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Theresa Clift Profile
Theresa Clift

@tclift

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City of Sacramento reporter for @sacbee_news . Fan of local accountability journalism, breakfast sandwiches. @SacBeeGuild chair. DMs open.

Sacramento, CA
Joined November 2009
Don't wanna be here? Send us removal request.
@tclift
Theresa Clift
2 years
Just received this email from a Sacramento landlord who read this story and wow
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@tclift
Theresa Clift
1 year
An unhoused man texted me this: “There are many of us that really dont want to or deserve to be here that are just one bad choice or bad timing of a event in our lives ... In my case it was a house fire followed by Covid and now its been seemingly impossible to find my way back”
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@tclift
Theresa Clift
3 years
This is probably the most upset I’ve seen @Mayor_Steinberg in my 2+ years covering him. “There’s a huge storm out here. People are gonna die tonight.” “We can’t get a goddamn warming center open for more than one night beside the county has rules? I’m sick of it”
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@tclift
Theresa Clift
2 years
***SPECIAL REPORT*** Nearly 200 homeless men, women and children died in 2021 — far more than any other year. Here are their stories.
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@tclift
Theresa Clift
1 year
Sacramento County is opening Cal Expo for unhoused guests starting today, ahead of the next round of storms. They've never done that before. Story to come.
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@tclift
Theresa Clift
3 years
“The elder Gorman is a Sacramento resident and worked as a journalist for The Sacramento Bee from 1971 to 1978, as one of the only Black reporters in the newsroom at the time” Via ⁦ @sirmarcussmith
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@tclift
Theresa Clift
11 months
Here’s the scene at Council as several men call in with racist, homophobic and antisemitic comments
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@tclift
Theresa Clift
2 years
Love getting emails like this from our unhoused neighbors
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@tclift
Theresa Clift
1 year
SPECIAL REPORT: At least 190 unhoused people died in Sacramento in 2022. Each of them had a story we can learn from.
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@tclift
Theresa Clift
2 years
PIT RESULTS: Sacramento County’s homeless population nearly doubled in 3 years, and is now higher than SF. On any given night, there are 9,278 homeless ppl in the Sac County, up from 5,570 in Jan 2019. Up to 20,000 people will experience homelessness over the course of the year.
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@tclift
Theresa Clift
3 years
Currently wearing a T-shirt that says “I ❤️ the Delta Breeze” and I’ve never felt more like a Sacramentan.
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@tclift
Theresa Clift
2 years
The Sacramento City Council just voted to adopt a resolution to support CalCare (AB 1400) and Medicare for All (HR 1976). Harris, Guerra and Schenirer voted against. @CMKValenzuela led the charge.
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@tclift
Theresa Clift
2 years
STORY UP NOW: Sacramento city and county leaders voted unanimously today to ban homeless camps from the entire parkway and from blocking city sidewalks. This is a pretty big deal. Will take effect in 30 days.
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@tclift
Theresa Clift
2 years
It’s a #Sacramento thing.
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@tclift
Theresa Clift
3 months
The SacBee is hiring two state capitol reporters and a local education reporter. DM me if interested and I will connect you to the right editor.
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@tclift
Theresa Clift
2 years
🧵 NEW: The city of Sac yesterday carried out its largest homeless vehicle sweep since December's controversial Commerce Circle sweep. The city towed 13 vehicles at Evergreen Street & Arden Way in North Sac. It tagged 110 there last month With @RENEECBYER
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@tclift
Theresa Clift
1 year
Councilman Sean Loloee wouldn’t answer my questions today at Camp Resolution. Instead he accused me of “crimes”
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@tclift
Theresa Clift
2 years
It’s still happening. Received this from an unhoused woman today. Background:
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@tclift
Theresa Clift
2 years
Covering homelessness is sad, but it also puts things in perspective. I often feel sad that I can't afford to buy a house in Sacramento. I live in a fourplex rental with a dog with no yard. But then I get a text from someone with nothing. A constant reminder to always be thankful
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@tclift
Theresa Clift
2 years
Unhoused woman Telicia Graze, 45, died in her vehicle last night. It was parked near the WX Safe Ground, where she used to be a guest.
