Winters Express Wednesday, June 21, 2023

City balances budget with ARP funds

By Jacob Hoffman Express staff writer City manager

Kathleen

Salguero

Trepa noted during the special meeting for the City Council Budget Workshop on Wednesday, June 13, the city expects “ending the year with a surplus of extra revenue over expenditure of about $172,000” saying that, “we have presented a balanced budget, we are balancing, however, with $113,000 in American Rescue Plan (ARP) dollars.”

In the staff report attached to the meeting agenda, Winters city staff acknowledge that this year “saw escalating interest rates and inflation levels” as well as “continued labor

Botello is 2022 Firefighter of the Year

By Aaron Geerts Express staff writer

shortages and supply chain disruptions” leading to “a contraction in consumer spending in response to inflation.” Additionally, as a result of the Fairfield Inn opening later than expected the “transient occupancy tax (TOT) revenue will close below initial projections.”

“However,” the report continues, “on the positive side, building permit activity has remained steady and builders are reporting that the presumed crash in the market following escalating interest rates did not happen…and building is anticipated to continue at a steady pace.”

Trepa explained

See CITY, Page 3

State funding supports school district budget proposal

By Jacob Hoffman Express staff writer

During the June 6 Winters Joint Unified School District school board meeting, the Board of Trustees heard a report on the district’s proposed budget for the 2023-24 school year, warning that while uncertainties with the state’s budget make certain predictions difficult, the school district has funding ready to maintain its current programs.

Winters JUSD Chief Business Officer Jonathan Feagle provided the trustees with a condensed version of the budget that the business team

is working on, going over the broad elements and answering questions from trustees. The final version of the budget will be brought before the board for approval on June 22, though as Feagle notes, this will be after the state adopts its final state budget.

The presentation detailed the proposed budget funds, including the Winters JUSD’s General Fund, its restricted and unrestricted funds, some multiple-year projections, as well as a report on one-time funds.

Feagle laid out the business team’s priorities for creating the budget. “To understand a district’s budget,” Feagle explained “it helps to understand the priorities that shape it” continuing that this budget is “consis-

tent with and pursuant of our districts’ mission and equity statements.” These include having “the safety and well-being of all students and staff in mind” as well as it is “important to recruit and retain staff” and that the budget is “organized in a manner that aligns with how the district operates, and allows the different sites and departments to function efficiently,” Feagle said.

With this particular budget, Feagle noted that “we also need to consider the real possibility that there may be an economic downturn in the next year or two.”

Feagle detailed what he called “assumptions” for the 2023–24 school year that influenced how the proposed budget

See FUNDS, Page 3

The Winters Fire Department is filled with dedicated, hardworking and selfless individuals who are all willing to put their lives on the line to protect the community. Among these individuals at the Winters Fire is Mario Botello who was named the 2022 Firefighter of the Year.

Born and raised in Ukiah, Botello moved to the Bay Area when he was 13 years old and currently resides in Vallejo. After high school, he knew he wanted to work with his hands and got into welding. After two years, however, he realized it wasn’t quite his calling. From there, he redirected his career crosshairs at becoming an EMT.

“Around that time is when the Napa fires started happening

and a lot of people in my class started talking about joining Calfire and getting into the fire service. That’s what originally sparked my interest and started taking classes through Solano College,” Botello explained. “I slowly started completing my classes and ended up joining the fire academy last year that just so happened to be held in Winters. So, I sort of just fell in love with this place and when they opened up positions for volunteers I quickly signed up.”

For Botello, his love for Winters is derived from love of his hometown of Ukiah — just another small, closeknit community where everyone knows one another. This passion for community is what drove him to join Winters Fire in August 2022 and he’s See BOTELLO, Page 5

Officers detain man with knife early Tuesday

By Crystal Apilado Editor-in-Chief

Winters residents woke up to a shelterin-place emergency notification Tuesday morning after police responded to an alert that an individual with a knife was outside the Winters Public Safety Facility.

The initial incident occurred in the early morning hours of Tuesday, June 20, when Winters Police Department received a call at 3:32 a.m. from a resident on the 900 block of Vasey Way, who reported that a neighbor had attempted to open his front door.

Police Chief John P. Miller confirmed the caller said he was familiar with the individual for having mental-health challenges and did not want to press charges for the attempted trespassing

incident.

However, soon after Winters Fire Department personnel alerted Winters PD dispatch that a subject was banging on the front doors of the Winters Public Safety Facility (PSF) armed with a large knife. An officer responded and attempted to initiate communication with the subject and it was determined it was the same individual from

Local News Briefs

Express staff

Upcoming: Festival de la Comunidad

Winters Community Corazón and the Winters Hispanic Advisory Committee are collaborating to host this year’s Festival de la Comunidad — also called Carnitas Festival — which will be held on Saturday, Sept. 30 from 4–10:30 p.m. at Rotary Park in Winters.

“We have great entertainment lined up and are getting excited about the event. Please save the date,” said Winters City Councilmember Jesse Loren, Winters Community Corazon chair. “This will be a great event filled with joy, music, dancing and great food. We couldn’t do it without you.”

The community can view a slideshow from last year’s event

the Vasey Way incident. Miller said the officer continued to attempt communication dialogue with the subject while waiting for additional assistance from the Yolo County and Solano County Sheriff’s Offices to arrive on the scene. The subject wasn’t communicative, refused to follow commands

See CRIME, Page 6

at https://youtu.be/ DfnE2MYQV6A.

West Nile in Yolo

The Sacramento-Yolo Mosquito & Vector Control District announced they have detected the first signs of West Nile Virus (WNV) activity in Yolo County after a mosquito sample collected from Woodland tested positive for the disease. This season, surveillance efforts have once again detected

See LOCAL, Page 6

Courtesy photo

Mario Botello, reserve volunteer firefighter, was named the Winters Fire Department 2022 Firefighter of the Year.

Courtesy photo

The large knife was obtained by police after the man holding it was placed on a 72-hour mental-health hold.

Artists show off their finished canvas acrylic paintings at the Winters Senior Foundations’ art event on June 13.

Seniors discover inner artists

Winters Senior Foundation

Special to the Express

Winters seniors had the opportunity to express their creativity at an amateur art event on Tuesday, June 13 at the Winters Community Center.

The Winters Senior Foundation brought in experienced artist Mona Biasi to lead senior attendees through a painting experience with acrylic paints on canvas.

“We had fun mixing paints, and discovering our inner play with colors,” said WSF member Tina Lowden. “Thank you Mona for making this another WSF fun event.”

Upcoming events

WSF is hosting its free Ice Cream Social event on June 29 from 2–4 p.m. at the Winters Community Center.

Seniors can attend chair yoga on Wednesday mornings from 9:30–10:45 a.m. at St. Anthony Catholic Church, 511 W Main St. There will not be a chair yoga session on July 5.

WSF’s Social Gathering events are on Thursdays from 1–3:30 p.m. at St. Anthony Catholic Church. Attendees can enjoy the companionship of other seniors, enjoy refreshments and have fun.

Gifts That Sparkle!

Mercado de agricultores abierto por temporada

Por Crystal Apilado

Traducido por Carol Alfonso

El renacimiento del Winters Farmers Market se lanzó oficialmente el Domingo cuando los residentes y visitantes acudieron en masa al centro de Main Street para ver los productos locales.

La Asociación de Negocios del Centro de Winters (Winters Downtown Business Association -Winters DBA) inicialmente contactó a Ahmad (Simba) Baratti de Simba’s Heirloom Farm para coordinar el evento. Baratti tiene experiencia y conocimiento en la organización de mercados de agricultores, y Winters DBA trabajará para comercializar y reunir a la comunidad para que participe y asista.

El primer evento del mercado de agricultores el pasado Domingo 11 de Junio contó con 16 vendedores según Chris Turkovich, presidente de la Asociación Comercial del Centro (Downtown Business Association) y propietario de Turkovich Family Wines.

“Tuvimos una participación mayor a la anticipada. Nos

gustaría agregar más proveedores, especialmente verduras y productos agrícolas,” dijo Turkovich. “Fue un día exitoso para la primera semana.” Se espera que la cantidad de puestos disponibles aumente a 19 proveedores para el evento Winters Farmers Market del 18 de Junio. Turkovich y Baratti buscan incluir más vendedores con productos y verduras locales. Solo dos puestos ofrecieron esas opciones el Domingo y, según Turkovich, se agotaron.

“Todos nosotros somos pequeños agricultores y negocios familiares que ponemos todo nuestro empeño en lo que cultivamos y hacemos; su apoyo nos mantiene en marcha,” dijo Baratti. “De parte de todos nosotros, gracias por la oportunidad no solo de alimentarlos, sino también de construir y ser parte de la construcción de nuestras raíces comunitarias. No podemos esperar a verlos a todos cada semana.”

Los vendedores relacionados con la agricultura que deseen postularse para tener

Ayuntamiento aprueba contratista para búsqueda del administrador municipal

Por Jacob Hoffman Traducido por Carol Alfonso

La administradora de la ciudad, Kathleen Salguero Trepa, anunció recientemente que se retirará de su cargo este otoño y la ciudad ha comenzado el proceso de encontrar un sucesor. El Ayuntamiento de Winters aprobó una empresa de reclutamiento en su reunión del pasado 6 de Junio.

