In The News – 6 skiers rescued after Castle Peak Avalanche
February 19, 2026 | Member Submitted
Originally published in Moonshine Ink, 2/18/2026, Written by Megan Ramsey
One day after an avalanche struck a group of backcountry skiers attempting to make its way from the Frog Lake huts east of Castle Peak to the trailhead north of Interstate-80 on Donner Summit, search-and-rescue teams have shifted their mission to a recovery effort.
The Nevada County Sheriff’s Office received a 911 call on the morning of Feb. 17 from an iPhone in SOS mode reporting the avalanche, said Nevada County Sheriff Shannan Moon in a Feb. 18 press conference. The sheriff’s office and Truckee Fire Protection District were the first responders to begin coordinating the rescue mission, aided by other teams such as Tahoe Nordic Search and Rescue, Placer County Search and Rescue, Washoe County Sheriff’s Office, Washoe County Search and Rescue, and Blackbird Mountain Guides.
In The News – How area plans help incentivize housing
February 18, 2026 | Member Submitted
Originally published in the Sierra Sun, 2/16/2026, Written by Eli Ramos
Area plans, also called community or specific plans, help keep local control, flexibility and character of the area that they cover, and are an essential function of the Tahoe Regional Planning Agency’s (TRPA) Lake Tahoe Regional Plan. But how do these area plans address housing? And how have they changed as the Phase 2 amendments of TRPA’s housing plan have taken effect? In this month’s housing series article, the Tribune takes a look at different area plans and their specific housing policies.
What is an area plan?
Area plans, as defined by the TRPA, are plans created by local governments with community members and stakeholders to help implement the policies of the regional plan at a community scale. They contain land use goals and policies, along with zoning and regulations, permit requirements, development and design standards. They also contain goals and policies around transportation, conservation, recreation, public services and housing.
Words to Water Benefit Concert Series — Sponsor Partnership Guide
February 18, 2026 | Member Submitted
As promised, I am attaching the sponsorship opportunities for the two “Words to Water” concerts this May at Inclines Center for Events (inside Bowl Incline)!
Our Family started WaterHope 21 years ago as a response to a promise we made to God 23 years ago! For many years, we put on a pro-am golf tournament, “Wine to Water,” in Napa, California, that had 26 PGA professionals, and many Fortune 500 companies supported, helping us raise over 3 million dollars to provide water solutions in our world for children who were dying from their current water sources. Parasitic water is the number one cause of child mortality in the world.
Approximately 1,000 children under the age of five die every day from diseases caused by unsafe water, sanitation, and hygiene (WASH). This translates to one child dying roughly every 90 seconds.
Key Statistics on Childhood Mortality
Annual Deaths: Around 400,000 children under five die each year due to unsafe WASH services.
Leading Cause: Diarrheal disease is the primary killer, accounting for approximately 395,000 of these annual deaths.
Vulnerable Groups: Children in conflict-affected areas are 20 times more likely to die from diseases related to unsafe water than from direct violence.
Regional Hotspots: Nearly two-fifths of these deaths are concentrated in just 10 countries, primarily in sub-Saharan Africa, including Nigeria, Ethiopia, and the Democratic Republic of the Congo.
Broader Impact of Unsafe Water
Morbidity: Beyond fatal illnesses, repeated bouts of waterborne disease lead to malnutrition and stunting, affecting nearly one-quarter of children globally.
Education: Water-related illnesses result in the loss of over 440 million school days annually.
Contamination Risk: As of 2024, approximately 2.2 billion people still lack access to safely managed drinking water, and 1.7 billion people use fecally contaminated sources.
As a 501c3 with no paid employees we have been able to give the lion’s share of all proceeds directly to the sustainable projects that are saving thousands of children’s lives each day.
Each show will be an intimate evening with the artists taking time to let us know why they wrote each song and how they came to be hits.
Two evenings you will never forget while you help us save children and give them a future they cannot have without us.
Pet Network Lake Tahoe Announces the 28th Annual Fur Ball: The Pet Gala
February 18, 2026 | Member Submitted
Ask of the Year: “Level up your shelter. Level up your community.
Pet Network Lake Tahoe is proud to announce the return of its signature annual fundraiser, the Fur Ball Gala, reimagined this year as The Pet Gala—a black-tie celebration of iconic New York style and philanthropy.
This year’s theme, The Pet Gala, invites guests to dress to impress and show up for something bigger: helping Pet Network strengthen shelter care and expand vital community programs that keep animals healthy, safe, and homeward bound.
