By Sara Beth Williams– Citrus Heights police shot a man wielding a knife, officials say.
The shooting incident occurred in a parking lot at Lichen Drive and Antelope Road according to local news reports. Officers responded to Summer Hills Plaza shortly after 10:30 a.m. on Monday, April 21, following reports of a man with a knife threatening people in the area, officials said. Shortly afterward, a person matching the description was spotted by officers.
Local news reports say after the man “produced” a knife, one officer fired their weapon, injuring the suspect. He was then detained and transported to the hospital by medical personnel. The suspect is expected to survive. No injuries to officers were reported.
One eastbound lane on Antelope Road, from Lichen Drive to Tupelo Drive, was temporarily cordoned off following the incident. Police officials did not provide any further details regarding what led up to the officer-involved shooting.
A pothole on a local neighborhood street. // SB Williams
By Supervisor Rosario Rodriguez– Since taking office in January, I’ve had countless conversations with residents across Sacramento County who are fed up with the condition of our roads—and I don’t blame them. From crumbling pavement to massive potholes, our infrastructure is showing its age. This is not just an inconvenience. It’s a safety issue, and one that I am committed to addressing head-on.
The scale of the problem is significant. Our current deferred maintenance backlog for county roads is nearly $1.4 billion, and that number continues to grow each year we fail to act. To put it into perspective, Sacramento County’s average pavement condition score sits at a dismal 41 out of 100. We currently invest about $30 million annually in road repairs, but experts say we need at least $60 million per year just to keep the problem from getting worse.
Importantly, Sacramento County is the only (or one of the only) jurisdictions in the region that contributes General Fund dollars toward fixing roads. In the current budget, that contribution is $20 million, with the remaining $10 million coming from other sources like state and federal transportation funds. That General Fund investment shows how seriously we take this issue—but even with it, we’re still playing catch-up.
Some have suggested a new local tax measure to address the shortfall, but I’m approaching that idea with caution. Time and again, we’ve seen these measures fail at the ballot box, and with good reason. Instead of focusing squarely on repairing our roads, past proposals have spread funding across a wide array of projects like bike lanes and public transit.
While I absolutely believe those components have their place in a healthy transportation network, they don’t reflect what the majority of residents are asking for right now. When voters are told they’re paying to fix roads, the money needs to go to fixing roads—not to projects policymakers think the public should want.
In the meantime, I want residents to know that we are taking immediate action where we can. Potholes reported to the County are typically filled within days—sometimes sooner. If you see one, I encourage you to call 311, or reach out to my office directly. We’ll make sure the right crew gets dispatched quickly. It might not solve our long-term challenges, but it does make a difference in the day-to-day lives of our residents.
The reality is that we didn’t get into this situation overnight, and we won’t get out of it overnight either. But make no mistake—this is one of my top priorities. I will continue to push for smarter, more effective investments in our infrastructure, and I’ll make sure your voices are heard as we shape the future of transportation in Sacramento County.
We all want safe, smooth, and reliable roads. With the right focus and the political will to follow through, I believe we can get there. If you’d like to share your thoughts or concerns with me, you can always reach my office at 916-874-5491 or email me at SupervisorRodriguez@saccounty.gov.
Sacamento Supervisor District 4, Rosario Rodriguez
Rosario Rodriguez represents Sacramento County Supervisorial District 4, which includes the cities of Citrus Heights and Folsom, and the unincorporated communities of Orangevale, Antelope, North Highlands, Rio Linda, Elverta, and Rancho Murieta.
At least three buckets were observed in December 2024 by The Sentinel staff in the Sunrise Mall main corridor, positioned to catch water from the leaking roof. // SB Williams
By Sara Beth Williams– Frustration is growing over the dire state of Sunrise Mall, with many residents, mall employees and business owners voicing concerns on social media, in Letters to the Editor, at neighborhood area meetings and at City Council meetings. Some have blamed the city and council for the mall’s decline.
Citrus Heights Economic Development and Community Engagement Director Meghan Huber told The Sentinel in a recent interview that the city does not own the mall property, and owners of Sunrise Mall “historically” have not reinvested in the property.
Huber confirmed that almost $300,000 in fines have been issued to the majority property owner, Namdar Realty Group, for code enforcement violations. As of December 2024, Namdar has only paid a small portion of the fines levied against him for code enforcement issues, according to the city.
