What’s Next for 771 Southwood Boulevard? January Update
January 28, 2026 | Member Submitted
January Update regarding 771 Southwood Boulevard:
At the December 3, 2025, TTD Board of Directors meeting, Jim Marino, Executive Director of the Tahoe Transportation District, requested the Board provide direction as to alternatives for the 771 Southwood Boulevard site. Mr. Marino presented several options, including:
Moving forward with the original intent of the property which is to construct a mobility hub with parking; or
Abandon the transit hub project and pursue transferring the parcel to the local jurisdiction for purposes of affordable housing per FTA guidelines; or
Abandon the transit hub project, and pursue the sale of the parcel as is, and use the proceeds on another FTA eligible project within TTD’s Capital Program
After considerable discussion, the Board of Directors instructed staff to explore transferring the property at771 Southwood Boulevard to the local jurisdiction (Washoe County) for purposes of affordable housing per Federal Transit Administration disposition guidelines.
On January 12, 2026, Staff had an initial meeting with Washoe County and Reno Housing Authority (RHA) to discuss the feasibility of a transfer. Reno Housing Authority will be investigating the potential for a project at the site. TTD will be meeting again with Washoe County/RHA in February 2026 for an update.
Mr. Marino has been instructed to bring an update back to the TTD Board of Directors in April 2026, at which time the Board may consider moving forward with the transfer process under the Federal Transit Administration should the County/RHA have a conceptual project. Should the County/RHA not be willing to pursue a transfer, then staff have been instructed to consider the sale of the parcel.
The December 3,, 2025 staff report can be found HERE and the Meeting minutes for this item can be found HERE.
In The News – From neon onesies to heights of an influential ski patrol career
January 27, 2026 | Member Submitted
Originally published in the Tahoe Daily Tribune, 1/26/2026, Written by Katelyn Welsh
The face behind Women of Patrol and Sierra Nevada Resiliency Team, Kari Brandt is a leading voice in the ski patrol industry, expanding access to the career and developing vital resources. But when she thinks back to where it all started, it takes to her to a powder day on her home mountain, Ski Green Valley, over 30 years ago.
That’s where four-year-old Kari Brandt, outfitted in her neon onesie and 101 Dalmatians fanny pack (stuffed with band-aids and wet wipes), had prepared to clean up and bandage any mess the powder day threw her way.
In The News – Lake Tahoe Television relaunches with new ownership as Adventure Outdoors Network – Lake Tahoe
January 27, 2026 | Member Submitted
Originally published in the Tahoe Daily Tribune, 1/22/2026, Written by Victoria Mastrocola
Outside Interactive, previous network owner of Lake Tahoe Television, has transferred its ownership to former General Manager, Peter Loughlin along with several other local owners and will relaunch as Adventure Outdoors Network – Lake Tahoe.
In the process of transitioning out of an ownership role, the Outside Interactive network has been selling all operations for each of its TV stations with goals of converting the stations into affiliate programs that are locally owned and operated.
Loughlin, who is now CEO, established the station and has been in the Tahoe market since 1993. He was offered the chance to purchase the station from the previous ownership group, but was outbid.
Originally published in Tahoe Living Newsletter, 1/22/2026
Addressing housing affordability in the Tahoe Basin is a key priority for the Tahoe Regional Planning Agency (TRPA) as we begin 2026. Through the Cultivating Community, Conserving the Basin project, TRPA has spent the past year and a half working with the public, partners, and stakeholders to develop a housing policy proposal grounded in environmental protection.
The project is now entering the Environmental Impact Statement (EIS) phase, which will study how proposed housing policies can meet community housing needs while continuing to protect the Tahoe Basin.
Stay engaged and help spread the word.
Note: The Long Range Planning Team has recently been reformulated into the Long Range Planning Department. Stay tuned for future updates from us on this department’s role in the agency and in environmental planning at Lake Tahoe.
Originally published in Moonshine Ink, 1/22/2026, Staff Report
The final U.S. Ski and Snowboard team rosters for the 2026 Milan-Cortina Winter Olympics were released on Jan. 22. Six athletes from Tahoe/Truckee made the cut for alpine skiing, nordic skiing, and snowboarding.
