SOUTH LAKE TAHOE, Calif. – On October 29, 2025, a South Lake Tahoe jury found Brian “Keifer” Chriss guilty of two felony counts of making criminal threats.
The verdict stems from an incident on July 12, 2025, at the Red Lodge in South Lake Tahoe. On that date, an employee informed Chriss that he was violating the terms of his stay and would need to reduce his belongings or face eviction. Later that day, Chriss threatened to kill the employee, stating he would “slit her throat.”
On October 30, Judge Michael J. McLaughlin found true that Chriss had prior felony strike convictions for Assault with a Deadly Weapon and Discharge of a Firearm with Gross Negligence. The court also found that Chriss had a history of violent conduct, prior convictions of increasing seriousness, and prior prison terms.
Sentencing is scheduled for December 15, 2025. The case was prosecuted by Deputy District Attorney Casey Mandrell of the El Dorado County District Attorney’s Office.
STATELINE, Nev. – Caesars Republic Lake Tahoe announces the second addition to its 2026 concert season with Grammy Award-winning band Train, joined by Barenaked Ladies and Matt Nathanson, at The Lake Tahoe Amphitheatre at Caesars Republic on Tuesday, August 25, 2026.
The announcement adds another standout performance to the 2026 Summer Concert Series. Fans can look forward to a night filled with Train’s beloved hits, Barenaked Ladies’ signature energy, and Matt Nathanson’s soulful storytelling, all in one spectacular night.
Tickets go on sale Friday, November 14 at 10 a.m. and can be purchased at Ticketmaster.com or APEconcerts.com. Stay up to date with our full lineup and future announcements at Caesars.com
Train is joining the 2026 Summer Concert Series.Provided / Caesars Republic
SOUTH LAKE TAHOE, Calif. – Over 250 7th-grade students from Lake Tahoe Unified School District (LTUSD) set sail on the iconic MS Dixie II paddleboat for a day of hands-on environmental learning, hosted by South Tahoe Environmental Education Coalition (STEEC) last month.
Cruising across Lake Tahoe’s crystal-clear waters, students explored a wide array of environmental topics ranging from aquatic invasive species to wildlife identification, all while enjoying a day on the lake. For many students, this trip marked their first experience on a boat.
7th grade students from Lake Tahoe Unified School District enjoyed views of Lake Tahoe from the upper deck of the MS Dixie II. Provided / LTUSD
One South Tahoe Middle School student shared, “I enjoyed being on each deck and talking about [Lake Tahoe] not just from the road or the classroom, but up close and personal.”
While aboard, students learned about sustainable trail use and the seven principles of Leave No Trace with Tahoe Area Mountain Biking Association. South Lake Tahoe Fire Rescue led students in modeling ember storms and home hardening techniques. Students played a recycling sorting game with South Tahoe Refuse, and checked out aquatic invasive species and how to keep them out of Lake Tahoe with Tahoe Regional Planning Agency and Keep Tahoe Blue.
“I love learning from people who work at a specific place and how interactive [the stations] are,” one student remarked.
On the upper deck, students took in views of fire burn scars and notable geologic features with the U.S. Forest Service. The South Tahoe Public Utility District offered a taste-test challenge, inviting students to compare bottled water with Tahoe tap water.
“I liked the taste test because I got to see if I knew the actual Tahoe water and how different it tasted. Plus, I guessed right,” another student said.
This unforgettable educational cruise was made possible by a generous donation from Aramark Destinations. STEEC, a collaborative network of more than 20 local agencies and organizations, provides dynamic, environmental learning opportunities for Lake Tahoe youth.
SOUTH LAKE TAHOE, Calif. — Camp Richardson Resort’s friendly, laugh-out-loud winter snowshoe competition returns to the beach in front of The Grove restaurant Jan. 17, Feb. 21, and March 21, 2026. Racers are invited to try their luck and skill at racing through obstacles with cocktail trays in hand. The winner is the fastest and cleanest, with trays and drinks intact.
No experience is required, but a hefty sense of balance is helpful. The race is open to novice, amateur and expert snowshoe racers. Snowshoes are provided, but participants are encouraged to bring their own.
Competitors will run, knees up, kicking snow with their snowshoes while balancing a tray full of mock drinks, hoping to be the fastest without spilling.
Registration is free, and there are multiple race categories, including men/women’s sprint, obstacle and team. Competitors can win prizes that range from dining certificates to stays, and merchandise.
Races start at 6 p.m. on Jan. 17, Feb. 21, and March 21, 2026. Signups begin at 5 p.m., and entry is free. The Races will be run on snow or sand. The Grove will also feature live entertainment before the races and daily specials.
Camp Richardson offers the most affordable all-inclusive snow play activities in South Lake Tahoe, with a slate of family activities, including snowshoeing and cross-country groomed trails, sledding, snowball fun, building snowmen, or just relaxing by the outdoor fire pit.
A 128-acre complex on the shores of Lake Tahoe, the resort consists of a historic hotel, cabins, campgrounds, a general store, ice cream parlor and The Grove, a lakefront restaurant. The hotel, cabins, beachside inn, duplex, and Richardson House can be reserved through https://camprichardsonresort.com/. Outdoor accommodations can be reserved through recreation.gov. Winter lodging specials are available at https://camprichardsonresort.com/specials/
Snowshoe and cross-country rentals are available through the General Store.
SOUTH LAKE TAHOE, Calif. – Gardeners often use rich brown compost to give plants a boost, but regional compost itself is receiving a significant boost thanks to South Lake Tahoe’s switch to its 3-cart system.
South Tahoe Refuse’s first year implementing the 3-cart system, which separates garbage, recycling and yard waste into 3 different containers, has seen nearly a five fold increase (481%) in yard waste collected through its residential program.
First year of 3-cart system: 10,555,140 pounds of yard waste
Prior year (before 3-cart): 1,817,020 pounds of yard waste
The switch has significantly increased the amount of pine needles, pinecones, branches, grass clippings and other vegetative waste diverted from the landfill and sent towards composting partners like Full Circle Compost.
Northern Nevada’s largest composting site, Full Circle Compost turns that diverted material into garden nurturing compost, soils and mulches. In an act that is not only good for plants, but also the planet, utilizing this local compost after contributing to yard waste collection offers a “Full Circle” approach.
Cooking compost windrows at Full Circle. Provided / Full Circle
Located in Carson City and supplying products to many retailers in California and Nevada, Full Circle says the best way to support composting is by using it, especially locally, “because the only way to compost more material, is to use more compost.”
In addition to STR’s yard waste program, Full Circle receives green waste from many Truckee and Lake Tahoe sources, including fire prevention pine needle composting programs, commercial food waste programs, and many fire prevention defensible space programs.
In 2024 alone, Full Circle diverted a total of 131,570 cubic yards of organic materials, the equivalent of filling a football field 62 feet high.
During its first year, STR’s 3-cart system has also seen a 34% increase in recycling with their blue cart.
Emptying a recycle cart. Provided / STR
The semi-automated collection system is safer for employees, and reduces the use of plastic bags as it helps keep recyclables and yard waste out of the landfill.
The switch last October was in response to a California state law that mandates the separation of organic waste from regular garbage in an overall goal to reduce climate pollutants.
SOUTH LAKE TAHOE, Calif. – Social media is a part of daily routine for most, from Facebook to Instagram to TikTok. And as much as people insist on logging off or “touching grass”, it’s often inextricable from real life—especially when it comes to cyberbullying. Hate pages, which are becoming increasingly more of an issue, pose numerous challenges for parents, school administrators and the kids who are affected.
“Hate pages” are a kind of cyberbullying tactic that have gained traction online. They are anonymous pages that focus on spreading hate about a target, posting images, videos or text that harass or demean them. The anonymity means that sometimes, multiple people are responsible for posting on the page.
On video platforms like TikTok, they may have disparaging sounds or audio as well. Posts are usually pulled from the target’s social media page, but whoever is posting on the page may also secretly record or photograph the target to post.
These pages are infrequently the only place where a person may be bullied—the harassment often continues into school or extracurricular activities. It also comes with hypervigilance from the target, who may worry about being photographed or recorded without their consent.
One parent reached out to the Tribune to share her and her child’s experiences anonymously. “As a parent, I’m seeing people talk about their kid experiencing bullying or physical violence daily. And I’m seeing dozens and dozens of these pages about different students,” she said.
From middle school into high school, her child dealt with this anonymous cyberbullying, along with harassment at school and extracurriculars. “You feel absolutely helpless as a parent, and you hope other parents would be empathetic. But there was a lot of anger for sure,” said the parent. “Seeing all the shares and comments, who follows the page—how are you supposed to stomach that? There’s no escaping it.”
“I felt just really isolated and had a lot of self-image issues,” said the child. “I didn’t know what to do. I still don’t know what to do.”
While the parent and child went to the dean of students at the middle school (who was recently replaced by a new dean), she said, “We were basically told it wasn’t the middle school’s problem.”
Lake Tahoe Unified School District (LTUSD) states in their board policy regulation 5131.2 that cyberbullying is counted under their bullying policy, and that the superintendent or other designee shall implement measures to prevent bullying in district schools.
“Social media posts and cyberbullying are very challenging because it often happens outside of school,” said superintendent Todd Cutler. “But when it’s brought to campus, we take it very seriously because it’s about student safety.”
Cutler said that one of their ways of combatting this was implementing a no phones policy during class, which also is meant to reduce distractions during class. But the primary way they handle bullying is through an investigation process. “We ask for specificity in the report and it’s no different than any other investigation,” said Cutler. “But there has to be verification before disciplinary action.”
But it can be difficult to get proof. “For us, these were known bullies. They were harassing my kid in real life too. But they’re making fake accounts to make these pages. And then it feels like victim blaming from the school when they’re drilling the person who has the hate page made about them,” said the parent.
Social media platforms often wipe their hands clean of these issues as well. The parent said that she tried reporting a page on TikTok multiple times, only to receive emails saying they found no evidence of cyberbullying. “These companies don’t experience the hurt child,” she said.
The kid’s friends also tried to report these pages and attempted to take them down. But because it’s easy to repost deleted content, they worried about how long it would stay down.
And after consistent harassment, the pages began to veer into targeting her child’s sexuality.
Bullying doesn’t happen in a vacuum, and marginalized identities are often targeted. And it’s because of legal conditions protecting these identities that the parent said this case was taken more seriously.
“It was a hate crime,” said the parent. “The high school and their dean of students was able to take action because it went in that direction. And these bullies finally took it more seriously because of that. But if we hadn’t had those bullies’ names and they hadn’t heard the legal ramifications, that page would still be up.”
She went on to say that because there was legal precedent, it was possible for the school resource officer to petition TikTok for an IP or name release—but otherwise, there aren’t clear ways to find out who is behind a page.
For immediate actions for a student being targeted, the recommendations are:
Report the incident to a relevant authority, such as the school’s dean of students. If you have further details or know who may be involved with the page, provide them for the investigation. If needed, file a formal complaint at the district.
Document the page if possible. If you are the target of the hate page, get the help of someone you trust to document it rather than reading through it.
Report the page to the social media platform for cyberbullying and include documentation if possible. Depending on the nature of the page, you can also report it for nonconsensual use of likeness or impersonation.
Set your social media profiles to private or archive them until the incident is handled.