Bob Murray & Associates fue aprobado por unanimidad para asumir el deber de buscar candidatos calificados para presentar ante el Ayuntamiento a finales de este año. El alcalde Bill Biasi y el vice alcalde (pro tempore) Albert Vallecillo formarán parte de un comité ad hoc para los esfuerzos de búsqueda de administradores de la ciudad.

Al describir la búsqueda de una empresa de reclutamiento, Trepa dijo que habló con cuatro reclutadores y les pidió a tres que presentaran propuestas. Eran Bob Murray, Peckham & McKinney y

Bienvenidos al Verano

Nunca es demasiado

Bob Hall & Associates. Biasi y Vallecillo entrevistaron a las tres firmas y recomendaron que se adjudicara el contrato a Bob Murray. El costo será una suma global de $24,000 “con hasta $6,000 en gastos reembolsables, sin exceder los $30,000,” explicó Trepa.

Trepa dijo que Murray proporcionará un “servicio de reclutamiento llave en mano, lo que significa que el reclutador se encargará de todo el apoyo publicitario y de abastecimiento de candidatos, creará el folleto de trabajo, lo publicará en todos los lugares estándar y lo hará directamente llegar a los candidatos, que es el valor de ir con esa empresa de reclutamiento.”

La ciudad trabajará con Murray “publicando una encuesta comunitaria” y “comunicándose con la persona que hizo el video cuando yo estaba pasando por el proceso de contratación,” que Trepa dijo que recuerda como efectivo.

Una vez que se completa la selección del reclutador, hará

una recomendación al comité ad hoc con una lista de 12 a 15 candidatos y luego coordinará el proceso de entrevista con el comité.

“En el pasado, ese proceso incluía un día una entrevista con todo el consejo de la ciudad y el panel de la comunidad,” explicó Trepa, “y luego los finalistas regresaban a través de un segundo día de entrevistas, que incluía entrevistas con el equipo de gestión principal, personal clave, y luego una entrevista final con el ayuntamiento.”

Antes de que los miembros del consejo tomen su decisión, pueden escuchar los comentarios completos del personal de la ciudad y la comunidad, antes de decidir en última instancia a quién se le ofrecerá el puesto. En los pasos finales, Trepa dice que Murray “completará todos los antecedentes y la verificación de referencias de ese finalista, y ayudará con las negociaciones para un

Courtesy photo

Courtesy photo

Winters seniors participated in an amateur art event where they were able to learn how to use acrylic paints and experienced a guided paint session.

Vea MERCADO, Página 6

Vea CIUDAD, Página 6

a number of city revenue sources and key expenses that contribute to the budget’s balance, one of which is hiring a new accountant to provide the city with financial capacity and additional services.

Council member Jesse Loren suggested looking into the visitor center situation, which involves the city paying rent for a space they technically own to the Winters District Chamber of Commerce, with the council ultimately deciding to give them six months to formulate a plan for what they will do with the visitor center.

The next section of the workshop covered the different departments of the city.

For the City Manager’s Office, Trepa not-

was written. These assumptions include the amount of revenue that will be in the forthcoming state budget, with Feagle saying, “The biggest question is about state tax revenues because the deadline was pushed out to from April to October, the state does not have a clear sense of how much tax revenue it will take in.”

Because school districts usually know how much funding they will receive from the state before they write their budgets, not knowing makes writing a concrete budget difficult. Feagle warned that “the LAO’s office (the Legislative Analyst’s Office) which supports

ed the budget will see increases in its labor area, partly due to the cash out from Trepa’s retirement in the fall as well as recruitment for her successor, while the office cut some unnecessary legal fees, ultimately ending 16 percent up overall, but with Trepa again noting some extraordinary costs in the budget won’t be there next year.

Director of Administrative Services Cathy Mathews provided summaries for a number of departments. For human resources, Mathews noted there will be an HR technician this year, as well as some expenses for attorneys fees for hearings and reviews to clean up some personnel rule language. Other changes will be adding a part-time professional accountant and filling out some vacancies with the goal of reducing

the state Legislature, projects tax revenue will be $11 billion lower than the governor’s May revise estimate.”

But Feagle also emphasized that “a combination of state reserves and reductions in one-time spending can maintain the ongoing core programs.”

This means that “the current proposed budget before you for the district is built on relatively safer assumptions.”

Some of these assumptions include that Winters JUSD will have state support to increase the 8.22 percent Statutory COLA for 2023 and the maintenance of the three-year average ADA formula that keeps the district’s ADA numbers favorable. Projected expenditures include

payments for professional services.

Winters Police Department Chief John P. Miller said that the largest cost is personnel; much of what is left goes to YECA (Yolo Emergency Com-

tain systems, like the records management system that will upgrade Winters PD from its paper-based system to a modern digital one.

Winters Fire Department Chief Jack

Synder noted the increasing repair costs for their fleet because costs are up across the board.

Public Works Operations Manager Eric Lucero provided an overview of a number of Public Works departments, such as hiring an arborist, sewer improvements and a potential water and sewer rate study, and reorienting the equipment rental schedule. Another notable improvement from Public Works’ expense is getting a redundancy switch gear for the emergency generator at the East Street pump station.

‘we’re going to have to start looking at adding to the reserve,’” Casavecchia said.

“Because without the ARP and the vacant positions, we probably wouldn’t be adding to it…and we can’t keep relying on vacant positions and not being able to provide services.”

Biasi agreed, saying, “I agree, we’ve been using those ARP monies, and those are one-time monies we use for one-time expenses, but still,” going on to say, “We are barebones.”

munications Agency) dispatch and animal control. This owes to the Winter PD having no major projects needing funding at the moment. Miller said that most of their costs will go towards replacing equipment and upgrading cer-

increased salaries as per previously agreed-upon changes, as well as the hiring of four new teachers and three other staff members. New costs will also include an increase in health insurance contributions from the school district.

Regarding some specific funds, Feagle said that some like Fund 12, which deals with preschools, will be sufficiently funded next year and won’t require transfers from the General Fund, while others the new

S. Snyder III reported decreases in YECA costs as well as decreases in communication costs because of grants, as well as increases from special department supplies and EMS equipment which are reaching the end of their lives.

Fund 14 for Deferred Maintenance, need to have new funding secured for next year to ensure it will be replenished.

Feagle partially summarized some changes in Winters JUSD’s General Fund and revenues from last year to the next which will see revenues decrease by about $2 million and expenditure increase by just under $2 million from the 2022–23 school year, which Feagle attributes to a number of new costs, salary and insurance

DAVIS GLASS &

As the workshop wrapped up, Casavecchia emphasized the need for adding to the city’s reserve, and that this principle should be enshrined in the budget.

“The five of us should be directing some emphasis on,

payment increases, as well as the expiration of large one-time funding sources from 2022–23 that won’t apply in 2023–24.

Feagle concluded by saying the business office will review the budget once the state’s budget is out, and “provide an update to the board no later than August,”

Trustee Everado Zaragoza asked Feagle what aspect of the budget he was most nervous about.

Feagle answered he was most concerned with “no one really

Trepa agreed, saying, “I would tell you after three budgets if I thought that there was padding in some place or fat in the system if there was some sort of smoking gun somewhere…that could suddenly solve our budget woes, but that’s not the case… we’ve tried very, very hard.”

knowing how much revenue the state’s going to take in, and this idea that the deadline is out in October is unprecedented…but even as concern(ing) as the (LAO’s) report is, they do point out very clearly that… the core parts of the budget can be maintained” with certain state supports, as well as a “strong political will to insulate education as much as possible from any major cuts.”

“Because without the ARP and the vacant positions, we probably would be adding to the (reserve)... and we can’t keep relying on vacant positions and not being able to provide services.”

Richard Casavecchia, council member

Wallace File

by

Picked

Due to the Independence Day holiday falling on a Tuesday, the editorial content deadline for the July 5 edition is being moved to 3 p.m. on Friday, June 29. Content can be submitted to news@wintersexpress.com.

City of Winters

Fire

June 7: Medical

Aid, 26000 block

CR34

~False Alarm, 100

Block of Grant Avenue

~Medical aid, 100

Block of E. Grant Avenue

June 8: Medical

Aid, 800 block of Walnut Lane

~False Alarm, Russel Boulevard cross of CR93A

June 9: 1000 block of Village Circle

~Medical Aid, 400

block of Morgan Street

~Medical Aid, 400 block of Morgan Street

~Medical Aid, 800 block of Graf Way

June 10: Vehicle Fire, 27000 Block

CR90

~Misc. Fire, 200 block of Railroad Avenue

~Medical Aid, 400 block of Morgan Street

Railroad Avenue ~Good Intent Call, 700 block of Valley Oak Drive

~Medical Aid, 400 block of Morgan

Street

~Medical Aid, 900 block of Railroad

Avenue

June 12: Motor Vehicle Accident, I-505 cross of Russell Boulevard ~False Alarm, CR89 cross of CR29

June 13: Medical Aid, 900 block of Railroad Avenue ~False Alarm, 700 block of Matsumoto Lane

Police Arrest Log

June 7: Alvarado, Rogelio Jr (Age 37); Charges: Inflict

of Probation, Obstruct/resist Peace Officer; Disposition: Transported to Yolo County Jail

Report Log

June 8: 9:48 a.m., 1000th block of Village Circle, Stolen Vehicle

June 9: 12:54 a.m., 400th block of Main Street, Domestic Dispute ~4:27 a.m., 900th block of Railroad Avenue, Stolen Vehicle ~2:08 p.m., 400th block of Edwards Street, Audible Alarm

June 10: 1:09 a.m., E. Baker Street/E. Main Street, Towed Vehicle

June 11: 5:25 p.m., 700th block Valley Oak Drive, Miscellaneous Incident Report ~6:53 p.m., 1000th block of Valley Oak Drive, Audbile Alarm

Years Ago

~Medical Aid, 400 block of Morgan Street

~Medical Aid, Main Street cross Russell Street

~Public Assist, 100 block of Liwai Village Court

June 11: Medical Aid, 400 block of Morgan Street

Dispatches from the Express archives.

