News Briefs
TTUSD Bus Driver Arrested for DUI
TRUCKEE
A TTUSD Staff Bus Driver was pulled over and arrested for DUI charges on Saturday May 10th while transporting the Truckee High Softball team from Fallon back to Truckee. According to Nevada County Sheriff’s records the driver, Justin Loughner was booked into custody the same evening and released the next day.
According to the Nevada County Sheriff’s records, Loughner was charged with two misdemeanors and one felony. Both misdemeanors were categorized as a DUI, one of them was for a commercial vehicle and it is considered to be driving under the influence of alcohol if a driver’s BAC is 0.04 percent or higher. The federal limit for non-commercial drivers is 0.08 percent, according to the California DMV. The felony charge was for child cruelty with the possibility of injury or death.
The team had traveled around an hour and a half one way to participate in the games in Fallon, NV, against Eureka High School. According to TTUSD Officials, the teams played against each other in Fallon because it was neutral ground, and a halfway point for both. The girls beat their opponents and won both games. According to a varsity player who was on the bus, Loughner was pulled over just before coming into Truckee as the bus was travelling west on I-80.
Amber Burke, Coordinator of District Communications & Parent Engagement at TTUSD, wrote in an email regarding the incident that was sent to the families of the students involved stating, “We commend the coaching staff on the bus for their swift action in contacting both the Nevada and California Highway Patrol upon suspecting an issue.”
TTUSD’s Assistant Superintendent, Chief Business Officer, transportation fleet supervisor, and another licensed bus driver were all dispatched to the location to transport all of the students back to THS, according to Burke.
Burke concluded the email by saying, “We want to reassure our community that this appears to be an isolated incident and is not representative of the care and commitment to safety our transportation department and drivers demonstrate every day. The safety of our students is always our paramount concern, and we sincerely hope this deeply concerning incident does not overshadow the hard work and dedication our bus drivers consistently demonstrate in keeping TTUSD students safe.”
According to Burke, support services will be available to students which started Monday May 12th “Please know that [student] safety and emotional well-being are our top priority.”
~ Lola Hadley, Truckee Times, special to Moonshine Ink
North Tahoe Business Association Officially Dissolved
NORTH TAHOE
In April of 2024, the North Tahoe Business Association (NTBA) board was notified of significant discrepancies in the organization’s operations. It was discovered that there was some serious financial mishandling taking place that was in breach of the organization’s bylaws. The board took swift action, first suspending the executive director, then subsequently terminating the employee and alerting the Placer County Sheriff.
Unfortunately, despite the board’s efforts to stop the bleeding, the damage had been done.
With the help of the North Tahoe Community Alliance’s guidance and support, the NTBA was able to carry out most of its normal programming since the discovery in early 2024. Music on the Beach in Kings Beach went off without a hitch. The NTBA managed its Labor Day drone show and concert. The Kings Beach Snowfest parade carried on. Kings Beach clean-up days still happened. The only event that did not take place was Passport to Dining.
It became very clear after almost a year of work, including NTBA staff, board members, pro-bono legal counsel, and outside consultants, that the mounting debt was simply too large to overcome as an organization.
There will be a new committee formed under the North Tahoe Community Alliance to support advocacy for the North Tahoe business community and local economy. The committee, which will consist of between nine and eleven voting advisory members, will help lead in the development of the district’s priorities, including but not limited to advocacy, business support and services, beautification, economic development and events.
In a unanimous vote on March 19, the NTBA board voted to dissolve on April 30. The board is devastated that one person could apparently cause so much loss and the end of the NTBA as it has existed for the last 47 years.
~ North Tahoe Business Association newsletter, North Tahoe Chamber press release
Seeking Volunteers for the Nevada County Civil Grand Jury
NEVADA CITY
Want to make Nevada County continue to be such a great place to live? Do so by serving on this year’s Civil Grand Jury.
The jury is seeking citizen volunteers for its 2025/26 term starting on July 1. The term is for a full year ending on June 30. Those selected will take part in investigations and research ways to improve local government and agency functions.
Up to 19 jurors will serve per term. All qualified citizens are encouraged to apply. The jury is especially looking for individuals from the Truckee area.
