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Hidden mold poses health risk Health News, Page 8
Holiday cheer and giving Features, Page 1
Volume 142, Number 46 — Locally-owned since 1884
Winters, Yolo County, California, Wednesday, December 17, 2025
The hometown paper of Miles DaPrato
Salmon return to Putah Creek in record numbers Express staff A record 2,150 Chinook salmon, also known as king salmon, returned to spawn in Putah Creek this fall, marking the largest documented salmon run in the creek’s history and a major environmental milestone for the Winters community. Putah Creek, which flows along the border of Yolo and Solano counties just south of Winters, has long supported a small but vital salmon population. Previous estimates placed the return at about 1,700 fish in 2016. This year’s record-setting count, however, is based on a precise, individual tally conducted by biologists from the UC Davis Department of Wildlife, Fish and Conservation Biology. Timely water releases, targeted habitat improvements and decades of col-
Courtesy photo
The Winters Warriors football team, along with coaches and the cheer squad, celebrate their state championship win against Morse.
Unstoppable Courtesy photo
A record 2,150 Chinook salmon returned to spawn in Putah Creek near Winters in 2025, marking the largest documented run in the creek’s history. laboration among public agencies, landowners, scientists and community advocates are being credited for the successful run. “The number of adult salmon returning in 2025 is a testament to the collaborative efforts among citizens, water managers, landowners and scientists who are all working together to create a
Express staff
creek that can support people, fish and wildlife,” said Chris Lee, general manager of the Solano County Water Agency. “This successful run validates the work done to date and gives us great confidence Putah Creek will continue to support salmon for generations to come.”
See SALMON, Page 6
Signatures-in-lieu filing period opens Dec. 19 Special to the Express
EXPRESS
The Signatures-in-Lieu of Filing Fee period for individuals interested in running for Congress, state constitutional offices, the State Assembly, judicial offices, and county offices in the June 2, 2026, Statewide Primary Election begins Friday, Dec. 19, 2025, and ends Wednesday, Feb. 4, 2026. Packets for Signatures-in-Lieu of Filing Fees will be available by appointment starting Friday, Dec.
19. Interested parties can schedule an appointment online at https://elections.yolocounty.gov/scheduling, by emailing the Elections Office at elections@yolocounty.gov, or by calling 530-666-8133.
Local government The candidate filing period for local offices that will appear on the November 3, 2026, General Election ballot—including city council and board of trustee seats—will be scheduled and announced in 2026 once official dates are established. The Yolo County Elections Office will post the nomination period and filing instruc-
Features ........................ B-1
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Rain for week: 0.00 in. Season’s total: 5.89 in. Last sn. to date: 7.59 in.
Sports ........................... B-4
The Solano County Board of Supervisors has approved a $400,000 transfer to complete restoration work at Lake Solano Park, located just outside the city of Winters, following damage from the LNU Lightning Complex fire. The funds will come from unanticipated insurance revenues, according to the county. “The LNU Lightning Complex Fire was responsible for extensive damage throughout Solano County and
KS Winters Photography/Courtesy photo
Warriors Ricky Garcia, Jayden Blackburn, Lane Brown and Anthony Matamoros Mayes walk onto the field.
Winters rainfall season began 7/1/25. Weather readings are taken at 9 a.m. daily by local weatherman Joe Bristow.
resulted in approximately 30 acres of natural resource damage and the destruction of buildings and assets, including the park residence, maintenance shop, fencing, plumbing, electrical systems and nearly all park maintenance equipment,” a staff report states. County staff worked with multiple departments, insurance representatives and contractors to repair and replace damaged infrastructure, the report said. Restoration efforts at Lake Solano Park are nearing completion, with the park
residence, maintenance workshop and yard already finished. Final work on the Nature Center fire suppression tank is expected to be completed this winter. Lake Solano Park, frequently used by Winters residents for recreation, camping and fishing, was among the county facilities most heavily impacted by the 2020 wildfire. The increase in unanticipated revenues reflects the final insurance payment related to damages at Lake Solano Park.
Yolo Supervisors approve Crisis Care contract, select 2026 leadership McNaughton Media
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Express staff
By Rebecca Wasik
We at he r Date
Classifieds ................... B-6
The Winters Warriors captured the CIF Division 6-A state football championship Saturday, Dec. 14, with a 28–7 victory over San Diego–based Morse High School — the first state title in program history. Backed by unwavering community support from send-off to final whistle, the Warriors brought a historic championship home to Winters. Read more on Page B4.
Solano County OKs $400,000 to finish Lake Solano Park fire restoration
tions on its website as soon as they are available. Interested candidates are encouraged to check the Elections Office’s calendar. For more information, including a list of offices up for election, visit the Yolo County Elections website at https:// elections.yolocounty.gov. Residents are also encouraged to follow Yolo County ACE – Assessor/ Clerk-Recorder/ Elections – on social media for the latest updates: Facebook: @YoloACE, Instagram: @YoloCoACE, Threads: @YoloCoACE, YouTube: Yolo County ACE, TikTok: @yolocoace, and X: @ YoloCoACE.
Index
Warriors capture state title
On Tuesday, Dec. 9, the Yolo County Board of Supervisors unanimously approved a staff recommendation authorizing the Yolo County Health and Human Services Agency to enter into a contract with WellSpace Health for three crisis chairs in a behavioral health receiving center located in Sacramento that will serve all of Yolo County. In April, the board
approved HHSA moving forward with two providers, Safe Harbor out of Woodland and Wellspace Health out of Sacramento, for a one-year pilot project. Ultimately, staff was unable to contract with Safe Harbor due to licensing issues. WellSpace Health Behavioral Health Receiving Center provides 24/7/365 access to care for individuals experiencing a behavioral health crisis without the need for prior appointments or referral.
Its services include crisis intervention, screening and risk assessment, peer support, linkage to follow-up care, food, showers and laundry facilities. Lengths of stays cannot exceed 24 hours. Three Yolo County residents will be able to access these services simultaneously. Since Wellspace is located in downtown Sacramento, transportation will need to be coordinated as part of the pilot
See YOLO, Page 6
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