Donner Pass Road Improvement Project Receives $9.9 Million in Federal Funding
NEVADA COUNTY
Nevada County was notified Aug. 28 that it received $9.9 million in grant funding from the California Federal Lands Access Program for roadway improvements on 6.5 miles of Donner Pass Road (Old Highway 40) from Interstate 80 to the Truckee town limits. The project will span both Nevada and Placer counties and will include Class II bicycle lanes, parking improvements, and pavement rehabilitation. The project is expected to begin design in early 2016 and is tentatively scheduled for construction in 2019. The project will be managed by the Office of Federal Lands Highway with support from both Nevada and Placer counties. Info: (530) 265-1411, facebook.com/nevcopwsocial
Lake Tahoe Mobile App Lets Visitors be Citizen Scientists
LAKE TAHOE
The UC Davis Tahoe Environmental Research Center has launched a new smartphone app, Citizen Science Tahoe, which encourages beach-goers of all ages to tap in what they see at Lake Tahoe — observational data that will be shared with scientists to better understand conditions around the lake. The app, available for download at citizensciencetahoe.org, was programmed by Shahzeb Khan, a UC Davis freshman studying computer science who won a UC Davis-wide competition for the best app proposal. Citizen scientists can enter what they see at the beach, from algae to wildlife. Each observation automatically records the user’s location, date, and time. Users can also add photos and comments, and they earn points for every observation made. The data will help lake researchers better understand Lake Tahoe’s fragile nearshore. Scientists will compare this data with data from a growing network of real-time sensors to gain a larger view of what’s going on in the nearshore.
Tahoe/Truckee Recognized as a Pacesetter in Early Reading Work
NORTH TAHOE/TRUCKEE
Tahoe/Truckee was recently named one of just 30 communities nationwide to be honored with a 2014 Pacesetter award by the Campaign for Grade-Level Reading. Tahoe Truckee previously received the 2012 All America City award and 2013 Pacesetter award. Tahoe Truckee was cited for making “measurable progress” on student attendance outcomes, which is one of the three campaign strategies. Tahoe Truckee Reads, the local grade-level reading campaign, saw a 2 percent reduction in chronic absenteeism. Tahoe Truckee and the other award winners are part of a nationwide campaign — now operating in 167 communities — that is committed to increasing the number of children who are reading at grade level by the end of third grade.
Bridges to be Retrofitted
HIRSCHDALE
After public input on, and a lot of controversy over, what to do with the two Hirschdale bridges, the Nevada County Department of Public Works ”no longer considers bridge removal and alternate public access road construction [skirting the Teichert Quarry] as an option.” Engineers and other technical staff have examined the two bridges and the county and CalTrans believe both can be retrofitted to meet seismic-safety standards while still retaining the same access. The retrofit option is also the lowest-cost alternative; an estimated $4.3 million versus $5.9 million for the bridge removal and detour option, and $9.9 million for the original proposal that called for full bridge replacement. Staff expects to begin designing the project early next year. If all goes well, work should begin in 2018. Info: Transportation Planner David Garcia, david.garcia@co.nevada.ca.us, (530) 265-7038
Sierra Nevada College Names New President
INCLINE VILLAGE
Dr. Alan G. Walker was recently appointed as president of Sierra Nevada College. He will officially begin his executive duties on Sept. 21. Walker has more than 30 years of experience in higher education, including eight years as president of Upper Iowa University. Walker’s selection by the Board of Trustees follows an eight-month long, nationwide search. Walker replaces Dr. Lynn Gillette. Info: sierranevada.edu/president
Athlete Committed Program Holds Student Athletes Accountable
NORTH TAHOE/TRUCKEE
The Tahoe Truckee Unified School District has launched the Athlete Committed program that is designed to optimize athletic performance, health, and wellness by educating coaches and athletes on the impact of nutrition, sleep, character, stress, and chemical health. Athlete Committed is student driven and urges athletes to renew their commitment to excellence. As part of the program, 79 students across all sports from North Tahoe High and Truckee High were selected as student athlete leaders.
NTPUD Appoints Kathy Long as Interim Park and Facilities Manager
KINGS BEACH
The North Tahoe Public Utility District on Aug. 13 announced the appointment of Kathy Long, who retired from the district two years ago, as interim park and facilities manager, replacing Tracey Towner. The Park and Facilities Department currently faces financial challenges and the Board of Directors will move forward with strategic planning sessions to determine the direction of the department, including how additional funding to cover capital improvements and ongoing maintenance needs will be addressed. The next park and facilities meeting will take place Sept. 16. Info: ntpud.org
Chad Lindeen Named New Principal of North Tahoe School
TAHOE CITY
Chad Lindeen was recently appointed by the Tahoe Truckee Unified School District Board as principal of North Tahoe School. Lindeen replaces Teresa Rensch, who recently joined the Konocti Unified School District as director of curriculum and instruction. Lindeen comes to the district with an extensive background in education, specifically at the middle school level. He was most recently with the Washoe County School District as principal at Fred W. Traner Middle School. Lindeen lives in Truckee with his wife and three children.
Tahoe Forest Health System Named a “Critical Access Hospital to Know”
TRUCKEE
Tahoe Forest Hospital was recently named in Becker’s Hospital Review’s first ever published list of “50 Critical Access Hospitals to Know” in the United States. TFH is the only critical access hospital in California to receive the designation. The list features critical access hospitals that have demonstrated excellence in caring for their communities. Tahoe Forest Health System has received many patient satisfaction and quality awards, and was most recently rated five stars for patient satisfaction by Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services. For a complete list of selected hospitals, visit beckershospitalreview.com.
“Entering the Lake Tahoe Watershed – Help Protect It!”
LAKE TAHOE
Volunteers have stepped up to adopt and maintain the decorative gateway signs that were installed along the three Nevada highways that lead motorists into the Lake Tahoe Basin. The gateway signs read, “Entering the Lake Tahoe Watershed – Help Protect It!” They are meant to remind the millions of people who visit Tahoe each year that they are entering a special place and share a duty to help protect its famously clear waters and unique environment. The signs are near Daggett Summit on Nevada State Route 207, Spooner Summit on U.S. Highway 50, and on Nevada State Route 431, also known as Mount Rose Highway. Info: Tom Lotshaw, (775) 589-5278
