Smith named grand marshal, Donlevy is honorary GM
The Winters Youth Day board named Danielle Smith as the 2025 Youth Day Parade grand marshal and John Donlevy as the honorary grand marshal — two community champions whose dedication to Winters’ youth and community has made a lasting impact.
Danielle Smith
A Winters native, Smith has been selected as this year’s Youth Day grand marshal in recognition of her tireless efforts to support students, families and educators. Smith has served as the president of the Winters Combined Parent Teacher Association for the past two-and-a-half years, leading an entirely new board with vision and vitality. Her leadership has reenergized the PTA, creating a vibrant, community-oriented culture at both Waggoner Elementary and Shirley Rominger Intermediate schools.
Under her guidance, the PTA has hosted a wide variety of student-centered events that bring joy and connection to the school experience.
“Danielle’s work has made a visible and heartfelt difference in the daily lives of Winters families. She has created a strong bridge between parents and educators, and her commitment to showing appreciation for teachers has never wavered,” a nomination stated.
Her involvement in the school district doesn’t stop with the PTA. Danielle is a parent representative at the Dual Language Immersion program meetings and contributes her voice and insights as a member of the Local Control and Accountability Plan task force.
An educator at heart, Smith began her career as a special education teacher at Winters High
Trustees approve WMS Community Schools Plan
By Logan Chrisp Express staff writer
On Thursday, April
3, the Winters Joint Unified School District Board of Trustees voted unanimously to approve the Community Schools Plan that had previously presented in March.
The initiative will be funded through
a $1.18 million California Community Schools Partnership Program Grant, which will be issued to the Winters Community School.
“We are incredibly excited that Winters Middle School has been awarded the Community Schools grant,” Principal Jose Bermudez told the Express in an email.
“This is a meaningful step forward not only for our school, but for the broader Winters community.”
Community Schools are an improvement
strategy for schools designed to enhance student success by fostering collaboration between educators, families and community partners.
For WMS, that means increasing mental health supports, academic enrichment, after-school programs and family engagement opportunities.
“It gives us the opportunity to build stronger partnerships with families, community organizations, and local
Council recognizes National Library Week, Child Abuse Prevention Month
Food vendor discussion continued to June following public outcry
By Sonora Slater Express staff writer
The April 15 Winters City Council meeting drew a crowd and sparked spirited discussion, as community members voiced concerns on a range of issues.
A central focus of the evening was the proposed food vendor ordinance, which first came before the council in January following earli-
er discussions at Winters Planning Commission meetings in October and December. A widely circulated Change.org petition brought renewed attention to the ordinance, prompting several vendors and residents to speak during public comment. However, it had not been submitted to council members in time for review.
After a lengthly discussion, council members voted to continue the item at the June 17 city council meeting, with direction to city staff to investigate possible modifications to the ordinance in the interim. The ordinance, and the
Courtesy photos
Danielle Smith (left) and John Donlevy (right) were selected as the grand marshaland honorary grand marshal, respectively, for the 2025 Youth Day Parade. They will be formally honored on Friday, April 25, at 6 p.m. at the Youth Day Opening Ceremonies.
Community News
Adult living skills approved to move to WHS
By Logan Chrisp Express staff writer
The Winters Joint Unified School District Board of Trustees unanimously approved the transition of the Adult Living Skills program from the Yolo County Office of Education to the Winters High School campus at the Thursday, March 20 school board meeting.
The ALS program operates out of the Yolo County Office of Education in Woodland, but with the approval of the Winters school board, the program will now transition to the Winters JUSD.
“This transition not only allows us to redirect savings into student services, but also gives us greater control over the program’s quality,” said Jenny Pinedo, director of special education and student services.
ALS is designed to support adult students with disabilities between the ages of 18 and 22, preparing students for a life after high school by focusing on three key areas: independent living, vocational training and community-based instruction. According to Pinedo, the primary goal of the ASL program is to ensure that students gain the confidence and skills they need to live independently by providing students with structured sup-
port in an authentic setting.
“We help them transition successfully into adulthood, whether that be through employment, continued education, or increased community participation,” Pinedo said.
That support involves community members as well as Winters JUSD faculty working with students to teach them practical life skills like grocery shopping, budgeting, meal planning, and cooking. In addition, students will learn how to self-advocate and learn their rights as individuals with disabilities.
“Additionally, students will participate in social skills development and independent living activities, which will help them learn how to build relationships, communicate effectively, and handle real-world situations,” Pinedo said. “These lessons will help them develop confidence as they navigate daily responsibilities beyond the classroom.”
Piendo explained the reason for the transition from Yolo County to the Winters JUSD is so that the program’s curriculum and structure could be tailored to fit the district’s graduate profile and be tailored to fit the needs of each student.
“Keeping this program in the district strengthens the con-
nection with staff, families, community, and fosters confidence and independence,” Pinedo said. “This will also maximize cost savings, and this transition will be a long-term investment in our students, reinforcing our commitment to inclusive, community-based education, preparing them for life after high school.”
While the program will be housed in the Winters High School, it will still be a independently operated program, separate from the school district.
Winters JUSD currently has five students enrolled in the program with Yolo County, amounting to a total of $545,000 or $109,000 per student.
Winters JUSD expects the costs to increase by 2026, making it more expensive to use the Yolo County Office of Education for these services.
A yearly cost of $255,000 to run the program is expected, with $225,000 dedicated for staff salaries and benefits, and $30,000 for supplies like instructional materials and groceries. In addition, anticipated facilities upgrades to support the program are estimated at approximately $155,000, of which $20,000 is included for contingency. Pinedo said that the district expects a $290,000 annual cost
savings by bringing the program to the district. To support the program’s transition to the district, Assembly Bill 605 funding and the special education budget will be used to hire additional staff. One teacher and two instructional assistants will be assigned to the program.
“Kim Spalding, our current Level I teacher, will be taking on the ALS role. She has extensive experience supporting students in their post-secondary journeys and is exceptionally well-suited for this position,” Pinedo said.
With Spalding moving to this new role, a new Life Skills teacher will need to be hired to take her place in her current role.
“Ms. Spalding already knows these families. She either taught these students when they were in high school, or she knows them from being in the community, and she’s already spoken to all of these families, and they could not be more excited,” Pinedo said. “Even the one family that she thought would say yes, but might be a little hesitant, was very excited about the idea that their adult student would have the opportunity to learn how to navigate his own community and be able to work on getting a job in his own community.”
Spring Burn Season kicks off in Winters
Special to the Express
The Yolo and Solano Prescribed Burn Associations will host a Spring Burn Season Kick-Off to bring together PBA members, residents, and local prescribed burn practitioners to discuss upcoming burns and training opportunities, fire permitting updates, leadership opportunities and participate in an interactive training activity.
The Spring Burn Season Kickoff is happening on Monday, April 28, from 5 to 7 p.m. at 820 Walnut Ln in Winters. Anyone interested in prescribed fire is welcome to attend including private landowners, community members, and interested volunteers.
To attend, RSVP at www.tinyurl.com/YS-PBA-spring.
This is a potluck event; attendees are encouraged to bring a dish. Food (hot dogs and snacks) and non-alcoholic drinks will be provided. This is an opportunity for local residents to engage with local PBAs to learn about prescribed fire opportunities in Solano and Yolo counties.
The Yolo and Solano Prescribed Burn associations are community groups with the goal of using “good fire” on the ecosystem to man-
age invasive weeds, mitigate extreme wildfire, and promote a healthy ecosystem. Prescribed burn associations create partnerships between neighbors, members of the public, and officials to build capacity and training about how to properly and safely use prescribed fire as a land management tool, and implement the burns.
Unlike high-intensity wildfires, prescribed burning is the controlled application of fire under preplanned management objectives and precise environmental conditions. In addition to managing wildfire risk, prescribed burning is a cost-effective management tool that can be used to maintain and generate desired native vegetation and benefit rangeland.
To learn about the Yolo PBA, visit www. tinyurl.com/yolo-pba or contact Bailey Adams, Yolo PBA Coordinator, at adams@ yolorcd.org or call 530-661-1688 (office) or 510-828-5445 (cell).
To learn about the Solano PBA, visit www.solanorcd.org/ projects-and-programs/wildfire/pba, or contact Elizabeth Davis, Solano PBA Coordinator, at elizabeth.davis@solanorcd.org or call 707678-1655, ext. 110.
Celebrate 150 years of Winters with us!
The Express honors our city’s rich history, thriving businesses, and strong community with a series of special sesquicentennial features. Don’t miss this unique opportunity to showcase your business and be part of the legacy — advertise in these commemorative pages and connect with the heart of Winters!
Help support library programs for all
By Diane Cary Special to the Express
Libraries are no longer simply places to check out books. There is something for everyone on offer at the Winters Community Library, which functions like a community center, craft center, meeting place, and informal education hub.
In April alone, Winters Library patrons
can attend hands-on workshops and learn to grow succulents, make boba tea, crochet, solve Rubik’s cubes, or design custom greeting cards. They can meet others for crafting, playing board games or video games, yoga, or dance. They can listen to stories, practice ESL, learn about the history of tarot, join a book club, or enjoy
the beauty of the library garden. And of course, they can check out books in person or online.
Learn more about programs at the library by visiting events.yolocountylibrary.org. These programs are made possible by financial support from Winters Friends of the Library. WFoL has been supporting the Winters Library since 1979 by raising funds and by promoting the library in the community. You can help sustain the library and make sure that this terrific resource stays strong by donating to WFoL on the Big Day of Giving, May 1. Early donations start on April 17. Learn more at wfol.org and donate online at bigdayofgiving.org, or donate in person at the library. Everyone is invited to join WFoL for a complimentary glass of wine and snacks at their Big Day of Giving celebration, in front of the downtown Berryessa Gap tasting room on Main Street, 5 to 7 p.m. on Thursday, May 1.
Courtesy photo
Winters Friends of the Library volunteers and library staff encourage everyone to support the library by making a donation for the Big Day of Giving on May 1.
Streamkeeper details impact encampments have on creek
In the first of a two-part series, the Winters Express explores the impact of encampments along Putah Creek.
By Jacob Hoffman Express correspondent
Streamkeeper Max Stevenson spoke with the Winters Express about Putah Creek camp enforcement, explaining what effect these camps have on Putah Creek’s ecology and its usability for Winters and those downstream of the creek as well.
Stevenson began by acknowledging that the issue of homelessness is not unique to Winters, and that a degree of empathy and care should be afforded to those in these camps.
“Everyone needs a place to live, and it’s not illegal to sleep,” Stevenson said, “this is just an unfortunate situation that’s happening everywhere and getting worse and worse.”
But Stevenson also explained that these camps have “wide and varied” impacts on Putah Creek, from the ecology of the area to the quality of the water to the risk of disease in the water.
Beginning with the issue of litter, Stevenson noted that, “the city of Winters has very little budget for managing the park and they
are consuming that with cleaning up large volumes of trash.”
As part of The Solano County Water Agency who assists with those efforts, providing dump trucks and staff and heavy equipment, Stevenson said that, in 2023 they gave a summary to the city of Winters City Council that they had cleared 150 cubic yards of waste, furniture, old appliances, bicycles, human waste, and regular household trash from the encampments.
“That’s about 30 dump truck loads,” Stevenson noted, “so it’s not small, it’s large volumes of material.”
This volume of trash and the general presence of the camps has a number of effects on the creek, including on the salmon population. Since the area was cleared beginning in 2010, the creek has become a major area for spawning salmon, with Stevenson noting around 36 adult salmon have been in the area in recent years.
But he also explained that the camps can cause a number of issues for the salmon and the city officials attempting to care for them, such as, “impacts of trash, impacts of debris on city and water agency staff and funding and time, opportunity costs of going into
the creek during spawning.” Stevenson also said that poaching of salmon has been an issue, though he acknowledges, “that could be anyone, not just homeless people, but certainly homeless people are involved.”
Another impact Stevenson discussed was the potential for diseases to affect the quality of the water, explaining that in other encampments in the Sacramento area there is a risk of certain diseases, “Hepatitis being one.”
“Children swim in the creek,” Stevenson noted, further explaining “we have biological consultants who do monitoring in the creek for fish, and they’re reluctant to go into the water now because of the contamination dangers for them catching diseases,” and that even creek monitoring projects downstream in Davis, “waste and runoff coming from the homeless camp can be problematic from a disease standpoint.”
