Winters Express: Wednesday, February 21, 2024

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Winters, Yolo County, California, Wednesday, February 21, 2024

Projects provide opportunities, experiences

By Crystal Apilado Editor-in-Chief Winters High School students who participate in the FFA and agriculture-related classes have an opportunity to learn career basics by executing projects whether for their SAE (Supervised

Joel Barrera’s welding project was entered into competion and an auction at the Yolo County Fair in August.

Courtesy photo

Agricultural Experience) project, competition opportunities or Senior Capstone selection.

The SAE project allows seniors to explore and showcase their work ethic and dedication to their agricultural education.

Similarly, the WHS Se-

nior Capstone Project challenges students to find personal growth and an opportunity to go out of their comfort zones by organizing a project.

Senior Capstone and SAE projects must be completed outside of class time and have a specified amount of hours that must be spent on them. Students must also present and undergo an interview about their projects with a panel. Between the two, FFA students gain experience and can further look into a career path through executing these projects.

The range of potential projects isn’t limited and can range across ag mechanics, floral, and plant-related sciences. Winters FFA Vice Presi-

EXPRESS

Volume 141, Number 03 — Locally-owned since 1884

“It allows our students to learn life skills that can’t be taught in a classroom.”

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Chase Hamilton, Winters High School Class of 2023, saw his Senior Capstone Project mounted at the football field. dent Allison Aguiar said students gain knowledge and skills through the experience of “learning hard work and understanding how to work with a multitude of different crops and machinery.”

“It teaches students life skills outside of ag

skills,” Aguiar said.

“It allows our students to learn life skills that can’t be taught in a classroom.”

This year, senior ag students Finn Yarnes and Buck Boykin are hosting a Fabrication Contest for high school agriculture

Allison Aguiar, FFA Vice President

mechanics students across California on March 1 for their Senior Capstone. The contest, held at the Winters Pacific Gas & Electric Co. Training Facility, invites high school students to enter in teams of four to

See PROJECTS, Page 7

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A2 — Winters Express, Wednesday, February 21, 2024

Students shine in public speaking, competition

By Crystal Apilado Editor-in-Chief FFA chapters across the country are celebrating National FFA Week Feb. 17–24.

Winters FFA members are hosting spirit days and events to share with other Winters High School students about the impact the organization has on its members and about the possible opportunities available.

Since its inception in 1955, the Winters FFA program has expanded and offered different hands-on opportunities and experiences for students in agriculture, business, public speaking, leadership and more.

Beyond the business and agricultural skills obtained from opportunities to raise livestock, work on the farm, and ag mechanic projects, Winters FFA members continue to thrive in competition both in the arena and in leadership and public speaking conferences.

Rocking the iconic blue corduroy jacket, Winters FFA members have achieved multiple top placements this school year, as well as fine-tuned their communication and social skills.

Although most may look to FFA officers as campus leaders, all students who participate in the different types of competitions available have the opportunity to experience personal growth and strengthen their inner informal leadership skills.

Freshmen can dive in feet first by practicing public

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Allison Aguiar was elected to serve as the Yolo Section Secretary for the 2023-2024 school year. speaking skills in the National FFA Creed Speaking Leadership Development Event. FFA members recite the FFA Creed from memory and answer questions related to it to test their ability to communicate professionally and build upon their self-confidence.

Sophomore Isabelle Guzman said the experience has helped her find confidence in herself.

“It helped me realize that I like socializing with different people. I was thrown into situations where I didn’t know anyone else and I would have to start talking,” Guzman said. “It made me realize that public speaking isn’t as scary as it’s made out to be and it’s exciting.”

Other competitions include the Impromptu public speaking career development competition where

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students learn how to speak on the fly and make a sound and cohesive speech without full-on planning, and the Job Interview where students pretend to apply for a job and gain skills they may find useful when they start applying for careers roles.

Sophomore Jackson Bronson said public speaking is a big part of personal development for FFA students.

He said before the pandemic, he used to be more social.

However, when the world shut down, he “became a complete shut-in.”

“When I joined FFA, it gave me a chance to rediscover (myself) and grow as a public speaker and a person, and develop my performance and speaking skills that I lost due to the COVID years,” Bronson said.

Not only is public speaking a valuable skill, but the experience of answering questions in front of a panel of judges and learning how to accept feedback are vital tools for students to have before going down a career path. Winters FFA Vice President Allison Aguiar said the competition provides a multitude of benefits.

“Learning how to public speak about not just the ag industry but also being professional and understanding how to take criticism and how to improve as a person,” Aguiar said.

Outside of public speaking skills, FFA students gain valuable life experience by going to competitions. Many students get to experience

Courtesy photo

This year’s Water Issues team included Rylie Hurst, Bianca DyerGonzales, Allison Aguiar, Emily Dodic; back: Jackson Bronson, Melissa Mora, Celeste Reyes and Selina Covarrubias. air flight and travel for the first time, as well as experiencing life outside of Winters.

Ranking among the best Following her October 2022 first-place ranking in the national in the Individual Ag Sales Contest at the National FFA Convention, Aguiar continues to prove her mettle in the competition.

Earlier this month, Aguiar placed second Individual in State out of more than 118 competitors in Fresno at the State Finals. And, the Water Issues Team placed fourth in the State out of 28 teams On Feb. 7, Winters FFA members competed at the Yolo Section Speaking Contest at River City High School, where the Top Three in each division moved onto the regional level competition on March 8.

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Impromptu

• Jackson Bronson placed second • Izabelle Guzman placed fourth

Extemporaneous Speaking

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Job Interview

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Prepared Public Speaking

• Allison Aguiar placed first • Bianca Dyer-Gonzalez placed second • Eden Miller placed fourth.

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Awareness of stressors during adolescent development Health, Page 6

including tax

Meet the Yolo Superior Court judge candidates Features, Page 1

Volume 141, Number 03 — Locally-owned since 1884

Turkovich is Agriculturalist of the Year

By Angela Underwood Express correspondent

Courtesy photo

Assembly Majority Leader Cecilia Aguiar-Curry presents Tony Turkovich with an assembly resolution for being named the 2024 Agriculturist of the Year by the Yolo County Farm Bureau. and farming for the past 48 years,” Turkovich said. “My son, Michael, has contributed greatly as a manager for the past 13 years, and many loyal, hard-working employees who worked with us all these years have all contributed greatly to our success.”

Not to mention his other son Christopher and daughter-inlaw Luciana, who Turkovich calls the “heart and soul of the winery.”

Though Turkovich may give all the glory away, if it were

See TURKOVICH, Page 5

School district addresses absenteeism, hosts family engagement night Express correspondent Showing up consistently matters, and that means every day.

This motto is the foundation of an attendance campaign at Winters Joint Unified School District according to Jenny Pinedo, Director of Special Education, who said the campaign’s slogan “Every Day Matters” is a simple yet powerful message underscoring the importance of daily education and its potential to make a meaningful difference in a student’s life.

That begins with the families or guardians responsible for

sending the student to school. According to Pinedo, the pandemic threw off the relationship between families and administrators. As students struggled with remote learning and disruptions in daily learning, Pinedo said families were encouraged to remain away from campus.

“Now we are trying to reestablish relationships and family engagement with the school site,” Pinedo said.

Changing health recommendations and confusion around isolation requirements can also affect attendance rates, which is why knowledge is power.

Index Features ........................ B-1

Weather High

Low

Feb. 14 TRACE

61˚

42˚

Feb. 15

0.13”

59˚

46˚

Feb. 16

.00

64˚

46˚

Feb. 17

TRACE

60˚

48˚

Eventos hispanos ....... B-6

Feb. 18

0.85”

56˚

49˚

Feb. 19

0.75”

64˚

49˚

Opinion ......................... B-3

Feb. 20

0.51”

62˚

48˚

Real Estate ................... B-2

Rain for week: 2.24 in.

Season’s total: 19.50 in.

Last sn. to date: 23.56 in.

Community .................. B-6

Sports ........................... B-7

Date

“We combat this by making every effort to have clear and frequent communication with families, family engagement events, and making ourselves available to answer questions whenever possible,” Pinedo said.

Those questions can be answered by Parents Engagement Coordinators Maricarmen Suarez and Humberto Jimenez, who educate parents on requirements and resources regarding strong student attendance.

“The heavy lift of developing this attendance campaign and getting it off the ground is being done by our Parent Engage-

ment Coordinators,” Pinedo said. “There is an ongoing necessity for collaboration among students, parents, teachers, and administrators.”

That collaboration comes to a head on Tuesday, Feb, 27, at Parent Engagement Night. Winters High School is hosting multiple family sessions on topics ranging from attendance to college readiness.

“Parent engagement nights play a crucial role in emphasizing the importance of attendance,” Jimenz said.

“Addressing parents directly, schools can share insights on the

See SCHOOL, Page 5

Winters City Manager Jeremy Craig announced a Cannabis Public Workshop will be hosted on Feb. 27 at 6:30 p.m. in the Council chambers. The informational workshop is a joint session of the Winters City Council and Planning Commission.

HDL and Companies will present the current state of the cannabis industry in California and will review options the city of Winters may consider if the cannabis industry is allowed to conduct business within city limits. HDL will also answer questions from councilmembers, commissioners and the public.

The goal of the workshop is to share information and receive input from the commu-

nity. No action will be taken at the meeting.

Craig told the Express that the regularly scheduled Planning Commission meeting for Feb. 27 would be canceled.

If seating in the council chamber exceeds capacity, overflow seating will be available in the large conference room next door.

“The chamber is the only area where we have AV and Zoom capabilities to be able to record the meeting and make it available on the website,” Craig said of the location selection.

Once finalized, the meeting information agenda and details will be posted on the city website at www. cityofwinters.org. The recording of the meeting will be posted later in the week.

Yolo County Housing announces El Rio improvements Express staff On Tuesday, the Housing Authority of the County of Yolo, also known as Yolo County Housing, announced its dedication to establishing and maintaining quality affordable housing and providing support for residents within its service area, including the El Rio community in Winters.

The El Rio Villas, two miles from the center of Winters, is one of the oldest developments owned by Yolo County Housing and is being revitalized with improvements to the aging infrastructure, landscaping, youth activities and more.

Public housing units are one of Yolo County Housing’s main programs. There are 431 total throughout the County, including 124 units in the El Rio Villas. HUD provides minimal op-

erating and capital improvement funding for these units, so like many programs and projects in Yolo County, YCH collaborates with various partners throughout the County to invest in communities. In 2023, Yolo County Housing partnered with many agencies to support improvements at El Rio Villas to demonstrate its commitment to the community.

The El Rio community was first established as El Rio Villa I in 1951, expanded with El Rio Villa II in 1962, grew again with El Rio Villa III in 1988, and finalized to the size and community that we know today with El Rio Villa IV’s expansion in 1992.

As with aging infrastructure, most of the existing water lines throughout the property needed repair.

See HOUSING, Page 5

County offers unemployment webinar for employers

Rain

Classifieds ................... B-4

City hosts Cannabis public workshop Express staff

It was just a matter of time before Tony Turkovich would become the Yolo County Farm Bureau Agriculturalist of the Year. The award, not to be taken lightly, recognizes the leading agriculturalist in California.

The Yolo County Farm Bureau is the Golden State’s biggest group of 58 county agencies that make up 78,000 agricultural, associate and collegiate members in 56 counties.

Needless to say, a rancher like Turkovich has been on the bureau’s radar for a while.

Lucas Frerichs, Yolo County Supervisor District 2, said he was not surprised when he heard Turkovich was named the top agriculturalist.

“He is a leader for many reasons — including his decades of work and contributions to the agricultural sector of Yolo County,” Frerichs said. “Tony is also a recognized community leader, as well, seen in his service on the Winters Fire Protection District Board since 1985 exemplifies Tony’s longtime dedication to the Greater Winters community.”

