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Author: Sara Beth Williams

2024 Citrus Heights Police Log Spotlight: May 23-29
Sentinel staff report–
Latest police logs in Citrus Heights show a drop in thefts, threats of violence, disturbance calls, and homeless related calls, while seeing an increase in animal services calls, 911 hangups, traffic accidents, vandalism, and suspicious circumstances.

A summary of the most recent seven police logs are included below, from May 23 through May 29, 2024.
- Animal control: 69 (up from 50)
- 911 hangups: 67 (up from 48)
- Code enforcement: 47 (up from 45)
- Traffic accidents: 41 (up from 32)
- Vehicle violations: 208 (down from 262)
- Theft: 27 (down from 33)
- Homeless-related: 19 (down from 29)
- Vandalism: 10 (up from 6)
- Violent/threats: 38 (down from 41)
- Disturbance: 103 (down from 114)
- Suspicious circumstances: 175 (up from 169)
- All incidents: 1262 (down from 1294)
See full police activity and arrest logs on the city’s website: click here.

Citrus Heights police resumed publishing of daily incident logs in March 2023. The department notes that its logs “are not intended as a full and complete list of all police activity,” with some information not displayed for legal reasons, such as arrests of minors. As such, police advise that summary totals based on public logs may differ from weekly incident and arrest totals posted by police on social media.

The department notes on its website that: “All arrested suspects are considered innocent until proven guilty. Additionally, the original crimes, nature of offenses, and charges may be amended or dismissed as further information is made available.”

Editor’s Note: police log summaries are published with assistance from AI, but edited by humans. Please contact us if you spot an error.
June 1, 2024
Questions surround sudden closure of Citrus Heights Preschool

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

By Sara Beth Williams–
A preschool facility that operated for more than 50 years in Citrus Heights appears to have closed its doors.

Citrus Heights Preschool is located at 7555 Old Auburn Rd. No indication of when or why the facility closed is available on the preschool’s website or social media, and the preschool’s Facebook page shows little activity. A phone number listed on the website appears to have been disconnected.

On Wednesday, Sentinel staff visited the facility to find a vacant parking lot and empty playgrounds with various preschool play equipment still visible. No notifications were posted indicating when or why the facility has closed.

An adjoining facility with the address of 7569 Old Auburn Rd., which shares playground and grass space with the original preschool building, also appeared locked and abandoned with no posted notification regarding closure. Both buildings were purchased on the same date in 2012, according to the Sacramento County Assessor’s office. The preschool’s website indicates that in 1975, a second building was added to the site.

As mandated by law, the Department of Social Services evaluated the facility annually, but the report from 2023 was not immediately available. A Patricia Newton was listed as the director of the facility in a December 2022 report.

The Sentinel has reached out to former staff members for comment but has received no response.

On Wednesday, employees and management at Sylvan Corners Pet Hospital, located across the street, said they were unaware that the preschool had closed. Staff mentioned witnessing families dropping off kids at least two to three weeks ago.

Yelp reviews throughout the years noted concerns of a lack of staffing at the preschool, but reviews were scattered over many years. Only one review was posted in 2023, and no reviews were posted in 2024.

The preschool indicates on its website that the privately owned school originated in 1970 as a one-building preschool before adding a second building. The preschool included programs for infants, preschoolers, pre-kindergarten, and school-aged children and was open from 6:15 a.m. to 6 p.m. according to their website.

Got a news tip or want to share your thoughts about Citrus Heights Preschool? Click here to submit news tip or letter to the editor.

June 1, 2024
Rusch Park restroom repairs face further delays

Rusch Park restrooms are still closed. // SB Williams

By Sara Beth Williams–
The restrooms on the east side of Rusch Community Park still appear to be closed, as of May 30.

Three portable toilets still stand in front of the restroom facilities at Rusch Park, nearest the Community Center, where they have been since at least February. Previously, the Sunrise Recreation and Park District had anticipated reopening the restrooms in April of this year.

“We have had a few small setbacks with the RFP bid process but are moving forward,” Sunrise Recreation and Park District Administrator Kevin Huntzinger told The Sentinel on Thursday. Huntzinger said that the initial application deadline for the first round of bids was April 5, and after review in April, the district found no qualifying bids for the project.

There are several things that can disqualify a bid, Huntzinger explained, including a contractor’s estimate being much higher than the engineer’s initial estimate and whether a contractor isn’t properly bonded or insured.

Huntzinger said he and his staff “refined the scope” of the restroom repair project and plan to send out the new bid next week. Because of the required timeline of the contract bidding process, which includes pre-bid walk-throughs by contractors, a review of submitted contract bids, among other steps, Huntzinger could not confirm a timeline of when the restrooms would be repaired, but hinted that the process will take two or more months.

