In the midst of the third year of drought, El Dorado Irrigation District announced that alpine reservoirs are at or near capacity and lake levels range from 78.6% to 100%. The Board of Directors says the current water supply will last 10 years.

California is one of three states that allows counties to combine the offices of the coroner and sheriff, and in most of the state’s counties, the elected sheriff also acts as the county’s coroner, investigating the cause and manner of deaths. But that could soon change.

The Diamond Springs-El Dorado Fire Protection District Board of Directors will vote on July 12 to permanently retire one ambulance. The fire station housing it, Station 49, does not have the staff to keep it running.

A project designed to increase fire resiliency will further its goals thanks to a $3.3 million grant from Cal Fire. The El Dorado County Fire Safe Council will use the funds to reduce fire risk along roads and remove fire-prone trees.

California lawmakers have approved a spending plan that includes sending cash to most taxpayers to help offset record-high gas prices. The budget continues a turnaround for the nation’s most populous state, which just two years ago raised taxes and slashed spending.

Five new members have been appointed to the El Dorado County Charter Review Committee, selected by the Board of Supervisors to represent the county’s five districts. Talking points included looking to add a third term for supervisors, increasing the supervisor count from five to seven, and staggering election cycles.

Changes are afoot at Red Hawk Casino, with entertainment and resort experiences greatly expanding. An 85,000-square-foot amusement complex will include bowling, go-kart racing, golf bays and even an arcade. The new resort will have 150 rooms, a pool, and a fitness center.

Following unanimous approval of the 2022 Capital Improvement Program, Ponderosa Road is going to get an upgrade for pedestrian safety. Sidewalks will be installed near the high school, with work starting as soon as 2023. The Board of Supervisors praised the project and offered matching funds to further it along.

Placerville has presented its 2022-2023 city budget, which shows a predicted increase in revenue to be used for staffing, capital improvement projects, and vegetation management. During the fourth quarter of 2021, there was a 7.3% increase in sales tax and a dip in online sales as people began to return to in-person shopping.

The State Water Resources Control Board has issued emergency water conservation regulations in Georgetown, Cool and surrounding areas. The district will join a statewide coalition of urban water suppliers to provide further input.

Golden Sierra Junior Senior High recently began offering an engineering program that is paying off—both now and in the future. Enrolled students learn skills for technology and engineering jobs while serving the community. The program is expected to expand further during the 2022-23 school year.

BEBOT is the star of summer at Lake Tahoe. Originally designed in France, this electric, remote-control beach cleaning robot that recharges via solar power offers aims to keep beaches clean during the busy summer season.

The South Lake Tahoe Planning Commission will be hearing updates on the housing element, with the aim of bringing more affordable housing and other developments that better the community. A potential health and fitness club will also be discussed.

El Dorado County Public Housing Authority will distribute 70 emergency housing vouchers via the Front Door. Those eligible for the vouchers include both individuals and families who are homeless, have fled domestic violence, and other unstable/dangerous situations.

Don Ashton, chief administrative officer of El Dorado County, announced his resignation on June 14. He will remain in his position until 2023, providing ample time for the Board of Supervisors to choose his successor.

Small water system preservation was the focus of El Dorado County Water Agency's biannual meeting. Participants included land owners, business owners, and various water district employees; together they considered solutions as the county faces California’s now three-year drought.

Pacific Gas & Electric pleaded not guilty to involuntary manslaughter and other charges in connection with the Zogg Fire, which killed four people and destroyed hundreds of homes in Northern California two years ago. A preliminary hearing was set for January.

The USDA Forest Service Lake Tahoe Basin Management Unit is reaching out to both the general community and fellow agencies to seek input on the environmental review of the Meeks Bay Restoration Project. The goal is to return the area into a more natural state while still accommodating recreation.

The old Lakeside Inn is being torn down in South Lake Tahoe to make way for Barton Health’s new Stateline Medical Center. While construction isn’t expected to break ground until 2025, the project is confirmed and Barton is gathering input from the community as to what to include in both its design and health offerings.

After receiving 64% of the vote in the primary election this week, Jon DeVille has cinched the job of El Dorado County assessor. DeVille’s past positions have included working in the finance department of Sony and Oracle.

New board member Michael Webb was sworn in at Georgetown Fire Protection District’s most recent meeting along with three new full-time staffers, including Andrew Gregory (engineer) and Ryan Purves (firefighter-paramedic).

Following the primary election on June 7, two candidates are moving forward toward the November election: Kenny Curtzwiler and Brooke Laine. Both are running for District 5 supervisor, which covers the Pollock Pines area to the Tahoe Basin.

Plans have been made to demolish the old Placerville Armory near the fairgrounds, and replace it with affordable housing through a 55-year lease to Jamboree Housing Corporation. It will include an 83-unit apartment complex.

The Lahontan cutthroat trout was once considered to be all but extinct, but now its population is growing, thanks to conservation efforts. The return of the fish is positively affecting the entire ecosystem and serving as a lesson that preserving species and protecting the environment can make a difference.

El Dorado County has been awarded $3.3 million in fire prevention funds. which includes funding to remove timber from last year's Caldor Fire.

The El Dorado County School Boards Association and the El Dorado County Office of Education is seeking new school board members, starting with a workshop on June 13 for prospective candidates.

El Dorado County Chief Administrative Officer Don Ashton has revealed the 2022-23 fiscal year recommended budget to the Board of Supervisors. With a total recommended budget of $864.9M, it is a $93.1 million increase from last year's fiscal year. It includes the funds for every branch of the El Dorado County government, including special revenue uses.

Fire restrictions are now in place for the City of South Lake Tahoe, beginning June 1 and continuing until further notice. No charcoal or wood fires are permitted within the city limits, with neighboring fire districts also expected to release similar restrictions shortly.

In July 2022, Greg and Susan Boeger will celebrate 50 years at their winery’s original location on Carson Road in Placerville. Their story is filled with colorful characters, mishaps and rewards.

California faces the prospect of a drought-fueled summer of power shortages, hydroelectric plant shutdowns and rising electricity costs, a new report from the U.S. Energy Information Administration warns.

A ballot measure that, if approved, would have implemented a $9 per parcel tax for El Dorado County cemetery maintenance, improvements and preservation will not make its way into the November 2022 election.

El Dorado County Fire Protection District’s public protection classification service rating will shift to Class 3 from Class 4, effective Aug. 1. The district is rated on a number of factors, and the lower the number, the better.