The Public Eye

With homeless using it as a bathroom, Central Library spends thousands on cleaning

In downtown Sacramento, homeless people use the Central Library for bathrooms and drinking water. Some say the city should provide more facilities. Businesses object.

The Public Eye

‘Driving while black’ gets you pulled over so much, one guy says, ‘I use Uber’

Black people – especially men – are more likely to be stopped by police for traffic violations than people of any other race in Sacramento, and 5 times as likely to be searched when they are, according to a Bee investigation of traffic data dating back to 2008.

The Public Eye

Nobody inspected schools, apartment buildings for fire risk for years in Galt, Elk Grove and Folsom

Schools, day care centers, senior care homes and many public buildings in Galt, Elk Grove and Folsom have not been inspected for faulty wiring, blocked fire exits and other fire hazards for years.

The Public Eye

Why is Sacramento spending so much on lobbyists?

The city of Sacramento spent $226,077 on lobbying at the state Capitol during the first six months of 2017. Mayor Darrell Steinberg says the city has “an ambitious agenda.”

Education

UC Davis’ Katehi will teach one course per quarter, conduct research in $318,000 position

Linda P.B. Katehi will teach one class per quarter and conduct research to earn $318,000 over nine months, a rate equivalent to her chancellor-level salary.

Education

UC Davis’ Linda Katehi returns to teaching, but she’ll be paid like a chancellor

Linda Katehi will earn $318,000 over nine months, plus benefits, to teach classes in electrical and computer engineering and women’s studies.

The Public Eye

Assessor's Office managers got bigger tax reductions than neighbors in these neighborhoods

Former Assessor Kathleen Kelleher and former Assistant Assessor John Solie received significantly lower valuations than neighboring property owners during the recessionary housing crash. One difference: their properties were appraised by outside assessors under rules designed to prevent conflicts of interest. Neighbors had their properties valued by a mass appraisal computer system.

The Public Eye

Did conflict-of-interest rules give county officials special treatment on tax bills instead?

During the housing crash of the last decade, three top managers in the Sacramento County Assessor’s Office received bigger breaks on their tax bills than neighbors with similar properties.

The Public Eye

Should schools still offer AP classes if most students struggle on exams?

High school students are taking more Advanced Placement classes, but some Sacramento area schools struggle. Districts say AP has benefits regardless of test scores.

The Public Eye

Inmate fight put their brother in a coma. Siblings still seeking answers month later.

A fight between two prisoners in a Sacramento County Main Jail cell on June 16 has left Clifton Harris, 61, in what family and friends call a vegetative state.

Education

How much more did Sac State’s graduation cost at Golden 1 Center than at Sleep Train?

Sacramento State’s final bill for graduation at the new Golden 1 Center was $151,643, well over the $59,842 the school paid for ceremonies last year at Sleep Train Arena.

The Public Eye

This charity keeps raising money to help young sex-trafficking victims. But where are the victims?

Courage House will not reopen for minor sex-trafficking victims.

The Public Eye

A death. A widening probe. Does Goodwill endanger workers?

After a Goodwill worker is crushed to death in Sacramento, former employees describe safety lapses and inadequate protections at the giant nonprofit’s varied locations.

The Public Eye

16 fires before the big one. Victims say Cal Fire waited too long to make arson arrest

Cal Fire tracked Damin Pashilk as he allegedly set 16 Lake County wildfires prior to the Clayton Fire in Lower Lake last summer. Could they have arrested him sooner?

The Public Eye

Is the CHP commissioner leaving? He’s a finalist to become UC Davis’ police chief.

The California Highway Patrol’s top cop is a candidate for police chief at UC Davis, where he would lead fewer officers, likely earn less and control a much smaller budget.

The Public Eye

‘A once in a lifetime opportunity.’ Who made money off the Oroville Dam crisis?

Oroville Dam’s spillway failure will generate more than $400 million for construction contractors, engineering firms and other businesses.

The Public Eye

The Oroville Dam crisis was a good thing for these people

Oroville Dam’s spillway failure will generate more than $400 million for construction contractors, engineering firms and other businesses.

The Public Eye

Oroville Dam: Who's making the money?

Dozens of construction contractors, engineering firms and others have made big money fixing Oroville Dam.

The Public Eye

City manager called developer ‘mentally ill’ before council rejected his gas station

Developer Paul Petrovich says the city of Sacramento denied his proposal to build a gas station because officials don’t like him. Emails included as evidence in his lawsuit against the city show his relationship with a key councilman deteriorated into hostility.

The Public Eye

A Sacramento State chemical spill has lab techs questioning their workplace safety

A Sacramento State chemical spill in May 2016 has prompted questions about the safety of stockrooms and buildings on campus. Lab technicians say they lost fertility.