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Author: Sara Beth Williams

  • Letters to the Editor: city sidewalks, Citrus Heights Preschool, homeless camps

    Letters to the Editor: city sidewalks, Citrus Heights Preschool, homeless camps

    Citrus Heights Preschool closed
    The Citrus Heights Preschool appears to be closed, as of May 29. // SB Williams

    Sentinel staff report–
    Latest letters from Citrus Heights Sentinel readers include comments regarding city sidewalks, Citrus Heights Preschool, and homelessness encampments.

    City Sidewalks
    We talk about streets and the terrible potholes, but not about the sidewalks with terrible potholes. Potholes plus sidewalks that are rising up because of tree roots are a major problem not only for people walking, but for people in wheelchairs. Remember all that talk, studies and money spent on ‘Talk-ability’. What about Wheel-ability.
    — James Monteton, Citrus Heights resident

    Related: Citrus Heights aims to fix pothole ‘plague’ with comprehensive repair plan – Citrus Heights Sentinel

    Citrus Heights Preschool
    Back in the 1980’s my daughter went there and loved it. If I got off early and went to pick her up she always wanted to stay till the end and play. So I let her, as we lived close by and went back to pick her up later. They were always wonderful. Sad to see it gone.
    — Lisa Latter, Citrus Heights resident

    Related: Questions surround sudden closure of Citrus Heights Preschool – Citrus Heights Sentinel

    Homelessness encampments:
    This county has largely ignored the Martin v Boise ruling. Thereby violating a federal court ruling. When Martin v Boise first passed Sue Frost response in The Sentinel was “we need to build more shelters.” Where are they? This city calls everything “camping.” There are over 9,000 homeless on the streets in Sacramento County and less than 3,000 shelter beds. There is literally nowhere for homeless to sleep. If Grants Pass wins in the Supreme Court, what difference does it make when current policies already ignore it with impunity. This will only mean more homeless will be sent to jail for sleeping, which the Ninth Circuit determined was cruel under the 8th Amendment.
    — Alfred Sanchez, Citrus Heights resident

    Related: Guest Column: This Supreme Court case could give cities more tools to address homeless crisis – Citrus Heights Sentinel

    Want to share your thoughts on a local issue? Submit a letter to the editor or opinion column for publication: Click here

  • Heartbroken family uncertain of future after sudden closure of Citrus Heights Preschool

    Citrus Heights Preschool
    An empty playground at the recently closed Citrus Heights Preschool. // SB Williams.

    By Sara Beth Williams–
    The shuttering of Citrus Heights Preschool after more than 50 years has impacted many families across the community, including Samantha Reid, a single mom whose 8-year-old daughter attended the preschool for the last five years. Reid reached out to The Sentinel this week to shed light on the center’s abrupt shutdown.

    Reid relayed that, in March, two long-time staff members both quit abruptly on the same day “with no notice or reason.” Then parents were notified that transportation services would be reduced due to staffing shortages.

    Reid, who lives in Citrus Heights and works in downtown Sacramento, relied on the preschool to provide transport for her daughter to and from elementary school.

    At the end of April, parents were notified that the last day of operation would be May 10. Two weeks later after operations officially shut down, Reid said her work was “gracious enough” to allow her to alter her work schedule so she could pick up her daughter from school.

    “The sudden closure caused a lot of hardship for me,” Reid said.

    Residents on social media expressed sadness over the childcare facility’s shuttering and shared many memories of time spent at the facility over the years, either teaching, attending, or having their children and grandchildren attend.

    Reid said staff were “super awesome” and assisted her daughter with online schoolwork during the pandemic, even though the elementary school her daughter attended at the time wasn’t specifically partnered with the center.

    While many expressed sadness, some families also relayed concerns regarding finding a replacement daycare. Reid called the center a “rare gem” because the facility partnered with and offered transport for children to and from nearby elementary schools. Reid has yet to find a replacement daycare that offers the same services.

