(The Center Square) – Lawmakers across the nation have raised concerns that bets on wildfires, popularized on prediction market sites, could encourage arson.
Nevada’s U.S. senators recently joined other Democrats in asking the Commodities and Futures Trading Commission to ban betting on wildfires. The pushback comes amid an historic summer of wildfires.
“I’ve heard from Nevadans that are disgusted at the thought of people gambling on the loss of Americans’ lives and property,” U.S. Sen. Catherine Cortez Masto, D-Nevada, told The Center Square by email. “I have demanded the CFTC stop any onshore prediction market bets concerning wildfires, and I will not stop until Americans have the answers they need.”
Cortez Masto was joined by Sen. Jacky Rosen, D-Nevada, and seven other Democratic U.S. senators in a letter to CFTC Chairman Michael Selig last week. In it, the lawmakers raised concerns over wildfire event contracts offered on prediction markets, and asked for a response from the agency by Aug. 14. Besides Nevada, the senators are from California, Oregon, New Mexico, Minnesota and New Hampshire.
“These markets risk creating perverse incentives, undermining public trust and commodifying human suffering in ways that warrant careful scrutiny,” read the senators’ letter.
The $15 billion prediction markets company Polymarket has previously offered bets over the spread of wildfires, including, “When will the Palisades wildfire be fully contained?” The bet, in reference to the early 2025 Palisades fire in Los Angeles that killed 12 people, brought in over $700,000.
The prediction markets company has previously come under scrutiny for other political and natural disaster-based bet offerings. One ongoing event contract asks bettors, “Will Israel annex West Bank territory before 2027?”
But Polymarket has pushed back at the criticism, telling The Center Square that it makes its money on a processing fee, not the outcomes of bets and that removing predictions markets would make accurate information less accessible.
The senators’ effort against wildfire bets comes as Nevada and other Western states face their worst wildfire season by acres burned in over a decade. At 6.4 million acres, the 2026 wildfire season is 54% above the 10-year average according to the U.S. National Interagency Fire Center.
U.S. users of Polymarket do not currently have access to wildfire-based bets. The senators’ letter argued it was, “Only a matter of time before other U.S. based Designated Contract Markets (DCMs) try to offer these.”
One prediction markets website, Wyldfyre, offered bets on California wildfires earlier this summer with the tagline, “You can’t predict fire, but you can trade on it.” The website offered only paper trades and did not respond to a request for comment by The Center Square.
The senators’ letter asked the CFTC if the agency was considering a ban or any sort of plan on event contracts related to wildfires, and whether the agency believed wildfire-related bets were in the public’s interest.
The CFTC did not respond to requests for comment by The Center Square. The Office of Sen. Cortez Masto told The Center Square this week that none of the senators had received a response.
SOUTH LAKE TAHOE, Calif. – The California Highway Patrol of South Lake Tahoe arrested three individuals on Friday, Aug. 14 after they received a call about people dumping trash in South Lake Tahoe on Highway 50, west of Highway 89.
Officers determined one male to be on felony probation out of Santa Clara County and arrested him for a felony probation violation and driving under the influence of a controlled substance.
CHP also arrested a female passenger for possession of drug paraphernalia and possession of crack cocaine.
As of 2026, the vacation rental policy in South Lake Tahoe has been completely overhauled following a lawsuit challenging the previous ban imposed by the city government. Vacation rentals are possible provided that the property owner meets certain criteria based on the new policy. Below is an overview of the policy as of August 2026. This document is not intended to provide legal advice for individual cases.
Why Short-Term Rentals Are Regulated in South Lake Tahoe
Vacation homes in South Lake Tahoe have long been subject to regulations to balance tourism income with the quality of life and housing availability in neighborhoods. In 2018, voters in South Lake Tahoe passed Measure T. This measure banned short-term vacation rentals in residential areas, except in the Tourist Core.
The court invalidated Measure T, requiring the city to adopt a replacement ordinance. In March 2025, a judge struck down the measure because its “permanent resident exception” clause was considered unconstitutional. So, the city council proposed a new ordinance because it did not want to leave vacation homes unregulated.
Taking into account all those nuances is very important, and this is not only true for real estate. Many visitors research online activities before their trip, including casino games and slot platforms to diversify downtime. Reading reviews of Milky Way Casino can help you evaluate its game selection, bonuses, and payment methods. Once you’ve planned your entertainment, it’s equally important to understand the rules that apply to your accommodation.
Key Rules Every Property Owner Should Know
The current system comes from Ordinance No. 2026-1203, effective April 23, 2026. It mostly replaces the old system, though some operational standards stay the same.
Permits and Registration
To rent property for up to 30 days, the owner needs a Vacation Home Rental (VHR) permit. It’s illegal to advertise short-term rentals without this permit. Permits should be renewed annually during the 30 days before expiration, and renewal is solely the owner’s responsibility.
The new ordinance limits the number of residential permits to 900 across the city, and a waiting list is established when this number is reached. By March 2026, about 382 residential permits were issued, leaving room under the cap, although the remaining permits are limited. One VHR permit is allowed for each parcel. Attached condominiums can also get a permit, unless the HOA has rules against it.
Occupancy, Parking, and Noise Rules
Operational standards apply regardless of when a property received its permit. Several requirements carried over directly from the previous ordinance and remain in force today:
availability of a local property management service 24 hours a day, seven days a week, ready to address any guest concerns or complaints;
indoor sound monitoring systems and outdoor security cameras at the property;
bear-resistant waste storage;
quiet hours beginning at 10:00 PM at the property line;
occupancy is generally limited to two adults per legal bedroom.
These rules aim to prevent rental activities from disturbing full-time residents. Enforcement sees them as strict permit conditions, not just optional advice.
Taxes and Compliance Obligations
Every VHR stay is subject to the city’s Transient Occupancy Tax (TOT). With the new ordinance, the owner must file TOT returns and remit the tax. They also need to report the number of room nights. This will provide the city with information about short-term rental activity that it previously did not have.
Property owners must meet the deadlines, even if a property management firm handles daily operations. Failure to file the Transient Occupancy Tax will be viewed as a separate compliance issue.
These numbers show the basic limits based on current law. However, each permit may have additional requirements for the specific property. It is up to the property owner to check the actual requirements of the permit before renting the property. Consequences generally fall into one of a few categories, depending on who violated the rule and how often:
guest fines of up to $1,000 for violating posted house rules;
immediate eviction of guests from the property for serious violations;
a booking ban preventing guests from renting in the city again;
permit revocation for hosts with repeated or serious violations.
Losing a permit has more consequences under the current system. There’s a cap of 900 permits. This means that a property owner whose permit is revoked may not be able to obtain another permit if the cap has been reached.
FAQ
Is a Short-Term Rental Permit Required?
Yes, any rental that is less than 30 days in length must have a valid VHR permit, or else advertising without the proper permit violates city ordinances.
Do Vacation Rentals Have Occupancy Limits?
Yes, the usual guideline is to have no more than two adults per legally designated bedroom. However, there are special circumstances concerning younger children traveling as part of a family.
Are Short-Term Rentals Subject to Taxes?
Yes, the host collects and remits Transient Occupancy Tax on each reservation. In addition, the current ordinance requires reporting of room nights along with the tax payment.
Can These Regulations Change?
Yes, the current ordinance replaced the previous one after a court ruling. The city council regularly reviews the operation of the regulations.
Where Can I Find the Current Ordinances and Rules?
The City of South Lake Tahoe’s official VHR webpage includes the current ordinance, permit maps, and permit questions.
STATELINE, Nev. – RedRock Studio Events announced the return of the 4th Annual Lake Tahoe Electric Transportation Forum, taking place August 20 at the Tahoe Blue Event Center in Stateline, Nevada.
The annual gathering brings together transportation professionals, electric transportation pioneers and early adopters, academia, environmental stewardship leaders, electric vehicle manufacturers and vendors, and interested residents and visitors. The Forum provides an engaging and collaborative exchange of ideas while showcasing opportunities to improve air and water quality through the adoption of clean-energy transportation solutions in the Lake Tahoe Basin.
“Some of my earliest memories of Lake Tahoe are of visiting this extraordinary alpine lake as a child, and all these years later, my spouse and I still treasure the time we spend here,” said Kevin McGehee, founder of the Lake Tahoe Electric Transportation Forum. “I created this Forum out of a love for Lake Tahoe and a desire to help preserve what makes this place so special for future generations. Clean transportation gives us an opportunity to embrace the latest emerging technologies while protecting the environment we all come here to enjoy.”
This year’s Forum will showcase futuristic electric transportation solutions that are available today. Heather Chirtea of Relentless Ascent will demonstrate the possibilities of personal electric aviation with her flying car and deliver a motivational keynote address exploring the future of transportation.
Innovation will extend from the air to Lake Tahoe itself. Arc Boats will host evening cruises on Lake Tahoe aboard an electric boat, giving participants an opportunity to experience emerging electric marine technology firsthand.
Electric vehicle manufacturers, including Rivian, Tesla and Audi, will also showcase some of their latest electric vehicle offerings.
The Lake Tahoe Electric Transportation Forum is a high energy celebration of better living through clean technology. It is an opportunity to see, experience and discuss transportation technologies that are rapidly moving from the future into everyday life. The future of electric transportation is now.
The Forum is open to the public. A limited number of tickets remain available.
For additional information, event details and tickets, visit LTETF.com.
(The Center Square) – Two constitutional amendments introduced by Republican lawmakers in California were pushed in a press conference on Thursday morning on election integrity.
Neither amendment is advancing in time for consideration by the Democratic-controlled Legislature, and Republicans don’t expect either one to be on the Nov. 3 general election ballot. GOP lawmakers also haven’t announced whether they plan to introduce the amendments next year. But they went ahead with the press conference to stress the importance of secure elections.
Assembly Constitutional Amendment 23, authored by Assemblymember Josh Hoover, R-Folsom, and Assemblymember Natasha Johnson, R-Lake Elsinore, would make the California Secretary of State’s Office a nonpartisan office. Current secretary of state candidates can declare a party preference, and Secretary of State Shirley Weber is a Democrat.
Many other elected positions in the state, including those on the local level, are required to be nonpartisan positions, the amendment’s advocates said.
“California law already requires elections to be nonpartisan for judicial, school, county and city offices, as well as the state superintendent of public instruction,” Hoover said at the Sacramento press conference. “This constitutional amendment would give California voters the opportunity to add the Office of Secretary of State to the list.”
The other amendment, Senate Constitutional Amendment 3, was introduced in 2025 by Sen. Roger Niello, R-Fair Oaks. That amendment would shift responsibilities for writing ballot measure titles and summaries from the partisan California Attorney General’s Office to the nonpartisan Legislative Analyst’s Office, Niello said at the Thursday press conference. Niello’s amendment stalled in an Assembly Appropriations Committee meeting on May 14 this year, essentially killing the bill, according to the state’s bill tracker.
Niello said on Thursday that the amendment he introduced was in response to what he said were efforts from the Attorney General’s Office to write ballot measure titles and summaries that misled California voters. The current attorney general is Rob Bonta, a Democrat.
“This has been a continual abuse of the attorney general putting his or her thumb on voters’ opinions with regard to a biased title and summary statement,” Niello said.
Niello pointed to the titles and summary statements for the initial high-speed rail ballot measure, which California voters passed in 2008, as well as Proposition 47, which downgraded certain crimes from felonies to misdemeanors.
“Proposition 47, which has had tremendous public safety consequences, was titled by Kamala Harris as the Safe Neighborhoods and Schools Act because she wanted that to pass,” Niello said of the Prop. 47 measure. At the time, Harris, a Democrat who later became the vice president under the Biden administration, was the California attorney general.
