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Author: Sara Beth Williams

  • Election Day sees steady voter traffic at Citrus Heights vote centers

    Vote Here Sign. Special Election Day, 11-4-25
    Vote Here Sign. Special Election Day, 11/4/25 // SB Williams

    By Sara Beth Williams–
    Residents could be seen lined up outside of the Citrus Heights Event Center on Election Day, held Tuesday, Nov. 4 for the 2025 Special Election. Voting inspectors at both the Citrus Heights Event Center and Edify Church said voter turnout had been good so far within the first two hours of the centers being open Tuesday.

    Shawnda Hatfield, voting inspector at the Citrus Heights Event Center, which opened Oct. 25 for in-person voting, said the number of voters steadily increased from Oct. 25 through the weekend and into Tuesday morning, but that election day had so far seen the most voting activity.

    Clerk Shawn Cali0uette and voting inspector Mike Sheeley at Edify Church said that voting traffic typically peaks on election day at the church’s location, with many of the voters coming from the surrounding neighborhoods. Both Sheeley and Cali0uette have served at Edify Church for five election cycles and said the atmosphere of this election day has felt more neutral and less politicized.

    Cali0uette said there was a steady stream of people coming in to vote and that there were multiple residents also coming in to drop off their ballots.

    Both locations have secure ballot drop boxes for mail-in ballots and offer both paper voting and touch screen voting. Hatfield explained that touch screen voting is exactly the same as voting by paper and that after an individual votes using the touch screen, the ballot is printed off and placed into a secure bag, along with all other paper ballots.

    Cali0uette explained that the touch screen machine is not connected to the internet, and serves as a printer to print off a ballot after it’s been filled out. Touch screen machines are helpful for those with disabilities who have difficulty using a paper ballot. Caliouette acknowledged that the older generation does prefer voting by paper.

    In Citrus Heights, two locations are open Tuesday until 8 pm for voting in person, and multiple locations also still offer secure ballot drop-off boxes for voters who want to drop off their mail-in ballot.

    In-person voting centers:

    • Citrus Heights Event Center, 6300 Fountain Square Drive:
      Election Day, Nov. 4, from 7 a.m.–8 p.m.
      Spanish language assistance available on-site.
    • Edify Church, (formerly Citrus Heights Fellowship) located at 7405 Mariposa Ave.
      Election day from 7 a.m. to 4 p.m. No language assistance will be available.

    Ballot Drop boxes: 

    • Citrus Heights City Hall, located at 6360 Fountain Square Drive has an official ballot drop off box open 24 hours a day. The ballot box will close officially at 8 p.m. on Election Day.
    • Sylvan Oaks Library, located at 6700 Auburn Blvd.
      Election Day hours: 10 a.m. to 4 p.m.
    • Rusch Park Community Center, located at 7801 Auburn Blvd.
      Hours: Monday through Friday from 8:30 a.m. to 12 p.m., and 1 p.m. to 4 p.m.
    • Citrus Heights Event Center, 6300 Fountain Square Drive:
      Election Day, Nov. 4, from 7 a.m.–8 p.m.
      Spanish language assistance available on-site.
    • Edify Church, (formerly Citrus Heights Fellowship) located at 7405 Mariposa Ave.
      Election day from 7 a.m. to 4 p.m. No language assistance will be available.

    For more information on voting locations in Citrus Heights and surrounding jurisdictions, visit the Sacramento County Elections Office website.

  • New survey on trash and recycling services open

    Republic Services garbage truck, during neighborhood pickup.
    Republic Services garbage truck. // SB Williams

    By Sara Beth Williams–
    The City of Citrus Heights launched a new FlashVote survey on Tuesday seeking resident feedback about current trash and recycling services throughout the community.

    The short, 48-hour survey asks participants to share their opinions on the value, quality, and reliability of their weekly waste collection services. Questions include how residents rate their satisfaction with garbage, recycling, and organics pickup in relation to the amount they pay each month.

    Residents are also asked to identify what type of home they live in, and to share how often they use additional waste-related services provided at no extra cost. These services include options such as extra cardboard recycling, free compost pickup at designated locations, used oil and household battery recycling, leaf bag collection, and bulky waste pickup.

    The survey invites respondents to select all applicable services their household has used within the past year. Participants are then asked to offer suggestions on what they would change about existing trash and recycling services and to provide any additional comments related to waste management in Citrus Heights.

    City officials use FlashVote surveys as a tool for gathering quick community input on specific topics. Each survey remains open for 48 hours and typically includes a small number of multiple-choice questions, with space for short written feedback. Residents who sign up for FlashVote receive notifications by email or text message whenever a new survey opens.

