News Briefs
Pilot Project Launches to Create Tahoe’s Most Wildfire-Ready Community
INCLINE VILLAGE
A coalition of wildfire experts, technology companies, energy providers, and nonprofits launched a groundbreaking pilot project on May 20 aimed at creating the most wildfire-ready community in the Lake Tahoe region. The Incline Fire Smart Community Pilot is taking place in the Tyrolian Village HOA, a neighborhood encompassing 228 homes across 60 acres in Incline Village that has been identified as a high-priority wildfire area by the North Lake Tahoe Fire Protection District.
The pilot is leveraging new technology to identify which mitigations matter the most, while informing insurance outcomes and demonstrating how comprehensive wildfire defense can be implemented and replicated across Tahoe and the West. During a demonstration, the public was able to see a remote-operated masticator from BurnBot remove hazardous fuels in the neighborhood up to 5 feet from homes. Attendees also heard from a panel of experts on how the project came together and the science and strategy behind it. Watch the panel here.
In addition to using BurnBot’s remote-operated technology to safely and efficiently reduce fire-prone vegetation in residential environments, the pilot will make use of data-driven strategies, modeling, and insights from Vibrant Planet, Fire Aside, and Colorado State University’s Dr. Hussam Mahmoud. The comprehensive nature of the project also includes a series of connected wildfire mitigation efforts across public lands and utility corridors, and a partnership with Wildfire Services Group for the completion of home hardening work based on data from Fire Aside.
The pilot includes seven phases, of which the first two are already underway: the Baseline Risk Modeling and Assessment and the Neighborhood-Scale Vegetation Treatment.
Learn more at tahoefund.org/inclinefiresmartpilot.
~ Tahoe Fund press release
Second Annual Truckee Pride Week
TRUCKEE
Truckee Pride Week returns for its second year, running June 1 to 8 with a full calendar of inclusive events celebrating and supporting the LGBTQIA2S+ community.
Truckee Pride is a grassroots organization working to ensure that everyone, regardless of sexual orientation, gender identity, race, or background, feels welcome in the mountains. In a region where queer visibility has often been limited, Truckee Pride is helping change that through community-centered programming.
This June’s celebration features music, climbing, bike meetups, community yoga, a rainbow fun run, and more. The full calendar is available at truckeepride.org.
In 2024, over 2,500 people participated in Truckee Pride, and funds raised helped send a local queer teen to queer summer camp. This year’s goal is to expand that impact with even more community engagement through free events during Pride week and throughout the year.
A 2022 regional health study found that LGBTQ+ residents in North Lake Tahoe experience higher rates of isolation, housing insecurity, and lack of community connection — making events like Truckee Pride essential for visibility, belonging, and care.
~ Truckee Pride press release
New Economic Impact Report Confirms Tourism Continues to Drive North Lake Economy
NORTH LAKE TAHOE
A new report compiled by independent research firm Dean Runyon Associates indicates tourism continues to be the primary driver of North Lake Tahoe’s economy. Travel spending of $1.3 billion supports local businesses which create a vibrant community, pays wages and salaries for 6 out of 10 local workers, and generates revenues that are reinvested into initiatives that benefit residents, local businesses, and visitors.
The comprehensive study, which took roughly a year to thoroughly report as final numbers were available, evaluates travel-generated spending in dollars, and concludes that in 2023, North Lake Tahoe tourism accounted for:
- A 3.7% increase in travel spending as compared to the year prior.
- 11.2% growth in direct travel-generated earnings year-over-year.
- 55.8% of all jobs in the region.
- A 2.1% increase in local and state tax revenue, totaling $79.3 million that supports community services including schools, snow removal, roads, and other infrastructure.
As outlined in the report, travel-generated earnings are an important measure of the benefit of tourism because they flow to workers in the form of wages, salary disbursements, proprietor income, and other earned income or benefits. In 2023, direct travel-generated earnings increased by $44.9 million, with accommodation and food services earnings contributing 64.9% of travel-generated earnings region-wide. Importantly, growth in travel-generated earnings does not correspond directly to increased visitor volume.
