News Briefs
Roadless Rule Comment Period Extended, Californians Call for Continued Protections of National Forests
SACRAMENTO
On Sept. 16, Californians responded to the U.S. Forest Service’s extension of the Roadless Rule comment period. The 2001 Roadless Area Conservation Rule protects 58 million acres of forests nationwide, including 4 million acres in California. In August, the Trump administration moved to repeal the Roadless Rule in its entirety and opened an abbreviated comment period ending Sept. 21, 2026. That deadline is now extended to Oct. 6, 2026.
“If the Roadless Rule is repealed, we can expect more wildfires, more polluted waterways due to erosion and logging, and more private, corporate use on public lands in the form of logging and mining,” said Melanie Schlotterbeck, conservation consultant for Hills For Everyone. “This comment period extension just goes to show that the Trump administration is feeling the heat on their unpopular attempt to repeal the Roadless Rule.”
When the Roadless Rule was originally developed, more than 600 public hearings were held across the country over a two-year period. Currently, there are no public hearings scheduled.
A key concern for California is that repeal of the Roadless Rule would increase wildfire risk throughout the state. Wildfires are four times more likely to start in areas with roads than in roadless forest tracts. More than 90% of all wildfires nationwide have occurred within half a mile of a road. Areas of the Angeles National Forest, Cleveland National Forest, Los Padres National Forest, San Bernardino National Forest, Inyo National Forest, and Tahoe National Forest are among the places that could be impacted by this change.
Recently released polling also highlights that Californians are deeply concerned about the maintenance and accessibility of their public lands, including national forests. Eighty-six percent of voters surveyed oppose proposals to sell off public lands to corporations and other private interests, resulting in reduced public access. A staggering 75% of respondents are strongly opposed to these proposals.
Comments may be submitted about the proposed changes to the Roadless Rule at regulations.gov.
~ Full Court Press press release
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“CD3 Outpost Blue” Machines to Guard Against Golden Mussels, Other Invasive Species
LAKE TAHOE
In early September, Keep Tahoe Blue and its partners installed four new mobile, solar-powered watercraft cleaning stations with onboard tools to make it easy for anyone to Clean, Drain, and Dry their gear and help stop the introduction and spread of aquatic invasive species in the Lake Tahoe region.
The stations, called “CD3 Outpost Blue” machines — for clean, drain, dry, and dispose — were placed at Baldwin Beach and along the shores of Fallen Leaf Lake in coordination with the U.S. Forest Service and the ExplorUS concessionaire who manage these public lands on the Lake Tahoe Basin Management Unit (LTBMU). Installation of the new machines is part of a coordinated and growing effort to prevent harmful invasive species from spreading in local waterways. Keep Tahoe Blue strongly encourages all paddlers, anglers, and beachgoers to use the new stations on all their nonmotorized water gear, from kayaks and paddleboards to floaties, fishing gear, and life vests.
Keep Tahoe Blue introduced Tahoe’s first CD3 machine, a trailer-mounted version, in the summer of 2023 to help lake users Clean, Drain, and Dry their gear. The innovative devices are simple and free for anyone to use.
These watercraft cleaning machines are increasingly more vital since golden mussels were detected in California in late 2024. A particularly devastating aquatic invasive species, golden mussels reproduce rapidly, can survive for days out of the water, and attach to nearly any hard surface, including boats, trailers, paddles, and fishing gear. In less than two years, golden mussels have spread across more than 400 miles of California, prompting four counties to pass local emergency declarations.
Rigorous inspection and decontamination is much more difficult for nonmotorized watercraft and gear — stand-up paddleboards, kayaks, canoes, inflatables, fishing gear, water shoes, life vests, and more — which can enter the lake from any shoreline and carry invasive species. That is why the CD3 machines are so important. Since the first CD3 stations were installed, they’ve been used to clean more than 9,000 vessels.
The locations of all CD3s in Tahoe and more information are available at keeptahoeblue.org/cd3.
