releases new traffic safety plan
NorthBay Health hosts grand opening
By Logan Chrisp Express staff writer
A who’s-who event took place at 101 Main St. as NorthBay Health hosted the grand opening of its newest primary and urgent care clinic, its first in Yolo County.
By Crystal Apilado Editor-in-Chief
With construction continuing on new transitional kindergarten classrooms and the adjacent parking and drop-off/pick-up lanes, Waggoner Elementary School and Winters Joint Unified School District staff have developed a temporary traffic safety plan to guide morning drop-offs and afternoon pick-ups.
The new school year begins Wednesday, Aug. 13.
Waggoner Principal Chris Marcoux said detailed traffic instructions will be sent to families on Friday. In the meantime, The Express is sharing highlights of the plan to help families and community members prepare.
Winters Police Chief John P. Miller said he and public works director Eric Lucero met with school officials to discuss safety and traffic flow concerns and to evaluate various ideas. Miller urges families to read and share the school’s communications with anyone responsible for transporting Waggoner students and to follow the updated traffic plan.
Traffic congestion expected
Community members should expect heavy congestion near Edwards and Fourth streets during school drop-off and pick-up windows.
The estimated congestion times are:
• Morning drop-off: 7:30 to 9:20 a.m.
• Transitional kindergarten dismissal: 12:15 p.m.
• Kindergarten dismissal: 1:45 p.m.
• First and second grade dismissal: 2:35 p.m.
Updated traffic flow for drop-off, pick-up
The traditional drop-off area near the kindergarten playground will not be used this year. Instead, a one-way dropoff curb will operate along Edwards Street.
Motorists should:
• Enter Edwards Street from Fourth Street, heading west toward Main Street.
• Use the designated drop-off curb area before Haven Street, where staff will assist with traffic direction.
• Continue westbound on Edwards Street after drop-off and exit onto Main Street.
The Haven Street access point will be closed during dropoff and pick-up periods. No vehicles will be allowed to enter Edwards Street from Haven Street during those times.
To reduce conges-
tion, families are encouraged to park along Abbey Street or near City Park and walk students to campus using nearby sidewalks.
Crosswalk adjustment
The frequently used crosswalk at Edwards and Haven streets (on the Tree House side) will be closed. The plan is to relocate the crosswalk beacon lights to the opposite side of Haven Street, in front of RISE Inc., and eventually paint over the current crosswalk.
Families and students should use this new designated main crosswalk at the corner of the RISE building to cross Edwards Street to Waggoner.
Entrance, sidewalk closures
Due to construction, the sidewalk and parking areas along the fenced portion of Edwards Street are closed.
All students and
Weather
families must enter the campus through the kindergarten gate. A temporary walkway has been created between the construction safety fence and the kindergarten playground’s blue fence.
Students who take the bus to Shirley Rominger Intermediate School will also enter through the kindergarten gate. Breakfast is still available for bus riders, and Waggoner staff will escort them to the bus pick-up area.
Ongoing construction
Construction at Waggoner is expected to continue through the fall and into late 2025. New traffic plans will be released as conditions change.
Marcoux encourages families and drivers to be patient, prioritize safety, and respect the school’s neighbors. He reminds the community not to block driveways or park in residential areas illegally.
The ribbon cutting took place on Wednesday, July 27, featuring the Winters mayor, superintendent, and Chamber of Commerce members.
Local leaders were joined by both California Forever and NorthBay Health representatives and executives, who spoke before the ribbon-cutting.
The new clinic inhabits the site of
the former Bank of America building and later the Eagle Drug facility, which was purchased and renovated, with support from California Forever, as part of a leasing agreement with North Bay. The new facility will offer same-day appointments and walk-in urgent care.
Dr. Blake Cleveland, NorthBay’s director of urgent care, expressed his excitement in bringing primary and urgent care to a city he’s been a long-time admirer of.
“We are committed to this community, and
See CLINIC, Page 6
WHS food distribution to remain on Saturdays
Express staff
The Winters weekend food distribution will remain on Saturdays at 11 a.m. in the Winters High School student parking lot in August. Although the original report intended to switch back to the Wednesday afternoon time slot, the YFB August calendar listed the food distribution event on Saturday mornings.
This summer, Yolo Food Bank confirmed that the schedule change to Saturday mornings was made in consideration of the safety of volunteers amid high summer temperatures and potential triple-digit heat.
View the YFB’s August Distribution calendar online at yolofb.org/AugustDistribution2025.
Get updates
Residents are encouraged to sign up for FreshText, a free Yolo Food Bank ser-
vice that sends distribution reminders and cancellation notices via text message the day before each event. To sign up, text your community’s designated keyword to 888777:
• Winters residents text “Almond”
• Capay Valley residents text “Walnut”
• Davis residents text “Tomato”
• West Sacramento, Clarksburg residents text “Grape”
• Woodland residents text “Olive”
• North Yolo residents text “Rice” Distribution info Participants can walk up to the distribution table in the gym parking lot or drive through via the student lot entrance on Railroad Avenue. Walk-up guests should bring a large bag, cart, or wagon to carry their items. An additional food distribution takes
See FOOD, Page 6
Winters police partner with National Child Safety Council
By Crystal Apilado Editor-in-Chief
The Winters Police Department announced a new partnership with the National Child Safety Council to expand the department’s ability to provide age-appropriate educational materials on public safety topics to the
See PARTNERS, Page 6
community. The partnership, which began its development in mid-June, allows Winters PD to distribute a wide range of safety-focused materials at local events, schools and community gatherings. These materials include children’s coloring books categorized by age, safety-themed bracelets, and informational pamphlets for senior residents on topics such as fraud prevention, firearm safety, internet awareness and drug education. The National Child Safety Council is a nonprofit organization that works with
Crystal Apilado/Winters Express Families and students should use the crosswalk at the corner of the RISE Inc. building to cross Edwards Street to Waggoner Elementary.
Courtesy graphic
Waggoner Elementary School released a map to show the flow of traffic and closure at Haven Street.
Waggoner
Seven hikers airlifted from Stebbins Cold Canyon, fire officials urge caution
Seven stranded hikers were rescued by airlift on Wednesday afternoon from the Cold Canyon Trail in Stebbins Cold Canyon Reserve, after one member of the group was found unconscious, according to the Vacaville Fire Protection District.
The hikers were part of a larger group of about 45 people from Travis Air Force Base. The incident occurred on the 5-mile Cold Canyon Trail loop near Lake Berryessa, known for its steep terrain, high heat, and limited shade.
Officials said Wednesday’s rescue underscores the ongoing danger of hiking the popular trail during the summer months—and serves as a critical reminder for all hikers to bring plenty of water, wear proper gear, and be prepared for limited or no cell service in case of emergency.
A pattern of rescue, risk Wednesday’s incident is the latest in a growing number of emergency responses at Stebbins Cold Canyon Reserve, which is managed by UC Davis and includes several challenging trails such as the Blue
Ridge Loop, Homestead
Trail, and Annie’s Trail. Over the past two years, multiple hikers have died and many more have been rescued from the reserve— sometimes multiple times in a single day.
Fire officials warn that the Cold Canyon Trail, while scenic, is far from a casual hike. The 5-mile loop, often underestimated by novice hikers, includes roughly 1,300 feet of elevation gain and long stretches of full sun exposure.
Emergency response times can be delayed by 45 minutes to an hour or more due to the remote location,
steep terrain, and limited access for vehicles or air rescue.
Trail dangers include:
• Heat exhaustion and heat stroke
• Dehydration
• Loose footing and steep drop-offs
• Wildlife hazards such as rattlesnakes, ticks, poison oak, and mountain lions
• Weak or nonexistent cell phone signals
Safety tips for hikers:
• Start early—avoid hiking in the midday heat
• Bring plenty of water and electrolyte-replacement snacks
School district reports summer strides on facilities
With the start of the school year just around the corner, the Winters Joint Unified School District shared updates on several major facilities projects that made progress over the summer — and what’s still ahead.
At Waggoner Elementary School, construction crews broke ground and have made headway on the transitional kindergarten classroom project. Current work includes underground utility installation, grading, and site preparation. Improvements to the school’s front entrance are also underway to enhance safety and ease traffic congestion during drop-off and pick-up times.
The new TK building will remain under construction through the fall and winter. While the work continues, school officials said that details on drop-off and pick-up routes will be sent to Waggoner families. Families are encouraged to watch for the updated traffic and access information from the school ahead on Friday and early next week before
school starts. At Winters Middle School, design work is progressing on a new kitchen facility. The plans are currently under review by the state, and construction is expected to begin this fall once final costs are approved. Site access and temporary accessibility plans will be shared with the school community once confirmed. Meanwhile, a separate roofing and HVAC proj-
ect for Waggoner Elementary School is in the design phase and also under state review. Construction on that project is scheduled for summer 2026.
At Shirley Rominger Intermediate School, students and staff will return to a newly completed roof. Crews spent the summer removing the old roofing system, repairing dry rot, and installing new water barriers and roof panels. The work lays the foundation
Upper Crust Baking:
More than three decades of artisan baking
Special to McNaughton
Trudy and Mo Kalisky are native New Yorkers who came to Davis as graduate students in 1970. The couple quickly realized that there wasn’t a decent loaf of bread to be found in what was then a largely rural, farming region.
Mo began making bread at home, bringing his scientific background to bear upon age-old baking traditions. By 1986, the couple had gone into business. They started by providing artisan breads and East Coast Jewish delistyle specialties to restaurants and gourmet food shops, and were also among the first non-farm vendors at many area farmers markets.
The region’s only second-generation bakery
In 2016 — after having lived in Paris for more than 14 years — Mo and Trudy’s son, Lorin, returned to Davis with his wife and two daughters and took the baton. Lorin, who trained with top bakers in the US and France, expanded the
bakery’s focus on authentic French baking and emphasized sourcing ingredients from local farms. In 2019, we opened our first bakery-café in Davis, next to the Davis Food Co-op. Then, in 2022, we opened a 2nd location in historic downtown Winters, at the start of California’s scenic “Wine to Waves” Highway 128. At Upper Crust Baking, we believe that eating well is a cornerstone of good health and happiness, and that a local bakery is an important community resource. We remain committed to serving the community, providing the highest quality baked goods,
for future HVAC replacement at the site.
Other summer improvements include dry-rot repairs and fresh coats of exterior paint on portable classrooms at both Waggoner and WMS. Winters JUSD officials said they remain committed to maintaining safe, modern, and welcoming learning environments and will continue to keep families informed as construction milestones are reached.
• Wear a wide-brimmed hat, sunscreen, and sturdy footwear
• Learn the symptoms of heat-related illness—and act fast
• Keep track of mile markers to help guide emergency responders
“Cold Canyon may be beautiful, but it’s unforgiving,” fire officials said. “Be prepared, or don’t go.”
For more information about trail safety or the Stebbins Cold Canyon Reserve, visit naturalreserves.ucdavis.edu/stebbins-cold-canyon/hiking.
Winters JUSD to continue offering free meals to students
The Winters Joint Unified School District will continue to provide free breakfast and lunch to all students at every district school site for the 2025–26 school year.
