Recovery

New program for family and friends of those with mental health conditions

SOUTH LAKE TAHOE, Calif. - The National Alliance on Mental Illness (NAMI) in El Dorado County is among the first of the NAMI Affiliates in the nation to offer "NAMI Family & Friends," a new NAMI four-hour seminar.

"We are delighted to be able to provide an educational experience for those that care deeply about a family member or friend in the community," said Jeanne Nelson, NAMI El Dorado County President. "In just four hours the participants may walk away with some tools and techniques that could directly make a positive difference in the recovery process."

Student leaders sought for new NAMI club at STHS

There is a brand new club at South Tahoe High School that needs the help of student leaders to bring awareness about mental health to their fellow students on campus. Together, the students will work to end the stigma and made it understood that its okay to seek help, and where and when to find it.

The National Alliance on Mental Illness (NAMI) of El Dorado County has spearheaded the new club which is called "STHS NAMI On Campus/Brain Health Leadership Club."

Public input sought on 3-year plan for Mental Health Services Act.

The Behavioral Health Division of the El Dorado County (EDC) Health and Human Services Agency invites the public to provide input on the County’s Mental Health Services Act (MHSA) Three Year Plan Annual Update for Fiscal Year 2018/19. Community members can provide input by email, online survey or at an upcoming community meeting.

Community meetings to receive input for the MHSA plan are scheduled as follows:

Parents of Addicted Loved Ones support group starts in South Lake Tahoe

Education and support is now offered to locals on the South Shore who have a son or daughter, or other loved one, who is suffering from addiction.

Parents of Addicted Loved Ones (PAL), is a support group of parents helping parents that meets at Tahoe Youth & Family Services every Wednesday evening from 6:00 p.m. to 7:30 p.m. The sessions are free of charge.

PAL can also help spouses who feel they have to parent their addicted partner.

PAL is open to all sober family members and friends who are 18-year-old and older.

NAMI seeks feedback on EDC Mental Health Services Plan

Event Date: 
November 2, 2017 - 1:30pm

NAMI El Dorado County is hosting an information gathering hour on Thursday, November 2 from 1:30 p.m. to 2:30 p.m. in the Lake Tahoe Community College's Aspen Room.

They would like the public's perspective as El Dorado County Behavioral Health is seeking public input for their FY18/19 Mental Health Services Plan Update.

The county will be providing public meetings, using social media, and promoting in news media to get the word out about the plan, so attendance and input at this meeting will help them plan.

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:

9/20
8:20 a.m. - Vehicle Abatement - Chippewa St

6:49 p.m. - VHR Complaint - Kulow St - A BACK PATIO LIGHT SHINED INTO A NEIGHBOR'S RESIDENCE.

9/21

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:

9/13

3:34 a.m. - Assault with a deadly weapon - Sierra Blvd - DEPUTIES ASSISTED SOUTH LAKE TAHOE POLICE DEPARTMENT WITH A SHOOTING IN THE AREA. 57-YEAR-OLD MALE ARRESTED.

After a Concussion: Returning to School and Sports

During the past decade, it’s become clear that many young athletes take much longer than 10 days to clinically recover after a concussion. The majority of athletes recover within the first month of injury.

A concussion can occur when there is a significant blow to the head. Some signs of a more severe concussion are the presence and increased severity of nausea, dizziness, balance problems, sensitivity to light and noise, feeling “slowed down,” pressure in the head, confusion, concentration problems, and difficulty falling asleep.

Fundraiser for "Santa" in South Lake Tahoe

Event Date: 
September 9, 2017 - 3:00pm

A fundraiser will be held in South Lake Tahoe on Saturday, September 9 for long-time local Bill Horning. The South Tahoe High graduate has had some recent major medical issues but is on the road to recovery.

Horning has spent the last 35 years playing Santa Claus for the community at events such as the Barton Foundation Festival of Trees. He not only worked at the High Sierra and MontBleu, and most recently the Marriott, but has also been a coordinator with Bread and Broth and Second Serving.

Slinkard Fire near Topaz now at 49 percent contained; 9.091 acres burned

The Slinkard Fire is currently located on the west slope of Antelope Valley, west of Topaz Lake and eight miles north of Walker, Calif. After being started by lightning on August 29, it has burned through cheat grass, sagebrush and pinyon/juniper.

418 firefighting crew members are working the fire which is located in Alpine and Mono counties in California and Douglas County in Nevada.

