AA Learn more about in-home care options for your loved ones

Given the choice, most of us want to stay in our homes. Sometimes, people need help to remain at home. That's where Always Best Care Senior Services comes in.

Personal Care Consultation

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TESTIMONIALS

“We have utilized Always Best Care for about 10 months . We wanted the best care possible for my dad. We met Lisa when she was sent to my parents home, and we knew instantly she was a perfect fit. She is outstanding and always takes excellent care of my dad. It is truly a blessing to have her. Thank you Lisa and Always Beat Care for being there when we needed it the most”

Rose F.
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TESTIMONIALS

“I have worked for Always Best Care since 2022. It is an amazing company with high quality services for seniors.”

Rouzbeh M.
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TESTIMONIALS

“What a great and mind easing experience. Carrie was very informative and was able to answer all my questions and give us direction on our Dad. I highly recommend Always Best and of course Carrie! Thank you!”

Chad R.
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TESTIMONIALS

“Always Best care has provided me with a kind, musical and caring person. She does an exceptional job! I am very thankful for her being a part of my daily care. Thank you Irene Dinkins and thank you Always Best Care”

Walter J.
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TESTIMONIALS

“My caregiver Andrea Salido I believe is one of the best worker they have! Great services.”

William B.
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TESTIMONIALS

“Fantastic staff and care provider, Tiffany Gardner goes above and beyond, works really hard and a great cook too!!thank you abc and Tiffany!!!”

Angel K.
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TESTIMONIALS

“A great company and dependable. All the workers are very pleasant and works well. Shelly is my regular person and is a great person to be around. She's very efficient and easy going which is good. I might mention I'm not the easiest person to get along with. Tell her to keep up the good work.”

Dennis C.
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TESTIMONIALS

“I am a very happy client with Always best care for many years. Don't know what I would do without my caregiver, Kara, she has been with me for about 3years now and she is so wonderful in every way! Joann pope”

Kara H.
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TESTIMONIALS

“We have been using Always Best Care Senior Services for 4 years for my Mom's in home care. The staff are caring and helpful, and take great care in providing for her needs. Minda Geir has been instrumental in keeping the scheduling department working, despite the changes that are needed when doctors appointments and other changes are needed. It is not an easy job and we appreciate the efforts she takes to communicate with us. Minda has been a gem! I also want to recommend working with Kathee Grgich. She is in a different department at Always Best Care. She is helping us find a future assisted living facility for my Mom as she may want to move this year. Kathee has spent many hours looking for different places and even going with us on tours of these places. Her recommendations have been invaluable, saving us time and giving us incites we would never have known otherwise. This service is provided free of charge, and I cannot express how important Kathee's help has been. Always Best Care provides other valuable senior services, and I would highly recommend considering their services.”

Nina A.
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TESTIMONIALS

“I work here currently. I LOVE Katie the scheduler. She is always on top of her job and gets things handled.”

Amber K.
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TESTIMONIALS

“This post is from my brother Charles…I look forward to Alex Isley‘s weekly visits! We are relaxed around each other; he is very willing to help me with many things to make my life easier. He encourages me to go outside for fresh air and activities but reminds me to sit down and rest when I need to. It is a pleasure to have him in my home. Thank you Alex!”

Janet H.
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TESTIMONIALS

“I highly recommend always best care , I work with them for many years and I’m very pleased with their service , if you or your loved one needs help do not hesitate to reach out to Allways best care”

Miha J.
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TESTIMONIALS

“Rinah has been very carrying and supportive.”

Lyle S.
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TESTIMONIALS

“My wife love the way she cleaned but one that sold her on using her was her name Isabel.”

Gary C.
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TESTIMONIALS

“Tori Burke has been great. She's doing a awesome job helping my mother with all her needs. Tori has a very special personality that makes my mom feel very comfortable. Thank you for sending Tori to us.”

