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From weeds to thriving teaching garden Features, Page 1
Volume 143, Number 10 — Locally-owned since 1884
Winters, Yolo County, California, Wednesday, April 8, 2026
The hometown paper of Kathy Massman
ANNUAL YOUTH DAY PANCAKE BREAKFAST
Sponsored By Rotary Club of Winters Community Foundation Benefits Community Services Projects, Winters Senior Foundation, and Winters Fire Department Volunteers
Saturday, April 25, 2026 • 7am - 9:30am WINTERS COMMUNITY CENTER $20 Adults • $10 Children under 10
Free for children under 6 or who don’t eat very much
Council revisits Entertainment Zone after resident pushback Proposed entertainment zone prompts discussion on noise, safety and business impact By Sonora Slater Express Staff Writer As part of the city’s ongoing effort to direct foot traffic to Main Street and downtown businesses, the council introduced the legal framework for a downtown “entertainment zone,” where licensed businesses could sell alcoholic beverages for patrons to drink outdoors during certain hours. The idea was introduced during the Winters City Council’s March 3 meeting, with the
first reading at the March 17 meeting. The ordinance presented March 3 established proposed rules and boundaries for businesses that choose to participate in the entertainment zone. When operational, the zone would allow any alcoholic beverage purchased from a licensed business to be carried in non-glass, non-metal, compostable or reusable containers, so long as the person drinking it wears a standardized wristband verifying legal age. No outside alcohol will be allowed, and smoking will remain prohibited throughout the zone, except in alleyways, per regular city policy. The entertainment zone, which would be clearly marked with signage if established, was originally bounded by First Street,
Edwards Street, Railroad Avenue, Abbey Street, Elliott Street, East Main Street, and Russell Street. During the second reading at the April 7 meeting, a new map was introduced, shifting the zone’s boundary to largely end at Abbey Street rather than Edwards, with a carveout for the future site of the Yolo Fill Station. The revised map aims to exclude partially residential areas, as some residents may not want their homes included in the zone. The city has not yet communicated directly with these residents about the plan. The ordinance, updated to reflect the new map, was originally on the consent calendar. Council members moved it to the discus-
See ZONE, Page 4
Courtesy graphic
A new map of the proposed downtown Entertainment Zone shows adjusted boundaries ending largely at Abbey Street, with a carveout for the future site of the Yolo Fill Station.
Trustees hear proposal for new Register for parade, volunteer Early Childhood Education course for 88th Youth Day festivites By Logan Chrisp Express Staff Writer
EXPRESS
The Winters Joint Unified School District Board of Trustees heard a proposal for a new Early Childhood Education career pathway that would give high school students
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hands-on classroom experience and the option to earn college credit through dual enrollment on Thursday, March 26.
Program updates proposed Assistant Superintendent Phoebe Girimonte presented revised Early Childhood Education (ECE) 1 and 2 course descriptions. CrossAge Tutoring, offered since the 1990s, has been overseen by Winters teacher Jill
Features ........................ B-1
We at he r Date
Rain
High
Apr. 01
0.05”
72˚
55˚
Apr. 02 0.02”
65˚
43˚
Apr. 03
.00
67˚
43˚
Apr. 04
.00
77˚
43˚
Eventos hispanos ....... A-4
Apr. 05
.00
84˚
44˚
Apr. 06
.00
87˚
51˚
Opinion ......................... B-3
Apr. 07
.00
87˚
45˚
Real Estate ................... B-2
Rain for week: 0.07 in. Season’s total: 16.52 in. Last sn. to date: 19.04 in.
Classifieds ................... B-4 Community .................. A-2
Sports ........................... B-5
Low
Winters rainfall season began 7/1/25. Weather readings are taken at 9 a.m. daily by local weatherman Joe Bristow.
Express Staff Registration for the 88th annual Winters Youth Day main parade closes April 15, and the Youth Day Committee is inviting families, organizations, and community groups to take part. The parade, which carries no entry fee, promises a day of fun, cash prizes, trophies, and ribbons for winners in several categories. Professional C.S.H.A. judging will be provided for all horse entries. The 2026 Youth Day theme, “Youth Ahoy,” encourages participants to get creative with their parade entries. Entry forms are available online at wintersyouthday.com and may be submitted digitally or printed.
Forms received after April 15 may still join the parade but will not be eligible for prizes. A waiver of liability is required for all participants. Parade check-in begins at 7:45 a.m. on April 25. Parade rules strictly prohibit throwing any items; violators will be removed by police. In addition to the main parade, Youth Day will feature the Rotary Club Pancake Breakfast, a Kiddie Parade, a free Kiddie Faire, contests, and food and craft booths in downtown Winters. The parade committee is also seeking cars, convertibles with visible windows, or golf carts to transport dignitaries. Each vehicle must have a licensed driver. Questions can be sent to
Morgan Jane Gonzalez of Vacaville announces the birth of her daughter, Milah Jane Gonzalez. Milah arrived at 3:35 p.m. on Feb. 22, 2026, at a hospital in Davis, California. She weighed 8 pounds, 12 ounces, and measured 20 1/4 inches at birth. She joins her 18-month-old sister Elianah Gonzalez. Milah’s maternal grandparents are Ralph and Tammy Anderson.
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parade chair Shannon Duey at parade@ wintersyouthday.com. Community volunteers are needed as parade marshals and at activity areas at Rotary Park. A volunteer meeting will be held at 7 p.m. Wednesday, April 22, outside Hooby’s Brewing. Volunteer opportunities include manning barricades along the parade route at Main & First Street and Edwards & First Street. Volunteers who arrive early can claim their preferred spots along the staging area between Haven and Edwards streets. To learn more about volunteering and other Youth Day activities, visit https://linktr. ee/wintersyouthday and click on “volunteers needed.”
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Index
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Aguiar since 2019. The revisions aim to enhance the program to meet A-G graduation requirements, lay the foundation for students to explore early learning environments such as preschool and elementary school, and prepare them for potential careers in the field. Girimonte said the ECE program will maintain existing
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