Community

Citrus Heights News Briefs: Oct. 1- Oct. 3

Date: October 4, 2015

Citrus Heights fire, smoke, near roseville. Copyright CHSentinel — Two boys watch as smoke rises from a railroad car that caught fire Friday afternoon near the Citrus Heights border with Roseville. // CHSentinel

Updated Oct. 4, 2:33 p.m.–
October in Citrus Heights kicked off with a new report on water conservation for local users, smokey skies from a nearby rail yard fire and thousands of dollars raised at a local veterans fundraiser.

Oct. 1: Citrus Heights Water District reports 40% drop in usage for August

A state-mandated water conservation report released Thursday showed an average 27 percent drop in water use statewide, while Citrus Heights Water District users topped that number with a reported 40 percent drop in use. The latest report, compiled by the State Water Resources Control Board, showed conservation numbers from water districts across the state for the month of August — comparing water use with 2013 figures. CHWD reported similarly high conservation figures in July, showing a 42 percent drop in water use. (See full story next week.)

Oct. 2: Rail yard fire sends smoke over Citrus Heights homes

Union Pacific confirmed a “small fire” occurred around 4:10 p.m. at the railroad company’s J.R. Davis yard, located just over the border of Citrus Heights in Roseville, according to UP spokesman Francisco Castillo. The fire spread smoke and strong odors as far as Interstate 80 in Citrus Heights, but was extinguished within about 30 minutes with the help of Sac Metro firefighters, according to Castillo. The UP spokesman said the fire was contained to one gondola car loaded with wooden railroad ties that caught fire from sparks created while crews were making repairs. No injuries were reported.

Oct. 3: Veterans fundraiser at Rusch Home raises nearly $10,000

An inaugural all-you-can-eat barbecue event on Saturday raised nearly $10,000 for a local veterans fund, according to preliminary figures from an event organizer. The fundraiser was held outside the historic Rusch Home in Citrus Heights and attracted hundreds of supporters throughout the four-hour event, which featured various barbecue options, beers and desserts, as well as live music and contests. According to Citrus Heights Mayor Sue Frost, who played a key role in organizing the event, all proceeds will go to a “Vets Helping Vets Fund,” which is operated by the local American Legion Post #637. (Note: See original story published prior to the event for more background on the fundraiser.)