Daily Republic, Wednesday, June 28, 2023

Accounting errors force 10-year, $40,000 write-off

Daily Republic Staff DRNEWS@DAILYREPUBLIC.NET

FAIRFIELD — Supervisor Mitch Mashburn said Solano County taxpayers are footing the bill for more than $40,000 in bills not paid by the state.

“If the county didn’t pay our bill, the state would be up in our business,” Mashburn said.

That was not exactly accurate.

The comments came after the board approved a 26-item consent calendar that included writing off $40,262 “due to” the Solano County Department of Agriculture and Weights and Measures related to pest exclusion and pest detection agreements from Fiscal Year 2009-10 through 2018-19.

Agriculture Commissioner Ed King said in a phone interview that only part of that sum was actually state revenue that was not received. The rest were funds that had been placed in the wrong department accounts. Those two sums could not be differentiated, so the write-off was necessary.

“We did reconcile a

much larger sum when we first started this (accounting) exercise,” said King, noting the multiple years involved, most before his time at the county.

In other action, the board:

n Approved eight revenue agreements totaling $876,644 with the California Department of Food and Agriculture.

n Approved 43 Health and Social Services Fiscal Year 2023-24 contracts, for a total of $38.64 million, plus the accumulative aggregate of individual client service agreements effective July 1.

n Approved a $705,620 contract amendment with Canyon Manor, for a total contract of $1.25 million, to provide additional subacute residential mental health treatment through June 30, 2024.

n Approved a $2.07 million revenue agreement with the California Department of Public Health to participate in the State Youth Suicide Reporting and Crisis Response

See Errors, Page A8

Solano hires company to remake website

Daily Republic Staff DRNEWS@DAILYREPUBLIC.NET

FAIRFIELD —

Solano County will pay a Virginia company $300,000 to design the remake of its website.

The Board of Supervisors on Tuesday approved the contract with Interpersonal Frequency, of McLean, Virginia, to complete the first phase of the project, which is to identify requirements and create a plan and design for the second phase. The second phase is to build and/or install, launch and support a new website

Japanese Sister City delegation visits for first time since 2016

a my m aginniS-Honey AMAGINNIS@DAILYREPUBLIC.NET

FAIRFIELD — Absence appears to make the heart grow fonder.

Citizens, city officials and others turned out Monday morning as a delegation from Fairfield’s sister city, Nirasaki, Japan, was welcomed in a ceremony in the City Council chambers.

Committee hosted her. He was in the council chambers on Monday,

“He treated us like royalty,” she said. Hiroshima escorted her to various sights, Hiroshima and Kyoto.

“I learned things about the (atomic) bomb, I didn’t know,” she said.

others involved with the Sister City program, saying the delegation of seven, would get a real taste of Fairfield.

After the welcome ceremony, the delegates toured city hall followed by a lunch at IL Fiorello in Suisun Valley.

and backend platform, county documents stated. IF was selected among 13 applicants, three of which were interviewed. In addition to the firm’s experience working with government agencies and its analysis products, a selling point was its history of collaboration.

“If we stay with them, we want to make sure we have someone we can. partner with,” project manager Monique Shaifer, of AgreeYa Solutions, Inc., told the board.

The total project cost

See Remake, Page A8

The last time Nirasaki delegates were in town was 2016. The 2021 visit was cancelled because of the global pandemic. That year marked the 50th anniversary of the relationship.

In 1971, then Mayor Loyal Hanson welcomed Kaname Yokouchi, Nirasaki’s mayor, to Fairfield.

Seventeen years later a student exchange program was launched. About 60 students have participated.

Stephanie Beardsley chaperoned some of them in 2015. The memories are still fresh.

Tamio Hiroshima, a member of the Nirasaki Fairfield Exchange

In August 1945, as World War II was winding down, an American B-29 bomber dropped the world’s first deployed atomic bomb over Hiroshima. Three days later, a second B-29 dropped another A-bomb on Nagasaki.

Kyoto’s treasures were the temples and kimonos, she said.

Beardsley will return to Japan in the fall on a personal trip.

“I have to pinch myself,” said Fairfield Mayor Cat Moy, prior to the ceremony. She never pictured herself as mayor, let alone a mayor from our Sister City. “It’s a blessing and a huge honor,” she said of the welcome ceremony.

She also praised city staff and

Poet Laurete Suzanne Bruce penned a poem, “Embracing Friendship” for the welcome. It concluded:

Under cherry blossoms strangers are not really strangers today we celebrate renewing friendships gateways of kindness embracing the past awaiting future adventures generosity unfolds many gifts your gift to us is you

A city proclamation was read and issued by Moy. It was presented to Hisao Naito, Nirasaki’s mayor. An original painting, from

See Sister, Page A8

Solano receives $2.75 million from state for radio project

D Republic Staff DRNEWS@DAILYREPUBLIC.NET

FAIRFIELD — The state budget includes $2.75 million for Solano County emergency radio interoperability and infrastructure improvements.

The work is an effort unify a modern communications system that links all police and fire departments into a single communications network.

“Improvements to the system are critical

to allow communications among dozens of local, regional and state agencies working to protect communities. Recent large wildfires and flooding have highlighted the need for better communications. The funds are expected to be complemented with local and federal funds to complete the project,” a statement released by Sen. Bill Dodd’s office noted.

The Board of Supervisors were told about

the budget funds during its legislative update, and Dodd, D-Napa, also announced the funding in a the budget statement.

“This agreement protects the progress we’ve made on so many fronts while closing a multi-billion dollar budget gap without middle-class tax increases,” Dodd said.

“At the end of the day, we have a balanced budget that funds essential services and allows us to be forward-looking on pri-

orities such as wildfire prevention and climate change. I was glad to be able to directly fund important district needs, while also funding programs and services that will benefit our district and the entire state.”

The state budget, which Gov. Gavin Newsom is expected to signed off on Friday, is $310 billion, and according to Dodd’s office, “is

Leaven Kids launches summer success program A3

Delta tunnels project dropped from budget A8

Bill Way/City of Fairfield courtesy photo Mayor Hisao Naito of Nirasaki, Japan, holds a painting given by Mayor Cat Moy at the Fairfield City Council

Monday. City officials welcomed a delegation from Fairfield’s Sister City for the first time since 2016.

Do teacher unions help or hinder student achievement?

Teacher unions – it seems that everyone (or nearly everyone) has an opinion about their influence on public schooling. Anyone who follows the news knows that teacher unions are frequently in the news.

For example, just recently teachers in the Los Angeles Unified and Oakland Unified school districts went on strike over wages, benefits, and other working conditions. In addition, across the nation teacher unions have pushed back against increasing state and local political disputes (sometimes referred to as “culture wars”) over the banning of books, religion in the curriculum, LGBTQ rights, critical race theory, and other issues like vouchers, charter schools, etc.

According to Cecily MyartCruz (The Nation), “Over the past few years, we’ve seen a larger movement of workers across the country advocating for better working conditions, fair pay, and workplace improvements, with roughly a quarter of major work stoppages occurring in the public

SuSan Hiland SHILAND@DAILYREPUBLIC.NET

FAIRFIELD — The Soroptimist International of Central Solano County held their installation of officers for the 2023-24 year on June 20 at the Hilton Garden Inn.

The outgoing President Dorothy Andrews conducted the meeting, with special guest Soroptimist International PresidentElect Bobbi Enderlin installing the slate: President Suzanne Ng, Vice Presidents Judy Lloyd and Mary Jo Coan, Secretary Debbie Peralez, Treasurer Lynn Recknagel, and Assistant Treasurer Suzanne Clark.

President Ng’s theme for the year will be “Rise to the Challenge.”

Fellowship pins were presented by chair Joan Towner to members Michelle Perez, Emily Low, Sandra Jacobson, Karen Rees, and Suzanne Ng for their long-standing support of the club’s mission and success.

A total of $5,000 was donated in their names to Founder Region Fellowship, a program that supports women who are in their final phase of their doctoral degrees. Representing the outgoing board, Lynn Recknagel presented the board’s gift to Andrews: several pieces of Soroptimist jewelry, and a custom-made wand, in appreciation of her achievement of “Making Magic Happen,” Andrews’ theme for the year.

education sector.”

Since the onset of public sector collective bargaining in the 1960s there has been an ongoing argument between liberals and conservatives over the effects of teacher unionism on public education.

Conservative scholar Terry Moe from Stanford University maintains that teacher unions “are not in the business of representing the interests of children, and no one should expect them to do that.”

In contrast, NYU professor Diane Ravitch states that, “the union is necessary as a protection for teachers against the arbitrary exercise of power by heavy-handed administrators.”

While the range and scope of public school goals, systems, and practices are very broad, few would argue against the proposition that the most critical dimension of schooling is how well children learn. With this in mind, what impact (if any) do teacher unions have on student achievement? Do they help or hinder learning?

A closer look at this ques-

Andrews presented her President’s Philanthropy award to Dr. Lillibeth Pinpin, a donation to help underwrite Solano County Office of Education’s “Girls Who Code” camp.

Andrews closed her remarks by highlighting the year’s accomplishments including a large donations to VEST: Victims Empowerment Support Team, a non-profit working with domestic violence victims. LunaFest was also a smashing success again this year. Also accomplished was the Roaring ‘20s, and Giving Circle; and the club’s continuing programs to help women and girls: Girls Circle at the PAL Teen Center, the Live Your Dream Award, Assist A Grad Scholarships, and Chance to Rise awards.

Ng closed the meeting with her thanks to the members, the outgoing and incoming boards, and announcement of the club’s date for its 9th Annual Fundraising Gala, the Roaring ‘20s, scheduled for February 17, 2024. For more information about club programs or membership, their website at www.sicentralsolano.com.

Dixon man graduates from Austin Peay

DIXON — Madison Boykin, of Dixon, was one of more than 1,400 graduates from Austin Peay State University in Clarksville, Tennessee.

tion reveals that both notions may be true.

Robert Carini (National Education Center, University of Colorado) discussed several common reasons why unionism might increase student achievement.

Unions,

n push for higher salaries and benefits which helps to attract and retain good teachers

n give teachers a greater sense of professionalism and dignity

n provide a collective voice to express ideas and concerns

n enhance morale and job satisfaction

n support practices that boost student achievement (lower class size, instructional planning time, etc.)

n induce management into being more effective

n increase teacher participation in organizational decision making

In contrast, Carini shared several reasons why unionism may decrease student achievement. Unions,

n raise the cost of education and pull resources away from other instructional mate-

The ceremony was held on May 15.

Paradise Estates celebrated Juneteenth this year

FAIRFIELD — Paradise Valley Estates on June 19 hosted its first Juneteenth luncheon.

It celebrated with a lunch and learned about the cultural event, celebrating peace, unity and love in the community, the senior residential complex stated.

Courtney Ellington, a San Francisco Veterans Affairs commissioner and chair of the War Memorial Commission, spoke at the event. In addition, members of the African Art Academy performed to recognize the day that 250,00 enslave people in Texas were freed – the last in the United States.

Solano alumni graduate from Maryland Global

FAIRFIELD — Eight Solano County high school graduates have earned degrees from the University of Maryland Global Campus.

Those individuals are: Bruce Sengsourinho and Silvia G. Brestak from Fairfield; Jae Mi Christina Lee Cracolici and Roberto Carlos Contreras Lopez from Travis; Alfredo Vila Gregorio, from Vacaville; Jessica Galles, from

It is the Daily Republic’s policy to correct errors in reporting. If you notice an error, please call the Daily Republic at 425-4646 during business hours weekdays and ask to speak to the editor in charge of the section where the error occurred. Corrections will be printed here.

rials and resources that raise achievement

n shield ineffective teachers from dismissal

n protect teacher rights on the basis of seniority rather than merit or competence

n impede principals’ autonomy and flexibility to manage schools

n foster adversarial relationships between teachers and administrators

n discourage “out-of-thebox” solutions to complex educational problems

n use their political clout to block educational reforms that threaten union interests

On their face, such claims of help or hindrance may make intuitive sense. However, there is a pronounced lack of rigorous empirical evidence to support or refute either side of the issue.

According to Carini, since the onset of public sector collective bargaining in the 1960s there have been only 17 prominent research studies that examined the links (if any) between teacher unions and student achievement (predominantly on standardized tests).

To prepare this column,

Dixon; and Alfredo Vila Gregorio, from Vallejo.

Fairfield student makes Central Methodist honors list

FAIRFIELD — Michael Ricketts of Fairfield made the dean’s list at the Central Methodist University in Fayette, Missouri, for the spring term. He was one of nearly 900 students met

I searched the Internet for research on this topic and found that most studies were weak methodologically. The crux of the problem is that it is literally impossible to draw a bright line (statistically) between union membership, union activities and how well students learn.

There are simply too many variables beyond the realm of teacher unionism that can affect achievement (e.g., parents’ education, socio-economic status, peer influence, student health and wellbeing, instructional practices, state funding, community values/involvement, etc.).

Ultimately, unpacking the copious array of variables that influence how well students learn and then separating out the specific ways that unionism directly influences achievement is like trying to find a needle in a haystack.

As they say, “The jury is still out.”

Stephen Davis is a career educator who writes a column that publishes every other Wednesday in the Daily Republic. Reach him by email at stephen davis71@gmail.com.

the 3.5 gr4ade-point average requirement for making the list.

Fairfield woman graduates from College of Charleston

FAIRFIELD — Erica Nelson, of Fairfield, graduated Magna Cum Laude with bachelor’s degrees in History and Psychology from the College of Charleston.

Nelson was among more than 1,400 who participated in the College of Charleston’ spring

commencement, which took place on Mother’s Day weekend in historic Cistern Yard.

Do you have some good news to share? Send it to Susan Hiland at shiland@ dailyrepublic.net. Be sure to include Good News in the subject line.

Stephen Davis Eye on education

Leaven Kids launches summer success program Supervisors approve purchase of Early Learning Center site

FAIRFIELD — Leaven Kids, a nonprofit 501(c)3 committed to early childhood education, launched its Summer Success program on Monday across its 22 learning centers in California and Texas.

During summer break, many low-income students lose access to the educational resources and services that are more readily available during the academic school year, said a Leaven Kids press release. The lack of financial resources and local opportunity can present unique challenges that make it difficult to stay academically engaged during the summer months. Students often experience a decline in achievement scores upon returning to school in the fall – an effect called summer learning loss.

Leaven Kids’ Summer Success program seeks to combat summer learning loss by providing educational resources and services to vulnerable youth during their summer break.