Mary L.
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TESTIMONIALS

“Nina Thao was my Fathers caregiver and she always went above and beyond. We were so blessed to have such a hard working, empathetic, and dependable person who helped my Father live as comfortably as possible past 100 years old! I would Highly recommend Nina Thao from Always Best Care to help your family when in need. Sincerely, Cynthia Coopee”

Cynthia C.
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TESTIMONIALS

“I am writing to praise the caregiving and support that Shristi provides to my brother, Sgt Michael Iwanaga for the last year. Shristi is always friendly, has a great attitude, is extremely helpful and always willing to go the “extra mile”. My brother could not be happier with the care and companionship that Shristi has provided to him. He was initially reluctant to have a care giver but since having Shristi’s care and support he does not know how he would be able to do without her. He would be extremely bereft should Shristi no longer be able to provide him with the care. I would also like to commend your administrative staff for their responsiveness, support and positive attitude. We could not be happier with the care that your organization has been able to provide to my brother. In fact, I have referred your organization to my cousin, Lucille Irby for assistance due to the excellent care and responsiveness of your organization. Please feel free to use my name as a reference. With appreciation, Tami Pereira”

Tami P.
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TESTIMONIALS

“We have been with Always Best Care for 2 years. My dad is 91 and has enjoyed all of the caregivers. Victoria is his favorite. They get along beautifully. They work with the veterans and are somewhat flexible with scheduling. I would recommend Always Best Care for your caregiving needs.”

Mary L.
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TESTIMONIALS

“Sandra Benton is terrific, kind, professional and takes such good care of us!”

Semmy M.
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TESTIMONIALS

“Kirsten Hellar has been my care-giver for over 2 years She has always helped me in the shower and drying me off and helping me to get dressed. I feel very comfortable with her taking care of me on mon wed & Friday.”

Kirsten H.
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TESTIMONIALS

“Jaquay has been a wonderful helper.”

Danelle G.
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TESTIMONIALS

“I think that Jhanai B. Is great, she is a very pleasant person to be with, she does everything I ask and makes me smile and also helps me up and down, such an amazing company.”

Eilene G.
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TESTIMONIALS

“Jennifer! Hope you are doing great! John and I are so thankful for all the help from the wonderful team at Always Best Care! We are fortunate to know such talented and compassionate people! Please share our appreciation with everyone!”

Debee G.
 In-Home Care Citrus Heights, CA

How does In-home Senior Care in Citrus Heights, CA work?

Home is where the heart is. While that saying can sound a tad cliche, it's especially true for many seniors living in America. When given a choice, older adults most often prefer to grow older at home. An AARP study found that three out of four adults over the age of 50 want to stay in their homes and communities as they age. When you begin to think about why, it makes sense. Home offers a sense of security, comfort, and familiarity.

The truth is, as we age, we begin to rely on others for help. When a family is too busy or lives too far away to fulfill this role, in-home senior care is often the best solution. Home care services allow seniors to enjoy personal independence while also receiving trustworthy assistance from a trained caregiver.

At Always Best Care, we offer a comprehensive range of home care services to help seniors stay healthy while they get the help they need to remain independent. As your senior loved one ages, giving them the gift of senior care is one of the best ways to show your love, even if you live far away.

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 Senior Care Citrus Heights, CA

Aging in Place: The Preferred Choice for Most Seniors

While it's true that some seniors have complicated medical needs that prevent them from staying at home, aging in place is often the best arrangement for seniors and their families. With a trusted caregiver, seniors have the opportunity to live with a sense of dignity and do so as they see fit.

In-home care makes it possible for millions of seniors to age in place every year. Rather than moving to a unfamiliar assisted living community, seniors have the chance to stay at home where they feel the happiest and most comfortable.

Here are just a few of the reasons why older men and women prefer to age at home:

Comfort
Comfort

How much does a senior's home truly mean to them? A study published by the American Society on Aging found that more than half of seniors say their home's emotional value means more than how much their home is worth in monetary value. It stands to reason, that a senior's home is where they want to grow old. With the help of elderly care in Citrus Heights, CA, seniors don't have to age in a sterilized care facility. Instead, they can age gracefully in the place they want to be most: their home. In contrast, seniors who move to a long-term care facility must adapt to new environments, new people, and new systems that the facility implements. At this stage in life, this kind of drastic change can be more harmful than helpful.

