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Wednesday, October 14, 2026
Public Safety · Elk Grove, CA
Elk Grove police officers placed 37-year-old Scott Saetern in a WRAP restraint device and spit hood inside a patrol car for 10 minutes during an apparent mental health crisis at a gas station on June 28, 2025; he lost consciousness and later died. Despite the availability of Sacramento County's HOPE line and Community Wellness Response Team (CWRT), neither the first officer nor seven additional responders called for mental health professionals. The county confirmed no HOPE Line calls were received from EGPD that day. Mental health advocates and a disability rights attorney are calling on California Attorney General Rob Bonta to investigate, while Assemblymember Nick Schultz is considering legislation requiring release of footage and disciplinary records in suspected asphyxia deaths. EGPD declined further comment citing pending litigation; the coroner listed cocaine toxicity as the cause of death.
Education · Sacramento, CA
Sacramento City Unified School District Superintendent Cancy McArn, who took over after Lisa Allen stepped down in February, outlined a multiyear financial recovery plan addressing a budget crisis that includes approximately $158 million in cuts adopted in July and tens of millions more added in a September revision. The district has enough cash to complete the current school year but still faces deep structural deficits and additional reductions. A central goal is avoiding state receivership, which would replace local board governance with an appointed administrator focused on repaying a state loan. McArn said a community budget forum is planned for later this month to explain the financial situation and gather public input. The district's academic focus this year is English language arts and literacy, with data showing African American students among those least well-served across multiple measures.
Public Safety · Sacramento County
Pacific Gas and Electric Co. warned that approximately 30,000 customers in portions of 22 Northern and Central California counties could face Public Safety Power Shutoffs beginning late Wednesday through Saturday due to strong winds and dry conditions raising wildfire risk. Notifications began Monday evening, with about 2,000 Medical Baseline program customers also potentially affected; the largest potential outages are in Butte County (8,300+) and San Luis Obispo County (7,700+). Specific areas include El Dorado County along Highway 50 east of Pollock Pines, Placer and Nevada counties around Emigrant Gap on I-80, and communities in Sierra, Yuba, Butte, and Shasta counties. PG&E activated its Emergency Operations Center and plans community resource centers offering device charging, Wi-Fi, water, and snacks in affected areas.
Local Politics · Folsom, CA
Folsom residents will vote Nov. 3 on three ballot measures that could reshape city government: Measure I transfers authority over the city attorney from the city manager to the City Council; Measure J allows the council to grant decision-making power to appointed boards and commissions; and Measure K raises the individual contribution limit for City Council candidates from $150 to $500 per election. The proposals originated with Folsom's 2026 Ad Hoc Charter Review Committee and were placed on the ballot by a July 14 council vote, at an estimated cost of $107,400. Both the Sacramento County Democratic and Republican parties endorsed all three measures, while conservative group Reform California backed Measures I and K but opposed Measure J. Each measure requires a simple majority to pass.
Housing & Development · Elk Grove, CA
The Elk Grove City Council will consider a proposed Local Preference Program on Wednesday, Oct. 14, that would give priority in city-supported affordable housing applications to people who live or work at least 20 hours per week in the city. The proposal applies to affordable rental and ownership developments receiving city financial assistance such as subsidies, fee waivers, or density bonuses. City staff cited extreme demand, noting the 2025 lotteries for the Lyla and MOSA complexes drew over 12,000 applications for 675 units, while Gardens at Quail Run received more than 28,000 applications for 202 units. The program would not alter income eligibility or tenant screening standards, and staff recommends approval using existing personnel and funding.
Transportation · Sacramento County
The Sacramento Area Council of Governments board approved $46.2 million in federal funding for road preservation projects across Sacramento, Placer, Yuba, Yolo, Sutter and El Dorado counties, shifting more than $9 million from its System Performance program to address growing demand for road maintenance. Sacramento County received the largest share at $22.9 million for eight projects, while El Dorado County received the least at $1.8 million for Missouri Flat Road. The board voted 18-10 in September to increase the preservation program's allocation from 35% to 45% of available federal funds, allowing four additional projects to receive funding. Notable funded projects include Marysville's Historic Business District Pavement Preservation ($1.06 million), Folsom Boulevard repairs in Rancho Cordova, and Greenback Lane resurfacing in Citrus Heights. Grants will be officially awarded in February 2027.
Read the full Wednesday, October 14, 2026 edition (+9 more stories) →
About Your Local News in Sacramento County
Every night we go through the news sites and public notices that cover Sacramento County, CA. When several outlets report the same council vote, you read about it once.
The email goes out before 6am. Where the original article is free to read, we link to it.
Towns in Sacramento County and nearby
- Carmichael, CA news
- Citrus Heights, CA news
- Elk Grove, CA news
- Fair Oaks, CA news
- Folsom, CA news
- Galt, CA news
- Gold River, CA news
- North Highlands, CA news
- Orangevale, CA news
- Rancho Cordova, CA news
