The Citrus Heights Community Center is open for in person voting, at 6300 Fountain Square Drive. // SB Williams
By Sara Beth Williams– As Election Day approaches, more voting center locations in Citrus Heights opened for in-person voting on Saturday, in addition to a voting center at the Citrus Heights Community Center that has been open since Oct. 26.
Election inspectors Larry and Margie Miramontes are in charge of managing the community center location, and the two have been working together at polling places in Citrus Heights since 2001, Margie Miramontes said Saturday. Miramontes said she’s seen a noticeable uptick in voter turnout this election compared to past elections. Other staff present said voters have been coming in steadily since the center opened, and Miramontes estimates she has seen at least 100 people per day, except for a slowdown last Sunday, where she said roughly 60 voters came in person.
“In past elections, seeing 20 people come in [per day] was a good day,” Miramontes said, referring to the days in which center was open prior to Election Day. Miramontes is expecting a larger turn out for this election on Nov. 5.
Election inspectors for both the Sylvan Oaks Library and the Citrus Heights Community Center said they’ve yet to see more than five voters stand in line prior to opening. Staff at the community center said because of the dreary weather on Saturday morning, voter turnout appeared much lower in the morning, but Miramontes added that afternoons have consistently seen a higher number of voters coming in person.
The Election Inspector for the Sylvan Oaks Library voting center, which opened Nov. 2 at 9 a.m., said the voting center will remain open Sunday and Monday, even when the library is closed, as the voting center has been set up in the library’s community room, which has an outside door where residents enter through.
All polling locations in Citrus Heights open for in-person voting are listed below. All polling locations also accept mail-in ballot drop offs. All mail-in and in-person ballots are kept in locked bags, and at least one person is required to always stand or sit next to the bags while voting centers are open, Miramontes said.
Citrus Heights Community Center
Address: 6300 Fountain Square Drive.
Hours: 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. daily, beginning Oct. 26
Election Day: 7 a.m. to 8 p.m. on Nov. 5
Sylvan Oaks Library:
Address: 6700 Auburn Blvd.
Hours: Daily, 9 a.m. to 5 p.m., beginning Nov. 2.
Election Day: 7 a.m. to 8 p.m. on Nov. 5
Citrus Heights Fellowship:
Address: 7405 Mariposa Ave.
Hours: Daily, 8 a.m. to 4 p.m., beginning Nov. 2.
Election Day: 7 a.m. to 8 p.m. on Nov. 5
Holy Family Community Center:
Address: 7817 Old Auburn Rd.
Hours: Daily, 8 a.m. to 4 p.m., beginning Nov. 2.
Election Day: 7 a.m. to 8 p.m. on Nov. 5
St. Mark’s Lutheran Church
Address: 7869 Kingswood Drive.
Hours: Daily, 9 a.m. to 5 p.m., beginning Nov. 2.
Election Day: 7 a.m. to 8 p.m. on Nov. 5
Find all the locations for mail-in ballot drop-off here.
An applicant wants to bring a car dealership to the former Big Lots building on Auburn Blvd. // SB Williams
By Sara Beth Williams– A proposal to breathe new life into the vacant building once home to Big Lots could bring an electric vehicle dealership to Citrus Heights, if an amendment to the city’s Auburn Boulevard Specific Plan is approved.
According to an Oct. 25 update, a proposed car dealership would be located in the former Big Lots building, adjacent to the abandoned Studio Movie Grill project. The former site of Kmart, which was once planned to become a Studio Movie Grill, is also currently under review to become a church.
Plans submitted to the city show that the applicant, Brian Holloway of AV Investment, LLC, is requesting to amend the land use table in the Gateway District portion of the Auburn Boulevard Specific Plan to permit new auto sales and rentals. The proposed project wants to convert the large vacant building into a new electric vehicle sales and service dealership, documents state.
