roads

SOUTH LAKE TAHOE, Calif. - After a delay in getting materials in 2019, Caltrans has scheduled a full closure of U.S. Highway 50 for the Echo Summit Sidehill Viaduct Replacement Project for two weeks beginning Friday, Sept. 18. After the delay last year, the contractor on the project was going to install the bridge girders in June of 2020, but many wanted that timeframe postponed due to the the opening of tourist season after COVID-related closures this past spring.

SOUTH LAKE TAHOE, Calif. - Lake Tahoe is the vacation destination for millions of people annually, but recent behaviors of many of the tourists have the residents on edge. Trash is being left behind on beaches, trails and picnic areas, overflowing trash containers are shown daily on social media pages, stores are packed and roads are crowded, all during a pandemic while travel orders are still in place for the California.

With international travel at a standstill many are keeping their vacationing during the coronavirus to locations near their homes, and Lake Tahoe is one of those spots.

Forest officials everywhere are saying: Recreate Responsibly.

Despite large campaigns about fire restrictions and "pack it in pack it out," many visitors to the Eldorado National Forest are not acting responsibly.

Fire and law enforcement officers had another busy weekend contacting a record numbers of visitors about campfires they had made that are not allowed under the current fire restrictions in the Eldorado National Forest.

SOUTH LAKE TAHOE, Calif. - A 31-year-old woman from Alexandria, Virginia is in a Reno hospital today after suffering severe injuries in a South Lake Tahoe hit-and-run collision.

At approximately 5:45 p.m. Tuesday, August 4, first responders arrived in the 3300 block of Pine Hill Road near Keller Road and found the victim laying in the roadway, suffering from severe injuries.

ZEPHYR COVE, Nev. - In a move to increase safety along the highway in Zephyr Cove, the Nevada Department of Transportation (NDOT) will be installing a new traffic signal at the intersection of US50 and Warrior Way next summer.

Almost 20,000 drivers travel that section of US50 on a daily basis. By controlling all directions of travel, the signal will help provide designated and safer access to and from the highway at the busy intersection.

SOUTH LAKE TAHOE, Calif. - City Council approved unanimously at their meeting Tuesday to send what is being called the "South Lake Tahoe Fire Protection, Emergency Response, City Services Measure" to the ballot in November.

If voters approve the measure, a one-percent sales tax increase will be added in the City of South Lake Tahoe to all taxable purchases to meet funding shortfalls, according to the City.

STATELINE, Nev. - It's been 23 years in the making, and today was the first physical step to bringing the new Tahoe South Event Center to existence. The fence is up around the parking lot at MontBleu Resort, and the first shovels of dirt were moved during a groundbreaking ceremony on Thursday.

Firefighters continued fire suppression operations Sunday on the Poeville Fire burning on the east side of Peavine Mountain northwest of Reno.

The fire actively burned Saturday night in brush and grass and as of Sunday afternoon was 30 percent contained and has burned 3,000 acres. At least eight structures burned, according to Truckee Meadows Fire.

Most road closures and evacuations have been lifted, according to the Washoe County Sheriff's Office. All roads are back open except for Heindel Road and Meyers Avenue as of 5:00 p.m. Sunday.

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.

DOUGLAS COUNTY, Nev. - There will be a virtual town hall debate on Monday, May 4 at 6:00 p.m. for the six candidates vying for the open three positions. Voters will have an opportunity to hear the candidates discuss the issues in depth prior to voting in the June primary.

SOUTH LAKE TAHOE, Calif. - A team of volunteers will be handing out sugar pine seedlings to students at four South Lake Tahoe school sites on Friday, April 24.

The Sugar Pine Foundation has given a box of seedlings to Bijou Community School, Sierra House Elementary, Tahoe Valley Elementary, and South Tahoe Middle School. The free seedlings will be given out when students pick up their meals between 11:00 a.m. and 1:00 p.m. while supplies last.

At Tahoe Valley, TRex will be on hand to hand out the sugar pines, and at the Middle School, meet Hans the service dog.

With coronavirus impacts being our community's major priority, we hope you're staying safe and encourage everyone to stay at home and follow directions from health organizations so we can return to our jobs, schools, and normal lives safely, and as soon as possible. While health wellbeing is the leading concern, the reality of long-term economic impacts from this terrible virus makes the need to plan for a secure future a priority now more than ever.

It’s been over two years since my last visit with this second and a half-generation Tundra (the second generation was introduced in 2008 and heavily refreshed in 2014). My last review remarked how Toyota finally made the Tundra into a real “Cowboy Cadillac” (it’s built near San Antonio, Texas) with a ride smoother than a baby’s butt. This new Tundra feels even a bit smoother, perhaps a little less jiggly over Caltrans challenged pavement. And my tester was the new TRD Pro edition.

SOUTH LAKE TAHOE, Calif. - The City of South Lake Tahoe issued an emergency order Friday morning, one that gives them the power to issue administrative citations to those who violate California Governor Newsom's 'stay at home' order.