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@tclift
Theresa Clift
1 year
Unhoused woman Mamie Jackson, 31, died Monday in Sac amid ongoing storms. She was trying to get reunified with her two daughters, said Shannon Dominguez-Stevens of Maryhouse. "Mamie was quiet and kind. Her love for her daughters and hopes for a future together were palpable."
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@tclift
Theresa Clift
2 years
This is Melinda Davis, the unhoused woman who was one of the six people who died in Saturday’s downtown shooting. Photo from ⁦ @ShanNDStevens ⁩ Story to be updated. DM me if you knew her.
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@tclift
Theresa Clift
2 months
NEW BATCH OF ELECTION RESULTS: Cofer now in lead at 25.7% Pan at 22.6% McCarty: 22.4% Hansen: 22.2% Next batch out Friday. Story to come
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@tclift
Theresa Clift
2 years
I’m a little late on this but Saturday marked four years at @sacbee_news . June will mark a decade as a professional journalist. Saying that makes me feel old. But also so very grateful 🐝
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@tclift
Theresa Clift
1 month
The Sacramento City Council will tomorrow at 5 consider making Sacramento a sanctuary city for transgender people. It would bar city staff — including officers and contractors — from detaining people for seeking or providing gender-affirming health care.
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@tclift
Theresa Clift
2 years
Today I took a comp day and walked from Sutter’s Landing to Paradise Beach and back. I left my work phone and my jacket at home. Mila swam in the river. Didn’t see many people but the ones I did see said hello. Didn’t even leave Sac but felt a world away. I love this city. 🌿
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@tclift
Theresa Clift
1 month
Inbox: 33 apartments, ground floor retail planned for former Rite Aid on F Street
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@tclift
Theresa Clift
6 months
Forgot to tweet but last week marked five (5) years at the Sacramento Bee! 🐝
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@tclift
Theresa Clift
6 years
Some news: Today is my last day at @TribLIVE . I'm going west to @sacbee_news to cover Sacramento City Hall, starting Oct. 29. I learned a lot during my 2 yrs in Pgh -- never a dull moment in this city. Thank you to everyone who let me tell their stories & helped me along the way
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@tclift
Theresa Clift
2 years
Breaking: Sac County Board of Supes just voted unanimously to prohibit camping on the entire American River Parkway. It will also apply near schools, libraries and other areas. It will go into effect in 30 days.
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@tclift
Theresa Clift
11 months
Jeffrey Perrine of the Proud Boys just said something about “homeless drug addict bums.” Mayor hung up on him. First time I’ve seen that.
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@tclift
Theresa Clift
4 years
There are body bags set up in the driveway of a house -- possibly city manager Howard Chan’s. They have names of people killed by SacPD and Sac Sheriff’s deputies. There are also yard signs with names of people who have been killed. The protesters want Chan to fire more officers
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@tclift
Theresa Clift
10 months
Homeless camp near 28th and C is being swept by the city this morning. Here is a photo someone sent me of a tent there.
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@tclift
Theresa Clift
3 years
Today marks three years at @sacbee_news . That’s longer than anywhere else I’ve ever worked. I love this job, this newsroom and this city. Keep those tips coming, Sacramento! 🐝🐝🐝
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@tclift
Theresa Clift
2 years
Joan Didion is dead and the Tower Bridge is broken. Hard times for Sacramento.
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@tclift
Theresa Clift
4 months
BREAKING: Councilman Sean Loloee just resigned in a YouTube video
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@tclift
Theresa Clift
2 years
My latest on Councilman Sean Loloee: Last week he told me that the house where he was sworn in was his friend's house in East Sac. But images from an old real estate listing appear to show the house was actually the one his wife owns in Granite Bay.
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@tclift
Theresa Clift
2 months
In new batch of results, all four mayoral candidates still have a shot at making it to the runoff. Pan still has slight lead, Cofer went from fourth to second
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@tclift
Theresa Clift
2 years
ICYMI (thread): California cities took over their houses, then a private company drove them into debt This was by far the most difficult story I've written in my decade as a professional journalist. Please give it a read. Visuals by @RENEECBYER
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@tclift
Theresa Clift
3 months
This sign is hanging at camp resolution
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@tclift
Theresa Clift
1 year
The scene at Sacramento City Council right now. Last week Ryan Messano made anti-Semitic remarks. This time this group tried to block him from speaking. Council on recess
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@tclift
Theresa Clift
2 years
.⁦ @CMSeanLoloee ⁩’s media email account has blocked me
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@tclift
Theresa Clift
2 years
Three unhoused men died yesterday in Sacramento. - Michael Campo, 57, died at the hospital. - An unidentified 68-year-old man died at the hospital. - An unidentified 60-year-old man died in a field in the South Hagginwood section of North Sac. Please DM me if you knew them.