But further ways to change the culture are needed. “I have a wish that there will be a better job of teaching kids that this harassment is not okay,” said the parent. “No child deserves this isolation.”
And there are legal consequences to cyberbullying. Cyberstalking and harassment can result in fines or even imprisonment if taken to court, and social media platforms can be held liable for failing to take reasonable measures against hosting hateful content.
The parent advocated for other parents to be the first line of teaching kids that bullying should not be acceptable. “It’s not always going to be at the school, and we can’t blame them for things that aren’t happening on campus, I understand that. But we as parents need to be setting an example and showing how to behave. Otherwise, the problem will keep going.”
Cutler agreed that community response was needed for addressing this issue comprehensively. “Bullying and harassment happens among adults too—it’s not just kids. And kids can see that on social media, the way that adults are behaving online.”
“It’s nothing new, but the way it’s happening is different now. It’s more and more complex with technology,” said Cutler. He added that the school will continue to commit to student safety, bullying prevention and creating a positive culture.
If bullying is negatively impacting your mental health, you’re not alone. If you need emotional support, you can call or text 988 for the Suicide and Crisis hotline for free, confidential support.
Nevada officials have released a comprehensive report on the cyberattack discovered in August that crippled state systems, describing a sophisticated intrusion months in the making and an around-the-clock response that led to full recovery within one month.
The Wednesday report from the Governor’s Technology Office answers many questions that the state had previously declined to disclose because of the investigation’s sensitivity. It reveals that the state did not pay a ransom requested by the attacker, who had first compromised state systems in May — three months before mass outages occurred. The attack shut down state services, including in-person DMV appointments, a background check system and online applications for social services.
The report did not identify the attacker or disclose any consequences against them; they accessed more than 26,000 files and more than 3,200 files were exposed, according to the report. Of the files that were set to be taken out of the state system, only one document contained personal data — and the subject of that data was notified about the breach. The attacker also accessed a password vault server.
The investigation concluded that although sensitive files were “packaged for transport,” there was no evidence of successful extraction of the data or publication on a leak site. In cyberattacks, data is sometimes sold on the dark web.
The state ultimately recovered 90 percent of the affected data. The remaining 10 percent is still in the state’s control, but it was not required to restore essential state services, so it is still being reviewed, the report said.
The state also spent more than $1.3 million on external vendors for cyberattack response, and state employees worked more than 4,200 hours of overtime, which cost more than $200,000, according to the report.
Ultimately, the state reached full recovery in 28 days, a particularly quick timeline for such a sophisticated attack, according to the report.
“Nevada’s teams protected core services, paid our employees on time, and recovered quickly — without paying criminals,” Republican Gov. Joe Lombardo said in a statement. “This is what disciplined planning, talented public servants, and strong partnerships deliver for Nevadans.”
Tim Galluzi, the state’s chief information officer, attributed recovery speed “to leadership from the highest levels of the executive branch, along with years of strategic investment in cybersecurity infrastructure, training, executive-branch wide collaboration, and legislative support.”
“The foresight of Executive Branch Leadership and the State Legislature in funding key cybersecurity initiatives helped ensure a potential full-scale ransomware event was contained and remediated,” Galluzi said in a statement.
Attack details
Although the ransomware attack occurred in the early hours of Aug. 24, investigators determined that it had been in the works for months.
The attacker infiltrated the state’s system as early as May 14, when a state employee unknowingly downloaded a malware tool that installed a “hidden backdoor,” which is a way to gain unauthorized access to a system. Although this malware tool was deleted in late June, the backdoor remained active.
On Aug. 5, the attacker “installed a commercial remote monitoring software” on a state worker’s system that enabled it to conduct screen recording and log keystrokes. Ten days later, another user was the victim of this software. Both users’ accounts were compromised as a result.
In the eight days leading up to the attack, the attacker used an “encrypted tunnel” that could bypass security controls and allow it to control state computers remotely. The attacker accessed directories, files and servers — including a password vault server — and retrieved passwords from 26 different accounts.
Ahead of the ransomware deployment on Aug. 24, the attacker changed state security settings that allowed unauthorized code to run. Once the code was deployed, state services were disrupted.
The attacker left behind a file with instructions on how it could pay a ransom (the amount requested was not disclosed) to recover the compromised data, which the state discovered about eight hours after the attack occurred.
“The decision not to pay a ransom was not made lightly; it was the result of confidence in the State’s ability to recover through its own capabilities and trusted vendor partnerships,” the report said.
Response efforts
On the day of the attack, state officials created a priority list for recovery efforts. The next day, it started working with outside vendors with cybersecurity experience.
Two days after the attack, the state contracted with Mandiant, a leading cybersecurity firm, to oversee the investigation, which concluded about two weeks later. Mandiant submitted a confidential report to the state on Oct. 10.
On the fourth day, the state finalized its recovery plan with a phased restoration of services, prioritizing ones “that directly impacted public welfare,” according to the report.
Payroll was a top priority for the governor’s office, and state employees isolated payroll processing efforts from other elements of the recovery. Other priorities included the state’s finance and HR systems, the restoration of an Office of Emergency Management webpage that became the one-stop shop for recovery updates and restoring eligibility determinations for social services, such as the food stamps program.
From Aug. 24 through Sept. 20, 50 state employees logged overtime hours on recovery efforts, which the report said allowed for an expedited recovery timeline.
“That surge capacity — nights, weekends and holidays — meant payroll processed on time, public safety communications stayed online, citizen-facing systems returned in phased order, and agencies received daily guidance while core platforms were rebuilt,” the report said.
The Governor’s Technology Office ensured that access to sensitive systems was limited to “essential personnel,” cleaned up old accounts and reset passwords, according to the report.
It also organized computer systems into different levels based on level of importance (making separate rules to what can and can’t be done in each system) and made new accounts for the most important systems.
The office also:
Made changes to ensure certain accounts couldn’t be tricked into giving away passwords.
Took certain powers away from accounts that had too much control.
Took away extra permissions that certain accounts had received.
Tightened firewall rules to limit or block unnecessary applications.
In the course of the 28-day recovery period, certain agencies were more affected than others, particularly the DMV, which closed its offices for more than a week after the attack, resulting in canceled appointments.
The state’s sex offender and restraining order databases were also down for weeks after the attack, and the state’s background check system did not come back online until three weeks later.
However, the report noted that the situation could have been far worse. It also called for more efforts to be taken to bolster the state’s cybersecurity systems.
“Looking ahead, the State recognizes that cybersecurity is a continuous journey, not a one-time achievement. While the response to this incident was a success, it also revealed opportunities to further enhance monitoring, detection and response capabilities,” the report said.
Looking for a gentle, pint-sized companion with a heart full of love? Meet Cosita, the sweetest little guinea pig you could ever hope to meet!
Cosita is a calm and curious soul who enjoys taking life at her own pace. She might be tiny, but she is full of love and life! Once she feels safe, she’ll happily lean in for gentle pets, and if you’re really lucky, she might even give you one of her signature tiny “kisses” to say thank you.
Her favorite pastime? Nibbling on crunchy hay snacks and exploring her surroundings in search of her next treat. Cosita would thrive in a peaceful home with people who appreciate her mellow, affectionate nature and are happy to let her warm up on her own time.
Cosita is this week’s Pet of the Week. Provided / HSTT
Cosita has spent most of her life as a solo guinea pig, but like many of her kind, she might enjoy having a friend to chat with. While she doesn’t need a buddy, her ideal companion would be another sweet-natured female guinea pig; she’s not suited for life with the boys.
If you’re ready for a little love, a little squeak, and a lot of heart, Cosita might just be your perfect match! If you are interested in learning more or want to meet Cosita in person, please reach out to one of HSTT’s Adoption Specialists at 530-587-5948 or adoptions@hstt.org. To view more adoptable pets or to learn more about the Humane Society of Truckee-Tahoe, please visit www.hstt.org.
Welcome back to Ask Talie Jane! I’m Talie, your design insider, construction confidante, and all-around guide to creating spaces that truly work. Whether you’re reimagining your entire home or just refreshing a single room, this is your place for design tips, creative ideas, and a peek behind the curtain of how beautiful, functional spaces come to life.
Today’s question: How do I incorporate my existing furnishings into a new design? — Stacy P., South Lake Tahoe
Great question, Stacy and one we hear all the time! Most clients have pieces they love and want to keep, and the magic lies in blending those familiar favorites with new design elements. After all, a home shouldn’t just look beautiful, it should tell your story. Here are some examples.
Art That Speaks Volumes
Art and family photos are more than décor, they’re your memories on display. Whether it’s a travel-inspired gallery wall, a bold statement painting, or cherished black-and-white portraits, these pieces infuse heart and personality into your home. We often help clients curate frames, create balanced layouts, and integrate these treasures so they feel both intentional and cohesive.
Antiques with a Story
There’s something special about pieces with history, a grandmother’s sideboard, a vintage piano, or a well-loved clock. These heirlooms bring depth and authenticity to modern design. The key is balance: pair timeless antiques with fresh finishes or clean-lined furniture so they feel celebrated, not dated.
Furniture with a Fresh Look
Don’t overlook what you already have! A simple update can transform an old favorite. Think new upholstery for that beloved sofa, a refinished dining table, or a modern stain on a vintage dresser. The result? A refreshed piece that carries its memories forward with style.
Accessories That Tell Your Tale
Those collected sculptures, market finds, or travel souvenirs? They’re design gold. Mix them with contemporary accents for a layered, curated look that feels uniquely you.
Blending old and new isn’t just practical, it’s personal. When your home reflects both where you’ve been and where you’re headed, that’s when design truly shines. Have a design or construction question? Email me at Natalie@TalieJaneInteriors.com. Your topic might be featured in our next column!
Talie Jane is the Owner and Principal Designer of Talie Jane Interiors and Co-Owner of Talie Jane Construction, serving the Lake Tahoe and Napa/Sonoma regions.
As I sit down to write this, the National Weather Service is planning an afternoon briefing for a storm coming into the region this weekend. Earlier in the week it sounded like it could be a heavy storm with wind, rain and snow. The term “atmospheric river” was being thrown around bringing back memories of the record-breaking winter of 2023. As we get closer to the weekend it appears that the brunt of the system will pass to the north but in the meantime, we started to prepare by checking on the sand bag stations at the fire house and checking on our tire chains and equipment. So even with a weakening system, I think it’s a good time to start thinking about the changing of the seasons and what winter means for your local fire department.
While the overall threat of wildfire starts to diminish in the Tahoe Basin that doesn’t mean that the threat is gone. Heavy winds normally come in ahead of rain and snow and we have seen several fires break out locally just before a weather system hits. As partners in the California Master Mutual Aid Agreement we can also find our local fire resources being called out to fires elsewhere in the state in the middle of winter. The Eaton and Palisades fires last January in southern California are clear examples of that. All of that to say that “fire season” is very clearly a year-round event in the western states.
Looking more locally as we transition into winter it is still important to think about home fire safety. If you have put off some home hardening projects, now is as good a time as any. While you are cleaning your yard and prepping for snow think about moving your wood piles away from your house. Keep that space five feet and closer clear of any flammable material which includes landscaping, wood piles, stored items etc… Check your roof lines for pine needles. Now is the time of year that we start thinking about heat tape on the eaves of our homes. If pine needles or leaves have accumulated make sure to clean your roof since your heat tape can ignite those needles and leaves.