That ballot measure, if California voters pass it in November, would require voters to present identification at the ballot box when they vote, or write the last four digits of their Social Security or driver’s license number on their envelope when voting by mail. Opponents of the measure said voter ID restricts certain voters – predominantly voters of color – from voting.
Republican lawmakers previously told The Center Square that Prop. 39 is meant to increase election security, not restrict eligible voters from voting.
However, Sen. Scott Wiener, D-San Francisco and chair of the Senate Elections and Constitutional Amendments Committee, told The Center Square on Thursday morning that he believes that Republican lawmakers are pushing conspiracy theories about voter fraud and illegal voting.
“Those conspiracy theories are just false,” Wiener said. “We have a really good voting system in California. The rate of voter fraud is unbelievably low.”
Wiener, who said he hadn’t seen either amendment, added that there’s nothing wrong with California’s election system.
“We’ve seen this at the federal level, too,” Wiener said. “It’s all a pretext to restrict voting. Here, the secretary of state does a really good job, and the attorney general does a really good job. There’s no reason to make these changes.”
Every summer, we watch news reports of devastating wildfires across the West and wonder whether Lake Tahoe could be next. The reality is that catastrophic wildfires rarely begin with a major event. More often, they start with a single preventable spark on the wrong day.
Those are the days when the National Weather Service warns us that conditions are primed for rapid wildfire growth. That alert is called a Red Flag Warning.
A Red Flag Warning is the National Weather Service’s highest fire weather alert. It does not mean a wildfire has started, but it does mean hot temperatures, critically low humidity, strong winds, and dry vegetation have combined to create conditions where even a small ignition can spread rapidly.
The Lake Tahoe Basin is especially vulnerable. Our dense forests, steep mountain terrain, and communities nestled within the forest create an environment where wildfire can spread quickly and threaten homes, businesses, critical infrastructure, and the natural beauty that defines our region.
When a Red Flag Warning is issued, fire agencies throughout the Tahoe Basin immediately move into a heightened state of readiness. We increase communication, closely monitor weather and fire conditions, coordinate resources across jurisdictional boundaries, and prepare to respond together should an emergency occur. Wildfires do not recognize district boundaries or state lines, and neither does our commitment to protecting this community.
In wildland firefighting, the first few minutes often determine the outcome. A rapid initial attack can mean the difference between a fire measured in square feet and one measured in thousands of acres.
While firefighters prepare, we ask the public to do the same.
During a Red Flag Warning, avoid all outdoor open flames. This includes campfires, charcoal grills, outdoor fireplaces, debris burning, propane fire pits, and even propane barbecues. While propane appliances are generally safe under normal conditions, extreme fire weather significantly increases the consequences of equipment malfunction, accidental ignition, or human error. Temporary restrictions are a small inconvenience that can help prevent a devastating wildfire.
Residents and visitors should also postpone activities capable of producing sparks, including mowing dry grass, operating chainsaws or weed trimmers, welding, grinding, or cutting metal. Never park a vehicle on dry grass or vegetation, secure trailer safety chains so they cannot drag on the roadway, and always dispose of smoking materials safely.
Nearly 90 percent of wildfires are caused by human activity. That means nearly 90 percent are preventable.
If you see smoke, an unattended fire, or suspicious activity, report it immediately by calling 911. Early notification gives firefighters the best opportunity to stop a small fire before it becomes a major incident.
The Tahoe Basin has invested millions of dollars in forest health projects, defensible space, fuels reduction, and emergency preparedness. Those efforts have made our communities more resilient, but no amount of planning can eliminate the danger created by a single preventable ignition.
During Red Flag Warnings, every resident and every visitor becomes part of Lake Tahoe’s wildfire defense system. The choices you make—postponing a project, skipping a barbecue, or reporting smoke immediately—can protect your neighbors, our forests, and the firefighters who stand ready to serve this community.
One spark can change the Tahoe Basin. One smart decision can prevent the next wildfire.
On behalf of the members of the Tahoe Douglas Fire Protection District, thank you for doing your part to protect the place we are all fortunate to call home. Together, through preparedness, personal responsibility, and community partnership, we can keep Lake Tahoe safe for generations to come.
From left; Kirstine Koran, Lindsey Schultz, Nick Bauer, Chris McNamara, Drew Bray, Peter Disch. Petra Molina / Siera Sun
SOUTH LAKE TAHOE, Calif. — Mountain bikers have a new way to access South Lake Tahoe’s trail network, with Heavenly Mountain Resort now allowing riders, for the first time, to load their bikes onto the gondola and exit at Mid-Station.
Heavenly Mountain Resort and the Tahoe Area Mountain Bike Association (TAMBA), in partnership with the U.S. Forest Service and Tahoe Fund, hosted a grand opening and ribbon-cutting ceremony Sunday to celebrate the new bike access and the grand opening of the Panorama Trail, which begins at Mid-Station.
“This epic trail offers amazing lake views,” said Drew Bray, executive director of TAMBA. “It goes from the Mid-Station of the Heavenly Gondola, loops around the mountains, then opens up into epic views of the Carson Valley before passing the East Peak Lodge and continuing on to connect to the Tahoe Rim Trail.”
The project aims to make the region’s extensive trail network more accessible to riders by allowing them to bypass a portion of the climb to reach higher-elevation trails.
“We’ve been working on this idea for over 15 years, on how to make more inclusive bike access to the expansive community network of trails we have, while taking out a little bit of the hard pedaling out of the equation for people,” said Peter Disch, Vice President of Mountain Operations at Heavenly.
The gondola’s Mid-Station sits approximately 2,000 feet above Lake Tahoe and provides riders with access to the newly opened Panorama Trail and surrounding routes.
“I’m really curious to see how the community engages with us and look to see how we can continue to partner with TAMBA and the Rim Trail to continue to expand our trails in the future,” Disch said.
The project was made possible through a partnership among Heavenly, TAMBA, Tahoe Fund and the U.S. Forest Service.
“All the big initiatives that happen here in South Lake Tahoe, it’s the community that puts them together,” Disch said. “So all these organizations, we are constantly working together on a multitude of community efforts. We have a really strong partnership.”
Beginning Monday, Aug. 17, locals and visitors can bring their bikes aboard the Heavenly Gondola and exit at Mid-Station. From there, riders can connect to the Panorama Trail via the Mid-Station Connector Trail and access regional routes including the Tahoe Rim Trail and Van Sickle Trail. Class 1 e-bikes are also permitted.
Mountain Bikers inaugurate the new trail. Petra Molina / Sierra Sun
Bike access pricing
Day passes
Northstar Bike Park pass holders: Free
2026-27 Epic Pass holders: $39
Walk-up guests: $39, plus a gondola sightseeing ticket
Day bike-access tickets include unlimited gondola upload rides for the day.
Season passes
Epic Pass holders: $70
Walk-up guests: $219
Mountain Bikers inaugurate the new trail. Petra Molina / Sierra Sun
One of the issues we hear most frequently during the summer is traffic and crowding around Lake Tahoe. And for good reason, it gets busy. But it’s important to understand where that crowding is coming from.
There are essentially four groups using Tahoe: year-round residents, second-home owners, overnight visitors, and day visitors. Too often, they are lumped together as “tourists,” even though their impacts differ greatly.
Tourism promotion organizations are often blamed for attracting more people. The reality is that these organizations primarily target overnight visitors, people staying in hotels and vacation rentals. In fact, overnight visitation has softened in recent years as lodging prices have increased. What hasn’t softened is day visitation. Day visitors don’t need advertising to know Tahoe is here.
The Lake Tahoe Destination Stewardship Plan estimates more than four million annual day visitors to the Tahoe Basin. Communities surrounding Tahoe, including Folsom, Washoe County, Douglas County, and Storey County, have experienced significant population growth. Tahoe is an easy drive and a natural recreation destination for these residents. Add increasingly hot summer temperatures, and Tahoe becomes an obvious escape. It’s crowded for sure. Understanding who is coming and why is essential to managing Tahoe more effectively.
The Evolving Sound of South Shore
One of the more interesting changes many of us have observed is the continuing evolution of music here on South Shore. Music has always been part of the South Shore experience, going back to the glory days of casino entertainment. But in recent years, the range and availability of live music throughout the community has grown significantly.
From performances at Valhalla to casino concerts, local venues and restaurants, community events, and the Tahoe Blue Event Center, there is now an incredible variety of music available almost every night during the summer and increasingly throughout the year. The creativity has been amazing to watch.
Music reflects the cultural energy and personality of South Shore, creating places for residents to gather and giving visitors another way to experience Tahoe. While our spectacular natural environment and outdoor recreation will always define us, a vibrant music scene adds another dimension, one rooted in local culture, creativity, and connection.
Before We Ban, Let’s Figure Out How to Make It Work
I’ve been watching with interest some of the recent efforts to ban activities here in the Tahoe Basin. In the past several weeks, I’ve seen proposals involving electric mountain bikes on Forest Service trails and wakeboarding on the lake. We need to knock it off.
Certainly, there are legitimate issues surrounding both. There can be conflicts between e-bike riders and other trail users, just as there can be concerns about how wakeboarding affects other lake users and the environment. Those issues deserve serious discussion. But I’m not a big believer in starting with a ban.
One thing we’ve learned over many years of regional planning in Tahoe is that living and recreating here requires compromise. We have competing interests, different perspectives, environmental considerations, and limited resources. Working through those differences can be complicated and messy, and rarely does everyone get exactly what they want.
There may ultimately be situations where restrictions, or even a ban, are necessary. But that shouldn’t be our starting point. Our first question should be: How can we make this work? Banning something may be the easiest answer. Finding a way to make it work is harder. In Tahoe, I think we should try the harder approach first.
Just my opinion.
It’s a Wrap: Election Season Is Coming
It won’t be long. Once Labor Day is behind us, election season for the South Lake Tahoe City Council will begin to heat up. My guess is that this could be a transition election. With three seats up for consideration, I wouldn’t be surprised to see ten or more candidates competing for them. That should make for an important discussion about the city’s future direction.
There’s no question in my mind that some changes are needed at the City Council level. The Council needs to operate more effectively and efficiently, with greater focus on the issues that matter most to the community. Just as importantly, I think we all would like to see greater courtesy and respect, both among Council members and toward the public.
As election season unfolds, I’ll have more to say about what I believe South Lake Tahoe should be looking for in its next City Council. This could be an important election for the future of our community.
Carl Ribaudo is a columnist, consultant, speaker, and writer based in South Lake Tahoe. He can be reached at carl@smgonline.net.
How can you tell a good company to invest in from a bad one? With hindsight it’s easy, but in the moment, it can be very difficult. That’s why most investors are better off investing broadly in the market, according to an abundance of evidence.
In a study published in 2010, Eugene Fama and Kenneth French found that actively-managed funds, where the managers select the individual companies that they like while excluding others, generally offered no measurable advantage after accounting for their costs.
Another study, published in 2018 by Hendrik Bessembinder, concluded that 4% of public companies were responsible for the entire net gain of the U.S. markets since 1926. The other 96% collectively matched the returns of U.S. Treasury Bills. If you were picking stocks and you missed out on that magical 4% of winners, your returns could have been dramatically lower than the U.S. markets.
If you’re still thinking that you can beat the market over the long run by picking individual stocks for your portfolio, consider the Efficient Market Hypothesis (EMH). The EMH argues that a stock price reflects the publicly-available information about the company. If you have non-public information and trade on it, you may be criminally liable for insider trading. If you have public information, the stock price probably already reflects that. Thousands of investment professionals are working daily to research companies and assess the available information. Do you think that you (or your stock-picking advisor) have different or better information than all of those professionals?