Accepting the notable honor is hard for Turkovich, a humble farmer and owner of Turkovich Family Wines, who attributes all success and honor to his close clan.

“It starts with Joanie, who has been my partner in life

By Angela Underwood

The hometown paper of David Denebeim

Winters, Yolo County, California, Wednesday, February 21, 2024

Winters rainfall season began 7/1/23.

Weather readings are taken at 9 a.m. daily by local weatherman Joe Bristow.

Express staff YoloWorks!, the Yolo County Workforce Innovation Board, and the Yolo County Health and Human Services Agency have collaborated with the California Employers Association to offer a series of free informational webinars for businesses in Yolo County.

The second webinar in the series, “Unemployment Do’s & Don’ts,” will convene virtually on Feb. 22, from 10 to 11 a.m.

This webinar will specifically address crucial topics relevant to employers dealing with

unemployment. Yolo County employers interested in participating can register online at www.Tinyurl.com/YC222 or visit www.YoloWorks.org for more information.

Attendees will learn how to successfully navigate unemployment claims and: • How to decide if you should dispute a claim or not • What information should you include when responding to a claim • How to prepare for an unemployment hearing • The values of witnesses and

witness statements Yolo County employers are also invited to register for these upcoming YoloWorks! webinars:

Communicate Like a Leader • March 21 from 10 to 11 a.m.

• http://tinyurl.com/YC321

What is ChatGPT and Why Should I Be Paying Attention?

• April 30 from 10 to 11 a.m.

• http://tinyurl.com/YC43024 For information, contact Erica.Johnson@YoloCounty.org, call or text 530-631-2289, or visit www.YoloWorks.org.

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YESTERYEAR

A4 — Winters Express, Wednesday, February 21, 2024

The Warriors championship coaching staff in 1994 were (from left) physical trainer Jim Stark, head coach Jack Delbar, linebacker coach Jerry Smith and defensive coordinator Arn Williams. Maybe Arn should contact the San Francisco 49ers and offer to help with their special teams next year.

130 Years Ago February 24, 1894

About 10 o'clock last night, the hay warehouse belonging to the Grangers' Association was destroyed by fire, together with about 150 tons of hay stored in the building. The origin of the fire is not known, but the general theory is that it was accidentally set by some man who had crawled in the hay to sleep. The building was uninsured.

A number of the lady members of the Library Association met last Saturday in the rooms which are soon to be opened for a public library and reading rooms. They decided to collect as rapidly as possible, all articles of furniture and all books and papers which have been donated by different parties, and arrange the rooms for an opening by first of March.

Sam Montgomery finished plowing and seeding on the Goodyear and Bonney tracts east of town on Thursday of last week.

He has plowed and planted 1205 acres to wheat, and has excellent prospects for a big crop.

"And the band played Annie Rooney."

The boys composing the Winters Band paraded the principal streets last Thursday afternoon and discoursed some very good music. When it is known that the band has been in existence only about three months, and has been without a regular instructor, the progress

Years Ago Dispatches from the Express archives.

made by the members is very creditable.

A surprise party was tendered Frank Duprey, by a number of his young friends, on Friday evening of last week. Following are the names of the masters and misses who were in attendance: Misses Mamie Hill, Lulu Schuster, Susie Dunton, Carrie Womack, May Babcock, Grace Spaulding, May Baker, Laura Hanson, Ruby and Hazel Spaulding, Estella Duprey, Della Doll. Masters Charlie Wolfe, Edwin Rust, Charlie Moody, Earl Womack, Everett Tubbs, Wert Martin, Henry Campbell, Elmer Tubbs, Art Campbell, Aleck Mitchell, Chas. Downey, Tom Smith, Frank Durprey, Willie Doll.

95 Years Ago

February 22, 1929 Farm Advisor Norton has made arrangements to test thermometers at the Fruit Exchange on Tuesday, February 26.

The Hoon Implement Company, handling the John Deere line, has opened a store in Winters in the old Betz corner opposite the depot.

The roads commit-

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Crystal Apilado, Editor-in-Chief Fred Gladdis, Special Editor Sydney Andrade, Staff Writer Amelia Biscardi, Staff Writer Aaron Geerts, Staff Writer David DeLeon, Advertising Director Taylor Buley, Publisher-at-Large Charles R. Wallace, Publisher Emeritus

tee of the Winters Exchange Club has petitioned the Yolo and Solano Boards of Supervisors for a survey for the Sacramento Valley west side highway routing survey.

The old hotel property in Esparto, after standing untenanted for a number of years, has been purchased

by Dr. M.O. Wyatt and R.F. Wyatt.

Herold and Niemann report the sale of four cars this week: a coach to Robert Moore, coach to F.L. Demaree, truck to E. L. Dexter and a sedan to Charles Hamakawa.

Mr. and Mrs. W.B. Young and daughter Miss Vivian, spent the week end in Yosemite Valley and at Merced.

Frank Judy is one of six members of the Argonaut staff who were awarded Argonaut pins recently. The Argonaut is the publication of the Associated Students of the University of Idaho.

Mrs. Vernon Herold has been assisting

Lake Berryessa water levels down Express staff The water level of Lake Berryessa went up during the past week by 2.45 feet, with an increase in the storage of 44,311 acrefeet of water, according to Ken Emigh of the Solano Irrigation District. On the morning of Tuesday, Feb. 20, the lake level was 433.45 feet above sea level, with storage computed at 1,430,021 acre-feet of water. Evaporation on the lake averaged 21 acre-feet of water per day. The SID is diverting 55 cubic feet per second of water in the Putah South Canal, with 125 cubic feet per second flowing at the Diversion Dam.

Public Safety Report City of Winters

Fire

in the offices of the Winters Dried Fruit Co., taking the place of Mrs. Leroy Fenley who has been at home nursing a case of the flu.

The last Friday in March is school election day. Mr. Sidwell's term expires on the grammar school board and Mr. Griffin on the high school board. Both men have served the community long and well. Both, however, declare they are not candidates for re-election.

80 Years Ago

February 25, 1944 A deal has just been completed for the sale of the Mrs. Mabel Holladay ranch to Joe R. Ramos. This ranch is one of the finer almond orchards of the area and the largest.

It comprises 220 acres.

Purchase was made from the Capital Company through C. David Baxter, local real estate broker.

The 320 acre ranch known as the Harry Huston Chickahominy Ranch, north of town, owned by Mrs. Fred Partain has been sold to Private Edward Sykes who is stationed overseas with the Army Air Corps.

Purchase was made through the real estate office of C. David Baxter.

The Winters Fire Log will return soon.

Check for updates at https://cityofwinters.org/157/Fire.

Police Arrest Log Feb. 11: Stewart, Joseph Elijah (Age 24); Charges: Violation of Court Order, Inflict corporal injury on spouse/ cohabitant/dating; Disposition: Transported to Yolo County Jail

Report Log Feb. 7: 4:21 p.m., 600th block of Creekside Way, Burglary Feb. 8: 10 a.m., Railroad Avenue/ Wolfskill Street, Outside Agency Assist ~12:43 p.m., 100th block of E. Baker Street, CPS referral ~2:17 p.m., 100th block of E. Grant Avenue, Fraud

~4:53 p.m., 400th block of Griffin Way, Animal Related Incident Feb. 9: 1:57 p.m., 100th block of E. Grant Avenue, Fraud ~11:22 p.m., 40th block of Main Street, Vehicle Towed Feb. 10: 6:52 a.m., 400th block of Anderson Avenue, Burglary ~8:05 a.m., 400th block of Third Street, Burglary ~9:41 p.m., 300th block of Railroad Avenue, Hit and Run ~9:49 a.m., 200th block of Railroad Avenue, Audible Alarm ~5:46 p.m., 400th block of Main Street, Fraud ~6:53 p.m., 400th block of Abbey Street, Petty Theft For our editorial policy on crime log entries, see winters express.com/unpub lishing-policy.

The Express is looking for the first Winters baby born after the stroke of Midnight on Jan. 1, 2024.

Enter online https://bit.ly/3NFxtyn.

Obituary Isabel R. Martinez Isabel R. Martinez, of Arbuckle, age 91, passed away peacefully in her home on Sunday, Feb. 11, 2024.

Isabel was born on Aug. 26, 1932 to Juan and Teresa Ramos in EL Marchal, Spain.

Isabel moved to California at the age of 15.

She married the love of her life, John Martinez, at the age of 19.

In 1956 they moved to Arbuckle and began farming. Isabel and

John had three sons, Bobby (Debbie), Gene (Margie) and Steve (Lela) Martinez. Isabel and John also raised their grandchildren, Jason and Tana, after the death of Bobby and Debbie in June of 1978.

Isabel and John had eight grandchildren Jason, Tana, Bobby, Spencer, Lucy, Joshua, Zachary and Betsy, along with 11 great-grandchildren.

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Isabel enjoyed people and never met a stranger. She loved attending her family’s sporting events.

Isabel was an excellent cook and was happiest when her family was together enjoying a good meal.

She had a spunky personality and will be missed by many.

Isabel was predeceased by her husband, John Martinez; parents, Juan and Teresa Ramos; brother, Juan Ramos; and sons, Bobby and Steve Martinez.

Visitation is scheduled for Monday, Feb. 26 at 5 p.m. followed by a Rosary at 6 p.m. at McNary-Moore Funeral Chapel, 107 Fifth St., Colusa. A funeral service will take place at 11 a.m.

Courtesy photo

Isabel R. Martinez

on Tuesday, Feb. 27 at the Holy Cross Catholic Church, 408 Laurel St., Arbuckle.

Interment following at the Arbuckle Cemetery.

In lieu of flowers, the family asks that donations be made to the Arbuckle Fire Department or YoloCares.

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Winters Express, Wednesday, February 21, 2024 — A5

TURKOVICH HOUSING Continued from Page 1 In January, Yolo County Housing successfully procured a vendor to replace and upgrade the entire water line system at the El Rio community through research, dedication and invested partnerships with an anticipated completion date in April.

In addition to the water line project, Yolo County Housing announced the El Rio Villas will soon have a new play structure. The original play structure was removed five years ago due to safety reasons, and children in El Rio Villas have gone without a playground.

Yolo County Housing is finalizing a contract for the installation of the new playground with shade covering and play features, just in time for children to enjoy during the summer months. For this project, Yolo County Housing raised over $100,000 from several partners including Supervisor Lucas Frerichs’ office, and Pacific Gas and Electric Company.

Winters Joint Unified School District is partnering with Yolo County Housing on this project.

Yolo County Housing is seeking other partners to join the project and help fund the final piece, a shade structure for the playground.

Those who are interested in the opportunity should contact Executive Director Ian Evans.

Riparian habitat enhancement Another provement

improj-

SCHOOL Continued from Page 1 impact of consistent attendance on a student’s overall performance, social development, and future opportunities.”

Pinedo said parents will also get information on special education, ethnic studies and other school programs.

“Our approach is comprehensive, ensuring that families have access to essential information and resources that can significantly impact their child’s education,” Pinedo said.

“This fosters a sense of community and shared responsibility, with everyone contributing to our students’ academic success and overall wellbeing.”

Early intervention in attendance rates is critical.

“Swift identification and resolution of attendance concerns can prevent them from becoming persistent issues, safeguarding students’ academic progress and social-emotional development,” Pinedo said.

According to Pinedo, tailored approaches and imaginative

The project includes a walkable loop trail along Putah Creek that is covered with wood chips and planted with oak trees for shade. ect underway at El Rio Villas is in partnership with the Solano County Water Agency. This project includes a riparian habitat enhancement and weed removal along the portion of Putah Creek that is part of the El Rio Villas property.

The initial phase of the project includes clearing thistles, removing invasive species like eucalyptus, tree-of-heaven and blackberries, and then covering the cleared areas with plantings of native vegetation and/or wood chips to prevent the re-growth of weeds. The project includes a walkable loop trail along Putah Creek that is covered with wood chips and planted with oak trees for shade.

