“This plan helps reduce the intensity, severity and spread of wildfire near communities that border public lands managed by the BLM,” said BLM California State Director Karen E. Mouritsen. “Through partnerships with local and state agencies we will prioritize and coordinate fuels treatments to protect people, property and vital infrastructure.” 

Under this plan, fuels treatment projects will be coordinated across land ownerships to provide the best results for communities, creating a landscape-level network of strategic fuels treatments and breaks within the wildland-urban interface.  

The Statewide Wildland-Urban Interface Fuels Treatment Programmatic Environmental Assessment conducted a broad analysis across 930,000 acres of public lands. As local communities and the BLM identify wildfire concerns, the new streamlined fuels treatment plans will permit on-the-ground work to begin in a matter of months. This will allow us to treat an anticipated additional 20,000 acres of public lands each year. 

The plan covers 44 counties in California: Amador, Butte, Calaveras, Colusa, El Dorado, Fresno, Glenn, Humboldt, Imperial, Inyo, Kern, Lake, Lassen, Los Angeles, Madera, Mariposa, Mendocino, Modoc, Mono, Monterey, Napa, Nevada, Placer, Plumas, Riverside, Sacramento, San Benito, San Bernardino, San Diego, San Joaquin, Santa Clara, Santa Cruz, Shasta, Sierra, Siskiyou, Solano, Sonoma, Stanislaus, Tehama, Trinity, Tulare, Tuolumne, Yolo, and Yuba; and two counties in northwest Nevada: Douglas and Washoe. Projects under this program can begin as soon as this fall.

To learn more about this programmatic environmental assessment, visit the BLM NEPA Register. For more general information, please contact your local BLM Field Office. 

The project is focused on achieving several vital goals, including enhancing pedestrian safety and circulation, optimizing traffic flow, establishing a quiet zone to eliminate the need for train engineers to sound their horns near the track crossing, and preserving historic buildings.

Senator Alvarado-Gil expressed her excitement regarding the funding approval, stating, “The Reimagine Bridge Street Project is an essential endeavor that addresses the needs of residents and visitors of the Town of Truckee. With this funding, we can create a safer, more efficient, and historically conscious environment for all. I am proud to have played a role in securing these resources for our community.”

The funding for the Reimagine Bridge Street Project was made possible through the joint efforts of Senator Alvarado-Gil, local stakeholders, and government agencies committed to advancing the well-being and progress of the Town of Truckee.

Town of Truckee Manager Jen Callaway expressed her sincere gratitude stating, “On behalf of the Town of Truckee, we want to thank Senator Alvarado-Gil for her support of efforts to improve our downtown pedestrian and traffic flow. Our Reimagine Bridge Street efforts will go a long way towards improving pedestrian and bicycle mobility and safety as well as improve vehicle safety and operations to reduce greenhouse gas emissions. The $1 million in the state budget that Senator Alvarado-Gil secured for this project is integral to completing this for our community. Thank you, Senator, for your support of our local efforts to provide everyone in our community with options for safer paths of travel such as walking, biking, driving or using public transit to explore our wonderful downtown corridor, businesses and Truckee River.”

At a Town Hall Meeting held Tuesday, Aug. 1, representatives from Placer County presented the version of the TBAP update which will be presented to the Planning Commission on Thursday, Aug. 10. 

The TBAP was first adopted in 2017 as a way to encourage development in town and city centers in the Tahoe Region of Placer County, especially Tahoe City and Kings Beach. 

It was updated in 2021 but after not seeing the increase in development they were hoping to see, the County embarked on another round of amendments. 

The amendments are meant to facilitate beneficial environmental development, address aging town centers and vacant commercial spaces (Kings Beach alone has over 30 vacant buildings, according to county staff), encourage more lodging to move visitors and short-term rentals out of the neighborhoods and build more employee housing. 

County staff are hoping the amendments can decrease runoff, reduce congestion, support a year-round economy and support a new, diverse business community. 

However, there was public outcry from the community and organizations such as Mountain Area Preservation and the League to Save Lake Tahoe about certain amendments. Some of the more contentious amendments included an increase in allowed building heights and lengths. 

“We heard loud and clear from the community about height and mass and they have been eliminated from the update,” said Placer County Supervisor Cindy Gustafson during the town hall. 

Gustafson added that those amendments could come back in the future but if they do, they will have to go through another round of public meetings. 

In addition to removing those amendments, staff reinserted several lines back into the plan, including scenic evaluations for new construction, active ground floor uses which includes a stipulation for no more real estate or property management businesses on ground floors, below-ground parking, streetscape requirements and parking maximums. 

The plan update is far from being a done-deal. It will be presented to the Planning Commission on August 10. It will also need to go through all of the Tahoe Regional Planning Agency boards for approval before going to Placer County Supervisors for final approval. Gustafson said there is still plenty of opportunity for the public to weigh-in on the plan. 

He has been active for four decades in the Roseville, Rocklin and greater Placer County communities as a volunteer or board member for the Roseville Chamber of Commerce, Catta Vadera Country Club, Placer SPCA, the Active 20/30 Club of Roseville and various youth sports organizations.

“I have lived, worked and raised my family in Placer County for close to 40 years. With this, I feel an obligation to serve in some small capacity in maintaining and enhancing this diverse and well-structured county,” Ronten said. “I feel my background will serve me well in providing a fair perspective on all planning issues that will come before the commission, always committed to maintaining a proper balance between the economic, environmental and overall quality of life concerns of the residents and businesses in this county.”

The Planning Commission is composed of seven members, one from each of the five Placer County supervisorial districts and two at-large members. The commission is charged with taking action on various land use requests and advising the Board of Supervisors on planning and related matters.

Ronten will represent District 5, which stretches from North Auburn to North Lake Tahoe. A seat became available in recent weeks when former commissioner Bridget Powers – who served an at-large seat on the commission – accepted a position in the office of Supervisor Cindy Gustafson. Commissioner Mark Watts, who had represented District 5, was re-appointed to the at-large seat and Ronten to District 5.

Enhancements include reconstruction of the Lake Tahoe scenic overlook and pathway to improve access for recreational users with disabilities, environmental improvements to stabilize the site and prevent erosion, and installation of community kayak and paddleboard storage racks.  

“As we continue to celebrate 75 years of service to our community, reinvestment in our public recreation facilities remains a top priority,” said Sarah Coolidge, NTPUD Board President. “Projects such as this help ensure that our community will have access to Lake Tahoe for generations to come.”  

The Tahoe Vista Scenic Overlook and Trail project was funded by the Placer County Tourism Master Plan Grant Program (which reinvests transient occupancy tax in Eastern Placer County and is administered by the North Tahoe Community Alliance), the California Tahoe Conservancy Lake Tahoe Public Access and Outdoor Recreation for All Grant Program, and the NTPUD Recreation Capital Improvement Plan.  

