A look back at 2023: Top stories from Citrus Heights over the past year

Sentinel staff report–
Stories about local business, crime, real estate, closures at Sunrise Mall, and community features dominated reader interest throughout the year in 2023.

Below are the top local stories that drew the most interest from readers over the past year:

Business. New local businesses drew significant reader attention, with a story in August about two brothers opening an Italian pizzeria on Sunrise Boulevard and a new sushi buffet opening in December in the long-vacant former China Buffet building. A feature in July on the family-owned Carniceria Taqueria on Greenback Lane was also popular among readers, along with a story about plans for two new businesses to open up next to Starbucks at Sungarden/Sunrise.

Read more: Two new businesses plan to open next to Citrus Heights Starbucks

Sunrise Mall. News about the mall dominated much reader interest throughout the year, with the departures of several longtime tenants like Choice clothing store, See’s Candies, and Sunglasses Hut. Not all news about the mall was gloomy, as Sunrise Mall welcomed a new furniture store in November, and an article about redevelopment plans at the mall continued to draw reader attention throughout the year.

See more: What’s going on with the plan to redevelop Sunrise Mall?

Community. Features about events and community-themed stories also attracted readers, including a story about Christmas light displays in town, and a laser light show and night market at Sunrise Mall in December. Earlier in the year, readers showed interest in the history behind how a single-family home on Antelope Road became part of Rusch Park.

Read more: What happens when your backyard becomes part of Rusch Park?

Crime. Several crime stories also drew reader interest, with a March 4 incident at the Raising Cane’s restaurant on Greenback Lane prompting a helicopter response. The incident was reported as a possible shooting on social media, but police later said the incident only involved a small altercation and no arrests were made. Smashing of windows at Corners Stone Restaurant in December also drew attention, as well as a story on authorities searching a clothing store at Sunrise Mall in April.

Real Estate. Local real estate also drew reader interest over the year, with a story about residents finally beginning to move into low-income apartments at Sunrise Pointe in July, and the city in March agreeing to sell vacant lots on Sayonara Drive to Habitat for Humanity for $1.  A story in May about development projects planned along the Citrus Heights-Roseville border also attracted attention, as well as a feature in August about the reasons why one longtime resident was calling it quits and moving out of state.

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