News Briefs
Arts & Culture Launches Cultural District Resilience Fund
NEVADA COUNTY
Nevada County Arts & Culture has launched the Cultural District Resilience Fund following the end of state funding for California Cultural Districts on June 30.
Nevada County is home to two state-designated California Cultural Districts: Grass Valley/Nevada City and Truckee. For the past three years, state funding has helped Nevada County Arts & Culture turn these designations into real local benefit through artist grants, professional development, public art, youth arts, cultural tourism coordination, creative business visibility, and implementation of Culture Forward 2026 to 2032, Nevada County’s first countywide Arts & Culture Action Plan.
A generous local philanthropist has pledged a $50,000 lead gift to launch the fund. Nevada County Arts & Culture is now asking local and regional donors, businesses, foundations, and community members to help sustain the work during a critical transition.
In 2025/26, Nevada County Arts & Culture is administering over $340,000 in grants for artists, culture bearers, and arts organizations, including Cultural District mini-grants and Upstate Individual Artist Fellowship regranting across 19 counties.
In 2025, the organization also promoted 2,000 arts and culture events, over 450 creative business through Nevada County Arts Council’s MUSE publication, shared 100 paid artist opportunities, supported visibility for over 1,000 artists, served 150 artists and creative workers through the Business of Art Symposium, showcased over 250 artists and culture bearers through Art in Public Spaces and Art at the Airport, and reached 500 students weekly through Artists in Schools.
Learn more at nevadacountyarts.org/resiliencefund.
~ Nevada County Arts & Culture press release
Open BriefHumane Society Alum Greta Deploys to Earthquake Response in Venezuela
TRUCKEE/TAHOE
It sounds like a story straight out of Hollywood: a stray dog rescued in California ends up a hero, helping save lives in Venezuela after a natural disaster. But it’s the real-life story of Greta, an adult dog who arrived at the Humane Society of Truckee-Tahoe (HSTT) as a stray in 2024, and ended up searching through the rubble of collapsed buildings in Venezuela following a pair of catastrophic earthquakes. But for those who spent time with her at HSTT, there were early signs of greatness.
When HSTT shared Greta’s story on Facebook, both a Search Dog Foundation volunteer and HSTT team members recognized something special and connected.
Greta was accepted into the National Disaster Search Dog Foundation’s training program. Smart, energetic, social, and driven by an incredible desire to search, Greta thrived in the program. She graduated in May 2024 and was paired with firefighter Arby Fields of California Task Force 2.
Following the catastrophic 7.2 and 7.5 magnitude earthquakes that struck Venezuela on June 24, Greta and Fields deployed as part of USA-2 alongside other elite search-and-rescue teams from around the world. As hundreds lost their lives and thousands remained missing beneath collapsed buildings, Greta began doing exactly what she was trained to do, using her incredible nose to search for survivors. Responses to the earthquakes continue as the death toll rises.
As Greta and Fields continue their lifesaving work in Venezuela, HSTT asks our community to join in wishing them, and all the first responders and canine teams, strength, safety, and success.
~ HSTT press release
Open Brief5,000 Lahontan Cutthroat Trout Released, Restocking Tahoe
MEEKS BAY
Five thousand Lahontan Cutthroat Trout were released into Meeks Bay on June 30 in a stocking event, with a second release scheduled for late July. This is the largest release of the Lahontan Cutthroat Trout by the Washoe Environmental Protection Department and the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, through its Lahontan National Fish Hatchery. In previous years, the Washoe Environmental Protection Department conducted educational releases of 20 to 40 trout.
The Washoe Tribe is concurrently working on the Mayála Wáta (Meeks Meadow) Restoration Project across the road from Meeks Bay. A spokesperson for the Washoe Environmental Protection Department said that with the two large Lahontan Cutthroat Trout releases, the hope is the trout will begin to swim up Meeks Creek. On July 28, the Fish and Wildlife Service will release a couple thousand more trout, including 20 to 40 Passive Integrated Transponder (PIT) tagged fish to track the movement of the cutthroat trout throughout the Basin.
