$1
including tax
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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Eventos hispanos Community celebration honors Martin Luther King Jr. Policía de Winters comienza planes para cumplimiento de nueva ley del cruce peatonal By Anthony Volkar Special to the Express
Local community leader Dr. Tecoy Porter will serve as the main speaker for the annual Martin Luther King Jr. celebration on Jan. 9, hosted by the Yolo County Office of Education. The county office of education invites community members to join in the celebration of the life and impact of the civil rights leader. The event will begin at 4 p.m. and will be held in person at the Yolo County Office of Education, located at 1280 Santa Anita Ct. in Woodland. There is no cost to attend. Individuals who plan to attend in person are asked to register in advance at https://yolocoe. k12oms.org/2495-243783. Porter is a long-time community leader in the Sacramento region, where he has served as senior pastor of the Genesis Church in South Sacramento since 1999. After the death of Stephon Clark in March of 2018, Porter formed the Sacramento chapter of the National Action Network. A leading civil rights organization, the National Action Network has been marching and fighting for civil rights since 1991 across the county. Porter and his family in Minneapolis were among the ministers who helped plan and coordinate George Floyd’s memorial service in 2020. Porter is the author of multiple books and articles on leadership and personal development. He has worked to advance state legislation supporting criminal justice reform
Por Angela Underwood Traducido por Carol Alfonso
Courtesy photo
Dr. Tecoy Porter will serve as the main speaker for the annual Martin Luther King Jr. Celebration with the Yolo County Office of Education. and amending police use-offorce practices. He was also instrumental in opening an elementary school at his church through a partnership with Fortune Charter School, a network of public charter schools with a mission to close the African American achievement gap. The program will be emceed by County Superintendent Garth Lewis and will feature youth leaders from the Martin Luther King Jr. Freedom Center, an Oakland-based organization seeking to strengthen civic engagement. Additional information on the event is available on the Yolo County Office of Education website at www.ycoe.org.
Community can apply for Yolo County Grand Jury Express staff Yolo Superior Court is now accepting applications for the 2024–25 Yolo County grand jury. Each year, on July 1, the court impanels 19 grand jurors and 11 alternates who serve as an arm of the judicial system, but act as an entirely independent body. The primary civil function of the grand jury is to review the operations of city and county government as well as other tax supported agencies and special districts. Based on these reviews, the grand jury publishes its findings and may recommend constructive action to improve the quality and effectiveness of local government. Eligibility requirements for grand jury
service are: • You must be a citizen of the United States. • You must be 18 years of age or older. • You have been a resident of Yolo County for at least one year before selection. • You possess sufficient knowledge of the English language. • You are not currently serving as a trial juror in any court of this state. • You have not been discharged as a grand juror in any court of this state within one year. • You have not been convicted of malfeasance in office or any felony or other high crime. • You are not serving as an elected public officer. Although grand
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jury service is important work and a considerable responsibility, it is also an exciting opportunity to serve your community and learn more about local government. It can be an incredibly rewarding and satisfying experience. If selected, the term of service is a period of one year, from July 1 through June 30. Applicants should be committed to serving the entire year. The average time commitment is approximately 30 to 50 hours per month. All applications must be submitted by March 29. Applications are available by mail or phone request, as well as online: Yolo Superior Court Jury Services, 1000 Main St., Woodland, CA 95695; 530406-6828; www.yolo. courts.ca.gov.
En el 2020, Kurt Reinhold, quien no tenía un hogar, fue asesinado a tiros por un oficial quien lo detuvo por cruzar imprudentemente. En el 2022, California aprobó la Ley de la ‘Libertad para Caminar’ (Freedom to Walk Act - AB 2147) para eliminar las multas por cruzar calles en áreas no señalizadas. El Gobernador Gavin Newsom promulgó la ley AB 413 en Octubre pasado, cuyo objetivo es aumentar la seguridad de los peatones en los cruces peatonales en el 2023 y afecta la distancia a la que los automovilistas pueden estacionarse o detenerse en un cruce peatonal. La nueva ley, que entró en vigor el 1 de Enero, está directamente relacionada con la muerte de Reinhold, según el jefe de la Policía de Winters, John P. Miller. “El motivo de la Ley ‘Libertad para Caminar’ fue que las fuerzas del orden solían perfilar racialmente a las personas,” dijo Miller. “Así que la ley
curva de aprendizaje muy difícil,” dijo Miller. “Mientras la gente esté viva, en la mayoría de los casos se pueden estacionar hasta el cruce de peatones; ahora dice 20 pies.” Miller dijo que “hablaría con la administración de la ciudad sobre cómo abordaremos esto para reducir esa distancia y si eso será factible o no.” Sin embargo, eso todavía no significa que “no haremos cumplir la ley,” según Miller, por lo que espera que los residentes de Winters presten atención a las nuevas regulaciones. “Este no es el trabajo del Departamento de Policía; es la legislación que se aprobó para evitar que un peatón sea atropellado,” dijo Miller. “Y si no aplicamos esta ley, la ciudad incurriría en responsabilidad.” Antes de repartir multas, el Departamento de Policía de Winters dará una advertencia, añadió Miller. El texto de la ley AB 413 se puede ver en http://tinyurl. com/3t5wbcj3.
Lake Berryessa water levels up Express staff The water level of Lake Berryessa went up during the past week by 0.51 feet, with an increase in the storage of 8,742 acre-feet of water, according to Ken Emigh of the Solano Irrigation District. On the morning of Tuesday, Jan. 2, the lake
level was 422.41 feet above sea level, with storage computed at 1,234,311 acre-feet of water. Evaporation on the lake averaged 14 acre-feet of water per day. The SID is diverting 55 cubic feet per second of water in the Putah South Canal, with 29 cubic feet per second flowing at the Diversion Dam.
Seeking first baby of the year Express staff The Winters Express is looking for the first Winters baby born in 2024. The baby who is verified to be born first after the stroke of Midnight on Jan. 1, 2024, will win a bundle of great prizes for both baby and the family.
Contest rules Parents of the winning baby must reside within the Winters Joint Unified School
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se utilizó para reducir el abuso policial, e incluso dijimos que las consecuencias serán un aumento de los accidentes de peatones.” Mientras que la Ley de ‘Libertad’ eximía a los peatones de una multa por no cruzar áreas marcadas a menos que hubiera una amenaza inmediata de peligro, la nueva ley restablece las multas. “Así que una intersección, incluso si no tiene cruces peatonales marcados, es un cruce de peatones, incluso si no tiene líneas pintadas en la intersección,” dijo Miller. Si una intersección tiene una acera con bulbos, entonces mide 15 pies. “El autor escribe que se debe al aumento de los accidentes y la seguridad de los peatones,” dijo Miller. “Sin embargo, el año pasado legalizaron cruzar imprudentemente.” Pero hay dudas sobre la aplicación de la nueva ley, que podría significar pintar bordillos rojos en cada intersección de Winters. “Esta será una
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Adobe/Stock illustration
District. The exact time of birth must be specified in writing by the attending physician. The necessary verifying must be submitted online at https:// bit.ly/3NFxtyn. Form submissions must be received by noon on Jan. 30, 2024.
For questions, contact the Express office at news@ wintersexpress.com or 530-795-4551. If there is no winner by Jan. 30, the contest will be extended until a winner has been declared. The decision of the judges will be final. Names and a photo of the winning baby and parents will be published in the newspaper. One entry per baby. Duplicate submissions for the same baby will be discarded.
