Ag & Art Earth Day event debuts Saturday A3
Kings say Green crossed the line; Warriors defend him B1
WEDNESDAY | April 19, 2023 | $1.00
DAILYREPUBLIC.COM | Well said. Well read.
Vacaville native returns to scene of 1889 fight that inspired ‘Fight to the Finish’
Robinson Kuntz/Daily Republic file (2021)
Amy Maginnis-Honey
Construction continues on new homes in The Villages neighborhood, in Fairfield, March 19, 2021.
AMAGINNIS@DAILYREPUBLIC.NET
Solano Board of Supervisors lays out county priorities Daily Republic Staff
DRNEWS@DAILYREPUBLIC.NET
FAIRFIELD — Economic development is the umbrella issue for a host of Solano County priorities – the funding generator for a wish list of infrastructure, housing, workforce development, an evolving agriculture industry and other needs over the next five to 30 years. “We cannot do any of this without economic development ... So for me, that’s absolutely a priority,” Supervisor Mitch Mashburn said. What came into focus early on during Tuesday’s priority-setting session facilitated by Daniel Iacofano, of MIG Inc., was that while economic development is needed to generate revenues, that cannot happen
without many of the other priorities. The contract for Iacofano was for a maximum of $5,825. The final tally was not available. The county has already lost industrial opportunities due the lack of power infrastructure, and technology – including broadband – is driving changes in the agriculture industry and well as being essential for the county’s educational profile. “I think we have to hire a futurist and look at what the future is going to bring,” Supervisor Erin Hannigan said, while also emphasizing equity. “Because we are not going to get anywhere without looking through a lens of equity,” Hannigan added. What is left to be See Board, Page A8
Employee involvement needed to move county forward Daily Republic Staff
DRNEWS@DAILYREPUBLIC.NET
FAIRFIELD — Empowering employees became a talking point Tuesday as the Solano County supervisors looked into meeting future demands and needs. The discussion included everything from asking for ideas and MASHBURN innovations from the employees, to eliminating bureaucratic barriers and redundancies, to being more flexible with schedules and telework options. Professional development and advancement opportunities – cashing in on experience as well as education – also were mentioned at the priority-setting session held at the WILLIAMS County Events Center. The changes, officials said, would help the county with its recruitment and retention problems. There are more than 400 vacancies, nearly 100 more than at the start of the year. “If you don’t have a workforce, you are not going to get any of this done,” JoAnne Godeau, who works in the See Forward, Page A8 INDEX Arts B5 | Classifieds B7 | Comics A7, B6 Crossword A6, B5 | Obituaries A4 Opinion B4 | Sports B1 | TV Daily A7, B6 WEATHER 64 | 42 Sunny. Five-day forecast on B10.
Courtesy photo
Ron Jackson has combined his love for writing and history in books. His latest centers on a clandestine boxing match in Benicia that went 27 rounds.
BENICIA — Bestselling author Ron J. Jackson Jr. will be signing copies of his groundbreaking book, “Fight to the Finish,” on Wednesday. A live podcast will precede the book signing between 4 to 5 p.m. at Bella Siena Restaurant and Bar, 127 First St. Jackson is the guest on Pete Turner’s “Break It Down Show.” The event is at the site of the legendary 1889 “finish fight” between “Gentleman” Jim Corbett and Joe Choynski on a grain barge anchored in Southampton Bay. The 1889 fight, which would go until one man or the other couldn’t answer the bell, lasted 27 rounds, getting underway shortly after 7 a.m. Immediately afterward, Jackson will sign books and visit with anyone wishing to know more about one of Solano County’s most unique historical events. Everyone is welcome to attend. Jackson learned about the bout when he was a teen. “My curiosity was piqued at that moment,” Jackson told the Daily Republic in 2019. “Fight To The Finish” is the accumulation of four years of research. He examined archival records, autobiographies, old newspapers, maps and variety of eyewitness accounts. “Nothing is made up,” Jackson said, in 2019. “You have to stay within the bounds of evidence. You can’t stray to nonfiction. “I am very meticulous with how far I go to look through the blurry lens of history. It’s never going to be perfect but you get as close to the truth as you can.” Jackson learned all he could about the two boxers, including the fact that they grew up a mile apart in San Francisco and represented rival boxing clubs. See Fight, Page A8
Fox News, Dominion settle defamation suit for $787 million Tribune Content Agency WILMINGTON, Del. — Fox News avoided one of the highest-profile defamation trials in history Tuesday by reaching a $787.5 million settlement with Dominion Voting Systems, the company that accused the conservative channel of smearing its reputation in the weeks after the 2020 election. The trial began Tuesday in Delaware Superior Court. The jury would have determined whether
Fox News acted with malice by deliberately airing false statements about the Denver-based voting machine maker. Dominion was seeking $1.6 billion in damages. In addition to the monetary damages – one of the biggest defamation case settlements in history – the network in a statement also acknowledged that it aired falsehoods. It’s not clear whether the network also will make an on-air apology. “We acknowledge the Court’s rulings See Suit, Page A8
Alex Wong/Getty Images/TNS
The legal team representing Fox News arrives at the Leonard Williams Justice Center where Fox is being sued by Dominion Voting Systems in Delaware Superior Court in Wilmington, Delaware, Tuesday.
REFRESH YOUR HOME!
2SHQ :HHNGD\V DP SP 6XLVXQ 6RFLDO +RXU 'DLO\ SP :HHNHQG %UXQFK DP SP 2SHQ XQWLO SP 700 Main Street • Suite 104 • Suisun 707.425.1700 • castirongrillandbar.com
Storewide Sale!
WE PAY AY THE AY H SALES SA TAX SALE DATES: APRIL 7 – 24TH 395-A E. Monte Vista Ave. Vacaville • 707.449.6385 LaineysFurnitureForLiving.com