News Briefs

Local athletes win gold, silver at World Rafting Championships

BOSNIA AND HERZEGOVINA

Students from Tahoe/Truckee made up the first youth team in history — and the youngest team overall this year — to represent the USA in at the World Rafting Championships May 25 through June 1. At the event held in Bosnia and Herzegovina, the California Poppies U19 Women’s Raft Racing Team competed in sprint, head2head, slalom, and downriver, bringing home a gold medal in the sprint and the silver medal overall.

Coached by Sue Norman, the team includes Chloe Tippett from North Tahoe High School, Laurel Anderson and Hannah Hammond from Truckee High School, Tatum Akers from Forest Charter, and Kennedy Kruse from Western Sierra Collegiate Academy.

The team had the opportunity to engage with the host communities, form bonds with athletes from 61 teams representing 22 countries, and connect with the U.S. ambassador Michael Murphy and officials from the United States Embassy and U.S. Agency for International Development.

~ California Poppies press release

 

TRPA cracks down on illegal mooring, boating violations

LAKE TAHOE

In May, the Tahoe Regional Planning Agency, Lake Tahoe Marina Owners Association, the League to Save Lake Tahoe, and the U.S. Coast Guard hosted a training clinic with marinas and boat rental companies to review Tahoe-specific boating rules and safety measures, a cold-water shock video, and hazardous spill procedures. Education on Tahoe’s 600-foot no-wake zone was stressed to improve safety and reduce the impacts of boating to recreation, noise standards, and the shoreline.

Boat rental companies require renters to download the Tahoe Boating app to their phone and watch a new boater education video produced by TRPA and the League to Save Lake Tahoe before stepping aboard. The app is an interactive map that shows boaters if they are inside a no-wake zone and identifies points of interest, marinas, boat ramps, bathrooms, and other landmarks or hazards.

The TRPA watercraft team will be on the water educating the public this summer on boating rules such as the carbureted two-stroke engine ban, noise ordinances, and no-wake zones. Last year, the team logged 580 corrective actions related to no-wake zone and other violations, and required the removal of 30 vessels that were moored without authorization.

TRPA closed a $30,000 violation settlement in April of this year with a boat rental company operating illegally last year in South Lake Tahoe. TRPA negotiated the settlement with Specialty Boat Rentals LLC for unpermitted mooring near Regan Beach and operating a commercial business without a shoreline concession permit. Commercial watercraft operations are required to operate under a permit and in appropriate locations, such as marinas.

“Unauthorized moorings are unsafe, negatively impact Tahoe’s shoreline, and unjustly limit the careful plan for public access and recreation,” TRPA Executive Director Joanne S. Marchetta said. “Our shoreline program and the compliance measures that go with it are working. The governing board’s approval of the violation settlement encourages others to follow the application process.”

~ TRPA press release

New Self-Service Portal at Washoe County Clerk’s Office

WASHOE COUNTY

The Washoe County Clerk’s Office launched a new self-service portal this month on its website to access and submit forms as part of its effort to stay ahead of technology, improve customer service, and streamline operations.  

The portal is mobile-friendly and offers an expansive array of forms and documents available to search, view, and submit. In partnership with Tyler Technologies, a trusted partner of the Washoe County Clerk’s Office for more than 15 years, the clerk’s Office began laying the foundation for this service in 2018 with accelerated attention to the project in the last year.  

The clerk’s office is responsible for issuing marriage licenses, filing fictitious firm names and notary bonds, maintaining county codes and ordinances, recording board meeting minutes, and much more. 

“Nearly every resident has to interact with our office in one way or another, so customer service is our top priority,” Washoe County Clerk Jan Galassini said. “This new online portal is going to make everyone’s lives a lot easier when it comes to accessing forms and documents from our office.”

