News Briefs
Measure G Passes with 71.6% Yes Vote
TRUCKEE
The Vote Yes on Measure G campaign announced the successful passage of Measure G, with 71.6% of voters supporting the initiative to fund a new, state-of-the-art Truckee Library. This decisive outcome marks a milestone in Truckee’s history and reflects the strength of a grassroots movement years in the making. While there are a small number of ballots left to count, the outcome will not change.
“The successful passing of Measure G is the first pillar of a fiscally responsible funding model,” said Ryan Parrish, campaign chair for Vote Yes on Measure G. “Fifty-seven percent of construction costs will be covered by private donors and grants, with taxpayers contributing just 43% through a modest parcel tax of 3 cents per building square foot or $29 for vacant lots. This intentional balance ensures broad community benefit while minimizing local cost and maximizing outside investment.”
The Friends of the Truckee Library invites all community members to stay connected as this project moves into its next phases.
Learn more at truckeefol.org.
~ Vote Yes on Measure G press release
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Planning Commission Approves Resort Campground Plans Near Donner Summit
DONNER SUMMIT
The Placer County Planning Commission on Nov. 13 approved a proposal to transform the Placer County portion of the Cisco Grove Campground into a resort-style camping and RV site.
Located just off Interstate 80 near the unincorporated community of Cisco Grove, the project, proposed by Sun NG Cisco Grove RV, will modernize the county portion of the campground while maintaining its existing 144 campsites.
Planned upgrades include a renovated general store and welcome center, a new swimming pool, a snow tubing hill with pavilion, miniature golf course, pickleball courts, crafts pavilion, paddle boat dock, and additional recreation and family-friendly amenities.
The renovated campground will continue to serve both summer and winter visitors, with tent and RV camping offered from mid-May through mid-October and limited winter RV camping from October through May. All amenities will be available exclusively to registered campers, with no public day use.
In addition to recreational upgrades, the project will include on-site employee housing for up to 32 workers and will incorporate fire-safe design standards developed in coordination with Cal Fire.
The Cisco Grove Campground spans both Placer and Nevada counties, but the approved improvements apply only to the Placer County portion, located at 48415 Hampshire Rocks Rd. The site serves an annual average of 47,000 visitors each year.
~ Placer County press release
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House Vote Ending Historic Government Shutdown
UNITED STATES
Congressman Kevin Kiley (CA-03) released the following statement on Nov. 12 in response to the House passing the funding package to reopen the government.
“With today’s vote, we have thankfully closed one of the most regrettable chapters in the history of the U.S. Congress. The longest-ever government shutdown, lasting 43 days, has caused hardship and chaos throughout the country. And the baffling decision by House Leadership to cancel six straight weeks of session has left Americans without representation at a time when it was most needed. The gridlock and excessive partisanship in Washington has never been more clearly on display; neither party is emerging from this mess in a positive light.
“I voted to avoid this shutdown from the beginning, and even with the House recessed I’ve been in D.C. working in every way I can to get the government open. I am grateful that has finally happened. It couldn’t come a moment too soon.
“I’ll now be working harder than ever to advance the priorities for our district and for California that have been on hold the last two months: lowering the cost of living, securing education funding, managing our forests, preventing a rise in healthcare premiums, and much more.”
~ Rep. Kevin Kiley press release
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TRPA to Hold Public Meetings on Housing Policies
LAKE TAHOE
The Tahoe Regional Planning Agency (TRPA) is providing opportunities over the next three months to learn about and give feedback on policies intended to increase the availability of affordable and workforce housing in the Lake Tahoe Region. Following a year of meaningful engagement with community members, housing experts, and decision makers through the Cultivating Community, Conserving the Basin project, TRPA will launch an environmental impact statement (EIS) process in early 2026 and is seeking feedback on draft policy recommendations to include in the study.
Cultivating Community, Conserving the Basin is a multiyear project to make housing more accessible while maintaining and improving environmental quality. The project will modernize land-use policies and the regional growth management system to ensure new building and redevelopment projects increase access to affordable and workforce housing in a thriving, protected environment, according to the agency.