Most people who invest in individual stocks try to guess where things are headed in the future. But assumptions can change rapidly. For example, 18 months ago, did you think the price of oil was headed up or down? Did you think AI stocks were going to skyrocket, or implode? Did you expect Tesla stock to drop 20% or Micron to go up over 900% since the beginning of 2025? If you picked individual stocks 18 months ago, you may have hit a home run or lost money. If you bought the entire market, your portfolio has participated in the markets’ growth while being more diversified and less exposed to company-specific risk.
Every investor knows someone who made a lot of money on a particular stock. It’s an amazing feeling when it happens to you! But the evidence shows that those wins are more attributable to luck than investors realize. In general, I believe that a well-diversified, global portfolio will provide a better investment experience than a portfolio built around individual stock picks. Even if you don’t know what company will be the next big winner, if you own the market, you will participate when the winner emerges.
How ever you invest your portfolio, invest smartly and invest well!
Larry Sidney is a Zephyr Cove-based Investment Advisor Representative. Information is found at https://palisadeinvestments.com/ or by calling 775-299-4600 x702. This is not a solicitation to buy or sell securities. Clients may hold positions mentioned in this article. Past Performance does not guarantee future results. Consult your financial advisor before purchasing any security.
Matilda, 9, hiked the entire Tahoe Rim Trail in July/August 2026Provided / Katherine Nibouar
LAKE TAHOE, Calif./ Nev. – While many 9-year-olds can be seen building LEGO sets, playing Minecraft or participating in games like soccer or softball, Matilda Nibouar, who often goes by the nickname Tilly, is out hiking the Sierra Nevada mountains. Most recently, her 13-day, 170-mile trek on the Tahoe Rim Trail helped raise over $1700 and counting for the Tahoe Rim Trail Association (TRTA).
In 2017 at just one year old, Matilda and her parents, Katherine and Ryan, traversed for 17 days on the entire Tahoe Rim Trail, making Matilda one of the youngest to complete the single-track scenic hike that loops around Lake Tahoe.
This time around, Matilda was no longer being carried – she was dancing, singing and taking the trail by storm, all while carrying 11 pounds of gear.
“I was really excited,” said Matilda, who noted that she woke up ready to get outside and get going that first morning they set off.
Beginning at Big Meadow Trailhead, Matilda and Ryan journeyed 18.3 miles to Echo Lake over the course of two days. Along the way, they passed through the granite-lined shores of Showers Lake.
“It was really fun to get out there, and we recreated a couple photos that we took the first time around,” said Ryan. “As we were going through Meiss Meadows and all these different areas, the wildflowers were just out of control. The [indian] paintbrush was just covering the hillside in red.”
Matilda and her father RyanProvided / Katherine Nibouar
Matilda, along with her love for hiking, also has a special place in her heart for bugs and flowers, and throughout her time on the trail, she would often point out each type of flower she encountered.
“She would sing Tom Petty’s ‘Wildflowers’ as we were walking through, and that was an absolute highlight for me,” Ryan added.
After reaching Echo Lake, Katherine took over and hiked the rest of the trail around Lake Tahoe with Matilda.
“I think what Tilly learned, and what I was particularly very impressed with was just her mental strength and her ability to take on something so challenging,” said Katherine.
Logistically, planning this trip was a breeze compared to nine years ago as there was no need for diapers or baby food. Light gear, plenty of water, SOS beacons and a first-aid kit – the Nibouars knew what to bring to ensure that they were not only safe and secure, but that they could have an absolute blast in one of the most stunning regions in the country. Another plus – there was now an extra set of hands eager to help.
“Tilly is very autonomous now. She really enjoyed the camp chores, so setting up and tearing down camp every day was really simple because she was setting up the tent by herself, tearing it down by herself, she could make dinner by herself,” said Katherine.
The mother-daughter duo bonded over the course of those 11 days, leaning on each other’s fortitude and looking forward to the next stellar view they could share with each other.
“Being with Tilly for 24 hours a day, seven days a week, I never get that time. She has school and summer camp, she has siblings, so that is so rare,” Katherine said. “I learned a lot about her on the trail. I heard stories I hadn’t heard before.”
Among the very few challenges they encountered, the heat of August in the Sierra Nevadas bore down, but they didn’t let it get the best of them.
With plans to finish the thru-hike in 15 days, Matilda had the idea to go out with a bang, and on their last day, she and Katherine hiked 20 miles instead of their planned 14. Matilda described feeling “sappy” when they finished, saying she was both sad and happy at the same time.
Matilda and Katherine together on the Tahoe Rim Trail Provided / Katherine Nibouar
Along with her ambition to hike the entire loop, Matilda also set out to raise money for TRTA. Initially, her 99Pledges fundraiser page was created with the goal of raising $500. As of August 13, she has raised $1760 – more than triple her goal.
Her advice for kids her age interested in hiking? “Don’t give up,” Matilda said. “It might be hard, but you can do it.”
Katherine and Ryan also encourage parents looking to hike with their children to just go for it.
“You have to just get out there,” Katherine said. “I think one of the reasons why our kids are so comfortable and excited to be out in the backcountry is because we have been doing this since they were babies.”
“Proper planning and gear plays a big role,” said Ryan. “We’ve invested in having really good gear, to make sure that it’s light because parents are carrying most of it, but also so that we’re still comfortable out there, and it’s a fun experience.”
Although she loves hiking in Tahoe, Matilda is looking to expand her horizons. Her sights are set on, one day, hiking the John Muir Trail and the Camino de Santiago.
“If she wants to keep hiking, we’ll keep supporting it,” said Ryan.
Matilda enjoying the sunset at HeavenlyProvided / Katherine Nibouar
Since I last checked in the major market indexes and averages have made new highs. There are reasons to expect even better days ahead. Two will sound familiar.
Last year I lamented the market’s focus on seven big-cap technology stocks while pretty much ignoring most of the 493 other stocks in the S&P 500. That began to change late last year and what in the trade is called rotation is good for us.
Most stocks are participating in this year’s advance. Our stocks-only Advance Decline Line reached an all-time high and the Invesco S&P 500 Equal Weight ETF has a better year-to-date return than the S&P 500 index.
The other reason plays equally well for us. Stocks generally fall into one of two broad categories, growth and value. When the focus among investors shifts from one to the other it often stays in place for years. It changed early this year when value stocks including financials began to outperform growth issues, the big-cap technology stocks primarily. That rotation was good news for us.
Few of my core holdings are in the growth column. Most are good values and soon will be even better. I’ve written a lot about energy stocks. Add to those some financials and drug stocks with attractive yields.
Put the two trends together. More stocks are participating in the bull market and investors are buying issues that pay dividends and are less volatile than pure growth issues (think memory stocks). There is a third reason stocks will continue higher in fits and starts.
There is a mountain of uninvested cash in money-market funds earning little, or nothing once inflation and taxes are factored in. For most, taxes on money market earnings are higher than taxes on dividends from most corporate bonds. More and more cash will find its way into stocks.
Those are unquestionably bullish trends for stocks as a whole. Of course, as you have read on these pages for years, future stock performance will depend on future earnings. Thanks in part to AI, there is earnings growth ahead. Most companies will become more efficient (read profitable).
Earnings are winning the day. As of this writing, the 384 S&P 500 companies that have reported (I’m removing Micron and Alphabet) show earnings growth of 19.6 percent. That’s a number typically seen when the economy is exiting a recession. Corporate America continues to win the day.
David Vomund is an Incline Village-based fee-only money manager. Information is found at www.VomundInvestments.com or by calling 775-832-8555. Clients hold the positions mentioned in this article. Past performance does not guarantee future results. Consult your financial advisor before purchasing any security.
LAKE TAHOE, Calif./Nev. – It’s the Year of the Horse, and horseback riding is one of ways you can enjoy the natural beauty around Tahoe at your own pace. There are plenty of places to ride around the lake—here’s our list of where you can go.
Horses at Zephyr Cove Stables.Eli Ramos / Tahoe Daily Tribune
Guided rides
If you don’t have your own horse and want to take a day ride, plenty of stables are available around the basin that provide guided rides.
Camp Richardson Corral
Located in South Lake Tahoe, Camp Richardson Corral is one of the easiest to access places that gives you an opportunity to ride on the trails. It offers guided horseback rides through the forest and mountain meadows, with approximately one or two hours rides available. The extended trail rides can take you through trails near Fallen Leaf Lake. They also offer pony rides for children.
Before you go, know that you can’t take water bottles, backpacks, purses, fanny packs or selfie sticks—but you can take a camera around your neck to snap some photos of the views.
The corral has been owned and operated by the Ross Family since 1934 and operates with a special use permit with the Lake Tahoe Basin Management Unit. It operates through the spring starting in May. And when you return from a ride, there’s plenty of activities at Camp Richardson to fill the rest of your day with.
The Camp Richardson Corral and Pack Station sign.Eli Ramos / Tahoe Daily Tribune
Zephyr Cove Stable
Zephyr Cove Stables are on the east shore, near Zephyr Cove Resort. They offer one or two hour guided rides in National Forest land, allowing you to saddle up for a scenic ride. The family-owned stables have been around since 1987 and offer a meal ride option for breakfast, lunch or dinner—though you’ll need a minimum of ten riders to book meal rides.
They operate starting in late spring from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m., and their hours extend from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. in the summer.
The Zephyr Cove Riding Stables.Eli Ramos / Tahoe Daily Tribune
Alpine Meadow Stables
This scenic site used to be a pack station when Alpine Meadows was known as Deer Park—a rest and refuel stop before hunters would head out into the wilderness. It was purchased by the Courtney Family since 1967 and remains run by their family to this day. Alpine Meadow Stables offers scenic rides around Bear Creek and Mule Ear meadows. They offer one hour rides for first-time riders, as well as private rides and pony rides for kids.
Their two-hour mountain ride follows parts of the Western States Trail and allows you to see Juniper Mountain and high mountain meadows. An even longer half-day ride climbs up through Juniper Mountain and gets you enough altitude to see into Olympic Valley.
While other stables have a weight limit of 225 pounds, Alpine Meadow Stables can accommodate heavier riders as long as you notify them ahead of time. And when you pay, make sure to bring cash, as these stables don’t take card.
Piping Rock Equestrian Center
Piping Rock is one of the newer horse centers in the Tahoe area and is located close to Truckee. They’re open year-round, as they also offer lessons, clinics, a riding academy, boarding and training for horses.
Groups of three or more are treated as a private group, though a group of two can pay an upgrade fee for private rides. They can also accommodate for people over 220 pounds if they are notified ahead of time.
They offer several different rides ranging from Deer Trail to Prosser Reservoir, as well as up to Boca Hill. They even offer a picnic ride, though riders must bring their own lunch. Their rides range in difficulty and time, with the longest rides at approximately two hours. Kids can also do the Ranch Kids Ride, which also includes a trip to the petting zoo.
Tahoe Donner Equestrian Center
If you have a guest card or know someone at Tahoe Donner, the Tahoe Donner Equestrian Center is located near the Alder Creek Adventure Center and allows visitors to ride the Tahoe Donner Trail System. The center strongly recommends helmets and will allow riders to borrow one for free. You can book trail rides later into the season and pony rides for children aged 2-6.
Public riders may spend time at the equestrian center as well with their own horses. If you ride your own horse, you can also board your horse at the center by reserving a spot in advance. Or, if you just want to ride with your own horse, you can park your trailer at the south end of the adventure center or on the street.
Tahoe Donner’s summer map indicates which trails are multi-use and which ones are hiker/equestrian only, which include Giddy Up, Buckaroo, Rawhide and Yeehaw up near Euer Valley. But as long as your horse is used to trail riding, there’s a wide variety of trails to take. Plenty of the trails pass near creeks and peaks and even through Forest Service land. Pay attention to the private parcels and golf course as you ride, but there’s plenty of space and access to beautiful lands.
