TRPA Board Approves Event Center
STATELINE
In a unanimous vote, the Tahoe Regional Planning Agency’s governing board recently approved Tahoe Douglas Visitors Authority’s proposed $100 million event center project. The plan also includes associated transit and parking improvements for the South Shore casino corridor. The project now moves to Douglas County commissioners for final consideration.
The proposed project will create a 138,000-square-foot, 6,000-seat center for performances, trade shows, ice shows, and sporting events. Attendance will be capped at 2,500 people during peak summer months in an effort to manage traffic congestion, according to TRPA documents. The Tahoe South Events Center will be located at the corner of Highway 50 and Lake Parkway in Stateline, Nevada. This property currently serves as a parking lot for the Mont Bleu Hotel and Casino.
~ TRPA press release
Artists Selected for East Shore Mural
INCLINE VILLAGE
In response to the Tahoe Fund and Tahoe Public Art’s call for artists earlier this year, 34 artists submitted proposals for the chance to paint the mural that will complete the tunnel on the new Tahoe East Shore Trail. Tyler Rivenbark and Frida Ticehurst-Rivenbark, a husband and wife art and design duo based in North Lake Tahoe, were selected to paint their mural concept by a panel of judges composed of representatives from the Tahoe Fund, Tahoe Public Art, Nevada State Parks, Nevada Department of Transportation, Raley’s, and Kelly Brothers Painting. Raley’s is providing a $5,000 stipend to the artists and Kelly Brothers Painting will donate all of the paint required for the mural.
Painting of the mural begins later this spring following NDOT approval of the permitting process. Local youth involvement is also expected, pending the status of government regulations related to COVID-19. When painting is underway, the Tahoe East Shore Trail will be closed for two to three days by NDOT and Nevada State Parks. Trail closure details will be announced in advance through local media and postings at the trailheads and @nevadadot and State Parks social media.
~ Tahoe Fund press release
CAL FIRE Awards Millions in Local Fire Prevention Grants
SACRAMENTO
California Department of Forestry and Fire Protection recently awarded $43.5 million to local organizations to reduce the risk of wildfires to homes and communities across California. Fifty-five local fire prevention projects are receiving funding for hazardous fuel reductions, wildfire preparedness planning and fire prevention education.
A project out of El Dorado County received a public education grant of nearly $100,000 to Forestry Educators Incorporated for its 2020 Forestry Challenge. The forestry challenge is an academic competition for high school students in technical forestry and current forestry topics. Participants spend four days in the forest learning about the ecology and management of the forested landscapes that provide communities with water, recreational opportunities, and wood products.
~ CAL FIRE press release
Funds Authorized for Climate, Sustainable Community Grants
SACRAMENTO
The California Tahoe Conservancy authorized $912,000 for grants to advance climate change adaptation and improve community sustainability in the Lake Tahoe Basin.
The conservancy board approved three climate adaptation grants, all funded by Proposition 68:
- $186,836 to the University of California, Davis, Tahoe Environmental Research Center for a field study observing seedlings from sugar pine trees that survived the 2012 to 2016 drought. Results of this study will help forest managers adapt to climate change impacts by selecting sugar pine seed stocks that are best suited for restoration projects in the basin.
- $250,000 to the South Tahoe Public Utility District to assess the vulnerability of the Basin’s water infrastructure to climate change impacts, including the heightened risk of wildfires, and to design projects to harden water and sewer infrastructure to such impacts.
- $100,000 to the Tahoe Regional Planning Agency to update its inventory of greenhouse gas emissions and to assess the potential of the Basin landscape to capture and store carbon.
Additional Proposition 68 funds were granted to the area, including sustainable communities money to South Lake Tahoe for its Tahoe Valley Stormwater and Greenbelt Improvement Project.
