Citrus Heights News Briefs: fundraiser, home invasion, 20 things to love

Date: February 12, 2017

Firefighter donations — A firefighter accepts a donation at the corner of Sunrise Boulevard and Greenback Lane during a “Fill the Boots for Burns” fundraiser. // Courtesy, Sac FD

Latest news briefs include a local firefighter fundraiser for burn victims, a Citrus Heights man arrested in connection with an area home invasion, the announcement of a new area code set to roll out this September, and “20 things we love about Citrus Heights.”

Firefighters raise funds for burn victims at Sunrise/Greenback
Firefighters were out braving the weather this week at the corner of Sunrise Boulevard and Greenback Lane, raising funds for the Sacramento-based Firefighters Burn Institute. The four-day effort began on Thursday and will continue through Sunday afternoon, with drivers and passerby’s asked to drop a donation into boots held by firefighters at the heavily trafficked intersection. The local “Fill the Boot for Burns” fundraiser is in its 23rd year, reporting over $138,000 in donations during its 2016 fundraiser. A related safety fair was also held in the Sunrise Mall parking lot on Saturday. (Learn more about the fundraiser’s history)

City kicks off February with ’20 things we love about Citrus Heights’
A top 20 “things we love about Citrus Heights” were announced at the city’s Feb. 9 council meeting, with the number one response being “the people.” Coming in second place was Citrus Heights’ central location, followed by community partnerships, infrastructure improvements, and the city’s police department. According to city staff, the list was compiled primarily through soliciting social media submissions from community members on Twitter. (Click here to view full list)

The city also published a related video on its Twitter and YouTube accounts, featuring clips of interviews with community members and city staff listing things they love about Citrus Heights. The video was created by several San Juan High School students. (See video)

Citrus Heights, 916 region to get new area code beginning in September
The greater Sacramento region, including Citrus Heights, will soon have a new 279 area code in addition to existing 916 numbers. “The area code overlay we approved today will allow all customers to keep their current phone numbers, including their area code,” said Commissioner Liane M. Randolph in a statement on behalf of the California Public Utilities Commission, which announced the decision Thursday.

Beginning in Sept. 2017, the commissioner said those requesting new phone numbers “may be assigned the new 279 area code,” while those with existing 916 numbers will be unaffected by the decision. The CPUC’s decision stems from a reportedly dwindling number of remaining 916 numbers, with the existing area code projected to run out of prefixes in the first quarter of 2018. (See full news release)

Citrus Heights man arrested in Placer County home invasion; additional suspect sought
Following a home invasion earlier this month, the Placer County Sheriff’s Department on Monday announced the arrest of 38-year-old Daryl James Goddard. The Citrus Heights man was one of two suspects identified by the sheriff’s department, wanted in connection with a Feb. 1 home invasion robbery on Frances Avenue in Roseville. Deputies said Goddard is charged with home invasion, assault with a deadly weapon, false imprisonment, criminal threats, conspiracy and child endangerment.

According to a CBS 13 news report following the initial incident, the home invasion involved a man knocking on the door of a residence with a bouquet of flowers. Once the door was opened by a woman inside, the man pushed through and claimed to be with the D.E.A. He then reportedly pointed a gun at her children and a second man came in with his face covered, “claiming to kill them unless she gave up a safe.” The second suspect, 35-year-old Dwight Bailey of Sacramento, is still being sought.

Also published on The Sentinel last week: