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Whistleblowers Sue UHS for Defrauding the State of Special Education Money

Posted: 8/7/2010

Acting as whistleblowers, former employees, a student and a parent have brought suit against Universal Health Services (NYSE: UHS, www.uhsinc.com) under the California False Claims Act. UHS operates UHS Schools (www.uhsschools.com), a for-profit system of California non-public schools serving children with disabilities and funded entirely by public education dollars. Plaintiffs sue as private attorneys general for the State, charging UHS with fraud. They are witnesses to UHS' exploitative practices, which include falsifying records, charging for students not present, understaffing its classrooms, employing uncertified teachers, and evading state oversight efforts designed to prevent such abuses. [More]

Regional Transit Budget Crisis to Affect Service to Disabled and Elderly

Posted: 8/7/2010

Sacramento, CA – Citing a fiscal emergency the Sacramento Regional Transit District (RT) has announced it intends to significantly reduce its contribution to Paratransit, Inc. for the provision of transportation services for the disabled and elderly. The result will lead to changes in service boundaries, eligibility requirements and certain fares.

Under the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA), RT is obligated to provide transportation services for certain certified ADA individuals and has contracted with Paratransit to provide this service. [More]

Sunset Walks Promise Wildlife Sightings

by Susan Skinner

Carmichael - Fundraising for the beleaguered Effie Yeaw Nature Center, night walks along the American River promise views of seldom-seen Parkway wildlife. Ecologist Jack Hiehle will lead monthly rambles into areas where beaver and otter go about their busy night time business. [More]

Annual Pass Helps to Save Our Parks

Sacramento Region - Are you looking for a way to support County parks, and get a little something in return? Starting at $50 dollars, an annual parking pass to County Parks allows for unlimited recreation, relaxation and ways to beat the summer heat at county parks and facilities located throughout Sacramento County for a full year from date of purchase. And, if you purchase your pass before July 31, you will automatically be entered to win a custom-fitted bike valued at over $350 and receive a coupon book valued at $250 with coupons from local vendors, including: Bicycles Plus, Elliott’s Natural Foods, City Bicycle Works, Fleet Feet Sports, River Rat Raft and Bike, Sacramento Natural Foods Co-op, Patriot Bicycles, Inc., REI and more. [More]

It takes a village – and $250,000

Carmichael - Activist Joyce Carroll has galvanized a neighborhood into saving over 13 acres of Carmichael’s sparse remaining open lands. Deputy Commissioner of the California State Juvenile Parole Board, Carroll lives near undeveloped park land on Jan Drive and knows the value of open spaces in community life. [More]

Tea Party Group from Carmichael

By Michele Moore, Christine Deterding and Sue Roedell

Like so many fellow citizens, we three women are concerned about the trend this country has taken over the last several years. We are all busy with our lives, working, raising families, and involving ourselves in our communities. While these are all very noble causes, it just doesn't seem to be enough to promote and maintain the values we all hold dear. We have been feeling an increasing need to get more involved and get more informed so that we can promote the positive changes that need to occur to get this country back on the right track. [More]

Carmichael Player Places 3rd in Pokémon Trading Card Game Santa Clara Regional Championships

Robert Fuhrman of Carmichael Earns Top Ranking Among the Region’s Top Competitors at Championship Event

BELLEVUE, Wash. – The Pokémon Company International, a worldwide leader in trading card gaming, today (April 22) announced that Robert Fuhrman placed 3rd at the 2010 Santa Clara Pokémon TCG Regional Championships held in Sunnyvale, CA. Pokémon tournaments provide an opportunity for Pokémon players to succeed at an intellectual sport and test their Pokémon TCG skill, strategy, and creativity. The Regional Championships tournament is the third event in the Pokémon Organized Play series, which culminates in the TCG’s most prominent event of the season: the Pokémon World Championships to be held in Hawaii this August. [More]

Wanted: Railroad Museum Volunteers

Sign Up for Summer Volunteer Class at America’s Most Popular Railroad Museum

SACRAMENTO – The California State Railroad Museum and Old Sacramento State Historic Park (SHP) are now recruiting adults (18 or older) who are interested in volunteering this summer to help communicate the West’s fascinating heritage of railroading and the California Gold Rush.

Anyone who has ever visited the California State Railroad Museum and Old Sacramento SHP has undoubtedly crossed paths with a docent. Dressed in railroad garb or other period attire, these trained volunteers answer questions and discuss history with guests. There are many other volunteers, too. Each year, approximately 600 men and women volunteer for the California State Railroad Museum’s programs—including weekend steam train operations, track construction, restoration and maintenance, even clerical work. Since the Museum’s 1976 inception, volunteers have contributed well over two million hours of service. [More]

Sacramento County needs to partner with Non Profits

By Supervisor Susan Peters

The continuing decline of the economy is expected to result in reduced state and local revenues for Sacramento County’s budget for the upcoming fiscal year 2010-2011. In April Interim County Executive Steve Szalay released preliminary information for Fiscal Year 2010-11 identifying a number of possible impacts to programs including cuts to Health and Human Services as well as to Regional Parks.

The budget shortfall is about $166 million dollars. That’s why we need to look outside the bureaucratic box and seize the opportunity to utilize the private and non-profit sectors to deliver services and programs in a more efficient and less costly manner than what is being provided by government. [More]

Amnesty Offered to Sacramento City and County Residents for Pet Licensing

Program drops penalty; Citizens save $100 through June 30

Sacramento – In an effort to get pet owners to license their pets, Sacramento County Animal Care and the City of Sacramento Animal Care Services is removing the late license penalty fee of up to $100 now through June 30, 2010.

“A licensed pet provides many benefits. Most importantly, it will allow Animal Care to return your pet home without you having to come to the shelter”, stated Pat Claerbout, County Animal Shelter Director. “All it takes is an unopened gate for your pet to get out. Licensing is a cheap, efficient way to be quickly reunited with your pet.” [More]