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Author: Sara Beth Williams

  • Citrus Heights thrift store posts liquidation sale sign

    The Family Outpost posted a liquidation sale sign on their front entrance last week.
    The Family Outpost posted a liquidation sale sign on their front entrance last week. // SB Williams

    By Sara Beth Williams–
    A family-owned thrift store in Citrus Heights is going out of business, according to an estate sales company that is handling the liquidation of the store’s merchandise.

    The Family Outpost thrift store posted a liquidation sale sign on the front entrance last week, indicating that a liquidation sale would be taking place from Thursday, Sept. 4, through Sunday, Sept. 7. A phone number for the store was no longer operational as of Thursday.

    Martin Acero with Martin’s Estate Sales said the store owner, Dustin Powell, and his family are “moving on to bigger and better things” and have decided to move out of state to Nevada. Acero said Powell is looking into opening a business in Las Vegas. Powell was not available for comment as he was out of town.

    The store’s merchandise was marked down to 50 percent off or more as of Friday, and many of the display cases and commercial refrigerators were also listed for sale with fixed prices. A handful of furniture pieces were also on display outside the store’s entrance.

    Acero said the store’s final liquidation sale day will be Sunday, and from 12 p.m. to 3 p.m. customers can come in and fill a bag with merchandise for $5. All other larger items will also be steeply discounted according to signs posted around the store.

    The family-run thrift store opened in August 2024. Powell was optimistic last year during the opening week. The small thrift store opened on Aug. 1, 2024, to friendly and excited customers, many of whom expressed their gratitude for the opening of the store.

    Powell told The Sentinel in a 2024 interview that the business had been years in the making. While going through his grandmother’s estate two years prior to opening, Powell found out that his family had plans to take a truckload of her belongings to the dump. Powell insisted on taking all of the belongings himself and stored them on his own property.

    The Family Outpost is located at 7601 Sunrise Blvd., Suite #11, in the former Dollar N More storefront. Discount retailer Dollar N More closed abruptly after having opened in late 2022, according to prior reports.

    Neighboring businesses include Macy’s Nail and Hair, Vanity Fur Pet Spa, Paradise Laundry, Safe Credit Union, Master Donuts, and The Human Bean, a drive-thru coffee shop.

  • Citrus Heights Council approves $8M contract for road resurfacing

    Map shared by City Engineer Leslie Blomquist showing streets that are scheduled to be resurfaced in 2025 and 2026, broken into seven color coded zones. Streets in zones colored yellow will receive multi-layer resurfacing, streets in zones colored blue will receive slurry seals. // City of Citrus Heights
    Map shared by City Engineer Leslie Blomquist during a presentation to the Citrus Heights City Council showing streets that are scheduled to be resurfaced in 2025 and 2026, broken into seven color coded zones. Streets in zones colored yellow will receive multi-layer resurfacing, streets in zones colored blue will receive slurry seals. // City of Citrus Heights

    By Sara Beth Williams–
    Sections of more than 100 roads in Citrus Heights are slated to have resurfacing work performed this year and next, after the Citrus Heights City Council approved an $8 million contract with Valley Slurry Seal International, Inc.

    The total project could cost over $9 million with a recommended contingency added.

    Funding for the project comes from the gas tax, the city’s General Fund, Measure A Maintenance funds, Senate Bill 1 Road Maintenance and Rehabilitation Account 206, and the City of Roseville, which will contribute an estimated $13,500.

    Roseville’s contribution will cover the partial resurfacing of Whyte Avenue from Roseville Road to Crescendo Drive.

    Preparations have already been going on throughout 2024 and 2025 on multiple streets in order to prepare them for resurfacing in 2026, including storm drain, sidewalk, and ADA repairs, and the crack sealing of 72 streets.

    Accessibility regulations require the city to upgrade curb ramps, according to City Engineer Leslie Blomquist. Through the 2025 accessibility and storm drainage project, the city is spending just over $3 million on upgrading and repairing 128 accessible curb ramps, 7,800 feet of sidewalk, 1,700 feet of curb and gutters, and 2,300 linear feet of storm drain repairs, according to Blomquist.