~ Washoe County Clerk’s Office press release

 

Timy Dutton Truckee Duckee Derbee at River Ranch Lodge on June 18

TRUCKEE

After a four-year hiatus, the Timy Dutton Truckee Duckee Derbee will return to the River Ranch Lodge on June 18. The rubber duck races, billed as “the most unpredictable two minutes in Tahoe,” were halted by high water and the pandemic the past few years. This year’s revival will benefit the Humane Society of Truckee-Tahoe and the Palisades Tahoe avalanche dogs. 

“The Truckee Duckee Derbee has always been about promoting animal welfare,” says organizer Bill Jensen. “This year we’re supporting the HSTT, which finds pets forever homes, and the Palisades Tahoe dogs who help save human lives.” 

Festivities include live music on the outdoor patio, the hilarious Dogz in Dudz K-9 costume contest, and, in true derby tradition, the Cool Catz in Hatz contest, open to all human attendees. A post-race raffle includes the grand prize of a Palisades Tahoe season pass. 

There will also be a silent auction featuring unique items, such as a one-of-a-kind print of all the Palisades Tahoe patrol dogs donated by Gallery Keoki and a custom pet portrait donated by amygarts.com. A special presentation for retiring patrol dog Kaya will also be held as she steps down after 12 years of service. A cadre of her canine companions will also be on hand.

The cost to sponsor a duck is $10 and the top three ducks win cash (payout depends on the size of the pot). There is no cost to enter the K-9 costume or hat contest. All Dogz in Dudz participants receive a complimentary doggie goodie bag. Prizes will be awarded to the most stylish and creative canines and people sporting festive derby hats as determined by a panel of celebrity judges. Winners of the derbee and of the grand raffle prize need not be present to win. 

The Truckee Duckee Derbee is generously supported by the Shane McConkey Foundation, Kiwanis of North Lake Tahoe, Plumas Bank, Palisades Tahoe, Pet Station, Tito’s Vodka, and East River Marketing & Communications. The event is managed by the Palisades Press and the River Ranch Lodge. For more information go to riverranchlodge.com. 

Schedule:

1 p.m. – Pre-race party and registration

2 p.m. – Dogs in Dudz and Cool Catz in Hatz contests

3 p.m. – Truckee Duckee Derbee begins 

~ HSTT press release

 

Moving In, Moving On, Moving Up

Resort at Squaw Creek gets new spa director

OLYMPIC VALLEY

Resort at Squaw Creek announces Melissa Ratkovits as its new director of spa services, as well as the addition of new state-of-the-art HydraFacial services andh a special promotion for resort guests and local residents.

“I am thrilled to join the incredible team at Resort at Squaw Creek,” said Ratkovits. “In this new role, I look forward to incorporating relaxing and rejuvenating services paired with the latest advancements in skin care products and technology for a premier spa experience here in North Lake Tahoe.”

Ratkovits is responsible for managing operations of the Spa at Squaw Creek, business development, curating the spa experiences, and providing support and guidance to the team of spa colleagues.

With 22 years of experience working in the spa and hospitality industry, Ratkovits has managed spa teams across the country. She’s held director and manager positions at hotels and resorts including her most recent position at Hyatt Regency Maui Resort and Spa, as well as the Hard Rock Hotel & Casino in Tulsa, Oklahoma, and the Seminole Hard Rock Hotel and Epicurean Hotel both located in Tampa, Florida.

In line with the seasonal offerings, Spa at Squaw Creek also announces the HydraFacial service which uses patented vortex-fusion technology to gently exfoliate, extract, and hydrate the skin while applying customized serums. Between now and June 15, local residents can receive a 30-minute HydraFacial treatment for $165 and a 60-minute HydraFacial for $215. The promotion also provides 20%off HydraFacial enhancements ranging from DermaFlash deep exfoliation to Britenol which is designed to tighten and brighten skin.

For more information or to book a spa treatment at Resort at Squaw Creek, visit destinationhotels.com/squawcreek or call (530) 412-7034.

