In The News – Incline High student among 21 WCSD students named as semifinalists in 2026 National Merit Scholarship Program
September 17, 2025 | Member Submitted
Originally published in the Tahoe Daily Tribune, 09/17/2025, Staff Report
Twenty-one high school students in the Washoe County School District (WCSD) have been named semifinalists in the 2026 National Merit Scholarship Program, including Incline High Student Chloe Greer. They are among more than 16,000 scholars nationwide who will compete for nearly $26 million in college scholarships to be awarded next spring.
The semifinalists from the Washoe County School District are:
In The News – Washoe County approves Tahoe Area Plan; May boost housing but residents worry about safety and environment
September 16, 2025 | Member Submitted
Originally Published by KUNR, 09/04/2025, Written by Maria Palma
The Washoe County Board of Commissioners voted 3-1 on Aug. 26 to adopt amendments to the Tahoe Area Plan, despite strong pushback from some Incline Village and Crystal Bay residents.
Adopted in 2021, the Tahoe Area Plan serves as a masterplan for growth in the two communities, setting rules for building height, parking requirements, and housing density.
The newly approved changes—developed with the Tahoe Regional Planning Agency (TRPA)—are designed to support more affordable housing in the region. For example, the amendments allow certain buildings to reach 65 feet in height, up from 56 feet, and lift density caps in some developments.
Travel North Tahoe Nevada Launches Resident Sentiment Survey
September 16, 2025 | Member Submitted
Community feedback will inform future work by TNTNV
To better understand how tourism and community needs intersect, Travel North Tahoe Nevada (TNTNV) (TNTNV) is launching a resident sentiment survey in partnership with Longwoods International as part of their national survey initiative. The goal is to gather feedback from residents about the benefits and challenges of tourism while also identifying community priorities such as expanded transportation and transit options, downtown beautification projects, and other initiatives that improve quality of life for residents. Residents who complete the survey will be entered to win a $100 gift card to a local restaurant.
Residents can complete the survey by clicking on the link here.
“Tourism is a vital part of our economy, but it is also deeply connected to the quality of life here in Washoe Tahoe,” said Andy Chapman, President & CEO of Travel North Tahoe Nevada. “Our residents are the heart of this community. This survey gives us the chance to hear their perspectives not only on tourism, but also on the investments they want to see in areas like transit, infrastructure, and public spaces. Their input will help guide our work to ensure Incline Village and Crystal Bay remain a world-class destination and a vibrant place to live.”
The survey is now live and will remain open for two weeks. All responses will directly inform TNTNV’s future planning, helping shape investments that support residents while balancing the region’s role as a top travel destination. Survey responses are completely anonymous.
About Travel North Tahoe Nevada: Travel North Tahoe Nevada (TNTNV) is the public organization responsible for destination management for the North Shore, Nevada side of Lake Tahoe. Its mission is to encourage destination experiences that support a vibrant economy, enhance community character, and foster environmental stewardship by reinvesting visitor generated revenue back into the local community. For more information, click here.
Since taking ownership of the Cal Neva, the McWhinney team has advanced its commitment to revitalize and preserve the iconic property. To date, much of the team’s efforts have focused on stormwater infrastructure, grading, site utilities, structural enhancements, and Wellness center construction. These improvements are being made with the goal of honoring the site’s legacy, historic preservation, protecting environmental health, and investing for the long-term in this community.
“We’re focused on preserving the quality of the natural space, scenic views, as well as the historic architecture,” said Jason Newcomer, Senior Vice President of Hospitality Development with McWhinney.
McWhinney is no stranger to historic preservation in a hospitality setting. The company was a key partner in the award-winning redevelopment of Denver’s Union Station, a landmark transformed into a mixed-use transit hub featuring retail, dining, and the 112-room Crawford Hotel. Building on the legacy of thoughtful restoration and placemaking, McWhinney is channeling this generational perspective into Cal Neva’s successful restoration and longevity.
As part of the restoration, McWhinney has engaged Proper Hospitality, a luxury lifestyle hospitality company known for its locally inspired properties, as the operator. Operating acclaimed hotels from Santa Monica to San Francisco, the company’s emphasis on “uncommon luxury” makes for an ideal partner for Cal Neva’s next chapter.
Recently, Proper’s Jamie Mark, Vice President of Community Development and a project team member, even relocated to Incline Village and is now a full-time resident. Mark brings an extensive background in hospitality and a community-oriented approach to development. “It has been a wonderful experience meeting so many great people who have welcomed us here to Tahoe,” she added.