The U.S. Olympic Alpine Ski Team includes Carnelian Bay’s AJ Hurt, 25, on the women’s and Tahoe City local Bryce Bennett, 33, on the men’s. Both Hurt and Bennett are former Olympians and world cup podium-finishers. On the U.S. Cross-Country Ski Team is another Tahoe Olympian, 25-year-old JC Schoonmaker.
Tahoe/Truckee also has debuting Olympians. Olympic Valley Freestyle Freeride (OVFree) Team’s 15-year-old Abby Winterberger joins the freeski team for the Freeski Halfpipe as the only club-level freeski athlete to qualify directly to the Olympics. Winterberger began on OVFree at eight years old and bypassed the traditional route of making it onto the U.S. pro team before the Olympics.
Beloved for their wry humor and Tahoe/Truckee inside jokes, Shine On cartoons have delighted Moonshine Ink‘s readers for 10 years. Part humor, part local history, they trace the community’s evolving conversations through Mike English’s tongue-in-cheek lens — from snowstorms and mountain fashion to bears, berms, roundabouts, housing struggles, and the small absurdities that unite us. Moonshine collected the best of the best into a book titled Potholes and Powder Days, a comprehensive anthology of laughter medicine. This anthology is not just good medicine; it also supports local journalism. Your purchase helps keep independent reporting alive.
Shari Chase Sells Chase International to Longtime Leaders
January 23, 2026 | Member Submitted
After nearly 40 years of building Chase International into a successful regional luxury real estate brokerage, founder Shari Chase has sold the company to Susan Lowe and Georgia Chase, who have helped lead the organization since its 1986 inception. Shari Chase will remain actively involved as founder and chair emeritus, providing strategic guidance and continuity.
“Chase International began as a vision I carried long before it became a company, a belief that business could be built on humanity, courage and trust,” said founder Shari Chase. “What we have created together is far more than an organization. It is a living legacy, and I am deeply proud of what it has become and how it will continue forward.”
“What began as a dream has grown into a firm known for integrity, market leadership and a heart-centered culture, with a strong presence throughout Northern California, Nevada and beyond,” said Sue Lowe. “It is as much as a company as it is a family where people are seen, valued and empowered and where extraordinary things unfold. Georgia Chase and I are honored to continue Shari’s legacy.”
According to Lowe, the firm will continue to operate as an independent brokerage “preserving local leadership, faster decision-making and its longstanding commitment to personalized service, community involvement and agent-focused leadership” as many regional firms are absorbed by national brands.
“As we enter this next chapter, we will continue to lead Chase International with confidence grounded in decades of experience and industry-leading achievements,” said Georgia Chase. “That foundation creates meaningful opportunity ahead for both our professionals and the buyers and sellers who rely on us for thoughtful guidance when the decisions matter most.”
“Our priority is simple,” Lowe said. “To protect what makes Chase special while continuing to strengthen the platform that supports our agents’ success. When our agents are supported at the highest level, buyers and sellers receive better guidance, better representation and more meaningful results.” ###
About Chase International
Founded in 1986, Chase International is a leading independent luxury real estate brokerage serving Nevada and California, with a strong presence throughout Northern Nevada and the Lake Tahoe region. The firm is known for its market leadership in luxury residential, ranch and resort real estate, representing some of the region’s most significant properties and clientele.
Over the past five years, Chase International has closed more than $10 billion in sales, helping more than 11,700 families and individuals buy and sell real estate. The firm has consistently led the market in the sale of homes priced above $5 million, $10 million and $20 million, surpassing regional competitors in ultra-luxury transactions.
Chase International is supported by more than 300 highly skilled real estate professionals, including 60 luxury specialists, across 14 office locations, providing clients with deep local expertise and a collaborative, full-service platform. The firm operates under the guiding principle “One Company, One Heart, One Philosophy,” which shapes its culture, leadership and commitment to clients, agents and communities.
Chase International remains an independent brokerage, locally guided and committed to delivering an elevated, relationship-driven experience while offering its agents a powerful platform to grow and lead in the luxury real estate market.