145 Years Ago

June 22, 1878

(From the files of The Winters Advocate)

The Bee says a Sacramentan has received a letter from his father in Louisville, Kentucky, which intimates that if Mollie McCarty (Theodore Winters’ race horse) beats Tenbrock it will bankrupt nearly the entire state.

Those who have not paid their poll and road tax for 1878 will have one dollar added to their bills on 1st July.

The apricot and almond crop will not prove a success to some of the fruit growers in this vicinity.

Joseph Murray has purchased from John Hardin the saloon lot and building on Main Street.

Theodore Winters left town on Thursday for Washoe Valley and will leave Carson tomorrow for Louisville to look after Mollie McCarty in her great race to come off on

Theodore Winters left town on Thursday for Washoe Valley and will leave Carson tomorrow for Louisville to look after Mollie McCarty in her great race to come off on July 4th. George Howson, Molllie’s rider, left Sacramento with Mr. W. 1878

July 4. George Howson, Molllie’s rider, left Sacramento with Mr. W. The exhibition of Winters School will be held on Saturday June 29, at Sackett’s Hall.

130 Years Ago

June 24, 1893

Griffiths and Hazelrigg have had the front of their store in the Masonic building,

painted a brilliant red during the week. and persons coming into town can see it from any point on Main Street without straining their eyes.

Miss Annie DeVilbiss of this place, at the commencement exercises of St. Mary’s academy in Woodland, held last week, took first premium in Christian doctrine, mental arithmetic, etymology, elocution, special and general vocal music, painting and drawing; second premium in Bible history, grammar, arithmetic, geography, orthography, reading, instrumental music and plain sewing.

Emma and Frank Lechleiter gave a party to a number of their friends last Saturday evening.

Far from ordinary. Close to you.

~Medical Aid, Main Street cross of

The races began yesterday afternoon and are well attended. The horses entered are all good ones and each race is exciting and hotly contested.

T.E. Boyd and son made the first shipment of green corn from this section on Monday last. They sent seven sacks to the city markets.

95 Years Ago

June 22, 1928

George Sidwell, clerk of school board announces that the grammar school teachers have been chosen as follows: Principal. Mrs. T.E. Dunnagan primary instructor, Miss Ruth McReynolds; assistants, Misses Martha Bannon, Sadie Boyce, Marie Hannon and Mrs. Lloyd Islip.

The Town Trustees Purchased 500 feet of new hose for the Fire Department at their meeting Tuesday evening. Fire Chief N.A. McArthur was pre sent and the purchase was made of the American Rubber Co. of Oakland for $1.15 per foot for the double jacketed hose. Trustee C. E. Wyatt submitted his resignation as trustee in pursuance of the wishes of P.G. &E. and E.H. Edwards was named to replace him on the board.

Supervisor W.O. Russell and County and Town Engineer

You don’t have to travel far for extraordinary service. All the attributes you expect of a good neighbor – personal consideration, understanding, and consistent support – you can expect from us.

Corporal Injury on Spouse/Cohabitant/ Dating Relationship, Child Abuse with Possible of Great Bodily Injury, Obstruct/Resist Peace Officer, Possession of Drug Paraphernalia, Sacramento SO Warrant; Disposition: Transported to Yolo DA

June 10: Cortez, Omar Lopez Jr (Age 30); Charges: Assault with a deadly weapon, Take vehicle without owner’s consent, Inflict Corporal Injury on Spouse/ Cohabitant/Dating, Robbery, Violation

June 12: 12:36 a.m., 400th block of Railroad Avenue, Audible Alarm ~5:27 a.m., 400th block of Creekside Way, Grand Theft ~8 a.m., 5000th Putah Creek Road, Missing Person

For our editorial policy on crime log entries, see winters express.com/unpub lishing-policy.

The eight little daughters in the Mariano Munoz family, who live near Winters are happy in the possession of a little brother, born last Thursday. 1928

Asa Proctor met with the Town Board Tuesday night to discuss plans for paving Grant Avenue.

The eight little daughters in the Mariano Munoz family, who live near Winters are happy in the possession of a little brother, born last Thursday, June 14.

Parking space was at a premium early Friday evening when a large assemblage gathered on Main Street to hear the first band concert of the season under the direction of A.L. Reignierd.

Miss Lillis Chapman who graduated from Mills College this month is spending the vacation period at the home of her parents, Mr. and Mr. W.R. Chapman.

Roe Judy and family left Thursday to take up residence in Sacramento. The departure of these esteemed young people is regretted by a circle of life.

80 Years Ago

June 25, 1943

The Service Club and American Legion Post 242 have announced that Richard Romin ger will be the local delegate to the 7th Boys State. According to Princi-

pal J.M. Clayton, Mrs. Frances Gorsuch has been chosen to fill the elementary school vacancy occasioned by the resignation of Miss Dorothy DeMello.

Pvt. Tony Diaz, brother of Joe Diaz, is on furlough from Camp Hauze, Texas.

Mr. and Mrs. P. Mahoney received word from their son, Sgt. Malcolm Mahoney, saying that he was being transferred from Hawaii to Camp Cooke, in Southern California.

Mr. and Mrs. R.F. Coombs report their son Howard overseas, presumably in the South Pacific. He was at home on a brief visit before he left. Melvin is in Alaska at last reports.

Mrs. H.C. Day spent a few days this week in San Francisco in attendance at the Gift Show. Mrs. Harold Hansel is serving at Day’s Drug Store this week during the absence of Mrs. Day.

Born Sunday, June 20, in Woodland, to Mr. and Mrs. William Mosier, a son.

Mr. and Mrs. Stephen Ish and daughters, Jeanette, Sallie and Katharine of Stockton were Sunday guests with his sister, Mrs. H. A. Young, and the Buell Ish family. Jeanette remained for a vacation visit.

Charley

photo

The 1993 girls senior All-Stars were, from left: (back row) Carrin Armstrong, coach Jack Mariani, Erin Delorefice, Laura Wallace, Jenne Ehnat, Amy Havens, Charleen Ronney, coach Tom Avellar and Lacy Mikulich; (front row) Allana Golden, Megan Curry, Megan Mariani, Kristi Cassidy, Angie Espinosa and Jessica Garcia.

Leaders speak out on gun violence

By Lauren Keene McNaughton Media

Last Friday, Yolo County leaders outlined the creation of a local collaboration aimed at taking a preventive stance on gun violence.

The announcement came at a Central Park news conference marking National Gun Violence Awareness Month and National Gun Violence Awareness Day of Action, where speakers highlighted California’s efforts at curbing gun-related deaths and the ongoing need for further action on all sides of the political aisle.

“Every day 30 people are killed by someone using a gun,” said Rep. Mike Thompson, D-St. Helena, organizer of the event, which featured representatives of law enforcement agencies, the medical community and volunteer groups such as Moms Demand Action, along with local, county and state elected leaders.

“This year alone, we’ve had more mass shootings than we’ve had days of the year,” said Thompson, who also serves as chair of Congress’ Gun Violence Prevention Task Force. He added that gunfire remains the leading cause of death for young children and teens, “and that’s shameful.”

Speakers included California Attorney General Rob Bonta, who spoke of his personal experience with gun violence — a disturbing text he and his wife received from their eldest child.

“Mom and Dad, I’m in lockdown because of an active shooter,” the teen texted from her East Bay Area high school, according to Bonta, who recalled the period of fear and uncertainty that followed that alert.

The incident ended safely for his daughter, “but that is not true of so many others throughout this nation,” Bonta said. Despite California’s efforts to create strong gun-safety laws, the United States “leads the world in gun deaths, and it’s because of our lack of action.”

But the work continues in California, where the State Legislative Gun Violence Prevention Working Group has proposed 20 gun-safety

bills, 15 of which continue to make their way through the process, Assemblywoman Cecilia Aguiar-Curry said.

One co-authored by Aguiar-Curry, Assembly Bill 28, would tax the sales of new firearms and ammunition to fund gun violence prevention, school safety and research programs. It’s currently under Senate committee review.

“We’re all tired of saying ‘thoughts and prayers’ — we need action,” Aguiar-Curry said. “No more excuses.”

