Winters Express: Wednesday, March 6, 2024

City begins discussion of cannabis considerations

By Amelia Biscardi Express staff writer

With five Winters City Council members and four Planning Commissioners present, space at City Hall council chamber was especially snug on Feb. 27. On the agenda was a workshop to educate and begin a conversation about allowing the cannabis industry into Winters.

The Cannabis Industry Workshop began with a 40-minute presentation from senior policy advisor Mark Lovelace of HdL Companies. HdL Companies is an organization

that provides consulting services for local government agencies within California.

“It’s important to note that we remain agnostic regarding cannabis legalization,” Lovelace said. “Our goal is to support your city with information to support your decision-making process regardless of what direction you want to go. And not to advocate for any particular outcome.”

The purpose of the workshop was not for the planning commissioners or the city council to advocate for or against. No de-

cisions were made — as that will happen at a later date — and the public was able to ask questions and provide input.

City Manager Jeremey Craig explained that HdL, in their current capacity, is to start the process before the item appears on a future city council agenda item.

“What we’ve engaged HdL to do is this public outreach and engagement step first before we discuss anything else,” Craig said. Lovelace explained that there are five categories within the cannabis industry: culti-

vation, testing, manufacturer, distribution and retail. The local cities with cannabis industries that are not cultivation are Davis, Dixon and Woodland. Winters currently does not have any policies in place allowing any of the licensing of the cannabis industry. As well, during the meeting the main portion of the cannabis industry brought up was retail — meaning considering a storefront.

Lovelace explained that one of the things for the city to consider is what is called a “buffer zone” set

Supervisors rescind 1943 proclamation opposing Japanese Americans’ return

By Angela Underwood Express correspondent

The Yolo County Board of Supervisors rescinded a 1943 proclamation based on racial discrimination, prejudice and baseless fears. Those were District 2 Supervisor and Chair Lucas Frerichs’s exact words at the Feb. 27 meeting regarding the legal document opposing the release of Japanese Americans residents confined at various internment camps and their return to Yolo County after World War II.

“I think many of us were really shocked to read the language of the resolution,” Frerichs said, adding former Yolo County Deputy District Attorney Pattie Fong found the legal document.

Fong read the first sentence of the resolution.

“The general feeling of the residents of this county that said Japanese because of their inborn native untrust-

worthiness should not be permitted to leave such relocation centers and again infiltrate into the various sections of the United States, and particularly the West Coast,” Fong read. Fong said the resolution, which she found when researching for the screening of the film “And Then They Came for Us,” directly impacted Yolo County Japanese Americans.

“They read it, they heard about it, and they didn’t feel welcome, and some didn’t come back, and that

is a shame,” District 5 Supervisor Angel Barajas said. Barajas said he is grateful for those who did return.

“I know some of them are prominent farmers, businesswomen and businessmen who still have roots here because they are from Yolo County and this is their land,” Barajas said.

One of those families is the Shimomura family of Winters. Floyd Shimomura, former Japanese American Citizens President, told officials only 15 percent out of the

approximately 300 Japanese Americans who lived in Winters returned. That number includes his parents and grandparents, who were incarcerated in intermittent camps.

“The Shimomura family was one of the

See RESCIND, Page 3

by the state, but cities can decide the amount. A buffer zone is designed to protect sensitive groups such as schools, parks and daycares. The starting point for a buffer zone from the state is 600 feet, however, cities can change that to zero or increase it beyond 600 feet.

This was brought up on the Consent Calendar on Nov. 7, 2023, via the Cannabis Local Jurisdiction Retail Access Grant. This grant would provide $115,000 for the development of cannabis regulations, if the city

council decides to not create cannabis regulations, there is also money available to cover the discussions through the American Rescue Plan. Residents voice opinions

Some of the points brought up by the public included concerns that a cannabis retail store was being prioritized over other priorities such as more medical facilities.

Winters resident Marjorie Maciel also expressed concerns about the 600-foot

See CANNABIS, Page 3

Youth Day asks public to share memories

The Youth Day Committee is taking action to ensure Mike Sebastian’s legacy lives on as part of annual Youth Day traditions. This year marked Sebastian’s 46th year of commitment to ensuring the Youth Day event and parade came to reality. He advocated not only for the event but to include students in the process. Before his death, Sebastian and the Youth Day Board had begun work with the Winters Joint Unified School District to revive the civic-engagement piece and to invite student leadership groups and clubs to have a hand in planning the event’s multiple activities.

This year, the Youth Day Committee and the Rotary Club of Winters plan to honor Sebastian with a float dedi-

cated to him and his undeniable love for Youth Day. The Express is partnering with them and is asking community members to share their favorite memories of Youth Day or of Sebastian to be featured in the Youth Day special edition and to be included in the special float.

Youth Day memories or photos can be submitted online now through April 1 at https://bit. ly/3P7UdrJ.

If you would like to volunteer to help build the float, fill out the Volunteer Form at linktr.ee/ wintersyouthday. Write in “Mike’s Float” in the “Other” field.

The committee is accepting applications to participate in the Main Youth Day Parade or to host a vendor booth in the city park. Visit www. wintersyouthday. com for details.

Courtesy photo

The Yolo County Board of Supervisors rescinded a resolution from June 10, 1943, opposing the release of interned Americans of Japanese descent at the Feb. 27 meeting.

Pictured are Pattie Fong, Supervisor Oscar Villegas, Supervisor Jim Provenza, Supervisor Mary Vixie Sandy, former State Assemblymember Mariko Yamada, Norb Kumagai, Floyd Shimomura and Yolo County Assessor Jesse Salinas.

Express staff

El Consejo aprueba solicitud del cierre estacional de carreteras

Por Crystal Apilado

Traducido por Carol Alfonso

El Ayuntamiento de Winters (Winters City Council) aprobó la solicitud del cierre estacional de carreteras presentada por la Asociación Empresarial del Centro de Winters (Winters Downtown Business Association - Winters DBA) en su reunión del pasado 20 de Febrero. Los cierres estacionales de carreteras del evento anual Spring Open del Winters DBA darán inicio a la temporada del cuarto Viernes de Marzo y finalizarán el último Domingo de Octubre. La carta de la presidenta del Winters DBA, Carla Wroten, a la ciudad indicaba que la organización apoyará una vez más el mercado de agricultores de Winters (Winters Farmers Market) en el centro de la ciudad los Domingos de 9 a.m. a 1 p.m. desde el 28 de Abril al 27 de Octubre. Excepto por tres Domingos en Abril antes del inicio del mercado de agricultores los días 7, 14 y 21 de Abril.

“En estos fines de semana, Winter DBA recomienda que Main Street se reabra el Domingo por la mañana según la conveniencia del personal de obras públicas,” dijo Wroten. El cierre de calles duraría desde las 3 p.m. los Viernes hasta las 3 p.m. los Domingos después del cierre del Winters Farmers Market.

El administrador de la ciudad, Jeremy Craig, señaló que la solicitud era la misma que la del año pasado, cuando los miembros del consejo aprobaron inicialmente el calendario de cierre estacional de calles con la intención del Winters DBA de revivir el Winters Farmers Market y organizar eventos especiales en el centro.

