Winters Express: Wednesday, December 27, 2023

$1

including tax

Learn how to recycle holiday waste News, Page 3

Winters PD expands Shop with a Cop opportunity Features, Page 1

Volume 140, Number 48 — Locally-owned since 1884

The hometown paper of Elia Arce

Winters, Yolo County, California, Wednesday, December 27, 2023

Chamber announces Toast of Winters honorees Express staff

Event details

The official selections are in for the Toast to Winters honorees.

The Winters District Chamber of Commerce brings the community together each year at the Toast of Winters awards event to celebrate the achievements of local community members and businesses.

The 2023 award honorees are: Business of the Year: Hoobys Brewing Theodore Winters Award: Corinne Martinez Senior Citizen of the Year: Robert “Bob” Rennie Citizen of the Year: Sandy Vickrey The Citizen of the Year is chosen by previous Citizen of the Year recipients and the remaining awards are chosen by the Winters Chamber Board of Directors.

The Winters Express will feature a series of articles in January highlighting the reasons behind each awardee’s nomination.

The honorees will officially be celebrated at the 2024 Toast of Winters event on Saturday, Feb. 3, at 5 p.m. at the Winters Community Center. Tickets are $100.

New to this year’s event is a lineup of speakers during the dinner portion including — but not limited to — Mayor Bill Biasi, Chamber President Chris Calvert, City Manager Jeremy Craig, Winters Downtown Business Association President Chris Turkovich and Winters Joint Unified School District Superintendent Rody Boonchouy.

Tickets must be purchased in advance to attend. The event introduces a new silent auction featuring desserts, baskets and experiences. Live music from Helios will play after the award presentations. Attendees are encouraged to come dressed to impress in cocktail attire (slacks and sports coats or dressy gowns).

Tickets and information about event sponsorship and donation opportunities are available at http://tinyurl.com/mvjh62b7.

Council approves public safety needs, sale of city property

By Amelia Biscardi Express staff writer In the final meeting of 2023, the Winters City Council discussed and unanimously approved the sale and purchase of city property on Oak Drive, a job listing for a police recruit and the go-ahead to purchase a ladder truck for the fire department.

The meeting was full with police officers and firefighters in attendance, many in uniform, to support their respective agenda items.

1.6M dollar ladder truck

EXPRESS

With an upcoming 17-percent price increase on the ladder truck in the new

year, Fire Chief Jack S. Snyder III encouraged the council to approve the purchase as this is the highest increase he had seen.

The price point of the ladder truck was set at $1,607,514.

Snyder explained that with multiple three-story buildings now in town, the current vehicles have ladders that cannot reach them. In an emergency, they would have to wait for mutual aid from other local fire departments to come out and help.

“This truck will help us reduce our fleets, it will put three trucks into one,” Snyder said.

“Our newest truck is a 2011 and it has seen some drastic maintenance issues in the last few months that has put it for downtime.”

Snyder believes this new truck should last 25 years and said

that it would give a moral boost to the fire department team.

Funding for the vehicle, according to Snyder, is coming from some fees already collected as well as Proposition 218 funds will be added — if it is passed.

Snyder also clarified the purchase would not tap into the general fund.

In light of the discussion of police officers’ compensation earlier in the meeting, council member Jesse Loren clarified the purchase would not affect salaries.

City Manager Jeremy Craig added, said that they will be going with a 12-year payment plan.

“It’s a comfortable level, frankly we were surprised with the rate,” Craig said. “I think Jack and I were both kinda surprised we

See CITY, Page 5

Index Features ........................ B-1 Classifieds ................... B-4 Community .................. A-2

We at he r Date

Rain

High

Dec. 20

.08”

65˚

Low 53˚

Dec. 21

.35”

57˚

45˚

Dec. 22

.00

64˚

41˚

Dec. 23

.00

68˚

42˚

Eventos hispanos ....... A-2

Dec. 24

.00

60˚

33˚

Dec. 25

.00

59˚

35˚

Opinion ......................... B-3

Dec. 26

.00

59˚

41˚

Real Estate ................... B-2

Rain for week: 0.43 in.

Season’s total: 4.38 in.

Last sn. to date: 6.51 in.

Sports ........................... B-6

Winters rainfall season began 7/1/23.

Weather readings are taken at 9 a.m. daily by local weatherman Joe Bristow.

Crystal Apilado/Winters Express

Wolfskill Career Readiness Academy students work with Winters Joint Unified School District staff, under the guidance of Tree Davis volunteers, to plant new trees. See more photos of their efforts on Page B1.

Wolfskill CRA students plant trees for future students

By Crystal Apilado Editor-in-Chief Students at Wolfskill Career Readiness Academy have been engaging in new experiences and learning experiences since the school moved onto the Winters High School site.

With opportunities to share resources and a new area designated for the Wolfskill CRA classrooms, students were able to learn about urban forestry and environmental justice as well as put those lessons into action by planting new trees on campus.

On Wednesday, Dec. 13, Wolfskill

See CRA, Page 5

Lorem ipsum

Principal Justin Young and Elizabeth Hursh of Tree Davis work with students to remove soil from the areas chosen to plant three Pistacia x Red Push trees on campus.

Eagle Scout organizing shade for Winters Putah Creek Park North Bank Trail

By Rich Marovich Streamkeeper Emeritus The north bank trail at Winters Putah Creek Park follows the top of the north bank of Putah Creek and is heavily used by the public. Currently, only about 10 percent of the trail is shaded and foot traffic that strays from the asphalt trail compacts the soil and suppresses all topof-bank vegetation in the summer. Thanks to a grant from the Westside Sacramento Inter-Regional Water Management Group, a project to plant 50 valley oaks along the north bank trail is scheduled to begin on Jan. 12, weather permitting.

Davis Eagle Scout candidate Olivia Inderbitzin is organizing fellow scouts and other community volunteers to assist with the planting. Rotary Clubs of Winters and Davis are also provid-

ing support. Solano County Water Agency will provide a compact excavator and operator to loosen the compacted soil between the asphalt trail and the top of the bank, and press a hole into the loosened soil that is the same size and shape as a deep one-gallon pot. The trees will then be removed from the pot and placed into the tapered hole creating excellent soil contact for the roots to grow into the surrounding loosened soil.

The trees were grown by Putah Creek Council at the Sackett Ranch Nursery west of Winters. A plug of Santa Barbara Sedge was added to each pot as a companion plant.

The roots of the sedge will help hold the oak roots together during transplanting and colonize the area under the oaks to compete with weeds as the oaks are established. San-

ta Barbara Sedge is a common companion plant for valley oaks, it is deep-rooted and outcompetes virtually all weeds.

Wood chips will be mobilized from piles on the east end of Creekside Way and staged on either side of each planting site, marked with orange flagging on wooden stakes or tied to the fence along the trail.

The chips will be moved by volunteers with a pitchfork to form a 10-foot square bed that is 12 inches thick with the tree in the center.

The wood chips will suppress all weeds until the sedges establish and condense soil moisture near the surface so that the oaks can establish naturally with residual soil moisture. The wood chips will decompose and improve the soil beneath by

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A2 — Winters Express, Wednesday, December 27, 2023

Eventos hispanos

Distrito escolar se asociará con la comunidad para desarrollar programa de estudios étnicos Por Crystal Apilado Traducido por Carol Alfonso El superintendente Rody Boonchouy anunció que el Distrito Escolar Unificado de Winters (Winters Joint Unified School District – Winters JUSD) busca asociarse con los residentes para desarrollar un programa de estudios étnicos que refleje la historia, los relatos y las contribuciones de la comunidad diversa que ha llamado a Winters su hogar.

Boonchouy está buscando miembros de la comunidad y partes interesadas locales para participar en el Grupo de Trabajo de Estudios Étnicos (Ethnic Studies Task Force) del Distrito Escolar.

La creación del grupo de trabajo es el primer paso en el cronograma de dos años para desarrollar cómo serán los cursos de Estudios Étnicos exigidos por el estado en Winters JUSD. En la reunión de la Junta Directiva de Winters JUSD del pasado 14 de Diciembre, Boonchouy presentó el camino de California para desarrollar un plan de estudios escolares que incluya estudios étnicos para estudiantes desde Jardín de Infantes (Kindergarden) hasta el grado 12.

Boonchouy dijo que los Estudios Étnicos tienen una historia de 60 años en la educación que ha evolucionado desde los primeros esfuerzos arraigados en la literatura de activistas y autores de principios del siglo 20 hasta la desegregación de las escuelas y el desarrollo de los primeros programas de Estudios Étnicos en la década del 1960 en San Francisco State University y UC Berkeley, dirigidas principalmente por estudiantes afroamericanos, chicanos, nativos americanos y asiáticoamericanos.

En California, la legislación sobre estudios étnicos comenzó en el 2016, cuando el gobernador Jerry Brown promulgó la ley AB 2016 para desarrollar un plan modelo de estudios étnicos destinado a servir como recurso para que los

educadores apoyen los cursos o planes de estudio de los estudios étnicos.

Otros esfuerzos legislativos estatales incluyeron AB 2772 y AB 331 para hacer de los estudios étnicos un requisito de graduación, y ambos proyectos de ley fueron vetados.

En el 2021, el gobernador Gavin Newsom promulgó la ley AB 101 que convierte los estudios étnicos en un requisito de graduación para los estudiantes del estado de California. AB 101 requiere que todos los distritos escolares estatales tengan, como mínimo, un curso de Estudios Étnicos de un semestre de duración para el 2025-2026 y que el requisito de graduación se aplique a los estudiantes de la generación que se graduará en el 2030.

Investigación sobre programas Boonchouy presentó que la investigación sobre el impacto de los estudios étnicos en las escuelas K-12 sugiere que tiene un impacto positivo en el éxito académico y el bienestar socioemocional de los estudiantes con beneficios notables para todos los estudiantes y “ganancias significativas para los estudiantes de comunidades de color.”

El enumeró que algunos de los efectos positivos incluyen una mayor participación, alfabetización, métricas de rendimiento académico, actitudes hacia el aprendizaje, agencia, tasas de graduación y desarrollo de habilidades críticas.

En los últimos años, Boonchouy se ha comunicado con otros distritos escolares sobre su enfoque y sus hallazgos en el desarrollo e implementación de su programa de Estudios Étnicos.

Dijo que la coherencia en todos los ámbitos fue que los éxitos de sus programas fueron “iniciados por maestros particularmente apasionados que impulsaron el desarrollo y la evolución del programa” que creían que los estudiantes debían estar en el centro del aprendizaje y que “cada programa esta-

ba altamente localizado en su contexto comunitario, historia, composición estudiantil y cultura.”

“Un distrito compartió que ‘no quieren que los maestros ocupen un lugar central y les digan a los niños cómo son las cosas.’

Se necesita verdadera habilidad para crear un espacio para el aprendizaje auténtico, facilitar la discusión/ debate y restaurarlo cuando las discusiones se vuelven difíciles,” dijo Boonchouy. “Lo que era común en todos los distritos era la necesidad de equilibrios apropiados para sostener el programa: desde una postura clara de gobernanza y administración hasta la innovación y propiedad de los docentes de base, el apoyo y la participación de la comunidad y, lo que es más importante, la voz y el liderazgo de los estudiantes.”

Boonchouy dijo que el distrito escolar ve una alineación directa de los Estudios Étnicos con su Perfil de Graduado recientemente aprobado, particularmente con el enfoque en programas y métodos para promover la participación comunitaria, el pensamiento crítico, la colaboración y la conciencia cultural.

Teoría crítica de la raza Boonchouy dijo que era importante aclarar qué es la teoría crítica de la raza, qué no es y comprender por qué es un problema.

Dijo que la Teoría Crítica de la Raza se basa en la premisa de que el prejuicio racial, intencional o no, está integrado en las leyes e instituciones nacionales y que no es solo producto de prejuicios o sesgos individuales, sino también algo integrado en los sistemas legales.

“Lo que vemos a menudo en los medios de comunicación es una representación de la Teoría Crítica de la Raza como algo que etiqueta a los blancos como opresores, genera resentimiento étnico, es antiestadounidense, enseña a los niños blancos a odiarse a sí mismos y promueve el odio

hacia nuestro país. Esto no es una Teoría Crítica de la Raza; de hecho, la Teoría Crítica de la Raza ni siquiera atribuye el racismo a individuos o grupos de personas; es una teoría aplicada a las instituciones, las políticas y las leyes,” dijo Boonchouy.

