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Headline News Mary Purvis Is Honored by County for Her Many Acts of Kindness Mary Purvis, a long-time Citrus Heights philanthropist, was recently named one of Sacramento County’s Outstanding Senior Volunteers for 2009 and honored at a Sacramento County Board of Supervisors meeting. Purvis is well-know and involved in almost every Citrus Heights event. She owns and coordinates many Citrus Heights beauty pageant titles. She and her pageant participants work and provide assistance at community fund-raisers and activities. The list includes the Firemen’s Fill the Boot and numerous events sponsored by the Chamber of Commerce, civic organizations, Shriner, and the City of Citrus Heights. She and her pageant ambassadors have done face painting at Sunday FunDay, the Cancer Relay for Life, and Rusch Park events. Her only condition is that no fee can be charged. [More] Sacramento Area Teen Scores a Perfect 2400 on the SAT New York, NY (June 2, 2009) - Fair Oaks teen Diana Li has just accomplished a rare feat achieved by less than .02% of approximately 1.5 million students nationwide: she scored a perfect 2400 on the SAT! As if this were not impressive enough, Diana also scored a perfect 800 on both the Chemistry and Math SAT 2 exams. For most students seeking admission to competitive colleges and universities across the country, the SAT looms as one of the most challenging and critically important entrance hurdles. [More] Bug Bomb Causes Explosion in Citrus Heights Apartment Citrus Heights, Ca, June 21, 2009. At 6:02 pm Metro Fire responded to an explosion at 7539 Cook Ave in Citrus Heights. Firefighters discovered a 2nd story unit had a significant explosion. The explosion caused walls to become disconnected from the roof, windows to be blown apart (sending glass flying over 50 feet) and structural damage destroying the integrity of the building. The cause was an over use of bug bombs that created and explosive atmosphere. Metro Fires Arson unit cannot rule out the refrigerator as the ignition source. Three families were displaced and the damage is estimated at over one million dollars. SAFE CU Members Give $9,000 for Fight Against Cancer SAFE Credit Union’s recent participation in the American Cancer Society’s Relay for Life in Citrus Heights raised nearly $10,000 for the fight against cancer. SAFE fielded a team of 75 walkers at the May 30 event in the Sacramento area community. Before the event, SAFE branches invited members to make donations and sponsor participants. SAFE’s efforts raised $9,142 for the local American Cancer Society chapter. SAFE’s team was among 27 teams and nearly 400 people turned out for the event. A total of more than $67,000 was raised. [More] RT to Hold Public Hearing on Monday, June 22 In response to the state of California's elimination of $26.2 million in State Transit Assistance funds and a severe decline in local sales tax revenue projected for the Sacramento Regional Transit District (RT) in Fiscal Year 2010, RT will hold a public hearing to discuss proposed fare changes for implementation on September 1, 2009. The public hearing will be held on Monday, June 22, 2009, at 6 p.m. in the RT Auditorium located at 1400 29th Street (at N Street). [More] The San Juan Alumni Association AnnounceTheir 2009 List of San Juan-Class of 2009 Scholarship Recipients The San Juan Alumni Association was formed in 1980 as a social group and to support their Alma Mater, San Juan High School. With the scholarships that were awarded in 2009 of $16,500, the total scholarships awarded to San Juan High School students is $199,050. [More] Assemblyman Niello Recognizes WWII Veteran Al Cooper During Veterans Recognition Event SACRAMENTO - Assemblyman Roger Niello (R-Fair Oaks) recognized World War II Veteran Al Cooper during a Legislative Veterans' Recognition held this week at the Sacramento Convention Center. Members of the Legislature were invited to nominate a veteran from their Legislative districts to honor during this recognition luncheon, and Mr. Cooper was selected by Assemblyman Niello to represent the 5th Assembly District. [More] Schwarzenegger’s Call to Consider Marijuana Legalization To Boost Taxes Is “Irresponsible,” Says Chairman of DARE Board (BUSINESS WIRE)-- Recent calls by California Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger and others to study the legalization of marijuana as a way of boosting tax revenues are “irresponsible” and send a dangerous message, the chairman of the board of the drug abuse education program D.A.R.E., prominent Los Angeles attorney Louis “Skip” Miller, said today (june 4, 2009). “Marijuana is a dangerous drug with numerous demonstrable ill effects on health,” Mr. Miller added. [More] Transparency and Accountability in the County Budget The Sacramento County Board of Supervisors makes choices about its priorities and how it funds discretionary programs. This is the Board’s job, and one that I take seriously. However, it is necessary for the budget document to clearly show what spending is mandatory, and what spending is not. I have been fighting this battle for years now. Thanks to the hard work of a citizen’s committee I established in April, we are finally moving in a direction that will bring greater