• WATT AVE COMPLETE STREETS RIBBON CUTTING
• RECOGNIZING THE “NATIONAL DAY OF PLAY”
• A NEW AND IMPROVED SACRAMENTO COUNTY PORTAL IS HERE
• TOT GRANT REMINDER AND DEADLINE UPDATE
• SHERIFF’S NORTH COMMUNITY MEETINGS
• ANNUAL TROUT FISHING DERBY
• 5 OVER 50 AWARD NOMINATIONS
• IMPORTANT UPDATE ON EMOTIONAL AND BEHAVIORAL HEALTH SUPPORT RESOURCES
• LOVE IS IN THE AIR: VALENTINE’S DAY EVENTS
• SACOG YOUTH LEADERSHIP ACADEMY
• THE JACKSON LABORATORY COLLEGE SCHOLARSHIP PROGRAM
• ARDEN ARCADE ROTARY POKER TOURNAMENT

I was proud to join Sacramento County Department of Transportation, Sacramento Area Council of Governments (SACOG), the 80/Watt PBID, CHP, and other partners to officially open the new and improved stretch of Watt Ave from I-80 to Roseville Road. This more than $20 million “Complete Streets” project adds bike and pedestrian lanes, repaving and landscaping along a critical stretch of Watt Ave. I know we have a long way to go, but the County remains committed to fixing our roads and making them more accessible to everyone!

At the last Board hearing, Congressman Ami Bera, M.D., joined me for a special resolution presentation recognizing the National Day of Play.

National Day of Play is a community-driven effort to encourage device-free, outdoor activities that foster social connection, improve public health, and strengthen neighborhoods. The resolution recognizes Saturday, March 21, 2026, as National Day of Play.

With so much weighing on us, it’s important to step back and focus on what brings us together and makes us healthy. National Day of Play encourages us to disconnect from screens, get outside, and enjoy our parks. I hope people here at home and across the country will unplug, participate in local events that build connections and promote overall well-being. I’m thankful for Congressman Bera’s leadership on this nationwide initiative, and I’m proud to help bring it forward here in Sacramento County.

Representative Bera plans to introduce a companion National Day of Play resolution in the House of Representatives when Congress returns to session.

You can watch the full presentation here and download photos from the announcement here.

Sacramento County has launched an updated Sacramento County 311 Connect web portal designed to make it easier and more secure for residents to access county services online.

What’s new

• One simplified website for all 311 Connect services
• Easier service requests, including submitting, viewing, and tracking updates
• Multi-account access, allowing you to manage more than one account in one place
• Meet Cami, the new 311 virtual assistant, available to help answer questions and guide you through the portal

What to expect

• You will log in using a new Sacramento Countywide user profile with your existing username
• You will receive an email with a password reset link to activate your new profile
  • The link will expire after seven days
  • If it expires, you can use the “Forgot Password” option to reset it

What stays the same

• Your existing profile information and service request history will automatically transfer to the new portal
• You will continue to have secure access to Sacramento County services

What you can do now
To help ensure a smooth transition:

• Log into your current 311 Connect account
• Confirm your email address and phone number are up to date

A short tutorial video, Introducing Cami: 311 Digital Assistant, is available to walk you through the new features.

Sacramento County remains committed to providing accessible, efficient, and secure services for our residents.

The Sacramento County Board of Supervisors is continuing its commitment to supporting local non-profit organizations through the Fiscal Year (FY) 2026-27 Transit Occupancy Tax (TOT) Grant Program. A total of $1 million in grant funding will be available to eligible non-profit organizations operating in Sacramento County.

Sacramento County would like to remind the public that the application period for the 2026-27 Transient Occupancy Tax (TOT) Grant Program is still open. The deadline to submit applications has been extended to Friday, February 13, 2026, at 5:00 PM.

Applications must be completed and submitted through the TOT Grant Portal by the deadline. Late submissions will not be accepted.

For detailed guidelines and additional information, please visit the TOT Grant Program Website.

If you have any questions or need assistance, the TOT Admin Team is available to help at SacCountyTOTadmin@saccounty.gov.

We look forward to receiving your application and supporting projects that make a positive impact on our community!