TRPA will hold a workshop and public presentation on draft policies to include in the EIS at the Nov. 19 Governing Board meeting. Additional presentations are scheduled for December and January meetings to finalize the scope of the EIS.
Public Input Opportunities
Nov. 19, 2025
Presentation and Governing Board workshop
Dec. 10, 2025
Advisory Planning Commission presentation
Jan. 28, 2026
Governing Board hearing to initiate an EIS
The EIS will analyze short- and long-term effects of proposed policies on regional environmental goals, including improved water quality, reduced vehicle use, and evacuation planning by emergency management and law enforcement agencies. Visit tahoeliving.org for more information and to get involved.
~ TRPA press release
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Truckee Community Cares Kicks Off 2025 Campaign
TRUCKEE
With the holiday season just around the corner, Truckee Community Cares (TCC) is kicking off its 2025 holiday giving campaign, a community-wide effort to come together in support of local families, seniors, and individuals in need.
Toy and coat donation bins will be placed around town beginning the third week of November through Dec. 11, and financial donations are already being accepted at truckeecommunitycares.com.
TCC is an all-volunteer nonprofit that serves as an umbrella organization. Staff identifies those in need, raises essential funds, and collaborates closely with other community groups such as Soroptimist International of Truckee Donner, Tahoe Church, and Toys For Tots.
Recipients of the food drive are now able to purchase what they really want for their family holiday meal instead of receiving a box of dry/canned goods. Big or small donations for the food drive are greatly appreciated. Please submit contributions via online or by mail.
Check the TCC website for updates on the list of drop-off locations. Much-needed donations include gently worn adult and kids’ jackets, plus new toys and teen gifts.
~ Truckee Community Cares press release
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Tahoe Local Publishes Book
TAHOE CITY
Dianne Reeves Angel — writer and Tahoe local, with poetry in Moonshine Ink and experience in screenplay writing — is debuting her first novel in spring of 2026. Every Restaurant Tells a Story is a collection of 18 short stories set in various restaurants in Los Angeles in the ‘80s.
Angel was on a trip to Southern California earlier this year when the idea for her book sparked. She was inspired by her own experiences in the film industry and sharing meals with friends. While writing her book, Angel said she revisited some of the restaurants in person. Originally planned as a memoir, Angel had to change names, modifying it into a series of short stories instead.
“What appealed to me was this whole idea of sense-memory. The way that restaurants and food and cocktails could evoke memories, and I really wanted to explore that concept,” Angel said. “I wanted to get ahold of those memories, and it’s so interesting to me to do it through sense-memory because the memories did come.”
Every Restaurant Tells a Story invites readers to join Angel in her memories of restaurants scattered throughout Los Angeles and the tales they brought forth. Her first reading will be next Spring at the Short Stories Hotel in LA, one she had stumbled past while going to Canter’s Deli in her youth. The release date and readings have yet to be scheduled.
Angel has lived in Tahoe City for the past 25 years and hopes to do a reading of her new book when it is published by Lost Telegram Press. One of her favorite poems published by the Ink is called His Papa’s Waltz.
~ MR
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Thanksgiving Weekend: From Feast To First Tracks
TRUCKEE/TAHOE
Truckee’s chefs are bringing their own twist to the Thanksgiving table.
Pre-order a beautifully curated meal from Truckee Food Shop, featuring roasted turkey enchiladas, squash and persimmon mole, and olive oil lemon cake — no kitchen cleanup required. Gather with family at The Lodge Restaurant & Pub at Tahoe Donner for the ultimate mountain Thanksgiving with turkey, prime rib, and butternut squash ravioli. Or indulge in an elevated Holiday Tasting Menu at Restaurant Trokay, where artful, seasonal dishes celebrate Tahoe’s wild side.
After dinner, stroll through Historic Downtown Truckee, where local shops and glowing lights set the scene for the start of the holiday season.
