Update, Jan. 18, 2017: The community workshop for the West River Site Redevelopment Project will be Tuesday Feb. 7, 5:30 to 7 p.m. in Council Chambers at Town Hall.
Re-Launch of Redevelopment for West River Open Space
TRUCKEE
It’s been six years since there’s been active community dialogue on the redevelopment of 10257 West River Street, a site the town acquired from Nevada County in 2004. Formerly the site of the county’s Department of Transportation and Sanitation Maintenance Yard, the 1.42 acres are slated to be a large riverfront public park area. Via public process in 2010/11, two alternatives were developed with the primary difference being that one planned for improvements only on the site, whereas the other reflects a vision for both the site and the immediate surrounding area. A 2011 feasibility study estimated a probable construction cost (in 2011 dollars) of $4.6 million and $7.1 million for alternatives one and two, respectively. Due to factors including the difficult economic climate in 2011, no developers stepped up for the opportunity. As a result, this project was put on hold. With the improved economy, the town is re-launching the project and a new public workshop date is anticipated to take place in early February. Info: hhobbs@townoftruckee.com
Ski Museum Moving Forward
SQUAW VALLEY
At the end of September, Squaw Valley Ski Museum Foundation submitted an environmental questionnaire and zoning amendment application to the Placer County Planning Department for a proposed museum located within Squaw Valley Park. The county has provided its first round of feedback and the foundation will be conducting traffic and parking studies in January. The ski museum is also actively searching for an architectural firm to update the plans — what was proposed in original draft drawings in 2009 has been scaled back.
“’Less is more’ is definitely a theme,” said museum executive director Sandy Chio. Concurrently, the county is doing community outreach on a draft master plan for the Squaw Valley Park.
Squaw Valley/Alpine Meadows Most Represented U.S. Alpine Team in Country
OLYMPIC VILLAGE
The 2017 U.S. Alpine Ski Team has officially been announced for the 2016/17 season, and Squaw/Alpine is the most represented resort in the country: five members of the 50 on the team. A Team members Travis Ganong and Julia Mancuso, B Team member Bryce Bennett, C Team member Erik Arvidsson, and Development Team member Keely Cashman all rose through the ranks of the Squaw/Alpine development system and have seen tremendous success in International Ski Federation (FIS) competitions.
The team is divided into A, B, C, and Development Teams, as well as a University Team, all of which receive a high level of world-class program support, access to the USSA Center of Excellence, elite coaching, sport science, sports medicine, high performance staff, and education opportunities.
Tahoe Mountain Resorts Foundation Awards More Than $340,000
TRUCKEE
Tahoe Mountain Resorts Foundation (TMRF) has awarded more than $340,000 in grants and scholarships for 2017, providing support to 33 Tahoe/Truckee area nonprofit organizations, programs, local students, and community events. One of the top grants, totaling $40,000, was awarded to the Truckee River Watershed Council.
Tahoe Mountain Resorts Foundation is supported through a dedicated funding source of real estate transfer fees generated in the Mountainside Partners communities of Northstar Village, Mountainside at Northstar, Old Greenwood, and Gray’s Crossing. Info: tmrfoundation.com
$800,000 Available in Clean Air Grants
PLACER COUNTY
The county’s Air Pollution Control District is now seeking applications for their annual Clean Air Grant program, which includes approximately $800,000 of available funds. Individuals can apply for the grant under the following categories, among others:
• Heavy-duty diesel equipment upgrades not already required by state regulations within the next four years.
• Alternative fuel infrastructure.
• New or expanding transit service.
• Public education and outreach related to air quality.
• Innovative forest management practices that reduce open burning.
According to the county, this is a competitive grant program and project cost effectiveness will be critical in determining disbursement of funding. Info: placerair.org
Media Maker Residency at Nevada Film Festival, Feb. 2 to 5
NEVADA CITY
The Nevada City Film Festival (NCFF) has announced a four-day inaugural Media Maker Residency, Feb. 2 to 5. The Media Maker Residency is for storytellers and visual and digital artists looking to enhance connections with their own creative process, as well as with others working in diverse, but related fields. The NCFF has been called the “Sundance of the Sierra” and has hosted top independent cinema during its four-day annual event since 2001. This residency will connect aspiring and established filmmakers, writers, and media creators in order to provide a nurturing environment to spark the process of self-discovery, create connection through community building, and help bring projects to fruition. Media Maker Residents will have the opportunity to submit finished pieces for screening at the Nevada City Film Festival in September 2017. Info: nevadacityfilmfestival.com
Tahoe Expedition Academy, +Impact School acquire $10 million in funding
TRUCKEE
Tahoe Expedition Academy (TEA) and +Impact School announced Dec. 13 that they raised $10 million in funding in partnership with the Martis Valley Education Fund. If the schools can raise another $1 million, they will receive a $5.5 million matching grant to complete phase one of their innovative new flagship campus in Martis Valley, which is set to open in late fall 2017. The schools broke ground on the new 42-acre campus in July 2016, and are currently one-third of the way through the enrollment season for the 2017/18 school year. The deadline for priority enrollment is Feb. 8. Info: TEA’s Pre-K to 8th grade programs, tahoeexpeditionacademy.org; +Impact Schools 9th to 12th grade programs, impactschools.com
ASC Training Center Biathletes Make World Team
DONNER SUMMIT
Two local athletes, both members of the ASC Training Center Biathlon program coached by Glenn Jobe, have made the Biathlon World Championship Team. Lexie Madigan, 14, was admitted to the youth women’s team and Peter Carroll, 19, to the men’s junior team. Both teams are very select with only four members each. The IBU’s Youth and Junior Biathlon World Championships will take place Feb. 22 to 28 at a site to be determined in early January. The event includes four competitions for each of the two classes: Youth (under 19) and Junior (under 21).
