supervisor

Fire restrictions in place around Lake Tahoe - Know what is allowed

There are important regulations to be aware of when visiting and living in Lake Tahoe, and not all jurisdictions have the same rules.

City of South Lake Tahoe

No outside fires are allowed in the City unless it is a cooking fire with charcoal in a barbecue or in a fire pit with gas piped in, or one that uses liquid petroleum. Anything that creates embers is banned, including wood burning fire pits and backyard bonfires.

Even if wood fire pit has mesh lid, it is banned. No open burning is allowed at this time, including the burning of pine needles are yard debris.

Final results from El Dorado County election

The El Dorado County Elections office has released their final tally of the ballots from the June 5, 2018 election.

Here are the results:

County Supervisor, 5th District
Novasel and Curtzwiler will face off in November

JEFFREY SPENCER 1149 16.74%
NORMA SANTIAGO 954 13.90%
KENNY CURTZWILER 2217 32.31%
SUE NOVASEL 2524 36.78%

County Supervisor, 4th District
Ranalli and Parlin will face off in November

LORI PARLIN 4564 37.97%
BOGDAN AMBROZEWICZ 1494 12.43%
MICHAEL RANALLI 5946 49.46%

County Auditor-Controller
Harn wins

Meeks Bay meeting set for El Dorado County VHR discussion

Event Date: 
June 25, 2018 - 6:30pm

El Dorado County Board of Supervisor’s Vacation Home Rental (VHR) ad hoc Committee
has scheduled a community meeting for Monday, June 25 at the Meeks Bay Fire Protection District from 6:30 p.m. to 8:00 p.m.

The meeting will provide residents who live on the West Shore of the Lake Tahoe basin with an overview of the Committee’s work and full Board of Supervisor actions taken over the last several months to change the ordinance that regulates VHRs in the unincorporated portion of the County.

26 retire from Lake Tahoe Unified School District; Over 627 combined years of service

Twenty-six team members from Lake Tahoe Unified School District are retiring this year after serving a collective 627.5 years in the local schools.

During a reception hosted by the Lake Tahoe Educational Foundation, each retiree was honored with a gift and plant and a round of applause.

The following certificated and classified retirees will be honored:

Certified Employees - 300.5 years of employment

Joann Allister, P.E. Teacher, 22 years of service
Melissa Bornstein, 2nd Grade Teacher, 35 years of service
Diane Burtraw, Kindergarten TWBI Teacher, 34 years of service

Most ballots now counted in El Dorado County, Novasel and Curtzwiler move on

More ballots have been counted in El Dorado County, leaving just over 2,000 still be counted out of the almost 23,000 left to do after election day.

County Supervisor 5th District

It appears Curtzwiler and Novasel will face off again in November.

JEFFREY SPENCER 1120 16.82%
NORMA SANTIAGO 916 13.76%
KENNY CURTZWILER 2149 32.28%
SUE NOVASEL 2454 36.86%

County Supervisor 4th District

If Ranalli doesn't get to 50 percent there will be a runoff with Lori Parlin in November.

LORI PARLIN 4439 37.86%
BOGDAN AMBROZEWICZ 1451 12.38%
MICHAEL RANALLI 5818 49.62%

KCRA unavailable to South Lake Tahoe Charter customers, for now

Charter Communications allowed the Sacramento NBC affiliate, KCRA, to remain on their channel lineup through Tuesday's primary, but as of June 8 it is no longer available despite viewers and government officials reaching out.

El Dorado County vote counts updated

The Elections Department of El Dorado County has released the results of some of the 23,000 ballots left to count after Tuesday's election.

The following is the updated ballot count as of 4:49 p.m. Friday, June 8. The department will release updates next week as well.

County Supervisor Area 5

JEFFREY SPENCER 931 16.61%
NORMA SANTIAGO 770 13.74%
KENNY CURTZWILER 1815 32.38%
SUE NOVASEL 2074 37.00%

County Supervisor Area 4

LORI PARLIN 3753 37.99%
BOGDAN AMBROZEWICZ 1215 12.30%
MICHAEL RANALLI 4900 49.60%

County Auditor-Controller

JOE HARN 21678 52.61%

Novasel and Curtzwiler lead race for County Supervisor after 100% of precincts counted

100 percent of the precincts have been counted and there are just some mail-ins waiting for be tabulated and counts can be changed until count is final.

