Forest Service expecting delayed openings at Tahoe

Lisa Herron USDA Forest Service

Spring conditions in the Lake Tahoe Basin have finally arrived but the epic winter will likely delay the official opening of many National Forest recreation sites including beaches, campgrounds, forest roads and trailheads.

“The Forest Service is aware of the public’s desire to access National Forest recreation sites as early as possible,” said Lake Tahoe Basin Management Unit deputy forest supervisor Vicki Lankford. “We make every effort to open sites as soon as they are deemed safe for the public, we have adequate staffing on board and can ensure precious natural resources will be protected.”

Before recreation sites can be fully opened to the public the Forest Service must complete seasonal hiring of crews and staff to manage sites, clean up from winter, remove safety hazards such as damaged trees and wait for the danger of a freeze to pass before turning on water systems for restrooms.

In a typical year, campgrounds, beaches, forest roads and trailheads start becoming accessible in mid-May. This year Forest Service officials note delays are unavoidable particularly in shaded areas such as Emerald Bay, north and west shores and n See delayed page A6 n See VHr ordinanCe, page A7

The county has 827 permitted VHRs in the unincorporated areas of the Tahoe Basin, from Tahoma on the West Shore (109), to Meeks Bay to South Shore (718). The number of VHRs dropped below the cap of 900 in October 2021. There are 122 active permits on the West Slope, from the top of Echo Summit west through the county.

Brendan Ferry, the county’s deputy director of Tahoe planning and stormwater, gave the board a presentation on the state of the ordinance and possible amendments.

Possible amendments included compliance with the defensible space ordinance, reducing the VHR cap of 900 in the Tahoe Basin, increasing fine amounts for health and safety violations, modifying hosted rental requirements, including additional permit suspension options, enhancing enforcement and clarifying transient occupancy tax payment responsibility.

Of the suggested amendments, the board felt comfortable approving four items and felt others needed to be discussed before moving forward.

The approved items include compliance with the vegetation management ordinance, increasing fine amounts for health and safety violations, including additional permit suspension options and allowing the local contact to be decertified.

Obituaries

Obituaries on this page are written and paid for by the families or funeral homes. They are edited minimally by the Mountain Democrat. To submit an obituary, call (530) 622-1255, e-mail obits@mtdemocrat.net, fax (530) 344-5092, or visit mtdemocrat.com under “Submission Forms” at the bottom of the website. Include contact information with all submissions.

Peter Brown Wilkinson

Dec. 31, 1955 – Nov. 27, 2022

Peter “Pete” Brown Wilkinson, 66, passed away unexpectedly on Sunday, November 27, 2022, from an enlarged heart. We find comfort in the fact that although he was taken from us too soon, he passed quickly.

Pete was born on December 31, 1955, in San Diego, California; he loved having a New Year’s Eve birthday; he always said, “There’s always a party that night!” He spent his childhood years in the San Diego area. While San Diego was a special place to grow up, he fell in love with Eugene, Oregon, when he moved to go to college and play baseball. The years spent in Eugene were some of his favorites. To know Pete was to know his love for the Oregon Ducks. After college, he moved to the Northern California area and began working for his brother’s pizza restaurants. It was there he met his wife and the mother of his children, Cindy. They were married in August 1980 and had 4 children; Meredith, Zach, Taylor, and Thaddeus. Pete was a very hands-on dad, happy to coach all their teams, cheer them on and share his life experiences. Pete’s enthusiasm for life was unmatched. Regardless of the situation, he was just happy to be in the presence of his family, friends, and even strangers. He will be missed by Cindy, Meredith (Nate), Zach, Taylor, Thaddeus, Granddaughters (Mabel, Hadley, and Eloise), Sister Susan Hall, Brother Steve (Cathy) Wilkinson, many nieces, nephews, and great nieces and nephews, and his ever faithful four-legged friend, Ruger. He is preceded in death by his parents, Dick and Anne Wilkinson, and brother-in-law Joe Hall. A Celebration of Life will be held in El Dorado Hills, Calif. on June 10, 2023. If you would like celebration details, please email PeteWilkinsonService@gmail.com.