“The financial and environmental challenges that exist for children living in historically underserved communities create an increased risk for summer learning loss,” said Mark Lillis, Chief Executive Officer for Leaven Kids, in the press release. “However, we believe every child deserves the chance to succeed, regardless of their socioeconomic background, which is why

we’re bringing Summer Success to some of California and Texas’ most at-risk neighborhoods.

“By increasing the accessibility and availability of academic programming, we can reinforce the lessons learned during the academic school year and better prepare our students for the next grade.”

Summer Success offers a curriculum with an emphasis on reading and financial literacy. The program also features a variety of STEAM-related activities.

Summer Success hosts a number of field trips to local businesses such as the Jelly Belly Candy Company and Chick-fil-A.

Leaven Kids also plans to host excursions to local attractions including bowling alleys, movie

theaters, and even an outdoor ranch.

“Creating an engaging and memorable learning environment is a foundational piece to our organization,” said retired Gen. Maryanne Miller Leaven Kids Board of Directors Vice President and retired four-star U.S. Air Force General, in the press release.

“Programs like Summer Success afford students the opportunity to engage their minds in a way that is transformative to their outlook on life. Students who participate in our programs leave feeling inspired and, most importantly, hopeful about the future and prepared for their classrooms in the fall.”

Summer Success is part of Leaven Kids’ broader mission of providing free

Soltrans to get $12.4 million to expand fleet of buses

Daily Republic Staff

DRNEWS@DAILYREPUBLIC.NET

SUISUN CITY — Solano County Transporta tion has been awarded a $12.46 million federal grant to add or replace buses in its service fleet.

Soltrans will use the funds as part of its program to replace older higheremission buses with cleaner-running coaches.

Rep. John Garamendi, D-Walnut Grove, made the announcement after the U.S. Department of Transportation announced the allocation of $1.7 billion in competitive grants for transit projects in 46 states, territories and Washington D.C. during this round of funding.

The dollars come from

the Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act. The grants are administered by the Federal Transit Administration.

The grants were awarded through the Buses and Bus Facilities and the Low- and No-Emission Vehicle programs.

after-school tutoring and mentoring to some of California and Texas’ most at-risk neighborhoods. Leaven Kids serves as an in-community resource for children and their families by building educational centers in areas hardest hit by poverty, crime, and high drop-out rates among youth.

Community members interested in learning more about the Leaven Kids mission may visit www.leavenkids.org.

Daily Republic Staff DRNEWS@DAILYREPUBLIC.NET

FAIRFIELD — The Solano County supervisors on Tuesday approved the purchase of the former Beverly Hills Elementary School site for the development of an early learning center. The purchase price to the Vallejo City Unified School District is $2.8 million, the county reported. Additional administrative fees and closing costs add another estimated $7,281.

The full amount is in the recently approved 2023-24 Recommended Budget, with $2 million from the Accumulated Capital Outlay account of the General Fund. The remaining $800,000, plus the administrative fees and closing costs, are budgeted in the First 5 Solano recommended budget.

Solano received $1 million in gap funding from the state to go toward the project.

“The facility is located in one of the most underresourced neighborhoods in Solano County. In 2020, before the school closed, 91% of the children were eligible for the free and reduced lunch program,” according to a statement released Tuesday by Sen.

Bill Dodd’s office.

The board also approved a 25-year operational agreement with Child Start, Inc. to operate the early learning center. The site is located at 1450 Coronel Ave. in Vallejo.

The school district approved the purchase on June 1.

“It’s going to be an incredible place,” Supervisor Erin Hannigan said.

In addition to other programs, the site will host the two Head Start classrooms currently located at the Virginia Street County building, which will free up that space for other needs, the county reported.

The board also was told that the site is one of the worst in the city for feral cats, which can transmit disease to humans, and particularly children.

Hannigan said that would be looked into.

In other action, the board:

n Recognized Eboni Robinson, with the Public Defender’s Office, as “Employee of the Month” for July. She is the first social worker to be assigned to the Public Defender’s Office. She

See Site, Page A9

Robinson Kuntz/Daily Republic file

The Leaven students work on a project at the Dana Drive location, in 2016.

Aaron Rosenblatt/Daily Republic file A bus enters the SolTrans Bus Terminal in Vallejo, Friday, Dec. 23, 2022.

Little change to Solano County in latest state fire hazard map

FAIRFIELD — A third public comment period opened Monday regarding the proposed “State Responsibility Area Fire Hazard Severity Zones.”

The deadline to submit comments is Aug. 9.

The comment period is an opportunity for Solano County residents to comment on the newly drawn hazard zones map. The state announcement did not indicated any change to Solano County’s map.

However, at least one local review suggests a severity upgrade for a handful of acres.

“I have reviewed the data, and as best I can tell Solano County only had 4 acres changed from November 2022 to June 2023. It does not provide the locations of the change, but in both cases the acreage was increased in hazard classification,” David Stevens wrote in an email to other Pleasants Valley Fire Safe Council members.

Overall, California’s hazard severity zones have grown, reflecting the

increase in wildfires and their severity. That is true in Solano County, too, at least when it comes to the severity rating.

State officials are quick to note that the zones are not necessarily about risk of fire, but rather if there is a fire, the map shows the potential level of severity for those areas. And despite calls from the public at a January hearing at the county Event Center, the maps are not a parcelby-parcel playbook either.

Solano County has 86,971 acres in State Responsibility Areas, pretty much the same as

existed that last time the maps were done in 2007.

However, 31,570 of those acres are now placed in very high hazard areas, representing 36.3% of the SRA. That is 21.5% more than in 2007. The map shows 27,416 acres of the SRA (31.5%) is in the high hazard area, down 4.9% from 2007; and 27,987 acres in the moderate hazard area (32.2%).

State fire officials reported late last year, that a new “sciencebased and field-tested model” was used to reassign hazard scores “based on the factors that influ-

ence fire likelihood and fire behavior. Many factors are considered, such as fire history, existing and potential fuel (natural vegetation), predicted flame length, blowing embers, terrain, and typical fire weather for an area. These zones fall into the following classifications – moderate, high and very high.” This revision only updates areas in California’s unincorporated, rural areas. This does not include cities or large urban areas.

Written comments can be mailed to the Office of the State Fire Marshal

Record numbers to be on the move for holiday

FAIRFIELD — A

record number of Americans are expected to travel for the Fourth of July holiday.

AAA Northern California projects 50.7 million Americans plan “to take well-deserved vacations.

This unprecedented figure represents the highest travel volume ever projected by AAA.”

The projection includes more than 5.6 million Californians will be traveling for the holiday, up

50% higher than last year, consumers are choosing not to scale back their travel plans,” Brian Ng, senior vice president of Membership and Travel Marketing for AAA Northern California, said in a statement. “This holiday weekend, there’s going to be a huge influx in travelers, so it’s important to take advantage of available resources to get the most out of their trips.” One reason could be that gas prices, while still higher than most would like, are “significantly lower” than they were at

will be traveling by road, the share of people flying has increased to the highest level in nearly 20 years at 8.2%,” the travel agency reported.

The report shows that 43.2 million travelers will be on the road, about 85.2% of vacationers. That compares to 42.2 million in 2022 and 41.5 million in 2019, prior to the Covid-19 pandemic.

AAA states that the busiest times on the road will be noon to 6 p.m. on Friday.

Another 4.17 million will

travel by air. In 2022, that number was 3.75 million and 3.91 million in 2019. Additionally, about 3.36 million travelers will take other modes of transportation, such as bus, train or boat. The 2022 figure was 2.72 million, while 3.54 million chose other traveling options in 2019.

The service also offers an app, https://ww1. aaa.com/services/cms/ templates/index.html?pa ge=mobile001&zip=850 44&devicecd=PC, to find the lowest gas prices on travel routes.

California Department of Forestry and Fire Protection, Attn: Deputy Chief Scott Witt, P.O. Box 944246, Sacramento, CA, 94244-2460, or delivered in person or by courier to the California Department of Forestry and Fire Protection Office of the State Fire Marshal, Attn: Deputy Chief Scott Witt, to the ninth floor of the California Natural Resources Building, 715 P St. Sacramento, CA.

The comments also can be emailed to fhszcomments@fire.ca.gov.

To determine the Fire Hazard Safety Zone for a specific property, go to https://osfm.

fire.ca.gov/divisions/ community-wildfirepreparednessand-mitigation/ wildfire-preparedness/ fire-hazard-severity-zones. The automated hotline is 916-633-7655.

Mary A. Tor iello

Mary A. Toriello, age 107 of Fairfield passed into the arms of Jesus on June 10, 2023. Mary was born in Joliet, IL and grew up in Chicago. She was the beloved wife of the late Palmer Toriello and the late Anthony Zielinski. Mary was the dear mother of the late John Zelinski and the late Anthony Zielinski. She is survived by her two children Roger (JoAnn) Zielinski of Fairfield and Donna (Raymond) Kosirog of Westmont, IL; and her grandchildren, great-grandchildren, and many dear friends. Mary will be truly missed and will be forever in our minds and hearts.

A visita tion will

R ichard Lockwood

Richard Lockwood passed away peacefully on June 2, 2023. Richard was born in Oakland, CA. His family moved to Fairfield in 1939 when he was 6 months old. He attend Armijo High School. After graduation he worked at the original location of JC Penny and was a volunteer firefighter He met his wife, Karen Lockwood, through a good fellow firefighter. He was eventually hired by the Solano Irrigation District, where he eventually retired. Richard and Karen lived and raised there son, Joe Lockwood, in Fairfield. A fe w years after the d eath of Karen he met his future wife Patricia.

He is sur vived by wife Pat Lockwood, son Joe Lockwood and grandson John Paul Lockwood

The funeral will be held on June 28, 2023 at 1:00 p.m at Holy Spirit Church. Burial will be on June 29, 2023 at 12:00 p.m. at St Alphonsus Cemetery

George Lloyd Vaughn Sr.

George Lloyd Vaughn Sr., 86, passed away on Friday June 9, 2023 surrounded by his family in Suisun City, CA.

George was born on September 18, 1936 in Centralia, IL to Mayle and Arline (Humble) Vaughn. He married Shirley Vaughn (Gentr y) on October 5, 1967.

George ser ved and retired from the US Air Force after 14 years of ser vice and started a new civil ser vice career with Oakland Army Base in Oakland, CA. He enjoyed taking vacations with family, attending and watching the games of his favorite sports teams, the San Francisco 49ers, San Francisco Giants, and Golden State Warriors; sharing his love of militar y airplanes with his granddaughter; and taking trips with his wife to local casinos. It brought him great joy to interact with his grandkids and great-grandchildren. He enjoyed listening to the music of Mar vin Gaye, Sam Cooke, and The Temptations.

He is sur vived by his spouse Shirley Vaughn; son George (Trisha) Vaughn of Fairfield; daughters Connie Nelson of San Leandro and Cher yl (Carlton) Phenix of Suisun City; brother Maylee Vaughn of Houston, TX; grandchildren Joseph Williams, Chelsea Rojas, Alyssa Phenix, Isaiah Benjamin, and Justin Vaughn; great-grandchildren Noah, Nariah, and Niello Benjamin; and several cousins, nieces, and nephews.

He is preceded in death by his parents; three sisters Wanda, Sarah, and Tavey; three brothers Joseph, Julius, and Odie Vaughn; daughter Sherita Howard; and granddaughter Kimberly Williams. Viewing and words from family and friends will be on Friday, June 30, 2023 at 8:30 a.m. to 10:00 a.m. at Br yan-Braker Funeral Home, 1850 West Texas Street, Fairfield, CA. Burial will be at Sacramento Valley National Cemetery, 5810 Midway Road, Dixon, CA.

President

President: Dorothy Andrews dorothy.andrews@sicentralsolano.com

Membership: Karen Calvert karen.calvert@sicentralsolano.com www.SICentralSolano.com

Robinson Kuntz/Daily Republic file

Traffic travels down eastbound Interstate-80, May 14, 2020.

Author shares lighter side of Vietnam War

Daily Republic Staff DRNEWS@DAILYREPUBLIC.NET

WINTERS — In his book “In It’s Not All Bad: A Lighter Look at Vietnam,” Yolo County author George Elrod shares his often-humorous experiences as a young draftee. While many books focus on the horrors of Vietnam, Elrod delivers readers an opportunity to experience a side of the war where laughter is necessary for healing.

Elrod will be at Steady Eddy’s Coffee House, 5 E. Main St., Suite A, in Winters from 5:30 to 7:30 p.m. Friday, June 30, for a book signing event

as he re-introduces “In It’s Not All Bad: A Lighter Look at Vietnam” to the literary community.

Laugh your way from boot camp to battle zone, compliments of the U.S. Army. Get a book signed and hear plenty of stories straight from Elrod over a freshly brewed cup of Steady Eddy’s coffee. Books will be available to purchase at the event.

Elrod is a decorated combat veteran having received a Bronze Star and Purple Heart while serving in Vietnam. He lives in Yolo County with his wife and serves as a reverend in Solano County.

Vacaville 4th of July celebration includes free concert, fireworks

a statement.

Green Valley district open space fee rises to $165

FAIRFIELD — The property owners of developed property in the Green Valley Open Space Maintenance District will pay an annual assessment of $165 to acquire and maintain open space within the district.

The Board of Supervisors on Tuesday conducted a public hearing and approved the $2.50 increase, funds that go to the Solano Land Trust for projects such as the Patwino Worrtla Kodoi Dihi Open Space Park. The board was told that the park could be open for full public access by next spring.

The park was formerly the Rockville Trails. Fairfield makes a similar assessment for the North Corelia Community Facilities District No. 2.

Daily Republic Staff

DRNEWS@DAILYREPUBLIC.NET

VACAVILLE — Local band Crossman Connection will headline the entertainment at the Vacaville Fourth of July celebration, which of course, ends with the annual fireworks display.

Jeff and Kevin Crossman, from Vacaville, will perform at the free concert scheduled for Tuesday at the CreekWalk Plaza at Andrews Park.

The concert is set to start at 6:30 p.m.

“Lawn chairs, blankets and water in small coolers no larger than 16 quarts will be permitted. No outside alcohol or glass containers are allowed. No smoking, no weapons, no tents, no early drop-off of chairs and blankets, and no pets (service animals are permitted),” the city said in

“All fireworks, including safe and sane, are illegal in ... Vacaville. Be safe and leave the fireworks to the pros,” the statement said. “The city has a trained pyrotechnic vendor and fire personnel on hand to ensure a safe fireworks experience for all. Fireworks are subject to cancellation due to red flag warnings and high wind.”