El informe del personal detalla la solicitud del Winters DBA de que Main Street se cierre desde la Railroad Avenue hasta First Street a partir del Viernes por la noche. Para el Spring Open Festival, el cierre de la carretera se ampliaría hasta la

Second Street temprano el Sábado para dar cabida a la exhibición de artesanía. Los vendedores también se ubicarían en las “alas” de First Street hasta los callejones y en el Paseo Park, proporcionando más espacio. El evento también utilizaría pérgolas en la Main Street. El miembro del consejo Richard Casavecchia preguntó si los eventos especiales para Spring Open y Harvest Festival requerirían el cierre de la calle para cruzar la Railroad Avenue y las dos alas de la intersección de Main Street y Railroad Avenue como lo solicitó el evento del año pasado. Wroten y la coordinadora del evento, Delaney Holden, estuvieron en la video plataforma de Zoom y confirmaron que el cierre de la carretera para los eventos especiales incluiría hasta el camino de entrada frente a Hoobys porque no querían impedir que los automovilistas salieran del estacionamiento público. Holden también aclaró que la solicitud era para el Spring Open Festival del 22 al 24 de Marzo y el cierre estacional de la carretera para los eventos del Cuarto Viernes y Winters Farmers Market en la parte occidental de Main Street desde Railroad Avenue hasta el cruce de peatones a mitad de cuadra en Paseo Park. Winters DBA presentará una solicitud adicional de cierre de carreteras para el evento del festival con temática de la cosecha de otoño. El alcalde Bill Biasi también solicitó que se cambien los horarios de cierre para reflejar un horario de cierre de las 3 p.m. dado a que el lenguaje en la Resolución fue inconsistente y enumeró el horario como las 3 p.m. del Viernes hasta las 4 p.m. el Domingo y viceversa. Los concejales aprobaron por unanimidad los cierres estacionales de carreteras con la enmienda para ampliarlos a Hooby’s Brewing para el Spring Open

Festival e incluir las alas (First Street). Otras discusiones incluyeron si la ciudad debería aumentar la tarifa de vendedores de $15 para la licencia comercial de un solo día, ya que no existe un mecanismo de informe preciso para registrar si los vendedores reportan a la ciudad sus totales de ingresos por impuestos sobre las ventas.

La residente Kate Laddish solicitó al consejo una discusión sobre si había una manera de contabilizar el impuesto sobre las ventas de los proveedores. “Sé que algunas empresas no se benefician de los cierres y otras sí. Esto es desde la perspectiva de que tenemos toda la información,” dijo Laddish. “Me sorprendió ver que muchos proveedores usan la plataforma de pagos Venmo, ¿lo entendí correctamente? ¿Cómo es posible que exista comercio pero (la ciudad) no obtenga los beneficios fiscales?”

Craig dijo que dado a que los vendedores son transitorios, la ciudad tiene que depender de ellos para informar y cumplir con las pautas. Dijo que la ciudad gastaría más tiempo y dinero tratando de rastrear los datos que lo que obtendrían del total. Biasi estuvo de acuerdo y afirmó que utilizar personal de la ciudad para intentar localizarlo era un desperdicio de fondos.

Laddish también solicitó que Wroten y Holden agregaran La Compañía del Teatro de Winters (Winters Theatre Company - WTC) a su lista de empresas para confirmar con respecto al entretenimiento del centro. El WTC se hizo cargo del arrendamiento de la Ópera de Winters en Diciembre, y la preocupación de Laddish es que pueda haber ruido entre las actuaciones en la Ópera y la música en vivo en el centro de Main Street. Wroten confirmó que incluiría al WTC en su comunicación y planificación de entretenimiento en vivo.

WHS varsity baseball seeks support of fans

Express staff

The Winters High School varsity baseball team is selling vouchers for the Rivercats 2024 season for the opportunity to play a game against Rio Vista High School at the Sacramento River Cats’ stadium.

Varsity baseball coach Austin Calvert said for the opportunity to be paid for, the team needs to sell 125 vouchers for River Cats baseball games.

With 52 vouchers left, they are looking to the community to help support their endeavor.

Each voucher covers two tickets in the “Senate Section” to a River Cats 2024 regular-season game, excluding noted blackout dates. Vouchers are $50 each. To purchase tickets or ask questions, contact Coach Calvert at austincalvert7@ gmail.com and

Venmo @whsbaseball2024.

Game day

The community is invited to watch the Warriors take on the Rio Vista Rams at the River Cats’ home field at Sutter Health Park, 400 Ballpark Dr. in West Sacramento on Thursday, March 14, at 6:30 p.m. The game is free to attend, but attendees must pay for parking for $8 a vehicle.

Event hosts supply drive for Kiwanis Family House

Special to the Express

The Kiwanis Club of Winters invites the community to its Open House event on Thursday, March 14, from 6 to 8 p.m. at Patio29 Spirits Co. Winters Kiwanis members are excited to share about its accomplishments during their first year as an active club and to invite the community to participate in exciting volunteer opportunites.

The featured guest speaker is Paula Kelley, the executive director of the Kiwanis Family House. Kelley will share about how the KFH supports families who have children receiving treatment at the UC Davis Medical Hospital. Kiwanis Clubs helps to support the KFH through donations and acts of service. Winters Kiwanis

are hosting a supply drive to help support their efforts. Attendees are encouraged to bring any of the following KFH-requested items to the Open House event:

• Toilet paper rolls

• Peanut butter crackers

• Pudding cups

• Cup noodles

• Instant oatmeal cups

• K-Cups

• Microwave popcorn

• Standard-sized pillows/pillowcases (preferably white)

• Twin-sized sheets There are only 40 tickets available. Tickets are $25 and include a cocktail/ mocktail and a finger-food buffet. There will also be a raffle to raise funds for the Club’s scholarship fund. Tickets are available online

at https://bit.ly/3uX1JyG.

“Following the success of our ’80s Prom, we were able to establish a foundation for a scholarship fund. Our goal is to provide two scholarships to Winters graduates,” said Crystal Apilado, Kiwanis Club of Winters secretary. “We are also excited to collaborate with more local organizations to continue out mission to bring resources and opportunities to local youth. We hope some of our community members will come to learn more about what we have going on as well as to help support the Kiwanis Family House.”

Questions can be sent to kiwanis clubofwinters@gmail .com or at www.face book.com/WintersCA Kiwanis.

OneCreek Seasonal Technician Program is hiring for Spring

Special to the Express Putah Creek Council’s OneCreek Seasonal Restoration Technician Program is a paid ($16/hour) part-time, seasonal position designed to give entry-level participants experience working with local partners and stakeholders within the Putah Creek Watershed. With the help of partner agencies, the OneCreek Program provides work experience and skill development in field work days and nursery work days.

The Spring 2024 OneCreek season will run for eight weeks from the week of April 8 through the week of May 31. The time commitment is between 6 to 10 hours a week and includes a combination of onsite field work and independent readings,

depending on participants’ availability. Previous restoration experience is not required and applicants do not need to be enrolled students in order to participate. Join Putah Creek Council this Spring to train and network with experts selected for their expertise in habitat restoration and maintenance, outdoor recreation management, native plant propagation, and nursery operations. Technicians receive an introduction to Restoration and Conservation career paths from regional professionals. These experts will give guided presentations and engage in discussions about the concepts learned. The program will include exposure to the science behind the various restoration projects and research being conducted in the region.

In addition, participants will receive the contact information of the agency representatives they gain hands-on experience and job training from

during employment. The one-on-one opportunity to gain experience in the field with prospective employers is not often presented through college courses. Work days will be held primarily outdoors within Solano and Yolo Counties and vary depending on the day. Transportation to the worksite is not provided. Applicants may apply via Google Forms, found on our website, and submit their resume and cover letter to the Education Program Manager Brenda at brenda@ putahcreekcouncil. org and Stewardship Program Manager Nicolle at nicolle@ putahcreekcouncil. org

More information about the 2024 OneCreek Program is available at putahcreekcouncil.org/ who-we-are/job-oppurtunities, by emailing Brenda at brenda@putahcreekcouncil.org, Nicolle at nicolle@putahcreekcouncil.org, or by calling the Putah Creek Council office at 530-795-9000.