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Winters Express, Wednesday, January 3, 2024 — A3
New state housing laws aim to streamline building process By Ben Christopher CalMatters If California wants to build its way out of its long-term housing shortage, plenty of things stand in its way in 2024: high interest rates, sluggish local approval processes and a persistent shortage of skilled construction workers, among others. But a slew of housing bills from the 2023 legislative session going into effect on Jan. 1 promise to ease or eliminate some of the other burdens. Among the batch of fresh housing laws are an especially high profile set by San Francisco Democratic state Sen. Scott Wiener: Senate Bill 423 re-ups and expands a law that speeds up the approval of apartment buildings in which some units are set aside for lower income Californians, while SB 4 does something similar for affordable housing on property owned by religious institutions and nonprofit colleges. Wiener’s two new laws set the tone of housing legislation in 2023, where ripping out barriers and boosting incentives for housing construction emerged as the dominant theme. “The era of saying no to housing is coming to an end,” Wiener said in a statement after the two bills were signed. That was especially true for developers of purpose-built affordable housing, per policy analysts at UC Berkeley’s Terner Center for Housing Innovation in an end-of-year legislative summary. Lawmakers, the analysts wrote, in the continuation of a “remarkable run over the last several years,” gave “more flexibility to exceed or override local zoning, greater certainty on the timing and likelihood of planning ap-
SB2 Continued from Page 1 bring up past Supreme Court rulings, including the 2022 6–3 decision in New York State Rifle & Pistol Association Inc. v. Bruen. Ultimately, the East Coast state had no right to restrict where citizens could carry a concealed weapon. That same issue is a challenge here. “This is an ongoing debate, especially in California,” Miller said. Miller said two weeks ago, “As expected, the legal challenges to California SB 2 have already caused confusion.” “The media widely and incorrectly reported the bill was ‘overturned’ and/or ruled ‘unconstitutional;’ however, the recent decision by the United States District Court Central District of California was a preliminary injunction affecting only a
provals, and substantial relief from (environmental) review and litigation.” “I’ve never seen this type of consensus in the Legislature before,” said Michael Lane, state policy director for the San Francisco-based urban planning think-tank SPUR. Or as Politico put it succinctly in a headline from late summer: “YIMBYs” — short for so-called yes in my backyard activists who push for more building — “are winning.” Other notable victories from that camp include AB 1287, a bill by San Diego Democratic Assemblymember David Alvarez, that will give developers permission to build denser, taller buildings if they set aside additional units for middle-income earners, and SB 684, which will make it easier to divide up large parcels of land for modest clusters of townhomes and cottages. It wasn’t entirely smooth sailing for the pro-development caucus. That second bill, by Merced Democratic Sen. Anna Caballero, will only apply to parts of
to veto their own bill (he didn’t). That eleventh hour switcheroo demonstrated that though the political coalition opposed to state pro-density policies are on the back foot, they are still a force to contend with.
That coalition of local governments, certain organized labor groups and environmental justice advocates also prevented housing supply boosters from entirely rewriting the state’s signature environmental law, as some advocates had hoped earlier this year. But a host of new laws will make it more difficult for opponents of proposed housing projects to use the California Environmental
need of environmental mitigation, a response to one of the most headline grabbing California court decisions of the year. Wicks’ bill, which went into effect in September, may have gotten much of
File photo
the media attention, but other, similarly intentioned bills that will become law in 2024 may prove more consequential. One, SB 439, by Berkeley Democratic Sen. Nancy Skinner will make it easier for courts to slap down “frivolous” environmental lawsuits, a second, AB 1449, by Alvarez will shield many affordable housing projects from environmental review and a third, AB 1633,
“I am deeply concerned about the market and how few young buyers can actually afford to get into the game anymore. If they do it right, if they really get the process right ... young homebuyers could have a whole bunch of new stuff to pick from, which basically doesn’t exist right now.” Seth Phillips, consultant the state already zoned for multifamily housing. Historic single family home neighborhoods got a last minute carve out, leading one of the bill’s sponsors to take the unusual step of asking Gov. Gavin Newsom
certain portion of the legislation; specifically the portion of the bill addressing ‘sensitive locations,’ but not all ‘sensitive locations’ as listed in the bill,” Miller said. With the stay of injunction issued by the United States Court of Appeals for the
Quality Act to delay certain types of housing projects. Oakland Democratic Assemblymember Buffy Wicks wrote a bill that instructs judges not to consider the noise of future residents as a pollutant in
services are customarily provided; • Public transportation; • Establishments where intoxicating liquor is sold for consumption on the premises; • Public gatherings and special events; • Playgrounds and
by San Francisco Democratic Assemblymember Phil Ting will force cities to either approve or deny a project’s environmental review within a set time limit. “This just points out the reason we need to continue
arenas • Public libraries; • Amusement parks; • Zoos and museums; • Churches, synagogues, mosques and other places of worship; • Financial institutions; • Any other privately owned commercial
“This legislation changed the language of these sections, and now it will be a crime to carry a firearm that is not registered to you wiht the California Department of Justice.” John P. Miller, police chief Ninth Circuit on Dec. 30, those “sensitive locations” that are still illegal to carry until further court action include: • Hospitals, mental health facilities, nursing homes, medical offices, urgent care facilities, and other places where medical
private youth centers; • Parks and athletic facilities; • Department of Parks and Recreation and Department of Fish and Wildlife property, except hunting areas; • Casinos and gambling establishments; • Stadiums and
establishment that is open to the public, unless the operator clearly and conspicuously posts a sign indicating that license holders are permitted to carry firearms on the property. Miller said another portion of the bill to bring to attention
to have this fight at the state level,” said Ting in a recent webinar touting the new policy. “We know we have these two million homes to get built and they’re not getting built fast enough… Local governments just aren’t getting the job done.” Ting has also carved out a reputation as a champion of accessory dwelling units. Sometimes called in-law units or granny flats, these pint-sized add ons have become an increasingly popular way for local governments to meet their stateset housing production goals. They’ve also come to make up a significant share of California’s new housing stock in recent years. That’s largely thanks to a suite of recent state laws that make it increasingly difficult for local governments to say no to these developments or to tack on costly requirements. Starting in 2024, a new bill by Ting may help to reshape the existing ADU market. AB 1033 will let homeowners spin off their ADUs as separate for-sale condos, so long as local governments opt in. That’s a big “if,” but the condoization law has many backyard cottage builders optimistic about the future, even at a time when California’s residential construction industry appears to be slowing. “I am deeply concerned about the market and how few young buyers can actually afford to get into the game anymore,” said Seth Phillips, founder of the Los Angeles-based development and consulting firm ADU Gold. “If they do it right, if they really get the processes right…young homebuyers could have a whole bunch of new stuff to pick from, which basically doesn’t exist right now.”
that was not affected by this decision addresses the carrying of weapons registered to spouses. “This legislation changed the language of these sections, and now it will be a crime to carry a firearm that is not registered to you with the California Department of Justice,” Miller said. “This portion of the bill has not been challenged, as of yet, and will be in effect Jan. 1.” Miller added, “If your CCW lists a firearm that is registered to your spouse, please do not carry the weapon after Jan. 1 until you update the firearm registration with the California Department of Justice and/or update your CCW to remove the weapon to be in compliance.” Miller said the while Winters Police
Department will continue to follow the legal updates on this, but it is the concealed carry weapon holders’ responsibility to stay abreast of the legal decisions. “Following the law is incumbent on you as a concealed carry weapon holder and it is critically important to read the full text of the bill and any court decisions or seek advice from legal counsel competent on the subject,” Miller said. Other changes in the legislation that are clear, and not being challenged are increased training requirements, which Miller said he welcomes. “California required a minimum of eight hours before, and that minimum is now 16 hours, and I am not opposed to that one iota,” Miller said.
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A4 — Winters Express, Wednesday, January 3, 2024
YESTERYEAR Picked by Charley Wallace
1983 was a wet year, as was 1982, when the Glory Hole was overflowing. In February of 1983 the level of Lake Berryessa was 4½ feet above the spillway, pouring in excess of 2360 second feet of water into Putah Creek at the dam site. This picture was taken at one of the fishing accesses along Putah Creek, above the Diversion Dam. The water washed out the road leading to Low Water Bridge and caused damage all along the creek. The sign says parking is $1 per vehicle, but that day, it was free. File photo
Public Safety Report City of Winters
Fire Dec. 20: 6:18 p.m.: Luis Place, EMS call – excluding vehicle accident with injury Dec. 21: 7:27 a.m.: Edwards Street, EMS call – excluding vehicle accident with injury ~2 p.m.: County Road 29A – Winters, Motor vehicle accident with injuries Dec. 22: 12:44 p.m.: County Road 89 – Madison, Dispatched and cancelled en route ~3:26 p.m.: Baker Street, EMS call – excluding vehicle accident with injury ~6:49 p.m.: County Road 31 – Winters, EMS call – excluding vehicle accident with injury ~8:58 p.m.: Railroad Avenue, EMS call – excluding vehicle accident with injury ~11:45 p.m.: Ramos Drive, EMS call – exclud-
ing vehicle accident with injury Dec. 23: 4:13 a.m.: Columbia Way, EMS call – excluding vehicle accident with injury ~7:42 p.m.: Kato Lane, Smoke detector activation due to malfunction Dec. 24: 2:10 p.m.: Niemann Street, EMS call – excluding vehicle accident with injury Dec. 25: 1:53 a.m.: Abbey Street, EMS call, excluding vehicle accident with injury ~10:30 a.m.: Abbey Street, Smoke detector activation due to malfunction ~2:46 p.m.: Apricot Avenue, EMS call – excluding vehicle accident with injury
tion: Released on Notice to Appear Dec. 24: Perez, Latasha Marie (Age 38); Charges DUI, DUI with BAC .08 percent, Unsafe turn, Failure to signal; Disposition: Transported to Yolo County Jail ~Neal, Robert Paul (Age 60), Charges: Two Winters PD warrants, Disposition: Transported to Yolo County Jail ~Gates, Guy Norman (Age 46); Charges: DUI, DUI with BAC more than .08 percent, Child Abuse, Unsafe lane change, Altering license plate coating; Disposition: Transported to Yolo County Jail
Police Arrest Log
Report Log
Dec. 21: Pasaol, Nichole Quiapo (Age 38), Charges: Sonoma County Warrant, Disposition: Released on Notice to Appear ~Rubio, Gregorio (Age 55), Charges: Driving with a suspended license for DUI, Disposi-
Dec. 21: 8:32 p.m., 700th block of Dutton Street, Audible Alarm Dec. 22: 1:39 a.m., 500th block of East Street, Domestic Violence For our editorial policy on crime log entries, see wintersexpress.com/unpublishing-policy.
