Public Health Confirms Two Mpox Cases; Pilot Project Designed to Educate Short-Term Rental Guests About Mountain Living; More

TRUCKEE

The Town of Truckee is getting ready to release a draft of the 2027 to 2035 Housing Element for public review.

The Housing Element is one chapter of the town’s general plan and is required to be updated every eight years. The Housing Element outlines the policies and programs to help meet the existing and projected housing needs for all sectors of the Truckee community. The town is working on Housing Element for the next eight-year cycle (2027 to 2035).

The State of California requires that the Housing Element review the town’s existing housing conditions and population trends, inventory available residentially zoned land, identify sites for additional residential density, and identify anticipated actions to create more housing opportunities and reduce unnecessary constraints on development. It is intended to provide the blueprint 

In the past, the Housing Element has provided guidance on changes to zoning regulations including policies that require more affordable housing as part of development projects, increasing density, and incorporating specific changes to ensure inclusivity for special needs groups. Additionally, housing programs such as Rooted Rentals, Lease to Locals, Truckee Home Access Program, and Homegrown Housing were created to implement Housing Element policy to provide housing for the Truckee workforce.

The town is getting ready to release the public review document this month for a 30-day period. It seeks residents’ input on the document, particularly on the programs that are being contemplated for future consideration. The town will be holding three meetings focused on the Housing Element:

• Wednesday, May 27: Community meeting will be held at 6 p.m. with a short presentation on the public review draft findings and an open house.
• Tuesday, June 2: Planning commission will review the public review draft.
• Tuesday, June 23: Town council will review the public review draft, including review of public comments.

All meetings will be held at town hall (10183 Truckee Airport Rd.).

Learn more at townoftruckee.gov/722/2027-2035-housing-element-update-process.

~ Town of Truckee press release

WASHOE COUNTY

Northern Nevada Public Health (NNPH) — Population Health Division is reporting two recent cases of mpox in Washoe County, the first cases reported since October 2022.

Mpox is not a sexually transmitted infection (STI), but rather a viral illness that spreads primarily through close, prolonged skin-to-skin contact, including intimate contact. Symptoms may include rash, fever, swollen lymph nodes, and fatigue.

At this time, the overall risk to the general public remains low; however, NNPH is urging residents at higher risk to be aware of symptoms and take preventive steps. NNPH is working to identify and notify close contacts of the confirmed cases and help prevent further spread.

Vaccines are available for mpox for those who meet eligibility requirements. Contact a medical provider for more information.

NNPH’s Family Planning Sexual Health Program has access to a limited amount of mpox vaccine to individuals in Washoe County. To schedule an appointment, call (775) 328-2470. The mpox vaccine is two doses, four weeks apart.

Vaccination is especially encouraged for people who may be at higher risk of exposure, including men who have sex with men (MSM), individuals with multiple or anonymous sexual partners, may have an occupational exposure to mpox, and those who have had known exposure to mpox. The vaccine is safe, effective, and available at no cost for eligible residents.

Anyone experiencing symptoms should contact a healthcare provider and avoid close contact with others until evaluated.

For more information about mpox, symptoms, and vaccination availability, visit nnph.org/mpox.

~ Northern Nevada Public Health press release

WASHOE COUNTY

The Washoe County Board of County Commissioners approved a total of $39,000 in community support grants to three organizations, two of which are Tahoe-based. Community support funds are available to local community-based providers to support services that address diverse health and human service needs in the community or contribute to economic development and quality-of-life issues. 

The Tahoe Prosperity Center received $9,000 to provide economic development support through Tahoe Inc. Roundtable events and the 2026 Business Walks economic conditions survey and outreach. 

The Incline Village-Crystal Bay Business Association (IVCBA) received $10,000 to  support the Incline Village Crystal Bay Main Street program. IVCBA will use these funds for communication and community event programs that benefit and engage the entire community while supporting the local economy.

~ Washoe County press release

LAKE TAHOE

Tahoe Community Foundation will award grants up to $25,000 to nonprofit organizations serving the Lake Tahoe Basin.

Applications are due by 4 p.m. on Tuesday, June 2. For application details, eligibility requirements, and submission information, please visit tahoecf.org or proceed directly to the grant portal to apply!

To learn more about the Community Impact Grant application, please join the Community Impact Grant Information Session webinar on Wednesday, May 6 at 2 p.m. Registration for the webinar is required. To register, click here.

~ Tahoe Community Foundation press release

PLACER COUNTY

The June 2 Statewide Direct Primary Election is just over a month away and the Placer County Elections Office stands ready to help voters cast their ballots and make their voices heard. 

Voters who have recently interacted with the DMV may have had their voter registration information changed during their transaction. It is important that these voters visit voterstatus.sos.ca.gov to review and confirm their registration status, address, and all other pertinent information to ensure they are registered correctly.

Voters may have already received their voter information guides by mail and should review them closely, as they provide important information about the offices on the ballot, their voting options and important deadlines.

