safety

City Council approves first cannabis development agreement for South Lake Tahoe

SOUTH LAKE TAHOE, Calif. - During Tuesday's City Council meeting a development agreement with Redefining Organics, LLC was approved, making way for the first cannabis microbusiness since Tahoe Wellness was allowed to move operations from medical-use to adult-use cannabis.

Lake Tahoe and Sierra area roadwork 9/29 - 10/5

The following is a list of road projects underway by Caltrans around the Lake Tahoe Basin and surrounding highways of the Sierra.

LONG-TERM PROJECTS

Aging gas lines at root of recent pipe breaks in South Lake Tahoe

SOUTH LAKE TAHOE, Calif. - Construction crews hit two different gas lines this week near the Y in South Lake Tahoe, causing a break in the line and evacuations.

On Monday, a contractor's crew hit a gas line on Julie Lane, followed by another crew in the area of D and Dedi Streets breaking a line on Tuesday.

New highway closure plan for Stateline; Round-the-clock work begins Sept. 30

STATELINE, Nev. - At 6:00 a.m. on Monday, September 30, NV Energy will resume work on Highway 50 in Stateline on the South Shore with new measures in place for traffic flow. A previous attempt resulted in traffic backed up to Zephyr Cove.

The work is to replace equipment in two underground electric vaults. The new traffic plan will be in effect 6:00 a.m. Monday, Sept. 30 through approximately 5 p.m. Friday, Oct. 4:

• One lane of traffic will be open in each direction on Highway 50 through the casino corridor.

El Dorado County supervisors approve adopted budget

PLACERVILLE, Calif. – The El Dorado County Board of Supervisors yesterday unanimously approved the Fiscal Year 2019-20 Adopted Budget to fund the County’s programs and services. State law requires Adopted Budgets to be approved by October 2nd, 2019.

Red Flag Warning for western Sierra and Nor Cal valley, PG&E begins safety shut-off

The National Weather Service has issued a Red Flag Warning for portions of interior Northern California up into the foothills to elevations under 5000 feet.

At approximately 5:00 p.m. on Monday, September 23, PG&E began turning off power for safety to about 24,000 customers in portions of Butte, Nevada and Yuba Counties. By approximately 8:00 p.m., PG&E had completed the task of turning off power for public safety to about 24, 000 customers in the Sierra foothills. Power will remain off until weather conditions improve and it is safe to restore service.

South Lake Tahoe receives $1.46M SAFER grant to fill 7 new firefighter spots

SOUTH LAKE TAHOE, Calif. - The City of South Lake Tahoe has been awarded $1,462,702.50 in SAFER (Staffing for Adequate Fire and Emergency Response) by the U.S. Department of Homeland Security's Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA). In an announcement of Round 4 awardees, South Lake Tahoe was named a recipient.

Funds will go to hire seven new firefighters in preparation for opening Fire Station 2 in the Al Tahoe neighborhood.

South Lake Tahoe Juvenile Treatment Center youth embrace horses

It was a beautiful September day in South Lake Tahoe, as students, who have encountered challenges and temporarily reside at the South Lake Tahoe Juvenile Treatment Center (SLTJTC), received an extraordinary experience from dedicated volunteers and the Bureau of Land Management’s Wild Horse and Burro Program. The El Dorado County Office of Education (EDCOE) administers SLTJTC’s academic program and partnered with El Dorado County Probation to provide this day of learning to teach students about the animals, potential careers and social skills.

NV Energy puts Stateline project on temporary hold until plan revised

A three-week project to improve reliability of an underground electrical vault on US50 at Stateline is on a temporary hold after the first day of the project September 18 resulted in a massive traffic jam from the casino corridor to Zephyr Cove.

Rocky Point neighborhood meeting on proposed US50 project

Event Date: 
September 18, 2019 - 4:00pm

SOUTH LAKE TAHOE, Calif. - The community is invited to attend a forum on the US 50 South Shore Community Revitalization Project on Wednesday, September 18 from 4:00 p.m. to 7:00 p.m. on the Fern Road cul-de-sac.

