SACRAMENTO REGION, CA (MPG) – The Sacramento Metropolitan Air Quality Management District (Sac Metro Air District) and the air districts of the Sacramento region launched the 28th annual Spare the Air season on Sunday, May 1.
The region’s Spare the Air program runs each year from May 1 through Oct. 31, and a Spare the Air alert is issued when the Air Quality Index (AQI) for ground-level ozone pollution is forecast to meet or exceed 126, rendering air quality unhealthy for sensitive groups. Air pollution affects everyone. Even healthy people can experience health impacts from polluted air, including respiratory irritation or breathing difficulties during exercise or outdoor activities. In addition to its harmful health effects, air pollution impacts businesses, the economy, and the environment.
Small changes can make a big difference in our community. During the past two years, the Sacramento region saw a vast improvement in air quality. Residents of Sacramento, Placer, Yolo, Solano, and El Dorado counties are encouraged to consider teleworking, taking transit, driving a low or zero emission vehicle, or using other active transportation options such as walking, biking, or riding a scooter when possible. By making individual efforts to reduce air pollution, we can come together as a community to make a much larger impact on air quality in our region and combat climate change.
Please follow these tips to continue to improve the region’s air quality: Download the free Sacramento Region Air Quality app to view daily air quality forecasts and real-time air pollution readings for Sacramento, Placer, Yolo-Solano and El Dorado counties. Drive less to help reduce vehicle emissions, especially on a Spare the Air Day
Telework at least once per week, if possible. Use active transportation, such as riding a bike, walking, or taking a scooter for your errands, or as a way to commute to work. Take public transit or carpool to reduce the number of single-passenger vehicles on the road. Use a zero-emission hybrid or electric vehicle.
For more information on Spare The Air, please visit www.SpareTheAir.com, and follow the Sac Metro Air District on Twitter @AQMD or on Facebook at Facebook.com/ScooterTheSpareTheAirDog.
Spare The Air is a program of the Sac Metro Air District, Yolo-Solano Air Quality Management District, Placer County Air Pollution Control District, and El Dorado County Air Quality Management District.
Girl Scouts Host Pet Adoption Fair
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CARMICHAEL, CA (MPG) - The Carmichael Girl Scouts will earn community service awards through their pet adoption fair on May 22, at Carmichael Park.
The young volunteers hope to find forever homes for animals by connecting families to rescue agencies. Critters seeking adoption will include cats, dogs, parrots, reptiles and guinea pigs.
“My girls are all animal lovers,” says troop leader Jenny Hawley. “They came up with the project idea and did all the planning and organizing. They’ve made posters and got rescue groups involved.
The Girl Scouts will host children’s craft tables and offer a raffle to benefit rescue charities. Other event participants include spay and neuter advisors and a mobile vet technician.
“Our troop wants people to learn about rescuing pets as an alternative to buying from breeders,” says Hawley. “They’re also promoting pet-owner responsibility. They’d love people to come to the park even if they’re not looking for a pet. They enjoy meeting the community and hopefully, animals will find a home through their efforts.
For information, email faeryjen44@yahoo.com.
SACRAMENTO COUNTY, CA (MPG) - On May 17, all job seekers are invited to the 2022 Sacramento County Virtual Career Fair to meet County department representatives and get details on available jobs, day-to-day work activities and what it is like to grow your career at the County.
As the region’s third-largest employer, Sacramento County has more than 12,700 employees working across 30 departments and offices in fields such as voter registration, parks, technology, finance, health care, waste management, social services and law enforcement. The jobs County employees do, and the services they provide, improve the lives of our residents and our community.
At this Virtual Career Fair, job seekers will be able to virtually "visit" various departments' booths and ask questions they might have. Job seekers can also request one-on-one conversations with representatives from departments they are particularly interested in. There will be two application and exam process presentations, one at 10 a.m. and another at 12 p.m., where Department of Personnel staff will share helpful tips when applying for County positions.
Job seekers will have the opportunity to speak with 24 different departments and offices to learn about a wide range of careers.
This career fair is online and you may attend any time between 10 a.m. and 2 p.m. Just remember to.