Read the full 2023 economic impact report prepared by Dean Runyon Associates here.
~ North Lake Tahoe press release
Republican Party Launches Petition Drive for Term Limits on County Supervisors
NEVADA CITY
On Friday, May 9, Nevada County Elections received a notice of intention to circulate a petition for a proposed ballot measure aimed at establishing term limits for the board of supervisors.
If approved by voters on the June 2026 ballot, members of the board would be limited to two 4-year terms or a total of 8 years of service.
If approved, the term limits would begin Jan. 1, 2027, meaning any time served before that date would not count toward the limit. Even if a supervisor already served three or more terms, that person would still be eligible to serve up to two additional terms after Jan. 1, 2027.
The proposed measure was reviewed by the Nevada County counsel, which also produced a ballot title and summary that was delivered to Nevada County Elections and provided to proponents. To qualify for ballot, proponents will have 180 days to collect 5,074 valid signatures of registered voters, which is 10% of total votes cast in the last election for governor.
To view or request a copy of the petitioner’s notice of intention to circulate this petition or other related documents, please contact Nevada County Elections at elections.mail@nevadacountyca.gov, call (530) 265-1298 or visit the office during regular business hours.
~ Nevada County press release
Extreme Weather Cycles Change Underwater Light at Tahoe
LAKE TAHOE
Lake Tahoe is experiencing large-scale shifts in ultraviolet radiation (UV) as climate change intensifies wet and dry extremes in the region. That is according to a study led by the University of California, Davis’ Tahoe Environmental Research Center and co-leading collaborator Miami University in Ohio.
For the study, published in the journal of the Association for the Sciences of Limnology and Oceanography, scientists analyzed an 18-year record of underwater irradiance at Lake Tahoe, which is renowned for its clear blue waters. They found up to a 100-fold difference in UV radiation between a wet and dry year.
These large fluctuations were associated with wet and dry extremes in the local climate, which caused variations in particulate matter and colored dissolved organic matter in the lake.
UV radiation penetrates most deeply in clear water bodies, such as alpine or polar lakes, so the research carries implications for those water bodies. In less transparent lakes, UV radiation may reach only a few inches into the water. In clear systems like Lake Tahoe, it can reach dozens of feet down.
UV radiation has wide-ranging effects on aquatic ecosystems. It affects the carbon cycle and behavior of fish and zooplankton. It can suppress photosynthesis, which forms the basis of the lake ecosystem. Understanding how it is changing can help natural resource managers and others anticipate changes while building lake resilience.
In revealing the close tie between UV radiation changes and wet-dry cycles, the study also suggests that monitoring underwater radiation can help serve as a sentinel for climate-driven disturbances in lakes.
~ UC Davis news release
Former Forest Service Special Agent Pleads Guilty to Theft of Government Property
SACRAMENTO
Edward Williams, 49, of Auburn, a former special agent with the U.S. Forest Service (USFS), pleaded guilty on May 22 to theft of government property, Acting U.S. Attorney Michele Beckwith announced.
Williams was a USFS Special Agent in the Grass Valley field office. On Oct. 25, 2021, Williams accessed the USFS Truckee Ranger District office and stole at least 21 pieces of equipment. These items were DRMO, which stands for Defense Reutilization Marketing Office, and refers to retired military-grade equipment from the U.S. Department of Defense. The DRMO equipment that Williams took belonged to the USFS and was not meant for Williams’ personal use, to be given to others, or to be sold for profit.
On May 19, 2022, law enforcement interviewed Williams and he confessed to the theft. Agents seized dozens of pieces of equipment that originated from the USFS, both from the October theft as well as at other times. Law enforcement later recovered additional pieces of night vision equipment that Williams had stolen from the USFS and had given to two of his friends. As part of his plea agreement, Williams agreed to return these items back to the USFS. The total value of these items is approximately $206,371.
