Tahoe Forest Opens New North Shore Clinic; Trump Administration Repeals Roadless Rule; Boatworks Mall Releases Statement; More

CALIFORNIA

On Aug. 18, the U.S. Department of Agriculture announced its latest step to eliminate protections under the Roadless Area Conservation Rule, claiming the move is necessary to reduce wildfire risk and expand forest management. Since the U.S. Forest Service created the Roadless Rule in 2001, it has protected millions of acres of national forests — including over 4 million acres in California — from road construction and industrial extraction for more than two decades.

In response to the elimination, Alex Craven, Sierra Club forest campaign manager, released the following statement: 

“For more than two decades, the Roadless Rule has protected the heart of our public lands, saved taxpayer dollars, and enjoyed overwhelming popularity with the general public. Once again, Donald Trump is showing he is eager to throw away a successful, commonsense policy while offering nothing but baseless justifications for doing so.

“The Roadless Area Conservation Rule is the only thing preventing much of our wildest remaining national forests from industrial development. These forests offer critical habitat for wildlife; provide clean, fresh air and water for millions; and contain vast swaths of the last remaining old-growth forests in the country.”

Groups like Sierra Club held town halls across the state including in South Lake Tahoe, which drew local communities to protest the repeal. It’s critical to note that while the Trump administration is using wildfires as an excuse for why we need more access to roadless forests, it simultaneously has stripped away firefighting resources and staff. Experts agree that more logging and development only increases wildfire risk. 

The decision comes after the Trump administration closed a public comment period on amending Wilderness Study Area policy. These areas account for millions of acres of protected lands, and advocates believe the administration will follow its pattern of weakening regulations to open up protected areas for development. 

Read Moonshine Ink’s reporting on the Sierra Club town hall here.

~ Sierra Club press release

INCLINE VILLAGE

Make plans to join senior managers from Incline Village General Improvement District (IVGID), project planners on its engineering team, general manager Robert Harrison, and members of the IVGID Board of Trustees on Tuesday, Aug. 25, from 4 to 6 p.m. at The Chateau for the IVGID Community Open House.

This event is a great way for the community to hear directly from venue managers and project planners and to share thoughts and opinions with the staff.

There will be tables with information about the following projects and venues: Incline Beach House construction updates, Diamond Peak’s Snowflake Lodge Replacement Project, other Diamond Peak upgrades, Tennis and Pickleball Center Court Replacement Project, finance information, district strategic planning, utilities billing updates, completed capital improvement projects, ongoing capital improvement projects, trash service updates, food and beverage updates and plans, and more.

There will be opportunities to speak directly with the project managers leading these efforts, ask questions, and provide feedback.

For those who can’t make it, a public comment form is available here.

~ IVGID newsletter

TAHOE CITY

Poetry, music, and art come together on the shores of Lake Tahoe on Saturday, Aug. 22, from 3 to 5 p.m. for Poetry in Parks presented by California State Parks at William B. Layton State Park in Tahoe City.

Free and open to everyone, the event will bring together an outstanding lineup of poets and authors for an afternoon of spoken word, storytelling, live music, and art in a spectacular lakeside setting. The event will be hosted by Scott Green, recipient of the 2026 California State Parks Director’s Trailblazer Award for developing the Poetry in Parks program.

Poetry in Parks is part of a statewide spoken-word event series that began in 2015 as a successful pilot program for Arts in California Parks, bringing poetry, storytelling, and community together in California’s state parks.

The afternoon will also feature live music from Winter Grain and a live painting by artist Sara Smith, adding visual and musical arts to the literary celebration.

Whether attendees are longtime poetry lovers, writers themselves, or simply looking for an afternoon immersed in the arts, Poetry in Parks offers a unique opportunity to experience literature and live performance surrounded by the natural beauty of Lake Tahoe.

Additional information about the featured poets and authors is available at tahoelitfest.com. 

~ Poetry in Parks press release

NEVADA

The Bug and Stallion fires have burned more than 88,000 acres across Northern Nevada, forcing evacuations and impacting communities throughout the region. Many are looking for ways to help.

