Sacramento’s top stories 4/28: peach growers, parvo outbreak, homeless bill
Sacramento-area news Tuesday, April 28, spanned agriculture, public health, local government, wildlife and retail development. Here’s a quick rundown of the day’s top stories from across the region.
• Peach growers get federal lifeline: California lawmakers announced the USDA approved up to $9 million to help Central Valley farmers remove clingstone peach trees left without a buyer after Del Monte Foods’ bankruptcy and Modesto cannery closure. The program will fund the removal of up to 420,000 trees before summer harvest. A USDA analysis found that pulling the estimated 50,000 tons of orphaned peaches could protect farmers from about $30 million in potential losses.
• Parvovirus outbreak shuts shelter: The Calaveras County Animal Services shelter will not accept dogs for the next 14 to 21 days after a canine parvovirus outbreak. A number of dogs impounded Saturday from the Rail Road Flat area are ill with the highly contagious virus. The shelter will remain open for adoptions, and officials said many dogs already there are vaccinated.
• County opposes homeless funding bill: Sacramento County supervisors approved a letter opposing Senate Bill 802, which would redirect state homelessness funds into a regional joint powers authority instead of distributing money separately to the city and county. County staff warned the change could reduce the county’s share of funding. Sen. Angelique Ashby, the bill’s author, disputed those concerns and said the measure would require jurisdictions to make spending decisions together.
• Bear encounters expected to rise: The California Department of Fish and Wildlife warned of increased black bear encounters around Lake Tahoe this spring as bears emerge from dens. With Tahoe snowpack at just 24% of the April average, officials said warm temperatures and a shortened growing season could push bears toward human food sources. Residents were urged to secure trash, remove bird feeders and avoid feeding bears.
• Roseville mall plans major redevelopment: Westfield Galleria at Roseville will add new restaurants and home retailers as part of an outdoor redevelopment called The Trails. Construction is expected to begin in May, with completion anticipated in spring 2027. New tenants will include Arhaus, Design Within Reach, Sweetgreen, Doppio Zero and King’s Fish House.