    According to the city, survey results are anonymous, and all data collected helps inform future city decisions about service contracts, programs, and community priorities. Feedback from this survey will assist city staff and elected officials in evaluating how current waste collection services are performing and identifying opportunities for improvement.

    Residents can participate in the survey by visiting the FlashVote link on the City of Citrus Heights website or signing up at FlashVote.com. The survey will remain open for 48 hours from its launch on Tuesday before closing.

    FlashVote surveys have become a regular part of the city’s community engagement strategy since their introduction several years ago. Previous surveys have gathered input on topics such as road maintenance, code enforcement, public safety, and shopping habits. City officials have said that the quick-response format helps them make decisions based on real-time community feedback.

  • Citrus Heights food closet anticipates surge of requests amid potential SNAP disruptions

    Dozens of vehicles wait in line at Sunrise Christian Food Ministry for food. // SB Williams
    Dozens of vehicles wait in line at Sunrise Christian Food Ministry for food. // SB Williams

    By Sara Beth Williams–
    Sunrise Christian Food Ministry in Citrus Heights has already seen an increase in the number of families seeking help to keep food on the table amid a potential disruption in food assistance benefits.

    Director April Jacek said last week the organization has been preparing for a surge in requests. Already during the week of Oct. 27-31, she has seen 30 new families per day arriving at the closet. Jacek said most families come in the beginning of the month, and she expects an even higher rise in clients this coming week.

    Over a week ago, the federally funded Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program known as SNAP, which helps low-income families afford food by providing monthly benefits on an electronic benefits transfer card, reported that necessary funding to continue the program had been depleted, according to multiple national news outlets. Friday, Oct. 31, a federal judge ordered the U.S. Department of Agriculture to fund the SNAP program using contingency funds.

    At the time of publication, SNAP funding hasn’t been restored, and there are ongoing legal efforts to address the situation at the national level.

    “In the event the food closet is overwhelmed with a substantially greater number of clients, we have created a contingency plan to manage the need,” Jacek said, adding that the organization will “monitor the situation closely and respond accordingly.”

    On Friday, Jacek said all four lanes were filled with vehicles during the first hour of the food distribution, which is reserved for elderly and disabled individuals, but overall, the amount of traffic was manageable so far.

    Along with asking the city to reassess and assist with improving traffic flow and control measures, Jacek said the food closet has partnered with California Northstate University in Rancho Cordova which has offered the use of their parking lot for the National Guard to help pack bags of food.

    The Sunrise Christian Food Ministry is located at 5901 San Juan Ave. and has shifted from a walk-up to a drive thru model following the COVID-19 pandemic.

    Distribution of food begins at 11 a.m. Monday, Tuesday, Thursday and Friday for guests who are 60 years of age and older, disabled clients displaying a valid disability placard issued in their name, or homeless individuals. Food distribution continues at 12 noon for anyone under 60 and ends at 1:30 p.m. Wednesday evenings, the food closet distributes food from 5 to 6:30 p.m.

    For more food resources, residents can contact 211 or visit the Sacramento Food Bank’s website.

    Other local nonprofits and residents in Citrus Heights are also responding to the disruption in food assistance benefits. Several residents in Citrus Heights Facebook groups have offered to collect donations of food and other items and distribute to families in need.

    Sunrise MarketPlace has organized a Fall Food Drive, where residents can donate food beginning on Nov. 3.

    Single Mom Strong, a local nonprofit that supports families with single mothers with various resources, is also responding to the anticipated need by launching a grocery gift card drive to provide immediate relief for households affected by the benefit disruption. To find out more information or donate, visit Single Mom Strong’s website.

    Want to share your thoughts on this story? Submit a letter to the editor or opinion column: Click here.

  • Proactive code enforcement activity rises sharply in Citrus Heights, police report

    The Citrus Heights Police Department shared before and after photos of proactive progress made by the department's Code Enforcement team in 2025. Oct. 22, 2025. // SB Williams
    Screenshot, the Citrus Heights Police Department shared before and after photos of proactive progress made by the department’s Code Enforcement team in 2025. Oct. 22, 2025. // SB Williams

    By Sara Beth Williams–
    The Citrus Heights Police Department’s Code Enforcement team has more than doubled its proactive enforcement efforts over the last two years, according to officials.

    In an update to the Citrus Heights City Council in October, Sgt. William Dunning highlighted the department’s enforcement team’s proactive efforts and reported that the team has seen major gains in both proactive enforcement and overall enforcement activity.

