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Author: Sara Beth Williams

  • Guest Column: My 5 priorities as your new county supervisor

    Rosario Rodriguez was sworn in as the new Sacramento County Supervisor for District 4 on Jan. 7, 2025.
    Rosario Rodriguez was sworn in as the new Sacramento County Supervisor for District 4 on Jan. 7, 2025. // Office of Rosario Rodriguez

    By Rosario Rodriguez–
    It’s official Citrus Heights—I am now your Sacramento County District 4 Supervisor!

    Words can hardly express how honored and grateful I feel to have the opportunity to serve our community. When I decided to run for Supervisor, I didn’t begin by reaching out to super-PACs or big donors. Instead, I focused on connecting with real people throughout Citrus Heights and the rest of District 4. I visited neighborhoods, schools, businesses, and community events to listen directly to your challenges, hopes, and priorities. These conversations shaped my campaign and will continue to guide me in office. To me, representation means amplifying the voices of the people, and that starts with truly listening

    As I step into this role, I want to share my top five immediate priorities for District 4—priorities rooted in the values and concerns you’ve shared with me.

    1. Addressing Homelessness with Real Solutions: Homelessness has touched nearly every corner of our district, from businesses to schools and neighborhoods. The current situation is unacceptable. We need a comprehensive approach that not only addresses the immediate effects on our community but also provides meaningful services to help individuals break free from the cycle of homelessness. This includes funding programs that target root causes like substance abuse and mental health issues, expanding access to supportive housing, and partnering with nonprofits, faith-based organizations, and local governments to create innovative solutions. The time for empty promises is over—it’s time to take action.

    2. Fighting Crime and Keeping Our Communities Safe: Public safety is essential to any thriving community. As your Supervisor, I will focus on fighting crime and ensuring our neighborhoods are safe places to live, work, and raise families. I will support our District Attorney and Sheriff in cracking down on crime and holding offenders accountable, while also advocating for programs that build trust between law enforcement and the community. Collaboration is key to creating safer neighborhoods for everyone.

    3. Improving Roads and Transportation: If you’ve driven through District 4, you know how desperately our roads and highways need attention. From potholes to gridlock, our transportation infrastructure has been neglected for far too long. I’ll prioritize securing funding to repair and improve our roads and advocate for major projects like completing the Capitol Connector to ease congestion along Highway 50. These improvements will enhance daily life for residents and attract businesses and investors to our region.

    4. Supporting Local Businesses and Job Creation: Thriving businesses are the backbone of thriving communities. I’m committed to making it easier for businesses in our district to succeed by cutting red tape, streamlining regulations, and providing the support they need to grow and create jobs. Whether it’s a small, family-run business or a larger enterprise, my goal is to foster an environment where entrepreneurs can thrive, employees feel valued, and opportunities are abundant.

    5. Engaging with the Community: I believe government works best when it is transparent, accountable, and inclusive. That’s why I’m committed to staying connected with you through newsletters, community meetings, and surveys. Your input will shape our decisions and ensure we’re addressing the issues that matter most. We’ll continue the tradition of quarterly community meetings, with updates to encourage participation and collaboration. Additionally, we’re forming citizen advisory committees to focus on pressing issues like homelessness, public safety, and transportation. If you’re interested, please join us—we want your voice at the table.

    Thank you again for trusting me with this responsibility. I’m excited to get to work and make a real difference for our community. If you have any questions, concerns, or ideas, don’t hesitate to reach out.

    You can call my office at 916-874-5491 or email me at  SupervisorRodriguez@saccounty.gov.

    I look forward to working with you to make District 4 the best it can be. Let’s get started!

    Sacramento County Supervisor Rosario Rodriguez represents District 4, which encompasses Citrus Heights, Folsom, Orangevale, Antelope, Rio Linda, Elverta, Gold River, Rancho Murieta, North Highlands, Carmichael, Foothill Farms, and Fair Oaks.