If you heat your home with a wood burning stove make sure to have your chimney cleaned at the beginning of the season to avoid us coming out to extinguish your chimney fire. Creosote can accumulate with heavy use leading to some very hot burning fires in your chimney pipe which can then threaten an attic or chimney chase fire. If you use a natural gas or propane system to heat your home have those units inspected to make sure they are in good working order. A cracked heat exchanger or blocked exhaust flu can lead to a build up of carbon monoxide in the home. As always check your smoke and carbon monoxide detectors and confirm that they are all in working order as well.
While we sincerely hope that you don’t ever need to call 911, rest assured that we are here to respond at any time. Here’s looking forward to a healthy and fun winter season!
If you’re familiar with the saying “don’t put all your eggs in one basket”, you probably know that it can refer to a variety of life situations. One of those situations can happen to investors when you own a lot of one particular company–when your “eggs” are shares of stock, and “one basket” is a single company.
We’ve talked a lot about the benefits of a diversified portfolio, but the situation I’ve just described, where much of a portfolio is concentrated in a single company or even a few companies, is the opposite of diversification. I don’t recommend it.
Investors with concentrated stock positions generally take more risk to achieve the same potential return as those who diversify.
There are two common ways that investors end up with concentrated stock positions. The first is when an investor thinks they know more than the markets, so they pick a particular company or sector and invest heavily in it. That can work great, until it doesn’t. The dot-com bust of 1999-2001 is a perfect example, where internet companies saw stock prices go higher and higher before finally crashing. Many companies saw their stock price fall 90% or more.
The second common way people end up in a concentrated position is by working for a very successful company. People working at companies like Apple, Google, Tesla, NVIDIA, Facebook, and Microsoft have seen the value of their company surge over the years. Most of these companies have employee stock programs, where employees get special pricing on a certain amount of company stock each year. Someone who joined Tesla 10 years ago has watched its stock price go up 30-fold, from $15 to around $450. That person is likely a multi-millionaire if they bought company shares each year, and Tesla stock could easily make up 90% or more of their wealth.
Once you find yourself in a concentrated stock position, if you’ve made money on your investment, it can be tricky to get out of it without triggering huge tax consequences! In our example above, a Tesla employee who spent $100k on company stock over the past 10 years would potentially have millions in capital gains to pay taxes on when they sell.
Because these situations are not all that uncommon, the financial industry has worked to find ways to help investors reduce their concentrated positions without taking a big tax hit. Two of these methods are the Exchange Fund and Section 351 Exchange ETF. They work a bit differently, but each can help an investor to diversify an existing position or positions while deferring capital gains taxes.
With an Exchange Fund, let’s say that you have $1 million in Apple stock that you would like to diversify. Meanwhile, imagine 999 other investors like you, each holding a concentrated position in a different company. You move your Apple stock into the Exchange Fund, and in return you get a basket of stock consisting of a little bit of each of the 1,000 company shares
that were put into the exchange. I am greatly simplifying the Exchange Fund in this example, but that’s the basic concept.
Another option is a 351 Exchange ETF, where you could put in your shares of several different concentrated stock positions. Maybe you have a $5 million portfolio (well done!), with $600k of NVIDIA, $400k of Apple, $250k each of Google, Palantir and Tesla. That’s a lot of money invested in only a few companies—not good portfolio diversification. The 351 Exchange ETF allows you to exchange your “unwanted” positions for an ETF without triggering capital gains taxes. Again, this is a dramatic simplification of how the 351 Exchange ETF works, but you get the picture.
Because of specific guidelines and requirements for investing in these special funds, you are typically required to have a certain minimum level of investments and work with a professional advisor. These investments can be a bit complex, and I would never recommend investing in something that you (or your financial professional) don’t understand.
If you are fortunate enough to find yourself in a concentrated stock position with large gains, know that you have options. Many people assume that they either need to sell and take a big tax hit, or hold on to the concentrated position. That isn’t true, and you’ve been introduced to two options here. Diversification isn’t about chasing the biggest winner—it’s about protecting what you’ve built.
How ever you choose to allocate your assets, 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.
Living in the mountains has its perks, but also its challenges. If you have diabetes, one challenge you can’t afford to overlook is taking care of your feet.
For most people, a blister or cut is no big deal. You clean it, cover it, and it heals. But if you have diabetes or peripheral neuropathy, your body may not heal as well, especially in your feet. What looks like a small sore can turn into a serious problem if it’s not treated quickly.
What is a diabetes-related foot ulcer?
A diabetes-related foot ulcer is an open sore that doesn’t heal properly. It often appears on the bottom of the foot, but can happen anywhere the skin breaks. Even a small injury, like a cut, blister, or callus, can lead to an ulcer.
Once you’ve had one, your risk of developing another goes up.
Why is this more common with diabetes?
Diabetes can cause two major problems:
Poor circulation, which slows healing
Nerve damage, or neuropathy, which reduces or removes pain and affects circulation
That means you might not even feel an injury — and if it goes unnoticed, it can become infected or lead to serious complications.
Why are foot ulcers dangerous?
Diabetic foot ulcers can take weeks or months to heal. If infection spreads, surgery may be needed to remove damaged tissue. In some cases, amputation is necessary.
Early treatment can prevent most of these complications.
What should I do if I see a sore on my foot?
Don’t wait. Even if it seems minor, get it checked out. Barton’s Wound Care team can evaluate your foot and create a personalized treatment plan. This may include:
Special dressings
Pressure-relieving footwear
Advanced healing therapies
Living in a rural area makes prevention even more important. Check your feet daily. If you see anything unusual, like redness, swelling, or a sore, get help quickly. Your mobility depends on it.
Dr. Paul Ryan is an orthopedic surgeon and wound care specialist at Barton Health. Call Barton Wound Center at 530.543.5479 to make an appointment or visit BartonHealth.org for more information. And join Dr. Ryan for a free webinar, “Foot Care: From Injury to Infection,” on Thursday, November 13 from 5:00 – 6:00 p.m.; details at BartonHealth.org/Lecture.
Do you own a powerful, sporting, or working dog breed?
Properly challenging and tiring them with enrichment activities may need to be taken up a notch (or two!) to be effective. In Lake Tahoe, we have a variety of excellent choices! Let’s take a closer look below at dog-powered sports you can engage in with your dog to guarantee a happy and tired dog!
Canicross
If you like to run and your dog has lots of energy to burn, canicross may be the “paw-fect” sport! Just add:
· A well-fitted and ergonomic fit pulling harness for your dog (with a Y-shaped neck opening for unencumbered movement and breathing).
· A lightweight, low-fitting hip/canicross belt (to avoid back pain) for yourself.
· An elastic canicross line or leash (to absorb shock) between you and your dog.
If running is not quite your speed (no judgment here!), try cani-hiking or trekking, the low-impact, hiking version of canicross.
Ultimate Outdoor Adventures with Fido!
Even if you’re not a weekend warrior, try experimenting with the following sports that allow you to include your furry best friend! In all the sports listed below, your high-energy dog (or two) runs and pulls YOU for the ultimate outdoor adventure!
· BIKEJORING: One dog – or a team of dogs – runs and pulls a bicycle guided by a person. Imagine sled dog mushing, but with a bike, aka “dryland mushing.” (Learn more at NeewaDogs.com)
· CANI-SKATING: If you love roller skating, rollerblading, or skateboarding, invite your dog along to pull you or run by your side (choose carefully depending on your skill level!).
· SCOOTERING: Also known as “dog scootering.” Similar to bikejoring, but instead of pulling a person on a bike, it involves pulling a person on a scooter. (Learn more at SnowPawStore.com)
· SKIJORING: Dog skijoring is tailor-made for the Nevada Sierra in wintertime! Simply put, Skijoring involves a person being pulled by man’s best friend on skis. Typically, three ski types are used in K9 skijoring, including:
o Classic skis.
o Backcountry or touring skis.
o Or skate skis (for competitive skijoring).
Depending on the skier, short downhill skis may also work. Warning: never use skis with metal edges to protect the dog. (Learn more at Mushlarose.ca)
· SLEDDING: This is probably one of the oldest and best-known dog sports, where typically a team of canines, such as Alaskan Malamutes, Siberian Huskies, or Samoyeds, pulls a sled carrying a person (called a “musher”) over snow and ice. (Learn more at AlaskaMushingSchool.com)
Regardless of which dog-powered sport you choose to engage in, do your research and invest in the best equipment for you and your pup’s overall safety and comfort!
The Benefits of Dog-Powered Sports
Dog-powered sports offer numerous benefits for both dogs and their owners. These valuable benefits include:
· Improved physical fitness.
· Improved mental health and stress reduction.
· Improved confidence, skills, and discipline.
· The proper release of energy.
· Enhanced communication, teamwork, and positive bonding!
But perhaps, most importantly, the opportunity to enjoy Lake Tahoe’s extraordinary beauty.
Nestled in the scenic High Sierra region of Northern California, Crow’s Nest Ranch stands as a beacon of hope and opportunity for individuals facing addiction and behavioral health challenges. Located in Truckee, this sober living house and outpatient facility offers a unique combination of evidence-based addiction services and holistic behavioral health treatments, all set against the tranquil backdrop of the Sierra Nevada mountains.
Jordan Brandt, owner and founder of Crow’s Nest Ranch, emphasizes the facility’s focus on proactive, holistic healing and transformation. With a dedicated staff guiding patients toward long-term sobriety and emotional well-being, the ranch provides a supportive environment for recovery.
“Recovery is not a one-size-fits-all process,” Brandt explains, a philosophy that shapes the treatment at Crow’s Nest Ranch. The staff is deeply aware that addiction is a complex, personal battle, and each individual’s path to recovery is unique. All staff members at Crow’s Nest Ranch are required to be RADT-certified (Registered Alcohol and Drug Technician), ensuring they are well-equipped to support patients.
“Real recognizes real in this space,” Brandt says. “If you don’t know what it feels like to be there, then no one is going to listen to you. It’s also hard to relate to those of us who are in recovery. At Crow’s Nest Ranch, we understand what it feels like and are committed to helping our patients overcome addiction.”
Additionally, Crow’s Nest Ranch provides the opportunity for an inclusive workforce, and the initiative comes in response to the growing recognition of the need for supportive work environments that embrace employees in recovery.
Aimed at fostering an inclusive and supportive environment for individuals in recovery in the Truckee-Tahoe region, our initiative underscores our commitment to promoting recovery-friendly practices within our local community,” Brandt said. “Workplaces that actively support recovery not only enhance employee wellbeing but also contribute to overall productivity and community health. The Truckee-Tahoe region, known for its scenic beauty and vibrant economy, can greatly benefit from universally adopting these practices, and we will be a pillar to assist in offering more inclusive employment opportunities in our community.”
Crow’s Nest Ranch offers a comprehensive range of addiction services tailored to each patient’s specific needs. The facility’s integrated approach addresses the root causes of addiction, combining medical, emotional, and psychological care. Outpatient programs include individual counseling, group therapy sessions, and relapse prevention strategies. Additionally, patients can participate in life skills training, group activities, recurring therapy, and ongoing support; ensuring they are prepared for a sustainable and productive future.
Unlike conventional sober living facilities, Crow’s Nest Ranch takes a deliberate, patient-centered approach that goes beyond standard practices. “We’re very hands-on,” Brandt notes. “We ensure that when our patients leave, they feel supported, not abandoned. Too often, patients are turned away when their insurance runs out or told they’re ‘healed’ prematurely. We don’t take that approach.”