Williams is scheduled to be sentenced on Sept. 18, 2025, by U.S. District Judge Daniel J. Calabretta. Williams faces a maximum statutory penalty of 10 years.
~ U.S. Attorney’s Office, Eastern District of California
What to Know About Algae in Tahoe This Summer
LAKE TAHOE
For everyone who enjoys the region’s lakes, rivers, and creeks, it’s important to know how to spot a harmful algal bloom (HAB), where to report sightings, and what to do to keep oneself, pets, and others safe.
Most algae in Lake Tahoe, though sometimes unattractive, does not pose a health risk to people or animals. Harmful algal blooms are a different story. HABs can be mistaken for harmless types of algae and can be found clinging to rocks, washing up on beaches, and attached to the bottom of creek and river channels. HABs, however, pose a risk to public health and safety as they can produce toxins.
In lakes, HABs usually appear as a mix of intense shades of green in a paint-like sheen on the water’s surface. In rivers, HABs typically look like algal mats that are attached to the channel bottom. This guide can help you identify a HAB.
Common factors contributing to algal blooms are warmer temperature, slow or stagnant water, and nutrients in the water that serve as food for algal organisms. The Lahontan Regional Water Quality Control Board relies on three tiers of signage to inform the public about HABs. From lowest to highest, they are Caution, Warning, and Danger. These signs, or advisories, recommend what you should and should not do in areas experiencing a HAB.
Find more information on how to identify a bloom here, how to report a bloom in California here, and how to report a bloom in Nevada here, and the California and Nevada incident maps.
~ League to Save Lake Tahoe
El Dorado County Releases Draft Wildfire Plan
PLACERVILLE
The El Dorado County Office of Wildfire Preparedness and Resilience, in partnership with the El Dorado County Fire Safe Council, has announced the release of the Draft 2025 Western El Dorado County Community Wildfire Protection Plan (CWPP). Public comment on the draft CWPP can be submitted to wildfireready@edcgov.us through June 9.
Once completed and approved, the CWPP will improve access to state and federal funding for projects that assist individual homeowners and communities in El Dorado County reduce their risk from wildfire. This includes defensible space around homes, structural improvements to harden homes against wildfire, and strategic vegetation treatment projects around communities to reduce the intensity of wildfires.
El Dorado County is hosting a virtual workshop to answer questions regarding the public comment process
The workshop will be held on Thursday, May 29, from 6 to 7 p.m. on Zoom. The meeting ID is 883 5258 9529, the passcode is 089769, and the dial in number is (669) 900-6833.
Additional information on the CWPP and El Dorado County’s wildfire preparedness activities can be found at the Office of Wildfire Preparedness and Resilience website.
~ El Dorado County press release
Board Approves Fiscal Year ’26 Budget
RENO
The Washoe County Board of County Commissioners approved the budget for Fiscal Year 2026, which begins July 1. In a separate action, the board also approved the rolling 5-year Capital Improvement Project (CIP) plan.
Budget Manager Lori Cooke presented the final proposed budget in a public hearing at the May 20 meeting. Commissioners previously affirmed their strategic areas of focus for the coming year: mental health, senior services, and infrastructure. Staffing has been an area of discussion at previous budget presentations, and Cooke noted that there will be no net new positions and no reclassifications that would result in a cost increase.
The Washoe County Library budget has also been front and center through budget discussions. The library budget will be flat, which means no budget reductions and no above-base increases. The remaining Library Expansion Fund balance will be spent first in Fiscal Year 2026, and centralized General Fund resources of up to $1.3 million will be available only if needed upon approval of the Library Board of Trustees.
The budget was approved 3-1 with Commissioner Jeanne Herman absent and Commissioner Mike Clark dissenting. The next step is to submit the budget to the Nevada Department of Taxation by June 1.
~ Washoe County press release
Panel to Discuss New Federal Mandates
NEVADA CITY
From health care to grants, law enforcement to small business loans, it’s confusing to understand how federal changes and funding cuts are impacting or could impact Nevada County. Join the League of Women Voters of Nevada County at its panel discussion with leaders of key government, law, small business, and nonprofit sectors who will discuss these developments in the community.