The Tahoe Community Foundation of Northern Nevada has established the 2026 Northern Nevada Wildfire Relief Fund to support the long-term recovery of individuals and families affected by these devastating fires. While emergency responders are addressing immediate needs, this fund will provide support for recovery efforts in the months ahead, including housing, essential belongings, mental health services, and other critical needs identified by trusted nonprofit partners.

To learn more and donate, visit cfnn.fcsuite.com/erp/donate/create/fund?funit_id=3839. 

~ Tahoe Community Foundation newsletter

EL DORADO COUNTY

The fifth anniversary of the raging Caldor wildfire that destroyed an entire community was marked by a celebration of resilience and grit, partnership, and a sense of long-forgotten optimism in Grizzly Flats when keys to the first two of 12 planned new homes were turned over to fire survivors.

The two new homes were made possible because of the Caldor Fire Grizzly Flats Homeowner Rebuild Program, a partnership between El Dorado County and HomeAid Sacramento.

For the past five years, many fire survivors have been living in RVs, unable to afford to rebuild yet unwilling to leave the community they call home. Recipients of the new homes said the impact is life changing.

The Rebuild Program model relies on volunteers from the homebuilding industry to construct a 750‐square‐foot, two-bedroom, one-bath home, designs for which were donated by local architect Peter Wolfe. Elliott Homes was the first builder to volunteer. The homes cost approximately $150,000 to build.

Four additional homes are under construction and scheduled for completion this fall. El Dorado County and HomeAid Sacramento are already planning the next six homes and seeking local homebuilders and tradespeople to assist.

~ El Dorado County press release

LAKE TAHOE

As students head back to the classroom, the North Lake Tahoe Fire Protection District (NLTFPD) is reminding everyone to use a little extra caution on roads and around schools.

The start of the school year means more students walking and biking, increased activity at bus stops and crosswalks, and more traffic during morning drop-off and afternoon pick-up. With more students also using e-bikes to get to and from school, it is especially important for both drivers and riders to slow down, stay alert, and be aware of their surroundings.

A few extra seconds of patience and attention can make a big difference in keeping students safe.

Important safety reminders for drivers:

• Slow down and follow posted speed limits in school zones and neighborhoods.
• Watch for students at crosswalks, intersections, and bus stops.
• Obey school bus signals and never pass a bus when its red lights are flashing and the stop arm is extended.
• Give bicyclists and e-bike riders plenty of space.
• Put phones and other distractions away while driving.

For students and parents:

• Review and practice a safe route to and from school.
• Use sidewalks and designated crosswalks whenever possible.
• Stop, look both ways, and make eye contact with drivers before crossing.
• Wear a properly fitted helmet when riding a bicycle or e-bike.
• Stay visible, avoid distractions, and follow the rules of the road.

E-bike riders should ride at a safe speed and stay alert for vehicles, pedestrians, and other cyclists. Review the safest route to and from school before the first day.

~ North Lake Tahoe Fire Protection District press release

NEVADA COUNTY

Nevada County Treasurer/Tax Collector Michelle Bodley and Assessor Rolf Kleinhans are reminding property owners and business owners that secured and unsecured property tax bills are issued under different schedules and have different deadlines. For property owners who receive unsecured property tax bills, the Aug. 31 payment deadline is approaching. 

In California, property taxes are based on a property’s taxable value as of the Jan. 1 lien date. Property taxes are classified as either secured or unsecured, depending on how the tax lien is attached.

An unsecured property tax is not secured by a lien on real property. Instead, the tax lien is attached to the owner. Unsecured property typically includes business personal property, such as machinery, equipment and fixtures, boats, aircraft, and possessory interests, which are taxable private uses of publicly owned property. Unsecured property tax bills are mailed in July, and the full amount is due by Aug. 31 to avoid penalties. Generally, unsecured tax bills on personal property are not prorated. This means the tax lien remains attached to the owner even if the property was sold between Jan. 1 and the date the tax bill is issued. 