    Reid said a few new hires in 2024 did not remain with the center for long, and she said the director had told her and other parents that she was struggling to find new staff members and cited higher minimum wage requirements as a hindrance. Phone calls from The Sentinel to the school were unsuccessful, as the line appeared to have been disconnected.

    Some residents speculated on other reasons for the shutdown, including lower enrollment and that the director chose to retire. The Sentinel was unable to contact the owner in order to verify online speculation.

    On a visit to the site Thursday, Century 21 Select Real Estate Realtor Michael Thompson told The Sentinel that the previous owner recently passed away and that he had continued to honor the site’s use as a preschool under a promise to the owner prior. Thompson said he is “committed” to following through with the former owner’s wishes and hopes to find a buyer that will continue to use the site as an educational facility.

    Reid said on the last day of operation, the director was “very, very heartbroken” over shutting down the facility and that saying goodbye was “sweet and sad.”

    “I wish I had a way to talk to her because she was part of our lives for five years,” Reid said, adding that she has nothing negative to say about the preschool itself and that she and her daughter are very saddened.

    The Sentinel reached out to previous employees of Citrus Heights Preschool regarding the closure and staffing challenges. One former employee declined to provide comment and others did not return a request for comment.

  • One person found deceased after house fire in Citrus Heights

     

    CHPD blocked off Oak Grove Ave. on Friday after a house fire. // SB Williams
    CHPD blocked off Oak Grove Avenue on Friday, June 7, after a house fire. // SB Williams

    By Sara Beth Williams–
    Citrus Heights Police are investigating the death of one person who was found inside a burning home on Friday, according to authorities.

    Sacramento Metro Fire Department and Citrus Heights Police responded to the 7500 block of Oak Grove Avenue off Auburn Boulevard on Friday around noon and arrived to find a house fire in progress, according to police. After the fire was extinguished, a deceased person was found inside the home. No other structures were threatened or damaged during the fire.

    Citrus Heights Police Lt. Ken Lewis told The Sentinel and several media outlets on scene Friday that the cause of the fire is still unknown, and the death is under investigation. Lewis said the cause of death is yet unknown and the investigation was in the beginning stages.

    Police and fire presence remained at the residence for several hours following the fire and Oak Grove Avenue was blocked off with caution tape.

    The identity of the deceased was not immediately released.

  • New owner seeking to turn former Teriyaki Land into fast food restaurant

    The old Teriyaki Land building at 8138 Auburn Blvd. has a new owner
    The old Teriyaki Land building at 8136 Auburn Blvd. has a new owner. // SB Williams

    By Sara Beth Williams–
    Demolition has begun inside a small building at the intersection of Auburn Boulevard and Rollingwood Boulevard that was once home to a small Asian eatery.

    A visit by Sentinel staff this week found the interior of the building formerly occupied by Teriyaki Land under construction. The new owner was on site and told The Sentinel that he purchased the building three months ago.

    He plans turn the small restaurant space into a new American fast-food restaurant, but he did not yet know which restaurant was planned. The new owner anticipates the building to be ready for occupancy within the next month.

    Teriyaki Land closed in August 2021, according to prior reports. The 1,246-square-foot building was listed for sale in October 2021 for $675,000, but in recent years, the price dropped by over $100,000 according to commercial real estate site LoopNet. Property sales history information lists the previous sale to a new owner as occurring in 2019 for $340,000.

    Related: Teriyaki Land closes on Auburn Boulevard – Citrus Heights Sentinel

    In 2021, a frequent Teriyaki Land customer told The Sentinel that the previous owners were friendly.

    After it was purchased three months ago, the one-third-acre lot has since been spruced up, according to accounts from neighboring business owners along Auburn Boulevard.

    Adjacent businesses to the building include Delish Pizza, Mann’s Liquor, Les Schwab Tire Center, and Romanian Christian Fellowship Church. The building was built in 1975, according to the listing.