Can’t Attend the 2022 Career Fair? Keep connected with Sacramento County employment opportunities:
Visit the Sacramento County online job opportunities page. There, you will find all positions currently accepting applications and subscribe to the Job Interest Card feature to get an email when a specific job is available. The website also has an informative employment application guide, FAQs and Helpful Hints.
SACRAMENTO COUNTY, CA (MPG) - David Belmares was convicted by a jury of nine counts of child sexual assault and his brother, Jared Belmares, was convicted of four counts of child sexual assault.
A family member of the defendants operated a foster care and daycare out of her home. Over a period of years between 2011–2013, the defendants molested children who were in the daycare. At the time of the abuse, the defendants were adults and the children were all under the age of 10 years old. Both defendants had previously molested several young girls who were in foster care at the home from 2008-2011, but information about the daycare abuse did not come to light until later disclosures by the children.
David Belmares faces a maximum sentence of 68 years to life in prison and Jared Belmares faces a maximum sentence of 40 years in prison. Sentencing is set for June 3, 2022, at 9:00 a.m. in Department 33 before the Honorable Laurel White.
DATE: April 29, 2022
CASE: David Belmares & Jared Belmares (Case #19FE015430)
PROSECUTOR: Deputy District Attorney Dinah Mielke, Special Assault & Child Abuse Unit
Sacramento Native Selected as Naval Medical Forces Pacific 2021 Nominee
MILLINGTON, TN (MPG) - Petty Officer 1st Class Carly Vohs, a native of Sacramento, California, was selected as a Naval Medical Forces Pacific (NMFP) 2021 nominee.
NMFP announced the 2022 NMFP Senior Sailor of the Year during a ceremony at Naval Base San Diego, April 13. Vohs was one of 13 finalists nominated for the award. The finalists represented NMFP commands located from Maryland to Okinawa, Japan. Five hundred and forty-eighth first class petty officer billets across the 13 different NMFP commands competed for the coveted honor. Hospital Corpsman 1st Class David Lay, with Navy Medicine Readiness and Training Command Pearl Harbor, was chosen as this year’s winner.
Vohs joined the Navy nine years ago.
“My decision to join the Navy came after my freshman year at Azusa Pacific University,” said Vohs. “While I would have loved to continue my education, it just wasn't feasible for me financially at that time. Aside from that, I wanted to get away and make something of myself. I had only planned to stay in for one contract, but here I am nine years later."
Today, Vohs, serves as a hospital corpsman with Navy Medicine Readiness and Training Command (NMRTC) San Diego.
"My favorite part about being a hospital corpsman is caring for patients and serving alongside my Marines as their "doc,”’ said Vohs. “For as long as I can remember, I wanted to have a career in the medical field.”
Growing up in Sacramento, Vohs attended Valley Christian Academy in Roseville, California and graduated in 2011. Today, Vohs relies upon skills and values similar to those found in Sacramento to succeed in the military.
“In high school, I played every single sport that my school offered,” said Vohs. “From basketball, softball, to volleyball, I was in sports year-round. I enjoyed every minute, but there were certainly some hard times that challenged me both physically and mentally.”
“Learning how to effectively play as a team and identify my own areas for improvement and strive to work hard in order to overcome physically and mentally challenging situations, played a huge role in preparing me for life in the Navy,” added Vohs. “I often revert back to them to this day.”
Serving in the Navy means Vohs is part of a team that is taking on new importance in America’s focus on rebuilding military readiness, strengthening alliances and reforming business practices in support of the National Defense Strategy.
“Much of the United States' security and success relies upon our ability to control the seas,” said Vohs. “By showing presence in this capacity, we are playing a pivotal role in showing our allies around the world that we support them and remain secure, reliable and trustworthy allies to them.”
“We maintain a stable maritime environment which maintains economic security around the globe, and we prevent catastrophic attacks against our nation; both of which are huge National Defense strategies,” added Vohs.
There are many opportunities for sailors, such as Vohs, to earn recognition in their command.
“My proudest accomplishment in the Navy is being selected as Senior Sailor of the Year for NMRTC San Diego,” said Vohs. “As a mother of two young children, a dual military marriage and a full-time student, it's safe to say I worked hard for this. This title was earned not only by my own accomplishments, but the many accomplishments of my sailors. This title is a direct reflection of their hard work and dedication to the mission. I am just proud to be able to represent us as a whole.”