Meanwhile, county leaders highlighted local measures to curb gun violence, including the creation of a countywide gun safe-storage ordinance.

The planned working group, called the Yolo County Gun Violence Prevention Collaborative, is a joint effort involving the Yolo County District Attorney’s Office and Yolo County Supervisor Lucas Frerichs’ office.

“There’s a variety of things the collaborative’s going to take on — educating the public, developing and implementing evidence-based gun-prevention strategies, working on policy solutions here at the local level,” Frerichs said. “We also want to inspire other jurisdictions, other government agencies around California, to take similar actions.”

Frerichs said organizers envision “a wide range of partners at the table,” representing law enforcement agencies, mental-health experts, social-service providers, grass-roots organizations, UC Davis and responsible gun owners, among others.

“We want to be proactive and not reactive,” Yolo County Chief Deputy District Attorney Jonathan Raven said of the group, which will meet on a quarterly basis starting in September. “We need changes.”

Davis Mayor Will Arnold pointed out that Friday’s gathering took place just a few hundred feet from the Fifth Street location where a disturbed gunman fatally shot Davis Police Officer Natalie Corona in January 2019.

Lake Berryessa water levels down

The water level of Lake Berryessa went down during the past week by 0.40 feet, with a decrease in the storage of 7,154 acre-feet of water, according to Ken Emigh of the Solano Irrigation District. On the morning of Tuesday, June 20 the lake

since completed his Swift Water Rescue Technician certification. Since that’s not enough to slake his ambition, Botello is currently grinding away at becoming an engineer with his Driver Operator 1A/1B certifications. On top of that, he’s also the president of the Winters Volunteer Firefighter Association — because, why not?

“I became the president of the Winters Volunteer Firefighter Association this past December, but my official position here is a reserve volunteer firefighter. That’s because I don’t actually live in town,” Botello said before talking about the surprise of receiving the honor.

“It felt amazing getting this recognition and I really appreciated it. Through my father, I grew up with

level was 429.28 feet above sea level, with storage computed at 1,354,866 acre-feet of water. Evaporation on the lake averaged 28 acre-feet of water per day. The SID is diverting 456 cubic feet per second of water in the Putah South Canal, with 44 cubic feet per second flowing at the Diversion Dam.

this ‘expect nothing, be grateful for everything’ attitude. To be honest, I wasn’t expecting it, but was really touched when I was voted as firefighter of the year.”

works hard, there’s nothing you can’t achieve. Botello’s taken that mindset and has proven its validity.

Receiving the designation of Firefighter of the Year is not only a tremendous affirmation he’s on the right career path, but an ode to the work ethic his father instilled in him. When Botello’s father immigrated to the United States, he came with the mindset that as long as one keeps their head down and

“The academy does a great job at getting your basics down and giving you a taste of what the fire service is. I thought I knew what the fire service was, but once I started coming here to Winters, it just really expanded everything and opened my eyes to everything we actually dive into and deal with on a dayto-day basis,” said Botello. “I’d love nothing more than to live and work here in Winters. I started my career here, and how it’s gone so far, I would love to end it here.”

While Botello waits for his chance to jump on a full-time position at the Winters Fire, he’ll continue to hone his skills while Winters rests easy knowing the Firefighter of the Year has its back.

PISANI’S ATHLETE OF THE WEEK

Aidan Baylor

Aidan Baylor, an upcoming Winters High School freshman, is Pisani’s Athlete of the Week. He was instrumental on the Winters Little League Juniors team. Baylor pitched four innings in the championship game and only gave up two runs on two hits and struck out seven. Baylor went three for four in the championship game with a triple and a double, three stolen bases, and four RBIs in the 15–5 win. For the season, His on-base percentage leads at .756 with 27 RBIs.

$10.00 Off Any Smog Inspection

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SERVING WINTERS SINCE 1959

WSF Welcomes Summer

It’s never too early for ice cream.

Winters Senior Foundation invites you to celebrate the start of summer with the return of an Old Fashion Ice Cream Social, complete with traditional topping, cookies, live music & trivia challenges.

Free event.

Please join us.

When: Thursday, June 29, 2023

Where: Winters Community Center

201 Railroad Avenue

Time: 2 p.m. - 4 p.m.

Express staff

BOTELLO Continued from Page 1

“I’d love nothing more than to live and work here in Winters.”

Mario Botello, Firefigher of the Year

to drop the knife and began walking away from the PSF down Grant Avenue toward Cemetery Street.

The shelter-in-place emergency notification was issued citywide via Everbridge as the subject continued to evade the officer’s attempts to communicate from a safe distance and instead responded by shaking his head, whistling and making obscene gestures with his middle finger at the officer.

Upon the arrival of Yolo Sheriff’s deputies, they were able to secure the knife and detain the subject without further incident.

Although the subject was not arrested, he was placed on a 72hour mental health evaluation hold.

Emergency notifications

Miller said that according to the Yolo County Office of Emergency Services, of the 900 alerts issued, only 293 were confirmed as being received. Only

to the incident were posted on the Winters PD Facebook page. Winters PD utilizes the Everbridge alerts for emergencies and posts updates on its Facebook page, according to Miller.

“We don’t want to overuse the system, we want to use it just for emergency situations,” Miller said.

“Signing up for Everbridge is the best way to get emergency notifications. We use our Facebook platform to provide additional information.”

Residents are encouraged to register to receive emergency notifications via Everbridge at https:// tinyurl.com/yn6u993f.

LOCAL Continued from Page 1

both of these invasive mosquito species at different sites in Sacramento County. Invasive mosquitoes bite aggressively during the day and pose a significant health threat because they can transmit dangerous viruses, including Zika, dengue fever and chikungunya. Winters hosted the largest Aedes aegypti infestation since its discovery in September 2019.

the public at 5 p.m.

Per the Winters

Joint Unified School District track guidelines, alcohol will not be permitted and rolling coolers or bikes will not be allowed on the track.

In her Friday update, City Manager Kathleen Salguero

July 5 Express deadline

un puesto en Winters Farmers Market deben enviar un correo electrónico a simba@ simbasheirloomfarm. com y wintersdowntown@gmail.com. Barratti está coordinando a los vendedores para traer una variedad de opciones al mercado de agricultores.

El Winters Farmers Market está programado para funcionar todos los Domingos desde ahora hasta el 24 de Septiembre en el centro de Main Street de 9 a.m. a 1 p.m. Winters DBA y Baratti están explorando la posibilidad de traer artesanías para niños al área de Paseo Park

those who confirmed receiving the initial notification within the initial time period were sent the cancellation update of the shelter-in-place notification. Updates

en Main Street. La música en vivo continuará en los eventos del Mercado de Agricultores de los Domingos, elevando la cantidad de eventos musicales a tres días a la semana durante el verano. Turkovich exhortó a los miembros de la comunidad y las empresas que deseen ayudar a llevar la música al centro de la ciudad a que se comuniquen con el DBA de Winters en wintersdowntown@gmail. com.

Aprobación del Ayuntamiento

En su reunión del pasado 6 de Junio, el Concejo Municipal de Winters (Winters City Council) aprobó por unanimidad un acuer-

Miller also encourages residents to follow Winters PD’s Facebook for updates on incidents and informational alerts. View the Winters PD Facebook page at https:// tinyurl.com/tva52yv2.

do con el coordinador propuesto de Winters Downtown Business Association, Ahmad (Simba) Baratti, de Simba’s Heirloom Farm, sujeto a la presentación de la documentación de seguro correcta.

Baratti y Winters DBA habían estado esperando previamente que el Condado Yolo (Yolo County) aprobara la solicitud para el mercado de agricultores. Con la aprobación del condado, el consejo de la ciudad fue el próximo en aprobar el acuerdo operativo que permitiría que Winters Farmers Market comenzara oficialmente su temporada el Domingo.

For current information about district activities, visit www.FIGHTtheBITE.net.

City fireworks show

The city of Winters is hosting the annual fireworks show on Monday, July 3 at Dr. Sellers Field at Winters High School on Grant Avenue. The gates will open to

acuerdo de empleo.” Con respecto a un cronograma para el proceso de contratación, Trepa expresó su confianza en Murray y dijo que “sienten que si podemos mantenernos en el camino, y el problema no serán ellos, puedo garantizarlo, será nuestra capacidad para poder mantener el ritmo con el reclutador. Se trata de un cronograma de 16 semanas y esperan poder tener una cita para fines de Octubre.”

Treps said the city is accepting donations to help fund the show, which costs $18,000. Donations to the city of Winters Fireworks Fund can be dropped off in the payment box outside of City Hall or online at https://tinyurl.com/ bdeykcb5.

Event organizers are looking for community members to help with parking, coordinating food trucks, staffing the gates, and on the cleanup crew.

Volunteers can also sign up to help out at the annual fireworks event online at https://bit.ly/ fireworkheroes.

Dando algo de tiempo para que el posible candidato termine su empleo actual, Trepa dijo:

“Mi fecha de partida prevista es el 1 de Noviembre o alrededor de esa fecha,” aunque señaló que “si tiene un candidato que llega dentro de un par de semanas, estoy feliz de extenderme para ayudar, pero me gustaría evitar entrar en la temporada navideña.”