    The Sentinel welcomes letters and guest opinions on local topics. Submit a letter to the editor or opinion column for publication: Click here

  • Letters to the Editor: mayor’s apology, palm tree Christmas lights

    Sentinel Staff Report–
    This week’s Letters to the Editor are in response to an apology from the mayor about a hot mic comment, and a response to one resident’s complaint about Christmas lights on palm trees.

    Mayor should resign
    I am appalled by this behavior. As far as I’m concerned this is a reprehensible and not to be forgiven act. Our esteemed mayor, of all people, should immediately resign from the city council. An empty apology is not enough. This type of comment/behavior is what rots a government from the inside out because it shows her mean spirited demeanor. We deserve better. We’ve had better in the past and need to get back there again. I do not know the person she was disparaging, it doesn’t matter who it was. She needs to go!!!
    — Laura Belcher, Citrus Heights

    Related: Citrus Heights Mayor apologizes for hot mic comment during City Council meeting. – Citrus Heights Sentinel

    Holiday palm tree lighting
    In response to the letter dated January 18 regarding holiday palm tree lighting, the Sunrise MarketPlace Business District is responsible for this lighting, not the City.  We repeatedly asked the vendor to unplug the red/green lights last year. It is not something we can do.  I apologize that these lights were left on all year. They shouldn’t have been and are being disconnected now.

    The white lights, which are on year-round, are a challenge. Every year storms affect the sensitive GFIs in the public medians shutting down the lights. Additionally, this year we had issues of vandalism- people stealing and/or cutting the extension cords. However, even given those challenges, most of the lights were on throughout the year. There were outages – a few trees at a time. Our overnight security monitors the lights, and we get them repaired as quickly as possible. There may be alternative lighting options, however the electrical infrastructure in the medians is quite old and deteriorated.

    We added the lights to provide lighting in the medians when the up-lights stopped working many years ago. We also hoped to provide some beautification and make Sunrise an attractive street in our business district. We added the red and green lights to enhance the existing holiday banners and décor we install on the light poles. We will endeavor to do a better job this year and appreciate your patience while we work though these issues. If you see issues with the palm trees, please contact me at kathilynn@sunrisemarketplace.com.
    -Kathilynn Carpenter, Sunrise MarketPlace Executive Director

    Related: Letters to the Editor: Sunrise Mall, Christmas lights on palm trees – Citrus Heights Sentinel

  • Citrus Heights Police: teacher arrested, more victims sought

    CHPD arrested a 58 year old substitute teacher on suspicion of abuse of minors and possession of child pornography. // CHPD
    CHPD arrested a 58-year-old substitute teacher with SJUSD on suspicion of abuse of minors and possession of child pornography. // CHPD

    By Sara Beth Williams–
    A substitute teacher accused of sexually abusing minors was arrested by Citrus Heights Police on Thursday.

    In a press release on Jan. 23, Citrus Heights Police announced the arrest of 58-year-old Ricky Linan on multiple charges, including lewd acts with minors under 14 and possession of child pornography. Linan was arrested at his residence and is now being held at the Sacramento County Main Jail on $1.7 million bail, according to police.

    In a safety update on the district’s website, San Juan Unified School District confirmed that Linan served as a substitute teacher in the district for Discovery Club after-school programs at Mariposa Avenue Elementary, Cambridge Heights Elementary, Woodside K-8, and multiple other schools outside of Citrus Heights.

    58-year-old Ricky Linan was arrested at his residence and is now being held at the Sacramento County Main Jail on $1.7 million bail. // CHPD
    58-year-old Ricky Linan was arrested at his residence and is now being held at the Sacramento County Main Jail on $1.7 million bail. // CHPD

    On Dec. 2, police said the department initiated an investigation into allegations of sexual assault involving a substitute teacher employed within an after-school program in the San Juan Unified School District. The alleged suspect was immediately placed on administrative leave, denying him access to additional students, police said.

    “Through a collaborative investigation with the school district and the Sacramento County District Attorney’s Office, detectives uncovered evidence of the crime, identified additional minor victims, and confirmed further offenses,” police said in the press release, adding that the department is “working closely” with partner agencies to provide resources and support to victims and families that have been affected.

