News Briefs
$8 Million Forest Health Grant to Fund Collaborative Improvement Projects
TRUCKEE
Seven different entities and Truckee Fire Protection District (TFPD) joined forces to secure $7 million in state funding from Cal Fire’s Forest Health Program, supported by California Climate Investments. Additionally, another $1 million-plus was secured in partner-matching funds which will improve forest health and resilience across 2,627 acres through multiple regional projects and jurisdictions in Nevada and Placer counties.
The Nevada and Placer County Collaborative Landscape Resiliency Project grant award was a nearly two-year process that began in October of 2023. It required significant coordination and collaboration between multiple landowners, led by a $500,000 financial commitment from the Martis Camp Community Association.
Grant partners and the scope of their projects include:
- Martis Camp (380 acres, commercial thinning, biomass utilization)
- Sierra Pacific Industries (571 acres, fuels reduction)
- Truckee Donner Land Trust Billy Mack Canyon (167 acres, commercial thinning and biomass utilization)
- Northstar Vail Corporation (140 acres commercial thinning, biomass utilization)
- North Tahoe Fire Alpine Meadows Forest Health (95 acres fuels reduction, prescribed fire)
- Tahoe Donner Association (354 acres fuels reduction, reforestation)
- National Forest Foundation Alder 89 WUI (920 acres fuel reduction of surface and ladder trees)
These projects represent a multi-jurisdictional, landscape-scale effort designed to improve forest health and wildfire resilience at a pace and scale capable of producing meaningful results.
Residents and property owners can expect to see expanded fire prevention projects over the coming year on public and private lands, as well as along key evacuation routes.
Additionally, Truckee Fire launched a new Dead Tree Fund to help residents tackle a major wildfire risk on their property. With winter approaching, now is an ideal time to take advantage of this program.
This new program offers financial assistance for the removal of dead trees, up to 50% of the total removal cost, with a maximum rebate of $2,000. To qualify trees must be located on properties that are owner-occupied, single family primary residences. Applicants must also have a full access defensible space inspection from the past 12 months that specifically identifies all eligible dead tree(s). View the Dead Tree Fund Program Guidelines here. For property owners that aren’t sure where to start, visit truckeefire.org/dspace and schedule a free in-person defensible space evaluation.
Other Measure T Programs Still Available:
- Home Hardening Rebate
- Free Reflective Address Signs
For more information about Measure T programs, visit: truckeefire.org/wildfireprevention.
~ Truckee Fire Protection District press releases
League of Women Voters Releases Informative Video Series on Special Election
NEVADA COUNTY
The League of Women Voters of Nevada County has produced a series of five short, nonpartisan videos to help voters better understand the upcoming California Special Election and Proposition 50. The videos provide clear, factual explanations about what’s on the ballot, how Proposition 50 could impact the state and the nation, and how citizens can participate in the election. Each video is designed to empower voters with knowledge so they can make informed choices based on facts, — not opinions.
The league encourages all eligible voters to take the time to review the materials, discuss the issues with others, and most importantly, vote on Nov. 4.
As always, the League of Women Voters does not support or oppose any candidates or political parties; its mission is to ensure that every voter has the information they need to participate confidently in our democracy. To watch the videos and learn more, visit Upcoming Elections on the website.
For more information, contact president@lwvnevadacounty.org.
~ League of Women Voters of Nevada County press release
All Hands on Deck to Protect Tahoe from Golden Mussels
LAKE TAHOE
Quick actions by boaters and paddlers this year helped prevent the dangerous golden mussel and other aquatic invasive species from entering the Lake Tahoe watershed, according to agencies leading the Lake Tahoe Aquatic Invasive Species (AIS) program. The Tahoe Regional Planning Agency (TRPA) and Tahoe Resource Conservation District (Tahoe RCD), which manage the watercraft inspection program, reported that inspectors performed more than 4,700 decontaminations in 2025, a 60% increase compared to the previous year.