Patricia Jimenez, director of nutrition services, confirmed the district’s participation in the National School Lunch and School Breakfast Programs, which allow all enrolled students to receive meals at no cost.
The policy applies to students at Winters State Preschool, Waggoner Elementary School, Shirley Rominger Intermediate School, Winters Middle School, Winters High School and Wolfskill Career Readiness Academy.
For more information, contact Jimenez at 530-795-6700, ext. 8004, or by email at pjimenez@wintersjusd.org. Mail inquiries may be sent to:
Attn: Patricia Jimenez, Nutrition Services; Winters Joint Unified School District; 909 West Grant Ave.; Winters, CA 95694. To file a program discrimination complaint, complete Form AD3027, USDA Program Discrimination Complaint Form, available at www.usda.gov/sites/default/ files/documents/ad-3027.pdf, call 866-632-9992, or submit a written complaint addressed to the U.S. Department of Agriculture.
Courtesy photo
The Kalisky family has poured decades of knowhow into Upper Crust Baking.
Express staff
Express staff
Crystal Apilado/Winters Express Safety fencing surrounds Waggoner Elementary School as construction crews continue work on the new transitional kindergarten classrooms and related site improvements.
Regional News
Yolo job seekers invited to discover state job opportunities on Aug. 12
Special to the Express
Yolo County job seekers are invited to an in-person job fair on Tuesday, Aug. 12, from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. at the Civic Center Galleria located at 1110 W Capitol Ave. in West Sacramento.
This event will bring together more than 30 California State Agencies looking to fill fulltime, part-time and temporary positions in focuses such as customer service, Information Technology, healthcare, construction, safety, management, tax analysts and more.
The job fair is a collaborative effort by YoloWorks!, the Yolo County Health and Human Services Agency and the Yolo County Workforce Innovation Board, in partnership with the city of West Sacramento and West Sacramento Chamber of Commerce.
Job seekers can expect to meet with hiring managers from a wide range of industries, providing opportunities to network and explore available positions. Attendees are encouraged to bring their resumes
and engage with employers who have immediate openings.
Employers participating in the job fair include: California Air Resources Board; California Conservation Corps; California Correctional Health Care Services; California Department of Consumer Affairs; California Department of Corrections & Rehabilitation; California Department of Developmental Services; California Department of Finance; California Department of Forestry and Fire Protection (CAL FIRE); California Department of General Services; California Department of Housing & Community Development; California Department of Industrial Relations; California Department of Industrial Relations (Cal/OSHA); California Department of Insurance; California Department of Managed Health Care; California Department of Public Health; California Department of Social Services; California Department of Tax and Fee Administration;
California Department of Transportation (Caltrans); California Department of Veterans Affairs; California Department of Water Resources; California Energy Commission; California Governor’s Office of Emergency Services; California Prison Industry Authority (CALPIA); California Public Employees’ Retirement System (CALPERS); California Public Utilities Commission; California Secretary of State; California State Controller’s Office; California State Lottery; California State Teachers’ Retirement System (CALSTRS); California State Water Resources Control Board; Department Of Health Care Services; Department Of Resources Recycling and Recovery (CalRecycle); Franchise Tax Board and YoloWorks! Programs.
Job seekers are encouraged to register in advance at www. YoloWorks.org. For information, contact Faisal Alfatly, HHSA Program Coordinator at Faisal.Alfatly@ YoloCounty.gov or 530-431-6022.
County picks Community Services chief
Special to the Express
Yolo County has announced the appointment of Adam Fieseler as the new director of Community Services, effective Aug. 25.
Fieseler assumes the role following the June retirement of longtime director Leslie Lindbo.
“We are excited to welcome Adam Fieseler to Yolo County,” said chair Vixie Sandy of the Yolo County Board of Supervisors. “His experience in planning, community engagement and public service aligns perfectly with our priorities. We look forward to working with him to support our residents and strengthen our community.”
Fieseler brings over 18 years of experience in land development, planning and public service. Most recently, he served as assistant director of the Shasta County Department of Resource Management, where he led the Building and Planning Divisions and spearheaded efforts to improve department culture, build public trust and streamline customer service. He supervised key division managers, coordinated across departments and led complex code enforcement, zoning and planning initiatives.
Throughout his career, Fieseler has led
complex planning efforts and resolved development challenges by working collaboratively with business owners, residents and public agencies. He played a key role in zoning and ordinance updates including those related to short-term rentals, Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) flood insurance compliance and cannabis regulation while advancing community planning initiatives in rural communities. Earlier in his career he worked on climate change initiatives, managed Shasta County’s Consolidated Permit Center, led wildfire recovery permitting, piloted new software systems and partnered with other departments to streamline the development process.
“I am very pleased to welcome Adam
to our team,” said Yolo County Chief Administrative Officer Michael Webb.
“With his communicative leadership style, collaborative problem-solving approach and county community services experience, Adam is a perfect fit for Yolo County.”
Fieseler holds a master’s degree in public administration with a specialization in organizational leadership from National University, and a bachelor’s degree in economics with a certificate in rural and town planning from Chico State University.
“It was an absolute honor being selected for the position,” Fieseler said. “I look forward to building relationships with the Community Services team to better understand and support them in all our challenges. I am excited to work with the Board of Supervisors and fellow staff to provide exemplary service to the residents, community groups and businesses of Yolo County.”
The Yolo County Community Services Department oversees a broad range of programs, including Planning, Building, Code Enforcement, Integrated Waste Management, Parks and Natural Resources, as well as Housing and Community Development.
Special to the Express
Putah Creek Council, Solano Resource Conservation District and Solano County Parks are kickstarting a new “Friends of the Lake Solano Park Demonstration Garden” volunteer group.
The “Friends of” group will engage local community members in the health and establishment of the garden by doing maintenance work such as removing weeds, touching up on wood chips, and installing native plants as needed. PCC and SRCD will also provide training on ecological knowledge, such as identifying Monarch butterfly caterpillars and native plant identification.
The new demonstration garden at Lake Solano Park was installed in early 2025 as part of a $1.1 million California Coastal Conservancy grant received by Solano Resource Conservation District and its partners, Solano County Parks, Putah Creek Council, Bureau of Reclamation and Yocha Dehe Wintun Nation.
The grant includes the half-acre demonstration garden, which features an ADA trail and plant species that
are culturally significant to the Yocha Dehe Wintun Nation, and habitat restoration to the upper reaches of the park that were burned in the 2020 LNU Fire.
Overall, SRCD and its partners are expecting to plant 1,700 native trees and shrubs, plant 20,000 milkweeds for the benefit of monarch butterflies, and seed 10 acres of native grasses and wildflowers. The project is focused on increasing public access and education to the park.
The Friends of the Lake Solano Park Demonstration Garden group will meet
on the first Tuesday of each month. From June through September, the meeting time is 8:30 to 10:30 a.m., and from October through May, the meeting time will be 10 a.m. to noon.
Those who are interested in attending should contact Katherine Holmes at the Solano Resource Conservation District: katherine.holmes@ solanorcd.org.
In addition, PCC, SRCD, and Solano County Parks are hosting a Native Tree Care Workday at the Lake Solano Day-Use Area on Saturday, Aug. 23. Those who are interested can RSVP at putahcreekcouncil.
Woods rachel@hrbai.com
An annual publication that welcomes our out-of-town visitors, newcomers and long-time residents with information and community events of Winters and the surrounding areas. This full color magazine will be direct mailed to over 4,100 homes in Winters and available at key locations. Don’t miss this opportunity to reach our growing community.
D ect Mailed to Wint s Homes on Friday, August 29
Courtesy photo Adam Fieseler will serve as the new Yolo County director of Community Services, effective Aug. 25.
Courtesy photo
The new garden at Lake Solano Park will feature native and drought-tolerant plants, provide habitat for Monarch butterflies and other wildlife, and are culturally significant to the Yocha Dehe Wintun Nation.
Public Safety Report
Road 93/County Road 94B (Woodland), Dispatched and canceled en route
July 23: 11:22 a.m., Taylor Street, EMS call – excluding vehicle accident with injury
~2:17 p.m., Wyatt Lane, EMS call – excluding vehicle accident with injury
~2:46 p.m., Northbound Interstate 505/ County Road 31, No incident found on arrival at dispatch address
~2:57 p.m., Ireland Street, Animal rescue
~4:34 p.m., E. Grant Avenue, EMS call –excluding vehicle accident with injury
July 24: 10:33 a.m., E. Baker Street, EMS call – excluding vehicle accident with injury
~11:50 p.m., Grant Avenue, EMS call –excluding vehicle accident with injury
July 25: 2:35 p.m., Aviation Avenue and County Road 29 (Davis), Grass fire
~5:44 p.m., Edwards Street, EMS call – excluding vehicle accident with injury
~6:07 p.m., County
~9:23 p.m., W. Main Street, Good intent call, other
~10:26 p.m., Morgan Street, False alarm or false call (other)
July 26: 2:19 p.m., Russell Boulevard, EMS call – excluding vehicle accident with injury
July 27: 1:04 a.m., Griffin Way, EMS call – excluding vehicle accident with injury
~10:58 a.m., E. Baker Street, EMS call – excluding vehicle accident with injury
~6:04 p.m., Griffin Way, EMS call – excluding vehicle accident with injury
July 28: 10:35 a.m., Russell Street and Third Street, EMS call – excluding vehicle accident with injury
~11:22 a.m., E. Baker Street, EMS call – excluding vehicle accident with injury
~1:23 p.m., Dutton Street, EMS call – excluding vehicle accident with injury
~3:22 p.m., Orchard Lane, EMS call – ex-
cluding vehicle accident with injury
July 29: 3:22 p.m., Morgan Street, False alarm or false call (other)
~4:37 p.m., Morgan Street, False alarm or false call (other) View the Winters Fire Activity and Call Log at https://cityofwinters. org/157/Fire.
Police Report Log
July 24: 3 p.m., Walnut Lane/Broadview Lane, Stolen Vehicle
July 28: 4:21 a.m., 20000th block of County Road 89, Outside Agency Assist ~10:22 a.m., Russell Street/Second Street, APS Referral
July 29: 12:35 a.m., 100th block of Baker Street, Assault
July 30: 11:20 a.m., E. Baker Street/Red Bud Lane, Towed Vehicle
View the Winters Police Department Arrest and Report Logs, visit www. cityofwinters.org/289/ Report-Arrest-Log
For our editorial policy on crime log entries, see www.winters express.com/unpub lishing-policy.
YESTERYEAR
Lake Berryessa water levels down
Express staff
The water level of Lake Berryessa was down by 0.53 feet over the past week, decreasing to 9,639 acre-feet of water storage, according to Cristian Tejeda, with the Solano Irrigation District – Putah Diversion Office. On the morning of Tuesday, Aug. 5, he reported that the lake
elevation was 433.35 feet above sea level, with the water storage behind the Monticello Dam calculated at 1,428,204 acre-feet. The SID released 561 cubic feet per second into the Putah South Canal, with 40 cubic feet flowing into Putah Creek at the Diversion Dam. Evaporation from the lake averaged 299 acre-feet of water per day.