Yolo County Housing and Solano Resource Conservation District are pursuing additional grant funding to enhance the planting of native vegetation. Enhancing access to nature and providing walkable paths will promote and support open space enjoyment, engage community members in healthy habits, and improve the quality of life of residents.

To learn more about Yolo County Housing, visit www. ych.ca.gov. incentives are just some ways to reach diverse student groups.

Jimenez agrees.

“For the secondary levels, I took the initiative and had high school seniors with perfect attendance participate and be the face of the attendance banners to reward them for their hard work and dedication in making school attendance important,” Jimenz said. “Fostering a positive attitude toward attendance is a collaborative effort between schools, parents and students.”

While secondary school student rates are improving, not all elementary schools can say the same. However, Pinedo noted that while considering the low attendance rates at Waggoner Elementary School, it is essential to note that California and nationwide school districts experienced an increase in chronic absenteeism due to the pandemic.

However, numbers are up, according to Pinedo.

“When analyzing the lower attendance rates at Waggoner Elementary School, we have to consider the age of our students and previous school

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Continued from Page 1 not for his love of land and wine, Winters wouldn’t have reaped from his contributions. Born and raised in Richmond in the 1950s, Turkovich later attended Winters High School, graduating in 1968.

“When I was 10 years old, my family moved from the Bay Area to the farm,” Turkovich said. “I loved life in the country compared to the city environment and I was inspired by the progress in mechanization that made farm jobs — which I disliked doing — much easier and thus became interested in studying agricultural engineering.”

While attending college, he served a year as a Future Farmers of America state officer for a year. Turkovich took his education one step further after graduating with a bachelor’s in agricultural engineering, receiving his master’s in business administration in 1974.

All of the education is second to nature, which inspires Turkovich the most.

“I have always been intrigued and enjoyed watching crops grow from planting to fruit maturity utilizing the sun’s warmth and rays, and I watch with wonder every morning as the Eastern horizon starts to glow red just before the sun rises over the Sierra Nevada Mountains,” Turkovich said. “It makes my day.”

That love of nature led Turkovich to the Button Ranch after graduating when he became the general manager and later partner of the business.

“I began working with the Button family in 1974, and they have been great friends and partners for close to 50 years now,” Turkovich said. exposure,” Pinedo said. “Younger students, particularly those in transitional kindergarten and early elementary grades, often face more illness due to their developing immune systems and close interactions with peers, resulting in increased absences.”

Pinedo said Winters JUSD must continue conducting a comprehensive examination of attendance data and health records to understand the relationship between lower attendance and younger students.

“Collaboration with parents and healthcare professionals is vital to address health-related concerns and ensure consistent attendance, regardless of age,” Pinedo said. “As we look toward becoming a Community School, we hope that support offered to support the whole child and family will increase attendance.”

Sometimes absence is seen more on a day than at a school, according to Pinedo.

“This unexpected phenomenon, which emerged specifically

Courtesy photo

Tony Turkovich said he strives to leave the land in better condition for future generations.

By the early 1980s, Turkovich served on the State Board of Food & Agriculture, the Yolo County Water Resource Board, and the Blue Ribbon Williamson Act Committee. Turkovich continued serving on several advisory boards, including the University of California Davis College of Agriculture and Environmental Sciences, where he was recently recognized as a “Distinguished Friend of the College.”

Yolo County Farm Bureau President Robert Falconer congratulated Turkovich on receiving the top cultivator award and serving as a board member for the Advisory Board of Sustainable Conservation. Conservation is a continuing effort, according to Turkovich, who said there has been significant progress over the years due to research in agriculture.

“Through plant selection and genetics, crop production has improved greatly,” Turkovich said. “I expect that to be a continuing effort and current research into the possibility of enabling more crops to fix nitrogen, which would reduce fertilizer requirements, would significantly contribute to solving some environmental challenges.”

When it comes to the environment and farming, Turkovich said the family strives to proactively address the issues that we can have an impact on.

“We have always relentlessly pursued improved efficiency in the farm operation to minimize resource use and improve productivity to lessen our footprint on the environment,” Turkovich said.

“We started adapting drip irrigation in the 1980s to save water and to target nutrient efficiency to increase yields per amount of fertilizer applied.”

The drip systems have increased applied nutrient utilization by the crop and decreased nutrient leaching, according to Turkovich, adding a UC Davis study of the family ranch determined the switch from furrow irrigation to drip irrigation reduced the greenhouse emission of carbon dioxide by 50 percent and nitrous oxide by 60 percent.

“We are utilizing minimum tillage where applicable and have installed a solar farm to generate renewable energy to offset the energy used on the farm,” Turkovich said. “These are just some examples of how we are trying to be part of the solution and not part of the problem of environmental is-

sues.”

And it’s not just about the environment, according to agriculturalists, noting the industry has the challenge of providing food and nutrition that allows society to prosper. The good news is Turkovich said the industry has a “great track record of producing great quantities of nutritious food at a relatively low cost to everyone.”

“It is very satisfying to participate in a career that works with nature to produce products that nourish humanity and is a basic requirement of the communities we serve,” Turkovich said.

Turkovich’s commitment continues to be more vital now than before the accolade as his family grows even more significant.

Since it all started, Turkovich’s three sons and wives have given him and his wife five grandchildren. Creating a better future for them is why Turkovich said he works so hard, proving no one better deserves the prestigious statewide accolade than Winters own.

“Taking care of the land is the foundation of most farmers’ beliefs,” Turkovich said.

“The goal is to leave the land in better condition for our children and future generations.”

at Winters High School during our data analysis, has piqued our interest,” Pinedo said.

“When examining days with decreased attendance, our initial expectations leaned toward early release days, such as Wednesdays and Fridays, or possibly Mondays.”

Pinedo found one possible explanation is midweek fatigue, which may lead to students opting for absences on Tuesdays.

“Another hypothesis centers on the perceived academic difficulty of classes on Tuesdays, which could influence students’ attendance decisions,” Pinedo said. “To achieve a more comprehensive understanding of this phenomenon, further investigation and the collection of additional information is needed.”

Missing classes can lead to gaps in understanding, making it challenging for students to keep up with the curriculum. While low attendance affects a student’s present goals, it also paves the way for future problems.

“Maintaining a

strong attendance record in school reflects responsibility and reliability, traits highly valued in both employment and college,” Jimenez said.

“Regular attendance fosters discipline, time management, and the ability to meet commitment, crucial skills in any professional or academic setting.”

Pinedo said consistent attendance prepares students effectively for both professional careers and college experience.

She said it instills essential qualities such as punctuality, responsibility, effective time management, and a robust work ethic.

Employers and colleges often seek individuals with a consistent attendance history as it signals a strong work ethic and dedication to success, according to Jimenez.

“Additionally, the routine of attending classes prepares students for the structured schedules they’ll encounter

in the workforce or higher education,” Jimenez said.

While students may believe it is all about them when missing school, it’s not.

“From an educational perspective, regular attendance equips educators with the means to monitor students’ progress and promptly identify any potential obstacles or learning challenges,” Pinedo said. “This proactive approach enables timely interventions and support, ensuring every student receives the necessary assistance.”

Above all, maintaining regular school attendance is a cornerstone for achieving academic excellence, according to Pinedo, who said daily attendance also fosters active lesson participation and classroom engagement, not to mention complete assignments.

To find out more about the upcoming engagement night, contact Jimenez at hjimenez@wintersjusd.org.

A6 — Winters Express, Wednesday, February 21, 2024

Adolescent lifestyles, growth cause stress on spine

By Angela Underwood Express correspondent Growing up and growing healthy are two different concepts.

The difference between the two can literally make a lifetime of a difference.

In a four-part pediatric care series that includes pregnancy and infancy, toddler stage, and school-age children, Dr. James Stirton, DC, of Winters Family Chiropractic, discusses the final adolescent stage of development from age 10 to 19.

“The big things with adolescents and puberty are they are doing a lot of growth and are adding the final lengths in how tall they will be in their long bones,” Stirton said. “At the same time, they are putting their bodies through increasing levels of stress as their backpacks get heavier and the subject matter gets bigger.”

Additionally, the high school remodels no longer include lockers for students to carry less during the day. Add long periods of sitting when not walking the halls with heavy backpacks, and the pressure on

the adolescent spine worsens.

“The hours in the chair are increasing exponentially, getting up towards a full workday for a full-size adult,” Stirton said.

Though many students may appear as full-size adults, they are not.

“In the adolescent stage, puberty is happening, and a lot of growth hormone is being pumped out, and you have all this stress on your body,” Stirton said.

That stress eventually causes Scoliosis, the most common issue the doctor said he sees in this age of development, along with paresthesia when hands and arms fall asleep.

“These are all signs that the spine has gotten out of its proper structure, and it is putting stress on muscles and tissues that cause aches and pains,” Stirton said. It is also causing extra stretch and pressure on nerves that sup-

ply all the structures, muscles and organs.”

Stirton lectures students on backpack safety, pointing out the stress it puts on the spine, which can affect other areas of health. Due to the added stress during puberty, Stirton recommends regular adjustments as often as once a week for six to 18 months to correct structural problems like scoliosis. The minimum frequency is once a month after optimal structure is restored because of ongoing stresses capable of recreating scoliosis.

“Once their main complaints are healed, they can get checked once a month or once a week, depending on how active

they are,” Stirton said.

“If they are super athletes, then they should be checked more often.”

Like a vehicle, the adolescent athlete’s body requires timely attention.

“If you were taking your car off-roading more often, you would ensure you checked the suspension more often so you’re not breaking things and not wearing out your

tires,” Stirton said.

“It is the same idea for chiropractic and ultimate health and actual optimization.”

Speaking of optimization, Stirton said student-athletes excel in their sport with consistent chiropractic care. One example is a high school soccer player who came to him with physical complaints and scoliosis.

“After about six months of treatment, she is the team leader, with goals scored and no complaints,” Stirton said.

“The structure of her spine is plume and perfect.”

But it’s more than just having a straight, healthy spine, according to Stirton. He said adolescent Scoliosis patients who come to him after being treated by other chiropractic doctors need more than just adjustments.

Stirton implements

programs for adolescents that require stretching, proper exercise and nutrition.

“Hydration and fasting affect the spine,” Stirton said. “Getting an experienced chiropractic doctor for your child is going to get a whole lot of health for your kiddo.”

So rather than “avoid the pitfalls that many families ignore rather than get proactive and fine-tune their bodies for growth and life,” Stirton advises paying close attention to adolescent growth and the other three major stages.

“All these stages are fundamentally critical, and your kiddo should be checked periodically and finetuned for growth and healing,” Stirton said.

“You have to have healing first, and then optimal growth can happen.”

To learn more about Winters Family Chiropractic and its services, check out americanriverchiropractic.com/index.php/winters-family-chiropractic. The doctor says, “If you’re not certain, ask Dr. Stirton.” One can call 530-795-4500 or email him directly at jimstirtondc@gmail.com.

Adobe/Stock photo

Activities for strengthening the heart Metro Special to the Express The heart is a vital component of the human body. Without a functional heart, life is simply not possible.

As with other muscles in the body, it is important to give the heart a workout to improve its strength and vitality. Intermountain Health says an individual who dos not exercise is more than twice as likely to get heart disease as someone who does. UCI Health says heart disease is the No. 1 cause of death worldwide.

Exercise is an ideal way to strengthen the heart and reduce your risk for heart disease and other conditions.

Certain activities are prime for boosting heart health.

Aerobic exercise Aerobic exercise raises heart rate and gets the blood pumping throughout the body. Aerobic activity

improves circulation, and over time it ensures the heart does not have to work as hard to pump blood, thus potentially lowering blood pressure. Also, aerobic exercise can reduce the risk for type 2 diabetes and can help those with diabetes to control blood glucose more readily.