Healthy Living
Healthy Living

Institutional care facilities like nursing homes often put large groups of people together to live in one location. On any given day, dozens of staff members and caregivers run in and out of these facilities. Being around so many new people in a relatively small living environment can be dangerous for a seniors' health and wellbeing. When you consider that thousands of seniors passed away in nursing homes during the COVID-19 pandemic, opting for in-home care is often a safer, healthier choice for seniors. Aging in place has been shown to improve seniors' quality of life, which helps boost physical health and also helps insulate them from viral and bacterial risks found in elderly living facilities.

Independence
Independence

For many seniors, the ability to live independently with assistance from a caregiver is a priceless option. With in-home care, seniors experience a higher level of independence and freedom - much more so than in other settings like an assisted living community. When a senior has the chance to age in place, they get to live life on their own terms, inside the house that they helped make into a home. More independence means more control over their personal lives, too, which leads to increased levels of fulfillment, happiness, and personal gratification. Over time, these positive feelings can manifest into a healthier, longer life.

Cost and Convenience
Cost and Convenience

More independence, a healthier life, and increased comfort are only a few benefits of aging in place. You have to take into consideration the role of cost and convenience. Simply put, it's usually easier to help seniors age in place than it is to move them into an institutional care facility. In-home care services from Always Best Care, for instance, can be less expensive than long-term solutions, which can cost upwards of six figures per year. To make matters worse, many residential care facilities are reluctant to accept long-term care insurance and other types of payment assistance.

With Always Best Care's home care services, seniors and their families have a greater level of control over their care plans. In-home care in Citrus Heights, CA gives seniors the chance to form a bond with a trusted caregiver and also receive unmatched care that is catered to their needs. In long-term care facilities, seniors and their loved ones have much less control over their care plan and have less of a say in who provides their care.

Empowers Seniors

Affordable Care Plans

In-home care is a valuable resource that empowers seniors to age in place on their own terms. However, a big concern for many families and their loved ones is how much in-home care costs. If you're worried that in-home care is too expensive, you may be pleasantly surprised to learn that it is one of the most affordable senior care arrangements available.

Typically, hiring an Always Best Care in-home caregiver for a few hours a week is more affordable than sending your loved one to a long-term care facility. This is true even for seniors with more complex care needs.

At Always Best Care, we will work closely with you and your family to develop a Care Plan that not only meets your care needs, but your budget requirements, too. Once we discover the level of care that you or your senior need, we develop an in-home care plan that you can afford.

In addition to our flexible care options, families should also consider the following resources to help offset potential home care costs:

Veteran's Benefits
Veteran's Benefits

Aid and Attendance benefits through military service can cover a portion of the costs associated with in-home care for veterans and their spouses.

Long-Term Care Insurance
Long-Term Care Insurance

Many senior care services like in-home care are included in long-term care insurance options. Research different long-term care solutions to find a plan that provides coverage for senior care.

Private Insurance
Private Insurance

Home care can be included as part of a senior's private insurance plan. Read over your loved one's insurance policy carefully or speak with their insurance provider to determine if in-home care is covered.

Life Insurance
Life Insurance

Depending on the life insurance plan, you may be able to apply your policy toward long-term care. You may be able to use long-term-care coverage to help pay for in-home elderly care.


Respite Care Citrus Heights, CA

During your Care Plan consultation with Always Best Care, your Care Coordinator will speak with you about in-home care costs and what options there may be to help meet your budget needs.

Compassionate Care. Trusted Caregivers

When you or your senior loved one needs assistance managing daily tasks at home, finding a qualified caregiver can be challenging. It takes a special kind of person to provide reliable care for your senior loved one. However, a caregiver's role involves more than meal preparation and medication reminders. Many seniors rely on their caregivers for companionship, too.

Our companion care services give seniors the chance to socialize in a safe environment and engage in activities at home. These important efforts boost morale and provide much-needed relief from repetitive daily routines. A one-on-one, engaging conversation can sharpen seniors' minds and give them something in which to be excited.

At Always Best Care, we only hire care providers that we would trust to care for our own loved ones. Our senior caregivers in Citrus Heights,CA understand how important it is to listen and communicate with their seniors. A seemingly small interaction, like a short hug goodbye, can make a major difference in a senior's day. Instead of battling against feelings of isolation, seniors begin to look forward to seeing their caregiver each week.

