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Author: Sara Beth Williams

  • June Events 2025: What’s going on in Citrus Heights this month?

    By Sara Beth Williams–
    Summer is on its way in Citrus Heights, with several events scheduled for this month including a comedy night, ice cream social, and summer camps.

    Community Meeting: Sacramento Supervisor Rosario Rodriguez is hosting a community meeting on Monday, June 2, at Citrus Heights City Hall. The meeting will begin at 6 p.m. and is open to the public. Citrus Heights City Hall is located at 6300 Fountain Square Drive.

    City Scoop: The city is hosting three ice cream socials in its City Scoop series this summer, with the first scheduled for Wednesday, June 4, at 6:30 p.m. at San Juan High School. City Scoop is a free community event. San Juan High School is located at 7551 Greenback Ln. For more information, visit the city’s website.

    Comedy Night: Royal Stage Theater is hosting a comedy night at its theater inside Sunrise Mall on Thursday, June 5. The event will begin at 7 p.m. and feature four comedians: Ron McGehee, Bassil Kamas, Ryan McCormick, and Kerri Pomarolli. Tickets are $12 for kids and $15 for adults. For ticket information and purchasing, visit Royalstage.org.

    Groundbreaking: Habitat for Humanity Greater Sacramento is holding a groundbreaking ceremony for a 26-unit housing development on Sayonara Drive on Monday, June 2, at 9 a.m. The ceremony will take place at 7795 Sayonara Drive. For more information on the housing project, visit the city’s events calendar.

    Charity event: A charity tea party will be held June 7 at St. James Armenian Apostolic Church, hosted by the Ladies Society. The event will begin at 3 p.m., and all proceeds will benefit the Sun-Children Center for Children‘s Health and Development in America. For more information, visit the event page. St. James Armenian Apostolic Church is located at 8071 Old Auburn Rd.

    Summer camps and clinics: Several organizations are hosting various camps and sports clinics this summer.

    • The Jr. Mavericks football and cheer teams will be holding free sports clinics every Saturday through June at Mesa Verde High School. Practices are from 10 a.m. to 12 p.m. and open to youth age 5-14. For more information and to stay up to date, please visit the Jr. Maverick’s Facebook page. Mesa Verde High School is located at 7501 Carriage Drive.
    • I9 Sports is hosting a Nike Sports Camp at Mesa Verde High School from June 23 to June 27 beginning at 9 a.m. For cost and registration information, visit i9 Sports’ event page.
    • Sacramento Metro Fire District is hosting a fire camp for teens interested in firefighting. For kids ages 11-13, Metro Fire is holding a four-day camp from June 17-20 that will teach middle school-age kids what it’s like to be a firefighter for Metro Fire. Camp will be held at Fire Station 21, 7641 Greenback Ln. For camp hours, cost, and registration, visit Metro Fire’s website.

    Lunch at the Library: Sylvan Oaks Library will be offering free lunch to school-aged children Tuesdays through Fridays, from 12 to 1 p.m., beginning June 17. The program runs through Aug. 8. Sylvan Oaks Library is closed on Mondays and holidays, including Juneteenth, on June 19.

    For more information about the lunch at the library program, visit the library’s website. Sylvan Oaks Library is located at 6700 Auburn Blvd.

    Independence Day celebration: The annual Stars and Stripes Independence Day celebration is returning for a third year on Saturday, June 28, from 6 to 10 p.m. at Van Maren Park. The event will feature live music, food trucks, a Kids’ Zone, and end with a professional aerial fireworks display. This event is free to attend. For more information, visit the city’s website. Van Maren Park is located at 6601 Thalia Way.

  • Two wanted felons arrested following foot chase in Citrus Heights

    Citrus Heights Police arrested two men who were wanted on felony charges, May 29, 2025 // CHPD
    Citrus Heights Police arrested two men who were wanted on felony charges, May 29, 2025 // CHPD

    By Sara Beth Williams–
    Two men with outstanding felony warrants were taken into custody on Thursday by Citrus Heights Police after a foot pursuit, police said.