Aerobic exercises include brisk walking, running, swimming, cycling, playing tennis, and other activities that get the heart pumping. Aim for 30 minutes each day, for at least five days a week.

Resistance/weight training Building muscle can help the body burn fat and boost metabolism.

This type of training can use weights or the body’s own resistance.

Improving muscle mass while reducing body fat and excess weight are heart-

Certain activities are prime for boosting heart health.

Adobe/Stock photo

healthy steps to take.

Strength training can be incorporated into a routine two to three days a week.

Balance and flexibility exercises A person may wonder what flexibility and balance has to do with heart health.

While there isn’t a

direct correlation to how the heart works, these types of activities will help reduce the risk of falls or injuries to muscles and joints while working out. Inactivity is dangerous for the heart, so ensuring that physical activity can continue is important. Flexibility and balance exercises keep the body limber, and can be incorporated into daily workouts. Stretching, tai chi, yoga, and pilates can be included

two or three times a week.

Healthy eating The foods people eat can affect heart health. Opt for lean protein sources and foods that include healthy fats. Salmon, avocados and olives are some options. Balance these foods with whole grains that are full of fiber, which can help a person feel fuller longer. Fiber also is essential for preventing atherosclerosis, a

condition that causes hardening of the arteries.

Meditation

Slowing down, performing deep-breathing exercises and meditation can reduce stress. That, in turn, can help prevent damage to the heart.

Strengthening the heart and maintaining its health involves various activities that can be incorporated into daily routines.

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Winters Express, Wednesday, February 21, 2024 — A7

agricultural irrigation management and welding fences for rural residents.

PROJECTS Continued from Page 1 build an outdoor furniture project in six hours.

Other projects include ag mechanic students who weld and construct items to be entered into the Yolo County Fair Heritage Foundation’s annual Trades, Technology & Industrial Arts Auction. The auction occurs in August during the Yolo County Fair where attendees can bid on the student’s finalized creations.

Other projects can be found around town or at local businesses and residences.

Class of 2023 graduates saw some of their projects placed. Chase Hamilton’s Senior Capstone project was placed at the Dr. Sellers Field gate last fall and Brinley Bronson designed and cut signs for various businesses and clients — including signs for the Winters Community Library.

Ava Skinner harvested cherries from the tree at her home and processed them into a cherry jam which she jarred, labeled and sold. Skinner also had a placement SAE project working for Ciarlo Fruit and Nut. Other students’ projects have included

Life skills, experiences Outside of big projects, students have multiple opportunities to explore different pathways through group work and smaller-scale projects. Those experiences help them gain business skills, life skills and learn more about themselves.

Sophomore Jackson Bronson said he began engaging in FFA activities because his older sister had been involved in it and he wanted to find a way to connect more with others following the isolation of the pandemic.

“I was surprised by the variety of things you can do with FFA. There are so many interests and pathways,” Bronson said.

Bronson said this year he will be assisting in coordinating the Winters Farmers Market. Last year, Bronson asked farmers market organizer Ahmad (Simba) Baratti if he needed any help.

Baretti gave him some tasks to help set up tables, the children’s game area, and more and then continued to invite Bronson to help out on Sundays.

Courtesy photo

Colton Brown crafted a shelf with hooks. It was entered into the auction at the Yolo County Fair in August.

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Courtesy photo

Jackson Bronson preps a hole to plant an arroyo willow tree in the Putah Creek Nature Park.

Bronson said the experience of working on the SLEWS (Student Landowner Education Watershed Stewardship) field day at the Putah Creek Nature Park introduced a new passion for biodiversity and plant sciences.

“Something FFA has done is reintroduced me to nature and the life science stuff. You don’t think of FFA as a stewardship and nature stuff,” Bronson said.

The SLEWS field day offers a hands-on lesson in local ecology, wildlife and habitat restoration.

Through grants and funding obtained by the Center For Land-Based Learning, FFA students work to plant thousands of trees and plant plugs as part of habitat restoration projects.

Students also learn how to

put irrigation lines together, the importance of proper placement and planting, and meet with an expert in the local watershed.

“Doing that helped me.

I’ve always loved being outside — during COVID I lost that.

“Being in FFA helped me reconnect with the fact that I want to study plants and life science agriculturally or ecology,” Bronson said.

“It’s given me a lot of avenues to discover that about myself and develop that way.”

Going forward, Bronson plans on following a pathway and going to college for life science or biology-related studies. He credits his experiences in FFA for helping him to “discover exactly what it is” he wants to do in life.

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When the farmers market kicks back into gear, Bronson will be helping to carry a bigger load to assist Baretti in ensuring it runs smoothly each week.

“I wanted to connect more with this town — Winters.

Last year I volunteered with the farmers market and I’ve been able to get these experiences that not only helped me gain skills but helped me grow as a member of the community.”

Sophomore Isabelle Guzman said she didn’t know what FFA was all about, but joining in has been life-changing for her. She said education isn’t all about the class work but includes gaining new skills and life experiences.

According to Guzman, she was very introverted, and participating in FFA has helped her to become a better speaker, helped her come out of her shell, and allowed her to connect with her family’s history and heritage in agriculture.

“It taught me how to persevere and do laborious tasks,” Guzman said. “I’ve become a whole different person since joining this club. It helped me discover different passions.”

Guzman said her family in Mexico has a farm with cattle livestock, and the experiences in FFA have helped her to feel closer to her Guatemalan and Mexican heritage.

“My family has a deep background in agriculture Joining this club helped me feel more connected to my roots,” Guzman said. “It made me feel like I was a part of them instead of being on my own.”

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A8 — Winters Express, Wednesday, February 21, 2024

FFA is a family affair Express staff With Winters being a generational community, it is common for siblings to participate in the ag program and engage in FFA-related activities together. In August, multiple siblings represented Winters FFA and competed at the Yolo County Fair in livestock and ag mechanics competitions.

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Yolo Superior Court judge candidate profiles Christopher Dietrich Thursday, February 22 Library Event: Rom-Com Movie Night, 6 p.m., Winters Community Library, yolocountylibrary.org/locations/winters/ Thursdays Eat Well Yolo Food Distribution, first and third Thursdays, 10 a.m. As supplies last, RISE, Inc., 417 Haven St., 530-668-0690 Saturday, February 24 Library Event: Craft Your Heart Out, 2–4:30 p.m., Winters Community Library, yolocountylibrary.org/locations/winters/ Monday, February 26 Library Event: Family Game Night, 5–7 p.m., Winters Community Library, yolocountylibrary.org/locations/winters/ Tuesday, February 27 Joint City/Planning Commission Cannabis Public Workshop, 6:30 p.m., Council chamber (318 First St.), Meeting info: cityofwinters.org/194/Meetings Wednesdays Eat Well Yolo Drive – Through Food Distribution, Wednesdays, 3:30 p.m. As supplies last, Winters High student parking lot, off Railroad Avenue

Upcoming

Tuesday, March 5 Winters City Council Meeting, 6:30 p.m., Council chamber (318 First St.), Zoom Meeting info, check www.cityofwinters.org/194/Meetings Thursday, March 7 Winters JUSD School Board Meeting, 6 p.m., City Hall Council Chambers (318 First St.), Zoom Meeting info, check https://wintersjusd.diligent.community Monday, March 11 Winters Climate Action Commission Meeting, 6:30 p.m., City Hall Large Conference Room (Abbey Street entrance), Check cityofwinters. org/182/Climate-Action-Commission

Library Services

Winters Library Public Hours (School in Session), Mon/Wed: 8 a.m.–6 p.m., Tue/Thu: 8–8 p.m., Fri: 8–5 p.m., Sat: 1-5 p.m. (Mask Only 1–3 p.m.)

Teen Tuesday (ages 12-18), Second Tuesdays, 2 p.m., Winters Community Library Bilingual Storytime (ages 0-5), Wednesdays, 10:30 a.m., Winters Community Library Virtual English Conversation Group, Tuesdays, 2-3 p.m., One time registration required: Contact Nancy Pacheco 530-666-8019 or nancy.pacheco@ yolocounty.org Mangonada Monday (ages 6-12), fourth Monday, 3:30 p.m.

Tech Thursdays, Thursdays, 2-7:30 p.m., call 530-6668005 to schedule an appointment. Bilingual sessions available upon request.

Saturday Matinee, First Saturday, 2 p.m., Winters Community Library All You Need is Love Romance Book Club, Second Saturday, 4 p.m., Hooby’s Brewing

Older Adult Programs

Winters Senior Foundation Chair Yoga Class for Seniors, Wednesdays, 9:30-11 a.m., St. Anthony Parish Hall (511 W. Main St.) Winters Senior Foundation Social Gathering, Thurdays, 1-3:30 p.m., St. Anthony Parish Hall (511 W. Main St.)

Ongoing

Winters Friends of the Library meeting, first Monday, 7 p.m., Winters Community Library, Margaret Parsons Room, wfol.org Winters Fortnightly meeting, second Tuesdays, 1 p.m., St. Anthony Parish Hall (511 W. Main St.) Rotary Club of Winters meeting, Thursdays, Noon, The Buckhorn Winters Museum public hours, Thursday thru Sunday, 1-5 p.m., 13 Russell St. Winters Open Mic, third Thursday of the month ( January thru March), 6 p.m. (sign-ups begin at 5:30 p.m.), Winters Opera House, 13 Main St. Kiwanis Club of Winters meeting, fourth Thursdays, 6 p.m., Hooby's Brewing Democracy Winters meeting, third Saturdays, 10 a.m.Noon, Meeting details in newsletter, contact info@ democracywinters.org Alcoholics Anonymous meetings: » St. Anthony Parish Hall, 511 Main St. (back entrance) Tuesdays, 7-8 a.m. and Fridays, 7-8 a.m. » Yolo Housing office building, 62 Shams Way: Thursdays, 7-8 p.m. and Sundays, 9 a.m.

By Lauren Keene McNaughton Media Christopher Dietrich became an attorney so he could make a difference in people’s lives.

A lifelong Yolo County resident raised in Davis, Dietrich gravitated toward the family-law sector following his graduation from law school, guiding clients through “some of the most important issues imaginable — their livelihoods, their assets and life savings, and most importantly, their children.”

In doing so, he’s appeared regularly in courtrooms in Yolo County and beyond, representing clients in hundreds of hearings and dozens of trials over the past decade.

“I know how these courts operate, and I know what it takes to work behind the scenes to make sure a case is handled fairly and properly and to advocate as an attorney,” Dietrich said.

“That will translate directly to my experience as a judge, to conduct hearings fairly for the parties involved.”

Dietrich seeks the Yolo Superior Court seat vacated by recently retired Judge David Rosenberg. Election Day is March 5.

A graduate of UC Da-

vis, where he earned a bachelor’s degree in political science, Dietrich received his law degree from the UCD School of Law in 2013. He lives in Woodland with his wife and the couple’s two children.

After several years with private practices in Sacramento, Dietrich became a partner with the Kopper, Morgan & Dietrich law firm in downtown Davis in 2017, practicing probate and general civil matters in addition to becoming a certified family law specialist with the State Bar of California’s Board of Legal Specialization.

He’s also gained experience as a temporary judge, presiding over more than 300 small claims and family law cases in Yolo and Sacramento counties, and as a family law settlement conference officer with the Yolo court.

Through his work, Dietrich says, he’s developed strong interpersonal skills that would prove crucial if he’s elected to the bench.

“The reality is, when most people come before the court, it’s because something bad has happened,” he said. “There’s a need for empathy and kindness to understand their stories and to help fairly resolve

Courtesy photo

Christopher Dietrich is a family-law attorney seeking election to the Yolo Superior Court bench. matters.”

At a recent candidate forum hosted by the Woodland League of Women Voters, Dietrich expressed support for Yolo County’s diversion courts that offer treatment and rehabilitation for defendants struggling with mental health and substance abuse issues.

