`Crime and Investigative Analyst Dominic Cooper was recently named 2025 Analyst of the Year by the California Crime and Intelligence Analysts Association, // Citrus Heights Police Department
By Sara Beth Williams– The Citrus Heights Police Department is celebrating a major recognition for one of its own. Crime and Investigative Analyst Dominic Cooper was recently named 2025 Analyst of the Year by the California Crime and Intelligence Analysts Association,
The department’s social media announcement was met with multiple comments of congratulations and praise from residents and department members.
Cooper, a veteran of both the U.S. Army and Air Force, brings more than a decade of military, federal, and local law enforcement experience to Citrus Heights. Prior to joining Citrus Heights Police, he worked with the FBI, supporting critical national security investigations, the department said.
Over the past year, Cooper has led several innovative initiatives that have strengthened in the department’s ability to prevent and solve crime. His development of new tools and strategies for real-time information sharing has helped officers and detectives access critical intelligence more efficiently. The department praised his efforts and said they have played a direct role in solving cases, advancing investigations, and improving community safety in the city.
The California Crime and Intelligence Analysts Association supports regional associations and members throughout the state, providing opportunities for networking, information sharing, training, and standards. The Association represents the interests of crime and intelligence analysts to governmental agencies, private industry, and executive law enforcement professionals.
By Sara Beth Williams–
The parent company of a local gym in Citrus Heights has found itself in some legal trouble,
California-based fitness company Fitness International was recently sued over “impossible to cancel” memberships, according to a lawsuit filed last month by the Federal Trade Commission.
The company owns fitness brands such as LA Fitness, Esporta Fitness, City Sports Club, and Club Studio. Club Studio opened a location in Citrus Heights last fall in Sunrise Village, at ____
The suit claims that Fitness International and its subsidiary Fitness and Sports Club have made it “exceedingly difficult” for customers to cancel memberships as well as other related gym services.
The complaint alleged the company illegally charged customers hundreds of millions in recurring fees due to difficult cancellation procedures. The agency said “thousands of customers” have reported such problems. Cancellations can only be completed in person or by mail, the FTC alleged, calling the limited processes in which to cancel “unfair and unlawful.”
Both cancellation processes require customers to log into an online gym membership account and print out a form from the gym’s website. Members reportedly complained that they couldn’t always access their membership accounts and that when opting to go to cancel in person, customers had difficulty finding a manager to process the cancelation form once they arrived.
The FTC also alleges that the company does not adequately disclose cancellation offerings when customers sign up for memberships and that some customers signed up for additional services with recurring charges that have different cancelation policies or requirements.
Fitness International President of Club Operations Jill Hill said the allegations against the company were “without merit” and explained that the company “proactively launched” an online cancelation process 18 months before the FTC’s proposed “click to cancel” rule was to go into effect in July of 2025.
Under President Joe Biden’s administration, the Commission adopted a “click to cancel” rule, which would have made it easier for customers to cancel unwanted subscriptions. Earlier this summer, a federal court blocked the proposed changes.
In its lawsuit, the Commission is seeking to prohibit the fitness company from engaging in “unfair” conduct and asking for monetary repayment to customers who were “harmed by difficult cancellation processes.”
Club Studio Fitness recently celebrated its one-year mark with a ribbon cutting ceremony. During the annual Best of Citrus Heights awards ceremony held in August of this year, hosted by the Citrus Heights Chamber of Commerce, the fitness center took home the award for Best Gym or Fitness Center.
The Commission notes in its press release that the case will be decided in court, saying, “The Commission files a complaint when it has “reason to believe” that the named defendants are violating or are about to violate the law and it appears to the Commission that a proceeding is in the public interest.”
Citrus Heights Economic Development and Community Engagement Director Meghan Huber at the Sept. 24 City Council meeting, speaking on efforts to obtain property owner feedback in the past. // SB Williams
By Sara Beth Williams– At the Sept. 24 City Council meeting, officials presented survey results showing strong resident support for a potential commercial vacancy reoccupancy ordinance, but several council members pressed for greater outreach to property owners.
