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Yolo County accepting Grand Jury applications News, Page 2
Public Safety celebrates top 2023 successes Features, Page 1
Volume 140, Number 49 — Locally-owned since 1884
Winters, Yolo County, California, Wednesday, January 3, 2024
The hometown paper of William Svozil
Top City News of 2023 Express staff Here’s a look at some of the top city of Winters topics that made headlines in 2023.
Leadership changes
Courtesy photo
The Hooby’s Brewing crew: Megan Hainze, Chad Stocking, Curtis and Susie Stocking (back), Courtney, Melanie and Jackie Stocking celebrated their fourth anniversary in February 2023. They’ll continue the celebration at the Toast to Winters event on Feb. 3.
Hooby’s Brewing is 2023 Business of the Year By Angela Underwood Express correspondent When you visit the Hooby’s Brewing website and read the Stocking family story, you can’t help but want to learn more about how what started off as a joke became the Winters 2023 Business of the Year. What began as an April Fools Day opening date antic actually became a taproom that serves up a family-friendly atmo-
sphere and some good hops. Speaking of family, when you visit Hooby’s Brewing, you will sure to see any of the Stocking family members somewhere around. Whether it is owners Curtis or Susie, or their children Melanie, Chad, Courtney and Jackie — the Stocking family vibe is felt whether playing cornhole or listening to live music in the taproom. Regarding com-
merce in Winters, Courtney Stocking said it’s all about individuality. “We worked really hard this year to add to the uniqueness of Winters,” Stocking said. “Being recognized as a business that is making a positive impact in our hometown is truly an honor.” One nomination letter called Hooby’s Brewing “the epitome
See HOOBYS, Page 5
Winters PD gives update on concealed weapons legislation By Angela Underwood Express correspondent
EXPRESS
The Second Amendment right for Americans to bear arms in the Golden State is up for debate. The newest legislation, SB2 (introduced at the end of 2023) which restricts concealed carry weapon permits, keeps changing.
Winters Police Chief John P. Miller knew the legislation changes were inevitable. He referred to the most recent change posted by JURIST, a legal news and research service that works with the University of Pittsburgh. “The U.S. Court of Appeals for the Ninth Circuit temporarily stayed a district court’s preliminary injunction on Saturday (Dec. 30, 2023) that blocked a California law that prohibits concealed
Features ........................ B-1
See SB2, Page 3
We at he r Date
Rain
High
Low
Dec. 27
.00
58˚
40˚
Dec. 28
.41”
54˚
47˚
Dec. 29
.03”
60˚
50˚
Dec. 30
1.57”
63˚
50˚
Eventos hispanos ....... A-2
Dec. 31
.11”
62˚
48˚
Jan. 01
.01”
56˚
39˚
Opinion ......................... B-3
Jan. 02
TRACE
62˚
39˚
Real Estate ................... B-2
Rain for week: 2.13 in. Season’s total: 6.51 in. Last sn. to date: 10.30 in.
Classifieds ................... B-4 Community .................. A-2
Sports ........................... B-5
Courtesy photos
Fire Chief Jack Snyder and City Manager Jeremy Craig were two major staff changes at City Hall in 2023. Craig was approved for the city manager role with his official start date beginning in November.
Senior Commission disbands At its June 20 meeting, the Winters City Council reluctantly voted to disband the Winters Senior Commission on Aging due to the imminent vacancy among its commissioners that would leave it without enough members to hold a quorum. However, the council directed city staff to begin the creation of a new parks-and-recreation type commission whose central — and broader focus — will include senior issues.
The Senior Commission on Aging was originally established on April 19, 2019, with the mission to advocate for the needs of the senior community in Winters, serve as a bridge from City Hall to the community, and work on various projects to develop activities and programs to enhance the quality of life of local seniors. At the last Senior Commission special meeting on June 14, Trepa told commissioners one of the issues was that the city was not giving the senior commission tasks and they were having to create their own
See CITY, Page 5
WFoL announces Quiz Show practice round dates
carry permit holders from carrying firearms in most public places,” JURIST reported. Additionally, in a two-page order, the court paused the district court injunction pending the resolution of the appeal, according to the JURIST. With this stay, the California law will take effect in January 2024. Before the most recent change, Miller said the new legislation could and would
Index
New leaders joined the ranks at both the fire department and Winters City Hall. Fire Chief Jack S. Snyder III was officially sworn into office at the Feb. 7 City Council meeting, about 24 hours after his first day on the job on Feb. 6. Snyder was hired following the September 2022 departure of Fire Chief Brad L. Lopez. After three years at city hall, City Manager Kathleen Salguero Trepa announced her intentions to retire in her April 28 Friday update saying she wanted to spend more time with her family after completing her contract term in the fall. Joe Gordon filled in as acting city manager while Trepa did some behindthe-scenes work as councilmembers wrapped up the search for Winters’ next city manager. At the Oct. 3 city council meeting, Jeremy
Winters rainfall season began 7/1/23. Weather readings are taken at 9 a.m. daily by local weatherman Joe Bristow.
By Rebecca Fridae Special to the Express With the Winters Friends of the Library Quiz Show happening on Friday, Jan. 19 at 7 p.m. at the Winters Opera House, the Friends have announced they will be hosting two practice rounds. One on Sunday, Jan. 14 at 3:30 p.m., and a second one on Wednesday, Jan. 17 at 4:30 p.m. at the Berryessa Gap Downtown Tasting Room. The practice rounds are informal competitions using questions from previous Quiz Shows. Questions come from a variety of categories and difficulty. As one player said, “It’s easy, if you know the answer.” There is no cost to participate and there are no prizes. It is a friendly game with wine and snacks available. Sample questions include: Geography – In 2011, the city of Juba was named the capital of the newest country in the world, what country is it? TV and Film – What movie was the first to be produced
entirely in CGI? Winters Trivia – Red Bud Lane and Rose Lane run from Creekside Way to what street? If questions like these pique your interest, then you may wish to find four other trivia buffs and create a team for the real deal. The WFoL Quiz Show is a fundraiser and community event. Each team of five players pays $100 to test their knowledge against others in three rounds of questions. Teams can be sponsored by businesses or other organizations, or made up of friends and colleagues. The winning team earns a cash prize of $200 and the team name on the Quiz Show trophy. Spectators give a five dollar donation to watch the fun. Refreshments are provided, and soft drinks, wine, and beer will be for sale. Registration forms and rules are available at the library, and late sign-ups will be taken at the door with an extra $25 charge. Individuals who haven’t a full team often
put teams together at the door. Answers to the questions above will be available at the practice rounds. The cost to enter per team is $100, and the winning team is awarded $200. But the big prize is that the team and participants’ names are engraved on the permanent WFoL Quiz Show trophy on display at the Winters Community Library. Sign-ups and complete rules are available at the library. Teams that sign up before Jan. 17 will pay $100, or $20 per individual. After that, signups will be taken at the door the evening of the event until 7 p.m. but the price increases to $125 per team or $25 per person. Many WFoL volunteers help make the event work smoothly. Volunteers set up, keep score, keep time, announce, judge, bake, serve cookies, sell tickets, and take photos. For questions about the event, or to volunteer, please call Rebecca Fridae at 530-795-4600.
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