Winters Fire receives grant for cutting-edge extrication equipment
By Crystal Apilado Editor-in-Chief
Winters Fire De-
partment has upgraded its emergency response capabilities with new, state-of-theart extrication equipment, thanks to a grant from the California Office of Traffic Safety, through the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration.
The equipment is “the latest and greatest jaws of life,” according to Winters Fire Chief Jack S. Snyder III, and was provided at no cost to the city, making it a major win for both the department and the community.
The $81,138 grant funded the purchase of four battery-operated electric rescue tools, which not only increased the number of units, but were also a significant improvement over Winters Fire’s older equipment. Unlike the previous extrication unit, which relied on hoses and a generator pump to make it run, the new tools are ready to use immediately upon arrival at an accident scene thanks to battery packs.
“There’s no need to hook up hoses; we just grab and go,” Snyder said. “This streamlines our process and drastically reduces the time it takes to
extricate individuals from vehicles. It’s easier, safer for our crews and allows us to get to work without delay.”
The equipment, which arrived Nov. 8, has already been integrated into Winters Fire’s operations.
Training sessions are underway to ensure all crew members, including volunteers, are proficient in its use.
“The tools are more compact, eco-friendly, and eliminate the need for bulky hoses and external pumps, which makes them easier to use and transport, even in rough terrain,” Snyder said.
According to Winters Fire’s volunteer coordinator Aide Aguilera, the new tools not only save time but also provide a valuable learning opportunity for volunteers, particularly as other departments transition to similar technology.
“It gives them an introduction to what the future holds in emergency response,” Aguilera said. “There is less time for setting up the equipment. On some of our engines, we only have enough for one attachment so it takes a while to connect it to different devices or to swap between different tools.”
Winters Fire is also planning future pub-
lic demonstrations to showcase the new equipment and its capabilities. As part of the grant agreement, Winters Fire will also engage the community in transportation safety outreach initiatives, such as pedestrian awareness and car seat safety education. These efforts will be coordinated with the Winters Police Department to address specific community needs.
Snyder said the department had seen these tools in action with other agencies in the county, solidifying
School district sees decline in CAASPP test results
By Logan Chrisp Express staff writer
Winters Joint Unified School District presented the results of the California Assessment of Student Performance and Progress (CAASPP) results to the Board of Trustees at the
Thursday, Nov. 17, school board meeting. The data demonstrated that while Winters High School saw improvement in English Language Arts (ELA) and math, the elementary and middle schools saw declines, similar to other local schools.
Assistant Superintendent Phoebe Girimonte presented the results from all assessed grade levels in the CAASPP testing
and compared them to prior year results.
For ELA, there was a 0.97 percent drop in students who met or exceeded the standard, while mathematics saw a slight improvement of 0.46 percent.
In addition to showing how Winters JUSD CAASPP results compared to previous years’ testing, Girimonte also compared data from
Weather
City hears findings of Classification and Compensation study
Information could be utilized to make city job descriptions more accurate, fairly paid
By Sonora Slater Express staff writer
Winters City Councilmembers heard a presentation on the findings of a classification-and-compensationstudy that was recently done on the city of Winters in order to make sure that each city position has an accurate job description and fair compensation.
According to City Manager Jeremy Craig, there is no record of Winters implementing a survey like this in the past — making it a helpful tool for current and future city leaders to have available to understand the work required of employees when hiring and ensure that compensation for local jobs is comparable to what employees are paid for similar jobs in nearby cities of the same size and budget. This helps the city to be more effective at attracting and retaining a high-quality workforce.
The survey, which was authorized on Jan. 16 through Resolution 2024-03, was split into two steps: classification and compensation.
“The classification study looked at every job classification in the
city and reviewed the work performed by the employees in that job class to ensure it accurately reflected the work performed and adequately documented all duties,” Craig said in an email to the Winters Express. “This step was essential to ensure that when we did the compensation comparison for the study, we were comparing the correct class of work being conducted.”
Georgia Cochran, a representative of the firm that completed the study, gave a presentation about the findings at the Nov. 5 City Council meeting, and noted that part of the difficulty of classifying jobs in a city the size of Winters is how broad job positions often are, entailing a broad range of responsibilities. On the other hand, she said that the importance of a study like this in Winters is making sure employees applying for these positions have a good idea of all the tasks that may be expected of them.
“In such a small town, the employees we have wear a lot of hats,” Mayor Bill Biasi said during the presentation. “Putting that into job descriptions is tough.”
In order to classify the positions, Cochran and her firm reviewed questionnaires completed by current city employees, conducted interviews with staff members, supervisors and managers, and turned it all into data that they
The hometown paper of Amy Sartin
Courtesy photo
The previous extrication unit required a fueled pump and connections via extension ords in order to utilize it out in the field. The pump proved challenging on some terrain.
Courtesy photo
Winters Fire Department’s new extrication equipment, funded with grant from the California Office of Traffic Safety, includes four battery-powered units, accessories and extra battery packs.
Public invited to share feedback on transportation corridor plan
Express staff
The Yolo Transportation District is hosting a series of open house events to gain public input on Phase 2 of the Yolo Active Transportation Corridor Plan.
The Community Open House events are taking place across the County, and are an opportunity for residents to engage with and influence the future of active transportation in Yolo County.
The Yolo Transportation District will share updated information and ask for feedback on the draft project recommendations that were developed based on the input teams received from Phase 1.
Event dates
The local Community Open House event dates are:
• Nov. 21, from 5:30 to 7 at the El Rio Villa Community Room, 62 Shams Way, Winters
• Dec. 2, from 5:30 to 7 at the Esparto High School Gym, 26675 Plainfield St., Esparto
Additional Community Open House dates include: Dec. 4, from 5 to 7 p.m. at the Mary L. Stephens Library, 315 E 14th St., Davis Jan. 13, from 5 to 6:30 p.m. at the Woodland Public Library, 250 1st St., Woodland Jan. 16, from 5:30 to 6:30 p.m. at the Dunnigan Fire Station, 29145 Main St., Dunnigan
Jan. 23, from 5:30 to 7 p.m. at the West Sacramento Recreation Center, 2801 Jefferson Blvd., West Sacramento
The Yolo Active Transportation Corridors Plan will identify issues and needs for bicyclists and pedestrians who travel along connections between and within Yolo County communities. Building off of technical analysis and community input, the plan will identify improvements to make walking and biking easier, safer, and more enjoyable throughout the County.
Find information in English at bit. ly/YATC_EN or in Spanish at bit.ly/ YATC_ES.
Yolo OES launches ‘Yolo Ready’ to boost neighborhood resiliency, preparedness
Special to the Express
The Yolo County Office of Emergency Services announced the launch of “Yolo Ready,” a program focused on building neighborhood readiness and strengthening community resilience across Yolo County.
Developed in partnership with Rancho Yolo Davis, this initiative provides community members with resources and tools to work together in the early moments of a disaster.
To commence Yolo Ready, Yolo County OES hosted a Health and Safety Fair on Oct. 17, at Rancho Yolo, bringing together more than 20 local organizations to provide essential resources, services, and information intended to enhance community preparedness and resilience.
Yolo Ready em-
their decision to apply for the grant.
“This was a no-brainer for us,” he said. “We’ve seen how much time they save and how much safer they are for respond-
powers neighbors to support one another during the first critical hour of a disaster, which can significantly reduce injuries, protect property, and, most importantly, save lives. Through this program, participants work together to create an emergency response plan tailored to their neighborhood based on their needs. Plans include identifying available skills and resources, establishing immediate actions for post-disaster scenarios, and organizing response teams. While each neighborhood plan is unique, the program’s core principles of readiness and cooperation are central to every initiative.
“Yolo Ready is about building stronger, safer neighborhoods by empowering residents to take care of each other when it
ers. It’s a game-changer.”
Stronger partners
The addition of these tools also strengthens the collaboration between Winters Fire and its Joint Operating Agreement partners,
matters most,” said Kristin Weivoda, chief of emergency services for Yolo County. “In those first critical moments of a disaster, quick, coordinated actions can save lives. This program gives our communities the tools and knowledge they need to be ready.”
Yolo County OES offers a 90-minute workshop, available virtually or in person, to guide residents through the process of developing a neighborhood emergency plan. During these workshops, participants receive comprehensive materials, step-by-step instructions, and expert guidance. Learn about Yolo Ready or to schedule a neighborhood workshop, visit www. YoloCounty.gov/OES and select the “Yolo Ready” tab or email at OES@YoloCounty. gov.
Willow Oak Fire Protection District and West Plainfield Fire District. Snyder said that West Plainfield also received a grant to acquire similar equipment and that Willow Oak is planning to apply for funding in the next round.
The new tools not only enhance safety and efficiency but also open up possibilities for more coordinated responses in the region.
The collaboration between Winters Fire
Yolo County kicks off new recycling services
Special to the Express
In theme with America Recycles Day, also known as National Recycling Day, on Nov. 15, the Yolo County Landfill announced that food and beverage cartons are now accepted in the recycling stream.
Residents serviced by Waste Management in Woodland, West Sacramento, Winters, and unincorporated Yolo County will be able to place cartons in their blue-lidded recycling bin which began on Nov. 15.
