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The Coast Guard and multiple agencies rescued three people Wednesday evening after they were reported missing on Lake Tahoe.

At 9:45 p.m., Coast Guard Sector San Francisco Command Center watchstanders received notification from Coast Guard Station Lake Tahoe that a 31-year-old female and her two children were missing and were last seen drifting on a raft in Meeks Bay.

The Sector San Francisco Command Center issued an Urgent Marine Information Broadcast and launched a rescue boatcrew from Coast Guard Station Lake Tahoe.

Design Workshop, the company behind several recent South Lake Tahoe projects, won two awards from the Washoe County Open Space and Regional Park Commission.

The company, who has an office on the South Shore, has completed projects in 30 countries over the last 45 years. They received the Elmer H. Anderson Parks Excellence Award for the work they have done to make the Ballardini Ranch Trailhead project a success. The project team also included Wood Rodgers, Spanish Springs Construction and Angie Persigehl.

Reno resident Tony Herrin, 36, was sentenced today by United States District Judge Kimberly J. Mueller to two years and nine months in prison and ordered to pay restitution of $411,333 for theft of government property, United States Attorney Benjamin B. Wagner announced.

Douglas County Douglas County is hosting a Flood Outreach on August 6 from 3:30 p.m. to 7 p.m. in the CVIC Hall, Minden, NV. The event will give the public the opportunity to collect information, provide public input, and view flood damage maps.

“After our staff presentation on the flooding, we wanted to give citizens a place to gather and receive information from as many resources as possible.” said Douglas County Commission Chair, Doug Johnson.

Resources present at the event will include:

• Engineering/Stormwater Management

Kyburz Fire 667 personnel. Lowell Fire 771 personnel. Washington Fire 1,113 personnel.

These recent fires in the forests near Lake Tahoe have had hundreds of fire fighters on the ground, digging fire lines, cutting down trees and putting out fires. It's not an easy job, the hours are sometimes endless or never enough. But those that do it, love it.

The U.S. Forest Service has been training the next front line of defense against forest fires.

Two fires, starting within minutes of each other on Saturday, are currently burning out of control in the Sierra Nevada.

9:30 p.m. update 7/26/15:

The Lowell Fire burning near the town of Alta off of I-80 in the Sierras has burned 1,500 acres and is now 15% contained.

Early this evening, two CAL FIRE and two U.S. Forest Service firefighters suffered burn injuries while battling the Lowell Fire in Nevada County. The firefighters were airlifted from the fire and transported to UC Davis Burn Center in Sacramento.

Chautauqua presenters Dana Lee Fruend, Yvonne Sullivan, Janet Baker and Judy Quinlan will portray Nevada pioneer women “Nellie Mighels Davis”, “Elizabeth ‘Lizzie’ Kincead”, “Whilhelmina Springmeyer” and “Hannah Clapp” in a free presentation at the Dangberg Home Ranch Historic Park on Saturday, August 15, at 10:00 am.

Location

The final celebrity jets were taking off from South Lake Tahoe Tuesday, just as the U.S. Forest Service Lake Tahoe Basin Management Unit (LTBMU) welcomed in a Bombardier CL415 firefighting aircraft.

Nicknamed "Super Scooper" because it can scoop up 1,600 gallons of water from a lake and drop it on the front lines of a fire.

Join the Tahoe Heritage Foundation and the U.S. Forest Service at Lake of the Sky Amphitheater on Friday, July 24 for a fun and educational presentation by NorCal Bats. Learn about these amazing flying mammals and their importance to our ecosystem, such as insect control.

The live lecture is at Taylor Creek Visitor Center's Lake of the Sky Amphitheater at 8:30 p.m. It is open to the public. Cost is a $5 donation which goes to the Tahoe Heritage Foundation.

Fire crews are mopping up after responding to a small brush fire in Rabe Meadow on Sunday afternoon.

Firefighters from Tahoe Douglas Fire Department (TDFD) and the U.S. Forest Service got early control of the fire which was burning in dry brush on Forest Service land just northeast of the bike bath.

The fire is under investigation according to Fire Marshal Eric Guevin. "Anyone with information is to call the Forest Service or TDFD via 911," said Guevin.

With the passing of the 4th of July we find ourselves right in the middle of summer here in the Tahoe Basin. Locals and visitors alike recreating in many different ways, from camping to mountain biking, to boating, Lake Tahoe has something for everyone. This summer and particularly this summer due to continued drought conditions, it is important to remember just how fragile the Tahoe Basin is, and that there is a persistent threat of wildfire. Everyone needs to take steps to ensure they are being fire smart in everything they do. Doing the right thing, the wrong way can start a wildfire.

Liberty Utilities will begin construction to upgrade its existing 650 electrical line on or around August 3. Prior to this date, the public may see materials staged and vegetation management activities occur in preparation for the project.