Beyond the specific realm of health and safety, Stevenson also commented that the usage of Putah Creek has been affected. He noted that when the Creek was first opened, “there was kind of a beach culture now in downtown
Winters,” as families used the area for recreation.
“That doesn’t happen as much anymore because of the homeless encampments,” Stevenson said, “and I think that’s one of the other main reasons the city want to do something.”
But Stevenson again stressed the need for nuance with this issue, commenting, “I don’t know exactly what the something should be.”
“Mom’s with strollers aren’t going to go down in the middle of a homeless camp to enjoy the creek. It was built for everyone to enjoy, and now it’s being taken over by down and out folks who don’t have anywhere else to go, but it’s impacting everyone else too, and I
Victim recognition ceremony honors survivors who persevered
By Lauren Keene McNaughton Media
On July 9, 2022, Julissa Perez went from being a typical teenager to a guardian angel.
That night, the 16-year-old was the passenger in a friend’s vehicle that came across a collision scene on Woodland’s West Cross Street. A motorcycle lay on its side, a man standing next to it.
As Perez approached the wreckage, the man walked past her and fled on another motorcycle. That’s when Perez spotted another man, lying injured underneath the fallen bike.
What happened next earned Perez the distinction of becoming Hero of the Year, an award she received last week at the Yolo County district attorney’s 19th annual Victim Recognition Ceremony, held in conjunction with National Crime Victims’ Rights Week.
Perez sprang into action, calling 911 and performing CPR on the victim — later identified as Ronald Van Aken of Woodland — under a dispatcher’s guidance until an ambulance crew arrived. Despite her efforts, Van Aken died at the scene, just a block away from his home.
But Perez’s observations helped Woodland police make an
arrest in the case, the suspect ultimately convicted of gross vehicular manslaughter for rear-ending Van Aken while intoxicated.
“Holding that defendant accountable was only possible through the hard work of law enforcement and by Miss Perez,” prosecuting attorney Aimee McLeod said during Tuesday’s ceremony at the historic Woodland Opera House. “In a day and age when many people would continue on their way, when many people would not want to get involved, she stopped and offered compassion in that moment.”
Perez’s acceptance of the honor earned loud applause and cheers from the audience, which included numerous members of Van Aken’s family that has embraced her as one of their own.
“I wish I could have done more, but most importantly, I made sure he wasn’t alone. …This award isn’t just for me — it’s also for you too, Ron,” Perez said.
Survivors recognized
In addition to Perez, the district attorney’s victim services unit also honored four others for their courage and perseverance:
• Vanessa, a domestic violence survivor who obtained a restraining order
against her abuser and meticulously documented his repeated violations over nearly a year. Her testimony at his trial led to a conviction and seven-year state prison sentence.
• Crystal, who fought off a man who attacked her inside her own home in front of her young son. As she fled, she triggered her car’s alarm, which brought neighbors to her aid, and she later assisted police in making an arrest.
• Camilla, a survivor of seven years of sexual abuse by her stepfather. After she reported the abuse to her mother and law enforcement, she assisted police with a pretext phone call “that was so powerful that it led to a resolution in this case,” prosecutor Carolyn Palumbo said, sending the offender to state prison for 32 years.
• Jasmine, who endured psychological abuse by her partner that later turned physical. She left the relationship for her own safety and that of her two children who had witnessed the altercations. She regularly attended court hearings to hold her abuser accountable for his repeated restraining-order violations.
“Kinship: Connecting and Healing” served as the theme for last Tuesday’s ceremony. It featured
keynote speaker Lola Rios Gutierrez, whose 16-year-old son Enrique Rios, along with his friend Elijah Moore, 17, were abducted and murdered in 2016 by four others they considered their friends.
Gutierrez recounted her battle with law enforcement, following her son’s disappearance, to classify her son as a missing person instead of a runaway, her efforts ultimately earning worldwide media coverage.
When the man who orchestrated Enrique and Elijah’s killings went to trial in 2018, Gutierrez sat through each day of the proceedings while also undergoing treatment for breast cancer. At times, she said, it seemed the defendants had more rights and protections than her own family.
Nearly nine years and two trials later, Enrique and Elijah’s killers are serving prison time for murder, but the location of the boys’ bodies remain unknown.
Today, Gutierrez counsels other youths on the dangers Enrique faced.
“By sharing my son’s story, I pray that victimization begins to decline. Those who have been victimized need to share their stories in hopes that others will start their healing journey.”
don’t know what to do.” Stevenson concluded the discussion by expressing his hope that the Putah Creek Nature Park can continue to be a space that everyone can make use of. Noting the great cost and effort initially required to clear and construct the area, Stevenson said, “we just need to manage this in the future.”
“It’s like buying a car and not changing the oil, you built this thing, or like not letting the roof fall apart on your house or having it leak, you have to maintain this stuff, and part of that is picking up trash, maintaining trees, but the other part includes other issues like homelessness.”
MARSHALS
Continued from Page 1
School and has recently returned to the school district as a substitute teacher. She also lends her time and energy to coaching recreational soccer, basketball, and tee ball and serves on the Spirit of Winters committee.
John Donlevy
Recognized for decades of service and youth advocacy, former City Manager John Donlevy has been selected as the 2025 Youth Day Honorary Grand Marshal.
For 19 years, Donlevy served as Winters’ city manager, a role in which he continuously championed initiatives that benefited young people. From promoting youth soccer — where he often refereed games himself — to overseeing the creation of family-friendly city spaces like Putah Creek Nature Park, Donlevy’s tenure was marked by an unwavering focus on community well-being.
A nomination letter stated that Donlevy’s leadership
helped lay the foundation for many of the youth programs that enrich Winters today. He was instrumental in implementing wide bike paths in new developments, participated in the WHS football team’s summer camp, and organized after-school child care programs that supported working families.
Even in retirement, Donlevy’s commitment to serving youth remains strong. He continues to volunteer as an AYSO soccer referee and participates in Rotary International service projects that provide children around the world with supplies, clothing, and toys as well as safer communities — ensuring that his legacy of care and compassion endures. Smith and Donlevy will be honored at the Youth Day Opening Ceremonies on Friday, April 25 at 6 p.m. at the outdoor stage behind the Winters Community Center. The community is invited to attend the event, as well as a Talent Showcase of students following the awards.
Donald Sanders/Courtesy photos
In January, two trailer loads of trash and materials from encampments along Putah Creek were collected and hauled away.
YESTERYEAR
Picked by Charley Wallace
last Saturday in April.
Lake Berryessa water levels down
The water level of Lake Berryessa was down by 0.23 feet over the past week, decreasing to 4,353 acre-feet of water storage, according to Ken Emigh, with the Solano Irrigation District – Putah Diversion Office. On the morning of Tuesday, April 15, he reported that the lake elevation was 440.39 feet above sea level, with the water storage behind the Monticello Dam calculated at 1,558,661 acrefeet. The SID released 283 cubic feet per second into the Putah South Canal, with 305 cubic feet flowing into Putah Creek at the Diversion Dam. Evaporation from the lake averaged 100 acre-feet of water per day.
Public Safety Report
Fire
Apr. 2: 10:02 a.m., Hemenway Street, EMS call – excluding vehicle accident with injury
~2:08 p.m., Creekside Way, Good intent call (other)
Apr. 3: 7:46 a.m., Orchard Lane, EMS call
– excluding vehicle accident with injury
~6:04 p.m., Morgan Street, Gas leak (natural gas or LPG)
Apr. 4: 12:05 p.m., Priscilla Court, EMS call – excluding vehicle accident with injury
~12:16 p.m., Main Street, Outside rubbish fire (other)
Apr. 5: 4:52 p.m., Putah Creek Road, Good intent call (other)
~6:16 p.m., Interstate 505 and Putah Creek Road, False alarm or false call (other)
~8:58 p.m., Niemann Street, EMS call – excluding vehicle accident with injury
Apr. 6: 5:56 p.m., Quail Canyon Road (Vacaville), EMS call –excluding vehicle accident with injury
Apr. 7: 5:35 a.m.,
Morgan Street, False alarm or false call (other)
~12:31 p.m., Highway 128, EMS call – excluding vehicle accident with injury
~1:27 p.m., Boyce Road and Putah Creek Road, EMS call – excluding vehicle accident with injury
~10:01 p.m., W. Main Street, False alarm or false call (other)
Apr. 8: 1:43 p.m., Russell Street, EMS call –excluding vehicle accident with injury
Police Report Log
Apr. 4: 9:11 p.m., 100 block of E. Baker Street, Violation of court order
Apr. 7: 9:36 a.m., 700 block of Main Street, Digital exploitation
~10:13 a.m., 800 block of Carrion Circle, Battery ~4:09 p.m., Interstate 505, Assist outside agency
Apr. 9: 12:26 p.m., Railroad Avenue/ Moody Slough Road, Traffic Collision View the Winters Police Department Arrest and Report Logs, visit www. cityofwinters.org/289/Report-Arrest-Log
130 Years Ago
April 20, 1895
Mr. North, secretary of the Winters Fruit Exchange, will attend to all orders for boxes, lumber and material at his office of the Exchange, room No. 14, upstairs, Cradwick’s building. The Winters baseball team defeated Davisville Sunday by a score of 17 to 13. The lineup for Winters was Bertholet, shortstop; J. Briggs, second; G. Morris, left field; R. Briggs, first base; DeVilbiss, right field; Hanson, catcher; Bondurant, third; Scott, centerfield and Baker, pitcher.
A slight earthquake shock was felt here about 12:30 Wednesday morning, and another at 2:15 in the afternoon.
On Monday J. Harlan had a narrow escape from being hurt. His team got scared on the bridge by the afternoon train and ran furiously along Railroad Avenue and a little way up the north road. When they were opposite Thomas’s Mr. Harlan noticed that all tugs were loose, so he let the lines go and the mad animals continued up the road leaving the wagon in the mud.
Richard Carner was born on Oct. 4, 1944, in Woodland, California. He was a loving husband, father, grandfather and great-grandfather. Family was always a priority, and he loved getting them together to share meals and visit. Richard was raised in Winters and after working many years, retired from the Operating Engineers Local 3 where he worked for Western Soil Stabilization and Ghilotti Construction Company. In his younger years, he worked for Eusabio Carrion at the Chevron in Winters. After retirement, he enjoyed fishing and then took up golf, which was his true passion.
Richard is survived by his wife, Diana Carner, daughters April Mossman (Harold) and Kerrie Rositano (Randy); brothers Robert Carner, Rick Carner (Kelly) and sister Linda Angeli (Jerry); grandchildren Lacey Duncan, Kyle Mossman, Taylor Thomas, Jordan Rositano; great grandchildren Parks Duncan, Lira Neel, Hudson Mossman, as well as numerous nieces and nephews and greats. He is preceded in death by his parents Fred and Veda Carner, brother Ronald Carner, sisters Kathern Lopez (Abe) and Shirley Hyer, sister-in-law Linda Carner, nephews Matt Rosendin and Michael Arthur, niece Pamela Lopez, grandchildren Michael and Chris Rositano, and great-nephew Keenan Casas. Graveside services will be held at the Winters Cemetery on April 17 at 11:30 a.m. Reception to follow.
95 Years Ago
April 18, 1930
Ritchie and Murray have started construction on Winters’ seventh service station. The new station will be located on the corner of Grant and Railroad avenues, at the junction of the Pacific highway shortcut and Sacramento-Putah Canyon highways. The station is being build by S. J. Richards.
The Winters Fortnightly Club represented by Mrs. Gregory Vasey and Mrs. L. A. Sackett planted a wild lilac bush at the high school Friday.
The Board of Supervisors have called a hearing on May 5 in the rooms of the Yolo County courthouse to discuss the proposed formation of a fire district in the Winters section.
The second annual flower show, sponsored by the Winters Fortnightly Club was held Tuesday afternoon and evening in the basement of Legion Hall.
In the city election Monday, E. E. Baker, J.M. Goodyear, C. P. Culton and J. W. Finney were elected to the city council. Baker and Goodyear received four-year terms and Culton and Finney two-year
Years Ago
Dispatches from the Express archives.
terms. L. A. Islip was the only holdover.