Residential customers of Yolo County serviced by Recology in Davis, El Macero, North Davis Meadows and other rural pockets of Davis and Winters, will have access to drop-off cartons for recycling seven days a week, 24-hours a day, at 2727 Second Street in Davis, effective Dec. 1.
“We are excited to announce a new milestone in our efforts to reduce waste and promote sustainability in Yolo County, states Marissa Juhler, Yolo County Director of Integrated Waste Division. “This initiative reflects our commitment to expanding recycling opportunities, protecting our environment, and supporting our economy. We encourage everyone to take advantage of this new program and help us keep Yolo County clean and green for future generations.”
This initiative comes in response to
the growing demand for recycling services. Gable-top and aseptic cartons are made from a mix of paper, polyethylene, and aluminum (aseptic cartons). These layers provide protection against light, air, and harmful bacteria, but do not prevent them from being recycled. The estimated quantity of gable top and aseptic cartons generated in California is roughly 70,000 tons each year, of which only 20% is recycled in the state, demonstrating an opportunity for additional recycling growth of this material.
Recycled cartons (milk cartons, soup cartons, juice boxes, etc.) provide the raw materials for building products, as well as paper products such as tissue paper and paper towels. Cities throughout the state, such as Napa, San Diego, San Francisco, and Oakland are already participating in carton recycling. Cartons do not belong in trash carts since they are recyclable and are not to be placed in the organics bins since we do not want the plastic and aluminum layers contaminating the finished compost product. Therefore, source separation is necessary to ensure that all three waste streams are utilized correctly.
“The Carton Council is committed to increasing carton recycling so these valuable materials can go on to have a second life,” said Jason Pelz,
Vice President of Recycling for the Carton Council. “We’re thrilled to see Yolo County join the growing number of communities adding cartons to their programs.” For many waste service companies it can be especially challenging and economically cost prohibitive to add a bunker and optical sorter to their materials recovery facility, and for this reason there have been delays in implementing such programs and is why WM and Recology have taken different approaches to carton recycling. The addition of carton materials to the recycling stream reflects WM’s $29 million investment in advanced recycling technology at the Sacramento Recycling and Transfer Station. With 16 automated optical sorters, the upgraded facility captures and processes a greater percentage of recyclables. This improvement enables a cleaner, high-quality output that can be repurposed in meaningful ways, contributing to natural resource conservation, and reducing greenhouse gas emissions. These new services demonstrate the County’s desire to continually minimize its environmental footprint and promote sustainable practices in the region. For ideas on how to celebrate America Recycles Day check out https://tinyurl.com/ wastefreetips.
It’s time to nominate for the Toast of Winters community awards!
Submit your nomination for the Citizen of the Year, Business of the Year, Senior Citizen of the Year and the Theodore Winters Award now to Dec. 15. Submit nominations at https://bit.ly/ToastNomination2024
“This investment is about saving lives and improving the way we serve our community.”
Jack Snyder, fire chief
and the two fire districts was created to enhance the department’s capabilities and effectiveness and to provide the best service to citizens across all three jurisdictions. With two of the partners with new equip-
ment, crews can help more people in multiple communities or tend to more people on the scene at an incident if multiple vehicles are involved.
Plus, it gives fire crews and volunteers at all three stations to train and gain experience in using the new equipment, increasing the likelihood of survival for people who obtained injuries in vehicle accidents.
“This investment is about saving lives and improving the way we serve our community,”
Snyder said. In 2022, over 55,000 crashes across the country involved vehicle extrication, according to National Fire Incident Reporting System data. Making post-crash care vital in preventing serious injuries from turning fatal. Delays in providing expedient care impact survival chances. Reducing the time it takes to get to the patient, treating what can be treated, and transporting the patient to the hospital can be the difference between life and death. According to federal data, 42 percent of people who were killed in car crashes were alive when first responders arrived.
Eventos hispanos
Distrito escolar implementará encuesta
Aguiar reconocida
como becaria del
mérito
Por Logan Chrisp Traducido por Carol Alfonso
El Distrito Escolar
Unificado de Winters (Winters Joint Unified School District – JUSD) tuvo una agenda repleta en su reunión del pasado 7 de Noviembre. Los fideicomisarios se enteraron de la próxima Encuesta “Youth Truth Survey” y reconocieron a la primera Becaria Nacional del Mérito de Winters, así como a los estudiantes de intercambio internacionales.
Encuesta Youth Truth Survey
Del 2 al 20 de Diciembre, el Distrito Escolar Unificado de Winters distribuirá la Encuesta Youth Truth Survey para los estudiantes y para obtener información sobre la experiencia comunitaria de la escuela.
“Nuestro objetivo es utilizar esta retroalimentación para impulsar la mejora continua y asegurarnos de que estamos satisfaciendo las necesidades de nuestra comunidad escolar,” dijo Jenny Pinedo, Directora de Educación Especial y Servicios Estudiantiles.
Este es el segundo año que el Distrito Escolar Unificado de Winters ha utilizado la Encuesta sin fines de luco de Youth Truth Survey. Pinedo afirma que tener dos años de datos permitirá a la escuela comparar los resultados del año pasado y “con esta comparación, obtenemos una imagen clara de cómo funcionan nuestras iniciativas a lo largo del tiempo.”
La encuesta de este año se centrará en el clima y la cultura de las escuelas de Winters JUSD, con preguntas orientadas a examinar la experiencia general del estudiante. Las preguntas se adaptarán a cada nivel de grado y cubrirán la participación, los desafíos académicos, la pertenencia cultural y las relaciones.
Los estudiantes de la escuela secundaria y preparatoria tendrán una encuesta que enfatizará su nivel de participación en los desafíos académicos, su sentido de pertenencia cultural y las relaciones de
colaboración con sus compañeros. Para los estudiantes de primaria, las preguntas serán similares a las de los niveles superiores, pero incluirán preguntas sobre los métodos de instrucción que se utilizan, así como preguntas sobre el sentido de cultura, pertenencia y relaciones de los estudiantes con sus maestros y compañeros.
Se incorporarán preguntas sobre seguridad en todos los niveles de grado.
“Nuestro compromiso de escuchar a nuestros estudiantes, personal y familias se alinea directamente con las prioridades de nuestra junta para crear entornos seguros, acogedores e inclusivos, mejorando la participación y el acceso de los estudiantes, así como mejorando las acciones académicas. Esta encuesta presenta una de las herramientas más poderosas que tenemos para lograr estas cualidades,” dijo Pinedo. El proceso de encuesta comenzó el Martes 12 de Noviembre con la distribución de cartas de consentimiento pasivo a las familias a través de la aplicación ParentSquare. El consentimiento pasivo permite que los estudiantes participen a menos que un padre o tutor los excluya enviando un formulario antes del 22 de Noviembre. El período de la encuesta se extenderá del 2 al 20 de Diciembre, lo que le da al distrito algunas semanas para completar la encuesta en todos los niveles de grado participantes. Los estudiantes también pueden optar por no participar en la encuesta.
Los padres que deseen optar por que sus hijos no participen en la encuesta deben enviar el formulario de exclusión voluntaria enviado a la escuela de su hijo antes del 22 de Noviembre.
Los padres que deseen revisar las preguntas de la encuesta con anticipación deben comunicarse con el director de la escuela de su hijo para solicitar una copia. Las familias pueden
revisar las preguntas de la encuesta con anticipación comunicándose con Pinedo o con el director de su hijo.
Winters JUSD planea enviar recordatorios regulares a las familias durante todo el proceso de la encuesta para garantizar una amplia comunicación.
Pinedo explicó que la encuesta se alinea con las prioridades de la junta de Winters JUSD para fomentar un entorno de aprendizaje seguro, inclusivo y atractivo.
“En última instancia, al captar y actuar en función de las voces de nuestros estudiantes, personal, empleados y familias, estamos mejor equipados para fomentar entornos donde cada estudiante se sienta valorado y capacitado para tener éxito,” dijo Pinedo. Reconocimiento estudiantil
En un momento de orgullo para la escuela secundaria Winters High School y toda la comunidad, la estudiante de último año Allison Aguiar fue reconocida como Becaria al Mérito Nacional, la primera estudiante en la historia de Winters JUSD en recibir el premio.
El desempeño excepcional de Aguiar en el PSAT/NMSQT la ubicó entre los 16,000 mejores estudiantes del país y le valió esta prestigiosa designación. El éxito de Aguiar se extiende más allá de sus logros académicos. Líder en el capítulo FFA de WHS, Aguiar ha representado a California en la Convención Nacional FFA, obteniendo un lugar entre los 16 mejores en un entorno altamente competitivo. Su participación en FFA incluye servir como presidenta de la Región Central de FFA, donde lidera al menos a 30,000 miembros desde Esparto hasta Merced. También es una atleta consumada, sobresaliendo en voleibol, baloncesto y softbol.