Riding with your own horse
A horse at Zephyr Cove Stables.Eli Ramos / Tahoe Daily Tribune
If you’re an equestrian and have the opportunity to bring your own horse, there’s places around the basin to saddle up and head out on your own into the backcountry.
Deanne Del Vecchio and Shawn Mainville are two riders who gave tips on where and how to ride. Del Vecchio is a lifelong outdoors enthusiast who has been trail riding and in the backcountry for most of her life. Mainville, along with two other riders in the Sacramento Calvary, rode the entirety of the Tahoe Rim Trail in 2019.
Tips on riding in the backcountry
Mainville said, “You’ve got to prepared for the backcountry experience and the upkeep of both yourself and the animals.”
“Any horse can be adapted to a good trail horse,” said Del Vecchio, “But the best trail horse is the one that’s the safest and the one you trust.” She complimented her horse for his sure-footedness and ability to adapt to obstacles such as boulders or fallen trees.
Del Vecchio and Mainville agreed that most horses can be trained for trail riding, but it’s good to bring an animal familiar with the terrain, especially crossing water or handling elevation. “Horses are amazing animals, but they can absolutely have a crazy out on a trail, so you want to have a horse familiar with such a large adventure,” said Mainville.
Not only that, but bikers, hikers and dogs can be out on the trail—not to mention bears. Bring some bear spray just in case (though you shouldn’t try to spray from atop your horse.)
Del Vecchio cautioned that granite trails around the region can be tricky for horses to get their footing on. “If your horse has metal shoes, that can slip on the granite, and if you lose a shoe, your horse may present lame—so be cautious about where you ride.”
As someone who volunteered with Search and Rescue, she also recommended bringing water (and a collapsible bucket to get water for your horse), food, jackets and a first aid kit. “You never know when someone might need it—even other people on the trail.”
“It’s pretty hard to haul out people from some areas in the backcountry, and it’s even harder if you’ve got a hurt horse,” said Del Vecchio. “That’s why you should be prepared, know what you’re dealing with and have a plan.”
Mainville also recommended bringing a saw for cutting down cross-trail trees, as well as paying attention to the rules for fire and permits. “If you’re doing a trip the way we did, you can’t cook over an open fire and there are specific rules and permits you should check before you travel.”
If you’re riding for more than a day and camping, like Mainville and the rest of the Calvary did, he says it often gets easier after the second day—but make sure to take it easy and have some zero days for your horse (and pack animals) to rest.
Both of them praised the trails around Tahoe. “Compared to some other places, they have beautifully created trails, which is awesome,” said Del Vecchio. With her experience mountain biking, she says that some of those trails are also excellent horseback riding places.
“Even getting your feet wet with just a couple sections at a time is great,” said Mainville. “There are such beautiful places to see, and they should be accessed and utilized as much as they can.”
Donner Lake Rim Trail
A project from the Truckee Donner Land Trust, the multi-use trail will eventually be 23 miles, but currently has about 12 miles available for public use. If you’re riding from Tahoe Donner, you can access the trail from the Glacier Way trailhead to the Johnson Canyon overlook.
But the best entrance for all equestrians is Castle Peak. Start from Castle Valley Road and you can park where space is available near the green Forest Service gate. A half mile from the kiosk is the prominent fork for the DLRT. Turn right at the fork and you’ll take a route that rides to Trout Creek trailhead, riding west to east.
The 13.1 mile point-to-point trail is considered challenging with an elevation gain of 2,326 feet, taking a little under 6 hours on average to complete. However, it’s open year-round and has some absolutely stunning views.
Be aware that there’s a lot of granite after the Warren Lake Trail, so bring a horse that can navigate the “staircase” around the area. Mainville said, “It’s a lot easier for people to walk on certain depths of steps, which can be harder for horses to navigate—it’s easier for them when there’s a longer rise.”
Along the trail you can see Summit Lake, marking the five-mile point to Trout Creek. Beyond that point is a 700 foot ascent through Johnson Canyon through switchbacks, where colonies of Braken Fern and seasonal wildflowers can be seen.
Spooner Lake
Spooner Lake and Backcountry State Park lets you see both Spooner and Marlette Lake, two alpine lakes within the Tahoe Basin. The Nevadan state park features backcountry camping and cabins, with fishing spots at Marlette Lake. While you pay fees for parking and camping, there’s a variety of trails that can be hiked.
This year, Nevada’s Division of State Parks has closed some trails to repair Marlette Dam, continuing work from last spring. Normally, North Canyon Road and Marlette Lake Trail are sweet spots for equestrians.
However, the Tahoe Rim Trail remains open for riders—and it’s one of the most stunning. The trail has steep elevation gain and some technical sections with boulders and drop-offs, but allows you to see above Lake Tahoe and Marlette Lake. At the highest point, on a clear day, you can even see into Washoe Valley.
“It’s captivating and awe-inspiring,” said Mainville. “You can’t help but feel the emotion and power of those views.”
Some of the trails can be narrow or on exposed ridges, so having a sure-footed horse who’s not easily spooked by heights is a must. While there’s a pump at Marlette Campground, Spooner Lake is the only sure spot for water, so make sure to keep your horses hydrated.
Spooner to Snow Valley Peak is another section you can ride, which Del Vecchio says is “just incredible” and an easy day ride.
From the connection on the Tahoe Rim Trail, you can ride from Spooner to Kingsbury Grade with a switchback trail above the highway—make sure you have plenty of space to head down.
Tahoe Rim Trail
Only one portion of the Tahoe Rim Trail does not allow horses, but the rest of the 165 miles are equestrian-friendly. You can still saddle up and bypass the trail section that doesn’t allow horses by riding on Relay Peak Road and Mt Rose Highway/Highway 431.
“With all the highway crossings to access the Tahoe Rim Trail, it makes it really easy compared to other backcountry places in the Sierra that take several days to drive to,” said Del Vecchio.
The trail allows you to experience some of the great sights near Cinder Cone Peak, Star Lake, Big Meadow and Echo Summit—but it’s a challenging ride in some areas. Big Meadow to Echo Summit, Echo Lakes to Barker Pass and Brockway Summit to Mt. Rose Summit all have granite paths that might be challenging for some horses. Kingsbury to Star Lake in particular can be challenging for equestrians given the narrow pass and the granite.
Areas near Deer Creek can show you lava flows and volcanic rock. Horses can ride over it, but it can be a little tough. However, it gives you a chance to spot wagon ruts from the Gold Rush, leaving quite the historic mark.
The trail from Kingsbury Grade South to Big Meadow, as well as Tahoe Meadows to Spooner Summit North are popular trails to ride given their views. You can also access Freel Pass through the TRT. Mainville says, “It has some of the most impactful 360 degree views. On a clear day you can see South Lake Tahoe, crystal lakes, and if it’s really clear, straight out to Reno.”
“Big Meadow is otherworldly in wildflower season. It’s beyond belief,” said Del Vecchio. In the fall, she also recommends Marlette Lake and Showers Lake.
Pay attention to which parts of the trail have mountain bikers riding—Tahoe Meadows to Spooner Summit North has bikes crossing on even days between intersections.
Mainville recommends a day ride at Barker Pass, which can be driven up to by Tahoe City. You can ride a section of Granite Chief, which comes out onto a ridgeline between two mountains.
Pacific Crest Trail and the Tahoe-Yosemite Trail
The section from Lake Tahoe to Mt. Whitney is often called the “the crown jewel of the PCT” and shouldn’t be missed if you can ride it. The entirety of the trail is accessible to equestrians, but may require you to pay permits to the USFS within certain sections. Tahoe City or Summit City Canyon are some of the easier places to hit the PCT and will offer excellent views throughout the region. If you’re riding from the south shore and want to hit the TYT, you can start at the Meeks Bay Trailhead.
“You just can’t get much better than Tahoe for views,” said Del Vecchio. She recommends a summer ride near Kirkwood to get to Carson Pass. You can access Winnemucca Lake along the way for the Pacific Crest Trail, which is a classic hike near the Tahoe-Yosemite Trail diverge. Travelling along the trail can be windy, so prepare some layers. Along the way you’ll be treated to great view of wildflowers if you hit it at a good time.
“When you ride out here, you gotta remember there are glimpses of the lake all around the place,” said Mainville. “Tuning into the needs of those animals is something I really appreciated with the guys that I rode with. If I had the chance to ride the whole TRT again, I would do it tomorrow, no problem.”
“Riding gives me a sense of freedom and accomplishment,” said Del Vecchio. “There’s a sense of exploration riding in the backcountry, and the camaraderie between horses and people is just amazing. We’re in total awe of what our horses can do.”
Editor’s note: This article originally appeared in the Summer 2026 edition of Tahoe Magazine.
STATELINE, Nev. – South Lake Tahoe Mayor Cody Bass was found guilty of harassment in the Tahoe Justice Court on Thursday, Aug. 13.
The verdict arrives following his September 25 arrest last year after an altercation with a bouncer at AleWorx in Stateline, Nev. Body camera footage and security camera footage released last year capture the AleWorx incident and Bass’ arrest.
Bass was originally arrested and charged with assault, trespassing, and harassment. The assault charge was later dropped.
At Thursday’s court appearance, Bass was found not guilty of the trespassing charge.
Bass will be sentenced for one misdemeanor count of harassment on September 1 and could face up to six months in jail and/or a $1,000 fine.
It’s reported that Bass’s attorney, Adam Spicer, plans on appealing.
Eight-month-old Zoey is a sweet, energetic pup with an adorable personality, a love of learning, and plenty of puppy enthusiasm to share!
Zoey is an affectionate girl who loves being close to her people and soaking up attention. She’s playful, curious, and always ready to be part of the action. And if you ask her volunteers, there’s a lot more to this sweet girl than her happy face!
At just eight months old, Zoey is at a wonderful age to continue building her skills and confidence. She would love a family who will keep her busy with fun activities, enrichment, playtime, and positive training. With her intelligence, eagerness to please, and love of treats, she’s sure to be a fun pup to teach!
Zoey is this week’s Pet of the Week. Provided / HSTT
Most of all, Zoey is looking for someone who will appreciate her playful spirit and give her all the love and guidance she deserves. In return, she’ll bring plenty of affection, laughter, and puppy joy to her forever home.
Cute freckles, a big heart, and a brain ready to learn, what more could you ask for? Come meet Zoey and see if this sweet girl is your perfect match!
If you are interested in meeting Zoey or learning more about her, please get in touch with one of HSTT’s Adoption Specialists, 530-587-5948 or adoptions@hstt.org. She is spayed, vaccinated, and up to date on her vaccines. To view more adoptable pets or to learn more about the Humane Society of Truckee-Tahoe, visit, www.hstt.org.
I love mountain biking but regrettably, my bike has been quite neglected this summer. Last time I rode my bike in early July, I broke my brake lever completely off and sadly, my bike has been sitting broken in my garage since.
But this weekend, for some reason, I had a sudden and intense desire to hit the trails on two wheels. So, I asked my husband if I could borrow one of his bikes so we could go on a ride together. My husband should be training for an upcoming mountain bike race anyway, so it was easy to convince him to go out with me.
We decided to ride in the Sawtooth Ridge area. Our plan was to get to the trailhead early in the morning so we could beat the heat but the Sunday lazies got the best of us. We slept past our alarms, spent too long enjoying our coffee, cuddling with our cats and playing with our dogs. By the time we got to the trail, it was 11 a.m., well into the heat of the day.
Because it was hot, we shifted our plan so instead of doing a long, intense ride, we’d just have fun on the shorter loops close to the parking lot. We did hot laps on the skills loops before heading up to take a lap on the Happy Face trail, which is one of my favorite easy trails in the area.