Winters Grammar school trustees have called an election for the voting of $16,000 in bonds for the purpose of building one or more school buildings and supplying and equipping the same. The election will be held on May 15, 1930.
45 Years Ago
April 17, 1980
Jack Losoya was elected by the council, following the swearing in of newly elected councilmen Bob Chapman and John Kammerer, to a two-year term of office. Bob Chapman was chosen as mayor pro tem (vice mayor).
The Winters School District Board of Trustees, meeting Thursday evening, appointed Robert Yates as school board trustee. He was selected to fill the seat formerly held by Jere Watkins until the November 1981 elections.
A barn and its contents on the Vernon Johnston ranch east of town went up in smoke at 3:30 p.m. on Sunday, April 12, with
an estimated damage of $5,000 according to Fire Chief Vernon Bruhn.
The Winters Chamber of Commerce cleaned and painted the automobile bridge across Putah Creek last Sunday. It was the Chamber’s way of kicking off the spring clean-up that the town engages in just before Youth Day. Those who participated included the Winters Fire Department, who washed and painted; the city crews, who pre-cleaned the bridge; and the board of directors of the Chamber, who spray-painted. Cecil Padilla, Chamber president, is now trying to get more paint to give the bridge a second coat.
The following people will have their names placed on the scroll hanging in City Hall for giving $100 to the Community Center fund. They are Grace Brinck McGarr, Henry Harold McGarr (in memory), Chris M. Martinez, Sr. and Vivian M. Barb. Their names will be transferred to a permanent plaque that will hang in the new community center.
File photo
This is a picture of the first board of the newly formed Rotary Club of Winters in 1956. Back row, (l-r) Charlie Graf, Ian MacKenzie, Don Frisbee, Delman Hague. Front row, (l-r) Stewart Potter, Rod Degener and Harry Timmons. I’m sure some of these men were involved in the first Youth Day Pancake Breakfast that continues to this day. Youth Day is always the
Richard Carner
Courtesy photo
Eventos hispanos
Ayuntamiento continúa debate sobre la ordenanza para vendedores de comida
Por Sonora Slater
Traducido por Carol Alfonso
La reunión del Ayuntamiento de Winters del pasado 1 de Abril se centró principalmente en la discusión sobre los vendedores de comida móviles y fijos en Winters. La ordenanza, que estandariza las normas de funcionamiento, se está perfeccionando. El debate se reanudó y una versión ligeramente revisada se presentará al Ayuntamiento en la reunión pautada para el 15 de Abril. La ordenanza, en su versión actual, establece normas sobre la amplificación del ruido, prohíbe la presencia de mesas y sillas en los camiones de comida a menos que cuenten con una autorización específica, exige que los vendedores muestren una certificación válida del departamento de salud y aborda otros aspectos de la regulación y los permisos. Los principales temas
tratados en la reunión de principios de Abril fueron cómo hacer cumplir la recaudación del impuesto sobre las ventas por parte de los vendedores de camiones de comida, cómo será el proceso de aplicación de la prohibición de que los camiones de comida se estacionen en propiedad pública (que técnicamente ya estaba vigente antes de esta ordenanza, pero que anteriormente no se aplicaba con rigor), y los detalles para establecer un límite al número de vendedores de comida en Winters. Durante la sesión de comentarios públicos, Kate Laddish preguntó si se debatió el tema y cómo planea la ciudad abordar el proceso de aplicación del código en lo que respecta a ciertos camiones de comida que actualmente operan en propiedad pública. Corinne Martinez preguntó sobre la norma que exige que los camiones de comi-
da operen a 152 metros de las escuelas, preguntándose si el camión de comida Buckhorn BBQ, ubicado a unos 55 metros de la escuela secundaria Winters, se beneficiaría de la exención y podría continuar operando. La urbanista contratada, Kelly Mumper, confirmó que Buckhorn puede continuar operando y que se beneficiará de la exención con el proceso anterior.
Martinez también solicitó que se exija a los vendedores de comida tener y exhibir un Certificado de Reventa de California para obligarlos a declarar impuestos sobre sus ventas. El alcalde pro tempore Bill Biasi estuvo de acuerdo en que los vendedores de comida cumplan con los mismos requisitos de impuestos sobre las ventas que los negocios tradicionales. También coincidió con Laddish en que algunos camiones de comida,
de aprobarse la ordenanza, deberán cumplir con el código, y expresó su apoyo a un límite de seis camiones de comida.
El concejal Richard Casavecchia expresó sus reservas sobre la ordenanza, en particular la preocupación de que los camiones de comida que actualmente se encuentran en propiedad pública podrían tener dificultades para encontrar un lugar donde reubicarse, tras creer que podrían seguir operando en su ubicación actual indefinidamente. Sugirió que la ciudad designe una calle específica a la cual se solicite el traslado de los vehículos que no cumplan con la normativa, o que les asigne una ubicación después de que soliciten, paguen y reciban un Permiso de Uso Condicional. Sin embargo, Biasi y el concejal Jesse Loren afirmaron que no consideraban responsabilidad de
la ciudad crear una solución para los vendedores que actualmente operan en contra del código. Loren también señaló que si la ciudad decidiera designar una zona para que los camiones de comida operen, las próximas reuniones presupuestarias serían un mejor momento para debatirlo. “Se nos pide que creemos las normas, no que las eliminemos,” dijo Loren. Hemos dedicado mucho tiempo a esto, el personal municipal también, y creo que estamos cerca de un consenso. Si no, entonces un consenso parcial. El administrador municipal interino, Joe Gorton, confirmó que se espera que el administrador municipal, Jeremy Craig, regrese al trabajo para la reunión del consejo municipal del 15 de Abril, tras haber estado fuera del cargo durante aproximadamente dos meses, recuperándose de problemas de salud.
Los bancos de alimentos de California se preparan para recortes de ingresos
Este artículo fue publicado originalmente por CalMatters.
Por Jeanne Kuang CalMatters
Cinco años después de que la pandemia de COVID-19 afectara la economía e hiciera que millones de personas experimentaran hambre por primera vez, la demanda en el Banco de Alimentos y Servicios Familiares de Sacramento sigue siendo mayor que nunca.
El número de clientes mensuales ha aumentado a 310.000, más del doble del número de personas a las que atendía el banco de alimentos antes de la pandemia, dijo el portavoz Kevin Buffalino.
Así que fue un duro golpe este mes, dijo, cuando el Departamento de Agricultura de EE.UU. suspendió cientos de millones de dólares en fondos federales para los bancos de alimentos. Quedaron atrapados en la congelación 11 camiones llenos de alimentos (400,000 libras) que el banco de alimentos de Sacramento esperaba recibir en los próximos meses. Un total de 330 camiones cargados con destino a bancos de alimentos en todo el estado han sido suspendidos, según la Asociación de Bancos de Alimentos de California, sin que se indique cuándo se
entregarán ni si se entregarán. El mayor impacto potencial se produciría en el Banco de Alimentos Regional de Los Ángeles, donde se esperaban 90 camiones cargados que se encuentran en espera. Los pedidos fueron prometidos durante la administración Biden, que en diciembre anunció una ronda adicional de pedidos de alimentos además de las entregas que el USDA normalmente realiza a los bancos de alimentos. La congelación de las órdenes de bonificación se produjo mientras los bancos de alimentos se preparan para otros recortes, tanto por la intención de la nueva administración Trump de reducir el gasto federal como por el propio déficit presupuestario estatal de California tras varios años fiscales desorbitados durante la pandemia. En Washington, el Congreso también está considerando recortes al Programa de Asistencia Nutricional Suplementaria (SNAP), que envía alrededor de mil millones de dólares mensuales a californianos de bajos ingresos para comprar alimentos. Pero los programas alimentarios son solo una de las muchas prioridades que la Legislatura estatal, dominada por los demócratas, deberá equilibrar a medida que
California comienza a comprender cómo los recortes federales podrían afectar al estado y a su presupuesto de 322 mil millones de dólares. California recibe más de 314 mil millones de dólares en fondos federales para prestaciones alimentarias, cobertura médica y otros servicios sociales cada año, mientras que las subvenciones federales a organizaciones sin fines de lucro y contratos privados superan los 81 mil millones de dólares.
El portavoz del Departamento de Finanzas, HD Palmer, dijo que todavía es demasiado pronto para determinar si California puede permitirse compensar el gasto federal que se está recortando.
La asociación de bancos de alimentos ya está instando a los legisladores a no reducir los dólares de asistencia alimentaria del estado, pero estarán compitiendo por llamar la atención en medio de una miríada de recortes federales reales y potenciales en todo, desde la educación superior a las reparaciones de caminos rurales, los servicios de reasentamiento de refugiados y el masivo programa de salud para bajos ingresos Medicaid.
“Estas son las decisiones de Sophie,” dijo el asambleísta Gregg Hart, demócrata de Santa Bárbara, quien preside un subcomité de presupuesto que evalúa posibles déficits de fondos federales. “Todo lo que podríamos mencionar tiene una conexión con fondos federales que está en riesgo, y el estado simplemente no tiene el dinero para cubrirla.”
La demanda de alimentos no ha
disminuido
Cuando una afección persistente en el pie obligó a Antoinette Turner a jubilarse anticipadamente el otoño pasado de su antiguo trabajo en el turno de noche de un hospital, buscó formas de ahorrar.
La mujer de 61 años estaba “racionando” sus ahorros y aceptando la ayuda de su hijo. Por primera vez en su vida, empezó a acudir al banco de alimentos de Sacramento.
El martes por la mañana, en el estacionamiento de una iglesia de Sacramento, recorrió una línea de tarimas de madera llenas de comestibles mientras voluntarios ofrecían sopa enlatada, mantequilla de cacahuete, frijoles, arroz y pechugas de pavo congeladas. Se esperaba la llegada de cientos de personas, entre ellas jubilados, veteranos discapacitados y familias inmigrantes de Rusia, Ucrania y Afganistán que se asentaron en los diversos suburbios de Sacramento.
“Sería triste” si la organización tuviera que recortar gastos, dijo Turner. “Me facilita la vida.”
Una confluencia de recortes podría obligar al banco de alimentos a hacer precisamente eso, dijo Buffalino.
A principios de marzo, el USDA canceló un programa de subvenciones de la era Biden que otorgaba dinero a los bancos de alimentos y a los gobiernos tribales para comprar alimentos a los agricultores locales.
Los bancos de alimentos de California han recibido más de 80 millones de dólares a través del programa desde 2022, y se espera que algu-
nas subvenciones se extiendan hasta mediados de 2026. Esperaban recibir otros 47 millones de dólares en la siguiente ronda del programa, antes de que se recortara el 7 de marzo, según informó Jason Montiel, portavoz del Departamento de Servicios Sociales del estado. No quedó claro por qué se canceló la subvención y se suspendieron los pedidos. Los funcionarios del USDA no respondieron a las solicitudes de comentarios enviadas al correo electrónico de prensa de la agencia. Bajo el gobierno de Trump, las agencias federales han tomado medidas para detener o recortar las subvenciones con el fin de eliminar el despilfarro y el gasto en programas que no cumplen con los criterios ideológicos de la administración. California también está programada para reducir la financiación de los bancos de alimentos. Durante varios años, cuando el estado registró un superávit récord, destinó millones de dólares adicionales a un programa estatal llamado CalFood, que permite a los bancos de alimentos comprar alimentos a agricultores o productores locales, como las tortillerías. Esos aumentos dieron a los bancos de alimentos alrededor de 60 millones de dólares al año a través de CalFood durante los últimos tres años; en el presupuesto que el gobernador Gavin Newsom propuso para el año fiscal que comienza en julio, esa financiación volvería a 8 millones de dólares.
Los bancos de alimentos de California dependen de la ayuda Los fondos federales y estatales para la compra de alimentos han constituido la mayor parte de los $3,5 millones que el banco de alimentos de Sacramento gasta anualmente para comprar alimentos, dijo Buffalino. Los alimentos com-
prados representan el 40 por ciento de los comestibles que el banco de alimentos regala; el resto es entregado por el USDA o recuperado de supermercados que ya no pueden venderlo. Con fuertes reducciones en ambos fondos de compra, Buffalino dijo que el banco de alimentos de Sacramento tendrá que depender más de donaciones privadas o reducir la cantidad que le da a cada destinatario.
