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Community Corner

🌱River Cats Get Robot Umps + Hwy 99 Wrong Way Crash

The quickest way to get caught up on the most important things happening today in Sacramento.

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Jeri Karges, Neighbor
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(Patch Media)

Rise and shine, Sacramento! It's Saturday, so let's get you started with everything you need to know going on today in town.

First, today's weather:

Mostly sunny. High: 67 Low: 36.

Here are the top five stories today in Sacramento:

  1. A wrong-way crash on Hwy. 99, north of 12th Avenue, shut down the roadway for several hours Friday morning during commute hours as authorities investigated. The crash involved an Elk Grove police officer who had been riding a motorcycle on the way to work when he was hit by the wrong-way driver. The officer, identified as Ty Lenehan, later died of his injuries according to Elk Grove Police Chief Timothy Albright. A 31-year-old man has been arrested on suspicion of DUI in connection with the crash. The wrong-way driver is cooperating with the investigation. The roadway reopened around 11:20 a.m. (KCRA3)
  2. January is Human Trafficking Awareness Month. During the month of January, SMF is joining the Not Alone campaign and Blue Lightning Initiative (BLI) to help raise airport employees' awareness about human trafficking at airports. The BLI program is designed to provide airport employees with the tools to take advantage of their unique position and ability to identify potential human trafficking victims and notify federal authorities. At SMF, there are signs at the ticket counters and women's restrooms with information, including a phone number to text or call to get help if the traveler or someone they know is being trafficked. In addition, SMF supports the Not Alone campaign, a national human trafficking awareness campaign designed to help people who are being trafficked recognize that there are resources for them to seek help. (Saccounty.gov)
  3. The website COVIDtests.gov is up and running, and it allows every household in the U.S. to get 4 free COVID tests, shipping included. While many say it couldn't be easier, it often isn't the case for non-English speakers. The website COVIDtests.gov only has the choice of three languages: English, Spanish and Chinese. Mao Vang is the health program manager at La Familia, an organization known for providing community support services. She said they don't speak every language at La Familia, but they can bridge the gap for those trying to get tests. (ABC10)
  4. A 16-year-old male from Sacramento was arrested on multiple felony charges after ShotSpotter was activated and he was found with a non-serialized "ghost" gun, authorities said Thursday. The 16-year-old was taken to the county juvenile hall for carrying a loaded firearm registered to another, possessing a firearm as a minor, concealing the firearm in a vehicle and discharging it in a grossly negligent manner, according to authorities. He is being held without bail. (KCRA3)
  5. Robot umpires have been given a promotion and will be just one step from the major leagues this season, making their debut at Triple-A games. MLB's website posted a hiring notice seeking seasonal employees to operate the Automated Ball and Strike (ABS) system and the River Cats are one of 11 Triple-A teams that's hiring for the position. As for other seasonal positions with the River Cats, the team is holding a job fair at Sutter Health Park on Jan. 29. The job fair is from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. and all attendees must be fully vaccinated against COVID-19 prior to the event, according to the team's website. (FOX40)

Today in Sacramento:

  • Join other volunteers for the River District Business Park Planting where you will plant trees in front of one of the businesses in the River District. (8:45 AM)
  • Join the January Open Garden at UCCE Sacramento County Master Gardeners. Open gardens are informal FREE events where you roam the gardens, watch what we are doing, see what we are growing and ask questions. (9:00 AM)
  • Take your puppy to supper at University of Beer where dogs eat free today! (11:30 AM)
  • Randy Carey will be at Vannatta Wines in Elk Grove. (2:00 PM)
  • Tainted Love - The Best of the 80's will be at Harlow's. (9:00 PM)

From my notebook:

  • Sacramentans checked out over 3 million eBooks and audiobooks from the Sacramento Public Library in 2021. The Sacramento Public Library is one of only 20 public library systems worldwide that surpassed one million digital checkouts. (saclibrary.org)
  • There are new rules for Sacramento's e-bikes and scooters in 2022. Riders will have to lock rented scooters and bikes to bike racks or take the scooter or bike to specific drop zones throughout the city. There are 35 drop zones throughout Sacramento with more than 7,000 bike-parking spaces. The city charges operators $15 for each bike or scooter blocking sidewalks or ramps. That charge is required to be passed onto the riders from the company. (ABC10.com KXTV)
  • Pawn Shop Insider, Warren Anapolsky from California Loan and Jewelry in Downtown Sacramento, has a jar of candy hearts in his shop for Valentine's Day and if you guess right, you could win a prize! (Good Day Sacramento)

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Now you're in the loop and ready to start this Saturday! I'll see you soon.

— 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...

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