WHS senior hosts Capstone hoops tournament March 8

Winters Life Skills class students and Team Davis members will shoot hoops on

Friday, March 8, at 6 p.m. to raise funds for their programs.

Winters High School senior Esteban Arias is hosting the annual Special Olympics Basketball Tournament for his Senior Capstone project. Winters Life Skills class students and Team Davis members go head-tohead on the court on

CANNABIS

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distance from sensitive groups.

“If the city does go and proceed ahead with this, the state-mandated 600 feet away from the school or a daycare center (...), Winters is very small, we have a lot of schools we have a lot of daycare centers,” Maciel said. “I think it would be a challenge because I would rather see that buffer much larger than 600 feet.”

James Hyer, another resident, brought up a concern asking if the police department would cover any potential incidents.

However, Mayor Bill Biasi noted that at this time questions were to be directed to Lovelace and his expertise.

“If the cannabis business is such a safe business, why are they fortified so much as HdL says,” Marciel said. “That’s more than our banks have here in Winters.”

Resident Teresa Pisani brought her experience as someone who used to work in a drug store, mentioning concerns about the nature of high regulations within the cannabis industry.

“Our pharmacy was not as highly regulated as was mentioned, banks are not as highly regulated and liquor stores are not as highly regulated as this cannabis industry seems to be,” Pisani said. “Which to me just sends off all kinds of red flags as to why does it have to be so highly regulated. All these rules and regulations which means there might be something wrong.”

Stephen Montagna, Winters resident and practicing attorney, noted that while there are a lot of concerns and regulations, allowing cannabis licenses should still be

this Friday. Doors at the WHS gymnasium open to spectators at 5 p.m., players take to the court to play at 6 p.m. Admission to the event is free. Donations will be accepted during the event. All proceeds and cash donations will be shared to support programs for Team Davis and the WHS Life Skills Class.

DJ Barnett Entertainment will be live at the event to give a play-by-play, and to

considered.

“Are we going to continue to allow a revenue stream which is expansive to slip through our fingers and allow it to go to Davis, Woodland, because that’s what’s happening,” Montagna said. “We are getting distributors, we are getting people making sales and having it delivered to Winters. We have all of this tax revenue that is coming out of our community.”

Resident Darian Clark joined via Zoom to advocate for considering allowing cannabis licensing in Winters.

“We’re having everything popping off and getting bigger as a city — more housing more everything. Why should we have to go and spend money in other places,” Clark said. “We could just stay in Winters and use our money like we want to.”

Council/Commissioner input

Council members and planning commissioners clarified some information about taxes and micro-licenses.

One of the biggest things the Lovelace presented was a potential $2 to $4 million in cannabis retail sales annually with the potential tax rate of that being between $100,000 and $300,000.

Council member Richard Casavecchia asked for clarification as to how Lovelace came up with that number.

Lovelace explained that this was the number that presumably was being spent by local cannabis consumers in the area. And the presumption would be that Winters would be able to catch those sales instead of individuals traveling elsewhere.

Lovelace also mentioned in later comments that the calculation was a rough one

help bring the Warrior spirit. The entire community is invited to come out to cheer both teams on. Students in the Life Skills classes who have a disability on some level engage in opportunities to develop age-appropriate skills for functioning outside of the school environment. They learn skills to communicate, engage and work independently, or to the best level of independence possible for each student.

that was just based on the nearby population and presuming that a retail store would capture most of the sales in Winters.

To round out the joint session, Craig introduced Sterling Thomas as the new Deputy City Clerk.

Craig told the Express that the item is expected to appear on the March 19 City Council meeting agenda. Staff will ask the City Council if they would like to keep the status quo or add cannabis industry licensing types to the City’s zoning code. If council moves to add, staff will ask which types council members would like to see be brought back for review.

The workshop video can be viewed on the city’s website under the City Council Available Archives at www. cityofwinters.org/194/ Meetings.

that were able to return after World War II, despite the very harsh public opinion,” Shimomura said while holding a black-and-white photo of the Japanese community in Winters.

Yolo County Administrator Gerardo Pinedo said the resolution is “a call for all of us to be aware of history and to do everything we can to make sure it does not repeat.”

“This is such an important resolution for the board to act on not only for the injustice of the past but also to remind us that injustices can happen at any time,” Pinedo said.

District 4 Supervisor Jim Provenza said any similar proclamations must be taken off the Yolo County record.

“I think repealing this will bring that forward to how we treat people in the United States now and how we should be treating people,” Provenza said, adding thanks to Frerich for bringing it to the supervisor’s attention.

Frerichs said the city of Davis passed a similar resolution in 1943 but rescinded more than a decade ago. He added the city of Woodland will be rescinding a similar resolution.

“Frankly, we are seeing increasingly

other groups in our country being scapegoated, and there is a lot of fear-mongering going on, so it is a step towards reconciliation, healing of past discrimination that has no part in our Democratic society today,” Frerichs said.

District 1 Supervisor Oscar Villegas said he was unaware of the discriminatory proclamation, like the other supervisors.

“It is easy to dis-

to reject to the extent that we can and try to inform the ignorance that drives this kind of policy and to reject intolerance and really work on other things that unite us. I appreciate the opportunity to cast an Aye vote in support of this,” Vixie Sand said.

Jesse Salinas, Yolo County’s assessor/ register/clerk reporter thanked the board for rescinding the resolution.

“I think we know better, and I think it is incumbent upon us to reject to the extent that we can and try to inform the ignorance that drives this kind of policy and to reject intolerance and really work on the other things that unite us.”

Mary Vixie Sandy, supervisor

miss or not know, and many of us probably did not know,” Villegas said. I certainly did not know, and I want to thank the chair for bringing it forward and scoring today when we at least attempt to restore some integrity in operations around the county systems.”

To quote Mayo Angelou, “When we know better, we do better,” according to District 3 Supervisor Mary Vixie Sandy.

“I think we know better, and I think it is incumbent upon us

“When you read it and hear some of the testimonies, it is completely heartbreaking when you hear the verbiage and the attitude that was so pervasive,” Salinas said.

Before voting, Fong said she intends to search for any other Yolo County archives that may be similar.

“We need to work on this every day; this is a learning opportunity to remind people,” Fong said. “We will continue to clean up the records in Yolo County.”

Lake Berryessa water levels up

Express staff

The water level of Lake Berryessa went up during the past week by 1.72 feet, with an increase in the storage of 31,922 acre-feet of water, according to Ken Emigh of the Solano Irrigation District. On the morning of Tuesday, March 5, the lake level was 437.82 feet above sea level, with storage computed at 1,510,370 acrefeet of water. Evaporation on the lake averaged 57 acre-feet of water per day. The SID is diverting 66 cubic feet per second of water in the Putah South Canal, with 25 cubic feet per second flowing at the Diversion Dam.

Public Safety Report

City of Winters

Fire

The Winters Fire Log will return soon.