“The North Tahoe PUD has a long history of success implementing infrastructure projects that serve our residents and visitors,” added Cindy Gustafson, Placer County District 5 Supervisor. “It is great to see this project come together with support from multiple agencies, all helping to restore this incredible location.”  

TVRA is the NTPUD’s primary lakefront recreation facility. The site provides the public with year-round safe and convenient access to Lake Tahoe to swim, fish, kayak, and paddleboard, launch and retrieve motorized vessels, and recreate. TVRA also serves as a Lake Tahoe Water Trail trailhead, providing a sheltered site to launch non-motorized vessels, with parking, restrooms, picnic tables, and drinking water. 

“Everyone deserves the opportunity to experience Lake Tahoe,” said California Tahoe Conservancy Board Executive Director, Jason Vasques. “And now, with this new accessible pathway and a space for community watercraft storage, the NTPUD has ensured that anyone can enjoy this beautiful spot here in Tahoe Vista.”  

Since 2000, the NTPUD has completed a series of improvements that have modernized the TVRA and enhanced the public’s experience at Lake Tahoe. Site improvements in 2006, funded by a $1.4 million grant from the California Tahoe Conservancy grant, included new public restrooms, bike racks, a plaza with interpretive displays, an improved boat launch, and reconfigured lakeside parking with storm water treatment.

In 2012, the NTPUD also utilized Placer County Tourism Master Plan grant funding, alongside a grant from the California Department of Boating and Waterways, to construct an adjacent parking lot on National Avenue that added 65 parking and trailer spaces along with a bus pullout, a transportation shelter, and additional landscaping.  

More information about the Tahoe Vista Recreation Area and all of the NTPUD’s Recreation, Parks, and Facilities can be found online at www.ntpud.org. 

“This funding I fought to deliver will help Tribal communities in Nevada protect their energy infrastructure, keep their communities safe, and create good-paying clean energy jobs,” said Senator Cortez Masto. “As Nevada experiences more extreme weather, it’s critical that our Tribes have additional tools to increase resiliency and keep the lights on.”

“Communities across Nevada are increasingly facing extreme weather and natural disasters that threaten our electric grid,” said Senator Rosen. “It’s critical that we bolster our energy grid to ensure that Nevada’s families can keep their lights on during a natural disaster. I’m glad to see the Washoe Tribe is receiving funding from the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law, which I helped pass, to support a more resilient energy infrastructure that can meet future challenges and provide cleaner, more affordable energy.”

This grant funding will help ensure that the Washoe Tribe of Nevada & California has access to affordable, reliable, clean electricity and that the Tribe’s critical community facilities are not impacted by weather events. The grant funds will also support modernizing grid infrastructure and investments in clean energy.

“The Washoe Tribe’s electrical grid and infrastructure are key to keeping our communities resilient,” said Serrell Smokey, Washoe Tribe Chairman. “Aging equipment, wildfires, and extreme weather are a constant threat to our communities. This award, along with the partnerships of local utility companies, will ensure we are meeting the needs of Washoe People.”

Senators Cortez Masto and Rosen have worked to support Nevada’s Tribal communities and ensure Nevada receives funding to upgrade its energy infrastructure. Senator Cortez Masto ensured that the Inflation Reduction Act included her legislation to  make it easier for Tribes in Nevada and across the country to launch critical energy development projects. The Bipartisan Infrastructure Law, which Senators Cortez Masto and Rosen helped pass, includes robust funding to strengthen the country’s electrical grids.

Source: Senator Cortez Masto

Please join us for this unique opportunity to engage directly with local leaders helping shape our community and future. Lift Workspace will be providing beverages and light snacks to all attendees. The event is August 9 from 5:30-7 p.m. at the Lift Workspace, 10266 Truckee Airport Rd. 

Born and raised in Nevada County, Bullock is an embodiment of local leadership. In his role he has effectively navigated the challenges of Covid lock-downs, economic turmoil and community growth, exemplifying the resilience and adaptability necessary for leading in uncertain times. This event will provide folks with the opportunity to hear firsthand about Bullock’s experiences and priorities for the future if re-elected for a second term.

For more information on the event and about Hardy Bullock’s re-election visit:  www.bullockforsupervisor.com

AEDs are an easy‐to‐use medical device, which can analyze the heart’s rhythm, and if necessary, deliver an electric shock, or defibrillation, to help re‐establish an effective rhythm. As sudden cardiac arrest is among the leading causes of death in the United States, and will be a great tool in helping NCSSAR, and in turn – the regional community.

NCSSAR is a California Non‐Profit corporation, staffed with volunteers and entirely funded by donations and fundraisers. Volunteer members are local citizens that have the desire to help their neighbors and friends in a time of need, but rely heavily on donations such as the AED machine from Tahoe Forest Health System.

“Nevada County Sheriff’s Search and Rescue are doing phenomenal work in our community,” said Harry Weis, President and Chief Executive Officer of Tahoe Forest Health System. “We are pleased to be able to donate an AED machine to their causes, as it takes partnerships such as these to really make an impact on the health of our community.”

Currently, the only way to restore a regular heart rhythm during cardiac arrest is to use an AED. Because the average response time for first responders once 911 is called is 8‐12 minutes, and for each minute defibrillation is delayed, the odds of survival are reduced by approximately 10%. Having access to an AED and knowing how to use one is critical, and TFHS sees this donation as an extension of its mission to enhance the health of the community.

To learn more about Tahoe Forest Health System and its various services and community contributions, please visit www.tfhd.com.

Storm drain stencils label a storm drain inlet with messages warning citizens not to dump polluting materials into the stormwater system. This is extremely important because the system of ditches and pipes is directly connected to local waterbodies. There is no advanced treatment facility at the end of each pipe and ditch. So, if you don’t want to swim in it, don’t dump in it.

“Our goal with the golden stencil contest is to raise public awareness of the threat to our watershed by illicit discharges. Many people living and visiting our area believe that the stormwater is filtered before discharging into Donner Lake or the Truckee River. This is not the case. We hope that by raising public awareness through the golden stencil contest, we can prevent these incidents and protect the clean water we value so highly,” a press release from the Town said.

The golden stencil will be painted on one of Downtown Truckee’s many storm drain inlets. If you find the golden stencil, take a picture of the storm drain and send an email to communications@townoftruckee.com

The first three emails received, with the correct location and a clear picture, will receive some cool prizes. Good luck with the hunt and spread the word: only rain and snow down the storm drain.

TRUCKEE, Calif. – El Truckee Donner Public Utility District se complace en anunciar que su Junta Directiva está actualizando las iniciativas estratégicas de la agencia y quiere la opinión de la comunidad para ayudar a crear la visión de TDPUD para el futuro de Truckee.

