News Briefs
Senate Passes Bipartisan Bill to Reauthorize the Lake Tahoe Restoration Act
WASHINGTON, D.C.
U.S. Senators Alex Padilla (D-Calif.), Chair of the Environment and Public Works Subcommittee on Fisheries, Water, and Wildlife; Laphonza Butler (D-Calif.); Catherine Cortez Masto (D-Nev.); and Jacky Rosen (D-Nev.) announced the senate passage of the bipartisan, bicameral legislation to extend the authorization of the Lake Tahoe Restoration Act through 2034. The bill would allow the continuation of federal funds to maintain the environment, support local jobs, and strengthen the tourism economy at Lake Tahoe. The legislation now heads to the U.S. House of Representatives.
The original Lake Tahoe Restoration Act was passed in 2000 and authorized $300 million for the restoration of the lake and surrounding basin. The current authorization, which was passed in 2016, is set to expire later this year. Reauthorizing the bill would prevent an interruption in conservation and restoration planning.
Representatives Mark Amodei (R-Nev.-02), John Duarte (R-Calif.-13), John Garamendi (D-Calif.-08), Steven Horsford (D-Nev.-04), Kevin Kiley (R-Calif.-03), Susie Lee (D-Nev.-03), and Dina Titus (D-Nev.-01) are leading companion legislation in the House of Representatives.
~ U.S. Senator Alex Padilla press release
Workforce Housing Pilot Program
TRUCKEE
The Town of Truckee announced the launch of its new Rooted Renters pilot program that will build upon the existing Lease to Locals program to utilize existing housing inventory as workforce housing. Rooted Renters will lock in workforce rental units at affordable prices for multiple years. This means potential tenants can secure long-term, affordable housing in the Truckee area.
Property owners can receive up to $26,000 in incentive payments if they rent their home to qualified local workers for 36 months. The goal of the program is to create stable, long-term rental housing at an affordable rate for the local workforce across multiple years, provide landlords offering below-market rent with equitable participation in the town’s workforce housing incentive programs, and expand the town’s suite of housing programs through a multi-year rental solution.
The Rooted Renters program was developed by Placemate, a trusted organization committed to solving housing issues in vacation communities by incentivizing long-term rentals to year-round residents as an alternative to short-term renting. The Town of Truckee has allocated $1,250,000 for a 2-year Rooted Renters pilot.
To be considered for the program, property owners must submit a preliminary application form which will become available on the Placemate website here at 9 a.m. on July 15.
For full program details, download the Rooted Renters Program Guidelines here.
~ Town of Truckee press release
South Lake Tahoe Man Convicted of Impersonating Federal Officers
SACRAMENTO
After a 3-day trial, a federal jury found Anton Andreyevich Iagounov, 38, of South Lake Tahoe, guilty of four counts of impersonating a federal officer, U.S. Attorney Phillip A. Talbert announced.
Iagounov pretended to be a federal law enforcement agent by creating and sending counterfeit investigative documents in July 2022, which he signed in the name of a fictional federal agent, seeking highly protected information from the Department of Defense.
“Usurping public trust, Mr. Iagounov pretended to be an agent of the National Aeronautics and Space Administration’s (NASA) Office of Inspector General, creating fake investigative documents in an attempt to obtain sensitive government information,” said Michael Graham, NASA-OIG Acting Assistant Inspector General for Investigations.
Iagounov is scheduled to be sentenced by U.S. District Judge Daniel J. Calabretta on Oct. 17. Iagounov faces a maximum statutory penalty of 3 years in prison and a $250,000 fine, per count of conviction. The actual sentence, however, will be determined at the discretion of the court after consideration of any applicable statutory factors and the Federal Sentencing Guidelines, which take into account a number of variables.
~ U.S. Department of Justice press release
Transportation District Receives Grant to Expand Hybrid Bus Fleet
STATELINE
The Tahoe Transportation District announced an expansion of its green bus fleet, made possible by a generous federal grant valued at $7.9 million. This project will enhance TTD’s efforts to modernize its fleet with environmentally-friendly transportation solutions.
With the new funding, TTD will acquire state-of-the-art diesel-electric hybrid buses, which will reduce emissions, improve fuel efficiency, and provide a more sustainable transportation option for the Tahoe community.