The Auburn Boulevard Specific Plan was adopted in 2005 and was intended to “guide the revitalization and enhancement of Auburn Boulevard between Sylvan Corners and Interstate 80,” according to the city. The almost 2-mile stretch of roadway was once part of the Historic Lincoln Highway, otherwise known as State Highway 40.
The Specific Plan includes four areas: the Gateway District, the Lincoln 40 District, Rusch Park District, and Sylvan Corners Village Square District. The project under review seeks to amend the Gateway District portion of the Specific Plan, according to the city.
Listed benefits for allowing a dealership include the “opportunity to reuse and revitalize” an abandoned building, the opportunity for sales of non-polluting vehicles in the city, and the potential for tax revenue for the city, according to the applicant. Plans also indicate that buildings will be repainted and that new landscaping will be installed.
Currently, in the Auburn Boulevard Specific Plan, no vehicle sales and rental or repair uses are allowed on sites without a history of those uses. Sites that can demonstrate they have historically been used for vehicle sales, repair, or rental can be allowed to resume a form of automotive-based use if the property meets specific criteria. Applicants need to be able to prove the existence of automotive-based uses through the following means: the existence of roll-up garage doors, auto lifts, or vehicle display or sales area on the property; through the use of historical photos or aerial images, or a previous business license indicating that the site had an automotive use in the past.
An amendment to the Specific Plan is required to go before the Planning Commission and before the City Council, according to city spokesperson Marisa Brown. A meeting date for the review of the project has not been set.
The Spartans and Mavericks faced off Friday, Nov. 1, at the annual Citrus Bowl. // SB Williams
By Sara Beth Williams– Despite bringing on a new head coach, the San Juan High School Spartans faced a tough loss in a rainy Citrus Bowl finale against Mesa Verde Friday night.
Although the Spartans have had a history of losses against Mesa Verde, new head coach of the Spartans, Otis Washington, was optimistic prior to the kickoff of the Citrus Bowl, an annual intra-city rivalry game with Mesa Verde High School. Washington told The Sentinel before the game that he was feeling “excited” about the matchup and that he has been friends with Leonard Casillas, who is the varsity football head coach for the Mesa Verde Mavericks.
Marquise London, San Juan High School Student Community Intervention Specialist and mom to one of the fullbacks on the Spartan football team, said the new head coach “was a good change and a long time coming.” Her son has played all four years on the San Juan football team in various positions.
London said Washington has spent the year emphasizing students’ academic success and said she has seen grades increase and difficult behaviors decrease because of Washington’s influence on the players. Washington works as a College and Career Center Tech at San Juan High School, according to his Facebook page. London said he’s “very active” and more accessible to the players because he’s on campus. Washington took over for previous head coach David Castillo who coached the team from 2020 to 2023, according to MaxPreps.
The Citrus Bowl, an annual game that takes place each year between the only two high schools in Citrus Heights, is traditionally scheduled in September early in the season. This year, the Nov. 1 game was the last game for the season, and most of it was played in steady rainfall.
Before the heaviest rain began to fall, the Mavericks scored 42 unanswered points. As the rain intensified, Mesa Verde football players said the slick grass “definitely” affected game play while on the field for both teams, as they battled it out under the worsening elements. By halftime, many fans left the stands, seeking shelter.
Mesa Verde has a history of winning the Citrus Bowl, and this year’s win takes the team to a 6-4 overall record for the season, which is an improvement to last season’s 4-7 record. The final score of the 2024 Citrus Bowl was 62-0, in favor of Mesa Verde, according to MaxPreps.
Despite the losses this season, London said she “can’t wait” to see how much the young squad of players will grow under Washington’s new leadership. Washington feels the same, saying before the game that he’s excited to “build the foundation” of the young team.
London said the team is made up of many players who would normally play at the Junior Varsity level, but because San Juan doesn’t have a Junior Varsity team, freshman and sophomores often play against the varsity teams of other high schools.