    San Juan Unified said in a statement on their website that school staff and administration are assisting law enforcement and that any families with concerns can contact the Citrus Heights Police Department. Counseling services are also available to any student, and a webpage with tips to guide families through difficult conversations has been made available.

    Police are now asking for any information from students who may have been in contact with the suspect. Parents who suspect their child may have had contact with Linan can contact the Citrus Heights investigations unit at (916) 727-5524 to speak with detectives.

    “The safety of our children is our highest priority, and we remain steadfast in our commitment to seeking justice and protecting the vulnerable members of our community,” police said.

  • One rescued from early morning house fire in Citrus Heights

    One rescued from early morning house fire in Citrus Heights

    Drone footage from Sac Metro Fire sows a home damaged by an early morning house fire, Jan. 25, 2025.
    Drone footage from Sac Metro Fire sows a home damaged by an early morning house fire, Jan. 25, 2025. // Courtesy of Sac Metro Fire.

    By Sara Beth Williams–
    Fire crews rescued one person from a burning home in Citrus Heights early Friday morning, Sacramento Metropolitan Fire District officials reported.

    Crews responded to a property on Patterson Lane around 5:39 a.m. in response to a 911 call from a victim trapped inside the house, which was on fire. Crews arrived to find a single-story home on fire and encountered hoarder conditions within, which prevented the person from escaping, according to local reports. The victim was rescued from a bathroom, evaluated by medics, and transported to a local hospital.

    Crews were forced to cut off the garage door in order to reach the fire inside. Video footage shared with The Sentinel show a garage packed with boxes, household items, and other debris, with smoke pouring from the interior of the garage while several crew members worked to extinguish the flames.

    No other injuries were reported.

  • New restaurant announces plans to fill vacant Boston Pizza

    New restaurant announces plans to fill vacant Boston Pizza

    A vacant building once home to Boston’s Pizza Restaurant & Sports Bar at 5511 Sunrise Blvd. in Citrus Heights
    A vacant building once home to Boston’s Pizza Restaurant & Sports Bar at 5511 Sunrise Blvd. in Citrus Heights // SB Williams

    By Sara Beth Williams–
    A new barbeque restaurant is solidifying plans to fill a vacant building along Sunrise Boulevard in Citrus Heights.

    The city confirmed Wednesday that it is reviewing permits for the transformation of the former Boston Pizza Sports Bar and Grill into another restaurant.

    According to submitted plans to the city, the new business will be called Must Be Cow, a Korean barbeque restaurant. Plans were initially submitted on Nov. 14, and are undergoing revisions with the Building Division, Citrus Heights city spokesperson Marisa Brown said.

    The former Boston’s Pizza is adjacent to the shuttered former Marie Callender’s Restaurant and Bakery near the corner of Sunrise Boulevard and Uplands Way. Marie Callender’s closed abruptly in 2019.

    Boston Pizza originally opened in January of 2020, just weeks before pandemic shutdown orders restricted in-person dining, The Sentinel previously reported. Owner Gurtej Gill participated in the city’s Great Plates program, providing meals to qualifying seniors during the shutdowns. Before Boston Pizza, the building was formerly occupied by Logan’s Roadhouse.

    Boston Pizza closed in November 2023.

  • Citrus Heights Mayor apologizes for hot mic comment during City Council meeting.

    Citrus Heights Mayor apologizes for hot mic comment during City Council meeting.

    Citrus Heights City Council, Jan. 22, 2025
    Citrus Heights City Council, Jan. 22, 2025. // SB Williams

    By Sara Beth Williams–
    Citrus Heights Mayor Jayna Karpinski-Costa issued an apology Thursday following a remark made during Wednesday night’s City Council meeting in reference to a public speaker that was inadvertently picked up by a live microphone.

    In an emailed statement to The Sentinel, Karpinski-Costa said in part, “I regret making the comment and I apologize to her, to my fellow council members, and to the community. Public comment is always welcome, and I have always urged people to come to council and express their views on subjects or call our attention to problems, especially if the issues are not addressed by staff… Again, I apologize for any embarrassment this has brought to my fellow council members, our staff, and the community.”

