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Author: Sara Beth Williams

May Events: What’s happening in Citrus Heights this month?
Entrance to the Arcade Cripple Creek Trail. // Citrus Heights Sentinel

By Sara Beth Williams–
May signals the unofficial beginning of summer and this month is packed with several local community events, including a long-awaited grand opening, a fundraiser, a public works showcase, a Star Wars-themed event, and the return of Brews in the Burbs and Art Beat.

Park events:
- Creek Trail. The city is hosting the grand opening of the Arcade-Cripple Creek Trail. The event is scheduled to begin at 9:30 a.m. Sunday, May 5, at Tempo Park on Fair Oaks Boulevard with a presentation and ribbon-cutting, followed by a community “walk, bike, and run” along the trail to C-Bar-C Park, where a celebration is set to take place at 10:30 a.m. This event is free and open to the public. For more information, visit the city’s website. C-Bar-C Park is located at 8275 Oak Ave.
- Revenge of the Fifth. Sunrise Recreation and Park District is also hosting a Revenge of the Fifth event on Sunday, May 5 at Rusch Community Park from 12-4 p.m. The event will feature food trucks, inflatables, a costume contest, and a presentation by Jedi Masters. The event is free and open to the public. For more information, click here.
Community Events:
- Car show. Purpose Built Trade Co. is hosting a “Rods and Rigs” car and truck show on Saturday, May 4 from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. The event will feature live music, food trucks, and more. Proceeds go to The First Responders Children’s Foundation. For more information, visit their website here. Purpose Built is located at 6245 Sunrise Blvd.
- Awards. San Juan Unified School District is hosting its annual Spirit of San Juan Awards on Thursday, May 9, from 6-7 p.m. at Rio Americano High School’s Center for the Arts. This year’s honorees include a student from Lichen K-8 in Citrus Heights. For more information, click here. Rio Americano High School is located at 4540 American River Drive in Sacramento.
- Public Works. The city is hosting their third annual Public Works Showcase on Thursday, May 16 at Van Maren Park from 3-6 p.m. in honor of National Public Works Week. The event will feature both career exploration opportunities and family fun. For more information, click here. Van Maren Park is located at 6601 Thalia Way.
- “Brews in the Burbs.” The annual beer tasting event returns May 18 to the Sunrise Mall parking lot, showcasing various craft breweries, home breweries, cideries, and distilleries. The event runs from 5-9 p.m. and will feature music, craft beer tastings, food trucks, and backyard games. For more information, click here. The Sunrise Mall is located at 6041 Sunrise Blvd.
- Art Beat. Citrus Heights Arts is bringing back Art Beat for three days, beginning at 5 p.m. on Friday, May 31 and running through Sunday, June 2. The event will take place at the Marketplace at Birdcage, at 6101 Sunrise Blvd., and will feature pop-up art galleries, a vendor market, and live music. For more information, visit the event page on Facebook.
Local high school events:
- Performance. San Juan High School is hosting a performance of EURYDICE on May 3-4 beginning at 6:30 p.m. The school is asking for $5 donations at the door. For more information, visit San Juan High School’s website here. San Juan High School is located at 7551 Greenback Lane.
- Kevin Bracy. Mesa Verde High School is hosting motivational speaker Kevin Bracy, who will speak on greatness and positivity. The event is a fundraiser for “It Takes Guts” and a celebration of Youth Mental Health Awareness and takes place on Saturday, May 18 from 2–3:15 p.m. For more information, click here.
- Sports Day. Mesa Verde is also hosting a Playmakers Sports Day on Saturday, May 25. This event is focused on inclusivity in sports. The free event runs from 10 a.m. to 12 p.m., and lunch will be provided. Participants can register online. Mesa Verde High School is located at 7501 Carriage Drive.
May 2, 2024
Citrus Heights City Council awards $67k in grant funding to area nonprofits

By Sara Beth Williams–
In an April 25 Citrus Heights City Council meeting, the council unanimously voted to award $67,000 in grant funding to 10 different nonprofit organizations.

After reviewing Community Projects Grant program applications from 12 nonprofit organizations, four City Council members voted to award the full $50,000 allotted from a Community Projects Grant fund to eight different nonprofits.

Councilmember MariJane Lopez-Taff recused herself from the first vote because of an existing relationship with one of the nonprofit applicants. All other council members voted in favor.

Nonprofits receiving grant awards included the Citrus Heights Homeless Assistance Resource Team (HART), Junior Achievement of Sacramento, the Kiwanis Club, Empact, International Association of Human Values, The Foundation Inc./The Glass Slipper, The Purple Pageant, and The Healing Palette.