TDPUD paso por un proceso de planificación estratégica en 2021, que fijó el rumbo de la agencia hasta 2024. Durante ese proceso, la junta de TDPUD desarrollo iniciativas estratégicas que definieron proyectos ambiciosos a largo plazo para la agencia, por los cuales la comunidad expresó su apoyo en talleres de trabajo públicos. Las cuatro iniciativas estratégicas adoptadas por la junta fueron: habilitar banda ancha en toda la comunidad, servicios públicos convertidos de aéreos a subterráneos, energía renovable 100% limpia y generación local limpia. 

A principios de este año, la junta y el personal empezaron una revisión a mitad de ciclo sobre esas iniciativas, para asegurar que TDPUD este en el camino correcto y utilice sus recursos de la mejor manera posible para servir a la comunidad. Durante este proceso de revisión, determinaron que aunque las iniciativas originales estaban enfocadas en proyectos específicos, cambiar el enfoque en el resultado o objetivo deseado permitiría que TDPUD logrará resultados iguales o similares de manera más eficiente. 

La Junta definió recientemente estrategias nuevas o actualizadas, en las que nuevamente piden a la comunidad que evalúe antes de que se consideren para su adopción a finales del año. 

“Estamos ansiosos por traer estas grandes ideas a la comunidad y escuchar lo que nuestros clientes tienen que decir”, dijo el presidente de la Junta de TDPUD, Jeff Bender. “La Junta quiere aprovechar la experiencia del distrito para ayudar a que Truckee avance, lograr objetivos importantes y mejorar la calidad de vida de nuestros clientes. Ahora le estamos pidiendo a nuestra comunidad que se una a nosotros para lograrlo.”

Banda Ancha Comunitaria 

Esta iniciativa es la que menos ha cambiado desde 2021, pero ha evolucionado más después de un estudio de alcance exhaustivo del Comite de Banda Ancha de la Junta, grupo laboral del gerente general y un experto consultor externo que mostró que la comunidad está insatisfecha, pero no desatendida cuando se trata de acceso a internet. El próximo paso es buscar financiamiento para un estudio de factibilidad/plan de negocios completo para las posibles opciones identificadas para habilitar la banda ancha en toda la comunidad y comparar con la necesidad, los riesgos y el costo.

Servicio Confiable y Seguridad

Esta es una reinvención de la iniciativa original “servicios públicos convertidos de aéreos a subterráneo”, la cual el público identificó como una de las principales preocupaciones luego de los catastróficos incendios forestales en nuestra región en ese momento. Sin embargo, los servicios públicos subterráneos no son una bala de plata contra el peligro de incendio; es extremadamente costoso y hay otras opciones a considerar. La Junta propone esta iniciativa para que TDPUD pueda concentrarse en continuar mejorando la confiabilidad y seguridad de ambos sistemas de electricidad y de agua a través de acciones más factibles. 

Reducción Neto de Carbono

Esta iniciativa es una combinación de las iniciativas de “energía renovable 100% limpia” y “generación limpia local”. El objetivo final detrás de estas iniciativas es reducir la cantidad de carbono en el medio ambiente de Truckee o que sea producido por acciones de Truckee. Sin embargo, ambos se enfocaron únicamente en la adquisición de energía como medio para reducir los gases de efecto invernadero, sin considerar cómo y cuándo usamos electricidad. TDPUD quiere lograr un progreso significativo hacia la reducción de GEI a través de la compra y conservación de energía, al mismo tiempo pesando los costos y los beneficios.  

Administración Local de Cuencas Hidrográficas

Esta es una iniciativa completamente nueva que se enfoca en cómo, siendo una agencia 100% de aguas subterráneas, TDPUD puede tener un impacto positivo en la administración y la calidad de la Cuenca hidrográfica. TDPUD se ha comprometido a ir más allá de los estándares regulatorios cuando se trata de administrar la Cuenca de agua subterránea de Truckee. Ahora quiere explorar cuál debería ser su papel en la Cuenca hidrográfica, y cómo poder asociarse con las partes locales interesadas en la administración del agua.

Círculos Comunitarios

Las propuestas iniciales están destinadas a beneficiar a la comunidad y mejorar la calidad de vida en Truckee, por lo que deben alinearse con las necesidades de los clientes. TDPUD quiere ayudar a su comunidad a alcanzar objetivos relacionados con la seguridad, sostenibilidad, administración y más, pero también tiene la responsabilidad de mantener las tarifas asequibles y el servicio confiable. El aporte de la comunidad será crucial cuando TDPUD decida cómo invertir en el futuro de Truckee. TDPUD llevará a cabo múltiples reuniones públicas – llamadas Círculos Comunitarios, para recibir aportes de los miembros de la comunidad. A mediados de Septiembre se llevarán a cabo siete reuniones, organizadas por vecindad. 

Horario de los Círculos Comunitarios

Donner Lake/Armstrong: Domingo, 10 de Septiembre en TDPUD, 3-4:30pm

Sierra Meadows/Brockway: Martes, 12 de Septiembre en Community Arts Center, 5:30-7pm

Prosser/Olympic Heights/Coachland/Gray’s Crossing/Old Greenwood: Miércoles, 13 de Septiembre en Community Arts Center, 5:30-7pm

Glenshire: Jueves, 14 de Septiembre en Glenshire Elementary, 6-7:30pm

Tahoe Donner: Domingo, 17 de Septiembre en Alder Creek Adventure Center, 3-4:30pm

Downtown/Gateway/Deerfield/Meadow Park: Lunes, 18 de Septiembre en Community Arts Center, 5:30-7pm

Sesion de Recuperacion para todos los vecindarios: Martes, 19 de Septiembre en TDPUD, 5:30-7pm

Servicios de traducción al español estarán disponibles en cada reunión. Todos los clientes y miembros de la comunidad son bienvenidos a asistir e interactuar con TDPUD. Para obtener más información, visite tdpu.org/ourfuture. 

Presentations

5.1 Proclamation for Fentanyl Awareness Month.

5.2 Pro-Housing Presentation.

5.3 Mobility All-Stars Update.

5.4 Town Manager Report.

Consent Calendar

6.2 2023 Development Code Update; Adoption of Ordinance 2023-05 (Telecommunications Facilities, Bikeshares and Clean-Up Amendments).

6.3 Authorize the Settlement and Payment Release of Damage Claim. Recommended Action: That Council authorize the Town Manager to offer a settlement to the Truckee Donner Public Utilities District (TDPUD) for $15,130.69 for a damage claim filed against the Town.

6.4 Adoption of the Town of Truckee’s Records Management Program Manual and Records Retention Schedule. Recommended Action: That Council adopt Resolution 2023-49 approving the Town of Truckee’s Records Management Program Manual and updated Records Retention Schedule.

6.5 Adoption of Ordinance 2023-06 Amending Single-Use Foodware Reduction Requirements. Recommended Action: That Council (1) Adopt Ordinance 2023-06 amending Chapter 6.04 of the Truckee Municipal Code regarding Foodware and Food Packaging; and (2) Find the adoption of the ordinance exempt from CEQA pursuant to CEQA guidelines sections 15061(b)(3), 15307, and 15308.