    Through the rest of 2025 and 2026, the city expects to complete resurfacing on 125 streets in seven different phases or zones. The project will include some localized pavement repairs, which remove some asphalt and replace it before putting a top layer of resurfacing on.

    The project will include resurfacing through either a slurry seal or a multi-layer surfacing and then updated restriping.

    During a presentation to the City Council on Wednesday, Aug. 27, Blomquist shared a map of seven zones with highlighted streets expected to receive resurfacing. Streets in zones colored yellow will receive multi-layer resurfacing, and streets in zones colored blue will receive slurry seals.

    The first zone is expected to be completed by the end of October and includes resurfacing Antelope Road from the western city limits near Saybrook Drive to Lauppe Lane, as well as resurfacing Tupelo Drive from Antelope Road to Millwood Drive and Lichen Drive from Antelope Road to Brimstone Drive. Phase one of resurfacing is scheduled to be done at night.

    Other zones will be completed throughout 2026, including roadways around Mesa Verde High School, Carriage Drive Elementary, and Lichen K-8. The city will “strongly encourage” the contractor to work during school breaks, Blomquist said.

    Other zones will be repaved following as closely as possible the repairs of accessibility ramps. with most of the resurfacing being completed during the day except Oak Avenue, which the city said is likely to be resurfaced at night due to the high volume of traffic.

    Of the $8 million dollars in the contract approved last Wednesday, $1.4 million will go toward mill-and-fill, $800,000 will go toward slurry seals, $4.5 million is expected to go toward multi-layer resurfacing, and $1.275 million will go toward upgraded restriping following the resurfacing of streets.

    The three-year pavement preservation plan, which was adopted in 2023, identifies specific streets for resurfacing. The historic approach, Blomquist said, was to find the worst streets in the city and repave them, which was a “very costly approach” that led to very few streets getting repaved each year.

    The goal of the Three-Year Preservation Plan is a “preservation approach,” Blomquist said, which is designed to maintain and enhance existing infrastructure, rather than fully removing and replacing the top layer of asphalt.

    The city has recently completed two major resurfacing projects, including the resurfacing of Sunrise Boulevard from Greenback Lane to Madison Avenue, Macy Plaza Drive from Birdcage Street to Sunrise Boulevard, and Dewy Drive-Van Maren Lane from the city limits to Auburn Boulevard.

    The next resurfacing project on Antelope Road will begin shortly and is expected to be completed by the end of October, Blomquist said.

  • 2025 Citrus Heights Police Logs Spotlight: Aug. 28-Sept. 1

    Sentinel Staff report–
    Latest police logs for Citrus Heights show 191 vehicle violations, four animal control calls, and other incidents.

    Below are police log incidents from Aug. 28 to Sept. 1, 2025. Due to a recent state and federal holiday, police incident logs are not yet available for Sept. 2 and 3.

    • Fireworks: 1
    • Animal control: 4
    • 911 hangups: 21
    • Code enforcement: 5
    • Traffic accidents: 27
    • Vehicle violations: 191
    • Theft: 29
    • Homeless-related: 8
    • Vandalism: 7
    • Violent/threats: 27
    • Disturbance: 78
    • Suspicious circumstances: 123
    • All incidents: 882

    Arrest logs are available here. Incident Logs are accessible below.

    08-28-2025 Activity Log | 08-29-2025 Activity Log | 08-30-2025 Activity Log | 08-31-2025 Activity Log | 09-01-2025 Activity Log

    The Citrus Heights Police 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.”

    The Citrus Heights Police 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.

  • Citrus Heights Police investigating early morning stabbing

    Citrus Heights Police investigating early morning stabbing

    By Sara Beth Williams–
    Citrus Heights police are investigating a stabbing that occurred during a large fight that broke out in the early morning hours of Saturday.

    Around 2:15 a.m., officers responded to the 6700 block of Outlook Drive after receiving reports of a large fight involving 1o to 15 people. Upon arrival, police found a female victim who had been stabbed in the back. Authorities said the injury was non-life-threatening. The victim was transported to the hospital.

    Sgt. Ryan Smith with the Citrus Heights Police Department said there were “a lot of conflicting statements” provided at the scene, making it unclear what led to the altercation or who stabbed the victim. Police could not confirm whether the gathering was a house party, only that it involved a large number of people in front of a residence.

