News and Press Releases
Buckhorn BBQ + Grill Announces Opening of New Restaurant in Rocklin Crossings
Buckhorn BBQ + Grill will be opening its doors for the first time in Rocklin on Saturday, January 22, 2022 at 5430 Crossings Drive, Suite 104.
“We are excited to be part of the community and serve the greater Rocklin and Roseville area,” says Derrick Fong, CEO of Buckhorn Enterprises, LLC. “We have constantly been asked when this new location will be open, and we couldn’t be more thrilled the day has come.”
Follow @CityofRocklin on Instagram
View 'People of Rocklin' Business Owner Features
The City of Rocklin is now on Instagram! Follow @CityofRockln to view the “People of Rocklin” video feature, which regularly highlights local business owners. Watch a highlight of a few of the past participants, including Paul Magda of Pause Coffee and Aira Dreifuss of Aria’s To the Point, here.
Jan. 11 City Council Recap
Solar Agreement for City Parking Lots, Property Maintenance and Off-Street Parking Ordinance Updates
Agreements Approved for Solar Projects at City Parking Facilities
The Rocklin City Council approved an agreement with FFP BTM Solar (Forefront Power) to build and operate solar canopies in the parking lots at:
- Rocklin Event Center
- City Hall (Quarry Park Adventures)
- Lonetree Ballpark (Kathy Lund Park)
- Corporation Yard
The agreement estimates a utility bill savings of $24,000 in the first year of operation, with a total of $1.9 million over the life of the 20-year agreement. There will be no upfront costs to the City, with Forefront Power to design, finance, construct, operate and maintain the solar arrays. The City will pay a flat rate over the 20-year term to receive and purchase energy at the four locations from Forefront Power.
Ruhkala Award Recipient Spotlight
Peter Hill – 2013 Pioneer Award Winner
When the Ruhkala Community Service Awards were announced in 2013, longtime city councilmember Peter Hill was the recipient of the “Pioneer Award.”
Reflecting back, Hill called that recognition “the most significant honor” he has received since moving to Rocklin in 1976. While living in Auburn and working at a job in Sacramento, Hill began looking for a home closer to work. Upon visiting the Clover Valley area, his family found their home.
CDPH extends Mask Mandate as Omnicron cases surge
Based on CDPH guidelines, masks are required for all individuals in all indoor public settings, regardless of vaccination status from December 15, 2021 through February 15, 2022. This update is due to the increasing prevalence of the Omnicron variant, which spreads much more easily than the original SARS-CoV-2 virus and the Delta variant.
Placer County Public Health extends its health warning as COVID hospitalizations surge
In an effort to support local hospitals impacted by the sharp rise in COVID-related cases, Public Health is extending its late summer Health Warning and urging all residents to use high-quality medical masks while in all indoor settings around others to protect against the highly infectious Omicron and Delta variants. The rapid increase in cases and hospitalizations in recent days strongly suggests Omicron is spreading widely in Placer as throughout the region.
2022 Ruhkala Community Service Awards
Call for Nominations
The City of Rocklin is made up of people, businesses and organizations working hard every day for the betterment of the community. To honor those giving back each year, the City recognizes deserving candidates with the Ruhkala Community Service Awards, which are now open for nominations.
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City of Rocklin Recommends: Fun Local Activities
City offices will be closed from Dec 24-Jan 2 for the holiday furlough, but that doesn’t mean local businesses will be. The holiday season is the prefect time to connect with family and friends, and we know residents will be looking for things to do while loved ones are in the area. Below, the City of Rocklin has highlighted some fun, local activities the whole family could enjoy Mon-Fri of this week to get everyone out of the house!
New Policy on Bench and Tree Donation Approved
Rocklin constituents interested in donating benches or trees to the City in honor of loved ones now have a clear policy to do so. The City received numerous inquiries in the past, however, a formal outline that could guide staff and constituents through a standard process did not exist.
Bill Halldin Unanimously Appointed as Rocklin Mayor
Councilmember Bill Halldin was appointed to serve as Mayor of the City of Rocklin through December 2022 with a unanimous vote on Tuesday night by the Rocklin City Council. Councilmember Ken Broadway was also unanimously installed as the 2022 Vice-Mayor.