Economic Development and Community Engagement Director Meghan Huber presented findings from the city’s most recent FlashVote survey, which asked residents about their experiences with and concerns over commercial vacancies. The survey revealed that 72 percent of respondents believe that vacant buildings detract from the city’s overall image, 68 percent said they attract homeless encampments, and 48 percent reported that vandalism at these sites often goes unrepaired.
When asked about solutions, 85 percent supported requiring property owners to meet basic upkeep and maintenance standards, 61 percent supported minimum security requirements, and 50 percent backed a registration requirement for vacant properties that are not being maintained. Overall, 79 percent of participants said they would strongly or somewhat support the adoption of a potential vacancy ordinance.
Huber explained that unlike residential code enforcement, which typically responds to complaints after violations occur, the city currently has no proactive tool for ensuring commercial properties are maintained once they become vacant. A vacancy ordinance, she said, could introduce preventative maintenance standards to keep properties market-ready, reduce fire risks and vandalism, and avoid costly major repairs down the line.
“Early action is less costly than major repairs,” she told the council, adding that such an approach builds on the city’s recent efforts to reduce visible blight.
While the FlashVote results offered a clear picture of resident sentiment, several councilmembers voiced concerns about the absence of property-owner data in the survey process. Vice Mayor Marijane Lopez-Taff noted that while residents experience the negative impacts of blight, they may not fully understand the financial burdens or regulatory challenges that property owners would face if such an ordinance is passed.
“It would be grossly unfair for people who don’t own commercial properties to comment on commercial property fines and fees when they don’t truly understand what that means from an owner’s point of view,” Lopez-Taff said, suggesting that the city pursue a parallel survey focused on commercial property owners to better balance perspectives.
Councilmember Tim Schaefer expressed skepticism about whether such a survey would generate useful feedback, pointing out that many problematic property owners live out of state or outside the country and are often unresponsive to city outreach.
Lopez-Taff and Councilmember Kelsey Nelson noted that non-responses from property owners would be considered in themselves a form of data.
Huber explained that while the city’s business bulletin reaches more than 3,000 businesses, including all 1,500 brick-and-mortar locations, past attempts to collect data from the commercial property owners have yielded very low response rates. By contrast, FlashVote, which the city has used since 2022, has built a panel of 821 residents and provides relatively consistent participation.
“I wish we had more,” Huber said of property-owner feedback, “because that’s exactly the market intelligence we need.” She confirmed staff would consider adding a property-owner survey to the outreach plan but cautioned against expecting statistically valid results and a high volume of response.
Community Development Director Casey Kempenaar described the draft ordinance that staff have been refining since earlier this year. The proposal would require property owners to register vacant spaces with the city, provide emergency contact information, submit security plans, and meet minimum maintenance requirements. Registration fees would help cover the city’s administrative costs. Kempenaar emphasized that the goal is not to penalize responsible owners but to ensure vacant properties do not deteriorate to the point where they harm surrounding neighborhoods or businesses.
The city has already gathered input from the Sunrise Marketplace board and also held a workshop with property owners in August. Feedback from that workshop included requests for expanded exemptions for “good actors,” longer compliance deadlines beyond the 30 days currently proposed, and tiered enforcement that takes into account a property owner’s track record.
Staff will continue refining the draft ordinance and incorporating feedback from both residents and property owners before bringing the proposal back for formal consideration at a future meeting.
interior mural inside Black Sils Coffee Lounge // SB Williams
By Sara Beth Williams– The City of Citrus Heights is making meaningful progress on its recently adopted three-year Economic Development Work Plan, according to a presentation given during the Sept. 24 City Council meeting.
In a six-month update on progress given by the Economic Development and Community Engagement Department team, director Meghan Huber said the city is seeing results in business attraction, regulatory modernization, and development services support, with efforts so far reflecting the city’s goal of building a business-friendly environment and encouraging targeted investment.
The Attraction and Development Services section of the Economic Development Work Plan focuses on four primary objectives: improving regulatory processes to support business development, implementing a refreshed business recruitment strategy, adopting tools that incentivize near-term investment, and enhancing support services for development projects. Each of these focus areas has seen measurable activity and “early wins,” according to Huber.