County Supervisor Area 5

Sue Novasel - 1604 Votes or 36.90%
Kenny Curtzwiler - 1419 Votes or 32.64%
Jeffrey Spencer - 718 Votes or 16.52%
Norma Santiago - 597 Votes or 13.73%

County Supervisor Area 4

Michael Ranalli - 3599 votes or 50.03%
Lori Parlin - 2698 votes or 37.50%
Bogdan Ambrozewicz - 888 votes or 12.34%

County District Attorney

California Primary on Tues., June 5

The California primary is on Tuesday, June 5, and a lot of decisions are facing voters in South Lake Tahoe both at the county and district level, as well as at the state level.

California changed their primary system ten years ago for the top offices and now it is the two candidates with the most votes on Tuesday that will head to the November elections, no matter which party they belong to. Prior to this system it would be the top democrat and top republican that would face off.

Letter: Spencer for El Dorado County Supervisor

Dear Editor,

I don’t typically endorse political candidates, but with the serious issues facing El Dorado County and the need for good leadership in our Supervisor, I’m going to break my own rule in support of Jeffrey Spencer.

While Jeffrey Spencer’s name is not as well known around town as the other candidates, Jeffrey and his family have ties to our community that go back decades. He purchased his home ten years ago with plans to retire here, and has lived here full time for five years. His two sons have attended the Middle School and South Tahoe High.

Charter plans to cut KCRA from South Lake Tahoe lineup

UPDATE 5/22 8:35 a.m.: El Dorado County Supervisor Sue Novasel has arranged for a call between the County, City and Charter Cable people this Friday. "We need KCRA for South Tahoe (it’s a public safety issue in my opinion) She, along with others, remember when Charter tried to discontinue California services in 2008.

* * *
News that KCRA will be soon be removed from the Charter Communications lineup for South Lake Tahoe is not being taken well by many locals.

Four vying for El Dorado County Supervisor, District 5

There are four people running for El Dorado County Supervisor for the 5th District on June 5: Incumbent Sue Novasel and challengers Kenny Curtzwiler, Norma Santiago and Jeffrey Spencer. The 5th District covers Pollock Pines to South Lake Tahoe and Tahoma.

South Tahoe Now asked each candidate the same questions, and here are all of their answers, exactly as they were presented to us.

Sue Novasel
Occupation: El Dorado County Supervisor – District V
Past political history:
2015 – Present: County Supervisor, District V

Tahoe Regional Young Professionals hosting Town Hall meeting and networking mixers

Event Date: 
May 16, 2018 - 6:00pm

Lake Tahoe, Calif. - A candidate's town hall meeting and two networking mixers have been planned by the Tahoe Regional Young Professionals (TRYP).

A South Shore networking mixer will take place on Wednesday, May 9 at The Loft from 6:00 p.m. to 9:00 p.m. and will include one free drink and complementary appetizers for attendees. The cost of the mixer is free for members and only $10 for non-members.

Comments sought for 1000 acre project near Incline Village

SOUTH LAKE TAHOE, Calif. - The USDA Forest Service Lake Tahoe Basin Management Unit (LTBMU) has opened the comment period for proposed management of 1,083 acres on National Forest Lands off the Mt. Rose Highway above Incline Village, Nev.

USFS approves Heavenly's plans that include widening trails

A project to improve existing skiing and snowboarding terrain at Heavenly Mountain Resort was approved this week by the USDA Forest Service Lake Tahoe Basin Management Unit (LTBMU).

Improvements will include selective widening of ski trails, removing trail obstacles and relocation and/or realignment of some portions of existing snowmaking air and water pipelines to improve user experience, maintain user safety, increase energy and water efficiency, and maintain native species.