Happy Face Trail in Truckee. Laney Griffo / Tahoe Daily Tribune
It wasn’t one of the most exciting days on a bike. I didn’t push my comfort level on any huge drops or big features. I didn’t suffer through any grueling climbs that made me question why I do this sport. But I did have a lot of fun. Nothing beats a day in the woods on my bike with my husband.
The day also made me even more appreciative for the Truckee trail system. There is truly something for everyone, from those looking to get after it on a long, technical trail to people like my husband and I who just wanted a chill pedal.
Now that I’ve caught the mountain biking bug again you’re sure to see my out on the trails the rest of the summer into the fall.
Laney Griffo ready to start her downhill ride. Laney Griffo / Tahoe Daily Tribune
NCLINE VILLAGE, Nev. – The McCloud Condo Association in Incline Village, Nev., received a significant reduction in insurance premiums for a second year in a row.
Over the last year, the McCloud Condo Association has reinvested around half of those savings towards additional wildfire mitigation and home hardening.
Alongside those efforts, local fire districts, BurnBot, Wildfire Services Group and other mitigation partners were creating landscape-scale improvements.
The investment has resulted not only in greater premium savings but also in significantly reduced deductibles and increased coverage.
“This renewal demonstrates what’s possible when communities invest in proactive wildfire resilience,” said Amy Berry, CEO of the Tahoe Fund. “Landscape-scale forest restoration and fuels reduction outside and inside neighborhoods make our forests healthier while helping to protect communities and restore confidence among insurers. It’s exciting to see these efforts delivering measurable benefits for residents.”
Five years ago, the HOA paid around $168,000 annually for insurance. However, those prices skyrocketed following wildfires and insurance crises. By June 2025, the HOA was paying over $1.3 million for its insurance.
This second year of reductions brings McCloud’s insurance premium to approximately $414,000, representing a 69% reduction ($925,000) from its peak premium in June 2025.
This is the HOA’s second year working with RockRose Risk, an insurance brokerage that negotiates lower premiums for clients by using full site assessments that consider area fuels-reduction projects, property-level mitigations, and home hardening. RockRose Risk also provides recommended improvements that, upon completion, can result in additional discounts, which McCloud took advantage of.
“People often assume premium reductions happen because a carrier took a chance or because market conditions temporarily improved,” said Andrew Engler, co-founder and CEO of RockRose Risk. “Our work with McCloud proves that’s not what’s happening. The association committed to meaningful mitigation, reinvested in making the property safer, and insurers rewarded that progress again. This is evidence that the insurance system can work differently when carriers have accurate information about real risk.”
The two years of reductions point to a hopeful shift in how insurers price wildfire risk, steering toward competing for business based on documented risk reduction and away from declining quotes and non-renewals.
After a brief illness, Donald Albert Tousseau passed away peacefully at his Palm Desert, California, home. He was surrounded by loved ones as he left for his next adventure.
A native of Anaheim, California, he was born on September 24th, 1937, and grew up amongst the orange groves and palm trees. He attended local area schools, including Anaheim High School, where he was a yell leader as well as class president.
After graduation he attended Georgetown University in Washington, D.C., while serving as a Lieutenant in the U.S. Air Force. He graduated with a degree in dentistry, and his love of the outdoors, skiing and the Sierra Nevada mountains culminated in his establishment of a successful practice in South Lake Tahoe, California. He purchased and restored the 60-acre Hallelujah Ranch just over the mountain from Lake Tahoe in the scenic Carson Valley, Nevada area, situated 4 miles from the frontier town of Genoa, where he resided for many years.
His affection for the Coachella Valley began with childhood family vacations to the desert, and in 1977 he purchased a second home there. After his retirement from dentistry, he resumed his tennis game and soon became enamored with the sport, making many lifelong friends. He became proficient on the courts and frequently played in tournaments, more often than not, finishing in the top. When a restaurant space became available at the Palm Springs Tennis Club, he leased it and opened the Tie Breaker, a breakfast and lunch spot frequented by club members as well as the public. After several years, he sold that business; many iterations later, the space is now part of Spencer’s Restaurant.
Donald made and kept friends from around the world; he had an uncanny ability to recall anyone’s birthday, no matter how casually it had been mentioned. He was an animal lover; his pets were as devoted to him as he was to them. His life was marked by his loyalty to his friends; he treasured each relationship and was happiest while on a tennis court or in the company of those friends. They often overlapped.
He is survived by numerous nieces and nephews and his brother, Michael.
All are welcome at his services, with visitation on August at Sacred Heart Catholic Church, 43775 Deep Canyon Rd., Palm Desert, CA, starting at 10:00 AM
Dayle Schear passed away peacefully at her home in Lake Tahoe on July15, 2026 after a courageous battle with Cancer. Born in New Jersey , Dayle split her time between Hawaii and Lake Tahoe. Throughout her life Dayle Dedicated herself to Helping other. Gifted with a desire to serve, she touched the lives of thousands of people from all walks of life. Her generosity, kindness and caring nature earned her love and respect by many. Dayle will be remembered for her strength, generous heart, adventurous spirit and unwavering willingness to help others. her memory will live on in the hearts of her family, friends, and all whose lives she touched. Dayle is Survived by her loving Husband of 38 year Blythe Arakawa.
Robert “Bob” Milani, 78, of Tahoe City, Calif., passed away peacefully at his home on September 13, 2025, surrounded by his immediate family.
Born in San Rafael, Calif., on September 4, 1947, to Vera and Frank Milani, Bob was the eldest of seven children. He graduated from San Rafael High School and later earned a degree in Industrial Arts from San Francisco State University.
In the early 1970s, Bob and his wife, Debbie (Marks) Milani, settled in Tahoe City, where he joined the faculty of the newly opened North Tahoe High School. For decades he taught auto shop, wood shop, and metal shop, and also coached multiple sports. He began with baseball and football before spending many years as the boys’ and girls’ golf coach and the alpine ski coach. He was a steady presence for his students and athletes throughout his career and remained at the school until his retirement.
An avid outdoorsman, Bob found joy in skiing, golfing, fishing, mountain biking, camping, and restoring classic cars. He especially loved including his family in these pursuits, whether it was days spent on the slopes, camping trips in the Sierras, or time in the garage working on a project. Always ready for the next adventure, Bob embraced challenges with enthusiasm and had a natural talent for nearly everything he tried.
Bob is survived by his wife, Debbie; daughters, Kellyn (Zachary Baldasare) and Tracey (Dennis Klein); and grandchildren, Enzo Baldasare and Justin Klein. He is also survived by his siblings and extended family.
A Celebration of Life in Bob’s honor will be held in Tahoe City at 2 pm on Sept. 6, 2026. All are welcome. For more information and to RSVP please visit https://bit.ly/4gdPAdl
SOUTH LAKE TAHOE, Calif. – The Tahoe Keys Marina Redevelopment Project is moving forward after the South Lake Tahoe City Council denied an appeal to reverse approval of the project.
During its Tuesday, August 11 meeting, the council held a public hearing on an appeal of the Planning Commission decision approving the project. The appeal was filed jointly by the Sierra Club Tahoe Area Group and the Tahoe Sierra Clean Air Coalition on the grounds that the project application did not properly or adequately consider full environmental and safety impacts. The appeal asked that the project applicants, Suntex Marinas, be required to conduct a full Environmental Impact Report.
“First, we’re not opposing replacement of the deteriorating bulkhead, improved stormwater treatment, AIS control, public access or modernization of aging facilities,” said Tobi Tyler, Sierra Club Tahoe Area Group. “But environmental benefits do not eliminate the city’s obligation to evaluate the adverse impacts of the entire project.”
“Redevelopment should be responsibly done,” said Doug Flaherty, Tahoe Sierra Clean Air Coalition.
The Project would involve a major overhaul of the Tahoe Keys Marina, including the demolition of three existing marina buildings, other ancillary structures on the site, and existing parking lots and utilities. It would also include new buildings, parking lots, entrances, and utilities (including upgraded water connections to mains in Venice Drive East and Tahoe Keys Boulevard).
Buildings would include an approximately 52,600-square-foot indoor boat storage facility, three units of workforce housing (to replace the three existing employee units that would be demolished as part of the project), and space for restaurants, retail, concessions, and boat sales. The aging bulkhead will be replaced and the boat launch will be relocated.
An Initial Study/Mitigated Negative Declaration was completed and the project was approved by the Tahoe Regional Planning Agency.
A large portion of the hearing was taken up by a procedural discussion. The applicants turned in documents to the City Clerk past the deadline of 3 p.m. on Monday, August 10. The documents were distributed to the council and to the appellants.
With the advice of the City Attorney, the council allowed the documents to be included in discussion. Mayor Cody Bass called a substantial recess to allow everyone to read the documents.
However, Flaherty, on behalf of himself and Tyler, said the documents were too in-depth for them to be adequately reviewed in that time and asked the council to postpone the decision. Council decided to move forward with the decision anyway.
Councilmember Scott Robbins also expressed major concerns about the impact the paid parking could have on the surrounding neighborhood, stating people would opt to park on Venice Ave for free rather than pay for parking on the marina.
The council added a stipulation to the project requiring the building owners to validate parking. However, Robbins didn’t think that went far enough and wanted to put tighter restrictions on the applicants’ paid parking policy.
During public comment, a representative of the carpenters’ union said that while they were not in support of or opposed to the project, they asked that the applicant use highly skilled workers who are adequately compensated for their work.
Gavin Feiger said that from a Keep Tahoe Blue perspective, Suntex has been a good partner, especially when it comes to aquatic invasive species removal. Keep Tahoe Blue doesn’t usually publicly support projects but said this does seem like a good opportunity to fix up this property.
During the public hearing, Flaherty implied a lawsuit would be coming, saying, “I wouldn’t go through all of this if we weren’t planning on going forward.”
The council denied the appeal 4-1, with Robbins voting no.
We begin our exploration of the celestial energies with the peak of the Perseid meteor shower. This beloved annual occurrence, active until Aug. 24, is a beautiful invitation to spend an evening beneath the cosmos. As shooting stars streak across the night sky, connect in your heart with all the other human beings making wishes at the same time.
Astrologically, we arrive at the midpoint of summer with an abundance of fire energy as Mercury, Jupiter, the sun, and south node all transit in Leo. On Aug 15, Mercury conjoins Jupiter in this heart-centered sign, creating opportunity for expansive, truthful, and courageous expression.
Energies may turn wonky on Aug. 17 as Mars in Cancer squares Neptune retrograde in Aries. Mars, the planet of action and forward movement, generally feels uncomfortable in Cancer’s nurturing waters, and Neptune can dissolve certainty and blur the path ahead. Fortunately, Venus in her home sign of Libra sextiles Jupiter that day, bringing grace, open-mindedness, and support for peaceful resolutions.
On Aug. 22 the sun conjoins the south node in Leo before moving into Mercury–ruled Virgo the following day. Mercury follows suit, joining first the south node on Aug. 25 before meeting the sun in Virgo for a cazami on Aug. 27. Together, these alignments encourage the release of old identities and outdated stories, allowing more authentic patterns to emerge. We also experience a full moon lunar eclipse in Pisces the same day.
Jupiter trines Saturn retrograde in Aries on Aug. 31, bringing optimism to the work of structure and discipline. However, that supportive energy shifts quickly as Mars squares Saturn on Sept.1. Allow this transit to reveal habits, fears, and reactions that are ready to be transformed, remembering that impatience rarely produces lasting results.