Understanding the nuances of senior care is just one of the reasons why our care providers are so great at their job.

Unlike some senior care companies, our caregivers must undergo extensive training before they work for Always Best Care. In addition, our caregivers receive ongoing training throughout the year. This training ensures that their standard of care matches up to the high standards we've come to expect. During this training, they will brush up on their communication skills, safety awareness, and symptom spotting. That way, your loved one receives the highest level of non-medical home care from day one.

 Caregivers Citrus Heights, CA

Taking the First Step with Always Best Care

The first step in getting quality in-home care starts with a personal consultation with an experienced Care Coordinator. This initial consultation is crucial for our team to learn more about you or your elderly loved one to discover the level of care required. Topics of this consultation typically include:

An assessment of your senior loved one

01

An in-depth discussion of the needs of your senior loved one to remain in their own home

02

Reviewing a detailed Care Plan that will meet your senior loved one's needs

03

Our caregivers are trained to spot changes that clients exhibit, like mental and physical decline. As your trusted senior care company, we will constantly assess and update your Care Plan to meet any new emotional, intellectual, physical, and emotional needs.

If you have never considered in-home care before, we understand that you and your family may have concerns about your Care Plan and its Care Coordinator. To help give you peace of mind, know that every team member and caregiver must undergo comprehensive training before being assigned to a Care Plan.

When you're ready, we encourage you to contact your local Always Best Care representative to set up a Care Consultation. Our Care Coordinators would be happy to meet with you in person to get to know you better, discuss your needs, and help put together a personalized Care Plan specific to your needs.

Latest News in Citrus Heights, CA

Foxes suspected of causing flea infestation at Northern California elementary school

CITRUS HEIGHTS - Students at a Northern California elementary school say they were bitten by fleas and the cause of the infestation may sound a little crazy.San Juan Unified School District (SJUSD) officials are monitoring a flea situation at Skycrest Elementary School in Citrus Heights after students and staff were reportedly bitten by the bugs. They say foxes were seen on and around campus, and suspect the animals brought on the infestation.A pest control company was brought to deal with the problem and signs were visible on ...

CITRUS HEIGHTS - Students at a Northern California elementary school say they were bitten by fleas and the cause of the infestation may sound a little crazy.

San Juan Unified School District (SJUSD) officials are monitoring a flea situation at Skycrest Elementary School in Citrus Heights after students and staff were reportedly bitten by the bugs. They say foxes were seen on and around campus, and suspect the animals brought on the infestation.

A pest control company was brought to deal with the problem and signs were visible on campus notifying visitors of the treatment. Through it all, the kids were kept in class.

Veronica McMullen, who lives in the area, saw the signs warning of pest control treatment in front of Skycrest Elementary.

"We were able to treat over a weekend," she said.

The district is asking the public to not approach the animals or feed them.

"We do continue to monitor the situation. So if we do find any concerning evidence of fleas, we do treat those specific areas. So if we need to move a classroom for a day, move that into some other space, treat that area, and then make sure that's taken care of," said Trent Allen, a district representative.

For now, the school district is trying to encourage the foxes to go away by applying scent around the school, plugging any holes where they might make a den, and talking with state wildlife officials about the possibilities of trapping them.

Neighbors say it's not unusual to see wildlife with a golf course and open spaces nearby

"We've had a coyote that roams the neighborhood, so we'll see," McMullen said.

For now, it'll be business as usual for McMullen. This dog lover says her pooch is protected.

"I'm not worried," she said. "I think we'll be OK."

Rachel Wulff

Reporter Rachel Wulff reports weekdays for CBS13.

Citrus Heights Rite Aid Store To Close

CITRUS HEIGHTS, CA — Rite Aid pharmacy chain, announced in its court filings today which of its underperforming stores would be closed under the terms outlined in its Chapter 11 bankruptcy filing. A Citrus Heights pharmacy located at 5409 Sunrise Boulevard is on the chopping block.Thirty-one of the 154 stores set to close are in California, with more than half of those located in Southern California.In the Sacramento area, two stores are targeted for closure:Prescriptions of customers of the affected stores will be...