To begin, the Economic Development and Community Engagement Department first streamlined and identified weak points in zoning codes that could potentially be “barriers” to businesses, Huber said. Second, the department conducted an opportunity site inventory, in order to identify the city’s highest value vacant sites.
Internally, the city has added a Development Process Liaison to serve as a dedicated point of contact for businesses navigating the permitting process. This position plays a “key role in the city’s ‘Project Coordination Team,’” Huber said.
The coordination team is a collaborative working group that includes internal departments and external third party service partners focused on streamlining development and improving responsiveness.
In June, the City Council adopted a comprehensive update to the city’s Zoning Code, which officially went into effect in July. These changes modernized the city’s regulatory framework by broadening permitted uses, simplifying review procedures, and creating more opportunities for redevelopment. The updates were designed to preserve the character of Citrus Heights while making it easier for new businesses to establish themselves in the community.
Alongside these zoning changes, the city adopted amendments to the Fire Building Code, offering greater flexibility for tenant improvements and commercial occupancy classifications. This adjustment provides clearer and more responsive regulations for businesses looking to renovate or occupy commercial spaces, Huber said.
To help stimulate immediate investment, the city launched two key incentive programs in February with the Economic Development Work Plan: the Business Attraction Incentive Program and the Small Business Design Support Fund. Huber said the two programs have proven effective thus far, and shared multiple examples in the staff report and in front of the City Council.
Huber said the Design Support Fund has been used by Black Sails Coffee Lounge to obtain a temporary certificate of occupancy, helping the business move forward more quickly with establishing itself. Black Sales Coffee opened recently in the Marketplace at Birdcage.
The city was also able to support PSM Monuments, a business which outgrew its location. Through assistance from the Sign Improvement Grant, the city has been able to help relocate the business to another site within the city.
The city also launched a Business Safety Hub, which is an online site with resources for businesses on crime prevention through environmental design, also known as CPTED. As well, the city has launched a dedicated “Love Local” website, which highlights multiple local businesses online. The city has also visited 28 businesses out of its goal of 50 visitations set for the year.
Additionally, the Economic Development and Community Engagement Department is working alongside other key departments in drafting a proposed Commercial Property Reoccupancy Ordinance.
To reach broader recruitment goals, staff also has plans to attend the International Council of Shopping Centers (ICSC) Southern California trade show to actively promote the city to national and regional retailers.
Data-driven decision-making has also been enhanced with the renewal of the city’s membership with the Greater Sacramento Economic Council, which provides continued access to regional economic data and expanded analytics. Additionally, Citrus Heights has deployed Placer.ai visitation data tools to monitor foot traffic at commercial centers. These insights are already supporting conversations with prospective tenants by demonstrating market reach and potential customer volume, according to the city.
The Economic Development Work Plan outlines several Business Attraction goals to accomplish, including reducing retail vacancy from 12 percent to nine percent, and office vacancy from 14 percent to 10 percent. The city also aims to secure at least five new business commitments each year in priority industry sectors and continue improving coordination with outside agencies to reduce development barriers.
Looking ahead, the department is continuing to work toward Work Plan goals, with upcoming plans to launch an Auburn Boulevard businesses survey, a business resource hub, a quarterly business recognition program, and attendance at additional future trade shows, including a trade show specializing in entertainment businesses. The department is also continuing internal trainings, collaborations with Sacramento Metropolitan Fire District, discussions on the Commercial Vacancy Reoccupancy Ordinance draft, and plans to launch seasonal communications campaigns to support local businesses.
A photo of classic cars during the 2015 Hot August Bites event at Rusch Park. // File Photo
By Sara Beth Williams– Plans are moving forward on the long-anticipated Vietnam Veterans Memorial replica wall in Citrus Heights, with two major fundraising events slated for October and November to help bring the project closer to reality.