6.6 Donner Lake Art Transfer Agreement with Truckee Donner Recreation and Park District. Recommended Action: That Council authorize the Town Manager to execute the Donner Lake Art Transfer Agreement with the Truckee Donner Recreation and Park District to transfer the ownership and maintenance of the sculptures once they are installed.

6.7 California Office of Emergency Services (Cal-OES) Authorized Agent Resolution. Recommended Action: That Council approve Resolution 2023-52 authorizing the Town Manager, Administrative Services Director, or Emergency Services Manager to act as an Authorized Agent for the Town for the purpose of obtaining Federal or State financial assistance for any existing or future grant program or agreement involving disaster relief or hazard mitigation programs.

6.8 Claim for Damages against the Town of Truckee. Recommended Action: That Council reject the claim for damages against the Town of Truckee.

6.9 Accept the Quarter Ended June 30, 2023 Treasurer’s Report. Recommended Action: That Council accept the Treasurer’s Report for the quarter ended June 30, 2023.

6.10 Tahoe Forest Hospital District Memorandum of Agreement. Recommended Action: That Council authorize the Town Manager to execute the Memorandum of Agreement with Tahoe Forest Hospital District.

6.11 Contract for Videography Services. Recommended Action: That Council authorize the Town Manager to execute a twelve-month contract with Court Leve Productions to provide on-call videography services and produce a series of videos related to Town services and projects.

6.12 West River Streetscape Utility Reimbursement Agreements. Recommended Action: That Council authorize the Town Manager to enter into utility reimbursement agreements with Truckee Donner Public Utility District, AT&T, and CEQUEL III Communications for a combined amount of up to $300,000.

Discussion Items

7.1 High Altitude Fitness (HAF) Parcel Housing Concepts. Recommended Action: (1) Discuss with Council an overview of potential housing concepts for the High Altitude Fitness (HAF) parcel and an opportunity for Council to provide feedback and direction to Town staff on next steps; and (2) That Council direct staff to commence the land use Town Council Meeting August 08, 2023 permit entitlement process and return at a future date with a complete proposal for the entitlements.

7.2 Accept Vacancy Tax Options Analysis Report and Direction regarding Sales Tax Polling. Recommended Action: That Council (1) Accept the Vacancy Tax Options Analysis Report; and (2) Accept an update and provide direction regarding public opinion polling for sales tax renewal, amend C2313 Budget to increase “Consultant Support for Polling” line item from $65,000 to $75,000, and authorize the Town Manager to execute a contract with Team CivX to complete a public opinion poll survey for sales tax renewal and reconvene the Transit Working Group to aid in this process.

7.3 Short-Term Rental Ordinance Year One Performance Review and Council Direction on Potential Policy Revision Topics. Recommended Action: That Council: (1) Accept report on STR data from year one of implementing the revised STR Ordinance; and (2) Provide direction to staff on any future policy revisions Council would like to consider within Chapter 5.02 of the Municipal Code.

7.4 Acceptance of the Annual Comprehensive Financial Report and Audit Reports for Fiscal Year 2021/22. Recommended Action: That Council accept the Town of Truckee Annual Comprehensive Financial Report (ACFR), Audit Report, Single Audit, and review of the Appropriations Limit for the year ended June 30, 2022.

7.5 Fee Schedule Update. Recommended Action: That Council conduct a Public Hearing and adopt Resolution 2023-50 approving an inflationary adjustment, additions and corrections to the Town Wide Fee Schedule.

7.6 Municipal Code Update for Animal Impoundment Periods. Recommended Action: Introduce Ordinance 2023-08 to update periods of impoundment for animals.

Nevada County Supervisors

The Nevada County Supervisors will be meeting on Tuesday August 8  at 9 a.m.

The meeting can be viewed in person at 950 Maidu Avenue or remotely at www.nevadacountyca.gov/boardmeetings and www.YouTube.com/c/CountyofNevadaCA.

53. A variety of Outdoor Visitor Safety Fund grants will be discussed for approval during the meeting. 

Resolution approving the Grant Award Agreement between the County of Nevada and South Yuba River Citizens League for an “Outdoor Visitor Safety Fund” grant funded by the American Rescue Plan Act (ARPA) and General Fund dollars from the approved Fiscal Year 2023/24 budget, in the amount of $59,000 for the Van Norden Meadow Restoration and Recreation Project: Trailhead Development, and authorizing the Chair of the Board of Supervisors to execute the agreement.

Resolution approving the Grant Award Agreement between the County of Nevada and Truckee Dirt Union for an “Outdoor Visitor Safety Fund” grant funded by the American Rescue Plan Act (ARPA) and General Fund dollars from the approved Fiscal Year 2023/24 budget, in the amount of $20,000 for the Truckee Community Trails Stewardship Program, and authorizing the Chair of the Board of Supervisors to execute the agreement.

Resolution approving the Grant Award Agreement between the County of Nevada and Truckee River Watershed Council for an “Outdoor Visitor Safety Fund” grant funded by the American Rescue Plan Act (ARPA) and General Fund dollars from the approved Fiscal Year 2023/24 budget, in the amount of $40,000 for the Euer Valley Sustainable Recreation and Habitat Protection Project, and authorizing the Chair of the Board of Supervisors to execute the agreement.

Resolution approving the Grant Award Agreement between the County of Nevada and Truckee Trails Foundation for an “Outdoor Visitor Safety Fund” grant funded by the American Rescue Plan Act (ARPA) and General Fund dollars from the approved Fiscal Year 2023/24 budget, in the amount of $74,280 for the Eastern Nevada County Visitor Safety, Recreation Management and Environmental Hazard Prevention Program, and authorizing the Chair of the Board of Supervisors to execute the agreement.

Resolution approving the allocation of up to $20,000 of unexpended fund remaining in the Fiscal Year 2023/24 “Outdoor Visitor Safety” fund for signage, parking, and road surface improvements within the County right-of-way on Hirschdale Road along its approach to the Tahoe Pyramid Trail.

Resolution approving the allocation of up to $20,000 of unexpended fund remaining in the Fiscal Year 2023/24 “Outdoor Visitor Safety” fund to be utilized for business assistance and outreach in the Donner Summit Region.

54. Resolution ratifying the contract for the Donner Pass Road Rockslide Project between the County of Nevada and Neil’s Controlled Blasting L.P., in the amount of $389,695 plus a 10 percent contingency of $38,969.50, for a total amount of $428,664.50, and authorizing the Director of Information and General Services Agency to execute the contract.

Placer County Planning Commission

The Placer County Planning Commission will be meeting on Thursday August 10 at 10 a.m.

The meeting can be viewed in-person at North Tahoe Event Center, 8318 N Lake Blvd. or remotely https://www.placer.ca.gov/2403/Planning-Commission.

