Looking to get more involved in shaping Washoe County’s future? Two boards are currently accepting applications, and we’re inviting interested residents to apply. Details for each opening are below: Board of Equalization (BOE) This board hears appeals from property owners who disagree with assessed property values, playing a key role in ensuring fairness and transparency in the property tax process. The Board is seeking two (2) regular members and one (1) alternate member for terms beginning January 2027. Hearings are held mid-January through February, with one additional meeting in April. In-person attendance is required. Applications are due by 5:00 p.m. on Friday, June 5, 2026. Library Board of Trustees (LBOT) This board provides oversight of library operations, including setting goals, approving policies, monitoring finances, and selecting and evaluating the Library Director. Two (2) positions are available for terms beginning July 1, 2026, through June 30, 2030. The Board meets monthly on the third Wednesday at various library locations. Applications are due by 5:00 p.m. on Friday, May 1, 2026.   Note: Individuals who have applied to any of the above boards/committees within one year of the application deadline do not need to reapply.   Apply

Originally published in the TRPA ENewsletter

What happens on our roads and trails can affect lake clarity, which is why transportation, recreation planning, and environmental protection are inseparable in protecting the lake. 

Across the basin, partners are working to better connect transportation systems with recreation areas to protect the environment, improve safety, and reduce congestion. Major improvements are underway along Nevada State Route 28 (East Shore) and California State Route 89 (South and West Shore) corridors.

On the East Shore, the two-lane State Route 28 Scenic Byway from Incline Village to U.S. Highway 50 at Spooner Summit routes over 1 million recreators and over 4 million vehicles annually. 

The Tahoe East Shore Trail and East Shore Express are already providing safer, more sustainable ways to reach Sand Harbor Nevada State Park, and required day-use reservations reduce traffic congestion and alleviate overcrowding at the park. Building on this momentum, partners are working on additional improvements along State Route 28, including new and better-managed parking at Chimney Beach and Spooner Summit, as well as new transit connections south of Sand Harbor to reduce dangerous roadside parking and erosion that comes from it.

On the West Shore, partners are focused on reducing the environmental and safety impacts of traffic, parking, and year-round public recreation access on State Route 89, which stretches from Camp Richardson to Tahoma and around Emerald Bay. The corridor is home to many of Tahoe’s most popular recreation sites and backcountry areas and sees almost 1.8 million visitors annually.

Last year, nonprofits, county and state agencies, and law enforcement launched the Emerald Bay Shuttle pilot program, which carried nearly 5,000 riders and helped remove 50 unsafe roadside parking spaces. It returns this summer, thanks to the Tahoe Transportation District and partners, to improve access while reducing congestion and safety risks.

Looking ahead, plans for a separate bike and pedestrian trail from Meeks Bay to D.L. Bliss State Park, just north of Emerald Bay, would move Tahoe closer to a continuous path around the lake. Stay tuned as agencies share plans and opportunities to provide input on the next segment of the West Shore Tahoe Trail.

These projects reflect progress toward sustainable recreation where access, transportation, and environmental protection work together.

Guiding Sustainable Experiences Around Lake Tahoe

Lake Tahoe is 22 miles long and 12 miles wide, framed by steep mountain terrain and famously clear blue water. It’s a landscape that draws people from around the world, and in the era of social media, visits to Tahoe’s most scenic places are sought after.

Outdoor recreation fuels Lake Tahoe’s $5 billion annual economy, but peak-season crowding can strain the very environment people come here to enjoy, impacting natural areas, increasing traffic, and diminishing the Tahoe experience.

With more than 15 million people living within a day’s drive, improving how people access Tahoe is critical. Through the Lake Tahoe Environmental Improvement Program (EIP), partners are coming together around the principles of destination stewardship to protect the basin’s natural resources while guiding sustainable experiences. In large part, that means investing in parking management, transit, and trail connections.

