National EMS Week: Honoring the Dedicated Emergency Medical Services Professionals Serving Our Community
May 20, 2026 | Member Submitted
During National EMS Week (May 17–23, 2026), the North Lake Tahoe Fire Protection District (NLTFPD) proudly recognizes and celebrates the dedicated Emergency Medical Services (EMS) professionals who provide compassionate, lifesaving care to our community every day.
EMS Week is a national observance that honors paramedics, EMTs, emergency nurses, physicians, and the many professionals who make emergency medical response possible. This year’s EMS Week theme, “Improving Outcomes, Together,” highlights the collaboration, compassion, and expertise that drive positive patient outcomes and strengthen emergency medical care nationwide.
At NLTFPD, EMS is a critical part of our mission. Whether responding to medical emergencies, motor vehicle collisions, backcountry rescues, cardiac arrests, or assisting during incidents, our firefighter-paramedics and EMTs stand ready 24/7 to provide high-quality emergency medical care when it matters most.
In a mountain community like Incline Village and Crystal Bay, EMS professionals face unique challenges—from severe winter weather and difficult terrain to high visitor populations and remote access incidents—yet they continue to answer the call with professionalism, expertise, and heart.
Recognizing the Faces Behind the Response
This week, we celebrate the NLTFPD employees who dedicate themselves to caring for others in life’s most critical moments. Our firefighter-paramedics bring skill, strength, compassion, and resilience to every emergency, while also serving as educators, mentors, and trusted members of our community. We are proud to recognize their extraordinary service during National EMS Week.
Did You Know? EMS professionals provide care for a wide range of emergencies, including:
Cardiac and respiratory emergencies
Falls and traumatic injuries
Stroke recognition and response
Wilderness and remote access rescues
Motor vehicle collisions
Behavioral health emergencies
Public standby and event support
How the Community Can Support EMS
Residents can help support EMS response by:
Learning CPR and how to use an AED
Keeping house numbers visible for responders
Ensuring emergency contact information is up to date
Creating defensible space and maintaining safe access to properties
Calling 911 immediately in a medical emergency
This National EMS Week, we invite the Incline Village and Crystal Bay community to join us in thanking the dedicated NLTFPD employees who answer the call with compassion, professionalism, and lifesaving care when it matters most.
A Message from NLTFPD
“EMS is about more than emergency medicine—it’s about people,” said Fire Chief Ryan Sommers. “Our EMS professionals bring skill, compassion, and calm to some of the most stressful moments in a person’s life. During National EMS Week, we recognize and thank them for the incredible work they do every single day.”
Learn More& Stay Informed
National EMS Week was established in 1974 to recognize EMS professionals and the important work they do in communities across the country. To learn more about EMS Week, please visit: https://emsweek.org/
In The News – Incline girls chess team wins overall Nevada State Girls Scholastic Chess Championship for third consecutive year
May 19, 2026 | Member Submitted
Originally published in the Tahoe Daily Tribune, 5/19/2026, Written by Victoria Mastrocola
A team of four homeschooled girls are celebrating a historic, third-consecutive win after competing in this year’s Nevada State Girls Scholastic Chess Championship.
The girls competed against all Nevada schools in kindergarten through 12th grade, both public and private, before taking home the trophy– a remarkable feat for team members Kora Ostertag, 12, Acadia Holve, 14, her sister, Alora Holve, 12, and Allisyn Flower, 12.
Eric Ostertag, father of Kora Ostertag, not only coaches all four girls but also serves on the board of the Silver State Chess Association. He is responsible for leading the reorganization of the championship’s qualifier format.
READ MORE >
PHOTO: The championship title marks a remarkable milestone for (pictured left to right) Acadia Holve, Kora Ostertag, Alora Holve, and new team member, Allisyn FlowerVictoria Mastrocola/Tahoe Daily Tribune
If you haven’t seen it yet, construction is well underway on TNTNV’s long-planned Welcome Center remodel! Following demolition, crews are now busy with framing as the project moves along.
This project is funded through previously allocated funds and built with local contractors and crew, meaning those dollars are staying right here in the community where they belong. Big thanks to Smith Design Group and Fortress Construction for teaming up with us to make this project come to life. See the progress yourself in this Tahoe Daily Tribune article: Incline Village locals teamup on Welcome Center remodel.
When we reopen, the facility will be more functional and ready to serve residents and visitors the way they deserve to be served. In the meantime, our Welcome Center and administrative offices have temporarily relocated to 937 Tahoe Boulevard, Suite 150, operating Mon-Fri from 9AM-5PM and Sat from 10AM-4PM.