    According to a social media post by the Citrus Heights Police Department, the incident began when several patrol officers spotted the men loitering near the shopping center. The officers recognized both individuals, identified as 30-year-old Cody Holtsman and 34-year-old Clyde Holtsman, as having active felony warrants. As the officers approached, both suspects fled on foot.

    One suspect was quickly apprehended, while the second prompted a broader search effort. The department stated that multiple perimeter announcements were made by a helicopter to alert nearby residents. The search was supported by the Sacramento County Sheriff’s Office and several community members who called in sightings of the fleeing suspect.

    Roughly 30 minutes after the initial encounter, the second man was found within the search perimeter and taken into custody. Both men are currently on Sacramento County probation and were wanted on felony charges, authorities said.

    Sacramento County jail records show both men remain in custody. Cody Holtsman was arrested on warrants for threats against a witness, assault, and vandalism and is also being charged with resisting arrest and possession of tear gas by a felon. Clyde Holtsman has been charged with resisting arrest and was arrested on warrants for violating the terms of his probation.

    Arrest records show both have a string of prior interactions with law enforcement. Cody Holtsman has prior arrests from September, October, November, and December 2024 and December 2023. Cyle Holtman has arrests from December and October 2022 and June and July 2021.

    The Citrus Heights Police Department thanked the Sacramento County Sheriff’s Office and community members for their assistance, stating that “public vigilance” contributed significantly to the safe resolution of the incident.

    Authorities reminded the public not to intervene directly when encountering suspicious activity or wanted individuals. Instead, residents are encouraged to call law enforcement and report information.

    “Your awareness makes a difference,” the department emphasized in its message.

  • Groundbreaking to take place for housing project on Sayonara Drive

    A map showing the outlined vacant plots on Sayonara Drive where 26 new houses are to be constructed over three years. // City of Citrus Heights
    A map showing the outlined vacant plots on Sayonara Drive where 26 new houses are to be constructed over three years. // City of Citrus Heights

    By Sara Beth Williams–
    A project three years in the making will finally come to fruition as Habitat for Humanity Greater Sacramento, in partnership with the City of Citrus Heights, breaks ground on the first phase of a 26-home housing project on Sayonara Drive.

    A groundbreaking ceremony for the first eight homes is scheduled for Monday, June 2, a little over three years after the first initial plans for the project were brought before the Planning Commission.

    Related: City eyes partnership with nonprofit to build housing on Sayonara Drive—Citrus Heights Sentinel

    Once described as the most dangerous street in the city, Sayonara Drive has two rows of vacant lots after the city purchased blighted buildings from absentee landlords and leveled them more than a decade ago. The project will fill the 12 vacant city-owned lots with 26 new single-family homes, which are to be owned, not rented. The project fulfills an obligation for housing that the city was initially required to meet within five years.

    The new community will include 26 homes ranging from two to five bedrooms, all equipped with energy-efficient heating systems, low-flow plumbing fixtures, alarm systems, solar battery storage, rooftop solar, and drought-tolerant landscaping. The homes will also be EV-ready, supporting the region’s goals for sustainability and affordability.

    Homes will be purchased by qualified buyers, and buyers will be required to contribute 500 hours of “sweat equity” during the course of construction.

    Construction on the first eight homes in the Habitat for Humanity Sayonara project will begin this year, with estimated completion in 2026, the city said Thursday, adding that construction on eight additional homes is anticipated to begin in the fall of 2026, and construction on the remaining 10 homes should start in 2027.

    Prior to the second and third phases of home construction, applications will open each time a new set of homes is planned. Applications typically open months prior to construction and will be shared on the city’s website and Habitat for Humanity of Greater Sacramento’s website.

    Habitat for Humanity, which has brought multiple housing units to communities throughout the Sacramento region, has called the Sayonara housing project its largest development to date.

    The groundbreaking ceremony will begin at 9 a.m. on Monday at 7795 Sayonara Drive.

