New Tactics for Reducing Human-Bear Conflicts; 29 Museums Free of Charge; Board Extends Economic Development Incentive Program; More

NORTH LAKE TAHOE

The Placer County Board of Supervisors approved a five-year extension of the county’s North Lake Tahoe Economic Development Incentive Program, continuing efforts to support revitalization and investment in the Placer County portion of the Lake Tahoe Basin through June 30, 2031.

Originally established nine years ago, the program was designed to help offset the extraordinarily high costs of developing lodging in the Lake Tahoe Basin, where no new lodging projects of significant scale have been built since the early 1960s. The program incentivizes new and revitalized lodging in town centers to enhance environmental and economic benefits to North Lake Tahoe.

The program was created to spur both environmental and economic revitalization in North Lake Tahoe through incentives aimed at attracting high-quality redevelopment and lodging investment.

The incentive program includes three primary components: development rights cost offset, Transient Occupancy Tax (TOT) rebate, and infrastructure cost offset.

The program is designed to support two types of lodging projects: new lodging and remodeled lodging. 

Participants in the program must meet key requirements, including completing development within set timelines (eight years for new projects, three for remodels), maintaining property standards, complying with county regulations, and collecting and remitting TOT.

Visit placer.ca.gov/documentcenter/view/94273/11A for more information.

~ Placer County press release

PLACER COUNTY

The Placer County Museums Division will host the 17th annual Heritage Trail Museums Tour from June 6 through Sept. 12, opening the doors of 29 partner museums to the public free of charge across 11 Saturdays from Roseville to Tahoe.

Each Saturday on the trail, a different cluster of museums takes its turn in the spotlight — rolling out hands-on activities, guided tours, demonstrations, and family programming.

The 2026 lineup includes the Maidu Museum & Historic Site, the Roseville Telephone Museum, Sierra College Natural History Museum, Fruitvale Schoolhouse, Lincoln Area Archives, Griffith Quarry Museum, Bernhard Museum, Gold Rush Museum, the Placer County Museum at the Historic Courthouse, the Auburn Joss House, Gatekeepers Museum, SNOW Sports Museum, Museum of Truckee History, the Forest Hill Divide Museum, and many more.

The tour also features a guided hike to the historic Summit Tunnel on Aug. 15, hosted by the 1882 Foundation, in honor of the Chinese laborers who built the First Transcontinental Railroad over Donner Summit.

A full schedule, trail guide, and museum descriptions are available at placer.ca.gov/museums.

~ Placer County press release

INCLINE VILLAGE

On Tuesday, May 26, from 5 to 7 p.m., Realtor Kristie Wells is hosting a Wildfire Preparedness and Mitigation Community Seminar at The Chateau in Incline Village, bringing together local experts and organizations to provide residents with practical, actionable guidance on reducing wildfire risk and better protecting their homes. 

Speakers and participating partners include the North Lake Tahoe Fire Protection District, the Tahoe Resource Conservation District, local home hardening professionals, and insurance brokers from State Farm and Peyton Insurance. Learn more about the event at kristiewells.com/blog/wildfire-preparedness-seminar-in-incline-village.

With this year’s lighter snowpack and wildfire season already top of mind for many residents, the event focuses on real-world information people can use immediately — from defensible space and home hardening to insurance and preparedness planning.

Register for the event at kristiewells.com/wildfire2026.

~ Kristie Wells press release

OLYMPIC VALLEY

The Olympic Valley Public Service District (OVPSD) Board of Directors is considering adopting an ordinance to revise charges on the Fire and Life Safety Cost Recovery Schedule. This fee schedule represents the costs of providing Fire Prevention Services and is proposed in accordance with Section 108.2 “Schedule of Fees” of the Fire Code, and Section 13916 of the California Health and Safety Code. This fee is updated annually.

Residents can attend a public hearing at 8:30 a.m. on May 26 in the community room located at 305 Olympic Valley Rd.

Public comments will be accepted by the board and should be submitted to the board secretary at info@ovpsd.org, by mail at P.O. Box 2026, Olympic Valley, CA 96146 (the final mail collection prior to the meeting will be the day before the meeting at 2 p.m.), and in-person at the public hearing until the close of public comment on the item. In compliance with the Americans with Disabilities Act, those who need special assistance to participate in this meeting can contact the district at least 48 hours preceding the meeting. For more information, call (530) 583-4692.

~ Olympic Valley Public Service District press release

NEVADA

Memorial Day at the Northern Nevada Veterans Memorial Cemetery (NNVMC) in Fernley begins at 11 a.m. on May 25. The event is free and open to the public.

The one-hour ceremony at the Northern Nevada Veterans Memorial Cemetery also includes a rifle volley of three fired by the Nevada Veterans Coalition rifle team, the playing of ‘Taps’ and ‘Amazing Grace,’ and the laying of a memorial wreath at the Prisoner of War monument. Although the original emphasis has been placed on remembering the men and women who died during their military service, Memorial Day also honors the veterans who served their country but have died since their discharge. More than 8,500 veterans are interred at NNVMC.

Volunteers are also needed for the flag-in on May 23 at 8:30 a.m. Schools, civic groups and community organizations are encouraged to help. 

On Memorial Day, ceremonies begin at 11 a.m. at the Churchill County Cemetery and are followed by The Gardens at noon. From there, the ceremony moves to the Paiute-Shoshone Tribal Cemetery at 1 p.m.

