TART Connect to Cease Service in Incline Village, Crystal Bay; Grove Street Project in Tahoe City; Missing Truckee Resident Deceased; More

INCLINE VILLAGE

TART Connect’s microtransit service in Zone 3, serving the Nevada communities of Incline Village and Crystal Bay, will cease operations on Dec. 11 due to a lack of stable, long-term funding. The on-demand, curb-to-curb shuttle program has been one of the region’s most successful mobility initiatives, providing more than one million rides across the North Lake Tahoe region since its launch and helping address traffic, pollution, and parking concerns by making it easier to move around car free; 65% of TART Connect ridership is full-time residents.

Funding for TART Connect in Nevada has long relied on a patchwork of short-term commitments from multiple organizations, without a consistent, ongoing revenue stream to sustain and expand the program. Funding sources include Washoe County, RTC Washoe, Travel North Tahoe Nevada, the Reno-Sparks Convention and Visitors Authority, the Tahoe Fund, and the League to Save Lake Tahoe. 

This year, declining tourism revenues stemming from decreased inventory and a downturn in international visitation added pressure to already limited resources. Recent data shows total room revenue in Washoe Tahoe was down 30% and rooms occupied down 18% compared to 2024, significantly reducing available reinvestment funds for TART Connect’s Zone 3 service and other transportation and community programs.

TART Connect services will continue on the California side of North Lake Tahoe and Truckee. Traditional mainline TART bus service will also continue serving the region as usual.

While the future of microtransit in Incline Village and Crystal Bay remains uncertain, regional partners will continue evaluating funding models and exploring community-supported solutions that could bring the service back in a financially sustainable form.

Community members are encouraged to share their input by emailing tart@placer.ca.gov. 

~ Tahoe Truckee Transit press release

TAHOE CITY

Placer County’s Tahoe City Complete Streets Improvements Project was one of six transportation or transit improvement projects to receive funding from the Tahoe Regional Planning Agency last week at its governing board meeting. 

The project, a collaborative effort with Caltrans, was awarded $1.4 million toward the estimated $2 million cost of construction.

It’s intended to improve pedestrian safety and circulation at the intersection of North Lake Boulevard and Grove Street in Tahoe City, including signalization and accessibility upgrades.

Placer County has hired a consultant team to work toward project approval, complete the initial environmental documentation, and perform preliminary engineering in accordance with Caltrans requirements. The project has previously received $254,000 from a Federal Highway Administration Surface Transportation Block Grant, along with $500,000 from Placer County’s Traffic Mitigation Fee Program. Additional funding is anticipated to be needed before construction can begin.   

Learn more about the project here.

~ Placer County press release

TRUCKEE

Earlier this month, the Truckee Police Department received a report of a missing person, Gordon Simons, 62, of Truckee, after family members had not been able to contact him. Last week, with the assistance of the Nevada County Sheriff’s Office and Sheriff’s Search and Rescue (SAR), a search was conducted at a popular hiking location near the missing person’s residence. Upon deployment, SAR K9 Teams soon discovered human remains in the area of Highway 89 South near the Union Pacific Railroad tracks.

Investigators from Truckee’s police department, in coordination with a sheriff’s office deputy coroner, processed the scene for several days and found no immediate indication of foul play or suspicious circumstances. The remains of the deceased were then turned over to the sheriff’s office, which serves as the county coroner. The investigation is still ongoing, to include the ultimate determination of cause of death. 

The timing of this release coincides with the positive confirmation of the deceased being Simons, as well as notification having been made to next of kin. The Truckee Police Department extends its deepest condolences to the friends and family of Simons.

~ Truckee Police Facebook post

KINGS BEACH

Two new local worker housing projects in North Lake Tahoe will move forward thanks to funding reserved from Placer County’s new Launchpad program. A total of $725,000 is being reserved for these projects to be built in Kings Beach, including $125,000 toward a wheelchair-accessible accessory dwelling unit and $600,000 toward a 3-unit tiny home project. 