Locate available parking in downtown using the Japa smartphone app, visit CityofVacaville.gov/ Parking to learn more.

For more information about the Fourth of July celebration and the CreekWalk Concert Series, visit CityofVacaville. gov/CreekWalk or call 707-469-6685.

The Green Valley district was formed in 1990 with a first-year assessment of $80. A $2.50 increase goes to the board each year.

In other action, the board:

n Approved a $4.01 million revenue contract with the California Department of Aging to provide services to older adults through June 30, 2024; approved 11 Napa/ Solano Area Agency on Aging service contracts, for a total of $3.28 million, through June 30, 2024 to provide services to older adults; approved three Napa/Solano Area Agency on Aging service contracts totaling $857,075 to implement Modernizing Older Californians Act services through March 31, 2026; and authorized the County Administrator’s Office, on behalf of the Department of Health and Social

Services, to submit grant submissions for Napa/ Solano Area Agency on Aging equal to or more than $75,000.

n Approved a $493,948 revenue contract with the California Department of Aging for the Digital Connections program to provide the Napa/Solano Area Agency on Aging with tablets, virtual basic literacy skills training, and broadband connection services to eligible adults through Dec. 31; approved a $99,840 contract with Collabria Care and a $284,160 contract with Independent Living Resource Center to deliver the services through Dec. 31.

n Approved a $15.86 million appropriation transfer from the Department of Health and Social Services, Public Assistance, funded by federal, state, and 1991 and 2011 Realignment funding, to cover mandated aid payments based on Fiscal Year 2022-23 third-quar-

ter projections.

n Approved a Grant Property Transfer Agreement with the City and County of San Francisco’s Department of Emergency Management to accept the transfer of vehicle barrier equipment purchased with Department of Homeland Security Urban Areas Security Initiative funds by the Bay Area Urban Areas Security Initiative Group; and approved an appropriation transfer of $192,319 to increase appropriations to record the equipment transfer.

n Affirmed the submission of a $1.62 million Joint California Department of Health Care Services Providing Access and Transforming Health Round 2 Grant application to begin implementation of the CalAIM Initiative, to provide pre-release Medi-Cal enrollment processes for justice-involved adults and youth; approved an appropriation transfer of $449,908 to recognize the unanticipated grant revenue in Health and

Social Services for Fiscal Year 2023-24 budget; and approved a $1.17 million appropriation transfer to recognize the unanticipated grant revenue in the Sheriff’s Office for Fiscal Year 2023-24.

Nicole Braddock/Courtesy photo

A view at the Patwino Worrtla Kodoi Dihi open space, which is managed by the Solano Land Trust.

Columns&Games

How long is too long to grieve?

Dear Annie: I have had a friend for many years, a person who got me through some pretty rough times many years ago. Now she is the one going through a rough time. Ten months ago, she lost a grandson to a fentanyl overdose. We live about three hours apart. At the beginning, she just let everyone know that her grandson had died and gave no details. I felt it was intrusive to ask how he had died since she didn’t offer. I figured she’d share the details when she was ready. I sent sympathy cards and notes of encouragement. When I tried calling, however, I would leave messages and get no return call. Finally, about a month ago, she answered when I called. And I was able to get the details of her grandson’s death. She has been mired in grief for the past 10 months, posting on Facebook two or three messages every day. I want to help her but don’t know how, and I

feel guilty about cringing every time I see another mournful post. It almost seems as if she is taking some sort of comfort out of her sorrow. I know it takes some people a long time to recover enough to go on with their lives, although I am sure the sorrow is for a lifetime.

Part of me wants to bring her back to reality. She has a son (the grandson’s father) and a granddaughter. I don’t know if they are going along with this prolonged grieving period with her or not, but I am sure they could use some support, too.

Last time I spoke with her, I suggested counseling or a grief support group, but she does not seem interested. I suggested she come for a visit, but she said not right now.

How do I get her to snap out of it? That sounds so cruel, but I feel it’s what she needs. Am I just a cold-hearted friend? – A

Bewildered Friend Dear Bewildered Friend:

Horoscopes by Holiday Mathis

ARIES (March 21-April 19). While there is no substitute for experience, the stories you share will give someone a vicarious thrill. You’re a naturally talented communicator. Learning the art and craft of storytelling can only increase your influence.

TAURUS (April 20-May 20).

It’s easier to think through your ideas than it is to carry them out. To make sure your plans will be within the constraints of budget and time, do a trial run to find out how long things really take.

GEMINI (May 21-June 21).

Frustration is a function of imposing your own timeline over the one that is really happening. The mature way is to accept that all happens in its own frame. Be like the gods who have all the time in the world.

CANCER (June 22-July 22).

Even if you don’t need help and in fact have the winning answer at your fingertips, you’ll still benefit from asking friends for their thoughts and input. If nothing else, it will teach you how unique your own perspective really is.

LEO (July 23-Aug. 22).

Getting to know people should not be counted as a distraction or waste. Any amount of time socializing steals from your work will be paid back in the form of opportunities you could never have without the mix and mingle.

VIRGO (Aug. 23-Sept. 22).

Everyone wants the big win, though success can be a curse. How can one repeat it when Lady Luck is so famously fickle

Today’s birthday

It’s a year that stretches your potential for exploration, curiosity and embracing a more expansive view of the world. You’ll oft be paid sweet, heartwarming attention. More highlights: You’ll solve what the others can’t. It doesn’t mean you should, at least not right away. Hold back for a minute. Pay attention to the power dynamics. Taurus and Gemini adore you. Your lucky numbers are: 7, 12, 19, 40 and 31.

with her favors? Devote yourself to that which you can control – the work that will accumulate over time.

LIBRA (Sept. 23-Oct. 23).

You can trust yourself. Your impulses and instincts are golden, but that doesn’t mean they make sense in the moment. And in fact, you could be puzzled by your reactions, but in time, a bright logic will emerge.

SCORPIO (Oct. 24-Nov. 21).

With focused intensity, you can achieve what you put your mind to. But if you try to conquer everything simultaneously, nothing gets done. Address one change at a time and be patient. Results may take several weeks.

SAGITTARIUS (Nov. 22Dec. 21). There is no difference between work that depletes you and work that builds you up. As the bodybuilder lifts until the muscle fails, so will you

You are not a cold-hearted friend, but you are a powerless friend. You are trying to control the situation by placing some sort of a grief timeline onto her, which is completely unfair. Everyone grieves in their own way and on their own time. Know that, and give her time and space to process this terrible tragedy. Her life will never be the same. It is forever changed with the loss of her grandson, and that is tragic.

If you really want to be a friend, just continue to love and support her in whatever way she needs. Allow her to take as MUCH time as she needs to grieve. There will be some days that are easier than others for her, and part of being a friend is being there for her on the good as well as bad days. Be patient and kind with your friend and you will help her through this very difficult process.

Send your questions for Annie Lane to dearannie@ creators.com.

exercise your skills to the very edge, thus pushing that edge ever-further.

CAPRICORN (Dec. 22Jan. 19). A paradox: Though the endeavor is a solo mission, you won’t be alone. The minds that went before you and the ideas you’re building on will surround you with their palpable presence. Also, you will attract allies.

AQUARIUS (Jan. 20Feb. 18). You’ll embody the power of intention. Your sincere desire is to help humanity at large, and you’ll find small ways to do it. There’s no plan here, but with each kind move, the path reveals itself.

PISCES (Feb. 19-March 20). People yearn to be seen and appreciated. Your ability to recognize and appreciate the intriguing and distinctive qualities in others is remarkable. This perceptiveness makes for truly special interactions.

CELEBRITY PROFILES:

Academy Award winner Kathy Bates stars in the film version of the beloved Judy Blume novel “Are You There God? It’s Me, Margaret.” Born when Mercury was in sharp-witted Gemini and Mars was in practical Virgo, Bates is constantly trained on embodying the best qualities of her art. Saturn, the lessons planet, in Leo, the sign of show business, promises profound life lessons learned and given through the medium of entertainment.

Write Holiday Mathis at HolidayMathis.com.

Word Sleuth

Crossword by Phillip Alder

Bridge

been tempted to contract for a game, presumably knew his partner’s style and trusted the opponents’ vulnerable bids.

Against three spades, West led his fourth-highest heart. Declarer put in dummy’s nine and, when it won, ran the spade 10. Upon winning with the ace, West switched to a low club, but declarer won with dummy’s ace, overtook the spade eight with his nine, drew East’s last trump and played a heart to dummy’s queen. He had nine tricks: five spades, three hearts and one club.

Does anything strike you?

THE INS AND OUTS OF COMMUNICATION

Shakespeare wrote, “All the world’s a stage, / And all the men and woman merely players: / They have their exits and their entrances.” In bridge, we are the players, and we must watch the entrances and exits of both sides very carefully. In today’s deal, South’s overcall isn’t recommended. North, who must have

Right -- that South hand is very short of entries. If only West had ducked his spade ace at trick two, South wouldn’t have been able to reach his hand in time to finesse the heart queen. Note also that it doesn’t help South to overtake dummy’s spade 10 with his jack. Again, West ducks. South continues with the heart 10, covered by the jack and queen, but West wins the next spade trick and leads the heart king, East ruffing away dummy’s ace. When dummy is weak, the defenders usually can keep declarer in his hand. In contrast, though, when declarer is weak, the defenders find it much more difficult to keep declarer in the dummy. It’s the power of the closed hand.

COPYRIGHT: 2023, UNITED FEATURE SYNDICATE

Sudoku by Wayne Gould

6/28/23

THE INS AND OUTS OF COMMUNICATION

9, with no repeats. That means that no number is repeated in any row, column or box. Solution, tips and computer program at www.sudoku.com

Shakespeare wrote, “All the world’s a stage, / And all the men and woman merely players: / They have their exits and their entrances.” In bridge, we are the players, and we must watch the entrances and exits of both sides very carefully.

In today’s deal, South’s overcall isn’t recommended. North, who must have

Difficulty level: GOLD

Yesterday’s solution:

Bridge

Annie Lane Dear Annie

We ser vice all makes and models of RV motorhome, 5th Wheel and Trailer Chassis, brakes, lights, engine, HVAC, transmission, steering, axles, bearings, suspension, tires etc We also repair and ser vice all trucks from a pick up truck to a Class 8 Big Rig

Our team of Technician’s have over 150 years combined repair and diagnostic experience We treat your vehicle like it is ours. There is no job too big or small, we invite them all.

Give us a call to schedule an appointment or just stop by we always have coffee brewed and popcorn popped. We look forward to meeting you and providing you with excellent customer ser vice

(707) 427-1386

Human remains found in area where actor Julian Sands went missing

The WashingTon PosT

Human remains were found in the California wilderness where British actor Julian Sands went missing over five months ago, authorities said.

Emergency teams responded to a call from hikers who found remains while trekking through the Mount Baldy area in the San Gabriel Mountains on Saturday morning, the San Bernardino County Sheriff’s Department said in a statement. The mountain is about 40 miles from downtown Los Angeles. The remains were moved to a coroner’s office and should be identified in the coming days, the statement said.

Sands, known for his roles in films including “A Room With a View,” was reported missing on Jan. 13 after going

hiking in the Mount Baldy area, leading to an extensive search. Poor weather and the risk of avalanches hampered the early hunt for the 65-year-old, with rescuers using helicopters and drones when conditions became too severe for ground searches.

Earlier this week, before the remains were reported, Sands’s family issued its first statement since his disappearance, thanking search teams and coordinators who “have worked tirelessly to find Julian,” the Associated Press reported. “We continue to hold Julian in our hearts with bright memories of him as a wonderful father, husband, explorer, lover of the natural world and the arts, and as an original and collaborative performer,” the family said.

Pickles Brian Crane

Zits Jerry Scott and Jim Borgman

Pearls Before Swine Stephan Pastis

Candorville Darrin Bell

Baby Blues Rick Kirkman and Jerry Scott

Baldo Hector Cantú

Crime logs

FairField

SUNDAY, JUNE 25

1:15 a.m. — Shots fired, 5200 block of QUINN LN

1:49 a.m. — Shooting into a dwelling, 800 block of TEXAS ST

8:30 a.m. — Reckless driving, EASTBOUND I-80

9:02 a.m. — Burglary — residential, 2200 block of FALCON DR

9:25 a.m. — Reckless driving, WESTBOUND HWY 12

10:36 a.m. — Physical fight

2700 block of CEDARBROOK CT

11:54 a.m. — Vehicle theft,

2200 block of FALCON DR

12:29 p.m. — Vandalism, 2400 block of TEA CT

1:17 p.m. — Domestic violence, 500 block of SAN MARCO ST

2:19 p.m. — Reckless driving, HILLSIDE CT

2:31 p.m. — Hit-and-run property damage, 2800

State lawmakers, Gavin Newsom hammer out $311

billion budget – Delta tunnels project dropped

Tribune ConTenT AgenCy

California lawmakers and Gov. Gavin Newsom agreed on a $310.8 billion budget deal Monday, a compromise reached by dropping the governor’s proposal to move forward with a 45-mile Delta water tunnel that would pump water from the Sacramento River to other parts of the state.

Legislators released a series of bills Saturday and Sunday showing the broad outlines of a spending plan that includes more money for public transit, child care, prison reform and Medi-Cal. The measures also reflected the challenges of closing the state’s estimated $31.5 billion budget gap.

SuiSun City

“In the face of continued global economic uncertainty, this budget increases our fiscal discipline by growing our budget reserves to a record $38 billion, while preserving historic investments in public education, health care, climate and public safety,” Newsom said in a statement late Monday evening.

The governor must sign Tuesday what is essentially a placeholder budget that the Legislature approved June 15. Lawmakers will take up bills tied to the spending plan this week, before the new fiscal year begins Saturday.

large-scale projects.

The CEQA reforms and Delta tunnel are not technically a part of the state’s budget package. However, Newsom tied them to his approval of the spending plan, irking lawmakers who felt he was trying to use it as a wedge during negotiations.

and Native American tribes argue it would devastate the region’s already threatened ecosystems and wildlife.

the product of more than 120 public hearings and achieves the Legislature’s goal of holding ground on key initiatives without cuts or tax increases.”

Both houses of the Legislature approved the spending plan on Tuesday. Funding for the controversial bay tunnel, which Solano County adamantly opposes, is not included.

Karen Lang, one of the county’s state lobbyists, credited the efforts of Dodd and Assemblywoman Lori Wilson, D-Suisun City, as well as a large coalition of other

legislators, for keeping the project out.