    Smith said one Hispanic female adult is a potential suspect in the case but, but no arrests have been made, and no one is currently in custody. The incident is still under investigation. Anyone with information is encouraged to contact the Citrus Heights Police Department at 916-727-5500.

  • Gas station and Sonic Drive-In now open

    A "NOW OPEN" banner hangs in front of a new gas station and Sonic Drive In on Antelope Rd. and Roseville Rd.
    A “NOW OPEN” banner hangs in front of a new gas station and Sonic Drive In on Antelope Rd. and Roseville Rd. // SB Williams

    By Sara Beth Williams–

    *This article has been updated to clarify that the Sonic Drive-In is set to open Sept. 15. It was previously slated to open earlier.

    A new AMPM ARCO gas station on the corner of Roseville Road and Antelope Road is now open for business.

    “Now Open” banners wave in the wind in front of new driveway entrances to the gas station and Sonic Drive-In. A sign on the restaurant indicates that the popular fast food chain will open on Sept. 15, although there were reports that the restaurant was scheduled to open earlier.

    The project also included constructing new sidewalks and landscaping along the corner, where there was once only a bike lane.

    The large corner lot was a vacant field for years before construction activity began.

    The complete project included the construction of a convenience store and adjacent Sonic restaurant, gas station canopy and eight pumps, six Drive-In parking spots for Sonic, as well as updates to the street in front of the businesses.

    A new dedicated right-hand turn lane has been added, without a median, and a third lane has also been added to accommodate the high volume of traffic that crosses the intersection daily.

    The northeastern corner lot is located at Roseville Pointe, a portion of unincorporated Sacramento County that was previously under consideration for annexation by the city of Citrus Heights. Potential annexation would expand the borders of Citrus Heights to include the lot at the corner of Antelope Road and Roseville Road, as well as a strip of nearby homes located along Roseville Road.

    An annexation study completed in 2022 and 2023 found that annexing Roseville Point would result in a negative financial impact to the city and plans to move forward were set aside.

    The border of Citrus Heights ends at Antelope Road and encompasses a business complex across the street on the opposite southeastern corner, which includes Starbucks, Subway, Jimboy’s Tacos, and other small businesses.

    Inspire Brands, which owns Sonic Drive-In, also owns Arby’s, Baskin Robbins, Buffalo Wild Wings, Dunkin’ Donuts, and Jimmy John’s Sandwiches. The company lists 32,000 restaurants on their website.

  • Car lot in Citrus Heights appears out of business

    Car lot in Citrus Heights appears out of business

    A vacant used car lot sits on the corner of Auburn Blvd. and Manzanita Ave.
    A vacant used car lot sits on the corner of Auburn Blvd. and Manzanita Ave. // SB Williams

    By Sara Beth Williams0–
    A used car dealership in Citrus Heights appears to have gone out of business.

    The car lot, located on the corner of Auburn Boulevard and Manzanita Avenue where the border of Citrus Heights ends and a portion of unincorporated Sacramento County begins, was once packed with multiple cars for sale, along with other signs and flags.

    The lot now appears vacant with zero signs of activity. The business is listed as permanently closed on Google.

    The three-fourths-acre lot has gone through multiple used car dealership business names over the years, including Julie’s Car Corner, Dream Motors, Nation’s Auto Care and 3M Motors, according to previous online listings from Yelp and an auto sales online business directory.

    Commercial brokers have recently marketed the site for lease as a “high-visibility corner lot” suitable for an auto dealership, contractor yard, drive-thru, or other similar use, according to a listing on commercial real estate site LoopNet.

    The lot includes a canopy with overhead lighting and a 1,100-square-foot building, according to the listing. Vertical iron fencing currently surrounds the empty lot.