To serve on the Nevada County Civil Grand Jury, individuals must be a county resident for at least 1 year, be over the age of 18, never have been convicted of a felony, be able to read and write English, and not currently serving as an elected official. An investment of about 20 hours per week is required for meetings and research. Jurors will receive a small stipend for their work, and training is provided.
To apply, please visit the Nevada County Superior Court website at nevada.courts.ca.gov/general-information/grand-jury or call (530) 265-1730.
~ Nevada County Grand Jury press release
Washoe County Library Votes for Stop-Gap Funding Measure
RENO
After a November ballot measure that would have renewed $4.5 million in funding over 30 years for the Washoe County Library System failed to pass, the library board of trustees on May 7 voted unanimously to approve a $1.3 million budget from the county for fiscal year 2026 to supplement the residual expansion fund balance of approximately $3.5 million. The original expansion fund was approved in 1994 for 30 years.
According to library spokesperson Jamie Hemingway, this is a flat budget, meaning there is no increase in spending; rather, it is intended to avoid layoffs and service cuts. The money will be held in abeyance by the county for use by the library system as needed, and will need to be approved by the trustees. The Washoe County Board of Commissioners will give the final approval for the library budget at its May 20 meeting. There are no plans yet for funding the library for fiscal year 2027; budget proposals for that year are due in the fall.
The Washoe County Library System has not yet started looking for a new library director after its former director resigned April 16. Hemingway said on average it takes 3 to 6 months to recruit for a new library director. Stacy McKenzie, assistant library director, is currently serving as the acting director.
The branch manager for the Incline Village Library left his position in March after 7 years to move to a different department in the county. The library is currently recruiting to fill that spot as well.
~ MS
PUD to Make Major Improvements to Popular West Shore Trail
TAHOE CITY
Tahoe City Public Utility District (TCPUD) is preparing to reconstruct 2.4 miles of the West Shore Trail between Sunnyside and Blackwood Creek. The reconstruction will improve safety, accessibility, and the trail experience for all users.
Construction is scheduled to begin in May and last through October 2025.
First constructed in the 1970s, the West Shore Trail is part of TCPUD’s 23-mile multi-use trail system. Regular maintenance has preserved this trail over the past 5 decades of service, but this heavily used community trail is now due for a full reconstruction to improve pavement conditions, enhance visibility and safety for both pedestrians and vehicles, ensure ADA compliance, and resolve drainage concerns.
Trail users should expect trail closures and detours Mondays through Thursdays throughout the summer. The trail will remain open on weekends and from June 28 to July 13. Neighbors may experience construction noise and activities, but property access will be maintained. Slurry seal work, anticipated in September, may temporarily impact driveway access for some residents.
During construction, residents and visitors seeking alternative trail routes can enjoy the recently reconstructed North Shore Trail (Tahoe City to Dollar Point) and the Truckee River Trail (Tahoe City to Olympic Valley). Both offer scenic, safe, and family-friendly experiences for walking, biking, and running. For more information and a full trail map, visit tcpud.org/trails.
For updates on the project, visit tcpud.org/westshoretrail.
~ Tahoe City Public Utilities District press release
Placer County Launches Indigenous-Led Partnership to Boost Wildfire Resilience
AUBURN
The Placer County Board of Supervisors has greenlit a collaboration with the newly formed Indigenous-led nonprofit organization The Sierra Fund to advance priority wildfire resilience efforts in the Foresthill Divide community.
The board authorized the Placer County Director of Agriculture, Parks, and Natural Resources to execute a $161,000 contract agreement with The Sierra Fund to enhance implementation of wildfire resilience and forest health projects under the county’s 10-Year Wildfire and Forest Resilience Action Plan and other county planning efforts, effective immediately through the end of 2026.
Supported by grant funding from the Sierra Nevada Conservancy’s Regional Forest and Fire Capacity Program, the initiative aims to strengthen community capacity to conduct regional forest health and wildfire preparedness project work through inclusive, community-driven strategies.
This partnership marks a pivotal step in broadening engagement by integrating Indigenous perspectives and traditional ecological knowledge into every stage of community wildfire resilience work, from project design and environmental permitting to implementation and long-term monitoring.
The Foresthill Divide, home to two of 31 priority areas highlighted in Placer County’s 10-Year Regional Forest Health Action Plan, faces heightened wildfire risks due to its terrain and forest conditions.
