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Winters Robotics seeks community volunteers News, Page 2
Boat donation boosts water rescue efforts Features, Page 1
Volume 140, Number 34 — Locally-owned since 1884
Marquez steps up as new fire captain By Aaron Geerts Express staff writer Art Mendoza left big shoes to fill upon his retirement from the Winters Fire Department, however, Jesus Marquez has fit into the role like Cinderella into her glass slipper. Marquez was promoted to fire captain and he’s still brimming with the same ambition and work ethic he did when he began as a Winters Fire volunteer years ago. Marquez filled in the role of fire prevention captain for Mendoza for a number of months while he was out of commission for medical reasons. Upon Mendoza’s retirement, the fire department leadership made Marquez’s status of provisional captain permanent on July 31. Originally from Mexico, Marquez and his family moved to the United States when he was 6 years old. He
grew up in Suisun City, then lived in Vacaville for a number of years before finally moving to Winters in 2023. Although he and his wife are recent residents in town, his began his career with Winters Fire in 2015 as a go-hard volunteer. “I took an intro to firefighting class in college and that required us to go on a ride-along. So, I went to Vacaville city and went on one for 12 hours and it was the best experience I’ve ever had. It was a tight-knit group who did everything together and I knew that’s what I wanted to do,” Marquez said explaining the spark of inspiration that led him to a firefighting career. “Ever since I joined in 2015, I’ve always wanted to grow within the ranks of the Winters Fire. In 2020, I got hired on full time as an engineer, then
See MARQUEZ, Page 5
The hometown paper of Robert & Kathy Polkinghorn
Winters, Yolo County, California, Wednesday, September 20, 2023
Local News Briefs Express staff
Farmers market extending
Courtesy photo
Fire Chief Jack Snyder (right) promoted Jesus Marquez (left) to the position of fire captain at the end of July. Marquez had priorly filled in as interim fire captain.
The Winters Downtown Business Association announced the Winters Farmers Market end date has been extended through the month of October. The Sunday farmers market was originally slated to end on Sept. 24, but according to Winters DBA President Chris Turkovich the organizers and market vendors thought it would be beneficial to everyone to keep it going until Sunday, Oct. 29. The Winters Farmers Market runs on Sundays from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. on downtown Main Street from the Railroad Avenue intersection to the crosswalk at Paseo Park.
The next Crafts and Art Market will be set up in Paseo Park off of Main Street on Sept. 24 during the farmers market hours. Those who are interested in participating should call 415-996-8179.
Senior Center update In her Friday update, city manager Kathleen Salguero Trepa reported that city staff met with the original architect to discuss updating the plans to include new energy code requirements and an emergency generator. Next steps include updating the budget to construct the senior center and to pursue funding source to cover the increase in costs. “The goal is to
See LOCAL, Page 5
Downtown Visioning process has more work ahead By Amelia Biscardi Express staff writer
EXPRESS
The Winters Planning Commission met on Thursday, Sept. 7, at a special meeting to host a workshop to share recommendations for downtown visioning. Except key stakeholders from the Winters Downtown Business Association did not show up in any official capacity, sending a letter to the commissioners explaining their absence. “The (Winters) DBA for quite a while has had growing frustrations with city staff,” Chris Turkovich, president of the Winters DBA said. “And at this point we are
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anxiously awaiting to start the Downtown Visioning process with the new city manager.” The Downtown Visioning process began due to and during the pandemic, as streets were blocked off and more outdoor dining became available. Now, with those years in the backseat, the Planning Commission is trying to find the next steps to keep downtown Winters growing. One of the largest undertakings that the commission is taking on, is the issue of the public pergolas on Main Street. Kirk Skierski, senior planner, explained in a presentation that there is a complicated matter. “As a response to COVID, the city placed public pergolas on Main Street, the city also expand-
ed programing of downtown events,” Skierski said. “Initially these downtown programs and services were envisioned as temporary. And while the downtown programs became popular, the city also heard concerns and downtown vision will assist with how the downtown should look and function.” The Planning Commission has been attempting to finalize things with surveys, booths, brainstorming with the public, an open house and workshops. However, with the Winters DBA wanting to wait until the new city manager is instated, that clouds the next steps. Some of the commissioners, as well, voiced their concerns about
See VISION, Page 5
Index Features ........................ B-1
We at he r Date
Rain
High
Low
Sept. 13
.00
91˚
59˚
Sept. 14
.00
93˚
61˚
Sept. 15
.00
95˚
58˚
Sept. 16
.00
90˚
57˚
Eventos hispanos ....... A-2
Sept. 17
.00
91˚
52˚
Sept. 18
.00
90˚
54˚
Opinion ......................... B-3
Sept. 19
.00
87˚
57˚
Real Estate ................... B-2
Rain for week: 0.00 in. Season’s total: 0.01 in. Last sn. to date: 0.47 in.
Classifieds ................... B-4 Community .................. A-2
Sports ........................... B-6
Winters rainfall season began 7/1/23. Weather readings are taken at 9 a.m. daily by local weatherman Joe Bristow.
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History mural showcases local agricultural history By Crystal Apilado Editor-in-Chief Eighteen student muralists, their families and community members gathered at the signing of the sixth historical mural sponsored by the Winters Participation Gallery (WPG) outside of the Winters Healthcare facility on Grant Avenue on the evening of Monday, Sept. 11. This year’s mural was sponsored with funds through the Winters Joint Unified School District’s Expanded Learning Opportunities Program. Superintendent Rody Boonchouy said the ELOP funds came out of the pandemic to support after-school (and summertime)
See MURAL, Page 5
Crystal Apilado/Winters Express
All four sides of the Winters Healthcare utility building feature top crops from local agriculture history.
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Crystal Apilado/Winters Express
Valerie Whitworth, Winters Participation Gallery board member, congratulates muralist Lola Garibay after presenting her with the Tim Duncan Memorial Scholarship.
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