News Briefs
Town Urges EPA to Protect Mountain Communities
TRUCKEE
The Town of Truckee submitted formal public comment to the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) opposing its proposed reconsideration of the 2009 Endangerment Finding and Greenhouse Gas Vehicle Standards. Truckee’s legislative committee warns that rolling back these standards would severely undermine national progress on greenhouse gas (GHG) reduction and worsen the climate crisis.
Truckee has already warmed two degrees over the last 80 years, with eight fewer freezing days per year, 10 more days above 90 degrees, and 15% less average snowfall. Without major emissions reductions, projections show:
- Declining Snowpack – April snowpack is expected to decline by 84% to 96%
- Wildfire and Smoke – 21% to 72% more area could be burned by wildfire
- Loss of Nature – About half of native habitat in the Sierra could become marginal
- Rain-on-Snow – Rain-on-snow events could become twice as frequent, causing significant flooding
- Pests and Disease – Pests and disease could spread, affecting people and crops
- Larger Storms – The amount of precipitation in the largest storms could increase 5% to 30%
- Severe Heat – Truckee could experience 32 to 57 more days/years above 90 degrees
- Drought – Drought stress could increase by 44% to 78%
These climate impacts threaten public health, emergency response capacity, water supply reliability, and Truckee’s recreation-based economy. Outdoor recreation generates $244 million in annual visitor spending and supports roughly 1,600 local jobs. A 2023 Scripps Institution of Oceanography study found that California ski resorts below 10,000 feet, including all Truckee-area resorts, could lose reliable snowpack by 2100.
Submit a comment to the EPA here: Proposed Rule: Reconsideration of 2009 Endangerment Finding and Greenhouse Gas Vehicle Standards | US EPA
~ Town of Truckee press release
Sunnyside Shingle Fire Possibly Caused by Chimney Ember
SUNNYSIDE
A shingle fire broke out on the roof of Sunnyside Restaurant and Lodge at 5:50 p.m. on Sept. 11. The North Tahoe Fire Protection District’s Battalion Chief Scot Sedgwick suspects it was caused by an ember from the building’s chimney, though said he could only speculate.
An employee responded to the fire last week with an extinguisher before NTFPD arrived at the scene and finished putting out the fire.
Sedgwick said the fire was contained to the building’s shingles and did not reach the roofing layers below. As such, there was no further damage and only the shingles will need to be replaced. Operations continued immediately and Sunnyside did not have to close.
Sedgwick said Sunnyside will need to undergo a chimney inspection, as creosote, a highly flammable residue coming from smoke and burnt wood particles, can build up and cause fire danger.
The fire protection district recommends chimney inspections and chimney sweeps to prevent the accumulation of creosote. Additionally, chimney caps can prevent embers from leaving the chimney, though Sunnyside had one in place.
Sunnyside declined to comment on the fire.
~ MR
Open BriefTruckee River Bike Trail Closure: Truckee River Pipeline Rehabilitation Project
TRUCKEE
The Tahoe Truckee Sanitation Agency (T-TSA) announced a rehabilitation project for a section of wastewater pipeline located near the Truckee River, Truckee River Bike Trail, and River Road/State Route 89 in the areas of Alpine Meadows and Olympic Valley. This project, referred to as the Truckee River Pipeline Rehabilitation Project, is scheduled for implementation between September and October.
The project aims to address an aging section of the sewer pipeline that presents a potential risk of failure. If left unaddressed, such a failure could severely impact both the local communities and the fragile ecosystem of the Truckee River.
There will be closures of sections of the Truckee River Bike Trail and the intersecting Western States Trail. The closures will occur as follows:
- Sept. 24 to Oct. 24: Trail closure for 1.5 miles between Alpine Meadows Road and Olympic Valley Road
- Sept. 24 to 30 and Oct. 11 to 24: Closed from 7 a.m. to 5 p.m., Monday to Saturday and open after 5 p.m. and on Sundays
- Oct. 1 to 10: full closure
Shuttle services will be provided for trail users during the closure period, running every 15 minutes from 5 a.m. to 9 p.m. and every 30 minutes from 9 p.m. to 5 a.m. The pick-up and drop- off locations are adjacent to the bike trail in the parking lots of Olympic Valley Park and River Ranch Lodge.
Updates will be posted at tcpud.org/trails.
~ Tahoe Truckee Sanitation Agency press release
Open BriefTravel North Tahoe Nevada Launches Resident Sentiment Survey
CRYSTAL BAY, INCLINE VILLAGE
To better understand how tourism and community needs intersect, Travel North Tahoe Nevada (TNTNV) is launching a resident sentiment survey in partnership with Longwoods International as part of ITS national survey initiative. The goal is to gather feedback from residents about the benefits and challenges of tourism while also identifying community priorities such as expanded transportation and transit options, downtown beautification projects, and other initiatives that improve quality of life for residents. Residents who complete the survey will be entered to win a $100 gift card to a local restaurant.
