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Graphic which spells out The Newsletter.

By Chris Neklason
Published May 13, 2024

People are nearby to throw you a line if you feel you are sinking.
People are nearby to throw you a line if you feel you are sinking.
Image credit: CoolR   Shutterstock/standard

May is Mental Health Month

This week, we note that May is Mental Health Month.  If you live in one of the 10 counties in our coverage area, we include links to groups focusing on supporting your health and well-being below. If not, know that your community has resources available to assist you with information a web search away.

Most importantly, if you or someone in your family is in crisis or having suicidal thoughts, call the California Suicide Prevention and Mental Health Crisis Lifeline at 988.

Also, as always: Peruse your cureated local News Feed; learn about a local nonprofit doing good work; and check out our Recipe of the Week.

California's Mental Health History

A harrowing number of young people report living in despair, while we witness thousands of our neighbors suffering in the streets. Jon Vankin on the unintended consequenses of a misguided health-care reform effort.

UPDATE: California’s Mental Health Crisis: How We Got Here

The California mental health crisis is tied to both homelessness and rising crime.
How the California mental health crisis emerged out of the state’s history of deinstitutionalization and laws designed to protect the mentally ill, as well as the communities around them.

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Sacramento County's Homepage
Direct your browser to https://sacramento.californialocal.com/ to catch up on the latest news in California and Sacramento County. Bookmark the link and visit often, there's a lot happening in your community!

A Visitation from the Northern Lights

A mega-storm on the sun and earth's magenetic field collabroated on a show over the weekend.

Aurora Borealis in the Santa Cruz Mountains


The Northern Lights appeared in Northern and Central California Saturday night.

Sacramento County Mental Health Resources

Life is the hardest job there is. Luckily, nobody's in it on their own.

Every community is home to a network of helpers to assist when things become more than one can handle alone.

We’ve gathered a list of Sacramento County nonprofit community groups with a mission to help people through times of crisis,  ill health and the challenges of aging or past service in the military.

If things are feeling too heavy or out of control, reach out.

And if you or someone you know is having suicidal thoughts, call the California suicide prevention and mental health lifeline now at 988.

Recipe of the Week

Our friends at Sacramento Digs Gardening publish a recipe from their gardens every Sunday, which we feature here so you can start your week with some yum.

See more recipes in their Taste Spring! cookbook.

Chilled asparagus soup an elegantly cool dish

Serve the soup chilled but not ice-cold for best flavor. Top with crème fraîche, chopped chives and a blanched asparagus top.
New! Spring asparagus blends well with green garlic

Get to Know a Group

Big Brothers Big Sisters logo Big Brothers Big Sisters

Big Brother Big Sisters provides children facing adversity with strong, enduring, professionally supported mentorship. The chapter serves Sacramento and Yolo counties, as well as southern Placer County.

→ Learn more

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From Our Media Allies

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Folsom Times logo Folsom’s Penelope Oliver Makes List of Presidential Scholars

The United States Secretary of Education Miguel Cardona has announced the 2024 U.S. Presidential Scholars and Folsom resident Penelope Oliver is amongst the list of 161 high school seniors being recognized for their accomplishments in academics, the arts, and career …
Folsom Telegraph logo New Folsom Cordova Unified Superintendent Rises From Pool of 36 Candidates

Erik Swanson is the new Folsom Cordova Unified School District Superintendent, the district announced May 3.
Sacramento News and Review logo Gallery: Rock the Block Tackles 20 Projects in Underserved Oak Park Neighborhood

Jeffery Walton points to the newly replaced roof at his 37th Street Oak Park home and then praises the dozen volunteers with Rock the Block working in his backyard building a fence.
Hilltromper Silicon Valley logo Tips on Ticks for Lyme Disease Awareness Month

Partly due to global warming and the proliferation of ticks, Lyme disease is the fastest growing infectious disease in the US. Here’s how to protect yourself.
Natomas Messenger logo Local Blue Star Museums Offer Free Admission

Seven Sacramento area museums are participating in Blue Star Museums to offer free admission to the nation’s active-duty military personnel and their families, including National Guard and Reserve, from Armed Forces Day on May 18 through Labor Day on September …
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Recent Local News

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● Counties Prepare for Mosquito Season
Mosquito vector control agencies are preparing for mosquito season in San Joaquin and Sacramento counties.
(05/14/2024) CapPublicRadio
● Citrus Heights Fights Shopping Cart Theft
In its April 25 meeting, the Citrus Heights City Council heard a report from the police department detailing efforts to reduce shopping cart theft, noting that over 1,500 carts had been removed from city streets in 2023.
(05/14/2024) Citrus Heights Sentinel
● Sacramento Zoo Move Approved
The Elk Grove City Council voted to approve the move of the Sacramento Zoo to a 100 acre lot at Kammerer Road and Lotz Parkway.
(05/13/2024) CapPublicRadio
● Sacramento Plans to Double Urban Canopy
Sacramento is seeking public comment on its "Urban Forrest Plan" to increase the trees in the city with priority given to areas in North and South Sacramento.
(05/12/2024) CapPublicRadio
● Is Disc Golf Course Proposed for Rio Linda
A new disc golf course is proposed for an area area southwest of the Cherry Island golf course in Rio Linda.
(05/12/2024) Rio Linda Messenger
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Government Announcements