Fuel reduction plan released for over 3700 acres of National Forest lands

SOUTH LAKE TAHOE, Calif. – Fuels on 3,737 acres of South Lake Tahoe area National Forest lands will be reduced by thinning forest stands and removing forest biomass vegetation, prescribed burning, and reforestation.

The U.S. Forest Service Lake Tahoe Basin Management Unit (LTBMU) announced the the final decision on the project last week. This project helps decrease the risk of wildland fires and complements defensible space treatments implemented by local municipal fire districts on adjacent non-federal lands.

Board of Supervisor District 5 Candidate Forum

Event Date: 
April 26, 2018 - 6:00pm

Meet the four candidates for the El Dorado County Board of Supervisors at the South Lake Tahoe Democratic Club's candidate forum on Thursday, April 26 at 6:00 p.m. at the California Conservation Corps, 1949 Apache Avenue in Meyers.

Sue Novasel, the incumbent is being challenged by former Supervisor Norma Santiago, local businessman Ken Curtzwiler and transportation specialist Jeffrey Spencer.

The primary will be held on June 5, 2018.

Road to a solution for traffic jams as cars leave South Lake Tahoe

There are several reasons, as well as ideas for a solution, surrounding the traffic jams in Meyers that occur on many Sundays and holidays as vehicles leave the South Lake Tahoe area.

El Dorado County Supervisor Sue Novasel held another town hall meeting about traffic with almost 30 people at the Lake Tahoe Environmental Magnet School this week. She brought along El Dorado County transportation staff and was joined by the California Highway Patrol.

Tahoe Fund expands advisory board

The Tahoe Fund has expanded its Advisory Council to include the Forest Supervisor of the Lake Tahoe Basin Management Unit, Jeff Marsolais, and the Executive Director of the Tahoe Regional Planning Agency, Joanne Marchetta. Marsolais and Marchetta add federal and regional agency representation to the council that already includes Patrick Wright, Executive Director of the California Tahoe Conservancy and Jim Lawrence, Deputy Director of Nevada’s Department of Conservation and Natural Resources.

A peek into the hub of public safety for South Lake Tahoe

This has been National Public Safety Telecommunicators Week, so what better time to sit down with the women who answer 911 calls in South Lake Tahoe who are the first step in protecting homes, property and people and the unsung heroes of the community.

With an average of 300 to 400 calls going into dispatch each month, staff has to be ready to handle an emergency at every moment through their shift, which in South Lake Tahoe is normally 10 hours long, though they can be up to 12 hours.

Meyers traffic the focus of a community meeting

Event Date: 
April 18, 2018 - 6:00pm

El Dorado County Supervisor Sue Novasel will be holding a public meeting on Wednesday, April 18 to continue the discussion on traffic issues in the Meyers area. The meeting will be held at the Lake Tahoe Environmental Science Magnet School from 6:00 p.m. to 8:00 p.m.

This is a follow up to her February 28 meeting on the subject that plagues Meyers neighborhoods on busy Sundays and holidays as visitors leave South Lake Tahoe and head west over Echo Summit.

El Dorado County VHR meeting rescheduled, again

Event Date: 
May 2, 2018 - 6:00pm

The El Dorado County Board of Supervisors have rescheduled their vacation home rental (VHR) meeting on the South Shore for Wednesday, May 2 at 6:00 p.m. in the South Tahoe Middle School's Multi-Purpose Room.

Weather has canceled two meetings, with the initial meeting postponed due to over-crowding of the meeting room.

This proposed purpose of this meeting on May 2 is to:

1. Conceptually approve amendments to Title 5 - County Business License Ordinance of the El Dorado County Ordinance Code, Chapter 5.56 - Vacation Home Rentals in the Lake Tahoe Basin;

Low public turnout for EDC budget presentation

MEYERS and SOUTH LAKE TAHOE, Calif. - The El Dorado County Chief Administrative Officer (CAO) Don Ashton has been making the rounds to communities throughout the county, explaining the budget through an informative presentation and discussion.

Most of the communities Ashton has visited have had 15-20 citizens in attendance, all asking questions and giving input in the budget process as Ashton and the Supervisors figure out how to save $20M over the next four years to meet CalPers pension liabilities.