~ Keep Tahoe Blue press release
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5th Annual Spooky Harbor at Sand Harbor State Park
INCLINE VILLAGE
Nevada State Parks is celebrating the fifth annual Spooky Harbor at Sand Harbor State Park with seven nights of Halloween movies, family activities, and seasonal celebrations along the shores of Lake Tahoe.
From Sept. 25 through Nov. 1, visitors can enjoy movies under the stars on the Sand Harbor Stage. Movies begin approximately 30 minutes after sunset. The event is free, with standard park entrance fees applying.
This year’s lineup includes:
Friday, Sept. 25, 8 p.m. – The Nightmare Before Christmas (rated PG)
Friday, Oct. 2, 8 p.m. – Get Out (rated R)
Friday, Oct. 9, 7:30 p.m. – Hocus Pocus (rated PG)
Friday, Oct. 16, 7:30 p.m. – I Know What You Did Last Summer (rated R)
Friday, Oct. 23, 7 p.m. – Monster House and Kids Fall Festival (rated PG)
Friday, Oct. 30, 7 p.m. – Trick ‘r Treat (rated R)
Sunday, Nov. 1, 6 p.m. – Coco and Día de los Muertos celebration (rated PG)
The Kids Fall Festival on Oct. 23 begins at 4 p.m., with trick-or-treating starting at 6 p.m. The Día de los Muertos celebration on Nov. 1 begins at 3 p.m., followed by Coco at 6 p.m.
Visitors are encouraged to bring blankets, low-back chairs, flashlights, and warm clothing. There will be no concessions, and lighting is limited after dark.
Movie ratings range from family-friendly favorites to films intended for mature audiences. Parents and guardians are responsible for determining whether a film is appropriate for their children.
Events are weather dependent and may be canceled without notice. For more information and updates, visitors should check the parks.nv.gov/events before heading to the park
~ NV State Parks press release
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Respiratory Virus Death Data and Free Flu Vaccination Opportunities
AUBURN
As cold and flu season gets underway, Placer County Public Health is sharing an overview of respiratory virus deaths among Placer County residents last year (July 2025 to June 2026) and will offer free flu shots at walk-in clinics and local events this fall, making them more accessible for those unable to get care through their regular provider.
During that time, there were 11 deaths involving influenza and eight involving Covid-19. There were no deaths involving RSV. One Covid-19 death involved a person under age 65. All other deaths occurred among residents age 65 and older. Most Covid-19 deaths occurred last fall, while flu-related deaths occurred during the winter months.
Public Health will offer free, walk-in flu vaccination clinics this fall at the Health and Human Services Center, located at 11434 B Ave. in Auburn:
- Friday, Oct. 2: 2 to 4 p.m.
- Wednesday, Oct. 14: 10 a.m. to 12 p.m.
- Friday, Oct. 16: 2 to 4 p.m.
- Wednesday, Oct. 28: 10 a.m. to 12 p.m.
- Wednesday, Nov. 4: 10 a.m. to 12 p.m.
- Friday, Nov. 13: 2 to 4 p.m.
Flu vaccines will also be available at the following community events:
Senior Fair
Health and Human Services Center
11434 B Ave., Auburn
Wednesday, Oct. 7, 9 a.m. to 1 p.m.
Sierra Community House
265 Bear St., Kings Beach
Wednesday, Oct. 21, 2 to 5 p.m.
There is no cost for the flu vaccine at these county clinics and community events.
Residents can also contact their healthcare provider to schedule a seasonal flu vaccination. Local pharmacies may also offer no-cost flu vaccines for individuals who qualify through their insurance. Search for nearby locations on the website. For questions, call 530-886-1883.
~ Placer County press release
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Oktoberfest Celebrates 20th anniversary Sept. 19
TAHOE CITY
Prost! Tahoe City Oktoberfest celebrates its 20th anniversary on Saturday, Sept. 19, from noon to 5 p.m. at Gatekeeper’s Museum/William B. Layton State Park with an afternoon of craft beer, Bavarian-inspired food, live music, games, kids’ activities and bounce house, craft vendor village, photo booth, and fall fun on the shores of Lake Tahoe. Oktoberfest is presented by TCDA, North Tahoe Chamber, and Pete N Peters.