Same team, same hours, just a new address (for now). We appreciate your patience and look forward to welcoming you back to our new center later this month, or our temporary one in the meantime!
And speaking of showing up, Dale is back on the Trail!
If you’ve spent time on the East Shore Trail, chances are you’ve crossed paths with Dale. We’re lucky to have this longtime Tahoe resident back for another summer as one of TNTNV’s most valuable resources. Dale will be out on the East Shore Trail Information Booth at the Tunnel Creek entrance, ready to answer any questions, share his local knowledge and make sure every person on the trail gets the most out of their time. If you see him out there, bring a friend, say hello and ask some questions!
Wildfire Preparedness & Mitigation Community Seminar Announced for Incline
May 19, 2026 | Member Submitted
Local agencies and experts provide practical guidance for residents and property owners.
A Wildfire Preparedness & Mitigation Community Seminar will be held on May 26, 2026, in Incline Village, bringing together local agencies, service providers, and community partners to provide residents with clear, actionable guidance on reducing wildfire risk.
As wildfire preparedness continues to be a priority across the Tahoe Basin, the seminar is designed to move beyond general awareness and offer practical steps homeowners can take to better protect their properties.
The event will feature participation from organizations actively working in wildfire mitigation and emergency response, including the North Lake Tahoe Fire Protection District, the Tahoe Resource Conservation District, and IVGID, along with local insurance professionals and home hardening experts.
Attendees can expect information and guidance on:
Creating and maintaining defensible space
Home hardening strategies to reduce vulnerability
What fire professionals evaluate during property assessments
Evolving insurance considerations in wildfire-prone areas
Local programs and resources available to support mitigation efforts
“This seminar is focused on giving residents practical information they can use right away,” said Kristie Wells, event organizer. “Wildfire resilience is a shared responsibility, and the goal is to connect the community with the people and resources that can help them take meaningful action.”
The seminar is open to anyone interested in better understanding wildfire preparedness and risk reduction.
Event Details
Wildfire Preparedness & Mitigation Community Seminar ? The Chateau, 955 Fairway Blvd, Incline Village, NV ? May 26, 2026 ⏰ 5:00 p.m. – 7:00 p.m. (Core programming starts at 5:30 p.m.)
The event is free to attend; advance registration is appreciated to help us plan accordingly.
Lake Tahoe Shakespeare Festival, Great Lakes Theater, Idaho Shakespeare Festival, and Play On Shakespeare Launch Landmark Five-Year Partnership
May 19, 2026 | Member Submitted
Lake Tahoe Shakespeare Festival (LTSF; Incline Village, NV), Great Lakes Theater (GLT; Cleveland, OH), and Idaho Shakespeare Festival (ISF; Boise, ID) are proud to announce a major new partnership with Play On Shakespeare, the nonprofit commissioning contemporary modern verse translations of the complete works of William Shakespeare.
This ambitious collaboration marks the launch of a five-year artistic and educational initiative designed to expand access to Shakespeare through bold new translations, innovative productions, and far-reaching community engagement across multiple regions of the United States.
The partnership will launch in 2026 with a new modern verse translation of The Winter’s Tale, written and directed by acclaimed playwright Tracy Young. The production will open at Idaho Shakespeare Festival in Boise in August 2026 before traveling to Great Lakes Theater in Cleveland, where it will help inaugurate the company’s 65th Anniversary Season that fall.
“Our partnership with Play On Shakespeare expands the artistry at the core of our work,” shares Sara Bruner, Producing Artistic Director for LTSF, GLT, and ISF. “Shakespeare remains central to who we are, and these translations offer a powerful, immediate way for audiences to connect to these works. We are committed to producing the Bard’s work alongside bold translations and Shakespeare-adjacent pieces that keep the canon in active conversation with the present. This isn’t about replacing the classics, but expanding access to them and creating more pathways for audiences to experience the depth and humanity of these stories. This is text-based theater at its most vital – language that moves, connects and reflects our shared humanity in real time.”
Reimagining Shakespeare for Today’s Audiences Play On Shakespeare has commissioned playwrights from across the country to create contemporary translations of Shakespeare’s plays that preserve the poetry and dramatic structure of the originals while offering language that resonates with modern audiences.
Over the next five years, LTSF, GLT, and ISF will collaborate with Play On to bring these translations to life through an ambitious slate of work, including four full productions across five seasons, a newly commissioned world premiere translation of Hamlet and touring/multi-venue performances shared among all three organizations. At least one production will travel to all three partner theatres, creating a uniquely connected Shakespeare experience across the country.