A hot meal was served to unhoused individuals at the Stock Ranch Nature Preserve on Tues., Oct. 8. // Image credit: Alfred Sanchez
By Sara Beth Williams– A weekly distribution of a hot meal to unhoused individuals at the Stock Ranch Nature Preserve was forced to end last month, according to event organizers.
Grace House Ministries, along with several other local homeless advocates and representatives from Citrus Heights Homeless Assistance Resource Team (HART), and Community Health Workers met regularly with unhoused individuals to provide food and resources weekly each Tuesday, until Oct. 8.
On Oct. 8, Grace House and Citrus Heights HART both reportedly received trespassing “yellow slips” following the arrest of an unhoused individual prior to the distribution of a hot meal of chicken, rice, and beans.
Unhoused individuals and advocates, including Alfred Sanchez and Margaret Cleek, alleged to The Sentinel that the Sunrise Recreation and Park District, which operates Stock Ranch Nature Preserve, influenced the issuing of trespass warnings or citations to representatives of both Citrus Heights HART and Grace House.
Sunrise Recreation and Park District Administrator Kevin Huntzinger said in a phone call that the district has a “strong partnership” with the Citrus Heights Police Department and has given the Police Department “permission to issue trespassing citations for valid reasons” to individuals engaging in illegal activities at six different locations owned by the park district.
“The main focus is to bolster the partnership with the CHPD to make all of our parks a great place for people to come, where there are not illegal activities occurring, and where it’s a place that people want to be,” Huntzinger said, adding that there have been at least four significant fires at the Stock Ranch Nature Preserve that occurred because of homeless encampments.
Huntzinger shared photos with The Sentinel of the damage caused by fires and reported that four fires occurred, one in April, June, July, and September. The Sentinel reported on a half-acre fire that occurred behind Costco in July and has reported on several other fires in the vicinity in years past.
Huntzinger also said the park district contacted Grace House prior to Oct. 8 and informed the group that organized weekly meals were “no longer permitted,” citing increases in illegal homeless activities, but Grace House “came back the following week anyway,” according to Huntzinger. When asked why Citrus Heights HART, who did not actively engage in serving food, was also reportedly given a trespassing warning, but others who were also regular attendees were not, Huntzinger referred The Sentinel to the Police Department for more information.
The following Tuesday, Oct. 15, the Community Health Workers, who normally attend the meal distribution in order to contact those in their caseload, also did not appear at the Nature Preserve.
The city issued a statement on Oct. 24 that said in part: “Due to an increase in nuisance activities, theft, and fires at the nature preserve and nearby businesses, the property owner has withdrawn permission for the third-party meal provision service to continue in that area and requested trespassing enforcement.”
The city also said that the situation was unrelated to the Community Health Worker Program and that services remain available on Mondays at Living Water Church for client intake, assessment, and support. Health Workers are also available “in the field” on Wednesdays, Thursdays, and Fridays, the city said, but did not specify where.
Citrus Heights Police confirmed that one female was taken into custody on Oct. 8, but police incident logs for that date do not show any police activity logged in the vicinity of the Stock Ranch Nature Preserve, Walmart, or Costco parking lots.
When asked why the police logs do not show any police activity between 2 and 3:30 p.m. on Oct. 8 at Stock Ranch Nature Preserve, Sgt. Jen Kell with the Citrus Heights Police Department said certain information on incidents, when generated by the computer system for the public information logs, will be redacted automatically. As to why the arrest on Oct. 8 was logged but the incident call that led to the arrest wasn’t logged publicly, Sgt. Kell referred The Sentinel to the records department.
Police Chief Alex Turcotte confirmed via email on Friday that an officer was “in the area” on Oct. 8, following up on a previous complaint related to trespassing, when the officer came into contact with Groves and others. Turcotte said “several others” were contacted related to “trespassing concerns” at the request of the property owner, but no trespass citations were issued.
