Sacramento police are reporting that the 13 year old girl killed last week went to the park to meet someone. The teen, Jessica Funk-Haslam, was hit on the head, stabbed in the neck, and strangled. The police believe the girl arrived at the park about 6:30pm and spent a couple of hours with someone she knew and was killed between 8 – 9pm. Authorities are also reporting that people heard screams in the park before Jessica’s death.

The murder occurred in Rosemont Park near the baseball dugout. It is reported that Jessica went to the park after she had an argument with her mother that Monday night. She took at least two different light rail trains and a bus before arriving at the park.

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Sacramento area gas prices took a big leap up last week.  The average price of a gallon of regular gas is $4.282, compared to $4.264 a week ago, according to the AAA Fuel Gauge Report.   That is 51.9 cents more than last month.

In June of 2008 Sacramento gas prices were  $4.573, so we have not broken the record just yet.  If the price trend continues though we will shatter the old record before the end of April.

The state average is $4.359 while the national average is $3.801.  The entire US has seen an increase in gas prices, however the Sacramento region has been near the top of the list in percentage increases.

Caltrans has opened the westbound bus/carpool lane for Highway 50 between Rancho Cordova and Sacramento, which will ease traffic congestion, reduce air pollution, and shorten travel time for an estimated 140,000 daily drivers in the region.

“Our state is working through tough economic times, and projects like this help support the recovery effort for local economies,” said Acting Caltrans Director Malcolm Dougherty. “Caltrans continues to partner with local governments on projects not only to help the region with infrastructure improvements, but also to improve the overall driving experience for travelers.”

The $108 million project received $55 million from Proposition 1B, the 2006 voter-approved transportation bond. To date, the state has allocated nearly $12 billion in Proposition 1B funds for transportation purposes statewide.

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The California Department of Transportation (Caltrans) is alerting motorists of extended night closures and detours for State Highway 99 in Galtdue to construction, weather permitting.

Beginning Wednesday, March 7 through Saturday, March 17 between the hours of 11 p.m. to 4 a.m. north and southbound State Highway 99 will be closed in Central Galt at the A and C Street Overcrossings. A signed detour will be present and traffic control will be enforced by the California Highway Patrol.

The detour is necessary to remove existing false work and erect new bridge false work for the A and C Street Overcrossings. The ongoing work is part of a $39 million Central Galt Interchange Project to replace and improve the existing interchange on State Highway 99 at C Street.

Roadside message boards will be used to post the latest information. Unexpected weather may prolong or cause the work to be rescheduled. Caltrans urges motorists to use caution in this area and to “Slow for the Cone Zone”.

The Sacramento Public Library is helping high school students prepare for college admission by practicing with the real ACT test under real test conditions. The free workshop will be Saturday, March 17 at 12 noon at the Carmichael branch, 5605 Marconi Avenue, Carmichael.

Kaplan Test Prep staff will administer the ACT Practice Test and attendees are asked to be prompt.

A follow-up session is set for Wednesday, March 28 at 6 p.m. for test results and valuable test-taking tips, also at the Carmichael Library.   For more information, please telephone the Sacramento Public Library at (916) 264-2920 or visit www.saclibrary.org.

A “framework” of a deal has been reached between Sacramento, the Kings, and the NBA.   The deal would require the Maloofs to pay $75 million upfront with another $75 million to be paid later.  The Maloofs plan on charging a ticket surcharge to pay for their portion of the deal.  According to Mayor Kevin Johnson the Maloofs wil pay only $70 million.

There was no mention of how much the NBA would contribute or what the total costs were going to be.  Mayor Johnson, Kevin Stern and the Maloof family have been meeting in Florida during the All-Star festivities.

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The California Transportation Commission (CTC) today allocated $253 million in new funding to 30 projects that will improve the state’s transportation system and strengthen California’s economic recovery.

“From one end of the state to the other, transportation projects are providing good paying jobs while at the same time reducing traffic congestion for people and businesses in California,” said Acting Caltrans Director Malcolm Dougherty.

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Whether you are looking at how you use money, time, or any other source of energy to achieve your goals, Maria Nemeth, Ph.D., has discovered a way for you to do it.   Dr. Nemeth will lead a financial workshop on Saturday, March 24 from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. at Robbie Waters Pocket-Greenhaven Library, 7335 Gloria Drive, Sacramento.

Dr. Nemeth encourages people to think of money as another kind of energy and then consider how they handle each kind of energy–such as physical vitality, enjoyment and creativity. She stresses this is not an investment manual, nor a collection of tips on how to save money. Instead, it is a guide that lays out 12 principles for personal fulfillment that will help individuals decide what it is they really want in life and how to use their money to achieve their goals.

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The California Department of Transportation (Caltrans) is alerting motorists night work continues on a bus / carpool lane project from the Sacramento / Yolo County Line to the Watt Avenue Overcrossing. Caltrans is further advising that residents in the area of Del Paso Heights and South and North Natomas may experience loud construction type noises that include back-up alarms, heavy equipment machinery operation, bright lights and industrial hammering operations.

Motorists can expect east and westbound lane and ramp closures Sunday through Saturday from 10 p.m. to 6 a.m. Delays of 10-15 minutes can be expected. Motorists are also advised that various ramp closures and lane restrictions will take place during the project’s duration. The speed limit has been reduced from 65 to 55 miles per hour in the work zone during scheduled work hours.

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On Thursday, February 23, middle school leadership students from all nine Elk Grove Unified School District middle schools will attend the 11^th Annual Middle School Leadership Conference from 8:30 a.m. to 4 p.m. at the Antioch Progressive Church.

The district-wide conference is designed for middle school students involved in student leadership, peer counseling, conflict management, Students Reaching Out, WEB (Where Everybody Belongs), Club Live and Teens for Tolerance.  This year’s theme is “Take A Stand…Even If You Stand Alone!”

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