Obituaries Michael J. Sebastian Oct. 24, 1963 – Dec. 17, 2023 Michael J. “Mike” Sebastian, a community icon in the city of Winters, passed away unexpectedly on Dec. 17, 2023, two months after his 60th birthday. From the time he came to Winters from Oakland at the age of two, he was destined to have a career in community service. Starting out as an announcer and scorekeeper for Winters Little League, he went on to become the long-time announcer for the Winters Swim Team, received the EMT/Fireman of the Year, was the elected City Treasurer, Executive Director of the Winters Chamber of Commerce, Past President of Winters Rotary, played Taps for Winters veterans’ funerals, and was hon-
Courtesy photo
Michael J. Sebastian ored with the Winters Citizen of the Year Award. If it weren’t for Mike, Winters Youth Day would not exist. His efforts to keep Youth Day alive will go down in the annals of Winters history. He was the Parade Chairman and Announcer for over 45 years. He also served the community as a Jolly Old Elf for 35 years, bringing joy to children of all ages.
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Subscription delivery issues? Call us and leave a message or submit a complaint via our website www.wintersexpress.com. Crystal Apilado, Editor-in-Chief Fred Gladdis, Special Editor Sydney Andrade, Staff Writer Amelia Biscardi, Staff Writer Aaron Geerts, Staff Writer David DeLeon, Advertising Director Taylor Buley, Publisher-at-Large Charles R. Wallace, Publisher Emeritus
Michael Wayne Bowlin
It is ironic that he should pass the week before Christmas. Some may remember him as the stadium announcer for the Solano Thunderbirds baseball team. For his lifelong service to his adopted hometown, he truly earned the title “Mr. Winters.” He devoted his working career to the UC Davis Custodial Department, retiring as a Custodial Supervisor after a 35-year career. He is survived by his wife, Kathy and three daughters Lauren (Ed), Amber (Vince) and Katie (Matt); as well as two grandchildren Noah and Alex Sherley. He is also survived by his mother Marge Sebastian and his brother Gilbert (Lenore). Private family graveside services will be held. A memorial Celebration of Life will be held in the Spring of 2024. The family asks that remembrances be in the form of donations to the GoFundMe https:// gofund.me/b2ff7b1b on Mike’s Facebook page to assist with funeral and medical expenses.
Michael Wayne Bowlin of Winters, is now resting in eternal peace, joining his parents Jeanne Lassus Marden of Napa, California and David Q. Bowlin of Van Buren, Arkansas; and his grandparents Philip W. and Esther Z. Cornelius of Napa. Mick was born at Hamilton AFB, California, and moved several times before settling in Napa, where he graduated from Napa High School with the Class of 1971. He enlisted as a Radioman in the Navy in 1972 to “see the world.” After spending over four years at Naval Air Station Lemoore in central California, he decided he needed a change. The Army offered him the opportunity to travel so he spent the next few years as a transportation specialist in Europe, completing almost 10 years of honorable service to our Country as a Sergeant. Upon returning to California, Mick worked as a nuclear electrician on submarines at Mare Island Naval Shipyard in Vallejo, an electrician for large HVAC
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units and commercial generators at Sierra Company, as a refinery electrician at the Tosco Petroleum Company, but finally got his forever job as a maritime electrician with the California State University Maritime Academy where he worked for 18 years. He finished his career as Chief Electrician for the TS Golden Bear Maritime training ship. After retirement, he continued to help out on the Bear as needed. He was able to fulfill his lifelong dream of transiting the Panama Canal and circling the globe multiple times. He was so proud of his ship and loved to give tours to everyone who came on board. Ever the master mechanic, Mick’s hobbies included cars, driving them, working on them or restoring them. His greatest passion was for Volkswagens, vans and beetles alike,
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Michael Wayne Bowlin
and he spent 20 great years restoring a 1976 Gold Bug for his beloved wife Lorraine. Together, they spent many hours going to VW shows and Mick, with grandson Nathan, loved cruising with the VW Club, where he served as Social/Meet-up coordinator for many years. Mick was very active in both the North Bay Air Cooled Club of Napa and the Solano VW Club. Mick was always willing to lend a hand and had a sweet soul, a truly nice guy, always at his happiest when helping others or fixing something. He is survived by his loving wife of 25 years, Lorraine of Winters, California; stepdaughter Haley (Dennis) Burdick and their son Nathan of Napa; stepson Nik Wood of Davis, California; brothers Mark (Anne) Marden of Napa, and Gary Bowlin of Phoenix; and sisters Cherie (James) Collins of Coronado, California, and Kathleen Cooney of Napa. Mick’s services at the Sacramento Valley National Cemetery included Military Funeral Honors with Taps, a rifle volley salute, and Flag presentation to honor Mick’s service to our country. Please sign his guestbook online at www.smith-funerals. com.
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Winters Express, Wednesday, January 3, 2024 — A5
HOOBYS Continued from Page 1 of what the Business of the Year award is all about” and raved about how Hooby’s creates local activities for the community to engage in from regular cornhole league to the beer stein competition as well as making “an impact by supporting the wellness of the community through local awareness days and hosting cornhole fundraising tournaments for local sports teams, the Grad Nite Parents group, the Breast cancer foundation and more.” Another letter said that Hooby’s “from the day they opened their doors they have given their all” to the town by bringing people together and created “an incredible family friendly atmosphere.” Stocking said the family never meant to build a business around beer, and instead around community. “You can see this with Youth Day, Farmer’s Market, the Tractor Parade, and so much more,” Stocking said. “Our downtown businesses are owned by local families, and all are invested in helping each other and the community.” Stocking said visitors
often tell her “all the time how special the town feels and that they will be back because of it.” While beer was not the original focus of founding Hooby’s Brewing, don’t get the Stocking family wrong. They honor their annual stout success with its 100-member Mug Club, with the 2024 group now in effect. The membership includes a personal 24-ounce mug that remains behind the bar until you sit down at a stool, 24-ounce pours for the price of a 16-ounce pour; access to the VIP lounge and more. “Besides the obvious love of our beers and maybe a four-pack or growler, we want folks to leave Hooby’s feeling like they were at home and wanting to come back,” Stocking said. “We love to hear returning guests tell us they came back because of how ‘homey’ Hooby’s is.” Stocking added that “the ultimate compliment” for the family was that others enjoy “the type of place we wanted to own and be at ourselves.” A couple of the feel-athome attributes of Hooby’s is the Stocking’s love of pets and board games. “From weekly cornhole tournaments and leagues to board games to live music, we were determined
Courtesy photo
From its opening day, Hooby’s Brewing has created a space for the community to enjoy and gather. to have a place where you could disconnect from distractions and really live in the moments with those around you,” Stocking said. While honored with the present success of Winters Business of the Year, Stocking said the family is excited about an upcoming kitchen remodel and new food items in 2024. “We also have the Hooby’s Brewing Farm in Davis that we continue to improve and look forward to opening back up in
Spring,” Stocking said. After opening its doors nearly a half-decade ago, what was once an April Fools joke has become the Business of the Year. “With lots of family and friends in Winters and the surrounding areas, we wanted a safe and fun place where everyone could get together and enjoy themselves,” Stocking said. Having a family-friendly environment, including your pets, was what we were striving for when we
opened nearly five years ago.” Hooby’s Brewing will be formally honored as the 2023 Business of the Year at the annual Toast of Winters event, planned for Saturday, Feb. 3, at 5 p.m. at the Winters Community Center. Tickets are $100 and must be purchased in advance. Tickets and information about event sponsorship and donation opportunities are available at http://tinyurl.com/ mvjh62b7.
CITY Continued from Page 1 Without staff support, the senior commission was not functioning as a true working committee.