The family-friendly celebration is free to attend for all ages, with tickets required only for the Beer Garden.
Discounted Beer Garden tickets are on sale now for $25 and will be $30 at the door. Each ticket includes a beer mug and two drink tokens.
Two Tahoe City traditions come together in a special keepsake this year. The first 700 Beer Garden guests to check in will receive a limited-edition commemorative glass featuring Pete N’ Peters’ 50th anniversary logo and the 20th anniversary Tahoe City Oktoberfest logo. Additional Beer Garden guests will receive an Oktoberfest mug sponsored by Tahoe Tap Haus or Bridgetender Tavern & Grill.
Alpine Sound returns with live Oktoberfest music throughout the afternoon, setting the stage for festival games including the Stein Squat, Yodel Contest, and Wiener & Wurst Toss. Guests are also encouraged to wear their best German-inspired attire for the costume contest and a chance to win prizes.
New this year for the kids is free entry to the bounce house. Kids can also enjoy pumpkin painting, balloon twisting with Inspired Balloons, kids fall temporary tattoos, festival Oktoberfest photo walls, a Story Trail courtesy of Tahoe City Friends of the Library, and more family-friendly activities.
A free bike valet and a free event shuttle from Olympic Valley and the West Shore will be available. Oktoberfest details, tickets, and shuttle schedules are available at visittahoecity.org/event/oktoberfest26.
~ Tahoe City Downtown Association press release
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Planning Commission Approves Use Permit For Cabin Creek Biomass Facility Project
TAHOE CITY
The Placer County Planning Commission approved a use permit for the proposed Cabin Creek Biomass Facility at its Sept. 10 meeting. The project is designed to convert locally, sustainably sourced woody biomass and other eligible organic waste materials into biochar (a form of charcoal intended for organic use) and other renewable or beneficial-use products to assist in the reduction of catastrophic wildfire risk.
The proposed project would establish a biomass utilization and biochar production facility on county-owned property at the Eastern Regional Landfill complex, located at 900 Cabin Creek Rd. The site is approximately 2 miles south of Interstate 80 and just west of state Route 89. The facility would be developed on the southernmost 2.7-acre portion of a 148-acre county-owned parcel.
The commission’s approval advances an innovatively redesigned proposal from a biomass energy facility previously approved for the site in 2013. The current project would use new technology that replaces the previously approved gasification-based power generation system with patented non-combustion thermal conversion technology.
The project, which supports the county’s long-standing biomass utilization efforts to reduce the risk of catastrophic wildfire, is proposed through a public-private partnership between Placer County and Biochar Now LLC. Under the proposal, locally, sustainably sourced woody biomass and other eligible organic materials would be processed using kiln-based thermal conversion technology to produce biochar and other renewable or beneficial-use products.
As part of its action, the Planning Commission also adopted an addendum to the previously certified Cabin Creek Biomass Facility project final environmental impact report.
In 2013, the board considered and subsequently denied a third-party appeal challenging the previously proposed project’s environmental analysis. The board approved a conditional use permit for the project at that time, but the permit was not exercised and expired in 2015.
Placer County’s board of supervisors is anticipated to hear additional actions towards the public-private partnership between the county and Biochar Now LLC at its Sept. 22 meeting.
Learn more about the project: placer.ca.gov/2900/cabin-creek-biomass-energy-facility.
~ Placer County press release
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New Memorial Scholarship Fund Honors Legacy of Longtime Tahoe Forest Nurse, Supports Next Generation of Nurses
TAHOE/TRUCKEE
The Tahoe Forest Health System Foundation has established the Greg Tarter Memorial Scholarship Fund in partnership with the Tahoe Truckee Community Foundation, honoring the life and legacy of longtime Tahoe Forest nurse Greg Tarter while supporting the next generation of nurses.
