All articles tagged with #lake tahoe
A woman swimming at Lake Tahoe was attacked by a sea otter, suffering numerous injuries that required 38 stitches. She escaped by climbing rocks to safety and credits her confident swimming with helping her survive, while wildlife officials searched for the otter, which had vanished. Officials note otter attacks on people are uncommon and warn about defensive behavior if threatened.
A Reno swim instructor was attacked by a wild otter while swimming on Lake Tahoe’s East Shore, requiring more than two dozen stitches. The five‑minute encounter was described as rare by responders, leaving her frightened to return to the water but hopeful she’ll swim again once healed.
A woman swimming near Hidden Beach at Lake Tahoe was attacked underwater by an otter, suffering cuts to her face, arms and legs that required 22 stitches and a rabies vaccination. She exited the water and went to the hospital as authorities searched for the otter but could not locate it. The incident is the second otter attack at Lake Tahoe this summer, with otters generally being rare but potentially dangerous wildlife in the area.
A Reno swim instructor was attacked by a North American river otter while swimming near Hidden Beach on the Nevada side of Lake Tahoe, fighting off the animal for several minutes before climbing onto rocks; she sustained scratches and bite injuries requiring 38 stitches and rabies shots. Wildlife officials say otter attacks are rare but the Tahoe basin has a growing otter population, and they advise giving otters space and leaving the area if encountered.
A fast-moving Hawk Fire near the Lake Tahoe area has grown to roughly 2,500 acres, triggering evacuation warnings for California communities around Verdi and the California-Nevada border. Nevada has issued Go Now orders north of Verdi, while high winds and low humidity drive the blaze with containment at 0%, prompting residents to stay alert and be ready to evacuate.
Nevada wildlife officials rely on trained Karelian Bear Dogs to deter bears from Tahoe neighborhoods as part of a broader effort to curb human-bear encounters, while stressing that securing attractants remains the long-term solution.
The historic Cal Neva Resort on the California–Nevada border is being redeveloped into the Lake Tahoe Proper Resort and Casino with a $298 million financing package, adding 197 rooms plus a casino, spa, restaurants and a restored theater, and is slated to reopen in 2027 under Realberry and Proper Hospitality, aiming to honor its Hollywood glamour while updating the landmark for today’s travelers.
Former MLB pitcher Dan Serafini, convicted in July 2025 of first-degree murder, attempted murder and burglary for a 2021 Lake Tahoe killing plot aimed at inheriting his in-laws’ fortune, says he is innocent in a Dateline interview and blames the jury and the justice system; he’s serving life without parole, while his wife’s family dispute and the survivor later died by suicide two years after the attack. Their case is being featured in the Dateline special “On the Shores of Lake Tahoe.”
Former MLB pitcher Dan Serafini was sentenced to life in prison without parole after being convicted of first-degree murder of his father-in-law Gary Spohr, attempted murder of his mother-in-law Wendy Wood, and first-degree burglary in a 2021 Lake Tahoe-area home invasion; Spohr was killed, Wood survived but died a year later. A second defendant, Samantha Scott, pleaded guilty to an accessory charge in 2025. Serafini maintains innocence and will serve his sentence in California.
Former MLB pitcher Dan Serafini was sentenced to life in prison without parole after a jury found him guilty of first-degree murder, lying in wait, and burglary in the 2021 Lake Tahoe killing of his father-in-law and the attempted murder of his mother-in-law; the surviving victim later died by suicide. The judge rejected his due-process claims, noted there was no remorse, and urged reflection while emphasizing the severity of the crime and its impact on the community.
Former MLB left-hander Daniel Serafini was sentenced to life in prison without the possibility of parole after being convicted of first-degree murder of his father-in-law, attempted murder of his mother-in-law, and first-degree burglary in a 2021 Lake Tahoe home burglary. Spohr was killed and Wood survived (dying a year later). Serafini, who played 11 seasons with several MLB teams, will serve the sentence in California. Prosecutors said he despised his wife’s wealthy parents and even offered $20,000 to have them killed, with emails and texts presented during trial.
Former MLB pitcher Dan Serafini was sentenced to life in prison without the possibility of parole after being found guilty of first-degree murder of his father-in-law and attempted murder of his mother-in-law during a 2021 burglary at their Lake Tahoe home.
A powerful atmospheric river storm unleashed several feet of snow, triggering a catastrophic avalanche in the Sierra Nevada north of Lake Tahoe. After five days of perilous search-and-rescue work in deep snow and whiteout conditions, authorities recovered all nine bodies, ending the deadly incident that killed six skiers and three Blackbird Mountain Guides. The disaster is being described as the deadliest avalanche in modern California history, with agencies across state and local levels aiding in the long, strenuous recovery effort and identifying the nine victims.
Nine backcountry skiers, including six close friends and three Blackbird Mountain Guides, were killed in a Lake Tahoe avalanche on the California side. After several days of unsafe conditions, authorities recovered all nine bodies—five pulled out Friday and four on Saturday—from a 15-person incident that left six survivors. Rescue crews faced brutal weather as PG&E used water to stabilize the slope. Investigations are underway by the Sierra Avalanche Center, Cal/OSHA, and the sheriff’s office to determine weather factors, route choices, trigger type, and any potential negligence; the group had shortened its three-day tour due to a storm.
All nine people who died in Tuesday’s Castle Peak avalanche near Lake Tahoe have been recovered, with eight identified. Two survivors were hospitalized for non-life-threatening injuries as a five-day, multi-agency rescue operation involving local, state and federal partners wrapped up; the Tahoe National Forest area was temporarily closed during recovery.