On multiple visits to Sunrise Mall throughout the winter of 2024 and spring of 2025, Sentinel staff observed multiple buckets situated within the mall corridor set out to catch water leaking from the roof. Staff also observed that the HVAC system within the mall’s corridor appeared inoperable, creating an uncomfortably cold environment during winter months.
Other residents and employees of the mall have stated that the mall’s main corridor is uncomfortably hot during summer months.
Mayor Jayna Karpinski-Costa told The Sentinel in an interview last month that Ethan Conrad Properties, which owns a portion of the south side of the mall property where the former Sears building exists, keeps its side “pretty clean.” The developer has repaved parking lots within the owned boundaries and refreshed the outside of the building, The Sentinel previously reported. During at least one neighborhood area meeting in January, Ethan Conrad, CEO of Ethan Conrad Properties, said he would “never have let the property go so far.”
“We’re as frustrated as you are,” Karpinski-Costa said when asked how the City Council would respond to residents’ frustration over the current appearance of the mall property.
During a recent strategic planning retreat, the Economic Development and Community Engagement Department proposed the institution of a commercial property vacancy tax that would fine property owners if their buildings are vacant for lengthy periods of time. A fine for vacant buildings was proposed in order to motivate owners to find tenants for vacant buildings and decrease the amount of long-term vacancies that tend to attract criminal activity. Details are still being finalized.
The mall’s physical decline seems to mirror the economic decline, with multiple stores closing in quick succession, including Macy’s, Hot Topic, and Spencer’s, which all shuttered this spring. Clothing store Masterboy Streetsyle relocated to Folsom Premium Outlets.
In January 2024, both Taco Bell and Pretzelmaker closed up shop, followed soon after by Naija Cuisine and clothing retailer Tilly. In May 2024, another small watch and jewelry repair shop left the mall and relocated to a storefront at the Marketplace at Birdcage across the street.
In November 2024, an espresso bar, which had been the last eatery to operate in the mall’s food court, closed unexpectedly following the owner’s sudden departure due to a medical emergency.
With businesses closing one after the other within Sunrise Mall, business owners still operating have expressed concern regarding rumors from customers that the mall is going to close or be demolished “any day now.”
In a follow-up interview, when asked what the city would do if the mall were to completely shutter, Huber said, “Regardless of business occupancy, the property is subject to municipal code standards for maintenance, safety, and appearance.” Huber added that the city is “actively monitoring” compliance and will continue to enforce standards as needed to protect the community and quality of life.
Looking ahead, Ethan Conrad, with Ethan Conrad Properties, is seeking to redevelop the mall property and has submitted a proposal to the city. Conrad’s company owns a portion of the property on the south end. In an updated site plan, the real estate investor has removed several proposed quick service restaurants with drive thrus, but still proposes the construction of a Home Depot, In N Out, two more restaurants yet to be determined, an EV charging station, and a small open event area on the north side of the mall behind what was Macy’s Men’s. Previously, Conrad and representatives of his company spent January and February presenting at Citrus Heights Neighborhood Area groups in order to gain feedback from the community.
Ethan Conrad Properties is expected to present its proposal to the Citrus Heights City Council on Wednesday, April 23 at 6 p.m. at City Hall. City Hall is located at 6360 Fountain Square Drive.
Sentinel Staff Report– This week’s Letters to the Editor discuss the downfall and potential future of the Sunrise Mall, the dangers of walking through the Sunrise Mall, and the condition of roads.
