North Sac Beat

Sacramento County Fair 2013 begins tomorrow

2013-05-22T20:56:00.001-07:00

The Sacramento County Fair begins tomorrow and runs through Memorial Day Weekend at Cal Expo.

The fair brings traditional county fair competitions, agricultural displays, hands-on family activities, carnival, festival-style entertainment, specialty foods, and more.

Each day has a theme:

Thursday, May 23: Opening Day - Celebrating Your Community-Invitational Mayor’s Goat Milking Contest
Friday, May 24: Value Day - Dollar Food Items, 4 to 9 pm & Demolition Derby
Saturday, May 25: Stars & Stripes Bull Riding sponsored by Lasher’s Elk Grove Dodge Chrysler Jeep Ram
Sunday, May 26: Junior Livestock Auction, 10 am, Livestock Barn & Gran Jaripeo (Mexican Rodeo & Fiesta)
Monday, May 27: (Memorial Day): Military Appreciation Day &Team Sorting

Hours May 23 - 26 are 10am-10pm, May 27 is 10am-7pm.

Visit the County Fair's website or Facebook page for more information.

Antoine Blessett convicted in Sunland Liquors shooting

2013-05-22T16:59:00.000-07:00

District Attorney Jan Scully announced today that Antoine Blessett was convicted by jury of the February 2012 murder of Christopher “Bud” Sisoukchaleun.

The jury also found that Blessett used a firearm and committed the murder for the benefit of the Meadowview Bloods criminal street gang.

On the early morning of February 9, 2012, a group of young men stopped at Sunland Liquors along Del Paso Boulevard in north Sacramento. They encountered Blessett in front of the store and an argument ensued. During the argument, Blessett produced a handgun and shot the victim two times, killing him.

Blessett was arrested near the scene of the crime.

Sentencing is set for June 13, 2013 at 1:30 p.m. in Department 20 of the Sacramento Superior
Court.

District 2 Summer Concert Series kicks off in Robla

2013-05-20T17:46:00.000-07:00

The District 2 Summer Concert Series kicked off last night at Robla Park with the local group Innersoul helping to get everyone in the groove.

Next month's concert is on June 30th at Babcock Park.

The District 2 Summer Concert Series is sponsored by Councilmember Allen Warren.

Local Celebrity Basketball Game at Grant High School

2013-05-20T17:15:00.000-07:00

T-Mo Entertainment held its Local Celebrity Basketball Game #5 yesterday at Grant High School pitting one team of local celebrities coached by former Oakland Raider & Super Bowl Champion Rick Jennings against another coached by former Sacramento Monarch and two-time USA Basketball Team Olympic Gold Medalist Ruthie Bolton.

The event also featured a live band, entertainment, and cheerleaders.

Twin Rivers Unified to celebrate schools in North Sacramento

2013-05-15T21:35:00.000-07:00

Twin Rivers Unified School District will celebrate the schools located in North Sacramento at tomorrow night's Neighborhood Schools Celebration at Grant High School.

The event celebrates the districts teachers, classified staff, and retirees. Schools represented are:

Babcock Elementary
Castori Elementary
Del Paso Heights Elementary
Fairbanks Elementary
Garden Valley Elementary
Grant High School
Hagginwood Elementary
Johnson Elementary
MLK Jr. Tech Academy
Morey Ave. Early Childhood Development Center
NOVO Opportunity Program
Noralto Elementary
Northwood Elementary
Rio Tierra Junior High
Smythe Academy of Arts & Sciences
Strauch Elementary
Twin Rivers Adult School
Vista Nueva Career & Technology High
Woodlake Elementary

Refreshments will be provided and student performances at scheduled.

The celebration kicks off at 6pm.

More celebrations are scheduled.

Sacramento Police remind residents to lock up homes during warm weather

2013-05-13T23:00:00.001-07:00

The Sacramento Police Department is urging the community to take steps to safeguard their homes during the upcoming summer months.

Going to sleep with your windows and doors open may cool down your home, but is often an invitation for unwanted and unexpected intruders. Burglars are opportunists and look for homes with easy and quiet access. They've been known to strike even when you are at home, sometimes taking items while you sleep.

The Sacramento Police Department has seen an increase in nighttime burglaries thanks to open windows and doors.