The Tahoe Regional Planning Agency (TRPA) is updating regional environmental goals, called threshold standards, for forest health and community wildfire protection in the Lake Tahoe Basin and is seeking public input, the agency said today.
As a founding member of the Tahoe Fire and Fuels Team and leader of the Lake Tahoe Environmental Improvement Program, TRPA is working with land managers, scientists, and the community to restore balance and resilience to the basin’s forests.
“Lake Tahoe’s forests are a vital part of the basin’s ecosystem, wildlife habitat, and recreation, and they help protect the lake’s incredible clarity, but they have changed dramatically over time,” TRPA Executive Director Julie Regan said. “Setting measurable forest health targets based on current science is essential to restore Tahoe’s forests to a healthy, resilient condition.”
In the 19th century, silver mining on the Comstock Lode drove clear-cutting of the majority of Tahoe’s forests. Later, decades of fire suppression created dense forests with accumulated dead vegetation, increasing the risk of catastrophic wildfire. Since the founding of the Lake Tahoe Environmental Improvement Program (EIP) in 1997, land managers have treated more than 100,000 acres through forest fuel reduction and prescribed fire projects. This work has been made possible by hundreds of millions of dollars in federal, state, local, and private funding.
Thousands more acres are planned, including 44,300 acres as part of the Lake Tahoe West project and priority fuel reduction work along evacuation routes to improve public safety during emergencies. Increasing the pace and scale of forest health projects underscores the need for clear, measurable benchmarks for the region, according to TRPA.
New Forest Health Threshold Standards
A growing body of science and past wildfires in the Tahoe Region show that modern forest management practices can reduce wildfire severity and support long-term ecosystem health. The four proposed forest health goals leverage advancements in fire science and climate research to restore a balanced mosaic of forest ages, manage canopy cover, and reduce stand density. They also set targets for predicted fire behavior in wildland areas and in the Wildland Urban Interface, which is the critical area along evacuation routes and around neighborhoods.
Members of the public can review the new goals at tinyurl.com/ForestThresholds. A survey at the end of the summary is available to provide feedback. The agency will provide an informational presentation on the proposed thresholds at the TRPA Governing Board Environmental Improvement Program Committee meeting on January 28, 2026. The Governing Board is expected to take action on the new standards on February 25.
Additional Background
The 2007 Angora Wildfire burned 3,100 acres in the southern portion of the Tahoe Basin and destroyed more than 250 homes. Since 2007 alone, Tahoe Fire and Fuels Team partners have thinned nearly 80,000 acres of forest and conducted tens of thousands of defensible space evaluations to help homeowners reduce wildfire risk on their properties. Some of this work helped firefighters protect Lake Tahoe during the 2021 Caldor Fire. The 221,000-acre fire burned nearly 10,000 acres in the Tahoe Basin, with no primary residences or lives lost.
Funding from the Lake Tahoe Restoration Act, California and Nevada bonds and appropriations, local tax measures, and private-sector support has made this work possible.
As a core member of the Tahoe Fire and Fuels Team, TRPA has streamlined processes and applied science-based policies to help increase the pace and scale of forest health projects. In 2022, the TRPA Governing Board adopted new policies that significantly expanded where ground-based mechanical equipment can be used on steep slopes in the Tahoe Basin. Nearly half of that area is in the Wildland Urban Interface near communities where hand crews and mechanical equipment now work together.
PHOTO: Photo by Tahoe Regional Planning Agency: Healthy forests help protect Lake Tahoe by stabilizing soil and taking up nutrients, both of which affect the lake’s famed clarity.
Growing a Culture of Caring: Sustain Tahoe Brings the 8 Worlds of Wonder to Life
January 22, 2026 | Member Submitted
Sustain Tahoe is pleased to share that we have received a $4,500 matching grant from the Nevada Arts Council to illustrate and pilot-print our new passport-size pocket guide, 8 Worlds of Wonder; designed to deepen how visitors (and residents) experience the Lake Tahoe watershed.