La miembro del consejo Carol Scianna preguntó quién seleccionaría a los miembros de la comunidad para la parte de la entrevista del

Due to the Independence Day holiday falling on a Tuesday, the editorial content deadline for the July 5 edition is being moved to 3 p.m. on Friday, June 29. Content can be submitted to news@ wintersexpress. com.

The regular editorial content deadline of Mondays at Noon will resume for the July 12 edition of the Express Elder Day event

The Winters Elder Day Council is hosting the 2023 Elder Day celebration on Saturday, June 24, from 2–4 p.m. at St. Anthony’s Parrish Hall located at 511 Main St. Eight local elders are honored this year. Listen to the local history being shared about their lives and experiences. The Winters community is invited to attend.

panel comunitario, y Scianna transmitió comentarios de que el superintendente del Distrito Escolar Unificado de Winters (Winters JUSD), Rody Boonchuoy, y quizás un administrador de la ciudad vecina deberían estar en el panel. Trepa y Biasi dijeron que probablemente sería la comunidad ad hoc la que tomaría la decisión.

El consejo aprobó el acuerdo con Bob Murray & Associates, y la búsqueda del próximo administrador de la ciudad de Winters ha comenzado oficialmente.

Sutter Davis Hospital celebrates the opening of its expanded birthing center. And with it, we’re giving mothers and their partners endless possibilities to create a one-of-a-kind birthing experience. From birth slings and tub births to epidurals, Sutter’s dedicated OB/Gyns, midwives, doulas and nurses are honored to support the delivery you’ve always dreamed of.

It’s a thousand things, big and small. sutterhealth.org/davis-birth

It’s helping deliver a moment you’ll always cherish.

“We don’t want to overuse the system, we want to use it just for emergency situations.”

John Miller, police chief

MERCADO

Continuado de la Página 2

CIUDAD Continuado de la Página 2

Wednesday, June 21

Winters JUSD/Winters City 2x2 Meeting, 5 p.m., City Hall Large Conference Room (Abbey Street entrance), check www.cityofwinters.org/2x2/

Wednesdays

Eat Well Yolo Drive – Through Food Distribution, Wednesdays, 3:30 p.m. As supplies last, Winters High student parking lot, off Railroad Avenue

Thursday, June 22

Winters JUSD School Board Meeting, 6 p.m., School District Office, Zoom Meeting info, check https://bit.ly/ WintersJUSDBoardAgendaCommunitySite

Thursdays

Eat Well Yolo Food Distribution, first and third Thursdays, 10 a.m. As supplies last, RISE, Inc., 417 Haven St., 530-668-0690

Saturday, June 24

Winters Elder Day Celebration, 2–4 p.m., St. Anthony’s Parrish Hall (511 Main St.)

Monday, June 26

Winters Natural Resource Commission Special Meeting, 6:30 p.m., City Hall Large Conference Room (Abbey Street entrance), Check cityofwinters.org/climate-action-commission

Tuesday, June 27

Winters Planning Commission Meeting, 6:30 p.m.,City Hall Large Conference Room (Abbey Street entrance), Zoom Meeting info, check www.cityofwinters.org/ planning-commission/

Upcoming

Tuesday, July 4

Winters City Council Meeting, Canceled

Thursday, July 20

Winters JUSD School Board Meeting, 6 p.m., School District Office, Zoom Meeting info, check https://bit.ly/ WintersJUSDBoardAgendaCommunitySite

Library Services

Winters Library Open to Public (No School 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.

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, Second Thursday, 2-7:30 p.m., call 530-666-8005 to schedule an appointment

Saturday Matinee, First Saturday, 2 p.m., Winters Community Library

All You Need is Love Romance Book Club, Second Saturday, 4 p.m., Hooby’s Brewing

Older Adult Programs

Winters Senior Foundation Chair Yoga Class for Seniors, Wednesdays, 9:30-11 a.m., St. Anthony Parish Hall (511 W. Main St.)

Winters Senior Foundation Social Gathering Thurdays, 1-3:30 p.m., St. Anthony Parish Hall (511 W. Main St.)

Ongoing

Winters Farmers Market, Sundays, 9 a.m. – 1 p.m., Main Street – downtown Winters, discoverwinters. com/farmers-market

Winters Wide World of Sports exhibit, Thursday thru Sunday, 1-5 p.m., Winters Museum, 13 Russell St. Winters Friends of the Library meeting, first Monday, 7 p.m., Winters Community Library, Margaret Parsons Room, wfol.org

Rotary Club of Winters meeting, Thursdays, Noon, The Buckhorn

Winters Museum public hours, Thursday thru Sunday, 1-5 p.m., 13 Russell St.

Winters Open Mic, third Saturday of the month, 6 p.m. (sign-ups begin at 5 p.m.), Downtown Main Street. 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.

Where are they now: Alfredo Moreno

By Aaron Geerts Express staff writer

Alfredo Moreno is one Winters High School alumnus who’s trail-blazed his life path through different career experiences, which eventually led him back to his hometown.

Born and raised in Winters, Moreno graduated from WHS in 1999. There, he played sports, took on leadership roles in the student body and was an avid member of the FFA. After a fulfilling tenure at WHS, Moreno pursued a career in the veterinary field.

“I went to Western Career College in Sacramento and did a vet tech program there for about 18 months and graduated. From there, I worked at a vet hospital for about three or four years after that,” Moreno explained. “I thought I wanted to be a vet, and was going to go to UC Davis originally, but life took a turn and I realized it’s not something I wanted to do as a career. From there, I went to Solano College for about two years then went back to doing construction with my family. That’s what they did, and it was a good way to make money.”

While grinding away in the family business, Moreno’s ambition didn’t remain idle. In fact, it lifted him far off the ground as he got into

See MORENO, Page 6

Celebrate Elder Day honorees on Saturday

By Wally Pearce Winters Elder Day Council

The Winters Elder Day Council is excited to announce its traditional annual event on Saturday, June 24, from 2–4 p.m. held at the St. Anthony’s Parish Hall located at 511 Main St. in Winters. Come listen to the local history being shared and celebrated.

Throughout history, older adults have

achieved much for our families and community. That remains true today and gives us ample reason this year to reserve a special day, Elder Day, in honor of all older adults, but especially those that are 90 years of age and older, and who mean so much to us all.

Every year the Winters Elder Day Council celebrates elder adults that reside in the city of Winters,

applauding them publicly and hosting them and their families at the festive Elder Day reception.

This year, the Winters Elder Day Council is privileged to induct the following wonderful honorees into the Elder Day family. That public acknowledgment is for their personal contributions to our families, friends, and community. In 2023, the Winters Elder Day Council will

come together to celebrate many people in that age group.

The following eight elders will be honored: Esperanza Santana (age 102), Germaine Hupe (age 91), Walt Neil (age 90), Claude Rohwer (age 90), Doyle Pinkston (age 90), Tony Garcia (age 92), Gail Wingard (age 92) and Roy Bellhorn (age 91).

It’s amazing to hear

See ELDER, Page 6

Courtesy photo

WHS 1999 graduate Alfredo Moreno found himself back in Winters as a hair stylist at Eight Six Zero Salon.

Interest rate reprieve boosts home sales

California Association of Realtors

Special to the Express

California’s housing market rebounded in May as home sales surged to the highest level in eight months and the statewide median price notched above $800,000 for the second straight month. Closed escrow sales of existing, single-family detached homes in California totaled a seasonally adjusted annualized rate of 289,460 in May, according to information collected by C.A.R. from more than 90 local Realtor associations and MLSs statewide. The statewide annualized sales figure represents what would be the total number of homes sold during 2023 if sales maintained the May pace throughout the year. It is adjusted to account for seasonal factors that typically influence home sales.

May’s sales pace was up 9.8 percent on a monthly basis from 263,650 in April and down 23.6 per-

cent from a year ago, when a revised 378,640 homes were sold on an annualized basis. Sales of existing single-family homes in California remained below the 300,000-unit pace for the eighth consecutive month.

“The bounceback in May’s home sales and price shows the resilience of California’s housing market and is a testament to the value that consumers place on homeownership,” said California Association of Realtors President Jennifer Branchini, a Bay Area Realtor. “The housing market is stabilizing and even showing signs of improvement as competition is on the rise again; nearly half of homes are selling above asking price, fewer sellers are reducing listing prices, and homes for sale are going into pending status in just two weeks compared to more than 30 days early this year.”

California’s median home price exceeded $800,000 in May for the second straight month, increasing 3.0 percent

Jean Deleonardi

01167890

· jean@jeandeleonardi.com

from April’s $811,950 to $836,110 in May.

The statewide median price continued to rise and reached the highest level in nine months. Tight housing supply and more high-end homes being sold relative to prior months continued to put upward pressure on prices.  Despite the improvement from early 2023, the median home price in California dipped 6.4% on a year-over-year basis for the seventh consecutive month from $893,200 in May 2022.

The price drop seems to be stabilizing but more negative annual price changes will be observed in the coming months as rates are expected to remain high in the third quarter of 2023.