This important panel discussion, open to the public, will take place on June 4 from 6:15 to 7:30 p.m. at the Madelyn Helling community room at the Rood Center, 950 Maidu Ave., Nevada City.
Panelists include Lisa Swarthout, county supervisor; Erin Mettler, county chief fiscal officer; Dr. Scott Neeley, executive director of Sierra Memorial Hospital; Sam Brown, Nevada County undersheriff; Stuart Baker, Nevada City Chamber of Commerce; and Cristine Kelly, director of the Community Foundation of Nevada County.
To submit questions for the panel, or for any questions, please email Lynn Forbes at president@lwvnevadacounty.org.
~ The League of Women Voters of Nevada County press release
Tahoe Silicon Mountain Evolving into the Lift Truckee Foundation
TRUCKEE
Following a decade of hosting educational and entrepreneurial events, Tahoe Silicon Mountain (TSM) is proud to announce an evolution to the Lift Truckee Foundation to grow a shared mission of supporting social enterprises, entrepreneurship, education, and community resilience.
The Lift Truckee Foundation (501(c) (3) nonprofit) is based at Lift Workspace: Cowork, Conference, and Wellness Center at the Truckee Tahoe Airport.
Lift Truckee’s evolving programming includes:
- Grants and Scholarships: free or discounted Lift memberships for nonprofits, social enterprises, start-ups, entrepreneurs, artists, community members, and students.
- Community Connection and Learning Events (open to all): learning lunches, wellness workshops, climate hub gatherings, film screenings, art showcases, and more.
Community members are invited to a Tahoe Silicon Mountain celebration and Lift Truckee Foundation Ribbon Cutting on Monday, June 9, at 5 p.m. at the Lift Workspace: Cowork, Conference, and Wellness Center. It’s on Monday to commemorate TSM’s signature program, Mountain Minds Monday.
~ Lift Truckee Foundation press release
Workforce Scholarships to Support Individuals Pursuing In-Demand Careers
TRUCKEE
Tahoe Truckee Community Foundation (TTCF) is accepting applications for Workforce Scholarships through June 30. Applications are open to young adults pursuing in-demand careers that benefit the region. All scholarships are awarded via a single online common application provided and facilitated by TTCF. Applicant eligibility and requirements can be found at ttcf.net.
Since 2022, TTCF has brought together a growing number of local donors, foundations, and businesses to address the urgent need for certain skilled professionals in the region. Every year, this endeavor grows.
This year, new scholarships include:
- Martis Camp Foundation Workforce Scholarships: These scholarships support students pursuing their education in vocational and career tech trades.
- TDPUD Workforce Scholarship Program: Truckee Donner Public Utility District’s mission is to provide reliable, high-quality utility and customer services while managing resources in a safe, open, responsible, and environmentally sound manner at the lowest practical cost. These scholarships target students pursuing the trade and vocational skills that make electric and water utilities function.
- Anna Jane Ellis Scholarship: For students transitioning from a 2-year to a 4-year college degree in honor of Dr. Ellis’s career in higher education and her generosity to students and young people. This scholarship was established by Georgia Smith and Earl Smith, who inspired her to “pay it forward” as she has done.
- Al and Josie Noyes Workforce Medical and Vocational Scholarships: This scholarship is a tribute to the remarkable dedication, kindness, and commitment of Al and Josie Noyes to Tahoe Forest Health System. The scholarship provides financial assistance to healthcare professionals to pursue advanced degrees or to further their education.
~ Tahoe Truckee Community Foundation press release
Paid Parking to Resume June 2 in North Lake Tahoe
KINGS BEACH
County officials are reminding the public that paid parking in Kings Beach will resume June 2 at Christmas Tree Parking Lot on the south side of state Route 28, and will start at Brook Lot on the north side of Brook Avenue between Bear and Racoon streets.