However, Solano board members remain cautious about the future. Supervisor Monica Brown was particularly wary of what streamlining the California Environmental Quality Act could mean since CEQA has been an important tool in halting the tunnel projects over the years.

Solano also will get $1 million to go to the Early Learning Center project in Vallejo.

“The facility is located in one of the most underresourced neighborhoods in Solano County. In 2020, before the school closed, 91% of the children were eligible for the free and reduced lunch program,” Dodd’s statement said.

Nirasaki and Fairfield were matched for similar climate and history, emphasizing agriculture and and winemaking.

The final accord was stymied by the Newsom’s proposal to revise the California Environmental Quality Act and expedite the massive $16 billion Delta Conveyance, which would divert water from the Sacramento River to a tunnel under the Sacramento-San Joaquin Delta for farms and cities in the south.

Legislators and Newsom ended the logjam by removing the project from the list of clean energy, transportation and water projects the governor wants to streamline, Sen. Susan Talamantes Eggman, D-Stockton, confirmed to The Sacramento Bee.

The Senate and Assembly have yet to officially release the details of the negotiated infrastructure package, which could change during legislative hearings this week.

Delta tunnel opposition

Newsom has insisted the CEQA alterations are necessary to reduce the lengthy environmental review process that has slowed or killed

Errors

Benicia artist, Annette Batchelor, of a hot air balloon over Suisun Valley was also gifted to Naito.

Naito’s father was also a mayor of Nirasaki. “He would be really pleased to see this friendship today,” he said.

He also noted Hiroshima is probably the most famous person when the delegation comes to Fairfield. Hiroshima has been here several times.

In brief

The sister-city delegation arrived Saturday and will be honored at a farewell dinner on Wednesday. Included in the delegation were two former exchange students from Nirasaki.

Nirasaki students will visit Fairfield in December, reigniting the student exchange. For those interested in participating in the Sister City Committee and future exchanges, email at sister city@fairfield.ca.gov

Vallejo officer shoots man after being hit by car

VALLEJO — The Solano County Major Crimes Task Force is investigating an officer-involved shooting that took place shortly after 4 a.m. on Tuesday in Vallejo.

The Vallejo Police Department reported that one of its officers, after being struck by a vehicle, discharged his duty weapon, striking a man described as a “suspect.”

Officers were responding to a report of an in-progress burglary on the 1400 block of Springs Road at the time of the incident, the department reported in a statement.

“Upon arrival at the scene, one officer was struck by a suspect fleeing in a vehicle. The officer discharged his duty weapon, striking the suspect,” the department stated. “The suspect was taken to a local hospital for treatment of a non-life threatening injury. After treatment, he will be booked into Solano County jail.”

The District Attorney’s Office could not be reached for comment. The DA heads the Major Crimes Task Force.

From Page One

Pilot Program through June 30, 2025.

n Approved a $4.26 million appropriation transfer from the Department of Health and Social Services, Administration, to increase Fiscal Year 2022-23 interest revenue and appropria-

Remake

From Page One

is $1.178 million, said Megan Richards, a senior management analyst with the County Administrator’s Office.

The county wants the website to be the go-to place for residents and others to go to for their information, and to change what board Chairman John Vasquez described as the “silent government.” He said the county provides services for virtually everyone in Solano.

Supervisor Erin Hannigan has complained for years that the website is

“They’re calling it infrastructure streamlining, which is cute,” said Eggman, who represents communities near the Delta. “But really it’s just really an end-run around the process that has provided the Delta protection.”

The highly controversial Sacramento-San Joaquin Delta tunnel project, in particular, became a major sticking point in discussions.

A group of lawmakers – including Eggman and Assemblyman Carlos Villapudua, who also represents the Stockton area – last week sent a letter to Newsom and legislative leaders urging them to remove the Delta tunnel from the infrastructure package.

The project is Newsom’s version of a long-debated proposal for a tunnel to bypass the Delta by conveying water from the Sacramento River in Northern California to communities in Southern California.

The California Department of Water Resources says the project is necessary to adapt to the state’s increasingly inconsistent water supply, which is subject to droughts and sudden severe storms. However, environmental groups

tions for interest expense based on third-quarter projections.

n Added a deputy public defender I-IV, limited-term, position in the Public Defender’s Office, and extended one deputy public defender I-IV, limited-term, position through March 1, 2025. The moves are funded by Board of State Community Corrections Public Defense Pilot Program grant.

anything but that. The contract decision followed a presentation of the work that has already been completed by Shaifer. The contract with AgreeYa Solutions, is for $278,000 through March. It was hired in December.

There is an executive steering committee, on which Hannigan and County Administrator Bill Emlen sits, as well as a governance group comprised of, in part, information technology and other department representatives. It is likely to expand as the project moves forward. The project mission statement is “to make the Solano County website an accessible trusted desti-

“If you think about pumping water from the Sacramento River underneath, 40 miles, to tunnel and divert that water from entering the Delta, I think you’re talking about an ecological collapse of a really important estuary for the world but especially California,” Eggman said.

The state Legislative Analyst’s Office warned against rushing such complicated deliberations. States are jockeying for money to fund clean energy and climate projects from a $1 trillion infrastructure package President Joe Biden signed in 2021. Newsom is aiming to make California more competitive for that funding by streamlining the state’s lengthy environmental permitting processes for big projects.

The governor wanted the Delta tunnel project in the budget as a way to appeal for those dollars, said Sonja Petek, an LAO fiscal and policy analyst. But it’s unclear how much money is even on the line.

“When you get down to it, we’re not exactly clear on how these particular proposals would really necessarily increase our chance of getting funding,” Petek said.

“What would it actually mean? Would it speed these projects up, and by how much? A lot of those questions from our perspective are still unanswered.”

n Extended a full-time deputy public defender I-IV, limited-term, position through October 14, funded by the Board of State and Community Corrections Indigent Defense grant; and gave authority to the Human Resources director to extend one full-time Deputy public defender I-IV, limitedterm, position through June 30, 2024 based on available Indigent Defense Grant funding.

nation for Solano County information and services.”

It must have a usercentered design, be community focused and flexible enough to change as content and needs change.

“You don’t want a website that is just sitting there,” Richards said. “There will be ways to changeit and refresh it.”

Hannigan added, “We have to be very clear that we are diverse in many ways. We are not just agriculture; we are not just manufacturing.”

The board focused a lot on making sure the outreach effort is sufficient, with Vasquez emphasizing the need to reach the unincorporated residents.

n Approved 18 Probation Department contracts and contract amendments, totaling $6.75 million, effective July 1.

n Approved 13 Sheriff’s Office expenditure contracts and contract amendments totaling $4,.34 million, effective July 1; approved four revenue contracts, memorandums of agreement and amendments, effective July 1.

He also said the county has to be careful not to have a website that just serves its master.

“I think we should be careful asking ourselves what is should look like,” Vasquez said. “I would emphasize that the outreach is very important.” Shaifer said she wants to connect with several populations: the county departments, those individuals who use the website now and those county residents who do not use the website. That will include at least two community listening sessions.

The new website could be available by the late spring of 2024.

Andy Alfaro/Modesto Bee/TNS California Gov. Gavin Newsom, right, announces an infrastructure plan at Proxima Solar Farm outside Patterson, California, May 19, 2023.

Site

From Page A3

started there in 2019.

n Approved a $1,500 contribution from the District 3 (Supervisor Wanda Williams) General Fund account to benefit the Solano County Library Foundation ($750) and the American Legion Auxiliary Post 165 for their Girls State program ($750).

n Appointed Stacey Kensington to the Greater Vallejo Recreation District Board, representing District 2, to fill an unexpired term through Dec. 1; and appointed Kensington for a new four-year term of beginning Dec. 1, 2023 through Dec. 2, 2027.

n Appointed Pamela Williamson to the Solano Women and Girls Commission, representing District 2, to fill Ana Petero’s unexpired term ending Aug. 7, 2024.

n Approinted Deborah Dickson to the Solano County Fair Board, representing District 3, for a term to end on June 30, 2027.

n Reappointed Harold Martin to the Nut Tree Airport Advisory Committee as the Business Pilot Member for a term to end June 30, 2027.

n Recognized July as Park and Recreation Month, and July 21 as Park

and Recreation Professionals Day in Solano County.

n Approved the reallocation of $720,000 in state revenue for wildfire prevention efforts, and authorized the County Administrator’s Office to approve contracts for fuels reduction services, validation and development of

an implementation plan for fire dispatch utilizing the 2010 Consolidated Dispatch study.

n Approved seven First 5 Solano Children and Families Commission contracts and contract changes totaling $3.79 million, effective July 1.

Magnolia Cour t by Fields Senior Living

When you make the move to Magnolia Cour t, you’ll be amazed at the fun choices you get to make ever yday—star ting with the rate you want to pay! Enjoy an array of chef-prepared entrees, a variety of exercise classes, a wide range of activities to join—and most impor tantly, YOU choose how you want to live in your retirement years. It’s that easy at Magnolia Cour t! 707- 450 -1170 1111 Ulatis Drive Vacaville, CA 95687 MagnoliaCour tCA.com

PREFERRED CHOICE PRICING Reser ve your place and move in by April 30 to choose the monthly payment plan that works best for you! Limited time offer while supplies last. Call for details

Courtesy photo

The site of the former Beverly Hills Elementary School is seen in Vallejo.

Summer weather pattern in place for Bay Area, and first heat wave is coming

The calendar marked the occasion last week –summer is officially here.

Finally, the weather is catching up.

The annual marking of the summer solstice normally is an event predated by a weather pattern of high pressure, escalating temperatures and a reduced marine layer. This year, the usual Bay Area climate for summer has been lagging.

A high-pressure ridge will usher in a hot start to the weekend. Temperatures are expected to hit 90 degrees in far East Bay places such as Brentwood in Contra Costa County by Wednesday and Livermore in Alameda County by Thursday. Come Friday, the Santa Clara Valley, San Jose and most of East Bay likely will be in the lower 90s, with coastal areas in Alameda County in the 80s.

By Saturday, a few of the hotter areas might see triple-digit temperatures, and even cities in the Peninsula could hit 85. San Francisco is expected to be in the 70s.

“The ridge breaks down in the early part of the week starting Sunday, and that will bring the temperatures back down again. We’ll see for how long,” Behringer said. “This does look to be the start of what we usually see (in the summer). The weather pattern has shifted.”

WE DO TOTAL BATHROOM REMODELS! FOR LESS! TANKLESS WATER HEATERS Completely Installed For Less!

WE SELL & INSTALL WATER HEATERS FOR LESS!

Welcome to Alejandro’s Taqueria!

Located in Downtown Fairfield, Alejandro’s Taqueria offers a large variety of authentic Mexican dishes. Breakfast includes: Huevos Rancheros, Huevos con Chorizo ahd Huevos con Jamon. Their daily lunch special includes a choice of one of the following: Taco, Tostada, Chile Relleno, Enchilada or Tamale with rice and beans. Dinner Plates include traditional dishes such as: Carne Asada, Chile Verde, Pastor or Carnitas. Also available is Mariscos/ Seafood ranging from Fajitas de Camaron, Coctel de Camaron, Caldo de Camaron and Mojarra and much much more!

In addition Burritos, Tostadas, Super Nachos, Chimichanga, Tortas, Quesadilas and Flautas are also included in their menu. Saturday and Sundays; Birria (BBQ Goat) and Menudo is served.

FARMERS

Wednesday, June 28, 2023

First MLB victory worth the wait for ex-Mustang

M att Miller

MMILLER@DAILYREPUBLIC.NET

FAIRFIELD — It took 162 minor league games and nine more in the majors, but 29-year-old right hander Jesse Scholtens, the Rodriguez High School graduate, finally earned his first big league victory.

Scholtens allowed two hits and a walk while striking out three over four scoreless innings Sunday in the Chicago White Sox 4-1 win over the Boston Red Sox. He didn’t start the game but based on his four solid innings he was credited with the victory.

“It’s just about going out and doing what I can,” Scholtens told NBC Sports Chicago. “Whenever I’m called upon for whatever role, I feel confident I can help this team. Any role they ask me to to fill I’m happy and willing to fill it.”

Scholtens has pitched 6 2/3 innings of scoreless baseball since he was recalled for a second time from Triple-A Charlotte on June 16. He now has a 2.31 ERA through 23 1/3 innings in his two stints with 13 strikeouts.

The minor league journey began in 2016 after he was drafted in the ninth round out of Wright State by the San Diego Padres. The White Sox are currently in Anaheim to face the Los Angeles Angels. If not in that series, Scholten’s next outing could come in a weekend series at the Coliseum against the A’s.

n n n

Tony Gonsolin, the Vacaville High graduate who is also a 29-year-old right-hander pitcher, got a start against Houston and went five innings for the Los Angeles

See Alumni, Page B10

District 53 Little League all-star action continues

FAIRFIELD — The local District 53 Little League all-star tournaments began in earnest over the weekend with another set to begin Saturday. In the 8-9-10 division, TriValley advanced to a semifinal game at 5:30 p.m. Wednesday night against tournament host Sonoma. Tri-Valley defeated Napa National on Saturday and American Canyon Sunday.

A win would put TriValley in the tournament final Saturday. A loss would put them in the consolation semifinal Thursday at 5:30.

Fairfield Pacific opened the tournament Saturday with a loss to Napa American. They lost to St. Helena on Monday. St. Helena had a matchup with Napa American at 5:30 p.m. Tuesday

LOCAL REPORT

night with the winner advancing in the consolation bracket to another game Wednesday.

In the 9-10-11 tournament, Tri-Valley opened with a loss Saturday to Benicia. They played American Canyon at 5:30 p.m. Tuesday night in consolation. Fairfield Atlantic lost its opening game to American Canyon Saturday and played Sonoma Monday night.

The winner of that game played Benicia at 5:30 p.m. Tuesday night. The Monday night score was not made available.

In the Junior Division, Tri-Valley lost its opener to Napa Sunday. They will try and rebound Wednesday with a 6 p.m. game at St. Helena High School against American Canyon. American Canyon was the winner in the 50/70 bracket Sunday. The 10-11-12 tournament begins Saturday

See All-Star, Page B10

NHL schedule-makers give Sharks tough openers B2

Manfred believes a shorter MLB schedule could aid games abroad

Derrick GoolD ST. LOUIS POST-DISPATCH

LONDON — As Major League Baseball looks to expand its presence in Europe and play more games abroad, a solution to doing that in the middle of a season could playing fewer games overall.

“There are things that could be done in the schedule in order to create more window of an opportunity for play here,” commissioner Rob Manfred said. “There’s been conversation over the years about 154 (games) as opposed to 162. That would be an easy alternative.”

