News and Press Releases
Whitney Ranch Parkway Extension Scheduled to Open May 18
The extension connecting Whitney Ranch Parkway from Highway 65 to Park Drive is scheduled to open the afternoon of Tuesday, May 18.
The extension will provide a west-to-east connector in northwest Rocklin, allowing current and future residents improved access to their homes, local amenities, and other major thoroughfares.
Speed limits of 35 miles per hour have been posted on the new section of Whitney Ranch Parkway (from the eastern end of Ranchview Drive to Whitney Oaks Drive) and will be enforced.
May is Mental Health Month
May is Mental Health Awareness Month and the City of Rocklin is sharing tips from the organization Mental Health America.
While there is a light at the end of the COVID-19 tunnel as more and more people are vaccinated, coronavirus has affected everyone in some way. Daily life has been disrupted due to stay at home orders, social distancing, and business closures. It is normal to feel worry and stress during a time of crisis, and paying attention to mental health can help people better cope with the situation.
April 27 City Council Recap
Housing Element Draft, Fire Dept. Annual Report
Draft Housing Element Modifications Discussed – Item 26
The City of Rocklin, along with many cities and counties throughout the state, is in the process of updating its 6th Cycle 2021-2029 Housing Element and Safety Element consistent with recent legislation and state law.
On Tuesday night, staff presented City Council with potential options for updating Rocklin’s draft Housing Element to address critical comments from the State Department of Housing and Community Development (HUD).
The issues focused on five areas, including:
Ruhkala Community Service Awards Feature
Kathie Nippert - Pioneer Award Recipient
It often seems like Kathie Nippert is everywhere things are happening in Rocklin. Her largest role may be as a longtime member and current board member of the Rocklin Historical Society, but she also serves many other aspects of the community.
She has worked on events hosted by the Rocklin Friends of the Library, graduated from the Rocklin Chamber of Commerce’s “Leadership Rocklin” program, volunteers for the annual “Run Rocklin” event, and even read “’Twas the Night Before Christmas” during Rocklin’s virtual tree lighting ceremony.
2021 Ruhkala Community Service Awards Feature
Stuart "Stu" Lehman - Individual Award Recipient
The City of Rocklin could not offer the quality programs and public services it does without the volunteers who work tirelessly to support staff efforts. 2021 Ruhkala Community Service Award honoree Stuart “Stu” Lehman is a great example of someone who has gone above and beyond to consistently serve Rocklin.
2021 Ruhkala Community Service Awards Feature
Staci Bier - Individual Award Recipient
Staci’s Helping Hands was born in 2017 when Rocklin resident Staci Bier took on leadership of a small charitable group and decided to run a food pantry out of her apartment. Her mission was to simply help those in the community who are hungry.
Today, Staci’s Helping Hands has grown into an online community with more than 2,500 members, who regularly provide food and baby products to those in need, and deliver meals and gifts during the Thanksgiving and Christmas holidays.
2021 Ruhkala Community Service Awards Feature
Father Michael Dillon - Pioneer Award Recipient
When Father Michael Dillon arrived in Rocklin on May 1, 1981, the first thing that struck him was the community – everyone seemed to know each other, was involved, and helped out.
“Since long before I came here, Rocklin has been very family oriented and full of friendly, helpful people who were very much in tune with one another,” said Dillon, reflecting back.
Grant Funding Approved for Potential SWRA Trails Expansion
Rocklin residents who enjoy walking, running or riding through the Sunset Whitney Recreation Area (SWRA) are one step closer to exploring another 0.75 miles of pathways after City Council approved $472,500 in funding for park improvements on Tuesday night.
$428,000 is available through state grants focused on recreation, with the city required to match $44,500. City Council approved resolutions to secure the grant monies and expressed the desire to fund Phase I of the East Trails expansion at SWRA once received.
New Map Highlights Potential, Approved Development Projects
Residents interested in learning more about development and construction projects in the City of Rocklin now have a new tool. Rocklin now offers an easy-to-use online map that lists commercial, housing, and other projects proposed, approved, or already under construction.
Term Sheet for Community Tap House Near Quarry Park Adventures Approved
A proposed outdoor community tap house and public market on City land near Quarry Park Adventures took its first official step forward when the Rocklin City Council approved the project term sheet Tuesday night.
City staff and Beer 40, LLC, negotiated the initial agreement for the development of a concept modeled after the popular SACYARD Community Tap House and Beer 40 projects in Sacramento and Vacaville, respectively.
Stormwater Pipes being Relined in Rocklin Neighborhoods
If you have noticed an unpleasant smell in the air this week, it may be related to infrastructure repairs to stormwater pipes under city streets.