The Impact You’ve Made—Because You Showed Up
Thanks to generous community support, Pet Network has already leveled up lifesaving care in powerful ways, including celebrating over three years of the Community Hospital, completing a surgery and treatment remodel, replacing the roof, upgraded ventilation throughout the facility, and adding a CT scan to support more advanced care, and soon a generator to ensure safety and comfort through every storm.
What’s Next: Leveling Up Care and Community Support
Funds raised at the Fur Ball Gala this year will help Pet Network take the next step forward, investing in faster diagnostics, expanded access to veterinary guidance, and programs that strengthen the bond between people and pets.
Key areas of focus include:
Advanced diagnostic equipment to help diagnose more quickly and treat more effectively, including tools like PCR testing, a pathology camera, and a sequencer.
Currently, animals with signs of infectious disease must be quarantined for an average of Four days as we wait for pathology results. This equipment allows for same-day results, in-house, reducing stress and length of stay for shelter animals. This technology will also be used to serve community pets, allowing same-day diagnostics for common ailments and illnesses, including masses, canine influenza, and so much more, reducing uncertainty and accelerating treatment.
Telemedicine access to a Veterinarian, 7 days a week, offering peace of mind and support for fosters, adopters, shelter pets, and Community Hospital clients
Continuing education for staff, ensuring compassion is matched with the best skills so every outcome improves, increasing the pipeline of talent in animal sheltering, and empowering the shelter community
Training classes for adopters, alumni, and the broader community—supporting long-term success and strengthening the human-animal bond.
Humane education programs like summer camp and Petiquette, teaching youth safe, responsible interactions with animals while strengthening community resources.
Expanded support staff and services, helping increase capacity, access, and affordability of care for all.
Food Bank support, serving community members who need help keeping pets fed and in loving homes–no cost, no questions asked.
The Ask of the Year
Level up your shelter. Level up your community. Pet Network is calling on supporters, sponsors, and local businesses to help power the next level of lifesaving care through the Fur Ball Gala. Every ticket, sponsorship, and donation helps ensure more pets receive the highest available standard of care and more families have the resources to keep the pets they love. This milestone would not have been possible without the instrumental support of the Dave & Cheryl Duffield Foundation, whose generosity continues to shape animal welfare in Tahoe and beyond. Alongside individual donors and community champions, their investment helped turn vision into reality. The Foundation has committed to a $100,000 donation match at the Gala to support this new equipment and these lifesaving programs.
About Pet Network Lake Tahoe: Pet Network Lake Tahoe, an AAHA Accredited 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization, which encompasses Pet Network Humane Society and Pet Network Community Hospital, is a premier veterinary practice and animal welfare organization dedicated to saving lives, promoting wellness, and strengthening the bond between pets and their families. As a leader in shelter medicine, rescue, and adoption services, Pet Network serves the Lake Tahoe community and beyond with comprehensive medical care and a deep commitment to animal welfare.
Heart disease is the number one cause of death for American women. This is partly because women often have lesser-known heart attack symptoms, and because heart disease can affect a woman’s body differently, making it harder to recognize.
Not Your ‘Typical’ Heart Attack
Women don’t always have the telltale symptom of severe chest pain or pressure. Rather, they are more likely to feel jaw or neck pain. They may also experience the following:
Shortness of breath
Indigestion
Nausea or vomiting
Upper back pain
Extreme fatigue
Because these symptoms are less obvious, women may dismiss them — even providers might mistake them for something else. Knowing the signs can be lifesaving.
Different Types of Heart Disease
Providers use the term heart disease as a catchall for many types of conditions affecting the heart. The most common is coronary heart disease (CHD). It affects both men and women. In CHD, plaque builds in the large arteries, which may lead to a heart attack.
Many women, though, tend to have a less commonly known condition called coronary microvascular disease (CMD), which affects the tiny arteries of the heart. CMD may develop because of changes in estrogen before menopause. Typical tests for CHD — like stress tests or angiography — may not always detect CMD, so additional evaluation may be needed.
Protect Your Heart
Everyday habits, like staying active, eating well, managing stress, and following your provider’s recommendations, can make a difference for your heart health.
Most importantly, know the potential signs of a heart attack and seek help immediately if you think you may be having a heart attack.
David Young, MD, is a board-certified cardiologist at Barton Health. The team at Barton Cardiology offers cardiac care at offices in South Lake Tahoe, Stateline, and Incline Village. Learn more at BartonHealth.org or by calling 530.543.5497. Join Dr. Young for a free webinar, “Heart Disease in Women,” on Thursday, February 12 from 5:00 – 6:00 p.m.; details at BartonHealth.org/Lecture.
This is a question we were all asking yesterday when we woke up to the blizzard outside. There’s an app (actually a website) for that! I asked Washoe County’s Aaron Smith this question a few weeks ago so I could be ready to share this timely information.