A pesar de su apretada agenda, Aguiar equilibra una ambiciosa carga académica, que incluye múltiples cursos de Colocación Avanzada y clases de inscripción doble a través de Woodland Community College. También encuentra tiempo para dirigir un negocio de galletas que cofundó con su hermana durante la pandemia. En su tiempo libre, disfruta cocinando pla-
Justin Young. Young también reconoció a dos estudiantes de intercambio internacionales que asisten a WHS este año, Elin Dober de Suiza y Vertti Honkavaara de Finlandia. Ambos estudiantes hablaron en la reunión de la junta. Honkavaara explicó que la parte más difícil de venir a Winters desde Finlandia fue el cambio de horario de 10 horas que lo dejó mareado. Sin embargo, fue a la escuela al día siguiente, a pesar de la falta de sueño, y dijo que “fue bastante bien.” Honkavaara afirma que la escuela va bastante bien, especialmente su inglés. Honkavaara actualmente está jugando en el equipo de fútbol y planea continuar con sus esfuerzos deportivos probando para el equipo de baloncesto y luego para el equipo de golf en primavera.
tos franceses con su padre.
De cara al futuro, Aguiar planea asistir a una universidad de cuatro años para estudiar ciencias políticas con un enfoque en políticas agrícolas, inspirada por su experiencia en agricultura. Su objetivo es defender políticas agrícolas sostenibles que beneficien tanto al medio ambiente como a las comunidades agrícolas.
“Alli, estamos muy orgullosos de ti por tus logros académicos. Felicitaciones por ser nombrada becaria del mérito nacional y por todos tus logros,” dijo el director de WHS,
“El fútbol fue difícil de aprender. Todavía estoy aprendiendo cada práctica y estoy feliz de estar aquí,” dijo Honkavaara. Dober también es una gran atleta. Se unió al equipo de fútbol de WHS, el equipo campeón estatal, como Young les recordó a los asistentes a la reunión, a pesar de nunca haber jugado al fútbol antes.
“He jugado voleibol y ahora fútbol, y no he practicado ninguno de esos deportes, y es muy divertido, me gusta mucho y la gente es muy agradable,” dijo Dober.
“Realmente están cumpliendo con nuestro perfil de graduados al obtener ese conocimiento del contenido y la resiliencia al venir aquí y luego lanzarse de lleno, no solo para sobresalir en lo académico sino también en las actividades extracurriculares,” dijo Young.
Public Safety Report
City of Winters Fire
Nov. 6: 12:35 p.m., E. Baker Street, EMS call – excluding vehicle accident with injury
~10:50 p.m., Morgan Street, False alarm or false call, other
Nov. 8: 1:46 p.m., Baker Street, Power line down
~3:06 p.m., Niemann Street, Gas leak (natural gas or LPG)
~3:51 p.m., Railroad Avenue, EMS call – excluding vehicle accident with injury
~5:06 p.m., County Road 89, Motor vehicle accident with no injuries.
~5:27 p.m., Fourth Street, EMS call – excluding vehicle accident with injury
~11:53 p.m., Rail-
road Avenue, EMS call – excluding vehicle accident with injury
Nov. 9: 12:46 p.m., Thorpe Road, False alarm or false call –other
~5:58 p.m., Red Bud Lane, EMS call – excluding vehicle accident with injury
~8:21 p.m., Anderson Avenue, Water problem – other
~10:02 p.m., Anderson Avenue, Water problem – other Nov. 10: 12:48 p.m., E. Baker Street, EMS call – excluding vehicle accident with injury
~1:39 p.m., Baker Street, EMS call – excluding vehicle accident with injury
Nov. 11: 12:26 a.m., Highway 128, Motor vehicle accident with no injuries.
Lake Berryessa water levels down
Express staff
The water level of Lake Berryessa dropped by 0.10 of a foot during the past week, with a decrease in the storage of 1,777 acre-feet of water, according to Ken Emigh, Solano Project Technician with the Solano Irrigation District. On the morning of Tuesday, Nov. 19, he reported the lake elevation was 427.89 feet above sea level, with water storage behind the Monticello Dam computed at 1,330,101 acre-feet of water. The SID released 25 cubic feet per second of water in the Putah South Canal, with 35 cubic feet flowing into Putah Creek at the Diversion Dam. Evaporation on the lake averaged 46 acre-feet of water per day.
~3:39 a.m., Village Circle, EMS call – excluding vehicle accident with injury
~4:58 a.m., Highway 128, Motor vehicle accident with no injuries.
~10:28 a.m., Interstate 505/County Road 29A, Dispatched and canceled en route
~11:20 a.m., Morgan Street, EMS call – excluding vehicle accident with injury
Nov. 12: 12:02 a.m., E. Baker Street, Person in distress – other
Police Arrest Log
Nov. 7: Winters Juvenile (Age Unk.), Charges: Battery, Disposition: Released on Notice to Appear
Nov. 8: Ramos, Mathew Jon (Age 55); Charges: Reckless Driving, Resisting Arrest, Possession of Drug; Disposition: Transported to Yolo County Jail
Nov. 9: Corliss, Phillip Michael (Age 40), Charges: Violation of domestic violence restraining order, Disposition: Transported to Yolo County Jail Report Log
Nov. 6: 2:42 p.m., 100th block of Grant Avenue, Sex Offenses
Nov. 7: 7:12 p.m., 200th block of Main Street, Vandalism
Nov. 10: 12:49 p.m., 200th block of Railroad Avenue, Traffic Collision
Nov. 11: 11:14 a.m., 400th block of Morgan Street, Battery
Nov. 12: 10:45 a.m., 1000th block of Roosevelt Avenue, Lost Property
For our editorial policy on crime log entries, see www.winters express.com/unpub lishing-policy.
95 Years Ago
November 22, 1929
George A. Dawley of Arbuckle, the past half dozen years publisher of the Arbuckle American, but the past few months city editor of the Colusa Daily Sun is to take charge of the Winters Express under lease the first of the month.
The meeting scheduled for December 7th, called to discuss the feasibility of organizing a junior high school for Winters has been postponed.
To organize a Boy Scout troop here, committees have been named by the Exchange Club and the American Legion. Representing the Exchange Club are Arch Sale, Joe Griffin and Ed Baker. The Legion committee is Buel Ish. Charles Graf and V. S. Johnston.
Gas for fuel in Winters may soon be a reality Thebo, Starr and Anderson, Inc., engineers and constructors of Oakland and Tokio, represented by Herbert N. Witt, appeared before the City Council Tuesday evening and sought a franchise for laying mains and installing a gas plant in Winters. The board looks with favor on the project, but laid the matter over until the December meeting.
Miss Venus McGarr gave a birthday party in honor of her little nephew, Donelle Barty at her home on Monday afternoon.
Harry Fredericks
YESTERYEAR
Tractors
Picked by Charley Wallace
always been a big part of
Years Ago
Dispatches from the Express archives.
and sons Billy and John attended the football game in Berkeley last Saturday.
80 Years Ago
November 24, 1944
Mr. and Mrs. F. C. Hemenway are announcing the marriage of their daughter, Margaret Ann, to Lt. A. E. Danzero, of Joliet, Illinois. The rite was solemnized with U.S. Navy appointment, in the Rectory of St. Anthony’s Catholic church, Long Beach, November 16.
Mr. and Mrs. E. M. Vasey and daughter, Marilyn had Thanksgiving dinner with relatives in Chico.
Mr. and Mrs. Howard Hansen and children will spend the Thanksgiving holidays with relatives in Pleasanton.
Lt. and Mrs. William Duncan and little son are spending the former’s holiday furlough with local relatives. They arrived the first of the week from Roswell, New Mexico.
At a meeting last Friday, 8th grade elementary pupils elected the following officers: President, Marlene Hague; vice president, Anna Reiff; secretary, Rose Amrine, and treasurer, Carmen Rubio.
45 Years Ago
November 22, 1979
Shirley Rominger hosted a family
dinner party on Sunday, November 18, for her husband, Don, who was 50 years old that day. Also honored at the celebration were his mother Anne Rominger, and his sister, Lucille Russell, whose birthdays fall close to his. Russell and Eunice Davis will be celebrating their 38th wedding anniversary on Thanksgiving Day, to be spent with their daughter and sonin-law, Vicki and J.B. Looney of Winters.
On Tuesday, November 27, the Winters Future Farmers of America will hold the Chapter Farmer initiation at the new ag facility at 6 p.m. The F.F.A. members and their parents have been invited to the initiation. The program will include a Quarter-a-clump potluck dinner. Those that will be initiated are Larry Pisani, Joseph Gray, Steve Lawshe, Chris Kresa, Kerry Crowe, Eric Renfro, George Griffin, Steve Norsworthy, Mike Eldridge, Noel Carbahal, Mickey Johnston and Steve Montenegro.
The Lions Club is sponsoring another blood drive on December 8 at Pat McGarr Fire Station from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. Since September, 91 pints of blood have been used by Winters residents, or their relatives, depleting the supply available in the blood bank to zero.
File photo
have
Winters. This picture shows Felicia Diaz and Vernon Jeffery working at City Park, which was later named the Felicia Diaz Park. This picture was taken in 1953. It would be great to see a tractor in the Tractor Parade, but the streets would
Supervisors approve allocation of YCOE ARP funds
By Rebecca Wasik McNaughton Media
On Tuesday, Nov. 12, the Yolo County Board of Supervisors received an update on the Roadmap to the Future and approved an array of projects worth $1.95 million in funding.