The initial closure was due to the failure of two sewer ejector discharge pumps, according to an email from Wayne Edmundson, superintendent of Parks and Facilities at Sunrise Recreation and Park District.

Edmundson told The Sentinel in February that the restroom building has been a frequent target of vandalism, and in the past few years, the park district has spent “a small fortune” trying to keep the facility operational. The pumps become damaged when large materials and solid objects are flushed down the system.

Except for the restrooms specifically used inside the pool, there is only one public restroom facility on the east side, which features a basketball court, two playgrounds, a large, covered picnic area, several small picnic areas, and a nearby skateboarding park.

Two other restroom facilities are located on the west side of the park near the baseball diamonds and the Rush Drive parking lot.

June 1, 2024
Drug dealer arrested for homicide in fatal Citrus Heights fentanyl sales case

Callin Holcomb was arrested for homicide on May 29. // CHPD

By Sara Beth Williams–
Citrus Heights Police detectives have arrested 34-year-old Collin Reed Holcomb on charges of homicide in a fatal fentanyl sales case following the death of a 33-year-old male in February of this year, according to a May 30 department press release.

Prior to the arrest, detectives conducted a months-long investigation that involved collecting and reviewing evidence, interviewing multiple involved parties, and surveillance of the suspect.

Earlier this week, Citrus Heights IMPACT Detectives conducted surveillance on Holcomb at his apartment in Davis, California. On May 29, Citrus Heights Police Detectives and Davis Police Detectives, took Holcomb into custody outside his apartment.

Following his arrest, detectives served a search warrant and found additional illegal narcotics inside the apartment, along with a child, according to the release. Holcomb was booked into the Yolo County Jail. Yolo County Child Protective Services (CPS) was also contacted to assist the child living at the residence.

The fatality alleged to be connected to Holcomb occurred on Feb. 15, 2024, when Citrus Heights Police were dispatched to the 7900 block of Madison Avenue for a medical emergency. Upon arrival, police said officers located a male subject, later identified as 33-year-old Bradley Mitchell, who was deceased.

According to police, parties at the residence with Mitchell said he’d overdosed, and attempts to give the victim Narcan to revive him were unsuccessful. In the following days, detectives uncovered evidence showing Holcomb had sold fentanyl to Mitchell. Detectives then secured a homicide arrest warrant.

“Holcomb could be one of the first homicide fentanyl poisoning case convictions in Sacramento County, a significant step in solidifying the seriousness of fentanyl sales and the District Attorney’s resolve to hold those who poison our communities accountable,” the department wrote in the press release, adding that the Police Department and the district attorney’s office are committed to “taking a hard stance” against those who distribute lethal fentanyl into the community and will ensure justice is served “swiftly and decisively.”

Anyone with information about this crime, or any Citrus Heights crime, is encouraged to contact the Citrus Heights Police Department Crime Tip Line at 916-727-5524. Those wishing to remain anonymous and share information leading to the arrest or conviction of a crime can also contact the Sacramento Valley Crime Stoppers tip hotline at (916) 443-HELP, with potential for reward money to be issued.

June 1, 2024
New thrift store brings fresh finds to Sylvan Corners

Shirts on display at the new Whatsupstairs secondhand store at 7134 Auburn Blvd. // SB Williams

By Sara Beth Williams–
A new thrift store has opened just around the corner from the former Goodwill location at Sylvan Corners in Citrus Heights.

Whatsupstairs secondhand store employee Mark Holmes said Goodwill closed its doors three days after the new thrift store opened. Holmes called the occurrence a “coincidence” and said the store has been “doing very well,” even with limited advertising.

The store sells an eclectic range of items, including new and used furniture, antiques, and collectables. It also features the usual general thrift store fare, including clothes, shoes, artwork, and books. A variety of large pieces of artwork and multiple unique t-shirts hang on the walls and in windows throughout the store.

Whatsupstairs owner Anthony Iacolino said the store previously operated in a 1,500-square-foot space in Carmichael which was not open to the public. The store acquired furniture and antiques from storage units and estate sales to sell online. Iacolino said when everyone decided they no longer wanted to sell online, he and Holmes then sought out a new, larger location to open to the public.

Holmes told The Sentinel the store opened eight weeks ago, and when the store first opened, many local residents began donating more thrift store merchandise. The surge in donations led the store to negotiate with the landlord to acquire a smaller building next door, situated between the thrift store and the former Goodwill location, to create a space for storing and sorting the donated items.