The holistic philosophy at Crow’s Nest Ranch means treatment extends beyond addressing immediate symptoms. The team focuses on the whole person, identifying and treating the emotional and psychological issues that often contribute to addiction and behavioral health disorders. Patients learn proactive coping mechanisms to help them manage daily stressors and maintain emotional balance—an essential aspect of long-term recovery.
Brandt and his team are committed to assisting anyone in need, even if that means helping them find the right program elsewhere. “We always have the community’s best interests at heart. If someone doesn’t end up at Crow’s Nest Ranch, we’ll make sure they get placed in the right program that fits their lifestyle.”
While Brandt acknowledges the perception of a shortage of mental health and addiction services in Lake Tahoe, he clarifies the issue is more about affordability.
“Crow’s Nest Ranch is consistently filling that middle ground, being the only facility in the area that accepts and bills insurance,” Brandt notes.
The organization is working directly with Nevada County to pursue its Medi-Cal certification, allowing more individuals to have the opportunity to access Crows Nest Ranch’s support and treatment services.
“Crows Nest Ranch offers a locally rooted solution complete with evidence-based, holistic treatment for individuals seeking recovery,” Hardy Bullock, District 5 Supervisor of Nevada County stated in a recent letter of support published in 2024. “Having Crows Nest Ranch located in Truckee ensures that our residents can access essential services without the barriers that often accompany long-distance travel such as the separation of families and the displacement of community members. This accessibility is crucial, as many individuals facing substance use challenges require professional treatment, consistent support, and community engagement to foster lasting recovery.”
More than just a sober living house, Crow’s Nest Ranch is a sanctuary where individuals can heal, and grow. With its comprehensive addiction and behavioral health services and a compassionate team, Crow’s Nest Ranch is dedicated to helping patients build a strong foundation for long-term success and a brighter future.
My name is Michelle and I’m a single mom of three. I’m a local, born and raised here in South Lake Tahoe.
I just want to make a shout out to Chris Cocores a local MMA fighter. Chris has been giving a free open class to the community youth of all ages all about MMA.
I’m super grateful and impressed of this and from the bottom of my heart want to thank Chris and anyone else involved in this program. My 6 year old son Alex has been participating in this class since day 1 and he loves it. It has age ranges of all ages and it has been nothing but good for my son.
I myself work with troubled youth from out of our area that are relocated here in South Lake Tahoe to the program I work in with the goal to give these youth a new start. Growing up here and now with the youth I work with I know that we lack programs such as this. My kids that range from 22 down to 6 have also been here their entire lives and trying to find productive programs to keep them busy has been rough.
Now I am left speechless by Chris and anyone else that is helping with this amazing opportunity. Not only are they learning MMA but discipline and gaining self confidence and during these tough times of bullying and mental health in our youth this is a blessing. I wish there were more people so giving and caring in the community but it is also another reason that makes me proud to be a local here in our beautiful South Lake Tahoe.
Thanks to Chris and anyone else involved in making this happen including his team of help and parents, LTCC, Tahoe Youth and Family Services, Elevate youth California and anyone I may have left out. I’m forever in your debt. Tahoe proud. Every Tuesday and Thursday at LTCC Gym 430 to 6 p.m.
Michelle Vargas South Lake Tahoe
A new kind of politics
Do you want a new kind of politics? I do. Right now. Politics has become a hardcore slugfest of Republican v. Democrat. It’s nasty, defensive, patronizing, coercive, angry, often despairing, and usually mean. Some call other people “idiots,” “vermin,” or “sick,” while others whine, stonewall, gaslight, and patronize. Both sides spend a lot of time justifying themselves – and then they ask for my money. To me, a new kind of politics starts with reframing the sides: (1) people who live by the Golden Rule and (2) those who don’t. I want to support people who treat others as they want to be treated – in politics, and everywhere.
The Golden Rule: Treat others the way you want them to treat you. It’s not hard to recognize the old kind of politics where people treat each other without restraint to gain control and benefit themselves while hurting others. Religious leaders who ignore the Good Samaritan story are playing the old kind of politics. Politicians who treat their colleagues with contempt are part of the old kind. All who add mean comments on posts are into the old kind. If we can see it, we can choose another way to be.
A “new kind of politics” focuses on what we have in common. How do we create a new kind of politics? First, we focus on what we have in common. Right now, both parties are equally obsessed with differences. Media amplifies. But a new kind of politics starts with looking for what we have in common.
A new kind of politics depends on each of us taking responsibility. Next, we need to accept that a new kind of politics depends on each of us. A new kind of politics requires personal choice. If we want solutions that serve us all, each one of us must exercise our power to influence our collective life. We can each catch ourselves when we blame someone or avoid taking responsibility. We can listen to each other and learn from someone else’s experience. We can say “sorry” when we hurt another person, whether online, in the store, at home. We can hold off from adding hate to posts. Isn’t that how you want to be treated?
Let’s do a new kind of politics. A new kind of politics depends on each of us. It starts with choosing comments and posts online that reflect how we want to be treated ourselves. It extends to what we expect from our politicians – in South Lake Tahoe, in our region, in our nation: truth, kindness, grace, discipline, care, respect. It also means voting for the people who demonstrate the Golden Rule and backing those candidates during elections with your time, energy, money, and vote.
Join me in choosing the Golden Rule and demanding that politicians we elect do, too.
STATELINE, Nev. – The Tahoe Knight Monsters fell on the road to the Rapid City Rush on Saturday evening, 5-2, failing to complete the three-game series sweep.
In the opening 20, Tahoe looked to be in control of the game. Artur Cholach got the scoring opened up with his first goal of the season to make it 1-0 Knight Monsters. Luke Adam would later add on a power play goal on the extended man advantage to put Tahoe up by a pair heading into the locker room.
In the second, Rasmus Ekström continued to stay hot for the Rush as he put a Rapid City power play goal on the board to cut the lead to one heading into the final period. After 40 minutes of play, Tahoe goaltender Zane McIntyre had 25 saves on 26 shots.
However, in the third, it was all Rapid City as Carter Wilkie scored to tie the game at 2 at the 7:47 mark. Just 12 seconds later, Ekström would find the back of the net again, giving him his second of the night, and giving the Rush a 3-2 lead. After Ryan Wagner scored a late goal in the third to make it 4-2, Wilkie added on to the scoring with an empty-net insurance marker in the final 90 seconds to give the Rush a 5-2 victory.
Tahoe will be on the road again next week against the Greensboro Gargoyles, with game one of the three-game series taking place on Thursday, November 13, with puck drop at 4:00 pm PT. Pregame coverage on the Knight Monsters broadcast network will be live at 3:50 pm.
The Knight Monsters return home on Thursday, November 20, to take on the Savannah Ghost Pirates at Tahoe Blue Event Center. Puck drop is at 10:30 am. Ticket packages for the 2025-26 season are now available. For more information, visit www.knightmonstershockey.com
STATELINE, Nev. – The Tahoe Knight Monsters won their fourth consecutive game on Friday night with a 5-3 victory over the Rapid City Rush.
In the first period, it was Ryan Wagner opening the scoring for the Rush to make it 1-0; however, Mike O’Leary would tie the game on the power play, and Samuel Mayer scored in the final five minutes of the period to give Tahoe a 2-1 lead after the first 20.
In the middle frame, Briley Wood knotted the game up for the Rush with his second goal of the season, but Tahoe would respond again, as Nate Kallen struck on the power play to give the Knight Monsters a 3-2 lead headed into the final period of action.
In the third, Tahoe showed off the full ability of its special teams units. With the Tahoe penalty kill already 3-for-3, Sloan Stanick broke free and scored a short-handed tally to give the Knight Monsters a 4-2 advantage. Rasmus Ekström would cut into the Rapid City deficit at the 10:02 mark to make it 4-3, but Samuel Mayer would score again, with a sharp-angle shot on the power play, giving the Knight Monsters three power play goals on three attempts as they collected a 5-3 road win.
Jordan Papirny had another fantastic night in net, stopping 38 of 41 Rapid City shots. Tahoe’s special teams were the shining light in this contest, as the Knight Monsters finished the game with a 100 percent success rate on both the power play and penalty kill.
Tahoe is back in action tomorrow afternoon as they look for the three-game sweep against the Rapid City Rush. Puck drop is at 3:05 pm PT, with pregame coverage on the Knight Monsters broadcast network getting started at 2:55 pm.
The Knight Monsters return home on Thursday, November 20, to take on the Savannah Ghost Pirates at Tahoe Blue Event Center. Puck drop is at 10:30 am. Ticket packages for the 2025-26 season are now available. For more information, visit www.knightmonstershockey.com
SOUTH LAKE TAHOE, Calif.—The California Tahoe Conservancy is seeking public input on proposed improvements on the California side of Van Sickle Bi-State Park. Opportunities to participate include virtual and in-person meetings later this month and an online survey.
The Conservancy and Nevada State Parks co-manage the 725-acre Van Sickle Bi-State Park, which offers hiking trails, picnic areas, and the historic Van Sickle ranch and cabins. Building on a 2019 Vision Plan for the park, the Conservancy is exploring options to improve the park entrance, trails, and facilities.”
The proposed Van Sickle Bi-State Park Safety and Equitable Access Improvement Project includes:
The Van Sickle Shared-Use Trail, approximately 0.4 miles of paved shared-use trail that will meet the accessibility requirements of the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA).
A new entrance plaza.
Day-use picnic areas overlooking a meadow and at the historic Van Sickle Barn.
Interpretive and wayfinding signs.
Best Management Practices (BMPs) for snow storage and to capture storm water runoff, which can carry sediment and other pollutants that harm water quality.
The Conservancy also proposes to build approximately 0.35 miles of the Dennis T. Machida Memorial Greenway (Van Sickle Connector), which will connect from Chonokis Road to the Van Sickle Shared-Use Trail, and which will also meet ADA accessibility requirements.
The Conservancy invites the public to attend either of two public meetings:
Thursday, November 20 | 5:00pm – 7:00pm | Lake Tahoe Community College (LTCC) Meet in the LTCC Board Room (L104), located in the Roberta Mason Library building.
Update as of 9 a.m. Friday, Nov. 7 – Incline Village General Improvement District has lifted the water boil order for residents in the Lariat Circle area.
Officials said water remained clean throughout the order but issued the order as a precautionary measure. The water was tested again on Thursday and it still remained clean.
INCLINE VILLAGE, Nev. – The Incline Village General Improvement District (IVGID) has issued a drinking water warning directing people to boil water for three minutes before drinking it.
The notice, dated Nov. 3, says the IVGID water system experienced a loss of pressure event that could result in sediment or “fecal contaminants” in the drinking water.
The boil water notice was issued with a public works alert for the water leak in the Tyner/Lariat Circle area. Homes in the area could experience water shutoffs.
Addresses affected:
All of Lariat Way
All of Lariat Circle
553-681 Tyner Way
All of Doeskin Court
All of Rockrose Court
All of Alden Way
All of Dale Drive
Due to the event, IVGID says boiled or bottled water should be used for drinking, making ice, brushing teeth, washing dishes and food preparation until further notice.
Inadequately treated water may harbor bacteria, viruses and parasites that can cause diarrhea, cramps, nausea, headaches and other symptoms.