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

Police Arrest Log

Feb. 23: Perez

Roja, Omar A. (Age 33); Charges: Driving while license is suspended for DUI, Expired Registration; Disposition:

Released on Notice to Appear

Report Log

Feb. 23: 3:03 p.m., 700th block of Matsumoto Lane, Fraud

Feb. 24: 11:25 p.m., 80th block of Owings Drive, Outside Agency Assist ~11:40 p.m., 2000th block of County

Road 89, Outside Agency Assist Feb. 25: 6:14 p.m., 300th block of Grant Avenue, Domestic Dispute Feb. 26: 8:18 a.m., 100th block of E. Baker Street, Audible Alarm ~10:50 a.m., 100th block of Lauren Court, Miscellaneous Incident Report ~4:18 p.m., 400th block of Anderson Avenue, Miscellaneous Incident Report Feb. 27: 1:43 p.m., 100th block of Riverview Court, Assault Feb. 28: 8 a.m., 200th block of Maple Lane, Vandalism For our editorial policy on crime log entries, see winters express.com/unpub lishing-policy.

Planning Commission to consider outdoor cannabis growing

Express staff

The Winters Planning Commission is expected to take up an item forward by the City Council to review the possibility of banning outdoor cannabis growing per a resident request at its March 26 meeting.

According to City Manager Jeremy Craig’s March 5 update, in 2017, the City Council approved outdoor cannabis growing

as a permitted use, but a recent resident’s request to ban the practice will be reviewed by the Planning Commission and a recommendation brought forward to the City Council for consideration.

Once finalized, the agenda for the Planning Commission meeting will be posted on the city of Winters’ website at www.cityofwinters. org/194/Meetings.

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130 Years Ago

March 10, 1894

The Board of Directors of the Winters Fruit Exchange have rented a room in the Chadwick building, on Main street, and have selected the Earl Fruit Company as the general agent for the handling of the business of the Exchange.

Mrs. Jennie Kinsey has been appointed librarian of the Winters Public Library, and all those who wish to spend a few leisure moments in good reading will find the Library rooms open as follows: Week days, 2 to 5 and 7 to 9 p.m. Sundays, 9 to 11 a.m., 1 to 6 and 7 to 9 p.m.

Cook & McKenzie’s general merchandise store at Monticello was totally destroyed by fire last Monday night at 12 o’clock. Cook & McKenzie place their loss at about $8,000, with an insurance of $4,000.

Mrs. R.L. Briggs expects to leave Monday to visit her birth place in Lagrange, Missouri. Sam Hoy and other Winters turfmen are anxious for good weather so they can get their travelers in shape.

The railroad pay car went over this branch Wednesday, gladdening the employees along the line with a sight at the coin of the realm.

Walter Humphrey has sold his interest in the harness shop to his brother Lee and hereafter will not be connected with the firm of Humphrey Brothers. Walter is an industrious young man, and has been connected with the business here for 15 years. May good luck follow his future undertakings.

95 Years Ago

March 8, 1929

A wire from Washington, D.C. was received Saturday by the promoters of the new Winters bank that their petition for a charter had been granted. The board of direct ors is composed of E. H. Edwards, R.L. Niemann, C.E. Wyatt, H.G. Boyce, C.H. Sackett, F.M. Wyatt, C.B. Phillips and Angus Madden.

Thomas Vasey, 77, resident of this community almost since its beginning died at his home here early Tuesday morning.

Bob Streeter, graduate of Winters high

All the attributes you expect of a good neighbor – personal consideration, understanding, and consistent support – you can expect from us.

school in 1928, broke his right thumb in the first round of his bout at Stanford University, where the Davis Aggies met the Cardinal men in a return match, Wednesday night. In spite of the disaster young Streeter refused to quit the ring and fought a hard one-handed fight, which required and extra round to award the decision to the Stanford man.

The controversy over the location of the Rumsey to Lower Lake highway has been settled by the selection of the tie-up with the Tahoe to Ukiah Road. This route will be from Rumsey north to Bear creek to connect with the Tahoe Ukiah route. Raines Griffin, son of Joe R. Griffin, of Winters, who is taking up aviation at the Oakland Airport made his solo flight the other day after 6 hours of instruction.

The Fenley Mercantile Co. report the sale of McCormick Deering tractors to following: R.A. Wells 10-20 wheel tractor; H.R. Bowman, 10-20 wheel; J.E. Sackett, 10-20 wheel, and Buell Ish, 10-20 trac tractor.

Wm. Haze and family left Sunday by auto truck for Chowchilla where Mr. Haze is said to have leased an alfalfa and cotton ranch.

80 Years Ago

March 10, 1944

E.R. Crum and C.P. Culton attended a meeting of tomato growers in Woodland, Tuesday evening,

where Mexican labor was under discussion.

LeRoy Harrington, U.S.N., sent a V-mail letter marking the birthday of his father, Chester Harrington, that fell February 24. He said that he was well, happy and occupied.

At the meeting of the Service Club Monday evening. post-war planning got serious consideration.

Miss Margaret Ann Hemenway and friend Ensign Andy Danzero, Recognition Officer, stationed at Treasure Island, were over Sunday visitors with her parents, the F.C. Hemenways.

Mr. and Mrs. Orval Baker bought the residence property of Mrs. Mayme Buford on Abbay street. The Bakers who have been residing on Grant Avenue plan to get into their new home next week.

Mr. and Mrs. Al Cattermole are this week taking up residence in the Baker street cottage that they recently purchased.

Miss Marian Degener was among the large number of U. C. students who graduated Sunday, Feb. 27.

Miss Degener, local high school class ‘40, majored in history and took her Bachelor of Arts degree.

Elwin Martin has taken over the leadership of the newly organized 4-H activities.

Mrs. Russell Cecil will give direction to the sewing unit.

Mr. and Mrs. James Ish and motor party of Alameda were visitors Sunday evening with Mrs. Sallie Ish.

every few years. This photo, taken in 2017, shows water going down the spillway. The top of the Glory Hole is at 440 feet above sea level. This week, the lake level was just two feet below the rim.

Yolo County MHSA holds listening session as part of planning process

By Rebecca Wasik McNaughton Media

A series of community listening sessions were held across Yolo County to gather input regarding mental health services and the needs of Yolo County residents.

In 2004, California voters passed Proposition 63, the Mental Health Services Act (MHSA). It is designed to expand and transform California’s behavioral health system to better serve individuals with, and at risk of, serious mental health issues, and their families.

According to the California Department of Health Care Services, “MHSA addresses a broad continuum of prevention, early intervention, and service needs and the necessary infrastructure, technology, and training elements that effectively support the public behavioral health system.”

Listening sessions were held in West Sacramento, Esparto, Winters, Davis and Woodland.

Between in-person and Zoom, there were approximately 25 attendees ranging from dignitaries, those who work in mental health and for the county, as well as residents at the Davis sessions.

Mariana de Sanitbanes from Evalcorp Research & Consulting moderated the meeting in-person while her colleague Luis Villa-Henniger moderated the Zoom chat.

A series of eight questions were asked to guests. Answers were recorded both on paper and on a recording device.

One question asked about the most important mental health challenges and issues we face as a commu-

nity. Answers included the need for experienced and in-person therapists, consistent case management, taking patient’s needs into account, needing something between mental health court and a conservatorship, better engagement with the community and issues with private insurance and MediCal.

Those who were noted as needing extra support included seniors, minorities and youth.

Recommendations for how to help make it easier for people to access the help they need for their mental health included educating through outreach, helping to break the stigma around mental health, educating youth, helping to lower wait times with MediCal and making mental health help more accessible in jail.

Cultural background and generational differences were other topics discussed. Peer support was brought up by attendees as a way to help those suffering from mental health to relate to others and know they aren’t alone.

Another question asked was, if you had the money to spend on mental health and substance abuse issues in the community, how would you spend it?

Responses varied from giving back to others for stability, to seniors who are living in squalor, helping the unhoused, creating a village for the mentally ill to live, fund consistent therapists for patients over time, pay for the college educations of those who are entering the mental health fields and increase mental health education in schools.

