2,000 goats fight wildfire risk, phone-free schools. Your Sacramento weekend wrap

New classroom rules, local Independence Day celebrations, and a wildfire-fighting goat brigade had the Sacramento region buzzing this Fourth of July weekend. Missed a few things due to the busy holiday? No worries, The Sacramento Bee has you covered on the latest news you need to know.

Here’s a quick recap:

• California’s Phone-Free School Act took effect July 1, requiring districts to limit or prohibit student cellphone use. Sacramento-area districts, including Twin Rivers and Folsom Cordova, are implementing the law through existing or recently revised policies that carve out exceptions for emergencies, medical needs and noninstructional time.

• A new novelty shop called Ginger & Raven is set for a July 7 soft opening at 1731 L St. in midtown Sacramento. The store, which grew from a 2023 pop-up at the Midtown farmer’s market, will sell candles, science-themed trinkets, Italian charm bracelets and merchandise from local vendors in the space formerly occupied by Strapping Midtown.

• Placer County will deploy 2,000 goats and sheep to graze county-owned properties in western Placer County to reduce wildfire risk. The animals will target weeds, invasive plants and low-hanging limbs at sites including Dry Creek Park, Doyle Ranch Park, Hidden Falls Regional Park and the Placer County Government Center.

• Rancho Cordova’s 41st annual Fourth of July festival marked the nation’s 250th birthday at Hagan Community Park with debut speed-eating contests featuring watermelon, pies and hot dogs, plus a new 500-drone show paired with fireworks.

• Orange County prosecutors charged Earl Decastro, 47, of Buena Park, with involuntary manslaughter in the death of 8-year-old Jasmine Nguyen, killed July 4, 2025, when an illegal professional-grade firework malfunctioned at a Fourth of July party.