The project involves the realignment of US 50, south of the tourist core. Importantly for the City of South Lake Tahoe the project includes a new main street in the Heavenly Village area, it requires new affordable housing units be built before construction can begin, additional parking strategies for the tourist core area, pedestrian, bike, and transit enhancements and other

Lake Tahoe area roadwork September 15 - 21

LONG-TERM PROJECTS

Letter: Barton’s commitment to the community

Barton Health is a dedicated partner in our community’s health. We have cared for generations of families, providing excellent care since 1963.

Safety and quality are everyone’s priority at Barton Health, and it’s a united team that achieves the high standards we’ve come to expect. Our nurses are critical to those teams - they are on the front line of every patient’s experience, and we rely on their compassion and skill to provide a comfortable and

Annual Firefest returns to Lake Tahoe

Event Date: 
September 21, 2019 - 10:00am

Fire Fest is returning to the South Shore on Saturday, September 21, 2019, from 10:00 a.m. to 3:00 p.m. outside the back of Hard Rock Casino Lake Tahoe. Admission is free and it's a great opportunity for families to have fun while learning about safety and conservation.

Helicopters will be the stars this year as they land just outside the venue at the Hard Rock Casino Lake Tahoe. What an incredible opportunity to get a close-up look at these amazing machines! Crews will be on hand to answer questions and explain how they help us when we need them most.

Lake Valley Fire concerned with repopulation of Sierra House Elementary

SOUTH LAKE TAHOE, Calif. - There continue to be harsh words aimed at Lake Tahoe Unified School District (LTUSD) Superintendent Dr. James Tarwater over his handling of the fire, reconstruction and now repopulation of Sierra House Elementary.

Sierra House not ready for all students; Al Tahoe to remain open

SOUTH LAKE TAHOE, Calif. - Students and staff at Sierra House Elementary started their first day of school Monday, nine months after a fire caused significant damage to the building and moved students to other locations as work was completed to remove all damaged material and rebuild the inside.

Excitement about the return has been shortlived and shadowed by issues causing authorities to move many of the students back to Al Tahoe Elementary for classes until issues can be resolved on the campus.

Lake Tahoe and Sierra roadwork for September 8-14

SOUTH LAKE TAHOE, Calif. - Scheduled roadwork around the Lake Tahoe Basin is still in full swing before the winter hiatus.

For those wondering about the old Caltrans traffic camera at the Y: it is being replaced and when received there will be a lane closure coordinated for installation.

The camera at the new roundabout in Meyers can be rotated to analyze traffic needs and will not be aimed just at the roundabout for the time being.

The following are the Caltrans projects in the Lake Tahoe Basin and El Dorado County

LONG-TERM PROJECTS

Safety at Round Hill Pines Resort entrance focus of upcoming public meeting

Event Date: 
September 25, 2019 - 5:00pm

LAKE TAHOE, Nev. - Safety for visitors entering and exiting the Round Hill Pines Resort from U50 is the focus of a second public meeting on a project currently in the Environmental Assessment stage. The purpose of the project is to increase safety and improve accessibility for motorists, pedestrians, and bicycles entering and exiting the popular resort. HIghway planner say the major issues in the area are limited sight distance, unprotected turning movements across US50 and vehicle queuing in the eastbound inside lane of US50 during peak visitation periods

Facebook video leads to arrest of two juveniles in Douglas County on battery charges

DOUGLAS COUNTY, Nev. - Video footage found on Facebook of a fight at a Gardnerville Ranchos home has led to the arrest two juveniles on charges of battery, affray (an instance of fighting in a public place that disturbs the peace), and destruction of property.

On September 3, 2019, at 3:15 p.m., deputies from the Douglas County Sheriff's Office (DCSO) were dispatched to the area of Wagon Drive in the Gardnerville Ranchos area of Douglas County for a fight in progress. Upon arrival, the deputies discovered one of the involved subjects had what they called "obvious injuries."