As a member of the U.S. Navy, Vohs, as well as other sailors, know they are a part of a service tradition providing unforgettable experiences through leadership development, world affairs and humanitarian assistance. Their efforts will have a lasting effect around the globe and for generations of sailors who will follow.
“Serving in the Navy can be summed up in three words that many service members have heard before - “service before self,”’ added Vohs. “Our duties as military members take precedence over whatever personal desires we may have. We are a part of something bigger than ourselves. If I can play even a small role in ensuring my children grow up having their freedom, all of the sleepless nights, challenges and time spent away from them is worth it in the end."
Vohs graduated from National University in 2022 with an Associates in Human Biology and will continue to pursue her goal in becoming a registered nurse.
SACRAMENTO COUNTY, CA (MPG) - At approximately 2:54 AM on Tuesday, April 26, 2022, the Sheriff’s Communications Center received a call from Metro Fire who had responded to the 7900 block of Acappella Circle to assist an adult male that was on the ground.
When fire arrived to render aid, they quickly determined the victim had a gunshot wound. Fire transported the victim where he was later pronounced deceased.
On Thursday, April 28, 2022, Sacramento County Sheriff’s Office Homicide Detectives arrested Edgardo Ernesto Torres (24) of Sacramento County for the murder of Evan Mcfarland (30). Torres is well known to law enforcement and is on formal searchable probation until 2023 in connection with a 2021 case, vehicle theft and receiving stolen property. Torres is being held in the Sacramento County Main Jail without bail. No further information is available at this time. A booking photo is not available at this time.
Detectives are asking anyone with information relating to this incident, to please contact the Sheriff’s Office at (916) 874-5115 or Sacramento Valley Crime Stoppers at (916) 443-HELP. Tip information may also be left anonymously at www.sacsheriff.com or by calling (916) 874-TIPS (8477).
Downtown Sacramento Partnership to Present ‘Bodega Days’ beginning Thursday
SACRAMENTO, CA (MPG) – In proud partnership with La Cosecha, the Downtown Sacramento Partnership is excited to announce Bodega Days happening every Thursday from 10 a.m. to 1:30 p.m. at Cesar Chavez Plaza (9th & J Streets) beginning on May 5, 2022.
Upbeat live music will add extra energy and vibrancy to the plaza, and the new culinary activation will be highlighted by local artists and makers, farmers offering fresh fruits, vegetables, and flowers plus local vendors offering hot lunches, foods, and beverages. Bodega Days will continue Thursdays through October 27.
“In line with our centrally located space in the heart of downtown, the vision for La Cosecha has always been to bring people together and give them a connection to the community, a closeness to art, music, farmers, and each other,” said La Cosecha owner Ernesto Delgado. “This new Bodega Days concept extends and elevates the vision to give the community yet another reason to experience what makes our downtown so special and unique.”
A variety of local vendors will be set-up each week throughout the plaza for Bodega Days, offering a diverse assortment of goods. While subject to change, some of the confirmed vendors include the following: Apple Pantry Farm, Baklava & Coffee, Boba & Bites, Chefs’ Olive Oil Mix, Crumb Pies, Gyro2Go, Humble Bee Herbal, Naan Tikka, Odd Cookie Bakery Café and Bar, Rosa’s Bakery, Upper Crust Baking, Yolanda’s Tamales, and Zumapoke.
For more information about Bodega Days and/or the Downtown Sacramento Partnership, please visit GoDowntownSac.com.
SOCIAL MEDIA TAGS: #DowntownSac, #BodegaDays, #ComeFindIt
About Downtown Sacramento Partnership
Downtown Sacramento Partnership is a nonprofit, property-based improvement district (PBID) that serves as the collective voice for the 197 property owners and more than 5,000 businesses located within the 66-block urban core of Sacramento. Driven by the mission to build value downtown, Downtown Partnership is the principal advocate, champion, and steward for those who work, live, visit and do business here. For more information, visit DowntownSac.org + GoDowntownSac.com and connect with us on Facebook, Twitter, Instagram and LinkedIn.