Moving forward, Lahontan Cutthroat Trout will continue to be reintroduced into Lake Tahoe in greater numbers.
The reintroduction efforts are historically and culturally significant as the Washoe people relied on the native species for hundreds of thousands of years. Many fish in Lake Tahoe, such as Mackinaw, are non-native, while Lahontan Cutthroat Trout are designated as threatened due to historic overfishing by settlers.
According to the Lahontan National Fish Hatchery website, one of its missions is to provide fish to its tribal partners for recovery efforts, as part of its federal tribal trust responsibilities.
~ MR
Open BriefNew Federal Grant Opportunity Could Bring Major Investments to Local Parks
NEVADA
Communities across Nevada could soon have an opportunity to compete for millions of dollars in federal funding to build and improve local parks, trails, playgrounds, sports fields, and other outdoor recreation spaces.
The Nevada Division of State Parks is encouraging eligible local governments to express interest in the Outdoor Recreation Legacy Partnership (ORLP) Program, a nationally competitive grant program administered by the National Park Service. Individual projects may be eligible to receive between $300,000 and $15 million to create new outdoor recreation opportunities or revitalize existing parks in qualifying urban communities.
The funding is designed to increase access to outdoor recreation, improve neighborhood parks, support conservation, and invest in projects that enhance quality of life for residents and visitors alike.
To determine whether Nevada will move forward with the program, State Parks is asking eligible local governments to submit a Letter of Interest by July 24, 2026. If enough interest is received, the agency plans to launch a full application process and pursue future rounds of funding as they become available.
Additional information about project eligibility and submission requirements is available from the Nevada Division of State Parks at parks.nv.gov/orlp.
~ Nevada Division of State Parks press release
Open BriefHundreds of Volunteers Leave Tahoe Better Than They Found it at Annual Cleanup Event
LAKE TAHOE
On July 5, 446 local and visiting volunteers gave up three hours of their holiday weekends to show love for Lake Tahoe by participating in the 13th Annual Keep Tahoe Red, White, and Blue Cleanup hosted by the League to Save Lake Tahoe in partnership with more than a dozen organizations and businesses. Participants equipped with reusable bags, clipboards to tally data, and grabbers fanned out across six beach sites around the lake, stretching from Kings Beach to Kiva Beach, as part of Tahoe’s largest annual cleanup event.
Lake Tahoe draws large crowds over the Fourth of July holiday weekend. Numerous organizations — including the league, the USDA Forest Service, and Lake Tahoe Destination Stewardship Council — have provided tips and encouragement for beachgoers to be good stewards as they celebrate so Tahoe stays healthy and beautiful.
By noon, 446 volunteers had removed 1,330 pounds of litter from the beaches and surrounding parking lots, trails, and streets at six separate sites — less litter than average for the annual July 5 event.
For others, their cleanups started after Fourth of July festivities or very early on July 5. Community groups, individuals, and staff from beach concessionaires and land managers — like Zephyr Cove Resort, Aramark Destinations, and California State Parks — did their own litter removal work, as did other environmental organizations like Clean Up the Lake. That outpouring of effort illustrates that the movement to care for Lake Tahoe is growing.
~ League to Save Lake Tahoe press release
Open BriefNew Regional Partnership Brings Expanded Job Board Services
TRUCKEE/NORTH TAHOE
The Truckee Chamber of Commerce, North Tahoe Chamber, and Tahoe Prosperity Center have formalized a regional partnership to expand and strengthen workforce development efforts through the newly rebranded Truckee North Tahoe Jobs Collective. Building on the success of the Truckee Jobs Collective, the expanded Truckee North Tahoe Jobs Collective will leverage new regional partnerships, resources, and outreach efforts to better serve employers, job seekers, and communities throughout the greater Truckee/Tahoe region.