Flyway Nights looks at dragonflies

Special to the Express

Yolo Basin Foundation’s Flyway Nights speaker series on Thursday, March 7,will highlight the work of Christofer Brothers, a Ph.D. candidate in the Animal Behavior Graduate Group at UCDavis.

He is gearing up for an exciting talk on dragonflies and damselflies. With his expertise, he’ll dive into the world of Odonata, the insect order encompassing these ancient creatures, tracing their 300-million-year evolutionary journey.

Focusing on local species in Davis, Brothers will showcase the diverse insect life thriving locally including our own demonstration wetlands. From their complex life cycle to their mating behaviors, attendees will get a closer look at these fascinating

insects and their ecological roles.

Brothers will share insights from his own research on dragonfly legs, shedding light on their functional morphology and prey capture behavior of both larval and adult dragonflies. By studying the in-

tricacies of dragonfly legs, Christofer aims to unravel mysteries about the evolutionary trajectory and ecological roles of these remarkable insects. But it’s not all serious science — Brothers’ love for dragonflies extends to his free time, where he enjoys catching them, indulges in the world of Dungeons and Dragons, and dropping puns.

Brothers’ talk promises to inspire curiosity and appreciation for the fascinating world of dragonflies and damselflies. Register at www.yolobasin.org/flywaynights to receive the Zoom link to the presentation. A donation to support the Foundation’s wetland education programs is suggested. To register visit www. yolobasin.org/flywaynights or call Yolo Basin Foundation at 530-757-3780.

Yolo County Library introduces educational resource, PebbleGo

Special to the Express

The Yolo County Library has unveiled PebbleGo, a new educational resource tailored to the unique needs of young learners.

This new resource is accessible from the library, home or anywhere with an internet connection by visiting www.YoloCountyLibrary.org/Learning/ Children/.

PebbleGo is a database designed with the developmental stages of kindergarten through 2nd grade learners in mind, cultivating foundational research skills and providing essential support for early readers. With engaging audio voiceovers and text highlighting, PebbleGo fosters a stimulating learning environment that captivates

Capstone

young minds. This user-friendly platform offers easy navigation, inviting children to explore and discover new information. Featuring 50 nonfiction books in English and Spanish, covering topics ranging from basic science principles to intriguing biographies, children are empowered to expand their knowledge and curiosity.

Parents and caregivers can feel comfortable knowing that children are entertained and learning on

an ad-free website bursting with resources to help them master many skills and learn fun facts they will be so proud to share.

“Explore PebbleGo with your child and let us know your feedback,” said County Librarian Diana Lopez. Yolo County Library offers a comprehensive educational experience for young learners by subscribing to multiple PebbleGo modules. These modules cover various subjects including Animals/Animales, Biographies/Biografías, Health/Salud, Science/ Ciencia, and Social Studies/Estudios Sociales.

For more information, visit Yolo County Library’s website (www.YoloCountyLibrary.org).

To learn more or sign up, visit https://rb.gy/w30b90.

Christofer Brothers/Courtesy photo A Blue Dasher and Flame Skimmer on the same perch.

Wednesday, March 6

Winters Youth Day Committee Meeting, 6:30 – 7:30 p.m., City Hall Large Conference Room (Abbey Street entrance, https://linktr.ee/ wintersyouthday

Wednesdays

Eat Well Yolo Drive – Through Food Distribution

Wednesdays, 3:30 p.m. As supplies last, Winters High student parking lot, off Railroad Avenue

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

Thursdays

Eat Well Yolo Food Distribution, first and third Thursdays, 10 a.m. As supplies last, RISE, Inc., 417 Haven St., 530-668-0690

Friday, March 8

Capstone Basketball Game: Warriors vs Team Davis, 6 p.m., WHS Gymnasium

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

Upcoming

Friday, March 15

Express Coffeehouse Chat, 8:30 a.m., Steady Eddy's Coffee House

Monday, March 18

Winters Natural Resources Commission Meeting 6 p.m., City Hall Large Conference Room (Abbey Street entrance), Check cityofwinters. org/187/Natural-Resources-Commission

Tuesday, March 19

Winters City Council Meeting, 6:30 p.m., Council chamber (318 First St.), Zoom Meeting info, check www.cityofwinters.org/ city-council-meetings_/

Tuesday, March 26

Winters City Council Meeting, 6:30 p.m., Council chamber (318 First St.), Zoom Meeting info, check www.cityofwinters.org/ city-council-meetings_/

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 Wednesday, 6 p.m., Hooby's Brewing, kiwanisclubofwinters@ gmail.com

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.

Film highlights struggles of Japanese Americans

By Rebecca Wasik McNaughton Media

More than 300 people packed the Davis Veterans Memorial Center’s theater on Monday evening for a showing of the film, “And Then They Came for Us.” In addition to the film, a presentation was given and a Q&A was held to commemorate the Yolo County Day of Remembrance.

During World War II, Executive Order 9066 by President Franklin D. Roosevelt led to the forced relocation and incarceration of Japanese Americans into internment camps following the attack on Pearl Harbor.

The film, which features actor George Takei and others who were incarcerated, educates its audience about what it was like for Japanese Americans who experienced these events firsthand.

Those in the film spoke about living in horse stables while barracks were being built. Takei spoke about his mother sneaking in a sewing machine, which was strictly prohibited.

Photography was an important topic in the film as well. Dorothea Lange sometimes waited hours to be able to take photographs of the Japanese Americans who were living in the internment camps. When she was allowed to photograph, she

was followed around by military personnel who dictated her every move.

Ansel Adams also took photos in the internment camps.

These photographs are highly regarded because they showed life in the camps and proved that they existed. In 1943, a questionnaire was given to all adults in the camps.

The final two questions, later known as the “loyalty questionnaire” asked if the adult would be willing to serve in the U.S. military and if they would faithfully defend the U.S. from attack by foreign or domestic forces.

Those who answered

‘yes’ to both questions were deemed trustworthy and allowed to return home. Those who answered ‘no’ to one or both questions remained incarcerated. In 1988, President Ronald Reagan formally apologized to those who were incarcerated. Twenty $20,000 was paid to each detainee who was still alive at that time.

The walls of the halls of the Veterans Memorial Center were donned with several newspaper clippings and photographs, displaying information about Yolo County during that time.

Pattie Fong, retired Yolo County Deputy District Attorney

and editor of Currents newspaper, researched the different resolutions made by the city councils of Yolo County and its Board of Supervisors during the war.

In the June 18, 1943 edition of the Davis Enterprise, a story was printed titled, “Council passes anti-Japanese resolution.”

On Feb. 7, 2006, the Davis City Council rescinded this resolution.

The Yolo County Board of Supervisors adopted a resolution recommending to the federal government that all Japanese be banned from coming within 200 miles of the

New species of trapdoor spiders named in honor of Fred Korematsu

By Kathy Keatley Garvey Special to the Express

Newly published research on a new genus of California trapdoor spiders — the work of the Jason Bond laboratory, UC Davis Department of Entomology and Nematology — calls attention to not only the diversity of trapdoor spiders in the state, but a new species they named for national civil rights activist Fred Toyosaburo Korematsu, a San Francisco Bay area native who resisted incarceration in the Japanese-American concentration camps during World War II.

The paper, “Microgeographic Population Structuring in a Genus of California Trapdoor Spiders and Discovery of an Enigmatic New Species (Euctenizidae:  Promyrmekiaphila korematsui sp. nov.), appears in the journal Ecology and Evolution. The link: https:// doi.org/10.1002/ece3.10983.

