SOUTH LAKE TAHOE, Calif.- The South Lake Tahoe Police Department (SLTPD) announced the rollout of pre-arrival text messaging. Beginning next week, callers who contact dispatch will receive text messages when they report certain crimes or concerns. These messages will provide callers with important information to assist them with their call. The messages can give helpful directions about gathering important documents if they were a victim of identity theft or getting to a safe location after being involved in a collision. The pre-arrival text messages will come in from a 530-area code number. This number will not accept incoming messages.
This feature is supported through Power Engage, a community engagement platform that helps dispatch centers provide timely, relevant information to callers. SLTPD looks forward to offering this enhanced service as another way to better serve and support our community.
INCLINE VILLAGE, Nev. – Travel North Tahoe Nevada (TNTNV) announced today that the Welcome Center and organization’s offices will temporarily relocate to allow for long-planned repairs and facility improvements at its current location.
Located at 937 Tahoe Boulevard, Suite 150, the temporary Welcome Center will provide visitor information and resources during the construction period. The visitors center will be open from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. Monday through Friday and 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. on Saturdays. New signage will direct visitors to the temporary location.
The planned improvements are designed to enhance the overall efficiency and functionality of the Welcome Center while ensuring the facility remains a valuable resource for visitors and residents alike. Renovations will be funded through previously allocated capital improvement funds and reflect TNTNV’s ongoing commitment to maintaining community assets that support both tourism services and long-term operational sustainability.
“These improvements have been planned for some time and are an important investment in the future of the Welcome Center, which plays a vital role in educating visitors on sustainable visitation practices and learning more about Lake Tahoe,” said Andy Chapman, President and CEO of Travel North Tahoe Nevada. “Temporarily relocating allows us to complete this work efficiently while continuing to serve visitors and support the local economy. We appreciate the community’s patience as we complete these necessary upgrades.”
Once repairs are complete, the Welcome Center will reopen at its original location with improved operational efficiency designed to better serve visitors and align with TNTNV’s broader destination management goals.
INCLINE VILLAGE, Nev. – Backcountry access in Lake Tahoe received a huge boost thanks to community members participating in the Tahoe Fund’s $10K for TBA matching challenge. The nonprofit organization announced that more than 100 people donated to support the Tahoe Backcountry Alliance (TBA), unlocking a $10,000 gift from the Tahoe Fund and raising over $26,000 to help TBA improve backcountry access for all.
“We called on backcountry enthusiasts to help meet this challenge for TBA’s 10th anniversary, and they blew us away,” said Verdi DiSesa, Tahoe Fund Board Chair. “Thanks to the incredible support from this dedicated community, we are able to make TBA’s job of increasing safe access to the backcountry a little bit easier.”
For over a decade, the Tahoe Backcountry Alliance has been tackling backcountry access issues like parking availability, snow removal, and limited trailheads. As part of their mission, they also offer cross-country ski and snowshoe experiences as part of the Washoe Tribe’s Youth Expedition Program, and provide opportunities to borrow sno-park passes and gear for free at libraries throughout El Dorado, Placer and Nevada Counties.
“We are deeply grateful to the Tahoe Fund for championing our work and investing in human-powered backcountry access for all,” said Anthony Cupaiuolo, Tahoe Backcountry Alliance Executive Director. “This matching campaign will make a meaningful impact for the growing winter backcountry community—from experienced backcountry skiers and snowboarders using the trailheads we manage, to families accessing snow affordably through free sno-park passes and gear available via our library partnerships.”
As part of the challenge, donors that gifted $35 or more received a TBA membership that corresponded to their gift level, offering them access to a community of backcountry experts as well as fun giveaways. Even though the challenge is over, TBA memberships are always available at tahoebackcountryalliance.org/membership.
SOUTH LAKE TAHOE, Calif. — Cascade Kitchens Food Hall & Bar is kicking off the new year with two kid-focused events designed to delight young guests while giving parents a well-deserved break.
Parents’ Date Night / Kids Movie Night will take place on Friday, January 16, 2026. This special evening allows parents to enjoy a quiet date night while their children are treated to a cozy movie experience in Cascade Kitchens’ private party room. Kids will watch the beloved Disney favorite Lilo & Stitch, making it a fun, safe, and entertaining night for the whole family—just in separate rooms.
The following week, Cascade Kitchens will host its popular Monthly Kids Cooking Class on Tuesday, January 20, 2026. Designed to inspire creativity and confidence in the kitchen, the classes are offered in two age groups: ages 3–5 (5-6:15pm) and ages 6–9 (6:15-7:30pm). Our little chefs will learn to roast vegetables and chicken then enjoy a dinner that they prepare themselves. Both sessions are nearly sold out, and families are encouraged to register soon to secure a spot.
“These events are part of our ongoing commitment to creating a welcoming community space for local families,” said Fran Faulknor, owner. “Whether it’s giving parents a chance to reconnect or helping kids discover the joy of cooking, we love offering experiences that bring people together.”
SOUTH LAKE TAHOE, Calif. – Ski California, the industry association representing 36 downhill and cross-country ski areas in California and Nevada, has partnered with OpenSnow as the official source of its snow forecasts. OpenSnow, a trusted source for the most accurate U.S. weather forecasts, snow reports, and AI-powered weather maps, has long been a valued source of Sierra storm forecasting.
“OpenSnow’s lead Sierra forecaster, Bryan Allegretto (BA), has been accurately predicting snowfall for ski areas in California and Nevada for two decades, so aligning with OpenSnow and looking to him as our lead snow forecaster was a natural choice,” said John Rice, Ski California president. “Bryan and his team have built trust not just among skiers and snowboarders, but within the ski industry as a whole, because of their accurate, detailed forecasts.”
On average over the past 10 years, Allegretto’s average forecast variance for each storm is ~1.5 inches. For the better part of the past two decades, his daily, detailed forecasts have become the beacon by which people make informed decisions about where and when they want to recreate in the snow, when to travel or avoid it, when the best conditions will occur for resorts to make snow, or how the weather might impact resort operations.
“Our intention has always been to provide skiers, snowboarders, and ski area operators and their teams with the most accurate snow forecasts possible,” said Bryan Allegretto, OpenSnow’s CA/NV forecaster and lead forecaster for Ski California. “To us, aligning with Ski California and producing their official snow forecasts means the industry knows both they and their guests can rely on the accuracy of our forecasts.”
OpenSnow continues to enhance its forecasting capabilities, and this winter launched first-of-their-kind new tools that leverage AI machine learning to transform how everyone plans around weather. Some of the most valuable to the California and Nevada ski industry are PEAKS, the new AI model that is up to 50% more accurate in providing location-specific forecasts in mountainous terrain, the new snowmaking wet-bulb temperature forecast, and forecast snowfall maps.
Follow BA’s Sierra forecast here, and his team’s Mammoth Mountain forecast here.
12. Amended and Restated Purchase and Sale Agreement with NDC Lake Tahoe, LP for Affordable Housing Project at 3900-3908 Lake Tahoe Boulevard. Requested Action / Suggested Motions: City Council is asked to either: (1)(a) Pass a Resolution authorizing the Finance Director to appropriate $1,000,000 from the General Fund Undesignated Excess Reserves into the expense budget line item for the donation to NDC Lake Tahoe, LP for the purchase of the property at 3900-3908 Lake Tahoe Boulevard; and (b) Pass a Motion authorizing and directing the Mayor to execute the Amended and Restated Purchase and Sale Agreement Amendment with NDC Lake Tahoe, LP; or (2) Pass a Motion granting a one-year extension on the closing deadline under the current Purchase and Sale Agreement to January 18, 2027.
13. Shelter Pass Program. Requested Action / Suggested Motions: 1) Pass a Resolution approving the Program Guidelines, directing staff to establish the Shelter Pass Program, and approving budget appropriation of $80,000 from El Dorado County Opportunity Knocks Continuum of Care and $15,000 from General Fund Undesignated Excess Reserves; 2) Pass a Resolution ratifying the grant application and authorizing the City Manager to enter into agreement with the California Department of Housing and Community Development, Homeless Housing, Assistance and Prevention (HHAP) for receipt of grant funding through El Dorado County; and 3) Pass a Motion authorizing and directing the Mayor to execute the Subrecipient Agreement with Tahoe Coalition for the Homeless.
14. Reimbursement Agreement with South Tahoe Transit Joint Powers Authority. Requested Action / Suggested Motions: (1) Pass a Resolution authorizing budget appropriations in an amount of either $51,551 (for the City’s share) or $77,326 (for the entire budget request including the City’s and El Dorado County’s share) from General Fund Undesignated Excess Reserves for the South Tahoe Transit JPA FY 2025/2026 budget; and (2) Pass a Resolution authorizing and directing the Mayor to execute the Reimbursement Agreement for Managing Agency Services with South Tahoe Transit Joint Powers Authority; or pass a motion directing City staff to issue a Notice of Termination of the Joint Exercise of Powers Agreement for the South Tahoe Transit Joint Powers Authority.
15. 2026 City Council Meeting Schedule.
