The COVID Storm 9 Something's Fishy 42 - Out of the Wild 40 - Truckee/North Lake Tahoe - Moonshine Ink
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Truckee/North Lake Tahoe
9 July – 12 August 2020
Vintage 18, Nip 8
Independent Newspaper • Priceless
… 22
Out of the Wild … 40
Something’s Fishy … 42
The COVID Storm … 9
R E D I S C O V E R yo u r b e s t mo me n ts Now is the time we’ve all been patiently waiting for – from enjoying favorite spots around town and eating out, to grabbing a beer and meeting up with friends, it’s time to get outside and help boost our local economy. We look forward to everyone getting back to doing what they love. The North Lake Tahoe community is stronger together and we will bounce back as we start to rediscover our playground for adventure. GoTahoeNorth.com/MoonshineInk
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READ. DISCUSS. CONTRIBUTE. MOONSHINEINK.COM 9 JULY – 12 AUGUST 2020 3
Virtual Vibes 2020 DO TELL !
Do you think the region could move away
from a tourism-centric economy?
Most economic analysis and future projection of industry and regional growth
in North Tahoe and Truckee takes for granted an ever-increasing focus on
tourism. It makes sense: Who wouldn’t want to dip their toes in Big Blue and
scale a massive Sierra mountain all in one day? But while some feel tour-
ism remains and will continue to be the hub of our region’s income, others
disagree. (See p. 25 for a long-form essay responding to the same question).
JOHN MCCOY, Tahoe Donner
CEO, operatives.com
Jobs that are in tech. Doesn’t need to be another
Apple or Google, but one that works for an area like
June 26 this, with [the] type of people you can hire here (and
Reno). More Clear Capitals. Entrepreneurs that love
Peter Joseph Burtt & the Kingtide this area and want to develop middle-income jobs
up here. In 10 years, tourism won’t be this area’s
July 10 primary sector.
The Sextones CARINA CUTLER, Kings Beach
Realtor, ski instructor
July 24 As I write this, it is quickly moving away from a
Vokab Kompany tourist-only economy. Let’s face it, there will always
be a tourist draw, but more and more of our housing
stock is occupied by full-time remote workers, and
August 7 less by resort and tourist service workers.
The Blues Monsters
August 28 BROOKE INGLEHEART, Kings Beach
Sneaky Creatures Carpenter
Tourism is the only industry.
Tune in online at 6:15pm
Music starts at 6:30–8:30pm
N o r t hTa h o e B u s i n e s s . o r g Wendy Sumner, Truckee
Retired
b ro u g ht to yo u by [The] economy [will likely be] based around remote
working. Technology companies have allowed
telecommuting for years but now most companies
allow it for desk-based staff. Just look at Truckee’s
housing market and the trend is evident. No houses
for sale in Tahoe Donner right now! Wow ...
TAHOE
Q U A RT E R LY
MARTIN GOLLERY, Incline Village
TAHOE
Q U A RT E R LY
Photographer, marketer
TAHOE LEGACY Remote workers for the tech industry and other
HOMES industries.
tahoe.com
INTERVIEWS BY BECCA LOUX/MOONSHINE INK | SUBMITTED PHOTOS
4 9 JULY – 12 AUGUST 2020 MOONSHINEINK.COM TAHOE/TRUCKEE INDEPENDENT NEWSPAPER
GO ONLINE
MOONSHINEINK.COM
We were busy with online exclusive content this month. Our website has been chock Schools, Parents,
full of weekly online-only material covering government, the pandemic locally
(check our coronavirus section), and community news happening too quickly to and Racism
wait for our monthly print schedule. If you are late to the moonshineink.com party,
Published June 18: An incident in which
the time is now. Plus, find us on Instagram, Twitter, Facebook, and YouTube with
their son succumbed to peer pressure
the handle @moonshineink (no, we’re not on Tik Tok).
to make racist comments to another
Here’s a rundown of what we covered exclusively on our site this month. student, White parents examine their
WHEN YOUR CHILD IS RACIST privilege and the inadequacy of their
local school in teaching and addressing
racism in this online My Shot. The extended version was published online
alongside an episode of Moonshine Minutes where we directly spoke with the
parents about their experience (archived at the Multimedia tab), and a shorter
version of their opinion piece is in print.
Town Manager Heading Out After
Surprising Announcement
Published June 29: Though Truckee Town Manager Jeff Loux said his
retirement was due to it being “time,” his June 25 announcement occurred
THREATS TO A MARCH
amid a recent performance review and shifting contract dates. (Editor’s
note: Moonshine editor Becca Loux is the former town manager’s daughter;
Town Hall on Race Relations Responds however, she played no part in the reporting of this article.)
to Police Chief’s Rhetoric
Off the Rail … yard
Published June 11: The story behind that infamous email that Truckee Police
Chief Robert Leftwich sent out sharing his thoughts on protests and George Frontlines
Floyd’s murder, followed quickly by his resignation. Opinions are varied and
Published July 1: As Rick and Nancy
tensions are heightened as the email brought about community conversa-
Holliday officially step back as heads of
tions around policing and race, and led to a town hall immediately following
the Railyard Project, we spoke to the
the backlash.
local developers exclusively about the
ON HOLLIDAY
history of the development and what
Entering Stage Three: Lodging, Gyms, next big ideas have captivated their
imagination. Where will the pair go next? Currently they are focused on their
and Campgrounds Can Reopen
Photo by Kieth Rutherford; courtesy photo
new factory that is revolutionizing how we do construction.
Published June 12: Reopening marches along as health experts warn the
P.S. Remember to check out our multimedia projects,
warm weather doesn’t erase the pandemic. Check out this snapshot-in-time
our KTKE collaborative radio show, Moonshine
that covers the region’s economy as it struggles to balance re-bolstering with
Minutes, and our community conversations,
managing health concerns.
Tahoe Talks. For a behind-the-scenes look at how
we got into all that, see the full story on p. 12.
Local COVID-19 Cases Back on the Rise
Published June 18: Incorporating an original interactive chart displaying new
cases reported by local counties in June, this piece explores the beginnings
of the second spike of the first wave. Officials tie the rise in cases counts,
including a number of counties reporting largest single-day spikes in early
June, to social gatherings and lax attitudes toward pandemic precautions
rather than directly pointing to reopenings.
Behind the Threats that Shut Down
Truckee’s Anti-Racism March
Published June 26: This story explores what we know about threats made in
advance of a Black Lives Matter support march. Planned concurrently with
the Say Their Names Vigil, the tensions and social media threats led to the
march’s cancellation.
READ. DISCUSS. CONTRIBUTE. MOONSHINEINK.COM 9 JULY – 12 AUGUST 2020 5
Why Do We Have CoronAmnesia?
Lackadaisical attitude defies common decency
For those who resist being told on the organs of any person who
what to do and say anything less has become infected, even after
than N95 masks aren’t effective, they recover?
