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.

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.

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 Nevada Department of Wildlife is celebrating the passage of Recovering America’s Wildlife Act through the U.S. House of Representatives. It is considered by some to be the most significant wildlife conservation bill in over 50 years.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

Two Board of Trustee seats in the Incline Village General Improvement District are available this year, with six candidates running for the spots. Early voting for primary, and mail-in ballots will be accepted through June 10. If no clear winner is determined, the top candidates will move to the general election this November.

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.

The Incline Village General Improvement District passed Ordinance 7, which goes into effect June 1. The ordinance updates rates, rules and regulations for recreation privileges in an attempt to prevent Incline Village beach crowding and environmental abuse.

State auditors say more than half of substantiated California child abuse reports in recent years were not in the state’s database, which could result in child abusers being allowed to care for children. The database is used by state and county social services and welfare departments, adoption agencies and other organizations.

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.

The Tahoe Fund and Clean Up the Lake have announced that the new art installation created from some of the 25,000-plus pounds of litter removed from Lake Tahoe will take the form of a bald eagle holding a Lahontan cutthroat trout.

El Dorado County Board of Supervisors Chair Lori Parlin’s State of the County address dealt largely with four recent crises the county experienced: the lingering COVID-19 pandemic, the declaration of a countywide homeless crisis, the “Snowmageddon” storm and the ongoing impacts of the Caldor Fire.

Crews have been getting recreation sites in Eldorado National Forest prepared for the public to enjoy this summer. Opening dates for facilities depend on elevation, winter damage and staffing availability.

Residents are getting an annual refresher on what to do if they see or smell smoke, including an emphasis on calling 911 if you see a potential fire.

The race for Nevada County clerk-recorder has turned nasty with a group calling itself Americans for Good Government going after candidate Natalie Adona. The group has received support from attorney Barry Pruett, who has represented three people accused of forcing their way into the elections office while not wearing masks.

According to a recent report from Energy Innovation Policy and Technology, in many states, electric cars are cheaper to buy than traditional gas cars.

Red flag warning issued for Sacramento Valley; elevated fire conditions expected for Bay Area.

The California Department of Fish and Wildlife has been trapping, tagging, and releasing bears for years. But now Tahoe resident and licensed vet Dr. Staci Baker calls the practice “inhumane.”

The increasing risk of fire during this summer's drought has prompted Cal Fire to suspend burn permits for a variety of counties, including Placer, Nevada, and Yuba.

Efforts have been made to explain red flag warnings to residents—including what to do and what not to do when it comes to wildfire prevention.

On May 20, free residential green waste disposal for Nevada County kicked off at the Truckee Rodeo Grounds. Homeowners are encouraged to create and maintain a defensible space in their yards and around their homes to discourage the spread of fire.

The Tahoe Regional Planning Agency will have a shift in leadership after Joanne Marchetta, its executive director, leaves her position at the end of the fiscal year on June 30. She has worked at the agency for 17 years.