Turcotte said incident logs and arrest logs are provided to help inform the community but “may not represent a complete list of all activity.” He also said trespassing citations result in a misdemeanor arrest, but trespassing warnings, whether in writing or verbal, are “an advisement that repeated action may result in a criminal arrest.”
History of serving meals to the unhoused Patrick Miller with Grace House Ministries said in an interview on Oct. 24 that his ministry has served food to those in need for 15 years in various locations. Prior to the pandemic, Miller said Grace House served a meal at Rusch Park in Citrus Heights, but the group was asked to stop serving food during the pandemic. In 2022, Miller said Sunrise Recreation and Park District contacted Grace House again and agreed to allow them to serve meals at the Stock Ranch Nature Preserve once a week.
“Our purpose is two-fold: to provide people with the opportunity to serve and give back and to make a pathway off the street [for unhoused individuals],” Miller said. Grace House is a recovery center for those addicted to drugs and alcohol, and those who join Grace House help cook and serve meals for other unhoused individuals.
Grace House now serves a hot meal to the unhoused at Royer Park in Roseville on Sundays at 2:30 p.m., Miller said, as well as at The Gathering Inn in Roseville. Miller still plans to work with the Sunrise Recreation and Park District to find a suitable location to serve food to those in need in Citrus Heights.
“We’ll be back on the street in Citrus Heights, we’ll find a place, we’re not going to let that go. There’s too many folks that need help,” Miller said.
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The food court at the Sunrise Mall is vacant and dark, except for a mobile coffee cart. // S.Williams
Opinion column by Sara Beth Williams– In the last few years, a myriad of news articles, commentaries, opinionated letters, and online social media posts have documented both the obvious demise and the hopeful anticipation of a new era for the Sunrise Mall. With the Citrus Heights City Council set to review an amendment to the Sunrise Tomorrow Specific Plan later this month, it seems appropriate to examine what Sunrise Mall truly needs for a successful revitalization.
In April 2023, Comstock’s Magazine asked several mall managers multiple questions, including what their keys to a great customer experience were. The top answers from mall management surveyed included clean and well-maintained grounds, keeping customers and businesses safe and protected, and offering desirable spaces with opportunities for community engagement. These features encapsulate exactly what our mall is missing.
The Sunrise Mall needs an owner who is present:
The history of the Sunrise Mall predates the city’s incorporation by 25 years, and many older residents have reminisced about cruise nights, regular shopping trips, and gatherings with friends at the Sunrise Mall over the decades. However, the majority owner—who has offices based in New York and has a questionable track record—has allowed the mall to fall into disrepair.
Stores have left in droves, particularly in late 2023 and early 2024, which saw the closure of multiple eateries and national brands. Entire corridors of the mall now stand vacant, and kids ride bikes freely through the center of the mall harassing customers, according to store employees. Outside, landscaping is poorly maintained, particularly the landscaping along both major boulevards, prompting even former Mayor Bret Daniels to offer to bring out a hose to water the grass himself during a June 27 City Council meeting where the city took the first step in approving a subdivision for a future hotel footprint. Daniels called the neglect of the landscaping “horrible” considering that the intersection of Sunrise Boulevard and Greenback Lane is one of the busiest intersections in the county.
Conversely, commercial real estate investment company Ethan Conrad Properties, based in Sacramento, purchased 21 acres of the mall property in November 2022 and has repaved whole sections of parking lots and repainted and remodeled the buildings he owns since that time.
While the effort shown is very welcome, we still need a majority owner who is present in this city — or at least the state — and who will actively maintain the property both inside and out. We need an owner who will staff the mall with enough security personnel to allow visitors to feel safe, instead of passively condoning harassment from kids riding bikes through the mall and allowing businesses investigated by federal authorities to continue to operate within the mall.