Approved and created by the board of supervisors in April 2025 with $1 million in initial funding, the Eastern Placer County Launchpad program facilitates the creation of new workforce housing units in the North Lake Tahoe region. In return, each unit is deed restricted for local workers for 55 years and auto-renews upon each transfer of the property. 

The program is designed to make workforce housing projects more financially feasible for developers, residents, or Placer County landowners.

The county will monitor the progress of these projects as they move through the permitting and construction process. Funding will be distributed to project owners upon completion of the project and recording of the deed restriction.

Staff is also pursuing future funding, which is anticipated to be announced soon. The $275,000 that went unreserved from the initial program funding will be included in that subsequent release.

To learn more, visit: placer.ca.gov/10115/launchpad.

~ Placer County press release

TAHOE CITY

Downtown Tahoe City will transform into a festive winter village this December as the Tahoe City Downtown Association presents the first Holly Jolly Strolls, three enchanting evenings of lights, music, shopping, and holiday cheer on Dec. 5, 12, and 19. Visitors and locals are invited to enjoy extended shopping hours, seasonal treats, lively performances, and free gift wrapping.

Each Holly Jolly Stroll offers family-friendly holiday fun throughout downtown:

• Caroling with the Sisters in Harmony on Dec. 5 and 19, from 5 to 7 p.m., filling the streets with classic holiday tunes.
• Sierra Alpenhorn Players perform at The Cobblestone on Dec. 12, 5 to 7 p.m.
• Santa Claus visits Tahoe City on Dec. 12, greeting families as he strolls through town from 5 to 6 p.m. and handing out treats before settling in at The Cobblestone from 6 to 7 p.m.

Shoppers can bring gifts purchased at Tahoe City, West Shore, Alpine Meadows, or Olympic Valley businesses to the Holiday Gift Wrapping Station at The Boatworks for complimentary wrapping on all three evenings from 4 to 8 p.m. Guests must present a receipt of $25 or more from a local shop dated Nov. 21 through Dec. 19. Donations are appreciated, and volunteers are welcome.

With stores open late and special holiday promotions throughout downtown, Holly Jolly Strolls offer the perfect opportunity to support small businesses while discovering unique gifts for everyone on your list. Warm up with festive bites, beverages, and cozy seasonal menus offered by local cafes and restaurants.

~ Tahoe City Downtown Association press release

TRUCKEE

The Community Pet Financial Assistance Program provides financial support for necessary veterinary care to pet guardians living in Truckee, Sierra County, Eastern Placer County, eastern Nevada County, southeastern Plumas County, Incline Village, and South Lake Tahoe. 

Grant funding is provided for non-emergency veterinary care and is based on medical urgency, financial and circumstantial need. Grants cannot cover ongoing chronic treatment, cosmetic procedures or previously incurred veterinary bills. 

Eligibility requirements include: 

• Applicants must reside within HSTT’s service area. 
• Pets must require necessary veterinary care with a positive prognosis. 
• All participating pets must be spayed or neutered, if medically appropriate. 
• Funding must be pre-approved and will be paid directly to veterinarians. 

HSTT encourages pet guardians to reach out early, noting that timely care often prevents more serious or life-threatening conditions.

For more information about HSTT’s Community Pet Financial Assistance Program, or to apply, visit hstt.org/services-resources/community-pet-financial-assistance/ or contact HSTT’s Community Resource Dept at, (530) 582-2484. 

This program is made possible through generous support from regional grant funders, including the El Dorado Community Foundation (South Lake Tahoe), Lahontan Community Foundation Fund, Latrobe Fund (South Lake Tahoe), Martis Camp Foundation, Tahoe Truckee Community Foundation, and the Tahoe Women’s Community Fund at the El Dorado Community Foundation.