Timed items

10:05 a.m. – Consider a request from Tahoe Sierra Recreation, Inc. (DBA: Truckee River Raft Co.), for approval of a Conditional Use Permit Modification to allow continued Outdoor Recreational Concessions and a Rafting License in order to continue to operate a commercial river raft rental business along the Truckee River for another three year-term.

10:10 a.m. – Consider a request from the Bell Family and Courcier Family, for approval of a

Conditional Use Permit Modification to allow continued Outdoor Recreational Concessions and a Rafting License in order to continue to operate a commercial river raft rental business along the Truckee River for another three year-term. The last extension was granted on July 28, 2020, and rafting permits have been granted dating back to at least 1981.

10:15 a.m. – Sierra Nevada Olympic Winter (SNOW) Museum and Community Cultural Center draft Environmental Impact Report. 

11 a.m. – Consider a request from the Placer County Planning Services Division to recommend to the Board of Supervisors adoption of a resolution and an ordinance to repeal and replace the Tahoe Basin Area Plan (TBAP) in its entirety, including the Implementing Regulations, and to consider adoption of an ordinance amending Placer County Code Chapter 12, Article 12.08, section 12.08.020(A) to remove outdated zoning area references, clarify where Countywide street improvements are required, and add single-family detached dwellings as subject to street improvement requirements to align with Tahoe Basin Area Plan pedestrian mobility goals.
View the full agenda here.

In July 2023, we had an opportunity to take a look at the progress of the planned work that has been developed over the past two years. We were able to meet at the Van Norden dam with Alecia Weisman, the SYRCL scientist who is heading up this project. The major thrust of the project is to sustainably restore the natural flora and fauna in the meadow.

Before the current restoration work the South Yuba River, Castle Creek, and Lytton Creek had cut deep channels through the valley. Snow melt raced down the channels and also down the river leaving, ironically, part of the meadow very dry. Last year most of the Van Norden dam was taken down. The resulting dirt (60,000 cubic yards) was used as fill for the river channel (2.75 miles of channel fill). SYRCL also used beaver dam analogs (man-made beaver damp replicas) and fascines (bundled willow cuttings) and strategically placed them where channel fill was not done. The idea is to recharge and raise the water table. The slower moving water will cover the meadow and soak into the ground rather than race down the river channels. This makes the meadow wetter overall, encourages the regrowth of native plants, and kills off invasive species like lodgepole pines and reed canary grass.

Separately, 14 acres of conifers and three acres of invasive non-native reed canary grass have been removed and the former dam berms hydro-seeded. With the water closer to the surface the non-native plants that liked the drier areas will be flooded out and replaced by wetland plants such as sedges, grasses, and rushes. The wetland plants also work as photosynthetic power houses, according to Alecia, because they are major sequesters of carbon. This increased plant growth is also good for pollinators.

Another benefit of the slower water movement in the meadow will be a slower movement of water to downstream reservoirs. This will make more water available for late summer releases than was possible ever before. Prior action would lower the downstream reservoirs due to the expectation of rapidly approaching snow melt. The reservoirs will not be lowered as much since water will be coming down more slowly and continuously.

To collect data and measure ground water levels, twenty-eight ground water wells are scattered around the meadow. The data will start to be available sometime this fall to measure how successful the restoration project is going.

Restoration progress

The work done so far at Summit Meadow is showing progress. The water is moving slower and is spreading across the meadow. It no longer flows down the channels and the ground water level seems to be closer to the surface. The meadow is wetter overall as seen by the lodgepoles at the meadow edges dying and native plants taking root. You can also see where the conifer and reed canary grass have been removed and the hydro-seeded areas are beginning to grow.

A new 120′ long by 24′ wide bridge, between the sheep pens and sheepherder’s hut, has been built to cross the South Yuba River. The bridge will continue to be used in the winter to accommodate the Royal Gorge ski trails. This road has also been upgraded with water bars to keep the road erosion down.

What’s next for Summit Meadow

Much has been done already to bring Summit Meadow back to its original condition. Future restoration work includes:

– Removal of an additional 50 acres of conifer. Note that in the areas where there are Native American grinding rocks, the tree removal will be done by hand by Native Americans to keep the grinding rock areas sacred.

– The sheep pen corrals will remain protected and parking will be expanded and moved east.

– The Lytton Creek fan will be reworked to slow water flow.

– More willow fascines will be installed to further slow water as they sprout new willows.

– More seeding will be planted.

– Some roadwork and swales will be reworked to improve drainage.

– Further analysis of data to check the effectiveness of the beaver dam analogs.

– Planning will begin for the alignment of a loop trail which will allow people to walk around the meadow. Some of the sections of the trail will require a boardwalk since it expected that the water will be higher.

– On the south side of the dam’s wing walls will host a parking area, bathrooms, and recreational activities and facilities.

By 2025 we should see wider results of the hydro-seeding, more native plant growth in the former river channel areas and further slowing of surface water flow. We should also see more bird and amphibian diversity. Combining collected data over that past ten years and the subsequent two years will give a better picture of the success and needed fine tuning. Perhaps some beavers might even take up residence.

How to Get the Full Story

Sign up for a Donner Party Hike! The hikes will take place on September 9 and 10. There are eight unique hikes, one of which takes you to the Van Norden meadow and dam in the Summit Valley where you can learn about the history of the area from local historians. Space is limited so please sign up at https://donnerpartyhike.com/

About the Scientist

Alecia Weisman, Headwaters Science Program Director at SYRCL, has a master’s degree in Hydrology from the University of Nevada Reno. Her work has centered on assessing water quality and carbon dynamics of high elevation lakes and wetlands and has been working on meadow restoration projects since 2019.

About the Authors

Bill Oudegeest is a well-known author, historian, teacher and community member of Donner Summit.

Judy DePuy is a volunteer with the Truckee-Donner and Donner Summit Historical Societies and a Board member for the Museum of Truckee History and the Truckee Donner Railroad Society.

“Oh, I know you. I remember you from church. You’re Thomas Sawyer.”

“They only call me that when I’m bad, you can call me Tom.”

Tom wrote some words on his slate, and hid them from Becky. She begged to see

them. Tom whispered: “Promise you won’t tell.”

“I promise,” said Becky. Tom moved his hand, and Becky read the words: “‘I love you.’ Oh,

you’re bad!” She blushed and turned away, but Tom saw her smiling, and he knew she was

pleased.

At lunch Tom and Becky met behind the schoolhouse, and Tom asked Becky a question.

“Have you ever been engaged?”

“No,” replied Becky.

“Would you like to be?” asked Tom.

“Maybe. What’s special about it?”

“Well,” said Tom, “first we kiss, and then you like only me, and I like only you. And we

walk to and from school together.”

Becky thought it sounded nice, so she said, “I love you,” in Tom’s ear.