NATURAL MAGIC
To support healing, create an ancestral water-and-fire offering for the Mars-Saturn square. In a safe outside place, light an orange or red candle; fill a bowl with spring water; add rosemary, rose petals, and cedar fronds. Then sit quietly and ask: What ancestral patterns around action, anger, protection, and survival am I ready to complete?
Feel what arises, and write three patterns onto separate pieces of paper. Burn one piece and place its ashes into the bowl. Place a second, unburned, into the bowl among the plant beings. Place the third beneath the bowl of water. Blow out your candle and leave the ritual outside overnight. In the morning, offer the water, ashes, plants, and paper to your garden or compost as a prayer to the earth and to all those that came before you. Trust in the magic of healing
It started on July 3 in my Carnelian Bay neighborhood. Eighty-five percent of the houses are short-term vacation rentals and second homes, which are normally filled up with families on the Fourth of July holiday.
But this Independence Day was the first of its kind. Because not only was it a major milestone celebrating the birth of America, but the influx of visitors flooding the streets weren’t families — it was a teen/college kids takeover.
Suddenly every house in my neighborhood was full of sorority and frat-house-like renters, drinking out of red solo cups and playing cornhole in the streets. And then the crowds kept growing.
By July 4 at 1 p.m., every beach in North Lake Tahoe was packed with an overwhelming number of young people roughly the same age. Most of the girls were dressed in thong bikinis and many guys were in American flag board shorts, no shirts.
The Placer County Sheriff’s Office shut down Tahoe City’s Skylandia and Bristlecone beaches by 4 p.m. due to underage drinking, significant traffic impacts, and widespread littering. More than a dozen California State Parks enforcement officers broke up the crowds in Kings Beach.
“We’ve caught multiple kids peeing on our fences and just tossing trash in the streets,” Kings Beach resident Amber Kramer posted to Facebook.
By the time the fireworks started, my neighborhood was eerily silent, all the houses abruptly abandoned by 11 p.m. By the next morning, everyone had vanished.
“It was like spring break around here … in the 20-plus years of living here, I’ve never seen anything like it,” my neighbor said on that (relatively) quiet morning of July 5.
I heard in the following days that San Francisco Bay Area high school and college students organized this. Parents rented the VRBOs and Airbnbs for their kids. Tik-Tok posts went viral weeks before the takeover.
Although the scene didn’t get out of control like the shooting that took place in Florida, large, random gatherings like this can pose a public safety threat.
Kings Beach business owners commented online that the crowds did not contribute to the downtown economy — no one went into the restaurants despite hordes of people hanging out in front of the Taco Bell at 10 p.m. that evening.
“Yes, it was bad for business, and yes, the streets and sidewalks are covered in trash and vomit. Definitely not fun,” a local Kings Beach business owner posted to Facebook.
Shortly after the busy weekend, a petition went out asking Placer County to publicly address what happened this Fourth of July. A few days later, Placer County District 5 Supervisor Cindy Gustafson released a statement saying she was planning a meeting with agency representatives to talk about it.
I feel like this is a weak response.
Right now, neither the rental agencies nor homeowners are taking responsibility for these issues, so Placer County needs to implement penalties big enough to make owners think twice about who they are renting to or what their properties are being used for.
There are a lot of parking, noise, and trash issues that full-time North Tahoe residents deal with all summer from their short-term neighbors, and I have never seen or heard of an instance when rules have been enforced or penalties imposed. Placer County does have a 24/7 short-term rental hotline number neighbors can call to address complaints, but in many cases the vacationers are just given a slap on the wrist or a warning, and a new crop of visitors comes the following weekend. I’ve never heard of an STR getting shut down.
Considering we’re nearing the end of summer, I think Placer County should publish a statement this fall that contains: 1) an analysis of what happened this Fourth of July; 2) a plan emphasizing how parking/trash/noise regulations will start being heavily enforced beginning June 1, 2027; and 3) share a report of how many complaints were recorded and how they were addressed in the summer of 2026.
If this is a problem that affects you, too, sign the petition. Write Cindy Gustafson. And Placer County, please take residents’ complaints seriously and do something about them.
~ Kayla Anderson is a freelance writer and coauthor of Moon Travel Guides’ Best of California State Parks and Northern California Road Trips. She holds a bachelor’s degree in journalism from CSU, Chico, and has been a North Lake Tahoe resident for the past 20 years.
Every summer, Lake Tahoe’s transportation challenges become impossible to ignore. Gridlocked roads, full parking lots, and unsafe parking along busy highways are the visible signs of a problem that dozens of agencies have spent decades trying to solve.
Gavin Feiger, policy director for Keep Tahoe Blue, put it like this:
“Transportation in Tahoe has been one of the largest contributors to clarity decline. It has one of the biggest impacts on the environment and on our day-to-day lives. It’s a huge issue that we haven’t been able to crack as a region yet. We’re tackling aquatic invasive species. We’re doing restoration projects. Development is getting more sustainable and it’s limited. Growth is capped. We’ve done all these things, but we just haven’t worked out transportation yet.”
Part of that, he explained, is the cost. Transportation systems not only include creating bike lanes and trails and shuttles, but also “everything under the street.”
MILE AFTER MILE: Nevada’s state Route 28, which runs from the California state line in Crystal Bay following Lake Tahoe to halfway down its East Shore, sees 2.6 million vehicles annually and over one million recreational visitors.
The Lake Tahoe Regional Transportation Plan, developed by the Tahoe Regional Planning Agency (TRPA) and intended to address water and air quality, scenic and recreation sources, noise levels, and more through a Basin-wide system, puts the total unfunded priorities of the plan at $20 million annually for the next 20 years. Some say that number is on the low end.
“There’s not one big thing that can solve it,” Feiger said. “It’s not like we can go to Sen. [Alex] Padilla and be like, we need the Sen. Padilla Tahoe Transportation Bill, and build a giant bridge, and name it after him. We need $20 million a year for transit operations that will be spread amongst five different agencies. That’s a hard act.”
While a Basin-wide transportation solution remains years away, local agencies are making progress on one piece of the puzzle: parking. This summer, several projects aim to improve access and safety while reducing congestion at some of Tahoe’s busiest destinations.
We touch on the efforts, as well as significant snags, below.
rAguably the most critical player when it comes to all things transportation in Tahoe is the Tahoe Transportation District (TTD). When the Tahoe Regional Planning Compact, which unites California, Nevada, and the U.S. government to manage the shared region, was amended in 1980, it established the TTD.
“That does put us in a pretty unique position because our jurisdiction is the Basin,” said Tara Styer, deputy director for TTD. “We’re able to leverage funding across state lines, and then we’re also able to implement those projects that are across jurisdictions … It takes a bit for everyone to be rowing in the same direction, but having that governing document really helps to have something to point back to.”
In July 2020, TTD began its Park Tahoe program, intended to aid what many see as a long-needed holistic and equitable approach to parking management in the Tahoe Basin. The first area of interest for the program: state Route 28, the famous two-lane highway along the Nevada side of the lake.
LOT FULL: A lack of enforcement capacity along state Route 28 has led to people parking in paid lots as well as continuing to park along the shoulder of the two-lane highway, even in no parking zones.
Park Tahoe was launched the same day as the Tahoe East Shore Trailhead, north of Ponderosa Ranch Road in Incline Village, which offers 90 metered parking spots away from — and this is critical — the shoulder of SR 28. This first lot was Phase 1 of the North Parking Project. Phase 2 is actively underway, with the relocation of 38 shoulder-parked vehicles to an official lot.
Parking along the shoulder of SR 28 is a very popular approach for those looking to visit various beaches. Numbers have doubled in the last 15 years. It’s also, as Styer said, a huge safety risk.
“The last shoulder counts we did in 2024, we looked at a midweek day, and we looked at two Saturdays, usually late July, early August,” Styer said. “We had 970 shoulder-parked vehicles on a summer Saturday in August.” With an average of three people per vehicle, plus bikes, this can mean over 3,000 people on a summer day using the state highway like a sidewalk or parking lot.
Shoulder parking is the leading cause of crashes on SR 28. From an environmental perspective, shoulder parking increases erosion along highway embankments and into Lake Tahoe.
The day-use reservation system at Sand Harbor State Park, implemented August 2024, is an attempt to reduce congestion by limiting the number of vehicles trying to enter the park during peak morning hours. From mid-May through September, visitors must make a reservation if they want to enter the park between 8 and 10:30 a.m. After that, remaining spots are available on a first come, first served basis. “Out of the 400 reservable spots, we are still able to let in 20 to 50 vehicles,” wrote Tyler Kerver of the Nevada Division of State Parks in an email, noting that the number varies with weather, holidays, and the day of the week. “The gates to the main parking lot are usually closed by 11 a.m. June through August.”
Progress is piecemeal, and people are still parking their cars along SR 28, shifting locations as signs marking no-parking zones go up. “As we implement these projects throughout the corridor, it’s sort of a whack-a-mole effect,” Styer said. “Anything south of Secret Harbor is still technically not no parking. Although it’s not safe and a lot of people are parking over the fog line [the white stripe along the outside of a paved road].”
A significant parking lot option became available this June: The Chimney Beach Trailhead, which offers about 130 spaces, each for $12 a day. The site improvements include a pedestrian crosswalk across SR 28. In order to open up, a permit granted by the TRPA to the U.S. Forest Service, Lake Tahoe Basin Management Unit (LTBMU), required, “The no parking zone on SR-28 shall be extended around Chimney Beach Parking lot prior to the new parking lot being open to the public. The area of no parking shall be consistent with the area identified in the project [environmental assessment]. LTBMU shall coordinate with partners who are responsible for enforcing no parking along the corridor.”
CHIMNEY BEACH: The new parking lot on U.S. Forest Service land offers about 130 spots, each for $12 a day. According to the Tahoe Transportation District, the lot fills up on weekends, but not as much during weekdays (while shoulder parking on state Route 28 stays consistent).
Basically, TRPA was asserting that roughly 130 shoulder parking spots along the highway south of Sand Harbor could be blocked off with no-parking signs, since those cars now have a place to park.
That’s what was supposed to happen.
“The signs went up, there’s [a memorandum of understanding] in place [but] nobody has capacity to do the enforcement,” Feiger said. This has lead to cars not only parking at Chimney Beach, but also, on high-demand days, still parking along the shoulder, despite signage.
However, TRPA Public Information Officer Jeff Cowen says “the new no-parking zone along the Chimney Beach section of the corridor is largely working. NHP has been ticketing. Our [Environmental Improvement Program] manager drove through the corridor [on Wednesday, Aug. 5], and there were a number of cars parked in the corridor, but none in the new no-parking zone.
“There have been issues on very busy days, including the Fourth of July, and times when law enforcement resources are spread out.”
Nevada Highway Patrol (NHP) confirmed with Moonshine its staffing is stretched thin. “We’re doing saturation patrols as necessary, focusing on weekends and holidays, trying to get extra staff up there to deal with parking issues,” said Trooper James LaRose, public information officer for NHP.
From January to June 3, 2025, NHP investigated 25 crashes and issued 26 traffic citations and eight parking citations.
The same timeframe for 2026 saw 19 crashes, 34 traffic citations, and 29 parking citations.
“You’d think it would be common sense that people can’t park in the travel lane or block traffic,” LaRose said. “Apparently it’s not and we end up with a lot of people with part of their car still in the travel lane.”
“It’s not like we can go to Sen. Padilla and be like, we need the Sen. Padilla Tahoe Transportation Bill, and build a giant bridge, and name it after him. We need $20 million a year for transit operations that will be spread amongst five different agencies. That’s a hard act.”
~ Gavin Feiger, policy director for Keep Tahoe Blue
He added that officers will drive through using a PA system, letting drivers know they can’t be parked in the travel lane, can’t have their vehicles protrude — “even the mirror over the line” — and asking them to move their vehicles. After the announcement, they’ll come and issue citations.