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@tclift
Theresa Clift
2 years
the sac county emergency alert test just scared the shit out of me, then scared the shit out of me again on my other phone
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@tclift
Theresa Clift
21 days
A delayed thank you @SacPressClub for naming me a finalist for the Courage in Journalism award for my coverage of former Councilman Sean Loloee, and to my editor @EmilieStigliani for nominating me <3
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@tclift
Theresa Clift
6 months
Sacramento County Supervisor Phil Serna on Facebook: “How big are your balls you coward”
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@tclift
Theresa Clift
2 years
NEW: @CMSeanLoloee bought the Hagginwood house on the left just before filing papers to run for council in 2019. He says he lives there, but a man there said he's renting it. Loloee's wife owns the Granite Bay house on the right. Loloee says it's vacant
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@tclift
Theresa Clift
1 year
New: A former SacPD officer has sued the city, alleging an "anti-Black culture" Among the allegations: - One Lt. called George Floyd protesters the "Hennessey drinking crowd" during a PD mtg - Another Lt. was upset his team hadn't used force often enough
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@tclift
Theresa Clift
3 years
Three homeless men died Friday in Sacramento. - A 64-year-old was found dead at Cesar Chavez Plaza. - A 57-year-old died at Mercy San Juan - A man of an unknown age died at UC Davis Med Center. The names/cause/manner have not yet been released. 113 deaths so far this year.
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@tclift
Theresa Clift
2 years
@RENEECBYER Summer and Harold Hamilton live in an RV there with their 4 kids (including 2-year-old twin boys) and 3 dogs. The city gave them 3 more days to move it before they're towed. That will be hard bc it doesn't run. Summer's dad was towed yesterday, causing her to break down in tears.
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@tclift
Theresa Clift
2 years
The Sacramento City Council just unanimously adopted an emergency ordinance aimed to reduce harassment of patients and staff outside Planned Parenthood clinics, proposed by @CMKValenzuela . It goes into effect immediately.
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@tclift
Theresa Clift
2 months
New: @Flo4Sacramento 's rise to the top of the pack of Sacramento mayoral hopefuls was fueled partly by the city’s lowest-income neighborhoods, a Bee analysis found. With @PhillipHReese Next batch of results coming out this afternoon
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@tclift
Theresa Clift
5 years
THREAD: Last week, @dakasler @RyanSabalow & I broke the story that a man indicted in a campaign-finance scheme w/ Giuliani's associates co-owns a Sac dispensary. His Sac business partner, Garib Karapetyan, is a permit holder for 8 of the city's 30 shops
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@tclift
Theresa Clift
6 years
This is why newspapers still need professional photographers.
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@tclift
Theresa Clift
2 years
LATEST: Karla Montoya, Loloee's grocery store manager, lives with her family in the Hagginwood house he says he lives in. Edwin Montoya registered to vote there a year and a half ago. That long precedes the window when Loloee told me he rented it out.
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@tclift
Theresa Clift
4 months
NEW: A day after Loloee resigned, the city has announced a new large shelter site in his district. It’ll be at 3900 Roseville Road - a former city corp yard that has been leased to the Army Corps of Engineers. Up to 240 people will stay in tiny homes and trailers.
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@tclift
Theresa Clift
2 years
Thread: The death of Melinda Davis has gotten a lot of media attention. And rightfully so. She was the beloved unhoused woman who was one of the six people killed downtown on April 3. But several other unhoused neighbors have also died this month in Sacramento.
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@tclift
Theresa Clift
4 years
Stevante Clark, leading the protesters, just called for a new police chief and a new sheriff.