16. City Council Assignments to Boards and Commissions.
17. Update to City Council Protocols
Regular-New Business
18. Roles and Expectations of City Commissions, Boards, and Committees.
19. Citizen Appointments to City Boards and Commissions.
20. Consideration of 2026 Paving Program Options – Johnson Boulevard with James & Eloise Neighborhood or Al Tahoe Neighborhood. Requested Action / Suggested Motions: Pass a Motion selecting paving program: Option 1: Johnson Blvd. and James & Eloise Neighborhood; or Option 2: Johnson Blvd. and Al Tahoe Neighborhood.
21. Agreement with Stantec Consulting Services, Inc. for Design and Permitting Services for El Dorado Beach Revetment and Improvements Project. Requested Action / Suggested Motions: 1) Pass a Motion authorizing and directing the Mayor to execute a Professional Services Agreement with Stantec Consulting Services, Inc. for Phase 1 services for the El Dorado Beach Revetment and Improvements Project for a not-to-exceed amount of $149,971; and 2) Pass a Motion directing staff to pursue planning, design, and permitting for preferred interim and permanent priorities for El Dorado Beach (structural protection of Lakeview Commons only or structural protection of Lakeview Commons and preservation of the beach).
14. Probation Department recommending the Board approve and authorize the Chair to sign Lease Agreement 9985 with A&G Holdings, LLC, for monthly rent for transitional housing located at 3769 Pioneer Trail, South Lake Tahoe, for non-minor dependent youth under Less Restrictive Programming, in the monthly amount of $1,750, to commence February 1, 2026, and terminate on January 31, 2027.
The Lake Tahoe Community College Board of Trustees are meeting Tuesday, Jan. 13 at 5:30 p.m. at the Board Meeting Room – L104, One College Drive, South Lake Tahoe.
Study Session
5.01 – AA – Review of Proposed General Additions to 2026-2027 Lake Tahoe Community College Curriculum and Catalog (First Reading)
5.02 – AA – Review of Proposed New and Deactivated Programs (First Reading)
The Incline Village General Improvement District is holding a meeting on Wednesday, Jan. 14 at 5 p.m. The meeting can be viewed in person at 893 Southwood Blvd. Incline Village or remotely at https://livestream.com/accounts/3411104.
H. GENERAL BUSINESS – (for possible action)
1. SUBJECT: (For possible Action) Review, Discuss and possibly Ratify and Adopt Resolution No. 1921 authorizing Incline Village General Improvement District to create and maintain Fiduciary Fund 700 – Tahoe Water Supply Association. This Fund is established for the specific purpose of accounting for assets held by the Incline Village General Improvement District in a custodial capacity for the Tahoe Water Supply Association (TWSA). (Requesting Staff Member Director of Finance Noemi Barter)
2. SUBJECT: (For possible Action) Budget Workshop #1 – General Budget conversation and Policy Direction. (Requesting Staff Member: District General Manager Robert Harrison)
3. SUBJECT: (For possible Action) Review, Discuss and provide Direction regarding Ordinance No. 7: Paragraph 79, Watercraft Launching which was deleted by Resolution 1915. (Requesting Staff Member: Director of Administrative Services Susan Herron)
4. SUBJECT: (For possible Action) Review, Discuss and provide Direction regarding Ordinance No. 7: Paragraph 100-103, starting with Misconduct (Requesting Staff Member: Director of Administrative Services Susan Herron)
5.SUBJECT: (For possible Action) Appoint a Board Liaison to Collaborate with Incline Village Crystal Bay Association (IVCBA) and other Community Organizations. (Requesting Board Member: Chair Michaela Tonking)
The South Tahoe Public Utility District is meeting Thursday, Jan. 15 at 2 p.m. at 1275 Meadow Crest Drive, South Lake Tahoe.
7. ITEMS FOR BOARD ACTION
Capital outlay rollover accounts. Authorize staff to direct rollover funds budgeted in 2024/2025 fiscal year to the 2025/2026 fiscal year.
2025 Test Well Project. (1) Approve final Change Order No. 2 for Gregg Drilling, Inc. in the amount of $97,570.09; and (2) authorize the General Manager to execute the Change Order No. 2.
Bijou 1 waterline replacement project. 1) Approve Change Order No. 3 to Vinciguerra Construction, Inc. in the amount of $173,651; and 2) Authorize the General Manager to execute Change Order No. 3.
2025 asphalt patching and trench paving services contract. 1) Approve Change Order No. 4 in the amount of ($105,441.37) to Alcorn General Engineering and 2) Authorize the General Manager to execute Change Order No. 4.
2026 patch paving service contract. Authorize staff to advertise for construction bids for the 2026 Patch Paving Contract.
SOUTH LAKE TAHOE, Calif. – The Heavenly Ski Patrol Foundation was established a little over 20 years ago as a non-profit organization dedicated to raising funds to support a variety of charitable needs within the community. First established to help an injured ski patroller, the organization has donated nearly $300,000 to worthy organizations and individuals over the history of the Foundation.
Over the years, Bread & Broth has benefitted from the generosity of the Heavenly Ski Patrol Foundation. The Foundation has sponsored 2-3 Monday Meal Adopt A Day of Nourishment dinners since 2014. The Foundation has also supported the organization’s B&B 4 Kids program, which provides nutritious, kid-friendly food weekly to over 290 children aged 18 months to 18 years of age in the community.
Left to Right: Chris Carter, Alora Bergethron, Matt Graber, Lazo G.Provided
On Monday, January 5th, the Monday Meal was hosted by the Heavenly Ski Patrol Foundation and was represented by Ski Patrol members Alora Bergethron, Chris Carter, Lazo G., and Matt Graber. Their enthusiasm and experience in helping others as ski patrollers translated seamlessly to assisting the Bread & Broth volunteers with the meal’s setup, serving the roasted chicken dinner to the dinner guests, and helping with the meal’s cleanup after the dinner event.
Lazo expressed gratitude, stating, “Thank you, Bread & Broth for facilitating such an important service in the South Lake Tahoe community.” He added, “It feels good to have a chance to provide for and meet new people.” The full-course meals provided by Bread & Broth made possible through the funding and support of the evening’s Adopt A Day of Nourishment host have a significant impact in meeting the nutritional needs of the attending dinner guests. For many, it might be the only hot meal they have all week.
As the meal service concluded, Alora Bergethon, who volunteered at previous Heavenly Ski Patrol sponsorship dinners, also shared her thoughts about her volunteer experience. “Thank you, Bread & Broth for another great afternoon of service. We are incredibly grateful for the opportunity to lend a hand within the community.”
Bread & Broth extends sincere thanks to the Heavenly Ski Patrol Foundation for its generosity and ongoing support of the organization and the community. We look forward to the Heavenly Ski Patrol second Adopt A Day of the year on February 29th.
For additional information about making donations or learning more about Bread & Broth, please visit www.breadandbroth.org or follow Bread & Broth on Instagram or Facebook.
SOUTH LAKE TAHOE, Calif. – The Tahoe Area Mountain Biking Association (TAMBA) has announced the result of its 2025 Annual Appeal year-end fundraising campaign. Thanks to the exceptional generosity of the organization’s donors, members, volunteers, and community partners, the campaign, which ran from late September until the end of December 2025, raised nearly $330,000 for Tahoe trails, far surpassing its original $300,000 goal.
TAMBA raised nearly $330,000 for Tahoe trails.Provided / TAMBA
Funds raised will play a vital role in supporting TAMBA’s work to build and maintain sustainable multi-use trails around the Tahoe Basin in 2026 and beyond. This includes advancing construction on new trail projects such as the West Shore’s stunning Meeks Ridge trail and Panorama trail within the Heavenly trails network; completing essential annual maintenance and upgrades on over 100 miles of trail around Lake Tahoe; expanding volunteer specialist skills and Crew Leader training opportunities; and purchasing vital tools and equipment to maximize efficiencies and get more done.
“The commitment our community continues to show to TAMBA and the future of sustainable recreation in the Tahoe Basin is incredible, and I can’t thank our supporters enough for their generosity,” said Drew Bray, TAMBA’s Executive Director. “As a non-profit organization, we’re reliant on the support of donors and volunteers to help drive our mission to improve connectivity, choice, and sustainability on the trails that mean so much to us all. The success of the 2025 Annual Appeal is another example of our community stepping up in an outstanding way to make this a reality, and I’m so excited about everything we’ll be able to achieve this season as a result. Here’s to a transformative year for Tahoe trails!”
TAMBA is committed to building and maintaining multi-use trails in the Lake Tahoe region through volunteerism, stewardship, and a vibrant biking community. Driven by their guiding principles—trust, respect, collaboration, fun, and sustainability—TAMBA advocates to preserve mountain biking access and educate all trail user groups on sustainable use. To learn more about TAMBA, the impact of donated funds on Tahoe trails, and ways to get involved in supporting their work, interested parties are encouraged to visit their website at tamba.org.
STATELINE, Nev. – Mayor Cody Bass appeared in the Tahoe Justice Court again today regarding his arrest and charges of trespassing and harassment in September. However, the presiding judge recused himself from the case.
Judge Mike Johnson was presiding over the court and recused himself from case CR250436. Adam Spicer, who made his first appearance in this case as Bass’s defense, expected that it would be the only relevant point in today’s proceedings.
Spicer requested that Bass’s $1,978 bail was quite high and requested the court if some bail could be given back. The judge decided that it would be an item for the next court date.
Bass was scheduled to appear again in front of a different judge on March 2 at 1:30 p.m.
