If you haven't already made plans for this weekend, the neighborhood is chock full of family-friendly activities you can check out -- and they are all happening on Saturday!
Be sure to check out the North Natomas TMA’s Fix I-5 Project news page and plan your commute. The project is scheduled to begin the evening of May 30 and be complete by early morning on July 15.
The special I-5 shuttle schedules will be in effect from Monday, June 2 through Monday, July 14.
The North Natomas TMA has added additional drivers and shuttles to help ease the impact of traffic. The TMA also will be offering a shuttle hotline so you can call for updated information on shuttle route changes or delays at 552-0313.
The new schedules offer a new downtown stop at 9th and N Street and an additional stop on the Central Route at East Commerce and New Market.
The Sacramento Police Department is investigating the death of woman at Homecoming Apartments this morning.
At 8:23 a.m., the Sacramento Fire Department arrived at 4800 Kokomo Drive in response to a call regarding an unresponsive female.
The victim was located in the common area of the apartment complex by a maintenance worker, near building 25. Medics pronounced the 27-year-old female dead on the scene at 8:27 a.m.
Sac PD's Homicide Unit, along with the Crime Scene Investigations Unit, responded to the scene and took over the investigation. At this time, detectives believe the victim was shot in the upper body.
It is believed the victim was a resident of the apartment complex. A motive for the shooting has yet to be determined.
Anyone with information regarding this incident is urged to contact CRIME ALERT at (916) 443-HELP. Callers can remain anonymous and may be eligible for a reward up to $1,000.
"Love; greetings, farewell; from such a pain you should never know."
More than one reliable source has told THE BUZZ that one of our favorite restaurants -- L&L Hawaiian Barbecue in the Natomas Town Center shopping center (think, Safeway)-- has closed.
We're told: "There is a big fat eviction sign on the door!"
What's left of Jenny Hale's ode to nature at Burberry Park.
Don't know what made THE BUZZ more grumpy at Burberry Park this afternoon -- our son throwing a rock at one of his best friends or seeing first hand the work of vandals.
Burberry Park is located at Mabry and Burberry in Natomas Park and is one of several Art in Public Places sites in the city.
Apparently, during a recent weekend gathering at the park, several youth used large rocks to destroy the park's original installment created by artist Jenny Hale of Chico.
What once looked like three shimmering pools has now been reduced to mere rubble.
A source tells THE BUZZ the Quiznos restaurant in the Natomas Marketplace has c-l-o-s-e-d for business. Seems like just last week a sign spinner was standing at the shopping center's entrance advertising their sandwiches.
Could Subway's $5 deal taken a toll on the franchise? Did the promise of a La Bou just down the street scare them out of business? Or was there just not enough sandwich eaters in North Natomas to support two Quiznos (there's another one in the Safeway shopping center) locations so close together?
On a positive note:
THE BUZZ has been told by a reliable source that a Mathnasium franchise is set to open in the Park Place shopping center sometime in July.
Mathnasium -- a math tutoring and learning center -- is slated for the spot formerly occupied by Cingular Wireless. Currently, the franchise has locations in Fair Oaks, Folsom and Roseville.
According to a BUZZ reader, it looks like Hot Dog Music near Safeway has closed.
"I happened to walk by it on Friday during their normal business hours and the door was locked with no one inside," writes in Paul Johnson. "Posted on the door is a notice of abandonment from Lewis (the property owners). All the CDs on the shelves are gone and very little of the counter stock is left."
Hot Dog Music was a relatively brand-new record to the neighborhood. Most recently, it was voted one of KCRA Channel 3's top 5 record stores.
The Twilight Walk for Wishes in Natomas is scheduled for next week on Sunday, May 18 at Swainson's Hawk Park.
The 'Walk for Wishes' fundraiser is held at the best time of day -- twilight!
There is no minimum fundraising amount or registration fee to participate. Just collect your donations from friends, families, co-workers and join others in an effort to raise money for the Make A Wish Foundation of Sacramento.
Want to walk with others from the neighborhood? The Natomas Park Peeps, MOMS Club of Natomas Park, and Natomas Mother's Group all have teams participating.
Registration the day of the walk is at 5:45 p.m. The walk is set to start at 6:45 p.m. For more information click here or call Amelia Marquis at 437-0206 ext. 220.
Now teenagers don't have to walk along Del Paso or through mud to get to school. Photo courtesy Angelique Ashby.
Our neighbors in Creekside are now connected to the Regional Park thanks to a new linear path that runs along Broadwater and connects to a path which leads straight to Inderkum High School.
THE BUZZ asked "Is there more crime in Natomas than other Sacramento-area neighborhoods?"
