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VOLUME 171 • ISSUE 27 | 75¢
mtdemocrat.com
FRIDAY, MARCH 4, 2022
Donohoe found guilty of 2013 Tahoe murder Mountain Democrat staff SOUTH LAKE TAHOE — A jury has found Sean Donohoe guilty of the 2013 murder of a South Lake Tahoe man. The jury’s verdict came Tuesday in a SEAN DONOHOE South Lake Tahoe courtroom before Judge Suzanne Kingsbury. While working at the US Gasoline Station on Lake Tahoe Boulevard, Manpreet Singh, 27, was shot and killed Aug. 6, 2013. Donohoe, dressed in all black, including a black mask later recovered close to the scene, walked inside the gas station that evening minutes after Singh had refused to sell alcohol to his drunk friend, according to a news release from the El Dorado County District Attorney’s Office. Once inside Donohoe shot Singh one time with a .45-caliber firearm, the bullet penetrating Singh’s lungs and heart. Prosecutors say Donohoe left the gas station before Singh’s body hit the ground and then calmly fled the scene. The case went cold and was finally broken in 2020 when the DA’s Office received a tip from someone who had seen a video about the murder investigation. Shortly thereafter DNA located on the mask confirmed that Donohoe was the killer, according to the DA’s Office. A cold case task force, which was a collaboration between the DA’s Office, Sheriff ’s Office, South Lake Tahoe Police Department, Department of Justice, Bureau of Forensic Science and Federal Bureau of Investigation, traveled to Las Vegas to interview involved parties. On May 12, 2020, with the help of the FBI and the Las Vegas Metropolitan Police Department, Donohoe was arrested. “Justice has been served in this senseless murder,” states District Attorney Vern Pierson in the news release, which was issued following Tuesday’s verdict. Pierson ■
See DONOHOE, page A7
Tahoe Daily Tribune photo by Bill Rozak
Leo Bokarius, center, was one of a handful of protestors in South Lake Tahoe on Monday demonstrating against Russia’s invasion of Ukraine.
Ukrainian-born Tahoe man part of Russia invasion protest
Bill Rozak Tahoe Daily Tribune SOUTH LAKE TAHOE — If given the opportunity, Leo Bokarius would strangle Russian President Vladimir Putin with his own hands. The 77-year-old Ukrainian born South Lake Tahoe resident can’t stress enough the hatred he has for the “crazy Russian dictator” who led his country to invade Ukraine about one week ago. “I’m not just angry; my hatred
is incredible,” said Bokarius, who speaks with a strong Ukrainian accent. “I don’t know how many generations it will take for Ukrainians to get over the hatred.” Bokarius was part of a planned protest on Monday at the intersection of Highway 50 and Highway 89 in South Lake Tahoe. The protests, organized by South Lake Tahoe business owner Jana Menard, will be happening from 11 a.m. to noon every day, she said. A group of about a half dozen on Monday waved Ukrainian flags and
held signs that read, “Russia out of Ukraine” and “Support Ukraine: Save Democracy in the World.” Bokarius said he got very emotional with hundreds of cars honking and showing support for their cause. “Everyone was supportive,” Bokarius said. “The honking and waving, they greeted and supported us. Some cars were carrying Ukraine flags.” “He was practically in tears when ■
See PROTEST, page A7
March survey: State’s snowpack 63% of average News release PHILLIPS STATION— Following a January PLACE ADDRESS LABEL HERE
and February that were among the driest documented in state history, the Department of Water Resources manual survey March 1 recorded 35 inches of snow depth and a snow water equivalent of 16 inches, which is 68% of average for the Phillips Station survey site for March. The snow water equivalent measures the amount of water contained in the snowpack and is a key component of DWR’s water supply forecast. Statewide the snowpack is 63% of average for this date. “With only one month left in California’s wet
season and no major storms in the forecast, Califor-nians should plan for a third year of drought con-ditions,” said DWR Director Karla Nemeth. “A significantly belowaverage snowpack combined with already low reservoir levels make it critical that all Californians step up and conserve water every day to help the state meet the challenges of severe drought.” Although early season storms helped alleviate some drought impacts, a lack of storms in January and February heightens the need for conservation. The
E OAKS SENIOR CARE VILLAG
California Department of Water Resources photo by Ken James
Staff with the California Department of Water Resources conduct the third media snow survey of the 2022 season at Phillips Station March 1. governor has asked Californians to cut back water use at least 15% compared to 2020 levels. Regionally, the
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Northern, Central and Southern Sierra snowpacks are all standing just above 59% to 66% of average
for this date, impacting watersheds across the state. “As the world continues to warm, precipitation is pushing toward extremes. Even when we see large storms producing a lot of snow early in the season, all it takes is a few dry weeks to put us below average,” said DWR Hydrology and Flood Operations Branch Manager Jeremy Hill. “This new pattern challenges forecasting efforts that have relied on historical patterns, so DWR has led the charge to adopt new technologies and utilize the best ■
See SURVEY, page A6
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