  • Stars and Stripes celebration, fireworks to return for 3rd year in Citrus Heights

    Stars and Stripes 2024
    Fireworks can be seen from City Hall during the Stars and Stripes celebration 2024. // M. Hazlip

    By Sara Beth Williams–
    The annual Stars and Stripes Independence Day celebration is returning for a third year to Van Maren Park on Saturday, June 28.

    The celebration will begin at 6 p.m. at Van Maren Park and will run until 10 p.m., with fireworks beginning at dusk. The event will feature live music, a variety of food trucks, and a Kids Zone with hands-on activities for kids, hosted by Sunrise Recreation and Park District and Citrus Heights Police Activities League.

    Limited ADA parking will be available at City Hall and designated parking lots, with shuttling golf cart services to and from the event site, the city’s website said. Event staff will be monitoring the entrance of the City Hall parking to ensure disabled person parking placards are visible.

    Parking has typically been available at the Citrus Heights Police Department off Fountain Square Drive and at the Citrus Heights Community Center and Dignity Health, both located at the corner of Greenback Lane and Fountain Square Drive.

    Attendees are encouraged to ride their bikes or carpool to the event for traffic reduction and parking convenience.

    An estimated 7,000 attendees filled the park last year, according to city officials, which is nearly double the estimated attendance in 2023. The celebration featured music from Pop Fiction and an active Kids Zone, which took over the park’s basketball court.

    “I was incredibly proud to see the event come together and see our residents and their families enjoying an evening of family fun, celebrating our country,” then-Mayor Bret Daniels said in a statement to the press. He called the event a “great success” and praised the city and Police Department for providing a safe, inviting, and fun atmosphere.

    Van Maren Park is located at 6601 Thalia Way, and residents can also access the park on foot via walking paths through the Stock Ranch Nature Preserve located behind Walmart and Costco.

    In January 2023, the City Council voted 3-to-2 to approve the use of up to $80,000 in American Rescue Plan Act pandemic relief funds to be spent on the inaugural Stars and Stripes event.

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

  • New EV charging stations under construction outside Sunrise Mall

    A set of EV charging stations has been constructed near the corner of Sunrise Boulevard and Macy Plaza Drive by Sunrise Mall. // SB Williams
    A set of EV charging stations has been constructed near the corner of Sunrise Boulevard and Macy Plaza Drive by Sunrise Mall. // SB Williams

    By Sara Beth Williams–
    Several new electric vehicle charging stations at the southern end of the Sunrise Mall appears to be nearly complete.

    Heavy construction equipment and large piles of dirt could be seen for weeks on the southern edge of the Sunrise Mall near the corner of Sunrise Boulevard and Macy Plaza Drive. The city confirmed in an email that a new electric vehicle charging station was being constructed on the portion of the property owned by Ethan Conrad Properties.

    The Citrus Heights Community Development Department said the city issued a building permit on March 21 for the project and referred questions about the timeline of construction to the property owner. An EV charging station was also indicated on the updated site map of property owner Ethan Conrad Properties’ former informal proposal requesting an amendment to the Sunrise Tomorrow Specific Plan. Though the amendment request was rejected, Ethan Conrad Properties’ CEO Ethan Conrad indicated he would still pursue development on the 21 acres he owns.

    Related: Citrus Heights Council upholds vision for Sunrise Tomorrow, rejects amendment request – Citrus Heights Sentinel

    On a visit to the site on Saturday, Sentinel staff found a line of EV charging stations appearing to be nearly completed, with fencing still surrounding the site. Sentinel staff are still awaiting an update from the property owner on an anticipated date of official operation for the EV charging stations.

    The state of California has passed multiple laws in relation to electric vehicles, including a Zero-Emission Vehicle (ZEV) Sales Mandate, and several laws regarding EV charging infrastructure.

    AB 1236, which passed in 2015, mandates that local governments streamline the permitting process for EV charging stations, requiring administrative approval for compliant installations and prohibiting unnecessary restrictions.