Cardinals chairman Bill DeWitt Jr. has advocated for a 154-game

schedule in past years, and that was before the postseason expanded by round after round, adding more games to the final month of the championship season.

A 154-game schedule was the length of the Major League Baseball schedule for decades before growing to the modern 162. It was the expanded calendar that once led to an asterisk in the record books beside Roger Maris’ 61 home runs, because he did not play in the same 154-game slate as Babe Ruth.

The owners attended a presentation on the value of a 154-game schedule as recently as 2020,

and it briefly came up as a point of discussion in 2022’s lockout and labor negotiations.

“I personally am in favor of a shorter season regardless of what the playoff structure is,” DeWitt told the Post-Dispatch in February 2020. “I think 162 games is a lot of games. I’m an advocate for going back to 154. It’s a grind. There’s a lot of travel. So, I’m probably in the minority of that but when I have an opportunity to speak up about it, I do speak up about it. I prefer a shorter schedule.”

A change of the schedule would have to be collectively bargained with players’ union,

and any move to reduce games would prompt the MLBPA to assure it does not mean a reduction in salaries from the current structure.

In recent negotiations with the owners, the players’ union has increased the off days in the regular season and established some policies to address travel, which has only increased with the change that assures all 30 teams will play each other at least once during the regular season.

In London, Manfred specifically mentioned how Major League Baseball in the coming years plans to play in Korea,

Giants defeat Blue Jays, and old friends Belt, Gausman, in Toronto

evan Webeck

THE MERCURY NEWS

TORONTO — Facing two old friends Tuesday night, the Giants offered a reminder that all the magic pixie dust was still in their clubhouse.

Opposed by an opener and, eventually, Alex Wood, Kevin Gausman pitched about as well as he could have hoped against the club that balked at giving him a long-term deal two offseasons ago. But the the first of only three hits he allowed over six innings came around to score and proved to be the only run for the first eight innings of a 3-0 Giants win, improving to 13-2 over their past

15 games and 10-0 away from home this month.

Brandon Belt nearly did in his former team, doubling in the eighth to put the tying run on second base with two outs,

but the Giants (45-34) called on Camilo Doval, who got World Baseball Classic teammate Vladimir Guerrero Jr. to fly out to end the threat and shut the door in the ninth,

recording his National League-leading 23rd save. In his first game against his old club, Belt struck out twice and flew out to center before being pinch-run for after his eighth-inning hit. Wood’s new role: Apparently demoted to a bullpen role after being lit up for six runs in his last start, Wood entered in the second inning after opener Ryan Walker. In only the second relief appearance of his Giants career (61 starts), Wood clearly corrected any issues from his previous outing, blanking the Blue Jays for five-plus innings, allowing only five hits and

Solano Mudcats hand Healdsburg first loss of the summer

FAIRFIELD — The Solano Mudcats picked up a pair of wins last week, taking a game from the Sonoma Stompers and handing the first-place Healdsburg Prune Packers their first loss of the season.

According to the California Collegiate League website, Mudcats pitcher Caleb Davis (Sonoma State) pitched a com-

plete-game, seven-inning win Sunday in the first game of the doubleheader against Healdsburg in a 4-2 win. Solano lost the second game 9-0. Davis allowed nine hits and three walks, but held Healdsburg (12-1) to two runs. He also struck out six batters.

Designated hitter Luke Piazza (UC Davis) went 1-for-3 with three RBI. Outfielder Bronson Balholm (Arizona State)

reached base four times on a hit and three walks, scoring twice.

The Mudcats are now 3-13 in CCL play and 4-15 overall. Solano played a 5 p.m. game against the CLL Admirals Tuesday night at Vanden High School.

Expos squeeze out a win over Humboldt

FAIRFIELD — Jackson

Kolakowski dropped down a successful suicide squeeze Sunday that helped the Fairfield Expos earn 9-7 win over Humboldt to wrap up the Sandee Kensinger Tournament in Medford.

The local American Legion summer baseball team completed the tournament 4-1 and moved the overall mark to 31-11. It brought an end to the Expos’ annual two-week journey through Oregon.

Fairfield scored three runs in the bottom of the sixth inning to beat Humboldt. The Expos finished with seven hits coming from Noah Rodda, Jace Parkinson, Connor Broschard, Calvin Johnson, Kolakowski, AJ Perrin and Aaron Strong. Rodda and Perrin had doubles, while Blake Bozzini, Kolakowski, Perrin and Matty Hague drove in runs.

Broschard pitched three innings, DJ Ander-

sen worked one before Carter Preston pitched a perfect sixth inning with three strikeouts. Fairfield beat Medford Saturday night 7-4. Parkinson, Bozzini and Perrin had hits and drove in runs. Bryce Alcantara was 2-for4. Grant Genter pitched 5 1/3 innings and Hague loses out the final 1 2/3. The only tournament loss for the Expos came in extra innings against Salem.

SCHOLTENS

Ben Stansall/AFP via Getty Images/TNS Cardinals pitcher Matthew Liberatore throws during the second of the two-game, 2023 major league baseball London Series between the St Louis Cardinals and the Chicago Cubs at London Stadium in east London , Sunday.

See MLB, Page B10

Karl Mondon/Bay Area News Group file (2021)

A file photo of “The Brandons” – Brandon Belt, left, and Brandon Crawford – when they were Giants teammates.

See Giants, Page B10

CALENDAR

Wednesday’s TV sports

NHL schedule-makers don’t do Sharks any favors to start season

Curtis PAshelk A BAY AREA NEWS GROUP

SAN JOSE — The San Jose Sharks will open the 2023-24 regular season on Oct. 12 at home against the defending Stanley Cup champion Vegas Golden Knights – and their early schedule doesn’t much easier from there.

TV sports

Jimmie Johnson won’t run Chicago street race after a family tragedy

A lex Zietlow

THE CHARLOTTE OBSERVER

Jimmie Johnson won’t race through the streets of Chicago this weekend.

The seven-time NASCAR Cup Series champion and co-owner of Legacy Motor Club announced on Tuesday that he has “elected to withdraw” his No. 84 Chevrolet from this weekend’s NASCAR Cup Series race. The announcement comes a few hours after news broke that Johnson had family ties to a shooting and killing in Muskogee, Okla.

“The Johnson family has asked for privacy at this time and no further statements will be made,” Legacy Motor Club said in a statement.

Johnson doesn’t race full-time in the Cup Series anymore. But the household name announced he’d run in a few of the biggest races this season in March.

Among those races: the Daytona 500, Circuit of the Americas, the CocaCola 600 and the Chicago Street Race, which is coming up this weekend.

That all changed Tuesday afternoon, however, when Muskogee police said two people and their 11-yearold grandson were found dead after a shooting Monday night. According to Fox23, a local news station, police said 68-year-old Terry Janway is suspected

The Sharks will continue a homestand against the Colorado Avalanche on Oct. 14, the Carolina Hurricanes on Oct. 17, and the Boston Bruins on Oct. 19. Those three teams, plus the Golden Knights, all won their respective divisions this past year and all finished within the top seven in the league’s overall standings.

The Sharks’ grueling opening month then continues with a five-game, nine-day road trip with stops in Nashville, Florida, Tampa Bay, Carolina, and Washington.

The Sharks got off to a 0-5-0 start this past season and were never able to climb above a .500 points percentage. They’ll likely need to get off to a better start this season if they have any hope of ending a four-year playoff drought.

Notably, the Sharks’ longest road trip of the season is six games, from Nov. 30 to Dec. 10, and across three time zones, with games in Boston, New Jersey, New York (Rangers and Islanders), Detroit and Las Vegas.

San Jose’s longest homestand comes in Feb-

ruary with games against the Blue Jackets, Golden Knights, Predators, Devils, and Ducks.

The Chicago Blackhawks, who are expected to take superstar-in-waiting Connor Bedard with the No. 1 overall pick in Wednesday’s NHL Draft, visit SAP Center on March 23.

Sharks acquire goalie from Devils

The Sharks have acquired goalie Mackenzie Blackwood from the New Jersey Devils for a 2023 sixth-round draft pick, a move San Jose’s front office hopes will help address one of the team’s most immediate needs.

Blackwood is a pending restricted free agent who is arbitration-eligible. Last season, in 22 games, Blackwood went 10-6-2 with a .893 save percentage as

Karlsson wins Norris Trophy

Erik Karlsson’s record-breaking season culminated Monday with the Norris Trophy, as the San Jose Sharks All-Star was voted the NHL’s top defenseman for the third time in his illustrious 14-year career.

he played a backup role behind Vítek Vanek.

For his career, Blackwood has played in 152 NHL games, all with New Jersey, and has a 65-57-18 record, a 2.97 goals against average, a .906 save percentage and eight shutouts.

In 2019-2020 when he finished sixth in Calder Trophy voting as the NHL’s Rookie of the Year, Blackwood set career highs in wins (22), games played (47), and shutouts (three). He he also has played in 90 AHL games for three different teams, with a record of 33-42-11.

The Sharks right now have only one goalie in Kaapo Kahkonen who has substantial NHL experience and who is under contract for next season. Kahkonen is signed through next year at a salary cap hit of $2.75 million.

Karlsson, now in his fifth season with the Sharks, beat out other finalists Cale Makar of the Colorado Avalanche and Adam Fox of the New York Rangers in a vote by members of the Professional Hockey Writers Association. Makar won the award last season and Fox won in 2021 on a Rangers team coached by current Sharks bench boss David Quinn.

Karlsson was first on 123 of 196 ballots and had 1,585 voting points, well ahead of Fox (1,125) and Makar (553). Voters put five individuals on their ballot and players receive 10 points for a first-place vote, seven for second, five for third, three for fourth, and one for fifth.

Karlsson also won the Norris with Ottawa in 2012 and 2015 and is the ninth NHL defenseman to capture the award three times. He is also the fourth blueliner to win it with multiple teams, joining Chris Chelios (Chicago and Montreal), Paul Coffey (Detroit and Edmonton), and Doug Harvey (Montreal and N.Y. Rangers).

Sacramento Kings introduce draft picks Colby Jones, Jalen Slawson

JAson A nderson

THE SACRAMENTO BEE

SACRAMENTO — Kings general manager Monte McNair welcomed Colby Jones and Jalen Slawson to Sacramento during an introductory news conference Tuesday at Golden 1 Center.

of shooting and killing her husband, 69-yearold Jack Janway, and their 11-year-old grandson, Dalton.

Terry and Jack’s daughter, Chandra, is the wife of Jimmie Johnson.

This weekend’s race will be the first of its kind for the NASCAR Cup Series. The best stock car drivers in the world will take over the streets of Chicago on Sunday starting at 5:30 p.m. ET –transforming Lake Shore Drive, Michigan Avenue, Columbus Drive and surrounding thoroughfares into a 12-turn, 2.2-mile street course that starts and ends at Buckingham Fountain. Along the way, drivers will pass through some of the most memorable parts of the city, including Grant Park and Soldier Field.

Fournette escapes injury after SUV catches fire

tribune Content AgenCy

TAMPA, Fla. —

Former Tampa Bay Buccaneers running back Leonard Fournette escaped injury late Tuesday morning after his vehicle caught fire as he drove northbound on Interstate 275.

Fournette, currently a free agent, was traveling on the interstate near Fowler Avenue when his black 2021 Dodge Durango experienced a vehicle fire due to a mechanical issue. Sgt. Steve Gaskins of the Florida Highway Patrol said Fournette, 28, came

to a controlled stop along the inside shoulder and exited the vehicle safely and without injury. The Durango, however, appeared to be irreparably charred.

Fournette posted a video to Instagram of the incident. “Man it was one of those days today, but I would like thank God, my car caught on fire while I was driving, But (I am) still blessed,” he wrote on Instagram.

Fournette spent the past three seasons with the Bucs, starting 25 of his 43 regular-season games, scoring 17 touchdowns.

The Kings selected Jones and Slawson in the second round of the NBA draft after trading first-round pick OlivierMaxence Prosper and Richaun Holmes to the Dallas Mavericks in a move to clear salary cap space with free agency set to begin Friday. Jones and Slawson will try to establish roles with a team that went to the playoffs as the No. 3 seed in the Western Conference under firstyear coach Mike Brown.

“Obviously, our focus for the draft this year was to continue to build on last season’s success and find guys that can come in and contribute to the culture that Mike and myself and everybody’s building here, and continue our winning ways and advance in the playoffs,” McNair said.

“So, Colby, obviously, a versatile, unselfish, high IQ winner, two-way player. We’re excited to bring him and his work ethic here to the Kings. Jalen has a unique combination of size, defense, big-time winner at Furman, including a really big win in the NCAA Tournament this year. We’re confident these guys are going to fit in with

what we’re building here both on and off the court.”

Jones and Slawson will be featured members of Sacramento’s summer league team beginning next week when the Kings host the California Classic July 3 and 5 at Golden 1 Center.

Sacramento traded up four spots to select Jones with the 34th overall pick. The Kings believe they might have found firstround value in Jones, a 6-foot-6, 203-pound guard/ forward from Xavier.

“I’m excited to be in Sacramento,” Jones said. “Just came off a great year. I’m excited to get to know my teammates and get to know coach Brown.

“I had a great workout here. I enjoyed meeting all the staff and some of the players when I was working out here, so I knew this was a great spot that I could potentially go to. I knew I was in good standing with the front office

and things like that, but I really didn’t know what to expect on draft night.”

Jones is an athletic wing who is fundamentally sound and skilled in all facets of the game. He is a good passer and a strong defender who can take on point guards, shooting guards and small forwards.

Jones averaged 15.0 points, 5.7 rebounds, 4.4 assists and 1.3 steals as a junior at Xavier. He shot 50.9% from the field and 37.8% from 3-point range but struggled at the free-throw line, hitting just 65.3%.

Jones was named National Invitation Tournament MVP after leading Xavier to an NIT championship in 2022. He was a second-team All-Big East Conference selection this season.

Jones’ 3-point shooting improved dramatically from 33.3% as a freshman and 29.2% as a sophomore. If he doesn’t

regress, he could become a solid 3-and-D role player in the NBA.

Asked how he can help the Kings, Jones said: “I feel like my overall game, my versatility on both ends of the floor. I’m just going to try to come in and find any way to contribute to the team’s success.”