El Dorado County vacation rental meeting postponed in South Lake Tahoe

The third attempt to have the scheduled El Dorado County Board of Supervisors special vacation home rental (VHR) meeting has been postponed due to anticipated severe winter weather and in the interest of public safety, according to Supervisor Sue Novasel.

They have been trying to get the public together to discuss the county's revamping of their ordinance to address concerns since February 1, but a larger than anticipated crowd and weather has canceled each meeting.

There is no rescheduled date as of Thursday, but once a date is known the public will be informed.

Final funding in place for South Lake Tahoe's Greenway Trail

The next phase of the South Tahoe Greenway Shared Use Trail will now be completed by El Dorado County, a move that is estimated to save $1,000,000.

During this week's meeting of the California Tahoe Conservancy Board, approval was given to the transfer of a $3.182 million grant to El Dorado County to build the next phase of the South Tahoe Greenway Shared Use Trail. Conservancy staff recommended transferring the project from the State to the County who they said is in an advantageous position to deliver the project, and has indicated that it can complete the Project in a timely manner.

El Dorado County may take 2% TOT hike to the voters

Revenue will need to increase in El Dorado County in order to complete a list of needed projects including those for repaired roads and economic development, both items that are affected by tourism.

The El Dorado County Board o Supervisors will start the discussion at the their next meeting on March 13 to the possibility of taking a tax increase to the voters in 2018, one the voters will benefit from but won't have to pay for.

EDC Supervisors to vote on purchase of old Bijou Post Office for new office space

The old Bijou Post Office on Sandy Way in South Lake Tahoe may soon be home to new El Dorado County offices. This property is across the street from their current government center at the corner of Takela Drive and Lake Tahoe Boulevard.

During the Board of Supervisors on Tuesday, March 13, 2018, there will be a vote on the agenda item regarding purchase of the property for $1,250,000. Supervisor Sue Novasel said they have been putting money aside to be used in an El Dorado Center Campus in South Lake Tahoe. The project includes a major remodel of both buildings.

Meyers traffic plan has some success after first weekend

If you drive through Meyers on a Sunday you've most likely come across gridlock traffic through the neighborhoods as vehicles trying to head west after their South Lake Tahoe weekend look for the quickest route, courtesy of smart phone apps.

El Dorado County Supervisor Sue Novasel held a Town Hall meeting on February 28, providing a forum for residents, law enforcement and staff to discuss solutions. One suggestion that came out of that meeting was put into place on Sunday, March 4 and was fairly successful.

Lake Tahoe area schools closed Friday

Students around the Lake Tahoe basin are going to enjoy another Snow Day on Friday. The following closures are in place:

Lake Tahoe Unified: For the safety of our students and staff
All Schools Will be CLOSED today due to Road and Continuing Blizzard conditions.
All school activities are cancelled unless notified otherwise.

All Douglas County School District schools are CLOSED for today.

Incline Village schools are closed.

Lake Tahoe storm closes college and schools

The blizzard warnings in the Lake Tahoe basin have prompted school officials to close schools, or in the case of Douglas County, put them on late start.

Lake Tahoe Unified School District is on a Snow Day. All Schools Will be CLOSED today due to the Blizzard Warning issued by the National Weather Service.

EDC Supervisor Novasel holding meeting to discuss Meyers traffic

El Dorado County Supervisor Sue Novasel will hold a town hall meeting on Wednesday, February 28 at the Lake Tahoe Environmental Science Magnet School from 6:00 p.m. until 8:00 p.m. to discuss solutions to traffic issues in the Lake Tahoe Basin.

Novasel will be joined by County Department of Transportation staff, the El Dorado County Sheriff's Office and County Counsel.

Four potential candidates so far for El Dorado County Supervisor 5th District

Candidate season has already started for not only the State of California but also El Dorado County.

So far, for the El Dorado County Supervisor representing Meyers, South Lake Tahoe, Tahoma and Pollock Pines (District 5) four candidates have taken out papers.