Boonchouy dijo que el pánico a la Teoría Crítica de la Raza no es nuevo en la educación y enumeró las principales conclusiones como: • “Mucho de lo que escuchamos sobre la teoría crítica de la raza es inexacto.”

• “La teoría crítica de la raza no se enseña en nuestras escuelas.”

• “El propósito y los resultados de los estudios étnicos son unir, no dividir.”

“Nuestro objetivo es que todos nuestros estudiantes sientan que pertenecen y son respetados para que puedan aprender. Y para comprender mejor las perspectivas, estar menos polarizados y desarrollar un sentido de comunidad y unidad para el bien de todos,” dijo Boonchouy.

Próximos pasos Boonchouy dijo que el cronograma de la estrategia para el programa de Estudios Étnicos de Winters JUSD es aproximadamente un viaje de dos años que comienza con la creación de un Grupo de Trabajo de Estudios Étnicos en la primavera del 2024.

Los próximos pasos del distrito escolar son: • Hacer una recomendación de programa en Mayo del 2024.

• Lanzar programas piloto de desarrollo profesional y planes de estudio en el año escolar 2024-25.

• Obtenga la aprobación del curso en Enero del 2025 • Hacer una recomendación para adoptar el curso y modificar los requisitos de graduación en la primavera del 2025.

• Aprobar la implementación como requisito de graduación en el otoño del 2025.

Vea ESTUDIOS, Página 3

Next Putah Creek water management discussion on Jan. 10 Express staff The second community gathering for the Putah Creek Water Management Initiative is scheduled to be hosted on Monday, Jan. 10 at the Davis Senior Center, Valente Room (646 A St., Davis) from 6:30 to 8 p.m.

The first public workshop in part of the PCWM initiative was hosted on Oct. 5 in Winters to initiate the process of gaining community feedback regarding creek water concerns and questions.

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The Lower Putah Creek Coordination Committee and Solano County Water Agency are partnering to address Putah Creek challenges through the PCWM initiative. When implemented, PCWM will protect and enhance a functioning

creek, support agricultural operations, and ensure environmental flow compliance.

The PCWM initiative is expected to be a multi-year collaborative effort to develop a range of strategies to address creek water use and management concerns by engaging with different groups of the community who utilize the creek to identify what issues are, and what potential solutions already exist, and develop an ongoing implementation plan to address the issues.

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• Make sure the PCWM complies with state water regulations.

• Maintain environmental flows for fish and wildlife by harnessing opportunities to create reliable, environmental creek water flows.

To ask questions, provide input or for more information, contact Guadalupe Garcia at guadalupe@aginnovations or visit https:// www.scwa2.com/ pcwm.

Planning Commission sends items for council approval

By Amelia Biscardi Express staff writer

The Winters Planning Commission met for the first time since September for a 16-minute meeting on Dec. 13 with two public hearing items.

The items that were available for public hearing were the sale of a parcel beyond Valley Oak Drive and approval of the city’s master tree list.

Both items were approved. When discussing if the city should sell the parcel, commissioner Judith Arce asked how common this was and where the money would go.

David Storer, a contract planner hired by the city, explained that this situation is not that common.

“In my 30 years as a planner, this has happened maybe four or five times,” Storer said.

If approved by the city council, the property will be sold for $9,500 with the buyer taking on any costs during the transfer such as lot line adjustment. The funds from this sale will go into the city’s general fund.

An additional point from the discussion was that this is one less property the city will have to maintain.

Chair Gregory Contreas said that the property is near the creek, which makes it difficult to utilize.

Tree list

Kristine DeGuerre, the city’s Environmental Services Manager, came with a list of 39 trees approved by an arborist for the city to use.

The point of the list is for the city of Winters to use trees that are native and helpful for the local environment.

With the approval from the planning commission, the list was scheduled to appear on the upcoming city council agenda on Dec 19.

The list of trees can be viewed on the archived agendas for Winters City Council’s Dec. 19 meeting or the Winters Planning Commission’s Dec. 13 meeting at http://tinyurl.com/3md97esc.

The Winters Senior Center is seeking funding for equipment and

145 Years Ago

December 28, 1878 (From the files of The Winters Advocate) A Warning to Editor Whippers A Peace officer Commits a Dastardly outrage Upon the Person of the Proprietor of The Advocate.

THE DR. PROVES TOO MUCH FOR HIM AND SPILLS HIS CLARET. This filthy Blackguard is the Deputy District Attorney of Yolo County.

AND SPECIAL CORRESPONDENT OF THE DIXON TRIBUNE The filthy blasphemer fouls the air with the vilest epithets that ever dropped from human tongue, and after having his head laid open, begs to be let up and protected from further punishment On Saturday morning, the 28th of December, at about 11 a.m., Dr. Harding was quietly engaged in writing, at a table, in his office in Winters, when the door was opened from without, and R. Clark, Deputy District Attorney of Yolo County, and special correspondent of the Dixon Tribune, entered and took position, leaning against an imposing stone, about ten or twelve feet from the Doctor.

Some conversation was had, of little importance, after which Dr. Harding asked Mr. Clark about his bill if he was ready to settle and so on, at which he became indignant. The pettifogger answered, “Collect if you can.”

The Doctor was about to go on with his writing, when the hungry, sallow, cadaverous pup rushed forward and dealt the Doctor a blow, coupling it with an oath unfit for publication.

The Doctor sprang forward, ordered him out and clinched him, and on hurling him towards the door, he saw the stinker make an effort to grasp a weapon, upon which the Doctor swung him to the other side, stopped short and dealt him three severe blows.

The blood spurted, the deputy begged, upon which the Doctor let up, when the brute beast solicited the interference of an outsider, to promise that he would not let the Doctor hit him again, whereupon the Doctor took him by the collar of the coat, and on again ordering him

Years Ago Dispatches from the Express archives.

to leave, he made good his exit, and poddled off, sick of and sore with his experience of editor whipping.

130 Years Ago

December 30, 1893 Carey Baker was the recipient of a surprise party Thursday evening, given by his schoolmates.

Watchnight service in the M.E. Church, South, in Winters.

Revs. Steele, Culton and Waddel will be in attendance.

The editor desires to thank his friend, W.J. Pleasants of Pleasant Valley for a basket of oranges, presented as a Xmas gift.

Rev. J.A. Schilling will hold German service in the Christian church tomorrow, Sunday, afternoon at 2 o’clock. All German-speaking citizens are especially invited to attend.

C.W. Sinclair and George Shaw of Winters and William Neil of Vacaville furnished music for the Xmas ball at Monticello, given by George Harley.

95 Years Ago

December 28, 1928 Henry Johnston and Miss Margaret Chulick are to be united in Marriage Sunday at the Presbyterian church. The ceremony will be performed by Rev. George Kmecik at 1:30 in the presence of a gathering of the members of the two families and a few intimate friends.

Miss Lorene Waggoner of Sacramento spent Christmas at the J.S. Waggoner home.

Theodore Roth of Woodland I spent the Christmas recess at the home of his mother, Mrs. E. Roth.

Master George Vest of the bay region has been spending the Yuletide recess with his grandmother, Mrs. George Cooper.

Lester Dalbey, principal of the Susanville grammar school is spending the Yuletide recess with his parents, Mr. and Mrs. H.C. Dalbey.

Mrs. Melva Probas-

co, and Harold Overhouse, both of Oakland and Adrian Overhouse of Salinas spent Christmas at the home of their father, W.D. Overhouse.

Charles Unger and little son, Wyatt, and Miss Erna Wyatt of Sacramento spent Christmas Day with relatives in town.

Mrs. Myrtle Wolfskill, Mrs. Bertha Young, Mrs. Ida Campbell and Mrs. Tom Pleasants, all Solano county teachers, attended the teachers’ institute held in San Francisco from December 17-19.

80 Years Ago

December 31, 1943 A watch, two fountain pens, cash in the sum of $35 and several packages of cigarettes were stolen from Mrs. Alice Black’s liquor store Tuesday night.

No liquor was stolen. A glass door was broken open to gain entrance.

A dam at Devil’s Gate in Putah canyon, to store 1,000,000 acrefeet of water, is one of the sites proposed under the new power and water develop- ment project being considered at Washington, D. C. under postwar plans.

First Class Seaman Jack Burton returned Wednesday to San Francisco, after a seven day furlough, where he will await assignment.

Mr. and Mrs. A.S. Bird spent the holiday week-end with their daughters, Mrs. Chester Moyle and Mrs. Vernon Ivers, in Merced.

Fred Roseberry Sr. of Los Banos was a week-end guest with his son. Fred Jr. and family.

Lt. and Mrs. Eugene Ireland and daughter of San Francisco were weekend holiday visitors and Sunday dinner guests with Mr. and Mrs. O.C. Holmes.

Holiday dinner guests at the G.M. Vasey home were Mrs. Vasey’s relatives, mother, Mrs. E. Bell, Chico; sister, Mrs. George Striker and family, Hayward and brother, Granville Siler and family of Berkeley.

Winters Express, Wednesday, December 27, 2023 — A3

Lake Berryessa water levels up Express staff The water level of Lake Berryessa went up during the past week by 0.41 feet, with an increase in the storage of 7,007 acre-feet of water, according to Ken Emigh of the Solano Irrigation District. On the morning of Tuesday, Dec. 26, the lake

level was 421.90 feet above sea level, with storage computed at 1,225,569 acre-feet of water.

Evaporation on the lake averaged 12 acre-feet of water per day. The SID is diverting 60 cubic feet per second of water in the Putah South Canal, with 31 cubic feet per second flowing at the Diversion Dam.

How to recycle holiday waste Express staff From Dec. 26 to Jan. 15, Yolo County residents have the opportunity to recycle up to two holiday trees for free at the Yolo County Central Landfill at 44090 County Road 28H in Woodland or at the Esparto Convenience Center at 27075 County Road 19A in Esparto.

YCCL’s tree-cycling process transforms holiday trees into valuable, renewable and recyclable resources. Trees are biodegradable and will be processed at the county’s state-ofthe-art composting facility, converting them back into organic matter. Before processing, residents are remind-

ed to ensure that trees are free of all ornaments, flocking, tinsel, garland and lights.

The community is also encouraged to gift time to loved ones by assisting them with the safe collection and disposal of hazardous waste this holiday season. By helping friends and family clean out their storage sheds, garages or barns and bringing items like batteries, bulbs, paints and cleaners to YCCL’s Household Hazardous Waste Drop-Off event every Thursday, Friday, and Saturday from 7:30 a.m. to 3:30 p.m., you can contribute toward Yolo County’s climate goals. This program is free for Yolo County residents

and is conveniently located at YCCL. An excess of hazardous chemicals or old medications can pose risks at home and environmentally if stored improperly. If assisting someone elderly, take advantage of the free at-home pickup program by calling (530) 666-8856 to schedule hazardous waste collection at their doorstep. Residents aged 65 or older or those with a disability may request this service at no charge year-round.

Millions of tons of electronic waste are generated annually during the holidays. If you receive gifts such as an upgraded phone,

See WASTE, Page 7

Aplicar para el grupo de trabajo

ESTUDIOS Continuado de la Página 2 La asistente al superintendente Phoebe Girimonte dijo que una vez que se apruebe, tendrán que hacer una transición gradual para los estudiantes que no tomaron los cursos requeridos antes de la aprobación.

Boonchouy concluyó la discusión con un recordatorio de que en el futuro la conversación no se trata de la Teoría Crítica de la Raza, sino de una comunicación continua entre el distrito escolar y los miembros de la comunidad para desarrollar una oportunidad de celebrar y comprender dónde comenzó la comunidad y cómo surgió de ahí apuntando al presente.

“Esto tiene como objetivo generar comprensión, conciencia y solidaridad como comunidad y entre nuestros estudiantes,” dijo Boonchouy.

Las personas que quieran postularse para el Grupo de Trabajo de Estudios Étnicos (Ethnic Studies Task Force) del Winters JUSD deben enviar un correo electrónico a Amanda Kiser a akiser@wintersjusd.org e incluir su nombre y descripción de interés o completar el formulario de Google escrito en el sitio web de Winter JUSD en https:// bit.ly/48tMkUJ. Boonchouy dijo que el busca incluir una variedad de perspectivas y experiencias de miembros de la comunidad de Winters y organizaciones locales.

El quiere incluir datos demográficos desde la cultura hasta lo intergeneracional, así como hablar con los residentes que tienen un mejor conocimiento de la historia de Winters y los grupos culturales que han hecho de Winters su hogar.