Aunque la demanda en el banco de alimentos disminuyó ligeramente a medida que el empleo comenzó a recuperarse tras la pandemia, los clientes regresaron rápidamente debido a la inflación, afirmó Buffalino. El año pasado, los precios de los alimentos fueron casi un 24 por ciento más altos que en 2020. “Ha habido un aumento constante (de clientes) en los últimos cinco años,” dijo. Los agricultores también se verán afectados por la cancelación de las subvenciones.
Los fondos federales para la compra de alimentos han permitido a los pequeños agricultores comprar nuevos equipos, invertir en invernaderos y ampliar su presencia para atender a compradores mayoristas, dijo Megan Kenney de la Asociación de Productores de la Costa Norte en el Condado de Humboldt. Kenney coordina los pedidos de alimentos entre dos bancos de alimentos regionales y unos 40 agricultores, todos los cuales plantan menos de 100 acres cada uno. Durante el invierno, ella y los agricultores planificaron lo que plantarían según la demanda del banco de alimentos, con la expectativa de que los fondos federales financiaran las compras. “Se les animó a hacer este tipo de cosas”, dijo Kenney. “Si tienen que hacer una mayor inversión en semillas o mano de obra sin obtener un retorno, realmente podrían ver ese impacto.”
Education News
Waggoner students dig into farm life
By Crystal Apilado Editor-in-Chief
The joyful sounds of laughter, curious questions, and the gentle clucking of chickens filled the air at Waggoner Elementary School on Friday, April 11, as students took part in the return of a beloved school tradition — Robin Gamper Farm Day.
After a multi-year hiatus due to the pandemic, the Robin Gamper Farm Day was revived with fresh energy and heartfelt enthusiasm thanks to the Winters Combined PTA, a devoted group of volunteers, and a host of local agricultural experts. Their collaboration transformed the school grounds into a lively hands-on learning experience, giving students a taste of rural life right at their school.
Across Waggoner’s campus, students rotated through interactive stations that offered mini-lessons in agriculture, animal care and the farming professions. From watching a tractor mimic the shaking of walnuts from a tree to petting rabbits and learning the art of butter churning, Waggoner’s young learners were immersed in the diverse world of agriculture.
Some of the day’s experiences included:
• A cow milking demonstration with the Langum family and California Dairy Council, bringing dairy science to life.
• Fruit and vegetable exploration led by Farm Equity’s Thea Rittenhouse and friends, fostering healthy food curiosity.
• Pests and pollinator station with Margaret Mantor, where students learned about the tiny creatures that play big roles in growing food.
• Floral arranging with Winters High School FFA leadership students, inspiring budding horticulturists.
• A butter-churning storytime with Connie Balasek, blending tradition with tactile learning.
• A ranch horse demonstration from Iron Lake Performance Horses, showcasing animal handling and ranch life.
• A farm dog demonstration with NexGen K9, highlighting working dogs’ roles in modern agriculture.
• A tractor station courtesy of the Lester and Sartin families, giving kids an upclose look at heavy equipment.
• A tree shaker demonstration by the Knabke family, letting students witness a modern harvest method.
• School garden planting with Winters Farm to School volunteers and STEAM teacher Joanie
Bryant, encouraging a lifelong love of gardening and sustainability.
• Small animal care and petting station with vet tech Caitlin Phillips Caldiera, where students met a rabbit and chicken while learning about animal health.
Reestablishing Robin Gamper Farm Day reconnects students with the region’s deep agricultural roots and introduces them to the people and the roles they play to help put food on the table. The Winters Farm to School nonprofit has already immersed students in the Farm to Table effort through their work in the school gardens.
The Winters PTA has committed to continuing this inspiring tradition. To
learn how you can support future student events, visit www.winterspta.com.
By Crystal Apilado Editor-in-Chief
Three student groups from the Winters Middle School Environmental Education classes have advanced to the finals of the Caring For Our Watersheds contest, placing them in the Top 10 out of 248 project entries in the northern California region.
The final competition is scheduled for May 3 at UC Davis, where they will compete for the $1,000 grand prize.
All three groups have secured funding and are actively implementing their projects aimed at enhancing the local en-
vironment in Winters.
Sixth-graders Mila Michael and Paige Gerard’s project, titled the “Drive Less Bike Rodeo,” has a goal to reduce air pollution by encouraging students to get to school using a non-gas-powered vehicle.
Part of their solution is to host a Bike Skills Clinic and a Bike Rodeo during May, which is designated as Bike Month.
Sixth-grader Kailey Jacobsen’s project, titled “Paws For A Cause,” has a goal to reduce pollution in the Putah Creek watershed caused by dog waste.
Her proposed solution is to educate the Winters community about the harmful impact of dog waste in the environment and to add more dog waste stations along the nature park pathway. The Express will delve deeper into these projects with the student groups in an upcoming issue and will provide coverage of their performance at the May 3 competition.
Seventh-grader Leo Lanfranco’s project, titled “If a Fork Can Make a Difference, You Can Too,” has a goal to put compostable cutlery in refillable dispensers in the WMS cafeteria’s resources for student lunches and to reduce waste and single-use plastics.
Middle school students shine in watersheds contest
Matt Sartin tells a group of students about tractors at Farm Day, Friday, April 11, at Waggoner Elementary School in Winters. Below, Students explore vegetables inside and out in a hands-on session.
Crystal Apilado/Winters Express photos
At left, Winters FFA member Allison Aguiar (right) shows students how to create flower arrangements. Below, Students listen to a butter-churning storytime from Connie Balasek.
Winters Farm to School volunteer Cathy Olsen helps a student plant seeds in the garden.
agencies, bringing resources directly to our students and their families,” Bermudez said. “Whether it’s increasing access to mental health supports, academic enrichment, after-school programs, or family engagement efforts, this grant helps us align those pieces in a coordinated, student-centered way.”
In the presentation by WMS Assistant Principal Oscar Garcia on March 20, he said a Community Schools committee had been formed. This committee is a group of 25 members who will focus on analyzing the strengths and gaps of the district to steer the Community School Initiative.
Bermudez stated that the grant will help expand services that support students academically, socially and emotionally.
“Winters is a community that takes care of its own,” Bermudez said. “With this grant, we have an opportunity to strengthen that legacy by reimagining how our school can serve students and families in even more impactful ways.”
Facilities update Program manager Jennifer Gibb and Van Pelt President
Mark Van Pelt gave a crash course presentation on construction at school districts, outlining the processes and difficulties of such an endeavor.
Van Pelt started as a company in 1996
“What’s different about school construction is we’re highly regulated, which is a good thing.”
Mark Van Pelt, president, Van Pelt Construction
and has been working with the Winters JUSD since 2016. In his presentation, Van Pelt explained all the steps to beginning a construction project on a school campus to the ribbon-cutting.
“What’s different about school construction is we’re highly regulated, which is a good thing,” Van Pelt said. “There’s only one state in the United States that has building codes like ours, there’s no other California is where we’re the pinnacle of building codes. We live in the most difficult place to put buildings online in the world, literally, and that’s in K-12 and hospitals.”
Van Pelt said that the specialized nature of California building codes for schools requires extra work from multiple agencies to make sure all construction is to the letter of the specifications set out by the state.
Trustee Everardo Zaragoza asked about the specific grants being pursued by the district and what steps the board could take to ensure applications are successful. Gibb said that a strategic plan and preparation are key in acquiring grants.
“We design and build the project within the highest procurement and audited regulatory
Celebrating WINTERS’ 87th ANNUAL YOUTH DAY
Saturday, April 26th
Duck Derby, Parade, Food & More!
Celebrating our community's youth from the past to the present, “Youth Around the World” special tabloid will be published on Wednesday, April 23rd. It will be mailed to all Winters’ households and distributed throughout the community with 5,000 printed copies and on-line edition. Festivities begin on Saturday, April 26th with fun for the whole family. Be a part of this community wide section with your advertising message.
processes in order to ensure that you are eligible for federal funding, which is the highest level of funding and has the most restrictions. So any type of grants we are eligible for, we just have to know about them and get in line,” Gibb said.
Some of the state matching grants the district is currently working through include a Proposition 2 authorized program with Kings Consulting. This is a Career Technical Education grant through the State’s Facility Program that provides reimbursement for already completed projects related to CTE pathways at the high school level. Eligible projects can receive up to $3 million in matched funds.
In addition, the district is using an energy-related grant at Rominger for the HVAC and roofing project, for which the board will receive an update on at the next board meeting on April 17.
Lastly, Gibb stated that there are opportunities to join the facility committee meeting and the Citizens Bond Oversight Committee. The CBOC is a group that oversees the way bond money is being spent on bond projects to ensure its proper use.
discussion surrounding it, will be covered in more depth in a future issue of Winters Express Presentations
The council also presented two proclamations to different groups in the region, including a proclamation recognizing National Library Week, which took place from April 1 thru 7, and a proclamation recognizing Child Abuse Prevention Month, which is the entire month of April.
Ashleigh Torres, the Winters Community Library branch manager, accepted the presentation on behalf of the library.
Council members Jesse Loren and Carol Scianna, as well as resident Kate Laddish, all commended Torres and her team on building a creative space with fun programming and quality resources that people of all ages can enjoy.
Aydarri Seth, a Winters High School senior, also thanked the library staff for their work.
“My brothers come home gushing about all the things they do,” Seth said. “Like the Rubix Cube club. All the stuff they do for the community is amazing.”
“Libraries are not just about what they have for people, but what they do for and with people,” a portion of the proclamation reads. “Libraries are at the heart of our cities, towns, schools and campuses, providing critical resources, programs and expertise, (and) provide a public space where all community members, regardless of age, culture or income level, can come together to connect and learn.”
Rachelle Gayton and Tony Kildare accepted the proclamation in support of Child Abuse Prevention Month on behalf of the Yolo County Child Abuse Prevention Council, which aims to help coordinate the community’s efforts to prevent and respond to child abuse and neglect.
The proclamation noted that, although not every allegation was substantiated, Yolo County Child Welfare Services investigated allegations of suspected child abuse and/or neglect involving 1,033 children in 2024, and 124 Yolo County children entered foster care.
“Strong connections within a community help to keep families and children safe,” Kildare said. “Winters really does have a strong community connection, and this is really the kind of place that models the idea of our ‘It Takes a Village ’ theme for this month.”
“Every child deserves to grow up in a safe, nurturing, and stable environment,” the proclamation reads, in part. “Research shows that strong, supportive relationships can serve
as a protective factor against childhood trauma. Preventing child abuse and neglect is a collective responsibility that requires a community-wide effort.”
Public comment, other business
During public comment, council members drew attention to the money — around $8,000 — that was raised for Los Angeles Fire Victims at the recent Winters Open Mic Songs in Solidarity Event.
“Winters really does have a strong community connection, and this is really the kind of place that models the idea of our ‘It Takes a Village’ theme for this month.”
Tony Kildare, chair
Resident Stuart Nitenson also raised concerns about certain intersections in his neighborhood that he and others who live nearby him believe would be safer if stop signs were installed. At the end of the meeting, the council agreed to tie discussion of his concerns into the larger street safety resolution that has been on pause since 2023 because of the lack of a city planner. With a city planner now hired, the resolution should be able to resume and return before city council at some point in the future. The council also voted unanimously to approve changes to the Natural Resources Commission’s selection process, minor changes to the Winters Municipal Code relating to ministerial review of affordable housing projects, which will bring the city in line with state guidelines and simplify some of the bureaucracy surrounding this type of construction, and a
Professional Services Agreement with Bay Area Pop Up Events for production of the Winters 2025 Tractor Parade.
There were some concerns raised by members of the public regarding the Bay Area Pop Up Events agreement, including requests for the start time to move back to 4 p.m., a request for more of a focus on local vendors at the event, and a desire for the winterstractorparade.com URL to return to and stay within the control of the City of Winters.
Steve Restivo, an organizer for Bay Area Pop Up Events, was very amenable to all of this feedback and suggested multiple ideas for how to prioritize local vendors, including a discounted rate and a locals-only vendor sign up period. These changes were incorporated into the agreement.
The resolution also included a plan to appoint a review committee for the 2026 Tractor Parade Weekend event, which will begin meeting later this year to have ample time for community feedback and other concerns to be addressed for next year’s event.
During City Manager Jeremy Craig’s first report since returning to work, he noted that Grants Manager Colleen Brock will be retiring at the end of the month, and thanked her for her service to the city.
