Local Politics · Sacramento County
Approximately 450 employees of the Sacramento Superior Court, represented by United Public Employees (UPE), have voted to authorize a strike beginning on or after October 30, 2026. The union cites the lack of a contract since September 2026 and failed negotiations as primary reasons for the action. While the court states it remains committed to bargaining and maintaining essential services, UPE claims the administration has not offered wage increases to offset rising costs of living. If the strike proceeds, the court plans to implement an emergency operation plan relying on non-union employees to handle constitutionally mandated operations.
Crime · Elk Grove, CA
California Gov. Gavin Newsom announced a $50,000 reward for information leading to arrest and conviction in the March 4, 2011 shootings of Gurmej Singh Atwal, 78, and Surinder Singh, 65, along East Stockton Boulevard near Geneva Point Drive in Elk Grove. The killings, investigated as a possible hate crime, remain unsolved after 15 years despite religious groups previously raising over $60,000 in reward money. Elk Grove Mayor Bobbie Singh-Allen and police Sgt. Jason Jimenez expressed hope the governor's reward will generate new leads. Under California law, the governor may offer rewards up to $50,000 at the request of law enforcement agencies that have exhausted investigative leads.
Crime · Elk Grove, CA
A Sacramento Superior Court judge sentenced Ricky Sims, 42, of Elk Grove to 26 years to life in prison Friday for the first-degree murder of Marya Guillen, 36, who was fatally stabbed at their home in the 8900 block of Sierra Street on Aug. 15, 2021. A jury found Sims guilty in August of first-degree murder with a deadly-weapon enhancement. Prosecutors said Guillen suffered 54 sharp-force wounds, including 45 stab wounds to her face, head, neck and extremities. Officers used a less-lethal weapon to subdue Sims after he refused to comply with commands at the scene.
Local Politics
The California State Parks Division of Boating and Waterways increased the two-year Mussel Fee Sticker from $16 to $42, a 162.5% hike effective Thursday, Oct. 22, 2026. The increase responds to invasive golden mussels first discovered in the Sacramento-San Joaquin Delta in October 2024, which prompted emergency declarations in Sacramento, Yolo, San Joaquin and Kern counties. Boaters purchasing stickers in odd-numbered years pay $42; those buying in even-numbered years pay $21. Existing sticker holders do not owe the difference until their current sticker expires at vessel registration renewal on Dec. 31 of each odd year. State Parks said additional revenue will fund boat inspections, decontamination, monitoring and grants to waterway managers, though the announcement did not specify projected revenue or success metrics.
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Local Politics · Elk Grove, CA
Early ballot returns through Oct. 22 in Elk Grove Unified School District's Area 5 show 3,725 of 34,368 ballots returned (10.8%), with Democrats casting 1,771, Republicans 1,214, and no-party-preference/other voters 740. The three candidates—Democrats Varinder Singh and Rachelle Reinwald, and Republican Elena Trukhan—compete in an officially nonpartisan school board contest where a split Democratic vote could allow Trukhan to win with a plurality. A similar scenario played out in the district's Area 7 race in 2024, when Republican Heidi Moore won with 44.16% against two Democrats. Nearly nine in ten ballots remained outstanding at the time of reporting, and no-party-preference voters had returned ballots at roughly half the rate of either major party.
Community News · Sacramento County
Sacramento County is mailing approximately 493,740 secured property tax bills payable beginning November 1, 2026. Property owners may pay in two installments via online payment, phone at (844) 430-2823, in person at the Tax Collector's Office at 700 H Street, Room 1710, Monday through Friday 8 a.m. to 5 p.m., or by mail to P.O. Box 508, Sacramento, CA 95812-0508. Parcels are assessed at the lesser of their factored Prop 13 value or fair market value as of the January 1, 2026 lien date. Taxpayers who believe their assessed value is incorrect can look up values at assessor.saccounty.gov and contact tax specialists Monday through Friday, 9 a.m. to 4 p.m., at (916) 874-6622.
Public Safety · Sacramento County
Sacramento County Health Inspectors issued a red placard to a Wienerschnitzel at 2961 Advantage Way in Natomas after finding 33 German cockroaches, including on the floor beneath an ice machine and on glue traps. Ten additional local eateries across Sacramento, Carmichael, Citrus Heights, and Elk Grove were cited for various food safety violations during inspections conducted Oct. 15–21. The Wienerschnitzel passed its reinspection on Oct. 20 with a green placard, while several other establishments had not been reinspected as of Oct. 22. A red placard signals imminent danger to public health and suspends a facility's operating permit until violations are corrected.
Nearby · Public Safety · Sacramento County
California Gov. Gavin Newsom on Thursday commuted the sentences of four men convicted in Sacramento County shootings, including three killings, among 57 total clemency grants comprising 30 commutations and 27 pardons. Jeremy Chiu, convicted of a 2001 robbery murder and sentenced to life without parole in May 2002, received a reduction to 25 years to life after earning his GED, college coursework, and certification as a drug and alcohol addiction counselor during 25 years incarcerated. Gerald Ellis, convicted of murder stemming from a 2005 home invasion robbery in which an accomplice killed someone, received the same commutation after earning associate and bachelor's degrees and working as a peer support specialist over 21 years in prison. The Governor's Office cited rehabilitation efforts and recommendations from elected officials, correctional staff, medical professionals, teachers, and community leaders.
Nearby · Housing & Development · Rancho Cordova, CA
Rancho Cordova City Council members will vote on October 26 and November 2 regarding financial agreements for the "Downtown Dova" entertainment district project. The proposal involves a 7,500-seat soccer arena anchored by Major Arena Soccer League teams, with city financial participation estimated at $185 million over 35 years. This package includes development fee waivers and sharing of sales, hotel, and card room tax revenues generated by the project. Developers from KozPure Development envision the arena as a catalyst for creating a downtown center in the suburban city.