According to Rotary Club of Citrus Heights President Diane Ebbitt-Riehle, nearly $197,000 has been raised toward the project goal. In addition to cash donations, the effort has received significant in-kind contributions, including donated architectural plans and discounted materials. The black Indian marble that will be used for the wall is being provided at cost, with shipping covered and extra tiles included in case of damage or engraving errors, Ebbitt-Riehle said.
“This is very exciting,” said Ebbitt-Riehle, noting the strong community support. “We do have a lot of people that want to help with this project.”
Unlike other scaled-down versions of the Vietnam Veterans Memorial, the Citrus Heights replica wall is now planned to be a 95-percent scale version, nearly identical in size to the original in Washington, D.C. Ebbitt-Riehle said such a faithful reproduction has never been attempted before, with the Missouri replica standing at about 80 percent scale. Original plans for the Citrus Heights memorial wall were to build one at 80 to 85 percent, modeled after the current replica built in Missouri.
The committee overseeing the project includes veterans, community leaders, and business representatives. Scott Miller of Catholic Funeral & Cemetery Services, who co-chairs the project with Ray Riehle, is helping oversee construction and land donations for the site. The group continues to meet monthly to coordinate permits, environmental reviews, and architectural steps, while keeping fundraising at the forefront.
The Citrus Heights Vietnam Veterans Memorial nonprofit has two major fundraisers planned, including an upcoming car show to be held at Sunrise Community Church in Fair Oaks.
The car show is scheduled for Oct. 11 beginning at 8 a.m.. and was organized by Johnna and Rick Pierce, longtime supporters who have already raised nearly $10,000, Ebbitt-Riehle said.
The event will feature classic cars, food trucks, and a Rotary-hosted breakfast fundraiser. The Pierces have promoted the event as far as Redding to attract participants and spectators. Veterans will be assisting at the show, Casa Roble High School will provide an honor guard, and the national anthem will be performed by a singer with competition show experience. Attendees will also be able to learn more about the memorial project and contribute directly through donations.
All cars, trucks and motorcycles are welcome, and there is no preregistration required. Those who want their car to participate only need to pay $20 on the day of the event.
Ebbitt-Riehle stressed that while the wall is the primary focus now, the site is envisioned as a broader veterans’ memorial area.
“After the wall is done, we are still going to continue raising money to have other veterans memorials put on that property,” she said.
The Citrus Heights Vietnam Veterans Memorial Project’s website describes their mission as “to honor and remember the courageous men and women who have served our nation.” Those interested in donating or finding out more information can visit the project’s website.
With momentum building and community support growing, organizers remain optimistic that the wall will soon stand in Citrus Heights as a lasting tribute to those who served.
Sunrise Community Church is located at 8231 Greenback Ln. in Fair Oaks, just outside of Citrus Heights.
The 75th anniversary jubilee is being held in honor of the gifting of 15 acres of ranch land, donated by Fred and Julia Rusch in 1950. The Rusch Home and Gardens still stands at Rusch Park to this day. // SB Williams
By Sara Beth Williams–
Rusch Community Park has been a staple among Citrus Heights locals, and wouldn’t be part of the parks district were it not for the Rusch siblings.
In 1950, Fred and Julia Rusch donated 15 acres of land to the public. This generous donation led to the formation of the Sunrise Recreation and Park District, according to the district’s website. Fred and Julia were brother and sister.
In honor of the Sunrise Recreation and Park District’s 75th anniversary, here are 15 fun facts all about Rusch Park, gathered from both the park district’s website, Sentinel archives, and the Citrus Heights Historical Society.
Largest park: Rusch Park is the largest park in the Sunrise Recreation and Park District at just over 48 acres.
Oldest house: The Historic Rusch Home located within Rusch Park is one of the oldest homes in Citrus Heights.
Ranchland: The Historic Home and Gardens were once part of a 480-acre ranch.
Point of historical interest: The Historic Rusch Home was designated as a California Point of Historical Interest in 1991.
Homeowners: Residents, including two former Parks Directors, occupied the Historic Rusch Home during the 1990’s.
Botanical garden: The garden around the Historic Rusch Home used to be a botanical garden. Many unusual trees remain including a rare Jujube tree.
