Author: Sara Beth Williams

  • Applications for affordable homes in Citrus Heights now open

    By Sara Beth Williams–
    Habitat for Humanity of Greater Sacramento is now accepting applications for the second phase of affordable homes for the Sayonara Housing Project in Citrus Heights, its largest project to date, according to the nonprofit’s CEO.

    On Friday, Aug. 15, the nonprofit celebrated a major milestone by raising the very first walls for two homes in Phase I of the project, which will involve three phases and 26 completed homes.

    The event brought together civic leaders, local nonprofits like the Kiwanis Club of Citrus Heights, a host of volunteers, and future Habitat homeowners to mark the start of vertical construction.

    Families purchasing homes through the program are required to contribute 500 hours of sweat equity toward the building process.

    Homes in Phase 2 of the housing project will include affordable three- and four-bedroom homes featuring energy-efficient designs to help homeowners save on utility costs.

    Available homes include: three-bedroom homes with two and a half baths, ranging from 1,199 to 1,247 square feet and four-bedroom homes with two baths, totaling 1,452 square feet

    To apply, interested first-time homebuyers must attend either an in-person or virtual orientation before beginning the application process. Applications will be accepted through Oct. 1.

    Homeownership loans are financed at 30 percent of a homeowner’s gross monthly income, with the equivalent of zero percent interest over 30 years, according to a Habitat for Humanity press release.

    For more details or to begin the application process, visit Habitat for Humanity Greater Sacramento’s website at habitatgreatersac.org/apply.

  • Obituary: Randy Ray Pitzner (1953-2025)

    Randy Ray PitznerMarch 13, 1953 – July 24, 2025
    Randy Ray Pitzner
    March 13, 1953 – July 24, 2025

    Submitted by Sandy Pitzner–
    Randy Ray Pitzner, beloved husband, father, grandfather, great-grandfather, brother, and friend, passed away peacefully on July 24, 2025, in Sacramento, California, surrounded by his loving family. He was 72.

    Born on March 13, 1953, in Wisconsin, Randy carried with him fond memories of his childhood—walking home from school, picking rhubarb, and savoring it as he walked. These simple joys shaped the man he would become: grounded, sincere, and full of life.

    As a child, Randy moved with his family to Folsom, California, where he spent his formative years. In 1971 at the age of 18 he enlisted in the Air Force. He proudly served 14 years as a reservist.

    At the age of 19 he married the love of his life, Sandy, after a determined and heartfelt pursuit. Their bond was one of deep love and unwavering partnership. Together 53 years, they built a life in Sacramento, raising two sons, Rick and Michael, and creating a home filled with love, laughter, adventure, and integrity.

    Randy had a passion for travel and took great joy in exploring the vast beauty of the United States. He especially loved camping trips with family and friends, where stories were shared around the fire and memories were made under the stars. He played softball in his younger years and later coached his sons’ Little League baseball teams, always showing up with enthusiasm and support.

    A lifelong dog lover, Randy’s early experiences raising German Shorthairs with his father instilled a deep appreciation for animals that he passed down to his children. He was a man of principle—honest, loyal, and true to his word. Though not perfect, Randy lived by a strong moral compass and was always there for those in need.

    Randy was a Christian and a member of the Mariposa Avenue Church of Christ. His faith and love for the church and the community within the church gave him comfort and peace.

    Randy is preceded in death by his parents, Betty and Darrell; his brothers Rick and Harlan. He is survived by his devoted wife Sandy; his sons Rick and Michael; his grandchildren Kori, Samantha and TJ; son in law Brian; granddaughter in law Brooklyn; his great-grandchildren Chase, Elijah, Robert, Everleigh, and Raelyn; and his brothers Willie and Joey; And nieces and nephews.

    He will be remembered for his generous spirit, his love of buffets, and his boundless appetite for life. Randy was a great friend, a loving patriarch, and a man whose legacy will live on in the hearts of all who knew him.

    His service will be August 23, 2025 at 11:00 am at Mariposa Avenue Church of Christ, 7111 Mariposa Avenue, Citrus Heights, CA 95610

    A celebration of life will follow immediately after at the Folsom Moose Lodge, 203 Scott Street, Folsom, CA 95830

    In lieu of flowers, please contribute to your favorite charity.

  • 2025 Citrus Heights Police Logs Spotlight: Aug. 7-13

    Sentinel Staff report–
    Latest police logs for Citrus Heights show an increase in vehicle violations while showing a decrease in code enforcement calls and disturbances. Below are police log incidents from Aug. 7-13, 2025.