CITRUS HEIGHTS, CA — Rite Aid pharmacy chain, announced in its court filings today which of its underperforming stores would be closed under the terms outlined in its Chapter 11 bankruptcy filing. A Citrus Heights pharmacy located at 5409 Sunrise Boulevard is on the chopping block.

Thirty-one of the 154 stores set to close are in California, with more than half of those located in Southern California.

In the Sacramento area, two stores are targeted for closure:

Prescriptions of customers of the affected stores will be transferred to a nearby Rite Aid or other drug store “so that there is no disruption of service,” the company said in a statement. People who work at the stores will also be transferred to other Rite Aid locations where possible, the company said.

Rite Aid’s bankruptcy comes amid slumping sales and heavy debt from an opioid lawsuit filed by the Justice Department in March that accuses the company of filling prescriptions for large quantities of opioids “that had obvious, and often multiple, red flags indicating misuse.”

Other drug store chains, including rivals CVS and Walgreens, have settled similar lawsuits, but were better positioned financially. But even they are struggling and closing in a tough environment for national drug store chains as Amazon and big-box retailers like Walmart, Target, Costco and others make it more convenient to have prescriptions filled, CNN reported.

Rite Aid said it had secured $3.45 billion in financing and debt reduction agreements that will help it stay afloat through the court-supervised bankruptcy. The company will sell off its Elixir Solutions, its prescription benefit provider.

Additionally, the agreement settles outstanding lawsuits against the company for allegedly filing unlawful opioid prescriptions, one of the exacerbating factors contributing to Rite Aid’s bankruptcy.

In a notice to the Securities and Exchange Commission Thursday, Rite Aid said it was “unable, without unreasonable effort or expense,” to file its latest quarterly report as it reviewed “strategic alternatives.”

Losses that quarter are expected to be significantly higher than in the previous quarter, the company said. That’s on top of losses of about three quarters of a billion dollars for the year ended March 2023, and losses of $307 million from March to May, CNN reported.

Rite Aid appointed a new CEO, Jeff Stein, who will lead restructuring efforts and also serve on the company’s board of directors.

“With the support of our lenders, we look forward to strengthening our financial foundation, advancing our transformation initiatives and accelerating the execution of our turnaround strategy,” Stein said in the statement. “In doing so, we will be even better able to deliver the healthcare products and services our customers and their families rely on — now and into the future.”

Sacramento area residents experience internet service issues due to Xfinity outage

An Xfinity outage has impacted 15,000 customers in the Sacramento area, according to the internet, television and phone service provider's website.Multiple people have reached out to KCRA 3 and said that the outage has been going on since Saturday night.A Comcast spokeswoman said two incidents in the Citrus Heights area Saturday evening contributed to the holiday weekend outage, a car crash and vandalism.Businesses had to close or ma...

An Xfinity outage has impacted 15,000 customers in the Sacramento area, according to the internet, television and phone service provider's website.

Multiple people have reached out to KCRA 3 and said that the outage has been going on since Saturday night.

A Comcast spokeswoman said two incidents in the Citrus Heights area Saturday evening contributed to the holiday weekend outage, a car crash and vandalism.

Businesses had to close or make adjustments because of the outage.

"We just got frustrated with what's going on here," said Mandeep Singh. "Nothing to do, so we have to wait."

The Carmichael Chevron has been waiting nearly 24 hours.

Singh is the gas station manager at Manzanita Avenue and Winding Way and said the trouble started Saturday night around seven.

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First with the gas pumps.

"Employees here noticed getting slow down first and after 10 to 15 minutes everything shut down," Singh said. "Same problem with the ATMs and all the cash registers."

The epicenter of the internet interruption started on Antelope Road and Daly Avenue near Citrus Heights.

The California Highway Patrol said at 8 p.m. Saturday, an 18-year-old speeding driver hit a transformer and severed a SMUD utility pole, which was carrying Xfinity transmission wires. and then uprooted a Comcast utility box.

"The pole impacted by the car took down the services that were on that pole," said Joan Hammel with Comcast.

Hammel said that's not all. About a half a mile away, around the same time, vandals destroyed some Xfinity wires.

"In that case, it was a fiber cut that went with that act of vandalism," she said. "Those two incidents combined took out the services to most of Citrus Heights."

Hammel said it's all hands on deck. They brought in their own crews and contractors who worked through the night and into Sunday. She said both incidents were out of their control.