This project is part of an approximately $1.5 billion funding initiative to support 117 projects aimed at improving public transportation in 47 states. Over the last 3 years, the Federal Transit Administration has allocated nearly $5 billion to replace and modernize transit buses across America, building new technology with American workers. This initiative will result in the production of more than 3,650 new buses.
For details on Tahoe Transportation District and its current projects, visit tahoetransportation.org or call (775) 589-5500.
~ Tahoe Transportation District press release
Damaged Hospital Building Now Open
TAHOE/TRUCKEE
Tahoe Forest Health System announced the building at 905 N. Lake Blvd. in Tahoe City, which was temporarily closed due to damage earlier this spring, is now open.
At the direction of the authorities, the building was closed for operations because of damage due to a small fire in April. The clinics within were relocated.
Physical therapy and lab services will return to the former location while wellness will remain at the following temporary locations while additional repairs are made:
- Mama’s Meet Up lactation support group: Kings Beach Sierra Community House at 265 Bear St., Kings Beach
- Oncology Acupuncture: Center for Health at 10833 Donner Pass Rd., Ste. 102, Truckee
- ACL Post-Op Rehab workshop: Tahoe City Physical Therapy Clinic at 905 North Lake Blvd., Tahoe City
Patients can call (530) 582-6205 for additional information and to reschedule existing appointments.
Check tfhd.com for the most up-to-date information regarding this move.
~ Tahoe Forest Health System press release
Waived Pet Adoption Fees Help Relieve Shelters
INCLINE VILLAGE
In response to a significant decline in adoption numbers and subsequent overcrowding in many shelters across Nevada, Pet Network Humane Society announced a special waived-adoption-fee event running every Saturday and Sunday for the rest of July. This initiative aims to find loving homes for more animals and alleviate the capacity strain on shelter partners.
The Pet Network Humane Society is located at 401 Village Blvd. in Incline Village. The no adoption fee makes it easier to bring home a new family member.
For more information about the event and see adoptable animals, visit petnetwork.org.
~ Pet Network Lake Tahoe press release
County on Fire Risk List, Homeowners Insurance Discounts
PLACERVILLE
El Dorado County is one of seven counties to receive placement on the California Board of Forestry and Fire Protection’s Fire Risk Reduction List. This recognition highlights local agencies throughout the state that meet the best practices for local fire planning.
On June 19, the board adopted a resolution to approve the 2024 Fire Risk Reduction Community List, which became effective July 1. A copy of this resolution and the 2024 iteration of the list can be found here.
There are two main benefits associated with El Dorado County’s placement on this list. First, designation as a Fire Risk Reduction Community is a critical factor included in the California Insurance Commissioner’s Safer from Wildfires initiative. Combined with defensible space and other fire prevention actions, this designation provides residents within the unincorporated area of the county with an additional opportunity to receive discounts on their homeowner’s insurance premiums. Second, El Dorado County’s inclusion on this list allows it to receive priority for certain Wildfire Prevention Grants.
Residents are encouraged to contact their homeowner’s insurance provider to inquire about receiving a discount on their policy.
For any questions or for additional information, contact the office of wildfire preparedness and resilience at wildfireready@edcgov.us or (530) 621-5569.
~ El Dorado County press release
Supervisors Approve Framework for Enhanced Forest Health, Wildfire Resilience
AUBURN
The Placer County Board of Supervisors took a significant step towards a safer future earlier this week by approving a framework for the Placer County Regional Forest Health 10-year Countywide Action Plan.
The plan prioritizes forest health and wildfire resiliency, aiming to better protect communities in Placer County’s forested and wildland-bordering areas.
The approval comes after a presentation by Kerri Timmer, regional forest health division coordinator for the Placer County Department of Agriculture, Parks, and Natural Resources.
During the presentation, Timmer highlighted that Placer has nearly 650,000 acres of forested areas across private, state, federal and local-government-owned land that could benefit from treatment. Most of the forest is overgrown with vegetation and vulnerable to wildfire.
The cost to treat all 650,000 acres the plan identified would total over $1.6 billion.
But the action plan identifies the highest-priority and most beneficial projects to focus on first, swiftly and strategically reducing wildfire risk with the best protection for the dollar.