    AB 970, passed in 2021, establishes strict timelines for local jurisdictions to approve or deny EV charging station applications. It also prohibits requiring replacement of parking spaces removed for charger installations.

    Effective Jan. 1, 2023, a set of CALGreen building code updates require new residential and commercial buildings to include a certain percentage of infrastructure for EV charging.

    About a quarter of all new cars registered in California in 2023 and in 2024 were electric cars, according to a Feb. 5 article from CalMatters. However, flat sales followed several years of rapid growth, and sales are still far below the state’s 35 percent target.

    The California Energy Commission recently announced in March that the state now has 178,549 public and shared private electric vehicle chargers installed, which exceeds an estimated 120,000 standard gasoline nozzles statewide. The energy commission also said California has “doubled down” on EV infrastructure, approving a $1.4 billion investment plan to expand its charging and hydrogen network.

  • Fabric retailer closes in Citrus Heights

    Fabric retailer closes in Citrus Heights

    JOANN fabrics retailer located in Sunrise Village has officially closed. // SB Williams
    JOANN fabrics retailer in Sunrise Village has officially closed. // SB Williams

    By Sara Beth Williams–
    The go-to retailer for fabrics has officially closed its doors in Citrus Heights.

    A visit to the Sunrise Village shopping plaza by Sentinel staff on Wednesday, May 28 found JOANN shuttered and empty. A handful of customers stopped by the store in the time Sentinel staff was there, appearing to check to see if the store was open.

    Employees from neighboring businesses did not know how long ago the retailer had closed. Online reports indicated that all remaining JOANN store locations were expected to close by May 31.

    After escaping the first round of closures, JOANN in Citrus Heights had been named on a subsequent list of hundreds of store locations expected to shutter throughout the country following the beginning of bankruptcy proceedings.

    The major retailer announced in mid-January it had filed for Chapter 11 bankruptcy for a second time within 12 months. Almost one month later, the company announced that 500 more stores, on top of six initial store closures, would shutter nationwide.

    In court documents, the retailer blamed higher costs from shipping overseas products, as well as waning consumer demand, according to CBS News.

    JOANN in Citrus Heights was located in the Sunrise Village shopping center at the corner of Sunrise Boulevard and Madison Avenue, which underwent a major remodel in 2021 and 2022. Following the remodel, JOANN moved from one building to another and reopened in March 2022.

    Since the shopping center’s revitalization, the plaza has seen multiple new tenants, including Club Studio Fitness, which opened in September 2024, and Amazon Fresh, which opened in November 2024. Previously, JOANN occupied the building that is now Amazon Fresh.

    According to an update from Sunrise Marketplace Executive Director Kathilynn Carpenter, more businesses are expected to join the shopping plaza soon, including Nothing Bundt Cakes and Juice Time, an international eatery focusing on natural, healthy fruit drinks and sweet treats.

    “Since becoming a private company in April [2024], the board and management team have continued to execute on top- and bottom-line initiatives to manage costs and drive value,” Michael Prendergast, interim chief executive officer of JOANN, said in an initial press release. “However, the last several years have presented significant and lasting challenges in the retail environment.”

    Prendergast also cited “constrained inventory levels” as influential in the decision to undergo a “court-supervised sale process.”

  • More restaurant closures loom: Is Citrus Heights location on chopping block?

    More restaurant closures loom: Is Citrus Heights location on chopping block?

    A fast-casual noodle restaurant outdoor patio in Citrus Heights.
    A fast-casual noodle restaurant outdoor patio in Citrus Heights. // SB Williams

    By Sara Beth Williams–
    A fast casual noodle restaurant chain plans to close up to 21 of its restaurants across the United States this year as part of an effort to improve its financial stability, according to a company announcement earlier this month.

    A first-quarter earnings report released May 7 by Noodles & Company shows that the national chain plans to shutter up to 21 stores, including between 13 and 17 company-owned locations and four franchised restaurants, national news outlets reported. An exact list has not been announced, sparing the Citrus Heights Noodles & Company location in the Marketplace at Birdcage for the time being.