Photos by: Drone Promotions (right) and TRPA (left)

Away back in 1673, two noted Canadian etymologists, professors Marquette & Jolliet, elected to explore a river that the Native Canadians called, “Mesippi.” So they built themselves a short, though very tall two-story boat, the “Nancy,” tall enough to accommodate a bunkbed, and off they sailed. A large crowd gathered to watch them go, for the Nancy did not appear to be very seaworthy, and this might be a fond farewell… 

On the very first night out on the river Marquette & Jolliet got into an argument over who was going to get the top bunk. Both wanted it of course, so they agreed to a game of Mumblety-Peg Around the Horn to determine the matter…

If you’ve never played Mumblety-Peg Around the Horn, it’s played with a knife, but first you have to drive a peg into the ground, which Marquette & Jolliet were hesitant to do, for fear of sinking the Nancy, so they tossed the peg overboard and took to hurling the knife in various artistic ways, so as to stick the knife into the deck.  

Marquette went first and tossed the knife from between his thumb and forefinger, burying the knife firmly into the deck of the Nancy. Jolliet went next, flipping the knife with great dexterity from behind his left ear. Marquette answered by sticking the knife with a contorted thrust from behind his back. Jolliet, knowing in his heart of hearts, that he could not duplicate such a feat, removed the knife from the deck of the Nancy with his teeth, according to ancient rules of the game, and conceded the top bunk to Marquette.

There was one thing the self-satisfied Marquette had not taken into account. When he woke up in the middle of the night to find the loo, he forgot he was on the top bunk, a serious miscalculation…

Jolliet heard Marquette hit the floor with a thud and asked, “What in tarnation are you doing?!

Marquette, in a daze, responded, “Where am I?”

“You’re on the Mesippi, you ass!”

“How do you spell that?”

“Well, give me a second…M-i-s-s.”

“Yes, go on…”

“Mississ…oh, hell, you try it.”

“Mississippi?”

“Yes, that will do, write that down. By the way, Marquette, how in blazes are we going to get back home?”

Well, Jolliet, now that you mention it, I hadn’t given it much thought, wait for an earthquake I suppose, and hope the Miss…the dang river flows the other way.  What’s your take on it?”

“I say we sell the Nancy first thing in the morning to the first natives we come across.  We can likely get ten beaver skins for her, then we hike home all the richer for exploring the Miss…oh, hell!”

And this is where we bring our short history of the Miss…of that big muddy river that keeps on rolling along, to a close…

Audio: https://open.spotify.com/show/7Fhv4PrH1UuwlhbnTT23zO

Originally published with Keep Tahoe Blue

April is an exciting month for Keep Tahoe Blue!  We’re celebrating 69 years of protecting Lake Tahoe and honoring the belief that every day is Earth Day. Since 1957, this work has been powered by people like you—those who show up, year after year, to care for the Lake we all love. When our community shows up, that love then becomes action, protecting Tahoe’s iconic blue waters for generations of lake lovers still to come.  And with spring in full swing and the busiest season ahead, that sense of community matters more than ever! Your continued support helps equip nearly 1,500 volunteers with the tools, training, and coordination they need to tackle the Lake’s biggest threats. Last year alone, our volunteers committed over 7,500 hours of service to join our efforts in litter prevention and restoration projects around the Lake Tahoe Basin.   FUN FACT: Volunteer-collected data helps our staff of science experts stop litter at the source—fueling solutions like bans on plastic bags, Styrofoam take-out containers, and single-use plastic water bottles.  Make a gift today to power the next season of community-led action!

DONATE TODAY

Originally published in the Tahoe Daily Tribune, 04/01/2026, Written by Laney Griffo

The Incline Village Board of Trustees discussed replacement options for the Snowflake Lodge at Diamond Peak during its March 25 meeting. 

The board heard a presentation of the Snowflake Lodge Needs Assessments that needed to be completed as a step to make updates to the lodge.

A 2015 Diamond Peak Master Plan identified a significant seating deficit for dining in the Snowflake Lodge. Replacing the Snowflake Lodge is a board priority. 