Slinkard Fire near Topaz Lake burns 9,061 acres and remains 20% contained

UPDATE 9/3 9:00pm - 9,051 acres have now burned in the Slinkard Fire near Topaz Lake. It remains at 20 percent contained.

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UPDATE 9/2 2:45PM - The Slinkard Fire is burning in three counties and two states: Mono, Alpine and Douglas County in California and Nevada. It has consumed 7,881 acres since starting by lightning on August 29. Firefighters now have a containment line around 20 percent of the fire. It is located in Slinkard Valley, and on the west slope of Antelope Valley, west of Topaz Lake and eight miles north of Walker, Calif.

Work to keep Lake Tahoe's clarity paying off

Lake Tahoe’s extraordinary deep water clarity is attributed to its uncommonly clean water which allows sunlight to reach much greater depths than possible in most other water bodies. Fine sediments through stormwater runoff into the lake reduces this clarity.

Wellness Outings: A prescription for “Nature as Medicine”

South Lake Tahoe, CA – Recovering from a major joint surgery doesn’t usually inspire the idea of snowshoeing by moonlight, but that’s exactly what Carol Bennis, age 75, was asked to do during her recovery last February.

Carol had never been on snowshoes before, or hiked at night, but when she heard her surgeon and other patients at a similar stage of recovery would be there, she decided to try it out.

Douglas County declared disaster area after Preacher Fire scorches 4,651 acres

Douglas County Board of Commissioners signed a Disaster Declaration today due to the lightning caused Preacher Fire which is burning seven miles southeast of Gardnerville.

The fire is currently estimated at 4,651 acres as of 6:00 p.m. on July 25. It is being managed at this time by Sierra Front Type 3 Incident Management Team (IMT) with support from East Fork Fire Protection District and the Douglas County Sheriff’s Office.

Letter: EDC Probation does critical work in criminal justice system

By proclamation of the County Board of Supervisors, El Dorado County celebrated Probation Services Week this week, July 17 – July 21, 2017. As the Chief Probation Officer in El Dorado County, I would like to take the opportunity to reflect on the critical work probation does in our criminal justice system and say thank you to all the men and women of my department who work tirelessly to protect our communities, reduce recidivism, restore victims, promote healthy families, and live the vision of our department: Safe Communities Through Changed Lives.

Ski Patroller from Heavenly still missing on Mt. Rainier

Dmitri Pajitnov (Dima), a member of the Heavenly Mountain Resort Ski Patrol team, has been missing since July 3, 2017 when he fell through a snow bridge on Washington's Mt. Rainier near Pebble Creek as he skied down the mountain.

His body has not been found and friends are heading back to the area this weekend for what they are calling a recovery mission.

Dmitri's ski partner observed the fall and searched for two hours using an avalanche probe and transceiver before descending to Paradise and reporting the incident according to a report from the National Park Service.

Local firefighters stop by celebrity golf to support Charles Barkley

"Charles Barkley became a beacon of hope and support for the firefighters and the recovery efforts of the community," Tahoe Douglas Fire Marshal Eric Guevin told the crowd at the 10th tee Friday morning. "Charles, we are here to support and cheer you on in your game today. We want people to care, be aware and prepare for wildfires. On behalf of the Fire Chiefs of Lake Tahoe, Sir Charles thank you for caring."

Activities surround 10th anniversary of Angora Fire

SOUTH LAKE TAHOE - On June 24, 2007, the Angora Fire started at an illegal campfire at about 2:15 p.m. near North Upper Truckee Road in Meyers. The wind driven wildfire consumed 3,100 acres, destroyed 242 homes and 67 commercial structures, and damaged 35 other homes. As many as 2,180 firefighters battled the blaze with was 100% contained by July 2. There will be several community events to mark this tragic anniversary.

Thursday, June 22

Woman rescued from Upper Truckee River in South Lake Tahoe

6/12/17 8:00 p.m. update - The woman who was rescued from the river, Stephanie Waggoner of Minden, Nev., has died as result falling off her paddleboard in South Lake Tahoe. The Washoe County Coroner's Office will likely release the cause of death Tuesday or Wednesday.

* * *
A 50-year-old woman from the Carson Valley nearly drowned in South Lake Tahoe Wednesday after she fell off her paddle board and got caught underwater in the cold and swift Upper Truckee River.