transparency to the County’s spending choices. The Sacramento County general fund exceeds $2 Billion – the public deserves to know how that money is spent on meeting mandates and funding local discretionary priorities. [More] Rancho Cordova Prepares Key Presentation for All-America City Final Competition Twenty-two Rancho Cordovans are rehearsing the important presentation that will determine the City’s fate regarding this year’s All America City award. The final competition will take place June 17th to 19th in Tampa, Florida and the 10 winning cities will be announced June 19th. Rancho Cordova is one of 32 finalists for the prestigious title. The award is given by the National Civic League for outstanding civic accomplishments. During the three-day competition, finalist delegations will present challenges and solutions to a jury of national experts from across the U.S. Rancho Cordova’s presentation will target and highlight the City’s law enforcement achievements, civic triumphs, and the City’s diversity. [More] Governor Proposes Eliminating Cal Grants for More Than 200,000 Students this Fall In direct contrast to federal efforts to increase college access during the current recession, Governor Schwarzenegger proposed eliminating all new Cal Grants, along with deep cuts to public university systems and other essential state programs and services. The Cal Grant program has been an integral part of California’s commitment to college access and affordability for more than 50 years. Since 2001, all qualified graduating high school students have been guaranteed a Cal Grant. [More] CA Labor Commissioner Files Suits to Close Down Nine More Carwash Businesses (BUSINESS WIRE)-- California Labor Commissioner Angela Bradstreet today (June 2, 2009) pursued legal action to shut down nine carwash businesses across the state for failing to register with the California Division of Labor Standards Enforcement as required under California Labor Code section 2050. The Labor Commissioner filed a similar suit against a Sacramento based carwash business in April. Each of the ten carwash businesses was repeatedly cited by the Labor Commissioner’s Office for failure to register. [More] SAF, Calguns Foundation Challenges California Handgun Ban Scheme BELLEVUE, Wash. & REDWOOD CITY, Calif.--(BUSINESS WIRE)-- The Second Amendment Foundation, The Calguns Foundation and four California residents today filed a lawsuit challenging a California state law and regulatory scheme that arbitrarily bans handguns based on a roster of “certified” handguns approved by the State. This case parallels a similar case filed in Washington, D.C., Hanson v. District of Columbia. California uses this list despite a ruling by the U.S. Supreme Court last summer that protects handguns that ordinary people traditionally use for self-defense, and a recent ruling by the Ninth Circuit Court of Appeals that the Second Amendment applies to state and local governments. The California scheme will eventually ban the purchase of almost all new handguns. [More] $250 Stimulus Checks Arriving Soon, May Not Be Enough Bailout for Some Seniors El Dorado Hills, CA — May 8, 2009 –Starting May the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act will provide a one-time payment of $250 to Social Security and Supplemental Security Income, or (SSI) beneficiaries, as well as those who receive Railroad Retirement and Veterans benefits. The payments are part of the $787 billion package of spending and tax cuts enacted in February to help boost the economy. Mary Glenn-Croft, deputy commissioner of the Social Security Administration, told a congressional panel last month that the payments are intended to inject more than $13 billion into the economy while helping beneficiaries of the four programs meet everyday living expenses. [More] St. John's Shelter Celebrates Mothers at Annual Tea Party Sacramento - Five “Super Moms” will be honored by St. John’s Shelter Program for Women and Children on Friday, May 8th, announced Michele Steeb, Executive Director of St. John’s Shelter Program for Women and Children. These five honorees will be recognized for their contributions to both their families and the Sacramento community at the third annual “Celebrating Mothers 2009, A St. John’s Shelter Program for Women and Children Tea Party” benefit set for 1:30 p.m., Friday, May 8, 2009 at the Hyatt Regency Hotel in Sacramento. Eight hundred guests are expected to attend the Mother’s Day-themed event. [More] Rancho Cordova Is Finalist for All-America City Honors The City of Rancho Cordova is a finalist for the 2009 All-America City Award. The award which is often dubbed the Nobel Prize of Communities is given by the National Civic League to the top 10 cities for outstanding civic accomplishments. Rancho Cordova is among 32 finalists. The 10 All-America City winners will be announced at the 60th annual All-America City Awards competition in Tampa, FL in June. “We feel honored and privileged to be finalists in this very prestigious competition,” said Rancho Cordova City Manager Ted Gaebler. “Even though we are a young city, we have responded to and developed strong relationships with the various segments of our community that demonstrate the inclusiveness, collaboration, civic engagement, and innovation of