Thank you for a successful year! we ask you to do your research.
At the base of this eagerness to
As knowledge about the virus
grows, the efficacy of masks is cast off public health recommen-
becoming firmly established. dations is a misinterpretation of
EDITORS’ NOTE what freedom really means. This
By Moonshine Editorial Board One key point from the Institute
of Health Metrics and Evaluation country is based on freedom to a
We are feeling uncomfortable. life of opportunity, where we are
Photo credit: NLTRA
said that “33,000 deaths could be
Here’s why. given the wherewithal to choose
avoided by October 1 if 95% of
SCHOLARSHIP DONORS our path in life, and supported by
For two solid months, most in people wore masks in public.”
Sustainable Community Advocates laws that erase obstacles that limit
the country adhered to lockdown
Vail Resort EpicPromise Make no mistake: Masks save us. What has happened is that
Kiwanis Club of North Lake Tahoe orders. As the economy neared
lives. people believe freedom means
Soroptimist International of Truckee Donner collapse, experts were behind
the scenes, developing necessary freedom from having any limits,
Rotary Club of Tahoe City Tie that to physical distancing
Duggan and Duggan resources to deal with the novel and we have a winning formula. from “any kind of obligation or
coronavirus. They did so and So simple. And it hardly costs responsibility to … anything.
SPONSORS Each other. History. The future.
we reopened. The streets came anything. Compare that to
Rotary Club of Truckee back to life, businesses dusted off overwhelmed medical facilities. Just common decency. Even just
HOST LOCATIONS counters, and we all breathed a To businesses being shut down basic humanity.” *
little easier. and possibly not reopening. To
Tahoe City Public Utility District · Truckee Tahoe Airport “Don’t tell me what to do” is a
North Tahoe Event Center · Sierra Nevada University · Town of Truckee the irreplaceable cost of the loss just-because attitude that leads
A little too easily, in fact.
of a human life. to a lack of a social contract,
Suddenly people were flooding
the roadways and gathering with The death of anybody shouldn’t of caring for thy neighbor, of
missed family and friends. But be acceptable when it’s prevent- looking together toward a better
it was often being done while able. We’ve heard so many future. That’s not the way to
not wearing masks nor keeping “I’ve got such a low chance of life, liberty, and the pursuit of
physical distance. As COVID-19 having it be fatal/serious” or happiness. It’s the way toward
has sunk its claws deeper into “I’m healthy, I’m young, I’m divisiveness (check!), societal
our lives, many have become fine.” I, I, I. Where’s the we? Did ills (check!), and a democracy
numb to the feeling. That that shows signs of dissembling
HELPING PEOPLE AT
you know Sacramento County
mindset needs to stop now. just reported that nearly half of (double check!).
OR NEAR RETIREMENT While we sorely needed to its active cases are from people
under 40? That studies are show-
Instead of clutching our pearls
jumpstart the economy and we over being asked to don a
are now better prepared (see A ing there may be lasting impacts
simple bandana during a global
Hurricane Named COVID, p. 9), from the disease on young bodies
pandemic, let’s clutch our masks
it doesn’t mean we are scott-free. that mimic Kawasaki disease and
to our faces and head into public
The numbers of cases may be only sparingly. Doing any less is a
manageable right now, but look to LOVE THE LINKS crime against humanity.
be quickly spiraling out of control, For navigational
leading to yet another lockdown ease, find links * A nod to Umir Hague for his
before we’ve had the chance to to resources, on eye-opening essay, How Freedom
moonshineink.com.
fully recover from the first. Became Free-dumb in America.
M O O N S H I N E I N K S T A F F
John C Manocchio, CFP,® CRPC® Dream summer vacay if we ~weren’t~ in a pandemic?
PUBLISHER NEWS REPORTER OFFICE MANAGER
WE TAKE YOUR FINANCIAL SUCCESS Mayumi “Hanalei Bay” Elegado
(mayumi@moonshineink.com)
Alex “Italy“ Hoeft
(alex@moonshineink.com)
Sitara “Bali” Arun
(sitara@moonshineink.com)
VERY PERSONALLY! ADVERTISING CONSULTANT
Nina “Cuba” Miller
GRAPHIC DESIGN
Mayumi Elegado
CIRCULATION
Scott “Alaska” Robinson
(nina@moonshineink.com) Alex Hoeft
CONTRIBUTING WRITERS
Get a complimentary, no-obligation snapshot of your ASSOCIATE EDITORS
Sarah “40°27’36N115°27’24W” Miller Dawn Andreoni, Colleeen Dalton, Bill Dietz, Tim
progress toward meeting your retirement goals. Juliana “Netherlands” Demarest
(juliana@moonshineink.com)
PHOTOGRAPHER
Wade “Tahiti” Snider
Hauserman, Jan Holan, Eve Quesnel
CONTRIBUTING ARTIST
(wade@moonshineink.com)
530-412-3757
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(becca@moonshineink.com)
jmanocchio@wradvisors.com
ON THE COVER: STILL BREWING
ABOUT THE PHOTO | We’re ABOUT THE ARTIST | Sarah Miller
myadvisor.wradvisors.com being battered by COVID-19 spikes is a multimedia artist who grew up
11025 Pioneer Trail, Suite 208 that are higher than ever. This time, in the Tahoe/Truckee area. She’s the
Truckee, CA 96161 though, we’re ready for it. silver lining to anyone’s bad day.
Waddell & Reed Inc. Member SIPC
6 9 JULY – 12 AUGUST 2020 MOONSHINEINK.COM TAHOE/TRUCKEE INDEPENDENT NEWSPAPER
NEWS OPINION
12 | Minutes and Talks 32 | My Shot; Readers Reflect
How the Ink is reaching the community V I N T A G E 1 8 N I P 8 Racial unrest in our country connects to
in new ways
the long arc of history; town manager
14 | You Asked. They Answered. retiring blues
What are the current fire restrictions?
HOME FRONT
16 | News Briefs
Tahoe clarity decreasing; wildfire 36 | Market Watch
evacuation tags; improving social
justice; more. 37 | Real Rentals
Short-term, long-term, or buy? Oh my!
18 | In The Past
Canines help in the discovery of human 38 | On Sale Now
remains. Could dogs uncover new Drought-friendly possibilities
evidence about the Donner Party?
39 | Space it Up!
20 | Business Feature
TTBID could be the mechanism for a Natural cleaning solutions? Look in your
sustainable tourism future. pantry!
21 | Business Briefs MOUNTAIN LIFE
New grocery store options; top town
officials retire; new board members in 40 | Nature’s Corner
Tahoe Donner; more. Going wild at Lake Tahoe Wildlife Care
52 | Feel Good
OPINION Sierra Corps fellows, leaders of the land
4 | Do Tell
Can Tahoe’s economy transform from a SOUL KITCHEN
visitor-centric one? 45 | Waste Not. Want Not.