Squaw Valley/Alpine Meadows Tests Pilot Chariot Program
OLYMPIC VALLEY
Squaw/Alpine launched and tested a pilot program for in-valley transport in both valleys in partnership with Chariot during the holiday season. The program ran from Dec. 23 to Jan. 4, and Squaw plans to consider extending the program if it can acquire additional support from community partners. This service only runs within the two respective valleys, while the Squaw Alpine Express shuttle connecting the two resorts continues its service. The ridership increased through the program, starting with 40 riders and jumping to 235 by Dec. 28. Info: squawalpine.com/chariot-transit
Project MANA-TEA Kicks Off on Martin Luther King Jr. Day
TRUCKEE
+Impact School and Tahoe Expedition Academy (TEA) have teamed up with local North Lake Tahoe and Truckee hunger relief agency Project MANA, to create Project MANA-TEA. The goal of this year-long project, supported by students at +Impact School and TEA, is to stamp out hunger in the North Tahoe and Truckee region by raising 1 pound of food and $1 for every Kings Beach resident, for a total of $3,796 and 3,796 pounds of food. To commence the project, the students and staff at +Impact School and TEA will host a community-wide spaghetti feed on Martin Luther King Jr. Day, Jan. 16, from 12:30 to 2:30 p.m. at the Boys & Girls Club in Kings Beach.
Moving In, Moving Up, Moving On
Sandy Hall Announces Resignation From NLTRA
NORTH LAKE TAHOE
Sandy Evans Hall, CEO and executive director of The North Lake Tahoe Resort Association (NLTRA) announced her resignation effective July 1, 2017. In her six-year tenure with the NLTRA, Evans Hall oversaw the construction of Tahoe City’s visitors center, implementation of a seasonal visitor guide to promote North Lake Tahoe as a year-round destination, and helped establish the Business Association and Chamber Collaborative — a committee that brings local business partners together to work on joint programs. The organization will conduct a national search for Hall’s replacement and hopes to succeed by July 1.
Town Manager Retires, Police Chief Moves on and Community Development Director Hired
TRUCKEE
Town Manager Tony Lashbrook announced his retirement in a letter to Mayor Goodwin and town council members on Dec. 22, giving an “official” retirement date of July 15, 2017. Truckee Police Chief Adam McGill announced he will also be leaving his position in Truckee to take the police chief position in Novato, California, starting in January 2017. McGill will be replaced by current Captain Rob Leftwich.
After a three-month search, the Town of Truckee announced Jeff Loux will lead the Community Development Department starting Feb. 6, 2017. Jeff has 30 years of management and leadership experience under his belt, in the fields of planning, environmental and land-use policy. He will be replacing John McLaughlin, who moved to Bandon, Oregon in October 2016 to take a position as planning director.
New Division Chief, Battalion Chiefs, and Captains at North Tahoe Fire
NORTH LAKE TAHOE
Multiple changes are in store at North Tahoe Fire Protection District (NTFPD), as employees move up in the ranks. These changes include:
• The promotion of Battalion Chief Todd Conradson to Division Chief for Fire Prevention, Fire/Life Safety, and Fire Marshall.
• Greg Smith has been promoted to Fire and Rescue Battalion Chief.
• Captain Steve McNamara has been appointed to Emergency Medical Services Battalion Chief.
• Gary Nelson has been appointed Captain.
• Jamie Sheppard has been appointed Captain.
First Latina Board Member at TTUSD
TRUCKEE
Cris Hennessey was sworn in as Tahoe Truckee Unified School District’s first Latina board member this December. Kirsten Livak was also sworn in for her third term. They will come in as Randy Hill, who was recently elected to the Tahoe Forest Hospital District Board, leaves the school board after six years.