“The partnership between Play On Shakespeare and Idaho Shakespeare Festival, Great Lakes Theater and Lake Tahoe Shakespeare Festival grew through years of careful, rigorous collaboration – production-based partnerships that spotlighted individual Shakespeare translations,” explains Sally Cade Holmes, Play On Shakespeare’s Head of Partnerships. “This next chapter expands that foundation. We remain committed to production-based work, but we’re equally excited to deepen our investment in Shakespeare access and theatrical innovation through multi-year collaborations with values-aligned institutions. Under Sara Bruner’s leadership, all three organizations share our dedication to exploring the ever-expanding ecosystem of Shakespeare translation, inviting playwrights into rehearsal rooms and shaping the future of theatrical practice.”
A Partnership Rooted in Community Beyond the stage, the partnership includes a robust slate of community-centered initiatives designed to deepen engagement with Shakespeare across generations. These programs include Community Schools programming in Boise using shortened Play On translations, support for Idaho Shakespeare Festival’s statewide school touring initiative called Shakespearience beginning in 2027, summer drama school offerings for students running from 2026 through 2030 and seasonal workshops that bring together artists, educators and community members to explore the plays in collaborative and inclusive ways.
Together, these initiatives reflect a shared commitment to making Shakespeare more inclusive and relevant for learners of all ages. Equity and Artistic Collaboration A central value of the partnership is a shared commitment to equitable representation in casting and artistic practice. Play On defines this as fostering ensembles that reflect a wide range of lived experiences, including race, gender identity, ability and age, while creating meaningful opportunities for artists and communities that have been historically underrepresented in Shakespearean performance.
Play On Shakespeare will further support the partnership through a dedicated Resident Dramaturg, Dr. Lue M. Douthit, Play On Shakespeare’s Senior Dramaturg & Co-Founder. Dr. Douthit will collaborate closely with all three organizations to provide dramaturgical insight, audience engagement content and creative consultation throughout the partnership. Looking Ahead With productions, workshops, educational initiatives and new translations on the horizon, this partnership represents a bold new chapter for Shakespeare in the American theatre. One that connects more people to Shakespeare through vibrant, accessible language and ideas. About Lake Tahoe Shakespeare Festival Lake Tahoe Shakespeare Festival is a non-profit organization established for the cultural benefit and enjoyment of all residents of and visitors to Lake Tahoe. Engaging over 30,000 adults and students annually at the specially built Warren Edward Trepp Jr. Stage at Lake Tahoe and in schools throughout the region, the Festival is committed to producing the finest cultural events and exceptional educational programming. Lake Tahoe Shakespeare Festival is part of a unique, strategic producing alliance with Great Lakes Theater and Idaho Shakespeare Festival. Read more about the strategic alliance here.
About Play On Shakespeare
We are an artistic partner that funds and supports contemporary modern verse Shakespeare in theatrical practice, productions, and education. Through partnerships with artists and organizations worldwide, we deliver these translations via theatrical productions, workshops and trainings, podcasts, publications, and film. Play On Shakespeare is made possible through generous support of the Hitz Foundation.
In The News – Data centers and energy suppliers: what’s happening with power in Tahoe
May 18, 2026 | Member Submitted
Originally published in the Tahoe Daily Tribune, 5/18/2026, Written by Eli Ramos
After NV Energy announced it would no longer be supplying power to Liberty Utilities by next year, leaving Tahoe residents without a clear future with energy, the concern and uproar has only grown. Here’s a recap of where things currently stand.
Why NV Energy made an ultimatum
Since 2009, NV Energy has supplied Liberty Utilities with 75% of its power, in part due to the challenges of creating energy infrastructure that would connect Tahoe with the rest of California. However, according to a spokesperson from NV Energy, “It has been understood that Liberty Utilities would eventually secure its own transmission access and energy supply so it could serve customers independently.”
In The News – Tahoe Nordic SAR Team honored for response to deadly avalanche
May 18, 2026 | Member Submitted
Originally published in the Tahoe Daily Tribune, 5/18/2026, Written by Katelyn Welsh
On Tuesday, the Placer County Board of Supervisors honored the victims of the Castle Peak avalanche and recognized the Tahoe Nordic Search and Rescue Team for its critical intervention. The commendation occurred at the North Tahoe Events Center during the board’s meeting.