Residents can complete the survey by clicking on the link here.
The survey is now live and will remain open for two weeks. All responses will directly inform TNTNV’s future planning, helping shape investments that support residents while balancing the region’s role as a top travel destination. Survey responses are completely anonymous.
~ Travel North Tahoe Nevada
Open BriefSierra Commons Launches Food Accelerator Course
NEVADA CITY
Sierra Commons, Nevada County’s nonprofit business incubator, is launching its Food Accelerator Part One on Oct. 6, an online course designed to help food entrepreneurs build, launch, and grow their businesses.
The Food Accelerator Part One combines the convenience of online learning with hands-on, local experiences. Participants will gain access to a new speaker series featuring industry experts, along with in-person opportunities such as a special session at BriarPatch Food Co-op, self-guided commercial kitchen tours in both eastern and western Nevada County, and a graduation showcase where students present their business ideas.
In keeping with Sierra Commons’ commitment to accessibility, the program offers scholarships and childcare stipends to make participation possible for entrepreneurs with financial or family obligations.
This program is part of Sierra Commons’ Cultivating Resilient Rural Food Ecosystems project, funded through the California Jobs First initiative and the We Prosper Together regional collaborative. The initiative focuses on building a stronger local food web by supporting value-added food businesses – creating jobs, and reducing barriers for new entrepreneurs.
Oct. 6 marks the beginning of the first course in a two-part series. Part Two starts Jan. 20, 2026 — diving deeper into finance, HR, scaling production, and tools to avoid burnout.
Registration is now open at sierracommons.org/food-accelerator.
~ Sierra Commons press release
Open BriefBusiness Briefs
Revitalizing an Icon: Cal Neva
CRYSTAL BAY
Since taking ownership of the Cal Neva, the McWhinney team has advanced its commitment to revitalize and preserve the iconic property. To date, much of the team’s efforts have focused on stormwater infrastructure, grading, site utilities, structural enhancements, and wellness center construction. These improvements are being made with the goal of honoring the site’s legacy, historic preservation, protecting environmental health, and investing for the long-term in this community.
McWhinney is no stranger to historic preservation in a hospitality setting. The company was a key partner in the award-winning redevelopment of Denver’s Union Station, a landmark transformed into a mixed-use transit hub featuring retail, dining, and the 112-room Crawford Hotel.
Together, McWhinney and Proper Hospitality are working to begin the design process for modernizing the resort. The team aims to reopen in late 2027, celebrating more than 100 years of Cal Neva.
While key aspects of the revitalization are still being finalized, the team continues to make plans to restore and enhance the resort’s most iconic features and gathering places, including upgrading and modernizing the existing 10-story hotel tower, the showroom, circle bar, historic lodge, theatre, three-meal dining, and meeting/event spaces.
Plans also include restoring a portion of the original tunnels beneath the lodge. Along with maintaining its historic significance, the team is also exploring a world-class spa, wellness center, and upgraded outdoor lounge areas. The property will feature chef-driven dining, arts and culture programming, and amenities that reflect North Lake Tahoe’s character and charm.
Visit properhotel.com/lake-tahoe for more information.
~ Incline Village Crystal Bay Community & Business Association newsletter
Open BriefColorado Artist Cie Hoover Debuts New Show “Rooted & Roaming” at Piper J Gallery
TRUCKEE
Piper J Gallery announced a new exhibition, “Rooted & Roaming,” featuring the unique wood-based art of Colorado-based artist Cie Hoover. The public is invited to attend the opening reception on Saturday, Oct. 4, from 4 to 7 p.m., which will take place during the popular Truckee Art Walk.
Hoover, who lives and creates in Ouray, Colorado, brings a passion for the visual arts that has been with him since his youth. His artistic journey has been deeply influenced by a rich background in music; for nearly a decade, he worked in the Nashville music industry and later toured full-time for over six years as one-half of the folk-rock duo You Knew Me When. After immersing himself in the natural beauty of Colorado’s San Juan Mountains, Hoover transitioned his creative focus to the visual arts, using wood as his primary medium.
The “Rooted & Roaming” exhibit captures the dual essence of his art: it is rooted in his deep connection to the natural world and the wood he uses as his primary medium, while celebrating the roaming wildlife that inspires him.
The opening reception on Oct. 4 is a prime opportunity to meet the artist and experience his captivating work firsthand.
~ Cie Hoover press release
Open Brief