Inspectors attribute the dramatic jump in decontaminations to actions taken earlier this year to confront the threat of golden mussels, a new and highly invasive mollusk discovered in the Sacramento-San Joaquin River Delta of California one year ago.
This season, trained watercraft inspectors intercepted 72 watercraft traveling to Tahoe with aquatic invasive species, 14 of which had invasive mussels onboard.
2025 by the numbers:
- 4,700 motorized vessels decontaminated
- 72 vessels intercepted with AIS on board
- 14 interceptions of invasive mussels
- 60% of boats arrived Clean, Drained, and Dry
~ Tahoe Regional Planning Agency press release
Notice of Public Hearing: 2025 Fire Code Revisions
OLYMPIC VALLEY
The Olympic Valley Public Service District Board of Directors will hold a public hearing on Oct. 28, at 8:30 a.m. (or as soon thereafter as the matter may be heard) in the Community Room at 305 Olympic Valley Rd. in Olympic Valley, to consider adoption of Ordinance 2025-03, amending and adopting the 2025 California Fire Code.
The district encourages residents to take the time to review the proposed local fire code amendments, Ordinance 2025-03 and Resolution 2025-20, here.
The complete public hearing notice is available here.
For concerns or questions, email fire prevention officer, Brandon Olk at bolk@olympicvalleyfire.org.
~ Olympic Valley Public Service District press release
2026 Truckee Core Values Event Fund Application Cycle Opens
TRUCKEE
The Truckee Chamber of Commerce announced the opening of the 2026 application cycle for the Truckee Core Values Fund. This community event fund, established in collaboration with the Town of Truckee and administered by the Tahoe Truckee Community Foundation, is designed to support local nonprofits in the region or events that partner with nonprofit organizations by providing essential marketing resources for locally focused events. Events must align with at least one of the five Truckee Core Values: Healthy Lifestyle, Family-Friendly, Natural Beauty, Community-Minded, and Arts, Culture, and History.
Events must take place within the town limits of Truckee to be eligible for the Truckee Core Values Fund. However, the organizing organization can be located outside of Truckee.
The application cycle is open from Oct. 15 through Nov. 14. All applications must be submitted online at grantinterface.com/home/logon?urlkey=ttcf.
Visit truckee.com/corevaluesfund to learn more.
~ Truckee Chamber of Commerce press release
Business Briefs
Safeway Opens in Old Save Mart Building
TAHOE CITY
After a two-year long wait, the new Safeway opened in the former Save Mart building in Tahoe City on Oct. 16 to much fanfare. The event included a jazz band, Truckee High School cheerleaders, a ribbon cutting ceremony that included an address from senior vice president of operations for Albertsons (parent company of Safeway) Kevin Lovell, other Safeway corporate leaders, and free samples inside the new store. The place was bustling with locals excited to check out the new grocery store.
The store, which was completely remodeled, includes a bakery, butcher, and Starbucks. This is only the second new store Safeway has opened in Northern California this year; the first one is in Roseville.
Save Mart moved out of the space in October 2023 after its lease was not renewed. The Tahoe City community has been anxiously awaiting the new store since that time. The old Safeway building at the east end of town, which is owned by the company, has been on the market for two years. There is currently no buyer.
~ MS
Alterra Mountain Company Kids Ski Free Week Dec. 6 to 12
OLYMPIC VALLEY
From Dec. 6 through 12, kids will get up to seven free lift tickets at 15 of Alterra Mountain Company’s North American mountain destinations to use during Kids Ski Free Week.
Palisades Tahoe is one of the participating destinations.
Kids 12 and under may receive a free lift ticket each day to use at any participating destination. Each participating destination may offer a variety of other promotions and specials for families.
To redeem an offer, check out the destination’s official website or visit Guest Services at participating Alterra destinations. (No other purchase is necessary; rentals and lessons are not included.) Many destinations will also offer additional discounts to complete an incredible time on the mountain.
~ Alterra Mountain Company
