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Youth basketball program opens registration News, Page 2
Community celebrates student successes Features, Page 1
Volume 140, Number 44 — Locally-owned since 1884
Winters, Yolo County, California, Wednesday, November 29, 2023
The hometown paper of Viona Hague
Consulting services approved to begin Prop. 218 efforts Voter approval would provide funding for Winters Fire staff, equipment By Amelia Biscardi Express staff writer The Winters City Council passed a resolution on Nov. 21 to hire SCI Consulting services for balloting services and professional consulting. Proposition 218 requires approval by property owners in the region before it can be enacted. To ensure that property owners understand what they are voting on, and to send out a survey ensuring support, SCI Consulting has been hired. The cost of the agreement is $79,216 which will be funded with the American Rescue Plan Act. If passed by property owners, the fire department would need to come back to council every year to continue to justify
the need for it. Councilmember Carol Scianna noted that the balloting service project ensures that residents know what they are voting for. “I was kinda pleased to see the robust sort of effort to do the outreach and survey residents to get buy-in and make sure that they are on board,” Scianna said. “And it’s kind of phased, so that if unfortunately they don’t seem to be supporting, we won’t be spending all the money.” The survey about Proposition 218 will be sent both in the Winters Fire Protection District and city of Winters, both of which are run by the Winters Fire Department.
See CONSULT, Page 6
Council approves LDS Subdivision completion By Amelia Biscardi Express staff writer
EXPRESS
The Winters City Council unanimously approved the Shandalla LDS Subdivision public improvements on Nov. 21, these public improvements include infrastructure of utilities as well as roadway improvements. With the LDS Subdivision, off of Anderson Avenue, the next steps are for the city clerk to file a Notice of Completion which will allow for the release of the
Performance and Improvement bonds. The subdivision has 15 single-parcel homes. One of the issues that this project faces is the street names. In 2021, the plans submitted to the city of Winters stated that the names of the streets would be Bishop Street and Dote Court. However they currently stand as Karnail Street and Gurmit Court. City Engineer, Megan Buche explains that this error that occurred with the contractor, would be a difficult one to repair at this point in the process. “There are addresses now associated with the street
Crystal Apilado/Winters Express
High winds funneled smoke from vegetation fires across the Buckeye Road area on Thanksgiving Day.
High winds fuel multiple fires By Crystal Apilado Editor-in-Chief Winters Fire crews were busy over the Thanksgiving holiday as strong winds fueled the flames of multiple fires starting on Thursday afternoon. Fire Chief Jack S. Snyder III said Winters Fire crews were dispatched to four different fires from Nov. 23 to Nov. 26.
Mariani Nut fire A Winters Fire crew drove out to Mariani Nut Co. on Buckeye Road at 11:49 a.m. on Thursday, Nov. 23, for a smoke investigation. Snyder said a column of smoke was visible from the fire station and on arrival at the scene they discovered Mariani staff working to extinguish four piles of debris that were on fire. According to Snyder, green decomposing shells had
By Angela Underwood Express correspondent
See LDS, Page 3
Index
We at he r Date
Rain
High
Low
Aug. 21
.00
68˚
36˚
Aug. 22
.00
67˚
39˚
Aug. 23
.00
69˚
47˚
Aug. 24
.00
60˚
43˚
Eventos hispanos ....... A-2
Aug. 25
.00
61˚
31˚
Aug. 26
.00
62˚
28˚
Opinion ......................... B-3
Aug. 27
.00
61˚
30˚
Real Estate ................... B-2
Rain for week: 0.00 in. Season’s total: 1.69 in. Last sn. to date: 2.09 in.
Classifieds ................... B-4 Community .................. A-2
Sports ........................... B-5
Courtesy photo
Winters Fire Chief Jack Snyder and West Plainfield Fire Captain Scott Bravo monitor the large burning pile at Mariani Nut Co. early Friday morning. location after clearing a fire on County Road 88. High winds had picked up again and moved more embers onto surrounding piles. Snyder said they were able to get on the scene quickly and begin work with the engine and hoses that had been stationed earlier. The incident was raised to a twoalarm fire. Fire crews worked to extinguish the flames and cool down hot areas as Mariani
Nut crews worked to move burning materials into one main burning pile. “They were able to move piles, everything is contained in the overhang and the property owners are monitoring it,” Synder said. “Everything is contained. Now that the winds have died down it’s less of a worry on our part.” Snyder said the “winds were the game changer” in a situation that normally can
See FIRES, Page 3
Parents, Winter JUSD collaboration strengthens special education resources Lauren Richardson and Maribel Villalobos know what it is like to see their kids struggle academically among their peers. Like any mother bears, Richardson and Villalobos found a way to come to advocate for their children. Together, the
Features ........................ B-1
spontaneously combusted due to the weather elements. While the occurrence happens regularly and Mariani Nut Co has procedures in place to handle them, the 30 mph winds picked up and blew embers into second pile and to a larger pile under a shed. “(The wind) created a lot of havoc,” Snyder said. “The winds were blowing through the building — it was acting like a chimney. It was pushing all the smoke out. Our goal was to not lose the structure when we first got there.” Snyder said fire crews worked to control the small vegetation fires and stationed an engine at the scene as Mariani Nut crews continued to process the fire. Early on Friday morning, fire crews raced back to the Buckeye Road
Winters rainfall season began 7/1/23. Weather readings are taken at 9 a.m. daily by local weatherman Joe Bristow.
co-founders of Sensory Friends of Winters work directly with educators to ensure youths with special education needs have every opportunity to flourish. “Our children already have all the odds stacked against them, but as parents, we have the power to fiercely advocate for them so that they have the same opportunities as their typically developed peers,” Villalobos said. Speaking on behalf of their children, the co-founders work with Winters Joint Unified School District Director of Special Education Jenny Pinedo, teachers and other school administrators. Pinedo said she appreciates parents’ crucial role, particularly those involved with groups like Sensory Friends of Winters. “Parents are invaluable partners in the
Courtesy graphic
education process, providing unique insights into their children’s needs that are essential for educators to consider,” Pinedo said. Sensory Friends of Winters and similar parent groups bring a wealth of firsthand experience and knowledge about their children’s specific needs and challenges, added Pinedo. “These parents are experts in understanding the nuances of their children’s sensory experiences, learning styles, and daily struggles that may not be immedi-
ately apparent in the school environment,” Pinedo said. Richardson said the school district’s SEPAC (Special Education Parent Advisory Committee) is a great way to learn more about what the school can offer and meet in person with the administration at least four times a year. “This is a learning opportunity that the school district provides for parents who want to learn how to navigate IEPs (individualized education plan) and what is currently going on with special education,” Richardson said. But it’s not just the meetings that make a difference; the intimate bond between educators, students, and parents also greatly matters. According to Richardson, advocating entails having a relationship with
See PARENTS, Page 3
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