Citrus Heights News Briefs: Hometown Buffet closes, Tingle retires, veterans event

Latest local news briefs include the closure of Hometown Buffet on Sunrise Boulevard, hundreds attending a community center event to bid Henry Tingle farewell as the city’s manager, and a veterans event at the Rusch Home raising over $10,000.

Hometown Buffet closes doors in Citrus Heights; auctions off equipment, furniture
Although the restaurant’s logo remained lit this week, The Hometown Buffet on Sunrise Boulevard closed its doors for the final time last week, quickly holding an auction for equipment and other salvageable interior items over the weekend. Several other locations in the region closed earlier this year, but the Citrus Heights location at 7028 Sunrise Blvd., remained open. A notice on the former restaurant’s window this week read “This location is now closed. Thank you for your business and we hope to serve you at another location very soon.”

In a story last week, The Sacramento Bee quoted an auction spokesman reporting that “Buffets LLC is currently in Chapter 11 bankruptcy so that it can restructure its debts and liabilities, strengthen its operations by closing certain weaker restaurants, and recapitalize its business.” According to postings on AuctionNation’s website, the company handling the buffet’s liquidation, bidders were able to nab sets of wooden tables and chairs from the dining area for under $15, a commercial meat slicer went for $410, and various stainless steel kitchen equipment sold as low as $100. The restaurant first opened in May, 2006, according to business license records on file with the City.

Hundreds attend city manager’s retirement celebration
Citrus Heights city manager Henry Tingle was bid a warm farewell at a retirement event held in his honor at the community center Friday night. Former congressman Doug Ose served as master of ceremonies for the evening event, which included a buffet dinner, tributes, a video, and various speeches. Tingle was given a standing ovation by attendees as well as a framed flag that had flown the first day over the new city hall. The 60-year-old Vallejo resident served as city manager of Citrus Heights since Oct. 1999 and earned the respect of city leaders and community members for his leadership and fiscal discipline. In honor of his legacy, city council members unanimously voted last month to declare Sept. 30 as “Henry Tingle Day.” The city’s former police chief, Christopher Boyd, officially succeeded Tingle as city manager on Oct. 1.

See full story: Henry Tingle reflects on 17 years as Citrus Heights city manager

‘We Support Vets’ event draws crowd to Rusch Home, over $10k raised
Organizers said about 400 hundred people attended a five-hour “We Support Vets” event at the historic Rusch Home property on Antelope Road over the weekend. Commander Paul Reyes of American Legion Post 637 said during the event more than $10,000 was raised for a “Vets Helping Vets” fund. He said Wild Wades BBQ won a competition for best tasting barbecue, and winning bands in the event’s “battle of the bands” competition chose to donate their prize money to the vets fund. Reyes said a highlight of the event was a “Ghost Soldier” ceremony for Corporal of Marines Gurpreet Singh, a special presentation held for a family whose loved one was killed in action. The 2nd annual “We Support Vets” event was hosted by Post 637 with help from the Citrus Heights Women’s Club. Reyes said his group will also host an upcoming Veteran’s Day ceremony at Sylvan Cemetery on Nov. 11.

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