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Volume 140, Number 11 — Locally-owned since 1884
The hometown paper of Charlene Tanski
Winters, Yolo County, California, Wednesday, April 12, 2023
Trustees approve new Waggoner principal By Crystal Apilado Editor-in-Chief The Board of Trustees approved a new principal for Waggoner Elementary School and also heard from a parent who shared dissatisfaction with the resignment of the current principal. Lisa Dennis, Human Resources Director, spoke to Trustees at the April 6 Winters Joint Unified School Board meeting to detail the search for a new Waggoner principal. Of the seven applications received, Dennis said three candidates were selected to interview in front of a panel of Waggoner teachers, parents, and Winters JUSD classified staff and leadership. Of the two finalists, Christopher Marcoux was selected. Marcoux is currently the Assistant Principal at Foxboro Elementary School in the Travis Unified School District. According to Dennis, in addition to his current administrative experience, Marcoux has elementary teaching experience as well as experience in math and literacy coaching. “Mr. Marcoux is a
Crystal Apilado/Winters Express
The Board of Trustees approved Christopher Marcoux to serve as Waggoner Elementary School’s new principal. leader who places tremendous value on building relationships with staff and students. He is an attentive listener who seeks to understand, employs restorative practices, and provides calm and caring support,” Dennis said. “The Waggoner team wanted someone who is kid-centered, supports behavior challenges, is skilled in early literacy, and cares for staff. We know Mr. Marcoux
will excel in these and many other areas in his role of Waggoner Principal.” Superintendent Rody Boonchouy said Marcoux will be an asset to the team and they look forward to welcoming him due to his compassion for working with the school district’s younger students in transitional kindergarten through second grade. The fiscal impact of the hire is an annu-
al compensation of $129,250. Trustees approved Marcoux’s placement unanimously. Marcoux was present at the meeting and told Trustees that after listening to all of the school district’s updates, he was encouraged and thrilled to be a part of the team. “I share in building upon the successes … I believe strongling in building partnerships with students and the community,” Marcoux said. Waggoner Principal Travis Nelson-Ortiz announced his resignation to Waggoner families on Friday, Jan. 20. Superintendent Rody Boonchouy confirmed Winters JUSD had received the resignation, and Nelson-Ortiz’s name appeared on a separation report on the Jan. 19 Winters JUSD Board of Trustees agenda item on the Consent Calendar. At the time, Assistant Superintendent Phoebe Girimonte told the Express that Winters JUSD appreciated Nelson-Ortiz’s contributions during
See LEADER, Page 3
City Council recognizes Child Abuse, Autism Awareness months By Jacob Hoffman Express staff writer
EXPRESS
During its April 4 meeting, the Winters City Council recognized the month of April as both Child Abuse Prevention Month and Autism Awareness and Acceptance Month. Robert Strange, Police Chief of West Sacramento and member of the Yolo County Child Abuse Prevention Council
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(CAPC), started off the night’s presentations. He began by reiterating the importance of the topic as a “vital topic across all our communities, and everywhere to be very frank.” Describing CAPC’s mission, Strange said the council seeks “to eliminate child abuse and neglect, and the adversity it causes by strengthening families and communities.” Strange noted that April is recognized by many communities as Child Abuse Prevention Month, and every year CAPC conducts “a cam-
paign to bring more awareness” and that this month they are bringing a Lisa project exhibit “a multisensory exhibit… that offers a child’s perspective on the generational and cyclical nature of child abuse” to West Sacramento, Davis, and Woodland. Strange stressed that the experience is “pretty heart-wrenching” and may lead to some reliving their own past experiences, and said trauma experts will be onsite for those who need them, but emphasized its ability to express the impacts of
Index Features ........................ B-1 Classifieds ................... B-4 Community .................. A-2 Eventos hispanos ....... A-2
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A Winters City Councilmember is facing a gun-related charge at Yolo County Superior Court this May for allegedly being in possession of a gun without a serial indentation. According to his Attorney Michael J. Wise of Wise Law Group, Richard Thomas Casavecchia was pulled over while on his way home from a shooting
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Rain for week: 0.09 in. Season’s total: 36.99 in. Last sn. to date: 17.73 in. Winters rainfall season began 7/1/22. Weather readings are taken at 9 a.m. daily by local weatherman Joe Bristow.
Caltrans closes portion of Highway 128 for emergency repairs By Crystal Apilado Editor-in-Chief On Wednesday morning Caltrans District Three announced a full closure of State Highway 128 from Pleasants Valley Road west of Winters to the Solano County line near Lake Berryessa for emergency work due to a landslide. Traffic will be closed in both directions to motorists. City Manager Kathleen Salguero Trepa said only drivers who show the correct identification as proof of residency in the closure zone will be allowed to pass the barricades. Residents allowed through will be escorted to their homes. Caltrans notified the City of Winters that the erosion damage was more extensive than they initially thought. The permanent repair requires a soldier pile wall to be established. The closure is estimated to last about three weeks from April 7 but would likely be extended
due to weather and environmental conditions. Caltrans aims to open the area up with one-way traffic control once the road is determined safe to do so. “Once stabilized, Caltrans will install temporary traffic signals for one-way traffic. When it does, please watch for slowing and stopped vehicles as you head to the lake, and be careful out there,” Trepa said. The emergency contractor will bring in heavy equipment to work to remove debris from the slide and to stabilize the slope at post miles 1.75 and 2.24. The storms from that past weekend caused the saturated soil to slip from underneath the roadway in the early morning of Saturday, April 1. The road was initially closed in both eastbound and westbound directions in different locations from Pleasant Valley Road to the Solano County line.
range on April 2. “As a result of that contact, Mr. Casavecchia has been charged for possessing a handgun without a proper serial number,” Wise said. “He continues to cooperate with law enforcement, and we will address the merits of the misdemeanor matter in Court.” The Express received a request to not publish the initial arrest report from Casavecchia after
his Yolo court arrainment. A pretrial conference has been scheduled for Wednesday, May 17. The City of Winters did not reply to a request to comment by Tuesday. The Express filed a California Public Records Request with Winters Police Department to obtain information to confirm Casavecchia and Wise’s statements.
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The erosion damage on Highway 128 was more severe than Caltrans initially thought. The full road closure is estimated to last three weeks, but could be longer.
Councilmember facing gun charge
Rain
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See COUNCIL, Page 5
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these experiences on children. The Councilmembers, who received invitations to attend the Lisa project event on April 18, thanked Strange and CAPC for their work and provided a statement along with their proclamation recognizing Child Abuse Prevention Month which stated, “preventing child abuse and neglect is a community issue, and we all have a responsibility to nurture and protect our children.” Information about the Lisa Project can
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