Last summer, Placer County introduced paid parking and phase one of the North Lake Tahoe parking management program to the Kings Beach community through a pilot program. Paid parking is one component of the county’s larger parking management strategy to help better manage the existing parking supply that supports local businesses in the region while also promoting public transit use and alternative travel modes. Other parking management strategies include increased parking enforcement, enhanced wayfinding signs, and park and ride shuttles.
This year, the county will implement hourly paid parking rates and maintain the same all-day parking fee at the two county-owned parking lots in Kings Beach to ensure short-term parkers can be accommodated. Rates include the following:
- All-day parking (7 a.m. to 10 p.m.): $10
- New: Evening parking (5 to 10 p.m.): $2
- New: Short-term parking (7 a.m. to 5 p.m.): $2 per hour, up to 2 hours
- Holidays (all-day parking): $20
The June 2 date to implement paid parking at the Brook Avenue lot is contingent on the installation of a pay station before that date.
Members of the public can engage with the parking management program on the county’s Engage Placer website: engage.placer.ca.gov/parking-management-program.
~ Placer County press release
TDPUD’s Fourth Annual Carbon Bingo Sweepstakes is Underway
TRUCKEE
Truckee Donner Public Utility District is once again hosting its Carbon Bingo Sweepstakes. For the 4th year, TDPUD electric customers can be entered to win a grand prize if they make sustainable lifestyle changes to help conserve energy and water.
Those interested in participating can go to tdpud.org/bingo to download a bingo board, in English or Spanish, and get started. Each square on the board represents one action to reduce one’s greenhouse gas footprint. Over the course of the sweepstakes, players will accomplish various sustainable actions and cross them off the board until they complete a full line. The purpose of the sweepstakes is to educate and encourage the community to take action to conserve energy and water by completing tasks like air drying laundry, using fans instead of air conditioning, limiting shower time, and utilizing water-wise irrigation.
Participants have until Monday, June 2, to submit their completed bingo boards to TDPUD, either in person or via email to rebates@tdpud.org. The winner will be announced at Truckee Clean Up Day on Saturday, June 7. This year’s prize is a portable battery power station.
Every year, TDPUD partners with Sierra Watershed Education Partnerships to hold a Carbon Bingo Design Challenge among its elementary school sustainability clubs. To learn more about TDPUD’s partnership with SWEP, as well as the other ways it supports local students, go to tdpud.org/students. To learn more about SWEP’s programs, visit 4swep.org.
~ TDPUD press release
Moving In, Moving On, Moving Up
Sanitary District Announces Retirement of Long-Time General Manager
TRUCKEE
The Truckee Sanitary District (TSD) announces the retirement of long-time employee and general manager, Blake Tresan. Tresan began his career with TSD in 2002 as a senior engineer and was appointed general manager in 2014.
Board President Jerry Gilmore presented him with a Resolution of Appreciation. Gilmore remarked, “Blake oversaw significant progress and innovation within the district, both as a senior engineer and as general manager. He was deeply committed to TSD’s mission of protecting public health and the environment while responsibly managing public resources. Blake played a key role in the integration of GIS mapping, the establishment of the district’s financial policy, and was instrumental in the district receiving the CWEA Collection System of the Year Award in both 2008 and 2022. He also led the development of the Manhole Shutout product, which earned the WAK Operator Integrity Award in 2021. Blake has been an integral part of the district’s success and will be greatly missed.”
Tresan shared that he is looking forward to spending more quality time with family and traveling in the years ahead.
~ Truckee Sanitary District press release
Transportation Board Appoints Jim Marino as Executive Director
STATELINE
The Tahoe Transportation District (TTD) Board of Directors has named Jim Marino as the agency’s new executive director, effective May 7. Marino has served as acting district manager since the retirement of longtime district manager Carl Hasty at the end of 2024. With this leadership change, the board has formally updated the title of the agency’s top position to executive director, aligning with TTD’s growing regional role and strategic vision.