He also shared the unfortunate news that the city’s Community Development Block Grant application for funding for the senior center project was not approved. The grant operates on a first come, first served basis, and although the grant was submitted the moment the application opened, Craig said Winters’ application was still 14th in line, and the funding therefore ran out before the city’s project was even considered. The city will continue to look at alternate funding sources for the center, including potentially reapplying to the same grant during the next funding cycle. COUNCIL
Crystal Apilado/Winters Express
Mayor Albert Vallecillo (left) presented Ashleigh Torres, Winters Community Library branch manager, with a proclamation recognizing National Library Week, which took place from April 1 thru 7.
Early detection of head injuries, concussions is vital key to long-term brain wellness
By Angela Underwood Express correspondent
The most important human organ is the brain.
That fact makes caring for the brain a vital key to lifelong health.
The Center for Disease Control and Prevention and Winters Healthcare Executive Director Christopher Kelsch both point to the early diagnosis and treatment of Traumatic Brain Injury (TBI) and concussions, which hold significant statistics.
The CDD reports up to 586 TBI-related hospitalizations and 190 deaths daily, with individuals older than 75 at the greatest risk for injury and death.
“Prompt identification of concussion prevents second impact syndrome, potentially fatal, allows for immediate rest, crucial for healing, can reduce symptom duration and severity,” Kelsch said, adding early detection minimizes long-term neurological risks, including Post Concussion Syndrome and Chronic Traumatic Encephalopathy.
According to Kelsch, early detection also ensures athlete safety, facilitates education, and informs safe
return-to-play decisions.
“Late diagnosis can lead to prolonged and worsened symptoms,” Kelsch said.
Some of those symptoms include PCS and Second Impact Syndrome, as well as a delayed and more challenging recovery, according to Kelsch, adding other effects are heightened psychological distress, potential mismanagement, increased susceptibility to subsequent concussions, and negative impacts on academic and social life.
Hand-in-hand with academics, the CDC reports, like older
adults, athletes are at high risk, with “about 7 out of 10 emergency department visits for sports- and recreation-related TBIs and concussions are among children ages 17 and under.”
“While concussion is key, significant athlete injuries include musculoskeletal — sprains, strains, fractures — and other head/face injuries like lacerations, dental, orbital, neck injuries,” Kelsch said.
Whiplash, sprains, and heat-related illnesses can also sometimes overlap with or complicate concussion diagnosis and management, accord-
ing to the executive director, pointing out that female athletes and youth require specific considerations.
“Research suggests that female athletes
Additionally, concussions in younger athletes require special attention as their brains are still developing, Kelsch said.
“The long-term im-
The wellness expert said many sports programs conduct baseline neurocognitive testing, including memory and reaction time, on athletes before the season.
“This provides a pre-injury profile that can be used for comparison if a concussion is suspected, aiding in the assessment of cognitive deficits and tracking recovery,” Kelsch said.
However, sole reliance on baseline testing for return-to-play decisions is not recommended, according to Kelsch, who notes that “clinical assessment and symptom resolution are paramount.”
As for treatment, physical and cognitive rest are the answer for anyone suffering from TBI or concussions.
“Research suggests that female athletes may be at a higher risk of concussion in some sports compared to male athletes, and they may also report more severe symptoms and longer recovery times.”
Christopher Kelsch, executive director
may be at a higher risk of concussion in some sports compared to male athletes, and they may also report more severe symptoms and longer recovery times,” Kelsch said. “The reasons for this are not fully understood but may involve hormonal factors, neck strength differences and reporting biases.”
plications of repeated head impacts and CTE are ongoing concerns,” Kelsch said. “Return-to-learn protocols are important for student-athletes.”
Additionally, Kelsch said coaches and parents play a crucial role in recognition and reporting, adding, “Fostering a culture of honest symptom reporting is essential.”
“Symptom management includes pain relievers and anti-nausea medication,” Kelsch said. “Graduated return-to-activity protocols are crucial.”
Additionally, the executive director of Winters Healthcare said rehabilitation therapies, including vestibular, ocular, cognitive, physical, and psychological support, may be needed since “side effects” often relate to prolonged concussion symptoms (PCS), deconditioning, psychological impact, and potential medication side effects.
FEATURES
Thursday, April 17
Winters JUSD School Board Meeting, 6 p.m., School District Office, Zoom Meeting info, check https://bit.ly/4fwmfHK or www.wintersjusd.org
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, April 18
Express Coffeehouse Chat, 8 a.m., Steady Eddy's Coffee House
Saturday, April 19
Spring Community Creek Clean-up, 9 –11:30 a.m., Winters Putah Creek Nature Park (201 Railroad Ave.), Register at https:// putahcreekcouncil.org/event/spring-communitycreek-clean-up/
Winters Open Mic Night, 6 p.m. (sign-ups begin at 5:30 p.m.), Winters Opera House (13 Main St.), Visit wintersopenmic.org
Monday, April 21
Winters Natural Resources Commission Meeting
6 p.m., City Hall Large Conference Room (Abbey Street entrance), Check cityofwinters.org/187/ Natural-Resources-Commission
Tuesday, April 22
Winters Planning Commission Meeting, 6:30 p.m.,City Hall Large Conference Room (Abbey Street entrance), Zoom Meeting info, check www.cityofwinters.org/planning-commission/
Wednesdays
Eat Well Yolo Drive – Through Food Distribution Wednesdays, 3:30 p.m. As supplies last, Winters High student parking lot, off Railroad Avenue 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.)
Cafe Yolo Social Dining, Thurdays, 11:30 a.m.-12:30 p.m., Winters Community Center (201 Railroad Ave.), Reservations required 24 hours in advance at 530-662-7035 or welcome@mowyolo.org
Winters Senior Foundation Social Gathering, Thurdays, 12:30-3 p.m., Winters Community Center (201 Railroad Ave.)
Ongoing
View the Winters community events calendar at https://bit.ly/WintersCommunityEvents
Winters Friends of the Library meeting, first Monday, 7 p.m., Winters Community Library, Margaret Parsons Room, wfol.org
Winters Fortnightly meeting, second Tuesday (September through May), 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., historicalsocietyofwinters.org
Winters Open Mic, third Thursday of the month, 6 p.m. (sign-ups begin at 5:30 p.m.), Winters Opera House (13 Main St.).
Metaphysical Book Club, third Friday at 5 p.m., 212 Grant Ave., Sign up at dixiesbookclub@gmail.com, call 530-212-5026, or just drop in 12-Step Bonfire meeting, third Friday, 6:30 p.m. fellowship, 7 p.m. meeting, LuNita Ranch, 8189 Olive School Ln, Winters, Bring a camp chair.
Winters Spiritual Living Circle, last Wednesday at 5 p.m., 212 Grant Ave., Sign up traycee@outlook.com, call 760-688-6302, or just drop in Kiwanis Club of Winters meeting, fourth Wednesday, 6 p.m., Turkovich Family Wines - Boss Lounge, kiwanisclubofwinters@gmail.com Democracy Winters meeting, third Saturdays, 10 a.m.Noon, Meeting details in newsletter, contact info@ democracywinters.org Dance Fitness, - first/third Sundays February thru July, 8 to 9 a.m., Winters Community Library. No registration required. Walking Meditation, third Sunday, 8:30 to 9:30 a.m., Meet behind the Winters Community Center, 201 Railroad Ave. 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.
Top home remodel projects HOMES, Page 2
Photo mystery solved by area history
Boy in Lange’s ‘Young man gathering wood’ finally identified
By Abigail Hofland Express correspondent
A decades-long local mystery has been solved by area sleuths Scooter Clark and Carol Fitzpatrick. The case involves the historic photo essay by Dorothea Lange, “Death of a Valley,” and its unidentified photo of a “Young Man Gathering Wood.” While most of the book’s entries identify subjects in their captioning, the face in this image had been an enigma for over 60 years.
Fitzpatrick, who operated the Berryessa Valley exhibit at Spanish Flat before it moved to Winters Museum, had long been curious about the photo.
“The question always came up, and I’d always ask all the old timers: Who was the boy carrying the wood? No one ever knew who it was,” she said.
Napa resident Foster “Scooter” Clark eventually got wind of Fitzpatrick’s question. He had the answer.
“Freddie Burns,” Clark said. “His picture is in Death of a Valley, and it’s also in several other books about Berryessa Valley.”
Fred “Bud” Burns is a resident of Napa Valley and a high school friend of Clark’s.
“We never knew until less than a year ago,” Fitzpatrick said.
Burns recently visited the Winters Museum, where he signed a copy of the photograph now hanging in the Remembering Monticello exhibit. As Fitzpatrick flipped through the museum’s copy of Death of a Valley and landed
buffs
on his photo, Burns smiled and gave a chuckle.
“About 10 years ago, Scooter saw it, and he said, ‘Burns, you’re in the book.’ I go, ‘Aww, that’s not me.’”
Clark was surprised.
“He’s the only one I ever showed the picture to who said it wasn’t him,” he said. Eventually, Burns conceded.
“Sure enough, it was me. And so I went and got the book, and there I am. That’s me,” Burns said.
The photo was taken in 1956, likely by Dorthea Lange, as Burns remembers the photographer being a woman. Center left in the image, a bare chested seventeen-year-old stands with a bundle of sticks, surrounded by dust and burn piles. First published in 1960, Death of a Valley chronicles the final year of life in the town of Monticello before and during its leveling for the Monticello Dam.
Photographers Lange and Pirkle Jones were commissioned by Life Magazine to cover the story. The image of Burns was captured during the clearing of the reservoir site. Piles of debris were concentrated
See MYSTERY, Page 7
Linvill, Apilado honored for service to students
Angela Underwood Express correspondent
The second part of the Express series on the Winters Joint Unified School District 2025 Hall of Fame inductees features the Distinguished Service and Alumni inductees, both female leaders who set the bar high for future considerations.
Mary Lou Linvill is distinguished for arts advocacy, and Crystal Apilado is noted for being a unique alumnus. Their nomination letters point out their unprecedented service and passion for the district and community.
Mary Lou Linvill
The Winters JUSD’s Hall of Fame distinguished service award details that the nominee is a local citizen, local business person or a former school district employee who has made extraordinary contributions that resulted in a significant benefit or exceptional honor to the school district or one of its schools.
As a co-founder of the Winters Shakespeare Workshop in 1998, Linvill’s love for the arts spread quickly among Winters students.
“We wanted to see shows outside, on that stage in the summertime,” Linvell said, adding a new wooden city park and stage made that possible.
“We wanted our kids to have the experi-
WJUSD Hall of Fame
ence of making shows with their friends on the long summer nights in the park.”
And she did.
“The Winters Shakespeare Workshop, a program that transformed summer evenings for local high school students,” according to the nomination letter, noting participants take on diverse roles as actors, set designers, and creators, cultivating their skills and bringing ambitious productions to life.
“Marylou’s belief in the ephemeral beauty of theater productions has inspired countless students to embrace creativity and collaboration,” the nomination letter stated.
Linvill said that over the years, students have entered the professional world of theater, music, and dance. Calling it the arts “great life training,” Linvill points out how students learned to “understand their characters and the other actors.”
Linvill’s legacy also includes student engagement off stage as a founder of the Winters Friend of the Library Family Holiday Festival, which offers annual crafts, music, and holiday traditions.
“We wanted to encourage more music in the elementary and preschools by inviting classes to come and perform,” Linvill said.
“Soon, we dropped the Tree Raffle and decided to make the event a holiday gift for the community.”
And she did again.
“Children are the heart of any community; it is important for adults in the community to take part in children’s lives and for children to feel the support of the whole community,” Linvill said. “Music, theater, crafts, and art can weave our community together.”
Linvill’s nomination letter sums up her enduring legacy.
“Despite her own children having already graduated from Winters JUSD, she continues to enrich the community with programs that foster artistic expression, self-discovery, and unity,” the nomination letter reads. “Her vision and leadership have left an enduring legacy, making her an outstanding candidate for this recognition.”
Crystal Apilado
Apilado’s academic and professional career cemented her name in the 2025 Hall of Fame for her numerous contributions, beginning as the Class of 1999 secretary all four years.
“Being the person I am, I took meticulous notes on everything everyone participated in and worked with my fellow officers and class advisors to create opportunities for classmates to earn funds for their class trip,” Apilado said.