Winters Police, Yolo Animal Shelter partner for pet adoption event
Express staff
The Winters Police Department is partnering with the Yolo County Animal Shelter to host a Pet Adoption Event during the Winters Farmers Market on Sunday, Aug. 17, at Rotary Park, 201 E. Main St., from 9 to 11 a.m.
Community members are invited to come meet a variety of adoptable pets and possibly find their new best friend.
“I follow the Shelter’s Facebook and Instagram pages on my personal social media and the department’s, and would see them having adoption events at other Yolo County cities,” said
Correction
In the July 31 edition of the Express, the article about the planning commission’s discussion on the Farmstead development incorrectly stated that Richard Atherton was a public speaker. The correct name of the public speaker is David Hyde. We regret the error.
Submit information like the above to the editorial team using the “News Tip” submission form at www.wiintersexpress.com.
Community Services Officer Andrea Gonzalez. “I thought it was time we had one in Winters as well.”
A mix of animals, including dogs and possibly cats or other small pets, may be featured at the event, depending on what the shelter chooses to spotlight that day. Featured animals will be announced in the days leading up to the event.
Adoption fees range from $25 to $75, depending on the animal, and some adoption costs may be sponsored by nonprofit groups or rescues. If you’re hoping to leave with a pet, bring a photo ID and be prepared to fill out an application on-site.
Yolo Animal Shelter info
Can’t attend? You can still adopt!
Cats and small animals: Walk-ins welcome Monday through Saturday Dogs: Walk-ins avail-
able Friday and Saturday; appointments required Monday through Thursday
To schedule a visit, go to: ycasschedule.as.me/schedule/46a1d5ee
“Even if people don’t find the right dog or cat for them during this event, I hope they will keep the shelter in mind for the future,” Gonzalez said. “The shelter is often at full capacity, and there’s always a wide variety of pets looking for their furever home.”
The shelter also accepts donations of much-needed supplies. Supporters can contribute directly through the Shelter’s Amazon or Chewy wish lists at yoloshelter.org/wishlist.
Shop local for produce. Adopt, don’t shop when it comes to pets.
For more information or to view current adoptable animals, visit www.yoloshelter. org.
Read obituaries online at wintersexpress.com/obituaries
To submit an obituary, visit the “Submission Forms” page or hover over “Obituary” for the submission link
Picked by Charley Wallace
File photo
left (back) Eric Meyer, Jose Luis Montiel, Jaime Montiel, Joe Rosales and Malinda Honer; (front) Leah Petrillo, Corrie Harper and Kelly Jones.
Montiel
Jaime
Galabasa Jr.
Eventos hispanos
La Comisión de Planificación aprueba una Clínica Veterinaria y escucha la opinión pública sobre Farmstead
Por Sonora Slater
Traducido por Carol Alfonso
En su reunión del pasado 22 de Julio, la Comisión de Planificación de Winters aprobó el permiso de uso condicional para un nuevo negocio de atención veterinaria en la ciudad de Winters.
La clínica, ubicada en el 15 E. Baker St. y que se llamará “Winters Veterinary Care,” estará a cargo de la residente local Danielle Fusco. El ex-administrador municipal de Winters, John Donlevy, asistió a la reunión para hablar en nombre del proyecto.
“Esto es fundamental para nuestra comunidad,” declaró Donlevy. “Cualquiera que tenga una mascota en Winters sabe que, si necesita llevarla al veterinario, a menudo no puede hacerlo aquí porque todas las clínicas están llenas.”
Tras la presentación del proyecto, los comisionados aclararon varios detalles del permiso de uso condicional, incluyendo una excepción que permite una plaza de aparcamiento menos de la habitual debido a las limitaciones de espacio en el terreno, y una excepción que permite modificar los requisitos del contenedor de basura.
En la propiedad existe una residencia construida en el 1867, pero no se puede reparar por la cual será demolida para dar paso a la nueva estructura. El comisionado Ramón Altamirano preguntó si el edificio tenía algún significado o designación histórica especial, y los urbanistas confirmaron que no.
El permiso de uso condicional se aprobó por unanimidad, y el proyecto ahora avanzará con las siguientes etapas de diseño y, finalmente, construcción.
Aportes públicos al desarrollo de Farmstead
El desarrollo de Farmstead, un proyecto a gran escala de 24 hectáreas con zonas comerciales y residenciales, ubicado al norte de Grant Avenue y al este de Morgan Street, se ha estado desarrollando desde el otoño del 2018. Desde entonces, numer-
osas conversaciones entre funcionarios municipales y el público en general han modificado los planes para incluir menos espacio comercial y una mayor diversidad de opciones de vivienda. El plan actual, la versión más reciente presentada a los comisionados, incluye un parque, una zona comercial, casas adosadas de nivel básico, viviendas unifamiliares y apartamentos, además de destinar una parte del terreno a viviendas para personas de bajos ingresos. En la reunión del 22 de Julio pasado, la comisión de planificación organizó una audiencia pública para recabar la opinión de la comunidad sobre la última versión del plan del proyecto antes de presentar la propuesta para su aprobación el 12 de Agosto. Si bien la comisión no tiene la última palabra sobre el desarrollo del proyecto, formulará recomendaciones al consejo sobre el informe final de impacto ambiental, las modificaciones al mapa de uso del suelo y al mapa de zonificación del plan general, y la aprobación del plan de vivienda asequible del desarrollo. Además, transmitirá la opinión pública recibida durante esta fase del proceso. Las principales preocupaciones planteadas por el público durante la reunión incluyeron los posibles impactos en las viviendas vecinas al nuevo desarrollo y las maneras de reducir la huella ambiental del proyecto.
David Springer, miembro de la Comisión de Acción Climática de Winters, preguntó si se podría integrar la energía solar en el diseño y exhorto al equipo de planificación a buscar maneras de incorporar cargadores para vehículos eléctricos y conexiones fáciles al transporte público. Actualmente, las zonas residenciales de Farmstead están programadas para ser totalmente eléctricas, pero las zonas comerciales no.
Olivia Rodríguez, también miembro de la Comisión de Acción Climática, exhorto a los promotores a con-
Un mapa de la versión actualizada del desarrollo Farmstead se exhibió en la reunión de la Comisión de Planificación de Winters el 22 de Julio. El debate en la audiencia pública continuará en una reunión especial de la comisión de planificación el Martes 12 de Agosto a las 6:30 p.m.
siderar la creación de ciclovías en Farmstead para conectarla con otros barrios a lo largo de la avenida Railroad Avenue.
Kyle Ward, David Hyde y otro vecino, cuyas casas en Almond Lane colindan con la nueva urbanización, expresaron su entusiasmo por dar la bienvenida a los nuevos vecinos, pero su esperanza es que las nuevas viviendas construidas junto a su barrio actual sean de una sola planta, en lugar de dos, para armonizar con el estilo y brindar a los residentes actuales algo de privacidad en sus patios. Los promotores se mostraron receptivos a esta idea y dijeron que la dis-
cutirían más a fondo para definir su posible diseño. Crystal Apilado, editora encargada del Winters Express y residente de la vecindad de Walnut, preguntó si existen planes para una valla de seguridad entre las zonas comercial y residencial en la manzana adicional de Broadview Lane, y los urbanistas confirmaron que habrá un muro de privacidad de dos metros entre ambas zonas.
Los comisionados tomaron nota de los comentarios del público y continuarán la conversación, según lo previsto, en la reunión del 12 de Agosto a las 6:30 p.m. para recibir más aportaciones del público.
El distrito escolar seguirá ofreciendo comidas gratuitas a los estudiantes
Especial para Express El Distrito Escolar Unificado Conjunto de Winters anunció hoy su política para servir comidas a los estudiantes bajo el Programa Nacional de Almuerzo Escolar/Desayuno Escolar para el año escolar 2025-2025. Todos los estudiantes recibirán almuerzo y desayuno sin cargo en los siguientes sitios: Escuela Preescolar Estatal Winters, Escuela Primaria Waggoner, Escuela Intermedia Shirley Rominger, Escuela Intermedia Winters, Escuela Secundaria Winters y Academia Profesional Wolfskill. Para obtener información adicional, comuníquese con Patricia Jimenez, Directora de Servicios de Nutrición, Distrito Escolar Unificado Conjunto de Winters, 909 West Grant Ave., Winters CA 95694, 530-795-6109, ext. 8004 o pjimenez@ wintersjusd.org.
public safety agencies across the country to prevent victimization through education and awareness. Its materials are designed for all age groups and are funded through donations from local businesses and community members.
As part of the program, letters will soon be sent to Winters businesses with information about sponsorship opportunities. Sponsors will be recognized on the back cover of school safety manuals that are distributed throughout the community.
“This partnership gives us the flexibility to provide more relevant safety materials than we can typically get through grant funding,” said Andrea Gonzalez, Winters PD community services officer. “Grants often come with limitations on the topics we can cover, and this allows us to better meet the needs we see in Winters.”
Local nonprofits and other organizations can also support the program or request Winters PD participation at community events where materials can be distributed. Participation will depend on staffing availability.
CLINIC
Continued from Page 1
now we have to let them know about it,” Cleveland said. “Urgent care is primary care, and despite you having access or not having access to a primary care physician, somebody that you know or want to be taken care of by, we can be that bridge, and we have the personnel and expertise to be able to see you.” Cleveland expressed that the staff at the clinic will be fit and prepared to serve a demographically diverse population, like the one Winters features.
“The people that are hired to be able to help this community, they have that ability, and that’s how we’re going to service the community,” Cleveland said.
Cleveland said a third of his staff are Spanish-speakers and will be able to communicate and provide care to those who need it. For providers who don’t speak Spanish, Cleveland said staff who do will be able to help fill any gaps.
“We obviously have a medical assistant, or we have a radiation tech or we have a patient services representative, so we have the ability to not only be able to hopefully speak directly to you from a provider standpoint, but if not, we can bring somebody in from the clinic,” Cleveland said.
Taking the role of primary care doctor at the clinic will be former airman Michael Tang, MD, who has lived in Winters for a year and a half with his fiancée.
“It’s a blessing to
be here, (his fiancée) loves Winters and has always wanted to live here,” Tang said.
He concluded his address with a pointed comment towards the NorthBay executives in attendance, pleading to carry on a tradition of a nearby non-profit run by a retired physician who would see patients for free.
“I’m hoping, with the blessing of North Bay, this is why I chose North Bay over Sutter and Kaiser when I chose my civilian job, is that they are allowing me, on the weekends periodically, to see patients are free,” Tang said. “That’s always been my passion, going back to medical school.”
NorthBay Health CEO Mark Behl expressed his excitement about bringing NorthBay to its first Yolo County location in his remarks.
“This is a big day for us here at North Bay Health. We’re excited. I hope Winters is excited as well,” Behl said. “Our vision is to be the trusted healthcare partner of choice for the communities we serve.”
NorthBay is the only provider in California that is part of the Mayo Clinic Network. Behl said he hopes that the new medical center will aid in bringing that expertise to the small town of Winters.
“We like to think of it as, we’re bringing world-class care from the Mayo Clinic right to Main Street, USA,” Behl said.