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A4 — Winters Express, Wednesday, December 27, 2023

Photo by Debra Ramos

HOLIDAY GENEROSITY: Rural route postal carriers Merrie Freed (left) and Dan Carstensen stand beside a bin and rack full of food donated by Winters residents living on the rural routes in 1994. Postmaster Roberta Beers said the residents were so concerned about giving to the needy that some were standing in the rain with bags of food waiting for their carriers to arrive. Others fearing they may have missed the carriers, drove their donations to the post office. The food was donated to Winters Food Closet.

Public Safety Report City of Winters

Fire The Winters Fire Log will return soon.

Check for updates at https://tinyurl. com/2usvczda.

Police Arrest Log Dec. 17: Macias, Angel (Age 21); Charges: Carry a loaded concealed weapon, DUI, Carry unregistered handgun, Carry concealed weapon in a vehicle, Possession of Marijuana over 1 ounce, Texting and driving, Failure to stop at red light, Unsafe Speed; Disposition: Transported to Yolo County Jail

Report Log Dec. 16: 6:59 p.m., 4000th block of Putah Creek Road, Vehicle tow Dec. 17: 1:01 a.m., 1000th block of Scotty Way, Verbal Domestic Dispute ~7:27 p.m., 100th block of Third Street, Criminal Threats Dec. 18: 2:14 p.m., 700th block of Main Street, Fraud ~4:33 p.m., 500th block of Niemann Street, Miscellaneous Incident Report Dec. 19: 8:19 a.m., 1000th block of Adams Lane, Brandishing For our editorial policy on crime log entries, see winters express.com/unpub lishing-policy.

The Winters Senior Center is seeking funding for equipment and programming. Mail checks payable to Winter Senior

Obituaries Connie House Sept. 12, 1955 – Dec. 15, 2023 Connie House, a socially active and popular resident of Winters, passed away peacefully at home surrounded by her family on Dec. 15, 2023. Connie was 68 years old. She is survived by her daughter Catherine and her husband Gar, to whom she was married for almost 30 years.

Connie was loved by her family and friends for her charm, wit, poise and beauty — both inside and out. Connie was

a truly social person who loved being surrounded by her friends and family.

She loved her daughter, Catherine, above all else and made her the center of her life.

Connie radiated sincere warmth, happiness and humor in any and all social gatherings. Connie will always be remembered by her friends and family for her quick humor and amusing commentary. She loved a good laugh. Connie made you feel relaxed in her presence and was

Courtesy photo

Connie House without pretense.

Connie was born and raised in San Francisco and raised her daughter in San

Diego. After moving to Winters, she quickly assembled and nurtured a group of new friends. Connie had that wonderful ability to make friends effortlessly.

Many Winterites will recall meeting and speaking with Connie, a welcome and beloved downtown regular.

Connie loved her Greek heritage, especially enjoying teaching her friends how to dance the ‘Syrtos,’ the Zorba the Greek dance. Of course, let us not forget her love

of the music of Frank Sinatra and Tony Bennett.

Connie loved fashion and her carefully crafted, glamorous ensembles consistently embodied the heart and soul of ‘haute couture.’ Many friends will lovingly remember her dancing on Main Street in her very stylish, highheeled ‘Flamenco’ boots.

Connie had many favorite nicknames including Junie B Jones and Starina.

Connie will surely be missed and remem-

bered most favorably by all her friends and family.

Visitation is Wednesday, Dec. 27, 2023, from 4 to 8 p.m. at Duggan’s Serra Mortuary, 500 Westlake Ave., Daly City.

Funeral service is Thursday, Dec. 28, 2023, at 1 p.m. at Holy Trinity Greek Orthodox Church, 999 Brotherhood Way, San Francisco.

Gravesite burial service is Monday, Jan. 8, 2023, at noon in the Winters Cemetery, 415 Cemetery St., Winters.

it family in England and prioritized maintaining her family’s transatlantic ties.

Kay will be remembered as a fun-loving and determined woman, whose tenacity was admired by all those who were fortunate enough to know her. She was a dedicated and beloved mother, grandmother, daughter, cousin, aunt, and friend. She leaves a profound impact on all those who loved her.

Kay is preceded in death by her

late husband Brent Montgomery and her parents, Miles and Audrey Nicholson.

Kay is survived and dearly missed by her children, Kim Hyer (Dave) and Mitch Montgomery (Kathleen); her grandchildren Justin, Tess, and Colten; her siblings Tom Nicholson (Debbie), Susie Jones (Tom), and Jon Nicholson (Cara).

A funeral service will be held in Kay’s honor on Jan. 12 at 12:30 p.m. at Vaca Hills Chapel.

Kay Montgomery With profound sadness, we announce the passing of Kay Montgomery, our loving and devoted mother, grandmother, and friend, on Dec. 19, 2023. She left us while sleeping peacefully in her home in Winters. She was 82.

A fearless soul who enjoyed her fair share of good-hearted mischief, Kay lived life to the fullest. She traveled far, entertained many, and cherished the love and support of her close-knit fami-

ly until her twilight hours. Kay will be missed dearly.

The oldest of four kids, Kay was known for her determination and independence. She was “a dickens” but managed to balance that with a strong sense of responsibility and a resolute will. She was one of many in a long line of strong women who showed us all how to love and support one another while still maintaining a sense of humor.

She married Brent,

Courtesy photo

Kay Montgomery the love of her life, at a young age. Her two children arrived shortly after; she was

a great mother who turned into an even better friend.

If Kay valued family above all else, her love for dogs came in a close second.

In fact, her family doesn’t remember her ever being without a dog.

Kay traveled far and wide, setting sail with friends on cruises around the world, taking trips to Hawaii with family, and visiting relatives in Alaska. She ventured across the pond multiple times to vis-

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August 29, 1928 – December 17, 2023 Frances M. Johnson was born to Antonio G. Martin and Josephine R. Martin in Winters.

She was 95.

She was the loving mother to Michael (Suki), Mitchell (Paula), Karen (Scott), and Casey, and the proud grandmother to Kenny, Bradley, Jessica, Candace, and Linda, and 12 great-grandchildren. She also leaves her sisters Antoinette Brown and Janet Martin-McCoey, and many nieces and nephews who will miss her dearly.

She was predeceased by her mother and father, her husband Bill, and siblings Mary Carrion, Josephine Smith, Anthony Martin Jr., Bob Martin, and her nephew Brian Mortensen.

The family would

Courtesy photo

Frances M. Johnson

like to thank the Woodland Gardens Senior Living staff, who lovingly cared for her for the past two years, and more recently, Suncrest Hospice Nurse Marlo and Chaplain Chris.

Frances will be interred with her husband at the Sacramento Valley National Cemetery in Dixon.

She requested that no service be held.

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Winters Express, Wednesday, December 27, 2023 — A5

Crosswalk-related law goes into effect Jan. 1, Winters PD begins enforcement plans

By Angela Underwood Express correspondent In 2020, Kurt Reinhold, who was homeless, was shot and killed by an officer who stopped him for jaywalking. In 2022, California passed the Freedom to Walk Act (AB 2147) to lift fines for crossing street in unmarked areas. Gov. Gavin Newsom signed AB 413 into law in October, which aims to increase pedestrian safety at crosswalks in 2023 and it impacts how far away motorists can park or stop from a crosswalk.

The new law, effective Jan. 1, is directly related to Reinhold’s death, according to Winters Police Chief John P. Miller.

CITY Continued from Page 1 got such a great rate on such a huge piece of equipment. And we took advantage of that to find the sweet spot.”

Community member Jeff TenPas had Craig clarify that approximately $1 million of the $1.6 is in the fund currently for the vehicle.

However, TenPas brought up the concern that with interest there is still roughly around another million dollars and that the city would have to approve new subdivisions to pay it off.

Craig clarified that while the city would not necessarily need to approve new subdivisions of property, there are still developments that are still paying. That current development Craig described as, “just shy” of funding the remaining $1 million.

Another benefit of this new truck, as Loren prompted from Synder, is that it will reduce greenhouse gas emissions.

“Right now, as the guys (firefighters) just left for this vehicle accident, two trucks went out the door,” Snyder said. “And that’s a standard practice for us because we can’t carry the equipment. But this truck will be able to carry all that equipment at once, and we’ll be reducing the impact.”

Police department recruitment Chief John P. Miller came equipped with a PowerPoint explaining that recruitment and retention is the number one issue facing police departments. With one of the Winters Police Department officers accepting a position elsewhere, due to commute issues, Miller said his position would need to be replaced.

Miller cited that the shortage of applicants is nationwide, reduced by around 80 percent. The position had been available but during that time only one feasible application was given.

In order for an application to be considered, the minimum standards are that they must not have felony convictions, be legally able to work in the U.S., be at least 21 years old, be fingerprinted, pass a background check consid-

“The reason for the Free to Walk Act was because law enforcement used to racially profile people,” Miller said. “So the act was used to reduce police abuse, and we even said the consequences will be increased pedestrian accidents.”

Where the Freedom of Act released pedestrians from a penalty for not crossing in marked areas unless there was an immediate threat of danger, the new law puts fines back in place.

“So an intersection, even if it does not have marked crosswalks, is a crosswalk, even if it does not have painted lines at the intersection,” Miller said.

If an intersection

has a bulbed-out curb, then it is 15 feet.

“The author writes it is because of increased accidents and pedestrian safety,” Miller said. “Yet last year, they legalized jaywalking.”

But there are questions about enforcing the new law, which could mean painting red curbs at every Winters intersection.

“This is going to be a very difficult learning curve,” Miller said.

“For as long as people have been alive, you can park right up to the crosswalk in most cases — now it’s saying 20 feet.”

Miller said he would “talk to city management about how we will address this to reduce that distance

ering them “of good moral character,” graduate high school or a similar equivalent, be free of biases towards individuals, and not have any physical, emotional or mental conditions.

As well, they must pass oral exams, reading and writing assessments, a background investigation and a medical and physical evaluation.

Miller explained that there are three types of applications: laterals, who have already been hired as a police officer, academy graduates, and entry-level, who would have to go through police academy training.

Historically Winters gets entry-level applicants which means they have to graduate from the police academy and then do a field training program.

This process takes 14 to 16 months. If an applicant is a lateral or graduate of the academy, it would only be four months.

“We value the individual employee, we invest heavily in them to ensure good equipment, good training as well as ancillary opportunities and we ensure a work-life balance,” Miller said.

Thanks to this, Miller explains that in the region, Winters PD is the only department that is fully staffed.

“It’s about getting the right people on the bus and in the right seat,” Miller said. “Which I believe we have achieved.

And also, I don’t mind bragging about our organization, but we have achieved what I would consider a high-performance organization.”

An ongoing issue is the compensation of police officers at the department is low.

However, comparing it to other organizations in the area is not accurate due to their larger forces and larger populations.

According to Craig, plans are underway for a compensation study and it should be done around June.

Winters Police Officer Association pres-

ident, Sergeant Jose Hermosillo brought his experience in, explaining how during a recent incident with a man with a gun, he and another officer had to wait for additional units from other agencies for 20 minutes.

Hermosillo said that as they waited, it put himself and his fellow officer in danger, but also the community as well.

Citing the growth of the city, Hermosillo advocated not for additional personnel, but to see the risks officers take with their job.

“The city has not increased the size of the department and has done little to nothing in terms of retention in keeping good officers on the force,” Hermosillo said.

Oak Drive property The Winters Planning Commission had discussed this item first before handing it over to the city council for approval. Council members approved the property to be sold for $9,500 — which will be placed in the general fund.

As a whole, the council cited one of the main reasons for approving the sale was because the city could not get much usage out of the property. The parcel is around 2,310 square feet and near the creek, limiting options.

Council member Loren noted that there is a municipal code zone ordinance that prevents new structures from being built within 50 feet of the top of the bank.

Mayor Bill Biasi shed light on the matter and said he spoke with the person planning on purchasing the land and explained the 50-foot limitation due to erosion concerns.

“This piece of property, it’s a small piece of property that the city acquired by the Homes By Towns development,” Biasi said. “It’s not big enough for the city to do anything with. It doesn’t really offer us a whole lot.”

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and if that is going to be feasible or not.”

However, that still does not mean “we will not enforce the law,” according to Miller, which is why he hopes Winters’ residents will heed the new regulations.

