SACRAMENTO, CA (MPG) - The California State Railroad Museum Foundation has named Tim Schroepfer as President & CEO, effective immediately. The Foundation works in collaboration with and provides fundraising support for the California State Railroad Museum located in Old Sacramento State Historic Park and Railtown 1897 State Historic Park in Jamestown. Schroepfer was first hired by the Foundation in 2019 as Director of Events & Marketing then assumed the role of Interim Chief Operating Officer in 2021 before his recent promotion to President & CEO. Schroepfer replaces Cheryl Marcell who left the Foundation in 2021.
“Tim demonstrated his leadership prowess as our Chief Operating Officer and earned the right to step in as President and CEO,” said Jim Houpt, Chair of the California State Railroad Museum Foundation Board of Directors. “Even as the pandemic still ruled much or our lives, Tim engineered the return of a sold-out Polar Express train after a two-year hiatus and quickly mastered the demands of running a fundraising and support organization for a world-class museum. Our board of directors expressed unanimous support for Tim’s advancement to his new role.”
In his multi-faceted new role as President & CEO, Schroepfer will manage a staff of 26, oversee fundraising, sponsorship, and membership efforts, drive all marketing, social media, and public relations initiatives, and direct the production of the Foundation’s high profile community events and activations.
A natural train enthusiast, Schroepfer was born and raised in Sacramento and was a frequent visitor and member of the Museum prior to moving away from the area. Said Schroepfer, “With the Museum entering its 41st year, and Railtown entering its 51st year as a tourist railway, it is an incredibly exciting time to be with the Foundation. It is an absolute honor and privilege to return home and help support our Parks partners.”
Schroepfer has an impressive background in management and the orchestration of large-scale event and theatrical productions for prestigious organizations across the country. Before joining the California State Railroad Museum Foundation, Schroepfer worked as Director of Production & Preservation for Mahaiwe Performing Arts Center in Great Barrington, Massachusetts. Prior to that, he worked as Director of Production for Utah Shakespeare Festival at Southern Utah University in Cedar City, Utah and as Production Manager for the University California at Los Angeles, School of Theater, Film and Television. Schroepfer earned a Bachelor of Arts degree in Musical Theater from University of Stockton (UOP), a Master of Fine Arts in Producing from the California Institute of the Arts, and a Master of Business Administration from the University of Massachusetts, Amherst Isenberg School of Management.
“As the Foundation moves toward the new normal, Tim has provided the passion and direction to re-engage our membership through operations and events,” added Thomas Gilbert, Past Chair of the California State Railroad Museum Foundation. “He's the right person at the right time.”
Schroepfer is civic minded and involved in a variety of community organizations and causes, including as Cub Master for Cub Scouts Pack 118 and as an active participant in the Leadership Sacramento Class of 21. Schroepfer is a resident of Elk Grove where he resides with his wife Erica and two active young boys.
The mission of the California State Railroad Museum Foundation (CSRMF) is to generate revenue and awareness on behalf of its destinations, while supporting the preservation, interpretation, and promotion of our railroad heritage. The Foundation provides funding for ongoing support of numerous programs, both at the museum's Old Sacramento location and at the historic park in Jamestown, Calif. For more information, please visit www.californiarailroad.museum.
The resurgence of the Sac State women’s basketball program
Hornets have improved a record 10-games since last season
The Sacramento State women’s basketball team is making history in the 2021-22 season under first-year head coach Mark Campbell.
The Hornets (13-12, 9-7 Big Sky Conference) have already improved 10-games from last season, the best season-to-season turnaround in program history, with four regular season games and the Big Sky Tournament to be played.
Campbell brought his “blueprint of chasing excellence” with him from The University of Oregon.
“Every day you gotta be locked in, as a team, as a staff,” Campbell said. “It’s a simple formula but it’s hard to follow. It’s hard to bring it every single day, day after day, for seven months. For college basketball, it’s a grind from August all the way to March.