  • ‘Unexpected change’ prompts closure of local pet hospital

    Akaal Pet Hospital
    Akaal Pet Hospital is closed. // SB Williams

    By Sara Beth Williams–
    A pet hospital on the corner of Greenback Lane and Auburn Boulevard in Citrus Heights has closed, but could re-open soon if efforts to recruit a new doctor are successful.

    Akaal Pet Hospital recently announced on their website blog that Dr. Jagjit Bhullar left the practice as of March 14.

    “This unexpected change in our veterinary team has prompted us to make some adjustments,” the pet hospital wrote.

    According to the company’s website, the pet hospital anticipates reopening once a new veterinarian is recruited and directed residents that need assistance to contact the AmeriVet Veterinary Partners directly. Akaal Pet Hospital joined AmeriVet in 2019, according to AmeriVet’s website.

    “We are actively working on restoring full operations and services as soon as possible to continue providing care to our clients’ pets,” AmeriVet Head of Communications Roberto DeLeon told The Sentinel on Monday, adding that the pet hospital has a lot of local clientele and that AmeriVet is working “diligently” to address the situation.

    Several Akaal Pet Hospital reviewers on Yelp indicated that the only licensed veterinarian on site abruptly left the clinic in early 2024, leaving the clinic unable to legally operate and perform animal care services. One reviewer stated that “only having one license holder in a clinic is not responsible.” Other reviewers indicated that the abrupt departure of the doctor caused “enormous stress and anxiety.”

    Akaal Pet Hospital is located at 6081 Greenback Ln. and bills itself as a “one-stop-shop for all your pet’s health and wellness needs.” Adjacent businesses include Grocery Outlet, Jack in the Box, Taco Bell, Petco, and Dollar Tree.

  • New high-tech imaging center opens in Citrus Heights

    Madison Imaging Center ribbon cutting
    Chief Executive Mark Rossel of Madison Imaging Center stands with multiple doctors waiting to cut the ribbon Saturday, June 1, 2024. // SB Williams

    By Sara Beth Williams–
    A new imaging center in Citrus Heights held a ribbon-cutting ceremony on Saturday, June 1.

    A small crowd of local and regional community leaders, specialist physicians, and residents gathered Saturday morning for the grand opening of the Madison Imaging Center, including Citrus Heights Vice Mayor Jayna Karpinski-Costa, Councilmember MariJane Lopez-Taff, and Citrus Heights City Manager Ash Feeney.

    Chief Executive of the center, Mark Rossel, along with five doctors who will be working with the imaging center, participated in the ribbon cutting. Following the ceremony, the team led small groups on tours throughout the center.

    Rossel told The Sentinel Tuesday that the ceremony went “very, very well” and was well-attended. Rossel added that multiple specialist physicians from around the region called in the afternoon on Saturday requesting tours, and in total, he estimated the center led 30 small tours of three to four people throughout the day.

    The 15,000-square-foot building was purchased three years ago, according to Rossel, and features state-of-the-art equipment that is typically reserved for universities and research institutions.

    The imaging center will offer MRIs, PET scans, CT scans, x-rays, and ultrasounds, among other services, according to Rossel, who said the equipment is of higher quality and will allow for the diagnosis and treatment of cancer sooner.

    “If you receive a referral, you’re typically 10 to 14 weeks out,” Rossel said, adding that with the high-tech equipment available, the center will be able to provide imaging results and begin treating patients in days instead of weeks.

    Rossel said that the company also acquired Creekside Medical Group, located on Greenback Lane, three years ago, around the time the new Madison Center Imaging building was acquired. Creekside Medical Group offers healthcare services, including physicals, vaccinations, echocardiograms, ultrasounds, and ankle brachial index exams according to the medical group’s website. The center on Greenback Lane has been open for over a decade under another doctor, Rossel said.

    “We’re very, very excited about this project and for the city of Citrus Heights,” Rossel told the City Council on April 25, adding that he’s especially excited to offer services to the seniors in the region because the imaging center is Medi-Cal approved and has a Federally Qualified Health Clinic application in process, which would allow for charges to be given on a sliding scale based on a patient’s income.