“This paper summarizes a herculean effort by our entire lab spanning many years of field, bench, and bioinformatics work and truly reflects an integrative approach that synthesizes genetic, ecological, and morphological data to delineate species,” said Professor Bond, the Evert and Marion Schlinger Endowed Chair, UC Davis Department of Entomology and Nematology; director of the Bohart Museum of Entomology; and associate dean, UC Davis College of Agricultural and Environmental Sciences.

“While it demonstrates, what I think is the new and truly scientific nature of ‘modern’ taxonomy, it also reminds us again, with the description of a new species, just how remarkable the state of California is and that there are always new discoveries waiting just around the corner,” said Bond, the president-elect of the president-elect of the American Arachnological Society. “And, it was particularly poignant to

name this spider species for Korematsu. He and his legacy are well known to many residents of Davis.”

The Fred T. Korematsu Elementary School, Davis, bears his name, as do several schools

in the Bay Area. Born in Oakland in 1910 to Japanese immigrants, Korematsu resisted President Franklin D. Roosevelt’s Executive Order and was convicted of evading internment.

A federal court in San Francisco overturned his conviction in 1983, and in 1988, the U.S. officially apologized “for its discriminatory wartime actions and granted reparations to all those who were being interned,” according to Wikipedia. Korematsu received the U.S. Presidential Medal of Freedom in 1998 from President Clinton in recognition of his life-long dedication as a civil rights activist. Korematsu died in Marin County in 2005 at age 86.

Co-authors of the paper with Bond are James Starrett, project scientist; Xavier Zahnle, who recently received his doctorate; doctoral candidate Emma Jochim and doctoral student Iris Quayle.

Trapdoor spiders are so named because they construct their burrows with a corklike or wafer trap door made of soil, vegetation and silk. The research drew funding from a National Science Foundation grant and the Evert and Marion Schlinger Foundation.

Jason Bond/Courtesy photo

Male trapdoor spider, Promyrmekiaphila korematsui, named civil rights activist Fred Korematsu.

Rebecca Wasik/McNaughton Media

Floyd Shimomura and Pattie Fong speak to the full house at Davis Veterans Memorial Center following the showing of the film “And Then They Came for Us” on Monday, Feb. 26.

Courtesy photo

Fred Korematsu received the Presidential Medal of Freedom in 1998. A newly discovered trapdoor spider named for Korematsu, a native of the San Francisco area who was a civil rights activist. He was arrested for declining to be incarcerated in the JapaneseAmerican concentration camps.

Buffett’s strategic exit, (or pivot?), from the housing market

Awell-known quote by Warren Buffett, “Someone is sitting in the shade today because someone planted a tree a long time ago,” perfectly captures the essence of long-term investing, both in the stock market and in real estate. However, recent developments have sparked intrigue regarding Buffett’s approach to the housing market and his longterm investment strategies. In early 2023, Berkshire Hathaway’s $800 million investment in homebuilder stocks, such as D.R. Horton, made sense in light of the inventory shortage. This decision was viewed as a strong endorsement of these companies and a broader bet on the housing market’s potential for resilience and growth. The

persistent scarcity of inventory seemed like a golden opportunity for new construction. Then, something out of the norm happened. The unexpected sale of all of its D.R. Horton shares by Berkshire Hathaway, by the end of 2023, represented a significant deviation from Warren Buffett’s renowned long-term investment philosophy. This decision — occurring less than a year after the initial investment and in the context of a 40 percent increase in D.R. Horton’s stock value in 2023 — suggests a strategic pivot rather than a response to poor

SOLD

planted to walnuts.

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stock performance.

It appears to reflect Buffett’s advanced understanding of the housing market’s future, acknowledging potential shifts, volatility and challenges that new construction might face with looming lower interest rate adjustments on the horizon. This maneuver, while surprising, underscores Buffett’s wisdom in securing a substantial return on investment while also anticipating market changes.

Mortgage rates are hovering around the 7 percent mark and Yolo County’s January 2024 for-sale inventory was down by 11 percent year-over-year, so ruling out new con-

struction’s potential seems premature in our state. Also, California’s legislative efforts to encourage new construction, including general plan updates for affordable housing, is the State’s attempt toward addressing housing challenges. It seems like new construction

still has plenty of life in California.

hasn’t already paid off but it’ll be interesting to see what happens to new construction the rest of 2024 and the effect locally.

Buffett’s recent strategic shift underscores the importance of adaptability and reassessment in investment strategies, even when they have proven successful over the long term. Market knowledge and calculated realignments may be necessary to navigate the evolving real estate landscape for even better longterm gains. It’s hard to say the move for Buffet

Joedy Michael is a local real estate agent based in Winters. Turn your real estate goals into reality with unparalleled market insights and personalized service. Whether buying into today’s competitive market or selling your home for top dollar, reach out at Joedy.michael@exprealty.com.

Adobe/Stock image

Express Yourself

Small things make me smile

When I moved into my father’s office, I boxed up some of his personal stuff and gave it to my sister.

I left his clock on his desk and I wind it up every Monday, along with another windup clock from the Winters Depot. The one on the desk is a hand-me-down clock that belonged to my great-great-grandfather. It has two faces, one with the time and the other with a hand that points to the day of the month, a window with the month, and another window with the day of the week.

My father told me that it gives February 29 days on leap year.

Well, to my surprise, last Thursday, as I was sitting at the desk, it pointed to Feb. 29, putting a smile on my face. The clock says it was patented July 4, 1876, and someone made a gear that rotates every four years. They don’t make them like that anymore.

Something that should make everyone smile is the job Joe the Weatherman has been doing for the past few years.

Joe took over reading the weather, every day at 9 a.m., from my father. Joe will be well into his hundreds if he tries to outlast my

father’s 55-year record. I blame Joe for droughts so he should get the credit for rainy years, too.

Last year was wet, and this year is shaping up to be above average (around 21.5 inches). Joe reported that we have had 20.89 inches of rain, so far, this rainfall season that started July 1. Lake Berryessa is doing its part to store as much water as it can, but the Glory Hole is only about two feet from going over the rim. That is water that the Solano Irrigation District can’t charge for and helps clean out the creek.

The last time the Glory Hole spilled was in February 2019. I’m not sure of the exact number of times that the Glory Hole has overflowed, but it is approaching 30 since the dam was finished in 1957. This weekend will be a good time to take a Sunday drive up to the dam. The redbud should be blooming and you might ever see a poppy or two. If it keeps raining, the chances are pretty good that the lake will be at capacity of just over 1.6 million acrefeet of water.

The spillway is bigger than it looks, 72 feet across, about

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Horoscopes

ARIES (Mar 21/Apr 20) Aries, think about collaborating on a fun project with someone close to you. Find out if anyone needs help on something they may be working on if you don’t have a project in mind.

TAURUS (Apr 21/May 21) An excitement concerning work goals or a business venture may compel you to take some action to get your ideas heard by higher-ups, Taurus. The audience will be receptive.

GEMINI (May 22/Jun 21) Gemini, trying to resolve issues in a relationship this week may leave you feeling unsettled. It might be that you are trying to avoid sensitive topics that you will have to address eventually.

CANCER (Jun 22/Jul 22) Cancer, if you are feeling content with yourself and life in general lately, that is excellent. Embrace this positive state of mind and take the necessary steps to continue the good feelings.

LEO (Jul 23/Aug 23) Leo, this week you may be feeling nostalgic or sentimental. Look over old photographs or watch family movies for a bit. If you want to take it further, reach out to childhood friends.

VIRGO (Aug 24/Sept 22) Find new activities that you can add to your daily routine, Virgo. This may be a sport, hobby or even a new club. Add a dose of creativity to each and every day for good effects.