“This group is learning that. They’ve done an incredible job of giving us everything they have. You’ve seen the byproduct of all the hard work with what we’ve been able to do over the last month and a half. So, I would say that’s probably the biggest thing that I gotta bring from my time at Oregon, and at Oregon State, we built a Final Four program there too.
While he was an assistant at Oregon, Campbell coached the No. 1, 2 and 8 overall picks in the 2020 WNBA Draft, Sabrina Ionescu, Satou Sabally and Ruthy Hebard.
Campbell ranks second in win improvement among NCAA Division I coaches who are in their first season at a new school. He is second in the nation behind LSU’s three-time national championship coach Kim Mulkey, who has currently led the Tigers to 14 more wins than a season ago.
Sac State only won three games last season (3-22) under Bunky Harkleroad, the final straw after six consecutive losing seasons.
Guard Summer Menke is in her fourth year at Sac State and is one of three players on the team who played under Harkleroad for the last three seasons.
“(Campbell) raised the bar completely,” Menke said of Campbell. “Our toughness, what he expects from us, everything. Our offense is so much better. He brought a completely brand-new program here. We’re still working out the kinks, it’s the first year. I’m excited to see what it’s going to look like in a couple years.”
After spending seven seasons at Oregon and six as the associate head coach, Campbell moved to California’s Capitol with loads of experience and some familiar faces. Joining Campbell in Sacramento as assistant coaches were Xavier “Xavi” Lopez and Minyon Moore, both having spent time at Oregon as an assistant and player, respectively. Lopez’s wife and Oregon alumna, Megan Murphy Lopez, also joined the Sac State program as director of operations, the position she previously held at Oregon.
Campbell and his staff took over a Sac State program that has not had a winning season since 2015, when the team went 18-16 and lost in the third round of the Women’s NIT Tournament.
The Hornets began this season 4-9 overall and 0-4 in the Big Sky before rattling off wins in 9 out of 10 games. The biggest win of the nine came Jan. 27 at first-place Idaho State winning by 16 and in Pocatello, Idaho for only the second time in school history.
“It takes time, we’re still growing,” Campbell said. “You can’t just throw a group of people together and expect them to instantly become cohesive. The outside world thinks it’s that simple but it’s not.
“You have to develop a chemistry. A defensive cohesiveness, offensive cohesiveness. That takes time. We won 9 out of 10 but it’s still year one where we’re just creating an identity on both ends of the court. We’re fighting and competing and we’re learning a lot.”
Leading the charge for the Hornets has been graduate transfer Lianna Tillman, who spent her first four collegiate seasons at the University of the Pacific.
“I think his competitive spirit matched mine especially and that’s why I came here,” Tillman said of Campbell. “I feel like he turned this team around. Just being more competitive and striving for a championship rather than just getting through the season is the biggest thing.”
The 5’9 guard currently leads the Big Sky and ranks 14th in the nation in scoring with 20.5 points per game. Tillman is also one of only two players in women’s college basketball that is averaging 18 points and 6 assists per game, alongside University of Iowa phenom Caitlin Clark.
Sac State returned home to the Nest for a two-game homestand last week taking on penultimate Weber State and Idaho State. The Hornets lost both games falling to the Wildcats 62-52 on Thursday, snapping their four-game winning streak, and against the Bengals 67-56 on Saturday.
This weekend against Idaho State, sophomore Isnelle Natabou had 11 points and 8 rebounds, snapping her streak of 10 consecutive games with a double-double. The 6’5 center has 15 double-doubles on the season.
Despite the two-game setback, Sac State still has a lot to play for. The Hornets have four regular season games remaining on their schedule before the Big Sky Tournament begins in Boise, Idaho on March 7. The winner of the tournament receives an automatic berth into the NCAA Tournament, something Sac State has yet to achieve.
“The ultimate goal from the beginning is that we’re playing our best basketball in Boise at the conference tournament,” Campbell said. “I have no doubt if we can stay healthy our last four games, when we go into Boise, we’re going to be a very dangerous team.”
