Sacramento Running News

Sheriff deputies have been busy and caught the suspect in a recent string of auto burglaries along the parkway.

Numerous vehicle burglaries recently occurred at William B. Pond in the Arden /Carmichael area. Sheriff Detectives tracked and located and arrested a suspect in a local hotel. Detectives have identified the suspect as being responsible for more than 50 vehicle burglaries. The suspect has a long history of theft and narcotic usage. Detectives have recovered a lot of stolen property including purses, guns, credit cards, driver’s licenses and checks.  Detectives will be working with victims early this week.

A good reminder: Deputies were able to connect the numerous thefts and establish a pattern aiding in the capture of the suspect because the victims reported the crimes. Even if you doubt you’ll ever recover anything you’ve lost, it is a good idea to report the theft.

And don’t leave your wallet or purse in your car!

(more…)

The Sacramento County Ranger has sent out the following:

A number of Cars were burglarized at William Pond Park this past Sunday. Some of the burglaries were inside the park and some were outside at McClaren Drive and Ivanhoe Way. The suspects are consistently breaking into the cars and using the trunk openers to get inside the trunk. The thieves got away with several thousands of dollars in property and cash along with credit cards, which they immediately went shopping with. Surveillance video from one of the local stores has provided us with a good description of the suspects and their vehicle.

We determined the van is an older Ford Aerostar, Dark in color. The van is very distinctive as it has running boards and a missing hub cap on its right front. If you see this van or persons lurking in the parks please contact us as soon as possible by calling 916-875-PARK (7275).  If you have any information on the identity of these persons or the van, you can email me (John Havicon) or call me at 875-6961.

The suspects' van

(more…)

The County reports that the bathroom and drinking fountain along the American River Parkway at Sunrise  is now complete and open for “business.”

The Monthly Ranger Report for August is also available here. (PDF) I must note this is the first time I’ve seen a bike vs. pedestrian accident.

There was also a report of a assault by a “jogger” on a bicyclist:

The male victim was riding his bicycle and encountered a jogger blocking the trail. The victim locked his brakes and was thrown from his bike. The suspect jogger struck the victim in the face with his fist. The suspect fled the scene.

I’m sure that’s exactly how it transpired. Come on people! There are rules and as I’ve said before they generally boil down to: share the road, pay attention, and don’t be a jerk. And don’t call runners “joggers.”

Spanking-new retaining walls and DG shoulder near the 22 mile mark. Photo courtesy Sacramento County

If you have been running out on the Parkway lately, you’ll no doubt have noticed road crews beavering away at various sections of the trail.

Even though Sacramento County has been so short of cash they’re essentially letting the Parkway go feral and the transients have a free rein along the river, there has been plenty o’ cash for trail maintenance from the Measure A transportation funding.

Last weekend, I ran downstream from Hazel Avenue and was treated to running on newly laid, decomposed granite shoulders tucked along visually breathtaking new retaining walls.

(more…)

Ranger Ollie

Anyone who runs on the parkway should become a regular reader of the monthly County Ranger Activity Report (PDF). You are guaranteed to learn something.

They read like life in miniature–filled with comedy, tragedy, stupidity, and just plain oddness. And flashers.  Always with the flashers.

You can subscribe to these yourself by following the link on the bottom of the About Rangers page on the County Parks website.

Over the years, many of us wanting to start our runs along the river at Hazel Avenue have been migrating from the parking lot at the Nimbus Fish Hatchery to the parking lot at the CSUS Aquatic Center. 

Even though I’ve never seen the lot full except for during boat races (when they charge), it looks like that will no longer be an option as the Aquatic Center staff will begin restricting parking to their clients and staff. 

According to the Aquatic Center website:

General Public that wishes to recreate i.e.; swim, paddle their own boats, picnic, should do so at the Nimbus Flats State Park. The Aquatic Center parking lot (inner & outer lot) is reserved for Aquatic Center Patrons.

They are in the process of installing signs indicating this policy and staff at the Aquatic Center stated they would have employees posted at the entrance of their parking area directing folks away to the Fish Hatchery or Nimbus Flats–probably starting September 1st.

(more…)

The County will begin repairs to the American River Parkway trail between Howe and Watt Avenue beginning August 30th.

It appears the levee top road will be available for running and biking.  You can get more information, including detour maps, from the County’s website.

Thanks to Carol and Phil for the tip!

According to the County Parks District, the Guy West bridge at CSUS will be closed from July 18 to August 24.  The bridge is to be closed while the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers completes levee improvements on both sides of the river.  While the levee road will be closed, the Parkway trail beneath the bridge on the north side (near University Avenue) will remain open.  The nearest alternate river crossings are the J Street bridge (downstream) and the Howe Avenue bridge (upstream).  Plan your run accordingly!