“There is no onesize-fits-all approach for any particular case,” Dietrich said, noting the law isn’t just about punishment, but also addressing the causes of criminal behavior.

Collaborative courts “have the same goals in mind, and they have positive outcomes in avoiding recidivism and incarceration.”

Dietrich says he regularly seeks out opportunities to serve the community with

his legal skills. Since 2014, he’s offered free legal help to domestic violence survivors as an Empower Yolo (formerly the Sexual Assault and Domestic Violence Center) clinic attorney.

Through volunteer court appointments, he also aids minor children in child custody proceedings, as well as indigent litigants facing contempt of court charges and termination of their parental rights.

While the courts need to have judges with a variety of practice backgrounds, Dietrich said there’s a particular need for family-law expertise “to help provide more just outcomes for the children and families involved in those matters.”

See DIETRICH, Page 8

Clara Levers

By Lauren Keene McNaughton Media When asked what kind of judicial temperament she’d have, attorney Clara Levers hearkens back to 2018.

While volunteering for a civil-rights clinic in southern Texas, Levers met an immigrant named Brenda, the mother of a 6-yearold son, in a desolate detention center.

“They had come from Honduras to save her son’s life,” only to become separated at the U.S. border, Levers said. “She was practically nonverbal, completely traumatized by the fact that she had not spoken to her son in weeks.”

Levers intervened on Brenda’s behalf, gaining her release from the detention center and reuniting her with her son.

“This speaks to the type of judge that I would be,” said Levers, a candidate for Yolo Superior Court judge. “A judge that recognizes the humanity in all people and has a true north of fairness.”

Levers seeks the Yolo Superior Court seat vacated by recently retired Judge David Rosenberg.

Election Day is March 5.

A fifth-generation Yolo County resident raised in rural Woodland, Levers earned her bachelor’s degree from Mills College in Oakland and her law degree from the UC Davis School of Law. She joined the California bar in Novem-

ber 2003.

Her law experience spans 20 years, 16 of them as a deputy attorney general for the state Department of Justice serving in the criminal, appeals, writs and trials divisions.

Levers currently specializes in searchand-seizure issues, training prosecutors and law-enforcement officials statewide on proper procedures.

She also regularly reviews cases out of the state trial courts for possible legal errors.

“I’ve been sitting in an objective, neutral stance in evaluating that, and I will take that expertise to the trial court as judge,” Levers said.

She also touts her familiarity with the legislative process, having played a key role in drafting amendments to Assembly Bill 1242, the law making California a sanctuary state for reproductive rights following the repeal of Roe v. Wade.

“Specifically, it protects women’s digital privacy, preventing law enforcement from accessing electronic communications records without attesting that an investigation is unrelated to an investigation of abortion,” Levers noted. “This is particularly important for women residing in anti-choice states where law enforcement attempts to acquire records from California tech companies.”

That work led to Levers’ appointment to the California

Courtesy photo

Clara Levers is a deputy attorney general seeking election to the Yolo Superior Court bench.

Reproductive Rights Task Force, charged with protecting and expanding access to reproductive healthcare.

At a recent candidate forum hosted by the Woodland League of Women Voters, Levers expressed support for Yolo County’s diversion courts that emphasize treatment and rehabilitation over punishment for defendants struggling with mental health and substance abuse issues.

“I’m keenly aware that every case is different, and some need to be handled through diversion in order to address why they’re in the system in the first place,” Levers said. “Those programs end up improving outcomes for the individual, increasing public safety and saving the system money.”

Levers cites analytical thinking, strong legal writing skills, an outgoing personality and collaborative

working style among her strengths, along with her commitment to serving her community.

Fluent in Spanish, she’s volunteered her legal expertise for the California Rural Legal Assistance Foundation for more than 20 years, assisting individuals and families with naturalization and Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals (DACA) applications.

Levers also volunteers with Davis Girl Scout Troop 1686, the Davis Youth Softball Association and Woodland Swim Team.

She lives in Woodland with her husband and two children.

“As a judge, I will exemplify professionalism, fairness and respect to all parties, attorneys and witnesses,” Levers said.

“In doing so, I hope to encourage civility in litigation, bolster public confidence in the courts and fairly administer justice.”

B2 — Winters Express, Wednesday, February 21, 2024

Key points from Q4 2023 housing affordability report

Monterey (8 percent), and San Luis Obispo (8 percent) were the least affordable counties in California, with each county requiring at least a minimum income of $242,800 to purchase a median-priced home in their counties. San Mateo continued to require the highest minimum qualifying income ($518,400) to buy a median-priced home

in the fourth quarter of 2023 and was the only county in California that required a minimum qualifying income more than $500,000. Santa Clara County came in second with a minimum required income of $468,000, followed by Marin ($441,200).

• Housing affordability declined the most on a year-over-year basis in Mariposa, falling nine points from fourth-quarter 2022 to fourth-quarter 2023.

Kings, Stanislaus and Yuba registered the second biggest drop in affordability, moving six points below the same quarter of last year, followed closely by San Bernardino, Glenn, Merced, Sacramento and Lassen, each dropping five points from a year ago. Despite higher household income, higher home prices and elevated mortgage rates continued to keep costs of borrowing near all-time highs and housing affordability near alltime lows across most counties.

• New Construction • Residential/Commercial

• Remodels/Additions • Repairs

California Association of Realtors Special to the Express Key points from C.A.R.’s fourth-quarter 2023 Housing Affordability report include: • When compared to the previous quarter, housing affordability declined in 15 counties and remained unchanged in 17. Nineteen counties showed quarter-to-quarter improvements in affordability due to more modest price declines in comparison to other counties during that same time period. Compared to a year ago, five counties saw an improvement in affordability, while 39 counties recorded a decline on a year-overyear basis, and seven remained unchanged.

• Lassen (49 percent) remained the most affordable county in

Adobe/Stock photo

California. Together with Tehama (40 percent), they were the only two counties to record an affordability index of 40 percent

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or higher in the fourth quarter of 2023. Shasta (36 percent) trailed behind as a distant third, making them the only three counties in California to record an affordability greater than 35 percent – all located

in the Far North region of the State. Of all counties in California, Lassen required the lowest minimum qualifying income ($66,800) to purchase a median-priced home in fourth-quarter 2023.

• Mono (5 percent),

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Winters Express, Wednesday, February 21, 2024 — B3

Express Yourself

How long to acclimate our new residents?

S

omeone made a comment to me about all of the new houses being built in Winters and how they don’t feel part of Winters.

They were a little offended when I asked them how long they have lived in Winters?

Then I asked them where they lived? I told them that when their home was built, a lot of people thought the same thing. It just takes a while before people feel comfortable stepping up to volunteer or attend local functions, especially if they don’t have school-age children.

I love seeing new people at school events and fundraisers. I’ve said it before, and I’m sure I’ll say it again, that as we age, we are looking for new people to help out and come up with new ideas on how to make Winters better. When people say, “That is the way we’ve always done things,” it makes me cringe. Change isn’t bad and just because you didn’t come up with a new way of doing things doesn’t make it a bad idea.

There will be a time when you walk into a room and not see anyone you know. It might just be your memory, but it might be that a new generation has taken over. When

you see new people running things, stop, take a breath and say thank you.

All over the world, local service clubs took a hit during COVID. We weren’t immune as we lost our Lions Club and Soroptimist International. I’m a member of the Rotary Club of Winters and we lost about half our members when we went to online meetings. After more than a year of meeting in person, we are still not up to full speed.

We have members who pay their dues, but don’t show up to our weekly meetings.

When I asked why they don’t attend, a common refrain is that they don’t know anyone there. It is true that we have a lot of new members in Rotary, but that is one of the joys of gathering on a weekly basis.

You get to meet the new, and old, active people in our community.

S

omeday, when I’m old, I will probably start meeting at the future Winters Senior Center, to be constructed on Baker Street. It has been years in the planning, and even with government involvement, I still think it will be built. We are an

See QUICK, Page 4

Horoscopes ARIES (Mar 21/Apr 20) Aries, a measure of controversy has found its way into your life, but you may want to avoid letting others know your feelings. Keep conversations to trivial topics this week.

TAURUS (Apr 21/May 21) Advice about how to handle a confusing financial matter may not be resonating right now, Taurus.

You may need to review the data a few different times.

GEMINI (May 22/Jun 21) Gemini, consider another’s perspective more closely in the days to come. A different point of view may help you to more clearly define your own outlook.

CANCER (Jun 22/Jul 22) Setting boundaries right now could be difficult for you, Cancer. You are always caring for others and that may affect how involved you get in another person’s issues.

LEO (Jul 23/Aug 23) Share your light and vitality with another person this week, Leo. You can boost this person’s mood or even change his or her perspective dramatically if you so desire.

VIRGO (Aug 24/Sept 22) Virgo, heated emotions between you and a family member could drive a wedge in your relationship for some time. It is best to carefully weigh your words before speaking.

LIBRA (Sept 23/Oct 23) Libra, pursuing the truth about a situation may seem very important to you and even urgent. But will having all of the answers really change much right now?

SCORPIO (Oct 24/Nov 22) Scorpio, be careful not to take everything that people say to you at face value right now. You need to vet all information for yourself before you make decisions about anything.

SAGITTARIUS (Nov 23/Dec 21) You may be feeling sorry for someone even if they didn’t ask you to weigh in on a situation, Sagittarius. You simply can’t help getting involved, but remember to listen.

CAPRICORN (Dec 22/Jan 20) Capricorn, a quiet and practical approach is the way to sort through a confusing situation that arises this week. Your detailed-oriented nature will help you go through all the facts.

AQUARIUS (Jan 21/Feb 18) You may not be happy with the direction a family member, friend or even your larger community is moving at the current moment, Aquarius.

Consider ways you can help.

PISCES (Feb 19/Mar 20) You may be feeling pulled by the demands of a few different people in your life right now, Pisces. It’s probably best to give things more thought before making any decisions.

B4 — Winters Express, Wednesday, February 21, 2024

I

The art of the allowance

n the intricate dance of parenting, few topics spark as much debate and thought as the concept of allowances. Often to parents, providing a regular allowance to their teens is not just about handing out money; it’s a strategic move aimed at instilling responsibility and independence in their children. On the contrary, many parents feel that chores and duties around the house are fundamental responsibilities, and help the home “machine” run smoothly. I understand both sides and for now, we will talk about the use of allowances.

If your child isn’t quite at the stage of part-time job income, allowances can serve as a broader tool for teaching our children the fundamentals of budgeting, saving, and making more thoughtful financial decisions. By receiving a regular sum of money, adolescents are granted the opportunity to practice financial planning in a controlled environment. This hands-on experience cultivates essential skills that will serve them well into adulthood, preparing them to navigate the complexities of managing finances

independently.

Moreover, allowances establish a sense of accountability and ownership in children. When given the responsibility to manage their money, adolescents learn to distinguish between wants and needs, fostering a sense of financial discipline.

This understanding is crucial in a consumer-driven society where the allure of instant gratification often overshadows long-term financial discipline.

Managing and allocating allowances require a balance of guidance and autonomy. Parents can empower their children by involving them in the decision-making process regarding budgeting and expenditure. Setting clear expectations and boundaries fosters a sense of responsibility while allowing teens the freedom to make mistakes and learn from them.

Teachable moments are abundant in the area of allowances. I

recently heard from a local business owner that more focus is needed on money handling and making change. They suggested more emphasis in schools, and I don’t disagree. Parents also taking the time with children to understand using cash is a great opportunity.

Allowances also help children evaluate price and value. It encourages children to allocate a portion of their allowance towards savings goals, rainy day funds or self-funded birthday gifts for mom. They give you the opportunity to talk about storing their money and introduce saving accounts and interest rates (or lack thereof).

All are great conversations.

Furthermore, leveraging technology can streamline the process of managing allowances. Mobile banking apps and budgeting tools provide parents and children with real-time insights into their spending habits, promoting

Managing and allocating allowances require a balance of guidance and autonomy.