    • Fireworks: 2 (down from 4)
    • Animal control: 5 (down from 10)
    • 911 hangups: 34 (down from 55)
    • Code enforcement: 28 (down from 40)
    • Traffic accidents: 41 (up from 31) V
    • Vehicle violations: 334 (up from 288)
    • Theft: 35 (down from 36)
    • Homeless-related: 22 (down from 27)
    • Vandalism: 5 (down from 8)
    • Violent/threats: 23 (up from 22)
    • Disturbance: 77 (down from 91)
    • Suspicious circumstances: 165 (down from 179)
    • All incidents: 1299 (down from 1314)

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

    08-07-2025 Activity Log08-08-2025 Activity Log08-09-2025 Activity Log | 08-10-2025 Activity Log | 08-11-2025 Activity Log08-12-2025 Activity Log08-13-2025 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.

  • Crews respond to early morning dumpster fire in Citrus Heights

    Crews respond to early morning dumpster fire in Citrus Heights

    By Sara Beth Williams–
    Citrus Heights Police and fire crews responded to a small fire early Friday morning in a parking lot located between Sunrise Boulevard and Birdcage Street.

    According to Metro Fire District Captain Mark Nunez, crews responded just before 4 a.m. on Friday morning, Aug. 15 to 5623 Sunrise Blvd. Initial callers reported fire to be coming from a trash can, spreading to a nearby fence, outside a local restaurant. Crews arrived to find the fire burning behind the building and began checking for possible extension into the structure.

    Captain Nunez confirmed that the blaze had not spread to the restaurant and began releasing crews from the scene after 4:14 a.m.

    No injuries were reported, and the cause of the fire remains under investigation.

  • Martial Arts academy coming to Citrus Heights

    Martial Arts academy coming to Citrus Heights

    A new martial arts academy is planned for the iconic building that once held Hollywood Video. // SB Williams
    A new martial arts academy is planning to open at 7010 Sunrise Blvd., in the iconic building that once held Hollywood Video. // SB Williams

    By Sara Beth Williams–
    A long-vacant building with a nostalgic history and recognizable architectural design has a new tenant.

    United Martial Arts Academy in Citrus Heights has filled the space that was once home to Hollywood Video in the Copperwood Square shopping center in Citrus Heights. The iconic building, with its unique architectural design easily spotted from the boulevard, was once home to Hollywood Video, the famed rival of Blockbuster Video during the heyday of video rentals.

    Hollywood Video’s last US stores closed on July 31, 2010, following a bankruptcy filing and liquidation sale. After Hollywood Video in Citrus Heights closed, the space was taken over by Aaron’s Rents, a furniture and electronics rental store.

    In recent years, the building has remained vacant until now.

    Significant activity has been seen at the site of the store, with exterior remodeling and painting occurring over the last month. Work on the floors is in progress, the Sentinel found during a visit to the site on Thursday.

    According to the United Martial Arts Academy website, a new location in Citrus Heights is listed as “Coming Soon.” As well, a banner on the store’s front windows confirms that the location is coming soon. The business owner was not able to be contacted before press time Thursday.

    The martial arts academy offers classes for adults, teens, and kids and toddlers aged 4-5 years old, and also offers party bookings, its website shows.

    United Martial Arts Academy serves Orangevale, Fair Oaks, Carmichael, North Highlands, Antelope, Roseville, and surrounding communities.

    The Copperwood Square shopping center is anchored by FoodMaxx, Dollar Tree, and Planet Fitness. The United Martial Arts Academy building, located at 7010 Sunrise Blvd., was built in 1986, is a stand-alone building in the center, with restaurants Country Waffles and R Vida Cantina located on either side.

  • New Citrus Heights arts district to host parking lot party

    A mural painted by artist Amie Nowell, one of many murals that are part of the new CH40 arts district. This small rendition of "Starry Night" is painted on the back of Elite Bicycles. // SB Williams
    A mural painted by artist Amie Nowell, one of many murals that are part of the new CH40 arts district. // SB Williams

    By Sara Beth Williams–
    The new CH 40 Arts District is set to kick off with a parking lot launch party on Saturday, Aug. 16, 2025.

    The celebration will take place in the parking lot of DarkHeart Brewing at Auburn Boulevard and Old Auburn Road, and promises an afternoon of live music, food, art, and “community vibes” in the heart of the city’s emerging cultural corridor.

    The event will begin at 12 p.m., and guests can expect a mix of entertainment from local musicians and DJs and speakers, and will include vendors, food and drink and along with opportunities to connect with artists.

    Vendor spots are free, but space is limited. An application is required, and booths will be assigned on a first-come, first-served basis.