Rocklin Public Services recently began repairing corrugated metal pipes in several neighborhoods, starting with areas near Fair Dr. and Sunset Blvd, and Eagle Ct. These kind of pipes have a natural expiration date (some are nearly 30 years old) but have been wearing out faster than expected. To avoid unanticipated costs, Public Services has been repairing segments of pipes in residential areas over the past four years.
Mural Overlooking Quarry Park Adventures Complete
The faces of Rocklin’s quarrying past have come to life in the form of a 30-ft high mural now complete on the walls of city hall that overlook Quarry Park Adventures.
The spray-painted mural, by local artist John Horton, combines bright colors and modern art elements depicting a true-to-life image of real quarry workers from days gone by. The combined effect is designed to incorporate Rocklin’s rich history and the City’s current vibrancy.
Ruhkala Award Recipient Recap
Ken Yorde - 2008 Pioneer Award Winner
After living in Italy for six years and for a time in Japan while working as a civilian advisor for the Air Force, Ken Yorde was transferred to California and needed a home near McClelllan AFB. Wanting to live in a city with good public services, Yorde found Rocklin and moved there in 1975.
2020 Ruhkala Award Winners to be Honored
Oct. 27, 6 p.m. - Rocklin Events Center
The 2020 Ruhkala Community Service Award winners will be honored by City Council and the Community Recognition Commission on Oct. 27 at the Council meeting starting at 6 p.m. at the Rocklin Event Center.
The Ruhkala Award winners are traditionally honored in April but due to the COVID-19 pandemic, their recognition was postponed. The City of Rocklin thanks each person and organization for their longstanding commitment to serving the Rocklin community.
Read more about the honorees:
New Rocklin Firefighters Pinned at Graduation Ceremony
“Never settle.” This was the motto that drove Nick Anderson, Ashley Jennings, and Alex Schnetz every day during their eleven week training to become Rocklin’s newest Firefighters.
Through early morning lectures, grueling workouts, and endless hours of pulling hose and throwing ladders, they strove to gain confidence and skills, to better themselves mentally and physically, and most importantly, to never settle.
Anderson, Jennings, and Schnetz training culminated with a special socially-distanced badge pinning ceremony on Dec. 4 to honor their accomplishments and officially welcome them as Rocklin Firefighters.
Rocklin Appoints Aly Zimmermann as City Manager
Rocklin, CA – The Rocklin City Council unanimously appointed Aly Zimmermann as Rocklin’s permanent city manager at their regularly scheduled meeting on Tuesday night.
Zimmermann has served as the assistant city manager for the City of Vista since 2012, where she managed multiple contracts and departments for the city with a population of over 100,000. Zimmerman’s responsibilities include oversight of Vista’s $150 million operating budget, administration of Vista’s law enforcement contract with the San Diego County Sheriff, and acting as the organization’s chief labor negotiator.
Terry Richardson Added to the Wall of Recognition
Terry Richardson became the fifth honoree to have his name etched on Rocklin’s Wall of Recognition on Oct. 30, permanently commemorating him for his significant contributions that have shaped the character of Rocklin.
Richardson’s wife and family, as well as many current and former city councilmembers and staff, were present at the outdoor, socially distanced ceremony.
Text to 9-1-1 Now Available in Rocklin and Placer County
Call if you Can, Text if You Can't
Text to 9-1-1 is live in Rocklin and across Placer County. Mobile phone users living in or traveling through Placer County now have the ability to send text messages to 9-1-1.
This new function gives hearing and speech impaired residents, or people in situations where it is too dangerous to talk, a potentially lifesaving option. Texts will be routed to a nearby 9-1-1 dispatch center the same way a 9-1-1 call is routed.
Even where text-to-9-1-1 is available, if you can make a voice call to 9-1-1, please call instead of texting.
Placer declares the end of local COVID-19 health emergency
State of CA COVID-19 Restrictions Still in Place In Placer County
Placer County News Release
Sept. 9, 2020
AUBURN, Calif. — Citing a low incidence of COVID-19 and increasing harm caused by California’s reopening framework, the Placer County Board of Supervisors on Tuesday unanimously approved a resolution declaring the end of Placer County’s local health emergency.
While acknowledging that California’s state of emergency and Department of Public Health orders, directives and guidance remain in full effect in Placer County, the resolution expresses the board’s concerns that the state framework for measuring COVID-19 mischaracterizes the current state of disease specifically in Placer County and harms the community’s economic, health, mental and social well-being.
Rocklin Firefighter-Paramedic Recognized for Life-saving Service
Rocklin Firefighter-Paramedic Jesse Llopis was recently recognized for actions that saved a hiker’s life.
The Sierra-Sacramento Valley EMS presented Llopis with an Outstanding Service Award for quickly accessing a patient and providing immediate critical care despite being in a wilderness area.