~ Humane Society of Truckee-Tahoe

TRUCKEE

Tahoe Forest Health System (TFHS) and the Truckee Fire Protection District (TFPD) have partnered to launch a major wildfire mitigation effort that’s underway in the heart of Truckee. This collaboration represents a shared investment in protecting the community, its essential services, and the surrounding landscape from the growing threat of wildfire. 

Phase one of the Central Truckee Wildland Urban Interface (WUI) Forest Management Project began earlier this month. This initial 75-acre effort focuses on lands owned by Tahoe Forest Health System, Town of Truckee, County of Nevada, and Sierra College; key community anchors surrounded by neighborhoods and critical infrastructure. Crews are creating shaded fuelbreaks and removing hazardous vegetation to reduce wildfire intensity and improve defensible space around these important facilities.

Building on that work, phase two — planned for August 2026 — will expand the project to a broader, landscape scale. This phase will treat approximately 300 additional acres of forested land across central Truckee, connecting strategic fuel reduction zones and enhancing protection for nearby neighborhoods and evacuation routes.

In addition to improving forest health and resilience, the work will strengthen defensible space around homes and properties, and improve emergency ingress and egress routes. Both organizations view this collaboration as a foundation for long-term partnerships addressing wildfire prevention and forest health across the Truckee region. 

~ Tahoe Forest Health System press release

TRUCKEE

The Town of Truckee announced the selection of Hilary Hobbs as its new assistant town manager, following a highly competitive recruitment process that drew 49 applicants from across the region and country. After multiple rounds of rigorous evaluation, Hobbs emerged as the clear and exceptional choice.

Hobbs has been an integral member of the town’s leadership team for the past nine years. She currently serves as the director of Neighborhood Services and Sustainability, a department she played a pivotal role in establishing. Throughout her tenure, she has earned recognition for her strategic thinking, strong relationships with staff and external partners, and her ability to ask insightful questions and inspire collaboration.

In her time with the Town of Truckee, Hobbs has led or supported a breadth of initiatives that have strengthened community well-being, environmental sustainability, and housing stability. Her work includes guiding the development of thoughtful short-term rental policies that balance neighborhood livability with a healthy visitor economy. She has also helped advance innovative housing solutions like Lease to Locals and the Truckee Home Access Program, while cultivating partnerships with organizations such as the Climate Transformation Alliance, the Truckee Library Joint Powers Authority, and the Truckee Tahoe Workforce Housing Agency. Additionally, she has played a key role in elevating arts and culture through support for the Truckee Cultural District and the Public Art Commission of Truckee and has championed the Town’s legislative advocacy efforts to ensure Truckee’s priorities are represented at every level of government.

~ Town of Truckee press release

OLYMPIC VALLEY

On Friday, Dec. 5, the Alpenglow Sports 20th annual Winter Speaker Series presented by the North Tahoe Chamber begins with pioneering, big wall climber Emily Harrington and her presentation of “Yosemite and Beyond.” Attend the event in person at the Palisades Tahoe Olympic Village Event Center, or tune in via the livestream on Alpenglow Sports’ Youtube channel.

Either way the show is free. Doors open at 6 p.m. for bar purchases, dinner from MOGROG Rotisserie, and raffle tickets, and the show starts promptly at 7 p.m. The nonprofit beneficiary of the evening is Truckee Dirt Union.

The Alpenglow Sports Winter Speaker Series is an eagerly anticipated winter tradition. The 20-year-old Alpenglow Winter Speaker Series has become one of the premier North American forums for adventure storytelling and community gathering.

~ Alpenglow Sports press release

OLYMPIC VALLEY

Palisades Tahoe paused its originally targeted opening day of Nov. 26. With early-season snowfall remaining limited and only brief windows for snowmaking, it has not yet been able to build the safe, durable base required to open. A new opening day is still to be announced, and Palisades will share an update as soon as conditions allow. 

Mountain operations, grooming, and snowmaking teams are ready to go and will continue working around the clock. As soon as temperatures drop and storms arrive, Palisades will get lifts turning. 

~ Palisades Tahoe press release