The Sacramento Sheriff's Office, North Division, is hosting a series of community meetings this month. This is a great opportunity to get your concerns addressed in person. The dates and times are as follows:

Family Community Church

• Date: Thursday, February 12, 2026
• Time: 6:00 PM
• Location: 6331 Watt Avenue, North Highlands

Divine Savior Catholic Church

• Date: Tuesday, February 17, 2026
• Time: 6:00 PM
• Location: 9079 Greenback Lane, Orangevale, CA 95662

Country Club Lanes

• Date: Wednesday, February 18, 2026
• Time: 6:00 PM
• Location: 2600 Watt Ave, Sacramento, CA 95821

Sheriff’s Office Orange Grove Community Room

• Date: Wednesday, February 25, 2026
• Time: 6:00 PM
• Location: 4510 Orange Grove, Sacramento, 95841

American Legion Post 521

• Date: Thursday, February 26, 2026
• Time: 6:00 PM
• Location: 6700 8th Street, Rio Linda, CA 95673

Enjoy the outdoors and grab a fishing rod on Saturday, February 21, 2026, for the Annual Trout Fishing Derby at Howe Park. The Fulton-El Camino Recreation and Park District is teaming up with the California Department of Fish and Game’s Fishing in the City Program for a day of fishing, fishing instruction, and prizes. The event will be held at the Howe Park Pond located at 2201 Cottage Way. Howe Park Pond will be freshly stocked with trout, and prizes will be awarded for the longest and fattest fish.

Youth ages 15 and under will be allowed to enter the fishing area first, and a “Children Only” fishing area will be provided. The event is rain or shine! A fishing license is required for those aged 16 and up, but there is a discounted price for pre-registration. Please contact Jaden with the Park District at 916-927-3802 ext. 125 or email him at jdelfer@fecrpd.com.  Please visit the Fulton-El Camino Recreation and Park District’s website for more information. 

One of Sacramento County’s greatest strengths is the commitment of residents who continue to give back well into their later years. Each May, during Older Americans Month, the County proudly recognizes that dedication through the annual 5 Over 50 Volunteer Awards.

This program honors five outstanding volunteers, age 50 and older, whose service has made a meaningful difference in the health, well-being, and vitality of our communities. These honorees reflect the very best of Sacramento County. They are neighbors who quietly serve, lead with compassion, and strengthen the places we all call home.

Nominations are accepted early each year and reviewed through a thoughtful process coordinated by the Adult and Aging Commission. Eligible nominees must be Sacramento County residents who have volunteered locally and demonstrated significant service after age 50. From supporting seniors and families to strengthening nonprofits, faith-based organizations, and neighborhood programs, the impact of these volunteers is both wide-ranging and deeply personal.

Award recipients are formally recognized at a Sacramento County Board of Supervisors meeting, where their stories and contributions are shared publicly. It is consistently one of the most uplifting moments of our year.

I encourage residents across College Glen and throughout District 3 to take a moment to nominate someone whose dedication deserves recognition. Honoring these volunteers reminds us that service does not slow with age. It grows stronger through experience, commitment, and heart.

Nomination information and forms can be found on the Adult and Aging Commission website at: https://dcfas.saccounty.gov/SAS/Pages/Adult-and-Aging-Commission.aspx or by clicking the button below.

I want to share an important update from the Sacramento County Department of Health Services regarding emotional and behavioral health support resources.

Residents are asked not to use the former National Warm Line at (855) 642-6222, as this number is no longer in service and is not a reliable source of support. This was a national line and was not operated by Sacramento County.

Warm lines play an important role for individuals experiencing emotional distress who may not feel they are in immediate crisis but still need someone to talk to. Because many people rely on these services as a trusted support option, the County is taking the loss of this number seriously and is actively removing it from County materials and websites to help protect residents.

If you or someone you know needs emotional or behavioral health support, the following current and trusted resources are available:

• 988 Suicide & Crisis Lifeline: Call or text 988
• Consumer-Operated Warm Line: 916-366-4668
• Mental Health Urgent Care Clinic: 916-520-2460
• Behavioral Health Services Screening and Coordination (BHS-SAC): 916-875-1055

The 988 Lifeline works in coordination with Sacramento County’s Community Wellness Response Team to connect individuals with local, in-person support when needed, without law enforcement involvement.

Sacramento County remains committed to ensuring residents have access to safe, reliable, and compassionate behavioral health resources. Thank you for helping share accurate information and looking out for one another.