The Clippers walked into this season knowing the room for error was small. A roster built on experience can look steady on a good night, yet one awkward landing can tilt everything. That feeling hit hard in Boston when Derrick Jones Jr left the floor, and the game suddenly felt heavier. You could feel the air change. The broadcast slowed. Fans did too. The staff had nothing certain to share, and the silence that followed felt longer than it was.
How Supporters Watched Early Reactions Form
Once Jones headed to the locker room, the usual cycle kicked in. Clips of the play hit social feeds, then the slow frames followed, and before long, the talk moved away from just the video. Anyone who watches this team knows the shift that happens. The room tightens a little. The updates fade. People start looking for clues in places that do not rely on sound bites. That often means keeping an eye on the numbers.
The talk jumped around as people tried to make sense of the night. Some kept refreshing the live numbers that move every few minutes. Other supporters turned to a list of top crypto gambling sites because those places react fast during moments like this. Prices there shift quickly and attract a wider mix of eyes than the slower boards in Los Angeles. People turn to those markets when the updates stop. A starter is out, and everyone wants to know how the rest of the basketball world is reacting, even if the clues are small.
The numbers shifted throughout the night. The Finals price sat near +2700 earlier in the week. After the game, it moved toward +3000, then climbed to +3300, and at one point reached +3500. Their Western Conference line stayed close to +2000, although even that looked a little loose as the night went on. None of these changes settles anything. When the numbers spread out, it tells you people are not as confident and are trying to see if this is small trouble or something bigger.
Why Jones Matters To Their Structure
Jones has a role that blends effort, length, and timing. He guards wings with size and helps cover the floor when the Clippers try to force tougher shots. His speed gives the staff options when they want to lift pressure or patch a mistake in a possession. On offense, he fits actions that allow the stars to work in their comfort zones. He cuts into open space when defenders lean toward the main creators, and he finishes plays without slowing the rhythm.
When he is out, the staff has to stretch minutes for players who may not share his mix of height and quick movement. Jones handles the tough wing work, so without him, the strain shifts fast. Older teammates feel it first because extra minutes on long trips accumulate quickly. The staff often turns to smaller groups, and those groups can leave soft spots near the rim that opponents find right away.
The night in Boston showed it clearly. The Clippers fell behind early and spent the game chasing the score. When Jones left, the pressure on the remaining starters grew at once. They were already carrying a lot, and the gap became easy to see.
How Age Shapes The Pressure Around This Moment
The Clippers roll with an older group, and most of their key players have taken plenty of hits over the years. They can still play at a high level, although age brings risk every night. When a starter steps out, the effect spreads fast. The bench has few forwards who can cover the same ground, so the staff has to adjust in the moment and hope nothing else goes wrong.
Supporters know this and have watched each result with a sharp eye. The road trip has tested them, and the slide in results has created new questions about how the group will hold up as the schedule grows heavier. Futures boards now reflect that tension, and people follow those shifts just as closely as they watch the rotation.
What The Next Stretch May Show
The team will wait for clear results on Jones. Supporters will watch how the rotation settles and how the Clippers handle the next run of games. The group can stay steady if they find enough support around their stars. The next few weeks will show whether they can hold their place while Jones recovers or if his absence reveals problems that grow as the season moves along.
STATELINE, Nev. – Superintendent Frankie Alvarado of the Douglas County School District (DCSD) released a statement to the district community that they are no longer considering consolidation of the Lake Tahoe schools.
“We recognize the significance of these schools to the Tahoe community and this decision reflects our commitment to honoring that role,” wrote Alvarado.
He went on to say that the lake schools have already experienced a consolidation with the closure and sale of Kingsbury Middle School. The lake schools also have a shared staffing model, so the consolidation would provide minimal expenditure reductions.
DCSD is also working on an education services agreement with South Lake Tahoe to enroll students in the Fire Science program, which could be put in place by the 2026-2027 school year.
While other revenue opportunities, such as individual tuition agreements for out of state students were discussed, the Nevada Department of Education rejected the district’s request for approval for such an arrangement without an agreement with their resident district.
Superintendent Alvarado will be meeting with the governor’s office to review their financial position and will be providing an update at the regular board of education meeting on January 15.
STATELINE, Nev. – Guests at Heavenly Mountain Resort were rope evacuated from a broken lift on Sunday, Jan. 11, after spending more than an hour on the chair.
At around 1:30 p.m., the Boulder Lift stopped operating. The lift maintenance team responded immediately but was unable to get the lift running again. At 2:50 p.m., the decision was made to have Ski Patrol rope evacuate the guests on the chair.
“Heavenly Ski Patrol evacuated 55 guests, with no reported injuries, and the evacuation was safely completed at approximately 5 p.m.,” said Shaydar Edelmann, VP and GM of Heavenly Mountain Resort, in a statement to the Tribune.
“We apologize to our skiers and riders who were inconvenienced by this event and greatly appreciate the efforts of our team members who safely took care of our guests,” Edelmann continued. “We place the highest value on the safety of our guests and will resolve the issue before re-opening the Boulder Lift to the public.”
Looking for a pup with a quirky personality and a truly big heart?! Look no further, say hello to Pippin, a 3-year-old, happy-go-lucky boy who truly loves people!
What makes Pippin such a quirky boy? Well, one of his most endearing traits is that he LOVES to suckle on his blanky like a pacifier. It’s his comfort item and a sure way to see his softer side shine (it’s also the cutest thing you’ve ever seen!).
Pippin is this week’s Pet of the Week. Provided / HSTT
Pippin is still learning that towels are not meant for tug-of-war (he’s a work in progress!), but he’s eager to please and quick to bounce back when redirected. He can get a little anxious in new environments, yet he does wonderfully with calm energy, gentle handling, and reassurance from his people.
When meeting another dog, Pippin showed his sweet nature, he was curious and friendly, even when the other pup got a bit snippy. He’s food-motivated, good-natured, and full of playful energy that’s just waiting to be guided into positive, fun outlets.
Pippin would thrive with a patient, loving person/family who appreciates his quirks, offers structure, and doesn’t mind sharing a couch with a pup and his beloved blanky. Could that be you? Come visit him today and see if this sweet, handsome boy is your perfect match! If you are interested in learning more about Pippin, please reach out to one of HSTT’s Adoption Specialists at 530-587-5948 or adoptions@hstt.org. He is neutered, fully vaccinated, and microchipped. To view more adoptable pets or to learn more about the Humane Society of Truckee-Tahoe, please visit www.hstt.org.
INCLINE VILLAGE, Nev. — The Rotary Club of Tahoe-Incline, in partnership with the Incline Village Interact Club, made up of local youth leaders, is hosting a community-wide mobility equipment collection to support Crutches 4 Africa, a nonprofit organization that provides life-changing mobility aids to people in underserved nations across Africa.
The program collects gently used mobility equipment and redistributes it to individuals who otherwise would have no access to medical mobility support. These donations help restore independence, dignity, and opportunity while also reducing waste by keeping usable equipment out of local landfills.
The Rotary and Interact Clubs are encouraging residents to clean out garages and storage spaces and donate items such as crutches, elbow crutches, wheelchairs, walkers, rollators, leg braces, prosthetic limbs, aircast walker boots, and ski poles.
All donated items may be dropped off at Tahoe Family Solutions Thrift Shop, located at 797 Southwood Blvd in Incline Village, through March.
“This project reflects the very heart of Rotary,” said Pam Sheldon, President of the Incline Village Rotary Club. “Our community has an incredible opportunity to support our local youth leaders while making a meaningful global impact. Something no longer needed here can completely change someone’s life elsewhere.”
The project highlights Rotary’s commitment to service above self and provides hands-on leadership experience for Interact Club members, reinforcing the importance of compassion, sustainability, and global citizenship.
Community members interested in learning more about how donated equipment is refurbished and distributed can visit crutches4africa.org.
The Incline Village Rotary Club and Interact Club extend their sincere thanks to the community for supporting this effort and helping make a lasting difference.
STATELINE, Nev. – The Tahoe Knight Monsters announced the signing of goaltender Jacob Mucitelli.
Mucitelli joins the Knight Monsters from the Birmingham Bulls of the SPHL, where he posted a 7-5-2 record in 14 starts this season.
Mucitelli split his time in college among three different schools, starting his career at Clarkson University, then transferring to the University of Maine, and concluding his career at Aurora University.
This will be Mucitelli’s second stint in the ECHL this season, as he previously signed as an Emergency Backup Goalie (EBUG) with the Wheeling Nailers.
The Knight Monsters return home on Sunday, January 11, 2026, to take on the Utah Grizzlies at Tahoe Blue Event Center. Puck drop is at 3:00 pm, with pregame coverage on the Knight Monsters broadcast network beginning at 2:50 pm. Ticket packages for the 2025-26 season are now available. For more information, visit www.knightmonstershockey.com
STATELINE, Nev. – The Tahoe Knight Monsters defeated the Utah Grizzlies 3-2 on Sunday to earn themselves a three-game sweep.
In a low-scoring first period, Grizzlies defenseman Noah Ganske found the back of the net to give Utah a 1-0 lead headed into the second period. In the period, Tahoe goaltender Jacob Mucitelli exited the game after the goal was scored, and Jordan Papirny entered in relief.
In the middle frame, Tahoe found its stride offensively. Samuel Mayer extended his league lead in goals amongst defensemen with his ninth to make it 1-1. Later in the period, Captain Luke Adam found the back of the net to give the Knight Monsters a 2-1 lead headed into the third.
In the third and final period, Utah tied the game thanks to a goal by Evan Friesen to level the score at 2. Finally, with just over three minutes left in regulation, Mayer scored again, giving him an even 10 goals on the season, and lifting Tahoe to a 3-2 home win.
After entering in relief, Papirny stopped 25 of 26 Utah shots and earned himself the win, his 10th of the season.
Tahoe hits the road next week as they travel to take on the Wichita Thunder on Friday, January 16. Puck drop is at 5:05 pm PT, with pregame coverage beginning on the Knight Monsters broadcast network at 4:55 pm PT.
The Knight Monsters return home on Wednesday, February 4, 2026, to take on the Utah Grizzlies at Tahoe Blue Event Center. Puck drop is at 7:00 pm, with pregame coverage on the Knight Monsters broadcast network beginning at 6:50 pm. Ticket packages for the 2025-26 season are now available. For more information, visit www.knightmonstershockey.com
LAKE TAHOE, Calif./Nev. – The U.S. Department of Agriculture’s Forest Service issued the final decision for the Basin-Wide Trails Analysis Project. The project will expand e-bike use and trail system access and connectivity on the Lake Tahoe Basin Management Unit.
“This is a highly anticipated project,” said Forest Supervisor Erick Walker. “During the planning process, interested community members submitted feedback that was instrumental in shaping the final decision.”
Planning for this large-scale trail connectivity project included analysis of the current road and trail system map, potential environmental impacts, and needs for e-bike access while ensuring public safety. Project work is expected to start in June 2026. Activities will include:
Constructing new e-bike trails, including a new branch of the Pope-Baldwin Bike Path open to e-bikes, new motorcycle trails, and new non-motorized trails
Designating new routes open to e-bikes and new routes open to motorcycles
Constructing three new trailheads
Developing and upgrading existing trailheads, parking areas, and access points
Providing paved parking and restrooms at Pine Drop, Brockway Summit and Elks Point
Upgrading road and trail crossings for aquatic organism passage
Installing wayfinding and interpretive signs
Currently, e-bike use is permitted on national forest roads and trails designated for motor vehicle use in accordance with the Forest Service’s Travel Management Rule and Motor Vehicle Use Maps. The Motor Vehicle Use Maps will be updated for the e-bike and motorcycle trails included in the decision.
The final Decision Notice and project documents can be found on the project webpage or on Pinyon Public. Questions may be directed to Environmental Coordinator Ashley Sibr at ashley.sibr@usda.gov. For updates on the Lake Tahoe Basin Management Unit, follow on Facebook and X, and visit our website .
Most analysts, including myself, began the year with trepidation. Stocks were pricey, tariffs would rise by a lot, immigration would be halted, and DC would be even more chaotic than normal. Economists were on recession watch. Surely stocks would fall. Wrong!
Despite all that, the economy grew about three percent in 2025 and corporate profits rose 13 percent. Long-term interest rates were little changed but short-term rates fell. Rising profits and falling interest rates explain the strength in stocks. The S&P 500 rose 2.3 percent in the fourth quarter and jumped 16.7 percent on the year. Corporate America successfully handled Obamacare, the move to green energy from the Inflation Reduction Act, and Tariffs.
Much of the economic growth came from consumer spending, mostly from higher-income Americans, and the Artificial Intelligence (AI) boom. Those accounted for 70 percent of GDP. The five largest hyperscalers are spending more than $400 billion in AI capital expenditures. That’s nearly as much as the 2008 bank and auto bailout!
Tech companies including Nvidia, Microsoft, Meta Platforms, and Alphabet drove the S&P 500 higher for most of the year. They are such a large component of the S&P 500 that the index is becoming a reflection of the promises and doubts about AI’s future.
Fortunately, in the fourth quarter there was a rotation to other sectors that were previously ignored. Financials, transportation, health care, and energy became leaders. Tech stocks retreated. Having more stocks participate in advances makes for a healthier stock market.
As always, there are worries. Inflation remains well above the Fed’s 2 percent target. If the Fed cuts rates too much then investors will expect more inflation. Is AI in a bubble that will pop? Will there be another government shutdown? Will tariff inflation arrive in 2026? And the one I’m most concerned about is will bond vigilantes panic over debt and deficits? There are always things to worry about.
That said, I’m more optimistic than a year ago. S&P 500 earnings estimates for 2026 are for 14 percent growth. Add in a Fed that is cutting interest rates into a growing economy and you have a tailwind for higher stock prices. Because of its tech exposure, a solid year might not be reflected in the S&P 500’s 2026 return, but the broadening trade to sectors that aren’t nearly as expensive would be good news for portfolio returns.
David Vomund is an Incline Village-based fee-only money manager. Information is found at www.VomundInvestments.com or by calling 775-832-8555. Clients hold the positions mentioned in this article. Past performance does not guarantee future results. Consult your financial advisor before purchasing any security.
Many families in the United States have experienced the emotional and logistical complexities of caring for an aging parent. More than half of Americans who reach age 65 are projected to require long term services or support at some point before death. However, dietary choices have been shown to reduce risks of dependence.
Diet Quality and the Risk of Dependence
For example, dietary intake influences the development of chronic disease, frailty, cognitive decline, and loss of physical function, all major contributors to dependence. Dietary patterns characterized by limited refined carbohydrates, low saturated fat, adequate fiber, sufficient omega 3 fatty acids, and minimal ultra-processed food intake are consistently linked to better functional outcomes in older adults.
In a large prospective cohort study from France, higher adherence to a Mediterranean style dietary pattern was associated with a substantially lower risk of disability in activities of daily living such as dressing, bathing, and mobility. Women in the highest adherence group experienced roughly a 50 percent lower risk of incident disability compared with those in the lowest group, outcomes that strongly predict the need for full time caregiving.
Healthspan, Not Just Lifespan
Rather than focusing solely on longevity, researchers increasingly emphasize healthspan, the number of years lived without major disease or disability, which closely predicts late life independence.
A large multicohort analysis published in the Journal of the American Medical Association (JAMA) Internal Medicine found that individuals with the healthiest lifestyle profiles, including high diet quality, lived approximately nine to ten additional years free of major chronic diseases compared with those with the least healthy profiles. This equates to more than 3,000 additional days without conditions such as cardiovascular disease, diabetes, cancer, or neurodegenerative disease that commonly lead to dependence.
At the population level, diet is a major driver of disability burden. The Global Burden of Disease study estimated that dietary risks accounted for more than 250 million disability adjusted life years (DALYs) worldwide, a measure of years of healthy life lost, largely through cardiometabolic disease, directly linking diet quality to loss of independence.
The Role of Fiber, Omega 3s, and Food Processing
Several dietary targets appear especially relevant. Adequate fiber intake, commonly benchmarked at 14 grams per 1,000 Calories, is associated with improved metabolic health, reduced cardiovascular risk, and better gut function, supporting physical resilience with aging (Institute of Medicine, 2005). Sufficient omega 3 intake is linked to lower cardiovascular risk and may help preserve muscle and cognitive function.
In contrast, diets high in ultra-processed, highly palatable foods with low nutritional value are associated with poorer aging outcomes. Higher ultra-processed food intake has been linked to lower odds of achieving healthy aging, defined as survival to older age without major disease or disability (Liu, 2023).
Conclusion
Although genetics, environment, access to care, and chance all contribute, and no single diet guarantees independence at the end of life, the evidence strongly supports that sustained high quality nutrition can reduce disability risk, extend healthspan, and lower the likelihood of prolonged dependence.
A registered dietitian who emphasizes realistic, sustainable progress toward evidence based dietary targets can be an indispensable partner in this process without sacrificing the hedonic pleasures real food provides. By translating nutrition science into practical daily habits, dietitians help preserve physical function, cognitive health, and vitality across decades. For families, this may increase the odds of experiencing parents not as patients in need of care, but as healthier, happier people who remain engaged and present throughout the final chapters of life.
About the Author
Patrick Traynor, PhD, MPH, RD, CSOWM, CPT, is a registered dietitian and founder of MNT Scientific, LLC (MNTScientific.com), an insurance-based nutrition practice serving South Lake Tahoe, CA; Minden, NV; and Ashland, OR. He holds the Interdisciplinary Specialist Certification in Obesity and Weight Management (CSOWM) from the Commission on Dietetic Registration. Virtual appointments are available via telehealth. For inquiries or appointments, visit MNTScientific.com, dial (530)429-7363, or email info@mntscientific.com
Sports injuries don’t just impact your body, they affect your mind, too. When injury sidelines an athlete, losing the ability to train or compete can feel like losing a piece of yourself. Many experience depression, anxiety, fear of re-injury, trouble sleeping, and loss of motivation during recovery.
That’s why mental recovery is just as important as physical rehab. Athletes can lean on The Three M’s of Mental Performance: Mastery, Mood, and Mentors, to stay mentally strong while healing.