    Rossel said the city has been “great to work with” through the permit process and praised the Citrus Heights Police Department for partnering together with the imaging center to help protect the property. Rossel told the council that Citrus Heights and multiple other police departments and organizations used the property for K-9 trainings before construction began. A more frequent police presence safeguarded the building from vagrants and illegal activity, Rossel said.

    The Madison Imaging Center is located at 7803 Madison Ave. directly behind the Sunrise Village shopping center. Nearby businesses include the Cannabis Coverage Company, B. Uppal Insurance Agency, and Family First Mortgage Group.

  • Have you checked out these five new businesses in Citrus Heights?

    Owners Melisa and Robert Roden, Galaxy Game Cafe. // S. Williams

    By Sara Beth Williams–
    New businesses that have opened in Citrus Heights this year include a new thrift store, an imaging center, an events center, a batting cage facility and a gaming cafe.

    Whatsupstairs: A new thrift store located next to the former Goodwill on the corner of Auburn Boulevard and Old Auburn Road opened in mid-April. Co-owner Mark Holmes said the store is doing well and has been open for eight weeks. The thrift store sells an assortment of antiques, collectibles, new and used furniture, and everything in between. Whatsupstairs is located at 7134 Auburn Blvd.

    Related: New thrift store brings fresh finds to Sylvan Corners – Citrus Heights Sentinel

    Madison Imaging Center: A new Imaging Center held a ribbon-cutting ceremony on Saturday, June 1. The high-tech imaging center prides itself on its state-of-the-art equipment and on offering high-quality imaging services to those who are enrolled in Medi-Cal and Medi-Care plans. Madison Imaging Center is located at 7803 Madison Ave., directly behind the Sunrise Village shopping center.

    Citrus Town Event Center: A new event center opened near the Citrus Town Center in early 2024. Situated at 7942 Arcadia Drive, opposite the Mitchell Village housing community, the center occupies the former premises of various nightclubs, including Alley Katz, Paradise Beach, and Sand Bar.

    Related: New event center opens in former nightclub near Sunrise Mall – Citrus Heights Sentinel

    Tunnel Vision: Trainer Jeff Williams from the new batting cage practice facility said the center officially opened Feb. 2 and has since added 7,000 square feet of outdoor training turf, as well as a gym area and two new pitching machines. Tunnel Vision is located at 7927 Auburn Blvd.

    Related: Late-night batting cage opens in Citrus Heights – Citrus Heights Sentinel

    Galaxy Game Cafe: A new game cafe opened on Sunrise Boulevard in April, and features more than 700 board games, card games, tabletop games, and a Star Wars display gallery. The cafe describes itself as a “family-owned play space” with the motto “Unplug. Connect with others.” The Galaxy Game Café is located at 7700 Sunrise Blvd., Suite 1900.

    Related: New Citrus Heights ‘game cafe’ gives opportunity to unplug, connect – Citrus Heights Sentinel

  • Cause of death revealed for Citrus Heights native Mandisa

    Mandisa Lynn Hundley
    Christian recording artist Mandisa Lynn Hundley. // Image credit: Jyle Dupuis from Canada

    By Sara Beth Williams–
    The cause of death for Citrus Heights native and “American Idol” alum Mandisa Hundley was deemed natural.

    A medical examiner confirmed the cause of death on Tuesday to multiple news outlets, for the Christian singer, who was found dead in her Tennessee home on April 18 at the age of 47.

    Dr. Feng Li told The Nashville Tennessean that an autopsy showed the Grammy Award-winning artist died from “complications of class III obesity” and her cause of death was listed as “natural.”

    A memorial service was held for the former “American Idol” contestant on April 27 in Brentwood, Tennessee, according to the singer’s official Instagram page.