Those include 31 forest treatment projects between the Sierra Nevada foothills and North Lake Tahoe at a total estimated cost of $49.5 million. The plan will be implemented in three phases.
Visit the Placer County Regional Forest Health website to learn more.
~ Placer County press release
Provide Critical Information to First Responders
RENO
Truckee Meadows Fire & Rescue reminds residents to participate in Community Connect, an online application that will improve service to residents and businesses who reside in the Truckee Meadows Fire Protection District, which serves unincorporated areas of Washoe County.
Community Connect allows residents to share critical information about their household in order to aid emergency service personnel to respond more efficiently and effectively.
Information might include residential access information such as gates codes, if hazardous material is stored on the property, if the resident has mobility or other types of access or functional needs, if oxygen is used in the house, if there are pets, and more. Residents only need to provide information in the areas on the application they feel are applicable to their household and needs.
All data is kept confidential and used solely for the purpose of fire and law enforcement personnel to better serve residents during emergency situations.
In addition to the residential portal, Community Connect also helps business owners and managers keep people at their commercial properties safe by giving first responders access to critical documents such as evacuation procedures, occupant rosters, hazardous material lists, and more. Additionally, designated contacts at properties that joined the program will receive immediate alerts via text message when first responders are dispatched to the building address.
To learn more about the program and create a profile, visit tmfpd.us/communityconnect.
~ Truckee Meadows Fire & Rescue press release
Leadership Program for Business Professionals
TRUCKEE
Love Your 5 announced the launch of Next Level Leadership, a program designed to elevate the leadership capabilities of business professionals in the Truckee/Tahoe region. This comprehensive program is tailored to enhance business skills, foster connections among like-minded professionals, and empower participants to become the leaders they aspire to be.
Why join Next Level Leadership?
- Win back your time: Learn strategies to resolve interpersonal conflicts swiftly.
- Gain peace of mind: Build trust and loyalty through the neuroscience of trust.
- Empower talent: Equip your team to work efficiently and act as their best selves.
- Impact your bottom line: Engage employees, boost productivity, and drive business success.
The program will span 8 months starting in September and includes key topics such as team culture, leadership style, trust building, diverse personalities, staffing, communication, managing meetings, and empowering junior leaders.
Next Level Leadership is led by Susan Giacobazzi, a certified Clifton Strengths and Workplace communication coach. For the past 6 years, Giacobazzi has owned the coaching business Love Your 5 in Tahoe City.
A preview of the Next Level Leadership program will be held on Tuesday, July 23, from 4 to 5 p.m. at Zander’s The BottleShop. This 1-hour skill-building session will provide tips to retain employees in a mountain town.
An early bird discount is available through July 31. For more information and to register, visit loveyour5.com/next-level-leadership.
~ Truckee Chamber of Commerce press release
4th of July Parade Winners
TRUCKEE
The Truckee 4th of July Parade, produced by the Truckee Chamber of Commerce, featured over 50 entries. This year’s judges were Sandy and Mike Horn; Bill Greeno, Truckee Chamber past board chair and owner of Quality Automotive Servicing; Jessica Penman, president and CEO of the Truckee Chamber of Commerce; and Truckee Mayor David Polivy. Entries were judged on the use of this year’s Throwback Thursday theme, the public’s response, the quality of the entry, and the effort involved. After much deliberation, the following entries were named as the winners:
- Best of Show: O.B’s Board, Pub & Restaurant
- Commercial: Grateful Gardens Landscaping and Snow Removal
- Nonprofit: Truckee Tahoe School of Music, sponsored by Quality Automotive Servicing
- Open: Truckee Sanitary District
- Classic Auto: Harrah Museum
- Youth Group: Truckee High marching band, cheerleading squad, and football team
The parade is available to watch YouTube, courtesy of Tahoe Truckee Media, here.
~ Truckee Chamber of Commerce press release
Visitors Guide Promotes Responsible Tourism
TRUCKEE
Visit Truckee-Tahoe unveiled the Sustainable Truckee Visitors Guide, a digital and printed guidebook that is designed to educate visitors on how to enjoy Truckee responsibly. The initiative is part of VTT’s broader Sustainable Truckee program, which includes over 20 programs (such as $570,195 in funding for TART Connect) aimed at balancing tourism with environmental stewardship and community wellbeing.