Most recently there have been three possibly related instances:

600 block of Bowles St., 7:00 a.m.; suspect(s) entered into the unlocked sliding glass door and personal property was taken from inside the home while the residents were asleep.
500 block of Lampasas Ave., 7:00 a.m.; suspect(s) entered a lower level apartment through an open window while the residents were asleep. Personal property was taken during the incident.
4300 block of Norwood Ave., 1:30 a.m.; the victim awoke to the suspect inside his home. A physical altercation ensued between the victim and suspect. The suspect fled from the home and the victim briefly gave chase. The victim sustained non-life threatening injuries during the incident that did not require treatment at a hospital.

The suspect is described as a Black male adult in his 20s, 5 feet 11 inches to 6 feet tall, 165 pounds, wearing dark clothing.

The Sacramento Police Department urges anyone with information pertaining to this crime to contact the dispatch center at (916) 264-5471 or Crime Alert at (916) 443-HELP (4357) or text in a tip to 274637 (CRIMES). Enter SACTIP followed by the tip information.

And remember to lock up your house, even when the weather is warm outside.

Celebrate Sacramento this weekend at William Land Park

2013-05-09T21:09:00.001-07:00

Assemblymember Roger Dickinson will host the 3rd Annual Celebrate Sacramento event this Saturday, May 11 at William Land Park from 12pm - 4pm.

The free event will feature live music, arts & crafts, kids activities, performances, and booths.

Smoke & Fire Cook-Off raises funds for Sac Fire Reserves Association

2013-05-03T19:56:00.001-07:00

Sacramento Fire Station teams will go head-to-head in the Smoke & Fire Tri-Tip & Rib Cook-Off Competition on Saturday, May 4 from 12pm - 4pm.

BBQ, live music, a beer garden, community information tables, antique fire trucks, children's activities and fire fighter demonstrations will be on hand.

The event benefits the Sacramento Fire Reserves Association for the education, assistance and development of Sacramento City Fire Volunteer Reserves.

Luncheon Plates include BBQ Ribs or Tri-Tip, Baked Beans, Cole Slaw & Cornbread (Hot dogs available, too if preferred).

Guest Judges County Supervisor Phil Serna, City Councilmember Allen Warren, Pajo Bruich (Enotria), and Jared Katzenbarger (Dickey's Barbecue Pit) will determine the winners of the event.

Tickets available online (no service fee):

Adult Lunch - $10.00
Child Lunch (under 12) - $5.00
Tasting Pass (tastes from three competing teams) - $5.00

This event is hosted by Del Paso Boulevard Partnership, Station 99, Sacramento City Fire Reserves, and Bergstrom Realty & Investment.

For more information visit www.smokeandfirecookoff.com or call 916-923-6200.

Sacramento Police & Sheriff's Memorial Ceremony photos

2013-05-02T23:58:00.000-07:00

Members of the law enforcement community came to the 11th Annual Sacramento Police & Sheriff's Memorial Ceremony on Thursday, May 2, 2013 at the memorial site adjacent to Woodlake Park.

Law Enforcement Remembrance Ceremony tomorrow

2013-05-01T20:49:00.000-07:00

The 11th Annual Sacramento Police / Sheriff's Remembrance Ceremony will take place tomorrow, May 2 at 12pm at the Sacramento Police & Sheriff's Memorial next to Woodlake Park.

All of the fallen officers from the past 163 years of Sacramento's Law Enforcement History will be recognized.

The Grace Network meets tonight

2013-05-01T10:54:00.001-07:00

The Grace Network holds its regular meeting tonight, 6pm - 9pm at Renaissance Square (1217 Del Paso Boulevard).

Tonight's featured speaker is Chris Stambaugh, the Founder & Director of TGN.

Training topics include fighting human trafficking from an inner-city context.

For more information, contact 916-850-0846 or info@thegracenetwork.org.

The Grace Network exists to mobilize, train, and assimilate passionate people into all spheres of the anti-trafficking fight, and to identify, share, and celebrate viable resources that meet the specific of exploited youth.

Asking the wrong, irrelevant, and morbid questions

2013-04-30T22:49:00.000-07:00

Mike TeSelle, who KCRA 3 usually sends up to play in the snow, reported on the Valley Springs murder case and managed to ask a question that was a combination of irrelevant and morbid:

So... yeah.