    The corner sits at the intersection of Auburn Boulevard and Manzanita Avenue, where Mandarinate Avenue ends at Auburn Boulevard. The border of Citrus Heights includes the 5900 Auburn Blvd. lot, plus several other businesses adjacent at 5910 Auburn Blvd., including Poodle Nook Pet Grooming, Family Friends Veterinary Hospital and a sports club. The city’s border then veers east, toward Greenback Lane, leaving most of the adjacent neighborhoods in Sacramento County,

  • One arrested for battery after disturbance at Citrus Heights fast food restaurant

    One arrested for battery after disturbance at Citrus Heights fast food restaurant

    By Sara Beth Williams–
    Police arrested a man Tuesday morning after he caused a disturbance inside a local fast food restaurant, disrupting business and leaving at least one person injured.

    The incident began shortly after 10:30 a.m. on Sunrise Boulevard near Old Auburn Road when a man entered a McDonald’s and began causing a disturbance with customers and then employees. Originally witnesses had called reporting he was not wearing clothes. Police said Wednesday the man was wearing shorts, but no shirt, when officers arrived.

    Police said the man forced his way into employee-only areas, and punched at least one person.

    Police said the man did not attempt to rob the business, was not armed, and there was no indication drugs or alcohol were involved. Law enforcement noted that mental health issues may have been a factor.

    Upon arrival, officers detained the man without incident. The man, described as an adult male, was arrested on charges related to assault and battery. At this time, police do not believe he was a former employee of the restaurant. The incident is still under investigation.

     

  • September Events: What’s happening in Citrus Heights?

    September Events: What’s happening in Citrus Heights?

    by Sara Beth Williams–
    Several organizations are celebrating milestones and honoring lives this September with a 15th anniversary party, a 9/11 memorial service, and an inaugural concert in the park event.

    Royal Stage is turning 15: Royal Stage Theater is celebrating their 15th anniversary this year with four events over the course of two days, beginning on Friday, Sept. 5, 2025. The night begins with a community talent show and closes with a public worship service. Saturday, Sept. 6, kicks off with Free Class Day at the nonprofit’s studio.

    A Backyard Bash event scheduled for Sept. 27 closes out its anniversary celebration. For more details and to register, visit the performing arts company’s website. Royal Stage Theater is located at Sunrise Mall behind the former Macy’s Men’s.

    9/11 memorial service: Sylvan Cemetery will be hosting its annual 9/11 memorial service on the morning of Sept. 11. The ceremony will last about 30 minutes and is open to the public. The service will be held at the gazebo in the middle of the cemetery, and folding chairs will be available. Sylvan Cemetery is located at 7401 Auburn Blvd.

    Battle of the Bands: The eighth annual Battle of the Bands and BBQ, hosted by American Legion Post 637, is set for Saturday, Sept. 13, from 10:30 a.m. to 3 p.m. at the Historic Rusch Home and Gardens. The event will include live music from four bands and a barbeque dinner, as well as activities for both kids and adults. For tickets, visit the American Legion Post’s website. The closest parking lot to the Rusch Home and Gardens is located at Rush Drive and Rosswood Drive or at 7301 Antelope Rd.

    Bubble Bash: The Marketplace at Birdcage is hosting another Bubble Bash event, free to the community. Guests can enjoy giant bubbles, arts and crafts, face painting and endless foam zones. The event is scheduled to take place Saturday, Sept. 13 from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. at 5975 Birdcage Centre Ln. For more information, visit the event page.

     Citrus Heights Nights: The city of Citrus Heights is hosting a free community event called Citrus Heights Nights on Saturday, Sept. 19, from 6 to 9 p.m. at Van Maren Park. The event will feature a live concert, vendors, and activities for both kids and adults. For more information, visit the city’s website to find out the latest. Van Maren Park is located at 6601 Thalia Way.

    Library Book Sale: Sylvan Oaks Library will be holding a Friends at the Library book sale on Saturday, Sept. 6, from 11:00am to 3:00pm.Hundreds of gently used fiction and nonfiction books, games, and other items will be for sale. For more information, visit the library’s calendar of events page. The Sylvan Oaks Library is located at 6700 Auburn Blvd.