History and Arts Grant funding was also unanimously approved by the council with an award of $2,000 out of $20,000 in the fund to go to The Healing Palette for the construction of a mural project. According to the applicant, the mural will measure approximately 41-by-2 feet, slated for the corner of Fair Oaks Boulevard and Wachtel Way. The council also awarded The Healing Palette $1,000 from the Community Projects Grant program funding, which will go toward the same mural project, totaling $3,000.

Additional funding was unanimously approved by the council for $17,000 in Community Support funds to got to the Sunrise Christian Food Ministry and the Veterans Golf Park/Veterans Community Center. The Sunrise Christian Food Ministry requested funds for the purchase of a trailer that would allow them to more easily and efficiently complete mobile food deliveries, and the Veterans Community Center requested funds to use in building an onsite storage space.

All applications were reviewed using the city’s Grant and Incentive Program Scoring Rubric to ensure they met specific eligibility requirements and demonstrated the ability to create community connection and engagement through their requests, according to the city. Only applicants who received a minimum score of 23 on their application were considered for an award.

May 2, 2024
Citrus Heights mayor pays tribute to Mandisa, following death of singer

Mayor Bret Daniels asks for a moment of silence at April 25 council meeting. // SB Williams

By Sara Beth Williams–
Mayor Bret Daniels paid tribute to Mandisa, a Citrus Heights native and Christian recording artist, during an April 25 City Council meeting, one week after the artist’s sudden passing.

At the end of the council meeting last Thursday, an emotional Daniels asked for a moment of silence to honor the passing of Mandisa directly before adjourning the meeting. On social media, following Mandisa’s passing, Daniels wrote that the singer was “truly a gift from God.”

Mandisa Lynn Hundley was born in Citrus Heights in 1976 and died unexpectedly on Thursday, April 18, at her home in Tennessee. She was 47. Her cause of death is still under investigation by the Franklin Police Department.

A memorial service was held for the former “American Idol” contestant on April 27 in Brentwood, Tennessee, according to the singer’s Instagram page. No other official statement was given.

The celebration of life service was held at Brentwood Baptist Church on Saturday morning and saw an “outpouring of love and support” according to CCM magazine. The service featured a slideshow of photos from Mandisa’s life, and speeches and vocal tributes from family, friends and colleagues, including Fisk Jubilee Singers alumni and evangelist and author Beth Moore.

Mandisa’s father, John Hundley spoke at the packed memorial service, and asked everyone watching to support his daughter’s legacy by coming together as an “ambassador of one, to help America come together” regardless of race. Hundley said, after speaking with detectives throughout the last week, he believes 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.

Hundley emphasized that he does not believe Mandisa harmed herself but added that police detectives told him it would take three weeks before the police department could provide a full report on her cause of death.

Hundley ended by saying, “Mandisa wanted everyone to live together in peace.”

Related: Citrus Heights native and former American Idol contestant dies at 47 – Citrus Heights Sentinel

Following the memorial on Saturday, “American Idol” aired a tribute episode on Monday, April 29 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 studied Vocal Jazz at American River College before going on to study Music and Vocal Performance at Fisk University in Tennessee. She 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 her the fifth artist to receive a Grammy after emerging from “American Idol” according to People Magazine.

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

The Tennessee Department of Health told The Tennessean that a complete autopsy report would be released in the next 60 to 90 days, according to an April 30 update. The Davidson County Medical Examiner’s office added that they do not release preliminary reports.

A spokesman for the Franklin Police Department told The Tennessean that the investigation into the singer’s death remains open but that the department does not suspect any foul play.

The full memorial service can be viewed online here.

May 2, 2024
‘Rods and Rigs’ car show to be held Saturday in Citrus Heights

Artwork on the side of Purpose Built Trade Co. in Citrus Heights. // SB Williams

By Sara Beth Williams–
Purpose Built Trade Co. this weekend will host a “Rods and Rigs” fundraising show at their location on Sunrise Boulevard in Citrus Heights.

The car and truck show will be held on Saturday, May 4, from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. and will feature live music, food trucks, and local vendors. Cars, trucks, and motorcycles are welcome to register to participate in the show. The store is asking for a $20 registration fee. Proceeds from the event go toward The First Responders Children’s Foundation.

“Our hope and our mission for this event is to make the community stronger,” Purpose Built Operations Manager Chris Delso said in an interview with The Sentinel, adding that the goal is to raise money to support as many fallen first responders’ families as possible.