Twin Rivers Unified to celebrate schools in North Highlands

2013-04-30T21:57:00.001-07:00

Twin Rivers Unified School District will celebrate the schools located in North Highlands at Thursday night's Neighborhood Schools Celebration at the Highlands High School.

The event celebrates the districts teachers, classified staff, and retirees. Schools represented are:

Allison Elementary
Creative Connections Arts Academy
Highlands High School
Hillsdale Elementary
Joyce Elementary
Kohler Elementary
Miles P. Elementary
Pacific Career & Technology High
Ridgepoint Elementary
Village Elementary
WPCS - Eastside Campus

Refreshments will be provided and student performances at scheduled.

The celebration kicks off at 6pm.

More celebrations are scheduled.

Suspect steals money and food from restaurant

2013-04-26T12:26:00.002-07:00

Officers responded to a robbery Wednesday night occurring at a restaurant on the 2400 block of Del Paso Blvd.

According to the Sacramento Police Department the suspect, armed with a knife, entered into a restaurant and stole cash and food. No injuries were reported.

The suspect is described by police as a black male adult with a large build.

Anyone with information pertaining to this case should contact SPD's Communications Center at (916) 264-5471 or Crime Alert at (916) 443-HELP (4357) or text in a tip to 274637 (CRIMES). Enter SACTIP followed by the tip information. Callers can remain anonymous.

(Despite the picture of the Hamburglar, the crime most likely occurred at either Formosa Cafe or Taco Bell. Both locations are on the 2400 block whereas McDonalds is on the 2500 block.)

America's Largest Demo Days at Haggin Oaks this weekend

2013-04-25T20:49:00.000-07:00

Visit and demo equipment at what is being dubbed "American's Largest Demo Days" at the Haggin Oaks Golf Expo 2013 running from Friday, April 26 to Sunday, April 29 at the Haggin Oaks Golf Complex.

The free event will feature golf fitness and workout facilities, regional golf clubs, collectibles and golf antiques, putting greens and home training tools, instructional aids, and more.

This event runs from 9:00pm to 5:00pm daily.

Del Paso Boulevard Spring Carnival returns this Wednesday

2013-04-22T13:05:00.000-07:00

The 4th Del Paso Boulevard Spring Carnival returns this Wednesday, April 24 and runs until Sunday, April 28.

Located at the Rite Aid - O'Reilly Parking Lot at El Camino Ave & Del Paso Boulevard, the carnival features rides for all ages including Bumper Cars, Tidal Wave, and the Classic Giant Ferris Wheel.

Hours of operation are:

Wednesday, April 24th: 4:00pm - 10:00pm
Thursday, April 25th: 3:00pm - 11:00pm
Friday, April 26th: 3:00pm - 11:00pm
Saturday, April 27th: 12:00pm - 11:00pm
Sunday, April 28th: 12:00pm - 11:00pm

The carnival is brought to you by Johnston Amusements and the Del Paso Boulevard Partnership.

Crossroads of the West forgets to check its calendar when scheduling gun show

2013-04-19T21:16:00.000-07:00

Crossroads of the West apparently forgot to check its calendar when scheduling tomorrow's gun show at Cal Expo.

Tomorrow is April 20th, otherwise known as 4:20, otherwise known as "Weed Day".

Obviously they didn't do this on purpose, but it's timing is strange nonetheless.

Photos from: Crossroads of the West and High Times.

Explosions go off at the Boston Marathon [VIDEO]

2013-04-15T15:38:00.000-07:00

Two explosions went off at the finish line of today's Boston Marathon, killing two and injuring up to 86 more people in the process:

Video from: The Boston Globe

Kevin Bracy to speak at workshop tomorrow in Del Paso Heights

2013-04-12T14:21:00.000-07:00

The Robertson Family Development Center will host a free Parent Empowerment Workshop tomorrow, 9:00am - 1:30pm at Del Paso Heights Elementary School.

Photos from: Roberts Family Development Center and KevinBracy.com

The workshop's keynote presenter is Kevin Bracy, speaker, author, and television show host.

