water

SOUTH LAKE TAHOE - To reduce fuels in the forest, as well as to promote forest health, the thinning of trees will resume between Fallen Leaf Lake and Camp Richardson Corral this week. Crews will also be working in the Spring Creek Homeowners Tract.

Whole tree and mechanical cut-to-length (CTL) tree removal will take place in these areas over the next several months, weather permitting and some areas will be closed for public safety as they do the cutting.

LONG-TERM PROJECTS

State Route 89 (Placer County): Work continues on a $70.1 million project from Tahoma to just north of Granlibakken Road in Tahoe City that is upgrading storm water drainage and treatment systems, adding curb and gutter, resurfacing and realigning the road, adding new left-turn pockets and widening shoulders on an 8-mile stretch of the highway. Completion is expected by summer 2017.

The man who died Monday as he was doing underwater exploring around the SS Tahoe in Glenbrook Bay has been identified.

Michael Stephen Majewski, 63, of Sacramento was diving with two friends in about 360’ of water. All three are experienced divers and had completed a similar dive at the same wreckage the day before but for unknown reasons, Majewski made an emergency ascent to the surface. When he reached the surface he was unconscious and not responsive.

Zephyr Cove Resort will remain open for business as soil impacted by a 2011 underground fuel release is removed from an area near the south beach volleyball courts starting Monday, September 12.

Even though those driving by and visiting the resort will see the activity, impact to operations is expected to be minimal. There may be some disruption to parking and the volleyball area but watercraft rentals and sightseeing boats will continue to operate during the excavation.

The League to Save Lake Tahoe will host the 19th annual Tahoe Forest Stewardship Day on Saturday, September 10 in South Lake Tahoe. Community members will gather for this fun, all-ages, hands-on restoration day at the Angora Burn Area.

A 63-year-old man diving in Lake Tahoe near Glenbrook Bay died on Monday, September 5.

Marine Patrols from Douglas County Sheriff, Washoe County Sheriff and El Dorado County Sheriff, along with Tahoe Douglas Fire all responded to the distress call of a scuba diver in trouble just after 10:00 a.m.

LONG-TERM PROJECTS
State Route 89 (Placer County): Work continues on a $70.1 million project from Tahoma to just north of Granlibakken Road in Tahoe City that is upgrading storm water drainage and treatment systems, adding curb and gutter, resurfacing and realigning the road, adding new left-turn pockets and widening shoulders on an 8-mile stretch of the highway. Completion is expected by summer 2017.

The first phase of the Nevada Department of Transportation (NDOT) project along State Route 28 from Sand Harbor to Incline Village is now 25 percent completed.

Part of the completion includes a “shoofly,” a temporary lane detour around the existing road to keep traffic flow of one lane in each direction at Tunnel Creek

Upon completion the project will:

Include three plus miles of shared-use path from the south end of Incline Village to Sand Harbor
Relocate and also organize shoulder-parking areas near Ponderosa Ranch and Tunnel Creek Café

"I've never been here," President Obama told the crowd at the 20th annual Lake Tahoe Summit on Wednesday. "Its not that I didn't want to come, but nobody invited me."

The President said he'd be sure to be back. "I'll be coming here more often through my transportation won't be as nice," the President said to a crowd appreciative of his humor.

"I'll be back not because its beautiful, not just because Godfather II happens to be my favorite movie, but because this place is spectacular because its one of the highest, deepest, purest lakes in the world," said the President.

El Dorado County health officials have received confirmation from the California Department of Public Health (CDPH) that a dead bird found in the Placerville area has tested positive for West Nile virus, the first for 2016. The bird, a Western Scrub Jay, was found on August 23, 2016. There have been no reported cases of human infection with West Nile virus this year in El Dorado County.

Most lane closures will be restricted from 6 a.m. Friday, September 2 until 8 p.m. Tuesday, September 6 because of the Labor Day holiday weekend.

LONG-TERM PROJECTS

State Route 89 (Placer County): Work continues on a $70.1 million project from Tahoma to just north of Granlibakken Road in Tahoe City that is upgrading storm water drainage and treatment systems, adding curb and gutter, resurfacing and realigning the road, adding new left-turn pockets and widening shoulders on an 8-mile stretch of the highway. Completion is expected by summer 2017.

The following are incidents the South Lake Tahoe Fire Rescue department responded to from August 19 to August 25, 2016.

8/19/16: 17 calls: 8 EMS, 1 interfacility transfer, 3 dispatch errors, 1 vehicle accident with injuries, 3 canceled en route, 1 public service assist

8/20/16: 14 calls: 8 EMS, 1 interfacility transfer, 1 smoke scare/odor of smoke, 1 gasoline spill, 3 canceled en route

8/21/16: 12 calls: 4 EMS, 1 interfacility transfer, 1 interfacility psych transfer, 3 dispatch error, 1 vehicle accident no injuries, 1 false alarm, 1 alarm sounded-no fire

The League to Save Lake Tahoe has launched a program that recognizes Tahoe-based businesses taking action to protect Lake Tahoe.

So far, nine local businesses have pledged their commitment to Keep Tahoe Blue: Azul Latin Kitchen, Ernie’s Coffee Shop, High Sierra Gardens, Lake of the Sky Outfitters, RISE Designs, Tahoe Blue Vodka, Tahoe Sports & Entertainment, Tahoe Training Camps, and The Free Bird.