Iacolino said he wanted to get away from the corporate model of Goodwill stores, and that he wants to provide a place where the community can “find the best deals.”

Whatsupstairs is located at 7134 Auburn Blvd., in Citrus Heights.

June 1, 2024
Fires in Citrus Heights damage 140 storage units, sports car

A burned out Camaro sits in front of Firestone in Citrus Heights. // Mike Hazlip

By Sara Beth Williams–
Two recent fires in Citrus Heights included a blaze that damaged more than 100 storage units last week and a car fire over Memorial Day Weekend.

CubeSmart Self-Storage, located at 7562 Greenback Ln. in Citrus Heights, experienced a late-night fire last week that damaged 140 storage units, according to a representative from the Sacramento Metropolitan Fire District. CubeSmart employees told The Sentinel on Tuesday that current customers who have rented storage units were allowed back on site as of May 28, but were not allowed to access Building B, where the fire damaged 140 units.

The cause of the fire is still under investigation by Metro Fire.

A white Chevrolet Camaro burst into flames in front of Scrubs and Beyond, on Greenback Lane over Memorial Day weekend.

Social media images show a white, two-door Chevrolet heavily engulfed in flames, with Sacramento Metropolitan Fire District crews responding. Scrubs and Beyond employees told The Sentinel that the car exploded on Saturday morning, May 25, without warning.

As of Tuesday morning, the burned wreckage of the car remains in the parking lot in between Scrubs and Beyond and Firestone Complete Auto Care. It appears the majority of the car sustained heavy fire damage, while the back end remained intact. Metro Fire did not respond to a request for comment regarding the car fire.

*This article has been updated to reflect the correct address of CubeSmart Self-Storage.

May 31, 2024
‘Stars & Stripes’ fireworks show to return to Citrus Heights

A display of fireworks at the Stars and Stripes celebration in 2023. // SB Williams

By Sara Beth Williams–
The city’s Stars and Stripes celebration will return to Citrus Heights on Saturday, June 29.

The celebration will begin at 6 p.m. at Van Maren Park and will run until 10 p.m., with fireworks beginning at dusk.

The event is free and open to the public, and will feature live music from Pop Fiction, a variety of food trucks, and a Kids Zone with hands-on activities for kids.

Parking will be available at the Citrus Heights Police Department off Fountain Square Drive, and at the Citrus Heights Community Center and Dignity Health, both located at the corner of Greenback Lane and Fountain Square Drive. Attendees are encouraged to ride their bikes or carpool to the event for traffic reduction and parking convenience, the city said, adding that staff are actively working on shuttle options and more dedicated parking options.

Van Maren Park is located at 6601 Thalia Way, which can also be accessed on foot via walking paths from the Stock Ranch Nature Preserve located behind Walmart and Costco on Auburn Boulevard.

Last year, then-mayor Tim Schaefer called the inaugural Stars and Stripes event a success and said it “exceeded” his expectations.

Schaefer, who had been hesitant to support funding the event in 2023 due to vocal objections from fireworks opponents, said the goal of bringing the community together was accomplished.

The City Council voted 3-2 in January 2023 to approve the use of up to $80,000 in American Rescue Plan Act (ARPA) pandemic relief funds to be spent on the event. According to the city, funding for this year’s event was built into the city’s General Fund.

Prior fireworks shows had been held at Sunrise Mall but were privately funded and discontinued in 2012.

May 31, 2024
Mesa Verde to host first on-campus graduation ceremony in nearly 20 years

The entrance to Mesa Verde’s new stadium where Class of 2024 graduates will walk Friday morning. // SB Williams

By Sara Beth Williams–
On Friday, Mesa Verde High School will hold its graduation ceremony on campus for the first time in almost 20 years.

The event will take place in the school’s new state-of-the-art stadium, completed last fall. Since the mid-2000s, Mesa Verde’s graduation ceremonies have been held at off-site locations, including Memorial Auditorium in downtown Sacramento and most recently at Del Campo High School’s stadium. The shift was due to the growing size of graduation ceremony attendance, which the campus facilities could no longer accommodate, according to the San Juan Unified School District.

Mesa Verde High School officially cut the ribbon on their new stadium in mid-October 2023 to a crowd of staff, former and current students, and multiple community members from Citrus Heights and surrounding areas.

Mesa Verde High School Principal Jennifer Petersen in October called the occasion “momentous.”

Related: Mesa Verde High School officially has its own stadium – Citrus Heights Sentinel

The new stadium features modern amenities such as a running track, football field, scoreboards, bleachers, lighting, sound system, press box, concession stand, and restroom facilities. The renovation project also included upgrades to the campus softball fields, new tennis and basketball courts, and expanded parking and drop-off areas. These improvements were funded through voter-approved bond fund.

