Placer County Local News: Local Community Groups

The 2024 wildfire season has proven once again to be an active one, with California witnessing over 7,100 wildfires that have scorched more than 1 million acres. The Tahoe region, in particular, experienced several major fires, including one of the largest in state history. While many homes and structures were lost, and lives were impacted, the devastating consequences could have been much worse. For residents of the Truckee-Tahoe area, the recent fires served as a stark reminder of the region's ongoing wildfire risks.

The Community Collaborative of Tahoe Truckee (CCTT), a program of the Tahoe Truckee Community Foundation (TTCF) has been presenting an equity and inclusivity-focused training series called the Community Belonging Training Series. For the third overall session and the final one this year, Dr. Léa Herbert and Dr. Galaxina Wright spoke on the impacts of systemic inequity and how to navigate differences in professional spaces.

Here is a list of winners from the 100 entries in the annual Auburn Chamber of Commerce Festival of Lights Parade on Saturday night.

The Tahoe Truckee Community Organizations Active in Disaster (TT COAD) develops and enhances partnerships to create a resilient Tahoe Truckee region that is prepared to respond and recover from disasters. The Tahoe Truckee Community Foundation initiated the formation of the TT COAD in 2022 and secured funding for a two-year pilot managed by Connecting Point.

At the Truckee Tahoe Airport District Board meeting on Wednesday, Dec. 4, directors reviewed and approved several important resolutions, recognized community partners, and discussed a variety of projects aimed at enhancing fire safety, STEM education, and local infrastructure.

The League to Save Lake Tahoe, the nonprofit environmental advocacy organization behind the movement to Keep Tahoe Blue, has filed a lawsuit formally challenging Placer County's approval of the Village at Palisades Tahoe Specific Plan, a massive development that would worsen traffic congestion, increase air pollution, erode roadways, and degrade water quality in the Lake Tahoe Basin.

As the snow begins to fall and Tahoe Truckee transforms into a winter wonderland, this is the season to reflect on what makes this place so special. Whether it's the breathtaking beauty of the Sierra or the vibrant community that calls it home, there's so much to be grateful for. And during the holidays, we're reminded of the power we all have to give back and protect the future of this paradise.

Acres of Hope, a nonprofit organization that focuses on helping women and children break the cycles of homelessness and trauma, is asking for the community’s support on GivingTuesday, Dec. 3, to continue sharing the beauty of hope with its families.

The 1,112 turkeys that arrived at the Joiner Street firehouse on Thursday, Nov. 21, didn’t exactly fly in but were delivered by hundreds of Lincoln residents donating turkeys for those who need a little extra help this holiday season.

The 50th annual Loomis Family Christmas Tree lighting is scheduled for Dec. 7.

Presented by the Loomis Basin Chamber of Commerce, the annual holiday event will be held at the Train Depot downtown on Taylor Road from 5 to 7 p.m. Santa Claus is scheduled to make an appearance at 5:30 p.m., with the tree lighting at 6.

The Boys & Girls Club of North Lake Tahoe is proud to be a recipient of a grant from the Community Impact Fund, the Foresight Fund, the Gap Fund, and the Human Fund held at the Parasol Tahoe Community Foundation. This generous grant will support BGCNLT's Teen Programming across the North Lake Tahoe and Truckee communities.

Auburn Interfaith Food Closet (AIFC) is offering its ninth annual Thanksgiving Turkey Drive to the community.

When you shop at Auburn's Grocery Outlet or Save Mart through Nov. 22, a turkey can be purchased and the sponsoring store will keep the turkey for AIFC.

Sometimes, it takes one act of kindness to spark a wave of generosity. Such is the case at the Placer SPCA, where a decades-long dream is finally coming true, thanks in part to an anonymous donor who was the catalyst for making the dream a reality.

"Lunch Legends" covers the Rotary Club of Auburn's first century, including its beginnings at what is now Downtown Auburn's Promenade building.

With over 34 miles of new trail constructed in the last 7 years, Truckee Trails Foundation has brought new and varied trail-based recreation to the Truckee region. Building largely on public land, TTF has been working especially hard to create diverse trail opportunities for the diverse recreational interests within our community. 

On Friday, Nov. 8, the Tahoe Truckee Community Foundation hosted a community discussion titled "Achievable Housing for All: For Now and the Future," focusing on the housing needs of older adults in the Truckee area. The discussion, part of the Foundation's ongoing speaker series, shed light on the challenges seniors face as they look to age in place and continue living independently in the region.

"We all get old, and sometimes we need help. Being a widow and living on one income—it has really helped, especially with the state of the economy," a client receiving food from Meals on Wheels said.

To fulfill its mission of providing women and girls with access to the education and training they need to achieve economic empowerment, Soroptimist International of Loomis Basin offers grants for high school and college students as well as elementary school teachers and community leaders.

Soroptimist International announced that applications are now open for two impactful grant and scholarship programs aimed at supporting women in their pursuit of education and training.