"We do understand the frustration and we are deeply sorry for that, but we are on it and we are going to get out there just as quickly as we can and get everybody restored."

Not soon enough for Singh at Chevron, who said Labor Day weekend is usually very busy.

"We lost a lot of customers because these days everybody depends on the cards, Apple Pay, Google Pay," he said.

Hammel said they are working with law enforcement on finding new ways to keep the network safe. She said there's been an uptick in vandalism.

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A closer look at potential mixed-use development on Auburn Blvd

By Phillip Pesola– New design standards for residential and mixed-use development along Auburn Boulevard were presented to and unanimously supported by Citrus Heights Planning Commissioners during their meeting on Wednesday.The standards, which will now go before the City Council for final approval, apply to a two-mile section of Auburn Boulevard, from Sylvan Corners to the border with Roseville. The draft plan would classify two different zones on the boulevard: “Neighborhood Zones” and “Main Street Z...

By Phillip Pesola– New design standards for residential and mixed-use development along Auburn Boulevard were presented to and unanimously supported by Citrus Heights Planning Commissioners during their meeting on Wednesday.

The standards, which will now go before the City Council for final approval, apply to a two-mile section of Auburn Boulevard, from Sylvan Corners to the border with Roseville. The draft plan would classify two different zones on the boulevard: “Neighborhood Zones” and “Main Street Zones.”

Neighborhood Zones Less urban areas of the boulevard are classified as Neighborhood Zones, with the goal to “create a more walkable neighborhood environment and are within close proximity to neighborhood-serving retail and services,” according to a staff report. The areas between Twin Oaks Avenue and Rollingwood Boulevard, as well as the area north of Sylvan Corners to Rusch Park.

Neighborhood Zones would allow development of duplexes, tri/fourplexes, and townhouses up to three stories. Other standards are also spelled out, including aesthetics, setbacks of 15-25 feet on Auburn Boulevard, and design principles focused on pedestrian use.

A “road diet” is also listed as a potential long-term consideration, which would reduce the number of travel lanes on Auburn Boulevard to reduce vehicle speeds and allow for “additional buffer elements like street trees, street furniture, and parallel parking.”

Main Street Zones Main Street Zones would be at Sylvan Corners as well as the area surrounding Grand Oaks shopping center and the large commercial area at the northern end of Auburn Boulevard at the Roseville border. Uses in Main Street Zones would include a heights up to three stories at Sylvan Corners and Grand Oaks Plaza, and up to four stories in the northern-most commercial area.

A staff report says these areas would be for medium-to-large buildings, with “mixed-use and commercial activity centers along the corridor where retail and service activity can be concentrated, leaving the remainder of the corridor to transition to a neighborhood environment over time.” Building setbacks of 10 to 20 feet from the boulevard are listed in Main Street Zones.

Gradual Redevelopment Several pages of the 100-plus page design standards lay out principles for gradual redevelopment of shopping centers where existing buildings are set back from the roadway, separated by large parking areas — such as Grand Oaks Plaza. Illustrations show new residential or mixed-use buildings could be constructed nearest the roadway, with existing retail buildings still remaining in place behind the new construction.

‌The Sentinel previously reported that the Planning Division had drafted “Auburn Boulevard objective design and development standards” (ODDS) in order to provide developers with a clear understanding of the city’s rules for mixed-use and multi-family residential projects within the Auburn Boulevard Specific Plan (ABSP) area, while complying with recent state legislation.

‌In recent years, the California legislature has passed AB 2011, allowing housing in commercial zones, and SB 6, which promotes higher-density residential projects. The state has also introduced laws which require expedited review of qualified housing projects and limit jurisdictional discretion to objective standards.

‌Objective design standards, as defined by state law, “involve no personal or subjective judgment by a public official and are uniformly verifiable by reference to an external and uniform benchmark or criterion.” These standards are a key component of housing legislation, as they replace subjective design guidelines and discretionary review with objective standards and ministerial approval.

‌During the March 23 Planning Commission meeting, Senior Planner Allison Bermudez presented an overview of the drafted regulations to the Planning Commission, along with Caroline Cochran of Opticos Design Group, an urban design consulting firm which has been working closely with city staff to produce the ODDS. Bermudez said funding for creating the design standards document had been provided through a grant from the Sacramento Area Council of Governments.

