News Briefs

July 4th Parade Returns After Two-Year Hiatus

TRUCKEE

The Truckee Chamber of Commerce has announced that plans are underway for a 2022 July 4th parade. This year’s theme will be Fourth of July: A Community Tradition.

The parade begins at 10 a.m. at the west end of town (with staging at Truckee High School), and progresses 1.5 miles down Donner Pass Road into historic Truckee, ending around noon.

Parade participation: Those interested in entering a float can visit truckee.com for a parade entry application. Trophies will be given for Best of Show, and the winner in each of five classifications: commercial (representing a business), youth group (18 years old and younger), classic auto, open (your group doesn’t fit into any other category), and nonprofit.

Pre-parade festivities start with the annual Fourth of July Pancake Breakfast put on by the Truckee Fire Protection District. Held in Station 92 (11473 Donner Pass Rd.) from 7 to 10 a.m. The hearty breakfast of hot pancakes right off the griddle with butter and maple syrup is free, with donations appreciated, but not required.

There’s also the Firecracker Mile Fun Run, an event for all ages and abilities. The race starts at 9:45 a.m. at U.S. Bank on Donner Pass Road and finishes downtown at the train depot. Runners are encouraged to wear festive attire. This is a fundraiser for the Auburn Ski Club Training Center. For more information about registration, head to truckee.com.

The parade is produced by the Truckee Chamber of Commerce in partnership with the Town of Truckee, with logistical support by Big Blue Adventure.

Sponsorships are available. To assist in the production of this community celebration, the Truckee Chamber seeks sponsorships from businesses, individuals, and organizations. Sponsors receive recognition in all parade publicity, on truckee.com, e-broadcasts, and from the emcee during the parade. For more information, contact the Truckee Chamber of Commerce at (530) 587-8808 or email info@truckee.com.

~ Chamber of Commerce press release

Sand Harbor Boat Ramp to Remain Closed for Summer

INCLINE VILLAGE

Due to continued low water levels, the Sand Harbor boat ramp will remain closed for the upcoming summer. Beginning May 27 at 6 a.m., the Sand Harbor boat ramp parking lot will open to provide a limited number of parking spaces for vehicles with kayaks and paddle boards, as well as parking for oversized vehicles.

The Cave Rock boat ramp is currently open seven days a week for motorized boat launches from 6 a.m. to 4 p.m. Beginning May 27, the ramp hours will change to 6 a.m. to 8 p.m. Park staff anticipate the Cave Rock boat ramp being extremely busy this season. Boats won’t be launched if a parking space is not available for the trailer.

Boaters are reminded to complete all watercraft inspections with Tahoe Regional Planning Agency prior to arriving at the boat ramp. For more information on the Invasive Species Program and inspection locations, visit tahoeboatinspections.com.

Nevada State Parks urges visitors to enjoy a safe boating season by observing water safety practices. Always wear a life jacket, don’t mix alcohol and boating, check the weather forecast before you go, and file a float plan. When swimming, be aware that high altitudes may cause you to tire more quickly, remember that cold water will take your breath away, and be sure to enter water slowly to allow your body time to acclimate to cold temperatures.

For park updates, visit parks.nv.gov.

~ Nevada Division of State Parks

TTSA Appealing Order to Reinstate, Back Pay Terminated Employee

TRUCKEE

The Tahoe-Truckee Sanitation Agency has been involved in litigation and administrative proceedings with Philip Fay, a former employee, since early 2019, when he was terminated from the agency. 

Fay alleged with the Public Employment Relations Board in February 2019 that TTSA “retaliated against him for protected activity by requiring him to take unpaid leave, assigning him arduous work, reprimanding him, and terminating his employment,” according to a PERB ruling.

TTSA’s general manager, LaRue Griffin, shared with Moonshine Ink in a press release that Fay’s firing was due to a physical altercation he had with a fellow coworker in November 2018. Fay maintains that he did not intentionally strike anyone. 

In May 2020, and in addition to the PERB complaint, Fay pursued judicial proceedings over his termination. Four months later, a trial court ruled against Fay on a disagreement over preparation of the administrative record for court review. Fay then declined to pursue further proceedings.