“While home sales rose solidly in May, we don’t expect to see a rapid recovery because of the lock-in effect that’s keeping prospective sellers with low interest rate mortgages from listing their homes on the market and keeping inventory extremely tight.” said C.A.R. Senior Vice President and Chief Economist Jordan Levine. “Consequently, we expect prices to continue to rise on a month-tomonth basis for the

106 Broadview Lane, Winters

next few months because of the shortage of homes for sale. Even with reduced homebuyer demand, California still has more homebuyers than homes to put them in. It is this imbalance between supply and demand that continues to put upward pressure on home prices and nudge the median price up month over month since the beginning of the year.”

Other key points from C.A.R.’s May 2023 resale housing report include:

• Sales declines moderated at the regional level, with sales in all major regions falling less than 24 percent from the same month last year. The San Francisco Bay Area experienced the biggest sales drop at -23.8 percent from a year ago, followed by Southern California

80.9 acres for sale about 1/2 mile from Winters.

Improvements include a 5 bed, 3 bath home & approximately 78 acres planted to walnuts.

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(22.3 percent) and the Far North (21.8 percent). The Central Coast (-17.3 percent) and the Central Valley (-20.0 percent) were the only regions that recorded a drop of 20 percent or less from last year.

• Forty-nine out of 51 counties tracked by C.A.R. registered a sales decline from a year ago in May, with 36 counties dropping more than 20 percent year-over-year and nine counties falling more than 30 percent from the same month last year. Mariposa (-51.5 percent) had the biggest sales dip in May, followed by Siskiyou (-45.5 percent) and Mendocino (-44.3 percent). Tehama (2.6 percent) was the only county with a yearover-year sales gain.

Committee held the fed funds rate steady this time around, Fed Chairman Powell suggested that they are prepared to raise rates couple of more times, or another 50 bps, this year to tame stubborn inflation. Next year, Fed officials see interest rates falling by 100 basis points as economic growth slows further.

This is the first time since January 2022 that the Fed made no rate change following a policy meeting. Before the Fed’s announcement, the bond market generally priced in one more 25 bps rate increase by the end of 2023. Interest rates have been moving side way since the announcement but will stay elevated longer than what the market previously anticipated.

SALE PENDING

Beautifully maintained, one story, 4 bedroom, (4th bedroom currently an office), pool home in the prestige Almond Orchard Development. Remodeled kitchen, paid solar, covered patio, room addition now used as a gym and so much more. List Price $689,000.

CARRION PROPERTIES

Residential, Commercial & Agricultural Real Estate

John M. Carrion, Owner/Broker CA DRE #: 00970701

RECIPIENT OF THE YOLO COUNTY ASSOCIATION OF REALTORS MASTERS CLUB SINCE 2012

SUPER CLEAN custom home just east of Winters on 6.5 acres. HUGE shop. A piece of paradise. Call for more info.

Offered at $1,295,000.

SMALL COTTAGE STYLE HOME on 55+/- acres of English walnuts. Great location and great soil. $1,399,000.

SUPER CLEAN & FRESHLY PAINTED. 5 bed, 3 bath home, walking distance to beautiful downtown Winters. Low maintenance front and backyards. Seller offering $15,000 in closing cost credits. Offered at $759,000. Call for details.

AN ABSOLUTE PIECE OF PARADISE ON 3.26 ACRES! Just outside the Winters City limits. This home has it all. Tastefully remodeled great room, includes your own personal bar, and an amazing wood burning fireplace. The outdoor pool area is like a private retreat.Beautiful outdoor kitchen with all the amenities, as well as a full outdoor bathroom and shower. Oh ya, there’s more.

The shop is 50X90 and has its own gym area. Plenty of room for the motor home, and or boat. Offered at $2,095,000

5.85 ACRES OF WALNUTS in between Winters and Davis off Russell Blvd. County says you can build on it! Offered at $550,000. Call for details.

38 ACRES! Beautiful Chandler Walnut orchard. Located just outside of Winters off Putah creek road. Very well taken care of. Great producer, Excellent soil, solid set sprinkler system with an ag well. Would make for an awesome building site! Offered at $1,095,000.

IRELAND AGENCY INC.

• Despite mortgage rates rising sharply since mid-May and peaking late last month at the highest point in six months, the number of pending sales recorded in May remained steady and only dipped slightly by less than 2 percent from the prior month. The consistent level of open-escrow sales suggests that the California housing market will register closed sales in June at around 275,000, a level between what was recorded in April and May.

• The Federal Reserve met earlier this week and decided to pause rate hikes in their latest FOMC meeting. While the

• At the regional level, all but one major region registered a dip in its median price from a year ago in May, with two regions dropping more than 10 percent year-overyear. The San Francisco Bay Area (-11.3 percent) continued to post the biggest drop of all regions, with four of its nine counties declining by double-digits from a year ago. The Far North (-10.6 percent) recorded the second largest drop in its median price, followed by Southern California (-5.3 percent) and the Central Valley (-4.9 percent). The Central Coast region was the only major region that registered a median-price gain from a year ago, and it was the first time in six months that the region registered a positive year-over-year price growth.

• More than 80 percent of all counties experienced a decline in their median home

See HOMES, Page 3

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5 ACRES ZONED INDUSTRIAL. Commercial water and PG&E at lot. Great location on Airport Road close to new housing tract and Trilogy housing tract. Call for details.

Sale Pending! 5 ACRE, 3 BEDROOMS, 2 BATHROOMS with a nice horse set 3 stall barn with tack room, outdoor sand arena, fenced and cross fenced, 2/2 bath modular home along with a large shop, custom chicken coop. Home has been completely remodeled in 2017 down to the studs and and reinforcing foundation.

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127 Carrion Court, Winters

Express Yourself

There are two computers on my desk, an older one that I type on and put printing projects together, but it won’t print on my new copier. The “new” one I use for Quickbooks, Photoshop, Adobe, emails and printing. I can’t update either of them because if you update your computer your old software stops working. All of my software is on my computers, which means I don’t pay a monthly fee for using something I paid for years ago. Two weeks ago, my email stopped working. When I brought in the expert, he told me, with a laugh, that my computers needed to be updated. Last time he updated it was a nightmare. All of my software providers wanted me to go online, into the cloud, and pay them, each, $55 per month. Remember, this is software that I have already paid for. After many attempts, he uninstalled the update, returned my computers to their stone age period and I continued on my merry way.

Now my email, provided through Microsoft and GoDaddy, wants me to update and start paying a monthly fee. Last week, I spent so much time trying to go around their demands that I ran out of time to turn in a column. A week later, with help from Tay, I have a convoluted way to write my column and attach it to an email to Crystal. If you are reading this, it worked.

I used to send invoices, by email, for my printing company

HOMES

Continued from Page 2

price from a year ago in May, with 12 counties sliding more than 10 percent on a yearover-year basis. Siskiyou (-30.4 percent) had the biggest drop of all counties, followed by Plumas (-29.6 percent) and Lassen (-25.7 percent).

• The number of counties recording a median-price gain from last year dropped in May to eight from 12 counties in April. Most of the increases were mild, with Santa Barbara (41.7 percent) and Lake (10.6 percent) being the only exceptions. The price surge in Santa Barbara was attributed primarily to a shift in the mix of sales in the region in May.

• Thirty-three counties posted an increase in their median price from April 2023 to May 2023, with four of them surging more than 10 percent month-overmonth. The high number of counties with a price improvement from earlier this year is an encouraging sign that housing values are stabilizing as the market moves further into the home-buying season.

through Quickbooks. Guess what? My old email no longer works with Quickbooks, but I now have a four-step procedure where I can attach an invoice to a new email, and it seems to work.

Weren’t computers supposed to make our lives easier?

A little three dot journalism, popularized by Herb Caen:

... We have added almost 600 homes to our city and part of the development fees include money for schools and new parks. The schools got their money and we have a new park on Taylor Street, but where are the bathrooms? Rotary Park and City Park have bathrooms, but why not Three Oaks Park?

Something to ask when we have council elections.

... Not local, but the golfers who make up the PGA, Professional Golfers’ Association, which just sold their soul to the Government of Saudi Arabia, killer of journalists and whose citizens were behind 9/11, need to vote out their board of directors or start a new organization. The golfers who stood behind the PGA, and didn’t sell out for millions of dollars, just got stabbed in the back by their own management team.

... Another legend passes away. We are losing our heroes, one at a time. With the passing of Phil Snow, we have lost another citizen who made Winters a place we love to call home.

See QUICK, Page 4

• Housing inventory in California dipped in May after a brief bounceback in April, as sales improved while supply remained tight. The statewide unsold inventory index (UII) in May 2023 was flat from last year and declined 16 percent on a month-over-month basis. Assuming a softer sales level in June, there could see a minor inventory improvement in the upcoming month, but the upward adjustment would be entirely due to a change in the demand side.

• None of the price ranges except the $1 million and higher price sector recorded an increase in UII from a year ago. The unsold inventory index remained flat in the $500,000-$749,000 price range (0 percent) but dipped year-overyear in the $750,000$999,000 sector (-9.1 percent) and the sub$500,000 (-4.3 percent). The $1 million and higher sector recorded a gain in UII by 21.1 percent from last May.

• The median number of days it took to sell a California single-family home was 17 days in May and 11 days in May 2022.