According to the notice, IVGID anticipates resolving the problem by Thursday, Nov. 6.
Full disclosure: I shared my thoughts on this ballot in Moonshine Ink’s October edition; but I won’t hesitate to probe further into lingering questions our readers have. Friends of the Truckee Library’s executive director, April Cole, provides the following answers that dive into the details of creating the ballot question, outlining the communities that will pay into the pot, and more.
~ AH
Why did the Truckee Library Joint Powers Authority elect to finance the construction, purchase, etc. of the Truckee Library under the Mello-Roos Community Facilities Act of 1982 (as opposed to a town or county general fund, a special revenue stream like tourism tax, etc.)?
To accurately answer this question, it should first be clarified that Measure G and the proposed Mello-Roos bond will only partially fund the construction and maintenance of the new Truckee Regional Library. The remainder of the funding will come from private philanthropy, grants, and foundation support. You can read more about the full funding structure and more at votetruckeelibrary.com/faq.
The Truckee Library Joint Powers Authority (JPA) carefully explored many potential funding options over several months. Early planning and pre-construction work were supported with general funds from the Town of Truckee and Nevada County, totaling approximately $1.5 million, contributed equally by the two jurisdictions, alongside private donations from the Friends of the Truckee Library.
While general funds provided a critical foundation, they are not a sustainable source for a project of this scale. The library must compete annually with other essential priorities, including public safety, roads, and wildfire mitigation. Similarly, other funding mechanisms, such as ad valorem property taxes or tourism taxes, were either legally restricted or could not be dedicated solely to this project.
Creating a Community Facilities District (CFD) under the Mello-Roos Act provided the solution. The CFD allows the JPA to levy a special tax only on properties in the immediate Truckee Library service area, ensuring that everyone who benefits contributes equitably, regardless of county boundaries. Because funding for the library will come from properties in both Nevada County and Placer County, and few funding mechanisms provide the opportunity for a joint financing of public improvements by two counties, the CFD was the best option. General Obligation bonds and other general fund-secured bonds are specific to a single jurisdiction, and general obligation bonds are secured by a tax that has to be based on the assessed value of property which does not have any correlation to library usage. Because of the variability in a revenue stream generated by a tourism tax, transient occupancy tax, or sales tax, bonds secured by such revenues are sold when the available revenues are at least 125% of expected debt service on the bonds. Therefore, bonding capacity would be limited because of this increased coverage requirement and higher interest rate on such bonds, increasing cost to the taxpayer.
In addition to being the best legally viable option, the Mello-Roos CFD represents a model for multi-jurisdictional, regional collaboration, demonstrating how communities can work together across county lines to deliver shared public infrastructure.
In summary, after careful research and consideration of all available options, the Mello-Roos CFD provides the fairest, most reliable, and legally feasible funding mechanism for this community-led, regional project.
BROAD-REACHING BENEFITS: The proposed boundaries for the Truckee Library Community Facilities District (CFD) #1 were created to service residents across Donner Summit, Truckee, Northstar, and Martis Valley. Courtesy map
How was the Community Facilities District #1 formed? How many total properties are included in the bond measure?
Prior to formally establishing the Truckee Library Community Facilities District (CFD) #1 the Truckee Library JPA first identified the primary users of the Truckee Library. Because the library serves residents across Donner Summit, Truckee, Northstar, and Martis Valley, it was important that the CFD boundaries reflect the community of residents who directly benefit from the library.
The CFD was then formed pursuant to the Mello-Roos Act, which requires actions at two board meetings, as well as a public hearing. However, the levy of special taxes within the CFD is only authorized after a successful election, which is what is being presented to voters with Measure G.
The CFD boundaries are currently estimated to include almost 23,400 taxable parcels within both counties. The taxable parcels include more than 44 million square feet of building space.
If only those registered to vote in the community facilities district can vote on the measure, second homeowners registered elsewhere with their primary homes will still have the lien on their homes. Does this turn into taxation without representation? Please explain.
California State Law requires that local measures be approved by local registered voters. All eligible homeowners have the opportunity to participate in this election by registering to vote in the district if they choose.
Editor’s note: California Elections Code, Division 0.5, Chapter 4, §§ 349 and Division 2, Chapter 1,Article 2, §§ 2031 provide clarity in what qualifies as a registered voter’s primary residence.
What is the estimated net gain of the bond, to go toward funding the new library, compared to the overall cost (including interest) of the bond?
At an estimated 5.0% bond interest rate, the bond measure would generate approximately $16.6 million to build the new library. Over the 30-year term, the total repayment — including both principal and interest — would be about $36 million, assuming the bonds are not refinanced at a lower rate in the future.
This structure is typical for long-term public investments. Much like a 30-year home mortgage, where a $500,000 loan results in total payments of a little over $1 million, the interest simply reflects the cost of borrowing over time to make an important improvement today. The community gains the benefit of a new library right away, while the costs are spread out gradually and predictably over three decades.
Importantly, the interest cost does not change the maximum tax rate for property owners. Taxpayers will contribute no more than $0.03 per square foot of the taxable building — a rate that will not increase even as the bonds are repaid with interest. Because the total repayment is shared among more than 23,000 property owners, the impact for any one household remains modest: a typical Truckee homeowner would contribute roughly $5 per month.
MAPPED OUT: The proposed Truckee Regional Library will be in the Truckee Regional Park, across from 7-11. Courtesy map
Assuming Measure G passes, what are the jurisdictions (town and counties) expected to contribute financially, if anything, after the initial monies they pitched in?
Feasibility studies and extensive research have been conducted to identify opportunities within the private sector and through grant funding to help close the remaining funding gap. These efforts have confirmed that there is strong potential for success through a combination of private philanthropy and targeted grant opportunities.
That being said, the eligibility for many of these grants — and the willingness of private funders and foundations to contribute — is directly linked to the passage of Measure G. The measure is a key catalyst that demonstrates community commitment and project readiness, and it unlocks these additional funding opportunities.
There is already a strong level of community support for the project, reflected in early philanthropic engagement and enthusiasm from local partners through early contributions to the Friends of the Truckee Library’s LibraryUP capital campaign.
Assuming Measure G passes, the Friends of the Truckee Library will continue to lead efforts to close the remaining funding gap through the LibraryUP campaign. The Town of Truckee and counties have already provided essential early support, and future opportunities for collaboration or investment may be revisited as the project advances and funding strategies evolve.
What is the most valuable aspect you personally see the potential new Truckee Library adding to the community?
When it comes to this library, it’s not about what I think the community would benefit from — it’s about what the community has told us they need most. Over the past few years, through listening sessions, surveys, and advisory groups, thousands of residents have shared their priorities. And what we’re hearing is clear.
Teens have told us that a lot of cultural pressures in Truckee — like drug and alcohol use — are often worsened by the lack of free, safe spaces after school. While many students are involved in sports and outdoor activities, there are hours between school and practice where some teens have little to do and may make risky choices. Others don’t have structured activities at all. They want a safe, welcoming “third space” where they don’t have to spend money and where they can have ownership in the development of the space and the programming offered. The new teen space has been designed with their input, and programming will continue to be guided by the Teen Advisory Group.
Seniors want a space for social gatherings like book clubs, board games, and other community activities — but they don’t want it to be a space only for seniors. They want to feel included and connected to the broader community, interacting with people of all ages and staying visible and engaged in society.
Nonprofits have shared that they desperately need more space for meetings and a central hub to share information about their services. Right now, their ability to serve the community is limited by space. With the new library, they’ll have a place to connect with residents, communicate their impact, and expand the support they can provide.
Arts and culture advocates have emphasized the need for more performing arts and gallery space. There’s currently high demand for poetry readings, educational talks, film screenings, and performing arts rehearsals, but the few existing venues can’t accommodate it all. The new library will provide spaces with proper seating, lighting, acoustics, and AV capabilities to meet this need.
Families with young children have told us that storytime areas are regularly overflowing. The new library will create a larger, more comfortable space for early literacy programs, helping children and families connect and grow.
Remote workers have expressed the need for reliable internet and a welcoming work environment where they can focus without needing to pay for access, while still being part of the community around them.
And across the board, residents have told us they want a true community hub — a warm, welcoming space that fosters connection and strengthens our town as a whole.
And as for me, personally. How do I think the new library will impact our community? To answer this I want to share the defining impact libraries had on me growing up.
As a young girl, our family didn’t have much. My mom, juggling three jobs, worked tirelessly just to cover rent and food. There was rarely room for anything else. Growing up in that kind of scarcity is a quiet, heavy burden. You learn early what it feels like to go without. Yet, there was one place where that burden lifted, even if only for a few hours: the public library.
Every Friday, my mom would take my brother and me there. I’d wander the stacks, arms piled high with books, feeling an unfamiliar kind of freedom. In the library, it didn’t matter how much — or how little — you had. Everyone was equal. You didn’t need money to explore worlds beyond your own, or to sit and read for hours, lost in stories of triumph, adventure, and hope. For a few hours each week, I could imagine a life beyond our struggles, and that made all the difference.
The library didn’t just shape my childhood; it shaped my family’s future. My mom found resources for career guidance, studied for night classes, and even discovered a job posting that led to a career that lifted us out of poverty. All of that, right there at our public library. It was more than books — it was opportunity.
Our current Truckee library is small. It can’t fully offer the space and sanctuary that children in our community need, or the quiet corners for someone to study or pursue a new career. That’s why I’m so passionate about building this new space. I know firsthand the power a library can have to open doors, spark dreams, and lift families out of hardship. I want that for other kids and families in our community: to have a place where they can feel safe, equal, and empowered.
What excites me most about the new library is that it will be a beacon of hope. A place where opportunity isn’t just a dream, but something tangible. A place where a child from a home like mine can step inside and know, truly know, that their circumstances don’t define their future. This is why I care so deeply about this project—it’s more than a building. It’s a lifeline, a launchpad, and a promise to every member of our community. This is a library to meet today’s moment, that will support countless families now and will continue to do so for generations to come.
~ April Cole, executive director, Friends of the Truckee Library
See What’s New for the 2025/26 Lake Tahoe Ski Season
Family Skiing Heavenly Mountain Resort Lake Tahoe
Winter is never far away when you’re high up in the Sierra Nevada, and our resorts are bringing the fun back with expanded services and shorter wait times.
If you’ve been dreaming about snagging first-chair on a powder day or plan to head out with the family for a vacation that makes you wonder if you are in a real-life Hallmark movie, there’s no destination quite like South Lake Tahoe. Find out what’s new and what to expect at Lake Tahoe Ski Resorts this upcoming 2025/2026 season.
Friday, November 21st is the target Opening Day at Heavenly Ski Resort, marking the beginning of the 2025-2026 Lake Tahoe ski and ride season!
This is the 70th anniversary season at Heavenly. Upcoming events include The Toyota Air and Après event, tentatively scheduled for February 28 – March 2, promises an action-packed experience. The resort will construct an impressive 45-foot jump at the base of a World Cup trail. Expect professional athletes to astound with their gravity-defying tricks under the mountain’s illuminated night sky. The Celebrity Banked Slalom, tentatively scheduled for Easter Sunday, April 5.
Coming back for the 2025/26 season is a membership program called “My Epic Gear,” which provides access to high-quality ski and snowboard equipment and premium valet services. They are also adding a new nine-week Adult Development Team program aims to connect intermediate and advanced skiers while refining their skills.