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@tclift
Theresa Clift
5 months
NEW: If Loloee refuses to resign, he could keep the seat for another year. BUT The DOJ has determined he does indeed live in Granite Bay (which we reported a year and a half ago) That means there could be another avenue for council to remove him...
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@tclift
Theresa Clift
2 years
An unhoused baby boy died yesterday at Sutter. Second death of an unhoused baby in Sacramento this year.
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@tclift
Theresa Clift
2 months
Meanwhile here’s the latest batch of results for mayor
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@tclift
Theresa Clift
4 years
Today marks two years at The Sacramento Bee. Crazy to think that two years ago, I didn’t even know about the Delta Breeze, menudo or Vietnamese spring rolls. I love this city and its people. Thank you for letting me tell your stories. 🐝
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@tclift
Theresa Clift
1 year
This man said something about “Jew bankers.” ⁦ @Mayor_Steinberg ⁩ said “I don’t want to hear any more of your shit.”
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@tclift
Theresa Clift
1 year
NEW: A 74-year-old man last month froze to death along the Parkway on a night when the city and county did not open walk-up warming centers. It was the first death of an unhoused person in Sacramento caused by hypothermia this winter.
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@tclift
Theresa Clift
3 years
The Sacramento City Council just unanimously approved applying for Homekey funds to turn the Best Western downtown into homeless housing. There was a long discussion and some opposition. Story coming.
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@tclift
Theresa Clift
3 months
NEW: Sacramento Councilman @EricZGuerra is the owner of at least $10,000 in Chevron stock. As a board member of CA's leading air quality regulator, climate advocates say the investment raises questions around conflicts of interest. With @AriPlachta
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@tclift
Theresa Clift
2 years
NEW: The federal government has sued Sacramento City Councilman Sean Loloee alleging he threatened to deport employees who cooperated with a federal investigation into his grocery stores.
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@tclift
Theresa Clift
2 years
Council just voted 7-2 to continue to authorize SacPD to use its military equipment. The vote was promoted by a new state law. @CMKValenzuela got slightly choked up during her comments. She and Vang voted no. Council added amendment to require police to share new data on use
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@tclift
Theresa Clift
2 years
Editor approval for this lead may be my greatest journalistic achievement to date.
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@tclift
Theresa Clift
3 months
How we all feel when the council meeting hits Hour 5
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@tclift
Theresa Clift
4 years
. @Mayor_Steinberg on CapRadio just floated an idea to change the way 911 calls are handled, either statewide or locally. If the call is about a mental health crisis, not involving a crime, he'd like to see trained social workers respond instead of fire dept and armed police.
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@tclift
Theresa Clift
2 years
Yikes. The average rent for a 2-bedroom apt in Sac is now $1,625. A person needs to earn at least $65K to afford that without spending more than 30% of their pay on housing. 20,000 state workers make less than that. Via @ayoonhendricks @TheStateWorker
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@tclift
Theresa Clift
3 years
It's been more than two years since Sacramento police killed Darell Richards. The city still has not released all the documents it's required to release under SB 1421. So the Sacramento Bee has sued the city.
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@tclift
Theresa Clift
1 year
Inbox: @caity4council has declared victory for Sacramento City Council. The three new members will be sworn in Dec. 13. Story to come.
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@tclift
Theresa Clift
3 years
city used to only open warming centers only when it hit freezing 3 nights in a row. This winter, working w/ county, Steinberg was able to change it so it opens if it hits freezing 1 night, like last night. But that doesn’t take wind/rain into account...
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@tclift
Theresa Clift
5 months
Related: A state study last year found bird and dog feces — not human waste — are the main sources of E. coli found in the American River near the camps
@StantonSam
Sam Stanton
5 months
D.A. Thien Ho hits Sacramento with new claim that homeless camps are fouling rivers
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@tclift
Theresa Clift
3 months
Update: after we wrote this story, SHRA and SacCovered moved Ruby into housing
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@tclift
Theresa Clift
2 years
They died in fields, tents, RVs, sidewalks and Roomkey motels . One man died in Cesar Chavez Plaza, across the street from City Hall. Another died in the parking lot of a veterans' resource center. They were mothers, fathers, daughters, sons, caretakers, mechanics and musicians.