Japanese monument Following the success and awareness of the Winters Museum exhibit “The Lost Japanese Community of Winters,” the Historical Society of Winters and the exhibit committee members doubled down to continue the importance of commemorating the Winters Japanese community. On June 20, Woody Fridae and Floyd Shimomura asked the city council for permission to install a monument commemorating the city’s Japanese community that existed before World War II. Council members unanimously approved the proposal. The monument is expected to be constructed this spring in Rotary Park to recognize the Japantown that once existed at that location. The monument’s ceramic tile top features a 1930 Japantown photograph of the community gathered for a funeral. The monument is expected to face the Winters Community Center — the same perspective as the 1930 photograph — with the trestle bridge visible in the background on the right side. On this base, the proposed text would recognize the Japanese community with the following inscription,
Courtesy photo
Floyd Shimomura points to the photo that will be used on the monument. It originally appeared as part of “The Lost Japanese Community” exhibit. “Japanese immigrants first came to Winters in 1888 to provide a better life for their families. This first generation, the Issei, came as farmers, laborers, and horticulturists.” Today, a few homes remain on Elliot Street and the cottages that face the Nature Park trail. These are all that remain following the fire on V-J Day which burned most of the Japantown area down.
I-505 improvements On Thursday, Dec. 7, representatives from the city of Winters, Caltrans and Yolo County hosted a community meeting to present information about a project they are working together to make it safer for pedestrians and bicyclists to cross
over I-505 into Winters. Representatives from the Wood Rodgers engineering firm, contracted to coordinate the preliminary design, presented two main build alternatives for improvements to the I-505 overcrossing bridge. The local area being focused on in the project is from Morgan Street within Winters city limits down to Fredericks Drive in unincorporated Yolo County just past the El Rio Villa housing communities. Build Alternative No. 1 is to widen the overcrossing bridge currently in place. Three versions of this build were presented and detailed different overcrossing improvements to the area where traffic and
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pedestrians/bicycles would engage on the east side of I-505. Build Alternative No. 2 is to build a new multi-use path and new pedestrian bridge along the south side of the current I-505 overpass bridge. The new multi-use trails would be built as an additional connection outside of the El Rio Housing along Grant Avenue and Russell Boulevard, with the long-term plan of creating a regional bicycle trail connecting Winters to Davis and an even larger goal of creating a region-wide connection trail.
The project is currently in the preliminary design phase and alternative sections and environmental documentation are being conducted with funding from a federal Active Transporation Program grant. Next steps anticipate having a complete draft of the environmental document available for public review by Summer 2024 and a selection of a preferred alternative by Fall 2024. The complete project report and environmental document are expected to be done by the end of 2024 with the beginning of
the final design starting at the beginning of 2025. Construction of the finalized project design is forecasted to break ground in 2027.
Council member censured
Council member Richard Casavecchia was censured by the Winters City Council with a 4-0-1 vote on Sept. 19. Additionally he was removed from his committee assignments for six months. This process of censurship is due to the two misdemeanors that Casavecchia took a plea deal on regarding California gun laws.
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A6 — Winters Express, Wednesday, January 3, 2024
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FEATURES
Gazing into the crystal ball
Charley looks back to see forward
Tributes to Mike Sebastian
HOMES, Page 2
OPINION, Page 3
OPINION, Page 4
Fire, Police Chiefs reflect on 2023 By Crystal Apilado Editor-in-Chief
Janury 2 to Janury 5 Winters Library Hours (School Not in Session), Winters Community Library, Mon/Wed: 10 a.m.–6 p.m., Tue/Thu: 12–8 p.m., Fri/Sat: 1–5 p.m., yolocountylibrary.org/locations/winters/ Wednesdays Eat Well Yolo Drive – Through Food Distribution, Wednesdays, 3:30 p.m. As supplies last, Winters High student parking lot, off Railroad Avenue Thursdays Eat Well Yolo Food Distribution, first and third Thursdays, 10 a.m. As supplies last, RISE, Inc., 417 Haven St., 530-668-0690 Monday, January 8 Winters Climate Action Commission Meeting, 6:30 p.m., City Hall Large Conference Room (Abbey Street entrance), Check cityofwinters.org/climate-action-commission
Upcoming Tuesday, January 16 Winters City Council Meeting, 6:30 p.m., Council chamber (318 First St.), Zoom Meeting info, check www.cityofwinters.org/ city-council-meetings_/ Wednesday, January 17 Yolo County/Winters City 2x2 Meeting, 4 p.m., City Hall Large Conference Room (Abbey Street entrance), check www.cityofwinters.org/2x2/
Our local law enforcement and fire department were kept busy with a multitude of calls and experiences this past year. From drug and weapon busts and multiple fires over the Thanksgiving weekend to creating a safety net of resources and providing gifts for local children, the safety and well-being of the Winters community are at the forefront of their efforts. In 2023, Winters Police Department and Winters Fire Department experienced gains in staff training and equipment thanks to multiple grants and donation opportunities.
Winters Fire Fire Chief Jack S. Snyder III said the retirement of Fire Captain Art Mendoza was one of the top Winters Fire notables of 2023. Captain Art Mendoza served Winters Fire for 33 years before his final shift on April 14, 2023. He started his career as a cadet with the Winters Fire Protection District in March 1987, became a volunteer firefighter for Winters Fire in 1990, and was hired as a firefighter in 2003. Art Mendoza was promoted multiple
times before his promotion to fire captain in January 2009. He also served as an acting fire chief as well as the lead of many specialized areas during his career. His son Aaron Mendoza was promoted to the role of fire engineer on Nov. 4, following the promotion of Jesus Marquez to fire captain in August 2023. Marquez originally joined Winters Fire as a volunteer firefighter in 2015 and was hired on as a full-time firefighter as the fire engineer in March 2020. In addition to the key staff changes, Winters Fire brought on 10 new volunteer firefighters in 2023. Another top Winters Fire staff notable in 2023, according to Snyder, is that Fire Captain Matthew Schechla began managing the fire officer program through the National Fire Academy. Winters Fire was approved to purchase a new Water Tender truck thanks to a donation of $152,000 given to the fire department from the Lura Meyer Trust that was used in conjunction with money from the Winters Fire Protection District City Council
Winters Hispanic Advisory Committee, 6:30 p.m., City Hall Large Conference Room (Abbey Street entrance)
Courtesy photo; Crystal Apilado/Winters Express
ABOVE: Jesus Marquez was promoted to fire Captain in August 2023. Fire Chief Jack S. Snyder III was officially sworn in on Feb. 7, 2023, as the new fire chief following the departure of Chief Brad L. Lopez. BELOW LEFT: In April 2023, Fire Captain Art Mendoza (right) retired after serving the Winters Fire Department for 33 years. His son Aaron Mendoza was promoted to the role of Fire Engineer on Nov. 4.
also gave Winters Fire approval to purchase a new ladder truck to provide more efficient service to the community, which has gained taller buildings and would have to wait for the arrival of mutual aid in an emergency. Rounding out the year, Snyder said Winters Fire was awarded a FEMA Staffing for Adequate Fire and Emergency Response grant for a Volunteer Recruitment and Retention Coordinator and personal protective equipment.
See REFLECT, Page 4 Thursday, January 18 Winters JUSD School Board Meeting, 6 p.m., School District Office, Zoom Meeting info, check https://wintersjusd.diligent.community
Library Services Winters Library Open to Public (No School in Session) Dec. 22 to Jan. 4, Winters Community Library, Mon/Wed: 10 a.m.–6 p.m., Tue/Thu: 12–8 p.m., Fri/Sat: 1–5 p.m Teen Tuesday (ages 12-18), Second Tuesdays, 2 p.m., Winters Community Library Bilingual Storytime (ages 0-5), Wednesdays, 10:30 a.m., Winters Community Library Virtual English Conversation Group, Tuesdays, 2-3 p.m., One time registration required: Contact Nancy Pacheco 530-666-8019 or nancy.pacheco@ yolocounty.org Mangonada Monday (ages 6-12), fourth Monday, 3:30 p.m. Tech Thursdays, Thursdays, 2-7:30 p.m., call 530-6668005 to schedule an appointment. Bilingual sessions available upon request. Saturday Matinee, First Saturday, 2 p.m., Winters Community Library All You Need is Love Romance Book Club, Second Saturday, 4 p.m., Hooby’s Brewing
Older Adult Programs Winters Senior Foundation Chair Yoga Class for Seniors, Will resume in 2024. Winters Senior Foundation Social Gathering, Will resume in 2024.