Computers are great, when they make your life easier

It’s not too late to weigh in on climate change

By Alan Hirsch Special to the Express

This week, the well-meaning volunteers of Yolo County’s Climate Action Committee will be hosting three open houses to collect public input.

However, I think these volunteers — like climate committee volunteers in four other Yolo County cities — are being distracted from the elephant in the room.

Each of the five Yolo government’s Climate Act Plans note we need a plan to reduce auto driving if we want to address our greenhouse gases (GHG). Though that is tough for Winters residents, the urban city of West Sacramento's plan set a doable goal of reducing driving 40 percent by 2045 by a shift to transit and active modes.

Yet, the proposed widening of the I-80 Freeway is projected by UC Davis researchers will do the opposite — encourage more driving and longer commutes.

Researchers are forecasting 177.9 million more miles of driving each year. This means an increase in Yolo’s carbon footprint by 3 percent — adding more driving annually than done by residents of the entire city of Winters. Wider freeways will also encourage even more people to choose to be super commuters — live in rural areas and work in the city.

UC Davis research also predicts this $380 million project won’t fix congestion for long. They say with near 100 percent certainty the freeway will re-congest after a few years due to more car travel the widening it itself encourages — and Caltrans agrees, in fact.

Yet, not one of these five climate commissions has discussed this project and its tradeoffs or has the plan to provide input to Draft Environmental Impact Report (DEIR) in July.

It is not the volunteers on these committees’ fault —

it's about city and county staff who haven’t put it on their agendas.

This is in part due to the "silo" mindset of local government officials, but also the work of freeway advocates who claim to want public input but actually discourage it by spin:

Silo spin: Framing the project narrowly as transportation, not a climate issue, or viewing it as none of our business as it is not a project of the city but Caltrans. The Davis city manager expressly forbade its climate committee from reviewing it even though the citizens on the NRC Commission were anxious to provide feedback as a commission.

Inevitability spin: Yolo Transportation District (YoloTD) Planning Director Brian Abbanat at his public presentations has stated regardless of EIR findings, he expects Caltrans will go forward with widenings by issuing a statement of “over-

riding consideration.” He’s saying the quiet part out loud — to be too late for the public to change anything.

Greenwashing spin: YoloTD has a flier claiming a wider freeway will be “environmentally sustainable.”

“Open Meeting” spin: If the staff fails to put it on the commission agenda for the July meeting, staff can argue under Brown Act the commission will not be able to talk about the widening during the short Draft EIR comment period that ends early in August.

I am hopeful there is still time for at least a few, may including the Winters Natural Resouce Commission and Climate Action Commission to question this project and its design, even if they miss the EIR deadline.

They might begin by asking project cheerleaders in Yolo County why Caltrans itself rates this project’s design last on its 24 statewide projects list to improve mobility.

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I worked with Phil when we built the new Presbyterian Church. I helped raise funds for the project, but with all the donations we took in, it was Phil, and his construction company that made it happen. I would bet that by the time the church was finished he was the biggest contributor, in both time and money. According to my father, Phil was the best athlete to come out of Wintes High School after Pop got here in 1947. I never heard Phil raise his voice. His calm demeanor and soft voice carried a lot of weight when he talked. At events, he, or I, would make it a point to walk over and say hello, and catch up. A man of faith, family and community. He will be missed. Have a good week.

WFoL celebrates 25 years of concerts at the gazebo

By Diane Cary

One of the real pleasures of the season is to listen to live music outdoors on a balmy summer evening. Winters

Friends of the Library is excited to announce the lineup for the 2023 Summer Concerts at the Gazebo. This is WFoL’s 25th year of hosting concerts, creating community, and supporting the library.

The free outdoor concerts will be held on Thursday evenings in July from 7–8:30 p.m. at the Rotary Park gazebo, Main Street at Railroad Avenue in downtown Winters.

• The series will kick off on July 6 with The Nickel Slots playing Americana with attitude, from sentimental folk tunes to foot-stomping, rau-

cous sing-alongs. With influences from early roots Americana music as well as a touch of rebellious ’70s punk, they draw the line that connects Johnny Cash to The Clash. The Nickel Slots have won three Sammies (Sacramento Area Music Awards) for Outstanding Americana/Alt-Country and one for Best Live Performer, and are now in the Sammies Hall of Fame. Check them out at www.thenickelslotsmusic.com.

• July 13 will feature  Triism playing jazz standards, pop music, and original compositions. The Sacramento trio won the grand prize at the Bucharest International Jazz Competition, part of EUROPAfest 2016, where they beat out musicians from 26 countries. Their

NOTICE OF PETITION TO ADMINISTER ESTATE OF Naoto Imamura CASE NO PR2023-0119

To all heirs beneficiaries creditors contingent creditors and persons who may otherwise be interested in the will or estate or both, of: Naoto Imamura

A Petition for Probate has been filed by: Yolo County Public Administrator in the Superior Court of California County of: Yolo

The Petition for Probate requests that: Yolo County Public Administrator be appointed as personal representative to administer the estate of the decedent

The petition requests authority to administer the estate under the Independent Administration of Estates Act (This authority will allow the personal representative to take many actions without obtaining court approval Before taking certain very important actions, however, the personal representative will be required to give notice to interested persons unless they have waived notice or consented to the proposed action ) The independent administration authority will be granted unless an interested person files an objection to the petition and shows good cause why the court should not grant the authority A hearing on the petition will be held in this court as follows: Date: June 30 2023 Time: 9:00 A M Dept : 11 Room: Located at 1000 Main Street, Woodland, CA 95695

If you object to the granting of the petition you should appear at the hearing and state your objections or file written objections with the court before the hearing Your appearance may be in person or by your attorney

If y ou a re a c r editor or a c ontingent c reditor of the dec e d e n t y o u m u s t f i l e y o u r c l a i m w i t h t h e c o u r t a n d m a i l a copy to the personal representative appointed by the court within the later of either (1) four months from the date of first issuance of letters to a general personal representative as defined in section 58(b) of the California Probate Code or (2) 60 days from the date of mailing or personal delivery to you of a notice under section 9052

unique group sound draws from their individual eclectic musical experiences and interests, which include jazz, rock, Eastern European folk, pop, and improvised music. Learn more at www.triism.com.

• On July 20, local favorites  Los Tres de Winters will play Norteño-style music,

with accordion, bajo sexto, and bass. This lively music is a hybrid of Mexican and Spanish vocal traditions with waltzes and polkas brought to Mexico by Czech and German immigrants in the mid-nineteenth century. It evolved in the north of Mexico and is now a favorite style throughout Mex-

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Winters Friends of the Library is celebrating its 25th year of hosting free Summer Concerts at the Gazebo. The first concert kicks off on July 6.

photo

ico and the U.S. Check them out on YouTube.

• The series concludes on July 27 with  Boca do Rio bringing their infectious Brazilian samba-funk. After a decade of performing in San Francisco’s live music scene, Boca do Rio has evolved into a multi-layered Brazilian-American psychedelic electro-funk

party. Their sound is steeped in the traditional rhythms of Brazilian sambas and choros with a decidedly modern and funky edge. Learn more at www.bocadorio.com.

Invite your friends and neighbors, bring a blanket or lawn chairs or sit on the grass, sip a cool drink, and enjoy some fine live music on a summer evening. The concerts are free, but donations will be gratefully accepted. Winters Friends of the Library will have delicious refreshments and quality used books for sale, and all proceeds will support the Winters Community Library. For more information, visit wfol.org. This year’s concert series is sponsored by Oates Country Store.

Due to the Independence Day holiday falling on a Tuesday, the editorial content deadline for the July 5 edition is being moved to 3 p.m. on Friday, June 29. Content can be submitted to news@wintersexpress.com.

and Integrated Introduction to Culinary Arts Management; SDC Publications 2022 These materials are on display at the Winters joint Unified School District office for public review through July 14 2023 6/14, 6/21, 6/28, 7/5 #381

Special to the Express

Courtesy

Neglect of health causes detrimental effects

By Aaron Geerts Express staff writer

There’s the ageold saying of, ‘If it ain’t broke, don’t fix it.’ When it comes to one’s health, however, Dr. James Stirton, the lead chiropractor at Winters Family Chiropractic, is eager to emphasize that just because one’s body isn’t ‘broke’ doesn’t mean one shouldn’t take proper care of themselves.

Stirton said he has seen a trend in his middle-aged clients — as well as in younger clients — of self-neglect. Aches in one’s joints are ignored, bodily pains are tolerated and pride/stubbornness proves detrimental to one’s overall health. Only when one is held together by duct tape and bubble gum — it seems — do folks seem to want to take action when it comes to their health.

“I’ve had some patients who’ve come in and have gotten worse in their condi-

tion mostly because of self-directed care. I also see a lot of blind following of their MD, and the MD not doing a lot for their physical conditions,” said Stirton. “The patients maybe bounce off of physical therapy or a prescription or two, and they end up giving up usually. They blindly follow that with little results in their pain conditions and they get really frustrated, and that’s when they finally decide to try something different and that’s usually when I meet them.”