“During my senior year, I doubled up and also served as the Associate Student Body secretary, working with my fellow officers to help unify our school.”
Apilado’s love for her school community was colorful, quite literally.
“At the time, there was some apathy for school togetherness, and we wanted to not only bring classmates together but also really elevate that Warrior pride,” Apilado said.
“I helped to play a part in bringing ‘Class Colors’ to Winters High School.”
Since its creation, the colors have
The Winters JUSD’s Hall of Fame alumni award details that the nominee is a Winters “graduate who earned individual recognition at a school by his/ her scholastic achievements, athletic accomplishments, ASB activities, or community service; must have earned individual recognition after graduation by his/her postsecondary scholastic achievements, athletic accomplishments, career/ professional accomplishments, military service, or community service; and had an exemplary life of community service and good character reflecting credit to the person, the school and society.”
Courtesy photo
Dorothea Lange’s photo, signed by Fred Burns, is on display in the “Remembering Monticello” exhibit at the Winters Museum.
Courtesy photo
Fred “Bud” Burns (left) points to himself as a young boy featured in Dorothea Lange’s “Young man gathering wood” photograph at the Winters Museum. Foster “Scooter” Clark holds up another photo featuring his family.
Top remodeling projects for homeowner satisfaction, cost recovery
Top remodeling projects for homeowner satisfaction and cost recovery continue to vary as individuals remodel their homes for diverse reasons, according to the National Association of Realtors and the National Association of the Remodeling Industry’s 2025 Remodeling Impact Report.
The report assesses the reasons homeowners undertake remodeling projects, the outcomes of these projects and the increased happiness experienced in the home once a project is completed. This year’s report features a significantly different structure compared to prior editions, with expanded sections about Realtors and consumers.
Americans spent an
“Homeowners undertake remodeling projects for numerous reasons, but what remains intriguing is the disparity between the joy experienced post-remodel and the actual cost recovery.”
Jessica Lautz, National Association of Realtors
estimated $603 billion on home remodeling projects in 2024.
According to the report, the remodeling projects that received the highest Joy Scores — a ranking from 1 to 10 based on the happiness homeowners reported upon completion — include the addition of a primary bedroom suite (10), a kitchen upgrade (10) and new roofing (10). In contrast, the remodeling projects with the highest cost recov-
ery — as estimated by members of NARI – include a new steel front door (100 percent), closet renovation (83 percent) and new fiberglass front door (80 percent).
“Homeowners undertake remodeling projects for numerous reasons, but what remains intriguing is the disparity between the joy experienced post-remodel and the actual cost recovery,” said Jessica Lautz, NAR deputy chief
economist and vice president of research.
“While homeowners take pride in seeing their personal tastes and design choices come to life, Realtors may recommend different strategies to enhance the property’s resale value.”
The top remodeling
bathroom renovation (35 percent).
projects that Realtors recommend sellers complete before listing their homes include painting the entire home (50 percent), painting a single interior room (41 percent) and installing new roofing (37 percent). Additionally, the projects for which Realtors have observed the highest increase in demand are a kitchen upgrade (48 percent), new roofing (43 percent) and a
When consumers remodel their homes, the primary reasons include upgrading worn-out surfaces, finishes and materials (27 percent); improving energy efficiency (19 percent); desiring a change (18 percent) and preparing to sell within the next two years (18 percent).
“This report demonstrates that demand
See HOMES, Page 4
The top remodeling projects that have seen increased demand among National Association of Realtors members over the past two years include kitchen upgrades, new roofing and a bathroom renovation.
All welcome to Holy Week
St. Anthony Parish invites the community to its Holy Week and Easter celebrations to celebrate the passion, death and resurrection of our Lord Jesus Christ.
Confessions and Daily Mass will be celebrated on Monday, April 14, and Tuesday, April 15, with confessions from 7:30 to 8:20 a.m. followed by daily Mass at 8:30 a.m. at St. Anthony Church. At St. Martin Mission in Esparto, confessions will be from 5 to 5:45 p.m. followed by Mass at 6 p.m.
The Holy Week services begin on Thursday, April 17, with a bilingual Mass of the Last Supper of Jesus at 6 p.m. at St. Anthony in Winters. Mass will be followed by Adoration of the Blessed Sacrament in the Parish Hall until midnight. At St. Martin Mission in Esparto, bilingual Mass will be held at 6 p.m. followed by Adoration of the Blessed Sacrament in the hall until 10 p.m.
On Friday, April 18, a bilingual service will be held at St. Anthony Church at noon. Stations of the Cross in English will take place immediately after in the church. Spanish Via Crucis will take place at 6 p.m. outdoors. The bilingual services at St. Martin Mission in Esparto will be at 1 p.m. with bilingual Stations of the Cross immediately after.
The Easter Vigil bilingual Mass on Saturday, April 19, will begin at 8 p.m. at St. Anthony Parish. The Mass schedule for Easter Sunday, April 20, at St. Anthony Parish will be 10:30 a.m. in English and 12:30 p.m. in Spanish.
Both masses will be followed by an Easter egg hunt for the children. The mass schedule for Easter Sunday at St. Martin Mission in Esparto will be 7 a.m. in Spanish and 8:30 a.m. in English. Both masses will be followed by an Easter egg hunt for the children.
We wish everyone a very blessed Holy Week and Easter.
REV. PERLITO GARRIDO DE LA CRUZ
St. Anthony PAriSh
Letters Policy
The Winters Express encourages readers to submit letters of general interest to the Winters community. Letters contribute to community discussion. Letters should not exceed 350 words. Anonymous letters will not be accepted. Letters must be legibly signed by the writer. We reserve the right to determine legitimacy. We reserve the right to edit letters for brevity or clarity, or to reject any letter. Submit letters online at https://tinyurl. com/syzevywd or wintersexpress.com.
Horoscopes
ARIES (Mar 21/Apr 20),
Expect some valuable insight regarding your future to emerge in the next few days, Aries. It won’t be difficult to set plans in motion when you have the right people on your side.
TAURUS (Apr 21/May 21),
Taurus, take a breather and give some careful thought to your recent experiences and your expectations going forward. You will benefit from this in the long run.
GEMINI (May 22/Jun 21),
You are focused on your work, Gemini. However, distractions are beyond your control right now and will pull your attention away from what matters to higher-ups.
CANCER (Jun 22/Jul 22), Romantic endeavors are a little hard to plan and consider right now, Cancer. Just stick to what your intuition is telling you and you will come out just fine in the end.
LEO (Jul 23/Aug 23), Leo, you might be called upon to be a mediator for friends or loved ones who need a fresh set of eyes. Keep a cool demeanor and a level head and you can lead them to a resolution.
VIRGO (Aug 24/Sept 22), Virgo, you are drawn to creative projects, but avoid using them to put off other endeavors. These distractions will only delay the inevitable and then you’ll be pressed for time.
LIBRA (Sept 23/Oct 23), Libra, carefully schedule your time this week, as you cannot afford to get behind on your assignments at work or in school. You also have many important appointments on the calendar.
SCORPIO (Oct 24/Nov 22), Scorpio, someone comes to you for advice this week and wants you to keep their situation private. You need to help them without betraying their request for confidentiality.
SAGITTARIUS (Nov 23/Dec 21), It is possible your mind will wander this week, Sagittarius. You might not be able to focus on the tasks at hand, and will need to focus extra hard to limit distractions.
CAPRICORN (Dec 22/Jan 20), Capricorn, pay attention to detail in all things that you do. Be mindful of this when tending to professional and personal matters.
AQUARIUS (Jan 21/Feb 18), Aquarius, the simplest resolution is often the best one. Keep this mind when tackling a perplexing problem in the days ahead.
PISCES (Feb 19/Mar 20), Pisces, you are eager to sail through your to-do list, and certain tasks need to be postponed to address those that are high-priority. Rearrange things accordingly.
Are you ready for Youth Day?
One thing that makes Winters special is Youth Day. We all get to watch a hometown parade and wave at people we haven’t seen in a year or so.
It is also a civics lesson for our children as they take over the city council and other city positions.
Some years, there is more interaction between city hall and our school administrators. I think the more involved the students are, the better the Youth Day. From attending a city council meeting to riding in the parade, it should be a great memory for the kids and something that they won’t soon forget.
Some traditions fade away with time, but I’m hoping that Youth Day survives. It takes time, effort and a lot of volunteers to make Youth Day happen.
“For some reason, people aren’t volunteering like they used to and service clubs are suffering with a lack of members.”
For some reason, people aren’t volunteering like they used to and service clubs are suffering with a lack of members.
Our Lions and Soroptimist clubs have ceased to exist, and I’ve noticed a drop in membership in our Rotary Club, but they have added a few new members.
The Fortnightly Club, the oldest club in Winters, 1922, seems to be surviving and even thriving. They held their lunch meeting at the museum last week and I was impressed with their energy and numbers. They even have a few young people, which is always a good sign.
I am not as active in community events as I once was, but I continue to help put on the Rotary Youth Day Pancake (sausage) Breakfast. There are younger members of Rotary taking over the leadership of the club, so I’m hoping to step back and get out of their way.
Idid get the wagon placed on the corner of Railroad and Main and a few signs up round town, with Bruce’s help. Emarie at the Buckhorn told me that she has the food under control and Kelli has ordered lawn signs to remind everyone to support the breakfast, so we should be good to go. Nothing stays the same and the Youth Day Committee has decided to move the party from City Park to Rotary Park. I worry about parking at the Community
Center, where the breakfast is held. I agree with the decision to move the after-parade activities downtown; I just worry about the impact on people trying to get to the breakfast. In all these years of working on the breakfast, I’ve never thought about where everyone parks. We start the barbecue before 5 a.m. so I’ve never had to think about parking. After loading up everything that it takes to put on a breakfast for more than 600 people, I park at my office, unload and walk to the parade, if it is still going on. I can imagine people who attend the breakfast leave their vehicles in the city parking lots and walk to the parade, too. Cross your fingers that everything will work out for the best and have a good week.
Meet Jose Ochoa, his remarkable journey to Winters
Jose Ochoa was born in Michoacan, Mexico, on June 13, 1940. Today, Jose met me at Steady Eddy’s for coffee and the interview for this article.
He is a soft-spoken man, eager to answer the questions I was asking. I remember thinking about how different his life must have been from mine. Obviously, I had opportunities that only white American boys could expect. None of these opportunities were open for Jose. He could only expect a life of hard work and low pay to support his family.
As I looked at him, it dawned on me that I don’t think I have
ever met anyone as tough as he is. Like his last name, Ochoa (the Wolf), he is tough and smart. At about the age of 20, he left home to work in the United States under the Bracero Program. The Bracero Program was a series of agreements between the U.S. and Mexican governments to bring temporary guest workers from Mexico into the United States to fill vacancies in agricultural work. Because they were not
U.S. citizens, braceros who protested wages or working conditions were especially vulnerable to deportation. Under the terms of the Bracero Program, growers could turn to a seemingly limitless supply of guest workers brought in by the federal government with little worry about labor laws or protections. Jose worked for the Martinez farm for over 13 years before moving to the T. H. Roth farm. The day he be-
came a citizen of the United States, he received a 25-cent raise.
He, by chance, attended a dinner party where he met the love of his life, the lovely Lucia. Together, they had four children and seven grandchildren.
Jose enjoyed playing on several soccer teams and was instrumental in the development of a soccer league.
He says he doesn’t like bullies.
As a young man, after a party celebrating his becoming a citizen, he accidently drove his truck into the Green River (Putah Creek).
He credits Carrion Realty for helping him buy the house he lives
in today. He feels he is very lucky to have settled in Winters. He is comfortable and happy with his life here. He is associat-
ed with two groups of men. One group meets every morning at the Kountry Kitchen (his favorite restaurant) for breakfast and man-chat.
The other, more famous, group of Mexican American men can be spotted sitting on benches around town, also engaged in man-chat. When I asked him whom he would like to have dinner with of anyone that ever lived, he chose his wife, Lucia.
Tips for gardening in clay soil, providing nutrients to fruit trees
Special to the Express
This column is written by the UC Master Gardeners of Yolo County each month. It provides answers to selected questions that recently came into the UC Master Gardener – Yolo County Help Desk.