Ongoing Winters Friends of the Library meeting, first Monday, 7 p.m., Winters Community Library, Margaret Parsons Room, wfol.org Winters Fortnightly meeting, second Tuesdays, 1 p.m., St. Anthony Parish Hall (511 W. Main St.) Rotary Club of Winters meeting, Thursdays, Noon, The Buckhorn Winters Museum public hours, Thursday thru Sunday, 1-5 p.m., 13 Russell St. (Closed until Jan. 4) Winters Open Mic, third Thursday of the month ( January thru March), 6 p.m. (sign-ups begin at 5:30 p.m.), Winters Opera House, 13 Main St. Kiwanis Club of Winters meeting, fourth Thursdays, 6 p.m., Hooby's Brewing Democracy Winters meeting, third Saturdays, 10 a.m.Noon, Meeting details in newsletter, contact info@ democracywinters.org Alcoholics Anonymous meetings: » St. Anthony Parish Hall, 511 Main St. (back entrance) Tuesdays, 7-8 a.m. and Fridays, 7-8 a.m. » Yolo Housing office building, 62 Shams Way: Thursdays, 7-8 p.m. and Sundays, 9 a.m.
One man, many hats: Rosenberg retires from Yolo County bench By Lauren Keene McNaughton Media For as long as he can remember, David Rosenberg has never held just one job. The retiring Yolo Superior Court judge began his professional life as a journalist and, after graduating from the UC Davis law school, a private-practice attorney. As time went on, he also served nearly two decades as one of Davis’ elected civic leaders and filled multiple roles for two California governors. Rosenberg, 77, announced his retirement in October upon reaching his 20th year on the bench, having presided over tens of thousands of cases and more than 250 jury trials. “Being a judge is all about making decisions. Sometimes dozens of decisions have to be made in a single day,” he told The Davis Enterprise at the time. “If one has difficulty making decisions, this is the worst possible job in the world. I have no problem making decisions and so for me, this was the best possible job in the world.” But Rosenberg won’t abandon the bench for long. Starting Jan. 2, he plans to return to the Woodland courthouse as a visiting judge, filling in for
McNaughton file photo
Yolo Superior Court Judge David Rosenberg officially retires Sunday after 20 years on the bench, but returns two days later to serve as a visiting judge “because I really enjoy what I’m doing.” other judges who are sick or on vacation “because I really enjoy what I’m doing.”
Mayor and supervisor Before his judicial tenure, Rosenberg made his mark in public service as a member of the Davis City Council, serving three terms from 1984 to 1996. Four of those years he spent as the city’s mayor. Voters twice elected Rosen-
Todd Hammond/McNaughton file photo
Councilwoman Lois Wolk jokes with then-Mayor Dave Rosenberg after being sworn back in to the City Council on June 15, 1994.
berg to the Yolo County Board of Supervisors, in 1996 and 2000. He chaired the board for two one-year terms. In both positions, “my main emphasis was preserving open space and farmland, and keeping the community small,” Rosenberg said. “I feel very responsible for what’s happened in terms of having a city center (in downtown Davis), because we’re very unique.” While on the Board of Supervisors, Rosenberg also sat in Gov. Gray Davis’ inner circle as his director of community and governmental relations, director of operations and chair of the state Lottery Commission. He previously worked for Gov. Jerry Brown during his first term in office, as deputy appointments secretary and deputy executive secretary and chief of staff. Rosenberg said he considered seeking a statewide office following his county supervisor role. The events of Oct. 7, 2003, however, changed his trajectory. That day, less than a year into Davis’ second term, California voters recalled the
See HATS, Page 6
B2 — Winters Express, Wednesday, January 3, 2024
Gazing into the crystal ball — 2024 real estate outlook options for buyers. New inventory will be met with optimism from the market. In a forecast done by Realtor.com, a handful of California cities are poised for a substantial rebound in home sales, particularly as mortgage rates ease. Sacramento is expected to see double-digit year-over-year sales growth. This regional perspective indicates localized opportunities for prospective homebuyers. And while more inventory is positive, this report also highlighted that even with double-digit growth in inventory, it will still be 30 percent below pre-pandemic levels. During periods of increased sales, we may also experience a decrease in days on the market (homes selling faster), a rise in sale price
By Joedy Michael Special to the Express For Californians in 2024, the real estate landscape presents a bit of a mixed bag — a blend of challenges and opportunities. If you’re considering selling or buying, it’s necessary to understand the key dynamics shaping the market for the upcoming year. If inflation continues to decline and mortgage rates soften, more homeowners will consider listing their properties after being sidelined for the last year with rates that may have been double what they currently have. As the past two years of trends in Winters have shown, the first quarter of 2024 should see an increase in transactions and any influx of inventory could provide more
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percentage over the asking price (competition driving up offers), and a general growth in median home prices (increase in home values). Waiting to buy may cost more in the long run. Affordability remains a top concern for buyers moving
into the new year. The combination of tight inventory, and hopeful lower rates, will all but guarantee increased competition for homes. It’s not clear yet if there will be a window of opportunity for buyers where rates, values, inventory, wages,
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along with savings will align in the market to make housing “affordable”. If mortgage interest rates do dip in 2024, homeownership will significantly be more attainable. But it’s a fine line. In another survey done by Realtor.com, if rates decrease to the mid-5s by the fourth quarter of 2024 (which would be a stretch), coupled with the pent-up demand, we could see a buying state similar to that of 2021. The rise of “house
hacking” which is renting out part of your newly purchased home to help cover the mortgage is an interesting trend, providing an alternative for those facing affordability challenges. Tips for sellers: Don’t give up on the idea of concessions quite yet and remain flexible — there are other strategic ways to list your home for top dollar. It’s time to start planning now if you want your home sold in 2024. Tips for buyers: Be prepared! As homes hit the market, be ready to act. Waiting too long may see increased prices due to competition. Strong negotiators will also be a key factor in your process. Skilled real estate agents are crucial in navigating these challenges, providing valuable insights, and ensuring successful transactions in Winters’ evolving real estate landscape. Reach Realtor Joedy Michael at Joedy. Michael@norcalgold. com
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127 Carrion Court, Winters
Winters Express, Wednesday, January 3, 2024 — B3
Express Yourself
Another year older, and still writing about nothing
A
friend of mine once told me that I know a whole lot about nothing. I spend too much time looking through old newspapers and photos trying to find interesting Yesteryear material, but there has been a lot of nothing happening in Winters for a long time. There are copies from 1887 through 2005 in bound books in my office and current years stacked on top of filing cabinets waiting for a new bookbinder to show up. You can waste whole days just looking at one year’s worth of the Express. Newspapers are the keepers of history and the Express has been recording our history for a long time, by various editors and writers, page after page, week after week, year after year. I heard that some of the computer files are missing from the Express archives and that is why the 35 or 50 years ago columns disappeared. I’m making a copy from my archives for Crystal so she can recreate some newer material that I hope you will find worth reading. The museum, with help
from Tom Crisp and myself, made copies of most of the Winters Express, 1887–2004, so there are multiple copies, somewhere. A new year should be a time to look forward, but I find looking back helpful in keeping me focused on looking ahead. Maybe I’ll make fewer mistakes if I can remember past mishaps, but I doubt that will happen. I do like to think of myself as an optimist with each year promising to be better than the last. I am expecting 2024 to be a good year.
I
’m writing this on New Year’s Day and plan on visiting a friend’s home for black-eyed peas and cornbread to ensure a good year. Not that I’m superstitious, but why take the chance when someone offers you a free lunch? We are getting a little rain and mild weather, so we are off to a good start in 2024. I don’t like to make New Year’s resolutions, but you might add these to your list. Keep reading the Express, enjoy each day and try to have a good year.
Horoscopes ARIES (Mar 21/Apr 20) Aries, someone you care about or admire could come under scrutiny this week. Whether it is deserved or not, this person will be in the hot seat and can use your support. TAURUS (Apr 21/May 21) Taurus, you could project an intensity this week that has other people running for cover. Consider adding a little sugar to your presentation. You’ll still get your point across. GEMINI (May 22/Jun 21) Gemini, make an effort to gain greater control over your finances. Develop a budget and stick to it. Soon you’ll enjoy a new level of financial freedom. CANCER (Jun 22/Jul 22) Cancer, see what is going on with friends this week, as you are likely in the mood to have some fun. You’ll never know what’s on the agenda unless you ask. LEO (Jul 23/Aug 23) Leo, you may run into a little interference with a project due to someone’s ego getting in the way. This person seemingly is not a team player and it could affect your plans. VIRGO (Aug 24/Sept 22) Visualizing what you want is not a waste of time, Virgo. In fact, it can help you map out a plan of attack to accomplish your goals. Start making a todo list. LIBRA (Sept 23/Oct 23) Libra, a personal relationship that was derailed will get back on track this week. After some conflicts, it finally seems like you’re both on the same page once more. SCORPIO (Oct 24/Nov 22) Scorpio, do not let it get you down if you’re paired with someone on a project who is not your first choice. Focus on the task at hand and you may find you work well together. SAGITTARIUS (Nov 23/Dec 21) Sagittarius, even if your life seems to be a mystery right now, you do not have to figure out all the answers right away. Take time to mull things over. CAPRICORN (Dec 22/Jan 20) Try to put yourself in someone else’s shoes this week, Capricorn. When you’re so focused on your life you may miss how it affects others around you. AQUARIUS (Jan 21/Feb 18) Aquarius, start coming up with some new ideas to keep your brain busy. You might need to delve into a different career or a new hobby to challenge yourself. PISCES (Feb 19/Mar 20) Pisces, after some initial upheaval this week, your life starts to calm down a little. There may be one lingering issue that needs to get worked out, but you’ll handle it.