The U.S. Forest Service Lake Tahoe Basin Management Unit will resume work this week at Angora Creek near South Lake Tahoe. Crews will construct 700 feet of new stream channel to replace the existing Angora Creek channel, which was rerouted and straightened in the early 1900s to accommodate livestock grazing. Seneca Pond, constructed in 1964 when the area was under private ownership, will be returned to a wetland.

Lake Tahoe was treated to a rare weather occurrence Wednesday night as a water spout formed along the west shore of the lake.

The water spout, essentially a very weak tornado over water, formed near the mouth of Emerald Bay just after 9 p.m., according to Brett Kendall, brewmaster at nearby FOLK Brewing Co., who snapped a picture of the aqueous twister from the lake’s east shore.

This Thursday, Fish Out of Water make their Live at Lakeview debut and aim to command the senses, move the masses, and leave you contemplating love, life, and everything in between.

“It’s as if Led Zeppelin, Bootsie Collins, Bob Marley, and Ice Berg Slim were wrapped up into one bad-ass persona.” Griffith Jackson - Sacramento News & Review
San Diego’s premier rock, funk, reggae and hip-hop specialists, Fish Out of Water, will take the stage from 6:00 p.m. – 8:30 p.m. with local reggae band, Taking Root opening up the show at 4:30 p.m.

Chautauqua performer Lisa Bommarito will present “The Extraordinary Life of Eilley Orrum Bowers” at the Dangberg Home Ranch Historic Park on Wednesday August 5, at 6:30 p.m. The event is open to the public and free to attend.

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Imagine gliding through the water while a gondolier serenades you and a loved one as you enjoy wine and the nearby sights. You may have pictured a scene in Venice, Italy, but this is now a reality in Lake Tahoe with new South Shore business Tahoe Amore, a Venetian gondola company offering tours through the Tahoe Keys.

Tahoe Amore will celebrate a ribbon cutting with Tahoe Chamber on July 16 at 4 p.m. in the Tahoe Keys Marina.

9:20 p.m. update 7/8/15

Approximately 141 homes have water and structural damage after Wednesday's flooding in the Stephanie and Johnson Lane areas of Douglas County. It is unknown how many homes may have landscape damage.

No injuries have been reported.

Douglas County has activated a flood hot line for residents who have been affected by the flooding. The number to call is (775) 782-6262 or visit douglasflood2015@gmail.com.

South Lake Tahoe Fire Chief Jeff Meston made a presentation Tuesday, asking for an alteration to the Cal Tahoe JPA agreement for City provided ambulance services.

Meston wants the City to remain a part of the JPA, but hand over ambulance duties to Lake Valley Fire Protection District (LVFPD).

On Saturday, June 27, 2015, members of the Rotary Club of South Lake Tahoe gathered at Sawmill Pond to paint restrooms and signs, and to clean up. This has been an annual event for Rotarians headed up by Past President and Rotary Project Manager David Huber with the support of the USFS. Sawmill Pond is an excellent place for young ones to learn to fish. It is for children fifteen years and under. Parents are welcome to help, but not allowed to fish. Sawmill Pond gives children access to fishing in a beautiful stocked pond which hosts an annual children-only fishing derby.

It may seem like lyrics from the Five Man Electrical Band: Sign, sign, everywhere a sign; Blockin' out the scenery, breakin' my mind' Do this, don't do that, can't you read the sign?

Everyone wants to enjoy the South Lake Tahoe area on the 4th of July holiday weekend. In order to keep everyone safe there are rules and regulations in place to do so.

1. Portable Charcoal Grills Prohibited on All Forest Service Beaches. You can use the limited number of Forest Service provided grills.
2. Campfires are not permitted on National Forest beaches or in the general forest.

Cooler temperatures and an increase in humidity have allowed firefighters working on the Washington Fire to make good progress, getting a line around 66% of the fire area.

Burning since June 19 in the hilly terrain south of Markleville, the lightning caused fire has burned 17,790 acres.

The City of South Lake Tahoe has announced a fourth and final public meeting about the newly released Airport Master Plan - Draft Phase 2 report on Tuesday, June 30 from 5:30 p.m. to 7:00 p.m. It will be held at the Lake Tahoe Airport.

The City initiated this Airport Master Plan Update in 2013, with funding support from the FAA, in order to determine the current and future potential of the Airport. The recommended development will be presented in three planning periods; short-term (2015 to 2019), intermediate term (2020 to 2024), and long-term (2025 to 2034).

With illegal and unattended campfires the cause of over 90% of wildfires in the Lake Tahoe Basin, new fire restrictions go into place on July 1, 2015. Campfires and charcoal barbecues will be restricted to designated recreation sites, and other fire-related activities are prohibited until the end of fire season.

“Increased fire danger due to the ongoing drought combined with warmer and dryer weather is a big concern for the basin," said U.S. Forest Service fire management officer, Kit Bailey. "Fire restrictions help reduce the possibility of human caused fires.”