‌The current document addresses the Auburn Boulevard area specifically, but city staff expect to have a document addressing the rest of the city this summer.

In response to a question from Commissioner Marcelle Flowers about how current businesses would be affected by the plan, Bermudez clarified that the new objective standards would only apply to new residential projects. She also pointed out that developers would be able to apply under the current rules if they desire, even for residential projects, but that they would miss out on the expedited process that the new rules aim to provide.

Commissioner Tom Scheeler asked how standards were determined for Citrus Heights, to which Cochran responded that a stakeholder workshop had been held to gather subjective input, and then economic feasibility was considered, to determine what could actually be built.

‌The design standards are now set to be presented to City Council for final approval on April 27. Comments can be emailed to [email protected] or to the council directly by emailing [email protected].

See full design standards: click here.

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Foxes, fleas found at Citrus Heights-area elementary school. What's being done to remove them

One third grade student said he spotted a fox during recess: 'I've just been scared for the past two weeks' Infinite Scroll Enabled GET LOCAL BREAKING NEWS ALERTSThe latest breaking updates, delivered straight to your email inbox.Your Email AddressPrivacy Notice CITRUS HEIGHTS, Calif. —Skycrest Elementary School in Citrus Heights is dealing with a unique proble...

One third grade student said he spotted a fox during recess: 'I've just been scared for the past two weeks'

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CITRUS HEIGHTS, Calif. —

Skycrest Elementary School in Citrus Heights is dealing with a unique problem: foxes on campus.

The San Juan Unified School District said there have been sightings of one or multiple foxes over the past couple of weeks. District spokesperson Trent Allen said school staff first noticed fleas in the buildings, and they believe those fleas are coming from the foxes.

Allen said there have been fox sightings in multiple places including near the wooded area at the back of the campus, in enclosed spaces where there are storage materials, and even in open areas under school buildings. The goal is to keep the foxes out of those areas.

“We’re going through the campus and making sure that all those spaces where they might be hanging out and hiding are kind of blocked off or not being attractive to them,” Allen said. “We’re making sure those are clear and then boarding those up and making sure there’s nothing that can get down there.”

Allen also said traps are now being set on school grounds to catch the foxes so that they can be removed from campus.

“Even though the experts tell us that foxes generally are not harmful to people, again, it’s not something that we want around our students and our school community,” Allen said.

Third-grader Mason Ellington said he spotted a fox during recess recently.

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“I’m kind of scared knowing, like, it could come into my classroom or try getting in,” Ellington said. “I’ve just been scared for the past two weeks.”

Ellington’s mother, Rachael Gibbs, said she is worried about her son’s safety, especially in the outdoor areas. She explained they've only been allowed on the blacktop but she still feels worried about the students being outside at all.

Gibbs is also concerned about the fleas inside the school buildings and said her son has come home with flea bites on his legs. She said she did not know where the bites came from until she received an email.

A Sept. 8 email from the Skycrest Elementary School principal mentioned the steps taken to address the fleas, but there was no mention of a fox or foxes. Here is an excerpt:

“We are working with a pest control company which has identified the root cause and will treat the buildings and exterior areas for fleas. There will also be extra vacuuming and cleaning of classrooms until the issue is resolved.”

A second email to school families was sent Sept. 19 and provided an update on the situation. It reads in part:

“We believe the source of the fleas may be a fox, or multiple foxes, that have been spotted on and near our campus… If you or your student observe a fox, please maintain your distance out of an abundance of caution and report its location to the school office to assist in our efforts to locate and remove them.”

Despite the latest email, some parents said they wished the school or school district had notified them earlier about the wild animals.

“I’ve never heard about this until today, so, I mean, I think if there’s been foxes on campus. Parents should have been notified already,” Chantel Gordon said. “It’s just for the safety for the other kids. I mean, if someone gets bit and then it’s going to turn into a whole other story.”

The school district said it is working with local wildlife agencies to find and remove the foxes. The district also said a professional pest control company is monitoring and treating the school buildings daily until the campus no longer has fleas.

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