B4 — Winters Express, Wednesday, January 3, 2024
Express Yourself Mike Sebastian was the Heart of Winters
I
t would have been hard not to meet Mike Sebastian when I moved to Winters 18 years ago. If there was a volunteer activity, project, committee or program happening in Winters, Mike was almost certainly an active participant. He was everywhere. If you did not know Mike Sebastian, the best thing I can say to you is that he was the heart of Winters. I have never met anyone else so committed, and so enthusiastic about his own town. For many years, Mike served on the Chamber of Commerce Board of Directors and as the executive director of the Chamber. Mike rarely missed a meeting, never skipped out on an obligation, and always worked to make Winters better. When other members of the board would occasionally become discouraged or impatient with project progress, Mike was the Chamber cheerleader, reminding his colleagues
REFLECT Continued from Page 1
Winters Police Police Chief John P. Miller said funding from grants in 2023 proved vital for Winters police to receive training and experience to strengthen their staff’s effective-
to let things happen as they will, and encouraging them to keep working. Mike Sebastian also had a massive impact on the annual Winters Youth Day celebration. He served for decades as the volunteer director of the entire day-long event, and was also the Main Street announcer for the Youth Day Parade. I watched Mike work from 6 a.m. to sunset, checking and verifying event details, handling last minute changes and issues, and assisting the many Youth Day volunteers all over town. And despite being so busy, with so much responsibility, Mike always had a few minutes when someone
ness in the community. Last year, Winters PD received a grant from the YOLO-Solano Air Quality Management District and a grant from the CHP Cannabis Tax Fund Grant Program which helped to purchase two electric motorcycles for our special
Courtesy photo
Police Chief John P. Miller said, “As a result of these enforcement and additional training grants, we have made a record number of DUI arrests this year — 39 and counting — likely to break 40.”
needed help.
A
s many of you know, Mike was the official Santa for thecity of Winters, for years and years. He would arrive at the tree-lighting ceremony riding on a Winters firetruck. Nearly 10 years ago, when Mike had to have one lower leg amputated, he asked me to pinch-hit for him as the city Santa. He graciously gave me advice, and filled me in with quite a bit of history of the Winters Christmas celebrations. I was honored to temporarily replace him as Santa. When Mike was fitted for a prosthetic foot, he needed to pay for expensive modifications to
events. The funding was also utilized to provide training for officers in the Office of Traffic Safety Selective Traffic Enforcement Program (OTS STEP) where they concentrate on DUIs, distracted driving, seatbelts, and bicycle and pedestrian safety. Through the training opportunities, police officers Kyle Shadman and Darion Cueto were certified as Drug Recognition Experts. “Thanks to our (CHP Cannabis Tax Fund Grant Program) and OTS STEP grants, most of our officers are officers are Advanced Roadside Impaired Driving Enforcement certified, but (Drug Recognition Experts certification) is the highest level of certification to detect and arrest
his SUV to install hand controls to operate the gas and brake pedals. A Facebook fundraiser was created to raise the money for his truck conversion. I remember that Mike was a bit skeptical — he said to me that he was concerned that nobody would donate to redo his SUV. Well, Mike need not have been concerned. Within a week, about $8,000 in donations flowed in to cover the cost of the new hand controls for his vehicle! Mike always made me feel like we’d been friends for a long time. And I know he made other people feel the same way — if you met Mike Sebastian, he’d immediately treat you like an old friend. He just brimmed with welcoming enthusiasm, an ever present smile and a genuine interest in everyone who lived in Winters. I am going to miss him. He was truly a special friend.
Letters Tribute to Mike Sebastian
It is with heavy hearts that we share the news of the passing of our dear friend, Mike Sebastian in December. We, the Winters Youth Day Board and Committee, are profoundly shocked and deeply saddened by this loss. Mike was the heart and soul of Youth Day. In addition to serving as president of our nonprofit, Mike was also our parade chairman. Mike loved a good parade! Mike was also an advocate, not only for our festival, but for the student engagement portion of Youth Day, working tirelessly to improve Youth Day’s mission. This year marked Mike's 46th year of remarkable commitment. The void left by his absence will undoubtedly make navigating this year particularly challenging. Mike, going forward without you this year will be difficult and we miss you terribly. STEVE ROEHRS, CAROL MCMASTERS-STONE, KAYLA GUERRERO, BOB WILLIAMS, JENNY RAMOS, CRYSTAL APILADO Winters Youth Day Board
In May 2023, Winters Police Department participated in a weeklong, department-wide training, and officially became an ABLE agency. Courtesy photo
DUIs,” Miller said. “As a result of these enforcement and and additionals training grants, we have made a record number of DUI arrests this year — 39 and counting — likely to break 40.” In May 2023, Winters PD was accepted into and completed the requirements for the Georgetown Law Active Bystandership for Law Enforcement program. After the
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weeklong, department-wide training, Winters PD was officially an ABLE agency proving the commitment of its officers to not only their professions but their community. ABLE lesson plan focuses on open honest discussions to instill and encourage officers to strategically intervene to prevent actions that cause harm to community members, cause harm to law enforcement officers, or that would damage public trust
and the profession of policing. The ABLE program prepares officers to receive intervention and protect their own and their colleagues’ mental and physical wellbeing. To round out Winters PD’s 2023 notables, Miller said the police department also received a donation from the Lura Meyer Trust of $152,052 of which a portion went to the purchase of “a much-needed patrol vehicle.”
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Legal Advertising NOTICE INVITING REQUEST FOR QUALIFICATIONS
NOTICE IS HEREBY GIVEN that the Winters Joint Unified School District (WJUSD), of the County of Yolo, State of California, is issuing a Request for Qualifications (“RFQ”) for Architectural Services.
The District will receive sealed Statements of Qualifications (“SOQ”) in response to the RFQ for inclusion in WJUSD’s architectural services pool. Each respondent determined to have appropriate and necessary design qualifications and experience will be included in the District’s pool of prequalified architecture firms and allowed to respond to future Request for Proposals (“RFP”) for individual Projects. This RFQ is expected to be issued by the District on January 8, 2024.
A Mandatory Pre-Proposal Conference will be held on January 16, 2024, at 10:00 p.m. for the purpose of acquainting all prospective submitters with the RFQ documents and potential projects. This meeting will be held virtually, please email facilities@wintersjusd.org for the meeting link. Failure to attend the conference shall disqualify the non-attending firm from the submission process.
SOQs must comply with and respond to all requirements of the RFQ, which may be obtained by contacting facilities@wintersjusd.org.
SOQs must be filed via email to facilities@wintersjusd.org no later than 2:00 p.m. on February 6, 2024.