RANCHO CORDOVA, CA (MPG) - Sacramento County Sheriff’s Office Detectives arrested Mikilo Morgan Rawls (37), who is a transient from the Sacramento County area, in connection with the brutal sexual assault and homicide of Emma Roark (20) of Rancho Cordova. Rawls was arrested on Friday, February 11, 2022 and booked into the Sacramento County Main Jail on felony charges of murder, rape and sodomy and is being held without bail.
“This type of violent crime tears at the fabric of community safety,” said Chief Deputy Jim Barnes. “I am proud of the Sheriff’s Office personnel, which includes the Rancho Cordova Police Department, who stood tall to protect our community and brought resolution to this brutal crime. I also want to thank the Sacramento County District Attorney’s Crime Lab for their collaboration on this investigation.”
EARLIER PRESS RELEASE
Rancho Cordova Police Department Detectives and Sacramento County Sheriff’s Office Homicide Detectives have discovered the body of an adult female they believe to be that of Emma Roark who was reported missing last Thursday. The body was found in a secluded rural area at the river access on El Manto.
Emma Roark (20) of Rancho Cordova was last seen leaving her residence at approximately 12 p.m. on Thursday January 27, 2022. Her family became concerned and called the Rancho Cordova Police Department to report her missing later in the day at approximately 6 p.m.
An extensive effort over the last four days was initiated in the search for Roark which included the Rancho Cordova Police Department, the Sheriff’s Office, Park Rangers, Search & Rescue personnel and dogs, air support and drones. Sadly, search crews located the body and determined she was the victim of a homicide. The Sacramento County Coroner’s Office will take custody of the remains and perform an autopsy to determine the cause of death. No suspect nor any further information is available at this time.
Detectives are asking anyone with information relating to this incident, to please contact The Rancho Cordova Police Department at (916) 362-5115 or Tip information may also be left anonymously at www.sacsheriff.com or by calling (916) 874-TIPS (8477).
Breakfast for the Birds
CARMICHAEL, CA (MPG) - After two-years of pandemic limitations, the Effie Yeaw Bird and Breakfast event is back in traditional format on March 19 and 27. The popular fundraiser has for 31 years proven there’s more to ornithology than ogling birds.
In a preserve resonant with spring song, experts will lead nature lovers on safaris to view birds in their most industrious season. Hot brunches will follow. Two Bird and Breakfast programs will this year be staged over two weekends at the Center’s Carmichael facility. Because the events sell out, reservations are required. Participants will likely see at least 40 avian species during incubation, courting, feeding and nest-building activities. No bird gets left behind: Sacramento Audubon guides get as excited about tiny finches as majestic osprey hawks.
The wildlife experience follows trails in the 99-acre preserve and continues to riverside reaches, where ducks abound, and elegant waders include egrets, herons and sandpipers.
Scouts work beforehand to locate spots where visitors can observe wren, hawk, woodpecker and titmouse nurseries under construction. Higher up, hummingbirds may be seen camouflaging walnut-sized cradles. Nest-watching is enhanced by viewing scopes.
The $50 safari on March 19 (Saturday) is followed by a gourmet outdoor breakfast. On March 27 (Sunday) Carmichael Kiwanis will cook pancake breakfasts. This $35 program suits parents with children aged six and up. Adult admission includes one child; additional kids are $5 each. Discounts apply for ARNHA members.
Nature Center animal ambassadors will be on hand for close encounters. These include a Swanson’s hawk; a Peregrine falcon, an American Kestrel and a great-horned owl. Silent auctions of bird-related goodies accompany breakfast.
Outings range between 60 and 90 minutes and neither weekend’s program is recommended for very young children. Participants should wear stout shoes and bring binoculars. Both Bird and Breakfast fundraisers begin at 8 am. All proceeds assist the Nature Center’s educational outreach.
The Center will also offer a stand-alone Zoom lecture on bird vocalizations on March 15. Participation is $20 per person.
Effie Yeaw Nature Center is located in Ancil Hoffman Park, Carmichael. More information on these fundraisers is available at www.sacnaturecenter.net or call (916) 489-4918.