    From 2023 to 2024, total code enforcement incidents rose by 41 percent, from 2,204 to 3,100. Proactive inspections more than doubled during that period, increasing 127 percent from 533 cases to 1,211 cases. Citizen-generated complaints also rose 13 percent, from 1,671 to 1,889.

    The number of cases opened tripled, up 329 percent from 24 in 2023 to 103 in 2024, while cases closed also increased over 300 percent, from 24 to 100.

    Comparing data for the first nine months of 2024 and 2025, the trend toward proactive enforcement continued, Dunning said. Total incidents rose 24 percent, from 2,327 in 2024 to 2,890 in 2025. Proactive inspections surged 144 percent, from 867 last year through September, to 2,117 so far this year through September. In contrast, citizen-generated complaints dropped 47 percent, from 1,460 to 773.

    The number of cases opened jumped 153 percent year-over-year, from 60 in 2024 to 152 in 2025.

    Dunning said the most common code violations involved neglected landscaping, trash and debris, and graffiti, and shared several before and after photos of cleaned-up graffiti, and weed abatement efforts.

    The increases in proactivity and calls to service are due to the departmental shift in from a complaint-based code enforcement model to a proactive enforcement model over the last two years, Dunning said. As part of its transition to a more proactive based approach, the department has established code enforcement teams in specific beats or commercial corridors areas within the city, and has also initiated monthly proactive calls to service for specific high-need areas in the city.

    In addition to reviewing recent accomplishments, Dunning outlined upcoming initiatives. The department is currently reviewing and preparing amendments to the city’s food vendor ordinance with the goal of enhancing the local shopping experience and supporting “shop local” efforts.

    Dunning also reported that the department is in the research phase of amending the ordinance governing massage establishments. The proposed updates are intended to help prevent illicit business activity and align with the city’s ongoing anti-human trafficking initiatives.

    Want to share your thoughts on code enforcement in Citrus Heights? Submit a letter to the editor or opinion column: Click here.

  • Roller rink still for sale in Citrus Heights, drops price by $1M

    Sunrise Rollerland, Citrus Heights, CA
    Sunrise Rollerland, Citrus Heights // SB Williams

    By Sara Beth Williams–
    Sunrise Rollerland, a business which has operated in Citrus Heights for over 50 years, is now listed for sale at $4.35 million, a $1 million dollar price cut compared to its original listing price.

    Real estate broker Tony Wood with eXp Commercial told The Sacramento Business Journal that there has been a lot of interest in the property from national buyers. However, Wood said buyers are hesitant due to the economic demands of California, which requires a higher price than other states.

    The roller rink is still open and offers group lessons, birthday party packages and multiple sessions for children and adults throughout the week. For more information on sessions and cost, visit the roller rink’s website. Sunrise Rollerland is located at 6001 Sunrise Vista Drive.

    The roller rink has been a staple family friendly entertainment center since before Citrus Heights incorporated, hosting skating lessons, sessions for all ages, sock-hops, birthday parties, skating competitions, and much more. Located behind Sunrise Mall, the roller rink has also stood witness to the rise and fall of the mall.

    Current Sunrise Rollerland owner Ken Neutz said in a phone call with The Sentinel last spring that they’re only looking for buyers who want to continue to use the building as a roller rink, but Wood mentioned that he’s also getting interest from buyers who are contemplating different uses.

    Potential use possibilities have ranged from batting cages and gymnastics to a retail use with no recreational aspect, according to The Journal.

    Sunrise Rollerland is among the oldest businesses in the city, while the rink is “among the oldest anywhere,” according to the broker. The rink is one of the largest in the world, according to the real estate listing.

    According to Neutz, Roller King, just outside the city’s border in Roseville, and The Rink in Sacramento were also built around the same time, just before Rollerland was constructed.

    Wood did not respond before press deadline to a request for comment by The Sentinel.

    Read about the history of Sunrise Rollerland: One of Citrus Heights’ oldest businesses listed for sale at nearly $5.4M – Citrus Heights Sentinel

    Want to share your thoughts on one of the city’s oldest businesses? Submit a letter to the editor or opinion column: Click here.

  • November 2025 Events: What’s happening in Citrus Heights this month?

    Veterans Day, 2020.
    File photo, Veterans Day Ceremony, Sylvan Cemetery, 2020. // CH Sentinel

    By Sara Beth Williams–
    November brings a mix of civic events, family-friendly performances, and opportunities to give back to the community, including the City’s annual State of the City address, Veterans Day observances, local theater productions, and holiday craft fairs.