The District reserves the right to cancel the RFQ process at any time, for any reason or no reason, at the District’s absolute discretion. Each respondent acknowledges that by submitting a SOQ or any future submittal, including a proposal in response to future RFPs, they do so at their own expense, cost, and risk, without assurance of award of a contract, and having no ight to request, claim or seek any compensation, damages, or reimbursement of any nature or sort. WINTERS JOINT UNIFIED SCHOOL DISTRICT, STATE OF CALIFORNIA Published Dates: 1/3/2024 & 1/10/2024
#68946
FILED IN YOLO COUNTY CLERK'S OFFICE Jesse Salinas, Yolo County Clerk/Recorder F20231043 Business is located in YOLO County. 12/15/2023 Fictitious Business Name: TACOS EL SARAPE Physical Address: 470 EDWARDS ST., WINTERS CA 95694 Mailing Address: Names of Registrant(s)/Owner(s) & Physical Residential Address, State, and Zip: MMJ 2023 ENTERPRISES LLC, 470 EDWARDS ST. WINTERS CA 95694 Business Classification: LIMITED LIABILITY COMPANY Starting Date of Business: 11/1/23 /s/ LAWRENCE W CHAVEZ I hereby certify that this is a true copy of the original document on file in this office. This certification is true as long as there are no alterations to the document, AND as long as the document is sealed with a red seal. Jesse Salinas, County Clerk/Recorder, State of California, County of Yolo Published December 27, January 3, 10, 17 2024 #471
The Winters Senior Center is seeking funding for equipment and programming. Mail checks payable to Winter Senior Center Fund to: Yolo Community Foundation, P.O. Box 1264, Woodland, CA 95776
FILED IN YOLO COUNTY CLERK'S OFFICE Jesse Salinas, Yolo County Clerk/Recorder F20231025 Business is located in YOLO County. 12/8/2023 Fictitious Business Name: La Reina Decor Physical Address: 3015 Catalina Dr., Davis CA 95616 Mailing Address: Names of Registrant(s)/Owner(s) & Physical Residential Address, State, and Zip: Maria Witten 3015 Catalina Dr., Davis CA 95616 Business Classification: Individual Starting Date of Business: N/A /s/ Maria Witten I hereby certify that this is a true copy of the original document on file in this office. This certification is true as long as there are no alterations to the document, AND as long as the document is sealed with a red seal. Jesse Salinas, County Clerk/Recorder, State of California, County of Yolo Published January 3, 10, 17, 24, 2024 #68584 FILED IN YOLO COUNTY CLERK'S OFFICE Jesse Salinas, Yolo County Clerk/Recorder F20230977 11/17/2023 Business is located in YOLO County Fictitious Business Name: MGB HAIR BRAIDING Physical Address: 331 D STREET SUITE B, DAVIS CALIFORNIA 95616 Mailing Address: 614 ADAMS ST APT 3, DAVIS CALIFORNIA 95616 Names of Registrant(s)/Owner(s) & Physical Residential Address, State, and Zip: JEANINE MUKOMA MANGABU 614 ADAMS ST APT 3, DAVIS CA 95616 Business Classification: INDIVIDUAL Date of Business: N/A /s/ JEANINE MANGABU Title of Officer Signing: OWNER I hereby certify that this is a true copy of the original document on file in this office. This certification is true as long as there are no alterations to the document, AND as long as the document is sealed with a red seal. Jesse Salinas, County Clerk/Recorder, State of California, County of Yolo Published December 13, 20, 27 2023, January 3, 2024 #469
Winters Express, Wednesday, January 3, 2024 — B5
Save the Date: 2024 Warriors winter sports games Express staff Winters High School athletes are back at it as their winter break winds down. Save the date and make plans to support the Warriors basketball and soccer teams this season. The Warriors’ full sports schedules and information on where to purchase tickets on the GoFan platform is available on the WHS Athletics page at https://tinyurl. com/2cuhzx5m.
Soccer • Thursday, Jan. 4: at Hamilton High School, both teams play at 1 p.m. • Tuesday, Jan. 9: at Willows High School, Boys at 5:15 p.m./Girls at 3:15 p.m. • Thursday, Jan. 11: vs Pierce High School at home, Boys at 3:15 p.m./ Girls at 5:15 p.m. • Tuesday, Jan. 16: vs Colusa High School at home, Boys at 3:15 p.m./Girls at 5:15 p.m. • Thursday, Jan. 18: at Los Molinos High School, Boys at 5:15 p.m./Girls at 3:15 p.m. • Tuesday, Jan. 23: at Live
Oak High School, Boys at 3:15 p.m./Girls at 5:15 p.m. • Thursday, Jan. 25: vs Willows High School at home, Boys at 3:15 p.m./ Girls at 5:15 p.m. • Tuesday, Jan. 30: at Pierce High School, Boys at 3:15 p.m./Girls at 5:15 p.m. • Thursday, Feb. 1: at Colusa High School, Boys at 3:15 p.m./Girls at 5:15 p.m. • Tuesday, Feb. 6: vs Los Molinos High School at home, Boys at 3:15 p.m./ Girls at 5:15 p.m. • Thursday, Feb. 8: vs Live Oak High School at home, Boys at 3:15 p.m./Girls at 5:15 p.m.
Girls basketball • Wednesday, Jan. 3: at Live Oak High School, JV at 5:30 p.m./Varsity at 7 p.m. • Friday, Jan. 5: vs Pierce High School at home, JV at 5:30 p.m./Varsity at 7 p.m. • Monday, Jan. 8: at Colusa High School, JV at 5:30 p.m./ Varsity at 7 p.m. • Wednesday, Jan. 10: vs Paradise High School at
Oak High School at home, JV at 5:30 p.m./Varsity at 7 p.m.
home, JV at 5:30 p.m./Varsity at 7 p.m. • Friday, Jan. 12: vs Willows High School at home, JV at 5:30 p.m./Varsity at 7 p.m. • Tuesday, Jan. 16: vs Durham High School at home, JV at 5:30 p.m./Varsity at 7 p.m. • Friday, Jan. 19: at East Nicoalus High School, JV at 5:30 p.m./Varsity at 7 p.m. • Monday, Jan. 22: vs Colusa High School at home, JV at 5:30 p.m./Varsity at 7 p.m. • Wednesday, Jan. 24: at Willows High School, JV at 5:30 p.m./Varsity at 7 p.m. • Friday, Jan. 26: vs Live
• Tuesday, Jan. 30: at Pierce High School, JV at 5:30 p.m./Varsity at 7 p.m. • Friday, Feb. 2: at Paradise High School, JV at 5:30 p.m./Varsity at 7 p.m. • Tuesday, Feb. 6: at Durham High School, JV at 5:30 p.m./Varsity at 7 p.m. • Friday, Feb. 9: vs East Nicolaus High School at home, JV at 5:30 p.m./Varsity at 7 p.m.
Boys basketball • Wednesday, Jan. 3: vs Live Oak High School at home, JV at 5:30 p.m./Varsity at 7 p.m. • Friday, Jan. 5: at Pierce High School, JV at 5:30 p.m./Varsity at 7 p.m. • Monday, Jan. 8: vs Colusa High School at home, JV at 5:30 p.m./Varsity at 7 p.m. • Wednesday, Jan. 10: at Paradise High School, JV at 5:30 p.m./Varsity at 7 p.m.
• Friday, Jan. 12: at Willows High School, JV at 5:30 p.m./Varsity at 7 p.m. • Tuesday, Jan. 16: at Durham High School, JV at 5:30 p.m./Varsity at 7 p.m. • Friday, Jan. 19: vs East Nicoalus High School at home, JV at 5:30 p.m./Varsity at 7 p.m. • Monday, Jan. 22: at Colusa High School, JV at 5:30 p.m./Varsity at 7 p.m. • Wednesday, Jan. 24: vs Willows High School at home, JV at 5:30 p.m./Varsity at 7 p.m. • Friday, Jan. 26: at Live Oak High School, JV at 5:30 p.m./Varsity at 7 p.m. • Tuesday, Jan. 30: vs Pierce High School at home, JV at 5:30 p.m./Varsity at 7 p.m. • Friday, Feb. 2: vs Paradise High School at home, JV at 5:30 p.m./Varsity at 7 p.m. • Tuesday, Feb. 6: vs Durham High School at home, JV at 5:30 p.m./Varsity at 7 p.m. • Friday, Feb. 9: at East Nicolaus High School, JV at 5:30 p.m./Varsity at 7 p.m.
Dance to the ’80s and support youth leadership opportunities at the Kiwanis Prom fundraiser
Express Yourself: Santa visits Walt Neil’s holiday gathering
Special to the Express
Courtesy photo
Walt Neil hosted his annual gathering for his neighbors, family and friends. His great grandchildren and other local children got a special visit from Santa Claus who brought presents from the North Pole. Neil served hot chocolate and cookies.
WTC seeks original poetry, narratives for Lit Fest 2 Special to the Express Winters Theatre Company is celebrating and promoting local and regional literary talent by sponsoring its upcoming “Lit Fest 2” event at the historic Winters Opera House in January. The event is a platform for local writers and poets to share their creative expressions with the community and to connect with other literature lovers. Last October WTC partnered with the Winters Friends of the Library to bring “Lit Fest 1” to life. The event was enormous-
ly successful. Lit Fest is now a part of WTC’s annual season. “Lit Fest 2” is scheduled for Jan. 26, 2024, from 6 to 8 p.m. Participants will perform their selections at WTC’s new home at the Winters Opera House on downtown Main Street. The community is incited to join in the literary celebration by sharing their stories and poems. The deadline for submissions to participate is Jan. 10. View the submission guidelines online at winterstheatre.org/lit-fest.