    *This article was updated to reflect the correct date for a Backyard Bash event

  • Long time Citrus Heights Chamber office administrator honored by city, regional leaders

    Renee Larscheid stands with the Citrus Heights City Council and City Manager holding proclamations given to her to honor her for 38 years of service to the Citrus Heights Chamber of Commerce. Wednesday, Aug. 27, 2025. // City of Citrus Heights
    Renee Larscheid stands with the Citrus Heights City Council and City Manager holding proclamations given to her to honor her for 38 years of service to the Citrus Heights Chamber of Commerce. Wednesday, Aug. 27, 2025. // City of Citrus Heights

    By Sara Beth Williams–
    Renee Larscheid was recently honored by the City of Citrus Heights for 38 years of service to the Citrus Heights Chamber of Commerce as its Membership Services and Office Administrator. The Chamber recently announced that Larscheid is retiring.

    Larscheid received a proclamation from the City of Citrus Heights Wednesday evening, Aug. 27 during the regular city council meeting. Councilmember Tim Schaefer praised her for her steadfast presence, noting she had served the Chamber for longer than the city had been in existence, as the city incorporated in 1997.

    Council members called Larscheid “calm,” “kind,” and a “voice of reassurance.” Mayor Jayna Karpinski-Costa called her “irreplaceable.”

    “I am truly honored to receive this proclamation from you,” Larscheid said, calling her experience working with the chamber “deeply rewarding.”

    Larscheid worked as a membership services and office administrator for the Chamber of Commerce, where she was in charge of scheduling and organizing multiple Chamber events and business ribbon cuttings, connecting businesses members with resources, and other duties with the Chamber. Executive Director Sheri Merrick during the council meeting expressed her gratitude to Larscheid for helping her through her first year after being appointed Executive Director in 2024.

    “Her historical knowledge and her love for this community have just been amazing,” Merrick said through tears.

    Representatives from the offices of Congressman Ami Bera, Senator Roger Niello, and Assemblyman Josh Hoover, as well as Sacramento Supervisor Rosario Rodriguez, also presented proclamations to Larscheid during the meeting and praised her for her service and committement.

    Larscheid also received an award during the annual Best of Citrus Heights awards ceremony dinner on Thursday, Aug. 20, where Merrick honored Larscheid for her service and dedication.

    Larscheid earned her Bachelor of Arts in communication studies at California State University of Sacramento and also graduated from the Institute for Organization Management in 2024, which is a prestigious Chamber Executive training program offered by the US Chamber of Commerce.

    Larscheid promised to stay around town, and Karpinski-Costa invited her to drop in on Area 10 Neighborhood Association meetings. Larscheid plans to travel during her retirement.

  • Citrus Heights Police make three proactive drug busts

    Several photos shared by the department show drugs packaged for sale, stacks of cash, and a firearm and two magazines. // Citrus Heights Police
    Several photos shared by the department show drugs packaged for sale, stacks of cash, and a firearm and two magazines. // Citrus Heights Police Department

    By Sara Beth Williams–
    The Citrus Heights Police Department reported three separate drug-related arrests on Sunday night, resulting in the seizure of narcotics, drug paraphernalia, and a firearm.

    Police highlighted the drug busts on their social media account Tuesday, including a Fentynal arrest, meth cocaine and firearm arrest, and probation search leading to a drug sales arrest.

    In the first case, officers observed a suspicious vehicle with several people gathered nearby. After making contact, officers located fentanyl and drug paraphernalia. A further search of the vehicle uncovered seven grams of fentanyl packaged for sale, along with additional evidence of drug sales. One individual was arrested for narcotics-related offenses.

    The second case began with a vehicle stop for code violations. Officers discovered the passenger was on parole. While speaking with the driver, police said a large bag of methamphetamine, later identified as weighing 49 grams, fell from her skirt. Two additional bags of meth were also recovered, and a subsequent search of the vehicle revealed a loaded firearm, two magazines, 10 more grams of cocaine, and further evidence of narcotics sales. Both the driver and passenger were taken into custody on drug and firearm-related charges.

    In the third incident, officers conducted a traffic stop involving a driver on searchable probation. A search of the vehicle led to the discovery of 1.5 ounces of meth and evidence of drug sales. The driver was arrested and booked into jail.

    Several photos shared by the department show drugs packaged for sale, stacks of cash, and a firearm and two magazines.

    Police said the three arrests highlight the department’s proactive enforcement efforts to reduce illegal drug activity in the community.