Sunrise Mall walkers: I enjoy walking in Sunrise Mall as many others do, with far fewer stores open it makes the task more enjoyable as there are fewer people to walk around. On the other hand it’s also more dangerous as kids between 10-15 years old ride their bikes through the mall at neck breaking speeds dodging people on walkers and canes. Mall security is down to minimal enforcement turning the once prosperous mall into the wild west. — George Constenbader, Rancho Cordova
Future of Sunrise Mall: I have worked in sunrise mall for 20 years. It is just shameful to see this place go down so much. The people that are still coming just love that mall because it’s a neighborhood destination and comfortable place to shop. It is shameful that owners, developer etc. can’t get along and make some positive decisions on this. And the city is losing out on a lot of sales tax revenue. MAKE A DECISION!! Let’s move forward there are a lot of people that love that old place. — Suzanne Willson, Orangevale
I want a new outdoor mall: We don’t need more fast food for streets, or a hotel that will turn into a place that hookers hang out, and men cheat on their wives. We need more restaurants NOT CHAINS! And fun outside shopping or reduce the mall, Roseville Galleria is always packed and a nightmare to park. Same with Arden area plus it isn’t a good area. Would be nice to have the movie theater redone and a local smaller mall again surrounded by restaurant options. — Carly Harms, Fair Oaks
Citrus Heights Arterials: I have posed this question to the City Council and got no response, so I will throw it out here. How is it that Greenback Lane got resurfaced which was sorely needed, along with new medians from Fair Oaks to Hazel?? How is it that major thoroughfares in Roseville were resurfaced, so obvious where Roseville and Citrus Heights meet at Auburn Blvd and Sunrise? And why Is driving on Sunrise, Old Auburn, Sylvan et al like driving on third world streets? –John Tumminell, Citrus Heights
The Sentinel welcomes letters about local issues. To submit a letter to the editor or opinion column for publication: Click here.
Sweet Music Studio Cafe anticipates opening in August of this year. // SB Wiliams
By Sara Beth Williams– Sweet Music Studio Cafe is anticipating to open in August, offering Citrus Heights residents food, live music, and musical education opportunities.
“There’s no other business like this in Citrus Heights,” CEO and Citrus Heights native Evelyn Guizar told Sacramento Business Journal.
The 1,600-square-foot space, located in a small strip mall on Greenback Lane just before Fair Oaks Boulevard, will be designed to serve as both a live musical performance venue and a casual eatery, serving desserts, coffee, and artisan beer and wine. The business has applied for a beer and wine license through the California Department of Alcoholic Beverage Control, according to public records.
Currently, the music cafe location shows a sign with the cafe’s business logo, indicating the cafe is “Coming Soon.”
Guizar anticipates offering live musical performances such as solo instrumentalists, jazz artists, flamenco artists, and spoken-word performances. Besides food and music, the space will also offer music lessons and workshops.
Operations will be a family affair, according to the company’s website and online news reports. Guizar will lead day-to-day management.
“Our unique establishment is a place for everyone to come together and create social cohesion through art, music, and culture,” the music cafe writes on their website, adding that they anticipate featuring “talented local artists and musicians.”
To keep up with opening details and event announcements, follow Sweet Music Studio Cafe on Facebook and Instagram.
The new music studio cafe will be located at 8040 Greenback Ln. adjacent to a furniture store and behind Matthews Mattress.
A high school student shows off his designs for a portable tic-tac-toe game during the Sacramento Valley Manufacturers Alliance High School Manufacturing Challenge in 2024 at San Juan High School. // Courtesy of Sacramento Valley Manufacturers Alliance
By Sara Beth Williams– The Sacramento Valley Manufacturers Alliance is hosting its second annual High School Manufacturing Challenge on April 26 in Citrus Heights.
The high school manufacturing challenge invites students to create a functional tic-tac-toe game using various materials, including wood, metal, and plastic, within a 6.5-inch cube, according to the alliance’s website. Students can use both additive and subtractive manufacturing processes.
The challenge, hosted at San Juan High School in its inaugural year, is designed to “spark interest in vocational manufacturing careers.”
The competition is open to high school students throughout the greater Sacramento region and will award a total of $5,000 in scholarships, including top honors such as “Best Overall” and “Most Artistic,” and many other awards, according to a press release from the Sacramento Valley Manufacturers Alliance. Participating students will also have a chance to connect with local manufacturers and community college representatives, Dean Peckham with Sacramento Valley Manufacturers Alliance said in an interview.
Peckham said 117 high school students have registered for the event from 17 different high schools throughout the greater Sacramento region, including students from high schools in Roseville, Colfax, Woodland, Fair Oaks, Rancho Cordova, and Sacramento.
During the inaugural high school manufacturers challenge in 2024, Peckham said only 22 students presented projects for competition. The alliance was “pleasantly surprised” with the much higher number of interested students this year and Peckham noted that the alliance has been working with schools throughout the region in advance.
“We’ve been trying to incorporate this program into the schools’ curriculum so it’s not a last-minute add-on for the students. It becomes ingrained in the curriculum,” Peckham said.
Several other similar clubs and competitions often take place in the spring, Peckham acknowledged, such as robotics competitions, welding competitions, and a new H2 racing competition, which challenges students to build a remote control racing car using hydrogen as fuel.