In tune with the Kiwanis International mission to improve the world one child, one community at a time — The Kiwanis Club of Winters is hosting an ’80s prom fundraiser in January to raise funds to officially launch two student leadership service clubs. Winters Kiwanis board members invite the community to attend its first Kiwanis Gala Back to the ’80s Prom on Saturday, Jan. 29, at Hotel Winters starting at 6 p.m. to support youth leadership opportunities, bring equitable and fun local events to the community, and to establish a scholarship fund for high school students. Dance the night away back to the ’80s with music and more from DJ Barnett Entertainment. Attendees will enjoy a dinner, dancing, and a silent auction to raise additional funds to support local endeavors. Tickets are available to purchase through the weekend at https://bit. ly/3PHtZvs. Winters Kiwanis is a fairly new club, a little over a year old, and is already striving to uplift students and give them the skills and a foundation to help support the community. Funds are needed to officially launch the Rominger K-Kids club at Shirley Rominger Intermediate School and a Builders Club at Winters Middle School. Students who are inter-
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ested in Rominger K-Kids have already prioritized a list of community service projects and are looking forward to bringing them to fruition. Both clubs will also have a hand in working with the Kiwanis Club of Winters to organize the annual Duck Derby event to kick off the Youth Day festivities. In 2023, the Kiwanis Club of Winters organized to recruit volunteers for the Mad City Money financial workshop at Winters High School and hosted its inaugural Reading Jamobree event to promote literacy. Winters Kiwanis is already committed to parterning with the Yolo County Library to help launch the Summer Reading Program at the Winters Community Library with the next Reading Jamboree reading event. The Kiwanis Club of Winters first opened its charter in August 2022. As
a new 501(c)4 corporation, its all-volunteer team is focusing is on changing the world by serving children, one child, and one community at a time. In Winters, the service club is beginning to create opportunities and resources to support local youth. The Winters Kiwanis members are also working to provide support for the Kiwanis Family House in Sacramento and the families who stay there. The Kiwanis Family House opened in July 1984 in response to an urgent need for temporary housing for the families of pediatric patients at the UC Davis Children’s Hospital. Those supports will help to provide resources for those families and support to Kiwanis Family House operations. To learn more, visit facebook.com/WintersCAKiwanis or email kiwanisclubofwinters@gmail.com.
PISANI’S ATHLETE OF THE WEEK
Sebastian Rodriguez Sebastian Rodriguez, a junior on the Winters High School varsity soccer team, is Pisani’s Athlete of the Week. Rodriguez is one of the starting defenders for the Warriors and is leading the team in both assists and steals for the season. “Sebastian is the epitome of Winters boys soccer — giving everything he has every game and practice, win or lose,” said boys varsity soccer coach Fernando Cervantes.
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B6 — Winters Express, Wednesday, January 3, 2024
HATS Continued from Page 1 Democrat from office and put a new Republican governor, Arnold Schwarzenegger, in his place. Suddenly, members of Davis’ administration found themselves out of a job. Later that week, Davis’ office announced the appointment of four of his staffers to judges’ roles, and Rosenberg was one of them. “So my new career started,” Rosenberg said. “I never held one job in my life, until I became a judge.” Well, not quite.
On the bench Rosenberg reported to the Yolo County Courthouse in late October 2003, assuming the seat vacated by retired Judge William Lebov. His initial assignments to drug-related and juvenile dependency cases gave way to the criminal calendar, which he assumed for the majority of his tenure until he took a civil court assignment for his final year. “Every case is interesting in its own way. A lot of people are affected by crime, and trial courts are where the action is,” Rosenberg said. “My favorite part of judging is jury trials, where I get to work with Yolo County citizens to achieve justice.” His 250-plus jury trials ranged from petty crimes to murders, including two high-profile homicide cases he counts among his most memorable. There was a second-degree murder conviction for Samantha Green, the young mother who, in a methamphetamine-induced haze, swam with her 19-dayold baby Justice Rees across a Knights Landing slough in February 2015. Baby Justice, dressed in just a thin cotton onesie, died of exposure during the night. “You violated the most basic responsibility of a parent,” Rosenberg told a weeping Green, then
24, at her December 2016 sentencing hearing. “You put your child in harm’s way, and because of your actions, your child is dead. “Frankly, I suspect that the term in prison that I’ve imposed may pale in contrast to the confines of your own mind as you replay the terrible events of February 23 and 24 of 2015,” Rosenberg added. The summer of 2018 brought a double-murder case involving victims Enrique Rios and Elijah Moore, two Yolo County teens reportedly shot and killed — their bodies never found — over a $300 marijuana robbery. Rosenberg presided over two trials in that case, ultimately sentencing four defendants — Jonathan Froste, Chandale Shannon, Jesus Campos and their ringleader, David Froste — to life terms in prison for their roles in the killings. At one sentencing hearing, Rosenberg told Shannon and Campos they’d “forfeited their right to live in civilized society.” “There are only two cases in my time on the bench that are so onerous that words almost fail me,” he said, citing the double homicide as one of them. “The crimes were evil. The families have been impacted terribly, and two boys are dead.” In addition to his criminal caseloads, Rosenberg oversaw the Addiction Intervention Court and Mental Health Court, both collaborative specialty programs that emphasize treatment and rehabilitation over punishment in cases triggered by substance abuse and mental health issues. Rosenberg said he holds high praise for the attorneys who appeared before him over the years, particularly the county prosecutors and public defenders “who respect one another and trust one another. They say something, and they
Dave Rosenberg of the Davis Odd Fellows lodge shows off some of the regalia used by the “mysterious” fraternal order. Monica Stark/ McNaughton photo
stick with it.” “Judge Rosenberg has embodied the best traits of a jurist — fair, efficient, empathetic and firm, but always pleasant,” Yolo County District Attorney Jeff Reisig said. “I have great respect for the highly effective administrative leadership he brought to Yolo County and beyond.” Yolo County Public Defender Tracie Olson agreed. “For the past 20 years, Judge Rosenberg has consistently demonstrated compassion and courage as a Superior Court judge,” Olson said. “His intellectual mind is fit for the courtroom, and his sense of humor is always on display, making his courtroom a welcoming place for litigators and litigants alike. “Judge Rosenberg’s contributions to Yolo County’s legal community will last for decades to come,” Olson added, citing Rosenberg’s early support of the collaborative courts and, later, efforts to see a new, modern courthouse take shape.
Beyond the bench The belief that a judicial appointment would limit Rosenberg to “just one job” turned out to be sorely mistaken. He served three terms as the Yolo court’s presiding judge, managing his fellow jurists and their assignments. At the statewide level, he took roles on numerous committees as well as with the California Judges’ Association and California
Judicial Council, the governing body of the judicial branch. Outside the courtroom, Rosenberg joined the Independent Order of Odd Fellows, an international fraternal organization, helping transform the Davis lodge from 25 members to nearly 400 — the world’s largest — as he served in local and statewide leadership roles. However, “If I were to look back on my greatest achievement in 20 years, it’s the new courthouse,” Rosenberg said. Unveiled to the public in October 2015, the Yolo County Courthouse on Woodland’s Main Street consolidated courtrooms previously scattered among multiple aging buildings. “We were the poster child for needing a new courthouse,” Rosenberg recalled. In addition to squeezing eight courtrooms in the main courthouse originally designed for two, the old Court Street building presented a number of security risks. Chief among them was the transportation of in-custody defendants in “chain gangs” to the courthouse from a holding facility across the street, their
movement through the court’s narrow hallways forcing members of the public to press up against the walls to keep a safe distance. “A few pictures of that was all it took” to convince the Judicial Council to surge Yolo County to the front of the new courthouse queue, Rosenberg said. “My background is political, so I know how to get things done.” Today, the new courthouse stands five stories high — six, if you count the underground level — with 14 courtrooms and, if necessary, room to expand if the future requires it. “It was well designed and well built,” and now serves as a model for other courthouse projects across the state, Rosenberg said. Upon learning of
Rosenberg’s planned retirement, Presiding Judge Daniel Maguire called him “a giant of the legal community in Yolo County” whose efforts both inside and outside the courtroom “has made an outsized contribution to our justice system.” “He’s like George Bailey from ‘It’s a Wonderful Life’ — one person who has improved a whole community through a lifetime of service. And he has done it all with his own unique brand of good cheer and optimism,” Maguire said. “While we are sad to see him leave regular judicial service, we are glad that Judge Rosenberg has agreed to continue to serve on the court in retirement in the Assigned Judges Program, and we look forward to seeing him in court for years to come.”
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