As COVID-19 conditions continue to improve across California and the Omicron surge subsides, temporary measures the state had put in place will expire in the coming weeks.
COVID-19 cases and the rate of community transmission have steadily decreased statewide since early January, and hospitalizations are either plateauing or declining in most regions of the state. Since California’s peak during the Omicron surge, the state has experienced a 65% decrease in case rates.
Additional visitation requirements that took effect on January 7 for long-term care facilities will expire today. Definitions for indoor and outdoor mega events will return to pre-surge guidance (from 500 to 1,000 attendees for indoor events, and 5,000 to 10,000 attendees for outdoor events) after February 15. The indoor masking requirement will expire after February 15 reverting to the previous guidance which requires masking for unvaccinated individuals in all indoor public settings and required masking for all individuals regardless of vaccination status in higher risk settings like public transit and congregate living. Workplaces will continue to follow the COVID-19 prevention standards set by CalOSHA.
The state is continuing to work with education, public health and community leaders to update masking requirements at schools to adapt to changing conditions and ensure the safety of kids, teachers, and staff.
Additional adjustments to the state’s policies will be shared in the coming week.
“Omicron has loosened its hold on California, vaccines for children under 5 are around the corner, and access to COVID-19 treatments is improving,” said Dr. Tomás J. Aragón, CDPH Director and State Public Health Officer. “With things moving in the right direction, we are making responsible modifications to COVID-19 prevention measures, while also continuing to develop a longer-term action plan for the state.”
Additional information on visitation requirements can be found here:
CDSS Provider Information Notice
Statewide COVID-19 Data
Rates of cases, hospitalizations and deaths are highest among unvaccinated individuals and lowest among boosted individuals. This is true for all age groups. See additional data for unvaccinated and vaccinated cases, hospitalizations and deaths.
Parkway Activists Confront County
SACRAMENTO REGION, CA (MPG) - Fed up with illegal parkland camping, the American River Parkway Foundation has addressed a three-page scold to Sacramento City and County. Following the widely-publicized communication, Foundation leaders have achieved meetings with elected policymakers. “We hope to start a conversation that will result in solutions,” says Foundation executive Dianna Poggetto.
The non-profit last year got vocal about Parkway deterioration. At a public forum, more than 200 citizens learned the beloved County gem was more imperiled than at any time in its 60-year history. Experts revealed that 15 percent of the Parkway’s 4800 acres burned in 2021; that river water was polluted; wildlife habitat was suffering; recreational trail users were intimidated; garbage accumulated faster than clean-ups could counter; rampant drug abuse has created further hazards.
The Foundation’s letter demanded that Sacramento County agencies and Sacramento City pull their weight and “take action” to stop river and parkland abuse.
In an interview with Messenger Publications, District 3 Supervisor Rich Desmond acknowledged the crisis. “I welcome the Foundation’s advocacy and criticism,” he said. “As a kid, I kayaked from Carmichael to Discovery Park and didn’t see a single camper… I never expected what we have now. I’m ashamed our children have to experience nature with this backdrop.”
“The Foundation should be relentless in educating policy makers on the harm being done to our beloved Parkway.” Asked what the County was doing to counter damage by the (estimated) 1000-strong camper population, Desmond cited a recent $2 million increase in budget to supply more ranger patrols, fire fuel reduction, a new Environmental Impact Team (to assess restoration needs) and more social workers to connect the homeless to assistance. “What’s missing is alternative shelters, transitional housing and treatment options,” he admitted. “The County and City are working closely to acquire more shelter locations.”
The Foundation letter’s must-do list for policymakers includes:
Formulating plans for removal of illegal Parkway campers; Providing funding to repair environmental damage; Maintaining healthy water for wildlife and humans; Increasing Parkway safety to benefit nearby neighborhoods; Removing refuse to reduce fire risk and contamination.