City Council gives LTUSD $75,000 for fields; Asks they come back to consortium

SOUTH LAKE TAHOE, Calif. - Dr. James Tarwarter, Superintendent of Lake Tahoe Unified School District, was at Tuesday's South Lake Tahoe City Council meeting to explain why LTUSD should receive $150,000 from the City for ballfield maintenance. He walked away with $75,000 with a strong recommendation that he join the Community Field Consortium Tarwater chose not to join in November, 2015.

Upper Truckee channel and revegetation project doing well with extra runoff

"The channel looks good and recovery is holding up," said Theresa Cody, Restoration Hydrologist with the U.S. Forest Service. "Water is on the flood plains as its supposed to."

Cody was talking about the $7 million project on part of the Upper Truckee River known as Reach 5. The three-year long restoration project was to improve the river channel stability and aquatic habitat along 1.2 miles of the river adjacent to the Lake Tahoe Airport.

Popular Rock Tahoe Half Marathon returns for 3rd year

Epic Tahoe Adventures (ETA) is bringing the third annual Rock Tahoe Half Marathon to Lake Tahoe on June 17, 2017. 2,000 runners are expected for the event that takes participants from Spooner Summit to Stateline along Highway 50, past some of the best scenery around.

Over 3,000 family members and friends are expected to join the runners in town for the unique "Run, Rock and Recover" event.

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.

5/28

1:44 a.m. - Disorderly Conduce: Alcohol - Ski Run Blvd - 28-YEAR-OLD MALE SUBJECT CONTACTED IN PARKING LOT OF APT/CONDO. SUBJECT WAS EXTREMELY INTOXICATED AND PLACED UNDER ARREST AND BOOKED AT THE JAIL. SUBJECT WAS RELEASED PER PC 849(B)(2).

Crowd turns out for South Lake Tahoe Memorial Day Ceremony

"I'm so proud of our community and this great turnout," said South Lake Tahoe City Councilman Tom Davis during Monday's annual Memorial Day Ceremony at Happy Homestead Cemetery.

A larger crowd than normal watched the ceremony which featured boys and girl scouts, music and speakers that included Gold Star Mom Patty Smith. Her son, Sgt. Timothy Michael Smith, was one of three South Lake Tahoe men to die in action since the September 11 attacks in 2001. Smith, 25, who died April 7, 2008, after his vehicle was hit by an improvised explosive device in Baghdad.

Wildfire Awareness Month: Remembering Angora

This June is wildfire awareness month at Lake Tahoe. It also marks the 10th anniversary of the Angora Fire, the most destructive wildland fire in memory at Tahoe.

An illegal and abandoned campfire started the Angora Fire on June 24, 2007. The fire quickly spread toward Meyers, stoked by strong winds and forests overgrown with hazardous fuels. In a few days, the fire burned 3,100 acres and destroyed 254 homes.

LTUSD has WASC plans and updates for South Tahoe High on website

The Western Association of Schools and Colleges (WASC) didn't give South Tahoe High and the Lake Tahoe Unified School District (LTUSD) the results expected after a WASC accreditation team visited South Lake Tahoe in the Spring of 2016.

Instead of an expected six-year term they received a two-year accreditation which goes through June of 2018. On March 19 and 20 of that year a team of educators will return to the campus and evaluate recommended changes.

CalPERS to extract $4.5B from public agencies over next 5 years: City's total up $4.9M

During Tuesday's South Lake Tahoe City Council meeting, the City's financial forecast over the next five years will be presented. Included in that will be a review of how the City prepared to meet anticipated increases for South Lake Tahoe programs and services by budgeting conservatively. What could not be budgeted for though was a 100% increase by the California Public Employee Retirement Systems (CalPERS).

Law enforcement round up 23 gang members - 11 of them arrested in Reno

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

Douglas County declares State of Emergency prior to Spring runoff

The Douglas County Board of Commissioners have declared a State of Emergency in preparation for the potential of flooding associated with spring runoff and for stormy conditions such as this weekend. . The declaration has been submitted to the State of Nevada and will allow regional partners to expedite mitigation efforts as well as speed up the delivery of resources required to more effectively respond to an emergency.

90% of Mountain yellow-legged frogs have disappeared in Sierras, can they recover?

Event Date: 
April 6, 2017 - 6:00pm

Imagine a world with no frogs. No longer would you hear frog melodies in the evening, algae would flourish, and entire ecosystems could change dramatically. This is a possibility in the Sierra Nevada because 90 percent of the Mountain yellow-legged frogs have been disappearing due to an amphibian pathogen and loss of habitat from fish introductions in our lakes.

