🌱Florin Light Rail Mural + Ponderosa Scholars W/ College Degrees

Hello, people of Sacramento! It's me again, Jeri Karges, your host of the Sacramento Daily.

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First, today's weather:

Mostly sunny. High: 59 Low: 32.

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Here are the top five stories today in Sacramento:

1. Governor Gavin Newsom on Tuesday announced $45 million in awards for two new Homekey projects in Los Angeles and Sacramento which will provide 170 units of housing for people exiting homelessness. "California is moving with unprecedented speed to house people experiencing homelessness through Homekey," said Governor Newsom. On Wednesday Governor Newsom visited the newest Homekey site in Sacramento, which upon completion will provide 92 units of permanent supportive housing. Additional Homekey awards will be announced in the coming weeks. Completed applications will be accepted on a rolling basis until funds are exhausted or May 2, 2022, whichever comes first. (Sierra Sun Times)
2. A group of Sacramento-area families whose loved ones have been victims of homicide are working to turn their heartbreak into art to keep their loved ones' memory alive. Together, the families are raising funds to create a mural of their loved ones faces at the Florin Light Rail Station. Homicide rates in Sacramento skyrocketed over the past few years. In 2020, the homicides in the county reached triple-digit numbers for the first time in 10 years. From 2020 to 2021, the murder rate climbed more than 37% in the city of Sacramento. "This mural will be a reminder that we must stand together, support one another in our fight against senseless crimes and take back our neighborhoods," said Rachel Benavidez, the mother of one of the victims. To learn more, including how you can donate to this project, click HERE. (ABC10)
3. The Los Rios Community College District offers high school students age 16 years and older with a qualifying GPA the opportunity to take advanced education courses at any of its four Sacramento-area college campuses while continuing with high school classes. Two Ponderosa High School students decided to use unexpected, pandemic-caused downtime to take advantage of this offering and get a head start on their college education, earning multiple AA degrees in the process. Amelia Warzecha and Alyssa Seeley will be Folsom Lake College graduates three days before they receive their PHS diplomas. Both high-achieving seniors are also engaged in PHS clubs, including The Mock Trial Club, where they currently participate on the inaugural team, and the Academic Decathlon. Those are some pretty impressive 17-year-olds! Congratulations to both of them! (Village Life)
4. The Sacramento County jail may soon be visited by a federal judge to investigate ongoing allegations that supposedly confidential attorney/client meetings weren't private after all.
   The jail, built in 1989 and featured in the 2019 Netflix show "Jailbirds," came under scrutiny last year when it was revealed that authorities had secretly filmed attorney/client meetings between several inmates and their attorneys. Now, attorneys in a federal racketeering case want a federal magistrate to come to the jail in person. If it is found that the jail has systemic issues affecting attorney/client privilege, that ruling could spill over to countless criminal convictions and ongoing cases. (Pacifica Tribune)
5. Eight people were sent to the hospital Tuesday afternoon after a two-vehicle crash at Twin Cities Road and Cherokee Lane in Herald. One of the victims succumbed to his injuries. It is unknown what led to the crash, but alcohol and drugs are not being considered by investigators. (KCRA3)

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Today in Sacramento:

• Attend this virtual event WaterSmart Class: Capturing That Rain for Your Landscape, presented by the Citrus Heights water district. (12:00 Noon)
• Local musician Kurt Travis will be at Goldfield Trading Post in Sacramento. (6:30 PM)
• Bad Bad Hats with The Ophelias will be at the Starlet Room in Sacramento. (7:00 PM)
• The North Mississippi Allstars will be at Harlow's downtown. (8:00 PM)

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From my notebook:

• The Year of the Tiger is roaring in! 🐯 Check out this throwback picture of when lion dancers took over the streets of Historic Locke 30 miles south of Sacramento. It sure doesn't look like this today! (Instagram)
• Black History Month officially kicked off Tuesday, and the people over at Security Public Storage have unveiled a 90-footlong social justice mural featuring Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr., Rosa Parks, Cesar Chavez and Dolores Huerta. The mural was designed by local artist, Jerry Ragg, and the official dedication ceremony is set for Feb. 8. (ABC10.com KXTV)
• Kids Day has been a favorite Rancho Cordova special event for more than three decades. Mark your calendars for April 23 for a colorful trip south of the border as they celebrate the traditional Children's Day in Mexico -- "Dia Del Nino" -- with "FIESTA!"

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Thanks for following along and staying informed. I'll be in your inbox tomorrow morning with another update!

— 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...