News Briefs
Reopening of North Shore Trail
NORTH LAKE TAHOE
Tahoe City Public Utility District (TCPUD) celebrated the completion of the North Shore Trail Reconstruction Project. Community members, partners, and local officials gathered to recognize the shared investment in a safer, more accessible trail system that connects neighborhoods, businesses, and the natural beauty of Lake Tahoe’s North Shore.
Originally constructed in 1973, the North Shore Trail is one of the oldest and most beloved segments of the region’s multi-use trail network and has served as a vital recreation and transportation corridor for more than five decades.
In recent years, the trail’s age and heavy use, with approximately 64,000 annual users, underscored the need for significant improvements. The North Shore Trail Reconstruction Project represented a $3.2 million investment to fully rebuild 2.2 miles of trail.
Enhancements included 42,000 square feet of new pavement, 125 new safety features such as signage, delineator poles, and painted crossings, and realignment of key segments to improve slope and accessibility.
For more information about TCPUD’s trail network and improvement projects, visit tcpud.org/trails.
~ Tahoe City Public Utility District press release
2025-29 Housing Action Plan Approved for 1,300 Achievable Housing Units
PLACER COUNTY
The Placer County Board of Supervisors took action on June 10 to approve the 2025-29 Housing Action Plan on a 4-0 vote (Board Chair Bonnie Gore was absent).
The plan calls for accelerated housing production in Placer County’s unincorporated area over the next 4 years with a mix of permanent affordable housing, local worker deed-restricted housing, and moderate-income housing.
The Housing Action Plan is designed to align with the 2021-29 Housing Element and state housing mandates. It also works in partnership with the county’s planning division and the long-range work plan, which allows staff to prioritize state-mandated and high-priority projects. Staff initially introduced a draft of the action plan to the board in March and the plan builds on the county’s first housing work program in 2017.
On June 10, staff outlined their plan to accelerate housing production, preserve affordability, and ensure a mix of housing types across income levels and communities.
The action plan is centered on four goals:
- Increase the supply of achievable housing, which the county considers to be all deed restricted housing, including lower and moderate incomes, local worker designations, and naturally affordable housing types.
- Preserve housing stability.
- Strengthen partnerships, collaboration, and community engagement.
- Build county capacity to secure sustainable funding.
Each goal includes unique strategies and tactics to help the county facilitate the development of 1,300 achievable units by mid 2029.
Learn more about the county’s housing programs at placer.ca.gov/1372/economic-development-housing.
~ Placer County press release
Evacuation and Emergency Preparedness Town Hall, Open House
KINGS BEACH
Placer County District 5 Supervisor Cindy Gustafson is inviting the community to a town hall and open house event June 17 to hear from local agencies regarding evacuations and emergency preparedness in North Lake Tahoe.
The event is scheduled to begin at 6 p.m. at the North Tahoe Event Center (8318 N. Lake Blvd.) in Kings Beach and will be live-streamed on Zoom for those not able to attend in person.
Join the Zoom at placer-ca-gov.zoom.us/j/97537783289. Join via audio by dialing: +1 (877) 853-5247.
Gustafson will be joined by representatives from Cal Fire/Placer County Fire Department, Placer County Sheriff’s Office, and Placer County’s Office of Emergency Services. Local officials will share important updates regarding the Lake Tahoe Regional Evacuation Plan, new emergency protocols across the Lake Tahoe Basin, agency roles in emergencies, and the public’s role in preparedness and planning.
Following introductions from the panelists, a joint presentation will be provided by Cal Fire/Placer County Fire Department, the sheriff’s office, and the office of emergency Services. A Q&A session will be held after the presentations, including questions from the audience on Zoom. Once completed, attendees will be able to engage directly with county and partner booths inside the event center and speak with the presenters directly.
Learn more about the event and visit the calendar here.
~ Placer County press release
Explore Tahoe on Two Wheels: New Bike Destination Website Launches
LAKE TAHOE
A Tahoe bicycle destination website launched during Tahoe Bike Month. It is a redesign of the popular Bike Tahoe website made possible with grants from the City of South Lake Tahoe, Lake Tahoe Visitors Authority, and the Tahoe Community Foundation.