For many, the comfort zone is difficult to break free from — regardless of what pain they experience there. Often, people hope for a pill or a ‘quick fix’ when it comes to their

wellness, and when they see the arduous journey to health success mapped out by Stirton, they abandon ship. According to Stirton, it’s about 98 percent of people he’s seen yearn for their desired health but refuse to acquiesce to any changes to their current lifestyle.

“What I see is what they think is a desire and gameplan for health and really it’s not. They just want a quick fix so they can ignore it again. It’s a growing problem I see with two out of three patients. I don’t know if they’re overworked or whatever or if they have limited funds for their health.

“But even for those who have the time and money to focus on their health, most

of the time I still have to convince them to get out of the mode that got them to where they’re at,” said Stirton. “Honestly, it’s a commonsense thing that everyone values health when it’s lacking, but not everyone values their health when it’s in abundance or when there’s not a clear set of symptoms affecting them.”

Of course, it’s quite difficult to shift gears of one’s life speed. While dedication, hard work and resilience look easy on paper, thoughts of giving up are always in abundance and make the journey of wellness even more challenging to tread. So too is Stirton’s task of enticing commitment from his patients to their health. Luckily, when it comes to one’s health journey, it’s not something one needs to take alone.

“I have one gentleman (who) brought his daughter in who was about 10 or 11, and

What to do when migraines strike

Metro

Special to the Express

Headaches may be a common nuisance, but that doesn’t mean they share common characteristics. For example, migraine sufferers may attest that these headaches can be much harder to endure than others.

The health and wellness resource Healthline says a migraine is a neurological condition that typically causes painful headaches which are accompanied by other symptoms, such as sensitivity to smell, touch, light, and sound. Migraines also may produce numbness or tingling, visual auras and nausea/vomiting.

The American Migraine Foundation advises that migraine attacks feature distinct phases. Recognition and understanding of these phases can help to manage headaches more effectively. Some of the earliest signs of migraine include fatigue, blurred vision, auras, and other prodrome symptoms unique to people’s migraine histories. These conditions can occur anywhere from a few hours to a few days before a migraine attack. It is important to note that symptoms may not occur with every migraine, nor will early symptoms always result in migraines.

Identifying potential migraine symptoms early may help a person reduce the severity of a migraine. Typically, the migraine headache stage can last for several hours or up to three days, says the AMF. People identify migraine pain as pulsating, throbbing, pounding, perforating, and debilitating. Some have compared it to having an ice pick inserted into the head.

The Mayo Clinic notes that these steps may help to reduce the severity of migraine symptoms.

• Find a calm environment away from

“I’d recommend embracing your loved ones’ requests to get help and embrace their advice .... [they] will help get you out of whatever rut you’re in and help you on your wellness journey.”

Dr. James Stirton

she was the vigilant helper. It was so funny, she was tattling on him and everything about what he does or doesn’t do.

“When I get patients in front of me, their loved ones are so concerned and are tattling on these people about how lazy they are, how they don’t want to do anything like going for a walk.

I have an ‘inside man’ in many of these cases who tattle their butts off on what’s really going on,” said Stirton.

“So, I’d recommend embracing your loved ones’ requests to get help and embrace

look forward to providing you with quality, family dental

their advice. That little girl I mentioned earlier — we were total strangers at first — but we were best friends by the end of that visit. You can tell he got thrown under the bus because he wasn’t being transparent. But loved ones will help get you out of whatever rut you’re in and help you on your wellness journey.”

For more information, one can visit call Stirton at 530-795-4500 or email him directly at jimstirtondc@ gmail.com It’s like the good doctor always says, “If you’re not certain, ask Dr. Stirton.”

Elder Day event

The 2023 Winters

stressors and the bustle of everyday life.

• Relax in a dark, quiet room as light and sound can exacerbate migraine pain.

• Small amounts of caffeine can relieve migraine pain in the earliest stages and enhance the effects of common OTC pain medications like acetaminophen and ibuprofen. Sip small amounts of caffeinated soda, tea or coffee. Don’t overdo it, as that can lead to caffeine withdrawal headaches.

• Try to get steady, uninterrupted sleep

each night. Poor sleep may trigger a migraine. If you have difficulty sleeping, listen to soothing music, establish a bedtime routine, go to bed and wake up at the same times each day (even on weekends), and exercise regularly. Speak with a health care provider if sleeplessness is chronic.

• Eat a healthy, balanced diet at regular intervals. Fasting may contribute to migraine onset. Avoid foods such as aged cheese, alcohol and chocolate if they trigger your migraines.

• Try to manage stress in any way you can, which may include time management and simplifying your life. Delegate to others if you’re taking on too much.

• Journal when migraine symptoms come on so you can determine if there is a trigger. Migraine headaches can interrupt life and prove debilitating. Finding relief takes patience. If home remedies do not suffice, people can speak to their doctors about possible medical therapies.

Elder Day celebration is on Saturday, June 24, from 2 to 4 p.m. at St. Anthony’s Parish Hall located at 511 Main St.

Eight local elders are honored this year.

their stories and observe a glimpse of history as they tell their narratives. One honoree recounted that he survived being a B-17 pilot during World War II, yet another remem-

bers daily life while raising their family during World War II and the Depression.

Elder Day, Saturday, June 24 is set aside to give community appreciation to these trailblazers, by showing them our sincere affection and gratitude by

bringing the entire city of Winters community together to celebrate these cherished community members.

The 90-and-older crowd, those most vulnerable of human beings, is succumbing rapidly and heartbreakingly. Entire

limbs are being lopped off family trees, and their wisdom and lore far too often go unnoticed.

Many of the very oldest of us who survived world wars, polio, the Great Depression, and the Holocaust, are being lost to history. Our elders are our patriarchs and matriarchs, our families’ rootstock and connections to our past, foreign lands, and forgotten ancestors. They’re our most experienced and loved

Equally important, please remember to mark your calendars and plan on attending this wonderful Elder Day festivity on Satur-

Everyone, all your families and friends, are invited to come and share in this free event of sharing and

telecommunications and became a certified tower climber. That career path would bring Moreno and his husband, Marty, all the way to Boise, Idaho, in 2015.

“I was a field operations technician for the Pacific Northwest. I had, like, 280 tower sites in Montana, Wyoming, Oregon and Washington, and I’d go and monitor these sites and do audits and inspections on them. So, I got to see a whole lot of that area and it was awesome and beautiful, but it was the same thing with construction. It was just the job I was doing at the time, and yes, it was great — I enjoyed doing it, I loved it — but I was traveling a lot and got tired of it,” Moreno said.

At 38 years old, Moreno decided to go to hair school in Boise, and discovered the inspiration to shift his career gears.

“Ever since I was a little kid, and I’d walk by this little salon in Winters that used to be where Cody’s (Deli) was, and I remember thinking to myself, ‘one day, I’m going to be doing hair in Winters. That’s what I’m going to do.’ And I guess I just manifested it, because here I am doing hair in Winters,” Moreno said.

After a return to Winters in 2020, Moreno is now one of the sensational hair stylists at the Eight Six Zero Salon. To

him, his occupation is something of an art form that combines his love of talking with people with his creative flair to help them look their absolute best. What he loves most, however, is living, working and giving back to the community that raised him.

“I love who I work with and what I do. I’ve been getting great support from everyone in Winters who comes into the salon and working in town has been the best part of it all.

It’s so cool and I’ll have these moments where I stop and stand, say, in the spot where JJ’s used to be and think, ‘How many times have I crossed this one street?’ And I realized everything there makes me feel like I belong,” said Moreno.

Even with a career path that featured many twists and turns, Moreno practiced what he preached and enjoyed the ride that landed him back home doing something that he loves.

Moreno shared advice to recent WHS graduates.

“I would say open up your eyes and take everything around you in. And enjoy the ride! That’s what it’s about and that’s all there is, to me,” Moreno said. “There’s the cliché of trying to get to where you’re going, but you have to enjoy the ride there, too. I also tell people, if you’re bored it’s because you’re boring. So change things up if you need to.”

Meow Meow’ The Cat, Wild and Domestic

Special to the Express

The Artery presents “Meow Meow Meow – The Cat, Wild and Domestic,” celebrating feline beauty, grace and allure. The show opens on July 7 and continues through July 31, with a reception on July 14 from 7 to 9 pm. Cat lovers, this one’s

for you! The exhibit captures the sheer power and elegance of wild cats and the endearing charm of domestic companions — from prowling tigers in lush landscapes to sweet house cats curled up in cozy corners. Fluffy cats, fierce cats, funny cats, big cats and bitty cats. Using a diversity of mediums, our artists pay homage to these iconic and enigmatic animals.

“We hope to create a shared experience that connects people with the fascinating and mystical qualities of cats. We thought it was a good time to have a little fun!” Adele Shaw said.

Woody Fridae/Courtesy

photo

Germaine Hupe

Woody Fridae/Courtesy photo Roy Bellhorn Woody Fridae/Courtesy

photo Tony Garcia

Woody Fridae/Courtesy photo Walt Neil

Woody Fridae/Courtesy photo Claude Rohwer

Woody Fridae/Courtesy photo Doyle Pinkston

Woody Fridae/Courtesy photo Esperanza Santana

Woody Fridae/Courtesy photo Gail Wingard

‘Meow

Courtesy photo “Applique Cat” by Cindy Nelson.