This season, the Ski & Ride School will offer lessons in ten languages, and a new restaurant concept, Golden State Kitchen, will feature healthier menu options.
Introducing Epic Friend Tickets for season-long passholders that provide 50 percent off lift tickets.
Beyond that, Heavenly is committed to sustainability. It participated in a local ban on single-use plastic bottles and is transitioning to aluminum for all Pepsi products.
For those seeking a different experience, Brews and Views will offer monthly gatherings beginning in December at Lakeview Lodge. These events will feature breathtaking Lake Tahoe vistas, culinary delights, music, and beer tastings from local breweries.
Heavenly Resort will continue with a reservation-based parking system for winter 2025/2026. Click this link for more details.
If you are new to Heavenly, it can seem daunting to navigate the four base lodges, with two in California and two in Nevada. Click here for the basics, including where to park, shuttle bus services, and how to access the mountain.
Skiers and Boarders at Kirkwood Mountain Resort Lake Tahoe
Friday, December 5th is the target Opening Day at Kirkwood Mountain Resort, marking the beginning of the 2025-2026 Lake Tahoe ski and ride season!
Events and freeride competitions return this season including the Winter Solstice Kickoff Party, New Year’s Eve Torchlight Parade, Women’s Weekend, Proud to Be Me Week, Banked Slalom, Slush Cup, IFSA competitions, and the Freeride World Qualifier 2.
Kirkwood is continuing their reservations-based parking program to improve guest arrival and reduce congestion on weekends and peak days. This initiative will feature free, paid, and complimentary carpool parking options until noon.
Sustainability remains a priority, with plans to enhance food waste digesters, improve waste sorting, and implement automated dumpster sensors to minimize landfill contributions.
Kirkwood is known for deep powder and runs for even the most avid enthusiast to test their mettle.
Clear your calendar, call your friends, shout it from the mountain tops: Opening Day is officially Friday, November 28, 2025! Conditions permitting. Temps are dropping and it’s time to start digging out your gear because winter is just around the corner.
Sierra-at-Tahoe has harnessed the power of nature, reshaping the mountain to introduce expansive bowl skiing. Last year, they joined the Ikon Pass. In addition, they’ve got great terrain for beginners, making it a perfect spot, whether you’re new to the sport or bringing along a friend who’s ready to see what it’s all about.
Two new trails will open in West Bowl this season, plus more learning terrain off Easy Rider Express and expanded terrain park zones in The Aspens and Upper Main.
Sierra’s newest Avalanche Dog, Yuki, joins the resort’s skier safety efforts, and weekly live music returns in the Sierra Pub, along with signature events including Subaru Winterfest, Vans Methodology, the Sierra Playgrounds Party and more.
Two new TechnoAlpin snowmaking fan guns will aid early-season snow coverage on Easy Rider and snowmaking in the Aspen Terrain Park pod throughout the season.
Visiting South Lake Tahoe under 21? You’re in luck—there’s plenty to see and do beyond the casino floors. On top of all the most epic year-round outdoor adventures you could dream of, there are some sweet options for after dark too. Whether you’re a local looking to mix up your routine or a first-time visitor exploring the area, Tahoe offers endless opportunities for adventure, relaxation, and unforgettable memories. From outdoor experiences to unique local hangouts, here are five of the best ways to enjoy the South Shore if you’re not yet 21.
Rad Arcades
Inside Retroactive Arcade
Retroactive Arcade, which opened in the summer of 2025, is a treasure trove of vintage arcade games from pinball to Skeeball to classic racing games. At this arcade, old-school thrills meet cold drinks and good times. Step into the vibrant retro space filled with iconic games, bold colors, and nonstop nostalgia. There’s something for every kind of button-masher. Pair the action with cold beer, fizzy soda, and your favorite snacks. It’s the perfect hangout for a night out with friends, a fun family day, or simply reliving the good old days. The coolest part? Admission is a flat rate for unlimited game play. So you don’t have to worry about running out of coins and can play to your heart’s content.
In addition, both Harrah’s and Caesars Republic have arcades that are easy to find. Harrah’s arcade also has a jungle gym. They have old school style arcade games as well as modern day “flappy bird” game consoles.
Classic Bowling Alley
From birthday parties, to school celebrationsTahoe Bowlis a classic spot for family and friends. A recent visit reminded me just how timeless bowling can be. Along with the lanes, you’ll find old-school arcade games and tasty food to fuel your game. Best of all, Tahoe Bowl is easy on the wallet, making it a great choice for a day or night out.
Ice-Skating & Heavenly Village Activities
Ice-skating is yet again another fun physical activity that families and friends could definitely enjoy. South Lake Tahoe Ice Arena is another affordable facility to try out. They include a food court, a warm sitting area to warm as well as TVs to watch to shows in case you needed to warm up and need entertainment.
During the wintertime, the Heavenly Village mini golf course is replaced with an ice rink. There are a ton of things to do all within the Heavenly Village, including live music, a magic show, ice skating or mini golf, Rocket Fizz (So. Much. Candy.), and more.
Edgewood Tahoe Resort also has an ice skating rink – surrounded by pristine views of the resort and snow-capped mountains, Edgewood on Ice.
Mini Golf at Heavenly Village or Magic Carpet
When the snow melts, mini golf season kicks into gear on Tahoe’s South Shore. At Heavenly Village Mini Golf, you can putt your way through a lively setting surrounded by shops, dining, and live entertainment—perfect for families and friends looking to add a little friendly competition to their day.
For a more classic experience, head to Magic Carpet Golf, a Tahoe favorite featuring multiple themed courses with playful obstacles and plenty of nostalgic charm. Affordable, fun, and outdoors, it’s a go-to activity for sunny afternoons and long summer evenings.
From retro arcades and bowling alleys to ice-skating rinks and endless outdoor adventures, South Lake Tahoe has plenty of ways to keep the fun going if you’re under 21. Whether you’re here with friends, family, or just exploring on your own, the South Shore is full of memorable experiences in every season—no ID required.
California Prop 50 puts Congressman Kevin Kiley, Tahoe/Truckee’s District 3 representative, under the spotlight. The proposition, also known as the Election Rigging Response Act, was passed by the state legislature in August as a way to offset potential Republican gains from Texas’ unprecedented mid-decade gerrymandering, carried out at the behest of President Trump. This November, California residents will have the opportunity to vote on Prop 50, which overrides the state’s independent redistricting commission to target five Republican seats, temporarily redrawing the districts to incorporate more Democratic areas.
If Prop 50 passes, it will impact Tahoe/Truckee, but views on whether this is a positive or negative tend to fall along party lines. Placer and Nevada county Democrats say Prop 50 is necessary to create an even playing field on the national level and counter Republicans’ attempts to keep the House of Representatives from going blue in the mid-term elections next year. Republicans in both counties, however, say this will disenfranchise rural voters, whose voices will be drowned out by the bigger population of Sacramento and its urban issues, as well as undermine the will of the people when they voted to create the independent redistricting commission. Rep. Kiley says he is opposed to mid-district gerrymandering not only in California, but across the country.
Currently, Congressional District 3 stretches north to Plumas County and south to Death Valley, incorporating most of the Eastern Sierra, as well as Nevada County and the Sacramento suburbs of Placer County, where the majority of District 3’s population lives. It is the second largest congressional district in California in terms of area, spanning 22,048 square miles.
The new District 3 removes a large portion of the red-leaning Eastern Sierra, replacing it instead with bigger sections of Sacramento County, which votes majority blue. The district would physically change from extending the eastern length of California to a tight cluster around Sacramento that would still include Tahoe/Truckee and Nevada County. Placer County, however, would be split and divvied up between districts 3, 4, and 6.
“My district would be blown into six different directions,” Kiley said at an online press conference on Sept. 18.
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REDRAWN: The current Congressional map of California versus the new map that would go into effect if Prop 50 is approved by voters on Nov. 4. District 3 would shed most of the red-leaning Eastern Sierra and incorporate more of blue-leaning Sacramento County. Images courtesy California State Assembly
REDRAWN: The current Congressional map of California versus the new map that would go into effect if Prop 50 is approved by voters on Nov. 4. District 3 would shed most of the red-leaning Eastern Sierra and incorporate more of blue-leaning Sacramento County. Images courtesy California State Assembly
How we got here
The impetus for Prop 50 came in July, when President Trump called on Texas Gov. Greg Abbot and state Republicans to find five more red-leaning congressional districts to bolster the party’s odds of keeping control of the House in the 2026 mid-term elections. The Texas legislature obliged and approved the new maps in August. This was unusual because redistricting is traditionally done after the U.S. Census, which is mandated by the Constitution to take place every 10 years; the next census will be in 2030.
In response to Texas’ approval of mid-decade redistricting, California Gov. Gavin Newsom and the state legislature put forth Prop 50 as a countermeasure. The bipartisan California Citizens Redistricting Commission (CRCC), which has been enshrined in the California Constitution since 2010, draws the boundaries of the state’s U.S. Congressional, state senate, state assembly, and board of equalization districts. Therefore, Prop 50 is a constitutional amendment that allows the state to use the new maps for the 2026 and 2030 elections only, essentially bypassing the CRCC for the next two elections. It must be approved by voters, bya simple majority, this November.
Democrats
Democratic groups in Placer and Nevada counties are supportive of Prop 50.
“They want to change the rules in the middle of the stream and traditions in the democratic process in their favor,” said Mike Rogers, chair of the Tahoe Truckee Democratic Club, which is part of the Nevada County Democratic Party. “This is not dissimilar to Trump calling the secretary of state in Georgia [in 2024] and saying that ‘I need 11,780 votes, find it for me’ … This is also obviously an attempt by Newsom to call attention to what I refer to as cheating — pure out and out cheating in elections, which Trump is known for. We have to fight that.”
Rogers believes that electing a Democrat to Congress for District 3 would be good for Tahoe/Truckee.
“It would mean that the issues that Democrats believe in and support will have a much stronger voice in Washington than we have ever had,” he said. “Even if Republicans win Congress again, at least we will have a strong voice on fire mitigation and housing.”
Rogers thinks Prop 50 has a decent chance of passing, and he predicts good turnout on both sides. While he believes changing District 3 will increase the odds of a Democrat winning, he doesn’t think it’s a certainty.
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DEMOCRATS: Mike Rogers, chair of the Tahoe Truckee Democratic Club, believes that Prop 50 is necessary to combat President Trump’s attempts to fix the 2026 midterm elections so that Congressional Republicans stay in power.
DEMOCRATS: Chair of the Placer County Democratic Central Committee Nick Bennett believes that Prop 50 is necessary to combat President Trump’s attempts to fix the 2026 midterm elections so that Congressional Republicans stay in power.
“The new District 3 will be a more winnable position for Democrats but it’s certainly not a slam dunk,” he said. “When Kiley runs against a Democrat, he will have an uphill battle, but he will have every opportunity to continue to represent District 3, but we will give him a hell of a fight.”
Two Democrats have declared their intent to run to represent District 3 in Congress – Nevada County Supervisor Heidi Hall and Tyler Vandenberg, a former marine corps officer who lives in South Lake Tahoe.
Since Congress is one of the few offices where representatives do not have to live in the district, Roseville-based Kiley is not beholden to run again in District 3 if Prop 50 passes. He could choose a different district, such as District 4 or 6.