In mid-February 2022, PERB issued a ruling that TTSA unlawfully reprimanded and terminated Fay, though the use of unpaid leave and assignment of work were not unlawful. PERB ordered TTSA to reinstate Fay as an employee, provide back pay from the date of Fay’s termination date (Jan. 14, 2019), and provide written notification of these actions taken to PERB.

TTSA is appealing the decision. The back pay amount for Fay has not yet been determined by the agency. Griffin informed Moonshine that he’s not sure when PERB will come to a decision about the appeal, and suspects it could take up to a year.

~ AH

Raising Awareness of Increased Fentanyl Poisonings Among Teens and Young Adults

PLACER COUNTY

Partners across the government, law enforcement, education, health, and nonprofit sectors in Placer County have announced the launch of a fentanyl awareness campaign, One Pill Can Kill Placer, to address the increasing local and national fentanyl crisis, and the “fentapill” fake prescription pill epidemic that is becoming a major challenge for the community.

Fentanyl is a powerful synthetic opioid that is cheap to produce, difficult to detect, and extremely powerful. Most illicit fentanyl is being smuggled into the U.S. from China and Mexico. Black market dealers are manufacturing fake pills made of fentanyl — or “fentapills” — made to look like Percocet, Oxycodone, or Xanax, and selling these pills to unsuspecting customers through social media and money transfer apps.

In 2020, 24 Placer County residents lost their lives to fentanyl poisoning, nearly half under 25 years of age.

The goal of the One Pill Can Kill Placer campaign is to inform and educate teens, young adults, and parents on the dangers of obtaining prescription pills from anywhere other than a doctor or pharmacy. Placer County recently launched a new campaign website, 1pillcankillplacer.com, where young adults can learn how to spot fake prescription pills and get support for anxiety and depression, often reasons for prescription drug misuse among young adults. Parents can also visit the site to get information on how to talk to their teens about fake prescription pills, and learn more about local resources to aid in treatment for substance use disorders. 

Important information for teens:

• If the pill doesn’t come from a pharmacy, assume it’s a fentapill.
• It only takes 2 milligrams of fentanyl to be lethal. That’s equivalent to a few grains of sand.
• Drug dealers target teens through social media and money transfer apps.
• Find healthy outlets if you’re feeling overwhelmed, anxious, depressed, or stressed. Talk to your parents, a teacher, school counselors, or a health professional.

Important information for parents:

• Be aware that fentapills are out there and easily accessible, even if purchasing a fentapill is not the intent. Black market vape fluids, cannabis, and other street drugs also increasingly contain fentanyl to boost profits.
• Talk to your kids about boundaries when it comes to drugs and create a safe environment for them to talk to you.
• Look for changes in who your kids are talking to on social media and the apps that they use regularly.
• Consider having naloxone (antidote to opioid overdose or accidental poisoning) on hand if you have any opioids in your home that could be misused or if you or someone you know could be at risk for an opioid overdose or fentanyl poisoning. Call 2-1-1 to find out how to get safe and easy to administer naloxone.

~ Placer County press release

Measure U to Be Placed on June 7 Ballot

TRUCKEE

At its April 26 meeting, Truckee’s town council unanimously voted to place Measure U on the June 7 Primary Election ballot. The measure renews a .25% sales tax first established in 2014 (then known as Measure R) at a .5% rate to support the ongoing construction, operations, and maintenance of the town’s trail system. Such an increase in tax rate would produce approximately $3 million a year, dedicated to Truckee trail-related activities.

Should the measure fail to pass by community members during the Primary Election, the previous Measure R will sunset in 2024. If Measure U passes, the proposed tax will remain in effect in perpetuity unless repealed by Truckee voters.

To view language for the ballot item and full staff report, click here. To read Town Attorney Andrew Morris’ impartial analysis of Measure U, click here. A frequently asked questions rundown is available on the Trails for Truckee website.

~ AH

Humane Society Offering Free Emergency Go Bags for Pets

TRUCKEE

As wildfire season approaches, the Humane Society of Truckee-Tahoe is ensuring pets are as prepared as everyone else in case of an emergency. Thanks to a generous grant from the Dave and Cheryl Duffield Foundation, the HSTT will be handing out several hundred pet go bags for emergency purposes. The bags are intended to be ready for grab and go, and will include almost everything your pet will need in case of an evacuation emergency.