The Winters clinic is part of a $250 million initiative by NorthBay Health to “fundamentally transform how healthcare is delivered across the North Bay region,” a press
FOOD
Continued from Page 1
For more information or to inquire about sponsorships, donations or event participation, contact the Winters PD at 530794-6725 or send an email to tips.winters@ winterspolice.org.
place in Winters on the first and third Thursdays of each month at 10 a.m. at RISE, Inc., 417 Haven St. This is a walk-up distribution, and participants should plan to transport their items themselves.
Other nearby food distributions west of Interstate 505 include:
Esparto: The first and third Thursday of the month at 9:30 a.m. at the RISE, Inc. office at 17317 Fremont St, in Esparto. This is a walk-up food distribution.
Madison: The second and fourth Monday of the month at 4 p.m. at
the Madison Community Committee Food Closet, 28963 Main St. in Madison. This is a walk-up food distribution.
Guinda: The second and fourth Monday of the month at 9:30 a.m. at the Guinda Grande Hall, 16787 Forest Ave. in Guinda. This is a drive-through food distribution. Recipients are asked to stay in their cars and to follow the volunteers’ directions.
For more information, call 530668-0690. For a full listing of Yolo County food distributions, visit www.yolofoodbank.org/findfood. A list of all of the Yolo County food distributions is available on the “Find Food” page.
release stated.
NorthBay plans to open additional clinics in Fairfield, Vacaville, Dixon and American Canyon, facilitating an ambulatory care plan throughout Solano County.
The quick construction and opening of the new clinic was made possible by the collaboration between California Forever, the same organization behind the East Solano Plan, and the largest single landowner in Solano County.
According to both organizations, with the partnership California Forever, the opening of several of the new clinics would have been delayed by five years.
“Their collaboration helps support the acceleration of this into Winters. This was on our list, and they helped to bring this to the community in an accelerated model. So I appreciate that,” Behl said.
Representing California Foreer was Michael Fortney, who shared the excitement for the clinic’s open-
ing as part of a larger plan to bring health care to both Yolo and Solano Counties.
“We’re super excited to see this clinic open, and you’re addressing the desert of medical and health care needs that Solano County and Yolo County have, and that partnership with us is important as we try to enhance the quality of life for our residents in Solano County and our friends and neighbors here in Yolo County,” Fortney said.
While some may have trepidations towards Silicon Valley millionaires purchasing more land, Winters community leaders are happy to see the new urgent care take the place of the old empty building that formerly took its place.
“NorthBay has transformed this old bank building that had been empty for far too long into a modern medical facility, which serves not just NorthBay Clients but the whole community,” Mayor Albert Vallecillo said. “Winters
has never had urgent care services. Now, urgent medical care is available here in our community.”
Carla Wroten, Winters Chamber of Commerce vice chair, had the honors of cutting the ribbon on the new urgent care facility, as well as giving the closing remarks.
“It’s important that we hear from real
people here, real doctors,” Wroten said.
“I think that this fills a huge need for our community, not only for people who are in our community who want to see a regular doctor, but also in emergencies. That has never been here, and we’re just so lucky to have another partner in town that can serve our people.”
Courtesy photo
Local volunteer Bob Rennie helps to stage produce at the food distribution at the Winters High School student parking lot.
Courtesy photo
Winters Police Cadets distribute public safety materials to community members during National Night Out at the El Rio Villa housing complex.
Logan Chrisp/Winters Express
Community members and local leaders gathered with representatives from NorthBay Health and California Forever to celebrate and cut the ribbon at the NorthBay Health Winters urgent care facility last Wednesday.
Logan Chrisp/Winters Express
Winters Mayor Albert Vallecillo speaks at the NorthBay Health urgent care clinic grand opening event.
Agricultural News
Agricultural Heritage Club honors legacy farms, ranches
By Christine Souza California Farm Bureau
Six farms and ranches were inducted last week into the California Agricultural Heritage Club at the California Exposition and State Fair. The club recognizes farms, ranches, agricultural businesses and organizations that have operated in the state for at least 100 years.
Lt. Gov. Eleni Kounalakis addressed the families during the ceremony to honor their legacies in the state.
“Today, we’re celebrating more than farms, ranches and agribusiness; we’re celebrating living legacies, stories of perseverance, adaptation and deep commitment to both land and community,” she said. “The families being honored today—your families—didn’t just help build California’s agriculture industry. In many ways, you helped to define what it means to be a Californian.”
Shannon Douglass, president of the California Farm Bureau, a sponsor of the event, said: “I’m so glad we can honor farm families with such tremendous history and inspiring stories of resilience.”
During the induction ceremony at the State Fair, the Hoskins/Pleasants Ranch in northern Solano County was honored for 175 years
in business. The ranch, established in 1850, had raised livestock and grown orchard crops. Today, the ranch focuses on queen bee production and regenerative agriculture. Overseen by Ethel Hoskins and the Joyful Ranch Foundation, the historic homestead is on the national and state registers of historic places. Despite the destruction of historic buildings during the 2020 LNU Lightning Complex Fire, including an original 1880 barn, the ranch was rebuilt.
Ethel Hoskins thanked the Ag Heritage Club for the honor and said of the ranch: “It will continue to thrive, even in spite of difficulty.”
The Locke Ranch, established in San Joaquin County in 1850 by Dr. Dean Jewett Locke, has been recognized for 175 years. Based in Lockeford, the family business, which has overcome floods, crop failures and economic shifts, has entered its sixth generation and is managed by Chris Locke and Elliot Locke.
Honored among the farms and ranches that surpassed 125 years in business is Gowans Family Orchard in Mendocino County. Established in 1876, the Philo-based farm grows certified-organic heirloom apples and produces and
as the Mission Bell azalea. Heinke’s Family Farm in Butte County was honored for 100 years in business. Founded in 1925, the Paradise-based farm evolved from fruit preserves to organic juice and specialty crops and is known for launching the U.S. kiwifruit industry. The farm faced devastating losses during the 2018 Camp Fire, but the orchard and vineyard survived. Today, Heinke’s continues to grow and distribute organic produce nationwide.
sells cider and hard cider.
The Sierra Beauty apple variety, planted at the farm in 1906, was discovered growing at the farm after many thought the rare apple had gone extinct.
Tryon Ranches, founded in 1883 in Del Norte County, was also honored for more than 125 years in business.
George Tryon purchased the original ranch, which set the foundation for a multigenerational legacy in agriculture. The ranch is operated today by Rose Tryon, president of American Agri-Women and past president of California Women for Agriculture.
Honored among the farms that have passed the century mark is San Gabriel Nursery and Florist in Los Angeles County. The business was established in 1923 by Japanese immigrants Fred and Mitoko Yoshimura. In 1942, the Yoshimura family was relocated to an internment camp during World War II. After the war, they returned and rebuilt, growing the nursery into a flourishing business and cultural landmark. Fred Mitoko was a pioneer of the California Bonsai Society, and the family introduced unique plant varieties such
How plants learn to spot sneaky bacterial invaders
By Amy Quinton UC Davis News
Scientists at UC Davis used artificial intelligence to help plants recognize a wider range of bacterial threats — which may lead to new ways to protect crops like tomatoes and potatoes from devastating diseases. The study was published in Nature Plants.
Plants, like animals, have immune systems. Part of their defense toolkit includes immune receptors, which give them the ability to detect bacteria and defend against it. One of those receptors, called FLS2, helps plants recognize flagellin — a protein in the tiny tails bacteria use to swim. But
bacteria are sneaky and constantly evolving to avoid detection. “Bacteria are in an arms race with their plant hosts, and they can change the underlying amino acids in flagellin to evade detection,” said lead author Gitta Coaker, professor in the Department of Plant Pathology.
To help plants keep up, Coaker’s team turned to using natural variation coupled with artificial intelligence — specifically AlphaFold, a tool developed to predict the 3D shape of proteins and reengineered FLS2, essentially upgrading its immune system to catch more intruders.
The team focused
on receptors already known to recognize more bacteria, even if they weren’t found in useful crop species. By comparing them with more narrowly focused receptors, the researchers were able to identify which amino acids to change.
“We were able to resurrect a defeated receptor, one where the pathogen has won, and enable the plant to have a chance to resist infection in a much more targeted and precise way,” Coaker said.
Why it matters
Coaker said this opens the door to developing broad-spectrum disease resistance in crops using predictive design.
One of the researchers’ targets is a major crop threat: Ralstonia solanacearum, the cause of bacterial wilt. Some strains of the soil-borne pathogen can infect more than 200 plant species, including staple crops like tomato and potato.
Looking ahead, the team is developing machine learning tools to predict which immune receptors are worth editing in the future. They’re also trying to narrow down the number of amino acids that need to be changed.
This approach could be used to boost the perception capability of other immune receptors using a similar strategy.
Plants seek friendly environments rather than adapting
By Andy Fell UC Davis News
As jewelflowers spread into California from the desert Southwest over the past couple of million years, they settled in places that felt like home, according to a new study from UC Davis.
The work, published July 1 in Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences, shows that the ability of plants and animals to adapt to changing climates might be limited.
“I was honestly surprised,” said Sharon Strauss, Distinguished Professor emeritus in the Department of Evolution and Ecology and correspond-
in
ing author on the paper. “They haven’t evolved as much as you would think.”
The study also shows the important role that herbaria — collections of pressed and dried plants — can play in ecological research.
Jewelflowers (Streptanthus) began to spread into California two to four million years ago as the climate became “Mediterranean” with a rainy season from fall to spring and a hot, dry summer. Jewelflower species are now found across the region, in areas that are much colder and wetter overall than the deserts where they originated. Strauss, postdoctoral scholar Megan Bontrager and col-
leagues used about 2,000 specimens of 14 species of jewelflowers from the Consortium of California Herbaria, an online resource that draws on multiple plant collections, including UCD’s own herbarium.
Most jewelflowers are annual plants that germinate with the first significant rainfall of the season. By reconstructing local climate conditions for each specimen, the researchers could therefore estimate when the plant germinated from seed, and how long it had been growing before being collected.
“We know how far they progressed on their one shot at life,” Strauss said.
The Agricultural Heritage Club was established in 1948 to honor California farm families that have maintained continuous family ownership and operation of their land for 100 years or more. The awards are a State Fair tradition celebrating the vital role agriculture plays in California’s identity and economy.
Sponsors of the Agricultural Heritage Club induction event included the California Farm Bureau, Farm Credit West, The Zenith, Flora Fresh, California State Floral Association and Friends of the California State Fair.
This article was originally published in the Aug. 6, 2025, issue of Ag Alert, and is reprinted with permission of the California Farm Bureau.
Yolo County opens annual nut-buying period
Special to the Express Yolo County agricultural commissioner Humberto Izquierdo announced that the official nut-buying period began on Aug. 1 and will run through April 1, 2026, per the county’s nuttheft ordinance.
On May 13, 2014, the Yolo County Board of Supervisors adopted the nut-theft ordinance to assist with the issue of nuts being stolen from orchards and sold illegally. The declaration of the nut-buying period and related proof-of-ownership requirements assist the department in enforcing the ordinance through compliance checks at places where nuts are sold.