“This is not the police department’s job — this is the legislation that passed to prevent a pedestrian from being hit,” Miller said. “And if we are not enforcing this law, the city would incur liability.”

Before giving out tickets, Winters Police Department will give a warning, Miller added.

Text for AB 413 can be viewed at http:// tinyurl.com/3t5wbcj3.

OAKS Continued from Page 1 stimulating biological activity. They will also trap and help to infiltrate winter rains into the soil.

The wood chips will last about five years,

CRA Continued from Page 1 CRA students worked in groups of three and teamed up with Winters Joint Unified School District staff to plant three young Pistacia x Red Push trees outside their classrooms next to Dr. Sellers Field.

Elizabeth Hursh of Tree Davis and her team of specialists not only guided students on how to prepare the ground for the trees but also gave them a chance to dig their hands in the soil to ready the root systems and place the trees into the holes.

Hursh said they selected the Red Push Pistacia trees because they are similar to native trees and through Tree Davis’ tree trials, the species has proven to be a climate-ready tree that can withstand the hot temperatures in Yolo County. According to Hursh, they also plant a mixture of Valley Oak trees in addition to the climate-ready trees.

“We want to plant things that will be able to survive in 50 years and still provide shade and benefits,” Hursh said.

CHP urges motorist to drive safely into 2024 The California Highway Patrol is ramping up efforts to help ensure the safety of all road users, while reducing the number of deadly crashes on the state’s roadways.

Beginning at 6:01 p.m. on Friday, Dec. 29, the CHP will implement a statewide Maximum Enforcement Period (MEP), which will continue through 11:59 p.m. on Monday, Jan. 1, 2024.

The CHP conducted a similar enforcement effort during the recent Christmas holiday.

Tragically, twenty people were killed in crashes within

CHP jurisdiction between 6:01 p.m. on Friday, Dec. 22, through 11:59 p.m. on Monday, Dec. 25.

Additionally, CHP officers made more than 900 arrests for driving under the influence (DUI) – an average of one every five minutes.

“Our personnel work through the holidays to help ensure people arrive safely at their destinations,” said CHP Commissioner Sean Duryee. “The goal is to maintain a safe environment on California’s roads, which is achievable when all motorists make responsible decisions behind the wheel.”

enough time for the trees to establish, and then the sedges — that spread by underground stems — will colonize the shade of the young oaks and continue to suppress weeds.

Valley oaks are among the most valu-

able trees for wildlife and grow rapidly under good conditions.

The oaks along the north bank trail will eventually provide nearly continuous shade over the trail, extending the width of the riparian forest.

Student Gabriel Romero said he was surprised to learn that the tree roots needed to be redirected and encouraged the community to plant a tree because it’s not only fun but the experience brings “value to add more fresh air and shade” to the town.

Wolfskill CRA students began the tree study on Sept 25 and embarked on a journey each week through the Tree Davis internship program to learn about: • Urban forestry and environmental quality • Economic and public health benefits of trees • Species identification and climate-ready trees and • Designing maintaining an urban forest • Environmental justice • Civic engagement Outside of presentations they also participated in a mulching day where they mulched the existing trees. At the end of the semester, they put trees in the ground with their future classmates in mind. The trees are expected to grow big enough to provide shade for the open area between the new WHS admin building and the football field where the CRA classrooms are. When mature, they will also serve as homes for wildlife and work to create cleaner air.

Special to the Express

“The trees we planted will give shade for future generations to enjoy.”

Ulises Reyes, student Student Ulises Reyes said it was fun to see his classmates working together for the good of the community and the environment.

“The trees we planted will give shade for future generations to enjoy,” Reyes said. “(Bringing) trees to campus is important because they bring shade and a nice beautiful place.”

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A6 — Winters Express, Wednesday, December 27, 2023

Senior News Desperate families search for affordable home care

By Reed Abelson KFF Health News It’s a good day when Frank Lee, a retired chef, can slip out to the hardware store, fairly confident that his wife, Robin, is in the hands of reliable help.

He spends nearly every hour of every day anxiously overseeing her care at their home on the Isle of Palms, a barrier island near Charleston, South Carolina.

Robin Lee, 67, has had dementia for about a decade, but the couple was able to take overseas trips and enjoy their marriage of some 40 years until three years ago, when she grew more agitated, prone to sudden outbursts, and could no longer explain what she needed or wanted. He struggled to care for her largely on his own.

“As Mom’s condition got more difficult to navigate, he was just handling it,” said Jesse Lee, the youngest of the couple’s three adult children. “It was getting harder and harder.

Something had to change, or they would both perish.”

Frank Lee’s search for trustworthy home health aides — an experience that millions of American families face — has often been exhausting and infuriating, but he has persisted. He didn’t entirely trust the care his wife would get in an assisted living facility. Last August, when a respite program paid for her brief stay in one so Frank, 69, could take a trip to the mountains, she fell and fractured her sacrum, the bone that connects the spine to the pelvis.

There is precious little assistance from the government for families who need a home health aide, unless they are poor. The people working in these jobs are often woefully underpaid and unprepared to help a frail, older person with dementia bathe and use the bathroom, or to defuse an angry outburst.

Usually, it is family that steps into the breach — grown children who cobble together a fragile chain of visitors to help an ailing father; a middle-aged daughter who returns to her childhood bedroom; a son-in-law working from home who keeps a watchful eye on a

confused parent; a wife who can barely manage herself looking after a faltering husband.

Frank Lee finally found two aides on his own, with no help from an agency. Using the proceeds from the sale of his stake in a group of restaurants, including the popular Charleston bistro Slightly North of Broad, he pays them the going rate of about $30 an hour. Between his wife’s care and medical expenses, he estimates he’s spending between $80,000 and $100,000 a year.

One of them, Ronnie Smalls, has more than a dozen years of experience and is trained in dementia care. She has developed a rapport with Robin, who seems reassured by a quick touch. “We have a really good bond,” Smalls said. “I know her language, her expression.”

One day at the Lees’ cozy one-story house, decorated with furniture made by Robin, and with a yard overflowing with greenery, Smalls fed her lunch at the kitchen table with her husband and daughter. Robin

“There’s no relief for families unless they have great wealth or see their wealth sucked away.”

Frank Lee “Who the hell can afford this?” he asked.

“There’s no relief for families unless they have great wealth or see their wealth sucked away.” He worries that he will run out of money and be forced to sell their home of more than three decades. “Funds aren’t unlimited,” he said.

Credited with emphasizing local ingredients and mentoring young chefs in Charleston, Lee retired in 2016, a few years after his wife’s diagnosis.

In an interview at the time, he said, “My wife has given up her life to help me in my career, and now I need to pay attention to her.”

In 2020, he contacted a half-dozen home care agencies. Some couldn’t fill the position. Others sent aides who were quickly overwhelmed by his wife’s behavior.

Doctors told the family they believed she has frontotemporal dementia, which appeared to affect her language and how she behaved.

One woman seemed promising, only to quit after a week or two. “We never saw her again,” Lee said.

He tried a friend of the family for a time, but she left when her grandmother developed liver cancer.

“It was the whole year of going through different caregivers,” said son Jesse.

Finally, Frank found two women to help.

seemed to enjoy the company, murmuring in response to the conversation.

At other times, she seemed oblivious to the people around her.

She can no longer walk on her own. Two people are often needed to help her get up from a chair or go to the bathroom, transitions she often finds upsetting. A day without an aide — out because of illness or a family emergency — frays the tenuous links that hold the couple’s life together.

Lee said his wife barely resembles the woman he married, the one who loved hiking, skiing and gardening, and who started a neighborhood preschool while raising their three children. A voracious reader, she is now largely silent, staring into space.

The prognosis is bleak, with doctors offering little to hang onto. “What’s the end game look like?” Lee asks, wondering if it would be better if his wife had the right to die rather than slowly disappear before his eyes. “As she disintegrates, I disintegrate,” he said. She recently qualified for hospice care, which will involve weekly visits from a nurse and a certified nursing assistant paid under Medicare.

Charleston is flush with retirees attracted by its low taxes and a warm climate, and it boasts of ways to care for them with large

for-profit home health chains and a scattering of small agencies.

But many families in Charleston and across the nation can’t find the help they need.

And when they do, it’s often spotty and far more expensive than they can afford.

Most Americans want to remain in their own homes, living independently, for as long as possible.

They want to avoid nursing homes, which they see as providing poor care, polls have found. And the ranks of older people who need such help will grow. By 2030, 1 in 5 Americans will be at least 65 as millions in the baby boomer generation retire.

In dozens of interviews, families described a desperate and sometimes fruitless search for aides to help loved ones with simple tasks on a predictable schedule at an hourly rate they can afford.

Roughly 8 million people 65 and older had dementia or needed help with two or more activities of basic daily life, like getting out of bed, according to an analysis of a federally funded survey of older Americans by KFF Health News and The New York Times. Only a million received paid help outside of a nursing home, and nearly 3 million had no help at all.

Most families can’t afford what agencies charge — about $27 an hour, according

In dozens of interviews, families described a desperate and sometimes fruitless search for aides to help loved ones with simple tasks on a predictable schedule at an hourly rate they can afford.

women, two-thirds are people of color, and roughly a third are immigrants. The pay is often so low that more than half qualify for public assistance like food stamps or Medicaid.

Dawn Geisler, 53, has made only $10 an hour working as a home health aide in the Charleston area for the past four years, without ever getting a raise. She declined to name the agency that employs her because she doesn’t want to lose her job.

Geisler discovered she liked the work after caring for her mother. Unlike an office job, “every day is just a little bit different,” she said. She now juggles two clients. She might accompany one to the doctor and keep the other one company. “I’m taking care of them like they were my own family,” she said.

The agency provides no guarantee of work and doesn’t always tell her what to expect when she walks through the door, except to say someone has Alzheimer’s or is in a wheelchair. Her supervisors often fail

to Genworth, a longterm care insurance company. So, many take their chances on untrained caregivers found through wordof-mouth, Craigslist, or other resources.

A scarcity of workers One of the main obstacles to finding paid help is the chronic shortage of workers.

Some 3.7 million people had jobs as aides in home health or personal care in 2022, with half of them earning less than $30,000 year, or $14.51 an hour, according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics.

The number of people needed is expected to increase by more than 20 percent over the next decade. But the working conditions are hard, the pay is usually bad, and the hours are inconsistent.

About 3 million people are working in private homes, according to a 2023 analysis by PHI, a nonprofit that studies and acts as an advocate for the workforce, although official estimates may not count many workers paid off the books or hired outside of an agency by a family.

Eighty-five percent of home care workers are

See CARE, Page 7

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Winters Express, Wednesday, December 27, 2023 — A7

CARE WASTE

“I’m not making enough to pay all the bills I have.”

Continued from Page 6

Continued from Page 3 phone, tablet or television, responsibly offload your previous devices at YCCL. Yolo County residents can recycle electronic waste for free by placing all broken and unrepairable devices in YCCL’s recycling totes or by donating working electronics to the Big Blue Barn thrift store.

Holiday parties are another excellent opportunity to practice waste reduction. Minimize waste by using compostable paper plates and napkins, before tossing all food waste and food-soiled paper into the curbside organics container and cleaning any silverware.

Be sure to sort Recycle California Redemption Value (CRV) bottles and cans into a blue bin during holiday festivities in order to start 2024 with a cash reward.

YCCL and the Esparto Transfer Station will be closed on Jan. 1 in observance of Christmas and New Year’s Day. All other services will be available during YCCL’s normal operating hours from 8 a.m. to 4 p.m. on New Year’s Eve. The Esparto Convenience Center will maintain its regular schedule of every Wednesday and Saturday from 9:30 a.m. to 3:30 p.m., and the Big Blue Barn will be open every Thursday from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m., with a 50 percent off sale on Sat., Jan. 20, to support a sustainable start to the new year.

For more information on waste reduction programs offered by the Department of Community Services, Division of Integrated Waste Management, call (530) 666-8856 or visit www.YoloCounty. org/Landfill.

to let her know if her client goes to the hospital, so families know to call her cellphone. She has waited weeks for a new assignment without getting paid a penny. She herself has no health insurance and sometimes relies on food banks to put meals on the table.

“I’m not making enough to pay all the bills I have,” said Geisler, who joined an advocacy group called the Fight for $15, which is pushing to raise the minimum wage in South Carolina and across the country.

When her car broke down, she couldn’t afford to get it fixed. Instead, she walked to work or borrowed her fiancé’s bicycle.

