Originally Published in The Tahoe Daily Tribune, 02/14/2025, Written by Zoe Meyer

A coalition of conservation groups, including the Sierra Club – Tahoe Area Group, North Tahoe Preservation Alliance, Friends of the West Shore, Tahoe East Shore Alliance, and TahoeCleanAir.org, are urging the Tahoe Regional Planning Agency (TRPA) to prioritize a comprehensive wildfire evacuation analysis for the Lake Tahoe Basin.

In a recent letter to TRPA, the groups expressed concerns over what they describe as a failure to produce a detailed evacuation capacity study—an assessment they argue is critical for understanding how quickly residents and visitors could safely leave the area in the event of a fast-moving wildfire under extreme conditions. They assert that despite repeated public requests, TRPA has not required such an analysis for new area plans or major development projects.

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Photo Credit: Tahoe Daily Tribune Katelyn Welsh

Originally Published in the Sierra Sun, 2/14/2025, Written by Katelyn Welsh

The Tahoe Inn is planned to come down sooner than anticipated after the Tahoe Regional Planning Agency swept the blighted building’s fate into decisions regarding Homewood Mountain Resort’s Master Plan Amendments.

“I’ve been calling for five years that I’ve been in office that it needs to come down,” Placer County representative, Cindy Gustafson, said at the agency’s Governing Board meeting Jan. 22, where the master plan amendments were on the table. A handful of residents echoed her sentiment in comment.

“We hear the community and obviously you loud and clear here,” Homewood representative, Ryan Porter of JMA Ventures (one of Homewood’s owners) responded. “We understand the importance and we will commit to demoing that and making good on that obligation much sooner.”

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Photo Credit: Tahoe Daily Tribune

Hyatt Regency Lake Tahoe Resort, Spa and Casino, a spacious year-round resort nestled in stunning natural beauty of North Lake Tahoe’s Sierra Nevada Mountains, announces a curated collection of activities for the 2025 Ski Week. Taking place from February 15 to February 22, the resort’s fun-filled schedule features everything from après ski yoga to stretch and recenter after a day on the slopes to a “Brews & Burns” woodburning workshop.

“We are thrilled to unveil a special schedule of activities for the 2025 Ski Week, designed to help travelers make the most of their ski getaway,” said Andrew DeLapp, Resort Manager at Hyatt Regency Lake Tahoe Resort, Spa and Casino. “With our premier location offering easy access to North Lake Tahoe’s incredible ski conditions, we provide the perfect snow-filled escape enhanced by a line-up of activities the entire family will enjoy.”

Highlights of the 2025 Ski Week schedule include:

• “Brews & Burns” Woodburning Workshop: Guests can participate in a hands-on woodburning workshop while sipping their favorite beverages – whether it’s a frosty beer for adults or non-alcoholic selections for younger participants. 
• “Moonlight in the Meadows” Snowshoe Experience: Guests will take in the breathtaking views of the serene winter wonderland under the enchanting glow of the night sky during this guided snowshoe adventure.
• “Foraged and Free” Beverage Class: Participants will learn the art of crafting flavorful, zero-proof beverages using locally foraged ingredients from the North Lake Tahoe area.

In addition to these signature events, the resort will offer additional snowshoe adventures suitable for all skill levels, a bounce house for children, and even après ski yoga sessions.

The festivities will culminate with the “Elemental Immersion” Community Unity event, the only event during ski week open to both resort guests and the local community. All proceeds from the event will benefit the Village Pet Foundation. This day of wellness and connection will feature classes led by local wellness experts including restorative breathwork sessions, an intention-based cold plunge into the crystal-clear waters of Lake Tahoe and a rejuvenating sound bath. Health-conscious snacks and refreshing mocktails crafted by the resort’s culinary team will also be provided. 

To help guests fully enjoy their snow-filled getaway, Hyatt Regency Lake Tahoe offers complimentary guest shuttle service to and from Diamond Peak Ski Resort, a community-owned destination featuring miles of meticulously maintained trails with breathtaking views of the lake. The on-property Sport Shop located in the main lobby also provides equipment rentals and lift tickets for Diamond Peak ski resort. 

Reservations are required for all activities. For full activity details, please visit the following link: https://uqr.to/HyattAdventures

For more information or to book a getaway to Hyatt Regency Lake Tahoe, please visit HyattRegencyLakeTahoe.com, or call (775) 832-1234.