6 | Editor’s Note Compost food waste wisely
A word for our “mask-adaisical” friends
A R T S & C U LT U R E
8 | Moonshine Members 46 | Savvy Stacks
ON THE PROWL: The second-cutest little bobcat you’ve ever seen. Check out the cutest bobcat kitten
Checking in on our regional compatriots
in this month’s Parting Shot on p. 55. Read more on p. 40. Photo courtesy Lake Tahoe Wildlife Care Expert guides for your summer
26 | My Shot staycation
Nevada County public health team talks
June case spike
F E AT U R E S TAP CALENDAR
48 | What’s Happening?
27 | My Shot
White parents grapple with the Featured community events and
importance of teaching young kids
NEWS announcements
about racism in school
9 | The Pandemic’s Future 50 | Get Out & Go
28 | My Shot So we’re not out of the storm yet. Where do we go from here? Music on the Beach: Virtual Vibes
Why I quit from TTSA
30 | Obituary; Readers Reflect YOUR CANVAS
Loss of longtime Tahoe resident Penny SPORTS & OUTDOORS 54 | Puzzle Page
Teshara; cover connection between Crossword; Sudoku; The Stars; a
housing and environmental issues, more 42 | REEL TIME
challenge
31 | My Shot
Proposed fishing regulation changes may come at the expense of a
55 | Parting Shot
Future of Homewood sensitive stretch of the Truckee River.
Bobbing along at wildlife center
C O N T R I B U T O R S Moonshine Ink’s print edition releases the
second Thursday of each month. Opinions
SITARA ARUN teaches painting and SAGE SAUERBREY is a wandering and conclusions expressed are those of
“visual thinking” to grade-schoolers writer from the wilds of Idaho, but the authors and do not necessarily reflect those of
at Avant-Garde Art Studio, which she Sierra Nevada has a very special place Ink staff or advertisers. Become a Member at
founded earlier this year. For reasons she in his heart. He was formerly an editor at moonshineink.com/contribute. For advertising
is not sure of, her own artwork is usually Moonshine Ink and loves every chance to info, email sales@moonshineink.com.
inspired by pirates, sea monsters, and get a few words into this cornerstone of Subscriptions are available for $25/year. Sign
adventure on the high seas. Sitara is community journalism. Read his report on up online at moonshineink.com/subscribe.
proposed changes to California fishing Printed with soy inks on recycled paper.
excited to join the Moonshine Ink team
as their new office assistant. regulations on p. 42. Issue Deadline
COLLEEN DALTON is director of tourism Not only does EVE QUESNEL write our 13 Aug – 9 Sept 31 July
fabulous Nature’s Corner (learn about 10 Sept – 7 Oct 28 Aug
and economic programs for the Truckee
8 Oct – 11 Nov 25 Sept
Chamber of Commerce/Visit Truckee. wild things being nurtured at Lake Tahoe
Colleen likes to ride, backpack, and trail Wildlife Care, p. 40), but she “surprises” These are the drop-dead deadlines.
run, and has lived in Trukcee since 1993. us every month at deadline week with the However, if you want your submission
See her story on sustainable tourism most fabulous, not-so-unhealthy goodies. considered, please send in early.
Plus, she makes us chuckle with clever For info, email info@moonshineink.com.
opportunities before, during, and after
COVID, p. 20. messages on the bag. EVE’S SWEETS: 10137 Riverside Dr., Truckee CA 96161
the highlight of our week. (530) 587-3607 ph | (530) 587-3635 fax
READ. DISCUSS. CONTRIBUTE. MOONSHINEINK.COM 9 JULY – 12 AUGUST 2020 7
New Horizons for News & Review
“After 25 years in Northern Nevada, “I’d like to pretend that I’m that
the Reno News & Review is suspend- powerful that I could change that,”
ing publication indefinitely.” he wise-cracked. But he is hoping
that in requiring the online giants
With those words, on the eve of
at a minimum to share the revenue
coronavirus lockdown, the RN&R
they get from content created by
began its article announcing that
other people, as Australia and
they were stopping the presses.
France are currently working
I was hit hard by the news that the toward, and also to incur some costs
weekly was going offline. When I in printing inaccuracies, “that may
started Moonshine 18 years ago, change the economics.”
the paper was a model for us. Its (left) FARE THEE WELL: The heart-stopping That said, he is “really afraid” of a
writing had flair, its stories took cover of the last Reno News & Review.
future where Facebook and Google
local government to task, its format (above) BACK IN ACTION: The Sacramento
inform people. “It’s critical for
and Chico News & Reviews released editions
was tabloid, and its heart focused on on July 1. The company is considering a communities to have local papers,
the importance of arts and culture in monthly print schedule. Courtesy images covering city council and the board
a community. In fact, I’d argue that of supervisors, to have reliable
the RN&R played a sizable role in tag paper, with low-paying salaries, But the company is far from sitting vetted information that people can
Reno’s metamorphosis into a known etc. It gave the sense of controlling idle. The newspapers continue depend upon,” he said. “I think it’s
arts community. the narrative and the power to make in limited form, with all content going to be a disaster if we don’t
great social change.” online. A side division that does have that.”
The staff offered a “glimmer of hope
that the small regional chain will be journalistically based publications
In 1980, vonKaenel got wind of a What keeps him going?
able to return, probably in a drasti- for government agencies primar-
Chico student paper that had gotten
cally different incarnation, after the ily, continues to do really well, “Running newspapers is really fun,
kicked off campus. He made a deal: if
current coronavirus-driven economic vonKaenel says. Moreover, the you get to ask embarrassing ques-
he could turn it around, he could have
crisis” in the March 19 piece. So I company is exploring many options tions to people and get paid for it.
the stock. He borrowed $13,000 from
thought, for this month’s Moonshine for how to continue to do the It doesn’t get better than that,” he
his mom and the Chico News & Review
Membership update, I would check was born. He and his wife, Deborah community journalism from which joked. But seriously? “I feel really
in, see how bright this glimmer had Redmond, started the Sacramento they started. honored to have a career where I
gotten. News & Review in 1989, then bought get to [do] work that really matters
“I feel the whole landscape has
another paper to make the Reno News and makes a difference. It’s really
Glad I did. In a frank conversation shuffled,” he said. “And we have rewarding.”
