šŸŒ±Orbeez Challenge Hits West Sac+ First Sacto Safe Stay Community Site

Jeri Karges
Updated ·5 min read

Get on up, Sacramento! It's Thursday, so let's get you started with everything you need to know going on in town today.

First, today's weather:

Cloudy, a little rain; cooler. High: 61 Low: 47.

Here are the top stories in Sacramento today:

  1. Sacramento County officials say the first ā€œSafe Stay Communityā€ will be built at the corner of Power Inn and Florin roads. The site is being reviewed and is pending approval by the Board of Supervisors on April 26. The new concept community will serve as a temporary shelter for people experiencing homelessness. It will include 24-7 security, case management services, and on-site sanitation and food services. Up to 100 sleeping cabins, along with bathrooms and communal gathering spaces, will be housed at the site. Construction is expected to start next month, with the county anticipating opening the site in late summer or early fall. (CBS Sacramento)

  2. In a recent report on the Sacramento County Board of Supervisorsā€™ handling of the early months of the COVID-19 pandemic, a Sacramento County grand jury determined that the supervisors ignored the public health officer for five months prior to engaging in dialogue about the countyā€™s COVID-19 activities and the pandemicā€™s impact on its residents. It was recommended by the grand jury that the Board of Supervisors, the county executive and the county Office of Public Health work together to establish a public health emergency response plan to approach future public health orders and best ensure the safety of county residents. District 5 County Supervisor Don Nottoli, said that the Board of Supervisors will, in the ā€œnear future,ā€ present a formal, written response to the grand juryā€™s findings, as well as a response to the grand juryā€™s recommendations. Nottoliā€™s District 5 encompasses more than 650 square miles and includes the Galt, Elk Grove, Rancho Cordova and Sacramento-San Joaquin Delta communities. (The Galt Herald)

  3. Two incidents of BB gunfire aimed at unsuspecting people were reported to West Sacramento Police during Easter weekend and are part of a concerning national trend. West Sacramento police said the incidents were likely part of the "Orbeez Challenge" on TikTok encouraging people to do drive-by-style shootings of unsuspecting bystanders with small water or gel pellets known as Orbeez shot by a BB or an airsoft gun. The dangerous prank has gained steam on TikTok and has forced police agencies across the country to send out warnings to their communities. Law enforcement agencies are warning communities the prank isn't fun and games; it's illegal. Under California state law, the act is punishable with up to a year of jail time. Police say if you fall victim to this prank to report it. (ABC10)

  4. A Sacramento grocery store owner at the center of an FBI drug trafficking investigation is accused of using his store as a front and partnering with one of Mexicoā€™s most ruthless cartels. Customers at La Victoria were shocked to hear the grocery store is allegedly connected to a ruthless drug cartel and being used as a front to traffic cocaine. Jose Manuel Chavez Zepeda, the owner of the market, was arrested on federal drug charges, including the distribution of cocaine. The FBI believes the Mexican cartel Jalisco New Generation supplied the cocaine to Chavez. (CBS Sacramento)

  5. A four-member majority on the Citrus Heights City Council on Thursday spoke out against a proposed five-year moratorium on new drive-thru restaurants, saying such a move isnā€™t needed and would send the wrong message to the business community. Vice Mayor Tim Schaefer had initially brought up the possibility of a moratorium in January. Particular concern had arisen after a new Raising Caneā€™s drive-thru opened on Greenback Lane, resulting in long lines of traffic. Mayor Porsche Middleton said she was concerned about mandating more policy for area businesses, saying she would be ā€œreluctant to have the city get really down to the nuts and bolts and telling business how and where they should be operating.ā€ (Citrus Heights Sentinel/ subscription may be required)

Today in Sacramento:

  • Each month, the Official Rogue Book Club brings together readers, art-lovers, and special guests to discuss books that inspire readers to look at art and life in new, unexpected ways. Presented by the Crocker Art Museum, online. (6:00 PM)

  • Join Paints and Pints for a fun evening at New Helvetia Brewing! Relax and enjoy a beer while you create your masterpiece. (6:00 PM)

  • The City of Sacramento is very excited to announce that the next Community Conversation will take place in person at the Roberts Family Development Center at 766 Darina Ave. During this meeting there will also be a special presentation from members of the Measure U Community Advisory Committee. (6:00 PM)

  • Join Revival and The Sawyer for a movie night under the stars as they screen the Sacramento classic, Lady Bird. (8:00 PM)

From my notebook:

  • Here are some of the summer camps available for children in the Sacramento area! From STEM to Outdoor Activity focus, the region's got it all covered! (KCRA Sacramento)

  • Heavy mountain snow will impact mountain travel through Friday morning. Mountain travel is HIGHLY DISCOURAGED during this time. If you do travel, be prepared for chain controls, travel delays, & near whiteout conditions at times. (Facebook)

  • Sacramento Beer Week starts this Friday. šŸ˜ŽšŸ»ā ā The hoppy-est week of the year returns April 22-May 1. Follow @SacramentoBeerWeek (Instagram)

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Now you're in the loop and ready to start this Thursday off right. I'll be back in your inbox tomorrow with another update!

ā€” Jeri Karges

About me: Jeri Karges has been living in and loving the Sacramento region for over 30 years. Her passion is finding new and unique ways to enjoy the city and surrounding areas. On weekends, you can find her pestering her friends to sample the restaurant that doesn't have silverware, or try their hand at throwing an axe. Jeri also enjoys writing about retirement planning at https://rockinretirement.subst...

This article originally appeared on the Sacramento Patch