In December 2023, the board approved the Yolo County Office of Education’s request to use an additional $250,000 of the $2.2 million set aside under the American Rescue Plan Children, Youth, and Family Priority Category, leaving a remaining balance of $1.95 million. This October, the board directed staff to work with YCOE to develop a proposal for allocating this remaining sum.
The proposed funding summary from Yolo County and YCOE staff detailed by need category, funding allocation and duration of:
• Childcare/Early Childhood Support: $263,530 for up to two fiscal years
• Mental Health: $500,000 for two fiscal years
• Transportation and Housing: $100,000 a one-time use
• Expanded Learning and Leadership Development: $107,000 for
DATA Continued from Page 1
California, Woodland and Esparto. Girimonte noted that significant drops in performance occurred after the COVID-19 pandemic across all levels in ELA results. While Woodland and the state were shown to have slightly increased their ELA scores, Winters and Esparto school districts have declined.
Winters JUSD fared slightly better in the comparison with the rest of the region in math results, showing improvement from last year, while Esparto has declined.
Girimonte added that these results were less than ideal, more focused work was needed to be done.
“These results suggest that additional focus and targeted interventions are needed to help more students reach and exceed proficiency,” said Girimonte.
Principals across
two fiscal years
• Food Access: $200,000 for two fiscal years
• Thriving Young Adulthood and Job Access: $204,470 a onetime use with ongoing benefits
• Community Navigation System (Basic): $250,000 for three fiscal years
• Optional: Enhanced Community Navigation System: $325,000 for three fiscal years
The funding allocation total was $1,950,000.
The board ultimately decided to transfer the funding for ‘Thriving in Young Adulthood and Job Access’ to ‘Childcare and Early Childhood Support’, as well as transfer the funding for ‘Transportation’ to ‘Mental Health’ with the flexibility to decide whether to dedicate any funds to the Transformational Change Partnership. The Transformational Change Partnership works to successfully implement initiatives and reforms in ways that improve operations, relationships, and results for the communities they serve. The partnership emphasizes human-centered design, community engagement, inter-agency collab-
the school district provided their perspectives on the CAASPP results from their school sites, with the exemption of Waggoner Elementary School whose students do not participate in the statewide testing. CAASPP testing is for students in third through eighth grades and eleventh-graders.
School site specifics
Shirley Romiger Intermediate School Principal Monica Moreno said of the ELA results, Rominger saw a 4 percent increase in students not meeting the standard compared to last year’s results. For math, the data showed minimal change, similar to the rest of the district, with a slight increase in students not meeting the standard.
Moreno said they will be using Professional Learning Communities (PLCs) to better ready teachers for how they’ll respond to students who haven’t learned the standards,
oration, change management and continuous improvement as essential to developing recovery-oriented, comprehensive, and cost-effective services that improve lives and reduce disparities in California communities.
“I could support all of these things,” said Supervisor Mary Vixie Sandy. “But I also think some of these things represent a more significant need than others.”
Supervisor Angel Barajas recused himself from this item. With the two funding transfer changes, the board approved the rest of the staff recommendation unanimously.
Informational-only presentations
The board also received informational-only presentations on the three-year Mental Health Services Act Plan and the COVID-19 After Action Report.
The Yolo County Board of Supervisors will next meet on Dec. 3. View the calendar of meetings dates and meeting agendas and packets online at https://www.yolocounty.gov/government/ board-of-supervisors/ board-meetings.
and how to track progress. Upcoming PLCs will focus on tracking when students have learned the standards and how to address the students if they haven’t. She said that teachers will bring the data back to their next PLC, and decide how the faculty will address it.
Winters Middle School saw higher drops in ELA and math scores than Rominger and the high school. In ELA, there was a 4.72 percent, and in math, a 2 percent drop from 2022–23.
WMS Principal Jose Bermudez acknowledged the challenges reflected in the CAASPP results but suggested that the CAASPP isn’t the best representation of how the students at the middle school are performing and the results do not tell the full story of the work being done at the school.
“For us at the middle school, we had a couple of transitions with teachers that
were able to analyze and put to use.
They then compared each position with similar positions in Auburn, Davis, Dixon, Galt, Marysville, Oroville, Placerville, Rocklin, Vacaville and West Sacramento to get an idea of how the job requirements for each position vary by city, and to look at how competitive the pay currently being offered by the city of Winters is.
“It was important to look at total compensation, which includes all extra pay and benefits, so we had a true ‘apples to apples’ comparison,” Craig said. “For example, the study showed (that) while some of our salary ranges may look below market, some of that gap is made up by the benefits we offer, which tend to be more robust.”
Cochran also referenced the city’s generous benefits program during her presentation, which includes an in-lieu healthcare payment that, if not used for healthcare needs, becomes extra cash in each employee’s pocket.
The presentation
affected the flow,” Bermudez said. “In order to change some of the data, it’s also a cultural and mindset shift with the adults at the school site and that takes a little bit of time.”
and survey were informational, not presenting specific decisions for the council to make at this time. One new class was created in the final report, some classes were minorly retitled, and all of the class descriptions were updated based on the information gathered.
Some of the changes recommended were changing the title of the current Accountant position for the city to Payroll or Accounting Technician, splitting the two full-time Community Service Officer positions into part-time Records Clerk, Community Services Officer, and Code Enforcement Officer positions in the future, and setting compensation amounts per responsibility level (management, mid-man-
do we align that with some of the words and problems that students are going to face when they come across CAASPP or CAASPP-like questions,” said Young.
“We know who wins and who loses in public schools, so we’re working on improving how we collaborate and personalize learning.”
Rody Boonchouy, superintendent
District-wide strategic planning, focus
Bermudez echoed the importance of PLCs, explaining that the middle school introduced a new flexible schedule to provide personalized support during and after class to help students in areas of struggle.
Winters High School was the exception in the CAASPP testing results, seeing a much larger increase in both ELA and math.
For ELA, the high school saw an 18.9 percent increase, and in math, a 7.76 percent increase from last year. WHS Principal Justin Young emphasized that the results reflect the hard work of everyone involved and shared encouraging news about improvements in scores.
Young credited the implementation of the English Reading and Writing Course (ERWC) and the Math Diagnostic Testing Project (MDTP) as key contributors to the progress. The school also adopted strategies from the AVID program, focusing on enhancing student engagement through research-based teaching methods.
“Our math team has been very attuned with looking at their own instruction and curriculum, and how
agement, and so on) at more equal and exact tiers.
According to Craig, if any changes to compensation or positions offered are made, action will only be taken after the labor groups have reviewed the report and if specific changes are brought back to the council for review and discussion.
“The report is a great tool to understand where our compensation ranks compared to our comparable cities, so we can continue to attract and retain high-quality employees for the city,” Craig said.
The finding from the study are available in the Nov. 5 Winters City Council agenda packet online at https:// www.cityofwinters. org/194/Meetings.
said. He also raised broader questions about the state’s approach to assessing educational success, urging a reexamination of the metrics used to measure progress.
Board President Joedy Michael acknowledged the limitations of CAASPP data but still wasn’t comfortable with the results.
“There are definitely parts of this data that are hard to sit with,” Michael said. “But we need to keep focusing on building systems that will drive future success.”
Girimonte stressed the importance of using data-driven insights to drive improvements, while also recognizing the efforts that go beyond standardized testing. She referenced a recent visit to several classrooms, where she witnessed students engaging in AVID strategies, celebrating cultural heritage, and participating in dual-language learning environments.
Girimonte reiterated the district’s commitment to using data-driven strategies to improve outcomes while recognizing that standardized testing does not fully reflect the complex realities of teaching and learning. She pointed out the district’s ongoing efforts in areas like dual-language learning and cultural engagement, highlighting classroom experiences that go beyond the numbers.
Superintendent Rody Boonchoy further emphasized the importance of refining district-wide systems.
“We know who wins and who loses in public schools, so we’re working on improving how we collaborate and personalize learning,” Boonchouy
Trustee Sterling Davis spoke candidly about the challenges the data reveals, especially for students who experienced disrupted learning during the pandemic.
“These kids missed foundational skills, and we’re seeing the results now,” Davis said. As the district moves forward, Girimonte noted that the district is working towards enhancing student engagement and increasing access to high-quality educational experiences.
In December, the district will revisit plans to adopt an ethnic studies course and a partner course for freshmen, which are expected to further enrich the curriculum and promote student voice.
The CAASPP data will be posted on the California School Dashboard in December. This will provide the public with an opportunity to explore these findings in more detail. While the results present challenges, the district’s leadership remains committed to addressing them through continued collaboration, targeted interventions, and a focus on long-term improvement.
Express file photo
The study looked at compensation and job descriptions from similar City Hall models to create a comparison.
Yoga practice provides a lifestyle beyond the mat
By Angela Underwood Express correspondent
Yoga mats strewn outside a meeting room in Winters Community Library on the first day of Kimberly Unger’s yoga classes prove the popularity of the ancient practice.
