News briefs this week in Citrus Heights include a suspected murder-suicide, a “Stand Down” event held to support homeless veterans, and a local woman appointed by Gov. Jerry Brown.
Stand Down event packs parking lot, aids homeless veterans
Homeless veterans flocked to the first-ever Citrus Heights “Stand Down” at Holy Family Catholic Church to receive care and access to services on Wednesday. By around 1 p.m., lunch had been served and volunteer staff said about 60 veterans had checked into the event, with more likely arriving before the event was scheduled to conclude at 5 p.m. The event was spearheaded by the local Homeless Assistance Resource Team and American Legion Post 637, and was modeled after stand downs used during the Vietnam War to provide safe retreats for those returning from combat. More than 20 different service organizations and numerous volunteers participated. (Prior story: Citrus Heights ‘Stand Down’ event to help homeless veterans)
Unusual police sketch of Citrus Heights sex assault suspect goes viral
Following the release of a sketch by Citrus Heights police on Monday, news stories about the suspect depicted in the drawing have popped up as far as Florida and Chicago — primarily due to his unusually large eyes. By Thursday, an image of the sketch posted by KTXL-TV had been shared over 15,000 times on Facebook, along with 5,000 reader comments. By Friday, shares and comments had more than doubled. Most comments are about the suspect’s large eyes, which police say witnesses call an accurate depiction. (See sketch and full story)
Sylvan Middle School shows off ‘STEAM’
Sylvan Middle School drew a crowd of parents and students to a “Family STEAM Night” on March 30 that featured a guest DJ, interactive flight simulators from the Aerospace Museum, a raffle, and plenty of food and refreshments. Students demonstrated through hands-on labs how to make a miniature car and build a rocket, among many other engineering labs. The largest crowd gathered near a table where one could take a peek at a rendering of the future Sylvan campus through the “eyes” of 3D glasses. STEAM stands for science, technology, engineering, arts and math, which will be a curriculum focus at the future Sylvan school campus currently under construction.
[Related: Sylvan Middle School upgrades to finish by August 2016]
Citrus Heights woman appointed by Gov. Brown
In a list of 14 appointments announced this week, Governor Jerry Brown selected 37-year-old Brandy Rose Buenafe, of Citrus Heights, to the California Library Services Board. According to a statement from the Governor’s office about the appointments, Buenafe has served as a librarian in several state prisons and holds a Master of Library Science degree from California State University, San Jose. Her position did not require Senate confirmation and there is no compensation. (See full appointment list)
Citrus Heights police suspect murder-suicide in couple’s death
A man and woman found dead in a Citrus Heights residence on Mossview Way Tuesday night is believed to be a case of murder-suicide by police, according to a report in The Sacramento Bee. Limited details were included, but a police lieutenant told the paper a firearm was found at the scene and the pair were believed to have been dating.
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Police have not issued a news release about the deaths, but the Sacramento County Coroner’s Office lists the deaths of 39-year-old Timothy Tigner and 34-year-old Frankie Collins on the 6500 block of Mossview Way, near Van Maren Lane, at 11:15 p.m. Tuesday. (See SacBee story)
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