The company also hosted a car show for the grand opening of their Citrus Heights location in October of 2023. According to the company’s website, Purpose Built has hosted two previous car and truck shows at other locations in April 2024, including a show at their store location in Oakley, and another show at their Livermore location. Citrus Heights store management said over 300 vehicles participated at each location’s car show.

This coming Saturday, Delso anticipates 200 to 300 registered vehicle participants and hopes for a large community turnout. He said a specific donation goal hasn’t been set yet.

The First Responders Children’s Foundation began after the attacks of Sept. 11, 2001, and provides financial support to children who have lost a parent in the line of duty, as well as to families of First Responders who have endured significant financial hardship due to other tragic circumstances.

The concept for Purpose Built Trade Co. began with the opening of East Bay Work Wear in 2010, according to its website. Purpose Built offers work-wear brands such as Carhartt, Dickies, and Wrangler at their retail locations.

The store describes itself as a “one-stop outfitter for tradespeople and businesses” and carries an inventory for every size, gender, and age. According to their website, A percentage of all Purpose Built profits go toward funding trade school tuitions.

Purpose Built is located at 6245 Sunrise Blvd., in Citrus Heights.

May 2, 2024
Citrus Heights City Council meetings to change to Wednesdays

By Sara Beth Williams–
The Citrus Heights City Council voted unanimously last week to change the regular meeting day for council meetings from Thursdays to Wednesdays. Effective July 1, meetings will shift from the second and fourth Thursday of the month to the second and fourth Wednesday.

According to the city, the recommendation to change regular council meetings from Thursday evenings to Wednesday evenings came from the observation of multiple conflicting events, including regional board meetings, community events, conferences, and summer park activities, which frequently take place on Thursdays.

Changing the meeting days will allow the council more opportunities to participate in community events and other meetings alongside the council meetings, according to the city.

The city confirmed that Sacramento Metropolitan Cable Commission, will broadcast the council meetings live on Metro Cable 14 on Wednesday evenings. Meetings will continue to be available via livestream on the city’s Youtube channel.

In addition, because Planning Commission meetings are currently held on the second and fourth Wednesday of each month, effective after July 1, Planning Commission meetings will be moved to the second and fourth Tuesday of each month, in accordance with the switch in City Council meeting days.

April 29, 2024
Alleged drug dealer arrested in Citrus Heights

Police seizure of illegal contraband and drug sale cash on April 27. // Citrus Heights Police Department

By Sara Beth Williams–
A 38-year-old suspect was arrested in Citrus Heights over the weekend after graveyard officers allegedly found him in possession of a stash of multiple types of drugs and thousands in cash.

On Friday, Citrus Heights police responded to the area of Lichen Drive and Antelope Road, following up on recent concerns of illegal activity, according to a post by the Citrus Heights Police Department. After observing suspected illegal activity occurring between two subjects at a gas station, officers stopped a suspect, Jason Slater of Sacramento, after he crossed Antelope Road and conducted a search of him and his vehicle.

According to police, the Slater was found to be on Post Release Community Supervision (PRCS) and had several warrants for his arrest, including a felony warrant for vehicle theft. During a search of Slater’s vehicle, police found $3,500 in cash and over 40 grams of fentanyl, methamphetamine, and heroin. Slater was arrested and transported to the Sacramento County Main Jail, and police seized all illegal contraband and suspected drug sale cash.

Local residents on social media have recently complained about suspicious activities in the shopping center adjacent to Lichen Drive, including adults offering to buy a child’s bike and asking to meet the child alone in order to make the transition.

According to prior reports, a nearby shopping center was also the site of another major sting operation where drugs were delivered to confidential informant working for law enforcement. The drug dealer was later indicted in 2023 on multiple counts after he was found in possession of one pound of methamphetamine, according to the U.S. Attorney’s office.

Citrus Heights police credited a “proactive policing partnership” with the community as helping lead to arrests. The department said “the professional men and women of CHPD are committed to enhancing the community’s overall quality of life and making it safer for everyone here to enjoy.”

April 29, 2024
Q&A: When will that care facility on Dewey Drive finally open?

Shadowbrook Gardens, 5915 Dewey Drive. // SB Williams

By Sara Beth Williams–
Eight years after building permits were issued for the project, construction fencing still surrounds a planned 40,000-square-foot acute care nursing facility off Dewey Drive on the border of Citrus Heights.

Multiple residents who live nearby the building have reported to The Sentinel that the facility appears to have been nearly complete for several years, yet the premises remains closed. Prior reports indicate the property was under construction in May of 2020, with construction continuing during the pandemic.