About Hyatt Regency Lake Tahoe Resort, Spa and Casino

Situated among the towering peaks of the Sierra Nevada mountains, the award-winning Hyatt Regency Lake Tahoe Resort, Spa and Casino offers a premier destination based in the nature-infused setting of North Lake Tahoe. The resort is home to an on-site Adventure program offering daily guided activities to help guests explore the Tahoe outdoors with everything from group hikes and archery classes to meditation sessions. Guests can enjoy premium amenities such as a year-round heated lagoon-style pool, two hot tubs, and a 25,000 square-foot Grand Lodge Casino. The resort also boasts the 20,000 square-foot Stillwater Spa featuring a variety of relaxing massages, facials and body treatments as well as state-of-the-art touchless therapies including the Cryobuilt Cryochamber, “Pearl” a revolutionary float orb, and the “Harmony” bioacoustic mat. The property showcases premier dining opportunities at the brand-new Osteria Sierra offering elevated Italian cuisine, pub-style fare at Cutthroat’s Saloon, and grab-and-go selections at Tahoe Provisions. Additional culinary delights include afternoon tea service on the weekends and a selection world-class pastries created by the resort’s renowned team of pastry chefs. Recognized for excellence, the resort has garnered numerous awards including Travel + Leisure’s 500 Best Hotels in the World, Travel + Leisure’s World’s Best, Condé Nast Traveler’s Readers’ Choice Awards, Smart Meetings Smart Stars Awards, and U.S. News & World Report’s Best Hotel Awards.

Hyatt Regency Lake Tahoe Resort, Spa and Casino is located on the Nevada side of Lake Tahoe, at 111 Country Club Drive, Incline Village, NV, 89451. For more information, visit HyattRegencyLakeTahoe.com or follow the resort on Facebook or Instagram.

About Hyatt Regency hotels 

The Hyatt Regency brand is a global collection of hotels and resorts found in more than 200 locations in over 40 countries around the world. The depth and breadth of this diverse portfolio, from expansive resorts to urban city centers, is a testament to the brand’s evolutionary spirit. For more than 50 years, the Hyatt Regency brand has championed fresh perspectives and enriching experiences, while its forward-thinking philosophy provides guests with inviting spaces that bring people together and foster a spirit of community. As a hospitality original, Hyatt Regency hotels and resorts are founded on openness—our colleagues consistently serve with open minds and open hearts to deliver unforgettable celebrations, effortless relaxation and notable culinary experiences alongside expert meetings and technology-enabled collaboration. The brand prides itself on an everlasting reputation for insightful care—one that welcomes all people across all countries and cultures, generation after generation.
For more information, please visit hyatt.com

Originally Published in the Tahoe Daily Tribune, 2/12/2025, Written by Katelyn Welsh

KIRKWOOD, Calif. – The Natural Selection Tour is taking place at Kirkwood on Feb. 12-15, offering young athletes on the Kirkwood Freeride team a full circle glimpse at a potential future. For professional freeride athletes like those competing in the tour, their journey often starts at a young age on these home mountain teams.

“I certainly believe that our athletes will be inspired by this competition to continue pursuing their dreams in hopes of maybe competing in the Natural Selection Tour, or the Freeride World Tour, or the Olympics,” Kirkwood Freeride Team head coach, Garrett Wisniewski says.

The Natural Selection Tour (NST) event at Kirkwood is one of the tour’s DUELS happening around the world where two snowboarders complete head-to-head on natural terrain. However, unlike traditional freeride competitions, NST athletes incorporate jumps and maneuvers into their lines in a more trick-oriented big mountain competition, the likes of which are gaining momentum.

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Photo Credit: Garrett Wisniewski

Extension teams up with Bartley Ranch and Washoe County Regional Parks and Open Space to offer free classes

For those already getting that gardening itch, University of Nevada, Reno Extension is ready to help you dive in. Extension is kicking off its “Gardening in Nevada: The Bartley Ranch Series” weekly workshops in Reno to help both new and experienced gardeners hone their gardening skills. 

Led by Extension and their certified Master Gardeners and offered in partnership with Washoe County Regional Parks and Open Space, these classes are free and run 6 – 8 p.m., every Tuesday, Feb. 18 through April 1, at Bartley Ranch Regional Park, 6000 Bartley Ranch Road in Reno.

“From those who are just interested in growing houseplants to those with large gardens and landscapes, these classes are great for anyone who wants to learn from experienced Master Gardeners, who live, grow and harvest in our northern Nevada area,”  Rachel McClure, Master Gardener coordinator for Extension in Washoe County, said.