    Mandisa’s father, John Hundley, spoke at the packed memorial service and said, after speaking with detectives throughout the week prior, he believed his daughter fell and could not reach her phone to call for help. Hundley also added that Mandisa recently told him she’d been diagnosed with COVID-19.  During his speech, Hundley emphasized that he did not believe Mandisa intentionally harmed herself.

    Citrus Heights Mayor Bret Daniels also paid tribute to Mandisa in an April 25 City Council meeting, one week after the artist’s sudden passing, calling for a moment of silence.

    Related: Citrus Heights mayor pays tribute to Mandisa, following death of singer – Citrus Heights Sentinel

    Following the April 27 memorial service, “American Idol” aired a tribute episode where fellow “American Idol” contestants and colleagues Danny Gokey, Colton Dixon, and Melinda Doolittle spoke about Mandisa’s “cheerleader” personality. The three also sang a tribute version of “Shackles” by Christian recording artist Mary Mary, which was one of the songs Mandisa sang when she participated in “American Idol’s” fifth season.

    Mandisa was born in Citrus Heights, graduated from a Sacramento-area high school, and studied Vocal Jazz at American River College before going on to study Music and Vocal Performance at Fisk University in Tennessee. Mandisa was a member of the Fisk Jubilee Singers and worked as a backup singer for various artists before she joined the fifth season of “American Idol.”

    Mandisa released six total albums throughout her career, along with singles and collaborative pieces. Her 2013 album, Overcomer, won a Grammy for Best Contemporary Christian music album the year after its release, making Mandisa the fifth artist to receive a Grammy after emerging from “American Idol” according to People Magazine.

    Mandisa also won two KLOVE Fan Awards in 2014, including Female Artist of the Year and Song of the Year for “Overcomer.”

  • Citrus Heights Letters: City roads, future hotel parking, feral cats

    Sentinel staff report–
    Latest letters from Citrus Heights Sentinel readers include varying opinions regarding city streets, future hotel parking concerns, and feral cats.

    State of city streets:

    Related: Citrus Heights aims to fix pothole ‘plague’ with comprehensive repair plan – Citrus Heights Sentinel

    If you think driving a car on the horrible streets in and around Citrus Heights is bad, try it in the back of an ambulance on the way to Mercy San Juan Hospital. Already in pain, the ride escalated the pain by ten-fold. So do the right thing Citrus Heights and fix our roads, they have been bad for years! Madison, Dewey, San Juan, horrible!

    — Kim Davis, Citrus Heights resident

    Future hotel parking concerns:

    Related: Sunrise Mall subdivision with hotel ‘footprint’ gets OK from Planning Commission – Citrus Heights Sentinel

    I wanted to comment on the article published today, 5/26/24, on the approval by the city council for a proposed hotel to be built at Sunrise Mall and Commissioner Andrew Van Duker’s concern about parking. I agree with him that the parking will greatly impact the overall feel of the mall unless they build a parking structure that can accommodate 110 spaces and the equivalent of space for the amount of employees hired to staff the hotel. As Community Development Director Casey Kempenaar stated AB 2097 prohibits enforcement of minimum parking standards within 1/2 mile of the site so my question is: When there is an event that draws large crowds how will the venue accommodate parking and what will the impact be on local neighborhoods to absorb the traffic? Punting that issue down the line, as Patrick Ellwood, owner of Ellwood Commercial Properties, suggested is a poor way to plan for future traffic impact, particularly since there is ongoing development within a mile of the mall adding additional traffic to local streets. I would suggest that the traffic impact be included in the initial approvals to mitigate any future conflicts with other development that is planned in the overall Sunrise Tomorrow Specific Plan. I don’t know what the foorprint size is that is proposed but I surmise it will require at least 1/2 acre for a 3-story hotel to accommodate 110 rooms and the associated parking for employees. The area is already impacted during peak hours and is a throughfare to Roseville so unless they plan on widening Sunrise to accommodate the additional traffic, I vote that we bring all these considerations to the table at the onset and not allow developers to impose their good intentions on the community.