During his 28-year career at Tahoe Forest, Greg served in the Intensive Care Unit, caring for countless patients and families throughout some of their most vulnerable moments. He was known for his kindness, steady presence, and deep compassion for both his patients and colleagues.
The scholarship fund will provide $5,000 annual workforce scholarships to individuals pursuing careers in nursing, including those entering the profession as a second career. Nursing was Greg’s second degree and his true passion, making the scholarship a meaningful reflection of the path he chose and the impact he made through his career.
“Greg’s legacy lives on in the countless lives he touched with his kindness, compassion, and steady presence,” said Jan Iida, chief nursing officer. “Through this scholarship, his passion for nursing — and his belief that it is never too late to follow your calling — will continue to inspire and support the next generation of nurses. We hope each recipient carries forward a little of the same heart and dedication that Greg brought to Tahoe Forest and to every patient and family he cared for.”
The fund also provides an opportunity for patients and community members to turn their own experiences with Tahoe Forest into an investment in the future of local healthcare. Grateful patients and families who have been touched by compassionate care can honor that experience with a gift to the scholarship fund, creating a lasting impact that extends beyond a single patient encounter.
By supporting an individual pursuing a career in nursing, donors can make a difference on two levels: honoring Greg’s legacy while helping strengthen the healthcare workforce that serves the Tahoe/Truckee community. Recipients who live, work, and build their careers in the region have the potential to continue that legacy of compassionate care for generations to come.
Gifts to the Greg Tarter Memorial Scholarship Fund can be made through the Tahoe Forest Health System Foundation at tfhd.com/giving or via the link below. Gifts of any amount are welcome, and donors may also choose to make a multi-year pledge. Consider honoring Greg’s memory by supporting the next generation of nurses and help carry forward the compassion and care he embodied throughout his career.
Memorial link: tfhd.com/giving/areas-to-support/greg-tarter-memorial-scholarship.
~ TFHS press release
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FuturePreneurs Returns with New Speaker Series and Week-Long Pitch Camp for Youth
TRUCKEE
The Truckee Chamber of Commerce, Sierra Business Council, and Lift Workspace are introducing a new format for FuturePreneurs, a youth entrepreneurship program that gives local high school students the opportunity to learn from business leaders, develop practical skills, and explore their own ideas.
The updated program brings together the success of the Truckee Young Entrepreneurs Club and the FuturePreneurs Pitch Camp, which took place in the winter of 2024. The Truckee Young Entrepreneurs Club launched during the 2025/26 school year after local students expressed interest in having a place to explore entrepreneurship, while the earlier Pitch Camp showed the value of giving students an intensive, hands-on experience developing their own business ideas. More than 30 students attended the club’s kickoff event, demonstrating continued strong interest in entrepreneurship opportunities for Truckee/Tahoe youth.
Throughout its first year, the student-led club met monthly from September through May for guest speakers, hands-on workshops, and conversations with local business owners and mentors. This year, the club will become part of the broader FuturePreneurs program, creating a more focused path from learning about entrepreneurship to putting those lessons into action.
FuturePreneurs will begin with a speaker series running from September through March at the Lift Workspace. Students will learn directly from local professionals about topics such as developing an idea, understanding customers, marketing, managing finances, and building a business. The program will culminate in an intensive, week-long FuturePreneurs Boot Camp in March, where participants will develop and present their own pitch decks to a panel of local judges.
Additional information about the speaker series, Pitch Camp registration, and ways for local business professionals to get involved is available at truckee.com.
~ Truckee Chamber press release
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Registration Open for Truckee’s 31st Annual Truckee River Day and River Fair
TRUCKEE
The Truckee River Watershed Council (TRWC) is calling all nature lovers to join its annual Truckee River Day volunteer event on Oct. 18, 2026, from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. Volunteers and TRWC staff will come together to help restore meadows, creeks, and forests across the Truckee River watershed and protect our area for generations to come.