Most home-care agencies nationwide are for-profit and are often criticized for ignoring the needs of workers in favor of the bottom line.

“The business models are based on cheap labor,” said Robyn Stone, the senior vice president of research for LeadingAge, which represents nonprofit agencies. The industry has historically tolerated high turnover but now can’t attract enough workers in a strong, competitive job market. “I think there has been a rude awakening for a lot of these companies,” she said.

Many agencies have also refused to pay overtime or travel costs between jobs, and many have been accused of wage theft in lawsuits filed by home care workers or have been sanctioned by state and federal agencies.

Medicaid, the federal-state program that provides health care for the poor, is supposed to provide home aides but faces shortages of workers at the rates it pays workers.

At least 20 states pay less than $20 an hour for a personal care aide, according to a recent state survey by

Dawn Geisler, home health aide KFF. Aides are often paid less under Medicaid than if they care for someone paying privately.

With low pay and few benefits, many people would rather work the checkout line in a supermarket or at a fast-food chain than take on the emotionally demanding job of caring for an older person, said Ashlee Pittmann, the chief executive of Interim HealthCare of Charleston, a home health agency. She said that she recently raised wages by $2 an hour and had had more success keeping employees, but that she still worried that “we may not be able to compete with some larger companies.”

The Biden administration failed to obtain an additional $400 billion from Congress for home- and community-based services to shift emphasis away from institutional care. President Joe Biden signed an executive order this year to encourage some reforms, and federal officials have proposed requiring home health agencies to spend 80 cents of every government dollar on paying workers under Medicaid. But so far, little has changed.

Falling through the ‘Doughnut Hole‘ Long-term care coverage for most Americans is a yawning gap in government programs. And the chasm is widening as more Americans age into their 70s, 80s, and 90s.

The government’s main program for people 65 and older is Medicare, but it pays for a home aide only when a medical condition, like recovery from a stroke, has made a person eligible for a nurse or therapist to come to the home. And the

Winters

aide is usually short-term.

Medicare doesn’t cover long-term care.

Medicaid, which does pay for long-term care at home, is limited to serving the poor or those who can demonstrate they have hardly any assets. But, again, the worker shortage is so pervasive that waiting lists for aides are years long, leaving many people without any option except a nursing home.

So millions of Americans keep trying to hang in and stay home as long as they can. They’re not poor enough to qualify for Medicaid, but they can’t afford to hire someone privately.

Many fall through what April Abel, a former home health nurse from Roper St. Francis Healthcare in Charleston, described as “the doughnut hole.”

“I feel so bad for them because they don’t have the support system they need,” she said.

She tried fruitlessly for months to find help for Joanne Ganaway, 79 and in poor health, from charities or state programs while she visited her at home. Ganaway had trouble seeing because of a tear in her retina and was often confused about her medications, but the small pension she had earned after working nearly 20 years as a state employee made her ineligible for Medicaid-sponsored home care.

So Ganaway, who rarely leaves her house, relies on friends or family to get to the doctor or the store. She spends most of her day in a chair in the living room. “It has been difficult for me, to be honest,” she said.

Turning to respite services With no hope of steady

help, there is little left to offer overstretched wives, husbands, sons, and daughters other than a brief respite. The Biden administration has embraced the idea of respite services under Medicare, including a pilot program for the families of dementia patients that will begin in 2024.

One nonprofit, Respite Care Charleston, provides weekday drop-off sessions for people with dementia for almost four hours a day.

Lee’s wife went for a couple of years, and he still makes use of the center’s support groups, where caregivers talk about the strain of watching over a loved one’s decline.

On any given morning, nearly a dozen people with dementia gather around a table. Two staff members and a few volunteers work with the group as they play word games, banter, bat balls around, or send a small plastic jumping frog across the table.

Their visits cost $50 a session, including lunch, and the organization’s brief hours keep it under the minimum state requirements for licensing.

“We’re not going to turn someone away,” Sara Perry, the group’s executive director, said. “We have some folks who pay nothing.”

The service is a godsend, families say. Parkinson’s disease and a stroke have left Dottie Fulmer’s boyfriend, Martyn Howse, mentally and physically incapacitated, but he enjoys the sessions.

“Respite Care Charleston has been a real key to his keeping going,” she said, “to both of us, quite frankly, continuing to survive.”

KFF Health News is a national newsroom that produces in-depth journalism about health issues and is one of the core operating programs at KFF—an independent source of health policy research, polling, and journalism.

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A8 — Winters Express, Wednesday, December 27, 2023

LES SCHWAB’S

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Parents of the winning baby must reside within the Winters Joint Unified School District. The exact time of birth must be specified in writing by the attending physician. The necessary verifying must be submitted online — visit https://bit.ly/3NFxtyn or scan the QR code. For questions, contact the Express office at news@wintersexpress.com or 530-795-4551. In the event that there is no winner by Jan. 30, the contest will be extended until a winner has been declared. Decision of judges will be final. Names and photo of the winning baby and parents will be published in the newspaper. Form submissions must be received by noon on Jan. 30, 2024.

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FEATURES

How to navigate a seller’s market

The passing of Mr. Winters

Welcome in the New Year

HOMES, Page 2

OPINION, Page 3

FEATURES, Page 8

Officer Brandon Kenney (right) organized the Shop with a Cop event for the second year.

Target workers assisted them with the venture to provide gifts for two families this year.

December 27 to Janury 5 Winters Library Hours (School Not in Session), Winters Community Library, Mon/Wed: 10 a.m.–6 p.m., Tue/Thu: 12–8 p.m., Fri/Sat: 1–5 p.m., yolocountylibrary.org/locations/winters/ December 27 to Janury 1 Winters City Hall Closed, Visit www.cityofwinters.org/calendar Wednesdays Eat Well Yolo Drive – Through Food Distribution, Wednesdays, 3:30 p.m. As supplies last, Winters High student parking lot, off Railroad Avenue Thursdays Eat Well Yolo Food Distribution, first and third Thursdays, 10 a.m. As supplies last, RISE, Inc., 417 Haven St., 530-668-0690

Upcoming Monday, January 8 Winters Climate Action Commission Meeting, 6:30 p.m., City Hall Large Conference Room (Abbey Street entrance), Check cityofwinters.org/climate-action-commission Tuesday, January 16 Winters City Council Meeting, 6:30 p.m., Council chamber (318 First St.), Zoom Meeting info, check www.cityofwinters.org/ city-council-meetings_/

Courtesy photo

Shop with a Cop brings joy to local families, officers

By Angela Underwood Express correspondent It’s been four years running that Winters Police Department officers have taken children Christmas shopping.

“We started with one family when we started ... now we are up to two families,” Police Chief John P. Miller said their annual Shop with a Cop Program is made possible by more than one generous donor.

Benefactor funds pay for a holiday field trip to the Target Store in Vacaville, where

officers and adolescents peruse holiday-decorated aisles searching for the perfect present.

“We have the kids put together their shopping list for their siblings and parents and not for themselves,” Miller said.

“So a lot of Shop with a Cop is kids shopping.”

Gordon Brown was the initial “head elf” of the annual event until Officer Brandon Kenny took over the big red bag of presents. Now, the 2022 Officer of the Year heads the holiday program with a twist.

Wednesday, January 17 Yolo County/Winters City 2x2 Meeting, 4 p.m., City Hall Large Conference Room (Abbey Street entrance), check www.cityofwinters.org/2x2/ Winters Hispanic Advisory Committee, 6:30 p.m., City Hall Large Conference Room (Abbey Street entrance) Thursday, January 18 Winters JUSD School Board Meeting, 6 p.m., School District Office, Zoom Meeting info, check https://wintersjusd.diligent.community

Library Services Winters Library Open to Public (No School in Session) Dec. 22 to Jan. 4, Winters Community Library, Mon/Wed: 10 a.m.–6 p.m., Tue/Thu: 12–8 p.m., Fri/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

Courtesy photo

Winters Police offers and cadets took local children shopping at Target to pick out gifts for their parents and siblings. The bigger surprise is that officers picked out gifts for them later that week.

“This year, I didn’t even have to prod,” Miller said. “Officer Kenny was already all over it, making things happen, and the Winters Police Officer Association took ownership of it and I was very happy to see that.”

Little did the children know when they were shopping for others, they were also bequeathing themselves.

“When we are doing it, we pay attention to what they are interested in at the store,” Miller said.

After leaving Target on Dec. 15 with bags of gifts for their parents and siblings, the children enjoyed a pizza and wrapping party at the police department. For the next week, children got the joy of giving, knowing their loved ones had presents otherwise would not be possible if not for them.

Then, a knock on the door two days before Christmas wraps up the two-part Shop with a Cop surprise.

“We go back to their house with the gifts for them to put under the tree,” Miller said.

Though it is all about giving, the children must remain on budget, bringing what Chief Miller calls another “life lesson” in the program surrounded by giving.

While Shop with a Cop blesses some select Winters families, the officers are also gifted, according to the chief, bringing up day-to-day interactions with police are often less favorable.

“Most of the time, we meet

See SHOP, Page 4

Older Adult Programs Winters Senior Foundation Chair Yoga Class for Seniors, Will resume in 2024.

Winters Senior Foundation Social Gathering, Will resume in 2024.

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, 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. (Closed until Jan. 4) Winters Open Mic, third Thursday of the month ( January thru March), 6 p.m. (sign-ups begin at 5:30 p.m.), Winters Opera House, 13 Main St. Kiwanis Club of Winters meeting, fourth Thursdays, 6 p.m., Hooby's Brewing Democracy Winters meeting, third Saturdays, 10 a.m.Noon, Meeting details in newsletter, contact info@ democracywinters.org 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.

Courtesy photos

Wolfskill Career Rediness Academy students broke up into three groups to prepare the ground and the tree root systems with the guidance of Tree Davis experts. BELOW: Students work to loosen up roots to make room for growth once the tree is planted in the soil.

CRA students create shade opportunity on campus Express staff Wolfskill Career Readiness Academy student teamed up with experts from Tree Davis and Winters Joint Unified School District staff to plant three new trees outside of classrooms next to Dr. Sellers Field on Wednesday, Dec. 13. Some of the students found the experience rewarding to work as a group to and put in hard labor to bring long-term benefit to the high school campus. The three

Pistacia x Red Push trees will provide shade for future students and contribute to clean air efforts.

The three trees were planted alongside trees planted between the A and B wings of the previous Winters High School main building that was demoished to make way for the new high school campus.

Wolfskill CRA classrooms were recently moved to the WHS campus for the 202324 school year.

B2 — Winters Express, Wednesday, December 27, 2023

How to navigate a seller’s market Special to the Express There are strategies that can help buyers succeed when home sales are hot.

In today’s real estate landscape, many buyers find themselves in the midst of a seller’s market, where demand for homes far outweighs the supply available. While this can be daunting for prospective homebuyers, it is essential to remember that success is still possible with the right strategies in place.

To secure your dream home in a competitive seller’s market, you need to be proactive, prepared and savvy in your approach to making offers.

One of the most crucial steps is preparing pre-approval for a mortgage. This shows sellers you are a seri-

Knowing your budget and having a preapproval letter in hand allows you to make strong and immediate offers.

Adobe/stock photo

ous and qualified buyer and lets you move quickly when you find the right property.

Knowing your budget and having a pre-approval letter in hand allows you to make strong and immediate

offers.

An experienced real estate agent who is well-versed in the local market can be your greatest ally. They can help you identify properties that match your criteria, provide

insights into pricing trends and offer guidance on crafting competitive offers. Their negotiation skills and industry connections can be invaluable in securing your desired property.

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See MARKET, Page 4

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Contact me with your Real Estate questions about property values, selling or buying.

In a seller’s market, lowball offers are unlikely to be successful.

Sellers are looking for the best price possible for their homes, so it’s important to be prepared to offer a price that reflects the property’s value. Your real estate agent can help you determine an appropriate and competitive offer price based on comparable sales in the area. An escalation clause is a clever strategy that allows

your offer to increase automatically if another buyer outbids you. This can show the seller that you are serious and willing to compete for the property. However, be sure to set a cap on the escalation clause to ensure you don’t exceed your budget.

Flexibility in your offer can be a powerful tool. If you can accommodate the seller’s preferred closing date or offer a quick close, it may give you an edge over other buyers. Be sure to discuss your preferences with your real estate agent to align your offer with the seller’s needs. Put down a larger earnest money deposit. This demonstrates your commitment to the purchase and makes your offer more appealing. Be clear on the terms and conditions of the deposit so that it is not lost if you have to back out of the deal.