This grant supports original watercolor illustrations by local artist Ronnie Rector, who is bringing visual life to the eight interconnected “worlds” that shape every destination: Sky, Water, Land, Plants, Wildlife, Community, Culture, and Heritage.
The first print run will include 100 copies, each featuring a QR code in the back inviting users to share feedback on how the booklet enhanced their Tahoe experience.
About Sustain Tahoe Sustain Tahoe is a nonprofit organization dedicated to advancing Geotourism and Destination Stewardship, ensuring that visitors and residents engage with Lake Tahoe in ways that enrich the environment, honor culture, and support community well-being.
Our work began gaining regional attention in 2010 when we hosted Tahoe’s first-ever Stewardship Congress, convening community leaders, businesses, and advocates to shape a sustainable future for tourism. This momentum continued through four years of the Tahoe Geotourism Expo, where visitors selected immersive, educational, and adventure-based experiences designed to deepen their connection to Tahoe’s natural and cultural heritage.
Building on this foundation, Sustain Tahoe developed the Geotourism Implementation Framework (GIF) also known as the Tahoe Blueprint, which evolved into a one-year Geotourism Certification Course for guides, businesses, and organizations. Our initiatives also include; Green Networking and the creation of the first Washoe-inspired Earth Walk, reconnecting participants with Indigenous wisdom and ecological balance.
Through ongoing projects and partnerships, Sustain Tahoe continues to guide a culture of care, helping visitors and locals alike honor the land, support cultural heritage, and sustain Tahoe’s beauty for generations to come.
Project Spotlight: 8 Worlds of Wonder 8 Worlds of Wonder is a pocket-sized travel booklet and journal that invites travelers to experience destinations through eight essential layers that shape place and identity. Each “world” is introduced through poetic reflection and original artwork, followed by a framed journal page encouraging personal observation and reflection.
Water, for example, whether it appears as snow, rain, lake, river, or ice, it defines Tahoe’s ecosystems, recreation, stories, and sense of wonder. By noticing these layers more deeply, travelers don’t just see more…they care more.
The goal of this grant-supported phase is to transform a draft concept into a fully illustrated, artistically engaging booklet that encourages mindful exploration and personal connection. The interactive format reinforces a simple truth: we protect what we feel connected to.
Looking ahead, 8 Worlds of Wonder has the potential to become a valuable amenity for lodging properties throughout the Tahoe watershed and beyond. Placed in guest rooms, at a resorts front desks, on business counters, and at visitor centers, it provides the visitor a ‘local lens’ from which they can connect to the destination, better understand and appreciate its unique textures while quietly cultivating stewardship, long after the trip ends.
We are grateful to the Nevada Arts Council for recognizing the power of art and storytelling to shape how people experience and care for northern Nevada. We look forward to sharing this project with the Incline Village Crystal Bay community.
Sustain Tahoe welcomes local sponsors and partners interested in adopting one of the Eight Worlds of Wonder and supporting this pilot project. Join us in cultivating a culture of caring and stewardship through art, storytelling, and place-based connection.
Contact Jacquie Chandler at 775-413-9211 or sustaintahoe@gmail.com
In The News – Why Truckee-Tahoe restaurants are expanding to Reno
January 22, 2026 | Member Submitted
Originally published in the Tahoe Daily Tribune, 1/22/2026, Written by Petra Molina
From Sage Leaf to Tahoe Bagel Co. and FiftyFifty Brewing Co., several Truckee/Tahoe-based restaurants are expanding beyond the Truckee-Tahoe region. For some owners, the decision reflects business realities, with Reno offering opportunities the lake can’t.
“In Incline, we’re three lights long — we’re very small,” said Lara Hammett, owner of Sage Leaf. “We only have so many restaurants here and so many spaces that can even house a restaurant. We’ve kind of maxed out our footprint, and we don’t really want to compete with ourselves.”
Hammett said the team considered expanding to Kings Beach, Tahoe City and South Lake Tahoe, but as a Nevada-based business, opening a location in California would have meant navigating a new regulatory environment. Instead, they decided to move away from the lake. Sage Leaf is set to open a Reno location next month.
