solano
SolTrans announces new south Solano operations partner Daily Republic Staff
drnews@dailyrepublic.net
VALLEJO — A Chicago-based transit firm joins SolTrans as a service operations partner in south Solano County. “We are looking forward to the fresh, new approach that Transdev will bring to our daily operations,” John Sanderson, operations manager for Solano County Transit, said in a statement. “Our goal is to provide our passengers with a safe, reliable, courteous, efficient and accessible transportation experience and this partnership will help us achieve that goal.” Transdev will operate the multimodal SolTrans system within the cities of Benicia and Vallejo, with regional connections to Bay Area Rapid Transit in Contra Costa County. It also will maintain the SolTrans fleet of 68 buses to deliver 16 bus routes, which include nine local routes, three supplemental school routes operating within the Benicia and Vallejo area, three lines
which provide regional service connections, and the entire paratransit service. “We know that our experience, including our electrification expertise, along with our knowledge of this region, can make a difference to SolTrans and their riders,” Ron Bushman, Transdev regional vice president for the Northwest region, said in the statement. “The new technology options that we provide will offer significant improvements to the service, quality and passenger experience. We are looking forward to helping SolTrans recover from the recent effects of the pandemic and make a positive impact to support our new partnership,” he added. Its California services include Napa and San Jose. Transdev is the largest private-sector operator of multiple modes of transit in North America, including bus, rail, streetcar, paratransit and shuttle services. Its parent company, Transdev Group, operates in 17 countries.
Authorities ID drowning victim in Berryessa as Guatemalan man Daily Republic Staff
drnews@dailyrepublic.net
LAKE BERRYESSA — A 25-year-old Guatemalan has been identified as the man who drowned Sunday at Lake Berryessa – the second drowning in nine days at the popular lake. Marcos Salvador Grijalva Pocasangre was visiting family in San Pablo, the Napa County
Sheriff’s Office reported. The Sheriff’s Office received a call around 4:30 p.m. about a man drowning at the Oak Shores Day Use Area of Lake Berryessa. Witnesses told deputies, “Mr. Pocasangre went under water while attempting to swim from one side of the cove to the other,” the See Victim, Page A9
DAILY REPUBLIC — Wednesday, June 30, 2021 A5
Bulk of Vacaville Fiesta Days set for Labor Day weekend Matt Miller
mmiller@dailyrepublic.net
VACAVILLE — The schedule for Vacaville’s Fiesta Days is continuing to take shape with the bulk of the celebration taking place over Labor Day weekend in September. G ener a l ch a i r man Karen Juilfs said plans are moving forward for a festive Sept. 2 through Sept. 6. “We’re looking forward to having an open Fiesta Days and giving the community something to be proud of,” Juilfs said. “I think it will be good. Fiesta Days may be a little different and some things may not be back until May. It’s a work in progress.” T he t rad it iona l parade and carnival will return, along with a classic car show, Vacaville Idol Contest, Whiskerino Contest and jalapeño eating contest. The beer garden and vendors section also will be back. There is an Aug. 6 deadline to register for a parade entry. Bands have already been booked for live music and they include Journey’s Edge, California Cowboys, Great Wide Open, Raccoons at the Party, Rust Buckets and the Pub Katz. The full calendar of events with times, places and added bands will continue to grow and can be found at vacavillefiestadays.org. Some Fiesta Dayssanctioned events are coming before September. The Vacaville Fiesta Days Car Show is scheduled for July 17. It will feature all makes of Volkswagens and be located at the intersection of Main, School and McClellan streets. Participants can register online and there will be cash prizes.
Aaron Rosenblatt/Daily Republic file (2018)
A participant carries the American flag during the Fiesta Days parade in Vacaville, May 26, 2018. The Miss Fiesta Days pageants will take place Aug. 21 for the Junior Pageant (age 0-12) and Aug. 22 for the Jr. Teen, Teen, Miss, Ms. and the Mrs. Pageant. For more information on those events, go to solanocountypageants.org.
A few Fiesta Day events have already occurred. The drive-thru kickoff barbecue, carnival food eats, the Diaper Derby and music by the PubKats were all made available over the traditional Memorial Day weekend. Vacaville Fiesta Days has been an annual cele-
bration since 1957 to help honor the city’s Spanish and western heritage. This year marks the 65th year. The only time a Fiesta Days hasn’t been held in Vacaville was last year because of the Covid-19 pandemic and in 1959 because of heavy rains.