    Kids Commerce Biz Expo: The Citrus Heights Chamber of Commerce will host a Kids Commerce Biz Expo and Career Fair on Wednesday, Nov. 5, from 4 to 8 p.m. at Citrus Heights City Hall in the community room. The event gives local youth entrepreneurs a chance to showcase their products and business ideas. Admission is free, and the public is encouraged to attend and support the next generation of young business owners. For more information, visit the Chamber of Commerce website. Citrus Heights City Hall is located at 6360 Fountain Square Drive.

    Mitchell Farms Documentary Screening: A special screening of a documentary featuring long-time resident Ted Mitchell and Mitchell Farms will take place on Thursday, Nov. 6, at 6 p.m. at the Citrus Heights Event Center. The event will feature a viewing of a special historical documentary followed by a short discussion. The Event Center is located at 6300 Fountain Square Drive.

    State of the City Address and Reception: Also on Thursday, Nov. 6, the City of Citrus Heights will host its annual State of the City address and reception at 6 p.m. in the City Hall Council Chambers. City leaders will highlight major projects, community milestones, and future plans for Citrus Heights. A reception will follow the presentation. For more information, visit the city’s website. Citrus Heights City Hall is located at 6360 Fountain Square Drive.

    Veterans Day Ceremony: The annual Veterans Day ceremony at Sylvan Cemetery will take place on Tuesday, Nov. 11, at 11 a.m. The event is hosted by American Legion Post 637 and will feature guest speakers, special music by the Folsom Harmony Express, a rifle salute, and the playing of Taps at the cemetery gazebo. Folding chairs will be available, with additional standing room provided. For more information, visit the event page. Sylvan Cemetery is located at 7401 Auburn Blvd.

    Veterans Day Concert: A free, family-friendly Veterans Day concert will take place at the Citrus Heights Veterans Community Center beginning at 12 p.m. Hot dogs will be available for $5. The concert is scheduled from 12:30 to 1:30 p.m., followed by a flag retirement ceremony at 1:45 p.m. For more information, visit the Veterans Community Center Facebook page. The Veterans Community Center is located at 6921 Sylvan Road.

    Fall Food Drive: Sunrise MarketPlace is hosting a Fall Food Drive from Nov. 3 through Nov. 14. Donations of nonperishable food items can be dropped off at the Sunrise MarketPlace office, located at 8095 Greenback Ln., between 10 a.m. and 3 p.m., Monday through Friday. For a list of suggested items, visit the business district’s website.

    The Best Christmas Pageant Ever: Royal Stage will present The Best Christmas Pageant Ever at the Royal Stage Theatre inside Sunrise Mall from Nov. 13 through 16. Showtimes include Thursday through Sunday evenings, with matinee performances on Saturday and Sunday. For ticket information and ticket sales, visit royalstage.org.

    The Secret Garden: Later in the month, Royal Stage will present The Secret Garden from Nov. 22 through 25 at the Royal Stage Theatre inside Sunrise Mall. Performances will be held Thursday through Sunday evenings, with matinees on Saturday and Sunday. For more information and ticket sales, visit royalstage.org.

    Rusch Park Holiday Craft Fair: Sunrise Recreation and Park District will host its 11th annual Holiday Craft Fair on Saturday, Nov. 22, from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. at the Rusch Park Community Center. The event will feature handmade crafts, seasonal decorations, and gifts from local artisans. Admission is free. For more information, visit the park district’s event page. Rusch Park is located at 7801 Auburn Blvd.

  • Citrus Heights Chamber to host ‘Kids Commerce’ biz expo, career fair

    By Sara Beth Williams–
    The Citrus Heights Chamber of Commerce is inviting the community to City Hall on Wednesday, Nov. 5, for an evening that blends creativity, commerce, and career opportunity. From 4-6 p.m., the Community Room at City Hall will be transformed into a hub of innovation during the Kids Commerce Biz Expo & Career Fair.

    The event will spotlight local students who have just completed a six-week entrepreneurial program in partnership with Junior Achievement. After weeks of preparation, these students are ready to launch their own small businesses and present their creative products and services to the public. Community members will have the chance to engage with these young entrepreneurs, offering encouragement and support as they take their first steps into the world of business ownership.

    The expo also serves as a career fair, where local employers and organizations will connect with families and students to showcase career opportunities and pathways. The Chamber emphasizes that this element of the event not only allows students to begin exploring their future options, but also gives companies the chance to connect with emerging workforce talent.

    Alongside the student-run businesses, vendor booths from the local business community will line the room, providing opportunities for professionals and organizations to network while also supporting youth entrepreneurship. The Chamber describes the event as both a celebration of student achievement and a powerful investment in the future of Citrus Heights.

    Tickets are now on sale for the community to attend, and local businesses are encouraged to get involved. Vendor booths are available for $200, with limited space. Sponsorship opportunities are also open, offering companies the chance to gain added visibility while demonstrating their commitment to youth development and local business growth.