Workshops include: "Understanding Common Core", "What is A-G requirements?" and "Developing kids who LOVE to learn".

Breakfast and lunch is provided. Transportation provided by request only.

Raffles & giveaways will also take place.

Visit the Robertson Family Development Center for more information.

View Kevin Bracy speak at the National Speakers Association 2012 in Indianapolis:

Grant Little League begins season with a bang

2013-04-07T20:32:00.001-07:00

Grant Little League began its season Saturday with a bang.

The season began with a parade through Del Paso Heights, beginning at Grant High School and ending at Del Paso Heights Elementary School Park.

Hundreds of kids marched to the park on foot, in trucks, and atop a boat, bringing residents out of their homes to watch and cheer.

Sacramento City Coucilmember and former Grant Little League player Allen Warren participated in the march.

Sacramento County Supervisor Phil Serna also participated in the march.

Kids from Del Paso Heights, Strawberry Manor, North Sacramento, and Hagginwood participated in major, minor, and t-ball leagues.

Grant Little League runs through the beginning of June 2013.

Visit Grant Little League’s website or Facebook page for more information about the league and its sponsors.

Seattle's Bill Wixey talks crap about Sacramento, gives backhanded apology

2013-04-04T22:10:00.000-07:00

Bill Wixey, the Morning Anchor at Seattle's Q13 Fox, decided to make a list of the top five arguments the Seattle group did not make to the NBA to pick Seattle over Sacramento.

And it's pretty lame:

Seattle has great culture; world class ballet, symphony, art museums, and theater). Sacramento has culture; the kind you find at the bottom of a petrie dish.
Seattle is the city that spawned music legends. Willie Nelson's tour bus once broke down in Sacramento.
Seattle kowtows to billionaires. Sacramento is a cowtown.
Seattle smells like an emerald green forest. Sacramento smells like you're stepfather's armpit before a shower and without deodorant.
Seattle has "Bertha", the worlds largest boring machine. Sacramento is just boring.

Wixley obvious didn't do his research. For one "kowtow" is another word for "brownnose" and "roll over", and to say Sacramento doesn't have culture - Crocker Art Museum and various theaters - is absurd.

The Youtube video of the segment was posted by Bhavisha Patel, the show's producer but fan of the Kings:

Sorry! #HereWePurple RT @bblakelyq13fox Traitor! @bhavishapatel twitter.com/bblakelyQ13Fox…
— Bhavisha Patel (@BhavishaPatel) April 4, 2013

Wixley's actions got negative reaction on Twitter, even from Seattle Sonics fans:

I am a Bill Wixey fan but this list is awful. Not funny: j.mp/Zeog4C! Check out @carmichaeldave's list:twitpic.com/cgzh91
— Kevin Shockey (@KevinShockey) April 4, 2013

Bill Wixey.....come on!!!
— SonicsJoe (@SonicsJoe) April 4, 2013

Seattle Anchor Bill Wixey is a classless piece of trash that is a prime example why the people of Seattle do not deserve an NBA Franchise.
— Saturday Night Rizz (@PatRisley) April 4, 2013

cont. @q13fox Unlike the comments made by Bill Wixey, we in Sac try not to rankwhat culture is best, but choose to find strengths in each
— Tim Henderson (@timhenderson81) April 4, 2013

I don't have a problem with the Seattle TV bit. Could've been funnier, but whatever. I just hope it goes both ways and we can all laugh.
— Carmichael Dave (@CarmichaelDave) April 4, 2013

Wixley later addressed Kings fans saying it was a joke.

#Kings fans: It was a joke. Misguided, perhaps. I've spent time in Sac, like it a lot. In fairness, I'm happy to air ur retort on @q13fox.
— Bill Wixey/ Q13 Fox (@BillWixey) April 4, 2013

Powerball tickets go on sale this Monday

2013-04-02T21:50:00.000-07:00

The California State Lottery will begin selling tickets for Powerball, the multi-state, mega-jackpot lottery game, this Monday, April 8, 2013.

Each play will cost $2.

The first Powerball draw which includes California sales will be Wednesday, April 10, 2013.

Draws will close every Wednesday and Saturday at 7:00 pm PT and winning numbers will be drawn at 7:59 pm PT.