the All-America City Award.” [More] Supervisor MacGlashan Announces Establishment of Community Budget Oversight Panel Citrus Heights – Sacramento County Supervisor Roberta MacGlashan announced during remarks to the Citrus Heights Chamber of Commerce today (April 14th) that she will be convening a group of community members to review the County’s budget and identify ways to reduce spending, improve efficiencies, and eliminate unnecessary or outdated programs as she prepares to deal with an unprecedented shortfall in the County’s General Fund budget. “Hard working families are sitting around the kitchen table every night trying to figure out how they’re going to make it through these tough times,” said Supervisor MacGlashan, “It’s time the County did the same. That’s why I am putting together a group of people with a wide range of experience and knowledge to help me lead a frank discussion on the challenges of protecting taxpayers and providing essential services.” [More] State Officials Issue Desist and Refrain Orders Against Loan Modification Firm Operating Unlawfully SACRAMENTO, Calif.--(BUSINESS WIRE)-- After a joint investigation, the California Departments of Corporations (DOC) and Real Estate (DRE) issued separate Desist and Refrain Orders against 2nd Chance Negotiations, Inc., ordering the company to stop performing loan modification services. “While the current market has created some wonderful opportunities for those looking to buy, it has also fostered an environment ripe for abuse,” DRE Commissioner Jeff Davi said. “With so many folks struggling to stay in their homes, foreclosure rescue scams have risen dramatically. The department is aggressively pursuing individuals and companies trying to cash in on Californians in their time of need.” [More] State Announces Effort to Fast-Track Plan Review for ‘Shovel-Ready’ School Construction SACRAMENTO, Calif.--(BUSINESS WIRE)-- Emphasizing a commitment to moving school construction forward, the Division of the State Architect (DSA), which provides design and construction oversight for K–12 schools and community colleges, today announced it will give top priority to reviewing school design plans that do not require state funding. “The availability of federal economic stimulus funds coupled with local school bond approvals creates an opportunity to advance ‘shovel-ready’ school construction projects,” said State Architect David Thorman. “Because state bond proceeds for school construction funds are likely to be impacted for many months, it is imperative that we remove any barriers for projects that don’t require state funding.” [More] Pacific Gas and Electric Company Reminds Customers to Call Before You Dig April is safe digging month, and as people plan various garden and home improvement projects this spring, Pacific Gas and Electric Company (PG&E) reminds customers to always call 811 before digging. Whether it’s planting a tree, installing a sprinkler system or building a fence, homeowners and professional excavators need to know where gas and electric lines lay underground. The 811 hotline is a free service to obtain important information on what utilities exist beneath the excavation area. Natural gas pipelines, electric power lines and other utilities buried underground can lie within just a few feet of the surface. Accidental contact with these lines can be dangerous and even fatal. [More] Bella Vista, Casa Roble, and Pasteur Named 2009 California Distinguished Schools The California Department of Education has announced that Bella Vista High School, Casa Roble Fundamental High School, and Louis Pasteur Middle School have each been selected as 2009 California Distinguished Schools. “Being named a California Distinguished School is a hard earned recognition,” said Superintendent Dr. Pat Jaurequi. “The staff, students, parents, and community of Bella Vista, Casa Roble and Louis Pasteur deserve credit for this award, as they work together each day to ensure the delivery of innovative, rigorous, and student-focused instruction in a collaborative learning community.” [More] Pacific Staffing - Sacramento Quarterly Employment Trends Hiring Trends Flat - Fifty-nine percent (59%) of Sacramento’s top employers are not planning to hire anyone for at least the next three months. In the telephone poll of 100 top regional companies in March, hiring demand remains stagnant in April, May and June. Pacific Staffing discovered sixteen percent (16%) of employers also report additional layoffs may be near if the economy doesn’t gain strength soon. All but one of those companies anticipating cuts in the second quarter attribute the continuing weak economy as the primary reason. [More] Sacramento’s Political Funny Bone Comes of Age The Humor Times, a monthly political satire magazine launched in Sacramento in 1991 and now available worldwide, is celebrating its 18th anniversary with the April issue, out now. Appropriately enough for a publication bent on tickling readers’ funny bones, its birthday was April Fools Day, 1991. Without warning, the California capitol suddenly was home to one of the nation’s funniest publications – an irreverent, take-no-prisoners, no-holds-barred review of the news, featuring editorial cartoons from the best artists in the country, humor columns by