South Lake Tahoe Police Blotter

SOUTH LAKE TAHOE - The following is a recap of activity the South Lake Tahoe Police Department responded to 173 calls between March 21-27, 2017.

Calls Resulting in Arrests:

3/21
No Arrests

3/22
No Arrests

3/23
DUI in the 1700 block of Lake Tahoe Blvd
Burglary in the 1100 block of Fairway Ave
DUI in the 2200 block of Wyoming Ave
DUI in the 1100 block of Keller Ave

3/24
DUI at Fern and Montreal Roads
Transient/Homeless in the 1000 block of Emerald Bay Rd

Snowpack at Echo Summit measured at 183% of average

More signs that California is rebounding after five years of drought were evident on Echo Summit Thursday morning as the snowpack measured at 183 percent of average. This snow water equivalent (SWE) reading by the team from the California Cooperative Snow Surveys Program was 46.1 inches.

The readings represent 183 percent of the long-term average at the Phillips measuring station near Sierra-at-Tahoe. Statewide, the electronic readings from 95 sites in the Sierra showed the snowpack at 164 percent of average, or 45.8 inches. Average for all of the Sierra Nevada is 27.9 inches

Four hospitalized after South Lake Tahoe stabbing

10:06 p.m. update: The South Lake Tahoe Police Department has released an update on Friday night's stabbing at the Transit Center at the Y.

Originally we were told the suspect was born in 1945, instead, he is a 45-year-old male.

Dancing With the Tahoe Stars crowns new champion

A packed house at MontBleu Resort on Saturday night was on hand to see Blue Angel Cafe owner, and Lake Tahoe Community College Board Trustee Jeff Cowen win the mirror ball trophy for the 5th annual Tahoe Arts Project's Dancing with the Tahoe Stars.

Cowen, and his professional partner Rhonda Keen performed a Bollywood number that brought down the house.

Federal disaster loans available for some nonprofits affected by January's storms

The U.S. Small Business Administration (SBA) has announced the availability of low-interest federal disaster loans for some California private nonprofit organizations. The federal government is offering assistance after the severe winter storms, flooding and mudslides hit the state Jan. 3-12, 2017.

The eligible nonprofits must provide essential services of a governmental nature.

Douglas County declares State of Emergency

The Douglas County Board of Commissioners have declared a State of Emergency due to a flood and wind event that took place over the last couple of days. The flood event is supposed to continue into the duration of the weekend. The declaration has been submitted to the State of Nevada and will allow regional partners to speed up the delivery of resources required to more effectively aid in requesting additional resources, aid in recovery, and meet the needs of the community during a time of crisis.

Carolyn "Callie" Clark Goodenough 1938-2017

Carolyn Clark Goodenough (Callie) passed away peacefully from complications of Alzheimer’s disease on January 9, 2017 with her husband Ray by her side. Callie was born on August 27, 1938 in Albuquerque, New Mexico to John and Nell Graham. She was the oldest of three children, and, according to her sister, the most mischievous. This caused her poor father much consternation in the conservative ‘50’s.

The family moved around a bit, finally settling in Newport Beach, Calif. Callie earned her Bachelor’s degree in Elementary Education from San Diego State University.

Liberty Utilities advises customers to be prepared this weekend for power outages

With high winds and two to four feet of snow due at lake level by Monday morning, Liberty Utilities is alerting Lake Tahoe area residents to expect possible extended power outages. They are asking people to be prepared and not be caught off guard like many were during last week's storm caused outages.

City approves redesigned fire inspection procedures and fees

Not all changes to the City of South Lake Tahoe's master fee schedule results in higher fees for residents and business owners.

During Tuesday' City Council meeting, Kevin Fabino, Director of the Development Services Department, presented the new Fire/Life Safety Inspection Program, something all South Lake Tahoe businesses must participate in annually for the safety of their customers and staff. The SLT Fire Department conducted the inspections until 2011, but they were suspended due to staffing shortages until 2015 when a fire inspector was hired for Fabino's department.

South Lake Tahoe Christmas tree recycling begins

The presents have just been opened and the celebrations wrapping up, but its already time to think of Christmas tree disposal.

South Tahoe Refuse and Recycling offers free pickup of trees during normal trash pickup days starting December 26 and going through January 6. The trees will be used as compost by their Carson Valley partners.

