News-Ledger Wednesday, November 8, 2017 Page 1
NEWS-LEDGER West Sacramento
Entire Contents Copyright News-Ledger 2017
USPS 388-320
Wednesday, November 8, 2017
Serving the West Sacramento Region Since 1964
54th Year No. 10
Local Scene See what’s going on. Calendar on page 9
Comics & Puzzles
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Sports
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Killer from 1989 West Sacramento murder denied parole again Yolo County District Attorney Jeff Reisig announced that yesterday a two-commissioner panel of the Board of Parole Hearings denied the parole of 60-year-old Carl Williams. Williams is serving a life sentence with the Arkansas Department of Corrections, Tucker Unit. The hearing took place by video conference at the California Department of Corrections “Sacramento Central Office.” This was Williams’ third lifer hearing. On April 7, 1989, 31-year-old Williams was staying at a motel in West Sacramento. He was dealing and using crack cocaine. He met Evelyn Munoz who had been staying with him for a couple of days. Ms. Munoz was working at the Department of Motor Vehicles and was going through a difficult divorce. Williams wanted to use Ms. Munoz’ car to sell crack cocaine and he and Ms. Munoz got into an argument. Williams became violently angry and strangled Ms. Munoz by stuffing a sheet down her throat. A witness in a nearby room twice heard Mr. Munoz beg for her life saying “Help, help me.” After strangling Ms. Munoz, Williams found her keys
and left with her car. A Yolo County jury convicted Williams of First Degree Murder in 1990 and he was sentenced to 25-years-to-life in State Prison. Because he had family in Arkansas, and due to prison overcrowding in California, the California Department of Corrections granted his request to serve his prison sentence in Arkansas. The Nov. 2, hearing took four hours to complete. Chief Deputy District Attorney Jonathan Raven represented the District Attorney’s Office. Two daughters of Ms. Munoz, as well as her son-in-law, attended the lifer hearing. All three made powerful statements to the Commissioners talking about how the brutal murder of their mother impacted their lives. District Attorney Victim Advocate Alma Rosas attended the hearing to support the family members. Board of Parole Hearings Commissioners Pete Labahn and Steven Russo determined that Williams still posed an unreasonable risk to public safety should he be released from prison. Commissioner Labahn stated that “This was a cruel crime
Motorcyclist dies after colliding with SUV on I-50 near Harbor Blvd. On Oct. 29 at 6:01 p.m., the California Highway Patrol Dispatch received a call of a traffic collision on Interstate 50 westbound, east of Harbor Boulevard. Officers assigned to the CHP Woodland Area office responded to the collision scene. Officers determined a fatality occurred as a result of a two vehicle traffic collision. Preliminary reports indicate that an unknown driver of a Yamaha motorcycle was traveling westbound on U.S. 50, east of Harbor Boulevard, approaching stopped traffic. For an unknown reason the driver of the Yamaha was unable to slow or stop prior to colliding with the rear of a black Ford SUV in the 2 lane. As a result of this collision, the driver of the Yamaha was ejected from the motorcycle. The driver of the Yamaha succumbed to the injuries he sustained at the scene. This traffic collision remains under investigation. It is unknown at this time if alcohol/ drugs are a factor in this collision. The identity of the deceased will be released by the Yolo County Coroner’s Office.
that remains disturbing to this day.” In pronouncing the fiveyear denial, Labahn stated that “Mr. Williams still has an inadequate understanding of what made him the dangerous man who killed Ms. Munoz.” Yolo County District Attorney Jeff Reisig stated that he was very pleased with the five-year
denial. “The daughters of Ms. Munoz have been suffering immeasurable pain since this 1989 senseless and brutal murder,” said Reisig. “We will do everything we can on their behalf to honor Evelyn Munoz and to keep society safe from this dangerous man. That is the very least we can do for this family and all
families who have survived similar tragedies.” Carl Williams will be eligible for a new parole hearing in 2022; however, the law permits him to request an earlier hearing date if circumstances change that would increase his likelihood of release. Source: Yolo DA
Sacramento Harvest Festival features plethora of local artists and craftspeople
West Sacramento henna artist Renu Lal to offer “Prayers You Wear” at local festival The Harvest Festival is known as the largest indoor arts and crafts show on the West Coast, showcasing over 24,000 unique items that are all handmade and embellished right here in the USA. Guests are treated to items such as original art, jewelry, clothing, specialty foods, photography, toys, home décor and more. Shoppers can meet hundreds of artisans, some of which hail from the Sacramento area. West Sacramento resident Renu Lal has been practicing the ancient art of henna for her whole life. Born and raised in New Delhi, India, Renu refers to her art as “Prayers You Wear”. Part of the experience she creates for her customers is more than just drawing and ink, it is a lesson in the history of what these sacred symbols mean. The Sacramento Harvest Festival will feature a number of other Sacramento area local artists and exhibitors, including Stone Circle Studio, Stuart Ratcliff Drawings, Tussey Mountain Quilts and Gifts, Native Spirit Handmade Soap, RK Originals Jewelry, Saradesigns, and Wisdom by Wisdom. The event also boasts live music from the Fargo Brothers and the hilarious antics of comedian John Park and his “Funny Waiter” show. Plus, holiday themed performers like Mama Claus, Eddie the
The AT&T Pioneers have been selected as the official community partner of the Sacramento Harvest Festival and will receive half of the proceeds from shopping bag sales and all the proceeds from the parcel check and gift wrapping station. Plus, anyone who brings a non-perishable food donation to support Elk Grove Food Bank Services will receive $2 off a general or senior admission.
Elf, Fables of the West, and a stilt walking Santa will all be strolling the festival and interacting with shoppers. The hands-on KidZone area will be hosted by Lakeshore Learning, a company dedicated to creating innovative educational materials that spark young imaginations and foster a lifelong love of learning. There will also be free child ID kit station nearby, hosted by New York Life.
More about Renu Lal: Renu Lal, a West Sacramento Mehndi (as it is known in India) artist, was born and raised in New Delhi, India and began practicing henna on family, friends, and neighbors as a young child. Nowadays, she is the most sought henna artist in California. Lal was honored the Best Henna Artist by Sacramento Magazine and News and Review. For years Renu has been ingratiating people both young and old with her spiritual insights and intricate henna art. She has the ability to see into their souls and provide them with artwork that heals and protects them. And her art does not stop there; Renu is a firm believer in giving back to the community and has spent years offerSee Henna, page 8