By embedding Indigenous leadership and traditional knowledge into project planning and implementation from the start, the partnership aims to create scalable strategies that other regions can replicate.
For more information, visit placer.ca.gov/9582/regional-forest-health.
~ Placer County press release
OVFree Named U.S. Ski & Snowboard’s 2025 Freeski Club of the Year
OLYMPIC VALLEY
The Olympic Valley Freestyle Freeride Team (OVFree), based out of Palisades Tahoe, has earned national recognition as U.S. Ski & Snowboard’s 2025 Freeski Club of the Year — an honor celebrating excellence in coaching, athlete development, community engagement, and competitive success. The award was presented at U.S Ski and Snowboard’s Annual Awards Dinner in Park City, Utah, and accepted by head freeski coach Cooper Davidson.
OVFree Freeski athlete Keva Kelly, 14, from Tahoe City, was also officially named to the U.S. Ski Team’s Halfpipe Rookie Team.
Presented annually by U.S. Ski & Snowboard, the Freeski Club of the Year award recognizes the nation’s top club program based on athlete performance, program quality, and overall impact on the sport. OVFree stood out thanks to its dynamic coaching team, athlete-driven culture, and a season filled with breakthrough performances.
The Olympic Valley Freestyle Freeride Team continues to build on its mission of developing passionate, well-rounded skiers by combining world-class coaching with a focus on fun, teamwork, and progression. From grassroots development to international podiums, OVFree is proving that the future of freeski is thriving in the Sierra.
~ Olympic Valley Freestyle Freeride Team press release
Incentives to Replace Old Wood Stoves
PLACER COUNTY
The Placer County Air Pollution Control District has announced an opportunity for Placer County residents to receive an incentive to replace their old, high-polluting wood stove/insert with a cleaner-burning, more efficient device.
Applications are now being accepted for residents with an uncertified wood stove/insert to upgrade to an EPA-certified wood-burning device or an electric heat pump.
Approved applicants can receive a point-of-sale discount at a participating retailer of up to $2,500 to replace their existing, operational wood stove or fireplace when using a primary source of heat, with an eligible wood-burning replacement device or electric stove heater, and up to $5,000 to upgrade to an electric heat pump.
Low-income applicants or applicants residing in a census-tract identified as a low-income community, may be eligible for an enhanced point-of-sale incentive of up to $5,000 for an eligible wood-burning replacement device or up to $10,000 for an electric heat pump.
Applications will be processed on a first-come, first-served basis.
Today’s wood-burning appliances burn cleaner and produce less smoke inside and outside of homes. Efficient wood-burning appliances burn less wood, saving time and money.
For additional information and to apply online visit the PCAPCD website.
~ Placer County Air Pollution Control District
New Youth Entrepreneurship Club Launches
TRUCKEE
The Truckee Chamber of Commerce, Sierra Business Council, and Lift Workspace are excited to announce the launch of the Truckee Tahoe Future Founders (TTFF) Club, a new initiative designed to support and inspire the next generation of entrepreneurs in the region. The club is open to aspiring entrepreneurs aged 14 to 24 and will officially kick off with a community event on May 29 at 5 p.m. at Lift Workspace in Truckee.
The kickoff event will feature a lively panel discussion on entrepreneurship, featuring local business owners and Bay Area innovators who will share their stories, challenges, and advice. The event is free and open to the public, and young people interested in starting or growing a business are encouraged to attend.
The club is student-led by Truckee High School junior Saim Mian, who saw a gap in business education and wanted to create a space where young people could learn real entrepreneurial skills and build their ideas into action.
Starting in September, Truckee Tahoe Future Founders will meet twice a month and plans to offer real-world business insight through local guest speakers, hands-on workshops, and mentorship opportunities. The goal is to build foundational entrepreneurial skills, spark creative thinking, and give young people the tools and confidence to turn their ideas into action.
Club members will get to network with peers, receive guidance from local business leaders, and build real-world experience.
For more information about the club or to RSVP for the kickoff event, visit truckee.com or email jessica@truckee.com.
~ Truckee Chamber of Commerce press release
Learn to “Grow Your Own” in Tahoe With UC Davis
TAHOE CITY
The UC Davis Tahoe Environmental Research Center (TERC), in partnership with the UCCE Lake Tahoe Master Gardeners, is excited to announce two upcoming Grow Your Own Gardening events designed to empower residents and visitors to cultivate their own fruits and vegetables in Tahoe.
