News Briefs
Syd’s Bagelry Owner Passes Away
TAHOE CITY
On March 17, Curt Clark, owner of Syd’s Bagelry, passed away. Clark was 69 years old.
Tahoe City’s Syd’s Bagelry has remained closed following Clark’s death, and a GoFundMe has been created to support staff members of the establishment. According to Tahoe City Downtown Association Executive Director Katherine Hill, the staff hope the café will reopen since they are now out of work.
Support Syd’s Bagelry GoFundMe here.
~ MR
TRPA Takes Action to Strengthen Boat Inspections
LAKE TAHOE
The Tahoe Regional Planning Agency (TRPA) Governing Board approved a critical update to the Lake Tahoe Watercraft Inspection Program to protect the lake from a new aquatic invasive species recently discovered just a few hours away from the Tahoe Basin. Invasive golden mussels were discovered for the first time in North America last October in the Sacramento-San Joaquin Delta of California. TRPA and Tahoe Resource Conservation District (Tahoe RCD), which manage the boat inspection program, strengthened inspection procedures to reduce the risk to Lake Tahoe.
On March 26, the agencies enacted mandatory decontaminations for all visiting motorized watercraft entering Lake Tahoe. The TRPA Governing Board approved an updated fee structure to support the additional services.
As new threats to Lake Tahoe emerge, the emphasis on following Clean, Drain, Dry protocols remains for all boaters, paddlers, anglers, and beachgoers.
The main change for motorized boaters traveling from other areas will be a watercraft decontamination following the mandatory inspection. As always, boats that were launched last in Lake Tahoe and have a Tahoe security seal can launch again without reinspection.
The Watercraft Inspection Program is a public-private partnership with one third of its funding from inspection fees and two thirds from public sources. The TRPA Governing Board approved a minimum decontamination fee of $30 for all visiting motorized watercraft needing an inspection to address the cost of increased decontaminations.
By adhering to Clean, Drain, Dry protocols, boaters can limit additional increases to their decontamination fee.
To view the updated fee structure, visit tahoeboatinspections.com/stickers-and-fees.
~ Tahoe Regional Planning Agency press release
Tahoe Conservancy Awards $590,000 in Planning Grants for Lake Tahoe Beaches
LAKE TAHOE
The California Tahoe Conservancy Board has approved two planning grants, totaling $590,000, for projects to improve recreation and public access at beaches in South Lake Tahoe and Kings Beach.
The board approved a $500,000 planning grant to the City of South Lake Tahoe for improvements at Regan Beach.
The board also approved a $90,000 grant to the North Tahoe Public Utility District (NTPUD) to complete environmental analysis for improvements at Secline Beach. The NTPUD is exploring recreation, lake access, and accessibility enhancements at Secline Beach, which includes a small conservancy property, in the heart of the community of Kings Beach in Placer County.
The board also discussed the Tahoe for All grant program. Through Tahoe for All, the conservancy intends to continue to support programs and projects that provide positive and inclusive outdoor experiences for communities that face barriers to enjoying Tahoe recreational opportunities.
~ California Tahoe Conservancy press release
Town’s History Brought to Life with Virtual Tour
TRUCKEE
Second and third-graders at Sierra Expeditionary Learning School (SELS) have brought the history of downtown Truckee’s buildings to life through a unique student-led virtual tour project. As part of their Fire and Ice History Learning Expedition, students researched the historical significance of Truckee’s buildings, met with local historians, and recorded their own educational videos. These videos are now accessible to the public through brochures containing QR codes, allowing residents and visitors to explore the town’s history at their own pace.
The Fire and Ice Expedition examines Truckee’s past through the lens of fire prevention, ice harvesting, and lumber, exploring how these elements shaped the town. As part of the project, students visited the Museum of Truckee History, the Truckee Old Jail Museum, and the Truckee Railroad Museum to gain firsthand knowledge of the area’s historic landmarks. They also engaged with experts from the Truckee-Donner Historical Society, including Greg Zerbel and Dave DePuy.
SELS follows an expeditionary learning model, where students engage in in-depth projects that contribute to the local community.
Copies of the brochure will be available at the Truckee Railroad Museum, the Museum of Truckee History, the California Visitor Center, and local businesses. Additionally, the Truckee-Donner Historical Society is working on integrating the student-created videos into a GPS-enabled digital walking tour, expanding the project’s reach even further.
~ Sierra Expeditionary Learning press release
Medication Take-Back Event April 26 and Year Round
PLACER COUNTY
As Placer County prepares to host another free medication take-back event on April 26, local agencies continue to encourage residents to take advantage of permanent drop boxes and mail-in options that offer a safe, free way to dispose of medication year-round.
There are 30 free, permanent drop box sites across Placer County, many located at local pharmacies. Use this searchable database to find a location near you.
There are free mail-in options for both medication and sharps/lancets. For either, complete the online form or call (844) 4-TAKE-BACK to request a pre-paid, pre-addressed mail-back package. Instructions are provided with all mail-back services.
Keeping unused or expired medications around the house poses risks of accidental poisoning or addiction, and flushing or throwing away medication can harm the environment.
As community partners across Placer promote these year-round, free services, they will continue to hold biannual take-back events. The next event will take place on Saturday, April 26, from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. Bring medications in their original containers; cross-out or remove personal information. Click here to search for the location nearest you.
Local law enforcement, in collaboration with youth organizations, utilities, public health entities and local schools, will partner at various locations across the county — from Roseville to North Tahoe — to accept prescription and over-the-counter drugs, veterinary medications, and vaping devices (batteries removed).