Sometimes, a heartfelt letter to the seller can make a difference.

Explain why you love

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4314 Redbud Pl., Davis • 4 BD 3 BTH / 3400 sqft...SOLD $1,550,000 26960 E. El Macero Drive • 5 BD 4 BTH / 5400 sqft...SOLD $2,168,598 1302 Valley Oak Dr., Winters • 4 BD 3 BTH / 2176 sqft...SOLD $691,978 951 Potter St., Winters • 5 BD 3 BTH / 2949 sqft...SOLD $695,000

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OPPORTUNITY KNOCKS IN NORTH VACAVILLE! 6 lots with separate APN numbers. Final map was approved however map has expired. Lots located in area of million-dollar (+) homes. Seller owns 31 water rights so possibility of adding more lots. Call today for more details! Priced at $1,199,000.

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SMALL COTTAGE STYLE HOME on 55+/- acres of English walnuts. Great location and great soil. $1,299,000.

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Winters Express, Wednesday, December 27, 2023 — B3

Express Yourself

The passing of Mr. Winters

T

he holidays are supposed to be a joyous time of the year, but not for everyone. With the passing of Mike Sebastian last week, another family might be celebrating Christmas and hoping for a better New Year, but with heavy hearts.

It is hard to remember a Winters event where Mike wasn’t the MC (Master of Ceremonies) or the announcer. He was at every swim meet, football game, chamber or Rotary event and not just watching from the back row. Mike was a leader that made things happen. Health issues slowed him down over the past few years, but he was back attending Rotary meetings and continued worrying about who was going to help out with Youth Day. He can stop worrying, now.

The annual Chamber of Commerce Citizen of the Year Dinner is coming up and I missed him at the selection committee meeting last week. Mike was Citizen of the Year in 1997.

He spent his whole life trying to make Winters Youth Day better than the year before. He was the Rotary Club of Winters president in 2008, helping the members, and the town, maintain his expectations for excellence.

He was at every swim meet, football game, chamber or Rotary event and not just watching from the back row.

I’m sure there are plenty of Mike stories that will be circulating around town. I’ve never heard a bad word about Mike and can’t remember when he wasn’t smiling. Even after they amputated one of his legs he was still smiling as he asked me to come into his home and have a seat.

People die all the time, and I don’t know why some deaths affect me more than others.

I can understand my feelings when a friend dies, and I considered Mike a friend, but sometimes the people aren’t even that close to me, but I still have to take a breath and remember that life goes on.

I’ll tip one back for Mike on New Year’s Eve and say a prayer that his family and friends can remember the good times and not be too sad.

Get ready for 2024.

It is going to be a good year, I promise.

Horoscopes ARIES (Mar 21/Apr 20) People may not be available this week to get together, and that is perfectly fine by you, Aries. Solitude is just what you can use right now after a busy stretch.

TAURUS (Apr 21/May 21) Taurus, expect a delay or two this week as those who you are expecting simply keep you waiting and it’s very frustrating. This will be a lesson in patience for now.

GEMINI (May 22/Jun 21) Gemini, you may envision a plan in your mind, but now it is up to you to move it from your thoughts and into the reality of coming to fruition. It will take a little time.

CANCER (Jun 22/Jul 22) Cancer, give yourself some time to have fun and play around.

The inner child in you needs the opportunity to explore and try new things. You’ll have plenty of chances.

LEO (Jul 23/Aug 23) This week may bring many different feelings to the surface, Leo. You may not be ready to explore all of your deep emotions just yet, but you can start by being honest with others.

VIRGO (Aug 24/Sept 22) Virgo, empathy may inundate you this week, as you are in tune with the feelings of many different people. Others will appreciate your thoughtfulness in the days to come.

LIBRA (Sept 23/Oct 23) You have many chores on your list but things keep pulling you in different directions, Libra. if you can’t focus on something difficult, try a creative pursuit.

SCORPIO (Oct 24/Nov 22) Scorpio, you may find if you look ahead that there are really no pressing matters on your calendar. This gives you the perfect opportunity to have an outing and enjoy yourself.

SAGITTARIUS (Nov 23/Dec 21) Past memories could put you in a funk, Sagittarius.

Rather than dwell on what may have happened, think about the future in your control.

CAPRICORN (Dec 22/Jan 20) Focus your energy on ideas this week, Capricorn. You might not be changing the world, but each innovation you think up will have a positive impact.

AQUARIUS (Jan 21/Feb 18) Aquarius, do not let moments of self-doubt derail you.

Now more than ever, you need to believe in yourself. Think of this as a test that you can ace.

PISCES (Feb 19/Mar 20) Pisces, if you do not like what you are or where you are going right now, you have an opportunity to make any changes you want. This may be the ultimate resolution.

B4 — Winters Express, Wednesday, December 27, 2023

Letters Breast cancer support efforts are year-round On behalf of the Thriving Pink Board of Directors, our heartfelt thanks for helping to raise awareness and critical funds during Breast Cancer Awareness Month.

While this event occurs once a year, breast cancer impacts the community 7 days a week, 364 days a year. With your generous support, we are able to offer no cost services and programs for anyone in Yolo County impacted by breast cancer, including financial grants, peer mentorship, educational workshops and fellowship. Thank you for joining us as we strive to achieve our vision that no one will go through breast cancer alone.

JONI RUBIN, Chair, Thriving Pink Board of Directors

Elder Day Council brings awareness to senior poverty

By Wally Pearce Winters Elder Day Council Sarah and her husband Ben were married in their early 20s.

When Ben was 67 years old, a serious heart attack instantly took his life. Because he’d only eked out a living at low-paying jobs, no pensions were available for Ben. Sarah’s life credentials are that of a loving wife, mother, homemaker and caregiver, has become totally dependent on Social Security survivor benefits.

Today, life is challenging for 77-year-old Sarah, who not only supports herself but is also the sole caregiver to her 14-yearold granddaughter born with severe special needs and abandoned at birth by her drug-compromised mother. Sarah recently told her social worker, that even with combined monthly Social Security benefits, received for her and her disabled granddaughter, it’s very difficult to get our basic needs met each month, and with the ever-increasing monthly rent, “Well, I’m constantly struggling.”

Jan. 1, 2024, begins

gaps, discrimination, inadequate or no pension, caregiving obligations, or more, are often powerless to access social protection resources.

The U.S. Census Bureau contends that nationally, senior poverty increased by over 11 percent in 2022, resulting in over 1 million more senior adults relying on restricted resources for their daily survival.

Recently, in 2023, more than 17 million (or roughly 1 in 3 Americans) aged 65 and older were considered economically insecure.

It’s clear that the U.S. may be one of the greatest countries in the world, but myriad people continue to be deprived of housing, three meals a day, clean drinking water, healthcare access, a lack of basic daily hygiene, and more. Still, millions of Americans consider Social Security their major source of income and a primary root of revenue for many beneficiaries.

Not long ago, California was projected to be one of the fastest-growing states in total population. But, in 2016, California

the National Poverty Awareness Month, an initiative to end poverty’s advancement in society. The 2024 theme is “Dignity for All in Practice.”

Expanding on poverty’s assumption, this prospectus concentrates on senior poverty, as acknowledged by a recent Justice in Aging declaration that …senior poverty is on the rise because disappearing pensions and inadequate retirement leave more senior adults behind. A nationally recognized organization since 1972, Justice in Aging successfully uses the power of law to fight senior poverty, because eradicating it is not a task of charity, senior poverty affects senior adults — because some are vulnerable to its vicious grasp.

The antagonistic social confusion only stimulates the subsequent mistreatment of senior adults living in poverty and that far too often leads to stereotyping and prejudice, that transcends from one generation to another in a persistent spiral. Senior adults who’ve been unable to accumulate sufficient income through wage

comprised 12 percent of the nation's population and was expected to grow 30 percent by the year 2060 (an increase of 11.7 million people). In California, the population aged 60 years and over, was expected to grow more than three times as fast as the total population, and that growth will vary by county.

Yolo County is no exception, and by 2040, over 70,000 people aged 60 and older are projected to be residents, and it represents a 235 percent growth. According to recent federal census data, rural senior adults have a higher rate of poverty than their urban counterparts.

Rural areas also tend to have a higher percentage of older adults in their total population than their urban equals and are less likely to leave their homes at retirement.

Here’s some measured city of Winters statistics to reflect on: The estimated number of senior adults (age 65 and older) living in the city of Winters is 1,000 (9 percent),

Approximately 43 percent of senior adult households in the city of Winters earn less than $30,000 per year, Over 60 percent of senior adults receive food stamps.

According to the National Council on Aging, and the U.S. Census Bureau, senior poverty is also associated with a host of health issues, like heart disease, diabetes, cancer, mental illness, and malnutrition — because many senior adults live under burdens to get their basic needs met including a lack of access to public safety systems.

Please take the time to learn about the causes and consequences of senior poverty, as well as any local policies and programs.

This January 2024, please join the Winters Elder Day Council as we share awareness and increase knowledge regarding senior poverty in America.

The obvious question: Is Yolo County prepared for the projected challenges an expanding senior adult population could insist on?

Wreaths Across America honors fallen

By Susan Hiland McNaughton Media Boxes of wreaths waited in section 5 at the Sacramento Valley National Cemetery for the thousands of volunteers to come and grab a wreath and place it on a grave.

Wreaths Across America held a small ceremony Saturday, Dec. 16 to remember our fallen soldiers before the volunteers went to work.

Wreaths Across America is a national nonprofit organization founded in 2007. They continue the work of businessman Morrill Worcester who started the idea of laying wreaths in Arlington National Cemetery in 1992. The idea grew and became nationwide.

This year’s event

in Dixon happened to coincide with the Remember-A-Vet bough-laying event, which began early in the morning before the 9 a.m. formal ceremony by Wreaths Across America.

Lyndsey Jacobsen, 16, of Rancho Cordova, took on the responsibility of helping to coordinate the Wreaths Across America event for the second year in a row. She first began working with Wreaths Across America two years ago through her Civil Air Patrol squadron.

“They called me and said the organizer couldn’t do it, would I do it?” Jacobsen said.

“I was glad to.”

Jacobsen, who also serves as youth legacy president of the Tuskegee Airmen Heritage

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FILED IN YOLO COUNTY CLERK'S OFFICE Jesse Salinas, Yolo County Clerk/Recorder F20231043 Business is located in YOLO County.

12/15/2023 Fictitious Business Name: TACOS EL SARAPE Physical Address: 470 EDWARDS ST., WINTERS CA 95694 Mailing Address: Names of Registrant(s)/Owner(s) & Physical Residential Address, State, and Zip: MMJ 2023 ENTERPRISES LLC, 470 EDWARDS ST. WINTERS CA 95694 Business Classification: LIMITED LIABILITY COMPANY Starting Date of Business: 11/1/23 /s/ LAWRENCE W CHAVEZ I hereby certify that this is a true copy of the original document on file in this office. This certification is true as long as there are no alterations to the document, AND as long as the document is sealed with a red seal.

Jesse Salinas, County Clerk/Recorder, State of California, County of Yolo Published December 27, January 3, 10, 17 2024 #471 FILED IN YOLO COUNTY CLERK'S OFFICE Jesse Salinas, Yolo County Clerk/Recorder F20230977 11/17/2023 Business is located in YOLO County Fictitious Business Name: MGB HAIR BRAIDING Physical Address: 331 D STREET SUITE B, DAVIS CALIFORNIA 95616 Mailing Address: 614 ADAMS ST APT 3, DAVIS CALIFORNIA 95616 Names of Registrant(s)/Owner(s) & Physical Residential Address, State, and Zip: JEANINE MUKOMA MANGABU 614 ADAMS ST APT 3, DAVIS CA 95616 Business Classification: INDIVIDUAL Date of Business: N/A /s/ JEANINE MANGABU Title of Officer Signing: OWNER I hereby certify that this is a true copy of the original document on file in this office. This certification is true as long as there are no alterations to the document, AND as long as the document is sealed with a red seal.

Jesse Salinas, County Clerk/Recorder, State of California, County of Yolo Published December 13, 20, 27 2023, January 3, 2024 #469

Chapter, organized and fundraised for Wreaths Across America this year, working with the Tuskegee Airmen Heritage Chapter to pull it all together.