A visit to the facility in April by Sentinel staff found construction fencing blocking off two driveway entrances to the facility while the outside of the building and the grounds appeared well-maintained. Signage with the name and address has been erected in front of the building, but no opening date has been posted.

Due to irregular boundary lines, the nursing facility, called Shadowbrook Gardens, is technically located outside the boundary of Citrus Heights at 5915 Dewey Drive, in Fair Oaks.

Although parcels on either side of the facility are located in Citrus Heights, county documents show the facility itself sits on a narrow finger of land that puts it in an unincorporated part of Sacramento County. Because the property is in Fair Oaks, building permits are not issued by the City of Citrus Heights.

In the case of nursing facilities, building permits are also not issued by Sacramento County, but by the Department of Health Care Access and Information (HCAI), according to Eric Stackhouse, Associate Planner with Sacramento County Planning and Environmental Review.

Building permits for Shadowbrook Gardens were first issued in April of 2016 by the HCAI, according to project details listed on the department’s website.

Andrew Diluccia, public information officer with the Department of Healthcare Access and Information told The Sentinel that, as of an April 17 inspection by HCAI, construction is “90 percent complete.”

Owner Shyrel Gaskey with Auburn Manor Holding Corporation previously spoke to The Sentinel in 2020 regarding construction progress, and said the building is to be used as an acute rehabilitation facility for patients discharged from area hospitals. Plan documents on the Department of Health Care Access and Information website are consistent with Gaskey’s statement, indicating the facility is an acute care hospital building.

Gaskey told the Citrus Heights Messenger in January that the building was targeting a date in March 2024 to be ready for occupancy, but added it could take a few months longer for the project to be signed off. Gaskey also said in January that an agreement for the operator to run the new facility was continuing and yet to be finalized. Multiple attempts by The Sentinel to reach Gaskey for comment went unanswered.

Project documents show the facility will have space for dining, kitchen, and physical therapy. Currently, there are two entrance points from Dewey Drive and another access point off Shadowbrook Way.

Prior use for the 3.8-acre parcel was residential, according to a county staff report that describes a single-family home on the property built in 1952.

Mike Hazlip contributed to this story.

April 29, 2024
Citrus Heights council debates merits of funding trip to neighborhood conference

Vice Mayor Jayna Karpinski-Costa, April 25 City Council meeting. // SB Williams

By Sara Beth Williams–
On Thursday, the Citrus Heights City Council was split on whether to approve requests for funding from two neighborhood associations for attendance at a national neighborhood-focused conference in Texas.

The city reviewed two applications for the Neighborhood Improvement Partnership (NIP) Fund from CHANT (Area 3) and John Kane (Area 4) to attend the Neighborhood USA (NUSA) conference in Lubbock, TX, from May 22 to 24. The two neighborhood association applicants requested a total of $3,600 to pay for all conference expenses, including registration fees, airfare, lodging, food, and transportation.

A third applicant, Sunrise Ranch Area 6, requested funds that would be used to replace worn and discolored sign toppers in their neighborhood.

During the April 25 council meeting, the council voted unanimously to approve funding for Area 4 to attend the conference, and for Area 6 to receive funding for fixing aged sign toppers. The council also voted in favor of sending an Area 3 representative to attend the national conference, but voted 4-1, with Vice Mayor Jayna Karpinski-Costa stating that the representative had already gone the year before.

Previously, the City Council approved a request by the resident to attend the 2023 NUSA conference. In her 2024 application, she expressed her desire to return to the conference in hopes of engaging with other neighborhood leaders, as well as gaining more knowledge of “techniques and project ideas” which could improve “quality of life” and “civic engagement” for Citrus Heights residents.

Karpinski-Costa also questioned whether any conference sessions would aid in getting a neighborhood association off the ground, as the Area 4 neighborhood association has only recently been revitalized and doesn’t have an official board established. However, she said she was “swayed to” allow funding for Area 4.

“The goal to go is to simply be more effective in my community,” Kane said in response to Karpinski-Costa.

Karpinski-Costa also stated that she was worried about the funds being depleted for the 2023/24 fiscal year, and that neighborhood Area 10 was hoping to utilize the funds for other projects that are pending but haven’t been submitted to the city for approval.

Councilmember Tim Schaefer reminded the council that funds for the Neighborhood Improvement Partnership renew July 1. Economic Development and Community Engagement Director Meghan Huber also added that there are additional city funds available outside of the remaining $2,000 in Neighborhood Improvement Partnership funding for extra neighborhood projects that are pending.