The Sunrise Mall needs suitable outdoor spaces for people to meet and gather:
While the mall lacks food and shopping options, with the last permanent food eatery vacating the food court in early 2024, a series of community events and activities continues to take place. But when there are no farmer’s markets, carnivals, or vendor fairs, the mall is desolate. Savxcreative on Tiktok called the mall a “ghost mall” and one resident told Comstock’s Magazine, “You could drive a car through the inside of the mall and not hit anyone.” Residents who’ve been to the mall recently know this is true.
The mall needs more than occasional events sprinkled throughout the year to draw customers to its grounds. While the mostly vacant interior of the mall features an old fountain and small couches, tables, and chairs dispersed within, there are zero places to eat, and the exterior offers nothing but uncomfortable metal benches that overlook mostly-vacant parking lots.
In contrast, the Marketplace at Birdcage right across the street features beautiful murals on store walls, fairly-well-maintained grounds throughout the series of retailers and restaurants, outdoor patio areas along some of the fast-casual restaurants, and maintained walking paths that make it easy for patrons to walk from one store to another.
The Fountains at Roseville offer a majestic “dancing” fountain as the focal point, which lights up at night, as well as outdoor patios, easily accessible storefronts, sculptures, fire pits, an interactive splash pad, a small playground, and train rides for kids, providing something to do for all family members.
The Palladio in Folsom features activities such as family-friendly games in the piazza center court and photo ops sprinkled along the grounds, and regularly holds concert series, car shows, and holiday events.
The Galleria in Roseville, though primarily indoors, features an outdoor playground area with a shade structure over the top that serves as a gathering and resting place for families with kids.
This is what our mall needs, and this is what the Sunrise Tomorrow Specific Plan promotes and emphasizes. Disregarding or removing the requirements for open spaces or green space will prevent future visitors and adjacent residents from enjoying benefits such as enhanced aesthetics and the potential for community engagement and social interaction—benefits that all the above-mentioned venues offer in spades. Likewise, future businesses will lose out on increased foot traffic from patrons.
Regardless of the decision on which future retailers should and shouldn’t come to the property or whether the site is renamed, in order to draw customers back to the mall we once cherished and thus reinvigorate both a sense of community pride and more tax revenue into our city, we need an owner who is present, who keeps the property maintained and safe, and we need outdoor gathering spaces with green space, walking paths, inviting seating areas, and outdoor activities that people of all ages and all walks of life can enjoy.
Sara Beth Williams was born and raised in Citrus Heights, and is a writer, reporter, and published author. She previously worked in education for 10 years. With deep community roots, she contributes to The Sentinel and keeps a close watch on key projects. When she’s not held hostage by the keyboard, she loves reading, gardening, music, and spending time with family. You can find her on Facebook, X and Instagram.
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A Friday-afternoon head-on collision occurred on Old Auburn Road. // Sac Metro Fire
By Sara Beth Willims— Two vehicles were involved in a head-on collision on Old Auburn Road in Citrus Heights on Friday afternoon.
Emergency crews responded to the report of a collision on Old Auburn Road around 2:45 p.m. between Robert Creek Court and Orelle Creek Court, and found two vehicles had collided. Sacramento Metro Fire District officials said three individuals were involved, and one person had to be extricated. All occupants reported to be in stable condition and transported to the hospital.
Citrus Heights Police confirmed that both east and west bound lanes were shut down temporarily along Old Auburn Road at the scene of the accident and that both lanes reopened about 45 minutes following the incident.
Citrus Heights Police said Friday night that the cause of the crash was unknown at that time.
Sketches is planning to relocate to the site of a former Walgreens. // SB Williams
By Sara Beth Williams– The Skechers store currently located in the Citrus Town Center will soon be moving to the former site of a nearby Walgreens at the corner of Sunrise Boulevard and Greenback Lane.
A blue and white banner posted at 6199 Sunrise Blvd., which was once home to Walgreens, indicates that Skechers will be opening soon to that location. Skechers is still operating its business across the street in the Citrus Town Center at 7975 Greenback Ln., adjacent to Marshall’s.