During this period, people in possession of unprocessed nuts (almond, walnut or pistachio) shall be required to show proof of ownership. Under probable cause, the agricultural commissioner or any peace officer may inspect the commodity and request that proof of ownership be provided, containing the following information:
• Name, address, telephone number and signature of the seller
• The vehicle license plate number of the seller
• The driver’s license number of the seller
• The weight of the nut commodity purchased
• The date and time of the transaction
• The variety and condition of the nut commodity
• Specific identification of the source of the commodity being sold. If the seller is the grower of the commodity, this shall mean the address at which the commodity was grown. If the seller is not the grower of the commodity, this shall mean the name, address and phone number of the person from whom that seller obtained the “nut” commodity, and if known, the address where the commodity was grown.
The proof of ownership shall be retained with the nut commodity to which it pertains while the commodity is in any person’s possession. Forms may be obtained from the Yolo County Agriculture Department, 120 West Main St., Suite D., in Woodland, or at the Yolo County Farm Bureau, 69 W. Kentucky Avenue in Woodland.
• Name, address, telephone number and signature of the buyer
Christine Souza/California Farm Bureau photo
Ethel Hoskins of Hoskins Pleasants Ranch in Solano County is honored as an inductee into the California Agricultural Heritage Club for 175 years or more of continuous operation in the state. The award is presented by Rina DiMare, a member of the California Exposition and State Fair board of directors.
Vacaville Winters
Tuesday, August 7
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, https://yolofoodbank.org/find-food
Saturday, August 9
Eat Well Yolo Drive – Through Food Distribution
Saturdays, 11 a.m. As supplies last, Winters High student parking lot, off Railroad Avenue
Sunday, August 10
Winters Sunday Farmers Market, 9 a.m.–1 p.m., Downtown Main Street
Monday, August 11
Winters Climate Action Commission Meeting
6:30 p.m., City Hall Large Conference Room (Abbey Street entrance), Check cityofwinters. org/182/Climate-Action-Commission
Tuesday, August 12
Winters Planning Commission Special Meeting, 6:30 p.m.,City Hall Large Conference Room (Abbey Street entrance), Zoom Meeting info, check www.cityofwinters.org/planning-commission/ Entertainment
Friday, August 9
Sofia Burns, 6:30–9 p.m., Downtown Main Street
Sunday, August 10
Jon Spivak, 9:30 a.m.–1 p.m., Downtown Main Street
Thursday, August 14
Silver City, 7 –9 p.m., Winters Rotary Park Gazebo Library Services
Winters Library Open to Public (Summer Hours of Operation) May 19 to Aug. 22, Winters Community Library, Mon/Wed: 10 a.m.–6 p.m., Tue/Thu: 12–8 p.m., Fri/Sat: 1–5 p.m.
Teen Tuesday (ages 12-18), Second Tuesdays, 2 p.m., Winters Community Library
Bilingual Storytime (ages 0-5), Wednesdays, 10:30 a.m., Winters Community Library Virtual English Conversation Group, Tuesdays, 2-3 p.m., One time registration required: Contact Nancy Pacheco 530-666-8019 or nancy.pacheco@yolocounty.org
Mangonada Monday (ages 6-12), fourth Monday, 3:30 p.m. Tech Thursdays, Thursdays, 2-7:30 p.m., call 530-6668005 to schedule an appointment. Bilingual sessions available upon request.
Saturday Matinee, First Saturday, 2 p.m., Winters Community Library All You Need is Love Romance Book Club, Second Saturday, 4 p.m., Hooby’s Brewing
Older Adult Programs
Winters Senior Foundation Chair Yoga Class for Seniors 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
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
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.
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.
Get a well, septic system inspection HOMES, Page 2
Celebrating Richard Douglas, 2025 Elder Day
By Cheryl Sandoval, Special to the Express
Sitting with Richard Douglas in his front yard, you can sense his connection with nature, his genuine caring and his straightforward communication.
Richard was born in Graton, California in October 1933. He smiles as he says there is one street with a grocery store, a post office, a gas station, a soda fountain and six bars — The best kind of town.
Growing up
Graton is right in the middle of apple country, not far from Santa Rosa. A farming community. Richard said people worked on the farms and in a cannery around there. People trusted each other, and if you didn’t have enough money at the gas station, the lady in charge would say, “Pay me when you get around to it,” and she never lost a dollar. It was a great place to live. Richard has one sister and one brother. They went to a oneroom school. He began school in Napa. When his folks moved into town, that’s when he moved in with his Grandmother. Richard said he didn’t like living where there was a house next to him.
Growing up, Richard would go to the Russian River. Sometimes they would go to the ocean on the 4th of July. It was more or less family, and then grew to include friends. Everyone would bring their own special dish. He said that was the way it was — being in the water and fishing with the nets in the ocean waves was a good thing.
Richard would fish
with his uncle using nets and would catch a lot of fish. He said they called the fish Grunions. Which is a small fish. He said you don’t even have to take the bone out; you eat the bone and all.
“You could eat ‘em and eat ‘em. They were so good,” Richard said. “No doubt you were going to catch them, because they were coming in to lay their eggs. You could see them; there was such a mass of them swimming in.”
Notable life experiences
Richard said he has always liked to be on his own, or with one or two friends, camping up in the mountains for 3 to 4 days. He especially liked to camp up near Ukiah. Richard had an aunt with a cabin up there, and there was a big canyon nearby, and he had to take a tram on a cable
to get to it. Richard would go up there to work and help his aunt, just to enjoy it all. You can’t beat the outdoors.
Richard liked growing up on a farm. He said there was always something to do. Most people in his community lived on a farm. Children were not out looking for trouble because they were busy, and that was a good thing. Growing up, Richard said he was especially good at playing Tiddlywinks, a game where small discs are propelled by larger discs into a container.
Richard later moved to Winters and worked for Mr. Erickson, a local farmer for 16 to 18 years. When Mr. Erickson retired, Richard went to work for Heidrick, and continued to farm.
Richard liked to farm even though it was seven days a
week. He said farming is hard work, but it keeps you busy, and you have to like it. Richard liked to get up at 4 to 4:30 a.m. He said farming was great because you were not doing the same thing every day, and you could work outside. There were different problems to solve and different situations to experience. Richard is a Korean War veteran. He was deployed for 2 years and stayed an extra 4 to 5 months. Coming back, Richard began where he left off. After the war, he said everyone went their own way except for one friend he initially visited with each year. Life then took them away from each other. Life reflections Richard and his wife Lucia have a daughter in Phoenix, Ariz. She wants them to move
See DOUGLAS, Page 6
File photo
In July, Jamie and Alice Wales of Winters took a copy of the Express along on their European adventure, snapping a photo with it at the iconic Eiffel Tower in Paris, France.
Crystal Apilado/Winters Express
Richard Douglas (center) accepts a certificate from Yolo County Supervisor Lucas Frerichs for Elder Day. His wife Lucia (left) also was honored as an Elder Day honoree. She will be featured in the next edition of the Express.
What to know before buying a home with a well, septic system
Many homes outside
and across Capay Valley rely on a private well for water and a septic system for wastewater treatment. While these systems can serve a home reliably for decades, they come with unique responsibilities — and a few important steps every buyer should take before closing. How these systems work
A private well draws water from underground sources and delivers it to the home through a pump system. Because this water is not treated by a municipal utility, the homeowner is responsible for ensuring its safety. That includes regular water testing, pump maintenance,
and troubleshooting issues such as low pressure or contamination.
A septic system is a private, underground wastewater treatment system commonly used in rural areas. It includes a tank that collects household waste, allowing solids to settle and break down, while liquids flow into a drain field where they are filtered by the soil. With regular maintenance, a septic system can last 25 to 30 years or longer.
These systems eliminate monthly water and sewer bills—but also mean homeowners must manage repairs and upkeep without city support.
What to check before you buy
If you’re purchasing a home with a well or septic system, always request a professional inspection as part of your due diligence. For the well, that means testing for contaminants like bacteria, nitrates and arsenic. It’s also helpful to test for water hardness and mineral
content, which can affect plumbing and appliances.
A septic inspection typically involves checking the tank’s condition and capacity, assessing the drain field, and confirming that the system is properly sized for the home. If the system hasn’t been pumped recently, the inspector may recommend doing so before closing.
and overall condition.
Additionally, consider any future renovation plans. Adding bedrooms, finishing a basement or building an accessory dwelling unit may require an upgraded or expanded septic system, which can be costly or restricted, depending on soil quality and zoning laws.
Final thoughts
Homes with wells and septic systems are common in rural areas west of Interstate 505. They can be a smart investment, especially for buyers seeking privacy, acreage or agricultural opportunities. But they also require informed ownership.
Buyers should also ask the seller for maintenance records, including the last time the septic tank was pumped and any well service or repairs. These records offer a helpful snapshot of the system’s history
Before making your purchase, get the right inspections, understand the upkeep involved and plan for the long term. With a little preparation, you can enjoy the benefits of country living — without unexpected surprises down the road.
David McBee/Pexels.com
Express Yourself
Are we are getting nickel and dimed to death
The price of gasoline is coming down, and if you fill up in Ripon, it was “only” $3.79 per gallon last week. Lorenzo’s is under $5, which is my tipping point. I’m still enjoying riding my new electric bicycle, which gets 75 miles to the charge. I’m not sure anyone can figure out what my cost of electricity is to run the bike against filling my pickup’s tank, but it is a lot less to ride the bike.
One surprise this month was my bill for maintenance and supplies for my Xerox copier. I signed a fiveyear contract with Xerox when I bought the copier four years ago, and the contract has them supplying toner and maintenance. It started out at $112 per month, plus an extra charge if I made too many copies. Every year, they raise the price (spelled out in the contract), which I understand, because older machines need more servicing. The monthly charge is now
“One surprise this month was my bill for maintenance and supplies for my Xerox copier.”
$189 a month. I have never had one of my service agreements add a Tariff charge to my invoice until now. It is only $9.26 a month, but that is an added $111.12 a year.
Imake a lot of copies and try to charge $0.10 per copy. I’m not sure how to charge $0.101 per copy, but I’ll have to figure out something, or cut back on having coffee at Steady Eddy’s a couple of times a month to make up the difference.
I try not to worry about money, but I do. I am at a point where I buy name-brand items
See QUICK, Page 6
Horoscopes
ARIES (Mar 21/Apr 20),
Aries, if you long to take your romantic relationship to the next level, this might be the week to focus on your feelings. Your partner may be waiting for you to make a move.
TAURUS (Apr 21/May 21),
Tranquility you have been feeling of late enables you to listen more attentively to your inner self, Taurus. Take advantage of slow times to evaluate events and make important decisions.
GEMINI (May 22/Jun 21),
You can look forward to an enjoyable week, Gemini. Career issues or family matters are nothing to worry about right now, as everything seems to be moving along smoothly.
CANCER (Jun 22/Jul 22),
This week you may find satisfaction that will put a smile on your face and boost morale. You also may find yourself embracing some of the core values that have been a part of your life.
LEO (Jul 23/Aug 23),
Leo, others may have been asking questions of you since you’ve uncharacteristically been out of the limelight. Reveal what you want to share. Even you are allowed your secrets.