& Review in ‘94. The three have a with our companies a long tradition
with the publisher, I was intrigued
combined circulation of 600,000. of adjusting and adapting to these
by the backstory of News & Review,
was inspired again by the paper — “To see the impact of journalism and situations.” Moonshine Membership
Tracker
this time with its visionary approach the change we could make in all the
True to form, the company is
to returning, and I got to know the communities to date,” vonKaenel
guy who started it all. exploring new investors or part-
said. “That’s a real accomplishment.”
nerships, considering conversion
Jeff vonKaenel, president, CEO, to a nonprofit, which was made Goal
When the states of Nevada and
and majority owner of the News & California went into lockdown in easier by the recent court rulings $25,000 monthly
Review, has been doing newspapers response to the novel virus, the such as in Salt Lake City, and as
for a “very long time.” It all started three papers lost their main sources we are at Moonshine, delving into Current
in 1973 when the country was fresh
off the civil rights movement, still
of advertising revenue as well as
their distribution avenues, so they
the reader-supported model. He
spoke to a concept where social
$14,660 monthly
ensnared in the Vietnam War, and made the call to suspend printing. change organizations make dona-
experiencing a growing environmen- It was the final nail in the coffin. As tions to support coverage of an
tal crisis. He and a group of activists vonKaenel wrote in a column in the issue important to them, citing an
in Santa Barbara, who had been March 19 edition: example where his company was
doing anti-war and environmental awarded a small $10,000 grant to
work, started writing and publishing. “Over the years, we have experienced
write about food stamps and ended
numerous crises. We were able to
“What we experienced there was the up prompting a $28 million county
use our financial reserves to pull us
impact of a small group of basically government investment into a farm
through those times when advertising
hippies, who were able to win city fresh program.
revenues were less than expenses. We
council elections, and through speak- were able to keep the paper going and There is potential in the upheaval of
ing the truth and connecting people, to continue to provide local coverage. the entire industry. “The Sacramento
able to get the (district attorney) But over the last 10 years, as more Bee is bankrupt, the Reno Gazette-
indicted,” he said. “We thought, and more businesses have moved their Journal is down to I think 11,000
‘Wow, this sure beats demonstrat- advertising dollars to Facebook and circulation, so there may be
ing.’ So then we just formed this rag Google, the foundation of the media opportunities there if those papers Ke e p Ta h o e S m a r t
business model has crumbled. These shift,” he said. “Things could change.
SUPPORT RN&R large internet companies collected We are basically trying to be open to To become a member,
revenues without having to generate
• Subscribe to its once-a-week email
newsletter and donate to fund their expensive local coverage. This has
what’s possible.” visit moonshineink.
stories. Visit reno.newsreview.com. caused a crisis for most media compa- Will all of these options counter the com/contribute
nies, including the News & Review.” duopoly of Facebook and Google?
8 9 JULY – 12 AUGUST 2020 MOONSHINEINK.COM TAHOE/TRUCKEE INDEPENDENT NEWSPAPER
a n e
NEWS
A H u r r i c
m e d C O V I D
Na Tahoe continues to battle first wave of the
coronavirus, balancing public health and the economy
STORMFRONT: COVID-19 has blown into nearly every country across the world, and this
BY ALEX HOEFT | Moonshine Ink is still just the first wave (or so say experts). Illustration by Sarah Miller/Moonshine Ink
T he novel coronavirus blew into town in March, knocking us off our
proverbial feet as cases roller-coastered around Tahoe, yielding small
peaks and victorious valleys. State and local leaders, never before confronted
But as is often true of actual hurricanes, the highest storm surge comes after
the eye passes and it’s likely to be a rough, wheels-up landing. Come press
deadline, the U.S. sat atop charts of confirmed COVID-19 cases and deaths.
with such a pandemic, battened down the hatches — closing businesses, beg- On June 23, the state of California shattered previous single-day records of
ging for limited interaction among their constituents, and emphasizing hand new cases, with 7,149. Locally, cases continue to spike with Tahoe’s return to a
washing and the need for face coverings. tourism destination. The uptick was expected, and it’s known it will continue in
a second wave, but the difference is that we will be ready for it.
Then the eye of the storm made landfall in May, COVID-19 curbing its wrath
and giving false hope as case numbers slowed. Businesses surged ahead with Yet with uncertainty raging and human lives at stake, the next steps must be
reopening and socializing became almost normal again. walked carefully, and both medical experts and political representatives hope for
a balance between protecting public health and maintaining a stable economy.
Avoiding the threshold capacity, if less than 20% of intensive
care unit beds or less than 25% of
Allowing the state to reopen has ventilators are available, capacity is
been a piecemeal effort by Gov. marked as insufficient.
Gavin Newsom — literally. With the
California Department of Public CDPH updates where counties stand
Health at the helm of the ship, health every day, and while the formulas
officers from each county provide are the same for each county, the
information about what would flood numbers obviously differ based on
current availability. population and whether the location
is rural or urban.
Numbers of beds, ventilators, and
other supplies differ from county to “The bottom line is, [the state
county. Based on the data, the state doesn’t] want to overwhelm the
set thresholds each county must stay health system with so many sick
within to continue reopening. people that we run out of resources,”
explained Dr. Glennah Trochet,
In addition to the average number of deputy public health officer for
COVID-19 tests being given per day, Nevada County. “All the benchmarks WHAT PANDEMIC? Since California Gov. Gavin Newsom’s June 12 announcement
they want counties to meet, testing that lodging and short-term rentals are able to reopen, Tahoe’s tourism trifecta (retail,
CDPH looks at three main areas when
restaurants, and lodging) is complete. And the crowds have returned to the lake’s
determining the success each county and the number of positive cases shores.Photos by Wade Snider/Moonshine Ink
has in combating the virus: versus tests, are based on what would
overwhelm the healthcare system.” reopening pace and/or tightening Placer’s health officer and public health
1. Elevated disease transmission is modifications made. director, said none of the triggers had
considered if the case rate per 100,000 She said Nevada County isn’t near been met, but she’s keeping a close eye
people is over 100 across two weeks or if overwhelming what there’s room for Placer County provided such triggers on the rising numbers — in particular,
the rate is over 25 and testing positivity — that’s why things have continued as a doubling of cases in less than the state’s metric of case rate per
is greater than 8%. The second option to open; “but it doesn’t mean we five days for five consecutive days; 100,000 residents.
considers increased availability of testing. couldn’t get there.” rising number of new healthcare
worker infections for five days “[Placer County’s number] falls below
2. The percent change of those Both Nevada and Placer submitted straight; less than a seven-day supply the 100 cases per 100,000 resident
hospitalized due to the disease is less attestations of readiness to the of personal protective equipment threshold, yet it has doubled compared
likely to be influenced by an increase in CDPH in mid-May, breaking down for healthcare workers; and over to two weeks ago,” she wrote in an
testing. Still, if there’s a 10% bump in what they can handle in light of the 135% capacity at hospitals. Placer email on June 26. “Nonetheless, the
the average number of COVID-positive coronavirus’ continued threat and County’s May 11 attestation of current case rate of 62 per 100,000
cases hospitalized across a three-day why they were ready to reopen. In readiness is available online, and when coupled with Placer’s testing
span, the threshold is met. addition to the state’s monitoring includes a full list of the triggers. positivity rate of 4% continues to
indicators are county metrics that
3. Lastly, regarding limited hospital serve as triggers for slowing the As of press time, Dr. Aimee Sisson,
See STORM p. 10
READ. DISCUSS. CONTRIBUTE. MOONSHINEINK.COM 9 JULY – 12 AUGUST 2020 9
NEWS
STORM from p. 9
the eye of the storm. Nevada County
indicate that the county has not remained at 41 cases from April 28
exceeded this threshold. To reach a through May 31, while Placer saw a
case rate of 100 per 100,000 residents, jump of 70 cases during that same time
Placer County would need to add 400 period (compare that to the 400-plus
cases in 14 days, an average of 28 cases rise during the month of June). As
per day. In the last seven days we have cases spike again (now higher than
averaged 17 cases per day.” ever), it’s difficult to not consider the
possibility of future shutdowns.
