Creative Citrus Heights couple launches mobile ice cream parlor

By Hazel Ford–
Ed and Valerie Higgins, the creative local couple who first made headlines last December for their extravagant synchronized Christmas light display, are at it again with a new business venture.

In March, the pair launched “Made in the Shade,” a mobile ice cream parlor that is already making the rounds at various events and private parties in the Sacramento area, serving up homemade ice cream, sundaes, and milkshakes.

The couple, who moved to Citrus Heights from Thousand Oaks last year, have never owned an ice cream business and have been on a whirlwind experience learning how to make it all work. But the effort is already paying off, with the couple already selling 200 cones in two hours at a recent event.

The Sentinel caught up with Ed Higgins last week for an interview…

Man convicted of shooting at Citrus Heights police in high-speed chase

Sentinel staff report–
Prosecutors this week announced the conviction of a 36-year-old man who was found guilty of nearly a dozen felony charges stemming from a 2016 high-speed chase in Citrus Heights.

According to a news release on Friday from the Sacramento County District Attorney’s Office, Justin Hurst was convicted by a jury on May 17 for attempted murder and assault with a semi-automatic firearm on a peace officer, as well as reckless evasion of a peace officer, possession of an assault weapon, possession of a short-barreled shotgun, and four counts of being a felon in possession of a firearm.

Hurst, then 33, had a felony warrant at the time and was also on Post-Release Community Supervision for prior crimes, which included first-degree burglary and several prior convictions for being a felon in possession of a firearm…

Clean up begins at blighted property on Old Auburn after sale of home

Sentinel staff report–
After an official change in ownership was finalized last Friday, things have been rapidly changing at the run-down property at the corner of Old Auburn Road and Mariposa Avenue. A debris box is now placed in front of the home, boards on the windows and doors have been removed, piles of items have been hauled out, and a video surveillance system has been installed.

Thomas Szymoniak, whose family owns the Pumpkin Farm next door, is the new owner of the home and 2.7-acre chunk of land it sits on. According to the broker associate who handled the transaction, it was purchased for $407,000 through the probate process, following the death of James Wheeler, who lived at the home until last year. The prominent corner location had long-been an eyesore after weeds and vegetation became overgrown and the home visibly deteriorated.

Wearing a respirator mask and gloves, the new owner could be seen hauling items out of the home along with a few helpers over the weekend. A look inside one of the open windows revealed a completely trashed interior and a strong odor of mold.

“We’re just trying to clean up the blight right now,” said Syzmoniak, who was contacted by The Sentinel on Saturday at the property. “We may be able to save the house; just have to…