Together, McWhinney and Proper are working to begin the design process for modernizing the resort. The team aims to reopen in late 2027, celebrating more than 100 years of Cal Neva. While key aspects of the revitalization are still being finalized, the team continues to make plans to restore and enhance the resort’s most iconic features and gathering places, including upgrading and modernizing the existing 10-story hotel tower, the showroom, circle bar, historic lodge, theatre, three-meal dining, and meeting/event spaces. Plans also include restoring a portion of the original tunnels beneath the lodge. Along with maintaining its historic significance, the team is also exploring a world-class spa, wellness center, and upgraded outdoor lounge areas. The property will feature chef-driven dining, arts and culture programming, and amenities that reflect North Lake Tahoe’s character and charm.
The community’s enthusiasm has been a significant driver of decision-making on this project – the outpouring of support and the invaluable input have helped to inform how the project moves forward. Since purchasing the property, the team at McWhinney has engaged extensively and enthusiastically with the local community throughout the design process, hosting (literally) hundreds of meetings, conducting tours and open houses. Many people have shared their treasured memories about Cal Neva.
McWhinney has welcomed this local input and is working to bring back beloved events and traditions in the theater and social spaces. Plans for new lodging options are designed to support residents and visitors alike, offsetting the region’s recent loss of 400 hotel rooms and helping to reduce reliance on short-term rentals. A ’Park Once’ philosophy will encourage walkability and multi-modal transportation in and around the town center.
The revitalization is not only about preserving history—it’s also about supporting economic growth, making environmental improvements, and adding new amenities for both locals and visitors. The project is designed to contribute to the long-term vitality of the region, with a focus on sustainability, accessibility and community connection.
St. Patrick’s Episcopal Church, located in Incline Village, is pleased to announce the availability of its newly refurbished parish hall/meeting room. With over 1,800 square feet of space, and a capacity of 130 persons, it’s a perfect place to hold meetings, parties or dinners. The meeting area has a commercial kitchen that is perfect for your cooking or catering needs!
This indoor meeting space is a complement to the outdoor sanctuary and amphitheater that the church remodeled in 2021. The 150-person outdoor event area features bench seating, outdoor sound and unsurpassed beauty. Already having hosted Tahoe’s Mark Twain and a series of weddings, the park-like setting under the trees provides a perfect Tahoe setting for all-kinds of events.
Located at 341 Village Blvd, steps from downtown and a short drive to the lake, the combination of outdoor and indoor meeting facilities is unmatched. And to make your planning complete, we are one of the few facilities that offers a “Plan B” in case your special event comes with Mountain rain, snow, sleet or hail. We can switch from outside to inside venues as quickly as the weather changes!
As part of the facility updates, St. Patrick’s opened its back deck and lower patio venue. With an upper deck capable of hosting 70 and a lower patio area capable of hosting up to 150 persons for dinner or entertainment, the combination of outdoor chapel and patio is an attractive site for locals and visitors alike. All outdoor venues can be equipped with outdoor heaters while the deck can feature umbrellas and lighting.
These amenities combined with a traditional sanctuary, indoor chapel and exquisitely appointed bride’s room provides unparalleled entertainment options
Interested in booking events? Call 775-831-1418 for more information
Welcome to the September edition of our eNews!As summer comes to an end, we want to thank everyone who has been engaged in the Cultivating Community process. This phase of of the Tahoe Regional Planning Agency’s (TRPA) housing work is about re-shaping regulations to reflect the balance of people and nature in Tahoe’s unique environment—a challenging and incredibly rewarding effort. As we head into fall, we’re weaving in the ideas so many of you shared over the summer and developing policy recommendations for review in an environmental impact statement. Review the Workshop 2 Summary to see how we’ve pulled that together.
Please join us at upcoming events in September and October detailed below to share your feedback on the policy recommendations we have distilled from the community’s input.
This months eNews highlights the ongoing engagement opportunities open to the public this fall, new housing programs in the region, and the reopening of our Community Academy Scholarship for the public.
Finally, starting later this month, TRPA Housing Outreach Coordinator Kaley Arboleda will be taking over this eNews, so look for upcoming emails in your inbox from Kaley.
Tahoe Gifting Co, Expands with New Event & Workshop Space – The Cut
September 10, 2025 | Member Submitted
Tahoe Gifting Co, known for its custom and artisan-made gifts, has expanded with a brand-new event and workshop venue called The Cut, located at 868 Tahoe Blvd, Ste 8, Incline Village—right next door to its retail shop.
The Cut offers three ways to enjoy it: private rentals for community, corporate, birthday, and bachelorette gatherings—with the option to bring in an artisan for a private workshop; Tahoe Gifting Co–hosted events such as spirits tastings and product launches; and hands-on workshops led by local artisans and the Tahoe Gifting Co team, ranging from candle making to ceramics and jewelry.