"There is a lot more crime in other areas than in Natomas. In Sacramento, there are crimes occurring in a lot of places. The reason people might think this, is because of the dailies I send out. (The notion there is more crime) is more because you are informed than Natomas being the crime capital of the region." -Capt. Daniel Hahn
NATOMAS COPS LOG:
5/8/08Day Shift, Traffic EnforcementPebblewood/Bridgeford (S. Natomas) & Duckhorn/Arena (Gateway West/Sundance Lake)
They had the following results:
67 Traffic citations
3 30-day tows
5/6/081:30 a.m., Cat Burglary2900 block of Weald Way (South Natomas)
Suspect (25 years old, Male Asian Adult) entered an open garage door and got into the residence. While inside he attempted to assault the female resident. He was chased from the location and ultimately caught by officers. Officers were in the area on directed patrol due to the previous 3 "cat burglaries." The officers saw the suspect running and ultimately caught him as he was attempting to leave the area in his car. The suspect lives in the same general area.
5/3/087:53 a.m., Business Robbery2050 Club Center Drive, LONGS DRUGS (Natomas Park)
Suspect robbed the store at gun point. He fled the parking lot on foot south bound toward an apartment complex. In case you saw this, patrol, K-9, and CHP helicopter looked for the suspect with no luck.
5/2/08
9:33 a.m., Hit & Run Collision
Bridgecross/Natomas Blvd (Regency Park)
There was a hit and run accident where the driver of the Lexus was hit and run into the field. The driver was injured, but not life threatening injuries. The suspect car is possibly a gold BMW (it fled the scene).
4/30/08
3:28 p.m., Bank Robbery
4650 Natomas Blvd - Tri Counties Bank, inside Raley's (Natomas Park)
Male white adult, mid 30's in a silver or blue 4-door vehicle - robbed he bank stating he had a gun. He fled in the car.
4/28/08
Day Shift, Traffic Enforcement
Pebblewood/Bridgeford (S. Natomas)
& Arena/Duckhorn (Gateway West)
Traffic Officers issued 81 citations and towed 9 cars for 30-days.
4/27/08
1 a.m., Shooting
1000 block of Millet Way (S. Natomas/Northgate)
A large party was being held at a house and two groups got into a dispute. One subject pulled out a gun and began shooting. Two victims at the party were hit with bullets and have non-life threatening wounds.
4/27/081:30 a.m., ShootingIn & Out Burger ( Natomas Crossing)
Two groups of people got into a fight outside of In & Out Burger. At least one person pulled out a gun and began firing into the air and into an unoccupied parked car. A couple of bullets hit the side of In & Out Burger, some in the air and some into the window of the parked car. All people fled the area.
4/21/08
11:26 pm, Robbery at Knife Point
Natomas Blvd just north of Club Center (Heritage Park)
Victim was jogging and the suspect (Male Black 20's w/ do-rag on head) robbed him at knife point of his MP-3 Player. He fled running west bound across Natomas Boulevard.
4/22/08
12:32 a.m., Business Burglary
Pannu Pizza, 4391 Gateway Park Blvd (Natomas Crossing)
Suspects entered Pannu Pizza Palace by smashing out the window. Suspects left items from the business in the parking lot and a running stolen vehicle near by. Apparently they were scared off by something. Detectives are working some leads on this case. More to follow.
4/17/08 & 4/18/08
County Wide, Sacramento Neighborhoods Against Gangs (SNAG III)
Over 300 officers from Federal, State and Local Law enforcement agencies conducted a countywide gang sweep. Basically doing compliance checks on known gang members. below are the results:
115 arrests (11 juveniles)
2 - bullet proof vests
4 - handguns
5 - knives
3 shotguns
14.29 grams of Cocaine
18960 grams of Marijuana
127.1 grams of methamphetamine
$12,490 seized
4/16/08Day Shift, Traffic EnforcementGateway West & Willow Creek (Natomas Park)
Motor officers conducted traffic enforcement in the areas of Club Center, Duckhorn and W. El Camino/El Centro. They wrote 37 traffic citations and towed 2 cars for 30-days.
4/15/0810:30 p.m. ShootingLarchwood Dr./Binghampton Dr (Northgate)
Three adults were walking eastbound on Larchwood Drive near Binghampton. A mid 1990's green Mustang (2-door w/ stock rims and tinted windows) drove by and fired several shots at the victims, hitting two of the victims (non-life threatening injuries).
4/14/08
Day Shift, Traffic Enforcement
Truxel Road (South Natomas)
Four motor officers worked the area of Truxel Road today. They wrote 55 citations and gave three warnings.
4/13/08
9:17 p.m., Shots Fired,
San Juan/Northgate (Gardenland/Northgate)Officers were on a nearby call when they heard gun shots in the area. The shots came from the strip mall on the north side of San Juan just west of Northgate. No victims or damage was located and suspects possibly fled in a champagne colored '87 or '88 Chevy Caprice and a 2000 silver BMW.
4/11/0810:30 p.m., Robbery1400 block of Brewerton (South Natomas)
Male Black Adult (5'5", 160 lbs, athletic build, black hooded sweatshirt and black pants) entered an unlocked second story window of apartment. The residents were inside asleep in the apartment when the suspect entered. They awoke while he was inside and he fled with personal belongings, including a video game. He fled the complex on a BMX style bicycle.
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