House fire: Tragedy struck in 1914 when the original Rusch home succumbed to fire, leading to the construction of the present-day Craftsman-style residence that now graces Rusch Park.
Duck pond: A duck pond was once located within Rusch Park.
Julia Rusch: In the 1950s and 1960s, Julia Rusch would give cookies from her back porch to children who came to Rusch Park to play.
Covered Bridge: The covered bridge in Rusch Park was built from an old train boxcar frame from the Southern Pacific Railroad.
City Council meetings: The Sunrise Patio Room at Rusch Park’s community center was the initial location of the City of Citrus Heights Counsel meetings.
World War II memorial: Rusch Park has several memorials, including a World War II memorial that was originally built in 1948 at Sylvan Corners, and later moved to its current location at the park. The stone memorial has a bronze plaque bearing the names of 272 Citrus Heights residents who served in World War II. A re-dedication of the memorial was held at Rusch Park in 1976, records show.
The Wall that Heals: In 2023, Rusch Park in Citrus Heights was selected to host The Wall That Heals, a traveling three-quarter scale replica of the Vietnam Veterans Memorial along with a mobile Education Center. The Wall That Heals honors the more than three million Americans who served in the U.S. Armed forces in the Vietnam War and it bears the names of the 58,281 men and women who made the ultimate sacrifice in Vietnam.
Playground memorial: In 1967, two pieces of playground equipment were purchased with funds raised from the Citrus Heights Children’s Memorial Fund, which honored the deaths of two local children who died. One child was murdered, and another was accidentally hit by a truck.
Children’s memorial: In 1977, an article in The Sacramento Bee announced the dedication of a permanent children’s memorial stone monument which still stands in the park today. The monument was dedicated during the 14th annual Citrus Heights Children Memorial observance.
Sentinel Staff report– Latest police logs show a decrease in traffic accidents while showing an increase in vehicle violations and homeless related calls. Below are the latest police incident logs from Sept. 18-24, 2025.
Fireworks: 2 (up from 1)
Animal control: 13 (up from 7)
911 hangups: 29 (same as prior week)
Code enforcement: 72 (up from 26)
Traffic accidents: 39 (down from 42)
Vehicle violations: 382 (up from 264)
Theft: 33 (up from 29)
Homeless-related: 22 (up from 20)
Vandalism: 11 (up from 3)
Violent/threats: 27 (up from 25)
Disturbance: 99 (same as prior week)
Suspicious circumstances: 200 (up from 165)
All incidents: 1459 (up from 1154)
Arrest logs are available here. Incident Logs are accessible 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.
Nothing Bundt Cakes is open at 7855 Madison Ave. // SB Williams
By Sara Beth Williams– A new bakery has opened in Sunrise Village in Citrus Heights, the Sunrise MarketPlace business improvement district announced.
Nothing Bundt Cakes is officially open, the business district said in a social media announcement on Friday, after months of interior remodeling. To celebrate the opening, the business district is giving away two $25 gift cards, one chosen from the district’s Instagram page and one chosen from the district’s Facebook page. Winners will be announced on Monday.
Nothing Bundt Cakes joins a host of new businesses who have opened in the recently remodeled shopping center over the last year, including Club Studio Fitness and Amazon Fresh, which both opened in 2024.
The shopping center is also expecting more businesses to open in the future, including a juice shop, a Grocery Outlet, and Pinkberry.
Requests for comment on anticipated opening dates for Juice Time and Grocery Outlet were not returned, but Pinkberry’s owner has said the yogurt chain expects to open this fall.
Nothing Bundt Cakes calls itself the “Number 1 specialty cake company in the U.S.” according to the company’s website and offers everything from birthday cakes and wedding cakes, to mini bundt cakes and party supplies. The company’s website lists hours of operation on Monday through Saturday as 9 a.m. to 7 p.m. and 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. on Sundays.
The first Nothing Bundt Cakes bakery opened in Las Vegas, Nevada, in 1997. The chain has more than 600 locations, including five other shops in the Sacramento region.
The new Nothing Bundt Cakes is located at 7855 Madison Ave.