    Gigi Rayford, founder of the Citrus Heights Arts District, said the event marks an important milestone in the city’s efforts to “bring life and energy” to the city.

    “We want the arts district to be about revitalizing the art corridor,” Rayford said, referring to Auburn Boulevard. “As far out as we are, we’d like people to come from all around.”

    The newly established arts district has already had commissioned multiple murals painted along Auburn Boulevard, including multiple murals at DarkHeart Brewing, one on the back wall of Ciro’s Pizza, another in progress near WhatsupStairs and Bearpaw Outlet, and another at Elite Bicycles on Auburn Boulevard. Several more murals are planned, Rayford said, with the goal of completing all murals before the annual Art Beat in October.

    Citrus Heights Arts also recently announced Senator Roger Niello as the first Founding Sponsor of the CH 40 Arts District in a social media post earlier last week.

    The CH 40 Arts District initiative seeks to transform sections of Citrus Heights into a hub for visual and performing arts, cultural events, and creative business activity with the hope of boosting business by attracting visitors, increasing foot traffic, and creating a vibrant destination where people want to shop, dine, and spend time.

  • Citrus Heights organizations help students, schools prepare for new school year

    2025-26 first day of school in the San Juan Unified School District // San Juan Unified School District
    2025-26 first day of school in the San Juan Unified School District // San Juan Unified School District

    By Sara Beth Williams–
    The San Juan Unified School district kicked off the 2025-26 school year Thursday, Aug. 14 and shared messages of excitement on its social media page, including video messages from students from Mesa Verde High School, and other schools in the region.

    Staff and students from Mesa Verde, and other elementary, middle and high schools shared how they will help make San Juan Unified’s core values “come to life.” this upcoming school year.

    “Smiles, high-fives and new beginnings filled classrooms and hallways during the first day of school and we were happy to capture those unforgettable moments,” the district wrote online.

    As the new school year begins in Citrus Heights, several local organizations have stepped up to help local schools and students with tools they need to succeed by providing backpacks and essential school supplies.

    Area 11
    For over a decade, Area 11 volunteers have collected backpacks, sanitation wipes, and other school supplies for Skycrest Elementary and Kingswood K-8. Area 11 secretary and treasurer Kathleen Wright said a core group of about ten volunteers gathers donations each summer and delivers them directly to schools once the new year begins. The Neighborhood Area is still accepting donations. To set up a time to drop off donations, residents can email Kathlynn at kjw545@sbcglobal.net

    This year’s deliveries are planned for the second week of school.

    Heights Church
    Heights Church has been supporting schools in the city for at least the last eight years, according to outreach coordinator Dan DeGeorge. The effort to help local students initially began with a backpack drive and later shifted to providing specific school supplies items schools request most. DeGeorge said donations are divided among 12 area schools and typically delivered by the second week of the school year.

    Sunrise Marketplace
    Sunrise Marketplace hosted a back-to-school giveaway according to a post on its official social media account, offering five students a backpack filled with school supplies valued up to $150, plus a $50 gift card to a local business. Winners were announced on Aug. 4.

    Single Mom Strong
    At the end of July, Single Mom Strong hosted its annual backpack giveaway event for students of single moms, where families who registered in advance received up to three backpacks per family. Families came together to choose age-appropriate backpacks and browse a wide selection of supplies, including binders, folders, notebooks, pens, pencils, markers, glue, and more. A receptionist with Single Mom Strong said there were at least 50 backpacks handed out to families this year.

    The Citrus Heights Police Department and Citrus Heights City Council would like to remind drivers to be extra aware and cautious on the roads and to expect more vehicle, pedestrian and bicycle traffic in school zones, especially in the first several days of school. Traffic safety plans are in place and law enforcement is actively patrolling school zones to help ensure the safety of students and families as they travel to school.

  • Citrus Heights Water District breaks ground on new groundwater wells to boost supply reliability

    Citrus Heights Water District breaks ground on new groundwater wells to boost supply reliability

    The Citrus Heights Water District broke ground on two new specialized water wells on Aug. 6, 2025. // Citrus Heights Water District
    The Citrus Heights Water District broke ground on two new specialized water wells on Aug. 6, 2025. // Citrus Heights Water District

    By Sara Beth Williams–
    Construction is underway on two new groundwater wells that Citrus Heights Water District leaders say will strengthen the community’s water reliability and lessen dependence on Folsom Lake during times of drought.

    A groundbreaking ceremony took place on Wednesday, Aug. 6, on two wells which will have the ability to both store water for use, and pump water back into the ground. Local and regional officials, as well as water district officials, attended the groundbreaking ceremony.

