Latest local news briefs include Citrus Heights police and Sac Metro firefighters winning a charity basketball game against local high school teams, a historical scavenger hunt in the city, alleged vandalism of Trump supporters’ vehicles, and a 20-year-old being credited with saving a Citrus Heights church from burning down.
Citrus Heights police, Metro Fire win charity basketball game vs. Mavs/Spartans
A charity basketball game was held Friday night at Mesa Verde High School, featuring Citrus Heights police and Metro firefighters versus the San Juan Spartans and Mesa Verde Mavericks. The public safety team reportedly won the night 62-42, according to tweets posted after the game by Metro Fire and the Citrus Heights Police Department. Proceeds from the event are slated to go to performing arts and basketball programs at San Juan and Mesa Verde High School.
Citrus Heights man accused of DUI hit-and-run in Nevada County
A 57-year-old man from Citrus Heights allegedly rear-ended another vehicle and sent it spinning into oncoming traffic on Highway 49 last week. Kurtis Lee Smith was arrested and charged with DUI and hit-and-run, Nevada County’s The Union reported Monday. A 19-year-old woman, who was driving the car Smith allegedly hit, was taken to the hospital with minor to moderate injuries. (See The Union’s full story)
Historical scavenger hunt launched by Citrus Heights commission
The Citrus Heights History and Arts Commission is launching a six-day scavenger hunt across the city, beginning Monday and continuing through June 3. Clues will be posted on the city’s social media accounts each morning and will lead participants to a special site around the city. Once the location is found, participants are asked to take a selfie photo at each site and then email the photos to historyandarts@citrusheights.net, or submit them via the city’s Twitter or Facebook pages.
According to an event flier, winners will be announced on June 6, with followup prizes also awarded for best picture and the “most creative selfie.” (Link)
CBS 13: Man credited with saving Citrus Heights church from burning down
A May 23 report on CBS 13 credited a 20-year-old with extinguishing a recent fire at Advent Lutheran Church in Citrus Heights. After passing by and noticing the fire, CJ Sparks said he called 911 and then grabbed several fire extinguishers from the church to put out the blaze. “The side of the building was up in flames and all the little pallets were on fire,” CJ told CBS. The church’s interim pastor told the TV station that if CJ hadn’t put out the fire, flames “could have gotten inside the church building and destroyed weeks of food the church hands out to the needy.”
The story was also picked up on Thursday by the Good News Network, a news website that publishes positive and uplifting news stories from around the nation. Sacramento Metro Fire investigators believe the fire was intentionally set.
Cars with Trump stickers vandalized outside Citrus Heights home
A May 26 report on Fox 40 said a Citrus Heights couple had awoken to find their cars vandalized, with a neighbor telling the TV station that the cars were targeted for having “Donald Trump” bumper stickers. Both cars reportedly were keyed and had their Trump stickers scratched out, and one of the cars had the word “Trump” scribbled in paint on side of the vehicle.
Neighbor Terri Justinich told Fox 40 the incident has caused her to want to keep a more watchful eye out and said “people should be able to vote for whoever they want, without repercussions.” (See Fox40 story)
Also in the news last week:
- Albert Fox appointed to fill vacant seat on Citrus Heights city council
- Medical building finally breaks ground in Citrus Heights; set for 2019 opening
- Guest Opinion: new gas tax won’t fix most local roads in Citrus Heights, county