Mastery: Learning from Experience
Reflecting on past challenges — like tough seasons, comeback moments, or personal milestones — can remind athletes of their resilience and ability to persevere. Setbacks offer a rare opportunity to slow down, evaluate habits, and build new routines that strengthen both body and mind. Injuries may also push athletes to develop new areas of their game — like improving mental focus, nutrition, or flexibility — that benefit them in the long run.
Mood: Positive Self-Talk and Visualization
Mental rehab tools like deep breathing, positive self-talk, and visualization ease anxiety and boost recovery. Breathing exercises calm the nervous system, while visualization helps athletes imagine their bodies healing and successfully returning to play. Journaling daily wins or moments of gratitude can also reframe negative thoughts and foster emotional resilience. Building a simple mindfulness routine — even five minutes a day — can have lasting benefits for mental clarity and stress reduction.
Mentors: Strength in Community
Staying connected with coaches, teammates, athletic trainers, and mental health professionals provides both encouragement and accountability. Trusted mentors can help injured athletes set realistic goals, track progress, and stay focused on what they can do rather than what they can’t do. Hearing from others who have faced and overcome similar obstacles also reminds athletes that they’re not alone in their journey.
The Upside of Setbacks
Caring for both mind and body helps athletes recover faster and return stronger. The same mental skills that promote healing can enhance performance long after recovery. With the right mindset, injury becomes an opportunity to grow, learn, and come back better than before. Resilience built during tough times often becomes the foundation for long-term athletic and personal success.
Ryan Carr, EdD, CMPC, helps athletes train their minds to overcome challenges, build confidence, and enhance performance throughout recovery and to reduce the likelihood of injury. Learn more about Barton Performance by visiting BartonHealth.org or emailing Performance@BartonHealth.org.
South Lake Tahoe is a winter paradise offering a wide array of activities to complement its world-famous skiing and snowboarding. Whether you’re looking for high-thrill adventures or serene moments by a crackling fire, this guide covers the must-try experiences to make your winter visit truly unforgettable.
If you’re seeking an active way to take in Tahoe’s serene beauty, cross-country skiing and snowshoeing are perfect options. Hope Valley Outdoors, just south of town, features over 60 miles of trails winding through meadows, valleys, and mountain paths. These tree-lined routes offer sweeping views and a chance to connect with the snowy landscape. Explore gear rental shops here.
Snowmobiling with Zephyr Cove Snowmobile Center Lake Tahoe
Feel the rush of winter with a snowmobile tour through the snow-blanketed forests of South Lake Tahoe. Zephyr Cove Snowmobile Center provides access to breathtaking panoramic views at elevations nearing 9,000 feet. For family-friendly options, Tahoe Snowmobiles and Lake Tahoe Adventures offer tours suitable for all ages.
Sometimes, the simplest joys are the most memorable. Sledding and tubing are perfect for families and thrill-seekers alike. Adventure Mountain Lake Tahoe offers machine-groomed sledding and tubing hills for all ages. Other great spots include Hansen’s Resort on Ski Run Blvd and Tube Tahoe at Tahoe Paradise Golf Course in Meyers.
Complete your winter wonderland experience with an old-fashioned sleigh ride. Pulled by majestic draft horses, these decorated sleighs glide through snowy fields and pine forests, creating magical memories against Tahoe’s stunning backdrop.
After a day of adventure, there’s nothing like soaking in natural hot springs. South Shore also has one of America’s only Japanese-style cedar bathhouses – learn more about this unique and nourishing experience here. There are a few different options, but for those seeking a little luxury, we recommend the trek to David Walley’s Hot Springs, a soothing retreat where you can relax in healing waters surrounded by the Sierra Nevada’s breathtaking scenery. Consider making a stop at Nevada’s oldest thirst parlor, the Genoa Bar & Saloon. Learn more about all of our spa options here.
6. Fireside Cozy Time
South Lake Tahoe knows how to do après-ski right. Gather around a fire pit with family and friends to toast marshmallows, sip hot cocoa, and share stories of the day’s adventures. From boutique coffee shops to cozy mountain lodges, you’ll find plenty of spots to warm up and create lasting memories.
Even when it’s snowing outside, you can climb to new heights indoors. Blue Granite Climbing Gym offers year-round climbing opportunities, from beginner-friendly walls to advanced challenges. Classes, clinics, and youth programs make this a must-visit spot for climbers of all skill levels.
Channel your inner Olympian with a curling session at the Lake Tahoe Ice Arena. Lake Tahoe Epic Curling offers Sunday evening “Learn to Curl” classes, as well as private group events. It’s a unique way to bond with family or friends while trying something new on the ice.
Looking for something a little different? Head to Yosemite Axe Throwing for a fun and exciting indoor activity. Perfect for groups or solo adventurers, this thrilling pastime lets you channel your inner lumberjack while staying warm and dry.
Tipsy Putt combines mini-golf fun with a laid-back vibe and a fantastic drink menu. It’s a great indoor option for families during the day or for adults looking to unwind in the evening. Enjoy some lighthearted competition while escaping the winter chill.
Bonus: See Lake Tahoe From The Sky
Image appears courtesy: Tahoe Helicopters
There are so many ways to see the richness of Lake Tahoe, but what about from the sky? The expert pilots from Tahoe Helicopters offer you the opportunity to see iconic sights. Imagine the beauty of Emerald Bay, Fallen Leaf Lake, Desolation Wilderness, Crystal Bay or Sand Harbor from thousands of feet above. They offer all kinds of flights, including an hour-long sunset tour. Be sure to bring your camera and be the envy of all your friends.
South Lake Tahoe has something for everyone during the winter season. From adrenaline-pumping snowmobile tours to serene hot springs, your days here can be as action-packed or laid-back as you choose. So, pack your snow gear, plan your perfect winter getaway, and experience the magic of Tahoe like never before.
Lake Tahoe’s Heavenly Mountain Resort is BIG! In fact, with a vertical of over 3,500 feet spanning 4,800+ acres, it’s not surprising that it’s one of the top 10 largest resorts in North America. With so much acreage, Heavenly has something for everyone. From well-spaced trees, a multitude of easy-going cut ski runs, two canyon areas with challenging chutes (Mott and Killebrew), and one true alpine bowl (Milky Way), you’ll never say that Heavenly is a boring place. For first timers though, visiting this hulking brute of a resort can be downright frustrating. Don’t worry, we’re to help! With a little bit of planning and guidance, you’ll be able to traverse this mountain like a pro, reducing the stress and increasing the fun.
So, you’ve skied all the terrain around Sky & Canyon Express lifts and want to check out the Nevada side of the mountain. To do this, you’ll need to take the Skyline trail from the summit of the Sky chairlift. Be forewarned… keep your velocity and don’t get distracted by the lake views to your left. At over a mile in length, you need to pass the entrance to the Pinnacles and still keep going forward. You know you’ve made it once you see the Dipper chairlift, otherwise, keep that acceleration up.
Comet/Crossover (Comet Express to Stagecoach)
Heavenly Mountain Resort Lake Tahoe Dipper Comet. Photo LocalFreshies.com
Comet & Dipper offer skiers and snowboarders fantastic views of the Carson Valley below and great groomers to lay out some turns. If you make it to this side, don’t miss the Olympic Downhill trail. Stretching over 5.5 miles and covering nearly 2,000 vertical feet, it’s the perfect option for those who want to carve to their heart’s content. To get to it, you’ll need to take the Comet trail (off of the aptly named chairlift) and blast your way onto Cross-over. DO NOT slow down, otherwise, you’ll be walking or skating the entire length until you get to the top of $100 saddle. From here, you’ll schuss your way to the bottom of Olympic.
Pepi’s (Top of Stagecoach To Dipper)
From the top of the Olympic Express, take a right and proceed onto the Olympic Downhill trail. This run will get your legs burning as you wind your way all the way down to the base of Stagecoach Express. For those that want to get back to another part of the mountain, the traverse from the top of Stagecoach via Pepi’s is a challenging one. The easiest of the two options is to ski to Upper North Bowl and take Olympic Express up. From there, make a left onto Von Schmidt’s, which will let you drop back into the Dipper/Comet base area easily. The second and more direct route would be to take Pepi’s from the top of Stagecoach. This is another flat route, meaning you need to keep your speed up, or you might end up walking again.
California Trail (Top of Dipper To Sky)
Family Skiing Heavenly Mountain Resort Lake Tahoe
After so much skiing and snowboarding, your legs are done for the day. The problem is you’re still in the Nevada area. From the top of Dipper, you’ll want to head skier’s left onto the California trail. Keep up your speed until you pass the Tamarack chairlift overhead. From there, you can let yourself relax and link some turns. Take a tight left turn as you ski past the Tamarack/Gondola area. You’ll need to make sure you keep the momentum going. This long traverse can be deceptive, leading to you not reaching the bottom of Sky.
Being the largest and highest ski area in Lake Tahoe, Heavenly Mountain can be challenging to navigate. Instead of getting frustrated, be sure that you have a plan. If you do, you’ll make your time on the mountain “Heavenly.”
Whether you’re team-building over craft brews or savoring dungeness crab cakes lakeside, you can experience the true mountain hospitality only found in South Lake Tahoe. Nestled amid the continent’s largest alpine lake and the snowy peaks of the Sierra Nevadas, there’s a reason why the South Shore is a highly sought-after destination for events of all kinds.