Here’s what I learned:
Washoe County provides a real-time snow equipment tracking and roadside parking status on the Where is My Plow: I.V.C.B. Website. The tool provides real-time snow equipment operations and history for the Tahoe area. Residents can use the feature to track the location and activity of snow removal equipment in their area.
The Incline Village/Crystal Bay Roads crew includes seven full-time personnel and is supplemented with 4-6 additional staff members to service 11 routes during winter operations. Nearly all of the crew commute from Reno, Sparks, or Carson City, where travel over the passes during winter road conditions can be extremely challenging. During severe weather patterns, temporary lodging is provided. The safety of the traveling public and the ability of law enforcement and first responders to respond to community needs are our priorities.
More information is available on the Roads and Stormwater Website. Residents can report snow plowing concerns, potholes, and other road-related issues through Washoe311, which serves as a direct line to County services, or by calling the Roads and Stormwater line at 775-328-2180
THESE GUYS ARE MY HEROES!
But what about the guys who clear our driveways and commercial parking lots? They deserve recognition too. They often try to reach our driveways even before the plows are out! I am talking about service workers who either run their own businesses or work for larger companies. These guys don’t have work if it doesn’t snow. Please, give them a tip this week. Maybe they are just happy to be working, but perhaps they have bills that have gone unpaid during our drought the last month and a half. I can’t name them all, but I can tell you which businesses I know because they are members of IVCBA. Incline Property Management…thank them for clearing the parking lots at 3 of the shopping centers. Canopy Property Services covers many HOAs too. SQ Enterprises operates Tahoe Snow Solutions; find them on social media. These companies are providing winter jobs to help keep our workers living here year-round. Thank you!
WHAT ABOUT THE SIDEWALKS?!
Let me just say, if it takes a while to get them cleared, no whining please! We live in the mountains. Snow and ice happen. Even when they are cleared, there can still be ice in the shady parts. If you must venture onto them, use common sense, sensible boots, and maybe those things you clip on them to dig into the ice. Stay safe! This is a small town, and not everyone has the luxury of staying home in bad weather. If you see someone walking on the street because they have to, perhaps offer them a ride.
Here’s the actual answer on sidewalk clearing from Washoe County:
Washoe County Road Crews understand the challenge snow poses to pedestrians in our mountain communities. There are approximately 10 miles of paved paths in Incline Village, and Washoe County Roads crews clear snow on approximately 8.2 miles of them. The paths are cleared of snow after the roadways are cleared and widened with a snow blower. The roads are prioritized 1 thru 3, and paths are considered a priority 4. The road and path priorities can be found on our Washoe Regional Mapping System. Sections of pathways are cleared based on priorities as well, with priority given to those adjacent to schools and the main routes.
The time it takes WC Roads to clear paths varies considerably depending on the amount and type of snow and the frequency of storm events. For example, if Incline receives 6-12” of snow during an event and does not receive additional snow in the next few days, WC Roads will typically start clearing snow on the paths approximately three days after the end of the storm. The more snow received, and/or multiple storms come in back-to-back, it can take considerably longer to start on the paths. When storms are frequent and there is little time between them, the Roads crew prioritizes snow removal on streets, and snow accumulation is greater on paths. Unfortunately, this results in greater effort and more time to remove snow from the paths. Residents can help by avoiding parking vehicles on or near pathways to allow crews better access for snow removal. Clearing private driveways or sidewalks onto pathways may delay snow-clearing efforts and is discouraged
LIKE WHAT YOU READ?
IVCBA is the Community and Business Association that promotes our local businesses and nonprofits, organizes community events, and produces the Weekly SnapShot! If you are a subscriber and regular reader, please join as a Community Supporter for $50. If you are not a subscriber, do for free! Go to IVCBA.org. We are financially supported by our local agency “investors”, and our business community and residents. Please help!JOIN HERE
INCLINE VILLAGE MAIN STREET – 2025 Accomplishments
February 18, 2026 | Linda Offerdahl
Gateway Roundabout Improvements
Established Design Team: Steve Porten, Christine Karnofsky, Dale Smith and Larry Wodarski; utilized community input for initial design
Hired Lefrancois Engineering as Project Manager
LA studio completed landscape architecture drawings
Successfully engaged agency partners
Submitted preliminary plans to NDOT
Inclined to Bloom
Pots and Plants
Hanging baskets in Village Center and Christmas Tree Village
Railing planters and wooden planters in Raleys Incline Center
Terra cotta pots at 3 bus shelters, watered by Rotary club
Dancing with Daffodils
* Community planted 7,000 daffodil bulbs in high-visibility locations
Community-driven Projects that promote Walkability
Gathering Place below Crosby’s at Christmas Tree Village
Sierra Giving Circle partnership with Incline Tahoe Foundation
Kick-off Roots to Revitalization Community Dinner in September
Raised $230,000 for Beautification projects
2026 Plans:
STRATEGIC GOALS
Create a visually appealing town center (placemaking)
Revitalize commercial core
Align community around a common goal(beautification)
TRANSFORMATIVE STRATEGY: BEAUTIFICATION
2025 was a pivotal year for Main Street. The Gateway Roundabout project with aesthetic and safety improvements got underway, under the direction of Lefrancois Engineering and the Main Street design team. Inclined to Bloom pots and hanging baskets were installed. A Gathering Place was built below Crosby’s at Christmas Tree village driven by the center with a grant from Main Street. The Sierra Giving Circle was established with partner Incline Tahoe Foundation. $230,000 in private donations has been obtained for beautification projects.
