sexual assault

Domestic violence, as known as intimate partner violence, is an issue that touches every community. There were 265 reports of domestic violence in South Lake Tahoe, including domestic disturbance, domestic battery, and domestic assault from January 1, 2019, until October 9, 2020. There are many forms of abuse, besides physical assault, that constitute domestic violence.

SOUTH LAKE TAHOE, Calif. - Live Violence Free, the South Lake Tahoe-based agency committed to promoting a violence-free community, has announced the appointment of a new executive director.

Chelcee Thomas has returned to her hometown to lead the 43-year-old agency. The South Tahoe High graduate has dedicated her career to supporting social

SOUTH LAKE TAHOE, Calif. - There will be two new members of the South Lake Tahoe City Council after the November 3 election. In the coming weeks the pubic will have chances to hear from the candidates both via zoom, in print and possibly in person. Below are eight of the ten candidates responses to questions asked by the local #IRunWithMaud group.

A South Lake Tahoe man has been found guilty on four counts of felony child molestation which included one count of Continuous Sexual Abuse of a Child under 14, two counts of Lewd and Lascivious Acts upon a Child under 14, and one count of Forcible Lewd Act upon a Child under 14.

John Robert Garcia, 45, was arrested in April 2019 after a five-month-long investigation by the South Lake Tahoe Police Department (SLTPD) and El Dorado County District Attorney's Office.

SOUTH LAKE TAHOE, Calif. - Live Violence Free (LVF) has announced the hiring of a new executive director. Debra Dyason has joined the South Lake Tahoe-based non-profit tasked with promoting a violence-free community.

Debra brings 20 years of expertise as a senior non-profit leader, funder, public policy advocate, and recent Executive Director of a domestic violence and sexual assault agency (First Step of Wichita Falls, Tex.). Debra is passionate about empowering survivors so they can lead their best lives free from violence and abuse.

Live Violence Free has announced their next fundraiser, An Afternoon of Peace & Harmony, that will be held at the Lake Tahoe Outdoor Arena at Harveys on Saturday, September 7, 2019 from 04:30 p.m. to 8:00 p.m.

SOUTH LAKE TAHOE, Calif. - Live Violence Free is offering their spring Crisis Intervention training this May, giving the public the opportunity to work with survivors of domestic violence and sexual assault in the state of California.

This certification can help with volunteer and employment opportunities for people interested in working with this population. They give this training just twice a year.

SOUTH LAKE TAHOE, Calif. - Tuesday's evening meeting of the South Lake Tahoe City Council will have a full agenda that includes replacement of aging snow removal equipment, a Lime License Agreement, and temporary suspension of the City's Residential Allocation Procedures.

Live Violence Free would like to thank everyone who came out and contributed to the Tacofestivus Fundraiser on Tuesday, December 4. We were overwhelmed by the amount of people who come out to celebrate and support our organization.

Each year Azul Latin Kitchen’s staff chooses a community organization as their beneficiary and Live Violence Free was honored to have been chosen for 2018. In addition to their contribution with the Tacofestivas event, they donated $1 for every Blue Burrow drink purchased and were one of the strongest supporters for our Annual Gala Fundraiser.

SOUTH LAKE TAHOE, Calif. - Azul Latin Kitchen in the Heavenly Village has supported several area nonprofits since they opened with their famous Taco Nights, and on December 4 they are teaming with Live Violence Free for Tacofestivus.

From 5:00 p.m. to 9:00 p.m., there will be live music, a silent auction and an all-you-can-eat taco bar at the popular restaurant, all for $15.

This is a family friendly, taco loving event with all proceeds going towards the programs and resources provided by Live Violence Free.

Lisa "The Angel of Tahoe" Maloff continues to spread her blessings around South Lake Tahoe, and this time Live Violence free was the recipient.

The carpet at their office on Lake Tahoe Boulevard was in serious need of replacing as it had become a safety hazard with its ripples. Kids that visit the non-profit agency for services often ended up playing on the thread bare carpet that had seen better days.

Crews were at the office this week, ripping out the old carpet and putting in new flooring, something that is waterproof and easy to clean.

SOUTH LAKE TAHOE, Calif. - Lake Tahoe Community College is excited to present its annual scholarship awards to 81 deserving students at a special luncheon taking place on Friday, June 29 – the same day as the college’s graduation ceremony. The 2017/2018 academic year was a record-breaking year of scholarship fundraising for the LTCC Foundation, with generous donors supporting the granting of 120 awards amounting to more than $126,000.