South Lake Tahoe Council gets first look at 2019-20 budget: New police and fire personnel added

SOUTH LAKE TAHOE, Calif. - The proposed 2019/20 budget for the City of South Lake Tahoe was presented to the Council Tuesday by City Manager Frank Rush who showed where $119M will go should they agree and approve at their September 17 meeting.

Lake Tahoe and Sierra area roadwork for September 1 - 6

SOUTH LAKE TAHOE, Calif. - There are about so left of scheduled roadwork around the Lake Tahoe Basin before winter hiatus. Most traffic-interfering work will be limited from 6 a.m. Friday, August 30 through 8 p.m. Tuesday, September 3 for Labor Day weekend. Exceptions may be granted depending on the work and route.

The following are the Caltrans projects in the Lake Tahoe Basin and El Dorado County:

LONG-TERM PROJECTS

Two Placerville area men arrested after high-speed chase in South Lake Tahoe

SOUTH LAKE TAHOE, Calif. - Two El Dorado County men have been arrested on multiple charges after leading law enforcement on a chase through South Lake Tahoe and Meyers Friday afternoon.

At 1:12 p.m., the South Lake Tahoe Police Department (SLTPD) was notified of a reckless driver on US50 near Heidi's Restaurant. The person who called it in said the car was a Lexus 4-door and it was heading west.

Caltrans updates Echo Summit two week closure time frame

SOUTH LAKE TAHOE, Calif.. - The California Department of Transportation (Caltrans) has updated the estimated closure time for US50 over Echo Summit.

New partnership created to "Keep Tahoe Bears Wild"

LAKE TAHOE, Calif./Nev. – The Tahoe Basin is bear country and natural resource and law enforcement agencies are working diligently to remind residents and visitors to practice proper food storage and trash disposal when living in or visiting bear country. To help spread the message, a new website has been launched, TahoeBears.org, where residents and visitors can go to learn everything they need to know about living, visiting and playing responsibly in bear country.

Caltrans: No Echo Summit locals passes available at this time

SOUTH LAKE TAHOE, Calif. - Ever since the information was released about the possibility of closing US50 over Echo Summit at the end of September, the Caltrans Maintenance Yard in Meyers has been inundated with requests for a local's pass. If the highway is closed, locals will have an option to head west via Johnson's Pass Road.

Tahoe Douglas Firehouse Pancake Breakast

Event Date: 
August 31, 2019 - 8:30am

STATELINE, Nev. - The Tahoe Douglas Fire Department is holding their annual Labor Day pancake breakfast on Saturday, August 31 from 8:30 a.m. to 11:00 a.m. at the Round Hill firehouse.

There is much more on the menu than breakfast:

Tour the firehouse
Take photos with the fire trucks
Play Safety Games
Learn what PASS is and how to use a fire extinguisher
Learn about defensible space
Watch Bomb Squad demonstrations
Dress up like a firefighter
Learn how to properly install a car seat

Meyers roundabout to be fully open by Labor Day Weekend

SOUTH LAKE TAHOE, Calif. - The new roundabout in Meyers on Highway 50 at the base of Echo Summit has already been partially open but on Thursday motorists will be able to use the complete roundabout as designed, including the westbound by-pass lane.

Final paving will be done Wednesday and Thursday night so the bypass lane of the roundabout should be open by Thursday morning. The speed limit in the area is posted at 20 mph through the roundabout, 30 mph as one exits to the west and 40 mph will remain the speed limit through Meyers.

Public comment sought at South Lake Tahoe US 50 Main Street Open House

Event Date: 
August 27, 2019 - 5:30pm

SOUTH LAKE TAHOE, Calif. - The next public US Highway 50 Main Street Management Plan open house will be held on Tuesday, August 27 at the Lake Tahoe Resort Hotel Tallac Room from 5:30 p.m. to 7:30 p.m.