If a threshold is met, she continued,
she would engage with county leader- But spikes do not equal a second
ship and CDPH to discuss a plan of wave. Dr. Anthony Fauci, director
action. of the National Institute of Allergy
and Infectious Diseases, told the
The state of Nevada has its Associated Press on June 21, “When
own requirements to boost the you have 20,000-plus infections per
economy back up. Gov. Steve Sisolak’s day, how can you talk about a second
Roadmap to Recovery walks residents wave? We’re in the first wave. Let’s
and visitors through four different get out of the first wave before you
phases of relaxing restrictions, includ- have a second wave.” BEACHFRONT VIEWS: The warm weather draws visitors to the shores of Lake Tahoe.
ing benchmarks for counties to meet Cindy Gustafson, Placer County district 5 supervisor, told Moonshine, “So how do we move
at each point. For historical context, the 1918 flu forward [in this pandemic]? I do think ... it is a balance. Certainly health and safety comes
pandemic had its first flare-up in the first, but health and safety includes people being able to work and earn a living and be
Rt.live, a website launched by the able to put food on their tables and pay their mortgages and not get desperate about the
early months of the year, a second situation economically. It’s balancing all that.”
Instagram cofounders, tracks how fast wave in September, and a third wave in
the coronavirus is spreading. ‘Rt’ is the January 1919. businesses. ing capacity and kind of a gradual
average number of people infected by
transmission as opposed to a spike that
someone who already has the virus. While many have offered the idea “We were in our first-ever pandemic, overwhelms everything,” Gruver said.
The sweet spot here is the number 1: that COVID will flare up once more so hopefully going into [a second “... Obviously we’d like no new cases,
If the Rt is above 1, the virus spreads come cooler weather (the true second wave] we’ve learned from the contact [but] that’s not my expectation at this
quickly; if it’s below 1, the spread is wave), Sisson offers a different tracing and we use more evidence- point; my expectation would be that we
slowed down. By the beginning of July, perspective: “The concern is less based [data] because I think then it keep new cases at a level that’s man-
Nevada had the highest Rt out of all 50 around the weather in and of itself and has more credibility,” Gustafson said. ageable within resources so that we can
U.S. states — an estimated 1.48. more around people being indoors,
mitigate the impact of that.”
potentially closer together in less And regardless of current spikes, a lull,
Nevada currently sits in phase two ventilated spaces as we move into fall or the impending second wave, Ryan The realities are not only tied to the
of reopening, and Sisolak announced and winter — environments that have Gruver, health and human services economy, but human nature as well.
on June 29 a directive extending the been shown to promote transmission director for Nevada County, says the Cindy Wilson, director of public health
phase until the end of July in light of of COVID-19.” tendency to argue for shutting down nursing for Nevada County, compared
COVID trends. businesses to protect public health the reopening of businesses to the
Though numbers are currently on the or remaining open to provide stable
Still in the thick of the mindset of ‘everything’s okay now.’
rise, rather than demanding a second incomes and economies is an unfortu-
first wave statewide stay-at-home mandate, nate mindset; it’s a multi-colored topic “If everything was shut down, there’s
Newsom is taking a cautious approach. rather than a black or white one. something psychological about, ‘Oh, I
On May 8, California business owners
On June 18, he required face coverings need to stay home,’” she said. “But once
began stretching their legs after the
to be worn throughout the state in public “I reject that characterization as an things open up, we tend to have a little
forced hibernation — utilizing outdoor
locations. Just over a week later, on June either/or choice,” he said. “The quick- bit of a more blasé attitude about it.
dining and requiring face coverings
26, he announced that with a 23% posi- est way for us to get the economy up ‘Oh, if it’s opened, I should be able to
in recognition of the new normal.
tivity rate in Imperial County (compared to full steam is to open in a way that’s go’ ... when really that’s not the case.”
Throughout the month, doors were
to the average 5.7% statewide rate) his safe and is going to give people the
unlocked, shades lifted, and patrons
stay-at-home order was reinstated there. confidence to go out there and start Wilson also pointed to fatigue and a
began to trickle in and out once more.
On July 1, restaurants, bars, wineries, using those businesses because they lack of understanding as to why people
Those able to reopen (thanks to online
movie theaters, zoos, museums, and feel genuinely that it’s a safe thing to are wanting to socialize again.
services, federal grants, or what have
cardrooms were mandated to close in 19 do at this point.”
you) had survived. “Nobody is saying that means [every-
counties (notably absent, however, were
Placer County District 5 Supervisor any Tahoe counties). Re-flattening the curve thing is] safer,” she explained. “What
we’re saying is we believe we have a
Cindy Gustafson told Moonshine
This movement is what Gustafson Ironically, the only way to get back to better capacity than we did in March to
that when things shut down back
wants to see: a one-size-doesn’t-fit-all the May stagnation of cases, Gruver be able to surge. That our hospitals are
in March and April, she heard from
approach. said, is to actually re-enter the stay-at- better prepared with PPE, some other
multiple North Tahoe small busi-
home mandate. Even modest pull-backs things like that. Our public health
nesses that if there was a time to Yes, she elaborated, a uniform on reopening, he continued, wouldn’t department has had training to do the
close, this wasn’t the worst option. approach across California for public yield flattening to that same extent. case investigations and the contact
education and compliance is necessary, tracing and has extended our capacity
“Our small businesses really depend
but “there has to be some local varia- Realistically, however, the goal is to
extensively on the summer season,” from one communicable disease nurse
tions for circumstances … Incidents slow the virus’ spread and turn the
she furthered. “It is our busiest and to a team of 14 nurses who can do that
of closures [should be] more based on spike into a gradual curve that leads
most reliable season for most small as well as our contact tracers.
the caseload and the capacity of the to flattening.
businesses. Getting reopened for the
jurisdiction versus statewide.” “We’re more ready than we were but
summer was important to them.” “That’s what we seem to be seeing in
we’re not ever saying that reopening
The risk, she continued, needs to California with this gradual increase
The month of May was a brief respite, means we’re safe from the virus.”
be considered for the variety of that goes along with increased test-
10 9 JULY
9 JULY – 12
– 12 AUGUST
AUGUST 2020
2020 MOONSHINEINK.COM
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READ. DISCUSS. CONTRIBUTE. MOONSHINEINK.COM 9 JULY – 12 AUGUST 2020 11NEWS
Minutes and Talks TAHOE T
Community C
BY BECCA LOUX
Moonshine Ink
A dive into Moonshine’s two new projects Calls with Mo
Moon Pie that had the potential to help draw back from
It started with the desire each other. That seed of an idea the Railyard
to share our breaking news has since become Moonshine Project.
stories on the coronavirus Minutes, brief reports recorded
by our staff to share key stories. Plus, we turned
pandemic.
