Solano board offers free training Vanden High’s girls punch into trades, other jobs A3 ticket to Division III final B1 WEDNESDAY | February 22, 2023 | $1.00
DAILYREPUBLIC.COM | Well said. Well read.
Fairfield adds $500,000 to downtown business loan program Todd R. Hansen
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Rob Lindsey, center, pours wine at Wooden Valley Winery in Fairfield, Monday.
Solano ranks as 13th best wine county in California RANKS 4TH FOR QUALITY OF WINERIES
FAIRFIELD — The City Council on Tuesday agreed on a 4-1 vote to transfer $500,000 from the Heart of Fairfield Intergovernmental Loan Fund for economic development activities in the city’s Revitalization and Enhancement Assistance Program. The council used $200,000 of those funds to establish a new downtown equipment loan program. The remaining $300,000 would be divided into $200,000 for larger projects, and $100,000 for existingorsmallerprojects. Councilwoman K. Patrice Williams dissented. She could not
support the equipment loan provision. Councilman Rick Vaccaro and Councilwoman Doriss Panduro were absent. “The equipment piece, I don’t quite feel comfortable with it,” Williams said. Vice Mayor Pam Bertani wants the city to develop a design standard for the downtown so there is some continuity with the facade work. The city last recapitalized the program in March 2020, and had about $100,000 left in the program fund. The Revitalization and Enhancement Assistance Program – or REAP – was established to encourage See Loan, Page A8
Todd R. Hansen
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A customer agitates a glass of wine at Wooden Valley Winery in Fairfield, Monday. Solano County ranks 13th as best wine county in California and fourth for quality of wineries.
FAIRFIELD — Solano County was ranked the 13th best wine county among the 58 California counties – scoring well in quality and less so in accommodations. In fact, Solano ranked fourth overall for the quality of its wineries, but 39th for accommodations. Lisa Howard, with Tolenas Winery and an officer with the Suisun Valley Vintners & Growers Association, said it is not the worst thing that Solano ranked poorly with regard to accommodations, because a lot of the Suisun Valley winemakers would likely agree. “We need more high-end accommodations,” Howard said. She also said there are a couple of projects See Wine, Page A8
National Ag Day to celebrate 50 years Daily Republic Staff
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FAIRFIELD — National Ag Day will celebrate its 50th anniversary on March 21. The theme is “Growing a Climate for Tomorrow.” It is organized by the Agriculture Council of America. “Ag Day is about recognizing – and celebrating – the contribution
of agriculture in our everyday lives. The National Ag Day program encourages every American to understand how food and fiber products are produced; value the essential role of agriculture in maintaining a strong economy; (and) appreciate the role agriculture plays in providing safe, abundant and affordable products,” See Years, Page A8
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FAIRFIELD — State Sens. Bill Dodd, D-Napa, and Mike McGuire, D-North Coast, have been appointed co-chairmen of the Senate Select Committee on California’s Wine Industry. The pair have partnered as co-chairs since 2016. “The wine industry is a major economic and tourism driver for our state and it is essential
that the Legislature focus on issues that impact it,” Dodd said in a statement. “We’ve made big strides in achieving competitiveness in the global market and innovations in sustainability.” McGuire, the Senate majority leader, added, “California’s wine industry contributes over $70 billion to the California economy and is a top economic driver here at home on the North Coast. I’m excited to once again team up with Sen. Dodd
INDEX Arts B5 | Classifieds B7 | Comics A7, B6 Crossword A6, B5 | Obituaries A4 Opinion B4 | Sports B1 | TV Daily A7, B6 WEATHER 53 | 35 Mostly sunny. Forecast on B10.
New window decorations adorn the Lebanese Spoon in downtown Fairfield, Tuesday.
Council chamber, Civic Center Drive to be named after Price Todd R. Hansen
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Mustard flowers bloom in an agricultural field in the Suisun Valley in Fairfield, Monday.
Dodd, McGuire to head wine subcommittee Daily Republic Staff
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on this partnership with the Wine Select Committee. We’re ready to get to work on some of the top issues facing the
industry and our wine growing communities including climate adaption, workforce housing, See Dodd, Page A8
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FAIRFIELD — The City Council on Tuesday voted to name the City Hall council chamber after the late-Mayor Harry Price – the longest serving mayor in city history. The council, with Councilman Rick Vaccaro and Councilwoman Doriss Panduro PRICE absent, also voted to rename Civic Center Drive after Price. “He was Mr. Civic,” Mayor Catherine Moy said. “I look forward to
us being out there when it happens.” There also was discussion about working with the Travis School District to honor Price in relation to his long tenure as an English teacher at Vanden High School. That also could involve changing a street name, but no final decision was made about that. “If there is anything you can do, that’s the place,” one member of the public said. Price started teaching See Price, Page A8
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