The event will consist of a series of informational stations where residents can give input on the planning stages of this transformational project. The Tahoe Regional Planning Agency (TRPA) and the Tahoe Transportation District (TTD) are seeking comments as different options for the design of the corridor come into focus.

US50 over Echo Summit may close up to 14 days this September

SOUTH LAKE TAHOE, Calif. – Highway 50 over Echo Summit may close up to 14 days this September to allow the Caltrans contractor to install new girders and demolition work on the existing bridge structure.

There will be two meetings to inform the public of the potential closure and detour (see attached map). Local residents and businesses will be issued passes to use Johnson Pass Road as a detour during the closure, which if in place would be toward the end of the month. More information on that will be provided at the meetings and not before.

Lake Tahoe and Sierra roadwork for August 25 - 31

SOUTH LAKE TAHOE, Calif. - There are still almost two months left of scheduled roadwork around the Lake Tahoe Basin before winter hiatus. Most traffic-interfering work will be limited from 6:00 a.m. August 30 through 8:00 p.m. September 3 for Labor Day weekend. Exceptions may be granted depending on the work and route.

State Route 89 (Placer County): Motorists can expect intermittent short delays on State Route 89 at Sugar Pine Point State Park in Tahoma from 6:30-9:30 a.m. on Saturday, August 24 and from 6:30 a.m. to 1 p.m. Sunday, August 25 due to the Lake Tahoe Triathlon.

Mountain leadership changes at Vail Resorts - Heavenly, Kirkwood and others

Several executives with Vail Resorts are changing positions in anticipation of the closing of the Peak Resorts acquisition as well as the departure of Executive Vice President Chris Jarnot.

Vail Resorts are creating three new regional leadership roles to support their growing global portfolio:

Bill Rock, currently chief operating officer of Park City Mountain, will relocate to Vail headquarters in Broomfield, Colorado and will now oversee the Company’s mountain resorts in Colorado and Utah.

New bike lanes, bike trail and reduced lanes in upcoming South Lake Tahoe project

SOUTH LAKE TAHOE, Calif. - After three years of a major highway project through South Lake Tahoe from the Y to Trout Creek, a 2021 planned project will further address needs in South Lake Tahoe from Emerald Bay Road at the Y to Viking Road, the entrance to South Tahoe High School.

DUI checkpoint in South Lake Tahoe/Meyers area Saturday

There will be a DUI checkpoint in the unincorporated portion of El Dorado County on the South Shore Saturday, August 24 from 8:00 p.m. to 2:00 a.m. The California Highway Patrol (CHP) will be setting up at an undisclosed location.

The Driving Under the Influence (DUI) Sobriety Checkpoint will be staffed by a team of CHP officers which will be controlling traffic, evaluating driver’s sobriety, and hand out literature warning of the dangers of drinking and driving. Driver license checks will be conducted, and appropriate enforcement action will be taken.

Lake Tahoe area roadwork August 18 - 24

SOUTH LAKE TAHOE, Calif. - There are still about two months left of scheduled roadwork around the Lake Tahoe Basin before winter hiatus. The following are the Caltrans projects in the Lake Tahoe Basin and El Dorado County:

LONG-TERM PROJECTS

U.S. Highway 50 (El Dorado County): Work continues on a $5.2 million project to upgrade metal beam guardrail and construct concrete barriers at 89 locations from the Red Hawk Undercrossing to 1.9 miles west of the junction with State Route 89 in Meyers. Completion is expected in spring 2020.

South Lake Tahoe man allegedly attacks car with bat: Inside is ex-girlfriend and baby

SOUTH LAKE TAHOE, Calif. - The South Lake Tahoe Police Department (SLTPD) received a call of shots fired near the corner of Julie Lane and B Street Thursday evening. Upon arrival, officers discovered that 23-year-old Henry Flores Rojas had allegedly used a baseball bat on the windows of a car where his ex-girlfriend and their one-year-old child were seeking safety.