The Citrus Heights City Council voted 3-2 against implementing parking violation fines in Citrus Heights that were proposed in light of California’s new “Daylighting” law, Sept. 24, 2025. // SB Williams
By Sara Beth Williams– The Citrus Heights City Council voted Wednesday 3-2 against implementing parking violation fines in Citrus Heights that were proposed in light of California’s new “Daylighting” law.
Assembly Bill 413, passed in October 2023, requires that drivers refrain from stopping, parking, or leave standing any vehicle, whether attended or unattended, within 20 feet of the vehicle approach side of any marked or unmarked crosswalk, or within 15 feet of any crosswalk where a curb extension is present. In January 2024, local jurisdictions were able to begin enforcing the law, including issuing warnings or citations, regardless of existing markings or signage. However, according to city staff, only two other cities within Sacramento County have previously established parking violation fines specifically addressing AB 413 regulations.
The city, in cooperation with the Citrus Heights Police Department, brought forth a proposal to add a $62.50 fine for drivers who are found to be in violation of the Daylighting law, which is consistent with other similar parking violations listed in the city’s municipal code. Galt has a $45 parking violation fee, and the city of Sacramento has established a $25 fee, according to the staff report.
Several city council members expressed concern regarding the full parameters of the Daylighting law, which would prohibit drivers from parking in front of their own property if their house resides on a street corner, as the new law requires drivers to park at least 20 feet away from unmarked intersections.
Councilmember Porsche Middleton emphasized that residential neighborhoods near schools tend to become congested with parked cars that block corners, preventing both pedestrians and other drivers from being able to see who’s around the corner.
Vice Mayor Marijane Lopez-Taff said she has witnessed congested parking on residential streets, but added that she owns a corner house and is personally mindful toward her fellow neighbors when choosing where to park. Lopez-Taff favored establishing a tiered system of fee structure because she felt the fine would be “overly punitive” as is for those parking on residential streets.
City Manager Ash Feeney and Citrus Heights Police Lieutenant William Dunning mentioned that streets near parks or any area that sees more pedestrian foot traffic pose a concern. The city said the purpose of the bill is to improve pedestrian and bicyclist safety and prevent cars from obstructing visibility due to parking close to intersections.
Councilmember Kelsey Nelson favored keeping the law unchanged, noting that residents living on quiet corners could still apply for a variance.”
Nelson made a motion to approve, and the council voted three to two against passing the proposed parking violation fine schedule, with Middleton and Nelson in favor and Lopez-Taff, Mayor Jayna Karpinskio-Costa, and Councilmember Tim Schaefer voting against.
The city agreed to revise the specifics of the language of the parking violation and plans to bring back a revised version to the council for approval at a later date.
Long time police department volunteer Charlotte Corothers standing with Citrus Heights Police Chief Alex Turcotte. // Citrus Heights Police Department
By Sara Beth Williams– The Citrus Heights community is mourning the loss of Charlotte Corothers, a longtime police department volunteer who recently passed away.
The Citrus Heights Police Department announced her passing on Wednesday afternoon, and honored her as one of the founding members of the department’s volunteer unit in 2006.
Prior to joining Citrus Heights Police, Corothers served with the Sacramento County Sheriff’s Department. Known for her warmth, dedication, and tireless energy, she was also active in Neighborhood Area 10 and served on the SOAR Board, where she “dedicated her time and talents to strengthening the community,” Karpinski-Costa said.
“Charlotte was a cornerstone of our community,” said Mayor Jayna Karpinski-Costa, who adjourned the Sept. 25 City Council meeting in her honor. “Her impact will be felt for generations.”
Karpinski-Costa said Corothers dedicated “countless hours” serving police, residents, and community members with compassion, commitment, and a servant’s heart.
Citrus Heights Police shared that Charlotte would want those who knew her to keep “Rock’n and Roll’n” in her honor, a phrase reflecting her lively spirit and love for life.
“Rest easy, Charlotte,” a statement by the Police Department read. “Thank you for a lifetime of service, friendship, and heart.”
Corothers passed peacefully surrounded by family, police said.