Nevada Senator Harry Reid will host President Obama, California Governor Jerry Brown and California Senators Dianne Feinstein and Barbara Boxer at the 20th annual Lake Tahoe Summit on Wednesday, Aug. 31 at Harvey's Outdoor Arena. Nevada’s homegrown band, the Killers, will also take the stage for a special performance.

The time for the summit has changed to 1:30 p.m. Doors will open at 11:30 a.m. Those attending can expect heavy traffic and road closures.

A two-three year project to create a three-mile shared-use path as well as enhance safety, accessibility and water quality on State Route 28 officially got underway Friday with a groundbreaking ceremony at Sand Harbor. Nevada Gov. Brian Sandoval led the festivities that will improve the busy and narrow highway which sees more than 2.5 million vehicles and 2,000 pedestrians and bicyclists.

The path will run from the south end of Incline Village to Sand Harbor State Park.

In operation in South Lake Tahoe since 1964, Tahoe Asphalt Inc. will replace their aging equipment this fall, some as old 63-years-old.

The batch plant, the only one of its kind in the Lake Tahoe Basin, was recently granted approval for their renovations by the South Lake Tahoe Planning Commission after a series of public meetings. Located on Industrial Avenue, it predates most buildings west of the "Y", but a few neighbors were concerned about the plant and what it does to the environment.

Lake Tahoe was at a crossroads in 1997. The lake’s famous water clarity, once measuring 100 feet, was declining year after year because of stormwater pollution from roads and developed areas and erosion from streams damaged by logging and cattle grazing.

The City of South Lake Tahoe is still trying to work out a deal with the Halferty Development Company, a $4 million sale of the developable portions of the lots known as the "Knights Inn Properties."

During Tuesday's City Council meeting a purchase agreement was scheduled to be voted on, but SLT City Manager Nancy Kerry had to pull it off the agenda.

"We are still working on it," Kerry told South Tahoe Now. "We are still negotiating and have some issues to work out."

ZEPHYR COVE, NV - Investigators and vessel inspectors from Coast Guard Sector San Francisco are on the scene of Tuesday's fire on board the 119-foot passenger Lake Tahoe paddle wheel boat, the Tahoe Queen.

"Most of the damage is limited to the boat's pilot house and second deck," Lt. Jake Aulner of the U.S. Coast Guard told South Tahoe Now. "This can be attributed to the great response by the Tahoe Douglas Fire Department."

Aulner and the team from USCG Yerba Buena Island will be at the scene until the cause of the morning blaze is determined.

The Lake Tahoe Humane Society is inviting everyone to their fundraisers this weekend in South Lake Tahoe, both which get people outside, visiting their favorite bars and beaches, and both helping out pets in the area.

The action starts on Saturday, August 20 with a fun Poker Ride which starts off at California Burger at Heavenly Village. Registration starts at 10:00 a.m. and the event starts at noon.

Poker hands will be collected at five stops, which include beaches and bars. The hands will be entered into the contest, with the worst and best winning bicycles.

Four men from San Francisco are very lucky today after being rescued early Sunday morning after their rented boat sank three miles off shore in the cold waters of Lake Tahoe.

Shouts for help were heard from people staying both at the Zephyr Cove Presbyterian Center and in Marla Bay, and 911 calls were made into the Tahoe Douglas Fire station.

For reasons unknown at this time, the boat started taking in water at about 10:00 p.m. None of the four passengers were wearing life jackets.

The following are incidents the South Lake Tahoe Fire Rescue department responded to from August 1 to August 10, 2016.

8/1/16: 15 calls - 6 EMS, 2 interfacility transfers, 1 ring or jewelry removal, 1 public service, 1 wildland fire, 1 arcing or shorted electrical equipment, 2 no incidents found, 1 unauthorized burning

8/2/16: 8 calls - 1 EMS, 1 carbon monoxide detector activation, 1 medical assist, 1 good intent call, 1 interfacility transfer, 1 citizen complaint, 1 call to assist invalid, 1 barbeque, tar kettle issue

8/3/16: 6 calls - 6 EMS

Dear Hopeful Henry,
I have a 15 year old cat who has started losing weight and is just not that interested in food (except for turkey sandwich meat). We have been to the vet and basically he is just old. He still cuddles and plays and uses his litter box so I really don’t want to have to put him down yet. Do you have any suggestions that might encourage his eating?

Thank you,
Skinny Cat

Dear Skinny Cat,

The following are incidents the South Lake Tahoe Fire Rescue department responded to from July 13 to July 31, 2016.

7/13 - 14 calls: 9 EMS, 1 psych interfacility transfer, 3 smoke scare/smell of smoke, 1 canceled en route.

7/14 - 11 calls: 7 EMS, 1 public service call, 2 interfacility transfers, 1 no incident found.

7/15 - 8 calls: 5 EMS, 2 interfacility transfer, 1 smoke detector malfunction.

7/16 - 17 calls: 14 EMS, 1 citizen complaint, 1 interfacility transfer, 1 canceled en route.

7/17 - 10 calls: 8 EMS, 1 grass fire at rear of 1030 Al Tahoe Blvd, 1 canceled en route.