A property tax is considered secured when the tax lien is attached to real property. Real property includes land, buildings, newer mobile homes, and other permanent structures and improvements. In some cases, business personal property may also be included on a secured tax bill when it is owned by the same entity that owns the real property on which the business is located. As the tax is secured by the real property itself, the property serves as collateral for the tax obligation. Secured property tax bills are typically mailed in September or early October.

The first installment must be paid by Dec. 10 and the second installment by April 10 to avoid penalties. 

~ Nevada County press release

TRUCKEE

Following an extensive search, Kate Sutton has been named the site director for Forest Charter School’s Truckee campus, succeeding Janice Eggers, who had held the position since its founding in 2003. Sutton has been hard at work this week in preparation for the first day of school.

Sutton brings 21 years of experience in youth programs and a decade in education. Her background spans teaching in Illinois and California, working with students in downtown San Francisco, and homeschooling her own three children in Truckee through Forest Charter School’s independent study program.

A Truckee resident for eight years, Sutton has served as a supervising teacher at the school for the past three years. During this time, she has built deep connections with local families and developed a strong respect for the school’s unique educational philosophy. In her new role, she looks forward to building on the solid foundation established during Egger’s tenure as site director. 

For more information about Forest Charter School’s offerings, visit forestcharter.com or call (530) 550-7205.

~ Forest Charter School press release

TAHOE CITY

On Aug. 11, Boatworks at Tahoe LLC commenced a reorganization under Chapter 11 of the Bankruptcy Code in the U.S. Bankruptcy Court for the Eastern District of California. Boatworks announced that it will remain open while it seeks court approval of a reorganization plan.

Boatworks owns and operates the iconic Boatworks Mall and the Inn at Boatworks, a 34-room hotel, on Lake Tahoe’s North Shore. Like many shopping centers in recent years, Boatworks faced a bank foreclosure.

“Staying open is crucial for the business, the employees, and the community,” said Marie Murphy, whose firm, MJD Capital Partners, manages, on behalf of the ownership entity, the storied site. “A Chapter 11 reorganization of the LLC that owns this iconic project legally prevents foreclosure while the business restructures.”

The Inn at Boatworks was constructed in 1958, and the mall was added 20 years later. Boatworks’ long history has been marked by eclectic shops, famous restaurants, stunning views, and community connection. But Boatworks is not immune from problems affecting retail and hospitality enterprises nationwide.

“We continue to believe a mixed-use redevelopment is the best way to revitalize Boatworks and preserve its unique character,” Murphy said. “Foreclosure would be a major blow to the area. For over four decades, Boatworks has been Tahoe City’s place to be. With this reorganization, we intend to continue our efforts to ensure that that legacy continues.”

~ Boatworks at Tahoe LLC press release

NORTHERN NEVADA

NV Energy has filed requests with the Public Utilities Commission of Nevada that would adjust electric and natural gas rates for Northern Nevada customers beginning Oct. 1. The filings reflect changes in fuel, purchased power, and natural gas supply costs. Based on what was filed, electric customers would see lower bills while natural gas customers would see a modest increase.

If approved, the electric filing would reduce annual revenues by approximately $22.5 million, while the natural gas filing would increase annual revenues by approximately $3.7 million.

For a typical residential electric customer, the change would mean a monthly bill decrease of about $1.86, or 1.82%. For a typical residential natural gas customer, the change would mean a monthly bill increase of about $1.01, or 3.05%.

NV Energy generates much of the electricity it provides to customers using company-owned power plants. When additional electricity is needed to meet customer demand, the company purchases power from the regional energy market. The cost of fuel used to generate electricity and the cost of purchased power are passed directly to customers with no profit to NV Energy.

Similarly, the cost of purchasing and delivering natural gas is passed through to customers without profit to NV Energy. Because electricity fuel costs, purchased power costs, and natural gas supply costs can change throughout the year, NV Energy regularly reviews actual costs and compares them to the amount previously collected from customers. Adjustments are made through a regulatory process designed to keep rates aligned with these costs.

~ NV Energy press release