We reach a new audience, JD the tables
and his team further inform on JD Hoss;
The Moonshine editorial
their listeners, and the com- check out his
squad was working harder
munity as a whole has more interview on
than ever from home with
information in an easily- how and why SELFIE-RECORDING SELFIE: We got some advice early on in our radio journey to record
up-to-the minute breaking
digestible audio format. he keeps it Moonshine Minutes episodes in a closet: The small space and clothes are said to muffle echo
reporting on the coronavirus effects. Some of our process has gotten slightly more sophisticated. Photos by Allie Loux and
local on pg. 22.
pandemic. Constantly, we Mayumi Elegado, Alex Hoeft/Moonshine Ink
Originally, and mostly, the
asked ourselves, What do we
episodes feature our staff as Catch up with
know? How can we find out tion to bring people together. We were honored that Placer
talking heads, reading versions us on the airwaves, Tuesday
and report on what we don’t? Through the years, Moonshine County employees reached out
of published stories, but we to Thursday and weekends on
Ink has entertained the idea of to us to collaborate on the fire
We heard JD Hoss on 101.5 recently expanded and evolved 101.5. Shout out to Hoss for
convening the community on forum, having been impressed
Truckee/Tahoe Radio also doing to include direct interviews with coming up with the nickname
important issues, but hosting with previous Tahoe Talks.
great work keeping the com- sources and have developed “Moon Pie” for the show; we
events is time-consuming
munity informed about the new radio-exclusive content. hear you, we love it! Our Tahoe Talks start with
and resource-intensive. The
virus and interviewing impor- ground rules and background
Episodes are available both on pandemic made us look past the
tant leaders. But he couldn’t To highlight a few of our recent information so everyone is
do journalistic reporting on the moonshineink.com, Multimedia obstacles and just do it.
experiments, we spoke with on the same page. We’ve
ground and host a radio show. parents who were shaken up by tab > Moonshine Minutes:
We were poised to spread gotten feedback that we “run
their son showing racial preju- On the Radio, and on KTKE’s
Why not feed two birds with confirmed information a tight ship” with question-
dice; we covered the Say Their website under On Demand >
one scone? instead of doubt and uncer- and-answer time cut-offs and
Names Vigil just for radio; and Community Conversations.
tainty, and we jumped at Zoom formalities like raising
Enter: the symbiosis of a set we spoke exclusively with Rick the opportunity. Again, as your hand digitally. We ask
Holliday about his decision to
Tahoe Talks
of independent media outlets with our mutu- people not to use the chat for
Connection is tough in a
ally beneficial
multi-state, many-county, and
relationship
multitudinous-districts set of
with KTKE, we
communities, pandemic or no
were not mere
pandemic. But as we looked altruists, and
ahead in May to an indefinite so appreciate
period of living our lives the community
apart, Moonshine realized we and leadership
had an opportunity to fill an that have
important role in connecting come together
our community around vital to engage in
topics. Tahoe Talks, facilitated productive
by the now-omnipresent discussion TAHOE TALKS, FOR THE FIRST TIME: (Right) The first
interpersonal platform that is that informs time we swapped our reporter hats for convener hats
and hosted a Tahoe Talks conference call over Zoom, it
Zoom, was born. and assists our was a forum for the small business community to share
reporting. their stories as well as resources to weather the storm.
The pandemic and its fallout Screenshot by Alex Hoeft/Moonshine Ink
blanketed our region — from So far, we’ve
businesses suffering, to visitation facilitated discussions, but rather stay
being cut off, to medical advice conversations on the business focused and listen to each
coming from multiple channels. community and economic other. Multiple attendees have
The problems were community- resiliency in the beginning of reached out to tell us it was the
wide; they didn’t observe the pandemic, where heart- best community conversation
jurisdictional or organizational breaking stories were shared. in which they’d taken part.
borders, but the ability of agen- We visited the hot topic of
cies to reach out across those short-term rentals and visitors You can find videos of
boundaries to seek a regional to the area during lockdown; our past four Tahoe Talks
conversation is limited. the resulting conversation was conversations on our website
civil, productive, and power- (at the Multimedia tab >
We realized that as a well- ful. We hosted public health Tahoe Talks: Community
trusted community paper that officials to give direct medical Conference Calls). Email
covers Washoe, Placer, Nevada, answers, and our most recent tahoetalks@moonshineink.
and El Dorado counties, with one convened fire officials from com to get notified of coming
friends and contacts all across around the region, including talks and with any ideas for
the region defined by Lake Cal Fire, to talk about fire future conversations.
Tahoe, we were in a unique posi- season in the face of COVID.
12 9 JULY – 12 AUGUST 2020 MOONSHINEINK.COM TAHOE/TRUCKEE INDEPENDENT NEWSPAPERREAD. DISCUSS. CONTRIBUTE. MOONSHINEINK.COM 9 JULY – 12 AUGUST 2020 13
NEWS
WAS LAST YEAR’S HISTORIC OPEN-FIRE
BAN IN TRUCKEE EFFECTIVE?
WHAT’S THE SCOOP ON THE REGION’S
FIRE RESTRICTIONS THIS YEAR?
Truckee Fire Protection District led the way with For fire starts, in 2018 we had 22 wildfire
a historic open-fire ban last year, with encourag- starts but last year we had 16.
ing results. Other districts
followed suit. Read on to find In 2018, we responded to
out what’s banned in your You Asked. 15 escaped or abandoned
campfires and last year,
district this fire season.
They Answered. after the ban took effect,
Don’t know which is your we responded to only three,
fire district? The Lake Tahoe which was encouraging.
Basin Fire District map shows fire jurisdic-
These are all good signs but there were other
tions: tahoelivingwithfire.com/get-informed/
factors at play like favorable weather condi-
find-your-fire-district/
tions last year, so it is difficult to make any
TRUCKEE FIRE PROTECTION DISTRICT assessments on the small sample and only one
year of data.
The TFPD is a known innovator, having passed
the region’s first open-fire ban last season. The Truckee Fire Protection District Burn Ban
While one year’s data isn’t enough to conclu- is a local ordinance that was passed in 2019.
sively state that improvements were made We revisited the ordinance in January 2020 at
based on the ban, the TFPD team feels that a board meeting to get public input and opin-
restrictions were a success. Plus, as you’ll read ions for this season. Although there are some
below in our interview with North Tahoe fire people that oppose the ban, we believe the
JUNE 24, 2020: Two recently used campfires were seen after the fire ban protection districts, other regions in the basin majority of the public is in favor of it, willing to
went into effect, just past the Castle Peak trailhead on Donner Summit.
are following suit. sacrifice a summer nicety for wildfire safety.