The high school manufacturing challenge event is free and open to the public and will begin at 10 a.m., with registration and setup beginning at 9 a.m.. Judging for the event will take place from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m., and manufacturer employers will be judging the various projects. Peckham encouraged residents to come to the free event to observe and “get excited.”
“We’re trying to encourage students’ curiosity and show them that there are different career pathways into manufacturing,” Peckham said, adding that community college representatives will be at the event to talk about various manufacturing and engineering programs, such as electronics, machinery, and more.
During a City Council update, Citrus Heights City Councilmember Tim Schaefer praised last year’s high school challenge, calling it “amazing.”
“These kids got really creative on an old idea that’s a simple thing of tic-tac-toe,” Schaefer said. Vice Mayor MariJane Lopez-Taff also praised last year’s event, noting that students came out despite the heavy rain.
“It was a delight to witness the creativity on display,” Lopez-Taff said.
The high school manufacturing challenge is scheduled for April 26 at 10 a.m. at the Citrus Heights Event Center. The Citrus Heights Event Center is located at 6300 Fountain Square Drive.
Must Be Cow Korean BBQ and Sushi is coming to 5511 Sunrise Blvd. // SB Williams
By Sara Beth Williams– Signage for a new Korean BBQ restaurant has been installed on the building formerly home to Boston Pizza Restaurant and Sports Bar.
Signage for the restaurant can be seen on the front facade of the building in two different locations, with a circular logo sporting a cow holding sushi with a pair of chopsticks and the restaurant name, “Must Be Cow, Korean BBQ & Sushi” affixed to the center of the building. Lettering of the restaurant’s name was also installed on the southern side of the front of the building.
Public notice of a filing with the California Department of Alcohol Beverage Control (ABC) for a new on-sale beer and wine license on the premises by Must Be Cow, LLC, is displayed in the restaurant window at its front entrance.
Co-owner Jason Duan said the full-service restaurant will offer Korean barbecue and all-you-can-eat sushi, and the menu is currently under development, according to Sacramento Business Journal. The restaurant will include over 40 tables equipped with grilling stations, a sushi bar, and a bar that will serve beer and wine.
Plans were initially submitted to the city on Nov. 14, and were undergoing revisions with the Building Division, Citrus Heights city spokesperson Marisa Brown said in January.
The restaurant was once the location of the Peppermill Restaurant and Lounge, a Logan’s Roadhouse, before becoming Boston’s Pizza. A proposal to demolish and then remodel the former Marie Callender’s Restaurant and Bakery located next door on Sunrise Boulevard is also under review.
By Sara Beth Williams– Latest police logs show an increase in code enforcement and a decrease in vehicle violations. A summary of police incident logs from April 7-11, 2025, are listed below:
Animal control: 9 (up from 7)
911 hangups: 22 (down from 32)
Code enforcement: 112 (up from 31)
Traffic accidents: 46 (up from 35)
Vehicle violations: 341 (down from 353)
Theft: 27 (down from 43)
Homeless-related: 16 (down from 22)
Vandalism: 9 (down from 11)
Violent/threats: 31 (up from 29)
Disturbance: 92 (up from 88)
Suspicious circumstances: 179 (up from 177)
All incidents: 1,338 (down from 1,344)
Arrest logs can be viewed on the city’s website here. Full police activity logs can be viewed by date below:
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.
The property on Old Auburn Road was home to Citrus Heights Preschool for decades until it closed abruptly in the spring of 2024. The City of Citrus Heights finalized the purchase of the property at the end of October 2024. // SB Williams
By Sara Beth Williams– The Citrus Heights City Council has given the city the green light to move forward with plans to retrofit a recently purchased property on Old Auburn Road for future use with local city animal service needs.
During an annual strategic planning retreat held at the end of March, City Council supported a recommendation by the city to move forward with utilizing the property at 7555 Old Auburn Road for local Animal Services, the city confirmed in an email Tuesday. More specific operational details will be refined in the coming months, but the city confirmed plans to utilize the property to temporarily hold lost animals in order to “aid in reunification.”
Following the strategic planning retreat, the city issued a Request for Qualifications for design services associated with retrofitting the property. Upon selecting design professionals, the city will begin the design process and then develop a schedule for the buildout, the city said. Interior improvements for the city animal services center will be addressed during the design phase.