    The remark occurred after public comments by an animal rescuer who had come to address the council about 311 Connect and efforts to rescue a stray dog in the Lichen Drive area. When the speaker’s remarks exceeded the standard five-minute time limit given to all public speakers, Karpinski-Costa asked the speaker to “wrap up” her comments twice before the speaker left the podium. Following the speaker’s departure, Karpinski-Costa leaned toward another council member and made a remark, which was unintentionally audible due to the microphone being active.

    The whispered comment, difficult to hear in the recording, appears to say, “I’m not putting up with her bullsh*t.” It was picked up by the microphone after the speaker walked away and could be heard on the livestream feed broadcast on YouTube and the city’s website.

    The incident drew criticism from residents and community members on social media Wednesday night, some calling the mayor’s interactions with the public speaker and the subsequent overheard comment “unprofessional,” “disrespectful,” and “dismissive.”

    Karpinski-Costa explained on Thursday that she had not realized the microphone was still on and that she was “frustrated” at the time due to the speaker exceeding the allotted time limit. She also noted that the issue raised had already been addressed through emails received prior to the council meeting, and was “for all intents and purposes, resolved.”

    The mayor also emphasized the availability of office hours for public engagement where residents are able to meet with the mayor or another appointed City Council member. On Mondays, members of the public can visit the mayor between 9 a.m. and 12 p.m. in the lobby of Citrus Heights City Hall, located at 6360 Fountain Square Drive.

    The public speaker involved in the incident declined to comment to The Sentinel.

  • Popular Citrus Heights donut shop under new ownership

    New owners of Master Donuts, Bee and Long Keo stand behind a counter of pastries inside the shop. // SB Williams
    New owners of Master Donuts, Bee and Long Keo stand behind a counter of pastries inside the shop. // SB Williams

    By Sara Beth Williams–
    After over 30 years, Master Donuts now has a new owner.

    Bee Keo is now the new owner of Master Donuts on Sunrise Boulevard and Old Auburn Road, Keo said in an interview Wednesday.

    The previous owner, Vongdee Cheak, owned Master Donuts for 31 years and still comes in occasionally to visit, Keo said.

    Cheak, who is in her 60s and came to the United States in the 1980s from Cambodia, told The Sentinel in a previous interview that people have been asking for years when she’ll retire. She originally mentioned wanting to pass on the business to her family.

    Keo confirmed that Cheak has finally retired and contacted Keo personally with the offer to sell. Keo also owns Rancho Cordova Donuts in Rancho Cordova and has worked in the donut industry with her family for years prior to owning her own businesses.

    “In the donut business, everyone knows everybody,” Keo said.

    So far, customers have been welcoming and have been passing on “hints” of advice. Keo said she is keeping the same logo and continuing to use the same catchphrase the previous owner used for so many decades: “See you tomorrow.”

    Keo said she wanted to retain Master Donuts’ name, logo, and catchphrase because there are a lot of regular customers who come in to buy goods from the shop, but Keo also plans to do some ‘brightening up’ of the interior space. Currently the small interior has a handful of tables with attached chairs where customers can sit and eat.

    Keo also wants to expand the menu and add sandwiches, croissants and more muffins and pastry options. Currently, the shop offers a variety of breakfast pastries, including many different donuts, donut holes and apple fritters, as well as coffee drinks.

    The donut shop is open 5 a.m. to 4 p.m. daily and is located at 7601 Sunrise Blvd. in the Citrus Heights Plaza shopping center a few doors down from the new Family Outpost, a thrift store that opened in August in the former Doller n More location.

