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Peaks & Valleys: Bright spots and challenges in South Lake Tahoe (commentary)

Staff report

PEAKS

Trails opening up for recreation

Springtime in Tahoe means snow is melting and area trails are starting to open up for foot and bike traffic. Whether you’re hiking or cycling, a new season of outdoor fun is upon us.



U.S. Forest Service officials also recently announced that they began opening some of their South Shore and West Shore recreational facilities for summer operations Saturday, April 30. California State Parks staff plans to open West Shore facilities starting in mid-May. Most day-use areas and campgrounds are expected to be fully open in time for Memorial Day weekend, May 28-30.

New ball fields approved



City and Lake Tahoe Community College officials approved amended designs for plans to build two new soccer fields at a joint meeting Wednesday, May 4. Work on the project is planned to break ground this summer next to the existing LTCC soccer field. This project pushes Al Tahoe Boulevard another step toward being a community recreation center for South Lake Tahoe. With the Bijou Bike Park completed last September and other facilities at Bijou Community Park, Al Tahoe Boulevard has been described as the future recreation hub for the city. This project is a good example of partnership between organizations to better the community.

Upper Truckee river restoration

Continued restoration of the Upper Truckee River is expected to have a significant impact on the amount of fine sediments entering Lake Tahoe. Fine sediments are one of the biggest factors impacting lake clarity. The river is divided into five projects in varying stages of restoration. A large one will be finished this year; it’s a four-year effort.

TAMBA bike festival this weekend

To kick off the start of summer, Tahoe Area Mountain Bike Association (TAMBA) organizers will host the group’s inaugural TAMBA Tahoe Trails Summit Friday through Sunday, May 6-8. Part conference, part party/festival, part networking opportunity and part trail-riding session, the new three-day event will take place at the South Shore’s Tahoe Beach Retreat & Lodge.

More information is available at http://www.tamba.org and http://www.tahoetrail.org.

It’s Mother’s Day Sunday

Don’t forget!

VALLEYS

Bomb scare

Police and emergency first responders were called to the El Dorado County Superior Court building in South Lake Tahoe Wednesday, May 4, to respond to a suspicious device found in front of the courthouse. Though it turned out that the plastic pipe-like object found near the courthouse entrance was in fact not a bomb, both the courthouse building and the neighboring Sheriff’s Department office were evacuated during the incident. California Highway Patrol also closed a portion of Johnson Boulevard. Nearby, South Tahoe Middle School reportedly closed its outdoor athletic fields as a precautionary measure. Johnson Boulevard reopened at around 11 a.m. The courthouse and surrounding buildings also resumed normal business operations at that time.

Bear/trash issues

As bears begin to emerge from hibernation, wildlife officials are once again urging residents and visitors to be “bear aware” leading up to Memorial Day weekend and the summer season.

Locals and visitors should continue to place trash in bear-safe containers with vigilance. It’s also recommended to not leave food outside or in vehicles, and to keep doors and windows locked.

South Shore stabbings

Two men were taken to the hospital Wednesday night, May 4, after reportedly being stabbed on the bike path behind Meek’s Lumber & Hardware — one man sustained a wound to his stomach; the other man received a chest injury. The two suspects are described as being about 5 feet 10 inches tall and weighing around 160 pounds. Police ask anyone with information regarding the investigation to call the South Lake Tahoe Police Department at 530-542-6100 or Lake Tahoe Secret Witness at 530-541-6800.

Readers, tell us your “peaks” and “valleys” by writing a letter to the editor — crow@tahoedailytribune.com.


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