    “Many of these decisions are still in progress,” a Noodles & Company spokesperson told USA TODAY.

    The company currently operates over 400 locations in 31 states, including 380 company-owned and 89 franchised locations.

    Despite the closures, Noodles & Company also anticipates opening two new company-owned restaurants in 2025 and has seen a slight increase in same-store sales and revenue, according to Nation’s Restaurant News. Recently, new menu items were introduced, and the menu was relaunched earlier this spring.

    Noodles & Company’s financial troubles reflect a broader trend within both the restaurant and retail industries, with Red Lobster, Jack in the Box, JCPenney, announcing closure, and multiple other retailers already shuttering this year.

    The Citrus Heights restaurant is located at 6123 Sunrise Blvd. near Walmart Neighborhood Market and shows online reviews dating back to as early as June 2014. The restaurant features numerous noodle dishes, along with soups, salads, kids’ meals, and sides like potstickers, Korean barbeque meatballs, and cheesy garlic bread.

    Noodles & Company was founded in 1995.

  • Citrus Heights announces 2025 summer ice cream social locations

    Citrus Heights announces 2025 summer ice cream social locations

    The city recently announced three new locations for the 2025 summer City Scoop ice cream socials. // CH Sentinel

    By Sara Beth Williams–
    The City of Citrus Heights recently announced three new locations for the annual City Scoop ice cream social community gatherings for the 2025 summer season.

    After the announcement of the return of City Scoop for a third year earlier in the spring, the city posted seven location options and invited city residents to vote on their favorite locations. Three new City Scoop locations and dates were announced on the city’s social media page last week.

    This summer, City Scoop will take place from 6:30 to 8 p.m.at San Juan High School on June 4, Van Maren Park on July 16, and Mesa Verde High School on Aug. 20. Notably, the ice cream socials will be held on Wednesdays this year instead of Thursdays.

    The monthly ice cream social events are designed to encourage and facilitate community gatherings among neighbors, city staff, and other community members, according to the city’s website.

    In 2024, City Scoop took place at Sylvan Oaks Library in June and drew roughly twice as many residents as in 2023, according to the city’s social media page. A second ice cream social scheduled for July 11 at Metro Fire Station 27 was canceled because of extreme heat. A third was held in August at Lichen K-8.

    In 2023, the inaugural City Scoop summer series featured ice cream socials at various locations, including Greenback Greenspace, Sylvan Community Center, and Westwood Park.

    The first City Scoop for this year will take place at San Juan High School on Wednesday, June 4. San Juan High School is located at 7551 Greenback Ln.

     

  • Memorial Day Ceremony at Sylvan Cemetery draws largest crowd in five years

    Memorial Day ceremony, May 26, 2025
    A Memorial Day Ceremony held at Sylvan Cemetery to honor fallen veterans saw an estimated 150 in attendance. May 26, 2025. // Luke Otterstad

    By Sara Beth Williams–
    Sylvan Cemetery saw the highest attendance in five years at its annual Memorial Day ceremony held on Monday, according to Jr. Past Commander Paul Reyes with American Legion Post 637.

    Reyes reported that an estimated 150 people were in attendance, including veterans, families, Citrus Heights city councilmembers, city staff, police officers, and many more. Reyes said attendees also included a group of veteran bikers called the Combat Veterans Motorcycle Association. The group had come on their own to the cemetery to pay tribute to one of their own and accepted a personal invitation from Reyes to join the day’s ceremony.

    Members of the Folsom Harmony Express Choir sang as veterans in attendance stood for each branch of the armed forces as their anthem was sung. A bagpiper in traditional garb also played several songs. Citrus Heights Police Chief Alex Turcotte spoke on the meaning behind Memorial Day, while Citrus Heights Mayor Jayna Karpinski-Costa spoke on the meaning of sacrifice and courage.

    “It’s not ‘Happy Memorial Day,’ it’s ‘God bless the fallen, God bless the families, and God bless America,” Turcotte said during his speech.

