Local Politics · Elk Grove, CA
At a Wednesday Elk Grove City Council meeting, government watchdog Lynn Wheat presented findings from a public records request estimating approximately $16 million in taxpayer losses tied to the failed Sacramento zoo relocation project. City Manager Jason Behrmann responded that Wheat's analysis was off by about $3 million, placing the loss at roughly $13 million, and offered a private meeting with Wheat to explain the discrepancy. The city purchased nearly 100 acres for approximately $10 million for the zoo project and is currently negotiating with the Wilton Rancheria to sell the land back. Wheat called for a complete public accounting of all funds spent, recovered, and permanently lost.
Local Politics · Sacramento, CA
Seven Sacramento-area Sikh temples signed a public letter Wednesday expressing loss of confidence in Rep. Doris Matsui, citing her failure to co-sponsor three federal bills important to the Sikh community and her campaign's non-response to a meeting request. The letter escalates tensions weeks before Matsui's November congressional contest against Sacramento Councilmember Mai Vang in the newly drawn 7th District, which spans downtown Sacramento through Elk Grove to Lodi and Placerville. Matsui's campaign called the initial meeting request "last-minute" and alleged the letter was linked to Vang's campaign; Vang's campaign denied involvement. The seven temples represent approximately 15,000 congregants in a region with an estimated 40,000 Sikhs.
Housing & Development · Sacramento County
A legal settlement has been reached in a CEQA lawsuit over the Coyote Creek solar energy project, reducing its footprint by about 20% on the 2,704-acre Barton Ranch property in eastern Sacramento County near Folsom. The original 1,412-acre project was approved by the Sacramento County Board of Supervisors in November 2025 and developed by Sacramento Valley Energy Center, a subsidiary of D.E. Shaw Renewable Investments. Under the settlement, approximately 3,300 mature blue oak trees will be preserved (down from roughly 3,500 slated for removal), and a conservation easement will be established on the ranch. The Environmental Council of Sacramento, Sierra Club, and California Native Plant Society brought the suit. SMUD separately cancelled its 2021 power-purchase agreement with the developer in January.
Nearby · Public Safety · Sacramento, CA
Sacramento Fire Department crews responded to six or seven fires along the American River Parkway near Northgate Boulevard on Tuesday (Oct. 13), at least two more on Wednesday, and another on Thursday, Captain Justin Sylvia said. Investigators suspect the fires may be human-caused but lack direct evidence such as cameras or eyewitnesses in the area. Fire officials are deploying thermal-imaging drones and coordinating with park rangers who are increasing patrols along the river. The repeated incidents come amid public safety power shutoffs and elevated regional fire risk, straining firefighting resources.
Nearby · Public Safety · Sacramento, CA
Sacramento is scaling back a late-night safety program in Old Sacramento after police reported a more than 60% drop in citizen-initiated calls between midnight and 8 a.m. on weekends during the roughly two-and-a-half-month enforcement period. Starting Friday night, most weekend vehicle traffic restrictions will end and officers will return to normal patrols instead of being stationed at closures overnight; K Street will remain closed to vehicles on weekends. The program was launched after a July street fight left five people stabbed. Officials cited the personnel and resource burden as the reason for scaling back, while business owners reported mixed effects, with some saying visible police presence deterred late-night event bookings.