The website is an outcome from many inquiries over the years from bicyclists throughout the country and internationally, wanting to know where to go and what to do in Tahoe.
The new design assists local and visiting bicyclists, or would-be cyclists, of all skill levels looking to enjoy Tahoe via mountain biking, road and gravel cycling, or riding leisurely on a bike path.
Bicyclists can now plan their visit or their day with more ease using the addition of two regional destination hubs: South Tahoe Destination Hub and the North Tahoe Destination Hub. Each hub hosts a comprehensive directory of resources a bicyclist is commonly interested in: bike shops and rentals, shuttle service, restaurants, brew pubs, beaches, campgrounds, and lively entertainment for when the day’s ride winds down.
Helping bicyclists plan their visits and activities is the new Bike Tahoe Event Calendar. Knowing there are events throughout the summer months can help bicyclists plan their trips with friends, look forward to meeting new ones, build new riding skills, or raise valuable dollars for important causes while enjoying their rides. Increasing event awareness also helps support the sustainability of event organizers, and they can post their events by going to the website’s event calendar submission page.
Learn more at biketahoe.org.
~ Bike Tahoe press release
Multi-Agency Effort to Reduce Brake Fires Along Interstate 80
PLACER COUNTY
In a proactive step to reduce the risk of brake-related fires along Interstate 80, Placer County District 5 Supervisor Cindy Gustafson has brought together key public safety and transportation partners to address this growing concern and protect foothill and mountain communities along the heavily traveled corridor.
A series of collaborative meetings have been held over the past 9 months with the California Highway Patrol, Caltrans, the California Trucking Association, Cal Fire/Placer County Fire Department, the U.S. Forest Service, and the Placer Sierra Firesafe Council. The effort aims to improve brake safety awareness and reduce the frequency of dangerous brake fires, which threaten communities nestled along I-80.
Several small mountain communities dot the landscape along I-80 between Colfax and Truckee including Emigrant Gap, Blue Canyon, Cisco Grove, Soda Spings, Dutch Flat, and Alta. A wildfire that threatened Dutch Flat in October 2024 brought the concern over brake-related fires to the forefront and spurred Gustafson’s office to initiate the muti-agency partnership.
According to reports from the California Highway Patrol out of Gold Run, there were 60 truck/vehicle fires in 2024 that were primarily located on westbound I-80 on the descending grade from Emigrant Gap to Colfax.
In parallel with the brake safety efforts, Gustafson has strongly advocated for additional fuel reduction along I-80, a major concern as California enters the height of wildfire season. Not only do brake-fires threaten local communities and the Sierra but they also cause significant economic loss when the corridor is shut down and truck deliveries are delayed.
~ Placer County press release
New Memoir Launch: RISK Explores Life of a Whitewater Champion
LAKE TAHOE
Former world whitewater champion and South Lake Tahoe resident Susan Norman releases her powerful memoir, RISK: A Life Saved by the River. This fast-paced, deeply personal narrative flows between the adrenaline of elite river racing and the unforeseen currents of becoming a first-time mom after menopause and raising an at-risk child.
Both heart-pounding and heart-opening, RISK explores the emotional terrain of parenting and healing past trauma through nature and adventure.
RISK explores multiple themes ranging from Norman’s unique experiences as a female pioneer in whitewater river exploration and competition, as well as the power of outdoor adventure to build resilience and manage the impacts of emotional childhood trauma, aging, and the challenges of unexpected motherhood.
~ Susan Norman press release
Celebrate Free Adventure Day June 14
NEVADA
The Nevada Division of State Parks invites all residents and visitors to celebrate Free Adventure Day on Saturday, June 14. In honor of Nevada’s great outdoors, entrance fees will be waived at all state parks across the Silver State.
Free Adventure Day coincides with the Nevada Department of Wildlife’s Free Fishing Day, when anyone can fish in Nevada’s waters without a fishing license. This unique collaboration gives park visitors a perfect opportunity to cast a line and enjoy Nevada’s fisheries while exploring the beauty of state parks.
In addition to free entrance, some parks are hosting special events and activities to celebrate, including Pioneer Heritage Day and Kids’ Fishing Derby.
Visitors are encouraged to check the state parks events calendar for a full list of events happening across the state.