~ Resort at Squaw Creek press release

 

Business Briefs

Tahoe Forest Health System Receives the Best Places to Work Award

TRUCKEE

In May, Tahoe Forest Health System was awarded second place for the 2022 Greater Reno-Tahoe Best Places to Work in the Extra-Large Business category. The recognition took place at the 15th Annual Greater Reno-Tahoe Best Places to Work Awards Gala, presented by the Northern Nevada Human Resources Association.

“We are honored to be receiving this recognition among organizations across all industries for a fourth year in a row,” said Harry Weis, president and CEO of Tahoe Forest Health System. “The Best Places to Work Award reflects our commitment to the community we serve as we continually strive to provide high quality healthcare delivery every day.”

Best Places to Work winners are determined by employees’ responses to an employee engagement survey that measures key areas that make up an organization’s culture, including trust in leadership and employee engagement.

For a complete list of the 2022 Greater Reno-Tahoe Best Places to Work Award winners, visit: nnhra.org/2022_best_places_to_work_winners

~ Tahoe Forest Health System press release

 

Good Morning Truckee Highlights Wildfire Prevention, Martis Camp Foundation, and Truckee Donner Land Trust

TRUCKEE

Measure T, the ballot measure that passed in September, 2021, creates an annual $3.7 million Community Wildfire Prevention Fund that is being spent on fuel reduction and wildfire prevention projects to reduce the threat of wildfire in the Truckee and Donner Summit wildland urban interface areas. Eric Horntvedt, the wildfire prevention manager for the Truckee Fire Protection District, will provide an update on the programs Measure T is funding, in addition to wildfire safety tips for the upcoming wildfire season.

Wendy Damonte, executive director of the Martis Camp Foundation, will provide an overview of the foundation and three main areas of focus including community grants, college scholarships, and ambassador scholarships. Damonte is a dynamic speaker with a background of 20 years as a reporter and news anchor at KTVN, the CBS affiliate in Reno. Prior to joining Martis Camp Foundation, she was vice president of Advocacy and Community Relations at Renown Health.

Since 1990, the Truckee Donner Land Trust has not only preserved nearly 40,000 acres of open space, but also built trails and created opportunities for the public to access and enjoy these lands. The nonprofit has become recently involved in the hospitality end of recreation by managing campgrounds, backcountry huts, and their popular docent guided summer hikes are always popular. Hear John Svahn, the organization’s executive director, describe their accomplishments and projects underway. 

Good Morning Truckee is held at Truckee Town Hall upstairs in the council chambers. While in-person attendance is encouraged, the meeting is also available for online viewing through Zoom. Watch the livestream at tahoetruckeemedia.org or on Suddenlink Channel 18. All sessions will be recorded and available for viewing at a later date.

Good Morning Truckee offers online registration at truckee.com/events. Breeze through the check-in line to get breakfast and a seat faster. Frequent attendees can purchase multi-packs of tickets which get you checked-in quicker. Tickets can also be purchased at the door with cash, credit card or check.

Good Morning Truckee is a community forum to provide timely, relevant information on a variety of topics. It is open to the public. It is held the second Tuesday of every month at Truckee Town Hall from 7 to 8:30 a.m. Ticket price for the general public, $12, and Truckee Chamber members, $10, includes a continental breakfast and a raffle ticket. Anyone who brings their own traveler coffee mug will receive an additional raffle ticket and a chance to win great prizes.

Good Morning Truckee is presented by the Truckee Chamber of Commerce in partnership with sponsors Tahoe Forest Health System; Law Offices of Porter Simon; Dickson Realty Truckee Tahoe; Tahoe Truckee Community Foundation; Auerbach Engineering; JK Architecture Engineering; Tahoe Truckee Media, 101.5 FM Truckee Tahoe Radio; Sierra Sun; Moonshine Ink; Town of Truckee, and Truckee Tahoe Airport District.

~ Truckee Chamber of Commerce press release