stage of reopening

SOUTH LAKE TAHOE, Calif. - If California Governor Newsom gives guidelines on the next industries that can open in the state, El Dorado County will be able to move quickly and reopen more businesses and activities.

American Century Championship in Lake Tahoe returns in July, but without fans

LAKE TAHOE, Nev, - This year's American Century Championship will return to Edgewood Tahoe for the 31st consecutive year July 8-12, but it will look a lot different than past tournaments due to COVID-19.

Douglas County opens Topaz Lake Campground on June 1

DOUGLAS COUNTY, Nev. - In response to Governor Sisolak’s announcement of our entering Phase Two of COVID- 19 Recovery, Douglas County Community Services has announced the reopening of Topaz Lake Campground effective June 1, 2020.

Campground reservations will continue to be accepted online and in advance. Please know that spots may be limited.

Black Lives Matter Candlelight Vigil in South Lake Tahoe

Event Date: 
May 30, 2020 - 8:30pm

SOUTH LAKE TAHOE, Calif. - A candlelight vigil in honor of George Floyd is planned for Saturday, May 30 at Lakeview Commons in South Lake Tahoe from 8:30 p.m. to 8:45 p.m.

Organizers, the I Run With Maud group of South Lake Tahoe, are asking those who plan on attending to wear a mask and stay 6-12 feet away from each other. Signs are also encouraged: #BlackLivesMatter #iRunWithMaud #JusticeForGeorgeFloyd #iCantBreathe.

Floyd died after a Minneapolis police officer put his knee to Floyd's neck for almost nine minutes on May 25.

Prescribed understory burn in Sugar Pine Point State Park starts June 1

LAKE TAHOE, Calif./Nev. – California State Parks will conduct an understory burn on four acres in Sugar Pine Point State Park beginning Monday, June 1, weather permitting.

Smoke may be visible.

The Tahoe Fire and Fuels Team lists all current burn projects on their website at https://www.tahoelivingwithfire.com/get-informed/. The one next week at Sugar Pine is the only one currently scheduled.

Casinos preparing to reopen in June with new rules

STATELINE, Nev. - Casinos in Nevada are now allowed to open once their new protocol and guidance plans are approved by the state's Gaming Control Board. Since Governor Sisolak's reopening announcement, casino properties have been putting the social distancing and safety measures in place to once again welcome guests.

Council relaxes rules on outdoor restaurant seating and advertising

SOUTH LAKE TAHOE, Calif. The South Lake Tahoe City Council unanimously passed an urgency ordinance during their special meeting Thursday, one that relaxes the regulations regarding temporary signage, building permit fees, and outdoor restaurant seating rules.

As the City and County move into Governor Newsom's Stage 2 plans, restrictions placed on some places of business to promote social distancing and safety practices will not allow many to reopen in the same manner as pre-pandemic.

South Lake Tahoe City Council to hold special meeting Thursday

SOUTH LAKE TAHOE, Calif. - City Council will hold a special meeting on Thursday, May 28 beginning at 9:00 a.m. to discuss and vote on Emergency Order Number 1, send $100,000 to the Sierra Business Council’s “Resilience Fund Tahoe," the City's reopening plans and an urgency ordinance for relaxation of certain City regulations that may assist local businesses with a successful reopening.

Barbershops and hair salons allowed to reopen in El Dorado County

SOUTH LAKE TAHOE, Calif. - Barbershops and hair salons in El Dorado County and the rest of the state may now open as long as they have a safety plan in place. During California Governor Gavin Newsom's press conference Monday, he gave the green light to these two businesses as long as they follow the guidelines he and the California Department of Public Health (CDPH) have published.

Following Newsom's announcement, El Dorado County Public Health Officer Dr. Nancy Williams issued a statement.

Tahoe Network of Fire Adapted Communities Weekly Tip #9: Up your preparedness game

LAKE TAHOE, Calif./Nev. - The Tahoe Network of Fire Adapted Communities is presenting their ninth "Tip of the Week," an ongoing series for the public since they are unable to perform their normal community outreach services. All tips are ways people can prepare for wildfire while staying at home. They will be providing a total of ten tips.

This Week's Tip: Up Your Preparedness Game With Online Tools

Letter: A Lake-friendly kick-off to boating season

Whether you live here in Tahoe or can’t wait until it’s safe to visit, we’re all anxious for a return to normalcy. This time of year, that means getting boats on the Lake's beautiful blue waters - while ensuring that you, me and Lake Tahoe stay healthy. To Keep Tahoe Blue, we must protect it from harmful invasive species. Weeds, fish and other invasive organisms can cloud the Lake’s clear waters, encourage toxic algae blooms, and damage Tahoe’s ecological balance. In short, invasive species turn Tahoe green.