Phillip Dean Caldwell

March 29, 1950 – April 23, 2023

It is with deep sorrow and much love that we mourn the passing of Phillip Dean Caldwell of Placerville, California on April 23, 2023, at the age of 73 years.

He will be lovingly remembered by his wife and best friend of 25 years, Kristina; his son Phillip Derek (Lesly); and daughter-in-law Sarah; grandchildren: Erica (Justin), Alayna, and Ryan; great-grandchildren: Scott and Madison; brother: Ralph Caldwell; sisters: Teresa Levi (Steve) and Vicky Pitt; as well as numerous other relatives and multitudes of friends.

He was predeceased by his son Gregory; brother Floyd Michael; and his parents Floyd and Ruth.

Phillip “Dean” was born into a loving family in Pikeville, Kentucky. Later he moved to Ypsilanti, Michigan, which would become his home for over forty years. There he became a master auto mechanic and was known as the “Dean of Mechanics.” He then became a heroic firefighter, rising to the rank of Captain of Ypsilanti Township Fire Department’s Shift 2. For twenty-five years he served the people of Ypsilanti and especially the young people who needed his help and guidance. He taught thousands of children about fire safety and burn prevention at the National Institute for Burn Medicine. He was also a pioneer in the juvenile firesetter program. He worked with many children and trained personnel across the United States. After his retirement, he and his wife moved to California, where he lived the rest of his days. He accompanied his wife to Abu Dhabi where they lived for two years. They traveled the world from there and made many lasting memories together. Dean had many friends due to his easy-going spirit and infectious sense of humor. He will be deeply missed by many.

A celebration of life will be held at a later date. Memorial donations may be made in the name of Phillip Dean Caldwell to the Firefighters Burn Institute, 3131 Stockton Blvd, Sacramento, CA 95820, or the American Cancer Society, P.O. Box 6704, Hagerstown, MD, 21741.

The family would like to send a special thank you to the sta at Marshall Hospital for their care and compassion.

Vernon E. Thiessen

Oct. 23, 1928 – May 1, 2023

Vernon E. Thiessen went home to be with his Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ, on Monday, May 1st, at the age of 94. He died from complications of pulmonary fibrosis. He was lovingly cared for in his last months by his daughter, Claudia Lewis, and her husband Mark.

Vernon was born in Fresno, CA on October 23, 1928 to Arthur and Grace (Ontjes) Thiessen. At the age of 21, he married the love of his life, Barbara Ann Gardner. They were blessed with 4 children, Mark, Craig, Claudia and Cindy. Vern & Barbara had 60 wonderful years together until Barbara passed away in 2010.

Vernon served in the Army on active duty from 1950-1952. He was then in the Army Reserve until 1956. Vern worked for Pacific Bell until his retirement. Vern could build or fix almost anything and also seemed to remember everything. His family often said that he remembered being in the womb and, if you ever asked him what time it was, he would likely tell you how the watch worked.

Vernon was predeceased by his wife, Barbara, in 2010 and by two of his siblings, James Thiessen in 2006 and Lotus Stoops in 2022. Vernon is survived by two siblings, Wynn Lancaster and Artie DesJardin, his four children and their spouses, Mark (Stacia) Thiessen, Craig (Andrea) Thiessen, Claudia (Mark) Lewis and Cindy (Guy) McRoskey, 12 grandchildren and 28 great grandchildren.

“For to me, to live is Christ and to die is gain.” Phil. 1:21

Alice Mae Morabito

Feb. 14, 1940 – April 29, 2023

Our dear Mother Alice Mae Morabito sadly passed away on April 29, 2023, at the age of 83. She was a wonderful mother who was always there when we needed her. She also had many friends and was a well-loved member of the community in Hidden Springs Villa, Placerville, California.

Alice was born on February 14, 1940 in Kentucky. She retired from the Washington Unified School District after 21 years as an elementary school kitchen manager, where she was delighted by the children every day. After retirement, she worked several years at Honey Bear Ranch in Apple Hill. Her smiling face was always present. She loved to bake cookies and annually brought a tray of holiday cookies (yes, the big one!) for the local Placerville Fire and Police Departments as well as other local businesses.

She enjoyed coordinating community events at Hidden Springs Villa. She was also a regular at the local bingo parlor. For many years, gold panning was a passion that she regularly enjoyed.