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Image of City of Citrus Heights seal. DUI & Driver’s License Checkpoint – May 18, 2024
The Citrus Heights Police Department Traffic Unit will be conducting a DUI/Drivers License Checkpoint on Saturday, May 18, 2024, at an undisclosed location within the City of Citrus Heights between the hours of 8:00 PM and 2:00 AM.
City of Citrus Heights   (05/13/2024)
Image of City of Citrus Heights seal. City Council Meetings and Planning Commission Meetings are Changing Dates!
Beginning July 1, 2024, City Council Meetings will be held on the 2nd and 4th Wednesdays of the month and Planning Commission Meetings will be held on the 2nd and 4th Tuesdays of the month. These public meetings will begin at 6:00 p.m.
City of Citrus Heights   (05/13/2024)
Image of State of California seal. Lori Wilson CA Assembly 11: Assemblywoman Lori D. Wilson Issues Statement on the May Revision of the Budget
Assemblywoman Lori D. Wilson Issues Statement on the May Revision of the Budget guerraje Mon, 05/13/2024 - 09:02 Title Communications Director Email Edgar.Guerra@asm.ca.gov Phone 916-319-2011 Friday, May 10, 2024 SACRAMENTO, CA Assemblywoman Lori D. Wilson issued the following statement on Governor Newsoms May Revision of the 2024-25 budget: "As we review the Governor's May Revision of the budget, it is …
State of California   (05/13/2024)
Image of United States seal. Healthwest Minerals Inc. DBA Mt Capra Products Recalls Goat Milk Formula Recipe Kit and Warns Consumers Against the Use of Product as Infant Formula
Healthwest Minerals, Inc. d/b/a Mt. Capra Products of Chehalis, Washington, is recalling 1,506 boxes of Goat Milk Formula Recipe Kit on the recommendation of the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) and advises consumers to immediately discontinue use of the product as infant formula. The FDA is conc
United States   (05/10/2024)
Image of United States seal. Western Mixers Produce & Nuts, Inc. Recalls Yogurt Covered Pretzels Because of Possible Health Risk
Western Mixers Produce & Nuts, Inc. of Ontario, CA is recalling Yogurt Covered Pretzels, because the yogurt coating has the potential to be contaminated with Salmonella, an organism which can cause serious and sometimes fatal infections in young children, frail or elderly people, and others with wea
United States   (05/10/2024)
Image of United States seal. Voluntary Recall of Select Great Value Organic Black Chia Seeds Due to The Possible Presence of Salmonella
Natural Sourcing International is initiating a voluntary recall of one lot of Great Value Organic Black Chia Seeds 32 oz. due to the potential presence of Salmonella that may be in some of the finished products. Salmonella can cause serious and sometimes fatal infections in young children, frail or
United States   (05/10/2024)
Image of City of Sacramento seal. Sacramento opens the new Del Rio Trail for all to walk, bike, roll and enjoy
The City of Sacramento this week opened the Del Rio Trail, a new active transportation corridor that will provide a low-stress bike route connecting south Sacramento to downtown. The construction of this project, which began in November 2022, marks a significant step toward reducing automobile dependency and promoting sustainable transportation. "This trail is not just [...] The post Sacramento opens …
City of Sacramento   (05/10/2024)
Image of City of Sacramento seal. Explore career opportunities with SacPD at this upcoming open house
The Sacramento Police Department is hosting a recruiting open house on Thursday, May 16, at the Sacramento Public Safety Center (5770 Freeport Blvd). Attendees will learn more about SacPD and the diverse range of services they provide. Different units will be on site to provide individuals with insights into the various roles within the department. [...] The post Explore career …
City of Sacramento   (05/10/2024)
Image of City of Elk Grove seal. From Vision to Reality: Elk Grove City Council Approves Plan for New Zoo
After more than two years of imagination, analysis, and outreach performed by local, state, national, and international professionals, the Elk Grove City Council voted Wednesday night to approve the development of a new zoo in Elk Grove with the Sacramento Zoological Society. Considered one of the most consequential development projects ever proposed in the City of Elk Grove, a new …
City of Elk Grove   (05/10/2024)
Image of City of Citrus Heights seal. Housing & Community Needs Survey
Take our housing survey! We need your help identifying housing & community needs in Citrus Heights.
City of Citrus Heights   (05/09/2024)