VIRGO (Aug 24/Sept 22),
You have a tendency to avoid conflict instead of facing things head on, Virgo. If you’ve been circumventing something that needs attention, it is time to see it through.
LIBRA (Sept 23/Oct 23), Libra, if you feel that your power has increased, it may be time to take on some more responsibility right now. Embrace your new role and remain confident in your ability to handle it.
SCORPIO (Oct 24/Nov 22), Scorpio, right now you are going through a period where circumstances are trying to shed light on your hidden motivations. But you’re not ready to show everyone your cards just yet.
SAGITTARIUS (Nov 23/Dec 21), Sagittarius, your ego may take a hit this week, but you’ll need to roll with the punches. You are finally understanding that simply willing something to happen won’t always work.
CAPRICORN (Dec 22/Jan 20), Your actions lately have been going against your nature to want to please others, Capricorn. It will be difficult for you to get back on target, but not impossible.
AQUARIUS (Jan 21/Feb 18), It is becoming evident that you might need to bring in a little extra help on a situation that has been brewing for some time, Aquarius. Figure out who you can trust and go from there.
PISCES (Feb 19/Mar 20), Your powers of concentration and self-discipline are impressive, Pisces. There are lessons that others can learn about these admirable traits if you’re willing to share.
Legals
Need
Send
document is sealed with a red seal Jesse Salinas County Clerk/Recorder State of California County of Yolo AUGUST 6 13 20 27 2025 #82897
FILED IN YOLO COUNTY CLERK S OFFICE
Jesse Salinas, Yolo County Clerk/Recorder F20250568
curred in connection with the issuance of the Bonds The
Core
The Project will be leased to NorthBay
The Bonds and the obligation to pay princip al of and interest thereon and any redemption premium with respect thereto do not constitute indebtedness or an obligation of the City of Winters County of Yolo the Authority the State of California or any other political subdivision thereof within the meaning of any constitutional or statutory debt limitation or a charge against the general credit or taxing powers of any of them The Bonds shall be a limited obligation of the Authority, payable solely from certain revenues duly pledged therefor and generally representing amounts paid by the Borrower
The hearing will commence at 9:00 a m Pacific Time or as soon thereafter as such matters can be heard and will be held via toll-free telephonic means accessible to the public by dialing : (844) 854-2222 (a toll-free telephone number) and entering the participant code 920111 Interested persons wishing to express their views on the issuance of the Bonds and/or on the nature and location of the above-described Project to be financed will be given an opportunity to do so at the public hearing or may prior to the time of the hearing submit written comments Additional information concerning the above matter may be obtained from and written comments should be addressed to the Borrower, Attn: Greg Hundley, telephone (720) 990-3936 , email: Greg Hundley@HealthCore org
Dated: August 6 2025 8/6/25 #83165
Honoring a legacy: 50 years of courage, care, and change
By Natalia Baltazar
Special to the Express
Empower Yolo board members recently had the opportunity and honor of meeting and interviewing
Fran Rockwell and Donna Moore, two extraordinary trailblazers and founders of the Yolo County Sexual Assault Center, which later evolved into Empower Yolo.
Delving into the agency’s rich history not only deepens our connection to the community but also strengthens our commitment to supporting survivors and advocating for their rights. This exploration is particularly significant as we prepare to celebrate the agency’s upcoming 50th anniversary.
Early years
Fran Rockwell had a nursing background and was an intern in the Doctoral Clinical Psychology program at the UCD Medical Center, supporting victims of sexual assault. During her time in the emergency room, she was struck by the glaring absence of support and resources available for survivors, both within the medical system and from local law enforcement. She later earned a PhD in clinical psychology while working with mental health clients and authored Dual Career Couples (1980). Additionally, Rockwell balanced her professional life with family, raising two sons alongside her husband.
Reflecting on her experiences in the medical center, Rockwell recalls, “I was working in the crisis unit, which is really the emergency room for nonphysical emergencies, and rape was certainly not considered an emergency like a gunshot wound. We saw a lot of sexual assault survivors in those days, and I don’t think we even had rape kits at the time. It was the woman’s word against his, and nobody understood the trauma that the women were going through. When I heard their stories, they struck me and stuck with me. And then I would see the survivors in the hospital and how they were treated,” says Rockwell.
Donna Moore (now Donna Moore-Stringer), the first program director for the UC Davis Women’s Resources and Research Center (WRRC), also contributed significantly to advancing the rights of women. With a PhD in social and developmental psychology and as the author of Battered Women (1982), Moore navigated the complexities of raising three sons as a single mother while making immense contributions to feminist scholarship and activism.
Both Rockwell and Moore vividly recall the social and political landscape of the late 1960s and early 70s, a time when women couldn’t even obtain credit cards without their husbands.
“Domestic violence was not reported because it was considered a family matter, and it was best to keep it as a family matter, so we didn’t let anyone know this
was going on,” Rockwell said. “Sexual Assault focused on the perpetrators, their personality types, and the kind of backgrounds they had. There was nothing about the women.”
Creating change
The 1970s marked a transformative period, “a decade of extraordinary feminist activity on virtually every level,” said Moore.
Women’s studies was becoming more established, and more women pursued research, doctoral degrees, and leadership positions in academia.
“Before that, there was no mentorship available. There were a few faculty women who had survived going through the tenure process, having to justify their work, and they were really strong. When I became the faculty director of the WRRC, it was because I had a doctorate. I was comfortable inviting other faculty women to be part of the WRRC, and it grew, and it was wonderful,” Rockwell said.
In a significant endeavor, Moore drove 17 women — students, staff, and volunteers of the WRRC — to the UN women’s conference in Mexico City in 1975. The WRRC also hosted various conferences addressing critical issues such as battered women and men’s issues.
“It was a busy four years of women’s activities on campus and in the nation,” Moore said, reminiscing.
Rockwell and Moore met at a sexual assault seminar, and they’ve shared a special connected friendship for over 50 years. Rockwell reflects on their collaborative journey, “We broke so many barriers” from co-teaching psychology and women’s issues at UC Davis Medical School to Donna becoming the first paid program director of the WRRC to establishing the Yolo County Sexual Assault Center in 1977.
“Donna and I started talking about the issues, and we started talking with the police and physicians around to see what we could find out about sexual assault, and what the resources were for survi-
vors, and found there were none,” Rockwell said.
Establishing the sexual assault center
The lack of resources for survivors in the community prompted Moore and Rockwell to take action. In 1976, Moore developed a proposal for a community-based rape counseling program and presented it to the Yolo County Board of Supervisors. With the approval of $13,000 in county revenue-sharing funds administered through Diogenes, Inc., a nonprofit youth service organization, the Yolo County Sexual Assault Center was established as a separate entity on March 4, 1977, and received its 501(c) (3) status on June 30, 1977. Both Rockwell and Moore, alongside six other community members, signed the articles of incorporation and became the first board members.
“We were considered real and bona fide. We were authentic and part of the mainstream, and that was a big deal because the university and community acknowledged our organization,” Rockwell said.
The Sexual Assault Center (the Center) was initially housed in a temporary apartment near the university on First Street in Davis. It provided crucial counseling services to rape victims and their families through a 24-hour crisis line, offering peer counseling and referral services coordinated by trained counselors. Rockwell and Moore provided support and training to the counselors who accompanied survivors in receiving medical, legal, and law enforcement services. Domestic violence services were subsequently added in 1978.
Rockwell helped create new protocols for medical professionals to follow when assisting survivors, ensuring they were treated with respect and dignity. Both Rockwell and Moore were hands-on leaders who recall waking up in the middle of the night to go to the hospital to support victims.
“We owed that to the survivors. They weren’t reporting the crime because of how they were being treated by law enforcement and
to overcome,” said Moore. “Some of the issues that we’re talking about with women have gotten better in that we do have more legal rights right now in the United States, but it’s also true that we run the risk of losing those very same rights if we don’t recognize them and continue not just expecting them but demanding them.”
Leaving a legacy
Both Rockwell and Moore feel an immense sense of pride and satisfaction in being part of founding the Yolo County Sexual Assault Center, now Empower Yolo, and reflect on the transformative impact they have had on countless individuals and families. They are proud of what Empower Yolo has become and are thankful for the people who have carried on the work through the years. They both emphasize the hard work and dedication it took them and many others to establish this life-saving resource for the community.
“The Center didn’t just happen. It took many hours and a lot of committed people’s time and energy to make it a true thing and to keep the work going,” said Moore.
They acknowledge that the fight for survivors is ongoing, and the need for support services remains vital.
emergency room doctors. If you don’t change the system, people won’t report,” Moore said.
In addition to reforming the approach to sexual assault to become more survivor-centered, Rockwell and Moore prioritized prevention education.
Recognizing the community’s lack of awareness about sexual assault and supporting survivors, they actively engaged with and presented to local churches and organizations to inform people about the services offered at the Center while promoting education and opportunities for women to pursue higher education.
They also developed positive relationships with local law enforcement and partnered with police departments in Davis, Winters, and Woodland. Davis police officers led self-defense classes for the community, demonstrating their commitment to supporting survivors.
Moore advises younger generations about the importance of understanding history.
“If we don’t know our history, we cannot actively create a future or advocate for our rights,” she said.
“What I see is that younger generations don’t have the history that we are talking about here today. And if you don’t understand this history, you don’t know what it cost to have the freedoms that you have. This is not just a problem for young women, but it’s also a problem for many groups of color. If you don’t know your history, you don’t know the sacrifices that people made so that you can vote, so that you can have safe healthcare, so that you can have an abortion and protect your own body and we’ve lost that sense of history, which I fear is leading to less activism on the part of young people,” Moore warns.
Moore recognizes societal challenges that persist.
“The biggest hurdle then and now — remains the broader cultural context in which women are not valued; we seem to be reentering that era. Victim-blaming biases around women’s behaviors were very hard
“This work is not easy; establishing Empower Yolo demanded hard work to lead it into being a solid organization. Despite all of that, these things continue. Your organization happened because of dedication and tenacity and the demonstrated need, and that need has not gone away,” said Moore. Both founders appreciate the advancements within the movement. “The progress is in how we see these issues and how we think about them and try to respond to them. What becomes so important is that these issues are complicated, and as you take one layer of complication away or understand it a little bit better, another one pops up. Seeing what Empower Yolo is doing now, especially working with young people in sororities and fraternities, students in schools, and protecting survivors with their family pets at the safe house, is so important because it continues to show growth in the field,” Moore observes.
Rockwell also emphasized the importance of financial support for Empower Yolo, encouraging donations through Donor Advised Funds and IRAs to ensure the continuity of these crucial services into the future.
To donate or learn more about Rockwell and Moore, please visit our website in the weeks to come for a follow-up piece highlighting these remarkable leaders and others at empoweryolo.org. This article serves as a powerful reminder to younger generations of the invaluable contributions made by change-makers like Rockwell and Moore, fostering a profound connection to the Center’s rich history. Their dedication laid the groundwork for Empower Yolo, an organization that cultivates pride within our community. We honor the legacy of those who came before us — individuals who championed the empowerment of women and provided unwavering support to survivors and families. Together, we carry forward their mission, ensuring that the values of empowerment and resilience continue to thrive in our community. —Natalia Baltazar is the Director of Development and Community Relations of Empower Yolo.
