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Police share school safety tips News, Page 2
A Deep Look at bindweed turret bees Features, Page 1
Volume 140, Number 29 — Locally-owned since 1884
The hometown paper of Abigail Vargas
Winters, Yolo County, California, Wednesday, August 16, 2023
Local News Briefs Express staff
Farmworker resources Yolo County will host its first annual Farmworkers Day Resource Fair on Friday, Aug. 25, from 4 to 8 p.m. at Woodland Community College Community Room 800, 2300 E. Gibson Way. The event includes local resources, food and live music. To register, email Rodrigo.lopez@yolocounty.org or call 530-379-3465.
City hall jobs Courtesy photo
Folklorico dancers performed for attendees at last year’s Festival de la Comunidad event on Sept. 24 2022.
Festival de la Comunidad returns Sept. 30 Applications for Carnitas Cook-Off teams available Express staff
EXPRESS
Winters Community Corazón and the city of Winters are seeking teams to participate in the annual carnitas cook-off. The annual Festival de la Comunidad (Carnitas Festival) is scheduled for Saturday, Sept. 30 from 3:30 to 10:30 p.m. at Rotary Park. The carnitas dinner service starts at 3:30 p.m. with limited plates. There will be Folklorico, Mariachi, children’s entertainment, beverages, food trucks, booths and three hours of Banda. The event is free to attend, and food and beverages are available for purchase. “The highlight of this event is the Carnitas Cook-Off, and we are encouraging teams or families who have great carnitas recipes to participate in the Carnitas CookOff,” said Jesse Loren, WCC chair and festival head organizer.
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By Crystal Apilado Editor-in-Chief
Courtesy photo
Volunteers serve up the carnitas plates at the Winters Community Center last year. Loren said this year they are asking the cooks to also help serve carnitas “to ensure every plate is heaping with carnitas and guests can ask questions about the recipes.” The first place prize of $300 will be awarded by the “People’s Choice.” The second place will receive $200 and the third place will receive $150. The Best Decorated Booth will win $50. Space is limited to six teams of three people. The spots will be reserved strictly on a first-come, first-served
basis. Teams will be provided with 60–80 pounds of high-quality pork and a box of lard on the morning of the cook-off. All other ingredients for the carnitas must be provided by the team. Teams are advised to arrive at Rotary Park at 9 a.m. and commence cooking by 10:30 a.m. The Carnitas CookOff Participant Application Agreement forms and a $50 refundable deposit for the pork are due by Friday, Sept. 15. Applications can be turned in online or mailed to PO Box 751,
Index
We at he r
Features ........................ B-1
Winters, CA 95694. The applications for the Cook-Off are available at Winters City Hall or El Pueblo Meat Market, or by contacting the email on the forms. For more information, contact Albert Vallecillo at 530-9026242 or email al@winterscorazon.org or Irene Goya Tweedt at 530-304-9423 or email irene@winterscorazon.org. Last year’s festival attracted about 3,000 people in attendance throughout the event.
See FESTIVAL, Page 3
See LOCAL, Page 3
Rain
High
Low
Aug. 08
.00
92˚
58˚
Express staff
Aug. 09
.00
90˚
58˚
Aug. 10
.00
92˚
58˚
Aug. 11
.00
90˚
62˚
Eventos hispanos ....... A-2
Aug. 12
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95˚
61˚
Aug. 13
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101˚
70˚
Opinion ......................... B-3
Aug. 14 TRACE
99˚
70˚
The Yolo County Health and Human Services Agency’s Communicable Disease Program on Friday confirmed the first human case of West Nile virus in Yolo County in 2023. The patient, who is a resident of Woodland, fell ill during the first week of August. This incident underscores the need for contin-
Classifieds ................... B-4 Community .................. A-2
Real Estate ................... B-2 Sports ........................... B-5
Last Thursday, a Winters resident posted on social media about a mountain lion sighting in the Dry Creek area, about 100 yards behind Suffolk Place. The Winters Police Department shared safety recommendations and resources regarding wildlife within the city. Police Chief John P. Miller said the sighting isn’t the first incident when wildlife has ventured close to down, noting that Winters in a wildland–urban interface as the wilderness of the rural area transitions to residential and city limits. Miller said some commonly seen wildlife includes turkey, deer, raccoons and opossums, as well as coyotes, bobcats, rattlesnakes,
and other snakes. Wild pigs also reside in the area but Miller said he hasn’t heard of them coming near town as they usually avoid people. “As with all wildlife, be aware of your surroundings, and usually, if you don’t bother them, they won’t bother you,” Miller said. In a social media post, Winters PD shared information courtesy of the Department of Fish and Wildlife in regard to mountain lions: • Do not hike, bike, or jog alone and avoid hiking or jogging when mountain lions are most active — dawn, dusk, and at night. • If you encounter a mountain lion, do not run; instead, face the animal, make noise and try to look bigger by waving your arms;
See WILDLIFE, Page 3
County confirms first 2023 West Nile case
Date
Rain for week: TRACE Season’s total: TRACE Last sn. to date: TRACE Winters rainfall season began 7/1/23. Weather readings are taken at 9 a.m. daily by local weatherman Joe Bristow.
ued vigilance and proactive measures to mitigate the spread of this mosquito-borne illness, according to a county news release. “Most people who become infected do not get sick, and the risk of serious illness to most individuals is low” said Yolo County’s Deputy Public Health Officer Dr. Mary Ann Limbos. “However, about one percent of individuals
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To share your thoughts on the qualifications for the next city manager, take the community input survey available in Spanish at https://tinyurl. com/45s48ymk and in English at https:// tinyurl.com/3kfzjxjp. Access to the surveys is also available on the city of Winters’ website, cityofwinters.org. The survey will close on Aug. 21. The survey results will be shared with the recruiter and the city council members. Recruitment for the role closes on Aug. 24. In her Friday update, city manager Kathleen Salguero Trepa said to date, the recruiter has received about 30 applications.
Police offer advice following mountain lion sighting
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The city of Winters is hiring for the vacant positions or senior planner, chief building official, fire engineer, part-time senior accountant and city manager. For more information, visit https://tinyurl.com/2zjcutup.
City manager input survey
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can develop a serious neurologic illness. We commend the dedicated efforts of the Sacramento-Yolo Mosquito & Vector Control District and their ongoing work in reducing mosquito populations to safeguard our community’s well-being.” Limbos emphasized the importance of individual actions: “Residents can play
See COUNTY, Page 3 YOUR
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