The first event will be held on Saturday, May 31, from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. at the Tallac Historic Site in South Lake Tahoe. The second event will take place on Friday, June 6 from 4 to 7 p.m. at the UC Davis Tahoe City Field Station in Tahoe City.
At these free, hands-on workshops, participants will discover the secrets to successful gardening in Tahoe’s unique high-elevation environment. Learn how to grow produce using science-based methods, sustainable strategies, and eco-friendly techniques tailored for the Lake Tahoe Basin.
Each session will include:
- Expert instruction from the UCCE Lake Tahoe Master Gardeners
- Background and history of highlighted vegetables
- Practical cultivation techniques and growing tips specific to Tahoe
- Environmentally conscious gardening strategies
- Plants specially selected for success in the local climate for purchase.
- Organic compost is generously being donated from Full Circle Compost for all participants.
Attendees are encouraged to arrive early for the best plant selection.
For more information, including plants for purchase and prices, visit tahoe.ucdavis.edu/events.
~ UC Davis Tahoe Environmental Research Center press release
Temporary Public Art Installation for Railyard Mobility Hub
TRUCKEE
The Town of Truckee and the Public Art Commission of Truckee (PACT) invite artists and artist teams to propose a temporary public art piece for installation at the brand-new Mobility Hub, located at 10930 Church St., for 2 years.
The available funding, $5,000, includes installation, transportation, and removal. There will be an option for the selected artist to sell their artwork during the loan period with a 20% commission to the town if sold.
More information, including application requirements and more, is available in this Request for Proposals PDF. Proposals are due by July 14 at 5 p.m.
~ Town of Truckee news alert
South Lake Tahoe Man Indicted for Distribution of Fentanyl Causing Death
SOUTH LAKE TAHOE
A federal grand jury returned an indictment on May 8 against Timothy Austin Pannell, 32, of South Lake Tahoe, charging him with distribution of fentanyl causing death, Acting U.S. Attorney Michele Beckwith announced.
According to court documents, on the morning of Feb. 12, 2024, South Lake Tahoe Police Department responded to a 911 call reporting multiple overdoses at a residence in South Lake Tahoe. First responders arrived and found four individuals deceased in the residence. A fifth victim survived the overdose.
It is alleged that two of the men found deceased that morning had met with Pannell, a.k.a. “Frog,” who sold them fentanyl that he represented as cocaine. The men shared what they believed to be cocaine with three others at the house.
Pannell is currently in federal custody, pending trial.
If convicted, Pannell faces a mandatory minimum sentence of 20 years in prison and a maximum statutory penalty of life in prison and a $1 million fine. Any sentence, however, would 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.
~ Eastern District of California press release
Business Briefs
Alpenglow Sports Mountain Running Club Announces 2025 Schedule
TAHOE CITY
The Alpenglow Sports Mountain Running Club (AGMRC) presented by Arc’teryx and Ciele is returning for the 2025 season with weekly runs from June through October. The team at Alpenglow Sports has planned a season filled with routes of varying distances, nutrition and footwear demo opportunities, and more participant connection with after run coffees, giveaways, and run club gear. In partnering with brands in the outdoor industry, the local heritage shop has expanded their ability to help grow and add value to the local running community.
AGMRC is an inclusive group of runners of all experience levels, with the ultimate goal of enjoying the incredible wilderness of Tahoe and Truckee while building a strong trail running community. Participants can expect weekly, zero-drop runs, of varying distances and routes, and demos. For the 2025 season, runs will take place on Wednesdays with bonus Saturday runs each month. All routes are available on the group’s Strava page in advance of the runs.
With the support of Arc’teryx and Ciele, Alpenglow Sports is excited to provide added structure to the program and increased benefits to all runners. Some additional perks this year will include more runs per month, exclusive AGMRC branded Ciele hats, and Arc’teryx technical shirts with attendance, a season-long giveaway featuring the Arc’teryx Norvan Running Kit, and chances to demo new gear from these brands, as well as others in the industry.
To learn more, visit the website, join the Strava Club, or call the team at the shop at (530) 583-6917.
~ AGMRC press release
