News Briefs
Tahoe Local Dies in Ski Accident
ANTHONY LAKES, OREGON
Twenty-year-old Arabella (Ella) Carr died in a backcountry skiing accident on March 5 in the Anthony Lakes area of Oregon. Ella had been a resident of North Tahoe for most of her life, and was attending Whitman College in Washington at the time of her passing.
Ella’s obituary can be found at truckeetahoemortuary.com/obituaries/arabella-carr. A service for Ella will be held at Palisades Tahoe’s Olympic Village Lodge at 3 p.m. on Sunday, March 20. Her family is creating a scholarship in memory of Ella through the Tahoe Truckee Community Foundation. Donations can be made here.
Other deadly ski accidents involving Tahoe locals have taken place in 2022. On Feb. 13, two teenagers collided at Palisades Tahoe, resulting in the tragic death of 16-year-old Scotty Lapp and the injury of 16-year-old Jude Nolan.
~ AH
Lake Tahoe to Receive Nearly $30 Million in Federal Funding
LAKE TAHOE
On March 15, a federal bill was signed into law that delivers additional critical investments to improve Tahoe’s environment, protect its delicate ecology, and support its community. With concerted support from Tahoe’s federal delegation, Tahoe will receive $23.8 million through the Lake Restoration Act, plus $3.4 million from the previously approved Bipartisan Infrastructure Law, and $2 million in community project funding through the U.S. Department of Transportation in fiscal year 2022.
Together, the approved funding supports a range of Tahoe priorities, including wildfire preparedness. The appropriations include:
- $7 million for water infrastructure that supports fire suppression
- $6.5 million for watershed management
- $6 million for forest health
- $7.7 million for aquatic invasive species control and prevention
- $2 million for infrastructure improvements in the highly visited State Route 28 corridor
The latest funding provided through the Lake Tahoe Restoration Act represents a 148% increase compared to the previous fiscal year, underscoring Tahoe’s importance on the national stage and the many pressures it faces.
For more than 20 years, the Lake Tahoe Restoration Acts have been a critical channel of support for the Basin’s environmental health, and a source of local jobs and economic activity. In 2021, Sen. Catherine Cortez Masto and Rep. Mark Amodei of Nevada introduced bipartisan legislation to extend the authorization of the 2016 Lake Tahoe Restoration Act, which will keep the pipeline open for hundreds of millions of dollars to finish crucial environmental work left undone, and to make Tahoe resilient in the face of climate change.
The Lake Tahoe Partnership, an advocacy group coordinated by the League to Save Lake Tahoe, Tahoe Regional Planning Agency, and Tahoe Chamber, along with numerous partners, will continue working with Tahoe’s federal representatives to extend authorization of the Lake Tahoe Restoration Act in 2022.
~ League to Save Lake Tahoe press release
Notice for Eastern Nevada County Property Owners
TRUCKEE
The due date for the second installment of the 2021/22 secured tax bill is April 11 at 5 p.m. Payments must be received at the Nevada County Treasurer and Tax Collector office or show a postmark of April 11. If mailing less than seven days before this due date, the office highly encourages a hand stamped timely postmark to ensure timely payment. If received after the April 11 date without a timely postmark, a 10% penalty plus $10 cost will be added for late payment.
If you own property in Nevada County and have not received a tax bill, a copy may be printed from the tax collector’s website at mynevadacounty.com/365/my-tax-bill. In-person payment dates for eastern county (Truckee) are set for March 31 and April 1 from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. in the conference room at Truckee Town Hall, located at 10183 Truckee Airport Rd.
Can’t make these dates? Payment transactions can be made online or by phone at (877) 445-5617 up until 11:59 p.m. on April 11. Information can be found at mynevadacounty.com/372/pay-your-tax-bill or simply scan the new QR code on your tax bill to be taken directly to the online payment system. You must have your assessment number and amount due. Please note there is a 2.38% fee associated with credit/debit card transactions, but no charge for electronic check.
Don’t want to pay online? A convenient tax payment drop box is available outside of Truckee’s town hall until 5 p.m. on April 11. All payments dropped in the box by 5 p.m. that day will be posted as timely, but please allow extra time for processing as delivery to the Nevada City office can be delayed by weather.