Sacramento selected Slawson with the 54th overall pick. Slawson is a powerfully built 6-6 ½, 230-pound forward with a 6-11 wingspan. He was named Southern Conference Defensive Player of the Year in 2022 and SoCon Player of the Year in 2023. Slawson averaged 15.6 points, 7.1 rebounds, 3.2 assists, 1.5 steals and 1.5 blocks as a fifth-year senior at Furman. He had 19 points and 10 rebounds to help 13th-seeded Furman upset fourthseeded Virginia in the first round of the NCAA Tournament. Slawson was also asked what he can do to contribute in Sacramento.

“Obviously, (the Kings are) looking for depth at the 4 spot,” Slawson said. “I feel like we play really fast. Coach Brown likes to play really fast and I feel like that’s something I can bring. Be a good decision maker. Obviously, pace. I’m able to run the floor pretty well, be a great athlete and be a versatile defender, too. Those are all things this organization values and things that I do pretty well.”

Warriors’ Donte DiVincenzo to decline player option

shAynA rubin

BAY AREA NEWS GROUP

Donte DiVincenzo is declining the player option on his two-year deal with the Warriors and will become an unrestricted free agent, according to media reports.

The 26-year-old guard played a key role off the bench for Golden State last season, averaging 9.4 points and 3.5 assists while shooting 39% from 3 in 26 minutes per game. He

played in 72 of the Warriors’ 82 regular-season games and all 13 of their playoff games.

DiVincenzo came to the Warriors last season after a troublesome stretch with the Milwaukee Bucks and Sacramento Kings. He injured his foot during the Bucks’ 2021 NBA championship run, underwent foot surgery that offseason and was traded to Sacramento the next season.

DiVincenzo signed a two-year, $9.3 million deal with a secondyear player option on the second day of free agency last offseason. His departure was somewhat expected as it’s likely the guard will field a more lucrative contract in free agency. Golden State’s trade of Jordan Poole for veteran point guard Chris Paul lessens the need for DiVincenzo’s role as a primary ball handler off the bench.

Hector Amezcua/Sacramento Bee/TNS Sacramento Kings general manager Monte McNair introduced the new draft picks for the team Tuesday, 34th pick Colby Jones and 54th pick Jalen Slawson.

Michael Loccisano/Getty Images/TNS file (2017)

Nascar driver Jimmie Johnson and wife Chandra Janway Johnson attend the 51st annual CMA Awards at the Bridgestone Arena in Nashville in 2017.

California budget being misused to provide specialinterest goodies

This is the week when Gov. Gavin Newsom and legislative leaders are supposed to agree on a moreor-less final state budget for the 2023-24 fiscal year that begins on Saturday. The negotiations are being conducted in secret with the main hang-up being the authority Newsom seeks to streamline environmental clearance for some big public-works projects, particularly a long-proposed tunnel beneath the Sacramento-San Joaquin Delta to enhance water deliveries to the San Joaquin Valley and Southern California. There’s no logical reason for California Environmental Quality Act changes Newsom wants to be part of the budget process, but it continues the Capitol’s bad habit of using the budget for contentious policy changes because it bypasses the scrutiny that most legislation must endure.

Over the weekend, a flock of budget-related measures were introduced, thus minimizing a voter-approved law that requires measures to be in print for 72 hours before final votes. Bills placed in their final form on Saturday can be taken up as early as Tuesday, and while most do pertain to the budget, nuggets of special interest items are buried in their hundreds of thousands of words.

One example is a few dozen words dropped into the main budget bill relating to one of the Capitol’s most contentious issues: state regulation of wages and working conditions of fast food employees.

Last year, at the behest of unions, the Legislature and Newsom created a state commission to impose such regulation, but the industry responded with a petition drive to place the issue before voters in 2024. When the referendum qualified, the new law was suspended.

However, the pending budget bill essentially revives the suspended bill by appropriating $3 million to re-establish the state Industrial Welfare Commission and empower it to create “industry-specific wage boards” to regulate wages and working conditions – not only for fast food but any other sector it wishes to regulate.

In a statement, Matt Haller, president of the International Franchise Association, labeled it – accurately – as an “undemocratic and a shameful attempt to silence California voters.”

Another budget-related bill would remove a current requirement that when the so-called Peace Officers Standard and Training Commission decertifies a bad police officer, its must make a public disclosure. Instead, the information would be given to the officer’s employer, which could then, if it wished, make a disclosure.

The change is being touted as a money-saving gesture, but is an obvious gift to law enforcement unions and has drawn sharp criticism from newspapers and open government advocates.

Meanwhile, another bill would extend the $330 million annual tax credit given to TV and film shows for in-state production and make it easier to claim by making it refundable.

The Capitol’s message is that fattening the wallets of Hollywood filmmakers is more important than letting the public know about bad cops.

Still another measure would give the state Department of Water Resources vast new power to buy energy for the state’s electrical utilities – authority needed, the administration says, to streamline the state’s shift to renewable resources.

Such major change in energy procurement should get a full airing in the Legislature, rather than being hustled into law via the state budget. That’s particularly true because DWR would be granted an exemption from the transparency laws governing state contracts.

Last year, a budget trailer bill, via a tangle of obtuse verbiage, authorized utilities to start charging for electrical service based on customers’ incomes. That only recently became known to the ratepaying public.

Now a state agency will be executing secret power contracts that will also affect the utility bills of millions of California families. What could possibly go wrong?

CalMatters is a public interest journalism venture committed to explaining how California’s state Capitol works and why it matters. For more stories by Dan Walters, go to Commentary.

On

To paraphrase Clint Eastwood’s Dirty Harry in the 1973 movie classic “Magnum Force,” a governor’s got to know his limitations. There are limits to the power even of a governor with no major political opposition and a very friendly, normally cooperative Legislature.

This time, Gov. Gavin Newsom may have found his limitations. Key lawmakers are pushing back against his late-entry legislation to expedite construction of a highly controversial water tunnel under the SacramentoSan Joaquin River Delta.

As is his pattern, Newsom is trying to jam through the legislation at the last minute, denying legislators and the public ample time to assess and debate the proposal. That really ticks off lawmakers, whether they’re leaders or backbenchers.

“It feels disrespectful to the [legislative] process,” state Sen. Susan Talamantes Eggman (D-Stockton) said at a Senate committee hearing on the governor’s proposal this month.

“To try to force something through at the last minute like this on such a controversial issue, it’s so inappropriate,” Assemblyman Carlos Villapudua (D-Stockton) says.

Newsom did that last year and later bragged about his success in jamming the lawmakers. Near the end of its two-year session, the governor sent the Legislature an ambitious package of climate-fighting proposals, and most of it passed.

A governor can “jam” legislators by holding their bills hostage. He might refuse to sign a bill authored by a lawmaker who votes against his proposal. By waiting so long to send his bills to the Legislature, a governor also greatly reduces the time opponents have to organize opposition.

This year, Newsom waited until May 19 to propose sketchy infrastructure legislation that he asked lawmakers to pass within five weeks as part of the annual state budget. What he proposed has nothing to do with the budget. But he can hold legislators’ pet budget items hostage to their votes for his proposal

Also the governor’s legislation can be dumped into budget “trailer” bills that don’t need to go through scrutiny

by policy committees.

Newsom proposed a sweeping package of 11 bills that would make it easier to build clean energy, transportation and water projects, including the delta tunnel.

It would do this, essentially, by cutting corners on environmental protection. Lawsuits filed under the 1970 California Environmental Quality Act would need to be wrapped up in 270 days, unless a judge found that to be unfeasible. Now such lawsuits can drag on for years.

Concerning the tunnel, the vote necessary for approval by a key delta oversight committee would be reduced. Protections for endangered wintering sandhill cranes would be loosened. And local interests’ role in designing the tunnel would be reduced, they fear.

Governors for six decades have tried to build this project in some form or another and been beaten back by grassroots activists or state voters. The delta is California’s main water hub, serving 27 million people and irrigating 3 million acres.

“It’s the backbone of our state water system,” says Wade Crowfoot, secretary of the state Natural Resources Agency. “We’re on borrowed time in the delta. It has a major vulnerability to saltwater intrusion with the risk of sea rise in climate change. And there’s earthquake risk.

“We can’t continue year after year to be in legal limbo as a result of litigation. Let’s figure out how we can streamline the litigation and give thumbs up or thumbs down” on the tunnel.

And if it’s thumbs down, he says, then the state can “get back to the drawing board and another approach.”

Project opponents — especially delta residents, including farmers — contend that future saltwater intrusion is one reason the tunnel shouldn’t be built. It would siphon water out of the fresher north delta before it could flow through the more saline southern end as it does now, pushing back salt water intruding from San Francisco Bay. The saltier water would be

disastrous for Stockton, smaller delta communities and farming, opponents say.

As for the earthquake threat, no temblor has ever damaged a delta levee and there are no major faults under the estuary. Anyway, couldn’t a major quake damage an underground tunnel?

The fishing industry and boaters fear that reducing freshwater flows through the delta will decimate salmon runs and worsen toxic algae that clog waterways in summer.

“The whole system has crashed” for salmon, says Barry Nelson, a consultant for the Golden State Salmon Assn. That’s partly because of giant south delta fish-chomping pumps and government regulations that often deprive baby salmon of strong enough water flows as they try to migrate out to sea.

“The tunnel would allow the [state] to dramatically increase pumping from the Sacramento River system and further decrease the salmon population,” Nelson says. That would depend on how the tunnel is regulated. But there’s no trust of government regulators among tunnel opponents.

Villapudua drafted a letter to Newsom and legislative leaders signed by 10 lawmakers of both parties asking that tunnel project be removed from the governor’s package.

“It wasn’t very wise to include the delta,” says Sen. John Laird (D-Santa Cruz), a former natural resources secretary who helped push then-Gov. Jerry Brown’s failed twin-tunnel project.

“A $16-billion project like [the tunnel] will likely have significant impacts on a large, ecologically sensitive and important area. Something of that scale should not be fasttracked through an environmental review process.”

Oh, yes. The cost: Virtually everyone knows the price of that 45-mile, 39-foot-wide tunnel would be much more than advertised. And so far there isn’t even financing for it. Water users would pay. Newsom should listen to Dirty Harry.

Political columnist George Skelton has covered government and politics for nearly 60 years and for The Los Angeles Times since 1974.

Let’s get the bad stuff out of the way first: San Fran cisco is a multifaceted mess. Not even the city’s cheeriest boosters can deny that an ugly “doom loop,” prophesied by the local news paper, is underway here.

The problems can be orga nized into three silos: the physical perils of homelessness, crime and drugs; a financial crisis that has hollowed out the city’s downtown and sapped city coffers of revenue; and a dysfunctional government that prevents elected officials and bureaucrats from solving problems. The first two sets of issues are well known – and are neither unique to San Francisco nor particularly new. They’ve just gotten quantifiably worse since the pandemic set in. Car smash-ins and thefts of property are so numerous that San Franciscans mostly shake their heads. Homeless camps are as much a fixture of life here as the Golden Gate Bridge. And yes, the city is cratering financially. City officials recently projected a $291 million deficit for the $14 billion 2024 budget. Its tax base, pummeled by enthusiastic uptake of remote work by so many local companies, could be hobbled for years.

Less talked about is how warring factions of far-left progressives, pro-business centrists, libertarianleaning tech bros and old-fashioned liberals stymie any shot at progress. This four-way street snarls the prospect of agreement on even solvable problems. A meaningful bloc of residents still believes it isn’t right to remove obviously debilitated people, even if many are deranged and dangerous, from the sidewalks. Until these dynamics change, San Francisco will fail to grapple with its various crises. These challenges have been amply chronicled in the media, prompting

civic leaders to complain –wrongly, in my opinion – that the city merely has a PR problem. News outlets including the Economist, New York magazine, the Atlantic and the New York Times have piled on. A 20-year resident of San Francisco, I’d like to think I was ahead this curve with this grim assessment just before the pandemic: “Can San Francisco Be Saved?” (I was not optimistic.)

But I can see now that the city is far from finished. For starters, San Francisco has good bones: It’s a city of vast physical beauty, a gateway to Asia and a cultural mecca, whose talent-rich economy has supported multiple industries over many decades. The city has recovered from plunges before, and you can already see the seeds of the latest revival: No sooner had more than 200,000 layoffs hit the tech industry, San Francisco’s economic driver for two decades, another modern-day gold rush exploded. Today’s nuggets are source code for generative artificial intelligence, whose most important start-up, OpenAI (the creator of ChatGPT), has its headquarters in San Francisco’s Mission District.

AI entrepreneurs understand they must be at tech’s epicenter if they are to partake; the growing excitement will beget venture-capital billions, leading to new companies that employ a fresh crop of workers leading to whatever the 2024 iteration of free kombucha is. This isn’t conjecture. Venture capital investments in AI for the first five months of the year of $12.7 billion are nearly triple what they were in all of 2022.

Those companies will benefit from a Schumpeterian markdown of real estate prices. High-end office buildings are trading at steep discounts to the values attached to their mortgages. Two prominent hotels plan to

return the keys to their lenders. This is in no way a good thing, but it will create an opportunity for those who can envision new uses for the space. Tech companies, early adherents to exposed-brick-open-plan configurations, are ideally suited for this type of adaptation.

The real squalor in the city center, meanwhile, masks a resilient vibrancy in its neighborhoods. I live in Potrero Hill, 15 minutes from downtown and adjacent to thriving Mission Bay, home to a second campus of the University of California at San Francisco’s medical school, a fledgling biotechnology hub, and the arena where basketball’s Golden State Warriors play. Nearby is Dogpatch, a once down-inthe-mouth section of the waterfront where developers are revitalizing an old shipyard with retail, housing, restaurants and offices.

There is even reason for modest optimism about San Francisco’s politics. Voters booted school board members who focused more on renaming schools than educating the children in them. They also tossed Chesa Boudin, a district attorney who stressed a social-justice agenda over fighting crime. A ballot initiative last year delayed the next mayoral election to 2024, giving London Breed, an often hapless mayor who has shown little ability to deliver on her grandiose promises, extra time to get her act together.

Either way, there is a growing consensus that the current path is unsustainable, that something must change and that avoiding doom means being a bit tougher. That isn’t the San Francisco way, but it might need to be.

Adam Lashinsky is former executive editor of Fortune magazine and the author of “Inside Apple: How America’s Most Admired – and Secretive – Company Really Works.”