On normal trash days, take trees out to the curb that are six feet or less in size, have had all decorations removed and are out of stands. Flocked trees are not allowed.

CVS now sells overdose reversal drug over the counter in Nevada and California

CVS announced today that it will now sell the opioid overdose antidote naloxone without a prescription in all of their Nevada locations. This brings the total to 37 states where the drugstore chains sells naloxone over-the-counter, including California.

Lake Tahoe Restoration Act gets renewed support from Congress

The House and Senate have agreed to include the bipartisan Lake Tahoe Restoration Act in the final bicameral Water Resources Development Act, titled the Water Infrastructure Improvements for the Nation Act, Nevada Sen. Dean Heller announced Monday.

The news comes just hours after Vail Resorts and the many members of the public made pleas for this to happen.

El Dorado County Sheriff's Report

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.

11/20/16

11:28 a.m. - Search & Rescue - Eagles Falls Trail - SEARCH AND RESCUE INITIATED FOR 4 MALE LOST HIKERS (AGES 18, 25, 42. 43) IN DESOLATION WILDERNESS NEAR VELMA LAKES AND EAGLE FALLS TRAIL.

11/21/16

SLT City Council candidate Tamara Wallace

All candidates for South Lake Tahoe City Council were given the same questions. With just one day to go to the elections, we will be featuring their answers and a video of their interview with Tahoe Regional Young Professionals through the day.

Tamara Wallace, 46, Retired Businesswoman/Chamber Exec

Discuss your interest in serving on City Council. What is your prior experience in working with civic, community or governmental organizations?

El Dorado County Sheriff's Report

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 press time and the story may be updated when provided.

10/23/16

1:15 a.m. - Disorderly Conduct: Alcoholo - Jicarilla Dr - A 34-YEAR-OLD MALE WAS ARRESTED FOR PUBLIC INTOXICATION. THE SUSPECT WAS BOOKED INTO EDCJ AND LATER RELEASED
PURSUANT TO 849(B)(2) PC.

6:56 a.m. - Death Investigation - South Lake Tahoe - 89-YEAR-OLD FEMALE DECEASED.

Prescribed burn blamed for Little Valley Fire

Fire investigators say the Oct. 14 Little Valley Fire, which destroyed 23 homes, 17 outbuildings and chewed more than 2,200 acres was caused by a prescribed fire conducted earlier in the month by the Nevada Division of Forestry.

The Department of Conservation and Natural Resources made the report available shortly before 5 p.m. Wednesday, and was unavailable for comment.

Working together on Lake Tahoe's housing issues

Like many communities that are highly-desirable places to vacation and live, Lake Tahoe has affordable housing problems. Two recent studies commissioned by the Tahoe Prosperity Center and Tahoe Truckee Community Foundation clearly illustrate the housing challenges our region faces.

Median home prices of more than $500,000 on the North Shore and nearly $400,000 on the South Shore are simply too high for our region’s low wages, putting the cost of home ownership and even rent out of reach for many working people.

Body and wreckage of airplane found southwest of Lake Tahoe

A missing aircraft and its pilot were located Tuesday at 4:15 p.m. in a rugged area of the Sierra Nevada southwest of Lake Schmidell, which is west of Maggie's Peak and Lake Tahoe.

Searchers found the wreckage as a result of a photograph taken by a Civil Air Patrol crew who was flying in the probable location of the missing aircraft. The coordinates from the photograph were passed along to the El Dorado County Sheriff’s ground team who hiked into the site and confirmed the crashed aircraft and a deceased male victim outside of the plane.

Three men missing after boat capsizes on June Lake

Mono County Sheriff's Office (MCSO) has suspended the search for three men who have been missing in June Lake since their boat capsized on Saturday.

At about 10:00 a.m., a boat carrying five male passengers overtuned. Two of the men were able to swim to shore but the other men have not been found.

The men were vacationing at June Lake, and went out to fish Saturday morning. It is reported that they are from the town of Tehachapi, Calif.

Reno, Chico and Redlands orthopedic clinics to pay $2.39 million settlement

A whistleblower will earn about $430,000 after leading investigators to orthopedic clinics in Reno, Chico and Redlands for their allegedly using discounted and reimported osteoarthritis medications, but billing the government for full value.

The three clinics will pay a combined $2.39 million to resolve federal and state False Claims Act allegations that they knowingly billed federal and state health care programs for the unauthorized viscosupplements.

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