Courtesy photo
Fran Rockwell and Donna Moore are trailblazers and founders of the Yolo County Sexual Assault Center, which later evolved into Empower Yolo.
Courtesy photo
Donna Moore laughs with audience members at a conference in 1975.
Fran Rockwell with the book she edited, “Dual-Career
Sports
Warriors fall sports season schedules
Express staff
Fall is in the air, and with a new school year beginning in Winters, Warriors fans are gearing up for an exciting season of fall sports.
As students settle into their classes and routines, many are also lacing up, gearing up, and showing up — learning to balance academics with the demands of practices, games, and team spirit. With the football, volleyball, cross-country and swim teams ready to hit their stride, fans can mark their calendars for a full slate of competitions.
Volleyball
Aug. 14, vs Esparto, JV 5
p.m./V, 6 p.m.
Aug. 19, vs Maxwell, JV 5
p.m./V, 6 p.m.
Aug. 21, vs St Helena, JV
5 p.m./V, 6 p.m.
Aug. 26, at Dixon, JV 5
p.m./V, 6 p.m.
Aug. 28, vs Williams, JV 5
p.m./V, 6 p.m.
Sept. 2, at Rio Vista, JV 5
p.m./V, 6 p.m.
Sept. 4, at Live Oak, JV 5
p.m./V, 6 p.m.
Sept. 9, at Durham*, JV 5
p.m./V, 6 p.m.
Sept. 11, at Colusa*, JV 5
p.m./V, 6 p.m.
Sept. 16, at Paradise*, JV 5 p.m./V, 6 p.m.
Sept. 18, vs East Nicolaus*, JV 5 p.m./V, 6 p.m.
Sept. 23, vs Willows*, JV 5
p.m./V, 6 p.m.
Sept. 30, at Pierce*, JV 5
p.m./V, 6 p.m.
Oct. 2, vs Durham*, JV 5
p.m./V, 6 p.m.
Oct. 7, vs Colusa*, JV 5
p.m./V, 6 p.m.
Oct. 9, vs Paradise*, JV 5
p.m./V, 6 p.m.
Oct. 14, at East Nicolaus*, JV 5 p.m./V, 6 p.m.
Oct. 16, at Willows*, JV 5
p.m./V, 6 p.m.
Oct. 23, vs Pierce*, JV 5
p.m./V, 6 p.m.
Oct. 28, NSCIF - Rd. 1, time and location TBA
Oct. 30, NSCIF - Rd. 2, time and location TBA
Nov. 4, NSCIF - Rd. 3, time and location TBA
Nov. 8, NSCIF - Championship, time and location
TBA
*Sacramento Valley League contest
Football
Aug. 16, vs Amador/
QUICK
Continued from Page 3
and try not to look at the price difference between store brands and old standbys like Hunt-Wesson products. I believe there is a quality difference between store brands and items like Campbell’s soup. When my permanent tenant was making miniature pecan pies and using storebrand brown sugar, the sugar crystallized on the bottom of each pie. When she switched to C&H brown sugar, perfect pies. I’ve used that example for years to justify paying more for groceries.
My father was famous for buying cheap Scotch whisky. Trust me on this one, you don’t want to get used to drinking cheap alcohol. There are times when I bought cheap gas for my Harley and it pinged all the way home. A few tanks of premium and all was good with the world.
DISASTER TOURISM. Winters has done a great job of attracting visitors to our downtown and surrounding businesses. Coming back from Esparto, I took Road 87, which goes by what is left of the fireworks factory on Road 23. It is tragic that seven people lost their lives, but
UPrep scrimmage, 5:30 p.m./7 p.m.
Aug. 29, vs Dixon, 5:30 p.m./7 p.m.
Sept. 4, at Shasta (Freshman), 5:30 p.m./7 p.m.
Sept. 5, at Rio Vista, 5:30 p.m./7 p.m.
Sept. 12, vs Gridley (Gold Out Night), 5:30 p.m./7 p.m.
Sept. 19, at Live Oak, 5:30 p.m./7 p.m.
Sept. 26, vs Durham* (Homecoming), 5:30 p.m./7 p.m.
Oct. 3, at Colusa*, 5:30 p.m./7 p.m.
Oct. 10, Bye Week
Oct. 17, at East Nicolaus*, 5:30 p.m./7 p.m.
Oct. 24, vs Willows*, 5:30 p.m./7 p.m.
Oct. 31, vs Paradise*, 5:30 p.m./7 p.m.
Nov. 7, vs Pierce*, 5:30 p.m./7 p.m.
Nov. 14, NSCIF Round 1
Nov. 21, NSCIF Round 2
it is worth the drive just to see the devastation. There are heavy pieces of metal thrown everywhere and twisted metal buildings waiting for someone to salvage them. The cleanup will take a while, and the memory may never leave those directly affected by the explosions, but it’s worth the drive, if only once, to see for yourself what happened in July. I’m sure it was illegal, but I picked up a couple of pieces for future exhibit at the museum. I’m not sure how I will display the pieces, but it is part of our history. Have a good week.
DOUGLAS
Nov. 26, SSCIF Championships *Sacramento Valley League game
Swim
Sept. 3, BVL Meet No. 1 at Durham, 3:30 p.m.
Sept. 10, BVL Meet No. 2 at Orland, 3:30 p.m.
Sept. 17, BVL Meet No. 3 at Gridley, 4:30 p.m.
Sept. 24, BVL Meet No. 4 at Paradise, 3:30 p.m.
Oct. 3, Nor Cal Invite at Anderson, 10 a.m.
Oct. 8, BVL Meet No. 5 at Oroville, 3:30 p.m.
Oct. 15, BVL Meet No. 6 at Winters, 3:30 p.m.
Oct. 22, BVL Championships at Durham, 3:30 p.m.
Oct. 29, Div. II Championships at Shasta, 10 a.m.
Nov. 1, NSCIF Championships at Shasta, time TBA
Cross country
Sept. 24, SVL Champ
Continued from Page 1
down there, but he said. “No Way. It’s too hot.”
For most of his life, Richard never bought anything he couldn’t pay for with cash. He doesn’t think much of credit card debt.
Richard said he was known for “driving around the block for a ride over a weekend,” through Oregon, Idaho and Montana. Taking a short (long) drive. He has enjoyed traveling to the Grand Canyon and Yellowstone. He also spent time in the Redwoods, which has been a favorite, and he has gone many times. He said the best time to go is in January after a fresh rain.
Richard now enjoys working in his garden, puttering in his yard, and playing pool downtown with his friends on Wednesdays. He enjoys his home with Lucia, in a quiet neighborhood, with a lot of nice people here in Winters.
Richard offers the following advice: Children need more adventures and more programs to join. He said to let them go out and learn how to work instead of being on the computer. He also said that “hard work is only what you make of it.
Preview at Colusa State Park, 4 p.m.
Oct. 1, SVL No. 1 at Arbuckle CC, 4 p.m.
Oct. 10, West Valley Invite at Cottonwood, TBA Oct. 15, SVL No. 2 at Winters, 4 p.m.
Oct. 22, SVL No. 3 at Willows, 4 p.m.
Oct. 29, SVL No. 4 at Williams, 4 p.m.
Nov. 5, SVL Championship at Colusa State Park, time TBA
Nov. 13, NSCIF Championship at Cottonwood, time TBA
All WHS fall sports schedules and information on where to purchase tickets on the GoFan platform are available on the WHS Athletics department page at whs.wintersjusd.org under the “Student Life” tab.
You can do a hard job, and it can be easy or it can be hard.”
The Winters Express will feature Richard’s wife, Lucia, in the next edition. To see the full list of honorees, visit https://bit.ly/2025WintersElders.
Woody Fridae/Courtesy photo Richard Douglas is a Korean War veteran. He is one of the 2025 Winters Elder Day honorees.
KS Winters Photography/Courtesy photo
The Warriors football team kicks off its winter season on Friday, Aug. 16, in a scrimmage vs Amador/ UPrep.
Express file photo
The Winters High School cross country team will compete in the Sacramento Valley League preview on Sept. 24 at Colusa State Park.
Arts & Entertainment
Creative spirits flow at Winters’ Art & Wine Stroll
On Saturday, Aug. 9, from 2 to 6 p.m., art lovers and wine enthusiasts are invited to experience the charm of Winters during the next Second Saturday Art & Wine Stroll.
Throughout the afternoon, businesses along Main Street and Railroad Avenue will transform into pop-up galleries showcasing the work of talented regional artists. Attendees are encouraged to slow down, explore each stop, and enjoy the creative energy that fills the town each month. Many locations will offer wine or drink specials, and select venues will host artist meet-and-greets and live demonstrations, giving guests a chance to connect with the creators behind the work.
Look for the white “Art Stroll” flags outside participating locations and follow a self-guided map to enjoy all the stops.
Featured artists and galleries
Winters Museum
Kitty Hudson Cawley is a fused glass artist whose work combines craftsmanship with playful creativity. Her pieces range from functional art—like serving trays, bowls, and coasters— to whimsical sun catchers and ornaments that brighten any space. Each item is handmade and rich with
color, offering a unique fusion of utility and imagination. Kitty’s work will be on display Thursday, Aug. 7, through Saturday, Aug. 9, during museum hours (1 to 5 p.m.). She will be present on Saturday for a Meet & Greet and will have art for sale. Light refreshments will be served.
1st Street Studio Gallery
Diana Bennett is a versatile artist whose work spans oil, watercolor, and pen and ink, moving between abstract, portrait, and landscape styles. Her pieces reveal a playful curiosity and deep engagement with various media and techniques.
While Diana will not be on site during the event, a selection of her original paintings and cards will be available for purchase.
Turkovich Family Wines Tasting Room
Renowned watercolorist and Winters native Rosanne Seitz will be on hand to share the stories behind her “Stories of Yolo County” series — painted en plein air and inspired by the region’s orchards, ranches, and rural beauty. With a background in education and a passion for preserving local scenes, her work invites viewers into familiar places ren-
dered with warmth and detail. Rosanne will be on site for a Meet & Greet and will have art for sale.
Berryessa Gap Downtown Tasting Room
The River City Critique Group is a collective of accomplished regional artists who meet twice monthly to share feedback, refine their craft, and explore new ideas across a variety of styles and mediums. Their group exhibitions highlight the diversity of their creative voices, offering visitors a rich mix of painting, mixed media, and other visual art forms. While artists may not be present during the stroll, their work will be on display and available for purchase.
Hooby’s Brewing Holly Smith is a Dixon-based artist, educator, and mother whose work explores the emotional terrain of motherhood, the female body, and the quiet complexities of caregiving.
Using ink, graphite, charcoal, oil paint, and mixed media, her pieces reflect a balance of expressive mark-making and intimate observation. Each drawing or painting captures moments of vulnerability, resilience, and reflection.
Smith will be on site for a Meet & Greet and will have
Live music, small-town charm on tap this weekend
Special to the Express
The sounds of summer are still going strong in Winters as the Winters District Chamber of Commerce’s free concert series continues to fill downtown with live music, community spirit, and small-town charm. With performances set against the backdrop of historic Main Street and the shady Rotary Park Gazebo, the series has become a seasonal favorite for locals and visitors
alike.