    According to an Aug. 6 press release, the $6.6 million project is backed by a mix of federal, state, and regional funding, including more than $2 million in Community Project Funding secured by U.S. Congressman Ami Bera. Additional grant support comes from the Regional Water Authority and the state.

    Bera called the wells “a smart investment in public health and economic security,” adding that he plans to continue supporting the water district’s work to provide “reliable and sustainable water supply for families and businesses in Citrus Heights.”

    A key feature of the new wells is aquifer storage and recovery technology, which allows water to be pumped underground in wet years and withdrawn during dry spells. Water District officials say this approach benefits their customers and also bolsters the overall health of the Sacramento region’s water supply.

    The new wells will help decrease reliance on water from Folsom Lake, according to local news outlets. When completed, the wells will each be capable of delivering more than a thousand gallons of water a minute.

    The construction of new wells follows after the City of Roseville’s construction of underground water storage which took place last year. According to a social media post, the city is in the midst of building the above-ground infrastructure to make those wells fully operational.

    Known as Wells #7 and #8, the new facilities in Citrus Heights are part of the water district’s ongoing Groundwater Expansion and Reinvestment Program. CHWD Board President Ray Riehle said the investment reflects the district’s long-term commitment to safe, reliable, and affordable water service, according to the release.

    “We should all be proud of this investment for our community and future generations,” Riehle said. “These wells represent our mission in action.”

  • Annual Hawaiian Luau at Veterans Community Center in Citrus Heights canceled

    Vereans Community Center
    The Veterans Community Center on Sylvan Road in Citrus Heights. // CH Sentinel

    By Sara Beth Williams–
    The Veterans Community Center has announced that their annual Hawaiian Luau has been canceled this year, due to the passing of founder Jeanne Rounsavell.

    Rounsevall passed on Aug. 10, the community center reported on their social media page. A viewing was held during the week at Price Funeral Home. Rounsavell’s husband, Jim, also passed away in 2021.

    The annual fundraising event was originally scheduled to take place on Aug. 25 of this year, and is one of their largest fundraisers. The event typically features live music and entertainment from a Hawaiian dance group, who has performed for several years in a row.

    In a 2024 interview, Jeanne Rounsavell said the Hawaiian Luau is one of two large fundraisers held annually. All funds raised help maintain the building and pay for meals offered to veterans during the week, with some funds also going toward future projects.

    The Veteran’s Community Center is located at 6921 Sylvan Rd. The center was founded by Jeanne and Jim Rounsavell in 2013 and is maintained by unpaid volunteers.

  • Veterans Community Center mourns loss of founder Jeanne Rounsavell

    Jeanne Rounsavell stands next to a photo and memorabilia of her late husband, Jim Rounsavell. // M. Hazlip
    Jeanne Rounsavell stands next to a photo and memorabilia of her late husband, Jim Rounsavell. // M. Hazlip

    By Sara Beth Williams–
    The Citrus Heights community is mourning the loss of Veterans Community Center founder Jeanne Rounsavell, who passed away on Sunday, Aug. 10, the Veterans Community Center announced.

    “It is with a heavy heart that [we announce] the passing of Jeanne this morning,” the Veterans Community Center shared in a post on social media, adding that Aug. 10 was also her birthday. The announcement prompted an outpouring of condolences from friends, supporters, and community members who remembered her warmth, dedication, and kindness.

    In a followup, the community center announced that a viewing service will be held this Thursday, Aug. 14, from 1 p.m. to 3 p.m. in the chapel at Price Funeral Home, 6335 Sunrise Blvd., Citrus Heights. A brief obituary will be posted on the Price Funeral Home website by Tuesday. Organizers have extended an open invitation to anyone wishing to pay their final respects to Jeanne. Guests are welcome to bring a small item to place with her, which will remain with her.

    “We understand not everyone is comfortable with a viewing,” organizers said. “But for those who wish to say goodbye, we hope you will join us and please share this invitation so others whose lives Jeanne touched will know.”

    In honor of Jeanne, the Veterans Community Center will be closed Monday, Aug. 11, through Friday, Aug. 15.

    Jeanne founded the nonprofit Veterans Community Center with her late husband, Jim Rounsavell, with the goal of creating a place where all veterans could feel welcome and supported. Jim passed away in 2021, and a celebration of life was held for him in July of that year.

    The Center was secured by the Veterans Golf Park for Disabled Vets, a 501(c)3 California non-profit Corporation, the vision of the Rounsavells who are Veterans themselves.

    During a previous interview, Jeanne reflected on the couple’s shared mission, noting that she worked alongside her husband to operate the center and later cared for him during his final years. Together, they built the center into a hub for camaraderie, resources, and community spirit for local veterans.