Over the past 30 years, over 10,000 Truckee River Day volunteers have helped improve the health and resiliency of over 200 sites across our watershed. As a result, places like Martis Wildlife Area, Perazzo Meadows, and Coldstream Canyon now support thriving native plant and wildlife communities while continuing to provide robust opportunities for recreation. TRWC spearheads these efforts to restore, protect, and enhance precious parts of our watershed that sustain the Truckee River.
Volunteers have a choice of half- or full-day projects of varying difficulty levels. Restoration will take place at eight sites throughout the watershed.
Volunteer registration is open now through Oct. 10, with space available on a first-come, first-served basis. Register at truckeeriverwc.org to secure your spot or contact Eben Swain at eswain@trukeeriverwc.org to learn more.
After Truckee River Day volunteering events, TRWC’s annual River Fair will take place from 1 to 4 p.m. at Granite Flat Campground. The fair is open to the public and presented in partnership with Sierra Watershed Education Partnerships (SWEP), featuring fun educational activities for all ages and free food while supplies last.
TRWC leads this important effort in partnership with SWEP, Tahoe Donner Association, Town of Truckee, Truckee Donner Land Trust, US Forest Service, Sugar Pine Foundation, Friends of Olympic Valley, and Truckee Fire.
~ TRWC press release
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Gordon and Betty Moore Foundation Selects Tahoe Fund as Wildfire Resilience Initiative Partner
INCLINE VILLAGE
The Tahoe Fund received a $750,000 grant from the Gordon and Betty Moore Foundation to lead a science-driven effort to increase wildfire resilience for communities and forest ecosystems in the Tahoe Sierra Region.
“The Moore Foundation is leading the charge in philanthropic wildfire work on a global scale,” said Amy Berry, Tahoe Fund CEO. “It’s an honor to be part of their Wildfire Resilience Initiative. With their support, we will be able to expand our impact in the Tahoe/Sierra region and better prepare our communities for potential fire.”
The partnership includes funding to support work on forested landscapes and within communities, including the Fire Smart Community Pilots now underway in six neighborhoods in the Tahoe region, and plans for forest stewardship on Tahoe’s West Shore. By bringing together new technologies, local fire districts, residents, and researchers, these pilots are creating a whole new approach to preparing communities for wildfire and demonstrating how comprehensive stewardship actions can support forest health, community preparedness, and wildfire resilience.
This grant is part of the Gordon and Betty Moore Foundation’s Wildfire Resilience Initiative, enabling beneficial fire and reducing vulnerability to extreme wildfire, as well as safeguarding healthy fire-adapted ecosystems and resilient fire-prone communities. To learn more, visit moore.org/wildfire.
To learn more about the Fire Smart Community Pilots, visit tahoefund.org/firesmartpilots.
~ Tahoe Fund press release
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Updates to Washoe County’s Strategic Plan
RENO
Assistant County Manager Dave Solaro provided an update on the FY2027-29 Strategic Plan at a Sept. 15 Washoe County Board of County Commissioners meeting. He noted that Washoe County’s mission, values, and vision have not changed. The commissioners has held strategic workshops over the last six months to analyze the areas of focus in the strategic plan, providing direction to staff that resulted in the following strategic objectives:
- Fiscal Resilience and Stewardship: Setting the county’s long-term vision for fiscal health and future, beyond the annual budget process.
- Sustainable Infrastructure and Growth: The community expects investment in resilient, fiscally sound infrastructure that maximizes existing capacity, protects natural resources, and ensures services that keep pace with growth.
- Community Health and Wellbeing: Identify and triage the most vulnerable population as identified by community need and work together cross-departmentally and regionally to provide adequate resources and support.
- Culture of Innovation: Building a culture of employee engagement and innovation encourages communication, employee participation, proactive organizational improvement, teamwork, retention, and innovative public service Initiatives.
Each of these objectives is supported by strategic goals for the next two years and a road map on how to get there.