  • Rodriguez pledges action on homelessness, safety, roads as new County Supervisor

    Rosario Rodriguez was sworn in as the new Sacramento County Supervisor for District 4 on Jan. 7, 2025.
    Rosario Rodriguez was sworn in as the new Sacramento County Supervisor for District 4 on Jan. 7, 2025. // Office of Rosario Rodriguez

    By Sara Beth Williams–
    Rosario Rodriguez took the oath of office on Jan. 7, officially becoming the new Sacramento County Supervisor, taking over Sue Frost’s position. Frost formerly served as Citrus Heights Mayor and Sacramento County Supervisor for District 4 and announced last year that she would not be seeking reelection and would be moving out of state.

    At the time, Frost also endorsed Rodriguez as a candidate to fill her seat. Rodriguez won the supervisor seat without the need for a runoff in the March 2024 primary election, winning 51 percent of the vote against candidates Branden Murphy and former Citrus Heights Mayor Bret Daniels.

    Rodriguez was sworn in by her mother, Concepcion “Connie” Rodriguez, in Spanish, and by her son, Yovanny Chamberlain, and grandson, Antonio Velasquez, in English, according to a Jan. 7 press release.

    Rodriguez was also unanimously selected to serve as Vice Chair for the upcoming term during the Board of Supervisors’ organizational meeting.

    Rodriguez said she was “deeply honored” to begin her term and added that she is “committed to helping lead efforts” to address challenges throughout the county.

    “This is a pivotal opportunity to work collaboratively to take real action to reduce the impact of homelessness, keep our neighborhoods safe, and focus on repairs and improvements to our roads.” Rodriguez said.

    In a newsletter to constituents, Rodriguez outlined her top five “immediate” priorities, which include addressing homelessness, fighting crime and community saftey, improving roads and transportation, supporting local businesses and job creation, and engaging with the community.

    “The time for empty promises is over—it’s time to take action,” Rodriguez said in her newsletter.

    Her approach emphasizes collaboration with community members, local governments, nonprofits, faith-based organizations, and stakeholders to create “meaningful and lasting change.” Rodriguez also plans to hold quarterly community meetings and wants to establish Citizen Advisory Committees to help address “pressing life issues.”

    According to her bio, Rodriguez previously served as a board member for multiple boards, including the Folsom Chamber of Commerce, Twin Lakes Food Bank, and Folsom Economic Development Corporation. Rodriguez was elected to the Folsom City Council in 2020 after serving on the Historic District Commission for three years. Rodriguez also launched a San Francisco-style taqueria in the Folsom Historic District in 2016.

    District 4 encompasses Citrus Heights, Folsom, Orangevale, Antelope, Rio Linda, Elverta, Gold River, Rancho Murieta, North Highlands, Carmichael, Foothill Farms, and Fair Oaks.

     

     

  • Council appoints new Commissioners, requests to disband Construction Board of Appeals

    Mayor Jayna Karpinski-Costa, Jan. 8, 2025.
    Mayor Jayna Karpinski-Costa, Jan. 8, 2025. // SB Williams

    By Sara Beth Williams–
    Prior to appointing two new members to the Planning Commission, Mayor Jayna Karpinski-Costa made a request to “get rid” of the Construction Board of Appeals during the first Citrus Heights City Council meeting of the new year.

    Along with appointing four members to the Planning Commission on Jan. 8, the City Council was expected to appoint members to the Construction Board of Appeals, but Karpinski-Costa instead requested that the rarely-utilized board be disbanded, saying the board hasn’t ever convened.

    City Manager Ash Feeney agreed and added that other cities often create temporary ad hoc committees to address construction-related issues in lieu of using a Construction Board of Appeals.

    The request was seconded by Vice Mayor MariJane Lopez-Taff. Appointments to the Construction Board of Appeals were postponed until a future decision is made regarding the fate of the board.

    According to the city, 17 applicants applied to the Planning Commission. Two of those applicants also applied to be on the Construction Board of Appeals.

    Recent City Council candidates Amie Burgundy Brown and Andrew Saunders, who lost to newly elected councilmember Kelsey Nelson in the November 2024 election, were among the applicants for vacant Planning Commission seats, following the path of many former Planning Commissioners and City Council members.

    Councilmembers Tim Schaefer, Porsche Middleton, and most recently, Nelson, all served on the Planning Commission prior to the City Council. Nelson only served on the Planning Commission from August until December 9, 2024.