One arrested after high-speed pursuit from South Lake Tahoe to Placerville

SOUTH LAKE TAHOE, Calif. - A high-speed pursuit from South Lake Tahoe to Placerville, at times reaching 100 mph, has landed one man in jail.

A detective from the South Lake Tahoe Police Department (SLTPD) happened to be in the parking lot of The Crossing Thursday afternoon when he observed what looked to be a theft in progress at the Big 5 Sporting Goods store.

Final piece of the Lake Tahoe fire camera network now in place

SOUTH LAKE TAHOE, Calif. - What would happen if fire-fighting agencies could stop a wildfire before it gains momentum and wipes out homes, communities and/or forests? That is being answered with well over 100 fire cameras now in place across the west, all because of foresight of Dr. Graham Kent, the Director of the Nevada Seismological Laboratory at the University of Nevada Reno (UNR).

Lake Tahoe area roadwork August 11 - 17

SOUTH LAKE TAHOE, Calif. - The Lake Tahoe Basin and El Dorado County Roadwork schedule for Caltrans projects.

LONG-TERM PROJECTS

State Routes 28/89 (El Dorado and Placer County): Work is now complete on a $4.8 million project to remove dead and dying trees from State Routes 28 and 89 in various locations of El Dorado and Placer counties. Completion is expected this fall.

Road Beat: 2019 Acura RDX SH-AWD A-Spec, Skip the acronyms and call it G for Great

Times are good for the auto industry, everyone makes good cars and it’s been that way for about a decade. That goes for full-size trucks, too. But some cars are better than good, some are great and some super-great and Honda/Acura makes great cars and a few super great ones. This new Acura RDX is almost super-great like I would call the Acura TLX SH-AWD A-Spec.

If Acura new radio system was more user-friendly as it’s claimed to be it might make the super great rating. Sometimes it wouldn’t respond to my finger touch. The idea works, but the execution didn’t work all the time.

Opinion: Walking a tightrope between affordable and unsafe housing

Last week, a local motel owner told guests there would be no housekeeping because they didn’t have enough staff due to the local housing shortage. However, the issue is fast becoming not only one of supply, but also one of quality. Many homes that fit the "local's" price range are older buildings - built in the 1970s or earlier. Just like our roads, some of these older buildings are in a state of disrepair and as we know with our roads, patchwork repairs only last so long.

Boating on Lake Tahoe: There’s an app for that!

STATELINE, Nev. – With 72 miles of shoreline and a massive surface area of 191 square miles, navigating Lake Tahoe can be challenging. This summer, there's a new way for boaters to navigate Lake Tahoe's waters. Tahoe Regional Planning Agency (TRPA) and its partners launched a new Tahoe Boating app to inform boaters and paddlers about Lake Tahoe, no-wake zone boundaries, area attractions, and how to enjoy the lake safely and responsibly.

Boaters and paddlers can download the free Tahoe Boating app from either the Apple or Android stores or at tahoeboating.org.

Carol Chaplin named new chair of the Reno-Tahoe Airport Authority.

Carol Chaplin, the executive director of the Lake Tahoe Visitor's Authority since 2008, has been named the new chairperson of the Reno-Tahoe Airport Authority. The nine-member board oversees both the Reno-Tahoe International and Reno-Stead Airports.

Wildfire weather is here. Are you prepared for power shutoffs?

LAKE TAHOE, Calif./Nev. – As we move into the warmest and driest days of summer and early fall, the threat of catastrophic wildfire increases throughout the Lake Tahoe Basin. High winds, low relative humidity, and dry vegetation are a dangerous combination. When dangerous fire weather is forecasted, the National Weather Service may issue a Red Flag Warning.

Drivers and beach goers share the highway in Lake Tahoe; More safety improvements ahead

LAKE TAHOE, Nev. - It's summertime, a beautiful time of year that brings with it perfect beach weather, something evident by the hundreds of cars parked along the roads around Lake Tahoe on a daily basis.