“I really appreciate the guidance you provided to all of us to help us get through the process to get us to where we are today,” Solaro said. “I feel this is a very strong strategic plan. It gets us moving in the direction that has given us a clear vision for how to make decisions in Washoe County. And as we continue to work through these, I think we’ll do some really great things for our community at your direction.”
~ Washoe County press release
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Moving In, Moving On, Moving Up Briefs
NTCA and North Tahoe Chamber Welcome New Leaders
NORTH LAKE TAHOE
The North Tahoe Community Alliance has welcomed two new staff members to its leadership team. Christine Horvath joins as marketing director, and Nadia Fuia as controller. Both will help guide the direction and efforts of the organization. The organization also announced the shift of long-time staff member Anne-Karin Atwood into the role of event and operations supervisor for the North Tahoe Chamber.
Horvath is an experienced, highly collaborative and results-driven marketing professional who has served as the director of marketing at Palisades Tahoe for 20-plus years. She has also been a longtime volunteer on committees convened by the NTCA, and will now lead multi-faceted marketing efforts for the NTCA, North Tahoe Chamber, and Lake Tahoe Travel that drive community vitality, economic health and resiliency, and destination stewardship. She started in her new role with the NTCA on Sept. 8.
Fuia started in her role as controller in early August, joining the NTCA following 16 years with Tahoe City-based Tahoe Luxury Properties. An experienced financial controller and CPA with a masters in accounting from California State University-Sacramento, she brings deep knowledge and experience in the North Lake Tahoe real estate and vacation rentals industries, as well as an understanding of lodging, TOT, and TBID tracking and remittance to her role.
Fuia oversees all accounting operations for the NTCA and the North Lake Tahoe Marketing Cooperative and is responsible for preparing and presenting financial reports to management, the finance committee, the board of directors, and Placer County.
Atwood began her career with the organization in 1993 as a reservationist for the Tahoe North Visitors and Convention Bureau. Since that time, she has held roles that have included property liaison, quality control manager and central reservations call center, marketing executive assistant, and office manager.
In her new role as event and operations supervisor for the North Tahoe Chamber, she will play a vital role in strengthening member engagement by coordinating communications, membership services, and over 22 member-focused annual events.
On Sept. 22, the North Tahoe Chamber will host a Coffee Connect at the North Tahoe Visitor Information Center in Kings Beach that is open to the community from 8:30 to 10 a.m. to welcome and congratulate Anne-Karin, Christine, and Nadia.
Learn more about the NTCA and its work to invest tourism-generated funds in support of community priorities at northtahoecommunityalliance.com.
~ NTCA, North Tahoe Chamber press release
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Tahoe Community Foundation CEO Claudia Andersen Announces Retirement After 21 Year
INCLINE VILLAGE
After 21 years of dedicated leadership and service, Claudia Andersen, chief executive officer of Tahoe Community Foundation, has announced her retirement. She will continue serving as CEO while the board of directors conducts a search for her successor, ensuring a thoughtful and seamless transition for the organization and the Tahoe community it serves.
During her tenure, Andersen helped guide the community foundation through a period of significant growth and impact. Under her leadership, the organization strengthened its role as a trusted philanthropic partner, expanded its support for donors and nonprofit organizations, and advanced its mission of connecting generosity with community needs throughout the region. The community foundation has granted more than $165 million to support nonprofit organizations, community initiatives, and charitable causes that strengthen communities in Tahoe and beyond.
“Claudia’s leadership has helped position Tahoe Community Foundation as a cornerstone of our region’s philanthropic community,” said Ron Alling, chair of the Tahoe Community Foundation Board of Directors. “She has guided the organization with vision, integrity, and an unwavering commitment to our mission and the Tahoe community. On behalf of the board, we are deeply grateful for her contributions and are committed to working closely with her to ensure a smooth transition and continued momentum for Tahoe Community Foundation.”
The board of directors is preparing for the leadership transition and will launch a search for Tahoe Community Foundation’s next CEO. Andersen will continue serving until her successor is selected and onboarded.
~ Tahoe Community Foundation press release
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