The Animal Services team has partnered with Sacramento County to hold free vaccine and microchipping clinics for the local community on the property. During the strategic planning meeting, Citrus Heights City Manager Ashley Feeney said the first Bradshaw Animal Assistance Team (B.A.A.T.) clinic held in March was a success, and the clinic was able to offer vaccine and microchipping services to over 200 dogs.
The date for the Animal Services team relocation to the Old Auburn Road property will be informed by the forthcoming construction schedule, the city said.
As well, FieldHaven Feline Center has submitted a proposal as a “potential” non-profit tenant for the lease of 7569 Old Auburn Road, a 4,000-square-foot building adjacent to 7555 Old Auburn Road. Any tenant improvements related to FieldHaven would be addressed in the final lease agreement.
Currently, FieldHaven operates a marketplace in Lincoln and offers periodic vaccine and microchipping clinics, fostering and adoption, Trap, Neuter, Return services, and Spay and Neuter assistance programs.
The nonprofit would potentially operate in the facility without paying rent for an 18-month duration initially, Feeney said during the strategic planning meeting, before beginning to pay rent. As a tenant, the nonprofit would provide monthly wellness and microchipping clinics that can service up to 100-150 animals, including cats, dogs and other small pets.
FieldHaven aims to open the new clinic location in Citrus Heights by August of this year, subject to approval by the city, as well as required permits and needed improvements to the facility.
“This date is tentative, as a formal lease agreement needs to be executed with final terms and conditions,” the city said Tuesday.
The property on Old Auburn Road was home to Citrus Heights Preschool for decades until it closed abruptly in the spring of 2024. The City of Citrus Heights finalized the purchase of the property at the end of October 2024.
A bar graph listing stipends received by Citrus Heights City Council members from various boards and commissions shows the amount earned per month and estimated stipend received annually. Annual totals are subject to meeting attendance. Source: City of Citrus Heights. // CH Sentinel.
By Sara Beth Williams– The Citrus Heights City Council voted unanimously to request that all stipends received from all regional boards and commissions be deposited into the city’s general fund.
In addition to serving on the council, city council members represent Citrus Heights on various regional boards and committees throughout Sacramento County. Each board or commission provides a stipend to each council member for their service, typically ranging from $100 to $200 per meeting. Most regional boards and commissions meet once a month, four times per year, or three times per year. The Sacramento Regional Transit Board and the Sacramento Area Sewer District meet twice a month.
In April 2024, the City Council approved an increase in the monthly salary for council members from $600 to $1,900, which became effective in December 2024, following the results of the November 2024 general election. $1,900 represents the maximum amount that City Council members are allotted based on the city’s population. The council member monthly salary amount had not been increased since the city’s incorporation, according to the city.
The request to examine the legality of total monetary compensation received by council members was brought forward by two councilmembers during the March 12 City Council meeting.
In their research, the city found that according to Government Code Section 36516(c), “legislative body members may receive compensation in excess of the maximum compensation limit only if the additional compensation is authorized by a separate statute,” the city noted in a staff report.
To comply with legal regulations, the city proposed that stipend funds from two of the boards that did not establish stipends by separate statutes, Sacramento Metropolitan Cable Television Commission and Sacramento Area Council of Governments (SACOG), be forwarded to the city for deposit into the general fund.
During the April 9 City Council meeting, Mayor Jayna Karpinski-Costa expressed concern that the county might at some point require repayment of all stipends received, stating that she may have to “write a big check.” Karpinski-Costa supported transferring all stipend funds into the general fund, instead of only stipends from SACOG and the Sacramento Metropolitan Cable Television Commission. Karpinski-Costa noted that the City of Sacramento had adopted a similar approach. All fellow councilmembers agreed and unanimously approved the motion.
Assigned councilmembers who attend all meetings throughout the year receive an estimated total of $480 annually from attending Sacramento Metropolitan Cable Television Commission meetings, $1,200 annually from attending SACOG meetings, $2,000 annually from Sacramento Metropolitan Air Quality Management District meetings, and $2,400 annually from Sacramento Regional Transit Board and Sacramento Area Sewer District meetings, assuming no meetings are missed or canceled. A full list of regional boards and commissions, meeting frequency, and stipend amounts for each councilmember is available in the agenda packet.