the likes of veteran political comedian Will Durst and others, “fake news” ala The Onion, and much more. [More] Proposed Septic Tank Regulations May Affect Pocketbooks The State Water Resources Control Board has proposed a new set of regulations governing the installation and inspection of all new and existing septic systems. The new regulations would take effect on January 1, 2010 and will have financial impact to residents who have septic tanks on their property. The regulations are required by a law that was passed by the Legislature in 2000. As I opposed the original legislation, I must also oppose the proposed regulations by the State Water Resources Control Board. As I stated in a recent letter to the water control board, the “one size fits all” approach of this legislation and the proposed regulations will not work well in rural communities, and they will place an excessive burden on homeowners throughout the state. [More] DMV to Close Offices First, Third Fridays of Each Month Sacramento -- All offices will be closed the first and third Fridays of each month beginning Friday, Feb. 6, the Department of Motor Vehicles announced today. The action is in connection with the Governor’s Executive Order (S-16-08) that addresses the state’s $42 billion deficit and ongoing fiscal crisis. [More] Sacramento County Reduces Building Permit Fees for Projects with High Equipment Valuations Sacramento, Calif. – Sacramento County has lowered building permits fees on projects with equipment valued at over $5 million. “This fee reduction will help attract manufacturing and industrial projects to the County,” said Steve Pedretti, Deputy Administrator of Development Services. “We’re providing a progressively reduced scale of fees as the equipment value goes up; so the fee increase is moderated.” [More] A National Security Failure The United States no longer has a Navy big enough to defend our shores and safeguard America’s interests and citizens around the globe. It is time for the American people to hold our leaders accountable for this failure. The Congressional Budget Office (CBO) recently analyzed the funding needed to build the Navy to 313 ships – the minimum number the Chief of Naval Operations and the Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff say is required to meet our national security requirements. Building on data from its 2005 report, the CBO notes that from 2000 through 2008, the Navy was authorized to build fewer than six ships per year, shrinking the fleet to an inadequate 278 ships. Our Navy is now less than half the size it was 20 years ago, and 40 ships fewer than just a decade ago. [More] Rancho Cordova Police Department Deploys New Automated License Plate Recognition System The Rancho Cordova Police Department (RCPD) has recently deployed a patrol car equipped with an automated license plate recognition system (ALPR). The ALPR cameras are integrated with the patrol car’s onboard computer-aided-dispatching (CAD) computer and automatically take photographs of every license plate within their view. The system then compares them with license plate numbers in a statewide database. This database contains license plate numbers reported as Lost, Stolen, or as a Wanted Vehicle. If a match occurs it immediately alerts the officer, displays a color photograph of the vehicle, and a close-up photograph of the license plate. On the first day of deployment over 4,000 license plates were read. Of those, two vehicles were stopped that had license plates reported as lost or stolen, and one vehicle was recovered that had been carjacked. The media is invited to ride-along with an officer to see this valuable new law enforcement tool in action. Those interested may contact RCPD Sergeant Pete James to schedule an appointment. Statement on the Debate Over Lowering the Drinking Age Marlborough , Mass. – In response to the renewed debate over underage drinking, SADD (Students Against Destructive Decisions) reemphasizes its stance in opposition to lowering the drinking age. SADD believes that lowering the current minimum-age drinking laws would likely do little, if anything, to reduce problematic drinking behaviors on college campuses and would contribute to the downward age trending of initiation into alcohol use by legally moving it into the high school community. According to SADD's Teens Today research, students in grades 6-12 ranked the drinking age as the number one reason why they choose not to use alcohol. [More] California Children Still Considered State Property In a decision being widely hailed as a victory for parental rights, a Los Angeles County court has confirmed, grudgingly, that homeschooling “is permitted under California statutes.” In so ruling, the court reversed an earlier decision that ordered the parents of “Rachel L.” to send her away to a public or private school, where she could get a “legal education” But where’s the real victory for parents’ rights? Rights identify actions you can take without permission. A true victory would have been a judicial declaration that parents have an absolute right to control their children’s upbringing--and that they therefore don’t need government permission to educate their children as they see fit. [More]  |
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