The 2018 Tahoe Pride Art Show, "Love is a National Treasure," shines light on the diversity of our community and is opening this month at the Benko Art Gallery. All are invited to the opening event on Saturday, June 30 from 2:00 p.m. to 8:00 p.m. to celebrate our most precious national treasure: LOVE. Work from Tahoe artists Scott Forrest, Shelley Zentner, Red Stickman, Catherine Schoen, Hayden Tencher, and emerging artists from South Tahoe High School will be on display. Local musician Hailie Hay will be performing new music. This event is free and open to the public. All are welcome.

Location

In honor of Sexual Assault Awareness month in April, Live Violence Free is holding a fundraiser at Lake Tahoe Paint and Sip on Tuesday, April 10 from 6:00 p.m. to 9:00 p.m. With the theme color of the month being teal, participants will be creating a teal colored butterfly.

Lake Tahoe Paint and Sip is donating 50 percent of ticket sales back to Live Violence Free.

Almost one year ago almost five million women, men and children gathered around the world to participate in the Women's March on Washington on the same day President Trump was being inaugurated.

They gathered to stand together in their protest of reproductive rights, equal pay, safety for women in the workplace and more. They stood against racism, sexism, sexual assault and harassment. They stood against Trump and his policies that were racist, anti-LGBT and anti-women.

SOUTH LAKE TAHOE - The following is a recap of activity the South Lake Tahoe Police Department responded to 416 calls between November 13 - November 27, 2017.

Calls Resulting in Arrests/Citations:

11/13 - 26 Total Calls

Battery in the 900 block of Ski Run Blvd
Warrant in the 3400 block of Lake Tahoe Blvd

11/14 - 28 Total Calls

Battery in the 2500 block of William Ave
Brandishing in the 2200 block of Lake Tahoe BLvd

11/15 - 26 Total Calls

Auto Theft in the 2300 block of Lake Tahoe Blvd

Who would have known a horseshoe game at TJ’s Peanut Farm (now known as Steamer’s Bar and Grill) in 1977 would so greatly impact a community? It was this game that raised the first dollar to fund an organization that would go on to help thousands of South Lake Tahoe community members affected by domestic violence, including more than 1,000 last year.

As Live Violence Free (LVF,) formerly the SLT Women’s Center, celebrates 40 years of serving the community with its annual Sunset Gala on Sept. 15, board members, staff and volunteers are honoring their predecessors.

In society, we are inundated with advertisements and daily messages infused into our culture that justify alcohol as acceptable and normal. This substance is glorified as a method to enhance dining experiences, celebrations, entertainment, sporting events, and holidays. Alcohol itself is not the problem. A drink to accompany a meal or celebratory time is a much different choice than to completely dissociate from reality and manipulate others to achieve a “good time.”

A South Lake Tahoe man is behind bars after being identified as a possible suspect in at least one of the recent assault crimes in the community.

Oscar Raygoza Huerta, 23 of South Lake Tahoe, was arrested on Friday, August 5 on charges of assault intent to commit mayhem or rape, a felony. He is currently in the El Dorado County jail on a $100,000 bail hold.

Last week, South Lake Tahoe Police detectives released sketches of the suspect created after interviews with two of the victims. Leads from those photos led to the arrest.

Jen Kline, a 15-year-employee with Live Violence Free, passed away suddenly on March 18, 2016 at the age of 46. The unexpected death caught everyone by surprise from family and friends to those she served in Alpine County through her position as the non-profit agency's coordinator.

"We were totally shocked," LVF Executive Director Jane Flavin said of Kline's passing.

During Kline's memorial this spring her daughters passed out seeds

Joshua Larsen, age 36 of Reno, was arrested by members of the Sheriff’s Office Internet Crimes against Children Task Force (I.C.A.C.), on child Sexual Assault and multiple child pornography charges, including Use of a Minor in Producing Pornography.

Law Enforcement became aware of Larsen after a tip was provided to the National Center for Missing and Exploited Children’s “Cybertipline.”

In a community with many needs, the Barton Foundation today donated $35,500 to ten different agencies that provide services to the residents of South Lake Tahoe during their annual Philanthropy Day. For the seventh year, the Barton Foundation gave away money raised through their annual fundraising efforts which include the annual Festival of Lights.

On Thursday, the South Lake Tahoe Police Department (SLTPD) released photos of a person of interest in a sexual assault case they were investigating. By the afternoon, they received an anonymous tip suggesting the identity of the man, and soon after, the unidentified man's lawyer contacted SLTPD to arrange a meeting.

The attorney indicated his client is willing to cooperate with this investigation. So far, there is not enough evidence to warrant an arrest and the case is still under investigation.

A victim had reported being sexually assaulted early in the morning of August

The South Lake Tahoe Police Department (SLTPD) arrested 30-year-old Manuel Ramos Munoz after he confessed to the kidnapping and sexual assault of a young woman on Thursday, June 11.