Gardening in clay soil
Q: The yard in my recently built house seems to have heavy clay soil. Will I be able to grow vegetables?
A: Yes, you can absolutely grow vegetables in your yard, even with heavy clay soil. Clay soil has plenty of nutrients and holds moisture well, so it is an excellent starting point, much better than sandy soil. You will need to make some adjustments to improve soil structure and drainage, however. That will take a little time and work, but you will end up with
Ask a Master Gardener
excellent soil that has great gardening potential. Clay soil consists of tiny, tightly packed particles that drain poorly and compacts easily when compacted. In the summer, clay soil can harden and crack, while in the winter, it can become soggy and waterlogged. This can make it difficult for vegetable roots to penetrate and they are deprived of oxygen in soggy soil. You can approach this in two ways. One is to build raised beds and import topsoil. That involves expense and effort if you buy the materials and build the beds. The other, and we think better approach, is to improve your clay soil over time. That takes work and patience and
lots of organic material, such as compost or aged manure as a soil amendment. If you do not have a ready source of compost, you will probably need to purchase it, but it is less expensive than buying topsoil.
If you choose the raised bed route, you do not need to build the two-foot-high beds that many people opt for. Your clay soil can still be a good basis for your bed and plant roots will extend into it if the bed is built properly. A 6- to 8-inch-high bed is enough, although many people build a higher bed to reduce the physical challenges of bending or getting down on their knees.
We recommend that you put 2 to 4 inches of compost or aged manure on the native soil once the frame of the bed is built. Work this into the native soil as deeply as you can. It is in any case, important to break up the native soil in the bottom of your bed. This will allow the new soil you fill the bed with to “integrate” with your native soil. Otherwise, plant roots will tend to stop when they reach the potentially compacted surface of your native soil. Fill your new beds with topsoil or a 50/50 topsoil and compost mix. There
is no regulation of topsoil, so you should inspect what you are buying before having it delivered.
If you choose to improve the soil you have, start with a layer of six inches of compost or aged manure. Work this into your soil to a depth of 8 inches, if possible. Wait until your soil is no longer soggy but just moist or it will not break up. A garden fork is a good tool to do this with.
If you have a large area, a broad fork, which has longer tines and a frame you stand on to drive into the soil, will work better. We don’t recommend using a rototiller since they disrupt the natural soil structure and disturb beneficial soil organisms and tend to create a “hard pan” in clay soil at the level the tines reach. We also recommend that you do not turn the soil over with a spade. The added organic matter will improve water penetration and increase air spaces in your clay soil. This approach will give you reasonably good soil the first year. In this approach, you still want to establish distinct growing areas and pathways. You improve the soil in the growing areas year after year and walk only on the pathways.
Regardless of which approach you take, af-
ter the first year, add two inches of compost once or twice per year before you plant. You can leave this on the surface and let nature slowly integrate it into your soil or work it in gently with a garden fork. Your soil will improve year after year. You will have excellent garden soil that retains moisture and has the nutrients your vegetables need.
Reference: https:// mg.ucanr.edu/Gardening/Soil/Managing_ and_Amending_Soil_/ Watering, fertilizing fruit tree tips
Q: I have a navel orange tree and Stewart avocado. Can you please advise me on watering and fertilizing them?
A: While at first glance it might seem as though citrus and avocados would have different watering and fertilizing requirements, their needs are in fact, fairly similar. Both citrus (including your navel orange) and avocados (including the ‘Stewart’ variety) need regular watering and well-drained soil. Since our area is notorious for its claylike soil, avoid water pooling beneath the trees. During our hot summers, each mature avocado tree will need about 2 inches of water per week, and citrus will need between 4 to 6 inches per month. Because
of our soil type, you may need to divide the amounts into more applications to keep the soil moist but not soggy. If the soil near the surface starts to dry out, you can supplement by hand watering or using a sprinkler to keep the soil evenly moist. Keep in mind that too little water will produce fruit that’s small and possibly sunburned, while too much water can result in root and crown rot.
If you’re using a drip system, use two to four emitters per tree or a number of small microspray emitters. As with other trees, adjust the sprinkler system or move the drip lines farther from the tree trunk as the tree grows so that the water application “shadows” the outside circumference of the individual tree’s canopy. As for fertilizing, both citrus and avocado require adequate nitrogen. Apply nitrogen two or three times to mature avocado trees in the fall and winter. The traditional recommendation for citrus trees is to apply nitrogen fertilizer in two to three applications. The first is in January to February, the second in March/ April, and if
Courtesy photo Jose Ochoa is happy to call Winters his home.
Courtesy photo
Adding enough compost to clay soil can result in fertile and productive garden soil.
6
Sports
Warriors bat in multiple wins over the Bears
By Sydney Andrade Express staff writer
Varsity
baseball
On Tuesday, April 8, the Winters High School varsity baseball team showcased its talent and teamwork in a commanding 13–0 victory over Pierce High School. This win was a significant achievement for the Warriors as they continue to build momentum in their season of league games.
Jordan Calvert took the mound for the Warriors and delivered an outstanding performance as the leading pitcher, allowing only one hit and no runs throughout the game. He struck out five of the Bears’ batters and issued no walks, demonstrating his control and skill as a pitcher.
Offensively, the Warriors were equally impressive, racking up a total of 11 hits against Pierce. Calvert not
expanded to elementary-aged students.
Apilado said in 1998, “When we picked colors out of a cap, we weren’t thinking big picture of what it could look like years later.” She also served as
only excelled on the mound but also made a significant impact at the plate, leading the team with three hits and three RBIs. His contributions were matched by strong performances from teammates Sebastian Rodriguez, Vertti Honkakaara, and Julian Herrerra, who each added RBIs to the scoreboard.
Everette Beason and Miles Mariani also had notable days at bat, each collecting two hits and helping to drive the team’s offensive success. With almost every player contributing to the game with a hit, the game was a true display of teamwork and determination.
The varsity baseball team took that momentum and delivered another impressive performance on Friday, April 11, defeating the Bears again by a score of 19–2.
On the mound, Boston
the Youth Day judge while making time for high school softball and one year of volleyball. Apilado ended her academic career with the Doug Baldridge Scholarship, an accolade voted on by her peers.
Apilado’s nomination letter details her college career as a
Jones was stellar as the starting pitcher, allowing only two hits and one run over three innings while striking out eight batters and walking two. His strong performance helped keep Pierce at bay, allowing the Warriors to build a substantial lead.
The Warriors collected a total of nine hits in the game, with Mariani leading the Warriors at the plate, collecting three hits and driving in three RBIs. Derrick Collins also had a great day at the plate with two hits and two RBI’s while Mason Stoops, Jones, Jake Woods and Honkakaara each had one hit and one RBI in the game. The team’s discipline at the plate was evident, as they drew a remarkable 10 walks throughout the game.
In addition to their excellent hitting, the Warriors showcased their speed on the base with Woods, Lane
Hall of Fame alumna.
She organized a walka-thon fundraiser for her sorority, Phi Sigma Sigma, and served as the vice president of activities on the university’s student government board. She also worked as a staff writer and then an editor for the Campus Times newspaper
Ava Estepa, a Winters High School freshman, is Pisani’s Athlete of the Week. Varsity head coach Garrett Garcia said he nominated her after a dominant showing on the softball mound. Estepa pitched 19 innings last week, notching two wins and one loss while striking out 23 of the 85 batters she faced.
Brown, Rodriguez and Mariani all stealing multiple bases. This aggressive base running helped push the team toward victory over the Bears once again.
Overall, the Winters varsity Warriors displayed a well-rounded performance, with multiple players contributing to the scoring. Fans are excited to see how the Warriors will carry this winning streak forward as they progress throughout the season.
JV baseball
The WHS junior varsity baseball team also continued with their strong performance this season with a solid 9–2 victory against Pierce on Friday, April 11. They are proving to everyone that the Warriors’ upcoming talent is a force to be reckoned with.
Pitcher JP Mariani earned the win for the Warriors, delivering an impres-
at the University of La Verne and the Western Herald at Western Michigan University during her undergrad education.
Apilado’s love of journalism led her to her current role as the editor-in-chief of the Express, where she supports local youth success.
“In her career at the Winters Express, she has worked to empower local residents to exercise their First Amendment rights, encouraged them to volunteer through acts of community service and take an active part in helping to keep Winters the community everyone says they
that it is even better to front-load fertilizer applications, applying fertilizer in at least 4 to 6 splits (e.g., 20 percent, 30 percent, 30 percent, 10 percent and 10 percent).
Avoid fertilizing after the weather is very warm in our climate. New growth leaves are easily heat-damaged. You may see recommendations for fertilizing later, but citrus fertilization is dependent on local climate and coastal home gardeners can safely fertilize later than Yolo County residents.
Both kinds of trees, at 5 years, should be receiving about 1 pound of “actual nitrogen” per year. (The
sive performance as the starting pitcher by allowing only seven hits and two runs over seven innings. He struck out one batter and walked one, showcasing his ability to control the game from the mound.
The Warriors’ offense was equally effective, collecting a total of nine hits throughout the game. Carson Alvarado led the team at bat with two hits and two RBIs, playing a crucial role in the team’s scoring efforts. Colton Kramer, Cole Jordling, JP Mariani, and Hayden Moreland each contributed with one hit and one RBI to the game, demonstrating the depth of talent within the lineup.
Additionally, Aidan Baylor and Derek Green each added a hit to the game, further supporting the Warriors’ offensive attack around the bases.
want,” the nomination letter reads.
Apilado credits Winters for her successful role as a local editor.
“From my experience as a student in Winters, I know firsthand that real-life experiences and opportunities are how I can best support students in my career,” Apilado said. “I utilize my role to do that as well as to help celebrate everything they do through articles so they can see that what they’re doing matters and making an impact in our community.”
Apilado, who has been a Girl Scout Troop leader since 2016, is also a board
University of California Agriculture and Natural Resources defines 1 pound of actual nitrogen as equal to “about 5 pounds of ammonium sulfate per year, or 100 pounds of composted cow manure each year.”
Though most other required nutrients are present in the soil, citrus and avocado occasionally suffer from zinc or iron deficiencies. Nitrogen, zinc and iron deficiencies cause leaf yellowing. If added nitrogen, as recommended, doesn’t correct yellowing, you may need to test your soil for micronutrient deficiency, or you can keep things simple by purchasing a fertilizer specifically formulated for citrus and following the
member for Winters AYSO, Winters Youth Day, and the Kiwanis Club of Winters, and volunteers as a parent and citizen, baking cupcakes and helping to plan events.
While Apilado is known for her strong communication skills, she’s rendered speechless at the honor.
“I find that I don’t know the right word to explain how I feel because it’s a mix of emotions — all good ones,” Apilado said. “I’m excited to be a part of the Hall of Fame Class of 2025, a group of dynamic women I’m proud to be recognized alongside.”
product’s application instructions. Both navel oranges and the ‘Stewart’ avocado variety of trees can do well in our climate zone as defined by “The New Sunset Western Garden Book.” Consequently, by watering and fertilizing properly, you should have success with these trees.
Reference: https:// ipm.ucanr.edu/PMG/ GARDEN/FRUIT/ CULTURAL/citfertilization.html If you have a gardening question, contact the UC Master Gardener Help Desk at 530-666-8737 or send an email with information regarding watering, sun exposure, details about your problem and photos, when possible, to mgyolo@ucdavis.edu.
TREES Continued from Page 5
HALL
Arts & Entertainment
Get lost in magic of ‘Almost, Maine’
Special to the Express
The Winters Theatre Company proudly presents its spring production of the acclaimed romantic comedy, “Almost, Maine,” opening May 2 at the historic Winters Opera House.
Directed by Karen Fox, this heartfelt and whimsical play unfolds over nine loosely connected vignettes, all set on a snowy winter night in the fictional town of Almost, Maine. Under the glow of the Northern Lights, strangers become friends, friends become lovers, and relationships shift in unexpected and sometimes magical ways.
“Almost, Maine” captures the humor, heartbreak, and hope of love in all its forms.
The characters — quirky, earnest, and deeply human — navigate the joy and pain of connection with both levity and tenderness.
“These stories explore different facets of relationships,” Fox said. “Some are dramatic, some are funny, and all are touching.”