“There’s really a demand for it,” Unger said of the Sunday-morning instruction offered free in November, through funding provided by the Winters Friends of the Library.
Unger fell in love with yoga in 2014. After practicing on and off for a few years, she became certified in 2017 when she was pregnant with her first child.
“I found that movement, in general, really helped with a lot of the symptoms,” Unger said of her lower back pain and nerve issues.
“I noticed every time I went to a class, it made me feel better physically and even mentally — it made me feel more refreshed.”
After a “deep dive into yoga traditions and history,” Unger said she understood Yoga is not simply exercise “but a way of life.
“When people think about yoga, they always picture a flexible person just doing all these poses, and that’s really not what it is,” Unger said.
Harvard Medical School reported “Yoga benefits beyond the
mat” in July, citing the first plus as a better body image followed by becoming a mindful eater. According to research, yoga also boosts weight loss and maintenance and provides cardiovascular benefits.
Intention trumps flexibility in the ancient practice.
Unger further detailed that with “yoga, you start anywhere or meet yourself wherever you are” when it comes to complicated poses.
“You get there and even if you don’t get there and you don’t, you know, stick that pose,” Unger said. “It’s not about how it looks, but more about how it makes you feel.”
When Unger teaches, she reminds students to be ”kind” to themselves rather than critical. The theory stems from ahimsa, which means “do no harm.”
journey is to leave all expectations behind. After laying down demands on the body, Unger encourages her clients to pick up props to help modify complicated poses and to communicate their concerns at the beginning of class.
“That way, we can workshop one-on-one, Unger said, adding there is no room for stigma in the practice.
“You’re giving kindness to your body.”
Yoga also has no end goal — instead, it is a constant intention.
Unlike a treadmill run, which is “very physical” Unger explains the spiritual side of the practice.
“I think with physical activity and exercise, when you’re pushing yourself like that, you’re in the physical sensations, you’re in the moment,” Unger said. “When doing a balancing pose, you’re the most present because you real-
“It’s not about how it looks, but more about how it makes you feel.”
Kimberly Unger
“Kindness starts with yourself, giving yourself that love, forgiveness, and letting your body be whatever it is,” Unger said. “That’s your starting point.”
One way to begin the
kept present and not on what is for dinner later.
“That’s when the other parts of yoga come in, where we practice mindfulness and breathwork,” Unger said of the mental aspect of the exercise.
“When you combine it with the movement, it’s just like a blend of different little modalities that come together to make yoga unique.”
ly have to focus; if you don’t, you’re falling over.”
Taming the “monkey mind” is one way to avoid a fall or feelings of failure, according to Unger, explaining the intention must be
With two more weekends left in November, locals can enjoy the gratis classes at the library.
For more information about yoga sessions, send an email to kimberlyungerhealingarts@gmail.com or text 415-343-5684.
Movember beyond the mustache
Metro Special to the Express
Studies have found that men might be more tight-lipped about their health than women. According to Kaiser Permanente, men sometimes don’t talk about their health because of cultural attitudes, fear or pride. As a result, men may not be able to catch illnesses at their earliest stages, which can reduce their life expectancy.
The Movember movement was established as an effort to raise awareness about men’s health and wellness. Movember gets men involved in their personal health in a
fun way — by growing mustaches.
The Movember movement began in 2003 as a way to champion men’s health. Since its inception, Movember has helped fund more than 1,320 men’s health projects around the world, including changing the way health services reach and support men.
The main focus of Movember — beyond growing a mustache — involves significant issues affecting men: mental health and suicide prevention, prostate cancer and testicular cancer. Participants are urged to be more physically active and host fundraising
events to raise awareness about the effect these issues have on men. Much like Breast Cancer Awareness Month in October serves to spur more women to get mammograms and take breast health seriously, Movember is a chance for men to make doctor’s appointments and discuss key issues like prostate health.
In fact, the Prostate Cancer Foundation is an official beneficiary partner with Movember for their US campaign. To date, Movember has donated more than $56 million to PCF to support innovative prostate cancer research.
Courtesy photo
Practicing yoga sets people up to be more intentional and thoughtful about all parts of their daily lives. All ages can engage in yoga sessions.
Courtesy photo
Kimberly Unger is certified in yoga and combines movement, meditation, breath work and sound healing as part of the experience during her sessions.
Thursday, November 21
Yolo Active Transportation Corridor Open House, 5:30–7 p.m., El Rio Villa Community Room, 62 Shams Way
Winters JUSD School Board Meeting, 6 p.m., School District Office, Zoom Meeting info, check https://wintersjusd.diligent.community
Thursdays
Eat Well Yolo Food Distribution, first and third Thursdays, 10 a.m. As supplies last, RISE, Inc., 417 Haven St., 530-668-0690
Tuesday, November 26
Winters Planning Commission Meeting, Meeting Cancelled www.cityofwinters.org/planning-commission/
Wednesdays
Eat Well Yolo Drive – Through Food Distribution
Wednesdays, 3:30 p.m. As supplies last, Winters High student parking lot, off Railroad Avenue
Upcoming Events
Tuesday, December 3
Winters City Council Meeting, 6:30 p.m., Council chamber (318 First St.), Zoom Meeting info, check www.cityofwinters.org/ city-council-meetings_/
Tuesday, December 10
Winters Planning Commission Special Meeting, 6:30 p.m.,City Hall Large Conference Room (Abbey Street entrance), Zoom Meeting info, check www.cityofwinters.org/planning-commission/
Library Services
Winters Library Open to Public (School in Session), Winters Community Library, Mon/Wed: 8 a.m.–6 p.m.,
Tue/Thu: 8 a.m.–8 p.m., Fri: 8 a.m.–5 p.m. , Sat: 1–5 p.m.
Teen Tuesday (ages 12-18), Second Tuesdays, 2 p.m., Winters Community Library
Bilingual Storytime (ages 0-5), Wednesdays, 10:30 a.m., Winters Community Library
Virtual English Conversation Group Tuesdays, 2-3 p.m., One time registration required: Contact Nancy Pacheco 530-666-8019 or nancy.pacheco@ yolocounty.org
Mangonada Monday (ages 6-12), fourth Monday, 3:30 p.m.
Tech Thursdays, Thursdays, 2-7:30 p.m., call 530-6668005 to schedule an appointment. Bilingual sessions available upon request.
Saturday Matinee, First Saturday, 2 p.m., Winters Community Library
All You Need is Love Romance Book Club, Second Saturday, 4 p.m., Hooby’s Brewing
Older Adult Programs
Winters Senior Foundation Chair Yoga Class for Seniors, Wednesdays, 9:30-11 a.m., St. Anthony Parish Hall (511 W. Main St.)
Winters Senior Foundation Social Gathering, Thurdays, 1-3:30 p.m., St. Anthony Parish Hall (511 W. Main St.)
Ongoing
Winters Friends of the Library meeting, first Monday, 7 p.m., Winters Community Library, Margaret Parsons Room, wfol.org
Winters Fortnightly meeting, second Tuesdays (September through April), 1 p.m., St. Anthony Parish Hall (511 W. Main St.)
Rotary Club of Winters meeting, Thursdays, Noon, The Buckhorn
Winters Museum public hours Thursday thru Sunday, 1-5 p.m., 13 Russell St. Winters Open Mic, third Thursday of the month, 6 p.m. (sign-ups begin at 5:30 p.m.), Winters Opera House, Main Street.
Metaphysical Book Club, Fridays at 5 p.m., 212 Grant Ave., Sign up at dixiesbookclub@gmail.com or call 530212-5026
12-Step Bonfire meeting, third Friday, 6:30 p.m. fellowship, 7 p.m. meeting, LuNita Ranch, 8189 Olive School Ln, Winters, Bring a camp chair.
Kiwanis Club of Winters meeting, fourth Wednesday, 6 p.m., Turkovich Family Wines - Boss Lounge, kiwanisclubofwinters@gmail.com
Democracy Winters meeting, third Saturdays, 10 a.m.Noon, Meeting details in newsletter, contact info@ democracywinters.org
Walking Meditation, third Sunday, 8:30 to 9:30 a.m., Meet behind the Winters Community Center, 201 Railroad Ave.
Alcoholics Anonymous meetings:
» St. Anthony Parish Hall, 511 Main St. (back entrance) Tuesdays, 7-8 a.m. and Fridays, 7-8 a.m.
» Yolo Housing office building, 62 Shams Way: Thursdays, 7-8 p.m. and Sundays, 9 a.m.
State needs bold solutions HOMES, Page 2
Charley gets his shot at a buck OPINION, Page 3
Warriors advance in playoffs SPORTS, Page 5
Putah vital to annual salmon run
By Angela Underwood Express correspondent
While the buzz of the seventh annual Winters Salmon Festival is over, protecting the water flow in Putah Creek is not.
Max Stevenson, the Putah Creek streamkeeper for the Solano County Water Agency and the Lower Putah Creek Coordinating Committee, said next week the water agency plans “another pulse flow in an effort to get 50 or 100 more salmon.”