Early-season skiing and riding kick off (conditions permitting) with Boreal, Northstar, and Sugar Bowl opening Nov. 21, Palisades Tahoe Nov. 26, and Royal Gorge XC and Tahoe Donner XC Nov. 28. The Truckee Ice Rink also opens Nov. 28 at Truckee River Regional Park, offering skating under the stars and family fun for all ages.
For more ways to celebrate Thanksgiving in Truckee, see Visit Truckee-Tahoe’s Top Reasons to Spend Thanksgiving in Truckee.
~ Visit Truckee-Tahoe press release
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Business Briefs
Tahoe’s New Little Cafe
TAHOMA
A little bakery has found its Tahoma home for the winter. TK Cafe moved into Cult Burger’s space for the season on Nov. 14. The cafe is run by Tim and Kerry Seaman, former baker and manager (respectively) of Syd’s Bagelry in Tahoe City. TK Cafe’s menu includes coffee and drinks; breakfast sandwiches, burritos, bagels, and frittatas; homemade bagels and pastries; and more.
After Syd’s closed suddenly this past March, the Seamans planned to open their own cafe. They also formerly ran a baked good delivery service called Timmy’s Tahoe Treats. Now they get to venture back into a store front with their two-person team.
“We’re super excited to just be serving the local neighborhood,” Kerry Seaman said.
The morning of its opening at 6 a.m., TK Cafe was busy at work making breakfast burritos and preparing orders for a van full of California State Parks workers. The cafe is open Friday through Monday from 6 a.m. until 1 p.m. and will remain open until May.
Though Cult Burger has closed for the season, it will return for the summer of 2026, giving TK Cafe a chance to provide early morning breakfasts and treats to West Shore residents and those willing to travel for fresh, homemade goods.
~ MR
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Tahoe’s Newest Entertainment: Axe Throwing and Indoor Golf
TRUCKEE
Alpenswing brings an indoor golf simulator (and axe throwing) to Truckee’s golf-filled community. Where there are a multitude of golf courses, Alpenswing aims to provide indoor entertainment and activity for wet and dark days.
The facility opened on Nov. 10 in the Truckee Lumber Yard on Church Street. Host to axe throwing and TrackMan golf simulation, Alpenswing also serves snacks and beer.
“We want to create something special for our children and our community,” said co-owner Jenna Kring.
After seeing an axe-throwing trailer at a bar in Colorado, co-owners Jenna and Parry Kring thought Tahoe could use one, too. The Krings first started Alpenthrow in 2021, a mobile axe-throwing trailer that made appearances at Truckee Thursdays and music festivals, though the couple aspired to grow their business. Alpenswing was the next step.
Jenna Kring said Alpenswing has been in the making as their brick-and-mortar location for the past few years. She and Parry, her partner, had identified that the Tahoe/Truckee community needs more indoor gathering spaces. So far, it has reportedly been a hit.
Learn more about the Krings’ new business at alpenswing.com and find more on the mobile axe-throwing trailer at alpenthrow.com.
~ MR
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Startup Uses AI to Help Veterans Secure Disability Benefits Faster
TRUCKEE
Truckee resident and Army veteran Erik Menezes launched AI Joe, a new technology platform that uses artificial intelligence to help U.S. veterans file for disability benefits faster, more accurately, and at a fraction of the cost of traditional services.
Thousands of U.S. veterans struggle to navigate the complex and often frustrating process of filing for disability benefits. AI Joe is changing that using artificial intelligence to make the process faster, more accurate, and far more affordable. It combines advanced technology with personal guidance to help veterans prepare stronger claims and access the compensation they’ve earned.
Menezes’ inspiration came from his own experience navigating the Department of Veterans Affairs system. He served as a forward observer in Afghanistan from 2007 to 2011, and in the Montana and California National Guard from 2016 to 2024. After returning to civilian life, Menezes faced his own battle with physical injuries, PTSD, and anxiety. Following years working as a mountain guide and later in the medical device industry, he reached a breaking point that led him to seek care and, ultimately, a new purpose.
Veterans can learn more or begin their claim process at aijoeclaims.com.
~ AI Joe press release