    New appointees to join the current three commissioners include Al Hakam Al Rami, nominated by Nelson, and Scott Kinderwater, appointed at large by a majority vote from the council. Oleg Shishko and Thomas Scheeler were also reappointed to serve a second term.

    Middleton was the only councilmember to nominate Saunders, and Middleton and Schaefer both nominated Brown in the first round of voting for at-large appointments. Middleton and Karpinski-Costa nominated Brown in the second round of voting, but Kinderwater and Scheeler received the majority of nominations. Nelson did not appoint or nominate either of her past District 3 running mates.

    Under council rules, each member nominates one resident to serve on the Planning Commission, concurrent with the council member’s four-year term and subject to ratification by the full council. Two additional residents are chosen by the council as a whole and serve two-year terms.

    The Planning Commission convenes to twice a month and is tasked with making decisions on land-use-related proposals, as well as holding public hearings and reviewing proposed ordinances. The commission also makes recommendations to the City Council on major development projects. For more information, residents can visit the Planning Commission’s page on the city’s website.

  • City Council regional appointments announced: New 2×2 formed with park district

    City Council regional appointments announced: New 2×2 formed with park district

    City Council meeting, Jan. 8.
    First City Council meeting of the new year, Jan. 8, 2025. // SB Williams

    By Sara Beth Williams–
    Each year, the Citrus Heights Mayor approves appointments for City Council members to serve on various boards, commissions, and subcommittees to address local and regional issues like sewer, law enforcement, libraries, air quality, and transportation. This year, two members of the City Council will also serve in a 2×2 committee with the Sunrise Recreation and Park District, following a request in December from Citrus Heights Mayor Jayna Karpinski-Costa.

    The following is a list of appointments made during the Jan. 8. City Council meeting.

    REGIONAL BOARDS & COMMISSIONS:

    • Sacramento Local Agency Formation Commission: Representative from Galt, Mayor Jayna Karpinski-Costa (alternate, representing Citrus Heights)
    • Sacramento Metropolitan Cable Television Commission: Porsche Middleton, Vice Mayor MariJane Lopez-Taff (alternate)
    • Sacramento Public Library Authority: Vice Mayor MariJane Lopez-Taff, Porsche Middleton (alternate)
    • Sacramento Area Sewer District: Mayor Jayna Karpinski-Costa, Kelsey Nelson (alternate)
    • Sacramento Transportation Authority: Kelsey Nelson, Mayor Jayna Karpinski-Costa (alternate)
    • Sacramento Area Council of Governments: Tim Schaefer, Mayor Jayna Karpinski-Costa (alternate)
    • Regional Transit: Tim Schaefer, Vice Mayor MariJane Lopez-Taff (alternate)
    • Sacramento Metropolitan Air Quality Management District: Porsche Middleton, Kelsey Nelson (alternate)
    • Sacramento Steps Forward Homeless Policy Council: Vice Mayor MariJane Lopez-Taff, Porsche Middleton (alternate)

    Council Ad Hoc Subcommittees:

    • Finance/Administration: Mayor Jayne Karpinski-Costa, Tim Schaefer.
    • Quality of Life: Mayor Jayna Karpinski-Costa, Kelsey Nelson.

    Additionally, council members are also appointed annually to serve as liaisons to local entities:

    • Education and Community Programs 2×2: Mayor Jayna Karpinski-Costa, Tim Schaefer.
    • Sacramento Metropolitan Fire District 2×2: Lopez-Taff, Middleton.
    • Sunrise MarketPlace: Vice Mayor MariJane Lopez-Taff, Time Schaefer.
    • (New) Sunrise Recreation and Park District 2×2: Mayor Jayna Karpinski-Costa, Kelsey Nelson

    Karpinski-Costas said during the meeting that councilmembers submitted their preferences, and the mayor attempted to follow as many preferences as she could while emphasizing the importance of consistency, where members serving on boards in previous years remained on the same board unless they were unhappy.