The ensemble cast features a dynamic mix of returning favorites and new faces making their WTC debut, bringing a fresh energy to this muchloved play. Originally premiering in Portland, Maine in 2004, “Almost, Maine” broke box office records and received wide critical praise. It was named one of the Best
MYSTERY
Continued from Page 1
and later consumed in one primary burn. Eventually, Lake Berryessa and the Monticello Dam would cover 20,000 acres and reach a depth of 125 feet. Even to the end, the area was beloved by its residents.
“I had my own car – a ‘37 Chevy,” Burns said. “And I would drive up here and go out and help the guys running the tractors cleaning up. And then we’d go up and we would swim in the Gunn swimming pool. That was good.
That was really good.”
The idea of a reservoir in Berryessa Valley had been tossed around since the late 1800s, but an official plan proposed by the US Bureau of Reclamation and Army Corps of Engineers wasn’t adopted till 1948.
“We used to call the Bureau of Reclamation the ‘Bureau of Wreck the Nation,” Clark said. “Because that bureau was not very popular in Berryessa County, I can tell you that.”
With a personal history as steeped in this
Plays of 2006 by New Playwrights and recognized by the American National Theatre as one of the most outstanding regional theatre productions of its season. Performances run weekends May 2 through 18 at the Winters Opera House, 13
area as Monticello’s original residents, Clark has a knack for putting together historical puzzles. Identifying Burns in the Monticello photo isn’t the first time he has come across a familiar face in Lange’s work. Once, he visited the Ansel Adams gallery in Yosemite Valley.
“I’m looking through Dorothea Lange’s book, Photographs of a Lifetime, and I almost had a heart attack. My God, there’s a full page picture of my grandmother,” Clark said.
It was taken at the
Main St. Showtimes are Fridays and Saturdays at 7:30 p.m. and Sundays at 2 p.m. Tickets are available now at winterstheatre.org.
Join us for an evening of laughter, heartache, and Northern Lights — Almost, Maine is a place you won’t soon forget.
Monticello cemetery before the graves were exhumed and relocated to Spanish Flat.
“I bought several more of those books for people,” Clark said of his discovery.
Nowadays, anyone looking to purchase a copy of Lange’s Death of a Valley will need to put out about $2,000, if an out-of-print copy is first tracked down. Burns doesn’t seem to be on the hunt for one, content with signing the museum photo and taking a humorous view of the case.
“Fifty-something years,” he smiled. “I’ve been hiding.”
Students bring Peanuts characters to the stage
Special to the Express
Winters High School senior Gabriela Garcia is bringing the Peanuts gang to life in a delightful production of “You’re a Good Man, Charlie Brown,” presented as her Capstone Project. This heartwarming, family-friendly musical invites audiences to join Charlie Brown, Snoopy, and the rest of the crew as they navigate the highs and lows of childhood — playing baseball, tackling homework, belting out catchy tunes, and navigating the thrill of young crushes.
Garcia, who also directs the production, has assembled two casts made up of fellow WHS choir students. A passionate musical lover, she chose this project as a way to combine her love of music and her desire to explore theater.
“I really love music
and I love musicals. I’ve always wanted to do something with theater,” Garcia said. “I thought this would be a fun, new, and challenging project.”
With guidance from her music teacher, she selected “You’re a Good Man, Charlie Brown” as the perfect fit. The production will be staged in the WHS Music Room (Building W), with four performances scheduled: - Tuesday, April 30 at 6 p.m. - Thursday, May 2 at 6 p.m. - Saturday, May 3 at 2 p.m. and 6 p.m. Tickets are $10 for adults and $5 for children, with proceeds supporting the production through the Winters Music Boosters. Tickets can be purchased online at https://bit.ly/ 2025CapstonePlay or by scanning the QR code on promotional posters around town.
Epicurean Esprit tickets available; benefits MOW
Special to the Express Friends of Meals On Wheels presents the 34th annual Epicurean Esprit. This popular charity event will be held on Wednesday, May 14, from 6 to 8:30 p.m. at Park Winters, located at 27850 County Road 26, Winters. Nestled in the lush farmlands of Yolo County, Park Winters is an elegant, one-ofa-kind, private country estate offering sweeping views of the countryside and lovely sunsets. The “Esprit” is a wonderful opportunity to mingle with friends while enjoying “A taste of Yolo County’s finest” cuisine and drink offered by
over 30 local restaurants, wineries, and breweries. Supporting Meals on Wheels Yolo County, the Epicurean Esprit raises funds to help ensure continued meal delivery to Yolo County’s needy senior citizens.
“With more than 1,000 seniors to nourish countywide daily and a minimum of 20,000 meals to make each month to serve them, MOW Yolo currently struggles to keep pace with both rising expenses and a rising demand for services as the ‘silver tsunami’ of baby boom seniors emerges,” said Joy Cohan, MOW Yolo Executive Director. “Thanks to Friends of Meals on Wheels’ dedication to produce annual community events such as Epicurean Esprit, they are able to contribute meaningfully to literally power MOW Yolo by partially offsetting skyrocketing utilities costs in our two institutional meal production facilities. They are fabulous partners, whom we’re honoring this month as our 2025 Heroes of the Year. We’re grateful to our ‘Friends,’ as well as all of the Epicurean Esprit ticket purchasers who celebrate and advance our mission with them.”
Friends of Meals On Wheels Board President, Terri Ramirez, invites the public to “Come spend a fun and worthwhile evening with us. Enjoy great company, the region’s finest food and drink and help support Meals On Wheels Yolo County in our mission to make sure every food-insecure and isolated senior gets the nutritious meals they need.” Tickets to this year’s event are $60. To purchase tickets, visit epicureanesprit2025.eventbrite. com.
Karen Fox/Courtesy photo
Actors Rachel Howard-Till and Robert Payawal rehearse for the upcoming Winters Theatre Company production of “Almost, Maine.”
Calibre 50 @ 1pm DownTown Sacramento, 910 I St, Sacramento
Finest Care at Shriners Chil‐dren’s Northern California 234 Luz Pl, 234 Luz Place, Davis. joseph.wilson@ shrinenet.org, 916-4532018
Mean Girls JR. @ 2pm / $25-$35 Apr 26th - Apr 27th Studio G School of Music & The‐atre presents the ferociously hilari‐ous musical Mean Girls JR. at Napa Valley College Performing Arts Center! Performing Arts Cen‐ter, Napa Valley College, 2277 Napa Vallejo Highway, Napa. studiog@ studiognapa.com, 707-204-9913
11th an‐nual Duck Derby @ 2:30pm Come out for Winters Youth Day festivities and adopt a duck, then stay for the 11th annual Duck Derby. Rubber ducks will race down Putah Creek toward a �nish line to win their sponsor a prize. Rotary Park, 201 East Main Street, Winters. ducks@ wintersyouthday.com
Groovy Judy: La Cosecha @ 6pm La Cosecha by Mayahuel, 917 9th St, Sacramento
Head Over Heels | Presented by Solano College Theatre @ 7:30pm / $10-$24 A modern musical fairy tale where once-upon-a-time is right now, HEAD OVER HEELS follows a royal family who set out on a journey to save their beloved kingdom from extinction, with songs by The GoGos Solano College Theatre, 4000 Suisun Valley Road, Fair�eld. SCT @solano.edu, 707-864-7100 Oog Bogo @ 8pm Kilowatt Bar, 3160 16th St, San Francisco
Decked
Head Over Heels | Presented by Solano College Theatre @ 2pm / $10-$24 A modern musical fairy tale where once-upon-a-time is right now, HEAD OVER HEELS follows a royal family who set out on a journey to save their beloved kingdom from extinction, with songs by The GoGos Solano College Theatre, 4000 Suisun Valley Road, Fair�eld. SCT @solano.edu, 707-864-7100
Chipper Lowell - Comedy Magician: The Chipper Experience! - Where COMEDY & MAGIC Collide! @ 7pm The Loft Theatre-Lounge-Dining, 1001 Heavenly Village Way, South Lake Tahoe
Nathan X Moody – Live at Music City SF | Funk, Soul, Rock and more @ 7pm Music City San Francisco, 1355 Bush St, San Francisco
Crowd Control - in the Callback Bar @ 7pm Punch Line Sacramento Callback Bar, Sacramento
Circuit Des Yeux
@ 8pm The Chapel, 777 Valencia Street, San Francisco
Los Nadies – Live at Music City SF | Latin @ 8:15pm Music City San Francisco, 1355 Bush St, San Francisco
Dance Fitness Classes at Woodland Senior Center
@ 10:15am Low-impact aerobic exercise choreographed to contemporary music. Super fun! Woodland Com‐munity & Senior Center, 2001 East Street, Woodland. tina�tness68@ gmail.com
Balloon Museum | Emotion Air - Art you can feel
@ 12:15pm Palace of Fine Arts, San Francisco
Balloon Museum | Emotion
Air - Art you can feel @ 12:45pm Palace of Fine Arts, San Francisco
Children's Dance Classes After School at the Davis Arts Center
@ 4pm Tina Fitness offers children's Dance classes after school at the Davis Arts Center. Davis Arts Cen‐ter, 1919 F Street, Davis. tina�t ness68@gmail.com
The Saloon - Peter Lindman Duo with Roger Rocha (4 Non Blondes)
@ 4pm The Saloon, 1232 Grant ave, San Francisco
Dirty Cello
@ 7:30pm Club Fugazi Experiences, 678 Green St #3, San Francisco
Beginning + Intermediate Tai Chi @ 10am Tai chi classes for beginning and intermediate practitioners at the Davis Arts Center Davis Arts Cen‐ter, 1919 F Street, Davis. tina�t ness68@gmail.com
Balloon Museum | Emotion
Air - Art you can feel @ 12pm Palace of Fine Arts, San Francisco
Balloon Museum | Emotion Air - Art you can feel @ 12:15pm Palace of Fine Arts, San Francisco
Balloon Museum | Emotion Air - Art you can feel
@ 12:45pm Palace of Fine Arts, San Francisco
Stephanie Woodford – Live at Music City SF | Jazz, Soul, Rythm and Blues @ 7pm Music City San Francisco, 1355 Bush St, San Francisco
Water‐melon Music ConcertGordie Tentrees & Jaxon Haldane @ 7:30pm / $20 Canada in Concert - Wa‐termelon Music - Davis! Watermelon Music, 1970 Lake Boulevard, Davis. info@watermelonmu sic.com, 530-758-4010
Poorsport @ 8pm The Starlet Room, 2708 J St, Sacramento
Friday Apr 25th
Head Over Heels | Presented by Solano College Theatre @ 7:30pm / $10-$24 Solano College Theatre, 4000 Suisun Valley Road, Fair�eld. SCT@solano.edu, 707-864-7100
Grant Avenue, Winters. mu sicboosterswinters@ gmail.com
Twang City – Live at Music City SF | Indie Rock and More @ 7pm Music City San Francisco, 1355 Bush St, San Francisco
Rose Paradise @ 7pm Brick & Mortar Music Hall, 1710 Mission
Capp Street, San Fran‐cisco. info@s�af.org, 415-3999554
Jazz Ma�a and Jefferson Bergey – Live at Music City SF @ 7pm / $29 Jazz / Funk / Rock 1355 Bush St, 1355 Bush Street, San Francisco
Drew Dunn - Live Comedy @ 7pm / $29 May 2nd - May 3rd In 2014, Drew began his stand-up career quickly making a name for himself around New England for his quick wit, voices, and unique style. Laughs Unlimited Comedy Club and Lounge, 1207 Front Street, Sacramento. laughsunlimited@ gmail.com, 916-446-8128
Joan Crawford Superstar @ 7:30pm / $39-$49 May 2nd - May 18th "Jam-packed 80 minutes...exciting theater!" - Coast to Coast Reviews Theater 33, 533 Sutter Street, San Francisco. info@intentionalthe atrics.com
Helen Wicks / Alive & Well
Productions @ 8pm / $20 The Four Seasons of Hamadan (Alive and Well Productions) . Ra‐dio Vision (Helen Wicks Works) Theatre of Yugen at NOHspace, 2840 Mariposa Street, San Fran‐cisco. info@s�af.org, 415-3999554
Drew Dunn - Live Comedy @ 9:30pm / $29 May 2nd - May 3rd In 2014, Drew began his stand-up career quickly making a name for himself around New England for his
and
916-446-8128