    — Beth Mergens, Citrus Heights resident

    Feral cat concerns:

    Related: Animal rescuers demand action in Citrus Heights to address feral cat explosion – Citrus Heights Sentinel

    The city has millions to spend on a hotel near a derelict mall. A hotel that no one would stay in. Not near freeways, airports or decent restaurants. Millions but no money to help starving animals. CH has always been anti animal. Loves concrete pave-over and fast food joints. It is a dump.

    — Gena Ensey, Citrus Heights resident

    Want to share your thoughts on a local issue? Submit a letter to the editor or opinion column for publication: Click here

  • Business owner seeks to improve Auburn Blvd with new ‘development collective’

    Business owner seeks to improve Auburn Blvd with new ‘development collective’

    8117 Auburn blvd, Good Hands Massage
    Owner Dan Howes and his wife stand in front of their Auburn Boulevard business. // SB Williams

    By Sara Beth Williams–
    Citrus Heights business owner Dan Howes is championing a new Auburn Boulevard development collective, in an effort to improve one of the city’s key commercial corridors.

    Howes, who owns Good Hands Massage on Auburn Boulevard along with two other businesses, said he previously paid to be a member of the now defunct Auburn Boulevard Business Association (ABBA) before the association became stagnant. Now, Howes wants to form a new group under the name Auburn Corridor Development Collective.

    “ABBA is gone,” Howes told The Sentinel last week, adding that he is forming a new business collective because he didn’t want to take over something that wasn’t his to begin with.

    Howes’ vision for how the Development Collective will operate is different than that of the previous association. Howes wants to focus on improving development along the Auburn Boulevard Corridor, starting with collectively committing to maintain the outward appearance of businesses along with helping hold building owners accountable for the appearance of vacant or abandoned buildings along the corridor. Buildings with boarded-up windows discourage new businesses from coming to Citrus Heights, he said.

    Monthly meetings aren’t necessarily in the framework of the collective, Howes said, explaining that he wants a group of businesses to come together as needed to address concerns such as vandalism and blight.

    To garner interest in the new collective, Howes recently facilitated a meeting on May 21 and reported that roughly 20 people were in attendance, including eight business representatives besides himself.

    Prior to that meeting, Howes said he personally handed out printed flyers to 75 businesses along Auburn Boulevard on two occasions, inviting business representatives to the meeting.

    In addressing the lower-than-expected turnout of business representatives, and the creation of a new collective, Howes said he is “confident” that more people will come as they realize the value of such a collective.

    “Sort of a ‘If you build it, they will come’ scenario. All I have to do now is build it,” Howes said.

    Last week’s meeting featured four speakers. General Services Director Regina Cave spoke about what businesses can expect during phase 2 of the Auburn Boulevard Complete Streets Project and also volunteered to be a liaison between the construction company and Auburn Boulevard businesses, Howes said.

    Related: City Council green lights 2nd phase of Auburn Boulevard revitalization project – Citrus Heights Sentinel

    Citrus Heights Chief of Police Alex Turcotte addressed the issues of retail theft, vandalism, and illegal dumping by highlighting the See Click Fix app, which allows residents to report blight and other concerns directly to the city.

    Turcotte also stressed the importance of businesses reporting issues to the Police Department so that the Department can assess what police resources are truly needed for the Auburn Boulevard Corridor.

    Economic Development and Community Engagement Director Meghan Huber told attendees that the city will be providing signage for the reporting of illegal dumping to businesses on a first come first serve basis, complete with mounting brackets.

    Citrus Heights Chamber of Commerce Executive Director Sheri Merrick spoke on the value of the local chamber and “emphasized the value of shopping local,” Howes said.

    Several businesses expressed to Howes that future construction along Auburn Boulevard could hurt revenues, but Howes said he feels the city is doing “a ton to make it an easy process.”

    “People resist change, it’s in their nature, but this will be a much-needed improvement,” Howes said.