Happy New Year From Elk Grove Edge

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Mike Linley

Jan 1, 2026

Pizza Bell - Local Business Spotlight

If you haven’t stopped by Pizza Bell at the corner of Grant Line and Wilton Road, you’re missing one of the best kept food secrets in town. This isn’t another generic slice shop, it’s a local pizza joint built with flavor, community loyalty, and consistency at its core.

What Makes Pizza Bell Worth the Crust?

Authentic, Hand-Tossed Pizza

Pizza Bell doesn’t hide behind flashy gimmicks. Their dough is hand-stretched daily, toppings are generous, and their sauce hits that perfect balance of tangy and savory that makes every bite worth diving into.
Whether you’re digging into a classic pepperoni or exploring their specialty pies, the craftsmanship is undeniable with a crispy crust, perfectly melted cheese, and flavor that doesn’t quit.

Beyond Pizza, it's a Menu with Real Options
They don’t just make pizza.

They make fresh salads that actually feel fresh

Garlic knots that should be illegal (they’re that good)

Sandwiches and pasta that compete with local Italian joints

And if you have kids with you they’ll remember Pizza Bell as the place they actually liked dinner.
Community Roots You Can Taste
Pizza Bell isn’t a cookie-cutter chain. It’s a local favorite that shows up for Elk Grove:

Fundraisers for youth sports teams

Catering for school events and community meetups

Friendly faces behind the counter who know your name (or remember your usual)

That kind of local loyalty only comes when the food’s legit and the owners care and here at Pizaa Bell they do.
Customer Favorite Orders
If you’re unsure what to try first, start with these proven crowd-pleasers:
Bell Classic Supreme — loaded toppings with balanced flavor
BBQ Chicken Pizza — sweet, smoky, messy in the best way

Garlic Cheese Sticks — perfect starter or sidekick

Pair them with a soda or their house lemonade for a meal that’s simple, satisfying, and worth the repeat.

If Elk Grove had a hometown pizza champion, Pizza Bell would be in the ring. No pretension. No overselling. Just solid, crave-worthy pizza that keeps locals coming back and newcomers wondering why they waited so long.

Elk Grove City Upgrades

In 2025, the City made big moves to help you get where you’re going faster. Coordination and fine tuning of traffic signals along eight major corridors meant fewer stops and shorter travel times. On these corridors, the average travel time is 21% quicker with 41% fewer stops.

Traffic improvements are just one part of the story. Our roads are some of the best in the region thanks to proactive maintenance. We’ve resurfaced over 100 lane miles, applied crack sealing treatment to more than 160 lane miles and upgraded 124 ADA ramps in 2025 alone.

It’s been a big year for traffic and roadway improvements in Elk Grove, and we’re excited to keep building on this progress in 2026.

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Affordable Housing

A safe place to sleep can change everything.

In 2025, 14 neighbors moved from our current homeless shelter into permanent homes, finding the security and dignity everyone deserves. More are on the path to stability, and across Elk Grove, 770 new affordable housing units opened, giving even more people a chance to build a future they can call their own.

We also welcomed Adamstown (second photo), a new low-income permanent housing program supporting seniors, providing a safe and caring space for those who need it most.

And with the shelter coming to a permanent location soon, our community will have even more resources to help neighbors in need find stability and hope.

2025 was a year of incredible progress, and in 2026 we look forward to building on that momentum to create an even stronger, safer, and more caring community for everyone.

A Little Update

This year, sustainability showed up in small, everyday ways, and residents were part of it.

You checked out City e-bikes 171 times and rode more than 5,700 miles, helping take cars off local roads.

You’ll soon feel the impact of more than 560 new trees planted across Elk Grove, made possible in partnership with the Sacramento Tree Foundation.

And while it may be less visible, cleaner City operations like a growing electric vehicle fleet help support the same goal.

Together, it all adds up to quieter streets, cleaner air, and a healthier place to live today and into the future.

California New Laws Taking Effect January 1, 2026

Here’s What You Need to Know

As we head into the new year, several important laws affecting public safety, driving, and everyday life take effect across California on January 1, 2026.

Here’s a breakdown of the actual changes (not just headlines):

1. School Zone Speed Limits (AB 382)

• Cities and counties can lower school zone speed limits from 25 mph to 20 mph to improve child safety.

• This authority lasts through January 1, 2031, and after that date the 20 mph limit applies automatically wherever signs are posted.

2. “Slow Down, Move Over” Expansion (AB 390)

• Drivers must now slow down and/or change lanes for any stationary vehicle with flashing hazard lights, including maintenance and non-emergency vehicles.

3. Automated Traffic Enforcement Cameras (SB 720)

• Local cities and counties can use automated red-light camera systems to enforce violations.

• These are civil penalties only (not criminal).

4. License Plate Obstruction Law (AB 1085)

• It is now an infraction to make, sell, or use products that obscure your license plate, including covers or flippers that block visual or electronic reading.

• Violators can face significant fines.

5. Electric Bike & Mobility Device Safety (SB 1271 & others)

• E-bikes, mobility devices, and related lithium-ion batteries must meet laboratory-tested safety standards and be properly labeled.

• Sales, leases, or rentals of non-compliant devices will be prohibited once standards kick in.

6DUI/Safety Law Updates

• Probation periods for vehicular manslaughter while intoxicated have been increased to 3–5 years.

• Ignition interlock device programs for certain DUI offenders are extended.

7. Autonomous Vehicle Enforcement (AB 1777)

• Law enforcement will be able to issue noncompliance notices to manufacturers when autonomous vehicles commit violations.

• After July 1, 2026, self-driving vehicles must install two-way communication devices for emergency responders.

Other Helpful Notes

• Not all of these changes mean instant enforcement everywhere — local governments must adopt some changes (like 20 mph school zone limits).

• Some changes begin later in 2026 or beyond (like rental safety standards for e-bikes by 2028).