Per California Elections Code, voting materials, including vote-by-mail ballots, will be in the mail to all active, eligible Placer County voters by May 4. If any voter has not received their guides and/or ballot by May 14, it is highly recommended they contact the Elections Office by email at election@placer.ca.gov, by phone at 1 (800) 824-8683 or by visiting the Elections Office at 3715 Atherton Rd. in Rocklin. The last day to request a ballot by mail is May 26.

Voters can find a list of ballot drop box locations and their hours of availability in their county voter information guide or at placercountyelections.gov/drop-box-locations.

Placer County will operate 30 vote centers throughout the county that will offer in-person voting and ballot scanning, replacement ballots, accessible voting equipment, language assistance, and more. A list of vote center locations and their days and hours of operation is included in the Placer County Voter Information Guide and available at placercountyelections.gov/vote-center-locations.

~ Placer County press release

NORTH LAKE TAHOE

When people visit a destination — whether they’ve been there before or not — the fact is, they “don’t know what they don’t know.” To reduce friction in Lake Tahoe, a new communications effort is being piloted in short-term rental properties throughout North Lake Tahoe. Designed to be simple for hosts and unmissable for guests, it is intended to meet people at each moment when a desired behavior is requested and relevant. Using simple visuals and language created to teach people how to be stewards of Lake Tahoe, the initiative covers topics including water, fire, trash and bears, parking, and noise.

Designed to move beyond the ubiquitous list of guidelines that appears in a binder on the kitchen table of vacation rentals, the short-term rental messaging features magnets, decals, hang tags, wall signs, table toppers, and window clings that are posted in locations where relevant messages will meet people in the moment. For example, no one is born knowing how to use a bear box, hence decals applied to bear boxes indicate what it is and that it’s where to put trash. Messages on barbecues, propane tanks, grilling tools, and doors accessing the outdoors include a QR code that allows everyone to instantly check current fire restrictions.

One hundred kits are available as part of the public pilot program on a first-come, first-served basis for property managers and short-term rental operators. To learn more and request a kit, visit laketahoeshorttermrentals.com.

~ North Tahoe Community Alliance press releas

NEVADA COUNTY

Nevada County Arts Council announced that Executive Director Eliza Tudor will conclude her tenure later this year after 10 years of leadership and organizational development. The board of directors has launched a statewide search for the organization’s next executive director.

During her tenure, Tudor helped expand the Arts Council’s role as Nevada County’s designated arts agency, strengthening partnerships across local government, education, and regional cultural organizations while positioning the organization within California’s statewide arts infrastructure. She led development of Culture Forward 2026-2032, Nevada County’s first countywide Arts & Culture Action Plan, and supported advancement of both the Grass Valley – Nevada City and Truckee California Cultural Districts.

Under Tudor’s direction, the organization expanded professional development opportunities for artists, strengthened arts education partnerships across local schools, coordinated regional grantmaking initiatives including the Upstate Creative Corps, and launched programs such as the Sierra Poetry Festival, the Business of Art, Art in Public Spaces, and MUSE, a signature regional publication strengthening visibility for artists and cultural institutions while helping articulate a shared cultural identity across Nevada County and the Sierra region.

The board of directors has initiated a statewide search for the organization’s next Executive Director. The position will lead implementation of Culture Forward 2026 – 2032 and continue strengthening partnerships across Nevada County’s cultural, civic, and regional networks.

Learn more at nevadacountyarts.org/jobs-in-the-arts.

~ Nevada County Arts Council press release

TRUCKEE

Tahoe Food Hub and Mountain Lotus Yoga present Nourish Tahoe, a free outdoor community celebration of local food, wellness, and connection on Sunday, May 31, from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. at Mountain Lotus in Truckee.

This family-friendly event invites the community to gather for a vibrant spring day featuring fresh local food, wellness experiences, live shopping, and activities for all ages. Guests can explore a pop-up farmers market stocked with seasonal fruits and vegetables from Tahoe Food Hub’s network of regional farmers, shop artisan vendors, and enjoy delicious farm-to-table offerings from the Mountain Lotus Café.

To kick off the day, Mountain Lotus will host a donation-based Community Flow Yoga Class at 9:30 a.m., welcoming all levels to move, breathe, and begin the day in community.

Families are encouraged to attend, with kids coloring activities, open space to gather, and interactive experiences throughout the event. Visitors can also enjoy a Build Your Own Bouquet Bar, featuring beautiful seasonal blooms and the chance to create a custom floral arrangement to take home.

Featured vendors include: Sasquatch Crackers, Mountain Song, Honey Yard Honey, Lawless Botanics, Our Rustic Heart Candles, Cirque du Ferments, and more to be announced

For more information, follow Tahoe Food Hub and Mountain Lotus Yoga on social media. Or visit the event page at facebook.com/events/931435982923515.

~ Mountain Lotus press release