LIBRA (Sept 23/Oct 23) Uncertainty regarding long-term plans may be driving emotions of shyness, Libra. If you are having trouble , plan excursions or events with friends you trust.

SCORPIO (Oct 24/Nov 22) Scorpio, encouragement comes from people you may not feel are on your team. Take all of the support you can get as you start plowing through some long-term goals.

SAGITTARIUS (Nov 23/Dec 21) It’s always the right time to tell others how much they mean to you, Sagittarius. It will not take grand gestures to do so, merely your loving words.

CAPRICORN (Dec 22/Jan 20) Your busy schedule this week has everything feeling more hectic even if it really isn’t, Capricorn. Carve out some time to sit quietly or enjoy some alone time to refresh.

AQUARIUS (Jan 21/Feb 18) This week you may be feeling especially charitable, Aquarius. Open your heart up to others who may need some extra support. This may be a stranger or someone you know.

PISCES (Feb 19/Mar 20) Some news from a family member may catch you off-guard, Pisces. You’ll soon recover when you learn that it is extremely happy news. You may even get good news of your own.

Why it can take time to certify an election

By Jesse Salinas Special to the Express

It is well documented that final official election results in California take longer than other states.

Although the state’s shift to voting by mail is a driving force, there are other reasons why the final certification of an election takes time in Yolo County.

New laws and changing voting habits have lengthened the time needed for election officials to finish certifying local elections, particularly the primary and general presidential elections where many candidates and parties are vying for votes. Many voters wait to watch certain debates or await announcements before casting their ballots.

This means that while all elections are complicated, presidential elections may be doubly so. It is the job of the Yolo County Elections Office and those in other counties across the state and nation to ensure the public can have faith in the final re-

ported election results and the methods and means it took to certify those results.

The popularity of voting by mail requires extra verification steps that election workers must complete before counting each vote-bymail ballot. Since the November 2020 election, 85 percent to 90 percent of Yolo County voters have participated by casting their mailed ballots.

Each signature on a vote-by-mail ballot envelope must be compared and matched with a signature on file for the voter before that ballot can even be opened. If the signature does not match, additional reviews and extra steps must be taken to try and contact the voter to cure the issue with their signature. All of this takes staff time and lengthens final certification.

Vote-by-mail ballots received early and whose signatures are verified along with ballots that were voted at a Vote Center prior to Election Day, will be included in the first batch of re-

sults released shortly after the polls close at 8 p.m. on Election Night.

By law, we must wait until 8 p.m. to tabulate and post that first batch of unofficial results.

The updates that are provided Election Night reflect the ballots that were cast in the ballot box at a Vote Center that same day. To get those ballots to our election headquarters for processing and counting, two election workers safely and securely transport all ballots back to our election headquarters for processing and counting.

Once the final Election Day unofficial results are posted for the night, election workers spend the next day organizing and preparing for post-Election Day work to finalize results and ultimately certify the election.

The official post-Election Day period, commonly referred to as the canvass period, begins the Thursday following Election Day. State election law provides

elections offices a 30day period to certify an election.

There are specific tasks of the canvass and associated deadlines required to legally certify an election in California, all of which extends the time it takes to officially announce final results. Each step of this process ensures every legal vote is counted and counted accurately.

Vote-by-mail ballots mailed to the elections office at the last minute can, by law, still be accepted by the elections office up to seven days following Election Day, as long as it has an Election Day postmark. Of course, we encourage voters to mail their ballots early or drop them off at the Yolo County Ballot Drop Boxes and Vote Centers.

In fact, California voters may return their vote-by-mail ballots to any California county official Ballot Drop Box or voting location. By law, voteby-mail ballots returned in other California counties can be accepted at our office

up to eight days after Election Day. All of these laws and deadlines require additional resources and time before election officials can provide certified results.

Additionally, Yolo County’s student population of some 37,000 individuals also provides a unique reward and challenge. Although Yolo County is not the only California county with college students, at 16 percent, our county has one of the highest per capita student population in the state.

I am proud to say that the elections office’s past partnership with UC Davis has been a model for the state and has resulted in historic voter turnout. For example, UC Davis’s past engagement in Presidential elections has been truly significant as demonstrated by their national award in 2021 against 300 or more colleges for the highest percentage increase in voter turnout from 2016 to 2020.

flooded by the lake. I don’t think the dam could be built today. Just getting permission to move a cemetery would be tied up in court for decades.

One remnant of the town of Monticello is the McKenzie Hardware store that moved from Monticello to Vacaville and now has stores in Winters and Esparto. Enjoy the rain and have a good

Soccer defeats Hilmar in championship game

By Crystal Apilado Editor-in-Chief

History was in the making when Winters goalkeeper Violet Tuel denied a Hilmar Yellowjacket from scoring in a penalty shootout to determine a victor in the CIF NorCal Regional Div. 5 Championship game on Saturday, March 2.

Following a semifinal win over the No. 2 seeded Lowell High School Cardinals, the No. 6 seeded Warriors headed into the championship game against No. 1 seeded Hilmar High School.

Both teams brought it out onto the field in a battle of skill and technique.

Late in the first half, Warrior Idaly Lopez Sanchez scored from about 30 yards out giving the Warriors a 1–0 lead.

However, a Yellowjacket player tied it up 1–1 in the second half with the penalty kick.

Despite their best efforts, the game went to a penalty shootout following a scoreless overtime period.

Warriors Ava Muir-Vickrey, Alondra Molina, Varenna Terronez and Ruby Campos successfully shot the ball past Hilmar goal-

keeper Kayden Elston.

Tuel and Elston each made one save and the score was tied 4–4 in penalty kicks.

The game was elevated to a sudden death penalty shootout to determine the next champion.

Both the Warriors and Yellowjackets were unsuccessful in scoring in their six shots, and Tuel was brought in to make the next kick against Hilmar. After sinking it past Elston, Tuel went back into the goal where she went head-tohead with Hilmar’s Lilly Brewer. Brewer launched three

different shots as the referee whistled in that Tuel was off the line. However, Tuel blocked the first two and on the third attempt knocked the ball down for the championship win of 5–4 in penalty kicks.

According to WHS Athletic Director Daniel Ward, this is the first time a WHS team has won a CIF championship game.

“This is a pretty big deal for our community,” Ward said. “It’s not just a league or section championship. It’s the first CIF championship in the history of Winters High School.”

Co-head coach Alex Mon-

Baseball starts season in right direction

By Sydney Andrade Express staff writer

The Winters High School varsity baseball team is off to a great start this season with a win against Esparto, a loss against Wheatland and a tie against Armijo.

On Friday, Feb. 23, 2024, the baseball team won its game against Esparto High School by a score of 20–1. Anthony Duran opened up the game for the Warriors on the mound with five strikeouts and seven walks. Lane Brown relieved Duran late in the third inning, with four strikes and only two walks.

The Warriors piled up nine hits in the game and practiced patience at the plate, taking advantage of the 10 walks they were given. Isaac Lopez and Jordan Wojan led the Warriors in steals with a combined six out of the team’s total of 10 stolen bases.

Jake Woods and Duran both went two for two at bat. Woods

gave his team the advantage with three RBIs off a double and single, and two runs scored. Duran also hit a double for the Warriors with one RBI. Brown made three RBI’s, Isaiah Pazmino made two and Jordan Wojan, Victor Diaz, Ashton Baylor, Jordan Calvert and Lopez each made one.

Pazmino and Lopez led the Warriors in runs by using their speed to cross home plate three times each.

On Monday, Feb 26, the varsity team failed to carry the momentum in their game against Wheatland and lost by a score of 0–6.