“If it’s too egregious, we’ll call for a tow truck,” he added.
“We’re very frustrated,” Feiger said of the situation. “And it’s the same permit conditions and the same process for the Spooner lot [which will provide 250 spots and is expected to come online fall 2027]. It’s going to be the same one for the Secret Harbor lot [which is facing a $13-million funding gap for the 120 spots], like all of them. This has to be successful.”
Legislation recently passed in Nevada and a companion bill on the California side could help with this hurdle.
Nevada’s SB 426, passed June 2025, created the Lake Tahoe Basin Scenic Byway Corridor Recreation Safety Zone, spanning Nevada highways and state routes in the Tahoe region, to establish traffic control and parking measures, as well as the development of parking enforcement and citation issuance between the TTD and law enforcement agencies.
The transportation district’s Styer said that while the legislation is in effect, operationalization will take time. She did say the district is in communication with NHP over how the two agencies can coordinate. “We don’t necessarily want to staff someone who’s on the corridor writing tickets. We’d rather leave that in law enforcement’s capable hands … [and possibly do something] similar to the approach that has been taken in Emerald Bay where agencies are funding overtime for CHP.”
TTD’s projects are primarily federally and state-funded, as well as locally, largely from the Tahoe Fund. The money collected through parking meters (aside from a percentage that goes to USFS from parking on federal land) go back into local coffers.
SAND HARBOR is a premier destination for those visiting or living in the Tahoe Basin. To help reduce congestion on state Route 28, the state park instituted a reservation system in 2024, to run from mid-May through September, for entry between 8 and 10:30 a.m. Traffic backs up during those hours, as seen in the bottom photo, and the parking lot is usually closed by 11 a.m.
California’s AB 2679, meanwhile, went before the Senate Committee on Appropriations on Aug. 3 and was placed in a suspense file, to be reviewed in detail for its potential fiscal impact. The bill proposes the Tahoe Transportation Safety Act, which would effectively mimic the Nevada bill by, in part, authorizing TTD to address unsafe parking and pedestrian movement in the Basin.
Raising the price of fines for illegal parking is a more recent solution implemented because up until recently, they simply haven’t been a successful deterrent.
“We’ve been out there doing surveys, doing enforcement with highway patrol, and they’ll tow a car and another car will pull right in,” Feiger said. “The highway patrol person will be like, ‘Did you just see that [the other car got a ticket]?’ And they’re like, ‘How much is the ticket?’ ‘Hundred bucks.’ They’re like, ‘Oh, okay. Fine.’”
El Dorado County in June increased penalties for illegal parking along state highways from $50 to $300 per occurrence. On the Nevada side, the max fine for parking in a no-parking zone is $305, while parking over the fog line incurs a $538 fine.
In South Lake, a new vision is unfolding for what the Tahoe Basin could become as parking management expands: Keep Tahoe Blue’s Car-Free, Care-Free Tahoe, which kicked off this past June. The concept imagines a future where someone can park their car and use interconnected transit options (buses, shuttles, bike paths, scooters, etc.) to reach any destination around Tahoe.
“It was designed to kind of encapsulate all of our transportation efforts,” Feiger said, pointing to ongoing advocating for funding, providing input on the regional transportation plan, getting legislation passed, and so on. And not only the work Keep Tahoe Blue is doing, but also its partners’ work.
A key example is the Emerald Bay Shuttle, run by TTD and piloted last summer through funding from Keep Tahoe Blue and the Tahoe Fund to reduce congestion and pollution, and provide alternative parking options in one of the most visited spots around the lake. Along with the shuttle implementation, which started its 2026 season in late June for $5 one way (reduced fare options available), TTD is installing about 400 feet of temporary barriers along the shoulder. California Highway Patrol promises strict enforcement of parking regulations. Last summer, enforcement wrote 248 citations, issued 13 moving violations, and had 10 vehicles towed.
There has been a lot of good feedback, Styer said about the shuttle, and the partnerships have produced momentum. Beyond that, groups are addressing operational hiccups. “We do not have a formalized crosswalk in Emerald Bay,” she continued. “I think that could be really beneficial. And the speed limit through there is still pretty high, so, you know, those types of things — working with Caltrans.”
Other programs falling under the Car Free, Care Free Tahoe umbrella: the South Shore Transportation Management Association and its 30 different funders (including many local businesses) that helped launch microtransit shuttle Lake Link in 2022. Or Heavenly Ski Resort, which increased its shuttle service in 2024.
“We see this as a way for us to really share that it’s better,” Feiger said. “We have options now. It wasn’t this way for a lot of years, but it’s getting so much better now. And the biggest thing is people need to just get out there and get on the paths, ride the buses. That’s the best thing you can do to support this, so that’s what we’re trying to make happen.”
While this is a vision that will ideally spread around the lake in terms of transit connection, he added that South Shore is the closest to achieving such a goal in Tahoe.
On the North Shore, Placer County is focused on expanding its paid parking program in Kings Beach. Starting May 1, the West End and Rainbow lots began charging vehicles $10 per day, with a $20 holiday rate, through September. These two lots joined the Christmas Tree and Brook Avenue locations, which saw fee increases to a daily rate of $20, with a holiday rate of $40.
Local businesses initially pushed the program to take off in summer 2024 with the Christmas Tree lot pilot program, increasing parking turnover a major goal.
STATE HIGHWAY OR PARKING LOT: In 2024, an estimated 970 cars a day parked on the SR 28 shoulder on a Saturday in August, a huge safety risk and environmental detriment. Tahoe agencies are trying to fix that and more when it comes to parking around the Basin.
“I think one of the frustrations our business owners had in certain areas was that people would park and go to the beach all day, and then there wouldn’t be room for their patrons to come in and access their businesses,” said Placer County Supervisor Cindy Gustafson. “So, the paid parking does help modify behavior and hopefully help people make the decision to be somewhat inconvenient to either walk or ride a bike or call a micro mass transit bus.”
During the first full year of the paid parking program’s pilot, 2025, 595 citations were issued, bringing in roughly $42,000 in revenue, and $43,000 in paid lot fees. Yet expenditures far outweighed the intake: staff cost about $175,000, and contracts $65,000.
“We want it to become self-sustaining,” Gustafson said, “and so we need more in the paid parking program to make it self-sustained. But we have issued a lot of citations. I think over 300 citations, and over 200 warnings [since May 1].”
Such a program for Tahoe City is undergoing staff discussion and community outreach.
Not everyone believes adding parking is the right solution. While agencies are implementing new restrictions and adding infrastructure in the name of safety and environmental protection, some residents argue the Basin has already reached its limits. Steve Dolan, who lived in Incline Village for 23 years and founded the Friends of Third Creek nonprofit, which monitors North Shore watersheds, sees the addition of parking lots and continued development — even with strict codes — as adding to an area that’s already at capacity.
“There’s a limit to what this beautiful emerald of the Sierra can accommodate,” he told Moonshine. “There’s just a limit.”
Dolan wants a moratorium placed in the Basin to stall rapid growth — which, according to TRPA, already boasts 15 million visitors annually and a $5-billion economy.
“At any given time, the number of people that can stay in the parks, camping, in houses as guests, in hotels that exist, and in hotels that are being built, and in developments that are being developed already to this day, that’s too many people,” he said. “We need to stop that now and adjust to it.”
There are also those — especially locals — who find themselves having to pay for parking where it used to be free and are frustrated by that. Styer has heard as much, and said she understands the parking changes aren’t welcomed by everyone.
“I know that it’s a transition,” she said. “It’s a transition for me as well. But the parking revenues are returned to the operations and maintenance within the corridor, and I think that that’s really key. We’re looking at a corridor that didn’t have, in my opinion, adequate facilities. Just adding restrooms along the corridor has been really critical. Allowing Waste Management, having those parking ambassadors at Secret and Chimney this summer to help manage the trash. I think that all of those are huge benefits.”
“There’s a limit to what this beautiful emerald of the Sierra can accommodate. There’s just a limit.”
~ Steve Dolan, former Incline Village resident and
founder of Friends of Third Creek nonprofit
Feiger emphasized the environmental benefits, saying that limiting parking is one of the most effective ways to shift driving behavior by encouraging carpooling or transit use or maybe deciding not to take a trip at all.
“One of the cool things about Tahoe is that all of our locals, all of our residents and our visitors — we’re all going to and from the same places,” he said. “So, a system that works for visitors will also work for our residents. If we can get more visitors out of their cars, it makes it easier for our employees to get around who maybe have to use their cars.”
Gustafson points to being prepared within reason for a future that could see increased visitation: “I think with climate change, we have to be prepared that as temperatures get hotter, the evidence is here: More people come to recreate in the High Sierra. Some of that’s Lake Tahoe, some of it is rivers and streams … My job is to make sure we’re looking ahead and trying to prepare for that and find solutions that can help us live together more amicably. We don’t have the infrastructure for the millions of more Californians and Nevadans there are within drive-up range, and I don’t know that we should pave paradise for that.”
A new facility called Peak Women’s Care is opening in the former Gateway Urgent Care building on Donner Pass Road in Truckee, which says it offers free-of-charge services for people facing an unplanned pregnancy, including pregnancy tests, ultrasounds, and what it calls an “options consultation.” The facility has the appearance of a women’s health center, but the reality is it’s more a faith-based resource center than a medical clinic.
Peak Women’s Care also operates a center in Portola, an hour north of Truckee, which opened in November 2024. Its Truckee location is slated to open by the end of this summer, pending an occupancy permit from Nevada County.
“Our goal is to service people from Lake Almanor to North Lake Tahoe, so that’s why we’re growing with a location in Truckee,” Mollie Williams, executive director of Peak Women’s Care, told Moonshine Ink. “We’re often servicing people who are traveling from far away, so we want to try to meet them where they’re at.”
As Peak Women’s Care prepares to open its Truckee doors, residents facing an unplanned pregnancy will soon have another place to turn — though what they’ll find there, and whether it constitutes healthcare, remains at the center of a broader national debate.
In publicly available tax documents, Peak’s mission is stated as this: “To provide free religious instruction and information to members of the public who are pregnant, considering pregnancy, or who are partners of pregnant women.” The document further adds that the center “walks with those facing unplanned or unsupported pregnancies by providing medical, material, and spiritual resources, all centered in Christ while upholding the sanctity of all human life.”
Peak seems to fall under a category known as crisis pregnancy centers. A CPC is a nonprofit organization, regularly affiliated with religious education, that presents itself as a women’s healthcare clinic. In 2022, the California Attorney General issued a consumer alert, stating: “While crisis pregnancy centers may claim to offer comprehensive reproductive healthcare services, their mission is to discourage people from accessing abortion care.”
CPCs have been around since the late 1960s and currently, there are an estimated 2,600 in the U.S., with more continuing to open. (That’s roughly three times the number of abortion clinics in this country.) Most CPCs are associated with national pro-life organizations such as Birthright International, the National Institute of Family and Life Advocates, Care Net, or Heartbeat International.
Peak Women’s Care is licensed as a community clinic in California. A licensed physician, Dr. Alexandra Hunt, serves as its medical director. The clinic is permitted to perform basic pregnancy tests and ultrasounds but not further medical procedures. It does not offer services like prenatal care, testing for sexually transmitted infections, or birth control options, or abortions. It has staff who are trained to perform ultrasounds, according to Williams, but many of the staff are volunteers without medical licenses. The center also provides free online parenting classes and no-charge maternity and baby supplies, like diapers, clothing, and car seats.