You can book space at flexible indoor and outdoor venues, fully convertible sports arenas, and advanced facilities. From the Tahoe Blue Event Center, our state-of-the-art sports complex, to ample meeting rooms at mountain resorts, cozy lodges, and boutique hotels, we have a venue for what you need. Choose from 143,000 sq. ft. of event space options, 10,000+ hotel suites, 365 days of outdoor activities, and a 24-hour entertainment scene all in one place. Plus, you’ll be within walking distance of thrilling nightclubs, scenic views, and diverse restaurants.
Speaking of diverse restaurants, the following dining establishments and catering services are designed for groups in town to take care of business or take home a championship.
Private Rooms
With these standalone spaces, you can move about freely and enjoy the team-building experiences that arise from sharing meals with one another.
Perched atop a hill overlooking Lake Tahoe, Chart House is a legendary seafood restaurant boasting a private banquet room. With lunch, dinner, and buffet packages, your guests can soak in the views while enjoying the freshest of dishes and the friendliest of service.
Who doesn’t like pizza? Every pie at Base Camp Pizza Co. is crafted with locally sourced ingredients. They also offer “that unmistakable Tahoe vibe” and dedicated space for up to 60 people. And sure, Karen can get a salad here too.
Tucked away inside The Lodge at Edgewood Tahoe Resort, you’ll find a 442-sq. ft. private dining with a patio for up to 30 guests and an exclusive 418- sq. ft. board room space complete with fireplace, private bathroom, and patio for up to 12 guests. Relish gourmet dining, unwind at the spa, play a round of golf, hit the slopes, or stay the night at this all-in-one luxury resort property.
Whole-Restaurant Takeovers
Let’s just say you have a party-of-five and then some. Below are a few establishments that can handle your wild bunch, no matter how large (and in-charge).
Try California-style Mexican, a lighter take on Mexican and South and Central American cuisine, made with primarily organic and sustainable ingredients, as well as craft cocktails made with fresh-squeezed juices. Azul Latin Kitchen can accommodate parties of 20-50 or a full buyout for up to 120 guests. Its sister restaurant, California Burger Co., has the same accommodations with a menu of local ingredients, a curated selection of rotating drafts, and buns baked daily.
Taste one of the best wurst restaurants in the state. Himmel Haus is a German eatery and bierhaus featuring a wide variety of drinks and a simple menu of Bavarian-inspired food. Your party of 30 or whole-restaurant buyout of 80 will fit in just fine—with or without the lederhosen.
You and up to 400 of your closest attendees can overtake the entire Lake Tahoe AleWorX, an award-winning establishment serving wood-fired pizza, craft beer, cocktails, salads, and classic pub food. Trust us, you’ll savor the scenery just as much as what’s on your plate.
Catering Constants
Let our local gems cater to you on every level. Find meals that are built for fueling corporate retreats and teams hungry for victory.
Lake Tahoe’s only Scottish Pub, MacDuff’s Public House, serves from-scratch, locally sourced Scottish favorites and handcrafted cocktails. Their catering services are available onsite, offsite, and at their private venue called The Barrel Room.
Bella Tahoe is an award-winning and critically-acclaimed catering company with everything from specialized brunches cooked on-demand to five-course buffets and takeaway boxed meals to full-service catering options that are all customized to your event’s specifications.
Indulge in the rich flavors of Tahoe’s newest dining experience. Featuring large-party catering and private dining options, the menu at Primo’s Italian Bistro showcases a modern, innovative approach to Italian cuisine. Sip on Italian varietals alongside distinguished California wines, signature cocktails, inventive mocktails, and craft beers. Bonus points for checking out their late-night menu.
Diverse Diets
Whether it’s gluten-free, dairy-free, vegan, or vegetarian, we don’t think of them as restrictions so much as opportunities for true innovation. Here are some South Shore favorites offering allergen-friendly selections and adapted menus based on dietary preferences.
Sprouts Natural Food Café prepares healthy, organic, gourmet meals with vegan, vegetarian, and gluten-free options that are clearly labeled. Add some color to your plate and feel good about what you’re eating even while you’re away from home.
My Thai serves up mouth-watering, authentic Thai cuisine that allows you to choose your preferred protein and provides a specialty veggie menu. You can also choose your own adventure with each dish’s spice level.
Consistently voted Best Coffee in South Lake Tahoe, Cuppa Tahoe is a coffee shop, bookstore, and private co-working space ideal for executive breakouts and boutique meetings. Their seasonally rotating menu includes several mouthwatering, plant-based items. We recommend the Vegan Hot Mess.
Let’s Meet (& Eat)
One thing’s for sure: you should save room for excellence. Transcend your agenda and satisfy your cravings at the same time in South Lake Tahoe. Browse South Shore venues designed for games, meetings, and conventions of all sizes. You can also scroll through this handy group pamphlet for more reasons to fall in love with the lake.
At 6,224 ft. above sea level, everything is elevated here—including your next event. Attendees will leave feeling so invigorated and satiated, the only problem you’ll have will be convincing them to board their returning flights (which is a great time to mention that we’re just a short drive away from Reno-Tahoe International Airport).
Already like what you see? Send us your RFP. (We promise not to rhyme anymore than that.) Let’s set the table for your success.
From the NHL Outdoors to the Grand Slam of Curling, South Lake Tahoe is no stranger to the world stage, especially when it comes to winter sports. Thanks to a diverse array of indoor and outdoor venues, fully convertible sports arenas, and advanced facilities, you can host any type of competition throughout the year. Nothing compares to the South Shore; find out exactly why below—and start practicing your victory lap.
All-Star Facilities
When it comes to venues, the Tahoe Blue Event Center is your MVP. This state-of-the-art sports complex features an NHL-regulation-sized ice rink, NBA regulation-sized basketball court (that can be converted into a volleyball court), and a multi-purpose arena designed for wrestling, gymnastics, and cheerleading. Basically, if the sport exists, you can probably play it here. The ~27,000 square feet of arena floor space can be configured to accommodate curling, hockey, and figure skating, to name a few. Browse additional specs and capabilities with this handy Tahoe Blue Event Center chart.
Home to an ECHL ice hockey team known as the Knight Monsters, Tahoe Blue Event Center has hosted professional games, concerts, trade shows, conferences, banquets, comedy acts, and various live performances—all with streamlined logistics and top-notch amenities included.
Speaking of logistics, talk about a smooth operator: the center’s multiple locker rooms, exclusive suites, club seats, and spacious back-of-house designated areas are ready for whatever your playbook holds. With seating for around 4,000 fans, modern sightlines, and multiple concourse spaces intended for vendor booths, concessions, and merchandise shops, at least your choice in venues will be a guaranteed win.
Post-Game Experiences
When you’re in South Lake Tahoe, the adrenaline rush continues long after the buzzer sounds. For starters, enjoy the country’s highest concentration of ski resorts within a 100-mile radius. Or come back for another season to take a hike alongside hidden waterfalls, stunning peaks, and lush meadows. You can also roll through our mountain bike trails, with family-friendly paths for starter cyclists to technical climbs for advanced riders. Of course, there are plenty of courses: golf in view of the Sierra Nevada’s granite peaks or along the lake’s shore. South Lake Tahoe’s 300 days of sunshine per year and fresh alpine air will invigorate your athletes’ bodies and minds.
Oh, so you like the nightlife? You like to boogie? We knew you had great taste. Good thing you have full access to 24/7 entertainment. The South Shore holds a trove of craft breweries, lakefront restaurants, casinos, savory steakhouses, vibrant nightclubs, serene beaches, and eclectic shops, all within walking distance of your venue or hotel. How convenient. And while we always keep the South Shore updated, we also contain rich history. Walk in the footsteps of Mark Twain, visit a castle, or dive into our underwater state park to scope out a shipwreck.
South Lake Tahoe has also covered your bases when it comes to top-rated, family-friendly activities. Have your kiddos done enough outdoor adventuring for the day? We get it. The Puzzle Room Tahoe, magic shows at The Loft, all-ages games at multiple arcades, and indoor-mini golf are sure to keep them occupied (and wear them out before bedtime).
You Call the Transportation Shots
This isn’t your average sporting event destination, so we don’t have your average transportation. Lake Link, a free microtransit shuttle system, provides on-demand rides 365 days per year, from 7 a.m. to 9 p.m. (and until 10 p.m. on Fridays and Saturdays). Equipped with bike and ski racks, the shuttles include wheelchair accessibility and supplemental services.
We’re also only a short drive away from Reno-Tahoe International Airport, with a direct airport shuttle, the South Tahoe Airporter, at hand when you need it most. And the Tahoe Transportation District (TTD) recently expanded its Route 50 Express Service to offer rides for select Tahoe Blue Event Center events as well as late-night rides on the weekends. This extended service provides convenient, reliable, and free transportation, supporting a variety of events for both locals and visitors alike. Make the most of your time here with scenic tours and bus rentals. The fleet consists of three luxurious, 28-passenger mini-coaches for local, regional, and statewide destinations. Plus, our company is the only one to ever offer tours from Lake Tahoe to San Francisco and Yosemite National Park. You can book bus charters and rentals for all occasions, such as weddings, corporate events, airport transfers, and private tours.