~ Placer County press release
Business Briefs
Carson Tahoe Health System Agrees to Pay Over $8.8 Million to Settle Allegations Over Pandemic-Related Loans
SACRAMENTO
Carson Tahoe Health System, which owns Carson Tahoe Physician Clinics and Carson Tahoe Continuing Care Hospital, has agreed to pay $8,876,475.45 to settle allegations that they were not eligible for the four Paycheck Protection Program loans that they obtained, Acting U.S. Attorney Michele Beckwith announced.
Congress created the Paycheck Protection Program (PPP) in March 2020, as part of the Coronavirus Aid, Relief, and Economic Security Act, to provide relief to small businesses experiencing economic hardship during the COVID-19 pandemic. To qualify for a loan, businesses were required to meet certain eligibility requirements accounting for any affiliated entities. The United States contends that Carson Tahoe Health System and its affiliated entities were ineligible to receive PPP loans because they exceeded the size limitations in the Small Business Administration’s affiliation rules.
In May 2020, Carson Tahoe Health System, Carson Tahoe Physician Clinics, and Carson Tahoe Continuing Care Hospital each received a PPP loan, totaling $5,077,011 in loan disbursements. After receiving their loan forgiveness applications, the Small Business Administration forgave these loans. In February 2021, Carson Tahoe Physician Clinics applied for a second PPP loan of $2 million. After Carson Tahoe Physicians Clinic requested loan forgiveness in September 2021, the SBA forgave this PPP loan. The four loans resulted in the United States paying $7,267,009 including forgiven loan principal and interest, and lenders fees.
The settlement stems from allegations originally brought in a lawsuit filed by a whistleblower under the qui tam provisions of the False Claims Act, which allow private parties, known as relators, to bring suit on behalf of the government and to share in any recovery. In connection with the settlement, the relator will receive a percentage of the recovery.
The matter was handled by Assistant U.S. Attorney Tara Amin for the Eastern District of California.
The claims resolved by this settlement are allegations only, and there has been no determination of liability.
Anyone with information about allegations of attempted fraud involving COVID-19 can report it by calling the Department of Justice’s National Center for Disaster Fraud (NCDF) Hotline at (866) 720-5721 or via the NCDF Web Complaint Form at: justice.gov/disaster-fraud/ncdf-disaster-complaint-form.
~ U.S. Attorney’s Office, Eastern District of California press release
The Silver Belt Competition Returns to Sugar Bowl
NORDEN
One of skiing’s most celebrated competitions is back. The famed Silver Belt returns to Sugar Bowl Resort from April 2 through 5, reigniting its legacy with a freeride competition that brings world-class athletes and future legends head to head. New this season, elite snowboarders will join the freeski professionals in this historic test of skill and courage.
The Silver Belt originated in 1940 as an off-piste giant slalom, drawing Olympians and World Cup skiers from around the world. The event quickly became a proving ground for the best, where skill and bravery were tested on Sugar Bowl’s untamed slopes. In 2025, the Silver Belt honors its legendary roots while embracing modern freeride progression, offering competitors the chance to push their limits and throw their biggest tricks in an athlete-judged format.
The Silver Belt encompasses Sugar Bowl’s spirit of adventure, grit, and the joy of skiing.
~ Sugar Bowl media alert
PT Revolution Expands
TRUCKEE
PT Revolution, the premier destination for mountain athlete rehab and performance, is officially open in Truckee! With a proven track record of keeping mountain athletes, weekend warriors, and active individuals performing at their best, PT Revolution is bringing its unique performance physical therapy model to the heart of Truckee.
What to Expect at PT Revolution Truckee:
- Rapid access: Don’t wait weeks to get into physical therapy, be seen within the week
- In-network with most insurances: Anthem/Blue Cross, Blue Shield, UHC/UMR, Hometown Health, Medicare, VA, and more
- Expert sports physical therapy: Helping athletes recover from injuries or surgery
- High-performance recovery lounge: Featuring NormaTec compression boots, GameReady cold and compression therapy, heat and vibration wraps, and more to help speed up recovery.
- A cutting-edge approach: Combining manual therapy, strength training, and return-to-sport testing
For more information, visit ptrevolution.com.
~ PT Revolution press release
The Broken Arrow Skyrace and Arc’teryx Announce Inclusivity Initiative
OLYMPIC VALLEY
The Broken Arrow Skyrace is proud to announce the 2025 Broken Arrow Skyrace Inclusivity Initiative, presented in partnership with Arc’teryx Equipment.
The Broken Arrow Skyrace Advisory Council launched the initiative after extensive consultations with 20 BIPOC, LTBGQIA+, and non-binary run clubs from across the state of California.
With Arc’teryx’s generous support, nearly 100 athletes will receive complimentary entries, early registration access, products, and/or travel stipends, as well as the opportunity to participate alongside some of the world’s top trail runners at one of North America’s largest and most competitive trail and ultrarunning events.
Founded in 2016, the Broken Arrow Skyrace is a 4-day (June 19 through 22), 9-distance event held annually at Palisades Tahoe. The Broken Arrow Skyrace represents a unique style of mountain running, characterized by off-trail scrambling on steep terrain with massive amounts of vertical gain and loss at altitude.
For the past 2 years, the Broken Arrow Skyrace has also been the only North American stop on the World Mountain Running Association World Cup circuit. Since its launch, the Broken Arrow Skyrace has become one of the largest and most competitive trail and ultrarunning events in North America.
There are nine race events to appeal to every ability level, including the Ascent, a 3.3-mile race, an 11k, 18k, 23k, 46k, and a kids race. For more information, visit brokenarrowskyrace.com.
~ Broken Arrow Skyrace press release
