Originally published in the Tahoe Weekly on 1/23/23. Photo from the Tahoe Weekly.

UC Davis Tahoe Environmental Research Center’s has unveiled its Find Tahoe Tessie app, after more than a year of planning and development. Find Tahoe Tessie is an augmented reality (AR) gaming app, which places the mythical Tahoe Tessie in and around Lake Tahoe.

While using the app, players become scientists and throughout the game find scientific tools used for various lake experiments, explore Tahoe through local excursions and apply scientific knowledge that will help find Tahoe Tessie.

Continue Reading >

Nevada Nordic now has a dedicated snowshoe trail!

“You asked for it and we made it happen! We’ve snowmobiled a dedicated trail to Chickadee Ridge for our snowshoeing friends! The views and the birds will not disappoint! More signage is on the way. We love having trails for all our winter enthusiasts at Nevada Nordic!”

Washoe County Library is excited to announce the arrival of new Zoom ROOMs. These soundproof pods offer a private, connected workspace for virtual meetings, online interviews, and quiet or collaborative study. Designed by ROOM, Zoom ROOM pods are now available for use at multiple library locations on a first-come, first-served basis.

The Incline Village Public Library is a great space to work and study, and the Zoom Rooms allow people to attend a remote meeting or job interview without disturbing other patrons.  Anyone can use the sound-proof room for up to 2 hours per day and it has been used for meetings, interviews, doctors appointments, as a recording booth, and as a quiet space to work or think.  These rooms are in support of Washoe County Library System’s strategic plan goal of supporting workforce building by providing virtual spaces for job seekers, entrepreneurs, and anyone working remotely.  The Zoom Room in use every day and patrons can stop by the Information Desk to sign up to use it.

One library user said, “The Zoom Room at Incline Village Library was a life saver for my 1.5 hour interview.  Our house is too small and noisy to concentrate with young kids so thank you, thank, thank you for this space!”

Funds for this project have been provided by the Institute of Museum and Library Services through the Library Services and Technology Act, administered by the Nevada State Library, Archives and Public Records.

NDOT snowplow operators work in extremely inclement weather and mountainous terrain to help keep roads safe and clear. During storms, crews break into two separate 12-hour shifts, rotating shifts to cover snow removal 24 hours a day. Often, snowplows literally are not turned off until all roadway snow is removed. At the end of a shift, one maintenance staff member will jump out of the plow and another will jump in to continue operating the plow.

During the first three weeks of January 2023, NDOT maintenance crews on U.S. 50 and State Route 28 in Tahoe have dedicated approximately 2,700 work hours to ice and snow removal, spreading nearly 630 cubic yards of salt and sand for enhanced winter driving traction.

Staffing Vacancies

NDOT currently has six permanent highway maintenance personnel dedicated to maintenance of State Route 28 and U.S. 50 on Tahoe’s east shore. There are 14 permanent and temporary staff positions assigned to the highway maintenance crew. With only six of the 14 positions currently filled, the crew has a nearly 60 percent vacancy rate.

While the Department’s challenge in retaining employees is beginning to impact our ability to maintain previous levels of service, NDOT remains dedicated to providing a safe and connected transportation network for millions of Nevada residents and travelers across more than 5,000 miles of state roadway. As part of our commitment to public safety, NDOT highway maintenance staff perform more than 75 critical road maintenance duties – from maintaining and updating roadway striping and incident response to snow and ice removal and pothole repairs.

Apply for NDOT Jobs Here >

Pothole Response

NDOT staff routinely fill weather-related potholes on state roads. But, crews must first prioritize critical snow response tasks such as blowing or scraping back snow from highway roadsides to reduce roadway refreeze and provide additional shoulder space for safety during traffic incidents. Crews will undertake urgent pothole repairs as soon as snow removal and other immediate highway activities such as cutting back roadside snowbanks are complete.

Driving Safety Reminder

Public safety is our top priority, and we remind drivers to slow down and drive safely in icy and snowy conditions.

One of the biggest challenges we see on winter roads is unsafe driving and crashes caused by motorists driving too quickly. Our top priority is traffic safety, and we want to remind all drivers to drive slowly and brake and turn slowly during winter weather. Following all chain controls and winter traffic advisories is critical as well.

NDOT Continues Repaving of Sections of SR 28 This Year

This spring, NDOT will also continue the third year of improvements to repave and improve State Routes 28 and 431.

As part of these improvements, State Route 28 will be resurfaced from the Nevada/California border to Ponderosa Ranch Road.

Get More News >

Originally published in the Tahoe Daily Tribune on 1/26/23. Written by Miranda Jacobson.

INCLINE VILLAGE, Nev. — The Incline Village General Improvement District Board of Trustees on Wednesday voted to take away employee access to beaches in a 3-2 vote. 

The move has been described by IVGID Public Works workers as “chipping away” at employees, according to Chairman Matthew Dent. 

Continue Reading >

Originally published in the Sierra Sun on 2/1/23. Content submitted to the Sun.

Forty deep water and “hotspot” trash clean-ups are planned in Lake Tahoe and will be expanded to other lakes and reservoirs in the High Sierra.