If mailing your payment, send it to P.O. Box 128, Nevada City, CA 95959.
~ Nevada County press release
Moving In, Moving Up, Moving On
Strider Gliders Seeks Head of Youth Program
TAHOE CITY
On March 5, Tim Hauserman, who’s worked as program director for Tahoe XC’s flagship youth program, Strider Gliders, for 20 years, announced his retirement.
“I’ve worked with about 100 volunteer coaches, all of whom did an awesome job of working towards a simple goal: Getting kids to fall in love with cross-country skiing, which I believe is the greatest sport on earth,” Hauserman wrote in an e-newsletter.
Hauserman will be helping with the transition to a new program director, and plans to assist with writing projects and blog posts for Tahoe XC, as well as head skate-skiing clinics next year.
Tahoe XC is looking for a program director to replace Hauserman. Strider Gliders has been running for 22 years and serves school-age children, grades first through fifth, along with a biathlon program for fourth and fifth graders only. The program director position is seasonal, full-time, and boasts a platform for children to develop a lifelong love for cross-country skiing and outdoor recreation. The position oversees all things Strider Gliders. Tahoe XC is seeking a passionate cross-country skier who is highly organized and enjoys working with others, both kids and adults. To those who are interested, or know someone who may be a good fit, apply today and/or share this unique opportunity. See full job description here.
~ Tahoe XC press release
Renown Board Announces CEO Transition
RENO
The Renown Health Board of Trustees, led by Adam Kramer, has announced that Dr. Tony Slonim’s tenure has ended as president and CEO of Renown Health. Thomas R. Graf, M.D., FAAFP will now serve as interim chief executive officer. Graf will assume the title and authority of CEO in addition to his current role as chief clinical and quality officer at Renown, and senior associate dean for clinical affairs for University of Nevada, Reno School of Medicine. Sy Johnson, MBA, Renown’s current chief operating officer has been promoted to interim president and COO.
Following the completion of a thorough investigation of concerns raised to the board of directors, the board determined that Renown Health, its patients, and staff required new leadership. Accordingly, Slonim has been terminated with cause as CEO of Renown Health.
Kramer announced the transition by writing, “a new direction and leadership is needed given the critical work ahead. I have complete faith in Dr. Tom Graf and Sy Johnson, and their senior leadership teams, who already oversee health care system operations, and will help ensure a smooth transition.”
Graf is a physician executive who has led health care and insurance organizations as well as a national consulting firm. A family medicine physician, researcher, and academic, Graf has focused on driving quality improvement to lower the total cost of care. He has developed and published on care models that have delivered measurably better results for quality, cost, and experience in a variety of venues. He has practiced in an integrated delivery system, with over a decade at Geisinger (Pennsylvania), as well as clinically integrated networks and accountable care organizations. He also has worked with a number of academic medical centers through his consulting work with The Chartis Group.
Sy Johnson has led Renown Health hospital and network operations for almost seven years, most recently as chief of staff/COO and formerly as Renown’s executive vice president and COO. Prior to joining Renown, Johnson served as CEO, senior vice president, and as chief financial officer for Peace Health in Vancouver, Washington, and in senior management with Arthur Andersen & Co and KPMG.
~ Renown press release
Business Briefs
Suddenlink Case Returns to Nevada County Court
TRUCKEE
A case originally filed with the Nevada County Superior Court in Truckee against Suddenlink Communications, then sent up to federal court, has returned to the county for ruling.
Plaintiffs Kathy Bow, Robert Papp, and Susan Weisinger filed a lawsuit against Suddenlink Communications, a subsidiary of Altice USA, on Jan. 15, 2021. The plaintiffs alleged with the Superior Court of California in Nevada County that Suddenlink has made false claims with its promised provision of home internet services. On March 11, 2021, Suddenlink pushed the case to federal court, and just over a month later, on April 15, filed a motion requesting the case to enter arbitration — a way to resolve the case outside of court. By May 13, the plaintiffs filed a motion to bring the case back to state court. On Feb. 1, 2022, U.S. District Judge Troy Nunley, of United States District Court, Eastern District of California, granted the plaintiffs’ request.
