News and Press Releases
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.
“We’re Open” William Jessup University Feature
William Jessup Maintains Safety and Community with In-Person and Virtual Learning
William Jessup University is heading into its seventh week of instruction and has been able to maintain a strong sense of community while prioritizing student health and safety. Following state and federal COVID-19 requirements, Jessup offers on-campus living and in-person classes, in addition to online and other virtual learning components.
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.
“We’re Open” Sierra College Feature
"Continuing to Offer the Quality Classes Students Deserve"
As an institution of higher learning, Sierra College has two goals it is fully prepared to meet this semester: 1) keep the community safe, and 2) ensure continuity of instruction.
Classes began last Monday, but empty parking lots tell part of the story on how the college is conducting business.
Traffic Division: Public Service for Public Safety
With 72 traffic signals, 3,000 City-owned-and-managed streetlights, and 15,000 signs in City limits, the Rocklin Traffic Division has plenty to keep the department of four busy.
Each traffic signal undergoes quarterly and annual checks to verify that the conflict manager, detectors, controllers, and lights are working properly, and to clean out the cabinets of any debris. Additionally, about 10 intersections of traffic signal lights, or about 50 bulbs, are replaced every year to reduce the chance of burned-out lights causing confusion for drivers.
City of Rocklin Proclaims Saturday, August 29, 2020 as Bryce Jessup Day
The Rocklin City Council is honoring the memory and life of Dr. Bryce Jessup, President Emeritus of William Jessup University, by proclaiming Saturday, August 29, 2020 as Bryce Jessup Day in Rocklin.
Jessup passed away in late July during a fishing and hiking trip in the High Sierras with family. The university has planned a livestreamed memorial celebration for Saturday, August 29, with COVID-19 precautions. Attendees are asked to RSVP in advance here.
Lasting Success for Short-term Rentals
Short-Term Rental Permit Required in Rocklin
The City of Rocklin requires a permit for property owners to offer short-term rentals on sites like Airbnb, VRBO and others. The guidelines offer owners flexibility while encouraging harmony with the surrounding neighborhood. Fill out the short-term rental form below to start renting responsibly in your neighborhood.
The Team behind the Clean
How Custodial Staff Keeps Customers and Staff Safe
At 10 p.m., most people are winding down from a long day. For Dale Rappleye, Building Maintenance Supervisor with the City, his workday in custodial maintenance is just beginning, cleaning up everything from the day and giving it a fresh start for the next.
“There is a huge impact on work environment and attitude towards one’s job. A clean building creates a brighter, fresher environment for staff, which creates a better work environment,” Rappleye said.
Rocklin Reiterates Concerns with Latest Loomis Costco Plan
The City of Rocklin’s economic success is intertwined with the entire region and Rocklin views the fiscal health of neighboring municipalities as vital to future growth for all.
Reginald Williams Hired as Rocklin Fire Chief
The City of Rocklin has hired Reginald Williams as Rocklin’s next fire chief, and he will begin his new responsibilities on Monday, August 3.
Williams leaves his position as assistant fire chief with the City of San José, where he oversaw 838 employees in the third largest city in California. Williams had been with San José, for 25 years, holding roles also including deputy chief, battalion chief, captain, engineer, and fire fighter paramedic.
The combination of his experience, along with his skillset and education, made him a clear choice for Rocklin.
Abatement on Sunset Whitney Recreation Area Structures Nearly Complete
The Sunset Whitney Recreation Area (SWRA) has become a popular place for Rocklin residents to enjoy the outdoors since the opening of the West Trails in the fall of 2019.
The trails provide a great resource for people looking to walk, bike or just get a little fresh air during the ongoing coronavirus pandemic.
Impact Axe
"We're Open" Business Features
Impact Axe provides a fun indoor activity for family and friends to get together in a safe environment. The business opened early this February, and shut its doors in mid-March after being open for less than six weeks.
Dogtopia
We're Open Business Features
Dogtopia of Rocklin offers daycare, overnight boarding, and spa and grooming services for dogs. Since opening in Rocklin last July, the business gained plenty of pet parents that use them for daycare while at work or for overnight boarding when going on vacations. When the coronavirus hit, people began working from home and cancelled their vacations. Dogtopia closed for two months from March 19 to May 19 and lost all of its regular vacation-based boarding, though boarding is expected to bounce back as people begin to travel again.
Coronavirus Crisis Doubles Need for Meals on Wheels Volunteers
The COVID-19 crisis has shone a spotlight on just how quickly people can find themselves without food. Applications for meal delivery from Seniors First, Placer County’s only senior-focused service organization and provider of Meals on Wheels, have more than doubled in recent weeks.
Over 400 clients are served in Placer County per day through Meals on Wheels. Many of Seniors First’s volunteer delivery drivers, some seniors themselves, have been sidelined due to COVID restrictions which has dramatically increased the need for additional volunteers.