    Jim Monteton spoke on the origins of Memorial Day, acknowledging those killed in action, and also acknowledged those missing in action. At least 4,000 service members are considered still missing in action, but the number has begun to decrease lately as more service members’ remains are discovered and identified, Monteton said.

    There was some confusion over the start time, with the American Legion Post 637 posting on their website that the ceremony was scheduled to start at 10 a.m., while the city reportedly indicated the ceremony would begin at 10:30, and the Sylvan Cemetery reported that ‘nothing had changed.’ The ceremony historically has commenced at 11 a.m. every year, according to Monteton. Reyes said the ceremony this year officially began around 10:50 a.m.

    On the Thursday prior to Memorial Day weekend, at least 15 volunteers met at the cemetery to place American flags and white crosses on the gravestones of all veterans, an annual tradition that takes place each year prior to the Memorial Day ceremony.

  • Upcoming roadwork projects in Citrus Heights: Here’s what to expect

    By Sara Beth Williams—
    Several roadwork projects are planned for 2025 and 2026, according to the city. Citrus Heights General Services Director Regina Cave said multiple projects are set to begin this summer, while other projects are being postponed due to the ongoing Auburn Boulevard Complete Streets Project Phase 2.

    Projects for 2025 include resurfacing and other safety improvements on Sunrise Boulevard, Macy Plaza Drive, Dewey Drive, and Butternut Drive and Roseville Road.

    Resurfacing of Sunrise Boulevard and Macy Plaza Drive: Two simultaneous resurfacing projects have already begun as of May 12. The majority of the roadwork will take place at night. The first resurfacing project includes Sunrise Boulevard from Madison Avenue to Greenback Lane. The second resurfacing project is on Macy Plaza Drive from Birdcage Street to Sunrise Boulevard. The project will last eight weeks and include a multi-layer resurfacing treatment designed to improve road durability and safety.

    Dewey Drive resurfacing: Dewey Drive is scheduled to be resurfaced this summer, from the southern border at Conamara Circle, up Greenback Lane and Van Maren Lane to Auburn Boulevard. The project is expected to begin by July, or earlier, and should be completed quickly, Cave said, because all necessary sidewalk deficiencies and ADA ramps have already been added.

    ADA and drainage improvements along multiple streets, including Rollingwood Boulevard. Cave said bids were opened within the last two weeks, and she hopes multiple improvements can be made this year, ahead of resurfacing next year.

    Butternut Drive and Roseville Road Safety Improvements: The project includes safety improvements on Butternut Drive between Roseville Road and Villaview Drive to include bub outs, left-turn lane for southbound Roseville Road, bike lanes, signage and striping. The project also includes installation of retroreflective backplates at 36 signalized intersections throughout the city.

    The project is Highway Safety Improvement Program grant funded, and approved documents will need to be reviewed by the California Department of Transportation prior to release of the construction grant funds, the city said in a statement Monday. As soon as the grant funding is released, the city will advertise the bid. The goal is to complete this project before the end of 2025.

    Projects planned for 2026 include resurfacing and repaving multiple major and minor arterials, including:

    • Antelope Road resurfacing from Roseville Road to Auburn Boulevard
    • Rollingwood Boulevard resurfacing from Auburn Boulevard to Antelope Road
    • Fair Oaks Boulevard resurfacing from Greenback Lane to Madison Avenue
    • Full repaving of Madison Avenue, which is a project being led by Sacramento County. Cave said the county has sent plans, which are being reviewed by utility companies. Citrus Heights will contribute funds toward the portion of San Juan Avenue to Fair Oaks Boulevard.

    Cave said the eastern section, from Antelope Road to Sunrise Boulevard, is in “really good condition, with good structure and few potholes. Cave also said that resurfacing that section will be a larger active transportation project requiring grant funding.

    Multiple capital projects are also in phases involving design and community outreach. For more detailed information regarding public infrastructure projects, including the Three-Year Pavement Preservation Plan, visit the city’s capital improvement projects page.