The quintessential source when it comes to all things salmon, Stevenson discussed the significance of honoring the fall-run Chinook salmon return. This year’s festival theme, “From Sea to Stream: The Journey of the Fall-run Chinook Salmon,’ was very much on purpose.
“The message of salmon swimming in
the water wasn’t getting through to a lot of people,” Stevenson said. “We wanted to emphasize the creek more.”
Many locals were unaware that Putah Creek connects to the ocean, according to Stevenson, who said the water flows downhill to San Francisco Bay and up the Golden Gate.
“We wanted people
to think about how connected we are to the ocean even in downtown Winters,” Stevenson said. “The Salmon are born as little babies in Winters, and then they swim out when they are a few inches long and spend three years out in the ocean and come back.”
Unlike other California salmon streams in the west and Coast
Range, Stevenson said Winters’ location is essential for statewide recovery since most salmon are spawning way up the Sacramento River and Sierra.
“What we hope for over time is to increase the stability of the native population of fish in Winters,” Stevenson said.
“From a statewide perspective, salmon are going down in the state, and populations are going up in Putah Creek.”
Stevenson said it all started in 2014 when a “real salmon run” occurred.
He said Putah Creek was put on the salmon map after “10s of millions of dollars in grant funding” and the efforts of landowners, the community, the city of Winters, and local Resource Conservation Districts.
“Everyone was
See SALMON, Page 5
TRAVELS
Carrie Broom/Courtesy photo
The Winters Express made it to Craig, Colo., last week with this group of deer hunters. Pictured from left are Aaron Anderson, Cody Warren, Rich Warren, Ralph Anderson, Mark Ramos, Charley Wallace, Robert Warren, Lorin Warren, Rob Warren, Walker Broom (holding the Express) and manager of the Sombrero Ranches and want-a-be Governor of Colorado, Donald Broom. The group bagged 11 bucks with the smallest being a 3x4 point buck and the largest being a 4x4 point buck.
Donald Sanders/Courtesy photo
Winters resident Donald Sanders snapped a photo of piles of trash collected from three different camps on Nov. 15. City of Winters public works crews and volunteers from Putah Creek Council were hard at work to clear out the areas.
People can observe salmon swimming up Putah Creek under the train and car bridges.
Courtesy photo
Courtesy photo
Salmon spawn in the creek as adults. Once the baby salmon hatch, they begin their journey.
Leaders call for bold solutions to solve housing crisis
California Association of Realtors
Special to the Express
Top housing industry experts from across the state and nation gathered last month for the Center for California Real Estate’s flagship event of the year, the CCRE Housing Summit: Charting California’s Future. The forum brought together academics, state and local officials, and private sector experts to examine California’s political and socioeconomic landscape, homeownership trends, and strategies to expand housing supply. Featuring keynotes from Senate President pro Tempore Emeritus Toni G. Atkins and Nobel laureate Dr. Douglas W. Diamond, the forum sparked critical conversations on the state’s housing crisis, drawing hun-
dreds of attendees across California. The event built upon a year of CCRE dialogue on many converging issues around housing — yielding important emerging insights and setting the stage for crucial conversations in 2025.
Key among those shared during the Housing Summit include: 1. California’s affordability crisis demands urgency to expand options for the “missing middle.”
The state’s affordability crisis is described as “the biggest threat to California’s vitality,” according to Tomiquia Moss, California Business, Consumer Services, and Housing Secretary. Moss said that more than two-thirds of Californians today spend over 30 percent of their income on rent, stressing that “housing is foundational to
all the other ways in which Californians live our lives,” influencing everything from health to educational outcomes. However, Moss noted that past efforts to address
but we also need a lot more market-rate housing and pitting these two things against each other has caused us a lot of problems,” Phillips said.
(the region’s) RHNA targets.”
Even with these shortages, a recent Los Angeles Times survey revealed a striking perception gap: “74 percent of
“We do need more deed-restricted, affordable housing, but we also need a lot more market-rate housing and pitting these two things against each other has caused us a lot of problems.”
Shane Phillips, housing initiative manager
affordability have primarily centered on providing shelter for the elderly and unhoused, leaving little attention to the “missing middle” or firsttime homebuyers.
communities of color.
The panel discussed persistent racial disparities that continue to limit homeownership opportunities for communities of color in California, blocking pathways to generational wealth.
Tara Roche, Project Director, Pew Charitable Trusts’ Housing Policy Initiative, reported a 30-percentage point gap between black and white households when it comes to homeownership. Roche called for more modernization of the rules and regulations to bring more lenders back into this space as policy continues to change around the ways people can access financing.
Shane Phillips, Housing Initiative Manager, UCLA Lewis Center for Regional Policy Studies, agreed. “We do need more deed-restricted, affordable housing,
Los Angeles has struggled to deliver adequate supply, particularly for middle-income earners, according to Mary Leslie, President, Los Angeles Business Council & LABC Institute. “We built a lot of market-rate, high-end, and we built some low-income housing, but the middle was a failure — we hit just 3 percent of
respondents still believe that homeownership is within reach, despite the reality that, for most, it isn’t,” Leslie added. Policy solutions need to address the full spectrum of housing needs, yet “I do not think there is the political will to reach the scale we need,” said Leslie.
2. Despite persistent racial disparities, state financial support is helping increase homeownership for
“Across the country, about three-quarters of black home applicants who apply for financing on a manufactured home are denied credit.”
Programs like California’s Dream for All, which provides targeted down payment assistance, are working to address
See HOMES, Page 5
Express Yourself
There is a whole other world out there
You read a lot about people leaving California for greener pastures, but have you ever tried to live somewhere else? I have not, and I don’t plan on leaving California, or Winters for that matter.
A group of Wintersites ventured to Craig, Colorado, last week on a hunting trip.
There were nine of us who grew up in Winters, mostly Trump supporters, who were happy about the election results. I took a little flack for voting for Kamala, but life goes on and I reminded them that we live in California, so a Trump presidency shouldn’t have that much of an effect on us. There is also the business side of my life, where I believe that the government needs to stop over-regulating every aspect of our lives, so I’m hoping for the best from President Trump and counting on the checks and balances in the Constitution. The political pendulum swings back-and-forth, trying to find a happy medium. Even California is swinging back to the middle after the
“Miles of nothing between miles of nothing with sagebrush and high desert landscaping.”
left-wing extremists have moved the Democratic Party too far to the left, just as the right-wing extremists have pushed the Republican Party too far to the right. Most of us live in the middle.
Driving to Colorado is an experience all by itself. Miles of nothing between miles of nothing with sagebrush and high-desert landscaping. The Sombrero Ranch, just outside of Craig, is a horse ranch right out of a Louis L’Amour novel. That would be our home for four nights while we hunted for mule deer. I have gone deer “hunting” from time to time, but the only buck I shot was in 1972.
I’m not sure I would call it a bucket list, but hunting out of
See QUICK, Page 4
Horoscopes
ARIES (Mar 21/Apr 20),
Aries, put aside any errant musings and give important tasks your utmost attention this week. Energy is better spent on others, so keep this in mind when you get busy.
TAURUS (Apr 21/May 21),
Taurus, your coworkers are all excited and fussing over a new development. Maintain an even keel as you assess the situation. You can be curious, but be guarded as well.
GEMINI (May 22/Jun 21),
Gemini, your love life is in a really good place this week, which enables you to spend some quality time with your special someone. A romantic dinner sounds like a good plan.
CANCER (Jun 22/Jul 22),
Your partner is the most important person in your life right now, Cancer. So much so that this week every bit of your attention will be focused his or her way.
LEO (Jul 23/Aug 23), Leo, money could be burning a hole in your pocket, so you might want to go on a spending spree. Keep in mind that there are a few big-ticket purchases waiting in the wings.
VIRGO (Aug 24/Sept 22), You don’t always have to be decisive, Virgo. Sometimes you can kick back and let someone else make decisions for a change. This is a great way to rest and recharge.
LIBRA (Sept 23/Oct 23), A few jobs need to get done, Libra. But afterwards you should have plenty of time for some social interaction, whether that be attending a party or simply enjoying a night out.
SCORPIO (Oct 24/Nov 22), Scorpio, think about the things you want instead of what other people want. It’s alright to be a little selfish once in a while and put yourself first for a change.
SAGITTARIUS (Nov 23/Dec 21), Sagittarius, you could have fun this week and so may all the other people around you simply for being in your presence. This situation will continue in the days ahead.
CAPRICORN (Dec 22/Jan 20), Capricorn, the next challenge on your list could be a big one. But if there is anyone who can handle the pressure, it is you. Don’t be afraid to call on friends if you need them.
AQUARIUS (Jan 21/Feb 18), Aquarius, go out into the world and try a few new things. Your social energy and curiosity might peak this week, and you’ll need new experiences to feel satisfied.
PISCES (Feb 19/Mar 20), Your finances might need an overhaul, Pisces. This could mean taking a new job or expanding what you’re doing to earn more. Start putting out feelers to gain information.
state was on my list of things to do while I still can. Like a lot of travel, just getting to your destination is harder than it used to be. Lorin Warren, I think he is 86, was my inspiration. If he can keep moving, so can I. When I asked Rob Warren how many old people were going, he answered, “My father, a guy named Larry from Woodland and you.”