Congress proclaimed that a Saturday in December would be the day Wreaths Across America would be do-

ing ceremonies of remembrance, according to a press release.

This year’s theme was Serve and Succeed.

Jacobsen said she hopes to raise even more money next year and be able to place wreaths on 10,000 graves.

SHOP Continued from Page 1 people on the worst days of their lives, either victims of crime or car broken into, so it’s not a great day for them, or we see the worst in people,” Miller said.

Shop with a Cop changes that, at least for a couple of families a year. Rather than fear the knock of a law enforcement officer at the door, a couple of families welcome it this year.

“We make an impact — what we do

MARKET Continued from Page 4 love the home and how you envision your future there. Personal connections can be emotionally appealing to sellers and may tip the scales in your

Ashley Keene places a wreath honoring veterans during the Wreaths Across America ceremony at the Sacramento Valley National Cemetery in Dixon on Dec. 16.

Susan Hiland/ McNaughton Media

matters and how we do it matters more,” Miller said. “This is making a positive impact on a kid that will stay with them for the rest of their lives.”

Miller said a special thanks goes out to the Winters Police Officers Association for sponsoring the event and the RISE, Inc. Winters and Esparto offices for helping connect the officers with families. He said an extra special thanks goes out to Kenny and all the department cadets who volunteered. favor.

Time is of the essence. Be ready to view new listings as soon as they hit the market and make offers promptly if you find a property you love. Delays can cost you the opportunity to secure your

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While you need to protect your interests, consider limiting the number of contingencies in your offer.

Excessive contingencies can make your offer less attractive to sellers. Work with your real estate agent to strike a balance between protecting yourself and making a competitive offer.

Perseverance is key.

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Winters Express, Wednesday, December 27, 2023 — B5

Year in review: California tackles mental health, fentanyl

By Ana B. Ibarra Cal Matters When it comes to health and wellness, perhaps few things weigh heavier on the minds of Californians than the mental health crisis and the fentanyl epidemic.

California is undertaking ambitious — and at times controversial — efforts to provide some relief to those in mental health distress. For example, this year, Newsom proposed and lawmakers agreed to back a measure for the March 2024 ballot that would allow additional funds to be used toward housing for people with behavioral health issues.

Specifically, the proposal would authorize a $6.4 billion bond to fund housing for people with mental health illnesses and substance use disorders. The measure also asks voters to allow counties to use 30 percent of the funds collected from the Mental Health Services Act for housing purposes. This 20-year-old law funds mental health pro-

Larry Valenzuela, CalMatters/CatchLight Local

A medical personnel working on her computer in the corridor of Hazel Hawkins Memorial Hospital in Hollister on March 30. grams through a 1 percent tax on personal income over $1 million.

Opponents of this proposal have argued that redirecting funds from the millionaire’s tax toward housing will result in cuts to current mental health programs and treatment options.

In March, voters will have the final say.

Another public health crisis, fentanyl overdoses, drove impassioned discussions in this year’s

legislative session as lawmakers tried to address this latest phase of the opioid epidemic. Last year, 6,959 people died from an opioid overdose — a 115 percent jump from 2019, according to the California Department of Public Health.

Much of the growth has been linked to fentanyl, which is known to be 50 times stronger than heroin and 100 times stronger than morphine.

Lawmakers introduced a slew of fen-

tanyl-related bills.

Republicans, some Democrats and law enforcement leaders pushed for harsher penalties for fentanyl possession and dealing, but many of those bills were watered down or killed in the legislative process.

Among those set to become law is one that requires community colleges and California State University campuses to provide fentanyl test strips to students. Another requires amusement

parks and concert venues to have overdose antidote naloxone on hand. In the spring, Newsom announced that the state would manufacture its own naloxone as part of its CalRx initiative.

Two other key decisions for lawmakers this year came down to money, with one centering on distressed hospitals and the other lifting up low-paid health care workers.

Following the closure of Madera County’s only general hospital at the start of 2023, administrators at a handful of community hospitals began to sound the alarm, noting that they, too, were in financial distress. At least two other hospitals filed for bankruptcy; several cut services, including maternity wards, directly impacting patient care. Legislators responded by approving close to $300 million in loans that were divided among 17 hospitals. Madera, however, hasn’t been able to use its loan yet.

And, in the last week of the legislative session, labor unions ironed a deal with

hospitals and other providers to raise pay for health care workers to at least $25 an hour through a series of pay increases beginning in 2024. But as the plan’s cost becomes clearer, and with the looming state budget deficit, Gov. Gavin Newsom is suggesting that revisions are needed.

Major issues for 2024: We’ll continue to watch for how many people lose their Medi-Cal coverage as part of the renewal process that California and other states restarted this year for the first time since the pandemic. This process runs through next June and lapse of coverage for potentially millions is expected.

The negotiations on the health care wage plan will play out during the legislative session as well. Meanwhile, voters will decide whether to restructure the Mental Health Services Act. And lawmakers are likely to revisit efforts to combat fentanyl. An attempt to authorize psychedelics for therapy will also be back.

Bold changes are in store for Medi-Cal in 2024, but will patients benefit?

By Bernard J. Wolfson KFF Health News California’s safety-net health program, Medi-Cal, is on the cusp of major changes that could rectify long-standing problems and improve health care for the state’s low-income population.

Starting Jan. 1, Medi-Cal, California’s Medicaid program, will implement new standardized contracts with its 22 managed care health plans, which collectively cover 99 percent of enrollees. The new contracts tighten enforcement of quality measures, especially for women and children; require the health plans to report publicly on the performance of medical providers — and in some cases other insurers — to whom they delegate care; and mandate that plans reveal the number of enrollees who don’t have access to primary care and invest more to plug the gap.

They also commit plans to better integration of physical and mental health care and greater responsiveness to the cultural and linguistic needs, sexual orientation, and gender identity of members.

To realize these promises, state regulators will have to be tougher than they have been in the past.

But that might be difficult, because the changes are happening at the same time as a number of other initiatives that could compete for staff attention and confuse some enrollees.

Beginning next year, over 700,000 immigrants without permanent legal residency will become eligible for full Medi-Cal coverage. In addition, an estimated 1.2 million beneficiaries in 21 counties will need to change health plans after the state last year rejiggered the constellation of insurers and multiple counties switched the way they deliver Medi-Cal. Some counties will have only one plan left. Where there is more than one, enrollees who are losing their plan will have to choose a new one.

Kaiser Permanente, the Oakland-based managed care giant, will start a new direct contract with the state in 32 counties, largely an administrative shift that should not disrupt care for most enrollees. And thousands of Medi-Cal enrollees in residential care will be switched into managed care plans for the first time,

Starting Jan. 1, Medi-Cal, California’s Medicaid program, will implement new standardized contracts with its 22 managed care health plans, which collectively cover 99 percent of enrollees.

Adobe/Stock photo

as the state accelerates its move away from traditional, direct-pay Medi-Cal. All of this is happening amid the so-called unwinding, in which over 900,000 people have been shed from Medi-Cal thus far, and disenrollments are expected to continue until next summer. The unwinding follows the termination of pandemic-era protections.

“My head is spinning thinking about all of that going on at the same time,” says John Baackes, CEO of L.A. Care Health Plan, the state’s largest Medi-Cal plan, with nearly 2.6 million members. “Our call center is stacked to the gills.”

Tony Cava, spokesperson for the Department of Health Care Services, which oversees Medi-Cal, says the new contracts, signed by all the Medi-Cal managed care plans, will provide for “quality, equitable, and comprehensive coverage,” emphasizing prevention and “offering services that address longterm care needs throughout a member’s life.”

And in a groundbreaking move, the new contracts also require health plans for the first time to reinvest a portion of their profits — between 5 percent and 7.5 percent — in the communities where they operate.

They also provide a number of carrots and sticks, which include withholding a small percentage of payments to health plans with a chance for them to earn it back by reaching quality and health equity benchmarks. And profitable health plans that don’t meet expectations will have to reinvest an additional 7.5 percent of

their profits in the community. This is all on top of increased fines that regulators can levy on poorly performing health plans.

The new Medi-Cal contracts also enshrine key elements of CalAIM, a $12 billion, five-year experiment, already underway, in which health plans aim to provide a range of social services for the neediest Medi-Cal members, including housing assistance and medically tailored meals, on the grounds that poverty and related social inequities are often the root of health problems. So far, however, the rollout has been slow.

Abbi Coursolle, senior attorney in the Los Angeles office of the National Health Law Program, says the requirement for health plans to report publicly on the care provided by their subcontracted medical providers should increase accountability, helping enrollees better navigate Medi-Cal. “This is a step forward that advocates have been paying attention to for over a decade,” Coursolle says. “There’s so much ping-ponging people back and forth between the health plan and the provider group. That dilutes accountability so much.”

Another big change for Medi-Cal is the elimination of the so-called asset limit test for a certain subset of enrollees, including people who are aged, blind, disabled, in long-term care, or on Medicare. In addition to meeting income requirements, people have had to keep the total value of their personal assets below certain thresholds to qualify for Medi-Cal. The assets that are counted include

savings, certain investments, second homes, and even second cars.

Until last year, those limits were so low — $2,000 for an individual — that people had virtually no ability to accumulate savings if they wanted to be on Medi-Cal. In mid-2022, however, the limit was raised to $130,000, which meant that for the majority of people subject to the test, assets were no longer a barrier to eligibility. In 2024, the asset test will be eliminated altogether.

But given last year’s change, the total elimination will likely generate only a few thousand new Medi-Cal enrollees. Still, it should save people the bureaucratic headache of having to prove they’re below a certain asset threshold.

If you want to learn more about the asset limit test, the DHCS has an FAQ on the subject on its website (dhcs.ca.gov).

If you wonder whether you are among the 1.2 million Medi-Cal members who need to change health plans, and you haven’t already received communication on the subject, the department has an online tool to tell you the plans that will be available in your county as of Jan. 1.

Nearly half the people who need to switch plans are Health Net members in Los Angeles County who are being transferred to Molina Healthcare as part of a compromise agreement the state struck last year to avoid becoming mired in lawsuits by angry health plans that lost out in a bidding competition.

If you need to change plans and you’re lucky, your doctors may be in the new

plan. Make sure to check.

If they are not, you may be able keep them for up to a year or long enough to finish a course of treatment that is already underway.

The DHCS provides a fact sheet outlining your rights to continuity. You can also contact your current health plan for additional information or ask your county Medi-Cal office. The Health Consumer Alliance (1-888‑804‑3536, or healthconsumer.org) is another source of information and assistance, as is Medi-Cal’s managed care ombudsman (1-888-452-8609, or MMCDOmbudsmanOffice@dhcs. ca.gov) Despite the state’s best intentions, an acute shortage of medical professionals could be a big obstacle.

“As these coverage expansions are happening, and as this innovation is happening, it is being built on a health workforce that is already strained,” says Berenice Nuñez Constant, senior vice president for government relations at AltaMed Health Services, one of the state’s largest community clinic groups.

Labor shortage or not, the health plans must deliver on their contractual obligations. Anthony Wright, executive director of the advocacy group Health Access California, says, “On some level, this is about holding the plans accountable for what they are promising and getting tens of billions of dollars for.”

This article was produced

by KFF Health News, which publishes California Healthline, an editorially independent service of the California Health Care Foundation.

B6 — Winters Express, Wednesday, December 27, 2023

Warriors face off with Woodland Christian on the court

By Aaron Geerts Express staff writer

JV boys The Winters High School junior varsity girls basketball team did not have any games last week. However, the junior varsity boys squad had one game as schools went on their winter break for the holidays.

The opponent on Wednesday, Dec. 20, was Woodland Christian High School and the Warriors had their hands full.

The Cardinals proved as formidable as ever, winning the game and booting the Warriors out of their nest with a 61–47 loss on their record.

“This week, we dealt with sickness and not having a full squad. We were missing four players. The best part is we are playing better competition, which is providing for good experi-

ence,” said junior varsity head coach Marcus Chavez. “I had several players get the opportunity for more playing due to having four players out. I was proud of their effort and all these boys are playing hard and I can’t ask more than that. Once we buy in as a team to our offense, we will start to see some wins.”

Varsity girls The varsity girls team laced up for a rematch with Woodland Christian on Wednesday, Dec. 20. In

the first bout, the Cardinals stomped on the Warriors winning 59–18. This time around, however, the Warriors were prepared to play with a big chip on their shoulder.