Photo by Becca Loux/Moonshine Ink
Of note is that official fire season starts in the The ban went into effect June 15, once Cal
region are signaled by the time that restric- Fire called for a burn suspension. There were
tions go into effect and vary year to year and no changes to the ban from the prior year.
jurisdiction by jurisdiction (see North Lake However, in the last few years the ban, or
Brunch on the Deck Tahoe Fire Protection District as an example, something similar, has been implemented in all
Thurs.-Sun. 11 to 2 which falls under the Lake Tahoe Basin Lake the other North Tahoe fire districts making it a
Tahoe Management Unit which went into regional ban.
effect overall for the Tahoe National Forest on
May 30 of this year, yet NLTFPD instituted In 2007, the Angora Fire (South Lake Tahoe)
those regulations on April 21, early due to was started from an abandoned campfire
Historic Hilltop conditions.) that wasn’t properly extinguished. It burned
Overlooking 3,000 acres and destroyed 242 homes in an
Downtown Truckee This year TFPD’s ban went into effect June 15, afternoon!
coordinating with Cal Fire’s county bans and
permit requirements, which went into effect What exactly is banned this year?
the same day. Here is the low down on TFPD’s • residential campfire/bonfires that burn
RESERVE NOW ON
ban last year and how it informed this year’s anything other than gas
C O T T O N W O O D R E S TAU R A N T. C O M
regulations.
• barbecues that burn charcoal, wood, or
How did last year’s first-ever campfire lump charcoal
Dinner Service 5 pm to Close ban affect the fire season? What changes/
Brunch on the Deck Thurs – Sun from 11 to 2 updates (if any) have you made to the bans • ceramic charcoal grills (i.e. Big Green Egg)
this year?
Reservations and Masks Required • briquette fuel-based smokers
Yes, we believe the ban was effective. About
Takeout Still Available – Order Online 95% of wildfires [reported to Cal Fire] are • wood shavings added for flavor
caused by people and campfires are one of the
most preventable causes. Find TFPD’s full ordinance on their website,
Voted Best Outdoor Dining by
truckeefire.org.
Readers of Tahoe Quarterly We did have a lot of people report illegal fires
and barbecues last season after the ordinance How common is it for people to report
went into effect. Unfortunately, our reporting illegal campfires on neighbors or fellow
system is really difficult to identify these par- campers?
CottonwoodRestaurant.com
ticular call types so all I can say is anecdotally We have noticed the call volume has increased
(530) 587-5711 that there were maybe 50 to 100 calls to 911 on the neighborhood-concerned campfire
10142 Rue Hilltop Rd., Truckee, CA 96161
throughout the six-month fire season. calls to 911. We will send a fire engine out to
14 9 JULY – 12 AUGUST 2020 MOONSHINEINK.COM TAHOE/TRUCKEE INDEPENDENT NEWSPAPERNEWS
extinguish and educate people about City among other communities, until fire season is
illegal fires. We have also noticed a and additionally provides services over. Outdoor wood
number of people switching from to Alpine Meadows and Meeks Bay and charcoal fires
wood campfires and charcoal BBQs Fire Protection District. NTFPD are banned all year
to gas appliances, which are legal fires described their service area borders in short-term/vaca-
in the ordinance. “from Crystal Bay at the state line tion rental homes.
down to Emerald Bay and out to Fireworks are always
How do you know who is the Alpine Meadows.” illegal in California.
appropriate party to call to report The effects we are
unsanctioned fires? We asked both districts many of the seeing have been
Report illegal fires by calling 911. same questions as they’ve imple- mostly positive, with
mented open fire bans influenced by much of the response
* This response is echoed unanimously and following Truckee’s, so one or from the community
across the board by all three districts. both districts respond to our queries being supportive of
below. the new code.
North Tahoe Fire Protection District
added, for Placer County: “To report Do you have a ban on open camp- Was there any form
illegal fireworks please call Placer fires much like the one in Truckee? of a ban last year,
County Sheriff non-emergency at What are the geographical param- and if so what were
(530) 886-5375. Call 911 if you feel eters? When was it instituted? the results?
the activity is an immediate threat to What effects are we seeing? NTFPD: Last year
safety. To report unauthorized activity NLTFPD: We typically follow the our restrictions
at short-term/vacation home rentals in Lake Tahoe Basin Lake Tahoe allowed wood-burning
Placer and El Dorado counties, notify Management Unit fire restrictions fire pits and FOOLISH FLAMES: These campers ignored the posted no
vhrinfo@edcgov.us or the county sheriff during fire season, which went into chimineas so long as campfire signs at Long Lake on Father’s Day. Although a woman
at (530) 621-6600.” effect May 30 until further notice. present at the site claimed to have a permit, a passerby ensured
they had a one-quar-
she sufficiently doused the fire since he knew campfires are now
[Yet NLTFPD put those restrictions ter-inch wire mesh
~ Laura Brown, battalion chief, and banned. Photo by Juliana Demarest/Moonshine Ink
into effect even earlier, on April 21 screen per California
Bill Seline, fire chief, Truckee Fire because no one wants to see or expe-
this year, due to dry climate]. This Public Resource Code. The adoption
Protection District rience the devastation from wildfire in
of our 2019 fire code aligned our
our Lake Tahoe Basin.
IN 2007, THE ANGORA FIRE (SOUTH code with the Truckee, Squaw Valley,
LAKE TAHOE) WAS STARTED FROM AN and Northstar fire agencies and only NTFPD: We receive several informal
permits gas and propane fire pits/ calls and inquiries each week during
ABANDONED CAMPFIRE THAT WASN’T grills and pellet smokers/grills during business hours, and an engine com-
PROPERLY EXTINGUISHED. IT BURNED 3,000 ACRES fire season. Burning of charcoal is no pany will be dispatched if someone
AND DESTROYED 242 HOMES IN AN AFTERNOON! longer permitted during fire season. calls 911 about an illegal fire.
~ TRUCKEE FIRE PROTECTION DISTRICT Also new with this code adoption
is that all sources of open flame are ~ Tia Rancourt, public education/
banned during red flag/critical fire information officer, North Lake Tahoe
NORTH LAKE TAHOE FIRE means no charcoal or solid fuel weather conditions. (In 2007, the Fire Protection District, provided the
PROTECTION DISTRICT, NORTH (wood) barbecues and campfires on Washoe Fire was started by a propane responses for NLTFPD. Erin Holland,
TAHOE FIRE PROTECTION any beach in the Lake Tahoe Basin. grill that blew over in red flag winds public information officer, North Tahoe
DISTRICT IVGID beach charcoal grills are and five homes were destroyed.) We Fire Protection District, provided
North Lake Tahoe Fire Protection allowed for cooking in the designated do not have jurisdiction over U.S. NTFPD responses.