February is a month that naturally brings people together. It’s a time to celebrate love, connection, and the relationships that make our communities strong. From opportunities for seniors to gather to family-friendly events everyone can enjoy, District 3 has several ways to share the love this Valentine’s season.

Family Valentine’s Dance

Bring the whole family and enjoy an evening of music, laughter, and Valentine’s fun. Parents, children, grandparents, and loved ones of all ages are welcome.

• Date: Friday, February 13, 2026
• Time: 6:30 PM – 8:00 PM

Location: Arden Park, 1000 La Sierra Drive, Sacramento, CA 95864

Sweetheart’s Dance

Enjoy a romantic afternoon with live music from the Ken Meyers Trio featuring Stan Read, plus delicious refreshments to keep you fueled for the dance floor. Bring your sweetheart or come solo and make new friends!

• Date: Friday, February 13, 2026
• Time: 1:15 PM – 3:45 PM
• Location: Gibbons Community Center, 4701 Gibbons Drive, Carmichael, CA 95608

Apply to be in the Youth Leadership Academy today! The SACOG Youth Leadership Academy (YLA) provides young leaders of the Sacramento region a resource to gain additional leadership skills, an overall understanding of local government processes, and critical thinking skills regarding racial justice within planning and the public sector, all through a fun and welcoming environment. YLA is focused on providing our young leaders with broader tools and skillsets that can be applied to any work path they choose. Students will leave with an understanding that all our systems are interconnected and have real impacts on people’s everyday lives. Meet some of the YLA alumni!

Fill out the easy application by Sunday, March 1.

YLA is a completely free program that is focused on giving students exposure and understanding of the work SACOG does as a regional planning agency, along with its many local partners. The curriculum is focused on land use and transportation planning, housing, economic development, environmental justice, and leadership development, all while exposing students to careers and professions in related fields through guest speakers and panels.

For eligibility, schedule, and any questions, please visit the SACOG Youth Leadership Academy website.

Many promising students are unable to pursue higher education due to the financial burden a college education presents. The Jackson Laboratory, through the JAX College Scholarship Program, will award a $10,000 scholarship to three students from underserved backgrounds who will pursue a college degree and aspire to a career in biomedicine. This program is open to graduating high school seniors who reside in Connecticut, Maine, or Sacramento County, California.

The mission of The Jackson Laboratory is to discover precise genomic solutions for disease, and scholarships will be awarded to students who share this goal by pursuing a career in research or medicine.

Applicant Information:

• Must be nominated by a teacher, administrator, or guidance counselor
• Demonstrate either significant financial need or status as a first-generation college student, including individuals whose parents have not completed a bachelor’s degree
• Applicants must be on track to complete their high school diploma with a cumulative GPA greater or equivalent to 3.5 on a standard 4.0 scale
• Online teacher nominations will open on January 12, 2026, and must be submitted by February 13, 2026
• Nominated student applications must be submitted by March 31, 2026
• Scholarships will be awarded in late Spring 2026

In addition to the financial award, JAX will facilitate internship programs for scholarship recipients throughout their college career and sponsor annual campus visits to Bar Harbor, Maine and Farmington, CT. Scholarship recipients are expected to maintain strong academic performance and provide periodic updates on their college experience through blog posts and presentations.

Each year the Rotary Club of Arden Arcade raises funds that benefit community programs. The club’s upcoming Poker Tournament on Saturday, March 21, provides the opportunity to have fun and raise money for the Firefighters Burn Institute and the Arden Arcade Rotary Club Foundation.

All it takes to have a seat at the card table is a donation of $150, which includes a BBQ dinner at the Niello BMW located at 2020 Fulton Avenue, Sacramento, CA 95825.  This event is fun for poker aficionados as well as beginners, but all participants must be age 21 or older.

A big payout goes to the Firefighters Burn Institute that provides a local burn treatment facility, providing recovery programs for burn survivors; providing fire and burn prevention through public education; funding education for burn team professionals, firefighters, and burn survivors, and supporting burn treatment and rehabilitation research.  To learn more about the Firefighters Burn Institute, please check out their website.  

And also cashing in on some of the chips from the tournament will be the Arden Arcade Rotary Club Foundation, which provides grants to worthy local organizations and groups.  For more information about the tournament and for tickets, please visit their event website.

Thank you, Arden Arcade Rotarians, for your service to the community.