The guide offers visitors tips on how to reduce waste, leave no trace, use the TART Connect shuttle, and how to be a good neighbor when renting a home. Messages in the guide include:
- Stay informed with real-time updates on weather, roads, and events via the Truckee/Tahoe Travel Alert.
- Reduce waste by utilizing Truckee’s reusable green box program for takeout.
- Respect the land, water, and wildlife by adhering to leave no trace principles and managing pet waste responsibly.
- Promote dark skies by reducing light pollution.
- Shop and dine locally to support Truckee’s economy.
- Purchase the Sustainable Truckee digital gift card that is redeemable at 65 locally-owned businesses in Truckee. VTT matches 25% to fund local stewardship projects.
- Give back through volunteerism initiatives.
The Sustainable Truckee Visitors Guide is freely distributed to local lodging, businesses, and the Truckee Welcome Center and is available digitally at visittruckeetahoe.com/visitorsguide. To learn more about Sustainable Truckee and the 20 programs that make up this strategic initiative, visit visittruckeetahoe.com/programs.
~ Visit Truckee-Tahoe press release
Grant Cycle Funded by Tourism Revenue
LAKE TAHOE
On Aug. 1, the North Tahoe Community Alliance will officially launch the 2nd annual grant cycle as part of the Transient Occupancy Tax Tourism Business Improvement District Dollars-At-Work program. Designed to support projects and programs that achieve community vitality, economic health, and environmental sustainability with funding generated by tourism, this grant cycle is meant for projects ready for immediate implementation upon approval. Grant workshops will be held on July 16 and 18 for applicants to learn more about the process and ask questions.
Applicants will be required to indicate which priority area(s) they are positively impacting, including community enhancement and visitor integration infrastructure, environmental stewardship and mitigation of tourism impact, transportation, workforce housing, and trails.
Grant applications will be accepted online until 11:59 p.m. on Friday, Aug. 23. Eligible applicants will be required to present to committees convened by the NTCA in Oct. Funding decisions will be made and applicants notified in November and December.
An in-person workshop will take place at Granlibakken Tahoe on July 16 from 9 to 10 a.m., and a virtual session will be offered July 18 from 2 to 3 p.m.
Learn more about the TOT-TBID Dollars-At-Work Program and preferred investment opportunities that will be awarded through the annual grant cycle, and register for one of the workshops at northtahoecommunityalliance.com/our-investments/annual-grant-program.
~ North Tahoe Community Alliance press release
Moving In, Moving On, Moving Up
Fire Protection Chief Announces Retirement
RENO
Charles A. Moore, fire chief for the Truckee Meadows Fire Protection District, has announced his retirement effective Jan. 24, 2025.
Moore was hired in 2012 to stand up the fire district following the negation of a contract for service with the City of Reno, which began in 2000. The district was formed in 1972 and serves areas of unincorporated Washoe County.
Under Moore’s tenure, the department has doubled its personnel, added advanced life support paramedics to every engine, partnered with the Regional Emergency Medical Service Authority to add medical transport capability, and created a wildland and fuels reduction division and fleet maintenance program.
Moore is a 45-year veteran of the fire service. He began his career as a volunteer firefighter in 1979 and started his professional career in 1980 in Colorado. He graduated from the University of Colorado at Boulder with a degree in environmental design. Previously, he spent 10 years working in the architectural profession concurrently with his career in the fire service.
~ Truckee Meadows Fire Protection District press release
Family Medicine Physician Returns
TAHOE/TRUCKEE
Tahoe Forest Health System announced that Scott Samelson, MD, has rejoined its primary care and urgent care teams at the Tahoe Forest MultiSpecialty Clinics in Tahoe City.
Specializing in family medicine, Dr. Samelson provides comprehensive health care, including preventive care, chronic disease management, and personalized counseling on maintaining a healthy lifestyle to his patients.
Dr. Samelson attended medical school at the University of Colorado Health Science Center. He completed his family medicine residency with the Fort Collins Family Medicine Residency Program and is certified by the American Board of Family Medicine.
His office is located at 925 N. Lake Blvd., Tahoe City. New patients are accepted. For appointments, call (530) 582-6205.
~ Tahoe Forest Health System press release