SF is a mess, but you’d be wrong to count it out

delta tunnel, Newsom should heed Dirty Harry’s sound advice

Dan Walters

Adam Lashinsky

George Skelton

‘Indiana Jones and the Dial of Destiny’ is a fitting if far-fetched finale

Michael O’Sullivan

THE WASHINGTON POST

Father Time casts his long shadow over “Indiana Jones and the Dial of Destiny,” and not just because the 42-year-old action-adventure franchise, now in its fifth installment, was already old-fashioned – a throwback to “Buck Rogers” and other serials of the 1930s – when “Raiders of the Lost Ark” debuted in 1981. Nor is that ticking of the clock that you hear merely echoed in the sound of news reports that this film will be the last outing for Harrison Ford (81 years old next month) in the title role, or that “Dial” marks the last film for composer John Williams, 91, whose instantly recognizable theme music can be heard through the new film. Franchise director Steven Spielberg, 76, has also finally ceded the reins to James Mangold (“Ford v Ferrari”), who makes a capable contribution to the canon here.

But in other ways large and small, the hands of the chronograph are spinning out of control.

First off is the film’s prologue set in World War II: a derring-do-heavy flashback on a speeding train in which we watch a digitally de-aged Indy – pleasantly plausible –once again facing Nazis as he did in both the first and third films, as he and a colleague, Basil Shaw (Toby Jones), attempt to make off with the titular artifact. Also known as the Antikythera mechanism, this clocklike device is said to have been designed by the ancient Greek mathematician Archimedes and to be capable of predicting “fissures in time.” (Don’t ask.) This putative ability will prove significant in the climax of the story by Jez Butterworth, John-Henry Butterworth, David Koepp and Mangold, a supernatural tale that stretches credulity, even

Daily Cryptoquotes

Here’s how to work it:

by the standards of an Indiana Jones movie.

Flash-forward to 1969, with a now-white-haired Indy – excuse me, Professor Jones – seen waking up from a nap (and perhaps that bad dream) to the sounds of the Beatles’ “Magical Mystery Tour,” appropriately enough, from a neighboring apartment. Indy collects himself and heads in to his office at Hunter College, from which he is retiring. But any quiet plans Indy might have for his golden years fly out the window with the appearance of two characters: Jürgen Voller (Mads Mikkelsen), a German rocket scientist now working on the U.S. space program, and Helena Shaw (Phoebe WallerBridge), the daughter of Basil and Indy’s goddaughter. Both of them seek to possess the highly prized Antikythera (which has been broken in half, with one half missing), albeit for different reasons: Voller, a fugitive Nazi, naturally, wants to “correct” Hitler’s mistakes; Helena, a cynic who traffics in collectible antiquities, just wants to sell the thing for whatever the market will bear.

And so begins another Indiana Jones movie, very much in the mold of every other Indiana Jones movie in that it quickly jumps from New York to the narrow streets of Tangier for a chase scene with Indy, Helena and her young ward Teddy (Ethann Isidore) in a tuk-tuk in hot pursuit of Voller and his thugs. Other exotic locales follow, including the tomb of Archimedes in

Sicily – an underground cave filled with “Da Vinci Code”like puzzles to be solved with minimal effort, an infestation of icky beetles and a funhouse-style secret stone door that slides open mysteriously, defying physics but obeying all the laws of entertainment.

Along the way, some loose ends are tied up, particularly as they apply to Shia LaBeouf’s character in the franchise, introduced in 2008’s “The Kingdom of the Crystal Skull,” who disappeared thereafter without explanation. A supporting character from the early franchise will reappear – more than one, actually – satisfying fans but adding little to the narrative, except in the case of the second cameo, which wraps up some unfinished emotional business in a serviceable but syrupy way.

Time does have a way of catching up with you, especially in a movie that appears to be bending over backward –literally at times – to put a bow on a beloved series of films, not all of which have been recognized as paragons of logic or storytelling.

With her tartly delivered dialogue, though, WallerBridge does bring a certain zest to the overly familiar proceedings, and – after initially being presented as sort of, well, unlikably mercenary and at times even heartless –Helena and Indy eventually develop a nice partnership, one forged via hardship, the necessities of narrative and a third-act plot development that pushes the limits of suspension of disbelief.

But critical thinking was never a prerequisite for appreciating an Indiana Jones movie. (It is, in fact, a detriment.) And this one is no exception. If “The Dial of Destiny” takes its cast somewhere far-fetched – and boy, does it ever – it makes sure to bring us all back to where we belong, just in time for the closing credits.

Word Sleuth

Crossword by Phillip Alder

Bridge

respectable hand with length and strength in the first suit bid -- here, clubs. It also reveals length in the unbid suits -- here, the majors. After East retreated to two diamonds (he had responded one diamond in the hope of improving the contract without falling overboard), what would you have done with that South hand?

Hoping his thin diamond holding would prove sufficiently strong, South jumped to three no-trump! It was the winning bid (though if he had settled for two no-trump, North probably would have raised).

BID BOLDLY, WIN

MORE POINTS

Your left-hand opponent opens one club, your partner passes, your right-hand opponent responds one diamond, you pass, LHO rebids one no-trump, and suddenly your partner comes out of the bushes with a double. What does this double mean?

To pass on the first round and then to double on the second round shows a

West led the diamond queen, trying to force out South’s stopper while retaining communication with his partner. South discarded the heart three from the dummy and ducked in his own hand. Now West switched in vain to hearts. Declarer finessed dummy’s queen before playing a club to his queen and West’s ace. Back came the heart king. Declarer won with dummy’s ace, cashed the club king, played a spade to his ace, finessed dummy’s club nine and had 10 tricks when the spades broke.

Oscar Wilde claimed, “The basis of action is lack of imagination. It is the last resource of those who know not how to dream.” Well, South showed no lack of imagination in this deal.

COPYRIGHT: 2023, UNITED FEATURE SYNDICATE

Sudoku by Wayne Gould

Bridge

6/29/23 BID BOLDLY, WIN

MORE POINTS

Fill in the grid so that every row, every column and every 3x3 grid contains the digits 1 through 9, with no repeats. That means that no number is repeated in any row, column or box. Solution, tips and computer program at www.sudoku.com

Your left-hand opponent opens one club, your partner passes, your right-hand opponent responds one diamond, you pass, LHO rebids one no-trump, and suddenly your partner comes out of the bushes with a double.

© 2023 Janric Enterprises Dist. by creators.com

Difficulty level: BRONZE

Yesterday’s solution:

MOVIE Review

Lucasfilm Ltd.

“Indiana Jones and the Dial of Destiny” opens with a sequence featuring a digitally de-aged Harrison Ford in the title role.

Are management cuts at TCM a sign of bad things to come?

Tribune ConTenT Agen

ATLANTA — Turner Classic Movies last week was the latest target in efforts by Warner Bros. Discovery to cut costs, and its future is now in question.

Despite several own ership changes, the venerated cable network, which Ted Turner launched in 1994, has largely kept to its original mission of honoring classic movies. It’s a beloved brand by its core fans, many who attend the annual TCM Classic Film Festival, which happens in Los Angeles in April.

But last week, TCM chief and 25-year veteran Pola Changnon lost her job, followed by several of her top managers. Overall staff was slashed from 90 to just 20, according to an unnamed insider who spoke to The Wrap, though many employees’ duties have been dispersed among multiple cable networks. Changnon’s duties have been placed in the hands of Warner Bros. Pictures bosses Michael De Luca and Pamela Abdy.

Warner Bros. Discovery chief David Zaslav, aware of the backlash, met with directors and TCM fans Steven Spielberg, Martin Scorsese and Paul Thomas Anderson to try to allay their concerns about changes at TCM.

“Turner Classic Movies has always been more than just a channel,” the trio of directors said in a joint statement. “It is truly a precious resource of cinema, open 24 hours a day seven days a week. And while it has never been a financial juggernaut, it has always been a profitable endeavor since its inception,” Spielberg, Scorsese and Anderson wrote in a joint statement following the conversation. “We have each spent time talking to David, separately and together, and it’s clear that TCM and classic cinema are very important to him. Our primary aim is to ensure that TCM’s programming is untouched and protected.”

The statement concluded with a positive tone: “We are heartened and encouraged by the conversations we’ve had thus far, and we are committed to working together to ensure the continuation of this cultural touchstone that we all treasure.” All cable networks

are in trouble with tens of millions of households cutting the cord over the past decade in favor of streaming services and online options like YouTube and TikTok. TCM, which runs no advertising, curates older movies with commentary from a series of hosts including Ben Mankiewicz, Alicia Malone and Dave Karger. Much of the commentary is taped in Midtown’s Warner Bros. Discovery Techwood campus, where TCM originated nearly three decades ago.

Karger posted a note on Twitter acknowledging the mess: “A note to our passionate TCM viewers: It’s been a tough week to say the least and I’m beyond heartbroken that we are losing so many brilliant colleagues who are also dear friends. I’ve seen all of your support online and it means so much to all of us. My goal (and I know the other hosts agree) is to try to be a stabilizing and familiar presence in the months ahead. There will be some bumps, but we will all be on the road together.”

S&P Global Market Intelligence estimates that TCM’s revenue will drop slightly to $252.7 million in 2023. Most of that comes from affiliate revenue, fees paid by cable providers to carry the network. TCM also has a hub on Max, the streaming service. But that site isn’t curated or run by anyone connected to TCM, according to The Wrap.

On air, TCM viewers won’t notice much change in the near term.

But the internal management cutbacks represent “an incredible loss of institutional knowledge,” wrote TV reporter Maureen Lee Lenker last

Pickles Brian Crane

Zits Jerry Scott and Jim Borgman

Pearls Before Swine Stephan Pastis

Candorville Darrin Bell

Baby Blues Rick Kirkman and Jerry Scott

Baldo Hector Cantú and Carlos Castellanos

Emma McIntyre/Getty Images for TCM/TNS

From left, actor Eva Marie Saint and TCM host Ben Mankiewicz attend the screening of “A Hatful of Rain” during the 2018 TCM Classic Film Festival in Hollywood.

p a r t m e n t o f F a i r E m p l o y m e n t a n d H o u s i n g i s t o p r ot e c t t h e p e o p l e o f C a l i f o r n i a f r o m u nl a w f u l d i s c r i m i n ation in employment h o u s i n g a n d p u b l i c a c c o m m o d a t i o n s T h e D a i l y R e p u b l i c w i l l n o t k n o w i n g l y accept any ad which is in violation of the F e d e r a F a i r H o u sing Act and the Calif o r n i a F a i r E m p l o ym e n t a n d H o u s i n g A c t w h i c h b a n d i sc r i m i n a t i o n b a s e d o n r a c e c o l o r n at i o n a l o r i g i n s e x r e l i g i o n s e x u a l o r i -

m

l i t y f

l i a l s t a t u s a n d m a r i t a l s t a t u s D e s c r i b e t h e P r o pe r t y N o t t h e T e n a n t

28 de junio de 2023

Departamento de Vivienda y Desarrollo Comunitario del Estado de California (State of California Department of Housing and Community Development, HCD) 2020 West El Camino Avenue, Oficina 200 Sacramento, CA 95833 (916) 263-6461 Estas notificaciones deberán satisfacer dos requisitos de procedimientos separados pero relacionados para que el Departamento de Vivienda y Desarrollo Comunitario emprenda actividades.

SOLICITUD PARA LA LIBERACIÓN DE FONDOS: En o alrededor del 14 de julio de 2023, el HCD enviará una solicitud al Departamento de Vivienda y Desarrollo Urbano (Department of Housing and Urban Development, HUD) para la liberación de los fondos de Subvención en Bloque para el Desarrollo Comunitario para la Recuperación de Desastres (Community Development Block Grant - Disaster Recovery, CDBG-DR) en virtud de la Ley de Derecho Público 117- 43, la Ley de Créditos Suplementarios Adicionales para la Asistencia en caso de Desastres (Additional Supplemental Appropriations for Disaster Relief Act) de 2022, en su forma enmendada, para emprender un proyecto conocido como Programa de Subvención en Bloque para el Desarrollo Comunitario para la Recuperación de Desastres y Mitigación de Viviendas Ocupadas por sus Propietarios de 2020 (CDBG-DR Owner-Occupied Housing Mitigation Grant (OOM)), con el propósito de suministrar subvenciones principalmente a los propietarios de viviendas de ingresos muy bajos, bajos y moderados que no sufrieron daños en los desastres por incendios forestales declarados federalmente pero que están en nueve de los condados elegibles incluyendo: Butte, Fresno, Los Angles, Napa, Santa Cruz, Shasta, Siskiyou, Solano, y Sonoma. El programa proporcionará asistencia de mitigación a los solicitantes elegibles. La asignación de 2020 para el Programa OOM es de aproximadamente $21,486,863.

CONCLUSIÓN DE IMPACTO NO SIGNIFICATIVO: El HCD ha determinado que el proyecto no tendrá un impacto significativo en el medio ambiente humano. Por lo tanto, no se requiere una Declaración de Impacto Ambiental en virtud de la Ley Nacional de Política Ambiental de 1969 (National Environmental Policy Act, NEPA). Existe información adicional del proyecto en el Registro Ambiental de Revisión (ERR, en inglés). El ERR será puesto a disposición del público para revisión ya sea de manera electrónica o mediante correo de los Estados Unidos. Por favor presente su solicitud por correo electrónico a DR-Enviro@hcd. ca.gov o vía correo de los Estados Unidos al California Department of Housing and Community Development, 2020 West El Camino Ave., Suite 200, Sacramento, CA 95833. El ERR puede verse en línea en el siguiente sitio web: https:// www.hcd.ca.gov/ grants-and-funding/ disaster-recovery and-mitigation/ environmental compliance-dr-oor COMENTARIOS PÚBLICOS: Cualquier persona, grupo o agencia podrá presentar comentarios escritos al ERR a Jessica Hayes Disaster Recovery Branch Chief, California Department of Housing and Community Development, 2020 West El Camino Ave., Suite 200, Sacramento, CA 95833 o por correo electrónico a DR-Enviro@hcd.ca.gov. Todos los comentarios recibidos al 13 de julio de 2023 serán considerados por el HCD antes de autorizar la presentación de una solicitud para liberar fondos. Los comentarios deben hacer referencia a Programa CDBG-DR OOM de 2020, NOI/ RROF, y/o FONSI.

CERTIFICACIÓN AMBIENTAL: El HCD certifica al HUD que Jessica Hayes, en su capacidad como Jefa de Sucursal de Recuperación de Desastre presta consentimiento para aceptar la competencia de los Tribunales Federales si se presenta una acción para exigir las responsabilidades en relación con el proceso de revisión ambiental y que dichas responsabilidades han sido cumplidas. La aprobación por parte del HUD de la certificación cumple sus responsabilidades de acuerdo con NEPA y leyes y autoridades relacionadas y permite al HCD usar fondos del Programa.