Parents can empower their children by involving them in the decisionmaking process regarding budgeting and expenditure. financial awareness and accountability.

The journey towards financial literacy extends beyond the realm of traditional allowances. It helps teens see the bigger picture and explore how alternative avenues for earning money can significantly enhance their financial insight. Part-time jobs, freelance opportunities, or entrepreneurial ventures offer adolescents a taste of real-world economic dynamics, teaching them the value of hard

work, initiative, and resourcefulness.

Maybe they save their allowance to buy a newer lawnmower and begin offering services to the neighborhood. Or maybe it’s to pay for a CPR class and offer babysitting for families.

In the grand scheme of parenting, the topic of earning and managing allowances emerges as an opportunity to weave together lessons in financial responsibility, independence, and empowerment. By embracing allowances as a means to cultivate financial literacy, parents equip their children with the tools necessary to pilot personal finance with confidence toward a secure and prosperous future.

— Joedy Michael is a dedicated real estate agent with a growing passion for enhancing financial literacy for others. Leveraging his experience in the real estate market, Joedy strives to empower individuals with the knowledge needed to make sound financial decisions in the pursuit of secure futures. Want to share your insights or contribute, email Joedy. michael@exprealty.com or connect with him on Instagram @joedy michael_realestate.

QUICK Continued from Page 3 aging population and two thing swe lack is an active senior center and an assisted living facility.

Seniors have been meeting for years in the Community Center, but they need their own space. We have built some senior housing, but we shouldn’t approve one more unit until the Senior Center is completed and we have an assisted living complex. When I bring this up you hear about the cost and other excuses. Visit any assisted living facility in our area and I’ll guarantee that there is someone from Winters staying there.

So, if you see new people around town, don’t think about how they won’t fit in, smile and introduce yourself. You might be surprised to find that they have the same concerns about Winters as the rest of us.

Have a good week.

Legal Advertising ELECTION NOTICE: NOTICE IS HEREBY GIVEN to the voters within the County of Yolo, that the Presidential Primary Election will be conducted on Tuesday, March 5, 2024, and that all ballots cast at said election will be counted at the central counting place and not in the precincts. This central counting place will be at the Yolo County Erwin Meier Administration Building, 625 Court Street, Suite B05, Woodland, California, commencing at 8:00 p.m. on the 5th day of March.

2/21/24 #70043 FILED IN YOLO COUNTY CLERK'S OFFICE Jesse Salinas, Yolo County Clerk/Recorder F20240027 1/9/2024 Business is located in YOLO County Fictitious Business Name: ARM-ALL CONTRUCTION Physical Address: 25949 CR 21A, ESPARTO CA 95627 Mailing Address: Names of Registrant(s)/Owner(s) & Physical Residential Address, State, and Zip: ARMANDO QUEZADA, CECILIA QUEZADA, 25949 CR 21A, ESPARTO CA 95627 Business Classification: A MARRIED COUPLE Date of Business: 1/9/24 /s/ ARMANDO QUEZADA I hereby certify that this is a true copy of the original document on file in this office. This certification is true as long as there are no alterations to the document, AND as long as the document is sealed with a red seal.

Jesse Salinas, County Clerk/Recorder, State of California, County of Yolo Published February 21, 28, March 6, 13, 2024 #69559

STATEMENT OF ABANDONMENT OF USE OF FICTITIOUS BUSINESS NAME FILED IN YOLO COUNTY CLERK'S OFFICE Jesse Salinas, Yolo County Clerk/Recorder Filed: 1/18/2024 FBN Number: F20240054 Old FBN Number: F20200224 The person(s) or entity listed below are abandoning the use of the following fictitious business name(s): Name of Business(es): MI CARNICERIA MARKET 129 WEST MAIN STREET #C WOODLAND CA 95695 The fictitious business name was originally filed in Yolo County on 3/4/2020 and is being ABANDONED by the registrant(s) listed: LAURA MAXIMINA PEREZ 1645 WAKEFIELD WAY, SACRAMENTO, CA 95822 Corporation or LLC name & address and county of the principal place of business: The business was conducted by: AN INDIVIDUAL I declare that all information is true and correct. (A registrant who declares as true information which he or she knows to be false is guilty of a crime.)

Registrant Signature: LAURA M PEREZ S

Published JANUARY 31, FEBRUARY 7, 14, 21, 2024 #69403 ORDER TO SHOW CAUSE FOR CHANGE OF NAME Case Number: CV2024-0095

TO ALL INTERESTED PERSONS: Petitioner: JACQUELINE MENDOZA-SANCHEZ filed a petition with this court for a decree changing names as follows: Present name a. JACQUELINE MENDOZA-SANCHEZ to Proposed name JACQUELINE MENDOZA THE COURT ORDERS that all persons interested in this matter appear before this court at the hearing indicated below to show cause, if any, why the petition for change of name should not be granted. Any person objecting to the name changes described above must file a written objection that includes the reasons for the objection at least two court days before the matter is scheduled to be heard and must appear at the hearing to show cause why the petition should not be granted. If no written objection is timely filed, the court may grant the petition without a hearing.

NOTICE OF HEARING Date: 3/13/2024 Time: 9:00 a.m. Dept.: 11 Room: The address of the court is Yolo Superior Court 1000 Main Street, Woodland, CA 95695 A copy of this Order to Show Cause shall be published at least once each week for four successive weeks prior to the date set for hearing on the petition in the following newspaper of general circulation, printed in this county: Winters Express Date: 1/10/24 Timothy L. Fall Judge of the Superior Court Published FEBRUARY 14, 21, 28, MARCH 6, 2023 #69988

REQUEST FOR BID for Davis Non-Profit Facility, Davis Ca. YCN Project Oversight is seeking bids for qualified contractors to provide construction services for the Davis Non-Profit Facility in Davis, California.

The bid documents can be reviewed and obtained at the Sacramento Builders Exchange or by reaching out via email to Lisa.l@ycnoversight.com. Interested bidders are responsible for checking both the Exchange or links periodically for any updates, revisions, or Addenda.

The facility consists of a one-story wood framed building in a courtyard configuration with four distinct wings. The Main building totals approximately 8,712 square feet, without including the area of the courtyard. The main building includes various occupancy group types for different areas of the facility. In addition, there are two combined storage building structures totaling approximately 671 square feet. The facility is being designed and built to meet or exceed State of California childcare and crisis nursery licensing standards. This is new construction so a full complement of site improvements on approximately .71 acres is included as part of the bid scope.

Approximate construction value is $4.0M to $5.0M. A non-mandatory site visit is scheduled for 2:00pm on Tuesday, February 27, 2024 at 2525 Research Park Drive, Davis, CA 95618.

Sealed bids shall be received prior to 2:00pm on Tuesday March 12, 2024 at 2940 Spafford Street, #200, Davis, CA 95618. A public bid opening will occur immediately thereafter.

This is considered a non-prevailing wage project.

Each bid must conform to the requirements of the drawings, project specifications manual, and other documents comprising the Bid Documents. Inquiries regarding the project or bid document can be made by contacting Neal Cordeiro, Owner's Representative, at neal.c@ycnoversight.com.

Bidders's questions can be received no later than Tuesday, March 5th, 2024.

No bid will be considered unless it is made on the bid form that is part of the Project Documents, filled out in its entirety, and accompanied by a cashiers check or bidder's bond for 10% of the amount of the bid including any additive alternates. Additional information and bid requirements can be found in the Bid Documents.

2/14, 2/21, 2/28 #69954

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FILED IN YOLO COUNTY CLERK'S OFFICE Jesse Salinas, Yolo County Clerk/Recorder F20240095 2/2/2024 Business is located in YOLO County Fictitious Business Name: NORCAL-PRECISION AUTO WRAPS Physical Address: 463 3RD ST, WOODLAND CA 96569 Mailing Address: Names of Registrant(s)/Owner(s) & Physical Residential Address, State, and Zip: GREG ALLEN BELLIN 463 3RD ST, WOODLAND CA 95695 Business Classification: INDIVIDUAL Date of Business: 2/1/2024 /s/ GREG BELLIN OWNER I hereby certify that this is a true copy of the original document on file in this office. This certification is true as long as there are no alterations to the document, AND as long as the document is sealed with a red seal.

Jesse Salinas, County Clerk/Recorder, State of California, County of Yolo Published February 14, 21, 28, 3/6 2024 #69952

FILED IN YOLO COUNTY CLERK'S OFFICE Jesse Salinas, Yolo County Clerk/Recorder F20240048 1/17/2024 Business is located in YOLO County Fictitious Business Name: HARVEST AND SAVOR Physical Address: 3111 CHESAPEAKE BAY AVE, DAVIS, CA 95616 Mailing Address: Names of Registrant(s)/Owner(s) & Physical Residential Address, State, and Zip: ALISA HALLER, 3111 CHESAPEAKE BAY AVE, DAVIS CA 95616 Business Classification: INDIVIDUAL Date of Business: 1/11/24 /s/ ALISA HALLER

FILED IN YOLO COUNTY CLERK'S OFFICE Jesse Salinas, Yolo County Clerk/Recorder F20240125 2/9/2024 Business is located in YOLO County Fictitious Business Name: RD COUNTERTOPS AND SHOWERS Physical Address: 108 1/2 EDWARDS ST WINTERS CA 95694 Mailing Address: Names of Registrant(s)/Owner(s) & Physical Residential Address, State, and Zip: RUSSELL LYNN DOMMER JR 108 1/2 EDWARDS ST WINTERS CA 95694 Business Classification: INDIVIDUAL Date of Business: 2/9/2024 /s/ RUSSELL DOMMER JR OWNER I hereby certify that this is a true copy of the original document on file in this office. This certification is true as long as there are no alterations to the document, AND as long as the document is sealed with a red seal.

Jesse Salinas, County Clerk/Recorder, State of California, County of Yolo Published February 21, 28, March 6, 13, 2024 #70164

FILED IN YOLO COUNTY CLERK'S OFFICE Jesse Salinas, Yolo County Clerk/Recorder F20240098 2/5/2024 Business is located in YOLO County Fictitious Business Name: CARTER ENTERPRISES Physical Address: 452 ELM STREET, WOODLAND CA 95695 Mailing Address: Names of Registrant(s)/Owner(s) & Physical Residential Address, State, and Zip: 1. KENNETH CARTER 452 ELM STREET,, WOODLAND CA 95695 2. GEORGE W. CARTER 452 ELM STREET WOODLAND CA 95695 Business Classification: CO-PARTNERS Date of Business: 1/152024 /s/ KENNETH W. CARTER, GEORGE W. CARTER

I hereby certify that this is a true copy of the original document on file in this office. This certification is true as long as there are no alterations to the document, AND as long as the document is sealed with a red seal.

Jesse Salinas, County Clerk/Recorder, State of California, County of Yolo Published January 31, February 7, 14, 21, 2024 #69560

I hereby certify that this is a true copy of the original document on file in this office. This certification is true as long as there are no alterations to the document, AND as long as the document is sealed with a red seal.

Jesse Salinas, County Clerk/Recorder, State of California, County of Yolo Published February 14, 21, 28, 3/6 2024 #69986

The Express is looking for the first Winters baby born after the stroke of Midnight on Jan. 1, 2024.

Enter online: https://bit.ly/3NFxtyn.

Winters Express, Wednesday, February 21, 2024 — B5

Express Yourself Assessing risks of an inactive lifestyle

By Wally Pearce Winters Elder Day Council

“First Salmon Mate” by Harrison Yarnes and Jameson Montagna, Winters Middle School

This February 2024, the Winters Elder Day Council joins organizations across the country in celebrating the 61st anniversary of American Heart Month, established

by President Lyndon B. Johnson under Presidential Proclamation No. 3566 in December 1963.