Marino joined TTD in 2023 as capital program manager and later became deputy district manager, bringing more than 25 years of experience in public infrastructure and transportation planning, much of it centered in Lake Tahoe. Previously, he served as assistant public works director for the City of South Lake Tahoe, where he oversaw major capital projects such as Lakeview Commons, Ski Run Boulevard Streetscape, and the Stateline Transit Center.
As executive director, Marino will lead efforts to implement multimodal transportation solutions, expand transit services, and deliver corridor improvements throughout the Lake Tahoe Basin.
For more information, visit tahoetransportation.org.
~ Tahoe Transportation District press release
Clerk-Recorder/Registrar of Voters Resignation
NEVADA CITY
Natalie Adona, the Nevada County clerk-recorder/registrar of voters, is resigning effective June 6 to head the Marin County Elections Department.
“This was not an easy decision, but I was presented with an opportunity to continue serving the public while being closer to my grandmother,” she said. “I’m proud of the work we accomplished in Nevada County, and I am confident the team will continue to serve voters with dedication.”
The board of supervisors will appoint an ad-hoc committee to consider Adona’s replacement. Until the board makes an appointment, Assistant Clerk-Recorder/Registrar of Voters Corey O’Hayre will assume all of the duties and obligations of the office. Once the board makes an appointment, that person will remain in office until January 2027. The primary for the next election is June 2, 2026.
Adona was elected to her position in June 2022. She had previously served as assistant clerk- recorder/registrar of voters since 2019. In the role, she administered elections and maintained records on voter registration, marriages, births, deaths, business licenses, and property transactions.
Adona administered eight elections, led a pilot project for a new election management system and increased efficiency by bringing in a new mail sorter, streamlining hiring processes, and revamping training programs.
~ Nevada County press release
Business Briefs
Made in Tahoe Festival at Palisades Tahoe
OLYMPIC VALLEY
Memorial Day Weekend marks the unofficial start of summer, and at Palisades Tahoe, that means it’s time for the beloved Made in Tahoe Spring Festival. Taking place May 24 to 25, this vibrant celebration fills the village with more than 95 local artisans, entrepreneurs, nonprofits, and performers, all showcasing the creativity and culture that make the Tahoe region so special. From handmade goods and food vendors to live music and community spirit, this free, family-friendly festival is a must-do to kick off the season.
Festival hours are 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. both Saturday and Sunday. Guests can enjoy live performances throughout the day, featuring local musicians, aerial shows, and dance performances by InnerRhythms, along with Moonlight Movement and the Truckee Dance Factory. All bar proceeds benefit Tahoe Food Hub, with over $100,000 raised to date. This event is held in partnership with the Truckee School of Music and Tahoe Food Hub, and is proudly sponsored by the North Tahoe Community Alliance, which supports sustainable travel and the success of local businesses.
For a full festival schedule and details on spring operations, visit palisadestahoe.com.
~ Palisades Tahoe press release
TrailCon: Trail Running Festival Launches in Olympic Valley
OLYMPIC VALLEY
TrailCon — a new festival that celebrates the trail running community through engaging panels, brand activations, networking, and movement sessions — is set to launch June 24 and 25 in Olympic Valley at Palisades Tahoe.
The 2025 event, officially named “TrailCon Presented By On,” reflects a vision to inspire and ignite the trail running community through in-person connection and movement. TrailCon Presented By On will highlight panels and activations focused on the most pressing educational and inspirational topics in the sport and will be attended by stakeholders from the entire community, including brands, athletes, and fans. The entire 2-day event is free to attend.
The festival brings over 20 individual panels to Olympic Valley, made up of thought leaders and icons of the sport, and a vibrant brand vendor village, where industry leading companies showcase the latest and greatest trail apparel, equipment and accessories.
Some of the panel topics include: The Rise of Athlete Representation, The Intersection of Trail Running & the Creator Economy, State of the Trail Market (Events & Consumer), and The Future of Trail Races.
A full list of panels can be found here. To learn more and register for TrailCon, visit trailconference.com.
~ TrailCon press release