OBJECIONES A LA LIBERACIÓN DE FONDOS: El HUD aceptará a la certificación del HCD por un período de quince días luego de la fecha anticipada de presentación o su recepción de la solicitud (la que sea más tarde) solo si existe uno de los siguientes fundamentos: (a) la certificación no fue firmada por el Funcionario Certificante del HCD; (b) el HCD ha omitido un paso o no ha tomado una decisión o conclusión requerida por las regulaciones del HUD, detalladas en el Título 24 del CFR parte 58; (c) el receptor del subsidio u otros participantes en el proceso de desarrollo han comprometido fondos, incurrido en costos o llevado a cabo actividades no autorizadas por el Título 24 del CFR Parte 58 antes de la aprobación de la liberación de fondos por parte del HUD; u (d) otra agencia federal que actúa de acuerdo con el Título 40 del CFR Parte 1504 ha presentado una conclusión escrita de que el proyecto no es satisfactorio desde el punto de vista de calidad ambiental. Las objeciones deben prepararse y presentarse de acuerdo con los procedimientos requeridos en el (Título 24 del CFR Parte 58, Sec. 58.76) y deben ser enviadas a la Oficina Local de la División de Recuperación de Desastres y Cuestiones Especiales de la Oficina de Campo de San Francisco del HUD al siguiente correo electrónico disaster_ recovery@hud. gov. Los potenciales objetores deberán contactar al HUD vía correo electrónico para verificar el último día real del período de objeción. Jessica Hayes Jefa de Sucursal de Recuperación de Desastres.

CNSB#3708069

DR#00063974

Published: June 28, 2023

entered or the court makes further orders They are enforceable anywhere in California by any law enforcement officer who has received or seen a copy of them

AVISO-LAS ORDENES DE RESTRICCION SE ENCUENTRAN EN LA PAGINA 2: Las ordenes de restriccion estan en vigencia en cuanto a ambos conyuges o miembros de la pareja de hecho hasta que se despida la peticion se emita un fallo o la corte de otras ordenes Cualquier agencia del orden publico que haya recibido o visto una copia de estas ordenes puede hacerias acatar en cualquier lugar de California

FEE WAIVER: If you cannot pay the filing fee ask the clerk for a fee waiver form The court may order you to pay back all or part of the fees and costs that the court waived for you or the other party EXENCION DE CUOTAS: Si no puede pagar la cuota de presentacion, pida al secretario un formulario de exencion de cuotas La corte puede ordenar que usted pague, ya sea en parte o por completo las cuotas y costas de la corte previamente exentos a peticion de usted o de la otra parte

1 The name and address of the court are (El nombre y direccion de la corte son):

Attn: Family Dept 1773 Highway 58 Mojave CA 93501

2 The name address and telephone number of the petition er s attorney or the petitioner without an attorney, are: (El nombre,

to the following businesses for suppor ting literacy in Solano County by being a sponsor in the Daily Republic’s “Newspapers In Education” program. NIE provides sponsored newspapers for teachers in Solano County to use as an educational resource in the classroom.

Anderson & Associates, CPA’s

Downtown Theater Foundation for the Ar ts Jelly Belly Candy Company

Jim Stever Realty - Stever & Associates

Law Office of Elizabeth Anderson Medic Ambulance Ser vice

Meyer Corporation

Michael J. McMurry CPA

Napa Solano Medical Society

Operating Engineers Local Union No. 3

Salvation Army - Suisun City, KROC Center

Vogelpohl Real Estate Consulting & Sales Yin McDonald’s

Gar y Falati - State Farm Insurance

Network Independent Mor tgage Broker Upscale Boutique

Matos takes flight with fellow Venezuelans keeping eye on him

Evan WEbEck BAY AREA NEWS GROUP

TORONTO — Luis

Matos isn’t a Star Wars fan.

The Giants rookie hasn’t seen the movies. But, he said, the most enjoyable part of his second day in the major leagues was riding all the attractions in Star Wars: Galaxy’s Edge, the recently opened exhibit at Disneyland.

Why’s that?

Teammates Wilmer Flores and Thairo Estrada were right there by his side.

“It meant a lot,” Matos said this week in Spanish.

“I just happened to go because that’s where Thairo and Flores went. … It was the first day I was actually able to spend time with them. We had a great time.”

At one point in their careers, Estrada and Flores were in the same place as Matos: precocious young Venezuelans, living far away from home, suddenly the new face in a major league clubhouse. So, when the Giants began planning a team trip to Disneyland on their off day last week in Los Angeles, they knew what to do.

“I know how it is,” Estrada said in Spanish. “We decided that all three of us would go together so that he knows that he has us to be around.”

Flores said, “Being a young guy, especially from Venezuela, we’re trying to make him feel as comfortable as possible. Anything he wants to ask, anything I need him to know, I tell him.”

By all appearances, Matos has had no trouble fitting in despite his young age and rapid ascension through the minor leagues.

At 21 years old, Matos is the second-youngest position player in the majors. He arrived with just 55 games above Single-A under his belt. When he recorded his first bigleague homer on Saturday, he became the youngest Giants player to leave the yard since Matt Williams in 1987, 15 years before Matos was born.

Thrust into the spotlight at Dodger Stadium, Matos didn’t just draw three walks in one game. He bat flipped after them.

Giants

From Page B1

striking out seven. After walking four batters in his last start, Wood didn’t issue a single free pass Tuesday.

It took the work of Tyler Rogers to extinguish a fire in the seventh, though. Wood shut down Toronto’s lineup from the second through the sixth, but the first batter of the seventh, Daulton Varsho, ripped a leadoff double. Two sacrifices would have been enough to tie the score, but Rogers made Danny Jansen and Cavan Biggio look foolish to record the final two outs of the inning by strikeout, stranding

MLB

From Page B1

Japan, and Taiwan. A Paris series is possible for 2025.

London Series, London Stadium, is a facility without a roof, and so too is the site MLB is measuring to host Paris games.

The only player in franchise history to score as many runs as Matos in his first 10 games has a statue outside Oracle Park.

“I guess there’s your actual age and then there’s your baseball age,” Giants veteran starter Alex Cobb said. “He just looks far beyond his years as a rookie or a 21-year-old in terms of, we talk about it with (Patrick) Bailey, the calmness, the demeanor. With Matos, you see it in center field, the calmness going after balls. The awareness of his surroundings. And then at the plate, he just has insane plate discipline for a guy his age.”

One key to his quick acclimation was his invite to big-league spring training this year. For the first time in his life, Matos suited up and trained with the same players and staff he would join in short order, less than two months into the season. Walking into the clubhouse inside St. Louis’ Busch Stadium, Matos remarked to Flores how many familiar faces he recognized.

Estrada also was 21 when he earned his first invite to big-league camp with the Yankees, eventually making his major-league debut at 23. Back then, it was Starlin Castro, Ronald Torreyes and Luis Severino who showed him the ropes. Since arriving in San Francisco, Estrada has struck up a similar relationship with Flores, who he called his “big brother.” Well, consider Estrada the middle child now.

“I had people that

Varsho at third, recording his 19th scoreless appearance in 22 outings since the start of May.

With the addition of Wood, the Giants have more starters pitching out of relief (six on Tuesday) than they do in their rotation (Logan Webb and Alex Cobb are seemingly the only two assured starts every fifth day). That has meant frequent usages of openers such as Walker, who became the first pitcher since 1966 to pitch three games in a row and start two of them.

The Giants improved to 10-3 in games without a traditional starter.

Balking it up: The one freebie Toronto got against Wood came in the third

Now it’s more like asking them questions about the pitchers that we face –what they throw, how the ball moves, how should I attack them?”

The best piece of advice, according to Matos: Be yourself.

“It’s just mainly to make sure that he enjoys the game,” Estrada said. “When you first get to the big leagues, it’s like the game is just so fast for you. So what we’re trying to do is slow it down for him just a little bit … It’s not easy for somebody to come in and do what he’s doing. He’s doing like he’s been doing it forever.”

helped me when I started, fellow countrymen that helped me learn the ways here,” Estrada said. “For me, it’s an honor to be able to pay back and guide him the right way to do things the right way here.”

Ten years ago, Flores was a 21-year-old rookie with the New York Mets.

“I wish when I was 21 I had the eye at the plate that he has,” Flores said, letting out a laugh. Eleven games into his major-league career, Matos still has more walks (six) than strikeouts (four).

“I got to the big leagues and I was just swinging at everything, trying to make things happen.”

Of course, there is going to be a learning curve for any rookie.

Take Matos’ game on Saturday, for example.

Before his home run, he was picked off first base and missed the cutoff man on a throw from right field, allowing two runners to advance into scoring position.

Matos has another good quality in him, then.

“He asks a lot of questions,” Estrada said. “Things that he does, he wants to know if there’s a better way to do it.”

When possible, the elder statesmen try to provide an answer.

“Thairo and Flores are the ones that are basically taking me under their wings, telling me what to do, what not to do,” Matos said. “When I first got here, what they helped me with was showing me the ropes, how everything was done here in the big leagues.

inning, when he was called for an initially confusing balk. With Brandon Belt at the plate, Wood appeared to have gotten the third out of the inning, getting Belt to roll over on a ground ball to second base, and Giants players headed back to their dugout. But Blue Jays third base coach Luis Rivera began protesting, players retook their positions and Belt stepped back into the batter’s box.

Wood was called for a balk, advancing Bo Bichette to third base, and giving him a 3-2 count on Belt. He struck him out on the next pitch, ending the inning, and flipped his glove toward either the Blue Jays dugout or home plate umpire, clearly per-

The Cardinals, who will play in Birmingham, Ala., at Rickwood Field in 2024 against the San Francisco Giants, are interested in a series in Japan. They have a working relationship with the Orix Buffaloes, where

So Taguchi is a coach in Japan’s highest league, and outfielder Lars Nootbaar was a breakout player and media star for Team Japan in the World Baseball Classic.

Fewer games on the schedule would give the schedule (and those MLB World Tour visits) room to breathe – and players room to roam.

Flores said, “He’ll be here a long time. We’re going to have a lot of talks.”

“It’s like the new kid in school,” Estrada added. “He hangs out with us and hopefully he can glean all that experience that Wilmer has and then he can be a superstar himself.”

Question corner

What advice would Giants veterans give to their 21-year-old teammate?

Alex Cobb: “I think that when guys come up now, they have a better plan and that plan is better-suited for the big leagues. That would be my only suggestion. I wouldn’t touch that. I would just suggest that when the challenges and the slumps and the struggles happen that you maintain what got you here. The same mindset. The same plate discipline. If you have a certain pitch that you’re looking for, you stay with that. When things are going bad, you tend to press a little bit too much and start getting out of your game plan. That’s how you fail over the long term.”

LaMonte Wade Jr.:

“I would tell him to find a good routine and find a routine that works for him. Just stay consistent within your routine and not try to do much. Stay within yourself and just remember that it’s a game. You’re gonna have your ups and downs but just stick the course and as long as you continue to put in the work, everything should be good.”

turbed by the incident.

The more consequential balk came later against Gausman, though.

Thairo Estrada gave the Giants their first hit of the evening with a soft single to right field with one out in the fifth, then stole second base (his 18th of the season, fifthmost in the NL). That put him in scoring position for Patrick Bailey, but it’s all for naught without a balk on Gausman that advanced him to third. That forced the Blue Jays infield in, and Bailey snuck a line drive just over the glove of first baseman Vladimir Guerrero Jr. for an RBI double down the line.

When traveling to Asia or Australia for regularseason games, teams have done so at the beginning of seasons, while other clubs are still in spring training. The result is a chance to visit, sightsee and recover. Thus far, Europe presents another puzzle. The seasons and “weather is a really limiting factor,” Manfred said. The current home to the

Alumni

From Page B1

Dodgers Sunday. Gonsolin allowed four earned runs – two by way of home run –had one walk and struck out three. He finished with a no decision as the Dodgers were able to take a 3-2 lead before eventually falling to the Astros 6-5 in 11 innings. The former Bulldog and Saint Mary’s Gael is now 4-2 for the Dodgers with a 3.30 ERA in 11 starts and 57 1/3 innings. He has 46 strikeouts.

n n n

Devereaux Harrison (Vacaville) is a 22-yearold right-handed starting making waves for the Vancouver Canadians, the High-A affiliate of the Toronto Blue Jays. Harrison started and went five innings Sunday in Oregon against the Eugene Emeralds. He allowed six hits, one earned run – a home run– walked one and had five strikeouts. It ended with a no decision as the Emeralds rallied for

All-Star

From Page B1 at the Tri-Valley Little League complex in Cordelia. The Saturday games feature Napa American

The weather factor puts series in Europe during summer, in the middle of the regular season, and leaves teams like the Cubs and Cardinals a limited window to do more more than play the games. The Cardinals had a scheduled dinner cruise Thursday, an optional gala on Friday, and two games before leaving London on Sunday evening. Players made time for tourism when they could, and if anything, the players suggested that they had to rush to do so. More time in London would have opened up possibility of other events with players, such as clinics, and given them time to do more than a 72-hour sprint through one of the world’s largest cities and then back home to another series.

“We like the start-theseason idea because it does give you flexibility in spring training, it gives players time to recover after travel,” Manfred said. “Absolutely necessary going to Asia. We see Europe differently.”

a 6-4 win over the visiting Canadians. Unless he pitches some time before Friday, Harrison finished up a great month of June. He notched three wins with a 0.78 ERA over 23 innings. The former Bulldog and Long Beach State Dirtbag allowed just two earned runs to go with 20 strikeouts.

n n n

Carson Strong (Will C. Wood) finished up his USFL season with the Michigan Panthers. Strong, in a backup role at quarterback, played in four games and was 31-of-49 passing for 266 yards and one touchdown. Michigan lost to the Pittsburgh Maulers 31-27 in overtime over the weekend in the North Division final. The Panthers finished their regular season 4-6 overall. Strong had a standout collegiate career at the University of Nevada but went undrafted by the NFL. He was given free agent opportunities with the Philadelphia Eagles and Arizona Cardinals.

against Fairfield Atlantic at 10 a.m. and Napa National against St. Helena at 1 p.m. Sunday's game pits Benicia against Tri-Valley at 1, Vallejo against Suisun at 1 and Sonoma, American Canyon at 3.

Jane Tyska/Bay Area News Group San Francisco Giants center fielder Luis Matos heads to the dugout in the eighth inning of their MLB game against the San Diego Padres at Oracle Park in San Francisco, Monday.

0 in; 0 in; Black Only; 00064264; HOUSE ADS