It snowed the first night we were there, but our rooms had a heater, so all was good. I was warned about the smell in the rooms from the sulfur water. I didn’t think much about it until I needed a shower. There was a sign over the sink telling you to not drink the water, but the two cases of bottled water that we brought with us were a hint.
Lorin and I shot our deer on the first-morning hunt, we both said it was to get it out of the way. I was nervous after all these years and picked out a nice 3x4 point buck, less than 200 years away, and one shot later, my hunting days were over. Only one per-
Express Yourself
son didn’t kill a deer, as he was looking for a larger buck and passed up shooting just for the meat. These are tough people who live and work on ranches at over 6,000 feet. The kitchen and dining rooms were adequate, but the food was just to fill you up. We ate with the cowboys on the ranch, breakfast, lunch and dinner. I didn’t always see them at lunch, but they were there early every morning, starting at 6 a.m. There was a pot of hot coffee 24–7.
The boss, Donald Broom, is an impressive man. No one questioned who was in charge at the ranch. He is a county commissioner and he had grown up in the business. His father is still alive, over 90, running another Sombrero Ranch in a different state. Donald is maybe 15 years younger than I am, but was being followed around by his three-year-old son, Walker. He also has two, much older, daughters. He seems to be enjoying life and that is all that matters.
I’m sure the weather is nice most of the time, but I don’t think I could survive a winter in Colorado. Have a good week.
Special to the Express
This column is written by the Master Gardeners of Yolo County each month. It provides answers to selected questions that recently came into the UCCE Master Gardener – Yolo County Help Desk.
Q: Fall seems to finally be here. What should I be doing in the garden now?
A: Fall is one of the best times of year in the garden. The days are cooler, and summer flowers, vegetables and fruit may still be producing, cold weather vegetables and annual flowers can be planted and this is the time to lay the foundation for your spring and summer garden next year. As the days grow shorter, it is also a good time to reflect on the gardening year that was.
Fall is the best time to plant perennials such as salvias, lavender, rosemary and yarrow. They will slowly develop a strong root system over the winter and be ready to put on new growth come spring. Remember though, even if considered drought tolerant, they will need extra water if we have a dry fall and winter and for the entire first year as they become fully established.
One of the wonderful things about the mild winters we have in Yolo County is the opportunity to garden 12 months of the year. Many cool-weather vegetables such as broccoli, kale and lettuce thrive here in the winter.
Later summer and early fall is the time to put those in so that they become established before the colder weather hits. The same is true for cold-weather annual flowers such as sweet peas, snapdragons, calendulas and violas. The seed for native wildflowers; California poppy, tidy tips, blue-eyed grass and many more can now be scattered and worked into open spaces.
And don’t forget to plant some bulbs or divide the ones you planted a few years ago, including daffodils, iris and allium. Flowering bulbs will brighten up the spring and come back year after year.
This is a good time to add a couple of inches of compost to all of your garden beds. Summer beds that do not have winter flowers or a vegetable crop should have a cover crop planted, a legume such as fava beans, grass such as winter rye, or at least protect them with a thick layer of mulch, such as straw or dried leaves.
This is also a good time for lawn care. Since lawns require a disproportionate amount of water, energy and time to maintain, you might want to consider replacing some or all with drought-tolerant perennials or room for annual vegetables or flowers. For the lawn you decide to keep, de-thatching, aerating, fertilizing and over-seeding poorly performing sections is timely. Fertilize with a complete fertilizer that contains nitrogen, phosphorus and potassium. Check your sprinkler system now to make sure there are no leaks and overspray. You can also cut back on water at this time.
Most fruit trees and berries could use a light pruning now to remove dead or crossing branches. Heavier pruning is usually done in January or February, except for apricots, cherries and other plants susceptible to fungal infections. Pick up any fallen fruit to help prevent the spread of disease.
The first dormant spray of peaches and nectarines is usually applied shortly after Thanksgiving with additional applications at the New Year and
early February. Newly potted shade trees can be planted now. Bareroot fruit trees are best planted in January and February.
Most of all, indulge yourself with some time spent just sitting in your garden. It is a great time of year to slow down and enjoy the view.
Q: I had two crapemyrtle trees removed and had the stumps ground. Now I have suckers coming up around where the trunks had been as well as many feet away. They come back as soon as I get rid of them. Help!
A: This problem can be a real frustration for the gardener and is unfortunately relatively common. In addition to crapemyrtle (the preferred spelling) trees and bushes known to readily sprout from their roots even after being cut down and the stumps ground include: willows, poplars, cottonwoods, European chestnuts, locust, elms, certain types of oaks, redwoods, some rose rootstocks and many fruit trees like pears, peaches, plums, and cherries (including the ornamental varieties) and, of course, privet. These plants are considered vigorous sprouters due to their extensive and long-lived root systems that can produce new growth even after the main trunk is gone.
There are a few steps you can take but frankly, time and patience will be required. The first is to dig out as many of the roots as you can. Fortunately,
most vigorous sprouters have shallow roots but digging them out can still be a lot of work and will not solve the problem entirely. It is a good first step. Of course, if you have already planted a replacement tree or bush, extensive digging may do more harm than good. Whether you dig out the roots or not, the non-chemical approach is to consistently cut the suckers as soon as they appear. Over time, this can weaken the roots as they expend energy to keep sending up new growth. With persistence, this method can eventually reduce the number of suckers. Be prepared though, because it will likely take multiple seasons to control the problem. Another option is to use a systemic herbicide specifically designed to target root growth. These products work by penetrating the plant’s vascular system and killing it down to the roots. If you choose this approach, wait until the sprouts are showing several leaves since the product is absorbed through the leaf surface. Be cautious when using herbicides, as they can harm other plants in the area. Always read the label carefully and follow the mixing, application and disposal instructions. You may need to apply it multiple times before the suckers stop coming back. While it’s
Sports
Warriors knock Hamilton out of playoffs
Winters squares up with East Nicolaus in championship game
By Sydney Andrade Express staff writer
Winters squares up with East Nicolaus in championship game
On Friday, Nov. 15, the Winters High School varsity football team kept its perfect season alive and secured a spot in the championship after winning the CIF Northern Section Div. 4 playoff game against Hamilton High School by a score of 48–0.
Over the span of the game, Winters successfully logged a total of 381 rushing yards, showing Hamilton no mercy, and scoring not one, but two touchdowns in the first three minutes of the game.
Gio Jimenez led the Warriors with 111 rushing yards, 74 receiving yards and five touchdowns. Not only did Jimenez shine on the offensive side of the ball, he also was an instrumental player defensively with seven tackles, including one for a loss.
“Gio may have had the best game of his varsity career and led us on the ground and through the air,” said varsity head coach Daniel Ward.
Starting quarterback Lane Brown and relief quarterback Jake Woods also performed well against the Hamilton Braves. Brown completed eight out of 10 passes for 114 yards and added 83
working together on water flows, water quality, habitat, weed control, fish passage projects,” Stevenson said. “It’s been such a community effort; It’s really something to celebrate and recognize.
Hence the annual gathering.
“Last year, we had 750 salmon show up, swim in from the ocean, and spawn in
HOMES
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yards on the ground.
“Lane continues to get better and is just playing great, mistake-free, football,” said Ward. Woods stepped in to give Brown a much-needed break and led the Warriors through the last quarter of the game. Woods logged 64 yards on the ground as the quarterback and really stepped up defensively with six recorded tackles. Sebastian Rodriguez was another instrumental player on both sides of the ball. Offensively he logged 97 rushing yards on four carries and
Winters,” Stevenson said. “This year statewide, it is much less. So far, we have about 100.”
Though the final number to arrive is unknown, the expert said a pair of fish could lay up to three to five thousand eggs.
was able to earn one touchdown on the night.
“Rodriguez continued to show that he is one of the most explosive players around,” said Ward.
In addition to his offensive gameplay, Rodriguez stood out on the defensive side of the ball as well. His three interceptions ultimately allowed the Warriors to add another shutout to their season and keep team morale high.
“Hamilton may have moved the ball better than any team we have played all year, but we were able
to keep them out of the end zone and a large part of that was Sebastian’s three interceptions, which is a Winters High School record. All three of his interceptions were inside the 20-yard line and two of them were in the end zone,” Ward said.
Defensively, Ricky Garcia logged 11 tackles for the Warriors, followed closely by Julian Herrera. Nate Apodaca and Anthony Mayes; both fought hard and recorded one sack apiece on the night. In addition to the three interceptions Rodriguez pulled in, Macguire Plitt also kept his eye on the ball and also had one interception in the game.
The final score may have come as a surprise to Hamilton, but as for the fans who have been following the Warriors, the final score was one they have seen time and time again. The Warriors have won 48–0 four times this year, one of those games was against East Nicolaus, whom they will see again in the championship game.
“We will be facing a completely different East Nic team this time around. We got a little lucky and caught them at a good time last we played them as they had some of their key guys out with injuries,” said Ward.
The Warriors would be thrilled to have the Winters community show up for them, one more time this season as they fight for the championship title against East Nicolaus on Friday, Nov. 22, at the Dr. Sellers Football field. The kickoff is scheduled at 7 p.m.