President Johnson declared every February as American Heart Month, to spotlight heart disease, by bringing awareness and sharing how to take steps to prevent this deadly illness. Heart Month 2024 is a continuation of that annual observance dedicated to raising awareness about heart health and the many cardiovascular diseases.

February is not only a time for celebrating Valentine’s Day, Presidents Day (Feb. 17), Abraham Lincoln’s birthday (Feb. 12), George Washington’s birthday (Feb. 22), including Random Acts of Kindness Day (Feb. 17), but it’s also American Heart Month, a time people can focus on cardiovascular health and raise their consciousness about heart disease. This Heart Month, the Division for

Heart Disease and Stroke Prevention (DHDSP) is encouraging men/women to listen to their hearts and speak up for their health.

The following is some important information on warning signs related to cardiovascular health and a sedentary lifestyle absent from a lack of exercise.

For a variety of reasons, some people spend too much time involved in inactive behaviors. Founded in 1847, the American Medical Association (AMA) suggests that not getting enough physical activity can often lead to heart disease — even for those people who have no other medical risk factors. An acute lack of exercise can also develop other heart disease risk factors, including obesity, high blood pressure, high blood cholesterol, stiff joints, slower metabolism, moodiness, Type 2 diabetes, arthritis and even attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD).

The exact definition of a sedentary lifestyle is when someone spends six or more hours per day sitting or lying down, and

See RISKS, Page 8

Earth — A victim to us

By Galilea Ramos Bermudez Special to the Express You may wonder about how Earth can be a victim to us. It’s like a huge boulder being a victim of an ant. Our earth is our home, yet we still destroy it — That is how the earth is a victim to us. It does its job of providing us with a home and a beautiful place to live yet we still destroy it. Why? I would like to think that we are just uneducated and need someone to put us in motion. But I’ve seen many popular videos about people addressing climate change with thousands of views yet most of us still do nothing. Now there’s no excuse, I’m sure most of you in Winters are going to see this article, and if you still decide to do nothing then you part of the problem. The fate of our home is on us so let’s do something about it.

Climate change refers to a prolonged change in weather patterns and temperatures. Climate change is an occurrence often caused by human actions like deforestation and the burning of fossil fuels. You can see the damage that it causes in the rising of sea levels which could lead to flooding, the loss of animal species in forests and jungles, and severe weather events.

Climate change is a big issue, So the faster

KITCHEN & BATH

that we act to avert climate change the faster we will start seeing a difference. We need to stop burning fossil fuels, The United Nations Sustainable Development Goal No. 7 Affordable and Clean Energy states, “Ensure access to affordable, reliable, sustainable and modern energy for all.”

Our goal is supposed to be completed by 2030, which is six years from now. These goals were set up in 2015.

We’ve had 15 years to work toward achieving these goals, yet we aren’t seeing much of a difference, why? Because we aren’t working toward them, people still burn fossil fuels to use as gas for their cars.

Do we even realize the damage one car ride to Target or anywhere else causes?

It’s about 14 miles to go to our nearest target in Vacaville, which takes around one gallon of gas. It may seem like not that much but the amount of carbon dioxide that gets released into the air when making that gas harms the ocean animals and the world.

There are other ways, to bike to places, get an electric car, or do something to help.

Burning fossil fuels releases bad greenhouse gases such as carbon dioxide and nitrous oxide that go into the air, trapping heat in our atmosphere and causing global warming.

COUNTERTOPS

Global warming Global warming is a prolonged warming of our earth’s surface. When our Earth warms slowly glaciers in Antarctica start to melt. When they melt it is predicted that it will cause a flood in the locations closest to the glaciers. Global warming is getting worse and it will not improve unless we start to act on this problem.

Recently, research has shown that more and more plants are growing in Antarctica. That may not seem like a big issue, but more plants growing in Antarctica is a bigger problem than you may want to believe.

Antarctica is so cold that so many plants should not be able to grow. Lately, global warming is heating our earth hence the explanation for more plants growing in Antarctica. It may just be more plants but this is our signal, the world is warming so let’s stop this issue before it becomes too big a

problem for us to handle.

Biodiversity Biodiversity refers to the diversity of all life on earth. We may think that this issue only affects us and the world but we need to wake up and realize that we aren’t just harming our future and home, We are harming the future and homes of all living things on this planet. The mistakes and choices we make are affecting us as they are equally affecting plants, animals, and any living organism on this planet.

Climate change plays a big role in this.

Since climate change causes severe weather events and changes in temperature, we are seeing a big loss of biodiversity because animal species that can’t adapt to these changes are going extinct. We need to stop because life is dying because of the actions we take. This issue is evolving and hurting other animals plants and organisms so now

Deforestation Deforestation is purposefully clearing forested land.

People mostly do this because they want to expand their land to build homes or buildings and make a profit.

Sure, when you deforest to make a house to sell you might make a quick buck, But Are you thinking about the harem that it causes to the inhabitants of that forest?

When we deforest we are removing animal and plant habitats and that leads to species extinction.

Deforestation is also connected to global warming, When you deforest you are cutting down or removing trees that trap carbon dioxide instead of releasing it into the atmosphere. Therefore when we deforest we are doing a lot more than just removing trees, we are removing habitats and

animals, and we are causing global warming. Please consider, would you want someone plowing through your own house and your neighbor’s houses?

Solutions

Here are some steps that you can take to help prevent climate change. Try enforcing some of these suggestions next time you have the chance.

• Bike or walk to school because burning fossil fuels for gas emits carbon dioxide which is a greenhouse gas.

• Limit your animal product consumption.

I know you love animal products. Don’t get me wrong I do too, but try to cut down on your consumption of these products because the more animal products you eat the more deforestation companies do to make space for cows and other animals to be bred and live until they are consumed.

See EARTH, Page 8

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B6 — Winters Express, Wednesday, February 21, 2024

Author talk highlights small-farm saga

Eventos hispanos

By Diane Cary Special to the Express Thaddeus Barsotti will read from and discuss his new book, “Betting on the Farm,” at an author talk hosted by Winters Friends of the Library on Thursday, Feb, 29 at 7 p.m. at the Winters Community Library, 708 Railroad Ave. Born and raised on a small organic truck farm in rural Yolo County, Barsotti grew up working on the farm and selling organic produce at farmers’ markets.

When his mother died of cancer, 20-year-old Thad and his brothers had to learn the realities of doing business fast — they had to harvest and sell 20 acres of heirloom tomatoes and cultivate new crops, all in less than three months. Otherwise, they would lose the farm and even worse, their mother’s legacy.

Over the next two decades, Barsotti and his brothers successfully scaled the small farm, Capay Fruits and Vegetables, and CSA, Farm Fresh to You, to the largest of its kind, employing more than 1,000 people and delivering millions of boxes of fresh organic produce annually across the West Coast.

The book entertains with quirky characters and funny stories about the early days of California’s organic farming revolution.

It also provides a window into the

Courtesy photo

Thaddeus Barsotti will read from and discuss his new book, “Betting on the Farm,” at an author talk hosted by Winters Friends of the Library on Thursday, Feb. 29 at 7 p.m. at the Winters Community Library, 708 Railroad Ave. Admission is free; donations will be gratefully accepted at the door.

Uno de los dos lectores bancarios fraudulentos (skimmers) descubiertos sobre los lectores de tarjetas en la tienda Dollar General.

important struggle for a sustainable food system.

Admission to the event is free.

Donations will be gratefully accepted at the door. For more information, visit thaddeusbarsotti. com or wfol.org.

Policía investiga lectores bancarios fraudulentos encontrados en dos negocios locales

Foto de cortesía

Por Crystal Apilado

WTC holds audition for ‘12 Angry Jurors’ Special to the Express The Winters Theatre Company seeks actors for its upcoming spring production of “12 Angry Jurors.”

Auditions will be held on March 19 and 20 from 7 to 9 p.m.

The performances are scheduled for May 10 to 19 on

Friday and Saturday at 7 p.m. and Sunday at 2 p.m.

Based on the 1954 teleplay, “12 Angry Men,” the story follows the deliberation of 12 jurors as they bring their prejudices, biases and doubt into the jury room to decide the guilt or innocence of a young man killing

his father.

Auditions will consist of cold readings from the script.

All auditions and performances will be held at the Historic Winters Opera House in downtown Winters, 13 Main St. For more information, visit winterstheatrecompany.org or call 530-795-4014.

Coming Soon

El Departamento de Policía de Winters está buscando en la comunidad cualquier información sobre la ubicación de los dispositivos bancarios fraudulentos de lectura de tarjetas que se encuentran en los lectores de tarjetas bancarias de Dollar General y Lorenzo’s Market.

La Policía de Winters recibió un informe el pasado 8 de Febrero a las 2:15 p.m. en la cual se encontraron dos máquinas de robo de tarjetas bancarias (skimmers) en las terminales lectoras de tarjetas bancarias de Dollar General.

Información adicional del informe llevó a los oficiales a un skimmer diferente el cual fue descubierto en Lorenzo’s Market en un incidente anterior.

Los oficiales tomaron posesión de los dispositivos y durante su investigación determinaron que los dispositivos probablemente habían sido colocados en las terminales de Dollar General ese mismo día entre el horario público de la tienda de 7 p.m. y 2 p.m. Los empleados dijeron a los oficiales que es parte de su protocolo revisar las terminales de las tarjetas bancarias al principio y al final del día debido a la colocación de skimmers.

Se recomienda a los residentes que realizaron compras en Dollar General o Lorenzo’s Market en las últimas semanas a que controlen o revisen sus transacciones bancarias e

informen cualquier compra no autorizada a su institución bancaria y al número de despacho que no es de emergencia de la Policía de Winters al 530-795-4561.

El Departamento de Policía de Winters también recomienda a los empleados de todas las empresas locales que revisen los terminales con dispositivos lectores de las tarjetas bancarias con regularidad en el futuro.

El jefe de la policía John P. Miller le dijo al Express que se encontraron dos estilos de dispositivos para el robo de tarjetas bancarias entre las dos empresas.

“Nos estamos comunicando con otras agencias policiales que se vieron afectadas por (incidentes) similares,” dijo Miller. “No hace falta decir que los grupos que hacen esto tienen un mayor nivel de sofisticación y se dirigen a múltiples ubicaciones de forma continua.”

Los incidentes están bajo investigación y los oficiales están buscando posibles pistas del público. Cualquier persona que tenga información relacionada con estos incidentes debe comunicarse con la Policía de Winters al 530795-4561 o por correo electrónico a tips. winters@winterspolice.org.

Miller dijo que Winters PD le está solicitando al público a estar al tanto de cualquier lector de tarjetas bancarias alteradas en puntos de venta y que, según su experiencia, a menudo se instalan en lugares remotos como

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gasolineras, estaciones de autopago y cajeros automáticos.

“En este caso, vemos dos estilos diferentes de máquinas de ‘superposición’.

También he visto un estilo que se ‘inserta’ en máquinas (en puntos de venta) como las que se ven en los surtidores de las gasolineras,” dijo Miller.

“Siempre es una buena idea examinar la “máquina del punto de venta” e informar al negocio de cualquier cosa que parezca sospechosa.”

Winters PD compartió consejos en su cuenta de redes sociales sobre cómo identificar a los estafadores de tarjetas bancarias y afirmó que se utilizan para recopilar información sobre las tarjetas.

Los lectores fraudulentos (skimmers) de tarjetas bancarias están disponibles en diferentes formas y tamaños y, a menudo, son idénticos a los terminales de lectura de tarjetas bancarias de las tiendas.

El Departamento de Policía de Winters compartió los siguientes consejos para evitar ser víctima de delitos de robo de tarjetas bancarias: Presta atención a los lectores de tarjetas bancarias. Tira de ellos un poco antes de usarlos. Asegúrese de que el dispositivo no se vea flojo, torcido o dañado, no tenga un color diferente ni se sienta diferente.

Observe otras máquinas cercanas para comparar su aspecto.