All classes are taught by certified Extension staff or Master Gardener volunteers. Classes are free, but the Master Gardeners ask those attending to consider bringing a canned food item for the Food Bank of Northern Nevada and to register online for each class they plan to attend. Classes include:

• Feb. 18: Houseplants – Master Gardener Abigail Jarrett will break down how different variables affect houseplants, and how to address common houseplant issues. 
• Feb. 25: Fire Adapted Landscape – Master Gardener Suzanne Arney will share how to apply defensible space principles and proven steps to improve personal safety and home survival during wildfire.  
• March 4: Pond/Water Gardening – Extension Master Gardener Coordinator Rachel McClure will discuss gardening with ponds and water features.   
• March 11: Plant Journaling, Getting Started – Master Gardener Diane Miniel will share the value of garden journaling and tips to help you along the way.
• March 18: The Cut Flower Garden – Master Gardener Deborah Henderson will discuss how to choose, grow and harvest plants for cut flowers, and will share tips on putting together bouquets.
• March 25: Successful Vegetable Gardening – Master Gardener Randy Robison will share his time-tested tips for successfully growing vegetables in our unique climate and conditions. 
• April 1: From This Year’s Flowers to Next Year’s Plants, All About Seeds – Master Gardeners Rod Haulenbeek and Mark Humphreys will talk all about successful gardening with seeds.

Those with questions about the Gardening in Nevada workshops should contact McClure at rmcclure@unr.edu. Persons planning to attend a session who may need special accommodations or assistance should contact Paul Lessick, civil rights and compliance coordinator, at plessick@unr.eduor 702-257-5577 at least five days prior to the scheduled event with their needs or for more information. 

Those with gardening questions may also contact the Master Gardeners at ExtensionWashoeMG@unr.edu or 775-784-4848, or visit the Master Gardener help desk at the Extension office in Reno at 4955 Energy Way, 10 a.m. – 2 pm., Tuesdays – Thursdays.

– @UNRExtension –

Photo Cutline: Extension Master Gardener Coordinator Rachel McClure and Master Gardener volunteers will be presenting free “Gardening in Nevada” workshops 6 – 8 p.m., Tuesdays through March, at Bartley Ranch Regional Park in Reno.

Extension is a unit of the University of Nevada, Reno’s College of Agriculture, Biotechnology & Natural Resources engaged in Nevada communities, presenting research-based knowledge to address critical community needs. It is a county-state-federal partnership providing practical education to people, businesses and communities. For more information on its programs, visit extension.unr.edu.

The University of Nevada, Reno is a public research university that is committed to the promise of a future powered by knowledge. Nevada’s land-grant university founded in 1874, the University serves 21,000 students. The University is a comprehensive, doctoral university, classified as an R1 institution with very high research activity by the Carnegie Classification of Institutions of Higher Education. Additionally, it has attained the prestigious “Carnegie Engaged” classification, reflecting its student and institutional impact on civic engagement and service, fostered by extensive community and statewide collaborations. More than $800 million in advanced labs, residence halls and facilities has been invested on campus since 2009. It is home to the University of Nevada, Reno School of Medicine and Wolf Pack Athletics, maintains a statewide outreach mission and presence through programs such as the University of Nevada, Reno Extension, Nevada Bureau of Mines and Geology, Small Business Development Center, Nevada Seismological Laboratory, and is part of the Nevada System of Higher Education. Through a commitment to world-improving research, student success and outreach benefiting the communities and businesses of Nevada, the University has impact across the state and around the world. For more information, visit www.unr.edu. 

Contact: Claudene Wharton
Senior Marketing & Communications Specialist
College of Agriculture, Biotechnology & Natural Resources
University of Nevada, Reno / MS 0405
Reno, Nevada 89557-0404
775-784-7072
whartonc@unr.edu

Originally Published in the Tahoe Daily Tribune, 2/11/2025, Written by Leah Carter

Incline Village General Improvement District (IVGID) board members met to approve the next steps in developing the Diamond Peak Snowflake Lodge, proceed with the implementation of a new district general counsel, and discuss a possible direction for the Incline Beach House and Access Projects.

IVGID voted unanimously to proceed with a Request for Qualifications (RFQ) to perform a needs assessment for the Diamond Peak Snowflake Lodge, and passed a motion to proceed with an RFQ for District General Counsel services. 