Now in full swing, the lineup rolls into mid-August with a trio of performances designed to appeal to music lovers of all ages.
The fun starts Friday, Aug. 8, from 6:30 to 9 p.m., with Music on Main, featuring singer-songwriter Sofia Burns. Known for her heartfelt lyrics and blend of acoustic folk and indie-pop sounds, Burns will bring her soulful energy to the heart of downtown. Visitors
can soak in the music while browsing Main Street’s open-air vendors, offering fresh produce, handcrafted goods, and local treats.
The good vibes continue into the weekend with a Sunday morning set from Jon Spivak, performing Aug. 10 from 9:30 a.m. to 1 p.m. as part of the Downtown Winters Farmers Market. Shoppers can enjoy a mellow, musical backdrop as they explore the market’s seasonal bounty, grab a coffee
or pastry, and catch up with neighbors under the shade of the trees lining Main Street.
The series wraps up its August offerings with a lively Thursday night concert on Aug. 14, when the action moves to the Rotary Park Gazebo for a 7 to 9 p.m. performance by crowd favorite Silver City. Known for their smooth harmonies and toe-tapping covers of beloved classics, the group promises a relaxed, family-friendly evening. Bring a lawn chair or picnic blanket, kick back on the grass, and
art for sale.
Patio29 Spirits Co.
Cathie James-Robinson is a mixed-media artist based near the UC Davis Arboretum, where she works in painting, sculpture, and ceramics. Her vibrant and detailed pieces are inspired by the natural world, with a special focus on local wildlife and habitats. From 2D landscapes to 3D clay forms, Cathie’s work reflects her lifelong love of nature and her passion for interpreting it through texture and color. She will be present for a Meet & Greet and will have art for sale.
Additional artwork will also be on view at Putah Creek Café and Fine Eye Art Gallery, rounding out a vibrant afternoon of discovery.
Whether you’re collecting local art, sipping a favorite vintage, or just looking for a creative way to spend the day, the Second Saturday Art & Wine Stroll offers something special for everyone. The event is free to attend, and art and beverages are available for purchase.
Held monthly from May to October, the stroll celebrates the talents of local artists and the small-town spirit of Winters—making it a must-attend event for both residents and visitors. Art. Wine. Community. Explore it all on Aug. 9, in Winters.
enjoy takeout or refreshments from local eateries as the sun sets over Winters.
All performances are free and open to the public. Families, friends, and music lovers are encouraged to make an evening of it — whether it’s grabbing dinner downtown before the show or picking up something tasty to enjoy picnic-style at the park. For more information about local events, visit www. discoverwinters.com/ events.
“Bring your dancing shoes and celebrate.” City of Vacaville
Con Funk Shun back in downtown Vacaville
Special to the Express Con Funk Shun is making a return performance Aug. 9 at Andrews Park in the downtown Vacaville area. Doors open at 5 p.m. DJ Ed Combong takes the stage at 7 p.m., followed by Con Funk Shun. General admission is $30.
“Con Funk Shun is an incredible funk group and local favorite since 1971. Their memorable melodies, inventive horn arrangements, and guitar-woven grooves make this group essential to the evolution of funk,” the city said in a statement.
“Bring your dancing shoes and celebrate the last days of summer with live entertainment, vendors, and great food.” The entrance is located on the corner of Main and Davis streets. There is no entry from School Street. No outside alcohol or glass containers will be allowed. No smoking, no weapons, no tents, no early drop-off of chairs and blankets, and no pets (service animals permitted). Lawn chairs, blankets and water in small coolers no larger than 16 quarts will be permitted, the city said. For information, call 707-469-6685 or visit cityofvacaville.gov/events.
Courtesy photo
White flags mark which Winters businesses are participating in the Art Stroll event on the second Saturday of the month now through October.
WTC presents Murder on the Nile @ 2pm / $21.05-$23.18 Class, money, and reputation are at stake on a Nile River cruise where deceit, theft, and murder make waves in this suspenseful Agatha Christie whodunit full of mystery and drama. Winters Opera House home of the Winters Theatre Com‐pany, 13 Main Street, Winters. win terstheatre@gmail.com
The Hiwatters: Hiwatters Inner Sunset Farmer Market
@ 2pm Inner Sunset Farmers' Market, 1315 8th Ave, San Francisco
Clement St, San Francisco
Tiger and Woods @ 9pm Monarch, 101 6th St, San Fran‐cisco
normcore, Promethean, The Revelator @ 9pm Brick and Mortar Music Hall, San Francisco
Genix @ 10pm Halcyon SF, 314 11th St, San Fran‐cisco
Easy Crier performing at Outside Lands @ 1pm Outside Lands, 501 Stanyan St, San Francisco Winters Second Saturday Art & Wine Stroll @ 2pm Discover art and commu‐nity at the Winters Second Saturday Art Stroll! Meet local artists, view art in downtown businesses, and enjoy drink specials along Main Street and Railroad Avenue. Main Street and Railroad Av‐enue, Main Street, Winters Tantra Speed Date® - San Francisco! Meet Singles Speed Dating @ 5:30pm / $45-$150 Join the speed dating revolution with a 94% connection rate! Meet singles & ignite connections through fun, chemistry-building games! Yoga Studio, 1694 Union Street, San Francisco. help@ tantrany.com
The Sunset Shipwrecks @ 2:30pm Kilowatt Bar, 3160 16th St, San Francisco
Delbert Anderson Quartet @ 7pm Black Cat, 400 Eddy St, San Fran‐cisco
Sweet Undertow @ 7pm Kilowatt Bar, 3160 16th St, San Francisco
St. Francis & the Wolf @ 7pm Kilowatt Bar, 3160 16th St, San Francisco
Bexo's Melodic State Of Mind W/ Yoni + Special Guests ?
@ 7pm Harlow's, 2708 J St, Sacramento
Liam Miller Band
@ 7pm Make-Out Room, 3225 22nd St, San Francisco
Rotary Club of Davis Weekly Lunch & Program
@ 12pm See website for details. ro‐taryclubofdavis.com Davis Com‐munity Church, 421 D Street, Davis. spshoe@mac.com
Balloon Museum | Emotion
Air - Art you can feel
@ 12pm Palace of Fine Arts, San Francisco
Balloon Museum | Emotion
Air - Art you can feel @ 12:30pm Palace of Fine Arts, San Francisco
Balloon Museum | Emotion
Air - Art you can feel @ 12:45pm Palace of Fine Arts, San Francisco
Balloon Museum | Emotion
Air - Art you can feel
@ 3:45pm Palace of Fine Arts, San Francisco
Zee Machine @ 7pm Cafe Du Nord, 2174 Market St, San Francisco
Bentley Robles
@ 7pm Cafe Du Nord, 2174 Market St, San Francisco
Angel Band
Mostafa @ 6pm Adobe Books & Arts Cooperative, 3130 24th St, San Francisco
Humbletown Live at Luigi's @ 6:30pm Luigi's Deli and Market, 537 Main St, Martinez
Candlelight: A Tribute to Adele @ 6:30pm / $34.50 California State Railroad Museum, Sacramento. fever@ eventvesta.com
WTC presents Murder on the Nile @ 7:30pm / $21.05-$23.18 Class, money, and reputation are at stake on a Nile River cruise where deceit, theft, and murder make waves in this suspenseful Agatha Christie whodunit full of mystery and drama. Winters Opera House home of the Winters Theatre Com‐pany, 13 Main Street, Winters. win terstheatre@gmail.com
3kelves @ 10pm Rickshaw Stop, 155 Fell St, San Francisco
Dylan C. Greene @ 10pm Rickshaw Stop, 155 Fell St, San Francisco
Lost World (1925) w/ LIVE Orchestra! @ 2pm
@ 8pm Kilowatt Bar, 3160 16th St, San Francisco
The Heart Wants
@ 8pm Kilowatt Bar, 3160 16th St, San Francisco
Bentley Robles & ZEE
MACHINE Present: TEARS & GEARZ with LEXXE, and The Fell Swoop
@ 8pm Cafe Du Nord, San Francisco
Stick to Your Guns
@ 6pm August Hall, 420 Mason St, San Francisco
Gates to Hell @ 6pm August Hall, 420 Mason St, San Francisco
Billy Allen and The Pollies
@ 7pm Cafe Du Nord, 2174 Market St, San Francisco
molly santana @ 8pm The Independent, 628 Divisadero St, San Francisco
Molly Santana @ 8pm The Independent, San Francisco
Lamont Landers at Cafe Du Nord - San Francisco, CA @ 8pm Cafe Du Nord, 2174 Market St, San Francisco
Keshi
8pm Chase Center, 1 Warriors Way, San Francisco
Jenerator
Friday Aug 15th
Jesse Brewster Music @ 4:30pm The Rellik Tavern, 726 1st St, Benicia Join in for an unforgettable night of Americana rock with Jesse Brewster at The Rellik Tavern in Benicia! Known for his soulful voice, heartfelt lyrics, and rootsy sound, Jesse blends country, rock, and blues into a powerful live performance you won’t want to miss.
Biscuits & Blues, 401 Mason St, San Francisco
Kat Heart: Stardust Lodge - Feral Heart duo @ 7pm Stardust Lodge, 4061 Lake Tahoe Blvd, South Lake Tahoe
Cat Ridgeway @ 7pm Make-Out Room, 3225 22nd St, San Francisco
Locals Night Featuring: Death and Taxes Swing
Manny Maldonado - Live Comedy @ 7pm / $29 Aug 15th - Aug 16th Funny, Energetic, those are some of the words to best describe funny man Manny Maldonado! Manny was born in Modesto Cali‐fornia, and raised in an even smaller town called Ceres Ca. Laughs Unlimited Comedy Club and Lounge, 1207 Front Street, Sacramento. laughsunlimited@ gmail.com, 916-446-8128
Austin Lucas @ 7pm The Press Club, 2030 P St, Sacra‐mento
David Parker: Green Valley Country Club w/Locked-nLoaded @ 7:30pm Green Valley Country Club, 35 Country Club Dr, Fair�eld Comedy Spot double feature: two great improv shows for less than $20! Third Fridays all summer! @ 7:30pm / $19 The best comedy twin bill in Sac — two great shows, one amazing price! Get tix for Murder, You Wrote *and* Nibling Rivalry for less than $20! Sacramento Comedy Spot, 1050 20th Street, Sacramento. mickey@saccomedyspot.com, 916-444-3137
New Moon On Monday: Open for Super Diamond! @ 8pm Bimbo's 365 Club, 1025 Columbus Ave, San Francisco LAZWELL @ Whiskey Dicks @ 9pm Whiskey Dicks, 2660 Lake Tahoe Blvd, South Lake Tahoe
Manny Maldonado - Live Comedy @ 9:30pm / $29 Aug 15th - Aug 16th Funny, Energetic, those are some of the words to best describe funny man Manny Maldonado! Manny was born in Modesto Cali‐fornia, and raised in an even smaller town called Ceres Ca. Laughs Unlimited