Current Supervisor Sue Novasel, local businessman Ken Curtzwiler, former Supervisor Norma Santiago, and transportation technology and land use expert Jeffrey Spencer have all taken out papers during the filing period which began February 12.

Solutions being sought to alleviate tourist traffic in Meyers

Holiday traffic leaving South Lake Tahoe this weekend created another bottleneck in Meyers as well as on side roads throughout the area from those attempting to find a quicker getaway. The choices they made Monday created a three-hour drive from the Y in South Lake Tahoe to areas in Meyers.

Highway 50 over Echo Summit is designed to handle 1,200 cars per hour without any issues, but those numbers dropped Monday, February 19. Just how much they dropped is unknown as the traffic counters normally placed over the roadway are removed for snow removal.

Special City Council meeting to decide Kerry's fate; Meston outlines plans

News spread through South Lake Tahoe this week that surprised and shocked many, the City Council's decision to put City Manager Nancy Kerry on indefinite leave. The council will be meeting in closed session on Monday, February 12, 2018 to discuss the situation. Their agenda item, "PUBLIC EMPLOYEE DISCIPLINE/DISMISSAL/RELEASE Pursuant to Government Code Section 54957(b)" starts at 9:00 a.m.

That section of code allows special and closed session meetings to consider the appointment, employment, evaluation of performance, discipline, or dismissal of a public employee.

El Dorado County vacation rental meeting rescheduled in South Lake Tahoe

Event Date: 
March 3, 2018 (All day)

The location and time are yet unknown, but the date has been set for the next El Dorado County Board of Supervisor's meeting on a vacation rental ordinance.

March 3, 2018 is the rescheduled special board meeting that was postponed after their Feb. 1 meeting had to be shut down due to an overcapacity crowd wanted to participate.

VHR meeting postponed after over capacity crowd attends

SOUTH LAKE TAHOE, CALIF. - The El Dorado County Board of Supervisors meeting held in South Lake Tahoe had to come to an early end Thursday after a City fire official deemed the over 150 people crammed into the airport council chambers too many over the maximum occupancy of 112 to be safe.

Approximately 300 people filled the airport, all wanting a chance to participate in the County's discussion of amending their vacation home rental (VHR) ordinance. Those not in the council chambers filled the airport lobby.

Murder in the Mountains

It is a story about drugs.
It is a story about money.
It is a story about murder.
And it is a story about justice.

Community hub brings together services for families in South Lake Tahoe

Event Date: 
February 1, 2018 - 10:30am

A Community Hub will be opening up in South Lake Tahoe, connecting families to resources in one place that will enable them to be healthy and caring in a learning and growing environment.

The Community Hubs will offer classes, groups, and activities for families with children ages 0-18 and are staffed by a team of family engagement, literacy and health specialists.

County and City vote to extend temporary bans on sales of cannabis

On Tuesday both the South Lake Tahoe City Council and the El Dorado County Board of Supervisors voted to extend their ban on commercial sales of cannabis as they work out the rules and regulations for their jurisdictions.

The ban on sales in South Lake Tahoe was set to expire on January 25, 2018, and without an extension or ordinance in place, anyone could have applied for a license to sell with the State of California.

Women's March in South Lake Tahoe draws almost 400

It may have just been planned in the last two weeks, but the 2018 Women's March in South Lake Tahoe drew out 392 women, men and children to join hundreds of thousands of others marching around the country.

"The turnout was phenomenal," said co-organizer Meg Peart. "Its amazing how quickly our community can come together."

Peart and Kelsey Adams took an idea and reached out to the community through Facebook, friends and local news to get people out to walk the just over two mile route from Hard Rock Hotel and Lakeview Commons.

Input sought on 3,800 acre forest thinning project in South Lake Tahoe

The U.S. Forest Service Lake Tahoe Basin Management Unit (LTBMU) is seeking comments on a proposal to reduce excess vegetation on approximately 3,800 acres of National Forest lands on the south end of the Lake Tahoe Basin in order to reduce the risk of wildland fires and create healthier forests.