READ MORE >

Originally published in the Tahoe Daily Tribune, Staff Report, 4/1/2026

The Tahoe Chamber announces the return of the highly anticipated Go Local Business Expo, taking place on Thursday, May 7, 2026, from 5-8 p.m. at the Tahoe Blue Event Center. As Tahoe’s largest business networking and community event, the Expo continues to grow year after year, bringing together over 125 local businesses and more than 1,500 attendees for an evening that celebrates and supports the region’s vibrant business community.

For just $20 general admission, attendees will enjoy unlimited food and beverage tastings, interactive vendor experiences, raffles, giveaways, and the chance to take home exciting prizes and local swag. This family-friendly event invites community members and visitors alike to discover new businesses, reconnect with local favorites, and experience the best of Tahoe all in one place. Kids under 8 are free. 

READ MORE >

Originally published in the Tahoe Daily Tribune, 04/01/2026, Submitted

April 1 is more than just the start of a month that many embrace for the warmer weather that typically accompanies it. It is a day set aside for pranksters just waiting to pull the wool over someone else’s eyes all in the name of good fun. While many participate in April Fools’ Day shenanigans, they may not be as familiar with all there is to know about this day when jokers rejoice. These interesting facts about April Fools’ Day truly are no joke.

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Originally published with Incline Fireworks, 3/30/2026, Written by Kristie Wells

After days of complex deep-water operations, the portion of the fireworks barge that sank offshore of Ski Beach has now been successfully recovered, marking the conclusion of one of the more technically challenging salvage efforts our community has seen.

Recovery required precise coordination between dive teams, marine crews, pyrotechnic specialists, and local agencies, all working under changing weather conditions and difficult underwater environments. What may have appeared from shore as slow progress was, in reality, a carefully sequenced operation where safety and precision guided every step.

This was not a simple lift. Crews were working at depths exceeding 100 feet, navigating steep underwater terrain, near-zero visibility, and heavy, irregular materials resting across the lakebed. At that depth, even basic tasks become significantly more complex. Divers relied not only on training and touch, but also on a remotely operated vehicle (ROV), which played a critical role in guiding them to the exact location of the barge and providing essential lighting in otherwise dark conditions.

Each day began early to take advantage of calm morning conditions before winds increased. Initial work focused on resetting lift systems and installing upgraded 2-inch hawsers, along with reattaching 12 lift bags designed to gradually raise the barge. These systems required careful balancing, as even minor inconsistencies in pressure or positioning could create delays or introduce safety risks.

Once in place, crews began filling the lift bags, a process that required several hours to ensure even distribution. Despite increasing winds, the team successfully lifted the barge and moved it from depths of approximately 100 feet into shallower water.

From there, operations accelerated.

Using the ROV to monitor conditions in real time, crews brought the barge fully off the lakebed and carefully towed it into depths of approximately 10 to 16 feet. Divers then returned to remove additional debris and prepare the structure for final recovery.

This phase included removing existing hatches and installing modified versions that allowed crews to pump out water while introducing air. Pumping operations began under calm conditions the following morning, and the barge surfaced quickly once the process was underway.

With the barge afloat, an 80-ton rotator truck was positioned directly on the sand to assist with extraction. Working in coordination, crews secured the barge to shore, separated it into sections by removing structural pins, and lifted each piece out of the water.

Each section was transported offsite along with recovered materials, including spuds, k-rails, and additional debris collected from the lakebed.

Throughout the operation, dive teams continued to locate and remove debris, supported by underwater robotics and coordinated surface operations. Fireworks materials were recovered from depths of up to 150 feet, carefully handled, and prepared for transport under strict regulatory oversight.

The success of this effort reflects the coordination of multiple specialized teams. Parker Diving Service led the recovery, supported by Big Valley Divers and DiveRobotix for underwater operations, while Lantis Fireworks and the North Lake Tahoe Fire Protection District managed the safe handling of pyrotechnic materials. Additional partners, including towing and hauling teams, were critical in completing the final extraction.

By Sunday, March 29, the operation reached its conclusion as crews successfully hauled all three pontoons out of the water. Final underwater documentation was completed, equipment was demobilized, and all major components and debris were cleared from the site. The recovery operation is now complete.

The community’s patience and cooperation throughout this process played an important role in allowing crews to complete the work safely and efficiently.