Sunrise MarketPlace Executive Director Kathilynn Carpenter confirmed last week that Skechers is planning to relocate and said the store’s current lease is expiring at the end of the year.
Skechers store manager Cera LaFave said in a phone call Tuesday that she expects the store to relocate in the middle of December and referred The Sentinel to district management for more details about the move. District Manager Jamie Jones did not respond to a request for comment before press time Saturday.
Walgreens, which stood prominently on the corner of Sunrise Boulevard and Greenback Lane, closed in February of this year. Walgreens announced last year that it expected to close 150 of its roughly 9,000 stores in the United States by the end of its fiscal year ending Aug. 31, 2024. A report by CNN in October cited theft as well as declines in prescription sales as reasons contributing to the closures.
Skechers has a wide range of casual shoes for men, women, and children. The company’s website lists four other locations, including one in Roseville, Folsom, Rancho Cordova, and Sacramento. Skechers currently occupies an anchor position in the Citrus Town Center. Nearby retail stores include Half Price Books, Marshall’s and Five Below.
A food truck plaza is proposed for a vacant parcel on Twin Oaks Ave. and Auburn Blvd. // SB Williams
By Sara Beth Williams– Drivers traveling past the corner of Auburn Boulevard and Twin Oaks Avenue recently may have noticed fencing removed and weeds cleared from the lot, as the owner prepares for turning the property into a food truck plaza.
According to the property owner, Jagtar Singh, clearing overgrown weeds was necessary because they posed a fire danger. Singh said he intends to transform the long-vacant lot into a plaza for food trucks in the next six months.
The proposal for Twin Oaks Food Truck Plaza was approved by the city’s Planning Division, according to the city’s website. Singh said he now has submitted plans to the city’s Building and Safety Division and is awaiting approval. Singh anticipates beginning construction within the next two months.
The current site has been vacant for years and features a large cement slab that was overgrown with weeds and surrounded by chain-link fencing until recently. Singh said the previous owner, who wanted to use the property for retail purposes, demolished the parking lot area prior to his acquiring the property. The Sentinel previously reported that the former property owner had difficulty finding tenants to fill spots for his proposed shopping center, with plans never materializing.
According to Alison Bermudez, senior planner with the city’s Planning Division, Singh purchased the Twin Oaks parcel in the fall of 2023.
Singh said on Wednesday he hopes to utilize the cement slab as a place where food trucks can park and serve food to patrons because the foundation already has electrical and plumbing incorporated.
The plaza would accommodate up to 15 food trucks, according to documents posted online. The proposal blueprints depict plans for new landscaping and fencing, appropriate electrical and water hookups, and applicable garbage and food waste disposal locations for food trucks. Singh said the property would be well lit and perimeter fencing and security cameras would also be installed.
The proposed plaza design incorporates a central space for tables with “covered pyramid awnings with lighting.” Several photos in online plans show colorful triangular canopies as an alternative to pyramid awnings. Lighting would “be directed inward away from neighboring properties,” according to the proposal.
Several more photos show another similar business model in action, where food trucks line either side of a busy plaza and metal awnings cover a bustling central thoroughfare, with both round and rectangular tables provided for patrons to sit.
“We’ll have different kind of variety of food trucks: pizza, burgers, tacos, Mediterranean, Chinese food,” Singh told The Sentinel, also adding that he plans to offer month-to-month rental spaces where trucks can permanently park. If things go well, Singh said he would offer six or 12-month rental agreements for parking spaces.
In a year’s time, Singh also wants to offer Electric Vehicle charging stations at the site so that drivers can charge their vehicles while eating lunch. Alcoholic beverages will not be available from any food trucks on site.
“There are some people who are going to abuse it; we don’t want to bring that kind of attention,” Singh said, also adding that selling alcohol requires the extra process of approval of alcoholic licenses.