Where Sports are Always in Season
At 6,224 ft. above sea level, everything is elevated in South Lake Tahoe. We keep you at the top of your game 365 days a year, 24 hours a day. Nestled amid the continent’s largest alpine lake and the snowy peaks of the Sierra Nevadas, it’s easy to see why the South Shore is a highly sought-after event destination. Browse our starting lineup of sports venues and see for yourself.
We all know Lake Tahoe is famous for its skiing and snowboarding scene. But what if you want to take a break from that and do something else. Or maybe the snow hasn’t come yet? Well, of course, you can still ski on man-made snow and the experience is great. However, there are a ton of things to do in Tahoe during the winter months that don’t need getting on a chairlift.
1. Lake Tahoe Cruise
Tahoe’s blue is best experienced from a boat. Book one of the Tahoe cruises and immerse yourself in the crisp mountain air and the blue water. Seeing the shores from a boat gives you a completely different experience. Your experience will be unique, whether you decide to do a morning cruise or a sunset cruise.
Sightseeing Cruise on Lake Tahoe aboard the M.S. Dixie II.
Some of the most memorable (or maybe not-so-easy-to-remember but definitely fun!) times are had on board a Lake Tahoe boat tour. Check out the M.S. Dixie II, the Tahoe Bleu Wave or the Spirit of Tahoe. Enjoy great food, great drinks and even better people aboard one of these South Lake Tahoe boat tours.
2. Hit the Spa
Pampering the body as well as the soul is almost a rule when it comes to visiting Lake Tahoe. Pick one of the many spa options Lake Tahoe offers and indulge yourself. Besides getting a massage or a facial, pick some goodies from the spa for yourself or for gifts for your loved ones for the holidays.
The Spa at the Landing Tahoe
3. Night Out
When you feel like you need some more action in your life, plan on an evening out. In December, the Heavenly Village is having full three weeks events culminating with a New Year’s concert. So, pack something warm in your bag and head out for a fun evening.
If you missed the party at the Heavenly Village, don’t worry. There’s always something to do in Lake Tahoe in the evening. Check out the casinos if you are into gambling, or go see music. Comedians, musicians, and excitement await you.
Peek Nightclub – Harrahs Lake Tahoe
5. Ice Skating or Sledding
So what if the snow isn’t perfect right now? The entire family can have a blast ice skating or sledding in Lake Tahoe.
Ice skating in the Heavenly Village | Photo by Jamie Kingham
6. Hiking
Tahoe is always a great place to go hiking or snowshoeing. A few popular hikes are in Lake Tahoe that allow for amazing photography. Whether your spirit animal is more Instagram influencer than John Muir, you’ll find your favorite Lake Tahoe hiking trails on the south shore.
Sunrise from Emerald Bay
7. Take the dog to the beach
South Lake Tahoe is a dog-friendly heaven. Why not bring the pooch with you to experience the lake. From gourmet pet stores to dog-friendly hikes and beaches, there’s plenty to explore. Check out this blog post for more details.
8. Just enjoy the Lake
Sit on the beach or at a lakefront restaurant and take it all in. Whether you are into meditation or not, the lake will calm your senses and relieve the stress. Then, you can go home refreshed and ready to enjoy the holidays.
Fire pit at Jimmy’s Restaurant at the Landing Resort Lake Tahoe
Instead of jumping ahead to all things 2026, we at Moonshine Ink decided to revisit some of 2025’s most top-of-mind stories for our region and see what has (or hasn’t) changed.
Below, you’ll read about the latest regarding Tahoe lead cables, North Lake Tahoe incorporation, fire insurance, and the Town of Truckee’s self-reflection.
Almost five years since a lawsuit was first filed to remove two lead-leaking telecommunications cables from Lake Tahoe, the cables are fully and completely gone.
This one deserves some historical context:
Back in November 2020, Moonshine Ink broke the news that two four-inch-thick telecommunications cables existed beneath Lake Tahoe’s surface, actively leaking lead into the water — and that legal action was being taken to do something about it.
CABLE BE GONE: A crew removes the final length of a telecommunications cable buried below the sand and high-water mark at Baldwin Beach in September 2025. Photo by Jesse Patterson/Keep Tahoe Blue
The intervening years have been somewhat of a rollercoaster. The lawsuit, filed in January 2021 by California Sportfishing Protection Alliance, initially resulted in a settlement by cable owner AT&T that fall. The company agreed to remove the cables, though denied they generated pollution.
Obtaining permits lengthened the removal process. Finally, AT&T planned for fall 2023. But a July 2023 Wall Street Journal investigation found the publicly traded corporation had a legacy of lead-clad infrastructure across bodies of water in the U.S., resulting in a freefall of AT&T stock and the company backtracking on removing the Tahoe cables until more lead testing could be done. (We reported on this, too.)
In September 2024, AT&T settled. By the end of that November, 8 miles of cables were pulled out of Lake Tahoe, though a segment remained due to its proximity to a sensitive habitat to the Tahoe yellow cress.
A year after that removal, on Sept. 18, 2025, the final phase was completed. AT&T worked in coordination with the USDA Forest Service Lake Tahoe Basin Management Unit to pull out the obsolete cable from Rubicon Bay to Baldwin Beach.
“Good weather and calm lake conditions allowed AT&T’s contractor to pull the remaining 100-foot section of cable with minimal impact to Baldwin Beach and Lake Tahoe,” shared USFS Public Affairs Specialist Lisa Herron in a statement. “Forest Service staff were on site throughout the operation, monitoring work to protect habitat for Tahoe yellow cress, a plant found only on Lake Tahoe’s shoreline.”
The League to Save Lake Tahoe (Keep Tahoe Blue) was also involved with the lead-cable removal.
“Taking out these decades-old, unused cables has been a top priority for Keep Tahoe Blue and the community as a whole. We’re proud to have helped make it happen and grateful to everyone who contributed,” said Laura Patten, natural resource director at Keep Tahoe Blue. “Good things happen in Tahoe when unlikely partners come together for a shared purpose.”
It took a little over two months for a grassroots organization called Eastern Placer Future to collect what should end up being enough signatures to advance the idea of a Town of North Lake Tahoe closer to the incorporation finish line.
To commence an official exploration of becoming a new town by Placer County’s Local Agency Formation Commission (LAFCO), Eastern Placer Future needed to collect 2,188 signatures (or 25%) from certified voters within the proposed town boundary. During the last week of November, a third-party consultant verified the group collected 2,387 between September and mid-November.
This is the first time such an effort has progressed so far, despite multiple efforts dating as far back as 1966.
Steve Teshara, one of the Eastern Placer Future committee members, contributes the current success to waning influence of the Lake Tahoe portion in Placer County. District 5, which includes Tahoe’s North and West shores, is 77% of the county’s land area, but its population is not rising. Western Placer’s is.
PETITION POWER: The grassroots Eastern Placer Future reached its most significant milestone to date after enough signatures were collected to move the possibility of a Town of North Lake Tahoe closer to reality. Pictured here: Joy Doyle, Katie Biggers, Sarah Coolidge, and Kerry Andras. Courtesy photo
“[District 5 Sup.] Cindy [Gustafson]’s probably the last supervisor that will be a resident of this area,” Teshara said. “That’s a central concern that we’re expressing to people, and people are resonating with that … People want to see where does our money really go, what do we get back, and are there some services that we could do better because they would be all coordinated locally? We’ll still have services provided by the county … like health and human service and a court system and things like that. And we may do some work and contracting with the county to start with, but people are really getting the sense that this is an opportunity to put in place local decision-making.”
But there’s a long way to go before anything becomes official.
During the first week of December, an Eastern Placer Future representative delivered the petitions to the LAFCO office in Auburn and then accompanied LAFCO staff to take the petitions to the Placer County elections office, which has 30 days to review.
“[The elections office is] the final arbiter of whether we’ve got the requisite number of signatures … We do expect to qualify for the petition being certified as valid,” Teshara said.
Assuming all systems are go, LAFCO will review an official Eastern Placer Future application (the group is currently raising $25,000 for a downpayment connected to this) and then put out a request for proposal for a comprehensive fiscal analysis. An environmental analysis will be considered separately.
“And then LAFCO looks at all the pieces, and they make a determination based on do they think that the town would be financially sustainable over a period of time, not just for a couple of years,” Teshara said. “They have to make sure that it’s an efficient way to provide government services in our area.
“Once they go through all that, then ultimately it has to go to the county for discussions, and finally some sort of county vote on the revenue neutrality negotiations.”
Eastern Placer Future funded an initial feasibility study for incorporation back in 2023. Based on Placer County costs and revenues for fiscal year 2021/22, Eastern Placer annually generated about $16.4 million in property tax; about $3.2 million in sales tax; $22.7 million in Transient Occupancy Tax; $2.1 million in property sales; and $862,000 from utility and service providers. The comprehensive fiscal analysis through LAFCO will create more accurate numbers based on recent costs and revenues, though Teshara said Eastern Placer Future anticipates there being enough funding to operate the town.
“A main way that LAFCO judges viability is it determines what your general fund revenues are,” he said. “If you have a general fund surplus of a certain percentage, that is a very helpful sign and metric. We anticipate that being the case.”
Should the Town of North Lake Tahoe (or whatever its official name might end up being) incorporate, it must do so without any harm to the county. Also part of the LAFCO process are revenue neutrality negotiations. “The county will pass through to the town the property tax, the sales tax, the other things that would be legally accruable to the town, but the county can’t lose a bunch of money based on this,” Teshara explained.