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@tclift
Theresa Clift
5 years
For more than two years, Sacramento County has been using an automated license-plate reader system to track and investigate welfare beneficiaries, without a state mandated privacy and usage policy. They ended it Nov. 1 under pressure. , via @ayoonhendricks
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@tclift
Theresa Clift
2 months
Hansen has conceded
@Steve4Sac
Steve Hansen
2 months
The latest results were just released – it was sooo close, but unfortunately we will not be advancing to the run off. While the results released today were not what we hoped, it is not the end of our work fighting for a better Sacramento. Thank you for believing in me and my…
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@tclift
Theresa Clift
2 years
In other news, I'm going to Hawaii for the first time! First real vacation since July and let me tell ya it is needed. See you May 2, Twitter ✌️
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@tclift
Theresa Clift
2 years
Seriyah Harris, 11, and Malaya Harris, 6. Daughters of Sergio Harris who was one of the six people killed. “He was the best dad ever,” Seriyah said. She said he would take them to the fair to go on the swing ride and play tag.
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@tclift
Theresa Clift
2 years
Early Sunday AM: worst mass shooting in city’s history Monday: victim names released Tuesday: oops! Old council districts go back in effect Wednesday: under pressure from biz groups, council puts controversial homeless measure on ballot What will happen today, Sacramento??
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@tclift
Theresa Clift
1 year
Councilman Sean Loloee is here. Just leaving. Talked to ch 10 but wouldn’t talk to me. Said Bee is “full of shit”
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@tclift
Theresa Clift
2 years
The council just voted UNANIMOUSLY to open the homeless respite center 24/7.
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@tclift
Theresa Clift
2 years
“They’re basically telling us we have to be on the sidewalk,” she said. The couple has a room in a city homeless hotel, but they still live in the RV some of the time. Both parents work during the day, and the hotel will not allow Summer’s mom into the hotel to watch the kids
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@tclift
Theresa Clift
3 months
Homeless activists are playing recordings from city sweeps during council comments. They’re now on the fourth person
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@tclift
Theresa Clift
5 years
Discovered the Bee’s archive room today. Dozens of file cabinets filled with newspaper clippings carefully cut out, glued to color-coded pieces of paper and stuffed in alphabetized envelopes. Kind of amazing when you think about it.
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@tclift
Theresa Clift
1 year
PSA Sacramento: now is a good time for a walk
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@tclift
Theresa Clift
2 years
Sgt. Rodney Grassmann makes $233K (as of 2019) as Sheriff's Dept spox. But he didn't answer my emails/calls last month about a downtown bomb threat. (I had to go track him down in person). Now, he hasn't responded at all to an email I sent Tues about something else. Transparency?
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@tclift
Theresa Clift
4 years
She’s been called Sacramento’s AOC. In December when she is sworn in, she will be the youngest member of City Council, the only renter and the only democratic socialist. Who is Katie Valenzuela?
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@tclift
Theresa Clift
9 months
Solidarity with CalMatters journalists 💪
@calmattersguild
CalMatters Guild
9 months
Big news! We, the staff of @CalMatters , are unionizing! We’re taking this step with 92% of staff in support. Here’s our mission statement.
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@tclift
Theresa Clift
2 years
. @Mayor_Steinberg just sent a letter to @CMSeanLoloee asking him to agree to an independent investigation regarding his residence. If he doesn’t agree, mayor will ask council. Meeting starts at 5. This may come up
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@tclift
Theresa Clift
2 years
Currently watching both the council meeting and the Kings game. I’m so Sacramentan.
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@tclift
Theresa Clift
6 months
Loloee is here at council. I asked if he wishes to comment about the federal raid. His response: “To you? No”
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@tclift
Theresa Clift
3 years
The Sacramento City Council has been saying they're going to open areas for safe car camping for a year and a half. I wrote this story in August 2019. Tonight, they're finally doing it.
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@tclift
Theresa Clift
2 years
The bad news: This afternoon, someone hacked my Twitter account and deleted all my tweets back to 2013. (At one point, my profile picture was a photo of a naked cat! Fun!) The good news: Twitter restored my access just in time for City Council.
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@tclift
Theresa Clift
2 years
Breaking: The County Board of Supes just voted 3-2 to approve the tiny home village in South Sac. Sue Frost, Don Nottoli voted no.
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