The humane society has bags for dogs and cats available. Each community member can receive one bag for free, but if residents have both cats and dogs, they can get one of each.

Community members must show a local identification from one of the following communities to receive a bag: Truckee, Sierra County, all communities surrounding Lake Tahoe including Tahoe City, Kings Beach, Incline Village, and South Lake Tahoe (Zephyr Cove to Meyers), Homewood, Tahoma, etc.

Bags will be available for pick up Monday through Friday from 1 to 6 p.m. beginning Friday, April 29, while supplies last.

The dog go bags include:

• Food bags (to fill with your own food)
• Leash
• ID Tag
• Collar
• Water
• Blanket
• Toy
• Poop bags
• First aid kit
• Notepad and pen
• LED light

The cat go bags include:

• Food bag (to fill with your own food)
• Litter bag (to fill with your own litter)
• ID tag
• Collar
• Water
• Blanket
• Litterbox
• Litter scoop
• First aid kit
• Notepad and pen
• Toy
• Treat

~ HSTT press release

Free Medication Take-Back Across County April 30

PLACER COUNTY

A free medication take-back event will take place at locations across Placer County on Saturday, April 30.

Local law enforcement in collaboration with youth organizations, utilities, public health entities, volunteers, and local schools will hold drop offs from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. They will accept prescription and over-the-counter drugs, controlled substances, and veterinary medications at the Truckee location below. Vaping devices will also be collected with batteries removed.

Last year’s countywide take-back event broke the Placer County record with more than 7,000 pounds of medication collected for safe disposal.

Truckee, 10 a.m. to 2 p.m.: Gateway Shopping Center, 11290 Donner Pass Rd.

Do not remove pills from prescription bottles. Liquids can be dropped off in original bottles. Personal information can be removed or crossed out with a permanent marker, but this is not mandatory. All bottles will be incinerated.

Unacceptable items include sharps, lancets, medical waste, illicit drugs, cannabis products, aerosols, and hydrogen peroxide. For questions about the event, residents are encouraged to call (916) 258-2302.

~ Placer County press release

Community Recreation Center Hosts Forest⇌Fire Speaker Series

TRUCKEE

Truckee Community Recreation Center will be hosting a free, two-part speaker series in conjunction with the FOREST⇌FIRE Exhibition currently on display at the center. Local citizens, land and business owners, residents, and community leaders are invited to learn why the forest is so vulnerable to catastrophic fire and what we can all do about it.

On April 29, Visioning our Future Forest: Restoration Processes will address the ways we can restore our forests to be resilient to catastrophic fire and a warming atmosphere. Speakers will include local scientists Eric Vane, MS, silviculturist, and Rachel Hutchinson, MS, district ranger (acting), both working on the U.S. Forest Service, Tahoe National Forest.

On May 13, Visioning our Future Forest: Prescribed Fire and Smoke will address the differences between wildfire, prescribed fire, controlled burning and cultural burning, and the role of fire and the challenges of smoke in forest restoration. Speakers include local scientists Linda Ferguson, fuels specialist, and Leland Tarney, PhD, physical ecologist, also working with the Tahoe National Forest.

Each presentation will be followed by an audience question and answer. The series will be hosted by Michael Llewellyn, the co-creator of the FOREST⇌FIRE exhibition.

~ Nevada County Arts Council press release

Moving In, Moving Up, Moving On

Interim General Manager Decided Upon for Airport

TRUCKEE

The Truckee Tahoe Airport District Board of Directors has appointed Robb Etnyre as interim general manager, effective May 2 through Oct. 31. Current GM Kevin Smith announced his departure from the airport at the beginning of April, and his tenure will end May 6. Smith is moving on to work as a western market leader in aviation planning for Mead & Hunt, a national planning and engineering company.

Etnyre’s salary will be $18,750 per month ($225,000 annualized). He may receive a $22,500 bonus if he successfully completes the term under criteria identified in his employee agreement. Aside from the California Public Employees’ Retirement System, Etnyre is generally eligible for district benefits. The full details of his contract can be found here.

Etnyre served as general manager for the Tahoe Donner Association for 10 years before he was terminated for ‘no cause’ by the board of directors.

~ AH