In an email to Moonshine Ink, Julie Erickson, Erickson Kramer Osborne attorney representing the plaintiffs, wrote, “We are still waiting for Suddenlink’s response to the complaint in state court. We just received a notice from the federal court last Friday informing the parties that the order remanding the case back to state court had finally been served on the state court, so we likely won’t see a response until early April.”
~ AH
Lake Tahoe Entrepreneurs Purchase a Historic Restaurant
TRUCKEE
Two friends who met years ago while bartending at the historic Cottonwood Restaurant in Truckee have now purchased the establishment. Chris St. Martin and Ryan Dierks started the West River Hospitality Group (WRHG) in 2014, an idea they had while they both worked at Cottonwood.
The pair first opened Truckee Tavern with the idea of bringing a wood-fired steakhouse to Truckee. The vision was to offer a high level of food and craft cocktails, but still retain a fun atmosphere like the one they experienced as young bartenders at Cottonwood. They recently expanded with another restaurant in downtown Truckee, the Mexican-themed Como. Now, with the purchase of Cottonwood, they have come full circle.
WRHG has also promoted Truckee Tavern’s executive chef, Josh Dinsmore, to corporate executive chef. Dinsmore will now oversee kitchen operations and mentor the teams at all three restaurants.
Some other highlights of additions and changes at Cottonwood:
- A revamped and refined dinner menu
- Happy hour all night on Thursdays
- Live music in the fireplace room every Friday
- A new bar manager and bar team
- A brand new beer garden complete with bocce courts overlooking historic downtown Truckee
To learn more about the history of Cottonwood visit the website, cottonwoodrestaurant.com.
~ Cottonwood press release
Spartan’s Ultra World Championship is Coming
NORTH LAKE TAHOE
Spartan, the world’s leading endurance sports and extreme wellness brand, brings the 24-hour Ultra World Championship to the North Tahoe region for the first time.
Athletes will have the opportunity to be the first to conquer the new course at Palisades Tahoe from Sept. 24 to 26. Elite athletes will be competing for a share of $45,200 in prize money and the title of Spartan Ultra World Champion.
The weekend kicks off with the Beast 21K on Saturday, Sept. 24, with the Ultra World Championships scheduled for Sunday through Monday, Sept. 25 to 26.
To compete in the elite championships, racers must complete an elite ultra between Oct. 21, 2021 and Sept. 19, 2022. To compete in the age group championships, racers must also complete an ultra during the same time frame. All athletes are eligible to enter the open division. Additionally, the Beast 21K is open to all racers.
For more information, visit race.spartan.com/en/race/championships/ultra.
~ Spartan press release
Tahoe Expedition Academy Implements New Sexuality Education Program
TRUCKEE
This year Tahoe Expedition Academy is excited to implement a new sexuality education program for fourth through eighth graders. The program is called P.R.E.P Beyond and was designed by the founders of the nonprofit, Well Beyond Academics. Jenene Slatt, a TEA parent and licensed marriage and family therapist, along with her co-founder, Jennifer Krasner, a licensed clinical social worker, each have 20 years of experience working with youth and their families in both school and clinical practice. They created Well Beyond Academics seven years ago with the goal of creating a healthier generation one community at a time. In typical TEA fashion, P.R.E.P. Beyond moves well beyond traditional curriculums on biology, puberty, and sexual behavior.
“What really makes us different is that we come from this foundation of mental health,” says Slatt. “We have not heard of any other sexuality curriculum that is mental health informed and has been developed by therapists. We know that puberty is not just about changing bodies, there’s so much that happens socially and in the brain. Sexuality education is a huge opportunity to focus on overall wellness; to illuminate and emphasize students’ rights, responsibility, and respect for self and others. Our comprehensive education focuses not only on educating youth about growing into adulthood but additionally has the goal of preventing bullying, suicide, mental illness, and partner violence.”
P.R.E.P stands for puberty, reproduction, empowerment, and perspective and it’s designed to equip students with the life skills required to care for one’s own emotional and physical health, as well as the health and well-being of others while engaging in platonic, sexual, and romantic relationships.
Well Beyond Academics also hosts faculty training and parent workshops to equip the adults in the community with the tools they need to keep these and other important conversations going long after the class is over. To learn more about Well Beyond Academics, visit the website at wellbeyondacademics.org.
~ TEA press release
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