“We are looking at a quarter million babies hatching,” Stevenson said. “Most of them get eaten by predator fish or birds, but it’s like a small fish hatchery happening by nature in Winters.”
have helped nearly 19,000 households in three years — 60 percent of whom are people of color — qualify for homes with no defaults, said Tiena Johnson Hall, Executive Director, California Housing Finance Agency. “In spite of that imbalance, what we have seen is when we do wonderful things like down payment assistance, that
As for the future, over time, Stevenson said, “We hope to increase the stability of the native population of fish in Winters.
“From a statewide perspective, salmon are going down in the state, and populations are going up in Putah Creek,” Stevenson said, adding Putah Creek also acts as a backup stream if others are affected by fire. “It’s important not just for pride or coolness in Winters, but it’s important for the species statewide.”
tends to change the cycle.”
3. California’s high costs and complex regulatory landscape are hindering its housing production. Panelists shared lessons from other states and sector-specific examples to show that easing California’s onerous development regulations can help expand housing options. Dan Dunmoyer, President and CEO of the California Building Industry Association, emphasized
“Having a salmon run going through your downtown, I mean, what an amenity in terms of Winters being a destination area,” Stevenson said, adding locals can walk for a couple of miles along a salmon stream and stop to listen to music.
If it were about coolness, well, Winters can call it.
that “the Metroplex of Houston builds more housing than the entire state of California,” where affordable units can cost from $700,000 to a record-breaking $1.2 million per unit, creating financial hurdles that would demand trillions [of dollars] to fully address the state’s housing needs.
Similarly, Jason M. Ward, co-director of the RAND Center on Housing and Homelessness, said that
hard construction costs are about $140 per square foot in Texas versus $350 in California.
In the accessory dwelling unit (ADU) sector, regulatory reforms have yielded a rapid increase in construction. “When the government removed permit fees and delays, ADUs increased from 2,000 to 18,000 in one year,” said Dunmoyer.
Sujata Srivastava, Chief Policy Officer for the San
“Upstream, we have bears eating the salmon, and I have pictures of all the eagles eating the salmon,” Stevenson said. “It’s like a world-class park in little tiny Winters.
Francisco Bay Area Planning and Urban Research Association, pointed out the need to shift towards more urban, high-density housing at attainable prices. Nearly all existing models are “suburban, low density” — a format that is ill-suited to California’s evolving housing needs,” Srivastava said.
Full panel sessions are available to watch at www. ccre.us/ccresummit, and a full report will be released
Estimates &
Chris Rodriguez, a Winters Middle School eighth-grader, is Pisani’s Athlete of the Week. Earlier this month, Rodriquez finished up his Winters Jr. Warrior career this season as the Winters Midgets division quarterback. Behind a determined offensive line and with the help of a stable full of talented receivers, Rodriguez threw for 2,465 yards in eight games. He completed 163 of 256 pass attempts and had 28 passing touchdowns and seven interceptions for a season QBR of 116.31.
SALMON
Express file photo
Salmon characters walk around at the annual Salmon Festival to spread awareness about the Chinook salmon run in Putah Creek.
KS Winters Photography/Courtesy photo
The Winters High School Warriors celebrate their 48-0 win over the Hamilton High School Braves in the CIF Northern Section Div. 4 playoffs last Friday.
Arts & Entertainment
Gala brings music and merriment of Sherwood Forest to the Opera House
By Germaine Hupe Special to the Express
The stage of the Winters Opera House will be transformed into Sherwood Forest as the Winters Theatre Company presents “Robin Hood the Musical” Opening Night Gala on Friday, Nov. 22. The gala event includes champagne, non-alcoholic beverage and a choice of desserts as part of the ticket price.
Gala refreshments are served at 6:30 p.m., and general admission is at 7 p.m. The curtain goes up at 7:30 p.m.
Director Linda Glick teams up with music director Deb Bowen and choreographer Sylvia Halk to bring the stage to life with music, dance and merriment. Costumers include Ellie Yeatman, Sally Teaford Alexander and Nancy Whitcomb along with sound and light guru, Gary Schroeder, all add to the magic.
The cast of “Robin Hood the Musical” includes several veteran performers: Cameron Toney, Ellie Yeatman, Emily-Jo
Shepherd, Bryan Pro, Jax Cooper, Jennifer Rutherford, Iris Giramonte, Reia Cooper, Nancy Whitcomb and Julia Berrellez. In addition, the company is pleased to welcome newcomers Ryan Saunders, David Muerle, Aaron Love and Meadow Davis to their WTC acting ranks.
This version of the Robin Hood story is a “just for fun parody” of the legends of Robin Hood and his Band, Little John, Friar Tuck, Alan Dale and Maid Marian. The villain, Prince
John and his cohorts, The Sheriff of Nottingham and Guy Gisbourne are very much present as they plot to replace King Richard the Lionhearted, with his regent brother, Prince John on the throne of England. There are numerous songs and dances in this musical version and the hard-working ensemble players are particularly important. They not only perform most of the musical numbers but also several members play featured roles as well. Thanks to the magic of makeup and
YCCA hosts 19th annual Community Giveaway Day
Special to the Express Yolo County Children’s Alliance is proud to announce the 19th Annual Community Giveaway Day, an event aimed at supporting local families in need during the holiday season. The event will be held on Saturday, Nov. 23, from 8 a.m. to Noon at Riverbank Elementary School in West Sacramento. This year’s event will provide an array of support and holiday cheer, featuring: • Coats and blankets: Ensuring that children stay warm during the colder months with new coats and blankets (while supplies last).
• Holiday meal kits:
Complete holiday meal kits, including a turkey and all the traditional sides, provided by the Yolo Food Bank. • Community resource tables: Families can connect with local organizations that provide vital services, including health education, reading programs, financial assistance, and more. Attendees are encouraged to come early, as supplies for coats and meal kits are available on a first-come, firstserved basis. For additional information or to see a complete list of participating partners, visit www.yolokids. org/event/community-giveaway-day
Green Grass Snakes perform the Beatles’ ‘Help’ album
Special to the Express
The Dec. 5 Thursday Live! show at the Davis Odd Fellows Hall brings back The Green Grass Snakes to play the entire 1965 Beatles album, Help.
costumes, some actors play two roles.
The dialogue and much of the music are original, inspired by the 1974 version of Robin Hood performed by the Bad Actors of Davis at the Palms Playhouse. The members of the WTC invite their friends and family to join them in Sherwood Forest for one of the six performances of “Robin Hood the Musical” from Nov. 22 to Dec. 1, on Fridays and Saturdays at 7:30 p.m. and Sundays at 2:30 p.m.
For tickets, visit www.winterstheatre. org or call 530-7954014.
The Odd Fellows Hall is located at 415 2nd St. in downtown Davis. Doors open at 7 p.m. and the music starts at 7:30 p.m. Thursday Live! is a monthly music series. No tickets are required, it’s donation only at the door. Please give generously as 100 percent of the donations go to the band.
With a deep catalog of feel-good oldies, the Green Grass Snakes also have a particular passion for the Beatles and will be performing the iconic Help album along with some songs from the Abbey Road album. This will certainly be a special night not to be missed.
The band also delivers hidden gems from past decades that you’ll want to say, “Wow, I forgot all about that song!”
The Green Grass Snakes are:
Larry Tagg: local legend and internationally acclaimed bassist (Bourgeois Tagg, Todd Rundgren, Hall and Oates, Steelin Dan). Larry Schiavone: drums, vocals (Hipper Than Hip, Tattoo Love Dogs, millions of others) Matt Lancara:guitar, vocals Marc Del Chiaro:guitar, vocals Julian Dean: keyboards, vocals For more information about Thursday Live! or to be added to our email list contact Juelie Roggli at Juelrog@gmail.com Thursday Live! is presented by the Davis Odd Fellows Music Committee with the support of KDRT radio.
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frustrating to deal with these persistent sprouts, with patience and the right approach, you can eventually eliminate them. Whether you choose mechanical, chemical, or a combination of methods, the key is consistency. Over time the root system will weaken. Until then, keep removing or treating the suckers as they appear, and you’ll eventually regain control of your landscape.
Here are two references that may help:
• https://www.calipc.org/wp-content/ uploads/2022/01/ DPR_Non-Chemical_ BMP-Report_2.pdf • https://ipm.ucanr. edu/PMG/PESTNOTES/pn74142.html
If you have a gardening question, contact the Master Gardener help desk at 530-6668737 or send an email, with information regarding watering, sun exposure, details about your problem and photos when possible to mgyolo@ucdavis.edu.
Courtesy photo
Prince John (Jax Cooper, center) just can’t wait to be king. Guy Gisbourn (Ryan Saunders) and the Sheriff of Nottingham (Aaron Love) are ready to do the prince’s bidding.
Courtesy photo
King Richard (Ryan Saunders, right) comes out of hiding to the delight of the Sherwood Forest folk Little John) Merry Band members (Julia Berrelleza, Meadow Davis, Nancy Whitcomb), Marian (Emily-Jo Shepherd) and Friar Tuck (David Muerle).