“As a defense, we allowed too many free bases (errors, walks, HBP, etc.) but, the best thing about baseball is there is always the next game,” said head coach Austin Calvert. In addition to making the outs, the Warriors struggled to make contact behind the plate. Miles

Mariani, Jordan Calvert and Wojan each collected one hit for the Warriors. Wojan fought hard to capitalize on every play, stealing bases but was unable to cross over home plate.

On Wednesday, Feb 28, the varsity team bounced back and tied its game against Armijo High School by a score of 4–4.

Mariani start ed the game for the Warriors on the mound and was re lieved late in the third inning by Pazmino.

Herrera led the Warriors at bat with two hits in two at-bats

and gave the Warriors the momentum they needed in the second inning by turning his single into a

salve said the team won in a variety of ways on the journey to the championship by grinding out games until penalty shootouts helped clutch a win.

“We just kept going and that is the definition of persistence, perseverance and grit. The light at the end of the tunnel was this championship,” Monsalve said. “One game at a time we took it, but deep in the back of our heads we knew there was a distinct chance we would be bringing this title to our small town to celebrate with this community that supported us on this journey.”

Hoops girls fall in playoffs

By Crystal Apilado Editor-in-Chief

Following an amazing season on the court, the Winters High School girls varsity basketball team fell to the Trinity High School Wolves in the CIF State Div. V Championship playoff game with a final score of 40–30, and an overall season record of 21–7.

“It was a great learning experience for us to play in the first State Championship tournament game in Winters High basketball history,” said varsity head coach Ivan Dodic. Emily Dodic led the Warriors with 13 points. Mia Mariani, Jordan Tucker and Skyler Neal added to the score each making four points

in the basket.

Coach Dodic said more than 1,000 people filled the stands to watch the game and created a unique environment.

Coach Dodic said.

“I have to give credit to Trinity as they came out and were very physical and capitalized on the electric environment.”

Despite the loss, Coach Dodic has confidence in the team’s skills and looks forward to seeing how the girls play moving forward next season.

“I firmly believe to become a great team you need to take your lumps and learn from those lumps, I have all the confidence in the world this team will learn from this experience.”

Winters soccer team members run out to celebrate with keeper Violet Tuel following an intense penalty shootout against Hilmar High School.

Jack Vickrey/ Courtesy photo

Warrior Jake Woods rounds third toward home plate against Esparto High School on Friday, Feb 23.

KS Winters Photography/ Courtesy photo

This high engagement and per-capita college student population, coupled with the historical trend that most student age voters typically cast their vote late in the election voting cycle, creates a significant post-Election Day processing crunch for our elections office that is unique across the state.

Another unique element of college-age voters is that they significantly increase the number of provisional/conditional votes our office must process after Election Day when compared to other counties our size.

Provisional voting has been used in California since 1984. Provisional ballots are those cast by voters who believe they are registered to vote, even though their names are not on the official voter registration list where they are voting.

This is one of the tenants of the California Voter’s Bill of Rights. The submitted Provisional Ballot will be reviewed and only counted after the election’s office has confirmed that the voter is registered to vote in Yolo County and that the voter did not already vote in the election.

In 2017, Conditional Voter Registration (CVR) became available to state voters, which allows voters to register and vote the same day. The CVR ballots, just like Provisional Ballots, must be processed after all the in-person votes have been counted and all the vote-

by-mail ballot envelopes have been reviewed to ensure no voter votes more than once.

Depending on the volume of these provisional and conditional ballots, this review process and need to register CVR voters to ensure there are no duplicate votes cast can take more than a week to complete.

By law, the certification date for the election must be announced with a 10-day notice during the canvass period. During this period voters who forgot to sign their vote-by-mail ballot envelope or whose signatures were challenged will have the opportunity correct their respective issue. The final cut-off for voters to resolve all such issues is two days before the election is certified.

As one can see, there are a many legal requirements and unique conditions in Yolo County that require our office to take anywhere from three to four weeks to finalize results and certify an election. Our office will be providing ongoing unofficial election results every Tuesday and Friday throughout the canvass period until the election is certified.

The elections office is committed to getting our final certified results completed accurately and as soon as possible, while ensuring all legal requirements are met and that the integrity and transparency of the election process is successfully achieved in every election.

— Jesse Salinas is the Yolo County assessor, clerk-recorder and registrar of voters.

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Exploring peace

Letters

The Center for Spiritual Living Yolo (CSL Yolo) is hosting Dr. Barbara Leger on Sunday, March 10, at The Grand Prince Odeum, 201 Main St., Winters.

Dr. Leger is known among her contemporaries as a “PEACAVIST” and focuses on what peace is, what it does, how it works and how to use it.  As an entrepreneur, she co-founded, served and consulted for several California nonprofits in media, youth services, citizen diplomacy, economic development, global trade. She is a writer and dynamic speaker.

Arriving in Ukraine on Sept. 11, 2001, for 19 years, she served adults exploring a mindset of peace, purpose and possibility. In 2020, her focus shifted to public schools in Ukraine, contributing to the NEW UKRAINIAN SCHOOL movement. In a joint venture with “WE Stand for the Future,” a Ukraine NGO, The Understanding PEACE Project. UPP supported 16,517 students, 491 teachers and 342 schools, unpacking peace, discovering their own perceptions, developing amazing new skills and transforming student/teacher relationships.

FILM

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West Coast on June 10, 1943.

“It is the general feeling of residents of this county that said Japanese because of their inborn native untrustworthiness should not be permitted to leave such relocation centers and again infiltrate into the various sections of the United States,” the resolution read.

Winters approved a resolution of its own in 1942.

After the film’s conclusion, Floyd Shimomura, former National President of the Japanese American Citizens League (JACL) and UC Davis School of Law alum, spoke about helping the Historical Soci-

Please join us at 10 a.m. on Sunday, March 10, at the Center for Spiritual Living at 201 Main St., Winters for an exploration of peace and Ukraine from a close-up perspective.

DEBRA TAYLOR, DVM, Ph.D.

Senior fall prevention event

Yesterday at Kaiser Emergency

Vacaville after checking in, I was given two wristbands — one with all the normal name/age data, the other colored bright yellow with bold lettering “FALL RISK.” I had suffered an undramatic fall at home on Saturday which required a CT scan and five staples in my scalp. I mention the incident because falling is a regular and dangerous occurrence among seniors and I take this opportunity to advise the reader that the Winters Senior Foundation will hold a fall prevention event that will include how to get up after falling on Thursday, March 21, at St. Anthony Parish Hall, 2 to 4 p.m. The event will be conducted by an occupational therapist. All seniors are welcomed.

JERRY LOWDEN President, Winters Senior Foundation

ety of Winters create the exhibit, “The Lost Japanese Community of Winters.” He displayed a photo of a group of 150 Japanese Americans taken in Winters’ Japantown in the 1930s at a funeral.

On V-J Day, Shimomura says according to the Winters Express, a mysterious

fire broke out, which burned Japantown to the ground. Those in the camps had to then decide whether or not to come back to Winters. Many, he says, decided instead to go to Sacramento or the Bay Area.

Of the 300 that lived in Japantown, it is estimated that about 15 percent returned to Winters after WWII ended. Although Shimomura was not yet born, his family was one of the few that did return.

On May 4, there will be a dedication ceremony for a Japantown Monument to honor the Lost Japanese Community of Winters at 2 p.m. in Rotary Park where the monument is being constructed.

Courtesy photo

A copy of the Winters Express detailing the fire that broke out in the school building was on display at the Winters Museum’s Lost Japanese Community exhibit.