The collaboration brings together the expertise, resources, and networks of all three organizations to create a more comprehensive workforce development resource. The partnership also recognizes that workforce challenges cross organizational and jurisdictional boundaries and require regional solutions.
The Truckee North Tahoe Jobs Collective will continue evolving to meet the changing needs of employers and job seekers through innovative programming, expanded outreach, stronger employer engagement, and enhanced workforce resources that support the region’s future prosperity.
Employers and job seekers can post and find open positions at truckeenorthtahoejobs.com.
~ North Tahoe Chamber press release
Open BriefMoving In, Moving On, Moving Up Briefs
Sierra District’s New Superintendent
LAKE TAHOE
California State Parks is pleased to announce the selection of Rich Adams as the new district superintendent for the Sierra District.
Adams’ State Parks career began in 1995 as a seasonal Park Aide at D.L. Bliss and Emerald Bay State Parks. In 1996, he joined the Sierra District Natural Resources and Fire Management team, beginning a career that would span nearly three decades of service to the California State Park System.
After graduating from the University of Washington’s College of Forest Resources in 1998, Adams completed an internship under Department Forester Stephen Bakken and became a California Registered Professional Forester in 2002. He went on to serve as Sierra District Forester for more than 20 years before advancing to senior environmental scientist supervisor. As a prescribed fire burn boss, Rich has led numerous prescribed fire projects throughout the district, helping protect natural resources and improve ecosystem health.
Adams began serving as acting Sierra District superintendent in April 2025, providing steady leadership and support for district operations.
A longtime resident of Lake Tahoe’s west shore, Adams lives with his wife and three children within biking distance of Ed Z’berg Sugar Pine Point State Park. Together, they enjoy exploring the outdoors year-round, whether on the trails, in the water, or on the snow.
As he steps into his new role, Adams looks forward to supporting the Sierra District team, serving visitors, and continuing to enhance the state parks he has dedicated his career to protecting.
~ California State Parks news release
Open BriefNew K-9 Teams
PLACER COUNTY
Placer County welcomes its newest K-9 teams. Each of these handler/K-9 duos have completed months of rigorous training to earn their certifications. But the partnership goes far beyond the training field. These dogs live at home with their handlers, spending every day together to build the trust, communication, and teamwork that are critical on the job. That bond helps them work as one when it matters most.
K-9 Ulfr is a 2-year-old German Shepherd from Slovakia serving the North Lake Tahoe area alongside Deputy Eide. Ulfr is certified in patrol, including apprehension, as well as narcotics detection. When he’s off the clock, he can be found playing soccer in the backyard. He’s been keeping a close eye on all the World Cup excitement.
Also joining the K-9 team is Deputy Slattery and K-9 Dax, Deputy Byers and K-9 Archer, and Deputy Williams and K-9 Jimmy.
After a lot of hard work, these teams are now on patrol and proudly serving Placer County.
~ Placer County Sheriff’s Office Facebook post
Open BriefBusiness Briefs
New Parking Option Coming to Reno-Tahoe International Airport
RENO
A new parking option for travelers is coming to Reno-Tahoe International Airport (RNO). Opening Tuesday, July 21, the Park & Walk Lot is located at 2555 Aviation Way and will provide 560 vehicle spaces. This area previously served as an overflow lot, but it will now be a 24/7 parking option offering the lowest rate available at RNO.
The Park & Walk Lot will be a prime option for travelers looking to save on parking and who don’t mind a walk. Here’s what to know about the new lot:
- Rate: $16 per day
- Walking time: Approximately a 10 to 15 minute walk to the terminal
- No shuttle service: Shuttles will not be provided for this lot
- Ticketless entry/exit: Payment is credit card only. Passengers will need to use the same card when exiting to complete payment.
- Real-time availability: Space availability will be listed at RenoAirport.com/parking
- Location: The lot’s entrance is located on Aviation Way, which can be accessed from Terminal Way or the Interstate 580 airport off-ramp.
~ Reno-Tahoe Airport Authority press release
Open Brief