The Feb. 17 incident marked the deadliest avalanche in California history, during which nine individuals lost their lives. The incident deeply impacted a tight-knit mountain community with victims from the Tahoe region and the Bay Area.
The Tahoe Nordic Search and Rescue Team (TNSAR) is a volunteer group of highly experienced skiers, snowmobilers, and snowcat operators. Members include nurses, medical technicians, doctors, ski patrollers, and firefighters, many of whom possess advanced skills in medical and survival training, mapping, and search techniques.
The IVCB Community Forum is the place to learn and discuss things of importance to IVCB residents. It is held in person and on Zoom at the Incline Village Library the 1st and 3rd Fridays of each month at 9 am. Local agency representatives from NLTFPD (fire), WCSO (sheriff), IVGID (recreation) and IVCBA (business), among others make announcements and answer residents’ questions. Attendees discuss any and all topics of general interest.
No registration is required to attend. Moderator Denise Davis curates a list and provides links for upcoming community events and agency meetings. Recap editor Ronda Tycer prepares a transcript of each meeting. To get on the Forum mailing list, go to ivcbcommunityforum@gmail.com.
UPCOMING COMMUNITY EVENTS | UPDATED LIST OF RESOURCES (updated 3/6/2026) Our email is: ivcbcommunityforum@gmail.com
June 5 – TRPA Neighborhood Coffee Hour – 10:30 to 1:30
June 13 – Battle of the Badges charity softball tournament supports Northern NV Concerns of Police Survivors and Northern NV Trauma Intervention Program
Around 1793, Philadelphia was laid low by a yellow fever epidemic. Five thousand lives were lost. A twenty-four-year-old Dolley Todd lost her husband, John. But Dolley soldiered on. Somehow she managed to maintain a sunny disposition that was recorded by one admirer: “Dolley’s radiance raised to fever heat the thermometers of the heart.”
With feathers in her hair, she occupied the highest levels of society, where she was introduced to James Madison by Aaron Burr and bada-boom, bada-bing, the next thing anybody knew she was First Lady, and that was just what Dolley Madison was born to be…
“James, let’s throw a party.”
“What kind of a party?
“A fun party…a toga party!”
“Whatever.”
Dolley went straight to work on the invitations…
Dear friends and neighbors,
On the fourth of March, President James Madison will host a Toga Party at the White House. Formal Greek attire will be required. Muscat of Samos Wine will be served along with Baklava, Spanakopita and horiatiki soaked in olive oil. Music will be provided by “Socrates Drunk the Hemlock” and everyone will be required to dance along with the President to Zorba the Greek at midnight. Karaoke singing will commence at 1am. Bring a friend…
Well, that was a party to remember. It brought James out of his shell, which bought him and Dolley a second term. But what distinguishes Dolley to my mind, and makes her a hero of her time, really, is the way she single-handedly saved an American treasure…
In August of 1814 the British were coming, and they were not looking for a toga party either. In fact, it was rumored they might loot the White House and burn it to the ground. So Dolley got it in her estimable head to save the regal portrait of George Washington that hung there in the White House and hangs in the White House today. She ordered that the frame of that regal portrait be unscrewed and the portrait delivered to the safe hands of a gentleman in New York.
“But there is no time, Madam, the British are coming!” protested an aide.
“Then destroy it! It cannot fall into the hands of the Brits!”
“Alright, alright, I’ll try, Madam, but there are so many screws…”
That trusty aide unscrewed and unscrewed and unscrewed some more, until the portrait of George Washington fell off the wall into his hands. He wanted to roll up the portrait for shipping, but again Dolley came to the rescue and shouted, “No, you cannot roll it up or it will be ruined, you must transport it flat-out!”
Well, he done it. Gilbert Stuart’s majestic portrait of the Father of Our Country was saved, and hangs today in the East Wing of White House, thanks to the insistence of one amazing First Lady, Dolley Madison.
And this is where our brief story of Dolley Madison comes to an end…
In The News – Court intervenes in Incline Village timeshare dispute
May 14, 2026 | Member Submitted
Originally published in the Tahoe Daily Tribune, 5/14/2026, Written by Katelyn Welsh
A court appointee has temporarilytaken over an almost 50-year-old Lake Tahoe timeshare after disputes between timeshare owners and the timeshare’s association board led to court intervention.
Club Tahoe, established in 1978 in Incline Village, offers two-bedroom suites with full kitchens, tennis courts, a gym, a pool and a jacuzzi, as well as other amenities, based on an owned-week structure.
The timeshare is administered through an association whose board members serve two-year terms and are elected each April.