Si el teclado se siente demasiado grueso o difícil de presionar, es posible que tenga instalado un teclado falso.

Las personas deberían considerar usar la opción “Tocar para pagar” o una billetera móvil. Este método crea una secuencia numérica “tokenizada” única cada vez que se realiza una compra, lo que lo hace inútil para cualquiera que quiera utilizarlo en compras futuras.

Las personas deben revisar sus cuentas bancarias con regularidad e informar cualquier transacción fraudulenta a la agencia policial y al banco local.

Regístrese para recibir alertas de transacciones con todas las instituciones bancarias.

Winters Express, Wednesday, February 21, 2024 — B7

Girls head to next round of playoffs, Boys end season

By Aaron Geerts Express staff writer

Varsity girls The Winters High School varsity girls basketball team plunged headfirst into the playoffs last week starting with a Round 1 showdown against Willows High School on Tuesday, Feb. 13. Playing host to the Honkers, the Warriors held down the home court with an unstoppable offense led

by Jordan Tucker with 16 points along with 11 each from Emily Dodic and Maci Dodic. With lockdown defense to complement their play, WHS won 55–42.

“We were excited to host our first playoff game and the girls really showed up to play. We had a strong second quarter to take a 32–20 lead into halftime and were able to hold onto the lead for the rest of the game. Maci Dodic held Willows’ best offensive player

to only five points for the game and all the girls were focused on offense and defense,” said head coach, Ivan Dodic.

Two days later on Thursday, Feb. 15, the Warriors playoff road took them to Anderson Union High School. The Cubs were ready to play but wilted before a very determined and motivated Warrior squad that put the defensive clamps down on the home team. Tucker led the way again with 22 points and snagged every rebound in sight which helped push the Warriors to a 40–36 victory.

“We played our best game of the year against Anderson and it couldn’t have come at a better time. Anderson has two really good players which led them to a 21–7 record and Maci Dodic

Varsity boys

did a phenomenal job on their point guard holding her to only four points,” said Coach Dodic. “We gave Alli Aguilar and Skyler Neal a little more help in the second half guarding their 5-foot, 10-inch-center with Emily Dodic, and this tactic held her to just two points in the second half. We really forged our team’s identity as being a very tough defensive team and we showed it against Anderson.”

The Warriors played against University Prep on Tuesday, Feb 20.

The varsity boys basketball team also laced up for playoff action last Wednesday against Pierce High School. The Bears played a tough game that went down to the wire.

Clinging onto a four-point lead with only two minutes left to play, the Warriors held out and won the game 54–53. The game marked the first playoff win for the varsity boys since 2007.

“It was a tight first quarter against Pierce, with neither team scoring much and we were still tied at halftime.

In the third quarter, Pierce took a seven-point lead but some great defensive plays

by Julian Herrera and Sebastian Valadez as well as big shots by Colton Brown and Luke Felton gave us the lead early in the fourth.

We had to deny Pierce on the final possession and our effort was fantastic to

How to reduce injury risk in women Metro Special to the Express No athlete is immune to injuries.

Fans of professional sports are well aware of that notion, as many a team’s season has been adversely affected by injury to one or more players.

In fact, a comprehensive and longitudinal study of injury trends in Major League Baseball published in the American Journal of Orthopedics® in 2016 found that players lost an average of 25,186 days to injury each year between 1998 and 2015. If injuries are that common in the professional sports arena, where players have daily access to experienced and highly trained medical staff, it’s fair to conclude that amateur athletes are equally if not more vulnerable to injury.

The Tulane Women’s Sports Medicine Program notes that studies have found that women are more prone than men to some of the most common sports-related injuries. The TWSMP reports that researchers credit that disparity to differences between how the bodies of men and women function, among other factors. Ankle sprains, knee injuries and stress fractures are among the more common sports-related injuries in women.

While women ath-

Adobe/Stock photo

Women athletes can never make themselves immune to injury, but there are steps they can take to reduce their risk for such injuries. letes can never make themselves immune to injury, there are steps they can take to reduce their risk for such injuries.

• Emphasize strength training in workout routines.

The TWSMP recommends women include strength training in their routines, notably focusing on strengthening the hamstrings and major muscles in the lower legs. This can help women who compete in sports such as soccer where ACL injuries are a significant risk. The ACL Preventative Training Program at Mass General Brigham incorporates strength training and plyometrics paired with agility, balance and flexibility training to help women athletes

reduce their risk of ACL injuries, and such an approach can be studied by women concerned about their injury risk.

• Be especially careful after giving birth. The University of Wisconsin School of Medicine and Public Health urges women who recently gave birth to be especially cautious. The Cleveland Clinic notes that progesterone is a hormone that plays

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an important role in women’s reproductive systems. Levels of that hormone are elevated during pregnancy, and UW Health indicates that has a softening effect that can lead to a loosening of limbs and muscles, which can persist for months after giving birth.

• Avoid overuse.

The Cleveland Clinic indicates repetitive strain injuries, which can damage muscles, tendons or nerves, are caused by repetitive movement and overuse. Though athletes are competitive by nature, rest is vital to athletic performance. Women are urged to built rest days into their workout routines, resisting the notion that pushing through pain is a sign of commitment.

Women athletes are more susceptible to common sports injuries than men. Taking measures to reduce injury risk can ensure women can continue to compete and reap the rewards of exercise.

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send the game to overtime and win,” said head coach, Brendan McShea.

On Friday, the Warriors traveled to Gridley High School to take on the Bulldogs. Unfortunately, the Warriors weren’t able to recreate the magic from a few days prior and lost 74–56.

“Playing in a packed gym against a team with a ton of size had us starting slow, and you can tell we played an overtime game two days before while Gridley looked rested. The second half was a different story. Fantastic defense

by Fernando Herrera lit a spark in the third quarter and huge shots by Colton Brown got us back within 10 points,” said McShea. “Unfortunately, their depth and shooting couldn’t be denied and we lost by 18.

But the team never quit and everyone on the team got to play in a great environment to finish the season.”

Making youth sports safer for athletes Metro Special to the Express Participating in youth sports can be a great way for children to develop various interpersonal skills and stay active. Routine physical activity is part of a healthy lifestyle, which can help reduce the rates of obesity and overweight among modern youths. However, participation in sporting activities is not without risk. It falls on coaches, leagues and parents to make youth sports as safe as possible for these young athletes.

According to Stanford Medicine Children’s Health, more than 3.5 million children ages 14 and younger get hurt each year while playing sports or participating in recreational activities. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention reports high school athletes

account for an estimated two million injuries, half a million doctor visits and 30,000 hospitalizations each year. A 2011 study of Canadian youth published in Science Direct found that 66 percent of injuries among young people between the ages of 12 and 19 were sports-related.

In the face of such data, parents may be left wondering what can be done to reduce injuries.

Cross train for overuse injury prevention

The Canadian Strength & Conditioning Association says overtraining may be one contributor to these injuries. Overuse injuries involve repetitive strain placed on bones, tendons and ligaments, which differ from acute injuries that occur during a traumatic event. A 2009

See SAFER, Page 8

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PISANI’S ATHLETE OF THE WEEK

Colton Brown Colton Brown, a Winters High School senior, is Pisani’s Athlete of the Week. Head coach Brendan McShea said Brown’s fire and leadership kept the team playing hard with energy. “This week Colton was the backbone of our defense on Tuesday as he played almost the entire game against Pierce in our overtime victory in the playoffs. On Friday, against the topseeded Gridley, Colton capped of his career with a fantastic shooting display, knocking down six threes, five in the second half, to lead us in scoring with 20 points,” said McShea.

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B8 — Winters Express, Wednesday, February 21, 2024

Express Yourself

RISKS Continued from Page 5

“Sewers vs. storm drains!” by Samantha Bizjak, Winters Middle School

SAFER Continued from Page 7 study from the American College of Sports Medicine found the number of anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) reconstructions performed on children between the ages of three and 20 in New York increased by 100 percent between 1990 and 2009.

The Children’s Hospital of Philadelphia says ACL tears in children are not typically common compared to all injuries they suffer. However, they are more prevalent among youths who participate in organized sports that involve a lot of running, jumping, twisting, and pivoting. Children need to take breaks from

DIETRICH Continued from Page 1 “I believe I can bring much-needed knowledge and expertise in that area of the law to our local court,” Dietrich said. “I have an understanding of what it means to represent a client and deal with their lives fairly in both a passionate and caring way, and I could use

sports to allow their bodies to recover and to incorporate variety into their activities through cross training to avoid repetitive strain on one area of the body.

Use proper technique It is essential that young athletes be schooled in the proper techniques when engaging in physical activity. Coaches should make sure that athletes are employing the proper techniques before sending them into games.

Get the proper equipment Protective equipment, such as helmets, pads, shoes, and more, are vital for injury prevention and should never be overlooked. that same careful attention that I bring to my cases to the service of the court.”

EARTH Continued from Page 5 • Try not to use that many tree products like paper, pencils, etc. About 42 million trees are cut down every year to make paper think about the major deforestation that is happening.

• Recycle plastic.

When plastic isn’t recycled it is taken to the landfill and sits there as it gets heated up by the sun’s rays. When it heats up it releases harmful toxins into the air that are not safe for humans or the environment.

• Try not to use single-use plastic and instead use reusable materials. Plastic harms the environment so when we use it only once we are harming the environment a lot just for one water bot-

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tle or any item. Try grabbing a reusable water bottle or a reusable grocery bag.

• Try using any one of these solutions and you will make a difference in the issue of climate change. Next time you do a “usual” task think harder, ask yourself “Is this harming the environment and the ecosystems on this planet?” I know that it may seem that only a couple of people trying to help isn’t going to do much but as Hellen Keller said, “Alone we do so

little but together we can do so much” So let’s unite together and get more people to help the environment.

Let’s unite and save our home for us and the future generations to come because I know we are better together.

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lack significant physical movement in their daily life. The risk from a sedentary lifestyle varies with the time being inactive.

• LOW risk indicates sitting less than 4 hours per day.

• MEDIUM risk indicates sitting 4 to 8 hours per day.

• HIGH risk indicates sitting 8 to 11 hours per day.

• VERY HIGH risk indicates sitting more than 11 hours per day.

Inactive individuals may need to start an exercise program slowly and for some maybe under the supervision of their medical provider. People can also keep adding more exercise gradually. The more a person can do, the better, but they should try not to feel overwhelmed and do what they can.

Getting some light exercise is always better than getting none. Eventually, the goal can be to get the recommended amount of exercise for your age and health. There are many ways to get exercise, such as walking, and it’s important to find the types that are best for a person’s ability and needs. People can also try to add activity to their lives in smaller ways, such as at home and with friends and family.

It’s never too late to start and get moving.

To access some valuable information, please conduct a webpage search by entering the report title, Exercise & Physical Activity for Healthy Aging Get Fit for Life, and you’ll be directed to a very indepth free report.

You have the power to take action to protect yourself against heart disease. Small heart-healthy actions like adding more movement or choosing healthy foods, can have an impact on protecting the heart.

American Heart Month is a time to raise awareness about the dangers of heart disease. The Centers for Disease Control-Prevention (CDC-P) explains that cardiovascular disease, heart disease, stroke and high blood pressure are the number one killer of men/women in the United States, yet most people don’t know they may be at risk. It’s also the leading cause of disability, preventing Americans from working and enjoying life. CDC-P estimates the annual costs of heart-related illnesses and death to be approximately $300 billion, and that includes the overall costs of healthcare services, medications, and lost productivity.

Please join the Winters Elder Day Council as we educate people in our community about healthy lifestyle choices, risk factors, and the importance of regular checkups with your healthcare provider. Please remember, that better education and awareness may help prevent many heart disease-related illnesses.

Most importantly, before engaging in physical activities after being sedentary, it’s always safe that a person consults with their treating physician to ensure the best-desired results are achieved in a protected and healthy manner.

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