Then I woke up…

So, the girls will have the upstairs to themselves, while I can help myself to a midnight snack downstairs without waking anybody. Nervous? As Huckleberry might like to say, “I reckon not!” The fact that we have not seen each other in thirty years will not prevent us from remembering that we used to be as close as a couple coffee filters. And we can always reintroduce ourselves…

I might want to say, “Hi, I’m Tom Sawyer, Black Avenger of the Spanish Main, and you?

She might like to answer…

“Pleased to meet you, my name’s Tina, Tina Bo Bina, banana fana fo fina, fee fie mo mina, Tina!”

The gentle reader is much too young to remember, “The Name Game,” and I caution you, do not try it, for it will ransack your brain before you know what you’re about.

We’ll have Happy Hour with some friends, and take in some music on the beach before dining out. A short hike is on the agenda, along with a swim in the Lake of the Sky. I just hope I can find my mask, my snorkel, my fins and my noodle, for without my noodle, I could find myself on the bottom of the lake alongside some gangsters I don’t even know.

Well, please hope me luck in this encounter of the ages. All I can say in advance is that I know I will see her as the wonderful creature she has always been, composed entirely of watch springs and happiness, while I, meanwhile, shall try my level best to not be an ass…

Audio: https://anchor.fm/mcavoy-layne

Dear Confused About Gaslighting: That’s a great question. It can be confusing, in part because the meaning has shifted over time. Originally it meant a deliberate campaign to gain control over someone by messing with them and then denying it in order to make them feel insane. It’s now come to also describe a range of behaviors that minimize or invalidate someone’s feelings or experiences. 

Gaslighting can be anything from saying ‘you’re being too sensitive’ when someone tells you that they were upset by something you did, to telling them ‘I think this is really about your anxiety’ when they say that they are worried about your drinking, to making critical comments about your partner’s appearance and then saying ‘why are you so insecure about how you look?’  

Gaslighting can be purposeful and malicious or it can be a habit that works to avoid or deflect from having to deal with someone else’s feelings or needs.  

Gaslighting can happen in any relationship, like between parent and child, in an intimate relationship or in a work relationship. It can happen on a wider cultural or political level when people are made to feel wrong or crazy for their normal reactions to oppression or marginalization. It can happen in medical settings when people are told their symptoms are just ‘in their heads’ or not worth investigating. We can even gaslight ourselves when we doubt, judge or minimize the reality of our own feelings and experiences.  

It is important to understand gaslighting and take it very seriously. It is a basic human right to have authority over our own feelings and experiences. I get to learn for myself and say for myself what feels good or doesn’t feel good, what I feel or need emotionally and what my body likes or doesn’t like. Rejecting or trampling on this authority is suffocating and annihilating. It erases personhood.  

It’s also important to understand what gaslighting isn’t. I have heard gaslighting used inaccurately to describe behaviors that have nothing to do with denying a person’s authority over their own experiences. Having a different opinion, not agreeing with someone’s version of events, clarifying your intentions or explaining what you meant with your words is not gaslighting. That said, if there is a lack of good communication, these behaviors can spiral into terrible loops of both people feeling stonewalled and unheard, which can feel like gaslighting. 

If, for example, your partner says ‘you are ignoring me’ and you say ‘no I’m not’, that’s not gaslighting. If they say ‘you said my idea was worthless’ and you say, ‘you misunderstood me’, that’s not gaslighting. In these cases, unless you are lying in order to deny the other person’s reality, you are actually exercising your own right to say what’s true for you. But, it can feel to your partner like you’re denying their feelings.  

If, on the other hand, communication happens  in a non-blaming way like ‘when you come home and don’t say hello, I feel ignored’, then we have the opportunity for both people to be heard. You can say ‘I’m so sorry I made you feel ignored’ and then explain why you didn’t say hello. Frequently in couples, there are good intentions or good reasons for how we act but harmful impacts. In that case, both intention and impact need to be heard and believed.  

So, Confused About Gaslighting, with this understanding, do you think you might be gaslighting your partner? Do you think it’s more of a communication issue? Do you gaslight yourself? Do you think you’re being gaslit by anyone? 

If you have work to do in this area, you’re not alone. I think we can probably all do better around identifying the role of gaslighting in our lives and affirming our own human right of self authority and the rights of others.  

Danielle B. Grossman, Licensed Marriage and Family Therapist, has worked with clients in the Truckee/Tahoe community for 20 years. She helps individuals and couples with their relationships, anxiety, grief, struggles with food and addiction. Reach out at truckeecounseling@gmail.com or learn more at truckeecounseling.com. 

Olsen and Dillaway purchased the property in 1992 shortly before the Reno Patagonia Service Center first opened. According to Olsen, Patagonia’s quest to build an ecologically sustainable business comes directly from reverence for, and enjoyment of, the wild outdoors.

“Although as CEO I focused on eliminating toxins and waste, minimizing emissions and powering the company with renewable energy, the inspiration for everyone in the company comes from time spent hiking, climbing, fishing, skiing, mountain biking—all of which are immediately available outside the door of this mountain cabin and unique protected acreage,” Olsen said.

For the first 16 years of ownership, the Olsen-Dillaway family camped, hiked and skied on the property prior to building their cabin in 2008, a testament to the tranquil wilderness setting that the property affords.

“This is truly a unique mountain opportunity that is perfect for those looking for privacy, a peaceful setting, and the ability to recreate from the back door,” said listing agent Dave Westall of Sierra Sotheby’s International Realty.

Camp Juniper is about one mile from the Tahoe Rim Trail and one mile from the Mt. Rose Wilderness just across the California-Nevada border. Though the property is just 13 miles from downtown Truckee and 37 miles from the Reno-Tahoe International Airport, it feels utterly remote.

“In 30 years of hiking that wilderness, I have come across another person only on one occasion—but I have often encountered bears, deer, bobcats and martens,” said Olsen.

In the summer there’s easy access to stunning hiking trails that lead to Murphy Meadows and the Tahoe Rim Trail, and in the winter months, you can backcountry ski tour from the house to the north-facing aspects of Martis Peak.

Aspen and alder trees lining the creek create a wide riparian area that attracts many species of birds and large and small mammals. Trout are sometimes visible in pools up and down the creek. Abundant wildflowers can be found throughout the property including several species of lupin, penstemon, giant hyssop, mountain pennyroyal and more.

The forest itself is among the most diverse in the entire Tahoe Basin, with red and white fir; Jeffrey pine, sugar pine and tamarack pine; cedar, aspen, alder and ancient Sierra Juniper which anchor the entire drainage from Rifle Peak above Lake Tahoe down to the Truckee River.

As for the home, Olsen said they wanted a simple and easy-to-maintain cabin, with decks and a covered lanai where they could sit and watch birds and wildlife in all weather conditions.