Assuming LAFCO approval, then board of supervisors’ approval, voters will step in to decide. To pass, it will take a 50%-plus-one ballot vote of registered voters within the proposed boundary. Regarding whether such a vote could happen as soon as November 2026, Teshara said, “All I can say is that we’re pushing as hard as we can to get through the process. Does the process take time? Are timelines stipulated under state law that LAFCO has to abide by? Yes.”
As the target is a moving one, Teshara said the best place for the latest updates is easternplacerfuture.org, which will have information about upcoming meetings, donation needs and milestones, and progress points.
When Moonshine dove deep into fire insurance in September 2023, the mood — and situation — was dire. That year, most insurance giants (Farmers Insurance, State Farm, Allstate, Liberty Mutual) began limiting coverage in California in reaction to increasing wildfire concerns. As options shrank for homeowners and commercial tenants, many Californians began turning to the FAIR (Fair Access to Insurance Requirements) Plan, the state’s insurer of last resort at higher costs. One Truckee resident told the Ink at the time that her premium through the FAIR Plan shot her monthly payment up by 272%, from $1,800 to $6,700.
Looking back at that time from the end of 2025 reveals that such increases were only just beginning. From October 2024 to September 2025, the FAIR Plan acquired 268,379 new dwelling and commercial policyholders. That’s a nearly 200% increase from the October 2022 to September 2023 timeframe.
The FAIR Plan was enacted in the late 1960s to offer insurance to those unable to find coverage through traditional routes. As of September this year, the plan’s total policies in force (or the number of active policies) is 645,987 — a 96% increase since September 2023.
Further, the FAIR Plan’s total exposure following the same timeframes is $696.1 billion (a 52% increase since last September, and 145% increase since 2023). Back in March 2024, FAIR Plan president Victoria Roach said to a state legislative committee, “We are one event away from a large assessment. There’s no other way to say it, because we don’t have the money on hand [to pay every claim] and we have a lot of exposure.” That event, as it turned out, seemed to be the January 2025 Los Angeles fires, which resulted in an estimated $4 billion loss for the FAIR plan. In February, plan policyholders were assessed $1 billion to recoup losses — the first member assessment in 30 years.
On the Nevada side, the 2025 Insurance Market Report put out by the Nevada Division of Insurance noted that “insurers reported that wildfire risk had a direct impact on policy availability in 2023 … This trend has continued into 2024, where certain areas, such as Incline Village and Stateline, have seen wildfire-related policy non-renewals rise significantly.”
BULKING UP: California’s state fire insurance option, known as the FAIR Plan, has seen its policy count skyrocket (by nearly 100% from September 2023 to September 2025). In Nevada, there’s no statewide option, though the legislature recently passed policy to keep insurers from jumping ship like they did in California in 2023. Pictured here, the 2021 Caldor Fire creeps up on a residence. Photo courtesy Cal Fire
There’s no insurer of last resort in the Silver State, but that seems to be the preference. In June 2024, then-Nevada Insurance Commissioner Scott Kipper held a town hall in Incline Village to discuss fire insurance for residential and commercial owners/tenants. Kipper said then that he didn’t consider the FAIR Plan a good policy.
“I believe [a FAIR Plan is] great for consumers having access; terrific,” he said. “But these plans generally provide lesser levels of coverage at a more expensive price. So, there’s a tradeoff that we need to ensure we work toward.”
Mike Peyton, a Farmers Insurance agent based in Incline Village who handles insurance in both California and Nevada, added the insurer perspective. “[The FAIR Plan is] a double-sided sword,” he said. “As soon as carriers know there’s a FAIR plan, there’s a larger propensity to pull out. That’s what happened in California; all the carriers said, ‘Welp, they have a FAIR plan so at least the consumer has somewhere to go.’ It kind of backfired.”
In June of this year, the Nevada Legislature passed A.B. 376, which allows insurers, beginning Jan. 1, 2026, to exclude wildfire coverage from homeowners’ policies and offer it either as a standalone product or eliminate it altogether.
On a positive note, this move could dissuade insurers from leaving the state like they have in California. So says Nevada policy analyst Anahit Baghshetsyan, who spoke with KUNR in October about the bill and said, “One policy you could think about would be debundling the home insurance, offering only wildfire insurance, mitigate the costs through that, or limited-time insurance, so maybe people would just seek wildfire insurance only in the summer months.”
Peyton, meanwhile, noted that despite the unambiguous state of fire insurance out West: “I think we’re on the upswing.”
The reasoning behind his optimism, he explained, is that people are better educated about wildfire realities and the sticker shock of rising prices has subsided. “Carriers are raising rates again but you’re not seeing double,” he added. “Now it’s the standard 3% to 7% [increase].”
Dillon Sheedy, assistant wildfire prevention manager and forester with the Truckee Fire Protection District, pointed to an encouraging trend from a fire service perspective: “More homeowners are taking proactive steps to create defensible space and meet the standards insurers now look for,” he wrote in an email. “These practices are achievable for most properties in our area, they make a real difference in wildfire risk, and we are seeing insurers remain willing to cover homes that demonstrate strong, well-documented wildfire mitigation actions that follow these guidelines and regulations.”
Sheedy noted that thanks to Measure T, passed by Truckee voters in 2021 to create a dedicated source of local funding for wildfire prevention, the district has expanded its defensible space and home-hardening inspections and increased fuels reduction and green-waste programs, among other increased home survivability efforts.
He added, “We can’t speak on behalf of insurers, but we do believe that communities demonstrating strong, consistent wildfire mitigation work are the ones best positioned over time … As the statewide insurance landscape continues to evolve, our goal is to ensure that the Truckee area is a model of what a well-prepared and wildfire-resilient mountain community looks like.”
The Town of Truckee’s Transparency? So Far, Improving
It’s been a year of considerable self-reflection for the Town of Truckee. After growing outcry over the town’s land development processes and skepticism around an organizational assessment of the town grew to a boiling point in early 2025, a giant reset button was hit in mid-May.
The hope: That three reports meant to analyze the young town’s function internally and externally could provide common ground for groups at odds to move forward in a more unified fashion.
More than 110 recommendations were shared at a May 13 council meeting for the town to address residents’ desire to preserve Truckee’s natural beauty, staffing burnout, processual issues, and more.
Six months later, the rubber has not only hit the road, it’s put mileage on the odometer.
“There’s 15 or 20 [recommendations] that are done,” said Town Manager Jen Callaway, “and we’ve got a ton that are in process that we’re working on — almost 50 of those. We’re making great strides. I think the most probably notable and exciting [one] from a community’s perspective and the staff’s perspective is we just got authorization to execute a [three-year] contract with Cloudpermit [for no more than $182,246]. That’s the permitting software, and we are on target to be live with that in May [2026] at the start of the building season. Pretty rapid progress on that.”
Other notable recommendations that have seen progress the last quarter of 2025:
• Hiring: Council approved 10 of the assessment’s recommended 20 new full-time positions — six of which were for the Truckee Police Department. Staff is 90% through the recruitment process. A new tracking process, NEOGOV, is being used to streamline the ability to collect applications and advance promising individuals.
“What we approved and recommended with this first budget was reclassification of the lieutenants to the captain,” Callaway said specifically of the PD positions. “That required a classification study. We’ve done that; they’ve been reclassified and hired an administrative sergeant … And then an emergency services coordinator, so a second position in emergency services. That recruitment is underway now.”
Administrative Services Department survey: complete
Town fiscal policy updates: 75% complete. Staff intends to bring draft policies to town council for final approval during December.
Enhance town’s credit card procession and payment capabilities: 50% complete
Specific to the town’s planning division, which was recognized as “the biggest organizational/operational challenge facing the town” by the Baker Tilly organizational analysis, staff has incorporated amendments to help “clean up” the development process, Callaway said. The application has also been simplified.
Further, “Our community development director, especially for larger projects, is having more of an initial conversation about timelines, expectations, and trying to understand that better before we even start,” Callaway said. “In addition to the software and the planning on-call hours, the staff is really working hard to try to understand expectations and see if we can meet those, or if we can’t, we’re really clear about why.”
Ed Vento, president and CEO of the Contractors Association of Truckee Tahoe, echoed the sentiment of success. “If you asked me to grade them, I’d give them an A,” he told Moonshine. “I don’t expect perfection; I do expect transparency … The [Cloudpermit] software isn’t going to fix everything, but we expect it to be another tool for staff to use and the public to use toward a better customer service experience.”
CATT members have been able to sit down with engineering and town building staffers to hold discussions on current processes. Vento said he expects the same cooperation and collaboration when meetings with planning staff happen as well.
“Now that both [the town and CATT] have had success, we can approach each other and not think somebody’s up to something,” he continued. “We’ve been able to see each other work. The joke is everyone thinks the town has a conspiracy going. And maybe CATT does too … we both figured out that none of us have the time, the will, and the smarts to work on these conspiracies. We figured out how each other works now and nobody has the time for BS. Is there an issue … with discretion [over design decisions]? Yes, but we’ll address that. We’re taking care of the low-hanging fruit. They’re doing a good job, and I think we are too in communicating.”
Follow-up to 