The president of the board of directors of Peak Women’s Care is Betsy Taylor, who’s married to Dr. Peter Taylor, a longtime OB-GYN at Tahoe Forest Hospital in Truckee. Peter Taylor is not currently working as a doctor at Peak Women’s Care, but Williams did confirm that he has been providing what she called “backup ultrasound interpretations.” Williams said Dr. Taylor will provide those services for the new Truckee location as well. Dr. Taylor could not be reached for comment.
Betsy Taylor declined to be interviewed, but in a letter to Sierra Bible Church’s congregation, she wrote that Peak Women’s Care is a “Christ-centered nonprofit” that’s been “making a powerful impact in our region.” Her letter asked for help with tenant improvements like drywall and electrical and added that “Peak is also looking for people to serve as volunteer patient advocates and nurses.” Her letter added that Care Net training will be provided to volunteers. Care Net is a pro-life ministry that offers training to staff at pregnancy centers such as this one.
The former Gateway Urgent Care building, a 1,300-square-foot A-frame at 11105 Donner Pass Rd., was recently purchased by Tim and Rebekah Ruppert, who attend Sierra Bible Church. The Rupperts are renting the building to Peak Women’s Care. Its location near Tahoe Forest Hospital places the nonprofit in an area where many patients in this community seek healthcare.
“Most people don’t know what crisis pregnancy centers are. They give the appearance that they’re just trying to help pregnant women, and who doesn’t want to help a pregnant woman?” said Andrea Swartzendruber, an associate professor in the College of Public Health at the University of Georgia. Swartzendruber helps run
an online CPC map.
“It can be hard to tell if what you’re looking at is a CPC. They’re deceptive in a lot of ways by calling themselves medical facilities or clinics or giving the impression that they’re unbiased,” Swartzendruber said. “CPCs tend to target young people, people of color, and those with low incomes who don’t have easy access to healthcare. They often give inaccurate health information or use a limited medical ultrasound as a tactic to try to convince people not to get an abortion.”
Dr. Jessica Hamilton, a local physician at the Western Sierra Medical Clinic in Kings Beach and a former medical director at Planned Parenthood, has treated women who’ve recently visited a crisis pregnancy center. “Typically, a patient will come in and say, ‘I went to a clinic around the corner, and I got an ultrasound that told me I was 15 weeks pregnant,’” Hamilton said. “But then I’ll check how far along they are by ultrasound and what they were told previously isn’t accurate. It’s clear people with minimal training are making errors.”
Abortion services often have cut-offs based on how far along a pregnancy is because of institutional policies, medical regulations (medication abortions are often only available to 11 weeks gestation), or a patient’s medical history. Delaying a decision can mean a person has fewer choices. “A misguided visit — especially by someone who lives in a rural area — could drastically affect one’s ability to choose, as options may disappear as they progress in gestational duration,” Hamilton said.
Hamilton is in the process of trying to open a medical clinic in North Lake Tahoe, called Alpine Medicine, that would offer comprehensive reproductive healthcare, including abortion services. Currently, elective abortions aren’t available in the Truckee/North Tahoe area. Tahoe Forest Hospital does not perform them; instead, it’ll refer patients to Planned Parenthood in Reno, Roseville, or Sacramento. “Patients deserve factual information and a full range of options in a timely manner. I would encourage anyone visiting a crisis pregnancy center to understand what it is, ask for licensing, and bring records of your visit, including your ultrasound, to a licensed medical professional,” said Hamilton, who also recommended calling or texting the Miscarriage and Abortion Hotline, (833) 246-2632, for anyone needing information.
Funding for Peak Women’s Care comes from hundreds of individual donors and some grant funding. Contributions and grants for the organization in 2025 totaled $355,927, according to tax documents.
Julie Halvorsen is a Tahoe City resident and mother of six children who’s regularly supported Peak Women’s Care through financial donations. “I support women and I’m coming from a place of wanting to do the right thing. A woman making any decision regarding her pregnancy should be given grace, love, support, and understanding without judgment or challenge,” Halvorsen said. “I understand there are women who may not want a pregnancy or are not prepared or supported for one. This mother deserves all the same support. My hopeful confidence is that Peak Women’s Care is going to do everything they can to bring that child into the world.”
Swartzendruber warns that since CPCs aren’t subject to HIPAA laws, they aren’t required to keep patient information secure. However, Williams at Peak Women’s Care said they are committed to patient confidentiality.
“We do not refer or provide abortions, but we are a safe place where people can talk through all of their options,” Williams said. “We never force anything on anyone or give out information people don’t ask for. We want to support holistically, but it’s all permission-based.”
~ Megan Michelson is a freelance journalist who lives in Tahoe City.
While those of us at Moonshine Ink constantly have our heads down putting together edition after edition, once a year we surface to submit select pieces to the National Newspaper Association Foundation (NNAF).
This allows us a regular revisiting of what it means to be the only indie paper of the mountain communities in Truckee and North Tahoe, as well as how we stack up against other newspapers across the country.
For the NNAF’s 2026 Better Newspaper Contest, we submitted what we believed to be our strongest pieces during 2025. Four of them were recognized:
PRIORITY LIFT LANES: Moonshine’s reporting about Palisades Tahoe’s Apex Club, a membership club that started at $12,000 per person at the beginning of the 2025/26 season, won first place in the Best Business Story category of an annual newspaper contest. Photo courtesy Palisades Tahoe
Judge’s comments: Fantastic story showing the anger provoked by a ski lodge providing an “easy-pass” lane. Good examples from social people, man on the street, but also explaining how popular the concept is for businesses.
SPIRITUAL REVIVAL, EVENTUALLY: The International Church of the Foursquare Gospel received seven parcels through donation in December 2022. These were just a few of many that had been languishing, unused, for years and were all connected to one woman. From Holding Pattern to Holy Ground: A Church’s Quiet Revival in Tahoma won second place in the Best Non-Profile Feature Story category. Photo by Wade Snider/Moonshine Ink
Judge’s comments: Well researched and illustrated.
REDISTRICTING: In November 2025, California voters passed Proposition 50 in a special election, allowing the state’s 3rd Congressional District (among others) to be redrawn and its boundaries changed significantly. Gov. Gavin Newsom and Rep. Kevin Kiley were on opposite sides of the tug of war. The cover took home third place in the Front-Page Design category. Illustration by Mike English, layout by Sarah Miller/Moonshine Ink
Judge’s comments: Moonshine Ink bills itself as an “Independent Newspaper” (cost “Priceless”) and, as such, doesn’t always play by so-called journalistic rules. Witness their choice of using an editorial cartoon for the entire front page of their October 9 issue. Granted, the cartoon, which features a large map of California with most of District 3 shaded in red, is relevant to the lead article … Running across the dueling duo at about waist level is the article headline and page number, “National Redistricting Fight Hits Home … 10”.
A few other articles to be found inside are listed in smaller font below the main bout … er, headline: “The Local Healthcare Landscape … 14”, Most Iconic Slogan of Tahoe … 23”, and “Tahoe City Going Off … 29 & 44|Ski Films! … 42”.
But what important news is on pages 1-9? Where are the police blotter, obituaries, and letters to the editor to be found? It’s a bold choice, but my guess is Moonshine Ink bets on an attention-grabbing cover and rule-flouting to pique curiosity and attract readers. Apparently, the tactic has worked for almost a quarter century, as the masthead informs us this issue is “Vintage 23, Nip 9.”
Best Performing Arts Story, honorable mention: No Stage to Stand On by Ally Gravina
Judge’s comments: This was not what I expected of a performing arts story; it’s perhaps more important than the art itself because it cannot happen (at least not easily) without space. This story examines the issue thoroughly and does a great job of framing it for the general public. I love the headline, too!
No one wants to be surveilled — at least I’m pretty sure no one wants cameras tracking them 24/7, catching their faces and license plates, so let’s talk surveillance and privacy rights.
As technology continuously advances, offering technological convenience and information at our fingertips, the ways in which our data can be captured and stored expand.
In the wake of the latest U.S. Supreme Court session, attacks on Flock’s automated license plate reading and vehicle surveillance cameras, and cases of cops using Flock to stalk people, it’s worth looking into Chatrie v. United States and what rights we have when it comes to the implicit nature of surveillance in public (and even in private).
First, some background: privacy isn’t a right spelled out in the Constitution. However, the Supreme Court has interpreted the Fourth Amendment as protecting people rather than places in regard to privacy through Katz v. United States. Further, Riley v. California determined that police officers need a warrant to search the contents of someone’s phone. Additionally, prior to being overturned, Roe v. Wade also granted us the fundamental right to privacy through the 14th Amendment’s Due Process clause.
As a refresher, the Fourth Amendment is “the right of the people to be secure in their persons, houses, papers, and effects, against unreasonable searches and seizures” unless probable cause gives reason for a warrant. And the 14th Amendment gave citizenship to formerly enslaved people, stating “no state may deprive any person of life, liberty, or property, without due process of law.”
But back to Chatrie v. United States. Okello Chatrie robbed a bank in 2019 and what got him caught was his phone’s location data, which the police department obtained with a geofencing warrant to Google, along with the data of other cell phone users within the radius of the bank during a certain timeframe.
In Chatrie’s case, the Supreme Court ruled on June 27 of this year that pulling someone’s phone location data is a Fourth Amendment search, requiring a warrant and reason for the search (as opposed to conducting an unreasonable search). As such, the court sent the case back to a lower court to decide whether the use of a geofencing warrant was reasonable or unconstitutional.
The interesting part was that in Chatrie v. United States, the Supreme Court justices discussed how phones “[make] possible a form of surveillance that would have been unknown prior to the digital age.” In her court opinion, Justice Elena Kagan applied rulings from Katz v. United States and Carpenter v. United States, which established that collecting cell phone records requires reasonable cause. Kagan also mentioned the idea of personal privacy when it comes to location tracking.
“Whatever the form of an attempted incursion, the Fourth Amendment protects Americans’ long-held conviction that no government official should have free access to the most closely kept aspects of their lives,” Kagan said in her opinion. “In recent decades, this court has often confronted the challenge of adhering to those principles in the face of new technologies.”
We never could have imagined the expanse of technological power and how it would fall within the scope of the Constitution. AI is being used for everything from homework assignments to dating to facial recognition and surveillance. A concern amongst scholarly discussions on surveillance and criminology is about who is being surveilled.
Not only is privacy at risk, but we are becoming used to being watched. We are used to feeding our photos and personal information into our phones, telling AI personal tidbits, and videoing ourselves and each other. Video surveillance isn’t new, but it’s transforming.
The ruling of Chatrie v. United States could implicate other technology with surveillance capabilities, setting further privacy precedents and limiting the capacity for mass surveillance. This protection of privacy is crucial for checking the use of technology by the government in this rapid period of advancement. However, the ruling has yet to impact companies like Flock. Some opposed to the constant scrutiny of outsourced security cameras on street corners have begun dismantling them. Of note, there are 25 Flock cameras around Truckee and North Lake Tahoe.
As AI and surveillance become increasingly integrated into society, our phones ping cell towers that collect location data, apps track it, and Flock cameras register it with license plates. And location isn’t the only thing capable of being tracked. People share their most sensitive data with technology and cameras –– fingerprints, facial recognition, medical data, and more enhance the tracking of each individual who is online. Even if they’re not online, CCTV and Flock cameras can capture one’s movement. The advancement of technology, therefore, has also advanced the ability to control a population without the presence of humans who formally or informally enforce rules.
The implied right to privacy becomes scarce when technology can constantly police a society. It makes one wonder how protected the right to privacy is, especially where the government is involved.
Surveillance creates a power dynamic between those who are monitored, and those who do the monitoring. It is a part of governance and control whether by the United States or another entity entirely.
Though Chatrie v. United States is one ruling that could protect against the increasing usage of surveillance technology, we will have to see what happens as technology pushes the bounds of the Constitution.