    The Chamber of Commerce is encouraging residents, business leaders, and families alike to take part in this inspiring evening, which promises to highlight the creativity and determination of the city’s next generation of entrepreneurs.

  • Citrus Heights Historical Society to present Ted Mitchell Farms documentary

    Citrus Heights Historical Society had the honor of recognizing Ted Mitchell. Ted is a valued supporter of the Historical Society and wealth of knowledge for Citrus Heights history. // Citrus Heights Historical Society
    Citrus Heights Historical Society had the honor of recognizing Ted Mitchell. Ted is a valued supporter of the Historical Society and wealth of knowledge for Citrus Heights history. // Citrus Heights Historical Society website

    By Sara Beth Williams–
    Citrus Heights residents will have a chance to step back in time at the upcoming quarterly meeting of the Citrus Heights Historical Society on Thursday, Nov. 6, when the group will premiere a new 30-minute documentary about Mitchell Farms.

    The film, featuring longtime local resident Ted Mitchell, traces the 160-year history of the farm and, in turn, offers a glimpse into the broader story of Citrus Heights. Through interviews with Ted, viewers learn about life on the farm across generations and how the Mitchell family helped shape the area.

    The event will take place at the Citrus Heights Event Center on Thursday, Nov. 6 at 6 p.m. and is free to attend.

    Ted’s great-grandparents, Edward and Zenobia Crabb, immigrated from England and purchased the 160-acre farm at the northeast corner of Greenback Lane and Sunrise Boulevard in 1866. At the time, wheat and hay were the only commercially viable crops due to a lack of irrigation. By 1920, Ted’s grandfather, Edward Clay, expanded the farm with grapes and olives after water became available.

    Ted’s mother, Bernice, continued managing the farm while his father, Washington Mitchell, opened a service station at the corner of Greenback Lane and Fair Oaks Boulevard. In the documentary, Ted recalls his childhood chores during the 1930s, which ranged from butchering hogs to changing engine oil, with children being an essential part of running a family farm.

    The documentary also includes archival photos, including a 1930s black-and-white image showing Ted as a young boy standing next to a 100 year-old farm scale, connecting the past to the present.

    For more information about the quarterly meeting, visit the Citrus Heights Historical Society’s website. The Citrus Heights Event Center is located at 6300 Fountain Square Drive.

  • Police recover firearm, arrest one, at San Juan High School

    By Sara Beth Williams–
    One student was arrested Friday afternoon after police recovered a firearm from a vehicle on the San Juan High School campus, according to the Citrus Heights Police Department.

    Lt. Wes Hernan said officers responded around 12:49 p.m. after multiple students were involved in an altercation on campus. Police and Safe Schools personnel arrived to investigate, and a staff member reported suspicions that a gun might be inside one of the students’ vehicles.

    Officers located the vehicle, found a firearm inside, and arrested the student. The student was transported to juvenile hall, Hernan said.

    According to police, there was no active threat to students, staff, or the community, and no lockdown or shelter-in-place was enacted during the incident. The San Juan Unified School District will handle disciplinary action for the student involved.

  • Commercial building near Dignity Health in Citrus Heights seeks buyer for $850,000

    A former dental office on Greenback Lane is seeking a buyer.
    A former dental office on Greenback Lane is seeking a buyer. // SB Williams

    By Sara Beth Williams–
    A long-vacant building formerly operating as a dental office on Greenback Lane near Dignity Health is now for sale.

    The building located at 7001 Greenback Ln., just past the Dignity Health building on the corner of Fountain Square Drive, has been closed for at least two years, according to real estate agent Kay Egoian with Century 21 Cornerstone Realty. The building has been listed for sale at $850,000.

    During a showing of the building on Tuesday, Egoian said the building was only recently listed for sale and that there has been a lot of interest. Most buyers are interested in continuing to utilize the building as a dental practice, Egoian said.

    The 3,000-square-foot building is fully outfitted as a dental office, with a waiting room, two flat-screen TVs, a reception counter, and multiple rooms for patients. The office also has 19 parking spots including ADA parking spots.

    The building sits on almost half an acre and is situated adjacent to a vacant half-acre plot where fresh strawberries used to be sold, according to signage still posted at the abandoned plot.

    Google Images from years past show that the building for sale once operated as Fountain Square Family Dentistry. The sign out front currently has significantly faded. Online records show the dentistry was established in 2006 and the business has limited online reviews. The building was built in 1966, according to the Sacramento County Assessor’s Office.

    For more information, real estate agents can be contacted through the online listing.