No moratorium on vacation rentals in El Dorado County

Tuesday's El Dorado County Board of Supervisors (BOS) meeting was just as all other meetings about vacation home rentals have been: A full house and a large contingent passionately representing both sides of the issue.

Supervisor Shiva Frentzen sought conceptual approval of an urgency ordinance to place a moratorium on the issuance of new vacation home rental (VHR) permits in the unincorporated portions of the County located in the Lake Tahoe Basin.

Public meetings on broadband needs to be held in South Lake Tahoe, Placerville

Event Date: 
January 18, 2018 (All day)

How is your internet? Would you like to see improved connections in the Lake Tahoe Basin?

El Dorado County is holding a day of public meetings to gather input for broadband planning and improvement on Thursday, January 18 at the Tahoe Mountain Lab in South Lake Tahoe.

The County is working with consulting firm NEO Connect to conduct a Broadband Feasibility Study to evaluate current broadband resources and identify options for improving connectivity and expanding broadband across the County.

El Dorado County to hold special meeting for vacation home rentals

Event Date: 
February 1, 2018 - 6:00pm

There will be a special meeting of the El Dorado County Board of Supervisors to discuss vacation home rentals (VHRs) in South Lake Tahoe at 6:00 p.m. on February 1 at the City Council chambers.

Supervisor Sue Novasel said she believes a meeting about the South Shore should be held on the South Shore so more of the citizens could attend and participate.

The hot topic of VHRs has divided many neighbors with opinions on both side of the issue.

David Stryder Franklin 1973~2018

David "Stryder" Franklin, age 44, passed away in a tragic accident on January 1, 2018 in Costa Mesa, California. Funeral services will be held at Pacific View Memorial Park and Mortuary located at 3500 Pacific View Drive in Corona del Mar, California on Friday, January 12, 2018 at 2:00 p.m.

Vacation rental urgency ordinance on El Dorado County Supervisor agenda

There is an item on Tuesday's El Dorado County Board of Supervisor's agenda that caught many by surprise, especially those supervisors appointed to address the issue. Supervisor Shiva Frentzen is seeking conceptual approval of urgency ordinance to place a moratorium on the issuance of new vacation home rental permits in the unincorporated portions of the County located in the Lake Tahoe Basin.

Longtime Tahoe Douglas Fire Battalion Chief retiring

For 37 years, Tahoe Douglas Fire Protection District (TDFPD) Battalion Chief Rich Nalder has served the community, and now, he's retiring.

Nalder’s service to the Lake Tahoe community began in 1980 and he soon became instrumental in the design and implementation of TDFPD Special Service programs such as rope rescue, confined space and water rescue.

Changes on the way for Tahoe Paradise Park; New board member sought

In the works since 2010, the Tahoe Paradise Resort Improvement District is now officially a "recreation and park district." Governor Schwarzenegger signed Senate Bill 1023 into law that year, creating an expedited procedure for resort improvement districts to convert into community service districts, and in the case of Tahoe Paradise Park, into the recreation and park district.

That "expedited" procedure has taken almost six years for the Tahoe Paradise district to work out.

Navy veteran goes from streets to a home for Thanksgiving

A formerly homeless Navy veteran in El Dorado County now has a place to call home thanks to the kindness of many in the community.

Keith Lozier moved into Eskaton Lincoln Manor in Placerville Monday, the first home he has had in years.

A patrol sergeant with the El Dorado County Sheriff’s Office Homeless Outreach Team (HOT) first came across Lozier as he was picking up trash in the Cameron Park Safeway parking lot. He told the sergeant that he was cleaning up trash “because it was the right thing to do.”

Letter: Local tired of VHRs in neighborhood

Twelve years of Vacation Home Rentals (VHRs), what a sad place So. Lake Tahoe residential neighborhoods have become. Thanks go to local Realtors, out of town owners, and VHR rental agencies, who care mostly about money, not about the peace and tranquility of the local residents. But they’re not alone, we also have City and County officials that don’t represent the locals that elect them, instead it’s all about the tourists and their friends in the VHR business, some of those friends are elected officials.

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