Schaefer, who said he attended a past national conference in Eugene, Oregon, said the conference was an “eye opening experience.”

Councilmember Porsche Middleton called attending the conference “great,” and affirmed the reasoning behind wanting to attend a neighborhood association conference.

Neighborhood Improvement Partnership (NIP) funds are designed with the goal of fostering community engagement and strengthening connections within individual neighborhoods, according to the city. Funds are allowed to be used for projects and events that “promote a sense of belonging” and facilitate community connectivity within neighborhoods.

The City Council has allotted a total of $25,000 in Neighborhood Improvement Partnership funding for the 2023/24 fiscal year. Approval of the submitted application requests totaling $6,508 leaves $2,391 through the end of the fiscal year, according to the city.

April 28, 2024
Plans withdrawn for large new church building near Sylvan Corners

An undeveloped lot near Sylvan Corners where plans were withdrawn for a proposed 16,00o foot building. // Google Maps / CH Sentinel

By Sara Beth Williams–
Plans submitted by a local church seeking to construct a nearly 16,000-square-foot building near Sylvan Corners have been withdrawn from consideration, according to the city.

The construction project, submitted by Mission Rock of Salvation Church in December 2022, was to include a church building. The proposed facility would have occupied parcels totaling about two acres of land near Sylvan Corners, with access from both Old Auburn Road and Auburn Boulevard. Development plans were withdrawn in February 2024 by the applicant, according to City of Citrus Heights Communications Officer Marisa Brown.

Previous plan documents indicated that the 15,897-square-foot building would have allowed for an occupancy of 351 people in its sanctuary, and would have included a lobby, coffee and snack area, and offices. Improvements for accessibility, walkways, underground utilities, and landscaping, were also listed in the previous documents.

Related: 16,000-square-foot church proposed near Sylvan Corners – Citrus Heights Sentinel

Currently, the Mission Rock of Salvation Church resides at 7140 Auburn Blvd, Citrus Heights, adjacent to the undeveloped property. The pastor and his wife, who had previously spoken to The Sentinel regarding construction on the undeveloped land, declined to comment to The Sentinel last week regarding the withdrawal of development plans.

The site was once home to several boarded-up buildings, which belonged to the former property owner and were left abandoned after the owner’s death.

April 27, 2024
Local hardware store’s inaugural ‘Walk for Wishes’ draws over 100 participants

The first inaugural Walk for Wishes took place April 21, 2024 through Fair Oaks Park. // photo credit Jessica Rowell-Greenfield

Updated April 29, 11:11 a.m.–
By Sara Beth Williams– Miller’s Ace Hardware held its inaugural Walk for Wishes on Sunday, April 21, at their store on Madison Avenue in Citrus Heights. Store owner Jessica Rowell-Greenfield led a group of over 100 participants on a 1.5-mile walk through Fair Oaks Park to help raise money for the Make-A-Wish foundation.

The family and pet friendly walk began at 11 a.m., and each participant received a bright blue commemorative shirt for joining in the walk. Rowell-Greenfield told The Sentinel that the event had 120 walking participants, and Sacramento Police Department’s mounted officer unit also participated in the walk.

Several other vendors came to celebrate, including various food vendors, Sacramento Ghostbusters, Sacramento Metropolitan Fire Department, and the Citrus Heights Police Department.

Rowell-Greenfield told a local news station in a live interview that the Make-A-Wish foundation has always been a very important charity to her because her son was a Make-A-Wish recipient.

Donations from the participants reached $11,000, and could go higher, according to Rowell-Greenfield, who also said there were many more donations from residents who couldn’t attend the event in person. Several sponsors donated toward the cause as well, including real estate agency Ray Stone Inc, Republic Services, and VeriCast Media.

“We are grateful for the community’s response,” Rowell-Greenfield said, adding that she plans to continue holding the event annually.

In addition to the walk, in honor of World Wish Month, the store is accepting in-person donations all month long. All proceeds from the Walk for Wishes, and from the in-store Round up for Wishes campaign will go directly to the Make-A-Wish foundation.

Miller’s Ace Hardware, which employs adults and youth with cognitive disabilities, opened on June 27, 2023. Named after Rowell-Greenfield’s son, the 14,200-square-foot hardware and gardening store is located at 8077 Madison Ave. in Citrus Heights.

Related: New Ace Hardware store opens in Citrus Heights – Citrus Heights Sentinel

The Make-A-Wish foundation began in 1980 and has granted hundreds of thousands of life-changing wishes to children battling critical illnesses throughout it’s history, according to the foundation’s website.

April 27, 2024