San Juan Unified School District Director of Communication Raj Rai told The Sentinel on Tuesday before graduation that students, family, and staff are all “very excited” to celebrate the Class of 2024 graduates at the new stadium.

“There is a strong sense of pride and community that emerges when you’re able to celebrate important milestones such as graduation on your own campus,” Rai said, adding that the district looks forward to the graduation ceremony and future events that bring the school and surrounding community together with the new stadium.

May 31, 2024
Victim with gunshot wound found in vehicle in Citrus Heights

Police lights, stock photo. // CH Sentinel

By Sara Beth Williams–
Citrus Heights Police officers were called to the 6200 block of Burich Avenue in Citrus Heights on Tuesday evening, after receiving a report of an unresponsive person inside a vehicle.

Police said officers arrived shortly before 8 p.m. on May 28 and found an adult male inside a vehicle who had succumbed to a gunshot wound injury.

Social media posts indicate that the incident occurred at the Greenback Gardens apartment complex located on Burich Avenue in Citrus Heights. Police did not indicate whether a resident of the apartment complex initially reported the incident, nor did the department indicate whether the deceased male was a resident of the apartment complex.

Citrus Heights Police Sgt. Joseph Aguilar told The Sentinel Thursday morning that the incident is under investigation by the Sacramento County Coroner’s Office. No foul play is suspected, and there is no threat to the public, Aguilar said. The name and age of the victim have not been released.

May 31, 2024
June Events: What’s happening in Citrus Heights?

Brews in the Burbs took place May 18, 2024 // SB Williams

By Sara Beth Williams–
Events around Citrus Heights in June include an arts and music festival, summer camps, book sales, an ice cream social and a spaghetti feed fundraiser.

Art Beat. Citrus Heights Arts is hosting its annual art and music festival beginning Friday, May 31 and running through Sunday, June 2. The festivities will begin with an artist reception at 4 p.m. on Friday, May 31 and will include a vendor’s market on Saturday, June 1 from 11-3 p.m. The festival will take place at the Marketplace at Birdcage, near Bath and Bodyworks, located at 6101 Sunrise Blvd. For more information, visit Citrus Heights Arts on Facebook.

Library Events. Friends of the Library will be holding a book sale at Sylvan Oaks Library on Saturday, June 1, from 11 a.m-3 p.m. in the library’s community room. Gently used books and DVDs will be for sale. For information, visit here.

The library will also be providing free lunch to all youth under 18 beginning June 18. Meals will be distributed from 12-1 p.m. on Tuesdays through Fridays. No registration is required, and drop ins are welcome. For more information, visit their website here.

The Sylvan Oaks Library is located at 6700 Auburn Blvd.

Car show. Rods and Mods is hosting a car show on Saturday, June 1 where classic cars and other vehicles will be cruising down Sunrise Boulevard between 7-10 p.m. from Madison Avenue to Greenback Lane. For more information, visit the car show’s event page here.

Summer camps. The Sacramento Metropolitan Fire District is hosting a four-day summer camp for kids from 11-13 years old, beginning Tuesday, June 25. The camp teaches middle school aged children what it’s like to be a firefighter for the Sacramento Metropolitan Fire District.

The camp will take place at Fire Station 21 at 7641 Greenback Ln. in Citrus Heights. A mandatory parent orientation meeting is scheduled for June 4. For more information, visit the website here.

Royal Stage Theater is also hosting several theater arts camps in June and July. The Citrus Heights camp runs from June 24-28. The five-day camp includes dance, theater, arts and crafts, water games, snacks, and a custom camp t-shirt. To sign up or find out more information, visit their website here. The Royal Stage theater is located at 6147 Sunrise Mall, next to Macy’s Men’s and Home.

City Scoop ice cream social. The city is hosting three monthly ice cream socials throughout the summer. The first ice cream social in the City Scoop series will take place on Thursday, June 6, at the Sylvan Oaks Library. For more information, visit the city’s Facebook page. Sylvan Oaks Library is located at 6700 Auburn Blvd.

Spaghetti fundraiser. The Veterans Community Center is hosting a spaghetti dinner fundraising event on Saturday June 22 from 5-8 p.m. The event will feature live musical entertainment from Uncle John’s Band and a raffle. Tickets are $25 and can be purchased in person at the Veterans Community Center between 9 a.m. and 1 p.m., Monday through Friday. For more information, visit their website calendar here. The Veterans Community Center is located at 6921 Sylvan Rd.

May 30, 2024