Carnival at night. Stock photo. // Photo by Lalu Fatoni
By Sara Beth Williams– With cooler weather finally arriving, Citrus Heights is gearing up for the holiday season with arts and crafts fairs, carnivals, a concert, and a Thanksgiving gathering this month. Several important civic events are also on the schedule for November.
Arts & Crafts Fair: Sunrise Recreation and Park District is hosting its 10th annual Arts & Crafts fair on Saturday, Nov. 2. The vendor fair will take place from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. and is slated to include handcrafted items and homemade goods from local businesses. Vendors will be located inside the Rusch Park Community Center, at 7801 Auburn Blvd. Find out more information on the event page here.
Fall Carnival: A fall carnival is taking place at the Sunrise Mall Oct. 25 – Nov. 3. The carnival features a variety of rides and typical fair foods. The fair operates from 4 to 10 p.m. however, hours are subject to change due to weather, according to the event page. Find out more information on the carnival’s event page here.
Veteran’s Day Concert: The Veteran’s Community Center is hosting a free Veteran’s Day concert event on Nov. 11. The Ben Ali Shrine Band will perform a free, one-hour concert at noon Monday, Nov. 11, at the Veterans Community Center according to an Oct. 29 press release. The event is open to the public. The Veterans Community Center is located at 6921 Sylvan Rd.
State of the City address: The Citrus Heights Chamber of Commerce is hosting a State of the City Reception at City Hall from 4:30 to 6 p.m. on Nov. 14. Tickets include drinks and foods provided by local businesses. Register for the event here. The reception will take place in the City Hall lobby.
The annual State of the City address is slated to follow the reception from 6-7:30 p.m. Mayor Dr. Jayna Karpinski-Costa and Citrus Heights City Manager Ash Feeney are scheduled to speak. The event will take place in the City Hall Chambers. City Hall is located at 6360 Fountain Square Drive.
Community Meeting: Sacramento County Supervisor Sue Frost is hosting a final community meeting in Citrus Heights before her term expires. The meeting will be held Monday, Nov. 4, at 6 p.m. at Citrus Heights City Hall. Supervisor-Elect Rosario Rodriguez will also be in attendance at the meeting,
Friendsgiving: Single Mom Strong is hosting its annual Friendsgiving dinner on Thursday, Nov. 21 from 6:30-8 p.m. at the Empowerment Center. The event will feature a meal and community-building with fellow attendees. Tickets and event information are available here. The Empowerment Center is located at 7525 Auburn Blvd., Suite 5.
Theater productions: Royal Stage Visual and Performing Arts is hosting two musicals this November. Footloose the Musical begins Thursday, Nov. 14 and runs through Sunday Nov. 17. Seussical Jr. the Musical begins Nov. 21 and runs through Nov. 24. Showtimes and ticket information can be found on the theater company’s website here. Royal Stage theater is located at 6041 Sunrise Mall, behind Macy’s Men’s.
By Sara Beth Williams– A 49-year-old man was arrested Sunday in Citrus Heights on charges of felony DUI and felony hit-and-run resulting in minor injuries. The suspect was released the next day.
Police said Juan Carlos Mendozacruz was arrested shortly after 7 p.m. on Oct. 27 on suspicion of driving under the influence of drugs and alcohol and in connection with the hit and run.
Detective Justin Bridges with the Citrus Heights Police Department confirmed that officers were called to Sayonara Drive and Lialana Way Sunday evening after a report of a hit-and-run resulting in an injury. According to Bridges, two vehicles, each with a sole occupant, were involved in the collision, and the resulting injuries were documented as minor.
The driver who allegedly caused the collision “walked away on foot” before officers arrived at the scene. However, Police were able to locate and make contact with the suspect nearby and took him into custody without further incident.
According to the Sacramento County Sheriff’s inmate database, Mendozacruz was booked into the Sacramento County main jail and then released from jail on Oct. 28. The circumstances surrounding the release were not apparent. Bridges said inmates can be released for several different reasons, including through posting bond, or on their own recognizance.