The cabin is approximately 2,000 square feet with three bedrooms, two baths, a loft area, and a large bonus room that could be used as a family room, music studio, fourth bedroom or artist studio. Additionally, there’s a covered porch overlooking the wilderness and a large back deck perfect for entertaining. The property also features a detached two-car garage and a greenhouse.

The cabin was built using sustainable practices with energy efficiency in mind. The Olsens utilized Structural Insulated Panels (SIPS): nine inches of foam insulation between three-quarter-inch plywood sheets for the walls, and 14 inches of foam insulation between plywood panels for the roof, all built around very large laminated wooden beams and posts.

“The result is a structurally solid and super-insulated house that stays cool even on very hot days and holds heat very well through cold winters,” Olsen said.

Cementitious siding material was used as it holds up well to the elements, has a higher fire rating than wood and requires less maintenance. All decks are composite for durability with minimal maintenance.

What makes this property truly stand out isn’t the home itself but the unparalleled panorama that it provides. The top of the property, at 7,400′, has unobstructed views of the Sierra Crest, Boca and Stampede reservoirs and, on clear days, Mt. Lassen.

“As we intended, we can see no houses, lights, roads or power lines from our house,” Olsen said.

For details, contact Dave Westall with Sierra Sotheby’s International Realty at Dave@WestallRealEstate.com or 530-448-9882.

Of that total, the board approved designating over $300,000 is to develop an electricity-generation facility fueled by forest-thinning projects. This project arose through a $500,000 grant from the Governor’s Office of Planning and Research, known as the Tahoe Central Sierra California Forest Residual Aggregation Market Enhancement (CalFRAME) pilot project.

“We’re particularly excited about this innovative approach to removing these fuels because it helps to create a market for the small trees and brush cleared from area forests which will help prevent catastrophic fires,” said Board Chairman Robert Dugan. “These fires threaten water supplies in two ways: They can cause severe erosion that can damage water and power infrastructure, and they can pollute water supplies and increase treatment costs.”

The woody feedstock is sourced from projects in Tahoe portions of El Dorado, Placer and Nevada counties.

The other project for which the board approved funding of was $250,000 to begin the process for installing new backup emergency generators at PCWA’s American River and Ophir Road pump stations to ensure these two vital facilities can deliver water during power outages. These generators will double PCWA’s pumping capacity to ensure water delivery to customers during emergency power shutoff events, whether triggered by high fire risk, severe weather, or other unforeseen events.

The generators themselves will be purchased with a $2.3 million grant from the Federal Emergency Management Agency, obtained through the California Office of Emergency Services.

The board also approved the Regional Mutual Assistance Agreement with the California
Utilities Emergency Association for up to $1,000,000, enabling the Agency to access specialized
labor resources from other electrical utilities in response to utility emergencies when the
agency does not have internal personnel capabilities.

The PCWA board also heard an informational report from staff on the condition of the Eastside
Canal, followed by public comment.

The next regular meeting of the PCWA Board of Directors will be held on Thursday, August 17,
at 2 p.m. For information on PCWA board meetings, please contact the Clerk to the Board at
(530) 823-4850 or (800) 464-0030.

LaBIANCA MURDERS

On August 9, 1969, Manson, Van Houten at age 19, and other members of the Manson Family drove around Los Angeles for four hours selecting possible victims to murder. The alleged purpose of the Manson murders was to start a race war between blacks and whites in America. Manson hoped his brutal murders would be blamed on blacks thus starting a race war.

The murders frightened the citizens of Los Angeles and made the national news. Manson himself died in prison on November 19, 2017.

A jury convicted Van Houten in 1971 of first degree murder which was reversed because Van Houten’s attorney had disappeared during the trial. She was retried and the jury deadlocked, she was then convicted by a third jury. The trial court imposed concurrent life sentences with the possibility of parole.

PRIOR PAROLE REVERSALS

The Board of Parole Hearings found Van Houten suitable for parole in 2016, 2017, and 2019. Governor Newson reversed the 2019 parole ruling which Van Houten challenged in court. The Second Appellate District Court of Appeal reviewed Van Houten’s history coming from a broken family (her parents divorced), a forced illegal abortion and her drug and alcohol abuse including LSD which she was on during the killings. All of which Van Houten claimed led her down a path that left her vulnerable to Manson.

The court of appeal wrote: “Van Houten has showed extraordinary rehabilitative efforts, insight, remorse, realistic parole plans, support from family and friends, favorable institutional reports, and, at the time of the Governor’s decision had received four successive grants of parole.”

COURT OF APPEAL ORDERS VAN HOUTEN’S RELEASE ON PAROLE

The court of appeal ultimately ruled in favor of Van Houten’s release from prison citing a California Supreme Court Case that only allows a governor to overrule a parole ruling if “an inmate continues to pose an unreasonable risk to public safety.” The Parole Board found Van Houten posed no risk to public safety and the court of appeal agreed, notwithstanding the heinous nature of her crime, finding no evidence to support the Governor’s conclusions about Van Houten’s fitness for parole.

My take is there is no upside to a governor who likely will be a candidate for President of the United States, to parole a member of the heinous Manson Family.

California Attorney General Rob Bonta interestingly did not file a petition to the California Supreme Court to stop her release. Leslie Van Houten was paroled on July 12, 2023. 

Jim Porter is a retired attorney from the Porter Simon law firm. Porter Simon has offices in Truckee, California and Reno, Nevada. These are Jim’s personal opinions. Jim may be reached at jameslporterjr@gmail.com. Like Porter Simon on Facebook. ©2023

The Sierra Sun moved into its offices at 1231 Deerfield Drive in late 2014 in the Pioneer Commerce Center where they remained until that office closed in 2019. They moved to a smaller office space and would not be able to take the books full of their archives with them when they moved to their new location at 10266 Truckee Airport Rd.  If the Sierra Sun volumes were not moved to the new location, they would simply be discarded.    

It was decided that the 182 bound volumes of the Sierra Sun, starting in 1933, and continuing to at least 2015, needed to go through the process of being digitized, so they could be archived. 

Heidi Sproat, Webmaster, Image, and Map Collections for https://truckeehistory.org, praises Truckee Donner Historical Society president and curator Greg Zirbel for being at the right place at the right time, and for being a big help in the process of getting the Sierra Sun’s volumes digitized. 

“With the exception of two individuals, all indexing was done by Truckee Donner Historical Society volunteers.  There was no way we could do all the indexing metadata prep work for California-Revealed (CA-R) with just us volunteers.  We were squeezed for time as it was, but we got the grant in on time, and it was successful,” adds Sproat. 

“I was the physical guy.  I’m checking them in and out of the jail cell at the Truckee Jail Museum, delivering them to others’ houses, where they would catalog five albums at a time.  Then we had a couple that were just the ones that were integrating all these single catalogs into one big catalog that we would send in for our final submission to California-Revealed,” explains Zirbel. 