In The News – Incline Middle School’s Exploratory Class at Pet Network; Community-involved learning for students
February 16, 2026 | Member Submitted
Originally published in the Tahoe Daily Tribune, 2/16/2026, Written by Victoria Mastrocola
Children gathered excitedly as they headed to the buses just outside of Incline Middle School. They seemed eager to start their weekly Exploratory classes as Principal Dan Lediard greeted his students with a fist bump. For a group of 6th and 7th graders, today’s destination: Pet Network Humane Society.
The Exploratory classes, originally dubbed “teacher passion projects” by Lediard’s predecessor, Carrie McDonald, were first introduced as a means to get students back into school after COVID-19.
To no one’s surprise traders have been doing what traders do (trading) and taking profits or losses from time to time. We saw a sell-off recently, mostly coming from last year’s winners. It was not across the board. Large energy stocks rose along with some healthcare companies, consumer staples, and utilities.
The financial and general media are too focused on averages and indexes with their large daily moves that are featured on the evening news. With more than a third of the S&P 500 comprised of technology stocks, those with a broader exposure can do well even when that index falls. The S&P 500 is about unchanged in 2026 but mid-cap indexes are up 7.8 percent and small-cap indexes are up 8.9 percent.
International markets are also strong. The Vanguard FTSE All-World ex-US ETF has jumped 9.2 percent in 2026. Another low-fee choice is the Schwab International Dividend Equity ETF (SCHY). It yields 3.4 percent and has gained 5.5 percent this year.
Energy stocks were setting all-time highs even as the price of crude was falling. Expect more highs as the energy super cycle I’ve written about rolls along, fueled by the global demand for LNG and AI’s impact on demands for power and ways to generate and deliver it.
Recently the IEA raised its estimate of global demand for oil this year by 930,000 barrels a day due to economic growth. The surge is due to massive demand growth, partly caused by the construction of power-hungry data centers from coast to coast and the impact of AI.
This isn’t to say that solar isn’t needed. It is, which explains the year-to-date return of 18 percent in the Invesco Solar ETF (TAN)! The energy bull market comes as no surprise.
Earnings growth is the market’s largest tailwind. Expect 15 percent this year. Number two. — the macro growth picture thanks to tax and business incentives that took effect in January and AI’s impact. Earnings reports have been better than expected. In fact, 80 percent of those S&P companies reporting have exceeded estimates.
In these articles I have explained the bull market. Faced with potential positives and potential negatives I bet on the former. Why? Because the choice is not a coin flip. There are millions of investors whose interest is best served if the well-known issues are resolved quickly and positively. We are optimists. Investors have to be. There is never a large constituency for failure.
— David Vomund is an Incline Village-based fee-only money manager. Information is found at www.VomundInvestments.com or by calling 775-832-8555. Clients hold the positions mentioned in this article. Past performance does not guarantee future results. Consult your financial advisor before purchasing any security.
From 1960 to 2026: Tahoe-Truckee’s Olympic Legacy Continues
February 14, 2026 | Member Submitted
Originally published in Lake Tahoe This Week, 2/14/2026, Written by Kirsten Alexis
Have you recognized any familiar faces in the 2026 Milano Cortina Winter Olympics? Chances are, you have watched some of the Tahoe-Truckee region’s incredible local talent compete on the world stage.
Since Squaw Valley (now Palisades Tahoe) made history hosting the 1960 Winter Olympic Games, the Tahoe-Truckee region has produced notable household names in a variety of disciplines, including skiing, snowboarding and cross-country skiing.
It’s easy to see why the region has produced such incredible athletes and continues to draw athletes of all ages and abilities to pursue their big mountain dreams. Here, we have everything one needs to be a champion: world-class terrain, altitude, dedicated and experienced coaches and programs, community support and a spirit of innovation, inclusion and perseverance.