The Tahoe/Truckee Democrats are campaigning for Prop 50 by knocking on doors and making phone calls.
“We need good PR to make people aware of what’s at stake,” Rogers said. “Democracy is not guaranteed. We cannot roll over and play dead … this is something to fight for.”
Nick Bennett, chair of the Placer County Democratic Central Committee, also believes that Prop 50 is worth fighting for.
“We believe it’s important to counter some of the things being done by the Trump administration and Texas redistricting,” he said. “It’s an attempt by [Trump] to hold on to power and keep Republicans in power in the House and prevent any accountability in Republican states like Texas, so they hold on to the House even if most people do not want him in power.”
Since Texas passed its new maps this summer, other states are following suit, leading to a possible redistricting war. The Missouri Senate approved gerrymandered maps in mid-September, which are expected to be signed into law by the Republican governor. Indiana and Florida have also discussed reworking their maps ahead of the 2026 midterms, as well as Democratic states like Illinois, New York, and Maryland.
However, Sacramento-based political consultant Andrew Acosta says that districts across the country have been so gerrymandered over the years that it might not make a huge difference if more states jump into the redistricting war.
“Thirty years ago, there were many competitive seats around the U.S., but there are far fewer competitive seats in the purplish category because of redistricting and registration changes. It’s made a lot of seats safer,” he said. “They are on the edges of trying to carve a couple seats here or there, but you have to win them. There is no guarantee that any seat you carve is a slam dunk. It depends on the quality of the candidates.”
Republicans
Republican parties in Placer and Nevada counties are opposed to Prop 50. For one, they say this will reduce representation for citizens of both counties since rural concerns will be outvoted by Sacramento residents.
“If you put all the votes in the City of Sacramento, the Congressman is going to listen to where the money is, and the money is in Sacramento,” said Placer County Republican Party Chair Mark Wright. “We will lose our representation.”
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REPUBLICANS: John “Mac” Young, chair of the Nevada County Republican Party, says that Prop 50 will disenfranchise rural voters, who will be overshadowed by the bigger population of Sacramento. Courtesy photo
REPUBLICANS: Chairman of the Placer County Republican Party Mark Wright says that Prop 50 will disenfranchise rural voters, who will be overshadowed by the bigger population of Sacramento. Courtesy photos
He believes that rural issues like forest management and fixing roads won’t be heard by the representative of the new District 3.
“If it passes, I don’t think Placer County will become more blue, I just think Placer won’t have representation anymore,” Wright said. “We won’t have the ear of anyone to say what Placer County needs.”
The Nevada County Republicans agree.
“I believe a bipartisan issue is that the new District 3 really reduces the voices of rural communities in Nevada County as we bring in urban parts of Sacramento County like Rancho Cordova and Sac State, involving outside communities not aligned with issues in Nevada County,” said John “Mac” Young, chairman of the Nevada County Republican Party. “They are not dealing with the same issues like fire insurance and rural economic opportunities — these are not of great concern to urban areas.”
Young said his party is also opposed to Prop 50 because it invalidates part of the state constitution.
“It overturns the independent redistricting commission, and all the work put into place under the Schwarzenegger administration,” he said. “It was a good move to stop gerrymandering that was so rampant.”
To campaign against Prop 50, the Nevada County Republican Party opened its Grass Valley campaign office in mid-September, six months earlier than it normally would have for the 2026 midterms.
Kevin Kiley
Kiley, who is serving his second term as District 3 Representative, is opposed to Prop 50. On Aug. 5, he introduced a bill, H.R. 4889, to stop states from mid-decade redistricting. California Sen. Alex Padilla (D) introduced a similar bill in September.
“I do not support this mid-decade gerrymandering wherever it’s occurring, which is why I’ve introduced legislation to bring it entirely to a halt,” Kiley said during his Sept. 18 press conference. “I’ve called on the Speaker of the House to put together a bipartisan group to come up with something like the other provisions of this bill, which is to say, a way to get rid of gerrymandering in this country.”
REP. KEVIN KILEY’S District 3 is one of five Republican seats being targeted by Prop 50. He says if Prop 50 passes, it will overturn the will of the people by overruling the independent redistricting commission enshrined in the California Constitution by voters in 2010. Courtesy photo
This puts Kiley in a bit of a political predicament since he is going against the president and his own party. However, political consultant Jim Ross, who grew up in Incline Village and now lives in Oakland, thinks that Kiley introduced the bill as political cover to make himself appear more moderate in California.
“The bill has about as much chance as passing as I do becoming pope,” Ross said.
The Speaker of the House, Mike Johnson, has not brought Kiley’s bill to the floor for a vote.
When Moonshine Ink asked Kiley directly how he can oppose Prop 50 when it is California’s response to the state of Texas following President Trump’s orders to redraw its maps for gerrymandering purposes, the Congressman said he is only focused on California.
“What we’re voting on with Prop 50 does not concern any other state. It concerns only California,” he said. “It’s California’s own elections that are going to be affected. So, whatever might be going on elsewhere, that’s no reason why we should harm ourselves. Our own citizens, our own voters, shouldn’t be punished because we don’t like what’s going on elsewhere. They shouldn’t be deprived of fair elections and fair representation. They shouldn’t have the will of the people overturned.”
Kiley added that he is against Texas’ redistricting.
In 2019 when Kiley was a member of the California State Assembly, a bill was introduced to give counties the option to create their own independent redistricting commissions for supervisorial districts. He missed the vote.
As the San Francisco Chronicle reported on Sept. 18, California Republicans have historically been opposed to independent redistricting commissions.
“In the last 16 years, Republicans have nearly unanimously opposed all 10 measures in the legislature to hand map-drawing power to independent commissions, while Democrats have overwhelmingly voted yes,” the Chronicle wrote in an article titled California Republicans Hated Independent Redistricting Commissions – until Prop 50.
Kiley said he also opposes Prop 50 because it will cost taxpayers hundreds of millions of dollars.
“We’re going to spend [nearly] $300 million on an unscheduled special election simply to gerrymander the state,” he said. “Literally, that’s the only purpose of the election is to return us to the era of gerrymandering at a cost of $282 million.”
Prop 50 Outlook
Both Acosta and Ross, the two political consultants Moonshine Ink spoke with, predict that while it will be close, Prop 50 will pass.
Ross cited a Sept. 19 Emerson College poll, which found that 51% of voters plan to vote yes on Prop 50, 34% no, and 15% undecided.
“I have not seen any polling, public or private, that shows Prop 50 losing at this point,” Ross said.
“I have seen polling showing it’s close, in the low 50s, which means they [Yes on 50 campaign] still have a campaign to run.”
Ross said that Prop 50 will create five more competitive seats in California, but it is not guaranteed that Democrats will win all five of them.
“It’s going to move a few points, it’s all going to still be competitive,” he said. “Democrats still have to run really strong campaigns.”
Nevertheless, Ross believes that Kiley will have a difficult time getting reelected in a new District 3 and that a moderate Democrat could win.
“[The new map] is basically creating a moderate, centrist district, and Kiley has a right-wing record in Congress,” he said. “But winning Prop 50 is not enough. It is step one in the fight — the fight before the real fight which happens next year.”
Editor’s note, Oct. 10: Update made to the potential financial impacts to TFHS due to HR-1 if unchanged.
The healthcare landscape under President Donald Trump’s administration is facing significant changes, including funding cuts and shifting qualifications for patient eligibility. As Tahoe Forest Health System prepares to navigate such impacts, it continues to find its footing after a year and a half of major transition.
First, a refresher:
Previous President and CEO Harry Weis, who served more than eight years at the helm, separated from the health system in June 2024 after claims of the local medical community “crumbling” under Weis’ guidance (read CEO’s Departure Paves Way for New Leadership Model at Hospital District).
In direct connection to Weis’ departure were board discussions of implementing an entirely new leadership model that would pair physicians with non-physicians for healthcare oversight, known as dyadic leadership. Since March of 2025, according to hospital district staff, there has been further clarity on incorporating dyadic leadership into decision-making. “We are still on the journey,” shared Ted Owens, TFHS executive director of governance and business.
Organizational development firm WittKieffer was hired to find TFHS’s next CEO.
Last fall, incumbent Bob Barnett lost his board seat to Dr. Robert Darzynkiewicz.
In January of this year, the hospital district announced the hiring of Anna Roth, RN, MS, MPH, as its new president and CEO. Roth finished up her tenure as CEO at Contra Costa Health, where she served in the position for 15 years, amid the fallout of a 2023 Department of Health Care Services audit and a whistleblower situation. Both the audit and whistleblower claimed patient medical needs were being ignored. Further, an NBC Bay Area news station reported a criminal investigation by the California Department of Justice was taking place at the East Bay hospital system.
The California Department of Justice’s Division of Medi-Cal Fraud and Elder Abuse was unable to confirm whether such an investigation happened, adding that if such records existed, they would be considered confidential, and such records “do not lose their exempt status due to a decision not to prosecute, or the close of an investigation,” according to an email from a legal secretary.
CAPTAIN OF THE VESSEL: Anna Roth was selected as Tahoe Forest Health System’s president and CEO amid much transition, both within the health district and nationally around healthcare changes. She told Moonshine Ink she’s part of a transparency push at TFHS.
Contra Costa County released a statement on the claim in March, saying it was unaware of such an investigation. “There is no indication that a criminal investigation is taking place. There have been no requests for records, no requests to preserve documents, and no interviews of key personnel by the Department of Justice.”
On July 3, 2025, Trump’s One Big Beautiful Bill, or HR-1, passed. The bill, among other impactful measures such as tax provisions, boosting national defense and enforcement, and federal spending cuts, is anticipated to cut an estimated $1.02 trillion on Medicaid and Children’s Health Insurance Program and an estimated $5.1 billion in Medicare over 10 years — both numbers per the nonpartisan Congressional Budget Office. The nonprofit and advocacy group Third Way projected a $6.7 million loss annually in Medicaid funding for TFHS.
Under such internal and external sea changes at one of Truckee/North Tahoe’s most public-facing special districts, it seemed a sit-down with Roth was in order.
It’s been about seven months since you donned the Tahoe Forest Health System CEO mantle. How has the adjustment period gone?
I feel like it’s gone by so fast, but I think it’s because I’ve been having so much fun. I love this region because the weather keeps time for you. I arrived at the tail end of winter, I got sort of spring … and now we’re moving into fall.
Top of mind for me, first, the community and the staff have been so welcoming. It’s such an extraordinary place. I’m struck by how much abundance is present here at the top of the mountain and at lake level. There’s extraordinary people living here, there’s extraordinary people working here. It’s really been such a level up for me to join this team.
That’s the thing for me that has been a takeaway, is people really are deeply connected to each other here and deeply connected to the work. And it isn’t that people aren’t connected in other places, but it’s palpable here, and I think it’s a point of pride and a point of strength for this region. That has been my takeaway as I’ve initially arrived. Everyone I’ve met, from town leadership to the different leaders across the regions, they’re all thinking in a very forward-thinking manner. I love that this region, the people here, greet challenge with a sort of like, okay, challenge accepted.
The previous CEO, Harry Weis, departed from the health system in May 2024 under intense scrutiny from staff and community members. With your tenure, there’s the desire to become a more transparent district — starting “a new chapter,” as you called it during a July Good Morning Truckee presentation. What shifts are being made to accommodate that goal?