In order to be considered as a contender for the limited California-Revealed grant monies in 2021, TDHS applied for the grant that would be used for the digitization effort.  They were fortunate to be selected to get 10 years’ worth of Sierra Sun’s digitized. 

California-Revealed granted the Truckee Donner Historical Society with a second grant last year. 

“All bound volumes are currently catalogued into 46 fields in an Excel spreadsheet for every single issue.  The first round of cataloguing was 86, 854 pages.  On July 24 of last year, we submitted 3,100 issues in the first round, and this year was another 1,566 issues of metadata that we prepared and submitted for the second round,” says Zirbel. 

In December of last year, Zirbel delivered the first 10 albums, from 1933-1944, down to the California State Library, next to the state capital. 

When asked about the process of taking the original pages and archiving them, Zirbel had this to say, “They take that, and they put it on microfilm.  Then they’re going to de-bound the books and scan them digitally, so they’ll be word searchable.  Then they will send them back to be bound.  Now we need to purchase the acid free boxes and stuff to store them in.  Right now, they will all live mostly in the number one high security cell in the jail, in the old Truckee Jail Museum, where they’re nice and safe.” 

Since these digitized volumes are now word searchable, they will be available at California-Revealed, and maybe Library of Congress and other sites. 

However, there are ten or so albums missing from the collection.  They are the years ’34, ’45, ’47, ’48, ’63, ’67, ’68, ’69, and ’81.   

Along with the missing albums, there were many articles about events and issues that the Truckee Donner Historical Society had been searching for, but until they got the Sierra Sun volumes, they could not locate the other articles on topics such as the development of the hospital, the town of Truckee, airport, roadways, incorporation, building and activities of the Truckee Veterans Hall, the 1960 Squaw Valley Olympics, the August 1960 Donner Ridge Fire, the 100^th commemoration of the Donner Party, World War II era stories of service and sacrifice, the flooding in 1997, and so much more. 

TDHS asks that if anybody knows where those volumes are, the Truckee Donner Historical Society would love to have them back so they can get them scanned and filed with the rest of the collection, for everybody to share. 

Because there is no other newspaper record available of the happenings in Truckee and the immediate area, reviewing these volumes provided a window into learning about various issues confronting Truckee over the years. 

The Sierra Sun has been in publication in Truckee since 1869, and was formerly known as the Truckee Sun. The Sierra Sun is one of the oldest newspapers in California, with roots going back to the gold rush era of the 1860s.  The newspaper made its debut as the Truckee Tribune in 1869, published by N.W. Ferguson.   E.B. Boust was the first editor. 

At least four publishers of the paper served in the state legislature, and at least two editors were shot to death while on the job. 

In 1936, Walter Barrett purchased the paper, and owned the Sierra Sun until March 21, 1967, when he sold it to the Tahoe Daily Tribune, Inc.  In 1980, the Sierra Sun became property of Mount Rose Publishing Company, a corporation headed at the time by Philip Swift of Swift Newspapers Inc. in Carson City, Nevada. It is now owned by Ogden Publications.

Until 2003, the Sierra Sun had been a weekly newspaper, it then expanded in 2003 to a twice-weekly publication.  In 2006, it began publishing daily, for five days.  But, in 2009, the Sierra Sun went back to being once a week publication.  

As of right now, the Sierra Sun is published on Fridays.  It has a circulation of 6,200 people, covering North Lake Tahoe (from the west shore to Incline Village), Truckee, Donner Summit, and all of the communities in between. 

Big Blue Adventure organized the race, which took runners from Historic Downtown Truckee out to Donner Lake and back.

Preston Peterson, 17 of La Porte, Indiana, took top honors, finishing the course in 1 hour, 25 minutes, 22 seconds to claim first place. Reno’s Joe Abittan, 32, took second place with a time of 1:30:23.

Truckee’s Donatas Ereminas, 41, was the top local finisher with a time of 1:31:06 to take third place. Truckee runners Dan Brounstein (1:38:10), Bryce Grebitus (1:38:40) and Ryan Ness (1:42:31) all finished within the top 10.

Reno’s Ally Protani, 24, won the women’s race with a time of 1:46:57, followed by Carson City’s Kamille Carlson, 35, with a time of 1:49:03, and Liz Lyles, 45, of Reno, with a time of 1:49:32.

Truckee’s Nicole Kunzman, 39, was the top local finisher, posting a time of 1:55:31 to take fifth place. Mackenzie Collins, 35, of Truckee finished seventh with a time of 1:57:15.

The day’s competition also featured a five-kilometer race. Jack Rattary, 17, of Walnut Creek, took first in the event with a time of 18:33. Truckee’s Jeremy Elliot, 46, was the top local finisher, posting a time of 23:38 to take ninth place. A pair of 11-year-olds from Truckee also were among the fastest times. Hudson Hollway Keim took 10^th place with a time of 23:45 and Dylan Bunker finished 12^th with a time of 23:53.

Truckee’s Kailey Larson, 42, finished second in the women’s division with a time of 25:41. Courtney Hollway Keim, 40, of Truckee, finished in fourth place with a time of 26:45.

Big Blue Adventure will take the weekend off before returning Sunday, Aug. 13, with the annual Marlette 50K Trail Run. For more information or to register for upcoming events, visit www.bigblueadventure.com.

But, as much as I feel our team doing this is doing a good job, I feel like we can be better. We can always be better. In order for us to do that, we’re asking for a bit of help.

Throughout the month of August, we are conducting a reader survey to better help us understand what it is you want to get out of your engagement with the Sierra Sun. Or, as I like to refer to it: what do we need to stop doing, start doing, and keep doing?

Covering the news these days is not an easy task. But, it is one of the most important things within a community. People need to have information as it relates to things like civic and political information, transportation, the environment, the economy, housing, recreation, and especially emergency-related topics such as wildfire.

Across the U.S. we have seen what happens to communities when their local news outlet goes away. Communities suffer from lack of information and when that happens, democracy also suffers. There’s no denying that well-informed citizens make smarter decisions when it comes to their community. That’s why we are asking for your input.

We need to ensure that if there are topics or conversations, or even uncomfortable questions that need to be asked of local government or agencies, that we are doing that for you. This is your news source. If you have input, thoughts, ideas, even criticisms, that’s what this survey is for. Let us know.

The survey should only take about seven minutes to complete and if want to add your email address (not necessary to provide feedback) you could even win a Visa gift card valued at $100.

This survey is as much for you as it is for us. We’ll take the information we receive and use it to ensure we are doing right by you, the community. We’ll even share some of this information once we’ve had an opportunity to cultivate and review.

The survey is open through August 31. Go to sierrasun.com/readersurvey to give your input.

We look forward to hearing from you. And as always, thank you for your support.

Rob Galloway is publisher of the Sierra Sun and can be reached at rgalloway@swiftcom.com or 530-542-8046.