Donna Cordova from the California State Lottery explains how to play Powerball in this Youtube video:

Powerball jackpots start at $40 million. If there are no Grand Prize winners, the jackpot will increase at a minimum of $10 million per roll. If there is more than one Grand Prize winner, the jackpot will be divided equally among them.

Powerball is not replacing SuperLOTTO Plus or MEGA Millions. Both will still be available and will have their regularly scheduled draws.

Visit the California State Lottery's website for more information regarding Powerball.

Below is a sample Powerball drawing:

Sacramento police seek help identifying laundry room bandits

2013-04-02T21:06:00.000-07:00

The Sacramento Police Department is asking for the community’s help in identifying persons involved in multiple burglaries in laundry rooms.

Photos from: Sacramento Police Department

Two suspects are believed to be responsible for multiple burglaries of laundry rooms at apartment complexes listed below. In each instance, it appears that the coin mechanism of the washer and dryer machines have been targeted after the suspects forced entry into the unoccupied locked rooms.

The suspects are described as Black males approximately 25 to 30 years old. One of the suspects has been described by witnesses as having a thin build with a short afro and goatee.

The suspects are believed to have targeted the following places:

1000 block of Santiago Avenue, occurred sometime between March 2, 2013 and March 3, 2013; forced entry was made into the laundry room and the coin mechanism was stolen from the top of the washing machines.

3200 block of Norwood Avenue, occurred sometime between March 5, 2013, and March 7, 2013; forced entry was made into the laundry room and the entire coin operated washing machine was stolen.

500 block of Lampasas Avenue, occurred March 8, 2013 at approximately 8:00 a.m.; two Black male adults were seen forcing entry into the laundry room of an apartment complex and removing the dryers. The suspects reportedly loaded the machines into a vehicle before fleeing the scene.

1500 block of Sonoma Ave, occurred March 8, 2013 at approximately 12:56 p.m.; a tenant went to investigate noises coming from the laundry room and came upon the two suspects removing the coin container mechanism from a washing machine. One of the suspects brandished a handgun at the tenant before fleeing the scene.

400 block of Fairfield St, occurred March 21, 2013 at approximately 9:00 p.m.; forced entry was made into the laundry room and the coin mechanism was stolen from the top of the washing machines.

400 block of Redwood Ave, occurred March 23, 2013 at approximately 10:00 p.m.; a manager discovered the coin box taken from the locked laundry room. Surveillance footage was recovered (see pics) and the suspect appears to be wearing a gray baseball cap, dark clothing, white and black gloves and is in possession of a crowbar.

The Sacramento Police Department urges anyone with information pertaining to these crimes to contact the dispatch center at (916) 264-5471 or Crime Alert at (916) 443-HELP (4357) or text in a tip to 274637 (CRIMES). Enter SACTIP followed by the tip information. Callers can remain anonymous and may be eligible for a reward of up to $1,000.

Natomas Girls Softball begins season

2013-03-30T21:32:00.000-07:00

Natomas Girls Softball League began its season today with a parade around the Northgate neighborhood near its homefields at Althea B. Smythe Elementary School.

The opening of play also marked a milestone.

Natomas Girls Softball League has existed since 1968, making this the league’s 50th anniversary.

The future looks bright for the league’s dated homefields with plans for $607,000 of improvements thanks to a partnership between the City of Sacramento and Twin Rivers Unified School District.

Softball players come from the north area of Sacramento including South Natomas, North Natomas, North Sacramento, Del Paso Heights, Rio Linda, Robla, Downtown and North Highlands.

Visit the Natomas Girls Softball League website or Facebook page for information on schedules.

Easter events this weekend

2013-03-29T22:51:00.000-07:00

Below are a few fun events to celebrate Easter this weekend:

Easter Eggstravaganza
March 30, 2013 (8am - 1pm)
8000 Temple Park Road, Fair Oaks, CA 95628

Spring Eggstravaganza
March 30, 2013 (11am - 3pm)
Fairytale Town

Land Park Egg Hunt
March 30, 2013 (9:30am - 11:30am)
3800 S. Land Park Drive

15th Annual Easter Egg Hunt & Pancake Breakfast
March 31, 2013 (9:30am - 11:05am)
Haggin Oaks Golf Complex