~ California Tahoe Conservancy press release
Soroptimists Sponsor Scholarship, Awards for Women
TRUCKEE
Soroptimist International of Truckee Donner announced a new scholarship for up to $2,000. This award is for a woman continuing her education or training. To be eligible for the scholarship, an applicant must be accepted into an undergraduate program at a two- or four-year accredited college or trade school. The application due date is May 15. The application can be filled out on sitd.info. Contact Pam English at (408) 316-2413 for questions on the application.
SITD also recently honored four local women and one high school girl for their outstanding service and educational commitments. The Ruby Award went to Melissa Mohler, executive director for the Sierra Watershed Education Partnerships (SWEP). The Live Your Dream Award went to Mercedes Ferguson, Alejandra Venegas, and Karla Garcia. The Violet Richardson Award went to Celeste Valentino, a female high school student who volunteers with programs at Truckee High School and Truckee Elementary.
~ SITD press release
Trails Foundation, Town to Create New Program
TRUCKEE
The Trail Amenity Adoption Program provides civic-minded individuals the opportunity to make a donation to trails that will also allow for the recognition of an organization, business, or loved one in a unique and lasting manner. To adopt an amenity, visit truckeetrails.org/adopt-an-amenity.
~ Town of Truckee news item
2019 Bicycle Achievement Awards Announced
ZEPHYR COVE
Each year, the Lake Tahoe Bicycle Coalition honors those that have made significant advancements to promoting safer bicycling and walking opportunities for the Tahoe/Truckee area. LTBC received 13 nominations for the 2019 awards and is pleased to announce the following Bike Achievement Awardees:
- Public Agency: City of South Lake Tahoe
- Business: Squaw Valley Alpine Meadows (and their guests) and the Squaw Village Neighborhood Company
- Individual: Charles Nelson
~ LTBC press release
Facility Operator for Women and Family Shelter Approved
WASHOE COUNTY
County commissioners approved Reno Initiative for Shelter and Equality (RISE) to become the facility operator of the Our Place Women and Family Shelter.
Families and children in daycare will relocate from the Community Assistance Center to Our Place this spring, followed by the women, upon completion of the 114-bed women’s shelter. Our Place will provide a more safe and secure environment for women to receive several services, such as mental health and educational and employment opportunities. In addition, Our Place will enable an increased capacity to serve more individuals with a targeted approach for long-term success.
The more than $1.9 million contract between RISE and Washoe County is a 14-month agreement to operate the shelter, which provides an opportunity to renew annually each of the following four years.
~ Tahoe Fund press release
Moving In, Moving On, Moving Up
Sugar Bowl Ski Team & Academy Names New Director
NORDEN
Sugar Bowl Ski Team & Academy announced that Brian Krill will its new executive director, effective July 1. Krill will lead the athletic and academic staff to further strengthen SBSTA’s vision to be recognized as the gold standard for ski teams and ski academies. Krill has an extensive background in both skiing and education, having worked for several organizations around the country, including U.S. Ski and Snowboard, Western Colorado University, Jackson Hole Ski & Snowboard Club, and Crested Butte Academy.
~ SBSTA press release
New District Attorney Appointed
AUBURN
The Placer County Board of Supervisors appointed a new district attorney on April 7 after an intensive, three-month-long process to select a qualified candidate. Supervisors appointed Morgan Briggs Gire, who has been practicing law for more than 20 years, including 15 years at the Sacramento County District Attorney’s Office, where he served as an assistant chief deputy district attorney.
The D.A. position has been vacant since Dec. 30, 2019, after former Placer District Attorney Scott Owens retired prior to the end of his elected term in office. Pursuant to the county charter and state statute, when a mid-term vacancy occurs in an elected county office, the Board of Supervisors must appoint a successor to serve the remaining term.
Gire will hold the office for Owens’ unexpired term which ends Jan. 2, 2023. Placer County voters will select the next district attorney in the 2022 election.
~ Placer County press release
TTUSD Program Introduces New Member
TRUCKEE
Chelsea Walterscheid has joined the team as a career technical education technician. The College and Career Readiness program prepares students for the future in education and career, providing rigorous academics and hands-on learning experiences for all students.
~ TTUSD email update
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