The motion to approve the RFQ for the Snowflake Lodge replacement project was passed 4/0. Former Acting General Manager Mike Bandelin opened the discussion with an overview of the staff report and background on the RFQ related to the needs assessment. Bandelin said that the replacement analysis is based on the 2015 Master Development plan, which determined that significant expansion would be needed to accommodate a deficiency in seating capacity in the lodge. 

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Photo by Diamond Peak

Originally Published in the Tahoe Daily Tribune, 2/10/25, Submitted

Key findings shed light on the current business environment and community needs

The results of a Lake Tahoe Basin-wide Business Walk Survey coordinated in October 2024 by the nonprofit Tahoe Prosperity Center in collaboration with 15 regional business associations, chambers of commerce, and local government partners are now available. The insights will be used to inform future initiatives and partnerships aimed at addressing the region’s challenges.

Over the course of three days, 64 volunteers canvassed 700 small businesses, generating responses from over 400 businesses through in-person and online surveys.

“The business walk survey provides insight into a specific ‘moment in time’ as it relates to how things are going in the regional economy,” said Heidi Hill Drum, Tahoe Prosperity Center executive director. “This snapshot of information can be very useful in understanding what is working or not working in the region, ultimately helping elected officials and leaders make informed decisions that impact local small businesses.”

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(Tahoe/Truckee, Calif.) –The Incline Village Community Hospital (IVCH) Foundation is excited to announce the receipt of a $7.8 million grant from the Dave & Cheryl Duffield Foundation to fund the IVCH Surgery Enhancement Project, a major initiative to improve access to high-quality surgical care in the region. 

The grant – the largest in the IVCH Foundation’s history – will allow the hospital to expand and modernize its surgical suite, improving patient care and ensuring the hospital remains at the forefront of rural healthcare excellence.

The existing IVCH surgery space, originally built in the 1980s and designed to meet the needs of a smaller patient population, has faced growing challenges in accommodating the increasing demand for services. The planned enhancements will not only improve surgical efficiency and capacity but also create a more comfortable and modernized environment for patients and staff. Expanding the surgical suite will allow for a broader range of procedures to be performed locally, reducing the need for residents to travel long distances for specialized care, which can be especially dangerous in winter months.

The grant will allow for the construction of a new surgical procedure room, increasing the existing capacity for all current procedures, including ophthalmology, orthopedics, and gastrointestinal surgery. It will also allow IVCH to optimize existing space and explore the possibility of offering new services.

Other key features of the Surgery Enhancement Project include:

• Upgraded air handling systems to ensure compliance with modern surgical standards
• Capacity for future technology upgrades such as telemedicine and enhanced security
• Asbestos abatement, new flooring throughout the surgical spaces, and updated fixtures
• Modernization of post-operative recovery areas
• Expanded registration area to improve patient flow and overall experience

Grant funding is made possible by the generosity of the Dave & Cheryl Duffield Foundation, a private charitable foundation based in Incline Village, Nevada. In recognition of the Dave & Cheryl Duffield Foundation’s generosity, IVCH will name the enhanced surgical suite in their honor.

“Having top-tier healthcare in Incline Village is very important to the Duffields,” said Chris Watts, co-president of the Dave & Cheryl Duffield Foundation. “They are appreciative of the services and care the hospital offers local residents and are pleased to help update and expand the hospital’s surgical capacity.”

Additionally, the IVCH Foundation Board of Directors has committed to raising an additional $2 million to help purchase the equipment necessary to support expanded service offerings at the new Dave & Cheryl Duffield Surgery Center. This commitment ensures the project can fully meet the evolving needs of Incline Village and neighboring North Lake Tahoe communities.

“We are extremely grateful to be awarded this grant from the Dave & Cheryl Duffield Foundation,” said Louis Ward, Interim CEO of Tahoe Forest Health System. “This funding will have an incredible impact on the level of care we can provide at IVCH, allowing us to take another step forward in our mission to provide the best rural health care in the country.”

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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.

About The Dave & Cheryl Duffield Foundation

The Dave & Cheryl Duffield Foundation (DCDF), founded in 2016, continues the Duffield family’s commitment to making bold impacts. DCDF focuses on support for Veterans with disabilities, companion animal well-being, and organizations in which our founders have personal connections. The Foundation’s capstone program is Liberty Dogs™, a new Service Dog campus based in Reno, Nevada. Liberty Dogs will train Service Dogs to support Veterans with disabilities. Veterans will spend two weeks, on site, training with their Liberty Service Dogs™ and leave with their new companions and the ability to lead more independent and fulfilling lives. Based in Incline Village, Nevada, DCDF is the Duffield family’s vision for funding transformational services and programs.