“We are taking this crisis seriously and it is important that those who don’t, know there can be consequences to ignoring the Governor’s orders,” said Interim City Manager Brad Kilger, “This is about keeping our community safe, and that’s what this city is going to do.”

Part of Kilger's role for the city is as its director of emergency services.

SOUTH LAKE TAHOE, Calif. - There is a Winter Weather Advisory in place until 10:00 a.m. Wednesday. Expect snow to fall in Lake Tahoe for another day as the latest in a series of small storms passes through.

For Wednesday: Snow likely before 11:00 a.m., then snow showers after 11:00 a.m. Some thunder is also possible. High near 35. Southwest wind 5 to 15 mph, with gusts as high as 25 mph. Chance of precipitation is 80%. Total daytime snow accumulation of around an inch possible.

SOUTH LAKE TAHOE, Calif. - There is still a chance of snow all week in Lake Tahoe, but the sun is now out, allowing people to catch up on shoveling out driveways, parking lots and roads.

As of 9:00 a.m. Tuesday, the following road controls and closures are in place:

US50
Chains Required, All Vehicles Except 4-Wheel Drive with Snow Tires - on US-50 from mile post 59.8 in El Dorado County to mile post 70.6 in El Dorado County in California.

Chains or Snow Tires Required - on US-50 from mile post 14.0 in Carson City County to mile post 5.4 in Lyon County in Nevada.

SOUTH LAKE TAHOE, Calif. - The forecast snow is here, with 2-3 feet reported at the upper elevations. The snow is affecting lower elevations as well, with chain controls starting to the west at Apple Hill.

If on the roads, check conditions often and go slow as there is snow and ice on the roads and a lot of traffic. There is another 21" of snow forecast for Sunday at lake level.

For up to the minute information, visit https://nvroads.com/ for Nevada roads and http://quickmap.dot.ca.gov/ for California roads.

Chain controls as of 9:00 a.m. Sunday:

I80

SOUTH LAKE TAHOE, Calif. - After several days of warmth, a cold front will be ushering in a pattern shift for this weekend with drops in temperatures by almost 20 degrees. Expect increasing southwest winds Friday into Saturday with the strongest winds expected to be near and north of US-50 where gusts of 35 to 45 mph are likely. Wind prone locations along the US-395 corridor could potentially see gusts to 50 mph, according to the National Weather Service (NWS) in Reno.

The following letter is from Leonard Carter, a South Lake Tahoe resident interested in running for one of the two open City Council seats in November. While it is too early to officially become a candidate, Mr. Carter explains why he'll be running. Filing opens July 13, 2020.

LAKE TAHOE, Calif./Nev. – The Tahoe Fire and Fuels Team (TFFT) has plans to continue prescribed fire operations around Lake Tahoe over the next several weeks, weather, conditions and staffing permitting.

In the map above, the following operations are scheduled (clockwise starting with Sugar Pine Point State Park):

Sugar Pine Point State Park - California State Parks
Rod Beaudry Trail northwest of Ehrman Manion
Burn Type: Hand Pile
Total Acreage: 2.00
Planned Ignition: 03/02/2020

Burton Creek State Park - California State Parks
Burton Creek State Park, North of Rocky Ridge

MEYERS, Calif. - The El Dorado County Department of Transportation (DOT) is asking voters in Meyers and the county areas of South Lake Tahoe for money to replace their aging snow removal fleet and equipment.

On March 3, voters will be deciding whether or not they want to pay $60 more a year via their property taxes to fund CSA3 (from Strawberry to Meeks Bay to South Lake Tahoe City Limits). Measure M, if passed, will supply an extra $540,000 annually for the sole purpose of buying and leasing snow removal equipment. The funds could not be used for salaries, pensions or any other purpose.

SOUTH LAKE TAHOE, Calif. - Storms for the winter of 2019/20 haven't been prolific, but this week's one-day storm left behind up to two feet of snow at Lake Tahoe ski resorts and about a foot around South Lake Tahoe.

Chain controls remain on mountain roads Friday morning but expect them to be dropping as the forecast calls for partly sunny skies and a high of 35. Saturday and Sunday will be partly to mostly sunny and in the mid-40s.

Road controls as of 7:45 a.m. January 17:

US50

SOUTH LAKE TAHOE, Calif. - Yes, it is snowing in Lake Tahoe! The predicted winter storm has arrived as is forecast to drop 10"-16" of snow at lake level before midnight Thursday, and up to two feet of snow at upper elevations.

Chain controls are in place on all mountain roads around the Lake Tahoe Basin and in the Sierra. On US50, chains are required as low as Placerville and trucks over 65-feet in length are not allowed on the road. On I80, chains are required starting in Colfax. There are several jackknifed big rigs on the highway. Prior to heading on the roads, check conditions.

SOUTH LAKE TAHOE, Calif. - Many head to the Sierra to experience snow in all forms, from the ski slopes to sledding and building snowmen. With the fun and excitement awaiting, many seem to have forgotten the laws of being safe on the roadway and parking on the highways, and not observing "no parking" zone rules,