Experience a virtual Tahoe Art Walk in South Lake Tahoe

SOUTH LAKE TAHOE, Calif/ - The Tahoe Art Walk is back in a new way during these physically distancing experiences. A virtual tour has been created instead of the once-a-month in-person event and participants can plan their own tour, shop online, and plan a route with a map once ready to head out as businesses reopen.

Location

South Lake Tahoe
United States

Visitors to Lake Tahoe are encouraged to follow stay-at-home guidelines

SOUTH LAKE TAHOE, Calif. - The messaging from the state, county, and city has been consistent throughout the coronavirus pandemic: This is not the time to travel to South Lake Tahoe. Nevada has also sent out the same message as a ban on nonessential travel that was created to prevent the spread of COVID-19 between communities.

New TAHOE housing program in South Lake Tahoe

SOUTH LAKE TAHOE, Calif. - The Saint Joseph Community Land Trust (SJCLT) has announced a new program that seeks to preserve existing housing stock for permanently affordable, full-time homes for Tahoe Basin employees and residents. It is called the TAHOE (Tahoe Affordable Home Ownership Enabling) program.

TAHOE has been created to do three things:

1. Provide assistance to income-qualified households searching for a home in the Tahoe Basin;
2. Enable SJCLT to purchase available homes to be made available to income-qualified Tahoe Basin employees or full-time residents;

Commercial cannabis sales and other related businesses approved for Meyers

EL DORADO COUNTY, Calif. - The Board of Supervisors unanimously approved on May 12 an amendment to their ordinance for the retail sale, commercial distribution, and commercial indoor cultivation of recreational adult-use cannabis as it pertains to the Meyers community.

Originally, no zoning in Meyers qualified for these activities as their Area Plan zoning didn't match up with the approved areas for El Dorado County's legal activities could fit.

Column: Summer outdoor plan critical to COVID management

Ambiguity, uncertainty, and contradictions abound in this pandemic. Add time to the list of contradictions swirling around us. Morning and night sometimes seem a week apart. The first month of shelter‐in‐place dripped by for many of us. The second month was gone before we knew it. And now summer is fast approaching. We welcome the season because in ordinary times it can elevate our well‐being, but these are not ordinary times. With most of the attention and intensity now on reopening, the question that hangs in the balance is, are we ready? Is it the right time?

USFS lifts closures at recreation sites around Lake Tahoe

SOUTH LAKE TAHOE, Calif. - The USFS Lake Tahoe Basin Management Unit (LTBMU) said the order to close Lake Tahoe recreation sites will expire Friday at midnight and won't be extended.

Regional developed recreation site and South Shore Recreation Corridor will be open starting May 16 according to Lisa Herron of LTBMU.

The closures were to keep in line with local, state and federal regulations during the COVID-19 pandemic.

Final webinar on the future of transportation in Lake Tahoe

Event Date: 
May 18, 2020 - 12:00pm

Through its four-part webinar series, the Tahoe Regional Planning Agency (TRPA) has offered a window into the future of Lake Tahoe’s transportation system. Each part in the series – from trails and transit, to technology and communities – explored a different aspect of the Regional Transportation Plan, the vision that will guide transportation in the Tahoe Basin for the next 20 years.

Tahoe Network of Fire Adapted Communities Weekly Tip #8: Create Defensible Space

LAKE TAHOE, Calif./Nev. - The Tahoe Network of Fire Adapted Communities is presenting their eighth "Tip of the Week," an ongoing series for the public since they are unable to perform their normal community outreach services. All tips are ways people can prepare for wildfire while staying at home. They will be providing a total of ten tips.

Tip #8: Create Defensible Space

Council approves $200,000 to go to business grants, COVID expenses and restaurant vouchers

SOUTH LAKE TAHOE, Calif. - City Council approved $200,000 Tuesday to be used in the South Lake Tahoe community through business grants, COVID-related expenses, and a restaurant voucher program.

Following on the heels of their $50,000 donated to five nonprofits supplying food to the South Lake Tahoe community during the pandemic, the Council voted to follow the direction of the task force and allocate $100,000 to fund the COVID Compliance Grant Reimbursement Program, $50,000 for a Small Business Grant Program, and $50,000 to a Local Restaurant Voucher Program.

City Council amends emergency ordinance that fined second homeowners

SOUTH LAKE TAHOE, Calif. - The City Council voted Tuesday to amend their Emergency Order No. 1 from April that authorized administrative citations and fines of $1,000 for violations of the Governor's Stay at Home Order.

The City will not be fining second homeowners who visit their home in South Lake Tahoe but they will continue to fine those found renting out vacation homes until the Governor's ban on non-essential travel is amended.

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