INCLINE VILLAGE, Nev. – Following on the successful 72-mile clean-up of Lake Tahoe in 2022, the dive team that coordinated the effort is expanding its underwater clean-up plans in 2023. Clean Up The Lake, a nonprofit committed to fighting back against plastic and all forms of pollution both above and below the surface of its local waterways, will return to Lake Tahoe and nearby Fallen Leaf Lake, and also has plans to clean up Echo Lake, Boca and Stampede Reservoirs in Truckee and four different lakes in Mono County and the Mammoth Lakes Basin.

Continue Reading >

Nevada is a state of mind. Before you roll the dice, you say, “C’mon, Honey, Baby needs a new pair of shoes!” And everything outside of Las Vegas is Cowboy Nevada, except Incline Village, where we either have two homes or two jobs. Those with one job and one home are rare as a straight flush. I just happen to be one of those lucky boys to draw a straight flush.

Forty years ago, I was living on the Island of Maui, and happy as an ophi clam at high tide, when I vacationed at Tahoe to discover Ski Incline, now known as Diamond Peak.

While riding up in the chairlift I looked over my shoulder and saw a blue lake that seemed to stretch out to the horizon. The lady sitting next to me asked what I did, and I told her I had a job my father thought should be illegal.

“And what might that be?” she asked with a smile.

“Morning radio on the Island of Maui.” 

Following a pregnant pause, she put her hand on my arm and asked, “How would you like to do morning radio here?”

So over the next two weeks I went from surf bum to ski bum while maintaining the same job my father thought should be illegal.

I had fallen in love with places before, and lived in the comfortable confines of Cape Cod, Carmel and Kauai, but never wanted to marry a place, until I met Incline village. 

On morning radio here, I got to tell the kids whether it was a school day or a snow day, and they followed me around in Raley’s while I shopped, “Mr. McAvoy, do we have to go to school tomorrow?”

“I don’t know, we’ll see how I feel in the morning…” 

The esteem was almost too much, and as if that were not ridiculous enough, because I reported ski conditions I was invited to ski free at all resorts within driving distance, including Diamond Peak, where I became the lucky owner of a locker!

 Then Mark Twain tapped me on the shoulder, and I started visiting as many as ten schools a week while teaching Nevada history and folklore. It became a magical journey that has spanned 35 years and 4,000 programs, ending with a perfect offramp this coming summer with “Mark Twain’s Nevada” at St. Pat’s cozy outdoor amphitheater here in the village, and Piper’s Opera House in Virginia City, where it all began.

There will be a few fun events between now and then, and the one I am looking forward to most is Carson City’s First Annual Mark Twain Days Festival, April 21, 22 & 23. Check these sites for fun events: https://youtu.be/T6CYwH2cNyQ  & Mark Twain Days Website. (Sam would be so damn proud.)

On my way out, I’m encouraging folks like you to consider giving yourself another life through the art of Chautauqua, and I sincerely do hope Chautauqua might start you on a journey as enjoyable as mine… 

Listen to the Audio >

IVGID Community Appreciation Week at Diamond Peak is January 30 – February 5, 2023. As a community owned resort, Diamond Peak Ski Resort will show its appreciation to the residents of Incline Village and Crystal Bay by offering free lift tickets to people with a valid IVGID Picture Pass or Recreation Punch Card. Diamond Peak season passholders with a valid IVGID Picture Pass or Punch Card will be provided free demo equipment rentals.

Bring your valid IVGID Picture Pass or Recreation Punch Card to receive the following benefits at Diamond Peak during IVGID Community Appreciation Week:

• Free Lift Tickets: (1) free lift ticket, per day (non-transferable, not valid for Diamond Peak season passholders or with Recreation Center Memberships). Please be prepared to show your Picture Pass or Punch Card at Diamond Peak’s Ticket Windows. Failure to bring your IVGID Pass will result in having to pay full price. 
• 10% off Food & Drinks: Receive 10% off all food and non-alcoholic beverages at all our food outlets.

Diamond Peak Season Passholders with an IVGID Pass

Diamond Peak season passholders with an IVGID Picture Pass or Punch Card qualify for free Demo equipment rentals during IVGID Community Appreciation Week. Visit the Rental Shop and present your Diamond Peak season pass, IVGID Picture Pass/Punch Card and credit card (for deposit). Return equipment at the end of each day. (Demo rental includes skis or snowboard only, boots are not included. Not transferable.)

Special Events

• Daily 1/30 – 2/5: Sweep with Patrol 3:50pm – 4:30pm. Meet at the top of Crystal Express (outside the Eagle’s Nest Patrol shack). Must be a strong intermediate or advanced skier or snowboarder to participate.
• Friday 2/3: Interpretive Mountain Tours 10:30am & 1:30pm; On mountain
• Ullr Torchlight Parade & Deck Party  4pm – 8pm; Base Lodge Deck
• Saturday 2/4: Meet & Greet with Patrol Director (Kari B.) and her Patrol Dog (Fred) 11:30am – 12:30pm. Ask questions, watch Fred do some tricks and snap a selfie with Fred. 
• Sunday 2/5: Live Music 2-5pm; Loft Bar

Originally published in the Tahoe Daily Tribune on 1/23/23. Written by Staff Report.

INCLINE VILLAGE, Nev. – The Nevada Division of State Parks has approximately $1 million available in federal funds for outdoor recreation development and acquisition projects through the Land and Water Conservation Fund program.

All local governments, including counties, cities, towns, general improvement districts, and Native American tribal governments are potentially eligible for the 50/50 matching grants offered through the program.

Continue Reading >