District serves Incline Village/Crystal areas; however, not during red flag Forest Service or state campgrounds.
Bay, and is not to be confused with weather conditions.
North Tahoe Fire Protection District. How common is it for people to MORE ONLINE
NTFPD protects 32 square miles on NTFPD: Yes, the ban on wood-burn- report illegal campfires on neigh- Get a direct link to
the North and West shores of Tahoe, ing and charcoal appliances went into bors or fellow campers? Truckee Fire’s ordinance
including Kings Beach and Tahoe effect on June 15 when fire season NLTFPD: It is quite common in this story.
was declared, and will remain in effect
Call DJ for a quick free quote
*$100 Minimum
530.386.8862
READ. DISCUSS. CONTRIBUTE. MOONSHINEINK.COM 9 JULY – 12 AUGUST 2020 15NEWS
NEWS BRIEFS All the news that fits — from original reporting or press releases. NEVADA COUNTY WASHOE
#KE
COUNTY
Submit your own to editors@moonshineink.com.
PLACER COUNTY
E P TA H O
1 Tahoe Clarity Report Mixed for 2019
on the applicant’s timing for a hearing. Read
Moonshine’s online exclusive, County Planning
by high winds on
June 28. However, no
TAHOE Commission Denies Laulima Project, online at additional structures
The clarity of Lake Tahoe has long been one moonshineink.com. were damaged.
of the most important indicators of the lake’s ~ AH • Reno: The
ES
changing condition. In 2019, Lake Tahoe’s clarity
M
Poeville Fire burned an A
decreased nearly 8 feet from the previous year’s RT
dramatic 10-foot improvement. The average 4 Funding Nearly Doubled for Nevada
estimated 3,500 acres
in Northwest Reno,
annual value in 2019 was 62.7 feet. The lowest Parks, Open Space on the slopes of Peavine Mountain. Eight structures were
value was recorded in 2017, when clarity was 60 NEVADA burned. Cause of the fire was under investigation at press
feet. The Land and Water Conservation Fund realized time, though it’s known to have started the evening of June
Such year-to-year and even day-to-day fluctua- its full potential on June 17 with Congressional 26. The Truckee Meadows Fire Protection District is seeking
tions are common. A truer picture of the clarity approval of a historic public lands package, the the public’s assistance regarding the fire. Contact Deputy
is often indicated by a five-year running mean, Great American Outdoors Act. This landmark Chief Dale Way at (775) 326-6005.
which shows a mean clarity of 67.3 feet, accord- legislation will permanently and fully fund the • South Lake Tahoe: Due to multiple thunderstorms in
ing to the data released by the UC Davis Tahoe popular LWCF for the first time since its creation the area on June 23, three fires were ignited by lightning
Environmental Research Center. in 1964. LWCF invests earnings from offshore oil in the South Lake area, and have since been extinguished.
~ UC Davis news release and gas leases to help strengthen communities, The Twin Peaks, Trail, and Sweetwater fires were all quickly
preserve history, and assure the physical, cultural, doused thanks to action by local, state, and federal resources.
and spiritual benefits of outdoor recreation. The Tallac Fire was contained at 2.2 acres near the Mt.
2 Through the Great American Outdoors Act,
Nevada will receive more than $4 million in
Tallac trailhead along Highway 89 between Emerald Bay and
Camp Richardson on July 1. No structures were affected. As
annual LWCF funding — nearly doubling the of press time the cause was under investigation.
prior annual allocation — to help fund Nevada- • Incline Village: On June 17, the North Lake Tahoe Fire
wide outdoor recreation and natural resource Protection District extinguished a commercial structure fire at
conservation programs. Alpine Boat Storage.
~ Nevada Department of Conservation and • Sierra County: A vegetation fire burned 102 acres in
Natural Resources press release the Tahoe National Forest on Feb. 17. By the next day, the
fire was 100% contained.
5 County Makes it Easier to Build ADUs
Note: This is an overview compiled at press time and is not an
exhaustive list.
AUBURN ~ AH, JD
The Placer County board of supervisors voted
unanimously in early June to ease housing code
restrictions in line with recent state law changes,
7 County 2020 Election Turnout Results
making it easier to build accessory dwelling units WASHOE COUNTY
in unincorporated parts of the county. A recap of the primary election in Washoe County was presented
The update to the county’s zoning ordinance is to commissioners at a mid-June meeting, the numbers of which
ALL CLEAR … Evacuation tags are now available for intended to help increase the variety and supply are listed below:
Nevada County residents from the sheriff’s office. Info- of local affordable housing units. The approved 2020 primary election final turnout by the numbers:
graphic courtesy Nevada County Sheriff’s Office zoning text amendment provides property • Total turnout: 95,824 (32.8%)
owners with more flexible options to develop • Democrat: 40,676 (38.82%)
accessory dwelling units or junior accessory • Republican: 40,036 (38.50%)
Breakdown:
2 Wildfire Evacuation Tag Initiative
dwelling units to accommodate a family member
or a potential renter. • Early voting: 1,625
GRASS VALLEY Among the more significant changes, ADUs will • Election day in-person: 1,479
The Nevada County Sheriff’s Office is providing now be allowed in neighborhoods zoned for mul- • Mail-in: 92,720
free “evacuated” tags for residents to place in tifamily dwellings including commercial planned ~ Washoe County press release
a highly visible place such as a door, reflective development,
address sign, mailbox, fence, or gate as they general commercial,
evacuate their residence during an emergency. highway service, and
Evacuation tags are available to pick up at fire
stations and county sheriff’s offices.
neighborhood com-
mercial zones. More
9
These tags will help first responders swiftly information about
identify which homes have been evacuated so building an ADU in
they can focus their attention on those who still unincorporated Placer
need help and decrease overall evacuation times. County is available at
~ Nevada County Sheriff’s Office press release placer.ca.gov/6495/
accessory-dwelling-
3 Project Denied By Planning
units.
~ Placer County
Commission Heads to Supervisors press release
KINGS BEACH
On May 28, the Placer County planning com-
mission voted 6-0-1 to deny the Kings Beach
6 2020 Fires
Lakeside Residential Project, a residential-com- to Date In and
mercial development, formally known as Laulima. Around the Region
The denial came about in light of community TAHOE BASIN
concern that the project isn’t a true mixed-use • Truckee:
project. Efforts to
Despite the decision, Laulima Partners LLC extinguish a
appealed and is seeking input from the board structure fire in the YOU SHALL NOT PASS … the buoy line on Donner Lake. Town of Truckee’s council passed an ordinance
of supervisors. Heather Beckman, senior planner Lahontan commu- in early June prohibiting motorized watercraft from passing the buoy line in the southeastern part of the
with the county, said she is waiting to hear back nity was hampered lake. Photo courtesy Town of Truckee
16 9 JULY – 12 AUGUST 2020 MOONSHINEINK.COM TAHOE/TRUCKEE INDEPENDENT NEWSPAPERYou can also read