The community is invited to celebrate at The Cut’s grand opening party on September 20 at 6 pm. A calendar of events will be posted soon online and on the bulletin board between Suites 8 and 9.
Meanwhile, Tahoe Gifting Co’s retail shop remains a hub for unique gifts, continuing to offer custom holiday and large-scale gifting with nationwide shipping.
Tahoe Gifting Co.
Tahoe Gifting Co began in 2020 when founders Darya Shahvaran and Matthew Rautio set out to bring local artisans and small businesses together under one gifting roof—at a time when small businesses needed it most. As a woman- and veteran-owned business, their mission was to showcase the community’s creativity while making gifting feel personal and unique. Over time, Shahvaran layered in her graphic design background, and in December 2022 the company welcomed its laser engraver, affectionately named Ruth, which transformed the business by enabling personalized gifts from water bottles to cutting boards. By fall 2023, Chelsey Elkik joined the team, adding her creativity and heart, and today Tahoe Gifting Co stands as a circle of friends, partners, and collaborators who make it what it is.
In The News – What’s at the bottom of Lake Tahoe?: One team is preparing to show the world
September 9, 2025 | Member Submitted
Originally published in the Tahoe Daily Tribune, 09/04/2025, Written by Katelyn Welsh
Chase Petley rummages through the tool-laden shelves in his garage and proudly pulls out a cylinder marked by shattered glass.
“This is one of my favorite failures,” he says. It’s one of the 15 or so remotely operated vehicles (ROVs) he’s designed in his quest to explore the bottom of Lake Tahoe.
“If anyone knew what I knew about the bottom of the lake and [has] seen what I’ve seen,” Petley says, “it would be crazy not to be putting your whole life into building the equipment and grabbing the people, like I’ve done, to go and explore and show people.”
In The News – Construction underway on new Tahoe Meadows access ramp
September 9, 2025 | Member Submitted
Originally published in the Tahoe Daily Tribune, 9/9/2025, Staff Report
Construction is now underway to build an accessibility ramp in the Tahoe Meadows off Mt. Rose Highway. This new ramp will help everyone, including those with mobility challenges, access more than half a mile of boardwalk trail.
Crews from Granite Construction will be working in the area for the next few weeks. During this time, the stairs to the boardwalks will be closed. Visitors can still access the Meadows via the Ophir Creek Trail, also known as the Tahoe Rim Trail Connector.
The Tahoe Fund partnered with the Tahoe Meadows Access Ramp Committee on a fundraising campaign to build an accessibility ramp. The NV Energy Foundation, the Keyser Foundation and dozens of Tahoe Fund donors helped to meet a $75,000 match provided by Steven and Sandy Hardie to make this project happen.
Tahoe Forest Health System is excited to welcome the community to the Annual Fall Fun Run on Saturday, October 11, 2025, at Truckee Regional Park. This family-friendly event celebrates the spirit of “Walk-tober” with opportunities for participants of all ages and abilities to run, walk, or race along the scenic Legacy Trail.
The morning begins with packet and bib pickup from 7:30 to 8:30 am at the Truckee Regional Park, followed by staggered race starts beginning at 9:00 am Runners can choose from three distances: a 10K, a 5K, or a 1-mile run/walk. Each course starts and finishes in the Regional Park and takes participants along the beautiful Truckee River on the Legacy Trail. The routes include gentle elevation changes, with the 5K and 10K incorporating a dirt-path segment for a bit of extra challenge.
After crossing the finish line, every participant will receive a finisher medal and a celebratory beverage, with a choice of beer or hop water provided by FiftyFifty Brewing. Post-race festivities run from 10:00 am to 12:00 pm and include live music, delicious food available for purchase, and time to gather with friends and family.
Registration is open now at https://runsignup.com/tfhsfallfunrun. To secure early-bird pricing, participants are encouraged to register before October 3, 2025, when rates will increase. Costumes are encouraged!
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About Tahoe Forest Health System
Tahoe Forest Health System, which includes Tahoe Forest Hospital in Truckee, CA, and Incline Village Community Hospital in Incline Village, NV, offers 24-hour emergency care, a Level III trauma center, three urgent care clinics, and primary and specialty care clinics throughout Truckee and North Lake Tahoe, including Tahoe Forest Orthopedics & Sports Medicine, the Gene Upshaw Memorial Tahoe Forest Cancer Center, and the Joseph Family Center for Women and Newborn Care. With a strong focus on high-quality patient care, community collaboration, clinical excellence, and technical innovation, Tahoe Forest Health System strives to be the health system of choice in our region and the best mountain health system in the nation. For a complete list of physician specialties and services, visit www.tfhd.com.