Two of those areas that bring the most vehicles full of beachgoers are Zephyr Cove and Round Hill Pines, two very popular Lake Tahoe spots. Drivers along the highway don't always slow down to speeds slower than the posted 45 mph, keeping it a dangerous stretch on busy beach days with car doors opening and people walking on the road with their coolers and beach gear.

Community invited to learn how to be a leader in the fight against fire in Lake Tahoe

Event Date: 
August 21, 2019 - 5:30pm

SOUTH LAKE TAHOE, Calif. - As a follow-up to their "Prepare to Evacuate" community meeting, the Tahoe Neighborhoods Group is joining forces to help the Tahoe Resource Conservation District (TRCD) bring a “Neighborhood Leader Orientation" meeting to South Lake Tahoe.

On August 21 at the El Dorado County Library in South Lake Tahoe from 5:30 p.m. to 7:00 p.m., TRCD will focus on what it means to be a “Fire Adapted Community” and how neighborhood leaders can organize and hold neighborhood events to ensure that homes and communities are prepared and fire safe if/when a fire occurs.

Lake Tahoe area roadwork August 4-10

SOUTH LAKE TAHOE, Calif. - The Lake Tahoe Basin and El Dorado County Roadwork schedule for Caltrans projects.

Most traffic-interfering work will be limited from noon Thursday, August 1 through 8 p.m. Monday, August 5 and noon Wednesday, August 7 through 8 p.m. Monday, August 12 for Hot August Nights.

LONG-TERM PROJECTS

State Routes 28/89 (El Dorado and Placer County): Work continues on a $4.8 million project to remove dead and dying trees from State Routes 28 and 89 in various locations of El Dorado and Placer counties. Completion is expected this fall.

Harmful algal bloom at Indian Creek Reservoir prompts warnings

MARKLEEVILLE, Calif. - Elevated levels of blue-green algae in the Indian Creek Reservoir have prompted officials to warn users to stay away from algae and scum in the water and both humans and pets should avoid drinking it.

Routine sampling at the reservoir on July 22 found levels of cyanotoxin, Microcystins at 4.39. µg/L (microgram per liter), which is above the 0.8 µg/L level established for safety and triggers notification of the public.

South Tahoe Public Utility District manages the property and has posted caution signs at the reservoir

Hazmat response to suspicious powder found in building behind Barton Hospital

5:25 p.m. Update: The El Dorado County HazMat Emergency Response team has confirmed that the powder substance found in a package delivered to Barton's supply chain this morning is not hazardous.

The sequestered employees have been released and the back entrance of the hospital is now accessible to the public.

"Barton is thankful for the local agencies who collaborated with us to ensure the safety of staff and patients," said Mindi Befu, Barton's Director of Marketing, Public Relations & Patient Experience.

Coast Guard investigators at Lake Tahoe; Six boats cited and fined

SOUTH LAKE TAHOE, Calif. - To operate a boat charter company on Lake Tahoe there are rules and regulations one must follow in order to be in legal compliance with the U.S. Coast Guard or face fines and citations, something six local boat operators are now facing.

Lake Tahoe area roadwork July 28 - August 3

SOUTH LAKE TAHOE, Calif. - The Lake Tahoe Basin and El Dorado County Roadwork schedule for Caltrans projects.

LONG-TERM PROJECTS

State Routes 28/89 (El Dorado and Placer County): Work continues on a $4.8 million project to remove dead and dying trees from State Routes 28 and 89 in various locations of El Dorado and Placer counties. Completion is expected this fall.

Douglas County man arrested after allegedly shooting at roommates

DOUGLAS COUNTY, Nev. - On Thursday, July 25 the Douglas County Sheriff's Office (DCSO) responded to the Johnson Lane area of Minden at 10:15 p.m. after being dispatched to a reported shooting. A man had allegedly shot a firearm at his roommates. No one was injured in the shooting and the roommates were able to get to safety.

Syndicate content