I can’t speak for what, of course, really happened before I got here, but what I can say is healthcare is incredibly complicated. Across the industry, let’s say the last five years, 2020 to 2025, was incredibly fraught. I think we know here at Tahoe Forest, and one of the things that the leadership team and myself are working on, is there’s actually a lot of information out there, but we really need to work on being the interface specialist and help demystify this information. Maybe package it slightly different. We’ve been doing this in sort of mundane, technical ways. For those who watch … the district meetings … you may note there’s been sort of a shift; we’re moving more things into open session from closed session. We’re pushing the presenters to approach this instead of a technical update to the board, maybe a TED Talk or something, so that the public can follow along a little bit easier.
I think there is actually no dearth of information. I think there’s a lot of information out there, but what we have to figure out is how to talk about it in a way that people can actually follow along, and even better and more importantly, where we can sort of make [information] visible.
This is a natural evolution in healthcare, right? I started in the ’80s, early ’90s, and information and how that information was managed belonged to the health providers, to the professionals. Fast forward, now people have patient portals and stuff. We’ve had to figure out the clinical side, like how do we present a lab test? Now it’s, how do we talk about these very technical policy pieces? Because healthcare reform was sort of a concept in the early 2000s. Now we’re in the center of reform, and I think the public wants to participate.
There’s been sort of a shift [during board of director meetings]; we’re moving more things into open session from closed session. We’re pushing the presenters to approach this instead of a technical update to the board, maybe a TED Talk or something, so that the public can follow along a little bit easier.”
~ Anna Roth, TFHS president and CEO
We could duck and cover, but the reality is, is that change isn’t going away, and change is the only constant that I’ve actually experienced in healthcare. Really the best way to do that is in partnership with the public. But it’s hard for them to do that if our information is so technical.
[We’re] reworking our website to be a little more user friendly. Reworking how we talk about the work we’re doing, present it in a way that people can actually interact with it.
The board prior to your arrival had already been talking about demystifying, et cetera. Are you and the board 100% together in this shift to more open communication? Or were they pushing to adopt that mindset?
I didn’t feel pushed by the board. I actually felt the board was very aligned. This is something that I feel all of us really need. The board was really supportive of supporting transparency. And I would say again, because I don’t struggle with the word transparency, but I struggle with the implication that we as healthcare aren’t transparent; we just don’t do a good job explaining the information. And I think that’s universal.
The duty of leadership is twofold: One, to really deeply understand the needs of those they’re serving, which is, in our case, people who both live in the district and visit the district … But also, the duty is to tell the story of what the staff are doing. That is really easy here because it’s remarkable what they’re doing. Staff love that and deserve that. They come to work every day. They drive through snowstorms and leave their family and come to do amazing work. It’s our responsibility and duty to tell that story.
Do you have an example of something that was pushed to move from a closed session to an open session?
The quality report … [which is how] we track our performance up against national performance. So, things like patient satisfaction, which … it’s not that earth shattering because a lot of this is already publicly available but would require people who know or community members to go and retrieve it. So, we sort of ask ourselves, why is this in closed session? We could put our performance into open session, and so the quality report, most of it — not all of it, because anything that is really [under] investigation or anything that could have personnel as a one-off case; those things go into a whole analysis; there’s legal protection. But for the most part, how you’re generally performing, those aggregate data, we can now move those [to open session].
Does that include internal surveys about staff burnout?
It does include that … I’ll give an example of the physician self-described engagements. I think in 2024 when they did that survey, they were in the 10th percentile [which in this case put TFHS in the bottom 10% of how well employees and staff understand and feel connected to their organization’s mission, goals, and values]. This year, they actually exceeded the national average [by rebounding to the 48th percentile], a significant improvement.
Editor’s note: Per the chief medical officer report at the Aug. 28, 2025, TFHS board meeting, “The Alignment Composite Score rose by 19%, reaching the 48th percentile nationally, while Engagement improved by 8%, now placing us in the 70th percentile. Press Ganey noted that increases of this magnitude in medical staff alignment and engagement are rare.” Roth credited the improvements in alignment to Dr. Johanna Koch, chief of staff, and Dr. Brian Evans, CMO.
Workforce is really important in these regions where there’s already a shortage, but then it actually is exacerbated in the rural regions … It’s a big decision to think about coming [to work at TFHS] … and I think those people who are here, they really want to be here. This is the one area where I think abundance might not apply. We have an abundance in the talent, but … these rural regions … it’s tricky, especially with workforce challenges.
Is there something or some things that you might be able to directly attribute that significant rise in the composite score to?
I will just say there is a plethora of efforts going on. Before I arrived, the internal leadership team and our chief medical officer were doing a ton of work with the provider staff. I want to acknowledge that. A lot of the staff themselves — there’s caring for the caregiver, there’s a wellness committee — there’s a lot of work going on.
HEALTHCARE DOLLARS TO DOLLAR POINT: Tahoe Forest Health System has acquired space for a new clinic in Tahoe City’s Dollar Point neighborhood. Upon completion, which is anticipated spring 2026, the site will include exam rooms, space for surgical subspecialties, modern infrastructure, a new parking lot, and future adaptability to serve as urgent care. Courtesy photo
Some of it is time. People came out of the pandemic — and again, I can’t speak for exactly here, but I can tell you this has been a national phenomenon — exhausted and upset. It’s possible maybe some recovery is also based on just the distance from what we know was a shared difficult experience. Again, I don’t know what exactly to attribute it to, but we’re going to actually try to study that this coming year.
Healthcare reformations are on many people’s minds under recent proposals in the One Big Beautiful Bill Act, or HR-1. What is TFHS anticipating impact-wise, and how could this affect Truckee/Tahoe residents?
I feel like at this point, I’m sitting in the air traffic control tower at JFK or some place; there’s a million things on the radar. To be clear, health reform is sort of taking up probably 50% of those … There’s many, many studies out there, and I think a couple of things: if you’ve seen one study, you’ve seen one study. We have tried to project a worst-case scenario.
[Referring to the $6.7 million annual loss for TFHS projected by the nonprofit and advocacy group Third Way], that’s not a completely outlandish number. Our CFO has projected even higher than that.
HOSPITAL GATEWAY: Tahoe Forest Hospital District leaders (CEO Anna Roth center right) broke ground at the end of September on a complete remodel of the Old Gateway Center, including 41 exam rooms, primary care and surgical subspecialties, sidewalks and crosswalk improvements for better pedestrian access, and modern infrastructure, including new roofing, HVAC, and plumbing. Courtesy photo
Editor’s note: TFHS’s CFO estimates potential financial impacts to the district caused by HR-1 could be $10 million to $11 million over the next decade, though assuming these numbers are final is unrealistic, as Roth shares.
There’s a few important things to keep in mind. One is, this bill just passed. Now the policy work begins. This sort of comes back to where I started around transparency. There is so much technical policy speak ahead of us. Honestly, [Owens] and I are sort of bracing, like how can we become the chief spokespeople to translate what’s really happening?
The Disproportionate Share Hospital [or DSH, a federal program that provides supplemental payments to hospitals serving significantly disproportionate numbers of low-income and uninsured patients] cuts, those that have been being punted for the last decade-plus, those are on the docket to kick in this October with a couple other changes that are starting. (Editor’s note: As of press deadline, TFHS does not expect any DSH impacts.) Then you see changes trickling for the next 10 years up to 2035. So much is going to happen between now and then. Changing the Medi-Cal eligibility requirements, which could in theory reduce the roles of Medi-Cal in the state of California and Medicaid in the state of Nevada. Some will be introduction of work requirements, or now you have to be redetermined every six months instead of annually. So, you could see a reduction in the Medicaid population across the two states overall, which could then, even though that’s not a huge book of business for us, it could have an indirect impact on us in terms of charity care. We are not planning on it, but you could see some healthcare providers exit markets like OB [obstetrics] or areas where there’s a lot of reliance on Medicaid.
We could see some safety nets [that] are facing significant challenges like we’re seeing down in the Chico area [where the Glenn Medical Center in Glenn County is expected to close in October because of financial hardship under Trump’s healthcare policies]. All of that will change the landscape. Studies we’re seeing now are with the current landscape, but as the landscape changes, the impacts may change. Then you may see policy emerge that says, ‘Okay, hospitals, because this has happened, there’s a funding opportunity here.’ So, again, what we are doing is modeling a variety of scenarios. That said, if I were to say what scenario I thought, it just would not be well-grounded in reality because the reality is there will be a ton of policy efforts.
There will be new funding opportunities that emerge and there will be some cuts. We have a sense of which areas [are threatened] — I mean, obviously Medicaid is blinking brightly, government funding is blinking brightly. I think I said this at Good Morning Truckee, I’ve been around a long time. I can remember when we made the very first Delivery System Incentive Reform program, I was on the team for the state that put that together with [Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services] at the time. It was because they were changing some of the main funding mechanisms. We used an 1115 waiver to move district dollars into infrastructure and innovation. (Editor’s note: During the Great Recession, these waivers proved critical for healthcare reform, allowing states to experiment with innovative strategies while keeping costs low.)
This [One Big Beautiful Bill Act] just passed. Now the policy work begins … There is so much technical policy speak ahead of us. Honestly, [TFHS Executive Director of Governance and Business Development Ted Owens] and I are sort of bracing, like how can we become the chief spokespeople to translate what’s really happening?”
~ Anna Roth, TFHS president and CEO
You remember Meaningful Use [a program beginning in 2011 that accelerated the adoption of electronic health records to meet program requirements, per the American Medical Association] — that was another federal lever that was pulled.
What’s ahead, I can’t predict. What I can predict is there will be things ahead. And one of the reasons why we have people like [Owens] and [me] … We intend to make sure we’re not sitting on the sidelines. We will be doing everything we can to make sure that Tahoe Forest Health District is informing those policies locally as much as we can but also state and federally as appropriate.
Where can Moonshine Ink readers keep up with the latest state and federal
healthcare actions that could affect TFHS?
The California Hospital Association, and the District Hospital Leadership Forum … that is the heart of where policies or policy lives, so it is very technical and very difficult. For our district, what we are committed to doing is to really try to do sensemaking along the way. So, tune into us.
The reality is, nothing major has happened since HR-1 passed.
We are committed to making sure that our district is informed, and we did that in open session, and we’ll do that in open session. We’re trying to put out a small timeline of when the cuts are coming, and we are committed to keeping people informed because we know health is a really big deal. It’s huge. Health impacts and connects to everything. It’s understandable and it’s important that we all stay informed because there is change coming. How that looks is yet to be determined. But the way we are approaching this is we see this as an opportunity to continue with the long-standing legacy of Tahoe Forest and really use it as a transformation opportunity.
Tune In
Tahoe Forest Health System Board of Directors meetings are held on the fourth Tuesday of every month. Visit tfhd.com/about/minutes-agendas to view dates and agendas of upcoming meetings.
Compared to August 2025, sales volume in the Tahoe Sierra MLS held relatively steady, while average days on market climbed, reflecting the typical seasonal slowdown. Incline Village experienced a sharper pullback, with sales dropping from 27 in August to 18 in September, accompanied by a dip in median price. Year-over-year, however, Incline recorded higher sales volume but lower median pricing. Within the Tahoe Sierra MLS, September 2025 sales volume outpaced September 2024, and the median sales price held steady at $1,225,000. Five Lakefronts sold in September, down from six in August and level with September 2024.