As always, guests should recreate responsibly by bringing plenty of water, wearing sunscreen, dressing in layers, and following Leave No Trace principles. While entrance fees are waived on June 14, camping, reservation, and all other fees still apply.
Plan a Free Adventure Day at parks.nv.gov.
~ Nevada Division of State Parks press release
Small Business Webinar on Tariffs and How Local Businesses Can Mitigate Their Impact
PLACER COUNTY
Placer County’s Economic Development Division is hosting a tariff webinar Tuesday, June 24, starting at 5 p.m. to help small businesses navigate the changing tariff landscape and find local solutions.
Attendees will hear from three experts covering tariffs on traded goods and services, offering strategies to help mitigate some of these impacts, and help finding local options for businesses.
A question-and-answer session for attendees will follow the hour-long panel discussion.
The webinar panel features Isabelle Icso, executive director of international policy at the U.S. Chamber of Commerce; Barbara Weg, supply chain consultant for California Manufacturing Technology Consulting (CMTC); and Kevin Mather, international program manager at Northern California World Trade Center.
Registration is available on Zoom, but space is limited. A portion of the session will be recorded and available for re-watch. Attendees or those interested may submit questions to brcinfo@placer.ca.gov prior to the start of the webinar.
Find registration information at placer-ca-gov.zoom.us/webinar/register/WN_wim4NtZFS-2HFH469Y6bxg.
~ Placer County press release
Join Annual July 5 Cleanup at Skylandia Beach
TAHOE CITY
On July 5, the Sierra Nevada Alliance, its team of youth Lake Tahoe Ambassadors, and the League to Save Lake Tahoe are hosting a special beach cleanup. This is a part of the league’s 12th annual “keep Tahoe red, white, and blue” yearly event with cleanups all around the lake. The event calls for members of the community to come join this important effort.
The cleanup will take place on July 5 from 8 to 11:30 a.m. at Skylandia Beach in Tahoe City. All cleanup supplies will be provided. Music, refreshments, and a raffle will also be provided!
Interested attendees can RSVP here to be emailed more details.
~ Sierra Nevada Alliance press release
Moving In, Moving On, Moving Up
Excellence in Education Announces New Executive Director
TRUCKEE
The Excellence in Education Foundation is thrilled to announce the appointment of Anna Yarbrough as its new executive director.
With over 2 decades of experience in education — as a teacher, administrator, consultant, and PTO President — Yarbrough brings a deep commitment to student success and a strong connection to the Tahoe Truckee Unified School District (TTUSD). A parent of four children attending three different TTUSD schools, Yarbrough has also spent the last 5 years serving in leadership roles with the Glenshire Elementary PTO. Her personal and professional experiences give her a unique perspective on the opportunities and challenges facing local schools.
As executive director, Yarbrough will lead efforts to strengthen community partnerships, expand donor support, and champion investments that make a lasting impact in local classrooms.
The organization also extends its heartfelt thanks to Amy Macosko for her dedicated service as interim executive director. Yarbrough will continue her involvement by rejoining the Excellence in Education Board of Directors.
To learn more about Excellence in Education, visit exined.org.
~ Excellence in Education Foundation press release
Washoe County Manager Eric Brown Announces Retirement
RENO
Washoe County Manager Eric Brown announced his plans to retire at the end of June to pursue other opportunities. During his county manager’s announcements, he outlined achievements that he feels place the county in a strong position for the future.
His achievements include:
- Guiding the region through the Covid-19 pandemic, innovating the county workforce to minimize layoffs and maintain expected levels of service to residents.
- Achieving the highest-ever employee satisfaction rating at Washoe County.
- Assuming the lead on regional homelessness and completing construction of the Nevada Cares Campus. The final phase of construction is a 50-unit permanent supportive housing facility that will open this summer.
- Expanding broadband internet to Gerlach residents.
- Allocating $91 million in ARPA funds through the Community Reinvestment Program.
- Implementing the regionalized Computer Aided Dispatch Platform for Consolidated EMS/Dispatch/Fire Operations
- Washoe County hiring its first-ever Environmental Sustainability Manager who worked quickly to develop a Climate Action Plan.
During the board meeting on June 17, the board will consider an agenda item outlining the forthcoming steps in the county manager recruitment process.
~ Washoe County news alert