Behind the combined 29 points from sisters Emily and Macy Dodic, Jordan Tucker tossed in 10 points herself. With key support from a dominant Allison Aguiar, the Warrior offense overwhelmed the Cardinals and yielded a 47–35 win.

“For this second meeting with Woodland Christian, we were able to prepare for their press which the girls did extremely well. They not only learned the press break but also executed it almost flawlessly which led us to the win. Emily Dodic told me before the game we weren’t going to lose, and

to outscore the Warriors 21–12 in the second quarter.

The game continued to go back-and-forth to the last seconds, but Woodland Christian was able to sneak out a 68–61 victory when the clock was down to all zeros.

“Woodland Christian have two very good players and I thought we had a great game plan to slow them down and we did at the start. Great defense by Lane Brown and good leadership from our captains Colton Brown and Miles Mariani, had us in the thick of it for most of the game,” said head coach Brendan McShea. “They went on a run at the end of the third quarter and that was the difference. Ultimately, we lost by seven, but I am excited to spend the break tweaking some things and getting even better and then we are ready to face the conference slate in the new year.”

her prediction came true!

Every girl brought an incredible intensity and tenacity which was also impressive,” said head coach Ivan Dodic. “We were up two points at halftime, but after a couple more adjustments we were able to come out and outscore the Cardinals 20–4 in the third quarter to put us up big. Alli Aguiar exceeded all expectations as she dominated on the offensive and defensive boards. Without her effort, it would have been a different game. Jordan Tucker also played the best game she ever played and received compliments after the game from some of the Woodland Christian fans.”

Varsity boys The varsity boys team also took on Woodland Christian on Dec 20. With an 18–15 lead after the first quarter, the Warriors’ confidence was soaring. However, the Cardinals rallied

Search is on for first bumblebee sighting of 2024

By Kathy Keatley Garvey Special to the Express Who will spot and photograph the first bumblebee of the year in the two-county area of Yolo and Solano?

The Bohart Museum of Entomology is sponsoring its fourth annual Robbin Thorp Memorial First-Bumble-Bee-of-the-Year Contest, which begins at 12:01, Jan. 1, 2024. The first person to photograph a bumblebee in either Yolo or Solano and email it to the sponsor, the Bohart Museum, will receive a coffee cup designed with the endangered Franklin’s bumblebee, the bee that Thorp monitored on the California-Oregon border for decades.

Contest coordinator Lynn Kimsey, director of the Bohart Museum, said the image must be taken in the wild and emailed to bmuseum@ ucdavis.edu, with the time, date and place.

The contest memorializes Professor Thorp (1933-2019), a global authority on bees and a UC Davis distinguished emeritus professor of entomology, who died June 7, 2019, at age 85.

A 30-year member of the UC Davis faculty, he retired in 1994 but continued working until several weeks before his death. Every year he looked forward to seeing the first bumblebee of the year in the area.

Kathy Keatley Garvey/Courtesy photo

The black-tailed bumblebee, Bombus melanopygus.

The 2023 winner was Ria deGrassi of Davis, who spotted and videoed a black-tailed bumblebee Bombus melanopygus, foraging on a ceanothus plant on Sunday afternoon, Jan. 8 in her backyard in Davis.

She recorded the video on her cell phone at 12:32 p.m. to win the third annual contest. See her YouTube video at http://tinyurl.com/w5n9k6c7/.

“I was doing cleanup in my backyard after Saturday night’s rain and a 50-plus mile-per-hour windstorm,” said de Grassi, now an agricultural policy consultant. “The wind had subsided to a breeze by then. As I walked past my Ray Hartman ceanothus — which I purchased from a UC Davis Arboretum plant sale years ago when I did a garden makeover to be pollinator-friendly—I noticed some extra-long

ceanothus branches that needed to be pruned, including some with super-early blooming flowers.”

“I fumbled to retrieve my cell phone from my pocket to record, just to get in on the fun,” said de Grassi. “These bumbles dart around a lot, they don’t stay put for photo ops.”

De Grassi knew Thorp from her professional work with the California Farm Bureau Federation and from her friendship with bee scientists Timothy Lawrence and Susan Cobey, formerly of UC Davis.

DeGrassi, a former director of federal policy, livestock, animal health and welfare for the California Farm Bureau Federation, credits the storm, the UC Davis Arboretum and Public Garden and her working relationships with bee scientists, including Thorp, as having a hand in either her find and/or her interest in plants and pollinators.

The three previous winners (2022 was a tie) each photographed a bumblebee in the 100acre UC Davis Arboretum. Coincidentally, de Grassi bought her prized ceanothus at an Arboretum plant sale.

Postdoctoral researcher Charlie Casey Nicholson of the Neal Williams lab and the Elina Lastro Niño lab, UC Davis Department of Entomology

PISANI’S ATHLETE OF THE WEEK

Miles Mariani Miles Mariani, a Winters High School junior, is Pisani’s Athlete of the Week. Mariani is the point guard and one of the captains this season on the varsity boys basketball team. Head coach Brendan McShea said Mariani’s leadership sets his teammates up for success every time he’s on the court. “Other guys might score more points but no one makes our offense hum like Miles,” McShea

and Nematology, won the 2021 contest by photographing a B. melanopygus at 3:10 p.m., Jan. 14 in a manzanita patch in the Arboretum.

UC Davis doctoral candidate Maureen Page of the Neal Williams lab and horticulturist Ellen Zagory, retired director of public horticulture for the Arboretum, tied for first in the 2022 contest by each photographing a bumblebee foraging on manzanita (Arctostaphylos) in the Arboretum at 2:30 p.m., Saturday, Jan. 1.

Page, who now holds

a doctorate in entomology, photographed a B. melanopygus, while Zagory captured an image of the yellow-faced bumblebee, Bombus vosnesenskii.

Thorp, a tireless advocate of pollinator species protection and conservation, co-authored two books in 2014, during his retirement: bumblebees of North America: An Identification Guide (Princeton University,) and California Bees and Blooms: A Guide for Gardeners and Naturalists (Heyday). Every year he looked forward to

finding or seeing the first bumblebee in the area.

Thorp co-taught The Bee Course from 2002 to 2019. An intensive nine-day workshop affiliated with the American Museum of Natural History and held annually at the Southwestern Research Station, Portal, Ariz., it draws participants from around the world, including conservation biologists, pollination ecologists, and other biologists who want to gain greater knowledge of the systematics and biology of bees.

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Winters Express, Wednesday, December 27, 2023 — B7

Crystal Apilado/Winters Express

Daisies Parker Galvan and Barbara Nowak worked with Junior Addie Schrupp to bring their igloo design from a drawing to reality. They took on the challenge to add on a second level.

It’s a marshmallow, Girl Scout world Special to the Express Winters Girl Scouts from Troops 1225, 1933 and 2744 worked together to earn their Think Like an Engineer badge at Steady Eddy’s Coffee House on Wednesday, Dec. 13.

Each Girl Scout constructed shapes individually and then joined forces to construct igloos out of marshmallows and toothpicks. Juniors and Cadettes

teamed up with smaller groups of Daisies and Brownies to draw out building designs and troubleshoot marshmallow-related construction challenge s and to learn how to work together in a group setting.

Some teams were challenged to add on additional levels to their buildings.

After completing their marshmallow structures, girls enjoyed a DIY hot cocoa treat.

Crystal Apilado/Winters Express

ABOVE: Juniors Aubrey Martin and Reia Cooper worked with Brownies Josie Hoskins, Abbiegale Martin, Sophy Tufveson and Rosa Marubayashi.

RIGHT: Junior Isabella Monsalve and Cadette Jackelyn Cooper worked with Daisies Audrey Gallo and Isabella Del Toro to construct a giant structure.

Crystal Apilado/Winters Express

ABOVE: Cadette Sophia Bermudez helped Daisies Addie Reed and Ella Cooper combine their ideas into one marshmallow structure.

B8 — Winters Express, Wednesday, December 27, 2023

Fulfill your garden resolutions

By Denise Cottrell UCCE Yolo Master Gardener

Courtesy photo

Winters Theatre Company invites you to “Music Til Midnight, A Champagne Toast to the New Year,” featuring live entertainment with a 1940s cabaret theme on Dec. 31 at the historic Winters Opera House.

Welcome the new year at a cabaret-style event Special to the Express Ring in the new year with song, dance and good friends.

The Winters Theatre Company will host a traditional New Year’s Eve party at its new primary venue at the historic Winters Opera House.

Titled “Music Till Midnight, A Champagne Toast to the New Year,” the party features live entertainment with a 1940s cabaret theme.

Veteran WTC actors will perform selected jazz standards and show tunes, accompanied on piano by Ken Kimmerling of Davis.

Scheduled performers include Cameron Toney, Alexis Velasquez, Elizabeth Williams, Robert Payawal and Cody Svozil.

Live dance music will continue throughout the evening, from 9 p.m. to midnight.

Patrons will enjoy charcuterie-style appetizers, a delectable dessert buffet and a no-host bar serving soft drinks, wines and beers. In New Year’s Eve tradition, the evening will conclude with a midnight countdown and a complimentary champagne toast.

Doors open to the public at 8:30 p.m.

Courtesy photo

Robert Payawal and Cameron Toney practice for one of their “Music Til Midnight” performances.

Patrons will enjoy charcuteriestyle appetizers, a delectable dessert buffet and a no-host bar serving soft drinks, wines and beers. with the entertainment kicking off at 9 p.m. Tickets are available online at winterstheatre.org.

Beyond welcoming in 2024, WTC is celebrating its newest journey in having the Winters Opera House as its primary venue.

WTC assumed the

lease on the building on Dec. 1 and has already begun to gear up for upcoming shows and upcoming community collaborations.

The Winters Opera House, built in 1876, is one of the oldest buildings in downtown Winters.

What is your garden resolution for the new year? Plant more native plants? Learn some new tips about vegetable gardening? Finally, asking someone to identify that pesky bug that destroys your flower bed? Contact the UCCE Master Gardeners of Yolo County (UCCE MGs–Yolo) for research-based information for all your gardening questions and needs. From fruit trees to house plants, the UCCE MGs–Yolo aid home gardeners through free publications, classes, plant sales and more. Events are open to the public at no cost. Listed below are the educational events scheduled for January 2024. If you require additional information about a UCCE MG–Yolo event, visit the website at mgyolo@ucanr. edu or call 530-6668737.

If you are resolved to learn about a variety of plants, attend the Tropical Plants workshop. Led by UCCE Master Gardener, Jim Schulte, the workshop will take place on Friday, Jan. 5, at the Woodland Senior Center (2001 East St., Woodland) at 1:30 p.m. Registration in advance is necessary to attend this class. Sign up by calling the Woodland Community and Senior Center at 530661-2001 or drop by the center and register in person.

Start your vegetable garden with Kitchen Garden Chat. If you always wanted to utilize your vegetable

garden year round you will not want to miss the next regular session of the Kitchen Garden Chat, on Saturday, Jan. 6 from 10 to 11 a.m. on Zoom (https://ucanr.zoom.us /j/98028723763). Treva Valentine, an experienced UCCE Yolo County Master Gardener, will lead the discussion and gladly answer your questions. Learn what you can harvest, what to plant, and the tasks to undertake in the January edible garden.

This session will also include a discussion about how to grow microgreens and what the difference is between microgreens and sprouts. Be sure to tune in and bring your questions.

Thursday Afternoon UCCE MGs– Yolo and the Yolo County Library will host a series of free presentations about the garden on the second and fourth Thursdays of the month via Zoom.

The first talk of the new year is on Thursday, Jan.11, from 3 to 4 p.m. The Zoom link is https://ucanr.zoom. us/j/98806256671. The topic is “The Good, The Bad and The Ugly: Insects and Diseases Every Gardener Should Know.”

Mike Kluk, an experienced member of UCCE MGs–Yolo, will lead the discussion which will cover a variety of insects commonly found in the garden, both beneficial and bad guys, and common diseases. The emphasis will be on insects and diseases that have the most impact on vegetable gardens and will include information relevant to ornamentals. Contact Jennifer Baumbach (jmbaumbach@ ucanr.edu) or Joan Tuss (Joan.Truss@ yolocounty.org) to have the Zoom link emailed to you.

No matter what question you have, you can obtain information about a specific garden issue by contacting the UCCE MGs–Yolo via phone or email. Leave a message at the hotline at 530 666-8737 or send an email to mgyolo@ucdavis.edu, and someone will get back to you.

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