Message from 2021 Mayor Jill Gayaldo
I have been extremely honored to serve as Mayor of the City of Rocklin in 2021. This year has been a whirlwind of activity and excitement as I’ve been able to meet and interact with so many residents, business owners, and constituents.
Since December 2020, our community has succeeded in the face of numerous challenges.
CDPH Requires Masking for All Public Indoor Settings To Slow the Spread of COVID-19
Updated Guidance In Response to Increasing Case Rates and Hospitalizations
The California Department of Public Health (CDPH) continues to monitor COVID-19 data in order to protect the health and well-being of all Californians. Since Thanksgiving, the statewide seven-day average case rate has increased by almost half (47%) and hospitalizations have increased by 14%.
In response to the increase in cases and hospitalizations, and to slow the spread of both Delta and the highly transmissible Omicron variant, CDPH has issued updated guidance to curb the spread of COVID-19 and its variants.
Rocklin Hires Solano County Sheriff Captain Banks as Police Chief
Rustin Banks has been hired as Chief of the Rocklin Police Department and will step into this role on December 13.
Banks joins the City of Rocklin from the Solano County Sheriff’s Office, where he most recently served as a captain commanding the Field Operations Division.
“It will be my honor and privilege to lead the Rocklin Police Department, an agency that is known far and wide for their high level of professionalism and community engagement,” Banks said. “I am eager to build upon the strong foundation the members of this Department have worked so hard to create.”
Bennett’s Westside Kitchen Bar Market to Open in Rocklin in 2022
The Bennett Hospitality Group has signed a lease at 6604 Lonetree Blvd. in the City of Rocklin where they plan to open Bennett’s Westside Kitchen Bar Market in the fall of 2022.
“We are thrilled to be able to move forward with opening a Bennett’s in the beautiful city in which we have lived and raised our family for 25 years,” Owner Brian Bennett said. “We cannot thank Mayor Jill Gayaldo, the Rocklin City Council, City Manager Aly Zimmermann, and the City’s forward-thinking staff enough for their encouragement and collaboration.”
Placer County Approves Tentative Redistricting Map
Tentative Map Would Keep Rocklin in Single District
On Dec. 7, following months of public meetings and community input, the Placer County Board of Supervisors unanimously supported an updated supervisorial district map created by community members.
Public Safety Volunteers Back in Action
Over the past few months, residents may have noticed the venerable Rocklin Public Safety Volunteers back in action.
After more than a year away from City offices and vehicles, the opening of the full state economy this summer also marked the return of the volunteers to the Rocklin Police and Fire departments to provide valuable assistance.
November 9 City Council Recap
Five-Year Budget Forecast, Reserve Funds and Traffic Element Updates
Five-Year General Fund Financial Forecast
Fiscal sustainability is a key element of every decision made by the City of Rocklin.
As part of detailed planning, staff from Rocklin’s finance division shared a budget analysis at the Nov. 9 City Council meeting that provides valuable insight into the City’s projected financial position over the next five years.
City Honors Influential Groups at 2021 Wall of Recognition Ceremony
The City of Rocklin celebrated the accomplishments of the Ray Johnson Family and the Original 13 Friends of the Library at the Wall of Recognition engraving ceremony on November 1.
State of the City 2021 Highlights Business and Growth
The Rocklin Chamber of Commerce hosted the 2021 State of the City breakfast at the Rocklin Event Center on Oct. 28.
The morning was highlighted by Mayor Jill Gayaldo’s State of the City Address, where she covered key topics including economic recovery from COVID-19; downtown development activity and major projects across the City over the past 18 months; new businesses operating now or planned to open, and more.
A copy of the mayor’s address and the presentation slides can be found below.
Rocklin Promotes Alton Tate to Fire Captain
Alton Tate, who was recently promoted to the position of Fire Captain with the Rocklin Fire Department, knew when he was nine years old that he wanted to be a firefighter.
Growing up, Tate lived next door to a fire captain who would invite him to the fire station to see the firetrucks up close and to regale him with stories of his adventures. Tate realized then that’s what he wanted to do most.