Despite assurances of County commitment to the Parkway, Foundation activists won’t turn down the heat: “We elect people to shape our community, and we should hold them accountable,” Dianna Poggetto said. “The Foundation has waited for them to address this crisis. They’ve made announcements but not followed through. Our Parkway’s being destroyed, and no one seems to be doing anything to save it. We need plans for services and shelter options. Beyond that, we want the Parkway restored. We’ve placed (early 2022) deadlines for action. We’re fortunate to have this treasure. People shouldn’t be afraid to use it.”
Agrees Supervisor Desmond: “Parkway encampments need to be removed. But unless we have alternative shelters, they’ll just pop up somewhere else. The Foundation’s deadlines are challenging, but I’m working with Board colleagues and County staff to identify plans that will continue to provide support the Parkway needs.”
Learn more about the American River Parkway Foundation at www.arpf.org
New Record Reached
‘Fill the Boot’ Fundraiser Raises $203,000 for Burn Victims
SACRAMENTO REGION, CA (MPG) - For four days, from Thursday, February 3rd, to Sunday February 6th, 150 firefighters from throughout Sacramento County and beyond showed up at the corner of Sunrise Boulevard and Greenback Lane in Citrus Heights to participate in the 28th Fill the Boot for Burns fundraiser. This is the Firefighters Burn Institute’s (FFBI) largest fundraiser of the year. The official tally at the end of the week was $203,000, $33,000 more than 2021. Helping them raise funds, fire personnel from Folsom, South Placer, Consumnes, West Sacramento, Elk Grove, Woodland, Travis Air Force Base in Solano County and Beale Air Force Base in Yuba County took to the streets of Citrus Heights alongside their local brother and sister firefighters. Following the main event in Citrus Heights each winter, smaller satellite fundraisers are held during the year throughout the area.
The official FFBI website explains their mission statement and the intensive work they are doing in this field:
“The Firefighters Burn Institute is a non-profit 501(c)(3) organization founded by Sacramento Fire Captain Cliff Haskell and the Sacramento Area Fire Fighters Local 522 in 1973, for the purpose of establishing 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”.
The FFBI was brought about in response to a terrible accident. “In 1972, a jet airplane attempting to take off from Sacramento Executive Airport, crashed into a crowded Farrell’s Ice Cream Parlor, killing 23 people and burning many others. A Sacramento firefighter, Gene LaVine, and eight members of his family died in the fiery crash. Shortly after, Sacramento Fire Department Captain Cliff Haskell convinced the Sacramento Area Fire Fighters Local 522 to allow him to begin work establishing a specialized burn unit for the area. Cliff’s initial fundraising campaigns formed the FFBI in December 1973.
FFBI’s goal was to help establish a local burn treatment facility in the Sacramento area. Shortly after its founding, FFBI collaborated with physicians and administration at the University of California Davis Medical Center (UCDMC) to open the UCDMC Regional Burn Center in January of 1974. Over the years, FFBI has expanded its mission to include burn research, public education, fire and burn prevention and burn recovery for survivors and their families, which extends far beyond the firefighting community to any and all burn survivors. If it wasn’t for Captain Cliff Haskell and the support of his wife, Tillie Haskell, there would not be definitive burn care in the Sacramento area”.
The firefighters themselves are important in the planning and execution of all programs and their involvement in the FFBI has been the assurance of its success. Nearly five decades later, the FFBI participates in local recovery and educational outreach efforts and plays an active leadership role on a national level through its involvement in the Federation of Burn Foundations and the American Burn Association.
In 2020 a children’s book for preschoolers and kindergarteners, inspired by the Haskells was created. “Safety in the Fire House,” featuring Cliff the firefighting goat and Tillie the fire safe chicken educates young children about how to stay safe from fires and other dangerous hot objects around the house.
Sponsors who help make this event happen include Duarte Construction, California Fire Foundation, Emergency Board Up Solutions, Sacramento Area Fire Fighters Local 522, Sunrise Mall, and the City of Citrus Heights.
For more information including other fundraisers and how you can volunteer go to ffburn.org