Flag setup is Sunday at 8 a.m. at the Churchill County Cemetery. A breakfast follows at the Veterans of Foreign War Post on Maine Street.

~ Nevada News Group press release

NEVADA

The Nevada Department of Agriculture (NDA) is urging horse owners and the public to take precautions against West Nile Virus and Equine Encephalitis as warmer temperatures have contributed to an early start to mosquito season.

Both West Nile Virus and Equine Encephalitis are mosquito-borne diseases that can affect horses, humans, and other animals, causing inflammation of the brain and nervous system. While some infected animals show no symptoms, severe cases can result in long-term neurological damage or death. 

Horse owners are encouraged to vaccinate their animals and consult a veterinarian to ensure vaccinations are current ahead of peak season. Once clinical signs of disease are reported, the window for effective use of vaccines has passed.

The NDA also recommends reducing mosquito breeding areas by eliminating standing water around homes and barns, as well as using approved insect repellents.

Nevada typically reports cases of these diseases each year, with increases in late summer and early fall. 

Suspected or confirmed cases should be reported to the NDA Animal Disease Laboratory at (775) 353-3709 or diseasereporting@agri.nv.gov. 

West Nile Virus and Equine Encephalitis are also present in California.

~ Nevada Department of Agriculture press release

TRUCKEE

The Truckee Donner Public Utility District is once again hosting its Carbon Bingo Sweepstakes. For the fifth year, TDPUD electric customers can be entered to win a grand prize if they make sustainable lifestyle changes to help conserve energy and water. The purpose of the sweepstakes is to educate and encourage the community to take action to conserve energy and water by completing tasks like air drying laundry, using fans instead of air conditioning, limiting shower time, and utilizing water-wise irrigation.  

Those interested in participating can go to tdpud.org/bingo to download a bingo board in English or Spanish. Each square on the board represents one action to reduce one’s greenhouse gas footprint. Over the course of the sweepstakes, players will accomplish various sustainable actions and cross them off the board until they complete five in a row. 

Participants have until Thursday, June 4, to submit their completed bingo boards to TDPUD, either in person or via email to rebates@tdpud.org. The winner will be announced at Truckee Clean Up Day on Saturday, June 6. This year’s prize is a portable battery power station with solar panels.

In preparation for the sweepstakes each year, TDPUD partners with Sierra Watershed Education Partnerships to hold a Carbon Bingo Design Challenge among its elementary school Sustainability Clubs. All of the artwork for the bingo tiles is drawn by talented local students who have a passion for environmentalism and sustainability. Students channel their creativity to bring to life the things they learn about in Sustainability Club, like how to reduce their carbon footprint.

To learn more about TDPUD’s partnership with SWEP, as well as the other ways it supports local students, go to tdpud.org/students.. To learn more about SWEP’s programs, visit 4swep.org. To start the 2026 Carbon Bingo Sweepstakes, go to tdpud.org/bingo. 

~ TDPUD press release

CALIFORNIA DISTRICT 3

In recognition of his strong support for AmeriCorps, Voices for National Service announced that Rep. Kevin Kiley (R-CA) will receive the Congressional Service Award at the 23rd Annual Friends of National Service Awards in Washington, DC on May 13.

The Friends of National Service Awards recognizes leaders who have elevated AmeriCorps as a powerful solution to some of the nation’s most pressing problems. Every year, the widely attended event reflects the strong bipartisan support behind AmeriCorps and its ability to bring people together.

Kiley’s commitment to national service is rooted in his firsthand experience and reflected in his work in Congress. In 2025, he spoke in support of AmeriCorps, calling for continued investment in programs that deliver measurable outcomes. He has highlighted how national service expands opportunity while helping individuals gain in-demand skills and real-world experience, strengthening both communities and the broader workforce.

Annually, over 18,000 members of AmeriCorps and AmeriCorps Seniors are serving in California, responding to the state’s most immediate and critical needs. They support schools, food banks, homeless shelters, health clinics, veterans’ facilities and with other local nonprofit, faith-based and community organizations.

Through this public-private partnership, every $1 Congress invests in AmeriCorps and AmeriCorps Seniors returns more than $17 in benefits to the country. 

Rep. Kiley joins a bipartisan group of 14 distinguished congressional and community leaders being honored this year.

~ Voices for National Service press release

TRUCKEE

The Truckee Chamber of Commerce is seeking passionate individuals to join its board of directors. As a 501(c) (6) nonprofit organization, the chamber is led by a dedicated board responsible for its long-term financial health and overall governance. Chamber board members are required to attend monthly in-person board meetings, participate in chamber community and member-serving events, participate on committees, and help direct the chamber’s work through its strategic plan.  

There are currently two openings on the board of directors. One three-year term starting on July 1 and ending on June 30, 2029, and one term starting on July 1 and ending on June 30, 2028. The board of directors serves a three-year term and can serve three consecutive terms. For more information about the time commitment, role of the board and terms, click here.

The chamber nominating committee will meet with interested candidates on May 27 and May 28 and make recommendations to the Truckee Chamber of Commerce Board of Directors for election by the members.

Chamber members interested in being considered for the two open positions must submit a candidate statement to jessica@truckee.com by Friday, May 22 at 5 p.m.

~ Truckee Chamber of Commerce press release